The Edinburgh Reporter chats to David Munro

David Munro was born and brought up in Granton. He had a successful career as a marketing professional and still does. But he is also now a published author. That seems to be the stuff of dreams, but in his case it has come true.

The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to David in an extended interview to find out about his book The Time Jigsaw.

listen to ‘Interview with David Munro author of The Time Jigsaw’ on Audioboo

Midlothian looking forward to Summer of Sport

School holidays are almost upon us. The good news is with weeks of holidays stretching ahead, there’s lots to do in Midlothian for children .

Midlothian Council’s Summer of Sport starts in July and runs into August. But, you need to book soon as places can fill up fast.

Youngsters can choose from a sports and activities including: athletics, badminton, rugby, gymnastics and hockey.

This year also marks the return of the successful Midlothian Activity Camps and Midlothian Aquatics Camp. Midlothian Activity Camps are a week of fun- filled activity with opportunities to take part in two key sports. Children will be matched with children their own age and be coached at a level suited to that age.

Midlothian Aquatics Camps teach the basics of exciting water sports and fun activities such as aqua fun, diving, mini water polo, snorkelling and fun on the pool inflatable and floats.

Summer of Sport is the name for sports activity camps offered by Midlothian Council’s sport and leisure department. To find out more visit www.midlothian.gov.uk/summerofsport

Edinburgh solicitors appoint new members of property team

KEY PROPERTY TEAM APPOINTMENT AT PAGAN OSBORNE

Following on from a number of recent key appointments, Pagan Osborne has hired property expert Gill Gray to its team in Edinburgh.

Gill has taken on the newly- created position of Property and Business Manager. As part of this role she will be overseeing the running of the busy Edinburgh property office, developing new business and managing the company’s commitment to providing quality service to its clients.

Gill, who has over 25 years’ experience in the property sector, was previously a director with CALA Homes. She also ran a sales, marketing and PR consultancy, assisting a range of organisations across Scotland to develop appropriate and creative solutions to support their business goals for six years.

Gill will be working alongside Property Sales Director, Karen Turner, to continue to grow Pagan Osborne’s presence in the city. Gill said:

“Pagan Osborne has an excellent reputation in the market and there is a great team in place.

“With confidence returning to the economy, now is a perfect time to develop our property offering and expand our presence throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“Pagan Osborne is a dynamic company with a rich heritage and it is great to be part of the team driving a real change to the approach to the provision of property, financial and legal services to best suit the needs of clients.”

Gill is a facilitator with The Leadership Trust, helping individuals and teams to develop and work more effectively. She has also been on the judging committee of the Scottish Home Awards and The Herald Property Awards.

Remarking on Gill’s appointment, Karen Turner added:

“Gill is a fantastic addition to our team in Edinburgh and is a well-known figure on the Scottish property scene. Her contacts, expertise and knowledge will be strong drivers as we develop our property offering and services and her innovative approach to business is a perfect fit for Pagan Osborne and our clients.”

Recruitment is also continuing throughout the business. The company is set to make key appointments to its legal team in Edinburgh by recruiting for a partner/associate legal manager and a private client associate.

Audrey Dishington, Partner and Client Development Director at Pagan Osborne, said:

“Pagan Osborne is a forward-thinking and innovative legal company and we are looking for team members who will share that vision. Providing great client service is about far more than drafting a one-off legal document – we are committed to truly understanding our clients’ needs throughout their lives.

“We are looking forward to making further great appointments which will strengthen our service offerings and benefit our clients in Edinburgh and Fife.”

Pagan Osborne is also recruiting a residential conveyancing paralegal, an executory paralegal and a property letting agent in Fife.

Five things you need to know today

Edinburgh in second place – Police issue descriptions of card skimming suspects – Edinburgh International Magic Festival – Lazarowicz slams Government over Universal Credit – Craigmillar Festival this weekend

We are not used to being second here in the first city of Scotland, but this time it is no mean feat that we have only gained second place in a recent survey.

The Centre for Cities’ annual Small Business Outlook, supported by global insurer Zurich, provides a health check of the performance of SMEs in cities throughout the UK. The 2014 report highlights the cities with the largest number of small businesses investing in ‘high-growth’ strategies – defined as focusing on competing on quality rather than price; pursuing innovation; investing in training and developing their workforce; offering customised goods and services; and operating in competitive markets.

Wednesday in Edinburgh – what’s on today

WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE 2014

Titian in Ten: ten minute pop-up talks delivered by NGS staff. Gain an exclusive insight as staff from across the galleries offer different perspectives on Titian’s masterpieces. 2pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Guided tour of the National Library of Scotland: tour and introduction to the library’s collections and history. 10.30am (lasts about 45 minutes), National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but numbers limited so booking essential, either via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Lunchtime Concert: The Girls and Youth Choir of Jeloy Church, Moss, Norway. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Get Connected: Digital Skills Academy leads this drop-in session to support learning of all IT skills. Drop in for one session, or come regularly and you could gain accredited IT qualifications. 2.30-4.30pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Free. Call 0131 458 3267 for more information.

Scottish Rugby to use chocolate defence

University researchers & Scottish Rugby tackle the ‘superfood’ value of chocolate

Queen Margaret University (QMU) is teaming up with Scottish Rugby and a Scottish chocolate manufacturer to try and find out whether chocolate really has superfood value.

New university research has shown that an artisan chocolate made in Scotland has the potential to increase the reaction times of Scotland’s toughest rugby players.

In addition to seeing a marked trend in reaction times of rugby players, the research also showed that iQ Chocolate has a greater antioxidant level compared to other leading chocolate brands assessed.

Stirling-based iQ Chocolate enlisted the help of QMU and 12 of Scotland’s toughest rugby sevens players to put the product through robust scientific analysis and up against the extreme physical demands of these sporting giants.

The results of QMU’s research has gone some way to dispel the myth that all chocolate is an unhealthy indulgence. The results of the mental function study also confirmed the rugby squad displayed a marked trend towards faster reaction times after eating the iQ brand.

With a strong research background in supporting the development of Scotland’s food and drink businesses, iQ Chocolate identified QMU as the academic partner with the widest skills and knowledge for analysing the science behind its premium product.

Researchers at QMU have extensive experience of assessing the antioxidant content of a wide variety of food products, including undertaking a number of studies which have identified the nutritional and health benefits of antioxidant rich foods such as sea buckthorn and tea.

Cocoa is a very concentrated and valuable source of antioxidant in the diet, along with certain fruit and vegetables and red wine. Varying levels of antioxidants found in these everyday products can have a positive effect on heart health and mental function.

The most widely consumed source of cocoa is chocolate, which is often perceived as an unhealthy food. Most chocolate available on the market is highly refined, with high sugar and fat content, as well as relatively low cocoa content. Bearing this in mind, iQ Chocolate wanted to create a chocolate that challenged this negative image.

iQ Chocolate is a raw, organic, bean-to-bar chocolate that has a high 72% cocoa content. It is produced and formulated in a particular way to retain specifically high antioxidant level.

With help from QMU researchers, iQ Chocolate wanted to provide customers with more detailed nutritional information about the antioxidant properties of its products and its positive health benefits, especially for those people who take part in regular intense exercise and sports.

QMU and iQ Chocolate decided to test the product on the Scottish Rugby Union sevens squad. Rugby performance is influenced by physical activity levels, but also relies heavily on tactical behaviour and decision making. Since rugby is one of the most tactically complex sports, a high antioxidant intake on a regular basis, specifically before a match, offers the potential to provide additional benefits for players in terms of both physical and mental function abilities.

QMU researchers assessed the antioxidant function of three different chocolate brands, including iQ Chocolate, to investigate the effect of each on the rugby squad’s post-training mental performance. The project was a single-blinded randomised controlled trial that assessed both the speed and accuracy of the squad’s mental responses.

After just a short period of chocolate consumption, the results of the mental function study confirmed the rugby squad displayed a marked trend towards faster reaction times after eating the iQ brand. These small changes could be significant in the sporting world where reaction and response time to stimuli is crucial.

The research also confirmed that iQ Chocolate has a unique and greater antioxidant level compared with the other leading chocolate brands assessed.

The potential link between high antioxidant levels and faster reaction rates revealed in the study is now allowing iQ Chocolate to better inform its customers about the nutritional content and physiological benefit of its product. Inclusion of this information on food labelling could assist and encourage consumers to differentiate between brands and help them make healthier food choices.

Dr Jane McKenzie, Academic Lead for Food & Drink Knowledge Exchange at Queen Margaret University, discussed the findings: “Cocoa rich products like chocolate are amongst the most concentrated and valuable sources of antioxidants in the diet. Antioxidants play a valuable role in maintaining good health. They can help protect cells from damage and are important in the fight against disease, as well as improved mental function.

“Our research showed that there was a trend towards greater cognitive performance amongst the Scottish Rugby Union sevens squad after eating iQ Chocolate compared with the other brands. The results also confirmed that iQ Chocolate has a unique and greater antioxidant level.”

Dr McKenzie concluded: “Hopefully this information will be really helpful to consumers who are interested to know about the nutritional content of iQ Chocolate, especially those who regularly take part in sports.”

iQ Chocolate has developed a unique process, designed to maximise the nutritional value, all the way from the bean to the bar. Its creators Kate Hamilton and Jane Shandley are also the only women in the country making chocolate direct from the bean.

