A group of Edinburgh-based serviced apartments has launched a partnership with a leading genealogical research society, offering tourists the chance to trace their Scottish origins.

As part of its Homecoming celebrations, Princes Street Suites has launched the innovative project with Scotia Roots helping guests from around the globe research their Scottish ancestry while visiting the Capital.

The luxury city centre accommodation, managed by Redefine|BDL Hotels – the UK’s largest hotel management group – will run the unique package in conjunction with Homecoming Scotland.

Sandrine Contier-Lawrie, general manager of Princes Street Suites said: “This unique partnership with Scotia Roots will allow us to cater for the fast growing number of visitors who are looking for a hassle-free and comprehensive experience of Scotland.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of guests from the USA, Canada and elsewhere looking to personalise their stay in Scotland. By offering this unique new ancestry package we’re able to add a wonderful new aspect to their stay. We see the project as the perfect way to celebrate Homecoming Scotland.”

The Year of Homecoming 2014 is set to draw record numbers of international visitors to Scotland in a bid to experience the country’s rich history and culture.

The ‘Homecoming Scotland package’ at Princes Street Suites includes overnight accommodation at the 4-star venue and entry to Scotland’s largest family history centre, ScotlandsPeople Centre, located next to the suites. Whilst visiting the centre, guests will be guided through their extensive family search by a dedicated genealogist from Scotia Roots.

Scotia Roots genealogist, Steven McLeish, says: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Princes Street Suites in a brand new venture for the Year of Homecoming.

“Uncovering family trees can be a time-consuming and daunting undertaking, however, this package will provide guests with expert assistance to help sift through the paperwork and uncover the secrets of their ancestor’s lives in Scotland.”

More information on the Princes Street Suites’ Homecoming Scotland package, available from £189 per apartment, can be found at www.princesstreetsuites.co.uk.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 15 year old boy was robbed at knifepoint on Glenogle Road yesterday afternoon (Monday 31st March).

The incident took place around 4.45pm when the victim was walking along Glenogle Road towards Stockbridge. As the victim walked past the front door to Glenogle Swim Centre, he was approached by three males. The first suspect presented a knife and demanded he hand over his belongings, the victim complied and handed over a quantity of money. The second suspect then lifted a pair of blue and orange Adidas trainers from the victim’s sports bag. They suspects made off towards Brandon Terrace and the victim continued on to Stockbridge.

The first suspect is white, 5ft 10in 5ft 11in, early 20s, skinny, brown shaved hair, clean shaven, black Reebok jogging bottoms, grey canvas shoes.

The second suspect is white, 5ft 9in, skinny, early 20s, black not quite shoulder length hair, acne, clean shaven, dark blue or navy Kappa tracksuit.

The third suspect is white, male, 6ft 2in, heavy build, early 20s, black neat reasonably short hair, stubble, left ear pierced without an earring, and black hoody and tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “This was an alarming incident for the victim and we are keen to trace anyone who was in the area at the time or recognises the description of the suspects.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Yes it was 1 April today in case you did not remember. We did not publish this article before lunchtime  so that we were not responsible for spoiling your fun. Unfortunately other news outlets do not share that view and there have been spoilers all morning!

Ours came from the National Museum about the theft of dinosaur bones by the Beano’s Gnasher. Read more here. You may think our story about the flamingos is another  – but truthfully it’s not!

The Broughton Spurtle have a story suggesting that the York Place tram stop should be renamed Leith Gateway. Trouble with this tale is that perhaps it should, so a bit more than tongue in cheek from the cheeky Spurtle!

The newspapers have had their usual field day in trying to dupe us about all manner of unlikely things, but has there ever been one to better The Scotsman which had an advert to sell Walter Scott Monument a few years back. The interesting thing was that the estate agent involved got a number of enquiries!

The Guardian has the best today we think. The story runs that in an independent Scotland we will switch to driving on the right in common with our European cousins… More here.

The North Edinburgh News has a story about some interesting archaeological finds in Drylaw which will probably result in the need for a Visitors Centre. More here. Not content with that they report that the BBC appear to have devised some new game show to replace referendum coverage.

Alex Salmond is to replace The Queen on the pound coin in independent Scotland according to The Telegraph. More here.

The Times has a fairly plausible story about the Holy Grail. They display a photo of a garish goblet and say the Holy Grail has at last been found! If you have a subscription you will be able to read this story here.

The Queen is apparently going to be tracking in the back garden of Buckingham Palace according to The Sun. Again a paid for subscription so not sure if you will be able to read the whole story!

The Edinburgh Evening News has the story of the Spanish manufactured ticket machines for the new tram line which will only take euros….. Read more here.

Then of course The Scottish Parliament could not resist taking us on a bit of a fantastical journey….about Queensberry House.

And the best according to the BBC is one aired on Panorama in 1957. Yes the spaghetti tree….

A pupil at Liberton High School has died this morning after an internal wall collapsed, apparently in the PE building.

The school has been closed and all parents were asked to collect their children from the school if they could. Parents were alerted by text from the school.

Parents at Liberton High School received a text message to alert them to the accident, reveals @STVZara http://t.co/rq1HET04KM

— STV Edinburgh (@STVEdinburgh) April 1, 2014

The school on Gilmerton Road has capacity for 850 pupils but currently has a school roll of around 640 drawn from the catchment area shown on the plan prepared by the council which we reproduce above.

All emergency services were called. Police Scotland remain on the scene along with officials from the Health and Safety Executive.

Only last week Education Scotland reported on its most recent inspection of the school. They reported an improved school ethos and a positive start by the head teacher in setting a new direction for the school.

It is expected that the head teacher will make a statement this afternoon.

***

The incident today follows another in December 2011 when a female pupil fell into a lift shaft.

At the time the council issued this statement:-“”We can confirm that Liberton High School pupil, a 15-year-old girl, fell approximately five metres in a lift shaft at the school this morning.

“The emergency services were called immediately and the girl’s parents were informed and the pupil is now at hospital. We have initiated an investigation into the incident and we will be cooperating fully with the Health and Safety Executive.”

City of Edinburgh Council was fined after the schoolgirl was seriously injured when she fell more than five metres as teachers attempted to free her from a broken down lift.

Morgan Seaton, then aged 15, sustained three fractured vertebrae, bruising over her lower back and a sprained wrist as a result of the incident at Liberton High School on 8 December 2011. She remained in hospital for two days before being discharged and was unable to return to school for a further two weeks.

The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a prosecution brought against the council for serious safety failings.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard in February that Miss Seaton was in the lift with three other pupils when it stuck between the first and second floors. She called the school’s office from her mobile phone and teachers quickly arrived and told the pupils to remain calm as they tried to affect a rescue.

Rather than use the emergency call button in the lift or call the fire service, teachers and the school janitor decided to fetch the lift key, open the doors and attempt to get the pupils out themselves.

After opening the lift shaft doors on the first floor, staff could see that the bottom third of the lift car was visible at the top of the door opening. They forced open the lift car doors and spoke with the pupils who were trapped within.

One boy was helped to lower himself safely out of the lift down to the first floor corridor. Miss Seaton then manoeuvred herself out of the lift on her stomach until she was suspended feet first out of the opening. One of the teachers stood behind her as she attempted to drop to the floor but instead she fell through the gap between the bottom of the lift and the floor and into the lift shaft where she fell over five metres to the basement.

After her return to school, Miss Seaton continued to suffer pain and discomfort in her back for several months and needed regular physiotherapy and medication.

The court was told the fire service had found on arrival that power to the lift had not been isolated and the car could have resumed moving at any time during the pupils’ ordeal or as the schoolgirl lay injured in the basement waiting for help to arrive.

HSE found that the council failed to ensure that staff at Liberton High School had been given sufficient instructions, information and training to deal with such incidents, and that no suitable risk assessment had been undertaken.

