An Irish sporting hero who took over the running of one of Edinburgh’s most popular student bars have been given his marching orders after The Edinburgh Reporter exposed his criminal past.

National pub operator Star Pubs & Bars have called time on Kevin McGourty and his partner Anushka Ponniah’s management of The Earl of Marchmont after we revealed McGourty had been convicted of harassing a female solicitor and had been placed on probation for 18 months.

A spokesperson for Star Pubs & Bars confirmed: “The Earl of Marchmont in Edinburgh was leased to an independent operator on a temporary basis. Following their departure, we have appointed a new operator to take over the running of the pub.”

The couple only took possession of the Marchmont Crescent pub at the end of October but just four weeks later were forced to hand the keys back after his background came to light.

It also emerged that on their first weekend in charge of the popular bar, McGourty hosted a stag party for a friend, which included a stripper who put on a raunchy performance in the cellar of the bar.

The Edinburgh Reporter has seen evidence of up to 12 middle-aged men descending in to the cellar, drinks in hand, to enjoy the sleazy strip show after the “stag” refused to go along with the original plan for the performance to take place in the corner of the bar.

One customer, who was present when the 28 October event took place, said: “This place is a respectable bar, full of students, but they seemed to think they were in an episode of Minder, or down on The Shore in the 1980s.”

The Edinburgh Reporter earlier quizzed Anushka Ponniah about the strip show but she denied all knowledge – even blaming the staff for holding the event behind her back.

She said at the time: “I’ve never heard anything about that, so I have no idea where this has come from. Kevin, being my partner, I’m sure he would have told me something like that. It’s not something that he would do, he doesn’t even go to strip clubs himself.

“At that time we did have five members of staff, I had literally just taken over, and for all I know it could have been any member of my staff (who organised it).”

But a source confirmed: “Anuska was in the bar that day and was going around telling punters beforehand that there was going to be a stripper coming in and she hoped they didn’t mind.

“When the stag refused to have the strip show in the bar because it was too public, they decided to move it down into the cellar – and Anuskha went down in the cellar with them because she didn’t want the stripper to be on her own with all these guys.”

McGourty, 41, who comes from a famous Antrim GAA family, won an All-Ireland title in 2010 when he was an integral part of the St Gall’s team which secured their first championship title at a packed Croke Park.

Off the pitch, he was accused of sending hundreds of texts, emails and making phone calls to his victim, and turned up at family celebrations which caused the woman “distress and upset”. He threatened to send an explicit photograph and video of the woman to her brother and father if she did not speak to him.

He denied all of the charges, alleged to have taken place between April and May 2017, but in 2018 he plead guilty to disclosing a sexual photograph of his victim and of harassing her over a two month period. He was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and a five year restraining order prevented him from going within 30 metres of the woman or her brother, to whom he sent the photograph.

McGourty, who also goes by the name of Caoimhean MacDhorchaidh, is also under investigation after it was claimed he had posed as a solicitor in a Glasgow court when he attempted to represent an accused person.

In July, the Sunday Mail reported that McGourty, using the name Caiomhean MacDhorchaidh, had appeared at Glasgow Justice of the Peace Court, where he identified himself to court officials and the prosecution as a solicitor in an attempt to represent an accused.

He claimed that he and his firm – The 3 Nations Legal Consultancy/Services – was registered with The Law Society of Scotland and that he held a valid legal practising certificate. When his position was challenged, McGourty told his “client” that he would have to get another lawyer to represent him and then left the court building.

It is a criminal offence for an unqualified person to pretend to be a solicitor and The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service later confirmed that there was no record of Caiomhean MacDhorchaidh or his firm on the Roll of Solicitors.

A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service told The Edinburgh Reporter: “The Procurator Fiscal is considering this incident and is liaising with the Law Society of Scotland and Police Scotland.”

The Earl of Marchmont is now being run by its previous management who marked the occasion with a Facebook post which said: “We’re not going to discuss the reasons why we’re back, but back we are! We’ve given the place a clean, reviewed some of the pricing and food, arranged a new wine list and developed some new cocktails. Small steps but purposeful steps.”

Portobello under18s win in Dunfermline.

The team came from a goal behind with three minutes remaining to snatch an 8-7 victory over Worthing and lift the BMC Water Polo Cup, named in honour of the late Brian Campbell, in a thrilling final.

The tournament, commemorating the late and much lamented coach who died in 2019, was played over 4 x 6 minute periods and teams came from across the UK with Warrender also flying the flag for Edinburgh water polo.

Top scorer with 26 goals was Porty’s Davide Ingala while the most valuable player award went to Worthing’s Tumay Evcimen with Tobias Khawar of Radcliffe named most valuable goalkeeper.

Alasdair Campbell, who, along with brothers Darren and Chris organised the three day event in memory of his dad said:

“Of the four Brian Campbell Cups we have held, including a girls event earlier, this was by far the best.

“Over 150 players took part and many of the games were extremely close, summed up by the final itself.”

An inaugural under-15 tournament was won by Menzieshill.

The winning Portobello squad comprised Oliver Henderson, Davide Ingala, Lorcan McNally, Will Hurd, Giovanni Giunto, Giovanni Medri, Dominic Moodie, Fergus Wood, Alexander Scott-Watson, Ben Williamson, Alex Hurd, Joe Mathieson and Struan Bailey.

A LATIN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS SHARING FEAST AT EL SANTO

If you are planning a Christmas shopping trip to Glasgow then take a look at El Santo, on Miller Street in the Merchant City. With festive menus traditionally awash with dishes such as roast turkey, Christmas Pudding and mince pies, El Santo will transport its diners to Latin America for Christmas.

Specialising in cuisine from all over South America, including flavourful dishes from Brazil, Peru, Mexico and Argentina, the restaurant has a Brazilian chef, Juliana Kipper, at the helm, who references her family’s rich food heritage in her varied and enticing menus.

For £40 pp, the “White Christmas” menu is based on two people sharing. Kicking off with Prosecco on arrival, there are three tapas style starters, followed by a choice of two different tacos to share, with options such as pulled chicken, or spicy mushroom. Diners can choose from a meat or chicken dish to share which is cooked on the charcoal grill. Options include beef ribs, hot & spicy sausages and rump steak, and two side dishes make up the menu. 

For £60 pp, there is the “Platinum Christmas” option, which gives diners four tapas style starters to share, and also includes dessert – a delicious “postre” of Latin American desserts, with condensed milk flan, tapioca cheese bread with guava jam, and churros complete with chocolate sauce.  Paired wines can be added to either of these menus.

Panos Dimou, General Manager at El Santo said: “If you are looking for something out of the ordinary which is still indulgent, colourful and full of flavour and spirit, then try our amazing Latin American cuisine for your Christmas get together this year – it’s ideal for sharing too.”

https://elsanto.co.uk/menus/

Book online – menus run until 24 December 2023.

The next storyteller who will take over the reading chair at the Book Club at the Centre Livingston is the award-winning author, Lindsay Littleson.

Lindsay is a former teacher from Glasgow who has written nine books, including her latest, Euro Spies, which was published in April this year and she will be in the chair from Saturday 16 December.

The aim of the Book Club is to encourage a love for reading, the joy of discovering new books and the chance for visitors to the shopping centre to meet different authors each month.

The shopping centre set up a free book recycling vending machine to enable people to swap their favourite novels, and the book club grew from that.

Previous authors who have been welcomed at the Book Club include Linda Erskine, Justin Davies and last month, the multi award-winning author and illustrator Catherine Rayner, who has just launched her 21^st book, Molly, Olive and Dexter – The Guessing Game.

