Wave energy company Aquamarine Power has launched a recruitment drive to support the next phase of developing their Oyster wave energy technology.

The Edinburgh firm, which is currently testing its Oyster 800 full-scale wave machine at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, is seeking eight experienced engineers to join their core engineering, design and project team, together with an operations technician based in Orkney and a research fellow to work at the company’s academic base in Queen’s University Belfast.

“These are exciting times for our company,” says company Chief Executive Officer Martin McAdam. “This summer we went through an extensive refit of our Oyster 800 machine which has yielded very positive results and we are now looking to further improve the machine’s reliability and durability, and begin the design of our next-generation Oyster 801.

“To do this we need skilled, experienced engineers to join what is already a tremendously enthusiastic and talented team. We have made no secret of the challenges involved in making machines that can harness the enormous power in ocean waves, and what we need now are technically strong individuals who can bring experience from other fields to help us in our quest.

“Each job offers a genuine opportunity to make a difference and change forever the way our future energy is made,” McAdam concludes.

In addition to their test site at EMEC in Orkney, the Edinburgh firm has gained all consents to develop a 40MW wave farm off the Isles of Lewis, which would require up to 50 Oyster wave energy machines.

All jobs are permanent positions and come with a package of benefits including company pension and healthcare.

Aquamarine Power’s backers include electricity utility SSE and ABB, one of the world’s largest power and automation companies.

For full details of the positions advertised, please visit: http://www.aquamarinepower.com/work-with-us/

Following a phenomenal response to ‘Sleigh The UK 2012’, The Wonder Stuff have announced that they will once again join their two old sparring partners, Pop Will Eat Itself and Jesus Jones, for another run of UK shows in December 2013, calling at The Picture House in Edinburgh and O2 Academy venues in Sheffield, Bristol, Birmingham and O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.

The Wonder Stuff’s front man, Miles Hunt, says, “… so I guess my dream of doing a summer tour of the UK has been scuppered once again. Yet another run of December shows with snotty noses and freezing cold feet… Only joking! I’m thrilled to know that The Wonder Stuff will be joining PWEI and Jesus Jones for another run of O2 Academy shows next year. I think it’s a dream bill for a lot of people, and I include myself in that. Can’t wait!”

Pop Will Eat Itself’s Graham Crabb adds, “We look forward to getting together again with old friends in December 2013 to sleigh the UK yet again. It will be great to get to a few new cities too, BRING IT ON!!”

“When we were first asked to do the Sleigh the UK gigs – we said yes immediately. It’s been the dream line-up of bands for so many people, and it was great to be able to be a part of it, and help make it happen. We’re absolutely delighted it’s going to be happening again, 2013 is going to be bigger, better, and even more fun. See you all down the front!” Mike Edwards, Jesus Jones.

They are playing: Edinburgh Picture House on Tuesday 17 December  7pm  Tickets £22.50 + fees  Tel 0131 221 2280

www.seetickets.com/event/sleigh-the-uk/the-picture-house/709336/

Photograph by George Taylor.

Places can now be booked for the National Museums Scotland’s Annual Open Evening, which will take place at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh on Thursday 21 November.

National Museums Scotland’s Annual Open Evening offers visitors the opportunity to get behind-the-scenes insight into the Museums’ work. They can hear about future plans for ten new galleries of science technology and art and design at the National Museum of Scotland, plans to redevelop two Second World War hangars at the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune and details of further international exhibitions at the National Museum.

The event will be hosted by National Museums Scotland Chairman, Bruce Minto, and an overview of National Museums’ future plans will be given by the Director, Dr Gordon Rintoul.

This is a free event but advance booking is essential. To book tickets please email events@nms.ac.uk. Tea and coffee will be available on arrival.

National Museums Scotland’s Annual Open Evening

Thursday 21 November 2013, 6pm to 8pm

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

ADMISSION FREE

Two men have been arrested and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act after Police Scotland recovered cannabis and heroin in the Leith area yesterday.

Local officers carried out searches at four addresses in the Hamilton Wynd area and seized dealer quantities of both drugs from within.

A four-figure sum of cash was also recovered along with items of stolen property including a high-value bike and computer gaming equipment.

Officers are now following a positive line of enquiry in relation to the stolen goods and the men aged 55 and 46 will appear in court at a later date.

Inspector Kevin McLean said: “As part of our commitment to community engagement, local officers in Leith listened to residents in Hamilton Wynd, who told us their concerns surrounding drug crime and associated offences.

“To address these concerns, Police Scotland carried out yesterday’s searches and two men have been charged as a result.

“We will continue to act on the information we receive from the public and anyone wishing to report crime in their area can contact us on 101 or alternatively call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

At Tuesday’s press conference at Easter Road, whilst Terry Butcher was charming the media and spelling out his vision for the future, and Rod Petrie was insisting that he was head and shoulders above any other candidate; Maurice Malpas sat quietly at the table looking as if he would rather be elsewhere. The reason was that he would rather have been elsewhere.

The former Dundee United defender who spent the majority of his career under Jim McLean is a football man through and through, and whilst he is comfortable speaking to the press, he much prefers being on the training ground, doing what he does best; coaching players.

Having spent the morning at East Mains, Malpas was like a kid at Christmas who has had to leave his toys and visit relatives, but when Butcher and Petrie left to speak to the TV cameras, he took over and spoke passionately about his reasons for turning down the chance to become the Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager and what he expected or rather demanded from his new team.

He said: “I’m a football guy who likes being on the training field and the facilities here are unbelievable. And it’s not anything to do with money. It’s about the things here that Caley couldn’t give me. That’s why, as soon as Terry asked me, I said yes.

Since winning promotion, Inverness has never finished below Hibs, a statistic that Malpas is desperate to change he insists that the lessons learned at Tannadice during his playing career will stand him in good stead.

“I hear people saying you’ve got to play the Hibs way. For me it’s about playing to win. Jim McLean was the first person to drum into us about doing this or that but you had to be a winner. You had to win the game; otherwise everything else was a waste of time. Why play well but get beat?

“That’s the mentality we’ve got to get into the fans, the players – it’s all about winning. There will be days when we’re flying and it’s great to watch. And there will be days when it’s absolute drivel but we still expect to win. That’s the mind-set.”

“If I hear any player say they can’t do it, then they’ll get a size eight boot up the backside.”

Malpas got a bird’s eye view of his new charges from the Easter Road dugout last Saturday as his Inverness team easily disposed of Hibs, but at that time his future was unclear.

He continued: “The uncertainty of last week was difficult for me. I didn’t know what was happening. Terry was in discussions from Wednesday but I didn’t know if I was going or not, whether I would get a chance to go, or whether I would get a chance to be manager if I didn’t.

“It was a sleepless week for me, an uncomfortable week, and, when they still hadn’t agreed the compensation, Kenny Cameron came to my house and asked me (to become the ICT manager). We had a fantastic discussion about it but, when I came to the club with Terry, we always said we would leave together, whether that was getting kicked out together or moving together. As soon as he said it was done and dusted, it was an easy decision for me.

“I want to be at a club that’s got a chance to win trophies. Caley Thistle have got a great chance this season, but I just felt the potential here is far greater.

“I had five great years there and I thoroughly enjoyed them. The chairman and the board have been fantastic and helped us every time we asked for something. It’s like a family there.

“The chairman asked straight out if I wanted to be manager and virtually straight away I said ‘no’. I had been thinking about it, but I just felt that was the right decision. It was my gut feeling.

“The opportunity to come here was far greater than my desire to be a No 1 again. The potential here appeals to me. The facilities excite me too. Some mornings up at Fort George you’re lifting goals and your hands would stick to the goalposts. I walked out my office this morning on to a training ground and I hadn’t done that in 20 years of coaching. That might seem simple and trivial, but it’s a massive thing to me.”

