Voloz Collective’s ‘The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much’ has been named as a winner of the Carol Tambor Incentive Award 2022. The New-York based fund was designed to encourage new writing and live performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year and the £10,000 ($13,000 US) fund has been divided between ten shows selected by the Foundation.

Voloz’s Fringe show is a fast-paced, Offies-nominated whodunnit with original music and virtuosic acrobatics and was also the winner of the Les Enfants Terribles and Greenwich Partnership Award 2020.

Wes Anderson meets Hitchcock meets spaghetti western in this multi award-winning, intercontinental, inter-genre, cinematic caper of accusations, accidents and accents. Raucously funny and endlessly inventive, Lecoq-trained company Voloz Collective delight and stun as they introduce us to Roger, a Frenchman in 1960’s New York, who has followed the same routine for years, until a minor delay saves him from an explosion.

Throwing his ordered world into chaos, Roger chases his would-be assassins around the globe, ‘The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much’ is delightfully unbridled, immediate and visceral, igniting audiences’ imaginations with a whirlwind of images and sounds. The minimalist physical style of Voloz Collective makes the show accessible for people aged 8 to 98.

Voloz Collective commented, “As an emerging theatre company making new work in these tumultuous times, bringing a show to The Edinburgh Fringe for the very first time is an enormous risk, and was not a decision we took lightly.

“It is incredibly encouraging to be one of the recipients of the generous Carol Tambour Incentive Award, not only because it eases some of the financial burden we face in bringing our show to the Fringe, but also because it reaffirms our belief that ‘The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much’ is a show that is worth taking a risk on”.

‘The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much’
Performance Dates – Wednesday 3rd – Monday 29th August 2022 (not 17th), 13:10 Running Time 60 minutes
Location – Pleasance Dome (Jack Dome), Potterow, Edinburgh, EH8 9AL

Tickets are available from www.pleasance.co.uk.

A cliché often thrown about by Hearts fans when talking of club legends is ‘Mr Hearts’ the term this is best suited to however is undoubtedly, Gary Locke. 

As a youngster, he followed the club home and away, even bunking off school for a few days to travel on a supporters bus to Paris with his Dad to watch Hearts in Europe. 

Now, he has been at the Edinburgh club for twenty years and the boyhood Hearts fan has seen it all, carrying out just about every job he could for the club he loves.

Locke, who is now the Club Ambassador at Hearts, enjoyed a modest playing career, but one that would undoubtedly have been more successful had it not been for prolonged injuries which kept him out of the 1998 Scottish Cup Final. 

That cup final was a special one for a number of reasons, it ended Hearts’ 42 year wait for a Scottish Cup, it was John Robertson’s last game as a Hearts player, (even though he was an unused sub) and the photo of the injured skipper Locke, holding the trophy aloft with Steve Fulton is one that will be etched in the memory of many Jambos. 

After leaving Hearts, Locke went on to play Bradford City and Kilmarnock before retiring aged 34. 

The Bonnyrigg man was back at Tynecastle shortly after when Jim Jeffries returned as manager in 2010, Locke was appointed first team coach, which started his coaching career.

Just three years later, Locke found himself in caretaker charge of the first team after the departure of John McGlynn. Just four months later, Hearts entered administration and it really did look like the Tynecastle doors would be shut for good. 

“It was a horrendous position to be in,” said Locke.

“The day before I spoke with one of the Lithuanian directors and he told me my budget and it was not bad. I was thinking that night about targets I thought could improve the team.

“I only found out [about administration] on the morning. We’d heard rumours the club was in trouble.

“It was a worry, not for me, but for the gaffer at the time and Billy Brown. You’re sitting going: ‘Jesus, some of the boys here are on good salaries and we aren’t bringing in as much as we’re paying out.’

“Over the years, Vladimir Romanov [owner] always paid when he needed to pay. I was just hoping he did the same again, not realising that he didn’t have the money this time.”

Locke recalls the difficulty of fronting up and explaining as manager to not only his players, but the Hearts supporters and the media the severity of the issue. 

“All the players had been told to report to Tynecastle anyway, so it was difficult to tell them, but the most difficult thing was facing you guys in the media the next day. 

“Bryan [Jackson] told me I had to get the message out to the fans about how bad the situation was. I had to sit in front of a lot of media and it was the hardest interview I’ve ever done.

“My emotions were all over the place. I was finding it difficult to talk. I was welling up a bit because I knew how bad the position was. 

“Hearts fans had just given the club something like £2million through a share issue. I’m thinking: ‘Where are we going to get that kind of money again?’ It was only six months on and all that share money had disappeared.

“I had to get the message out. It was basically: ‘You need to help us because you are the only people who can.

“If it wasn’t for the fans we wouldn’t be sitting here today. Although that was the hardest day ever, the couple of weeks that followed were incredible because of the response we had from the support.

“There were fans who didn’t have much but gave you their last £10, or wee kids handing you their piggy banks. It was incredible.”

Locke was then appointed first-team manager on a permanent basis; however, he faced an uphill struggle as Hearts started the following season with a 15-point deduction.

“It was the dream job when I got into the coaching side of it. I never saw myself getting a managerial job so quickly and I’ll openly admit that at the time, I was too inexperienced to be the Hearts manager.

“But that period was probably the worst time in the club’s history to get the job. We had so many things thrown at us. We got the 15-point deduction, and we were in the Premiership thinking we’ve got to face Celtic, Hibs, some top teams, and these lads are nowhere near that level.

“My worry was we could get hammered every single game, and that did happen in the cup tie against Celtic. But I genuinely thought that might have happened eight, nine, 10 times.

“I had seen these lads in the reserves, and it wasn’t like we won the reserve league, we finished about fifth. So, they weren’t the best young players in the country.

“But they deserve enormous credit for the season they had, because at the end of the season we won a few games, and they showed me they had listened and improved.”

Fast-forward to the present day and Hearts have guaranteed European group stage football, have sold a record number of season tickets and are attracting some top players.

As he sits in the Heritage Lounge inside Hearts’ fancy new main stand, a smile comes over his face as he begins to discuss the transformation at his team in the last decade. 

“Ann Budge, the fans and the other directors at the club who are unsung heroes, they deserve all the credit. Robbie deserves great credit, Joe Savage as well for the calibre of players we’re now bringing to the club.

“Last season epitomised everything that is good about the club. We came up from the Championship and then finished third, which was fantastic considering we had just come up.

“But, for me, with the size of the club, we should be looking at finishing third or fourth and getting into Europe and winning a trophy. That, for me, is where I expect Hearts to be, and I think most Hearts fans expect us to be.”

Now, Locke has been awarded with his testimonial match which will take place at Tynecastle this Saturday against Stoke City. 

“I was really humbled,” he said.

“I never saw it coming but I was delighted when they approached me. The fact the club felt my service deserved a bit of recognition means a lot to me.

“Everyone knows how I feel about this club.”

Not many people in the world work hard enough to grow up and achieve their childhood dreams, but 47-year-old Locke is adamant that he is one of the lucky few.

Your favourite memory Gary? 

“My debut. It was something I dreamt of my whole life. My dream was to play for Hearts.”

Tickets for the match can be purchased here.  

Six site managers from housebuilder Cala Homes’ developments in Edinburgh and the Lothians as well as in Aberdeen have been recognised as some of the best after scooping prestigious ‘Pride in the Job’ quality awards by the National Home Building Council (NHBC).

The accolade, first launched more than four decades ago, is the most highly regarded competition in the housebuilding industry and an esteemed benchmark for exceptional site managers.

More than 8,000 site managers across the UK were assessed this year, with only 443 winners selected, putting Cala’s site managers in the industry’s top five per cent who demonstrate the passion, commitment and leadership to creating homes of exceptional quality.

The winners will now go through to the next stage of the competition, the Seal of Excellence, which will be announced this autumn.

Cala’s winning site managers from across Scotland include:

• Alex Sinnet, Cammo Meadows, Cammo, Edinburgh
• Cathal Lamph, Waterfront Plaza, Leith, Edinburgh
• Gavin McCann, Ravensheugh Brae, Musselburgh, East Lothian
• Steven Maguire, Oakbank, Winchburgh, West Lothian
• Fred Anderson, Mains of Grandhome, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
• Rob Swanson, Milltimber Manor, Milltimber, Aberdeen

Six site managers from Cala’s developments in England also scooped the prestigious award.

Kevin Whitaker, Cala Homes’ chief executive, said: “Creating exceptional developments and homes requires the talent and dedication of our site managers, their teams both on site and in our offices, as well as their supporting subcontractor partners.

“Site managers have had to overcome challenges in terms of material shortages and labour supply, which are affecting the whole industry, but our team has remained focused on ensuring the vision for each development is delivered on time, safely and to the highest quality standards for customers.

“Congratulations to all twelve of our successful site managers across the Cala Group. We wish them all the best of luck as the awards progress on to the next stage.”

Judging for the Awards is rigorous, with the current competition beginning in July last year and each site manager assessed across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety. Thousands of site inspections and meticulous scoring and verification have taken place to decide the winners.

It proved to be lucky 13 for Leon Flint as the Berwick-born Bandits’ star reeled off a five-ride maximum to win the British Under-19 Championship at Redcar, writes George Dodds.

