The spectacular sight of a flying visit from Santa marked the start of Conifox Adventure Park’s magical festive extravaganza. 

Leaving Rudolph and the other reindeer to rest, he hitched a lift and was helicoptered into the park along with his elves at Kirkliston near Edinburgh, by helpers Adventure001 Experiences, specialists in Edinburgh sightseeing trips. 

Santa’s arrival began this year’s popular Conifox Christmas Experience which is now even better than ever as Conifox has partnered with events specialists 21CC Productions which is also providing the lighting and effects. 

From now until Christmas Eve, families can enjoy a carnival of festive fun, immerse themselves in the world of Santa Claus and all their favourite festive characters, enjoy a Christmas Funfair, in partnership with Taylor’s of Edinburgh Funfair, (a wee reminder take some cash with you!) and an outdoor Christmas Market supporting local Scottish traders. There will also be various food vendors and a bar available for evening refreshments.   

Among many attractions, they can visit is Whoville – look out for the Grinch – the Magic Forest, Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, the Elf Disco Village and Reindeer Flying School, Santa’s Sweet Shop and the Naughty or Nice Scanner. 

Santa will also be back in his sitting room to welcome every child who will receive a Golden Christmas Coin to exchange in the Toy Workshop for a gift of their choice. We found the gifts to be quality items although the choice takes some time as there are a lot on display! Then as darkness falls the winter wonderland lights up with 21CC’s effects.  

James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “With the arrival of Santa the countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun and we’d like to thank Adventure001 Experiences for whisking him in to get the celebrations started. 

“This year, we’ll also be supporting local charity Kids Love Clothes with their Christmas Toy Appeal and to show our support, we will be donating two hundred toys as well as using our Activity Centre as a drop-off point for any new toy donations.  

“With your support, we can reach families who are struggling to look forward to Christmas this year so please support by dropping off a new toy whilst you are here.” 

The Conifox Christmas Experience runs on selected dates until December 24, with entrance times at 15-minute intervals. Admission to the indoor Activity Centre and Adventure Park is not included with the tickets purchased for Christmas Experience Days or Nights, but they can be booked online. 

To book tickets and for full terms and conditions, please visit: www.conifox.co.uk/whats-on 

For more information about Conifox Adventure Park please visit: www.conifox.co.uk/ 

Tenants co-produce resource to better understand older LGBT+ adults.

Tenants from a leading housing and care provider are playing a vital role in creating a diverse and inclusive community.

Members of Bield’s Equality Network have co-produced a ‘guide to terms’ resource to help educate others and ensure that services meet the needs of LGBT+ tenants.

The volunteer-led group focus on inclusivity and fostering a safe and social environment by bringing together like-minded tenants to create a social space where they are encouraged to share their experiences and ideas.

Zhan McIntyre, Head of Policy and Customer Standards at Bield, said: “The new resource has been given to all members of staff and is also available in all Bield developments across Scotland.

“The resource covers why improving our understanding of our LGBT+ tenants helps us demonstrate our values of equality and diversity, kindness and caring.

“As a group historically subjected to prejudice and discrimination, we need to take extra steps to ensure that Bield is a welcoming organisation for LGBT+ tenants in practice and perception and our developments are safe for them.

“The guide is available to help colleagues and tenants understand the different terms and provides an overview of gender pronouns.  We hope it will remove any uncertainty around the appropriate language to use when interacting with members of the LGBT+ community.

“Our Equality Network has played a key role in developing this resource and have used their own personal experiences to ensure all information is up to date and reflective of real challenges.

“In addition to this resource, we also launched our Older Persons Rainbow Network this year to promote inclusion, celebrate diversity, support marginalised groups and ultimately break down stigmas surrounding these communities.”

The Older Persons Rainbow Network meet monthly to explore the experiences of older LGBT+ people living in social housing and discuss the practical steps which can be taken to help promote inclusion and celebrate diversity.

The group is open to all LGBT+ tenants in sheltered and retirement housing across Scotland, not just Bield tenants, as well as any allies who are interested in making a difference for LGBT+ tenants.

Anyone interested in attending the virtual group should contact feedback@bield.co.uk in order to receive a link to the meeting.

Bield is a registered charity dedicated to providing flexible housing solutions and support for older people.  Bield Housing and Care has 180 developments across Scotland, providing independent living for those aged 55+.

https://www.bield.co.uk/housing-and-other-services

• Think you know Scouting – think again! 
• Scouts inspire and enable a generation  
• The volunteers are everyday heroes 

Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 29 November at 7.30pm here https://sesscouts.org.uk/edinburgh-north-east-scouts-information-event/  

This event is taking place online to fit in around family, work and life – and it only lasts an hour but will provide would-be volunteers with all the information they need.

Edinburgh North East Scouts

Did you know Edinburgh North East Scouts has almost 100 young people on a waiting list to join? And they need new helpers to support their 14 Scout Groups in Portobello, Craigentinny,Craigmillar, Duddingston, Calton, Joppa, Stockbridge, Pilrig, Broughton, Trinity, Leith, Newhaven, Wardie and Willowbrae. Sign up for this event to find out about the exciting things the Scout Groups get up to and flexible volunteering opportunities.  

Scouting goes far beyond being a progressive programme of activities designed to help the young develop holistically. It provides a foundation for great values to live by: helpfulness, friendship, cooperation; respect for self and for others; understanding and tolerance; integrity based on loyalty, honesty and trust; leadership, resourcefulness and courage in the face of difficulties. 

What could be more important to nurturing the kind of society all want to live in? 

This is why it matters profoundly and why we need even more support from volunteers, employers and decision-makers like you. With just a little of your resources – time, talent, money, and goodwill – we can make a huge difference. 

Scouting welcomes women and men of all ages, interests and backgrounds to support the organisation. There is no need to have been involved in Scouting or Guiding before; all that is required is a willingness to give some of your time and a positive attitude.

It’s a great way to make friends as the adult members have a lively social and activity programme and many people find that the free training they receive helps in both their professional and personal lives. 

It’s not all outdoor adventure for our adult volunteers, they help across a range of subjects from drama and arts through to providing much needed organisational support, on logistics, training, mentoring, administration, marketing, fundraising and as charity trustees. The list of opportunities is almost endless. 

Demand by young people to join Scouts in the Edinburgh North East area is healthy which is good but the youth waiting list is growing. To reduce this they need new adult volunteers and together they will enable more local young people to benefit from Scouting.  Edinburgh North East Scouts is looking to the local community and organisations to help change the lives of local young people. They are appealing for help to reduce the youth waiting list and support 100 more young people to benefit from Scouts.  

District Commissioner, Rob Whitelaw, said, “This isn’t a job application, and you certainly don’t have to be an adventurer like Bear Grylls to get involved with Scouting and in fact not many of our volunteers are! Do you have first aid knowledge? Are you good with numbers? Handy in the kitchen? Or are you a DIY whizz? We all have useful skills, and you can volunteer and help in many ways. Are you ready to inspire a generation of young people to experience fun, friendship and real adventure? The opportunities to volunteer with us are flexible. Think of something you’d like to do, and chances are it’s just what we require. Whatever your skills, experience and interests, we can find a role for you!” 

Think you know Scouting? Thing Again! Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 29 November at 7.30pm herehttps://sesscouts.org.uk/edinburgh-north-east-scouts-information-event/ and watch this short video below.

Edinburgh’s Christmas produced by Unique Assembly will take place in East and West Princes Street Gardens and also on George Street.

Here is your quick guide to what is on and how to book tickets. Remember that if you have an EH postcode you will get a 20% discount by booking online.

All events open today, Friday – some from 10am this morning and others will open later in the day.

26 November – A Family Ceilidh will be held at the Ross Bandstand in a free unticketed event from 1pm to 4pm.

27 November The Nativity Blessing and Carol Concert at Ross Bandstand in collaboration with Edinburgh Churches Together. From 1pm to 2.45pm and 3pm to 4pm. Singing for all the family.

3 December Family silent disco – tickets £3 at Ross Bandstand from 2pm to 5pm.

Christmas Tree Maze is in SantaLand in Princes Street Gardens Tickets from £5.00

Santa Stories is in West Princes Street Gardens – sessions for up to 25 children and last about 25 minutes Tickets from £3.50

Forth 1 Big Wheel in East Princes Street Gardens next to the Scott Monument offers great views and thrills. Each pod takes 6 people and some can take manual wheelchairs. Tickets from £10.00

Lidl on Ice is on George Street next to Charlotte Square. This is only for children taller than 1.2 metres and children’s size skates 8 to adult size 15. Skating aid penguins are available for an extra £5. As well as the ice rink on George Street there are funfair rides for the whole family. Details here.