So what can the supporters and players expect from Terry Butcher?

“He’s passionate – a lunatic at times but that’s just the passion. He demands from players what he demands from himself – give it your lot.

“He can accept people losing if they’re giving everything. You can’t demand a player plays well every week, but we can demand they work hard. He’s got a great drive and desire. Sometimes you come in in the morning and he just drives you on. He’s a breath of fresh air.

“We work well together and enjoy that. He’s good at what he’s good at, I’m good at what I’m good at and the two of us seem to gel. We have a ball. Everyone wants to enjoy their work and we certainly do that.”

 Free tickets for St Andrew’s Day – Edinburgh College winning awards – Art Exhibition – Bryan Ferry – Appeal for gardening tools

Thousands of tickets to Scotland’s top attractions up for grabs to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day! Free tickets available for historic sites in Edinburgh and the Lothians

Some of Scotland’s best-loved heritage attractions will be giving away thousands of free tickets to people who pre-register online as part of this year’s St. Andrew’s Day celebrations.

Blackness Castle, Craigmillar Castle, Dirleton Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Linlithgow Palace and Tantallon Castle are among the 35 participating Historic Scotland properties which will be offering the opportunity to apply for tickets to gain entry for up to two adults and three children through a pre-registration process.

A special website is now live, offering people the chance to apply for tickets to some of Scotland’s most iconic heritage sites. It will remain open until 5pm on Friday, 29th November.

People can apply for tickets for either Saturday 30th November or Sunday 1st December. In order to ensure a quality experience for visitors, the number of pre-registered tickets will be capped at each site. This includes 7,000 per day at Edinburgh Castle and 3,500 per day at Stirling Castle.

There is no limit to how many sites can be applied for, although visitors are being urged to be quick to register so they don’t miss out on the chance to visit a great historic property for free.

Stephen Duncan, Director of Commercial and Tourism at Historic Scotland said:-“The Ticket Giveaway is a fantastic way to celebrate the St. Andrew’s Day weekend.

“There is a huge array of different sites to visit and with visitors able to pre-register for tickets for up to two adults and three children in a single transaction, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy many of Scotland’s historic properties for free.”

“The tickets won’t be around for long though, so we’d encourage people to be quick to register so they don’t miss out on the chance to visit their favourite property of choice.”

The Ticket Giveaway is part of the Scottish Government’s Winter Festivals programme, which celebrates three of the country’s most distinctive festivals; St. Andrew’s Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said:-“Scotland has some of the most diverse heritage in the world – from global icons, such as Scotland’s number one paid-for tourist attraction, Edinburgh Castle, through to island abbeys such as Iona.

“Each site has a fascinating story to tell, from Stirling Castle which was home to many of the most famous Stewart Kings and Queens through to Skara Brae in Orkney, one of the best preserved prehistoric villages in Europe. Meanwhile, our countryside – from the Blackhouse in the Western Isles to the magnificent Borders abbeys – is dotted with reminders of Scotland’s past.

“The Ticket Giveaway is a great opportunity for people to enjoy the heritage on their doorstep, or venture further afield, as part of the wider St. Andrew’s Day celebrations.”

***

Edinburgh College has won two prestigious prizes at a national education awards ceremony, recognising its strong links with industry and outstanding achievements in innovation.

At the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Star Awards, the East Lothian Hospitality and Tourism Academy – a partnership between Edinburgh College, Queen Margaret University and East Lothian Council – won a Highly Commended Award in the Partnership category. The college also won a Highly Commended Award in the Innovation category for a scheme providing industry mentors for students.

The annual SQA Star Awards honour inspirational achievements and commitment from colleges, schools and training organisations across the country.

The East Lothian Hospitality & Tourism Academy caught the judges’ attention because of its close links with industry partners and the benefits these relationships can bring to young people. The academy has benefited from vital support from large hotel groups such as Marriott, Jurys Inn, Novotel, Mercure and Macdonald hotels and resorts, as well as Edinburgh’s own luxury hotel Prestonfield and the Royal Mile’s Fraser Suites.

The initiative, which is now in its second year, exposes young people to the wealth of jobs in hospitality and tourism industries by giving 16-18 year olds the chance to train at college, university and in industry. The success of its first year attracted government funding of £4.6m, which has seen the initiative expand  to many more schools across Edinburgh and East and Midlothian, and the Scottish Borders and include other areas such as health and social care and creative industries. Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College are partners in all the new academies.

Ray McCowan, vice principal at Edinburgh College, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised by the SQA Star Awards. The academy is a pioneering project and has been a great success.

“The academy represents partnership working at its very best. It brings together the vision of two educational organisations and a local council, as well as harnessing industry expertise. The college realises the vital importance of strong links with industry and it’s partnerships like these that give our students the vital experience and skills to succeed in a highly competitive industry.”

In its first year, 30 out of 34 students successfully completed the academy. Of the 30 successful students, 18 continued to study the HNC in sixth year, four moved to Edinburgh College to study the SVQ2 in Professional Cookery and eight took up employment in the industry. There are now 163 students across all of the academies in Edinburgh and the Lothians in the fields of creative industries, health and social care, cookery and food science and nutrition, with a new academy planned for engineering.

The college has a number of successful graduates within the field of hospitality and tourism, including James Thomson OBE, owner of Prestonfield.

Celebrating Edinburgh College’s other honour, Visual Communication lecturer Helena Good said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Highly Commended Award at the SQA Star Awards. Our mentoring programme was established to develop a strong working relationship between our students and industry and it’s brilliant that it has been recognised in this way.

“Before the mentoring programme was introduced, the first contact that students had with industry wasn’t until their end-of-year exhibitions. Now we are introducing our students to the key players in leading design agencies from an early stage. This gives them an invaluable experience in working with professionals throughout their course and an insight into how the industry works.”

Helena added: “Since the mentoring programme began, we have won more than a dozen national and international awards including the Scottish Marketing Student of the Year for a second year in a row and four D&AD (Design and Art Direction) nominations, the creative industry’s flagship awards. One of our student’s work was also commissioned by the music brand Goji and is now being sold on high streets across the UK.

“As the initiative gains success, it has attracted more interest from industry. Our work placement programme has become much easier to manage because so many of our recent graduates have secured good agency positions and are a testament to the employability of the students we produce.”

SQA chief executive, Dr Janet Brown, said: “Once again I have been overwhelmed by the quality our finalists’ achievements. Some have overcome challenging personal circumstances and defied expectations while others have shown incredible initiative and commitment to succeed in their chosen disciplines.

“More than ever, qualifications are an essential component of an individual’s successful progress from education and training into further study and employment. Our Star Awards ceremony is an opportunity to congratulate learners on their achievements but also acknowledge the fantastic work of our centres – schools, colleges, training providers and employers who deliver our qualifications – and the people who give learners the guidance and encouragement they need to realise their potential.”

***

There is an art exhibition at Adam House which is a fundraiser for Cancer Research UK. The majority of paintings come from Edinburgh and Lothians but artwork also comes from Yorkshire, the Borders and the West of Scotland, and from abroad.

This year’s art exhibition will take place from Tuesday 12th to Saturday 16th November and will be open from 10:30am to 5:30pm (4.00pm on the Saturday).

***

Succinct review of Bryan Ferry at The Usher Hall yesterday evening? Ferry is the epitome of coolness, and continues to reinvent himself. Now appearing alongside the Bryan Ferry Orchestra (who provided the music for the film The Great Gatsby earlier in the year) he can still play his mouth organ with a supreme air of  sophistication.

The second half contained more recognisable numbers than the first which had the Usher Hall crowd on their feet and storming the stage (knocking the odd walking stick out of the way…)   He left them calling for more, but just had time for one encore.

***

The charity Fresh Start has issued an appeal for gardening tools on their website. They have an allotment but nothing to dig it up with. Can you help?

