Wanderers defeated the hosts 20-14 while Lismore followed up recent success in the Edinburgh Northern sevens by overcoming Peebles to lift the Centenary Cup.
The Jambos have won two games against The Bhoys this term and Steven Naismith (pictured), Hearts’ head coach, said: “All season we have had confidence going into every game and we have no fear about what we are coming up against.
“Having the results against Celtic certainly helps and builds confidence. It will be slightly different (this time) because of where it (the game) sits in the season.
“The outcome of these games has a massive impact and I am sure Celtic being in the pole position for the title will want to come and get a result, but in a title race one slip can cost you.”
Naismith added that when you play against the Old Firm you have to be comfortable and understand the whole game and the dynamic of the crowd.
He added: “You have got to manage the game you have to understand that you are going to have to defend as they are a good team. If you get a goal and you start controlling the game you can turn the crowd.”
The nine-point deficit from the first-leg in Dorset proved too much for the home side to make up but Monarchs did gave their fans hope with a bright opening.
Josh Pickering and Lasse Fredriksen combined for a 5-1 in the first race. Monarchs also won the next three three to move eight points ahead on the night at 16-8 and one behind on aggregate.
Poole upped a gear to win the next six races and put the tie to bed with Tom Brennan top scoring with 11 points and skipper Ben Cook colecting ten.
Josh Pickering totalled 13 to top score for the home side with Justin Sedgmen next best on ten and captain Paco Castagna scored eight points but Kye Thomson could only manage four in the defeat.
Monarchs gave their fans something to cheer with a 5-1 in the final race thanks to a win from Pickering with Sedgmen second ahead of Cook and Brennan but the first-leg deficit proved too much to make up.
MONARCHS: Pickering 13, Fredriksen 5, Thomson 4, Castagna 8, Sedgmen 10, James 4, Coles 3.
PIRATES: Lawson 7, Thomson 7, Brennan 11, Zach Cook 5, Ben Cook 10, Hagon 2, Perry 1.
RESULTS: Cab Direct Championship: Glasgow 47 (Chris Harris 15), Workington 43 (Craig Cook 10+1); Redcar 44 (Charles Wright 14), Scunthorpe 46 (Michael Palm Toft 10). Cab Direct KO Cup, quarter-final, second-leg: Edinburgh 47 (Josh Pickering 13), Poole 43 (Tom Brennan 11). Poole win 92-87 on aggregate
PICTURE: Action from Armadale by Nigel Duncan
SIGN HERE PLEASE: Josh Pickering signs a plaster cast in the pits for a delighted young fan. Picture Nigel Duncan
BUSY BOY: The same fan gets Lasse Fredriksen to add his signature. Picture Nigel Duncan
Graham Forrester was last seen outside shops on Leith Walk around 8.45pm on Thursday, 2 May, 2024.
He is described as around 5ft 8ins, of medium build with mid-length brown hair. When last seen he was wearing a blue jumper, black puffer jacket, jeans, and a black rucksack.
Graham is known to often visit the city cente and the Leith area.
Inspector Mairi Creanor said: “Concerns are growing for Graham’s welfare and we are keen to trace him to make sure he is safe and well.
“If you have seen Graham or know where he is please get in touch.”
Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 1414 of Thursday, 2 May, 2024.
The organisation plans to shut its 25 ‘iCentres’ across the country due to “significant” changes in the tourism landscape.
The Edinburgh branch, located at 249 High Street adjacent to the City Chambers, operates within a leased space provided by the council and shares facilities with its customer hub.
It’s winding-up is part of a phased two-year closure programme and no date has been set for VisitScotland to vacate the premises.
Councillor Alys Mumford said as the capital city it was “right that we have a physical place that people can come and find information”.
VisitScotland chairman Lord Thurso said the demand for iCentres had “reduced while the demand for online information and booking has continued to grow”.
But Cllr Mumford said “not everyone still wants to book online,” adding: “Sometimes information isn’t available online.”
Tabling a motion to explore options for ‘future use of the property as a visitor centre, including through providing a service ourselves’ – which was passed unanimously by the finance and resources committee this week – she said officials had already begun talks with VisitScotland chiefs “about what can be done with this space”.
The Green councillor added: “This is an attempt to give a mandate to that, to say this is something the council supports.
“That there might be other uses for this building still within the visitor economy that fit in well with the council’s aims.”
She said this could include a base for the city’s ‘Night Czar’ once the role is properly established, or for third sector charities and independent tour guides “who need somewhere to put bags”.
Supporting the motion at the meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Alex Staniforth said: “A visitor centre isn’t just an area where tourists go for information such as where they can get a coffee or such like.
“There’s actually a big humanitarian element to what a visitors’ centre does, because when tourists come here they come into an unfamiliar city and problems may arise.
“Our visitor centre in Edinburgh is always busy, it’s always got people inside it,
“I don’t understand the decision of VisitScotland to close it down, but I think in order to keep tourism to the city safe, to maintain a tourist sector that has an international reputation and in line with our aims to make the tourist sector greener a visitor centre is useful and we should therefore do everything we can to keep some kind of visitors centre going in that spot.”
Announcing the iCentre closures in March, VisitScotland said there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the shift to a “digital first” strategy.
Lord Thurso said research showed the organisation “have a greater and more impactful role to play in providing information before visitors travel”.
He added: “Prioritising a digital first model of information provision allows us to reach potential visitors at those early planning stages when we can shape their future travel decisions.”
