After a 1-1 draw away to Motherwell, Hibs will finish in the bottom six after the Scottish Premiership split.

Their top six hopes were still alive until stoppage time at Fir Park, but Motherwell’s late equaliser from Shane Blaney left Hibs relying on results elsewhere.

Then, Dundee’s draw at Pittodrie sealed the team from Tayside’s top six spot, taking the last available place. 

Hibs took the lead in the 66th minute after Myziane Maolida converted a penalty won by defender Will Fish.

But the Leith side could not hold on, and now find themselves confined to the bottom six for the second time in three seasons.

It is a bitterly disappointing end to the season for Hibs, who only have themselves to blame.

Dropping points from winning positions throughout the season has cost this team, who have massively underachieved yet again.

Former Edinburgh Monarchs star Rory Schlein and guest Richard Lawson led from the gate to secure a 47-43 win for Berwick Jewson Bandits in a tense BSN Series clash in the Borders.

Josh Pickering (pictured) was third with Justin Sedgmen last in Heat 15 and the 5-1 scoreline in the final race saw Bandits home after the sides were locked at 42-42 after heat 14.

That was Pickering’s only defeat of the night and he ended with 16 points from six races to top score for the visitors, but his total was countered by Schlein who bagged 14 from six rides to lead Bandits to another win and continue their encouraging start to the season.

Earlier, Bandits led by six points after Heat 11 but tactical substitute Josh Pickering won the next race with Kye Thomson second for a 5-1 and that cut the gap to 37-35.

The sides drew Heat 13 but Monarchs skipper Paco Castagna won the next race with Connor Coles second and Bandits rider Drew Kemp third to level at 42-42 and set up the final heat which Berwick won 5-1.

Berwick Jewson Bandits: Richard Lawson (guest) 9, Danyon Hume 7, Jye Etheridge 2, Dew Kemp 7, Rory Schlein 14, Freddy Hodder 1, Bastian Borke 7

Edinburgh Stellar Omada Monarchs: Josh Pickering 16, Lasse Fredriksen 2, Kye Thomson 4, Paco Castagna 8, Justin Sedgmen 6, Max James 3, Connor Coles 4  

Grange edged Capital rivals Watsonians to keep their noses in front in the race for the men’s Premiership title with one game remaining.

The Stockbridge combine won 1-0 thanks to an open play goal just before half-time from Robbie Croll and a key save by Calum Lothian from a Dan Coultas drag flick following a penalty corner in the dying seconds.

Stevie Grubb, Grange’s coach, said: “Watsonians set up to sit deep and try to play on the break and we dominated a lot of the game without making a huge number of clear cut opportunities.

“Robbie scored with a well-taken strike, high and to the goalkeeper’s left from the top of the D, and we continued to have the majority of the possession but failed to extend our lead.

“A final scramble in our D at the death saw a penalty corner awarded to Watsonians a decision that could easily have been a free hit to Grange.

“Calum saved the resulting drag flick high on the left post from Dan Coultas to secure the three points and maintain our one point lead in the league. We did what we needed to, to keep the league title in our own hands.”

Second-placed The University of Edinburgh kept up the pressure with a 4-3 victory over Hillhead, and, in the West of Scotland, Western, who are third, thrashed Uddingston 7-0 at Auchhowie.

Grange have 40 points with the students one adrift and Western on 36 with Uddingston fourth on 19, Watsonians next on 17, the same points ad bottom club Hillhead.

Martin Shepherdson, Grange’s manager, said his men enjoyed the “better” of the game but couldn’t take advantage of that in what he described as a nervy second-half.

He added: “We’re obviously happy with the result and now we need to win our last game at home to Uddingston next Saturday (push-off 11am).”

In the bottom section, Grove Menzieshill beat FSEG Clydesdale 4-2 on Tayside with Inverleith dismissing bottom club Kelburne, who are already relegated, 5-2 in Edinburgh.

Dundee Wanderers were held 4-4 by ESM also on Tayside leaving the play-off position in the relegation section also in the balance.

ESM have 13 points from their 15 games and are one behind Grove Menzieshill with Inverleith now moving to 19 points.

Ahead of them are Clydesdale with 20 points and Wanderers with 21. They head the bottom six.

The Scottish Cup semi-finals for the women are on Sunday at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre with Watsonians, the new-crowned Premiership champions, in against Clydesdale Western in the second semi-final at 16.00.

The first game also at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre is at 14.00 and features Western Wildcats v Uddingston.

PICTURE: Western v Grange from our library

Four goals in 22 devastating minutes rescued Hearts and tamed struggling Livingston in the cinch Premiership at Tynecastle.

Stephen Kelly shocked the home support with two goals inside the first 22 minutes, the first when he beat onrushing Hearts’ goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, and the second from the edge of the penalty box.

But Lawrence Shankland was pivotal in the comeback, setting up the first two goals for the Jam Tarts with Jorge Grant (pictured) turning in a cross from the skipper after 29 minutes and Yutaro Oda did likewise three minutes later.

Cammy Devlin fired the home side ahead after 40 minutes with Alex Cochrane involved in the move and Shankland converted from the penalty spot six minutes into first-half injury time to seal the stunning comeback and claim his 28th goal of the season. The spot kick was awarded when Oda was brought down by Livingston goalkeeper Shamal George.

Shankland hit the bar in the second-half as third-placed Hearts exploited Livingston’s defensive weaknesses but the Gorgie side now move onto 62 points, one point more than they accumulated in the whole of last season, and 11 points clear of the chasing pack.

The home side enjoyed 61 per cent of possession against 39 from the visitors and had 13 shots with eight in return.

Livingston remain nine points adrift at the bottom of the 12-strong table with five cinch Premiership games remaining and their away day in Edinburgh was made worse when Tete Yengi was sent off for a second yellow card offence after 58 minutes for kicking water bottles when he was replaced.

The victory was a welcome tonic for Hearts who travel to Hampden to face Rangers in the Scottish Gas. Scottish Cup, semi-final on Sunday, April 21 (15.00).

The decorative “cap” on the post box in Davidson’s Mains crafted by locals has gone missing today.

The Ladies of Blackhall Libray Knitters have issued a plea on Facebook for its return.

The Cafe Royal plans to reopen on Sunday at noon after a sudden closure due to flooding.

General manager Michael Eaton apologised to customers for the sudden unavoidable closure which was due to flooding in the cellar and gent’s toilet area.

He said: “We think its a culmination of heavy rain over the last few days which has backed up drains and caused flooding.

“We are gutted for people who have booked and for our regular clients but we really had no option.”

The historic bar is working with Scottish Water and City Council officials to identify the cause and to avoid further problems.

Only three days ago the pub was inviting regulars to vote for them in the inaugural Drink Awards Scotland in the Best Restaurant Bar category.

