A 50-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a theft from the Post Office in Milton Road West.

She has also been charged with wasting police time following the report of an incident at the store on Friday 25th October.

Officers carried out a robust investigation into this matter and are satisfied that no further police action is required.

The woman is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

Hibs’ fans reacted with fury following yet another derby defeat to near neighbours Hearts in the quarter final of the League Cup at Easter Road last night. The dejected players left the field to a crescendo of boos as scarves were thrown onto the pitch after the final whistle and a number of supporters protested outside the West Stand, demanding the removal of manager Pat Fenlon.

The same supporters had been in fine voice ahead of the game in which they were expected to win comfortably, and a spirited rendition of ‘Sunshine on Leith’ greeted the teams.

Fenlon replaced influential forward Paul Heffernan, who was cup-tied with Rowan Vine, and Tom Taiwo took over from Abdellah Zoubir, whilst Gary Locke sprung a surprise by announcing that midfielder Ryan Stevenson who had limped off during Saturday’s defeat to Kilmarnock was in the team, albeit with a heavily strapped leg.

Hibs started brightly in front of a packed Easter Road, and James Collins’ powerful header crashed off the post in the 5^th minute before Ryan McGivern set up a shot for Rowan Vine, which he stabbed just wide of the woodwork.

Jamie MacDonald did well to block a low drive from Robertson, then came to the rescue again seconds later with a world class save to touch Robertson’s shot onto the underside of the crossbar.

It looked only a matter of time before Hibs scored as Fenlon’s men dominated possession.

Gary Locke’s men then took the lead against the run of play in the 33^rd minute with a magnificent goal from Stevenson who lashed in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box to the delight of the travelling supporters.

After the break, McGivern’s throw-in found Collins who sliced the shot wide and the Hibs’ fans started to show their disapproval with the striker who joined the club from Swindon Town in the summer for a substantial fee.

Hibs continued to press, without creating many chances, but Hearts always looked dangerous on the break and Kevin McHattie almost grabbed a second, but Ben Williams did well to hold his low drive.

Hibs should have equalised then when Vine set up Liam Craig, who found himself onside with only the Hearts’ keeper to beat, but MacDonald pulled off a superb point-blank save and the danger was cleared.

With eight minutes remaining, James McPake was sent off for a reckless challenge on Callum Paterson on the edge of the box and although Hearts failed to capitalise from the resultant free-kick, they easily held on to secure a memorable win.

After the game a group of around 150 Hibs fans protested outside the West Stand, demanding the removal of Pat Fenlon and the chants could be heard during the after match press conference where the under fire manager insisted that he had no plans to resign.

When asked whether this latest defeat to Hearts was a resigning issue a defiant Fenlon said: I’m not going to answer that, we didn’t win the game tonight, that’s all. I thought we played really well. We were tremendous in the first half, created four or five great chances.

“Their goalkeeper has made some great saves and they’ve scored a great goal. We’re disappointed we haven’t won but I can’t fault the players for effort. If you create four or five chances in a derby game, you expect to win it.

“There’s no problem with the supporters, they’re right do that, right to feel angry because we’ve lost. I’ve no problem with that at all. I don’t feel under pressure. I said before, when I took the job, that if I could take the team forward, I would do my best. If not, I’ve no problem with someone else doing that. So it’s not about pressure.

“You have to give my players credit tonight. They played tremendously well and I hope you give them some credit. I thought in the first half that our performance was different class. We’re just so disappointed that we didn’t get anything out of the game.

“You understand the fans protesting. That’s part of football. They are disappointed at losing to their big rivals and going out of the cup. You expect that. Of course I sympathise with them. They’ve been tremendous with me, they’ve been different class. I understand the ­frustrations.”

Hearts manager Gary Locke said: “I think it is one of the best derby results ever considering the age of the team. It was a great performance apart from the first 15 minutes. We need to start taking that type of performance into the league. Hopefully we can turn our season around. They are young lads and we were always going to take knocks this season. Hopefully, we can now go from strength to strength.”

A delighted Ryan Stevenson said: “With it being a derby, emotions were running high, and I felt I could play. I can imagine it will be sore again tomorrow. I was just delighted I turned and hit it and it went into top corner.”

Hibs: Williams, McGivern, Stevenson, Hanlon, McPake, Robertson, Taiwo, Thomson, Craig, Vine, Collins: Subs Murdoch, Forster, Zoubir, Caldwell, Jones

Hearts: MacDonald, Hamill, McHattie, Wilson, McGowan, Stevenson, Robinson, Patterson, Walker. Holt, McGhee. Subs: Ridgers, McKay, Carrick, Tapping, Nicholson

This is taking place in West Princes Street Gardens on 8 December 2013. Have you entered? Are you game?

Once more Scotland’s fundraising Santa’s will run, walk and stroll around West Princes Street Gardens, which is spread over a short 2km circuit, The Great Edinburgh Santa Fun Run is a great way to enjoy time with friends and family, whilst raising money for a deserving cause When You Wish Upon A Star.  And you don’t have to be a runner to take part.

Money raised from the event goes to When You Wish Upon a Star, which aims to grant the ‘Wishes’ of children throughout Scotland suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

The route is accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Children in push chairs and dogs are allowed. Prizes will be given for the “Best Decorated Push Chair” and “Best Dressed Dog for Christmas.”

Entry £15 Adults £15 (12yrs and over) includes Santa Suit to keep;

Junior £7.50 2yrs to 11yrs includes an Elf Hat to keep

Infant Free below 2 years old includes Elf Hat to keep

Please note there is a minimum sponsorship of £20. This does not include the entry fee.

• West Princes Street Gardens, by the Ross Bandstand
• Sunday 8th December 2013 at 11am
• Click to Register or call the Scotland Office on 01357 529 950

It is a short jog for the fit people among you – but beware – the suit (and that beard!)  makes you very hot when you’re running!! The Edinburgh Reporter’s best advice is not to wear too much underneath!

We also love this bit on the Santa Run website where they give you advice too:-“It is advised that an additional belt is brought along to keep the trousers up, to ensure they will stay secure throughout the run. Please carry on you an emergency contact number.” (presumably in case you lose your trousers….!)

It is a great event and you can find out more here.

Finance Committee meeting this morning – Lord Provost to host fundraising dinner – Pop up opera – It’s Hallowe’en! – Ian Rankin book signing at Waterstone’s

The Council’s finance committee meets this morning to check that the council is being run in terms of the budget agreed upon earlier in the year. All papers are here.

One of the decisions which they will have to make is to change the way that ICT service is provided to the council in future. In the past (and until 2016) the council is bound to a contract with BT and they get the majority of their technology from that one company. It is now being proposed that the council gets their technology from a variety of sources following a competitive process.

This part of the budget will cost the council £26m in 2012-13, and an update on what the council might do in the future will be made to the Finance Committee in February next year.

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A dinner to be hosted by the Lord and Lady Provost this evening is expected to raise thousands of pounds for local homeless charities.

Shelter Scotland and Four Square will each receive cheques following the fundraising event to be held at Steak Edinburgh restaurant tonight.

Ninety guests will hear from the Lord Provost and both of the charities about the ways the charities will benefit from the fundraising event. There is expected to be a lively auction and entertainment courtesy of 2007 X-Factor winner Leon Jackson.

Auction items included a night with Ian Rankin at Inspector Rebus’ favourite haunt, the Oxford Bar, fishing for one rod on the Queen’s Water at Balmoral and artwork by renowned Edinburgh artist Richard Demarco.

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A Little Bit of Don Giovanni is completely free, and no booking is required

Brought to life by a storyteller, a singer, two musicians and a series of colourful illustrations, A Little Bit of Don Giovanni follows Mozart’s famous cassanova from one conquest to the next.  But when his seduction of Donna Anna results in the death of her father, has he finally taken things too far? Touring Scotland this Autumn, alongside Scottish Opera’s full-scale production of Don Giovanni, this 20 minute bite-sized version of Mozart’s masterpiece is a perfect introduction for anyone new to opera.

