Leading Scottish business minds came together today to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit among Scotland’s students. But as well as recognising the talent in those at university, Scottish Institute for Enterprise also recognised those who have gone forward to set up their own businesses.

The winners of the New Ventures and New Ideas competitions were announced this afternoon. The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to three of the  successful Edinburgh based entrepreneurs, Rosalind Romer of University of Edinburgh, founder of comedy event company Punchline, Mark Hughes of University of Edinburgh who has created pre<optimise, a pre-surgery tool for surgeons and Helen Fisher from Edinburgh College of Art who has developed innovative cleaning products.

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

Lothian and Borders Police can now confirm the identity of a boy, who died following a road collision in Midlothian yesterday.

He was 7-year-old Ruaridh McKay from Penicuik.

Emergency services were called to Dick Terrace around 4pm, after the child was involved in a collision with a vehicle in the street.

Officers continue to investigate the full circumstances of this incident and the driver of the vehicle involved is assisting with these enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police immediately, on 101.

Last year the council agreed to fund a pilot scheme to get rid of gulls’ nests in the Merchiston area of the city where the community council had reported a particular problem.

The pilot study was carried out, and has had a measure of success, but the cost of running such a scheme for a further 4 to 5 years is estimated to be around £36,000 and the council have decided that they cannot afford to keep paying for this service. Instead they will be suggesting to residents that they pay for the service themselves. The cost is estimated at £70 per household.

The pilot project removed 107 gulls’ nests and 165 eggs were destroyed. During the pilot project no residents made any complaints about any nuisance from the birds.

The original quote to the council for running such a pilot was £25,000 but it actually only cost £9,000 as some of the roofs proved to be accessible even without the need for machinery such as cherry pickers. Even though the cost is reduced the council state that they do not have any money set aside for continuing to run the scheme, although they can offer it to the residents of Merchiston (and presumably other areas of the city) on a commercial basis. As well as this there will be more containerisation of rubbish in certain areas soon and gull proof bags are being introduced across the city where possible.

Dr Mairianna Clyde Chair of Merchiston Community Council said:-“We are disappointed by the report’s findings but will continue to press for a gull task force in Edinburgh as has been undertaken by other local authorities with lesser resources than the capital.

Residents here have had considerable experience of de-nesting as a voluntary project was undertaken in areas of Merchiston and Bruntsfield between 2000 and 2005. We challenge the Council’s view that four to five seasons are necessary, as our experience is that if an area is targeted intensively, it is 70-90% effective in only one season, and a second season is only necessary in order to mop up the residual problems and to consolidate the results of the first.

Thus we are seeking the support of the committee and of local councillors and the Neighbourhood Partnerships to continue the pilot for one further year so that its knowledge and expertise can become available to other areas of the city. The Council’s own findings were that the gull problem in the pilot area intensively targeted in 2012 was substantially reduced so we are perplexed by this report. The costs of £9,000 would also be less £2,250 costed for a roof survey, meaning the total cost to the city in 2013 would be only £6,750. For this small investment, we think our fellow citizens deserve a better deal.”

The main reason for destroying nests rather than simply culling birds is that it is a more effective way of decreasing the numbers of gulls in the area. If the eggs are simply removed but the nests are left in place then the seagulls will apparently keep on laying new ones. So one visit to remove the nest is more efficient.  During the 2011 and 2012 gull nesting seasons a total of 79 complaints were received in each year. The council concludes from this that significant numbers of gulls have not simply moved on to neighbouring areas, which was one of the fears.

The pilot project was carried out in Bruntsfield Place, Dundee Terrace, Bryson Road, Watson Crescent, Fowler Terrace, Yeaman Place and Temple Park Crescent and followed from a project in Dumfries & Galloway where the council there had tried the same method of curbing the numbers of gulls.

The council has produced a leaflet to assist those who are still affected by gulls which is available on the council website.

The council’s Transport Committee will meet next week and one of the reports on their agenda will ask them to turn their attention to building a vision for the city centre

Councillors are to be asked to approve the start of a public consultation exploring a proposed scheme aimed at making Edinburgh’s City Centre more accessible and attractive, particularly for pedestrians.
The need to enhance pedestrian space in the City Centre  was a particular finding of a report commissioned by the the Council in 2010 by Gehl Architects,  entitled “Edinburgh Revisited: Public Space, Public Life”.

Now, with the tram project progressing well in line with its revised schedule and revised budget, the Council is seeking to maximise the opportunities this creates to improve the pedestrian environment and space in the City Centre so that it can be made more attractive as a place in which to live, work, shop and socialise.

Trams are due to begin passenger services by summer 2014 at the latest. The Council has identified a number of benefits to the movement of traffic which this change could realise, including:

– improved quality of pedestrian experience in the core City Centre area
– improved access to the City Centre;
– increased space for pedestrian and other uses;
– opportunity for dedicated cycle provision in the area; and
– reduced detrimental impact of vehicles on the City Centre environment.

A proposed scheme has been developed for public consultation, aimed at achieving the Gehl Architects report’s call for the City Centre to become “a place more accessible for all”.

The scheme focus on managing traffic movements differently and creating more space for pedestrians and cyclists.

The proposed scheme:

– splitting bus services so they run eastbound on George Street and westbound on Princes Street;
– buses, cycles and taxis on Princes Street in a westbound direction only, on the south carriageway;
– general traffic, including taxis, on George Street in an eastbound direction only;
– creating dedicated two-way cycle lanes on George Street, the National Cycle Route;

A report on the proposed scheme will be considered by the Transport and Environment Committee on Tuesday 19 March 2013.

If approved, a public consultation will be conducted over a six week period and the outcome will be reported back to the above Committee with recommendations on the further development and implementation of a preferred scheme and the preferred scheme would then be implemented on a trial basis.

The proposed scheme has been shaped by a working group chaired by Planning Convener Councillor Ian Perry.

Councillor Perry said : “We want to encourage more people to come into the City Centre, whether it’s to shop, relax, work or socialise. It’s about making sure the City Centre continues to thrive both as a leisure, business and tourism destination and as an attractive place for people to live in. One of the key things I’m interested in is creating a more ‘mixed use’ Princes Street, with more residential properties and a variety of restaurant, cafe and bar spaces at ground level, so that the street is bustling at night as well as by day.

“The proposed scheme is just a starter for ten – we’ll make the final plans for the trial once the consultation feedback has been reviewed.”

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, said:- “Edinburgh has a real ‘living city centre’, with people living cheek by jowl with a mixture of retail, bars, restaurants and so on. The challenge is to make sure we cater to everyone’s needs and encourage people to come into the heart of the city by enabling them to choose a variety of ways of travelling there, whether it’s on foot, by bike, in their car or by using public transport like trams, taxis and buses. We’re doing this consultation now so that any changes can be brought in in a joined up way so that they’re in place ready for the start of tram passenger services.”

Andy Neal, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: “Working together, the public and private sectors can create a much more vibrant and exciting future for our city centre. We will be working hard with all interested parties in ensuring that our levy-payers – around 600 businesses in the city centre – have a strong voice in shaping that future, in this case through improving access and the pedestrian spaces and enhancing the experience of walking around our city centre. Everything that is being discussed, in particular around mixed use on Princes Street as opposed to its present state of being hugely focused on retail, and bringing the street to life at night and in the evenings, is very much in line with our Vision document.”

David Birrell, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said:- “The city is on the cusp of a new era. Change in the city centre is inevitable. Trams are, in effect, a catalyst for that change. There is a clear opportunity to enhance how Edinburgh City Centre works for all those who use it – businesses, residents, shoppers and visitors. We’d urge our members to have their say in a consultation. Let’s make the most of this opportunity.”