UK Minister for Scotland John Lamont said the move was a “blow to our towns”.
by Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter
Currently a pupil support assistant at Craigroyston Primary School, Emma previously worked as a rugby coach for The Royal High School and RugbyTots. Emma is captain of Corstorphine Cougars RFC and was recently selected to represent Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge.
Emma said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started with the cricket club and I can’t wait for the new challenge of working with the girls.”
Club secretary, Robert Drummond, added: “The majority of RHC players are under 25 and as such we lack players who have children aged 7-10. Traditionally parents are the organisational bedrock of junior cricket.
“Given that we have very few parents we feel we need the input of an Activator – someone who can relate well to children, meet and talk with parents, communicate with schools, etc. Emma is a schoolteacher, and together with her sporting prowess is ideally suited to this role.
“Her initial role has a focus on under-12 and under 15 girls cricket. At present we have four men’s teams but only one women’s team. One of our top ambitions is to add a second women’s team and the key to making that happen is to produce our own pathway that allows teenage girls to join RHC. We are particularly keen to develop our girls’ under-12 coaching and playing this coming year.”
If you would like to give cricket a try at RHC get in touch through the website https://royalhighcorstorphine.play-cricket.com/home
Now Megan has been told that because of budget cuts she will no longer be able to access the pump after the study ends. The system which checks HBA1C – a measure of glucose levels – has identified that Megan’s results are the lowest they have been since she was diagnosed. The system has been made available in England since 1 April 2024 by NHS Lothian is unable to roll out the system as they had hoped.
Ms Boyack said:“Megan’s case shows the absolutely shocking state the SNP Government has allowed NHS Lothian to fall into.
“Life changing technology and treatment are being denied to patients due to a lack of funding.
“That is unacceptable anywhere in Scotland, never mind our nation’s capital.
“The Scottish Government must act to ensure Megan and other diabetics are able to access this ground-breaking treatment as they were promised.
“There is real opportunity to improve the quality of life for diabetes patients in Edinburgh, but that opportunity isn’t just being denied to my constituents its being snatched away.”
Megan said: “When I got told that there is potential no funding for me to remain on the system, I felt let down and upset.
“It’s like dangling a sweet in front of a child and then taking it away.
“I was informed a few months back that it was highly likely that I would remain on the system but that’s clearly not the case.
“Part of my job of being a nurse is advocating for the most vulnerable in society but who is advocating for us type 1 diabetics?”
Michelle Carr, Chief Officer, Acute Services, NHS Lothian said: “All Health Boards, including NHS Lothian, are under significantly increased financial pressure. This means that difficult decisions are being considered and must be made.
“We are currently reviewing the provision of our Diabetes Technology, specifically the hybrid closed loop system which combines an insulin pump with a linked continuous glucose monitor, as funding for starting new patients on this system in 2024 is very limited.
“We will communicate to all patients currently on a waiting list for Diabetes Technology as soon as this review is complete.
“Where patients are on a clinical study, such as ones for this type of equipment, they will be informed about what happens when the study ends. In this instance, information was provided to all patients as part of the clinical study documentation. This clearly stated that when the study came to an end, the patients would stop using the combined system (insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor) and would return to what they had previously been using.”
The art on display includes work by more than 30 sculptors, artists, photographers and painters with ten new artists also exhibiting for the first time. With a focus on contemporary art and sales, Inception Art Show promises an enriching experience for art enthusiasts. This year, 35 modern and contemporary artists will ‘take over’ the Palace, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with the artists and their creations over the course of 10 days.
Families will be welcomed on a special Family Day on 11 May sponsored by Savills when there will be family-friendly workshops and demonstrations and there will be other events included in the programme with an online charity auction of the art raising funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Walter Dalkeith who helps curate the show with Taisir Gibreel and Charlotte Rostek said: “Working alongside the artists, we hope to create an immersive cultural experience that showcases the art at its best and engages directly with visitors.
“We are proud to create this platform for visitors to purchase artwork and support the incredible creativity and talent on show”.
Charlotte Rostek who directs development at the palace said: “I am delighted to see Inception return to Dalkeith Palace again this year. It has really become our flagship show signalling a whole new chapter in the story of this remarkable building and one we are excited to see unfold over the coming years.”
Edinburgh-based Judy Clark Fashion Designer and her sister Christine Clark the artist have some new work on display. Christine has returned to fashion illustration along with her beautiful fashion pieces and Christine has just designed the album cover for Kelly Jones of Stereophonics, an excerpt of which forms part of the display.
Entrance tickets to the Inception Art Show cost £3 and are now on sale. The exhibition is open daily from Friday 3 May to Sunday 12 May, from 10.00am to 4.00pm. There will also be daily, pre-bookable guided tours of the Palace.
www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk/event/inception-art-show/
The exhibition will be open from 11 May to 29 September, and spans indoors and outdoors at Jupiter Artland.
This year the sculpture park and Café Party at Jupiter Artland will be open seven days a week until 29 September allowing visitors every opportunity to see the works on display and enjoy a coffee or a meal during the visit.
LAWNMOWER creates a space “where materiality might absorb or encourage certain feelings”. Aldridge’s varied artistic activities are imbued with a sense of freedom and play, leaving space for audiences’ own interpretations and feelings.
Also opening at the same time this Spring are Andrew Sim’s new paintings that will transform The Ballroom space at Jupiter into a dreamlike forest, with plants and trees growing beneath rainbows and star-studded skies. Sim lives and works in New York drawing on everyday experiences representing their experience of Queerness. This exhibition of brand new work continues Sim’s exploration of trees, with works made on-site at Jupiter and at the artist’s London studio. It will be the artist’s biggest exhibition to date in Scotland.
