Royal Mile Clean up – Ewan Williamson – Pandas – Taoist Tai Chi Centre grand opening – Assembly Rooms Fringe

Yesterday afternoon the council led a clean-up on The Royal Mile to get it ready for the busy tourist season ahead. The work included removing graffiti on the High Street and Canongate, along with litter pick-ups and the removal of stickers that cover signposts, utility boxes and other street furniture.

Four teams focused on four different parts of the Royal Mile – Castlehill and the Lawnmarket, High Street to the North Bridge, High Street to St Mary’s Street and the Canongate. Our photo shows Councillor Joanna Mowat cleaning up a phone box which is covered by stickers.

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Criminal proceedings in relation to the death on 12 July 2009 at the Balmoral Bar, Dalry Road , Edinburgh of fire fighter Ewan Williamson, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, will be raised after an application for a warrant was granted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

There are two charges under health and safety legislation, namely breaches of Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The Procurator Fiscal’s department has confirmed that Ewan Williamson’s family is being kept updated in relation to developments.

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The pandas might, just might, get it together this year. Both Yang Guang and Tian Tian have successfully mated in the past, (though not with each other), so hopefully with all the careful supervision of Yang Guang’s handstands and his increased appetite, and Tian Tian’s hormones, we might get good news this year. But the important 36 hour window will be in about 10 days time…..

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At the Assembly Rooms this year there is the usual array of big name comedians, including Ardal O’Hanlon according to The Scotsman. But another surprise turn will come from the Scottish crime writer, Val McDermid whose usual haunt is The Edinburgh International Book Festival further along the street.

Suspicious death, Edinburgh

Police investigating the suspicious death of a man in Edinburgh have confirmed he died as a result of significant injuries.

The body of the 43-year-old was discovered in scrubland near the car park of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh off Old Dalkeith Road on Sunday afternoon 7 April 2013. This man has been identified, however efforts are ongoing to trace his family.

CCTV inquiries show he got off a number 33 Lothian bus with a group of four other men, who are possibly of Eastern European origin, near Little France Crescent about 10pm on Friday night 5 April 2013.

The area was busy with people – who might be hospital staff – around that time, and police are appealing directly to any hospital workers who may have been in the area and seen the group of men as they got off the bus, to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector David McLaren from the Specialist Crime Division Major Investigation Team said: -“Our investigations are continuing to focus on how the man sustained these injuries, and we are working to establish what happened after the group of men got off the bus.

“We know there were a number of people coming and going around the area of the hospital on Friday night, so we are appealing for anyone who might have been heading to or from work at the ERI about 10pm on Friday night to get in touch with us if they happen to remember seeing this group of men.

“We also continue to appeal for anyone who may have any information regarding this matter, to contact us on 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Assault and attempted robbery, Edinburgh

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following an incident where an elderly woman was assaulted as she withdrew money from a city centre cash machine.

The incident happened around 11.30am on Monday 8 April 2013, at the cash machine outside the RBS branch located at the West End of Princes Street.

The woman, who is 84-years-old, was withdrawing money from the machine when she was approached by the suspect, who punched her in the side.

He demanded she hand over cash, however she refused and walked off.

The suspect is described as white, 35 to 45-years-old, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 7ins tall, medium build, with a round face.  He was wearing dark scruffy clothing, and had a Scottish accent.

Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “While the elderly woman wasn’t injured, she was understandably shaken by what happened, and we are appealing for any information that can help us trace the suspect.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who was in the area and was approached by the suspect, should contact police.  Likewise anyone who recognises his description should also get in touch.”

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

The Royal Mile was given a fresh look in time for spring as Council staff, residents and businesses come together to spruce up the thoroughfare today.

This morning, volunteers tackled a range of issues such as graffiti and the cleaning of street furniture with the aim of making the Royal Mile as attractive as possible for both residents and visitors.

The move follows on from last year’s successful event which resulted in some positive environmental improvements in the street, which has a world-wide reputation for its history, architecture and culture. 

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Convener, said:- “The Royal Mile clean-up is a great example of how the Council can work together with organisations and communities to spruce up an area and combat particular issues. Initiatives like this improve the quality of life of an area and help to instil a shared pride in keeping it looking attractive, and I hope we’ll see this joined-up approach being adopted in other parts of the City.”

Volunteers from local businesses, residents, the Police and the Council will be joined by staff from Edinburgh University in order to tackle some ongoing issues that negatively impact on residents and visitors experience of the area.      

A range of activities will be taking place during the course of the day to complement some work that has recently been carried out such as the recent painting of the Wardrop’s Court pend. There will be graffiti removal on the High Street and Canongate along with litter pick ups and the removal of stickers that cover signposts, utility boxes and other street furniture.

Four teams will focus on four different parts of the Royal Mile – Castle Hill and the Lawnmarket, High Street to the North Bridge, High Street to St Mary’s Street and the Canongate.

This is the second Spring Clean that will help to make the most of this historic street and encourage all stakeholders to build relationships and work together for positive change.

The search for applicants for the next Social Innovation Incubator Award programme is now under way. Please read on for information on The Melting Pot’s fantastic Award programme.

“We’re looking for your help in finding the next wave of socially innovative people, ideas and projects. We have until the 20th of May to find 10 such social innovators, who are in the early stages of starting up their own non-profit company.

The SII Award is run by The Melting Pot – Scotland’s Centre for Social Innovation, located in the heart of Edinburgh. The SII Award is a dedicated programme of social business support lasting 12 months – more info below.

Last year the SII Award successfully helped 11 budding social innovators to make their ideas reality. Last year’s Award winners can be found by following this link. Each of them have supplied feedback of their experiences and a progress report – to help this year’s applicants and our supporters to understand the value of this unique social business incubation programme. The event time line for the 2012/13 SII Award can be viewed here.

To help us get the ball rolling we are asking you as a key associate to help us out by:

Repeatedly sharing: Information about the opportunity to apply for the SII Award, and to contribute to the crowdfunding campaign with any people, colleagues and partners who you believe would be interested, until the end of May 13.

To make this easy for you we have attached a press release, and short promotional statements, logos, social media links etc (below).

In addition, if you have a public place where you could display some postcards (see picture attached) about the SII Award, please let us know how many you want and where to send them to.

Nominating individuals: Who do you believe has fantastic ideas and the drive to create social innovation, and who’d be interested in the programme of support we’re offering? Please encourage them to apply. People sometimes need a gentle nudge (or two!).

Sponsoring an Awardee/ project: Become a headline sponsor for just £3k. You’ll be listed in our publicity materials, have special invites to key stakeholder and publicity events about the SII Award, and have the option of choosing the type of project or person you’re funding (a category such as ‘environmental’ or ‘ health’ project, or a young person). If you wish you can also join the assessment panel too.

Individually donating and shopping through our crowd-funding campaign: Our crowd funding campaign gives you as an individual the opportunity to donate any financial amount – from a fiver to five hundred pounds. If you’re fast or first, you can also grab yourself one of our special ‘rewards’ – items and experiences such as bespoke limited edition Jute bags, a guided Canadian canoeing trip, a foraging lesson, Mixology hire, and more. There is something for everyone and all monies raised will go straight into the SII Award funding pot.

If you like what you see – perhaps you’d ‘like and share’ the campaign with others?

By aiding The Social Innovation Incubator Award in which ever ways you can, you will actively be helping the next generation of social innovation to take off and establish itself.

By raising a total of just £30,000 we will be able to leverage 5 times that amount into in-kind support, services, connections and experiences – helping the visions of 10 more budding social innovators to become a reality. This is an innovative grassroots support mechanism for social change by people who want to support others driven to help the well-being of our communities and planet.

Specifically the SII Award support includes: 12 months of co-working space, use of a meeting room, ICT and every day printing and phone costs, a reception and business mailing address, emotional support, connections with volunteers and media opportunities, and a range of dedicated expert business support delivered in peer group and 121 learning environments. The business support programme includes everything needed to be learned at the start-up and emerging stages of a new company – from branding and marketing strategies, to fundraising, working with staff and volunteers, companies house registration and help setting up financial systems. In short, everything a budding social entrepreneur could need to thrive and survive.

If you need any other information, quotes, photos, case studies etc, or would like to talk about corporate sponsorship options, please contact me on 0131 243 2626 or by email.

With thanks for your help and support.

