The council meets at the City Chambers each month – this month this is the first of two meetings. You can watch proceedings live online and you can follow our live coverage here.

Council meeting – Jack Kane Sports Centre hosting Sports Day today – National Hate Crime Conference in Edinburgh next week – Scotland Creates: A Sense of Place – Usher Hall Sunday concerts 

Following the publication of the report into the Mortonhall Crematorium investigation there will be a full council meeting this morning. This will be streamed online, but there will be no discussion of the Mortonhall report at the meeting, although the council leader has mentioned it in his monthly report.

The papers for the meeting can be accessed here.

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Dozens of children with a disability are to enjoy a dedicated multi sports event designed to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.

Edinburgh Leisure, in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and Active Schools, will welcome 72 children with additional support needs to the Jack Kane Sports Centre for the High Flyers Multi Sports Day later today.

This multi sport taster event is a unique opportunity for children and young people with special education needs (SEN) to try out athletics, boccia and tennis to get into the spirit of the games.

With the support of ten SEN schools from in and around the Lothians, it is hoped the event will channel the excitement of Scotland’s ‘year of sport’ to inspire more children with a disability to enjoy physical activity and develop the healthy habits crucial for greater quality of life into adulthood.

High Flyers is an innovative project which enables greater access to sport for children with disabilities, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport and Active Schools, and funded by the City of Edinburgh Council.

James Brandon, Community Inclusion Officer at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “This event is to inspire young people with limited opportunities to try new sports and to get involved in clubs in the local area.  It is at events such as these that future Paralympian and ParaGames athletes start their journeys.”

Jude Salmon, Active Schools Manager, said: “This is a really worthwhile event which has been tailored to provide support and encouragement for young people with a disability in Edinburgh and beyond. High Flyers will offer the chance to try new sports including athletics and join in the excitement for the Commonwealth Games.”

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Scottish Alliance for Regional Equality Councils (SAREC) is hosting a National Conference on Hate Crime in Scotland on the theme “Tackling the Barriers to Reporting Prejudice Incidents/Hate Crime” on 7 May 2014 at 10am at Leith Academy, 20 Academy Park,  EH6 8JQ.

The SAREC National Hate Crime Conference seeks to identify and address barriers to reporting hate crimes and discriminatory incidents by bringing in key stakeholders from communities and the public sector agencies to discuss the issue. The event will enable the four Regional Equality Councils (Central Scotland, Grampian, Edinburgh and Lothians and West of Scotland) along with other partners to share their expertise on the work around hate crime along with learning from participants of the event to take steps to addressing this important issue.

Victims often feel disillusioned in reporting hate crime due to the negative perceptions about agencies, their attitudes, negative media, lack of follow-up and resolution. SAREC aims to raise awareness amongst key policy makers and legal stakeholders for the enhanced need for reporting hate crime.  More needs to be initiated to foster effective engagement between the community and police and other agency involved and encourage reporting thereby leading to a reduction in fear towards reporting hate crimes. SAREC is determined to do unrelenting work towards challenging all forms of racism and discrimination.

SAREC is delighted that Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon OBE has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the conference. Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE is the founder of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. She is also a writer and justice and human rights campaigner.

Doreen has led a campaign to reform the policing values of the UK after the grief of losing her 18-year-old son, Stephen Lawrence. Her struggle to bring a change in the country’s attitudes to policing and racism has had a profound effect on the legal system in the UK. The contribution she will make comes at a particularly important time when there is great focus upon Prejudice Incidents/Hate Crime, equality and justice.

SAREC Chair Dr Malcolm Green says, “Scotland is a multicultural society with people living here from all walks of life and backgrounds. However, differences and discrimination exists on the grounds of Race, Sexual orientation, Religion/faith, Disability or Transgender/gender identity and people transgress into the negative arena of hate crime.’’

‘‘We hope the conference will bring into attention the enhanced need for reporting hate crime and tackling the barriers that exist in reporting these incidents thereby fostering a culture of reporting incidents.’’

‘‘This conference will also highlight the need for having effective mechanisms at National level for resolution of hate crime incidents in Scotland.”

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From 9 May – 31 August 2014 on the Grand Gallery, Level 1 at the Museum there will be a free exhibit called ‘How do we express our Sense of Place?’

Since 2012, young people from across Scotland have worked with staff at National Museums Scotland and at four partner museums, to explore what they felt was important about where they come from. They chose objects from the National Museum of Scotland and their local museums, for exhibitions in 2013. This final exhibition, the culmination of their project, showcases their choices and ideas, expressed through art, music, dance and films. Find out more about the Scotland Creates project here.

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The Usher Hall, which is enjoying its centenary year, has announced their latest international concert season for 2014-15.

The coming season will feature six orchestras from around the globe:  St Petersburg Philharmonic (2 Nov), Brussels Philharmonic (30 Nov), St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra (15 Feb), Camerata Salzburg (15 Mar), Czech Philharmonic (19 Apr), Warsaw Philharmonic (10 May).

The Usher Hall is continually presenting great programmes from some of the world’s leading orchestras, renowned conductors and brilliant guest soloists.  This season features, amongst others, Yuri Termirkanov, Miloš Karadaglić, Natalie Clein, Nicola Benedetti and Jiří Bělohlávek.

As a bonus the venue has programmed Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra (23 Oct), visiting as part of the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Performance and Education Tour of the UK, in commemoration of the First World War centenary.

Also announced today is a concert entitled The 2014 Commonwealth Games Gala Concert – Edinburgh Raises the Baton.  This concert features the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Edinburgh Royal Choral Union.

This season forms part of the Usher Hall’s core programme supported by The City of Edinburgh Council which owns and manages the venue.

Culture Convener Councillor Richard Lewis said:-“I eagerly await the new Autumn programme at the Usher Hall.  The venue was designed and built with wonderful classical music in mind and the tradition of concert-going continues as strongly as ever.  It’s a genuine pleasure to sit back in the auditorium and loose oneself in the music emanating from these first class orchestras from around the world.”

Tickets are available on Wednesday 30 April via usherhall.co.uk and 0131 228 1155.

£32  | £26  | £21  | £16  |  £12 Limited number of early bird discounts available – £10 off top price ticket

Under 16’s go free

£10 tickets available for students / unwaged

20% off each ticket for groups of 6-10

On Saturday May 10^th, Queensferry Rowing Club will host the inaugural Alan Meldrum Community Challenge at Port Edgar Marina. 

 Alan Meldrum was the first Vice-Captain and a founding member of Queensferry Rowing Club in 2011.  When Mel, as he was known locally, passed away in 2013 the club thought it would be appropriate to hold an event in his memory that will bring the Community together. This will be a fitting tribute to honour the memory of the man who did so much to establish the club. 

The event will involve a number of local businesses and organisations racing against each other; these include Police Scotland, Hopetoun Estate, Scotmid, Queensferry Medical Practice, QCCC, Scottish Parliament Broadcasting Teams and New Forth Crossing.

The racing starts at 11:00am with heats at 11:00, 12:00 and 13:00 with the Final at 14:30.  After the Final there will a session for anyone who wishes to give rowing a try.  The event is going ahead with the much appreciated assistance of North Queensferry Rowing Club, ActivCity Funding and City of Edinburgh Council.

Words and Photo from Donal Ferrie of Queensferry Rowing Club

Edinburgh Airport is expanding to form a new security hall promised to sort out any queuing on departure from the capital by air.

Today there was a ‘topping out’ ceremony to mark the completion of the building to its full height. This does not mean the building is finished however. It will take until November before the new part of the terminal can be opened to the public. But Edinburgh Airport are very pleased with the way the contract is going, and invited The Edinburgh Reporter along to witness the event.

CEO of Edinburgh Airport Gordon Dewar got his hands a bit dirty today to help things along, ably helped by local MSP Colin Keir.

The new report issued today by the Royal Society of Edinburgh into digital participation says that the step change proposed by the Scottish Government needs to step up a gear.

They conclude that the government will have to spend £100m to ensure that there is no widening of the digital divide across the country, but that the divide is not all about geography.

We spoke to the chair of the RSE Inquiry, Professor Alan Fourman about the findings

You can download the report here.

At Prime Minister’s Questions today Mark Lazarowicz MP challenged the Prime Minister on his complete u-turn on green energy policy with the announcement last week that the Conservatives would axe support for new onshore wind energy in England if they win the next election.

Mark commented afterwards:-“David Cameron said before the last election that he wanted to put a wind turbine on No 10 if he became Prime Minister. Now he will be going into the next election pledged to axe support for onshore wind.

“Onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of energy but the Prime Minister is committed to cutting support for it: so much for tough action to cut energy bills.

