It is now Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year, and there are many events planned in the capital so we are devoting a few of our five things to saying “Gung hei fat choi” – Congratulations and may you be prosperous.

This is now the Year of the Snake and many people have been celebrating and will be celebrating more this weekend – here are some suggestions:

At the Mound and elsewhere on Saturday

Calligraphy & Paper Cutting Workshop – Create your own ‘Fu’ character and Spring Festival couplets to bring blessings, joy, and prosperity to your home in the new year at a Calligraphy & Paper Cutting Workshop. All materials provided.
25 January 2025.

The Mound Chinese New Year Celebration for Scotland from noon until 2pm at the Mound precinct, adjacent to the Scottish National Gallery. Free and open to the public.  Experience cultural and artistic displays themed on traditional Chinese New Year celebrations at the free-to-attend Mound Chinese New Year Celebration of Scotland 2025.

• Camera Obscura & World of Illusions – Enjoy Chinese New Year themed decorations and the red building at night at Year of the Snake at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.
  From 27 January to 07 February 2025.
• Chinese New Year Celebration – Performed by the Edinburgh Symphony Orchestra on the prestigious stage of the Usher Hall, the Chinese New Year Celebration heralds the most important festival in the Chinese calendar with a ground-breaking collaboration of Scottish and Chinese music and song. Don’t miss the lion and dragon dance outside at 6.30 pm. 
• 1 February 2025
• Chinese Lunar New Year Market – The first Chinese cultural market in Edinburgh. Immerse yourself in Chinese culture with unique art pieces and traditional food at the free to attend Chinese Lunar New Year Market at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall.
  01 February 2025
• The Empress and Me Chinese New Year 2025 Performance – Supported by Heriot-Watt University, in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and presented by Grist to the Mill and Red Dragonfly Productions, The Empress and Me Chinese New Year 2025 Performance is a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar and a cherished tradition of its Chinese New Year celebrations
  08 February 2025.
• Chinese Calligraphy Experience at Strathberry, Multrees Walk – To celebrate the Year of the Snake, customers will receive a complimentary Charlotte Purse with any purchase over £300 on 1 February 2025 at the Multrees Walk store. At the Chinese Calligraphy Experience at Strathberry, Multrees Walk, guests will be able to make it their own with the in-store calligraphy artist, who will emboss a Chinese word on the back of the purse, or they can receive a personalisation on the Strathberry gift box.

At St James Quarter

On Saturday 1 February, St James Quarter will host a range of Lunar New Year-themed activities including a traditional Lion Dance procession, which will make its way through the Galleria in an eye-catching and colourful display.

The dance will be performed by the team at Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Edinburgh, the Lion Dance is commonly performed during Lunar New Year to bring good luck and guests will be able to enjoy two performances throughout the day at 12pm and 1pm.

St James Quarter will also be taking part in the traditional act of gift giving that is associated with Lunar New Year. Between 12pm – 4pm on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February, lucky shoppers will have the chance to get their hands on a limited number of red envelopes including gift cards – symbolising good wishes and luck for the year ahead. These will be handed out by the Guest Services team on Level 1 and can be redeemed at retailers within The Quarter.

Brands including New Balance and Coach, will be showcasing Chinese New Year inspired limited-edition items. If you’re looking to celebrate by indulging in traditional Asian cuisine, Thai Express Kitchen will be red envelop give-aways of complimentary appetisers and discount vouchers until the 5th February, while Gordon Ramsay Street Burger will feature the Lunar Burger served with Koffmann’s fries for £18 until the end of January.

Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh is the multicultural hub for Scotland, and Lunar New Year is a great opportunity to experience the different cultures and traditions that we have here in the city.

“We hope that as many of our guests as possible will get involved in the Lunar New Year celebrations at St James Quarter on Saturday and we look forward to welcoming guests to The Quarter to celebrate the Year of the Snake with us”.

https://stjamesquarter.com/event/lunar-new-year

Chinese textiles at the Great Tapestry of Scotland

Never before seen outside of Asia, a highly acclaimed textile exhibit celebrating part of China’s’s intangible cultural heritage will make its UK debut when it goes on display at a leading Scottish visitor attraction from 17 January until 22 March 2025. Its opening at the award-winning Great Tapestry Scotland visitor centre in one of Scotland’s historic textile heartlands, will be marked with a vibrant programme of events and workshops celebrating the cultural ties between Scotland and China in the lead up to Chinese New Year 2025.

Reflecting the countries’ shared interest in textiles, From Home Weaving to the World’s Wardrobes: The Journey of Songjiang’s Cotton Textiles has been brought to Scotland in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the Confucius Institute for Scotland and the Edinburgh College of Art. Through a collection of textiles and garments chosenby artist Dong Ye, the The Journey of Songjiang’s Cotton Textiles tells the story of an ancient cloth weaving technique which has been preserved for over 700 years in the millennium-old Songjiang district of Shanghai, often referred to as the ‘Root of Shanghai’. Much like Scotland’s iconic fabrics, the Songjiang textiles are widely recognised for their cultural importance to China, with its intricate weaving techniques, beautiful patterns, and ancient historical relevance to the Ming and Yuan Dynasties.

For more information, including opening times and ticket prices, and more information about From Home Weaving to the World’s Wardrobes: The Journey of Songjiang’s Cotton Textiles visit greattapestryofscotland.com 

Creative Scotland funding

Creative Scotland finally announced their multi-year funding for many organisations in the country. Not all were successful of course, but many in Edinburgh were including Summerhall and The Edinburgh International Festival.

Read more here.

Botanics fundraiser

After the named storm last Friday the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has launched a fundraiser to help with the damage.

A spokesperson said: “Storm Éowyn has caused devastating damage across all four of our Gardens. Though we are still assessing the damage, we know it has been severe and that recovery is going to take some time, and significant cost. We need your help.

“Please support us to restore our Gardens and our living collections by donating today to our appeal. All your donations, no matter the size will be directly used across our four Gardens on vital restoration.”

Donate here.

Each month The Old Edinburgh Club draws our attention to what happened in the capital in years and centuries gone by.

■ Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Old Edinburgh Club, membership@oldedinburghclub.org.uk

It blew in from the west last Friday bringing winds of 100mph and a fine spray which covered much of Scotland and closed us down for the day. The first storm of the year, Storm Éowyn, brought down trees by the hundreds, closed all schools, cancelled all train and ferry services and left 200,000 homes without electricity.  A 19 year old man was killed when a tree fell on his car as he was driving on a minor road in Ayrshire.

This wild horse or wild spirit Éowyn – an old English name adopted by J.R.R Tolkein for one of his Princesses in Lord of the Rings – was another warning from the gods about climate change.  The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh was given a severe lesson. Its tallest tree – a 29 metre cedar, planted in 1859 – was brought down, and another 15 trees with it, not to mention the 120 panes of glass broken in the greenhouses.

Not that either of our governments is paying attention.  They are still going for grey economic growth.  The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced plans for another runway at Heathrow Airport but nothing for the conversion of the Grangemouth refinery into a centre for the production of aviation eco-fuel.  In fact, there wasn’t much mention of Scotland in her whole plan for economic growth. Except that Scottish exports of whisky and salmon will be speeded up, once the new runway at Heathrow is open, in 15 years’ time, if it opens at all.     

The Scottish government’s budget of £40bn has little in it for the environment. It allows only £600m in total for green jobs, home insulation, transport and woodlands. The main spending increases are for the NHS and local government services, and these are largely to fund the wage rises agreed last year (around 5 percent).

Despite this, the Greens this week decided to support the budget, as did the Liberal Democrats. Both got minor concessions for their favourite policies, in all amounting to £116m.  The Labour Party has decided to abstain, asking for no changes at all. So the SNP has won a majority in parliament for the final vote next month on its environment-lite budget, without having to concede very much. Only the Conservatives are proving awkward and will be voting against out of habit.   

Meanwhile, environmental campaigners have welcomed a court ruling that permission granted by the last Conservative government to drill for oil in the Rosebank field off Shetland and gas in the Jackdaw field off Aberdeen is unlawful.  The judge said the impact on the climate of burning fossil fuels had not been taken into account and new permission will need to be sought.  Meantime, preparatory work can go ahead (Shell has already spent £800m building the Jackdaw platform) but no gas or oil may be extracted. It’s a major victory for Greenpeace and Uplift and, given the Labour government’s policy of no new oil or gas fields, it probably means the end of these two controversial projects.