Kate Hamilton, co-founder and product innovation director for iQ Chocolate, said: “The latest scientific data from QMU is helping us develop our product range, aimed at specific sectors. Based on the findings from this research, we are extending our product offering, to include a range of bars specifically designed for athletes and other sport and exercise participants looking for a natural boost to sporting performance. We are continuing to work with QMU, as part of our drive to reposition chocolate as a naturally healthy food to be enjoyed as part of a nutritionally balanced diet.”

iQ Chocolate is now being successfully marketed as a superfood with the aim of repositioning its range of premium chocolate products as naturally healthy food. iQ Chocolate is particularly suited to the sports market, as it is fuel rich and a healthy alternative to other high energy snacks.

Scottish Rugby currently now recommends iQ Chocolate as a post match snack to its players due to its high antioxidant content.

Richard Chessor, Lead Nutritionist for Scottish Rugby said: “Maintaining cognitive performance is crucial to success in elite sport and therefore any strategies that may support the reaction time and decision making ability of our players are incredibly valuable.

“We’ve used iQ Chocolate at Scottish Rugby for the past year as it contains a strong nutritional profile which we feel benefits our players across a number of different physical, mental and general health parameters. In particular, the superior antioxidant content of iQ Chocolate compared to rival chocolates turns it from a forbidden food to a functional food.”

A Sports Technology Award for Research (STAR) grant funding for the iQ Chocolate research was provided by the Sporting Chance Initiative – Scotland’s hub for business innovation in sport.

Edinburgh is number 2 for business growth

Edinburgh second in UK for number of high growth businesses

Our capital has been deemed second in the UK as a city having the most high growth SME businesses, according to the Centre for Cities annual Small Business Outlook report.

The Economy Convener Councillor Frank Ross knows the value of this in terms of the citywide economy and said:- “Supporting all small to medium sized businesses including high growth companies is fundamental to the growth of Edinburgh’s economy.

“As a Council we offer a huge amount of support through our Strategy for Jobs. Our headquarters, Waverley Court, now has a business hub which integrates Business Gateway with other frontline services including planning, recruitment support and building standards. In the last financial year Business Gateway had a bumper year supporting 5,876 businesses including the largest number of high growth companies ever at 843. These were helped with key growth activities such as taking on staff, growing turnover, innovation and trading overseas.

“We also responded to a particular request for more flexible workspace by opening four incubator spaces. These include Entrepreneurial Spark in Edinburgh Park, which supports 100 local start-ups each year, and the Creative Exchange in Leith, providing affordable workspace for up to 80 individuals or businesses.

“Last year Business Gateway helped businesses to create 2,780 new jobs and self employment opportunities in Edinburgh and Lothian.”

The new report from the Centre for Cities highlights the UK cities where SMEs are pursuing high-growth strategies and fuelling the UK’s economic recovery.

RANK	TOP FIVE CITIES	HIGH GROWTH STRATEGY SCORE	RANK	BOTTOM FIVE CITIES	HIGH GROWTH STRATEGY SCORE
1	Cambridge	59.6	60	Blackpool	38.3
2	Edinburgh	57.2	61	Worthing	38.1
3	Brighton	57.1	62	Liverpool	37.5
4	Swindon	56.8	63	Rochdale	36.9
5	Derby	54.6	64	Chatham	36.8
				CITY AVERAGE	45.6

The report reveals that firms pursuing high-growth strategies are more likely to be more productive and more profitable, and drive national economic growth over the longer term. However, the report also identifies significant regional variations in small business performance across the UK, with cities including Cambridge, Edinburgh and Brighton significantly more likely to house firms pursuing high-growth strategies than cities such as Rochdale and Chatham.

“The disparities in small business performance amongst cities tell the story of Britain’s uneven economic recovery,” said Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, Alexandra Jones.

“Cities with the largest share of SMEs employing high-growth strategies have wages that are, on average, 18 per cent higher than the bottom five cities. Firms that adopted higher growth strategies are less likely to have taken cost-cutting approaches – such as implementing redundancies – during the recession, and are now more likely to be actively recruiting and expanding their businesses in the recovery.

By contrast, the cities hit hardest during recession had fewer firms adopting high-growth strategies, and these places continue to lag behind other parts of the country in terms of employment and productivity.

“Through their decision to prioritise growth and innovation, high-performing firms are playing an important role in the UK’s economic recovery and creating jobs in their local communities. But what is very clear from this report is that the business conditions in cities and local communities have also played an important role in driving firms’ successes,” said Ms Jones.

Cities able to facilitate businesses’ capacity to attract and retain skilled workers, access finance, and collaborate with other firms, are more likely to be home to a larger number of high performing small organisations and start-ups.

“It is only through ensuring cities right across the UK are attractive and effective places to live, work and do business that we will encourage more small firms across the country to pursue the high-growth strategies that have delivered such positive results,” said Ms Jones.

“To achieve this, it is absolutely critical that we afford UK cities greater control over the areas we know are fundamental to supporting business performance, such as investment in infrastructure and education and training systems.”

“Doing so will not only help to reinvigorate our cities and address the particular opportunities and challenges they face, but will support a more balanced, robust and sustainable economic recovery for Britain.”

Richard Coleman, Director of SME at Zurich, said:
“This report shines yet more light on the huge diversity of our small business economies, up and down the land – and highlights the prime conditions that enable firms to grow and contribute to those economies more effectively. SMEs across the country should be encouraged by what is shown here as they come to more clearly understand the key drivers for their own success.”

“The differences in size, approach and ambition of Britain’s SMEs further highlight the varying types of risks that firms are facing. Changing risks require enhanced knowledge in order to survive in what is an increasingly complex environment – and I remain convinced that our army of small businesses can gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and opportunities, based on their own unique strategies, location and sectors.”

Rice to chair new Scottish Fiscal Commission

The Scottish Government has approved the Finance Committee’s recommendations to appoint Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group, Lady Susan Rice, as Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission. Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett and Professor Campbell Leith were also appointed as members of the committee.

These three experts will review what the Scottish Government thinks it will ingather as tax revenue and they will begin work this summer to review how much Scotland might expect in Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and Scottish Landfill Tax. These two taxes are devolved to the Scottish Government under powers in the Scotland Act 2012 and payments begin in April 2015.

They will work in an office space provided by Glasgow University which is hoped will endorse independence of the government.

Finance Secretary John Swinney welcomed the appointments: “I am delighted that these three strong candidates have been appointed to the Scottish Fiscal Commission and will provide impartial and expert public scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s tax forecasts.

“As managing director of Lloyds Banking Group and the first woman to head a UK clearing bank Lady Susan Rice has a wealth of experience to bring to her new role as Chair of the Commission. She will lead the very credible team of experts which includes Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett and Professor Campbell Leith who will both bring significant technical expertise and renowned reputations to the task.

“Going forward their work will be crucial as these tax receipts will fund a proportion of public spending in Scotland from 2015-16. We need to make sure that these forecasts are as robust as possible and the work of the Commission will help ensure this happens.

“As I outlined to Parliament we have put in place important safeguards to ensure the Commission is fully independent of the Scottish Government. These include accepting an invitation from the University of Glasgow to host the Commission, and inviting the Scottish Parliament to consider and approve appointments.

“We also plan to introduce a code of conduct for Commission members which will ensure that robust procedures are in place to deal with any conflicts of interest which may arise in future.”

To ensure independence from the Scottish Government, the Commission will not draw on Scottish Government officials for analysis and other inputs. In practice, expert resources to undertake this work are likely to come from the academic community.

Lady Susan Rice said:- “I’m delighted to be joined by two notable economists as we set about to create Scotland’s first ever Fiscal Commission.

“This is an important undertaking and one that needs to be handled with transparency, independence from the political process, and sound judgement. To be asked to serve the public good in this way is a great privilege.”

Lady Susan Rice is a very notable appointment to this job. She is chair of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and a non-executive director on many and diverse boards. She joined the First Minister’s Council of Economic Advisers in 2011 and among many other appointments she is President of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

Independence will make a difference to the film industry

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop spoke to film industry representatives today to tell them that only independence will improve support to that sector of the creative industries in Scotland.

She is this evening holding a reception at Edinburgh Castle for them perhaps to endorse the message. The Scottish Government has issued a discussion paper as to the variety of ways that the government could support the film industry after a Yes vote in September, such as tax relief and incentives used across other countries. The government says that it is committed to increase incentives for screen production and other options of support in the first term of Parliament.

The public sector in Scotland invested £21million in the period 2012/13, and it is widely expected that an announcement on a Scottish film studio might be made this summer.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ms Hyslop said:

“Independence for Scotland would offer the opportunity to make a meaningful change in support for the screen sector, by focusing the world’s attention on our nation and giving power over crucial instruments such as fiscal incentives.

“The paper I am publishing today will inform debate on how best to make that happen. It sets out a range of options for support for the sector which are already working across Europe.

“The Scottish Government recognises the huge potential the industry has and is committed to realising this. Following a vote for independence, we would review the package of support available for the sector within the first term of Parliament.

“Only independence offers the range of powers that can make a difference. None of the proposals for more devolution contain anything that would devolve tax powers relating to screen production.