The City of Edinburgh Council, of City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh, was fined £8,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Following the case, HSE Inspector Hazel Dobb, said:-

“A 15-year-old girl was seriously injured in an incident that was wholly preventable. As a result she spent several months in pain, her education was disrupted and her social life and part time job were both put completely on hold as she recovered.

“The teachers were well intentioned in their attempts to help, but had they received suitable information and guidance on how to deal with trapped people in lifts they would have called for help and not put pupils at such risk of injury.

“What was important was to make staff aware of the steps they ought to take in such situations. Simply distributing safety instructions to all staff and providing awareness sessions internally would have been sufficient. Unfortunately, this was not done because the risks associated with the use of the lifts had been entirely overlooked by the council.”

***

An S1 pupil has died after an internal wall inside the changing rooms of the gym hall at Liberton High School collapsed and landed on top of her.

The incident happened just before 10am this morning and emergency services remain at the scene which has been cordoned off as enquiries continue.

A special operation response team from the Scottish Ambulance service was deployed at 9.53am and was quickly joined by five police cars, three fire engines and a heavy rescue tender.

Parents were notified by a text message sent and dozens turned up at the school where they were allowed into the main building to collect their children.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to Liberton High School after a wall within the building collapsed, injuring a female pupil at 10am. She was treated by ambulance staff on the scene, but was pronounced dead. Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and we are working alongside our relevant partner agencies.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Firefighters assisted ambulance personnel to remove a female casualty from a collapsed structure but sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene. Thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said: “A pupil at Liberton High School has sadly died following an incident at the school. Senior education staff and Health and Safety officers from the council are at the school providing support to staff and pupils. An updated statement on behalf of the school will be issued later.”

Scotland’s Minister for Learning, Alasdair Allan said: “I’m deeply saddened by this terrible news and my thoughts are with the pupil’s family and friends. City of Edinburgh Council has arranged for support to be available to the school’s pupils and teachers. At the same time, Police Scotland and the council will begin to investigate this tragedy. We remain in close contact with the council and stand ready to provide any help that may be needed.”

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said: “HSE is aware and is liaising with Police Scotland.”

A number of politicians expressed their sympathy on twitter.

Deputy first Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Awful news from Liberton High. My thoughts and condolences with family and friends.”

Scottish Education Secretary Michael Russell tweeted: “Very distressed to hear of fatality at Liberton High in Edinburgh – thoughts with family and the whole school community.”

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray tweeted: “Tragic news coming from Liberton High School. My thoughts go out to the family and all at the school. Dreadful news.”

In February Edinburgh Council was fined £8000 for breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act following an incident at Liberton High School in December 2011 when a 15 year old pupil fell down a 20ft lift shaft.

Charity thanks people in Edinburgh for supporting the Great Daffodil Appeal

Marie Curie Nurses offer their thanks to everyone in the area for helping to make the charity’s appeal a great success.

Since Marie Curie Cancer Care’s month-long Great Daffodil Appeal launched on 1 March, volunteer collectors have been out in force throughout Edinburgh to encourage people to make a donation and wear the charity’s daffodil pin to support people with a terminal illness.

All the funds raised from the Great Daffodil Appeal help Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes and in the Edinburgh Marie Curie hospice.

Paul Thompson, Head of Regional Fundraising for Marie Curie, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone in Edinburgh who has supported Marie Curie and helped to make this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal such a big success. The appeal simply wouldn’t be possible without our wonderful volunteer collectors who tirelessly encouraged people to wear a daffodil pin, as well as everyone who generously made a donation to support people with a terminal illness. The funds raised will make a very significant difference, helping Marie Curie Nurses provide more care to people with terminal illnesses and their families at the time when they most need support.”

STOBO CASTLE LADIES DAY AT MUSSELBURGH RACECOURSE IS BACK CELEBRATING ITS 10^TH ANNIVERSARY

After a decade of glitz, glamour and galloping, Ladies Day at Musselburgh Racecourse is set to sparkle once again as the Capital’s most dazzling raceday returns for its tenth anniversary celebrations – with official partners Stobo Castle on board to ensure a more beautiful day than ever before.

Birthday celebrations of course call for a big party! So, this year Ladies Day moves from its traditional Friday footing to a Super Saturday slot on 14 June 2014, welcoming the Scottish Sprint Cup – Musselburgh’s most valuable race – to the schedule for the very first time.

The premier Edinburgh event will once again welcome a sea of fashionistas sporting divine dresses, luscious locks and a gorgeous glow, ready for the most fabulous of birthdays – the Perfect Ten! With prizes awarded for the most chic attendees, Scotland’s style set will be out in force in a bid to be crowned ‘Queen of Style’ with a £3,000 prize for the best dressed female.

As well as world-class racing, visitors can treat themselves to a spot of pampering at the pop-up ‘Stobo Castle Pamper Zone’. This exclusive tented pamper zone will offer guests express appointments throughout the day with treatments including complimentary make-up touch ups and quick hair fixes to mini massages so guests feel fabulous all day long.

Keeping the party going, the celebrations will go on into the evening on the Fashion in the Field stage with The Queen of Style Finale and After Racing Party, making this one birthday to truly remember!

Tickets for the Stobo Castle Ladies Day start at £35 and provide access to all public areas of the racecourse including bars and food outlets. Exceptional popularity has seen the exclusive Picnic Pavilion, Champers & Hampers and VIP Marquee tickets sell out already, leaving standard entry as the hottest tickets in town!

For further information and to book visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk or call 0131 665 2859.

PHOTOS Rob McDougall

A secondary school pupil has died following the collapse of an internal wall at Liberton High School earlier this morning.

The BBC have a report here.

STV have reported briefly here.

Picture from the scene of fatal accident at Edinburgh school. Latest details: http://t.co/lMpyGEM5Ea pic.twitter.com/czn5Ynmq0z

— STV News (@STVNews) April 1, 2014

We’re getting reports that a pupil has died following a wall collapse at Edinburgh’s Liberton High School. More to follow as we have it.

— Scotsman (@TheScotsman) April 1, 2014

A spokesperson for The City of Edinburgh Council said: “A pupil at Liberton High School has sadly died following an incident at the school. Senior education staff and Health and Safety officers from the Council are at the school providing support to staff and pupils. An updated statement on behalf of the school will be issued later.”

CAREFUL NOW: SAFETY MESSAGING STEPPED UP AS TRAM TESTS GO SEVEN DAYS

The City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Trams are ramping up their tram safety campaign in preparation for the next phase of testing and training.

With testing set to go seven days a week and increase in frequency from Monday 7 April, a new campaign dubbed #carefulnow has been developed to harness social media to get safety messages across to all road users.

Anecdotal evidence from tram drivers suggests that while the majority of road users are behaving responsibly around trams, there are a number of individuals still taking unnecessary risks when trams are running.

Drivers have reported pedestrians stepping out between two buses to try and cross in front of a tram, or making a dash across the tram lines instead of waiting for the green man.

We certainly saw quite a lot of that when we were on the tram during Operation Salvador recently.

As well as a social media campaign through Twitter and Facebook, the #carefulnow drive will include refreshed signage and updated messages to schools, universities and higher education colleges, businesses and community councils, highlighting the existing safety advice and videos.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “Trams have become a much more common sight in the city centre over the last few weeks, which has given us all a chance to get used to sharing the roads with this new mode of transport.

“From next Monday, we’ll see many more trams out testing right the way through the week and over the weekend as well. It’s a good time to remind everyone how they can keep safe when walking, cycling or driving near trams. If you follow @EdinburghTrams on Twitter, look out for our #carefulnow messages and please spread the word!”

Tom Norris, Edinburgh Trams Director & General Manager, said: “Testing and training have been going really well and it’s good to see that most people are interacting sensibly with the trams.

“Our drivers are driving very carefully to cope with the unpredictable behaviour of some road users, however. It’s vital that everyone heeds the warning bell and that people don’t gamble rather than wait for the green man.

“As we get ready to start testing seven days a week at a much greater frequency, we want to see the #carefulnow messages shared as widely as possible.”

