The Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland (PAAS) held their annual Grand Slam event at the Black Loch when 34 anglers fished, in teams of two, with the winners being determined by the total combined length of their top pike, perch and trout. All fish were returned, unharmed.

Jason Walls and Andrew Weir retained the trophy with a 90cm pike, a 55cm trout and a 30cm perch. Jamie Armstrong landed a new personal best with a pike weighing over 20lb. All anglers caught fish, eight out of the 17 teams completed the grand slam and one angler had a total of 20 pike to the boat.

PAAS hold exclusive rights to the pike fishing on the Black Loch and anyone wishing to join the club should email Blair Davidson at memsec@esoxscotland.co.uk.

Upcoming events for the club include trips to the Lake of Menteith, Linlithgow Loch, Loch Leven and the Pike Angler of the Year competition. 
The latest round of the PAAS Daiwa Lure League was held at Loch Leven and 30 anglers fished in bright conditions. Fishing was difficult and most boats blanked. Those who stuck it out were rewarded as the pike came on the feed in the last hour.

Top angler was Liz Fenton who landed four double-figure fish after trying almost every lure she had before, in desperation, she dug out an ancient one hidden at the bottom of her box. It is now very tight at the top of the table with only two league events left.

Elsewehre, Sam Hayhurst, an Edinburgh-based nurse, who recently fished in the Scottish Ladies team qualifiers, hooked into a brown trout estimated to be between 12lb and 15lb fishing with the Dunfermline Artisans Club at Linlithgow Loch. She said: “I never thought I’d ever be able to successfully play and bring in one of these beauties.”

At Black Loch near Falkirk the fishery is now closed on Monday and Tuesday and open from 9am to 4.30pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Ring 07527254811 for bookings message on Facebook.

PICTURE: Stewart McMath with a pike hooked during a PAAS competition. Contributed by PAAS

After a long tortuous discussion, mainly around procedural possibilities, the council’s Culture and Communities Committee approved by a narrow margin to set terms and conditions in place for events in West Princes Street Gardens and at the Ross Bandstand.

The number of large events has also been limited until a solution is found to the rockfall from Edinburgh Castle.

This decision was passed against opposition from Cllr Hal Osler and Ed Thornley who wanted the matter continued until a larger report on managing events and filming in the city is ready in December. Cllr Osler was vocal in her plea for the decision to be delayed by two months so that all the results of a consultation could be included and referred to.

The Director of Place, Paul Lawrence, admitted that council officers did not have to bring this matter to this morning’s meeting and said such changes could all have been dealt with under delegated powers.

What has been decided however is that there are now clear rules on events held in West Princes Street Gardens and the number of large events which can be held there will be limited to just four – Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) opening or closing concert and two others on separate days. (By definition one of these must already be Edinburgh’s Christmas. The contract was only awarded this week and refers to events such as SantaLand in West Princes Street Gardens.)

The new operating guidelines detail ways of events organisers accessing the gardens while the entrance to King’s Stables Road remains closed as it has been since 2019. The rules will also seek to minimise any environmental damage to St Cuthbert’s Churchyard which is the only way in and out while no work has yet been carried out on the Castle rock – largely the responsibility of Historic Environment Scotland.

There is also specific mention of any events organisers taking care of the trees in the gardens and the roots. The guidance states: “All root protection measure must meet British Standards 5837” and asks for all tree protection measures to be in place before any other build commences.

The council passed a parks manifesto in 2014 and that is still in force, but these new regulations are intended to cover a particular problem while new applications to use areas of the gardens are made to the council. The intention is to empower council officers to approve or reject applications meantime.

The manifesto limited large events to four where they stray outside the Ross Bandstand which is the main events space, but any events which only use the Ross Bandstand are unaffected by its terms. Mr Lawrence said the council actively invited more use of the bandstand as it was underused.

Any events which take place wholly within the Ross Bandstand are unaffected by the new rules. The bandstand has a capacity of 2,700 depending on production and floor plans.

Cllr Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener said: “With the return of an evolving events sector following the pandemic, we have had to revise how event organisers access and use the Gardens and the Ross Bandstand for events and concerts. The primary reasons are the necessary closure of the goods entrance to West Princes Street Gardens at King’s Stables Road due to rockfall and our commitment to increasing our environmental protection measures.

“Until a more permanent solution for the rockfall is found, these guidelines will limit major events in the gardens to four per year. This will maintain viable vehicle access for event organisers whilst minimising disruption to the public use of the park, supporting our environmental protection of the Gardens. Smaller events taking place in the Ross Bandstand itself remain unaffected. By clarifying these guidelines we hope event organisers and community groups will have all the information they need before applying.”

Cllr Osler said she felt this was a “cart and horse approach” and the committee should wait until December. She said: “We don’t know that this will no conflict with the next report as we haven’t seen it. I don’t really think there is anything we really need to do today, particularly as there have been so many issues with things in Princes Street Gardens. I cannot see why another couple of months is going to make much difference”

Deciding on the new rules would appear to have already had an effect on events organisers. The Scotsman reports that DF Concerts has already cancelled next year’s Summer Sessions in light of the council’s decision. Our view is that this is perhaps premature – and that any concerts wholly within the bandstand (as outlined above) are allowed and are unaffected by the limit on the number of large events. But can Summer Sessions, and any other concert producers limit themselves in that way?

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At the Culture and Communities meeting on Thursday, councillors discussed the recent demise of CMI, the parent charity for the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) and Filmhouse.

Three of the political groups, Greens, SNP and Labour, had collaborated in asking for this to be discussed today as an emergency. It calls for support for the staff who have lost their jobs and for further action on finding ways that the EIFF and Filmhouse might continue in some form. In particular the council has agreed to continue to work with the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Screen Scotland and all stakeholders “to examine all options for the future of Filmhouse and EIFF”.

The Director of Place, Paul Lawrence, explained that officers are working with stakeholders to protect and support film culture, cultural cinema and the EIFF in the city and the country. He outlined: “There are positive noises and discussions taking place about the immediate future of the EIFF. Nothing certain, no guarantees but there are very positive discussions taking place around the uncertainty of the 2023 edition of the EIFF. It may be that something will be agreed in the short term although longer term it will take more time to establish. I would describe the discussions as positive and encouraging.”

He reminded councillors that it was only just ahead of the pandemic that the EIFF and Filmhouse had put forward a bold proposal to build a new home for both in Festival Square, citing the constraints of the former church where Filmhouse had operated from for years.

Mr Lawrence agreed that the council officers would report back to councillors within the bounds of what could be said within the public domain.

Joan Parr, Service Director for Culture and Wellbeing, and who joined the council last year from a senior role at Creative Scotland, added that there is a deal of goodwill and determination among the stakeholders they have spoken to about the elements which are affected – the EIFF, the Filmhouse and cultural cinema.

The council has agreed to investigate and report on the short term and longer term future of both organisations and also to establish how much funding the council has provided in the past and could provide next year.

All councillors who spoke at the committee were of one voice – that it is lamentable that EIFF and Filmhouse have been the victims of the post-Covid era, that members of staff who were summarily dismissed need help and advice, and that the council and councillors must have a role in any future iterations of the festival and in delivering cultural cinema.

The convener, Cllr Val Walker confirmed that the news of the charity’s liquidation broke apparently without notice, and said that council must be kept informed on any updates both in relation to this and other cultural organisations in Edinburgh.

Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan mentioned that film is one of the most democratic art forms we have. She said: “It brings great literature to people, pressing social events, historic events and orchestral music as we saw at the International Festival opening event a few years back. We know how important it is, and the appetite for film has not left us.

“Laying aside the challenges of the building I hope we have positive conversations to take things forward. I have been told that even a few days ahead of the announcement new staff were being hired at The Filmhouse.

“Alongside the positive moves, we want to know why we didn’t have more of a heads up in this the 75th anniversary year of the longest continuing film festival in the world. Maybe salvaging the festival first and people’s jobs is important but questions are being asked because public money has gone into supporting this.”

Convener Val Walker assured the councillor that they did not receive any heads up or advance information, saying “and if they had then we might have been able to help”. She also confirmed she was committed to sharing as much information as possible with elected members.

