by Barry Dickson

Edinburgh Band Honoured To Play At The Olympics Concerts

Edinburgh band The Asps have been asked to play in London’s Hyde Park and Victoria Park on Saturday 4 August 2012 where they will play three times in one day as part of a huge series of concerts for the Olympic Games, BT London Live. Hyde Park will be packed full of daily live music performances and will featuring some incredible artists. Other free to access days at Hyde Park are 28 July – 12 August  and exclude  August 4 and 7.

Some of the bands performing throughout these dates include Sir Tom Jones, Feeder, Cast, Blur, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol and Paolo Nutini to name but a few. This is a massive oppertunity for The Asps to get  themselves out there into the public eye in a huge way and they will be sure to grab this fantastic opportunity with both hands.

PJ Dourley, lead singer and guitarist with The Asps, told The Edinburgh Reporter:- “We were thrilled to get the chance to play Hyde Park through our own resources after losing Hard Rock Calling, and get the opportunity to appear at an event which, by all accounts, is much more historic.”

The Asps played a free gig in Cabaret Voltaire this month, and were well received by a very appreciative crowd. Indeed comments were made by many members of the audience about how much they enjoyed the gig and how well The Asps performed.

Since signing with Sony/ATV and signing up with Reverbnation, The Asps have been working very hard, and they seem to be constantly gigging making them (in my opinion) one of the hardest  working bands out there. They are due to go to San Francisco soon to team up with legendary producer Ron Nevison (Meat Loaf, Heart, The Who, Bad Company and many, many more) to record their first album, and hopefully this gig in London will propel them into the mainstream.

Having seen this band play quite a few times now, I firmly believe the time has come to go to a bigger stage (no disrespect to the smaller venues intended) and Hyde Park will provide The Asps with the stage that I believe their music deserves.

Festival launches – Architecture consultation – MSP Newsletter – QMU play is a fundraiser – Police offering bike marking

This is the week of festival launches. Yesterday it was the turn of The Edinburgh International Film Festival, and today it will be the Fringe Festival launch which we will bring you news of later. Later The Traverse will launch their 2012 programme and the tickets for that will be on sale from 10. It is all hotting up already for the summer, but unfortunately the weather today in Edinburgh is slipping back to pre-spring with a maximum temperature of only 13 degrees predicted for today. We have suggested for you 60 things you can get up to this holiday weekend. Please feel free to add in more ideas of your own!

Later today we are meeting with new Transport Convenor, Councillor Lesley Hinds, to talk all things transport related. Do you have any questions for her? Then please send them in by commenting below or by Twitter.  We hope to bring you a ‘live’ interview later. Watch out for it!

The other thing we are looking for is people who have been asked to carry the Olympic Torch. If that is you then please get in touch and we will tell everyone else about you!

And finally on Tuesday next week we will have some exciting news to tell you about a live event that we are running on 19 June 2012. It will be of particular interest to those living in the west of the city….but we hope you will all join in! More on Tuesday.

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Marco Biagi has highlighted the problem of some of our buildings in the capital, and has alerted us to the fact that there is a Scottish Government consultation which offers Edinburgh residents a chance to have their say on the shape of architecture and the built environment here for years to come.

He said:-“With renowned architecture and as a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh residents know well how important it is to have well-designed places to live and work. So much of our city’s vital economic appeal in tourism and the arts comes from its unique character and appearance. Unfortunately Edinburgh is also home to a number of outrageous eyesores – like the St James Centre – that should never have been allowed to happen.

“This consultation will inform Scottish Government guidance and policy on these areas. It is open to all and I encourage anyone who has strong views to get involved and have their say on what the future of Scotland’s towns and cities should look like.”

The consultation runs until 7 September 2012.

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Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack’s newsletter has been published and you can read it here.

Sarah Boyack

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Students and pupils have made a drama out of ‘Porty People’. A student community project, based on the history of Portobello, has raised over £500 at the box office.

‘The Day the Aliens Came to Portobello’ the production developed by Community Theatre students from Queen Margaret University in conjunction with Towerbank Primary School, is based on the history of Portobello. The production has been well supported by the local community, raising £530 for a charity in Malawi which was selected by the Primary 5 pupils.

Four performances of the play were staged at the newly refurbished, Portobello Community Centre.

Irvine Alan, Lecturer in Drama at Queen Margaret University, explained: “It has been very rewarding to see the students work so well with the primary 5s. The pupils devised, designed, acted, stage-managed and controlled front of house for the whole production. Both students and pupils really rose to the challenge and there was a great sense of team work and achievement in pulling the project off so successfully.”

Irvine continued: “The feedback from Towerbank Primary’s head teacher and the parents has been excellent. We are immensely proud of the Queen Margaret University students – Gillian Downie and Lindsay Duncan – who delivered the project. They are a credit to the University.”

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A call from Lothian and Borders Police who are offering help to cyclists. When your bike is lost or stolen the chances of ever retrieving it are slim, but you can increase these chances significantly by having it registered, UV marked, and electronically marked.

Bring your bike to be:

• registered and UV marked for £5
• registered, UV marked and electronically tagged for £16

A limited number of bikes will be registered and marked free, so arrive early if you don’t want to miss out.

Last month one of the biggest, and yet most peaceful, protests seen in Edinburgh for a while took place when over 3,000 cyclists rode their bikes from The Meadows to Holyrood to highlight the POP Scotland campaign on 28 April 2012.

Today a few of those behind the campaign are meeting with Transport Minister, Keith Brown, at Holyrood to talk face to face with the man responsible for answering their calls for increased cycle safety measures on Scotland’s streets and roads. There is a page on the Pedal on Parliament website which has listed various suggestions from supporters as to what they will ask the Minister tomorrow and you can read that here. 

Dave Brennan was one of the principal characters who organised POP Scotland and he spoke to The Edinburgh Reporter about where the campaign is headed now.

“We are going to meet Keith Brown with an open mind, and we have reason to hope he is going to be positive about it too. But of course we may have to persuade some others in the Government about our cause, so for example we issued an open letter to Alex Salmond and a copy of that is on our website. We are trying to get everyone in the party aligned, but we accept that may not be totally straightforward.

“There is now a Cross Party Cycling Group set up at Holyrood to look at cycling matters, and we attended a meeting of that a couple of weeks ago.  My understanding is that they want to proceed with the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland where the SNP government had set up a targets for cycling use to increase to 10% by 2020.

“We think this plan was a great first step, and the aims of it are to be applauded, but as it stands it will not turn 10% of the population into cyclists. We published an eight point manifesto about which there has really been no negative press at all, and it is this we want action on. It is generally received as a good way forward.”

The manifesto is on the POP website and is reproduced for you here:-

“We have created an eight point manifesto to help Scotland’s devolved government reach its target of 10% of journeys by bike by 2020, a target which is now also embedded in its low carbon and obesity strategies. The government’s present Cycling Action Plan [CAPS] is far too limited to achieve the target, whilst the proportion of the transport budget allocated to cycling remains wholly inadequate at under 1%. Our manifesto covers:

Proper funding for cycling.
Design cycling into Scotland’s roads.
Slower speeds where people live, work and play
Integrate cycling into local transport strategies
Improved road traffic law and enforcement
Reduce the risk of HGVs to cyclists and pedestrians
A strategic and joined-up programme of road user training
Improved statistics supporting decision-making and policy”

Brennan continued:-“My belief is that the Cross party cycling group will look at the manifesto and I hope that this will do a lot to encourage more discussions in Parliament. Of course it is important to talk about it, so over the next few months we are going to turn our focus onto local government. The elections got in the way over the last couple of months, but we will now try to put more pressure on them to let us know what their stance is on cycling. In my own area of East Dunbartonshire  I will be organising an Infrastructure ride over the next couple of months. I am going to try and involve councillors and I have already managed to involve my own MP in that. Some of the roads here cross over between Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire so we need to persuade a couple of different local authorities.