The push on safety advice comes as Edinburgh Trams invite seven-year-old budding animator Chapman Whitefield Mathers on a tram trip to congratulate him on winning his school’s Tram Safety Competition.

Chapman’s animated tram safety film scooped top prize at Flora Stevenson’s Primary School, where he is in Primary 3. You can watch it here:-

Irene Brennan, Head Teacher at Flora Stevenson’s Primary School, said: “We’re all absolutely delighted to see Chapman’s film getting such widespread recognition. His film was the worthy winner of our Tram Safety Competition organised by the school’s Junior Road Safety Officer team but praise is also due to all the children who entered. Every one of them had thought carefully about how to stay safe around the trams and came up with lots of bright ideas on how to get the messages across.”

Alongside the safety campaign, the Council has issued a renewed warning to drivers that they risk having their vehicle towed if they park irresponsibly and obstruct the trams.

A tow truck is now on standby to respond swiftly to any incidents and vehicle owners can face a £180 charge to recover their vehicle if it’s towed away.

In addition, parking attendant patrols are paying particular attention to ‘hotspots’ along the on-street tram route, including South St Andrew Street, West Maitland Street and Haymarket Yards.

Already, two vehicles have been towed, one from West Maitland Street and one from York Place.

Cllr Hinds said: “We have to ensure that trams can run smoothly and with testing stepping up a gear soon, this is even more crucial now. Park responsibly and there won’t be an issue. Park irresponsibly and you’ll risk incurring a £180 charge to get your vehicle back if it’s towed away.”

The marketing department behind the Edinburgh International Conference Centre are off to New York for Scotland Week to promote Edinburgh and the EICC as a major venue.

The move comes just six months after the recently expanded venue in Scotland’s capital was a first time exhibitor at IMEX America.

Making the trip EICC Head of Sales and Marketing, Louise Andrew said:-“We had a great response to being at IMEX in Las Vegas and it’s a natural follow up to come to New York when there is such a strong focus on all things Scottish. With 50 million people in the world claiming Scottish ancestry and most of them living and working in North America I know we will meet organisers warm to the idea of staging events in Scotland.”

“We have a strong reputation in North America with International Associations and on this trip we are also keen to secure new corporate business attracted by Scotland’s second Year of Homecoming in 2014 that includes two of the world’s greatest sports events, the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup”, added Andrew.

A series of business tourism related meetings and events are scheduled for Scotland Week that centre around the annual Tartan Day Parade on Sixth Avenue and the 10K Scotland Run and festival in Central Park. Both events take place on 5 April 2014.

Less than twelve months ago EICC opened a new £30m (US$49m) expansion space. It features the world’s first hall-wide moving floor system, giving event organisers a unique set of event space optimisation options that are beyond the reach of conventional halls. Raked auditoria, arenas and tiered banqueting setups for 2,000 to 3,000 delegates can be delivered in record time in EICC’s new Lennox Suite.

You can watch a video about the suite here:-

Seeing the Lennox Suite for herself later this year is Katlyn Keneally from New York based Strategic Meetings & Events. The Strategic Support and Client Concierge specialist will visit Edinburgh for the first time in the summer having won the trip in a delegate competition at IMEX America.

Katlyn’s itinerary includes: return flights to Edinburgh courtesy of Marketing Edinburgh, two night stays with The Balmoral Edinburgh by Rocco Forte, Apex Hotels and Radisson Blu, dinner at The Dome, a gin tasting and dinner at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa and afternoon tea and a Guerlain Spa treatment at The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

PHOTO Malcolm Cochrane

Easter holidays are coming up and the NHS want to remind you to be ready for the holidays ahead by stocking up on any medicines only available from pharmacies.

The NHSScotland Be Ready for Easter campaign, which was launched today is advising people to take a few simple steps to look after their health.

By making sure they have a supply of over the counter medicines, knowing when their GP surgery is open and checking their repeat prescriptions, they can ensure they make the most of the Easter holiday weekend.

This year many GP surgeries across Scotland will close for four days from Good Friday (April 18th) to Easter Monday (April 21^st), before re-opening on Tuesday 22^nd April.

NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “After winter, Easter is the busiest time of year for Scotland’s health services. The Be Ready for Easter campaign wants to remind people of the small steps they can take to ensure illness doesn’t ruin their Easter.

“Being prepared by having enough repeat medication to cover you and having some simple home remedies available can make all the difference if illness strikes. It is also important to plan ahead for any required repeat prescriptions over the Easter break, so please order and collect in good time. We would also remind people of the wide range of health information available at NHS inform.”

Professor Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said:-“We’d encourage anyone who relies on prescription medicines to ensure they get their request for a repeat prescription to their GP or pharmacist well before Easter preferably by April 10th.

“It’s important you have the medicines you need to see you through this holiday period. Coughs and colds are still doing the rounds.  Staying at home, regular hot drinks and taking plenty of rest is the best medicine for a cold. This also helps our specialists focus their efforts on those who are seriously unwell. To help manage troublesome symptoms e.g. colds, your local pharmacist can advise on what you need for a well stocked medicine cabinet.”

Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, hundreds of GPs will be working throughout this period supporting out of hours services acrossScotland.

The four key steps that Be Ready for Easter recommends this Spring are:

Restock your medicine cabinet if needed

Common ailments such as colds can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine such as pain relief, cough mixture and cold remedies. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with child-friendly remedies.

Use your local pharmacy

Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you need over-the-counter remedies or have run out of any prescribed medication. You can also pick up plasters and antiseptic creams to prepare for any minor accidents.

Make sure you have enough repeat prescription.

If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you have enough medicine to last over the holiday period.

Know when your GP surgery will be open

Your local doctor’s surgery may be closed for four days during the Easter weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 18^th – April 21^st).

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

Fire crews from Sighthill, Crewe Toll and South Queensferry were called to piles of rubbish on fire in a field near Hallyards Farm House in Kirkliston early this morning.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Operations Control Edinburgh received the call at just after midnight and quickly mobilised crews to the incident.  On arrival firefighters discovered around 200 tonnes of waste materials well alight in open ground.

Firefighters immediately used two main jets to fight the fire which has been burning throughout the early hours of this morning.

One of the piles of rubbish contained cement roof tiles which they suspected contained asbestos.  A Technical Adviser from Edinburgh’s Scientific Services was called to take samples to confirm the presence of asbestos.  As a precaution, all kit used by the firefighters involved were decontaminated.

Crews are still on the scene dampening down the affected area.

It is not only the pandas who need help at Edinburgh Zoo. The zoo’s bird keepers are getting stuck in the mud as they help their flamingo flock build their nests in readiness for their flamingo babies.

Breeding season for the Zoo’s 34 Chilean flamingos is just around the corner and the keepers are building the “mud pie” nests to help stimulate courtship behaviour, such as head flagging, wing saluting, vocalising and aggression between competing males. Around 25 nests will be built by the keepers, each ranging in shape and size.

Sean Meechan, Birds Keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said:

“To be a zoo keeper you really can’t be afraid to get a little dirty sometimes and when it comes to messy jobs this is one of the more entertaining ones. We make each nest a little different – some will be tall and thin while others will be short and squat – so that the female birds can then select the nest that suits her preference. Once the keepers have made a start on the nests, the flamingos will then add to it themselves, scraping extra mud up the sides or adding to the nest’s height. We use a clay-based soil and keep the area wet to make it easier for the birds to move the mud.

“Flamingo nest-building is an annual tradition, and this year we have increased the size of the nest site, providing more space between each mud pile. We have a well-established flock of Chilean flamingos at Edinburgh Zoo – three 53-year-old males are actually the oldest residents at the Zoo.”

In the wild, these flamboyant birds will build their nests on the banks of estuaries, lagoons and mud flats, using their beaks to create large columns out of the muddy ground.