“Renewed uncertainty over future support for green energy will only further damage investment in an industry which has the potential to create thousands of new skilled jobs.

“The greenest government ever? The march of the makers? This Government is failing to protect the environment or to back UK industry of the future.”

The Government ‘s own figures show onshore wind as one of the cheapest forms of energy, close to gas and nuclear and much the cheapest form of renewable energy when the energy generated over the lifetime of a project is calculated.

The report on the disposal of babies ashes at Mortonhall Crematorium has now been published online by the City of Edinburgh Council and you can read it at the link provided.

The Mortonhall Investigation report was commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Chief Executive Sue Bruce in January 2013 after concerns were raised about practices at the crematorium and has been authored by the former Lord Advocate of Scotland, the Rt Hon Dame Elish Angiolini QC DBE.

The remit of the report was to establish the facts regarding practices relating to the cremation of babies at Mortonhall Crematorium and to learn lessons that will ensure best practice for the future.

Dame Elish interviewed bereaved families, current and former members of crematorium staff, representatives from funeral directors, staff from other crematoria, support groups and health professionals and took opinion from experts in the field of human anthropology, law and forensic accountancy. The report, with annexes, extends to over 600 pages in total.

The report contains 22 recommendations which the council say they will now take forward.

Sue Bruce, Chief Executive, City of Edinburgh Council, said: “On behalf of the Council, I would like to offer my sincere apologies to the bereaved families for the distress they have suffered as a result of the practices at Mortonhall Crematorium. I realise that the past year-and-a-half has been very difficult for the families involved and wish to thank them all for their co-operation with the investigation and their contribution to the report.

“I would also like to thank Dame Elish Angiolini and her team for their hard work on this important and sensitive investigation. Dame Elish has made many important recommendations, some of which relate directly to working practices at Mortonhall. I will be working with Council colleagues and elected members to take these forward.

“It is also clear from the recommendations that there are far-reaching implications regarding cremation practices and the legislative framework not just for Edinburgh but across Scotland and the United Kingdom and I will be working with the Scottish Government and other relevant bodies to address these concerns.

“We will now consult with families and relevant organisations regarding their views on a suitable memorial.

“It is vital that we learn from this and look to the future. We must ensure that the highest possible standards are adhered to at Mortonhall and that nothing like this can happen again.”

All families involved have been sent a copy of the report by courier this morning along with an individual case summary containing details of their case.

Section 5 of the report relates to individual cases containing personal and sensitive information about the families involved. Having taken legal advice and consulted with the Office of the Information Commissioner, the Council has made redactions to this section to protect the privacy of these families and third parties.

The council’s Chief Executive instructed a report by former Lord Advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini, in January 2013 on the practices at Mortonhall Crematorium relating to the disposal of babies’ ashes. The question over such disposals came to light in 2012, when it was discovered that contrary to what had been advised such remains might have been scattered in the Garden of Remembrance at Mortonhall. Some parents had been told that there would be no ashes following cremation of a baby.

The 600 page report has been couriered to all affected parents and families this morning, and will be published online later today.

It appears that The Edinburgh Evening News have already seen the report, as they have published an article online claiming that the report states that babies ashes were simply mixed in with the next adult cremation. They also say that the report contains evidence that staff at the crematorium, owned and run by City of Edinburgh Council, knew that there were ashes following cremation of a baby but did not tell parents.

The Scottish Government have set up an Infant Cremation Commission chaired by the Rt Hon Lord Bonomy which is due to make a report to Holyrood later this year. The remit of the commission is to investigate policies and practice across Scotland relating to the cremation of infants.

Lord Bonomy has reacted to the impending publication of Dame Elish’s report:-“I welcome the news that the Mortonhall Investigation has been completed by Dame Elish Angiolini and of its April 30, 2014 publication via Edinburgh City Council.

The Commission will fully consider the Mortonhall findings in order to help inform its own Report conclusions and recommendations. Then those parents who made a submission to the Commission last year will be given an opportunity to comment on the draft Commission report prior to its completion and my secretariat will be in contact with them shortly.

I am reluctant to provide any definite completion date in case this leads to later disappointment, however I do currently expect to be able to provide a finalised Infant Cremation Commission Report to Scottish Ministers around the end of May 2014. Scottish Government will then take on the necessary publication arrangements in June.”

We hope to have an update during the course of the morning.

Community Renewable Energy – Blossom in the spring – Edinburgh boy selected for the GB Tetrathlon Team – Health Week at Royal Mile Primary – Register now to vote in the European Election!

Energy4All, the not-for-profit social enterprise that has been at the forefront of community ownership of renewable energy since Baywind first created it in 2002 will be holding an event for all at the Eric Liddell Centre on 17 May 2014.

There has been an incredible surge of interest in the different forms of community ownership of energy over these past few years and the work undertaken by Energy4All has shown that what has happened in Denmark and Germany can happen here in the UK.

Energy4All will be explaining how the co-operative model can be applied to community and developer led projects for the benefit of all stakeholders.  There will also be a chance to meet with Board members of existing renewable energy co-operatives.

More information and how to book a ticket here.

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Share with us your photos of all the beautiful blossom around the city – or indeed wherever you are in the world. We will share the best ones on The Edinburgh Reporter.

You can access our blossom storyboard for your photos, video or text over here.

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Michael Craig, 18, has been selected as the youngest member of the U24 Great Britain Tetrathlon team.

Michael is in his fifth and final year at Merchiston Castle School and is no stranger to success in this niche sporting event. He has been in the Great Britain Team since the age of 13 and has been Scottish Champion for four consecutive years.  The Tetrathlon is made up of four events: horse riding, running, swimming and pistol shooting.

During the Easter holidays, Michael attended the Great Britain U24 Tetrathlon selection camp at Bishop Burton in Hull. The top 10 boys and girls in Britain attended and went through a challenging week of selection for a team of 7 boys and 5 girls.

Merchiston’s Director of Co-curricular and Sport, Richard Charman, commented on Michael’s success: ‘We are absolutely delighted for Michael in his selection for the Great Britain Tetrathlon Team. He committed himself to a strict training programme to prepare himself for the Great Britain selection camp and we are very proud of his success in this area. Michael has shown this same commitment to every part of his sporting programme at Merchiston since he arrived five years ago and there is no doubt he will continue to shine when he graduates from Merchiston in the summer.’

Not only does Michael participate in this demanding sporting event, but he also coaches younger children who are looking to follow in his footsteps.  After leaving Merchiston, Michael hopes to study Human Geography at Newcastle University, where he thinks he might give up his pistol and swap his horse for a bike and try his hand at triathlon events.  We wish Michael every success for his forthcoming tour of Australia in July with Team Great Britain.

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http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/health-week-Press-release.pdf

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Edinburgh residents are being urged not to lose the opportunity to vote in the forthcoming European Elections.

With just one week until the deadline for registering, Edinburgh’s potential voters are encouraged to join the electoral register in order to cast their vote on 22 May.

Though registration across the capital’s 151 polling districts is relatively high, there are some areas that continue to experience a much lower rate in voter registration, including Fountainbridge and the City Centre, where many people rent homes.

Those living in rented accommodation or who have moved house are being reminded to let the Electoral Registration Office know when they move to avoid losing out on their vote.

Getting on the electoral register now will also allow a vote in the Scottish Referendum on September 18.

City of Edinburgh Council leader, Councillor Andrew Burns, said: “With both the European Parliamentary Elections and the Scottish Independence Referendum taking place this year, it’s important that you are registered to vote.

“This is your opportunity to be part of our democracy and make your vote count. Registering only takes a few minutes and being on the Electoral Register has other benefits such as helping improve your credit rating.”

The European Elections will be held in all 28 member states of the European Union, with Edinburgh residents voting to elect six members of the European Parliament to the Electoral Region of Scotland.

Citizens must register to vote by 6 May by filling out an application form, which can be found on the Lothian Valuation Joint Board website, or by telephoning the Lothian Valuation Joint Board 0131 344 2500. Those wishing to vote by post must register by 5pm on Wednesday, 7 May.

Find out more about registering to vote by visiting the Lothian Valuation Joint Board website.

Scotland’s most marginalised communities being denied the opportunities offered by a digital society

Deprivation in Scotland has a far more significant effect on broadband uptake than geography or connection speeds, and extremes of digital exclusion and inclusion are much wider than previously thought, with almost one in five Scottish households in areas where most of their neighbours are likely to be offline. These are the findings of Spreading the Benefits of Digital Participation, the report of a major Royal Society of Edinburgh inquiry into how people and businesses in Scotland can participate in and benefit from the digital society.