Thursday 7 November at The Scottish Parliament and Friday 8 November at 3:00pm at The Italian Cultural Institute

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Hallowe’en today – if you’re going out guising then take care! Police Scotland have issued some safety guidance for a safe and Happy Hallowe’en.

Here is some simple guidance from Police Scotland for young people to ensure that Halloween passes safely and that anti-social or irresponsible behaviour is avoided.

Halloween has passed quietly in the last few years but there are still residents who are affected by the minority who behave anti-socially and ruin what should be a fun and family orientated time of the year.

Parents and young people are asked to consider the following advice:

• Stay in well-lit areas and consider carrying a torch.
• Don’t frighten elderly people or younger children.
• Don’t enter a house unless you know the person. Young children should always be with an adult. Older children should ensure they are with friends.
• If a sign says ‘No trick or treat’, respect that person’s wishes and move on.
• Be visible, it will be dark and it’s important that passing traffic can see you.
• If you have a mobile phone make sure you look after it so that parents/guardian can keep in touch.
• Tell your parents or guardian where you are going and what time you will be back.
• If you are given money keep it hidden away in a wallet or clothing.
• Remember that it might be raining so wear appropriate clothing that keeps you dry but still lets you show off your costume.

WATERSTONE’S EDINBURGH WEST END on Thursday, 7 November 2013, 12:30PM

Be the first to have a signed copy of the new Rebus! Ian Rankin will be at Waterstones Edinburgh West End signing copies of ‘Saints of the Shadow Bible‘. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Further details contact the shop on 0131 226 2666

For anyone unfamiliar with Dostoevsky’s original novel, the thing about Crime and Punishment is that there’s not a huge amount of crime – nor, indeed, a great deal of punishment. What there is, though, is quite a lot of philosophical mulling-over of poverty, politics, morality, freedom and many more big issues besides.

Thankfully, though, in Chris Hannan’s clear-sighted stage adaptation that’s at the Lyceum until 9 November, all those issues come across with laser-like clarity – and, more importantly, with a strong sense of urgency. We really care about the killer Raskolnikov’s intellectual musings behind his horrific act, and about his background in the startling poverty of 19th-century St Petersburg.

All of which is conveyed with striking freshness in Dominic Hill’s fast-paced and vivid production. Set on a bare stage, with a bizarre collection of musical instruments, makeshift doors and anachronistic hanging light fittings to all sides, it slickly assembles whatever’s needed for each scene before whizzing efficiently on to the next.

Likewise, Hill brings out vivid performances in his very strong cast – each richly characterised but stopping short of parody. Adam Best is mesmerising – and seldom off stage – in the all-important central role of Raskolnikov, a simmering bundle of energy and nerves held together by an intellectual obsessiveness that seems close to madness.

Cate Hamer straddles several parts with ease, care-worn as Raskolnikov’s mother Pulkheria and enjoyably smutty as the prostitute Darya. And George Costigan is a study in oily charm as the smiling detective Porfiry Petrovich, who’s got the measure of the killer from the start.

As a stage adaptation that rethinks things from the ground up in convincingly dramatic terms, it’s a spectacular success – as it is equally as a strikingly fresh, bold vision of theatrical possibilities.

Crime and Punishment continues at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, until 9 November 2013

DEMONSTRATORS in Edinburgh called on The Scottish Government to double cycling and walking funding to £40m in next year’s budget.

The ‘We Want to See Double’ campaign, organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), held the protest on Wednesday afternoon outside government offices at St Andrew’s House.

Concerned citizens walked, cycled and bussed into the city centre to take part.

Among them was Emilia Hanna (28) who explained why she was involved:- “I have a young son growing up in the city and I know that children are especially affected by traffic fumes and congestion. I want him to have a healthy future and to be able to breathe clean air.”

Eva Groeneveld (31) also attended. She described the benefits of walking and cycling:- “More active lifestyles, quieter and less polluted streets, safer roads, less carbon, a better environment for future generations.

“Sometimes it’s hard to understand why politicians don’t jump at the opportunity to invest more in cycling and walking. It makes so much sense.”

Edinburgh council cycling spokesman, Councillor Jim Orr (SNP), added his support:- “I’m in favour of all and any increases in cycling spend. Yesterday in Edinburgh we agreed to put 7% of the transport capital budget towards cycling. It has increased from 5% to 6% in the last two years. I’d endorse this incremental increase approach for any council or government.”

Gail Wilson, coordinator of SCCS said:-“At the end of this month, we’ll meet with the Scottish Government’s Transport Minister, Keith Brown, and Climate Change Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, to discuss the campaign in more detail.

“We will continue to put pressure on them and John Swinney over the coming months to double the budget next year for cycling and walking.”

Police described the demonstration as “good spirited” and estimated attendance at between 120 and 140.

Submitted by David Graves

Demonstrators gathered at St Andrew’s House today to deliver the message to the Government that more investment is needed for active travel, such as cycling and walking.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LQGg2Pc6PY?list=UUpyjaNvEF_ryiKTJ6QxCkIA]

Hundreds of concerned Scots turned out today calling upon the Scottish Government to double the budget for cycling and walking, or “active travel”.

Pictured are Edinburgh father Ryan Elfman (correct) with his son Finn (correct, aged 9 months)

Edinburgh mum Sarah Phizacklea and her 16 month-old son, Robin.

Gathering outside St Andrew’s House, campaigners urged finance minister John Swinney to double the funding currently available for active travel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.

The demonstration was lead by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) – a coalition of green and other charity groups and organisations.

Colin Hattersley Photography

Public Relations  –  Press  –  Corporate  –  Charities  –  Arts & Entertainment

07974 957 388
colinhattersley@btinternet.com
www.colinhattersley.com

EDINBURGH AIRPORT GETS 2013 SCOTTISH POPPY APPEAL OFF TO FLYING START

Edinburgh Airport’s iconic air traffic control tower has been turned red for all to see as part of a host  of exciting activities at the airport  to support the 2013 Scottish Poppy Appeal, organised by veterans’ charity Poppyscotland.

The 57m tower will be lit up in poppy red from dusk until dawn every evening until 11th November to raise awareness of the annual campaign which raises vital funds for Armed Forces veterans and their families living in Scotland.

Elsewhere in the airport, Poppyscotland’s stunning photographic exhibition, Unforgettable Stories, is on display in the departure lounge. The contemporary collection, taken by acclaimed photographers Trevor and Faye Yerbury, features black & white images of people from across Scotland, including serving soldiers, veterans and supporters of the charity, whose handwritten messages give insights into what the poppy means to them.

As well as poppies being available for passengers and staff alike, poppy collectors will be in the terminal on selected days and a range of Poppyscotland merchandise will be on sale. Check-in screens will also display messages of support for the campaign.

Edinburgh Airport has supported Poppyscotland for a number of years, with the operations team being heavily involved in organising the annual Remembrance Sunday event held at the airport’s model spitfire monument.

David Wilson, Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, and former member of the Parachute Regiment, said: “As an ex-serviceman the Poppyscotland appeal is a cause very close to my heart.  Edinburgh Airport has had a great relationship with the charity for a long time and I’m delighted we can work together again to raise awareness and highlight the wonderful work Poppyscotland does.”

Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising Colin Flinn said: “We are very grateful to Edinburgh Airport for the huge range of support they are giving to the 2013 Scottish Poppy Appeal. We need to raise more money every year through the Appeal and these exciting initiatives will certainly raise a great deal of awareness and give the campaign a welcome boost.”

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Poppyscotland’s largest fundraising event and money raised is used by the charity to provide direct financial assistance to veterans and their families and by funding specialist services in areas such as advice, employment, housing and health. Poppyscotland needs to raise more money every year through the Appeal and this year’s theme urges people to give up small, forgettable items like pizza, doughnuts or takeaway coffee and donate to the Appeal.

Staffed with volunteers the Re-Union boat set off from Edinburgh Quay determined to make a difference earlier this week. They were off on a canal clean up.

Armed with litter pickers, nets and sandwiches they were ready for anything.