The Spokes Bike Breakfast is taking place on 20 June 2012 at the City Chambers between 8 and 10 a.m. This is the poster for the event:-

Tim BrekPoster.2

Dave continued:- “In their next newsletter Spokes are going to be giving out postcards based on the POP design saying “Wish you were here” on them to try and encourage as many politicians as possible to get involved in our cycle safety campaign.”

“My own background is that I video some of my commutes and highlight the good and the bad things that happen to me during my journeys. I’m totally frustrated that people don’t understand always how wonderful cycling is!”

Here is an example of one of Dave’s own videos which he films with a helmet camera (not to be advised unless you are very experienced at cycling!)

Dave concluded by explaining:-“We are also planning something for September, not another POP but something like it, and we are also considering another POP for next year as we think we probably will not get everything we want right away.” But one thing is for sure POP Scotland are certainly making a lot of peaceful noise about the need for increased safety for our two wheeled road users, and it seems that Holyrood is prepared to listen.

There are over 1000 photos on the POP Flickr Pool which you can see here and our photos are reproduced from that source.

A Jubilee Garden will be planted in the grounds of Holyrood Palace as a permanent gift from the people of Scotland to The Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.

The garden, which will be planted by Historic Scotland with help from horticulture apprentices, will be marked by a commemorative plinth that will be ready for The Queen’s forthcoming visit to Scotland for Royal Week in July. This latest initiative will form part of a series of gifts made to The Queen on behalf of the people of Scotland, beginning with the launch of a free app that will mix the traditional and modern, honouring the history of the Jubilee by using the very latest technology to bring The Queen’s reign in Scotland to a digital audience.

The First Minister made the announcement during a debate in the Scottish Parliament in which he praised the “dedication, impartiality and service” shown by The Queen throughout Her 60-year reign. Mr Salmond said the debate offered Parliament “the opportunity to place on record our respect, admiration and gratitude for Her service” during a reign in which The Queen had been “a particular friend to Scotland”.

During proceedings, the First Minister also announced that a donation of £50,000 will be made to Veterans Scotland in The Queen’s name to help the charity improve support to Scotland’s veterans community in this Jubilee year and beyond.

The gifts will form part of a full programme of events and initiatives being run across Scotland to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee, including a Queen of Scots smartphone app to help people in Scotland and tourists learn more about the history of the last 60 years.

The First Minister said:

“Over the six decades of The Queen’s reign, Scotland has altered dramatically and for the better. But one constant has been The Queen’s dedication, impartiality and service.

“The Queen has made very clear her preference that Her Jubilee celebrations should be of modest cost, and should celebrate the contribution that individuals make to their communities. This is what we have done, while encouraging as many people as possible to celebrate and enjoy the event.

“So let me announce our gifts – not from the Government, or, for that matter, the Parliament – but from the people of Scotland to Her Majesty The Queen.

“Firstly, Historic Scotland has commissioned a commemorative garden at Holyrood Palace, which will be ready by the time of The Queen’s next visit in Royal Week in July. This will be a beautiful and lasting recognition of the Jubilee. Of course, we live in an age of new technology. We thought it important that our gifts to Her Majesty recognised that. We are launching a free app highlighting some of the most significant events of The Queen’s reign in Scotland. Finally, we recognise that The Queen, as Commander-in-Chief, has always had a special bond with those who serve and have served in the armed forces. We are therefore marking Her Jubilee by making a donation to Veterans Scotland – the organisation which co-ordinates and promotes the work of veterans’ charities – to further improve their support for Scotland’s veteran community.”

The First Minister added:

“The Queen has been an integral part of the modern history of our nation. She has performed Her duties flawlessly. The Scottish Parliament is grateful for Her support over the last 13 years and the Scottish people are grateful for her service over the last 60 years. It is an honour to ask the Parliament to place that gratitude on record today.”

Three residents from Constitution Street in Leith attended the Leith Links Community Council meeting on Monday night to highlight their ongoing problems with rerouted traffic.

They explained that they estimate that about 30 buses an hour go down the street owing to various road closures in the Leith area. The number 22, 35 and 16 buses have all been redirected along the street, which although wide, is often littered with double parked cars, according to the residents.  In addition there are heavy trucks on their way to and from Leith Docks which use the road as a shortcut.

The street was resurfaced on a temporary basis following the tram works and that surface was only supposed to be used for about six months ago. The Constitution Street residents explained that was about two years ago. One of the representatives said that if she takes a taxi home the drivers always claim that Constitution Street is one of the worst in the city. They claim that the problem is that whenever heavy traffic passes by the houses now shake. Many of these are historic buildings and they are worried that the structure could suffer damage as a result.

What the residents want is the introduction of traffic calming to slow the traffic down, perhaps even the introduction of a 20 mph zone, for the road to be resurfaced to absorb more of the noise and for the HGV traffic to adopt the preferred route away from their street along Great Junction Street, North Junction Street and Commercial Street.

Councillor Gordon Munro was one of the three local councillors in attendance, but perhaps due to his long experience on the council, he was the only one who was able to speak authoritatively on the matter. He explained that traffic monitoring could be put in place to assess the volume of vehicles passing through, and also recommended that the residents got the names of any offending HGVs using the street so that these could be passed on to the council officers. He then said that all streets in the city are evaluated once per year by the Roads Department, but left the bad news till last.  The street is due to be dug up again in the next couple of weeks by one of the utility companies, meaning that any permanent resurfacing will have to wait.

Munro suggested that the council officers could be asked to meet up with residents so that they get the story first hand. He also explained that there is a plan for the docks traffic to be routed from the City Bypass along a relief road straight to the docks which would take the traffic away from residential areas in Leith, but that will not be happening any time soon.

Other than this the council held their AGM although in common with other community councils office bearers and members cannot be elected, as the elections have been postponed for a year.  The existing office bearers will therefore continue for a further twelve months until they can be relieved of their duties or put themselves forward for re-election.

Other items discussed included the Greener Leith Vision for Leith Walk event at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street on 5 June 2012, the Leith Gala on 9 June, the new tennis courts which could be installed in Leith Links, the Mela Festival which takes place this year from 31 August to 2 September and an event on 6 June at 2pm when the future of Leith Links regeneration is to be discussed. There are plans to improve the area so that it is adopted as a Premier Park, and the plans to introduce tennis courts might attract funding from Lawn Tennis Scotland.

The community council also heard that there is to be a Bike Breakfast at the City Chambers and as part of Bike Safety Week there will be an event on 18 June at Ocean Terminal when the police will be offering free bike marking . The police are also keen to highlight the dangers to cyclists from buses and lorries and so some cycle safety tips will be offered. Dr Bike will also be on hand offering free servicing.

Young drivers, often with no family and free of responsibility, will usually find the vehicle of their dreams in a small, two-door car with just enough zip to keep things interesting. No need for depth of storage in the boot, and no need for an abundance of space in the back, car manufacturers have continued to give them what they want – and what they want is the hot hatch.

So often the preserve of ‘boy and girl racers’, the pacy, compact and customisable potential of hatchback motors have got drivers hot under the collar from the start of their road-going lives for decades. It can be traced back to the late 1970s when the VW Golf GTi arrived on the scene. The German manufacturer kick started a revolution and instantly made their own Beetle look clunky, the austere Morris Minor a thing of quaint history and gave the saloon some serious competition.