Glasgow-born artist Andrew Sim draws upon their everyday experience, conscious and unconscious, creating forms and characters that represent their experience of Queerness. Sim depicts archetypes and cultural images in the foreground of their paintings, carefully considering the pivotal time to use certain imagery. These autobiographical moments and symbols document the duality and evolution of Queer lives. Winged horses, flowers, rainbows and werewolves have all featured in this painted mythology.
Laura Aldridge’s work combines luscious colour and sensual texture with handmade and collaged qualities. Richly glazed ceramics, elements sculpted in modroc and fishing floats are illuminated among soft folds of fabric. Aldridge creates a “Push and pull between dualities, such as
synthetic versus natural and object versus subject, whereby the tension lies in the viewer’s very own experience.” Working across textile, ceramic, glass and found objects, Aldridge does not spoon feed, she has a clarity about how much should be laid bare and visitors should be prepared to embark on a journey through their own experiences and senses. LAWNMOWER will also premiere a series of new
video works that Aldridge has made in collaboration with artists and musicians from her creative community.
JUPITER RISING the Scottish artist-driven art and music festival returns to Jupiter Artland this summer and there will be a collaborative event with Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) on 17 August 2024.
The festival is curated by Jupiter and EAF,
to create an innovative programme of live-music and sound. Expect unique site-responsive
performance, artist moving-image and film programmes, talks and discussions, artist-led workshops
and all-ages programmes, plus the return of the infamous late night stage showcasing progressive
club nights with the best of Scottish and international DJs.
Great British Menu The Dinner
One of the best kept secrets is the outdoor dining evenings at Café Party. Every Friday from 24 May. £80 per person. More details here.
Prince Harry urged the industry to put sustainability at the heart of its tourism bookings and gave special mention to the Edinburgh-based charity.
Travalyst is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Prince Harry. The gathering brought together some of the biggest brands in travel and technology, as well as world-renowned experts to discuss sustainable and regenerative tourism.
A key part of this year’s event was the roundtable discussion focused on communities, speaking to a range of people including Zakia who talked about the impact that conscious travellers have on communities.
She said: “We are increasingly seeing people making even more conscious decisions when they are travelling and visiting new places. People want to see the money they spend directly benefit communities.”
Prince Harry said: “Travel and tourism relies on destinations, held together by communities, without which we have nowhere to travel to. Communities are the beating heart of travel, and we must do better by the people who are the custodians of the places we visit. We’ve heard from some fantastic organisations like Invisible Cities who train people affected by homelessness to be tour guides in their own city.”
Travalyst has focussed on accommodation and aviation but is working to bring a clear message to help people make more informed choices.
Invisible Cities train people who have experienced homelessness to be tour guides of their own cities. The charity currently runs tours in six cities, expanding to more this year and beyond. All of the guides are paid the living wage and employed by the charity. Each of them carefully researches, plans and practices their tour, based on their own interests, observations and life stories, with our support. Invisible Cities also help many more people with valuable employability skills such as confidence, public speaking and storytelling. They also work closely with many other community outreach support services who work with people who are struggling with homelessness.
Club president Mark Patrizio and vice president Jackie Johnston played the opening shots and this was followed by a match held over six rinks in glorious weather.
Pictured are members lined up on the petanque area.
The SNP’s John Swinney declared his intention to run in any leadership contest on Thursday morning, and having said during his speech that he would bring Kate Forbes into any cabinet, Ms Forbes announced later in the day that she would not stand. This allows for a coronation of the former Deputy First Minister who was leader of the SNP some two decades ago, but for whom this time the top job is in reach.
Unless a late candidate throws their hat into the ring by Monday at noon, it is virtually certain that Swinney will be announced as leader of the SNP on Monday and then the next – the eighth – First Minister.
Who were the others? Humza Yousaf, Nicola Sturgeon, Alex Salmond, Jack McConnell, Henry McLeish and Donald Dewar and not forgetting Jim Wallace who became First Minister on the death of Donald Dewar for just 16 days and on the resignation of Henry McLeish for just 19 days.
On Saturday at ESW everyone is invited to a workshop, book in for a tour or explore the artists’ studios.
It is also a family day – no need to book just turn up between 1 and 3pm.
MILK, the on-site cafe will be open all day and have lots of lunch options, cakes and a special pancakes offer for kids this Saturday.
THURSDAY 16 MAY 2024
at: Riddle’s Court
322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
Most medieval cities and towns had several churches, of different sizes, serving the population. Edinburgh was no exception, and while several have vanished, more remains than is realised. This talk will describe what was and what remains as well as look at some later developments. It will cover well-known survivors, such as St Giles as well as those much less well known, like Trinity College and the Magdalen Chapel.
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.
Click on the image below if you would like to sign up for an annual subscription to have the paper delivered to you each month.
The next public drop in when you can have a look at the plans for the route from Meadows to George Street is on 9 May. See more below.
One of the county’s longest running swimming clubs, Whitburn based Trojan ASC have recently being awarded Scottish Swimming’s Aquamark Level 1 accreditation.
Club Secretary, Colin Matthews, said: “The accreditation is awarded by the sport’s governing body, Scottish Swimming, to ensure clubs are strong, sustainable, and inclusive to help grow the sport. The main aims of the Aquamark accreditation are to provide a nationally recognised standard that will enable clubs to:
· *Be inclusive, adhere to equality standards and engage with the local community.
· *Develop safe, effective, well governed, welcoming, and friendly environments, based on good practice.
· *Improve the club experience for all members by having an agreed vision and culture.
