Today the Edinburgh Reporter Reward we have for you is a voucher for sweeties at Candersons Sweet Shop on Leith Walk. In fact Candersons have been very generous and have given us two vouchers. One is for 20% off all jarred sweets if you spend £10 or more. The other voucher is for a £10 sweetie basket. Details of how to enter are below.

We asked Debbie who owns the shop to tell us a bit more about herself too.

Who are you, and where did you come from?

My name is Debra Anderson. I am in my 40s, three children in their 20s, met Paul in Edinburgh 30 something years ago, been together ever since. Born in Arbroath, lived and grew up on a farm in Carnoustie. Eventually moved to Edinburgh where my mother’s side of the family lived and mainly my Nana, who lived in Iona Street, Leith.

 What do you think are your business strengths and weaknesses?

Wanting to always strive for better, there’s always room for improvement, my head is constantly buzzing with ideas for my business in order to build and offer more. My weakness is finding the time, fitting it all in.

What was the defining moment on your career path that has got you where you are now?

Always wanted to be my own boss, most of my family are the same, self employed and we all support each other.

How do you spend your spare time?

Quite honestly, pardon the pun but….Paul and I are always talking shop….if I ever have the time I do always love to paint on canvas and have always enjoyed Arty Craft stuff.

Do you think you achieve a good work/life balance?

Definitely NO! My business is in its infancy and constantly needs baby sitting, it’s a six day week within the retail industry so lots to do always, my kids are all 20something so no worries about needing baby sitters although a Sunday lunch and a catch up together would be lovely more often.

What makes Edinburgh the best location for you to live and/or work?

Most of my family and friends reside in the capital; I truly adore my wee shop on Leith Walk, I have regular customers which is wonderful, they have shown me support and have made friends along the way. I believe that Leith is growing into a pleasurable shopping area that more and more people and visitors to Edinburgh will begin to realise over next few years.

What is your special area of Edinburgh, or special place in Edinburgh and why?

One special memory stands out considerably, especially since my shop is on Leith Walk, my Nana lived in Iona Street. She would often take my sisters and me shopping and I have strong memories of visiting Trumps Toy Shop on the walk, the Old Cooperative Store on Great Junction Street, Bring & Buy sales at various churches finished off with the swing park on Iona Street.

If you have a mentor then could you tell us who that is and about your relationship.

My partner Paul is my mentor and has been a tower of strength and support since I opened the shop, nothing is too much for him to help me in my new venture.

What benefits does that relationship bring to you and your business?

We assist each other with the daily rituals of being self-employed, I have an awareness of his business and likewise. We enjoy inventing new concepts and trying to better each other.

What are your business goals for the next year?

My Candy Cart is a new addition to the business. It will be available for hire for various events, Weddings, Corporate Events, Birthday Parties.  This plus Sweet Trees, Chocolate Fountain hire and more…very much looking forward to working on these different themes.

Describe your typical day for us.

Listening to customers taking a trip down memory lane looking at the shop’s selection of Old Time Sweets probably that they haven’t seen or tasted for years and mostly thought those sweets had gone forever. Also, being able to let the customer experience the typical Weighing out of sweets of what use to be a Quarter of….. back in the day.

Your plan of attack for the next 12 months?

Market the Candy Cart to potential customers, promote my new Sweetie Trees to existing and new customers and focus on the up and coming events of the year – dare I say Christmas and Easter!

How to enter

To recognise our fabulous August visitor numbers we asked some of our contacts to offer our readers something as an Edinburgh Reporter Reward and this is just one in a series of treats for you.

Our unique users in August were over 100,000 which is an amazing number of people – and two and a half times the number of people reading our website in January 2013. Thank you!

Now enter our competition by emailing theedinburghreporter@gmail.com Put Edinburgh Reporter Rewards in the subject line and the answer is Candersons Sweet Shop. Emails must reach us by 29 September 2013 at 5 pm.

Good luck!

Councillor Norma Austin Hart is the Labour Councillor for Liberton/Gilmerton. Councillor Hart is the Vice-Convenor for Culture and Sport and this weekend she is attending the Labour Party’s National Women’s Conference in Brighton.

She is keeping us up to date with her conference experience.

The Oxford Hall in the Hilton hotel on Brighton Seafront is the elegant backdrop to discussions on some of the most difficult subjects affecting women today. I was at a session calling for an end to violence against women. The panel was chaired by Vera Baird MP and the former Solicitor General in the last government. The speakers called for each council to have a unit with specific responsibly for violence against women and girls which would be responsible for co ordinating all the ways the council is involved in educating, sheltering and supporting women in violent situations.

For example could we have our library staff trained to respond to women who are experiencing domestic violence?

Stella Creasey MP spoke passionately about how the Labour Party must not take the foot off the accelerator regarding domestic violence. Across the UK there has been a drop of 12% in DV prosecutions. She encouraged councillors to ask questions locally about things like adequate provision for women seeking refuge from domestic violence both by the council and housing associations. The shadow Home Affairs team is also working with the police to find ways of keeping women safe online while using social media like Twitter and Facebook.

One in three young women say they have experienced some kind of sexual harassment, and it is clear that this is a major issue.

One aspect of conference which can make or break the experience is your accommodation. My choice of bed for this year’s  conference has been influenced by the imminent arrival of my first grandchild. Baby’s due date was 14 September so my departure for conference was left till the last minute. I decided a few weeks ago not to book into a seriously expensive  B&B – Brighton at conference time becomes New York for price – and instead I accepted an offer of a sofa in the self catering apartment of my fellow delegates from Edinburgh.

As conference drew nearer and my grandchild reluctant to make an appearance, the reality of this sofa started to come into focus. I bottled it.  I managed to find a single room in a small guest house with a shared loo but my own shower. Privacy comes at a price but at least no one was kept awake by my snoring. The  offer of the sofa had been upgraded to a bed in a twin room – but my B&B hosts found me a ‘superior’ room in their neighbour’s hotel along the street.

Although I could stay in the Balmoral for the same price I am grateful for another night of comfort.
Who knows where for tomorrow night?

Wilful fireraising – Wheels & Wings Show at the Museum of Flight – Mary Queen of Scots – Festive Fun – Port Edgar Marina –

Police in Midlothian are appealing for witnesses after a number of incidents of wilful fire-raising in the Mayfield area of Dalkeith, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
An aviary at the rear of a house at Hill Place, Mayfield, was destroyed in one fire resulting in the loss of a total of 18 birds.

In another incident at Stone Place, Mayfield, a tarpaulin adjacent to the wall of a house, occupied by a family including two young children, was set alight.

At the same address, a wheelie bin was deliberately set on fire and placed against a car, causing £3,000 worth of damage.

Det Sgt Stevie Bertram said:- “The owner of the aviary suffered from smoke inhalation after trying to save her birds. She had to be treated by medical staff at the scene and in addition to her physical distress she is distraught about the loss of the birds which she has nurtured for a decade.

“In the other incident a family, including two young children, were put at risk by the reckless actions of those responsible for setting these fires.

” On both occasions, the householders were alerted to the danger by neighbours who became aware of the fires.

“We are treating these fires as suspicious and it is a matter of luck that no one has been seriously injured. I would appeal for anyone who has any information to contact Police Scotland.”

Police have been carrying out door to door inquiries and checking cctv footage. They are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area between 3am and 4am and who may have seen anything suspicious. They are particularly keen to trace two young men, both around 5ft 8in height and wearing hooded tops who were seen at approximately 4am in the vicinity of the fire at Stone place.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800555111 in confidence.

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At the Museum of Flight today you will be able to get a close up view of more than 200 classic cars and vintage vehicles, look to the skies for the Jet Provost flying display and watch the death defying White Helmets motorcycle display team, take a trip on a Segway scooter, test your mountain bike skills, ride in the pedal powered cabs and try an alternative mode of cycling with a laid back bike.

Here’s how it was last year…

[vimeo 50365897 w=500 h=375]

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At the National Museum of Scotland the Mary Queen of Scots exhibition is on until next month. Maybe the views of those who have already seen it will convince you to go along:-

[vimeo 71568425 w=500 h=281]

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This week seems to be all about Christmas. On Monday we are invited to the launch of White Christmas which is on at the Festival Theatre this December.

This video will give you a hint of what might be in store for you

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwRZ3kZCLx0]

On Tuesday we are invited to the launch of Edinburgh’s Christmas which this year has new organisers.

So forgive us if you smell a hint of egg nog from this website over the next few days!

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Bottom of the Premiership table, Currie, lose another two players to serious injury as Heriots win the cross-Edinburgh Derby at Malleny Park.

The second Edinburgh Derby in the RBS Premiership in two weeks was played yesterday as Heriots made the trip out to Balerno to play Currie in the fifth round of the 2013-14 season. Currie have had a fair few injury worries so far and are currently languishing at the foot of the premiership table with just two points from five games.

However, it was Currie who were first on the scoreboard, with a penalty from their stand-off, George Horne, to take a 3-0 lead. Heriots then had a chance a few minutes later with a penalty of their own, but the kick from Graham Wilson slid wide in the strong breeze. He did get another chance, as from the 22 drop-out, Heriots took the ball straight back and, following a scrum in front of the posts, Stuart Mustard drove over the line for Heriots’ opener. Wilson scored with the kick and Heriots were in a 7-3 lead after 15 or so minutes of play. For the majority of the half, both teams made significant breaks, but a combination of solid defence and a few errors kept the play away from threatening either try line. Currie, in spite of losing Isaac Miller to a yellow, came out ahead 12-7 with a fourth successful penalty kick with just a few minutes of the half left. Collecting the ball from their own restart following Currie’s fourth penalty, the ball eventually made it’s way out to Heriots’ wing, Harry Boisseau, who crashed through the opposing tacklers to score Heriots’ second try in the left-hand corner. Wilson then slotted home the difficult kick to take Heriots into half time 14-12 ahead.

After what felt like an extraordinary long break, which the Currie management felt warranted a discussion with the match officials, Currie started the second half as they had the first, but an early penalty kick was missed. This gave Heriots the chance to get the ball into ‘enemy’ territory, and they held the home side deep in their half for a several minutes. Play again, swung back and forth, with both sides having breaks, neither gaining the upper hand. Then, with less than fifteen minutes played, the first of Currie’s injury woes struck as No. 7, Malcolm Peacock, suffered a heavy landing from a line-out lift and was side-lined, and eventually hospitalised, with a suspected broken/dislocated ankle. This injury disrupted Currie’s play and the visitors soon struck with another try. Following the delay, Heriots went on the offensive and their front row and centres combined to drive deep into the home 22. This left the ball in the hands of No. 1, Craig Owenson. With just five metres to the line, nobody was going to stop the loose-head from scoring. And nobody did as he took two Currie players with him on his way over the line (pictured top). Wilson hit the post with the conversion, so Heriots only took a 19-12 lead.