HELP! We’re due to start work on the new Fresh Start allotment – but we’ve got no tools!

The allotment at the Food Station at Harrison Place will help to provide us with food for our new cooking classes.

But we need to get it ship shape first and with the cold snap still to come we’re keen to get going.

We desperately need: digging spades and forks; shovels and rakes; shears; hand tools (forks/trowels/divers); wheelbarrows; lawn mower; and a water hose.

We’re also keen for anyone’s donations of  old boots and wellies of different sizes, gardening gloves and large umbrellas!

 

SCOTLAND RUGBY STAR SIGNS THE CLEAN UP EDINBURGH PLEDGE

Scotland Rubgy squad member Ross Rennie took time out from training for this weekend’s Autumn Test match against South Africa to pledge his support for the Clean Up Edinburgh campaign.

He signed the pledge not to drop litter on behalf of his team-mates and the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) next to Murrayfield stadium in Roseburn Park.

The Council’s most significant anti-litter campaign for several years is supported by Keep Scotland Beautiful and is a call to action to residents, businesses and community groups to play their part in changing behaviour and attitudes about litter. One of the main aims will be to get as many signatures as possible on the pledge to either bin or recycle litter, which can be signed here or at #CleanUpEdinburgh.

Clean Up Edinburgh organisers want to encourage as many people as possible to join the campaign’s first event, a host of mass community clean-ups taking place across the city, on November 29th. Find out where you can join in at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/litter, or get advice and support such as litter picking equipment for organising further clean-ups on the same day.

Passengers at Edinburgh Airport yesterday were treated to a royal welcome with the arrival of Mary Queen of Scots in the international arrivals area.  The famous Scottish monarch visited the airport to provide entertainment to people arriving into Edinburgh and provide information about her exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland.  The event runs until Sunday 17 November so there’s still time to find out something about Mary.

Mary, Queen of Scots events

Spotlight on: Ballad of the Five Marys

This event is now fully booked.

Date: Thurs 14 November

Time: 14:00 (1 hr), doors open 13:45

Venue: Seminar Room, Level 4, Learning Centre

Cost: Free.

Donald Smith, Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, presents his contemporary fiction exploring the central issues of Mary’s reign as seen through the eyes of others.

Saturday Showcase: Iconic Queens

Date: Sat 16 November

Time: 13:30 (2.5 hrs), doors open 13:15

Venue: Auditorium, Level 1

Cost: £10/£8 Concessions and Members. Tea and coffee included.

Book online or call 0300 123 6789

From 16th century portraits to modern reconstructions, visual representations of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth have taken many forms. Discover more with the expert panel

Chair: Maureen Barrie, National Museums of Scotland, co-curator of Mary, Queen of Scots

Alison Rosie (archivist, National Records of Scotland), Dressing for success? Mary Queen of Scots’ wardrobe

Tarnya Cooper (chief curator, National Portrait Gallery, London), Image making and Queenship: Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots

Caroline Wilkinson (Professor of Craniofacial Identification, Dundee University) and Janice Aitken (animator, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design), Reconstructing the past: creating a 3D virtual portrait of Mary during her personal reign in Scotland

Jackie Lee (director, Artemis Scotland), Bringing history to life through costumed interpretation.

Mary, Queen of Scots lectures for groups

Cost: £5 per head (45 mins). Please note this does not include entry to the exhibition.

Enhance your group visit to our Mary Queen of Scots exhibition with an illuminating introductory talk by a museum expert. Available for adult groups (minimum 20, maximum 60) on specified weekdays only. Information and booking on 0131 247 4041 or  tours@nms.ac.uk.

Booking tickets

Booking tickets for paid events online or by telephone will incur a £2.25 booking fee per transaction. Booking tickets for free events online will incur a £2.25 booking fee, but telephone bookings are free. If you book tickets for any event in person at any of our museum sites, you will not be charged a booking fee.

This week’s photo is a classic view of the Castle and the Ross fountain by Loron Black!

The Stockbridge Photography Club is a non-profit photography club that aims to operate in a different way from the traditional photography club mould. They have informal monthly meetings where they discuss their photos over a cup of coffee and learn about the month’s theme.

Outside of this, they arrange photowalks and trips to various locations and landmarks in and around Edinburgh, providing their members with something interesting to photograph, whilst always having someone on hand to answer any questions.

Their exhibition is ongoing, and Rosie McKenzie has kindly extended the running time. Why not pop into her gallery on St Stephen Street? Everybody is welcome, and all proceeds go to charity.

More info about the club is on their website.

Submitted by Stockbridge Photography Club

Friendly, Wednesday 13 November 2013 – Tynecastle Stadium

Hearts took a break from the battle of trying to avoid relegation from the SPFL with a friendly game against German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg at Tynecastle on Wednesday evening.

Billed as a fund-raiser to help the club hopefully come out of administration, the German visitors were top class opposition for a team that has struggled for much of the season. Yet, Hearts youngsters were far from overawed.

The best chance of the first half came when Wolfsburg’s Caligiuri missed a penalty five minutes from half time.

Hearts Jamie Walker, as he did at Aberdeen on Saturday, proved a tricky customer with his darting runs on the wing while goalkeeper Mark Ridgers proved more than an able deputy for Jamie MacDonald.

The best chance of the game came 12 minutes from the end when Evseev had time and space in the penalty box but contrived to drag his shot wide.

Hearts themselves had chances, particularly Brad McKay whose header went wide towards the end of the game.

Hearts brought on Adam Beith, Billy King and Sam Nicholson in the second half as manager Gary Locke sought to give more of the even younger Hearts squad a run out. A special mention for young goalkeeper Jack Hamilton who made his first team debut, coming on for Mark Ridgers, and who made a fine save moments after coming on.

All in all, a useful exercise for Hearts who matched quality opposition all the way. And a big thanks to the crowd of 5,535 who contributed to Hearts financial cause on cold, windy Wednesday November evening.

Hearts: Ridgers; McKay, McGowan, Wilson, Hamill; Smith, A. King, Tapping, Walker; Robinson; Stevenson.

Wolfsburg: Grun, Ochs, Schafer, Klose, Caligiuri, Dost, Lopes, Polak, Kutschke, Evseev, Seguin..

Referee: Brian Colvin

Top men and women: The Hearts supporters who made a big commitment to their team six weeks before Christmas.

Hundreds of Edinburgh’s homeless households have been helped settle into their new homes thanks to generosity of local schoolchildren – who were recently honoured for their community spirit.

St George’s Lower School for Girls received a Community Volunteer Award from Edinburgh’s homelessness resettlement charity Fresh Start for its support in helping previously homeless families make a house a home.

Children from the school have collected items to go in Fresh Start’s Starter Packs for the last few years, providing invaluable support for the charity, which survives on donations to be able to make up the packs.

Every year, Fresh Start makes up and distributes around 9,000 packs, which provide the basics for new households to survive.

Keith Robertson, Managing Director, said: “The support of St George’s Lower School has meant hundreds of new households in Edinburgh have been able to make a house a home. These packs provide basics like bedding to keep warm at night, curtains to close the world out, crockery to eat dinner on.

“Without the kind of community spirit show by St George’s Lower School, we would struggle to continue to be able to provide the support we do.”

Head of Lower School Marjorie Hall said: “It’s been an honour to help provide goods for the packs – all the school children who have taken part have learnt a lot. They make houses to provide the goods in, which helps them to make the connection between being homeless and getting a house. It’s an important life lesson for them – that homelessness can happen to anyone.”

The school’s award was one of a number of awards, given out at the charity’s annual Volunteer Awards on Friday (November 8).

Every year Fresh Start volunteers, staff and directors nominate volunteers to get an award – Starter Pack Volunteer, Hit Squad Volunteer, Church Representative Volunteer, Community Volunteer and Corporate Volunteer.