· *Strive to be a long-term sustainable club focused on developing pathways for all.
Colin added:”This is a great achievement for our club and demonstrates to both existing and future members that we are a sustainable, well governed club operating to the highest of standards.”
Interested in learning more about the club or join via email : trojanasc@outlook.com
Poor Humza Yousaf (39) had only been First Minister for a year, and, seeking to keep everyone happy, he u-turned so many times he ended up going round in circles. It’s sad, because he is a lovely, calm, quietly-spoken man, Scotland’s first Asian leader. He took over the SNP/Green government after the sudden, and quite unnecessary, resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.
He made three big mistakes, in my view. One was to impose a council tax freeze on Scotland’s 32 local councils, depriving them of much-needed funds and their democratic dignity. The second was to abandon Scotland’s 2030 climate change targets. And the third was to double down on gender and hate crime laws. The first two annoyed the Greens. The third annoyed a large part of his own party. So he opened up an ill-tempered rift that led to the end of the coalition government last week. On Monday Mr Yousaf was forced to announce his resignation.
So who could put the delicate Humpty Dumpty government back together again ? All the king’s men seemed to favour John Swinney (60), the wise man of the party. He’s been in the SNP since he was 15 and in government for 16 years, serving in both Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet. He was even leader of the party from 2000 to 2004, which now looks like a previous existence.
To pull the left and right of the party together, however, he needed the backing of Kate Forbes (34), a clever and articulate Highland accountant and former finance secretary, who, last year ran Humza Yousaf a close second in the leadership race. But there’s unlikely to be a race this year. Just hours after John Swinney declared his intention to stand for election again, and called on Kate to join him in a government of all the talents, she agreed not to stand herself but to support Mr Swinney.
Both had hesitated for three days, saying they were balancing family commitments against political duties. John Swinney left the government last year, heading for retirement. Kate Forbes has a young child. Whether Ms Forbes could have beaten “honest John” we shall never know.
The contest would, though, would have exposed the divisions that have been growing in the party for the last few years. There are different views on the road to independence, climate change, the future of oil and gas, marine protection zones, progressive taxation, local authority finance, and a range of “social” issues, such as gender identity, puberty blockers and hate crime.
There’s also the strange controversy over Kate Forbes’ religion – as if she is the only MSP to belong to a church. Her church, the Free Church of Scotland, does not believe in sex before marriage or gay marriage, or trans-gender rights. But then neither does the Roman Catholic Church or the Muslim religion and yet many MSPs are members of these churches, including Mr Yousaf himself who was forcing the social agenda through.
As for the Greens, they have branded Kate Forbes as anti-gay, and part of a “right wing faction” of the SNP who they vehemently oppose. Now that they are free of the coalition, their seven MSPs have the balance of power in The Scottish Parliament. They can block any policy they don’t agree with, like the retreat from climate change measures, or more money for road-building and they can insist on environmental measures being included in the budget before they will vote for it.
The wonder is that the SNP has stayed afloat for so long. They are, of course buoyed up by the dream of independence, which still commands support from half the population. But, like any other single issue party (including the Greens), it is hard to keep a tidy cupboard on other issues.
With the new Swinney/Forbes coalition, it looks like we are in for a more cautious Scottish government, waiting for the tide to turn in its favour and dreading the sound of Labour’s marching bands.
Last weekend’s disappointment in losing to Western Wildcats in the play-off final was a major blow and killed hopes of a domestic treble.
Two unnamed players are injured and will not play in Saturday’s showpiece but Grange have depth in their squad and remain confident as they accounted for Watsonians 3-0 in last weekend’s play-off semi-final.
Previous scorelines between the clubs have been 1-0 and 3-2 but Martin Shepherdson, Grange’s team manager, said: “Although we have won all three games we have played against Watsonians this season, all of them have been tight.
“We know they can be difficult to break down but we go into the game feeling confident that if we play to our best we will beat them.”
Missing two players through injury, he admitted, was a blow but he added: “We pride ourselves on the depth of our squad so we don’t let that affect us.”
Watsonians go in against Western Wildcats in the women’s Cup Final on Sunday (16.00) and they beat the Auchenhowie club 3-0 in their play-off semi-final last weekend.
Coach Keith Smith and his squad eye a glory treble for the second straight season having already annexed the Premiership and the play-off title and they are outstanding favourites.
The Edinburgh club have gone through the domestic season unbeaten so far but Smith said: “Games against Wildcats are always tough and we need to impose ourselves on the game and be controlled about how we achieve that.
Other men’s games being played on Saturday feature The University of Edinburgh 3s playing capital rivals Grange 3s in the men’s Reserve Cup Final (10.00) and student’s second team face Hillhead 2s in the District Cup Final (12.00).
The Scottish Plate Final features The University of Edinburgh against Dundee Wanderers (14.00) and the District Plate Final is between Erskine Stewart’s Melville 2s and Grove Menzieshill 2s (13.00). The men’s Reserve Plate Final is between Watsonians 4s and Watsonians 5s (11.00).
On Sunday it is the women who have pride of place also at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre. The University of Edinburgh play The University of Edinburgh 2s in the Scottish Plate Final (14.000 and in the District Cup Final, Shetland play The University of Edinburgh 4s (12.00).
Glasgow University 4s are in action in the District Plate Final against Merlin Gordonians 2s (10.00).
PICTURE: Grange v The University of Edinburgh earlier this season. Picture by Nigel Duncan
PICTURE: Watsonians v Western Wildcats at George Watson’s College earlier this season. Picture by Nigel Duncan
He is now combining his admiration for the charity with his work role as Compliance Officer at Scotmid.