The pub opened first in 1863 and despite plans to demolish the Victorian building in 1969, it survived after a petition signed by more than 8,500 people who wanted to keep it open. The pub and its whole interior with its signature handpainted tiles was listed in 1970.
The building houses a pub, restaurant and rhe Voodoo Rooms upstairs but the music venue remains open. Richard from Doctors of Madness who are appearing there on Sunday evening confirmed to The Edinburgh Reporter: “Not affected. We are so looking forward to it.  See you there!! Richard  x”

Earlier this week The Jazz Bar on Chambers Street announced its immediate closure due to “the cost of living crisis coupled with operational challenges”.

Leith musician Dean Owens has released two albums (including a double CD) in the last 18 months, which he recorded with desert noir band Calexico – and now a single is available.

This has boosted his profile especially in Europe, with sold out tours in the Netherlands, and festival appearances in UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.
He also recently joined Calexico’s Joey Burns on stage in Utrecht. He is currently finishing the follow up to those albums (Spirit Ridge) in north Italy (with Sacri Cuori’s Antonio Gramentieri) following a successful £17,000 crowdfunding campaign, for release in late 2024.

Dean’s new album, Pictures – “melancholic and personal” (with a touch of Ronnie Lane), recorded with Nashville colleagues and Grammy nominees Will Kimbrough and Neilson Hubbard – has been picked up for a full release, including vinyl, for Record Store Day (20 April) by Continental Record Services (Netherlands).

These 11 new songs were written during the pandemic years. Mostly personal and reflective, some are Dean’s own stories, some from other people’s perspectives – laced with melancholy, haunted by ghosts and anchored by love! There is a loose, rootsy feel, and a hint of a Ronnie Lane (much admired by all 3 collaborators) vibe to the album. Pictures was recorded long distance, with Dean in East Lothian and Will and Neilson in East Nashville.

He has also released a new single, Boxing Shorts, from the album which Dean describes like this: ‘I grew up in Leith, the port neighbourhood in Edinburgh and when I was a little boy there in the 1980s Edinburgh was the heroin capital of Europe. If you’ve read my friend Irvine Welsh’s book Trainspotting then you’ll have some idea of what I’m talking about. it was grim. My playground was a housing scheme called Fort House, or The Fort as we called it and you had to be little streetwise when hanging about there.

“There was a guy called Graham who lived in The Fort who went to school with my big brother. Graham was a tough kid who also went to the Leith Victoria Boxing Club. My dad was a big boxing fan and I used to watch a lot of the big fights with him on the TV. I started to show some interest in taking up boxing myself, so my father approached Graham and asked if he would take me along to the boxing gym sometime. That’s how I got started in boxing.

“I became very dedicated and really loved boxing, but sadly Graham lost interest and finally quit. He eventually got involved in drugs and went on to lose his hard battle with addiction. So many good kids went down this same dark road.

“A few years ago while having a clear out at home I found a pair of my old boxing shorts. They were embroidered with my nickname – Deano. They got me thinking about my boxing days, going to see those early Rocky movies with my pals and of course Graham. That’s when I wrote this song – Boxing Shorts’.”

David raises more than £2,000 for Scottish charity, Calum’s Cabin.

Embarking on a daunting 81-mile journey, an 81 year old has proved that age is just a number by completing a walking challenge over 10 days, battling wind and rain throughout.

Inspired by a young girl with a life-limiting condition, David Levin, a tenant at Bield Housing and Care’s Dean Court development in Bo’ness, took on the Scottish elements in support of Calum’s Cabin and in honour of Chiara Petersen Fox.

David walked an average of eight miles each day over the course of 10 days, with his feet taking him from Bo’ness to Longniddry and back again. He successfully completed his challenge on Tuesday with a total of £2,070 raised so far.

13 year old Chiara Fox, the granddaughter of David’s golfing buddy, Harry Petersen, was diagnosed with a rare life-limiting condition as a baby. David set off on this challenge to help raise awareness for both the support Calum’s Cabin provides and Chiara’s condition.

David said: “There have been a few tough days, but quitting was never an option.

“Perhaps others will think, ‘well if that old guy can do it, why can’t I?’, and take the first step, the hardest of all.

“I love to chat. I believe it’s an essential component of a healthy life and I’ve had a great time walking under Chiara’s banner for Calum’s Cabin.”

David was joined by local residents, Bield staff, Chiara and her family, as well as friends including former professional footballer turned GP, Kenny Deuchar, also known as Dr. Goals.

Local restaurants and cafés along the route kindly provided David with free lunches and hot drinks to keep his spirits high.

At just 8 months old, Chiara was diagnosed with the rare condition MPS1 H, also known as Hurlers. Since then, she has undergone extensive medical procedures including two spinal fusion surgeries, two bone marrow transplants and bilateral hip reconstruction.

Chiara’s mum, Michelle Petersen, said: “It’s been so great to see David complete this challenge, Chiara is an inspiration to everyone she meets! We’ve been able to join David at the start and end of his walk, we’re thrilled he chose to walk for Chiara and Calum’s Cabin.”

Money raised from David’s hike will go towards Calum’s Cabin, to help provide respite for children like Chiara with serious illnesses.

Calum’s Cabin was inspired by Calum Spiers and founded by his parents, Duncan and Caroline, and twin sister, Jenna, after Calum passed away from an inoperable brain tumour in 2007.

Calum’s Cabin provides free holiday accommodation for children with cancer and their families on the Isle of Bute, East Coast and in Ayrshire. They also offer “home from home” flats in Glasgow when families with children suffering from cancer have to relocate for intensive treatments and clinical trials.

Caroline said: “We love to hear of the memories made by families who have stayed at Calum’s Cabin, and we are honoured that David chose to walk for us.

“Many families who have children with cancer are required to travel from all over Scotland to Glasgow’s primary treatment centres for specialist care. The mounting cost of travel and accommodation is often a huge burden for families, adding even more stress and worry to their lives.

“The money David has raised will go towards supporting these families to enjoy a stress-free break.”

Throughout his journey, David kept a daily blog to keep contributors up to date with his whereabouts and how he was getting on.

David was supported by Bield staff who helped to create a manageable walking route along the John Muir Way. To ensure David was well rested after each day of his journey, they also hosted him at Bield properties along the route.

Tracey Howatt, Bield’s Director of Customer Experience, said: “Everyone at Bield is so proud of David for completing this incredible challenge and it’s been great to hear from the team that have joined him.

“We’re continually amazed by the charitable nature of our tenants. David has been a true inspiration and hopefully he can now enjoy a well-deserved rest!”

Bield is devoted to delivering flexible housing solutions and support services designed specifically for older people.