Key Points

• Tram project completion represents a unique opportunity to improve traffic movement and enhance accessibility in Edinburgh’s City Centre
• Focus on making the City Centre “a place accessible for all”
• Proposals for consultation include reconfiguring traffic movements, eg have buses running eastbound only on George Street and westbound only on Princes Street; and the development of George Steet as preferred location for the primary cycle route

I must admit to slight sense of apprehension as I walked down the dark corridor towards the small dark and rather mean little door that led to our dining room. “Your table is ready if you would like to come this way….,” said the elegant and very friendly Maitre D. Okay dokay, says I and off we go on an amazing journey.

Now Alice Through the Looking Glass would have toiled to better this transition. One minute we were seated in a very comfortable if not a bit bland lounge, on a very comfortable and elegantly upholstered seat, drinking a very nice glass of house white. It was all very nice and next……..Boom! We were transported into the coolest space I have been to in a long, long time. I must have looked like the proverbial, open mouthed, just arrived from the country, never been to anything like this before, provincial boy. All dressed up and a bit shocked by the ‘goings on & what not’.

But no, my hosts, fellow guests and fellow diners just seemed to make me fit in to this revamped gentleman’s club. Amazed I took up my seat. The dining space is vast only emphasised by the small entrance and the very clever use of rope-suspended down lighters and subtle wall dividers. It took me a while to realise that I wasn’t looking at mirrors but that the back wall was indeed that far away. The colour choice, the layout, the lighting all helped make me feel as I though I was meant to be there.

Steak took over this Victorian private club, (now stop tittering), in 2012 and have converted the snooker & gaming hall into one of the coolest and on the mark spaces in Edinburgh. To convert such an enormous cavern into small intimate dining areas has been achieved brilliantly and in my view the designers should try their hand at some more public spaces.

I had been invited to attend Steak’s first birthday party and so far things were directing us towards a fantastic night. Our table manager, (I know that sounds a bit high-faluting but that’s exactly what she did), was attentive, knowledgeable, caring and always there to answer questions and give advice. I gave up on the massive wine list and went with her choice.

Starters came from a very stylised menu and I opted for my guide’s recommendation of Potted Shin with Red Onion Marmalade. Around the table there were; Lobsters, Salads & more Potted concoctions, but I must admit I ignored these and concentrated on wonderful explosions of taste that came from my own choice. Somehow the chef, Jason Wright formerly of Ondine, had manage to add just enough seasoning and vegetables to wow my taste buds with what must surely be the meanest of meats, all beautifully presented and served with light and perfectly baked bread.

I took some time now between sipping on the birthday Champagne Cocktail to look at my surrounding guests. I was amazed by what I saw. Not since I went to my last Partick Thistle game have I seen such a wide and varied group of people. Lovely old romantics enjoying there own company and the great food, young professionals out on a pre-party stomach lining session before hitting the latest and choicest club that Edinburgh has to offer. There were young teens dressed to the nines teetering on huge heels, families with young children having a weekend treat. There was even a stag do with the groom kitted out as the Yellow Power Ranger. It all fitted, it all gelled and nothing was out of place, nothing was sneered at and everyone looked to be in the right place at the right time. Even when ‘Trini’, (that’s the Yellow Power Ranger by the way) jumped on the table to sing, it was OK.

I really felt happy to be here, just about as happy as you could at a football match but this time the mighty Jags were winning. We were presented with a choice of cuts and how best they should be cooked and once again my table manager guided my sauce and accompaniment choice. I opted for a quick run down the left wing and a beautiful cross into the centre that was headed home from 6 yards out. Goal!!!!!!…..

Sorry, I went for a medium to well done Aberdeen Angus Sirloin with Béarnaise Sauce, French Fries & Goats Cheese & Onion Salad. But it really did score. Juicy, light and fantastically well tenderised steak with a sauce that brought out the full flavour of the meat. The manager had made the perfect selection. I savoured, I took my time and let the atmosphere wash over me.

Originally it was to be live entertainment but they had received so many bookings for the evening that Steak had opted for a DJ. Now I know that might not be to everyone’s taste but it really worked. His sounds just complemented the whole experience. It was a great surprise! Some things just shouldn’t work, but they do. On this occasion, the music, the full back scoring and the Popcorn and Vanilla Sundae certainly did!

So by now into the second half we were cruising and when the coffee was served I knew we would win and win well. The full time whistle went and we savoured the Coffee and liquors. What a great night.

Everything just worked, the place, the mix of diners, the lively and relaxed atmosphere & most of all, the menu. Fantastic & in the word of the great man himself. The boys done good and to say any more would be as superlative as Alan Hansen reviewing a Liverpool game. So go and support your local Steak team, go mad on the huge choice and variety of the team’s selection and what ever their formation might be on the day you are guaranteed a home win.

Come on you Steak……..!

STEAK & PEPPER @ NO.14 PICARDY PLACE
14 PICARDY PLACE . EDINBURGH . EH1 3JT MIDLOTHIAN (SCOTLAND).
TEL: 0131 556 1289 . EMAIL: RECEPTION@STEAKANDPEPPER.COM
WWW.STEAKEDINBURGH.COM

Trekker encourages others to do summit charitable for SKFF

A LOCAL woman who climbed Scotland’s largest Munro to raise funds for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation is now encouraging others to do the same. Finance team leader Gina Robertson, from Bathgate, decided to take on the challenge last October after being encouraged by work colleagues.

The 37-year-old, said:- “I had taken part in similar events before but wanted to help raise the much needed funds for the kids at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children, so I decided to participate along with friends from work.

“It started off a sunny day, but when we reached the summit we had tackled rain and snow so I was really proud when I finally reached the top.

“The team is brilliant and offer great advice to encourage you along the way. So if, like me, you’re not a gym junkie the trek is still a fantastic experience and the rapport in the group was really good.”

She continued: “I am so glad I took on the challenge and would definitely encourage others to take part this year to raise money for such a fantastic charity.”

This year, the trekkers will climb the Munro between 4 and 6 October from nearby Fort William to hike to the summit, measured at 1,344 metres (4,408ft) above sea level.

Rachel McKenzie, community fundraising manager for SKFF, said: “The Ben Nevis trek is organised annually to raise vital funds to provide training and research, innovative medical equipment and comforts and facilities for young patients and their families cared for at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and in the community.

“It’s a fantastic cause and a great achievement for the big-hearted fundraisers too. We are very excited to meet this year’s climbers and sign up others to share the experience”.

To take part, every participant must pay a £50 registration fee and raise a minimum sponsorship sum of £500 per person.

The amount paid includes coach transfers between Edinburgh and Fort William, two night’s dinner, bed and breakfast, a celebration party and a certificate of achievement, along with a guiding team, medical provisions, and training guide and fundraising pack.

 The event marks the third annual Sick Kids Ben Nevis Trek. Since it was launched two years ago, more than £20,000 has been raised from the organised annual trek.

To register, log on to: http://www.edinburghsickkids.org/events/challenge-events.html

Registers of Scotland is backing The Scottish Government’s drive to help young people into employment by creating a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) scheme. Fourteen MAs are getting the opportunity of paid employment combined with on the job training and the chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification.

The MAs will work towards achieving SVQ level 3 in either Business Administration or Customer Services. Within RoS, the group will be working in different departments to gain an insight into the organisation and build up valuable employment skills.

Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, Sheenagh Adams is delighted to welcome the new starts as part of the MA scheme. She said:- “Every organisation needs fresh talent and skills to help it meet its business objectives now and in the future and, indeed, to keep itself vibrant and in touch. To this end, we are extremely happy to be creating these new Modern Apprenticeship opportunities to the mutual benefit of RoS and the 16-19 year olds taking up a place here.”

The recent economic conditions have been challenging for all sectors of the work force but securing employment has proved particularly difficult for school leavers during the downturn. That is certainly an experience 18-year old Modern Apprentice Erin Quinn from Duddingston can identify with: “A lot of people my age are really struggling to find any kind of work. Most people who are lucky enough to get a job at all are getting stop-gap work just to do something.

“I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity on the Modern Apprenticeship scheme at Registers of Scotland. I’m really looking forward to being able to work and get a qualification.”

