Residents living in one of Edinburgh’s most isolated communities say their village will remain a “bus wilderness” despite new subsidised services being agreed by the council. 

Lothian Buses has been awarded a contract for a route between The Gyle and Hermiston park and ride via Ratho – leaving long-standing pleas for a direct Ratho to city centre service unanswered. 

It will replace the existing 20 which will be withdrawn by McGill’s on July 14. 

Stacey O’Flaherty from Ratho Community Council said the outcome of the council’s tendering process “leaves Ratho in a bus wilderness, still without a direct bus service to Edinburgh city centre”. 

This is despite “unstinting efforts” of the community council’s Bus Working Group over the last two years, which have included “identifying business stakeholders who are keen to see improved services, regular lobbying and the provision of possible timetables to include a current staff shuttle service”.  

She was addressing councillors at the transport committee where five new contracts for supported buses for west Edinburgh were awarded on Thursday, May 23. Alongside the new route serving Ratho, Lothian will run Queensferry to The Gyle, Cramond to Balerno and Wester Hailes to Chesser, while Handicabs Lothian will operate a service between The Gyle and Clermiston.  

The council tendered for a direct city centre bus but said the cost was “beyond” the available £1.1m budget. The agreed route is intended to attract more passengers as it offers onward tram links at The Gyle and bus services at Hermiston. 

However Ms O’Flaherty called it a “waste of public money” which would “permanently cut” the frequency of buses from half hourly to hourly.  

She said the return journey in both directions would require up to a 60 minute wait. “Hermiston is seen as even less attractive place to wait at night than Edinburgh Park or Gyle to return to the village, and will not grow patronage,” she said.  

“The route was proposed as a possible option early in the process by the council – we are unclear how it has been developed or by who – and was firmly rejected by the working group at that time, approximately eighteen months ago.  The proposed route does not support social and economic inclusion, is not safe for young or vulnerable persons, and will not move the modal shift needle, except possibly in reverse as Ratho residents who can afford a car will almost certainly use it.” 

She added: “Many councillors have given fulsome support to our campaign for a direct bus service over the last two years – to them go our grateful thanks.   

“We and they need not have bothered, as the route changes appear to have been decided on behind closed doors before the process even started.” 

Transport convener Scott Arthur said: “It’s worth remembering what people in Ratho have been through over the last couple of years, so their frustrations are understandable – they had threats of services being completely lost; at one point, buses were just not turning up. 

“But now they’re being connected into the city by one of the UK’s best bus companies.” 

By Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter 

For those of us not lucky enough to have made it to the Chelsea Flower Show this year, you can still indulge in all things floral when Fleur de Villes opens at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) at the end of the week.

Global sensation Fleurs de Villes has announced the 15 talented Edinburgh florists who will star in the UK premiere – in Edinburgh – of ARTISTE, a spectacular new fresh floral celebration of Scotland’s remarkable art and the nation’s much-loved artists.

The florists include:

Robert Burns mannequin by Flowers for All Occasions – Inspired by Alexander Nasmyth, Robert Burns, 1759 – 1796. Poet, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.

Monarch of the Glen “en fleurs” by Gillytree Studio – Inspired by Sir Edwin Landseer’s The Monarch of the Glen, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland: National.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh mannequin by Partyy Event and Penelope Fleur by KDM – Inspired by the figurehead of the Glasgow Art School movement, and his prolific contributions to international Art Nouveau.

Billy Connolly Edinburgh Playhouse mannequin by Bonnie Bunches – Inspired by ‘The Big Yin’ and the landmark Edinburgh Playhouse, where Billy first performed in 1976, and numerous times since.

Annie Lennox mannequin by Flower Pixies – Inspired by the iconic outfit on the cover of Annie Lennox’s solo debut album, Diva, in 1992.

John Byrne mannequin by Wonder Flower – Inspired by esteemed portrait artist, playwright and stage designer John Byrne.

Alexander McQueen mannequin by Penelope Fleur by KDM – Inspired by the renowned designer’s collections influenced by his Scottish heritage and by Scottish culture, history, and traditions.

Dovecot Weaver mannequin by Pirita Blooms – Inspired by the 2024 summer exhibition at Dovecot Studios that features The Caged Bird’s Song – showcasing how master weavers at Dovecot brought the design to life, creating a stunning tapestry that took over three years to create.

Scottish Opera mannequin by Flowers by Kerry – Inspired by the character of Violetta Valéry, from Scottish Opera’s production of Verdi’s La traviata, directed by world-renowned Scottish director Sir David McVicar.

Jupiter Artland mannequin by Boyes Botanics – Inspired by Joana Vasconcelos’ Gateway, a colourful and interactive swimming pool art installation at Jupiter Artland, made up of vibrant, hand-painted, Portuguese tiles.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancer mannequin by Wildbells – Inspired by The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dancers that celebrate the cultural tradition of highland dancing while showing how contemporary the art form can be.

Annie French mannequin by Petals by the Shore – Inspired by Annie French’s The Pink Rose, from the collection at National Galleries Scotland: Modern.

Nicola Benedetti mannequin by The Flower Studio – Inspired by the renowned violinist and the first Scottish and the first female Director of The Edinburgh International Festival since it began in 1947.

Prince Charles Edward Stuart mannequin by Nikki Fleurs – Inspired by Scottish Painter Allan Ramsay’s Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1745. Acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland in 2016, it is widely recognised as one of the most important surviving Jacobite artefacts, showing Charles’ likeness during one of the most dramatic episodes in British history, when he became the last man to lead a Scottish army into England.

Maud Sulter by Debrah J Flowers mannequin – Inspired by award-winning Scottish-Ghanaian visual artist Maud Sulter’s Terpsichore, one of nine subversive portrait photographs in her photographic series Zabat.

The exhibition opens on Friday 31st May at the Royal Botanic Garden and will run for ten days until Sunday 9th June, 2024.

https://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/fleurs-de-villes-artiste/

A tree on Cairnmuir Road became uprooted during the heavy rainfall of the last few days.

Workmen accompanied by police attended on Saturday to safely remove it and clear the obstruction to the road.

Local Edinburgh resident and Appin Sports boss, Damien O’Looney, is planning to run all the Edinburgh Marathon Festival (EMF) races this weekend in aid of Radio Forth Cash for Kids.

If he reaches his £10,000 fundraising target, his company, Appin Sports, will also donate £10,000 to the cause, bringing the total to £20,000.

Damien will run the 10k and 5k races on Saturday, followed by the Half Marathon and full Marathon on Sunday. The Edinburgh Marathon festival races are part of a three ultra challenge the sportwear boss has set himself this year.

“I’ve set myself a massive challenge for 2024: conquering three ultra marathons, to raise funds for Cash for Kids and The Resolution Foundation. I’ve already completed the 53-mile Highland Fling on 27th April.”