The study has been truly national in scope, having gathered evidence from communities and businesses across the length and breadth of Scotland, from the Borders to the Shetland Islands. The resulting report, which is launched today, outlines where more work is needed to deliver a fair digital society and makes several key recommendations on how this can be done, whilst also highlighting some notable digital successes that have been achieved at a national, local and community level, and by the private and third sectors.

The report calls for universal digital inclusion. Current use and uptake of digital technologies across Scotland differs significantly according to socio-economic, demographic and geographical factors. The result is that people from the nation’s most marginalised communities – the poor, the old and the isolated – are being denied the opportunities offered by a digital society.

The Scottish Government deems ‘universal’ to be 95% or 98% of the population. Spreading the Benefits of Digital Participation highlights the danger this interpretation presents in allowing existing inequalities to go unaddressed. If the remaining 2% or 5% is concentrated in certain social groups or isolated locations – as the evidence and analysis uncovered by this inquiry suggests it will be – then the benefits of a digital society will not be fairly shared among those who need them most.

Chair of the Inquiry, Professor Michael Fourman, said, “The analysis we present in the report, backed up by the first-hand evidence we heard across Scotland, shows that the digital divide is wider than we thought. Figures on broadband uptake at Scottish, or even council level, mask significant variations between postcodes. In some areas, nine out of ten households are online; but there are twice as many where most households are still offline. Some of these are in very remote, isolated communities, but most are in urban areas already facing deprivation. The gap between these extremes exacerbates existing social divides, and must be seen as a priority for action.”

The report recognises that the Scottish Government’s Step Change infrastructure programme – which aims to make Scotland a world class digital nation by 2020 – will radically improve the nation’s potential, but finds that it is still inadequate. Without further investment some 400,000 households will continue to suffer from inferior connections in 2020. In addition many vulnerable and marginalised individuals are unable to afford the devices and connections, and lack the basic skills required, to make effective use of the internet.

The report also considers the ethical and moral responsibilities of a digital society. Technology has so altered our capacity to acquire, store, process and communicate information that a number of issues which underpin modern society must now be revisited: surveillance, anonymity, trust, copyright, privacy and freedom of speech, to name a few. The report calls on the Scottish Government to establish a framework to ensure safe and democratic oversight of the effects of digitisation on all aspects of commerce and society.

The more people who have the opportunity to participate digitally, the greater the benefit is for all. The ‘network effect’ means that localised digital activity by communities of individuals, businesses and voluntary organisations helps motivate others to become involved. Local community organisations have a vital role to play in encouraging and supporting people to get online, although central coordination is needed to make sure that expertise, experience and resources are shared effectively.

To share in the benefits of a digital society, every individual, business and organisation must have basic information literacy and digital skills. Currently, 1.3m people in Scotland lack these essential 21^st-century abilities. Scotland must seize every opportunity to develop these skills through formal education, workplace learning, lifelong and community learning. An investment of at least £100m is urgently required for this to take place and the report calls on the Scottish Government to ensure it is made and to coordinate action involving all sectors of society.

The St James Quarter at the east end of Princes Street is set to be transformed by a £850m commercial development, thanks to a funding agreement between the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Government and TIAA Henderson Real Estate (TH Real Estate) which is being hailed as ‘innovative’.

The £61m required to improve local infrastructure and public space in the area for this major regeneration scheme will be facilitated by The City of Edinburgh Council through a new funding model, announced by the Council and The Scottish Government today.

Referred to as the ‘Regeneration Accelerator Model’ (RAM), the mechanism will enable a combination of public and private sector investment in local infrastructure and public space that can then be offset by business rates and overall gains to the economy.

The proposed public sector support will unlock the development, which has outline planning permission for high-quality retail space, grade A office space, a five-star hotel, a four-star hotel, an apart-hotel, a digital theatre, restaurants and residential units.

New retail, hospitality and construction skills academies will also help provide extra support for those seeking employment such as school leavers.

It is estimated that, between 2015 and 2040, the redevelopment of the St James Quarter will also support 2,300 permanent jobs and add £25 million to the Scottish economy each year.

Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said: “Today’s announcement will transform this area of the capital, creating thousands of jobs and boosting the Scottish economy.

“This has only been possible due to an innovative funding model, which will see the Scottish Government work in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and private developers TIAA Henderson Real Estate.

“This government is determined to invest in Scotland’s infrastructure – both to stimulate growth in the short term and lay the foundations for long term success.

“Through schemes such as RAM we are increasing public investment in infrastructure across Scotland, which will create overall gains for the economy as a whole.”

The existing St James Centre will continue to trade until construction work begins. Following this, the regeneration of St James will create a development with world class architecture and of an internationally recognised quality. Construction work is expected to start in 2015.

The development has good transport links, as it lies adjacent to Edinburgh Waverley railway station, Edinburgh Bus Station and the St Andrew Square and York Place tram stops.

The City of Edinburgh Council says it has worked closely with TH Real Estate to develop a project that has sustainability at its core. The plans include a new combined cooling, heat and power centre, electric car charging points, extensive facilities for cyclists, photovoltaic panels, solar tubes and a city car club.

Council Leader, Cllr Andrew Burns, said: “The Council has played a crucial role in securing this major investment for Edinburgh, from early discussions at MIPIM back in 2009 to recent work with The Scottish Government to develop this innovative funding model.

“We are delighted that the new development will create over 2,300 new jobs for the Capital and that we are able to use this opportunity to train Edinburgh people with professional skills to develop long term employment prospects.

“The project will create significant overall growth to the economy, thousands of new jobs for Edinburgh and raise city competitiveness with other international capital cities.”

Martin Perry, Director of Development, TH Real Estate, commented: “Our aspirations for the St James Quarter have been well known for some time now and to have secured this funding support is a key milestone for this exciting project, demonstrating confidence in Edinburgh as a leading European city.

“We have worked very closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government to realise this vision and we appreciate their support and assistance. This scale of investment is unprecedented in central Edinburgh and will transform the city’s retail offer, putting it on the international ‘map’ of major shopping destinations. We are now looking forward to delivering other key milestones in order for construction to start.”

Three Edinburgh volunteers have been presented with the British Empire Medal today in recognition of their dedication to caring and volunteering and for their communities.

The Lord Provost, acting as the Queen’s representative for the City of Edinburgh, presented the medals to the three female recipients from the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List at a special ceremony at the Capital’s City Chambers.

The 2014 recipients are Mrs Jeanette Agnes Barton for services to Community Care, Mrs Margaret Collinson for Voluntary Service in Edinburgh, and Mrs Elizabeth Agnes Macdonald for service to NHS Medic 1 Trust.

The British Empire Medal is awarded for a sustained, local contribution of innovative, high-impact work worthy of recognition by the Crown. Awarded from 1922 until 1992, it was brought back in June 2012 in celebration for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Donald Wilson, said: “It is my honour and privilege to bestow, on the Queen’s behalf, the British Empire Medal to these very worthy recipients.

“Each of these women are inspirational role models for our city, proving that hard working and caring volunteers are at the heart of building positivity within communities.”

Creative Scotland are supporting Edinburgh based twenty four year old producer Leon T Pearl so that he can join five other Scottish bands appearing at The Great Escape 2014 in May.

He will join Prides, Honeyblood, Baby Strange, Neon Waltz and RM Hubbert at two Showcasing Scotland Concerts being presented on 8 and 9 May at the Dome Studio Bar in Brighton.

Pearl released his debut single Take You To Market on Method Records.  His early musical adventures brought together a love of electronic music, club culture and classical piano.  Time well spent travelling brought more inspiration: a mutual friend led to studio sessions with Nicolas Jaar in New York and a rudimental grasp of Japanese resulted in a young Leon residing in Tokyo for a short while.

Listen to his music here

Alongside live music The Great Escape is also a leading music business convention and this year is set to attract 3000 music industry delegates.

Creative Scotland is also hosting a networking event on 9 May to help promote the profile of Scottish music with those people attending the convention.

You can find out more about Leon Pearl here.

www.facebook.com/leontpearl

www.twitter.com/leontpearl

A Woman Without Secrets, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art’s Louise Bourgeois exhibition, will end next month.  It’s a show that inspires strong feelings; I’ve seen it three times and I’m still discovering new things about this fascinating artist.  On Monday in Modern Art One’s Studio, Elizabeth Manchester, PhD Researcher at Chelsea School of Art and Lipman Writer in Residence at Newcastle University, gave an enlightening talk, ‘ Spiraling Anxiety; hysteria transformed in the work of Louise Bourgeois.’

