Wojtek the Bear by Raymond Raszkowski Ross

Directed by Corinne Harris: Scottish Storytelling Centre 6– 9 June 2012

• A bear takes to the stage in Theatre Objektiv’s new production. A unique bear: Wojtek the Soldier Bear who fought with the 2^nd Polish Army Corps at the Battle of Monte Cassino in May 1944 and who was welcomed to Scotland in September 1946 by thousands of cheering people. A legendary bear who loved Scottish music and Scottish beer as well as puff candy and the occasional cigarette.

• He arrived in Scotland with his adoptive mother, Lance Corporal Piotr Prendys, who had reared him from a cub. Their relationship, the central focus of the play, was as close and loving as it was complex and troubled.

What bonds a man to a bear? What prompts a soldier to mother a bear and then take him into a war? And what might a bear’s view be of humanity? Of war and politics? Of love? Which is closer to nature and to God? Man or Bear? Edinburgh author Raymond Ross tries to discover.

In Theatre Objektiv’s new production we meet Wojtek the Bear, a Son of the Sky God, a Forest Brother and a Four-Legged Human, as he travels through war and peace with his adoptive mother Piotr, a Polish soldier and Gulag survivor. Forever haunted by the fear of rejection and of desertion, Wojtek knows he is bonded with this man in a way Piotr cannot perhaps understand. Equally, Piotr is haunted by the idea that he betrayed what was his duty to love and defend.

As they re-enact their life together in an attempt to reach a true understanding of themselves and each other, we are taken on a journey from a war-torn Poland, through the Soviet slave camps and the Middle East, into bloody combat at the battle of Monte Cassino and, finally, to post-war Scotland.

Wojtek is a rapscallion of the first order, a wayward child always up to no good, as loveable as he is comic. But he is dangerous. He is wild and a soldier subject to discipline; a soldier, like any other, who smokes, drinks and wrestles with his comrades.

Thousands turned out on the streets of Glasgow in 1946 to welcome Wojtek to Scotland as he marched behind the regimental pipes and drums. He was already a legend – “The Polish Soldier Bear” – and his love of Scottish music was to become another part of that legend during his brief sojourn in the Scottish Borders.

Wojtek died in Edinburgh Zoo in 1963. Lance Corporal Piotr Prendys, his mother, died five years later.

As our show opens, these are two spirits in search of each other, longing to re-live the good times, the madcap adventures and their comic trials and tribulations; but fearful of what they know lies in store for them as they seek love and understanding – and forgiveness.

Raymond Raszkowski Ross:-

“In the post-war Polish community in Scotland, everyone and their father (Polish mothers being fewer) knew something of the story of Wojtek. I was lucky to be schooled just over the wall from Edinburgh Zoo and grew up with Wojtek as a neighbour. He’s always been a presence in my life; and very much a growing presence in recent times.

It’s some years now since I had a conversation with Tomek Borkowy of Universal Arts about writing a play for this uncanny creature, about putting him on a stage and giving him a voice. ‘How are you going to put the bear on?’ he asked. My answer was instinctive and immediate: ‘An actor. No bear mask. No bear costume. The bear himself.’

And that is the single, most important idea around which this production has been built.

There’s no doubt the real Wojtek had “human” attributes just as there’s no doubt he follows in the footsteps of bears who mothered humans, who were often honoured and even worshipped; and who were traditionally seen as a link between humankind and its Creator throughout the Northern Hemisphere for thousands of years.

Of course a bear can speak. It would be silly to think otherwise. And if a bear speaks, tradition tells us it would be wise to listen.

Why write about Wojtek? How could you not? Wojtek was, and remains, a symbol of the Free Polish Forces and of a Free Poland which only came into being when the last Soviet combat troops pulled out on the 29^th October 1992. For Poland this marked the end of World War II.

Wojtek’s been waiting in the wings for some time now and I hope I’ve done him some credit.”

The development which includes Edinburgh’s first new Council homes for a generation has won a prestigious national housing award.

The Gracemount site was given the accolade in the ‘Best Partnership in Affordable Housing Delivery’ category of this year’s Homes for Scotland Awards. The development, a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and The Cruden Group, is the first phase of the Council’s ambitious 21^st Century Homes Programme which aims to build 1,400 homes for sale and rent.

Councillor Cammy Day, Vice Convener of Housing at The City of Edinburgh Council, said:- “It’s great news that the first development in our exciting 21^st Century Homes programme has been recognised by our peers in the housing industry.

“Judges said the entry was a clear winner. This is a clear endorsement of the public and private sector working together to deliver new housing developments including much needed affordable housing.  We hope this will be seen as best practice for others to follow.”

On behalf of the Cruden Group, Steven Simpson, Managing Director of Cruden Homes (East) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award. It is testament to the hard working and enthusiastic staff of both The Cruden Group and City of Edinburgh Council who have collaborated closely over the last two years to ensure this project is a success in terms of housing regeneration. The development is an example of what the public and private sector can achieve when it works together.”

This is the second major award that the Council and The Cruden Group have won for their development in Gracemount – last year it won ‘Community Partnership of the Year’ in the Scottish Homes Award.

The first phase consisting of 99 new homes, (67 for social rent, 20 for mid-market rent and 12 shared equity) should be completed by this summer. The second phase will consist of 70 flats and 46 houses.

So far 52 homes have been completed in the opening phase with the first tenants receiving the keys to the new Council home in February this year.

Community Council – Memorials for Forth Bridge ‘briggers” – Speed of Light – Jobs in Muirhouse – Marco Polo

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Leith Links Community Council meet today at the Duncan Place Community Centre at 7 p.m.

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We went out to South Queensferry yesterday to have a look at one of the memorials put up for those who lost their lives while building the Forth Bridge. One of those named is The Reporter’s great-great-grandfather so it is especially poignant. But there were just too many day trippers there to take any photographs yesterday. We will go back another day to do that, and meantime you can see the memorials in this video showing the First Minister unveiling them just 10 days ago.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh1oUR18thE]

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Now that some of you have the Edinburgh Marathon under your belt you might be ready for the next big running event in the capital which is taking place in August 2012.

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News of jobs in Muirhouse Library. Services for Communities are looking for the following:-

Library Adviser (5 Posts)
Muirhouse Library, EH4.

Salary: £14,276 – £16,099 (Pro-rata for part time),

Post 1:11 hours per week (Saturday and Sunday) plus working time payment of £1107.82 per annum (3 Posts)

Post 2: 6.40 hours per week (Saturday) plus working time payment of £644.62 per annum (2 Posts)

These posts are considered Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and/or Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to a formal offer of employment being made by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Closing Date: 7 June 2012

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We are off today to have lunch on the cruise ship Marco Polo which is in Leith for the day. The ship is on Twitter but only has less than 100 followers so far. The ship with its 350 passengers has come from Orkney to arrive in Edinburgh. We will tell you all about it tomorrow!

by Barry Dickson

Derelict building fire in Muirhouse

A fire was discovered in a derelict building in Muirhouse tonight at approximately 9.20pm.