To read David’s blog from his 81-mile journey, visit here: https://www.bield.co.uk/blogs/

To donate and find out more, visit: https://bit.ly/just-giving-walkie-talkie

This is the most up to date list of roadworks and events leading to road closures or diversions for traffic in Edinburgh for the next week or so.

If you see anything on the roads which is not on the list then let the travel team know on Twitter @EdinTravel

Updated versions of the listings are posted to the website most weekday afternoons, these can be found by going to https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/edintravel

Any new works are marked in blue, and some of this is snagging work on Roseburn Terrace where the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) was recently officially opened.

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Plans to axe a service which helps to boost attendance in Edinburgh’s schools have been scrapped.

The council has withdrawn controversial proposals to close the Education Welfare Service after engagement with schools highlighted a “high number of strengths”.

The u-turn allays fears raised by trade unions that Education Welfare Officers (EWOs) would be offered voluntary redundancy or redeployed to other jobs as a result of the decision, without their “invaluable” work being picked up by others.

The service is now set to be redesigned to focus on pupil well-being as well as attendance.

It was threatened with closure after being identified for an “organisational review” by council chiefs looking to save £600,000.

A report said the scheme – which supports pupils whose attendance has dropped below 85 per cent – was “long standing and that no other alternatives for making revenue savings could be found”.

However the local authority was warned getting rid of it would be detrimental to efforts to improve attendance of vulnerable youngsters and help struggling households, as a more remotely-run service would not yield the same results achieved by face-to-face interaction with EWOs.

Neil, a teacher in Edinburgh who has worked alongside EWOs, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that if they didn’t remain in post “some kids would end up just disappearing”.

He explained that the specialist support workers visit families who often “don’t have good opinions of schools,” adding: “Sometimes the Education Welfare Officers are the only link between the school and the family.

“The school might try their best phoning, but a lot of the time that doesn’t happen so the EWOs go out and actually knock on the door and start speaking and building relationships with families.”

Where there has been involvement of an EWO the attendance rate improved for 63 per cent of primary pupils and 49 per cent of secondary pupils. Overall 37 per cent of those referred to the service continued to see their absences increase.

Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) questioned why the council was prepared to “delete an invaluable service and lose vital skills and experience”.

The union’s Edinburgh branch secretary Alison Murphy told a council meeting last year that there was “no capacity” in schools to “take on the work that is done by the EWOs”.

She said: “It’s really important that this is retained . . . because frankly there’s going to be huge long-term saving.

“The costs of even a few children who slip through the net, and then you have major child protection issues or you have major long term issues around criminality, whatever it might be, the £600,000 this is talking about is nothing compared with that.”

A report going to the education, children and families committee next week states: “There was engagement with stakeholders to explore the range of options to maximise attendance in schools and it was proposed that the Education Welfare Service should close.

“A range of stakeholders contributed to the consultation on the proposal, including schools, service users and other key partners. Overall, the response highlighted a high number of strengths regarding the available resources to maximise attendance.

“As a result of the consultation, alongside our local commitment to maximise school attendance, the proposal to close the Education Welfare Service has been withdrawn.”

It will now be renamed the ‘Education Wellbeing Service’ to focus on “wellbeing indicators” as opposed to only attendance.

It’s remit will be: ‘building trusting relationships with children, young people and their families to assess and address specific barriers to wellbeing and attendance; connecting schools, children, young people and families to appropriate wellbeing support services in their communities; supporting schools to deliver family education and wellbeing programmes’.

It will also provide “advice for schools including case reviews where attendance and wellbeing are key concerns prior to referrals to statutory services”.

The redesigned service will be delivered within the existing £600k budget “with no redundancies, taking into consideration changes proposed via HR job grading exercise,” the report adds.

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

Former players and staff of Edinburgh University Football Club will are staging a reunion in the capital this weekend.

The get-together has been organised to mark the 30th anniversary of winning the British University Sports Association Cup in 1994.

Edinburgh became the first Scottish university to get their hands on the prestigious trophy, beating Cardiff in the final.

Alumni from the triumphant team, as well as preceding and following years – including the 1996 side that lost in the final of the competition – will attend from as far afield as  Australia, Canada, USA, Denmark and Switzerland.

A group will travel to watch the current crop in action in their Lowland League encounter with Cumbernauld Colts at Broadwood Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The celebrations culminate with around 50 ex-players and friends, as well as former coach Colin Hutchison, gathering at the Sheraton Grand Hotel for a reunion dinner.

The following morning, some will pull on the boots again and attempt to roll back the years with a game at the club’s Peffermill training ground.

Hutchison, who went on to be named in The Spartans’ Hall of Fame following decades of service, said: “I was delighted when I heard a reunion was being planned for EUAFC.

“I really enjoyed and valued university football as a player and as coach of EUAFC from 1983 for 12 years.

“In particular, university football offers a bonus to university life – to play and enjoy football at a high level, possibly to represent Scottish Universities, to enjoy tours, to make friendships while at university, and, as this weekend will prove, friendships for life.”

https://euafc.com

Charities and community groups providing free immigration advice could be charged fees from the government for the first time, putting the services under threat, Deidre Brock MP has said.

The Edinburgh North and Leith MP has written to the UK Government raising her concerns about the proposal to charge fees for regulation of the free services.

Currently providers of free immigration advice have their fees to the arms-length regulator, the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), waived, but under the Home Office proposals, they will have to pay an initial registration fee of up to £538 for their organisation, together with £520 for every adviser. A reduced annual fee would be paid for each year after that.

The proposal is included in a Home Office consultation on the fee structure of the OISC which runs until June. 

Concerns that these costs will threaten the availability of free immigration advice services was flagged with Ms Brock by the Citizens Rights Project which has started a petition to the Home Office on the issue.

Ms Brock said: “It’s hard to believe the UK Government could make charities pay for giving free, reliable immigration advice to people who desperately need it.

“Accurate advice is essential to make sure the immigration system works fairly, efficiently and safely for everyone – the government should be boosting access to free support, not threatening it.

“I know from my work in Edinburgh North and Leith how big the unfilled need is for immigration advice. Many folk who turn up at my surgeries cannot afford hefty legal fees and don’t know where to turn to get some support with the labyrinth of regulations.

“If they can’t get regulated support, vulnerable people are more likely to seek advice from unscrupulous scammers giving bad advice, damaging their case, their finances and their lives in the UK.

“Recent changes to immigration rules suggest the UK Government are hellbent on making life as difficult as possible for people who just want to work hard and build a life here. They have raised the minimum wage a UK citizen must earn to settle with a spouse from overseas to £29,000, blocking many Scots from coming back from abroad with their families. They have increased the salary for a skilled worker visa to £38,700 – blocking even more talent from coming to our shores. They have stopped people working as carers from having the right to bring their partners – showing how little they value the lives of people doing essential work.”