19-year old Steven Murray from Penicuik is also among those who’ve secured a place on the RoS MA scheme. He said: “Before getting this opportunity I was just doing bits and pieces of work – really whatever I could get. I had done a bit of labouring and things but I wanted more for myself. Compared to most jobs out there, this is just such a good opportunity. To get the chance to train from the ground up is fantastic.”

Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance said: “The Modern Apprenticeships scheme is giving 25,000 young people each year the opportunity for an exceptional start on the career ladder. I am delighted that Erin, Steven and RoS have had such a positive experience and it is a message that I hear regularly from apprentices and employers across the country.

“It is a challenging time but the success of Modern Apprenticeships clearly demonstrates that employers benefit greatly from the additional support they receive to take on young people across a range of sectors.”

Damien Yeates, Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland, the national skills body that supports the delivery of MAs, said: “A Modern Apprenticeship offers a fantastic route into a career providing the right combination of practical and theoretical experience needed to reach the top of your profession.

“The programme not only equips employees with the skills and training they need for their role, it helps employers retain valued staff as MAs helping businesses build more capable, efficient and loyal workforces.”

There is a continual drive to find foster carers in Edinburgh, especially those willing to take on the extremely rewarding challenge of caring for children with disabilities, and tomorrow a drop in session is being held for potential new foster carers to find out more.

The ‘Foster Me Foster Us’ campaign aims to help address a shortage of foster carers in the city; more carers are needed to provide children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families.

The City of Edinburgh Council is always looking for people determined to make a difference; whether it be giving a few hours a week respite care, or providing a home and full time care.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Children and Families Convener, said: “We are asking potential carers to come forward and provide support so families can take a break once in a while and recharge their batteries. We have some fantastic carers who have had very positive experiences caring for children with disabilities and I would encourage anyone interested to take the opportunity to hear from them.”

For those interested, a drop-in session is being held at Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, tomorrow, 14 March 2013 between 5pm-7pm. Would-be carers will get the chance to see what they could gain from the many fostering opportunities available.

Experienced foster carers, Gail and Sharon, said “We get a lot of satisfaction from seeing the kids improve and develop in so many ways. It’s nice to know that we can use our experience and time to make a difference to children and make them part of our family.

“We are very lucky to have a very good family and friends support network, many of whom are experienced in child care and additional needs, so we get lots of support from them. We also have a very good Council Family Based Care support worker who is always there when we need her”.

This drop-in session is the next in a series of events aimed at increasing the amount of carers in the city.  Foster care recruitment staff and carers will be on hand to meet potential carers and answer any questions. Further sessions are planned for 18 April and 13 June. All sessions run from 5pm to 7pm.

Xtreme Karting Race Ahead for CHAS

Xtreme Karting is holding a Team Endurance style race event at its centre in Newbridge, Edinburgh on 20 March to raise money for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS). This will be their third annual fundraising event for the charity .

Working together with Real Radio and Frankie & Benny’s,  the Team Endurance event will aim to raise money to help families across Scotland who use CHAS services.

With 12 teams already signed up for the event, Xtreme Karting says there is still room for more as they hope to beat last year’s total sum raised of £13,500.

Teams of up to six drivers can sign up for the race event with a minimum donation of £500, all proceeds going to CHAS. Teams are given an incentive to raise as much money as possible as grid position for the race is determined by the amount of sponsorship raised. After a 30 minute practice session the two hour endurance race begins, with trophies presented to the three teams clocking up the highest number of laps in that time.

They kicked things off with a visit to Robin House Children’s Hospice in Balloch on Thursday 28 February 2013.

CHAS Fundraiser Amy Telford said: “Xtreme Karting are fantastic supporters of ours and we’d like to thank them for organising this popular event. The money raised will help us improve the lives of children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions.”

Barrie Henderson, Managing Director at Xtreme Karting said: “This event is a great way for teams to pit their tactical skills against one other and have some adrenaline fuelled fun while raising money for a very worthwhile cause. We’re hoping to make this year bigger and better than ever.”

If you would like to enter a team please contact Scott on 0131 333 0304. More information about the event can be found at www.xtremekarting.co.uk

If you would like to support CHAS please contact the South East fundraising office on 0131 444 1515 or go to www.chas.org.uk

Fatal Road Collision – Edinburgh International Festival – Edinburgh International Science Festival – Today at The Filmhouse – Talk about The Briggers

Seven year-old Ruaridh Mckay, a P3 pupil at Sacred Heart Primary School, has been named locally as the child involved in a fatal collision with a car in Penicuik yesterday afternoon. Police say they are still seeking witnesses to the incident.

More here.

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The programme for the Edinburgh International Festival has been launched and you will be able to reserve your tickets soon unless you are a Friend or Patron which gives you a few days extra. Jonathan Mills spoke about the theme of this year’s Festival which is the linking of artistic techniques and how we experience the world. Surrounded by lightbulbs which are the graphics for this year’s cultural offering, the Festival Director presented the programme of what will be his second last Festival to an expectant press audience at The Hub yesterday.

David Kettle gives you his run through the programme here.

Here is the full programme for you…

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Only 10 days till the Edinburgh International Science Festival begins. The City Art Centre plays a central role in this festival aimed mainly although not exclusively at children.

The City Art Centre is transformed into a science playground packed full of workshops, shows and interactive events.

Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm (ie not 24 or 31 March)

Who is this for? – Adults, Families
Dates:23 March 2013 – 6 April 2013
Cost: Day Passes –  Adult: £7; Adult concession: £6.50; Child aged 7+: £9; Child aged 3 – 6: £6.50; Child aged under 3: FREE; Registered unemployed: £5 for each family member, maximum four. ID required. Early bird booking: book before 16 March and get £1 off all children’s Day Passes on Saturday 23 March, Saturday 30 March and Saturday 6 April.

Allow 4 – 5 hours for your visit. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pre-booking is advised for certain events.

A Day Pass gets you into the City Art Centre to explore as many events as you like. Pre-booking your Day Pass is strongly advised to avoid queues and disappointment.  The 2013 programme is available online here.

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Today at The Filmhouse you can catch three screenings of Side Effects which is the latest Steven Soderbergh thriller….

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HYF5NKGcSg]

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The Central Library is hosting a talk by two researchers into the people who worked and died while building the Forth Bridge. More details on booking your place here. 

“I had a stranger in my spare room!”

Recession-busting strategy uses spare rooms to combat youth homelessness.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5OmsFeEc38]

New figures from youth homeless charity Depaul UK show demand for emergency accommodation has increased by as much as 300%in some parts of the UK.

Depaul UK has launched its Spare Room Campaign in response to the dramatic rise in youth homelessness. The campaign sees Depaul UK team up with local charities across the country to call on the 7.5 million households nationwide who have a spare room to consider making it available to a young homeless person.

The charity supports a network of 37 safe emergency accommodation services across the UK, including Edinburgh and West Lothian, called Nightstops – placing homeless young people aged 16-25 in the homes of over 700 volunteer hosts approved by Depaul UK. A key objective of the campaign is to meet surging demand by doubling the number of hosting households by 2015, equalling 0.01% of UK households estimated to have a spare room.

Martin Houghton-Brown, Chief Executive of Depaul UK, said:-“The number of young people sleeping rough is accelerating year on year, forcing more and more to sleep in unsafe places, vulnerable to exploitation and harm. These are tough times with homelessness increasing for under-25s as unemployment, increasing rents and cuts to local youth services are leaving many with nowhere to turn.

“Nightstop is a safety net to vulnerable young people at times of greatest need, when they are forced to leave home, most often due to family breakdown, and have no idea where to go. Last year, our network of Nightstops helped over 5,000 vulnerable young people and kept them from sleeping rough, sofa surfing, or in unsuitable accommodation and at risk of abuse. The use of spare rooms makes a huge positive difference to young people in crisis.”

London, for example, which has an estimated 655,000* spare bedrooms (in private rented and owner occupied housing), by itself has capacity eight times over to help the estimated 80,000 young people who each year experience homelessness in the UK.