The Highland Fling route follows the first half of the West Highland Way from Milngavie, along the banks of Loch Lomond, and finishing in Tyndrum.

“This race didn’t exactly go to plan – I got cramp after 20 miles and ended up taking a tumble. My legs were jelly, so I couldn’t make it back to my feet. Fortunately, a passing hiker helped me up and I trudged the whole way to the finish line, in 9hrs and 12 minutes”.

Up this weekend are ALL the EMF races, what organisers call ‘doing a Hairy’, named after their mascot the Hairy Haggis. The 10k is at 9am and 5k at 11am on Saturday. Sunday has the Half Marathon at 8am, and the full Marathon at 10am. To add to the jeopardy, there is only 2hrs to run the half marathon and get back from the finish line in Musselburgh to the start of the marathon on Potterrow in Edinburgh.

“In October, I will tackle the G2E, a 92km ultra run from Glasgow to Edinburgh along the Union Canal via the Falkirk Wheel. I would love people to support my challenge by sponsoring me on the Radio Forth Charity Champions page.”

To sponsor Cash for Kids click here https://shorturl.at/hjmt5

Police are continuing to appeal for the help of the public to trace a 14-year-old girl reported missing from Stirling who has links to the capital.

Emily Neil, was last seen in the Cowgate area of Kirkintilloch, around 4.25pm on Monday, 20 May, 2024. 
 
She is described as being around 5ft 10in in height, of slim build with long red/auburn hair. 
 
When last seen she was wearing black leggings and a black hooded top. 
 
Emily is believed to be travelling by bus and has contacts in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Lothians. 
 
Sergeant William Diamond said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone who has seen Emily, or who has any information on her whereabouts to contact us. 
 
“It is believed she may be in the company of Jasmine Graham, 14, who was last seen in the area of the Forge Shopping Centre in Glasgow on Monday, 20 May.” 
 
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 2673 of 20 May, 2024. 

A new Tesco store is set to open in East Lothian by 2026 after the supermarket chain revealed plans to move into a new housing estate.

The Tesco Express is planned for Futures Way, Wallyford, where more than 2,000 new homes have been built over the last few years.

It will be the largest retail unit of several planned for the site, which had originally been earmarked for a GP centre to serve the community, with a car park also included.

The proposals were revealed at a meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board this week where representatives of Tesco applied for a provisional licence to sell alcohol from the new store.

They told the board the new Express store is due to open within two years and staff will be fully trained to handle off sales and operate CCTV systems which will be installed.

Asked about the proximity of the new store to both Wallyford Learning Campus and new primary school, they said additional staff would be brought in to cover times when pupils are likely to be passing, such as lunch times, or to enforce a restriction on the number allowed in the store at any given time.

Last year East Lothian Developments Ltd, who are overseeing the delivery of the whole site, said that while original plans had been for six retail units and a medical facility, the NHS ‘did not want’ the land.

The commercial centre for St Clements which will be the new home for Tesco and other smaller retail units, has more than 90 car parking spaces in the plans.

The board unanimously approved the provisional off sales licence for the new Tesco store.

by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

More than 150 people living in villages surrounding a quarry have signed a petition to stop operators opening a new waste recycling facility in it.

The NWH Group, who operate the landfill operations at Middleton Quarry in Midlothian have applied for permission to move recycling facilities from their Mayfield site, in Dalkeith, onto the quarry.

A meeting of Midlothian Council’s planning committee this week heard the Mayfield operation was ‘incompatible’ with future housing plans for surrounding land and moving to Middleton would benefit communities.

However Moorfoot Community Council, which represents villages surrounding the quarry object the the plans saying operation at the quarry already cause problems for locals.

And they claimed locals had reported windscreens being ‘smashed’ by debris falling from heavy vehicles exiting the quarry.

During a pre-determination hearing on the proposals, consultant William Booth, speaking on behalf of The NWH Group, said the company’s Mayfield operation was already under pressure with planning permission granted for new homes which would be as close as 50 metres to the site.

He said: “At such close distance the recycling facilities are unlikely to be compatible with residential housing and, in this respect, to address the current concerns about amenity impact and future plans fo the local development plan NWH is proposing to relocate to Middleton.”

He said the new site would allow for the closest property to the storage area where dust is most likely to be an issue to be 500 metres.

Mr Booth added: “The proposed move of the recycling plant from Mayfield is beneficial, it will reduce the current potential for impact at Mayfield and facilitate the development of the surrounding land in accordance with the local development plan.

“The relocation will allow the sustainable recycling of materials within Middleton Quarry void while ensuring an appropriate separation distance for all receptors.”

Making the case for the move the Middleton, which was a former lime quarry, he said: “The NWH group is a significant employer within Midlothian, it is a business in the circular economy. It draws a significant number of employees from within the local area and has been doing so for many years.

“This proposals assists NWH in securing the long term employment of a valued workforce.”

The meeting heard from Moorfoot Community Council that a petition with at least 150 signatures had been lodged with the local authority opposing the firm’s plans for the quarry.

Their representative said concerns had been raised about dangers at the junction into the quarry and increased heavy traffic.

She said there had been reports of near misses as HGVs leave the site as well as “several reports of smashed windscreens due to lorries kicking up debris”.

She said: “In drier weather the clouds of dust on this road are unbelievable and it does affect residents in the village.

“The amount of heavy vehicles from NWH has resulted on potholes and other damage to the road.”

by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

“Alarm bells” are ringing loudly amid the rising cost of revamping Edinburgh’s George Street, councillors have said as they fear a repeat of the city’s botched tram project. 

It’s now projected work to transform the city centre thoroughfare into a cycling and pedestrian zone will cost just under £40m – up £7m from the last estimate and significantly higher than it’s original £28m price tag. 

Councillors said they felt “increasingly nervous” about further rises and agreed to “pause and take stock” before putting spades in the ground at the transport and environment committee on Thursday, May 23. 

Officials argued the scheme was “great value” as around £30m would have to be invested in maintenance of the street even if the planned public realm enhancements – which include wider pavements, trees and cycle lanes – were cancelled.  

They said “value engineering options” would be presented to councillors later this year in a bid to bring costs down.  

Project manager Jamie Robertson said most of the added £7m was related to diverting underground utilities – a complex part of the construction process which was poorly managed during the city’s trams fiasco and contributed to costs spiralling out of control and huge delays. 

Conservative councillor Marie Claire-Munro said: “My concern is, as we’ve seen with the tram costs which escalated once the project got underway, where are we getting the money from and do we have the money if suddenly this starts getting really, really expensive? Because it already is.” 

Around 70 per cent of the funding is expected to come from external sources such as Transport Scotland, while the remaining 30 per cent will have to be met from the council’s own resources. 