Because of the draw, which gave him the number 13 race jacket, Flint faced back-to-back races in heats four and five but comfortable victories underlined his standing as hot favourite to win the title with two of his big rivals, Scunthorpe’s Jordan Palin and Dan Thompson of Leicester, missing through injury.

He was largely untroubled on a night when his gating was first class, especially in heat 19 when Flint faced Belle Vue’s Jake Mulford, also unbeaten going into the race. 

Another perfect start saw the 19-year-old born in Ashington, Northumberland, lead into the first bend and pull away to claim victory, grandad Tony and father Gary – team manager and promoter at Shielfield Park – among the welcoming party which greeted him at the pits’ gate and gave the popular teenager the traditional victory bumps.

It’s not his first time on a national podium either as Leon finished second to Dan Bewley in the 2020 British Under-21 Final, raced behind closed doors at Shielfield Park during the COVID pandemic.

And he was also British 150CC Champion in 2015, 250CC title winner in 2016 and 2017 and 500CC in 2018, the year he made his National League debut with Birmingham, aged 15, a year before breaking onto the Championship scene with his home-town club.

Leon has also been named in the starting 16 for this year’s British Championship at Belle Vue on 1 August and the Under-21 Final at Birmingham on 31 August.

Mulford, probably better known for his grasstrack exploits, matched Flint win for win on a night of competitive racing at Redcar until the decisive penultimate heat.

Former Berwick Academy rider Luke Harrison, who has just turned 15, scored an impressive seven points while former 125 team-mate at Shielfield Sam McGurk had three points to his credit before taking a spectacular tumble after clipping the fence on the straight and having to withdraw.

Harry McGurk beat Sam Hagon and Nathan Ablitt in a three-man run-off for third place.

Berwick Bullets’ Ace Pijper, one of five 15-year-olds in the field, scored a creditable five points on his Championship debut.

But the night belonged to Flint (pictured on the podium with Harry McGurk and Jake Mulford by Dick Barrie) who had spent the early part of the week recovering from a back injury sustained in a heavy crash at Glasgow last Friday evening.

He showed little sign of the injury, or nerves, and stamped his authority on the meeting with back-to-back victories in heats four and five and gave a gating masterclass while Mulford was forced to work hard for his points.

But there was little time for the new champion to celebrate as he headed back to the workshop to prepare for another busy weekend in Bandits’ colours as they travel to Edinburgh on Friday night in the Championship Jubilee League, host the Monarchs the following night and then travel to table-topping Leicester in a rearranged Championship fixture on Sunday.

“It’s a good feeling,” Leon admitted after receiving his trophy. “The way some people were talking in the build-up made it sound as if all I had to do was turn up and the title was mine, but I never thought it was a foregone conclusion.

“The support team was focussed on getting both me and the bikes right and making sure there were no surprises on the night. It was my last year at this level so it was good to get my name on the trophy and I’m proud to do it as a Berwick rider.”

The Prentice Centre in Granton is to close, despite The City of Edinburgh Council approving a possible rescue package of £50,000 to help keep the facility open at a recent meeting.

The West Granton Community Trust (WGCT) which employs three members of staff already advised in June that the centre would close and that the trust would be wound up after discussions. And it appears that the promised one-off grant from the council was apparently not enough to keep the trust going.

In a statement the trust has advised that the Prentice Centre will be permanently closed saying: “It has been reported in the press that the City of Edinburgh Council were considering providing us with a one off grant of £50,000, however with no confirmation of the process to secure this funding nor the timescales involved, the Trust has been left with no alternative but to proceed with the winding up of the Trust.

“This is to ensure the orderly transfer of the premises to another charitable organisation and to meet our responsibilities to our tenants, staff and the community. 

“Given our current financial situation and with no guarantee of long-term funding for staff and overheads, we can no longer operate as a Trust. Following the suspension of activities at the Prentice Centre on 1 July, there will be no further access for community use.  Staff will remain on site until mid-October to care for the building and to manage the process of winding up the Trust.”

Council Leader Cllr Cammy Day said: “I’m surprised to have heard of this news with only a few days notice. I understood the Prentice Centre had funding in place for the remainder of 2022. This isn’t a council-funded centre but we have agreed to offer a one off emergency grant of the organisation can be sustainable longer term. Prentice Centre is the heart of West Granton and I hope we can all work together to rebuild and continue its presence in the community.”

Cllr Vicky Nicolson said: “My feeling is that, like Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre for which I recently attended the Management Committee, local organisations like the Prentice Centre, which are not City of Edinburgh Council Community Centres, feel that having to struggle to find funds for running costs and wages takes its toll and even a reprieve of £50,000 feels like prolonging the inevitable as the same situation will arise again in the near future. 

“I have agreed to make contact with council officers on behalf of Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (DNC) to ask about how to proceed with both advice and about the funding.  I will also meet with the management to help them look at how they can deliver a greater range of youth work as anti social behaviour from young people in Drylaw/Telford is presenting an issue locally.  In addition, I enquired whether they will let DNC to Edinburgh Western SNP branch in August for our branch meeting to bring in some revenue and introduce new people to their facility.”

Cllr Stuart Dobbin said: “At the June Council meeting I was able to get an addendum passed to provide funding to the Prentice Centre, sufficient to take them through to the end of the year, subject to Council review.

“I am hugely disappointed that the timing didn’t work and in line with their fiduciary duty, the Trustees have confirmed their decision of late June in line to close.

“However, I am relieved and encouraged that the building will remain as a community asset, one that I will continue to support.  I will do everything I can as a ward councillor to support local efforts to establish a new organisation in the Centre to pick up the crucial work done here.  

“Given the challenges and impact of the pandemic over the past two years and the current cost of living crisis, we cannot afford to lose Community facilities in the West Pilton and West Granton neighbourhood.”

A song by Scottish singer songwriter BA Robertson – Silent Running – is released on Friday to support aid for children from Ukraine.

The back story is one of happy coincidence involving an Edinburgh granny, Lorri Hales.

When the song popped up at random on a car playlist, on a journey to visit her grandchildren, Lorri was moved to tears. She thought it was highly relevant to the current situation in Ukraine, conjuring images of the ordinary people like her – children, parents, grandparents – whose lives were suddenly blown apart. 

The words of the song:struck a chord with Lorri, particularly the lyrics about keeping guns and ammunition close at hand, and the haunting chorus “Can you hear me?”

Lorri realised that it could be a great way to try to raise money to help people in Ukraine.

She knew her partner knew BA – that was why he had the previously unreleased track on his playlist – and insisted that he call the singer/songwriter immediately to ask if he would allow the song to be released as a fundraiser for Ukrainian people, for the children and refugees. 

BA agreed, a partnership with Mail Force – Ukraine Appeal charity ensued, and the song is released on Friday with all proceeds going to the charity appeal.

Silent Running has a long track record as a song that speaks across generations and times. Written by BA Robertson and Mike Rutherford, the original version – the first single release by Mike and the Mechanics – was a global hit, including several weeks at #1 on the Billboard rock charts in 1986. 

There have been several dance and chill-out versions, it appeared on the soundtrack for the film, On Dangerous Ground, and a version by Hidden Citizens was recently used in Assassin’s Creed (Syndicate) video game.  It was also memorably sampled by US rapper Killer Mike.

The new charity version strips the song back to its powerful essentials. It was recorded during an Edinburgh Fringe run at The Gilded Balloon in a solo show with just BA’s singing to a piano accompaniment. The digital single is released with a “B side” – a “Nashville mix” which includes additional instrumentation.

BA Robertson said: “Steve told me how Lorri reacted to the song when she first heard it. She felt it had been written about the Ukraine conflict. I had forgotten about this performance so it was easy to say, ‘Let’s do it’.”

The words of the song:

BA Robertson: Silent Running

(Robertson/Rutherford)

Take the children and yourself
And hide out in the cellar
By now the fighting will be close at hand
Don’t believe the church and state
And everything they tell you
Believe in me, I’m with the high command

Chorus
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?
Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

There’s a gun and ammunition
Just inside the doorway
Use it only in emergency
Better you should pray to God
The Father and the Spirit
Will guide you and protect from up here

Chorus

Swear allegiance to the flag
Whatever flag they offer
Never hint at what you really feel
Teach the children quietly
For some day sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still

Chorus x 2

Multiple Grammy nominee, PRS, and BMI award winner, Scots born composer, author, singer BA Robertson was educated at Allan Glen’s School Glasgow, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, where he studied piano, clarinet, harmony and counterpoint.

An almost 50 year, award winning career in the music business has produced 100 silver, gold, platinum, and multi-platinum selling records, awards nominations including several Grammy and Ivor Novello nominations and an Ivor Novello Award for Best Song for The Living Years.

As well as chart success in his own right, with 5 solo albums, he has written hit songs for many people including Cliff Richard and Mike and the Mechanics (including their first hit single Silent Running (aka Can You Hear Me and recently sampled by Killer Mike) – Billboard’s #1 Rock Song of 1986 – and the worldwide #1, The Living Years).

A cultural polymath, he is a Hollywood producer, has written film scores, presented and written TV and radio shows, and written and performed theatre plays, as well as working with some of the best known names in the business including a long and productive relationship with Mike and the Mechanics and Burt Bacharach (with whom he has more writing credits 

Later on Friday the Edinburgh Food Festival 2022 opens at Assembly George Square Gardens for ten days of chef demos, expert panels, cookery classes and workshops, and some of the best street food and market stalls in Scottish food and drink.