City centre councillor, Finlay McFarlane, said: “Our hearts go out to all the staff who must be facing such a worrying time. I feel quite angry about the situation that we are in. Just a year or so ago we were discussing what our wellbeing recovery would look like coming out of the pandemic. Unfortunately that trolley car has been completely sidelined by the economic situation we find ourselves in because of the actions being taken down south.

“It won’t just be Filmhouse who find themselves in this position. If you are a theatre or picture house energy costs are already high. To pay staff fairly, to meet those rising staff costs is also high.

“What is the administration doing proactively about the other cultural treasures that we have in my ward – and across the city? I hope we are not just moving from crisis to crisis but that we are engaged with all cultural venues across the city to do whatever we can in the current economic climate.”

The Convener explained that the council has “good links with cultural organisations across the city”.

She said: “We hope for openness and transparency so that we know what the financial position is. Some of us are on the boards of these organisations. We really do want to know if anyone is in trouble and then find ways to help.

“It does not all come down to money. We can help with professional advice and support.”

Cllr Kate Campbell said she feels things are “incredibly precarious at the moment” but that the council has a significant role as it touches on everything including the city’s economy. She wanted to ensure that the council is taking this seriously. She said later: “The elephant in the room is that we are seeing horrendous economic mismanagement, and these things are going to be felt more broadly than in our city. I think we can’t lose sight of the fact that while the economic situation continues this will be a more frequent occurrence and not just a one off. The UK Government must understand the effect their decisions have on the ground on our industries.

The Convener said: “Immediately we heard about this the Council Leader wrote to the CEO of Creative Scotland to seek assurances of close partnership working. We have those assurances. The first meeting is on Friday and onwards on a fortnightly basis – both the council leader and myself as Culture Convener.”

Cllr Dan Heap who proposed the motion said: “Edinburgh has an illustrious past and potentially a very bright future as a film city a scene in in Avengers End Game was filmed just about five metres behind my colleagues opposite in the courtyard.

“The shocking and unexpected collapse of CMI last week puts the promise at risk. For the time being, Edinburgh does not have a film festival and has lost one of its best loved cinemas, which should concern us all. Filmhouse had a special interest in showing films that other cinemas would not show.

“Edinburgh simply cannot not have a film festival.

“Friends of Filmhouse held a vigil at the cinema last night and I am sure we will want to work with them very closely over the next few months. Committee needs to keep a close eye on these matters for the next few months.”

In seconding the motion Cllr Walker said: “I was devastated when I first heard the news especially for the staff but also as someone who has frequented the Filmhouse for more than 30 years. As a single parent I went there and took pot luck on the films I saw. Just to go and see what was on opened my mind to a range of cinema from different countries and cultures. I will do anything I can to support the Filmhouse, the EIFF and cultural cinema in Edinburgh.

“I know the Council Leader is of the same view. We have taken a joint position to do anything we can. We have ring fenced the funds we were due to give the Filmhouse and we understand Creative Scotland have done the same. The first meeting will be tomorrow and I am set on finding ways to keep this committee and different political groups advised about this. I want to share whatever is not confidential with everyone else. I hope if anyone feels they are not being kept fully in the picture they feel they can just contact me.”

The emergency motion, originally suggested by Cllr Staniforth, was unanimously approved.

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A police car was involved in a collision with a black hatchback on London Road earlier today.

A person in the private car was given medical attention in the back of a separate police van by ambulance crew who arrived on the scene but who left shortly afterwards.

Whether the police vehicle deliberately ran into the back of the black car is open to conjecture.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A vehicle, which had been reported stolen, failed to stop when signalled by officers  around 9.50am on Thursday, 13 October.

“The vehicle was pursued and subsequently brought to a stop on London Road after a collision involving a marked police vehicle.

“One man has been arrested and enquiries are ongoing to trace others who left the scene immediately following the incident.”

The road was closed from around 9.30 but has since reopened according to @EdinTravel

Our photo shows both cars being towed away just ahead of the road reopening.

Rhett Halkett is the new head coach for the Scotland men’s under-21 team and will also assist head coach, Derek Forsyth, with the senior men after joining Scottish Hockey from Strathallan School where he was the head of hockey and golf.

He assisted Scotland men at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (pictured by Nigel Duncan) and was capped 155 times for his native country, on 35 occasions as captain.

Halkett competed at the 2012 Olympics and the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and he said: “It has been great working with the Scottish senior men’s team over a busy international summer. I hope to build on the fantastic work Graham Moodie and his team of staff have done with the under-21 program over the years.”

Bonnyrigg Rose beat East Fife 3-0 when the sides met in Matchday Two back in early August, and the Midlothian club’s boss, Robbie Horn, would love to complete a win double over the men from the Bayview Stadium when they visit the Midlothian arena on Saturday (15.00).

A penalty from Neil Martyniuk after 21 minutes plus goals from Dean Brett six minutes later and Kevin Smith after 61 minutes did the damage. Callum Connolly was red carded with two minutes left.

Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Annan Athletic lifted spirits at New Dundas Park, according to manager, Robbie Horn, and he said the win also replied to recent criticism of the playing and coaching staff. What’s more, the welcome win also snapped a four-game losing streak for Rose. 

East Fife have been inconsistent but won last time out, a 3-1 success at Forfar Athletic on Saturday, after two defeats and a draw.

They have 14 points, one ahead of Rose, with both having played ten games. The visitors have scored 14 goals and conceded the same number while the Midlothian club have scored 13 and let in 13.

Reflecting on Tuesday’s victory, Horn said: “I told the players before the Annan game to do what they have been doing and work hard and show a real hunger and desire and to try to get the supporters behind us.

“The team showed tremendous team spirit and togetherness and we competed all over the park. It was a massive three points for us and it lifts you away from the bottom. All of a sudden we are in mid-table.

“I thought we controlled the game for long spells. They had a threat with the boy (Josh) Galloway on the left side, but we got to grips with it. The boys were outstanding throughout the whole game.”

On-loan forward Kieran Mitchell made a real impart through the middle, scoring the second goal, and Horn was impressed: “He is quality, but he also works incredibly hard.

“As a defender, it is great if you see your strikers working like that, closing down. I thought George (Hunter) played his part as well.

“He scored with a great header and laid on the second for Keiran and defence starts from the front. Defensively we were magnificent as a team, not just at the back.

“Goalkeeper Mark Weir had little to do and the midfield three, who have taken a bit of stick recently, answered their critics, they got about the park and won most of the second balls and their individual balls, I was absolutely delighted.” 

The clean sheet also pleased the manager and so did scoring a two goals from open play. Horn said: “That was a shift the boys put in there and training will be about recovery. It’s another big game at home (on Saturday) and, hopefully, the boys take confidence from that (the win over Annan) and can perform again.”

East Fife come into the game in transition. Assistant Greg McDonald is in temporary charge as Stevie Crawford has moved on. The closing date for applications for the job was this mid-week and the Fifers say that 20 have arrived.

Horn said: “The players will be thinking that the new manager could be looking at them and will be desperate to impress. I felt we played really well when we beat them through there early on in the season and, if we perform with the same level of commitment and heart and desire that we did on Tuesday, then, hopefully, we will get three points again.”

Edinburgh-based women who beer group, Beers Without Beards, are holding a Women In Beer Festival (WiB Fest) from October 20 to 23 featuring a series of free events.

The group are teaming up with Edinburgh pubs to showcase some of the UK’s best female-owned breweries or those with female brewers, including Lost and Grounded, Wild Card, Merakai or the Edinburgh local Jump Ship Brewing.

At least two breweries will be showcased every day at a different venue. Thursday, October 20: Wild Card Brewery and Merakai Brew Co at Fierce Bar Edinburgh; Friday, October 21: Duration Beer and Gritchie Brewing at Lost In Leith Bar; Saturday, October 22: Big Smoke Brew Co and Coalition Brew at Dreadnought Pub; Sunday, October 23: Lost & Grounded and Jump Ship Brewing, Portobello Tap

The brewery showcases are free and open to people of all genders and Amélie Tassin, founder or Beers Without Beards and WIB Fest, said: “Our aims with the group and the festival are to show everyone that beer is also a drink for women and to create role models in order to redress the gender balance in the industry.”