Edinburgh’s Christmas Market is in East Princes Street Gardens. Stalls with food and drink and artisanal festive goods.

Santa Fun Run and Walk – on 4 December 2022 at West Princes Street Gardens raising money for charity When you Wish Upon a Star. Adult tickets £15 and junior tickets £5.

Santa Land is in West Princes Street Gardens on the lower level and includes a Funfair with rides for little ones – for example tickets for Dodgems is £6 per car. Full list of prices at the link – and you may need cash on the day. Santa Land also includes Winter Windows which is free to view – each one designed by a pupil at one of the Edinburgh schools. SantaLand also includes Santa Stories with its vintage funfair and the Christmas Maze. Full details about accessibility on the Winter Festivals website.

Festival of Kindness is in St Andrew Square and is being run together with Social Bite. Free and unticketed but this is an opportunity for the charity to raise funds to spread festive cheer to those who are homeless and vulnerable this Christmas.

Police in Edinburgh have launched this year’s campaign to keep those who live, work and visit Edinburgh safe during the festive season.

Running between Saturday 25 November, 2022 and Tuesday 3 January 2023 inclusive, Operation Winter City is a dedicated and high-visibility policing presence throughout the city centre, providing public reassurance and deterring criminal activity.

With no Covid restrictions in place this year, it is anticipated that that the capital’s attractions will return to full capacity, with licensed and retail premises expected to be considerably busier than recent festive periods.

Throughout the operation, officers will undertake foot and mobile patrols across the city centre, to engage with the public, offer reassurance and respond to any incidents that may arise.

The officers working as part of Operation Winter City look forward to engaging with the public and offering a range of crime prevention and personal safety information and anyone visiting the city centre is encouraged to go and speak with them, should they require anything.

A number of specialist and national resources will also support the scheme.

Superintendent Sam Ainslie, Gold Commander for Operation Winter City, said: “I am privileged to be leading this year’s event, and with no restrictions in place, I fully expect that the city centre will be back to its vibrant best.

“As with all other times of the year, we remain committed to ensuring that everyone enjoys Edinburgh’s events, attractions and venues safely. However, notwithstanding our efforts, the public also have a vital role in helping us achieve this.

“I would ask that if you are heading into the city centre at any point over Christmas and New Year, that you make sure that you know how you will be travelling, both there and back. Please also ensure that you keep hold of your belongings at all times.

“Know your limits when drinking, and don’t ruin your or someone else’s night out by the over-consumption of alcohol. You will undoubtedly see our officers out on patrol, engaging with licensed premises staff and keeping Edinburgh’s communities safe. Violent or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated, and should you become involved in a crime linked to alcohol, we can impose ‘Think Twice’ bail conditions, which will mean that you won’t be permitted to visit another pub, club or shop that sells alcohol in the city centre until the conclusion of your trial. Please don’t take the risk.

“As with other major events in Edinburgh, we will benefit from the additional support offered by officers and staff drawn from across Police Scotland, and I am grateful for the efforts of all colleagues forming part of Operation Winter City 2022.

“We will regularly post what our officers are doing to keep you safe during this year’s campaign, including crime prevention and personal safety updates, so please follow Edinburgh Police Division on Facebook, or on Twitter @EdinburghPolice.

“ As ever, Edinburgh City Division wishes you and your loved ones a safe festive period”.

A new exhibition of street photography by the artist Paul Duke (b.1965) this November, depicting contemporary life in the Muirhouse area of Edinburgh, opens at the capital’s City Art Centre.

‘Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone’ features 38 large-scale black and white photographs documenting the built environment and residents of Muirhouse. It is accompanied by a short film by Julian Ward, in which Paul Duke talks about his work and the experience of creating the series. This is the first time ‘No Ruined Stone’ has been displayed as a full-scale exhibition, bringing the photographs back to the artist’s home city.

Paul Duke grew up in Muirhouse, in the north of Edinburgh, between the mid-1960s and early 1980s. He attended the local Craigroyston High School, where his teachers inspired him to consider art as a possible future career. Drawn to photography, he enrolled at Napier College (now Edinburgh Napier University), before gaining a place to study at the Royal College of Art in London. From here, he established himself as a lens-based artist.

In 2015 Duke returned to Muirhouse to develop ‘No Ruined Stone’. This series was conceived as the second part of a photographic trilogy by Duke which examines the social climate in modern-day Scotland. It takes its name from the poetry of the Scots writer Hugh MacDiarmid. For ‘No Ruined Stone’, the artist spent time meeting local people and talking with them; reconnecting with his roots and exploring how the Muirhouse community had changed since his own upbringing there.

The exhibition at the City Art Centre presents a selection of 38 photographs from ‘No Ruined Stone’. It features views of homes and other architectural structures, surrounded by elements of the natural world. Portraits of local residents punctuate the otherwise unpopulated setting, giving a sense of the community’s identity – something that is too often misrepresented in popular culture and elsewhere.

Duke’s understated yet powerful images depict Muirhouse at a time of significant urban regeneration and social flux. While raising issues around social inequality and poverty, ‘No Ruined Stone’ is underpinned by a message of human resilience, strength of character, and ultimately, hope.

Artist Paul Duke said: “When I started work on ‘No Ruined Stone’ in 2015, my greatest wish was to create a narrative that gave voice to the residents of Muirhouse – to challenge misrepresentation by portraying the community and local environment with honesty, fairness and dignity.

“I wanted to offer personal insight and in doing so, address pressing questions around social injustice. With millions of people up and down the land dealing with the cost of living crisis, I believe that these photographs have taken on new meaning and are now more relevant than ever”.

Curator Dr Helen Scott said: “It’s been a real privilege to work with Paul Duke on bringing this exhibition to the City Art Centre. ‘No Ruined Stone’ is an important body of work that is both hard-hitting and reflective, socially-engaged and highly personal. There is heart and truth in these photographs, and the images linger with you long after you’ve seen them”.

Councillor Val Walker, Convener of Culture and Communities, said: “We are delighted to present Edinburgh’s own ‘Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone’ at the City Art Centre. His wonderful photographs will be on display for the first time as a full-scale exhibition and I’m sure visitors will be captivated by the series on contemporary life in the Muirhouse area of the Capital and the changes in the community”.

“The aim of our City Art Centre is to champion historic and contemporary Scottish visual and applied arts, so I’m delighted that we can display Paul’s work in his home city”.

The exhibition is accompanied by the publication ‘Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone’ (Hartmann Books, 2018).

‘Paul Duke: No Ruined Stone’ opens on Saturday 26 November 2022, and runs until 19 February 2023. Admission is free.

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all, but the impact is even more devastating to the vulnerable and those who experience homelessness. Social Bite’s ‘Festival of Kindness’ launched this year in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square in a bid to provide 300,000 gifts, meals and essential items this winter to people experiencing homelessness this festive period.

The charities campaign has expanded to five cities across the UK – including Edinburgh, London, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen – and is asking people to donate meals, gifts, essential items and accommodation to those who need it most.

Social Bite will light up locations in these cities with projections to emphasise that “‘”in a world where you can be anything, be kind.” Five 28ft tall Christmas trees are being installed in the cities with people encouraged to drop an extra gift off and contribute to a movement of kindness.

This year there is the addition of the Social Bite Virtual Shop, that those who are unable to make it to the tree to share a physical gift they can still contribute by shopping online.

The charity has created a gift wish list of the items homeless and vulnerable people need the most – from a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle and a torch, to good quality socks and toys for children to open on Christmas morning.

The outdoor market on Castle Street is due to open on Saturday and will remain open until 23 December, although traders may replace each other in an everchanging tableau of Christmas goodies.

The festive gazebos will reveal artisan, bespoke ethical and fair trade products, handcrafted gifts and a selection of food and drink.

Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Markets who run the market both here and at Ocean Terminal, (which opens on Friday) said: “We are seeing some amazing talent coming through – and this year with twenty stalls, we have “Loved by Bridget” handmade pebble art and upcycled items made by Lisa from Leven – who has a real passion for all things coastal. Also Borders based, Bowbrook Studios making exquisite collectible figurines with everything from farm animals to otters and discover Leanme Art Studio – artist Arias Deniz’s colourful sketches and paintings of Edinburgh streets and houses as well as jewellery.”

 “We have built a strong market following from all the artists, producers and local people involved. We are inviting our festive visitors to browse and enjoy our market with the opportunity to buy some unique and affordable gifts  – for example Gecko Gifts; Frangipani Toby Jewels, Floraidh Soaps, Gamries Candles and 100% Cards, and authentic Sicilian confectionery by Tipico, a sumptuous range of cheeses from Damn Fine Cheese and out of this world delicious range of chilli jams from Slaped Toasties…..