He will be raising funds for the organisation which is Scotmid’s charity partner for 2024 by running a 10-race challenge. He has already completed the Supernova Kelpies in March and is preparing for the Scottish Half Marathon in August.
Scotmid’s goal is to raise enough funds to buy an Atlantic 85 lifeboat capable of carrying four crew members and a haul of essential medical and rescue equipment.
Kevin said: “I am incredibly proud to be supporting such an important charity for communities around the UK. My father and grandfather were keen runners, but I only took up running during lockdown, so this challenge is a great opportunity to follow in their footsteps. I am loving the challenge but not sure if my legs will agree by the end of the year.”
To support Kevin’s 10 race challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/scotmidkevinwhite2024
Kirsty Connell, Membership & Community Manager (East) at Scotmid, said: “We are immensely proud of Kevin and his achievements in this challenge so far. Through our partnership with the RNLI, we hope to raise enough funds to purchase a new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat. It’s great to see our colleagues contributing through individual and team challenges. Good luck Kevin!”
Kari will work alongside Hannah Short to continue the growth and success of the woman’s and girls’ section.
Someone who is becoming part of the furniture at Stewart’s Melville is Shaylen Pillay who is returning for a sixth season as overseas professional.
Stewart’s Melville are due to open their Eastern Premiership campaign on Saturday 4 May at home to Falkland.
In the singles final Deepti defeated Qing Yang Xiao then teamed up with her to win the girls doubles, beating Anishita Jaiswal and Ingrid Wang in the final.
The mixed doubles saw Deepti partner Lewis Smith to victory over Lingyun Xiao and Qing Yang Xiao.
In the boys’ events Alfie Martin was defeated 13-21 and 11-21 in the singles final against Lingyun Xiao. The boys’ doubles was won by Lewis Smith and Lingyun Xiao at the expense of Ciaron Hope and Alfie Sweeney.
The under-13 singles saw Yingfan Wang beat James Huang while in the girls’ event Emily Jobson came out on top against Akshara Chavan. In the the under-13 mixed doubles final Divyam Goyal and Akshir Chavan defeated Yingfan Wang and Emily Jobson.
The boys’ doubles was a triumph for Yinming Oscar Feng and Yingfan Wang against Divyam Goyal and James Huang while Akshara Chavan and Emily Jobson won the girls doubles against Josie Columbine and Sophie Mackay.
Based in a local Men’s Shed in East Lothian, the work follows four retired miners as they discover how a review into the policing of the mining strikes in the 80’s by the Scottish Government suddenly affects them, their friendships and their relationships.
The audience hears how one unforgettable and violent day of striking at Bilston Glen Colliery leaves them wrestling with what they think is right, who they are now, who they once were and most importantly, where they stand on the picket line.
A Brunton spokesman said: “With dramatization of real stories and experiences, work brings a powerful and emotional call to arms over injustices and hardships that are arguably still felt to this day.”
The work is written by Lothians-based writer and theatre maker Shelley Middler. Since graduating from the University For The Creative Arts, Shelley has written for Scottish Youth Theatre, Traverse Theatre and Strange Town Youth Theatre as part of their Young Writers Groups.
The Collie’s Shed is touring, marking the 40th Anniversary of the 1984 Mining Strikes.
EAST LOTHIAN TOUR DATES: Loretto Theatre, Musselburgh, 29 May 7.30pm, Fraser Centre, Tranent, 30 May 7.30pm, Community Centre, Prestonpans, 31 May 7.30pm, Corn Exchange, Haddington, 1 Jun 7.30pm
PICTURE: scene from the show courtesy of The Brunton
They include Closet Brewing, Crossover Blendery, DEYA, Drop Project Brewing Co, Full Circle Brew Co, Moonwake Beer Co, Six Degrees North, Talking Tides Brew Co, Tartarus Beers, Tempest Brewing Co, Timothy Taylor’s, Timmermans, Two By Two Brewing Co as well as Ascension Cider.
Over 900 attended last year and the dates this time are September 27 and 28 and Andrew Barnett, the mastermind behind Barney’s Beer and the Gravity Beer Festival, said: “We’ve taken everything we learned from our first event last year and, again, curated a list of
brewers who all make fantastic beer of various styles and flavours from all around the country – and internationally – so that there’s something for everyone.”
With an all-inclusive ticket, attendees will receive a branded glass and unrestricted access to the festival’s beer halls, where they can savour a wide array of brews from across Scotland, and the North East – as well as from the rest of the UK, and even Belgium.
Tickets can be found on Gravity’s website https://www.gravitybeerfestival.co.uk/
FLASHBACK: attendees at the 2023 event
During his speech announcing he would stand for election as leader, Mr Swinney spoke of Ms Forbes as a friend and colleague, outlining what he would like to happen if he was First Minister and given the opportunity of selecting a cabinet. He said: “I want Kate Forbes to play significant part in that team. She is an intelligent, creative and thoughtful person, who has much to contribute to our national life.”
Ms Forbes said in a statement: “I have listened very carefully to the vision John Swinney set out this morning for Scotland. I welcomed, and embrace, his commitment to ensure internal respect for robust and divergent debate in the party, which is the lifeblood of any democratic institution like the SNP. I was also greatly heartened by his drive to restore a sense of courtesy and dignity to the way we conduct ourselves as a party and as a Parliament. If we want to rewin the trust of the people, tone and language matter in the way we conduct ourselves.