In charge was Miranda Morgan who is the Voluntary Development Worker and who was in charge. After an amazingly tricky three point turn at Kingsknowe the boat moored up for lunch. At that point The Edinburgh Reporter disembarked and cycled back to Edinburgh Quay but what a lovely morning it was on the canal!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoiMbUj2_i0?list=UUpyjaNvEF_ryiKTJ6QxCkIA]

If you want to become a volunteer on the canal boats then there is information on the website. You can now book the Re-Union for Santa Cruises and all the details are on this poster.
http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/HW-PB-christmas-2013-pdf.pdf

Herriot, Brownlie, Schaedler, Stanton, Black, Blackley, Edwards, O’Rourke, Gordon, Cropley, Duncan. The names slip off the tongue as effortlessly today as they did forty plus years ago when they were thrilling football fans throughout the country and beyond whilst producing ‘The best brand of football the world’s ever seen.’

Seven of the team were internationalists, at a time when a Scotland cap was much harder to come by than today, and the reason that the other four were not had more to do with the fact that Scotland managers seldom ventured east of Harthill, than any lack of ability.

Managed by Eddie Turnbull, the team contained a mixture of experienced pros and youngsters, including a left sided midfielder whose skills and attitude soon caught the attention of scouts from south of the border.

Anyone privileged enough to have seen Alex Cropley break through from the reserves knew immediately that Hibs had found another special talent but the more pessimistic realised that his time at Easter Road would be limited, and that he would join the long list of talented Hibs’ players such as Colin Stein, Peter Marinello and Peter Cormack who would ply their trade elsewhere.

Slight of build, with distinctive long blond hair, Alex had the ability to kill a ball instantly and send a defence splitting pass to a colleague in one movement. He always seemed to be able to find space and appeared to know instinctively the best ball to give, and when no pass was on, he could take defenders on and fire in powerful shots from outside the box.

If that wasn’t enough however, Alex had the heart of a lion and never shirked a 50-50 challenge, invariably emerging with the ball against opponents twice his size. No wonder the Hibs fans adored him.

Pat Stanton always insisted that Alex was his favourite player in that team, and selected him for his ‘dream team’ in his recent book, ahead of players of the quality of Bobby Johnstone, Peter Cormack, Russell Latapy and John Collins. Describing Alex, he said: “He was magnificent to watch on full flight. When Alex got a head of steam up, he was a great sight. He would run at defences with his long hair flowing and he was virtually impossible to stop. Defenders must have been terrified as he burst into their space. He always reminded me of a fox going into a chicken run. The defenders he faced would have known how the chickens felt.”

Bob Shankly gave Alex his debut just after his 18^th birthday, but it was under the tutelage of Eddie Turnbull that he produced his top form.

Unfortunately his career was held back following a broken ankle suffered in a challenge by Falkirk’s Alex Ferguson at Brockville, an incident which according to reports resulted in Eddie Turnbull refusing to speak to Ferguson again.

The injury meant that Alex missed the 1972 Scottish Cup final defeat to Jock Stein’s Celtic, but he was in the team that gained revenge a few months later, winning the Drybrough Cup 5-3 then the League Cup 2-1 and the Drybrough Cup again 1-0, all against Celtic and all at Hampden within the space of a year.

During that year, Hibs also hammered Sporting Lisbon 6-1 at Easter Road and beat city rivals Hearts 7-0 at Tynecastle. Unfortunately, a few days after that historic game, John Brownlie suffered a broken leg and the legendry Tornadoes never appeared on the same pitch again.

In all, that team only played 22 games together, winning an incredible 19 and losing only two, one of which was the first leg against Sporting Lisbon.

Alex now drives a taxi in the capital, and kindly took time out from his busy schedule to speak to the Edinburgh Reporter about his career north and south of the border.

He said: “Looking back it was a privilege and a pleasure to play for Hibs. To wear that famous green shirt was absolutely magical and was a wonderful experience.

“I was part time when Bob Shankly was here, training on Tuesday and Thursday nights and played twice under him before his replacement Willie MacFarlane signed me full-time on a 3 year contract.

“Before Eddie Turnbull arrived we had a good reserve side and I was in and out of the first team but when he took over he transformed everyone. We were wonderful, we thought about the game a lot more, talked about the game a lot more and in my opinion it was all down to him. He transformed Hibs into a different level.

“He made me a player and the natural ability I had came out when he came to the club and I think you could say that with a lot of the players.

“In some games it was quite easy, and I’m not trying to be blasé about it, we were such a good side. The team was full of characters and great lads and we got on well with each other and when the big ones came up, although we sometimes got beat by the Celtic we were ready for them, we were that well trained and managed by Eddie Turnbull. It didn’t faze us; we weren’t scared of anyone we were that well drilled.

“The seven nil gave was unbelievable. I’ve not seen it for ages but when I do watch it, it brings it back how disciplined and drilled we were and although Hearts could have had two goals, we could have scored ten in the first half. Turnbull did warn us at half time, saying that you are a good side go and prove that you can do it again because that’s what good sides do, but unfortunately we couldn’t manage it.  Seven was nice but ten would have been better, but in saying that, Hearts were a good side too and to beat them seven nothing was an achievement.

“Most of the team were internationals and two or three of the team would probably have got into a British eleven and our captain Pat Stanton would probably have been the mainstay on that team because he was that good and people tend to forget that.”

In 1971, Alex created history along with Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson by becoming the first players to represent Scotland having been born elsewhere, yet he modestly suggests that his inclusion was more to do with boosting the crowd than his form at the time. Unfortunately, he would only play twice for Scotland due mainly to injuries against Portugal and Belgium as well as being an unused substitute against West Germany.

He continued: “I just feel than one cap was enough. One was as good as a hundred. I played for my country and wore the dark blue strip. I remember one night sitting in the dressing room after training when Bob Shankly said that he had put me forward for the Scotland Under 17s but then they had found out I was English and couldn’t play. I am English as I was born in Aldershot, and that was it at the time, end of story until two or three years later when the rules changed and I could play for Scotland then lo and behold I got a cap. I was playing quite well at the time as were the rest of the team, but I thought that it was a bit of a con by Tommy Docherty because he wanted the seats filled at Hampden and we were bottom of out section by a long distance and he wanted a good crowd so he brought on me and Bob Wilson, but I thought it was a gimmick to be fair.

“Thank goodness that he did because I did well enough to get my second cap against Belgium at Pittodrie. Kenny Dalglish came on for me and that was his first Scotland cap but to be honest he should have been capped a couple of years before that he was such a good player.”

Forty years ago last week, Hibs lost on penalties to Leeds United after two 0-0 draws in the UEFA Cup, despite outplaying Don Revie’s team, who many considered to be one of the best club sides in Europe, in both legs. Alex recalls these games clearly as well as many others in the famous green and white jersey.

“Leeds were a good side but we more than showed how good Scottish football was especially at Elland Road. It was a lovely pitch and we played really well and had the English press drooling about how good we were. Then we came up here and they just shut up shop and Billy Bremner had a great game and it’s a shame but we eventually went out to a very good side albeit on penalties.

“There were so many great games; it’s difficult to choose my favourite. The Hajduk Split game was good particularly as they turned out to be a really good team. Then there was Sporting Lisbon whom we beat 6-1 and the League Cup Final as we never gave Celtic a kick of the ball that day. The Hearts game at Easter Road when I scored two goals. It was great to get back into the dressing room after these games and the gaffer would give you a slap on the back and say well done. That’s all we wanted. It meant everything to me.”

In November 1974, a few weeks after Alex had scored against Juventus, Arsenal bid £150,000, a huge amount in those days, for his services and Alex headed to Highbury to the dismay of the Hibs’ fans. His replacement Ally McLeod turned out to be a very good player, but the difference was that Alex Cropley was a great player. The fee can be brought into perspective by the fact that a couple of years before Arsenal had broken the UK transfer record to buy England World Cup winner Alan Ball who was in his prime for £220,000.

Unfortunately more injuries hampered his career in front of the North Bank and he moved to Aston Villa where he helped them win the League Cup and became a fans’ favourite with the Holte End who had their own special song about him, “Five Foot Eight, Not Much Weight, Alex Cropley’s F***ing Great.” That Villa team which included fellow Scot Andy Gray are fondly remembered today, and a famous 5-1 victory over all conquering Liverpool is considered by many to be their finest ever performance.