“Come and join us at our markets and take time to chat to the makers directly, as they each have a terrific story to tell about how they got started – some family run businesses, some part-time creativity or a new life venture – they all have some truly amazing stories to tell. Maybe they will inspire you to become a maker too.

Let the festivities begin!

OCEAN TERMINAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Opening hours are Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm

Friday to Sunday – 25 to 27 November 

Thursday to Sunday – 1 to 4 December 

Thursday to Sunday – 8 to 11 December 

Thursday to Sunday – 15 to 18 December 

Monday to Friday – 19 to 23 December

Cllr Jule Bandel, Edinburgh Greens transport spokesperson proposed a motion at today’s council meeting calling for the council to support bike buses. These are organised cycle rides to school in the morning which are accompanied by adults – usually parents – and the ride moves as one vehicle.

This means that at junctions marshalls peel off from the ride to stop the traffic to allow all cyclists through at once, ensuring their safety. Often these rides have been accompanied by police officers on bicycles. In the case of the ride to James Gillespie’s Primary School the traffic lights on Strathearn Road are manually switched to green to allow the bike bus to pass through more easily. That ride has the lovely gardens at Ashley Ainslie as part of its route along with other quiet roads – and of course the extra protection of stopped up streets introduced under Spaces for People.

The motion was agreed by the other political groups on the council. Cllr Bandel said: “I’m delighted the council has agreed to support bike buses at today’s council meeting. Bike buses are an important way to provide young people with a fun and safe way to cycle to school and it’s important they are supported by the council. Cycling and walking to school brings considerable benefits, both for the health and well-being of the children themselves, but also for wider society with reduced congestion, air pollution and climate change emissions.

“Of course, while bike buses are an important way to support those cycling to school, they are not a substitute for investment in safe segregated cycling infrastructure. Green councillors will continue to press for increased investment in wider pavements and dedicated cycle paths to ensure that school kids do not need to share road space with one-ton metal boxes.”

The motion to council was as follows:

By Councillor Bandel – Bike Buses

“Council:

1.  Notes that bike buses offer pupils a safe way to cycle to school as part of a group, promote cycling as an enjoyable activity, increase young people’s confidence to cycle on the road, and reduce emissions and congestion around schools.
2.  Recognises that pupils should not need to rely on bike buses to safely cycle to school and reaffirms the Council’s commitment to create safer streets for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
3.  Notes that Edinburgh currently has 6 active bike buses and thanks all volunteers involved in setting up and running bike buses across the city. Further thanks officers for their work to date on supporting bike buses since Councillor Miller’s ‘Bike Buses’ motion to Transport and Environment Committee in February 2020.
4.  Commends volunteers at Sciennes Primary School and Blackford Safe Routes for creating a guide to running a bike bus which has been enabling more schools to offer a bike bus.
5.  Recognises that more schools might be interested in setting up bike buses but may not be aware of the support and expertise that is available to them.
6. 6)  Requests road safety officers to write to all primary schools in Edinburgh to encourage them to set up a bike bus and disseminate relevant guidance and support prepared by experienced bike bus organisers.”

Officers are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 57-year-old woman reported missing from Edinburgh.

Jacqueline Duff was last seen at around 4.45pm on Wednesday, 23 November, in the Morningside area. She has extensive links in West Lothian.

She is described as white, around 5ft 5, heavy build, bright shoulder length hair and when last seen she was wearing sandals. Jacqueline has the word ‘LOVE’ tattooed on her hand.

Inspector Keith Mailer, Howdenhall Police Station, said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Jacqueline’s welfare and I am asking anyone who may have seen her or knows where she is to get in touch.

“If you can help please call us on 101, quoting reference number 2760 of Wednesday, 23 November, 2022.”

Hearts and Hibs women meet for the first time this season on Sunday in the Scottish Women’s Premier League and the game doubles as the first-leg of the inaugural Capital Cup, but there is do danger that clubs will not know how each other play, despite the changes in personnel made during the close season.

Eva Olid, Hearts manager, confirmed that said the coaching staff of both clubs do in-depth analysis on the opposition.

Both teams, she said, try to maintain possession of the ball, but Hearts fashion their style of play on the squad that they have and, so far this term, they have won six of their ten games, and six wins was what they achieved in the whole of last season.

That, said the club’s Spanish-born manager, shows their progression and Olid declared: “We now have new objectives.”

Hibs have scored more goals than Hearts so far this term, 20 against 14, and Olid said that was a part of the game they are working hard to improve, with emphasis on the final third of the pitch.

Hearts have lost only ten goals this term whole Hibs have lost 21 and Olid argued that that their defence is strong but she stressed: “We have to find a balance between defence and attack.

“There are no easy games, all the teams are well-prepared. All teams are so physical and so competitive. You have to work so hard to win every game.”

Hearts lost 3-0 to Celtic in their last outing on Sunday and Olid reported that they have no injury problems for Sunday (kick-off 16.10) but she said that some players are carrying knocks and the coaching staff have had to modify their training this week. Olid added: “We have now 25 players in the squad.”

There is heightened emphasis on the game as it is the first-leg of the Capital Cup. The second-leg is at Tynecastle in February, but the manager said that the fact that it is a cup clash does not alter her philosophy.

Olid said: “I have to work this week to prepare for a league game as we want to win every game. Every week we work so hard and we are not going to change the training because it is a Derby or for the cup.”

The Spanish-born manager said there is an extra dimension to the pre-match work this week, however, that that is because they are expecting to play in front of a record crowd with estimates around 10,000.

She said: “We have to show a stronger mental side, the crowd and the pressure and this is an extra thing. I am going to take that as positive for women’s football but this is a league match and tthe league is the top thing for me.”

The players also have to adapt to playing in a large-scale venue but she would love to see more women’s teams getting this type of opportunity to play on a big stage. 

She is, however, realistic and said: “We know it is a long way, but if we play more in the men’s stadiums that would be good. In Spain they play more in men’s stadiums, like the Nou Camp (home of Barcelona FC). It is a natural progression to eventually use the men’s stadium, but we know that if we play every week in the men’s stadium we have to fill it.”to play there every week, but we need to fill it.”

Sunday’s game is sponsored by Edinburgh fund managers, Baillie Gifford, and fans must get their free tickets online ahead of the match, there is no walk-up admittance.

Hidden Door have found another hidden space in the city to hold a festival – and it is of course in plain sight. 

The charity has just announced that the venue for 2023 will be the A-listed former Scottish Widows building at 15 Dalkeith Road. The largest open plan office in Scotland is the cleanest, most modern site that Hidden Door have ever taken over. Their previous sites on Market Street, on King’s Stables Road, Leith Theatre, and the former Royal High School have all had a certain grimy, unkempt look. But this building has only been empty for two years, and is in relatively good condition. Creative Director David Martin said: “It is nice for us to have a building which is much more of a blank canvas than a broken canvas. We are looking forward to playing with that.” 

Lloyds Banking Group moved out at the beginning of the pandemic, and the five day festival with room for around 1,000 people at one time, will occupy only three floors of this huge building designed by architect John Hardie Glover together with the large landscaped garden to the rear. Hidden Door figure they have enough to do to transform the building into a space for an atmospheric festival without extending into the undercroft car park behind.

Hidden Door fund each year’s festival individually, and Martin was pretty honest with us that next year’s festival might be a little more challenging.

He said: “I think these are challenging times and everybody in the arts feels that. But we really believe that people still need things to look forward to. A big part of what Hidden Door is about is supporting artists and creative people in Edinburgh. We create opportunities for them – they need opportunities through these hard times too. We want to keep going and the thing about Hidden Door is that the way we make it work is by people purchasing tickets and coming along, spending money in the bars. 

“We fundraise and we get financial support through sponsorship and grants, but it is really people coming along that makes Hidden Door happen. So we want to encourage people to come and it is up to us to create something which is exciting enough that it will bring people together in a great way. 

“People are going through some hard times Our prices will not be hyped up compared to last year – we are doing that for our audience, so we hope that they will be able to find a way to come down and support us and have a great time for themselves as well – that’s what it is all about.”

The volunteers behind the charity have been eyeing up this building for about a year and a half now. David admitted that during the pandemic they went on a venue hunt, and now have a list of around 40 possibles listed on a secret spreadsheet.

It was only after a visit by Festival Manager, Hazel Johnson, that the building passed muster. When she saw the inside (and when you see the inside!) she realised there was definitely something there.

The canteen in the middle of the floors will become a 500-person triangular music stage. This is the only place where the ceiling height is higher than 2.6 metres and is expected to become one of the two areas where people will gather at the end of the night.

There are two areas below this one creating their own spookiness and which might be used for projections and theatrical lighting – but also playing with the emptiness of the spaces. But the basement and sub-basement will also be used for music performances in the second biggest programme in Hidden Door’s history.

