Tomorrow’s council meeting has Leith Waterworld back on the agenda for discussion. The proposed sale of the building was delayed until the campaign group, Splashback, had the opportunity to put their revised bid together with some help from council officers. It now seems their efforts may be in vain if the council adopt the recommendations of the report produced for discussion on Thursday.

The council first decided to sell Leith Waterworld in 2005, as they needed to source funds to help refurbish the Royal Commonwealth Pool (RCP). The council say that closure of the flume pool has made savings of over £300,000 and that this figure was calculated into the refurbishment package for the RCP.

The facility was actually then closed in early 2012, despite many protests, and a series of closing dates for offers to acquire the pool, either to buy or lease the building, followed. In August 2012 Splashback put forward what turned out to be the only bid, but this was rejected on the grounds that it did not represent ‘best value’. As the plan was only to put the property on the open market for sale in Spring 2013, the council agreed to allow Splashback the time over Christmas to put their final bid together. The council and Port of Leith Housing Association have both helped Splashback in the task.

The new proposal has two options, one of which would run the pool as it stands, and the second includes suggestions that a charitable organisation is set up to run the pool, that additional income would be generated by introducing soft play areas with a community hub project running a cafe and kitchen set up. Additional funds would be applied for in the form of grant aid from outside bodies, although the report claims it is unclear where the estimated£150,000 to alter the front of the building for soft play would actually be sourced.

Further, the costs of re-commissioning the pool to make it ready for reopening, are estimated at £155,000, and the council claims that the new bid does not say where the money for that would come from either. Another criticism of the figures is that they used 2011 data as a basis for projected visitor numbers when the RCP was closed. It is suggested that the group should have used other years as a basis for their calculations. More criticism is heaped on the proposal by explaining that there is no breakdown of running costs, including essential staff such as cleaners, and that no provision has been made for marketing.

The bid also includes a suggestion that staff would be complemented by volunteers acting as ‘spotters’ which the report criticises as ‘high risk.’

Part of the difficulty is that the group cannot afford to simply buy the building. It appears from the terms of the report that the council would prefer to cash in on their asset, as they had originally intended. The report mentions that an unnamed party has now noted their interest in buying the property from the council, although it is admitted that this is not a concrete offer. Estimates of the price which could be generated have in the past hovered around the £1.5m mark.

The bottom line, according to the council, is that by agreeing to back the Splashback bid it could cost the council as much as £1.1m over the first three years. Although some factors might decrease the overhead, such as the introduction of soft play areas aimed at generating extra income, there appears to the council to be a degree of uncertainty over some of the Splashback figures and calculations. The group do not seem to have factored in insurance costs for example, and the fact that they would rely on grant funding only adds to the possibility that the council would have to find more to subsidise the running of the pool than they originally thought.

Although there are various trial periods and stages when the group could back out of the running of the facility, the report claims that the financial risk would revert to the council at all times.

To maintain the pool over ten years is estimated to cost around £2.2m. Again the report claims that it is not clear where that money would come from, (although the usual case is that the tenant would lease on a full repairing and insuring basis). In the event that the council just sits on the property they would be increasing their annual costs from around £100,000 to over £150,000, mainly as a result of the increased rates which would be payable for the empty building.

And as for the social impact of reopening the pool? The council answer that claim by saying they have already addressed that by offering all their other leisure facilities run by Edinburgh Leisure.

The Green Group on the council have been constant supporters of Splashback since the campaign to save Leith Waterworld began in late 2011.  Splashback have On their website summarised the key points in their submission as follows:-

“Through running the facility as a community led iniatitive, we believe we can

• provide a fun and enjoyable leisure destination for over 150,000 users per annum
• reduce the subsidy required from Council for the pool to well under the Scottish average for pools – £260,000
• In fact through increased soft play and additional revenue streams, we can bring the subsidy right down to circa £20,000 by year 3
• In doing so we would bring potentially approx 60 jobs to the Leith area through direct employment and supply chains
• and generate an additional £460,000 for the local Leith economy.
• These benefits are in addition to the potential saving to public spending through increased wellbeing in the area.

So in light of the report issued in advance of the council meeting next Thursday, recommending the sale of the building, you would think there is no hope whatsoever of the flume pool being re-opened.

But Green councillor, Chas Booth, who represents the Leith Ward thinks there is still a chance:-“This narrowly-focused report does not do justice to the huge community, health and social benefits which a revitalised Leith Waterworld will bring.  So I still believe that councillors will see the compelling case which the Splashback bid has made, with increased activity and, over time, lower running costs.

“We owe it to the city and the community to make choices based on long term benefits not short term gains.”

The Reporter will be at the council meeting and will be live blogging the proceedings under our TERLive! Section. Please join us there or offer your comments on Twitter #edincouncil.

 

 

 

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX

28th January 2013

Dear Sir/Madam,

ON YOUR BIKE

As Spokes, the apologists for pedal cyclists, are seeking to ban all
traffic from Princes Street apart from trams and their accursed
velocipedes, I’m surprised that they aren’t also asking City of
Edinburgh Council to ban trams in view of that curious fatal mutual
attraction between bicycle wheel and tram track which seems to lead to
nothing but spills, thrills and insurance claims.

Bearing in mind how often I see narrow misses between irresponsible
pedestrians and the furiously riding generally unilluminated pedalists
represented by Spokes, perhaps pedestrians should be banned as well.

After all, if it saves one cyclist…

John Eoin Douglas

A Taste of Honey by 18-year-old Shelagh Delaney first burst onto the stage of the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, in May 1958, where its brave, unsentimental depiction of working-class life – complete with single motherhood, teenage pregnancy, interracial relationships and unapologetic homosexuality – shocked and excited in equal measure.

More than 50 years on, the play has lost none of its relevance. Yes, it feels very much of its time, but although we might like to congratulate ourselves on our more liberal values today, the play’s themes of poverty and prejudice – especially as brought vividly to life in the Lyceum’s scorching new production – still ring frighteningly true.

Most memorable is the sheer messy energy of Delaney’s seething creation. There are inconsistencies, and characters appear and disappear without much explanation, but it all adds to the dirty realism that the writer so compellingly conveys. And it’s an intensity and power that Tony Cownie’s urgent yet lyrical Lyceum production ably delivers, while still retaining a level-headed clarity as it works through the play’s tough themes.

Lucy Black and Rebecca Ryan shine as the central mother and daughter Helen and Jo, both searching for love yet seemingly resigned to loneliness. Both actors are superbly alive to the working-class Salford dialect, in crisp performances pitched somewhere between warm affection and ferocious contempt. As a damaged yet determined Jo, Ryan shows that in rebelling against her single-minded mother, she only becomes more like her.

Keith Fleming may be a little broad as the drunken, lustful Peter, Helen’s short-term fancy man, but he brings a unsettling dark edge to the character’s sometimes humorous antics. Adrian Decosta is all wide-eyed charm as Jo’s (even more short-term) boyfriend, and Charlie Ryan tugs the heartstrings (yet steers clear of camp stereotypes) as the good-hearted Geoffrey, grateful for a welcome from Jo when his landlord throws him onto the street, yet cast aside when he’s no longer useful.

Janet Bird’s elegant revolving set allows smooth transitions from scene to scene, but its cold, steel backdrop suggests that the characters are imprisoned in their respective fates. However, the play’s seemingly bleak conclusion – played with gripping desperation by Ryan – seems to hint that no matter how broken it is, life will go on.

A Taste of Honey continues at the Lyceum Theatre until 9 February

The final bell is about to sound for the trio of groups battling for the future of Portobello Park.  A council consultation on the need for a Private Bill to deal with the future of the park has been running since the beginning of December, and comes to an end on 31 January 2013.

The main player is The City of Edinburgh Council, whose predecessors in 1898 were given the land with a clause in the title deeds stating that ‘the area shall be used exclusively as a public park and recreational ground for behoof of the community’. After consultation on potential sites in 2006, the Council agreed that the best site for the proposed new Portobello High School was Portobello Park. Full funding for the project quickly followed and detailed planning permission was granted in early 2011.

A local community group, Portobello Park Action Group, who opposed the Council’s legal right to build on the land. In September 2012 they won an historic legal battle when the Court of Session ruled that it was illegal to build upon the Park, which is inalienable ‘common good land’.

The Council have now proposed to enrol a Private Bill with the Scottish Parliament. This Bill will attempt to address the current legal issues and allow the use of Portobello Park as the new site for the school. The Council stress that the Private Bill would apply only to this site and would not change the status of any other Common Good Land either in Edinburgh or the rest of Scotland.

Portobello Park Action Group have countered: “Having already spent £175,000 in legal fees in the recent Court cases – along with the time taken by council officers persuing the blind legal alley – it is clear that £250.000 is a figure which is not altogether far-sighted.”

A third group, Portobello For a New School, supports the Council’s plans. The trio met last week in Portobello Town Hall, where it has to be said some bitterness spilled over. The emotive subject has caused much discussion in the area, some of which has been played out on Facebook, and some tempers were lost at recent public meetings to discuss the matter.

Marion Jones, (66), of 12 Magdalene Avenue, is one of the few ‘sitting on the fence’ when she says: “We all know that we need a new school built – but I’m not sure the Council have gone about this in the right way. I personally know of life-long friends who no longer talk to each other because of their opposing views. I just hope it reaches an amicable conclusion.”

That conclusion will be reached soon. The results of the Consultation will be reported to the Council at their meeting on 14 March 2013 –and if the Bill proceeds – a decision by the Scottish parliament should be reached by February 2014. The other alternatives are to purchase the Scottish Power site at Baileyfield and use that for the new school or rebuild on the existing site, which was previously discounted.

The Consultation period runs until 5pm on Thursday, 31 st January 2013. Anyone still wishing to vote can do so here on the council website.

Or you may add your thoughts by Email: NewSchoolBuildings@edinburgh.gov.uk

Forms can also be obtained at Piershill/Portobello libraries.

The council have also said that although the consultation on Castlebrae School has ended there will be no decision on the future of that school until after the March council meeting. Education officers are still analysing feedback about that and all councillors will then decide the fate of Castlebrae.