Although the wild population currently sits around 300,000 the species is increasingly under threat from habitat loss, egg-harvesting, hunting and tourism-related disturbance.

Council rent arrears – Edinburgh International Science Festival – Edinburgh Zoo nights – Virgin Money Fireworks Concert – Edinburgh Secret Society is back

It is clear that Edinburgh Council, in common with other local authorities across Scotland is bearing the brunt of some of the UK welfare reforms. The Health Social Care and Housing Committee will hear this morning that the rent arrears in the city have more than doubled in a year. The council believes that around 25% of this is due to under-occupation and a large part is also due to Housing benefit payments being delayed.

The council has a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) fund which it can draw on in certain situations and says it is trying to use this as much as possible.

It is noted in the reports for the meeting that the rent arrears figure has decreased in the last month by £406,077 and figures are showing a downward trend since November 2013, some of which has been improved by use of the DHP monies.

***

Wondering what the outdoor exhibition is at the foot of the Mound? Wonder no more – it is the exhibition of around 60 images from NASA to National Geographic and Harvard University introducing you to the world of bioluminescence.

More details here

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There are several Edinburgh Zoo Nights arranged this year for adults only.  If you are brave enough to go to the zoo after dark then you can get your face painted, enjoy a drink and eat some street food. One of the activities might mean that you want to have a drink afterwards but not before! The high ropes course will challenge the very daring. Tickets cost £20 or £17 for RZSS members.

More details here.

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The spectacular conclusion to the Festival  The Virgin Money Festival Fireworks will have  a particularly rousing programme of orchestral works this year including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture performed live by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to a display launching more than 400,000 fireworks above Edinburgh’s stunning castle.

You can buy tickets now here.

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The Edinburgh Secret Society are holding a seance on 26 April 2014. In common with other events that they organise tickets go on sale and are snapped up very quickly. So this is a heads up that the tickets go on sale at 10am on 9 April 2014. More information here.

Dinosaur Bone Theft from National Museum of Scotland

A rare dinosaur bone has gone missing from the National Museum of Scotland.

The dinosaur thigh bone went missing from the Museum yesterday.

The Museum’s CCTV footage shows an unusually bristly animal removing the bone from its stand before making off with it.  Photo-fits of the animal are being circulated.

The bone, housed at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for the last 75 years, is believed to have been a significant scientific find.  Research done on the bone prior to its disappearance, shows that the bone contains the DNA of the Abyssinian Wire Haired Tripe Hound.

The loss has coincided with the disappearance of one of The Beano’s most popular and well-known characters, Gnasher, during a visit by Dennis the Menace and his family yesterday. According to a Museum spokesman, it seems likely that Dennis’s dog, Gnasher, could be the culprit.

The Beano Editor-in-Chief Mike Stirling said, “I’d like to issue a plea for people around the country to help find Gnasher.  It’s true, the photo-fit does bear a striking resemblance to him, however, I’m sure he wouldn’t have taken the bone without good reason.

“There have been a number of sightings of Gnasher, he appears to be photo-bombing his way around the UK, and Dennis has been hunting high and low for him.  If you spot Gnasher please email us at findgnasher@beano.com or let us know on Twitter @beanocomic or #gnashtag.  It’s a complete mystery as to why Gnasher would take the Museum’s bone.  We’re worried that, this time, he’s bitten off more than he can chew.”

Dr Nick Fraser, Keeper of Natural Science at National Museums Scotland added, “One of our rarest dinosaur bones has gone missing. We have our suspicions that it was Gnasher who took it but we can’t understand how he managed to steal it or why. We’re appealing to Gnasher to return our dinosaur bone soon. Please keep a look out everyone.”

Living Lights was opened to the public  at The Mound Precinct by Science Festival Director Dr Simon Gage and Lord Provost the Rt Hon Donald Wilson earlier today. The outdoor exhibition celebrates the beauty, wonder – and oddity – of bioluminescence and fluorescence in nature.

The large-scale photography exhibition is an annual highlight of the Science Festival, this year moving from its previous location in St Andrew Square, to a new home at The Mound Precinct, where it will be situated until before transferring to Our Dynamic Earth for an extended run until October.

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The exhibition features 60 amazing images, from organisations including NASA, the Ocean Research and Conservation Association, National Geographic and Harvard University. The photographs reveal how the emission of light by living organisms is used. This including fireflies who use periodic flashing to attract mates; marine plankton that make the sea sparkle at night; anglerfish whose bioluminescent lures attract prey and squid that expel luminescent clouds to repel predators.

The exhibition also illustrates how scientific research on bioluminescence and fluorescence is being put to good use in cancer research, tracking disease progression, detecting infection, searching for new life, tracking movements, improving aeronautical designs and developing innovative lighting technologies.

Edinburgh International Science Festival Director Dr Simon Gage said: ‘I’m delighted that once again we’re able to stage a wonderful outdoor exhibition right in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre for all to enjoy. Living Lights offers a fascinating insight into the weird and wonderful world of bioluminescence, unlocking its mysterious properties within nature, and also showing how scientific research is using this phenomenon to make amazing technological and medical advancements’.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: ‘I am very pleased to welcome this fascinating exhibition of light emitted by living organisms to the Mound for the very first time. The Edinburgh International Science Festival is a key highlight on the city’s Spring calendar and the Living Lights photography exhibition is a free event for all to enjoy. I am sure the brilliant and eye-catching images will draw visitors to the city centre from far and wide’.

Living Lights is open daily from Monday 31 March to Sunday 20 April 2014 and subsequently at Our Dynamic Earth from Thursday 24 April to Friday 31 October 2014. Entry is un-ticketed and free of charge.

The Edinburgh International Science Festival runs from Saturday 5 to Sunday 20 April 2014. Full details of the 2014 programme can be found at www.sciencefestival.co.uk. Tickets for all events can be booked online via the website or through the Box Office on 0844 557 2686.

The Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Edinburgh on 14 June and the baton bearers will carry it around the city on its journey towards the opening ceremony in Glasgow on 23 July. 

Today, nominees from across Edinburgh and the Lothians found out that they have been chosen to be a baton bearer.

Up to 4,000 batonbearers from all 32 local authorities in Scotland have been notified by email this morning that they will join the relay in more than 400 Scottish communities for 40 days.

Community batonbearers have been selected by independent panels, who have considered people’s achievements against the odds, their mentoring of younger people, contributions to community and youth sport, and those who make a difference through volunteering and community support.

For the first time in the history of any Queen’s Baton Relay, all 545 secondary schools in Scotland were invited to nominate a pupil to participate as a batonbearer.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh’s Festivals & Events Champion, said: “We are thoroughly looking forward to welcoming the baton to Edinburgh – and to Scotland – on 14 June. We have over 100 batonbearers, including a pupil from every secondary school, each of whom will play an important part in the celebrations taking place throughout the day. We’ve worked very hard with the organisers to send the baton to as many parts of the city as possible and to allow batonbearers to run through their own communities, cheered on by their friends and family. I was fortunate enough to be on the selection committee for Edinburgh and was hugely impressed with the standard of nominations. I have no doubt our batonbearers will do themselves and their city proud.”

Chosen for her inspirational work volunteering and raising money for children affected by cancer, Lynne McNicoll, founder of the Edinburgh charity It’s Good 2 Give, commented: “I’m really delighted to be chosen to be a batonbearer. Welcoming the Baton to Scotland will an amazing opportunity and I just can’t wait. I’m currently in training for a 5K race which will hopefully help me get fit in time for the Queen’s Baton Relay!”

Kerry Renwick, selected batonbearer for Wester Hailes Education Centre, commented on being selected for her school: “I am thrilled to have this amazing opportunity to be a baton bearer. It is an inspiring challenge and one I never thought I’d get to be part of. Now I am experiencing it and that is unbelievable. I have watched the baton travel through other countries and it’s exciting to think that will be me! I feel honoured to be a part of the Commonwealth Games and leave an encouraging legacy for all those pupils in my school to strive for the best.”