David Martin explained: “It’s all about the inside space, so this is going to be much more of an inside based event here. It is going to have less of a festival feel to it, but we are focusing on creating an immersive event inside the building.” 

There are limitations on what Hidden Door can afford in the way of artists – all of whom are paid for their efforts. 

“We are still operating in the same ballpark as before, but we know we have to be smarter about the kind of art that we show, and how we show it. 

“There is a lot of magic in showing small things in big spaces to make the big spaces come alive. So we don’t stick anything on the walls – in fact there are no walls it is just windows floor and ceiling – that’s it!”

The festival will be held on three floors of the A-listed building. The ground, basement and sub-basement will be used for aesthetic reasons, as all of these floors are accessible. The lifts no longer work so for anyone with mobility issues it would not have been viable if Hidden Door had taken any of the upper floors.

The loading bay will be used for pop up food stalls and there will be access to the extensive garden grounds for sitting around eating or chatting to fellow festival goers.

David explained: “We are turning it on its head this year. Our model up till now has been about trying to drive ticket sales through booking certain acts which helps with our promotion.  This year it is much more about creating an experience for everybody and we are trying to build something in the space that everyone will get to see. 

“The problem Hidden Door has always had is that 5,000 people come, but they only get to see what is on that night – they have to pick and choose.  With this venue because it is so big we don’t have any capacity issues. We can run things throughout the whole five days so it is almost more like putting together a theatre show than a music stage.” 

The idea is to create a Narnia moment when people enter the first space and this will be an immersive event where each space will be filled by a different collaborative artistic group.

Last year at the former Royal High there was a need for generators but this year will be the greenest yet. David continued: “Hidden Door will be much greener this year – we are really big on that and the whole theme of these “environments” – we have a green theme if you like. 

“Each zone will take on a natural environment – forest or desert and use artistry to invoke that But the subtext of that is that they are looking at human impact on the environment. 

“We are not going to become a campaigning organisation at all, but I think artists want a space to talk about this stuff

“I think we can bring more voices together It feels like an interesting opportunity to try.”

The festival will run from 31 May to 4 June 2023 and artists will be announced soon – and the process of a call for artists is still ongoing.

Hidden Door are working in partnership with Schroders Capital’s Real Estate team and Corran Properties, who are leading the redevelopment proposals for the site. Redevelopment of the property is planned with proposals to revitalise the building as a leading example of a sustainable urban workspace with new residential accommodation, set within a stunning landscape setting.

Rebecca Gates, Head of UK Asset Management, Schroders Capital’s Real Estate team, said: “Ahead of looking to breathe new life into this very important building, we are delighted to support Hidden Door Festival’s wonderful proposals to transform the vacant space into a temporary cultural arts venue which can be enjoyed by the public.”

A limited release of Early Bird Tickets are now available via hiddendoorarts.org/tickets or from Citizen Ticket. Once the full programme is announced, ticket holders will be able to select which days they would like to attend.

Hidden Door 2023 is supported by Baillie Gifford and other generous partners and sponsors.

PLANNING MATTERS

Outline plans were submitted in May this year for a mixed use redevelopment of the Scottish Widows site which was followed by a public consultation on the £100 million development.

In late September final plans were submitted to the council for redevelopment of the site which will include partial demolition, the redevelopment of the office building and the addition of 194 houses in five blocks.

There will be 68 affordable homes included in that number, although Southside Community Council noticed that this was all to be contained in one block which they take objection to, and they have noted that most flats are smaller and not suitable for families. Their biggest concern is that the planned development is shown as seven storeys high. The community council says that given that the building line will be nearer to the road, the blocks will be more intrusive to those living opposite who will lose a lot of daylight to their homes.

The last date for comments has passed and planning permission is due to be determined by 21 January 2023.

History of the Scottish Widows site

The move to the single site began in 1969 when the Board of Scottish Widows instructed a move from St Andrew Square.  Surveyors Bernard Thorpe sought out the most suitable location within Edinburgh, but outside the city centre. Plentiful parking and easy travel were two main points in the brief. 

This site extends to 2.5 hectares and was previously the home of Thomas Nelson’s Parkside Works. Nelson founded a second hand bookshop at 2 West Bow and in 1839 he founded a publishing firm along with his two sons. This was at Hope Park near The Meadows, but was destroyed in a fire in 1878, making a move to the site which became Scottish Widows in 1976. 

The printworks sounds nothing like the existing 1970s glass faced building. It was designed and built in ornate Scots baronial style with turrets, towers and crow stepped gables. 

The Parkside works closed after the publisher merged with the Thomson Organisation in 1962. Developer Ronald Lyons bought the site and obtained planning permission for it. Scottish Widows bought it from him at a premium which was intended to make up for his loss of anticipated profit.

Up to 260 new homes are set to be built on a ‘heavily contaminated’ former coal mine on the edge of Edinburgh.

Proposals for the new residential development at Newcraighall have passed the first stage of the planning process – but concerns remain about land contamination from past coal mining on the site, known locally as the Niddrie Bing, which continued until the 1980s.

After reviewing the application lodged by E&A Partnerships, councillors supported the principle of the new development going ahead but said the applicant must undertake extensive investigations of ground conditions to identify any risks before bringing detailed plans forward for consideration.

The proposed location south of Cleikiminrig, beside Fort Kinnaird retail park, was earmarked for new housing in the council’s previous local development plan.

Senior planning officer for Edinburgh Council Catriona Reece-Heal said: “Mining is an issue here because the application site is within a defined development high risk area.

“The Coal Authority considers an adequate assessment of the coal mining risks associated with the site has been carried out. However, conditions are recommended to ensure the site is safe and stable for future residential use.

“The site is heavily contaminated and it needs to be made safe for proposed end use of residential development.”

She said the developer would need to ensure at least a quarter of the homes being built are affordable in line with the council’s planning policies.

She added: “There’s also a requirement for improved pedestrian and cycle routes to link the development northwards along the Wisp to its junction with Niddrie Mains Road particularly to provide links to Castlebrae High School.”

It is anticipated the applicant will submit a full planning application once the condition of the former coal mining site has been fully investigated with proposals for how the land can be decontaminated.

Plans state: “The site is located within a highly accessible location. The indicative development proposals will maximise and improve accessibility for current and future residents of the local area in terms of pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, public transport, and cars.

“Multi-use footpaths will be provided within the site which will offer pedestrian links through the site towards future residential areas in the south, Hunters Hall Park to the west, and Fort Kinnaird to the north. These paths will ensure the site integrates successfully with surrounding areas.”

by Donald Turvill

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency: funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector, and used by qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

National swim programme will unite providers at annual conference/

More than 70 delegates dedicated to delivering vital children’s swimming lessons from all corners of the country will come to Edinburgh to share their vision on creating Scotland’s “generation swim”.

The summit will be attended by 29 out of the 32 local authorities, and leisure trusts and aquatic providers delivering the Learn to Swim framework, which has already provided lessons to more than 100,000 youngsters, and wants to reach a further 100,000 by 2025.

Among the regions represented at Thursday’s event will be Orkney, Dumfries, Scottish Borders and Argyll and Bute with areas discussing recruitment and retention of swimming coaches – the everyday heroes who help ensure the safety of children in pools and water.

The Learn to Swim framework is a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water delivered locally by aquatic providers and its annual conference is taking place at the National Museum of Scotland, with attendance from Swim England, Swim Wales and Swim Ireland to share best practice and key learnings.

Euan Lowe, Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Swimming, said: “This is an opportunity to create a generation of young Scots who can swim better than their parents – and derive more pleasure from it in the process.

“But it goes so far beyond that, if swimming can form a key part of their lives growing up will have a big impact on the nation’s health and wellbeing as well as respect for water safety.

“Events like these are fundamental for sharing best practice, updates on the latest programme insights and discuss key challenges being faced such as recruitment and upskilling. As well as celebrating the trusts in Scotland we’re bringing leaders from across the UK to share their wisdom.”

During the conference, staff from Xcite – which was recognised as Learn to Swim Provider of the Year at Scottish Swimming’s annual awards – will share knowledge of its expansion and how capacity of youngsters learning to swim in West Lothian increased from 4,479 in May 2021 to more than 5,836 in August 2022.

Attendees will also get the chance to hear leaders from both Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water outline their vision for the next phase of Learn to Swim, with the chance to create a long-lasting swimming legacy for the nation.

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs with Scottish Water, said: “Learning to swim is such an important safety skill and it’s vital the basics are learned at an early age. Water safety is the paramount reason we’re involved in the partnership with Scottish Swimming.