Lindsay, who began writing for children in 2014 and won the Kelpies Prize for her first children’s novel, The Mixed-Up Summer of Lily McLean, will be taking over the reading chair at the Book Club on Saturday at noon.

Her novel, Guardians of the Wild Unicorns, was published in 2019 and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for both the Stockton Children’s Book Prize and East Sussex Children’s Book Prize. 

Her WW1 novel Shell Hole was shortlisted for the Dundee Great War Children’s Book Prize, which inspired her to write another two historical books, A Pattern of Secrets, set in Victorian Paisley and The Titanic Detective Agency. 

On the day Lindsay will read extracts from her latest novels, Euro Spies and The Rewilders, which was long listed for the 2022 SPARK! School Book Award. Both are aimed at 8 – 12 year olds.

And then at 2pm the author will read from her favourite festive book, Santa Trap by Jonathan Emmett, aimed at 4 – 7 years – Christmas sweaters are encouraged.

Lindsay said: “I’m really looking forward to my events at the Book Club in The Centre, Livingston. It feels particularly special as I get to read exciting extracts from two of my novels and my favourite Christmas story.” 

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “The Centre, Livingston Book Club has been a big hit with our visitors to the shopping centre since we launched it in October.

“It’s great to welcome a different author every month and hear them reading from their award-winning books and this month, it’s even extra special with Lindsay also reading her favourite festive book.”

Details of the Book Club can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.

Dougie Selman has broken the Corstorphine Athletic Club record for the marathon with a sizzling run in Valencia.

He crossed the line in 2hrs 20mins 27secs, taking a whopping 26 seconds off the previous best set by Michael Crawley at the Frankfurt Marathon in 2018.

It was Dougie’s second club record of 2023, having set the standard over 100km with a time of 6hrs 47mins 48secs at the Anglo Celtic Plate in April.

Meanwhile, Corstorphine Athletic Club members returned from the Lindsays East District Cross Country Championships in Aberdeen with a haul of medals.

The Masters men’s team of Stuart Livingstone (28mins 36secs), Iain Hutchinson (30:15) and Malcolm Lang (30:19) won gold over the 8.6km course.

Stuart made it a double as he helped Calum McKenzie (27:16), Dermot Cummins (27:24), Jack Eykelbosch (27:30), James Dunn (27:39) and Angus Smith (28:33) take bronze in the Senior men’s team race.

The Senior women’s team also bagged bronze thanks to fine runs from Kara McKenzie-Tait (33:19), Kirstin Maxwell (34:55), Anne Ewing (35:09) and Lisa Traill (38:10) at the Balgownie playing fields.

Adding to the haul Josie-Wren Golder embellished her burgeoning medal collection and continued her excellent form with a third place finish in the under-20 women’s race. Her time over the 6.4km course was 24:36.

Stellar Monarchs have confirmed that 16-year-old prospect Max James is their first signing for the 2024 speedway season when the teenager will make his debut at Cab Direct Championship level.

James (pictured) has enjoyed success at Armadale in the British Youth Championship, and he then piled up an incredible 15+1 score at the venue in the National Development League for Leicester earlier this year.

Monarchs co-promoter Alex Harkess said: “Max has developed strongly through the youth scene and has always been one to keep an eye on as he was a real contender.

“At the Monarchs we have always given youth a chance to flourish and our supporters enjoy watching young riders on their journey. We are delighted to have Max in the team and we are excited to watch him progress.

Meanwhile, Berwick boss Stewart Dickson believes new signing Danyon Hume will flourish at Shielfield Park next season after moving to the Bandits after spending 2023 with Cab Direct Championship rivals Redcar.

He joins Rory Schlein and Lewis Kerr as confirmed starters and Dickson said: “Danyon is an exciting young rider with an impressive record around Shielfield Park and I’m confident 2024 will be a big season of progress for the lad.

“Establishing a side of riders who can improve on their starting average will be very important next season and Danyon is very capable of doing just that and I am excited to work towards getting the best out of him.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan disappointed many of his Scottish fans by pulling out of the BetVictor Scottish Open which started at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium on Monday.

The seven-time world champion was due to play Glasgow’s teenage prospect, Liam Graham, the current holder of the ESBA European under-21 snooker title, at lunchtime but informed the organisers that he was not coming north because of “medical reasons”. The 19-year-old Scot received a bye.

The reasons were not specified but the withdrawal of the world No 1 comes only a week after he won the UK Championship by beating Chinese player Ding Junhui 10-7 in the final in The Barbican in York.

O’Sullivan (pictured left in a match against John Higgins) also missed the Champion of Champions event in November saying he was feeling “drained and stressed”.

The snooker world now waits to see if the man from the Midlands makes a return to the table in early January for the Masters which is scheduled to run from January 7 to 14.

Meanwhile, current holder Gary Wilson edged Elliott Slessor 4-3 in their first round match. Both men are from Tyneside.

Jimmy Robertson beat Amann Iqbal 4-2 also in the opening session and Mark Selby, the world No 5, won by the same score over Sean O’Sullivan while Ding Junhui, ranked No 11 in the world and the most successful Asian player in the history of the sport, beat David Grace 4-0.

Wishaw-based Higgins, who has won 31 ranking titles, placing him third in the all-time ranking list behind O’Sullivan and fellow-Scot Stephen Hendry, is due on table in the evening session on Monday from 8pm.

OTHER SCORES: Mark Williams 3, Sam Craigie 4; Barry Hawkins 3, Pang Junxu 4; Ali Carter 4, Long Zehuang 3; Luca Brecel 4, Iulian Boiko 0; Kyren Wilson 4, Mostafa Dorgham 2; Robert Milkins 0, Mark Davis 4; Judd Trump 4, Sydney Wilson 0; Jack Lisowski 4, Mohamed Ibrahim 0; Hossein Vafaei 3, Daniel Wells 4; Jack Borwick 1, Ishpreet Singh Chadha 4; Sean Murphy 1, Liu Hongyu.

A Midlothian village is set to sleigh this year’s Christmas festivities following a donation of 1,000 chocolate selection boxes from Cala Homes (East).

As Danderhall gears up for its seventh annual Santa’s Grotto event this year, local children attending the event will receive a sweet treat donated by the homebuilder.

Billy Dyer, chairman of the village’s Christmas festivities and wearer of the famous red suit believes Cala’s donation ensures no Danderhall child will be left without a present.

Billy said: “To get this backing from Cala is heart-warming and will have a huge impact for the local children who come to these events year in year out.

“Not only does the gesture solidify Christmas spirit, but Cala’s donation allows us to invest in other crucial areas for our festive events, making them even better than last year.

“As a community, it’s really important to get that extra little bit of support from businesses operating in the area so to have that backing from Cala is very much appreciated.”

Danderhall’s annual Santa’s Grotto events will take place on 16 and 17 December at Newton Church Hall with any leftover selection boxes from the weekend’s event being donated to the Dalkeith Foodbank, ensuring every box finds its way down someone’s chimney.

Billy, 66, will also be donning the beloved red Santa suit as he travels around the district, along with a trusted elf – visiting homes in a custom-made sleigh on December 18 and 19.

Derek Lawson, Strategic Land Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “Billy and his team help make Christmas magical and play an often-overlooked role in communities.

“Giving Danderhall’s Santa a sack-full of selection boxes is a small token of our intent to be a positive part of this area and to ensure we’re always giving back. It felt right that we step in.”

Cala is currently building a new 620-home development on land at Newton and Wellington Farms, located between Old Craighall and Millerhill. The site includes 155 affordable homes as well as land for a new primary school, park and ride, community allotments and a link road from Old Craighall Road to the City of Edinburgh Bypass.

Information and updates will be available on Cala’s website.

This winter until 21 January, the Fruitmarket Warehouse hosts Sarah Wood’s film Project Paradise.