One of the weekend’s biggest events, the “Women Who Beer” Meet Up will welcome female-led beer groups from all over the country. It will also celebrate the launch of the four collaborative beers brewed by the group members for the festival.

For the festival’s closing event, Beers Without Beards have teamed up with the Good Time Running Club to raise funds for WiB Fest’s charity partner Scottish Women’s Aid.

Starting at the Portobello Tap (87 Portobello High St) at 2pm for a 3km and 5km route, runners will  finish back at the pub for a well-deserved post run refreshment. 

Our picture shows a flashback to 2019 and the event is open to all genders and abilities and donations can be made on Beers Without Beards just Giving https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/women-in-beer-run 

The full program of the festival can be found on Beers Without Beards Website https://www.beerswobeards.com/wib-fest

Men’s Premiership: Clydesdale v Uddingston, Dunfermline v Grange, Edinburgh University v Hillhead, FMGM Monarchs v Inverleith, Kelburne v Erskine Stewart’s Melville, Western v Watsonians.

Women’s Premiership: Edinburgh University v Watsonians, GHK v Glasgow University, Gordonians v Inverleith, Uddingston v Dundee Wanderers, Western v Hillhead.

Grange took over at the top of the men’s Premiership following their 5-1 victory over defending champions Western at Meggetland.

Their next assignment is a trip across the Forth to Dunfermline Carnegie who are seventh in the table with four points from a win, draw and two defeats.

The Fifers have scored 17 goals and shipped 19 while high-flying Grange have scored 21 and lost three in earning a maximum 12 points from four fixtures.

Second-placed Edinburgh University host Hillhead  who are sixth with six points from three outings having won two are lost two.

The students are tucked in behind Grange with ten points having scored 25 goals and lost nine in recording three wins and a draw so far.

Inverleith, who are eighth, have a key clash at second-bottom FMGM Monarchs on Tayside. The Edinburgh side have three points from their three outings while newly-promoted Monarchs have one point from four games.

Bottom club Erskine Stewart’s Melville are pointless and have a goal difference of minus 19 having scored three and let in 22 in their four games so far. They travel to third-bottom Kelburne who have three points from their four games having scored eight goals and conceded 19.

Watsonians men travel to Auchenhowie to face a Western side who were knocked of the top of the table by Grange last weekend and will look to bounce back.

The Glasgow-based combine slipped from first to fourth in the table after last Saturday’s disappointment and they have nine points.

Watsonians are fifth with six points but from only three games. Goal scoring seems an issue for as they have only netted six and lost eight. Western have scored 19 and let in six.  

In the women’s Premiership, Watsonians women head the table with a maximum 12 points from four games and with a staggering goal difference of 33 having scored 34 and lost one.

They clash with second-placed Edinburgh University on Saturday and the students have nine points but they have only had three outings, scoring 23 goals and losing one.

Bottom club Gordonians, who are pointless after three fixtures, entertain Inverleith who are seventh with three points from the same number of games.  

PICTURE: Watsonians at Uddingston in their first game of the women’s Premiership. Picture by Nigel Duncan

National Registers of Scotland (NRS) have reported on deaths involving Covid-19 and the monthly analysis for September 2022.

As at 9 October 2022, 15,817 deaths have been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

In the week to 9 October, 36 deaths were registered that mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, nine fewer than in the previous week. 

There were six deaths in South Lanarkshire, and four deaths in both Glasgow City and City of Edinburgh. In total, 15 council areas had at least one death involving Covid-19 last week.

Of these 26 were in hospitals, six were in care homes, and four were at home or in a non-institutional setting.  20 deaths were female and 16 were male.

NRS monthly analysis shows that the age-standardised rate of Covid-related deaths was lower in September 2022 (35 per 100,000) compared to August 2022 (46 per 100,000). Throughout the pandemic, the highest rate of Covid-related deaths was 585 per 100,000 people in April 2020. 

Of the 15,794 deaths involving Covid-19 between March 2020 and September 2022, 93% (14,750) had at least one pre-existing condition, with the most common being dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. 

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: “The latest figures show that last week there were 36 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is nine fewer than in the previous week.

“People living in the most deprived areas were 2.4 times as likely to die with Covid-19 as those in the least deprived areas. The size of this gap slowly widened over the period of the pandemic but has narrowed since January 2022, when the gap was 2.5.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,275, which is 165, or 15%, more than the five year average.”

There have been nine deaths in Scotland in which the underlying cause of death was due to the adverse effects of vaccination against Covid-19, and four further deaths where an adverse effect was mentioned on the death certificate.

By 30 September 2022, statistics from Public Health Scotland state that 4.4 million people had been given at least one vaccine dose.

Fraser Heigh is only one of two Scots selected by Great Britain for the Sultan of Johur Cup in Malaysia next week. The Grange striker is joined by Dundonian Jamie Golden and a Welsh player for the trip. The rest of the 18-strong squad are English.

Heigh travels in confident mood having scored a trademark goal with a rocket reverse stick shot from wide out on the left of the D in Grange’s 5-1 victory over reigning Premiership champions, Western Wildcats, at Meggetland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

The victory saw Grange replace Western at the top of the table but the stand-out now misses club games against Dunfermline Carnegie and Clydesdale who have enjoyed an encouraging start to the season and are now in the top three.

The former George Watson’s College pupil relishes the prospect of playing alongside the cream of British hockey talent aged under-21.

And the consultant with world-wide, multi-disciplinary company, Mott MacDonald, one of the largest employee-owned companies in the UK, is excited to face top nations in a tournament in which Great Britain are the defending champions having beaten India 2-1 in the final in 2019.

They have also topped the podium inn 2018 and 2015 and are the most successful nation in the invitation event. They were runners-up in 2014 and 2017.

Australia and India have won twice and Germany plus Malaysia one each and Heigh (pictured by Nigel Duncan putting pressure on the Uddingston goalkeeper) said: “This is my first GB call-up and I’m really excited to be included in such a talented squad and to potentially play against some of the best countries in the world in this age-group.

“I’m 21 now and this is my first and last chance of playing in this tournament. I have no pre-conceptions about what it will be like.

“I’ve played in the A Division in Europe but and I’ve not played in the humidity we are likely to experience there.

“We arrive five days before the tournament starts so that should give us time to acclimatise and the support staff have experienced these conditions before.”

Heigh knows most of the English players on the trip having trained with the squad before and he said: “Yes, there is the normal England v Scotland banter but the Great Britain staff have worked hard to ensure that it is just banter and not rivalry.”

The strong-running player was pleased to have played his part in Grange’s stunning win over Western last weekend and said: “It is early in the season, but it was good to put down a marker after being runners-up to them last season.

“This was a really good performance from the team, particularly as we were missing Gordon Amore, a Scottish international midfielder, through sickness.

“Rory McCann came in and did a great job, scoring two goals, and we were clinical when the chances came. They (Western) stepped-up in the second and third quarters, but we felt in control.”          

Sunday’s 7-2 home win over Scottish rivals Glasgow Clan in the Challenge Cup was, according to Jeff Hutchins, a continuation of Saturday when Fife Flyers won 3-1 at big-budget Nottingham Panthers in the Premier Sports Elite League.

The club’s associate coach, who lives in the Lothians, said the squad went into Nottingham and, from the opening face-off, showed that they could compete.

And he added: “For 120 minutes at the weekend I thought we were fantastic.”

The former Great Britain international felt that Fife controlled zone time early on in the Midlands which created momentum.

That continued into Sunday at The Fife Ice Arena against Glasgow and Hutchins (pictured behind head coach Todd Dutiaume) said he was pleased with the reaction of home fans to a team which was working hard.

He revealed that the coaching staff use the word re-set a lot in team talks, and the squad were warned that there could be a push-back from wounded Clan after Flyers went 4-0 ahead after 14min 23sec of the first period at Kirkcaldy, .

He added: “We handled it well and we came out with the same intensity (for the second period) and we widened the gap further.”