Yet again however, Alex suffered a serious injury, this time in a derby against West Bromwich Albion at the age of 26 and although he returned to play again at the highest level, he never reached the same heights. A loan spell with Newcastle then a move to Toronto Blizzard and a brief spell with Portsmouth saw his career peter out, but he is still revered at Easter Road, Highbury and Villa Park.

Nowadays the gulf in standard between the top English and the Scottish teams is vast, but in the early seventies this was not the case, and not only did Alex join an inferior team after leaving Hibs, he never again found the level of coaching that he had become used to at Easter Road.

“Without a doubt Hibs were a better team than Arsenal who had won the double a couple of years earlier, but they were not in the same class as that Hibs team.

“Bertie Mee was a physio turned manager and he was a real gentleman, a really nice man but he always had a coach to go with him. He kept well away from tactics and left that to Bobby Campbell and Dave Sexton. Ron Saunders at Aston Villa couldn’t shine a light on Turnbull. When I went to Villa, the players decided how we played and the manager didn’t have much to do with us. His team talks were poor, and I always used to look back at Turnbull who was different class compared to the managers I had in England.”

Alex’ amazing career is covered in his authorised biography ‘Crops’ by Hibs’ Historian Tom Wright which is available from all good book stores from Thursday.

Police in Edinburgh have arrested and charged a 22-year-old man in connection with three alleged bogus workman incidents that have happened in the Capital.

In the most recent incident, which happened in the Clermiston area on Tuesday, October 1st, an elderly woman was defrauded of a three-figure sum of cash for work on her roof that was never carried out.

In the two previous incidents, which happened on the 11th of October and 16th of September, unsuccessful attempts were made to defraud elderly people in the Balerno area.

The man was arrested by officers from Operation Aristotle, an on-going operation aimed at tackling bogus callers in the city.  He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Wednesday, October 30).

Detective Sergeant Ben Leathes, from Police Scotland, said: “At this time we would urge anyone who receives an unsolicited call at their property by any individual claiming to be employed by a company or organisation to ask for identification.

“If they are still not satisfied, then they should deny them access, and contact the organisation they claim to represent to verify their identity.

“Similarly, if anyone has any suspicions over the intentions of any cold caller, then they should contact police immediately.”

Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Hibs boss Pat Fenlon is determined to get back to winning ways after Saturday’s defeat to Aberdeen, and insists that he has enough quality strikers available to combat the loss of Paul Heffernan.

Speaking to Hibernian TV ahead of the derby Fenlon said: “There is no better way to get ourselves back into that mode of winning derbies; it’s the quarter-final of the cup and it is a big derby game for us.

“So it gives us an opportunity to get into the semi-final. Once you get that far you’ve got a great opportunity to lift the trophy. First of all we need to make sure that we take care of business against Hearts.

“We were on a decent run and we want to get back onto another one and that’s the key for us.

“I’ve said that before we can get on runs where we’re losing one in nine and doing that again puts you in a really strong position.

“That’s what we’ve got to try and do and there is no better way to start than in the quarter-final of the Cup against Hearts.”

On form striker Paul Heffernan is cup-tied for tonight’s game but, boss Fenlon believes Hibernian still have enough quality up front to win the tie and says he wants the team to be creative tonight.

He added: “We’re okay, Paul is a loss to us which is disappointing but we knew he wouldn’t have him.

“We have some decent strikers at the club in James, Rowan, young Ross and Danny Handling is coming back to fitness, so we have plenty of striking options.

“You can win football matches if you score one and if you win it by one then you’re happy enough – that’s just the way that it is.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we create enough chances to win games and I think that is the key. We’ve had James in and probably not given him enough service, we’ve got to make sure that we can get enough balls to him tomorrow night if he plays.

“That gives us chances and you’ve seen in the Stranraer game that we are capable of scoring goals.”

The club have announced that the East Stand is sold out for the fixture whilst tickets remain available in the Famous Five Stand and the West Stand.

ARNOLD CLARK DRIVES BREAST CANCER AWARENESS ACROSS SCOTLAND

Customised pink wheels mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Scotland’s biggest car dealership has thrown its weight behind the Detect Cancer Early campaign to encourage female drivers to check their breasts for signs of the disease.

Scottish actress Libby McArthur was joined by comedienne and breast cancer survivor, Isobel Rutter, to urge women to ‘Don’t Get Scared, Get Checked’ when it comes to changes in their breasts.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, thousands of female drivers in Scotland will be targeted by the campaign and shown what to look out for as 50,000 leaflets depicting the visual signs of breast cancer will be distributed in over 200 Arnold Clark outlets.

River City actress Libby McArthur said: “Breast cancer is an issue that’s very close to my heart as I had a scare myself when I was younger when I found a lump and my mother died of the disease. I’ve also watched my sister battle breast cancer and I know the devastating effect it can have on families. It’s so important to be ‘breast aware’ and I’d urge all women to regularly check for any changes to your breasts.

“We used to say that everyone knows someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, but I now think most people know someone who has survived cancer.”

Sir Arnold Clark said: “Around half of our customers are women and we wanted to use this opportunity during Breast Cancer Awareness month to highlight the visual signs of breast cancer, so that more women knew what to look for other than just lumps. Getting checked out at the first opportunity could save your life. ”

Comedienne, Isobel Rutter, 56, who has survived breast cancer three times, said, “Survival rates are really good now and early detection plays a key factor in that. If I didn’t act on the lump I found, I may not be here today. I do reference life after breast cancer in my shows and I’ve found that it helps other women view the breast cancer experience from a more positive angle. I want to show people that breast cancer is not the end of the world. It is treatable. And like thousands of other women who have lost both breasts, it can have a devastating impact on your life.  There is much to work through – emotionally, physically and    socially – but everyone should know that there are better days ahead; and they will come…I promise!”

One in nine women in Scotland will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, so it’s crucial that people are aware of the signs and are checked at the first opportunity. You’re five times more likely to survive breast cancer if it’s diagnosed and treated at the earliest stage. Breast screening is offered in Scotland to women between the ages of 50 and 70 years of age.

If you want to find out more information about breast cancer and its symptoms, contact NHS Inform 0800 22 44 88 or www.nhsinform.co.uk.

Children with disability get chance to win £50,000 for all-weather sports pitch

Young People at Woodlands Special School in Currie, Edinburgh, are hoping to scoop the most votes in an STV head to head competition on Tuesday November 26^th, which could allow them to achieve their dreams of a multi -sports play area.

The SOS (Support Our Sport) Campaign, led by the registered charity ‘Friends of Woodlands School’, (charity number: SC043958) has been trying to raise funds for an all-weather sports pitch complete with fencing and an access ramp and the project has been shortlisted in this year’s The People’s Millions – a contest run by ITV and the Big Lottery Fund where public votes decide which charity will win up to £50,000.

The SOS campaign aims to achieve an all-weather play area for up to 80 secondary aged children, who are pupils at the school. Woodlands caters for young people with moderate to complex learning disabilities and conditions such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Down’s Syndrome.

Currently, if pupils want to play sports or be active, during their break times, they have to scramble up a virtually inaccessible hill to a patch of land at the back of the school, just off a small tarmacked area. This hill was formed from excavated land left over after the school was built in 2008. The land is very steep, with no access and many learners have mobility difficulties and have never been able to play on this area. The ground on the hill is stony and slippery and any fall made is very painful for learners. The area is out of bounds for most of the year as it is too dangerous to play on when there is rain, dew, ice, fog or snow. At these times, the children cannot be active outdoors as there is simply not enough space on the tarmacked area for this to happen safely. Many children come from underprivileged backgrounds and often clothes and shoes are ruined whilst playing on the hill, and cannot be replaced. Children have a right to a safe area to play and the safe area in Woodlands is simply too small to allow all to play as they would like.

The Chairperson of the ‘Friends of Woodlands School’ Mrs Liz Power said:- “At the moment, there is nowhere on the school site where our kids can run around or kick a football about at break or lunchtimes. They desperately need the chance to let off steam and have a space where they can play, interact and be active. We are calling on everyone to vote for ‘The Friends of Woodlands School’ SOS Campaign on Tuesday 26^th November, so that we can build them a sports pitch that will enhance not just their learning but their health. It will also provide a recreational space for families who attend our Family Club at the school.”

