Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has warned of the community impact of the proposed closure of a Royal Bank of Scotland branch in the village of Newbridge. This branch is set to close on 2 October 2024, after which the closest branch to local residents will be nearly five miles away in Corstorphine, or in Kirkliston’s Post Office, two miles away.

The closure comes as part of a round of changes by RBS’ parent company, NatWest, which will see 20% of their physical branches close their doors.

Ms Jardine says this will be “another blow” for the community, and will be contacting constituents to ask for their views.

Ms Jardine said: “I am deeply worried that this will be another blow to the Newbridge community, 

“Many residents have written to me with concerns about the closure of local facilities and community spaces, as well as cuts to bus routes, which will make it harder for my constituents to get to their nearest alternative branches.

“We all know that banking is changing, but many older people especially rely on these local services to get by, and I am concerned they may feel more isolated as a result of closures.

“I will be writing to residents in Newbridge in the coming days to seek their views on the changes, and asking RBS to ensure that alternative arrangements are made so no one is left out.”

The Leith branch is also due to close the following week, and the local MP Deidre Brock has expressed her disquiet at the move which will leave only three branches in Edinburgh plus a mobile banking branch.

Thinking about what would happen in the future if someone loses capacity to run their own affairs can be stressful and worrying, according to LifeCare Edinburgh. 

The local charity advises that these situations can be daunting and complex and is going to host a free information event next month. Information will be given to help people put the right practical support in place to ensure someone trusted can quickly make decisions if needed. 

 A Power of Attorney is a legal document by which someone – while they still have mental capacity – nominates a trusted friend or relative to look after their affairs if they later lost capacity. This document then comes into effect in the event of an emergency, illness or accident. It is not limited to those who are older or unwell, and LifeCare recomment that everyone considers granting a Power of Attorney at any stage of their life to avoid any future complications. For example, it might be necessary to use it if the granter has had a stroke, serious accident or dementia or is otherwise incapacitated.  

Delivered in partnership with solicitors and experts from law firm Lindsays   LifeCare will host its first information sharing event designed to encourage everyone to stop and think about what they need to put in place to help simplify their own future.  

Sarah van Putten, who is Chief Executive of LifeCare said : “Unfortunately at LifeCare we are well aware of how stressful life can be when people don’t have the right documents in place.  No one can predict when they may face an unforeseen illness, accident or other debilitating event that may render them incapacitated.”

LifeCare’s ‘What is a Power of Attorney’ information event, will be delivered in partnership with solicitors Lindsays, beginning from  2pm on 1 May in the charity’s fully accessible community café in Stockbridge CafeLife at 2 Cheyne Street, EH4 1JB where free tea and coffee will be available along with the opportunity to find out more about LifeCare’s vital services which are available for older people and the community. 

www.lifecare-edinburghorg.uk/ or call 0131 343 0940 to register interest in attending the free information event.

The removal of Leith from the new Holyrood constituency proposed for Edinburgh must be reviewed according to local Rob Munn.

Mr Munn was a Leith councillor for a number of years, and being passionate about the port he is keen that The Scottish Government keeps Leith in the constituency name when reviewing boundaries, as it is doing now.

He says there is a proposal in the 2nd review of the Scottish Parliamentary Boundaries which will mean Leith does not appear in the name for the new Edinburgh North Eastern constituency. He is dismayed at the thought – and points out that the Leith Walk and Leith council wards are both included in the new proposed boundary.

Rob explained that this is a rerun of an earlier situation – and he was involved in a campaign to have the name retained last time round. In the 5th Review of the UK Parliamentary Boundaries which reported in 2004 there was a question over using Leith in the name. At that point the Assistant Commissioner was persuaded (as he had been a decade before) that Leith should be incorporated (and now the constituency is Edinburgh North and Leith). The new boundary and name were first used in the 2005 election.

Rob has a wealth of experience in local government as both a previous Deputy Lord Provost and Deputy Leader of the SNP Group on The City of Edinburgh Council.  He worked with former SNP MSP Colin Keir who represented Edinburgh Western and also worked with Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP, Ben Macpherson. He served as councillor for Leith Walk from 2019 to 2022, for Leith Ward from 2007 to 2012, and for Leith Harbour Ward from 1996 to 2003.

He has written to the Boundaries Scotland board explaining his thoughts and asking for a review. He wrote: “I’ve had a look at the proposals for Edinburgh in the 2nd review of Scottish Parliamentary Boundaries and want to express my dismay at the proposal to take the name of Leith out of the name for the proposed Edinburgh North Eastern constituency despite all of the Leith Ward and almost all of the Leith Walk ward being included in the new proposed boundary.
“I am sure Boundaries Scotland board and officers are well aware of the proud sense of identity that Leith has and that the name of Leith has been reflected in the constituency name for many decades. Boundaries Scotland may also be aware of the campaign that was mounted the last time the name of Leith was proposed for removal. I was local councillor for the Leith ward at the time and organised a petition to retain Leith in the name of the constituency. The campaign was supported by other local politicians including the then MP and was picked up by the Edinburgh Evening News (who even produced a t-shirt to ‘Keep Leith’).
“I write therefore to request that you reconsider the name of the constituency and include Leith in any revised name. I would suggest ‘Edinburgh Leith & North East’ as I think that would clearly represent the area that the new constituency covers.
“I hope that you will reflect on the submissions that I’m sure you will receive regarding the name of the proposed new constituency and make an amendment to keep Leith in the Parliamentary name.”

A pioneering online tool is giving students, staff and visitors of Heriot-Watt University fresh insight into the environmental impact of food offered at its Edinburgh campus.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the University has teamed with the City of Edinburgh Council to launch a new initiative to track the carbon footprint of each meal served.

The new software, provided by the company, Klimato, is being rolled out across key food venues across campus on Thursday with each dish rated dependent on its impact on the environment – allowing customers to make an informed choice when ordering.

Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Deputy Principal for Global Sustainability at Heriot-Watt University, said: “By clearly showing the carbon footprint of food served on campus, we are empowering our community to make informed choices, not just for their plates, but for the planet.

“Through Klimato and with the assistance of the City of Edinburgh Council, we are becoming ever-more conscious contributors to a greener, more sustainable future.

“Let every meal be a mindful step towards environmental stewardship as the choices made today will help shape the world of tomorrow.”

With 34% of global emissions accounted for by the food sector, the University, through this project, can now identify high-carbon food items on menus, and experiment by substituting with more planet-friendly options. 

Meals served on campus are rated A to E. A-rated meals are those which are considered very low-carbon choices, such as lentil chilli, with less than 0.4kg of carbon produced from one meal. Higher-carbon meals, where over 2.6kg of carbon is produced per meal, are rated E.

A and B rated meals are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement targets for a two-degrees Celsius warming situation by 2050.

Klimato has calculated the carbon footprint of each meal by using ‘life cycle analysis’. This is a certified method for calculating carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and other environmental impacts which arise during the production and distribution of a product.  

