Gus Brindle has won the Scottish coarse fishing canal championship for the third or fourth time, but he had to work hard to claim the title on this occasion.

The Scottish international outfished nine other competitors in the event held in tricky conditions on the Forth & Clyde Canal at Haggs.

Dunfermline-based Brindle hooked into 420g of fish with Mark Llyons second on 305g.

Most of Bridle’s catch came in the first 30 minutes of the match, the chairman of the Scottish Federation for Coarse Anglers (SFCA) finding a pocket of roach. He then hung on by adding a few perch.

Darrin Ferguson, president of the Edinburgh and Lothians Coarse Angling Club (ELCAC) was third with just 90g with Andrew Potts fourth on 60g and Brian Wallace fifth on 20g. Rosalind Cassidy, also a member of the ELCAC, was sixth with 10g.

Brindle (pictured) said: “After a night with single figure temperatures and bright sunshine for most of the match, bites were very hard to come by despite the generous pegging.”

Stellar Omada Monarchs Academy return to action on Friday (July 12, tapes-up 7.30pm) and its been almost three months since their previous home meeting.

They will meet a new side to the National Development League (NDL), Middlesbrough Tigers, who have won their home meetings so far and competed pretty well on their travels.

Jake Mulford leads the way, but the visitors will not have the other Redcar reserve because Ben Trigger is riding in Poland. Ex-Monarch Matt Marson stands in.

Kyran Lyden (pictured by Peter Hill and courtesy of the Stellar Omada Monarchs Academy) is a popular reserve for Monarchs Academy and he comes from the Middlesbrough area. He is expected to be a key man against his local side and the pair clash again on Teesside on Saturday (3pm)

He said: “This weekend is the big one for me. I am a local boy to Middlesbrough so when the fixtures came out this was the one I looked for first. This will be a big one and I have made sure I am ready for these fixtures.

“If you look at our 1-7 then we have riders all the way that can beat anyone in any opposition, we just need to start doing it and build some momentum”.

STELLAR MONARCHS ACADEMY: Connor Coles, Mason Watson, Sam McGurk, Dayle Wood, Max Perry, Kyran Lyden, Mark Parker.

HEAT FLOORS TIGERS: Jake Mulford, Kai Ward, Danny Phillips, Jamie Halder, Matt Marson (guest), Ben Rathbone, William Hocaniuk.

Following the NDL match there will be a Northern Junior League match between Armadale Angels and Redcar Cubs.

PICTURES: Flashback to action at Armadale featuring Edinbugh Monarchs

The Hibs Development Squad will face Albion Rovers in the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. 

The tie will take place on Tuesday 30 July; kick-off at 7.45pm at Ainslie Park. 

Managed by former Hearts striker Sandy Clark, Albion Rovers compete in the Lowland League and finished 8th last season. 

Hibs were in the south section of the draw, and here’s a list of the fixtures: 

Berwick Rangers v St Mirren B – Motherwell B v East Stirlingshire – East Kilbride v Celtic B – Hibernian B v Albion Rovers – Cowdenbeath v Kilmarnock B and Rangers B v Bo’ness United 

If the youngsters progress to the second round of the competition, then they will face the winners of Cowdenbeath or Kilmarnock B at home. 

Here’s the full draw: 

Hibernian B or Albion Rovers v Cowdenbeath or Kilmarnock B – Motherwell B or East Stirlingshire v East Kilbride or Celtic B – Dumbarton v Berwick Rangers or St Mirren B – Stranraer v Bonnyrigg Rose and Clyde v Rangers B or Bo’ness United 

Eric Liddell

It is exactly 100 years to the day since Eric Liddell won an Olympic gold medal in Paris on 11 July 1924. The story of Liddell’s victory was the inspiration for the film, Chariots of Fire, but he was not only a sprinter, he was also an international rugby player.

While he studied at the University of Edinburgh Liddell played sport for Scotland, but in 1924 at the Olympics he would not run in the heats for the 100 metre race as they were held on a Sunday. As a committed Christian and later a missionary, he did not play sport on Sundays. He then trained for and competed in the 400 metres as that was held on a weekday, and he won.

To mark the centenary of Eric Liddell winning in Paris, a world-first exhibition will open at The Scottish Parliament on 25 July. 

The exhibition will give visitors the chance to explore the life and legacy of Eric Liddell – the Flying Scotsman and 1924 Olympic champion – alongside other legends from the Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame and also Scottish athletes competing in the 2024 Olympics. 

Organised by The Eric Liddell 100 campaign, with its patron Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, this initiative seeks to honour Liddell’s legacy and inspire future generations through a series of events and activities emphasising his core values of passion, compassion, and integrity.

John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “We are thrilled to see the launch of the Eric Liddell exhibition, as part of our exciting programme of events to celebrate the centenary of Eric Liddell’s gold medal win. All of our partners involved in this initiative spent a significant amount of time considering what Eric Liddell would have wanted and how important it is that we reflect him in our endeavours; we believe that any individual can make a positive impact on the world if they approach the challenges they face with passion, compassion, and integrity, which are our three values for The Eric Liddell 100. We hope everyone who visits the exhibition leaves feeling uplifted, inspired, and motivated to live life with these values in mind.”

Rt. Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of The Scottish Parliament, said: “We are delighted to host this exhibition in the Scottish Parliament, which celebrates the significant achievements of Eric Liddell but also serves as a powerful reminder of his legacy. It seems particularly relevant as Olympians from across the world prepare to compete in Paris. The Scottish Parliament is delighted to provide a platform for sharing his inspiring story with the thousands of people who will visit us this summer.”

Eric Liddell: Legacy of an Olympic legend will remain on show in the main hall at The Scottish Parliament until 12 September. The exhibition is free and no ticket is required.

Tickets for the Film Festival go on sale today at noon

Tickets for the Edinburgh International Film Festival go on sale today at noon – and there is a huge choice even though the programme is still much smaller than in past years.

The Opening Night film is The Outrun starring Saoirse Ronan and the Closing Night film will be the world premiere of Carla J Easton and Blair Young’s new music documentary Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands.

The revealing, funny and enraging documentary tracks the history of Scottish girl bands from the 1960s to the present. This scrapbook panorama view of Scottish pop music explores bands, cliques and movements that emerged in the country across the decades, exposing the challenges faced in a male dominated world.

Co-directed by musician Carla J. Easton (shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year and member of all girl band TeenCanteen) and prominent Scottish director Blair Young; the film is produced by producer/filmmaker Miranda Stern (Scottish Documentary Institute’s New Voices 2020) and the award-winning production company Forest of Black.

Girls On Film will co-present the World Premiere of the film which will screen at EIFF on 21 August at the Cameo Cinema.

EIFF Director, Paul Ridd said “I am thrilled by what the team, our collaborators and our supporters have put together these past months for all sections of the programme and across our exciting new festival footprint. Through a spirit of collaboration, passion and above all teamwork, we have worked to fashion something special out of a shared vision for what we want this historic festival to be going forward, and to offer a platform to an enormous range of film work. Since day one, the audience has always been front and centre in our thinking. And I cannot wait to see these formally exciting, thematically rich and unforgettable films to find their audience with us. Bring it on.”

Party at the Palace are looking for volunteers

If you are a music lover and you have some free time over the weekend of 10 or 11 August then Child Bereavement UK are asking for volunteers. The charity wants people to volunteer for four hours at either Party at the Palace or Let’s Rock Scotland (both being held at Linlithgow Palace). The job includes scanning tickets at the gate, selling wristbands and offering charity raffle tickets. And in return the volunteers get free access to the festivals with musicians such as UB40, Ronan Keating and The Skids.

Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. The charity supports children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying. 

Ruth Sanger, Head of Community Fundraising for Child Bereavement UK said: “This year Child Bereavement UK is delighted to be the beneficiary charity of some of the UK’s most anticipated festivals and gigs. Our volunteers tell us they have a great time soaking up the festival atmosphere and seeing their favourite acts, in return for just a few hours of their time helping us raise much-needed funds.  If you’re tempted to join in, please visit our website to find out how you can get involved.”

For more information on volunteering click on the link:https://www.childbereavementuk.org/Event/festivals

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New MPs at Westminster

The four new Labour MPs who represent city constituencies are somewhere in the group photo below of all the new MPs.

We spoke to Tracy Gilbert MP for Edinburgh North and Leith on Wednesday morning about her week so far. Listen at the link below:

Three people have been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of a 43-year-old man in Livingston. 

The incident took place on Sunday 7^th July in Clement Rise. 

Following an investigation, officers have arrested two men both aged 48 and a 44-year-old woman. 

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing according to officers. 

The victim sustained serious injuries and police have confirmed that he remains in hospital. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Two men, both aged 48, and a 44-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with an attempted murder which happened in Clement Rise, Livingston, on Sunday, 7 July, 2024. 
 
“A 43-year-old man sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital, where he remains. 
 
“Enquiries are ongoing.” 

Festivals Edinburgh, the umbrella body which leads strategic development for all festivals in the city, has appointed a new director to lead the organisation from autumn 2024 when the current director, Julia Amour, will step down.

Lori Anderson will take over the position bringing her experience after leading Culture Counts a Scottish network of arts, heritage and creative industries organisations in Scotland, Collective Gallery, Museums Galleries Scotland and Creative Dundee.

Simon Gage, Chair of Festivals Edinburgh said: “Lori joins us at a moment of significant change in our festivals landscape. We’ve bounced back from the covid pandemic but remain fragile, as does the wider culture eco-system. There are many challenges to be confronted in the coming years, but also many opportunities to be seized, and in Lori we believe we have found an exceptionally authoritative advocate to help shape our collective future.”

The new Director will take up position just as changes are underway in festivals’ strategies and also wider culture and tourism policies, including the planned introduction of a Visitor Levy by The City of Edinburgh Council – the first in the United Kingdom – now that the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill has become law. There is also a groundswell of support for reinvestment in culture, building on The Scottish Government’s promises to increase funding by £100 million over coming years.

Lori Anderson said: “The Edinburgh Festivals are amongst Scotland’s greatest cultural assets, recognised at home and abroad as bringing immense cultural, economic and social value to the country and its people. The fragility of our cultural landscape is all too familiar to me, but the agility of the Edinburgh Festivals in responding to change has always impressed me, and I look forward to taking up this crucial role at the heart of the festivals family.”

The full programme for this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival which runs from 15 to 21 August 2024 is published online.

Complementing the Opening Night film, Nora Fingscheidt’s THE OUTRUN starring Saoirse Ronan, the Festival has a selection of compelling new and established voices in cinema with World and UK premieres to entertain audiences this August.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday at noon for this year’s festival which runs from 15 to 21 August. The programme is here.

The Opening Night film will be Nora Fingscheidt’s (System Crasher) adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir, The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan (Ladybird, Brooklyn) as well as screenings of director Greg Kwedar’s acclaimed film Sing Sing and the UK Premieres of Fede Alverez’s terrifying Alien: Romulus and Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance as opening and closing films respectively of the new Midnight Madness programme. 

Alongside this, EIFF has announced the name of its short film competition as The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence. Thelma Schoonmaker, who will be in attendance at the Festival, is celebrated for her iconic work as an editor on landmark moments in cinema history, collaborating on such films as Killers of the Flower Moon and Goodfellas.

The Closing Night film will be the world premiere of Carla J Easton and Blair Young’s new music documentary Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland’s Girl Bands.

The revealing, funny and enraging documentary tracks the history of Scottish girl bands from the 1960s to the present. This scrapbook panorama view of Scottish pop music explores bands, cliques and movements that emerged in the country across the decades, exposing the challenges faced in a male dominated world.

Co-directed by musician Carla J. Easton (shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year and member of all girl band TeenCanteen) and prominent Scottish director Blair Young, the film is produced by producer/filmmaker Miranda Stern (Scottish Documentary Institute’s New Voices 2020) and the award-winning production company Forest of Black.

Girls On Film will co-present the World Premiere of the film which will screen at EIFF on 21 August at the Cameo Cinema.

The EIFF, Black Bear and the film exhibition company We Are Parable have partnered up to present the European premier of Greg Kwedar’s prison drama Sing Sing.

In Sing Sing, a small group of incarcerated people inside the infamous maximum security correctional facility find purpose by acting together in a theatre group. When a wary outsider joins the group, the men decide to stage their first original comedy entitled ‘Breakin’ The Mummy’s Code’ from inception to opening night.

Sing Sing stars Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo (Rustin, Euphoria), newcomer Clarence Maclin, Academy Award nominee Paul Raci, and an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors in a stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.

We Are Parable will present screenings of the film at EIFF with extended intros, talent Q&As and audience outreach. The European premiere of Sing Sing will screen at EIFF on 16 August at the Cameo Cinema and will be released by Black Bear, who also produced the film, in the UK and Ireland on 30 August. The film will be released by A24 in the US on 12 July.

EIFF Director, Paul Ridd, said: “I am fortunate enough to have seen first hand the incredible work Anthony and Teanne have been doing with We Are Parable these past years across audience engagement and distribution in the UK. Their tireless work and profound passion for cinema and growing audiences for it is a source of immense inspiration and I am just totally delighted we get to work with them and Black Bear on the European premiere of the extraordinarily moving film Sing Sing from filmmaker Greg Kwedar in August.”

We Are Parable Co-Founders, Anthony Andrews and Teanne Andrews said: “We’re honoured to present the European premiere of Sing Sing at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. This new partnership with the festival and Black Bear reflects our dedication to transformative stories that resonate with audiences around the UK.”

UK Managing Director Black Bear, Llewellyn Radley said: “Sing Sing tells a powerful, emotional story in a wholly original way, with wonderful performances from a cast that includes many formerly incarcerated actors, alongside professionals, Colman Domingo and Paul Raci. We’re thrilled to partner with the Edinburgh International Film Festival and We Are Parable to share this special film with UK audiences.”

This year’s festival includes more than forty feature films, five shorts programmes and various talks and events across its dates. Concession pricing is available and Pay What You Can tickets will be available across select screenings.

Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Amy Jackson, producer of last year’s BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun.

EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland and the Industry Programme is backed by EXPO funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland.

• FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS
• Opening Films
• THE OUTRUN (Nora Fingscheidt, UK) UK Premiere
• A powerfully honest drama about addiction, survival, and the power of nature to renew hope. With an extraordinary central performance from Saoirse Ronan, striking use of Orkney locations and an evocative sense of mood, place and time, Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir  is vividly adapted for the screen.
• ALIEN: ROMULUS (Fede Álvarez, US) UK Premiere | Midnight Madness.
• A spectacular new entry in the iconic franchise. Whilst exploring a derelict space station a group of young people encounter the most terrifying life force in the universe in this ferociously entertaining new vision for Alien.
• Closing Films
• SINCE YESTERDAY: THE UNTOLD STORY OF SCOTLAND’S GIRL BANDS (Blair Young,
• Carla J Easton, UK) World Premiere presented by Girls on Film and EIFF
• A revealing, funny and enraging documentary tracking the history of Scottish girl bands from the 1960s to the present. This scrapbook panorama view of Scottish pop music explores bands, cliques and movements that emerged in the country across decades, exposing the challenges faced in a male dominated world.
• THE SUBSTANCE (Coralie Fargeat, US) UK Premiere
• Starring a superb Demi Moore, get set for high-style gore in this dark and bloody comedy. A Hollywood superstar facing the ageism and sexism of an industry that is swiftly forgetting her is faced with an intriguing proposition.
• The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence
• ALL THE MOUNTAINS GIVE (Arash Rakhsha, Iran) World Premiere
• A powerful documentary about the Kolbari covert goods trades between the Kurdish cities and towns of Iran and borders of Iraq, the film follows friends Hamid and Yasser as they balance fragile work and family lives.
• THE CEREMONY (Jack King, UK) World Premiere
• A fight over stolen property – and a tragic death – brings together two migrant workers as they search for a suitable burial place. Shot in black and white against a rolling Yorkshire landscape, this drama packs a powerful punch.
• FUGA (Mary Jiménez, Bénédicte Liénard, Belgium) World Premiere
• A richly poetic journey to the heart of the Peruvian jungle, where a lover must be laid to rest. This drama – where we uncover lives of intimidation and violence – has a unique visual and sonic style.
• LILIES NOT FOR ME (Will Seefried, US) World Premiere
• Told through elegant flashbacks, two men wrestle with their sexuality in the repressive English society of the 1920s. Exploring a neglected period in queer history, this drama is defined by a haunting mix of romanticism and unflinching honesty.
• LOLLIPOP (Daisy-May Hudson, UK) World Premiere
• A stirring drama about a mother desperate to maintain custody of her children, following her release from prison. When things seem dark for Molly (Posy Sterling), an encounter with an old friend may spark something new.
• A SHRINE (Abdolreza Kahani, Canada) World Premiere
• A mobile religious shrine acts as a get-rich-quick scheme for an ambitious man. But there may be consequences… This subversive comedy drama also offers an intriguing and offbeat window into the diasporic Iranian community in Montreal. 
• SMILES AND KISSES YOU (Bryan Carberry, US) World Premiere
• The relationship between a man and his life-size AI-animated doll is explored in this moving documentary. A clear eyed and open hearted take on machine learning and loneliness, in an age of algorithmic dating apps.
• SUNLIGHT (Nina Conti, UK) World Premiere
• An absurd, original and darkly comic road movie about a monkey, a man and a dead man’s watch. Written, produced and directed by EdFringe favourite Nina Conti, the comedian stars as a life-size iteration of her stand-up sidekick.
• TO KILL A WOLF (Kelsey Taylor, US) World Premiere 
• Reimagining the classic fable Little Red Riding Hood, a young girl is discovered in the snowy Oregon landscapes by a social pariah. This dark psychological drama interrogates trauma, grief and redemption in a dangerous world.
• XIBALBA MONSTER (Manuela Irene, Mexico) World Premiere
• A young boy forms an unlikely friendship with an ageing hermit while struggling to make sense of the death of his parents. This delicately moving film explores the circle of life, the human experience and the order of the natural world.
• Out Of Competition Features
• ACTING (Sophie Fiennes, UK) World Premiere
• In an old castle, a dozen young actors work on Shakespeare’s Scottish Play (Macbeth) with an insightful theatre director. This immersive documentary looks behind the scenes at the acting process, and is a celebration of artistic collaboration.
• AND MRS (Daniel Reisinger, UK) World Premiere
• When Gemma’s (Aisling Bea) fiancé (Colin Hanks) dies shortly before their wedding day, she decides to marry him anyway. An unconventional romantic comedy which explores fidelity, strength and the lengths we go to honour our commitments.
• ARMAND (Halfdan Ullmann Tønde, Norway) UK Premiere
• Camera D’Or Winner, Cannes 2024
• Elizabeth (Renate Reinsve) is shocked to discover that her son has been accused of crossing boundaries at school. A tightly wound and exhilarating drama examining the assumptions that adults can make when trying to uncover the truth.
• BETWEEN THE TEMPLES (Nathan Silver, US) UK Premiere
• A cantor having a crisis of faith is reunited with his high school music teacher, who is intent on having a late life Bat Mitzvah. This elegantly observed comedy drama delicately balances farce and romance.
• BLACK DOG (Guan Hu, Taiwan) UK Premiere
• Un Certain Regard Main Prize Winner,Cannes 2024
• Returning to his hometown following time in prison, a young man befriends a stray whippet in this tale of companionship and redemption. This profound and moving drama is a soulful delight for dog lovers everywhere.
• BLUE SUN PALACE (Constance Tsang, US) UK Premiere
• Far from home, Amy and Didi have built new lives for themselves in Flushing, Queens. But tragedy will break the world they have created. A beautiful drama about absence, grief and the human need for connection.
• BOGANCLOCH (Ben Rivers, UK) UK Premiere
• Observing a solitary soul at the edge of the world, this mesmerising documentary follows forest-dwelling hermit Jake Williams as he lives a self-contained existence in the Scottish wilderness. The director revisits his subject after Two Years at Sea (2011).
• JOY DANCER (Suzanne Smith, Sylvia Solf, US) World Premiere
• A dance-filled documentary about South African choreographer and activist Gregory Maqoma and composer Thuthuka Sibisi, and their creation of a dance theatre piece based on the true story of the first Black South African choir travelling to the UK.
• MONGREL (Wei Liang Chiang, You Qiao Yin, Taiwan) UK Premiere
• An undocumented Thai careworker in a remote region of Taiwan navigates a lack of status and currency alongside the people he looks after. This compassionate drama observes people disenfranchised by a system that barely acknowledges them.
• MY FAVOURITE CAKE (Maryam Moghadam, Behtash Sanaeeha) UK Premiere
• An elderly Iranian widow befriends a lonely taxi driver in Tehran, railing against strict social structures. A profoundly moving meditation on ageing, loneliness and love in unexpected places – and a reflection on societal repression of both men and women.
• A NEW KIND OF WILDERNESS (Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, Norway)
• Grand Jury Prize & World Cinema Documentary Winner, Sundance 2024
• When a tragic event shatters the world of the Payne family, they are forced to give up their idyllic, off-the-grid lifestyle in the Norwegian wilderness. An ode to nature and resilience, this documentary is warm, potent and deeply moving.
• SCHIRKOA: IN LIES WE TRUST (Ishan Shukla, India) UK Premiere
• Animation NETPAC Award Winner, Rotterdam 2024
• In a dystopian world where differences are erased, pressures mount towards revolution. Spectacularly animated using video game technology, our societal fears about social control and liberation are confronted in this unique and timely nightmare.
• SING SING (Greg Kwedar, US) European Premiere Presented by We Are Parable and EIFF
• With a career-best performance from Colman Domingo, this poignant drama unfolds in the walls of the notorious Sing Sing prison in upstate New York. A story of resilience and the restorative impact of art, it offers us pieces of hope in even the darkest places.
• STEPPENWOLF (Adilkhan Yerzhanov, Kazakhstan) UK Premiere
• A woman searching for her son encounters a corrupt sociopathic investigator who will stop at nothing to carve the way forward for them both. This is a dystopian, modern and brutal take on classic Western and Samurai films, with an unlikely female heart.