Edinburgh gourmands will be spoiled this summer with a partnership with the Scotland Food and Drink Ambassador programme. Edinburgh Food Festival will welcome Regional Food Tourism Ambassadors from all over Scotland for a series of panel discussions, with an appearance from ‘The Kilted Chef’, aka Craig Wilson, owner of the award-winning Eat on the Green restaurant in Udny Green, Aberdeenshire, and more.

These panel events will sit alongside a line-up of chef demonstrations and workshops taking place in the Tree House Kitchen at Edinburgh Food Festival this year, including; Tomas Gormley and Sam Yorke, co-owners of Heron in Leith, who will demonstrate their farm to table approach to fine dining; and Williams & Johnson Coffee Co. revealing the secret to the perfect brew.

For younger epicures, Edinburgh based social enterprise, Edinburgh Food Social, return to the Edinburgh Food Festival after two years, bringing their brilliant and engaging children’s cookery classes to the Tree House Kitchen. After their popular sushi making workshop in 2019, they return with another hands-on programme, designed to teach children where their food came from and enjoying preparing and eating their own meals.
Admission to these events are free, but places are limited so booking ahead is highly recommended in order to avoid missing out.

In the Palais du Variété spiegeltent, Moët and Hennesey present some of the world’s most luxurious brands with The Wonder of Wine & Whisky – A Journey for the Senses. With four different pairings, leading audiences through the wonderful world of wine and whisky; tickets available via assemblyfestival.com.

And the Garden will be a smorgasbord of smells and flavours, with a daily line-up of street food to serve festival goers. Festival favourites Jarvis Pickle Pies (Berwickshire), Chick + Pea (Edinburgh), and Alandas Gelato and Fish & Chips (East Lothian) return once more; along with Mana Poké, Moskito Spanish Bites and their Bacchus Bar, serving up the finest Sangria for those long summer nights.

In addition to these Festival regulars, there will be Italian sweet delights from Maria’s Kakes; loaded nachos from global spice curators The Fat Flamingo; the tempting flavours of Peru from The Peruvian and dishes from Scottish Street Food Award Champion 2022 Junk.

The Festival food market returns with some of Scotland’s best locally sourced and produced food and ingredients. Turn up the heat with the all-organic hot sauces from Chorrito Sauce Co., made using UK grown chillis and get your ethically sourced beans from Pure Roasters Coffee. Stay hydrated with delicious raw natural juices from East Lothian’s Seabuckthorn Scotland, gluten free beer from Edinburgh’s own Bellfield Brewery and blended Scotch whisky from Frasier of Scotland, a uniquely Scottish drink of premium Scotch whisky with wild strawberries.

The Edinburgh Food Festival will open 12:00PM daily at Assembly George Square Gardens, Friday 22 to Sunday 31 July.

To see the line-up of street food and market stalls appearing, and to view the full programme of events visit edfoodfest.com.

Scotland’s women’s hockey team were presented with their Commonwealth Games 2022 team shirts ahead of their departure for Birmingham.

Jim Aitken, director of sport and exercise for The University of Edinburgh, did the honours at a special ceremony in one of the main reception rooms at The Pollock Halls which sits in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano in Holyrood Park.

He also complemented the squad on the way they have conducted themselves during their stay during their pre-Games training camp.

They trained at the university’s sports complex at nearby Peffermill Playing Fields and had practice games against the Inverleith men’s squad and Scotland’s youth team.

The squad travel by bus to Birmingham and open their campaign against South Africa on Friday, July 29. Scotland are ranked No 17 in the world according to the latest figures, with South Africa having slipped to No 20, before playing New Zealand (No 8 in the world) the following day, Kenya, rated no 37, on Monday, August 1 and and then third-ranked Australia in their final qualifying pool game on Wednesday, August 3.

Katie Robertson believes that Scotland’s women’s hockey team took more than team building from a fun day with the Army.

The Freuchie-raised player feels that lessons learned during team building at Edinburgh’s Redford Barracks can be applied to their sport.

And Scotland’s vice-captain, who is a PE teacher at Dollar Academy, revealed that she had her eyes opened during the visit.

The midfield player (pictured in blue top) with The University of Edinburgh said: “It was a brilliant day. Yes, we learned about the physical demands of the Army and the physical training.

“Things were explained that we didn’t expect and we found that the Army is different from what we see from the outside, so it was really interesting.”

Team building exercises formed part of the day as did a meeting with the Queen’s Shetland pony, which was a highlight for Robertson who won the European Showjumping Championship with Team GB aged 13.

In fact, she only took up hockey after a bad fall from a horse while showjumping and didn’t have the confidence to saddle-up again.

The squad finished by being VIP’s at Edinburgh Castle for the firing of the One O’Clock Gun.

That was, said the former sport and psychology student at Abertay University, a lovely ending to a memorable day and the 25-year-old added: “We can definitely use some of the information we gleaned from the Army visit, the work that they do, and introduce that into what we do in training.

“We heard about teamwork and communication during that day and that information is transferrable to what we do.

“We, as a team, also came closer together that day and so it was a most worthwhile exercise.”Now the 18-strong squad prepare for the bus journey to Birmingham on Friday before facing key PCR Tests.

That could, said Robertson, could be a long process, then the team moves into the village. 

She added: “There is a lot of juggling to get an international team to a venue and the coaching staff has done a great job.

“Hopefully, it will be a smooth process when we get down there and that all the bags will arrive at our rooms.”

All the hard work has, she said, been completed in training and the squad are now homing in on July 29 when they open their campaign against South Africa, ranked No 16 in the world, two places above Scotland who are No 18.

She said: “We are looking at them in detail now, but there are three other games to be aware of. In training, we are ticking over now and we are really excited to get into that first game. 

“Our aim is to go out there and win all of our games, but we have to go from there.” 

Playing in Britain has advantages, argued the Fifer who said: “There are lot of factors when you are travelling abroad.

“For us, this is as close to a home Games as many of us are going to get and our understanding is that we will have lots of supporters there as well. That will be lovely. Also, acclimatization should be easier considering we are down in Birmingham.

“Moral in the camp is really good, We’ve been training hard the last four or five months and we have used past experiences to develop our game.

“We’ve played lots of fixtures and I believe we have progressed. Now, we want to get down there and get started.”

What The Fork Monarchs kick-start their bid to top the Scottish section of the Championship Jubilee League with a victory over Berwick Bandits at Armadale on Friday (tapes-up 7.30pm).

Bandits arrived with a side boosted since their early season appearance and it is worth noting that they won at Oxford a week ago. Making his Armadale debut will be their star Danish newcomer Jonas Knudsen (pictured).

They have heat leader strength in Chris Harris and Leon Flint, plus Armadale experience from former Monarchs riders Ricky Wells, Theo Pijper and Jye Etheridge, as well as Knudsen.

They should not be underestimated in spite of a heavy beating at Glasgow Tigers last week in which several of their riders crashed. Injuries and bike damage contributed to a big home defeat to Redcar Bears who therefore become Monarchs’ opposition in the Knockout Cup semi-final.

Bandits’ ten-point win at Oxford is a better measure of what the Bandits are capable of. They have listed a full team and could push Monarchs hard.

Monarchs’ team manager Alex Harkess said: “Berwick have had a mixed time recently, but they were very impressive winning at Oxford, with their new rider Jonas Knudsen at reserve.

“I saw their match last week at home and I think Knudsen is good, but he was obviously carrying an injury last Saturday. There were a few battered bikes as well.”

The match will be live streamed and details are on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk

WTF MONARCHS: Sam Masters (capt), Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering, Jacob Hook, James Sarjeant.

FTS BANDITS: Chris Harris (capt), Theo Pijper, Jye Etheridge, Ricky Wells, Leon Flint, Jonas Knudsen, Nathan Stoneman.

On Saturday (July 23) it is Berwick Bandits v Edinburgh Monarchs (Championship Jubilee League), Shielfield, 6:30pm.

Police Scotland has issued an appeal for information to help trace 24-year-old Maryam Arshad from Edinburgh.

Maryam was last seen in the Ferry Road area of Edinburgh about 4.45pm on Wednesday 20 July 2022.She is described as being five foot seven inches tall, with long dark hair worn in a ponytail.

When last seen was wearing a pink lightweight summer jacket with maroon top underneath, patterned trousers with small flowers thereon.

She was carrying a small black cross body black bag.

Inspector Caroline Flynn said : “We are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a Maryam and would ask her to get in contact. Anyone who knows where she is, is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3581 of 20 July.”

There will be a Fun Family Drop-in at McDonald Library on Saturday 23 July when arts and crafts, balloon modelling and face painting will be on offer.

The event has been organised as part of a campaign that was launched two years ago by the city’s Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland.

All of Us was set up to help people find out where to get support and advice with parenting or other worries about family life and where to turn if they have concerns about a child.

The partnership wants to help parents and carers, who may be struggling, and signpost them to where they can get advice and support before reaching crisis point.

Stalls at the event, which runs from 1pm to 3pm, will include NSPCC Scotland, Home Start, Children’s Health Scotland, Venture Scotland, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) and The Junction.