Cllr Kevin Lang, Lib Dem group leader said: “Somewhere between £9m and £12m of that £40m is going to come from the council, so I just think we need to pause and take stock.” 

He said the increased cost projection “has backed up the alarm bells which we began to ring last year about the cost of this project,” adding: “Those alarm bells are ringing louder today than they were last summer. 

“At every stage when this project has come to us the figures have changed. 

“The trajectory is clear, and I don’t sit here with the confidence that it’s going to cost £39m. I think it’s going to cost a lot more than that. 

“As this scheme is evolving I’m a little bit worried it’s becoming a Frankenstein project and it will actually end up pleasing nobody. 

“I do worry as we go forward this will become a massive sink-hole for active travel and other budgets. 

“I think it is significant there is a growing number of members of this committee who are looking at this and getting increasingly nervous and increasingly worried about it.” 

Danny Aston, SNP, said the George Street redesign was a “fantastic concept” but “money is an issue”. 

The project was more centred around “placemaking and economic development rather than primarily relating to active travel,” he said, “yet the funding for it is coming from active travel streams”. 

He added: “I do also have some concerns the active travel benefits this project would bring are gradually being watered down with the hotels getting coach access. 

“I think we should pause now and I think there are more fundamental questions here we need answers for.” 

Conservative group leader Iain Whyte said: “When we had the tram, at this kind of stage things jumped by the time we went to contract. 

“The trajectory is clear, and I don’t sit here with the confidence that it’s going to cost £39m. I think it’s going to cost a lot more than that. 

“We’ve heard officers are optimistic about this scheme . . . my problem is I’ve seen this approach before, and I can’t be as optimistic as is being suggested. 

“We have lost of other things to do in this council and we have no money. It’s time we stopped this, it’s time we had a full review of the scheme.” 

Transport convener Scott Arthur, Labour, said doing “nothing” on George Street “isn’t really an option”. 

He said: “Inevitably there was always going to be some crunchy bits we were going to have to work our way through before we press the button on this. We’re not quite there with that yet.  

“I think we all understand the benefits to the businesses there, the residents there and also the city. 

“George Street is right at the heart of the city, but is also at the heart of our plans for the city centre. 

“I absolutely acknowledge the pressures on funding and I don’t take them lightly. But I’m reassured we’re going to get a further report on that before the end of the year.” 

By Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter

The Edinburgh Brain Game held at Prestonfield on Thursday evening welcomed guests including panto star, Grant Stott, singer Clare Grogan, and Scotland’s Rugby Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, as well as people from the Edinburgh business community.

Competition was fierce on the night, but it was the team from Orb Group who triumphed and went on stage to accept the trophy.The team was crowned the evening’s brainiest business following six rigorous rounds of questions during the event – which is one of Marie Curie’s biggest fundraising nights of the year.

Grant Stott not only hosted the evening with gusto, but also conducted the live auctions on the evening.

This is the largest sum raised so far in the three-year history of the Edinburgh event.

Catherine Maclean, Special Events Manager at Marie Curie, said: “Now in our third year of hosting this evening in Edinburgh, we were overwhelmed by the level of support from the capital’s business world who really made the 2024 Brain Game something very special. 

“This event is such a significant night for the charity and the work we carry out in the city, not to mention we have raised a record amount. The atmosphere across the evening was fantastic. A huge congratulations to Orb Group in coming out on top and being crowned Edinburgh’s brainiest business.

“In the last year, our Edinburgh Hospice supported patients and their families 365 days of the year. Our nursing service in the community provides vital overnight care for patients to help them when it is their wish to die at home. Events like Edinburgh Brain Game ensure we can continue to provide these important services to people who need it the most so a massive thank you to everyone who attended.” 

Throughout the evening, a series of quiz rounds took place, covering Sport, Back to the 80’s, What happened next? and Music to help identify the smartest business in the room, all hosted by well-known local faces related to each topic.

A silent and live auction also took place, as well as a raffle in partnership with United Airlines, to win two return business class flights to New York from Edinburgh. The evening was brought to a close with a DJ set from Forth One and Clyde One’s Garry Spence.

Police officers in West Lothian are seeking the public’s assistance in trying to locate a man missing from Bathgate. 

Benjamin Brown, 33, was last seen around 8.15am on Friday, 24 May, 2024 in Waverley Street, Bathgate. 

He is around 6ft. tall, with a medium build, blue eyes and short curly ginger hair and long ginger beard. 

When last seen, he was wearing blue Nike tracksuit bottoms, blue hooded top, light brown Timberland boots, carrying a green rucksack. 

His family are worried and just want to know he is safe and well. 

Officers are checking relevant CCTV footage for any additional information on where Benjamin may have gone. 

If anyone has seen Benjamin or has any information on his whereabouts, please call us on 101, quoting incident number 0642 of 24 May 2024. 

Police are appealing for information after a traffic enforcement camera was damaged in Edinburgh. 

The incident happened between 10.45pm on Sunday, 19 May and 8am on Monday, 20 May, 2024 on the A90 Burnshot flyover. 

Sergeant Karen Durham said: “Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to come forward. 

“Anyone with information that could assist us is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0051 of 22 May, 2024.” 

Ahead of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Finals weekend, Scottish Gas has revealed a carbon-absorbing mural at Hampden Park, celebrating 150 years of the country’s oldest and most loved football competition. 

And ‘Sir’ David Gray’s last minute winner in 2016 plays a prominent part. 

The striking homage to the men’s and women’s competitions, designed by Glasgow-based artist Molly Hankinson, is inspired by the football community’s favourite Scottish Cup moments, following a national vote carried out by the Scottish FA. 

The artwork, which sits above the main entrance to Hampden Park, was created using special carbon-absorbing paint, designed to remove CO2 from the air and convert it into harmless compounds.  

This innovative way of reducing the stadium’s carbon footprint will enhance the atmosphere around a busy Finals weekend, as tens of thousands of fans make their way to the home of Scottish football. 

Players and managers from all four Cup Finalists were speaking at the unveiling: 

Celtic Men’s Manager Brendan Rodgers said: “The Scottish Gas Scottish Cup has an incredible 150-year history with so many amazing moments, so it’s great to see them celebrated above the entrance at Hampden Park.” 

Rangers Women’s Captain, Nicola Docherty said: “It’s brilliant that Clare Shine is featured on the mural – I was on the pitch that day and it was an unbelievable match. Hopefully we can now make history for Rangers this weekend.” 

Rangers Men’s Manager Philippe Clement said: “Peter Lovenkrands’ last-minute winner in 2002 was a special moment for our fans and winning the Cup Final creates amazing memories.” 

Hearts Women’s Manager Eva Olid said: It’s really inspiring to see the mural depict iconic moments from the women’s competition and it would mean everything to us if we could lift the trophy on Sunday.”  