The whole country has been shocked, and shamed, by a court case involving a drugs den in Glasgow in which seven addicts abused three young children over a period of seven years. The charges included rape and attempted murder. The children were eventually rescued by a neighbouring couple.  The gang, two women and five men all in their 40s or 50s, were sentenced to between eight years and 20 years each. Questions must surely be asked about how such horrific abuse could go undiscovered for such a long time.

On a more redeeming note, Glasgow has spent the last fortnight hosting the annual Celtic Connections folk-music festival. It’s a huge event, 300 events actually, with over 2,000 musicians from around the world taking part. There have been between 8 and 18 events every night, ranging from traditional folk, to jazz and blues, talks, workshops, exhibitions and musical walking tours. It ends on Sunday night with a performance from the Finnish band Frigg playing Nordic music with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

And at the other end of the country, folk in Shetland are recovering from Tuesday night’s “Up-Helly Aa” festival.  This year 40 squads of heavily costumed “Vikings” paraded through Lerwick with flaming torches and set their longboat on fire. Women have finally made it into the front rank of the warriors for just the second year in the event’s 140 year history.  It was established by the Total Abstinence Society to give the wild young men of Shetland something exciting to do rather than drink the winter away.    

It seems the sober Shetlanders didn’t notice Storm Éowyn. The Shetland Times simply advised its readers: “The Hjaltland will depart Aberdeen at 1pm (on storm Friday) and is due to arrive in Lerwick in the early hours of Saturday. It is likely to make for an eventful crossing for the many folk sailing up to attend the Up-Helly-Aa.” 

Like the rest of the country, Shetland is trying hard to play down the on-coming storm of climate change.              

Local drag queen Mystika Glamoor (Oskar Kirk Hansen) is using her monthly show on Wednesday to raise money for ongoing medical aid in Palestine. 

Each month Mystika Glamoor’s KOOK show (@kook.edi) takes place at Paradise Palms on Lothian Street. 

This coming week on Wednesday 5 February, Mystika has decided to use the monthly show to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP). 

The show starts at 10pm, with a suggested donation of £10 (cash or card accepted). 

Mystika explained to The Edinburgh Reporter that she finds it important to show solidarity with Palestine and continue to support the much-needed charities, which are all still in need of funds for ongoing medical emergencies. 

This medical care continues to be paramount to those in Gaza, despite the recently announced ceasefire. 

Despite the pause in conflict, according to Al Jazeera, Israeli attacks have destroyed more than 95 percent of the al-Shifa Medical Complex, the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip. 

As of 28 January, the UN’s humanitarian body the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OHCA) reported that more than 376,000 Palestinians displaced by the war had been able to return to their places of origin in northern Gaza. 

However, despite the “fragile ceasefire” that “continues to hold”, Al Jazeera reports that there is still a strong need for humanitarian efforts. 

MAP is one of many humanitarian efforts, with the UK-based charity working in collaboration with Palestinian communities to provide vital medical aid in emergencies as well as to supporting the development of long-term health services. 

Mystika says that, as a part of the queer community, she believes it to be important to “reject pink-washing, AKA the use of supposed queer allyship to justify the death and mistreatment of Palestinians” .

Along with Mystika’s own performance, the show will also feature resident drag king Daddy Delight, and showcase some new faces to the Edinburgh drag scene: newcomer performers Demi Urge, Ella Menope, Chuckie Orlagh, and Emasculated. 

“There will also be a raffle with prizes to raise further funds [for Gaza], and music until 1am from resident DJ Zak From Bolton,” Mystika said. 

Charitable actions don’t stop there

The charitable nature of Oskar Kirk Hansen doesn’t stop there. Along with being Mystika Glamoor and using the drag scene platform to raise money for charities, Hansen also co-owns a café in Viewforth that showcases local Edinburgh art in its downstairs basement. 

Kafe Kweer opened in September 2020, a few months after Hansen had seen a Facebook post about a small shop in the Brunstfield neighbourhood looking for people to take it over and “turn it into something cute”. 

“I shared the post, and pretty much as a joke I said, “wouldn’t it be fun if we had a queer café?” not expecting me to be the person who did that,” Hansen laughed. 

“Then my friend Zach commented on the post and said, “I just saw that too. Should we do it?’”. 

Then, suddenly, they were doing it.

In 2025, Kafe Kweer exists as a café-local grocer-art gallery hybrid, open Thursday to Monday 8.30am to 5pm. 

But back in July 2020 when Hansen first saw the post, the two co-owners weren’t sure what they would make the space into.

“The thing is, most queer spaces are nightclubs and bars and things like that, so [the scene] is sort of mostly centred around alcohol,” Hansen says.

It made sense to open a sober space to fill that gap. 

“[Then] we got so many messages from people saying, ‘this is exactly what we want’,” Hansen tells me, remembering messages from parents that said “we have a 16 year old lesbian daughter who’s just come out”, or “I’m an older queer person who doesn’t want to go to loud clubs anymore”. 

“There were just so many messages and so much validation, so Zac and I thought ‘okay, right, this isn’t just some crazy project’.

“This is something that people actually want.” 

Since this all happened in 2020, Scotland was still in the middle of its COVID restrictions. 

By September 2020 when the cafe officially opened its doors, there were still “half restrictions” in place, Hansen says, remembering the social distancing stickers they had to place on the floor and the mask requirements for both staff and customers. 

Opening a cafe is no easy feat, with Hansen recognising that most small businesses close down within their first year of operations. 

Add COVID to that mix, and the Kafe Kweer team needed to think about what they could do: both legally within the restrictions, and to keep the business afloat. 

While the original intention had been to host events like the business does in 2025 (including life drawing lessons, drumming, karaoke and board game nights) these options weren’t viable back in 2020. 

Instead, one of the ideas that did fit the confines of the restrictions was transforming the “cute and cozy” downstairs basement space with its low ceilings and white walls into a gallery for exhibitions. 

The idea was to have different people showing off their work every month, whether it was established local artists or art students at college who had never sold a piece before. 

Now, after four years of a steady stream of exhibitions, Hansen and the Kafe Kweer team of four decided it was time to do something different — and that’s where the retrospective, year-long showcase idea was born, starting February 1. 

All artists who have previously exhibitied at Kafe Kweer have been invited back to have their artwork on display for the entire 12 months, with almost 20 local artists spending January bringing their art work into the shop.

It’s a way for the café to continue in their main goal of giving back to the local queer community, but also to celebrate their own achievement of five years in business. 

From Oliver and the Artful Dodger to Mary Poppins, Roxie Hart, drag queen Lola and not forgetting punk princess Toyah Willcox, there’s a host of musical stars just waiting to entertain you in February. 

Lionel Bart’s Oliver! is the toast of London’s West End right now, and rightly so. The new production from Cameron Mackintosh, directed and choreographed by the brilliant Matthew Bourne, is a glorious uplifting affair and by far the best musical take on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, I’ve seen yet. 

When this Oliver!, which started life at Chichester Festival Theatre last year, had its red carpet opening night at London’s Gielgud Theatre in January, it was a buzzing, star-studded affair with the great and the good of theatreland out in force. Edinburgh was well represented too; it was great to catch up with the capital’s very own star of The Rig, Iain Glen, while Prestonfield and Witchery supremo James Thomson was there soaking up the atmosphere. Michael Harrison, producer of the King’s/Festival Theatre panto, was also in attendance. Harrison has just been crowned Producer of the Year by The Stage, a proud achievement for an alumni of what was the acclaimed Queen Margaret College drama course. 

Arguably one of the hottest opening nights the West End will have in 2025, Oliver! is therefore my Must See for anyone planning a theatre break this month. That said, there’s plenty of time to see it as its run has already been extended to March 2026. Read my review, ‘Magnificently staged, Matthew Bourne’s Oliver! is the musical master-piece you’ve waited all your life to see’ now at mustseetheatre.com. 

Running time 2 hours 40 minutes. Tickets £45-£195 https://oliverthemusical.com/

Closer to home, The Playhouse brings a hat-trick of hit musicals to Greenside Place this month, elsewhere it’s a bit quieter. Shakespeare continues to entertain at the Royal Lyceum where you can catch John Douglas Thompson, one of America’s most lauded Shakesperian actors, playing Shylock in Theatre For A New Audience (New York) and Washington’s Shakespeare Theatre’s co-production of The Merchant of Venice. It’s a play that has a very special place in my heart. As a shy teenager, it was a class reading of The Merchant of Venice, led by an inspirational English teacher called Mrs Durkin, that sparked my love of Shakespeare – she had me read the part of Shylock. Safe to say my 13-year-old Shylock was considerably different to the one Thompson delivers.