Fire in Fountainbridge – Referendum Question – Abduction – Macmillan Cancer Support Mammoth Quiz – Tonight at the Filmhouse

 There was a serious fire yesterday in Fountainbridge and five people had to be rescued after the common stair was deemed unsafe due to the smoke accumulated there. They had a rather more public rescue than they might have wished for as the STV offices are just round the corner and they were on the scene almost as fast as Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service to video what was happening and then stream it live. You can see the report and the footage here.

More than fifty firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze and five people were rescued from the building on Fountainbridge after a first floor tenement flat went on fire shortly before 10.15am. A further two women who escaped were taken to hospital with severe smoke inhalation and a man also got out of the building on his own, but was not treated as a casualty.

The five rescued by firefighters using a height appliance were all treated at the scene by ambulance personnel.

Five appliances were sent to the scene along with a number of specialist appliances after Fire Control received several calls reporting a flat alight.

The first units were on the scene within two minutes of being mobilised from Tollcross fire station, which is just round the corner from where the fire broke out.

When crews arrived, they saw thick black smoke and flames coming from the window of the affected property and discovered two women who were already out of the building but who had been badly affected by smoke inhalation.

Ten firefighters in breathing apparatus were used to fight the fire and check the six properties in the affected stair for other residents. One woman, who was in the flat above the property where the fire broke out, was given fire survival guidance by Control Room staff until crews were able to get to her and rescue her.

As well as tackling the blaze, fire crews were systematically checking properties to ensure that no one else was trapped or overcome by the smoke from the fire. The incident commander was satisfied that all the premises were thoroughly searched and clear just after midday.

Lothian Road was closed for a number of hours to allow for firefighting operations to take place. Crews remained on site for the rest of the afternoon to clear the debris from the affected properties and begin fire investigation.

***

The Scottish independence referendum question, “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?” has been put to the Electoral Commission, who have now delivered their findings on its suitability, and have rejected the question.

The Scottish Government today confirmed it will accept all of the Electoral Commission recommendations on the referendum question and campaign spending limits.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was delighted with the recommended question – ’Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes/No’ – and confirmed that it will be this question that is put before the Scottish Parliament.

In line with established practice in referendums throughout the UK, the Scottish Parliament will take the final decision on the wording of the question and campaign spending limits as part of its consideration of the Referendum Bill, which will be introduced in March.

Ms Sturgeon also welcomed the Electoral Commission’s calls for clarity around what a ‘No’ vote will mean for Scotland and its recommendation that the Scottish and UK governments work together to give clarity to the process that will follow a ‘Yes’ vote. She called on the UK government to accept these recommendations.

Ms Sturgeon said:

“I would like to thank the Electoral Commission for the work they have done on testing our proposed referendum question and giving advice on campaign spending limits. I am pleased to confirm we will accept their recommendations in full. I am particularly delighted with the conclusion the Electoral Commission has reached on the question. While its view is that our proposed question was clear, simple and easy to understand, I am nevertheless happy to accept their recommended change. Their advice is based on rigorous testing and we will submit the Electoral Commission’s recommended question – ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ – to the Scottish Parliament as part of the Referendum Bill.

“I am also pleased with the spending limits proposed by the Electoral Commission – they deliver a level playing field and will allow a fair and balanced debate on both sides.  I am also pleased that the Commission has modified the position set out in their response to our consultation in March, as this would have resulted in an imbalance between the two sides of the campaign. We have always said that Scotland’s referendum will be run to the highest international standards of fairness and transparency, and the Electoral Commission plays a vital role in that.

“The Scottish Parliament will take the final decision on the wording of the question and campaign spending limits as part of its consideration of the Referendum Bill which reinforces that this is truly a referendum made in Scotland. I also welcome the Electoral Commission calls for both the Scottish and UK Governments to clarify what process will follow the referendum if most voters vote ‘Yes’ or most voters vote ‘No’ vote.  The Electoral Commission rightly point out this is in line with the Edinburgh Agreement.

“I have been calling for the UK Government to enter discussions to allow the voters to be better informed, but so far they have refused.  This would not be pre-negotiation on the terms of independence but vital information for voters that will allow them to make an informed choice in autumn 2014.  Given the Scottish Government is accepting all recommendations from the Electoral Commission I would hope that the UK Government is prepared to do the same.”

***

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault and abduction in Edinburgh.

The incident happened around 5.30pm yesterday afternoon in Royston Mains Crescent.

A 45-year-old Chinese man was entering a common stair in the street when three men approached and began assaulting him before producing a knife and stealing the personal possessions from his pockets. The victim was then forced into the back of a black car, which drove off towards Crew Road North.

After a short time the car stopped at a walkway, which runs between the Morrisons supermarket and the Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, and man was removed from the vehicle where he tried to seek assistance from passing cyclists. He was then dragged back into the car and was taken back at Royston Mains Crescent.

The suspects all made off and police were contacted.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

All three men are described as white, in their twenties, average height and had scarves covering their faces.

Detective Sergeant Andy Macmillan said: “While the victim was not seriously injured, this was a terrifying ordeal for him to endure and he was left understandably distressed.
–
“Police are carrying out local enquiries to see if anyone remembers seeing anything suspicious in the area, or can help us identify the men responsible. We are particularly keen to speak to the cyclists who rode past the man after he exited the car. These individuals are asked to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone with other information relevant to this investigation is also asked to come forward.”

Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

***

Macmillan Cancer Support is encouraging people in Edinburgh to get together and organise a Mammoth Quiz to raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

The Mammoth Quiz was created by a Macmillan fundraising committee who write all the questions and distribute the quiz packs, so all people need to do is sign up and get some friends together on February 22^nd 2013.  To take part and organise a quiz in your area contact anna@webboundle.co.uk

Daphne Fowler, who appears in TV quiz show Eggheads said; “I am delighted to be the Patron for the Mammoth Quiz, I think it’s a fantastic event and is so easy for people to get involved.  I would encourage everyone to sign up, it s always such fun and I can’t wait to head along to my local Mammoth Quiz again this year.”

***

Had enough of January and the long days at work? Cheer yourself up with a visit to the cinema. Tonight at the Filmhouse for example they are showing Life of Pi which we heartily recommend and Jules et Jim in the early part of the evening, the 1961 Truffaut film about a romantic triangle. For the Francophiles among you here is what one YouTube user says is the definitive scene… in French mind you with no subtitles! (We are sure they will have subtitles at the Filmhouse!)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kl8Xw8cBIQ]

A 26-year-old man who appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, and pleaded guilty to stealing£33,646.00 from an Edinburgh pensioner’s Post Office Savings Account, had his sentence deferred until next month for reports.

Marjorie Mills deposited several thousands of pounds into the account  where she thought it would be safe. She had previously been attacked in her city home.

Post Office worker, Nadeem Amjid, began to skim the cash each time Ms Mills made a withdrawal at Colinton Mains Post Office.

The offences began in October 2010 when Amjid noticed the customer only ever withdrew fifty pounds from her account. During the following 19 months he manipulated the records and customer receipts by giving the pensioner £50 and pocketing £600 for himself.

The fraud only came to light when Ms Mills’ daughter checked her mother’s account and saw both the high withdrawals and conflicting statements. Police were then alerted and they discovered that Amjid was the person who served her every time the withdrawals were made.

In court Prosection lawyer Isobel Clark said :- “The complainer had once been attacked in her home and it was her family who advised her to deposit the money into the savings account”.

The Post Office refunded all the money.

Grass roots environmental projects in Edinburgh have received over £5,000 funding support from the Central Scotland Green Network’s (CSGN) Community Projects Fund, to improve their local greenspace and enhance the quality of their environment.

Supported by Forestry Commission Scotland, the CSGN Community Projects Fund is designed to help local communities get involved in delivering green network improvements on the ground to foster community pride in their local greenspaces.

In total, £5,826 was awarded to three projects in the Edinburgh area. The Granton Community Gardeners group has been awarded £2,000 to support North Edinburgh Harvest by purchasing a range of tools, so that the group can accomodate more people working in the garden. The funding will also be used to make access improvements to the garden for older or disabled people.

The Friends of Cammo group has been awarded £1,826 to carry out improvements to the Pinetum at the Cammo Estate in Edinburgh. This project is part of an ongoing series of works to improve the habitat and amenity of the Estate. The funding will be used to plant hedgerows, create areas of wildflowers and to commence management of the Pinetum by replacing trees, clearing scrub, and providing additional space for young ”endangered” species of conifers.

Finally the GreenFerry Trust has been awarded £2,000 to improve the nature conservation value of Hopetoun Road Community Woodland and to provide a high quality landscape that the local community can experience and enjoy.
Keith Geddes, Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network Partnership Board, said:- “After the positive response our Community Projects Fund received in its inaugural year, it is great to see the programme continue to go from strength to strength and cement our commitment to providing support to grass-roots environmental projects.”

“The CSGN Community Projects Fund aims to break down barriers and provide much needed support for projects that are delivering environmental improvements on the ground. It is these initiatives which are instrumental in achieving our goal of creating a high-quality green network across Central Scotland that will meet environmental, social and economic objectives and ultimately improve the quality of life for local communities.”

Thirty three environmental community projects throughout the CSGN area received a share of this year’s Community Projects Fund.

As one of the Scottish Government’s 14 ‘National Developments’ for Scotland in the second National Planning Framework, the CSGN will change the face of Central Scotland, by restoring, transforming and greening the landscape of an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east.

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

For further information about the CSGN Community Projects Fund, please visit http://www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org

Submitted by Central Scotland Green Network

Marco Polo back in Leith with early booking savings

Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) www.cruiseandmaritime.com 0844 414 6185 will be operating the classic 800 passenger cruise ship Marco Polo out of Leith from May to July 2013. It will mean that those living in Scotland can choose a cruise holiday departure that doesn’t involve a long journey to the port.