“I have also had the opportunity to speak directly with him to discuss the future of our party and our country. Those discussions on the future of the SNP and our vision for Scotland were both frank and constructive. What emerged was that we share a powerful common purpose for the country. That includes a passion to revitalise our party, reach out to those who feel disempowered and reinvigorate the independence movement. It also includes an understanding that economic growth and tackling poverty must again be key priorities, and that a just transition to ‘net zero’ must work with, and not against, our communities and businesses. More than that, John is clear that he is determined to return the SNP to governing from the mainstream. Competent, candid government earning the trust of the people. That was the vision I offered in the last leadership contest & is evidently demanded by the Scottish public.
“I’ve therefore weighed the decision whether or not to seek the leadership of the party with great care. I’ve concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish Government. I can therefore today announce that I will not be seeking nomination as the next SNP leader. John will therefore have my support and endorsement in any campaign to follow. I sincerely thank every party member, and each of my parliamentary colleagues in Holyrood and Westminster, who have been in touch to urge me to stand. I recognise many might be disappointed that I’ll not be contesting the position of Leader. To those people I say this – you can be certain that delivering on the priorities for which we have, together, advocated in recent years has been at the heart of today’s decision.
“It is now clear from this morning’s statement that in John Swinney we have someone who not only understands that need for reform, but has now committed to delivering it. I look forward to playing my role in making that happen.”
Mr Swinney will become the seventh First Minister since the devolved parliament was set up unless opposed before then. That would appear reasonably unlikely as many ministers were at the press conference called on Thursday morning when he announced his leadership bid.
He said: “I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader. I am offering to lead my party through the Westminster elections and to lead us beyond the 2026 elections – two contests which I intend to win.
“So, my message is crisp and simple. I am stepping forward to bring the SNP together, to deliver economic growth and social justice, to deliver the very best future for everyone in a modern, dynamic, diverse Scotland. I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for Independence.
“I invite everyone in the SNP and in Scotland who wants to join me in that journey to do so now.”
Ms Forbes stood unsuccessfully in the leadership election last year against Humza Yousaf and the SNP MSP, Ash Regan.
Ms Regan later quit the SNP and joined the Alba Party led by former First Minister, Alex Salmond.
In March 2023 from a turnout of 70% of the potential 72,169 voters, Mr Yousaf attracted 48.2% of the first preference votes. After eliminating the third candidate, Ash Regan, the second preference votes were recast for Mr Yousaf and Ms Forbes.
The final result was that Humza Yousaf was declared the new leader with 52.1% of the vote against 40.7% cast for Ms Forbes.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “The people of Scotland are crying out for change – but all the SNP is offering them is yesterday’s man in John Swinney.
“John Swinney was the Finance Minister who broke the public finances, the worst Education Secretary in the history of the Scottish Parliament, the Deputy First Minister who deleted evidence meant for the Covid Inquiry and the man who has been at the heart of this incompetent SNP Government for the past seventeen years.
“Scotland’s public services are in crisis with almost one in six Scots on NHS waiting lists, the economy stagnating and homelessness on the rise.
“But rather than facing up to the challenges that we face, the SNP has put the interests of their party before the country yet again.
“It’s time for change.
“While the SNP stands in the way of democracy, Scottish Labour is looking to the future and is focused on delivering the change that Scotland needs.”
Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives asked at First Minister’s Questions earlier if this was the best the SNP could do. He said electing John Swinney would be the SNP going “back to the future”, and that he is “a continuity candidate pushing more of the same nationalist obsession that has damaged Scotland for more than a decade”.
Mr Ross said: “The next First Minister must focus on what really matters to Scotland. They have to forget about independence, and prioritise growing our economy, creating jobs and improving public services.
“By focusing his campaign on ‘uniting for independence’, all John Swinney offers is more division for Scotland.”
Monarchs have a nine-point deficit to make up in this quarter-final, second leg, having lost 49-40 at Poole and the Dorset club have a strong top four.
Ex-Glasgow Tigers star Richard Lawson, Tom Brennan, plus Ben and Zach Cook are threats along with Reserve Sam Hagon who won this week’s British Under-21 semi-final at Plymouth with a maximum.
Dane Tobias Thomsen and Stellar Monarchs Academy heat leader Max Perry make up their side but the Armadale septet opened their home season with a solid win against Berwick Jewson Bandits last Friday.
Heat leader Sedgmen (pictured in the pits with his mechanic Cammy) was in fine form on his return to Armadale last week and he declared: “The Poole side and the Berwick side, on paper, are pretty similar.
“They (Poole) have good heat leaders and reserves so the key matchup might be in the middle and if Kye and Paco do like they did last week and can outscore Zach Cook and Tom Brennan then we have a real good chance of getting through.”
Friday’s match will be live streamed and details are on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.
STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering, Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna (captain), Justin Sedgmen, Max James, Connor Coles.
WESSEX MARINE PIRATES: Richard Lawson (captain), Tobias Thomsen, Tom Brennan, Zach Cook, Ben Cook, Sam Hagon, Max Perry.
A Northern Junior League fixture between local sides Armadale Angels and West Lothian Wildcats follows the main event.
POWER ON: Bend three action during Monarchs v Bandits. Picture by Nigel Duncan
ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN: Bandits losing control during the match with Monarchs at Armadale. Picture Nigel Duncan
A REAL DOWNER: Bandit in trouble against Monarchs as he hits the deck. Picture Nigel Duncan
FALL GUY: A Monarchs rider hits the shale against Berwick. Picture Nigel Duncan
POWER ON: One Berwick rider against two from Monarchs. Picture Nigel Duncan
The event was sponsored by Wellbeing Essentials and Rab’s Cabs with support from the local rugby club.