There will also be arts and crafts from Polymorphics, a Bookbug session, snacks and drinks, a face painter, balloon animals, and the Institute of Physics, a professional body which strives to make physics accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Gail Sayles, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “Looking after a child can be challenging for all parents and carers at times, and it is so important that people feel they can seek support and know where to turn for help. 

“Everyone is welcome to come along to this event to find out what support and activities are available where you live.

“Don’t forget the NSPCC Helpline is also there for anyone who wants advice or knows a family that needs support.”

The campaign has also been raising awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling.

Jackie Irvine, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “Many organisations will be on hand to offer advice and provide practical support to parents and carers at this fun free drop-in at McDonald Road Library.

“This campaign was first launched just weeks before the pandemic struck and highlights the very real issues around child neglect. The past couple of years have really driven home the importance of raising awareness among communities and professionals so they are alert to the signs of child neglect.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to find out more information about what is available.”

The Family Fun Drop-In is being held at the McDonald Library, McDonald Road, Edinburgh, from 1pm to 3pm.

The campaign has also been raising awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling with online workshops and seminars. 

For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm. People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324, their health visitor, GP or child’s school.

To find out more about the campaign visit: Edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus

It takes ‘ALL OF US’ to raise happy, healthy children.

Every Wednesday to Sunday in July there is a free lunchtime concert at 1pm at the Pianodrome which is situated at the Old Royal High School on Regent Road.

Access to the site and the Terrace Bar – which has the best view in Edinburgh – is free.

The full programme is here

Thursday 21 July at 1pm Moteh Parrott

Born in Cameroon and given the local name ‘Mnkongmoteh’, Moteh Parrott is a Scottish alternative-indie artist whose music complements reflective, uplifting lyrics with open-tuned electric guitar and cello, and has been likened to “a Highland wilderness with all the sweeping colour and spirit which that encompasses” (leedsmusicscene.net)

Shortlisted for BBC Radio Scotland’s Singer-Songwriter of the Year Award 2019, Moteh is currently working on his debut album at Chem19 studios with Paul Savage, producer of Mogwai, Arab Strap and King Creosote, among other Scottish artists. Moteh joined Live Music Now Scotland in 2019.

Friday 22 July 2022 Adeline Um

Adeline Um is a Korean American singer songwriter who started her music journey as a Berklee City Music scholar. Adeline first started her songwriting career by writing her own indie-pop music and now writes in the EDM/Deep House sphere as a top line singer songwriter. She has signed her music to independent labels such as Lowly Palace, NCS, Future House Cloud, LoudKult, Elysian Records, Adept Records, Tribal Trap, Afterpeak, OneSeventy, AESTHETE, and Magic Music and has received over 2 million plays on Spotify and Soundcloud. Adeline has been recognized by The Rolling Stone India and BBC Introducing and was a finalist in the top 2% at the UK Songwriting Competition. She has built a grassroots community, with a dedicated social media following, with over 75k monthly listeners on Spotify. This has led to signing with a manager – Adrian Riches of Creative Sounds UK. Adeline’s most notable performances include performing the National Anthem at Fenway Park and the TD Garden, at the Grammy Museum in LA for artists such as Lalah Hathaway and at the House of Blues Chicago. Adeline is influenced by experiences, travel, love, and connections with family and friends. As a Korean American now living in Scotland, she hopes her music is able to express the complexity of culture and humanity, while connecting people of different backgrounds.

Saturday 23 July Shea Martin

Originally from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in South-West Donegal (Ireland), Shea M of Housekind is a singer-songwriter,  community artist, and performer based in Edinburgh.  Their music has been described as ‘trad-inspired folk with indie undertones, built on poetically-told stories. A journey through a world equal parts cosy, uncanny and mysterious’.

Joined this lunchtime show by the gifted Callum younger on percussion

Sunday 24 July Neil Sutcliffe

Neil Sutcliffe is a Scottish musician originally from Stirling, but now based in Glasgow. His principal instrument is the accordion, on which he plays a variety of styles. In 2021 he completed his BMus Honours at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studied classical accordion with Djordje Gajic. Neil is passionate about promoting the classical accordion and its repertoire. As well as performing and teaching, he works with composers to introduce them to the instrument and encourage more contemporary compositions for the accordion. 

Neil also regularly performs as a traditional musician, both as a soloist and in various groups. Alongside a repertoire of tunes, he has inherited a love of folksong from his mother, Jo Miller, and sings in a variety of languages including Scots and Scottish Gaelic.Collaboration with other artists is a key focus of Neil’s work, and he regularly performs and composes with other musicians on various projects. Inter-disciplinary work includes shows with storytellers, dancers and BSL artists. 

https://www.pianodrome.org

Sarah Jamieson (pictured) was at her desk before attending a media day for Scotland women’s hockey team ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Yes, Scotland are in the fortunate position of having five members of the Great Britain squad in their ranks, but other members of the squad are teachers, some, like medical student, Ellie Wilson, had key university exams this week, while others juggle jobs and their hockey hobby.

Facing the Tartan Hearts in Birmingham will be teams in the world’s top ten, like Australia, who boast full-time athletes.

That simple fact underlines the gulf that coach Chris Duncan and the 18-strong squad have to bridge if they want to make a real impact in the tournament.

The playing field is not level but, however, there is cautious optimism that Scotland can compete with the best, particularly as the Games are only down the M6, under six-hours drive, but only on a good day. 

Edinburgh-based Jamieson, a private client solicitor at T C Young, stressed that the emphasis in the final days of training has been to make final tweaks which could tip the balance between success and failure.

The former Grove Menzieshill player added: “Yes, we have been preparing for most of this year and even last year, but we must be aware of the teams we are playing and how they approach their games.

“There is a lot of fine tuning but realistically it is all about how we adapt as we, very much, want to keep our system.”

Scotland open against South Africa (world No 16, session from 9am to 12.30, July 29) in Birmingham and then follow-up against New Zealand, ranked No 8 in the world (July 30, 19.00 to 22.30), Kenya (ranked 37, August 1, 9am to 12.30) and finish their pool against the mighty Hockeyroos from Australia, ranked No 3 on the planet, in the morning session starting from 9am to 12.30.

A real benefit to the Scots, however, in the build-up is that a number of the teams have played in the World Cup ahead of their appearance in Birmingham.

Footage of those games has been sourced and the Scotland coaching staff have studied the patters of play in-depth to glean as much as they can before facing them on the pitch at the University of Birmingham.

Jamieson, who has also played for Edinburgh side Inverleith, and has the distinction of being the first ladies player to represent Scotland at a Commonwealth Games, added: “We have four group games, but we’re definitely approaching this competition with a mind-set of one game at a time.

“The games are all very different and the four countries have a very different style of play. It is one game at a time.

“We start against South Africa and have New Zealand the next day then we have quite a big gap before the next game.”

She revealed that players have various ways of chilling during a training camp or during a tournament and Jamieson said: “Some just switch off and catch up on sleep, some of the girls have been working as teachers and are recovering from term time.

“I’ve been finishing off work. I was working this morning (Wednesday) and tomorrow morning (Thursday) before going on annual leave.”

The squad believe that there will be a Tartan Army of fans – family and friends – making the trip to the Midlands, and that is a massive lift.

And that’s a huge difference from Jamieson’s first Commonwealth Games. She made her debut four years ago in the Australian Gold Coast when Scotland came seventh.

She added: “Every Games are different. The Gold Coast was my first one and it was all very new, it was at the other side of the world, and a totally different experience.

“It was a whole different situation in the build-up too and we are calling this a home game as we are in Britain.

“Four years ago we headed out (to Australia) four weeks before the event and that first week of training we were so jet-lagged.

“We went from the (freezing cold) Beast from the East temperatures to over 30c and great humidity and it took around ten days there before we felt normal again.

“Here, we’ve been training and preparing at Peffermill (in Edinburgh) where we train a lot and that is just around the corner from where some of the girls live.

“There were no stresses about taking half your life with you in a suitcase and so this is something we need to make the most of.”

The heat in the last few days of training at Peffermill, she confirmed, had been intense, with record temperatures recorded in Britain, but the 28-year-old added: “It certainly is unusual.”

She plays at the University of Edinburgh Playing Fields for Edinburgh club Watsonians, recently crowned Premiership and League champions, and she admitted: “I’ve seen Peffermill this year in just about every weather situation possible.

“If there are high temperatures (in Birmingham) we must make sure we are hydrated properly.”

It has not, however, been all training and no fun. Monday was a team building exercise with the Army at Redford Barracks and it was not too physical, thankfully.

The highlight was being bussed to Edinburgh Castle to be centre stage as the One O’Clock Gun was fired and that had particular significance for Jamieson, a city centre office worker.

She added: “Our office is in George Street. I hear the gun every day so it was nice to get VIP access to the firing, it was exciting.” 

Scotland’s squad felt special that day and the Games are special for the athletes, the highlight of some of their careeers.

Now their travelling fans hope for something special when the girls start their campaign in Britain’s second city next week. 

A concert is being held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Palmerston Place on 29 July to raise funds and awareness for Ukraine.

Scottish and Ukrainian songs arranged for chamber orchestra will be performed by members of Edinburgh City Orchestra and conducted by Cristina Iscenco.

The Ukrainian award winning soloist of the Odessa Opera House, opera soprano Nadia Sychuk, aims to fill one of the biggest cathedrals in Scotland with her warm and bright voice.