The Golf progressed through the 1980s in variable style, as British drivers chose their own paint jobs, attached more imaginative accessories and finished the job with dashboard decoration like the ubiquitous fluffy dice. The performance of the ‘hot hatch’ could only improved as manufacturers fought it out for supremacy, with Ford’s Fiesta XR2i and Vauxhall’s Astra amongst the contenders. Combined with escalating speeds, rising prices and the nervousness of insurance companies, the evolution of the hot hatch eventually took them beyond the affordability of new drivers.

Modern day performance hatchbacks, like the new Ford Focus RS 500 and the modern day Golf GTI, can be bought new only by drivers with the means to do so, coming in at anything between £20,000 and nearly £40,000 depending on specifications. The BMW developed and built Mini Cooper S is a favourite amongst petrol heads, and other German brands such as Audi with their TT draw everyone’s attention, but with starting prices around £24,000 on average, they’re an increasingly expensive toy.

However, it is in the second-hand market that young or more mature speed freaks can get their fix of three door fun.  Cars driven off the forecourt as little as five years ago can easily be found for less than half their original price, and with so few owners likely to have had their paws on them in that time it’s a market that buyers can be confident dealing in. With 2007 and 2008 VW Golf GTI models in abundance between £7,000 and £12,000, the impact on the pocket doesn’t hurt quite so much. What’s more, earlier models that can provide the same thrill as the day they were bought in the 80s or 90s can be snapped up for hundreds of pounds, not thousands. Variants of the Seat Ibiza, Ford Focus and Peugeot 206 are all out there for the taking.

Newer models of hot hatch cars come with the comforts of modern design, and maybe the older used cars don’t quite stand up to such slick modern engineering, but newer cars can feel a little too straight laced when compared with their earlier, more unruly cousins. With a little research, drivers can find the thrill of a nippy hatch back in reliable older models for a lot less than they might think.

Mr Wood’s Fossils celebrates 25^th birthday with busiest year to date

Iconic Edinburgh shop Mr Wood’s Fossils is celebrating 25 years in business having just achieved a 16% increase in turnover from shop-based and online sales. Geologist and owner Matt Dale credits the lasting legacy of original owner and ‘celebrity’ palaeontologist Stan Wood, an ever-changing selection of stock as well as repeat customers with the business’ success. As a thank you, customers will receive a free shark tooth with every purchase throughout the month of June.

Matt said: “Everything we sell is unique and no two pieces are ever identical which makes us the perfect place for one-of-a-kind gifts. Fossils may be old, but they’re certainly not boring and each of them has a story to tell.”

Take, for example, a find the real Mr Wood made in the Scottish Borders only a few years ago. Where others had given up on the area, Stan Wood found plant, fish and amphibian fossils which helped scientists close a gap in the fossil record of 360 to 345 million years ago.

Matt Dale explained: “Stan Wood quite simply had an eye for fossils and opening the shop gave him an opportunity to share his passion with the public. He spent 20 years searching this particular area of the Borders, but that’s really nothing compared to the achievement of proving what life existed on our doorstep for a 15 million year period.”

Best known for his discovery of ‘Lizzie’ (Westlothiana lizziae), a reptile-like amphibian, Stan Wood left a career in insurance sales to become a professional fossil hunter.

Today, Scotland’s only fossil shop attracts locals and visitors to the city as well as online shoppers from as far afield as Australia and Mexico.

Matt Dale’s favourites are possibly some of the ‘smallest spenders’: “Standing behind the counter, it’s fantastic to watch kids looking at dinosaur teeth and getting really excited about something that’s been part of a real-life monster.” Asked about future plans, he says: “Mr Wood’s Fossils will certainly stay in the Grassmarket – it’s the perfect location for us, but we’ll continue to grow online sales and I have been looking at expanding into other cities.”

Families staying at Rachel House Children’s Hospice, run by Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) were given special preview of Merchiston Publishing’s new book ‘Treasure Island: A Play’. Rosie Howie from Merchiston Publishing, the in-house publishing arm of Edinburgh Napier University read an extract from the book to a couple of pirates at the hospice. Accompanying Rosie were students Andrew Bianchi, Carol-Anne Royan, Kirstin Rhymer and Jamie Williams. Profits from the book which has been developed for Primary School level drama will be donated to CHAS. The book officially launches on Friday 8 June 2012.

Rosie Howie said: “Lynn Brittney brings Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story to life in this fantastic children’s play that the whole family can enjoy. We’re thrilled to be able to donate profits to CHAS.”

CHAS Fundraiser Amy Telford said: “Thank you to Merchiston Publishing for their support. It’s fantastic that Rosie was able to visit Rachel House to meet some of the families that we support and give us a sneak peak of the play.”

Our photo shows :-(from left to right) Cath( Lewis’s Mum), Lewis, 3 (pushchair), Rosie ( Merchiston Publishing), Kimmey  (recliner) and Amy (CHAS fundraiser)

If you would like to more information about CHAS visit www.chas.org.uk  The book costs £5.99. For further information visit http://treasureislandbook.wordpress.com/

Additional reporting by Sarah Turnbull and Phyllis Stephen

With an extra couple of days off work at the beginning of June to celebrate HM Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years on the throne, we thought you might like a few tips on how to fill them with some leisure activity. Some of these are royally related, and others are just things that we think might be fun! If you have any other ideas then please feel free to add them below.

1 – Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queen’s Gallery (Royal Collection Learning) The Palace of Holyroodhouse is hosting family events from 2 – 5 June 2012. This is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved in the festivities by learning what life is like when HM The Queen comes to stay at the Palace. There will also opportunities to create your own Royal Crown Jewels.

2 – The Royal Yacht Britannia.  Pretend you are actually royal by visiting the yacht that the Queen used for family holidays and other business related trips. Visitors will be invited to share in the taste of Jubilee cake, sparkling wine, and take home a souvenir rosette on 4 June.

3 – Handel’s Royal Music: Academy of Ancient Music On 4 June 2012 The Academy of Ancient Music conducted by Richard Egarr, as well as the Choir of the AAM, will be performing some of Handel’s masterpieces at the Usher Hall. Handel composed several pieces for royal occasions such as the Coronation Anthems, which marked the coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline in 1727. Other works performed will be the Music for the Royal Fireworks, Water Music Suite and Handel’s famous Hallelujah! and Amen from the Messiah.

4 – Street Party Celebrations  – Throughout the city there may be street parties held to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. It could be the perfect opportunity to get together  with your neighbours and also to celebrate 60 years of the Queen’s reign. If your street would like to host a party you will need to fill out a notification form. This will provide the Events Team with information both for emergency services and public safety. If food and refreshments are to be served then the Events Team will put you in touch with environmental health to give you advice. Once the Events Team has cleared you, the party will become official. Please contact the Events Team for further information if you are interested in hosting a street party.

5 – Jubilee Celebrations at the Zoo – From 2 – 5 June Edinburgh Zoo will be hosting a range of exciting civilities to celebrate HM The Queen’s Jubilee.  The activities include a themed treasure hunt as well as arts and crafts for all the family. Crafts include writing a card for HM The Queen or creating a crown.

6 – See Holyrood House alight  – Holyrood House will be lighting a beacon along with 2,000 other locations on Monday 4 June as part of the celebrations. A full list of all the London celebrations is here on the BBC website. All are encouraged to light a bonfire or beacon, even if it is just in back gardens. These are set to echo the beacons that were lit to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The lighting of beacons will be led by the Queen, who will ignite the National Beacon after a concert at Buckingham Palace.

7 – The Big Lunch is an event encouraging people to hold old fashioned community lunches. The idea is for each home in a community to bring a table and a picnic on Sunday 3 June. Edinburgh City Council are supporting the initiative by helping people with road closures for communities  to take part in the event.

8 – Historic Scotland have many lovely buildings including castles for you to visit. More details here. 