Information on all of the chosen batonbearers for Edinburgh and the Lothians will be released nearer the time of the relay. But here is information on some of the selected candidates notified today:-

Lynne  McNicoll
Lynne has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for children affected by cancer in the Edinburgh area with her charity, It’s Good 2 Give. Her dedication for raising money for others is 24/7, 365 days a year. She volunteers every minute, takes no pay and is a pillar of the Edinburgh community.

Kerry Renwick
16 year old Kerry has been nominated to represent her school, Wester Hailes Education Centre.  She encourages others to be part of sport as well as leading in sport herself, as a member of a number of sports clubs including hockey, basketball and dance. Staff at the school credit Kerry for leading dance lessons with local primary school pupils, helping young pupils get involved in physical activity in a way that is fun and accessible, giving young people confidence in their own abilities no matter what level they are at.

Frances Smith
Frances undertakes an enormous amount of voluntary work for Warrender Baths Club as its Swimming Convenor. She gives her time to encouraging swimmers into the sport, running development squads, expert coaching, and organising competitions for young swimmers. She is regarded as a mentor and role model for swimmers past and present right across the city and has been actively involved in the swimming careers of children from their introduction to the Club right through to International and World level.

Dean Reilly
Dean was diagnosed with MS in October 2012, after losing the sight in one eye. Since then, he has raised awareness of MS and championed the services offered at the MS Therapy Centre which supports Edinburgh and the Lothians. He has taken up boxing, completed 4 10k runs, the Mighty Deer Stalker and the Edinburgh marathon, raising over £5,000 for the centre. He also writes a blog, raising awareness of MS, and has remained incredibly positive and pro-active since being diagnosed.

Karen Eastwood
Karen has given her life to teaching and enabling children with specific needs, through her profession and on a voluntary basis. As a teenager she spent every summer volunteering at camps for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a teacher she arranged for and took a group of deaf pupils and young leaders to visit schools in South Africa. In 2011 Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer and 6 months later, she ran her first Edinburgh marathon.

Follow the build up to the Edinburgh leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay on social media using the hashtag #EdinBatonRelay.

PREVIEW: Boogie Nights, 1-5 April 2014, Church Hill Theatre 7:30pm, Tue: £10, Wed-Sat: £14 (£12 concessions), Sat 2:30pm matinee: £12 (£10 concessions)

Edinburgh Music Theatre (EMT), the company that brought you Footloose, RENT, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, change direction and ask you to dust off your flares and try to remember where you were the night Elvis died in this hilarious and heart-warming production. Dubbed ‘the original jukebox pop musical’ with a playlist including Celebration, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Happy Days, Blame It On The Boogie and many more 70s hits, the musical tells the story of wannabe rock star Roddy O’Neil, his friends and their lives and loves as they experience adolescence in the D.I.S.C.O. decade.

The Edinburgh Reporter attended one of the final rehearsals of the production, with familiar faces from last year’s show spotted, as well as some new additions to the team. A confident, humorous opening sequence will get you in the mood for a night of well-choreographed, vibrant medleys with an emotional plot woven into the song and dance sequences to create an uplifting, memorable jaunt. Friday 4th April will be a special sing-a-long performance, with the team inviting you to boogie on down! This is set to be another brilliant run for EMT, the members of which always immerse themselves into each production, with Boogie Nights being no different.

Boogie Nights is being staged at the Church Hill Theatre from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 April at 7:30pm daily, including a Saturday matinee at 2:30pm. Tickets – Tue £10; Wed – Sat £14 (£12 concessions); Sat matinee £12 (£10 concessions) – are available from the Usher Hall or you can email edinburghmusictheatre@live.com.

Police Scotland is appealing for information to help trace a man reported missing in Edinburgh.

Grant Redpath from Ormiston Road in Tranent, East Lothian, was last seen around 10am today leaving the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

However, the 37-year-old has failed to make contact with anyone since then and concern is now growing for his wellbeing.

Anyone who can assist in locating Grant is asked to come forward.

He is described as white, 6ft 2ins tall with a stocky build and short shaved brown hair. He was last seen wearing jeans, a beige jumper, black puffer jacket and Timberland boots.

Inspector Alan Hogarth said: “Grant left the hospital on Monday morning but gave no indication as to where he was going and has not been in touch with any family or friends.

“As such, we are keen to trace him as soon as possible and establish he is safe and well.

“Anyone who believes they have seen Grant since 10am on Monday, or who has information that can assist in locating him is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.

Edinburgh awarded “Best Destination Experience”

Forth Ports are this week celebrating after Edinburgh picked up a coveted cruise industry award at Seatrade Miami, one of the cruise industry’s biggest and most widely recognised events in the calendar.  Edinburgh took home the award for “Best Destination Experience”, in the port and destination awards with particular focus on organised tours in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a key destination for Forth Ports, with many of Scotland’s most high-profile tourist attractions in the capital city.

Forth Ports was part of Seatrade Miami, which ran for three days in Miami, Florida, to showcase their cruise destinations at Leith, Rosyth, Dundee and London to cruise liner owners and operators from across the world.

The Cruise industry in the UK saw a fantastic season throughout 2013 and Edinburgh was the only UK destination to win an award. As the only port operator in the United Kingdom that can offer direct access to two capital cities, Forth Ports also had an extremely successful season, welcoming 130 cruise liners in 2013 and bringing over 130,000 visitors to the UK.

Commenting on the win, Nik Scott-Gray, Business Development Manager at Forth Ports, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this award from Cruise Insight Magazine. We do everything we can to make sure that all of our cruise operators and their passengers are well looked-after during their call at our ports and our programme of continued investment will ensure an even better cruise experience in the future at Leith and all our other cruise destinations including Rosyth, Dundee and London.”

Forth Ports’ 2014 cruise season got underway on the 27^th March with the MV Discovery calling at the Port of Rosyth.

The business is investing significantly in the cruise operations with a multimillion pound renovation project underway at the historic London cruise terminal to upgrade the facilities and increase the capacity to accommodate larger vessels. In Scotland, a programme of alternative deep water anchorage options and landing stages is being developed to bring larger liners closer to Edinburgh.

This week, a Scottish university is joining forces with three local authorities to develop the next generation of public service leaders.

Public management experts from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (QMU) have worked with the councils to develop a high impact masters programme that will improve the delivery of public services across the country.

Working in partnership with the University, City of Edinburgh Council, Dundee City Council and Orkney Islands Council have combined academic and practical skills to develop the new MSc Public Services Leadership. The unique programme, which has been co-designed by public sector academics and staff from the three councils, combines the latest research into leadership with a working knowledge of the practical challenges of public service delivery.

Dr Elliott, Lecturer in Business at Queen Margaret University, said: “This programme will equip staff to deliver successful outcomes in the communities they serve at a time of significant change.”

Over 50 council staff are enrolled on the leadership programme which they will study on a part-time basis. They will each dedicate a minimum of two and a half years to the masters degree. One of the key philosophies behind the programme is the concept of coaching as a fundamental component of leadership.

Dr Elliott concluded: “We commend Edinburgh City Council, Dundee City Council and Orkney Islands Council for taking a pro-active approach to developing the skills of their staff to ensure success in challenging times. The philosophy behind the joint initiative also confirms QMU mission to provide socially relevant courses and research that respond to the most pressing needs of society and ultimately improve quality of life.”

This course builds on the work that Queen Margaret University recently carried out with the Welsh Government when it delivered a postgraduate certificate in public service governance to 21 public service workers across Wales.

George Street plans up for comment – Airport plans  –  Council’s Legal Team win award – Wildlife Photographer of the Year – 13 artists at Union Gallery

The council agreed last year to trial a new layout on George Street including a cycle path and more space for pedestrians. Now that the plans have been drawn up you can have your say.

The proposal is intended to make one of Edinburgh’s premier shopping streets more welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists and now the plans are accessible online.