Scottish Gas has teamed up with the Scottish FA to supercharge grassroots football participation in communities across the country this season by funding 120 free football camps and 48 PARA Football Festivals. The free football provision includes working with clubs across Scotland to create the required playing conditions to engage over 1,000 disabled participants. 

This weekend’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Finals will see half of the player mascots selected from Scotland’s PARA football community. This will be the first time a sponsor has created equal representation for disabled participants at the Finals. 

Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, owner of Scottish Gas, said: “The Scottish Gas Scottish Cup has a rich history for every football fan in the country and we’re honoured to be able celebrate some of the best moments from the last 150 years ahead of the first ever joint men’s and women’s Finals weekend.” 

“Throughout the season we’ve worked with the SFA to supercharge grassroots football and make the beautiful game more accessible than ever. The Finals give us a great opportunity to celebrate inclusivity with half of all mascot spaces being selected from the PARA community – the Scottish Gas Scottish Cups and more generally football is for everyone.” 

Men’s top moments 

1. Hibernian’s last-minute winner against Rangers in 2016 

2. Tom Rogic scoring for Celtic in 2017 to complete an invincible treble 

3. Heart of Midlothian defeating Hibernian 5-1 in 2012 

4. Peter Lovenkrands scores last minute winner vs Celtic in 2002 

Women’s top moments 

1. Stewarton Thistle win the first two Women’s Scottish Cup competitions in 1972 and 1971 

2. Glasgow City secure a record 9th Cup win in 2019 

3. Celtic lift the trophy as Hampden hosts the Women’s Scottish Cup Final for the first time in 2023 

4. Hibernian beat Motherwell 8-0 in the 2018 Final 

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is set for fresh thinking while retaining the familiarity it’s known and loved for to deliver on exciting new plans for growth.

Edinburgh-based social care charity, Capability Scotland has welcomed back HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh for a visit to their Craigmillar Hub, a supported day centre environment for disabled people living in and around the city.

Southside Community Centre has confirmed it will bring the arrangement with the charity Goodies, which runs the café in the centre, to an end on 31 May.

Goodies is a charity which not only runs a café, but also a food pantry and the body redistributes surplus food from supermarkets through The Crannie on Cranston Street. The food used in the café is surplus stock from supermarkets such as M&S and Waitrose obtained through the Neighbourly organisation and Fareshare.

This food is provided to Goodies at no cost which the charity says is pivotal in providing meals in the café at reasonable prices. The menu changes daily according to the ingredients supplied and volunteer chefs – some from city centre restaurants – prepare different meals accordingly.

But the charity’s base in Southside Community Centre, owned by the council and run by the Southside Community Centre Association, is key to its operation – and that is now coming to an end, after a period of some doubt.

A spokesperson for Southside Community Centre said to The Edinburgh Reporter earlier this week: “The presence of the temporary Goodies café in the centre has been useful and welcome. We were pleased to be able to enter into a temporary agreement with Goodies SCIO to provide a café within the centre for period of twelve weeks, and to have been able to extend it further until 31^st May 2024. 

“The Board needs to give consideration  to the longer term use of the café. This is a complex area that involves taking into account the views of centre users, the legal responsibility of the charity’s Trustees to act in the best interests of the charity, that a sustainable solution is found, and being confident that any café operator within the centre is able to operate in compliance of safety regulations .

“We continue to give the matter consideration as matter of priority.”

Farrah Maryam who runs the charity said: “I like the location here. We’ve already built something up although it’s quite fractured now because of what the centre has done. I like this area because there is nothing quite like this community hub – we’ve got all kinds of people who come together. I am sad mainly for the community as it has become a staple for them. I am sad having to give them the news that we’re closing.”

Goodies

The charity was set up during the pandemic and last year ran a Monday café at the centre. Since then their operation has become a broader enterprise with a food pantry, and also some food sold at discounted prices, or for a donation. On Wednesdays in the café it is band day – a musical experience which helps members who may have mental health issues or other significant challenges.

John who has been a volunteer at Goodies for several months said: ” I will miss this place if Farah loses it. Everyone who comes here will miss Farah’s efforts in the café. She has an extensive menu.”

Sandra goes to Goodies on Tuesdays for an art class and has her dinner in the café, enjoying the spaghetti bolognese and eggs on toast.

Southside Community Centre Association

The board of trustees of the Southside Community Centre Association is headed up by Chairperson Professor Christopher Ludlam, and the board includes Fiona Harrison, MD Door Alam Rashid, Nahid Aslam, Nila Joshi and Treasurer, Susan Robertson.

One of the three members of the sub-committee which took the decision over the café is also the Chief Executive of the Centre, which Goodies say is a conflict of interest.

More than 250 people have signed a written petition placed in the café by customers expressing their discontent about the centre ending its arrangement with Goodies in favour of a commercial operation which they believe will mean higher prices.

On 6 May at a meeting of the Southside Community Centre Association, and according to notes taken by a representative of Goodies during the meeting, the trustees would not divulge who the other party to the tender process was. Goodies believed however (and it has since been confirmed) the successful party is a firm called Gopal.

Public Meeting

One member of the association, Liz Jameson, told The Edinburgh Reporter that she had attended the meeting about the café and the tendering process on 6 May, but said she still has many questions over the procedure. She said: “What I understood about the process was that the Chairman of the Board of Trustees formed a subcommittee with just three people to develop the assessment process and to oversee it.”

In January the association had indicated the arrangement with Goodies would end on 31 May 2024, although even on 21 May in an email which The Edinburgh Reporter has seen, the Centre was non-committal over the date when Goodies would have to leave, and said they would provide an update “when appropriate to do so”.

In February three expressions of interest were received from parties who wished to run the café (including one from Goodies), but after one party dropped out only two written applications were made. Chairperson Christopher Ludlam said that the centre had just spent £6,000 on the kitchen, but Treasurer Susan Robertson rejected a claim from the floor that the association had in excess of £200,000 in reserves.

The CEO of the association explained the assessment process to the meeting saying that “essential” and “desirable” criteria were given equal weighting. But the charity feels that there was a lack of clarity over these, and in particular the finances.

Ms Jameson continued: “One criterion referred to financial aspects, but it had been vaguely worded. I don’t think there was an external review of the criteria themselves. There was an external adviser called in to review the process, but not to look at the criteria and whether they were fair. There was no evidence behind the answers in the bids. There was no weighting to membership feedback which had been given previously, and no reference to Farah running this so successfully.

“It’s not just about the food and the provision. I feel like the whole team have made an effort to get to know the people who come and form relationships with them.”

Local Councillors

Cllr Tim Pogson who was at the meeting is reported to have said that “from where I am sitting it has been a very fair process”.