“Now they are putting free immigration advice under threat for vulnerable people.

“If the UK Government insists on making the immigration system ever more complex, the least they can do is waive the fees for the charities and community groups who are helping people navigate their draconian system. 

“I have written to the UK Government asking them for a rethink on this short-sighted proposal.”

Lawrence Shankland and Beni Baningime (pictured) missed last weekend’s win at St Mirren but have shaken off a bug and are available for selection for Hearts against Livingston at Tynecastle (kick-off 15.00) in the cinch Premiership.

The pair have both enjoyed a full week of training as has Finlay Pollock and head coach Steven Naismith said: “We are in a good place.”

Naismith is fully aware of the threats that Saturday’s opponents Livingston, nicknamed The Lions, carry and he said: “They’re struggling at the bottom of the table but I don’t think they have lost hope.

“Any game I’ve watched their expectation isn’t that they’re going down.”

The Jambos boss said that a win would take Hearts closer to securing third place in the table and he added that for individuals, they’re playing for a place in the Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden.

Naismith claimed that belief is high in his group currently and he added: “This season the players have bought into it and have applied themselves brilliantly.

“We have got real belief which is why we have got to two semi-finals and are sitting in third with a good points tally.”

Fife Flyers face a five-goal deficit when they face-off against treble-chasing Sheffield Steelers in the second-leg of their Elite League play-off quarter-final at Kirkcaldy on Sunday (17.15).

That’s after the Yorkshire side, known as the Men of Steel, continued their dominance of Flyers this season with a 9-4 victory in the first-leg at Ice Sheffield.

The newly-crowned league champions, who also hold the Challenge Cup, enjoy a healthy cushion thanks to a surge in the middle and final sessions and Flyers’ coach Tom Coolen (pictured by Scott Wiggins courtesy of the Elite League) faces a massive task to lift his men for the return in The Fife Ice Arena.

The sides were level at 1-1 after the first 20 minutes but the slide started early in the second session.

Steelers pulled clear with a 4-1 second period and closed the match out with a 4-2 scoreline in the third and coach Tom Coolen will have to work really hard to lift his men for the return.

Steelers’ coach Aaron Fox can travel north with his squad looking odds-on favourites to make the final four and the play-off finals weekend at Nottingham on April 20 and 21.

Earlier, match started badly for Flyers when Mitchell Balmas fired the hosts ahead after ten minutes but Fife countered with a strike from Troy Lajeunesse after a move involving skipper Jonas Emmerdahl and Kyle Osterberg.

But Steelers hit back with two goals inside two minutes, Cole Shudra netting after 22 minutes and Balmas after 24.

Flyers refused to buckle and Max Humitz responded with Fife’s second after good work from Teemu Pulkkinen with 29 minutes on the clock but two goals inside two minutes hit Fife hard.

Sudra was on the mark for his second and Sheffield’s fourth after 31 minutes and Walsall-born defenceman Sam Jones, who played 24 games for Fife in season 2019/20, scoring four goals, slotted the fifth with Shudra supplying the ammunition. Time 34 minutes.

The 4-1 second period surge by Sheffield stung Fife who were outshot 23-15 overall after an even first session in which Steelers fired 12 shots on Shane Owen and Flyers replied with ten on Matthew Greenfield.

Flyers were also caught cold in the third when Brandon Whistle netted No 6 only 1min 42sec into the session and Mikko Juusola added No 7 after 42min 55sec.

Humitz pulled one back for 7-3 after 48 minutes but Marc-Olivier Vallerand claimed Sheffield’s eighth goal just over two minutes later before Collin Shirley netted for Fife unassisted with less than three minutes left.

Brett Newman, however, scored unassisted only 27 seconds later to make the final scoreline 9-4. 

Torrential rain ended Edinburgh Monarchs’ road trip to arch rivals Glasgow Tigers in the BSN Series after only six heats. The home side led 21-15 at the time and the result does not stand.  

Tigers, sponsored by Allied Vehicles, started the match with a bang. Skipper Chris Harris and James Pearson claimed a 5-1 over Josh Pickering and Lasse Fredriksen with Pearson crossing the line in first place.

Another 5-1 followed despite Tigers’ Sam Hagon starting 15m behind the rest. Hagon won the heat with former Berwick Bandits racer, Ace Pijper, second ahead of Monarchs’ Max James.

Heart Three ended 3-3 with Paco Castagna winning ahead of Paul Starke and Leon Flint, a former Berwick skipper.

But Tigers won the next race 4-2 with ex-Monarchs racer, Steve Worrall, coming home in front with Ace Pijper third. They were split by Justin Sedgmen.

Heat Five saw a welcome 5-1 for Monarchs, backed by Stellar Omada, with Josh Pickering coming home in front with Fredriksen second ahead of Flint. Starke retired.

And Sedgmen (pictured) won the sixth race ahead of Harris and Pearson before the referee called a halt.

Tigers: Harris 4, Pearson 4, Flint 2, Starke 2, Worrall 3, Hagon 3, Pijper 3.

Monarchs: Pickering 4, Fredriksen 2, Thomson 0, Castagna 3, Sedgmen 5, James 1, Coles 0  

A Ratho United 2018s football team for boys and girls can now be established thanks to a donation of £1,000 from house builder Taylor Wimpey East Scotland.

Head Coach Martin Hay said: “It was our ambition to establish a Ratho United team for children aged six and we are thrilled to have received this substantial support from Taylor Wimpey which has helped us to establish the team.

We are so grateful for their support for initiatives like ours in the local community.

“Their donation has allowed us to provide training strips for every player, as well as buy essential training equipment which ensures our twice-weekly training sessions are fun, healthy and safe for everyone taking part.”

Kirsty McGill, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland said: “We are proud to be continuing our support for grassroots football in the local communities where we build, and we were delighted to be able to help Ratho United to establish a new team for children aged six to get involved in sport. It’s great to see the children having such a fun time learning their sport

“This sponsorship allows us to play our part in continuing our support in the local community, and it also allows us to underpin our commitment to creating a fantastic range of family homes at our Lauder Grove development in Ratho Station.”

Phasing-out funded childcare places in private Edinburgh nurseries for people living in neighbouring local authorities “may be harsh” but is the only option under “dramatic” cuts, the council’s education convener has said.

Education Convener Cllr Joan Griffiths said a £6million cut to the city’s early years budget meant the council had to prioritise funding places for local children and “bringing services in-house and developing our own early years centres to longer, flexible days”.

She also hit out at “misinformation that we’re stopping children who are already in early years centres,” adding: “That’s not the case.”

The council says limiting early learning and childcare cross boundary places to just its own nurseries will save £1.2m.