“Connecting with providers is vital to ensure the delivery of the best quality programme for young swimmers and teaching essential life skills for the long term.”

A total of 37 Leisure Trusts and Aquatic Providers provide Learn to Swim lessons in more than 160 pools.

The next chapter of Learn to Swim will build a real legacy for Scotland – creating “generation swim” by improving water safety, and, through working with schools and local authorities, giving all children a real platform for success and to achieve their full potential in the pool and out.

https://learntoswim.scot/

Kingsbarns Distillery has announced the launch of its new ‘Pay What You Like’ tour at the five-star distillery and visitor centre.

Running from now until the end of March, visitors can immerse themselves in the spirit of Fife in return for a ticket price that they feel comfortable with.

The new scheme is available every Sunday for the 10.30am slot and will run from now until the end of March 2023. Each tour, usually priced at £12, lasts one hour and is an introduction to Kingsbarns single malt whether you are a whisky novice or an expert connoisseur. 

Guests will also be able to visit the distillery’s exhibition space to learn more about the history and heritage of the Kingsbarns brand, before going on a guided tour of the five-star distillery. Visitors will gain first-hand knowledge of whisky production and learn how whisky is matured. The tour will end in one of the Kingsbarns’ tasting rooms where each guest will receive two complimentary samples of the Kingsbarns’ single malts, including its award-winning ‘Dream to Dram.’

The ‘Pay What You Like’ tour is available to book via the Kingsbarns website using the discount code ‘PAYWHATYOULIKE22’. To book, customers must reserve the Sunday morning tour at 10:30am and enter the discount code upon checkout. At the end of each tour, customers will have the opportunity to pay something towards the cost of the tour, but only if they wish to. 

Peter Holroyd, Kingsbarns Distillery Manager, said: “There’s no denying that this has been a tough year financially for so many people and things are expected to get worse as we approach Christmas. Therefore, we wanted to ensure our award-winning distillery was accessible to everyone and provide a fun day out for locals and tourists alike.

We hope our Pay What You Like tours will encourage those who may not have considered a distillery tour before, to visit us, to see what we are all about, try our whisky, and enjoy passing some time in our lovely visitor centre.”

To find out more and to book, please visit kingsbarnsdistillery.com and enter the code PAYWHATYOULIKE22 at checkout.

The code is only redeemable for tours on Sundays at 10:30am. Telephone: 01333 451 300.

Hibernian FC have reminded fans interested in attending the Capital Cup at Easter Road on Sunday (kick-off 16.10) that they must get their tickets in advance.

There will not be an arrangement for walk-ups on the day and tickets can be sourced on the internet at Hibernian FC ahead of Sunday’s clash which is also a league game. Tickets can be collected from the ticket office at Tynecastle.

The fixture is part of a community engagement project supported by Edinburgh fund managers, Baillie Gifford, and the return is at Tynecastle on Sunday, February 26 next year.

Around 10,000 fans have already accessed tickets for the game and the capacity of Easter Road is 20,421. Both clubs have been working work with local community groups to ensure that the broadest cross section of communities become involved in the initiative and the aim is to fostering greater inclusion and diversity in Scotland’s national game.

Supporters at each fixture will also be able to back the work of each team’s charitable foundation, further strengthening the work that the Hibernian Community Foundation and Big Hearts do in their local communities.

Women’s football is said to be the fastest growing participation sport in Scotland, bucking a trend that has seen levels of physical activity amongst girls drop substantially in recent years.

Hibernian FC chief executive Ben Kensell commented: “It was a proud moment for everyone at Hibernian FC last season to see 5,512 supporters at Easter Road for the Edinburgh Derby, a record crowd for a domestic women’s fixture in Scotland.

Andrew McKinlay, chief executive at Heart of Midlothian, said: “These games have already shone a light on the huge appetite for women’s football in the Capital and we are excited to see how far we can grow attendances and support the wider growth of the game in Scotland.”

Bernard Hunter, the mobile crane hire firm which is responsible for lifting the Mound Christmas tree into place, has celebrated an important milestone recently.  

The company, which is also one of the earliest recycling firms, is the largest private sector employer in Gilmerton and its 75 year anniversary was recognised by burying a time capsule at the company headquarters. 

Those who helped create the capsule include Ian Murray MP, Drum Field Archers, Club McKendry a Gilmerton Spin club,  and Gilmerton Chinwag Group. Bernard Hunter has worked with all of these groups over the years.

The firm has also produced a book charting the history over the decades since it began in the early 1950s with th epurchase of a 10 ton Coles EMA crane. Based originally in Leith by the charismatic founder Bernard Hunter Sr, the business moved to the former site of Gilmerton Colliery in the early sixties. 

At a ceremony Ian Murray joined the father and son management team, Chairman Jim Rafferty and Managing Director, Mark Rafferty. 

The time capsule contains a copy of the book, a copy of the motion of congratulations passed by The City of Edinburgh Council, an arrow from Drum Field Archers and mementoes provided by the community council. 

Mark Rafferty, Managing Director of Bernard Hunter said: “I’m immensely proud of the amazing achievements of my grandfather Bernard and all of our family. 

“We have worked very hard to make Bernard Hunter a company that has an outstanding reputation for customer care, and a company with a strong commitment to our employees and to the local community. We felt it was important to commemorate this anniversary, and a time capsule seemed the perfect way to mark 75 years of success. We’ve created a lot of local history in Gilmerton and across Scotland, and these items will give a future generation a unique insight into our extraordinary story.”

Ian Murray MP said, “I am very proud to have been asked to take part in this ceremony with one of Edinburgh’s most successful family firms. As the largest private sector employer in Gilmerton, Bernard Hunter has provided jobs for generations of local residents, but it’s done way more than that.

“The company has always played a full role in supporting the local community from decades of support for Ferniehill Football Club to supporting the Drum Field Archers and the McKendry Spinners. When Drum Archers outgrew their initial home at Gilmerton’s Society Hall it was Bernard Hunter that stepped in to help keep them in the area and they did the same when Club McKendry was made homeless just recently.

“I can think of no other company that has done so much for the community in which it is based. The company’s also helping deliver a much-needed health centre and other facilities that will make Gilmerton better for its residents as part of the Gilmerton Gateway development. I congratulate Bernard Hunter for their 75 years of success and wish them many, many more years of success.”

The Supreme Court has issued its unanimous decision on Wednesday determining that The Scottish Parliament may not pass unilateral legislation to hold a second independence referendum.

There will in any case be many rallies by pro-independence groups later today, including one at Holyrood. This can be viewed as a victory for the UK Government.

The Court answers the questions before it as follows.

First, the question referred by the Advocate General is a devolution issue, which means that that the Court has jurisdiction to decide it.

Secondly, the Court should accept the reference. Thirdly, the provision of the proposed Bill which makes provision for a referendum on the question, “Should Scotland be an independent country?” does relate to matters which have been reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom under the Scotland Act. In particular, it relates to the reserved matters of the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England and the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Accordingly, in the absence of any modification of the definition of reserved matters (by an Order in Council or otherwise), the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence.

The full judgment is embedded below.

Issue 1: Is the question referred by the Lord Advocate a devolution issue?

Only a “devolution issue” can be referred to the Court under paragraph 34 of Schedule 6 to the Scotland Act. The term “devolution issue” is defined by paragraph 1 of Schedule 6. Under paragraph 1(f), it includes “any other question arising by virtue of this Act about reserved matters” [13-14]. The Court concludes that the question referred by the Lord Advocate falls within this description and is therefore a devolution issue which the Court has jurisdiction to decide [47].

In reaching this conclusion, the Court holds, first, that the question referred is one “arising by virtue of” the Scotland Act because it is a question which arises under section 31(1) for the person wishing to introduce the Bill into the Scottish Parliament [16]. That person is required, on or before the Bill’s introduction, to give a statement confirming that, in their view, the provisions of the Bill would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament [9]. Secondly, the existence of the separate scheme for the scrutiny of Bills for legislative competence by the Court in section 33 of the Scotland Act does not prevent a reference from being made under paragraph 34 of Schedule 6 in relation to a proposed Bill, before it is introduced [21-27]. Thirdly, the terms of paragraph 1(f) of Schedule 6 are very wide. They are intended to sweep up any questions arising under the Scotland Act about reserved matters which are not covered elsewhere [37-42]. Fourthly, it is consistent with the rule of law and with the intention of the Scotland Act that the Lord Advocate should be able to obtain an authoritative judicial decision on the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament in advance of the introduction of a Bill [44-46].

Issue 2: Should the Court decline to accept the Lord Advocate’s reference?