The Nightstop scheme sees volunteer hosts provide a room, evening meal and listening ear to a young homeless person for one night or for up to two weeks. Once engaged with Nightstop, staff can then work with the young person in partnership with local agencies to help them address issues that caused them to become homeless, providing family mediation and securing longer-term settled accommodation.

Kate Polson, Chief Executive of The Rock Trust, said:- “There has never been a more important time for local people to partner with us and sign up to help Edinburgh and West Lothian’s most vulnerable young people.”

Sir Trevor McDonald, President of Depaul UK, said:-“Nightstop is a community response to a problem which is all too common in our community. This unique service is made possible by the generosity of inspirational people with a spare room and a desire to make a difference in a young person’s life.”

Submitted by Katriona Harding

After selling out their debut album launch night in their hometown, Edinburgh quartet, The OK Social Club, picked up “Best Live Act” at the Scottish Alternative Music awards.

Hosted by Billy Kirkwood the SAMA’S were held in Glasgow’s Garage where it showcased the cream of Scotland’s new music. The Scottish acts are shortlisted by industry experts and then put to the public vote.

Nominees for best live act were:-
VIGO THEIVES, UNITED FRUIT, MEURSAULT, ROADWAY & THE OK SOCIAL CLUB

The awards were presented by Scotland’s top DJ’s Ally McCrae, Jim Gellatly and Vic Galloway. The last category of the evening to be announced was Best Live Act, which Jim Gellatly presented to The OK Social Club.

The night ended with the “Best Live Act” THE OK SOCIAL CLUB playing to a sell out crowd.

“We were delighted to be nominated and felt that was an achievement in itself. There were some great bands in our category so to win was a great surprise. We see ourselves as a live band first and foremost; it’s great to know that’s the hard work we are putting in is being recognised. The event itself was cool, really cool, it was run well there weren’t any problems on the night but there was still that anarchic smell in the air. It was a real sort of Rock and Roll awards night. Credit has to go to founder Richy Muirhead, he is a real gentleman and puts a great deal of work into these shows each year.

We would also like to thank our fans who played a huge part in us winning this award. Some didn’t only vote but shared our music online and encouraged their friends and family to vote too, for this we are extremely grateful”
Raff, Chris, Gordy & Jordan

Submitted by Mia Farrell

Scotland Internationals attended the launch of the inaugural Edinburgh 7s Festival. Stuart Hogg, Tim Visser and Greig Laidlaw were welcome additions at the official launch party of the Edinburgh 7s Festival at Opal Lounge in Edinburgh.

E7F is taking place at Meggetland Sports Complex, Colinton Road from 7-9 June 2013. This brand new, unique, multi-sport festival includes all the ingredients for an entertaining sporting extravaganza. The three-day event combines extremely popular and engaging sports with a music festival feel. From rugby 7s and beach volleyball, through to fancy-dress dodgeball, there really is something for everyone.

E7F will host the British Invitational Masters Beach Volleyball tournament on a tailor-made arena with 500 seats. Confirmed attendees include GB 2012 Olympian Shauna Mullin and a host of other British beach stars.

Also at an elite level, E7F are hosting the Scotland leg of the GB7s on the Saturday. A brand new series for specialist sevens teams consisting of one-day tournaments played at venues across Britain on four consecutive Saturdays. Teams include Appache, Barracudas, Maurauders, Samurai, Wailers, Pups and teams representing the home nation’s governing bodies.

In addition to these invitational elite sporting tournaments, E7F has created competition formats in netball, hockey, football, volleyball, touch, rugby and dodgeball.These competitions are aimed at the public and businesses across Scotland and the aim is to get as many people involved in the event as possible.

The weekend starts with a schools festival on the Friday morning and local children will be invited to take part in every sport on offer and get coaching advice from International athletes and Olympians.

Gordon Hood, Festival Director, commented:-

“We are very excited about this new event. There is so much going on at the festival with top quality elite sport, live music, fancy dress dodgeball and a beach volleyball arena.

We want everyone to be involved and have a host of entertainment on offer through the weekend including live music, DJs and some fun competitions. With children under 12 being admitted free and a Kidzone in place, there is something for everyone.”

Colin Gregor, Scotland 7s Captain, said:-:
“I am delighted that we are bringing this level of competition to Edinburgh. 7s is such great fun and the more new audiences that can experience it alongside other sports can only help it develop and grow. We invented the game after all!”

Shauna Mullin, London 2012 Olympian, said:

“I am really pleased to be included in such a great event! Linking beach volleyball and rugby 7s is a great idea because both sports are fast, tactical, require great athletes and they both provide an amazing atmosphere for spectators. It is support and events like this that will help beach volleyball continue to ride the wave that the Olympics create. I can’t wait to come up to Edinburgh again this summer!”

The live, onsite entertainment at the festival will keep the crowds busy from 9am until late. Festival attractions include:

• Beach Volleyball Arena
• Fancy dress all weekend
• Red Bull Players Lounge
• Pitch side Jacuzzi
• Live bands & DJs
• Beer Tent
• Kids Zone – Under 12s Go Free
• International rugby stars
• Lions Breakfast – TV showing the Lions v Queensland Reds

Team entry and Tickets are available from the website
For further information and a launch photo please contact Gordon Hood on 07789 000 456

Submitted by Chrissy

Are you concerned about Bedroom Tax?

North Edinburgh intends to be united and host a public meeting, with speakers from Granton Information Centre, Govan Law Centre as well as other ocal groups.

Everyone is invited to come to this public meeting, whether you want to listen to the speakers or ask a question you’re welcome to come along.

From 7:00pm on 19 March 2013
Craigroyston Community High School
Pennywell Road
Edinburgh

Ample parking is on site and is accessible to all.

Submitted by Robert Pearson

Rugby-mad proprietor and former club rugby prop Graham Blaikie has been trying his best to cover the Six Nations at his Mercat Bar and Restaurant in Edinburgh’s Haymarket. ”We’ve shown all the matches live, rucked every maul, kicked every ball,” he proudly claims. Now he’s getting ready to scrum down for the climax – Super Saturday 16 March 2013.

”We’re planning a big fan finale all-day blow out for the finale,” he says. ”All the rugby, food and fine ale you could want.” On offer are all three matches, three courses of dining – one course per match – and two pints of cask ale – all for £20.

Graham intends that fans sit down to their starters with Italy-Ireland in the afternoon, have their second course with Wales-England in the evening and finalise the fayre with France against Scotland at night to round it all out. Graham invites you to join him at the Mercat Bar for a day of ales, great food, and rugby.

Booking is necessary on 0131 225 8716, or email info@mercatbar.com.

Submitted by Simon Walton

Once again Muirhouse St Andrew’s Parish Church is offer all youngsters from P1 to P7 a place at their Easter Holiday club.

Lots of fun will be had, children will be able to take part in Craft activities, play games, enjoy a story or try solve puzzles. A snack will also be provided.

Running from 1-5 April 2013

From 10:00 to 12:00 noon.

You must register your child. Forms are available from the church and Craigroyston Primary.

You can also download it from here

* A registration form must be completed for every child who is going*

Submitted by Robert Pearson

This summer, join us for a big, beautiful sponsored walk to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Take part in Miles for Macmillan on 1 September 2013 in Holyrood Park. Marvel at the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat, watch the swans coast on 3 beautiful lochs, and loop round the historic village of Duddingston.

Bring the kids, brothers, sisters, the girls at work – gather all of the people who warm your life for a lovely day out in the fresh air.

Come together with hundreds of other people to make sure no one has to face cancer alone. Miles for Macmillan is our national fundraising walking event which is supported by our partner Boots UK.

You can find more information about Miles for Macmillan visiting http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/Walkingevents/Sponsoredwalks/Scotland/Scotland.aspx

Submitted by Macmillan Cancer Support

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road collision that happened in Penicuik earlier today.