This is inspired by the Black and White Oil Conference organised by Richard Demarco, CBE, in Edinburgh in 1974 at which Joseph Beuys and Buckminster Fuller both spoke.

The conference took place in the context of the imminent exploitation of oil and natural gas in the North Sea. It posed a number of questions and made observations frighteningly relevant now as we try to find ways to combat climate change, mitigate its ravages and keep fossil fuels underground.

In a letter preparing for the event, Demarco asked Beuys: “Can the experience of art help? Can the artist play a role? Can the artist make sacred the land and the waters around the Scottish coasts so that they will not be exploited? Have we a visionary artist who can do for Scotland what Constable did for England and make sacred what is called landscape country, and no doubt safe, for the moment anyway, from the hands of developers?”

Some 50 years on, Wood’s film examines the idea of Paradise as a way of talking about how we relate to nature now as often something simply to commodify. She argues that our current panic about resources is about the end of an era rather than the end of the planet. Instead, the film invites viewers to open up thought and imagine how we might want to live in the future. Projected as a portal into the floor of the warehouse, Project Paradise invites midwinter audiences to gather round the light of the image and come together as participants in the reimagining of a new way of living in the world.

Fiona Bradley, Director of Fruitmarket said: One of the defining convictions of Fruitmarket – founded in 1974, the same year as the Black and White Oil Conference – is that the experience of art can help, if only by clearing a space in which to think together. As Fruitmarket goes into our 50^th year, let’s imagine a more positive way of living in the world and strive for a new kind of collective energy.“

Sarah Wood is an artist-filmmaker, writer and curator. She works primarily with the still and moving image to explore the role the documentary archival plays in the narration of history. Since she began working in artists’ film in 2000 her ambition has been to generate a cinema of ideas – experimenting with film form to offer renewing space for viewers to consider some of the key social and political issues of our time. 

She gained early success with found footage films made for both single screen and site-specific installation before turning her attention to the meaning of archivisation and the politics of memory. Notable works include For Cultural Purposes Only (Animate!/ Channel 4), Murmuration x 10 (Brighton Festival), Three Minute Warning (FACT/Channel 4), I Am A Spy and Memory of the Future (Whitstable Biennale). All won film festival awards and were acquired by cultural institutions across the world. 

Her other central concern is migration – both the movement of displaced people round the world and the migration of ideas via the situation that art creates. With political borders closing she asks whether art can model alternative forms of hospitality across three commissions: Boat People (Whitstable Biennale), Azure (ArtExchange), Here is Elsewhere (Kettle’s Yard). Inclusivity is key for Wood’s practice – collaborating with artists, writers and thinkers in a creative attempt to open the space of art to dialogue and to encourage viewer participation.

Her focus on the historical image has led to opportunities to respond to several filmmaker archives (Stanley Kubrick (artist-in-residence), Margaret Tait (LUX Scotland), Thorold Dickinson and Derek Jarman (John Hansard)) which in turn has galvansied her to reconsider cinematic form for the post-COVID landscape. What role can cinema play in shaping our shared future? Wood responds to this question in the collaborative project Projectionism for the Independent Cinema Office – a multi-voiced open letter to cinema made during COVID lockdown in partnership with the EAFA.

Sarah Wood Project Paradise 

Fruitmarket Warehouse
09.12.23–21.01.23. 11am–6pm daily.
www.fruitmarket.co.uk 

Colinton Community Council

The community council meets on Tuesday night for the final time this year at Colinton Bowling Club on Redford Road at 7.30pm.

www.colintoncc.org.uk/minutes

Winter weaving workshop

At the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre there are free workshops next week to learn how to make tapestries for Christmas gifts.

Book on Eventbrite for 18 and 19 December.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-weaving-workshops-tickets-773114495267?aff=erelexpmlt

Architectural talk tonight

There will be a talk tonight at 7.30pm at Augustine United Church on George IV Bridge as well as online delivered by Professor Richard Rodger.

The subject will be Edinburgh’s colony housing. Edinburgh and Leith colony housing represents a very distinctive, immediately recognisable built form. Or so you might think. In fact there is considerable divergence in design, in prices (rents) and in the occupants. In this talk, Richard Rodger dissects the background to colony housing, their owners, occupants, and other characteristics, to reveal a new perspective on this housing type.

Social Bite

Buy a homeless person a Christmas dinner for just £5. Social Bite will be open on Christmas Day exclusively for homeless people to enjoy a festive meal.

Subscriptions

Please do subscribe to our monthly newspaper if you can – we deliver by mail in compostable envelopes, and the subscription helps us to keep on bringing you the news for free. So far this year we have produced eleven issues and a new one is out now.

Sign up here.

It was ten years ago, on a brisk winter evening, that a group of three friends decided to set out on a different kind of journey.

Starting from the heart of Edinburgh, they formed the Edinburgh Frontrunners, a club like no other. Today, this club has grown into a vibrant community with more than 100 LGBTQI+ members. 

From young enthusiasts in their early twenties to seasoned veterans well into their seventies, Edinburgh Frontrunners has become a melting pot of running passion. What makes this group unique, like its counterparts worldwide, is its unwavering connection to the LGBTQ+ community, providing a welcoming space for all. 

Every week, the Edinburgh Frontrunners assemble for Saturday-morning and Wednesday-night evening runs. It’s more than just about chasing miles, it’s about forging friendships and indulging in some friendly competition.

The beauty of this club lies in its all-encompassing approach to running, catering to all skill levels. Whether you’re a novice taking your first strides with the Couch to 5K program or a marathon enthusiast aiming for new goals, this club has your back.

They even offer specialised training programs for those who want to tackle longer distances or sprint through shorter ones. But what truly sets Edinburgh Frontrunners apart is their commitment to the social aspect of running.

The club’s president said: “The social aspect of the club is key to its success.”

The club believes that running isn’t just about physical fitness, it’s a social endeavour where you can connect, make new friends, and enhance your overall well-being. Edinburgh Frontrunners’ flagship event, much like their national and international counterparts, is the Pride Run.

This timed, five-mile run winds through Holyrood Park joining the Parkrun. While it’s a standout moment, the club always welcomes new members with open arms, inviting everyone to join their journey. Beyond running, Edinburgh Frontrunners serves as a lifeline for many within the LGBTQ+ community. 

In a world where traditional socialising often revolves around pubs and clubs, this club offers a unique alternative: health and fitness. The benefits are far-reaching, extending into creating a space where members feel valued, supported, and entirely comfortable. 

The global Frontrunners movement, begun in San Francisco in 1974, has expanded exponentially over the years. From New York to Paris, Tel Aviv to Milan, these clubs have become symbols of inclusivity in the running world. Edinburgh Frontrunners continues this tradition of openness and acceptance. Edinburgh Frontrunners are not just pushing the boundaries of athleticism but also striving for greater inclusion. Edinburgh Frontrunners isn’t merely about finding a safe space, it’s about creating a thriving, welcoming environment. It’s about breaking down the barriers of homophobia and transphobia that linger in the world of sports. 

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP, has praised an Edinburgh project for its integrated housing and care services.

The Minister visited Wheatley Care’s Beaverbank Place service, based in Broughton, to see first-hand how care and housing staff are working together to support residents.

Beaverbank has 41 new-build homes for social rent with Wheatley Homes East, part of Wheatley Group. These are intermixed with eight flats for Wheatley Care for people who have mental health issues, experience substance misuse, or have physical health issues. 

The housing and care development offers people from Wheatley Care’s shared living services the opportunity to live independently in their own accommodation, with staff onsite to provide day-to-day support. 