Marco Polo accommodates mainly British guests and operates as an adult-only ship. She offers a traditional and intimate country house style cruise experience. The on board currency is sterling, English is spoken throughout the ship and there’s highly rated live entertainment. Accommodation is on a full board basis plus afternoon tea and late night snacks. Also included in the fare are a daytime activities programme, guest speakers, stylish ‘big show’ evening entertainment and porterage of luggage from port to cabin.

Mike Hall, Head of Marketing at CMV said “It’s been clear how much people appreciate the idea of starting their cruising holiday from a ‘local’ port, so we are delighted to offer again a choice of popular summer itineraries from Leith, ranging from a weekend mini cruise to a 13 night North Cape voyage. In addition we are offering ‘Saver’ prices with benefits of up to 25% off brochure price, available for those booking between now and 18 March 2013.”

Cruises available from Leith in 2013

26 May 2013:

Scottish islands and Faroes

A five night cruise over the Spring Bank Holiday. It offers the remote and dramatic scenery of the Faroes, Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. Fares from £509pp

31 May 2013:

Baltic Capitals & St Petersburg

In 12 nights this cruise reveals the unique gems that are the Baltic cities, culminating in the spectacular opulence of St. Petersburg in Russia. Copenhagen offers grace and charm; Tallinn has its fairytale-like mediaeval streets and skylines. In Helsinki, ancient and modern architecture sits comfortably side by side and Sweden’s elegant capital Stockholm spreads itself across no fewer than 14 islands. A call at Warnemünde on the outward journey offers the option of a visit to Berlin and on the return to Leith Marco Polo sails through the impressive Keil Canal.

Fares from £1269pp.

12 June 2013

Majestic Fjordlands

A 7 night cruise to the majesty and splendour of Norway’s fjords. You can but stand and stare as Marco Polo glides past the granite cliffs, the waterfalls and the pretty villages and rural farmsteads. The itinerary includes journey into the Sogne, Norways’s longest fjord and to Flåm from where you can ride on the famous mountain railway. Other ports include Olden, a charming village on the Nordfjord and picturesque Geiranger lying at the head of probably the most beautiful of the fjords. On route back, Marco Polo calls at Norway’s ancient second city, Bergen and at Kirkwall in the Orkneys. Fares from £749pp

19 June 2013

Iceland and the Faroe Islands

This 11 night cruise crosses into the Arctic Circle and circumnavigates Iceland so you can explore the geothermal pools, hot springs, ice caps and active volcanoes of the island’s dramatic landscapes. From Leith Marco Polo first calls at Kirkwall, then Heimaey on the remote Westmann Islands before four Iceland ports of Reykjavik, Isafjördur, Akureyri and Seydisfjördur. The ship returns by the Faroe and Shetland islands. Fares from £1109pp.

30 June 2013

North Cape & Spitzbergen

As well journeying along Norway’s Fjordland coast, this 13 night voyage takes you to the North Cape and deep into the Arctic Circle with its breathtaking vistas and wonderful wildlife. At Norway’s most northernmost tip, Honningsvaag, there is the chance to experience 24 hours of daylight in this ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’; on the remote island of Spirzbergen you may watch reindeer roaming free. The cruise also includes the Faroe and Orkney islands.

Fares from £1129pp.

13 July 2013

Weekend Mini Cruise

A sumptuous dinner, a night of fabulous entertainment including a West End style show, late night cabaret and disco, a cabin for the night and breakfast. From Leith Marco Polo sails down the east coast of Britain to London Tilbury, from where there is coach transfer back to Leith. Fares from £69pp.

Watch more information about these Leith departures at www.cruiseandmaritime.tv

Edinburgh Evening News staff are celebrating after scooping several prizes at the first in-house journalism awards run in Scotland by the paper’s publishers according to AllMediaScotland.

In competition with 26 other Johnston Press newspapers in Scotland – including The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday – the Edinburgh Evening News was named as a winner in six out of the eight categories in which it entered.

These awards are a recognition of a strong year at the News, which has broken a series of high-profile stories, including the Mortonhall Crematorium ashes scandal, NHS Lothian, the Edinburgh trams and the Suzanne Pilley murder.

In addition, the paper took full advantage of the first all-Edinburgh cup final in 116 years, producing a series of supplements that led to a sales boost of 40,000 copies in the ten days around the final.

The final also allowed staff to produce a fun video, Go East, which took the innovation award which you can watch again here…..and relive the Scottish Cup frenzy!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxsF4Y6Pv4M]

Editor, Frank O’Donnell,said:- “This is recognition for the work of all staff on the title, who put in long, long hours to ensure the Edinburgh Evening News punches above its weight.

“Scotland’s evening dailies remain strong and continue to produce some of the most important journalism in the country.”

According to a recent BBC Scotland interview with the chief executive, Ashley Highfield, the aim is to introduce local TV to areas not currently served by the BBC, as well as reduce the company borrowing which was reduced by £20m in the last financial year.

The winners’ list reads:

Story of the Year in Print and in Digital

Gina Davidson, Edinburgh Evening News

Journalist of the Year

Daniel Sanderson, Edinburgh Evening News

Stacey Mullen, Cumbernauld News/Kirkintilloch Herald Series

Editorial Design Award (front page of the year)

Mark Fearn, The Edinburgh Evening News

Kathryn Dunn and Charlie Cooper, Special Reports, TSPL

Photographer of the Year

Ian Rutherford, The Scotsman Publications

Michael Gillen, The Falkirk Herald

Sports Journalist of the Year

Jennifer Newton, The Arbroath Herald

Eric Mackinnon, The Stornoway Gazette

Best Use of Social Media

Edinburgh Evening News

Innovation Award

The Edinburgh Evening News

Best Use of Digital

Edinburgh Evening News for Edinburgh’s Got Talent

Trainee Journalist of the Year

Jenny Kane, The Stornoway Gazette

Title of the Year (small weekly)

The Midlothian Advertiser

Title of the Year (large weekly)

The Falkirk Herald

Community Initiative Award

Fife Free Press

Glasgow South and Eastwood Extra

Sales Team of the Year

Fife sales team

Best Sales Team for Digital Growth

Digital team at TSPL

Managing Director’s Award

John Gow, head of Admin Support Unit, TSPL

Edinburgh College students kick-off careers with footie course

A group of young lads are celebrating after passing a new football themed course, which sees unemployed people completing coaching courses and SQA units, combined with work skills and personal development to kick-start their careers.

Football Works is delivered by Street Soccer Scotland, a Social Enterprise which uses football to inspire adults and young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and Edinburgh College in partnership with several organisations. The free course is open to anyone who is unemployed and 16 years old and over. During the course, students learned training skills with Street Soccer Scotland coaches, gained essential communication skills in the classroom and achieved an SQA qualification in Communications and Working With Others.

25-year-old Football Works student John Brash from Tranent said: “I’ve always been a football fan and have played for several teams, so this seemed like the perfect course for me while I’ve been out of work.”-

“We learned lots of new skills and I enjoyed learning how to teach young people how to stretch, dribble and pass. One of the highlights for me was learning how to write essays. I was never good at English in school and this made me a bit more confident in my writing.”

John added:-“Up until yesterday I was homeless but I’ve now found temporary accommodation in Tranent. My partner has a baby on the way, and I’m looking into doing a training course at Edinburgh College as well as volunteering to help out with the next Football Works course, so I’m looking forward to the next steps in my life.”

Fellow student Declan Quinn, 18 years old from Tranent but currently living in Port Seton, said:- “I really enjoyed the course. The best part was putting what I’d learned into practice by training p7s from Prestonpans Primary School.”

A key aim of the 8-week course is building employment skills, which includes work placements with local schools and partners such as Edinburgh Leisure and Dunedin Canmore Housing Association.

Edinburgh College Learning Assistant, Louise Grace, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the boys have passed their course and now have an SQA qualification under their belts.”

“Their love of football really brought them all together and taught them valuable new skills. It’s been a pleasure to teach them and I can see that they have bright futures ahead of them.”

Street Soccer Scotland, Founder and Chief Executive David Duke said, “We are pleased with the success of the recent Football Works courses in East Lothian. Hearing the stories of how John and Declan have used the course to the benefit of the community and their own personal development is inspiring for all of us.

“We hope that many more people can access Football Works on their journey into positive destinations. We are also pleased to have great partners such as Edinburgh College, Dunedin Canmore Group and Edinburgh Leisure who add so much to the course.”

The group of students took part in the football course at the Pennypit Centre in Prestonpans and the Bleaching Fields in Dunbar. The next Football Works course in East Lothian will begin soon and there are also regular Football Works course running across Edinburgh. Please visit www.streetsoccerscotland.org for more information about the Football Works course.

Edinburgh College also offers a wide variety of Skills Development Scotland courses for those aged between 16- 24 years. Please visit www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk for further information and to apply.

Photography caption: (Top L to R) Street Soccer Scotland coaches Ally Dawson and Robert Hare, Football Works students Declan Quinn, Warren Leitch, Brandon West and Street Soccer Scotland coaches Andy Hook and Scott Hollinshead.

(Bottom L to R): Football Works students Jamie Stewart, John Brash, Steven Batchelor and Dean Lawrie.

Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership meeting – Port of Leith appoint Welfare Rights Officer – Gorebridge gets regeneration funding – Peploe – Burns

The Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership meets tonight at  7:00 p.m in Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North, EH13 9LY  Details of what will be discussed here on the council website.

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Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has appointed its first Welfare Rights Officer.

Craig Samuel has joined the Association on a 14 month secondment from the City of Edinburgh Advice Shop.

Responsible for helping with the take up of welfare state benefits and representation with tribunal work up to and including upper tier level, Craig will be on hand to offer expert guidance to PoLHA’s 3,500 tenants.

He said:-

“I’m delighted to have joined PoLHA and the fact I was born in Leith made it an easy decision to take up this great opportunity to offer my help and to ensure PoLHA is well represented with our voice being heard within local government.”

Craig’s appointment has lead to the creation of PoLHA’s Welfare Rights Service, strengthening the Association’s existing advice services for help in managing debt, affordable warmth advice to help with fuel debt and advice and support to maintain tenancies.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said:

“Craig’s role and the creation of an additional service will greatly benefit our tenants at a time which is set to impact on them significantly.”