9 – Musselburgh Races takes place on Saturday with the first race at 1.55 p.m. With £150,000 in prize money and a £5500 one carat diamond prize for the best dressed race goer, the East Lothian course is going all out celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend festival.

10 – Royal Mile Jubilee Party. 100 guests will be invited to afternoon tea, with a Scottish twist. As part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, an Afternoon Tea Party will be held on West Parliament Square, beside St Giles’ Cathedral. Invitations can be won on Twitter or Facebook.

11 – Get along to the award-winning Mercat Bar & Restaurant in Edinburgh’s West End for a fun, friendly and informative Scottish themed wine tasting and lunch event on Saturday 2 June 2012 from 1:30pm.  Those attending will learn all about the Chardonnay through to the Shiraz, guided by wine expert Ian McNeill.  And of course, there will be plenty of opportunity to taste the wines!

Ian was president of the Institute of Wines & Spirits (Scotland), a trainer in the field and a life-long aficionado of this fine drink.  With his fantastic wealth of wine knowledge, he’ll not only make the afternoon educational but also great fun.

There will be a delicious Scottish lunch to accompany the wine tasting.  Enjoy haggis balls to start followed by Loch Fyne mussels with the Mercat’s truly special cranachan with chocolate wine for dessert!  It’s only £20pp for the three-course meal and a generous amount of wine!  To book call 0131 225 8716 or email info@mercatbar.com. The Mercat Bar & Restaurant, 28 West Maitland Street, Edinburgh, EH12 5DX.

12 – The Singing Kettle back in Edinburgh on 3 June 2012 and the Festival Theatre is the place to be when Cilla, Artie, Gary and Kevin arrive with their brand new show “Shake Rattle and Roll”. Cilla Fisher from the group said, “We’re all really excited about returning to the Festival Theatre with this new show, we always get a great welcome in Edinburgh and it’s one of our favourite venues on the tour. The show is full of audience participation, new songs and lots of weird looking musical instruments. We’re also encouraging the audience to join the band and bring their own homemade shakers or rattles, in fact anything that will make a noise, to the show.”

Based in a musical garden full of funky looking plants and lots of surprises, the Singing Kettle bring the sounds of the garden to life as they plant some magic seeds… and watch them grow! Scotland’s number one family show offers a superb singalong, action packed, fun adventure as only the Singing Kettle know how to deliver.

Tickets are available from the Festival Theatre Box Office 0131 529 6000 or online from www.festivaltheatre.org.uk  Visit www.singingkettle.com for more information.

13. Gardening Scotland is on at Ingliston this weekend from 1-3 June. More information on What’s On Scotland’s website.

14. Plu is on at Leith Links. What is Plu? Children’s Entertainment from 10 till 5 from 1-3 June 2012. More details on What’s On Scotland. 

15. Martin Aelred is performing for charity at the Astley Ainslie Hospital on Friday 1 June at 7p.m. to raise funds for Headway. More details on What’s On Scotland. 

16. Missed the Steven Spielberg film War Horse? Well you can see it on the big screen on Friday at Brunton Halls Musselburgh at 7.30p.m. More details on What’s On Scotland. 

17. Portobello Market is at Brighton Park on Saturday 2 June. You are promised traders and entertainment.

18. Photography tours of the Zoo will be run on Saturday morning. Information here.

19. Drummond Court Summer Slam Jubilee Basketball Tournament The city’s basketball players will come together this Sunday 3 June at Drummond High School’s outdoor court to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

This event will unite Edinburgh’s urban cultures at the city’s most popular and legendary outdoor court, whilst celebrating a national royal event. Edinburgh’s top DJs and breakdancers will be on site to provide entertainment, whilst a BBQ and ice cream van will provide refreshments for both players and spectators.

The tournament is on from 12:00 to 19:00 and is open to all players aged 16+, both male and female, in teams of five. Winners will be crowned ‘Kings/Queens of Drummond Court’ and will receive medals. Teams will abide by streetball rules and a referee will be present. Tournament entry is £2 per player.

The highly anticipated event will hopefully lead to more of its kind, bringing together Edinburgh’s different communities whilst expanding the amount and level of organised basketball in the capital.

20. And as well as watching from home on your own TV, you can watch the Diamond Jubilee events from London on the big screen in Festival Square on Sunday and Monday. More details here. And a full list of all London based events here on the BBC website. 

21. Stockbridge Market is on Sunday, and then starting in June they are open on Thursdays too!

22. Read about 1952 when the Queen’s father died and she actually became Queen, although she was not crowned till the following year following a period of mourning, on the City Library website Tales of One City. 

23. Volunteers still needed to help out at Bethany’s Sportive event on Saturday 2 June 2012. More details here. Or you could register and take part in this cycling event to raise funds for the charity! 72 or 102 miles…..

24. At Edinburgh Castle on 3 June 2012 there is a treasure hunt with a prize of £500 running from about 14.00. More details here. 

25. The Scottish Gallery has new exhibitions from 4 June 2012. One of these is a family affair! The Michie family are one part of the gallery’s offering. This is what they say:-“It is not uncommon for some artistic talent to pass onto the next generation and for a number of siblings and children to pursue a similar creative pathway. Anne Redpath is recognised as one of the greatest painters of her generation; her reputation grew beyond the confines of Scotland in her lifetime and continues to grow. Two of her sons, David and Alastair have pursued careers in painting, although quite separately. They both used their own family name, Michie, that came from their father James and for many it will be his group of paintings which provides the surprise in this family exhibition.”

26. All the Edinburgh Museums and Galleries are open over the weekend according to their website and have much to offer for all ages.

27. The Meadows Festival is on 2 & 3 June 2012.

28. If you can’t get to London for the river pageant then go for a coffee or a cruise along the canal with Zazou Cruises.  Or you can perhaps hire your own boat from Re-Union Canal Boats.

29. A Light and Life Outreach Fair is being run in Wester Hailes Education Centre on Friday from 6.45 to 8.45  Spiritual readings and de-stressing massage.

30. Edinburgh Ceilidh Club meets on Tuesday 5 June 2012 at the Bongo Club 37 Holyrood Road at 8.30p.m

31. Do you enjoy photography? Then join up for a free account with Blipfoto and add your own daily snaps of our beautiful city. We have our own account here. 

32. If you want to learn how to be an even better photographer then you could sign up for a course at Stills on Cockburn Street. 

33. You could learn how to use the flying trapeze… although you will have to go to Glasgow for the day long course… Aerial Edge are running it here!

34. VisitScotland have some ideas for you to go mountain biking in the Pentlands just outside the city. Where do you like going?

35. There is a special day excursion from North Berwick to Kyle of Lochalsh by steam train on 2 June. More details here. 

36. There are many companies offering bus tours leaving from Edinburgh, but this one goes to Stirling Castle, another royal venue.

37. Get out of town for a few nights under canvas. But the best kind of canvas! Go Glamping in East Lothian near a private beach. Heaven. Harvest Moon Holidays have it all sorted for you.

38. Warm up your vocal chords and join a choir. Sing in the City is just one of many in the capital. Any others we should know about?

39. Climb Arthur’s Seat! (and come back down safely please!)

40.  Vogrie Park are having a Diamond Jubilee party on Sunday 3 June. Bring a picnic anytime from 1pm.

41. Camera Obscura is one of Edinburgh’s best loved tourist attractions. It has been there for 150 years and is a great way to see the city.

42. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Printing and Poems drop in for ages five and upwards at the John Hope Gateway from 1 till 4p.m on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

43. Maid of the Forth sails from the Hawes Pier in South Queensferry. They have a BBQ cruise on 1 June 2012 and other cruises to Inchcolm Island throughout the weekend. They also do weddings on Inchcolm so be careful you don’t go on the wrong cruise!