From this point, Heriots dominated possession and position, holding Currie deep and allowing them only occasional sight of the ball. With just ten minutes or so of play left, Currie suffered their second, and far more serious injury, of the match. A collision between players left Heriots’ Jason Hill and Currie’s Michael Vernal on the ground. Hill’s injury seemed to be confined to his leg, which he soon recovered from, but Vernal was left unconscious on the pitch while medical staff from both sides attended, what appeared to be, a very serious head or spinal injury. After several minutes, during which an ambulance was called for, the referee decided that the match could not continue as the player could not be moved or treated sufficiently by the team present. He, therefore, moved the match to Currie’s second pitch, while the player was seen to by a team of Paramedics which had arrived on scene

The match continued from the equivalent point with a scrum, but it took Heriots only a couple of minutes to add to their tally with another front-row try, this one from hooker, Kevin Bryce. Wilson banged the ball over to take the visitors out to a 26-12 lead. Currie weren’t for lying down, however, and took the game back up the field to Heriots’ 22. They were held out by some fierce defensive work from the visitors, but persistence won the day and Ethan Pollock dived over near the posts for Currie’s only try of the match. With the kick from Horne going over, the score was a much more respectable 26-19. Heriots followed this up with a score of their own, from a Wilson penalty – 29-19 – before it was their turn to lose a player to yellow, as try scorer Bryce was sent to the bin with just over five minutes of the match remaining. Currie were eager for a score to gain a losing bonus point, but another Heriots’ penalty on the stroke of full time, gave the visitors a well deserved 32-19 victory and, as the crowd dispersed after the whistle, an ambulance arrived to take the stricken Vernal to hospital for assessment.

In a match which got bogged down a good few times by loose play, mistakes and infringements, Heriots always looked the better of the two sides. Currie gave them a fright on a couple of occasions, but the loss of another two of their players to, possibly, season ending injuries had them on the back foot and scrabbling for possession at times. However, given the potential seriousness of the injury to Michael Vernal, the result of the match is really of secondary importance and hopefully, we’ll be able to report good news in that respect.

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

As part of the original Labour Group manifesto one of the promises made was to look at cooperative ways of working. This  approach is now beginning to bear fruit according to the council leader, Andrew Burns.

Last year Edinburgh Council promised to run four exemplar projects in Edinburgh after a conference held here to discuss the benefits of  Cooperative Councils. The council is due to report on the progress of these cooperative initiatives at a seminar with trade unions, third sector, councillors and other stakeholders in Edinburgh next month, and to the full council in November after that.

Libraries and other council buildings outwith the World Heritage Site in the city centre could be used for photo-voltaic (PV) solar panels if the council’s plans work. Electric car-charging points will be installed across the city and district heating initiatives will be explored.

This is an example of a cooperative scheme being actively considered and acted upon by the council right now, partly as a result of a manifesto pledge by the Labour group before the May 2012 election, and partly in a cost-cutting measure to ensure there are enough funds for other projects in the council budget.

The whole point of the cooperative approach is to make a profit from delivering services, and that profit will be put back into retaining and preserving the service, or otherwise invested in the community, in schemes such as play parks.

This is headlined as a new way of running a local authority which is dependent on civic leadership, with councils working in equal partnership with local people to strengthen communities.

Councillor Burns explained:-“The idea is to tie all the various pockets of activity together and amass this into a scaled up model which then makes a profit. Some of these areas may not work but we chose   four specific areas as pilot projects. By bringing these together we hope that savings can be made as a cooperative with critical mass. The money made as profit would then be funnelled back into maintaining and protecting the services.

“There are two things which will come from this: to make good our promise to involve people more in decision-making and the delivery of services, and also to ease the pressure on council services.”

The council is now looking at joining a UK cooperative network. The idea is to learn from other projects across the UK whether these are successful or not, and use ideas of best practice here in the capital.

On the back of the cooperative seminar held in Edinburgh last year and the report which came to council last October, the council set up four pilot projects in the areas of energy, housing, social care and childcare.

It is clearly something that the council leader is very enthusiastic about.

He said:-“Last year the council set up a Cooperative Development Unit with five or six staff under the leadership of Nick Croft in implementation of one of the Capital Coalition pledges.

“I will be looking for delivery of these projects during next year and onwards. I want this to mushroom so that we will then have lots of these in operation. The plan is to use the meeting here next month as a platform to tell people what we have done, and then we will take our ideas forward to the full council as to what might happen after that.

“I want to have solar panels installed on about 25 council buildings which can be community centres, schools and libraries. The energy cooperative which will be set up can install solar panels before the end of this year. Who knows, wind turbines might also follow, although that might be a little trickier.”

Solar panels will be installed on the roofs of council owned buildings outwith the city centre where the installation would be restricted by planning regulations. The profit from the energy produced and then sold back to the grid will be used in community projects. (The Lord Provost Donald Wilson has apparently installed these on his own house to great effect!)

The council leader explained that the council has supported the new Harlaw Hydro project by donating officers’ time rather than cash to the project. All of the profit made when this is up and running will be first of all paid to the shareholders and then used in community projects. Harlaw Hydro has been a great success so far. It was oversubscribed at the initial fundraising stage and they already have planning permission to build the hydro scheme.

Burns continued:-“There will then be a report to the council in November which people can feed into and which will be influenced by the debate at the cooperative seminar in October.

“The biggest advantage of this cooperative model is doing things with people rather than do things to people. For too long political bodies and councils have done that. This should be a more efficient way of working.

“We are trying to create frameworks around which it is easier to set up these cooperatives in other areas. All the changes we have made such as introducing the Petitions Committee and the Governance and Risk Committee are reflective of these ideals.”

There is some information about Cooperatives on the council website about cooperatives which you can find here.

Last month, Andrew Burns was asked to speak at an event in Glasgow when he explained to councillors there the benefits of the cooperative approach, and the reasons for first considering them. He said:-“In the run up to the 2012 Local Poll, we knew without any shadow of a doubt that we had to have a very different approach and a very bold offer to put before the electorate.

1.   Childcare and Education

We have established an SLA with LAYC to support the Out of School Care sector, to identify and help those who wish to transition to co-operative status. One club has applied to the Co-operative Enterprise Hub and the process involved with this club will provide a road map for others wishing to change their governance arrangements.

There is substantial interest from clubs in the development of strategies for mutual collaboration and co-operation including the development of a “co-operative charter.”

The Co-operative Education Trust is working with the Broughton Cluster of schools to develop an action plan that will include transition activities based on co-operative principles, values and practices between nursery, primary and secondary schools.

2.   Health & Social Care

Employee Owned Social Care Co-operative

As part of our Market Shaping Strategy we are supporting the development of personalised services and self directed support to launch an Innovation Fund (£300K in 2013/14 and £100k in 2014/15.  We are specifically inviting applications to the Fund, to be launched on 1 October 2013, for a contribution of up to £50,000 towards the costs of establishing an employee owned health and social care co-operative.

Edinburgh Development Group Care Co-operative

The Edinburgh Development Group has asked for support and advice with a view to establishing a Care Co-operative for the benefit of adults with severe disabilities, to be managed by their parents/ siblings.  The aim is to establish a workforce, providing care and support. The aforementioned fund will provide a route for the Group to apply for the modest funding they need to progress the formation of the co-op.

Workforce Learning & Development Co-operative

We are exploring funding options to make CEC/NHS Lothian e learning/workforce development tools available to voluntary/private sector health and social care services, via co-operative venture, to standardise the induction and other training all care workers in Edinburgh receive, regardless of who their employer is.

Departmental Co-operative Development Team

We are establishing a department team to raise awareness of co-operative development opportunities and better co-ordinate our response to expressions of interest in these.

3.   Energy Cooperative Initiatives

Edinburgh Community Energy Projects Group has identified three priorities:

·        Solar PV on Public Buildings:

·        Electric Vehicle Charging Points across the city; and

·        District Heating / CHP.

Edinburgh Community Energy Co-op is working with CEC on a solar photovoltaic and is currently identifying suitable locations for these projects.

Citywide Residential ESCO

A group of housing associations has researched the potential of an energy supply company to benefit tenants. They will develop a business plan with a view to being operational in 2014. Castle Rock Edinvar will work with CEC to take this forward.

Harlaw Hydro

Harlaw Hydro is an Industrial Provident Society created by the Balerno Village Trust to install and operate a micro-hydro electricity generator at Harlaw Reservoir.  A community share offer raised the funds for this. Income generated will allow Harlaw Hydro Ltd to contribute to projects in the local area through the Balerno Village Trust.

4.   Cooperative Housing Arrangements

 

A Cross Party Political Sounding Board for co-operative approaches to housing has been established and the first meeting was held on 20 March 2013.

We are developing our co-operative approaches to housing through:

·        Reviewing and researching the existing co-operative models in place;

·        Exploring tenant and customer commitment to co-operative models; and

·        Evaluating the ‘value for money’ implications of co-operative models.

Opportunities for co-operative housing/ estate management are being explored for new developments at West Pilton and Greendykes with a view to developing a model for Community Co-ops to be piloted with new tenants from 2014.

We are considering whether Community Land Trusts provide a co-operative model for delivering new homes.

We are exploring potential for a community led co-op approach to furniture and support for new tenants and residents. Discussions have taken place with ETF and work is being taken forward through our Empty Homes Action Group.

At the council’s Policy & Strategy Committee in a couple of weeks time the council will vote on joining the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network which is an organisation reformed from a previous body called Cooperative Councils Network.  The cost of joining is about £4,000 for half a year.

This expense will, according to the council leader, be money well spent as the council will then get lots of information on projects of this kind run elsewhere in the UK and be able to benefit from the experience of others.

It is believed that there may be as many as 80 cooperatives working in Edinburgh right now. If you are involved with one of those then perhaps you would like to tell us about your organisation? Send us your news by clicking here.

The Council is keen to keep the public informed about areas where it has managed to gain ground on any of its coalition pledges.

These are the 50 odd headings under which the Capital Coalition was set up. There is a traffic light system which shows how the council is addressing and dealing with each one.  Largely the council is managing to gain a green or amber light on most as you can see here.

Councillor Norma Austin Hart is the Labour Councillor for Liberton/Gilmerton. Councillor Hart is the Vice-Convenor for Culture and Sport and this weekend she is attending the Labour Party’s National Women’s Conference in Brighton:-

I am at the packed National Women’s Conference taking place just before the start of the national Labour Party conference here in Brighton with journalist Bonnie Greer in the chair.