6 fire appliances initially attended to tackle the blaze in the first floor flat at 36 Muirhouse Avenue, although this was quickly scaled back to two appliances from Crewe Toll. They had to use 4 breathing appliances and a high pressure hose to extinguish the fire.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed that there was no-one in the flat at the time the fire broke out, and it was brought under control quickly .

The building is one of two earmarked for demolition as part of a regeneration programme in the Muirhouse area. Do you have any photos? Then please share them with us.

Scotland will launch a Climate Justice Fund this week to help some of the world’s poorest communities tackle the impact of climate change, it was announced today.

First Minister Alex Salmond will be joined by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to announce details of the fund. This will deliver on the Scottish Government manifesto commitment to co-ordinate a climate adaptation fund.

Mr Salmond said:

“The huge injustice of climate change is that it is those who have done the least to cause the problem – the most vulnerable from the world’s poorest communities – who are hardest hit.

“That is why Scotland is committed to working towards climate justice. I am delighted that Mary Robinson will join me in Edinburgh to launch Scotland’s Climate Justice Fund.

“Climate justice links human rights and development, and puts people at the heart of our economic system.

“Mary Robinson’s support is testament of the key role Scotland is playing in delivering climate justice. Scotland is providing strong leadership – sending a clear message to other industrialised nations that action is needed – and our climate justice fund is the next step in Scotland’s climate change journey.”

Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission said:

“The international human rights community is increasingly recognising Scotland as a welcome and timely example of a nation dealing with climate change through the lens of climate justice.

“Climate justice is a key issue for many of our sister institutions around the world, especially in developing countries where the impacts of climate change are being felt right now, and in very harsh terms, by some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Climate change impacts on rights to life, livelihoods and the ways of life of many millions of people in the developing world, and is the greatest challenge to our planet this century.

“The people who have contributed least to the problem are suffering the most. This situation is manifestly unfair and cannot continue. The Climate Justice Fund is a welcome step forward, and should result in Scotland opening up new ways to share technology, experience and expertise, as well as funding.”

THE ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE FOUNDATION FUNDS PHOTOGRAPHY SPACE

The National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) is delighted to announce that The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation has made a major donation to the new Photography Gallery in the refurbished Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. The charity is giving a total of $300,000 (£190,000) over the next three years, which will be used to support new displays, exhibitions, research and related publications.

The Photography Gallery, which is the first purpose-built photography space of its kind in a major museum in Scotland, will now be called The Robert Mapplethorpe Photography Gallery after the renowned American photographer. The Foundation has supported the NGS in the past with assistance on the major retrospective of the artist’s work at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in 2006, and through its assistance in helping to create a major holding of Mapplethorpe in ARTIST ROOMS, a collection of modern and contemporary art owned jointly by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland and established through The Anthony d’Offay Donation in 2008.

John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland said:- “The photography collections at the NGS count among the finest anywhere in the world. This extremely generous grant from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation will help us to unlock the potential of these holdings and create new and engaging displays of international quality. We are enormously grateful to the Mapplethorpe Trustees for helping us to bring world-class photography to a wider audience in this country.”

Michael Ward Stout, President of The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation said:- “Our board of directors is delighted to have the opportunity to further the goals of such a distinguished facility of the National Galleries of Scotland, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. After getting to know the NGS, and its very impressive Director, John Leighton, we can think of no better European presence for our engagement.”

The exhibitions planned for The Robert Mapplethorpe Photography Gallery include a display devoted to the work of Czech photographer, Jitka Hanzlová (17 October 2012 to 3 February 2013) and an exhibition of work by Edith Tudor-Hart. This will be the first full retrospective of the photography of Edith Tudor-Hart, one of the most significant documentary photographers of the 1930s. Bringing together work shot in Vienna, London, Wales and Scotland, it will bring to light some of the most powerful photography of the Depression era and explore the double life of Tudor-Hart as photographer and Soviet agent.

Known to fans as ‘the OlymPianist,’ Anthony Hewitt is out to change the world. The musician and athlete has combined his talents into a unique fundraiser for music and children’s charities.

He will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, performing 26 scheduled concerts along they way. This week he was in Edinburgh marking day 15 of his 21 day tour and the start of his final week. Hewitt has kept a blog about his journey which can be found here. Each entry tells of the triumphs, trials and tribulations of traveling across the country on a bike, with his piano in a van trailing behind.

Hewitt says he has “a passion for the piano, sport, and travel.” Having given piano performances worldwide for more than twenty years and using some of his spare time to cycle, Hewitt came up with a way to combine his passions and raise money for specially chosen charities. “It was during a long training session with my brother when I wondered how I could combine the physical challenges of endurance sport with some of the philosophical and mental challenges of performing on a concert tour. Thus came the idea to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats and play a recital at the end of each day. The concert tour of all concert tours!”

His first Scottish concert was at St John’s Church in Dumfries, but this afternoon he lit up the Mound Precinct in Edinburgh where he played an hour-long concert in the glorious sunshine.

Throughout the tour concerts have been performed in various venues including arts centres and churches. This venture has raised more than £6000 for Anthony Hewitt’s selected charities but he hopes to reach an impressive goal of £20,000 by the end of his journey.

Find out more on his website

A glimpse of the performance:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WrujrAP72g&w=560&h=315]

Scotland’s biggest running event which celebrates its 10th anniversary got off to a fabulous start today as more than 3,700 people took part in races in glorious sunshine at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. The first of the two-day running festival in the capital saw 33-year-old Bryan Mackie race to the finish line of the 10K, in just 34 minutes and 12 seconds,winning the race for the second year in a row.

Bryan, 33, an engineer from Edinburgh, said: “I’m ecstatic to win. I was injured earlier this year but I’ve got some great friends from Edinburgh Athletics Club who have supported me all the way to help me get back on form. Winning today is a tribute to all of them. I’m definitely going to be celebrating with some champagne tonight.”

Patrizia Russo was the first woman home, completing the course in 42 minutes 42 seconds. Dad of one, Robert Cushion dropped to his knees then jumped up and punched the air after winning the 5K race in 17 minutes and 40 seconds. Robert’s victory was all the more remarkable as he endured open heart surgery to mend a hole in his heart as a 14-year-old, then as an adult fought his way back to fitness after being treated for a collapsed lung.

Robert, 35, of Liverpool said: “I went out there to win today and that’s what I did. I’ll definitely be back next year to do it again. I dedicate my medal to my four-year-old son, Ryan.”

More than 700 youngsters took part in the junior races today with Henry Johnson, 14, of Teeside winning the 3K race for runners aged 11-14 and Josh Abbott, 10, coming top of the juniors aged six to 10 in the 1.5K race. And 13-year-old Marleena Tulkki who was the first girl home in the 3K with a time of 12 minutes and 1 second came all the way from Espoo in Finland to run the race. Her cousin Matt Nieminen, 58, is next up- he runs the Edinburgh Marathon tomorrow.