In fact, Jonas Emmerdahl fired the fifth 1min 16sec into the middle session and Zach Phillip’s power play strike in the 34th minute made it 6-0.

Nolan LaPorte opened Clan’s account with 54 seconds of the middle period left and the Lothians-based coach admitted to being a “little disappointed” to have given up a power play goal, Gary Hayden scoring for the visitors after 51min 17sec. 

However, he was pleased that his defencemen are scoring with blue-liner Brayden Sherbinin claiming a glory double to earn Man of the Match accolade. 

Hutchins added: “I thought the defence did a really good job, even when we were short, and they are really mobile, they can skate.”

Overall, he added: “I can’t fault the effort (from the team) and, hopefully, this is the turn around for us going forward.”

It’s Dundee Stars who visit on Saturday (19.15) and Jeff Mason’s men have still to record a win in five starts in the Elite League.

Nearly 100 new homes which were tied to the building of a greyhound stadium have been given the go ahead, despite the withdrawal of the dog racing plan.

A total of 97 houses which were originally put forward as necessary to fund the new stadium, which East Lothian Council first approved 21 years ago, have been granted planning permission through three separate applications by Ambassador Residential Ltd.

At the same time planners also approved an application to remove a condition from the original planning application, first granted permission in 2017, which linked it to the greyhound stadium.

The stadium at Barbachlaw Farm, Wallyford, was originally granted approval in 2001 by East Lothian Council, however owners argued that housing would need to be built and sold in order to fund the business proposal.

After the local authority agreed to allow housing to be built work on the stadium began, and a steel stand frame was constructed on the land and stood alone, visible from the A1, for years.

Last year the owner of the stadium grounds asked the council to remove the obligation after admitting the racing proposals were no longer viable and agreeing to allow John Gibson, a family butchers firm, to open a meat processing factory on the land.

East Lothian Council agreed and the steel stand was taken down.

Now three applications for 97 houses on land beside the stadium site, which had been originally earmarked for business units, have been approved.

A report by planning officers on one of the applications said, in total, there would be 73 private homes and 24 affordable houses on the site.

It said at the time of the original application: “The principle of the housing was promoted by the applicant as a necessary provision of enabling development to secure the balance of funding necessary to complete the greyhound stadium.”

But after discussions with the stadium owner last year it was agreed that “the stadium site will be used for economic development use and therefore the provision of jobs offsetting the original loss of the business park land for housing.

“On this basis the development of the housing units could commence.”

by Marie Sharp, Local Democracy Reporter.

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.

The External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson says that decarbonisation, Arctic research and renewable energy are key areas for collaboration – and that Scotland has world-leading expertise.

Mr Robertson is attending the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik joined by a delegation from Scotland including representatives from parliament, universities and island councils. Scotland will concentrate on knowledge exchange and international collaborations and subjects ranging from biodiversity loss and ocean energy to higher education and rural connectivity.

Speaking on his arrival in Iceland for a two day programme, Mr Robertson said: “Scotland has grown confident in its role as the world’s most northerly non-Arctic nation. The Arctic Circle Assembly offers an excellent opportunity for Scotland to promote our expertise in relation to the ambitions and challenges in both Europe and North America that we share with our Arctic partners.

“We are keen to work with our Arctic neighbours to tackle joint issues such as decarbonising our societies, promoting rural wellbeing and tackling climate change. Scotland has a wealth of knowledge to contribute as an expert partner to Arctic dialogue while learning from the solutions developed by others.

“Iceland’s success illustrate how smaller countries can be an influential and effective force for good internationally. We also share Iceland’s commitment to international co-operation as a way to promote sustainability and prosperity, both at home and overseas.

“I look forward to our continuing participation in the Arctic Circle Assembly and I am sure the strong Scottish presence this year will lead to even more opportunities for collaboration in the region.”

Scottish Ministers have taken part in the Assembly every year since 2016 and the Arctic Circle Forum, a spin-off from the Assembly was held in Edinburgh in 2017.

Hearts could have arrived in Florence to face Fiorentina at just the right time, despite being written off by many, including the bookies.

One betting chain has issued odds of 25/1 on a victory for the Jambos in this Europa Conference League tie and Fiorentina are 1/7 with another company. Even a draw is 7/1 with a third.

Fans had harsh words for the boys in Maroon on social media following the 3-0 scoreline at Tynecastle last Thursday.

The miracle is that Fiorentina got only three was one reaction. There were others, but the ire from Jambo fans has nothing to the anger the opposition have felt following a 4-0 defeat at home to third-placed Lazio, who are only three points adrift of pace-setting Napoli, on Monday.

Struggling Fiorentina have won only two and drawn three of their nine league matches so far and have slipped to 13th position in Serie A.

The Tuscan team have only scored seven goals in that period, the joint-second worst scoring record in the league, bottom club Sampdoria have the worst with only five, and the squad have come under intense pressure.

Fans demand more and their manager Vincenzo Italiano admitted to media post-game that the Lazio reverse was a bad one.

However, he argued that his men played well in the first-half against Lazio after their dominant showing at Tynecastle.

Does that mean Hearts will face a backlash or will the pressure on the team from fans and the local media get to the players?

So far in Europe, Fiorentina have drawn 1-1 at home to RFS of Latvia and lost 3-0 at Turkish-based, Group A pace-setters Istanbul Basaksehir.

Goals by Ronaldo Mandragora, Christian Kouame and former Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic sunk Hearts in Edinburgh.

Creativity and slick passing allowed the Italians to dominate in the Capital and a repeat of that performance could take the home side to within touching distance of qualifying for the knockout phase.

Gaetano Castrovilli is out long-term with a serious knee injury and Riccardo Sottil is also unlikely to play.

Hearts supporters are anxious to see Hearts’ team sheet with Liam Boyce, Beni Baningime, Kye Rowles and Craig Halkett sidelined through injury.

Lewis Neilson is suspended following his red card last Thursday and former Scotland player, Robert Snodgrass, is ineligible as he was signed after the registration deadline. 

Cameron Devlin could, however, return after missing Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Kilmarnock and his waspish nature could unsettled the Italians and assist the Scots.

Lawrence Shankland (pictured right with Robert Snodgrass at the Riccarton training ground on Wednesday by Nigel Duncan) netted against Group A bottom-markers RFS who have two points from three starts, a point behind Neilson’s men.

The former Dundee United striker could be the man to unlock the Italian defence.

Alan Forrest also netted against the Latvian combine giving Hearts hope but commentators say that their defence will need to tighten up markedly if they want to maintain their slender hopes of progressing on the European stage this season.

So far, the Scots have leaked seven goals and netted two. Fiorentina have scored four and conceded the same number.

Hearts fans travel with hope and the club have sold their allocation of 2,000 tickets. They will be vastly outnumbers in the 43,000-plus stadium. Kick-off is at 17.45 British time.

Lord Offord, the UK Government Minister for Scotland, arrived in Iceland today to address the Arctic Circle Assembly and to meet key figures in biotech and gaming sectors.

He is representing the UK as one of more than 60 countries participating in the largest gathering of Arctic nations called annually.

Lord Offord is to make the UK address at the Assembly and the government say he will discuss the post-Brexit renewed Arctic Policy Framework due for publication this year. This will set out the commitment to science, environment, climate change and commerce.

The Minister said: “The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet and this has profound implications for the UK, in terms of our weather, our environment and our security. We must therefore take action domestically. By reducing our own emissions and showing global leadership, we can encourage others around the world to join the effort.

“Scotland and Iceland have strong economic, academic and cultural links, and we greatly value these important ties. In particular, I’m keen to promote Scotland’s vital role within the United Kingdom and globally in terms of trade, energy and innovation.

“Building our relationship with the Nordic countries – including Iceland – will bring direct benefit to Scottish business and to communities right across the UK.”

As well as having shared environmental goals, the UK and Iceland are significant commerce partners, with trade between the two countries worth around £1.1 billion in the year to March 2022. Scotland exported goods worth £31m to Iceland in 2021.

Icelandic companies have a number of high-tech and asset investments in the UK, and the University of Edinburgh offers a popular foundation course in Icelandic. In addition, both Scotland and Iceland have strong fishing and fish processing industries and tourism between the two countries is bolstered by direct Reykjavik-Glasgow flights.