Anton Unger, CEO at Klimato says: “We are thrilled to be supporting Heriot-Watt University on their sustainability journey, helping them raise awareness on food-related environmental impact and enabling students, staff and visitors to make informed food choices on campus.

“Promoting conscious food consumption among the youth is a mission that is close to our heart, which is why we are extremely proud to have been chosen by Heriot-Watt University as a sustainability partner.”

City of Edinburgh Council are supporting the project as part of their Plant-Based Treaty Action plan, which was approved by their Sustainability & Policy Committee in January.  

The local authority says the action plan does not seek to remove freedom of choice but instead increase the availability and visibility, of sustainable food options.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m delighted to see that Heriot-Watt University is taking steps to better consider and understand the environmental consequences of the food consumed on their campus. I’m also proud that the Council is partnering with the university to help make this happen.  

“Following the Council’s endorsement of the Plant-Based Treaty and our target to become a net zero city by 2030, Edinburgh became the first European capital to support this global initiative, which calls for a Plant-Based Treaty to be negotiated at global level as a companion to the UN Paris Agreement on climate. The evidence is clear that food systems have a significant impact on the climate crisis. We published our action plan addressing this in January 2024 and work is ongoing to roll this out.

“It is the responsibility of the whole of society to help us reach our climate goals and I’d like to commend Heriot-Watt for their efforts so far.”

Alongside its global research and innovation into sustainable solutions, Heriot-Watt is working to reduce both the direct and indirect impact of its own operations on the environment.

A growing global environmental sustainability team is committed to making significant impact toward the attainment of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By gaining greater insight into the carbon impacts of the food it orders, Heriot-Watt will contribute toward the SDGs of responsible consumption and production, and climate action.

Police in Edinburgh are continuing their enquiries into a serious crash on Trinity Crescent and are appealing for a specific witness to come forward.

The incident, which happened around 5.50pm on Wednesday, 10 April, 2024, involved a white Citroen Relay van and a 59-year-old male pedestrian.

The man was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where his condition has been described as critical. The driver of the van, a 40-year-old man, was arrested and released pending further enquiries.

Police are keen to speak with a potential witness, a female nurse who came to the injured man’s assistance and left prior to police arrival.

Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our enquiries into this collision are ongoing and we are thankful to those members of the public who have spoken with officers to date.

“We are looking to speak to a nurse who we understand assisted at the scene, as she may be able to assist our enquiries further.

“If this was you, or you believe you can help identify her, please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 2772 of 10 April.

SCOTLAND’S leading performing arts school has announced a major rebrand that will position it as “a world-leading arts education centre for top talent from around the world”.

The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television will be the new name for the MGA Academy of Performing Arts, the only school of its kind in Scotland accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).

Founded in Edinburgh in 2006, the “Scottish Institute” is also relocating to a new multi-million pound campus in Livingston, West Lothian, to be officially launched with an event later this month.

The move is part of a “pivotal rebrand” resulting from the Institute’s new ownership from major Irish production studio Silver Rock Studios.

The new commercial model aims to reflect the Institute’s position as “a leader in the global performing arts landscape, as well as its new global footprint”.

The model will also “guarantee training opportunities for top tier international talent for the first time”.

The new model incorporates world class training from some of the biggest names in the industry, alongside high-end sponsorships for industry-standard tech and equipment, to solidify its offering of world-leading arts education.

The Scottish Institute will guarantee students credits on their CVs through Silver Rock Studios, while new partnerships with global companies will remove many of the financial barriers to high quality performing arts training for home-grown talent.

The restructure will enable the Institute to expand its courses across the performing arts. It will also allow the school to increase intake of both full-time and part-time students, with the capacity to triple the previous student enrolment.

As part of its new industry-leading facilities, the Institute has opened the Howden Park Theatre, an innovative and fully equipped performance space with a 300-seat auditorium and rehearsal rooms to facilitate student performances.

The Scottish Institute has secured funding from the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council, and Creative Scotland.

Officials say that, as a leading vocational performing arts school, the launch of the new campus and title marks a transformative time, demonstrating the Institute’s commitment to exceptional teaching and paving the way for students’ successful entry into the performing arts, film and television industries.

Andy Egan, President and CEO of The Scottish Institute, said: “It is an honour to introduce The Scottish Institute and open our brand-new campus to our wonderful students, staff and visitors.

“The Institute is built on the academy’s reputation and our roots in Edinburgh. This pivotal expansion further marks our commitment to fostering an environment where creativity, learning, and profession development take centre stage.

“We are delighted to open our new campus to international students this year, and introduce our faculty of experienced and talented professors to new students.

“As we invite our students to our new, state-of-the-art Livingston campus we aspire to nurture a hub that champions creativity, entrepreneurship, and learning to inspire the next generation of talent.”

Hibernian FC has released a message from the Board of Directors saying that a full review will be conducted after the final match with Motherwell meant the club ends up in the bottom six of the cinch Premiership.

The statement reads:

“Like all Hibs supporters, we believe that a Club with our stature should, as an absolute minimum, finish in the top six. Ending the season in the bottom six is simply unacceptable.

“In the aftermath of Saturday’s draw with Motherwell, we came together to understand what happened this season and what are the necessary steps to move the Club forward.

“With that in mind, we will conduct a full review of the Club’s football structure in conjunction with Black Knight Football Club. The review will be a comprehensive evaluation of the entire football operation to ensure we perform at the highest level.

“We have also held detailed discussions with Nick Montgomery to understand what has gone wrong during the current campaign and mutually agreed that results this season have been disappointing. There’s an understanding that results need to improve. 

“Considerable progress has been made at the Club off the pitch over the last 12 months. That being said, we want to assure supporters that on-pitch progress and performance are at the forefront of our minds. We understand that this needs to be addressed urgently and the experience provided by our new partner, Black Knight Football Club, will help us improve in all areas.

“Lastly, we would like to thank every single one of you for your support through this incredibly challenging campaign. Your backing has been unwavering, and the Club is extremely grateful. We will continue to work tirelessly to deliver results our supporters can be proud of.”

The Leith branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland will close on 10 October according to an announcement made today.

The closure forms part of a new tranche of network closures from the NatWest group with branches on Nicolson Street and Bruntsfield Place also set to close. This will leave only three permanent RBS branches remaining in the city (St Andrew Square, Princes Street, and St John’s Road), plus a mobile branch. In its closure announcement the bank promised “no further review of our Royal Bank of Scotland branch network until at least 2026”.

The Edinburgh North and Leith MP has written to the bank requesting further information about the decision.

Ms Brock said:- “I am shocked by the decision from RBS to close their branch in Leith. This is one of the most densely populated parts of Scotland and the closure will greatly disadvantage many small businesses and customers in our community who rely on counter services. 

“There are plenty of people who still prefer face to face custom, and many more who still need it. Not everyone uses phone banking and more vulnerable people shouldn’t be expected to travel up to the city centre or head to Musselburgh every time they need to bank. 