Lots of articulate women with strong opinions on a huge list of issues : prostitution, pornography, hate crime, absence of women on boards, women in the military, short skirts, page 3, banning of beauty pageants and inappropriate clothing for little girls, racism and much more.

When we have parity with men we won’t need a separate women’s conference!

It was heartbreak in the Highlands for Hearts as Gary Locke’s team snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Leading 1-0 thanks to a Calum Paterson goal, it looked like all three points were destined for Gorgie Road and a vital win. However, fate wore the dark blue strip of Ross County who equalised with just three minutes to go before the roof fell in on Hearts in injury time when the home side snatched the winner.

There was one change to the Hearts team that lost 3-1 to Celtic at Tynecastle seven days ago – Billy King making way for David Smith.

The home side dominated the early exchanges with Carey causing Hearts Dylan McGowan problems on the right. Brittain then evaded the attentions of Jamie Hamill and Danny Wilson but his ambitious long range effort went wide of goal. However, despite their territorial dominance, County were shocked to find themselves a goal behind midway through the first half. Kevin McHattie’s first delivery into the County penalty box was sent back to the young defender whose second cross was met by Calum Paterson who directed the ball past home keeper Brown to put Hearts a goal ahead.

The visiting support, estimated as much as 800, were already as vociferous as ever but Paterson’s goal raised the decibel level even higher. Paterson had another chance after half an hour but his effort from ten yards went wide. County, however, continued to press with former Hibee Ivan Sproule causing Hearts problems with his pace. Half-time arrived with Gary Locke’s youngsters one goal to the good.

There were chances for both sides after the break with Hearts Jason Holt orchestrating things in the middle of the park. It was Holt who had a couple of chances to double Hearts lead but he couldn’t find a way past keeper Brown while Calum Paterson passed up a golden chance to all but secure victory for the visitors but, again, his effort went wide. As so often happens, missed chances cost dear and thus Ross County made Hearts pay with just three minutes left when substitute De Leeuw headed a cross beyond the despairing reach of Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald to level the scores.

If the huge travelling support felt frustrated at losing two valuable points, they were in despair in injury time when home skipper Brittain headed home for an unlikely winner.
With St. Mirren losing at Easter Road, Hearts passed up a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit at the bottom of the SPFL to six points – a fact not lost on Gary Locke.

“It’s a sore one” the Hearts manager said after the game, “We’ve let two crosses into our box and we’ve not defended them. At 1-0 I felt we were comfortable. But we can’t afford to feel sorry for ourselves. We just have to pick ourselves up again for the visit of Queen of the South on Wednesday.”

A bitter pill for these Hearts youngsters to swallow after going so close to victory. The only thing to take from the afternoon was the fact Hearts lost no further ground to St. Mirren whose visit to Tynecastle in a fortnight has all the makings of a tense occasion.

Ross County: Brown, Kovacevic, Gordon, Kettlewell, Boyd, Sproule, Brittain, Quinn, Ross, McLean, Carey.

Hearts: MacDonald; McGowan, McKay, Wilson, McHattie; Holt, Robinson, Hamill; Smith, Paterson, Walker

Referee: Euan Norris

Att: 4,059

Top man: Jamie Hamill – it’s just a pity Hearts don’t have other players with the former Killie man’s experience.

A resumé of remarks, comments and pointers to articles about the Scottish Independence Referendum.

Today marks 362 days until the people of Scotland are invited to vote in the referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.

The question which will be asked on 18 September 2014 is “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

Whether you intend voting Yes or No to that question, your views, and those of others,  have a place here. We invite comments and we also invite you to write about what you think by using our Submit your Story feature here.

Today is mostly about the pro-independence camp who held a rally on top of Calton Hill. There is some dubiety over how many people attended, but there was a police helicopter hovering overhead for quite a time today.

RT @MikeARyan: Supporters march 4 independence http://t.co/G26S7t1pLc snp say 30k police say 8k. Think I believe the police #BetterTogether

— Steven Haugen (@stevenhaugen) September 21, 2013

Wrong on numbers. Wrong on impact. Glad #bettertogether are out campaigning & not taking a jolly to Edin http://t.co/4sGAsRda5y

— David Green (@DavidMGreen92) September 21, 2013

Addressing the Independence March and Rally in Edinburgh today , Scottish National Party leader and First Minister Alex Salmond focused on the overwhelming evidence that people in Scotland want the powers over the economy and welfare that can only be achieved with a Yes vote and independence.
He argued that this is a solid platform on which to build a successful Yes result, in contrast to the No campaign standing on the shifting sands of a failed Westminster system.

Mr Salmond said:-“We have an unrivalled opportunity next year – in 362 days time – to achieve something that no previous generation of Scots has done, and few countries ever do. To vote this nation into a new future of prosperity and equality – and to do so in a totally peaceful, civic and democratic manner.

“Today is an expression of our confidence that the people will put themselves – not Westminster – in charge of their own future by voting Yes.

“In this great debate, the Yes campaign stands on a solid platform on which to build success. We stand not only on the shoulders of the giants of our movement, who worked selflessly to deliver this precious opportunity. Even more importantly, we stand for the aspirations that the people of Scotland already have for the future of their country. In poll after poll, survey after survey, people in Scotland want the powers over their own natural resources, the welfare state and pensions which are vital in delivering the fairer society and stronger economy we need to build opportunity for all.

“And these powers – the people’s powers – can only be achieved by voting Yes.

“The No campaign, by contrast, stand on the shifting sands of a Westminster system that is unrepresentative of Scottish opinion and aspiration.

“There is now a natural majority for a Yes vote.
“By a factor of nearly four-to-one, people agree with us that decisions about Scotland are best made in Scotland, not by Westminster.

“Since its restoration 14 years ago, our national parliament has proved time and again that when decisions are taken here in Scotland we get the right outcomes for the people.

“The Scottish Parliament has ensured that we have university education based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.

“It has enabled us to maintain the integrity of our NHS, with care free at the point of need, as well as delivering free personal care for elderly people.

“In all the areas for which it is responsible, Holyrood has shown the benefits of having decision-making powers here in Scotland.

“People believe that their own parliament should also decide on the economy, should control welfare, should decide on Trident.
“The people want a parliament which sees postal services as part of the economic infrastructure required for a successful and competitive economy – and therefore for the fourth time this week, any government I lead in an independent Scotland will secure the Royal Mail in public ownership.

“The people want a parliament which makes work pay without oppressing those with disabilities. Therefore, any government I lead with the powers of independence will abolish the Bedroom Tax.

“The people want a parliament which invests the nation’s resources in things that really matter such as childcare. Therefore, any government I lead will not engage in illegal conflict and we propose a constitutional ban on nuclear weapons.

“A Yes vote next September will not be a victory for the SNP, or the Yes campaign, or even the huge coalition of interests and enthusiasm gathered here today.

“It will be the people’s victory. ‘Yes’ will be act of self-confidence and self-assertion which will mean that decisions about what happens in Scotland are always taken by the people who live and work here – not by a remote Westminster system.

“A Yes vote is for self-government, not remote government – good government with independence, not bad government from Westminster.

“We are a lucky generation  – to achieve the powers the people want, to win a fresh start, and change our country for the better – we need only say the word. To put this country on the path of hope, optimism and achievement – to put the disappointments and missed opportunities of the past behind us – we need only say YES.”
Former world champion boxer Alex ‘Amazing’ Arthur has thrown his weight behind independence and the Yes Scotland campaign.

The super-featherweight fighter will be voting Yes at the referendum on September 18 next year.

Having boxed in many small countries around the world, Edinburgh-born Alex says an independent Scotland would undoubtedly punch above its weight on the international stage – and not only in sport.

Alex, 35, who won a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, wants to see Scotland competing at the Olympics – one achievement to have eluded the retired fighter.

The boxing champ, with an impressive record of 30 wins and only three defeats, thinks and independent Scotland has got what it takes to go the distance.

And he wants his sons Alex, 11, Liston, 9, and Machlan, 7, to have the opportunity to wear the blue vest of Scotland if they decide to follow in his footsteps.

He said: ‘If we were an independent nation we could be competing for ourselves. To see one of my sons competing in the Olympics Games for Scotland would be a victory for me because it’s something I was never able to achieve. Even though we’re a small country we can definitely look after ourselves.

‘All the other countries that I’ve boxed in that are small countries, like Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden. They’re all small countries, most of them with less than 10 million people, and they’re absolutely fine.

‘So I believe in the whole cause, I believe that we’d be a better country on our own, I think we can definitely look after ourselves and I think it’s better for the future of our youth and our people that we are an independent country.’

He added: ‘The proudest moment in my career is winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur for the sole fact that I won it for Scotland and I won it in the blue vest and that just meant everything to me.’

Father-of-three Alex has given his full backing to the Yes Scotland campaign and has recorded a video for the movement outlining why he believes independence is the right choice for Scotland.

In addition to winning Commonwealth Gold against Canada’s Marty O’Donnell, the decorated fighter won the WBO super-featherweight title at the Cardiff International Arena against Koba Gogoladze on 21 July 2007. He’s now hoping to help win a Yes vote in 2014.

Photo by Ruth Ofonye Independence Rally Edinburgh

Blair Jenkins was loudly applauded and cheered by the crowd on Calton Hill – which the SNP estimated to be around 20,000 – when he said: ‘As I go around the country I am often asked, “What would Scotland lose if we became an independent country?” And you can go through the list fairly quickly. Well, we would lose nuclear weapons; we’d lose the Bedroom Tax; we’d lose Tory governments that we never voted for. So that’s what we’d lose – what’s not to love in any of that?’

Dennis Canavan, chair of the Yes Scotland Advisory Board, told the Calton Hill crowd: ‘This campaign is more like a marathon rather than a short sprint. And having run a few marathons in my time, I know that the runner who is ahead at the halfway stage is not necessarily the winner of the race.

‘We have the people with the stamina, guts and determination to win this campaign – and win it we shall. This campaign is going to fought and won within the communities of Scotland and we have something the other side does not.

‘We have a great army of volunteers  operating in every community in Scotland. They are determined and they bare mobilised and we are organising the biggest grassroots campaign that Scotland has ever seen.’