You can read my review of Merchant of Venice on MustSeeTheatre.com

Over at the Festival Theatre, the magical nanny, Mary Poppins, continues to wow audiences with her high-flying antics ahead of the arrival of the Manipulate Festival (1-11 February), which celebrates 17 years of presenting the best of Scottish and international animated film, puppetry and visual theatre in 2025. While elements of the Manipulate Festival also pop up at the Traverse this month, the highlight of the Cambridge Street theatre’s February programme is the return of award-winning Irish play, Heaven (25 February-1 March), for a homecoming run following its Fringe First winning run there in August 2023.

A deeply funny, moving and poignant exploration of marriage and middle age, Heaven also won The Irish Times New Play Award 2023 and Best Actress – The Irish Times Theatre Awards for Janet Moran who reprises her role alongside Andrew Bennett in the two-hander.

Running time 1 hour 30 minutes, no interval. Tickets £20 https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/heaven-spring-25

It’s the Playhouse, however, that has the show I’m looking forward to most this month, Now That’s What I Call A Musical (25 February-1 March). I’m keen to see it not because I’m expecting the most earth-shattering jukebox musical ever, it’ll likely be a the usual feel-good evening of nostalgia, but because the Edinburgh shows are the only ones on the tour to feature my own teenage heroine, punk princess Toyah Willcox, as a special guest.

Celebrating 40 years of the iconic compilation albums and starring EastEnders’ star, Nina Wadia, and 2013 X Factor winner, Sam Bailey, the musical comedy tells the story of Gemma and April, two school friends busy with very important business… planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley. 

Fast forward from the Birmingham of 1989, to Birmingham 2009 and we find the pair confronted with their worst nightmare, a school reunion where long lost friends reunite and drama unfolds as old flames reappear. The action plays out to a soundtrack of hits from the 80s, expect Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Tainted Love, Hey Mickey, Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves and many more, not forgetting that live set from Toyah – I predict we’ll hear It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free and Thunder In The Mountains. 

Running time 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval. Tickets £25-£68 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/now-thats-what-i-call-a-musical/edinburgh-playhouse/

A week earlier, Kinky Boots The Musical (18-22 February) struts back onto the stage of the Playhouse, starring Strictly Come Dancing favourite Johannes Radebe and Dan Partridge, my box office spies tell me that this run of Kinky Boots has almost sold out already. That’s possibly the Doctor Who effect, Radebe appeared in Doctor Who: The Devil’s Chord in a big song-and-dance routine with Doctor number 15, Edinburgh and Fife raised, Ncuti Gatwa.

Based on a true story and with music and lyrics by pop diva Cyndi Lauper and a life-affirming book by Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots takes place in the unlikely setting of a footwear factory. After inheriting his family’s failing shoe business and with his relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price. That is until he meets Lola, a drag queen whose sparkle and unsteady heels might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business.

Fans of Radebe should note, however, that he will not be performing at matinees on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 February, when Lola will be played by Newtion Matthews. Remember, get those tickets fast. 

Running time 2 hours 25 minutes, including interval. Tickets £27-£95 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/kinky-boots/edinburgh-playhouse/

Finally, let’s flip right back to the start of the month for the other Playhouse big-hitter, Chicago (4-8 February), which brings Faye Brookes, Brenda Edwards, Djalenga Scott and Kevin Clifton to town ready to razzle-dazzle audiences with their footwork. 

Created by John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago’s score includes the show-stoppers Razzle Dazzle, Cell Block Tango and All That Jazz. Set amidst the decadence of the 1920s, the musical is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Get ready for a classy, sassy, sexy evening of stylish musical theatre.

Running time 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval. Tickets £32.50-£63 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/chicago/edinburgh-playhouse/calendar/2025-02-04

Until March, happy theatre going,

Liam 

There are serious concerns regarding the upcoming closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Wester Hailes, and local MSP Gordon Macdonald has warned of the impact of this decision on members of the community who rely on the bank’s services.

Lloyds Banking Group have announced that they are closing their Wester Hailes branch on 27 May 2025. But Mr Macdonald said this branch provides a crucial service to local residents and its closure risks harming locals.

He is therefore seeking a meeting with Lloyds Banking Group to discuss the potential impacts of their decision and to obtain further details regarding support for those most affected.

Mr Macdonald said: “This news will be very worrying for those who rely on the Bank of Scotland branch services at the Westside Plaza Shopping Centre in Wester Hailes.

“I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of this closure on members of the community who rely on these services particularly with the Post Office Branch in Wester Hailes also under review which would leave local customers with no means of face to face banking services.

“I am urgently seeking a meeting with the Bank of Scotland to understand the impact of this decision on my constituents, and my office is on hand to support constituents if needed.”

In a move redolent of a teenage Andy Murray’s enrolment at a Spanish tennis academy Edinburgh motor sport prospect 17-year-old Rachel Robertson has upped sticks to be nearer realising her four wheeled dreams.

Rachel, formerly of Trinity Academy, has, for the past few months, been attending Witshire College, Chippenham, where she is studying Motor Sport Engineering as part of her inclusion, amidst stiff competition, in the Radical Racing Rebels team which aims to aid the step up from karting to car racing.

“Yes, I can see the connection to what Andy Murray did” said Rachel, “for this move takes me closer to the centre of things. For example there are a lot of circuits nearby including Castle Coombe which is 15 minutes up the road. There wasn’t scope in Scotland to make the same progress.

“My course means spending Monday to Wednesday in college then the rest of the time on the track.

“What I am learning will stand me in good stead however things work out.

“It is possible, with the right backing I can go all the way through the motor sport ranks.

“And being more aware of the technical side of things means that others (mechanics and engineers) will want to work with what I will be able to tell them.”

An outstanding karter, which is a traditional route into F1, the clock is counting down to Rachel’s first race and she is preparing thoroughly for that Radical Cup outing at Donnington Park towards the end of March.

“I have just returned from a seat fitting so that I am more comfortable in a car that might corner at over 100mph which means quite a lot of buffeting.

“I’m also sourcing the components for a simulator I am building myself and finding time to prep my fitness mainly by developing more neck strength as Radical races can last 30 minutes and that is not including the Endurance category.”

As for the simulator, Rachel knows just how different races are going to be compared to karting.

“In karts you tend to be bumper-to-bumper with other drivers whereas in car racing you have to adapt to being comparatively spaced out as well as laps being completed in almost double the time.”

One of three girls on her course compared to 17 boys Rachel is aware of being something of a standard bearer.

“I know there is a lot of emphasis being placed on getting more females into motor sport and being one of the few on my current course is a chance to put myself out there.”

To that end Rachel has had some contact with the ‘Girls on Track’ organisation founded by fellow Scot Susie Woolf, MBE, founder of the F1 Racing Academy and a fellow professional motor sport driver in her own right at one time.

“There is a girl in the F1 Academy aged just 16 so I know it can be done” says Rachel who in her time away from the track indulges a passion which has raised eyebrows among petrol heads.

“I love cross stitching as a form of relaxing even though some find that a bit of a strange hobby!”

Behind the wheel, though, Rachel is creating a rich tapestry of opportunities which – who knows – might one day make her a pioneer in car racing?

A commemorative plaque has been unveiled at 50 Yeaman Place, Edinburgh, near the site where the Watsonian *Football Club’s rich history began with its first game 150 years ago.

On 30 January, 1875, the Watsonian Football Club played its inaugural game of rugby union against St George’s at Bainfield, a farm then located at Yeaman Place, Polwarth.

While the game ended in a draw it laid the foundation for a club that has since achieved remarkable success. Over 150 years, Watsonians has consistently competed at the pinnacle of Scottish rugby, producing national team players across all levels.

Those in attendance at the unveiling included 96-year-old Honorary President, Dennis Carmichael, men’s 1^st XV captain, Neil Irvine-Hess, women’s 1^st XV co-captain, Freya Walker, Watsonians most capped international player, Scott Hastings, the Scottish and British & Irish Lions legend and two of the youngest members of the Watsonian Warriors and Watsonian Wildcats mini section, Alexander Wright and Amelia Boyle.