The Head Teacher of Woodlands School, Mrs Aisling Boyle said:- “An all -weather sports area will bring huge educational and health and well- being benefits to our young people. They will be able to play and participate in team sports, leading to a healthier lifestyle, enhanced active learning experiences and improved social skills but most importantly, all will be included, regardless of their disability.”

Learners, staff, parents and carers at the school have already raised £30,000 towards the £80,000 total cost of the project by holding sponsored events, community tombolas, Christmas fairs and a joint fashion show with Currie Community High School. ASDA Chesser has supported the project and  Selex ES Charity Golf Committee donated £5,000 from their fundraising golf day. Selex ES is based at Crewe Toll in Edinburgh and makes electronic systems.

PE and Outdoor Education teacher, Mr Sean Fallon, travelled the entire length of Scotland in a straight line using only human power to raise money for the campaign. He walked 260km, cycled 210 km, swam 600m and kayaked 43km up one grid line of an Ordnance Survey map in three weeks, raising over £1,000 for the project. Parent, Liz Power also raised over £1,000 by running the Edinburgh Marathon this year.

The SOS! Campaign led by the ‘Friends of Woodlands School’ will be shown on STV news at 6pm on Tuesday November 26^th when there will be a chance for the public to vote for the charity to win the funds it needs for the young people. Telephone voting will be open from 9am until midnight on that day.

As well as being available on STV, the phone number to vote for ‘The Friends of Woodlands School’ SOS Campaign will be published by the Daily Mirror early on the morning of Tuesday November 26th. Votes from a landline will cost only 10p and the public can vote up to 10 times from the same landline phone number.

An event being hosted by the City of Edinburgh Council tomorrow could help local businesses save thousands of pounds on their energy, water and waste costs.

A new programme of free specialist advice and support will be launched at the event in the Council’s City Chambers to help businesses take some simple steps to improve the management of their resources.

The Council is working with Resource Efficient Scotland, the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and Bright Green Business to provide the new service.

This year’s winner of the Scottish Green Awards, Lucy Frankel of Vegware, will be speaking at the event. Rachel Moir, Project Manager at Resource Efficient Scotland will also be providing a key note speech.

Cllr Frank Ross, Convener of the Economy Committee, said: -“I’m delighted to be launching this new initiative. A key strand of our Strategy for Jobs is support for businesses and we are committed to helping them save money through better resource management. We also aim to make it easier for businesses to understand the effect of new environmental legislation.”

For further information contact Business Gateway on 0131 529 6644.

The First Minister and the UK Energy Minister Greg Barker both attended the European Ocean Energy Conference at Our Dynamic Earth today. Both asserted their respective governments’ wish to support renewable energy and in particular this sector where wave and tidal energy devices are being trialled off the coast of Orkney.

The First Minister also announced the design tools which will help install large-scale ocean energy arrays will be developed at the University of Edinburgh. The project will be known as Optimal Design Tools for Ocean Energy Arrays (DTOcean) and will comprise a constortium of 18 international partners across 11 countries.

The project is funded by the European Commission and will design software which will provide information for project developers so that they can make more informed choices when installing devices in the sea.

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

The First Minister said:-“Scotland’s huge offshore renewable energy resources continue to be matched by its R & D excellence in this sector. The University of Edinburgh is well known in this field particularly since the 1970s research by Professor Stephen Salter and his team who developed the Salter Duck wave power generator.”

First Minister to speak at European Ocean Energy conference – We Want to see Double Protest – William Y Darling Bequest – Professor Mike Dixon getting his OBE today – Today at the Cameo

The First Minister is to speak at the European Ocean Energy Conference this morning at Our Dynamic Earth.

The Edinburgh Reporter hopes to perhaps get a word with him later or indeed the Energy Minister Greg Barker who is also attending the event.

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We Want to see Double is a protest taking place today at St Andrew’s House demanding more investment in cycling infrastructure from the Scottish Government. We will have photos and interviews later but for the moment you can read Councillor Jim Orr’s blog on the cycling debate in Holyrood yesterday.

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The William Y Darling Bequest was awarded last night to Margaret Walker who set up a youth club in Buckstone and who has worked with young people in the area for the last 30 years.

Exclusive photos and video here.

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Professor Mike Dixon is getting an OBE today! If you want to know why….Read more here…

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Today at the Cameo – if you haven’t seen it yet go and see Sunshine on Leith. Peter Mullan has now been nominated for a BAFTA! Booking details here.

Creative Edinburgh is set to celebrate their 900 strong community with an evening of awards and entertainment at The Bongo Club, 12^th November, 7-10pm.  The Creative Edinburgh Awards is an annual event featured in the programme, which acts as a platform to promote the creative, tech and cultural community of Edinburgh.  There are 5 awards, 4 of which are sponsored by Santander, Marketing Edinburgh, Business Gateway and McClure Naismith.

Said Lynsey Smith & Janine Matheson, Executive Directors of Creative Edinburgh:-The Creative Edinburgh Awards is our contribution in promoting the rich talent, across all sectors, within the city.  From exciting architectural practices, design agencies and filmmakers to innovative tech start ups, fashion & games designers, musicians and visual artists.  Our community is a unique mix of sectors, stages and talents, which we think others (both nationally and internationally) should know about and be connecting with.

This year, Creative Edinburgh has partnered with local charity SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), donating the profits made from ticket sales of the awards to support the essential work that they do.

Entertainment for the evening will arrive in the shape of Found, Jesus H Foxx and Esther Swift – all local bands of Edinburgh.  The awards themselves will be designed by Bonnie Bling, who are creating quirky lazercut acrylic pieces for each award.  Local microbrewery, Barney’s Beer, will also be providing a limited run of ‘Creative Edinbeer’ especially for the celebrations.

Said Mark Gorman, Chair of Creative Edinburgh: -Creative Edinburgh is really gathering momentum.  Our inaugural awards attracted a good level of interest but the past year has really spread our reach and influence and we are expecting, and already receiving, interest and entries from a wider range of Creative Industries.  It’s important for the Creative Economy of Edinburgh that our huge spectrum of creative (and tech) businesses have a platform from which to broadcast their value to the city economy and I believe we are on the right track to achieving this.  The Awards are an important contributor to our strategy.

Nominations for the awards are taken from both members and the public via an online form on the website. The awards will be judged on Tuesday 5 November by Creative Edinburgh’s Steering Group  and the representative sponsors.  Nominations will close on Monday 4 November.

Last year, awardees included Location Scotland, Out of the Blue, Edinburgh International Fashion Festival, Leith Late, Song by Toad and Media Education with an audience of over 250 attendees at Summerhall.

by Councillor Jim Orr Vice-Convenor of Transport and Environment City of Edinburgh Council, and council spokesman on cycling matters.

Following a motion by Alison Johnstone MSP for Lothians the Scottish Parliament discussed the possibility of introducing strict liability for motorists involved in collisions with cyclists yesterday. The motion debated in the chamber read:-

S4M-07934 Alison Johnstone: Strict Liability—That the Parliament believes that the number of fatalities and injuries to pedestrians and cyclists on Scotland’s roads, including in the Lothian region, is unacceptably high; recognises that the Scottish Government has funded a number of national cycle safety initiatives; notes that versions of a strict liability rule exist in the civil law of many European countries; notes that a number of walking and cycling organisations support the introduction of such a law in Scotland; understands that a petition by Cycle Law Scotland on this topic has secured nearly 5,000 signatures; considers that a stricter liability rule could have positive benefits for the safety of more vulnerable road users as part of a package of measures, and would welcome further debate on this proposal.

“2013 has been an interesting year for commuter cycling in Edinburgh.  On the positive side, £20m of extra Scottish Government funding was recently announced including £3.6m for Leith Walk. Yesterday, Edinburgh Council approved a capital spend of 7% of the transport budget to be spent on cycling, a proportion which will hopefully be mirrored in the revenue spend come budget day.  On the negative side, nine cyclists have been killed on Scotland’s roads this year – every one a tragedy – and the apparently ‘light’ sentence imposed on Gary McCourt, the driver who was responsible for the death of Portobello pensioner, Audrey Fyfe, caused widespread alarm. An appeal by the Crown against the sentence was unsuccessful.