Cllr Steve Burgess who represents Southside and Newington said to The Edinburgh Reporter: “Ward councillors were not party to this decision making. I did suggest they set criteria to judge applicants against and that they have an independent panel member to ensure fairness, both of which they did. I can understand the disappointment of the existing provider who was not chosen to continue.”

The trustees provided information about the process to local councillors as follows: “On Tuesday 9 April 2024 the Board of Trustees selected ‘Gopals Café’ as preferred provider of future café services within Southside Community Centre.

“This decision was made by Trustees following an open call for Expressions of Interest, which resulted in three parties making known their wish to possibly work within in Centre. The proposals submitted by these three parties were considered on Tuesday 5 March 2024 and all three were invited to resubmit taking into account twenty five criteria (twenty essential and five desirable). Two of the three interested parties made submissions which were  assessed against each of the criteria. This assessment process was overseen by an independent observer from out with the Association, who reported that they were satisfied that the process of assessing the criteria was appropriate and fair.

“As a result of this process ‘Gopals Café’ was assessed as meeting a larger number of essential and desirable criteria. Trustees decided to open negotiations with ‘Gopals Café’ with the aim of agreeing a mutually acceptable contract for the provision of café service for users of the café in keeping with the aims of the Association.

“We entered into an agreement with Goodies SCIO to operate our café for a twelve week period from 22 January 2024, which was extended until 31 May 2024. We would like to thank Goodies for their work in the café during this period and wish them every success for the future.”

A member of the Goodies team said: “Goodies has transcended its role as a mere café, evolving into a symbol of warmth, inclusivity, and support. Its affordable meals, free food pantry, and dedication to mental health awareness have made it a lifeline for many.

“However, the recent decision to award the tender to Gopal Café, a business entity motivated primarily by profit, has sparked outrage among café users. The trustees cited financial incentives as the driving force behind their choice, despite the glaring contradiction with the charitable mission of the Southside Community Centre funded by the Edinburgh Council.”

Police are appealing for help from the public to trace a 42-year-old woman, reported missing from Edinburgh. 

Aihleen Fairgrieve was last seen in the Hopetoun Crescent area of Leith around 11am on Saturday, 11 May, 2024. 

She is described as around 5ft 3ins in height, with long fair/blonde hair. She is believed to be wearing a blue jacket with silver buttons, blue trousers or jeans with white training style shoes and is believed to be carrying a black over-the-shoulder bag. 

Sgt Mark Asquith said: “Concerns are growing for Aihleen’s welfare and our enquiries are ongoing to trace her. 

“She is known to frequent Edinburgh City Centre and Leith and is possibly sleeping rough. 

“I would ask anyone who has seen Aihleen or who knows where she might be, to please contact us.  

Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference 1472 of 17 May, 2024. 

A planning agent has been so incensed by the refusal of an application by East Lothian Council that he is providing his services free of charge in the appeal.

Harry Wood launched a blistering attack on planning officers over their decision to refuse to allow a farm steading near Oldhamstocks to be converted into a house.

In an appeal statement on behalf of applicant Christine Donaldson, Mr Wood said planners need to ‘take a good long look at themselves’ over the decision which he said ruled the new house would overlook a neighbouring conservatory, despite looking onto a solid wall.

He said: “It makes me wonder if East Lothian Council planners actually visited the site or observed anything before compiling the report and refusing the application,

“I suggest East Lothian Council take a good long look at themselves and ask why they are wasting applicants’ time and money. Long suffering council tax payers such as myself (I live in North Berwick) have to wonder what we are paying for when such a basic error has been made.”

Mr Wood added: “There is no charge to applicants for this appeal and I am giving my time for free as I feel the applicant is so hard done by due to East Lothian Council.”

The planning officers refusal of permission for the new two-bedroom home at Fernylea was because of a lack of outdoor amenity and said the new house would have ‘no outlook’.

It also said a new opening in the property would result in “harmful overlooking of the conservatory of the neighbouring house”.

Mr Wood’s appeal, which will go before the council’s Local Review Body says an atrium space had been included in the design of the home to compensate for a lack of outdoor amenity and points out the rural location of the new home means occupants “could enjoy plenty of opportunity to experience outdoor space as soon as they step out their door.”

And he added: “The conservatory walls facing the steading are solid masonry walls. How someone would be able to overlook someone in a conservatory through solid masonry walls is beyond me.”

The appeal is being held next month.

by Marie Sharp, Local Democracy Reporter.

Edinburgh-based band Full Fat will release their new album, Live in Leith, on Friday 24 May showcasing a “hard to define but impossible to ignore” sound that will captivate both dedicated fans and new listeners alike.

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Pianodrome the impressive collection of songs draws from funk, rock, soul and indy inspirations, with down and dirty bass lines, driving percussion and captivating lyrics all skillfully crafted by frontman Fraser McKain and bassist Fraser Urquhart. 

Inspired by frontman Fraser’s experience of balancing his day job as a secondary school music teacher and chasing his dream of music for a living, the fourth single How Do I? drops the same day as the album.

Click here to listen and download : https://fullfat.ffm.to/liveinleith

Telling the story of his move from Aberdeen to the central belt, the impact these students had on his life and how tough it was to leave them the song name was born of the question he kept asking himself “How do I tell them?”.

The new single and album follows on from previous singles Young Pretender (released on 9 May) which had a slower, more melancholic vibe, exploring themes of anxiety, with Purple Honey (released on 28 March) exploring passion, desire and pleasure, and Mimosa Mondays (released on 19 April) delving into the highs and lows of having a one-night stand. 

With the goal of making music more accessible for performers and audiences, while also making the case for better investment in the creative industries in Scotland, the band were joined for the album recording by three talented local acts – Megan Black, Groovedown, and the student band from Leith Academy high school – who all received a copy of their recordings free of charge. 

Fraser McKain, Full Fat founder and frontman, explained: “The creative arts are becoming more and more something that is only accessible to the affluent, both as creators and consumers, either through a monetary barrier to affording equipment, travel fees etc, or simply not being able to afford to dedicate the time needed to a creative career. 

“The current cost of living crisis means that it’s also less likely that people will be able to afford to subsidise original music by buying tickets, merch or the music itself. We don’t think that creatives should take a hit for that reason, or that young talent should feel scared to pursue creative careers. Live in Leith was an attempt to bridge this gap through the power of the local community and independent music scene, and I’m very proud to say that it was a resounding success.”

Being able to release banter tracks within the album was a special element of recording their songs live, which Fraser says have become something of a Full Fat tradition. 

“Banter tracks are important to us because they capture us at our most real – when we are performing on stage and communicating with each other, and the audience, in the most authentic way possible. I personally feel that I come alive when I play, sing and share my music and stories on stage. Having the banter tracks to capture the little snippets between each song, and enhance the listening experience, is really special.