Emergency services were called to Dick Terrace around 4:00pm, after a seven-year-old boy had been involved in a collision with a vehicle in the street.  Tragically, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers are now carrying out an investigation in order to establish the full circumstances of the incident, and the driver of the vehicle involved is assisting with these enquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police immediately, on 101.

Philip Glass meeting Patti Smith; heavy-metal Shakespeare from China; Beethoven’s Fidelio set in outer space; The Festival Theatre’s nooks and crannies taken over in four days of dance. Yes, the Edinburgh International Festival’s 2013 programme was unveiled today, and it’s nothing if not eclectic.

Festival director Jonathan Mills has taken a technological theme this year, but that doesn’t just mean cutting-edge gadgets and gizmos. The programme looks back into history at the way art and technology have cross-fertilised, from Beethoven making use of the latest metal-framed pianos for his massive ‘Hammerklavier’ Sonata (performed by Andreas Haefliger on 17 Aug) to Leonardo da Vinci’s astonishing Renaissance contributions to the understanding of human anatomy (at the Queen’s Gallery, Holyrood Palace, 2 Aug-10 Nov).

Things technological come right up to date, though, in Korean media artist Hyung Su Kim’s Media Skins, LED facades that are set to transform the outside of the Usher Hall and Festival Theatre, and in Cybraphon, an emotional robot band in a box at the National Museum of Scotland that obsessively googles itself and checks its tweets to discover how popular it is.

Two brand new musical performances even offer the chance for you to get involved in their creation. Edinburgh-born cellist Peter Gregson’s To Dream Again (19-20, 22-24 Aug) allows audience members to interact with the performance in real time, meaning that each performance will be entirely unique. And for US composer Tod Machover’s Festival City, performed by the RSNO on 27 Aug, we’re all invited to contribute sounds inspired by Edinburgh as a festival city, then transform them using specially created apps.

Edinburgh-based theatre company Grid Iron takes technology into the far future, imagining a time when we have abandoned Old Earth and arrived on a new planet where we can be the centre of our own universe. Leaving Planet Earth takes place at the Ratho Climbing Arena (10-24 Aug). And the futuristic vision of Beethoven’s Fidelio is courtesy of Opéra de Lyon and US contemporary media artist Gary Hill, who sets the composer’s only opera on board a doomed spacecraft hurtling towards infinity (10 & 12 Aug).

Elsewhere, the festival’s theatrical offerings embrace a wealth of Samuel Beckett – five plays and 19 films – and the Wooster Group’s radical reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, alongside the Beijing People’s Art Theatre’s production of Coriolanus, which includes live music from two Chinese heavy-metal bands.

An ambitious dance-themed festival-within-a-festival curated by Scottish Ballet, Dance Odysseys, has eight productions, plus talks, discussions and films, which will take over the Festival Theatre from 16 to 19 August.

And the festival’s music programme is as strong and diverse as ever, from all-choral evenings from the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (29 Aug) and The Sixteen (21 Aug), through to Philip Glass and Patti Smith celebrating the life and career of their friend, poet Allen Ginsberg, in The Poet Speaks (13 Aug). High-profile musicians making their way to Edinburgh in August include Valery Gergiev, Mitsuko Uchida, Ian Bostridge, Pinchas Zukerman, Midori, Andreas Scholl and Pierre-Laurent Aimard.

It’s a strong line-up, diverse yet focused, and Mill’s technological theme offers some unusual perspectives and insights into work both familiar and lesser-known. He said: ‘Festival 2013 presents a journey inspired by the way technology seizes and shifts our perceptions of the world. It is the role of artists to think differently, to offer us provocations and inspiring contrasts to our everyday lives. Artists’ innovation in everyday materials has played a key role in the evolution of artistic techniques and thinking, and of how we experience the world. We celebrate this interaction through historical as well as contemporary work.’

Photos Eoin Carey

S’no Snowin’ is it? – Edinburgh International Festival Launch – Information sessions on Housing Benefit changes – Gordon Macdonald MSP – Mike Crockart MP

Looks like the weather might be cold again today. The snow yesterday caused some traffic delays and a bit of grumbling from drivers.

Princes Street Gardens was closed for a time due to the snow but re-opened later in the day. We took some live footage of traffic in the city centre (filmed on an iPhone) which you can watch below, and which features a mini snowplough clearing the pavement on Queen Street Gardens.

If you want to know what the likelihood is of your street and pavement being gritted by the council then you can have a look at this map here. This shows you the Priority 1 gritting routes in red which should be the first to receive attention from the grifters. There is also a map of pavement gritting routes. Any comments? Let us know!

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The Edinburgh Reporter is off to the launch of the Edinburgh International Festival programme today. Now this is always accompanied by lovely bacon rolls, so while we will be tweeting like mad later on, and running a liveblog to cover the event here, there may be a lull while we partake of the refreshments on offer while perusing the programme for summer 2013. We also plan to interview Festival Director Jonathan Mills, and anyone else we can find…

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The Council is running some information sessions on the changes to housing benefits over the next week or so.

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Our photo shows you MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, who has issued his annual report which you can also read in full below.  Gordon is going to distribute the boxes of reports to people and organisations throughout his constituency.

Gordon said:- “After my election in 2011 I made the commitment that I would keep the residents of Edinburgh Pentlands aware of my activities within parliament and my work in the community.”

The annual report which will start being distributed in the next few weeks is one of a number of methods that the MSP uses to keep in touch with his constituents. In addition to his annual report Gordon also has a monthly e-newsletter, a Twitter account, a website and a Facebook page. 

He continued: “I am here to try and help and will always do my best to do so. If I can’t help you directly I will support you as much as I can and try and find someone who can help. It is a great honour and pleasure to work on your behalf.”

Gordon Macdonald Annual Report a3 2013 2

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Mike Crockart is LibDem MP for Edinburgh West. He is aiming to use technology to make it very easy for his constituents to contact him about their problems. Here is what he said in his latest newsletter:-

“I know that sometimes it can be difficult to get the time to come to see me at one of my advice surgeries. To make it easier for you to speak to me I have launched e-surgeries.

The first e-surgery will be held on 28th March 5pm to 6pm. All you need to do is to have access to the free software Skype. You can email me to make an e-surgery appointment.”

The Edinburgh International Festival programme for Summer 2013 will be unveiled this morning at The Hub. Amid the buzz of the bacon rolls and coffee we will bring you the details of what is in store for you live as it happens. Scroll down to read the liveblog…which will update automatically with our updates and tweets from The Edinburgh Reporter and others who are at the launch.

The Edinburgh Reporter also hopes to interview Festival Director Jonathan Mills about what will be his second last Festival, and anyone else we can get our hands on. More news below as and when it happens! We are all expecting great things this morning for the EIF which runs from 9 August  to 1 September 2013. If you are a friend or patron of the Festival (which starts at £60 per annum) then you can start booking your tickets later today, but for everyone else the booking date is 23 March 2013.

The Edinburgh International Festival began in 1947. The organisers say that their mission statement is:-

 to be the most exciting, innovative and accessible Festival of the performing arts in the world, and thus promote the cultural, educational and economic well-being of the people of Edinburgh and Scotland. We do this by:

• Presenting arts of the highest possible international standard to the widest possible audience
• Reflecting international culture to audiences from Scotland, the rest of the UK and the world
• Offering an international showcase for Scottish culture
• Presenting events which cannot easily be achieved by any other UK arts organisation through innovative programming and a commitment to new work
• Actively ensuring equal opportunities for all sections of the Scottish and wider public to experience and enjoy the Festival
• Encouraging public participation in the arts throughout the year by collaborating with other arts and festival organisations
• Ensuring the Festival has adequate core funding to fulfil its mission and address its sustainability

This week’s council meeting will consider the report to the full council recommending closure of Castlebrae Community High School.

Council Leader Andrew Burns said in his most recent Leader’s Report:-“The Capital Coalition is taking time to consider the detailed contents of this lengthy report and discuss with interested parties, including those campaigning to keep the school open, before making a decision at the Council meeting on 14 March.