Other award winners were:

Evelyn Scott from Colinton, who received an award for being an outstanding Starter Pack volunteer.

Tony Shephard from Abbeyhill, who received an award for being an outstanding Hit Squad volunteer. These volunteers help to decorate homes of Fresh Start clients.

Jack Simpson from Craiglockhart, who received an award for his work as a Church Representative.

The award for Corporate Volunteers went to Lloyds Banking Group.

Mr Robertson added: “At Fresh Start we depend on the support of our volunteers and the donations that come in, which is why we take a moment each year to honour those who help us so much.”

PHOTO: Two representatives from St George’s Lower School for Girls pick up the school’s Community Volunteer Award from Fresh Start Convener Russell Barr

The capital is on its way to becoming a dementia-friendly city after a plan was approved to help improve the lives of people with the condition throughout Edinburgh earlier this week.

There are currently around 7,142 people with dementia in the city and it is expected that this number will increase by 62% over the next 20 years. With this in mind, improving services for people with dementia is a key priority for the City of Edinburgh Council, as it looks at ways to meet the needs of an aging population.

The report, which was considered by the Council’s Health, Social Care and Housing Committee, outlines the need to increase awareness of the issues that affect people with dementia and to challenge some of the stigmas attached to the condition.

In order to become a dementia-friendly city, the Council will reach out to retailers, public transport providers and partners in the health and voluntary sectors to provide advice about how to help people and service users with dementia. They will be given advice and information about how to help customers that may need extra assistance if they become confused or agitated.

For example, some people with dementia may find it difficult to explain what they need or to recognise bank notes, so they may need extra help and patience. It can also be helpful to move to a quieter area of the shop or office as background noise can be problematic. By ensuring that people throughout Edinburgh are more aware of the small things they can do to help, it is hoped that the city will provide an understanding and welcoming environment for all people living with dementia.

A series of leaflets and promotional materials will be produced to provide advice to residents and organisations throughout Edinburgh.

Convener of Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Ricky Henderson, said: “With the number of people with dementia continuing to increase, we must ensure that the complex needs of people with the condition are met.

“In order to achieve this and business continuity, on a city-wide basis,  it is vital that we work closely with the private and voluntary sector to make sure that Edinburgh is a friendly and welcoming place for people living with dementia, whether they are accessing support services or going about their daily activities such as shopping and taking the bus.

“I hope that as we work towards becoming a dementia-friendly city, we can challenge some of the stigma and misconceptions about dementia by raising awareness about some of the small things people can do to help make life easier for people living with condition.”

Another important aspect of the plan is to make sure that people are well informed of the support services available if they or a family member is diagnosed with the condition. Early diagnosis is vital to ensure that people access the support they need to be able to manage living with dementia and live as independently as possible.

The Council’s is currently addressing this through a Dementia Implementation Plan, which aims to enhance post-diagnostic support and recruit ‘Link Workers’ to assist people with the condition and their carers. It is hoped that by publicising these services as part of the dementia-friendly city campaign, more people will come forward to access the support available to them.

A programme of enhanced training will also be developed for staff across the Council to improve the quality of care for people with dementia and create tailored services to meet their needs.

Helen Hay, Regional Manager for South East and Central, Alzheimer Scotland, said: -“Alzheimer Scotland are delighted to be involved in this far-reaching initiative to make Edinburgh a dementia-friendly city.

“The dedication and enthusiasm shown by those involved bodes extremely well for the project. Local need, local knowledge and local commitment are at the heart of every successful dementia-friendly community.”

 

Today the Edinburgh Reporter can exclusively reveal that after almost 200 years delivering gifts around the world to all the well behaved children on December 24th, Santa Claus has this year decided to add to his prodigious workload by releasing his first ever album.

Bringing together elves and members of staff from his day job to create band ‘The Christmas Crackers’, Santa has selected a number of original Christmas tunes for the LP. He’s also chosen a number of his own favourite tunes to cover, including ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’, ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’, ‘So Here It Is Merry Christmas’ and more. There’s even a seasonal version of Carl Douglas hit ‘Kung Fu Fighting’, re-titled ‘Christmas Shopping’, which has received high praise from Douglas himself.

Santa told the Edinburgh Reporter:  “So ‘hear’ it is ‘Let there be Christmas’ my very first album, which with great pleasure I dedicate to the young at heart of all ages.

“I thought it time we put some festive fun back into Christmas as it’s all become far too commercialized for my liking and I don’t know about you but I was getting a bit tired of hearing the same old songs year after year and believe me I’ve been listening a lot longer than any of you. It seemed to me that the traditional Christmas tune had been somewhat overlooked in this techno world we all now live in so I thought I’d come up with one or two songs myself which are guaranteed to make you smile and put yuletide spring in your step. I must say I have really enjoyed my first excursion into the world of Pop n’ Roll. Think I might do it all again next year? Merry Christmas and Happy listening. “

 [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE_5olxeKZI?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360]

The Crackers work happily alongside the many thousands of Santa’s little helpers at the family distribution centre in Lapland. They  all have special talents and Santa chose them for their beautiful singing and dancing skills that have helped give this album that special Christmas sound.

Christmas Cracker Abbi works in the packing department and can’t stop singing and dancing all day long.

Christmas Cracker Sarah loves animals and looks after Rudolf and all the other reindeer often singing them to sleep.

Christmas Elf Tony wants to be a mechanic when he grows up and keeps Santa’s sleigh in good working order while practicing his scales.

Christmas Cracker Laura is one of Santa’s many secretaries processing the millions of letters and emails they receive every year.

‘Let There Be Christmas’ is released November 25th from all good download sites.

A new scheme focused on raising children’s awareness of science is being piloted at Queen Margaret University.

The ‘Researcher in Residence’ scheme is part of the University’s community outreach work and involves children aged 10 – 11 at a local primary School.

Three QMU researchers visited children at Towerbank Primary School in Portobello, where the young academics created fun, interactive sessions which demonstrated aspects of their research projects.

The challenge for the researchers is in making PhD level research accessible to primary children.  However, the academics obviously hit the mark with their entertaining sessions as feedback from teachers and the children was overwhelming positive.

Zoe Roxburgh, speech researcher, used two different types of technology to show children what their tongues were doing inside their mouths during speech. This included pioneering ultrasound technology developed at QMU as well as an iPad app that showed the general motions the tongue, throat, and mouth made when saying certain sounds.

She explained: “Through the use of an ultrasound scanner, children, for the first time, were able to view all the different shapes that an actual tongue makes when forming different sounds. For example, they were able to see where the tip of the tongue was when creating the sound ‘L’ as well as tongue movement at the back of the mouth to form the sound ‘G’. The children seemed to really love the visual stimuli of the ultrasound as well as the iPad app as they were able to mimic exactly what they were seeing on the screens.”

Zoe also tried to raise awareness amongst the children that there can be a huge variation as to how different people speak and suggested that they shouldn’t be too quick to judge people on the way they sound.

Two researchers from Dietetics and Nutrition also had great fun with the children exploring different aspects of taste and diet. The school pupils especially enjoyed the food rainbow which raised awareness of different food groups.

Dr Wendy Beautyman, Lecturer in Researcher Development at Queen Margaret University, said: This is a brand new community engagement project and brings science to life. It emphasises the relevance of QMU’s research work by showing the children how science has a very real part to play in their everyday lives.  When, for example, the children stop to think about how you actually form certain words or taste certain foods, they begin to understand how science affects everything.”

Dr Beautyman continued “This is a great opportunity to encourage the children in our local community to raise their aspirations. The researchers can clearly show the children how their work affects people’s health and quality of life. Hopefully, we are giving them an insight to the variety of science-based careers which are now available, as well as providing a glimpse of some of the fascinating work which goes on within the University. Maybe, we will inspire the children, especially from non-traditional backgrounds, to believe that a future place at university, or within the field of science, is within their grasp.”