Marleena said: “It is my first visit to Scotland and I’m very happy to win today. I have won races in Finland before but this is my first international race.”

Today’s events kicked off with a gentle three mile breakfast run to give elite athletes from across the world a chance to warm up and learn something of Edinburgh’s history and admire the city’s stunning architecture. Tomorrow the elite athletes will join more than 23,000 runners competing in the Edinburgh marathon, half marathon and relay races. The marathon route which starts in the heart of Edinburgh at Regent Road heads out to picturesque East Lothian, along Scotland’s golf coast which boasts 22 courses including some of the oldest and admired like North Berwick, Gullane and Muirfield.

Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival director, said:- “We are proud that the Edinburgh Marathon Festival is the most inclusive festival of running in the UK. From the world’s best elites through to the first time marathon runner, to youngsters standing in the start pen for the first time in their lives, we welcome them all. Each of these people are changing their lives and many are changing the lives of others too through raising vital funds for charity. It is a positive experience for all.”

Together with the Edinburgh Marathon Festival official charity Macmillan Cancer Support and hundreds of other charities, the 10th anniversary organisers are hoping to break all previous records and raise more than £4.5 million in 2012. Forth One are doing live broadcasts from the Edinburgh Marathon Festival all weekend.

Kitty the Lion Release New Single ‘Duck!’ for Free Download

 To listen to or download the track, follow this secret link: http://soundcloud.com/kittythelion/duck/s-1v9VP

Guys and Dolls – Sales of new Oobicoo soft toy Ollie outstrip Orla 2:1

Boys’ dolls are selling twice as fast as girls’ dolls according to Totseat founder Rachel Jones, who believes the media have been integral in helping to break down gender stereotypes.

The UK toy industry is worth £2.96bn and since launching the soft toy tots Ollie and Orla last year, multi award winning entrepreneur Rachel Jones has sold twice as many of the boy ‘doll’ Ollie. Sales of boys’ toys take 55% share of the UK toy market and Rachel believes sales of Oobicoo Ollie reflect society’s changing perceptions of traditional gender stereotypes.

Rachel says, “We live in a culture where many people look to the media as a guide to behavior and as a result many people conform to majority norms. Traditionally girls have been expected to play with dolls and wear pink and many parents have discouraged their sons from playing with dolls per se, however there appears to be a shift in this gender stereotyping which can only be a good thing.”

Oobicoo was originally developed and sold as a mannequin to display the multi-award winning Totseat; a safe, portable, fabric highchair for families travelling with babies. Rachel soon realised their appeal when they became the unlikely classmates of her daughter Freya and her friends, who loved the fact that they were so big and cuddly!

The adorable, soft toy tot Oobicoo is made from gorgeous soft plush fabric and, at 60cm tall, is the same size as a six month old baby – the perfect size to be an instant baby brother, sister or best friend. They come in their own wee fabric ‘pod’ and are designed to be dressed in hand-me-down-baby clothes. This simple idea not only saves money, it encourages the reuse of outgrown baby clothes, teaches children dexterity and provides Oobicoo with an instant wardrobe.

With sound eco credentials, Oobicoo is filled with recycled polymer, manufactured from recycleable fabric and is raising money for the Children’s Immunology Fund – £1 from every sale goes to the charity. Oobicoo even has its very own dance tune, penned by Emily Philips and Josh Wilkinson who co-write for pop superstars One Direction and Alexandra Burke!

Rachel added, “Oobicoo not only helps your child’s development, they are perfect for imaginative play, great for teaching dexterity in terms of dressing and undressing and because of their realistic size, they give children someone to cuddle!

“We are delighted to announce the launch of Olwyn, our fourth soft toy tot, who has a different skin tone to the other Oobicoo tots. We are keen to encourage diversity and since launching Oobicoo Ed last year, who is entirely bald, we have had great reactions to the entire Oobicoo family.”

Oobicoo Ollie, Orla, Ed and Olwyn are available online at www.totseat.com/oobicoo and retail for £39.99.

Aquamarine Power has won a major European Commission award

Wave energy moved centre stage in Europe when wave energy developer Aquamarine Power won a major European Commission environment award yesterday.

European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik, gave the Edinburgh company first prize in the ‘product’ category for its innovative Oyster wave energy technology.

The company is currently commissioning its Oyster 800 device at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney.

The company received the prize at a ceremony held at the Royal Museum of Art and History in Brussels last night. The awards were one of the highlights of Green Week, the European Commission’s annual conference on environment policy.

Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer of Aquamarine Power, said:

“Marine energy has a massive role to play in helping Europe meets its challenging carbon reduction targets. This award recognises the potential that innovative technologies such as Oyster have, not just in moving to a green energy future, but also in providing new growth areas for European economies and new opportunities for coastal communities reliant on declining natural resources.

“This award is a great honour for Aquamarine Power and we would like to thank the European Commission, the Commissioner for the Environment and the judging panel for this recognition.

“This award is for the brilliant, hard-working and dedicated team at Aquamarine Power and our shareholders, especially ABB, SSE and the Scottish Government, who continue to support the creation of a new marine energy industry.”

The European Business Awards for the Environment are granted to companies that successfully combine innovation, competitiveness and outstanding environmental performance. Aquamarine Power was named overall winner in the ‘Product’ category, which recognises companies that have developed a new product or related service that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.

Aquamarine Power was one of five winners who also included UK retailer Marks and Spencer. Winners were selected from a record 156 entrants, originating from 24 European Member States and candidate countries. Aquamarine Power was one of 14 finalists who hailed from Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland and the United Kingdom.

Applicants to the awards scheme first competed at national level before being selected to compete at European level, meaning that companies awarded the European prize are ‘the best of the best’: the most far-sighted, responsible and innovative across Europe.

Earlier this year, Edinburgh-based Aquamarine Power was also named one of UK’s best companies to work for in the Sunday Times Best Companies Awards.

On announcing the award, European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik said:

“Resource efficiency is the key to a competitive, sustainable Europe. These companies show that it is not only possible but desirable to combine a healthy bottom line with environmental protection. They are green growth in action and I applaud them.”

Yes Scotland – St Bernard’s Well – Minimum Pricing on Alcohol – Sick Kids – Cookies

The Yes Scotland campaign launches today at Cineworld at 11a.m. This is the movement for an independent Scotland principally backed by the SNP, but also having some cross party support it seems, now that Green MSP Patrick Harvie has said that he will vote yes in the 2014 referendum.

Mr Harvie said:

“I’m happy to take part in the launch of a Yes campaign, but feel strongly that it must quickly develop into a genuinely cross-party attempt to draw together a compelling and transformational vision of an independent Scotland. People won’t vote for a pig in a poke, and we should not ask them to.

“Most Greens support independence, but there are many others who have concerns about the SNP’s middle-of-the-road strategy. They will find it hard to trust a campaign that advocates progressive centre-left values while also promising tax cuts for big business; or promotes climate change targets while hailing another 50 years of oil and gas extraction; or promises to end Trident while floating the idea of staying in NATO.”