Bourgeois, says Manchester, was an anxious woman who feared many things; silence, the dark, falling down, insomnia.  Bourgeois once said that life consisted of  two opposing emotions, love and fear; the fear of not being loved and the fear of abandonment.  She saw art as a ‘guarantee of sanity; it gave her a way to cope with her sometimes terrifying feelings.

While Bourgeios was studying at the Sorbonne, her mother died.  This had a profound effect on her, and many of her later works focus on the mother as a protector – the huge spider sculptures on display at the gallery are representative of maternal bounty and maternal terror; they guard against evil, but they also consume.  Bourgeois had three sons, but felt that she could never match up to her mother in maternal ability. One of her spider sculptures is called Maman, another Ode a ma Mere; Bourgeios once referred to spiders as ‘helpful and protective, just like my mother.’

In 1938, the International Surrealist Exhibition was staged in Paris.  It was curated by Marcel Du Champ; Salvador Dali and Maz Ernst were its technical advisers, Man Ray its lighting technician.  On the opening night, Helene Vanel performed a dance, ‘L’acte manque’ – the Unconsummated Act, in a room called ‘the hysterical bedroom.’  It was described as a realistic portrayal of an ‘hysterical attack’, something that greatly interested the Surrealists.   At that time, hysteria was a blanket term used to define any woman who showed signs of nervous disorder; doctors subjected thesm to all manner of horrendous physical ‘cures’ , ignoring the social and political causes of their suffering.  It is likely that Bourgeois attended this exhibition, and although she later claimed to loathe Surrealism her work was deeply influenced by it, perhaps especially by Marcel Duchamp.

It took Freud and Breur to see that ‘hysterical’ women were neither stupid nor physically ill; rather, they were highly intelligent people frustrated by the social rules of their day.  Feminism and hysteria began to collide, but even Freud was not prepared to allow women to subvert the social order, famously asking ‘What does woman want?’ and failing to provide an answer.

Bourgeois’s father’s bullying, his serial philandering and most especially his affair with her governess (which her mother knew about but preferred to ignore) were central issues in her life.  On his death she entered psychoanalysis, something she continued to explore for the rest of her life although her attitude to it and to hysteria was ambivalent.  Many of her works are representations of body parts – she distrusted words, feeling that their purpose was often to hide things;  ‘The body does not lie.’  Her rage against her own powerlessness could only be overcome by taking control.  At the Sorbonne, she first studied mathematics and geometry because ‘I got peace of mind only through the study of rules nobody could change’; in later life she frequently drew rows and rows of spirals and other patterns (the Insomnia Drawings, shown recently at the Fruitmarket Gallery, are examples) , again finding structure in a sea of free-floating ideas. She once said ‘I have to control space because I cannot stand emptiness.’

Bourgeois made many hanging sculptures; these have several interpretations in her work.  ‘Spiral Woman’, one of the best known, swings and turns; she is hanging, waiting, not knowing what she is for, both protected and vulnerable; Bourgeois explained that ‘She is Louise.’ The spiral is a protection against chaos, but also an expression of trust, a reaching out.

The power and affirmation that Bourgeois gained from psychoanalysis allowed her to express her fears.  The only powerlessness for her was terror of her own feelings, and she harnessed these in her greatest works of art.  In her own words, her work began as the fear of falling, grew into the art of falling, and finally evolved into the art of hanging in there.  Bourgeois died in 2010, aged 98.

A Woman Without Secrets is on at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art (One) until 18th May, admission free.

A richly illustrated book ‘Artists Rooms: Louise Bourgeois, A Woman Without Secrets‘ accompanies the exhibition.  It is published by the National Galleries of Scotland and is available from the gallery shop at £12.99.

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has just announced Simon Helberg’s romantic comedy WE’LL NEVER HAVE PARIS, co-directed by Jocelyn Towne, as the Closing Night film at the 68^th edition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival on Sunday 29 June. The Festival runs from 18 to 29 June 2014.

Released in the UK by Metrodome, WE’LL NEVER HAVE PARIS is written and co-directed by Helberg (The Big Bang Theory), who also plays the lead, and co-directed by actor/director Jocelyn Towne (I Am I). The film also stars Zachary Quinto (Star Trek), Alfred Molina (The Da Vinci Code, Spiderman 2), Melanie Lynskey (Up In The Air, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower), Jason Ritter (Parenthood, Joan Of Arcadia) and Maggie Grace (Taken, The Twilight Saga).  WE’LL NEVER HAVE PARIS is produced by Robert Ogden Barnum (All is Lost, Lawless, Margin Call) and Katie Mustard (The Greatest, Night Catches Us), along with Helberg and Towne.  International sales are handled by K5 International.

Chris Fujiwara, EIFF Artistic Director, said: “With WE’LL NEVER HAVE PARIS, a funny and very personal romantic comedy, we’ll be able to close this year’s festival on a real high note. It’s a film of great charm and considerable intelligence, and Simon Helberg is brilliant in it.”

WE’LL NEVER HAVE PARIS will receive its International premiere at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre on Sunday 29 June with Simon Helberg in attendance, and will open nationwide in August 2014.

Simon Helberg, Director, said: “It is an unbelievable thrill to be picked as the coveted closing night film at such a legendary festival. We hope the people of Scotland will find our pain and suffering as funny as we do.”

Based on Helberg and Towne’s real life romantic history, WE’LL NEVER HAVE PARIS is a candid tale of a neurotic young man rattled by the sudden declaration of love he receives from an attractive co-worker (Grace) moments before he is about to propose to his girlfriend (Lynskey).  Heartbroken, she flees to Paris, and he must now race across the Atlantic to win her back. But will he be too late?

As previously announced, this year will see a FOCUS ON GERMANY strand at the Festival which aims to shine a light on Germany’s most inventive filmmakers with screenings of new and retrospective films. In partnership with German Films, with additional support from the Goethe-Institut, EIFF will offer festival-goers the opportunity to sample a broad range of titles from the most intelligent and inspiring auteurs in German cinema.

Highlights of the programme include hard-hitting family dramas ‘Daughters’ by Maria Speth; ‘Parents’ directed by Robert Thalheim; and Edward Berger’s stirring tale of courage and responsibility, ‘Jack’. ‘Stations Of The Cross’  from Dietrich Brüggemann  charts a teenage girl’s struggles with questions of life, death and faith, while ‘A House In Berlin’ directed by Cynthia Beatt  explores a woman’s personal journey of self-discovery as she delves in to the history of 20^thcentury Germany. The FOCUS ON GERMANY will also include expansive works such as Edgar Reitz’s historical epic ‘Home From Home – Chronicle Of A Vision’; Thomas Heise’s powerful documentary observing juvenile offenders in Mexico ‘Staedtebewohner’, Bruce LaBruce’sexperimental adaptation of Arnold Schönberg’s song cycle ‘Pierrot Lunaire’  and the UK premiere of Dominik Graf’s ‘Beloved Sisters’.  Shorts programme ‘Small Revolutions’ will showcase four striking examples of short-form cinema from contemporary Germany.

In addition the FOCUS ON GERMANY will present ‘Secret Master: Dominik Graf and the Hidden History Of German Cinema’, a celebration of director Dominik Graf who has long been one of the best kept secrets in German-language cinema – mainly because he found his niche in television production. In his native country, Graf is a prolific and inventive filmmaker who is celebrated as the country’s foremost specialist in crime and melodrama. A special feature of the programme is a carte blanche of German TV thrillers which Graf himself, an ardent cinephile, has selected for EIFF.

EIFF is also proud to be working for the first time with Edinburgh-based events company Neu! Reekie! on ‘Achtung! Maybe!’ which will be held on 27 June at Summerhall in Edinburgh. Curators Michael Pedersen and Kevin Williamson will present a special German-themed Neu! Reekie! of Weimar Republic animation and films,  accompanied by live music and performance adding a uniquely immersive element to the FOCUS ON GERMANY programme. Music includes new work from Edinburgh-based bands Found and Birdhead and will showcase previous winners of EIFF’s McLaren Award for Best British Animation.

Hibs have announced that Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster has joined the board of directors at Easter Road.

The announcement was made in the following statement on the Club Website earlier today.

“The Board of Hibernian FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of Leeann Dempster as Chief Executive – with a remit to lead the Club as it plans for success on the pitch and wider engagement with the Hibernian Family.

Leeann joins from Motherwell FC which under Leeann’s leadership has become a model community club whilst enjoying strong sporting success. Leeann takes up her position with Hibernian with effect from 1 June 2014.