44. Sailing at Port Edgar at South Queensferry is run by Edinburgh Leisure and you can enrol for a variety of courses from sailing to navigation.

45. OneSpa have a Diamond Spa Day on offer to make you feel and look good!

46. The Scottish Storytelling Centre are hosting Sensory O being put on for babies and young children by Scottish Opera on Saturday and Sunday.

47. Doodles at 29 Marchmont Crescent are offering 20% off some of their pottery on 5 June. Join in their tea party fun and paint your own pottery 10.30 till 9p.m. Call to book on 0131 229 1399.

48. Hendersons Wine Bar Thistle Street are putting on a night of guitar music and songs on 2 June from 7.00 – 9.30 pm

49. Rediscover the 70s with a Hawkwind concert at the Queen’s Hall on 2 June 2012 at 7.00 pm.

50. Take the floor at the Edinburgh International Tango Festival. There is a Jubilee Tango night on Thursday night followed by three days of classes and a Summer Ball taking place at The Merlin in Morningside.

51. Order cupcakes for your tea party from Cuckoo’s Bakery. For this week only there is free delivery on all orders placed online.  Cuckoo’s will hand deliver all online orders placed within the Edinburgh city bypass, a service which would usually cost £3.95. With delicious flavours like Strawberry Cheesecake, Black Bottom or Raspberry and White Chocolate, an order of special cupcakes is a perfect way to brighten up your day. The perfect treat for the office or gift for friends or family. You can choose a selection of cakes from Cuckoo’s Cake Menu page The offer is valid on all cupcake delivery orders placed online from Monday 28th May to Sunday 3rd June, and the minimum order for delivery is 6 cupcakes.

52. Walk across the Forth Road Bridge and admire the Forth Bridge which was built 130 years ago and is now being put up for UNESCO World Heritage Status.

53. Order your takeaway from The Jubilee 124 West Granton Road Edinburgh EH5 1PF or

54. Get all the answers to any questions you may have about the Queen’s Jubilee which are here on The British Monarchy website. May be useful for those of you setting up a Royal Jubilee Quiz?

55. Friday 1 June 13.30-16.30 Celebrate The Diamond Jubilee  Come and make some jubilee inspired crafts and join us in a wee party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Potter Around, Overton Farm, Kirknewton, West Lothian, EH27 8AH  T: 01506 238961 E: chat@potteraround.co.uk  W: www.potteraround.co.uk

56. The 105th Regiment Royal Artillery is sounding out the gun salute at Edinburgh Castle.  Details: Listen out on June 2 at noon, www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk. Read more here in the Daily Mail

57. Buy some souvenir mugs and crockery including tea party stands on the Royal Britain website… 

58. Beacons are being lit all over the UK and full details of the timings and locations are here. So get out and see them. If you take photos will you share them with us? email them to theedinburghreporter@gmail.com

59. Take time out on the holiday weekend to book tickets for all the upcoming events in Edinburgh this year. For example, general booking is now available for the Edinburgh International Film Festival which runs from 20 June to 1 July. The Royal Highland Show starts on 21 June, Leith Festival is on 9 June…. Tell us about anything else in Edinburgh this month by adding your comments below!

60. Even though you may have lived here for a time, you could still go on a bus tour. Not quite the chauffeur driven car that HM The Queen is used to but you will learn lots of interesting facts about our wonderful capital city.

Portobello is set to become the Capital’s must-visit destination this summer for many ‘staycation’ Brits following the announcement of two projects that will provide a boost to both local business and tourism.

It was announced today that Scotland’s leading charity for the environment, Keep Scotland Beautiful, has awarded Portobello, Edinburgh’s Seaside, the coveted ‘Resort Status’ Beach Award.

Meanwhile the City of Edinburgh Council has launched a scheme, ‘Shop on the Prom’, to promote links between the Promenade and the High Street through a ‘shop window’ visual display located next to the Fun City amusement arcade.

Councillor Gordon Munro, Vice-Convener of Economic Development, said: “Portobello Beach has long been a favourite with both residents and visitors but not everyone realises all that the town has to offer. Following the Seaside Award, this summer Portobello will be firmly on the tourist’s map. We’re also hoping some local residents will venture down to explore Edinburgh’s Seaside as well – giving a boost to the local economy.

“In addition to this, the ‘Shop on the Prom’ initiative will help connect the Promenade with Portobello High Street and hopefully draw some of the visitors to the award-winning beach up on to the main shopping thoroughfare.

“To do this we’ve transformed an unsightly development site on Portobello Promenade and converted it into a ‘shop window’ reflection of Portobello High Street.  The idea is to encourage people to get to know their local shopkeepers.”

Over the last month Portobello businesses taking part have been perfecting their smiles and window displays for a visit by the photographer. The images will later be given to each business for use in their own promotions on and offline.The visual display on Portobello Promenade will be in place all through the summer – at the height of the tourist season. This initiative is part of the Economic Development team’s Town Centre co-ordinator’s sustained effort to Building Stronger Town Centres in Edinburgh – promoting key areas of the city as shopping and visiting destinations in their own right. The ‘Resort Status’ Beach Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful recognises not only the high standard of the beach but also the quality of the shops and facilities nearby.

Applicants had to demonstrate how 28 criteria are met – including aspects of litter management, information provision, risk assessment and safety procedures, and water quality. The judges claimed to have been “very impressed” with the submission put forward by the Council.

Derek Robertson, Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Chief Executive, said: “With an increasing number of people choosing to take their holidays at home in Scotland, there has never been a better time to enjoy your local City of Edinburgh beach. The Seaside Award highlights that this beach is an important resource to the local economy and that it is your beach to enjoy.

He added: “I am delighted to welcome City of Edinburgh to the award scheme –  over the last 12 years the number of Seaside Awards in Scotland has more than quadrupled, there were just 13 in 2000, so I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that goes in to achieving this award by City of Edinburgh Council and the local community, and I would encourage everyone, particularly in this economic climate, to make use of the fantastic beaches we have around the Scottish coast this summer”.

Chris Fujiwara came to Edinburgh in January to run the 2012 offering of films. He has had his work cut out for him as the reviews of last year’s Film Festival were less than favourable and this was reflected in ticket sales.  So the programme launch this morning was awaited with slightly eager anticipation.

Here are the numbers:-

There are 121 new feature films from 52 countries and 150 films in all will be shown at the 12 day festival starting on 20 June 2012.

There are 19 World premieres

There are 13 International premieres

There are 11 European premieres

There are 76 UK premieres

There are 29 older films in Retrospectives, including Lawrence of Arabia in all its digitally remastered finery to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its release.

Chris is the author of books on Jerry Lewis, Otto Preminger, and Jacques Tourneur and the editor of a book on defining moments in cinema and of the film-criticism magazine Undercurrent. He has written on film and film festivals for many periodicals and anthologies, has worked in various capacities for many international film festivals, and has taught and lectured on film at Tokyo University, Yale University, Rhode Island School of Design, and elsewhere. He was named Artistic Director of EIFF in September 2011.

To keep audiences happy the Surprise Movie is back, there will be an Awards Ceremony and Under the Stars 2012 will show films in St Andrew Square. Last year they showed Shrek… what will they have for us this year between 14 – 17 June? We will let you know as soon as we do!

The organisers have also launched Pathways which will feature various strands for different audiences. So for example 15 year-olds upwards will be entertained by films in the Teenage Kicks strand and those comedy lovers among you will be interested in Played for Laughs.

The 47th Edinburgh International Film Festival will open with Killer Joe by William Friedkin and the closing film will be Disney-Pixar’s Brave, already lauded by The Scottish Government and others.