• A SUDDEN GLIMPSE TO DEEPER THINGS (Mark Cousins, UK) UK Premiere
• This riveting documentary focuses on the life and work of Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, 20 years after her death. Exploring the artist’s life and her wordless language of colour, new ways of seeing are found.
• THE MOUNTAIN WITHIN ME (Polly Steele, UK) World Premiere
• Following an almost fatal injury, rugby player Ed Jackson’s recovery is charted through a new-found love for mountaineering. This courageous documentary is starkly honest and unsentimental in its examination of a life forever changed.
• THE RADLEYS (Euros Lyn UK) World Premiere
• A bloodthirsty, dark comedy about a suppressed family of vampires. Adapted from Matt Haig’s (The Midnight Library) titular novel by comedian Jo Brand and writer Talitha Stevenson, this is a fresh, inventive reimagining of the vampire genre.
• TIMESTALKER  (Alice Lowe, UK) UK Premiere.
• Screening with short film DON’T HATE ME (Grace Campbell, UK)
• Would you chase true love across centuries? With a reincarnation twist, this romantic comedy is full of big hair and a big heart. Emotionally insightful and entertaining, and with a terrific supporting cast, this hilarious and moving film is truly unique.
• Midnight Madness
• BIRDEATER (Jack Clark, Jim Weir, Australia) UK Premiere (M/M)
• Screening with short film MAKE ME A PIZZA (Talia Shea Levin, US) UK Premiere
• When Irene joins fiancé Louis on his stag-do in the remote Australian bush, the night slowly devolves into chaos. Blending psychological horror with an exploration of toxic masculinity,  audiences will be on the edge of their seats.
• KING BABY (Kit Redstone, Arran Shearing, UK) UK Premiere
• Screening with short film DUCK (Rachel Maclean, Scotland)
• Prompted by a royal vision, a king and his servant carve themselves a queen. A surreal comedy about serving others, arrogance, and the slippery nature of power. Enigmatic performances make for a royally unexpected watch.
• ODDITY (Damian Mc Carthy, Ireland) UK Premiere
• Screening with short film ONE MORE ROUND (Zach Magid, Andrew Tyrell, US) UK Premiere
• A medium is determined to find her sister’s murderer with the support of an unnerving wooden mannequin. Set in rural Ireland, this ghoulish haunted house horror is a dread-inducing thrill ride from start to finish.
• SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER (James Clarke, Daniel Shephard, UK) World Premiere
• Screening with short film MEAT PUPPET (Eros V, UK) UK Premiere
• Created by and starring former Royal Marines Commandos, this adrenaline fuelled thriller follows a war veteran seeking justice in a violent criminal world. The film also offers a hard-hitting portrayal of PTSD.
• Lynda Myles Celebrates…
• GALA AND KIWI (Axel Cheb Terrab, Argentina) World Premiere
• Screening with short film SIESTA (Gustavo Rene Sanabria, Argentina)
• During a wild drunken night, two women face hard truths about their friendship. This gritty and emotional drama is a dazzling showcase for new talent, and will be introduced by producer, screenwriter and former EIFF Director, Lynda Myles.
• Special Events and Retrospectives
• I KNOW WHERE I’M GOING! (Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, 1945 UK)
• Iconic editor Thelma Schoonmaker delivers an extended intro to Powell and Pressburger’s 1945 romantic masterpiece. Moving, funny and deeply serious in its exploration of love, history and the secrets buried in the remote Mull landscape.
• IN CONVERSATION: GASPAR NOÉ
• We are joined by the iconic filmmaker and master provocateur for a wide-ranging discussion of his career and filmmaking.
• SUSPIRIA (Dario Argento, 1977 Italy)
• Director Gaspar Noé presents a cult classic. An American newcomer to a prestigious ballet academy comes to realise that the school is a front for something sinister amid a series of grisly murders.
• THE UNTOUCHABLES (Brian De Palma, 1987 US)
• The Festival welcomes The Connery Foundation and members of the Connery family to present a special screening of Brian De Palma’s iconic gangland thriller.
• PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (Brian De Palma, 1974 US)
• Featuring a knockout soundtrack, spectacular production design and standout performances from Paul Williams, William Finley and Jessica Harper, prepare for a sensory delight.
• Competition Shorts
• PATERNAL ADVICE (Lisa Clarkson, Scotland) World Premiere
• A starkly realist short from Scottish director Lisa Clarkson exploring tough love and masculinity passed down the generations.
• HOMEWORK (Jamie di Spirito, UK) World Premiere
• A powerful film about the secrets kept between a mother and her daughters from British director Jamie di Spirito. Director: Jamie di Spirito.
• MY DAD AND THE VOLCANO (Gavin Reid, Scotland) World Premiere
• Scottish director Gavin Reid explores his relationship with his father and his art in this quirky and poignant documentary short.
• MY EXPLODING HOUSE (Liberty Smith, UK) World Premiere
• An experimental documentary by British director Liberty Smith investigating her mother’s thirty-year-old memory of their old house being blown up for a television film.
• NICO (Max Olson, US) World Premiere
• American director Max Olson debuts their unique visual style, in this bold and haunting short about a trans man who reminds an elderly widow of her late husband.
• MANNY WOLFE (Trevor Neuhoff, US) World Premiere
• A funny and moving spin on classic noir featuring a werewolf actor who can’t catch a break in Hollywood, directed by Trevor Neuhoff.
• SHOAL (Cardumen) (Inés Villanueva) World Premiere
• Given the task of writing a song about molluscs and existentialism, a young singer works on her entry during a birthday party in this beautiful Argentine comedy from Inés Villanueva.
• THE JUBILEE (Wilma Smith, Scotland) World Premiere
• Blending live-action with napkin-based stop-motion animation, this Scottish short directed by Wilma Smith explores dementia through a new and potent lens.
• Out Of Competition Shorts In Association With Screen Academy Scotland
• ANALOG MEDIUM (Tom Campbell, Australia) InternationalPremiere
• ALWAYS RETURN (Paulina Urreta, Mexico) International Premiere
• AUTISM PLAYS ITSELF (Janet Harbord, UK) UK Premiere
• MOTHER TONGUE (Vea Mafile’o, New Zealand) European Premiere
• WHERE MY MEMORY BEGAN (Priscilla Kounkou Hoveyda, Sierra Leone) UK Premiere
• THE WATERGAW (Lewis Cranston, Scotland) World Premiere
• FRATER (Valentin Guiod, France) International Premiere
• STEPMOTHER (Negar Naghavi, France, Turkey) International Premiere
• Animation Shorts
• BUG DINER (Phoebe Jane Hart, US) UK Premiere
• Short Film Jury Award for Animation winner at Sundance, 2024
• BUNNYHOOD (Mansi Maheshwari, UK) UK Premiere
• La Cinef Prize Winner at Cannes, 2024
• EXTREMELY SHORT (Koji Yamamura, Japan) UK Premiere
• FAIRGROUND FEVER (Linda Hughes, Scotland) World Premiere
• LIMINAL ROOTS (Aliyah Harfoot, UK) UK Premiere
• ON HOLD (Delia Hess, Switzerland) UK Premiere
• PLUNGE (Ellie Land, UK) World Premiere
• SILENT PANORAMA (Nicolas Piret, Belgium) International Premiere
• TAKO TSUBO (Sorgo Fanny, Pedroza Eva, Austria/Germany) UK Premiere
• THE BLEACHER (Adam Wilder, Nicole Daddona, United States) UK Premiere
• THREE BIRDS (Zarja Menart, Slovenia, Croatia) UK Premiere
• Experimental Shorts
• KYKLOP (Telemach Wiesinger, Germany) UK Premiere
• FRIEDL (Christiana Perschon, Austria) UK Premiere
• I DON’T WANT TO BE FILMED BUT RATHER SHOOT MYSELF (Friedl vom Gröller, Austria) UK Premiere
• OUR CAVE (Heehyun Choi, South Korea) International Premiere
• DESIRE PATH (Sofia Theodore-Pierce) UK Premiere
• TERMINAL ISLAND (Sam Drake, US) UK Premiere
• HOLOGRAPHIC WILL (Mike Stoltz, US) UK Premiere
• LIGHT, NOISE, SMOKE AND LIGHT, NOISE, SMOKE (Tomonari Nishikawa, Japan) UK
• Premiere
• BOSCO (Stefano Canapa, Lucie Leszez, France) UK Premiere
• ADRIFT POTENTIALS (Leonardo Pirondi, Brazil, United States) UK Premiere
• Bridging The Gap: Scottish Documentary Institute Shorts
• HEADLAND (Mariana Duarte, UK) World Premiere
• ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW (Lipa Hussain, UK) World Premiere
• SEEKING (Ciara Fint, UK) World Premiere
• THE FLOWERS STAND SILENTLY, WITNESSING (Theo Panagopoulos, UK) World
• Premiere
• Tickets
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• EIFF Spotlight tickets are available for Opening and Closing Night, and for select screenings where there may be introductions or Q&As with actors and directors who are in attendance. 
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The future of Gorgie City Farm will be debated by councillors on 8 August at a meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee.