Chairman Rod Petrie said: “We are delighted that Leeann is joining Hibernian. I am certain she will be a tremendously important ‘signing’ and will provide the daily leadership needed next season to help achieve the Board’s plans and meet the aspirations of supporters.

“Leeann is an outstanding football leader with a proven track record. In addition to a desire for sporting success, I know from our numerous discussions that there is a shared belief in the direction of travel towards increased involvement of supporters and greater community engagement.”

“Rod Petrie stands down as interim Chief Executive on Leeann’s appointment but continues in his role as non-executive Chairman of Hibernian.

“Leeann added: “I believe that to succeed in a sustainable way in the long term we need to grow club resources, re-engage lapsed supporters and strengthen the club collectively. As a big city club, Hibernian has a fantastic opportunity to build on the great physical assets and grow attendances through increased engagement and success on the pitch. I am looking forward to the challenge.

“There are a number of initiatives that we will be able to announce to supporters in due course and that will show we want to meet the shared ambitions of supporters. We want a vision that everyone can buy into so they can play their part in the future of our club.”

Leeann’s appointment is the first major step on the road to delivering a vision developed in collaboration between club management and supporters through the Let’s Work Together project.

The vision seeks to create a virtuous cycle through three main drivers – developing the Club; developing players; and success on the pitch. The ultimate aim is to create a Club which will be competitive in every match and where winning becomes a habit, but it is done so with the club operating in a sustainable way.

Motherwell FC has enjoyed a period of almost unmatched consistency with four successive top-six finishes, and qualified for Europe in four of the five seasons, playing in both the UEFA Cup and, latterly, the newly formed Europa League as well as representing Scotland in the UEFA Champions League.

During her tenure, Motherwell FC also appeared in three national Cup Semi Finals and one Scottish Cup Final, and in season 2012/13 finished 2nd behind Celtic

Police are appealing for information to help trace a man reported missing in the Drylaw area of the city.

Mark Henderson was last seen around 2.30pm on Sunday 27th April leaving his home address in Muirhouse Park, however, the 51-year-old has not been seen or heard from since and concern is now growing for his welfare.

Mark is taking blood-thinning medication and it is believed he does not have this in his possession.

Anyone who can assist police with their enquiries is asked to come forward.

He is described as white, 5ft 9ins tall with a stocky build, short grey/white hair and moustache, and a 3ins scar on the right side of his neck. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, black Lyle & Scott duffel jacket, black and white Adidas Samba trainers and carrying a blue plastic bag.

Inspector Allan Symington said: “There is concern for Mark as it is out of character for him not to return home and that he appears not to have his medication with him.

“Anyone with information that can help us in finding Mark is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.

Grant Thornton UK LLP, the leading business and financial advisory firm, has sponsored the production of ‘Pressure’ which opens at The Lyceum in Edinburgh this May.

The firm has offered its backing to bring the show, written by four time nominee and Olivier Award winning actor, David Haig, to life.

Its sponsorship has supported The Lyceum in developing everything from the set to costumes ahead of the play’s world premiere on Thursday 1 May 2014.

Described as an intense real-life thriller centred around the most important weather forecast in the history of warfare, ‘Pressure’ is the little known story of a Scot who changed the course of war, and our lives, forever.

Scottish meteorologist, Group Captain James Stagg, the son of a Dalkeith plumber, must advise General Eisenhower on when to give the order to send thousands of waiting troops across the Channel in Operation Overlord. In ‘Pressure’, thefuture of Britain, Europe and our relationship with the United States, rests on the shoulders of one reluctant Scotsman.

Ewen Fleming, Partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP in Scotland, has led on the sponsorship deal. He said:“The play’s storyline resonates with our brand ethos. Business decisions are rarely black and white and dynamic organisations know they need to apply both reason and instinct to decision making.

“This is what we assist our clients with every day helping them to unlock their potential for growth.

“The subject of this play, Scottish meteorologist Group Captain James Stagg, embodied the application of both reason and instinct in his decision making and as a result changed the course of history.”

The show is set in the summer of 1944 with every part of the set and props created from scratch.

Zuleika Brett, Development Director at Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, said:-“Without Grant Thornton UK LLP’s support we would really have struggled to put on the production.

“As a producing theatre, we make all our own productions – that includes designing and making our costumes, and building the sets in our workshops in Roseburn, we also hire the cast, commission the writers and use our technical teams to bring a play to life.

“As a registered charity 50% of our income is from public sector grants (City of Edinburgh Council and Creative Scotland) and the other 50% is generated through ticket sales, venue hire and sponsorship and donations.

“Therefore corporate supporters such as Grant Thornton UK LLP are vital in helping make our work possible.”

The funding provided by Grant Thornton UK LLP has been matched by Arts & Business Scotland.

The play will run from 1^st May -24^th May and tickets are available now at lyceum.org.uk or by calling 0131 248 4848.

Watch the trailer here:-

Rose Street fire – Canny Families – Bridgend Farm – Gumball Rally coming to Edinburgh – Dig in Bruntsfield opens on Thursday

A man had to be taken to hospital on Sunday following an early morning fire in his kitchen in Rose Street, Edinburgh.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) appliances responded from Tollcross and McDonald Road following a 999 call at 4.04am from a neighbour on hearing the smoke alarm sounding.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire and ventilated the property.  The cause of the fire was a pan of food left unattended.

One male casualty suffered with the effects of smoke inhalation and after being assessed by paramedics, was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Many kitchen fires happen when people are not paying attention or they leave things unattended but there are several things you can do to prevent fires in the kitchen.

“Don’t leave pans unattended. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the room. Fire starts when your attention stops. When you have finished cooking, make sure the cooker or oven is turned off.

“The kitchen can be the most dangerous place in the home. Fire can cause damage not just to your property, but more seriously can put family and loved ones at risk.

“Thankfully this home was protected by a working smoke alarm. We urge every household to have working smoke alarms and test them every week. We provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required. If you or someone you know could benefit from a visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, or by contacting their local fire station.”

A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website.

***

Edinburgh Community Food are currently working in partnership with Changeworks and Citizens Advice Edinburgh to deliver a city wide programme which supports families with children to better manage rising energy/food costs and to maximise income. This project is funded by Big Lottery Support and Connect Fund.

The Canny Families Project involves a programme of affordable cooking courses across Edinburgh, with each course run over a six week period. With a focus on a different topic each week participants will not only learn practical cooking skills and how to make affordable and healthy family meals but will also improve their knowledge of nutrition and learn how to reduce food waste. Participants will also be offered affordable warmth advice from Changeworks as well as fuel poverty advice from Citizens Advice Edinburgh. The programme is open to parents with children under the age of 16. Childcare will be available for participants at all sessions.

We are now recruiting participants for upcoming courses at the following venues:

Castlebrae Community High School : Wednesday mornings from 9.30am until 11.30am from 30^th April 2014.

Pentland Community Centre: Friday mornings from 9.30am until 11.30am from 2^nd May 2014.

South Bridge Resource Centre: Thursday mornings from 9.30am until 11.30am from 29^th May 2014.

If this is something that you would like to find out more about please contact Stephanie at Edinburgh Community Food on 0131 467 7326, or by email: [email protected]

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A deputation from Bridgend Inspiring Growth (BIG) will attend the Economy Committee this morning at the City Chambers to protest about the council’s apparent intention to sell Bridgend Farm and Steadings to a third party. The property was marketed a the end of last year when an unconditional offer of £205,000 was received. A separate offer from BIG asked for transfer of the property to them for nil consideration so that they could start fundraising on the basis of the asset.

BIG had thought they were to be the favoured party, and confirmed that they would then make an application to the Big Lottery Fund  and other funders for a grant to refurbish the house which they proposed to use as a social enterprise.  As well as grants they also set up their own fundraising. The property has been vacant for about 14 years, and marketing of the property delayed to allow BIG to raise funds or firm up on a funding proposal.

A spokesman explained:-“We have received support and funding from Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Growing Community Asset’s programme to further develop plans for the renovation of Bridgend Farmhouse, on the Old Dalkeith Road. A community group in South Edinburgh we are hoping the City Council will hand over the derelict farmhouse on the edge of Craigmillar Castle Park so that it can be restored and opened as a centre for local communities specialising in outdoor and environmental activities.

This afternoon, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost joined UNISON City of Edinburgh branch in remembering the TUC organised International Workers Memorial Day – a commemoration of the workers across the world who are killed at work.

He made a short speech and laid a wreath at the foot of the Workers Memorial Tree in West Princes Street Gardens.

International Workers Memorial Day is supported by the The City of Edinburgh Council and The Scottish Goverment who flew their flags at half mast today.