“It all started for RBS back in 1727, before they became the bank which was ‘too big to fail’ in 2008 and were bailed out from the public purse. Now it’s sad to see more and more branches disappearing from our High Streets. Like all banks, they should have a duty to meet the diverse needs of their customers, not just the dividends of shareholders. 

“The promise that they won’t close any more before 2026 doesn’t exactly give confidence of a long term commitment to keep the remaining branch network running. 

“Decisions like these taken in corporate boardrooms do untold damage to communities like Leith and if the banks won’t act, perhaps government should to protect the network. Otherwise we are hurtling headlong towards a cashless society and deepening the digital divide – we need to pause and take stock before it’s too late.

“I have written to RBS seeking more details on why they chose to close the Leith branch and what they are doing to protect both customers and staff affected.”

Danny Boyle, the British director noted for Transpotting is being celebrated at Cineworld next month with a mini festival of four of his films. Tickets are on sale for the event at £5 a ticket. 

Films will include :

7 May – Sunshine – Futuristic sci-fi thriller penned by Alex Garland returns to the big screen starring Cilian Murphy and Chris Evans.

14 May – Shallow Grave – Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Boyle’s dark comic debut feature featuring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Eccleston.

21 May – 28 Days Later – The legendary British zombie movie returns to the big screen. Take in the deserted streets of London and the journey into the unknown…

28 May – Trainspotting – Choose Life. Choose Trainspotting as the iconic gritty cult classic gets a 4K Restoration and will be screened nationwide on May 28th

Stuart Crane, VP of Film Cineworld Group: “Danny Boyle is undeniably one of Britain’s greatest directors, and we’re thrilled to bring back a selection of his most memorable titles to the big screen for only £5. Whether you’re eager to relive the mesmerising sci-fi journey of Sunshine, experiencing the adrenaline-pumping thrills of 28 Days Later for the first time, or indulging in the visually stunning 4k restoration of Trainspotting, there’s a cinematic delight for every taste in this tribute to Danny Boyle.”

For tickets and showtimes visit cineworld.com or the Cineworld app.

VINCI Airports will buy 50.01 per cent of Edinburgh Airport in a new partnership which will retain the existing management in place.

Current owners Global Infrastructure Partners will keep a reduced share in the deal, reported to be worth £1.27 billion, which will be complete by summer this year. Since 2018 VINCI Airports have bought into London Gatwick and Belfast International. The French company also operates the road network in France and has acquired a stake in Budapest Airport.

Sir John Elvidge, chairman of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We are pleased to welcome VINCI Airports to Scotland and recognise that this is a significant vote of confidence in Scotland, and the future of its capital city airport.”

Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, said: “We are delighted to announce the expansion of our successful and strategic partnership with GIP to include Edinburgh Airport.

“Together with GIP, VINCI Airports will continue the strategy of growing connectivity and developing commercial activities, whilst also leveraging VINCI Airport’s international expertise to accelerate decarbonization and continually improving customer experience.

“This acquisition of a third freehold airport in the UK, in addition to London Gatwick and Belfast International, demonstrates VINCI Airports’ long term strategic ambition and continued commitment to the country.”

Gordon Dewar, chief executive officer of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We welcome and look forward to working with VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners, two of the world’s most respected airport investors and operators.

“The leadership team – which remains in place – is wholly committed to working with our investors to improve customer service, accelerate our decarbonisation plans and strengthen Scotland’s connectivity with the world, which ultimately drives the country’s international competitiveness and prosperity.

“I should thank the whole team at Edinburgh Airport for the contribution they have made to our success over the last 12 years since GIP acquired the airport and look forward to working with them to write a new, exciting chapter in the airport’s story.”

Bayo Ogunlesi, Global Infrastructure Partners’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are excited to partner with VINCI, with whom we have a strong and productive strategic relationship, to continue to support Edinburgh Airport’s future growth.

“We remain committed to providing high-quality service to passengers. We are very pleased VINCI shares our vision of Edinburgh Airport’s future.”

Michael McGhee, Global Infrastructure Partners’ Deputy Chairman and Founding Partner, said: “This partnership underlines our commitment to Scotland and its capital city airport. We are excited to extend our partnership with VINCI to deliver on our shared aspirations for the future of Edinburgh Airport, including our promise to support the airport’s 2030 sustainability commitments.

“We are pleased the senior leadership team will remain in place under the chairmanship of Sir John Elvidge. Their focus remains on the long-term growth, modernisation and sustainability of the airport and on continuing to improve passenger service.”

Edinburgh Airport supports 28,000 jobs in Scotland and contributes £1.4 billion a year to the Scottish economy. Working with 35 airlines, the airport connects Scotland to 155 destinations in the UK and around the world.

Clsiming to be the world’s leading private airport operator, VINCI Airports operates more than 70 airports in 13 countries. VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and manages airports by providing its investment capacity and its know-how in optimising operational performance, modernising infrastructure and managing their operations and environmental transition. VINCI Airports is the first airport operator to have committed to an international environmental strategy in 2016, to achieve the goal of net zero emissions across its entire network by 2050.

A crash occurred at Craigleith Junction on Queensferry Road on Wednesday morning just after 7am.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 0707 hours today to attend an incident on Queensferry Road in Edinburgh. We dispatched one ambulance and a rapid response vehicle to the scene. We transported one female patient to New Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.”

Police have reported that the road is now fully reopened.

Despite the wind and rain, there were 34 boats out over the week at Linlithgow Loch and 72 fish were kept, weighing 199lbs 3oz, and 38 fish returned, writes Tom Lambert, club secretary of the Forth Area Federation of Anglers who run the popular water.

Better catches have been reported as water clarity has improved and Alan McGregor used a Di5 with a pink yellow blob, also, a black diawl bach to catch and release six fish.

North Berwick Angling Club’s five anglers kept 16 rainbows for 51lbs and successful flies were diawl bach, cormorant, and black green mini- snakes on hover lines.

Nigel Muckle and his boat partner released 16 fish caught on cormorants and mini lures while George Mackintosh with Ian McLaren kept four for 11 Lbs and returned 6 fish. Out again, Alan McGregor returned nine rainbows which took blobs and cormorants.

Rosyth Civil Service Angling Club visited with 19 anglers and kept 27 fish weighing 72lbs 13oz and returned two. They used floating and intermediate lines with cormorant and red diawl bach the best patterns.

Eyewater Angling Club with five boats kept 15 fish for 39lbs 8oz, one of 4 Lbs and Ferranti Angling Club’s five anglers kept ten trout for 34lbs 8oz and returned three. Successful lines were intermediate and midge tip with black zonker, blob, cormorant and viva’s being the best flies.

Aberdour Angling Association joined in the fun with out nine anglers keeping 22 fish for 62lbs 14oz with floating and midge-tip lines tied with blobs, cat whiskers, muskins, and nemesis flies doing the business.

Ali Fyvie out with Jimmy Russell using midge tip lines with candy blobs and shell back muskins released eight trout back into the Loch.

Bosses continue to stock regularly and boats are available on most days for a full day or four hour session. Call 01506 671753 or book online.