“The successful filming of Outlander in Cumbernauld – Scotland’s largest inward investment in screen – shows that there are no limits to what our industry can achieve, and that there should be no limits to our ambition.

“We have consistently championed Scotland as a location for international film and TV productions and we work hard to ensure Scotland is widely recognised for its world-class talent, crews, facilities and breath taking locations. Scottish Ministers are firmly committed to supporting a sustained increase in production.

“We are a dynamic and creative country and we are ambitious to do more. Our sector lags behind that of nations comparable in size, such as Ireland and Finland.

“We are already taking the action we can to support the industry under present constitutional arrangements – we are currently considering a number of proposals for developing and operating a Scottish film studio.

“But with the powers of independence we could help this vital industry to reach its full potential. Independence would change broadcasting and film for the better, both for the industry and for the public.”

Greens welcome promise on tackling youth unemployment

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood’s economy committee, today welcomed a pledge by the Scottish Government to implement findings from the Wood Commission to tackle youth unemployment.

Ministers have announced £4.5 million for apprenticeships, regional employer partnerships, careers advice and addressing gender segregation following publication of the final report by the Wood Commission earlier this month. The report made many recommendations which will result in the establishment of world class vocational education in Scotland.

Angela Constance MSP announced that the funding will cover the following initiatives:-

Piloting Foundation Apprenticeships, allowing young people to start training while still at school
Piloting Advanced Apprenticeships – including to graduate level – in key skills sectors
Getting regional employer partnerships off the ground
Developing Scotland’s careers advisory service to provide earlier support
Addressing gender segregation and assisting young disabled people and minority groups to better access training and employment programmes
Enabling Education Scotland to support schools, colleges and communities to better prepare all young people for the world of work

Alison Johnstone MSP said:

“Across Scotland there are tens of thousands of young people whose potential is going untapped, and it’s welcome to see The Scottish Government starting to take this issue seriously.

“I remain concerned that young parents affected by Westminster’s welfare cuts are struggling to increase their work hours, and I will continue to press not just for more childcare but for more flexible working and part-time college places. Our young people, especially young women, must have genuine choice.

“I will also continue to press ministers to recognise the importance of micro, small and medium-sized businesses in recruiting young people, and the need for finance for young people to set up their own businesses.”

Santander Foundation make donation to local dementia group

Harlaw Monday Group (HMG) has received £1,000 to help people with dementia and cognitive impairment in Edinburgh

The donation was provided by the Santander Foundation which offers grants to UK registered charities for projects that help disadvantaged people in local communities.

The grant will enable HMG to provide equipment, such as hearing aids, as well as activities and outings to its members in the Balerno, Currie, and Juniper Green areas of Edinburgh. Activities include reminiscence therapy, mental stimulation workshops and physical games as well as musical entertainment.

Valerie Clark, Co-ordinator at Harlaw Monday Group (HMG) said: “On behalf of the members, carers, management group and volunteers at HMG I would like to thank the Santander Foundation for its generous grant. It will make such a difference to the quality of service we can provide. It is so nice to see this support for local organisations.”

Laura Robertson, Branch Manager at Santander’s St John’s Road, Edinburgh branch said: “The Santander Foundation makes hundreds of donations every year to good causes throughout the UK. Our branch is committed to supporting the local community and we are delighted to be helping the HMG, and hope the donation makes a real difference to local people.”

HMG is a small group for people with Dementia or Cognitive Impairment (memory problems) who live in the Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green areas of Edinburgh. We take referrals through Social Work and NHS staff who refer to the Resource / Referral group for South West Edinburgh for day care or befriending services.

HMG provides daycare for people with mild to moderate dementia providing mental and physical stimulation and social contact to the member and respite to the carers. The charity has one paid co-ordinator but the rest of the workers, drivers, group workers and management group are all volunteers. Whilst support is received from Edinburgh Council and members pay a minimal fee, donations are essential for the charity to continue its services. For more information, please contact:[email protected].

The Santander Foundation provides grants to UK registered charities that help disadvantaged people in communities where Santander has a presence. The Community Plus fund provides donations of up to £5,000 to small, local charities nominated by customers, staff and the charities themselves. Our Central Grants programme has grants of up to £10,000 available for education, training and financial capability projects. In 2013, £5 million was donated by the Santander Foundation to charities across the UK. For more information please visit: www.santanderfoundation.org.uk/

Alan Stubbs appointed Hibs’ Head Coach

Hibs today confirmed Alan Stubbs has been appointed the club’s Head Coach with immediate effect – taking charge for the forthcoming 2014/15 Scottish Championship season.

Former Bolton, Celtic, Everton and Sunderland defender Stubbs, 42, arrives at Easter Road from Everton where he had been under-21 coach for six years and says he is excited about the challenge ahead.

Stubbs said: “To be given this opportunity with Hibernian is a great privilege and a real honour – it is a massive club with huge potential.

“I’m excited about the future here at Hibernian and what we can all achieve together at the club – this is the start of the journey.

“The Scottish Championship will be a tough division, but I’m confident that if we approach the challenge with enthusiasm, optimism and belief then we can achieve success.

“I’ve been at Everton for almost six years and now I believe I’m ready to take on the role of Head Coach here at Hibernian.

“I would like to thank Everton for giving me the chance to take up this position with Hibernian and now I just can’t wait to get started; helping the club to earn promotion.”

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster says she is thrilled to have Stubbs on board for next season and reveals he will play an integral role in the club’s new structure.

Leeann said: “There were strong candidates who applied for the position but after much consideration, Alan emerged as the stand-out choice.

“It’s important that the CEO and Head Coach are very much on the same page and that they forge a close working and trusting partnership. I spoke with Alan and it became apparent early in the discussions that we had a common goal.

“He is a driven, intelligent and strong-minded character, who has a very clear vision about what he wants to achieve in football – producing positive results, playing attractive football and developing young players.

“All those attributes fitted the criteria we required and we’re confident Alan is the right man to unite the club and bring success to Hibernian.

“Alan will be our Head Coach and that is part of the new structure in place at the football club; a continental-style model designed for continued long-term success.

“We would like to place on record our gratitude to Everton for allowing us to appoint Alan; they have been professional in every aspect of the discussion – a testament to how highly they thought of Alan within their own coaching staff.

“Finally we would like to thank our supporters for their patience so far, as a club we can all now look ahead optimistically towards the start of the new season.”

Stubbs’ first game in charge of Hibernian will be the club’s pre-season friendly at Berwick Rangers on Saturday 12 July, kick off 3pm.

Festival Carnival Parade needs you

A new Edinburgh Festival Carnival parade will take place right in the city centre in July.

The Edinburgh Festival Carnival is limbering up for its biggest – and brightest – year yet! The parade will take 700 Carnival performers from the top of the Mound to the West End of Princes Street in an extravaganza of eye-popping colour and high-energy music!

And it’s not just for spectators! The people of Edinburgh are invited to take part in the parade alongside professional musicians, dancers and costumed performers. Individuals, families or groups can attend a range of costume-making, music-making and dance workshops throughout July, or sign up to come along on the day and wear one of the fantastic Carnival costumes!

Now in its third year, the Festival Carnival is becoming the key event in the launch of Summer Festival Season, and will once again set Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens abuzz with live music, sequined dancers, feathered costumes, circus performers and street theatre in one big dazzling spectacle under the castle!

The Parade, led by carnival favourites Kalentura from the Netherlands, will lead over 100 live drummers, over 200 international musicians, 150 circus and fire performers, a dazzling range of costumes and puppets, all coming together from 17 different countries (including South Africa, Zambia, the Bahamas, Italy, Germany, Colombia, Costa Rica as well as Scottish and UK acts) down the hill to the West End of Princes Street. The city centre will be an international carnival spectacular!

Last year’s Festival Carnival attracted 17,000 residents and visitors from in and around Edinburgh on one of the hottest days of the year. The event takes place from 2-4.30 pm on Sunday 20th July – with free admission for all, thanks to the support of the council.

Cllr Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion, City of Edinburgh Council, said:

“Offering live song and dance from hundreds of musicians drawn from all corners of the globe, the Festival Carnival will bring the buzzing atmosphere of Mardi Gras to the streets of Edinburgh. This will herald a lively parade and superb day out for the start of the Festival season.”

The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival runs the Carnival, and Producer, Roger Spence, said:

“Princes Street and the Gardens were brimming with colour and music for our Carnival last year, and we were delighted with the attendance and positive feedback for our second year. It was such a pleasure for us and for the many people who supported the event to have that special party atmosphere. With the addition of the Festival Parade this year, an ambitious and dramatic kick-off to events and a first for Edinburgh, the Carnival is going to be bigger – and even better – on July 20. We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors.”

The Parade running from 2-2.30pm will disperse into the Gardens and the Grassmarket for an afternoon of live performances.

The Gardens will host 15 performance areas with face-painting, circus performers, a circus skills drop-in workshop, acrobatics, costumes, dancing, puppets, drumming, Chinese dragons and dancing, The Big Red Bus with Story telling, brass bands and a full line-up of entertainment at the Ross Bandstand.

The Grassmarket will have three stages with street dancing, live music, fire performers, drumming, costumes as well as an amazing range of hot street food stalls serving tastes of the world from paella to Jamaican chicken.