In his recent submission to the Scottish Government’s independence referendum consultation Mr Harvie made several key points to underline the Scottish Green Party position:

– Since 1999 we have seen a continued trend toward a centralised Scotland. If we can begin now to move power toward genuinely local levels, many more people may see the point in voting Yes.
– We need a transformation in our energy system, yet energy regulation is reserved while MSPs wring their hands about fuel poverty targets they have little power to influence.
– We need to build a more equal society, yet the tax and benefits systems are determined by UK politicians in the interests of the wealthy.
– We need to challenge the culture of greed and overconsumption, yet the power to regulate business and advertising is not available to us.
– Scottish Greens currently remain open to the idea of a second question but the constitutional choice it refers to must be well defined, and quickly, if it is to be included.
– Scottish Greens strongly support reducing the voting age for all elections to 16.

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STV reported yesterday that the 200-year-old St Bernard’s Well is to be restored.

This was part of a 2008 three year plan between the council and Edinburgh World Heritage to spruce up some of the historic sites in the city. Here is the report. According to STV the project is still short of cash. Do you know of any others on the list which either have been restored or not? Comments below please.

0110475_culture+leisure 29.04.08 10.00am item 10

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An unsurprising headline :- “MALCOLM CHISHOLM DEFIES PARTY WHIP TO BACK ALCOHOL BILL”

Commenting on former Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm’s support for the minimum pricing bill at Stage 3 – in defiance his party whip – SNP MSP Bob Doris said:

“Malcolm Chisholm is a former Health Minister and is a hugely experienced politician, and his longstanding and principled support for minimum pricing stands in stark contrast to the petty politics of his Party colleagues.

“He is doubtless not the only supporter of minimum pricing in the Labour party, but he has shown courage and conviction by defying the Labour whip and voting for the legislation today, as he has done consistently since minimum pricing was first proposed.

“Jackie Baillie and Richard Simpson must reflect on why one of Labour’s most capable politicians has distanced himself from them in this way.”

Roseanna Cunningham meanwhile voted the wrong way by mistake….

[<a href=”http://storify.com/edinreporter/alcohol-minimum-pricing-bill-passed-at-holyrood” target=”_blank”>View the story “Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill passed at Holyrood” on Storify</a>]***

The new Sick Kids Hospital may be delayed again. Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson asked the First Minister about its progress or lack of it at Holyrood yesterday. Davidson said:-“I have a personal interest, as I am one of the many thousands of people across Scotland whose lives were saved by the specialist care that they received at the sick kids hospital in Edinburgh. I know how beloved the old Sciennes building is. However, the site‟s limitations, the building’s age and its distance from an acute emergency hospital mean that the facility is no longer suitable to provide the world-class care that our children deserve into the future.

Plan B is not good enough. Plan A has slipped five times on the First Minister‟s watch. The Government cannot sit on its hands and let the project fall apart, because it is too important. Will the First Minister now show the political leadership that patients and their families expect? Will he make the hospital a political priority and bring to bear all the power that the Government has to get the players round the table, to get the bricks laid, to get the doors open and to get children treated by 2017?”

Alex Salmond replied by saying that since the Westminster government has cut funding by 30%,  a different type of funding will have to be put in place. He said:-“The alternative to keeping our commitments to the people of Scotland—which I say that we shall keep, as another ex-patient of the sick kids hospital in Edinburgh—is to go for non-profit- distributing funding. The securing of non-profit- distributing funding inevitably takes time, but it shall be done.

Council meeting – Missing Woman – Ceilidh – Volunteers for the Save the Children Shop – Lightbulbs

The new council will meet for the first time today to discuss real business. Part of what they will do is to approve formally who will do what on the council. We have already told you who they will be. The Labour Group’s nominations are here and the SNP nominations are listed here.

Today the salaries will also be approved. In total the salaries for all councillors are estimated  to be £1,235,442 per annum except for expenses which will be calculated in addition. If a councillor buys dinner while out on council business, then they are entitled to a payment of £25 for that meal, or £110 for B & B outside London.

The Council Leader will be paid £48,704.

The Lord Provost will get a salary of £36,528 which is 75% of the Leader’s salary and we understand this is unchanged from the last administration.

The amount available for paying Senior Councillors totals £633,144 and could be split between as many as 24 of them, but in any case the maximum amount that can be paid to elected members at this level is 75% of the council leader’s salary i.e £36,528. Apart from the Deputy Leader and Deputy Provost, who have already been appointed,  the other senior councillor posts have to be agreed at the meeting. Conveners of certain boards are also entitled to the same 75% rate and the vice convenor is entitled to 75% of that, i.e. £27,396. Otherwise a councillor without any special responsibilities will receive £16,234 in line with all other Scottish councillors. Salaries are paid from 3 May 2012, the date of the council election.

Councillors may also claim expenses and the procedure is set out quite clearly in guidance notes given to councillors. The basic rule is that only expenses for which receipts are produced will be paid, except mileage expenses calculated at 45p per mile for a car, and any road and bridge tolls. Councillors may only use the council taxi contract if no public transport is available, and for the purposes of transparency, a Register of Expenses claimed is made publicly available on a quarterly basis.

There has already been one group who have claimed the glory for fulfilling one of their manifesto promises without a decision even having been made at the City Chambers. The Greens have said that they told us they would campaign for council meetings to be live streamed from the city chambers, so that anyone watching at home or in their office can see them. This is now set to be piloted.

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Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information to help trace a 30-year-old woman who has gone missing from her home in the Capital.

Laura Gorrie was last seen around 10am on Tuesday, when she left her home in the High Street.  It is thought that her intention may have been to visit the Cameron Toll shopping centre.

She is described as 5ft 8ins tall, heavy build, long brown hair, and wearing glasses.

When last seen she was wearing blue jeans, a red jacket, and black trainers.  She was carrying a Tesco ‘Bag for Life’.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “Laura has learning difficulties, and while there are no immediate concerns surrounding her safety, she has not been seen or heard from since yesterday, and her family want to reassure themselves that she is ok.

“She has been known to travel widely, and it could be the case that she has travelled outwith Edinburgh.

“Anyone who has seen or heard from Laura since yesterday is urged to contact police as soon as possible.  Likewise, we would appeal to Laura to contact either her family or the police so that we can satisfy ourselves that she is safe.”

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.

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Save the Children are looking for a team of volunteers to help run their new shop opening in Morningside, Edinburgh.

The charity shop is due to open on the bustling Morningside Road on Saturday 9 June 2012 and will be Save the Children’s fourth charity shop in the capital.

All volunteer applicants are welcome and there are a number of exciting different roles to fill.

Alison Byers, Save the Children Retail Regional Manager, said:

“Volunteers are a crucial part of Save the Children’s work and without them we wouldn’t be able to run our charity shops. We’re really excited to be opening a new shop in Morningside. All of our shops are run entirely by volunteers so we’ll need a team of about 15 to help us run it.