Best wishes

Claire Carpenter, Managing Director”

T: 0131 243 2626 E: Claire@themeltingpotedinburgh.org.uk T: @themeltingpoted

Visit the website for direct info on the Award.

Short text about the SII Award:

Social Innovation incubator Award – now open for applications

Bursting with a great idea and passion to make social change happen? Need practical resources and assistance to help your great idea for a better world to flourish? Come to The Melting Pot – Scotland’s Centre for Social Innovation.

Our annual Social Innovation Incubator Award programme provides a range of free support and services for up to 10 start-up and emerging non-profits organisations including:

– 12 months free work and meeting space, IT, telephones, printing, etc

– Personal guidance, a diverse programme of learning and mentoring opportunities

– A range of other opportunities and dedicated business support services

– Visit http://www.TheMeltingPotEdinburgh.org.uk for more information and to apply

– Closing deadline for applications is 20th May, programme starts 1st July 2013

Help support others making social change through the SII Award crowd funding campaign

Twitter feed: 12 months fantastic resources and business support for start-up social innovators available here! ow.ly/jFwGU @TheMeltingPotEd

Submitted by Pete Sach

Edinburgh’s award-winning Arkle theatre company present a rare chance for audiences to enjoy one of David Mamet’s most sparkling comedies.

’Boston Marriage’ is a stylish historical snapshot of same-sex commitment that clearly resonates with current debates. Acid-tongued Anna and the doomed romantic Claire are old sparring partners reuniting after the latter has been on a long vacation. However, during their separation each has acquired a new paramour. For Anna, it’s a wealthy man who has given her a valuable necklace. For Claire, a beautiful ingenue unaware of her new friend’s intentions. Oh, and Anna has hired a maid: a rough-hewn Orcadian wench who might just be every bit as sharp-witted as her tormentors.

Premiered in the US in 1999, the play takes its name from a late 19th century term for a variety of all-female domestic partnerships. It is also Mamet’s response to charges that he cannot write convincingly about or for women – and what a bejewelled riposte it is. Zipping along on waves of Wildean wit punctuated with bawdy jokes, the play is a fully-rounded entertainment that joyfully provokes questions about monogamy, passion and age.

Director Phil Barnes sees the range of language and mood as a key attraction: ’I always want to choose a script that is demanding for the actors, that will bring the best out of them. My strength lies in comedy but I enjoy the rollercoaster ride you can give the audience if that is mixed with true tender or even sad moments, so that they leave having run the whole gamut of emotions.’

Arkle Theatre Company have an impressive record in staging contemporary work. In 2011 they secured first amateur rights to present Patrick Barlow’s spoof of ’The 39 Steps’ and won top prize in the Edinburgh Evening News Drama Awards. Later this year one of their two Fringe shows will be the first UK amateur production of Yasmina Reza’s smash hit ’God of Carnage’. Full info about the group can be found at http://www.arkletheatre.co.uk.

EDINBURGH – at St Mark’s Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace

Tuesday 23rd April
Wednesday 24th April
*NO PERFORMANCE THURSDAY 25TH*
Friday 26th April
Saturday 27th April
at 7.30 pm
All tickets £10.00 (available on door)
or book on 0131 332 6510

Submitted by Lorraine McCann

Bin the Bedroom Tax – Start Local Fight-Back Groups NOW

Come along on Thursday 11th April 2013 @ 7pm North Edinburgh Arts Centre. All welcome.

This meeting is to help form/ support local groups in Pilton, Muirhouse, Royston Wardieburn, Granton, Drylaw and all the areas of North Edinburgh. All opposed to the bedroom tax and the cuts are welcome. All local people are invited, including all North Edinburgh tenants and residents groups, and other local groups.

Our aim is to have strong local groups which can
– stop any evictions for rent arrears due to the cuts
– fight for all the rent arrears from the bedroom tax to be written off
– struggle for the complete abolition of the bedroom tax
– support all local people affected in making an appeal against the cut to their Housing Benefit and/or applying for a Discretionary Housing Payment

Submitted by Robert Pearson

It looks as though the date is now set for panda activity of the mating kind…..

EdinburghZoo say that giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang are likely to meet for the 2013 breeding season ‘imminently’.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) have announced that scientific testing has identified the important hormonal crossover in progesterone and oestrogen in female giant panda Tian Tian which now shows that she is probably about  10 days away from her 36 hour fertile window, perhaps even less.

Iain Valentine, Director of Giant Pandas for RZSS, explains:-“It was really evident first in Tian Tian’s behaviour that she was experiencing or about to experience hormone changes and that the important crossover was here. Her behaviour altered dramatically immediately before, she became very grumpy, went off her food and became a little temperamental. This was backed up by the scientific results when they came back from the Centre for Integrative Physiology at the University of Edinburgh and Chester Zoo – who both analyse samples of Tian Tian’s urine collected twice a day, each and every day.

“Based on these behavioural changes and hormone testing, we are now able to predict that the important 36 hour breeding window when both pandas are likely to meet is imminent. Scientific results alone would suggest the day is just less than 10 days away, however as Tian Tian’s behavioural changes are coming in so strongly we cannot rule out that the key 36 hour window may be much sooner. Every individual giant panda is different and this is only the second time Tian Tian has come into season in Scotland, so it is difficult to make a precise prediction at this stage. The next steps are to continue behavioural observational and hormone testing to confirm when the annual window has arrived.”

“When the 36 hour window is here Tian Tian and Yang Guang will meet several times to have the opportunity to mate and then, as Tian Tian finally ovulates and her hormones fall off, artificial insemination will also take place.”

This year Edinburgh Zoo is combining both natural and assisted reproduction methods. This follows the best practice methodology adopted by other panda-keeping zoos around the world and gives our giant pandas the best possible chance of success. It is also the technique that aligns most with the multiple mating strategy that giant pandas adopt in the wild.

The expert team of RZSS look forward to being joined shortly by specialists from around the globe to share their expertise and learning which they will apply to giant panda breeding.

If Tian Tian does fall pregnant, it will be July or the first half of August when Edinburgh Zoo experts are able to tell by using ultrasound scans. The majority of giant panda cubs are then born at the very end of August or beginning of September.

Poppyscotland announced today  that the 2012 Scottish Poppy Appeal has raised £2,586,788. Although proud of the result, the charity emphasised the need to raise more money in 2013 to continue to deliver vital support to Scotland’s Armed Forces and veterans’ community.

Thanks to the generosity of the Scottish public during the November campaign, Poppyscotland provides practical support to the most vulnerable ex-Service people and their families across Scotland who struggle with a multitude of complex needs, from physical injury and mental illness to securing employment and housing.

Scottish singing star Susan Boyle, who launched the 2012 Appeal in Glasgow with 80 members of two of Scotland’s Military Wives Choirs, paid tribute to the public, saying:- “This is a fantastic achievement and I am delighted that the people of Scotland have given so generously. Their support is truly unforgettable and it will make a world of difference to veterans and their families who need help.”

The 2012 Scottish Poppy Appeal total is lower than the 2011 figure of £2.68 million with the charity citing the current financial climate as the reason. However, with charity donations across the UK falling by 20% in 2011/12* Poppyscotland is bucking the trend with only a 3.76% drop.

Chief Executive Ian McGregor explained: “Whilst we did not exceed the 2011 total, we are very proud of this result. We recognise the difficulties faced by individuals and families, with the country in recession and the cost of living rising. We are immensely grateful to the public for digging deep once again to help Scotland’s veterans and we extend our heartfelt thanks to them and to the many volunteers who work tirelessly on our behalf.”

However, as a charity that relies wholly on public donations, Poppyscotland must raise more money this year to continue to deliver its existing services and a range of new initiatives, which include a welfare centre in Inverness, new employment services to help veterans get into work, wider access to specialist advice and a purpose-built break centre offering respite to serving and ex-Service people and their families.

Ian McGregor emphasised the importance of raising money all year round, saying: “Our fundraising activity continues far beyond November. Sadly, the demands on our services show no sign of diminishing and whether someone has left the Armed Forces two weeks ago or 20 years ago, we will be there. Quite simply, in order to ensure a better future for Scotland’s veterans and their families we need to raise more money.”

Police have now identified the man whose body was discovered in a lane off Cumberland Street in the New Town area of Edinburgh on Friday 5 April 2013.

He is 28-year-old Lee Hayburn, of no fixed abode.