In Edinburgh, the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) was relaunched earlier this year but with Strict Liability (SL) specifically excluded from the plans.

  The reasons provided were as follows:

“… there has been a consistent decrease in reported fatalities for all categories of road users in the sample countries whether strict liability legislation applies or not. … The available data does not supply robust evidence of a direct causal link between strict liability legislation to levels of cycling and KSIs, when countries like the UK and Ireland are clearly reducing fatalities in cyclists and all other road users without strict liability legislation in place.”

Green MSP Alison Johnstone opened proceedings at Holyrood in her usual measured, thoughtful style.  Here are some thoughts on the more notable contributions from the chamber yesterday afternoon.

Tory John Lamont was one of the few non-Greens, in fact the only MSP by my reckoning, who was explicitly positive about SL.  Average cycling rates (as a percentage of all journeys) are 7.4% in the EU compared to just over 1% in the UK.  Careful drivers, he said, had nothing to fear about such legislation.  He actually preferred the term ‘Presumed Liability’ although, like many, I’m not entirely clear on the difference.  Of the SNP speakers, only Edinburhg MSP Jim Eadie gave the impression that he entered the debate favourably disposed towards SL citing the overall proposition as a “basic sound principle on which to proceed”.

The need to improve safety was a recurring theme, borne out in the comments made by Lothians Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale.  Patrick Harvey MSP, the only other Green MSP at Holyrood, described Glasgow’s streets as “lamentable” and spoke of his frustration with motorists and their behaviour. Surely, he said, the responsibilities of motorists outweigh those of cyclists. The overall objective is to get more people cycling and he was sure that SL would help.

SNP MSP Graeme Dey  raised the spectre of compulsory proficiency tests for cyclists while Conservative Margaret Mitchell’s main concern was that SL would send out the “wrong message” and might only make irresponsible cyclists even more irresponsible.  Many other contributions focussed on the cyclist behaviour issue while Labour MSP Claudia Beamish, like Harvey, appreciated the wider objective: to encourage a modal shift to sustainable transport firms such as public transport and active travel.

At least two speakers, Labour MSP Sarah Boyack and SNP’s Rob Gibson endorsed the idea that Transport Minister Keith Brown should now take the lead in pulling together key stakeholders to take the issue forward.  Boyack also criticised, correctly in my view, the one element of the Nice Way Code which was unquestionably flawed – the bus adverts which discouraged cyclists from undertaking on the left, even though many cycle lanes are located on the left for more or less exactly that purpose.

The Minister closed the debate for the government by defending his record on cycling and reminding the chamber of the key role of local authorities.  In doing so, he commended Edinburgh’s plans to roll out 20mph zones across all residential areas.  The Minister explained that local authorities control 94% of roads in Scotland, and he  observed that neither Paths for All, Living Streets nor (he understood) Sustrans supported SL.

He also issued what was perhaps a challenge for pro-SL colleagues in the chamber – to bring forward empirical evidence that SL reduces accidents and implicitly commuted himself to looking again at SL should such evidence be produced.  Given the lack of enthusiasm from the three active travel-promoting organisations that he cited, the adherents of SL might also see in this a second challenge: to gain some support from them.

It would however appear that there is an inherent difficulty in this challenge which is that, given that road fatalities were found to have decreased in all the sample countries, and given the multitude of other factors which affect such statistics, will it ever be possible to demonstrate objectively that SL improves road safety?  Consequently, I would make two further points.  First, that I hope our MSPs will submit and debate all types of evidence, by which I mean empirical data AND also the subjective viewpoints of informed observers.  Also, I would say that improving road safety is not the single main objective of SL.  Simply increasing the numbers of people cycling is another important metric and more people will cycle if, for example, SL makes them feel safer.  This can and should also be measured.

Speaking to cycling safety campaigner Ian McNicoll after the debate, he recognised that we’re really at the very beginning of a debate and he was pleased at the frequent mention of Edinburgh as leading the way in Scotland.”

FITTING REWARD FOR BEACON OF BUCKSTONE YOUTH

The Sir William Y Darling Bequest for Good Citizenship for 2012/13 has been awarded to Margaret Walker in recognition for her work with young people in Buckstone and the Lothians.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUFs_gOE6jg&w=480&h=360]

Lord Provost Donald Wilson made the presentation during a civic reception held in the City Chambers this evening.

In being in nominated, Mrs Walker was widely praised for her commitment and tireless work over the past 30 years in running youth projects and establishing a youth project in 2003 which still runs today

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said:- “This is richly deserved and rightly recognises the enormous time, effort and commitment that Margaret has given to singlehandedly managing a great local youth club.

“Her warm and cheerful character has been undiminished through her decades of service to the community and her drive in organising outings and events for the club members have made her central to its success and popularity.”

Fairmilehead Community Council, Councillor Elaine Aitken and MP Ian Murray who all backed Mrs Walker’s nomination for this prize, praised her community spirit, ethos and ability to ‘bring a smile to the youth of Buckstone’.

The Award, which is made annually to a citizen or citizens who, in the opinion of the Council, “has or have done most for the City’s Honour and Welfare”, was bequeathed by the late Sir William Y Darling, Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1941–1944.

RARE CONSTABLE PORTRAIT OWNED BY LUCIAN FREUD ACQUIRED FOR THE NATION THROUGH ACCEPTANCE IN LIEU SCHEME

The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to announce a remarkable acquisition which brings together two great artists from very different eras. Portrait of Laura Moubray, a fine early work by the English landscape painter John Constable (1776-1837), has entered the National Collection from the estate of the artist Lucian Freud (1922-2011) through the Government’s Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) scheme.

Portrait of Laura Moubray is a fascinating addition to the Scottish National Gallery. Constable is believed to have painted only around 100 portraits during his early career, of which about 50 survive. The painting complements the Galleries’ existing holdings of the artist’s work: the major landscape The Vale of Dedham (1828) and the small, vigorously executed sketch On the Stour (1830).

Just as Constable’s landscape paintings demonstrate a close focus on place and the changing face of nature, so his studies of people encourage an intimate view of an individual and something of their relationship with the artist. It was doubtless these qualities which attracted the celebrated painter Lucian Freud, who was a great admirer of Constable’s portraits: ‘I’ve always thought that it was completely loopy for people to go on about portrait painters, English portrait painters, and not to have Constable among them!’

Freud was renowned as one of the most important and influential artists of the twentieth century. In 2008, his work Benefits Supervisor Sleeping (1995) fetched the highest price paid for a painting by a living artist. He is represented in the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland by a number of key works, which include Two Men (1988), an emotive portrait of two figures in repose.

The Scottish National Gallery was one of Freud’s favourite galleries and provides a fitting context for Portrait of Laura Moubray through its fine collection of English portraits; these include major works by Thomas Gainsborough, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir Thomas Lawrence. There is also a Scottish connection to the picture through the sitter’s husband, Robert Moubray of Cockairny and Otterston (1774-1848), and Deputy Lieutenant of Fifeshire.

Commenting on the acquisition, Director of the Scottish National Gallery, Michael Clarke, said, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to receive this charming and intriguing picture. Lucian Freud had a very discerning eye and now our public will also be able to appreciate the qualities Freud found in Constable’s rare and unusual portraits.’

The Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) scheme allows those who have an inheritance tax bill to gift significant items to the nation and satisfy more tax than by selling items on the open market. This also allows museums and galleries to increase their collections at no cost to them while the donor gets full market value. AIL is a reserved matter but “executive devolution” arrangements are in place to enable Scottish Ministers to deal with cases in which there is a Scottish Interest.

Lothian Buses is adding 20 new single deck hybrid buses to its fleet following the successful introduction of the state-of-the-art eco vehicles earlier this year.