“Volunteers from all walks of life are encouraged to get in touch and we’re always hugely grateful for whatever time they can give, even if it’s just an hour a week. Our shifts are flexible to suit volunteers and the work is varied from pricing stock to creating eye-catching window displays to finding treasures amongst the donations and even promoting our wider campaigns to customers.

“This is also a great opportunity to gain or build on retail experience and develop team leading skills, meet new people, and all the while help make a difference to the lives of children around the world.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at the new Save the Children shop can come along to the open day at 390 Morningside Road on Monday 28 May 2012 between 11am and 3pm or contact Alison Byers on 07826 859 127 or a.byers@savethechildren.org.uk

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Two Edinburgh MPs, Mark Lazarowicz and Sheila Gilmore have been talking in a Westminster Hall Debate this week about………..lightbulbs.. Yes you read that right. The debate is too lengthy to be reproduced here but you can read it at your leisure here.

Following the debate Sheila Gilmore summarised the issue:

‘EU legislation means old-fashioned incandescent bulbs are to be phased out entirely by September this year. However alterative low energy light bulbs  such as CFLs and LEDs can aggravate conditions such as lupus and migraines. Estimates of the number of people in the UK affected vary between 30,000 and anything up to 2 million.’

Sheila Gilmore then set out her request for an exemption:-‘In the debate I asked Ministers to obtain an exemption for people who suffer ill health as a result of low energy lighting to continue to purchase incandescent bulbs.’

‘The Minister said that the Government takes this issue seriously and he would see if there was any wriggle room to allow such an exemption to be put in place.’

‘While I welcome the Minister’s response, the Government will have to act fast – if nothing is done before September people who suffer ill health from low energy lighting will be forced to live the rest of their lives in the dark.’

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz also attended the debate, as the issue had been raised with him by constituents also. He said:

‘We don’t want to discourage people from using low energy light bulbs, as climate change is one of the most significant threats the country faces and reducing our energy consumption is key to tackling it. Equally, however, it is important to realise that for some people there are real health issues arising from the use of low energy light bulbs.’

One of our readers has been in touch about the recent road repairs in Colinton Mains Grove. The only way to tell you about this is to show you the photos which he also sent us……..We are not absolutely certain if this was a council repair, or one of the other utility companies but we will let you know when we find out.

The last administration certainly talked about the ‘getting it right once and for all’ strategy that they were adopting for road repairs…

What do you think?  Has your street been repaired? If so, send us photos!

Police have arrested and charged two youths in connection with a series of alleged mobile phone thefts and robberies that have taken place in Edinburgh.

The arrests, which were made on Tuesday, comes as part of Operation Arable, an ongoing initiative targeting street robberies in the Capital.

The two males, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested and charged in connection with a total of 12 alleged robberies that took place between March and April this year.

Most of the incidents happened in the city centre, and involved either lone female victims or tourists having their mobile phones or other items stolen.

A report has been sent to the Children’s Reporter and Procurator Fiscal regarding the two individuals.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Cunningham, who is leading the initiative, said: “Approximately 60 people have been arrested as part of Operation Arable since it got underway in early February, a number of whom have been remanded in custody awaiting court appearances.

“Lothian and Borders Police is committed to protecting people from the threat of street robbery, and Operation Arable will continue to focus on bringing criminals to justice, as well as preventing such crimes from happening in the first place.

“We invite people to help us protect our communities from muggers by supplying us with information on those who they think are responsible for such crimes. Rest assured that any information received will be acted on, and treated in the strictest confidence.”

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 31 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

 A campaign to establish the first ever global arms treaty is being backed by a local politician. Ian Murray MP, Labour Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South, has added his name to Oxfam’s campaign for a strong and robust Arms Trade Treaty.

Ian has joined thousands of people worldwide calling for an end to the unregulated trade of guns, bombs and bullets.

This includes David Grimason, whose son Alistair was only two when he was shot dead by a gunman during a holiday to Turkey in 2003. Dr Mick North is also supporting the campaign. His five year old daughter Sophie was killed, along with 15 classmates and their teacher, at Dunblane Primary School in 1996.

The two fathers feature in this powerful new campaign video for the Control Arms campaign which is being promoted all across the world.

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

Ian Murray MP said: “Labour believes that it is vital that a robust and effective global Arms Trade Treaty is negotiated this year with comprehensive scope and robust parameters. A strong treaty is vital to tighten the net to eliminate irresponsible trade, and ensure that legitimate trade everywhere is properly regulated. Such an agreement would help to prevent the spread of conflict and ultimately save lives and reduce human rights abuses.”

Across the world it is estimated that 2000 people die every single day from armed violence with 26 million people currently displaced within their own countries as a result of armed conflict.

The poorly regulated global trade in arms and ammunition fuels conflict, poverty and human rights abuses. Since 2006, the governments of 153 countries have been working on a global arms trade treaty and in July the United Nations will decide the terms of this treaty.

Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “The next few weeks and months are crucial in gathering support for a strong Arms Trade Treaty.

“Controlling the movement of weapons will save many lives and I welcome the support of Ian Murray.

“I urge other Scots to sign our online campaign to make sure the UK Government recognises the strength of feeling on this issue in Scotland – and acts upon it.”

To join the campaign, go to www.controlarms.org.

As the law stands, the prosecution in Scotland cannot rely upon previous convictions to help prove their case against an accused person. If an accused, charged with murder, has been convicted of a number of other murders, the jury will not know this when considering their verdict. Other jurisdictions – most notably England and Wales – have rules which allow such evidence. So the Scottish Law commission have considered should Scots law be changed?

This is what they have reported:-

“In our Report on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine (Scot Law Com No 229) which is published today, the answer is “yes”. We conclude that the present rules restricting the use of evidence that the accused has acted in a similar way on other occasions – including evidence that he or she has committed similar crimes – lack both logic and coherence. We recommend that the law recognise that such evidence can be highly relevant to the question of guilt or innocence. The Report argues that all relevant evidence – including evidence of similar previous convictions – should, in principle, be admissible. Included with the Report is a draft Bill which would give effect to our recommendations by replacing the present law with a clear and coherent statutory framework for the admission of all relevant evidence in criminal proceedings.

The project on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine is the third and final project undertaken under a reference received from Scottish Ministers in November 2007. The recommendations of the first project, Crown Appeals, were implemented in the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. The recommendations of the second report, Double Jeopardy (Scot Law Com No 218), led to the enactment of the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011.

Patrick Layden QC, the lead Commissioner on the project, said:

“Evidence of how the accused has acted on another occasion is relevant to whether he has acted in a similar way in relation to the offence with which he is charged. It does not become irrelevant because he has been convicted on that other occasion. This Report, if implemented, will ensure that the jury can consider all relevant information.”

The report is the final in a series of studies commissioned Scottish Law Commission aimed at ensuring an appropriate balance between the rights of the accused and the ability of the Crown to prosecute in the public interest.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:

“I welcome this report from the Scottish Law Commission. In 2007, in order to strengthen public confidence in the justice system, I asked the Commission, with its track record of independent analysis and Scots Law reform, to look at specific issues relating to evidence and criminal procedure. This is the third and final report from the Commission in this area.