It was amazing to be part of an #indyrally that for all the small differences was overwhelmingly progressive and aspirational #1Year2Yes

— ScottishYoungGreens (@scotyounggreens) September 21, 2013

As an aid to calculating how many people were at #indyrally today, this aerial pic was taken at 2.20pm. pic.twitter.com/BNNqsWbKck — Kenny Farquharson (@KennyFarq) September 21, 2013

Pictures from the march and rally http://t.co/9JEzzfo4sM #bettertogether #indyref #scottishlabour #BBC #ITV #STV ~BBCScotland — Ian Dick (@IanHarryWebb) September 21, 2013

Alan Bissett tells us why we should… Vote Britain one of my highlights from #indyrally today : http://t.co/O0JRrKhqeD #indyref

— Owen Thompson (@Owen_Thompson) September 21, 2013

Margo MacDonald on one of three screens on Calton Hill #indymarch pic.twitter.com/lEW3apNzCr

— Norman Work (@CllrNormanWork) September 21, 2013

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAnd away from Calton Hill the Better Together campaign was active in leafletting

Great to see our hard work in Longstone featuring on Reporting Scotland. Well done team! #bettertogether pic.twitter.com/dMCMwGB6Sh

— Blair (@BlairHeary) September 21, 2013

The Edinburgh Reporter plans to round up the variety of views we find across all media as often as we can.

This may be a daily article if there is a lot of chat about the independence referendum, or less frequently if we have too much else to do. If you would like to write about your views on independence then please feel free to submit your article using the Submit your Story feature here.  The Edinburgh Reporter does not have a stance on the independence question, but hopes to help you make your mind up about the vote on 18 September 2014 by providing as much unbiased coverage as possible.

There are two main websites where you can obtain further information:-

Yes Scotland can be found here http://www.yesscotland.net

Better Together has a website here http://bettertogether.net

The day started off with Irvine Welsh entertaining fans in the Gallery Restaurant with a reading from his book ‘Filth’ ahead of the release of the film of the same name this week. He then took part in a question and answer session before taking his seat in the Upper West Stand to watch the game.

As a reward he was allowed to select the ‘Man of the Match’ however few of the crowd envied him that task as any one of Pat Fenlon’s men could have been chosen; such was the quality of the team performance.

The ‘glass half empty’ brigade will no-doubt cite the poor opposition and the fact that the score was only 2-0, but make no mistake, this was the best performance seen at Easter Road in many a long day, made even sweeter by the fact that once again, for the second week running the goals came from the strikers James Collins and Paul Heffernan.

Earlier in the week Pat Fenlon backed under-fire Saints’ boss Danny Lennon to turn things round, but hopes that the Buddies’ revival wouldn’t take place this weekend were granted, as Hibs dominated from start to finish and left the field to a well-deserved standing ovation from the long suffering fans.

Former Bohs’ boss Fenlon kept faith with the same starting XI from last weekend’s win away at St Johnstone with new fans’ favourite Abdellah Zoubir remaining on the bench alongside James McPake and Rowan Vine.

Hibs stared brightly and almost grabbed the lead when a well-struck effort from Liam Craig went narrowly past the post, but the breakthrough was only delayed a few minutes.

In the ninth minute, David Van Zanten fouled Heffernan near the half way line, and Kevin Thomson sent a floated free kick into the area which was knocked down by Michael Nelson into the path of James Collins who stooped down to direct his header into the net.

Hibs continued to attack and played some fantastic one touch stuff creating chance after chance as the Buddies struggled to get possession.

Collins then went close with a sensational turn and shot which went inches over the top left hand corner of the goal, then only a last-ditch tackle from Marc McAusland prevented Heffernan getting onto the end of a superb  Kevin Thomson’s through ball and racing in on goal.

With half time approaching when Heffernan collected Lewis Stevenson’s cut-back and brought out a great save from the Saints’ teenage keeper who turned the ball round the post by his fingertips. He then produced another fine save to deny Scott Robertson in time added on.

St Mirren produced their best move of the day just after the break, but the excellent Alan Maybury produced a fantastic block to deny Steven Thompson after a mix up between Craig and Thomson just outside the box.

Two minutes later Hibs almost doubled their advantage when Thomson intercepted a throw out then found Heffernan who set up Craig, but the keeper redeemed himself with a fine save,

Referee Steven McLean then earned the fury of the Hibs’ fans by not booking Danny Grainger for a bad tackle of Scott Robertson, then, after giving the former Hearts defender a last warning, ignored his next foul on Collins.

Hibs grabbed their second goal after 60 minutes when Robertson slipped in Alan Maybury on the right and his powerfully driven cross was turned into the net by Heffernan from four yards to the delight of the Easter Road faithful.

St Mirren then had a short spell of possession without troubling Williams before Robertson intercepted a Goodwin pass finding himself clean through on goal, however Heffernan who was standing in an offside position  took a touch and the chance was lost.

In the 69^th minute, Collins had the ball into the net again, but his effort was ruled offside, then moments later Craig was through on goal only for McAusland to produce a last-gasp challenge to block his effort.

Eight minutes later, Heffernan did well to close down Dilo and forced the goalkeeper into rushing his clearance which fell for Craig who immediately returned the ball towards goal from 45 yards. Dilo rushed backwards and produced an acrobatic save to deny Hibs a third goal.

With 10 minutes remaining, Abdellah Zoubir then replaced Collins and was welcomed by a loud roar from the fans, and Sam Stanton took over from the industrious Tom Taiwo.

Both players made an impact, particularly Zoubir who went on several mazy runs to the delight of the supporters, then in the closing moments  Danny Grainger who had been booed throughout picked up a stupid second yellow card and was sent off.

The news that Ross County had scored two late goals to beat Hearts in Dingwall was greeted with a cheer from both sets of fans.

The win moved Hibs into 5^th place with 11 points from 7 games.

Afterwards a beaming Fenlon said: “I’m delighted. I thought it was a real team performance. We were very solid and created some good chances with some good football.

“All footballers are the same. If you win games, you gain some confidence and momentum and it just breeds from there. You can see it in training every day. All we have done is transferred that from the training pitch to here.

“You can’t buy confidence. It’s about working through the hard days, which we certainly had at the start of the season. It’s about believing what you are doing is right and being bold and brave to say we will get it right.”

Hibs take on Stranraer at Easter Road in Tuesday night and Fenlon will have the dilemma of whether to change the team to give some of the squad players a game.

PS Irvine Welsh eventually picked Liam Craig as his ‘Man of the Match.’

Hibs: Williams, Hanlon, Nelson, Robertson, Craig, Collins (Zoubir 82′), Stevenson, Maybury, Taiwo (Stanton 82′), Heffernan (Vine 88′), Thomson. Subs not used: Murdoch, McGivern, McPake, Caldwell.

St Mirren: Dilo, McAusland, Goodwin, McGowan (McGinn 90′), Thompson, Newton, van Zanten (Bahoken 66′), Grainger, Harkins (Caprice 62′), McLean, Teale. Subs not used: Cornell, Reilly, McGregor, Mair.

Referee: Steven McLean.

Attendance: 9,417.

Community projects working to improve their local greenspace in Edinburgh could be given a cash boost following the launch of this year’s grant funding from the Central Scotland Green Network’s (CSGN) Community Projects Fund.

Supported by Forestry Commission Scotland, the £60,000 CSGN Community Projects Fund provides one-off grants of up to £3,000 to support small-scale work at a grass-roots level and to foster community engagement in delivering green network enhancements on the ground.

The Fund also aims to increase community use of local greenspaces and is focussed on ventures which will benefit children and young people under 16 years old, or which will involve this age group in the project.

Keith Geddes, Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network Partnership Board, said: “Now in its third year, the CSGN Community Projects Fund continues to go from strength to strength and we’re pleased to be able to provide further support to delivering green network improvements on the ground.

“The available grants can be used for a wide range of activities including tree planting, the maintenance or enhancement of existing greenspaces, the organisation of events or activities to promote and increase community use of local woods and greenspaces, or improvements to path networks which will enhance access to the local environment.”

Last year, 34 environmental community projects across the CSGN area received a share of over £60,000. Three projects in the Edinburgh area were awarded a total of £5,826. The Granton Community Gardeners group was awarded £2,000 to support North Edinburgh Harvest by purchasing a range of tools and make access improvements to the garden for older or disabled people.

This year’s Community Projects Fund is being administered by the CSGN Support Unit and an application form can be downloaded from its website.

Groups can apply for grants of between £1,500 and £3,000. All projects must be carried out within the CSGN boundaries, with work being completed by 31 March 2014. The deadline for applications is 28 October 2013.

For further information or to discuss a potential application, please contact Alison Chisholm at Lothians & Fife Green Network Partnership on 0131 445 4025 / alison@lfgnp.org.uk

As one of the Scottish Government’s ‘National Developments’ in the National Planning Framework, the CSGN will change the face of Central Scotland, by restoring, transforming and greening the landscape of an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east.

The CSGN encompasses 19 local authorities across 10,000 sq km and has the potential to benefit 3.5million people, equating to 70 per cent of Scotland’s population. The network’s overarching vision is that by 2050, Central Scotland will be transformed into a place where the environment adds value to the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality.

Submitted by Central Scotland Green Network

Police in Edinburgh are investigating following a serious assault in the West End in the early hours of last Saturday morning (15th September.)

The incident took place at around 3am, when the 18 year old victim left Castle Club on Queensferry Street Lane and walked onto Queensferry Street.

He was then approached by a group of three males who attacked him. The victim suffered a broken nose and a laceration to his cheek.

The victim is described as black, 6ft 2in, slim build and wearing a grey suit, black shirt and white trilby hat.

The suspects are described as three white males, 5ft 7in to -5ft 8in, between 18 to 25 years old and all skinny with an athletic build. One was wearing a purple t-shirt and the other two were wearing white or grey t-shirts.

Detective Constable Joe Perkins from Police Scotland said: “The street was pretty busy at this time so we are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed this assault on Queensferry Street to come forward. Similarly if anyone recognises the description of the suspects then they should contact police.”

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

Billy Hunter, the former Motherwell, Hibs and Scotland player has taken over the role of project ambassador for the Football Memories Project, following the sad passing of his great friend Lawrie Reilly.

The project was launched two years ago and trains volunteers to spend time with people with dementia who have an interest in football, talking about teams and matches from the past and working with images and memorabilia to stimulate memories. The project is a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland and the Scottish Football Museum, and is supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and BUPA Care Homes.

Billy is a well-known figure amongst football fans of a certain era. He joined Motherwell from Edinburgh Norton in 1957 and became part of the famous side that became known as the ‘Ancell Babes,’ playing inside left, and his performances at Fir Park earned him three caps for the Scotland national team scoring his only goal in his first cap in a 3-3 draw with Hungary. He also played in defeats to Turkey and Wales.

In May 1967, the Detroit Cougars paid £14,000 for his transfer and Billy moved to the new American professional league, the NASL, where he spent one season before Hibs’ manager Bob Shankly persuaded him to move to Easter Road.