After the performance and speeches of Ukrainian activists and Scottish public representatives, the event will end with a prayer and candlelight vigil.

A significant part of all proceeds will be donated to the medical fund Hospitallers, a Ukrainian organization of paramedics who are saving lives at the front lines.

Tickets from the link below.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/charity-concert-and-candlelight-vigil-for-ukraine-tickets-379039536457

The new Meadowbank Sports Centre has opened this week with little in the way of fanfare. That is being kept for later when the council plans an official opening.

Holmes Miller, the Glasgow based architects who designed the new building which replaced the Stadium built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, has produced a video showing some different views of the new facility being run by charity, Edinburgh Leisure. Chief Executive of Edinburgh Leisure, June Peebles is heard explaining her hopes for the new centre and is impact on the health and wellbeing of people in Edinburgh and beyond.

Meadowbank Sports Centre from Holmes Miller Architects on Vimeo.

A Scottish theatre company is embarking on nationwide search to find a talented actor with Down’s Syndrome to join them on a three-week Scottish tour this autumn.

Auditions will be held in Edinburgh in early August to find an actor to join the cast of Suzanne Lofthus’ play Downs With Love, which has an actor with Down’s Syndrome in the leading role.

The successful candidate will understudy leading actor Abigail Brydon and will play the lead role in at least three performances. 

Suzanne Lofthus, artistic director of Cutting Edge Theatre, said: “This will a wonderful opportunity for an actor who has Down’s Syndrome. The person who picks up this role will probably not be a trained actor, but is likely to be a keen member of an amateur drama group.

“They will join our professional cast and will train to take on a leading role. They need to be able to step in if Abigail is unable to perform, and will also play the lead in the play in three performances.

Lofthus wrote Downs With Love after meeting Abigail Brydon, who has Down’s Syndrome, in a drama class she was teaching and developed the play with her help.

After dates on the Fringe in 2017, it toured to ten venues across Scotland in 2018. Critics described it as “creative, humorous and entertaining” and “a powerful step forward for people with Down’s Syndrome in Scotland”.

Now, the play has secured Creative Scotland funding for a new production which will tour to 14 venues, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle. It is also being developed as a script for television.

It follows the story of Beth, a vivacious and capable young woman in her early 30s who falls for the local pub singer. But complications arise when he falls in love with her support worker: can a disabled person really have the same hopes and dreams as everyone else? 

Earlier this year, Cutting Edge Theatre received a major funding award from the ScottishPower Foundation to develop opportunities for disabled people of all ages to train in performing arts.

Cutting Edge launched its Young Company in 2021, offering learning disabled actors aged 18-25 the chance to train with theatre professionals alongside their peers, and Cutting Edge Youth Theatre, for 14-18-year-olds, will launch in the autumn.

Lofthus said: “We need to see more positive representations of disabled people on our stages and screens. To do that, we need to have more disabled actors, and therefore we need more training opportunities.

“Hopefully, we reached a point where we will not see able-bodied actors playing disabled people in films and TV shows because there are disabled actors who can play those roles.”

She says things are gradually improving with actors such as Tommy Jessop in Line of Duty and Sarah Gordy in The A Word gaining higher profiles in the industry. In 2020, American actor Zack Gottsagen, who starred opposite Shia LaBeouf in the film The Peanut Butter Falcon, became the first Down’s syndrome actor to present an Oscar.

“It is slow, but we have seen a rejection of the idea of able-bodied actors playing disabled people. The industry needs to change and we, along with a number of other organisations, are trying to change our industry in Scotland to make it more accessible to disabled people.”

Anyone interested in auditioning for Downs With Love should contact Suzanne Lofthus on cuttingedge21@btinternet.com

It is not entirely unexpected that a snagging list is compiled at the completion of a major building project. The £47 million Meadowbank Sports Centre has just opened its doors and it has been divulged that the list of matters requiring attention from the contractors was 600 items long.

The list as well as Covid caused delays to the opening of the new Meadowbank and included mould on the wall and urine stains.

A freedom of information request (FOI) revealed a variety of issues identified with the new £47 million facility when it was handed to the council by contractors Graham Construction just last month.

The state-of-the-art community sports complex, stadium and running track, which replaces the original Meadowbank built to host the 1970 Commonwealth Games, opened on Tuesday around two years late and £2 million over the original budget.

In June Edinburgh Leisure reported “the usual snagging issues” were being dealt with ahead of its opening.

An FOI submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service shows that in total, 686 defects were discovered across the three floors upon inspection by council officials.

These included urine stains in one of the men’s toilets, mould on one of the walls and a hole in the wall of a female staff changing room.

A drain full of rubble, a disabled toilet with doors that were “not wide enough”, moss discovered behind a changing room toilet and a leaking shower hose were also narrated.

Poor and unfinished paintwork throughout the building was noted and pointed out to the contractors along with various cracked floor tiles, stained carpets and paint spilled on the floor.

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said the discovery of nearly 700 faults was “expected”, adding the number of snagging issues typically found in a newly-built house is between 50 and 150.

The council confirmed the contractor has dealt with “the vast majority” of issues and “some minor ones such as bits of paintwork” are outstanding.

June Peebles, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “It’s usual for there to be snagging issues, especially with a building of this size, and we have been working with The City of Edinburgh Council and the main contractor to address the issues to ensure that many of them will be completed before we open.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to this multi-million-pound investment which will provide countless opportunities for Edinburgh citizens to be active and will undoubtedly contribute to the well-being of our City.”

Ms Peebles spoke to The Edinburgh Reporter ahead of the opening:

The new venue supports accessible participation, and has a changing places toilet as well as lifts and step free ground floor access. Facilities include two multi-sport games halls with seating, where LED lighting on the floor can change what type of court is being played there, three fitness studios and a gym with triple the number of exercise stations that the previous Meadowbank had.

Council leader Cammy Day said: “We are delighted with the  new  Meadowbank Sports Centre – I believe it will be one of the best facilities for community and club sport in the country. I hope the fantastic – and top of the range – facilities will encourage people to get more active and more often. I was very impressed when I was given my first look and I’m confident members old and new will be too.”

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.

Clyde Munro acquisitions gather pace with more in pipeline.

The largest exclusively Scottish dental group now has more than 500,000 patients under its care and will soon secure its 70^th practice following a spate of acquisitions.

Since the start of the year a number of dental practices from throughout Scotland have joined Clyde Munro Dental Group, taking it to 69 practices and more than 200 dentists and 500 staff.

Early into 2022 the Glasgow business snapped up dental practices in Bathgate, Balerno and Maybole, while in the last quarter it has acquired in Dunfermline, Oban, Arbroath, Paisley, Thurso, Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Having launched in 2015 with just seven practices, approximately one in 11 Scots are now patients within its network.

Kirsty Dace, Chief Development Officer at Clyde Munro, said: “It has been a very busy first half of 2022 with an average of three practices joining the group in each month.

“It’s a dynamic we hope will continue into the second half of the year and we are on the verge of concluding a number of further acquisitions.

“Our stated ambition is to become Scotland’s ‘local dentist’ and we will continue to look for opportunities where well-established dental practice owners are looking for a timely exit, or may want to ease the administrative requirements of running a demanding business.”

“We are committed to delivering outstanding standards in patient care in Scotland and with more than one third of our dental practices located outside of Scotland’s main cities that commitment extends equally to rural communities as it does to large centres of population.”

Banking and wealth management specialist, Investec, provided a further £25 million of investment in February to support Clyde Munro’s ambitious growth strategy.

The group has launched various initiatives to become Scotland’s environmentally friendly dentist, including switching all practices to a renewable energy provider, switching its fleet of vehicles to electric cars, removing plastic cups and enrolling in dental waste recycling schemes. It aims to be net zero by 2030.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Edinburgh International Film Festival announced the programme for its fully in-person 75th Anniversary edition this year.

The programme of cinema screenings, live performance and industry dialogues in Edinburgh in the heart of the August festival season welcomes attending UK & international filmmakers to present their work.

EIFF is working with venue partners across the city centre including Filmhouse Cinema, Cameo Picturehouse, Everyman Edinburgh at the St James Quarter, Vue Edinburgh Omni and outdoors with Film Fest in the City in St Andrew Square, to offer audiences a warm welcome back to the big screen.

This year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival programme has been brought together by a team of programmers led by Kristy Matheson, Creative Director of the Festival. Alongside Kristy, the EIFF Programming Team consists of Manish Agarwal, Anna Bogutskaya, Rafa Sales Ross, Kate Taylor, Abigail Addison (animation programmer); Short Film Programmers – Jenny Clarke (narrative) Rohan Crickmar (non-fiction), Black Box Programmer – Lydia Beilby; Retrospective Curator (2022 Theme) Kim Knowles.

Kristy Matheson, Creative Director of EIFF said: “For our 75th anniversary, we’ve embraced the very essence of cinema – from its production to its exhibition, it’s a truly collective pursuit. Working alongside a talented team of programmers and festival producers to craft our 2022 programme has been joyous. I’m excited to share our programme with you today and look forward to welcoming audiences back to EIFF this August.”

Isabel Davis, Executive Director, Screen Scotland said: “Kristy’s exciting programme of international and Scotland made cinema, the refocusing of the Festival’s major award, and a great set of special events brings clarity and vision to the festival in its 75th year.”

Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “I am delighted to see such a jam-packed programme of events for this very special 75th Edinburgh International Film Festival. With dozens of films and a host of premieres set to be screened and with us all able to attend venues in-person, I am sure this year’s event will be a fantastic success.”

Cllr Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener said: “Once again we are proud to support the Edinburgh International Film Festival in its 75th anniversary year. This year’s programme is exciting and to have the festival back fully in-person is a huge milestone as we emerge from the pandemic. We can also look forward to welcoming participants from across Scotland who will have opportunities to participate in the film talent development programme strand. Moreover, there will be an accessible programme of workshops, classes and events for young people throughout the Festival.”

EIFF is supported by Screen Scotland, the PLACE Programme (a partnership between the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Festivals), the Scottish Government through the Festivals Expo Fund and the PLACE Resilience Fund, the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, and the BFI Audience Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.

Tickets go on sale to Filmhouse Members and Screen Saver Passholders today at 12noon and on sale to the general public at 10am on Friday 22 July.

#EIFF22

https://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/whats-on

Leith-born saxophonist Sean Megaw has won one of the much-coveted awards given to students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the end of the academic year.

Sean, who graduated from the RCS jazz course with first class honours, receives the Alan McAuley Jazz Award, which comes with a cash prize of $5000. The award is designed to help with Career Development and is given at the discretion of the Head of the jazz department, Special External Assessors, and External Examiners, to a musician or group of musicians in their final year.

Sean began playing the alto saxophone at the age of eleven. In 2012 he successfully auditioned for the City of Edinburgh Music School in saxophone, piano and singing but he decided in his final year to concentrate on the saxophone.

“Jazz has always been part of my life,” said Sean. “As a child I listened to the swing greats at my grandparents’ house and from there I’ve gone on to discover more and more musicians who have influenced me, although I wouldn’t have got where I am now without my saxophone tutors at the RCS – Tommy Smith, Martin Kershaw, Paul Towndrow and Ken Thompson.

One of the purposes of the Alan McAuley Jazz Award is to finance recording, promotion and touring and Sean plans to use the money to record and release his first album.

Tommy Smith, head of jazz at the RCS, said. “Sean is a worthy winner who, like the other two winners, is being rewarded for hard work, diligence, and creativity. Previous winners have included the pianist Fergus McCreadie and saxophonist Matt Carmichael, who have both gone on to sign prestigious recording deals and to represent Scotland and the RCS across Europe. I’m confident that Sean will go on to be a great advert for our course.”

Sustainable honey business Webster Honey, which has four hives in the gardens at Cambo Gardens and The Stables Visitor Centre at Kingsbarns, is running a series of honeybee workshops there for customers who want to learn more about caring for bees.

Each workshop lasts two hours, with a mix of theory and practical and the company recently ran the second in the series.

“We had a really good turnout for this second workshop,” said Meik Molitor, Webster Honey’s beekeeper. “I am really pleased with how Cambo’s four hives are doing. Needless to say, they are absolutely thriving in this amazing garden environment with its mix of different plants, flowers and vegetation. Plus, the warm weather of late has also helped the bees get well established here. I think that these hives are going to win the prize for the heaviest hives of this season in terms of honey production. It’s early days but that is certainly the indication at this point.”

“It’s good news for Cambo Gardens who have been fantastic in sponsoring four hives. They are planning to sell our honey in their shop, so fingers crossed we should get a bumper crop from the hives for them.”

Cambo Gardens ever-changing Walled Garden contains twenty four different areas of seasonal interest. In the autumn there’s a North American Prairie, herbaceous borders and a potager alive with vibrant colour. The Visitor Centre frequently hosts local Makers Markets and Craft Workshops.

Judy Drew, Learning & Engagement Officer at Cambo Gardens said: “That’s another successful honeybee workshop under our belt, and our thanks once again go to Meik. We are delighted to hear that our hives are coming along so well.”

Webster Honey offers business and personal sponsorship of hives, including beekeeping experiences if required. This can also include staff incentive and reward.

Prices for the honeybee workshops are from £45 per person.

Professional services firm Pinsent Masons’ new Edinburgh office has become the first building in Scotland to be awarded a prestigious distinction certifying its well-being credentials.

The firm’s 25,000 sq ft office in Capital Square – home to 200 lawyers and business operations staff – has received WELL Certification by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).

The WELL Building Standard in the world’s premier accreditation which focuses on enhancing people’s health and well-being through the buildings where they live, work and play, and is the result of seven years of rigorous research and development working with leading physicians, scientists and industry professionals.

The Standard is a performance-based certification which marries best practice in design and construction with scientific research, and covers seven categories of performance, including air, water, light, nourishment, fitness, comfort and mind.

Pinsent Masons’ design team introduced measures including Circadian lighting systems which work in harmony with occupants’ 24-hour biological clocks, ensuring there is ample access to daylight and when daylight is comprised the system compensates to create a healthier and more naturally lit environment.

Air quality standards have been enhanced with increased air filtration and an air flush programme was carried out before occupation of the building, while greater focus has been put on healthy nutrition and mindful eating, with organic and sustainable products available in the office café.

A biophilic approach to the office design was used to create a harmony between modern architecture and the natural world with sustainable materials used wherever possible, and a large well-being zone and contemplation room was created with a library of materials covering mindfulness, stress management and healthy habits.

Other features include a third of workstations designed to be height-adjustable for standing and sitting and staff can take advantage of a range of fitness activities in the office, including yoga classes.

Luke Richards, Pinsent Masons Head of Facilities, UK & Ireland, said: “From the outset we wanted to take our  people-centric workplace approach up a notch by targeting a globally-recognised standard, such as WELL, and challenging ourselves to deliver a more sustainable office fit-out project. We researched and sought out elements which created an amazing space that supports the wellbeing of the colleagues who work here, while minimising our impact on the environment throughout.

“This is the first project of its kind that Pinsent Masons has undertaken and we are delighted to be leading the way in Scotland as occupying the first building to have been awarded the WELL Certification.”

Ongoing monitoring and reporting will ensure the WELL standards achieved within the first six months of taking occupancy in the Morrison Street building will be maintained and improved, and other measures which meet the WELL benchmark will be introduced as part of a rolling programme.

Ewan Alexander, Partner and Head of Office in Edinburgh, said: “It was our objective to achieve WELL accreditation and to meet the IWBI’s incredibly high standards and we are delighted to have done so.

“Working closely with the design experts, we were able to adjust certain features during the fit-out to make better use of space and design in light of post-Covid working preferences. The result is a stunning fit-for-purpose office which underlines our commitment to fully supporting our clients engaged in multiple sectors across Scotland and in international markets.”

Slàinte Mhath at Karma Lake of Menteith’s Malt Vault

With a number of exciting new additions to its “vaults”, The Malt Vault at Karma Lake of Menteith is a real treat for the whisky lover. The “cosy nook” just off the hotel’s traditional main bar, has over one hundred Malts on offer, making it one of the very best Malt Whisky bars in central Scotland.

Included are whiskies from the nearby distilleries of Deanston, Glengoyne, and Glenturret, coupled with covetable whiskies from all of the whisky producing areas of Scotland.

Malts of note currently “in stock” at The Malt Vault are a Glenfarclas 30 year old, a Bunnahabhain 30-year-old, a Bruichladdich Black Arts 9.1 29 year old, a Lagavulin 16 year old special Reserve, and a Dalmore King Alexander. There are also several quite rare Campbeltown Malts to sample, including the famous Springbank. 

Keen to expand and promote what is very much seen as a unique selling point for the tranquil lakeside Hotel, which is the first Scottish acquisition for Karma Group, General Manager of the resort, Chris Diplock, has been purchasing numerous new malts for the collection since he took up his post earlier this year.  

He said: “The Malt Vault is a fantastic feature of this Hotel, and one we at Karma Group are keen to make the very most of. We hope that guests enjoy sitting here in the evening enjoying the “Uisce Beatha”, the Scottish Gaelic term meaning “Water Of Life”- which becomes Whisky.”

“Our brand is all about creating exceptional experiences,” continued Chris, “and, in Scotland, sampling the very best whisky, including rarer varieties, is most certainly part of that that. Of course, every whisky is different and represents not only the skill of the individual distiller, but also the unique provenance of each distillery, its history, and most importantly its flavour profile.”

“Aficionados have to consider how old the whisky is, in what type of cask it has matured, and where it has come from. All of this makes each malt individual and magic.”

Chris paraphrased the well known saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”: “Well, here you are in the centre of Scotland. You simply have to try a local Malt Whisky from this area, or from wherever you have travelled! Deanston, just along the road at Doune, is our nearest distillery, and is well worth a visit. We have their 17 year old Organic PX finish Malt which was transferred into organic casks in 2016, and bottled in 2020. A very special local Whisky indeed!”

Chris explained that all of the Vault’s whiskies were sourced from Woodwinters Wines & Whiskies, a local, independent, award winning wine merchant.

“They know their subject inside out, providing us with samples, tasting notes and staff training,” he said. “They are always able to source us with a supply of limited allocated and very rare whiskies.”

Future plans for the Malt Vault at Karma Lake of Menteith include ticketed Tasting Nights for non residents, alongside pairing whisky with food at special Whisky Dinners.

“As we say here in Scotland,” said Chris, “Slàinte Mhath- we look forward to welcoming you and sharing a dram.”