Plans to open a huge ‘swingers club’ in an Edinburgh industrial estate should be looked at “very closely” a local councillor has said.

If given the go ahead, former offices at Bankhead Industrial Estate will be converted into an adults-only swingers club.

Cornucopia, the Edinburgh-based company behind the plans, said the members-only club will “all be consenting adults” with no sex workers involved in the scheme. 

Permission is being sought for a change of use of former Napier University offices near to a plumbers’ merchants within the industrial park in Sighthill. 

Swingers clubs around the UK exist as venues where couple will meet up and engage in sexual activities. 

Blueprints for the Edinburgh site show renovations would be carried out to subdivide the 6,200 sq feet space into around 20 private rooms. 

The applicant said the venue on Bankhead Terrace would not be open during the day whilst neighbouring businesses are operational, and added it would not cause “undue noise” to nearby properties. 

They also argued that whilst there has previously been “contention” surrounding the permitting of private adult venues within the city centre, the development would be suitable as it is “far more secluded and will not be easily accessible by members of the public or children”.

However, Labour councillor for Sighthill Ross McKenzie said the plans should be looked at “very closely” due to the remote location of the site. 

He said: “Instinctively, I worry about the isolated location.

“If someone changes their mind about being there, and chooses to leave, they’ll be walking out into an empty industrial estate.”

But Cornucopia claimed the operation of sex clubs is “unavoidable,” adding: “Permitting them to legally operate and allowing them to do so in an area that reduces risk to all parties as far as possible is the best option for ensuring this.”

A statement included in the application, which is awaiting a decision from council planners, states: “The club will be for patrons, and does not have any sex workers providing entertainment, and the members will all be consenting adults.

“The tenant wishes to operate the space as a private adult club and wishes to secure this change of use to renovate the space to make it appropriate for this use. This includes the addition of various private rooms and open rooms of varying sizes throughout the 6200sqft floorspace.”

 It comes as Edinburgh City Council has taken action against sexual entertainment venues, with the authority ready to pt a controversial ban on strip clubs and lap dancing bars in place from next year. 

by Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter 

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.

The first date on which this talk can be heard – on Wednesday – has already sold out, and so a second date – on Thursday 13 October has been added.

A Scottish Colourist in our Midst – Scottish artist Francis Cadell lived in Ainslie Place in Edinburgh New Town. Alice Strang reveals the influences on his work

F. C. B Cadell – (Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell) (12 April 1883 – 6 December 1937) was a Scottish Colourist painter, renowned for his depictions of the elegant New Town interiors of his native Edinburgh, for portraits and for his work on the Isle of Iona. Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell grew up at 22 Ainslie Place and as an adult lived at 6 Ainslie Place between 1920 and 1931. He is one of the four Scottish Colourists, along with J. D. Fergusson, G. L. Hunter and S. J. Peploe, who are Scotland’s most celebrated twentieth-century artists. Cadell painted the front door of number 6 Ainslie Place bright blue to annoy his neighbours and took great trouble over the stylish decoration of its interiors.

His home became the subject matter and setting for a remarkable series of pictures created during the 1920s. In this talk, Alice Strang will discuss Cadell’s personal and professional links with the Moray Feu. When senior curator at the National Galleries of Scotland, she produced the 2011 retrospective exhibition of Cadell’s work and wrote the accompanying publication. Alice is now a Senior Specialist in Modern and Contemporary Art at Lyon & Turnbull, as well as an independent curator and art historian.

Alice Strang (ex-curator National Galleries of Scotland) will speak about his work and links to the Moray Feu. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/features/fcb-cadell

The event includes light refreshments 

This is a talk in this year’s series organised by the Moray Feu to mark their bicentenary. Lord Moray’s Feu covers thirteen streets at the west end of Heriot Row including the private gardens there.

Edinburgh whistle blowers who were instrumental in exposing wrongdoing in the city council have called on MSPs to launch a public inquiry into the mishandling of complaints about child protection.

A petition to The Scottish Parliament asks for a national, wide-ranging investigation into allegations that public bodies across Scotland including The City of Edinburgh Council repeatedly failed to address concerns about the safeguarding of children, child abuse and children’s rights.

The move comes after former council staff in the capital who have come forward with allegations said earlier this year a probe into support for whistle blowers in the organisation had been a “whitewash”, and called for a public inquiry to be held.

Petitioner Christine Scott, a former community programme manager at Castlebrae Community High School, told councillors in February the ‘Tanner Inquiry’ was “narrow and restrictive in allowing the truth to surface”.

The review into ‘whistle blowing and organisational culture’ was commissioned by the council on the back of findings of a previous investigation by Susanne Tanner, KC, into former city social worker Sean Bell, who was uncovered as a serious abuser and who died when facing charges in 2020.

Speaking at the meeting where councillors discussed the next steps following the two investigations, Ms Scott, who blew the whistle on a head teacher who allegedly had sex with an under-age pupil in 2014, said she had “serious concerns” after some whistle blowers disclosed to her “heart-wrenching stories about child protection issues”.

She added: “That’s why we’re calling for a public inquiry, because we don’t feel this has touched the surface or even gone below the surface of what’s been happening.”

If MSPs agree to hold an inquiry, allegations from not only Edinburgh, but other public bodies including East Lothian, Borders and Aberdeenshire councils and the General Teaching Council Scotland would also be investigated.

The petition, which has so far gathered 560 signatures, calls for an independent national whistleblowing officer to be appointed to conduct the investigation.

It states: “The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry focuses on historic abuse and is specific to children in care.

“A wider inquiry into safeguarding concerns and enquiries from parents, guardians, carers, professionals and the public, which have been mishandled, is needed. This should consider gaps in the existing inquiry; mainstream and specialised settings; and regulated children’s activities.”

Former Edinburgh councillor Alison Dickie, who assisted over 25 council staff in making complaints about wrongdoing during her time on the council, also helped to draw up the petition.

Ms Dickie said if it goes ahead, the inquiry “should be open to past and present cases of mishandling, allegations of mishandling, existing or new whistle blowers or people who want to share those concerns”.

She said setting up the petition felt like the “natural next step” for whistle blowers and their supporters after calls for a more thorough investigation in February were met with silence.

“There’s growing voices across Scotland on this whole issue and when it was suggested about a national independent inquiry I put my name to it,” she added.

“What could be wrong with greater national scrutiny and more courageous conversations for our children?

“We need to look at this and no one – and I was clear about that in council – should feel intimated for wanting to feel sure about children’s rights issues and safeguarding issues, and I could not be stronger on that point.

“Concerns continue to be raised, there’s people sharing these concerns, there’s people who don’t feel their cases have been resolved and there should be no room for a single doubt when it comes to childrens’ rights or safeguarding.”

by Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter 

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.

The panto to know about this winter is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And it will be sponsored by McQueens Dairies who are supporting the production, moved from the King’s while it is refurbished, to the Festival Theatre.

Stars Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young with Clare Gray, Liz Ewing, Francesca Ross and Brian James Lees all took delivery of some milk. Even the biggest baddy of them all, Grant Stott could not resist a tea break.

Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with McQueens Dairies, a family business to support our most beloved family show of the year! 

“So many of Capital Theatres’ values chime with McQueens own ethos – personal service, cherishing tradition and prioritising what is local, sustainable and valuable to the community. 

“We are delighted to have them on board for our annual celebration of fun, family and laughter – the panto! This year’s offering, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, will be bigger and better than ever as it fills the Festival Theatre stage while the King’s undergoes a transformational redevelopment.”

Calum McQueen, Commercial Director of McQueens Dairies said: “As a business that is proud to serve families across the UK and to have restored the tradition of milk delivery to the doorstep, we are equally proud to be sponsors of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Festival Theatre in 2022.  

“After all, pantomime is another great British tradition and, like McQueens deliveries, is a staple in the family calendar!   

“We know that kids and parents across Scotland will be excited to see this year’s show just as we are thrilled to be supporting it as a local business.”  