He also confirmed that there will be a senior position in his cabinet for his friend and backbench colleague, Kate Forbes, if he is elected. Ms Forbes was not present at the press conference at The Grassmarket Community Project, but many Scottish Ministers were including Màiri McAllan who introduced him to the waiting party members and the press, Angus Robertson, Mairi Gougeon, Jamie Hepburn the minister for independence, Kevin Stewart, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Fiona Hyslop, and several Edinburgh councillors.
The leadership hopeful said that the SNP had much to congratulate themselves.. He said: “I want to build on the work of the SNP Government to create a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland that will ensure opportunity for all of her citizens. I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence. One of the benefits of stepping back from frontline politics a year ago is that I have had the time and the opportunity to see our political situation from a different perspective than before. There is a huge amount that the SNP has achieved on behalf of the people of Scotland – and much about which we should feel very very proud.”
Mr Swinney countered a challenge over his age by saying that the SNP should “choose at this moment the leader that is right for the moment. That is the question the SNP should answer – Who’s the right leader for this moment? I have been really candid today. My party is not as cohesive as it should be and the central question for the SNP to answer is who is going to bring the SNP back together. And I think the answer to that is John Swinney.”
Kate Forbes has yet to declare whether she will stand or if this will be a coronation in which she will be able to play a part.
Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “John Swinney has started as he means to go on, by putting independence front and centre of his campaign launch.
“He wants to ‘unite for independence’ and absolutely nothing else.
“Scotland desperately needs a change, but in the form of this SNP leadership process we are faced with more division, more grievance and more distraction.
“Like the three previous leaders, John Swinney wants to prioritise the break-up of Britain at the expense of everything else.
“We need a First Minister who takes that off the table and focuses on the people’s priorities, not the SNP’s.”
The Dunbar-based angler (pictured) had seven fish for 141cm in chilly conditions with a strong wind and a choppy sea and he was well ahead of runner-up Graham Meadows (St Boswells) who had five fish for 99cm.
Third was Jamie McHale from Gifford with five fish for 95cm and fourth self-employed carpet fitter, Barry McEwan (Port Seton), who only fished for two hours because of work committments, with three fish for 79cm.
Neil Anderson (North Berwick) was fifth with a fish of 23 cm and Will Stafford (Edinburgh) sixth with one fish for 19cm.
McEwan had the longest fish of 32cm, a cod, and round four will be in two weeks at a venue to be decided. Other fish landed were coley and dabs.
TALKING TACTICS: Will Stafford (left) and Jamie McHale. Picture by Nigel Duncan
BAITING UP: Neil Anderson (left) chats to Keith Forbes. Picture by Nigel Duncan
SEARCHING FOR INSPIRATION: Stuart Fairbairn seeking info on his phone. Picture Nigel Duncan
DEEP IN TOUGHT: Jamie McHale seeking a solution. Picture Nigel Duncan
FOCUSED: Graham Meadows with his gaze fixed on his rod tip. Picture Nigel Duncan
WAITING AND HOPING: James Ogilvie, club secretary, on peg 1 next to the jetty at Cockenzie. Picture Nigel Duncan
Buzzers have been the most consistent flies, whether fished on the bung, straight lined or washing line style. Apps bloodworms, particularly olive, have also been producing good catches, as have egg flies, with peach being the standout colour.
Damsel and Ally McCoist patterns continue to score and CDC dries have worked well when rising fish have showed during warmer spells.
Anglers doing well were J Jack who returned 13 fish on buzzers, I Baird had 11, also on buzzers, C O’Neil tempted 20 fish on a mix of app, egg and suspender buzzers, M Buchanan had 12 fish on egg and the top rod was A McAdam with 24 fish.
Anglers should note that as from May 16 the landline at Millhall will be disconnected and our new phone number is 07939437691.
Nearby, at Bowden Springs, James Masterton landed a 10lb on nymph on the fly pond and Graham Munro, a regular, had eight fish in one session on the fly pond while Ronnie Green was top rod with a stunning 15.7oz brown in a bag of five.
On the bait pond, seven-year-old Cooper Thomson landed a 4lb 8oz brown trout in a bag of four.
Nearer Edinburgh, Aidan Maguire had eight fish in just over two hours at Harlaw Reservoir above Balerno in the Pentland Hills using Connemara black and damsel patterns.
David Bullen had nine on a mixture of buzzer, spider and nymph patterns, working in the shallows.
PICTURE: Cooper Thomson with his splendid brown trout at Bowden Springs. Picture contributed by Gordon Reid
Glasgow team manager Cami Brown admitted he was hugely disappointed after the Allied Vehicles Tigers lost 54-36 at Oxford in the quarter-final of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup, going down by 93-78 on aggregate.
Only the top two, Chris Harris and Steve Worrall, showing any consistency while Paul Starke delivered a vital Heat 14 win to keep the tie alive and former Berwick Bandits skipper Leon Flint also battled hard.
Brown admitted: “Oxford have ridden well, we knew they would, but the points we threw away cost us.”
The team boss added: “I had words with some of the riders, some daft riding and some mistakes which shouldn’t happen.
“We were on a 5-1 and ended up a 4-2 against us, and then a comfortable 4-2 that became a 3-3. It’s silly mistakes and we have to eradicate them. I’m hugely disappointed and I’ve let them know about it. It’s basic mistakes.”
Tigers 36: Chris Harris 11+1, Steve Worrall 9, Leon Flint 7, Paul Starke 4+1, James Pearson 2+1, Connor Coles 2, Jack Smith 1+1.