Nearby, Leon Tringa had a beautiful 5lb brown trout from the bait pond and Robert Birrell had six on the fly pond, biggest 4lb, on egg and squirmy wormy patterns while Scott Morton also enjoyed his session with seven fish on buzzer and egg.

Chris Stewart hooked four on the five-acre bait pond including a 6.5lb brown trout and hats off to four-year-old Ella Johnstone who hooked into a 4lb rainbown trout on the bait pond. The youngester from Avonbridge held on to land the hard-fighting trout.

In the Pentland Hills, Malleny Angling member Douglas Sked hooked into six fish during his four-hour session at Harlaw Reservoir and season ticket holder Remi Zylinsky had three in only two hours.

PICTURE: Tom Lambert on the boat pontoon at Linlithgow with the West End of the loch behind him. Picture Nigel Duncan

Regards

Hearts have confirmed their post-split fixtures which open with a trip to Rugby Park to play Kilmarnock and end with a home clash against cinch Premiership title-chasing Rangers.

So it’s a trip to Ayrshire for the opening game on Saturday, April 27 (3pm) with Kilmarnock and then the Jambos travel to Parkhead to face current league pace-setters Celtic on Saturday, May 4 (3pm).

Then Hearts are at home to Dundee on Saturday, May 11 (3pm) before making the trip to Paisley to square-up to St Mirren on Wednesday, May 15 (7.45pm).

Finally, it’s home to Rangers on Saturday, May 18 (12.30pm).

Hearts are on duty at Hampden on Sunday against Rangers in the Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup, semi-final and if you have not collected your tickets the ticket office will be open from 9am to 5pm Wednesday to Saturday and from 9am to 11.30am on Sunday.

PICTURE: Lawrence Shankland scoring earlier this season.

Call for Scottish Government to support culture

Foysol Choudhury MSP the Shadow Culture Minister, has demanded greater support for Scotland’s domestic and international culture strategy.

The Lothian MSP was speaking following a contribution in the parliamentary debate on Scotland’s International Culture Strategy.
Mr Choudhury spoke in favour of a Scottish Labour amendment, calling for a touring agreement with the EU to ease the regulatory burden on foreign artists and musicians who want to perform in the UK. He also called for an urgent summit with the culture sector to discuss how to protect and support Scotland’s festivals with sustainable and predictable funding.

He raised alarm bells over what he said was the Scottish Government’s inaction over the cultural sector in Scotland. He said: “Scotland’s cultural offering is being threatened by insufficient funding and a chronic lack of adequate support-you only have to look at the number of threatened festivals and closed venues to see that.

“The Scottish Government have committed to more than double culture funding over the next five years but they will have to seriously buck up their ideas if this much-needed investment is to be delivered.

“This cannot be yet another failed promise-the Scottish Government must support domestic culture and think seriously about its long-term international culture strategy if Scotland is to retain its rightful place on the world stage as a global cultural leader.

“Scotland must develop an international strategy to deepen relationships with our international partners, increasing opportunities for collaboration, and ensure sufficient funding for our world-renowned international festivals to attract global talent and bolster tourism.”

Mr Choudhury said that to support this, a UK Labour Government would push for a touring agreement with the EU, to remove barriers such as regulations and costs currently hurting touring artists, and keep Scotland as the premier place for global talent.

The Edinburgh Award is open for nominations

The prestigious Edinburgh Award is now open for nominations. Anyone can propose a person worthy of winning the award. Previous recipients include Dame Elizabeth Blackadder, Sir Tom Farmer and Ken Buchanan.

Read more here.

General Election 2024

The next General Election could be called anytime but must take place before 28 January 2025.

The five MPs in Edinburgh (Deidre Brock, Ian Murray, Christine Jardine, Tommy Sheppard are all standing for reelection, and some candidates are coming forward all the time for the various political parties. If that is you then we need to speak to you?

Also we would like to know from readers which constituency they live in and what are the important questions to be answered there.

We invite readers to get in touch!

Editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

Edinburgh World Heritage talk

Prof Adam Cumming has worked as a research scientist for over 40 years in the defence field. He was made an Honorary Professor in the University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry. He will deliver a talk on 17 May.

Tickets here.

In person (includes drinks reception):

• Members £8
• Non-members £12

• Online: Member £6
• Non-members £10
• Date: Thursday 16 May 2024
• Start time: 6pm
• Venue: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG

Support the Edinburgh Reporter with a subscription or advertising

Please have a look here on our Ko-Fi shop where you can either book advertising or buy a subscription to our monthly newspaper.

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Jas Bruce, 37, from Edinburgh, is taking on the TCS London Marathon this Sunday, 21 April, for the snowsports charity, Disability Snowsport UK.

Having initially started his teaching career on the dry slopes at Hillend, Jas has worked in the ski instructor industry for the past 20 years and today is the Head of Product and International Relations for BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors).

Based in the French resort of Val d’Isère during the winter, Jas says, “I’ve been a qualified adaptive instructor for ten years and the opportunity to raise funds for a brilliant charity like Disability
Snowsport UK is a no brainer.”

Aiming to raise a minimum of £2000 for the charity – by the start of race week his total stood at £1815 – Jas added: “There’s so many positive mental and social benefits to skiing and snowboarding and snowsports has given me so much in my life personally.

“I know that not everyone has the day-to-day freedoms I do, but when you get people on a mountain – regardless of the disability, injury or
experience – you see the barriers fall away. Snowports provides such a great level playing field like no other.

“Everyone should be able to experience the power of skiing and snowboarding; that feeling of being out in nature and the rush of skiing down a mountain – there’s nothing quite like it.”

“Personally, I find teaching adaptive skiing much more rewarding. It can take longer to see results, but the difference when goals are achieved are huge.

“I have taught Giv from North Wales for many years. When I met her she was a teenager with Down’s syndrome. At first she couldn’t ski by herself and needed continual support on the nursery slope, but now she skis independently on green and blue runs. It’s been amazing to see her progression and I feel proud to have played a small part in her skiing journey” says Jas, who helps to run ski courses in France, Switzerland and Austria

Jas has run three marathons since lockdown – having never previously ran long distance – finishing Loch Ness, Edinburgh and Berlin all under four hours, and has set a target of achieving a personal best in London with a sub three hours 30 minutes time.

Jas says, “I just hope my running efforts can add as much to the Disability Snowsport UK pot as possible. I know the work they do in the UK and on their holiday weeks in Andorra and all monies raised will have a huge impact on the members and families they support. I’m really proud to help them to continue their great work. I’ll be thinking of Giv and all the adaptive skiers I’ve taught over the years every step of the way.”

To support Jas go to https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/jas-bruce

Winchburgh residents, who say it is Scotland’s fastest-growing town, have delivered a petition of more than 2,000 signatures to MSPs on Tuesday.

The locals are calling for The Scottish Government to “name a date” for the delivery of a rail station that would remove half a million cars from Central Belt motorways and ensure the country takes a “significant step” towards its net-zero emissions goal.

