LATER SUMMER OPENING TO BE PILOTED AT CITY CENTRE VENUES

Both the City Art Centre and the Museum of Childhood are set to capitalise on this summer’s influx of people to the city centre if proposals to extend evening opening hours are agreed next week at the Council’s Culture & Sport Committee. The plans are set to be piloted from June to September this year in an effort to boost footfall and increase visitor numbers to the popular attractions.

A report details the proposals which would see the City Art Centre open until 7pm throughout the week and the Museum of Childhood open until 6pm. The plans also include early Sunday opening at the Royal Mile venue.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said:- “During the summer months the centre of Edinburgh is always busy with thousands of festival-goers and opening later into the evening will allow our venues to capitalise on this footfall. In February the Capital Coalition allocated £20,000 in our budget to allow this pilot to go ahead. With the City Art Centre hosting this summer’s must-see exhibition of fashion photography from the Condé Nast archives, I’ve no doubt that our city centre venues will be the destination of choice for locals and tourists over the next few months.”

The pilot, which would run from 15 June to 8 September, is to coincide with the City Art Centre festival exhibitions featuring Coming into Fashion – A century of photography at Condé Nast among the extensive programme.

Councillors will be asked to agree the alternative opening hours pilot at the Culture and Sport Committee on Tuesday 28 May.

Current opening hours:

City Art Centre: Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Museum of Childhood: Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Proposed opening hours:

City Art Centre: Monday to Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 12pm – 7pm

Museum of Childhood: Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 6pm

Tickets go on sale this morning for perhaps the coolest Festival of all those which take place each year in Edinburgh.

Headline acts include: Jools Holland, Eric Burdon, Pharoah Sanders, Tia Fuller, Champian Fulton, Snarky Puppy, Mud Morganfield, Ghostpoet, Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert, The Three Bs (Chris Barber, Acker Bilk and Keith Ball) and many more.

The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival has announced a world-class line-up for the 2013 Festival, held from 19th-28th July at venues across the city. All tickets go on sale today, with special offers for early bird purchases.

Expect unique artistic collaborations, cutting edge performers, funk and dance-fused sounds, timeless jazz favourites, intense art, total relaxation and a good time for all!  There’ll be fun-packed nights at Festival Theatre, a party atmosphere at the Spiegeltent and show-stopping performances at the Queen’s Hall. The Festival will be setting up a cool, new modern jazz club at 3 Bristo Place.

Brand new Festival elements this year include Cross the Tracks, a new strand that throws the spotlight on contemporary, underground music influenced by jazz. Participating artists include Hidden Orchestra, Submotion Orchestra and Ghostpoet. Plus the Tron Kirk will transform into a new ‘Festival hub’ – a club that will open at 10am and run through to late evening with a grand array of performers from contemporary jazz via Edinburgh heroes to vintage jazz.

The Festival also gets the summer ‘Festival Season’ started in a blaze of colour and beats, taking the music to the streets and parks of Edinburgh with the Mardi Gras on Saturday 20th July and the second ever Edinburgh Festival Carnival on Sunday 21st July.

Brian Fallon, Chair of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival says,  “We’re bringing back the energy and feeling of a real festival, concentrated and fun.”

Featuring 146 concerts, performers from six continents and live music over 10 days, the Jazz and Blues Festival asks audiences to come along and start their Edinburgh Festival party in style!

2013 Festival Highlights

• The Edinburgh Jazz Festival Orchestra presents the inspirational Sacred Concert by Duke Ellington.
• Great American singer Champian Fulton makes her festival debut, headlining a programme of young musicians playing older styles of jazz.
• The Festival celebrates Muddy Water’s Centenary with a special concert featuring his eldest son, Mud Morganfield.
• The Three Bs, with Chris Barber, Acker Bilk and Keith Ball, perform in the year when the legendary Kenny Ball passed away.

2013 Ticket Information

Tickets are available from:

• www.edinburghjazzfestival.com
• The Hub: 0131 473 2000 or in person from Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE.

Photo of Tia Fuller by Kieran Dodds

HMS Edinburgh – MP urges applications for Heritage Lottery  – Scottish Government announce aid for school trips – Leith Festival – WeDO Conference

HMS Edinburgh will set sail from the capital for the final time this morning at around 11 o’clock. On Friday the crew marched along the Royal Mile and were inspected by The Lord Provost who had also given the ship the Freedom of the City. This morning he will be on board!

After a six-day visit to her adopted city, HMS Edinburgh will take a final bow today as she sails from Leith for the last time.

The Lord Provost, The Right Honourable Donald Wilson, will be amongst a handful of senior guests on board as she slips quietly from her berth bound for Liverpool, her penultimate destination before re-entering her home port of Portsmouth at the end of the month.

The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland will mark the occasion from the pontoon beside Britannia, along with a number of young people from local Sea Cadet units at Musselburgh, Leith and Dunbar.

It is bound to be both a celebratory moment of the 28 years’ relationship the Type 42 destroyer – affectionately known as the ‘Fortress of the Sea’ – has had with her namesake city, as well as a sad goodbye for sailors and local people alike, who have enjoyed not only this final tour, but also the benefits of almost three decades of strong links.

The final sail brings to an end this last visit which has included the pride of exercising the ship’s privilege to march through the city on Friday, followed by a chance for the public to get on board on Saturday.

Bowing out after three decades and with 695,000 miles of global operational service under her belt, the ship will progress to Liverpool to mark the 70^th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic. The Mersey also holds a special place at the heart of the ship’s history, for she was launched from Cammell Laird’s shipyard in Birkenhead in 1983, before joining the Fleet in 1985.

“We are preparing ourselves for what will certainly be a heartfelt wrench,” said HMS Edinburgh’s Commanding Officer, Commander Nick Borbone. “As the ship leaves her berth, enters the lock and then quietly slips away from the backdrop of one of the world’s most famous cities, there will not be a single person on board who has not been proud to call Edinburgh our spiritual home for almost three decades.

“To watch the city’s skyline slowly disappear from view will, no doubt, detain many of the ship’s company on deck – just to catch that last glimpse.

“We are absolutely honoured to have been welcomed so affectionately this weekend and took particular pride in exercising our Freedom of the City with a Privilege Parade on Friday. And the level of support we received during our open day for visitors was humbling and a real joy – the enthusiasm was infectious.”

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “It was my honour to confer the Freedom of the City to ‘The Fortress of the Sea’ during Friday’s fantastic Privilege Parade. The Royal Mile was alive with colour and I was delighted that the public turned out in such force to help celebrate a long and proud association with the City.

‘It was, of course, also an occasion tinged with sadness as we prepared to say our farewells to HMS Edinburgh and I’m sure tomorrow’s final sailing will be an emotional time for the crew members and everyone associated with this great ship.”

HMS Edinburgh, the last of the Type 42 destroyers, recently returned to the UK from her final deployment – six months patrolling the Atlantic. She left her home port of Portsmouth in September 2012 for routine operations across the North and South Atlantic in support of British interests worldwide.