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The historic town of Gorebridge, will be the focus for regeneration funding, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop announced today.

The council has been awarded £548,500 of funding by the Scottish Government for essential repairs and improvements to its historic heartland.

The funding, which is distributed through Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) sees 12 council areas, including Midlothian Council, allocated funds from the scheme.

The initiative aims to encourage local authorities to invest in their historic environment, whilst helping to stimulate economic regeneration. The Cabinet Secretary made the announcement as she visited one of the areas in Midlothian which has benefited from previous CARS funding in Dalkeith.

Dalkeith was awarded £402,638 in the 2nd Round of CARS funding in 2008. Since then the funding has provided improvements to the streetscape on the High Street, repairs to several key buildings including the Tollbooth and the Cross Keys Hotel, a former coaching inn, and small grants to home owners and shop keepers.

The Cabinet Secretary met with the Project Leader and representatives from the council during her visit and was able to view first hand how the funding has been invested back into the area.

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“It has been a great privilege to see first hand how this investment programme is continuing to benefit communities such as Dalkeith across Scotland.

“Our historic environment plays a key role in communities and this funding provides an opportunity to invest back into the historic fabric and back into the heart of communities.

“It also provides the opportunity to help stimulate economic regeneration, a key priority in today’s economic climate, be that through a new end use or rejuvenating an existing facility.

“I am delighted to announce this funding, which will benefit communities the length and breath of Scotland, and will give more areas than ever before the opportunity to benefit from this investment.”

Midlothian Council Leader, Councillor Bob Constable said:-

“We are obviously delighted to have been awarded this new funding. The regeneration work undertaken in Dalkeith has had a huge impact not only on the condition of some of the town’s historic buildings and the public realm but also in changing the public perception of the town centre.

“Gorebridge is a tremendous example of a small town with an almost intact 19th Century Historic Core and I’m sure the new CARS project will bring a huge number of benefits for residents, businesses and the wider community.”

Since 2005, there have been four CARS application rounds. The funding, which is allocated to local authorities by Historic Scotland is available to provide financial assistance for Conservation Area based regeneration and conservation initiatives.

Open to Local and National Park Authorities, community groups and other third sector organisations delivering multi-funded projects it can be utilised for a number of purposes from priority repairs and small grants to homeowners and retailers to providing traditional craft training opportunities.

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One of the exhibitions we have yet to see is the Peploe at the National Gallery. Have you been? What did you think? Tickets are £7 and you have plenty of time as it runs until 23 June 2013. Tickets here.

The National Galleries of Scotland describes the exhibition for us:-

“Discover beautifully composed still lifes and stunning landscapes of France and Scotland in this extensive retrospective of SJ Peploe, the second exhibition in our Scottish Colourist series.

Samuel John Peploe (1871-1935) was the eldest and most successful of the four artists popularly known as The Scottish Colourists, along with FCB Cadell, JD Fergusson and GL Hunter. Peploe is considered by many to be the leader of the group and indeed it was his friendship with the others which bound the four together. Born in Edinburgh, Peploe lived in the Scottish capital all his life, apart from two years spent in Paris between 1910 and 1912.

Most celebrated for his beautiful still lifes, Peploe depicted a selection of props, including roses, tulips and coffee pots, placed in an infinite variety of combinations and lovingly painted in his studio. The care which Peploe lavished on his still lifes contrasts with the more spontaneous technique with which he created his stunning French and Scottish landscapes, painted en plein air from 1896. At certain periods Peploe also painted figure studies of beauty and significance, including images of his wife and their two sons.

This important exhibition will bring together more than 100 of Peploe’s most significant paintings from public and private collections around the world, including highlights such as the 1905 masterpiece,The Coffee Pot, early 1920s work, Red and Pink Roses, Oranges and Fan, and a selection of the original objects used within Peploe’s still life arrangements.”

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Something we missed last week during all the Burns frenzy is that the official record of his birth is on display at General Register House until 14 February. More information here….. about the Bard and his legacy.

The Port of Ardersier on Scotland’s Moray Firth, previously a hive of activity during the early oil boom in Scotland,  has today moved centre stage as one of the key manufacturing and port facilities for the UK’s fast-growing offshore wind sector.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond today announced a memorandum of understanding between Highland and Islands Enterprise and the Port of Ardersier which recognises the port’s capacity to become a major UK manufacturing, construction and installation hub.

With 138 hectares (340 acres) of vacant land and a deep water quay, the former oil rig fabrication yard is ideally placed to capture a slice of the estimated £70-80 billion UK offshore wind construction market.

Welcoming the memorandum of understanding, Port of Ardersier CEO Capt. Stephen Gobbi said:

“There are few other locations in the UK, or indeed Europe, which can offer this quality and quantity of vacant land, a 1000 meter deep water quay and proximity to major offshore wind development zones.

“It complements other sites in Scotland and offers offshore wind developers and manufacturers the opportunity to site their operations close to the first-generation deep water sites at Beatrice and Moray Firth.

“This memorandum recognises this potential, and commits the Port of Ardersier and Highlands and Island Enterprise to work together to develop the port and bring new jobs and economic activity to this corner of Scotland.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of HIE, said:-“Port of Ardersier offers significant potential to offshore wind developers. Given the scale of offshore renewables activity, the sheer size of the site means it is ideally placed to meet the range of needs for manufacturing and assembly. HIE is delighted to work with Port of Ardersier to bring the site back into commercial use and help it secure new tenants.”

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said:-“We are working hard with our enterprise agencies both to secure overseas investment into our world-leading renewable energy industry and to support Scottish businesses to seize the huge opportunities available, working in partnership with inward investors and the rest of the supply chain to create jobs and help re-industrialise communities right across Scotland.

“These ports are ideally-positioned to become key hubs for the deployment of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy – across manufacturing, assembly, operations and maintenance – and the new Memorandums of Understanding with Highlands and Islands Enterprise underpin the importance that we attach to ensuring that all of Scotland wins from the renewables revolution.”

This would be a second lease of life for the specialist port. Formerly the McDermott Fabrication Yard, it was built on land reclaimed from the
foreshore in the 1970s for the fabrication and construction of North Sea oil and gas platforms. At its height, the yard employed 4500 people. It has lain dormant since 2001.

The port’s next step is to submit planning applications to Transport Scotland, Highlands Council and Marine Scotland to secure full consent as an offshore wind manufacturing port, with the goal of securing permission by the Autumn. The site’s current consent relates to oil and gas only.

The Port of Ardersier was identified within Stage 1 of the Scottish Government’s National Renewables Infrastructure Plan as a key integrated
manufacturing facility. The plan’s goal is to enable Scotland to accelerate the development of offshore wind and capture a major slice of the supply chain and jobs potential.

Stage 2 of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan involves the development of detailed investment plans for identified sites. The
memorandum of understanding forms part of stage 2 for the Port of Ardersier and commits the two parties to work together to secure planning consent and maximise the economic and social potential of the port.

A 26-year-old  man who appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday in connection with an armed robbery at a city jewellery store has been remanded in custody.

Aldaire Warmington, charged with assault and robbery and making no plea nor declaration, was the third man to appear in court after jewels to the value of £1 million were stolen during a raid on Rox, George Street, on Tuesday 15 January 2013.

Two other men from the Manchester area appeared in court last week. Elliott Jorgenson,25, and 26-year-old Lincoln Warmington were both charged with assault and robbery and were remanded in custody as the case was continued for further examination.

Since the raid, Rox is said to have spent £50,000 on added security which includes a full-time guard.

As the Traverse Theatre gears up for its 50th anniversary year in 2013, Puppet Animation Scotland and the Traverse announce the 2013 Manipulate Visual Theatre Festival. This ambitious season of performance and film from around the world sees the festival grow from one to two weeks at the Traverse and extend its reach with dates at Lochgelly Centre, Fife, Lemon Tree, Aberdeen and Norwich Puppet Theatre.

The sixth annual festival of international theatre, puppetry, animation and film this year showcases epic storytelling and explores the future of puppetry and animation in the digital age. The performance programme features work from England, Estonia, Finland, Israel, the Netherlands, Russia, Scotland and the USA, plus a film programme with an equally global scope.

Speaking about the festival, Simon Hart, Artistic Director of Puppet Animation Scotland said:- “Manipulate has grown year on year, in audience, programme and reputation. We’re celebrating our sixth year and the Traverse’s 50th anniversary with our most ambitious programme yet, presenting international productions in Edinburgh, Fife, Aberdeen and England. Our larger animation programme features great new films from the Czech Republic and the USA and a classic from the Brothers Quay. We’re also showcasing the brilliant work of four up and coming, prize-winning animators from Scotland. We’re delighted as ever, to offer audiences across Scotland and for the second year, in Norwich, the opportunity to experience the best of contemporary exciting visual theatre and animation.”

Following Manipulate’s opening cabaret at Edinburgh’s Summerhall with Netherlands based Carles Casallachs’ Sal Y Samba (3 Feb), the performance programme begins at the Traverse with Finland’s TIP Connection. To The End of Love, inspired by the legend of Bluebeard’s castle, is a wordless and visually powerful work by a group of dynamic young theatre artists from Finland, France, Lithuania and Russia (4 Feb).

Estonia’s Nuku Theatre presents A Wild Growling Happiness, manipulate festival’s first work programmed for young people, a story about creating and exploring our own worlds by performers from the Estonian State Puppet & Youth Theatre (5 Feb).

The Paper Cinema, England, return to Edinburgh with their 2011 Fringe hit, The Odyssey. Homer’s classic story is brought to life using cinematic projection and animation to transform a suitcase full of cut-out paper puppets into a rich array of living characters and striking landscapes (6 Feb). Physical Theatre Scotland presents After the Wave, a full length show that has developed over the past four years from manipulate’s Snapshots programme. Inspired by images of victims of severe natural disasters, life size puppets, masks and live music explore how world events are reflected in the human body (7 Feb).