World Premieres:

BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO

BORROWED TIME

DAY OF THE FLOWERS

EXIT ELENA

FLYING BLIND

FRED

FUTURE MY LOVE

GUINEA PIGS

HERE, THEN

LEAVE IT ON THE TRACK

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF PAUL THE PSYCHIC OCTOPUS

LIFE JUST IS

MNL 143

NFA

ONE MILE AWAY

PHILIPPINE NEW WAVE: THIS IS NOT A FILM MOVEMENT

PUSHER

SHELL

WHAT IS THIS FILM CALLED LOVE?

International Premieres:

7 DAYS IN HAVANA

ATTRACTIVE ILLUSION

CALIFORNIA SOLO

EVELYN

FLICKER

FOREVER LOVED

OF SKIES AND EARTH

RIDING ZORRO

SLEEPLESS NIGHT

THE SUBURBAN TRILOGY

SUN DON’T SHINE

TONDO, BELOVED: TO WHAT ARE THE POOR BORN?

THE UNSPEAKABLE ACT

European Premieres:

THE 99 UNBOUND

BRAVE

GOD BLESS AMERICA

GRABBERS

HERE, THERE

THE IMPOSTER

MIRAGE

ONE.TWO.ONE

THE SEARCH FOR EMAK BAKIA

TOKYO DRIFTER

YOUNG DUDES

An innovative new scheme helping offenders break the cycle of crime and providing free bikes for the community is being launched in the Capital today.

The first of its kind in Scotland, Brake the Cycle is a new project run by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Criminal Justice section.Offenders on Community Payback Orders are shown how to fix bikes under the supervision of a criminal justice worker at one of four workshops across the city. The bikes are either old or unwanted and have been donated to the workshops or left at one of the Council’s three Community Recycling Centres.

They are then renovated and given away for free to community organisations, youth groups, other deserving organisations and children. Bikes which cannot be fixed will be stripped for parts and scrap metal.

The project received funding from the Scottish Government’s Payback Sports Facilities Fund.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This scheme is an absolute winner on so many different fronts. Not only are old or unwanted bikes being recycled and put to good use but they are also being distributed for free to deserving organisations and young people.

“It’s also a great way of getting offenders involved in giving something back to their communities. Most people on Community Payback orders are young men under 25 many of whom have an interest in bikes and cycling.

““We are giving offenders new skills and confidence by teaching them how to build a bike from scratch. The fact that they are taking part in something they are interested in makes for a more successful outcome.”

Nathan Thompson, 27 years, an offender working on Brake the Cycle, said: “You get a sense of satisfaction knowing the bike is going to someone less fortunate then myself, especially if it is a child. While I knew about bikes before, I am learning new skills from being here.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “This is a fantastic initiative in Edinburgh which will not only benefit the local community but also help break the cycle of reoffending for the young people involved in the scheme.

“These bikes would have been destined for the scrapheap, but because of this innovative idea and the hard work of offenders they will be put to good use and donated to people in the community who wouldn’t have been able to afford them otherwise. We want to see more of this type of work being replicated across Scotland.”

Jubilee in Parliament – EIFF launch – Neighbourhood Partnership – Jewellery sale – Anyone for tennis?

An oak tree will be planted at the Scottish Parliament today to signify Her Majesty The Queen’s lasting connection with Scotland’s Parliament and its people.

The Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP will plant the tree in the landscaped area of the Holyrood building as the Scottish Parliament commemorates The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. A motion marking The Queen’s 60 years as Monarch will also be debated by MSPs. The motion, which has cross party support, will be debated in the chamber at the start of today’s parliamentary business.

The Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP said:

“It is fitting that this oak tree will be planted in the landscaped area of the Scottish Parliament building, a building opened by The Queen, where members of the public will be able to see it grow and flourish for many years to come.

“The Queen’s personal affection for Scotland is well known and she has visited Parliament many times. I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament will be commemorating this momentous occasion.”

The tree is being planted as part of the Jubilee Woods project organised by Woodland Trust Scotland which aims to transform areas across the country.

Andrew Fairbairn, Policy and Communications Manager, Woodland Trust Scotland said:

“We’re delighted that the Scottish Parliament has chosen to help celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by planting this oak tree. This is one of 2 million native trees to be planted by people across Scotland through the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods Project.”

“Oak trees are one of our most recognisable native tree species. They represent both strength and longevity so it’s a fitting way to recognise her Majesty’s 60-year reign.”

The text of the Diamond Jubilee motion is:

“That the Parliament congratulates Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee; expresses its gratitude for Her Majesty’s exceptional public service and unwavering dedication to duty over sixty years in a changing world; affirms the respect that is held for Her Majesty in Scotland, and looks forward with anticipation to the continuation of that long and close relationship on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee visit to Scotland during this celebratory year.”

The Greens tried to amend the wording yesterday afternoon “expressing gratitude to Mrs Windsor for her sixty years of service but also affirming respect for all other public sector workers. ”

The amendment called for a debate about the head of state in an independent Scotland but was rejected by the Presiding Officer, Tricia Marwick MSP.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said:

“Our intention wasn’t to rain on her majesty’s parade but rather to spark debate about the sort of head of state Scotland should have in the future. Sticking to the hereditary principle in the twenty-first century is bound to seem bizarre to many Scots and it’s a shame that won’t be reflected.

“The other parties can doff their caps to royalty if they want. Greens are much more likely to break out bunting and cake for the low paid public sector workers and local activists who bring our communities together.”

In addition to the tree planting and debate, the Parliament will present a photographic record of The Queen’s visits to the Scottish Parliament to Her Majesty during Holyrood Week in July.

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The Reporter is off to the Edinburgh International Film Festival Launch this morning at the Filmhouse. We already know that the opening night film is a thriller called Killer Joe, and that Disney-Pixar’s Brave will be shown at the end, but now we will know about the many films which will fill the gap in the middle. But the festival which runs from 20 June to 1 July must improve on last year, and have brought in a new artistic director Chris Fujiwara, in an effort to do just that. We will be tweeting from the event, using the hashtag #edfilmfest and hope to bring you some live video and audio interviews. EIFF have published a short animated video which you can see here. The film has been watched on just over 400 times since last week, perhaps because it cannot be shared. Hopefully more people watch the films!

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Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership meet today in Colinton Primary School at 7p.m.

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Lyon & Turnbull have a Fine Jewellery and Silver sale today at 11 when one of the many items they have for sale is a A Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee pendant. Tomorrow they are selling fine paintings at 18.00.  More details here.

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A Primary 1 pupil from Craiglockhart Primary School has been named as the winner of a junior golf competition held on Bruntsfield Links short course last week.

Five year old Sam Watson from Shandon, Edinburgh entered the competition alongside primary school pupils from across the capital and triumphed to win the grand prize of a full set of bespoke US Kids Golf clubs.

The ‘Nearest the Pin’ event was held by the organisers of the U.S. Kids Golf European Championship, which comes to East Lothian next month, bringing 550 of the world’s best young golfers from 40 countries together to compete on five of the county’s most historic courses.

Ahead of the prestigious championship, the foundation arm of the organisation held the Edinburgh competition to encourage local youngsters to get involved in the sport and reinforce its commitment to introducing the game to children and families.

Sam entered the competition which gave him two chances to hit the ball as near to a designated pin as possible, and on his second attempt the ball stopped just six paces shy of the mark, allowing him to take home the winning title and the set of bespoke golf clubs.

The youngster was joined by his mum Julie, dad Derek and older brothers Guy and Alex.

Julie Watson said: “Sam’s interest in golf started by playing the Tiger Woods game on the Wii and as a result he received golf lessons for his fifth birthday which he has been attending at Swanston Golf Club since January.

“When we heard of the competition we knew we had to bring the kids along and they had such a lovely afternoon.