Whatever the outcome, we are absolutely committed to building a new school in the Craigmillar area (predicted completion in autumn 2020) – and have already allocated £618,000 of early funding for the start of the design stage in 2017. We realise that the successful regeneration of Craigmillar relies in part on the commitment to a new school and the creation of a safe, family-friendly environment.”

We met with some of the pupils to find out what their thoughts about the school are:-

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMPV90JoXsk]

Some of the pupils’ concerns appear to have been addressed by the council report  included in the papers for Thursday’s meeting which runs to some 228 pages, and which covers the extensive consultation process which has been undertaken. For example there is a recommendation to approve free home to school transport for pupils who might change to Portobello High School. The report also recommends that if the site, or part of it, is sold then any monies raised will be directly applied to the new Craigmillar School which is to be delivered by 2020.

But the campaigners are determined to continue to fight for the school even if the decision by the council this Thursday goes against them. The Save the Brae campaign will be presenting a deputation to the meeting in connection with item number 8.6 which is to discuss the future of the school.

The Edinburgh Reporter will be attending the council meeting on Thursday morning and will be running a live blog to add to the council’s own webcasting of the meeting.

You will be able to join us here from about 9.45 a.m.

Locals in Edinburgh and the Lothians are being encouraged to grow their own plants, fruit and vegetables in allotments, orchards or gardens this year to celebrate The Big Dig Day on Saturday 16 March 2013.

Europe’s largest greenspace initiative, the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN), is supporting the drive to increase community gardening across Central Scotland.

The Big Dig Day provides the perfect opportunity for people across the country to volunteer in community gardens on their doorstep and to take advantage of the numerous benefits it can have on individual and community health and well-being.

Community gardening involves shared growing spaces and has a positive role to play in good physical and mental health by encouraging people to use and enjoy outdoor space. It can also lead to increased access to better nutrition in the face of rising supermarket prices and can improve community engagement by encouraging people to get together.

Committed to improving the health and quality of life of the people in Central Scotland, the CSGN has pledged to significantly increase the area of land used by communities for growing plants, fruit and vegetables.

A recent Scottish Government funding boost of £450,000 to the CSGN Development Fund is helping to support eight community growing projects between 2012 and 2015, creating significant societal benefits for surrounding communities.

Edinburgh Cyrenians was awarded £61,000 to develop new community gardens on NHS sites in the Lothians to build upon work already undertaken by the Cyrenians with the NHS at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and the Midlothian Community Hospital in Bonnyrigg which was supported in previous rounds of the CSGN Development Fund.

The Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust was also awarded £26,040 to expand its community growing development programme into East and Midlothian from Edinburgh City. The project provides support to local community groups to create, maintain and enhance community gardening sites.

Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The Big Dig Day is a great opportunity for people throughout Scotland to get involved with their local community to get growing.

“The Scottish Government is committed to helping support communities that want to grow their own food which is why we’ve contributed £450,000 to the CSGN for food growing projects.”

Keith Geddes, Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network Partnership Board, said:- “The Big Dig Day provides an excellent platform to raise awareness of the range of health, economic and environmental benefits of community gardening for local communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians and wider society, which is central to the CSGN vision.”

The overarching CSGN 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.

For further information about the CSGN or community growing opportunities, please visit their website.

The Edinburgh Reporter visited Duddingston Community Garden recently and made this video:-

Submitted by CENTRAL SCOTLAND GREEN NETWORK

Police are investigating a report of a nine-year-old boy being approached by two men in Edinburgh.

The incident happened on Baberton Mains Hill between 12.10pm and 12.20pm on Friday 8 March 2013 as the boy was on his way home from school on his scooter.

A black, small to medium car with two men within pulled up alongside the boy.

They asked him to get into the vehicle however he refused and ran home, where he alerted his parents who, in turn, contacted police.

Officers are now urgently trying to trace the men to find out exactly what happened, and why they stopped the boy, and are exploring a number of lines of enquiry, including CCTV.

In the meantime, police have increased uniformed patrols in the area and are appealing to members of the public with any information about the incident to come forward immediately.

The male passenger is described as being dark skinned, with dark hair which was greying around the temples and a dark moustache. He was wearing a fluorescent yellow/green adidas tracksuit top with black stripes down the sleeves and had the black tattoo of a ring on his left index finger.

There are only brief details about the driver, however he is described as being dark-skinned.

The car is described as having scratches on the rear of the vehicle, with a black interior with red stripes and furry dice hanging on the rear view mirror.

Inspector David Hynd from the City of Edinburgh Division said:- “Thankfully the child was unhurt in this incident, however he is understandably shaken by these events.

“This appears to be an isolated incident, and there may be a genuine reason why the men spoke to the boy, however at this time we are doing all we can to establish the circumstances.

“As well as exploring a number of investigative lines of enquiry, we are also upping our patrols in the area to reassure local residents.

“I would encourage anyone who has nay information regarding this to get in touch with us immediately or speak to any officer in person.

“Anyone with any information can report it by dialling 101 or by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

£39,725 CONFISCATED FROM HEROIN AND COCAINE DEALER WHO OPERATED FROM WITHIN PRISON

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, a Confiscation Order for £39,725 was made against Paul McIntyre (29).

McIntyre, who is from Liverpool, but who is currently in prison, pleaded guilty on 17 October last year to a contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act, admitting that he was concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine.

The offences occurred between March and June 2011, when Paul McIntyre was a serving prisoner in Edinburgh prison. McIntyre was orchestrating drug transactions by mobile telephone from prison, instructing couriers to bring drugs from Liverpool to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

He was sentenced to 9 years, 6 months imprisonment.

Lindsey Miller, Head of the Serious and Organised Crime Division (SOCD), said:-“Paul McIntyre contributed to the operation of a drugs network from behind bars in Edinburgh. His conviction for the supply of illegal drugs means that he is deemed to have a ‘criminal lifestyle’ under the Proceeds of Crime Act, and this entitles us to assess his income for six years prior to the date of the offence.

“After this analysis, £153,000 could not be accounted for legitimately.

“Today’s confiscation order for almost £40,000 represents the full amount of these illegal profits available to us at this time.  It should be stressed that, should McIntyre obtain any cash or assets in the future, in certain circumstances we can ask the court to recalculate the confiscation order up to the amount of the benefit recorded.

“The money will be added to the £60 million already gathered from Proceeds of Crime and will be re-invested in the community by Scottish Ministers, through the CashBack for Communities programme.”

Stopping off as part of a nine-venue Scottish tour, violinist Nicola Benedetti brings the glamour of the silver screen to the Usher Hall on Thursday in a live concert based around her best-selling album The Silver Violin.

Cleverly intertwining concert classics with movie themes, Benedetti performs John Williams’s moving music from Schindler’s List, and the well-loved theme from The Gadfly by Shostakovich. She contrasts them with two arias from Korngold’s passionate opera Die tote Stadt and Tchaikovsky’s turbulent and deeply Romantic Piano Trio, in which she is joined by cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and pianist Alexei Grynyuk.

It’s a concert intended to satisfy existing fans and classical music aficionados, as well as encouraging new listeners to try out classical music. There are specially commissioned short films interspersed between the musical numbers, giving background on the composers who wrote for the movies. And there’s also the chance to put your own questions to Benedetti herself and her fellow musicians about her career and her commitment to music education.

Speaking about acclaimed The Silver Violin disc, available on the Decca label, Benedetti said:- ‘I’m constantly trying to combine something that you’re introducing people to, but also giving them things that are very instantaneous. That mirrors what I’m trying to do all the time on a much later scale, which is to maintain the quality and seriousness and dedication to developing as a musician, but alongside that trying to go out spreading the work about classical music as much as possible.’

She continued: ‘The aim of The Silver Violin tour is to provide an uncompromising and enchanted listening experience that delves deeper into the soul of the composers. I look forward to music fans across Scotland joining me on what I hope will be a varied and moving evening of great music.’