Paper-engineering features again in the programme with work from Israel’s Yael Rasooly in Papercut. This one woman show about the frustrated secretary of a big Hollywood producer transforms the vivid language and style of black and white cinema into a low–tech universe of paper cut-outs and object theatre (7 Feb).

Los Angeles-based performance group Cloud Eye Control appear in the UK for the first time at manipulate with three short works, Final Space, Ocean Flight and Myth and Infrastructure. The company combine interactive media with live performance to examine human adaptation in a technological world (8 Feb).

The Netherland’s Stuffed Puppet Theatre brings Neville Tranter’s combination of wicked, down to earth humour, deadly seriousness and virtuoso puppetry to manipulate with Schiklegruber…Alias Adolf Hitler. Neville Tranter has built a reputation over the past 30 years as a world leader in puppetry, consistently engaging with social and political issues in his work (9 Feb). Summerhall is the setting for Snapshots: Creation & Play Platform Performance, where Scottish artists Drop Kick and Tortoise in a Nutshell present works in progress, and performance critic Gareth Vile hosts a participatory seminar exploring the boundaries of art through conversations (9 Feb).

The performance programme closes with the return of Slick by Vox Motus, which had its world premiere at the Traverse during the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The story of boy permanently attached to his skateboard combines absurd comedy, visual storytelling, puppetry, object theatre and physical performance to create a unique ensemble performance. Kicking off a national tour at manipulate (12-16 Feb).

The film strand of manipulate, curated by Susie Wilson, begins with a feature from The Brothers Quay, The Piano Tuners of Earthquakes (Germany/UK 2005) a piece strongly influenced by Eastern European animation (4 Feb). Alois Nebel (Czech Republic/Germany), Tomas Lunak’s award-winning feature film debut is based on the popular graphic novels trilogy by the Czech artists Jaroslav Rudis and Jaromir 99 (5 Feb). Nearly 15 years in the making and shot frame by frame, Consuming Spirits (USA, 2012) is meticulously constructed experimental animation by Chris Sullivan. Big Man Japan, a deadpan mockumentary satire of reality TV and monster movies by Japanese comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto, concluding manipulate’s feature programme (9 Feb).

The shorts programme presents nine films in 80 minutes, with animation from Hungary, Russia, Estonia, France, USA, Canada, Austria and Luxembourg (6 Feb). Snapshots: Creation and Play – 6.05 showcases four works over four nights from recent graduates from the Edinburgh College of Art’s Animation Department, introduced by leading Scottish animator Iain Gardner (5 – 9 Feb).

The Festival runs from Monday 4 – Saturday 16 February, 2013

Listings – Edinburgh Performances:

Sunday 3 February (6.00pm) Summerhall FESTIVAL CABARET Buzzcut presents Carles Casallachs (Netherlands) Por Sal y Samba

Tickets: £11 / £6 from Summehall Box Office (0845 874 3001 / www.summerhall.co.uk) ——————————————-

Monday 4 February (7.30pm) Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE TIP Connection (Finland), Traverse Theatre To The End of Love

Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6

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Monday 4 February (9.15pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: FEATURE FILM The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes DIR: The Brothers Quay (Germany / UK, 2005) Tickets: £6 / £20 Film pass ——————————————-

Tuesday 5 February (6.05pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: Edinburgh College of Art Animation Showcase Snapshots: Creation and Play – 6.05 All that Glisters by Claire Lamond

Free, but ticketed.

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Tuesday 5 February (7.30pm), Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE Nuku Theatre (Estonia) A Wild Growling Happiness

Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6 (A Big Night Out Event)

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Tuesday 5 February (9.15pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: FEATURE FILM Alois Nebel DIR: Tomas Lunak (Czech Republic / Germany, 2011)

Tickets: £6 / £20 Film pass

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Wednesday 6 February (6.05pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: Edinburgh College of Art Animation Showcase Snapshots: Creation and Play

Tea Party by Vitalij Sichinava

Free, but ticketed

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Wednesday 6 February (7.30pm), Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE

The Paper Cinema (England)

The Odyssey

Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6

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Wednesday 6 February (9.15pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: SHORTS PROGRAMME Log Jam: KFJG No. 5 DIR: Alexi Alexeev (Hungary / Russia 2008, 2’) Crocodile DIR: Kaspar Jancis / Estonia 2009, 17’) Wind Along the Coast DIR: Ivan Maximov (Russia, 2003, 7’) Aalterate DIR: Christobal De Olivera (France, 2012, 10’) Welcome to Kentucky DIR: Craig Welch (USA, 2004, 12’) Nightingales DIR: Theodore Ushev (Canada 2011, 3’) Madame Tutli Putli DIR: Chris Lavis, Maciek Szcerbowksi (Canada 2007, 17’) Log Jam: Snake DIR: Alexei Alexeev (Hungary, Russia, 2008, 1’) Fast Film DIR: Virgil Widrich (Austria / Luxembourg, 2003, 14’) Log Jam: The Moon DIR: Alexi Alexeev (Hungary / Russia 2008, 2’)

Tickets: £6 / £20 Film pass

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Thursday 7 February (7.30pm), Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE Physical Theatre Scotland After the Wave Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6

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Thursday 7 February (9.15pm), Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE Yael Rasooly (Israel)

Paper Cut

Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6

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Friday 8 February (6.05pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: Edinburgh College of Art Animation Showcase Snapshots: Creation and Play – 6.05

I am Tom Moody By Ainslie Henderson Free, ticketed

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Friday 8 February (7.30pm), Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE Cloud Eye Control (USA) Final Space, Ocean Flight, Myth and Infrastructure: 3 Short Works

Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6

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Friday 8th February (10.00pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: FEATURE FILM Consuming Spirits DIR: Chris Sullivan (USA, 2012)

Tickets: £6 / £20 Film pass

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Saturday 9th February (2.00pm), Summerhall SEMINAR Participatory seminar with Gareth Vile

Free, ticketed from Summerhall Box Office (0845 874 3001 / www.summerhall.co.uk)

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Saturday 9th February (4.00pm), Summerhall PLATFORM PERFORMANCE Dropkick (Scotland) Torn Tortoise in a Nutshell (Scotland) Feral

Free, ticketed from Summerhall Box Office (0845 874 3001 / www.summerhall.co.uk) ——————————————-

Saturday 9th February (6.05pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: Edinburgh College of Art Animation Showcase Snapshots: Creation and Play – 6.05

The Making of Longbird Will Anderson

Free, ticketed

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Saturday 9th February (7.30pm), Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE

Stuffed Puppet Theatre (Netherlands)

SCHIKLEGRUBER…Alias Adolf Hitler

Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6

——————————————- Saturday 9th February (10.00pm), Traverse Theatre SCREENING: FEATURE FILM

Big Man Japan DIR: Hitoshi Matsumoto (Japan)

Tickets: £6 / £20 Film pass

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Tuesday 12th February – Saturday 16th February Traverse Theatre PERFORMANCE Vox Motus (Scotland)

Slick

Tickets: £15.50 / £11.50 / £6

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Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian was involved in a collision with a car in Edinburgh’s Milton Road on Sunday night.

The incident involving a silver Renault Laguna happened as the 56-year-old man was crossing the road near the junction with Magdalene Drive about 7.40pm.

The man has been taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he remains in a serious condition.

Sergeant Roger Park said:- “We are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and are keen to talk to anyone who may have been in Milton Road last night, and who may have seen what happened, to contact us.

“We know the area was quite busy around that time, so would also ask anyone who was there to call us on 0131 311 3131.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Walking With Poets is a Scottish Poetry Library, Royal Botanic Garden and Cove Park residency project in which four poets will take up month-long writing and walking residency at all four of Scotland’s Botanic Gardens in Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Benmore in Argyll, Dawyck in the Borders, Logan in Dumfries & Galloway and Cove Park, and today it has been announced that this project will receive an award of £24,000.

Robyn Marsack, Director of the Scottish Poetry Library, said:- “The Year of Natural Scotland encourages reflection on some large questions: How do people shape what’s natural? How do we learn to really look at what nature offers? Is nature a comfort or a challenge? Our project allows poets to consider these and many other aspects of nature in relation to Scotland’s wonderful Royal Botanic Gardens, bringing people and poets together to walk and talk, observe and write in four locations across Scotland. ‘By leaves we live’ is written on the Library’s threshold, and we’re delighted to have been given the opportunity to animate that thought.”

Fourteen projects offering opportunities to engage with natural surroundings in innovative and exciting ways, are to receive a share of more than £500,000, as part of the Year of Natural Scotland 2013.

Supported by Creative Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) the funding was announced today  on the eve of the world premiere of Infinite Scotland at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness – a multi-media production celebrating Scotland’s fascinating natural diversity and artistic life and featuring Blythe Duff and Kenny Taylor.

Taking place right across the country from an urban wetland park in the west to a remote stretch of land north of Aberdeen and the environment around Dunbar in the east that inspired the great conservationist John Muir, the fourteen extraordinary projects will bring together community groups, individual artists and the wider community in projects including: NVA’s new public artwork Island Drift, set to transform the islands in the southern reaches of Loch Lomond using bespoke lighting technologies to create a compelling series of photographic works (a collaboration between NVA, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park); writing and walking residencies at four of Scotland’s Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, Argyll, the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway (a collaboration between Walking With Poets, Scottish Poetry Library, Royal Botanic Garden and Cove Park); Dumfries and Galloway’s new International Environmental Arts Festival (a collaboration between Wide Open, Crichton Carbon Centre, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Spring Fling and The Stove) and Dunbar’s North Light Arts’ Journeys: Walking a Line – a year-long site-specific project inspiring creative journeys and collaborations exploring the nature and potential of the environment through the act of walking, marking and recording; the seeding and sharing of ideas, exhibition, performance and participation.

Scotland’s capital should lead the country in investing in jobs, training and protecting the most vulnerable from welfare cuts, according to Green councillors in Edinburgh.