The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport said: “My visit to Wheatley Care’s Beaverbank service was hugely valuable and I found it extremely useful to see in person how close working between housing and care services can improve people’s lives.”

The visit follows a meeting between the Minister and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) about ways housing and care can work closer together.

Laura Pluck, Group Director of Communities at Wheatley Group, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister and show her the facilities that have made such a huge difference to tenants’ lives since opening in 2020.

“We were very keen to highlight to the Minister the positive impact close collaboration between housing and care services can have on our tenants’ lives.”

The SFHA believes that the role of housing should be strengthened in the proposed National Care Service Bill.

Susie Fitton, Policy Manager, SFHA said: “We are really pleased that the Minister was able to see the transformative work that Wheatley take forward every day, supporting people to remain independent in their homes and communities for as long as they can, preventing homelessness and providing care and support when it’s needed most.

Housing associations and co-operatives are central to achieving many of the aspirations for the National Care Service, going way beyond the bricks and mortar, that’s why we need to see housing feature strongly in the forthcoming Bill and plans for the service.”

Fife Flyers lost 4-3 at home to Elite League pace-setting Sheffield Steelers, but they dug deep to give the men from The House of Steel a scare.

The Kirkcaldy club roared back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 and then clawed their way back into the game at 4-3 after Steelers moved 4-2 ahead.

However, Steelers went home with the points leaving Fife on a downer ahead of their Challenge Cup, quarter-final, second-leg against Guildford Flames in Surrey on Wednesday in which they will try to recover a 3-1 first-leg deficit.

Fife held Steelers scoreless for 16 minutes but the deadlock was broken when Scott Allen counted short-handed. Nine minutes later it was 2-0 for the visitors when Patrick Watling netted and Steelers were dominant, Shane Owen, Fife’s goaltender, having 24 shots to save against seven from his opposite number, Matthew Greenfield, in the opening session.

But, back came Flyers. Troy Lajeunesse sparked the comeback when he was set up by Johan Eriksson and Kyle Osterberg for their opener after 26min 17sec and Max Humitz claimed their second in the 32nd minute with Collin Shirley and Sean Giles involved in the move.

Sadly, the push back did not last as five minutes after that Sheffield edged ahead with two goals in two minutes. Mikko Juusola made it 3-2 and Josh Nicholls added a fourth near the end of the middle session.

Fife refused to throw in the towel and pressed for a third which arrived with under seven minutes left, newcomer Vitalijs Pavlovs netting unassisted to have the fans on their feet.

Coach Tom Coolin called at time out with under two minutes left but Steelers held out for the win.

Elsewhere, Glasgow Clan earned a point in a 3-2 defeat by second-placed Cardiff Devils who won in overtime thanks to a goal from Trevor Cox 52 seconds into the extra session before a crowd of 3,377 at Braehead.

PICTURE: Fife in action at Manchester on Saturday courtesy of the Elite League.

In a building ceremony representatives from Capital Theatres and Robertson Construction Central East and the Design team all left their mark on an important part of the transformation to the King’s Theatre.

This is the structural steel, which is part of the £35.6million transformation of the 117-year-old King’s Theatre.

Guests also included the local community and The City of Edinburgh Council, and all were invited to sign a plaque that will be fixed to the new fly tower, which has an increased height of 4.5m, whilst enjoying panoramic views of the castle and across the city centre. The signed panel will become part of the theatre’s ongoing legacy.    

Robertson Construction Central East is delivering the transformation for Capital Theatres, Scotland’s largest theatre charity. The project will preserve the heritage of ‘the Grand Old Lady of Leven Street’ whilst improving facilities both onstage and off and providing greater community access and engagement. 

Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres, was first to sign the steel, and said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have reached this important milestone in the renovation of the King’s Theatre with our partners, Robertson Construction. The steel frame for the newly extended fly tower is now in place, and we’re looking forward to the next chapter for this iconic heritage landmark building. It was very special to mark this key moment with people who have been involved with the King’s project from the very beginning, particularly members of the Tollcross community whom we cannot wait to welcome back into the building.  

“Together we are stewards of this beloved theatre and this project ensures that this magnificent theatre continues to thrive and support the cultural life of Edinburgh all year round.  It will attract a greater variety of productions than ever before, allow better access for audiences and artists whatever their needs, and will continue to inspire a life-long love of theatre across the generations.”  

David Cairns, Managing Director, Robertson Construction Central East, said:“It was a pleasure to host Capital Theatres and guests on-site to see the progress being made and have the unique opportunity to add our own individual mark in the theatre’s legacy.  

“The transformation of the cherished King’s Theatre is to futureproof the building so that the curtain can be raised for the next generation. Visitors will be able to enjoy the new state-of-the-art facilities, community and creative engagement spaces, café and, of course, the grand stage for performances.  However, as the custodians of care throughout construction, we are ensuring the Edwardian character of the building is not lost and its distinguishable features remain.” 

Robertson employees have undertaken specialist restoration training in order to carry out the preservation works to the highest quality, so that while facilities are modernised and enhanced, the building’s unique personality and heritage remains in place.  

Works are progressing in line with current programme, with the erection of the steel work for the new fly tower now complete, and structural alterations being undertaken to make way for the enhancement of the front and back of house areas. 

During the site visit guests were able to see the protection that has been put in place to preserve the grand interior doors and statement staircase. 

Once the works are complete, audiences will enjoy a transformed front of house area which will become a warm and welcoming gathering place for visitors to the theatre with a new feature window enabling visibility to and from all four floors. 

Major alterations are being made to improve accessibility for audiences and artists with new lifts and wider staircases, and to further enhance the visitor experience at the theatre’s circle and upper circle bars, along with the creation of a new bar at stalls level.  A new café extension will bring the theatre into use for the local community during the day. 

The celebratory steel signing event creates a new chapter for the Grade A-listed building, which is already rich in social and architectural history. 

The project is funded by The Scottish Government, The City of Edinburgh Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and donations from many generous members of the public. 

The works are due to complete in 2025, when once again the theatre will take centre stage. 

Members of the Edinburgh Trams team are set to help a worthy cause by pulling on their favourite winter woollies as part of their festive celebrations.

During the countdown to Christmas, they’re raising money in support of an initiative by Save the Children that aims to provide disadvantaged youngsters in the UK and around the world with the resources they need to have a more prosperous future.

So far drivers and other front-line staff, together with office-based members of the team, have already raised nearly £150 by joining in with the charity’s annual Christmas Jumper Day.

Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams’ Managing Director, commented: “All year round, our team is looking for ways to support those who are most vulnerable, but each December they do the best they can to spread the joy and hope that’s traditionally at the heart of Christmas.

“Many of them are already well and truly in the festive spirit and need no excuse to wear their silliest eye-catching jumpers, but there is a serious side to the fun, and we’re thrilled to be playing our part in this popular seasonal fundraiser.”

Further information, including details on how to donate to the Christmas Jumper Day initiative, can be found here. 

Edinburgh Trams is also gearing up to collect toys for the Cash for Kids appeal which aims to ensure disadvantaged children receive a present on Christmas Day.

The Bonaly Players will perform ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Duddingston Kirk on Saturday 16 December at 6pm

‘A Christmas Carol’ recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man. The story captures the spirit of the early Victorian  revival of the Christmas holiday.

Dickens acknowledged the influence of the modern Western observance of Christmas and later inspired several aspects of Christmas, including family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games and a festive generosity of spirit.

This adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens was originally written by Richard Allain to raise funds for the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity in London. It was performed then by the Bingham String Quartet and narrated by Sir Richard Stilgoe OBE, songwriter, lyricist, musician, and broadcaster.

Richard Allain, is an acclaimed composer whose work is regularly performed and broadcast in the UK and abroad.