 Scott Hasting said: “It’s incredible to reflect on how far the club has come, from that first match to becoming such a cornerstone of Scottish rugby. Seeing members of all generations come together – young players, lifelong supporters, and legends of the game was a really great moment. This plaque is a fitting tribute to our history.”

The unveiling of the plaque marks the start of 150th anniversary celebrations, with further events taking place throughout the year including a gala dinner on 21 November at the O2 Academy with Sir Ian McGeechan and Sir Chris Hoy as guests of honour.

The club has also released a maroon and white limited-edition jersey to mark the important milestone which features its unique crest and the words, ‘ex corde caritas’, the Latin motto which means “love from the heart”. Additionally, this year will see the club publishing a 150-year history of Watsonians book in partnership with Peter Burns of Polaris Publishing.

Alistair Hamilton, General Manager at the Myreside based club, said: “The unveiling of the commemorative plaque at Yeaman Place is a proud moment. This milestone is not just about looking back but also about bringing together players, members, and supporters – past and present – throughout the year.

*The Watsonian Football Club is one of only a handful of rugby playing clubs across the world who still call themselves a football club. When the club was formed there was football (as in rugby) and association football (as in soccer).

The club was admitted to the Scottish Football Union in 1877 which became the SRU in 1924. Other clubs that are still referred to as football clubs include Edinburgh Academicals, West of Scotland, Northern (Newcastle), Hong Kong and The Barbarians.

Watsonians’ historic triumphs include their inaugural Scottish Club Championship win in 1891-1892 marking the onset of an illustrious journey in Scottish rugby followed by a remarkable period of dominance between 1908 and 1914. Despite a brief relegation in 1989, the club rebounded, securing promotion to Division I in 1991. 

Watsonians’ contributions to Scotland’s Grand Slam victories emphasise its integral role in shaping the nation’s rugby heritage. The club’s celebrated roster boasts over seventy Scottish internationalists.

One of these was Keri Holdsworth, who died in a car accident aged 36 in 2014.

As a mark of respect the club retired the No 8 women’s team jersey in her honour – a symbol of the club’s inclusive ethos.

 To find out more about Watsonian Football Club see : watsoniansrugby.com 

Police officers searching for a 60-year-old man reported missing in Edinburgh have found a body.

Although formal identification has still to take place, Guy Bargery’s family have been informed.

The body was found at the River Tay near Chapelhill in Perthshire. Mr Bargery’s car had been previously located nearby.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 12.50pm on Thursday, 30 January, 2025, the body of a man was found at the River Tay near to Chapelhill, Perthshire.

“Formal identification has still to take place however the family of 60-year-old Guy Bargery has been informed.

“There would not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

“A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

Hibs youngster Josh Landers has joined English Premier League side West Ham United on a permanent transfer.  

The terms for the 17-year-old’s transfer will remain undisclosed, however, the Hibs have received a six-figure fee, and the deal includes a sell-on clause. 

A product of the Hibernian FC Academy, Landers joined the Club at the age of 10 – rising up through the age grades quickly and impressing at every level.  

He represented Hibs in the UEFA Youth League during the 2022/23 campaign before making his First Team debut in November 2023 – coming off the bench in the Viaplay Cup Semi-Final against Aberdeen, aged 16. 

Landers went on to make three First Team appearances in total and has now agreed terms to join West Ham United permanently. 

Hibs Sporting Director, Malky Mackay, said: “From a Club perspective, we are pleased with the level of compensation we have received for Josh, and we are proud that our Academy has produced another player fit for an English Premier League side.

“Of course, the main aim for our Academy is to produce players for our own First Team, however, when a move like this comes up – it is difficult to deny a youngster that opportunity. 

“We would like to wish Josh the best of luck with his move and thank him for all his hard work and effort during his time at Hibernian FC.”

A ramp built in the centre of Charlotte Square has prompted questions from locals and criticism from Edinburgh World Heritage.

The ramp is, we understand, part of wider plans to improve the square which has included narrowing traffic lanes and adding “segregation kerb units”. The council held an engagement event in June last year to discuss the interim and the permanent design. 

At Thursday’s Transport and Environment Committee the ramp was raised by Cllr Iain Whyte when streets nearby, and in particular the possibility of introducing cycling on Rose Street, Hill Street, Young Street and Thistle Street, was under discussion. (This was part of the update on City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) to George Street Active Travel Connections.)

Cllr Whyte asked for work on these streets to be brought to a halt meantime “until the safety considerations raised by New Town and Broughton Community Council are investigated”, although that position was not eventually adopted by councillors.

But he took the opportunity to talk about Charlotte Square when all the council officers were on hand to answer his questions.

Cllr Whyte said: “It’s interesting that Charlotte Square is mentioned because I have read the deputation from the community council, and I too wonder what the purpose of the new ramp is – to get to the other side? I don’t know. What is it?

“This is a World Heritage site, and the new ramp has led to many comments on social media and from local residents. As I understand it there is no dropped kerb on the other side so I am not sure how this is actually benefitting people.”

A council officer responded that the ramp is “very temporary” to ensure that it is accessible for anyone crossing over from George Street, and that the council has a duty over accessibility. It was also admitted that the council will look at enhancing the look of the ramp and also that they will be putting up a sign to say it is temporary.

But later, council officers confirmed that heritage groups and community councils had been consulted, but that it will not be until 2027 at the earliest that any permanent works can be carried out in Charlotte Square because of the time it takes to get traffic orders passed.

The New Town & Broughton Community Council wrote in their deputation: “it is not clear what the interim solution is intended to achieve and whether the money that has been spent on this work represents good value for the city and its residents. As has been reported in the media recently, the temporary ramp has been constructed in materials and to a design that is completely out of place in Charlotte Square within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Why has this been rushed in when there are no approved plans for George Street without proper engagement with the relevant heritage bodies?”

Edinburgh World Heritage

A spokesperson for Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) told The Edinburgh Reporter they are disappointed with the ramp, although it is understood to be temporary, and said: “This does not reflect the advice we and heritage colleagues within the Council provided. 

“The style of the ramp is not in keeping with its context – a globally-recognised Georgian square in the heart of our city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

“EWH shares in the Council’s commitment to make Edinburgh inclusive and accessible to all. We look forward to working with City of Edinburgh Council, heritage partners, disabled people and other key stakeholders on the development of a permanent design for the Square that sensitively reflects and enhances the unique character of our city.”

Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said ahead of the meeting: “The ramp in question is to make sure Charlotte Square is accessible for all, as part of the interim scheme. 

“We’re committed to the permanent solution being in keeping with the wider World Heritage site and will continue to take on board the views of local residents and stakeholders.”

British under-21 champion Sam Hagon is looking to build on a breakthrough season as the countdown continues to the 2025 speedway season.

The 20-year-old has recently returned after a third successive winter racing in Australia after helping Poole Pirates to success last season and establishing himself in Premiership with Leicester Lions.

The Essex-based rider said: “In 2024, across all three British leagues, I rode in 71 meetings, clocking up 35,000 miles. Travelling is a big part of speedway and not something which worries me unduly.”

Hagon (pictured) believes that spending winters Down Under in 2023 and 2024 developed his skills and said: “Last year I probably exceeded expectations with lots of trophies at Poole and the under-21 title. I am looking to continue that progress.”

Stewart Dickson, the man who handed him his Championship debut in Birmingham colours, will again be Hagon’s manager at both Berwick and Leicester.

The racer will start the season at Reserve alongside Australian Dayle Wood as the rebuilt Berwick side looks to bury the memory of an injury-ravaged 2024.

The Borders club finished at the foot of both the Championship and BSN tables and they were knocked out of the KO Cup in the first round.

Hagon said: “Berwick fans should be pleased with the team that Stewart Dickson and Jamie Courtney have put together. Even I wasn’t expecting Peter Kildemand to join the team. We have a very solid look about us.”

Summerhall Arts was awarded £608,302 over three years from the Creative Scotland multi-year funding announced today. (The charity is a separate body to the owners of Summerhall and cultivates creativity with a varied arts programme.

Sam Gough of Summerhall Arts said: “We are delighted to announce that Summerhall Arts have been successful in our application for multi-year funding. We’re incredibly grateful that Creative Scotland believe our ambitious programme is worthy of funding, and importantly, that they have put the trust in our dedicated team to deliver this. We look forward to the next chapter of delivering high quality world class arts in Edinburgh and beyond for at least the next three years.