Berwick Bullets look to defend a three-point lead as they bid to end the club’s 26-year knockout final drought. The last Berwick team to reach a final was the Bandits who won the 1995 Conference League Knockout Cup, current day coach Kevin Little captaining the side to victory over Stoke, writes George Dodds.

On Sunday, the Grant Henderson Tankers Bullets travel to Mildenhall in the National Development League play-off semi-final with a slender lead from an incident-packed and bruising first-leg at Shielfield Park.

In the aftermath of a hugely-entertaining encounter, influential heat-leader Greg Blair was forced to step down from racing for the season, suffering from the long-term after-effects of a head injury.

He still plans travel to West Row to support his colleagues with Berwick using rider-replacement – as does the home side – for him, but skipper Kyle Bickley has recovered from the high speed, third bend crash which left him with leg injuries from an eventful heat 13.

Both Berwick riders were excluded but Mildenhall’s Jack Kingston managed to turn what seemed like a mundane 5-0 into an epic race against the clock by falling heavily on the last lap as he followed team-mate Jason Edwards around.

Kingston pushed his bike 300 metres to collect the points which, briefly, put Mildenhall ahead in a meeting in which they had, at one point, trailed by 12 points.

He was then checked out by medical staff and found to be suffering concussion which rules him out of Sunday’s meeting which starts at 3pm.

With James Shanes already missing the Tigers are allowed to cover the Essex-based riders’ absence with a guest and have turned to Armadale’s Danny Phillips.

Sam Bebee, another long-term concussion victim, dropped to reserve on the green sheet averages which came into operation just before the semi-final allowing Mildenhall to call upon unattached three-point guest.

Not surprisingly, 15-year-old Luke Harrison is back in Mildenhall colours on Sunday having scored 11 points on his competitive team debut at Shielfield and it could have been even more but for two spectacular crashes in heats 14 and 15 which, thankfully, the long-time Berwick Academy rider walked away from.

Leicester and Belle Vue have both won at West Row this season while Berwick were missing Luke Crang through injury and lost Pijper in a first heat crash when they were beaten there in the league last month.

Just one point separated the teams at the end of the league programme and at stake on Sunday is a place in the play-off against Leicester, 96-84 aggregate winners over Oxford in the other semi-final.

“Obviously, it’s a blow to not have Greg on-track on Sunday, but it is what it is and he will still have a part to play in the pits,” team manager Gary Flint said.

“The six wearing the Bullets colours on Sunday are the riders whose efforts have got them this far in the first place. They have earned the right to be in the play-off semi-final and are geared up for one more big push.

“We have a lead, albeit a slender one, and we’ll be fighting to defend it. It’s been a long season but no-one in the Berwick camp wants to see it end.”

Tigers: Jason Edwards, Rider-replacement (for James Shanes), Josh Warren, Alex Spooner, Danny Phillips (guest), Luke Harrison (guest), Luke Muff.

GHT Bullets: Kyle Bickley, Rider-replacement (for Greg Blair), Ace Pijper, Ben Rathbone, Luke Crang, Kieran Douglas, Mason Watson

PICTURE: Ace Pijper, aged 16, and 15-year-old Luke Harrison, two teenagers with a role to play in the semi-final. Picture by Keith Hamblin courtesy of Berwick Bandits

Forth Children’s Theatre (FCT) is back in rehearsals and sprinkling stardust over a cast full of fairytale characters in their brand new, musical production of Beauty and The Beast – The Panto.

Written and produced by Lewis C Baird and choreographed by Taylor Doig – the talented team who made FCT’s last production of Oliver! a massive success, they will be joined by vocal coach, Erin Munro.

The theatre was established in 1979 to encourage interest and active participation in theatre and drama among young people.  They normally stage two shows a year, Easter and Fringe shows, and regularly play to sell out houses. They have won a host of Capital Awards and ENDAs. Like many theatre companies, they had to close their doors during Covid-19 so they have decided to make the next 12 months a bumper year, starting with the panto, and to be followed by Cole Porter’s Anything Goes in February.

For their panto, they have taken up residence at the new community hub (called The Wee Hub) in the old Debenhams store in Ocean Terminal. FCT have a team of magicians creating a set as far removed from a former department store as humanly possible.  By December, the hub will be transformed in to a Scottish castle fit for Belle and the Beast.

This traditional family pantomime follows Belle as she travels in to the unknown to save her father, who has been held captive by a hideous beast in the mysterious Dalkeith Castle.  Is the beast as evil as he appears? Oh aye he is …oh no he’s no!  You will have to decide for yourselves.

This promises to be a fun-filled evening full of song, dance and lots and lots of laughs.

Date: 8-10 December 2022

Time: 7:30pm with an additional matinee on Saturday 10 December at 2:30pm

The Wee Hub Old Debenhams, Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Leith, EH6 6JJ

Book tickets here.

School pupils from Royal Mile Primary School were invited to a private viewing of the Castle of Light Trail for which tickets go on sale today.

The colourful illuminations will show off the castle in a new light this winter and will tell the stories of the castle as defender of the nation through various zones all running a different theme.

St Margaret’s Chapel was illuminated with a kaleidoscope pattern as a trailer for the whole walk around the grounds which will take around an hour to complete.

Tickets are now on sale for the event which runs for six weeks from 18 November.

Creative Director Andy McGregor, who is working alongside Double Take Projections, NL Productions and War Productions Ltd, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, on this year’s trail, said: “The countdown to Castle of Light is now on as we bring the community together through an fusion of colour and shared love of the country’s history.

“Drawing inspiration from kaleidoscope patterns, this year’s projections include a mix of geometric designs depicting stories from Scotland’s past, transforming the castle with light, sound and wonder like never before.

“Showcasing some of the new projections we have in development for this year’s event to the pupils from Royal Mile Primary School was a great opportunity to get them excited about history. As they ventured through the castle grounds, the children saw a sneak peek of just some of what the wonderous attraction has in store as it returns to the city for the third year.”

Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing and Engagement at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which operates Edinburgh Castle, said: “We’re excited to be back for another year but this time we’re bringing together even more storytelling, music and extraordinary displays to build our biggest show to date. 

“We felt it was important that we continued to bring light and joy to the capital during the darker months and while costs continue to rise – with many of us feeling the crunch of the cost of living crisis – we made the decision to cap our ticket prices in line with previous years. We hope that much of the community and visitors to the city are able to experience the wonder of Castle of Light in 2022.”

Standard adult tickets cost £20, with concession rates, family tickets and discounts for Historic Scotland members also available. 

www.CastleofLight.scot  

At First Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Owen Thompson MP invited the Prime Minister to come to the Cost of Living Drop-in which he is holding on Friday along with Christine Grahame MSP.

The Prime Minister, Liz Truss, did not take him up on the invitation as he called on her to apologise to the people of Midlothian for the real-life consequences of their disastrous economic policies.

The MP said it would give the Prime Minister an opportunity to speak directly to constituents who are struggling to make ends meet.

Mr Thompson said: “More and more people are being pushed into poverty by the choices of this Conservative government. Their disastrous policies have caused the cost-of-living to skyrocket and damaged financial stability, threatening people’s incomes, mortgages and pensions. 

“I invite the Prime Minister to come to Midlothian and speak directly to families who are struggling to make ends meet as a direct consequence of their economic incompetence.

“I am co-hosting a cost-of-living event with Christine Grahame MSP, which is a chance for constituents to seek advice and support to get them through this extremely tough time. While I am glad there’s similar mobilisation going on across many communities, it’s grim that it’s needed at all.

“Recent polling by Survation has found that 66% of Midlothian residents are currently cutting back on essential groceries, and a quarter are worried about having to use a food bank. They are struggling to put food on their plates yet the Prime Minister expects them to be grateful for a half-baked cap on energy costs.

“The Prime Minister should come along and speak directly to people who don’t have the cushion of wealth enjoyed by her conservative supporters and donors. It would give her a chance to apologise for the damage that she and her Tory colleagues have done and perhaps to rethink the priorities of this out-ot-touch government.

“They need to stop being cloth-eared to the critics and think again about a chaotic ‘growth plan’ which is only bringing a growth in food insecurity, homelessness,inequality and people stuck in a poverty trap. We cannot allow this Tory government to destroy lives and tear up the fabric of communities across Scotland, for the benefit of a privileged few.”