Sue Muir and Clea Friend have brought together the Bonaly Players, a group of talented professional musicians along with narrator Pete Baynes, a member of the highly respected Theatre Alba, well known for atmospheric performances in the gardens of Duddingston Manse during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Tickets (£15 each) can be purchased through Eventbrite. A limited number of tickets will be available on the door.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-christmas-carol-bonaly-ensemble-and-narrator-pete-bayne-tickets-757167888537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Edinburgh Deaf Festival, which takes place during The Fringe, faces a funding crisis despite a new Scottish Government pledge to make Scotland the “best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, visit and learn”.

The only deaf-led event of its kind in Scotland, it provides a vital platform for the country’s many talented deaf performers and a showcase for deaf arts, culture and heritage.

The rejection of two successive funding bids by Creative Scotland – despite positive assessments from the agency – mean the 2024 festival is now in doubt.

This is a major blow for the deaf community and throws into doubt the ability of the government to achieve the aims set out in its newly published 2023-2029 British Sign Language (BSL) National Plan.

This promises that: “BSL users will have full access to the cultural life of Scotland, and equal opportunities to enjoy and contribute to culture and the arts, and are encouraged to share BSL and deaf culture with the people of Scotland”.

The plan also says the Scottish Government will “Work with Creative Scotland to help embed BSL further within culture and the arts in Scotland”.

Losing the festival would mean this aspect of the plan risks falling at the first hurdle.

Philip Gerrard, CEO of Deaf Action (which founded and runs the festival), said: “Creative Scotland’s failure to award funding to Edinburgh Deaf Festival is devastating. Losing the festival would mean fewer opportunities for deaf artists to fulfil their potential, and for young people to see deaf role models on stage – inspiring the next generation of deaf talent.

“And this is happening at the very moment the Scottish Government is pledging that it will work with Creative Scotland to ensure the power of the arts are used as a key means to make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, visit and learn.

“In the space of just two years the festival has established itself as an integral part of the Edinburgh Festival family. It has created a cultural space where deaf communities can celebrate their identity, culture, language, and heritage.

“Importantly it is a deaf-led initiative, empowering the deaf community to express itself through the arts and welcoming in hearing audiences to discover more about our vibrant culture and heritage.

“Given that the festival is unique in Scotland, and so completely meets the aspirations of the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, we are at a loss to understand how the needs of the deaf community will be met, if not by us.

“Is it now considered enough to provide access to the arts through the use of interpreters? Access without representation cannot meet the aims of the National Plan. No other cultural and linguistic minority is expected to settle for access alone.”

The festival was started in 2022 by Deaf Action – the world’s oldest deaf charity and first formally constituted deaf organisation.

Having demonstrated the potential, value and demand for the event two funding applications were made to Creative Scotland in 2023.

A vital bid for funding of just under £110,000 to support the running of the festival was rejected in July 2023, just weeks before the festival was due to start. But having received a positive assessment and been encouraged to reapply, Deaf Action dug deep into its own resources and worked with corporate sponsors to deliver a version of the festival that, whilst scaled down when compared to the original ambitions, was still something the deaf community could be proud of.

However, on their second application, a £216,000 bid to secure the future of the festival in 2024 and 2025 was also turned down and the charity cannot make up this level of shortfall.

Mr Gerrard said: “We have now written to Creative Scotland, to the Scottish Government and to MSPs calling on them to review this decision or help us find another way forward.

“We are determined to do all we can to fight for the future of this festival, of our community, and for the chance for deaf people to have the arts and cultural opportunities that the rest of society enjoys.”

In a quiet ceremony in New Calton Burial Ground, a wreath was laid to mark the 175^th anniversary of the death of William McNab. He was the former Chief Gardener of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) and a great unsung Scottish horticulturist of the 19^th century.

The garland, created by Botanics’ Herbaceous Supervisor Kirsty Wilson from natural materials in the Garden, is the culmination of a year-long botanical event which began, in late 2022, with the planting of over 200 carefully selected bulbs, tubers and corms on McNab’s untended grave. As each month passed, new flowers bloomed in succession – from tulips in April to crocosmia in August – blossoming in celebration of the life and achievements of this remarkable Scottish son.

As well as his immense horticultural experience, McNab (1780–1848) was also an innovator and responsible for the safe removal of thousands of plants from the Garden’s third site on Leith Walk to its current location in Inverleith. Using his tree transporting machine, McNab successfully transported large shrubs and trees through the streets to the new site – an amazing venture that was celebrated in Sara Sheridan’s novel The Fair Botanists.

The Edinburgh Ukraine partnership received two awards – Commercial Partnerships & Voluntary Sector Partnerships – at the Public Service Awards which were hosted at The Scottish Parliament.

The Commercial Partnerships Award was made to the Edinburgh Ukrainian Welcome Hub in recognition of the support provided by Natwest and The City of Edinburgh Council to establish the facility at Gogarburn which welcomed over 11,000 Ukrainians seeking safe refuge in Scotland. 

The Voluntary Sector Partnerships award – Edinburgh’s Warm Scots Welcome – was made to EVOC, Volunteer Edinburgh, Capital City Partnership and AUGB Edinburgh on behalf of Edinburgh’s third sector who have supported the response over the last 21 months. 

The work of third sector organisations delivering food provision, mental health support, youth work and children’s integration, English language, social and cultural support etc has been critical to Edinburgh’s Warm Scottish Welcome and will continue to be critical as we look forward to the Warm Scottish Future.

Both awards are collected on behalf of the 26,000 Ukrainians who now call Scotland their home.

In addition at the same awards ceremony the Integrated Regional Employability and Skills Programme (IRES), which is part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal programme, won the Project and Programme Management Award. This is a policy to drive inclusive growth, with a promise of delivering an additional 14,700 skill improvements in Edinburgh and the region and help 5.300 people into employment.

Council Leader Cllr Cammy Day said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see the fantastic work in our city being recognised.

“Edinburgh’s solidarity and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainians who now call Edinburgh home is unwavering. These awards highlight the extensive partnership work between local government, third sector, private sector and other partners that has taken place across the city since the start of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine in February 2022. As we shift our focus from welcoming our Ukrainian guests to helping with settling into their new lives here in Edinburgh, this strength of partnership is as important as ever. I’d like to wholeheartedly thank all our partners and the people of Edinburgh for all their efforts.

“Employment, upskilling, and improving the working lives of our residents are also key priorities, and it’s great to see that these have been recognised in IRES’s award.”

For the first time in its 150-year history, Scottish Premiership football club, Heart of Midlothian, has unveiled its plans to launch a new 25-bedroom hotel and events space as part of its growth plans in early 2024. 

Integrated within the main stand at the iconic Tynecastle Park in the west of the city, this will be the UK’s first club-owned and operated hotel inside a football stadium.

The Tynecastle Park Hotel will offer a choice of individually styled guest rooms, including family, executive and accessible rooms. There will also be a club lounge and a choice of six new dedicated meeting, conference and event spaces. 

The 25 guest rooms are being designed to a high specification, offering comfort and quality throughout, including en-suite shower rooms with marble finish, monsoon showers and emperor-size beds. Selected guest rooms will use the latest technology to provide guests with the option of a live view of the pitch or city skyline on HD plasma screens. 

The well-established and award-winning Skyline Restaurant, which sits on the top floor of the main stand will be open seven days a week offering overnight guests and non-residents the finest Scottish seasonal menus.

The new Tynecastle Park Hotel provides easy access to the city centre, Edinburgh Airport and Murrayfield Stadium for people looking for high quality, contemporary accommodation as part of an Edinburgh city break. 