In preparing Green proposals for the City Council’s budget meeting on 7 February 2013 the Greens say they have identified an accumulated fund of almost £14 million in the city’s coffers. This is made up of additional income from council tax on empty and second homes and can only be used for housing. Green councillors want to invest £10 million of that in a Warmer Homes programme targeted on the lowest income households, those most vulnerable to ongoing cuts in welfare budgets.

Green councillors say a programme of this scale would allow the city to take the next step up in improving energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty, at a time when the lowest income households face loss and cuts to housing benefit. At the same time, the programme would support at least 160 new jobs and 10 new apprenticeships for young people.

Green Group Convenor, Steve Burgess said:

“The City faces some stark budget choices within a very tight financial straitjacket. The Coalition parties have both signed up nationally to the Council Tax Freeze and locally have rejected innovative income-raising opportunities like the hotel visitor levy.

“That means we need to squeeze every penny of value out of existing funds. That includes the £14 million pot sitting in reserves earmarked for housing projects. I want to see that money put to good use, providing dry warm homes for many of our citizens most at risk of poverty. As benefit cuts bite yet further from this coming April it is important to do what we can in other areas of cost, such as fuel bills. At the same time the programme will support at least 160 new jobs and around 10 new apprenticeships.”

The Greens expect to put forward further budget proposals on schools, transport and supporting vulnerable people in the run up to Budget day on 7 February.

The meeting on 7 February will have the draft budget put forward by the Labour-SNP administration which was the subject of consultation until earlier this month. Even though it is too late to consult on the new budget to be voted on next week, you can read more about the draft budget for 2013/14 on the council website or watch the finance Convenor Alasdair Rankin here.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk1e3FoNemU]

Councillor Rankin has pointed out the savings necessary:-“The Council needs to make savings of £12.8million in 2013/14, including an extra £6.9million to fund increasing demand for some services. £3.8million of efficiency savings and suggestions to raise more income have been proposed. A further £9million in savings has also been recommended through changing the way the Council buys goods and services.”

It will also be possible for anyone to put forward their ideas on the Council’s finances to the Convenor at any time, as Council Leader, Andrew Burns was anxious to point out at the last Leader’s briefing earlier this month. He also repeats that the draft budget has been available for discussion for some time in his Leader’s Report:-“I have been working hard with my colleagues, Councillor Alasdair Rankin and Councillor Bill Cook, looking at how we spend money and how we make sure the public and stakeholders can give us their views.

For the first time the Council’s draft budget was published months in advance so we could start a series of consultation meetings and carry out a survey to gauge what people thought of the proposals. Many of you chose to tell us how we could use money more efficiently and in general said you support the general thrust of detecting problems earlier and helping people more quickly to prevent future problems. We have listened and amended the proposals to take account of your views.

Around a billion pounds each year is spent on roads, schools, care homes and a myriad of other services such as street cleaning, employment initiatives and community safety. It is important we have sound financial management and restore confidence in the way the city is managed. It is a major exercise to prioritise what is important and we feel that the opposition political groups should also have their say if we are to reach the best possible decisions. That is why we are publishing the second draft budget and will look for suggestions that we can all reach agreement on.

We intend to publish the next draft budget even earlier to ensure more time is available for you to feed back your views.”

Body discovered –  Jewellery Robbery – High Speed Rail – Edinburgh Castle – Our Pandas are great

Lothian and Borders Police have announced that their search in Holyrood Park yesterday has resulted in a body being recovered. They were searching for Sanjay Dhital who disappeared on Boxing Day but have not formally identified the body as yet.

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Police have confirmed that a further man has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged armed robbery at a jewellery store in Edinburgh’s George Street on Tuesday 15th January.

The 26-year-old is scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

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The SNP has said today that Scotland needs better than a 30 minute reduction in journey time to London and that Westminster must extend high speed rail to Scotland.

While The Scottish Government is pressing ahead with a high speed rail between Glasgow and Edinburgh,  the SNP say that the Westminster system is dragging its heels on extending its HS2 project north of the border.

Gordon MacDonald, member of the Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure and Investment Committee, said:

“It is a welcome step that Scottish commuters will benefit from a 30 minute reduction in their journey time but it does not go far enough. Scotland needs better than this – we need the HS2 project extended north of the border.

“Why does the Tory-led Westminster system want to keep Scotland in the slow lane?

“There is an undeniable economic case to connect Scotland to the rest of the UK and the continent. It’s welcome that they now recognise Scotland is essential for the success of High Speed Rail but Westminster has dragged its heels on high speed rail for too long.

“It is the way forward for public transport in this country and would bring jobs, millions in investment and be a huge boost for our tourism trade. Although Westminster has announced it will extend the line to Manchester this is not far enough and they have still failed to give any concrete guarantees that HS2 will come north of the border and that is unacceptable.”

The leaders of The City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council today also welcomed the news on High Speed Rail issued by the Department for Transport, but called for an early announcement on plans to bring the network north of the Border.
Councillor Andrew Burns, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We welcome the announcement of Phase 2, which brings high speed infrastructure further north to Leeds and Manchester. It has already been demonstrated that the maximum economic and environmental benefits for the UK can only be realised if Scotland is part of the network. This is why we are keen to see an early announcement on the next phase bringing this much needed rail infrastructure north of the Border and linking with the planned High Speed Link between Glasgow and Edinburgh.”

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This is a welcome development because high speed rail will open up fantastic opportunities and growth for the UK.

“However, I have long argued that Scotland’s two largest cities must be included in this network. It is essential that construction of a high speed rail route begins at both ends of the country and meets in the middle. If it doesn’t then I believe our people and economy will be the losers – cut off from our major markets in England and Europe and at a huge economic disadvantage.”

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Parents of Primary School Children aged 4 to 11 in over 100 Primary Schools in Edinburgh voted Edinburgh Castle the overall winner of the Primary Times Star Award for a family-friendly attraction.

The Castle received an additional accolade as it was also voted the best Historical Attraction.

Anne Blackham, Sales and Marketing Manager at Primary Times said: “Edinburgh Castle is a historic, all weather family attraction and it won over the hearts of many local families with its huge portfolio of displays and exhibitions time lining Scotland’s rich heritage. Its family friendly events, tours and facilities also proved a hit with our readers.”

Nick Finnigan, Executive Manager at Edinburgh Castle said: “I am absolutely delighted that parents voted for Edinburgh Castle to be awarded the Overall Winner in the prestigious Primary Times Star Award and also voted it their favourite Historical Attraction.

“There is so much to see at the castle from Scotland’s Crown Jewels to Mons Meg and the One O’Clock Gun. Our Living History programmes and events are very popular bringing Scotland’s history to life with fascinating facts, humour and drama, which is great fun for all the family.”.

Readers were quizzed for their most preferred choice from a wide range of topics namely favourite family attraction; family eating house; indoor play centre; stately home or historical attraction; swimming pool/leisure centre; party venue/entertainer; craft activity provider; children’s clothes/shoe shop; toy shop; book shop, bike store and holiday destination.

***

Our panda Yang Guang and the man who was behind the two pandas coming to Edinburgh Zoo, Iain Valentine, have been recognised in the Giant Panda Awards….

Edinburgh Zoo Strikes Gold and Double Silver

In Giant Panda Zoo Awards 2012

Edinburgh Zoo has scooped three awards in the first ever Giant Panda Zoo Awards:

• Iain Valentine, Director of Giant Pandas at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) won gold for the ‘Human Panda Personality’.
• Yang Guang (Sunshine) picked up silver for ‘Favourite Pandas Outside China’.
• The PR campaign for the first ever giant panda breeding season at Edinburgh Zoo also brought in a silver award.

Panda fans and enthusiasts from all over the world have been voting across ten different panda related categories for the first ever Giant Panda Zoo Awards 2012.  Run by giant panda fan Jeroen Jacobs for panda fans all over the world, Giant Panda Zoo aims to spread the word about giant pandas in captivity and to make a difference in panda conservation.

Iain Valentine, Director of Giant Panda Project & Strategic Innovations at Edinburgh Zoo, said:-“For Edinburgh Zoo to have been nominated and shortlisted was alone a great privilege, but to have been voted for by panda fans across the world to win an award in all three categories is truly special.

“We’re delighted that our male, Yang Guang, is so popular with people in the UK and also internationally. With an outgoing character that actually seems to love an audience, the fact he has received this award after only being at Edinburgh Zoo for 12 months is very special. We’re also pleased that it’s Yang Guang’s turn for recognition now, after our female Tian Tian scooped one of the BBC’s Women of the Year back in 2011.

“I was lucky enough to pick up the gold award for Human Panda Personality; a great privilege for me and the wider team that I’m part of at Edinburgh Zoo; it’s very encouraging to think that our profile and work with giant pandas is hopefully raising the awareness of global giant panda conservation. The fact our PR campaign for the giant panda breeding season in spring 2012, that reached over 930 million people in 18 different countries, was also awarded a silver win also backs this up. Not only a wonderful first for Edinburgh Zoo, the Giant Panda Zoo Awards are a fun and engaging concept from Jeroen whose website and newsletters act as a great platform to pull focus to and increase awareness of the important conservation work for these iconic animals.”

For the full list of results please visit www.giantpandazoo.com

Lothian and Borders Police have recovered a man’s body, while assisted by the Borders Underwater Search Team.

A multi-agency search operation was undertaken this weekend as part of ongoing enquiries to trace Sanjay Dhital, who was last seen within his home in Elm Row on Boxing Day.

The body was discovered at St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park on Sunday 27th January and enquiries are ongoing to establish an identity and to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.

Sanjay Dhital’s family have been fully updated with the progress of this investigation.

Officers involved in this enquiry would like to thank the Borders Underwater Search Team, Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team and Borders Search and Rescue Team for their continued support.

Plenty congratulations are due this weekend, with Hearts reaching the final of the Scottish Communities League Cup,  Capital basketball players Gregor Gray (Edinburgh Kings) and Malcolm Winning (Boroughmuir Blaze) winning bronze medals with Great Britain’s under-17 team in Australia and ‘Amazing’ Alex Arthur receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace. The round-up also highlights some good news for Edinburgh Monarchs and features Edinburgh Capitals latest two games, as well as the Edinburgh Squash Open and the final weekend of the Indoor Scottish Hockey league.