Billy made his debut  on February 1 1969, in a 2-1 win over Clyde at Easter Road alongside Pat Stanton, Jimmy O’Rourke, Peter Marinello, Joe McBride, Peter Cormack and Eric Stevenson, and scored his first goal for the club a month later in a 3-4 defeat away to Morton.

Before the end of the season, Billy had played in six games, but competition for places meant that he was only able to start four times in the following campaign, although he was a substitute in the Scottish League Cup Final defeat to Celtic.

He also represented Hibs in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup second round second leg against Portuguese team Vitoria Guimareas, which the Easter Road side won on aggregate.

After leaving Hibs, Billy spent four years playing in South Africa, before returning to Motherwell as former team-mate Ian St-John’s assistant manager, a role he held for three years.

He later had a short spell as manager of Queen of the South and Inverness Caledonian.

The 73 year old has been a long term supporter of the work done by the Football Memories Project and regularly visits and spends time with former players suffering from dementia, an illness that he firmly believes can be attributed to regularly heading the older heavy footballs used in the past.

Billy remains active and took time out if his busy schedule to speak to the Edinburgh Reporter about his new role, but modestly pointed out that although he accepts that having his name at the forefront of the project helps with publicity; he is only one of many volunteers for this worthwhile cause.

Billy said: “First of all I would like to say that to be asked to be the ambassador with the Alzheimer’s project with the Football Memories Project in place of Lawrie (Reilly) is a real honour as far as I am concerned. I worked with Lawrie at various functions when he used to attend the meetings and basically that’s all I would do which is to be available for functions in the winter and summer when we need to get people organised for dinners and things, but I’m really enjoying the role. There are a lot of players out there beginning to struggle with their memory with some of them going into dementia stages which is pretty hard to take. We are getting a lot more support through the work and effort of Michael White who started this programme off.

“Michael has started a thing like a little football league in the Central Belt where there are about five teams such as Dunfermline, Motherwell, Hibs, Hearts, Rangers and they bring along four or five people with someone to attend them and they have a quiz programme which is basically Michael showing a whole load of photographs on a screen and they can identify players or teams. It really is good fun and gets some of the players out of their home, away from their carer who needs a bit of a breather and it really does energise them. You can see that immediately.

“I don’t think there is any doubt about the part heading the heavy ball has played but I can appreciate that they don’t come out now and say that this could well be a cause of it because if you get hit on the head with the equivalent weight of a punch bag which they identified when they examined Billy McPhail quite a number of years ago. To get hit on the head with one of these big punch bags every day for umpteen times, particularly the centre forwards and centre halves who were doing that all the time there must be a connection but we can understand that if they did that then  they are opening Pandora’s box up and perhaps they are open for certain recompense, not for  the guy who has got it because he doesn’t recover from this but certainly for the carers who have many years attending their husband who is really struggling.

Listen to Billy’s interview here.

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Michael White said: “Billy has kindly agreed to take over the role that Lawrie Reilly fulfilled and it is a tremendous help to have a high profile former player who can act as a link between the project and ex professional players all across the country.

“In the early days, one of the first clubs to get involved was Aberdeen and they now have three separate groups running which is tremendous, and Hibs, Hearts, St Johnstone and Forfar have started to run groups from inside their stadiums which is great because when the men arrive they know straight away that they are in a football environment and something good is going to happen.

“The meetings are very much focussed on images and pictures of football from the 1940s 50s and 60s and the guys come in and we start off with looking at pictures and recognition of players and teams and then try to draw stories out of them about their experiences of going to games, favourite players, favourite grounds as well as funny stories and there are lots of them and we find that the football memories trigger off their memories of work, school, national service or for the older guys, the war.

“There is always a half time break then after that there is more interaction and conversations, and not so much focussing on the images, and at the end of the session which usually lasts about an hour and a half, the guys go away with a really good positive feeling about themselves.

“Some of the relatives find it hard to believe the changes that have taken place. Daughters, sons, grandsons come into the group and they are amazed at the recall their family member has and is often in a sharp contrast to how they are at home in a normal day to day basis.”

Can anyone identify the two players in the photograph with Billy? Here is a clue; all three found success at Fir Park.

Music fans are in for a treat next month when Roots Acoustic Canadian singer songwriter and guitarist Ben Sures returns to the Capital to play two gigs; one at the Edinburgh Folk Club where he will help celebrate the club’s 40^th anniversary and another at the Wee Folk Club at the Royal Oak.

Raised in Canada’s ‘Austin of the north’ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ben began playing guitar and writing songs at age 15, and although largely unnoticed by the mainstream music industry, Ben has massive stage presence and many devoted fans throughout the world with songs such as ‘Used to have a Raygun,’ ‘Any Precious Girl,’ ‘My Last Girlfriend,’  ‘Drunk and in my Kitchen’ and ‘Who killed the last folk singer?’ His acclaimed albums include ‘Field Guide to Loneliness,’ ‘Gone to Bolivia,’ ‘Goodbye Pretty Girl,’ ‘No Absolutes’ and recently released ‘Son of Trouble.’

Ben still has many fond memories of his last visit to Edinburgh, and plans to do some exploring this time around, but is looking for advice from readers. He took time out from his busy schedule to speak to the Edinburgh Reporter ahead of his forthcoming tour, and explained what the audience can expect from his show.

“I am really looking forward to my return to Edinburgh; I love the people I met last time, hardy and robust and all that gorgeous red hair!!  Also Paddy Bort who introduces the performers at both shows, is the most delightful emcee I have ever come across, so much so, I have video of him introducing me, if I ever make a live record I hope it begins with his voice!

“I went to the Castle last time, so I would like to do some other exploring, maybe a hike outside the city. I will take any advice on what to see while in Edinburgh! Also can someone direct me to a good Indian Restaurant, Blues bar and funky neighbourhood and if someone could grant me an audience with Dick Gaughan I would be the happiest of tourists!

“I try to give context to my songs with a little storytelling and without realizing why people usually laugh at something I say. Edinburgh Fans can expect a mid-western Canadian accent, a good story to back up the songs and a sing a long of some kind. The Edinburgh folk club is a warm up spot and is usually quite short, so I will likely defer to Paddy Bort’s requests if he has any. I know he is a very big fan of the song ‘The Boy Who walked backward through the snow’ which is a true story about a native kid (First Nations/Aboriginal) who didn’t want to return to residential school after the Christmas break and walked backwards from his house into the forest and waited there silently. When the Nuns or Mounties, whoever it was that came to collect him all they found were tracks coming out of the forest, so they never looked behind the tree line and he was able to avoid a return to the terrible school. As an aside he grew up to be a fiddler, a Chief in his community and he retained his Ojibway language.

“I will probably include sing a long, as for my set at the Wee Folk Club in The Royal Oak people can expect to hear an overview of my seven albums. I usually play the songs Rambling Bones and Any Precious Girl the latter having won first prize in the John Lennon Song writing competition’s Folk Category and the other song was finalist in the International Song writing contest and the USA Song writing Competition.  I also have a song called ‘Used to Have a Raygun’ which is a bit of an anthem for socially awkward people across the globe. This song was culled from a two and a half page letter written by a woman who invented the all-powerful sci fi weapon in her imagination which she used to correct situations that didn’t go her way, she dialled up whatever appropriate setting was required, for example ‘Make time reverse and have that conversation go a lot more smoothly with that good looking boy’ setting. She would dial it up, shoot into the air and BAM time would reverse and the words would flow like honey from her tongue and the boy would be conquered! There was also a setting that made mean people dumb, instant affection setting, anything she could dream of.

Ben’s new CD Son of Trouble which is a nod to blues packed with raw guitar riffs, and includes songs in French and Spanish has just been released, and he has pledged to play at least a couple of tracks from it, along with some old favourites.

He continued: “I will mostly play an overview of my folkie songs but definitely a couple from the new album. I find certain songs work best in situations where I am performing solo and those will be the ones I pull out, usually with the most interaction (sing along) or those that have the most tangible story line, also I am typically funnier when  am without a band.

“I wouldn’t say I have a favourite song on ‘Son of Trouble’ but as a whole one of my goals was to not over arrange or over think the songs so that they would come out sounding natural and in some cases quite raw. The album was the first time I really shared my guitar playing skills and the first time I sang in Spanish and French, as well as the first time I performed and wrote original songs closer to the Blues vein. SO I guess it’s an album of firsts, what I have discovered with most of my fans is that it’s not as much a departure for them as it is for me because although it is stylistically different and there is more vintage electric guitar than previous records it’s still the same voice and songwriter, and I take great pride in that. I would rather be identified as Ben Sures rather than ‘Folkie Ben Sures’ or ‘Blues Guy Ben Sures’ etc.”

Before he visits the Capital however, Ben is hoping to finally complete a project that has taken him many years. He explained: “I am writing a song about the Librarians and the library from my childhood. Going to the library every Saturday to read books and experience story times and just being in this amazing place designed for children and being madly in love (at age 8 and younger) with my librarian. ‘My librarian wore perfume, hoop earrings and thick eyelashes. I couldn’t wait for Saturdays, story time and her funky glasses’

Finally what message would Ben give to those who have never had the pleasure of listening to his music?

“If you enjoy the things that make ordinary people extraordinary, storytelling, a performer who acts like he is having a conversation with you and some pretty good guitar playing I think you would be able to take something away from the show that will stay with you.”

Wed 9 October, 40th Anniversary of the Edinburgh Folk Club, Pleasance Cabaret Bar. 8pm Tickets £9 door/£8 conc. /£6 members

Sun 20 October, The Wee Folk Club, Royal Oak, 1 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh. 8.30pm  Tickets £5

Photograph by Roth and Ramberg.

Community Council Elections – Stockbridge Festival – Fancy a party on Britannia? – Trees in the city – Take One Action Film Festival 

If you have been considering joining a community council then now is your chance. You have until Monday to nominate yourself as a potential member of your local body.

You can make a difference to your neighbourhood, improve your community and also meet new people who live locally as a member of one of the city’s 46 community council areas. Community councils are made up of local residents over the age of 16 and on the electoral roll as well as local community groups. Members are elected for three years to these non-political groups who get involved in commenting on local planning and licensing matters as well as organising local events. They also work with councillors and representatives from Police Scotland, NHS Lothian, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the voluntary sector on local issues.

It is worth mentioning that although there are 46 areas there are only 42 community councils in Edinburgh. The four areas where there is as yet no community council are Silverknowes, Colinton, Gilmerton/Inch and Southside, although there is one planned for that area. The Old Town Community Council in particular has had a very low level of nominations and so if you live there you are urged to get involved. The returning officer for the Old Town is Councillor Karen Doran and you can contact her here.