Set for delivery in 2014, Lothian Buses has ordered 20 new Volvo 7900 Hybrids which provide a host of eco-friendly features, saving hundreds of tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Lothian Buses made the decision to add the new vehicles to its existing fleet of 721 buses, as a result of the low fuel consumption and smooth operation of the buses,.

Bill Devlin, Engineering Director at Lothian Buses, said:- “Expanding our existing fleet with these eco-friendly buses is another positive step in our journey to providing a greener and more sustainable travel offering to our passengers and to the local environment.

“Since introducing the hybrid buses earlier this year, we have been extremely impressed with the low fuel consumption and the overall running of the vehicles. We can’t wait to see even more of these results.”

The current Lothian Buses single deck hybrid buses serve passengers on the No. 1 bus route from Clermiston to Easter Road, combining a high-tech electrically powered diesel engine with aluminium body framework, specifically designed to save weight and reduce fuel consumption

Phil Owen, Bus Sales Director from Volvo which is providing Lothian Buses with the vehicles said:-“We successfully launched the 7900 Hybrid single deck bus last year and Lothian Buses were one of the first operators to secure an order. They have achieved significant in-service fuel savings and have been very pleased with the overall performance of the buses.”

At this time of year I’m thinking about knitwear purchases and planning a few cosy additions to my wardrobe.

When I spotted this soft cobalt blue jacquard knit from German brand Hallhuber I knew I’d found a jumper to see me through long Winter nights. I imagine its fresh shade, simple cut and delicate gemstone embellishment would suit Kate Middleton or women looking to emulate her classic style. You may not have heard of Hallhuber but it’s rapidly becoming the brand of choice for stylish women who seek effortless clothes in quality fabrics.

Snap up a piece of sophisticated Hallhuber knitwear or a thick wool dress from House of Fraser Glasgow or online

Ann Russell is a fashion writer and has her own fashion blog here.

This may be one of the youngest Hearts teams in the history of Edinburgh’s finest football club, but in Billy Brown they have one of the most experienced and wily men in football.

Ahead of the all-Edinburgh Scottish League Cup quarter final tie at Easter Road on Wednesday, the Hearts assistant manager declared that most observers have written off his team’s chances of not only avoiding relegation this season but of getting one over their city rivals in the quest for a semi-final place.
“It will certainly be a challenge to get a result on Wednesday night – and a challenge to go on for the rest of the season and prove everybody else wrong,” said Brown.

“Ever since I’ve been in football, you’ve got to prove yourself and it makes it sweeter when you prove yourself right when everybody else says, ‘you couldn’t do it’. Listening to everybody and reading the papers, I feel we have been written off by most people. On that basis, maybe the pressure’s off.”

Brown, now in his third spell as assistant manager at Tynecastle – he was Jim Jefferies’ right hand man on two previous occasions, being instrumental in Hearts ending their 36 year wait for a major trophy when they won the Scottish Cup in 1998 – was adamant that no one at Tynecastle shares the consensus of opinion that Hearts will be playing in the Championship next season.

“I certainly haven’t given up and the manager hasn’t written us off either. Like me, he’s fully up for the challenge.”

Hearts are in a dismal run of form that has seen them failed to win their previous seven SPFL games with their only wins coming in penalty shoot-outs against lower league opposition in Raith Rovers and Queen of the South in the League Cup. But Brown insists nothing has changed.

“We had a major task at the start of the season, we’ve still got that major task and we’ve still got enough games to be successful in that task,” added Brown. “We’ve got one of the best up and coming managers in the game. He’s meticulous, he’s passionate and he’s got a stern streak in him that will do well and get us out of this situation. At the moment, there isn’t a better man to take Hearts forward. I’ve worked in partnership with one of the best managers this country’s had for a long time in Jim Jefferies so I know what it takes. And there’s no doubt in my mind Gary Locke has got what it takes to get us out of the situation we’re in”

Brown said the spirit in the Tynecastle camp is as strong as it was at the start of the season.

“All the doom and gloom is from people in the media. There’s no doom and gloom here. We’re up for the task. There’s no great cloud hanging over Tynecastle. Everybody likes to think there is but there isn’t. We’ve certainly got a chance of winning the cup tie against Hibs – certainly the players are not lacking in confidence despite what a lot of people may think.”

Brown refused to entertain the idea that the League Cup quarter final was a distraction for his young team. “It’s not a distraction, it’s something everyone here relishes. People might say Hibs are favourites and you can understand that. They have signed loads of players and there are not many clubs who pay £200,000 for a player as Hibs have. So there is a financial outlay and big expectations for their supporters. They are at home, there are not many young players in the Hibs team and they are playing a young team. I would think, if there’s extra pressure in a game like this, it’s certainly not at this end of the city.”

Despite his talking up of Hearts city rivals, Brown remained as confident as ever. “It’s a game we are desperate to win and these games mean more to the supporters than any other. As long as we give our all we can get a result.”

Hearts striker Callum Paterson is likely to replace the injured Ryan Stevenson for the tie at Easter Road which will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland television.

Two of the foremost wave energy companies in Europe were represented at the European Ocean Energy Conference today at Our Dynamic Earth, and they are both based in Edinburgh.

Pelamis Wave Power is run by CEO Dr Richard Yemm who extolled the virtues of being based in the capital where their workforce has such a good lifestyle. Martin McAdam, CEO of Aquamarine Power which has its main office here and other offices in Belfast and Orkney, was happy to tell us about the electricity their revamped Oyster machine is now making.

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

These are unique photos of Aquamarine’s Oyster in the foreground and Pelamis’s P2 being towed off-site earlier this year at EMEC  in Orkney where they are undergoing testing.

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Following the success of pedestrianising parts of George Street during the Festival, the council is now set to trial a one way system there for a year following the decision of the Transport & Environment Committee this morning.

Andy Neal, CEO of Essential Edinburgh said:-” Essential Edinburgh carried out a full review of visitors and residents after the Festival period and everyone agreed that what was done in George Street this year was a success. There is further learning to be done however and we continue to look at the arrangements.”

Mr Neal kindly agreed to meet with us prior to the meeting to give us his reasons for supporting the council’s plans.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcpTIAXJz1w?list=UUpyjaNvEF_ryiKTJ6QxCkIA]

There is to be a two way cycle route  along the middle which will actually form part of the National Cycle Network, and buses will continue to use Princes Street as before. Cycle parking is to be increased and key city centre junctions are to be retimed to increase the pedestrain priority.

The administration made the suggestion of a trial for 12 months which will allow them to  monitor all traffic movements in the area.  Councillor Aldridge asked about cyclists on Princes Street  and was told that they can still use Princes Street if they wish, but the national cycle route and thus the preferred route will be George Street. Councillor Aldridge also asked about low emission vehicles to be used by Lothian Buses, but admitted that the area around Princes Street was probably not the worst in terms of air quality.

Councillor Cardownie, the Festivals Champion asked again about George Street when he said:-” Is there anything in the proposals which is an obstacle to Festival arrangements being replicated next year?” The council officer replied that traffic management would be required but did not see an obstacle. The convenor explained that the festival arrangements are due to be reported on at the next meeting in January.

The Conservatives suggested a motion which included a suggestion that bus services would be continued for 12 months in both direction to allow the effects of the tram service to be assessed.

Councillor Hinds said that she wants the city centre to be comfortable for everyone, whether pedestrian, cyclist or driver. The essential thing is to make it an attractive place for people to come to. She mentioned comparisons with Times Square in New York where the ideas were first trialled. “We want to be able to travel around the city centre more easily no matter what our mode of transport. We have a long term commitment about making the city centre better and more vibrant for everyone.”

Conservative Councillor Joanna Mowat agreed that their aspirations were the same, but the two political groups had a different approach. She said:-“We are trying to meddle with situations which are currently unknown. We cannot know the baseline until the tram is up and running. This would then allow us to decide what needs to be altered. At present, we cannot know what the city centre will look like next year until the trams start running. We want to establish a robust baseline before making changes. We cannot disagree with the vision but we disagree with the way it is being done. People are not impressed by either George Street or Princes Street at the moment, but we want to make any changes properly. We will have no way to measure the success of these steps unless we know what we start from.”

Councillor Aldridge supported the coalition motion  in saying:- “Where we can anticipate the position, we should make the change.”