This year they are remembering everyone who has died this year through work and marking the:

·         10th Anniversary of Stockline (9 dead);

·         30th Anniversary of Bhopal (25,000 dead);

·         1st anniversary of Rana Plaza (1,129 dead)

When compared to the rest of the world, Scotland has one of the highest populations of MS sufferers, per head of  population.

In trying to increase awareness of the debilitating disease, the MS Therapy Centre Lothian, situated in Leith, invited filmmaker Jason DiSilva to show his documentary, ‘When I Walk’ at Filmhouse Cinema, Lothian Road.

When I Walk documents DiSilva as he is diagnosed and lives with MS. Filmed over the course of five years from 2006-2011, it it follows him through his initial symptoms, diagnosis and how he uses his condition as inspiration for film making. Whilst being a painful, honest insight into this man’s talent and relationship being dragged from his grasp, DiSilva has also crafted something beautifully warm and funny. The people who surround this impeccable film maker, notably his girlfriend and mother, are the philosophical drivers of the film, trying to teach him how life should be lived as he is consumed by this confrontational disease.

DiSilva has persevered unbelievably well, his motor skills deteriorating during the making of When I Walk. Segments of the film study how he edits the film you are watching with the assistance of his girlfriend. It’s a disorientating experience; but intriguing and eyeopening nonetheless.

MS Awareness Week runs from today, April 28th to 4th May. Events will be taking place across the Lothian, Borders and Fife area all week, including coffee mornings and parliamentary debates as well as several others. For more information, visit the links below:

MS Awareness Week
Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, Lothian
Leuchie House – a respite home for sufferers of MS

He has been described as the next Derren Brown – but forensic mind reader Colin Cloud says he is more like Sherlock Holmes. However you wish to describe him, one word springs to mind – genius.

He reads minds. He can read your mind. He reads it just like the imaginary book you just made up. The press release for his show said Uri Geller described him as “one of the greatest thought readers of all time”. Against that, it also said Ant and Dec screamed in disbelief at his act although, to be fair, the Geordie duo scream in disbelief most Saturday evenings. Most impressive, though, was that Cloud once left Jonathan Ross speechless, something than endeared me to Cloud even before I went to see his show in Edinburgh on Saturday. Having now witnessed the man from Harthill in action, I suspect Jonathan Ross wasn’t the only person to be left speechless.

The pre-show blurb described him as entertaining and endearing, and that’s exactly how I felt watching Cloud in action.

In the rather intimate atmosphere of Dynamic Earth, in the shadow of the Scottish Parliament building, Cloud astonished his audience with a mesmerising performance that really was mind-boggling. Some mind-readers can be rather serious about their profession which is understandable given it can be quite a serious subject. However, seconds after taking the stage, Cloud immediately struck a rapport with his audience with humorous quips which set the tone for a hugely entertaining evening. Naturally, this kind of show involves audience participation and, inevitably, there were some in Saturday evening’s audience who were hoping Cloud didn’t select them as part of his act. However, Cloud’s humour and affable approach set those he did select at ease and, unlike some other performers of his ilk, he didn’t make fun of them; rather he laughed with them and they with him.

Now, I won’t go into detail about the contents of the show for obvious reasons. Nonetheless, I guarantee anyone going to see the great man will be truly amazed by what they have witnessed. How he managed to delve into people’s minds the way he did was quite incredible to witness and brought gasps of astonishment from some in the hugely appreciative audience. At the end, just as Cloud was declaring his thanks to those who came along and the audience eased into their coats to head home, the great man delivered a pièce de résistance which nearly took my breath away.

On a Saturday evening when millions of people are slouched on the sofa watching Britain’s Got Talent on the small box, Colin Cloud proved without question that Scotland not only has talent – it has a gifted performer. Cloud will be appearing in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 31 July and throughout August. I urge you to go and see him – you literally won’t believe your eyes.

Edinburgh Reporter Rating – 5 Stars (as well as a rapidly rising one)

On Wednesday 30 April 2014 “Your” community shop in Muirhouse will have been open for a whole year!

Who can believe it, to think we we started off opening for three hours every other day we are now open 6 days a week. It has been a great year for the shop, we have welcomed in many groups and companies

We have had many fun days including the one above which sees numerous residents join in and have a good time.

When we teamed up with Pilton Community Health Project to introduce weekly cooking demonstrations we never thought for one second they would be so popular. (Don’t worry we are (trying) to bring them back!)

Our charity days have allowed us to raise over £1,000 in cash! – The cake sale and tombola are always a favorite

The main reason we opened the community shop was to offer local residents good quality affordable fruit and vegetables, but we have now teamed up with Edinburgh Community Food to ensure we have the best quality of fresh fruit and vegetables available. We accept daily deliveries from them. As we work with ECF we can also accept Fresh Start Vouchers.

We have a wealth of information on the walls, the latest plans of your new estate are also available to view and our volunteers are always on hand to help were possible.

To celebrate our success we are having a small party this Wednesday and you are invited!

We really want to hear what you think of the shop, how can we improve etc

Card Making sessions are:

Adults 1pm – 2.30pm

Children 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Tea, Coffee, Juice, Light refreshments and cake will be provided thanks to Centipede Project.

 You can have a look at the Community Shop’s Facebook page here.

 Submitted by Robert Pearson

Police are appealing for witnesses following a large-scale disturbance outside a Tollcross pub.

Officers were called to the International Bar in Brougham Place at around 7.30pm on Sunday 27th April after a brawl in the street that left two men injured, one seriously.

Two men have been arrested. They appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Monday) and were released on bail.

Chief Inspector Richard Horan said: “This was a large-scale incident outside a city centre pub and Police Scotland would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the fight or may have information regarding the identity of some of the other men involved.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

EVENT AT THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY LATER THIS WEEK

Whisky club opens its doors for Clans & Drams, a month-long celebration of flavour during Homecoming Scotland’s Whisky Month

Clans are famously associated with territorial battles and bloody skirmishes. But this May, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is putting ancient rivalries aside with the launch of Clans & Drams – a month-long celebration of ‘whisky clans’ based on flavours that takes place during Homecoming Scotland 2014’s Whisky Month.

The Society, which bottles single cask malt whiskies from a huge range of distilleries, has created 12 special whisky clans based on flavour profiles. Every traditional family clan has a reputation that defines them, with attributes such as bravery, honesty or dexterity. The Society have taken real clan mottos and personalities and attributed these to their flavour clans. Whether you’re the fiery ‘Spicy and Sweet’, or the majestic ‘Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits’, there is a whisky clan for everyone.

The Society has launched its Clans & Drams activities with the creation of a unique wooden kilt – hand-made by furniture maker Anselm Fraser from pieces of wood from a single cask of whisky. The sporran area of the kilt represents the Society’s 12 whisky clans – with each clan represented by a colour. The Society’s three venues in Edinburgh and London will also be transformed with whisky clan badges and an array of props.

As well as opening its doors to non-members throughout May and pairing its latest release of whiskies to the 12 flavour clans, The Society is hosting a number of events at its Edinburgh venues – these include:

– ‘Clan Whisky Feast’, Thursday 1st May, The Vaults – featuring unique kinships of delicious whisky and food pairings
– ’Clan cocktails’ night, Friday 2nd May, 28 Queen Street – hosted by Edinburgh cocktail innovator Stuart McCluskey of The Bon Vivant and The Devil’s Advocate fame
– Hauf ’n’ Hauf beer & whisky tastings, The Vaults (10th May) and 28 Queen Street 23 May) – the Society is teaming up with Inveralmond Brewery to revive the Scottish tradition of a half pint of beer and a dram of whisky

Mark van der Vijver, UK Sales Manager for The Scotch Malt Whisky Society said: “Here at the Society, we believe it’s really important for our members not to have any preconceptions based on traditional whisky regions or distillery brands when choosing a whisky; we encourage everyone to focus on the flavours within each whisky so they don’t miss out on discovering something they may not usually try. Clans & Drams embodies this concept by taking a playful approach to traditional clans and creating our own flavour-based whisky clans.”

A full list of the experiences throughout Clans & Drams month can be found on their website.

Photo courtesy of Rob McDougall.

Submitted by Jim Byers

Scotland lose out to Belgium and, favourites, South Korea beat India into submission

The stands had been gradually filling up during the day and, for ‘The Big One’ – or, at least, ‘The Most Anticipated One’ – they were almost full. Scotland v Belgium was next up on the pitch and hopes were high. However, Belgium had most of the early play, and forced a fine penalty corner save out of the defence early on. But it was the Scots who were first off the mark with a well worked goal. The ball was carried along the baseline and passed to Ali Bell. With her back to goal, the No 5 turned quickly on the ball and lashed the close-range shot past the Belgian ‘keeper for the first goal of the game. Belgium came back strongly and piled on the pressure.