We asked Councillor Cameron Rose who represents Southside and Newington for his comments on the value of Community Councils.

Councillor Rose said:-“Nominations for a position on local community councils closing at 4pm on Monday 23 September 2013 –  there is not much time!

“Community councils act as a voice for their local area and give the opportunity to articulate views on a wide range of issues to public sector bodies (including the Council) and any other organisation.  They also have a right to be consulted on all planning applications in the area.

Community councils are in reality mixed.  Some are vibrant, focussed and active, some reactive and just ticking over waiting for a big issue to energise them.  All are on the lookout for volunteers with good people and committee skills – or even just passions and knowledge. A good community council will have a good chair, efficient secretary, careful treasurer and members with a range of skills and passions who can work together with others for the good of the community.  Could this be you?  If so check out the link here for more information.

In the last 8 years of my experience I have seen superb initiatives, successful campaigns, expulsion, personality clashes, disagreements, loyal service to the community, court cases, noble persistence, not a little frustration and occasional satisfaction all at community councils. Someone (it could be you?) needs draw such drama together into a book.  It might even have the potential to be as gripping as Downton Abbey- which, by the way, starts a new series this week end.

But you need to get your application in by 4pm on Monday.”

Anyone aged 16 years or older and registered to vote can join. Nomination forms are available here. This year, nominations are also being welcomed for the new Southside Community Council.

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The Stockbridge Festival begins today and  we hope you enjoy it all, but we would especially like you to go and see the lovely Stockbridge Photography Club exhibition at 51 St Stephen Street from Sunday evening.

Our other choices from the festival are here in this article.

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Year round, Britannia plays host to the most exclusive private evening events in Scotland. This year, for one night only, the Royal Yacht is holding a ticketed event to give individuals and/or groups a chance to experience a truly memorable night at this unique five-star venue. ‘A Traditional Evening’ on board Britannia is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Royalty.

A red carpet welcome awaits, as guests are piped aboard Britannia via the Royal Brow, an entrance previously reserved for The Queen and the Royal Family.

Enjoy a lavish Champagne and canapé reception in the State Drawing Room whilst a pianist plays the original grand piano. A captivating guided tour follows giving an insight into how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked aboard this historic ship.

A sumptuous four-course dinner is served in the State Dining Room by Britannia’sbutlers. Everything from the exquisite canapés to the artisan bread and petit fours, is meticulously prepared in the original Royal Galley by Executive Chef, Mark Alston and his team, who use only the finest ingredients to create an unforgettable dining experience.

Britannia’s musicians entertain guests throughout dinner. And the evening ends with a ceremony of Beating the Retreat, as would have happened at Britannia’s state dinners.

This spectacular evening is available for £175.00 + VAT per person for 8-12 guests per table. Dress code: Black tie/cocktail dress. Arrival 7.00pm, carriages at midnight.

For further information or to make a booking, please call +44 (0)131 555 8800 or email enquiries@tryb.co.uk

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Trees in the City is draft set of policies and action plan which will be used by the council to guide the management of their trees and woodlands. The document is in draft form and currently open for public consulation until 23 September 2013. Comments from all interested parties are invited. You can have your say here.

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The Take One Action Film Festival will be on at The Filmhouse from the end of next week with a selection of films to educate you on global social change.

For the full programme including outdoor screenings, workshops and talks, pick up a festival guide available in the cinema or visit www.takeoneaction.org.uk

Neu Reekie are appearing at Take One Action:-

SISTERS WEEKEND | MUSIC AND POETRY NIGHT
“I can’t take my ears off her” – Benjamin Zephaniah, on Holly McNish
Curated by Neu! Reekie! – neureekie.tumblr.com
Following a run of sell-out shows that have seen the likes of Primal Scream and Liz Lochhead take to the stage alongside the upcoming performers they most admire, Edinburgh’s almighty poetry squad are back – taking over Filmhouse with lyricism and musicality on a starburst of gender, justice and human-being themes, especially for Take One Action. The bill includes Holly McNish, much published slam queen and curator, fresh from sonic booms on Women’s Hour, Ronnie Scott’s and Glastonbury… Plus Jamaican poet and novelist, Kei Miller (Commonwealth First Book Nominee). We’re also delighted to include you Gods Speak Esperanto – a bold new collaboration between two maestros of the Scottish music scene: Jill O’Sullivan (Sparrow and the Workshop) and Sean Cumming (John Knox Sex Club). TICKETS £7

Last season Hibs were the one of the last teams to let go of their home form which saw them climb to the top of the league, however it’s now the results away from Easter Road that keep the wolf from Pat Fenlon’s door.

Worryingly for the fans, Hibs have won just one of their last 11 home games although six away wins during the same period has eased the pressure on the Irishman. Unfortunately that form deserted them at Tynecastle against a young Hearts side which led to some calls for the manager’s head, particularly as that result came so soon after the 7-0 home defeat to Malmo.

Ironically, an injury to skipper James McPake against the Swedes meant an emergency call to Bradford and Michael Nelson agreed to return across the Border for a nominal fee. Since then the big Englishman has been an inspiration in the heart of the Hibs defence, and his form will give Pat Fenlon a selection headache when McPake returns to full fitness.

Nelson is enjoying his time at Easter Road and is confident that the fans will be celebrating some home victories although he doesn’t mind where the points come from.

Speaking at the weekly press conference ahead of the St Mirren game, he said: “It’s just one of those things, sometimes you win at home and sometimes you win away. Obviously, you want to win at home, because you want to give the majority of the fans something to cheer about. It’s nice to win away as well for the people who get up early in the morning and travel a bit of distance to those games, but if you get three points, it doesn’t matter where you win. As long as we are picking up points, whether it be at home or on the road, we’re not bothered.

“A good record is good to have, regardless of where it is, away from home or at home. The main reason we want to win at home is to give the fans who come in week in week out something to cheer about, but if you are going to have an unbeaten run, we’d rather win away and draw at home than win at home and lose away. You get four points for a win and a draw and you only get three for a win and a loss. As long as you are picking up points, it’s not massively important where you get them.”

“I can’t really comment on the Malmo result, I wasn’t here. But it’s gone now and we’re concentrating on the league and progressing. It’s been a little bit of a slow start to the season but it’s certainly picked up over the last few games. No-one has rolled us over since I’ve been at the club; no-one has absolutely battered us or had us chasing shadows.

“I feel like I have settled in quite well. I think the performances have improved as the games have gone on. Now we’re sitting on the back of a four-game unbeaten run, with two really good results away from home, having gone a goal down in both games.”

Nelson is confident that his former Kilmarnock team-mate Paul Heffernan and James Collins who both scored last week will form a partnership which will strike fear into the opposition and help the club climb the table.

“Even in training last week, when they were on the same side in seven a side games, you could see that, without having worked on anything, their partnership sort of evolved naturally,” he said. “Hopefully, that will develop in the weeks and months ahead.

“Their movement is good and they are both strong boys and they’ll hold it in. It is not just all about the goals they will score; it is about the amount of work they get through for the team and trying to bring other players in, like Liam Craig and players who drive forward from midfield.

“They’ll ask questions of centre backs. They won’t just stand up against them and keep them static, they will move them around and put them into positions where they don’t feel comfortable.”

Hibs could do neighbour a favour today by beating St Mirren at Easter Road. The Saints are only nine points ahead of Hearts, and an Edinburgh double this weekend could see that figure reduce to six.

Pat Fenlon revealed that Lewis Stevenson who had to leave the field following a bad tackle from former team-mate Patrick Cregg last Saturday and Ryan McGivern are both in the squad.

New signing Abdellah Zoubir is also likely to feature at some stage.

A resumé of remarks, comments and pointers to articles about the Scottish Independence Referendum.

Today marks 363 days until the people of Scotland are invited to vote in the referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.

The question which will be asked on 18 September 2014 is “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

Whether you intend voting Yes or No to that question, your views, and those of others,  have a place here. We invite comments and we also invite you to write about what you think by using our Submit your Story feature here.

The SNP said today that publication of further results from opinion polling earlier this week has confirmed that people in Scotland want extensive powers for the Scottish Parliament that only a Yes vote will secure.

They also claimed that additional detail from the YouGov poll for the Times has revealed that clear majorities of people in Scotland want to see control over welfare, pensions, taxation and drugs policy all rest with the Scottish Government while more people also want to see immigration run by the Scottish Government than by Westminster.

Even more damagingly for the anti-independence campaign, just 18% of people in Scotland believe that the powers of the Scottish Parliament will be substantially increased in the event of a No vote – meaning that 82% of people don’t trust the vague promises of anti-independence politicians that Scotland can secure substantial additional powers after a No vote.

Commenting, SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell who sits on the Referendum Bill Committee said:-“This polling is deeply telling and confirms that people in Scotland want to be able to make our own decisions over taxation, welfare, pensions, immigration and drug policy.

“With Westminster imposing policy after policy that people in Scotland simply do not want and which Scotland’s MPs voted against, it is no wonder that people want Scotland to be able to make our own choices in these areas.

“Yet what is most significant is that just 18% of people believe that Westminster will allow Scotland to take on substantial new responsibilities if there is a No vote next year.

“It speaks volumes about the credibility of anti-independence politicians that only 82% of people in Scotland believe their insubstantial claims.

“With anti-independence politicians failing to commit to devolving those powers people in Scotland will clearly recognise that the only way that Scotland will secure the full powers we need to build a fairer, more prosperous country is with a Yes vote a year from now.”

There is to be a rally on Calton Hill by pro independence campaigners on Saturday.

You can get full details here.

Good luck to everyone on the #indyrally tomorrow! Wish I could be there, absolutely will be next year! #indyref #363DaysUntilYes

http://t.co/mCNFx1Yj5D Margo MacDonald, video today, talks about this Saturday’s March & Rally . . .

— 2013 – 21 September (@Independent_SCO) September 19, 2013

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js— Craig Gallagher (@Gallacticos87) September 20, 2013

http://t.co/mCNFx1Yj5D Margo MacDonald, video today, talks about this Saturday’s March & Rally . . . — 2013 – 21 September (@Independent_SCO) September 19, 2013

On Douglas Alexander’s Kumbaya Politics: http://t.co/Z2WjpyXo3M and constitutional procrastination @YesScotland #indyref — Bella Caledonia (@bellacaledonia) September 20, 2013

Independence opens up the chance for change, writes Patrick Harvie in his Evening Times column. http://t.co/tQdJT09J4K #indyref #1YearToGo — Scottish Greens (@scotgp) September 18, 2013

For those following #indyref debate here is THE place for objective polling analysis from the great Prof John Curtice http://t.co/zJUDf4poes — Peter MacMahon (@petermacmahon) September 18, 2013

Next year we will know whether or not Scotland has decided 2 continue 2 stay a strong part of the UK. Play your part http://t.co/TOIxHFklPG

— Rob Murray (@robmurray11) September 19, 2013

New report evidence we benefit from the best of both worlds http://t.co/8j2fwKw5iQ #bettertogether #indyref

— Better Together (@UK_Together) September 19, 2013

The Daily Telegraph’s Scottish Editor Alan Cochrane has written his usual anti-Salmond diatribe over here claiming that the SNP policies are being made up on the hoof.