Among the acts participating are Artscape’s Youth Band, a township band from Cape Town, which will be leading workshops prior to Carnival day, then inviting participants to play alongside them in the Parade; Junkanoo Commandos from the Bahamas, alongside their costume-making and music workshop participants; Barefeet from Zambia; Gwanaval from Martinique; Bombrando from Portugal; and the Beltane Fire Society from Edinburgh.

In celebration of the Carnival and the workshops being held throughout July (thanks to support from the Scottish Government’s Expo Fund, Brouhaha International, Summerhall, South African Government and Artscape, Cape Town) the Edinburgh Festival Carnival Party is being held on Saturday 5^th July from 9pm-1am at Summerhall – with live bands, circus performers, DJs and exotic carnival costumes. Tickets are available from the website or 0131 473 2000.

Edinburgh Festival Carnival organisers are also looking for volunteers (ages 16 and over) to support the Carnival and all of the supporting events. For all volunteer opportunities, contact [email protected] or call 0131 467 5200.

PHOTO ©ROB MCDOUGALL

2 for 1 offer at Gambado Fountainpark

2 for 1 ENTRY AT EDINBURGH’S GAMBADO SOFT PLAY CENTRE THIS SUMMER

Gambado Fountain Park, Edinburgh’s biggest indoor soft play and party centre is counting down the days until the end of term with a special 2 for 1 entry throughout the summer holidays.

Aimed at children aged from 0 – 12 years old, Gambado is action-packed with everything from slides and ball pools to an imagination station and gated sensory area for toddlers. It also features an innovative climbing wall for young daredevils and a new 31-seater traditional carousel.

The centre café serves a variety of delicious hot and cold food and drinks and is also the perfect place to host your kid’s birthday party, ranging from themed ones, including Make-a Bear and Spiderman to hiring out the centre for your own private party.

So, if you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids this summer where they can run around for hours on end – come and visit us a for an amazing day out which the kids will love and take advantage of our special 2 for 1 offer.

Summer opening times run from 09:30am – 5:30pm, Monday to Sunday.

Daily prices starts from £5.95 whilst adults and children under one are free. Check out the Gambado website and Facebook sites for further details.

Terms and conditions –

One child goes free with one full paying child
Cheapest child is free
One voucher per family per entry
Registration fees may apply
Play sessions may be limited to 2.5hrs at busy times
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Loyalty Cards will only be stamped once per voucher
No photocopies accepted.
Valid 28^th June 2014 – 11^th August 2014

Featured article

Armed Forces Week marked in Penicuik

Midlothian is backing our forces during Armed Forces Week with a special flag raising ceremony, which took place at Penicuik Town Hall.
The Provost, Councillor Joe Wallace and Lord Lieutenant Sir Robert Clerk watched as the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet, Shelby Gorman, received the flag from Lieutenant Colonel Robin Lindsay, of 2 Scots

Five things you need to know today

Razzo’s no more? – Referendum debate in Leith – Redesigning South Queensferry – Greater Grassmarket – Handrearing Scarlet the pudu fawn

The little cafe in the centre of St Andrew Square is embroiled in a dispute with their landlords, Essential Edinburgh who have served a 14 day eviction notice which has now expired. The cafe owner Paul Anderson was told to close yesterday, but in view of the fact that he is now in discussion with the council he is going to open today, but probably only for the morning.

It would be a nice gesture to repay him for his hard work over the last six years if Edinburgh Reporter readers bought a coffee there this morning. He opens the doors at 8.00am. See you there?

***

Queensferry Ambition is redesigning South Queensferry…. or at least they are thinking of ways the town could be improved.

“In March hundreds of people in Queensferry took part in design workshops and completed surveys to help create a shared vision for the west end of Queensferry’s town centre. Queensferry Ambition secured £13,000 of funding from The Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh and Scotmid to undertake this community design process. Design workshops held at Queensferry Parish Church, Queensferry Primary School and Queensferry Churches Care in the Community were undertaken by local Architects and Urban Designers WT Architecture, and surveys undertaken by Indigo Project Solutions.”

The full set of proposals will be exhibited at Queensferry Parish Church from 7pm this evening, Tuesday 24th June along with a presentation from WT Architecture. The exhibition will also be open for viewing between 10am and 1pm on Saturday 28th, after which it will be on display in Queensferry Ambition’s offices on the High Street.

***

The Grassmarket is a bid area too in common with the city centre administered by Essential Edinburgh and Greater Grassmarket which manages the area lying in the shadow of the castle.

Greater Grassmarket offer promotions to those using the local businesses and you will find them all here.

***

Edinburgh Zoo have a pudu fawn which sadly lost its mother at 2 weeks old. This means that the keepers at the zoo have had to step in. Watch what they are doing here:-

Tuesday in Edinburgh – what’s on today

TUESDAY 24 JUNE 2014

Author event: local writer Joan Rowe talks about her new book Duty, an intricate historical novel set before, during and after World War I, entwining the lives of two very different families over the tumultuous changes taking place in British society. 6-7.30pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Free but booking essential as space is limited: 0131 529 5595 or email [email protected]

Cornelius Johnson’s ‘Robert, Lord Bruce’: a new portrait acquisition. A talk by Karen Hearn, University College London Historian of British Art and Culture 1500-1710, on the Portrait Gallery’s first work by 17th century painter Cornelius Johnson, official painter to King Charles I. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Can We See It All? The future of X-Ray crystallography. Dr Adam Kirrander will give the final lecture in the University of Edinburgh School of Mathematics’ Crystallography Matters! series celebrating the 2014 International Year of Crystallography. 6.30-7.30pm, Cairns Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Free tickets must be booked via eventbrite.

Edible Gardening: Seasonal Advice. Drop in to find out how to grow your own food and take a look around the productive garden with the Edible Gardening Project team. 1-3pm, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden. Free, no booking required.

Stitch ‘n’ Time: award-winning sewing and crafting class led by a professional seamstress. The group focuses on projects that will benefit the community whilst learning new skills and enjoying a cuppa. Open to all levels and abilities. 1-3pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Call 0131 458 3267 for more information.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2014 – crime writers

Scotland seems to breed outstanding crime writers, but other countries are catching up fast – from Norway to Niagara Falls, new talent is emerging everywhere. And crime fiction has at last become a respected genre, one in which a vast number of issues can be explored whilst still providing the reader with the joy of a cracking good story. The 2014 Edinburgh International Book Festival offers a rich choice of author events, from crime superstars to writers making their debut. Don’t forget, booking for the Festival starts TOMORROW (24 June 2014.) Here (in date order) is a personal top ten of crime:

Stuart MacBride: A Wave of Brutal Crime

You don’t need a strong stomach to enjoy a Stuart MacBride novel, but it helps. In A Song for the Dying, his latest Logan McRae chiller, the ‘Inside Man’ is back, killing women and leaving a plastic doll stitched within the corpse. The author discusses where he draws the line on grit and gore, and why audiences can’t get enough of his high-octane fiction.

8.30pm, Monday 11th August, Royal Bank of Scotland Garden Theatre. £10/£8.

Denise Mina: When Rose Turned on Her Pimp

With her latest novel The Red Road, Denise Mina moves into complex moral territory. When the perpetrator of a shocking double murder gives up without a fight, justice appears to have been done. But the murderer turns out to be a 14 year old prostitute, and one of the murdered men is a pimp who hired her out to service eight men. Mina discusses her complex and brilliant thriller.

8.30pm, Friday 15th August, ScottishPower Foundation Studio. £10/£8.

Chris Brookmyre: Darker Than Blood

With 1.5 million books sold (and counting), Chris Brookmyre has become a tartan noir superstar. We also have the imminent release of his Bedlam computer game to look forward to. In this event he discusses his latest page-turner, Flesh Wounds, with BBC Scotland’s political editor Brian Taylor, and gives an exclusive sneak preview of Dead Girl Walking, the first new Jack Parlabane thriller in seven years.

8pm, Saturday 16th August, Baillie Gifford Main Theatre. £10/£8.

Val McDermid: The Author with a Gold Dagger

Karen Pirie is a detective specialising in cases that have gone cold. Her last fictional appearance was in Val McDermid’s Fife-set mystery A Darker Domain in 2008. Now DI Pirie returns to investigate the appearance of an old skeleton that has turned up in the attic of a Victorian house in Edinburgh. Join McDermid for an exclusive sneak preview of her psycho thriller The Skeleton Road (and read our review of her much enjoyed appearance at Edinburgh Central Library here.)

6.30pm, Tuesday 19th August, Baillie Gifford Main Theatre. £10/£8.

Craig Davidson and Ray Robinson: Random Acts of Violence

The powerful isolation of the landscape and the arbitrary impact of violence define the new novels from Craig Davidson and Ray Robinson. Davidson’s Cataract City, set in Niagara Falls, tells of two friends unable to escape the undertow of the town’s violence. Meanwhile Robinson’s Jawbone Lake sees a family torn apart by a shocking accident in the Peak District.

3.30pm, Wednesday 20th August, Writers’ Retreat. £7/£5.