Enquiries into his death, which is being treated as unexplained, are ongoing.

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

Vulnerable adults – The Edinburgh Reporter on YouTube – Harlaw Hydro – Royal Mile Clean up today – House Concerts @42

The council would like you to consider sharing your home with vunerable adults. They are running an information day tomorrow at the City Chambers when you can learn more.  The ‘SharedLives’ scheme is looking for individuals and families in the local community to offer accommodation and support for one or up to two vulnerable adults.

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Our video of Sir Richard Branson’s arrival at the airport yesterday is on Youtube.

You can see all of our videos here

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We also have a video about the Harlaw Hydro Project which you can invest in from today. A community renewable energy project which will take power from the water running out of Harlaw reservoir to power a turbine.

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Council staff, residents and businesses come together to spruce up the thoroughfare this morning when volunteers will be tackling a range of issues such as graffiti and the cleaning of street furniture with the aim of making the Royal Mile as attractive as possible for both residents and visitors.

The move follows on from last year’s successful event which resulted in some positive environmental improvements in the street, which has a world-wide reputation for its history, architecture and culture.

We hope to bring you some photos and perhaps some video of the clean up later today.

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Despite their travails with the council and more specifically the council’s planning department, the House Concerts @ 42 continue. This is where you will find a complete list of what is on this month. 

We interviewed Douglas Robertson earlier this year about the concerts and although this is perhaps a little historic now, it provides an introduction to the tale.

From today you can invest in a local renewable energy cooperative which will use the profit that it hopes to make for the benefit of the community in Balerno.

The people behind it are keen to get you along to St Joseph’s Hall in Balerno this evening to hear more about how you can invest in the scheme. They need about £313,000 to be able to fund their idea which has been given planning approval by The City of Edinburgh Council.

A spokesman for Harlaw Hydro said:-“At 7.30pm tonight, in St Joseph’s Hall, Harlaw Hydro will present its plans for the hydro-electric scheme at Harlaw Reservoir and will launch the share offer.  There will be opportunities for questions, comments and suggestions but most importantly there will be an opportunity to invest in this exciting community project.  The prospectus and forms will be available on line  and on Harlaw Hydro’s new web site which will be HarlawHydro.org.uk where there will also be copies of relevant documents.”

The scheme has been embodied in a company known as an Industrial Provident Society, and the plan is to install a 65Kw turbine at the base of Harlaw Dam to take advantage of the government’s Feed In Tariffs (FiT) for Renewable Energy to sell power to the National Grid.

We met with Martin Petty and Lynn Molleson on a bit of a wintry day recently to see where the hydro power will be made:-

The plan also includes proposals to use the building nearby for educational purposes, but it all depends on money raised. As the organisers say the more money that is invested, the less they will have to borrow from banks and the sooner the project will become reality.

Businesses in Edinburgh to benefit from new employer services team

Sam Kemp and Vicki MacLean on board to identify and advise on recruitment and skills needs

Employers in the Edinburgh area can now benefit from more direct support and advice to help them recruit and develop the skills they require in today’s competitive environment.

Operating on a regional basis across local authority areas, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has announced the introduction of a new employer services team that will be on hand to offer advice as and when required.

The announcement follows the recent launch of Our Skillsforce, a comprehensive new employer web service which provides easy access to a range of public sector information and support services to help employers meet their future skills needs.

In Edinburgh, Employer Engagement Adviser, Sam Kemp and Relationship Account Executive Vicki MacLean will engage with local and regional stakeholders including Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway, City of Edinburgh Council and the local employability partnership. They will also work closely with organisations which represent businesses and employees, including the Federation of Small Businesses, Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the STUC.

Commenting on his new appointment, Sam said: “I am particularly keen to support employers and partner organisations in the Edinburgh area, in order to promote skills and learning.”

Vicki added: “Our roles will be an exciting challenge, bringing together all the key partners at a local level in order to ensure that employers in Edinburgh are fully informed of the support available for workforce development.”

Gordon McGuiness, Head of Industry and Enterprise Networks at SDS, said: “Continuing to support employers remains a top priority and the restructure and expansion of the team demonstrates our ongoing commitment to support employers across the country.

“We are thrilled with the calibre of excellence in the team, who will bring together support from appropriate public sector bodies to help make sure the right support is available to employers, regardless of size or location.”

For further information on the support available from the team, please call the SDS Employer Helpline on 0808 100 1090 or visit www.ourskillsforce.co.uk

The peaceful and orderly conduct of Scotland’s century-long constitutional journey should stand as an exemplar of popular democracy for countries all over the world, First Minister Alex Salmond has told a prestigious institute in New York.

Speaking at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, the First Minister said the current process of self-determination had been agreed, not with the force of arms, but with a handshake and would be determined in a democratic referendum, the result of which will be respected by both sides.

In his address, Mr Salmond said this approach to the affirmation of popular sovereignty was “rare and precious”, even in the modern world, as he explained how the process contrasted with the way the Declaration of Arbroath and the US Declaration of Independence had been sealed through armed struggle.

The First Minister also used his speech – part of his Scotland Week programme – to highlight the key economic strengths that Scotland already possesses in areas such as innovation, renewables, life sciences, financial services and tourism.

And Mr Salmond told the audience, which included dozens of business leaders and investors, that an independent Scotland would be well placed to capitalise further on these strengths, participating as an active member of the international community and maintaining close ties with the United States and other major trading partners.

Video streaming by Ustream

The First Minister said:-“An American President once famously said that the business of America is business.  As a canny Scot I can relate to that.  In this trip we have been demonstrating with inward investment and trade delegations and the marketing of Scotland week and next year’s Homecoming that the business of Scotland in America is business.

“However, I also know that the Coolidge quotation does not point to the fundamental principle of American society.  The founding principle of this republic is popular sovereignty.  The real business of America is not business but democracy.  Therefore it is worth reflecting on something really important – how this process of Scottish self-determination is offering as an exemplar to the rest of the planet.”

The First Minister continued:-“For the best part of a century Scotland has been on a constitutional journey. Despite the passion of the argument not a single person has lost their lives arguing for or against Scottish independence – indeed nobody has suffered so much as a nosebleed.

“The process has been peaceful, orderly and constitutional. The Edinburgh Agreement which I signed with the Prime Minister in October is the culmination of that process. Both Scotland and London agreed on the terms of a popular referendum, agreed to accept the result and crucially in clause 30 agreed to work in the best interests of the peoples of Scotland and the rest of the UK following the result whatever it may be.

“Both the Declaration of Arbroath with its search for a Scottish legitimacy and the Declaration of Independence with its affirmation of popular sovereignty were sealed in the force of arms and struggle.  Now the process of Scottish self-determination is signed in a handshake and determined in a democratic referendum of the people.  Even in modern times this is a rare and precious process and one which stands as an exemplar to the rest of the world.”

Dalkeith Couple Win Big Playing EuroMillions

Midlothian is fast becoming a lucky area as Gwynedd Roberts (56) and his wife Lesley (54) from Danderhall, Dalkeith have become the second couple from the area in less than a year to win The National Lottery.
The couple scooped £361,988 on last Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw, matching five main numbers and a Lucky Star.
And their EuroMillions luck comes just 11 months since Darren Morgan and Graham Muir won the Lotto Jackpot – buying their winning tickets from the same Co-operative supermarket chain.

Local councillor Bill Henderson may only have been elected to his position last May but he has in the words of one resident ‘hit the ground running’. He is campaigning hard for the council to find the money to fund a new set of traffic lights on the west of the city on the busy A71 at the junction of Dalmahoy Road.

The junction is staggered and there are two bus stops, one of which is set against a wall and only has about a foot and a half of pavement in front of it. As a result people do not use it to wait for a bus, preferring to stand in the entranceway to Dalmahoy Hotel where there is less likelihood of them being hit by a passing vehicle.

Councillor Henderson said:-“There definitely need to be changes made here. There have been quite a few accidents on this part of the road in the last few years, and I just don’t want the next one to be a fatality. People coming from Ratho going towards the city often encounter a bus in the slip road where there is actually a bus stop.  It is just downright dangerous.

“The council have roughly estimated the cost, and traffic lights will cost around £410,000, but there is a cost benefit ratio. Each accident costs around £35,000 and if we assume that there are about five accidents a year you could save around £150,000 in one year. The traffic lights would take minimum maintenance and would be here for much longer than 3 or 4 years which is how long it would take to recoup the money spent. The traffic lights might be here for the next 20 years!