Ann Budge from Tynecastle Park Hotel and Heart of Midlothian Football Club, said: “Tynecastle Park is set to offer a truly unique hotel experience in our iconic Tynecastle Park Stadium – the home of Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Owned and operated entirely by the club, the hotel is Hearts’ newest and boldest venture. It’s also the only hotel of its kind found anywhere in the UK.

“As part of our ambitious growth plans both on and off the pitch, our in-house hospitality team will take full responsibility for running the hotel and providing one-of-a-kind matchday experience and guest stays.

“The hotel rooms and additional conference and events space will offer the club an ideal opportunity to host even more events at Tynecastle while appealing to the millions of visitors that Edinburgh attracts each year as the UK’s second most visited city.”

Ms Budge added: “As well as our vast supporter base both in the local area and from further afield, we hope to attract international visitors and guests from around the UK looking for high quality, contemporary accommodation as part of an Edinburgh city break.

“It’s not just a hotel for football fans. Tynecastle Park Hotel is ideally positioned within a few minutes of the city centre, Murrayfield Stadium and the Edinburgh tram line. Also located on the right side of the city for Edinburgh Airport, this will be a perfect location for all types of visitors, including business travellers.”

Driven by a vision of self-sustainability, community and growth, the Tynecastle Park Hotel is owned and managed completely by the football club. The success of the hotel directly supports the ambitions of the club.

The opening offer of dinner, bed and breakfast will be available from £150 per room per night, based on two people sharing. Limited guest parking will also be available. 

For further updates from Tynecastle Park Hotel go to tynecastleparkhotel.com

From Monday parking on pavements is illegal in Scotland, although Edinburgh will delay enforcing the new rules until January.

It will be illegal to park on pavements, double park, park at crossing points, park on verges between roads and pavements.

The new rules are intended to make it safer for pedestrians and for those who have children in prams and buggies, as well as wheelchair users.

It is intended to minimise the damage to pavements which are expensive to repair and become a trip hazard for everyone.

Parking attendants will have powers to issue Penalty charge notices (parking tickets) to vehicles parked on pavements, at crossing points or double parked. A parking ticket will be issued at the national level of £100 but reduced to £50 if paid within the first 14 days. This follows a similar process to existing parking tickets issued in Edinburgh.

The Council has decided that there will be no exemptions proposed to allow any one to park on pavements or footways in the city. We will write to residents in streets where there are already pavement parking problems. Making them aware of the forthcoming changes and asking them to park their vehicles safely. 

You can now tell the council about incorrect parking on footways, double parking and parking at dropped crossings using their report incorrectly parked vehicles online form.

Enforcement of the new rules will start in 2024, but the council may still take action if there is an existing kerb side restriction. 

More information on the new rules here.

Get into the festive spirit with the Mercat Grill’s line up of December events

The award-winning, family-owned bar and restaurant, The Mercat Grill in the village of Whitecraig in East Lothian has put together a cracking array of events, to get you into the festive mood this December along with its Festive Dining menu. 

On 10 December, it’s the Mercat Grill’s first ever Wing Bowl Competition, for all lovers of American football and hot chicken wings!  And, to get into the Hogmanay groove, rugby’s oldest intercity rivalry game takes place with the 1872 Cup between Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors on 30 December at 3pm, on live at the Mercat Grill!     

Hot off the press the Mercat Grill’s charity Doggy Calendar 2024, featuring smashing, professional photos of many of the pub’s favourite fido friends is on sale now.  A pawfect present for dog lovers.  It’s a suggested donation of £10 per calendar with all proceeds going to the very worthy charity, the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home.   

Enter the Mercat Grill’s First Ever Wing Bowl Competition – On Sunday 10 December, from 4pm – the venue will be holding their first ever Wing Bowl competition followed by an evening of American football matches, as the NFL season continues.

Wing Bowl was an annual eating contest, started across the pond in Philadelphia where an audience would come along and watch two contestants munch as many buffalo wings as they could, the Friday before the Super Bowl (the final match of the NFL season’s games)!  

At the Mercat Grill’s event – everyone can take part and they’ll have the chance to devour their famous haggis cigars and specially prepared hot, tasty chicken wings.  All participants will be timed and the fastest will go through to the next heat and then ultimately, the final.

Tickets cost £25pp and each contestant will get a Wing Bowl t-shirt and a place in the competition.  For those that don’t wish to enter but would like to come along for £25, they’ll get a t-shirt plus burger and a drink.     

The Mercat Grill is also offering a Festive Dining menu, which they are serving until 21^st December. Priced at £25 for two-courses and £29.50 for three courses and served between 12pm until 7:30pm. Deposit is £10pp.    

December’s 1872 Cup – Edinburgh Rugby V Glasgow Warriors – This will be broadcast at the Mercat Grill, on Saturday 30 December, with kick off at 3pm.  It’s rugby’s oldest inter-city rivalry which returns with its traditional festive slot, just before Hogmanay  Enjoy the match and banter at the bar with fellow rugby enthusiasts.  

To book any of the above, please call 0800 124 4112.  

The Mercat Grill | 10 Whitecraig Road | Whitecraig | East Lothian | EH21 8PG |www.mercatgrill.com |

ScotRail is reminding customers to check their journey before travelling on Sunday, as the new timetable comes into effect.

One of the key highlights of the timetable will see the introduction of modern Class 380 electric trains on local services between Barrhead and Glasgow Central. The recent electrification of the route has paved the way for more sustainable, eco-friendly journeys, ensuring that customers benefit from a more comfortable and reliable service.  

The timetable change will also see an hourly service operate on the Cathcart Circle throughout the day, Monday to Saturday. This improvement will nearly double the number of services calling at Langside, PollokshawsEast, Shawlands, Maxwell Park, and Pollokshields West. It will provide passengers at other stations in south Glasgow with more options and flexibility.  

Eighteen additional limited-stop services will be introduced on the route between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Shotts each day, Monday to Saturday. This will provide customers at Livingston South, West Calder, and Shotts with fast journey opportunities and more convenient connections to both Edinburgh and Glasgow.   

Sundays will also become even more accessible and convenient for customers traveling between Gourock and Glasgow with the introduction of additional trains. Recognising the demand for weekend travel, a new half-hourly service will operate between Gourock and Glasgow Central on Sundays.   

The new timetable will see changes between Dundee and Inverurie, delivering improvements to service reliability, particularly at local stations between Dundee and Aberdeen.   

Additional stops are being added to services between Glasgow Queen Street and Aberdeen, and between Edinburgh Waverley and Aberdeen, creating new direct journey opportunities between communities in Angus and Aberdeenshire.   

The change will see a reduction in local services for customers in the northeast, however, the timetable introduced in December will better connect them with Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, and Glasgow whilst maintaining the overall number of journey opportunities.  

Customers in East Lothian will benefit from ScotRail’s Dunbar to Edinburgh services calling additionally at Wallyford to access the mobility hub there, as well as East Linton when the new station opens.   

A later service will operate between Inverness and Elgin on a trial basis to benefit customers in Moray. This will depart Inverness at 22.12. The 21.34 Inverness to Aberdeen service will continue to operate as at present.   

The new timetable is introduced during the train operator’s off-peak all day fares trial which started on 2 October and will run for six months. 

With the new timetable coming into place, customers are encouraged to check their journey on the ScotRail website, mobile app, and through social media channels as train times may have changed.  

Customers can check train times at scotrail.co.uk and on the ScotRail app. Timetables are also available to download from the ScotRail website.   

David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:   “Our December timetable change represents another step in our ongoing commitment to deliver the best service we can, and encourage more people to choose rail travel instead of using the car, particularly during our off-peak all day fares trial.  

“From the introduction of electric trains to increased frequency on key routes and enhanced service reliability, we are dedicated to making Scotland’s Railway more accessible and efficient.  