“We are thrilled that Sam is the overall winner as golf is his favourite thing in the whole wide world as he keeps telling us and the clubs will allow him to further develop his love for the sport!”

The event was attended by Gullane PGA professional and U.S. Kids Golf European Championship co-ordinator Alasdair Good, who was on hand to give the young players hints and tips on how to get the winning shot.

Alasdair said: “The ‘Nearest The Pin’ event was designed to encourage more young people into the world of golf and give those new to the game, as well as those who are developing their talent, the chance to test their skills with a bit of friendly competition.

“The idea was to make the event as inclusive as possible, with a variety of entrants – both boys and girls of all skill levels.

“The day was a great success and the kids all seem to really enjoy themselves. Even better was the fact that there was some real talent on display and Sam was not the only youngster who hit an impressive shot.

“I hope that we have encouraged some of them into the game of golf and that some of them may even sign up for next year’s European Championships, or even become the Rory McIlroys of tomorrow.”

The European Championships takes place from June 5-7 on Gullane No. 2, Gullane No. 3, Craigielaw Golf Club, Luffness New Golf Club and Longniddry Golf Club. The courses are modified for each age group in order to provide the same level challenge, meaning holes are progressively shorter as the age groups get younger.

It ultimately allows the players to reach the greens in the same number of strokes as the top pros on the PGA tour.

The top finishers in each category will compete in the Van Horn Cup over Gullane No 1 on June 8 – a showpiece event, modelled on the Ryder Cup, where the best European players are matched up against the top golfers from the rest of the world.

The top five finishers in each age and gender group also automatically receive an invitation to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at Pinehurst Golf Club, North Carolina, in August.

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation was launched in 2001 to provide opportunities for kids to play and learn the game through local tours and tournaments such as the European Championships. Since holding its first tournament in 2000, U.S. Kids Golf Foundation now runs some 600 events each year including the prestigious World Championships at Pinehurst.

The Foundation is the charitable branch of U.S. Kids Golf – the world’s largest producer of junior golf equipment. The firm has pioneered the development of golf clubs for young people, eliminating the problem of kids using heavier, cut-down adult clubs which often hurts developing swings and discourages budding players.

For more information or to register for the U.S. Kids Golf European Championships, visit www.uskidsgolf.com.

In a bid to encourage healthy eating and to raise money for charity, The City of Edinburgh Council has teamed up with the Wallace and Gromit Foundation to serve up some tasty, healthy pasta meals for primary pupils.

To launch the new meals, Wallace and Gromit visited Currie Primary and Clovenstone Primary today, where kids got a taste for the new meals.

The fun shaped pasta is accompanied by a nutritious sauce, helping kids get the right share of nutrients and vitamins for their lunch.

And for every pack purchased by the Council, one pound is donated to the Wallace and Gromit Foundation which is a national children’s charity to help sick kids in hospitals and hospices across the UK.

Children and Families Leader, Councillor Paul Godzik, said: “There is a real need to promote healthy eating.  Here in Edinburgh we’ve had real success with our breakfast clubs, but we know we need to do more.  We hope that these new school meals will help encourage more children and young people to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and at the same time support a very worthy cause.”

The right diet has been proven to aid both children’s physical and mental well-being and aid concentration. The council is committed to delivering healthy meals for all its pupils and all of the food served up in the city’s schools meets the Scottish Government guidelines.

People can find out more about what meals are on offer in all schools in Edinburgh and the benefits of them online.

Scotland v South Africa – Women’s Hockey, 28th May 2012

Scotland’s Women are playing a series of International Tests against South Africa in preparation for the latter’s Olympic campaign. With four of the top players in the GB squad for the Olympic games in London, Scotland were a little weak, but still fielded a strong squad against the team six places ahead in the World rankings (SA are 12th). Before the start of this, the second match – the first being a 2-2 draw – Catriona Ralph was presented with a silver quaich and large bouquet of flowers on the occasion of her 100th cap.

To say that South Africa dominated the first half would be to do them an injustice. The Scots barely managed to get out of their own half and it was only a combination of poor finishing and miracle saves from Scotland’s Amy Gibson that kept the score 0-0. The inevitable goal from the visitors came from the sixth in a series of penalty corners, scored from a rebound by Sulette Damons.

With the half-time score at 1-0 to South Africa, it didn’t look good for the home side, but whatever the coach said at the break it was a different Scotland team that took the field for the second period of play. Three minutes in, Sam Judge sneaked a reverse stick shot past the South African goalie to draw the sides level. Less than a minute later the Scots had another chance to score but the visitors defence easily cleared the ball. The rest of the half was very much an end-to-end affair with neither team really getting on top or creating clear-cut chances. At least until 15 minutes from time, that is, as the Scottish keeper was beaten for the second time. Left for pace, the defence could do nothing to prevent Jennifer Wilson firing a powerful shot into the goal to put the visitors ahead again.

In spite of a couple of penalty corners from Scotland in the last few minutes, South Africa led on to record the win.

With three more matches in the series, Scotland don’t look as if they are going to be disgraced against a superior, on paper, South African side – just as long as they play both halves of the games, anyway.

Photo and Report – John Preece
Web – http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography

Leith Walk – Cupcake of the day – Sara Sheridan – Police seeking witnesses – Community Engagement Event

If you live in Leith and want to have a say as to the development of Leith Walk then you might put this event in your diary. Greener Leith announced it and are part of the organising team:-

Your Vision for Leith Walk

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Cuckoo’s Bakery has a cupcake of the day. And today it is Rocky Road…..

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The Edinburgh Bookshop is the place to be tonight. They write:-“We’re delighted to announce that Sara Sheridan will be joining us on Tuesday 29th May from 7.30 – 9.00pm to introduce us to the wonderful Mirabelle Bevan.  Sara, author of The Secret Mandarin and The Secret of the Sands among many others, has branched out into crime fiction with Brighton Belle.  It is 1951 and Mirabelle, former secret agent, is working for a debt collection company in Brighton and trying to come to terms with the death of her long-standing lover.  She has sought a quiet life but her interest is piqued when her boss is absent and she looks into the mysterious disappearance of Romana Laszlo. Soon she is embroiled in a web of betting fraud, corpses and a trail of gold sovereigns.  With the assistance of Vesta Churchill, bored insurance clerk from the office next door, she calls on her former espionage skills and sets out to find out what’s been going on and what’s happened to Romana…”

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Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in the capital over the weekend.

The incident happened around 5.50pm on Saturday 26 May 2012 in Zetland Place.

A 13-year-old boy was walking in the area toward Netherby Road when another youth approached and struggled with him in an attempt to steal his possessions.

The suspect then made off empty handed and the victim went to a family member’s house and contacted police. Officers are now keen to speak with anyone who can assist with their enquiries.

The suspect is described as male, white, 15 or 16-years-old with a slim build. He was wearing blue jeans, black boots, a black hooded top with AC/DC in red and white lettering on the front and the hood up. The youth was also wearing ski goggles with an orange lens and a white frame.

A police spokesman said: “The young boy was not injured during this incident, but was left understandably shaken.

“Anyone who was in or around the Zetland Place or Netherby Road area on Saturday evening and remembers seeing anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately.

“We have a very detailed description of the suspect and anyone who can assist us identify him should also come forward.”

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

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South West Edinburgh Community Engagement Event today Tuesday 29 May 2012, 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Tynecastle High School, 2 McLeod Street, EH11 2ND

“The meeting is designed to provide communication and information flow between communities and services. This should be beneficial to all groups and will be an opportunity for all present to influence decision making in the communities they represent. This meeting will enable community members, organisations and others to engage with different services like the Police, Council, Fire, Health and various other community organisations.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss issues relating to crime, hate crime, antisocial behaviour and general community issues. The meeting will also be used to highlight ways in which people can become involved in community councils and community priority setting meetings.”