The change – taking effect from August – will only impact new placements, with existing funded children continuing to be supported.

A officer report explained: “Existing funded children who are not Edinburgh residents will continue to be funded. If they have a younger sibling who attends the setting and will be eligible for funding during session 2024-25, we will also fund this child to prevent the need for the parent to use more than one ELC setting.

“Parents who are not Edinburgh residents and require full day all year-round
provision to work in the city will be able to access this in one of our full year 8am – 6pm local authority settings.”

However parents set to be impacted have criticised the move. Mum Fiona Donnachie, who lives in West Lothian and travels into Edinburgh for work, said if the cut goes ahead “I would need to consider my working hours”.

She said due to “huge” waiting lists for private and independent nurseries in West Lothian getting a local funded place for her son Flynn would be unlikely and council-run centres would be unlikely to provide the hours needed.

Flora Ranachan, who lives “just on the other side of the boundary”, is also set to be impacted when her 15 month old daughter turns three next year.

She said waiting lists in West Lothian are “horrendous,” adding: “They’re often into 2025 so god knows how you’re supposed to obtain a space. The only one we could get was in Edinburgh.

She added forgoing the funding and keeping her daughter where she is would cost around £8,000 a year whilst moving to a council nursery would add 30 miles to her commute every week.

Ms Donnachie said the council was “not thinking about children or working families,” but rather just “numbers on a piece of paper”. She added: “It feels quite brutal to me. It’s the wee kids being affected.”

Speaking this week, Cllr Griffiths said: “It really is important we take account of our budget; our budget has been cut dramatically on early years.

“And I’m quite sure the citizens of Edinburgh would question us if we are paying their funding covering the costs of non-residents children.

“I know that may seem harsh, but if we had the funding we wouldn’t be having this discussion now, but we don’t – and therefore we have to be mindful we have places for our own children.

“Also bringing services in-house and developing our own early years centres to longer, flexible days is what our residents have been asking for so we’re also meeting their needs

“I know there’s been a lot of chat around it and a lot of concern but I think some of it is about misinformation that we’re stopping children who are already in early years centres and that’s not the case.”

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

Love Your Business

The monthly business networking event is scheduled to meet on 25 April when the guest speaker will be Elaine. Down the CEO of Edinburgh Remakery. The organisation was founded in 2012 and diverts waste from landfill with its repair and reuse strategy.

Pinch of Salt is now open – again

A Pinch of Salt at Tollcross has reopened following a temporary closure. opening hours are Monday to Friday 7.30am to 2.30pm.And the big news is that iced lattes are available at all Salt locations.

Find out more here.

New Tai Chi and Qigong class

A new session of classes is about to get underway in Hopetoun Crescent Gardens.

School delay

The new school at Maybury will not be ready for pupils until after the summer term. Both the first Edinburgh school to share a campus with a medical practice and the first built to the ultra-energy efficient Passivhaus standard, the council says Maybury will be a model for the future as it looks to maximise the use of its buildings and allow residents to access services close to where they live in line with the ’20 minute neighbourhood’ strategy.

Read more here.

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Scotland’s universities and colleges are beginning to creak in the winds of government austerity.

There is a 6 per cent cut this year to university funding and a 4.7 per cent cut to college funding. And this at a time when record numbers of young people are trying to enrol.

The stresses at Scotland’s 19 universities and 24 further education colleges have exposed a number of underlying issues we have not yet resolved. How much public resource should be put into higher education? Does it benefit the rich at the expense of the poor? Should the emphasis shift from the academic to the practical ? Should Scottish universities be for Scottish students only? Are enough students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds? How much do we personally value science and the arts and “a good education”?

Such airy debates reveal themselves in very practical disputes. College lecturers have been holding day-strikes and over-time bans for months over pay and conditions. They feel they are being undervalued by society. Another series of rolling strikes is due to begin next week. Junior university staff have been on the picket line too, complaining of pay cuts and short-term contracts and lack of research funds.

The universities have been increasingly relying on foreign students’ fees to fill the funding gap – charging between £11,000 and £32,000 a year, depending on the course. Scottish students pay no tuition fees under the SNP government’s “free university education” policy…in contrast to student fees in England which average £9,000 year.

The cost of this policy is £900m a year and it comes with a cap on the number of Scottish students a university can accept. It’s led to a large number of foreign students at the older Scottish universities – 40 per cent at St Andrews, 30 percent at Edinburgh, 22 per cent at Aberdeen and 20 per cent at Glasgow. The principal of Edinburgh University Sir Peter Mathieson has said he could take more Scottish students if the government would properly fund them or if the “free university education” policy was abandoned.

But the universities are also worried about a recent decline in the number of foreign students coming to Scotland – and the loss of their fees – due to tighter immigration controls being introduced by the Westminster government. They have issued a manifesto for the up-coming election urging the next government to introduce a regional immigration policy for Scotland, including a work visa for foreign students who want to remain here for a period after their studies. They point to the need for new talent and younger people for a population which is declining and ageing.

I’m now in my 70s. I was one of the lucky few who went to university when tuition was free, government grants were generous, most of us lived at home and went to our local university, which was geared to providing the region’s teachers, doctors, accountants, lawyers, farmers, foresters, and generally well-rounded citizens.

Now universities seem to be money-driven institutions. Grants have gone, to be replaced with loans. The average Scottish student leaves university with £15,000 of debt – in England it is £45,000. And they emerge into a world where careers are hard to enter, starting wages are low, homes are expensive and the future is short-term and uncertain.

It seems to me it’s time to rebalance our economy, stop pampering the older, well-off generation with triple-locked pensions, expensive NHS treatments, free bus passes and devote more resources to the young – their education, their welfare and their future.

In all this ranting, I almost forgot to tell you what happened in Scotland this week. It rained, and Dens Park was flooded which meant the Dundee v Rangers game had to be postponed for a second time. The Glen Rosa ferry was launched on the Clyde, only six years late and only four times over budget. And the government sneaked out a ban on wood-burning stoves in all new houses, forgetting that in parts of the Highlands they are a vital back-up when storms bring down the electricity lines.

Perhaps if we had a better education system we would be better able to cope with our weekly disappointments.

Whitehouse & Grange Bowling Club on Hope Terrace are proud recipients of the Grange Association’s Award for 2024.

Pictured making the presentation to the club treasurer Stephen Fox is John Elliot, Chair of the Grange Association.

The Award is presented biennially for a significant positive contribution to the amenity and appearance of the Grange in this case recognising the efforts and contributions of bowling club members to enhance its role as part of the social fabric of the area.

It can be awarded to the owner or developer of a site that has been improved in the last couple of years or to a person or group that has made an exceptional contribution in other ways to the environment, amenity and appearance of the Grange Association’s area.