The Type 42s for more than 40 years have patrolled the world’s oceans on behalf of the UK, protecting the nation’s interests both in home waters and further afield. As HMS Edinburgh bows out of service she hands the mantle firmly on to the new state-of-the-art, ultra-capable Type 45 Daring Class destroyers – all built on the Clyde.

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Mark Lazarowicz MP urges people in Edinburgh North and Leith to apply for grants to mark centenary – £6million available

Mark Lazarowicz MP attended the launch of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s  (HLF) new small grants programme First World War: then and now at the House of Commons to find out how people from his Edinburgh North and Leith constituency could secure funding to mark the centenary of the First World War.

No part of the UK was left unaffected by the First World War as war memorials in small rural villages testify. Its relevance is as great as ever with at the last count 37 armed conflicts taking place around the world including continued instability and fighting in the Congo which has seen the death of more than 5.4 million people since 1998.

HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019.  It will provide grants of between £3,000 to £10,000 enabling groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

Mark, said:-“It is good that the Heritage Lottery Fund is making this money available to local communities.  Like many areas across the UK, the impact of the First World War on people here in Edinburgh North and Leith was extensive.

“Around 2,500 men from Leith alone gave their lives in the First World War. The commemoration of the First World War should be a reminder of the devastation it caused to humanity and a spur to work towards a more peaceful world.”

An example of the way that Edinburgh North and Leith was marked by the conflict was the Gretna train disaster in May 1915 which resulted in the death of 227 men from the local regiment, the Royal Scots, when a train carrying the troops crashed into a local train near Gretna Green. There is a memorial to those who lost their lives in the tragic accident in Rosebank Cemetery.

Mark Lazarowicz MP is urging people locally to think about how they would like to mark the Centenary.  The kind of projects that could be funded include:

• researching, identifying and recording local heritage;
• creating a community archive or collection;
• developing new interpretation of heritage through exhibitions, trails, smartphone apps etc;
• researching, writing and performing creative material based on heritage sources; and the new programme can also provide funding for the conservation of war memorials.

HLF has already invested £12million in projects – large and small – that will mark the centenary of First World War.

Application packs are available at http://www.hlf.org.uk/ThenAndNow.  If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes.

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And  in more news about the First World War….

Every secondary school in Scotland will be offered financial help to carry out educational visits to European battlefields as part of the Scottish Government’s plans to commemorate the centenary of the Great War, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.

A £2,000 grant will be made available to every senior school in the country to help them meet the costs of trips to Western Front battlefields and war graves so pupils can learn more about the sacrifice made by the many thousands from Scotland and elsewhere during the First World War.

The £1 million fund, which will be administered by Historic Scotland, will include additional subsidies for groups travelling to the continent from schools not on the Scottish mainland.

The educational grant scheme, which will span the six school years from 2013, comes after the First Minister announced a £1 million fund to allow communities across Scotland to refurbish and maintain their war memorials ahead of the commemorations.  A full programme of commemorations in Scotland is expected to be announced by the First Minister shortly.

The First Minister said:

“The sacrifice made by the many thousands of Scots and those fighting for Scottish battalions during the First World War must never be forgotten, and it is absolutely crucial that we take the opportunity presented by the centenary to help young people develop a deeper understanding of the causes, consequences and horrors of war and the devastation wrought by the conflict on communities in all corners of the country.

“Many of the soldiers who were sent to War in 1914 were not much older than school age and educational trips to see WWI battlefields provide an unforgettable experience for our young people, giving them a powerful insight into the trench warfare endured by millions on the Western Front.

“Many schools already run educational trips to the European battlefields, but this additional £1 million in funding will ensure that every secondary school in Scotland is offered financial help to take pupils and teachers to Europe during the centenary of the War, broadening the pupils’ knowledge of the conflict and ensuring that a new generation of Scots never forgets the unimaginable price paid by their forbears a century ago.”

Rev Norman Drummond, the chair of the Scottish Commemorations Panel body set up by the Scottish Government to recommend a preferred approach to Scotland’s commemorations of the Great War, welcomed the announcement.

Rev Drummond said:-“I am delighted that the Scottish Government will be funding Battlefield visits for our secondary schools.

“It is vital that we create an educational legacy as part of Scotland’s commemorative programme and these visits will enable our pupils and teachers to experience at first-hand the significant service and sacrifice given by so many Scottish servicemen and women throughout World War One.”

Denise Dunlop, President of the Scottish Association of Teachers of History, said:-“This is a fantastic initiative that I hope all of Scotland’s secondary schools will welcome.

“Battlefield visits are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for school pupils to learn first-hand about war and its horrible consequences.

“Many of these conflicts are glamourised in today’s society, and these trips offer a chance for young people to learn the truth about what happened to so many thousands of soldiers – many of whom were not much older than school age.”

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One of Edinburgh’s longest running community celebrations is gearing up for its annual extravaganza in June – promising an exciting mix of everything from premieres to premiership players.

The Leith Festival which aims to celebrate the rich culture, heritage, diversity and creativity of the city, will run over nine days in June.

More than 50 different activities – covering live music, art, sporting events, guided tours, dancing, theatre performances and family events – are taking place across 38 different venues within a one mile radius of the centre of Leith.

And the Festival will once again have as it centrepiece the ever popular Leith Festival Gala Day and Pageant – the Pageant has been a piece of Leith history for more than 100 years.

Patricia Romero, Leith Festival Marketing, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Leith its annual Festival once again.

“Leith Festival is a major event in the community calendar and we will be expecting some 10,000 people to get involved in the Gala Day itself.

“But this year we have tried to ensure there is a wide programme of events and activities that run across the nine days of the festival

“The atmosphere is always great especially as the whole family can get involved with so many different activities.”

The festival will officially run from June 8-16 but this year it will begin with a street launch at the Kirkgate Shopping Centre on June 7 from 6pm-8pm.

This will be followed by the hugely popular Gala Day and Pageant on June 8.

Performers, visitors and locals will begin the Pageant on Balfour Street from 11am  before making their way through the streets down Leith Walk and towards Leith Links.

Some of the headline events on the nine-day programme include the premiere of ‘Sinatra: The Final Curtain, theatre performances from Black Dingo Productions and Absolute Improv and Hibs legends playing for The Pete Smith Memorial Charity March.

There will also be a choice of music rhythms from around the world, from Balkan Beats & Swing Grooves, Blues on the Cruz, classical music in The Clanjamfrie, and history and family entertainment with Molly’s Magical Mystery Mayhem. There is also a documentary in the planning with production company, ‘Broken Blonde’.

Patricia added: “We are all grateful to all sponsors, partners, and all the fantastic people who have been so hands on, that have made it possible for this year’s festival to happen.

“With their help it has allowed us to organise a show that will be bigger and better than ever, allowing everyone involved to enjoy themselves.”

The Festival Radio Show on 98.8 Castle FM will also be broadcasting a three-hour-weekly live show leading up to the festival, and a daily programme during Festival week.