Cheetahs 54: Sam Masters 12+1, Scott Nicholls 12+1, Luke Killeen 8+3, Cameron Heeps 8, Jordan Jenkins 7+2, Henry Atkins 7+2, Ashton Boughen 0.
PICTURE: Picture courtesy of Glasgow Allied Vehicles Tigers taken by Les Aubrey
The Old Edinburgh Club want to make everyone aware that the Marie Stuart Society which has been going since 1992 (the 450th anniversary of Mary’s birth) has changed its name to the Mary Queen of Scots Society.
Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Club said: “Mary always called herself Marie Stuart hence the original name of the society. However we realised that we were not reaching our target audience with the obscurity of that name, so we finally voted to change our name at our Annual Gathering on Saturday.
The Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MarieStuartSociety/?fref=ts) has been renamed and the other social media will be altered soon.
After the record breaking Hamilton at the Festival Theatre it will be a lot quieter and more dignified from Thursday when Scottish Ballet take to the stage with Swan Lake for a very limited run until 4 May.
On Tuesday 7 May, the invention of the modern public planetarium experience will celebrate its 99thbirthday with the International Day of Planetariums. These spaces are designed to capture the magic of the night sky whatever the weather. There are more than 4,000 planetariums worldwide ranging from a simple light source to project stars, more complex otto-mechanical systems and portable domes for remote communities. At Dynamic Earth they use advanced digital systems to super charge the night sky for their audiences.
To celebrate the International Day of Planetariums, this bank holiday weekend Saturday –Tuesday , Dynamic Earth will host five special daily live shows. Each with its own unique charm and all created by the team since coming on board in 2020.
The live shows include:
There will also be six special screenings of We are Stars, a film narrated by Andy Serkis (captioned screening at 4pm) and 5pm. Recommended age 5+.
These live shows, presented by one of Dynamic Earth’s resident astronomers, are 30 minutes long and suitable for ages 6+. For times, prices and to book, visit www.dynamicearth.org.uk
The programme for this year’s festival is now live and tickets go on sale today.
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is back for 2024, ready to light up Edinburgh. For 10 groove-packed days, EJBF presents a super-charged line-up that will delight festival regulars and first timers alike. From Friday 12 to Sunday 21 July, venues across the capital will play host to the finest jazz and blues talent from all corners of the globe. From bop to blues-rock, from samba to swing – there’s something in our programme to suit every mood and musical taste.
From Fri 12 – Sun 21 July, the festival will feature:
Click on this link here for more information and to buy tickets.
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Lawrence Shankland (pictured) opened the scoring after 15 minutes and Stephen Kingsley added a second on 30 minutes and the Jambos held on to take the points.
The Glasgow side go into the this game after a 2-1 win at Dens Park against Dundee thanks to a double from James Forrest while Steven Naismith’s men took a point in a no-score draw at Kilmarnock.
The Parkhead outfit still lead the cinch Premiership table with 81 points from 34 starts, three ahead of Old Firm rivals, Rangers, and Brendan Rodgers can’t afford any slip-ups in the run-in to the championship.
The Bhoys have scored 82 goals – eight more than Rangers – and shipped 27 so far in the league – three more than Rangers – while Hearts have scored 46 and conceded 34.
The last time the teams met was on March 3 at Tynecastle when Hearts won 2-0 and the head-to-head record between the club sees Celtic with three wins and Hearts with two in the last five games.
Hearts next home fixture is against Dundee on Saturday, May 11 (15.00) followed by a visit to Paisley to play St Mirren on Wednesday, May 15 (19.45) and their final league game of the season is at home to Rangers on May 18 (12.30).
Meanwhile, Shankland is in the frame to be Scotland’s Player of the Year in the SPFA Awards, the 28-year-old having scored 21 goals in 33 matches in tthe cinch Premiership this term.
Other nominees are Matt O’Riley (Celtic),, James Tavernier (Rangers) and Jack Butland (Rangers).
Edinburgh Napier University law graduate Megan Kane joins the firm on a two-year traineeship having recently attained her Diploma In Professional Legal Practice from Strathclyde University.
As well as focusing on residential conveyancing during her time with the company, Megan will also have exposure to the expanding estate agency side of the business and also private client work.
It’s a landmark occasion for the legal firm which was established in October 2022 and chief executive Ivan Ralph said: “We pride ourselves on being a close-knit, no-nonsense team with a shared vision. The business is growing rapidly and we’re at the stage where we now have the capacity to take on a Trainee Solicitor and I’m sure Megan will be an excellent addition to the Ralph Sayer family.
“Taking on Trainees is a great way for firms to give back to the profession and Megan will soon be put to work for the benefit of our clients. The traineeship is for an initial two-year contract but I hope that Megan will flourish with us and will be keen to remain with the firm thereafter and play her part in the future of the business going forward.
“There are a lot more law graduates now than there are traineeships available and as result of that it can often be difficult for graduates to get a traineeship lined up. I’m delighted to have Megan as part of the team and look forward to helping her develop during her time with us.”
As part of the traineeship, standard PEAT quarterly performance reviews will be undertaken while Megan will have 60 hours of Continued Professional Development at Ralph Sayer.
“Joining Ralph Sayer as a trainee solicitor marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my legal career,” said Edinburgh-born Megan.
“The opportunity to work alongside the esteemed team at Ralph Sayer is something that I am very grateful for. I can’t wait to bring my own set of skills and passion into my role at the firm and I am confident that I will develop and expand my legal knowledge. I’m excited to embark on this journey and am sure that I can make a positive contribution to the firm’s continued success.”