Parker Bilal and Margie Orford: When Reality is as Strange as Fiction

Africa is a hothouse for new kinds of crime writing. Parker Bilal’s The Ghost Runner portrays the violence in Egypt after 9/11, and the blind eye turned by the authorities, with loving despair. There’s a similar mood in Margie Orford’s gripping Water Music, set around Cape Town. While writing it, a government sponsored massacre of striking miners took place – could Orford ever again imagine a detective seeking justice for the state?

8.30pm, Wednesday 20th August, Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre. £7/£5.

Natalie Haynes and Helen Walsh: Extremely Human Behaviour

Set in Edinburgh, The Amber Fury is the debut novel by broadcaster and classicist Natalie Haynes. Described by Lionel Shriver as ‘a handsomely structured psychological mystery’ it vividly portrays the dark side of human relationships. Meanwhile Helen Walsh’s Lemon Grove is a frank portrayal of female desire during a family holiday in Mallorca, and according to one review is ‘as psychologically substantial as it is sexy.’ Chaired by Kate Mosse.

10.15am, Thursday 21st August, The Guardian Spiegeltent. £10/£8.

Mason Cross and Thomas Enger: Crime Fiction with a Twist

The latest super-talented Scandinavian to make an international mark, Thomas Enger has chosen the perfect moment to write about murder and political scandal in Oslo in his third Henning Juul novel, Scarred. Glasgow’s Mason Cross builds his debut The Killing Season around a tale of the FBI, the ‘Chicago Sniper’ and a new kind of investigator who goes by the name of Carter Blake.

7pm, Thursday 21st August, Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre. £7/£5.

Erin Kelly and Dominique Manotti: Crime Writers Make a Killing

Two sophisticated thrillers from writers who balance complex plotting and deep human understanding. Erin Kelly’s The Ties That Bind centres on a young Brighton-based writer whose search for crime material gets him into big trouble. In Escape, bestselling French author Dominique Manotti details two Italian prisoners who break out of jail. One assumes a new identity as a bestselling crime writer, which unleashes more chaos than he had anticipated.,

6.45pm, Friday 22nd August, Royal Bank of Scotland Garden Theatre. £10/£8.

Mark Billingham: The Ever-Changing Detective

Bestselling crime writer Mark Billingham says his readers know as much about Tom Thorne as he does. There’s no fat dossier containing Thorne’s back story: in every book Billingham peels off another layer of the onion, revealing something new about his fictional detective to himself and his fans. Now Billingham has finished The Bones Beneath, and he joins us to reveal another layer.

7pm, Saturday 23rd August, ScottishPower Foundation Studio. £10/£8.

All events take place in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh unless otherwise stated.

Booking opens at 8.30am on Tuesday 24th June 2014. For full details see the festival website or pick up a brochure, widely available in libraries, bookshops and many other local venues.

Edinburgh Acupuncture Community Clinic Celebrates Its 7th Birthday!

Contributed article

For 7 years now, the community acupuncture clinic has made acupuncture available at affordable prices.

The Centre for Holistic Health, an Edinburgh-based acupuncture and alternative therapies centre, runs the popular community clinic offering affordable acupuncture making this treatment more accessible. The multi-bed clinic runs at 5a York Place Edinburgh on Thursday mornings and costs £15 for a 15 minute session after an initial consultation.

Often, the people who need acupuncture treatment the most are unable to work and can’t afford it. The 15 minute treatments will cost £15 as opposed to the usual £35, making it available to many who had no access to this alternative therapy before.

The no frills treatment means that more patients can be seen at one time, reducing the cost considerably.

The treatments are provided by Charmaine Shepherd who is a member of the British Acupuncture Council. She believes that healthcare should be more accessible to all that need it regardless of their financial situation commenting:- “We will try to accommodate as many patients as we can regardless of their situation.”

Multi-bed clinics have grown in popularity whereby patients have less privacy but greater access to treatment. It may not be suitable to everyone, especially if the condition is complex and needs dedicated time. However, most people enjoy the more social environment and connection with others.

Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese Medicine which uses specific points on the body to affect its physiological processes. It has evolved over more than 5000 years into a comprehensive system of healing that restores and maintains health on many levels. Acupuncture is rapidly gaining popularity in the west as an increasing number of scientific studies show evidence of the effectiveness of this treatment in a variety of conditions.

Although acupuncture is more commonly known for its effectiveness in pain management, it can effectively treat many ailments. Acupuncture has been surprisingly successful in treating hormonal imbalances, skin diseases, digestive disorders, stress-related conditions and has even been show to support cancer treatments.

Patients must call into the clinic for an initial assessment of their condition. Not all conditions are treatable with acupuncture and if the case is complex, individualized care may be needed rendering the multi-bed system unsuitable. Once an appointment is scheduled for a consultation, the acupuncturist will decide on the best treatment strategy for the condition.

For acupuncture relief in just 15 minutes for £15, call 0131 556 8440 for a consultation and come to the Acupuncture Community Clinic on Thursday Mornings at the Centre for Holistic Health, 5a York Place Edinburgh.

The Centre for Holistic Health also offers: acupuncture, biofeedback, herbalism, EFT (emotional freedom technique), osteopathy, bodywork, reflexology, homeopathy, massage, reiki and Bach flowers. Available at our Centre located at 5a York Place, Edinburgh.

Contact details: Heather Blenkinsop, Centre for Holistic Health, 5AYork Place,Edinburgh,EH1 3EB Tel: 0131 556 8440 Email: [email protected] Web: http://centre4holistichealth.co.uk Photos available.

Submitted by Centre for Holistic Health

Razzo’s is closing…..

Earlier today we became aware that the lovely cafe in St Andrew Square may be closing.

Seen this one, @STVEdinburgh? #saverazzo pic.twitter.com/mGE9pUCK6k

— ScranSalon (@ScranSalon) June 23, 2014

We were there only yesterday enjoying an Americano in the sunshine, and have enjoyed the great coffee many times over the years. The cafe was one of the few places you could get wifi a couple of years back.

Even during the months that Occupy Edinburgh took up residence in the square the coffee shop kept going, despite the danger to them and indeed their alcohol licence posed by the protesters who camped in the garden.

Paul Anderson of Razzo who has run the cafe in St Andrew Square since Essential Edinburgh opened the garden to the public has posted a notice which says:-

“Monday 23 June 2014 is the last day Razzo Coffee can trade from this property. Our landlord Essential Edinburgh, has found a paperwork technicality to allow them to terminate our lease with immediate effect. We have not been given a reason for the decision and they refuse to communicate with us. We can confirm it was not based on any financial issues; their actions will force us out of business and our staff will lose their jobs.

“We are appealing to the City of Edinburgh Council who fund Essential Edinburgh and would appreciate any notes of support to [email protected]

“Finally thank you for your custom over the past six years.”

Andy Neal of Essential Edinburgh said:- “We have been placed in a position where, regrettably, we have had to place this matter in the hands of our solicitors, because of repeated breaches of the terms of the lease agreement.

It is important to note that the payment of all monies owed by this tenant is vital, as it is this income which pays for the upkeep of St Andrew Square Garden. When it is not paid in full, we have difficulty in maintaining this private garden to the standard that the owners and the people of Edinburgh expect and deserve.

Despite our best efforts, the monies owed have not been paid in full and we have, unfortunately, had no alternative but to take this action.”

Booking for Edinburgh International Book Festival opens tomorrow

Tickets for the 2014 Edinburgh International Book Festival go on general sale at 8.30am tomorrow Tuesday 24 June 2014. Find out more about how to book below our video interviews with director, Nick Barley, children’s programme Director Janet Smyth and Edinburgh author Emily Dodd.

Tickets can be bought online, by phone or in person at the Box Office. The Box Office opens for booking at 8.30am on Tuesday 24 June 2014.

Tickets are limited to 4 per event per booking on the first day of booking.

For the first day of booking – 24 June – only
The Roxburghe Hotel
38 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH2 4HQ
You are asked to use the entrance on George Street

Opening hours: Tuesday 24 June, 8:30–17:00

After the first day of booking
The Hub
Castlehill
Edinburgh EH1 2NE

Opening hours:
Wednesday 25 June–Thursday 7 August
10:00–17:00, Monday–Saturday

Friday 8 August
10:00–14:00

Once the Book Festival has opened
On site in Charlotte Square Gardens in the Entrance Tent
Opening hours: 9:30–20:30 daily

Whether it’s exploring the disappearing art of letter writing and the power of the spoken word, or listening to those who hear inner voices or participating in a series of dialogues on the future of Scotland, the Edinburgh International Book Festival examines all aspects of communication this summer. Under the headline ‘Let’s Talk’ the Book Festival welcomes internationally-renowned writers and thinkers from around the world to Charlotte Square Gardens to discuss such diverse topics as the two world wars, the Commonwealth, Economic Migration, Society, Identity, Culture and the Media.

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival said ‘The Book Festival provides a crucial forum for dialogue, where we can listen to and learn from one another, particularly in this year of momentous events in Scotland. Our thought-provoking conversations with both authors and audiences will permeate through Charlotte Square Gardens as we welcome world-renowned writers and thinkers from many countries and cultures to Edinburgh, some for the first time in their careers. We offer a platform for emerging voices that are set to shape the world’s literary stage in years to come and launch some of the most talked-about books of the year.