“The Hotel backs the plan as they have tour buses and heavy lorries which need to get in and out. There are also lots of cars visitng the hotel and the golf and country club which need to be able to do so safely. If it was safer then it might actually draw more people in to the hotel.

“The money has to come out of a budget. The council has various budgets for road repair or for safety and we need to get some budgets put together so that the funding can actually be put in place, and this is being investigated right now. The council is not against the idea and the money would not have to be from the council alone. Marriott who own the hotel might contribute and so might Cala who are building in Ratho, but ultimately the council have to pick up the largest part of the bill as it is a road safety issue.

“Another safety issue with this part of the road is the two bus stops. One of them is highly dangerous. This is the main bus stop for people going to Livingston and the pavement is only about two feet wide. People really cannot use this safely.  ”

Councillor Ricky Henderson who also represents the Pentland Hills ward said:-” I’m supportive of any measures to improve safety at this junction.”

The Ratho and District Community Council also said that they welcome the proposal to install traffic lights at the junction with Dalmahoy Road and the A71. A spokesman said:-“It has been the scene of a number of accidents over the years. Traffic lights will both enhance traffic and pedestrian safety.”

A local business owner in Ratho:-“It really is a very dangerous junction and many people take their lives in their hands trying to access the Dalmahoy Hotel from Ratho.”

Graham Dane, Chair of Currie Community Council takes a slightly different stance:-“The junction between Curriehill Road and the A71 is unlit and not near any source of lighting on a moonless night.  Currie Community Council have had several complaints about this junction, and have lobbied for a safety audit and improvements to it.  A highly reflective information board situated some distance from the crossing in each direction, with a street light and smaller board at the crossing itself  would hugely improve visibility.  The light could possibly be solar charged.  This would not be an expensive option and would contribute substantially to road safety and make road users feel a lot safer.”

The Edinburgh Reporter met up with Councillor Henderson one morning at the junction to see the traffic for ourselves. This was one weekday morning during the school holidays…

Police in Edinburgh can now confirm the identity of a man who died following an incident in Lochend Butterfly Way on Saturday 6 April 2013.

He was 27-year-old Steven Barrett, who was originally from Bridgend in Wales.

His family have now issued the following statement via Police Scotland and have requested that their privacy is respected at this time.

Mr Barrett’s family said: “We have all been left utterly devastated and are still in complete shock following Steven’s death.

“Steven was a wonderful and loving brother, son and grandson. His kindness and love of life were apparent to anyone he met and no one ever had a bad word to say about him.

“He was always there for his family and friends and lit up the world of everyone he knew.

“Steven was also incredibly passionate about flying and after leaving Swansea University, he joined the RAF in 2007 where he trained to fly Hawks and won an award for being pilot of the year.

“He continued his love for flying when he joined the Flybe team as a commercial pilot in 2012 and had a bright and promising future ahead of him.

“We are extremely grateful for all the kind words and messages of support we have received from those who knew and loved Steven. However, we would now ask that we are left alone to grieve at this incredibly traumatic time.”

A 23-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with this death and appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Scottish Swimming and Quipu TV are bringing swimming action from Royal Commonwealth Pool live to screens globally 

Scottish Swimming, the governing body for swimming in Scotland, and Quipu TV, a Glasgow-based internet broadcaster, will be streaming the swimming action live from the 2013 Scottish Gas National Age Groups Championships at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh on Thursday 11 April in a free-to-air global livestream, co-commentated by Kerri-Anne Payne , covering the second day of the competition for the first time online at www.scottishswimming.com/live

The competition, one of three national swimming championships Scottish Swimming holds each year, has received a record level of interest with more than 900 entries. The event will showcase the depth of swimming talent in Scotland, from those making their debut at the competition to experienced senior athletes who have represented their country on the world stage like Scottish London 2012 Olympians Caitlin McClatchey, Craig Benson and Hannah Miley and Paralympians James Clegg and Craig Rodgie.

Scottish Swimming will be piloting the streaming together with Quipu TV as part of its marketing strategy to use social media and online broadcasting to showcase its events to a wider audience and add benefit to its more than 20.000 members. Speaking ahead of the Scottish Gas National Age Groups Championships Forbes Dunlop, Scottish Swimming’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

“I am delighted that Scottish Swimming is able to stream a day’s competition live from our Scottish Gas National Age Groups Championships. This allows for a wider audience to see some of Scotland’s best young swimmers competing. It is an exciting and new development that we are experimenting with and we look forward to getting feedback on how our members and wider swimming public find the service.”

Internet broadcaster Quipu TV was founded in 2011 and draws on over 50 years of BBC television and radio experience from its founders David Holmes, Jack McGill and Mike Stanger. Having worked in news, sport, and entertainment, David, Jack, and Mike combine in QuipuTV knowledge and journalistic rigour with passion and creativity. Jack McGill, Managing Director of Quipu TV, is excited about piloting the live stream in partnership with Scottish Swimming:

“Following our successes with cricket, hockey and netball, it is exciting to work with Scottish Swimming to bring live online coverage of the Age Groups Championships directly to fans. Our digital strategy is transforming coverage of sport in Scotland and we hope swimming will be an important part of that strategy this year and in the future.”

The morning heats of the competition will be streamed live from 8.15am, the afternoon heats from 12.45pm and the finals from 5.00pm, all at www.scottishswimming.com/liveThere will also be a live Twitter feed with the hashtag #snagslive where users can leave comments and interact online.

The Scottish Gas National Age Groups Championships 2013 are taking place from 10-14 April at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh, with kind support of Scottish Swimming principal partner Scottish Gas and event partners Edinburgh Leisure, Activcity and Edinburgh Council.

More information about Scottish Swimming can be found at www.scottishswimming.com, as well as on Facebook at facebook.com/scottishswimming  and Twitter @scottishswim

In typical Branson style he had a message for British Airways with whom he has for so long fought a battle for domestic routes.

 Sporting a bespoke Virgin Atlantic Harris Tweed kilt, Branson flashed a cheeky message to the competition Virgin Atlantic Little Red offers 26 daily flights between London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Manchester and Aberdeen

He was accompanied on the flight by a host of VIPs to celebrate the launch of Virgin Atlantic’s Little Red domestic service in Edinburgh in authentic Scottish style. The Reporter spotted John Hannah, and spoke to a journalist brought all the way from Washington for the beginning of a domestic service which will feed into Virgin’s international offering.

On arrival in Edinburgh, Richard and the glamorous Little Red cabin crew disembarked from the aircraft to the sound of bagpipes provided by pipers, Bill Loughridge and George Smart.

Branson and some members of the crew were wearing specially-commissioned Harris Tweed kilts, in Virgin Atlantic colours. Richard posed for photographers in front of the Little Red plane, and battled valiantly against the wind before lifting his kilt to reveal the message: “Stiff Competition” and a Little Red logo on his rear.

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland said:-“The launch of Virgin Atlantic Little Red is great news for Scotland. Getting visitors to our beautiful country has to be an easy, cost efficient, enjoyable process for the modern day traveller. These routes to Edinburgh and Aberdeen will make a real difference to Scottish tourism, especially as we prepare to welcome the world in 2014 with large scale events such as the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and Homecoming.

“We applaud that Virgin Atlantic has ensured that international connectivity on to Little Red is an uncomplicated process whether arriving or departing from Heathrow, guaranteeing the imperative global link that connects Scotland to the world.”

For more information, visit the Virgin Atlantic website.

And guess who was on the inaugural flight? Well not one to miss a PR opportunity, Sir Richard Branson was on the flight and yes he was wearing a kilt supplied by Howie Nicolsby of 21st Century Kilts who had to go on to the plane to dress the airline owner.

The flight travelled  from London Heathrow to Edinburgh, and in true Branson style he was accompanied by some well-kent faces, including Scottish actor John Hannah.

Sir Richard was also met by Deputy First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and local MSP Colin Keir. We have a video interview with Sir Richard and will publish this very soon.

In the meantime what was under his kilt? Boxer shorts bearing the words:-“Stiff Competition”.

This week, the Edinburgh Reporter congratulates the Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs for their stunning start to the speedway season, and also to Hearts for a sensational comeback against Ross County at Tynecastle. We report on the Edinburgh connection to the Grand National winner 66/1 outsider Auroras Encore, and send our best wishes to winning jockey Ryan Mania who was airlifted to hospital after a horror fall at Hexham on Sunday. We also send a good luck message to Hibs, ahead of next week’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Falkirk at Hampden.

Rugby by John Preece

With no RaboDirect matches this week – European Cup weekend and all that – Edinburgh Rugby entered a scratch team into the Gala Sevens at Netherdale. Showing a distinct lack of practice, they went down 24-17 to Heriots, before coming back with a 27-12 win over Peebles to earn a place in the Bowl Semi-final. Here they defeated Jed-Forest 27-12 and then went on to sweep Watsonians, who had beaten Currie in their Semi-final, aside 40-0 in the Final.

On a slightly ‘out there’ note, Edinburgh’s Southern hemisphere alter-ego city, Dunedin (Dùn Èideann), are the home of the Highlanders Rugby Union team. If it was thought that Edinburgh Rugby were having a tough time of it this season, then spare a thought for our Southern counterparts. A team, which is stuffed full of All-Blacks and other International players are currently lying fifteenth out of fifteen in the Super Fifteen (spot the theme here) Championship with six defeats from six! Struggling Edinburgh were two from six at the beginning of their season, but then it all went a bit downhill after that….

In the RBS Premier Division, the results from the matches noted last week have decided the final table places. Edinburgh Academy are in third and have a place in the British and Irish Cup. Heriots went from fourth to fifth, so lose their B+I Cup place. Currie drop to eighth, so stay up in the Division, but poor old Boroughmuir are relegated to the National League, where they will join Watsonians (third) and Stewarts-Melville (sixth).

Looking ahead, next week sees the 123rd edition of the Melrose Sevens. All six of Edinburgh’s senior teams are entered and the whole event – which is where the game was ‘invented’ and is the oldest tournament in the World – is a superb advertisement for Sevens Rugby. The Reporter will be there to bring news of how the teams get on, along with a few photographs from the relevant matches. However with Saracens, Worcester and Clermont Auvergne all having teams in the mix, it will be a fairly steep mountain for the local sides to climb to the final. (Photo – Stew-Mel scoring against Biggar in the 2011 Tournament).

And finally, Hillhead-Jordanhill lift the Sarah Beeny Cup at Murrayfield, beating RHC Cougars 22-20 after a last minute try scored by H-J’s Megan Gaffney.

Football

Three goals in an amazing five minutes at Tynecastle enabled Hearts to fight back from 2-1 down to beat Ross County 4-2.

Steffen Wohlfarth put the visitors in front, before Michael Ngoo nodded Hearts level just after the break only for Wohlfarth to regain the lead for the Staggies with a powerful header.  Jason Holt equalised with a stunning volley, then Evangelos Ikonomou’s own goal put Hearts ahead and Ngoo netted his second with a low strike to secure the three points, to the delight of the majority of the 10,456 crowd.

Across the country, Hibs hopes of a top six finish vanished as Pat Fenlon’s men went down 3-0 to champions elect Celtic at Parkhead. The Easter Road side needed a combination of results to go their way to secure a top six finish, but it was not to be. A Kris Commons’ double either side of half time then a Mikael Lustig strike late on gave the Hoops a comfortable win which all but seals the SPL title.

The results leave Hibs three points ahead of Hearts with a superior goal difference of four. The bottom six fixture list will be produced shortly and all eyes will be on the date and location of the fourth Edinburgh Derby which is likely to be at Tynecastle.

In midweek, the Hibs v Hearts mini derby ended 2-2 at Linlithgow’s Prestonfield Park. After a goal-less first half, Hearts took the lead through Dale Carrick before Jordan Forster equalised. Billy King restored Hearts’ lead before Robert Wilson levelled the scoring and the game finished all square, leaving Hibs three points clear of their city rivals in the Clydesdale Bank U20 League.

Off the field, Hibs have announced that 14,500 tickets have been sold for the Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Falkirk at Hampden Park next Saturday. Further tickets are available from the club shop.

Hibs striker Eoin Doyle has signed a pre-season contract with Chesterfield, teaming up with former Sligo Rovers manager Paul Cook.

Hearts’ owner Vladimir Romanov, who previously demanded £50 million for the Edinburgh club, has admitted he does not expect to make any profit from the sale, following the collapse of his banking empire and loss of his personal fortune.

Mr Romanov claims to have spent around £60m on Hearts since buying the club in October 2005, but now plans to sell control to supporters.

East of Scotland Football

In midweek, Heriot-Watt University blew the race for the Central Taxis Premier Division championship wide open after they won 2-0 against current champions Stirling University. Two goals from Ronnie 
Napier in the closing stages of the first half secured all three points to help in their fight against relegation.

In the First Division, Leith Athletic won 4-1 victory against Ormiston after trailing at half time, but Craigroyston’s promotion hopes were dashed when they were beaten 1-0 at home by Easthouses Lily in a game which saw both teams finish with nine men, with Danny Watson and Jamie Shields  red-carded for Easthouses while Jordan Low and Steve Moncur were both sent off for Craigroyston.

Elsewhere, Gretna 2008 continued with their run of good form beating Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 2-1 at Saughton Enclosure

On Saturday, Tynecastle lost 4-0 to Preston Athletic in the third round of the Kings Cup, and Leith Athletic beat Craigroyston 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the first round of the Central Taxis League Cup.

In the Central Taxis Premier Division, Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale beat Civil Service Strollers 3-0 at Muirhouse, and Spartans extended their lead at the top of the league by beating Edinburgh City at Meadowbank.

Mark Whatley opened the scoring in the 38th minute before Keith McLeod almost doubled the lead a few moments later when his strike from 40 yards rattled the bar and went over.

With four minutes remaining, McLeod headed a cross towards the goal and sub Donal Henretty reacted quickest to poke the ball into the net, securing a valuable victory. Malt & Hops Man of the Match: Gary Cennerazzo

Last years’ champions Stirling University lost 1-0 to Vale of Leven.

The Under 13 squad from top Danish club Viborg FF are over in Edinburgh this weekend using the Ainsley Park Academy as their base. They arrived on Thursday for a training session and the following day comfortably beat Dundee in a friendly. The youngsters trained over the weekend, visited Celtic Park for the Hibs game on Saturday and enjoy Edinburgh before taking on Dundee United on Monday with an 11am ko.

Charity Matches

A Hearts Legends team including Jimmy Sandison, Henry Smith, Gary Mackay, Scott Crabbe, Alan McLaren, Brian McNaughton, Jim Hamilton, Ian Ferguson and Edgaras Jankauskas took part in a charity match against a team from Aegon Charity Committee on Sunday at Hearts’ Football Academy in Riccarton. Funds raised went to Ecas Edinburgh, FACE, Pancreatic Cancer UK and the Big Hearts Community Trust.

The legends won 5-4

A charity match in honour of Hutchison Vale coach Alan McConnell who lost his brave fight to cancer last month aged 51, will take place at Redhall Park on Saturday April 20 with all proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Alan played for several clubs and was an outstanding centre-forward who was a well-known figure in the amateur game. Latterly, he coached Hutchison Vale Under 13s, and in his last season before he passed away, his side won everything including the Scottish Cup.

After the game there will be a buffet at the Village Inn in Longstone. For more information on how to make a donation, please contact Davy Winton on 07775854121

Women’s Football

Two Hibs’ players, goalkeeper Shannon Lynn and defender Frankie Brown played for Scotland in their 2-1 win over Wales at East End Park Dunfermline on Sunday.

Scotland women team Lynn (GK), Beattie, Brown, Crichton, Jones, Lauder, Little (Cpt), Love, Mitchell, J Ross, Sneddon

Speedway

The Scotwaste Edinburgh Monarchs started the speedway season in style with a 59-31 win over Glasgow Tigers in the first leg of the Spring Trophy, with Craig Cook and Theo Pijper both scoring paid maximums.

Other good performances came from  Jozsef Tabaka scoring 9+1, Claus Vissing 8+2, Derek Sneddon 7+1 and Marcel Helfer 5+1 whilst newcomer, 16 year old  Max Fricke scored 2 + 1.

Cook (heat 1), Pijper (heat 5) and Bager (heat 14) all won races from the back.

Armadale’s new starting gate position, which allows fans to see the riders at the gate, went down well with the crowd.

The Monarchs next fixture is against Leicester Lions at Armadale on Friday 12 April in the Premier league Knockout Cup.

Grand National

66/1 outsider Auroras Encore, partly owned by 78-year-old Jim Beaumont, who was born in Liverpool and worked in the city’s Adelphi Hotel as a bellboy at the age of 14 and now lives in the Dean Village, was the shock winner of the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday. Galashiels born jockey Ryan Mania rode the horse to victory on his first appearance in the race. Trainer Sue Smith, wife of show jumper Harvey, was the third woman to train a National winner.

Mr Beaumont’s other horse Mr Moonshine pulled up near the finish after a credible performance.

Ice Hockey

Some good news for the Edinburgh Capitals as 24 year old Slovakian goalie Tomas Hiadlovsky, has agreed a deal with the club that will see him return to Murrayfield for the 2013-14 season.

University Basketball

England retained both titles in the British Universities 4 Nations Basketball Championships which took place over three days at The Pleasance Sports Centre.

Scotland Men got off to a great start on the first day of the British Universities 4 Nations Championships, beating Wales 91-43. Canadian forward Al Alilovic led the home scoring with 26 points whilst Fraser Glass (West of Scotland) added 17 and Ryan Webb (Edinburgh) scored 15.

The Scots then fought back from 39-45 down at half-time to beat Northern Ireland 83-73 with Edinburgh’s Michael Kirkpatrick scoring 24 points to set up a decider against England.

Scotland men led for much of the first half and went into the half-time break tied 38-38, but England pulled away in the third quarter in which they hit 34 points to Scotland’s 11 and, though Scotland tied the final quarter 15-15, England went on to win 87-64, led by captain Kalil Irving with 21 points.

Al Alilovic (Glasgow) was top home scorer with 15, Edinburgh centre Ryan Webb added 12, Fraser Glass (West) and Chris Alimi (Glasgow Caledonian) both 10 and skipper Michael Kirkpatrick (Edinburgh) nine.

In the women’s tournament, Wales caused a surprise by beating Scotland 70-53. The Scots recovered however and beat Northern Ireland 70-58 with Polonia’s Claire Paxton scoring an impressive 24 points. Four members of Edinburgh Kool Kats also featured in the scorers, Shauna O’Connor with 11, Louise Gray eight, Emma Findlay six and Hannah Peacock five.

In the final game, Scotland had to beat England by 16 points to take the title and led 37-35 at half-time then 52-49 after the third quarter, but England fought back to win 71-63 winners, led by the tournament’s Most Valuable Player Helen Naylor, who scored 36 points.

Final positions: Men: 1 England, 2 Scotland, 3 N Ireland, 4 Wales. Women: 1 England, 2 Wales, 3 Scotland, 4 N Ireland

Hockey

Inverleith beat Edinburgh rivals Grange 4-2 in the quarter final of the Scottish Cup.

Grange led 1-0 at Peffermill through Cammy Fraser but Paul Ritchie equalised before half-time before goals from Tom Cousins, Adam Mackenzie and Patrick Christie netted a fourth to end the game as a contest.  Stuart Laing pulled one back for Grange, but Inverleith held on to secure a place in the last four.

Golf

Former Duddingston assistant professional Tom Buchanan beat fellow Scots Steven Munro and Callum Nicoll to win the UAE Matchplay Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, holing a 20 foot putt on the 18^th green in the final to secure the top prize.

Cycling

A strong field lined up for the elite event in Saturday’s Gifford Road Races, hosted by Edinburgh Road Club. The 65-mile contest, which started at 1pm in Gifford, also incorporated the East of Scotland Championship. The main event was preceded by a 40-mile support race. The prize winners in both events are listed below.

Winner was Andrew Hawdon of Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes.com in a time of 02:30:48

Kevin Barclay of The Bicycleworks.com won the ESCA Senior Cycling Champion of 2013

Alex Coutts of Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes.com won the Category 2 riders prize.

Alan Clark of the Team Leslie Bike Shop/Bikers Boutique won the Category 3 prize.

Jamie Kennedy of Paisley Velo Race Team won the V40+ Caetgory Riders.

Kyle Petrie of the Stirling Bike Club won the Juniors.

Andrew Hawdon of the Herbalife-Leisure Lakes Bikes.com won the KOM Primes.

Evan Oliphant of Team Raleigh won the Sprint Primes.

Edinburgh claimed first and second spots in the B Race (Cat 4 Men & E/1/2/34 Ladies)

Alex Kinsley of Edinburgh RC won the race in a time of 01:37:27. Second place went to Keir Greatorex also of Edinburgh RC.

Mona Petrie of Deeside Thistle CC won the Ladies Prize.

Alex Kinsley of Edinburgh RC also won the Juniors Prize, with Keir Creatorex second.

Jack Taylor of Dumfries CC won the KOM Primes.

Calum Gray  of Equipe Velo Ecosse/Montpeliers won the Sprint Primes.

Missing  jewellery – Consultation on community councils – Panda news – Virgin Atlantic Little Red – Sport

Some jewellery related to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has gone missing from a bag at Edinburgh airport. Police would like to hear from anyone with information. Read more here.

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You have a few more days if you wish to make comment on the council’s consultation on community councils and how they work. Read more here. 

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Well the thing is really there is no panda news. That is the news. The keepers are however keeping a close eye on what the pandas are up to and having Tian Tian’s urine analysed every day….in Chester Zoo. Deadline News have the story about the motorcycle courier who drives around 5000 miles a week to take the samples there.

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Sir Richard Branson is flying in on the inaugural flight from London Heathrow to Edinburgh today to publicise the new commuter service from his company Virgin Atlantic. The Edinburgh Reporter will be there and we shall bring you photos and video of the event later today.

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We hope you enjoy the breadth of sport covered in our Sports round-up. Please do let us know if there are any sports fixtures you would especially like covered?

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Police in Edinburgh are appealing for help in tracing some significant jewellery that has gone missing in a bag at Edinburgh Airport on Friday 5 April 2013.

Two unique items – a gold ring and a cross pendant – which are related to the office of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland were in the brown saddle-style bag outside the terminal at the pre-booked taxi area, on a luggage trolley about 8.30am.

The bag is very distinctive, brown saddle-style with Peruvian-style embroidery.

The gold ring has an amethyst stone bearing a burning bush and St Andrews cross with the motto ‘Nec Tamen Consumebatur’.

The cross pendant is on a silver link neck chain.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Inquiries are ongoing but we are appealing for anyone who may have any information regarding this to get in touch.

“These items are of great historical significance to the Church of Scotland. Further to that, they’re so unique and distinctive we would ask jewellers to stay vigilant should anyone try to sell them on.

“Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

A spokesperson from the Church of Scotland said:- “We are praying that these articles will be returned in the very near future. These items are not the Moderator’s own jewellery. They are of significant historical importance and belong to the Church of Scotland. We would be grateful for any help the public can give to help trace their whereabouts.”

The Bomb Disposal Squad removed a ‘device’ from an area of land at Gypsy Brae in Granton early this morning and took it under police escort to a quarry in Kirknewton to be safely destroyed.

Police had kept watch there all night and had excavated an area of land, apparently intending  to deal with the ‘device’ on site, but eventually it was deemed safer to take it elsewhere for disposal.

Local man Danny Hardwick who supplied the photos to us said:-“We arrived just after 6:00am this morning and the Bomb Disposal squad were just leaving. The bomb squad hadn’t been there long though, only since about 5:30.  The Bomb squad told me that something had been found and they hadn’t done an explosion there but were taking it away. They were given a police escort.

“There is an area where they have been digging. It’s a very small bit, and is literally a few feet away from where police were sitting overnight.”

Edinburgh technology company, Sigma Seven, has successfully completed the first of two phases of a significant £350K contract with Kent-based utility company, South East Water. Some of the UK’s largest technology businesses tendered for the prestigious three-year contract.

South East Water, which supplies drinking water to 2.1 million customers across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, from 250 boreholes and wells, 96 water treatment works, 197 service reservoirs and through more than 14,500 kilometres of water mains, is half way through a five-year, £390 million programme to further enhance its operations. They appointed mapping technology specialists, Sigma Seven, to create, develop and implement a solution that is consistent with the South East Water vision for the use of geographic and business information.

Sigma Seven created a solution based on its product, GeoField, which uses state-of-the-art technology to bring data together from a number of sources, allowing field workers to access files, collect and manage data, organise tasks and record information directly onto digital maps, either on a tablet or a laptop. This enables Sigma Seven’s clients to reduce costs, risk and waste; increase efficiency and improve standards.

The main focus of the initial work for South East Water was on providing a platform to support mobile map viewing and on-site data capture. The solution will be rolled out to 129 South East Water field technicians, which will enable them to collect and annotate vital data on the map wherever they are. The scheme encompasses the location of water supplies, leaks and faults, new water connections, areas for repair and potential health and safety issues. Field technicians will also receive and transmit near-real-time data updates from field to office, which allows them to inform and be informed of crucial events as they arise.

The software has streamlined field technicians’ working practices. For instance, if a leak inspection is required, the system helps the field technician find the leak and affected pipe on the map, and the process ensures that an inspection is carried out based on the latest available information. The appropriate data is collected on site, photographs taken and remedial work recommended, all of which are sent wirelessly to the office.

Sigma Seven managing director, Paul Reid, said:- “We have now delivered the system for final testing, meeting all project deadlines. The final phase of the project, which will take place later this year will be to extend the use of the system to support improved outage management and design of customer connections in the field.”

Mr Reid added: “Demand is increasing for mobile mapping technology, from a wide range of organisations, indicating that integrated field work management solutions on digital mapping are becoming standard practice. Our product, GeoField, is leading the way and this contract further confirms our position as the mobile working solutions provider of choice for utilities and other businesses.”

David Bradley, Asset Information Manager at South East Water, added:- “Sigma Seven has developed a system that wholly complements our vision for improving the way we use geographic and business information.

“GeoField comprises a broad range of functions that have been tailored to suit our specific business requirements, including processes which integrate with our mobile work and asset management system.”

Bomb Disposal Squad in Granton  – Royal Society announce new fellows – Warhol – Art @ 37 – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang today!

The Bomb Disposal Squad were in Granton this morning removing a ‘device’ which had been found in a loft… More on this story soon….

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The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced its new intake of Fellows for 2013.

There are 47 new UK and International Fellows to add to its 1500-strong Fellowship. Fellows are elected following a rigorous examination of their achievements in their relevant fields.
The RSE’s mission is the advancement of learning and useful knowledge and since its establishment in 1783 it has made a major contribution to Scottish Society through its Fellows. It is unique in Britain and distinctive internationally in the breadth of its Fellowship, which ranges across the sciences, medicine, engineering, the socialsciences,arts,humanities,businessandpublicservice.

Amongst its wide range of activities it provides: independent advice to Government and Parliament; research and enterprise Fellowships; education programmes for young people; and conferences and events aimed at both public engagement and specialists.

Sir John Arbuthnott, RSE President and eminent microbiologist, commented “As the President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, I am aware that I am a representative of men and women who are outstanding in their intellectual fields and are “standing on the shoulders of giants”. Given this, one of the most important and rewarding tasks of my role is, on behalf of the RSE Council, approving the internationally-recognised candidates who will be admitted as new Fellows to the Society.

“Every year the competition for places is intense and this year is no different, so I am delighted to welcome 47 new Fellows to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

“The RSE prides itself on its international outlook, as well as its recognition of excellence in Scotland, so I am particularly pleased to welcome to the Fellowship our three new Honorary Fellows, Sir David Cox, Professor Robbert Dijkgraaf and Professor Jean Tirole.”

The new Fellows were announced at the RSE’s Ordinary Meeting on the evening of 19th March. The speaker at this meeting, Professor Michael Barrett, Professor of Biochemical Parasitology, University of Glasgow, was one of the new Fellows being announced. In his lecture on “The Scientific Life of Dr Livingstone”, he outlined key scientific and geographical discoveries made by Livingstone and, in particular, discussed the impact of tropical diseases on Livingstone’s travels in Africa.
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There is to be an exciting exhibition of Warhol art later this year at Holyrood.
The announcement of this unique exhibition follows an agreement signed today by the Presiding Officer the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP and the Chair of the Carnegie UK Trust, Angus Hogg with Eric Shiner, Director of The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

More here

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A new art gallery Art @ 37 has just opened in Leith and we have more news about it here.

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you, Oh you…..

Come on you know the words so get along to the Filmhouse this afternoon and have a great sing along with the film…

Abstract landscapes from Philip Raskin feature in the spring exhibition at art@37, the newest addition to the gallery scene in Edinburgh. The artist opened the exhibition at the end of March by painting new work in front of invited guests.

Philip Raskin is an artist with a varied career. He started off working in the clothing industry and has been both a restaurateur and a jazz musician and currently lives and works in Glasgow. He succeeds in combining the weight and presence of acrylic paint with a subtlety more usually achieved in watercolour. The overall landscape effect captures, quite magically, the texture and ethereal quality of his native Scotland and he is rapidly achieving a loyal following.

art@37 in Bernard Street, Leith is a new venture for Lynne Crossan of Crossan Communications, a public relations and corporate publishing firm that has been operating in Edinburgh for almost 20 years.

Owner Lynne Crossan has collected original art for many years and has joined forces with Christo’s, a Glasgow gallery owned by her sister, Louise Burns. Louise sources art from artists working all over Scotland and the resulting exhibitions are eclectic and colourful.

“The diverse range of quality work has been attracting art lovers from all over Edinburgh and we are looking forward to welcoming more visitors now that the weather is set to improve. Some of the traditional galleries can be a bit off-putting to a new collector and we want to ensure that our gallery has a fresh attitude. The team at art@37 just love original art and want to share that passion. We are on a mission to make sure that there is something for everyone here, with prices that are affordable. ”

Artists showing in the spring exhibition also include Hazel Bowman, Alison Cowan, JP McLaughlin, John Martin Fulton and Ross Muir, with unique sculpture work from Maralyn Reed-Wood. A unique collection of quality gifts is also available.

Edinburgh’s Brass Monkey bar will be hosting the first UK screening of Kenyan film Ni Sisi tonight at 6:30pm.

Ni Sisi (It Is Us) is the second film produced by S.A.F.E., a Kenyan NGO and UK charity that uses street theatre and community programmes to educate, inspire and deliver social change. Founded by Nick Reding, a British-born actor and filmmaker now living in Nairobi, S.A.F.E.’s work has had a considerable impact in issues such as HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, the importance of clean water, and the futility of tribal and gender based violence.

In an effort to avoid a repeat of the violence that followed the last General Election in Kenya in 2007, Ni Sisi was first produced as a stage play two years ago. Since then, more than 96,000 people have experienced the show and its messages of peace and personal responsibility. The play was adapted to the screen to ensure that people all over Kenya could hear these messages before going to the polls last month. Ni Sisi was released to cinemas across the country in February and broadcast on television the day before the election, and it seems to have worked; despite a contested ballot being taken to the Supreme Court, the people of Kenya have responded to the call for peace.

S.A.F.E.’s first film Ndoto Za Elibidi (Dreams) has so far won ten awards at various international festivals–including Best African Film at the 2011 Festival of African Cinema–and now you have the chance to see the movie that will undoubtedly win several more, and will raise the profile of this important group even further.

As well as the Brass Monkey screening on Sunday, Ni Sisi will also be shown at the home of one of S.A.F.E.’s local supporters on Monday and Tuesday evening at 7:30pm, at 48 St. Alban’s Road in Edinburgh. All three events are free and open to the public, but space will be limited so please RSVP to Francesca Shaw francescashaw@xenarcha.com stating which event you wish to go along to.

For more information on S.A.F.E. and the work they do, and to make an online donation, visit SAFEKenya.org.

In a first for any Parliament, the Scottish Parliament is set to host an exhibition of more than forty Andy Warhol works of art exploring the themes of power and politics.

Including Andy Warhol’s Flash-November 22, 1963 screen prints about the assassination of John F. Kennedy and his portrait of Scots-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the exhibition has been carefully selected for display at the Parliament and many of the works are being shown in Scotland for the first time.

The announcement of this unique exhibition follows an agreement signed today by the Presiding Officer the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP and the Chair of the Carnegie UK Trust, Angus Hogg with Eric Shiner, Director of The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

The meeting took place during the Presiding Officer’s Scotland Week programme and follows on last year’s Scotland Week announcement that the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy would return to Holyrood in 2013.

Speaking from Pittsburgh, the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said:-“It gives me great pleasure to sign this agreement which will bring over 40 of Warhol’s iconic pieces to the Scottish Parliament, particularly knowing that we will be the first Parliament ever to have the privilege to do so. It is a unique opportunity to view Warhol’s works as they explore the role of power and politics in modern life, within the home of debate in Scotland, our Parliament.

“As a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Andy Warhol benefited personally from Andrew Carnegie’s legacy. It is therefore fitting that this exhibition will form part of a series of activities to mark Andrew Carnegie’s international legacy at Holyrood. As well as learning more about the work of Warhol, visitors can learn about the life of Andrew Carnegie and how his philanthropy has inspired generations on both sides of the Atlantic. I hope as many people as possible will visit Holyrood to enjoy the exhibition, both those from Scotland and from further afield.”

The exhibition will be held at Holyrood from Friday 4 October – Sunday 3 November, to coincide with the ‘Andrew Carnegie International Legacy: Shaping the Future’ activities taking place at the Scottish Parliament.

Chairman of Carnegie UK Trust, Angus Hogg said:-“Andrew Carnegie envisioned a world of peace, wellbeing and opportunity and Carnegie foundations around the globe have invested more than 100 years and billions of pounds and dollars in the physical, social, cultural and intellectual infrastructure of society. We have a long history of promoting access to arts and culture.

“The focus of our festival of events will be on the emerging challenges of the 21st Century and the role of philanthropy in modern society. The Carnegie institutions of today address the real issues facing the communities where they operate and our international festival will celebrate philanthropic efforts across the globe.”

Eric Shiner, Director at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, said:-“The items we are sharing with the Carnegie UK Trust have been hand-picked to represent the full gamut of Warhol’s life and work. Some are very recognisable while others will give the British public an opportunity to learn more about Warhol’s approach to art and life. We are delighted to be sharing some of our permanent collection – it may be the only opportunity some people in the UK will have to see an original Warhol.”

by Bill Scott

The news that The City of Edinburgh Council is to build a new city park on the site of the old Buttercup Poultry Farm – to be called the Buttercup Farm Park – has gladdened the hearts of many of us who remember the Buttercup in the ‘old days’. It is also a fitting tribute to the remarkable man who founded the Buttercup Dairy Company over a hundred years ago and gave away a fortune in his ultimate ambition to die a poor man. His name was Andrew Ewing and, until recently, his achievements and extraordinary generosity have been largely forgotten, except by those of us who knew him, and those old enough to remember the days when grocery shopping meant popping down to the Buttercup, which once had 250 beautifully designed shops all over Scotland.

I was born and brought up at Clermiston Mains, which was Andrew Ewing’s home and the site of the old Buttercup Poultry Farm. My mother and grandparents worked for him, and my aunts were his housekeepers for many years. By the time I was born, Andrew Ewing was eighty years old but I still remember him well, from the tales I was told by my relatives and also from my frequent encounters with the old man, who bore an uncanny resemblance to ‘Mr Chips’, and used to regularly give me half a crown.

The story of Andrew Ewing is partly one of rags to riches – but there is more to it than that, since his business success was combined with a generosity of spirit that led him to give away a fortune in pursuit of his ultimate ambition to die a poor man.

Born in Stoneykirk, near Stranraer, in 1869, Andrew Ewing was the son of a farmer and in the normal course of events would likely have become a farmer himself. However, fate had other ideas for young Andrew and following his father’s early death the family moved to Dundee where he was apprenticed to a local grocer, so beginning a lifelong career in the grocery trade. In 1894, he opened his first grocer’s shop and ten years later founded the Buttercup Dairy Company in Kirkcaldy. The first Buttercup shops in Edinburgh were opened in 1908 and in 1915 the company established its permanent head office and depot in Easter Road, Leith.

With his business established, Andrew then began developing a distinctive style and image for his shops, which were all decorated in the same style – predominantly green and white tiles with ornamental inserts. The centrepiece was a mural located on the wall of the entrance lobby; it showed a little girl in a sunbonnet holding a buttercup under the chin of a cow, with the implied question: “Do you like butter?” The Buttercup shops were also renowned for their eye-catching displays, using the company’s products and changed every week ready for Monday morning opening. The whole image was rounded off by a high standard of cleanliness, exemplified by female staff, resplendent in their spotless white overalls.

In the early years, the Buttercup shops sold only seven products: eggs, butter, margarine, cream, tea, cooking fat and condensed milk, although this later expanded to many more goods. Butter and margarine were sold by weight, with butter pats used to shape it into its final form, after which it was stamped with the girl-and-cow logo and wrapped in Buttercup paper.

The beauty and service of these old shops also made a lasting impression on most of those who remember them, including Muriel Spark – author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – who recalls in her autobiography that: “The sparkle and morning freshness of the shop … formed a mind-picture which accompanied the whole of my youth.” (You can read this below)

For the first eighteen years of its existence, the Buttercup imported most of its eggs from Denmark and Poland. However, Andrew believed that he could produce a better and fresher product by setting up his own large-scale poultry farm. His plans came to fruition, in 1922, when he purchased eighty-six acres of farmland at the top of Corstorphine Hill, on the western outskirts of Edinburgh. Initially the new poultry farm was a fairly modest enterprise with only 10,000 laying hens but by 1928 Andrew had transformed it into one of the largest poultry farms in the world, with accommodation for 200,000 laying hens. The farm itself was laid out like a small town, with six and a half miles of tarmacadam roadways, illuminated at night by street lights. So impressive was this new enterprise that it became known locally as “Hen City”.

At its peak, the Buttercup Poultry Farm produced over 100,000 eggs a day which were graded, stamped and checked for quality before being packed in felt-lined boxes – each containing twenty-dozen eggs – for dispatch to the Buttercup shops. However, eggs laid on a Sunday had a different destination for, by order of ‘the boss’, they were all donated to hospitals and charities. When totalled up, this amounted to a staggering five million eggs given away every year!

At the heart of the Buttercup Poultry Farm was the mansion of Clermiston Mains, home to Andrew Ewing, and also known as “the Big House”.  It was an imposing whitewashed building that lay at the eastern end of the farm, approached by a tree-lined avenue. The remainder of the small estate comprised a number of cottages, all occupied by my relatives who were given various jobs by Andrew Ewing. In the cases of my grandfather – John Davidson – and Uncle Tom, they had become ill from working down the pit and Andrew wanted to give them a new healthy life at Clermiston Mains.

This extract from a letter from Ruth Ewing – Andrew’s wife – to my grandmother brings out the exceptional kindness in this offer. “This move on Mr Ewing’s part to take your husband from the coal pits has made me particularly happy … John has had his share and done his bit in the war so deserves a little bit of sunshine and air into his lungs.”

As my family was to find out, such generosity was far from unusual for Andrew Ewing and during the Depression years of the 1930s, many a person found a small packet slipped into their pocket, containing half a pound of butter or some rashers of bacon.

On the lighter side, tradesmen were also on the receiving end of Andrew’s generosity and former apprentice, Ian Thompson, recalls that on Saturday mornings ‘Mr Ewing’ would make his rounds, giving each tradesman £1 and the apprentices, ten shillings. “Needless to say, we were all peeping around corners awaiting his arrival!”

The beginning of the end for the Buttercup started in the early 1930s as competition intensified and the company was ‘milked’ by Andrew’s continued generosity. Then, in 1936, a major fire at the poultry farm destroyed the hatchery and caused the farm to close two years later. By that time Andrew Ewing was nearly seventy and didn’t have the heart to restore it. By 1949 the business was in such poor shape that many of the shops had to be sold off. But it survived for much longer and the last Buttercup shop closed in Edinburgh in 1965.

Andrew Ewing died in 1956 and was largely forgotten. There was no public obituary, but this extract from the church magazine says much about the man I remember.

It was quite characteristic that a member of the happy “colony” at Clermiston Mains was heard to say after Mr Ewing had ordered some kindness to be done from his sick-room: “Mr Ewing just loves to give things away. It is almost the last pleasure that is left to him now.”

Photos courtesy of Bill Scott, author of The Buttercup: The Remarkable Story of Andrew Ewing and the Buttercup Dairy Company

(Excerpt Muriel Spark Cirriculum Vitae by New Directions