Edinburgh Art Festival returns to the capital next week.

The 18th edition of the citywide display of the arts will take place in 2022, from 28 July – 28 August.

New commissions are inspired by the theme of ‘The Wave of Translation’, marking the 200^th anniversary of the Union Canal, featuring three major new works from Jeanne van Heeswijk, Nadia Myre and Pester and Rossi. Associate Artist Emmie McLuskey has programmed new work from Hannan Jones, Janice Parker, Maeve Redmond and Amanda Thomson.

And Platform, the festival’s annual showcase for early-career visual artists, returns for 2022, with work from Saoirse Amira Anis, Emelia Kerr Beale, Lynsey MacKenzie, and Jonny Walker. 

The programme also includes new exhibitions of work by Daniel Silver, Ashanti Harris, Celine Condorelli, Alan Davie, Barbara Hepworth, Kirsten Coelho, Tracey Emin, Studio Lenca andRuth Ewan.

Over 100 artists will be showcased in 35 exhibitions, with many events free to attend.

For more information visit https://www.edinburghartfestival.com/

Having just looked after a number of overseas visitors who came to the area for The Open, The Old Manor Hotel at Lundin Links – under new ownership by the Wallace family of Pettycur Bay Holiday Park – is celebrating a new supplier relationship with the Wood family.

Malcolm and Arlene Wood, together with their sons Matthew and Nathan, run Fresh Express Produce which supplies top quality fruit and vegetables, including pre-prepared fruit, vegetables and gourmet salads to the trade with the support of their fantastic team of staff. 

Their sister business, The Real Fresh Chip Co, supplies fresh hand cut chips. Both businesses already supply Pettycur Bay’s Horizons Restaurant. 

Now, with The Old Manor Hotel looking to build up its local dining offer, and keen to promote its food provenance, Malcolm is delighted to have been asked to become one of their key suppliers.

“As a family business we’d firstly like to congratulate the Wallace family on buying The Old Manor Hotel,” said Malcolm Wood. “We’ve always tried our very best to supply Horizons at Pettycur Bay with the highest quality, locally grown produce, along with our fresh chips which are sourced within the UK using British varieties of potato. It’s fantastic to continue this long running relationship here at The Old Manor.”

“Today we are bringing strawberries from Blacketyside Farm just up the road, together with lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower from Crail,” he said.

“In terms of food miles, we keep everything to a minimum. If we can source it locally, and it’s of a suitable high quality, we will supply it to our customers. As we are based in Glenrothes, the fresh chips are coming here to Lundin Links from just nine miles away. Most frozen chips for trade actually come from Holland, so using us really cuts down on the carbon footprint.

We can guarantee fresh chips, which we treat with a plant based product to keep them fresh and crispy, fifty two weeks of the year.”

Roberta Drummond, from Leven, who is Head Chef at The Old Manor said; “Our fresh produce provision could not be in better hands than under Malcolm and his family. As a chef I am only as good as my ingredients, and therefore rely on Fresh Express Produce to consistently supply me with the very best that Fife’s larder has to offer. The fresh chips save so much time and taste amazing. Customer feedback has been really good with everyone enjoying them.”

“The world class strawberries from Blacketyside Farm certainly come in handy for my luxury afternoon teas which are really busy at the moment. At the height of the season we are using hundreds a week,” added Roberta.

Heidi Orr, the Old Manor Hotel’s General Manager, said: “I echo what Roberta has said. Malcolm and his family are a total pleasure to deal with. We’re building a great team here – suppliers and staff – which is exactly what we need as there’s a lot going on at the Hotel.”

“We were very busy last week with The Open, with several American visitors staying which was great to see. Scotland, and particularly, the East Neuk, is back in business, and we want to capitalise on that with our on-going refurbishment seeking to create a refreshed, updated Hotel ready for weddings, events, and a solid dining out base.”

“Roberta has created exciting new menus, and we’ve got a new look in the bar area, with Belhaven, another of our suppliers, recently installing smart new taps.”  

Heidi finished by saying that the Hotel’s new look would be completed by early next year.

“We’ll continue to trade throughout, and indeed have not closed at all since the Wallace family took over the ownership. Upgrades of several bedrooms are already completed, with the main public areas being re-designed. We can’t wait to unveil it all to our customers!”

www.theoldmanorhotel.co.uk

https://pettycur.co.uk/restaurant.asp

www.freshexpressproduce.co.uk

www.therealfreshchipcompany.co.uk

Police Scotland is appealing for information to help trace 31-year-old Martin Kos from Edinburgh.

Martin was last seen at around 3.30am on Thursday 14 July, 2022, on a ferry travelling to Lerwick, Shetland.

He is described as being six foot eight inches tall and when last seen he was wearing a brown leather jacket and tan shoes.

Inspector Lynne Kortland said: “We are extremely concerned for the welfare of Martin who has not been seen since the early hours of Thursday morning on board the Northlink ferry which was destined for Lerwick.

“I would urge anyone who has any information on the whereabouts of Martin to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting 0980 of 15 July, 2022.”

The City of Edinburgh Council is applying for a share of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund for projects in Edinburgh and, if needed, will call an emergency committee meeting to approve the submission before the deadline of 1 August.

The council discussed the application at a June committee meeting when councillors were asked to approve applications of a total of £42 million for cultural venues in the city and for the regeneration of Inch Park where the council has its plant nursery.

The details of all the projects currently being considered are contained in a document at the foot of this article.

Director of Place, Paul Lawrence, explained the background of the applications to the two funds – one of which is competitive and one not – to councillors on the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee on 23 June.

Mr Lawrence said: “The Levelling Up Fund is a competitive process for local authorities to put forward the projects which they think will achieve the objectives set out in the Levelling Up Bill. Officers brought forward a pipeline of bids for Round One. These are partly related to UK Parliamentary constituencies and that is the geography on which bids are based.

“Slightly to our surprise, but we were delighted in the first round of the Levelling Up bids to be successful in achieving £16 million for the Granton Gasholder which is one of the council’s foremost regeneration sites. This is a major capital project which would not have been funded by private development. My colleagues in the Granton team are taking forward expenditure of that money here and now. With the funding come deadlines and we have to get it spent by certain dates.

“In the Levelling Up fund there was an element of “tiering” on the basis of parliamentary constituencies and also based on the deprivation indices. While there is significant deprivation in parts of Edinburgh, the local authority as a whole was relatively low on those criteria. Edinburgh was a Tier Three area and most of the awards went to Tier One areas, so we were a bit surprised but delighted.

“We do not know if there will be a Round Three but we are applying for Round Two, and are being mindful of the criteria and the spending deadlines. There is also a degree of pragmatism in looking again at the pipeline, the number of projects applied for and also what was ready.”

Mr Lawrence explained that in Round Two the UK Government had changed the guidelines allowing for councils to apply for up to £50 million to spend on cultural infrastructure of national importance which had not been provided for in the first round.

The Inch Park regeneration will have “huge amounts of community involvement” and is very “exciting” and is also supported by Ian Murray MP for Edinburgh South. The second bid relates to citywide cultural regeneration specifically brought together a bit late in the day to try and respond to the new fund guidance.

Mr Lawrence said that the officers had two thing in mind when drafting the second bid. He said: “This is a national competition and so it should be possible for Edinburgh to demonstrate what the city needs to spend on its infrastructure to keep Edinburgh ahead of the game culturally and sustain the city’s local, national and international reputation.”

Officers looked at what would have an impact nationally and at community cultural projects, particularly in the most deprived communities. The portfolio of spending would be directed to the King’s Theatre, Leith Theatre, The Queen’s Hall and the Usher Hall, all of which are central to the cultural reputation as well as other projects in Wester Hailes and Pennywell.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is not a competitive process, but an allocation being made by the UK Government to every local authority. There is a three year allocation from this fund to Edinburgh, relatively modest to begin with and rising towards the end of the period. There is also a possibility of working with neighbouring councils on a cross regional programme and that is being investigated.

The application has to be made to this fund by 1 August and councillors were asked to delegate authority to the Chief Executive along with the Council Leader and the Housing Convener, in view of council recess in July.

Cllr Kate Campbell lodged a motion asking for the details of a final investment plan to be prepared for all councillors to approve at an emergency meeting, and this was accepted by Convener Cllr Jane Meagher. The next Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee meeting takes place on 4 August, and council officers are also asking the UK Government for a few days grace for councillors to approve the programme being put forward. The investment plan will set out more details of the way in which any investment will be targeted to areas of deprivation, setting outcomes which would help the council in tackling poverty.

Cllr Campbell said she felt it was important that for this amount of funding there should be an emergency meeting called if necessary and that the committee had the chance to agree the broad parameters of how this money is spent. Ahead of the meeting Cllr Campbell who was the previous Housing Convener had said: “I was shocked by the suggestion that this decision could be delegated just to the convener and council leader. Labour represent about 20% of the council and so to have such an important decision, about millions of pounds of spending, just sitting with two Labour councillors feels extremely anti-democratic.

“We put an amendment to demand that there should be an emergency committee if the extension is not given, so all councillors can scrutinise the plans.”