‘Whatever the outcome of the vote on 18 September, we provide a space to view the coming changes from the wider context of the historical events that brought us to where we are today – from the Battle of Bannockburn to the end of WWI and the British Empire, the creation of the Commonwealth, the recent economic hardships and even last month’s European Elections.’

Haruki Murakami makes his first trip to Edinburgh to launch the English edition of his latest novel Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage (which sold a million copies in Japan in the first week of publication). Martin Amis also makes his debut in Charlotte Square Gardens to launch his new novel The Zone of Interest. Will Self, Amy Bloom, Sarah Waters, Alan Warner, Esther Freud, John Lanchester and Nicholas Parsons will also launch brand new books at the Festival.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams previews a new collection of his poetry, Tom Pow and Simon Armitage also introduce new collections, and will be joined in the programme by the former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, the UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and the US War Poet Brian Turner.

Other bestselling authors making their debut at the Book Festival include George R R Martin and Diana Gabaldon. The South African literary heavyweights Damon Galgut and Zakes Mda will be joined by Mpho Tutu, Michel Laub from Brazil and Germany’s Julia Franck. Some familiar faces making a welcome return include Bonnie Greer, Graham Swift, Jung Chang, Margaret Drabble, Richard Dawkins, Max Hastings and Lydia Davis who makes her first visit to the UK since winning the Man Booker International Prize.

Richard Sennett, Ali Smith, Raja Shehadeh and Lauren Child have been invited to select and chair a series of events on Turning Points for Civilisation, the power of words, the Middle East and creating believable worlds in children’s literature respectively. Kate Adie delivers the annual Frederick Hood Memorial Lecture, Patrick Ness delivers The Siobhan Dowd Trust Memorial Lecture, and the winners of the James Tait Black Prize and the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award are revealed.

A series of evening debates, or Dialogues, will invite wide-ranging discussions on topics including The Union and the implications of the referendum vote for the rest of the UK; Surveillance and The Self where Luke Harding, author of The Snowden Files, is joined by Josh Cohen, author of The Private Life: Why We Remain in the Dark; Energy, where Professor Susan Deacon and Richard Dixon lead a conversation on fracking; and Ageing, in which Paul Johnson and Professor Lynne Segal ask if we can afford to grow old.

From inner monologues and imaginary friends to the demanding character voices that a novelist creates, and from people who believe the voice they hear is an epiphany to those whose lives are taken over by multiple voices inhabiting their consciousness, voice hearers will be the focus of a strand of events entitled Conversations with Ourselves. Working with Durham University’s Hearing the Voice project and with the support of the Wellcome Trust, authors and scientists will join forces to take a closer look at the medical, historical, spiritual, anthropological and literary aspects of voice hearers in a series of talks and workshops.

An eclectic range of voices can be heard in Charlotte Square Gardens from Britain’s cutting edge Spoken Word scene. The Babble On series of events, staged in partnership with performance poet Luke Wright and produced by Becky Fincham, features Phill Jupitus as Porky the Poet, Elvis McGonagall, Hollie McNish and Hannah Silva, interactive theatre makers Hannah Jane Walker and Chris Thorpe and poets William Letford and Rachel McCrum amongst others.

Events in the Scotland’s Future strand invite leading writers and thinkers from a variety of political perspectives to sketch out their vision of Scotland after the referendum. The Book Festival will provide a neutral forum to facilitate broad, open-minded dialogue between authors and audience members who are keen to look forward, past the immediate politics of the vote, and envisage the shape of things to come. Participants in the Scotland’s Future series of events who will be looking at issues such as the arts, economy, immigration, democracy and the future of Europe include Linda Colley, Iain Macwhirter, James Robertson, Lesley Riddoch, Tom Devine and Henry McLeish.

The spirit of dialogue continues in an exciting new collaboration with multi award-winning Scottish theatre company Grid Iron. The Book Festival has commissioned four internationally acclaimed writers, Kei Miller, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kamila Shamsie and Christos Tsiolkas, to produce brand new pieces of short fiction, inviting them to reflect on the themes of identity and home in the form of letters. These letters have been adapted into a promenade theatre production, Letters Home, which is supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund and is part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme.

The Book Festival continues to champion emerging talent and this summer 46 authors are eligible for the Festival’s First Book Award. Amongst some familiar names introducing their first novels, including Kirsty Wark and James Naughtie are lesser known names, bestselling authors in their own countries and languages who are bringing the first English translation of their work including Austria’s Clemens J Setz, Brazil’s Daniel Galera and Kuwait’s Mai Al-Nakib. Readers and Book Festival audiences can vote for their favourite online at www.edbookfest.co.uk and at the Festival, and the winner will be announced in October.

The Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme celebrates stories in many forms – in music, song, poetry and illustration. Bestselling, established names, including Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, Julia Donaldson, Patrick Ness, Kristina Stephenson, Darren Shan and Cathy Cassidy sit alongside exciting, emerging talent including Mackenzie Crook, Steven Camden and Sally Green. Children of all ages can enjoy stories from many vibrant nations, including Ethiopia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland, on a wealth of subjects from Vikings to WWI, witches to fairies and robots to spacemen.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival welcomes over 900 participants from 47 different countries to Charlotte Square Gardens this summer, and runs from Saturday 9 to Monday 25 August 2014. Full details of the programme can be found atwww.edbookfest.co.uk. Tickets to all events go on sale on Tuesday 24 June 2014 online at www.edbookfest.co.uk, by phone on 0845 373 5888 or in person at the Box Office at the Roxburghe Hotel on George Street (on Tuesday 24 June only, thereafter at The Hub, Castlehill).

Story Time at John Lewis

On Saturday, beloved children’s author and illustrator, Nick Sharratt – famed for bringing the Story of Tracy Beaker to life – entertained children at John Lewis Edinburgh as part of a special charity storytelling session. The retailer’s Story Time initiative, raises money for Barnardo’s to help support the UK’s most vulnerable children whilst highlighting the importance of interaction and communication in a child’s early development.

Barry Blamire, head of branch at John Lewis Edinburgh said: “At John Lewis Edinburgh, Barnardo’s is a charity very close to our hearts and Story Time is an excellent initiative which promotes reading, whilst raising money for children in need.

“We are very grateful to Nick Sharratt for giving us his time. Nick is a hugely talented author and illustrator whose stories have inspired generations of children. His session was great fun and entertained children, parents and staff alike.”

To join Nick Sharratt in supporting Story Time with Barnardo’s and John Lewis text ‘JL’ to 70500. This will donate £5 to support Barnardo’s and their work with the UK’s most vulnerable children.

VIDEO – Colinton Cottages offer peaceful sheltered housing

A few weeks back The Edinburgh Reporter went along to meet the manager and some residents of Colinton Cottages which is a sheltered housing complex on Redford Road. There are 41 delightful cottages offering single and double accommodation with all the cottages having their own front door.

This is truly a very peaceful setting and you can now add your name to the waiting list even if you are not yet over 65 but otherwise will qualify for a place after your 65th birthday.

The Society considers its tenanted properties to be first stage sheltered housing accommodation.

Colinton Cottages are within walking distance of Colinton village and in easy reach of local shops. There is a good bus service into the city. On site there is a meeting hall which residents can use independently and where weekly activities are held for those interested. There is also a guest bedroom with en suite available for visitors.

The Cottage Homes are managed by a full time manager who is supported by a part time assistant and a full time gardener/handyman. All properties are linked to Hanover Telecare, who provide emergency assistance overnight and at weekends.

If you are resident in Scotland and aged 65 years or over then you will get more information on the website or contact the manager by email at [email protected] or by phone on 0131 441 2502/2286. Your name can be placed on the waiting list before you reach the age of 65.

The Cottages are owned and managed by The Aged Christian Friend Society of Scotland which is registered with the Care Inspectorate and with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR).

Five things you need to know today

Independence Debate – Open University – Canal Festival – Edinburgh job – The Edinburgh International Film Festival

Alistair Darling has confirmed that he has accepted an invitation from Scottish Television to take part in a live, televised debate with Alex Salmond on the evening of Wednesday, July 16th 2014.

The Chair of Better Together was invited to attend the debate in a letter from STV’s Head of News Gordon Macmillan on June 18th. Better Together has responded to that invitation.

***

Douglas Munro, 76, from Edinburgh, was one of 400 students to graduate in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Saturday from The Open University marking 40 years since the ground-breaking institution conferred degrees on its first graduates in Scotland in 1974.

Douglas, who is retired, celebrated achieving a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree at The Open University in Scotland.

Douglas said: “I enrolled with Open University on retiring from a career in the tourist industry in Scotland at the age of 65. I had very little experience of study and especially of distance study and the self-discipline this involves, having left school in 1953 with minimum qualifications.

“I was delighted to have this second chance to learn and I have really enjoyed the scope of the Open University’s courses and the teaching material and methods on hand.

“I was awarded a degree in Classics in 2008 but was enjoying studying so much that I immediately started a second course, which is the one I have just graduated in. I am now already signed up to do a third degree in Humanities. If I do manage to complete a third degree I will be around 82 so I’ll take it one year at a time – there are still plenty of subjects I would like to study!”