Improved access and general appearance of the club, especially the rose garden surrounding the green, was cited as a real lasting benefit to the area. 

Grange Association’s Roger Kellett, who was involved in organising the first of these awards in 2016, explained the significance of the model wyvern trophy being displayed behind the club bar as told to the club web-site.

He said there were two large stone wyvern on pillars in the grounds of Grange House, the Dick Lauder family home. Celebrated author Robert Louis Stevenson is said to have touched one of these wyverns.

When the house was demolished in 1936, the wyverns and their pillars were moved to Grange Loan. Some years ago the wyverns were deteriorating and one fell off its column. After restoring the fallen wyvern, the Grange Association decided to make a record of them for posterity.

Students from the Glasgow School of Art took 3D images. Since the wyverns are icons of the area and of the Grange Association, the art School made a 3D print of the Lovers Loan Wyvern. It is this print which is given out every two years to the winner of the Grange Award. The print echoes the damage to the original’s flames from its mouth. 

To celebrate the award the bowling club are holding a special coffee morning in the clubhouse for Grange Association members on Saturday 13 April from 10.00- 12.00. Club members are also welcome. The official bowling season at the club starts on 20 April.

A new mental health clinic, Purple House Clinic (PHC) Edinburgh, is set to open its doors in the city on 29th April 2024.

Led by Sarah Gallacher, the Clinical Director of PHC Edinburgh, the clinic will provide a wide range of mental health and neurodiversity services for adults, young people and children, as well as easing long NHS waiting lists across the region.

With a 580% increase in the number of calls made to NHS 24 for a mental health concern in just three years – from 2019-2022 – Sarah acutely understands the urgent need for accessible mental health support, having worked in the NHS and other public services for over two decades. Her ambitious plans for the new clinic aim to revolutionise how mental health and neurodiversity services are delivered in Edinburgh.

“With the backing of my new team, we’re dedicated to creating a nurturing space where help is readily available, ensuring no one has to face long delays to receive support,” said Sarah. “With five equipped therapy rooms, our multi-disciplinary team of psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists are devoted to delivering tailored care of the highest quality for every individual. Throughout my career, I’ve become increasingly conscious of the importance of the culture and climate of the service within which interventions are delivered. Purple House Clinic Edinburgh will work collaboratively with those who connect with our service, delivering care with empathy and compassion. Our goal is to make a real long-term difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health issues, empowering them to lead happier, healthier lives.”

PHC Edinburgh, located in Rutland Square, will provide a range of services for children, young people, adults and organisations who need support with their mental health. The clinic will offer warm and welcoming spaces where people can work through a range of mental health difficulties in a compassionate, respectful and safe environment. We will also provide tailored face-to-face and online psychological therapies for difficulties such as depression, anxiety, trauma and more.

“Understanding mental health and neurodivergence is crucial, and having personally navigated the complexities of accessing timely neurodevelopmental assessment and mental health support, I’m committed to making this process smoother for others.

“I am neurodivergent and I am a parent to neurodivergent children. I know all too well just how difficult it can be to access assessment that helps people to make sense of themselves and/or their children’s needs. Waiting lists are long and, in too many instances, people are not managing to access appropriate help or accommodations due to the long delays in accessing services. This then has a significant impact on their mental health and wellbeing.  I’m excited to start making an impact and to be able to deliver and develop services that are truly responsive to the person’s needs and preferences and are neurodivergent affirming in approach.”

The clinic is aiming to grow quickly and establish several ‘hubs’ across the city. These hubs are designed to enhance the range of services and specialisations that PHC Edinburgh provides, including EMDR, Neurodevelopmental Assessments and more. Ensuring comprehensive support is accessible to all, the hubs place an emphasis on making mental health support approachable and understandable.

“Mental health deserves the same level of understanding, support and compassion as physical health. From my family’s experience, seeking help often led us only to medication options. While medication can be a crucial part of treatment for some, I’m convinced that mental healthcare should embrace a variety of approaches. It’s about finding the right balance and support system that addresses the whole person, not just a set of symptoms. This is one of my fundamental reasons for launching PHC Edinburgh; I believe we can make real change by offering comprehensive care, tailored to each individual and their specific needs.”

For more information about PHC Edinburgh located at 8A Rutland Square EH1 2AS, visit www.purplehouseclinic.co.uk/psychologists-edinburgh/ or call 0131 5630868

A ‘first of its kind’ Edinburgh primary will not be ready in time for the new term after summer, with pupils set to spend their first few months in a different school.

Originally planned to open in August, Maybury Primary is now not expected to welcome its first P1 intake until October.

However the council says this could present a “great opportunity” to build links with East Craigs Primary where learners will be based initially while work is completed.

Also incorporating an NHS GP surgery for up to 10,000 patients, the new building is being touted as a multi-purpose community asset comprising a range of services and activities.

To reflect this, councillors will be asked to officially name it ‘Maybury Community Hub’ – as opposed to Maybury Primary School which it has been called throughout the design and development process – at a meeting next week.

Both the first Edinburgh school to share a campus with a medical practice and the first built to the ultra-energy efficient Passivhaus standard, the council says Maybury will be a model for the future as it looks to maximise the use of its buildings and allow residents to access services close to where they live in line with the ’20 minute neighbourhood’ strategy.

The 630-pupil school and GP surgery will share a main entrance, although pupils will enter through a separate door. It has been built to serve hundreds of new homes being constructed at West Craigs and Cammo. 

A report, going to the education, children and families committee on Tuesday, April 16, said: “The new primary school will accept its first P1 intake in August 2024. However, the new school building will not be ready for use until October 2024. Accordingly, pupils due to attend the new school will be based with their teachers and staff from the new school in East Craigs Primary School for their first term.

“This arrangement provides a great opportunity to build strong links between the two schools and develop cluster working which will be valuable in developing collaborative working between staff and sharing of resources.”

Education convener Joan Griffiths said: “I think community hubs are the way to go, schools shouldn’t be seen as a standalone – somewhere you go into and then come out at half past three and not used again – they should be seen very much as part of the community and I’m really pleased there’s going to be an NHS medical centre in this hub. It’s encouraging people to go in and use the facilities and I just think it is the way forward.

“It’s also about maximising resources, about bringing things together – making best use of resourced instead of having smaller buildings all over the place using up extra heating, extra lighting. I’m really excited about it.”

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

Livingston prop up the cinch Premiership table with only 18 points from 32 matches so far and they come to Tynecastle on Saturday looking for only their fourth win of the season.

The Jambos have 59 points from their 32 fixtures and head coach Steven Naismith is keen to continue piling up the points to consolidate third position in the table behind Celtic and Rangers.