The Court concludes that it should accept the reference [54]. The reference has been made in order to obtain an authoritative ruling on a question of law which has already arisen as a matter of public importance. The Court’s answer will determine whether the proposed Bill is introduced into the Scottish Parliament. The reference is not therefore hypothetical, academic or premature [53]. 

Issue 3: Does the proposed Bill relate to reserved matters?

The question whether the provision of the proposed Bill which provides for a referendum on Scottish independence would relate to matters which have been reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament under the Scotland Act (section 29(2)(b)) is to be determined by reference to the purpose of the provision, having regard (among other things) to its effect in all the circumstances (section 29(3)) [56-57], [70], [75]. 

A provision will relate to a reserved matter if it has something more than a loose or consequential connection with it [57], [71-72]. The purpose and effect of the provision may be derived from a consideration of both the purpose of those introducing the legislation and the objective effect of its terms [73]. Its effect is not restricted to its legal consequences [74]. 

Applying this test, the reserved matters which are relevant here are “the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England” and “the Parliament of the United Kingdom” (Schedule 5, paragraphs 1(b) and (c)). The latter reservation includes the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament [76]. The purpose of the proposed Bill is to hold a lawful referendum on the question of whether Scotland should become an independent country, that is, on ending the Union and the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament over Scotland [77], [82]. The Bill’s effect will not be confined to the holding of the referendum. Even if the referendum has no immediate legal consequences, it would be a political event with important political consequences [78-81]. It is therefore clear that the proposed Bill has more than a loose or consequential connection with the reserved matters of the Union of Scotland and England and the sovereignty of the United Kingdom Parliament. Accordingly, the proposed Bill relates to reserved matters and is outside the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament  [82-83], [92]. 

The Scottish National Party (intervening) made further written submissions founded on the right to self–determination in international law and the principle of legality in domestic law [84]. The Court rejects these submissions, holding that the right to self–determination is not in issue here [88-89] and does not require a narrow reading of “relates to” in section 29(2)(b) so as to limit the scope of the matters reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament under the Scotland Act [90]. Similarly, the allocation of powers between the United Kingdom and Scotland under the Scotland Act does not infringe the principle of legality [91].

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Stork Majgaard is a Danish painter and storyteller who has created some powerful paintings which can be seen at a performance in Edinburgh this weekend.

One shows a man falling (Stork told storyteller Svend-Erik Engh it was something to do with falling in love) – with a bloody heart.

With a heart that needed surgery, as Engh did in September 2016, and with a fear of heights that he has been tormented by after his divorce in 2015, he suggested to Stork, that the pair should be telling stories about fear with the two images being shown either as the original or on a screen behind them.
The duo performed in Denmark twice at #kunstsmedjen and say that they received a warm response from the audience. The audience thought they had been given images of beauty launching into moments of fear.

From a performance centred on fear, the main feeling afterwards from the audience is hope. The Edinburgh performance will take place on Sunday 27 November when Stork Majgaard and Svend-Erik Engh will perform Trembling Fear, images and stories.

The event takes place in Space, 183 Dalry Road and tickets are £8/5 using the link below.

If you prefer, you can pay by the door, it is cash only.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trembling-fear-stories-and-drawings-tickets-427793029467

Cleaning specialist CleanTEC is targeting a new phase of growth with the appointment of Johnny Harvey as operations manager.

Mr Harvey will spearhead the Edinburgh firm’s ongoing development in tandem with managing director John Ross.

Previously an area sales manager with Arnold Clark Vehicle Management for 15 years, Mr Harvey was also successful in Junior football, and a prolific goal scorer for Penicuik Athletic before going on to manage a number of clubs including Tranent, Edinburgh United, Haddington, Penicuik and Berwick Rangers over an eight-year period.

“This is an exciting new chapter in my career,” he said. “I’ll be involved in all areas of the business and I can’t wait to really get my teeth into the job and believe I can make a real difference.

“I think my football background is going to help as the role involves so many different personalities and characters.”

CleanTEC provides cleaning services to commercial, construction and residential customers across Edinburgh and East Lothian and Mr Harvey is looking forward to further developing the business, which set up Scotland’s first window cleaning franchise earlier this year.

“We need to keep growing but also look at how we could be doing things better as there is always room for improvement,” he said.

“It will be great to learn from somebody like John, who has built his business into what it is today having started out with basically a squeegee, pale and a ladder. I’ll be working closely with him as we develop the franchise model and that is another aspect of the role which is very appealing. We’re ready to push on now and make it even more of a success.”

CleanTEC was set up in North Berwick in 2009 and expanded into a bigger headquarters on the outskirts of Edinburgh two years ago.

“Johnny brings a wealth of experience in building teams and solid relationships and his footballing background will be a big help in making this role a success,” said Mr Ross.

“Managing people is something he is very good at, so he is the ideal fit for the role and he will support me in all areas of the business for our next stage of growth. He’s only just in the door but I’ve noticed a huge improvement already with the teams really motivated now to do well.”

Friday pub nights introduced to help improve quality of life for care home residents.

An Edinburgh care home’s residents have been enjoying a night at the pub – without even having to leave the development.

Staff at Cramond Residence launched Friday Pub Nights in a bid to engage residents in a social event imitating what they would might have ordinarily experienced in their own home lives.

A pub environment with simulated pub seating, a bar, music, Sports TV and table games has been set up within the home.

Residents have used this activity to engage in lively and meaningful debates about current and past affairs, as well as enjoying a good sing-song to a wide range of music.

Garylee Rushforth, one of Cramond Residence’s Lifestyle Co-ordinators, said: “The pub nights are designed to help to combat loneliness, whilst also improving our residents’ quality of life.

“We are one of a few care home’s offering evening activities as we feel it is important for the independence and wellbeing of our residents.

“Old traditions have certainly not been forgotten at our pub nights, and frequently the first drink of the evening is welcomed with a Scots toast.”

The new activity, which occurs every Friday evening between 7pm and 9pm, has proven a hit with residents, having already developed around eight regulars.

Christian Daraio, Cramond Residence’s Client Liaison Manager, said: “The pandemic highlighted the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness, so in our care home, we have endeavoured to create a highly-enriching social calendar that fosters social interaction and enjoyment, ensuring that every resident feels involved in our small community.
“Our lifestyle coordinators have worked hard to put together an extensive activities programme and other activities offered include baking, painting, pet therapy and cheese and wine nights, to name a few!”.
All activities are optional, with residents being able to dip in and out of the daily excursions and classes. Nonetheless, participation in a few activities every week is encouraged by the Cramond Residence team to ensure residents make the most out of the offerings from the care home.
Launched in 2018, Cramond Residence offers nurse-led care, as well as specialist services such as respite and dementia care. The care home currently has 74 residents spread across nine homes.
Residential life is full of activities, freshly prepared meals and what they describe as ‘top-class’ facilities, ensuring that all residents enjoy a rich and satisfying life at the care home. The facilities provided include a cinema and function room, a games room and also a sensory experience which offers therapeutic activities for those with dementia.
Cramond Residence offer tours of their quality accommodation and facilities in the north of Edinburgh. The tour allows potential residents and their loved ones to see the residence for themselves, meet the team and discuss any additional requirements.

https://www.ecosia.org/search?q=cramond+residence&tts=st_asaf_macos

The Consul General of India, Mr Bijay Selvaraj, hosted a welcome event at his office last weekend, in collaboration with the Indian National Student Association (INSA).

The student association has a mission of “creating a home away from home” for new students who have arrived in Scotland.

Indian students studying a variety of subjects and from different years from major Scottish universities attended the event. “Unity in Diversity” was on full display at the event, as these students represented several states and languages from India.

The event began with a brief introduction of INSA and their mission by Mr Kishore Dattu, head of INSA North. He highlighted the work that the body has undertaken to support Indian students in UK, the prominent role they had played during the pandemic, and encouraged people to get involved to help fellow students from the Indian community.

Miss Sakshi Jain, founding member of INSA chapter at the University of Glasgow, shared her experience of being a member and how it has enabled her to help fellow Indian students at her university and fulfil INSA’s crucial motto of contributing back to the Indian community.

The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge was the VIP guest at the evening event. He highlighted that Edinburgh is open to all international students. And he said he had something in common with all the students present in the hall since he was once an international student. He emphasised the importance of having a support network, and suggested that more students get involved with INSA. He also talked of the common heritage and links between India and Scotland, and in particular, Edinburgh.

Mr. Karan Patil gave a very inspiring speech saying that the students might “work towards creating a solution for a social problem. Make sure your solution reaches the entire world”.

Professor Pankaj Pankaj, Professor of Computational Biomechanics, at the University of Edinburgh, said: “I believe that a diverse classroom, a classroom which has students from all nationalities enriches both research and education.” This resonated deeply throughout the room. He also shared valuable insights into the efforts of both countries to continue working to improve education, culture, and industry.