“A lot has changed in the Scottish creative sector since our initial application, so we want to spend some time making sure our programme is as vital, relevant and diverse as we intended it to be. This programme will allow us to offer important sectoral support, professional development and opportunities for creative practitioners across the visual and performing arts. Our programme will be announced as soon as possible – keep an eye on our website summerhallarts.co.uk.”

Debbie Christie, Summerhall Arts trustee said:”Whilst this is great news for us we are fully aware that others will be disappointed today and we stand together with those organisations and artists that weren’t successful in their applications. Part of what Summerhall Arts will be offering is dedicated opportunities for support, collaboration and connection with all arts organisations across Scotland, and we have high hopes that we can work together in the coming years.”

www.summerhallarts.co.uk

Tony Lankester has been appointed the new Chief Executive of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.

He was previously the CEO of Riverside Studios for five years and before that he ran National Arts Festival South Africa for 12 years, continuing as a Trustee after stepping down from his position.

In his time at Riverside he has helped the charity navigate the Covid pandemic, oversaw a restructuring of the company’s debt through administration and, ultimately, a sale of the Studios to a newly established Trust which, today, continues to present a mix of theatre, film, festivals and comedy, and is a significant cultural hub in West London.

He has been a podcast presenter, delivered a TedX talk on the power of the arts, and guest lectured on branding and arts marketing at Rhodes University’s Journalism School, where he was recently named as one of that institution’s Top 50 Alumni. Tony began his career in journalism starting at SAfm including presenting the station’s Saturday breakfast show.

Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Benny Higgins, said: “I am delighted that Tony will be joining the Fringe Society this Spring.  Tony brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, and his insights from both a cultural and commercial background will ensure the Fringe Society can meet the needs of the wider Fringe community.  As the Fringe builds towards its 80^th anniversary year, Tony’s leadership will be key in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Fringe Society and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”

Tony said: “Edinburgh Festival Fringe occupies a rare and special place in the hearts and minds of artists the world over and it has played a formative role in so many stellar careers and millions of life-changing moments for audiences. Staying true to that legacy, while being asked to help shape and guide its future, is a privilege.

“The arts environment is hugely challenging at the moment and the world a difficult and noisy place. Now, more than ever, there is a need for what the Fringe is and for what it can be – for artists, audiences, producers, venues, and the people of Edinburgh.

“Shona has been an inspirational, principled and passionate leader and advocate for the Fringe during some of the toughest years in its history, navigating some extraordinary challenges with diplomacy, empathy, focus and determination. She hands it over in great shape, and I hope to do her hard work justice.”

Outgoing CEO, Shona McCarthy, intimated her intention to resign from the position in October last year. Mr Lankester will take up his role as Chief Executive in April 2025.

The National Library of Scotland will celebrate its 100th birthday with a full year long birthday programme of events.

• There will be a Nationwide Love Libraries campaign focusing on showing love to a local library from Valentine’s Day onwards.
• Authors Val McDermid and Damian Barr are now Centenary Champions
• The major exhibition opening in June 2025 this year is “Dear Library” which will show what people love about books and reading
• Mary Queen of Scots last letter will go on display in Perth Museum, leaving NLS for the first time in a generation. This is part of a centenary loan programme and other items from the national collection (which has more than 50 million items in it) will go to Aberdeen and Shetland.
• The programme will be launched at a Curtain Raiser on 28 March

National Librarian Amina Shah said: “A century ago, we were established in the spirit of egalitarianism, where our founders – including Sir Alexander Grant – held the firm belief that the people of Scotland deserved a national library to call their own, one which anyone living here could access. The Act of Parliament states that we exist to collect and preserve the national collections, and make them accessible to the public through our reading rooms, exhibitions and other means of engaging people with Scotland’s culture and heritage. 

“We increased our efforts to reach more and new people with the collections in recent years with great success, and our intention is to accelerate this during the year of our 100th birthday by working in partnership with Scotland’s network of amazing libraries. And so, I’m delighted to announce our centenary programme – a nationwide libraries campaign, our major exhibition, our national tour – all of which have the potential to connect with every individual across the country. It is our ambition that the impact our centenary programme will have on communities throughout Scotland will continue far beyond 2025.”

When it was established, the National Library was endowed with the non-legal aspects of the Faculty of Advocates’ collections, ultimately making it the holder of the largest collection of antiquarian books north of Cambridge.

The Library was also established as a legal deposit library, meaning it has the right to claim a copy of everything published in the UK. This right remains today, and includes digital publications. While the National Library was awaiting a home, it started life in the Faculty of Advocates building. Work began on the George IV Bridge site in the 1930s, but due to the Second World War, most of the building work took place in the 1950s. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the new National Library building in Edinburgh in July 1956.

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, said: “The National Library of Scotland has been a cornerstone of our nation’s cultural life for a century, preserving and sharing Scotland’s remarkable and complex history. For 100 years, through successive Acts of Parliament and the continued support of the Scottish Government, it has safeguarded our written and recorded heritage, from ancient manuscripts to the digital content of today.
“With more than 50 million items in its expert care, freely accessible to everyone, the National Library is one of Scotland’s most precious national institutions. Supporting our languages, reflecting our communities, and protecting our past and present for all those who will come after us. As we mark this centenary, we celebrate not just a building or a collection, but a century of protecting our national library and sharing the knowledge, creativity, and memories of Scotland for generations to come.”

Damian Barr said: “I believe that stories are for everybody and everybody has a story. My local library saved my life – it gave me a warm, safe place to be and the books were my passports to other worlds. These books helped me change my own story. I was encouraged and supported in my reading by skilled librarians who always found me the right book at the right time. I was a reader long before I was a writer – that’s how every writer starts. The National Library is the home of Scotland’s stories and everybody is welcome, whatever their story.”

Fellow Centenary Champion, author Val McDermid, said: “My parents couldn’t afford books but they understood they were the passport to better life chances than they’d had. But it’s not just writers who have their doors opened to the wider world by libraries. Engineers, lawyers, builders, artists, geographers, mathematicians, musicians… the list is endless. Libraries open windows that let us all fly.”

The Centenary Programme has been kindly supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation, the NLS Foundation, The William Grant Foundation, CILIPS Research Fund and Alex Graham and all funds raised by the National Library’s Centenary Appeal, which launched earlier this month, will go towards funding the ‘Outwith’ programme.

Consultation on the National Library’s 2025–2030 strategy, called ‘The Next Chapter’, begins today and runs until end March. 

To find out more about what’s on at The National Library of Scotland in its centenary year, please visit https://www.nls.uk/whats-on/

To support the National Library’s Centenary Appeal, please visit https://www.nls.uk/centenary-appeal/ 

To find out more about the National Library’s 2025–2030 strategy consultation, please visit https://www.nls.uk/about-us/what-we-do/our-strategy/strategy-consultation/  

Improvements to the bus services running out to two major international sporting facilities on the western edge of Edinburgh are to be investigated. 

A petition of more than 1,100 signatures calling for a direct bus link between the city centre and Ratho – which is the base for both the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena and the newly opened Lost Shore surf resort – was backed by the city council. 

At the moment it takes two buses to reach either facility. Local councillors including chair of Transport and Environment committee Cllr Stephen Jenkinson admitted that Ratho had the poorest bus services in the city. It can take an hour to reach both the village and the sports facilities. 

Councillor Jenkinson suggested calling on officers to prepare a report on options to improve bus services and said he was happy to accept addendums from the Lib Dems on ensuring that improved bus services benefited the wider Ratho community. 

A spokesman for the Lost Shore resort said he believed there “is a lot of goodwill to improve services but translating that goodwill to deliverable status is tricky”. 

He added: “I’ve yet to meet any local or politician who thinks this is a bad idea. I have no concerns at all that this can be a commercially feasible route for the bus company. Lost Shore whilst it is a private business it also has public purse involvement from Scottish National Investment bank and one of things we pride ourselves on is being a catalyst for local private businesses. 

“We would put a lot of marketing behind this bus route. I don’t think routes have had this before.” 

A deputation highlighted how difficult it was to reach either EICA or Lost Shore without a car. It requires two buses from the city centre and three from the east of the city. 

The spokesman added that the last studies into the viability of the services to Ratho had been done six or seven years ago. Local campaigners from the Ratho Bus working Group had been looking at proposals of a part commercial/ part subsidised service.  

The Lost Shore representative suggested that it was “intuitive” usage would increase because of both Lost Shore and the EICA which are premier sports facilities and among the best in Europe the climbing centre which is run bythe council’s ALEO Edinburgh Leisure is the largest indoor climbing centre in Europe. 