Hibernian today announced a new initiative developed to give fans the chance to have a motivational message displayed within the inner sanctum of Easter Road Stadium forming a mass of positive words to inspire the players.

‘The Hibernian FC Tunnel’ is a grouping of personalised Team Talks set within the tunnel area of Easter Road Stadium. The Team Talks will display a choice of five positive and inspiring words consisting of either a five word sentence or display 5 separate words such as  ‘GLORY GLORY TO THE HIBEES’ or  ‘HERITAGE PRIDE COMMITMENT PASSION GLORY’

Each unique Team Talk is 230mm wide x 165mm high and printed at high quality directly onto an aluminium panel and includes the name of the author.

They costs £50 Including VAT and supporters can buy as many Team Talks as they like.

Any words up to 11 characters in length can be included (as long as it is polite, Hibernian F.C. reserves the right to veto any messages). No defamatory remarks.

The Hibernian Tunnel Team Talk will last indefinitely. The Team Talk that purchased will be in situ for 5 years.

The club are planning to install the first phase of The Hibernian Tunnel in March / April 2014 (subject to the level of Team Talks purchased at this time). Thereafter, future phases will be announced on the website.

Fans can also buy a framed certificates give them a permanent reminder of their Team Talk as installed with the Hibernian Tunnel.

Framed certificates will cost £25 and this includes delivery to your nominated UK address within 28 days of placing your order.

Team Talk will be printed and installed on a first come basis. Each Team Talk will be laid in the next available location. However, families and friends wishing to be grouped together within the tunnel should purchase Team Talks as one multiple order.

The location of each Tile will be mapped and fans will be able to download a reference guide confirming the whereabouts of your Team Talk within the scheme.

Hibernian will announce plans for an Opening Ceremony and future unveilings nearer to the first installation date as well as details on how you can see you Team Talk in situ.

An actual sample of the final product will be on display by mid November 2013 within the Hibernian Clubstore at Easter Road Stadium.

A statement on the club website reads: “Today, Hibernian is delighted to launch the next phase in making Easter Road Stadium proudly and uniquely ours – ‘The Hibernian Tunnel – Your Team Talk’.

“Informed by feedback for the now completely sold out ‘East Terrace’, the players’ tunnel area was seen as a vital area within the stadium worthy of enhancing.

“Although the project has been developed for several weeks, new Manager – Terry Butcher has already agreed the project fits solidly into his football vision and he is the first to submit his very own ‘Team Talk’. ‘Your Team Talk’ is guaranteed to be in the best possible company and your involvement might just make the difference to…

Local families and children in Edinburgh have just a few more days to donate their pre-loved toys to the Argos Toy Exchange in support of children’s charity Barnardo’s Scotland.

The Christmas initiative, which kicked off in October and ends on Tuesdays 26th November, encouraged parents and children of Scotland to donate unwanted toys to their local Argos, or Barnardo’s store and receive a £5.00 gift voucher off a spend of £35. Money raised from the sale of the toys donated, will go directly to support the local and national work of Barnardo’s Scotland.

Gerard Cousins, Barnardo’s Director of Retail and Trading said: “We have been delighted with the response we have had from the public since the Argos Toy Exchange was launched. The quality of the toys donated and numbers of bags received has been amazing.

“There is now only one week to go and we really need to pull out all the stops to reach our goal, so for those who haven’t yet donated, please have one last look for those unloved toys and donate to your local Argos or Barnardo’s Scotland store.

“Christmas can be a difficult time for many, particularly those living in poverty with children, and every penny raised through the sale of these pre-loved toys in Barnardo’s stores will go directly towards our work with some of the UK’s most disadvantaged children and families.”

Amy Whidburn, Head of Corporate Responsibility for Argos, said: “As the UK’s number one retailer we know the important role toys play in a child’s life, especially at this time of the year. By supporting the Toy Exchange Argos customers will be making a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable children across the UK.”

Until next Tuesday (26 November), donated toys can be taken to Argos stores and Barnardo’s retail stores, where members of the public will be able to swap their unwanted toys in exchange for a £5 voucher, which can go towards the cost of new toys (minimum £35 spend) to be redeemed at Argos by 24 December 2013.

For more information about the Toy Exchange, visit www.argos.co.uk/toyexchange.

A green-fingered chef who specialises in bringing a taste of the garden into the kitchen has been shortlisted for a UK-wide award.

Ben Harrison is renowned for using fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and other plants grown on site in his creations at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), where he is head chef with fine dining and hospitality specialists, Sodexo Prestige.

Now his work in the Gateway Restaurant and Terrace Café at RBGE has earned him a place on the shortlist for the Sports and Leisure FSM award, an industry accolade recognising the UK’s top contract caterers.

Fraser Sharp at RBGE, who put the popular chef forward for the award, said: “Ben has displayed the traits and skills every successful chef should have.

“His role is highly demanding and requires great levels of adaptability and patience. He is also a perfectionist who sets the highest standards, all reasons why he is shortlisted.

“Over the past four years, Ben has built up a fantastic reputation at RBGE for his innovation and dedication. He is passionate about using fresh, local and sustainable produce to create menus and offers that are genuinely popular with customers.

“His work incorporating produce from our ‘Edible Garden Project’ matches and reflects our increasing demand for ethical and green credentials.

“We are extremely proud of the work Ben has done with the team here at the Gateway and he richly deserves his place as a finalist. We wish him the best of luck on the night.”

Ben started his career as a sous chef with Sodexo Prestige in 2003 and worked his way up to become head chef and played a leading role in the 2009 opening of the Gateway Restaurant.

He has played an important part in every aspect of the planning and coordination of the award-winning venue, including setting out the highest standards and service levels.

He also helped with the design and operation of the kitchen and pulls together bespoke menus.

Those regularly include ingredients from the “Edible Garden Project”, which aims to help people grow their own fruit and veg and offers visitors’ advice on how to start their own garden at home.

It has enabled Ben and his team to incorporate fresh ingredients such as rainbow chard, rocket and purple sprouting broccoli into the dishes served in both the restaurant and cafe.

Ben said: “I am thrilled to have been shortlisted for this award as it’s really a reflection of all the hard work and dedication I’ve put in here at RBGE.

“I am passionate about using sustainable and fresh food in all my dishes when possible, so having the ‘Edible Garden Project’ so close to our kitchen is brilliant.

“Whatever is fresh and in-season in the garden we can use in our dishes and it makes a real difference to the quality and taste of all our food.

“It has been a real team effort to make the restaurant so successful here at RBGE and I hope I can make them all proud by taking home something from the awards that we can celebrate together.”

The FMS awards are being held in London’s Grange Hotel at Tower Bridge on Monday 25^th November where three nominees from each of the 13 categories have been invited to attend to see each of the winners announced.

Sodexo Prestige is the corporate dining, hospitality and events division of Sodexo and partners with 17 top class venues in Scotland – and 50 across the UK – including the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Hampden Park Stadium and Perth Racecourse. It also provides catering hospitality for The Open Championship, one of the world’s biggest golfing events.

RED FORT – BUFFET BARGAIN & BOYB

Drummond Street is an eclectic mix of businesses in the Southside of the City.  The coffee shop on the corner of the main street is legendary as a regular haunt of J K Rowling prior to her worldwide success.  Nestled between an “adult shop” and a popular pub which houses a “cinema” for cult movies, is a long standing favourite Indian Restaurant of mine, Red Fort.

Red Fort’s speciality is its buffet which, over a period of several years, has offered virtually the same mixture of starters, vegetarian options and a mixture of lamb and chicken dishes for the carnivores amongst us.  The format is simple, have as much as you want of the food available with no time pressures.  Included in the deal is a soft drink, coffee or tea finished off with an optional ice cream. An  a la carte menu is also available.