It is now 16 months since the farm closed its gates after the charity running it handed back the keys, but Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) which has been caretaking the site and looking into ways to make it sustainable in future says that four options – which are fully costed – will be laid before councillors later this summer.

Some delays have been caused by the condition of the farm buildings, frozen pipes and flooding, and damage to the barn roof which was partially blown off. The site remains closed to the public for safety reasons.

The farm site manager, Suzanne Campbell said she is pleased to see ideas for the future of the farm taking shape. She said: “The Farm has a very special place in the hearts of the people of Gorgie, Dalry and the wider city, and the input of local people to what the site might look like in the future has been outstanding. It’s taken longer than we hoped to start to put together options for its future, but we are now in the process of preparing a report which will be presented to the Council in August.”

A consultation was conducted asking locals for their views led by project partner Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership which attracted hundreds of responses.

In February this year Green councillor Dan Heap asked for progress saying to the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ““Gorgie Farm is a much-loved institution both in Gorgie and across the city and considerable public funds have been used so far to develop a new vision.
“The public rightly expect that new vision to include a plan to re-open the farm as soon as possible. £141,000 has been spent and it’s stil closed – we can’t spend the best part of 150 grand and still have the doors closed.”

A 37-year-old man has been sentenced at the High Court in Kilmarnock to 12 years imprisonment for serious sexual and violent offences at various locations including Edinburgh and West Lothian. 

He has also been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. 

Christopher Harkins plead guilty to financial abuse offences on Tuesday, 16 January, 2024, and was found guilty of violent and sexual offences by a jury on Monday, 20 May, 2024. 

His offences, which took place between 2013 and 2019, involved a number of women across Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, Edinburgh, Stirling, Paisley and West Lothian. 

A proactive investigation into Harkins commenced in October 2019 by Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Task Force. 

Detective Chief Inspector Lyndsay Laird, Police Scotland said: “Christopher Harkins is a violent and contemptable individual who preyed on woman looking for love and companionship. He made them believe they were in a loving and exclusive relationship but that was nowhere near the truth. 

“His only motive was money. Harkins met the woman through a dating app and once he had formed relationships with them he turned to manipulation, threats, coercive control and violence to obtain thousands of pounds which he used to fund his very lavish lifestyle. 

“The fact that he was convicted is a tremendous credit to the women who came forward to police. 

“This case highlights that domestic abuse is not just physical or sexual, it includes abusive behaviours or financial abuse. It is often about power and control and can have life changing consequences for victims. 

“We sincerely hope this result gives confidence to others who may experience anything similar to come forward, safe in the knowledge that police will investigate.” 

The owners of an historic East Lothian house have been given the go ahead to build a log cabin in their woods as long as it is only used by residents.

Yester House owners applied for permission to build the two storey cabin in the woods of the 17th century Category A listed property for use by themselves and guests at ‘informal family events’.

East Lothian Council planners agreed  to permit the additional accommodation at the estate, which is at Gifford,  but included a condition barring it from being used commercially in the future.

In their report on the application, planning officers said: “The application is accompanied by a supporting statement which states that the log cabin
building would be for the private use of the owners of the estate and also used for guest accommodation and informal family events.  It states that the log cabin building is not for commercial use.”

They go on to add: “The applicant’s agent has confirmed, in writing, that the proposed log cabin building would be used for domestic use only and that it will not form a separate dwelling or be used for any trade or commercial use.

“It is on these terms that the application stands to be determined and thus in the interests of safeguarding the character and amenity of the locality, it should be made a condition of a grant of planning permission that the log cabin building be used solely for purposes incidental to the use and enjoyment of the house of Yester House and that it shall not at any time be used as a
separate dwelling or for any business, trade or other commercial use.”

Yester House dates back to in the late 17th century and its gardens listed in the Inventory of Garden and Designed Landscapes in Scotland as of national significance.

Past owners include the Marquesses of Tweeddale and world-renowned Italian composer Gian Carlo Menotti. In recent years it was taken over by a new family who have worked restoring the house and grounds.

It is now a weddings venue as well as hosting community events and education trips on its 550-acre estate.

Planners approved the application for the log cabin, which will be built in the woodlands on an area of land with no trees on it.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Former Hibs striker Simon Murray has signed for Dundee on a three-year deal from Ross County for an undisclosed fee. 

Murray joins the club he supported as a boy for the second time after being with The Dee in 2018. 

Hibs were also reported to also have been interested in bringing Murray who scored 23 goals for The Staggies in the Scottish top flight last season back to Easter Road. 

Murray who is the son of former Hibs striker Gary Murray has made 318 appearances and scored 132 goals in all competitions in a fine career. 

He started his career with Montrose and then had a few seasons in the Juniors, before returning to professional football with Arbroath.  

It was then onto Dundee United, then Hibs where he scored 14 goals in 29-games before he spent half a season on loan at Dens scoring three goals in 14 games. 

He then moved to South Africa with Bidvest Wits, he then returned to Scotland with Queen’s Park before moving to Ross County in January 2023. 

Speaking after signing for the Dark Blues Murray said, “It’s amazing. It’s taken a while and it’s something I’ve just wanted to get done and to now be here permanently feels amazing.  

“It’s good to be back. After speaking with the manager it just feels right for me. My family are based in Dundee, I grew up here, I grew up watching the club and the club are going places and I wanted to be part of that. I just felt at this time in my career with family and the way the club is I felt it was the right time to come back. 

“ This is the club I support and to live that dream is amazing and I can’t wait to get started.” 

Plans to put a ‘wraparound’ box dormer on the roof of a house in North Berwick have been described as “harmfully disruptive” by planners.

The proposals to expand into the attic of the property on Dunbar Road, would have seen a dormer extension added to the side and rear of the roof of the semi-detached house.