Representatives of Winchburgh Community Council and Winchburgh Community Development Trust, as well as local residents, travelled by bus to Edinburgh. This is a near-hour-long journey that is the only link between the growing town of around 4,000 people – set to increase to 14,000 in the coming decade – and the capital. The journey if taken by rail would last around 15 minutes.

The petition, signed by many who would benefit from the rail link based in Winchburgh and the surrounding area, was delivered to Parliament by MSPs Foysol Choudhury, Sue Webber and Miles Briggs.

An independent impact report published by Systra into the viability and benefits of a station in Winchburgh on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow railway line found that that opening a station in the West Lothian town could remove an estimated 1658 car journeys from roads every day, replacing slow journeys on congested roads with sustainable train journeys lasting less than 15 minutes. The station would also support direct benefits to passengers of £2.4m a year, and generate at least £3.5m of decongestion benefits annually.

The petition called on Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, to “name a date to open a station” at Winchburgh. The proposal has cross-party support.

John Hamilton, CEO of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, said, “We’re only here developing Winchburgh for a finite amount of time, until all the land has been developed and all the houses, schools, parks and amenities are built.
“We are determined that the community can benefit from a sustainable transport solution as obvious as a rail station on the Edinburgh to Glasgow mainline. As far as I’m concerned, we don’t want to miss this opportunity to take 500,000 cars off the major Central Belt motorways each year. That part of the railway station lies with the public sector, not with the developers of Winchburgh.

“It has frequently been misunderstood since Planning Permission was granted in 2012 that the rail station delivery is to be led by WDL. That is absolutely not the case. It would be unusual, not to say impossible, for a private developer to lead the delivery of a new railway station on the main Edinburgh/Glasgow rail line.”

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, said: “As the local constituency MSP, I have long been supportive of the case for the proposed train station at Winchburgh and will continue to help all the key partners working together to deliver it.”

Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, said: “There is no question the thousands of homes to be built at Winchburgh are badly needed, but what will effectively be a new town badly needs modern transport links or its population will be strangled by congestion, unable to reach places of work or vital services like hospitals, or indeed the national rail network, without being snarled up in queues of traffic.

“The SNP-Greens say they are committed to net-zero, yet they are prepared to sit back and do nothing while thousands of new residents watch the trains whizz past.

“The Scottish Government approved the housing plan, but is now washing its hands of the transport implications, saying it’s all the developer’s responsibility. Well the developers met their side of the bargain by funding the new M9 interchange and now it’s the government’s turn to make the railway station happen.”

Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, said: “The Winchburgh community has campaigned for many years for a much-needed train station and I have been raising this for almost two years at the Scottish Parliament. We must all work together to secure a station for the people of Winchburgh, who were sold homes on a belief it would be a commuter town. I cannot understand why the Scottish Government has ignored my requests to this extent so many times.

“I even previously invited the previous Minister to come and see first-hand why a railway station is needed and the importance of clean and sustainable transport links for Winchburgh, yet the Scottish Government still do not seem to be taking this seriously.

“I am glad that other stakeholders, including MSPs, local councillors, the local community and the developers Winchburgh Developments Ltd are taking this seriously where the Scottish Government are not. I was pleased to join the community in delivering a petition for the Minister – let’s get action from the Scottish Government.”

Graham Campbell, chair of Winchburgh Community Council, said: “The time is now for those in power to act on this proposal. We keep hearing that this generation has little time to react to climate change and to take action to reduce carbon emissions. What is the Scottish Government waiting for? They are doing good by introducing rail links in smaller communities across Scotland and have now acknowledged they hold the keys to unlock the potential for Winchburgh, the station that will have the greatest impact in helping to reach net-zero. Today’s petition is about urging them to set a date for a railway station that will benefit tens of thousands of people and help us reach those climate targets.”

Community volunteer and activist Hazel McLeod said: “Reinstating a rail station in Winchburgh has been identified as far back as the first masterplan in 2004. Approved planning permissions included a station on the overall plan, however no timeline for the opening of a station has been agreed by a plethora of departments and officials. With the population of Winchburgh rising, and given the benefits of a station to tens of thousands of people, it seems to me to make environmental and economic sense to address this matter urgently.”

All photos courtesy of Mike Wilkinson

Representatives from Murrayfield Community Council handed in a petition to the council today demanding action on rat running.
The document has been signed by more than 100 locals who want traffic calming on Ellersly Road and Kinellan Road.

The petition reads:

“Safety improvements for walkers and wheelers on heavily-trafficked Ellersly Road have been sought by Murrayfield Community Council and others for over ten years. In 2021 traffic data confirmed that both Kinellan Road, a popular high-speed rat-run, and Ellersly Road meet criteria for traffic calming. The 20mph speed limit is not enforced and is respected by only a small minority of drivers. Since 2022 traffic volume has visibly increased still further. Footways, particularly on the north side of Ellersly Road, are very narrow and abut high stone walls, leaving little separation between footway users and traffic speeding close to the kerb.

“The petitioners, residents and neighbours of Ellersly and Kinellan Roads and adjoining enclaves (Westerlea Gardens, Guardianswood, Belmont Drive and Wallace Gardens) now seek action by City of Edinburgh Council in 2024-25:

1.     As the highest and most immediate priority, to implement traffic calming, promised since 2021, on both Ellersly and Kinellan Roads;

2.     To take advantage of carriageway resurfacing scheduled in 2024 to widen the footway on the north side of Ellersly Road from Belmont Drive to Murrayfield Road; and

3.     To develop a firm plan for a pedestrian crossing at the east end of Ellersly Road (“Benjamin’s crossing”).

“Items 2 and 3 have been identified as NEPs (Neighbourhood Environmental Projects) since 2020 but have not so far been approved for funding.”

Pic 1, L to R: Don Page, Jim Forbes, John Bishop. I represent Murrayfield Community Council; Don and John are leaders of an informal residents’ group set up specifically to campaign for improved road safety on Ellersly and Kinellan Roads in Murrayfield.

Pic 2, L to R: Sam Ho (CEC Committee Support) accepting petition from Jim Forbes, Don Page, John Bishop. Clock shows time of delivery, 11:24am.

The Edinburgh Award has been made since 2007 to notable individuals who make a unique contribution to the city.

Nominations for this year’s award are just open and anyone can make a nomination in the next five weeks.

The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge has urged individuals and businesses to nominate someone for the Award. He said: “I’d like to begin by paying tribute to Professor Peter Higgs who sadly passed away last week. Professor Higgs received the Edinburgh Award in 2011 and the Freedom of the City in 2014 for his indelible contribution to science. He lived and worked in the Capital for over sixty years and as Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh his pioneering work helped shape our fundamental understanding of the universe. 

“Edinburgh has been a global force in many different fields for over two centuries, and this is down to the character, achievement, and excellence of our citizens. The Edinburgh Award represents an opportunity to celebrate an individual who makes Edinburgh the inspiring city we see today. By nominating someone you can help us give them the recognition and praise they deserve.