Lost Shore is the world’s first inland surf resort, it includes restaurants and accommodation as well as controlled wave pools for surfers.  The £60m attraction boasts Europe’s largest and most advanced wave pool, positioning Scotland as a new global hub for adventure tourism.  

Councillor Kevin Lang for the Lib Dems said improving bus services to Ratho  was “unfinished business.” 

Councillors echoed that both facilities represented “a Jewel in the Crown” not just for Edinburgh but for eastern Scotland and agreed that more direct supported bus services should be investigated. 

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

Northumbria Police have issued an appeal to anyone travelling on the A1 in Berwick last night who may have seen anything which could assist with their investigation into the deaths of a man and his dog.

At around 7.40pm yesterday, it was reported that a yellow Citroën DS3 had been travelling on the northbound carriageway when it has struck a pedestrian and his dog who are believed to have been on the road.

Sadly, the pedestrian – a man in his 40s – and the Cocker Spaniel were both declared dead upon emergency services arrival.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

The driver of the Citroën remained at the scene and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

Creative Scotland today announced new funding including its Multi-year funding programme.

This offers three-year funding for creative and cultural organisations to support core costs and programmes of work.

Edinburgh International Festival has been awarded £11.75 million over three years.

The Festival welcomes this announcement which they believe will “shape the Scottish cultural landscape for years to come. Multi-year
funding commitments are critical in providing stability and confidence, and allowing the many benefits of culture to spread throughout communities across the whole country”.

They also point out that The Edinburgh International Festival’s level of core funding had not increased since 2008, and the level of three year grant funding announced today will “benefit the thousands of artists, freelancers, organisations, audiences, and communities that the Festival employs and serves”.

Francesca Hegyi, Chief Executive, Edinburgh International Festival said: “It’s a good day for culture and creativity in Scotland. We welcome this increased investment in the Scottish cultural sector, which will help to showcase the enormous talent of this country. We are grateful for the International Festival’s uplift in funding, which recognises the unique role we play in connecting Scotland to the world, and gives us a firm foundation from which to build. The return of multi-year funding allows us all to plan ahead with greater confidence.”

Calls for a report into the access ‘arms manufacturers’ are being given to school pupils have been rejected by Edinburgh councillors.

Concern from parents, pupils and teaching union the EIS, over the presence of firms involved in the trade sparked a call from Scottish Greens councillor Steve Burgess for a review.

But while councillors were happy to acknowledge the concerns raised, they voted against investigating it further.

Instead they changed the wording of Councillor Burgess’ motion from ‘arms manufacturers’ to ‘defence companies’ and recognised the opportunities they provide young people with in the Capital.

Councillor Burgess brought his motion to a meeting of the council’s education, children and families committee this week.

The committee heard the manufacturers compared to tobacco firms which are not allowed to go into schools and promote their business to pupils at events or career fairs.

Mr Burgess’ motion called on the committee to “note that arms manufacturers have been able to access council schools to promote their businesses to children and young people; note concerns raised by parents, the EIS and the High School Student Union about this practice; and request a report detailing existing council policy and guidance for schools relating to company access to schools and careers fairs.”

However Councillor Christoper Cowdy, Conservatives, said the defence industry played a vital role in the country and should be encouraged.

He said: “There is no doubt the defence industry provides great benefits to world stability, Without it we would have rogue states just taking over the place.”

The Liberal Democrats proposed an amendment to the motion which used the alternative phrase ‘defence companies’ and replaced the call for a report with the statement that the committee ““notes that defence companies in Edinburgh and the surrounding local authority areas offer a significant number of apprenticeships which provide much needed vocational
opportunities”.

The committee backed the amended motion by six votes to five.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

The Edinburgh EdTech business, ProfessorMe, is launching its new service today.

The first digital professor, Professor Dynamo, is the latest creation of the business led by Dr Kate Smith and Daisy McConville. Professor Dynamo is an avatar which is run on AI and is aimed at helping university students and staff to achieve their very best results.

The avatar is bilingual, uses learning and support developed by experienced Scottish academics. Professor Dynamo is intended to add to and enhance the learning offered by universities by personalising the learning with an individualised programme.

The avatar has been developed along with MVP Foundry in Berlin.

Dr Kate Smith, co-founder and CEO of ProfessorMe, said: “Professor Dynamo is an empathetic and wise “Professor pal” that produces and presents individual pathways with original training resources, explaining to students how to thrive and optimise their academic potential. We want no one to be left out of the university classroom and so this is a world positive product that is accessible to all subscribing students and universities.”

Daisy McConville, co-founder and Chief Product Officer, said: “As a female-founded business we are determined to bring our compassionate disruptive innovation to benefit learners everywhere. AI can improve accessibility of university resources and teaching for all different types of learners.”

ProfessorMe won Start Up of the Year, an award sponsored by Business Gateway, at the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards in October 2024.

ProfessorMe is a member of the AI Accelerator at the University of Edinburgh’s Bayes Centre. The AI Accelerator is a business development programme designed to drive the use of AI for positive impact, growth, and innovation on a global scale, fostering real-world change.  

Katy Guthrie, Programme Manager at the University of Edinburgh AI Accelerator, said: “ProfessorMe is creating an innovative AI-powered EdTech solution to improve learning outcomes and the student experience.  It has been a privilege to support the growth of this company, driven by two committed and inventive female founders.”

https://www.professordynamo.com

Blackhall St Columba’s church presented a charity cheque for £10,000 to Blood Cancer UK during a recent Sunday service.

Members of Drylaw Parish Church also supported the fundraising.

The church has supported one charity a year since 1992, and has now raised £284,076 to date.

Lynn Bunney, from the congregation’s WATCH committee which oversees the initiative, explained how the money was raised: “WATCH stands for Working All Together Caring and Helping Through the Cross.

“We had a coin collection in the sanctuary through July and August, we also asked our congregation to send us a photo and we chose the 12 most photogenic pets and produced a calendar for 2025 which we sold at the coffee morning and fair, then we had our annual craft coffee morning in October and our Christmas fair in early December.

“The work of the committee is said to be inspired by Deuteronomy 15:10: “Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.”

Mairead Macleod, Blood Cancer UK’s, Scotland fundraising manager, said: “Sadly every year blood cancer takes 16,000 lives away from us a year right here in the UK, making it the country’s third largest cancer killer. Every diagnosis of a leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma can cause pain for loved ones, but there is hope. Research has helped drastically improve survival outcomes for many different forms of blood cancer, and thanks to fundraisers in Scotland like the WATCH Committee, we’re able to invest into more research, which will help beat blood cancer for good.”

Rev Fergus Cook, minister of Blackhall St Columba’s, said:”The WATCH Committee do an absolutely fantastic job of organising a number of events and activities that raise funds for their chosen charity each year. Both the commitment of the committee and the enthusiasm and generosity of the congregation never ceases to amaze me when it comes to expressing God’s love for others through practical means that benefit the wider community.”

Blood cancer is the UK’s fifth most common cancer, and is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding research into all blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, as well as offering information and support those with a blood cancer.

A husband and wife restaurant team have been issued with written warnings after repeatedly failing to pay licence fees on time for more than a decade.

Idris Khan, who owns the Shish Mahal in Musselburgh, missed the annual deadline for paying 12 years in a row.

His wife Rakhsana, who is the owner and licence holder for nearby The Stand, has also paid its fees late since taking it over in 2014.

A meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board heard from the couple’s agent Alistair McDonald that there was no excuse for the late payments as he apologised to the board.

Mr McDonald said he himself had put this year’s deadline in his own diary to ensure he reminds the couple to make the payment on time.

The board heard payments had been made for the Shish Mahal licence after deadline every year since 2012, despite reminders being sent out with delays of between two days to 41 days before payment was made.

Its licensing standards officer pointed out every delay created additional work for the board’s licensing team who have to chase up missed payments.

And she said every year when the deadline was missed the restaurant would be selling alcohol without a licence until the payment was made, adding to the breach of its conditions.

The board was also told that The Stand, which has lain disused since it was taken over by Mrs Khan has retained its licence but also made payments late every year.

The board agreed to issue written warnings to the couple over both premises warning failure to pay in time this year would lead to more severe action.

Councillor Lachlan Bruce, chairperson, said: “I do not think (paying the licence fee on time) is a difficult ask  and it is the law.