North Berwick Community Council objected to the plans which it said would be out of scale with the rest of the house.

They described the proposed ‘coffee brown’ cladding proposed for the extension as making it “standing out even more from the rest of the building.”

And a single private objection said the extension was “over-scaled and disproportionately large” adding it would “un-balance the building”.

The proposed extension would allow the creation of a master bedroom with ensuite in the attic space of the house floor plans revealed, however, planners said the addition would be visible from the street.

Initial plans included a front extension but were reduced to the side and rear of the property.

Planners said that despite the changes it was still felt the proposals were too big for the street.

They said: “Despite its reduced size the proposed side component of the wrap around dormer would be readily visible from Dunbar Road and from the sports pitch beyond.

“In these views the proposed box dormer would, due to its colour, size, scale and “box like” wrap around form, dominate and harmfully disrupt the hipped roof component of the applicants’ house.

“It would not be of a size, form, proportion and scale appropriate to the house and consequently would not be in-keeping with or compliment the character and appearance of the house.

“Therefore, by virtue of its architectural form, size, material, design and positioning the proposed wrap around dormer would be harmful to the character and appearance of the applicants’ house, the pair of semi-detached houses of which it is a part and harmful and to the streetscape.”

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Divisional Commander David Robertson this week welcomed 28 probationer police officers to their new postings across Edinburgh. 

The constables began their journey in March at the Scottish Police College as part of a group of 195 recruits comprising 69 per cent male (135 officers) and 31 per cent female (60 officers) whose ages ranged from 18 to 54. 
 
Of that intake, seven per cent identified as being from a minority ethnic group, totalling 13 officers, and languages spoken by recruits include Greek, Punjabi, Gaelic, Polish, Norwegian, Spanish, Afrikaans, Turkish, Urdu and Portuguese. 
 
Two recruits were previously serving Special Constables with Police Scotland and 18 have previous military service. 

The officers have since completed 12-weeks intensive training in legislation, officer safety, and physical education. 

The course is divided into six units relating to: Police and the Community – Evidence – Crime – General Police Duties – Road Policing and Writing Skills. 

The probationers are then assessed by way of formal examinations and practical exercises. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “They’re all looking forward to putting their training into practice to help.” 

Hibs Women players and staff will fly out to Alicante, Spain on Saturday 20 July for an intensive six-day training camp, before returning home on Friday 26 July. 

After three weeks of pre-season training at HTC, Grant Scott will step up our preparations for the upcoming 2024/25 ScottishPower Women’s Premier League campaign. 

This trip was funded, in part, by monies raised by the highly successful Evening With Cup Winners event in April of this year, which celebrated the successful women’s cup-winning teams over the years. 

Whilst in Spain, the team will play a pre-season friendly fixture on Thursday 18 July.  

Fixture details will be released in due course. 

Ahead of the trip, Hibs Women’s Head Coach, Grant Scott commented: “Pre-season camps are always good for the team bond, being with each other morning, noon, and night allows for the players and staff to get to know each other ahead of the season getting underway.  

“I want to thank everyone for making the Evening With Cup winners event successful. It was a great event celebrating the past successes and provided part of the funding for our upcoming trip to Spain which will be a beneficial week for us ahead of the campaign.” 

A man has been arrested following the attempted murder of a police officer in Edinburgh.

The incident took place at a petrol station on Stenhouse Road, around 7.25pm on Tuesday, 9th July, 2024.

The 32-year-old male officer was on foot when he was injured in an incident involving a stolen Mercedes GLE. He was conveyed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious, but not life-threatening injuries, and has since been discharged.

The vehicle had been reported stolen from the Gorgie Road area around 7.05pm that evening. A 16-year-old boy was a passenger within the vehicle at the time of the theft and managed to exit the vehicle a short time later. He was not injured in the incident.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with numerous charges, including attempted murder, theft of a motor vehicle, abduction, dangerous driving and other road traffic offences. He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 11 July, 2024.

Detective Inspector David McAlinden said: “This was a very serious incident and we are continuing to provide support to the officer and his family.

“I would like to thank members of the public for quickly coming to our colleague’s aid and for their assistance with our enquiries at the scene.

“We are aware that damage was done to several vehicles in the area during the incident and we would encourage any further witnesses, or anyone with information who have yet to speak with police, to please come forward.

“You can contact police on 101, quoting incident 2997 of 9 July, 2024. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Castle Concerts got underway last Friday with Madness and continued on Tuesday with the boys who make up JLS. And there’s more to come this week:

10 July Manic/Suede

11 July The National

12 July Skippinish

13 July Paul Weller

Police in Edinburgh have seized a ‘large’ quantity of unspecified drugs and five ‘dangerous’ weapons. 

Officers from the North East Local Initiative Team used force to execute a warrant and enter a property on Tuesday morning (9^th July 2024) 

One male was arrested and officers say that their enquiries are ongoing. 

An Image from the scene issued by Police Scotland shows officers dressed in all black breaking down the door to the property. 

A Police spokesperson said: “The North East Local Initiative Team executed a warrant this morning, which resulted in a large quantity of drugs being seized along with 5 dangerous weapons. 
 
The drugs have an estimated street value of £13000. 
 
One male has been arrested and enquiries are ongoing. 

Government appointments

Kirsty McNeill the new MP for Midlothian is now Under-Secretary of State for Scotland working alongside Edinburgh South MP, Ian Murray, who is the Secretary of State for Scotland.

In addition the Carbon Trust is now looking for a new CEO as Chris Stark, FRSE, former chief executive of the Climate Change Committee and former Director of Energy and Climate Change in the Scottish Government from 2016 to 2018, has been appointed by Ed Miliband to head the new Mission Control for Clean Power.

This is intended to “turbo charge the UK to clean power” by 2030. Mission Control will bring together a top team of industry experts and officials to “troubleshoot, negotiate and clear the way for energy projects”.

Man arrested after crash on Stenhouse Road

A man was arrested following a crash involving the driver of a car and a pedestrian on Stenhouse Road near the Shell Garage at 7.30 last night.

A police spokesperson said: “Stenhouse Road is closed between Stenhouse Drive and Stenhouse Cottages following a crash around 7.30pm on Tuesday, July 9 involving a car and a pedestrian.

“Road users are advised to avoid the area.

“A man, the driver, has been arrested and enquires are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

Graffiti in the West End

Activities have carried out a graffiti attack on the Barclays office in Melville Crescent by throwing or spraying red paint at the Georgian building. Workmen were on site to clean the paint off – which they told us would take two days with the wastewater being siphoned off separately.

Negroni anyone?

A new kind of coffee bar is opening near the University next month formed from two Edinburgh companies – Electric Spirit Co and also Origin Coffee.

Electric Spirit Co. was founded in 2014 by distiller James Porteous in Leith, Edinburgh: first operating from the former James Dunbar lemonade factory, and now from a shared distiller on Coburg Street, overlooking the Water of Leith. 

Read more here.

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Leith’s own Dean Owens will be back in town next Monday.

Appearing at the Voodoo Rooms he will be joined by singer songwriter, Kirsten Adamson, and New Zealander, Matt Joe Gow, who will be in Scotland for the first tim, for an evening of Scottish and Americana singing and banter.

Dean will host the Roots in the Round series of shows with all artists on stage throughout, exchanging songs, stories and singing each other’s songs.