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Edinburgh Airport are in the process of extending the terminal building to the east and that extension will accommodate the new security hall which we visited on Friday.

It seems that the airport are also planning a large advertising area above the entrance door. They have made an application for installation of vinyl on the inside of the glass above the door.

You can see the way it will look here on the planning website.

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Edinburgh Council’s Legal Team,  won ‘In House Legal Team of the Year’ at the annual Scott & Co Scottish Legal Awards recently.

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17 March – 1 June 2014

Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3

Free

Through the lens of wildlife photography this exhibition captures the intrigue and beauty of our planet. These awe-inspiring images, selected from 43,000 entries by amateur and professional photographers in 96 countries, give us a glimpse of the natural world as it has never been seen before. From charismatic animal portraits to dramatic landscapes and provocative photojournalism, this year’s breathtaking exhibition raises the bar of wildlife photography once more, exciting loyal fans and new audiences alike. The 100 award-winning images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 competition are beautifully displayed on back-lit installations, with each image accompanied by its photographer’s story and technical details.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide.

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TS Eliot – Personal Perspectives: a collaboration by the Group 13 collective of artists. 4 to 30 April 2014

Group 13 is one of the influential groups of artists working in Scotland, formed originally to contribute to 2010’s highly acclaimed Kelvingrove Art Gallery exhibition, ‘The River Runs Through It’.  This was followed by ‘Glasgow Haiku’ at the Glasgow Art Club and they are now being shown at Union Gallery.  For this, their third, collaboration, Group 13 has chosen one of the most important writers of the 20^th Century as their focal point. ‘TS Eliot – Personal Perspectives’ promises to be an innovative and thought-provoking exhibition of new works: a showcase for the many and varied styles of some of Scotland’s most celebrated artists and, as such, is a must-see exhibition.

Union Gallery
45 Broughton Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3JU
tel. 0131 556 7707
web. www.uniongallery.co.uk
blog. www.uniongallery.blogspot.co.uk
twitter. @UNIONgallery1

Rugby by John Preece

Scotland’s Seven-a-Side team won the Bowl final in the Hong Kong round of the HSBC World Sevens Series by beating France 31-5 in the final. On their way to the final, they beat Kenya 26-12 and Argentina 24-12 in the preceding knockout rounds. (Library image from Murrayfield 7s)

At the next round, in Glasgow, Scotland play Australia, USA and Spain on the opening, round-robin day.

Edinburgh were beaten by Treviso in the latest round of the RaboDirect PRO12 League in Italy on Friday night. Leading 9-3 at half time, the Edinburgh side were barely able to get out of their own territory for much of the second half, conceding two tries in quick succession. It looked like a no points game for the visitors until Cornell Du Preez – who had blown a three-on-two overlap in the first half by choosing to take on ‘the two’ – galloped in from half way to secure a losing bonus point in the 20-16 defeat.

Heriots beat Aberdeen Grammar to qualify for the RBS Cup Final, which will take place at Cumbernauld’s Broadwood Stadium on the 19th April. Leading 13-10 at half time, a try in the second half gave them enough of a gap to take the win 20-10.

The women’s Sarah Beannie Cup Final will be contested on the same day between Murrayfield Wanderers and Melrose.

In the Under-18 Brewin Dolphin Girls’ Cup final, Murrayfield Wanderers were triumphant 70-29 against Ayr.

There were three outstanding individual performances in this game. Wandies’ Scotland under-20 cap, full-back Rhona Lloyd (pictured above), the capital side’s captain scored five tries; her colleague in the centre, Lisa Thomson, from Hawick,  a try hat-trick; and Ayr’s stand-off Emily Irving, already a full Scotland cap, had a try brace. Lloyd, a 17-year-old pupil at Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh who is a keen sprinter with Corstorphine Athletic Club, has been playing rugby since first year at secondary school.

She has her sights set on international honours. “Scotland are an up and coming team in women’s rugby. The points margins will get smaller and very soon we’ll be competing with the big guns.  I want to be there when they do,” she asserted.

Murrayfield Wanderers’ other tries came from Coreen Grant and a penalty try. Thomson kicked two conversions and Lucy Park – who had a spell in the sin-bin – landed the other eight.

Ayr’s additional tries came from No 8 Lisa Croniken (2) and her fellow back-rower Phoebe McDowall. Irving added two conversions. (report courtesy of Scottish Rugby)

Football

SPFL

Hearts staved off the threat of relegation for three days at least with a 2-0 win over rivals Hibs at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Dale Carrick opened the scoring in the 5^th minute after latching onto a Ryan Stevenson knock down from a Calum Patterson cross.

Hibs should have had an equaliser eight minutes from the end when Jordon Forster headed the ball past Jamie MacDonald only to be wrongly ruled offside.

Alan Maybury was sent off in the 89^th minute before Billy King secured the points with a well taken goal.

Hearts face Aberdeen on Wednesday knowing that defeat will spell relegation and Hibs face the same opposition next Monday.

Scottish Sun Lowland League

Spartans secured a fine 4-0 win against Gretna to secure another vital three points in the race for the Lowland League title.

Goals from Jack Beesley and Motion in a three minute spell gave the Ainslie Park outfit a half time lead.

Beesley made it 3-0 in the 65^th minute and completed his hat-trick five minutes later.

After the game he told the club website: “I think it’s probably my first hat-trick in about 6 years! I’ve had a few chances with free-kicks recently, all pretty much from the same spot on the park so it’s given me plenty of practice and I’ve just managed to get it over the wall and into the net to pretty much seal the game for us with 20 minutes to go.”

“You could say that with the way today’s results have gone and the way we are playing but the games that we have got left, Whitehill, Dalbeattie and Stirling, are all tough ones and to use an old cliché, we’re definitely not taking anything for granted.  We’ll just go out every Saturday and look to pick up 3 points if we can.”

Elsewhere

Gala Fairydean Rovers 4-0 Threave Rovers

Selkirk 2-4 Dalbeattie Star

University of Stirling 0-2 Whitehill Welfare

Vale of Leithen 2-0 Preston Athletic

Central Taxis East of Scotland League, Premier Division

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale P-P Spartans EOS

Stirling University EOS 1-4 Leith Athletic FT

Tynecastle 6-3 Civil Service Strollers FT

Coldstream 0-2 Craigroyston FT

Heriot-Watt University 0-0 Edinburgh University

Central Taxis East of Scotland League, First Division

Burntisland Shipyard 3-1 Eyemouth United

Duns 2-1 Hawick Royal Albert

Easthouses Lily 3-0 Peebles Rovers

Kelso United 0-1 Ormiston

Women’s Football

A headed goal by Caroline Heron was enough to secure the three points against Aberdeen on Sunday. Elsewhere..

Rangers 2-1 Celtic

Hutchie Vale 2-1 Buchan

Farmington 1-7 Hamilton

Inverness 3-0 Queens Park

Spartans 1-3 City

Speedway

The Scotwaste Monarchs beat Glasgow by 52-38 to win the Air Fence Challenge 1st leg at Armadale on Friday night.

Star man was Craig Cook on a paid maximum 14.

With a big crowd in the stadium and a good atmosphere, it was a pleasing start to the new campaign Monarchs head for Ashfield at 3pm on Sunday for the second leg.

Volleyball

Men’s Scottish Plate

Edinburgh Jets III 0 3 University of Edinburgh

Women’s Scottish Plate

Perth 3 0 Edinburgh Jets III

North Grampian 3 1 University of Edinburgh

Men’s Thistle Bowl

Bellshill Cardinals 1 3 South Ayrshire

Dundee 3 0 Su Ragazzi II

Women’s Thistle Bowl

University of Dundee 3 0 NUVOC

Boxing

Amateur Boxing Association Scotland presents Edinburgh V Manchester

Friday 4 April | Doors 6.30pm

An evening of sporting entertainment sponsored by McEwan Fraser Legal

6.30pm  Doors Open

7.00pm  Boxing Undercard – 6 amateur boxing contests

8.00pm  Main Event Video presentation and Ring Walks

8.20pm  10 Elite Amateur Boxing Contests

£22 | £16.50 | £11 | Includes 10% booking fee

£1 transaction fee when booking online / phone

Hockey

Men

Grange 1-0 Western Wildcats

Edinburgh University 2-1Grove Menzieshill .