Alistair Darling claimed David Cameron was irrelevant to the Independence debate and claimed that he speaks for Scotland in an artice in the Herald.

The Edinburgh Reporter will round up the variety of views we find across all media as often as we can.

This may be a daily article if there is a lot of chat about the independence referendum, or less frequently if we have too much else to do. If you would like to write about your views on independence then please feel free to submit your article using the Submit your Story feature here.  The Edinburgh Reporter does not have a stance on the independence question, but hopes to help you make your mind up about the vote on 18 September 2014 by providing as much unbiased coverage as possible.

There are two main websites where you can obtain further information:-

Yes Scotland can be found here http://www.yesscotland.net

Better Together has a website here http://bettertogether.net

Hearts supporters have proved, yet again, how committed they are to helping their team which remains under administration. With a long trip to Dingwall this weekend to face Ross County in the SPFL, members of the 1874 Fighting Fund have rallied round to pay for the Hearts players and officials to stay over in the Highlands tonight in order that the players are fresh for kick off on Saturday afternoon.

Hearts manager Gary Locke expressed his delight at this magnificent gesture:-“Yet again, everyone is doing their utmost for the club. I got a phone call from some of the Fighting Fund members that are involved, people like Gary Mackay, Scott Crabbe, Jimmy Sandison, ex-players who know the importance of preparing for games. They have been fantastic, they have raised funds for us to go up. It’s certainly something the players, myself and my backroom team are very appreciate of.”

When Hearts were last in the Highlands last month to face Inverness Caledonian Thistle, they lost 2-0 and the Gorgie gaffer believed travelling up north on the morning of the game did not help.

“I like to prepare the team as well as I can for every game. With the financial situation at the club, us going to a hotel the night before a game wasn’t exactly a priority. It was a long journey and it didn’t help our pre-match preparations. But this time these boys have come up with the goods so it means the players can get a longer lie without having to get up too early to sit on a bus.”

Hearts have an unchanged squad from the set of players who lost to Celtic last week.

Dunglass Estate is preparing to open its doors on Sunday 22 September 2013 from 12 noon – 3pm for their first wedding fair. Entry to the   stunning venue is free. Everyone who attends will receive complimentary canapés and bubbly on arrival.

During the day, brides and grooms to-be will have the opportunity to tour the beautifully manicured estate, visit the historic cottages, Gothic church and marquee. The 15th century Gothic church, is set in the heart of the estate. It is cared for by Historic Scotland and is one of East Lothian’s most popular visitor attractions.

Cared for and managed by Simon and Joyce Usher – the fourth generation of the family to take ownership of the Estate – Dunglass offers a stunning setting for any event you care to imagine. Lush grounds sweeping down to the cliffs, historic buildings, a rich and explosive history, a magical secret garden… You’ll find all this and more at East Lothian’s Dunglass Estate.

Vendors including photographers, hair and beauty experts, florists, stationers and many other wedding experts will be on hand to offer wedding tips and advice.

For the ultimate day out and wedding inspiration, go along to the Dunglass Wedding Fair. Sunday 22nd September from 12-3pm at Dunglass Estate.

We particularly like this photo as we believe this groom is wearing a Lamont tartan kilt….which is The Edinburgh Reporter’s clan tartan!

For more information, please contact Dunglass Estate

01368 830 868
info@dunglassestate.com
http://www.dunglassestate.com

Estate Office, Dunglass Estate, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire TD13 5XF

Submitted by Dunglass Estate

Today members of the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership (SCNP), Merchiston and Morningside Community Council met along with local Councillor Sandy Howat to celebrate the restoration of the marker plaque in Morningside Road of the 500th anniversary of the battle of Flodden in 1513.

The organisations raised £1,700 via the SCNP to restore the plaque as a mark of respect for the fallen of Flodden.

According to legend the Scottish army under James IV set off from this point on the Burgh muir to go to Flodden. Two thousand men from Edinburgh’s trades left with him and never returned.

A spokesperson for the two bodies said:-“In all an estimated 10,000 Scots died in one of the bloodiest defeats in our history. We felt it was important to mark the event.”

Stockbridge came alive earlier this week when the Magic Numbers who were appearing at the Pleasance decided to stage an impromptu gig in the Oxfam shop… the one where they sell all the CDs and DVDs…

This was part of the forthcoming Oxjam Music Festival.

It looked like a lot of fun! Thanks to Jon Savage Photography for the lovely photos.

Jon Savage Photography
07762 580971
www.jonsavagephotography.com
COPYRIGHT JON SAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

VIVIANE SASSEN:
IN AND OUT OF FASHION
Exhibition organised by Huis Marseille Museum, Amsterdam

19 October 2013 – 2 February 2014
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Nationalgalleries.org
Admission free

One of the most exciting names in contemporary photography will bring her first retrospective exhibition to Edinburgh this autumn.  In and Out of Fashion highlights the work of the hugely acclaimed Dutch photographer Viviane Sassen, and will have its only UK showing at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery from 19 October 2013 until 2 February 2014. This exhibition is part of a continuing programme of exhibitions at the Portrait Gallery – including last year’s stunning Jitka Hanzlova retrospective – which aim to capture the style and range of current international photography and share it with audiences in Edinburgh.

Sassen’s highly distinctive work embraces both fine art and fashion. In 2007 she was awarded the Dutch equivalent of the Turner Prize, the Prix de Rome, for her colourful and dreamlike photographs of Africa (where she has worked regularly since 2002), while her campaigns for fashion houses Carven, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu and M-Missoni, and editorial commissions for magazines such as Purple, i-D, Dazed & Confused and Pop have transformed fashion photography in the last decade.

In and Out of Fashion is a survey of the best of Sassen’s work in fashion from 1995 to 2012, bringing together around 50 photographic prints and vitrine displays, brimming with notes, plans and magazines, selected by the artist, as well as a specially designed installation, in which 200 images are projected onto a mirror in the centre of the exhibition.

The first and only showing of this retrospective in the UK will showcase Sassen’s dynamic and daring approach to photography, producing images that explore shape, form and colour in innovative ways.  Often obscuring the model’s face and depicting the body as a sculptural form that is explored through abstraction, her photographs are bold and idiosyncratic.

Sassen initially studied fashion design and worked as a model, before studying photography from 1992 to 1997.  In both areas of her work Sassen has developed a highly personal signature style: her imagery is challenging, flamboyant, formally inventive and occasionally surreal.  In contrast to her art work, however, Sassen’s fashion photography is made in collaboration, working with a large team of stylists, models and make-up artists.  For her, fashion photography is like a ‘laboratory’, a domain in which she can work spontaneously and intuitively, assisted by a professional team, to perform an experiment.

Working initially for small, underground style magazines, Sassen found herself liberated from the conventions of more corporate fashion photography, and has continued to explore a very playful approach to the medium.  The results are visually astonishing: Sassen’s images are characterised by an expressive use of bold, ultra-bright colour, and her models often ‘melt together’ in contorted, intertwined poses, which make the photographs intriguing, mysterious and difficult to pin down.

In and Out of Fashion will feature the series Nudes: A Journey, which includes selections of early work, made with Emmeline de Mooij, for independent magazines such as Purple and Dazed & Confused, in which the photographs resemble a record of performance art.  For the Roxane series, Sassen created 36 portraits of Roxane Danset, the French fashion stylist, which explore a range of styles from the erotic to the surreal and are indicative of the collaborative nature of her work.

Alongside key images from Sassen’s recent work for The New York Times Magazine, Self Service, Acne, Levi’s, Diesel and Louis Vuitton will be another major body of work, Foreplay, in which the artist explores, in a series of almost abstract images, the moments before a fashion shoot begins, offering a fascinating insight into the spontaneous, creative way in which her vision emerges.

In and Out of Fashion is Sassen’s first retrospective and comes to the Portrait Gallery from Huis Marseille Museum, Amsterdam.  A recently published overview of Sassen’s fashion work, also titled In and Out of Fashion, with essays by Nanda van den Berg and Charlotte Cotton, accompanies the exhibition, published by Prestel.

In and Out of Fashion is shown in the Robert Mapplethorpe Gallery at the Portrait Gallery.  Named after the renowned American photographer, the Gallery is supported by a very generous donation from The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.  This is being used over three years to produce innovative displays, exhibitions and research.  Recent exhibitions have included Edith Tudor-Hart: In the Shadow of Tyranny, Jitka Hanzlová and Man Ray Portraits.  The Gallery is the first purpose-built photography space of its kind in a major museum in Scotland.

There was a good chance that very few of the audience had ever been in an underground Edinburgh rock venue before – as, I’m ashamed to admit, was the case with me. But the Liquid Room was, in theory at least, the ideal venue for contemporary music group Mr McFall’s Chamber’s high-energy Freak Out gig of (mostly) American music, combining classical-influenced rock from Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart with rock- or jazz-influenced classical pieces by modern US composers John Adams and George Crumb.

It was the ideal venue in theory – in practice, the bar’s ice machine made a distracting clanking sound throughout much of the performance, and the informal buzz of chat didn’t help the music that required closer listening. But no matter – this wasn’t a classical concert, and it still made for a thrillingly innovative evening that brought together some blistering performances.

The most blistering of which was horn player Alec Frank-Gemmill’s account of George Crumb’s An Idyll for the Misbegotten, which saw him howling and whooping with his instrument against a backdrop of thundering drums and tick-tocking woodblocks. The setting was far from the moonlit lakeside August evening that the composer suggests, but it still made a potent, theatrical impact.

The Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa numbers brought a mini-orchestra on stage, and they were played with tight rhythms and a real sense of wit – the conductorless players attacked the music with vigour, relishing its twists and turns and sudden changes of gear.

Most impressive, though, were the two new pieces that the group had commissioned for the Freak Out tour from UK musicians. Paul Harrison’s The Dust Blows Forward made extensive use of Beefheart samples in some wacky fast music, and had an intriguing string chorale in its slower movements.