Nicola Benedetti: The Silver Violin is at the Usher Hall on Saturday 16 March. The tour concludes in Ayr (18 Mar), Perth (19 Mar), Inverness (26 Mar), Aberdeen (28 Mar) and Glasgow (29 Mar).

This week, The Edinburgh Reporter looks at one of the most controversial decisions ever made in an Edinburgh derby, which denied Hibs the three SPL points, and send best wishes to Hearts for next week’s Scottish Communities League Cup Final. Congratulations  go to Hibs star Leigh Griffiths who was named SPL Player of the Month, and also the Edinburgh Capitals for a superb 3-2 win over Belfast Giants.

Commiserations are due to Spartans and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale who both fell at the semi-final stage of the Southern Challenge Cup, and also to Jennifer Dodds and her Scots’ curling team-mates who narrowly lost in the final of the World Junior Curling Championships in Sochi Russia. Rugby match reports can be found on the Reporter’s website.

Football

Hearts got the week off to a good start, beating St Johnstone 2-0 with goals from Ryan Stevenson and John Sutton to leapfrog St Mirren and move up to tenth in the SPL.

On Friday, the troubled club launched season ticket sales for 2013/14 today with a promise to supporters that prices will remain fixed during three sales phases.

Children under 12 can purchase a season ticket from £50, with under-18s from £155, student and pensioner concessions from £180 and full adult prices starting at £280 for the entire season. Existing season ticket holders wishing to renew must do so before April 29, to guarantee their seat.

Across the city, Hibs launched a ground breaking lottery which gives supporters a chance to win an astonishing £18.2m. The idea for the initiative came from the supporters’ group ‘Let’s Work Together’ and will see a percentage of the money raised given to manager Pat Fenlon to be used for player recruitment.

On form Leigh Griffiths was named SPL Player of the Month, following his hat-trick against Kilmarnock last weekend. After picking up the award, Griffiths said: “It’s always nice to get recognition and I would like to dedicate the award to our supporters, who have stuck with us throughout the season. I’m enjoying my football right now and hopefully that’s showing in my performances. I love playing for Hibs and scoring goals, so I couldn’t be any happier. Hopefully we can build on our current form and I can play my part in helping Hibs to win as many matches as possible – starting with Sunday’s Edinburgh Derby against Hearts.”

A panel of Scottish football experts chose the award winners from a shortlist which included the top three fans’ nominations from Clydesdale Bank’s football website.

Sunday’s Edinburgh derby ended in a goalless draw, although the game produced one of the most controversial decisions ever made in the fixture. With fifteen minutes remaining, Leigh Griffiths struck a sensational 40 yard free kick, which bounced off the underside of the crossbar and landed three feet behind the line before spinning back out and being headed clear by Andy Webster. Astonishingly, neither the referee Euan Norris nor his ‘assistant’ spotted the ‘goal’ and a corner was awarded to the fury of the Hibs supporters.

The point means that Hibs remain in 6^th position, six points ahead of Hearts who leapfrog next week’s Scottish Communities League Cup Final opponents St Mirren into 10^th.

Last Tuesday, Craigroyston beat Gala Fairydean 1-0 away from home in the Central Taxis East of Scotland First Division, and the following night Spartans travelled to Gretna and returned with a point after a goalless draw to remain top of the Central Taxis East of Scotland Premier Division.

On Saturday, Spartans lost 2-1 to Whitehill Welfare at Ainslie Park in the semi-final of the Scottish Challenge Cup.

Two first half headers from Welfare’s Willie Kidd gave the Rosewell side a deserved lead going into the break, and the visitors held onto the lead until the 85^th minute when substitute John Ferguson gave Spartans some hope, but Whitehill were able to hold out for the victory despite a late surge.

Malt and Hops Man of the Match was Gary Cennerazzo.

Elsewhere Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale lost 2-1 to Dalbeattie at Saughton Enclosure in the Scottish Challenge Cup Semi Finals.

In the Central Taxis Premier Division Edinburgh University drew 1-1 with Stirling University, whilst in the First Division, Craigroyston beat Duns 2-0 and Leith Athletic lost 5-1 to Berwick Rangers Reserves at Ainslie Park. The results leave Leith 5^th and Craigroyston 6^th in the table.

Women’s Football

Hibs Frankie Brown played in Scotland’s 4-4 draw with England in the Cyprus Cup at the GSZ Stadium in Larnaca, whilst team-mates Shannon Lynn and Joelle Murray had to be content with a place on the bench.

Scotland led through a ninth-minute Lisa Evans goal, before Ellen White’s 40th-minute equaliser. Toni Duggan gave England as fortunate half time lead just before the break.

Scotland hit back with two goals in the opening eight minutes of the second period, through Striker Jane Ross and player-of-the-match Kim Little.

Once again England equalised through Rachel Williams and took the lead with substitute Kelly Smith scoring four minutes later.

The Scots produced a grandstand finish and Little to set up Mitchell to earn a deserved point.

After the game, Scotland coach Anna Signeul said: “After starting so well and controlling the first half it was disappointing to go behind on a couple occasions.

“But the performance overall was good. Kim Little was fantastic, but I was pleased with the whole team – it was a very together performance.”

Scotland: Gemma Fay, Rhonda Jones, Eilish McSorley, Jennifer Beattie, Frankie Brown, Leanne Crichton, Joanne Love, Megan Sneddon, Lisa Evans, Jane Ross, Kim Little. Substitutes: Shannon Lynn, Hayley Lauder, Suzanne Grant, Leanne Ross, Emma Mitchell, Suzanne Malone, Joelle Murray, Nicola Docherty.

Badminton

Edinburgh-born Robert 
Blair, the 31-year-old former World Championship silver medallist and Malaysia’s Bin Shen Tan had a shock win in the men’s doubles at the Yonex All England Open in Birmingham, battling through the qualifying event and in the first round main draw tie they came from behind to defeat Indonesia’s Alvent Yulianto Charndra and Markus Kido 17-21,21-19, 21-18.

The pair however were unfortunate to lose to unseeded Japanese pair of Hiroyuki Endo and Kenichi Havakawa after a great start, taking the opening game 21-7. The Asian pair hit back to take the second game 21-13 and, from 8-all in the third, ran away to win the decider 21-14

Ice Hockey

Congratulations to the Edinburgh Capitals who beat Belfast Giants 3-2 at Murrayfield Ice Rink on Sunday night. Brent Patry gave the home side the lead, and Rene Jarolin added a second before half time. A third Caps goal was disallowed by referee Wilson as it was deemed to have went in after he’d blown his whistle to stop play.  Martin Cingel made it 3-0 but the Giants fought back, scoring two late goals before the final whistle. The Caps wore their pink shirts to show their sipport for the breat cancer charity.

Curling

Edinburgh’s Jennifer Dodds and her Scotland team-mates skipped by Lockerbie’s Hannah Fleming, made it eight wins out of eight by beating Switzerland 7-2 before unstuck losing 8-6 to Sayaka Yoshimura’s Japanese rink in their final group match of the World Junior Curling Championships in Sochi, Russia.

The Scots unfortunately lost the final 6-5 to a strong Russian team after an extra round.

Scottish skip Fleming was gracious in defeat, saying: “We just weren’t firing as well in the final as we have been. But you’ve got to hand it to Russia because they played well. But I’m really disappointed because we just didn’t show up in the final.”

Speedway

Edinburgh Monarchs’ Theo Pijper took six points, in a Ben Fund Bonanza meeting at Berwick on Saturday night.  Pijper took a point in the first heat from Cameron Woodward, and was unlucky when heat 7 was stopped with a warning issued to Lemon, after he had made the gate. In the rerun he finished second to Vissing but ahead of Richie Worrall and Lemon. He took a third ahead of Wright in heat 13, then in what looked a fairly easy heat 19 he lay third initially but added a lucky point when Kozza Smith fell.

Mads Korneliussen was the outstanding rider in the qualifying races with four comfortable wins. Hans Andersen also went direct to the final with 10 points, while Danny King (10), Claus Vissing (9), Richie Worrall (9) and Chris Harris (8) made the semi.

The Monarchs  announced that admission prices for the 2013 will remain the same as 2012 with all fans having the opportunity to pay less by pre-booking tickets on line.

The cost of tickets for the new season will be:

Pre-booked

Adults: £14, Seniors and Students £11, Children 12 to 18: £4, Children under 12: £1

Pay at the gate

Adults: £16 Seniors and Students: £13, Children 12 to 18: £6, Children under 12: £2 For everyone other than adults, proof will be required for eligibility for lower prices.

Basketball

In the Scottish Senior Women’s League, Polonia Phoenix beat Clark Eriksson Fury 62-38 at Gracemount High School on Thursday then followed that up with a 70-46 win over Pentland Star at the Crags on Sunday. City of Edinburgh Kool Kats travelled to the Mariner Centre and beat Clark Eriksson Fury 74-45.

Snooker

Corstorphine’s Ross Vallance defeated Musselburgh teenager Ross Muir 3-1 in the quarter final of the East of Scotland Snooker Tournament at the Bert Demarco Matchroom at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. He will meet Bonnyrigg’s Mike Leslie in the semi-final who beat Edinburgh’s David Greig.

In the other semi-final, Corstorphine’s Keith Chalmers, will meet Penicuik’s Michael Gallacher.

Volleyball

In the Schelde Sports Men’s National League Division One, City of Edinburgh beat Glasgow Mets 3-2 whilst Edinburgh Jets beat Dundee 3-0.

In the Schelde Sports Women’s National League Division One, City of Edinburgh beat NUVOC 3-0 whilst Edinburgh Jets travelled to North Lancashire and returned with a 3-0 victory.

In the Schelde Sports Men’s National League Division Two, Edinburgh Jets II travelled to Tayside and beat Dundee 3-0.

In the Schelde Sports Women’s National League Division Two, Edinburgh Jets II beat Dundee 3-0

In the Schelde Sports Men’s National League Division Two East, City of Edinburgh II beat NUVOC 3-0.

And for the rest of The Edinburgh Reporter rugby coverage you will have to read this article here to find out what John Preece thought of the international fixture against Wales.

Hibs v Hearts – Media Mondays at Edinburgh Napier – YouTube – Collective Gallery Auction – Get your dancing shoes on!

In what our reporter John Hislop describes as the most controversial decision in an Edinburgh derby, the Hibs v Hearts match ended in a goalless draw. All the weekend’s sport here in The Edinburgh Reporter’s Weekly Sports round-up. What’s your view?

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The man responsible for leading the BBC’s coverage of Glasgow 2014, Bruce Malcolm, is the next guest to appear today at a weekly Edinburgh lecture series.

Malcolm has spent more than 20 years of his career with the BBC and in the run-up to and during the Commonwealth Games will be in charge of the corporation’s coverage of the event.

Responsible for bringing together BBC Scotland, BBC Sport, BBC News and BBC Worldwide, Malcolm’s remit is to ensure that the whole of the UK is involved in the events of 2014.

Appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2006, Malcolm originally trained as a chartered accountant and worked as a consultant for several years before being drawn to BBC Scotland.

He will speak at Edinburgh Napier University’s ‘Media Mondays’ event at lunchtime today.

The weekly public lecture series, which is free and open to all, launched last year. So far, guests including political commentator Iain MacWhirter, BBC football reporter Chris McLaughlin, Channel 4 News Correspondent Alex Thomson and Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark have all taken part. All talks are held at the University’s Merchiston Campus in room B2.

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Have you watched any of our videos on our YouTube channel? Our videos have ben watched almost 15,000 times. The latest runaway success is the film about the Flashmob proposal last week in Edinburgh Airport which has been watched over 1200 times, but there are many others about a variety of subjects, and they are being added to daily.

Part of the reason for our videos is to add content to our Aurasma channel. This is an augmented reality app which you can download here from iTunes or here on Google Play for Android phones.  What can you do with it? Well play with it of course! If you have a Starbucks this morning then open the Aurasma App and point your phone at the green and white logo on the cup….and, as if by magic, you can watch our latest video. There are many other trigger images, including some which are at certain locations around the city….and you can read more here.

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Collective Gallery are holding an auction on 14 March 2013. This is what they say about it:-

In summer 2013, Collective will move from Cockburn Street to the former City Observatory on Calton Hill, Edinburgh. This extraordinary city centre, hilltop location will shape the organisation and its programme in new, distinctive and exciting ways.

Collective’s reception and auction is generously hosted by Lyon & Turnbull, and is an opportunity to find out more about our achievements, ambitions and plans for the future and importantly, to raise money to support the renovation of the Observatory.

Over 60 artists have donated works for auction. From Turner Prize winners Martin Boyce and Jeremy Deller, international artists Spencer Finch and Hans Schabus to rising stars Alex Dordoy and Rachel Adams, the list celebrates and reflects the diverse range of artists Collective has supported, commissioned, exhibited and befriended since we first opened nearly 30 years ago. It is a remarkable confirmation of Collective’s achievements to date and we are hugely grateful to the artists for their generosity.

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Edinburgh Ceilidh is back on Tuesday and Friday night this week.

On Tuesday we have the ceilidh club @ Summerhall where we have Free Range playing for the dancing. Tickets are £6 on the door or in advance from www.edinburghceilidhclub.com/tickets or from the Summerhall box office. On the night doors open at 8pm with everything kicking off shortly after that.

 
Then this Friday 15th March we have the next of our ceilidh club @ The Picture House gigs with Teannaich. Doors open at 6:45pm with dancing kicking off from 7pm you can get your tickets online from www.edinburghceilidhs.com or in person from the Picture House box office, Tickets Scotland (Rose Street), Ripping Records. Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out and get yours as soon as you can!! Should be a great chance and you might even make it onto the Teannaich DVD which they will be doing some filming for on Friday.

In summer 2013, Collective will move from Cockburn Street to the former City Observatory on Calton Hill, Edinburgh. This extraordinary city centre, hilltop location will shape the organisation and its programme in new, distinctive and exciting ways.

Collective’s reception and auction on 14 March 2013  is generously hosted by Lyon & Turnbull, and is an opportunity to find out more about our achievements, ambitions and plans for the future and importantly, to raise money to support the renovation of the Observatory.

This is what they say on their website:_

“Over 60 artists have donated works for auction. From Turner Prize winners Martin Boyce and Jeremy Deller, international artists Spencer Finch and Hans Schabus to rising stars Alex Dordoy and Rachel Adams, the list celebrates and reflects the diverse range of artists Collective has supported, commissioned, exhibited and befriended since we first opened nearly 30 years ago. It is a remarkable confirmation of Collective’s achievements to date and we are hugely grateful to the artists for their generosity.

Since its inception in 1984, Collective has been fundamental to the vitality of culture in Scotland. We bring new contemporary art to a wide audience through an ambitious programme of exhibitions, commissions, participatory and off-site projects as well as first encounters with international artists. And through our New Work Scotland Programme we support the development of art practice and artists based in Scotland.

The City Observatory is located in a walled complex on one of Edinburgh’s principal hills and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Working in close partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, and Malcolm Fraser Architects as master-planners, refurbishment of the City Dome (part of the Observatory complex) for our international programme is already underway, but partnership funds are needed to transform the Observatory building into a world-class contemporary art space dedicated to the New Work Scotland Programme. 

All of the works are available to view on this site and have a range of auction estimate prices. There is both a live and silent auction on the night. There are also opportunities to bid online for selected works.”

If you are unable to go along on 14 March 2013, please register for telephone bidding or use the absentee bidding form, your bid will be held by the auctioneer on the night.

Contact the gallery on ++44 (0)131 220 1260 for more information or register as an telephone or absentee bidder here.