Hearts have scored 42 goals and conceded 32. Livingston have scored 20 and lost 55 but no chances will be taken as the Gorgie side have only beaten David Martindale’s team twice in the last five meetings.

Two have been draws and The Lions have won the other. Hearts have won three of their last five matches and drawn one. Livingston have lost three and drawn two.

But the Jam Tarts found it tough at Almondvale in early January and emerged with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Kenneth Vargas after 53 minutes and Lawrence Shankland in 64 minutes.

Martindale, on YouTube, admitted that it is not an ideal time currently as regards injuries. He said: “We’ll patch guys up and get them on the park.”

He stressed the need for his squad to win football matches as he bids to beat the drop and he said: “Hearts are the third best team in this country by a considerable distance.

“Steven (Naismith) has done a very good job at Hearts and it is one of the best run clubs in the country and the fan base is phenomenal and all the people at Hearts have done a fantastic job to grow the club.

“It is going to be a difficult game as they are a really progressive club and they are moving in the right direction.”

Martindale (pictured) added that most weeks his players have tried to remain positive despite their lowly position and and he added: “At 5pm on Saturday we’ll have a wee look at the league and assess where we are then and I’ll put all my energy into how we can affect them (Hearts).

“It is going to be a competitive game of football but the last performance at Tynecastle wasn’t overly great and the game here was very good so we are trying to find that balance between both performances.” 

Glasgow Allied Vehicles Tigers host Stellar Monarchs in the BSN Series on Friday (tapes-up 7.30pm) looking to bounce back after their 48-42 defeat at Berwick Jewson Bandits in their opening meeting of the season last weekend.

Skipper Chris Harris (pictured by Taylor Lanning) believes there is a lot of potential in the squad who had “teething problems” at Berwick and he warned: “We can iron them out.”

Monarchs will find out if they have ironed out the problems when they drop into Ashfield on Friday and the Edinburgh club say they are saddened by the theft of the bike, van and equipment of Northern Junior League rider Liam Morris.

They have made an appeal for the return of the equipment which was stolen from the Deans area of Livingston early on the morning of Wednesday, April 10.

The 12-year-old rider was a founding member of the Monarchs Speedway Academy in 2021. He then progressed into the Armadale Angels Northern Junior League side and is due to line up for the West Lothian Goaco Wildcats this season.

Keith Maben, Liam’s dad, said: “The bike and the equipment are the biggest loss. If we can’t get the equipment back, it’s going to make it very difficult for us to continue in the sport Liam loves.

“The key item we need back urgently is Liam’s helmet. He doesn’t have another one.”

The stolen van is a silver Ford Transit with Liam’s junior speedway bike in the back along with his helmet, goggles, gloves, toolbox and spare bike parts.

Berwick Jewson Bandits introduced five new riders in the closed season but the Borders club have won all three of their meetings so far, the latest a 48-42 victory over Glasgow Tigers, their first in 14 attempts against the West of Scotland club.

Edinburgh Monarchs visit on Saturday (tapes up 19.00) and a fourth win would be a massive boost in the BSN Scottish Series qualifying section before Bandits go on the road for the reverse fixtures.

Lewi Kerr led from the front last weekend, but a feature of the early-season successes over Workington and the Tigers has been the solid scoring of Berwick’s middle order and the performances of reserves Bastian Borke.

He joined Berwick from Edinburgh, sponsored by Stellar Omada, during the winter and teenager Freddy Hodder has also been in fine form and they have comfortably outscored their opposite numbers so far this season.

Berwick manager Stewart Dickson is not prepared to take the foot off the pedal, especially as they welcome an Edinburgh side featuring Connor Coles who swept the board at Berwick’s 2023 end of season awards’ night.

Dickson said: “I have been drumming into the riders all week, and will again on Saturday’s track walk, the importance of not getting carried away by what has been a good start to the season.

“We have momentum but need to keep pushing. It is important we perform well against Edinburgh. Anything less would undermine the hard work we have put in.”

Dickson looked back at Saturday’s win over Tigers and said: “We all saw how much it meant to so many people on Saturday. That’s who we’re doing it for, but Edinburgh are a very different challenge.

“They are a team which, perhaps like ours, has depth to it which means we again have to account for every point. Connor Coles will probably arrive with a point to prove while most of the Monarchs have gone well around here in recent times.

“I’m certainly not taking anything for granted, but victory would give us four points and put a bit of pressure on Edinburgh and Glasgow.”

Last year saw both sides win at Shielfield Park. Berwick took advantage of Josh Pickering’s first heat crash in which the Australian suffered a serious shoulder injury, to win the BSN Series fixture 51-39 (a Leon Flint paid maximum and Rory Schlein’s 13+1 leading the way) just 24 hours after recording a rare Armadale victory.

But the tables were turned in the Cab Direct Championship fixture when, despite 14 points from ex-Monarch Jye Etheridge, a Bandits’ side operating rider-replacement for Schlein, lost 46-44 – Flint’s last lap puncture proving decisive. Edinburgh’s trump card that night was young Dane Bastian Borke who switched to the Borders during the winter.

Tickets for Saturday’s meeting are on sale and until midnight on Friday cost £18, including booking fee. Matchday e-tickets can be bought until 6.50pm and cost £20, including booking fee.

Cash turnstiles will also be in operation. Adult admission is £20, concessions and students £18. Credit and debit cards cannot be used for admission on the day. Accompanied under-16s are admitted free.

Bandits: Lewi Kerr, Danyon Hume, Jye Etheridge, Drew Kemp, Rory Schlein, Freddy Hodder, Bastian Borke

Monarchs: Josh Pickering, Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Justin Sedgmen, Connor Coles, Max James

Referee: Jim McGregor

PICTURE: Jye Etheridge in action by Taz McDougall and courtesy of Berwick Jewson Bandits

Sheffield Steelers, the runaway league champions and the Challenge Cup winners, host Fife Fifers on Friday (19.00) in the 1,500-capacity Ice Sheffield, and there will not be a single fan of the Kirkcaldy club in the building.

Ice Sheffield was opened in 2003 and completed at a cost of £15m. Is a centre of excellence for figure skating and ice dance but has been pressed into service as the 9,000-capacity Utilita Arena nearby is being prepared for a Take That concert.

Fife have only beaten the Yorkshire combine once so far this term in the league. The treble-chasing Steelers won the first league clash 5-0 in England.

They edged the second clash 4-3 in Kirkcaldy and they whipped Flyers 7-4 at Sheffield.

However, Fife edged Aaron Fox’s treble-chasing combine 2-1 at Kirkcaldy on January 20 before being beaten again, this time 6-4, in Sheffield 24-hours later, and 4-2 at Fife in their final regular season meeting.