The Green Group also supported the administration motion which Councillor Booth said was a real vision and showed that the council had listened to the results of the consultation.

This plan started during the last administration when the LibDem/SNP coalition instructed a report by Gehl architects. In March 2013 the Transport committee agreed that to improve pedestrian space in the city centre would take some reorganising of the traffic arrangements, and that to start with the emphasis should be on Princes Street and George Street with other programmes such as the Leith Programme, Waverley Bridge and the Royal Mile to follow closely behind, as well as the public realm improvements expected at Charlotte Square.

Consultation events took place earlier this year, and a petition was made to the council’s Petitions Committee demanding that Princes Street be made free of all motor traffic, which would more closely follow the vision of the Gehl Report.

Buses will continue along Princes Street in both directions for the 12 month trial period to allow assessment of the tram service, and the council will work with all main bus operators to review frequency of other bus services with a view to reducing the number of buses which cross the city centre.

The idea is to make Edinburgh more continental with on street cafes, and more flexible space, but also to encourage property owners in Princes Street to develop their upper floors. The city centre is also to be decluttered with unnecessary street furniture being removed. Please tell us if you see any that needs to be dealt with!

The move to introduce temporary one way systems in George Street will require only a temporary Traffic Restriction Order which is also easier to manage from an administrative point of view.

The whole report is reproduced for you here:-

http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Item_7.1___Building_a_Vision_for_the_City_Centre.pdf

VETERANS MINISTER ANNOUNCES £2 MILLION GAIN FOR VETERANS THROUGH CHARITY ADVICE PROJECT

As the 2013 Scottish Poppy Appeal gets underway the Veterans’ Minister, Keith Brown MSP today  announced the success of a vital charity partnership project that has attracted both £2 million gained for members of Scotland’s Armed Forces community and an expansion of the project across the country.

The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) is delivered by the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and funded by Poppyscotland, the charity behind the Scottish Poppy Appeal, and three other charities (ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, RAF Benevolent Fund and Seafarers UK). Since its launch in 2010 ASAP is making a huge impact on the lives of serving and ex-Service people and their families by delivering free and expert information, advice and support on a wide range of issues, including benefits, debt, employment, health and housing.

Announcing the news, Mr Brown was joined by two Edinburgh & Lothians ASAP advisers, Army veteran Alan Hamilton MBE and Fiona Salem, who are based in the West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau. Also present were Gary Gray, Head of Welfare Services at Poppyscotland, and serving soldiers Fusiliers Jamie Wilson and Graeme Ward (both aged 20) from 2 SCOTS (The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland).

The tremendous £2 million financial gain for hundreds of members of the Armed Forces community was achieved in a number of ways including supporting people to claim benefits to which they are entitled, amounts being awarded in appeals, debt being written off and charitable grants awarded.

A three-year extension to the project and expansion into additional strategic areas from October 2013 means that, as well providing advice through a national helpline, ASAP is now available in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee, Edinburgh & Lothians, Falkirk (funded by Falkirk Council), Fife, Inverness, Moray & Nairn, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Stirlingshire & Clackmannanshire and Perth & Kinross.

Veterans Minister Keith Brown said: “I congratulate ASAP, Citizens Advice Scotland and Poppyscotland on reaching such a landmark.  The work done in fighting for benefits that veterans are entitled to receive shows the impact of the ASAP service and the skill of the staff who have worked tirelessly for our veterans.

‪“The Scottish Government has been a strong supporter of the ASAP service since its creation in 2010 and has contributed financially to its work with a grant of £6,000 towards a booklet for potential users of ASAP.  The success of this work is clearly demonstrated through strong collaborative work between a range of charities and partners.”

Gary Gray from Poppyscotland commented: “Veterans can face a number of challenges after leaving the Armed Forces, from physical injuries and mental health problems, to not finding the right house or job or being able to deal with their finances. Poppyscotland and its co-funding charities are working to address the current and future needs of veterans and, through ASAP, we are tackling issues and great results are being achieved.

“However, we need to do more to reach those who are still in need of help and I am delighted that, thanks to the generosity of the public who support us through the Scottish Poppy Appeal and other fundraising activities, Poppyscotland is able to expand the service in order to continue to make a difference to the lives of veterans and their families across Scotland.”

Margaret Lynch, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland said: “This is a project that we have been delighted to be a part of. The CAB service provides free, confidential and independent advice to everyone who needs it, but we are always happy to work with other charities where we can target advice to particular sections of society. Members of the Armed Forces community their families are a very good example of that, and our advisers across Scotland have been delighted to help them.

“The fact that we have reached this milestone today is a sign of what a terrific success the project has been so far. Putting £2 million in the pockets of Servicemen and women is something that will make a real practical difference to them in these difficult economic times. And we urge anyone in the Armed Forces community who has not used the project yet to come and see us to discuss any problems they have.”

In the past three years 3,300 people have been helped, presenting over 13,000 issues. The main areas of need were benefits, debts, housing, employment and financial issues. Over 500 people benefited from a financial gain.

An individual that has been helped by ASAP said: “ASAP, and in particular my adviser whose continuing support, tireless work and relentless form filling, was a huge help to me as I was at my lowest and couldn’t even open any mail as it came through the door. He restored my faith and trust in people and I will be forever grateful. I have no idea where I would be now if it wasn’t for ASAP as I was in a very dark place, in pain and almost suicidal through frustration at constant bombardment of phone calls, forms and tribunals. I always speak extremely highly of them and refer any other veterans towards them. This project is highly deserving of recognition and reward and my adviser deserves a medal!”

ASAP’s confidential, Scotland-wide helpline number is 0845 231 0300.

Edinburgh and The Lothians – Discover More of Scotland

Rich in culture, history and tradition, the city of Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians offer travel enthusiasts a memorable experience. Due to its strategic location in the heart of Scotland, the region attracts students, businesses and families from across the UK and even worldwide. Entrepreneurs who plan to expand their business, students in need of holiday storage room, and short term visitors can all hire the services of a secure storage facility like Len Lothian Store & More to stock office furniture, personal belongings or anything else.

This family-owned self-storage company has three different facilities in and around Edinburgh, and the family name illustrates the company’s deep roots throughout the capital city and the Lothians.

As a city-wide storage facility, Len Lothian Store & More enables businesses and home-owners the opportunity to rent storage space from a local company with almost 50 years of experience in the storage and removals industry.

Located south of the Firth of Forth, the Lothian region covers the city of Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian. From ancient architecture to vibrant countryside, fine food and shopping centres, the region offers something that captivates the mind of every visitor.

Read on to find out more about the fascinating history, culture, and most popular tourist spots of Edinburgh and The Lothians.

History and Culture

Edinburgh and the neighbouring Lothian region is steeped in a deep history amply reflected in its wide range of monuments and battlegrounds which date back to the times of the Celts and Romans.

Today, the region has the strongest economy outside of London in the UK with the establishment of many financial sectors, research centres and tourism services. All these factors not only make the region an ideal place to visit but also a great place to live and work. Home relocation is demanding, and Len Lothian Store & More have storage units across Edinburgh (and Glasgow) meaning extra storage space is available and conveniently located. As a reliable and secure storage company, Len Lothian Store & More offers a wide range of rooms, lockers and containers to suit all manner of storage requirements.

Places to Visit in Edinburgh and The Lothians

The region boasts a variety of attractions, from the iconic Edinburgh Castle to charming museums, galleries and theatres. Some of the most visited attractions that lure big crowds throughout the year include the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Just south of Edinburgh, the Midlothian region is well known as the home of the ornately decorated late Gothic Rosslyn Chapel, which featured prominently in The Da Vinci Code. West Lothian, similarly, has many intriguing features and attractions including pre-historic burial sites and stately homes.

As a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh is frequented by visitors, students and business representatives throughout the year. Len Lothian Store & More eases the transition for home movers in need of temporary storage, burgeoning enterprises looking to rent storage space for office furniture, or students who require summer storage room for their belongings. Hiring self-storage space from Len Lothian Store & More leaves you to enjoy the city and the surrounding areas, whatever your circumstances.

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