This is a FREE event. Snacks and refreshments will be served followed by a cultural programme.

Places are limited, so please confirm your attendance as soon as you can.

(T) 0131 556 0441 (F) 0131 556 8577 (E) admin@elrec.org.uk

Please also let us know in advance of any special requirements you may have.

by Ken O’Neill

Sad to report, but a part of Edinburgh’s live music scene is saying ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ and heading off Berlin-wards.  Alex Highet, who co-founded Uke Boogie in 2008, is heading off to pastures new but is making sure he goes out with a flourish.  To mark his departure he’s hosting the Final Hilarious Delight at Old St Paul’s Church on Jeffrey Street this Wednesday.  The event will include music of various inclinations, poetry, fun and a burrito for everybody.

Alex, and his co-conspirator Pockets, started Uke Boogie as an open mic night in the Winter of 2008.  The pair had previously tried to start a general one but found that the event was always populated by guitar players, and filled with songs that people had heard too many times before.  The idea behind the night was that by banning guitars, even though they both play the instrument, it would force people to do something different and unusual, avoiding some of the standard guitar-y things that can happen at open mics.  The event started at the much-missed Bowery and has grown to become Scotland’s biggest Ukulele open mic night and has proved to be a tremendous success.  Now firmly established at the Banshee Labyrinth, the session brings Edinburgh the best in undiscovered ukulele talent with performers coming back to play time and time again.

The event is also a fundraiser for Firefly International, a Scottish charity that works to overcome boundaries worldwide through friendship, education and the arts, as well as the Forest, Edinburgh’s own grassroots art and social charity.  Entry is on the night and tickets are on a sliding scale of £4-8, with all profits split between the two charities.  Not only will your ticket allow you to enjoy the many great performances, but you will also receive a Forest burrito – either vegetarian or vegan – along with a healthy serving of salad, sour cream and salsa.  Sharing the bill with Alex are:

• Zorras’ fusion of poetry, music and video;
• the Watch Thieves’ sharp melodies combined with delicate and melancholic harmonies;
• the Moon, the Sun and the Daughters delivering heart-warming ukulele folkiness;
• Wayward Jane serving up a folk-bluegrass combo;
• plus other special guests on the night.

Alex decided to hold the event as one lust hurrah before decamping to Berlin, but decided to have something bigger than the small, intimate gig he had originally planned.  “I’ve never played with as many musicians as I will on Wednesday.  Everybody involved is part of the community that Uke Boogie originates from, so it would be strange not to have it as a fundraiser.  Originally I didn’t see it as a fundraiser but as the plans grew it seemed strange not to have it as one, allowing me to give something back to the community that has supported and encouraged me since I moved to Edinburgh in 2005.  I volunteered for years at the Forest, where my Massage Corner was based, and I miss the atmosphere and fun that I enjoyed while a kitchen manager there.  That’s why there’s the food element, to remind people of what’s been missing since the Forest left Bristo Place last August.  This is going to be a great, chilled out event with a wide variety of performers, not a crazy boozy event, rather friends gathering to celebrate a evening of fun.  I also wanted to make it an event that anybody can come to, one that’s open to everybody.”

Given his time with the Forest, it’s obvious why Alex would want to support it.  Why did he pick Firefly as the other charity to profit from the event?  “I realised that since last August I hadn’t done any charity work and I wanted to raise money for projects outwith the   UK.  I know Firefly well and the people behind so know that the donation will fund their work on the ground rather than admin costs.  Firefly’s help foster multi-ethnic youth projects in Bosnia and the Middle East, giving young people in difficult situations some relief while showing how they can work together.  That’s very important to me – giving people the opportunities that I’ve had, to learn about others through art.”

While Alex is off to start a new life in the German capital, partly to live in a different society and partly because his boyfriend told him to, he says he will miss Edinburgh a great deal.

“I’ve never lived lived in a city where I found my place so easily and received such support for the things I’ve done.  I still find it amazing to see how the grassroots puts on so many different events while making everybody very welcome.  I really will miss the people. They’ve been wonderful to me over the years and I’m very lucky to have lived in such a warm and giving community.  We used to run Uke Boogie at the Bowery, which later became the Roxy Art House.

When it was announced the Roxy would close, we were meant to run an event that evening.  That day was really sad, the venue was really coming into it’s own and it was shutting, immediately, for reasons that had nothing to do with it.  People were losing their jobs and it was the end of a great Edinburgh arts venue.  Typically of the community though, within a few hours the event had moved to the large hall at the Forest and, despite the sadness and adversity, it was a great night.  The community still made it happen.  I really will miss all these wonderful people and I hope to say goodbye to them all in the best way I know how – with food, good company and music.”

HRH the Princess Royal marked the official opening today of the £54 million University of Edinburgh’s Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM) building.

Designed by architecture practice Sheppard Robson, SCRM is the first large-scale, purpose-built facility of its kind in the UK and is set to become the first laboratory building in Scotland to receive a BREEAM Excellent rating. BREEAM is one of the world’s foremost environmental assessment methods and rating systems for buildings. Located at Edinburgh BioQuarter, the SCRM building will provide a sustainable environment for the study and development of new treatments for human diseases based on regenerative medicine.

Edinburgh BioQuarter, located in the South East of Edinburgh, is a medical science park built in partnership between Scottish Enterprise, the University of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, delivering commercial outcomes from the world-class medical research being undertaken in the University of Edinburgh and at NHS Lothian.

Professor Charles Ffrench-Constant, Director of the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, said: “Sustainability is central to the design of the new SCRM, and nowhere more so than in its science. An iconic building, visually striking and functionally state-of-the-art, this new facility provides the magnet we need to recruit the brightest and the best and so maintain our world-leading science and train the next generation of doctors and scientists in the exciting new field of regenerative medicine.”

Luke Thurman, associate at Sheppard Robson, said: “The building’s internal form mimics a ‘pebble in a pond’ effect with smaller, darker spaces, such as the cell culture rooms, positioned in the centre of the building while laboratory spaces are positioned in the middle and write-up spaces are located next to the outer walls, allowing for natural ventilation and lighting.”

The building has achieved SCRM’s objective of BREEAM Excellent rating through the choice of materials, active and passive sustainable systems and an efficiency of design and detailing.

“As well as the integrated approach to sustainability and the reduction of embodied energy, the placement of the plant on the mezzanine floor within the middle of the building has reduced service runs and simplified connections of the complex service requirements of the lab building,” said Thurman.

“This goes some way towards improving the flexibility of the building and its ability to change with developing technology; a key requirement of all end users.”

Externally, large openable windows at the ground and first floor ensure that natural light is maximised and an open window can provide local cooling and ventilation as required. These glazed screens are augmented with vertical fixed louvres or fins that provide the solar shading required to minimise heat gain. Active sustainability systems include rainwater recycling and a ground source heat pump, powered by the photovoltaic panels on the roof, to reduce energy consumption within the building.

Sheppard Robson worked as part of a design team that included consulting engineers Buro Happold and contractor Miller Construction to deliver a building designed for 250 people but able to accommodate up to 350. The 8,700 sq m building delivers a 22% reduction in carbon emissions against industry benchmark figures while 76% of its energy is contributed from renewable sources.

The treatment of the external spaces and integration into the landscape strategy for the BioQuarter ensures that the external environment to SCRM is as much a part the building as it is part of the overall master plan site.

“The building is designed to complement the environment within which it sits. The cantilevered laboratory is clad in aluminium fins, which provide maximum impact on arrival to the site while also maximising the views of the surrounding landscape and minimising solar gain,” said Thurman.

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.

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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:

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