“In my opinion, too much of art and music is pretence and posturing, and often involves creating something fictional and false in order to sell a product. I take great pride in being real and myself, especially with my music. These banter tracks are some of the rawest evidence of this, and evidence that even when the music and the goal is a serious one, the process of making art can be fun.

To celebrate the release of Live in Leith, Full Fat will play a special launch party gig at The Mash House, Edinburgh, on Saturday, 15 June where they will play alongside Kultura, and The Academics. Tickets are available now here

An urgent call for volunteers has been issued as 10% of Girlguiding Edinburgh’s units are at risk of closure after summer break.

Girlguiding Edinburgh is facing a shortage of volunteer leaders, putting many units at risk of closure following the summer break.

The organisation, which provides invaluable opportunities for girls aged 4-18 to develop skills and confidence, is in urgent need of individuals willing to undergo leadership training and step up to lead local units.

“We’re facing a serious challenge as several of our existing leaders are planning to retire or relocate from Edinburgh,” said Kirsty Lewis, Lead Volunteer for Growth at Girlguiding Edinburgh. “While leadership turnover is a natural part of any organisation, the lack of new volunteers stepping up to undergo training is putting our units at risk. We’ve undertaken various forms of promotion, including free advertising and paid campaigns, but the response hasn’t been sufficient to meet our needs.”

Girlguiding offers comprehensive leadership training that not only benefits the girls involved but also serves as a valuable skill-building opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing professional careers outside of Guiding. The experience gained through leading a unit can enhance communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities, making it an attractive prospect for anyone looking to make a positive impact in their community while honing their own skills.

“We want to emphasise that becoming a volunteer leader is not just about volunteering; it’s about personal growth, skills development, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of young girls,” added Kirsty. “We invite anyone who is even remotely interested to reach out to us to arrange a visit to your local unit, and see firsthand how much fun and fulfilment this experience can bring.”

Prospective volunteers can contact Membership Coordinator, Maria Laskowska edincounty.recruitment@gmail.com for more information on how to get involved and contribute to the continuation of Girlguiding units in Edinburgh.

A summer fête which has taken place for more than 100 years has been hit with a late drinks ban after a mistake on the licence application.

Dirleton Fete and Games traditionally sees people wander the Village Green with glasses of Pimms, prosecco and beer, sold from a gazebo on the day.

However concerns were raised when the application for this year’s event outlined a drinks tent  with no mention of visitors being allowed to take their purchases out into the open.

A meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board was told the licence application was the same as in previous years and the reference to a ‘tent’ was simply the way organisers referred to the gazebo.

But the board’s licensing standards officer pointed out that it bore no resemblance to what was being described as happening on the day and, in fact, suggested licensing rules had been broken in previous years.

She told a meeting of the board: “The application is solely for a drinks tent and on-sales to be consumed within the tent and a designated area. It does not cover the village green and would not allow people to drink outside the tent.”

Miranda Moyes, from the event, said it would be a ‘big change’ for people to be required to drink in a tent adding it was the way organisers referred to the gazebo.

She told the board: “This is not the sort of event people come to to drink, it is the sort of event where people come, buy a drink and wander around.”

Ms Moyes asked the board to consider granting the licence for a drinks tent so the organisers could try and arrange to have one which matched the restrictions in place in time for the games, which take place on June 22.

Board members were advised there would not be time for a corrected application to be submitted and approved ahead of the event, with the next board meeting scheduled for the week after the games.

After a short recess to discuss the case, board convenor Councillor John McMillan said that the tradition of people attending the games and drinking on the Village Green meant the board could not approve the current application.

Cllr McMillan said: “I hope in the next year organisers will be able to look again at this and work with us to put in a new application.”

Ms Moyes said: “It is disappointing for our event but I do understand. Hopefully we can get to grips with what is needed for next year.”

by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter.

A 32-year-old man has been convicted of multiple violent and sexual offences on women and girls. 

John McKechnie pleaded guilty to 14 offences and has now been found guilty of a further two following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. 

The offences included rape, domestic offending and possession of incident images of children. 

His offending took place between 2015 and 2022 and took place in the West Lothian area. 

Detective Inspector Adrian Ure, National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Police Scotland said:“John McKechnie’s offending and behaviour was appalling. He showed complete and utter contempt for the abuse he inflicted upon his victims, and the horrific sexual abuse featuring in the images and videos he was viewing.

“There is no hiding place for these offenders, and as a result of our investigation, he will now rightly face the consequences of his actions. 

“Any form of child sexual abuse is a serious criminal offence and is a priority for Police Scotland. 

“We encourage anyone with concerns about a child at risk of abuse, or a potential victim, to contact police immediately.” 

McKechnie is due to be sentenced on Thursday, 27 June. 

Plans to introduce workplace parking charges in Edinburgh have been shelved by the council. 

City councillors voted against progressing towards the implementation of a controversial workplace parking levy (WPL) following a public consultation. 

They said significant concerns around parking being displaced to residential areas, and the impact on shift workers and those without adequate public transport links to their place of work, remained unresolved. 

The scheme, which the local authority has been considering since 2022, would see drivers charged as much as £650 a year to park at work if employers chose to pass the levy on to employees. 

It was estimated this could raise up to £12m a year to reinvest in the capital’s public transport and active travel, and was touted as being key to achieving the council’s goal to cut car journeys by 30 per cent in the next five years. 

Officials had asked for £100,000 to develop a final proposal. But instead councillors agreed to halt work on a WPL at the transport committee on Thursday, May 23, with one remarking it would be e a “hammer blow to hard working people”. 

Kevin Lang, leader of the council’s Lib Dems, who previously supported the consultation going ahead, said his group “just don’t think it’s going to work”. 

He said commuters could, in many parts of the city, “very easily avoid paying any charge at all simply by parking on a residential street and walking along a footway or across a road”. 

He said there was “absolutely no guarantee here of any new bus services from this,” adding he could not see how these disadvantages could be resolved in time before the levy was introduced. 

Labour transport convener Scott Arthur, an opponent of the scheme since it was mooted, said the WPL along would not solve the city’s congestion problem. 

He said: “It’s not a silver bullet but it could, if integrated with a wider suite of powers, have a part to play particularly through funding rather than actually discouraging people to use their vehicles.” 

The consultation, which gathered views between November and February attracted more than 2,600 individual responses and over 30 from businesses and organisations. 

Cllr Arthur said there were “mixed views,” adding: “It seems a lot of people don’t think a city-wide scheme would work; there’s talk of a zoned scheme in the city; or perhaps one that just focused on the city centre. And some employers said the rules weren’t entirely clear to them – and that’s because, to a large extent, the council has still to define how the scheme would work in Edinburgh.” 

Council officer Gareth Dixon, who has led work on the project, said the purpose of the engagement was “a first chance to talk to the public and to businesses”. 