The champions collected 91 points from their 54 regular season games, Fife finished in the eighth and final qualifying spot with 51 points from their 54 starts.

Flyers’ No 1 netminder Shane Owen (pictured) could have a key role to play in the game and Fife hope to keep the scoreline tight before Sunday’s game in Fife (17.15). Tickets are on sale.

Fife Flyers Supporters Club have booked a function room at Styx in the town’s Victoria Road, postcode KY1 1DS to screen the game. This is not ticketed and the venue only holds around 100. Fans are urged to come early and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Steadings on Bennochy Road KY2 5RB are reported to be screening the play-off, first-leg and seats here will also be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Martin Shepherdson beamed as he confirmed that the men’s Premiership title chase was back in the hands of Grange just seconds after the final whistle in his club’s recent, emphatic 4-0 victory over rivals Western Wildcats at Fettes.

Since then, Grange have played in Europe and also come from 2-0 down to edge Western 3-2 in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. They are on a high.

The maths are simple. Beat inconsistent Watsonians, who they meet in the Scottish Cup Final later in the season, and then Uddingston and the silverware remains in Grange’s clubhouse at Stockbridge.

The odds are in Grange’s favour. They beat Watsonians 3-2 earlier in the league campaign but only from a late strike from Aidan McQuade following a penalty corner award.

Watsonians have struggled after the league split but raised their game and came from behind to thrash Kelburne 6-1 in the Scottish Cup semi-final last weekend.

Edinburgh University are in second place only a point behind and ambitious coach Hamish Imrie will urge his men to win their final two games just in case Grange slip-up in the run-in. Imrie’s men entertain Hillhead, who are bottom of the top six, and are in fine form having recently beaten Grange 3-1 in the league.

Western are third and they host fourth-placed Uddingston, a side seeking to cling on to fourth spot in the top six.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Erskine Stewart’s Melville (ESM) are vying with Dundee-based Grove Menzieshill to avoid the play-off spot after Kelburne were confirmed as the relegated club.

The Edinburgh side travel to Tayside to face Wanderers and Grove host Clydesdale.

It’s Scottish Cup semi-final day for Watsonians, the newly-crowned women’s Premiership champions, and they are looking to claim the treble for the second straight year. They play third-placed Clydesdale Western while Western Wildcats, who are fourth in the top six, are on duty against Uddingston who top the bottom six.

PICTURE: David Forrester holds the league title aloft as his squad celebrate last season’s title success. Picture Nigel Duncan

Corstorphine Athletic Club have donated more than £800 to charity in memory of three late members following a successful fund-raising ceilidh.

A cheque for £550 was presented to Maggie’s Edinburgh in recognition of the support provided by the cancer care specialist to CAAC runners Fiona Carver and Moira Findlay, who died aged 62 and 52 respectively after brave battles with the disease.

A further £275 was gifted to My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to honour Ruth Williamson, who passed away last April at the age of just 41. She was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2017, just 11 months after giving birth to her daughter Anna.

The proceeds came from the post-Covid return of the club’s ceilidh held at Bainfield Bowling Club, Gorgie.

Co-captains Janet Grigor and Jack Fullerton visited the Maggie’s base at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh to hand over the cheque and are pictured with Charlotte Brink of the Maggie’s fund raising team.

Hailing the “fantastic work” carried out by the two charities, Janet said: “The ceilidh celebrated our dear friends’ time with us and remembered their joy of life and of running and dancing, and their fitness and vitality. We decided it would be fitting to donate any profits made to Maggie’s Edinburgh and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.”

The event featured a fundraising raffle and buffet, with the traditional Scots music provided by Da Hooley ceilidh band.

Coach Jan-Bert van den Berg was among those who paid tribute to the club’s much-missed trio. He said: “It is sometimes difficult to put into words just how amazing some people are. Fiona, Ruth and Moira were three great runners I had the pleasure of training with and competing against. They didn’t just excel at running but also at living.

“At training, all were just fantastic at making you feel at ease and welcomed when you joined your first training session as a CAAC newbie. They were also never short of encouragement when you were flagging on the track, and always interested to know how your weekend races had gone.

“They just excelled at positivity and showed incredible emotional strength when faced with impossible life challenges. There is just so much to learn from these three incredible women and how they embraced life. We have been so fortunate to have known them.”

Charlotte Brink, from Maggie’s, thanked CAAC members for the “incredible” donation. She added: “I am glad the club had an enjoyable ceilidh, and I am glad to hear that we were able to be there for Fiona and Moira when they needed it the most.”

Mia Noquet, community and volunteer fundraiser at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “MND is an incredibly cruel disease, and to hear that Corstorphine AAC felt it fitting to make a donation in Ruth’s memory, after what sounds like a lovely evening spent celebrating three such important people, is such a thoughtful gesture. We really could not continue funding vital MND research without the community we are so lucky to have around us.”

Anyone visiting Edinburgh in a group can purchase discounted ticket options as Edinburgh Trams launches its new online booking service.

Ten or more customers travelling together receive 10% off tram tickets bought from edinburghticket.com, allowing them world-class travel from the airport to the city centre and Newhaven.

With a host of flexible tickets available, including Airport open returns and Multi-day options, customers can choose how tickets are delivered and can download them onto a smart device or print them out before they are checked by Edinburgh Trams’ friendly customer service team.

Kate Smith, Edinburgh Trams’ Sales & Marketing Assistant, commented: “As the network continues to grow in popularity, and as we approach the busy summer months, there couldn’t be a better time to introduce this easy way for groups to purchase tram tickets.

“Our fantastic travel offers are suitable for all types of activities in and around Edinburgh, and to ensure families and groups can make the most of their stay, tickets purchased online entitle them to discounts at some of the city’s top attractions and restaurants such as Hard Rock Café, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, and Edinburgh Bus Tours.

“With trams operating from every seven minutes, seven days a week, and with many hotels along the route, our service offers the perfect chance to experience Edinburgh’s landmarks.”

Edinburgh Trams’ Marketing team are also available to help groups with travel arrangements for conferences and events, email sales@edinburghtrams.com for further information.

Drummond Trinity cricket club will be fielding five teams in this season’s ESCA Championship with the top side in Division One.

The target is, of course, to secure promotion to the Eastern Premiership  and continuity will be provided by Uday Kuchadi returning as 1^st X1 and club captain.

Fresh from their championship victory in Division Three last year the 2^nd X1 step up a league under the leadership of Hassan Anwar. Priority for this promoted side is to solidify their position while providing robust support for the 1^st X1.

Pavan Pamarthi takes over as captain of the 3^rd X1 who will be playing in Division Four while Yungender Gubbala will take the helm of the 4^th X1 in Division Five.

Under the guidance of newly appointed captain Naveen Thota the 5^th X1 will be competing in Division Seven.