The standard of the food is consistently good. My personal highlights include the chicken wings/thighs coated with Indian spices.  For the vegetarians among us the vegetable jalfrezi with large chunks of potato and cabbage is excellent.  If you prefer something more substantial and spicy, the lamb curry with potato is another personal favourite.  Even the basic fare, i.e the brightly coloured pilau rice and the naan bread with some “burnt bits” are very good.

Service is light touch as you would expect of a buffet, but the owner is regularly present, welcoming the many regulars which are a mixture of students, families looking for a value for money experience and many “single” visitors seeking a weekly (or in my case twice or three times a week!) curry fix.

As for price, there are no hidden surprises here, £7.95 for the package at lunchtime, £9.55 in the evening.  Given the quality of the fare offered this surely must take some beating within Edinburgh city centre.

Another bonus is their relaxed BYOB policy with no corkage! A local Tesco Express on the main thoroughfare can be used for wine  or beer to accompany your meal.

In summary, if you  are looking for a varied but consistently high standard of Indian food in simple surroundings at a bargain price, Red Fort will not let you down.

You can see the full menu on restaurant finder website Zomato.com by clicking here.

Red Fort 
10 Drummond Street,
EH8 9TU,

Phone
0131 558 8014
0131 557 1999

Email
info@redfortedinburgh.co.uk

Johnston Press which owns The Scotsman, The Edinburgh Evening News, Scotland on Sunday and the Midlothian Advertiser, among many other titles, has announced operating profit up 7.8% on the same period last year.  The figures announced today are a statement of interim figures for the 18 week period to 2 November 2013, and are of course subject to alteration in the company’s final accounts.

There have been mutterings from Holyrood Road that all Edinburgh based photographers have been asked to accept voluntary redundancy terms, and that another swathe of redundancies among journalists is being negotiated.  Industry publication, Hold the Front Page has reported that 40 editorial staff are being axed at the three major Edinburgh titles. This coincides with a tweet from the union involved.

Union reps working closely with JP management to discuss new ways of working & minimise the impact on Scotsman titles in face of 40 job cuts

— NUJ Scotland (@NUJScotland) November 11, 2013

The costs of running the newspaper giant have been reduced by £30m in the year to date, and in the Midlands the digital advertising revenue has outstripped the declining print revenues, which is encouraging news for all of us who are online.

Commenting on the Interim Management Statement, CEO of Johnston Press, Ashley Highfield said:-“I am pleased to report that our growth strategy is making good progress and has delivered encouraging results in the period.

Digital revenue growth remains a priority and the Midlands reaching a “Tipping Point” in local display advertising is a highlight for the business. It remains a key goal for the whole Group to reach the point where digital growth will offset any further decline so we can return to overall top-line growth.

With the refreshed print titles and websites, averaging monthly audiences of over 25m, and new digital products and services, we believe that Johnston Press remains as relevant to local communities and advertisers, both local and national as it has ever been.  We also continue to focus on reducing our cost base whilst increasing our investment in our digital future.”

Ashley Highfield joined the Board as CEO in November 2011. He was previously Vice President of Microsoft, Director of New Media and Technology at the BBC and Managing Director of Flextech (now Virgin Media) Interactive.

Mr Highfield holds the position of Non Executive Director of William Hill plc and he is a Governor of the British Film Institute.

Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council, has been named as one of the UK’s top public leaders in The Guardian Public Service Awards competition. Although Ms Bruce did not win the category of Public Service Award for Leadership Excellence outright, she was one of four eminent runners-up. The others were Keir Starmer the outgoing DPP, Lynne Owens Chief Constable of Surrey police and Mike Bracken executive director of digital at the Cabinet Office.

The winner was named in London last night as Carl Haggerty who is digital communications manager for Devon County Council, and who has been responsible for opening up local government data to the public.

The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to Sue Bruce this morning who said:-“I am delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. Local government make a real difference to the lives of people every day and effective leadership is a key part of this. Whilst this is a personal nomination, it really reflects upon the talented teams and dedicated individuals with whom I have worked throughout my years in the public sector.”

Proving that after a disappointment you just have to pick yourself up and get on with it, Ms Bruce was making a presentation this morning in London at the Invest Edinburgh property breakfast….

Chief Exec Sue Bruce promoting Edinburgh at the @InvestEdinburgh London breakfast seminar. pic.twitter.com/SKdPVnOIM8

— Frank Ross (@FrankRoss06) November 13, 2013

Ms Bruce was commended for leading the council through a particularly difficult period. Her nomination mentioned her qualities to drive forward the council’s services and to motivate her staff. She was appointed to the board of utility company SSE earlier this year, a non-executive directorship which is regarded by the Council Leader, Andrew Burns as a positive commendation of Ms Bruce’s abilities. Her time spent working on the SSE board will be taken from her annual leave, and her salary is to be donated to Edinburgh charities.

Lord Smith of Kelvin the SSE chairman said that Sue Bruce has “an outstanding track record as head of an organisation that provides services on which hundreds of thousands of people depend and also makes significant capital investments.”

Sue Bruce took up her current position at the beginning of 2011, having previously been Chief Executive at Aberdeen City Council and East Dunbartonshire Council. She began her local government career with Strathclyde Regional Council in the 1970s spending the early part of her career in social and economic regeneration and then in the wider education field.

Sue has also held a number of senior positions, serving in the Strathclyde Regional Education Directorate until local government re-organisation in 1996 after which she held the post of Depute Director of Education with East Ayrshire Council.  In 2000 she joined East Dunbartonshire Council initially as Strategic Director responsible for Education, Housing, Social Work and Cultural Services and had a corporate lead role in social inclusion and equalities.

In May 2010 Sue received the Prince’s Business Ambassador Award for 2010 and again in 2011 from HRH The Prince of Wales and in October 2010 was recognised as the Scottish Public Sector Leader of the Year Award at the Scottish Leadership Awards.

Ms Bruce is also on the shortlist for another award which will be announced tomorrow. She and the CEO of Edinburgh based firm Skyscanner, Gareth Williams, are on the list for the Chief Executive of the Year Award run by HR Networks.

Police Scotland have cordoned off part of Leith Walk following a call in the early hours of this morning regarding a female who might have been injured.

When the officers attended they discovered some blood on the pavement but no trace of the woman concerned.

Enquiries are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances although at this time there is nothing to suggest that anything sinister has taken place, and the police say that the injury could merely have been caused by a minor accident or something like a nose bleed.

For years, it seems like Scottish cinema had sort of bubbled under the filmic radar as Hollywood took centre stage. Then, there was 2013. As films such as Jon S. Baird’s ‘Filth’ and the utterly lovable ‘Sunshine on Leith’ premiered, it seemed we had finally reached a much needed cinema renaissance.

Adding to these features is an entirely different film: the compelling debut feature of Paul Wright, For Those In Peril.

Aaron, a teenage lad living in a rural fishing community is distraught after a fishing boat accident that killed his brother and several others – the only survivor being himself. Forced to live with the guilt of surviving in the close knit town, Aaron seeks solace in folklore and local tales, in the hope that they will lead him to his brother.

Fife-born Paul Wright has exquisitely used his seaside roots to make this film feel so emotionally rife and authentic. The twisted blue hues of the cinematography are paired with stark, emotional profile shots that let you dive into the characters’ souls. Visual aspects aside, the cast is simply magnificent. George MacKay plays potentially the most torn and destroyed Scottish character cinema has seen this year in the lead role as Aaron. His mother, finely played by Kate Dickie, is the human glue that holds the film’s heavy story together. She’s never over-dramatic, but plays the role with a subdued, realistic skill – only truly letting go when a real mother would.