Martin Kershaw’s glorious Far Vistas was inspired by the scenery of Caithness, which he evoked in stereophonic xylophones chattering in Reichian counterpoint, against soft, mellow harmonies in strings and horn. Kershaw dared to be simple and direct, and the music was all the stronger for that – and it would be hard to imagine a more incisive, vivid performance.

Mr McFall’s Chamber’s Freak Out tour concludes tonight at the Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh

Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division are currently conducting inquiries into the discovery of a man’s body recovered from the water at Kyleside, Kyleakin in Kyle of Lochalsh. An artist’s impression of the man has been released in a bid to confirm his identity.

The man is described as being between 35-45 years-old, 5”8″ – 5’10” in height, of medium build, with short dark hair and has tattoos on his left forearm consisting of a cross and the initial ‘G’ close to his wrist. He was found wearing a blue Everlast hooded top, a blue body warmer, dark coloured jeans, a Levi leather belt, chrome Sekonda watch, ‘Help for Heroes’ wrist band, black Nike trainers and had a Reebok black and red backpack.

Within his rucksack there was an official Umbro Celtic away strip from between 2003 – 2005 Seasons when the team sponsor was Carling. It is a size Large (41/43″ chest). The rear of the shirt features no markings.

Officers have confirmed that there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and are not looking for anyone in connection with the matter.

Police are appealing to anyone who knows of a man matching his description to please contact them on our non-emergency number, 101.

Edinburgh South MP has been reselected to run again for Westminster.

Ian Murray MP was reselected to fight for Edinburgh South last night, Thursday 19^th September as Labour’s candidate for the Edinburgh South constituency.

In a unanimous decision, members of the local Labour party met at Mayfield Salisbury church to back Mr Murray to stand for Labour as their candidate for the next General Election, due to be held in 2015.

Margaret Graham, secretary of the Edinburgh South Labour Party, upon Ian’s reselection said:-“We are delighted to have re-selected our popular hard-working MP and look forward to fighting for his re-election in 2015.”

Ian Murray MP, said:-“I am very pleased to have the unanimous backing of the members locally to stand again in 2015. It has been a great honour and a privilege to serve as the Member of Parliament for the past three and a half years, and I look forward to standing again in 2015 to represent supporters of all parties and none.

“ I have helped over 9,000 people since becoming an MP, and if there is ever anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with my office.”

Office of Ian Murray MP

Shadow Minister for Business |Labour Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South

Constituency Office: 31 Minto Street, Edinburgh, EH9 2BT

Telephone Number: 0131 662 4520

Gwyneth Leech is a New York artist who will be sitting inside Anthropologie on George Street tomorrow between 12 noon and 3pm. But she won’t be idle. She is going to draw on a supply of paper cups using the shoppers outside in George Street as her inspiration.

Watch this film and you will understand why you have to go and see her at work!

[vimeo 75008828 w=500 h=281]

Pout is on at the Corn Exchange this weekend in what is billed as the ultimate girlie weekend. Many of the capital’s leading brands are set to primp and preen thousands of women in a two-day extravaganza from 21-22 September.

Running from 11am to 7pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday, over 80 exhibitors will descend on the Corn Exchange for the lifestyle event providing beauty and hair advice, treatments and styling among master classes and fashion shows.

In its second year, Pout will play host to the likes of local salons such as Odyssey Boutique, Wo:mankind and Norton House Spa, experts including clothing colourist The Dresser and showcase products from the likes of Granny Sally’s Soaps and inaa.com.

Amanda Wrathall, Sales and Marketing Manager at the Corn Exchange, said:

“We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of women this weekend who will have the opportunity to really treat themselves with some of the best advice, fun and treatments our exhibitors have to offer.”

Those looking for a golden glow as the summer sun makes its final retreat are being advised to wear a bikini under their clothes and, should they dare to bare, receive a free spray tan from St Moriz on the SemiChem stand. Amanda added:

“It’s finally time to accept our gorgeous summer has come to an end but it would be nice to keep that bronzed skin going a little longer. The bikini that’s been packed away since catching the real sunshine should be dug out for this weekend to catch some of spray sunshine from St Moriz.”

Other exhibitors at the event, which attracted more than 2500 people last year, include the Dulux Design Service which is hosting a ‘Home Couture’ talk, Debenhams, Patersons SA and Neal’s Yard. There will also be small and start-up businesses such as DiaryDoll – an online underwear shop run by TV personality Carol Smillie.

Carol said:-“Pout is a perfect event for us to showcase DiaryDoll.

“It is an event for women who enjoy life and an opportunity for them to spend a day sharing information and secrets that make them look and feel good. What’s not to love – there’s shopping, beauty, master classes, fizz and food – a great day out with friends.”

Once all glammed up from a day at Pout, the burlesque after-party on the Saturday evening will be hosted by the Grand Dame of Scottish Burlesque Gypsy Charms and there will be a chance for guests to shake their tail feathers to vintage tunes.

Tickets are available on the door or online in advance from http://www.poutevent.com/. Tickets for the after-party are to be bought separately.

Picture caption: Carol Smillie tests some of the treatments that will be on offer at this year’s Pout. L-R Lauren McCanny from Wo:mankind, Ashley McMillan from Paterson SA, independent make-up artist Lauren Golan.

Submitted by Suzanne Mackie

With the days getting shorter and nights longer, Police Scotland is advising householders to review their home security arrangements before winter truly sets in.

As part of that review, it is advising anyone who has a Euro Profile Cylinder lock, used mainly on uPVC doors and which is more than a few years old, to consider changing to the more secure ‘Beak Secure’ type of cylinder.

This is because criminals have devised methods of snapping these types of cylinders locks in a matter of seconds and still allow the door lock to be manually unlocked and the door opened giving access to the house.

Chief Inspector Russell Penman, of Police Scotland, said: “The number of ‘Lock-Snapping’ housebreakings reported to Police Scotland is minimal compared to other areas of the UK; however the more secure alternative can be easily purchased from High Street retailers or online and fitted by any person with general DIY skills in a few minutes.

“As criminals are now targeting houses with high-value cars parked outside, they are engaging in ‘Two in One’ criminality by both breaking into your home and stealing things like smartphones, tablets and other portable high-value items and then driving away in your car, so good home security is vital. If you have a ‘Secured by Design’ rated door fitted after 2010 you can be confident that it will have a “Break Secure” lock, but this applies only to ‘Secured by Design’ doors and not all doors.

“The lock on your door is one aspect of domestic security and there are many other things that you can also look at to assist in preventing becoming a victim of crime, some of which will be free of charge and involve only small changes in day to day life. These include:

◦Check that all the doors and windows are locked – even if only popping out for a minute

◦My door locks meet British standards – Bear in mind that not complying with this may compromise the Insurance Cover provided by your insurer. Check the small print on your policy or contact them direct and ask!

◦House keys and Car keys are not in view or easy reach of windows or doors. They are with you when you go to bed

◦Key-operated locks are fitted to all the windows.

◦Install and use a visible burglar alarm

◦Consider leaving lights and the radio on a timer for the evening when house is vacant.

◦Make sure rear garden is secure – there’s a good fence surrounding the house and the side gate is sturdy and padlocked.

◦The garden shed is also locked and alarmed if required; and

◦Remove any ladders or tools from outside and secure them in garage or within house.

“Police Scotland is dedicated to Keeping People Safe, and following the tips above and being aware of your surroundings at all times will help keep you, your family and your possessions safe.”

The Lord Provost will join Marks & Spencer next Friday morning to host an event which is part of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at M&S Gyle Centre Café to help raise £1 million for charity.

The Rt Hon Donald Wilson will launch a special World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event for Macmillan Cancer Support at the M&S Café at Gyle Shopping Centre on Friday 27 September 2013.

Starting at 10am, the Lord Provst will help get the coffee morning and fundraising activities underway. Activities taking place on the morning include:

• Jazz music by Edinburgh based, Banyuls Saxophone Quartet
• Award-winning children’s entertainment, magician,  ‘Alexander the Great’
• Face painting for the whole family to get involved in
• Staff will be dressed as mad hatters from Alice & Wonderland
• A special performance by the Linlithgow Rugby Club Male Voice Choir

MSP for Edinburgh West, Colin Keir, will also attend the event.

Customers coming into M&S Gyle Centre next Friday morning will be joining over 5 million people across the UK who are expected to take part in coffee morning on 27 September. Macmillan is aiming to raise over £15million to help ensure that no one faces cancer alone. The drive comes as over 15,000 people in Edinburgh are now living with cancer, with an additional 2,400 people diagnosed every year.

The Lord Provost said:- “This year’s World’ Biggest Coffee Morning is on track to raise an incredible £15 million that will go to paying for a raft of services to support people affected by cancer. I’m thrilled to help launch the event at M&S Gyle Centre and hope people in Edinburgh come to the Café next Friday to help raise lots of money for this incredible cause.”

Aaron Spicer, Store Manager at M&S Gyle, said:- “The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning provides a great excuse to gather with friends, family, or work colleagues, put your feet up and enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake and all in aid of a truly worthwhile charity.

“The event on the 27^th will provide lots of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy and we hope all our customers can come along to show your support for a cause that  affects so many of us.”

Local Macmillan Cancer Support representative, Jayne Forbes, said:- “We are proud to be working with M&S for a fourth year and we would encourage everyone to come along on the 27^th to the M&S Café at the Gyle Centre store. There will be lots of exciting things happening in store and by simply enjoying a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, people can support us in our drive to ensure no one faces cancer alone.”

Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning calls on people across the country to gather with friends and family to hold a coffee morning. In addition, customers can also support the cause by going to over 300 M&S Cafés nationwide and buying:

• 14 select items sold in M&S Cafés. 5p of the retail selling value of these items will be donated to Macmillan;
• A Victoria Sponge cake from M&S Food halls. 20p of the retail selling value of this popular dessert will be donated to Macmillan;
• A cup of coffee – M&S will donate a further 50p for every coffee sold on the day;
• Specially-commissioned pin badges or Macmillan’s ‘Little Book of Treats’, which features recipes from supporters and celebrities.

Make time for what really matters by holding or attending a coffee morning. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 602 1246 or text COFFEE to 88080 to get your Coffee Morning Kit today.

Following comments from local businesses, the tram stop in Shandwick Place is to be renamed so that any visitors will know where they are….

The stop will be renamed ‘West End – Princes Street’ to highlight the area to foreigners.

Former MSP Bill Walker who represented Dunfermline for the SNP has been jailed for 12 months at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this morning. Mr Walker resigned as an MSP two weeks ago, and was expelled from the SNP party last year.

Mr Walker was convicted of 23 counts of domestic violence against his three former wives and his stepdaughter following a two week trial last month.