“People make mistakes but to continue missing the deadline suggests a disregard for the licensing regime.”

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Southbound traffic on the M90 will be diverted over the Forth Road Bridge between 1am and 5am in the early hours of Friday 31 January, to allow a road sign that was damaged by high winds during Storm Éowyn to be removed from on an overhead gantry.

David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “To remove the damaged sign and fixings from the overhead gantry, we need to deploy a rope access team. 

“A full southbound closure of the Queensferry Crossing will be required to undertake this operation safely, however we are confident that we can get the job done within the early hours of Friday morning when traffic is at its lightest.

“The diversion will only add a minute or two to affected journeys.

“We’ll return at a future date to replace the sign, using a revised, more robust fixing arrangement that will allow it to withstand higher wind speeds.”

Consultation has been carried out with relevant stakeholders to make them aware of the plans in advance.

Live traffic information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot or on X at @trafficscotland.

The city’s bus provider, Lothian, has taken local charity, Voice of Carers Across Lothian (VOCAL), on board and will support them with a new Carer’s Passport.

The passport is a document detailing Lothian employees who have unpaid carer roles, and the flexibilities they need. This will support employees at the bus company to engage with their manager in supportive meaningful conversations about their own needs. This in turn raises awareness of VOCAL’s work and the services they provide.

Lothian have also raised £11,500 for the charity through their Doors Open Days, the Meadows Marathon and a sponsored skydive.

Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director at Lothian, said: “Our charity partnership with VOCAL has been really special.

“Knowing that we have helped to amplify VOCAL’s message within our operating area to promote the role of unpaid carers is confirmation that partnerships like this are vital.

“We’d like to take this opportunity, at the close of our partnership with VOCAL, to thank their team and service users for what has been an influential and inspirational two years.”

Rosemary McLoughlin, Chief Executive of VOCAL, said: “Our partnership with Lothian Buses has been incredible. There are over 95,000 unpaid carers in Edinburgh and the Lothians and many have accessed support for the first time because of this partnership. It has encouraged conversations about unpaid care and linked carers to vital support.

“Thank you to Lothian for making such an inspiring partnership possible. While our time as Charity of Choice is coming to a close, we look forward to continuing our work together in the years to come!”

Creative Scotland (CS) has announced today that a record number of cultural organisations will receive “stable, year on year funding” in the culture and creative sectors, with an overall increase in funding for 2026/27.

More than half of the organisations which CS supports are to be offered multi-year funding for the first time.

The body is able to offer more funding as s result of significantly more budget made available from The Scottish Government. Creative Scotland say they now have the “largest budget ever available” for Grant-in-Aid funding with more than £200 million in support for 251 organisations in the next three years.

A £3.2 million Development Fund will support 13 other organisations which will then be able to join the Multi-Year funding portfolio next year.

All the organisations which currently are funded will receive a “significant uplift”.

An additional 141 organisations will receive a multi year funding commitment for the first time.

The funding body says it has increased the number of community focused organisations supported.

Robert Wilson, Chair of Creative Scotland said: “This is an extremely positive moment for culture in Scotland, bringing with it a renewed sense of stability and certainty to Scotland’s culture sector.

“Thanks to the vote of confidence in the culture sector, demonstrated by the recently announced budget from the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland can offer stable, year-on-year funding to more organisations than ever before.

“I’m particularly pleased that this funding will increase further from next year, enabling even more fantastic artistic and creative work to be developed here in Scotland.

“Stable, long-term funding for as many organisations as possible is the underlying principle of the Multi-Year Funding programme, and we are delighted to be able to bring it to fruition.

“This funding means that we are able to bring so many new, community focused organisations into the portfolio, while also providing significant increases to those more established organisations which have been on standstill, regular funding for so many years.

“I’m also very pleased to be able to offer 13 further organisations significant amounts of development funding, to enable them to come into the portfolio in its second year.

“This signals a significant moment of positive change for Scotland’s cultural community, and I hope that, after the deeply challenging time of the pandemic, and the difficulties that have faced the sector in the subsequent years, that now is the time that we can look forward with confidence and the Scottish culture sector can get on with what it does best, producing outstanding art and creativity for everyone to enjoy.”

Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Culture said: “This is a foundational moment for culture and the arts in Scotland. More organisations than ever, in more parts of the country will benefit from the stability of Multi-Year Funding with the number of funded organisations more than doubling, from 119 to 251.

“Funded as part of a record £34 million increase for culture in the draft 2025-26 Scottish Budget, this significant increase in both the number of funded organisations, and the level of grant funding they will receive, has the potential to be truly transformational. It secures the future of key cultural organisations of all sizes across Scotland, which are major assets to our communities and our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and creating new opportunities for freelancers, artists and other creative practitioners.

“It means 251 culture organisations across Scotland, from Argyll and Bute to Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, and the Borders, will receive Multi-Year Funding from April this year and a further 13 have the possibility of doing so from 2026-27. I am also reassured that the remaining unsuccessful applicants will all be offered bespoke support from Creative Scotland to adapt their business models.”

This is the list of Edinburgh organisations which have been given Multi-Year funding:

These are the organisations in Edinburgh offered development funding

Indian restaurant, Ronaq, is spicing things up with the launch of a lunchtime tapas menu.

Available from 1 February the new menu at the Comely Bank restaurant will feature four sections – starter, mains, accompaniments and afters.

The usual traditional classics such as pakora, chicken biryani, lamb jalfrazi and vegetable korma will all be featured alongside an array of other mouth-watering meals, while fans of fish curry won’t be disappointed by the Machli Balti, haddock cooked with green peppers, coriander, cumin, cardamoms, pimento and cinnamon.

Diners can choose one dish from each section for £9.95.

There is also a children’s menu offering chicken tikka, chicken curry, chicken korma and fish fingers from £6.95. The tapas will be served from 12-2pm Monday-Friday, and from 2pm-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

“We’re excited to introduce this new lunchtime offering for our customers,” said owner, Mohammed Shoaib.

“Tapas are a fun way to enjoy a number of different dishes and there is something for everybody on the menu. It’s an ideal way to taste a variety of the flavours which we are renowned for.

“They can also be served quite quickly, ideal for people who may be on their lunch break from work and a little short of time.”

Top tip – Ronaq is BYOB.

Fort Kinnaird has announced deals for shoppers with up to 50% off selected menus and a range of offers available at some restaurants during the last few days of January.

Pizza Express, Frankie & Benny’s, Pizza Hut and Wagamama’s are all offering mouth-watering deals for the whole family, such as complimentary cocktails, £5 main courses and buy-one-get-one-for-£1 promotions.

The deals include:

Pizza Express:

• Grab a pizza with a friend and buy one classic pizza and get another for £1 until 31st January

Frankie & Benny’s

• Make the most of a selection of main courses being available for £5 and 50% off loaded fries until 31st January

Pizza Hut

• Enjoy 2-for-1 on sides, mains, desserts and the iconic lunchtime buffet when you dine-in this January (available daily until 3pm daily)

Wagamama

• The Wagamama kids’ combos, which includes a smaller version of one of the main dishes, a drink, and a dessert for £7.70, are available throughout the year, making it more affordable to eat out as a family
• Visitors can enjoy a free portion of edamame or koko prawn crackers when they sign up to the Soul Club mailing list

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “It’s brilliant that our restaurants are offering fantastic deals so our shoppers can treat themselves for less this January, we know it can often feel like a very long month! With a wide variety of options to choose from, there’s something to suit all tastebuds.”

https://www.fortkinnaird.com/

The Transport and Environment Committee meets today

There are many deputations which will be heard first on Thursday morning before the rest of the committee business. Two of these relate to the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) as the council is determining whether to make the Leith Connections permanent today.

Liveable Leith is a relatively new formally constituted group representing a variety of active travel organisations including Living Streets, Spokes, and Friends of the Earth, which aims to do just what its name says. The body is keen for the council to bite the bullet and make the Leith LTN permanent and point out that it works, it is popular and it has transformed lives.

The deputation states that the council’s own evidence shows that the scheme “has successfully reduced traffic on every street monitored except for one”. The group cite comments from locals in support.

The council published the results of its year-long monitoring here. This finds that traffic has reduced on every road except Duncan Place. The report finds that: “Duncan Place has seen an increase in traffic volume of just under 19%, given the restriction of use as a through route of Wellington Place to the west. The total of two-way traffic on Duncan Place and Wellington Place together has seen a drop in traffic of just under 14% suggesting that not all traffic previously using Wellington Place has diverted via Duncan Place.”