With a stunningly crafted soundtrack, Wright’s script and camerawork make For Those In Peril a heavy, somewhat depressing film that is sensational if you stick with it.

It shakes your innards, and holds you by the throat refusing to let go even after the credits roll. Make no mistake, For Those In Peril may be heavy going, but it’s one of the best things to come out of Scottish cinema in quite some time.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTGM9CX_Ugs]

Plays from Friday 15th to Thursday 21st November at Filmhouse, Lothian Road

Photo courtesy of Protagonist Pictures

Hearts joy at defeating Aberdeen on Saturday was tempered somewhat with the news that young midfielder Jason Holt will not play again until the New Year following a fractured first metatarsal – a broken bone in his foot to use a less medical term.

Holt, who has been a major player for Hearts this season, was injured during a training session at the club’s Riccarton complex and X-rays confirmed the news everyone at Tynecastle had feared.

Manager Gary Locke said:- “Jason has had a scan and the bad news is he is likely to be out for possibly 10 weeks, although there’s a chance he may return sooner. Given the size of our squad we always knew injuries would be a problem but we’ll just have to get on with things.”

The absence of Holt, who had been attracting the interest of Nottingham Forest among others, is a huge loss to Hearts who, despite their impressive win in the Granite City on Saturday, are 13 points behind Kilmarnock in the SPFL.

Hearts take on German side FC Wolfsburg at Tynecastle on Wednesday evening in a game arranged to raise funds for the club. Tickets are available on the night of the game with kick-off at 7.30.

Robert Louis Stevenson – Portobello High School – Ceilidh date for your diary – Blood Donors – Lazarowicz on East Coast

Now we know that this is Movember, but today you should be sporting your Robert Louis Stevenson moustache… and you can get one here…..

There are many, many events today to celebrate the author’s birthday, and details of most of these (and they go on all day!) are here.

We spoke to Professor Linda Dryden last week about the event that Edinburgh Napier University are running tonight.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayVeb7538jY?list=UUpyjaNvEF_ryiKTJ6QxCkIA]

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Today at Holyrood the 5th meeting of the City of Edinburgh (Portobello Park) Bill Committee meets. in Committee Room 5 at the Scottish Parliament. You can book a public gallery seat if you wish by phoning 0131 348 5200 or through Visitor Services.

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Calling all blood donors! Today you can go along to St. Columba’s Parish Church, Hillhouse Road, EH4 3QR

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Reprivatisation of East Coast: Mark Lazarowicz MP hits out at Government dogma and calls for profits to be reinvested to improve service

In a debate on the future of the East Coast Line today, Mark Lazarowicz MP highlighted the good record of the public sector company running the line and called on the Government to ditch ideology and allow it to remain publicly operated. He also said the profits which East Coast trains make which are returned to the Government could be used to improve the infrastructure of the line, such as overhead line, so as to cut delays.

Mark said:-“The East Coast Line returned £209 million to the taxpayer last year – that’s the UK taxpayer at a time when 10 out of the 18 UK franchises are run by companies owned by the German, Dutch or French state run rail companies. It also received the second lowest government subsidy of any train operator underlining that a public sector company can be a success and not a drain on the state. Set that against private companies twice previously having to give up the contract for the line because they found they weren’t able to make it pay.

“This is a chance to modernise the infrastructure of the line which was electrified on the cheap in the 1990s under the then Conservative Government in order to cut delays. Far better to let the public operator reinvest its profits to the taxpayer and for those resources to be used to build an even better service rather than wasting time and money on reprivatising it.”

An Edinburgh cycling forum has reported a booby trap of two clothes lines at high and low level which has caused at least one cyclist to fall off his bike on the cycle path behind Tesco at Davidson’s Mains.

Alex Robertson who first spoke of  the hazard said there were also logs strewn around the path to distract cyclists from seeing the danger. The cyclist then removed the ropes and reported the matter to the police.

Members of the forum wonder why the path is unlit, and we have asked the council for comment this evening.

Councillor Jim Orr who is the council’s cycling spokesman said:-“I’m shocked to hear about these reckless actions.  This is one reason why it is important that the debate is not polarised between “cyclists” and “others” as this can provoke sensible people to do things on impulse they later regret.  We all share roads, footways and pathways and we should be encouraged to respect each other at all times.  We also need to strike the right balance between funding active travel and motorised travel.  They are mutually compatible.”

One female forum member commented:-“Yes it’s unlit and still gravel/unmade. Wobbly ride through in the morning. Since the clocks went back I’ve only ventured through once in the dark and it creeped the hell out of me. A dangerous spot indeed.

“There’s another unlit section at the DM park at the top of the hill. Brings you out at traffic light junction at Queensferry Road. Again, I won’t go through it as scary in the dark and no idea who’s lurking around in there.”

One other member had the answer:-“Just avoid this stretch of path completely and take the official Sustrans route a little further to the north along Cramond Road South. Far safer, and at least lit and surfaced properly.”

Have you seen anything like this on cycle paths around the city?

Have you come to grief on a cycle path because of it? Then please get in touch.

theedinburghreporter@gmail.com

One of Edinburgh’s up and coming bands the 10:04s say that they like Joy Division and Arcade Fire. Well they really can stand on their own two feet because their music is now judged so good that they have been asked to play on the main stage at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay…..

We caught up with Steven Bolton after a bus tour of Edinburgh (it was cold!) when three of the band members entertained us, and asked him about the New Year gig.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dskhjj8kEI]

Time to get your tickets is now. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay tickets are on sale from the website and you can get more information on the Concert in the Gardens here.

Education Convener Paul Godzik on what you need to do to get your child registered for school!

“This week is an important week in the school calendar for all those parents and carers of nursery school children. It’s Registration Week at all primary schools across the city and if your child is due to start school in August 2014, you must register your child at your catchment school this week.

I hope parents will register their child at their local catchment school rather than expecting to get them in another school in a different part of the city. As many readers will know there are less out of catchment requests being granted due to increased space pressures and parents need to be aware of the risks associated with making such requests.

So I’d encourage everyone to register their child at their local school and support their local community instead of making an out of catchment request.  Last week all the primary schools opened their doors for parents and their pre-school age children to look round as part of Primary Schools Open Day. The feedback from staff and parents has been very positive. I’m delighted that so many were able to see at first hand the benefits of sending their children to their local school – not just for the families involved but for the community where they live.

A great example is Castleview Primary School in Craigmillar which in a recent inspection by Education Scotland was rated as one of the best primary schools in the country.

Broomhouse Primary School is another example of a school being at the heart of their community. The school operates a fantastic initiative called the Big Project which offers daily after school activities encouraging creativity in the expressive arts for Broomhouse children.

The Council had a record low number of placing requests last year which illustrates the growing recognition among parents that the days where you could choose which primary school you wanted your child to go to have gone.

Rising primary school rolls and pressures on classroom spaces will be with us for many years to come so it’s vital parents play their part in helping us tackle this issue.

With school rolls in the city predicted to rise by around 15% by 2019 – bringing our primary school population to over 31,000 – local catchment schools are the most suitable option.

All of our high schools offer a high quality education and your input as a parent can help make your local school better!

Register your child at your local catchment school.”

PLEASE NOTE: Registration has to be in person and everyone should contact their local school to find out what time they can register.

When deciding the school you wish your child to attend, there are a number of important points you need to consider.

• Placements are allocated to children based on their residence at the time of allocation. All parents must provide proof of residency for a catchment place when they register their child for school.
• Your child is only entitled to a place in the primary school where they attend nursery if you live in the catchment area.
• Catchment places will only be guaranteed to children living in a primary school catchment by 28 February 2014.  Where a denominational Roman Catholic school is oversubscribed, priority will be given to catchment baptised Roman Catholics.
• If your placing request is successful for one child, this does not guarantee that requests for younger children will be successful.  This could mean that your younger children would attend a different school to their older brother or sister – would you be able to manage the school run to two different schools?