For more information on everything that’s going on, visits the Leith Festival website: www.leithfestival.com

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The cream of the Scottish business community, including former executive editor of the Scotsman and founder of online media website ‘Scot-Buzz’, Bill Jamieson, will come together soon for the annual WeDO Scotland annual conference.

The WeDO Scotland conference will take place at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on the 23^rd of May and is the second to be hosted by the leading entrepreneurial network. The conference will give high flyers from across the country the chance to learn from each other as well as hear invaluable advice from some of the industry’s most acclaimed experts.

Speakers at the event include Bill Jamieson, founder of Scot-Buzz, who previously held the role of executive editor of the Scotsman newspaper; along with David Sole Associates founder David Sole OBE, who is also the co-founder of the School for CEOs; and Gavin Oattes, co-founder of Tree of Knowledge and winner of the WeDO Scotland Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2012.

Alongside the expert talks there will also be various business workshops available and attendees will be given the chance to pick the brains of their peers and Scottish business leaders at the networking lunch.

Founder of WeDO Scotland, Belinda Roberts, said: “WeDO Scotland has an ethos firmly built on nurturing Scottish business and through events such as the WeDO Scotland conference, we strive to celebrate and encourage the amazing entrepreneurial spirit we have on offer in this small but feisty country.

“WeDO Scotland’s first ever conference, which was held last year, arrived with a bang and this year’s conference will no doubt do the same.”

Open to Scottish business owners and founders, WeDO Scotland members meet regularly to share ideas, experiences and knowledge at topic-based events which are selected for their relevance to entrepreneurs. Those involved in the organisation range from start-up businesses with high growth potential to multi-million pound turnover companies.

The conference will take place at Dynamic Earth, 112-116 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh. Registration will start at 8:45am with the event running from 9:25am to 5:30pm.

Ticket Price for members is:

Standard Ticket £120 + £3.65 online booking fee

Ticket Price for non-members is:

Standard Ticket £140 + £4.15 online booking fee

To book your place at the conference please email: support@wedoscotland.co or call 08708 759793.

Drenched in a uniquely Scottish melancholy, ‘Throes’ shows that The 10:04s have heart as well as harmonies.

The four piece’s previous two releases have been the kind of tracks to get you dancing – this one will get you thinking.

And ‘Throes’ definitely proves that variety is the spice of life. Starting unabashedly softly, Danny Scrimshaw’s vocals are exposed in all their beauty during the tender first act of the song.

From these little seeds of anguish grows ‘Throes’ ultimately powering chorus, showing that, whilst a more sensitive number, The 10:04’s still know how to hook their listeners. Entangled in layers of thrusting guitars and serenading vocals, it is Paul Haddow’s enthralling drumming that gives ‘Throes’ its edge at its pivitol points.

Like a nocturnal predator, the song’s romance hits you by stealth as much as by swagger. With a debut album on the way, ‘Throes’ shows that The 10:04’s have more than a few aces up their sleeves to keep fans guessing.

The 10:04s will be headlining Electric Circus on Friday 24th May – Doors 7:00pm

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuAfksgs0Zs]

https://www.facebook.com/the1004s

‘Throes’ is available now from iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/throes/id643967867?i=643967956

Police in Edinburgh investigating a bag snatch in the Capital last year have released a CCTV image of a male they wish to trace as part of their enquiries.

An 87-year-old woman was robbed after alighting a Number 19 Lothian bus near Crewe Road North at around 6.10pm on Saturday 29th December. The victim was left shaken but unharmed.

While the image is not of great quality, anyone who recognises the male, perhaps from his clothing, is asked to come forward immediately.

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

Pedal on Parliament –  Queen Margaret University and The Engine Shed – South West Neighbourhood Partnership – New exhibition at Open Eye Gallery from today – Greater Grassmarket

We have several articles about the Pedal on Parliament cycling protest which took place in the misty weather we had yesterday.  Greener Leith have an article about their feeder ride here. Notwithstanding the dull day it was definitely livened up with the smiling faces of all who took part. Now it is down to The Scottish Government to do more than just talking with the safety campaigners to try and bring about a step change in road safety.

Several MSPs across all parties took part in the ride and here is Sarah Boyack MSP addressing the crowd:-

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Queen Margaret University will celebrate the success of its Santander scholars and award winners when it hosts the Santander Universities Scholars’ Reception, today. The event hosted by QMU Principal, Professor Petra Wend, will also provide the ideal opportunity to thank Santander Universities UK for their support over the last five years in enhancing the university experience of students, staff and recent graduates through the awards.

Santander Universities UK, a global division of Banco Santander, has contributed £135,000 to QMU over the last two years through its provision of scholarships for study and research, travel grants, community awards for volunteering activities and paid internships.  Luis Juste, Director of Santander Universities UK, and other senior personnel from Santander Universities UK will be there to celebrate the success over the last two years of around 50 Santander Scholars and award winners, all of whom are students, staff or graduates of QMU.

In addition to study and research scholarships and travel grants, the latest tranche of awards includes £6,000 in Santander Community Awards to be awarded to local charities as a result of the volunteering activities of QMU students.

QMU Principal, Professor Petra Wend, said: “We are delighted to welcome Luis Juste, Director of Santander Universities UK, and his team to join us in celebrating the success of our Santander Scholars. The Santander scholarships and awards enable our students and staff to continue or deepen their studies or research, and to gain an international perspective, through the provision of travel grants to support research overseas. They play an important part in enhancing the university experience of students and staff, and we are most appreciative of Santander Universities’ continued generous support.”

Professor Wend continued: “We are delighted to congratulate the winners of this year’s Santander Community Awards several of whom have used the skills and knowledge gained as part of their studies for the benefit of local charities. Their volunteering activities exemplify the relevance of our courses and the ‘can-do’ attitude we aim to foster in our graduates.”

Luis Juste, Director of Santander Universities UK, said: “Twelve registered local charities or not-for-profit social enterprises in Edinburgh and Midlothian will each receive a Santander Community Award of £500 after being nominated by a QMU student who is an active volunteer with them.

They include, The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, a new not-for-profit social enterprise nominated by Danish mountain biker Ms Sidse Sorensen, an undergraduate on QMU’s BA (Hons) PR and Marketing programme. Launched earlier this year, the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling aims to encourage more individuals to take to two wheels and gain health benefits for themselves and environmental benefits for the city.

Among the other charities to benefit are the Hollies centre, Musselburgh, an invaluable local resource which aims to counter isolation among the local elderly through its lunch club, respite care facilities and other services. Fergus Boden, Kara-Jo MacFadyen, Lorna Rew, and Dane Thomson, students on QMU’s BA (Honours) PR and Marketing programme became involved with the local social enterprise after working on a project with the Hollies as part of their studies.

Liz Shannon, Co-ordinator with the Hollies, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the award. I think it’s fabulous. We have built up such a rapport with the QMU students. To have a new board outside would be perfect because we want to open up the Hollies to the wider community.  A lot of people think our facilities are just for old people. We are keen to encourage younger people and families to use our café as it is an important source of revenue for our work.”