Conservative councillor Iain Whyte said he had criticised bids made in Round One for not being ambitious enough and questioned whether enough was being done to develop future pipeline projects in case there is a Round Three. He also said that the culture and heritage bid for £50 million lacks financial detail and seemed “a bit unfocussed”, questioning whether the bid meets the twin aims of that fund. He also highlighted that East Edinburgh appears to have been missed out and wondered where other funding might be sourced.

Paul Lawrence replied that the projects for which funding has been requested are those situated in areas where significant regeneration is underway, and will help to make projects there bigger and more ambitious – such as the Granton Gasholder did last time. The Director of Place also confirmed there are other projects in the pipeline which could be proposed next time, but of course it is not yet known whether there will be more funding, and he repeated that the spending deadlines also affected the application. He reminded councillors that quite soon building will begin on the Dunard Centre which will be the first new concert hall for generations and which is funded by the UK and Scottish Governments as well as philanthropist Carol Grigor and the Dunard Fund.

Cllr Flannery asked how much the Edinburgh South Community Sports Club were involved in putting the bid together for the park and a council officer confirmed they were heavily involved, and still are. The LibDem councillor for Southside/Newington also asked about the football senior team which has now been elevated to the senior league and who will need a specific level of pitch to play on. The council officer explained that the community sports club have ambitions to create a match pitch but that will require quite a lot of infrastructure such as stands and changing rooms. There was difficulty in fitting all of that into the space available at Inch House, but the council has now agreed to create a full size all weather pitch for seniors and all the youth teams. The plans for that are currently being reviewed.

Cllr Stuart Dobbin asked about the projects for Wester Hailes and Craigmillar, but it was explained that no application has yet been made for these as they need some more work.

Green councillor Ben Parker asked about the citywide Active Travel project which was unsuccessful in the first round, and whether there might be funding found elsewhere. It was confirmed that the work on these projects in Wester Hailes and Craigmillar such as Niddrie Mains Road is quite advanced and that there is Scottish Government funding for active travel improvements.

Jeremy Balfour MSP has urged the council to make such applications to the fund. He said: “I am pleased to see the second round of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund open up for bids.

“This fund has already helped to deliver millions worth of funding across Scotland so I would encourage The City of Edinburgh Council to ensure they bid for a share of this funding.

“The Levelling Up Funding can help make community projects in the Lothians a reality that local people have wished to see for years.

“It will also directly empower local authorities by directly giving the money to them, which is exactly what our councils need after years of savage SNP cuts to their budgets.

“The Levelling Up Funding can help our post-pandemic recovery in the Lothians and boost job opportunities.

“I hope that The City of Edinburgh Council will submit their bids over the next couple of weeks for projects to help rejuvenate communities.”

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Edinburgh Capitals, who have joined the Scottish National League, have raided Dundee’s junior development programme for two players.
Joe Lynch, son of Capitals’ new coach, Steven Lynch (pictured), and goaltender Dominick Jaglar, both represented Team Great Britain at  under-16 level last season.
Lynch iced with Dundee under-16s last season and the Fife-born forward has also been part of the junior development programme at Kirkcaldy.
Dundee-born netminder Jaglar progressed through the Dundee junior programme before iceing with the Manchester Storm Academy under-16s last term.
Coach Lynch said: “I have spent a long time in junior coaching and the word potential comes to mind for both players.
 “They are determined to become professional hockey players but I believe at 16 both are ready for Scottish National League minutes.”

They have also recruited, 22-year-old, Edinburgh-born Ross Borwick who can play in defence or as a forward and he iced for Murrayfield Racers. 

The new Meadowbank Sports Centre will open to the public from 7.00am on Tuesday.

There will be little in the way of ceremony since the official opening will take place later in the summer, but it will be a welcome sight for those who regularly use the facilities and who have missed them while the old facilities were demolished to make way for a new £47 million stadium. The former Meadowbank closed in December 2017 when rebuilding began, but some delays were caused by the pandemic.

The running track has been resurfaced in readiness for athletes who train there and for any competitions on the horizon and there are state of the art facilities on offer to Edinburgh Leisure members.

Meadowbank is owned by The City of Edinburgh Council and managed by the charity, Edinburgh Leisure. The new state-of-the-art stadium and indoor facilities will support physical activity, sport, health, and wellbeing in Edinburgh for generations to come. At the same time it has been considered important to remember the legacy and heritage of the old Meadowbank built for the Commonwealth Games in 1970.

The new venue supports accessible participation and has improved indoor facilities including two multi-sport games halls with seating, three fitness studios and a gym with three times the number of exercise stations. There are car parking spaces and a two storey cycle store (photo below).

Edinburgh Leisure’s Chief Executive, June Peebles, said:“Donald Goldsmith, the manager at Meadowbank, and his team are incredibly excited (as I am) about this much anticipated opening and are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to this multi-million-pound investment which will provide countless opportunities for Edinburgh citizens to be active and will undoubtedly contribute to the wellbeing of our city.”

Ms Peebles told The Edinburgh Reporter when we met her a couple of weeks ago that there was only a small snagging list left but a “huge clean”. Now all that work is done and the centre is ready for Edinburgh Leisure members and visitors. June said: “The old Meadowbank held memories for many people, but for anyone interested in physical activity in the city this is a big moment. The difference in the new building is that many of the facilities are purpose built for the activities. In the new Meadowbank there is state of the art equipment in a bigger gym for example. The activity mix is much the same but the quality of the facilities is very much improved.

The outdoor velodrome was lost after it fell into disrepair although Ms Peebles told us that it had actually lasted longer than anyone thought it would. She said: “Despite the fact that it was outdoor and open to the elements it lasted longer than anticipated. But the new Meadowbank is a regional facility and we are conscious that there is an indoor velodrome in Glasgow. There had to be compromises mainly due to the limitation on finances – although the council spent many millions here.

“it is hard to say if all of our old members will come back to Meadowbank. Some members found new Edinburgh Leisure places to go to. I am confident that people will come especially when they see the facilities here – but of course that causes a worry if people are leaving our other venues.

“But for me the big message is that this is a fantastic facility. It will make a huge contribution to the health and wellbeing of people in Edinburgh. It will allow people to develop in their own sports. My message is please come and see Meadowbank and come and use it. There are activities for everyone of all ages and stages and we are looking forward to seeing everyone.”

The basic facilities for track and throwing are in place, but some further infrastructure would be needed to run any Commonwealth Games in the future. Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well programme might even use the track for some of their walking groups in a safe space with a view to using the café to socialise afterwards. The café is right at the front of the Meadowbank building is open to everyone, even if they are not using the gyms and halls.

Ms Peebles leads a team of more than 100 people at Edinburgh Leisure and their offices are now in Meadowbank. She said that she is delighted to be back in an office along with her colleagues who all have access to the gym and other facilities before and after work.

Council Leader Cllr Cammy Day said: “The City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We are delighted with the new Meadowbank Sports Centre – I believe it will be one of the best facilities for community and club sport in the country. I hope the fantastic and top of the range facilities will encourage people to get more active and more often. I was very impressed when I was given my first look and I’m confident members old and new will be too. 

“Participation and accessibility are at the heart of the centre, and it will bring huge physical, mental, and social benefits to generations of local people for years to come. There is a packed programme of activity and range of classes for all interests and ability. Meadowbank has been an iconic part of the Capital’s sporting history and I’m in no doubt that the new Centre will build on this legacy.”

sportscotland contributed £5 million to the financing of the new facilities. Chair, Mel Young, said: “Meadowbank Sports Centre has been a sporting and social hub for so many people in the Edinburgh area over the years. Thanks to this incredible £47million refurbishment, people of all ages and abilities will be able to reap the benefits of newly refurbished facilities. The re-opening of Meadowbank will provide the local community with access to a state-of-the-art sport and physical activity centre on their doorstep, creating significant participation opportunities. This collaboration between The City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Leisure and sportscotland is a great example of partnership working developing genuine opportunities that will help make sport, and physical activity a way of life for local people.’’  

The new Meadowbank includes these facilities:

• An outdoor eight-lane athletics track with a 499-seat stand and outdoor throwing and jumps area
• A 60m six-lane indoor athletics track and jumps space
• Two multi-sport halls with fixed and moveable spectator seating
• A hall for trampolining and dance
• Two fitness studios (capacity – 30 each), which include world-renowned Les Mills programme of classes, smart tech bars and weights
  • The fitness class timetable will open with 92 classes
• A Cycle Studio (capacity – 30) with Life Fitness IC7 bikes and ICG myride and Les Mills RPM classes
• A gym with Life Fitness equipment, dumbbells up to 50kg, Watt bikes, SkiErg, row and Cybex SPARC machines (capacity – 90)
  • Combined bumped plates weighs in the gym – 2927.5kg
  • Combined dumbbell weight in the gym – 1,918kg
  • 40+ pieces of resistance and free weights equipment
• Two squash courts
• A combat studio for martial arts
• A boxing gym 
• Two 3G (synthetic) pitches, including one with a 499-seat stand
• A hospitality Suite and event-hosting facilities
• Cafe and meeting rooms

Opening times and how to buy memberships are available on Edinburgh Leisure’s website and social media.

The following companies were involved in the building project:
Contractor – GRAHAM Construction
Architect – Holmes Miller
Project Management – Thomas and Adamson
Quantity Surveyor – Gardiner and Theobald 
Building Services Engineer – RSP
Structural Engineer – AECOM
Landscape Architect – LDA