Dr James Miller, Director of The Open University in Scotland adds: “Since 1974, tens of thousands of people have taken advantage of the flexibility offered by The Open University in Scotland. It’s great to see graduates from all over Scotland, including Edinburgh, marking this 40^th anniversary milestone.”

Since 1974, over 63,000 OU degrees and professional qualifications have been conferred in Scotland.

***

Our photo today is a general view of the Canal Festival on Saturday which was very well attended. The range of activities on offer is clearly a huge draw for those wanting to get involved (and then of course there is the raft race!)

If you missed out on entering then make sure you have a look at the website here to get involved next year!

***

If you like eating out then you may already know about Zomato. It is a website set up to give you the menus for all the restaurants in your area. The company is expanding in Edinburgh which is one of five cities in the UK where it operates and now they have a job on offer for a Business Development Associate. The job ad reads like this:-

If extensive travel is something you enjoy, targets are not just concentric circles, then be Zomato’s brand ambassador and sell advertising space on Zomato.

Responsibilities:

Help restaurants market themselves better by selling advertising space to them on Zomato

Effectively search prospective clients and generate sales leads. Leads could range from take-away joints to 5 Star properties

Advise clients on relevant and impactful marketing communication to be displayed on their advertising space on Zomato. Amplify the impact of marketing campaigns by distributing Zomato’s marketing merchandize to restaurants for display

Prepare result reports for advertising campaigns and interpret them for clients. Also suggest measures to improve the effectiveness of the marketing campaign

Manage end-to-end client relationship including pitching, negotiation, contracting, billing/invoicing, payment collection, graphic design support (with the help of the Graphics Team), campaign activations, result tracking and troubleshooting

Requirements:

0–2 years of work experience. Relevant experience in sales is a bonus!

Familiarity with the geography of the location applied to

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Knowledge of how to operate a laptop/PC, good typing speed and working knowledge of Microsoft Office

Intelligent, enthusiastic and self-motivated individuals

Should be comfortable working in large multi-cultural teams

Comfortable with ambiguity and unpredictable work hours

Note: We will only accept applications from candidates fulfilling all legal requirements to live and work in the UK.

Read the full advert here on Zomato

***

All the latest from the Edinburgh International Film Festival is here on their dedicated YouTube channel.

What’s on in Edinburgh this week

MONDAY 23 JUNE 2014

Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile: a talk by Jean Bareham. Learn about the history and stories behind gardens old and new in and around Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. 6-7pm, Gilmerton Library, 13 Newtoft Street. To book call 0131 529 5628 or email [email protected]

My Brother’s Keeper? The Edinburgh Philosophy and Psychology Group meet to discuss ‘Are we so concerned to protect people from risks and consequences that we make them more dependent?’ Discussions are non-academic and group members come from a range of ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Group meets monthly, non-members welcome. 8-9.30pm, The Links Hotel and Bar, 4 Alvanley Terrace, Bruntsfield, EH9 1DU. Free (with free sandwiches!)

Where Should the Birds Fly? The first film about Gaza made by Palestinians living the reality of the siege and blockade. The filmmaker Fida Quishta, one of the women whose stories are told in the film, will answer questions after the screening. 7pm (doors open 6.30pm and the cafe will be open prior to the show) Out of the Blue, 35 Dalmeny Street. Free, donations welcome.

TUESDAY 24 JUNE 2014

WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE 2014

Lunchtime Concert: The Girls and Youth Choir of Jeloy Church, Moss, Norway. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

THURSDAY 26 JUNE 201

World in Chains: the Impact of Nuclear Weapons and Militarisation. Political activist Angie Zelter launches her latest book, ‘essays that question the integrity of a society that accepts nuclear deterrents as valid forms of defence.’ 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free, donations welcome.

Live Music Now: Suzanne Houston and Kristan Harvey – Kristan Harvey (fiddle) and Suzanne Houston (piano) specialise in Scotland’s traditional music. Their programme includes arrangements of some of Scotland’s oldest traditional melodies, as well as newer compositions that are shaping the development of folk music today. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.

The Economics of New Borders: Implications: a panel discussion. As the Independence Referendum approaches, economic questions have come to dominate the public debate on Scotland’s future. This Scottish Institute for Research in Economics event will showcase methods used by economists to evaluate the possible costs and benefits of independence, discuss the experience of other countries and explore the implications for Scotland. 6-7pm, St Cecilia’s Hall, Niddry Street. Free tickets must be booked via eventbrite.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak. Will Pickvance’s popular off-the-cuff weekly concert of piano improvisations and repartee. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Scandalous Edinburgh plc walking tour: an informative and interactive guided walking tour, full of surprises, around Edinburgh’s financial districts. ‘History, anecdotes and eye-opening information. Prepare to be scandalised…’ 4.30-6.30pm starting at St Andrew Square. Organised by the World Development Movement, a UK-based anti-poverty campaigning organisation. Tickets cost £5 (concessions £3) to include taxi ride and hot chocolate, and must be booked in advance via eventbrite. Other dates in July are also available – see website.

FRIDAY 27 JUNE 2014

John McPake and the Sea Beggars: Edinburgh native Stuart Campbell launches his debut novel ‘an extraordinarily warm and humane exploration of psychosis.’ 6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 102 West Bow. Free event but please book via eventbrite or by calling into the shop in advance.

Gallery Social: John Byrne. Join artists for relaxed guided tours for anyone affected by dementia, their friends, relatives and supporters. Very informal tours exploring highlights from the permanent collection or special exhibitions. Tours begin with refreshments in the Learning Centre: meet at the Information Desk. 10.30am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. To book a place call 0131 624 6560

Katie Paterson: Ideas. Paterson’s work is cross-medium, multidisciplinary and conceptually driven with an emphasis on nature and cosmology. Ideas presents her most recent work as part of the nationwide project GENERATION. 10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday, from today until 27th September 2014 (also open 12 noon- 5pm on Sundays in August only), Ingleby Gallery, 15 Calton Road.

Jim Lambie: a solo exhibition of the work of Jim Lambie, one of Scotland’s most internationally significant artists known for visually compelling, generous and beguiling work which attracts both critical and popular acclaim. Bringing together two decades of sculpture and installation, the exhibition is part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2014 and GENERATION. Today until 19th October 2014, 11am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 12 noon – 5pm Sundays. The Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street.

Lunchtime Concert: Dokko Long Beach Polytechnic High School Choir, California. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Georgian Edinburgh before the New Town: a lecture by James Simpson, a conservation architect in private practice in Edinburgh. James co-founded the firm of Simpson and Brown, now one of the leading historic buildings practices in the UK. 2pm, City Art Centre, Market Street. Free: for bookings and further information contact Margaret Findlay on 0131 529 3963 or email [email protected]

Leith School of Art End of Year Exhibition: Leith School of Art offers full-time and part-time courses and a summer school. This exhibition will showcase work by this year’s students. 10am-4pm, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street. Free. Also open Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June.

Orchid Fair at the Botanics: the Taiwan Floriculture Association leads the world in orchid culture. See their stunning, colourful and elegant display of the state of the art in orchid floriculture. Special events, including painting demonstrations and a tea ceremony, will be held around this exhibition (see Sunday’s listing for the first one.) 10am-5,45pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Royal Botanic Garden. Free, no booking required. Exhibition ends 20th July 2014.

Afternoon Tea Club: 3.30pm, Fountainbridge Library, Dundee Street.

School’s Out for Summer! Summer crafts and games session. Celebrate the start of the summer holidays at South Queensferry Library, 9 Shore Road, 2-4pm.

SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

How To Train Your Dragon Activity Day: a dragon-themed activity day to celebrate the release of Cressida Cowell’s ‘The Incomplete Book of Dragons‘, which coincides with Dreamworks’ release of How To Train Your Dragon 2, a film inspired by the bestselling series. Activities include Design Your Own Shield, Find the Dragons, raffle, colouring and a Costume Parade at 2pm – come dressed as a Viking or dragon, prizes for the best costumes. 11am-4pm, Waterstones West End. Further information on 0131 226 2666.

Generation: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. First day of a landmark series of exhibitions tracing the development of modern art in Scotland over the last 25 years. Works by over a hundred artists in more than sixty galleries, exhibition spaces and venues all over Scotland. In Edinburgh exhibitions open today at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Collective Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, RSA and the Scottish National Gallery. More will follow at other venues later in the summer. See website for full details.

National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm and 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Tour of the National Library Polish Collection: enjoy a behind the scenes tour at the National Library of Scotland and learn more about the Polish collections. Tour will last about 50 minutes and will include a visit to the reading rooms and one of the stack floors where 16 million print items are stored. There will be a small display demonstrating the range of Polish material held. 10am and 11.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but numbers limited so booking is essential, either via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

The Hidden Library – for creatives. Join print-maker, publisher and artist-book-maker Hugh Bryden for a book art workshop or novelist Vicki Hendry to find out how to use NLS for creative research. Take part in a travel writing workshop or join the Library’s own handy knitters to uncover surprise patterns from the past – and have a go at knitting them (beginners and experts welcome!) Discover the Ian Hamilton Finlay archive, ‘Library in a Box’, vintage quilting patterns and much more. 2-5pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking required via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Lunchtime Concert: St Maur’s Youth Choir, Rush, Co Dublin. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Recycled City: help build a miniature version of Edinburgh using recycled materials. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, Market Street. A free drop-in workshop for families – no booking required.