More details about the Gorebridge drop in on Friday here.

St Mary’s Music School commissioned a new work by multi-award winning Scottish composer, Ailie Robertson, and it is this work which will be played for the first time at this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) celebrating female composers and their relationship with place.

The piece, Dottyville, for violin and cello will be performed by GAIA Duo musicians Katrina Lee and Alice Allen and was inspired by Edinburgh’s Craiglockhart Hill. 

It is the fifth of seven new music commissions by St Mary’s Music School’s Seven Hills Project which has brought together seven composers with links to the School to write a work inspired by the topography of one of Edinburgh’s seven hills and the corresponding ‘hill’ poem by Alexander McCall Smith. Dottyville draws on Ailie’s distinct blend of traditional and contemporary music to capture the restorative nature of Craiglockhart Hill to the ‘soul-injured’ who recuperated in the nearby veterans’ hospital.  

The concert, Landscapes and Dances, Songs She Scored Out, takes place at Canongate Kirk on Wednesday 26 October at 7.30pm. The one-hour concert has been developed in collaboration between St Mary’s Music School, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Robertson and GAIA Duo. In addition to Ailie Robertson’s new work it features music by Rebecca Clark, Elizabeth Maconchy and music by anonymised historical Scottish female composers of the 1850s – the names of these women were often scored out with black pen – which will be performed by junior pupils of St Mary’s Music School. All of the works tell musical stories about surrounding landscapes, geographic and cultural, by female composers, each with a different experience of their ‘place’ in their surrounding musical landscape.  

Ailie Robertson, who has composed works for some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions including the BBC Proms and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, was the 2018-21 composer in residence for Sound Scotland and Glyndebourne Opera. Commenting on the premiere of Dottyville, and working in the unique collaboration with Scotland’s national music school and the Storytelling Festival, she said: 

“The idea for entitling my piece ‘Dottyville’ comes from the poet Siegfried Sassoon. Craiglockhart Hospital was one of the most famous shell-shock treatment centres, set up after the battle of the Somme in 1916. Two of the finest war poets were treated there—Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. It was Sassoon who nicknamed the place ‘Dottyville’ in a letter of 1917.”

Valerie Pearson, Head of Strings at St Mary’s Music School is leading the Seven Hills Project, which celebrates new music composition and performance as part of the build-up to the School’s 50^th anniversary in 2023.

She added: “There was always an idea to bring Ailie’s piece into the SISF but I didn’t imagine how naturally things would develop. It has been wonderful working with Donald Smith (Director of SISF), Ailie Robertson and GAIA Duo to shape this programme together. They share an artistry for connecting tradition to the now – harnessing the qualities and preciousness of the past in refreshing ways that push tradition forward and keep it relevant today and tomorrow.

“It is this blend of the classical and contemporary that I hope to achieve in this event and in the Seven Hills Project as a whole – the core aims of the Seven Hills Project are about celebrating Scotland, the School’s home, and Scottish new music. We deliberately focused on female composers because their voices felt most relevant now. It has been a great opportunity to build partnerships with different areas of the arts world that create new links to classical music, which is very much part of the school’s forward thinking.” 

Landscapes and Dances, Songs She Scored Out tickets £10 full price £8 concessions under 18s free. Available via St Mary’s Music School website. www.stmarysmusicschool.co.uk

www.sisf.org.uk

Two organisations in the city have combined to launch the Keeping Edinburgh Warm Fund this winter.

There are cash grants available for people living in Edinburgh who are struggling to pay bills and heat their homes. Everyone’s Edinburgh and Turn2us Edinburgh Trust will combine forces to provide the support.

The way the Keep Edinburgh Warm Fund is to be funded is by asking 1,250 households who feel they can afford to, to donate their £400 energy grant. This will provide a £500,000 fund enabling grants to be given to more than 600 families this winter. The money will help to keep people who need help most to stay warm.

Patrycja Kupiec, Head of Edinburgh Trust at Turn2us, comments:  ”No one should have to choose between eating or heating. The Edinburgh Trust grants have been a lifeline for many people across the city over the last ten years. Our vision is Edinburgh where no one has to go without the basic essentials they need to eat, stay safe, and warm and where those trapped in poverty have the resources available to move out of poverty and thrive.”  

“This winter many of us in Edinburgh will not be able to afford basic essentials to keep ourselves and our families warm and fed. This isn’t right. We believe that in 2022, no one in our city should have to choose between eating or heating.” 

Ewan Aitken, from Everyone’s Edinburgh, comments: “Edinburgh has always been a generous, compassionate city. This winter these values are ever more needed as many more of our fellow citizens face poverty and hard times.  The great thing about this fund is every penny will go to those most in need in our city and mean they are more able to keep themselves and their families warm and fed as we all want to do.”   

Robert Aldridge, The Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh, comments: “Many of us in the City are lucky enough not to have to face a cold and hungry winter. We can get by without the £400 energy grant. So, I’m asking 1249 households to join me in donating their grant to make a real difference to those facing the most extreme circumstances this winter.” 

Donate here.

Edinburgh firm Alliance Creative partnered with health specialists Wellness EQ to offer its staff and their families a free wellbeing course to help their workforce readjust following the pandemic.

Running for three months, the nutritional programme is designed to both improve lifestyle habits and boost mental health.

Steve Johnstone, co-founder of the leading Scottish creative collective, looked into the plan to assist his own reset following Covid-19 but then decided to roll it out across the Edinburgh-headquartered firm – at no cost to his employees.

“As a result of the pandemic, I like many others struggled to find the right balance of activity, healthy eating and work,” he said.

“At the beginning of the year, everyone seemed to be reinvigorated, and determined to give it their all and to make up for all that lost time. As I found out by the end of the first quarter, this just wasn’t sustainable physically and mentally.

“Personally, I’d lost structure in my work and home life and as a result my health started suffering through bad dietary and exercise choices. By chance I met a lady from Wellness EQ at a networking event and I was interested to know more, and desperate to make significant changes to my lifestyle.

“What started out as a purely selfish exploration into a better lifestyle, I also started to think about our staff and whether this could benefit them as well.

“While the Alliance has been one of the pioneers of the work-from-home model since 2011, it does still take some readjustment to work in that environment with regards to taking regular breaks from your desks, getting fresh air and exercise and of course making the right informed food choices.

“Having spoken to our team on numerous occasions during lockdowns and the post-pandemic recovery period, it was clear we had all struggled in one way or another to get back some type of balance, so it was a no brainer to see if we could try to address this in some way.

“The 12-week nutrition programme has been offered to our core staff members and their families free of charge, asking only for their commitment to make the plan work for them. It has been a tough ask to change ingrained eating habits but the re-education aspect of what we consume and how it affects our bodies is truly eye-opening, completely changing our perception of what constitutes a healthy diet as advised by government, pharmaceuticals and the food industry.”

Alliance Creative co-founder Dan Hay was one of the first to sign up.

He said: “The main thing I’m looking to take from this is a bit of education on how to better look after my health via what I put into my body.

“Longer term I want to make the things we learn along the way stick and get out of the bad lifestyle habits I have been in for years, stay fit and motivated which will hopefully benefit me personally and professionally.”

This week saw World Mental Health Day help raise awareness of mental health issues around the globe and Issy Warrack of Wellness EQ said: “There is a big opportunity for companies to reduce mental and physical health issues by up to 80% with targeted intervention.

“Industry data shows that FTSE 100 companies who prioritise employee engagement and wellbeing outperform the rest by 10%

“At Wellness EQ, we offer a range of bespoke services helping the workforce understand how they can positively impact their physical and mental health, improving not only their own work performance but also that of their team and the business overall, no matter how busy they are.”

Staff from law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) have raised funds as part of the ‘Step Up for SAMH’ campaign run by the Scottish Association of Mental Health charity. 

Team members in the St Andrew Square office took part in 14 days of physical activity logging their achievements on the Strava fitness app to help raise vital funds for the organisation which offers mental health support services to people all over Scotland.