They hit the back of the goal from a late penalty corner, but the umpires decreed the shot had gone too high and the goal was disallowed. That changed five minutes into the second half as another penalty corner for Belgium was put away by No 9, Liesolette van Lindt, who took advantage of Scottish ‘keeper, Nicky Cochrane’s ‘habit’ of going to ground early. Van Lindt then only had to deflect the initial strike over the sprawling Cochrane for the equaliser. The next 20 or so minutes of play saw no further scoring, but it was still end to end stuff, Scotland managing to exert a bit more pressure on the Belgian side than they had earlier in the game.

But it was the visiting side who scored the next goal. Picking the ball up on halfway, Barbara Nelen proceeded to evade all the defending players before slamming a reverse stick shot past Cochrane for the lead. They then lost a player to a yellow, which gave Scotland the edge and the final ten minutes saw a sustained assault on the Belgian goal. Two ‘nearlies’ went a-begging as first no 13, Ailsa Wylie just slid past a loose bal in front of goal and then captain, Linda Clement denied by a fine save. Two other chances were kept out by a magical performance from the Belgian ‘keeper to give them the match 2-1. Another injured player was forced off the field during this match as the Scottish was struck in the face by the ball. She did manage to make her own way to the sidelines – no footballer, then – but wasn’t able to continue.

And then it was time for the fourth and final match on a day of fantastic play. Unfortunately, the crowd had seen the game they came to see and gradually drifted off and, as a result, missed a dominant display by the predicted winners of the tournament, South Korea, as well as some late afternoon sunshine. Memories of the Olympic Football flag debacle were swept aside as the opening went off well and the match commenced. And it commenced with a bang. India had virtually no answer to the Korean’s powerful style of hockey.

Cross after cross was rained in on the Indian goal from all angles and it was only the athletic keeper and, it has to be said, the marginal lack of ability by the Korean’s to latch onto to the fierce hits that kept the match scoreless. In fact, such was the quality of the hitting that many men’s teams would have struggled to cope. However, it was India who took the early lead with a well struck shot from the edge of the area by Vandana Katariya. Two minutes later, parity was restored as No 10, Park Mi Hyun, took advantage of  a tangle between ‘keeper and defender to slot the ball home for the equaliser. And so the assault continued. India were struggling to cope, and two penalty corners in quick succession were rewarded as No 11, Kim Ok Ju converted the second attempt. The Indian ‘keeper, Savita Savita was played and absolute blinder, but pressure eventually told in the 28^th minute and South Korea found the net again from No 32, Cheon Eun Bi.

This was when the very poorly dealt with injury to Sushila Pukhrambam happened and details can be read in the Weekly Sports round-up, so won’t be repeated here. The second half was, again, an assault on the senses as attack after attack was fired in on the Indian goal but, somehow they were mostly kept out. A fourth goal was scored seven minutes in by Lee Young Sil, but how another four or five didn’t get chalked up is testament to the Indian defence, especially substitute goalie, Yogita Bali. The continual hammering eventually told, but it told on Korea as India managed to break away in the final 10 minutes and were awarded with a second goal, this one from Poonam Rani, but it was always going to be  a South Korean victory and the match ended with the score 4-2.

The hockey continues at the National Hockey centre all week with the Men’s tournament coming to a conclusion today (Monday) and the women going on until Sunday, with rest days on Tuesday and Friday. Hopefully, The Edinburgh Reporter can get back ‘on-site’ for another couple of days to keep abreast with proceedings.

Images from the matches will be available here…. sometime. (Eight matches over three days = lots of photos. Bear with us)  

USA beat Spain, but South Africa and Ireland draw

Sunday was the opening day of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Women’s Champion’s Challenge in Glasgow. Running alongside the men’s tournament, eight teams are involved – Scotland, Ireland, USA, Spain, South Africa, Belgium, India and South Korea and they are playing in two pools of four teams. The prize for the winners is a place at the top table competition – The Women’s FIH Champions Trophy in 2015.

The first match played was between USA and Spain and the USA started much the better with an early drive into the Spanish 25. Spain came back at them, but couldn’t break down the USA defence, which held fairly firm for the entire match. The first goal came five minutes before the break from No 16, Katie O’Donnell. O’Donnell fought her way into the ‘D’ and struck a reverse stick shot past the Spanish ‘keeper, Maria Lopez de Eguilaz Zubiria, for the opener. The second half was much of the same, with USA pressing and Spian defending. The breakthrough came in the 47^th minute. Despite two fine saves by the Spanish ‘keeper from penalty corners, a shot from open play found its way into the net for the second goal. Another open play goal was scored by Melissa Gonzales less than ten minutes later to give USA a 3-0 lead. The final ten minutes of the match were dominated by Spain, as the USA settled back to defend their lead, and in the 62^nd minute, the reward came with penalty corner goal which was scored by Maria Gomez to leave the final score 3-1 to the USA.

South Africa v Ireland was the second match on and early pressure from South Africa caught Ireland on the back foot and 11 minutes in, No 30, Sulette Damons had an easy tap in following a fine attacking run through the centre of the Irish defence. They were nearly on the score board again after another six minutes of play, but No 19, Ayeisha McFerran, in the Irish goal forced the play wide and the sliding Celia Evans saw the ball pass agonisingly past the post. Ireland then started to get the measure of the South African attack, and managed to force RSA’s ‘keeper into a fine, late save to ensure the half finished finished with that 1-0 lead to RSA. It was during the first half that Ireland’s No 10, Shirley McCay was injured. Diving to block a shot, she collected the attackers follow through full in the face. From the sidelines it looked a very serious injury, and the player was taken from the field to be treated as the officials cleaned up the spilt blood from the pitch. The second half started much more brightly for Ireland and they exerted a great deal of pressure on the South African goal. Their reward came in the 44^th minute when Anna O’Flanagan fired home a cross field pass from Naomi Carroll to draw the sides level. A few minutes later, however, South Africa were back on the score sheets, and back in the lead, with a goal from a crossed ball, deflected into the net by Dirkie Chamberlain. Ten minutes later, the scores were level again as another Irish attack was presented with a penalty corner, which No 18, Audrey O’Flynn converted for the equaliser. Despite the rest of the match being a to-and-fro affair, neither team could secure a clear-cut chance at goal and the match finished 2-2.

Images from the matches will be available here…. sometime. (Eight matches over three days = lots of photos. Bear with us)

There are so many interesting things to do in Edinburgh this week!  Here are some to choose from:

Monday – the Woman Without Secrets:

Spiralling Anxiety: Hysteria Transformed in the Work of Louise Bourgeois: a talk by Elizabeth Manchester in the Studio, Modern Art One (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art): 12.45 to 1.30.  Free, but please call 0131 624 6200 to check details before setting off.

Tuesday – books, talks,  and a question asked by  many people: ‘What is Grammar For?’

Leo Du Feu introduces his new book, ‘Landscapes & Birds of Scotland: An Artist’s View’ at Blackwell’s, South Bridge, 6.30pm.  Free: call Blackwell’s on 0131 622 8218 to book your place. (Leo will also be exhibiting at Bon Papillon Gallery with Susan Smith from 2nd May to 1st June.)

Edinburgh’s Trams & Buses: memories of the city’s transport with local author Gavin Booth: Piershill Library 6.30pm.  To book your free place call the library on 0131 529 5685 or email them: [email protected]

Professor Nikolas Gisborne gives his inaugural lecture, ‘What’s Grammar For?’ at the University of Edinburgh, Lecture Theatre 175, Old Court, South Bridge at 5.15pm.  Free.

What is socially responsible investment?  A panel discussion chaired by Dr Kieran Oberman from the Just World Institute: 5.30 – 8.30pm at G.07 Meadows Lecture Theatre, Doorway 4, Medical School Teviot, Teviot Place.  To book a free place, follow this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk

JD Fergusson and Margaret Morris: The Dance Behind the Movement.  Alice Strang, Senior Curator at the Gallery of Modern Art, will be in conversation with Sara Lockwood and Kay Morrison, practitioners of the dance technique developed by Fergusson’s partner, the dance pioneer Margaret Morris.  12.45 – 1.30pm in the Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Gardens Entrance, Scottish National Gallery (not the Modern Art Gallery) To obtain a free ticket call in at the Information Desk in the National Gallery, The Mound.

Wednesday – Art and the politics of art, the Qur’an, and – just Who is Tom Ditto?