Football

Congratulations to Hearts for reaching the Scottish Communities League Cup final after a nerve-racking victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle on penalties at Easter Road. The Gorgie side fell behind to an Andrew Shinnie goal just after half time, but equalised through new signing Michael Ngoo before Scott Robinson was sent off for a two footed challenge.

The game finished 1-1 after extra time, and with Hearts leading 5-4 Inverness’s substitute Phillip Roberts missed the final penalty to spark wild celebrations amongst the Hearts faithful.

Hearts will play St Mirren at Hampden Park on Sunday 17 March, after the ‘Buddies’ shock 3-2 win over Celtic  on Sunday.

Ben Williams was the hero for Hibs, saving an early Niall McGinn penalty to secure a share of the points against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Manager Pat Fenlon gave veteran striker Shefki Kuqi his first SPL start, but the Finnish international was unable to breach the Dons’ defence.

Confusion still surrounds the future of on-loan Jorge Claros who did not make the squad, after parent club issued a statement suggesting that the Honduran international would remain at Easter Road for the rest of the season, however Hibs have so far refused to comment.

Meanwhile the SPL have announced that the third Edinburgh derby of the season has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, March 10.The Easter Road clash will have a 12.45pm kick-off and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Hibs game with Motherwell has been brought forward to Friday 15 March with a 7.45pm kick off, whilst Hearts’ home match against Ross County on April 6 has been brought forward to noon for live coverage on ESPN

Spartans retained top spot in the Central Taxi’s East of Scotland League Premier Division, winning 3-1 against North of Edinburgh neighbours Civil Service Strollers at Ainslie Park. Keith McLeod opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 10 minutes and Willie Bremner added a second six minutes later. Strollers pulled a goal back in the 17^th minute from Charles McAleavy, but Kevin Motion wrapped things up with a volley on the hour mark. Elsewhere in the Premier Division Edinburgh City beat Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 3-1 at Meadowbank.

In the First Division, second half goals by Kyle Boggie, Chris Beaton and Greig Tulloch along with an own goal gave Leith Athletic a comfortable 4-0 win away to Burntisland Shipyards in Fife.

Rugby

Club rugby returned to the capital after a winter’s break, with Heriots losing at home to table topping Ayr by 22-16 whilst Currie also lost 17-6 away to Gala in the Scottish Premiership. Heriots currently sit 5^th in the table on 31 points from 13 games, whilst Currie sit third with 36 points from 15 games.

(Photograph by John Preece)

In the Scottish National League Division One Stewarts-Melville FP won 31-23 at home to Hamilton whilst Watsonians lost 8-6 at Selkirk. Watsonians currently sit second in the table, three points behind Gala with 50 points from 14 games, whilst Stewart’s Melville sit 6^th with 33 points from 14 games.

Murrayfield Wanderers beat Kirkcaldy 28-20 at home in the Scottish Championship League B.

Ice Hockey

Edinburgh Capitals travelled to Belfast on Saturday to play the Belfast Giants, but returned empty handed, losing 5-0 to goals from former Capitals star Mark Garside, Craig Peacock, Darryl Lloyd, Colin Shields and David Phillips.

On Sunday, the Caps took on Sheffield Steelers at Murrayfield and went a goal behind through Simon Fergus. Curtis Leinweber equalised for the Edinburgh side and the game remained 1-1 until late in the third period when Jason Hewitt gave the Steelers the lead. Following a Face Off win, the Capitals tied the game at 2-2 through Brent Patry before Michel scored the winner for the English side to secure the points in overtime to cap a disappointing weekend for Richard Hartman’s team.

Boxing

More congratulations are due to Edinburgh boxer, Alex Arthur, who collected his MBE for services to boxing from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on Friday. The 34-year-old, who has won 31 of his 34 professional bouts, tweeted his 10,000 followers just after the ceremony: “Just out the palace! Really enjoyed the investiture Thanks for all the support guys going for a pint now.”

He later added: “Where do I party round London SW1 guys? Lol.”

Alex won gold in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and subsequently became British, Commonwealth, European and world super-featherweight champion after turning to the professional game in 2000.

Basketball

Congratulations to Capital basketball players Gregor Gray (Edinburgh Kings) and Malcolm Winning (Boroughmuir Blaze) who returned from Australia with bronze medals after Great Britain under-17 team of four produced a superb performance to finish third in a 3 x 3 tournament at a Youth Olympic festival in the searing heat of Sydney last weekend.

Team GB won all three games on the opening day, beating Indonesia 19-17, China 21-13 and Australia (green) 22-19, then managed a further win over New Zealand (20-12) but lost 21-12 to Australia (gold) and 14-13 to a Combined Oceania team. That put them into the last four where they lost 19-16 to Australia (gold) but beat China again to clinch the bronze.

Speedway

Edinburgh Monarchs have been awarded the first semi-final of the British speedway Championship which will take place at Armadale Stadium on Friday, April 19. It will be the biggest meeting staged at the West Lothian venue since the British Under-21 Final in 2000.

Squash

South African Shaun Le Roux beat England’s Andy Whipp 11/6 11/3 7/11 11/7 in 47 minutes to win the Artemis Edinburgh Open  at the Edinburgh Sports Club.

England’s Lauren Briggs beat Netherlands Orla Noom 11/3 11/9 11/8 in 32 minutes to take the WSA $5k event.

After the events, Shaun said:- “In the first two games I played the best against him I possibly could. I tried to nullify his high pace and play as straight as I could; it worked very well, almost perfect. He came out quicker in the third but in the fourth, I just told myself to get back to what I was doing and thankfully I managed to take it first time. It’s been a good weekend, the club, the supporters and of course the sponsors look after us well and it’s nice to get my name on that trophy with some of the other big names who have won it.”

Lauren said:- “I went on with the intention of taking the game to her and put as much pace into it as possible. I got a good start volleying when I could and putting her under a lot of pressure. In the second and third she got used to it and slowed the pace a lot. You always have to be alert against her, she can turn her intensity on at any time and hit some good winners out of the blue then her confidence really grows. It’s good to be back playing tournaments again, even better that after four matches my body is still in one piece. I’m off to Winnipeg tomorrow; it will be even colder than here.”

Hockey

Inverleith’s hopes of retaining their National Indoor League Division One title were dashed in the final session at Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth on Saturday when Grove Menzieshill beat them by a single point.

Both sides recorded routine wins in their opening matches; the Dundee side beating Glynhill Hotel Kelburne (7-0) and Inverleith easily defeating Harris Academy FP (12-0).

In their second match, Grove Menzieshill had a comfortable 4-2 win over city rivals Dundee Wanderers whilst Inverleith were held to a 3-3 draw by Grange.

Eventually it came down to final match shoot-out, with Grove Menzieshill snatching the all important point against Stuart Neave’s team in a 4-4 draw to finish top of the table.

As it stands, Grange and Dundee Wanderers will join the top two in the European play-offs at the Indoor Gala Day at Bell’s Sports Centre on Saturday 9 February, following their respective third and fourth place finishes.

Emergency services attended the Fiddler’s Elbow in Picardy Place at 2.30am this morning(Sunday)after a ceiling collapsed.

Seven tenders and specialised search and rescue units arrived at the city hotel after a fire alarm was triggered but it was quickly ascertained that nobody was inside the building.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said:- “A first floor ceiling collapsed but search and rescue teams accounted for everyone.”

Building control officers and representatives of Scottish Power and Scottish Gas made safe the building.

The police also confirmed that the fire alarm ‘alerted the people inside’ and that ‘everyone was already out’ before the emergency teams arrived.

The area had been cordoned off.

A recent partnership between Edinburgh Airport and Lothian and Borders Police (LBP) has successfully contributed to a 71% reduction in the number of alcohol-related incidents at Scotland’s busiest airport.

The campaign, which ran from June to December, last year, has led to a proactive approach by uniformed police officers in Edinburgh Airport to prevent anti-social behaviour and encourage people to think amount they drink before flying. This resulted in a significant reduction of incidents, compared with the same period in 2011.

Inspector Paul McDonald, from Lothian and Borders Police and Edinburgh Airport, said; “Throughout the summer we worked with retail outlets, air crews and licensed premises to ensure that Edinburgh Airport remains a safe environment for everyone. Due to the success of the initiative it was decided to continue with it through the autumn and into the festive period.

“We carried out high visibility police patrols throughout the terminal and in the departure lounge, providing reassurance and raising awareness of excessive drinking before jetting off on holiday.”

Commenting on the success of the scheme, Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, David Wilson, said; “Although we don’t wish to deter passengers from having a good time when travelling through Edinburgh Airport, their safety, and that of our staff, remains paramount.

“Through working with Lothian and Borders Police on this project we have been able to continue our focus on excellent customer service, whilst making every passenger’s experience at Edinburgh Airport as safe and enjoyable as possible.”

Lothian and Borders Police are drafting in specialist teams today as the search for missing Edinburgh man, Sanjay Dhital, continues.

Teams of volunteers from the Borders Search and Rescue Unit and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue will be assisting officers in the capital by carrying out rope-access searches of Holyrood Park.

It is now more than four weeks since Sanjay (24 years) was last seen at his flat in Elm Row, and it is very unusual for him not to have contacted his friends or family since then.

Sanjay is in his final year of studies at Edinburgh College, and has a part-time job at Saigon Saigon restaurant in South St Andrew Street.

Sanjay, who is Nepalese, is described as being 5ft 6ins tall, slim with untidy black hair and had a stubbly complexion when he was last seen – he may now have a full beard, however.

Inspector Kevin McLean, who is leading the inquiry, said:- “We are grateful to both Borders Search and Rescue Unit and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team for their support this weekend.

“We have carried out searches of the area around Elm Row, but it is important that we now sweep the hard to reach areas around Arthur’s Seat, as there is a possibility Sanjay may have come to some harm.

“Door to door inquiries continue to be carried out, and we are still appealing for anyone who might know where Sanjay is, or who may have seen him since Boxing Day, to contact us on 0131 311 3131.”