Giving Nature a Home: a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities. RSPB staff will help you to discover more about the range of wildlife that makes the garden its home. 11am-4pm, Royal Botanic Garden (ask at Reception for venue.) Free, all ages, no booking required. Also available on Sunday.

No Strangers: Ancient Wisdom in a Modern World. A group photography exhibition focusing on the plight of indigenous people throughout the world and the ways cultures express a shared humanity. Posing a fundamental question of ‘what does it mean to be human and alive?‘ No Strangers celebrates the 7,000 languages used globally, half of which could be silenced within a generation or two. 10am-5.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden. Free. Exhibition ends 21st September 2014.

Mythical Monster Books: summer activities for children aged 5-11. 2-3pm, Blackhall Library. Free and unticketed.

SUNDAY 29 JUNE 2014

Joe Abercrombie: Half a King. Blackwell’s Edinburgh hosts the only Scottish event for Joe Abercrombie, one of Britain’s leading fantasy authors. An exclusive insight into Joe’s new book Half A King, a classic coming-of-age tale and the start of a new series. 6pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free but booking is essential; tickets are available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218 or via eventbrite.

St Giles at Six: pianist Luke Welch plays Schumann, Chopin and Brahms. 6pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Stockbridge Duck Race: ducks (not real ones!) are numbered and released from the bridge into the Water of Leith at 3pm then caught by Duck Wardens further downstream. The owners of the first lucky ducks to cross the line win prizes generously donated by local businesses. Ducks are now on sale at £1.50 each from many local Stockbridge establishments and also online – see Facebook group for details. All profits will be donated to Lifecare and St Columba’s Hospice. Race is followed by an Apres Duck party and a children’s disco.

An Edinburgh Jewish Welcome – You’re Welcome to Write! Creative Writing Day presented by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities around the themes of Welcome and Migration. Want to share your story about immigration and welcome? Come and discover your writing talents with the help of three writers who will offer insights and guidance on writing short stories and poetry. Open to everyone regardless of writing experience and level of spoken English. Free Kosher buffet lunch, creche facilities and activities for children. 10am-4pm, Jewish Community Centre, 4 Salisbury Road, EH16 5AB. Free, part of Refugee Week Scotland For bookings and more information see website or contact [email protected]

Plum Blossom Painting Demonstration: Dr Chun-Chao Chiu is an artist from Taiwan renowned for his mastery of traditional Chinese brush painting in depicting landscapes and floral art. Join him as he paints a classic plum blossom watercolour in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the designation of plum blossom as Taiwan’s national flower. Discover the symbolism behind plum blossom and many other national and regional flowers. 1-4pm, Patrick Geddes Room, Royal Botanic Garden. Free, no booking required.

Mythical Maze: art, crafts and activities for ages 5+. Part of Edinburgh Libraries’/The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. 2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North.

Oxgangs Library 3

Scottish Independence Referendum – teenagers to debate with politicians

16 and 17 year olds are being given the right to vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum, so it is fitting that they are also given the opportunity of debating with politicians in the last 90 days or so before they exercise that vote.

BBC Scotland is to hold a televised debate with around 12,000 teenagers in the week before the referendum.

In the biggest debate the country has ever held, the first time voters from across Scotland are expected to fill the iconic SSE Hydro on Glasgow’s waterfront for a BBC One televised debate on the referendum for Scottish Independence.

The landmark debate on 11 September 2014, gives 16 and 17 year olds the opportunity to air their views and aspirations, as well as grill politicians ahead of the historic referendum in which they will vote for the very first time.

Scrutinising the claims and counter-claims of those at the forefront of the debate, they will have the chance to ask questions that matter to them, speak about their hopes and fears and highlight their ambitions and aspirations for the future of the country.

John Boothman, Head of News and Current Affairs said: “This will be the biggest political debate that has ever been televised in Scotland. We are proud to bring the nation’s young people together to hear the arguments that will determine the future of the country.”

The programme will be broadcast across the UK on BBC One, a week before Scotland makes one of the most important political decisions in its history.

Every secondary school in Scotland will be invited to take part.

The BBC will be contacting both campaigns to discuss the appropriate representative from each side to appear on the show.

Audience debates have been a key part of the BBC’s coverage of the referendum which was boosted by a £5million investment to fund a wide range of related programming ahead of the historic poll.

The next programme in The Referendum Debate series on BBC Two Scotland will be 8 July from Portree, Skye, and the weekly Big Debate on BBC Radio Scotland also continues to tour the country.

As part of the BBC’s Generation 2014, which is following 50 first time voters in the run up to the referendum, 25 of the group will take part in a live debate on the news and current affairs show Scotland 2014 on BBC Two Scotland on 30 June.

Summer Activities for all ages in Gorgie, Dalry & Carrickvale

Want to try golf, streetdance or archery? Fancy a go at horseriding, laser quest or cheerleading?

All these and more are on offer this summer in Gorgie, Dalry and Carrickvale, but places are limited and activities are very popular, so be prepared – booking for all activities opens TOMORROW, Monday 23 June 2014, in person at Carrickvale Community Centre or Tynecastle Community Wing. You will need to complete an enrolment form and where appropriate a parent/guardian consent form, and payment must be made when booking. Neither centre accepts credit cards.

Gorgie Dalry Community Association is running a holiday activity club, cheerleading and archery for P4-P7s, Mini Movers for P1-P3, Tri Golf for P1-P4 and fencing for P1-P7.

At Gorgie War Memorial Hall you can enjoy streetdance (ages 5-9 and 10-16), an activity week (P1-P5) and a Family Fun Day.

St Bride’s Centre in Orwell Terrace can offer Summer Fusion (11-16 years), Mini Fusion (7-10 years), arts & activities workshops (ages 5-9) and Artie’s Tartan Tales (as part of Fringe 2014.)

There are lots of choices at Carrickvale Community Centre,, and it’s not all for children only – adults can book for a visit to Balhousie Castle or Traquair House or a free Winter Gardens walk and tour, whilst there is an art week for ages 5-11, go-karting for ages 10-15, laser quest for ages 9-15, wake boarding and ropes at Foxlake (with transport), youth archery and horse riding for 9-16s, and a free activity day at Bridge 8 for 8-16s. Families can try an archery week, an afternoon of horse riding or a visit to laser quest together.

So all you have to do is just make sure you are at one of the booking centres early to secure your place. You can book a maximum of three activities taking place at any one centre, and a maximum of five over the whole programme (all subject to availability and nothing to do with us of course!)

Activities are arranged by Edinburgh City Council Community Learning and Development.

Alan Stubbs expected to be named new Hibs’ manager

The Everton Under-21 manager Alan Stubbs will be announced as the new manager of Hibs tomorrow.

The former Celtic defender who is understood to have beat off competition from around forty applicants, impressed new CEO Leeann Dempster during last week’s interview.

It’s also understood that Stubbs is trying to persuade Everton colleague David Unsworth to come as his No.2.

The players start pre-season training tomorrow with several returning to East Mains after having been told by former boss Terry Butcher that they should look for a new club as their chances would be limited at Easter Road.

Fifteen players have left the club following last season’s relegation, including striker James Collins who still had a year left on his contract.

Under 20 boss James McDonaugh is expected to take training tomorrow when Callum Booth returns after spending two years on loan at Livingston and Raith Rovers.

The promising left back will be joined by Jordon Forster, Michael Nelson, Paul Hanlon, Ryan McGivern, Lewis Stevenson, Alex Harris, Scott Robertson, Liam Craig, Owain Tudur Jones, Sam Stanton, Danny Handling, Paul Heffernan, Jason Cummings and Ross Caldwell.

‘Card skimming’ devices found at city centre centre cash machines

Anyone who used a cash machine at RS McColl in Frederick Street, or Thomas Cook in Hanover Street, both Edinburgh, yesterday (Saturday, June 21, 2014) is being urged by Police to contact their bank and check for unusual transactions, after ‘card skimming’ devices were found at both machines.

Likewise, anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of both machines, is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

PC Steven Skirving, who is leading the investigations, said: “These illegal devices are attached to cash machines and are used to copy a user’s bank card details, allowing a thief to come along later and use that information to steal from their account.

“They are typically used for short periods of time, and it is good that we have been able to recover these devices and prevent further theft, however it is possible that innocent members of the public are at risk from having their accounts plundered. Therefore I would urge anyone who used either of these cash machines to check their bank account, either at a branch or by telephone or online. If anyone saw someone hanging about these machines, or apparently acting suspiciously, I would urge them to contact us so we can get their description.”

Concern for missing Fife man

Police officers in Fife are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of a High Valleyfield man, who may have been missing since Saturday lunch-time.

Ashley Duncan, 51, was reported missing after he failed to turn up for work this morning, and last seen in the village at 12 Noon yesterday (Saturday).

He may have driven off in a white Citroen C1 motor car which is signwritten on both sides with “DJ Ash” logos.

Sergeant Tracy Moffat, who is leading the search, said: “Ashley is considered vulnerable, and we are very keen to trace him and reunite him with his family, so I am appealing to anyone who knows where he is, or has seen him since Saturday lunchtime, to call Police Scotland on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”