Pool A, AAM Gordonians 4-2 over Watsonians

Pool B PSL Team Sport Clydesdale 7-3 Dundee Wanderers 7-3

Inverleith 4-0 win Uddingston.

On Sunday, Glynhill Kelburne won the Aberdeen Asset Management National League Division 1 title for a tenth year running after a 2-1 victory over Grange in the Grand Final at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre

Women

Milne Craig Clydesdale Western 3-0 Edinburgh University

Pool A Glynhill Kelburne 3-2 GHK Ladies.

Western Wildcats’ 5-3 AAM Merlins Gordonians

In Pool B, CALA 2-0 Grange EL

Glynhill Kelburne 3-2 GHK Ladies.

On Sunday Milne Craig Clydesdale Western were crowned champions of Aberdeen Asset Management Women’s National League Division 1 after a dramatic 4-3 win over Grove Menzieshill in the Grand Final at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Photograph by John Preece

http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Lewis Hamilton today made up for his disappointment in Melbourne with a dominant performance in the Malaysian Grand Prix, cruising to victory to mark his 100th points finish in Formula 1.

The 29-year-old British driver ended his 9-race run without a podium in a drive that saw him pick up his first win of the 2014 season, finishing 17 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger and team-mate, Nico Rosberg. It was a composed and assured performance from Hamilton, who only lost the lead once on lap 16, when Nico Hulkenberg stretched his first stint to pit after Hamilton. Hamilton managed to catch the German before completing the lap, however, meaning that he achieved his first Grand Chelem – collecting pole position, fastest lap, and leading every lap of the race.

Rosberg, in the other Mercedes, didn’t appear to have the same pace as Hamilton and was put under pressure at several points during the race by the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel, who managed to overcome his own problems from Australia to finish 3rd and get his first podium of the season.

Vettel’s team-mate Daniel Ricciardo didn’t fare as well, suffering more wretched luck at the beginning of his Red Bull career. After being disqualified from the Australian Grand Prix because of a fuel flow infringement, Ricciardo managed to make a good start in the race, jumping Vettel at the beginning to take 3rd place. As the race went on, he dropped back to 5th but looked to be on for a solid points finish before a botched pit stop saw him stopped in the pit lane as a wheel was not attached properly.

The time lost effectively ruined his race, and things went from bad to worse as he suffered a front wing failure two laps later, forcing him to return to the pits to have it replaced. The Australian driver was then hit with a 10 second stop/go penalty for the pit stop, and eventually took the decision to retire from the race. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old’s misfortune will continue in Bahrain next week after being hit with a ten-place grid penalty for the unsafe release by the pit stop crew.

Hulkenberg fought hard with Fernando Alonso for 4th place, with the Ferrari driver having the advantage of fresher tyres but still having to work hard to get the move done on the determined Hulkenberg.

Elsewhere in the field, there were controversial team orders at Williams, reminiscient of the infamous “multi 21” order in the same race last year. Felipe Massa was told to move over to allow Valtteri Bottas through in order to try to catch Jenson Button, but Massa was not compliant, believing that he had the right to fight for position.

Another battle being fought towards the end of the race was between ex-team-mates Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. Grosjean, who has been struggling in the Lotus, showed signs of improvement as he managed to hold of Raikkonen. The Finn, now at Ferrari, was trying to make up places after being hit by Kevin Magnussen on the opening lap, causing a puncture and forcing him into an early pit stop.

In the end it was a comfortably victory for Hamilton, and the double podium for Mercedes – their first one-two since 1955 – means that the team now leads the constructors championship going into next week’s race in Bahrain.

Full Race Results

1 HAMILTON
2 ROSBERG
3 VETTEL
4 ALONSO
5 HULKENBERG
6 BUTTON
7 MASSA
8 BOTTAS
9 MAGNUSSEN
10 KVYAT
11 GROSJEA
12 RAIKKONEN
13 KOBAYASHI
14 ERICSSON
15 CHILTON
RICCIARDO (DNF)
GUTIERREZ (DNF)
SUTIL (DNF)
VERGNE (DNF)
BIANCHI (DNF)
MALDONADO (DNF)
PEREZ*

*Did not start the race because of an engine problem

The fourth Edinburgh derby of the season had been billed, particularly from those from the east of the city, as the game which would finally seal Hearts fate and consign the Gorgie boys to their fate of Championship football next season. A rare win for Hibernian at Tynecastle would mean Hearts would be unable to catch 11th placed St. Mirren and would face the prospect of slugging it out for promotion back to the top flight of Scottish football with the likes of Rangers when the new season starts in August.

However, Gary Locke’s young side didn’t read the script and recorded their third win over Hibernian this season, two wins being in the league, the other at Easter Road in the League Cup. Hibernian had sold out their allocation of tickets for the game but for those bedecked in green and white who arrived in Gorgie wearing party hats and streamers, the occasion was as akin to turning up at a New Year Party – in the middle of January. Indeed, given Terry Butcher’s side’s freefall in recent weeks, there may well be another ‘relegation party’ between these two teams in a few weeks at Easter Road – one can’t rule out the possibility the Hibees may be accompanying their great rivals in the Championship next season if they slip further down the league and are involved in the dreaded play-offs.

Both sides may have had hugely disappointing seasons and the kick-off may have been the hardly traditional Sunday lunch time but the atmosphere at Tynecastle was as frenetic as ever on Edinburgh derby day. This was fuelled early on by a wreckless challenge from Hibs Lewis Stevenson which caught the chest of Hearts striker Callum Paterson. The young forward was uninjured, though, and after just seven minutes, he crossed from the right towards Ryan Stevenson. The former Ayr United and Ipswich Town player headed the ball into the path of Dale Carrick who did well to control the ball before firing past Hibs keeper Williams. 1-0 to the home side to the obvious delight of the home support who once again turned up in numbers.

Hibs looked momentarily stunned by this turn of events but eventually began to claw their way back into the game. Danny Handling was given too much space on the edge of the Hearts penalty box but his effort on goal sailed over the crossbar. Soon afterwards, Hibs were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Hearts penalty box but Sam Stanton’s effort was well wide of goal. The best chance for the visitors, though, fell to £200,000 striker James Collins who was set up by Watmore. However, from 12 yards out, Collins fired his shot high into the stand, much to the frustration of the visiting support for whom the party was turning decidedly miserable.

Hearts also had chances to double their lead and Sam Nicholson’s fierce shot was saved well by Williams.
Hearts almost began the second half the way they began the first and fine play from Dale Carrick set up David Smith whose effort whistle past the post of Williams.

Hibs then claimed loudly for handball when Hearts Australian defender Dylan McGowan blocked Collins’ shot on the edge of the penalty box but to no avail before Ryan McGivern’s two attempts on goal were more in hope than expectation.
Towards the end of the game, it appeared Hibernian had snatched the equaliser. Stevenson’s cross was headed by Forster past Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald into the net but the visiting support’s raptures were soon doused by the appearance of the assistant referee raising his flag for offside. Television replays showed this to be an incorrect decision by some distance as the Hibs man was clearly onside. The fury felt by the Hibs fans was shared by manager Terry Butcher and some of the Hibs players, particularly Alan Maybury who took his frustration out on Hearts substitute Billy King by tripping the Hearts youngster. A second yellow card was shown to the former Hearts favourite meaning the visitors were reduced to ten men.

Given Hearts surrendered a 2-1 lead to nine men in the League Cup semi-final defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle a few weeks ago, few of the Hearts support were taking anything for granted. However, in stoppage time with Hibs pressing for the equaliser, Hearts broke away. The experienced Ryan Stevenson timed his pass to Billy King to perfection and the youngster kept his cool before rounding Hibs keeper Williams to end the scoring at 2-0 to Hearts.