“As Lord Provost I’m inspired by the ways in which the citizens of Edinburgh calmly persevere and look out for one another, and this speaks to the very heart of our city.

“Edinburgh, its reputation, and its enduring global appeal is down to its people. Now in its 18^th edition, the Edinburgh Award, needs the help of our communities, citizens, and businesses to come together and find a worthy recipient. I’d urge anyone who has an idea in mind to nominate an individual before the window closes next month.”

Submit a nomination here on the council website.

This Sunday’s TCS London Marathon will be an emotional as well as an exhausting occasion for Lothians’ sisters Jinty Russell and Heather McIntosh.

The siblings will be honouring the memory of parents Jessie and Eddie McIntosh, both victims of lung cancer – and raising funds for the Roy Castle Foundation along the way.

A target of £2200 has been set and by the beginning of race week they were more than two thirds of the way there.

It will be the second time they have undertaken the race and circumstances could not be more poignant.

Back in 2015 they raced in memory of dad watched by mum who herself died of lung cancer three years ago.

“Losing both Mum and Dad to lung cancer has been devastating” said Jinty, from Cammo and whose sister is Livingston-based, adding: “Raising funds and awareness for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation allows us to positively impact other families while allowing us the opportunity to create amazing memories in honour of our parents. 

“Many of our family and friends have told us that we inspire them, but we couldn’t do what we do without their unwavering support. It’s this support that drives our sense of purpose, knowing we’re making a difference no matter how small.”

“We’re so excited to have been allocated to the same start line. The last time we were separated across the Blue and Red starts so we had to coordinate a meeting at the mile 4 water station.

“It’s the greatest feeling spotting each other in the sea of runners but the wait is an anxious one. 

“Training has mostly gone to plan.

“However, the reason they call it training is so you can learn from any mishaps ahead of the event. This time around training has taught us, don’t pull your flask out by the lid, it will come off and you will get soaked! Put your flask away securely otherwise you will lose it, and always lift your feet over the pavements! 

“Our bodies feel nine years older than the last time, so we’ve spent more time on strength training and flexibility for injury prevention for this year’s marathon. The first time we ran the London Marathon in 2015 we didn’t fuel correctly, we ran solely on water and a small amount of Lucozade. 

“The best part of training for ‘The Wall’, the 70-mile Ultra Marathon that we ran in 2021, was understanding how to fuel our bodies to be able to sustain hours of running which has massively helped our training.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing other Roy’s Runners along the way; the 2024 team have been amazing at supporting each other throughout our individual journeys to the start line, and we can’t wait to hear everyone’s success stories. Most of all we’re looking forward to seeing our cheer squad.”

“We have so much respect for runners who undertake these challenges solo, it takes mental grit. We’ve completed all our long training runs together, and we’re lucky that our pace is fairly evenly matched. We’ve completed mid-week runs solo only to then discover that, on quite a few occasions, our pace has been exact, to the second!

“We completed London previously in 4hrs 46 minutes, we’d love to come close to that again.  We both say we’re not chasing a time but if we see the finish line at 4 hrs 45 minutes we will probably try to sprint lol!”

To support Jinty and Heather’s tribute fund, visit https://jessie-eddie-mcintosh.muchloved.com/Fundraising/Events/676647951

Tesco has scrapped its plans for a new Edinburgh store after Leith locals complained there were already “too many” in the area.

Detailed proposals for a Tesco Express on Queen Charlotte Street were lodged in January and withdrawn last week following nearly 50 objections.

Despite three other branches being “within a 500m radius” of the former motorbike showroom the supermarket giant argued there was “a lack of convenience retail provision to serve the established residential population”.

Objectors accused the company of a “disgusting display of greed” by “creating a monopoly of Tesco stores means that they will have no incentive to keep prices low as competition diminishes”.

And while plans to redevelop the unit which has lay empty for 12 years and create more jobs were welcomed by Leith Links Communitiy Council it also opposed the bid “on balance”. The group raised concerns the shop would  “have a bad effect on the appearance of the local area” and attract “beggars sitting on the ground outside”.

Tesco recently opened Leith Walk’s second Tesco Express, joining another on Great Junction Street and its Duke Street superstore – all of which are situated within a half kilometre of the proposed Queen Charlotte Street site.

Plans submitted by the retailer said: “Tesco have identified that Queen Charlotte Street and the surrounding area have a lack of convenience retail provision to serve the established residential population and employment uses.

“The nature, scale and location . . . will serve to meet a local convenience retail need, and therefore will have no impact on convenience stores in Leith or across the wider town centre.”

Planning documents revealed there was previously interest in the vacant unit from – among others – Cairngorm Coffee, F45 Fitness, Civerninos Pizza and Sainsbury’s, which didn’t make an offer in the end due to the proximity its Bernard Street store.

Tesco said the new branch would employ between 15 and 20 staff in full and part time position, while noting the Co-op was granted permission to turn the old Yamaha showroom into a convenience store in 2015 but the plans were ultimately ditched.

However locals appeared not to be on board with the proposal and lined up to object.

One commented there were “too many Tescos in Leith,” adding: “This is not the way for cohesive neighbourhood communities.”

Another wrote: “Faceless clone storefronts detract from the character of the area.”

A Yardheads resident said: “I wholeheartedly object to this disgusting display of greed by a company that already occupies three other shops that includes a large store within site of each other!

They asked: “How is this a fair and good solution for the community?” and urged planners to “give someone a fair chance at starting another business in there”.

And it was remarked by different objector that adding “yet another Tesco shop in such a small area is taking away choice for local residents and
by creating a monopoly of Tesco stores means that they will have no incentive to keep prices low as competition diminishes”.

A council report stated: “The application has been withdrawn by the applicant.”

Tesco was contacted for comment.

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

A 122-YEAR-OLD Scotland football jersey worn by a Hibs star in the only match when the national team wore black and white hoops has fetched £5,000 at auction.

The unique long sleeved stripy kit was worn by Hibernian’s inside left Willie McCartney on his debut for Scotland against Ireland in Belfast on 1 March 1902.

McCartney was the youngest player in the team at just 22 years old and helped Scotland to a resounding 5-1 victory on their way to winning the British Home Championship.

The only match in which Scotland wore black and white stripes, it is believed officials used Queen’s Park FC kit. It was adapted for the national team with a bright yellow embroidered cloth badge with red lion rampant and lettering “S V I, 1902”.

The change from the team’s traditional blue was required because the Irish also wore blue at that time.

Still in remarkable condition after 122 years, the jersey went under the hammer at Graham Budd Auctions in Glasgow, where it was sold to a commission bidder for £5000 amid competition from rival collectors in the auction room, online and on the phone.

Auctioneer David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia, said: “This extremely rare shirt was worn by Willie McCartney in his international debut and only full international appearance for Scotland.

“In the match, at Grosvenor Park in Belfast, Scotland defeated Ireland 5-1, and it was the only ever time they wore the black and white.
 
“It’s a Queen’s Park style jersey with a Scotland badge. It may have been old Queen’s Park stock, which they’ve decided to use as a Scotland away strip in Belfast.