Matt Joe Gow grew up in the deep south of New Zealand in Dunedin – a town with bad weather and good music (and sister city of Edinburgh). Now living in Melbourne, he continues to impress with bringing his alt country tinged Americana to appearances from large festivals to
boutique gatherings, supporting Chris Isaak and Justin Townes Earle along the way.

Two time Music Victoria Award winner and 2023 New Zealand Country Music Honours winner, and
nominated for the prestigious Aotearoa Music Award for Best Country Artist (2024). He is excited to be visiting UK for the first time, with an appearance at Maverick Festival just before his Scottish trip.

Since spending summers soaking up the atmosphere in Nashville with her dad, the late Stuart Adamson, and singing on Big Country’s Driving To Damascus album, Kirsten has been steadily developing her own voice and songwriting, with indie folkers Aberfeldy, country rockers The Gillyflowers, Americana duo The Marriage, sold out UK tours and rave reviews for
her second album, Landing Place (produced by Dean Owens).

Dean Owens’ music is a unique blend of Scottish Roots and Americana with a touch of Desert
Noir (following his recent highly acclaimed collaborations with Latin Rock icons, Calexico).
Voted Artist of the Year 2021, 2022 and 2023 (Americana UK), Dean’s fans include Bob Harris
and authors Irvine Welsh and Ian Rankin (whose character Rebus has Dean’s music on his
playlist). Upcoming gigs include Cambridge Folk Festival with his band The Sinners.

East Lothian Counselling Network launches new accessible online platform.

After Mental Health Awareness Week, a group of mental health professionals in East Lothian is taking significant steps to simplify and make mental health support affordable and accessible.

The East Lothian Counselling Network has a new website, designed to provide an easier, more efficient way for residents across East Lothian to access high-quality mental health support. This online practitioner directory features a wide range of local therapists and counsellors, ensuring that adults, young people, and couples can easily find the right support tailored to their needs. Search buttons help clients target specific issues and filter the therapists who offer counselling for these.

“The new website marks a significant advancement in our mission to make mental health support more accessible,” said Cathie Hutchison and Valerie Smith at East Lothian Counselling Network. “We believe that by simplifying the process of finding a therapist we can help more individuals get the support they need in a timely manner.”

Founded in 2010, the East Lothian Counselling Network’s commitment to mental health accessibility is evident in their thoughtful approach to creating a platform that addresses the barriers many face when seeking therapy. The new website not only enhances the ease of access but also provides essential resources that empower individuals to take control of their mental health journey.

For more information about the East Lothian Counselling Network or to explore the new website, visit www.elcn.org.uk

Today was a day of firsts for many new MPs. It was the first time the new MPs had taken their seats in the chamber.

Just before he travelled to the NATO summit in Washington DC, the Prime Minister addressed the Commons for the first time in his new position after being sworn in.

Rishi Sunak the Conservative leader took his place on the opposition benches for the first time. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, an MP with 27-years of experience behind him, was voted back in as Speaker.

The Speaker warmly welcomed the new MPs to the House, Sir Edward Leigh to his new role as Father of the House and Diane Abbott to hers as Mother of the House. These are the two MPs with the longest continuous service in the House of Commons, and while the role is an unofficial one it is an historic one. The Father presided over the election of the Speaker who was then as is traditional, dragged to his chair.

Sir Lindsay said: “To say that I had the most unusual speakership in the last Parliament is an understatement, from ensuring that the House could function during the covid pandemic—new Members might want to google the Rees-Mogg conga—to adapting technology developed during covid to allow President Zelensky to be the first world leader to broadcast to MPs in this Chamber.

“It was, of course, an honour to represent this House at the lying in state of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, to present the address to the new King in Westminster Hall, and to attend his coronation. Needless to say, in this role, you need staying power. I have already been Speaker during the tenure of three Prime Ministers, two monarchs—and one Jim Shannon!”

The Prime Minister said: “As in any new Parliament, we now have the opportunity and responsibility to put an end to a politics that has too often seemed self-serving and self-obsessed, and to replace the politics of performance with the politics of service, because service is a precondition for hope and trust, and the need to restore trust should weigh heavily on every Member here, new and returning alike. We all have a duty to show that politics can be a force for good, so whatever our political differences, it is time to turn the page, unite in a common endeavour of national renewal, and make this new Parliament a Parliament of service.”

Rishi Sunak apologised to those Conservatives who were no longer sitting behind him following the election. He said: “It is important that after 14 years in government, the Conservative party rebuilds, so we will now take up the crucial role of His Majesty’s official Opposition professionally, effectively and humbly. Restoring trust begins with remembering that being here is an opportunity to do what those we serve expect from us. In our case, that means holding the new Government to account.”

The final first was that the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, addressed the House of Commons on the first occasion, talking of the contrast between Sir Lindsay Hoyle and “the little man who was there before you, who besmirched the office so dreadfully in doing his best to overturn the biggest democratic result in the history of the country”. The former Speaker was John Bercow, Conservative MP for Buckingham, who served in the position for ten years until 2019.

A 27-year-old man has been arrested following a crash involving a vehicle and pedestrian in west Edinburgh earlier tonight Tuesday 9th July.

The collision took place around 7.30pm on Stenhouse Road. 

The street has been closed between Stenhouse Drive and Stenhouse Cottages to facilitate an investigation. 

Officers are advising road users to avoid the area. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Stenhouse Road is closed between Stenhouse Drive and Stenhouse Cottages following a crash that happened around 7.30pm on Tuesday, 9 July, involving a car and a pedestrian.  

“Road users are advised to avoid the area. 

“The car driver, a 27-year-old man, has been arrested and enquires are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.” 

More information to follow. 

Grange won the venerable Masterton Twenty:20 cricket trophy in its new finals day format when overcoming the challenge of first Heriot’s and then Carlton at Portgower Place.

Skipper Angus Brown led by example with a sparkling 110 as they chased down a Heriot’s total of 136-7, Jack Jarvis taking 3-22 with the ball.

In the final Carlton posted a notable 177-5 but Grange got home with seven balls to spare for the loss of six wickets, Jamie Crawley top scoring with 49.

Alec Davies’ photographs show Angus Brown receiving the trophy from Masterton Trophy committee chairman Ramsay Allan.

Also, the Grange squad including players who helped them through qualifying rounds proudly line-up with the trophy.

They are: Back Row, left to right: Liam Smith, Fin McCreath, Robbie McGlasham, Jack Jarvis, Charlie Peet, Ben Davidson and Jamie Crawley.

Front Row, left to right: Harris Carnegie (wicket keeper), Preston Mommsen, Tom Sole, Angus Brown, captain, Chris Greaves, Jasper Davidson and Fred Huddleston.

Grange now go forward to represent the East of Scotland in the national finals later this year.

Braid tennis club will have teams in each of the top four divisions of the VMH Solicitors ladies East Leagues next season including this 4th team squad who won Division 5b.

Runners-up just a point behind Braid 3 were Abercorn with Mortonhall 3, Corstophine, Joppa and Musselburgh 2nds taking minor places Pictured are Mhairi Reid, Jacqui Prentice, Vivienne Miller, Anne Nash, Catriona Aitken and Suzanne Valente.

Also played but missed the photo call – Hazel Thomson, Claire McDonald, Amanda Allan, Sugantha Ravindran, Erin Panglea and Anna Whiteley

The Prime Minister has appointed Kirsty McNeill MP for Midlothian as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to work with Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, in the Scotland Office.

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Kirsty McNeill, said: “It is an honour to serve in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Government to rebuild Britain and which has Scotland at its beating heart.