Afterwards, jubilant Hearts manager Gary Locke said “It’s probably too little, too late but the players have shown they’re improving and hopefully we’ve got a strong future. Our wide men and Dale Carrick up front caused them quite a lot of problems. The whole team played very, very well. It was a great game and Hibs added to that by having a right go in the second half. It was end to end and I was obviously delighted to see young Billy King score at the end.”

For Hibernian, it was yet another disappointing outcome to an Edinburgh derby. Manager Terry Butcher could not contain his anger at the assistant referee’s decision to rule out Jordon Forster’s headed goal.

“It’s scandalous, it really is,” said the former England captain. “It’s a horrendous call from the linesman. He can see right along the line of grass. He can spot the player who was playing Jordon Forster on. The players worked very hard, the system was good and they applied themselves but we’ve lost the game and it’s hard to take. We’ve left the players in no uncertain terms that we need to get going now. We have six games left and we have to get points and I am confident that we can do that. Every club in the bottom half is in a dog fight. We need to pull our fingers out and work harder.”

Hearts relegation fate may well be confirmed when high-flying Aberdeen visit Gorgie on Wednesday but Sunday’s victory was at least a last hurrah for their beleaguered but magnificently loyal supporters who are making no secret of the fact they hope their city rivals will still be with them next season.

For Hibernian, the loss of form at a crucial time of the season is a worry. They are six points clear of a play-off place in the league and the lack of games left suggests they should be okay. But their failure to defeat Hearts yet again means one can’t really be confident Terry Butcher’s side will beat anyone else this season. The Easter Road fans will be hoping St. Mirren and Partick Thistle don’t suddenly discover form as the nerve-jangling prospect of a play-off is hardly one to look forward to.

Hearts: MacDonald; Paterson, McGowan, Wilson, McHattie; Hamill, Holt, R. Stevenson; Smith, Carrick, Nicholson.

Hibs: Williams, McGivern, Nelson, Collins, L. Stevenson, Maybury, Handling, Taiwo, Watmore, Forster, Stanton.

Referee: Steven McLean

Att: 16,873

Top man: Danny Wilson – immense in the Hearts defence.

UPDATE – Police Scotland have advised that the missing teenager was found safe and well near the city centre. 

Police Scotland is currently carrying out a missing person enquiry in relation to a 14 year old boy from the Glendevon Park area of Edinburgh.

14 year old Jordan McNaughton was last seen in Glendevon Park around 5.15pm yesterday evening.

He is described as 5ft 8 inches in height, with medium length brown hair and blue eyes.  He is believed to have been wearing blue/grey Adidas trainers, a blue sports jacket and blue jeans.  It is believed his intention may have been to travel into the city centre to meet friends.

Inspector Chris Scobbie of Police Scotland said: “We are carrying out extensive enquires to trace Jordan, or anyone who may know his whereabouts.  With the passage of time we are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.  I would urge anyone who knows the whereabouts of Jordan, or who may have any information which could assist in us finding him to contact Police Scotland or Crimestoppers”.

Police Scotland can be contacted on 101, or alternatively please contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police Scotland has officially named the victim of the fatal collision on Thursday 27th March around 9pm on the A71.

41 year old John Higgins died as a result of the crash, and his family have released the following words.

“John Higgins was a devoted father, loving son, brother, nephew and wonderful uncle. He will be dearly missed by all his family and the rest of the West Calder and Polbeth community”.

Enquiries are still ongoing and again we would like to appeal for witnesses who may have seen the Silver Vauxhall Vectra in the Polbeth area prior to the incident.

On Wednesday 2 April 2014, the Edinburgh branch of the No More Page 3 campaign is holding a free evening discussion of media objectification and its consequences.

Actress and writer Lucy-Anne Holmes, the founder of the national No More Page 3 campaign, is travelling to Edinburgh to speak about her experiences of media sexism and of campaigning for change. She will be joined by University of Edinburgh lecturer Dr Tom Webster and a representative from Hollaback, a movement to end street harassment.

Lucy-Anne set up the No More Page 3 campaign in 2012, prompted by her realisation that during the Olympics the largest image of a woman in The Sun newspaper was not of one of Team Great Britain’s incredible medal winners, but of a young woman clad only in her pants, pouting seductively from the paper’s page 3. It started as a petition on change.org, politely asking the editor of The Sun to “drop the bare boobs”.

She could hardly have imagined the momentum the campaign would gain. Now, it has more than 51K followers on social media while the petition has gained over 186,000 signatures. The No More Page 3 cause has received high profile support from a vast number of organisations as well as many celebrities including Jennifer Saunders, Caitlin Moran and Russell Brand. This week, campaigners received a letter from the Scottish government saying it is ‘supportive of the “no more page three” campaign, and we will continue to prioritise our work to tackle gender inequality and violence against women.’

Wednesday’s event provides an excellent opportunity to learn about media sexism and possible ways of making change, as well as being a chance to discuss thoughts and ideas.

‘Boobs aren’t news: media, power and page 3’ will be held on 2 April 2014, 6.30-8pm in Lecture Theatre 3, Appleton Tower, 11 Crichton St, Edinburgh EH8 9LE

Reserve your tickets here: http://bit.ly/1g3vIRs

Booking is recommended as seats are limited.

For more information or images contact Ceris Aston, coordinator of the Edinburgh No More Page 3 campaign, at ceris_nmp3@outlook.com

Follow the No More Page 3 campaign @nomorepage3

Submitted by Ceris Aston

The Forth Bridges Festival’s attempt to stage the ‘World’s Biggest Sit Down Lunch’ has been given a massive boost as the organisers Queensferry Ambition have confirmed they will receive £25,000 from the Homecoming Scotland 2014 Food and Drink Fund.

The Festival was one of a number of Homecoming events awarded money from the special £250,000 fund dedicated to promoting Scottish food and drink in 2014 announced by Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead.

The world record attempt will take place on Saturday 13 September 2014 as part of a ten day celebration of Scotland’s iconic bridges to celebrate the 50^th birthday of the Forth Road Bridge.

The ‘Scotland Welcomes the World’ lunch will provide a feast of entertainment for participants across two locations in North and South Queensferry.  Attendees will enjoy a traditionally Scottish Homecoming-themed lunch while dressed in 1960’s outfits to honour the Road Bridge which was opened in 1964.

Richard Lochhead, Rural Affairs Secretary said:-“The Forth Road Bridge is one of this country’s most iconic landmarks and what better way to celebrate its 50th birthday than with another icon of Scotland – our fabulous array of food and drink. Our magnificent natural larder continues to attract huge interest abroad and helps to market Scotland to the world as a Land of Food and Drink – an important ingredient as we encourage people to celebrate their Scottish heritage during Homecoming. Our local communities play an integral part in the food and drink industry and it’s great to be able to support them by bringing events to their areas.”

James Withers, Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive said: –“Scotland’s food and drink community is hugely excited about 2014.  Homecoming events, alongside the Commonwealth Games & Ryder Cup, provide the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase Scotland as a ‘Land of Food and Drink’.

With surging interest at home and overseas in Scottish produce, next year’s events will be a real culinary celebration, shining a light on our talented producers.  We’re ambitious and we want to set a new benchmark for quality catering at big events.  And there is no better place to do that than at the ‘World’s biggest sit-down lunch’, which should be a feast of world class, local produce.”

Malcolm Brown, Chair of Queensferry Ambition said: –“Queensferry Ambition is grateful for the funding received from the Homecoming Food and Drink fund.  This will ensure that this superb one off event is a real success and uniquely showcases Scottish Food and Drink.  The world might only be with us for a few hours but we will leave a lasting impression of true Scottish hospitality and a real flavour of these great and historic towns.”

Photos Gareth Easton Photography 07752 666 522