“Previous recommendations on Crown Appeals and Double Jeopardy have now been enacted in law and prosecutors are currently reviewing cases which can be prosecuted anew under the Double Jeopardy Act as a consequence.

“Taken together, this comprehensive programme of reform has taken significant steps towards improving the public’s confidence in the justice system and in ensuring that our criminal law is fit for the 21^st century.

“Today’s report makes a strong case and I am grateful to the SLC for its thorough and authoritative work since 2007.  I will consider the recommendations carefully.”

The first report, on Crown Appeals, was published in July 2008 and has been followed up by the enactment of sections 73-76 Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

The second report, on Double Jeopardy, was published in December 2009 and has been followed up by the enactment of the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011.

Finance Secretary John Swinney and Local Government Minister Derek Mackay today met with The City of Edinburgh Council’s new leaders – the first in a series of meetings with Scotland’s new council administrations following the May elections.

During a meeting with City of Edinburgh Council Leader Andrew Burns, Deputy Council Leader Steve Cardownie and Chief Executive Sue Bruce, Mr Swinney and Mr Mackay reaffirmed The Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to positive, productive partnership working with local authorities.

Mr Swinney congratulated Mr Burns and Mr Cardownie on successfully forming a coalition . He also set out the importance of Public Service Reform in improving the delivery of services, in delivering economic growth, and improving quality of life for individuals and families across Scotland.

Mr Swinney and Mr Mackay plan to meet with all of Scotland’s council leaders in the coming months.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:

“A strong and effective partnership between the Scottish Government and local government is central to improving quality of life for people across Scotland, and to delivering sustainable economic growth in a tight public sector spending environment.

“Edinburgh makes a significant contribution to Scotland’s economy and success and today Derek Mackay and I met with council leaders in the capital to discuss the coalition’s commitments to the people of this city.

“Over the last five years this Government’s approach to partnership working has given local authorities new financial freedoms to address local issues. Together we have worked to sustain our economy, to support older people, to clean up communities and to drive up standards in our schools.

“Although local authority budgets have been maintained, it’s important that we adjust to substantial reductions in the overall Scottish budget, as pressures on public services increase. Today we had a productive meeting with Edinburgh council leaders who share this Government’s commitment to improve the lives of individuals and families, and to tackle inequality and deprivation.  Our approach to public service reform is key to achieving this and there already good examples of joined-up action in Edinburgh.

“Building a partnership for progress across the country will be essential as we work together to address challenges of the tight public sector spending climate, which is why I look forward to working with new administrations and new Council Leaders in the years ahead.”

Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Councillor Andrew Burns said:

“I was pleased to welcome the Ministers to the City Chambers and it is appropriate that the capital city was their first port of call when looking to set the partnership tone for the future.

“Our coalition is firmly committed to working in a co-operative way while listening and working with local people and other stakeholders to improve how decisions are made. We have over 50 pledges to the people of Edinburgh and we outlined our coherent programme and commitment to delivering those to the Ministers. Priority issues for discussion included our determination to complete the tram project and resolve the current property conservation issues. We also focused on promoting the City to investors, business rate receipts and Edinburgh’s affordable homes crisis.”

Deputy Leader Councillor Steve Cardownie said:

“Clearly this is the start of a constructive ongoing relationship and I’m delighted this coalition is in the front line when looking to resolve some of the big ticket issues. We agreed that more detailed discussions would be followed up by our officials and then picked up again by us at a later date.”

A multi-million pound fund to help develop Scotland’s first commercial wave and tidal power arrays was opened today.

Addressing the AllEnergy conference in Aberdeen, First Minister Alex Salmond announced that Scotland’s Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) was now open for bids by marine energy developers.

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

He also announced:

The first award from the £70 million National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (N-RIF) – a £500,000 grant to support the transformation of a strategic dock, ten miles from Glasgow city centre to create a key manufacturing location for renewable energy.

A new Centre for CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery in Scotland, to examine and develop opportunities for Carbon Capture & Storage technologies to boost North Sea resource gains and support efforts to reduce costs related to the development of CCS projects (details will be available shortly at The University of Edinburgh website)

Mr Salmond said:

“Europe’s greatest wind, wave and tidal resources are heavily concentrated in the waters around these islands and Scotland is at the forefront of developing offshore and low carbon energy generation technologies. The new fund brings together the marine renewables expertise of the Carbon Trust, Scottish Government and our enterprise agencies. It will help move the wave and tidal sector from prototype devices to commercially-viable arrays, producing increasing amounts of electricity solely from the power of the seas and deliver a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Dr Stephen Wyatt, Head of Technology Acceleration, the Carbon Trust, added:

“Scotland has a world leading resource and is a hot bed of innovation and deployment making marine energy an exciting green growth sector. We are delighted to be involved in developing and delivering the new Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund over the next three years. This new fund will be critical to tackle the next set of challenges and innovate to drive down costs of both wave and tidal power.

The First Minister also announced the initial grant award from the N-RIF – which aims to ensure ports and manufacturing infrastructure around Scotland are equipped to capitalise on the rapid development of Europe’s offshore wind and marine renewables sectors.

WB Westway has secured £500,000 to support the development of its 53-hectare industrial site in Renfrewshire. It will support work to dredge the dock area, create a navigable channel on the River Cart and deliver quayside improvements to allow loadings from heavy components manufactured on site for the offshore renewables sector. The improvements have the potential to accelerate wider development plans for a further 30 acres of land, with a master-plan that could see up to £70 million invested in the area over the next decade.

The First Minister said:

“This initial funding award will help Westway to transform the site, to win new tenants, as well as new orders for existing tenants, which include Steel Engineering – an exciting, dynamic Scottish company that is increasingly expanding its renewables business. Further awards are expected later this year to support additional investment in key port locations around Scotland – ensuring communities across the country are ideally-placed to seize the huge opportunities of the global renewables revolution.”

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise, said:

“We have been working intensively with port owners across Scotland to look at existing infrastructure and investment required to support Scotland’s growing renewables sector. Glasgow and the West has much to offer the sector and has already claimed a place on the renewables map attracting energy heavyweights and pioneers in the offshore wind sector such as Scottish and Southern Energy, Iberdrola and Gamesa.”

The MRCF will be available to boost the roll-out of wave and/or tidal power arrays, to support the marine energy sector to make the next step towards commercial maturity, and help planned developments in the Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters, and other marine locations around Scotland. It is open for bids, for two months from today, with the announcement of successful projects to due to be announced towards the end of this year. The Carbon Trust is working alongside the Scottish Government and enterprise agencies in administering and delivering the Fund. For further information see the Carbon Trust website.

The £18m fund forms part of £35 million that the Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies will provide in direct support to the wave and tidal industry over the next three years. It is in addition to the £103 million Renewable Energy Investment Fund, part of which is earmarked to support wave and tidal energy, as well as previous WATES and WATERS wave and tidal funding schemes.