“Over 120 years later, it remains a true one off.”

McCartney, born in Newmilns, Ayrshire, turned professional in 1898 and turned out for Rutherglen Glencairn and Ayr before signing for Hibernian in 1899.

McCartney starred in one of Hibs’ greatest ever sides.

He helped the club reach the 1902 Scottish Cup final against Celtic but missed out on the historic victory due to a broken leg. He returned to play a pivotal role as Hibs won their first ever League Championship in 1902-03.

He was later described as “the best forward Hibs had had”.

McCartney had further spells with Manchester United and West Ham United before returning to Scotland in 1906 to play for Clyde.

Queen’s Park FC and the Scotland national team have historic links. Formed in 1867, Queen’s Park was the first association football club in Scotland, and largely responsible for popularising the national sport.

The club organised the first international match ever played, between Scotland and England in 1872, providing the entire Scottish team — months before the Scottish Football Association was formed.

However, there were no Queen’s Park FC players in the 1902 match against Ireland, as the team was filled with stars from Rangers, Hearts, Hibernian and Celtic.

More than 20 East Lothian community groups who applied for council funding this year have received nothing in a bid to ‘reduce reliance’ on local authority funding, a new report has revealed.

Grants issued by East Lothian Council have been hit by cut backs as it seeks to reduce the budget gap for the year ahead.

A report on the applications revealed more than £691,000 was still given to local projects and services through its One Council Partnership funding.

However 22 applications were given nothing, including two who received substantial support last year.

Amisfield Preservation Trust, which oversees community gardens at Haddington and provide education and skills projects, was given £10,000 last year and applied for £14,850 this year but has been granted nothing.

People Know How, a charity which works to help people overcome barriers and thrive, also received £10,000 last year but had a grant application for £7,052 rejected.

A report on the grants issued reveals new applications from groups which had not received money before were presumed not to be accepted and those who missed out have been directed to Volunteer Centre East Lothian for advice on alternative sources of funding.

It said: “The council’s financial challenges over the coming years have
necessitated a clear focus on increasing the resilience of community
organisations, to help them develop sustainable business models and
reduce reliance on annual council funding.

“Applicants have been encouraged to explore alternative funding streams and to approach VCEL, the Third Sector Interface for East Lothian, which is funded by Scottish Government to provide advice to third sector organisations on governance issues and support to secure external funding.”

The full list of grants approved or rejected is available on the council website in its Members Library Service.

by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Today a petition about Winchburgh Railway Station will be brought to Holyrood

The petition which will be presented to Patrick Harvie MSP to take the necessary action to put a new train station in place as promised. members of the Community Council will get on the X 38 at Sainsbury’s Local in Winchburgh heading for Edinburgh.
The petition states: “We call on the Scottish Government to set a date to open a Train Station in Winchburgh.  The lack of information and not coming forward to meet Winchburgh Developments despite continuous promises for meetings, not only undermines trust in our government but also hinders our ability as local organisations to plan for future community growth and development in our community.

“There is evidence a train station would deliver these benefits:

• Trips on congested roads to Edinburgh would be reduced to 15 minutes to the city centre.
• Estimated up to 1658 car trips a day off the Lothians/Edinburgh Road network
• Benefits from reduced congestion removing greenhouse gasses and improved air quality for all.
• Direct economic benefits of £2.4m to passengers per year.
• Provide a regional station serving 26,000 people – double the projected Winchburgh population.

“As members of the Winchburgh community, we have experienced first-hand our collective anticipation for the opening of our long-awaited train station and watched as other villages and towns across Scotland – much smaller than Winchburgh – are getting new train stations. NOW IT’S WINCHBURGH’S TURN.”

See the petition here

New sessions at Dr Bell’s

Job available at Craiglockhart Primary School

At Pianodrome on Saturday

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A succession of contract wins in 2024 has seen Edinburgh-based insurance reinstatement building contractor INSUREPAIR double its workforce in recent months.

Plasterers, joiners and decorators make up the influx of new personnel at the firm, which specialises in fire and flood restoration.

Having moved into the early part of 2024 with over 15 permanent members of staff, the company has seen that number rise to more than 30, with the recently-opened Glasgow branch growing quickly alongside an increase in demand in the Capital.

The hiring spree allowed a number of trades people to join from firms which had lost work due to the impact the downturn in house building has had on the construction sector, while others have left self-employment in search of job security with one of Scotland’s preferred insurance reinstatement building contractors.

“It’s been such an unprecedented start to the year for us that we had to launch a recruitment drive after winning a lot of new business,” said managing director Richard O’Donnell, whose company works with some of the UK’s largest insurance companies in covering Edinburgh and Glasgow along with Central Scotland, Perth, Fife and the Borders.

“That, combined with the fact that the public are becoming more aware they can actually come direct to us for insurance reinstatement works as opposed to going through their insurance, has really increased the number of projects we are working on.

“We therefore had to go out to the market and look for driven, hard-working team players, who take pride in in their craftmanship and I’m delighted with the team we are building here.

“Our business plan was focused around consistent growth and we have accelerated those plans given the hectic start to the year we have had.”

Mr O’Donnell added: “We’re still looking for more people to join us as the demand is still there. Our insurance reinstatement works are managed in a way that we have a lead trades person in each group who reports to contracts managers who in turn inform the operations team so it’s relatively straight forward to add new trade staff, which I’ll be looking to do in the months ahead.”

An Edinburgh tenant is to be evicted from her flat just as the Scottish Government’s ban is lifted, after her landlord claimed to be ‘deep in debt’.

Australia-based landlord Evaine Ladwa applied for an eviction order against Sau Lan Wong in a bid to put the East Parkside property back on the market.

And it was granted by the court last month – just days before a Scotland-wide eviction moratorium introduced in response to the cost of living crisis came to an end on March 31.

Ms Ladwa said she had been “suffering financial hardship for an extended period of time and had a pressing need to sell the property,” a housing tribunal report stated.

The landlord, who lives 10,000 miles away in New South Wales, said that “with each passing day she was getting deeper into debt and was inundated with notices from her bank regarding missed payments”.

Ms Wong asked that the tribunal be postponed after telling the court she was in Hong Kong dealing with ‘various matters concerning her teenage child which required her immediate and undivided attention’.

However, her request was refused due to a “lack of a satisfactory explanation” as to why she couldn’t “dial in” from abroad or send someone on her behalf, while a postponement of the hearing would “result in a delay of approximately four months”.

The report said: “[Ms Ladwa] explained that she had been made redundant and her employment and income had terminated in December 2023.

“She was hopeful that in due course her ongoing attempts to obtain new employment would be successful, but until then her monthly expenditure exceeded her monthly income by £907.

“She referred the Tribunal to the detailed information regarding her financial situation which she had provided in that regard.

“Even after obtaining replacement employment, she would still require to sell the property to repay the debt she had amassed up to that point.

“Additionally, her mortgage on the property was interest only and was due to end in four years. She did not have and did not envisage she would have the money to repay the capital borrowed to purchase the flat, so she also needed to sell it for that reason.”