His Excellency Shri Bijay Selvaraj, Consul General of India in Edinburgh, made the keynote address, expressing his support for Indian students across the UK, particularly in Scotland. He underlined the significance of adhering to safety standards, and being responsible while in the UK. He also extended a warm welcome to all of the students and assured them of his assistance in their time of need.

Mr. Puneet Dwivedi offered the vote of thanks. He expressed his gratitude to the Consulate General of India and all the dignitaries in attendance for hosting the event and sharing their valuable knowledge and experience with the Indian students.

The students also had the opportunity to network – and enjoy a delicious Indian dinner provided by the Consulate General.

by Sakshi Jain INSA member and graduate from University of Glasgow.

Cailin Michie said Sunday’s Capital derby with her former club, Hibs, at Easter Road was crucial for Hearts for one simple reason. She said: “We want to close the gap between us and the top three.”

Currently, Hearts are fourth with 18 points, nine behind third-placed Celtic with both clubs having played ten games, but fifth-placed Partick Thistle are only three points adrift of the Tynecastle team with Hibs, who are sixth, on 14 points.

Victory on Sunday would open up a seven point gap between the city rivals but the politics graduate from Edinburgh University, who is now undergoing public policy masters at Strathclyde University, and who spent 18 months playing at Glasgow City before moving to the other end of the M8, is aiming higher.

Her former club, Glasgow City, are second on 28 points with Rangers leading the 12-strong league on goal difference and Aberdeen-born Michie, who has also enjoyed a spell with Swedish side, Pitea, said: “Sunday’s game is really important for us.

“We want to be pushing away from the clubs below us and closing that gap between us and the top three. We’re also going into this game ahead of Hibs which hasn’t happened before.

“It is a real opportunity for us to show why we are ahead of them and we want to continue to progress in the table. I believe the club so far has surpassed expectations for this section of the league campaign. We have changed from wanting to get into the top six to seeing how close we can get to the top three.”

The midfielder, who scored on her recent debut for Hearts in a 3-0 victory over her home town team, Aberdeen, acknowledges that they have not played Hibs so far this season but added: “We will be well-briefed.”

Estimates indicate that a crowd of around 10,000 could be at Easter Road for the game sponsored by Edinburgh-based fund manager, Baillie Gifford, which also doubles as the first-leg of the Capital Cup, and Michie is excited by the prospect. That would, incidentally, be a Scottish record for a women’s league game.

She said: “It’s exciting. It is something you want to have in the women’s game and it something you always dream of, playing on a par with the men. It will be a big noise but, when the game kicks-off, it will be the same game of football that we know but perhaps with a better and a more exciting atmosphere.”

The four times capped footballer hopes both teams produce a package which will excite and encourage some of the expected 10,000 crowd to return to watch women’s football later in the season.

Michie said second-leg of the Capital Cup is in February so Hearts also want produce a good performance so that they are watched by a similar crowd at Tynecastle for the second-leg.

She believes what the Lionesses achieved in the European Championships for England last summer has helped boost the game North of the Border and added: “It shows what is possible in Britain.

“It raises the question as to why can’t the same interest be generated in Scotland and for that we have to look at the investment, the funding and the advertising and I believe we are making steps to show that that this can be replicated in Scotland.”

Travelling is part and parcel of being a top snooker player but for one week at least Scott Donaldson (pictured) will be able to sleep in his own bed while taking part in a major tournament.

He’s from Perth, within 44 miles of the BetVictor Scottish Open tournament HQ at Edinburgh’s revamped Meadowbank Sports Centre and the Scot likes what he has heard about the £45m refit of the two-time Commonwealth Games venue.

It’s been three years since the event was last held North of the Border, COVID-19 and contract issues getting in the way, and it was actually held in Llandudno, North Wales in 2021.

But snooker is back in Scotland’s capital for the first time since 2003 and 28-year-old Donaldson said: “The venue is looks really nice and I think some of the boys from my home club are coming down so I’m looking forward to that.”

The world No 55 (as of October 2022), who turned professional in 2012 after winning the European Amateur Championship and gaining a tour card, has been disappointed in his form recently but scored an important 4-2 win over Louis Heathcote in qualifying to earn his place. Disappointinly, so far this season Donaldson has yet to make it beyond the last 32 of any event.

However, he hopes that will change next week and said: “My qualifying match was probably the best I’ve played all season. It was maybe the pressure which made me play better and this is an event which I really wanted to qualify for.

“There is definitely something different about playing in a home tournament and this is the first time it has been in Edinburgh since I turned professional.

“It is going to be nice to be able to travel from home rather than a hotel. My dad enjoys watching me so I think he will be along. My mum just gets too nervous so she ends up doing my head in.”

Donaldson, nicknamed The Perth Potting Machine, reached his first ranking event semi-final at the 2017 Welsh Open and he would love to find that form again. He admitted: “Snooker is hard. Ronnie O’Sullivan makes it look easy, but most players will go through spells where they really struggle.

“You just have to be patient and keep working. This is my eleventh season on the tour so I’ve shown that I am able to come back from bad spells.”

The player, who has a highest tournament break of 141 to his name, added: “The bad moments are part of the process and you don’t know how good you are until you have been through a bad spell.”

The highest world ranking he has achieved was 22 in February 2020 and he faces either Shaun Murphy or Lei Peifan in the Scottish and he said: “I don’t think you can rule Lei Peifan out, it is only a best of seven. These games are mostly 50/50 games.

“I know Murphy will be a big bookies favourite, but Lei winning wouldn’t surprise me. The Chinese players work so hard and, if they can get on a roll, they can reel frames off easily.”

The event runs from Monday, November 28 to December 4 and tickets start at £10.

This beautiful ballet takes place in several glittering, atmospheric locations, from a bustling festive winter market (featuring local children performing alongside Scottish Ballet dancers), a travelling circus, a sparkling fairy tale forest, and finally the frosty fragments of the Snow Queen’s glacial palace.

Christopher Hampson, the Artistic Director/CEO of Scottish Ballet and Choreographer, began making small changes to the show during the 2019 run, and three years on has continued to develop the narrative and choreography, which he believes enhances the tale and the experience for audiences.

“Ballets are living, breathing art forms,” he says “Even the classics that we know so well, such as Swan Lake and Giselle, have adapted over the years, and The Snow Queen is no different.

“If people are coming back to see it and wondering if it’s going to be the same, then I’d say yes, but the storytelling and magical qualities have been augmented and deepened, so I think people might enjoy it even more.”

With this being the company’s biggest tour yet, more audiences than ever will have the opportunity to experience that special magic that only the ballet can bring at this time of year. And with the show arriving in Edinburgh in November, Christmas will come early for those in the capital!

Hampson said: “I’m overjoyed to be taking The Snow Queen out on tour again this year, after the huge success she had in 2019. As a choreographer, when you come back to a work you see it with fresh eyes and through a different lens, and I’ve learned to do that with more and more humility each time.

“I’m so lucky to work with such a great team at Scottish Ballet and, with this being our biggest tour yet, the dancers, wardrobe department, technical team and everyone in the Company are hard at work in the studio, work rooms, gym and offices at Scottish Ballet HQ to ensure this is our greatest winter season yet!”

Marge Hendrick, Principal at Scottish Ballet, said: “Playing the Snow Queen is a very special role for me as I was promoted to Principal dancer after my first performance of it in 2019, alongside my dance partner Evan Loudon, who played Kai. The Snow Queen is quite a manipulative character, and Kai is mesmerised by her, slowly falling into her trap.

“But she also shows some humanity and it’s this complexity of her character that I find most interesting to portray. The choreography is beautiful but also extremely challenging and this year I’ll be dancing with a different partner, so I’m looking forward to building the relationship between Kai and the Snow Queen with him.”

• Edinburgh, Festival Theatre: 19 November – 10 December
• Glasgow, Theatre Royal: 14 December 2022 – 8 January 2023
• Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre: 18 – 21 January 2023
• Inverness, Eden Court: 25 – 28 January 2023
• Newcastle, Theatre Royal: 1 – 4 February 2023
• Running time: 1hr 50mins (inc. 25-minute interval)

Luca Brecel (pictured) described beating Scotland’s own John Higgins in last year’s BetVictor Scottish Open Final as one of his best career moments and the Belgian is looking to retain the title when he starts his defence at Meadowbank in Edinburgh on Monday, November 28

The 27-year-old recorded a 9-5 victory over Higgins 12 months ago, but he will have his work cut out as star names scheduled to appear in Scotland’s Capital include home hope Higgins, plus world champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, Mark Allen, Mark Selby, Mark Williams and Shaun Murphy.