Titian in Ten – a free, unticketed, ten minute talk delivered by NGS staff.  2pm at the Scottish National Gallery.

Tradfest & Blackwell’s Edinburgh present Alexander Moffat and Alan Riach, who will talk about their new book ‘Arts of Independence‘ in which they ‘take a hard look at the most neglected aspect of the argument for Scotland’s distinctive national identity: the arts.’  6.30 – 7.30pm.  To book your free ticket call Blackwell’s on 0131 622 8218

Professor Angelika Neuwirth: The Qur’an as a Text of Late Antiquity: Room G2, 19 George Square (University of Edinburgh): 5.30 – 7pm: free and unticketed.

Who is Tom Ditto?  Find out by coming along to meet the author of this book, Danny Wallace, at the Mitre Bar, Royal Mile, 6.30-8.30pm. Danny Wallace is a Sunday Times best-selling author and a columnist for ShortList magazine; his previous books include ‘Join Me’ and ‘Yes Man’, the latter being made into a hugely successful film with Jim Carrey in the leading role.  Who is Tom Ditto? has been described as ‘Gone Girl meets Nick Hornby with a dash of the IT Crowd on the side.’  For more details, call Waterstones Ocean Terminal on 0131 554 7732.

Thursday – busiest day of the week, so take a break with the Wild Myrtles

At Morningside Library Lin Anderson will introduce her new private detective Patrick de Courvoisier as he investigates The Case of the Black Pearl.  6.30-7.45pm.  Free but please call the library in advance to book a place, as seating is limited: 0131 529 5654 or email: [email protected]

Meet author Lindsay Davis at Leith Library, Ferry Road 10.30 – 12.  To book a free place call 0131 529 5517.

Lindsay Davis is also appearing at the Central Library, George IV Bridge, 7-8pm.  She will talk about her Roman detective Falco, her new quick read ‘A Cruel Fate’, and her latest novel ‘Enemies at Home’ which was published earlier this month.  To book your free ticket, follow this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk

Doug Johnstone launches his new novel, ‘The Dead Beat’ an Edinburgh-based thriller, at Looking Glass Books, 36 Simpson Loan, Quartermile (just off the Meadows.)  A freelance journalist, musician and songwriter, Johnstone is the author of four books.  Call 0131 229 2902 for more information.

Blackwell’s presents Patrick Richardson for the launch of his new book, In Search of Landfall ‘one man’s search for the answers to the questions we are all faced with,: who are we, what are we doing here and where are we going?’  Richardson writes about his childhood in 1950s Edinburgh, his life as a radical student here in the 1960s, his experience of the Amsterdam counterculture in the 70s and 80s, and his encounters with such diverse characters as Indira Gandhi and Robin Cook, Norman McCaig and Jorge Luis Borges.  To book your free ticket call Blackwell’s on 0131 622 8218 or call in to the front desk of the shop.

Books in Focus: Wassily Kandinsky: the works of the Russian born artists and pioneer of abstraction,, examining copies of Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) and Klange (Sounds.)  11.30-12.30 Modern Art Two.  Places are free but limited and must be booked on 0131 624 6268 or by emailing: [email protected].  One of a series of sessions focusing on artists’ books held in the special collections of the Gallery of Modern Art.

Easel Sketching on the main gallery floor of the Scottish National Gallery.  Inspired by the Titian exhibition and working from a costumed figure.  Free, no booking required.

Why Penelope was Right about Music, Marriage and the Gods: What it means to be a person in Homer – Professor Edward Mendelson gives the Isabel Dalhousie Lecture.  6.15-7.45, St Cecilia’s Hall, Niddry Street.  Free, but booking essential via this link: www.eventbrite.co.uk

Will Scottish Independence Help Us to Create Better Leaders for Business?  An opportunity to put your questions direct to leading figures on both sides of the argument.  This is a joint event with ACCA and the Institute of Directors.  6.30 – 7.45pm, Auditoriu, University of Edinburgh Business School, Buccleuh Place.  Free but registration required via this link: www.business-school.ed.ac.uk

The unaccompanied voices of Edinburgh’s Wild Myrtles bring you songs of love, sweet lullabies and songs to lift the spirit – from Germany to Georgia, Sweden to Shetland.  6-6.30pm, National Portrait Gallery, Queen Street. Free, unticketed.

Alice Greenway will launch her new book,  The Bird Skinner, at Waterstones West End (Princes Street.)  6pm, free tickets available from the shop.  More details on 0131 226 2666.

Friday – winding down with one more book, and some sketching

Easel Sketching at the Scottish National Gallery – see Thursday for details.

Blackwell’s, South Bridge presents the launch of  ‘The Oversight‘, a new gothic fantasy novel for adults. Author Charlie Fletcher is a screenwriter and children’s author living in Edinburgh.  His children’s books the Stoneheart trilogy and Far Rockaway have received great critical acclaim.  The oversight is ‘ a dark Dickensian fantasy spinning a tale of witch-hunters, magicians, mirror-walker and the unlikeliest of heroes drawn from the depths of British folklore.’  6.30-7.30pm: ticketed but free – call Blackwell’s on 0131 622 8218 to book your place, or call in to the front desk at the shop to collect a ticket.

Saturday – The Power of Portraiture

The Power of Portraiture: Portrait Gallery Thematic Tours.  This month, Susanna Kerr, former Senior Curator, will demonstrate how symbols, style and composition in portraiture capture the essence of a person, revealing their status, fame and profession. 2 – 2.45pm and 3 – 3.45pm.  Free and unticketed.

Sunday – Under 12?  Make a masterpiece.

Art Maker Club at the Scottish National Gallery, the Mound.  Make your own masterpieces with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser.  Drop-in event between 2 and 4pm for children aged 4-12.  Free, sponsored by the Friends of the National Gallery.

There must be something here for you whatever your taste – so pick an event (or ten), go along, and support the writers, artists, singers and other Great Minds that make the city such a stimulating and exciting place to be. Then tell us how you got on!

Spartans Women returned to winning ways with an emphatic 16-0 win over Forfar Farmington at Ainslie Park.

A double hat-trick from Sarah Ewens, taking her career total to 83 from 103 games for the club the pick of the goal scoring feast.

Post-match, an ebullient Ewens said, “I’ve been struggling a wee bit to get goals this season but today has definitely helped boost the confidence.  At half-time we knew we couldn’t afford to be complacent and needed to go out and complete the job and all credit to the girls, we played very well as a unit today, including Rachel with her penalty save.”

Spartans started off with intent and after a couple of close calls from Montgomery hitting the bar before Briggs fired over it.

Referee Erin Cunningham was the unlucky recipient of as size 5 to the back of the head when she inadvertently blocked a Montgomery strike.  The whistler required a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing with the game.

The opening goal of the afternoon came in the 11^th minute after Ewens made her way to the bye-line before pulling the ball back for Pagliarulo to tap in.

Forfar almost immediately responded after Hamilton bundled over Gallacher in the box.  After dusting herself down, the Forfar striker stepped up to take the kick however Rachel Harrison correctly guessing to pull off the save.

From there, it was all one-way traffic with Sarah Ewens scoring two goals in as many minutes.  Kerry Montgomery selflessly crossed the ball to put in Ronaigh Douglas however Keeper Brannan was equal to the task.

Ewens completed her hat-trick on the half-hour mark, followed by Ciara Barnes heading home a Louise Mason pass on the box.  Danni Pagliarulo let fly from a full 30 yards to lift the ball high into the net to make it 6-0 at half-time.

After the break, Spartans refused to take their feet off the gas as Ewens grabbed her double hat-trick whilst Montgomery took her tally to four.  Pagliarulo grabbed her hat-trick whilst Alana Marshall got in on the scoring action too.  The pick of the second half goals perhaps coming from Steph Briggs following some neat one-two play in midfield before the right back grabbed her first goal for the Club.

Final Score: Spartans 16-0 Forfar Farmington

Danni Pagliarulo’s hat-trick was her first for the club and she dedicated it to manager, Debbi McCulloch. “Debbi was giving her some stick recently about not scoring but it’s good to be on the score sheet and I’ll dedicate that to her for sticking by me.  The gaffer has been reminding me that I’ve been firing them in at training but not on the pitch, so I’m happy to repay her back for her belief in me today.”

The result was a welcome boost to Manager Debbi McCulloch, who was delighted with her team’s performance.

“It was an extremely professional performance today by the players however I don’t particularly like winning by those size of margins.  That said, it was good to see six players grab goals and all from open play.

“We switched off celebrating our opening goal and we have to thank Rachel for pulling off a great save from the penalty and keeping a clean sheet and from there we controlled the game and got everything we deserved from it.”