Addressing the committee he said: “A workplace parking levy is not about banning cars outright, it is about encouraging people to travel by car less for certain reasons. 

“But the biggest impact comes from that raised revenue that it could potentially generate, and if that goes toward public transport it would encourage that modal shift which again would take people away form single private car use.” 

Cllr Danny Aston, SNP, expressed disappointment at the proposal being “kicked into the long grass potentially indefinitely,” questioning whether it marked “the day we gave up” on reaching the 30 per cent reduction in car kilometres target. 

He said:  “I absolutely acknowledge there’s still work to be done to address trade union concerns and the points raised by employers.  

“But I have yet to be convinced those are insurmountable, nor am I clear that all work on the WPL has to pause while that happens.” 

Labour councillor Katrina Faccenda said moving forward with the introduction of a parking levy would be “hitting working people with a big huge stick” and “not giving them any carrots”. 

She said many residents living in new houses on the edge of the city tended to lower-paid workers who commute into the city centre. “They are a fair walk to the bus stop or nearest train station,” she said. “If they’re working shifts we know making use of public transport sometimes becomes impossible at the moment or could even involve two or three buses. 

“We talk so much about the workplace parking levy because we’re cash-strapped and the Scottish Government just isn’t prepared to devolve further revenue raising powers to councils and I do think we have to recognise that.” 

Greens councillor Jule Bandel argued a WPL would be “really good for demand management” while giving people “sustainable travel improvements that enable them to give up their car and achieve the significant modal shift that we desperately need”. 

The Conservatives’ Marie Clair-Munro said the levy was “a tax by another name”. 

She said: “Any introduction of a workplace parking levy . . . would be a hammer blow to hard working people – especially women, carers, potentially teachers, nurses, low-paid workers and businesses. 

“The workplace parking levy clearly impacts those individuals more when there is no public transport available.” 

She added: “I think the use of £100,000 of tax payers money from reserves to further develop what we believe are these unnecessary and damaging proposals would be reckless and a wasteful use of funds given the financial circumstances the council face over the coming years.” 

An amendment by Labour and Lib Dem councillors, and supported by the Conservatives, agreed “no further work” should be undertaken on the WPL “until a plan is developed in partnership with trade unions, employers and community councils to address the predictable and non-trivial negative impacts such as displacement parking and the impact of shift workers”. 

It said a city-wide scheme”is not appropriate for Edinburgh at this time” but called on officials to investigate “other legal and financial options available to the council which can address, in particular, the substantial number of vehicles travelling into Edinburgh from outside of the local authority area each day”. 

by Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter

Citadel Youth Centre Leith

Council funding was slashed earlier this year for many charitable bodies including the Citadel Youth Centre where the funding was cut from £125,000 to £50,000. Staff and volunteers are running in the Edinburgh Half Marathon this weekend to raise funds. Dig deep and support this really worthwhile cause (particularly as the weather forecast looks like rain). Donate here.

General Election

Remember that you need voter ID when voting in the UK General Election on 4 July – not just to register you actually have to have the ID with you.

More information here.

And remember that our coverage of the General Election is here.

David Wilkie

Olympic swimmer David Wilkie, MBE, died on Wednesday, aged 70. He was a role model for young people in Edinburgh in the 1970s – first of all winning the bronze Commonwealth medal in 1970 in Edinburgh at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, followed by the silver Olympic media in Munich and the Olympic gold medal in Montreal in 1976 both for the 200 metre breaststroke, and holding British, Commonwealth, World and Olympic swimming titles simultaneously.

As a boarder at Daniel Stewart’s College he trained at Warrender Baths Club, and, in the council owned swimming pool, he trained to become Scotland’s greatest swimmer. There is a lovely video here showing him reflecting on his career sitting in the Royal Commonwealth Pool

Who knows where the next David Wilkie will come from?

If you or someone you know is making waves in sport then please tell Bill Lothian so that he can feature the story on our sports pages.

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For one night only

At West Pilton Centre on Friday night Townsend Productions present Behold Ye Ramblers.

Crossing the river from one era to another is unsettling. This week we entered the flowing waters of a general election campaign, always a time of uncertainty.  

The damning conclusions of the Infected Blood Inquiry reminded us that our trusted institutions cannot always be relied upon. The census results revealed how fast things are changing. Scotland is now a “non-religious” country and Gaelic is a minority language in its homeland of the Western Isles. All this is in a precarious world, of wars, climate change and social media mayhem.

Rishi Sunak’s rain-soaked announcement of a general election on 4 July had a mixed reception in Scotland. The Labour Party could not hide its glee, since it believes it will storm back to its original place as the Strong Man of Scotland and win a majority of the 59 seats. The new SNP leader John Swinney was less enthusiastic, since the nationalists are struggling in the polls – though independence itself is not. As he launched the SNP campaign in Edinburgh on Thursday, he complained that Mr Sunak was “disrespectful” towards Scotland by calling an election in the first week of the Scottish school holidays.

The Scottish Conservatives are even less enthusiastic, since they are down at just 12 per cent support in the latest You Gov opinion poll, though they may hold on to the seven seats they have, because of local issues. The prime minister himself visited the Nigg wind turbine fabrication yard in the Highlands on Thursday afternoon to make an early start on the campaign.

However, Douglas Ross, the Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, chose to avoid any talk of the election when he got up to ask his questions at first minister’s question time. He was encouraged in this strange behaviour by the presiding officer, Alison Johnstone, who ruled that The Scottish Parliament should not be used as a campaigning venue for a UK general election. It was a ridiculous ruling when most of the parliament’s funding comes from Westminster.

So instead of discussing real big political issues, on the first day of an election campaign, we saw party leaders chase themselves run down a rabbit hole over an £11,000 phone bill.   (If you need to know – the former health secretary Michael Matheson was less than honest about the use of his parliamentary ipad. It was being used by his sons to watch football while on holiday in Morocco).   

Not much wonder the general population have their doubts about our public institutions. The scandal of the week has been highlighted in the publication of the final report into the blood contamination tragedy in the 1970s and 1980s when 30,000 people in the UK (around of 3,000 them in Scotland) were infected with the HIV and Hepatitis C viruses. For 40 years there has been a cover-up by the NHS and government officials, and only now are we hearing apologies and talk of substantial compensation for lives ruined.

There was a similar decades-long cover-up over the faults in the Post Office’s computer system. It led to more than 900 local post masters (around 100 in Scotland) being wrongly prosecuted and some were jailed for theft and other offences between 1996 and 2018. The public inquiry into that scandal rumbled on this week and both parliaments in Westminster and Holyrood are rushing through general pardons. There is finally talk of compensation.     