The £70 million National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (N-RIF) has been established to support the development of port and near-port manufacturing locations for offshore wind turbines and related developments including test and demonstration activity, with the overall aim of stimulating an offshore wind supply chain in Scotland.

This fund is in addition to Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) and other funding that will be available for companies creating new jobs in this industry in Scotland. Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are leading the allocation of funding and will follow the clear approach set out in the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP).

Twenty titles shortlisted for Scotland’s largest literary prize

Twenty authors have been shortlisted to win £30,000 in the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book Awards 2012, in partnership with Creative Scotland.

Spread across four categories – Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and First Book – the Awards recognise and reward the literary talent of authors from or resident in Scotland, or those whose book is of particular Scottish interest.

One finalist from each category will be selected in June.  Each of the four will receive £5,000.  The finalists will then go on to compete for the overall Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book of the Year, to be announced at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August, and the winner will receive an additional £25,000.

Dr Gavin Wallace, Chair of the Judging panel and Portfolio Manager for Literature, Publishing and Language at Creative Scotland, said:

“In this Year of Creative Scotland 2012, the Book Awards – the largest literary prize in Scotland and the fourth largest in the UK – are a chance for us to celebrate and reward Scotland’s literary talent.  As a nation we are replete with literary excellence and rich diversity across all genres, as this year’s shortlist amply confirms.”

The shortlist is:

Fiction

Alan Bissett, Pack Men (Headline)

Jane Harris, Gillespie and I (Faber)

J M Ledgard, Submergence (Chatto & Windus)

Ali Smith, There but for the (Hamish Hamilton)

Zoe Strachan, Ever Fallen in Love (Sandstone Press)

Non-Fiction

Bella Bathurst, The Bicycle Book (Harper Collins)

Janice Galloway, All Made Up (Granta)

Roger Hutchinson, The Silent Weaver (Birlinn)

Kapka Kassabova, Twelve Minutes of Love (Portobello)

Emma Rothschild, The Inner Life of Empires (Princeton University Press)

Poetry

John Burnside, Black Cat Bone (Jonathan Cape)

Angus Peter Campbell, Aibisidh (Birlinn)

Carol Ann Duffy, The Bees (Picador)

Andrew Greig, As Though We Were Flying (Bloodaxe)

J O Morgan, Long Cuts (CB Editions)

First Book

Simon Stephenson, Let Not the Waves of the Sea (John Murray)

Luke Williams, The Echo Chamber (Hamish Hamilton)

Karin Altenberg, Island of Wings (Quercus)

Rachael Boast, Sidereal (Picador)

Allan Wilson, Wasted in Love (Cargo)

In all, over 90 titles were reviewed by a panel of expert judges, chaired by Dr Gavin Wallace, Portfolio Manager for Literature , Publishing and Language, comprising Alistair Moffat, Artistic Director of the Borders Book Festival; Tom Pow, award-winning writer and poet; Sally Magnusson, broadcaster and writer; and David McCormack, Assistant Manager of Waterstones in Dunfermline.

As with the 2011 awards, book-lovers and readers will have a say in which title is selected as the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Book of the Year in a month-long public vote that begins in June 2012.

This is the fourth year the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust has been proud sponsor of the Awards, which have been running since 1970.  John Scott, Chairman of Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, said:

“Scottish Mortgage is pleased to be sponsoring the book awards for another year.  The shortlist shows that there is an abundance of diverse talent in print and that Scotland’s rich literary tradition is alive and well.”

Previous winners of the prestigious Award include talented authors such as Jackie Kay for her autobiography Red Dust Road in 2011; Donald Worster for his biography A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir in 2010; James Kelmanfor his novel Kieron Smith, boy in 2009; and Edwin Morgan for his poetry collection A Book of Lives in 2008.

For more information about the awards, including previous winners, please visit www.scottishbookawards.com

Designer James Johnson puts his latest invention to the test at a rehearsal for NVA’s Speed of Light. Surveying the landscape and the light suited runners below, James trials the energy-harvesting light staff that hundreds of walkers will use each night to ascend to the summit of Arthurs Seat this August. Each walker will become part of a mesmerising visual display which will animate Edinburgh’s iconic mountain throughout the Edinburgh International Festival. www.eif.co.uk/speedoflight

Photographer Alan McAteer

Mark Walker is to tackle Edinburgh Marathon for Canine Partners

Mark Walker (39) from Tarbrax near Edinburgh will be tackling the Edinburgh Marathon this Sunday for Canine Partners, a charity that provides highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities.

Mark, who is a self employed dog walker, behaviourist and trainer, only began running for fitness and fun in June 2011 as he already walks 40-50 miles a week.  However, the combination of a friend completing last year’s Edinburgh Marathon and his wife’s plan to take part in a fundraising trek to Tanzania for Canine Partners resulted in Mark deciding to go for it.

Despite the trek being put on hold due to Mark’s wife Mandy having two prolapsed discs in her neck, Mark decided to continue with his plans.  “A friend, Ian Mitchell, has a wonderful canine partner Kelty who has been an amazing companion for this great man who suffers from muscular dystrophy,” comments Mark.  “Kelty helps improve Ian’s life every single day by assisting him in tasks that would otherwise be difficult. When I see a dog in such a role, it makes me proud to run a marathon to help raise funds for Canine Partners.  I find it humbling to see people with disabilities maintaining such a positive outlook on life, which makes me realise that eleven months of training followed by a 26.2 mile run is nothing!”

To raise further funds for Canine Partners, Mark and Mandy are also organising a Psychic Evening with Medium and Healer April Mackie on Saturday 26 May from 7pm-9.30pm at Tarbrax Village Hall, Tarbrax, EH55 8XE.  Tickets cost £10 and there will be a demonstration of the amazing abilities of a canine partner as well as refreshments.  For further information please email manders5@sky.com or call 01501 785577.

To support Mark in his marathon efforts for Canine Partners please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/markwalker26.2  Canine Partners is always looking for volunteers, fundraisers and puppy parents from the local community, please call the Scottish team on 0845 481 1915 or visit www.caninepartners.org.uk for further information.  Please also consider saving your used stamps to help raise funds for Canine Partners!

The rankings of all four of Edinburgh’s universities have changed in the Guardian University League table 2013, with two rising and also two falling quite far. The data, compiled by The Guardian in conjunction with Intelligent Metrix, measures, amongst other factors, teaching standards, career prospects and looks at student satisfaction based on the annual National Student Survey.

The University of Edinburgh is ranked 15th, up one place from 2011 and Heriot-Watt has risen from 27th to 20th place. Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University have both plummeted though, both ranked in joint 73rd place; Edinburgh Napier was previously placed at 52nd and Queen Margaret was 56th last year.

Judy Friedberg, Guardian Universities Editor, recently commented online:- “The Guardian tables are compiled to help students find good courses. So we emphasise how current students feel about their courses, how much face time they get with staff, and the extent to which their academic performance improves at university. We don’t rank universities according to their research achievements, which many other tables do. That may be one of the reasons that our rankings produce a few surprises.