It said Ms Wong did not put forward “circumstances to show that it would not be reasonable for the Tribunal to issue an eviction order”.

It added: “Having considered the whole circumstances, the Tribunal was satisfied that it was reasonable to issue an eviction order.”

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

Watsonians coach Keith Smith admitted his squad eased off when they were 5-0 ahead against Clydesdale Western in their Scottish Cup semi-final victory, allowing the opposition too much time and space.

Their rivals scored and Smith said: “It’s a reminder that we need to work hard to keep our standards high throughout the game.”

The treble-chasing Edinburgh club now face Western Wildcats in the Scottish Cup Final later in the season and the Auchenhowie side provided the opposition when Watsonians clinched the Premiership title recently with a 3-1 victory at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh.

Looking back at the semi-final at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre, Smith said: “It was pleasing to score in quite different ways. The first and last goals showed our ability to create chances by playing back to front quickly.

“The third and fourth were the opposite, patient until we found an overload and we then exploited the chance well when we did.”

The coach added: “Before the game we’d also felt we could be a little bit more aggressive without the ball then we have been in recent weeks and I think we did a good job of making it hard for Clydesdale Western to build-up.”

PICTURE: Watsonians women after clinching the Premiership at Tipperlin (George Watson’s College). Picture Nigel Duncan

Police in Edinburgh have arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with a crash on Sunday afternoon around 4.10pm on Muirhouse Parkway.

The male driver had moved the car from the scene before police arrived after a collision with a 63-year-old female pedestrian who was taken to The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

The man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Plant hunters from Scotland’s leading botanical garden believe a ginger specimen in its collection for over 50 years may in fact be new to science – after braving a crocodile infested river, torrential rains and tropical fevers to find a living match in Papua New Guinea.

Scientists from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and partners in Papua New Guinea were searching for a living match for the herbarium specimen first recorded in 1969.

Described 55 years ago as the enigmatic Alpinia fusiformis, further studies have now confirmed it is actually a different species, which may turn out to be new.

Dr Axel Dalberg Poulsen, RBGE’s gingers specialist, and the team used a “traditional plant hunting approach to navigate crocodiles on the Oriomo River, torrential rains and tropical fevers” in their search for a matching plant to confirm his suspicions.

Seeds were flown back to Scotland and young plants are now thriving at RBGE, where they will eventually go on display.

Dr Poulsen, who will return to the southwestern Pacific country this summer to continue the work, said: “The ginger which we’ve- ound in Papua New Guinea will not only inform our understanding and conservation efforts in and around the island, but we hope that the species can also go on to be a new star of the visitor experience when our Glasshouses reopen to the public after the Edinburgh Biomes refurbishment.

“The business of collecting plants and ‘plant hunting’ is a challenging and exciting one – often navigating dangerous terrain in the name of biodiversity research.

“But there is a very strong motivation driving the work. Every new discovery could have a significant material impact on global biodiversity loss, which is one of the biggest climate challenges facing the world today.

“With the support of funders such as People’s Postcode Lottery, and our international partners, these plants are now part of the greater objective in which we play a part.”

Experts at RBGE also helped to identify two previously unrecorded types of begonia in northern India last year.

Dr Mark Hughes, RBGE’s Taxonomy Research Leader for Southeast Asia and a specialist in begonias, said: “Assigning scientific names to species is at the core of biodiversity accounting.

“It is only once a species is named that you can truly investigate what its place is within the environment and therefore how mankind can work to use it or protect it.”

Southeast Asia, home to 15% of the world’s tropical forests, is at the forefront of the biodiversity crisis. However, a lack of understanding of the region’s diversity means species are in danger of being lost before they are known or their benefits to mankind are fully understood.

RBGE collaborated on a two-pronged approach to modern plant hunting, combining digital and traditional fieldwork in a bid to better understand the region’s diversity and the threats that they face to support sustainable conservation action.

This week at the council

Councillors will be back at work this week after their two week recess to coincide with school holidays. Here is the schedule with links to the papers for each meeting – and anyone may watch the meetings by using the council webcast either live or afterwards when the recorded session is published online.

Monday, 15th April, 2024

• 10.00 am Lothian Valuation Joint Board – Hybrid Meeting – Dean of Guild Court Room, City Chambers / Microsoft Teams – City Chambers

Tuesday, 16th April, 2024

• 10.00 am Education, Children and Families Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers

Wednesday, 17th April, 2024

• 10.00 am Development Management Sub-Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers

Thursday, 18th April, 2024 – no meetings

Friday, 19th April, 2024

• 3.30 pm Pentland Hills Regional Park Joint Committee – Microsoft Teams

At St Giles’ this evening

Tonight at 6.30pm there will be a concert when Tyler Hay will perform Beethoven on piano. St Giles’ Cathedral plays host to the inaugural Edinburgh Royal Mile International Piano Series. This prestigious new concert series will feature all 32 of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas throughout the 2024 season.

Tickets here.

Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2024

Looking ahead 100 bars in Edinburgh will take part in Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2024 which runs from 11 to 20 October and Earlybird Tickets are now on sale. Everyone with a wristband can take part enjoying a signature cocktail in each participating venue and entry to the pop up Cocktail Village where drinks are £5 each. Click on the image below for more information.

Free cooking class begins on Wednesday

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THE HOUSE sparrow is still the most common bird seen in Scottish gardens, but according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) the species is suffering a dramatic long term decline.

The results of RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch 2024 show that the house sparrow came top for the 13th year in a row, ahead of the starling and blue tit.

Despite its success, the charity warned the species suffered a decline in the average numbers recorded per garden compared to 2013.

More worryingly, house sparrow numbers have declined by 60% since the counts began in 1979.

The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest annual wildlife survey, offering insights into how some of the most common garden birds are faring.

This year, over 40,000 people in Scotland took part, counting more than 800,000 birds.

The house sparrow and starling held the top two positions while the blue tit swapped places with the chaffinch to reclaim third place and the blackbird once again completed the top five.

The woodpigeon, great tit, robin, goldfinch and coal tit made up Scotland’s garden top ten.

House sparrows (-60%), starlings (-83%), robins (-25.1%), greenfinches (-68.7%) and chaffinches (-73.5%) have all suffered long term declines, while blue tits (+24.4%), great tits (+61.4%) coal tits (+247.7%) wrens (+67.9%) and wood pigeons (+1058%) have all increased.

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “There’s been no let-up in the decline of our wildlife over recent decades, with one in nine wildlife species at risk of being lost from Scotland.

“However, our gardens and community green spaces can make a positive difference to the ongoing nature crisis.

“They can give a crucial lifeline for struggling species by providing a patchwork of potential homes for nature across the country.”

She added: “To halt nature’s decline and turn round its current downward trajectory, we need to help it return across the country and make it a natural feature of everyday life.

“Our fields, farms, and towns need help to let nature back in – our gardens and community greenspaces provide the perfect place for us as individuals to start.”