Terry Butcher has been appointed as the new manager of Hibernian, replacing Pat Fenlon who resigned two weeks ago. As expected, Butcher will be joined by Maurice Malpas who will take over as his assistant after compensation was agreed with Inverness Caledonian Thistle over the weekend.

The announcement was made by chairman Rod Petrie at a packed press conference within Easter Road, and the former England captain wasted no time in spelling out his vision for the future.

Butcher said: “I want to get the players playing good football and playing with a pride and a passion, being a difficult team to beat first and foremost. Stamina style and steel. Look at Saturday’s Caley Thistle team and you would say that they had that in abundance and that’s something we want to instil in our players here.

“There are some good players here and it’s a great club. We want players to want to get into this team and when they do stay there and to do that they have to have a level of performance that we are happy with.

“The first target is to get into the top six and see where we go from there after that. At this moment in time people playing Hibs probably think they have a fair chance of three points but we want to change that mentality and we want to be a team that people hate playing against by being organised, strong with bags of effort and with boys that can play a bit as well. That’s what we want. That’s a start and we will see where we get.

“I’m excited about the future and what we can achieve at Hibernian – it’s a great honour to be appointed the new manager of the club.

“I’ve been really impressed with the set-up; from the training facilities through to the stadium, everything is in place and now our goal is to deliver the success on the pitch that everybody wants.

“We want everybody associated with Hibernian – players, staff and supporters – to all pull in the same direction and to implement a winning mind-set.

“This is a big football club with big expectations, but with energy, enthusiasm, desire and focus I believe we can rise to the challenge ahead and win.”

“Once I was taken round the training ground which is a superb facility and something that you dream of as a coach and a manager. This is what you are looking for, allied with the fans, the history and the potential of the club and the thing that we have to get right now is the team. A lot of the blocks are in place, it’s a very proud club and we want to make the fans proud of the team again and I think we have to give them a lot more on the pitch which we will do.

“There are good players here and some are low in confidence. Some need a bit of a cuddle and some need a kick and what we are doing at the moment is assessing their character and strengths but already at the first training session today the intensity was good and James McPake was flying in with a few tackles which was a bit scary at times but was good and we can see that they have a hunger and desire and with our help and tuition they can improve, and they will improve and get more confidence because that is what is lacking.

“The players are very willing and keen and they are fed up losing and want to get back to their winning ways and enjoying their football and being together.

“Some of the boys have been called away on international duty but will be back in on Monday and the hard work really starts then as we prepare for St Mirren.

“The first thing we said to the players today is that we want you to work harder than any other team in the league and to do that you have got to be fit and you’ve got to be strong and that’s what I want. After Saturday’s performance there’s only one way to go and that’s onwards and upwards, but it takes time and the players have got to know what we are about.

“Owain Tudur Jones has told them all about Maurice (Malpas) and his running and hard work but it is hard work and everybody has got to work harder at the club. It’s not rocket science; it’s very simple, basic stuff.  Maurice is a fantastic coach, the best coach in Scotland for me and under his coaching and the way that he gets the players to work; they will know that they have to train at a really intense standard. What I want to see is a really hard working team but a team that can pass the ball and put the ball into the box and score goals. Goals have been hard to come by but we will work on that.

“Hibs are one of the best clubs in Scottish football and we want to match their aspirations with results and performances on the pitch.

“I’m looking at these players to cut the spending on potential newcomers in January to a minimum so they are playing for their careers, they are playing for the jersey, they are playing for the fans and they are playing for the club.

Chairman Rod Petrie said he was delighted to have appointed both Butcher and Malpas: “Terry is vastly experienced in Scottish football and an outstanding leader of men.

“He inherits a talented squad of players and we believe he has got the managerial skills and motivational qualities required to develop them as players and as a team and move the club forward.

“We’ve appointed a first-class management team to deliver continued success here at Hibernian.”

HARDIES PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS – celebrate civic reception held in its honour by Edinburgh City Council – a celebration of 100 years in business

Although the firm already held an event at Edinburgh Castle in March to kick off its 100th Birthday Celebrations, Hardies Property & Construction Consultants, one of Scotland’s largest multi discipline surveying firms, has enjoyed a special congratulatory reception held in its honour by Edinburgh City Council at the City Chambers.

Attended by Bailie Norman Work, who represented the Lord Provost, the reception was the culmination of Hardies’ celebrations which have also included local events in various parts of the country such as a reception at The Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian in October, to recognise Hardies many contacts and relationships in Midlothian over the decades and to thank them for their support. Still to come are civic receptions in Dunfermline and St Andrews.

“We are very honoured that Edinburgh City Council has chosen to hold this event for us,” said Derek Ferrier, Hardies Managing Partner, who is based at Hardies Headquarters in Edinburgh.

“We have tried to spread our celebrations throughout the year but it is in November that the actual 100th Anniversary falls – November 1913 was when the firm was founded in Fife by John Gordon Hardie who was a former footballer for Heart of Midlothian,” said Derek.

“This event has been a real highlight for our staff and my fellow Partners. It has been a chance for us to gather with staff past and present, former Partners and our many suppliers and clients over the years,” added Derek.

A magnificent cake with 100 candles was cut at the reception. It was made by renowned Fife bakers Fisher & Donaldson. “The cake prompted many comments,” said Derek. ”For a start it had to be very big to accommodate 100 candles. Feedback was that it also tasted delicious too!”

During the evening Councillor Work welcomed Hardies and proposed a toast to the firm. Derek Ferrier responded on behalf of the company during which he highlighted many of Hardies successful projects in Edinburgh and the Lothians over the years such as Tigerlily, The Penicuik Centre; the Out of the Blue Arts Centre and numerous local Primary Schools as well as affordable housing contracts.

“We are delighted to still be in business after 100 years which is a great achievement in today’s world,” said Derek. “The firm has grown steadily to become Scotland’s leading multi discipline surveying firm and has withstood two world wars and numerous highs and lows in the economy.” “Projects in Edinburgh and the Lothians have always been crucial to us and we appreciate the tremendous support shown by Edinburgh City Council over the years and in providing this reception today.

Hardies, a Limited Liability Partnership with seven partners, serves clients in both the private and public sectors with a complete operation in property and construction development, including property valuation, building and quantity surveying and project management. The firm also handles the leasing and sale of commercial and industrial buildings; CDM Co-ordination and the provision of Energy Performance Certificates.

Hardies now has fourteen offices in Scotland stretching from Fife, Lothian and Tayside to Glasgow, Paisley and the West. A new office in Galashiels was opened to cover the Scottish Borders several years ago. Hardies has also recently expanded into Aberdeen and in Dundee acquired WJR Christie & Partners who retain their well known trading name in Tayside. Altogether, Hardies employ ninety members of staff, with fifty eight professionally qualified in various disciplines.

Police in Edinburgh are issuing a warning to the public to remain vigilant for a fraudulent charity collector.

On Wednesday 6th November, a man attended at the Tesco store in Meadowplace Road and claimed to be collecting donations for the Sara’s Hope Foundation.

However, staff became suspicious when the male could not provide suitable identification. He left the area before they could challenge him further.

Enquiry has revealed the same individual may also have attempted to collect money at supermarkets in the North East of England and in Manchester in recent months and police are keen to ensure people do fall victim to this scam.

PC Colin Cursiter said: “Fortunately the member of staff at Tesco was vigilant and the suspect was unable to falsely collect money from shoppers at the store.

“Officers are now trying to trace this male and anyone with information that can assist with our enquiries is asked to come forward.

“Members of the public are reminded to check the identification of any charity collectors before donating money.

“If you are not entirely satisfied with their authenticity, or the authenticity of the charity they claim to represent, then do not hand over any money and report the individual to police.”

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