“There is a lot of ongoing investment in our network with decarbonisation continuing, and improvements across the network. This new timetable is an important part of that. 

“We’re asking all of our customers to make sure they check their journeys before they try to travel tomorrow as train times may have changed.” 

Cameron Critchlow claimed a double as Manchester Storm shutout Fife Flyers to snap a six-game losing run with a 4-0 victory in the Elite League.

It took Storm 14 minutes to break the deadlock, Critchlow netting, and 14 minutes after that they went further ahead, Will Merchant scoring.

Critchlow netted his second and Storm’s third nine minutes later giving the visitors a mountain to climb.

And Storm blew Fife away with a fourth from Tyler Hinam with less than seven minutes left in a game in which Storm outshot Fife 62 to 29.

Flagging Fife have now gone five games without a win in all competitions and they slip to the bottom of the ten-strong league.

Other results from Saturday are Dundee Stars 2, Cardiff Devils 4; Coventry Blaze 3, Belfast Giants 2. 

On Sunday, Fife host league pace-setters Sheffield Steelers (17.15) and Glasgow Clan, who are third, are at home to second-placed Cardiff Devils (17.00)

PICTURE: Fife v Manchester earlier this season by Jillian McFarlane

Leighton Clarkson netted two minutes into injury time to secure a 2-1 victory for struggling Aberdeen over Hearts at rain-soaked Pittodrie.

The goal followed a breakaway move down the right when Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes latched on to a ball from inside the Aberdeen half. He drove towards the Beach End byline before sending a low ball across the box.

Blackburn-born Clarkson was lurking at the far post an made no mistake from close in to spark celebrations in the home side’s dugout and in the stands at Pittodrie.

Records indicate that Aberdeen have won their last eight home games against Hearts who now travel to Celtic next Saturday following their narrow home defeat in midweek to the other half of the Old Firm.

The much-needed three points lifted some of the pressure from Dons’ boss Barry Robson and increased the heat on his opposite number, Steven Naismith, who has suffered back-to-back defeats in three days.

Earlier, Hearts started strongly, forcing Aberdeen back, and it looked promising for The Men in Maroon when Lawrence Shankland nodded home an Alex Cochrane corner after 20 minutes.

The home fans became restless as Aberdeen have previously won only three of their 14 games in the cinch Premiership, but the Aberdeen picked up their play and responded positively.

They levelled when Jamie McGrath fed Bojan Miovski with a prod from inside the Hearts penalty box and the highly-rated striker made no mistake to claim his 12th of the season.

Substitute Duk came off the bench and made a difference and his pace left Kye Rowles (pictured) at a critical moment to give him space to cross for the game-winner and take Aberdeen to ninth spot in the 12-strong table with only their second home win of the campaign.

The defeat drops Hearts from third to fifth in the table and Hibs climb to fourth with 24 points thanks to their 1-0 victory at bottom club Livingston courtesy of a Martin Boyle counter after 28 minutes and St Mirren are in third on 25 points following their 2-0 home win over Ross County.  

Foysol Choudhury MSP chaired the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Improving Scotland’s Health when a presentation was made by Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland, about the body’s Economy and Poverty Programme, health trends and the importance of addressing health-harming commodities.

The CPG focuses on action which could be taken, such as reducing the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy foods, to reduce illness and deaths in Scotland such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

Following the meeting, Mr Choudhury highlighted the concerning health disparities between Scotland’s richest and poorest communities.

He said: “The concerning health trends we heard about at the meeting have raised alarm bells for me yet again about the disparity in life expectancy between Scotland’s richest and poorest communities. 

“This is something I have raised before and will continue to raise until we see improvements in the quality of life for all in Scotland-until a time when where you are born will not affect your chance to live a long and healthy life. 

“CEO of Public Health Scotland Paul Johnston noted in his presentation on Wednesday that change is possible, if we invest time, energy and resources into prevention now. 

“That is why the work of this CPG is so vital, to ensure action is taken and preventative frameworks are put in place to support the future of Scotland’s health for the next generation.” 

The Old Manor Hotel at Lundin Links is offering festive afternoon teas, served either in the Seaview Restaurant, or in its newly named 1864 Lounge, priced at £19.95 per person. 

Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm till 4 pm, all the flavours of Christmas are included in the tempting array of sweet and savoury treats.  Sandwich fillings on offer are turkey and cranberry, honey roast ham and roast beef, with other savouries such as pork, sage and onion sausage rolls, and brie and cranberry parcels.

Along with freshly baked scones with jam and cream, diners can indulge in salted caramel brownies, reindeer shortbread, coconut snowballs and raspberry cheesecake bites.

Steven Carleschi, Operations Manager at the Old Manor Hotel said: “Afternoon tea continues to enjoy such a resurgence in popularity.

“We are delighted to offer these fantastic festive afternoon teas at this price point. There really is something for everyone to enjoy. Just let us know at time of booking if you need veggie, gluten-free or vegan choices, and we will be happy to oblige.

“Our newly refurbished lounge has been named in recognition of the year that the building now housing our fine hotel was first built – 1864. It’s a fitting setting in which to serve our teas, plus it’s looking very festive! Or you can sit in the aptly named Seaview Restaurant with its stunning views of the golf course and beyond.”

www.theoldmanorhotel.co.uk.

To book call 01333 320368.

Corstorphine Cougars rugby club are entitled to be thinking big today after receiving a £250,000 grant from Scottish Rugby towards new facilities at their Union Park ground.

John Peden, club President, said: “This is a real game changer for Corstorphine Cougars giving us facilities to compete with the best clubs in Edinburgh and beyond.”

The new pavilion facilities will include:

• Four modernised and enlarged changing rooms each with a separate entrance, changing area, toilets and showers
• A new match officials changing room with two changing and showering areas to facilitate male and female referees.
• A new strength and conditioning area to help players reach their playing potential and improve the performance of both men’s and women’s teams on the park.
• Additional rooms for let to help generate income to cover the additional costs.
• More storage areas to help support our increased activities.

Planning started around five years ago and President Peden added: “This is an incredibly exciting development for the community taking what we all accept is a bit of an eyesore and making it into a community hub to be proud of. We want this to be the springboard to a major growth period in our playing numbers at minis, youth and senior level for men and women with facilities that attract more players and helpers to a club on the up. We are looking for all those boys, girls, men and women who want to enjoy and improve their rugby to join us at the start of an exciting future at Cougars.”

The Pavilion dates back to the 1870’s and has been used for rugby and other sports, such as cricket, it is believed to be one of the oldest sporting pavilions still standing. Work is hoped to start almost immediately as the club looks to strip back the derelict flat. The main build work will then take place in the summer of 2024 with a very aggressive timeline to complete as much as possible for the start of season 2024/25.

Steve Wright, Commercial Director & Project Lead, added: “It’s been a long held ambition of the club to do more with the facilities and securing this funding has been critical to the project. We are very grateful to the SRU, sportScotland and other benefactors for their generous contributions which will secure the future of rugby in Corstorphine for generations to come.”

More than £80,000 has been raised already in donations from members, but more is needed if we are to complete the project as quickly as we hope. If you want to do your little bit to leave a rugby legacy in the community, then please reach out to Stevie Wright (Stevewright1968@aol.com) who can help outline the donation options in more detail.

Scottish Rugby said in a statement on their website: “The Major Capital Investment award is part of the ‘Growth & Participation Fund’ and was established from the £5 million Scottish Government funding during the Covid-19 pandemic. This funding strand is designed to support clubs with developments to their physical infrastructure including the purchase, upgrade or construction of their clubhouse facility.