“Teaming up with Scottish Secretary Ian Murray in a resurgent Scotland Office, I will work across our country and far beyond to build a brighter future for all.

“Now for action and my absolute priority in the role will be to deliver the change and renewal that Scotland needs – to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.”

A construction business has been given the go ahead to move into a former church on the condition it keeps building materials indoors.

Midlothian planners have approved a change of use for Gorebridge United Free Church building into offices, a showroom and storage for local businessman Rory Joyce’s firm.

But they have insisted that any materials connected to the business cannot be left outside to “safeguard the amenity of neighbours”.

The former church, which was put up for sale last year, sits in the middle of a residential area in the town.

Planning officers said the new business, which will have between three to five members of staff, plans to use its base for office administration, training and delivery and storage of materials in connection with the business.

They said: “The proposal will provide a sustainable re-use of an existing building and will enable an expanding local business to remain within Gorebridge.

“The nature of the use and the scale of the building will ensure that there will be no detrimental impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties.

“The site is located in a predominantly residential neighbourhood on a key approach into the centre of Gorebridge. To safeguard the amenity of neighbours and the character and amenity of the surrounding are it would be reasonable to attach conditions to the decision notice to control external waste storage and to ensure that no materials are stored externally.”

Mr Joyce who runs his family business in Gorebridge lost a planning battle to operate on a site at the town’s Ashbank previously despite taking it to appeal.

The new site received no objections and has been approved.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

A former Wetherspoons pub which sparked protests from hundreds of punters when it closed is to be turned into a soft play centre for children.

The new House of Fun soft play venue will convert the ground floor of Madisons bar, in Dalkeith, into a large play area for children aged from 0-12.

The pub, which used to be operated by Wetherspoons as the Blacksmith’s Forge, saw the pub chain move out in 2021. It was briefly reopened as Madisons but closed its doors two years ago.

Now an application has been lodged by House of Fun soft play to open on the site seven days a week with space to accommodate up to 300 people at any time, including children, parents and staff.

The proposals would see a cafe area for families as well as a large soft play space and employ a team of 15 staff.

In their statement on the proposals House of Fun said: “We believe House of Fun will be a valuable addition to the area, offering a unique and enjoyable space for children to play and grow, while also providing job opportunities for local residents.”

When Wetherspoons announced plans not to renew its lease of the pub, which is owned by Lidl who have a store next door, in 2021 nearly 400 locals signed a petition calling on them to change their minds without success.

Planning officers noted that not a single objection had been lodged to the pub being reclassified as a soft play venue.

Granting planning permission for the change of use, officers said: “The proposed use will be a sustainable re-use of a prominent building within Dalkeith town centre and would safeguard an historic building facade.

“The new use would encourage footfall within the town centre and bring a new use to the town centre thereby enhancing the vitality and viability of the town centre.”

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Police have released images of a male that officers would like to speak to in connection with a robbery in the Leith area of Edinburgh.

The incident took place on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024 around 1:45pm on Brunswick Street

Officers believe the male in the images could assist them in their ongoing enquiries and are appealing for the male himself or anyone who may recognise him, or has information about this incident, to get in touch.

The male (pictured) is described as a white male, aged approximately 17-18-years-old, 5ft 9 tall, slim build, pale skin, local Edinburgh accent and short ginger/brown hair. The male was wearing a black Nike hoody and Nike jogging bottoms.

Anyone who recognises the male pictured or has any information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1808 of 4 June, 2024. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give information anonymously.

The world’s oldest continuously registered fly fishing club, noted in the Guinness Book of Records, visited Glencorse for one of their annual outings this week.

Chairman George Wood confirmed that the Ellem Club was established in 1829 in Ellemford in Berwickshire by two Edinburgh businessmen and, over the years, it has developed through local businessmen.

Members had their own uniform and they would go fishing all day in their distinctive jacket in the Whiteadder River and then adjourn to a dinner.  

The club continued through the war and they have 40 active members and probably another 100 on their books.

Six outings are held every year and they have their own free-to-enter museum in Paxton Hall. Wood added: “Here we are today, on our third outing of the year, fishing at Glencorse, and the next outing is at Loch Leven in August.”

Members live in Cumbria – the angler attended the event in Midlothian – one from Peebles, others from Berwickshire and a few members live south of the Border.

He said: “You have to be introduced to the club and you pay a one-off payment of £100 if you are accepted. This is for life.

“We are at Glencorse as it is a good fishery and the owner, Bill Taylor, is well known to us as he used to have The Watch Reservoir in the Lammermuir Hills (near the Southern Upland Way). We tend to fish here (Glencorse) once a year and we also do Coldingham Loch (one of Scotland’s oldest fisheries) and the owner is with us today as a guest.

“We also do the Lake of Menteith and two reservoirs south of the Border.”

PICTURE: Ellem members prepare their boats for a day of fishing at Glencorse. Picture Nigel Duncan

A tapestry which honours the first women allowed to matriculate at a university in Britain – who became known as the Edinburgh Seven – has been unveiled at its new home in the city.

The colourful three-part artwork created by Dovecot Studios is now on public display at the Edinburgh Futures Institute – on the former Royal Infirmary site on Lauriston Place – as a tribute to the women who enrolled to study medicine in 1869.

Dovecot Studios commissioned the celebrated Scottish artist Christine Borland to design the tapestry, which took seven weavers at more than 4,000 hours to create, using more than 90,500 metres of yarn in bold hues of pink, blue and orange. The artwork’s organic shape is based on a cellular structure in motion, and can be shaped into sculptural forms.

Previously exhibited at the V&A in London, the piece is now on display for visitors to view on a central staircase of its long-term home at the newly-opened Edinburgh Futures Institute.

The magenta and cyan colours represent the dyes used in both the scientific staining of cells under a microscope and textiles in the 19th century. The tapestry contains linens, cotton and nylon yarns and was produced with traditional and modern techniques.

The Tapestry was funded by Sir Ewan and Lady Brown and the Dovecot Foundation and has been on display at the V&A London. Now it can be viewed from numerous angles above the central stairwell.

Patricia Erskine, Culture & Community Director for Edinburgh Futures Institute said: “The tapestry is a beautiful tribute to the Edinburgh Seven, who continue to inspire more than 150 years later. The placement of the tapestry in the old teaching hospital is a fitting homecoming for these women of science and reminds us all of the importance of inclusivity in learning.”

Christine Borland, artist, said: “It’s been a privilege to work with the Dovecot team to experiment at the boundaries of contemporary tapestry. The capacity of tapestry to interpret history with integrity and imagination makes it a fitting medium for the extraordinary story of the Edinburgh Seven.”

Dovecot Studios Director Celia Joicey said: “This extraordinary tapestry was created by all seven Dovecot Weavers during the pandemic. The innovative use of technique, structure, colour and texture reflects the skill of the weavers and represents the power of tapestry to communicate complex ideas.”

The Futures Institute – which has been set up to encourage ‘trailblazing’ across disciplines – is a fitting home for the work, with the institute’s emphasis on innovation capturing the spirit of the Edinburgh Seven.

The celebrated group, which included pioneering figures such as Sophia Jex-Blake and Edith Pechey, met with resistance during their time as students, most notably at the 1870 Surgeon’s Hall riot, when protestors attempted to block the women from sitting an exam. The campaign they fought to graduate and qualify as doctors at the University of Edinburgh was ultimately unsuccessful.

The women’s efforts attracted support from figures including Charles Darwin, and eventually led to the Medical Act of 1876, which legally permitted women to practice medicine.