Staff from the firm’s five offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Dunfermline and Dunblane, ran, swam and cycled their way through the two weeks, clocking up a total of 854.66km and a total of 204 hours and 32 minutes of exercise.

The teams were then given a well-deserved break in the form of a joint coffee morning to help boost their fundraising total to more than £1,600, which was also a prime opportunity to discuss mental health and wellbeing with colleagues.

Alison Marshall, Partner at WJM, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support SAMH in their work across Scotland and in our community, giving support to those that need it. Their knowledge, skill and will to help others is more important than ever. 

“Thankfully, mental health is being taken increasingly more seriously across the board now, and promoting good mental health in the workplace is an incredibly important part of this progress.”

“We know SAMH does wonderful work and it’s a pleasure to support them. I am so grateful to the Edinburgh team for how much effort they’ve put into this campaign.”

samh.org.uk

While it might have been a Monday night in Glasgow, fans of Roxy Music made it feel more like a Saturday.

On the bus from Edinburgh, glamorous fans celebrated the live return of the art rock luminaries with aplomb.

The reissue on vinyl for their back catalogue also celebrates this 50th anniversary tour. It was an opportunity to see one of the most influential groups of all time – and perhaps the last chance. The sense of occasion was palpable during the opener Re-Make/Re-Model which sounds as fresh and imaginative as it did in 1972.

Original drummer Paul Thompson hammers the beat at the centre of it all while Andy McKay’s definitive sax sets the tone for an exhilarating evening. Ladytron also from their self-titled debut and used to great effect in Todd Hayne’s Velvet Goldmine film sounds magnificent.

While some audience members were critical of Bryan Ferry’s voice, I had no problem with the slightly altered register, unlike a Bob Dylan concert recognising songs didn’t turn into a sport. On the contrary, Ferry was in fine form, talking to the Hydro crowd, he seemed genuinely enamoured to be there. Who could contest his smooth brilliance during the triumvirate of Ferry magic Dance Away, More Than This and Avalon?

Over ten years Roxy Music sound like two different bands – if only more acts would follow their template. After a glorious cover of John Lennon’s Jealous Guy, they finished with Do The Strand, while there was no guest appearance from the other Brian (Eno) his spirit was everywhere.

Roxy Music has reminded us (while inviting a new generation) why they are one of the most important bands of the last 50 years. 

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson rued the loss of what he called cheap goals to Italian side Fiorentina as the Jambos skidded to their second defeat in Group A against a side with only one win in their previous ten matches in all competitions.

And he urged his men to be more pro-active rather than re-active in the return n Florence on Thursday when more than 2,000 Jambos are expected to be at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

They are desperately hoping that the Italians don’t enjoy another whirlwind start to the game.

At Tynecastle, Hearts were on their heels after only four minutes when unmarked Ronaldo Mandragora nodded the visitors, who are currently in 13th position in 20-strong Serie A, in front.

And the Italian side continued to press, forcing Hearts into some dogged defending.

The Tuscan combine emerged with a 3-0 scoreline with further goals from Christian Kouame after 42 minutes, smashing home a loose ball from eight yards, and former Real Madrid striker Laka Jovic with 11 minutes remaining. He finished off a counter-attack from close range.

Neilson, reacting to a move in training at rainy Riccarton early on Wednesday, described the Italians as a fantastic football club and added: “They put in a top, top performance.”

The playcaller admitted that the game had been a real learning curve for the squad and he added: “To compete at this level you have to be on top of your game. We gave away some really sloppy goals, the first two especially.”

And Craig Gordon, Hearts’ captain, and a veteran of international competition with Scotland, sportingly admitted: “Sometimes your have to say they were too good.”

Praise indeed and Hearts know what to expect when they arrive in Italy, another severe test, but the numbers indicate that they need to avoid defeat to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout phase.

That means his men can’t switch off for a second otherwise it could be fatal as the reverse left Hearts third in Group A with three points from the same number of games, one point ahead of RFS from Latvia who prop up the four-strong table.

Fiorentina have four points from their three outings with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir topping the group with seven points.

It’s a mountain to climb for the Jambos as the winner of the group progresses while the second-placed team will play one of the teams who exit the Europe League by finishing third in their group.

The winner of that moves into the latter stages of the Europa Conference League.

Hearts have advised supporters travelling that a passport is the only valid form of ID to be shown with the match ticket for entry to the stadium.

The match ticket name must match the passport name but a digital version of a match ticket can be shown along with a passport to enter the stadium.

Free shuttle busses, they added, are available to take fans to the stadium from the city centre and Italian public safety authorities request that anybody without a ticket should not travel.

Kieran Mitchell stroked the ball home after a slick passing move, the quicksilver teenager latching on to an inch-perfect through ball and clinically slotting low into the corner of the net, cue joy in the success-hungry crowd.

The pencil-slim, 19-year-old is on loan until the end of the season from Scottish Championship outfit Raith Rovers after making 18 appearances for the Kirkcaldy club, signing as a modern apprentice.

Talented Mitchell, nicknamed Mitch, desperately seeks regular football to develop his game and, after his Man of the Match performance in the 2-0 win over Annan Athletic, he is already a favourite with fans after only three games in the red and white hoops.

Mitchell’s goal came from one of the best moves of an entertaining tussle. The busy player was set up by a superb pass from George Hunter and the strike delighted the majority of the 589 fans on a perfect night for football weather-wise at New Dundas Park.

And it was Hunter who had earlier eased nerves by putting the Rosey Posey in the driving seat with his first of the campaign after 24 minutes, a glancing header after a superb cross from Lee Currie.

It was no more than Rose deserved after a bright opening and it lifted the fans who were anxious to see their favourites snap a four-game losing streak.

There were scares, but not many, mainly because of solid defending with 33-year-old Alan Horne, Rose’s longest serving players with over 300 appearances, a calming influence. Lewis Hunter was just wide for Annan from the edge of the area before Rose boss Horn had to make an enforced change when Dean Brett was forced to leave the field with what looked like a leg injury, Josh Grigor replaced him.

However, Rose continued to press towards the break but Scott Hooper gave home fans a scare, heading over early in the second half, but the Midlothian combine moved back into attack and Hunter fired over after Mitchell and Scott Gray were involved in the build-up.

Mitchell kept busy, popping up in different areas of the pitch, and he was always a danger. His moment came in 65 minutes and it was the icing on the cake for the Fife-based forward.

Rose, to be fair, had a short sticky spell in the second period, but they burst back into life with Callum Connolly denied three times by desperate Annan defending.

Horn replaced Mitchell and Hunter with fresh legs after 83 minutes and the two men left the pitch to an ovation from supporters. Kieran McGachie and Ross Gray came on.

They kept a clean sheet to move to 13 points from ten games and into mid-table, leap-frogging Stranraer who are a point behind. Annan are eighth with nine points followed by Albion Rovers in ninth and Forfar Athletic in tenth. They both have eight points.

Rose take that five-point cushion into Saturday’s league clash with fifth-placed East Fife at New Dundas Park (15.00), a team they beat 3-0 on August 6 on the road in matchday two and who have accumulated 14 points from their ten games.

Mitchell knows two of the East Fife players and believes it will be a close match on Saturday. That is in the future but he left the ground clutching a bottle of bubbly courtesy of the match sponsor, Mark Robertson plumbing and heating (pictured).

He’s enjoying himself at Bonnyrigg and he added: “It was good to get a win and the crowd were great. The boys have been really good with me. I’ve gelled quickly with them and we’ve had a couple of training sessions.

“I can play on the left or right or up-front, whatever. I probably prefer up-front like against Annan. A lot of clubs in this league are physical but me being the size I am they get in about me.”

There is no question that the Galabank boys got in about Mitchell on Tuesday night and he left the ground with an icepack, not for the champagne.

Now, he’s looking forward to Saturday and the visit of East Fife. “Hopefully, we can get a result on Saturday. There is a little pressure off after we got three points against Annan, but we have to take this game by game, getting three points each week. Anything else is not good enough. Momentum is the big thing.

“Coming here (to Bonnyrigg) was always about game time. The manager told me that he wanted me for a while and he’s been very good.”