“Improvements will be integrated with the existing facilities on-site … which will be of particular benefit to the club’s women’s section, whose First XV team plays in the Premiership league, the top flight of the domestic game.

Corstorphine men currently sit mid-table in East Region Division Two.

by Blane Savage, University of the West of Scotland

Marking his immense contribution to the creative life of Scotland, a great outpouring of affection for the artist and playwright John Byrne followed the announcement that he had died at the age of 83 – fittingly perhaps – on St Andrew’s Day.

His impressive catalogue of outstanding works developed over the last 60 years has become synonymous with the Scottish cultural landscape, and garnered him international recognition.

His desire to create extraordinary pieces of work burned fiercely to the end. A cultural polymath, Byrne traversed a number of genres throughout his illustrious career, with successes as a playwright, painter, screenwriter, set designer, costume designer, illustrator, muralist and printmaker.

His retrospective at Kelvingrove Art Galleries in Glasgow in the summer of 2022 was a fitting tribute to his remarkable talents. His legacy was primarily portraits of actors and musicians, also including many self-portraits, figurative works, gable-end murals, illustrations, cartoons, album covers and films.

More recently he designed mural work for the ceiling of the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh, and on the side of a city centre building in Glasgow, marking his friend Billy Connolly’s 75th birthday. His paintings hang in galleries all over Scotland, including his beloved Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

Finding his way

Born into an Irish-Catholic family in January 1940, Byrne grew up in Ferguslie Park in Paisley, one of Scotland’s most deprived housing schemes. Many might expect this experience to have deeply marked and influenced his work. But there is rarely any sign of darkness or trauma in any of his artworks or writings; in fact, his art is predominantly joyful and irreverent, often displaying a gentle playfulness.

Byrne struggled to make a living as an artist after leaving Glasgow School of Art in 1963, and after a few years he decided to create an alter-ego called “Patrick”. Under this name he submitted some primitive-style artwork to the Portal Gallery in London which he pretended was painted by his father. It was accepted and exhibited in 1967, kicking off Byrne’s professional artistic career down south.

The exhibition attracted the attention of The Beatles who considered using his artwork on their albums. It didn’t happen then, but in 1980, Byrne’s work appeared on The Beatles Ballads compilation album, and seemed to perfectly encapsulate their style.

Alongside his art he progressively developed his writing skills in the 1970s, becoming fully immersed in the world of theatre. In 1973 he created the pop-up-book set for John McGrath’s play The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil, which explored the exploitation of Scotland’s land and people over the centuries.

His own successes soon followed in Writer’s Cramp (1976) and The Slab Boys (1978) – based on his own experiences working in a carpet factory in the 1950s. The play made its way to Broadway in 1983 where the leads were played by fledgling actors Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon.

Then came the multiple Bafta-winning Tutti Frutti (1987), starring Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson, and Your Cheatin’ Heart (1990) where he met Tilda Swinton, mother of two of his children.

Seeing the world

Byrne’s extraordinary talent was grounded in his exploration of the human experience, always at the heart of both his scripts and his visual artworks. He was the architect of narratives exploring deeply human characters and their complex relationships, capturing specific periods in time.

His love of RnB and rock’n’roll, together with his close friendships with musicians and actors drove his early artworks through album cover designs, paintings, portraits and caricatures. Besides The Beatles Ballads album, he created covers for Gerry Rafferty, Stealers Wheel and Billy Connolly, whom Byrne painted several times.

His visit to Los Angeles with the Scots singer Donovan had a significant impact, inspiring watercolour studies such as the gentle Burnt Orange LA (1971), and larger scale paintings of black musicians which were exhibited in Glasgow on his return. This fascination seeped into his artistic fantasy lands including The Messiah (2015), a tryptic of musical figures in a fictional American city.

Seeing himself

His portraits, in which he wrestled to understand both himself and the personalities who sat for him, provide insight into a deeply personal journey. His portraiture was often comedic, and full of playfulness and irreverence, particularly when it came to his own reflected image.

In real life Byrne always cut a dash. Tall and striking with a distinctive hooked nose and a head of wild grey curls, he carried off his own look effortlessly, sporting tweed jackets, stripy tops, a colourful bandana at his throat and a yellowing half-smoked roll-up hanging permanently from his lips.

His many self-portraits were larger than life, often set within city and seascapes, using a variety of mediums. In his earlier works, such as Self-portrait with Red Palette (1975), they can be serious and melancholic, and later on, full of humour where he does not take himself too seriously. But in more recent works, such as Big Selfie (2014), for example, darker traits revealed themselves, as Byrne mused on his mortality and image as the ageing artist.

In 2002 at the age of 62, Byrne discovered that his adored grandfather Patrick McShane was in fact his father, and that he was the product of an incestuous relationship. Byrne felt bitter at the time, and that it explained the long-term mental illness that blighted the life of his mother Alice and his own childhood. But the artist reconciled himself to it and only went public with the information 15 years later.

This resilience, this ability to accept and understand the frailty of human experience on the edge of working-class communities is what elevates the Paisley artist’s work, his way of seeing things. His compassion, his humour and the quintessential Scottishness of his art and writing all highlight John Byrne’s rightful place as one of Scotland’s finest and most prolific artists. He will be missed.

Blane Savage, Lecturer in MA Creative Media Practice and BA(Hons) New Media Art, University of the West of Scotland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Santa Helps the Cycling Gardeners deliver Christmas For Tollcross Treeworks.

Director of Cycling Gardeners, Callum Ross, has teamed up with local farmer James Nesbit for the past three years as Tollcross Tree Works, delivering the highest quality trees and a bit of winter cheer. To make life even easier they are using their cargo bikes for deliveries in town.

The Cycling Gardeners were previously known as Andrew James gardens, but they ditched their vans, bought cargo bikes and now operate from a yard in Tollcross.

The Gardeners are dedicated to their Green agenda making the use of the bikes essential. They can carry up to four trees on a bike with a trailer meaning fewer vehicles on the road, less pollution and fitter gardeners with less hassle over traffic and parking.

The yard has freshly cut Norman Firs and Fraser Firs in stock and advise on how to choose the perfect tree: “The Norman Firs are the much loved standard classic that everyone loves. Broad and bushy and perfect for most homes. For people with smaller Edinburgh flats but who still have high ceilings the Fraser Firs are thinner while retaining a weightiness and that great Christmas tree smell.”

The Gardeners moved into the Christmas tree business with James as he had family contacts in Pitlochry where the highest quality trees are grown. As with everything with the gardeners quality product is all important and these trees deliver that in spades as does the excellent service

The yard is manned from Thursday till Sunday where you can see the selection of trees. Make your choice and one of Santa’s helpers will pull it out for you to check it meets your needs. Trees can be taken away immediately, be put aside to be picked up or have it delivered when time suits.

Callum Ross said: “Santa really is impressed especially with the Cargo Bikes. A lack of snow in Edinburgh makes using the Sleigh problematic. A bike could be just the thing for him. He is so keen to try one you could find him doing a delivery shift with your tree.

“Being part of the community is very important to the Gardeners. The yard is lit up and with music being played and a great smell coming from the trees. Being open to the public in the dreich December days certainly brings a bit of cheer to the local residents as does the site of the bikes setting off with their deliveries.

“We are part of the cargo bike revolution and have had great support from charities and organisation such as Sustrans, Spokes, The Cargo Bike Movement  and Energy Saving Trust.”

James Nisbet said: “The yard has freshly cut Norman Firs and Fraser Firs in stock. The Norman Firs are the much loved standard classic that everyone loves. Broad and bushy and perfect for most homes. For people with a smaller Edinburgh flats but still with high ceilings the Fraser Firs are thinner whilst still being a a dense heavy tree and that beautiful Christmas smell.”