Other charities to benefit from the £500 awards include: Mayfield and District Breastfeeding Support Group; East Lothian Special Needs Play Scheme; Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland; The Engine Shed; Bethany Christian Trust; South Leith Parish Church Breakfast Club; ‘No Limits’; CHANGES, Musselburgh; Waverley Care and the Pilmeny Development Project.

However The Engine Shed is now threatened by closure and there is a petition to persuade the council to keep it open which you can sign here.

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There will be a Public Meeting of South West Neighbourhood Partnership on Tuesday 21 May 2013.

The organisers pose this question:-“Does everyone know what a Neighbourhood Partnership and how it has an impact on your daily life in City?”

There are 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships in Edinburgh, each made up of a core membership of local Councillors and representatives from… the Police, Health, local voluntary sector organisations and the local community and they are accountable to YOU!

Got a burning question to ask them? Then come along to the next public meeting of your Neighbourhood Partnership
(http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/page/South_West.aspx) is on Tuesday 21st May, 7pm, Gorgie Dalry Parish Church, 190 Dalry Rd, EH11 2NX

Find out what’s happening in YOUR neighbourhood!

For Further Information Contact:
Scott Neill & Graham Budd
Partnership Development Officers
0131 527 3816 / 0131 527 3884

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The Open Eye Gallery on Abercromby Place has a new exhibition opening today. One of the artists is Edinburgh artist and President of Visual Art Scotland, Diana Hope. The other part to the exhibition is a display of paintings by James McNaught RSW RGI under the title, Capricci, and featuring landscapes in watercolour and gouache.

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This weekend in the Grassmarket there will be pony rides! Here  is what the organisers say:-

Between 12.30pm – 3.30pm on Saturday 25 May 2013 the Grassmarket will be home to two beautiful ponies; Flame is a Welsh B pony and Pumpkin is an adorable Shetland pony.

There will be Free Pony Rides available to approximately 3-12 year olds during the afternoon to celebrate the start of the Grassmarket Summer Events Calendar – which includes monthly fun days, markets and entertainment for all ages throughout the summer.

The Grassmarket was once home to a large and vibrant Horse Fair, which occurred every November in the area (for a great image of the scene click here).

Next weekend we hope to reawaken a little of this magic with a visit from the two beautiful ponies (previously seen at Beecraigs and Polkemmet Country Park, West Lothian).

This event is supported by the Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District, started February 2013, which works in collaboration with the businesses within the Greater Grassmarket district to improve and enliven the area. More information about this project can be found at www.grassmarket.net.

Another of our reporters was out on George IV Bridge and caught some of the action from Pedal on Parliament there on video…

[vimeo 66516657 w=500 h=281]

pedal on parliament movie from sam khan-mcintyre on Vimeo.

With many sports finished for the summer, all eyes are on Hampden where a board meeting of the SPL will decide Hearts’ immediate future. The National Stadium will also be the scene of the Scottish Cup Final next Sunday between Hibs and Celtic, and the Edinburgh Reporter wishes both clubs well.

We also send out congratulations to Leigh Griffiths for adding the Scottish Football Writers Player of the Year award; the first Hibs player to do so since the great Pat Stanton. This award completes a unique treble of SPL Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year. Well done to his team-mate Alex Harris who was voted the William Hill Scottish Cup Player of the round for his semi-final performance against Falkirk at Hampden.

Elsewhere congratulations to Craigroyston for winning the  East of Scotland League Division One, Hutchison Vale and Tynecastle youngsters for trophy wins and also to the Edinburgh Monarchs for another double over Plymouth Devils.

Rugby by John Preece

Not so much in the way of action this week – well, none really – as two Scottish International players announced their retirement from the game, but for very different reasons.

Scotland’s Joe Ansbro has been forced to retire from the game on the grounds of injury. The eleven times capped player fractured his C1 vertebra in a pe-season match and in spite of a long and intense period of rehabilitation, has had to accept the advice of Scotland’s Head of Medical Services, James Robson and hang up his boots.

His full-team debut was in 2010 in the historic victory over South Africa after having made an impression playing for the ‘A’ side. In his, relatively short, International career he scored three tries for his country, the last one against being Samoa in the 2012 Southern Hemisphere Summer Tour.

Dumfriesshire born Ansbro will now take some time out to settle into the routine of ‘normal’ life and then decide on his future.

The Scotland Women’s captain also announced her retirement, but on the grounds of ‘my body’s had enough’. Susie Brown, who has played for the National team for nine years and won 62 caps in the process, has finally decided to call time on her rugby career.

She started playing whilst still at school and has played at club level for Boroughmuir High School, Glasgow University, Hillhead-Jordanhill and, latterly, Richmond. Her International debut was against the USA at Murrayfield in 2004 and her final game was the eleven try defeat of Sweden last month, a game, in which, Brown scored the fourth and bonus-point try. One of her highlight games was beating France at a – very – misty Lasswade in 2010 (a match which, coincidentally, was the ‘International’ debut of The Reporter’s rugby photographer and reporter, John Preece).

Brown has stated she would like to return to the game in some capacity in the future, but for now will dedicate some well-deserved time to her family and career.

Football

The main talking point amongst fans this week, is the fate of Hearts after parent company UBIG were listed on a Lithuanian government website of insolvent firms after reportedly declaring itself unable to meet its liabilities.

A team of Lithuanian lawyers have met SPL lawyers to try and unravel the issues and a decision is expected following a board meeting at Hampden Park on Monday morning. Potential sanctions could include an 18 points deduction which would see the club relegated with immediate effect, or alternatively this could be delayed until next season and Hearts would start the campaign with minus 15 points.

On the other hand, the board could rule that Hearts have done nothing wrong and they can continue as normal.

Whatever the decision, it will have massive implications for Scottish football.

On the field, Hearts ended their league campaign with a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie. Ryan Stevenson gave Hearts the lead heading in a Smith corner, but a Jamie Hamill own goal with 13 minutes remaining ensured the points were shared.

Across the city, Hibs beat Dundee 1-0 thanks to a powerful David Wotherspoon header from a Lewis Stevenson cross, to claim seventh place. The result means that Hibs go into next weekend’s Scottish Cup Final on the back of three straight wins, after beating Hearts in the Edinburgh derby, then beating Kilmarnock 3-1 at Rugby Park on Wednesday night thanks to goals from Scott Robertson and Eoin Doyle (2).

The final SPL table sees Hibs on 51 points in seventh with Hearts on 44 points in tenth.

After the game, the Hibs players completed a ‘lap of honour’ to say thank you to the fans for their support throughout the season.

On Sunday, Leigh Griffiths was named the Football writers Player of the Year and Alex Harris won the William Hill Scottish Cup Player of the Round for his performance against Falkirk in the semi-final.

East of Scotland Football

Whitehill Welfare clinched the Central Taxis Premier Division title with a 1-0 victory against Gretna 2008 on Wednesday night as the club’s nearest challengers, Spartans, were beaten 2-0 away from home by Stirling University.

Craigroyston won the Central Taxis First Division and promotion after beating Leith Athletic 4-2 in front of a large crowd at Spartans’ Ainslie Park.

Craigroyston took the lead midway through the first half from a Wilson volley before Leith equalised through Lewis Tracey. John Dunn restored Craigroyston’s lead and Anderson made it 3-1 but Hume pulled one back before Errol Douglas sealed the win in stoppage time.

Saturday ended with Tynecastle being relegated after a 2-1 home defeat by Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale. Elsewhere Edinburgh City beat Civil Service Strollers 2-0 in Muirhouse, and Preston Athletic beat Heriot Watt 6-0, and Spartans lost 2-0 at home to Edinburgh University.

In the First Division, newly crowned champions Craigroyston beat Berwick Rangers Reserves 3-1 whilst Leith Athletic hammered Eyemouth 5-0.

At least there was some good news for Spartans as their under-19s beat Edinburgh City 2-1 after extra time at Tynecastle on Friday night. City took the lead before Matthew Underhill equalised with ten minutes left. In extra time a Calum Donnelly free kick was deflected into his own net by a City defender to secure the trophy.

Women’s Football

Glasgow City retained top spot in the league with an impressive 4-0 won over Hibs at Albyn Park Broxburn, thanks to goals from Sue Lappin, Leanne Ross, Sarah Crilly and Leanne Chrichton.

Elsewhere Spartans came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 away to Aberdeen.

Schoolboy Football

Congratulations go to Hutchison Vale 15s who came from behind to beat Dundee United 3-2 and win the Scottish Youth Challenge Cup at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.

Dundee United took the lead in the 41^st minute after a spectacular goal by Gibb, but Hutchie equalised right away through Gabriele Auriemma.

Three minutes into the second half Vale took the lead through Feachen-Hamilton, then Fraser Paton added a third midway through the second half.

Gibb pulled one back for the Tayside team but Hutchie held on to win the trophy.

Hutchison Vale: Byron Gibb, Cameron Milne, Fraser Paton, Sam Birch, Cameron Begbie, Shaun O’Donnell, Cal Sheridan, Ryan Fox, Ethan Feachen-Hamilton, Regan Hendry, Gabrie Auriemma, Cameron Fraser, Innes Goodall, Cameron McAlpine, Lewis Swaney, Arran Singh.

Congratulations also to Tynecastle 16s who won their fourth consecutive Scottish Cup by beating Clydebank United 4-0, at Airdrie United’s Excelsior Stadium.

Tynecastle took the lead when Greg Kerr played a pass into Kyle Mitchell who chipped the ball over Collinson from 16 yards.

Jason Kerr added a second with 15 minutes remaining before Matthew Quinn sealed the victory with a back post header from a Craig Russell cross, then substitute Euan Graham completed the rout.

Tynecastle FC: Billy Taylor, David Wright, Calum Cowan, Matthew Quinn, Euan Graham, Craig Russell, Jaimie Purves, Jason Kerr, Greg Kerr, Kyle Mitchell, Mark Shiells, Ciaron Small, Ryan Currie, Liam Thomson, David Henderson, Joseph Walker.

Speedway

Scotwaste Monarchs beat Plymouth Devils 56-36 despite a scare in the early stages when they took the lead in heat 4 and were still level after six races.

In heat 7 however, Mitchell Davey, in his first match for the Monarchs, who leapt from the tapes with Claus Vissing backing up for the 5-1.

Craig Cook and Theo Pijper both finished unbeaten from 5 rides, and Jozef Tabaka was also in top form despite suffering from a puncture in heat 4.

The following night, the Monarchs travelled south to Plymouth and returned with a well-deserved 51-42 victory at a ground, where they had not previously managed to take a single point.

The Monarchs had ten race winners and only five lasts, and a special l mention goes to Max Fricke, who bounced right back in spite of a fall in the first running of heat 3, took a paid win there and added a match-winning three points with his first race win in heat 14.

Theo Pijper and Claus Vissing were both in top form and Mitchell Davey took a good third in heat 2.

Cricket

Scotland took on Pakistan at the Grange in a one day international on Thursday. The visitors won the toss and choose to bat, and after making 231-7, cantered to victory by bowling Scotland out for just 135.

The slow pitch at The Grange seemed to catch out Pakistan early on, with Nasir Jamshed (20) first to go while Mohammad Hafeez (18) followed. Imran Farhat was then bowled by Haq’s fellow spinner Matt Machan on 49, just missing a half-centuary.

Haq then bowled out Asad Shafiq (seven) before claiming Umar Amin (three) while Akmal made just 12 before being trapped lbw by Neil Carter.

A 51-run seventh-wicket partnership by skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Ajmal steadied the visitors nerves and Misbah eventually finished 78 not out.

The match had been Kyle Coetzer’s first as Scotland skipper,  and he led by example with a top score of 32.

The second one day international on Sunday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Police have been involved in a stand off in the south of Edinburgh for around five hours today  where a male is reported to be holding women hostage in a flat.

Police attended the scene on Southhouse Broadway just after 5:00pm, and the incident is ongoing.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=124984

One local who asked not be named said:- “He’s an older guy who has just had a breakdown. He has lived here for years and is harmless. He has a big dog and lives with his three daughters.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said:- “Police in Edinburgh responded to an address to in Southhouse Square to a male whose behaviour in a flat caused concern.

Officers continue to engage with the male to resolve this matter peacefully. There is no risk to any members of the public.”

On Friday 17 May around 7.20pm, my Jack Russell cross, Rory, was subjected to a brutal attack outside Tesco on Duke Street in Leith.

He was tied up outside at the back entrance for 10 minutes while I was in the shop.

When I came out Rory was lying on the ground together with a blonde haired woman, shaking and covered in blood. A man who had been driving along Duke Street in a white van had witnessed the attack and stopped his van to help my dog.

The man told me that a drunk had come out of the Duke’s Head pub, crossed the road and approached Rory – the drunk started to kick Rory in the chest and stomach, punching him in the head and spitting on the dog.

My understanding is that the drunk was chased away by the man in the van. He then continued across the road into another pub called the Marksman. The kind man and woman comforted my injured dog until I came out. I took Rory home, called the Police and the SSPCA before taking him to the PDSA animal hospital on Hutchison Crossway. Rory was fully examined and thankfully had no serious injuries but was in a lot of pain. The vet attributed the pain to internal bruising and has prescribed him a strong painkiller to take for 5 days.

Police Scotland are carrying out a full investigation into this brutal, unprovoked attack of a defenceless animal but to no avail. I really do hope that the kind man and woman who helped Rory come forward and give a witness statement which will help catch the individual who did this. I would hate another animal to suffer unnecessarily in this way.

I have attached a picture of Rory making a recovery at home.

Submitted by Rebecca Gibb

And finally for now…here is our time lapse of the cyclists passing by St Giles on the High Street this afternoon. They were all taking part in Pedal on Parliament and roads had been specially closed for the event.

The two police officers on motorbikes were at the front of each wave as it passed down the High Street….

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESNx6vYH670]

We hope you like our video of the start of Pedal on Parliament 2 today…..do let us know!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcH8wyG2YQk]

Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery within the Capital.

Around 4pm on Friday 17 May 2013 in the Newhaven Road area, a 58-year-old woman was walking west along the Water of Leith walkway when a male attempted to steal her handbag, before running off empty-handed along the walkway towards Coburg Street.

The male is described as white, around 20 years old, average height and wearing a royal blue coloured zip up top.

Detective Constable Rachel Robertson said: “This incident occurred when the footpath had been busy with cyclists and walkers.

“Anyone who was in the area and remembers seeing anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately.”

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

Here you are in all your glory if you were at Pedal on Parliament 2.

If you would like to buy your photo we will happily send it to your email address. You are invited to make a donation to The Edinburgh Reporter in return… Please email us theedinburghreporter@gmail.com

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information to help trace a man who went missing in the capital last month.

39 year old Kristian Wilson was last seen in Hutchison Road on Tuesday 23 April 2013, and officers have been conducting local enquiries over the past few weeks to trace him.

Kristian is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall with a slim build, short and neat light brown hair and blue eyes. There is no description of his clothing at this time.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Kristian knows the city extremely well and has access to money that could allow him to travel further afield. Since he was reported missing, officers have been following a number of lines of enquiry.

“However, given the time that has now passed without Kristian being seen, we are seeking the assistance of the public to trace him. Anyone who has information relating to Kristian’s whereabouts is asked to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, we would ask Kristian to get in touch and let us know he’s safe and well.”

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

We will be out and about along the route of Pedal on Parliament today and all our activity will be displayed here.

Pedal on Parliament 2

We are also using Tout to bring you live video….

Today the second Pedal on Parliament takes place starting from The Meadows at 3:00pm. The following roads will be closed….

Road closures for Pedal on Parliament by Phyllis Stephen

Pedal on Parliament – Stockbridge Market – Edinburgh Festival of Cycling – Mark Beaumont at the Queen’s Hall – Today at The Filmhouse

Pedal on Parliament takes place later today. We hope the weather is more favourable than yesterday! We will have a team of reporters out on the streets later, and our reports will be filed here in News and under our TERLive! section. 

The event attracted over 3000 cyclists last year and more are certainly expected this year.

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Stockbridge Market is on today and you will find out which traders will be there and how to get there here on their website.

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How did the idea come about for the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling? Well it was the brainwave of cycling enthusiast and safety ambassador, Kim Harding.

Tom Allan of InnerTube interviewed Kim about the idea for the festival which will take place from 14 -23 June 2013.

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

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Mark Beaumont is a Scottish broadcaster, adventurer and author whose series The Man who Cycled the World, The Man who Cycled the Americas and Rowing the Arctic have brought him worldwide acclaim. In 2010 he was presented with the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Top Scot award.

Talking about these and other expeditions, Mark will share how he has made a career from adventure and documentaries. This event on 19 June 2013 is part of the inaugural Edinburgh Festival of Cycling and is supported by Alpine Bikes.

Websites www.edfoc.org.uk
www.markbeaumontonline.com
Twitter @edfoc
@MrMarkBeaumont

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The Filmhouse in association with Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) are screening UP this afternoon at 3:30pm and here is why:-

“CHAS has launched The 100% Project, which aims to start conversations about death, dying and bereavement in a life-affirming way. We all love a good tearjerker for its cathartic and life-affirming qualities, and earlier this year The 100% Project held a vote to select ‘Scotland’s Favourite Tearjerker’. A shortlist of weepies was revealed on Facebook and Twitter, voting took place and the winning film is Up!”

This is one of The Reporter’s favourite films, and yes it will make you cry!

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

The Scottish Premier League board will meet at 9am on Monday to determine whether Hearts will face sanctions. This follows the news that majority shareholder Ūkio banko investicinė grupė (UBIG) had been listed on a Lithuanian government website of insolvent firms after reportedly declaring itself unable to meet its liabilities.

The SPL have spent the weekend consulting with lawyers to decide whether UBIG’s action breaches Rule A6.12 which states: “…all references to a Club taking, suffering or being subject to an Insolvency Event and/or an Insolvency Process as well as including the owner and operator of a Club taking, suffering or being subject to an Insolvency Event and/or an Insolvency Process shall, if the Board so determines having regard to (i) the need to protect the integrity and continuity of the League; (ii) the reputation of the League; and (iii) the relationship between such owner and operator and the Group Undertaking concerned, also include any Group Undertaking of such an owner and operator taking, suffering or being subject to an Insolvency Event and/or an Insolvency Process.”

Lawyers must first decide if UBIG’s 79 per cent share equates to the company being designated the ‘owner and operator’ of Hearts, and then whether UBIG have indeed suffered an insolvency event, and if so, whether it occurred before the deadline for sanctions relating to the current season to be imposed.

The board can take a number of courses of action, but should they decide that this rule has been breached then Hearts would be deducted a third of their total points from last year, rounded up, which totals 18 and would mean instant relegation to the Scottish Football League Division One.

Alternatively, should the board decide that UBIG’s liquidation can be deemed ‘not confirmed’ until after the deadline, then Hearts could begin next season in the SPL, but with a points total that is minus a third of this season’s tally, which currently stands at 43. This leaves the players in the farcical situation of knowing that a victory against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday could mean that they would start next season with minus 16 points rather than minus 15.

Hearts will argue that some form of court action is required to trigger an insolvency event in Scotland and the so far there do not appear to have been any court proceedings in Lithuania.

Another factor to be considered is the actual relationship between UBIG and Hearts , and the club will argue that they have been self-sufficient since early last year so have not benefited from the funding of an insolvent company this season.

Meanwhile, fans groups hope to make a formal bid to take over Hearts within the next few weeks and insists that events in Lithuania will not hamper their plans.

Candidates for By-election – Balerno Village Trust AGM – Pedal on Parliament – Pirates of Penzance  – Edinburgh Festival of Cycling

The candidates standing in the Liberton/Gilmerton by-election on Thursday 20 June 2013 have been confirmed.

They are:

Derek Howie – Scottish National Party (SNP)
Phil Hunt – Pirate Party Scotland
John Christopher Knox – Scottish Liberal Democrats
Alys Mumford – Scottish Green Party
Stephanie Murray – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Keith John Robson – Labour and Co-operative Party Candidate
John Scott – Independent
Jonathan Stanley – UKIPScotland

Voters in this ward have until Wednesday 5 June 2013 to register to vote or apply for a postal vote for the by-election. To register to vote or apply for a postal vote people should contact the Electoral Registration Office or phone 0131 344 2500.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. The location of some polling places has changed so voters should check their polling cards carefully to find out where to vote.

Polling Places:

• Gilmerton Community Centre
• Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre
• Liberton Kirk Halls
• Liberton Northfield Church
• South Neighbourhood Office and Library
• St Gregory’s Church Hall
• TA Centre
• Valley Park Community Centre

The by-election will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system where voters can rank candidates in order of preference using numbers rather than a single cross. Voters can give a rank to as many or as few candidates as they like. The result of the by-election will be announced once the votes are counted on Friday 21 June.

The vacancy in the Liberton/Gilmerton ward was created by the death of Councillor Tom Buchanan on Wednesday 3 April.

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The Annual General Meeting of the Balerno Village Trust  will be held on Tuesday 28 May 2013, 7.30pm at St Joseph’s Hall, Balerno Parish Church, Balerno.

This year the AGM will be followed by an Open Evening at which those attending will be able to find out more about the various projects currently being worked on by the Trust.

Harlaw Hydro will also be present to explain the current Share Offer. Refreshments will be served.The AGM and Open Evening should be finished by 9.15pm. The Edinburgh Reporter went to meet the lovely people at Harlaw Hydro a week or two back to find out about their share offer – which has now raised nearly £200,000!

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

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This weekend is all about PEDAL ON PARLIAMENT which takes place in Edinburgh tomorrow.

If you don’t already know about it, then get your bike dusted down and get out to the Meadows tomorrow afternoon to join the ride to Holyrood at 3pm. This is not just any old cycle ride… it is to highlight the need for improved cycling infrastructure and thus more spending from the Scottish Government Transport and local councils’ budgets. Our own council in Edinburgh has promised this next year to spend 6% of the transport budget on cycling.

Pedal on Parliament last year attracted over 3,000 cyclists on the streets in what was an orderly and well-managed ride. This year who knows how many people will turn up on bikes of all shapes and sizes?

Watch our video with one of the organisers, Kim Harding, here.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xInfMzE46tE]

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Pirates of Penzance begins at the Festival Theatre on 28 May and this production is being staged by none other than the lofty Scottish Opera.

Gilbert and Sullivan as it’s meant to be – pure, uncomplicated fun, performed to the highest standards. This new co-production with D’Oyly Carte Opera Company – returning to the stage for the first time in over 10 years – brings the humour bang up to date with a Python-esque twinkle. A vibrant, stylish and hilarious romp through one of G&S’s finest scores, this show has everything you could want from a great night out.

A young man bound by an overactive sense of duty, a soft-hearted pirate king with a hopeless band of rogues at his side, a beautiful young girl, a very modern major-general and an ineffectual bevy of policemen… Add a plot hinging on the technicalities of having a birthday on the 29th of February and we’re just about there. What could possibly go wrong?

Gilbert’s high speed patter is razor sharp and Sullivan’s score sees him at the top of his game, with the catchy tunes for which he is so well known. Conducted by G&S expert John Owen Edwards and directed by Martin Lloyd-Evans, the fantastic ensemble cast includes a horde of young, fresh talent as well as G&S stars Steven Page as The Pirate King and Richard Suart as the Major-General.

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Since the refurbishment of the National Museum of Scotland, the curators have looked for innovative ways to open the doors to customers of all ages. Tonight it was the over-18s who got the run of the galleries for Dino Night, in the series of RBS Lates.

This is a taster of what is still to come this summer with Jurassic June set to educate us all about prehistoric animals.

There was a big queue to enter the building first of all, but as soon as we did get in there was plenty of room to move around, although other lengthy lines at the very elegant face painting and mask-making did put us off.

Instead we were happy to wander round having peace to look at some of the exhibits, get our photos taken in the spaceman suit without fear of some sniggering teenager creeping up on us, and taking in the sights and sounds. We were also able to be suitably silly in the silent disco, trying to guess what everyone else was listening to.

Tyrone Rex made his appearance along with what appeared to be his tamer…

The Miniature Dinosaurs were making big with the music on the stage, and the disco was otherwise giving it laldy. The light show which accompanied it made the whole place quite magical.

Disappointed with the food offering on the main floor (£5 for 2 chicken nuggets and 16 cold chips is a rip-off in anyone’s opinion and certainly in mine), we opted for the Brasserie on the ground floor to the right of the entrance. The staff there were lovely and the food divine. Suitably aged steak and burgers were on offer, and were delicious. The mini sundae was made to order with a choice of sauce and topping, and was a steal at £2.

All in all our night at the museum rocked! But as you can see from our photo some people were better prepared than others……

Tributes are being paid tonight to Brian Robertson who sadly passed away earlier today. Brian was a long standing community activist in North Edinburgh, and was at the forefront of numerous campaigns in North Edinburgh.

As well as being a community activist, Brian could often be found in the North Edinburgh Arts Centre cafe, helping out whereever he could.

Friends and family have been leaving messages on his Facebook page to pay tribute to him since the news of his untimely death was broken around 6.00pm.

Fellow activist Ann Hutchison’s tribute said:-“Eternal rest my favourite Ice Cream man. You will be missed by us all. xxx” Other tributes simply said RIP Brian. 

Local councillor Cammy Day said:- “I am really sad to learn of the passing of Brian earlier today. Brian has been a local activist for many years, campaigning to improve his community in North Edinburgh and was always supportive to new people getting involved. Brian will be sadly missed by us all, and my thoughts go to his family. He always spoke highly of them.”

SCHOOL’s EnergyPROJECT is a winner at the Glasgow City Chambers

Currie Community High School won the Go4SET national final which was held at the Glasgow City Chambers on May 15 and hosted by Glasgow City Council.

The teams of six second year pupils worked with their teacher and mentors from industry on the challenging 10-week project where they were tasked to research and consider  how the school could reduce their energy usage and save money.  Glasgow City schools worked on the project – how your school can reduce waste, the impact on the environment and save or make money.  All teams provide recommendations, submit a written report and build an appropriate model.

The schools competing for the Go4SET National Award had already won their regional finals in Scotland The schools were Calderglen High School, Craigie High School, Currie Community High School, Girvan Academy, Glasgow Gaelic Secondary School, Hazlehead Academy, Larbert High School and Lossiemouth High School.

All of the teams competing received a cheque for £100 and Currie Cummunity High School team were presented with the Go4SET Scotland trophy and a cheque for £500 by Martin Grey, Communications Manager at Viridor who sponsored the event and the awards.

Martin Grey, Scottish Communications Manager commented “how we create a sustainable Scotland is rightly the subject of intense debate.  As Scotland’s leading recycling, renewable energy and sustainable waste partner working with 96% of local authorities that is a debate we are keen to encourage.  We are delighted to support the Go4SET programme across Scotland, challenging young people to think about their environment and future.  “The standard of entries was again very high and with talented young people like those who took part today, Scotland’s future is sure to be bright.”

Currie Community High School were supported by Heineken and their mentor Angus Reid commented. “The team showed tremendous organisation and creativity in successful completion of the project. Heineken is proud to support the Go4SET programme”.

Gordon Macdonald MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, whose constituency includes Currie Community high School said:

“This is a wonderful achievement for the six S2 pupils who took part from Currie Community High School especially as they had to compete with 92 other schools from across Scotland to win the competition. Practical problem solving competitions like this are a fantastic way to encourage youngsters to take up studying for the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.”

Duncan McSporran, Director EDT Scotland commented “Go4SET is an exciting and innovative project which raises awareness in schools about engineering, science and industry, allowing pupils to make informed career choices. The National Final demonstrated the excellent projects from all over Scotland and this made it difficult for the judges to come to a decision on the winning teams.  The Go4SET programme which is part of the EDT continuum provides a live STEM project which we hope will empower young people to make informed decisions about future career opportunities in science, engineering and technology”.

The Scottish Prison Service have confirmed that a male prisoner from Saughton Prison was injured and admitted to hospital in the early hours of this morning. It is understood the prisoner, a 32 year-old male, suffered an injury to his neck which may have been caused by a razor blade.

The Reporter understands that this may be the same person who was arrested earlier this week after an incident in a Royal Mile chemist shop when several people were held hostage.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said:- “We received a call to Saughton Prison at 4.17am, and  a male was taken from the prison to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said:- “We have not been called by the Prison Service to investigate any incident.”

Andrew Dinnes of leading Edinburgh print company, Murrayfield Projects Ltd, who operate Minuteman Press at Broomhouse Road, explains why top quality print can help businesses stand out from the crowd.

There have never been more ways to communicate with your customers than there are today.

Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin are just some of the more recent examples – and they can be extremely effective. However, the traditional methods still have their place and continue to stand the test of time.

Quite simply: many customers still want to see a printed brochure or leaflet about your business.

And the quality of the printed material you provide can influence any decisions they take. So, it is worthwhile to ensure it is well designed and printed to the highest standards. This helps you stand out from the competition, too.

The same goes for stationery. Professionally designed and printed business cards and letterheads present your company as one to be remembered – for all the right reasons.

Branded promotional products also provide a valuable opportunity for reminding your customers about your business. Pens, mouse mats, USBs, notepads and umbrellas are just a few to consider, that can reinforce brand awareness and won’t break the budget.

If it is time for you to review how you promote your business, why not seek specialist advice? It could make all the difference.

For a free print consultation and quote, contact Andrew on 0131 444 0800. Murrayfield Projects ltd (Minuteman Press) are based at Unit 6, New Lairdship Yards, Broomhouse Road and www.murrayfieldprojects.com

John McEnroe is coming to Edinburgh this summer, and yes, he will be playing tennis. This will be the first time in almost a quarter of a century that the former Wimbledon star has played in the Capital, and he was the first of several former champions to confirm his appearance at the Brodies Champions of Tennis at Raeburn Place betwen 20-23 June 2013.

So who is behind it all? The Tournament Director is Viki Mendelssohn, who established Big Blue PR in 1999. She is the person responsible for making it all happen in the first place, and for everything that goes on over the weekend. The Edinburgh Reporter went to meet Viki at Raeburn Place where all the tennis action takes place this summer.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6LHq6W0lzY]

More information about how to get tickets for Brodies Champions of Tennis here on the website.

Private Detective Jackson Brodie will return to our small screens on Sunday night in a new series of acclaimed BBC One drama Case Histories which is set in the Edinburgh.

Jason Isaacs reprises his role of Brodie, a complex and compulsive private investigator who attempts to unravel disparate case histories in modern-day Edinburgh.

Victoria Wood joins the Case Histories cast for the first of three 90-minute stories, adapted from Kate Atkinson’s novel ‘Started Early, Took My Dog’. The comedian is delighted to be part of the cast saying: “I am a huge fan of Kate Atkinson and couldn’t resist the chance to be involved in Case Histories.”

Jason Isaacs added:- “I can’t wait to put on the crumpled, witty, self-destructive, noble and naughty skin of Jackson Brodie again and dive into the unique flavour of Kate Atkinson’s worlds. Nobody connects the past with the present and the absurd with the heart-wrenching like she does and we all feel excited and lucky to bring another bunch of stories of damage and delight to the screen.”

Case Histories is the latest edition to BBC Scotland’s thriving drama department which is home to Waterloo Road (BBC One), Shetland (BBC One), Field Of Blood (BBC One Scotland) and River City (BBC One Scotland). This Sunday’s episode featured Brodie who is back in the capital after a child-snatching job in Munich, and struggles with guilt about whether he returned the child to the right parent or if he was duped.

A new case comes calling when Hope McMaster, a woman searching for her birth parents, approaches Jackson for help. His search takes him into the dark heart of 1979 police corruption and murder – and a secret that has remained buried for nearly 35 years. The investigation crosses paths with Tracy Waterhouse, a retired police officer turned store detective. When Tracy witnesses a little girl being physically abused by her mother, she takes a surprising course of action which stirs the past for her and former police partner Barry, and presents a moral dilemma for Jackson. He must decide whether he is brave enough to risk another mistake by doing what he feels is right, or walk away.

Motivated by his desire to help those in need and a need to atone for his recent mistake, Jackson’s investigation sees the past and the present collide dramatically with the old retired cops, Len Lomax and Ray Strickland, refusing to go down without the fight of their lives.

Meanwhile, Jackson continues to avoid speaking to a newly engaged Louise after admitting his true feelings for her. And when his daughter, Marlee, makes a shock announcement, non-committal Jackson is taken aback.

Case Histories is on BBC1 at 8.30pm on Sunday 19 May 2013.

A solicitor who attempted to smuggle contraband into HMP Edinburgh has been jailed.

David Blair Wilson was sentenced to four years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh today, following a joint intelligence operation by police and the Scottish Prison Service.

Officers acted on information from colleagues within the prison that Wilson intended to distribute drugs, mobile phones and other accessories to inmates and detained him during a visit to the facility on Thursday 6th October 2011. During a search of the 55-year-old’s car, various drugs and electronic equipment were found inside and he was subsequently charged with a number of offences before being found guilty in court last month.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service welcomed today’s sentence and warned of similar fates for others involved in smuggling contraband into Scotland’s jails.

Chief Inspector Richard Thomas said:- “Blair Wilson tried to exploit his client visits to smuggle drugs and other items of contraband into HMP Edinburgh. However, thanks to the excellent partnership working between police and the Scottish Prison Service, his efforts were thwarted and all of the items intended for distribution within the prison were seized.

“Officers in the Capital regularly engage with their colleagues at the prison to ensure the safety of staff and prisoners and deter criminal activity arising in or around the facility. Our joint-agency Prison Watch scheme allows the organisations to share information and gather intelligence on criminals, both inside and out-with the prison.

“Anyone who attempts to smuggle contraband, or who is involved in any other offences detected by police or prison staff will be robustly dealt with.”

A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said: “The presence of drugs and other contraband in our prisons is something we take very seriously. It is therefore gratifying that joint partnership working of this kind has achieved such positive results.

“We are confident that our ongoing work with Police Scotland will yield further similar successes in the future.”