This loss of faith in public institutions is writ large in the results of the 2022 census released this week. Around 51 per cent of people said they had no religion, that’s up by an astonishing amount since the last census in 2022 when it was 37 per cent. Only a fifth of Scots declared their religion as Church of Scotland, 13 per cent said they were Roman Catholics, 2 per cent said Muslim.  There was a change too in how people perceived their nationality. 65 per cent said they were Scottish (up from 62 per cent) while those who said they were Scottish and British fell to just 8 per cent (down from 18 per cent last time).  

The final shock from the census was to find that native Gaelic speakers in the heartland of the language, the Western Isles, are now in a minority. However knowledge of Gaelic is growing, with 2.5 per cent of the population claiming to have some skill in the language.    

Although not a question in the census, we know that Scotland is a football nation. The authorities reported 5 million attendances at games in the top four divisions last season. That’s the highest rate in Europe. The women’s game is growing too, with over 100,000 attendances. It might explain the excitement this week when the Scotland men’s squad for the European finals was announced. It might explain why 200,000 Tartan Army fans are going to Munich next month to watch Scotland play Germany in the opening match.

It might also explain why Scotland will briefly forget about the election, and all our other uncertainties, on Saturday afternoon when Celtic play Rangers in the Cup Final at Hampden.    

Edinburgh Falcons cycle speedway team built on a solid start to their league season with individual success at the Babcock International Scottish Open Championship held at the Dunfermline Fast Bowl track .

Cousins Oliver and Nathan Slight were victorious in the under 10 and under 13 categories respectively.

And Falcons filled the podium in the veterans class with Neil McPherson racing unbeaten, finishing just ahead of club-mates Neil Swanson and Ewan Tulloch .

Pictured, left to right, are: Nathan Slight, Neil McPherson and Oliver Slight.

A village gala has been given the go ahead to include a drinks tent despite a decision to bar a neighbouring gala from serving alcohol because it was deemed a “children’s event”.

Aberlady Gala organisers insisted their annual summer gathering was a community-wide event for people of all ages.

And they told East Lothian Licensing Board they did not plan to start serving alcohol at the gala until after the main parade and floats had taken place to ensure it did not clash with the main children’s events.

Last month the licensing board refused a drinks licence for the county’s smallest gala in East Linton.

At the time organisers pointed out that local by laws allowed people to bring their own booze to the event and drink it on the grounds during the day.

They also argued the event was for the whole community and not just children but their argument was dismissed by councillors.

Today’s board meeting was reminded by its licensing standards officers that part of its policy stated that events which were predominantly aimed at children had to give a compelling reason to be allowed to sell alcohol.

She also told the board that after granting Aberlady gala a drinks tent licence for last summer’s event she visited and saw people drinking outwith the approved tent area, adding: “I saw six people leaving the grounds with drinks bought from the tent and moving into the streets.”

Councillor Neil Gilbert said he could not support the granting of a licence for the event, adding: “It is a gala day with events organised for children throughout the day, and they will be in attendance all day. In line with the board’s policy I cannot support this.”

Councillor John McMillan, acting chair of the board, proposed the licence was approved for Aberlady with a later opening time for the drinks tent of 2.30pm to ensure it did not clash with children’s events.

The board approved the licence with the later starting time by three votes to two with Councillor McMillan, Councillor Fiona Dugdale and Councillor George McEwan supporting it and Councillor Gilbert and Councillor Cher Cassini against.

by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of a series of domestic abuse offences in the Edinburgh area.

Brian Taylor, aged 54, committed these crimes over a period of 15 years.

He was previously found guilty of eight charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and returned for sentencing on Thursday, 23 May, 2024.

Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper of the Edinburgh Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “Taylor is an abusive individual who showed no remorse for his violent and abusive behaviour.

“It is incredibly difficult for someone to confront their abuser and I would like to commend the women for their bravery in coming forward during the investigation. Their information was crucial in helping us build the case against him, and I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure.

“If anyone is experiencing, or has experienced domestic abuse, please do not hesitate to contact us directly or through one of our partner agencies.”

Footballing mum Lisa Robertson reckons she is unique among players in the Scottish women’s professional league.

Just six months after giving birth to her son, Lucas, the eight times capped Scotland midfielder, 32, who started out at the Cavalry Park club near her Craigmillar home, was back on the trophy trail last weekend as a member of the Celtic team that claimed the league title with a last gasp 1-0 win over Hibs.

“I reckon getting back into the squad was the biggest challenge of my life especially as I had to have a C section when giving birth” says Lisa, adding:

“But from not being able to move or do anything initially I have shown it can be done.

 “And while at the moment I think I am the only mother in the league there will hopefully be others who now don’t think they have to put motherhood off.

“That’s especially the case since 12 weeks maternity pay was introduced last September.

“So far as I know the only professional footballing mothers (in the UK) are at West Ham (2) and Everton ladies.”

Recently Lisa, who runs her own business – Refresh Decorating – moved from Edinburgh to East Kilbride and that has freed up some extra time.

But how does she balance a football career, travelling to a Glasgow club, running a business often in Edinburgh where she has clients – and motherhood?

“Don’t sleep” joked Lisa before adding:

“Squeeze everything you can out of every day. Don’t waste a minute

“Lucas was born in November and it was March before I could do contact training but by April I was back playing again.

“It was hard but manageable and I look forward to going again next season trying to add further trophies to the league title.”

Anas Sarwar opened the Scottish Labour General Election campaign in Edinburgh on Thursday by supporting the party’s candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith, Tracy Gilbert.

When the Prime Minister announced the date for a General Election, Mr Sarwar said: “Scotland is crying out for change, and it falls to Labour to deliver the change we need.

“After 17 years of SNP failure and 14 years of Tory chaos, Scotland has a chance to deliver a government that is on the side of the working people of Scotland – with Scottish MPs at its heart.

“A UK Labour government with Scottish Labour MPs will boot the Tories out of office, maximise Scotland’s influence, bring down bills, make work pay and deliver the change that Scotland needs.”

Police Scotland has sent a report to prosecutors in relation to former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell.

Mr Murrell, 59, the husband of Scotland’s ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon, was in April charged by detectives over the alleged embezzlement of funds from the SNP.

The force announced the move on Thursday May 23, saying in a statement: ‘Police Scotland has today submitted a standard prosecution report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to a 59-year-old man who was charged on April 18 2024 in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

‘Investigations continue and we are unable to comment further.’

Operation Branchform was launched after complaints over how £660,000 of donations given to the SNP to fight an independence referendum were used.

Ms Sturgeon 53 and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie MSP  72 were also arrested last year. Both were released without charge.

The Crown Office will now study the police report and decide if there is enough evidence to prosecute Mr Murrell and if such a prosecution is in the public interest.

A spokesperson for the COPFS said: “A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 59-year-old man and incidents said to have occurred between 2016 and 2023. 

“Connected investigations of two other individuals, a man aged 72 and a 53-year-old woman, remain ongoing.”