Sanjay’s brother, Sailesh Dhital, who lives in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the rest of his family said: “This is a very difficult time for our family as we’re all worried about Sanjay, and we’re desperate to hear from him.

“We’re a close family and although Sanjay is living in Edinburgh he contacts us regularly either on the phone or online chats.

“He enjoys his college course and has been working hard at his studies for the past two years; it’s very unusual for him to miss his classes.

“We are asking anyone who might know where Sanjay is to tell the police so we can be sure he is safe and well, we are all waiting for that call.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the independent charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Scotland’s largest airport has announced the launch of a new £15m route development fund, to drive competition and bring new airlines and new routes to Edinburgh.

Speaking to an audience of Scottish business leaders at an SCDI event in Edinburgh on Thursday night, airport Chief Executive Gordon Dewar announced the creation of the fund and his desire to bring Edinburgh’s public and private sector together to promote the capital and the airport around the world.

Since taking ownership of Edinburgh Airport in June 2012, the new airport management team, with the support of owners Global Infrastructure Partners, has prioritised the development of Edinburgh’s route network.

New agreements have been reached with easyJet and Ryanair, a new Turkish Airlines route to Istanbul is flourishing and Brussels Airlines, Air Canada and Virgin Atlantic have all announced new routes.

These successes mean that Edinburgh Airport will offer Scottish passengers choice from an unprecedented 130 routes this summer.

It is widely understood that developing new routes cannot be left solely to the airport and Edinburgh Airport is clear that there is a role for the city’s public and private sector to play.

Recent experience says that airlines value support from civic and business leaders, which provides additional market confidence at the beginning of a new route and which can often be the single factor that determines whether airlines come to Edinburgh or go elsewhere.

The airport will therefore be working closely with city partners: the Council, the Chamber of Commerce and others to explore how we work collaboratively to promote Edinburgh to the world’s airlines.

Gordon Dewar said;- “Creating new routes in and out of Edinburgh Airport is one of our core activities. We came to Edinburgh last summer focused on building Scotland’s connections with the world. The deals with easyJet and Ryanair alone will see almost 16 million passengers pass through Edinburgh Airport over the next five years.

“But we are hungry for more success, and will work hard to take business from other Scottish airports and from our European competitors. To fuel that competitive effort, we will invest £15m a year underwriting new direct routes for Edinburgh, sharing the commercial risk with airlines; it is simply putting our money where our mouth is.

“We believe that in doing so we send a powerful message to international airlines – we’re going to be the place where Scotland meets the world so come here and we will work harder than anybody else to deliver you long-term success.

“We can’t do this alone but be in no doubt, we will lead on the commercial deal, but any business with a significant stake in a new route should be thinking: how can I potentially make a difference?

“In the coming weeks and months, we will approach city businesses to listen. We want to know which markets are important and what the value might be to Edinburgh, and those individual businesses, or new routes into Europe, the Middle East or North America.

“I am confident that Edinburgh Airport will grow and our route network will soon be the envy of many European airports. We will compete hard and we will compete fairly; importantly, we’ll do that as one team and one city.”

Details of the route development strategy will be announced over coming months as the £15m fund is targeted.

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following a large-scale metal theft from a business premises in Edinburgh.

The incident happened sometime between Saturday 19th and Monday 21st January at the Agilent Technologies UK premises in South Queensferry.

Over four tonnes of copper was stolen from the roof top of the property, with an estimated value of £10,000.

Police are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

A police spokesman said:- “A theft like this would require several people for a number of hours and the stolen metal would need to be transported in a large vehicle.

“As such, anyone who remembers seeing suspicious activity at the premises last weekend is asked to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone with information that can help with this investigation is also asked to get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road collision in Edinburgh today.

The incident happened around 3.10am in Marchmont Road.

A 64-year-old man was crossing at the junction with Warrender Park Road when he was involved in a collision with a black taxi cab.

The man sustained severe head injuries and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he later passed away.

Police attended and the road was closed for around four hours while officers carried out an investigation at the scene.

Anyone who can assist with these enquiries is asked to come forward.

A police spokesman said:- “We are still trying to establish the full circumstances of this collision, which, tragically, resulted in a man’s death.

“Despite the time at which the incident occurred, there may have been other pedestrians or motorists in the area returning home who can perhaps help with our investigation.

“Anyone with information relevant to this enquiry is asked to contact police immediately”

Greyfriars Bobby Sells For £3,100 and is set to return to the Isle of Skye

The original plaster model of Edinburgh’s famous Greyfriars Bobby, valued at up to £1,000, was sold today at Lyon & Turnbull for £3,100. He was bought by a representative of the Skye Terrier Club who said:- “We are delighted to have bought the statue. He will be returned to the Isle of Skye where he will become a centrepiece to a celebration of the breed on the Island. The Skye Terrier Club are currently in the process of commissioning a statue of a Skye Terrier.”

Margaret Cumming who is selling the statue and is the granddaughter of the owner said:- “ I am so pleased that ‘Wee Bobby” will not only be staying in Scotland, but will actually be on Skye. This couldn’t be better and I am quite sure my father would be very happy.”

The plaster model was originally owned by Chief Constable Willam Merrilees OBE of Lothian and Peebles Constabulary. He was given the model by the company who made the famous statue after he offered his help with making the 1961 Walt Disney film about the famous dog.

On a visit to America, Chief Constable Willam Merrilees met and became friendly with Walt Disney, and when the Disney Studios decided to make the film “Greyfriars Bobby”. Disney contacted Merrilees to consult him on suitable locations for the film. To thank him for his help, Walt Disney gave Merrilees the star of the film “Wee Bobby”. “Wee Bobby” paid regular visits to the special needs children at Trinity Lodge in Edinburgh, as well as appearing at various charity events to raise funds for good causes. He was joint ‘best man’ at Chief Constable Willam Merrilees marriage in 1968!

WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM

My name is Gillian Dalgliesh and I am an Edinburgh-based business and life coach. I am Edinburgh-born and bred and live here with my four teenage children.

I run SlimThink. A life coaching consultancy which focuses on helping people to overcome the barriers to losing weight and maintaining weight loss through positive mindset techniques www.slimthink.com

The course is just as useful though, for helping clients achieve other personal, or professional goals. I am passionate about the benefits of positive thinking – it is a very powerful tool for living a happier and healthier life.

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS BOOK YOU RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ

I would recommend reading anything by Richard Branson – we can all learn from his insights into business. I would also suggest motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins‘ books – Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement is particularly inspiring.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE YOUR BUSINESS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

I have been told that one of my main strengths is my empathy for and understanding of other people’s challenges, which helps me help them more effectively. We are all capable of achieving so much more and so often, all we need is to eliminate the doubt which holds us back and to improve our self-belief.

My weakness is that there is only one of me at the moment, to run the business and the courses, but my plan is to hire other coaches with a similar focus.

WHAT WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT ON YOUR CAREER PATH THAT HAS GOT YOU WHERE YOU ARE NOW

The defining moment for me was when I realised I was unhappy in my working and personal life and I took some very tough decisions to be able to make positive changes. It was a difficult process, but the results more than justify the steps I took and have demonstrated for me yet again the power of positive thinking.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR SPARE TIME

Life is very busy, but I always make time for my children, family, friends, reading and yoga.

DO YOU THINK YOU ACHIEVE A GOOD WORK/LIFE BALANCE

I always try to achieve a good work/life balance – I think it is very important. Every day I set aside blocks of time for work and also time for relaxation. I live very much ‘in the moment’, so whatever I am focusing on at the time, receives my full attention. This helps me be much more effective in my working life and to be able to relax and enjoy my free time too.

WHAT MAKES EDINBURGH THE BEST LOCATION FOR YOU TO LIVE AND/OR WORK IN

Quite simply, I love Edinburgh and its beauty, culture and history. It’s not too big, not too small and has easy access to other cities I like, such as Glasgow and London.

WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL AREA OF EDINBURGH OR SPECIAL PLACE IN EDINBURGH AND WHY

Stockbridge is my favourite part of Edinburgh. It is special to me because I grew up near Stockbridge and having lived abroad for many years, I have now returned to the area. I love its sense of community, its style, shops, restaurants, bars, the Botanics Gardens, Inverleith Park and its proximity to the city centre.

WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE PINNACLE OF YOUR CAREER

The pinnacle of my career emerged recently when I launched SlimThink. The first session of workshops delivered very positive feedback – clients are not just finding it easier to achieve and maintain their weight goals, but the focus on positive thinking is also helping people feel more in control and confident about addressing career and business objectives as well as providing them with the tools to improve family and other relationships.

IF YOU HAVE A MENTOR, TELL US WHO THAT IS AND ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP

I feel very lucky to have five mentors, including family, friends and business contacts, who guide and offer support. While they all have different perspectives, I value their individual views and opinions.

WHICH NETWORKING GROUPS IN EDINBURGH HAVE YOU FOUND PARTICULARLY USEFUL

So far, I have found The Edinburgh Businesswomen’s Club (ESBC) and the PA Exchange very helpful, but I plan to also attend others which have been recommended to me.

WHO ARE YOUR BUSINESS HEROES

Like many people, I admire Richard Branson for his business success. I find him inspiring and I like that he strongly emphasises the value of intuition in decision-making. So many people underestimate its power, but we can all benefit from developing our intuition and using it more actively and regularly in all aspects of our lives.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT YEAR

My plan for the next year is to grow Slim Think – I want to help as many people as possible to achieve their weight goals, their personal ambitions and to improve their relationships.

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY FOR US

I am an early riser, so I am usually up at 6am. I meditate and do yoga until 7am, then I get the children off to school. The rest of the day is filled with work – SlimThink is proving very popular and I am developing a CD to help boost clients’ motivation levels on an ongoing basis, when the course ends. In the evening, I like to watch some TV and read.

BEST JOB ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED

The best job advice I ever received was to love your life, love your work and life will love you back – so true and it has become one of the foundations of my life. Once again, it emphasises the power of positive thinking!