In fact, they are all in action on the opening day and tickets are available from just £10 – for details click here.

Brecel, the world No 11, faces Fraser Patrick in the first round, and said: “I have great memories of winning the tournament last year. To beat John in the final was amazing.

“He’s one of the all-time greats and, over a best-of-17 match, he is so tough to beat. Even when I was 6-2 in front after the first session I know it would be hard to get to nine frames.

“I bowed down to him at the end because he is a legend and I respect him so much as a person as well. It was definitely one of my best moments in snooker so far.”

He recalled that he could have gone out in the first round after slipping 2-0 behind against Joe Perry and roaring back to win 4-2. That signalled a run of form.

Brecel, who broke Scottish-born Stephen Hendry’s record as the youngest player ever to compete at Sheffield’s iconic Cruicble, home of the world championship, said: “After that I played really well. I lost in the UK Championship Final the week before so I really didn’t want to lose two finals in a row.”

He won his third ranking title at the start of this season at the BetVictor Championship League and added: “It’s fantastic that we are going back to Scotland this time, having played the event in Wales last year.

“The fans there absolutely love snooker (up there) and it has been a few years since we have been in Scotland so I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully, I can keep my defence going as long as possible.”

He feels good about his game and winning the first tournament of the season gave him a lot of confidence and Brecel finished last year’s final with a ‘no-look’ pot on the final black, a shot which has 15 million views on WST’s TikTok.

The former European under-19 title winner at the age of 14 admitted: “It was actually the first time I have ever done that. I didn’t think about it until I was down on the shot. I’d probably do it again if I get the chance because the crowd love it.”

The event is part of the BetVictor Home Nations Series and will be televised by Eurosport and range of other broadcasters worldwide.

Tickets are now on sale for some of the DP World Tour’s most iconic events during the 2023 season – including the Genesis Scottish Open – with fans encouraged to purchase early following a record-breaking summer of demand for live golf.

The Genesis Scottish Open is the third Rolex Series event of the 2023 DP World Tour season and will be hosted once again at the Renaissance Club in East Lothian, from July 13-16.

Last season was the start of a new era for the historic event, as it was co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR for the first time, bringing together a world-class field from both sides of the Atlantic, which included 14 of the world’s top 15 players.

Xander Schauffele continued his imperious form throughout 2022 as he won his third event in the space of three worldwide starts, adding to his victories at the Travelers Championship and JP McManus Pro-Am.

The reigning Olympic champion finished one stroke clear of fellow American Kurt Kitayama at the Renaissance Club to seal his first Rolex Series victory.

Fans are encouraged to buy early to avoid disappointment. The Rolex Series event saw a 12 per cent increase in ticket sales from 2019 and premium hospitality packages for all four days sold out well in advance.

To purchase general admission tickets click here, and premium hospitality packages click here. To purchase tickets for the other iconic DP World Tour events currently on sale, click here.

Eva Olid has helped steer Hearts into fourth position in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, but the Spanish-born boss is aiming higher and winning the two-leg Capital Cup, is part of her plan to lift the team to a position where they are competing with the heavyweights at the top end of the ten-strong table.

The Capital Cup clash on Sunday (16.10) at city rivals Hibs is part of a community engagement project supported by Edinburgh-based fund manager, Baillie Gifford, and the return is at Tynecastle on Sunday, February 26. Both games are free to attend.

Both clubs hope that the initiative will inspire more young women to get involved in one of  the fastest growing participation sports in Scotland and over 10,000 fans are predicted to be at Easter Road for the first-leg of the cup clash (kick-off 16.10).

The match also doubles as a league game and thee points would lift fourth-placed Hearts seven points clear of their Capital rivals.

The pair have not met so far this term but Hearts are in good form having won three of their last five games, losing two. Overall, Hearts have won six of their ten league fixtures, losing four, and have accumulated 18 points.

Hibs, who are sixth in the table, have won two of their last five league fixtures, drawing two and losing one. Overall, they have won four and drawn two and lost four for 14 points.

The Tynecastle team have netted on 14 occasions and lost only ten goals while Hibs have scored 20 goals and shipped 21.

Olid, Hearts first team manager, is well aware of the statistics and said: “Moving seven points clear of a direct opponent (Hibs) is really important for us.”

Hearts lost 3-0 at Celtic on Sunday and Olid said the women worked hard in a bid to get a result, but earning points against one of the big teams in the division has been difficult so far.

The 36-year-old, who has coached in America and who took over her role at Tynecastle in August 2021, declared: “We have to change that. The objective is to get points from the big teams. It is difficult to make the players believe that they can beat Celtic and Rangers but, against Rangers, we played a very good game, our best performance. We keep going and one day it will happen.” 

Being part of the Hearts organisation is, she said, a massive help to the women’s team and Olid added: “We have good facilities, we have a men’s team that is doing very well and that helps a lot, we have a club which is supporting us which helps a lot and things that are happening is helping us grow to where we are now.”

Hearts last home game before the World Cup break produced a crowd of over 18,000 and Olid said: “We would love to see some of them at Easter Road on Sunday and I hope that.” 

PICTURE: Eva Olid in the middle with the ball with Katie Rood (left) and Cailin Michie on the pitch at Tynecastle after the media call

Scotland’s leading player, John Higgins, world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby, Mark Williams, Shaun Murphy and defending champion Luca Brecel will all be in action on the first day of the BetVictor Scottish Open in Edinburgh on Monday November 28.

Click here for the draw

Click here for the format

Tickets for the event at Meadowbank Sports Centre, which runs from November 28 until December 4, are now on sale and start at £10 and this is the first professional snooker event in Edinburgh since 2003.

Key first round matches on November 28 include: Luca Brecel v Fraser Patrick (10am); Judd Trump v Sanderson Lam (1pm); John Higgins v Anthony Hamilton during the afternoon session; Ronnie O’Sullivan v Bai Langning (7pm); Neil Robertson v Mark Davis during the evening session: women: Kyren Wilson v three-time women’s world champion, Ng On Yee on Tuesday November 29 during the afternoon session.

There will be over 70 players in the field, including Scottish potters Stephen Maguire, Anthony McGill and Graeme Dott, and four-time world champion, Higgins, who lost to Brecel in the final last year, said: “It’s brilliant news for the Scottish players.

“We have really missed the chance to play in our home tournament over the last couple of years. There’s a lot of support for snooker and a lot of people playing the game in Edinburgh. I would love to win it in front of my own fans.”

Televised by Eurosport and a range of other broadcasters worldwide, the BetVictor Scottish Open is the second of the season’s BetVictor Home Nations events.

PICTURE: Ronnie O’Sullivan (left) watches as John Higgins looks for an opening

From Douglas McBean

Dear Madam

I was delighted to read in Friday’s Edinburgh Reporter that the SNP (not a natural bedfellow for me by any stretch of the imagination) will be calling at Thursday’s City of Edinburgh Council meeting for the removal of two Conservative councillors (one in the Leith Ward no less, a proud area of our city with more than its fair share of problematic drug use) from administration posts gifted to them by the ruling minority Labour administration led by Cllr Cammy Day.

With Edinburgh’s drug misuse deaths rising year on year under Tory governments in Westminster (drugs law is a reserved matter) and the hapless SNP at Holyrood I truly am incensed that Tory councillor, Joanna Mowat convener of the Licensing sub-committee voted and led a rebellion against the Lib Dem proposal advanced by Cllr Jack Caldwell, Leith Walk ward to grant a licence to a highly experienced and respected music event operator to hold a daytime and evening event at Ingliston. This rejection was based on a report from Police Scotland that the event might be “high risk”.

With all due respect to the committee, I suggest they voted in ignorance and with prejudice rather than on facts, that refusing the licence is the higher risk of not doing so.

I am very disappointed the Labour councillor similarly voted on a non-evidenced based personal opinion against the granting of the licence and the Labour party only has aforesaid one councillor on the sub committee, and it has left a position it is entitled to unfilled.

Young people (and old) will take illicit drugs, and for the vast majority it is an enjoyable adventure. We know users will visit music festivals where such substances are taken. What is absolutely critical is that a safe space is created to keep people well, offering welfare services, advice, harm reduction information and immediate crisis intervention where needed, and referring onwards to medical services as necessary. These facilities do not exist when our councillors send such events underground and into illegal hands.

Prohibition has never worked and it never will.

yours faithfully

Douglas McBean

(Mr McBean is an ambassador for the Labour Party Campaign for Drug Policy Reform and a lay member of the Scottish Parliament APPG on Drugs and Alcohol Misuse. He was formerly an outreach and drop in volunteer with Crew Mind Altering and a trustee on the charity’s board. I volunteered with young person homeless charity, Centrepoint Soho, whilst living in London.)