Portobello High School – Bus lanes – Cake Time for Shelter Scotland – Roller Derby this weekend – Edinburgh Inspiring Capital

In the Court of Session this morning the Petition by Portobello Park Action Group Association for Judicial Review will be heard. Two days of court time have been set aside for the hearing.

The original court decision can be read online. There are of course two sides to this long running story, so what we offer you here is some signposting to the arguments for and against. The first point to note is that the existing school is deemed unfit by the parents of pupils attending it. The decision has already been made by the council to build a new school rather than decant the pupils and renovate the existing one or indeed, build on the existing site. Those in favour of a new school on the new site have a Facebook page here. Sean Watters of the group wrote an opinion article for us at the beginning of April which you can read here. 

Then there is the other side PPAG who are campaigning for the preservation of Portobello Park where the council plans to build the new school, claiming that it is common good land and a green space which should not be used for this purpose. They have a Facebook page here where they most recently reported that newly elected councillor David Walker is supporting their cause. A lengthy statement from him is reproduced in full.

The council say their position is clear. This is what they wrote on 20 April 2012:-“A report has been issued to Councillors today (20 April) calling for the construction of the new Portobello High School to begin as soon as the current appeal by PPAG (Portobello Park Action Group) is either withdrawn or concluded in the Council’s favour.

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Drivers fined in the recent moves by the council to stop car drivers using bus lanes have not been dealt with correctly, according to an article in today’s Scotsman.  According to the report some of the drivers were fined for simply crossing over the bus lanes to get in and out of their houses…..

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Make time for Cake Time with John Lewis Edinburgh and Shelter ScotlaDate/Time: Wednesday, 23 May 2012, 12.30pm-13.30pm

What: Shelter Scotland, John Lewis Edinburgh and customers indulge in annual cake fest to raise money for Scotland’s leading housing and homelessness charity.

Where: John Lewis Edinburgh, Place to Eat restaurant, St James Centre, Edinburgh EH1 3SP

John Lewis Edinburgh is gearing up to indulge in a cake-fest with their customers to raise money for Scotland’s leading housing and homelessness charity.

Today the national retailer, which also has shops in Glasgow and Aberdeen, is supporting Shelter Scotland’s annual Cake Time fundraising event which asks members of the public to give in to their sweet tooth for a good cause.

John Lewis is supporting Cake Time in its Place to Eat restaurants, and will also donate £20,000 to the charity. As well as donating money raised from cake sales, each store will also hold independent fundraising events with Partners and customers, with donations also going to Shelter Scotland.

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Live! Roller Derby! Auld Reekie Roller Girls’ mighty Cannon Belles versus the Kent Roller Girls this weekend Saturday 26 May 2012 : Cannon Belles vs. Kent Roller Girls at Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh

Tickets: £5 plus booking fee online, £7 on the door. Available from: http://arrg.co.uk/events/event/cannon-belles-vs-kent-roller-girls/

Free for children aged 14 and under!

“After the resounding success of ARRG’s recent home team tournament, the 26” May sees the Auld Reekie Roller Girls’ Cannon Belles battling Kent Roller Girls in what’s sure to be a belter of a bout. The Cannon Belles have been in fine form this season, with a decisive win over Perth’s Fair City Rollers in March: they’re keen to continue their winning streak, and are certain to do everything in their power to ensure victory. Kent’s first and only roller derby team played in their debut public bout in September 2011, but have been training hard and are sure to be tough opponents for the Cannon Belles. Expect to see some brutal hitting, high-speeding sprinting and some impressive tactical play from both teams when the action begins at 2pm on Saturday 26^th May at Meadowbank Sports Centre. Fast-paced skating action by two cracking teams!  What else could you wish for on a Saturday afternoon?

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Edinburgh Inspiring Capital the yacht which is taking part in the Clipper Round the World Race is in first place in Race 11 according to BYM news. The yacht is decorated with Inspiring Capital logos and was hailed last year by former Council leader Jenny Dawe as  an investment which actually generates around 10 times its value in advertising return. The council investment is £55,000, and you can read our article here where that investment was agreed.

Jenny Reekie completed the City of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10k road run on Sunday 20^th May 2012 and raised £200 for The Katie Piper Foundation

Braids resident and Aberdeen University Student, Jenny Reekie, completed the City of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10k on Sunday 20^th May 2012 and raised £200 for burns charity, The Katie Piper Foundation

“I’m so pleased to have been able to raise this money for the Katie Piper Foundation.  The foundation works to support people living with burns and scars and I think the gift of self- confidence and the ability to be happy in your own skin is truly wonderful.” says Jenny.

Head of Fundraising at The Katie Piper Foundation, Carol Borwick commented:- “We’re so grateful to Jenny for completing the race on our behalf and thanks to all her friends and family for supporting her.   The money raised will help us make a positive difference to burns survivors through life-changing treatments and workshops”.

Launched in July 2010, The Katie Piper Foundation is a registered charity which aims to make it easier for people to live with burns and scars by progressing extended rehabilitation and scar management for burns survivors, providing information on and access to non-surgical treatments for burns and scars, campaigning for consistent clinical care and developing a support network for people living with burns and scars.   The Foundation helps disfigured people to reconnect with their lives and their communities.

• If you would  like to add to the money Jenny has raised, please visit her fundraising page 
• Donations can also be made at The Katie Piper Foundation website

A man has been jailed for drug offences as part of a Lothian and Borders Police operation to target serious organised crime.

Mohammed Riaz, was arrested in November 2011 following Operation Xylem – a year-long intelligence gathering enquiry into money laundering and drug dealing.

During their enquiries, officers recovered two kilos of heroin with an estimated value of £200,000 from drug dealers operating within Edinburgh and West Lothian. Further investigation linked Riaz to the distribution of these drugs and he was subsequently charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The 41-year-old previously pled guilty and was sentenced to serve seven years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh today.

Riaz will later be sentenced along with 44-year-old Graeme Davidson for money laundering and fraud offences, which were also detected during the Operation Xylem enquiries.

Detective Inspector Jimmy Gilchrist who led the investigation said: “Those who profit from serious and organised are a blight on our communities and Lothian and Borders Police are committed to working alongside the public and our partner agencies to identify these individuals and bring them to justice.

“A detailed and complex investigation into Mohammed Riaz and his associates was undertaken by the Force and the intelligence we gathered ensured that large quantities of Class A drugs were seized before they could be distributed.

“Detectives built a significant body of evidence against Riaz to secure guilty verdicts for all of the offences detected as part of Operation Xylem and he is set to spend a lengthy period of time behind bars.

“Intelligence is vital in combating serious and organised crime and anyone with information relating to ongoing criminal activity within their community should contact their local policing team, or alternatively the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 in complete anonymity.”

The Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, Sue Bruce, was joined by 50 young apprentices to mark the start of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

She used the opportunity as a call to action, urging more companies in the capital to give school leavers the chance of joining them as apprentices.