New Town and Broughton Community Council has raised the matter of the temporary ramp in Charlotte Square asking the council what the interim solution is intended to achieve and “whether the money spent represents good value for the city”.

The community council also raises the proposals to introduce cycling against the flow of one-way traffic on Young, Hill and Thistle Streets – all narrow cobbled streets with narrow pavements and the introduction of a two way cycle lane on Rose Street which has a very uneven surface, and the area is pedestrianised.

The papers for the meeting are at this link

At the Heart of Newhaven

ON Friday 31 January at 3pm there will be a talk by Gerard McEwan of Edinburgh, Lothian & Borders Police Historical Society Email admin@heartofnewhaven.co.uk to book a place.

Bridgend Potato Day 2025

For the gardeners among you… you will know what this is about. Get your seed potatoes at Bridgend on 9 February.

Edinburgh Airport draft Noise Action Plan

There is only a week left to have your say about the airport’s draft Noise Action Plan.

Edinburgh Airport is seeking feedback people living in the vicinity on the ways that it plans to manage and mitigate noise caused by aviation operations.

The airport, now part of the VINCI Airports network, has launched its draft Noise Action Plan (NAP) for 2024 to 2028 and in the weeks and months ahead will discuss the plan with those living in areas most impacted.

This comes as EDI continues to build on the Trusted Neighbour pillar of its Greater Good sustainability strategy, with an emphasis on ensuring the airport collaborates closely with its neighbours and minimises any negative impacts caused by its operations.

The airport already engages with communities each month through the Edinburgh Airport Noise Advisory Board – Scotland’s only community noise board – while the airport’s interactive noise lab allows members of the public access to aircraft noise data in almost real time. 

A number of measures are in place at the airport to manage noise including:

• Penalties for airlines whose aircraft exceed certain noise levels.
• Noise Insulation Scheme for properties most impacted.
• Installation of fixed noise monitors and public access to this data.

There is more information on Edinburgh Airport’s Noise Action Plan webpages. 

Gordon Robertson, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Edinburgh Airport said: “It’s extremely important to us that we listen to and work with those living in areas most impacted when formulating our plans around noise management and mitigation.

“At present we have a host of measures in place – including penalties for airlines whose aircraft exceed certain decibel levels – however we are always looking at how we can better develop our plans to further reduce the impact on local communities.

“Key to this will be input from residents, community groups, and other key stakeholders and we look forward to engaging with them on this draft Noise Action Plan.”

New school opened at Maybury

A new primary school has opened part of the way through the academic year with 25 Primary 1 children welcomed into the new building this week.

The children have been learning at East Craigs Primary School since beginning school last August. They are now the first pupils to attend the new school which has space for 630 primary pupils and 128 children in nursery. The school’s catchment area includes the new housing developments in Cammo and West Craigs. The school is built to Passivhaus standard – a method which regulates the air temperature in the classroom and reduces energy consumption.This school will be the first in the city to share a campus with a medical practice at the new Maybury Community Hub.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “It is great to see that the new Maybury Primary School has welcomed its first group of learners into the building. The head teacher and her team have worked hard to ensure that the transition from East Craigs Primary School into the new school is smooth for the P1 children and I know that they are all excited to get settled into their new school environment.

“The new building has been constructed to be fit for the future and the ‘hub’ model means that the building can be used by the whole community, which is fantastic. The construction of Maybury Primary School is part of a broader initiative to meet the needs of new families who have moved into the area, alongside working to achieve the Council’s ambition to meet future demands and support community growth.”

Hearts last visit to Dens Park proved disastrous with a defeat in August which started a spiral leading to the dismissal of Steven Naismith as manager.

The Tynecastle team were three goals behind by half-time following goals by Scott Tiffoney after 23 minutes, an own goal from Gerald Taylor two minutes into injury time in the first-half and another by Luke McCowan from a penalty three minutes later. McCowan is now a Celtic player.

Frankie Kent, now on the sidelines, replied after 61 minutes, but Hearts were unable to break through the Dundee defence thereafter and that result kick-started an eight-game losing run which saw the Gorgie club slip down the William Hill Premiership table into the basement area.

Strangely, Hearts had 61 per cent of possession that day against 39 per cent from Tony Docherty’s men. The Jambos also had 385 passes against 266 from Dundee, but it is goals that count.

Enter Neil Critchley as the new head coach and the club have started 2025 well with an unbeaten run lifting Hearts up the table after several weeks in the bottom two.

Former Blackpool boss Critchley would love a road win on Tayside on Saturday (kick-off 15.00) to continue the climb up the 12-strong table. The Jambos are ninth with 27 points from 24 matches having scored 28 goals and conceded 33.

Dundee are one place above the Capital combine and also on 27 points but from 23 outings in which they have netted on 37 occasions but let in 41, the third worst defensive record in the 12-strong William Hill Premiership.

St Mirren are seventh with 30 points from 24 fixtures with Hibs in sixth spot also on 30 points from the same number of games.

Critchley eyes a top six slot by the end of the season and has not given up hope of achieving a place in Europe next season. He is not the only one who craves that as Jambos fans enjoy trips to teams in Europe and love Euro nights under the lights at Tynecastle.

Dundee, however, will not be a push over. Manager Tony Docherty has added to his squad and has guided his men past local rivals, Dundee United, into the fifth round of the cup thanks to a goal by Simon Murray after a minute of the fourth round tie.

Murray continues to be a threat and the Men in Maroon now have a problem in defence with Craig Halkett sidelined for some weeks after suffering a hamstring injury after only 11 minutes in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Kilmarnock. Jorge Grant netted the game winner.

The loss of Halkett, plus injuries to Stephen Kingsley and Kent (pictured by Nigel Duncan), and the departure of Daniel Oyegoke to Italian side Hellas Verona, plus the move by Aussie defender, Kye Rowles, to a club in North America, means Critchley has decisions to make.

Does he throw 24-year-old Austrian-born newcomer Michael Steinwender into the fray or give 21-year-old Lewis Neilson, recently recalled from a loan spell with St Johnstone, another chance? He came on to replace Halkett against Killie.

Dundee boss Docherty indicated to the media in midweek that there is a real buzz around Dens as injured players return. Five men were welcomed back into full training this week encouraging competition for places.

Victor Lopez, Imari Samuels, Cesar Garcia and Sean Kelly have been added during the transfer window and Docherty said: “There is a real strength to the squad. There is real competition for places at a pivotal stage of the season.”

Meanwhile, tickets for Hearts’ home clash with Rangers on Sunday, February 16 are on sale to fans with 15-plus loyalty points.

Funds raised from leasing out classrooms and school spaces across Edinburgh have dropped to a third of the amount raised before Covid.

A report has revealed the council’s 23 schools brought in more than £280,000 by letting non sport space to local groups and businesses before the pandemic.

However last year nine schools handed over the Edinburgh Leisure to oversee the letting raised just £56,000 for Edinburgh City Council while 14 remaining in the local authority’s management brought in just £37,000.

The report, which looked at how Edinburgh Leisure’s takeover of the schools spaces had gone in its first year, said it had been ‘challenging’ to bring customers back to the classrooms.

And it said many who used the schools before the pandemic had either found new premises or gone out of business.

The report said: “Income has predominantly come from bookings/organisations using classrooms to teach English for speakers of other languages.

“This was a strong business area for non-sport lets pre-Covid, and Edinburgh Leisure is supporting the growth across the schools they manage.

“,Attracting pre-Covid non-sport business back to schools is a challenge.

“During the period when school lets were unavailable, many customers (those still in business) are likely to have found alternative premises where they and are choosing to remain rather than move back to using schools.”

Some schools which are now being managed by Edinburgh Leisure did better than others with James Gillespie’s High School  bringing in £29,631 from leasing non sports space last year.

Leith Academy was the second highest earner at £17,360 however some schools failed to attract users with Craigroyston High School bringing in just £93 over the year and Portobello High School at the bottom of the list with an income of £83.

The council agreed to bring Edinburgh Leisure in to manage the leasing of nine schools for an initial six month pilot starting last January with plans to handover more schools in the second phase of the transfer.

However a meeting of its education, children and families committee today heard that there had been a slower than expected return to pre Covid use and the pilot had been extended to allow more data to be gathered.

Councillors agreed to delay phase two of the transfer and give the first phase more time to complete market research and look into further opportunities for using the space available.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter