The Edinburgh Reporter February 2020

February 2020

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Flagging over Brexit This month will be the first since the UK leaves the EU. Of course a lot of detail has still to be worked out but the Prime Minister was adamant about leaving, and now the process has begun….

It will undoubtedly have an

impact on all our lives in the coming years.

On 31 January 2020 the EU flag at Holyrood was due to be lowered according to the parliament's corporate body management team. Just as we went to press a

vote was due to take place in the Debating Chamber on whether to keep the EU flag flying at Holyrood.

The Scottish Government Brexit Secretary Mike Russell said the decision to remove the flag was

wrong, and that it was a symbol of solidarity with the EU27 and all EU citizens in Scotland. Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh, said he did not want this to become a political issue, and that the flags reflect 'our relationships in law'.

NEWS

Council makes plans for 2030 Read more on Page 6

FOOD

Juliet has been to The Broughton this month Read more on Page 24

WHAT'S ON

Tyrannosaurs and Flies are just two creatures featuring here!

Read more on Pages 14-19

Budgeting for the future Now we have to look ahead to budget setting at local and national levels later this month.

The Scottish Government’s budget

will first of all be published on 6 February 2020.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Derek Mackay, is responsible for drafting it. Mr Mackay was taken aback that the UK Government announced a date for the UK Budget without any engagement with The Scottish Parliament whatsoever.

He tweeted : “Absolutely no engagement or respect shown to The Scottish Parliament or our

budget process. UK Gov have failed to respond to our efforts to get clarity or an orderly process agreed.”

He said when announcing the Scottish date - postponed from 12 December which turned out to be the date of the General Election - that the timing of the UK Budget made it impossible for The Scottish Government to publish their own budget after the UK’s. It would have drastically reduced the

time for parliamentary scrutiny.

Sajid David the Chancellor of the Exchequer will leave number 11 Downing Street with the red box to present the UK Budget at Westminster on 11 March 2020.

So it is a bit of an oddity which means that the Scottish Parliament will agree a budget in the absence of knowing specifics about UK funding to Scotland.

STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 4

SPORT

Lots of news from banks and pitches on our sports pages Read more from Page 29

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The Edinburgh Reporter

NEWS

ABOUT US Thank you very much for reading The Edinburgh Reporter newspaper this February.

We have no real idea what will happen after Brexit Day on 31 January 2020, but there is still news to read and as local as we can find.

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But if you would like to advertise with us and support us that way then do get in touch. editor@ theedinburghreporter.co.uk You can also read The Edinburgh Reporter on PressReader. This app fallows you to download copies of whole newspapers and magazines from across the world rather than reading stories online. You can use your library card to get free copies- ask at your local library how it works! And if you need it then PressReader can read our paper out loud to you. If you have any stories for us please get in touch. We are really interested in getting our teeth into local stories that need to be told Phyllis Stephen Editor

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More to Care than Caring

‘There’s More to Care Than Caring’ - a national campaign to increase the adult social care workforce was launched at Tribe Porty in Portobello recently.

Around 145,000 people currently work in adult social care in a range of roles, including supporting people with physical disabilities, dementia, autism, older people and those with mental health conditions but more are needed.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and Children and Young People Minister Maree Todd attended the campaign launch saying that this can be a rewarding job and

Can you help PPC? The Pregnancy and Parents Centre is moving to new premises this year. Their new home require some TLC and so they have launched a crowdfunder to raise £30,000 to make the new hub into a safe and welcoming space.

The centre is truly a one-off and helps pregnant women, partners and new families.

They have to move from their current location at Lower Gilmore Place where they have been for 11 years as it is being demolished.

Now they will take up residence at 188 Pleasance, but they need some help to make it pretty. That can be by way of a contribution to the crowdfunder, but they also have a list of items which could be donated - from carpets to

warning that Brexit threatens the future of our health and social care services.

Lee Robertson, 43, is a care worker at Enable Scotland, who moved to the sector after working in retail. He supports Steven Imlah, 25, who features in the campaign and works at Tribe Porty.Lee said: “I love being a carer and I’m passionate about letting others know why it’s such a rewarding and satisfying career choice. In my previous job,I honestly felt like I was working for the sake of it. But now that I’m caring for Steven, I feel like I’ve found my calling and come away every day knowing that I’ve made a big difference. It’s a good feeling." CareToCare.scot

books and toys. The Pregnancy and Parents Centre began in 1985 in founder, Nadine Edwards' living room. From their various central Edinburgh locations, they have offered local families a safe and comfortable place to come together and share experiences, develop confidence and make strong friendships to carry them through the challenges of early parenthood. pregnancyandparents.org.uk

Bethany Christian Trust’s Buy a Bed campaign raises over £100K for emergency night shelter This will be used to help people in Edinburgh who are sleeping rough on the streets get access to a bed and food along with professional support such as GPs and mental health care.

The charity’s care shelter is open for 32 weeks in a year and is a lifeline for those who might otherwise be out in the cold.

With its small team Bethany works with volunteers and donations from churches and individuals. The venue is provided

by Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse Church.

Alasdair Bennett, Chief Executive at Bethany Christian Trust said: “We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of support from individual donors, businesses, companies and churches who have given to our Buy a Bed campaign. We are so grateful that people have chosen to give

towards our mission of ending homelessness in Scotland, one person at a time.

“Thanks to their generous support, this incredible amount raised will significantly contribute towards our operating of the Care Shelter right through till May. While substantial support has been generated this year, there is still a continuing need for this life-saving project alongside our wider work.

“Rough sleeping is only one but very visible aspect of the complex issue of homelessness. Bethany Christian Trust works to not just meet people at the point of crisis, but we also aim to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place and to support people to sustain their own homes.

Therefore, the need is growing and future support is vital.”

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Budgeting for the future

Continued from Front Page The City of Edinburgh Council will meet on 14th and 20th February 2020 to set a three-year budget for the capital.

The details of these proposals will be published on 10 February after discussion by all political groups.

It is clear that the budget will be challenging in light of uncertainty about funding from the UK and Scottish governments, and also due to an ongoing need to make cuts in the revenue spend.

The council along with others in Scotland is obliged to produce what is called a 'balanced budget'.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: "Despite the uncertainty brought about by delays to the UK Government’s budget announcement, we’re committed to setting a balanced three-year budget for Edinburgh – paving the way for record capital investment in our schools and transport over the next 10 years.

“We've already started outlining our long-term plans for making the city more sustainable and accessible while managing our city’s growth more fairly and effectively. But to reach these goals, we need to act now and make the smartest use of the resources we have available.

“Yes, there will be some difficult decisions we'll need to make – that's no secret. But it's extremely

disappointing that budget information, much of it inaccurate, has found its way into the public domain, causing unnecessary alarm in our communities.

“We won’t let this cloud the process or stand in the way of our priority, which is to agree the best budget for the people of Edinburgh; one that supports people out of poverty, responds to the climate crisis and allows our residents to share in our city’s success."

Depute Leader Cammy Day added: "While many Councils across the country will be meeting next month or even later to set a one-year budget, we're going further, outlining our spending plans until March 2023.

"Despite challenging budgets and continued pressure on local government finance, we will set a three year budget to allow the Council, partner organisations and our residents some certainty for the next few years.

“We will prioritise and invest in the areas our citizens have told us really matter to them, with a focus on poverty and sustainability. I'm confident that our future planning will see the capital city with a positive and progressive outlook for the future.”

Remember that you can either attend any meeting of the council or indeed watch as it happens on their live webcast. We will be live tweeting....@EdinReporter.

Is it the end of the road for Marketing Edinburgh?

The City of Edinburgh Council appears to be dead set on finally pulling the plug on the arms’ length body responsible for selling the capital to the world.

The death by one cut began when the council tried to slash funding for the body which they had previously supported with just under £1 million a year.

The council set up the organisation to promote the city as a world-class destination in which to live, work, study, visit and invest, but appetite for it seemed to wane under the new council administration since 2017.

In February 2019 councillors pressed ahead with a cut of £300,000 to Marketing Edinburgh’s budget. This was actually a reprieve, as the council had initially considered cutting the financial support by 89% over two years.

The board’s business plan put to the council only last autumn set out a route to achieve zero council funding by merging Marketing Edinburgh with the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group.

The phased transition was intended to set up a new body Edinburgh & Partners by 2022.This included a proposal that integral parts of Marketing Edinburgh such as Convention Edinburgh and Film Edinburgh would be evaluated

separately, and that possibly Film Edinburgh would move in-house at the council.

The council’s Housing Homelessness and Fair Work Committee which is responsible for the marketing body did not accept this proposal leading to the resignation of the entire board of Marketing Edinburgh (https:// edinburgh.org/) last November.

At the time Gordon Robertson was Chairman of the Board. He wrote in a letter to the council that the plan was the only one that the board felt ‘would meet the needs of the city by involving all, providing a forum for tourism beyond the current and driving change. We therefore have no option but to step aside and allow you to proceed to appoint Directors that share the Council’s view and plan and immediately put in place what is needed to execute your plan.’

Mr Robertson continued : “We regret that as it stands Edinburgh is left with no plan to engage with residents, to manage the city brand, to understand tourism trends or data, develop policy, manage the new tourism strategy; no climate for partnership or to provide a cross industry forum to manage tourism for the better in the city.”

Mr Robertson signed off the

2018-19 Annual Review and acknowledged the difficulties the business faced. He wrote : “Well, events caught up with us at the beginning of 2019 and we find ourselves having to transform or cease to exist following a 34% cut in Council funding and an additional cut to income the will reduce council funding to zero by April 2020.”

According to documents The Edinburgh Reporter has seen, the board’s plan did not envisage simply winding the body up, but putting it onto a different format, all with a purpose.

The proposal was to build a new membership style organisation with a series of partners.

It was hoped that these would include the council, the former Marketing Edinburgh, Edinburgh Tourism Action Group, Festivals Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and VisitScotland.

This partnership network was to be developed for organisations of different sizes to support the city’s tourism businesses with growth and high-quality experiences. They also proposed working with bodies like the World Heritage Trust and Essential Edinburgh to advise the council on many matters including dispersing visitors across the city with better wayfinding.

The four core activities for

the new organisation would have been Tourism Planning, Communications, Industry Support and Research. They would have informed the council with their tourism strategy - something which they obviously need in light of the city’s discussion online and off.

It was also thought that the new body would both administer and allocate funds raised by the proposed Tourist Tax as soon as that is given the green light

by Holyrood. The organisation fought to gain control of the edinburgh.org URL and knew that by using that they could engage with residents in surveys and consultations.

But that plan was rejected by the council, and we were told that staff were to be made redundant last month.

In 2019, bodies who supported Marketing Edinburgh published an open letter to councillors about their financing proposals. It stated : “Spare a thought for Marketing Edinburgh – the body that promotes Scotland’s capital – who just days ago found out that the City of Edinburgh Council intends to almost immediately remove 64% of its budget from the organisation, rising to 89% in year two. The proposal – if passed – will go live in a little over eight weeks,

leaving Edinburgh as the only major city in the developed world without a Destination Marketing Management Organisation.

“This is despite Marketing Edinburgh having demonstrated that they return £99 to the local economy for every one pound spent by them. It ignores their central role in the £74M business tourism and £16M film promotion economies. And it undermines the work they do to attract investment from the private sector, which they completely reinvest in city campaigns.

“They also run the city’s consumer digital channels, unite city stakeholders, facilitate thousands of conventions, support hundreds of film and TV productions…the list goes on.

“But all this seemingly doesn’t matter to the Council, who want to pull the rug with no obvious contingency or regard for the damage that will be done.”

The marketing body reported a huge return on investment last summer generating £900 million of investment for the capital or a 90:1 ratio. Not a bad return for a body which the council now regards as superfluous.

The council will meet to set its budget this month but it may already be too late for Marketing Edinburgh .

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Councillors criticised for budget leaks

by David Bol The capital’s Finance Convener has criticised coalition councillors who leaked budget proposals amid fears the action is adding to a “climate of fear” over where the axe will fall.

The City of Edinburgh Council will agree plans to make up to £40m of cuts from its budget when councillors meet this month.

In January it was revealed that one proposal under consideration was to cut £500,000 from Edinburgh Leisure’s budget.

Green finance spokesperson, Cllr Gavin Corbett pointed out that the leak was made before opposition councillors had seen the proposals – pinning the blame on the SNP-Labour coalition.

He added: “The only source could have been from administration councillors or some other source – but not from opposition councillors. The clear conclusion is that administration members must have been briefing the press

and the administration needs to take responsibility for that.”

Cllr Alasdair Rankin, the council’s finance convener, hit out at whoever has leaked the document ahead of publication.

He said: “Leaks are always to be deplored. It encourages people to focus on one particular proposals which may or may not be in the budget.

“We expect all councillors to observe the code of conduct that you don’t rush off to the media and hand over a briefing note. This is simply not the way that any councillor ought to behave.”

Conservative Cllr Andrew Johnson added: “Why has nothing changes from last year which created the same climate of fear?

We now find ourselves back again with very concerned individuals.”

David Bol is the Local Democracy Reporter covering Edinburgh. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

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Edinburgh failing the homeless

New homelessness statistics have showed an increase in people using temporary accommodation – including families with children.

It has emerged that Edinburgh is the worst offender for breaches of the Homeless Persons order.

Sarah Boyack MSP said, “The increase of people overall in temporary households – over 11,000 households – shows a worrying trend and indicates that the government is no further along in solving our housing and homelessness issues.

“This increase, the highest figures since the provision of the Housing (Scotland) Act in 2002, is unacceptable. Even worse, a quarter of those households include children; over 7000 children let down by SNP local government cuts.

“Families struggling to provide security and stability for their children spend an average of 212 days in B&Bs before finding a home. What kind of message

are we sending to our children when we cannot even get the basic necessities such as housing right?”

Edinburgh topped the list of Breaches of the Homeless Persons (Unsuitable Accommodation Order) (Scotland), reaching 295 by October last year.

Shelter Scotland Director, Graeme Brown, said: “These statistics lay bare the reality of our housing emergency. More children in temporary accommodation than we’ve seen in the last 17 years and many households turned away altogether.

“While it’s good that Edinburgh is now being transparent these figures show the council has not been meeting its statutory duties, a situation which we have already highlighted in Glasgow.The sheer numbers of occasions when people are being turned away to fend for themselves is scandalous.

Who knows what happens to these people when they leave the council offices? Councils can’t pick and choose which laws they adhere to.”

Planning approval for Gorgie student flats

by David Bol Plans to knock down a former Masonic hall and wire works to make way for a six-storey block of student flats were approved by planners last month.

The proposals by Maven Property are to demolish the vacant buildings on Murieston Crescent, and built accommodation for 120 students. No car parking will be provided as part of the scheme.

The accommodation will be made up of 102 en-suite studios, three cluster apartments with four bedrooms for sharing and six accessible studios.

The cluster apartments will have four en-suite bedrooms centred on a kitchen, dining and living room area.

A management team will be on site daily, with student wardens appointed to provide support out of hours. CCTV will be in operation across all the communal areas.

A total of 120 cycle parking spaces will be provided within a two-tier storage system.

Planning officials had recommended that Edinburgh City Council’s development management sub-committee grant planning permission for the

proposals.

The application was almost put on hold after concerns raised by ward councillor Denis Dixon that a report drawn up by planning officers was “inaccurate” relating to the number of objections and the stance of a community council.

But officials confirmed that Cllr Dixon was referring to a previous application and stated that the community council had written to the authority, pledging its support for the scheme.

Cllr Dixon also raised concerns about parking and the potential to use the roof space.

He said: “Murieston Crescent is a particularity bad area for us with congestion – it’s very narrow there.

“On the roof of the building, there’s no opportunity for that to opened up is there?”

But officials reassured Cllr Dixon that the sloping mansard-style roof could not be used for another purpose.

Planning Convener, Cllr Neil Gardiner, welcomed the proposals but pointed to potential changes in student housing rules that could be included in the forthcoming

new local development plan.

This includes proposals for student projects over a certain size to have a proportion of housing included.

The planning convener also wants student accommodation to be easily adaptable to residential housing in the future.

He said: “Murieston Crescent is a hidden gem in the Gorgie-Dalry area with an excellent square in the middle.

“The building has been derelict for 10 or 15 years and it’s somewhat of an eyesore. We have to deal with the current guidance

as it stands.”

Following the decision, local ward Cllr Ashley Graczyk criticised the decision to approve planning permission.

She said: “Gorgie has excessive student developments and zero proposals for standard tenements that would be accessible for all, but apparently, more student development is the answer.

“Once again, there are zero community benefits for Gorgie and high rent will continue to rise.”

David Bol is the Local Democracy Reporter covering Edinburgh

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Police news VANDALISM Edinburgh Police have appealed for information following vandalism to a number of premises in the city centre.

Two incidents took place in The National Museum of Scotland, on 24 and 25 January 2020 when glue was applied to different areas of the venue’s toilets. A further similar incident has since been reported at the Festival Theatre on Nicolson Street.

Inspector Trish Robertson, of the West End Community Policing Team, said: “Thankfully nobody has been seriously injured as a result of these incidents, however these thoughtless acts were extremely irresponsible and could have potentially harmed young children. Officers are conducting a thorough investigation and I would urge anyone with any information, of who may have seen something suspicious, to contact Police via 101, quoting incident 2808 of 27 January.”

TEENAGE ARRESTS Two teenage boys have been arrested and charged in connection with an assault at a shop in Edinburgh. The incident happened around 6.55pm on 23 January, 2020, at the Hay Convenience Store on Hay Avenue.

Two men, aged 38 and 49, who were working in the shop, were racially abused before being physically assaulted.

The teenagers, aged 15 and 16, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 28 January 2020, one appearing from police custody.

Edinburgh Leith Area Commander, Chief Inspector Gill Geany, said: "I want to make it clear that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. Police Scotland is committed to ensuring that those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.

"Enquiries remain ongoing into this incident and I am appealing for anyone who has information and has not yet spoken to police to come forward."

ASSAULT CHARGES A 30-year-old man and a 33-yearold women were arrested and charge in connection with six assaults and robberies which took place in the Wester Hailes area.

The incidents took place between 8.50pm on Thursday, 23 January and 8am on Saturday, 25 January. The 30-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 27 January 2020.

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New galleries at Surgeons’ Hall Museums Galleries Scotland have given £60,000 to Surgeons’ Hall Museums to allow them to develop two new galleries. The galleries will be used for a new project called Body Voyager.

The project will explore the rest of computerised and robotic technology in medicine with lots of interactive exhibits.

The museum was first renovated in 2015 with Heritage Lottery funding of £4.4million. Their exhibitions

Chris Henry, Director of Heritage said: “It is clear from our evaluations that there is a deep and unwavering interest in the human body and what happens to it during illness. Therefore, we feel that it is now time to look at the future of surgery and try to address changes that have taken place since the opening of the museum in 2015. In four short years much has changed in terms of the use of computerised and robotic technology in medicine.

An exponential rise in the use of robotics has led us to envisage new galleries to consider the changes this will bring.”

There will be four zones in the galleries: an introduction, the head, the torso and the limbs. Each area will look at the extent to which robotics has been introduced into certain procedures already, as well as charting the development of robotic equipment.

Body Voyager will open in the autumn of 2020.

Support for The Quaich Project The Quaich Project say that their most recent plans have been received positively by members of the public. They ran a consultation late last year and got more than 1,000 responses with two thirds of respondents supportive of the changes to the gardens.

A second consultation event will be held soon, prior to the submission of a detailed Major Development application to the council.

The discussion asked whether participants liked the plans for a new Welcome Centre and whether they approved of the events to be held in the amphitheatre. The idea behind these is to support

community use of the building.

The Quaich Project began with a £5 million donation from Norman Springford of Apex Hotels and is now gathering steam ahead of the planning application. The project will include new paths, list access and less steep inclines to access the gardens.

David Ellis, Managing Director at The Quaich Project, said: “The results of the public consultation on the designs have been incredibly encouraging.

As the product of four years’ of engagement with stakeholders and the people of Edinburgh, the designs presented at the most recent public consultation will transform West Princes

City Region Deal news Deal will boost skills and career support.

The Housing Construction and Infrastructure Skills Gateway (HCI) will be supported by £6 million from The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and The Scottish Government over the next seven years.

HCI offers a range of short work-ready courses in renewable energy for homes, electric vehicle charging points, roads infrastructure, environmental technology and working with

school pupils. Universities and colleges in the region all deliver the HCI Skills Gateway.

In this, the fastest growing area of Scotland, around 145,000 new homes will be built in the next 20 years, and there could be a skills gap which HCI Skills Gateway hopes to reduce.

Professor Sean Smith of Edinburgh Napier University sees this as an opportunity to “enable the region’s low carbon ambitions, embedding new technologies and clean-tech approaches for future

Change is on the way

Street Gardens, making it more accessible, open and useful for all.

“We also asked people if they were in favour of a small number of major events facilitating smaller, community-focussed events and it’s heartening to receive the backing of almost three quarters of respondents for this approach.

Currently, the Ross Bandstand is outdated and inflexible and the plans we’re putting forward open up possibilities for a whole range of community groups and activities around the year.”

The City of Edinburgh Council will continue to regulate the number and type of activities taking place in the gardens.

homes and buildings”.

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure Michael Matheson said: “The Scottish Government’s £300m investment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal includes a £25m commitment to improving skills within the region. I’m delighted to see that the HCI skills gateway is set to benefit thousands of people in the years to come, helping to create the expertise that we need in the Housing, Construction and Infrastructure sectors in order to achieve a sustainable, carbon-free future for Scotland.”

by Phyllis Stephen At the moment the council is all about considering what the next decade will bring. It appears to us that they are looking to the past in many ways to create a sustainable future.

In that vein it has drawn up what is called a Choices document which is now published for an eight week consultation. The aim is to have a draft Local Development Plan in autumn 2020 for approval by The Scottish Ministers.The last time the council drafted a Local Development Plan it was rejected by the government so this time they have adopted a more thorough and modern approach. The next LDP will be adopted in 2021. In the Choices document planners set out to achieve four aims: A more sustainable city supporting mental and physical wellbeing of all who live here Somewhere that you do not need a car to get around An affordable place for everyone to live Everyone shares in its economic success.

These are lofty principles and difficult to achieve even in ten years, but they set the tone of an ambitious set of proposals. One of the main changes is to the provision of affordable housing within any development. If approved, then any development with more than a dozen houses must also provide affordable housing at a new increased rate of 35% of the total number of units.

Currently this is 25%.

Public events will be held.

Planning Convener Neil Gardiner was keen to say that the various choices contained in the report are not in any way mutually exclusive.

As always there will be a diversity of views on the proposals which will be discussed in detail during the eight week consultation Copies of it are available in libraries and online Cllr Gardiner said: “Edinburgh is a vibrant city, with a great quality of life. We have a beautiful green and historic environment, a thriving economy and numerous cultural attractions to be enjoyed. But, like many cities, we have increasing levels of poverty and health inequalities in our communities, rising housing costs and in some

areas, traffic congestion and poor air quality. We also need to adapt our city to meet the needs of an aging population, address the increasing impact of climate change and ensure growth is sustainable.

“We need to have an open conversation with our residents, businesses and other stakeholders about how our city grows and changes to meet future needs where this growth takes place.

City Plan 2030 is about us making the right choices now so that our residents can make reasonable and informed choices about how and where they live and how they get around in the future.

“We’re embarking on one of the most significant periods of transformation in a generation and we need to rethink the way we expand to accommodate our growing population. We’re already committed to building 20,000 affordable and low-cost homes by 2027 but the city needs more housing, with particular emphasis on affordable homes.The plan we finally publish will affect us all to some degree and it’s important that we hear from residents on this journey to accommodate future needs. The history of Edinburgh is about successfully adapting and evolving – now it’s our turn to come together to think about how we can plan most effectively for the future.”

Vice Convener, Cllr Maureen Child, added: “To meet our ambitious climate change targets, we must develop differently in the future and all houses and other buildings will need be much more energy efficient. We will work with our partners in the industry to ensure we make the best use of the limited space we have and, going forward, we’ll be asking developers to think more carefully about location, density and design.

"Where historically you may have built a supermarket on a brownfield site, we need to think of a mix of opportunities and uses for the site, including housing.

“Of course, connectivity is central to this and our Transport and Environment Committee is considering an ambitious new City Mobility Plan, designed to improve sustainable transport over the next decade, while enabling the type of growth we’re aiming for in City Plan 2030.”

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Twenty housing sites

by David Bol The City's planning committee is moving towards production of the new Local Development Plan. The Choices document is out for public consultation now.

The City of Edinburgh Council insists that it does not want to open up green belt sites for new development, with brownfield sites that have been previously developed the authority’s “preferred option”.

But five green belt sites have been identified as potential new housing sites – along with a host of brownfield sites in the urban area, which could be part of mixed-use developments.

Officials warned that to pursue a brownfield strategy, compulsory purchase orders could be used to free up land for housing if engagement with the landowners fails. The sites include : 1.West Edinburgh green belt site An area between Edinburgh Airport and the A8 corridor has been identified by council chiefs as potentially being released for housing development.

2. Kirkliston green belt site The village of Kirkliston in the north west of the capital is already set to expand dramatically and council chiefs have identified further land, currently green belt, that could be allocated for further development.

3. Green belt site east of Riccarton An area to the east of Riccarton has also been identified for potential green belt release.

Council officials say it would “create a new urban extension to Edinburgh” and link communities in west Edinburgh across the city bypass to Heriot Watt University.

4. Calderwood green belt site An area of green belt in Calderwood, on the very western boundary of the city, could also be released for housing development. The location is next to development taking place in West Lothian.

5. Green belt in south east Edinburgh A large swathe of south east Edinburgh could be developed, close to the Sheriffhall roundabout and Shawfair Park. The housingled development could run along

to the Straiton and Midlothian Gateway.

6. Edinburgh Airport decommissioned runway The Crosswinds site, located at the former decommissioned 12/30 runway at Edinburgh Airport, could be turned into a housing-led mixed development. But plans have also been touted for the site to be transformed into a ‘digital quarter’.

7. Seafield A large strip of land along the seafront, which is currently home to car dealerships and a bus depot on Seafield Road East has been marked up for potentially being turned into housing development.

The land, currently owned by the private sector could either be sold to developers or the council could resort to compulsory purchase powers in order to overhaul the site.

8. Redford Barracks The future of Redford Barracks has been uncertain for several years – with a planned closure delayed by the Ministry of Defence. But the site could be designated for housing development.

9.Royal Victoria Hospital The former Victoria Hospital on Craigleith Road could be earmarked for housing development. The building closed in 2017 and has remained vacant.

10. Liberton Hospital Liberton Hospital on Lasswade Road is currently owned by NHS Lothian – but council chiefs have marked up the site for potential housing development on the brownfield site.

11. Bath Road Industrial units on Bath Road is Leith could make way if the city council presses ahead and reclassified the area as suitable for housing development.

If taken forward, the site wouldn’t be the first former industrial area in Leith to be transformed into new homes.

12. Jane Street Jane Street, which is found just off Leith Walk, is home to garages and industrial buildings. Planning bosses have earmarked some industrial buildings that could become suitable homes for new housing developments in the north of the city.

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edinburghreporter 13. Powderhall waste transfer site Housing leaders at City Chambers already have a vision to turn this former waste transfer station into a hosing-led mixed development, including green space. Located on Broughton Road, opposite Broughton Primary, the site is currently being cleared after the waste site closed and was dismantled.

14. Astley Ainslie Astley Ainslie Hospital near Morningside could be redeveloped into housing. NHS Lothian is in a process of winding down services at the site and intends to close it by 2025.

15. Saughton House Saughton House, which is currently home to offices for The Scottish Government, has also been included on a list of potential sites to be turned into housing-led development.

The building, in the Broomhouse area in the west of the Capital, is within walking distance of the tram line through the west of the city.

16. Murrayburn Road Council bosses could reclassify one of their depots, located on Murrayburn Road in Wester Hailes, as suitable for a housing-led mixed development.

17. West Craigs Industrial Estate West Craigs Industrial Estate is located between Mayburn Road and Turnhouse Road in the west of the city. It is currently home to various businesses including Jewson, but could be earmarked for housing development in the future.

18. Gorgie Road Council officials say a former BT office block on Gorgie Road could also be turned into housing if a brownfield or blended strategy is pushed forward by the authority.

19. Swanfield Industrial Estate The industrial estate between Bonnington Road and Great Junction Street could be turned into housing development, under proposals by city planning chiefs.

20. Carron Place Industrial units situation on Carron Place, close to Salamander Street, could be marked up for housing development. The site between Leith and Seafield could be reclassified by council officials in the new city plan.

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NEWS

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7

NEWS IN BRIEF Safety on Scotrail ScotRail has launched a new campaign encouraging people to stop and think about their own personal safety while travelling or at work.

During 2019, more than 670 minor customer and employee injuries were reported across Scotland’s railway, the majority of which were avoidable and a result of unsafe behaviours.

ScotRail’s new ‘Watch Yourself’ campaign is targeted at customers and colleagues and aims to challenge the most common behaviours which can lead to accidents and injuries. These include texting while walking, running through busy stations, and not holding handrails on stairs and escalators.

Local bike campaigning On Monday 23 March 2020 the Lothians cycle campaigners Spokes will hold their spring meeting from 7.30-9.30pm. Doors open 6.45pm for coffee, stalls and chat.

Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL #SpokesMtg New Defibrillator There is to be a new defibrillator installed on the outer wall of the Deli on Lanark Road in Juniper Green, the result of a funding drive by the Juniper Green and Baberton Mains COmmunity Council along with the C&B News. in the event of someone collapsing nearby, anyone can dial 999 to gain access to the defibrillator and obtain advice on whether its use is appropriate while an ambulance or other responder is dispatched.

Emergency telephone operators are trained in guiding people in the use of the equipment, which has led to more lives being saved.

Stockbridge takes over from Giffnock According to the recent Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020 Stockbridge is the least deprived are in Scotland, replacing Giffnock. The most deprived is in Greenock town centre and there are no such areas in the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney. Levels of deprivation have fallen in the City of Edinburgh since the last report in 2016. The figures are based on income, employment, health, education, access to services, crime and housing.

Edinburgh tax Revenue Scotland say that the CIty of Edinburgh has paid 33 per cent of the residential Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) due every year since the tax began in 2015. The total is more than a third of all tax due. No other local authority area pays more than 9% of the total due in any one year.

Moderator calls for end to bitterness Moderator Rt Rev Colin Sinclair has joined church leaders from across the country in signing a statement calling for an end to the bitterness and divisions of Brexit.

He said : “As Church leaders, we are united in wishing to seek God’s guidance and a sense of common purpose as we move from this chapter of the Brexit process into the next. As Christians, we affirm our belief that all people are equally created in God’s image.

Our country should be one that offers sanctuary to refugees and is intolerant of those who hate because of a person’s race or nationality. Both Leave and Remain campaigns agreed on this – we must now make it a reality.

Keep Scotland Beautiful The countdown to Scotland’s Spring Clean is on - and environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful invites you to step up and play your part in ridding the nation of litter.

Poor local environmental quality is having a negative impact every day and litter levels remain at the highest recorded in a decade.

Amongst the many significant environmental challenges facing Scotland, the charity says litter should be one of the easiest to tackle with individuals and communities able to get out and about to take action in their local areas. With the 2019 Spring Clean attracting more than 45,000 people, Keep Scotland Beautiful is calling for even more people to register to take part in 2020, arrange their own Clean Up event during April and May and help to remove litter from local streets, parks and public places.

Consumer Scotland The Scottish Parliament voted recently to set up a consumer champion for Scots in creating Consumer Scotland. Scotland’s national consumer advice service, consumeradvice.scot, said the proposal will deliver a ‘positive change to the Scottish consumer landscape’. consumeradvice.scot was launched in April last year with financial support from the Scottish Government following the devolution of consumer powers, and is operated by the Glasgowbased charity Advice Direct Scotland. It provides free, impartial and practical advice directly to consumers in Scotland.

The deadline for our March newspaper is 24 February 2020.

The deadline for our April newspaper is 24 March 2020.

The deadline for our May newspaper is 24 April 2020.

Do get in touch if you have a story editor@ theedinburghreporter.co.uk

8

The Edinburgh Reporter

POLITICS

Marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz

by Jeremy Balfour MSP The 27th January 2020 marked 75 years since the surviving prisoners of Auschwitz were liberated from the concentration camp. I had the privilege of being able to visit Auschwitz last month and pay my respects to the 1.3 million people who suffered there at the hand of the Nazis.

No matter how many times you hear accounts of visits to

Auschwitz, nothing quite prepares you for how chilling an experience it is until you are there yourself.

Walking through the gates, it is almost unbearable to think about the people who entered and never left… but we have to think about it. If we do not remember those horrendous events we not only disrespect those that suffered; we risk a similar thing happening again.

SNP failing on schools

If I was struck by one thing on my visit – it was that we absolutely must do everything in our power to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. We all have a part to play in that by making sure that we act in such a way that shows tolerance to those around us no matter their religion, race, gender or any other characteristic on which we differ.

As horrific as Auschwitz was, we cannot change the past. What we can and must do, is make sure that history does not repeat itself.

SNP playing catch up with the NHS

by Gordon Lindhurst MSP Our NHS staff across Lothian do wonderful work day in day out across our health service.

However, they are being badly let down by an SNP government which has had full control of our health service for almost 13 years.

The most recent waiting time targets for NHS Lothian made for appalling reading with almost one in five patients not seen within the SNP’s four hour waiting time

target.

It becomes clearer all the time that the SNP have completely failed to prepare for the future in terms of staffing and funding our health service and are now playing catch-up.

That only does a disservice to patients and puts a greater pressure on our staff.

I challenged the SNP Health Secretary on the failure to meet the waiting time targets

in Parliament but was met with the usual deflection answers of focusing on issues at Westminster.

This is a complete dereliction of responsibility from the Health Secretary who should be looking closer to home and outlining how she will support NHS Lothian going forward.

That is the least our hardworking NHS deserve from the Government.

Westminster’s airy dismissiveness

by Tommy Sheppard MP The UK Government’s dismissive attitude to Scotland’s specific needs is growing increasingly tiresome. Every constructive suggestion of compromise made by the Scottish Government is flatly and high-handedly rejected.

Now, the Scottish Government has put forward a detailed, viable proposal for a devolved Scottish visa system to meet Scotland’s particular demographic and economic needs. The plan has been widely welcomed by employers and industry groups, including by the Federation of Small Businesses and Scottish Council for Development and

Industry.

Yet, the Westminster response has been airy dismissiveness.

“Immigration will remain a reserved matter”, says the Home Office.

And it isn’t the first time.

Remember the Scottish Government’s well thought out, open and reasonable paper Scotland’s Place in Europe.

If you recall, this outlined a way of reconciling Scotland’s overwhelming vote to remain in the European Union with the wider UK vote to leave. This would have involved Scotland continuing to be part of the UK but keeping full access to the EU single

market and retaining freedom of movement with continental Europe.

This reasonable and workable compromise was dismissed out of hand by Westminster. To add insult to injury, this is very like the outcome that Boris Johnson appears to have conceded for Northern Ireland and will place Scotland at a big competitive disadvantage for inward investment.

How much longer can Scotland afford to put up with a government in London that appears to care nothing for our needs and priorities?

by Daniel Johnson MSP The importance of education and a positive pupil experience is surely something that people of all political persuasions can get behind.

However, the current mismanagement of our schools nationally, creates great strain on our schools locally.

Lack of proper funding has seen class sizes in Edinburgh schools remain far higher than the average, with four schools in my own constituency with pupil rolls of 600 or above.

The Scottish Government will site local capacity issues,

Dying for a breath of fresh air

by Christine Jardine MP Another month, another set of alarming data showing Edinburgh to have the worst air pollution of any Scottish city. The analysis from the Centre for Cities claims Edinburgh also has the highest proportion of deaths attributable to pollution in Scotland, ahead of Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.

More than one in 29 deaths are caused by air pollution here, with 157 deaths being directly linked to the pollutant PM2.5. These terrifying figures make it clear that we must be taking fast and direct action to tackle pollution in our city.

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but surely a responsibility of government is to properly fund education, especially for our growing capital city that is crying out for investment across the board from The Scottish Government.

Constituents have shared their concerns with me about the inadequacies of education under the SNP, with standards and confidence slipping.

I will always listen to the concerns of parents to how their children’s schools are run and will not shirk in my responsibility to hold The Scottish Government to account on its failed record on education.

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The Council’s City Mobility Plan includes a number of initiatives to reduce the need for private car use, but this must include a Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) that incorporates heavily polluted areas in the west of Edinburgh.

And quite rightly, the Council is already under pressure to review the proposed boundaries for the new LEZ. The current plans seriously risk concentrating pollution along hotspots in the west of Edinburgh, such as St John’s Road and Queensferry Road. I urge Council members to listen to the thousands of Edinburgh residents who have already asked them for a city-wide LEZ. In light of these new figures, limiting the LEZ boundary is totally unjustifiable.

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Rebuilding Liberton High School welcomed

by Miles Briggs I am pleased that Edinburgh City Council is looking at bringing forward plans in their budget to rebuild Liberton High School. The council have proposed a 'dual campus' model alongside a new dedicated Gaelic high school,

in a bid to get support from the Scottish Government.

Liberton High School has long been overdue a replacement building with a long list of essential building maintenance needing completed. Parents. teachers and pupils must be included in the consultation between City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government.

One thing is certain, that a new building is needed, so that pupils in Liberton and the surrounding area have a school with the best possible environment for learning.

For too long Liberton High School has been overlooked for a replacement school building and that must change and we must see action taken to deliver the new building.

Making the Most of the City’s Brown Sites

by Sarah Boyack MSP Over the last few months, like many elected representative campaigners, the election gave me the opportunity to visit homes across the city and the region. It was a visual reminder of the acceleration of change. All around me I saw more and more housing developments around the bypass and, in the city, more and more key boxes on the entrances to flats and tenements as former homes became rented property, let out year-round to visitors.

Tourists are welcome to Edinburgh, bringing a vibrancy and life to our city, as well as much-needed revenue. However, getting the balance right between the housing needs of residents and the numbers of tourists is critical, whether we are looking at the city centre or the concept of ‘boatels’ on the canal. Also

crucial is the way we develop and invest in our communities for the future, and so I welcome news that the council plans to earmark more brown sites for future development – a welcome departure from relying on our ever-decreasing green spaces.

However, change needs to come in other ways, too. We need to think ahead in terms of the climate, which should remain at the forefront of planning - and we need to change our habits.

Instead of using easily-available green sites, we must make use of existing buildings. It is by far the most climate-friendly option but it will require both councils and communities investing in tenements and under-used buildings.

Modern shopping habits have altered the use of our high streets.

Town centres change before our eyes as people jump in cars and drive to supermarkets for plasticpackaged foods leaving town

EU Surgery in Portobello

Last month Edinburgh Eastern MSP Ash Denham hosted an advice surgery in Portobello for EU citizens who had questions about the EU Settlement Scheme and

how Brexit will affect them.

53 constituents, representing nine EU nationalities, attended the Q & A session led by Ms Denham and Karen Brown from Citizens Advice Scotland.

The MSP had written to all EU citizens in her constituency to make them aware of the surgery.

Ms Denham said: "I felt it was important to put on this event to make sure that EU citizens felt reassured about the EU Settled Status Scheme and to give them an opportunity to ask questions specific to them and their family.

"There was a strong turn out of

centre properties vacant. The decay that sets in affects more than the properties – it affects community cohesion and civic pride.

Halting this erosion seems like a tall order. Investing in brown sites is more expensive that green sites, but the longer-term cost will be greater if proper local authority funding fails to materialise in the next budget.

In the coming months, it is vital that communities have a voice in Edinburgh Council’s local plan, whether it means talking to councillors, attending meetings or making your own representations.

It is only by uniting community needs with council planning objectives that a realistic, long-term green solution to our housing and community issues will be found. Take a look at the consultation events and the draft plan on the council website : www. edinburgh.gov.uk

53 constituents representing nine different EU nationalities, and everyone could ask questions. ”I made it clear that EU citizens are valued for the contribution they make to our society and our culture, and that I want them to stay.

"If any EU citizen would like advice or support in completing their application, the Scottish Government has committed to providing a 'Stay in Scotland' package of support.

"This includes the funding of Citizens Advice Scotland.

"They have a help line available weekdays between 9.00am and 5.00pm The number is 0800 916 9847."

POLITICS

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9

Brexit is bad for Edinburgh

by Ian Murray MP Labour deputy leadership candidate I am writing this just hours before we leave the European Union.

As readers will know, I fought tirelessly to prevent this happening.

It is therefore deeply upsetting and worrying that Brexit is upon us, particularly for Edinburgh’s economy.

But what I won’t do is respond in the way the SNP has - by trying to make things even worse through leaving the UK as well.

Instead, I believe we must concentrate on rebuilding our relationship with Europe.

I am standing in the election for Deputy Leader of the Labour

Party, and I have pledge to launch a Labour Campaign for Britain’s Future, with the party’s values of togetherness at its heart.

The Labour movement must make the case for a much closer relationship with Europe, restoring our reputation, and working to grow our economy on behalf of workers in every UK community, Leave or Remain.

Ultimately, I believe we should never rule out campaigning to be part of the EU again in the future if it is in the national interest.

The Labour Party’s values of internationalism and solidarity are why we should always be a pro-UK and a pro-Europe party.

Never again can we face both ways of the biggest issues of our time.

If we can’t stand up for the future of the UK and play a central part in Europe, then we stand for nothing.

Scottish Cabinet papers 2004 We had a look at the Scottish Cabinet papers which were released in January. These papers are published when they have been archived for 15 years, so some of what we read seemed pretty recent and familiar.

Malcolm Chisholm MP for Edinburgh North and Leith was Health and Community Care Minister. He wanted to hold a consultation on banning smoking in public places. Stewart Maxwell

had initiated a Private Member’s Bill and Ireland had already put a ban in place. A Breath of Fresh Air for Scotland indicated a move to reduce tobacco related harm and public education on passive smoking and environmental tobacco smoke. The consultation was launched on 7 June that year in a smoke free pub. The government wanted to test public acceptance for legislation to stop people smoking in certain public areas. Interestingly the document was on paper and was returnable

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The Edinburgh Reporter

10 POLITICS

Ian Murray for Deputy Leader

PHOTO John Preece

Heather is MEP for three days The European Parliament officially recognised the SNP’s Heather Anderson as Scotland’s newest MEP just three days before the UK left the EU. The appointment came after Alyn Smith stood down from the European Parliament in order to take up his post as Westminster MP for Stirling.

The appointment also meant that four of Scotland’s six MEPs voted against Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal, a proportion which reflects the referendum result in Scotland.

The European Parliament voted on the Withdrawal Agreement on 29 January 2020.

Ms Anderson said: “I’m delighted

to be taking up my post, if only for a few days.

“The people of Scotland resoundingly rejected Brexit at the referendum and have underlined that position at every subsequent election. It’s therefore important that a full complement of Scotland’s MEPs is in place to register that view in the parliamentary record.

“We know that the UK is leaving the EU at the end of this week. Scotland has a clear route back however – and I hope to be able to return to Brussels in the not so distant future to resume work as an MEP for an independent member state.”

Scotland's only Labour MP, Ian Murray MP, launched his campaign for the party's deputy leadership role last month at his former school, Wester Hailes Education Centre.

Mr Murray said : "We must reach out and listen to every corner of this country and every person in our country."

“Our party can only win by winning support across the whole of the United Kingdom, by building a coalition of all types of people with a variety of interests.”

He added that the Labour party must not become "a party of perpetual opposition", but must be seen as "credible opposition".

He continued : “I’m embarrassed about the cancer of antisemitism

in our party.

"As deputy leader I will ensure a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and antisemitism."

“I will take personal responsibility for the grievance and complaints process, and I will be held responsible for enforcing that zero-tolerance approach."

He added: “Never again do I want any Jewish person to feel that they do not have a home in the Labour Party, that they can’t trust us to do the right thing, or that they feel our party would make the country a more dangerous place for them."

The ballots for Leader and Deputy Leader open on 21 February, with the results announced on 4th April 2020.

Threat to Edinburgh Festivals The Edinburgh Pentlands MSP, Gordon MacDonald, asked The Scottish Government “what impact the Tory government’s plans to impose further restrictions on EU workers coming to Scotland will have on our internationally acclaimed festivals.”

He has asked this often before.

Festival organisers have previously described the visa process for performers who want to appear at Edinburgh arts festivals as “humiliating” and “Kafkaesque”.

In response the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Fiona Hyslop, highlighted that the additional restrictions on people to coming to this country will affect both artists and visitors.

She said that the “attitude of the

UK Government and its attitude towards Europe will affect how people see this country”.

Mr MacDonald has repeatedly highlighted the “devastating” impact that the UK government’s hostile environment has had on the ability to attract international guests to Edinburgh’s festivals.

In a Members’ Debate that he led last year, Mr MacDonald argued that since the Tory government introduced hard-line visa controls, visa applications for performers have been hit by refusals, errors and delays, with some acclaimed international writers, actors and musicians forced to cancel trips to festivals across the capital.

He has now written to the UK government to raise these additional concerns for the future

of the capital’s festivals.

Mr MacDonald, said: “The Edinburgh Festivals are world class and have enormous cultural and economic benefits, not only for our capital, but for Scotland.

“The success of the Festivals rely on the seamless flow of artists and people from across the world - something that the Tory government seem intent on preventing.

“For years now, artists have been deterred from coming here because of the UK government’s humiliating application process and their current obsession with a hard Brexit looks like it is going to make this situation worse.

“The UK government need to open their eyes to the damage they are causing to our festivals.”

Miles Briggs MSP Get in touch today!

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0131 348 5946 Miles.Briggs.msp@parliament.scot Milesbriggsedinburgh MilesBriggsMSP www.milesbriggs.scot M2.15, The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

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NEWS 11

Proposals for a Scottish visa

New Scottish Bank

The Scottish Government has issued a paper which says that they need powers over immigration policy which is at present reserved to Westminster.

A new Scottish visa would work with devolution to increase the number of people coming to Scotland and reduce any skills gaps which might come about from the new UK immigration rules after Brexit.

The government says that all of Scotland’s population growth in the next quarter century will come from migration.

Anyone applying would have

The Scottish Parliament unanimously passed a new piece of legislation to establish a Scottish National Investment Bank.

The new bank will direct investments that deliver economic, environmental and social returns, and help Scotland’s achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

It will aim to increase innovation, give support to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), and build a high-tech and inclusive economy.

The bank should be operational before the end of 2020. It will have an initial capitalisation of £2 billion over 10 years with the aim that it will ultimately become self-financing.

Economy Secretary Derek Mackay said: “The Scottish National Investment Bank has the potential to transform Scotland’s society by powering innovation

to live in Scotland and have a Scottish tax code.

The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Migration to Scotland supports economic growth and the delivery of public services and helps to address the serious issue of long term demographic change – as well as enhancing and sustaining our communities.

“Yet the latest proposals from the UK Government to control immigration and end freedom of movement would be disastrous for our economy and society and would risk acute labour shortages.

“Migration is an issue which is crucial for our future, but the Scottish Government doesn’t currently have the powers needed to deliver tailored immigration policies for Scotland.

“Devolving immigration powers by introducing a Scottish Visa would allow Scotland to attract and retain people with the skills and attributes we need for our communities and economy to flourish.”

The proposal is based on similar regional immigration schemes in Canada and Australia.

Time capsule under the Burns statue opened Historical find during the Tram to Newhaven works reveals writings relating to Burns, coins and newspapers.

During the tramworks the Burns statue on Constitution Street has been moved for safekeeping. This is not the first time the statue has been moved. It was also moved in 1961 by a mere 18 feet. This time, it has been sent to Nic Boyes for an overhaul while the tramworks make progress. Workers found a time capsule which they believed dated from 1898 underneath it and it was finally opened on the eve of Burns Night. Sadly, it had already been opened in 1961 and some artefacts added to it then.

It was placed in a specially carved place within the plinth, and was covered with lead. The various things inside included newspapers and coins with pennies from 1898 carefully wrapped in paper and details of crime rates from 1897.

Conservator Nic Boyes was in charge of taking down the Robert Burns statue and he was in charge of opening the capsule. He was very excited and explained that

he had to be careful with the contents which our predecessors had put in the vessel for us to find. He said before the opening : "We have to open this in such a way as to conserve the contents.

Conservation is all about recording.

"We use handtools only and will remove the neck of the capsule before opening it by cutting it along the top."

and building a high-tech, inclusive economy.

“Most importantly of all, the bank’s primary mission will be to face up to the global climate emergency by accelerating the just transition to net-zero carbon emissions. Harnessing private sector activity to achieve this has never been more important.

“We know from the experience of other countries that national investment banks can deliver real change, but this impact will not be delivered overnight. It will require determination, patience and support from partners right across Scotland.

“In passing this Bill today, the Scottish Parliament has taken the crucial first step towards creating an institution that is commercially minded and also publicly accountable to the people of Scotland.”

Fancy being an apprentice with Lothian?

Lothian’s engineering team is looking for new apprentices to add to its technical team. There are ten positions open to anyone aged 16-19. The Apprentice Technician posts run for four years and provide a route to an SVQ in Bus and Coach Mechanical/Electrical.

This scheme is run in partnership with Glasgow Training Group. Apprentices are given the chance to develop their skills in a modern, purpose-built centre and get practical experience at Lothian’s garages. The company has an ongoing partnership with Volvo Truck and Bus Scotland.

In the last ten years Lothian has trained over 80 apprentices with the majority of those still currently working within the company.

Jim Armstrong, Lothian’s Engineering Director, said: “At Lothian, we understand the importance and value of helping develop technical skills amongst our young people and for nearly twenty years we have worked

hard to make sure they receive the best quality training possible.

Our apprentices are also able to draw from the experiences of our dedicated engineering team and receive vital on the job training to help ensure their skills are well rounded.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome more apprentices across 2020 and look forward to meeting some of the applicants that I’m sure will go on to have successful careers within the company and help to future proof our business.”

You have until Friday 28th February to submit an application.

You must have received or be working towards National 4 or above in Maths, English and either a Science of Technical subject. Standard Grades 1-4 and Intermediates will also be accepted.

Contact Glasgow Training Group on 0141 950 5663 for more information.

The Edinburgh Reporter

12 BUSINESS

Business Awards The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards takes place at EICC on 27 February 2020. There will be winners in 15 categories with businesses of all sizes.

This year the ceremony will be the most sustainable yet with measures taken to reduce waste.

The EICC is already focused on this by using energy efficient practices and local food whenever they can.

This year the Circular Economy Innovation Award will recognise businesses who adopt Circular Economy practices.

This is part of Zero Waste Scotland’s £73 million Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme funded

by The Scottish Government and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This tries to improve economic performance while reducing the impact of economic activity on the natural environment.

Liz McAreavey, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber, said: “The annual business awards are a tremendous opportunity for the city’s business community to come together to celebrate achievement and success, and to recognise the vitally important role that commerce plays in the civic life of the Capital.”

“We are delighted to be working with the world class EICC again with a focus on sustainability. In place of the traditional goodie

Edinburgh St James appoints MD Nick Peel has been appointed as Managing Director of the £1 billion Edinburgh St James development.

Some parts of the scheme - the retail and leisure elements will be finished later this year and Mr Peel will oversee the day to day management as it is handed over.

The apartments, cinema, apart hotel and the hotel will be opened next year in 2021.

Previously head of asset and estate management at Battersea Power Station, Nick has years of experience of operational management and commercial property. He also worked previously at Arsenal as their retail director.

Nick said: “This is an extremely exciting project and I’m especially keen to continue to raise the profile of Edinburgh St James within consumer brands and businesses as it opens, which will help ensure a truly sustainable

project. I’m committed to driving the best environmental practices and working on our digital approach to benefit our consumers for the future.”

Martin Perry, Director of Development at Edinburgh St James, commented: “Edinburgh St James will reflect the city’s position as a European cosmopolitan city with a thriving economy and unique appeal to residents and tourists alike.

“Nick brings a wealth of experience and leadership quality to ensure the management of the completed development is to a world class standard befitting the aspirations of the project.

Nick shares our vision for the site and will help to build strong relationships with the exciting brands we are bringing to the city – complementing and enhancing everything Edinburgh has to offer.”

bags we are introducing reusable gifts for guests, and digital copies of the brochure will be available for download via a QR code on the evening.”

There is still time to book a place at the event. www. edinburghchamber.co.uk

New post office A new post office has opened at 190 Dalkeith Road at Amir & Sons Newsagents.

The branch will offer a wide range of services.

You can post letters and parcels and also return items which you have bought online.

As well as postal services there is also a range of banking services available.

The new Post Office is open 6.00am to 9.00pm Monday – Friday and 7.00am to 9.00pm on Saturday and Sunday The new branch aims to offer even more convenience to Post Office customers by extending the

availability of Post Offices services in Edinburgh.

Angela Smith, Post Office Change Manager said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to pay their bills, withdraw cash from their bank accounts, and send and collect their mail at a time and place that suits them best.”

She added: “We know how important our services are to customers.

"We are confident that this brand new Post Office alongside our other branches, will ensure that people in the community have easy access to our services.”

Lord Hodge now second in command at the Supreme Court A Scottish judge, the Rt Hon Lord Hodge has been appointed Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court succeeding Lord Reed. HM The Queen made the appointment on the advice of the Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, following the recommendation of an independent selection commission.Lord Reed took up the position of President on 11 January 2020, replacing Lady Hale who retired after serving as President of the Supreme Court since September 2017. He was

sworn in as President on 13 January.Lord Hodge will be sworn in at a special ceremony on a date to be announced.

Lord Hodge said: "It has been a great privilege to have served on the Supreme Court since 2013 and it is a great privilege to have been chosen to follow Lord Reed as Deputy President of the Court. I feel honoured to have this opportunity and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues from each of the jurisdictions of the UK in

upholding the rule of law."

Lord Hodge became a Justice of The Supreme Court in October 2013. He was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1983 and appointed QC in 1996.

From 1997-2003, he was a part time Law Commissioner at the Scottish Law Commission.

Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, in April 2013, Lord Hodge was the Scottish Judge in Exchequer Causes and one of the Scottish Intellectual Property Judges.

Ken Hom coming to Edinburgh Ken Hom OBE is coming to the capital to prepare a charity dinner with pupils from George Heriot’s School.

The renowned chef, writer and broadcaster, is joining pupils from the school to prepare dinner in support of Action Against Hunger.

George Heriot’s has taken up the challenge of developing S6 pupils’ cookery skills and food knowledge with a hands-on course that puts pleasure at the heart of learning.

Once a week, a group of S6 pupils learns new recipes, cooks together and enjoys each other’s company over lunch. Emphasis is placed on cookery as an essential life skill – one that builds pupils’ confidence and prepares them for the future.

Whilst pupils were aware their learning experience would include preparation of a dinner in support of a chosen charity, they were taken aback to learn it will be for 90 paying guests and be overseen by one of the world’s most admired chefs. They will work alongside Ken Hom in the production of an elaborate Chinese banquet.

The cookery skills programme reflects the school’s commitment to promoting positive mental health through a culture of kindness, respect and inclusion.

It is this aspect of the initiative that particularly appeals to Ken Hom. “George Heriot’s focus on

food education is something to celebrate. It reminds us that cooking and eating together has a humanising effect. It requires us to listen to each other, enjoy each other’s company and build strong, meaningful relationships. Sharing food and drink, and hosting others, is one of life’s greatest pleasures.”

Speaking of the programme, George Heriot’s School Principal, Lesley Franklin said: “We are championing this project because we want young people to have the skills to cook healthy, tasty meals for themselves. The progress our S6 pupils have made

in their cooking skills throughout this year has been tremendous.

Connecting with other people through conversation and enjoying each other’s company is beneficial to everyone’s mental health. What better way to do that than by cooking and sitting down to eat together?”

The evening on 20 February 2020 will include a drinks reception; Ken Hom in conversation with Donald Sloan, Chair of the Oxford Cultural Collective; and a three-course dinner with wine.

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BUSINESS 13

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Commencing countdown, engines on On another planet Skyrora the Edinburgh company intent on going to space is ready to test its newly built 3D printed liquid bi-propellant rocket engine.

The new 3-tonne engine was made with advanced materials and uses a regenerative cooling approach. The 3D process is called ‘powder bed fusion’ which uses a laser to melt and fuse the metal powder together. The company used the printing method as it increases the accuracy of the component parts which also decrease in number, leading to lower costs.

Skyrora’s commercial sub-orbital vehicle Skylark-L is expected to be ready for launch by Summer 2020, and the company plans to start testing this engine in Scotland soon.

Dr Jack-James Marlow, Engineering Manager at Skyrora, said: "Completion of the 30 kN engine manufacture is a key milestone for us, and allows Skyrora to proceed with hot fire testing for validation. Additive Layer Manufacturing was a real gamechanger, as it allowed us to integrate the cooling channels into

one printed chamber piece.

“At Skyrora, we are always looking to expand the impact space can have on our lives. Our vision is to make the UK a world leader in the growing space sector, unlocking the benefits of increased access to space for all.

“This development places Skyrora as a leader in the European launch vehicle market.

With our plans to start testing and then launch, 2020 is going to be an exciting year for us. We can’t wait to get started.”

Planet Kuku founded by Mat Noniewicz and Maria Janowczyk are now working from a new commercial kitchen in Telferton Industrial Estate near Portobello.

The new 1800 square feet space will allow them to increase production of their Middle Eastern frittata-style delicacies.

Their turnover has risen from £37,000 to £90,000 in the last two years - and they expect to double last year’s figure in 2020.

They began making their unique dish, known as Kuku, which is 100% vegan, using chickpeas,

flower, water and Scottish cold pressed rapeseed oil, in their home in 2015 and selling at various markets and food events.

They have had assistance from Business Gateway Edinburgh and Head Susan Harkins said : “We are delighted to be able to help Planet Kuku to grow their business with ongoing support in many different areas, including 121 mentorship, research and network building.

“They have carved out a fantastic niche product which is guaranteed to continue to grow and be a huge success.”

Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield has been transformed!

To exceed the expectations of our guests we have invested £2.6 million to upgrade all hotel facilities.

You must come and see what we have done.

For the best rates book direct on leonardohotels.co.uk or call 0131 535 9988 187 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh EH12 6UG

The Edinburgh Reporter

14 THE BEST OF...

The Edinburgh Reporter Best Of...

Broughton Place Hair & Beauty A luxurious, elegant salon with a very happy and friendly atmosphere. They aim to make your experience a relaxing, enjoyable and glamorous one!

0131 556 4478 2a Broughton Place EH1 3RX www.broughtonplacehair.com

Ardgowan Distillery Enjoy the newly released Clydebuilt Coppersmith - a limited edition blend of malts matured in first fill Oloroso sherry casks. “…a super balance of sweet and spicy, heather honey, sultanas and very dark chocolate...” £49.99 shop.ardgowandistillery.com

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Rescue, reunite, rehome.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home accepts any dog or cat that reaches their door in need, and works tirelessly to secure happy and loving forever homes.

26 Seafield Road East, EH15 1EH 0131 669 5331 info@edch.org.uk

Queen’s Hall Did you know this independent charity needs £100K each year to look after the building and run outreach projects? Add a donation when buying tickets!

85-89 Clerk Street, EH8 9JG 0131 668 2019 www.thequeenshall.net

Art & Craft Collective A unique gallery and gift shop experience in Edinburgh's Southside. Join their mailing list for exclusive invitations to preview events, and new art and craft work.

0131 639 9123 93 Causewayside EH9 1DG artcraftcollective.co.uk

21st Century Kilts Designer boutique for quirky, off the peg and bespoke kilts made from tartan and contemporary textiles. Howie Nicholsby redefined the kilt that you need.

Strictly by appointment.

07774757222 48 Thistle Street EH2 1EN 21stcenturykilts.com

Little White Pig Combines the comfortable, unpretentious environment of a Scottish pub with tasty, local & seasonal food. Family friendly, dog friendly, foodie friendly place to bring friends and make new ones.

0131 556 3036 26B Dublin Street EH3 6NN littlewhitepig.co.uk/

Mind Generating Success – Hypnotherapy Practice A helping hand to rid yourself of unwanted habits. Contact me today to arrange an initial consultation. Evening/weekend appointments and home visits available.

07521 353 787 mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk

Candersons Sweet Shop Debbie Anderson invites you to take yourself back to your childhood with all the traditional sweets in the jars at her shop.

0131 554 1401 102 Leith Walk EH6 5DT candersons-sweetshop. com

Joy Rides Edinburgh Lissa will take you for a hurl on Betsy the trishaw bringing joy, exhilaration and fun for all whether it is through The Meadows or along the foreshore.

07834 916 230 joyridesedinburgh@gmail.com Facebook @joyridesedinburgh

The Haven A great cosy café for breakfast lunch and coffee. Free wifi.

They don't take table bookings.

Fabulous cakes and happy friendly staff.

0131 467 7513 9 Anchorfield, EH6 4JG Facebook @TheHavenCafe

Your Business Talk to us about our advertising packages and features. We have the numbers and the audience that could help put you and your business on the map this year.

The Broughton Pub & Eatery This is the latest place on Broughton Street. Embracing the new while giving a respectful nod to the familiar. Everyone’s Local.

0131 556 6608 46-48A Broughton Street EH1 3SA hello@thebroughtonbar.com www.thebrougtonbar.com

Craig Banks Tailoring Specialising in bespoke tailoring for men. The focus is on making the highest quality personally tailored attire that others will aspire to.

0131 226 7775 45 Thistle Street EH2 1DY www.craigbankstailoring.com

The Hideout Café A cosy hideout in Edinburgh serving speciality coffee, tea, treats and brunch. Open daily. And you can pick up The Edinburgh Reporter there too! Also at 5 Upper Bow EH1 2JN 0131 555 5289 40-42 Queen Charlotte St EH6 6AT www.thehideoutcafe.co.uk

The Royal Scots Club The Royal Scots Club is one of the finest members’ Clubs in the country. It is now 100 years old and has an open membership policy. Join today!

0131 556 4270 29 Abercromby Pl EH3 6QE www.royalscotsclub.com

Serap Couture Serap makes individually designed, made to measure wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and mother of the bride outfits. ask about the shoes!

51 William Street EH3 7LW T 07582 601818 Facebook Serapcouture/

Cairngorm Coffee Robbie and his staff serve great coffee and even better grilled cheese and toasted bacon to keep you going. Two city centre locations. Free wifi and funky seating. Buy some threads!

1 Melville Place EH3 7PR 41a Frederick Street EH2 1EP www.cairngormcoffee.com

Meet Gilbert at Stewart Christie One of the best ideas in town in 2019. Gilbert is the phone box outside 63 Queen Street named after Sir Giles Gilbert Scott the designer of the red phone box.Pop into Stewart Christie get the key for the box and take your selfies.

All for a donation of £3 which will go to the charity Save the Children.

Leith Walk Police Box pop up space This offers a short term flexible let from as short as 4 hours and they welcome budding entrepreneurs, charities and community groups.

Got a great idea – try it out!

Croall Place EH7 4LT 07842 482382

editor@theedinburghreporter. co.uk

WHAT’S ON IN FEBRUARY Theatre Art Music Shows Festivals

RHET GALA In celebration of their 21st Birthday, The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) are holding their first ever Gala Dinner on Friday 21st February 2020 to help raise funds to continue, build on and expand their fantastic work.

RHET works with volunteers to provide free educational activities and experiential learning opportunities for Scotland’s children. Arranging farm visits and classroom education and providing teacher training and educational resources, RHET’s purpose is to bring farming and the working countryside and its practices to life for young people.

2020 marks the 21st birthday of the highly respected charity and so, in celebration, they are organising a Gala Dinner with a difference. The evening will treat guests to a three course meal of delicious Scottish produce, much of which will have been produced by RHET volunteer farmers and will be expertly prepared by the chef from Saltire Hospitality, entertainment from farmer, comedian and compere

Jim Smith, as well as music and pipers, and last but not least, live and silent auctions with dozens of unique and exciting prizes and experiences. There will also be a few additional surprises on the night!

The auction, in particular, will be a showstopper, including a number of ‘money can’t buy’ items such as ‘Curly Sue’ the Highland Cow, made by Kev Paxton at ArtFe which travelled around Scotland with George Lawrie on the RHET Tractor Run this summer.

Individuals or businesses able to contribute prizes or support the event through gifts in kind, sponsorship or goodie bag donations are encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible.

Katrina Barclay, RHET Executive Officer, said: “A Gala Dinner like this is a first for RHET and we are so excited. I am determined that our guests will enjoy an evening with a difference that will truly entertain, as well as providing a wonderful Scottish dining experience. Fundraising is key to any event like this, but so too is ensuring that our guests have a fantastic evening and go away feeling as though their donation was thoroughly worthwhile.

“If you can’t make it along that night, never fear, you can still bid on the auction prizes. Social media is going to be absolutely key in helping us to spread the word and fundraise for the dinner and so please do keep an eye on that over coming weeks to find various fun ways you can get involved.

“We are also still seeking auction prizes and other commercial support to help with our fundraising goals and so if you have anything you can contribute, I should be delighted to hear from you. Everything we raise will be used across the entire RHET national network.

“The next generation is critical to Scotland and so the more we can work together to give them a deeper understanding of farming and food production, the more that rural Scotland will continue to get the recognition it deserves. We’d love you to support us in that aim in whatever way you can.”

The Gala Dinner will take place in the Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, on Friday 21st February and tickets are on sale now from www.jumblebee.co.uk/ RHETGALA21

The Scottish Blues Weekend 6-10 February 2020 St Bride’s Centre The opening concert will be held at Leith Dockers’ Club with hard rocking blues from John Bruce’s Safehouse. But most other events will be held at St Bride’s Centre in Gorgie with its wonderful accessible auditorium where you can attend 11 concerts and listen to 16 bands.

The Jazz and Blues Festival’s music students will play alongside some established names in the business. The programme has been curated by three Edinburgh blues musicians who want to showcase the best of Scottish music. Singer Nicole Smit and guitarists Jed Potts and Sandy Tweeddale have their fingers on the pulse of what’s hot in Scottish blues and we are excited to premiere some brand new projects over the weekend. They

say “The Scottish Blues Weekend shines the spotlight on Scottish Blues and offers a platform for new projects. It's great to be able to showcase such a diverse range of blues, as well as a host of bands led by women. We hope

that you'll enjoy the weekend, and we especially hope that you'll see someone you might not have seen before." www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

LeithLate100 There are events over two weekends in February to celebrate the 100 years since Leith joined Edinburgh.

On 2 February LeithLate will be back at Leith Theatre with a Sunday matinee screening of the 1988 documentary ‘Leithers’, directed by Alistair Scott. The film documents the people who lived and worked in Leith during the 1980s and explores the changing socio-economic landscape of Leith at that time. The screening will be accompanied by a short film produced by The Local Way with Citadel Youth Centre and Screen Memories.

The event ends with a free outdoor projection on Saturday 8 February 2020 LeithLate and Double Take

Projections present a unique event revitalising and animating Leith’s much-loved History Mural for one night only.

Tim Chalk and Paul Grimes’ mural created in 1986 depicts Leith's rich and varied social history.

As part of this event Double Take Projections - the creative team behind Edinburgh's Castle's recent Castle of Light spectacular - will artistically re-imagine the mural through light projections using the artists' original artworks.

Attendance is free and booking is not required.

The mural is located on the corner of Ferry Road and North Junction Street, next to Leith Library and Leith Theatre.

MARINE HUGONNIER 1 February – 28 March 2020 at Ingleby Gallery 33 Barony Street EH3 6NX Marine Hugonnier is an artist work whose work researches the politics of vision. Across film, photography and a variety of other mediums she engages with an on-going questioning of image-making and understanding.

She studied philosophy and anthropology before becoming an artist and these disciplines continue to influence her approach to making art.

For this exhibition Hugonnier unveils a new body of work under the title TRAVEL POSTERS, a series of large format images exploring the acclaimed Pan Am advertising campaign designed

by Chermayeff and Geismar in 1971 and photographed

by Magnum's photographers.

These posters which feature evocative, unspectacular and anti-corporate images of far-flung places, are emblematic of the most progressive design of the 1970’s and now a symbol of late modernism.

Got an event to share?

Email editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk with the details!

16 WHAT'S ON

Theatre Art Music Shows Festivals

February at The Queen’s Hall 3 February 2020 Doors open 7.00pm Judy Collins £27 Award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant compositions.

She will highlight new material from ‘Winter Stories’.

5 February 2020 7.30pm Scottish Ensemble: Chamber Notes £5-£14 Felix Mendelssohn: String Octet in E flat major George Enescu: Octet for Strings in C major With guest director: Marianne Thorsen, violin 8 February 2020 7.30pm Ute Lemper: Rendezvous with Marlene £12-£32 This show is based on a 3-hour phone call between Dietrich and Ute in 1988. Tonight Ute tells Marlene’s story, singing her fabulous songs from all the chapters of her life, from the Berlin cabaret years to her fabulous Burt Bacharach collaborations.

13 February 2020 7.30pm Black Glass Ensemble £12-£17 New Music Scotland Award winner, and The Queen’s Hall Associate Artist, Michael Begg unveils his astonishing new collective, the Black Glass Ensemble, which combines the cream of Scotland’s chamber players and longstanding pioneers of the UK’s avant-garde electronic underground. Support from Glasgow-based Irish composer Linda Buckley.

14 February 2020 7.30pm Rob Roy with live accompaniment by David Allison £10-£14

This impressive and rarely screened biopic of one of Scotland’s best-known outlaws, stars David Hawthorne in full tartan kilt and tammy and tells the story the MacGregors in the early 18th century.

Multi-instrumentalist and composer David Allison, will accompany the film with a new score commissioned by the Hippodrome Silent Film Festival.

15 February 2020 7.30pm Mairi Campbell and The Pendulum Band £8.50-£18.50 Mairi Campbell, ever questing for new musical experiences, brings together some of the country’s finest musicians to make up the Pendulum Band. Ranging from the tender re-setting of Burns’s ‘Lea Rig’ to the pulsating, rhythmic whirl of ‘The Rough with the

12 February 2020 7.30pm Classic Rock Show £23.50-£38.50 Paying tribute to many of the world’s all-time classic rock greats, the musicians power through legendary performances from Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Queen, The Eagles, The Who and much more.

What's on in brief Edinburgh The Worst Edinburgh World Heritage invite you to a humorous guide to the worst places to visit in Edinburgh in times gone by with author Charles Maciejewski On Thursday 6 February 2020 at

6.00pm Lecture venue: Augustine United Church 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL Tickets £12. Tel 0131 220 7731 Creative Circles : On the Road This event takes place at the

Smooth’, this is music to move your heart and your feet.

20 February 2020 7.30pm Scottish Chamber Orchestra £6-£37 Beethoven: Overture, Coriolan Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No 1 Schubert: Symphony No 4 in C minor ‘Tragic’ Nicolas Altstaedt: Conductor/ Cello 21 February 2020 7.30pm Scottish National Jazz Orchestra £3-£25 Planet Wave by Tommy Smith and Edwin Morgan featuring actor Niall Greig Fulton. Through music, theatre, sound effects and poetry, explore waves of history from the beginning of time to the construction of the great pyramid.

23 February 2020 3.00pm SCO Afternoon Recital £6-£16 Mozart: Piano Sonata No 10 in C, K330 Beethoven: Trio in C minor, Op 1 No 3 Mozart: Piano Concerto in A, K414 (String Quintet version) Kristian Bezuidenhout: Fortepiano SCO String Ensemble 24 February 2020 7.45pm Pavel Kolesnikov £16-£25 Programme to include: Liszt: ‘Wilde Jagd’ from Études d’exécution transcendante; ‘La Cloche Sonne’ S238; ‘Vision’ from Études d’exécution transcendante; ‘Wiegenlied’ S198 Beethoven: Sonata Op 31/2 ‘The Tempest’ Schubert: Sonata in C minor D958 27 February 2020 7.30pm Scottish Chamber Orchestra £6-£37 Haydn: Symphony No 52 in C minor Beethoven: Triple Concerto Mozart: Symphony No 38 ‘Prague’, K504 Kristian Bezuidenhout: Piano / Harpsichord / Conductor Benjamin Marquise Gilmore: Violin Philip Higham: Cello SCO PLATFORM, 6.45pm: Performance by students from the City of Edinburgh Music School Bookmarket in Waverley Mall on 18 February 2020 from 8.30am to 10.30am. Registration is free.

You will meet fellow creatives and freelancers in a creative space. You are promised coffee, community shout outs and opportunity to speak to the Fruitmarket team and find out about progress in Market Street.

Animate at Manipulate Edinburgh’s Manipulate visual theatre festival launches with dancers from “Sketches”, a show featuring a series of vignette dance performances by Scottishbased choreographer and performer Katie Armstrong.

Manipulate is an innovative festival of international, awardwinning visual theatre, puppetry

and animated film showing at Edinburgh’s Summerhall and The Studio venues and starting on Friday 31 January 2020 and running until 8 February 2020 Performers Lucy Ireland and Katie Miller are pictured practising “Sketches” on The Meadows, Edinburgh. www. manipulatefestival.org

At the cinema this month

by Adam Zawadzki A selection of awards season favourites is coming to a cinema near you in February.

Oscar nominee Margot Robbie (Bombshell) reprises her role of Harley Quinn in the superhero film ‘Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’ from the 2016 film ‘Suicide Squad’, for which she won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in an Action Movie.

Due for release on 7 February 2020, the film is the eighth instalment in the DC Extended Universe and features Ewan McGregor (Doctor Sleep) alongside Robbie, who also co-produces.

Also released on the same day is the fantasy adventure ‘Dolittle’ with Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes) as Hugh Lofting’s Doctor Dolittle as well as

Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory) and Michael Sheen (Far from the Madding Crowd) in other live action roles.

Oscar winners Emma Thompson (Late Night), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Octavia Spencer (The Shape of Water) and Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night) feature in a high profile voice cast giving life to the animals.

Another adventure film will be distributed on 21 February 2020. Oscar nominee Harrison Ford takes the leading role in ‘The Call of the Wind’, a remake of the 1935 film of the same name, itself based on the 1903 novel by Jack London.

Nominated for two Satellite Awards, ‘Dark Waters’ is released on 28 February 2020 with Oscar nominees Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight) and Mare Winningham (Georgia) and Oscar winners Anne Hathaway (Ocean’s 8) and Tim Robbins (Mystic River).

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WHAT'S ON 17

Play a part in the Easter Play A restaurant, Easter Road football stadium, The Scottish Parliament, a nightclub and a police box are among the venues to be used for an ambitious citywide retelling of the Easter story this year.

People of all faiths and none from across the city will join together to tell the story of the trial, death and resurrection of Jesus in a large-scale community passion play.

The director is now looking for community groups and individuals who would like to take part this April.

Contact the team by email hello@edinburghpassion.com The weekend-long event, which is being produced by Cutting Edge Theatre, will start on Thursday 9th April with the Last Supper, telling the story hour-by-hour in real time, and conclude on Easter Sunday (12 April 2020) at Easter Road stadium.

As part of the weekend, a new version of the traditional Easter

Play will be staged in Princes Street Gardens on Saturday 11 April 2020.

Meanwhile, The Edinburgh Passion will take the story out into the city, into restaurants, nightclubs, churches, parks and the homeless community.

The story will be split into hour long segments and brought to life in theatre, music and dance by groups from all over the city.

Director Suzanne Lofthus, a leading director in community theatre in Scotland, was inspired

by The Passion, a 72-hour production staged in 2011 in Port Talbot by National Theatre Wales and Michael Sheen, involving over 1,000 people from the town as cast and crew.

She said: “We’ve staged the Easter Play in Princes Street Gardens for 15 years. This year, we want the whole city to tell the story.

“The events of Easter are almost continuous — the trial of Jesus happens through the night — so

that gave us the idea of telling the story in real time in different parts of the city and involving different local groups of all kinds.

“The people in the Easter story were just ordinary men and women to whom something extraordinary happened.

"We are surrounded by similar stories in our everyday lives, we just don’t always see them.

“A lot of my work is with those who find themselves more on the sidelines, whether that’s adults with additional support needs or people in prisons. I’m aware of how often we box people in and create barriers.

“This project is about tearing down those barriers, celebrating our humanity and seeing how powerful and inspiring it is when we leave those differences behind and work together.

"Someone described the project as a tapestry — it may look messy behind the scenes but when you weave it together, it creates something beautiful.”

Mount Strange and the Temple of Fame This is the new art exhibition at Summerhall which runs until 15 March 2020. The fact that it will be in place over International Women’s Day is a big clue that all of the artists are female.

These are four women with very different backgrounds and styles.

Their aim is to uncover some forgotten histories and only dimly imagined pasts for this multi-room staging curated by Edinburgh based contemporary visual arts specialist Wendy Law. It presents work showing how women have either been written out of or have simply just never appeared in history when written down. There are six galleries inviting you to wonder what is real

and what is not.

We met three of the four artists along with Wendy and had a chat with them to try and bring you a flavour of what you will see when you visit Summerhall in our podcast which you can access on Anchor.FM by scanning the QR code below.

And with work as diverse as this there is bound to be something that tempts and interests everyone, men and women.

Victoria Clare Bernie is a visual artist concerned with the tension between natural entropy and human design, exploring wildness through human minutiae. Her film Mount Strange and the Temple of Fame gives the exhibition its title. She is presenting two other films, including Daedalus - exploring the mysterious true story of Hitler’s Deputy’s fateful flight to Scotland in search, perhaps, of a peace treaty - and Office of Woods.

In Queridas Viejas (Old Mistresses), Maria Gimeno stages a gendered intervention on the ‘bible’ of art history; E.H. Gombrich’s The Story of Art. Using a sharp tipped kitchen knife and an academically rigorous approach, Gimeno carefully inserts the artists Gombrich ‘forgot’ - the women - and invites us to examine our own relationship with art

Actor Sam Rowe (who plays Christ) is pictured with his “disciples” and followers in “Dine” restaurant in Edinburgh’s Lothian Road area - one of the featured venues. PHOTO Colin Hattersley history, and the primarily white, male collections of our major art institutions. On 8th March, Marie Gimeno will perform Queridas Viejas for the first time in the UK to celebrate International Women’s Day in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre.

Glasgow-based, Iranian-British artist and facilitator Mina HeydariWaite’s work is concerned with hierarchical dynamics in cultural history and cultural participation.

Her work (Hamsafar / Companion Traveller) investigates the role diasporic identity plays by weaving together semi-imagined histories of the Iranian diaspora created after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Alix Villanueva is a multi-media Edinburgh-based artist and cosmoecologist, interested in the use of the strange and the folkloric within ecological thought and in investigating where domesticity and the wild entangle. She is presenting items worn during her happenings, including ‘Landscape

Skirt’ - a healing ritual. MOUNT STRANGE AND THE TEMPLE OF FAME Victoria Clare Bernie, Maria Gimeno, Mina Heydari-Waite and Alix Villanueva Fri 24 Jan 2020 - Sun 15 Mar 2020 11am - 6pm daily (closed Mondays & Tuesdays) Summerhall.

Sciennes, Corner and Meadows Galleries Admission: FREE

SCAN HERE!

Festival of Ireland 2020

This year’s Edinburgh Festival of Ireland runs from Friday 13 March to Saturday 21 March 2020 with a Grand Finale Concert on Saturday 28 March.

The Festival will include music, song, dance, comedy, storytelling, film, a ceilidh and an Irish themed family day out and pageant on Portobello promenade.

Festival Committee Chair Willie Haines said “Edinburgh’s unique Festival of Ireland continues to grow bigger and better. As with our very successful Festival in 2019 there will be something for everyone in our celebration of all things Irish. A warm welcome and a smile is assured and we expect visitors and guests not just from the Capital city but from across Scotland, other parts of the UK, Ireland and overseas”. www.edinburghsfestivalofireland.org

18 WHAT'S ON

Theatre Art Music Shows Festivals

Tyrannosaurs at the National Museum of Scotland

The most comprehensive exhibition ever mounted on tyrannosaurs makes its only European appearance in Edinburgh. Tyrannosaurs explores the most feared and revered of all dinosaurs, bringing the latest palaeontological discoveries to life and challenging preconceptions about these ferocious predators.

The exhibition features rare fossil specimens, cast skeletons including one of ‘Scotty’, one of the largest and most complete T. rex skeletons in the world, and incredible models of feathered dinosaurs. Scotty was discovered in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1991.

The specimen was named by the

excavation crew from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum after they had made a toast with malt whisky whilst deliberating over what to

PHOTOS by Neil Hanna

ONE

call it.

Dr Nick Fraser, Keeper of Natural Science at National Museums Scotland said: “For any of us who are fascinated by dinosaurs, T. rex is surely the most recognisable, whether in popular culture or on the front of your first dinosaur book or poster as a kid. I think there is a real sense of wonder that such a seemingly fantastic animal actually walked the earth.

Tyrannosaurs shows visitors not only the mighty scale of T. rex, but also their fascinating family tree, including early Asian feathered tyrannosaurs which are some of the most exciting recent discoveries in dinosaur palaeontology.”

Museum Lates Jurassic Party 13 March. nms.ac.uk/tyrannosaurs

Printmakers - The Botanist's Daughter Canadian artist Alexandra Haeseker goes wild at Edinburgh Printmakers with larger than life exhibition of plants and insects Giant colourful prints reframe our relationship with nature and highlight the fragility of the natural world in new exhibition The Botanist’s Daughter Marking the beginning of the 2020 season at Edinburgh Printmakers, The Botanist’s Daughter is Alexandra’s first solo exhibition in the UK. Her vibrant hyper-real representations of plants and insects draw inspiration from the rich and bountiful resources of hand-pulled engravings found in Museum and Library collections, illustrating botanical and entomological themes.

The Botanist’s Daughter subverts relationships of scale between the viewer and the plants and insects represented in the exhibition. Haeseker’s intention is to encourage us to develop a new paradigm in relating to the natural world, by considering more fully what is often invisible to our eyes, and below our feet. These large scale pieces will take over Gallery 1 at Edinburgh Printmakers with the vibrant almost lurid colour

schemes hinting at something not quite right.

Alexandra Haeseker told The Edinburgh Reporter : “Well, the show has to do with the greater awareness in a sense that people have now of climate change. So I'm looking at two aspects, plant life and insect life. And at the same time when I was building these works it was Fall and so I was aware of the lingering last few moths and the fading flies. And so I'm showing both aspects in this exhibition.”

Alexandra Haeseker: The Botanist’s Daughter 18 January to 22 March 2020 Gallery 1, Edinburgh Printmakers Castle Mills, 1 Dundee St, EH3 9FP www.edinburghprintmakers. co.uk

Soft Play Membership

MONTH

FREE

Sign up in February and GET MARCH FREE!

• Incredible value with unlimited access to 3 unique soft play venues across Edinburgh • Exclusive member benefits throughout the year • Cafes at each venue with healthy snacks and tasty treats

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February at The Queen's Hall Mon 3 Judy Collins Sat 8 Ute Lemper: Rendezvous with Marlene Fri 14 Rob Roy (1922) with live accompaniment Sat 15 Mairi Campbell & The Pendulum Band

plus much, much more

thequeenshall.net 0131 668 2019

Terms and conditions apply.

The Queen's Hall

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC027450

Clerk St, Edinburgh EH8 9JG

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WHAT'S ON 19

Lucy is off to dance in Rome

Rotary and Peace

A gifted young ballet dancer from Linlithgow has won a place on the Scottish national team and will compete at the Dance World Cup in Rome this summer.

While she trains for the World Cup, Lucy Roy (14) studies at Edinburgh Festival Ballet School, a world-class training academy opened in the New Town last year by Olivier-award winning dance legend, Peter Shaufuss.

Mr Shaufuss is the dancer, choreographer and director who famously founded the English National Ballet in 1988 and has during his career, performed and directed all over the world.

He also owns the Rose Theatre on Rose Street Lucy urges fellow dancers to apply to Edinburgh Festival Ballet School. Auditions take place on Saturday 22 February 2020 for a limited number of coveted places to study from September this year.

Lucy told us: “I started dancing at the age of three and have always loved it. The dance teachers I have grown up with have been a real inspiration for me and getting to work with worldfamous ballet dancers like Peter Shaufuss and Johan Christensen has been an incredible experience.

"I’ve learned new styles and techniques and I’ve enjoyed being TG010783 Edinbrugh Reporter around other people like me who

On 23 February 2020, Rotarians will celebrate the 115th anniversary of the founding of their organisation, whose original objects centred around “service” to society, especially those in need.

February is Rotary International’s “Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution” Month: at first sight, it might appear that this has little to do with service, but “the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace” has been an object of Rotary since it was adopted at the Rotary International Convention, held in Edinburgh in 1921. Rotarians played an active role in the drafting of the United Nations Charter in 1945 and even now Rotary continues an active association with the United Nations and its many specialised agencies.

Not all Rotarians consult with UN agencies, but all can play a role in promoting peace and resolving conflict. The Dalai Lama said that “where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace”, so that overcoming poverty, inequality and lack of access to education and key resources, through projects that Rotarians the world over are very good at, are addressing the fundamental causes of conflict. Within a developed but

share that same level of passion for ballet.

"It would be great to attend the school full-time in the future.”

“I love performing on stage and I’ve been lucky enough to dance at the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations down in London and big stage productions of the Nutcracker and Wizard of Oz in Edinburgh.

"It feels like it’s all been leading up to this moment in Rome in the

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summer.

"The whole team is training hard and we’re super excited to see how well we can do.”

The audition on 22 February 2020 for a place at Edinburgh Festival Ballet School is free.

Peter Schaufuss said: “Edinburgh Festival Ballet School provides a place where some of the finest young performers in Scotland can go to obtain a professional full-time dance education while living and training in Edinburgh.

I wanted to pass on what I have learnt through all my years of experience in the dance world and we have been delighted with the success of the pilot course run in the past year. I’ve been heartened to witness first-hand the progress of our full-time cohort and younger part-time dancers.

“We are auditioning for places on our full-time school and our part-time school so there are opportunities for both experienced students who are already on the way to making a career as a dancer, as well as those who have raw talent and the desire to succeed but only basic experience of ballet.”

Dancers aged 12 and older can apply to audition by email lee@ rosetheatreedinburgh.com

increasingly multi-cultural society such as our own, educating our young people in diversity and compassion, as well as empowering them to tackle bullying, can change lives and perceptions. Rotarians can also help with preventing modern slavery, protecting victims of domestic abuse and sheltering refugees.

Each year, Rotary supports up to 100 professionals to undertake study at one of its Rotary Peace Centres around the world; many of these Rotary Peace Fellows (more than 1,000 have graduated from the programme) become global leaders in peace and conflict prevention and resolution.

Rotarians refuse to accept conflict as a way of life – the alternative is so much better!

For more information on Rotary contact secretary@rotary1020.org.

The Edinburgh Reporter

20 PHOTOS

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh’s Burns Supper 2020 This was a wonderful evening under the command of Toastmaster, Philip Henderson, with an outstanding Address to the Haggis by Cameron Goodall, unsurpassed singing of Burns songs from Robyn Stapleton, an unforgettable Immortal Memory

by Professor Joe Goldblatt and a wonderful Toast to the Lassies by Gordon Dewar of Edinburgh Airport with a beautifully crafted Reply by the Fringe's Shona McCarthy. The Deacon Convener Ian Robertson recited the Selkirk Grace and former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds offered a most appropriate and entertaining Vote of Thanks.

The Mayor of Dunedin, Aaron Hawkins, sent a video message from our sister city, saying that he hopes to attend in person one day, The dinner raised around £20,000 for the Lord Provost’s charity OneCity Trust. This was

established in 2003 and aims to combat social exclusion in the city. There were donations in kind on the evening from Bentley Edinburgh who ferried VIPs in luxury, James Thomson, owner of Prestonfield House Hotel, and Gavin Strang of Lyon & Turnbull who conducted the live auction.

Other benefactors include Travis Perkins Managed Services, Engie, CGI UK Ltd, The City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly who made the charity their partner both in summer and winter 2019.

In 2019/20 the Trust made donations of £180,000 to organisations in the city including the North Edinburgh Arts Sharing Shelf and Pilmeny Development Project whose work was highlighted in videos created especially for the guests attending the dinner.

And if you weren’t there this year,

then make sure you get the hottest ticket in town next January! Email elaine@onecity.org.uk for updates.

PHOTOS Martin P McAdam

The facade at Prestonfield House Hotel Former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds gave the Vote of Thanks

The Rt Hon Lord Provost Frank Ross with speakers Shona McCarthy and Gordon Dewar CEO of Edinburgh Airport Professor Joe Goldblatt delivered a wonderful Immortal Memory

The Lord and Lady Provost

The Lord Provost and the Toastmaster Philip Henderson

Chris Scott (L) and Kenneth Purdon (R) from Bentley Edinburgh pose with the Lord Provost

Singer Robyn Stapleton sang Burns songs to a rapt audience Shona McCarthy CEO Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

Cameron Goodall made the Toast to the Haggis

Deacon Convener Ian Robertson recited The Selkirk Grace

Gavin Strang Managing Director of Lyon & Turnbull ran the live auction

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PHOTOS 21

STORM In Glasgow on a cold January morning there was STORM! The huge figure walked to music composed by Portobello’s own Mairi Campbell in a really uplifting spectacle from Victoria Bridge to the Concert Hall.

From the makers of Big Man Walking and Vision Mechanics from Edinburgh there was a folklore giant made real, to begin the Coastal Connections: Festival in a Day all part of Celtic Connections. Storm lives in the waters around Scotland, and in 2020 she walks on land to share maritime stories of the sea.

At ten metres tall, her eyes are the colour of oyster shells, her hair thick strands of kelp, her voice the chorus of the waves.

Aided by eight puppeteers, Storm will visit the heart of towns and villages across the country this year, gazing down at the beauty of our coastlines, urging care for the environment every step of the way.

Burns & Beyond 2020 is unusual as Burns Night and Chinese New Year coincided on the same day, something which will not happen again for 76 years.

To celebrate all of this culture from both Scotland and China,

Burns&Beyond along with Johnnie Walker ran a selection of events including the fabulous display of 400 lanterns at St Giles. Actor Gareth Morrison posed as Burns.

The beautiful ceiling of St Giles above

Robert Burns - Tae a Dragon perhaps?

Robert Burns in awe of the Chinese lanterns Minister Ben Macpherson MSP at the launch

Culture Convener Donald Wilson

Kinnaris Quintet played some rowsing tunes

Watch out for our YouTube videos from these and other events scan the QR code here.

The Edinburgh Reporter

22 FEATURE

New laws on Short Term Lets Impact of short term lets regulation on long term rental market Short term lets in Scotland have been the subject of controversy for a while, with some arguing that the concentration of short term lets in certain areas is preventing property being bought and used as homes for local people.

After the results of a consultation last year revealed wide support for regulation of short term lets, the Scottish Government has just announced increased powers for local authorities to regulate properties that are let out for short periods of time.

But how will these regulations work and what will the impact be on the local property market and long term rental market?

The licensing scheme will include a new mandatory safety requirement that will cover every type of short term let to ensure a safe, quality experience for visitors.

It will also give councils the discretion to apply further conditions to address the concerns of local residents.

Councils will be able to plan control areas to ensure that planning permission will be required for the change of use of

an entire property to a short-term let.

The local authorities are set to have the ability to implement these changes from spring 2021.

It is possible that this change in regulation will have an impact on the property market in Scotland.

Owners of short term let properties in Scotland may choose to sell in the run up to local authorities gaining these increased powers.

This may increase the supply of homes coming to market, helping to alleviate some of the strong demand for property we have seen in areas such as Edinburgh in recent years.

Alternatively, the owners of these properties may choose to switch to long term rentals. This will provide a greater supply of homes for tenants. However, in areas with strong demand for rental properties such as Edinburgh, this is unlikely to have a significant impact on rent levels and time to let.

As individual local authorities will be able to use the powers as they see fit to address problems in their specific area, we could see the impact of these regulations vary across different places in Scotland.

Nicky Lloyd, Head of ESPC Lettings, said: “The long anticipated recent announcements about restrictions on short-term lets has come as no surprise, and whilst people are voicing concern on how this might affect the tourist industry,. It’s worthwhile considering how it might affect the long term private rental sector.

“It’s likely that a number of landlords currently operating short term lets will step away from this market over the next 12 months, with properties either being sold or converted to long term rentals.

This may result in an influx of properties coming to the rental market and diluting the supply of properties which has been heavily led with demand over supply.

“However, given the number of people moving in and around the city, it is unlikely that numbers of potential properties coming to the long term rental market will have much of an adverse effect.

“It does mean that referencing and understanding potential tenants’ requirements will become more important than ever, in order to avoid people who were only looking for a short let signing a Private Residential Tenancy and serving their 28 day notice immediately.”

400th anniversary events at Greyfriars

The iconic Edinburgh church known around the world as home to Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier who guarded his master’s grave for 14 years, will celebrate its 400th anniversary this year with a series of special events.

Greyfriars Kirk is also famous for its association with the Covenanters, church radicals of the 17th century. The celebrations will feature both its history and the vibrant community that the Kirk represents today.

Festival organiser Gillian Couper said: “It is 400 years since the Kirk first opened its doors in 1620, making it one of Scotland’s oldest institutions, and it continues to thrive and grow to this day.

“Events will celebrate the life and times of Greyfriars past and present. They will explore the rich history and stories associated with it, through which it became a beacon of the Enlightenment and leading centre for the arts.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors, local and from all over the world, to enjoy these events and help celebrate this fantastic anniversary.”

Inspired by renowned figures from the Enlightenment who are buried in the Kirkyard, or who were ministers of Greyfriars, a Festival of Science, Wisdom and Faith (5-7 June) will feature a line-up including forensic anthropologist Dame Sue Black and writer Richard Holloway.

A series of talks and panels will encourage the public to reflect on the tension that has often existed between science, wisdom and faith and whether this has changed in the modern era.

A new book by local historian Roy Pinkerton has been launched to coincide with the 400 years exploring the history of the 17

churches which have united to form the present-day Greyfriars congregation.

In September there will be a spectacular flower festival which will see the building filled with colourful displays paying tribute to the rich history of the 17 churches.

Musical highlights include a performance of the Renaissance masterpiece Spem in Alium by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus, led by the conductor Gregory Batsleer on (29 Feb).

During Lent, in a joint concert, the Dunedin Consort and Scottish Ensemble will perform Sir James Macmillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross (27 Mar).

Edinburgh Royal Choral Union plan a special commission for choir, soloist and organ from composer Thomas LaVoy (7 Nov).

This will develop the theme of religious freedom in honour of the Kirk’s anniversary and the landing of the Mayflower in America 400 years ago.

The Kirk’s history spans five centuries and the free lunchtime concert series, Greyfriars at 12, will explore music from each of them, plus other celebratory themes.

There will also be chances to get involved, with a ‘Come & Sing’ Brahms’ Requiem, conducted by Angus Tully (25 Apr), and further events planned.

Minister Rev Richard Frazer, said: “Christmas 2020 marks not only 400 years of our building but 400 years of our congregation, an uninterrupted history that has been sustained from the dawn of the modern era and an astonishing record of faith in action.”

Alongside the active congregations The Grassmarket Community Project and the Greyfriars Charteris Centre also contribute to the local community.

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Valentine’s Day ideas

When Harry Met Sally (15) - 12th February, 7:30pm Cinema Nights at Leith Theatre Thomas Morton Hall, 28-30 Ferry Road, EH6 4AE A special Valentine's screening of Rob Reiner's 30-year-old classic that never grows old!

It's 1977. Recent graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) spend an 18-hour car journey together to NYC and talk turns to whether men and women can ever really just be friends - a question that is at the heart of the film as we follow their highs and lows over the next decade.

Buy some warm apple pie (a la mode with the ice cream on the side and strawberry instead of vanilla if we have it but if not no ice cream and whipped cream instead but only if it's real cream and not out of a can then nothing).

(NB If the above makes no sense to you then we can tell you need to come and watch the film.)

Tickets £5 and are available on the door and online. Doors and cash bar open at 6.30pm.

Screening starts at 7.30pm and will be subtitled. There will be one intermission. https://harrysally. brownpapertickets.com Alternative Valentine's party at The Edinburgh Grand. Celebrate friendship with your besties at our alternative Valentine’s event in the stunning elegance of The Register Club, Edinburgh, with cocktails, laughter and the best cabaret acts in town. The Edinburgh Grand hosts the inaugural Grand PALentine's Party, on Thursday 13 February 2020 £35 per person, with a complimentary cocktail too.

This Valentine’s Day show the love to the North Leith Samba Band Pulse of the Place who are going to the New York City Tartan Day Parade with the World Fair

edinburghreporter Trade Tartan Clan in April.

As part of their fundraising drive they are holding a Curry & Ceilidh night on 14 February 2020 at Redford Barracks with celebrity Chef Tony Singh MBE, Major Del Hamilton Personnel Recovery Centre Edinburgh and host Gail Porter. This is sure to be a hot ticket!

Tania Pramschufer of Hand Up Events said: “We are just over the moon with the support we have been given by Major Del Hamilton and his Personal Recovery Centre team alongside Tony and Gail.

"It is a real honour to hold this fun event in the exclusive Redford Barracks Garrison Sergeants’ Mess and join efforts in support of Pulse of the Place and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

"Both charities, even though different in nature, have got positive impact and outlook, that we want to draw attention to and raise funds for!

“Pulse of the Place have participated in events organised

by Hand Up Events and performed in the Scottish Parliament and at a number of concerts and events including the World Fair Trade Fiesta 2017; fashionABLE fashion shows; World Fair Trade Day 2019 at the Usher Hall alongside our very own Gail Porter and now aim to represent Scotland at the Tartan Day Parade 2020.”

Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 The Holocaust was recognised in a ceremony at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, the first one to be held in the capital. Wreaths were laid at the National War Memorial to mark the liberation of Auschwitz and the 25th anniversary of the Bosnian Genocide in which 8,372 lives were lost.

The Rt Hon Lord Provost Frank Ross made a short speech during which he said : "Well, welcome to this historic commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Birkenau

on the 27th of January 1945.

"It's estimated that a minimum of 1.3 million people were deported to Auschwitz between 1940 and 1945. And of these at least 1.1 million were murdered.

The atrocities experienced by prisoners and civilians alike were unspeakable at the time and continue to be so.”

The Lord Provost was joined

by Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety,Janine Webber,

holocaust survivor, Consul General of Russia, Andrey Yakovlev, Rabbi David Rose of Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, Rabbi Pinny Weinman of Chabad Edinburgh and Rabbi Mark Solomon of Sukkat Shalom. Hasan Hasanovi from Interfaith Scotland represented survivors of the Bosnian genocide. Adrian Harris represented the Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Centre and Jewish students from Edinburgh University also joined the gathering and laid wreaths at the National War Memorial.

theedinburghreporter.co.uk

FEATURE 23

From next month...

We are excited to tell you that from March our recipe feature will be produced by Barry Bryson of Cater Edinburgh.

Barry has cooked in some fabulous places and for some fabulous people and now he will be making seasonal suggestions for you each month from his kitchen in Leith. You may have seen Barry at the Gardening Scotland Show or in Nigel Slater’s autobiographical play Toast when it was on at the Traverse in 2018.

It will be a treat to have him write for us.

Rotary news Rotary news from Currie Balerno December is always a busy month for our club.

Christmas starts every year for us with the lighting up of the Rotary Tree of Life at the Balerno Parish Church. This took place on 1 December. The Tree of Life provides the opportunity at this time of the year for people to highlight events important to them or to remember loved ones by sponsoring lights on the tree.

They are invited to submit their messages to the Rotary Club to be recorded at the Balerno Parish Church and also on the Club web-site; and they are asked with each message to make a contribution to selected charities. This year local people

gave £1200. We then moved on later in December to the Gyle Shopping Centre. This year we had three fund raising activities at the Gyle – our traditional bucket collection over the week-end of 13-15 December, bag packing at M&S on 22 December and our gift wrapping from 12 to 24 December.

And here are just three of our gift wrapping team – from left to right Rotarians Andy Howard, Lindsay Craig and Mike Latimer.

Donations at the Gyle brought our total, including the Tree of Life, to some £9000. All the money we receive goes to charities and good causes locally and internationally.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all those who donated and our best wishes to everyone for 2020. If you want to know more about the Currie Balerno Rotary Club, go to our website at www.cbrotary.org or contact Mike Rowe on 449 5701

The Edinburgh Reporter

24 FOOD

Recipe of the month Sauté cod roe Willie Little, Proprietor, Little’s Restaurant Blairgowrie and Fish in Crieff Fishmongers provides our recipe this month.

Willie said : “Something that your grandparents may remember eating is cod roe, the eggs of the cod fish - mousse-like, mildly sea flavoured, and delicious.

In those days it was very much a case of them not wanting to waste anything nutritious, but as an ingredient now cod roe is less well known, with many people unsure how to cook and enjoy it.

It is very easy to prepare and is really something of a delicacy now. Remember though, it’s only in season in January and early February, so why not try it as soon as you can. Most fishmongers will have some in stock.”

Here’s Willie’s easy and delicious recipe to make : • 200g cod roe per person • 100g capers • 200g butter • ½ lemon • chopped parsley • pinch of pepper Heat the pan - but not too hot.

Melt half the butter and gently place the cod roe, cook for two minutes, turn, and cook for two more minutes.

Add the remaining butter and allow to froth, then add the capers, chopped parsley, pinch of pepper and a squeeze of the lemon. Cod roe does not need salt. www.littlesrestaurant.com

Lunch at The Broughton with Kevin Geddes

When the Phoenix on Broughton Street closed its doors for the final time the locals were incandescent: “What a tragedy!” they cried. “An injustice!” they wailed. If everyone who lamented the closure of The Phoenix had actually patronised the establishment the owners would have been doing cartwheels down Broughton Street having just booked their third holiday of the year to the Bahamas.

However, wanting to detest a traditional boozer which had become a restaurant and bar I was willing to hate The Broughton.

Yet, on entering the comfortably designed space I had to weep a silent tear: it’s a bummer being wrong. The restaurant area is delightfully cosy, something lacking in one of the coldest parts of the country, and the service from the outset was incredibly

friendly. As the owner is also the proprietor of The West Room and the Seafood Restaurant in St Andrews this shouldn’t have taken me aback.

My dining companion was Kevin Geddes, author of Keep Calm And Fanny On, a detailed and entertaining biography of the legendary chef, author and all round mistress of reinvention, Fanny Cradock. More of that in my food diary to your right.

To begin, Kevin chose the Roquefort Fritter, Pickled and Candied Walnuts and Pear, which he deemed ‘most tasty’, while I opted for the Duck Liver Pate, Fig, Hazelnut and Toasted Sourdough.

It was sublime with both fresh and confit fig, and a lovely tart dressing to offset the smooth creaminess of the pate.

Kevin told me his Salt Baked Carrot, Quinoa, Smoked Ricotta and Hazelnut Spice which the chose as a main course was perfectly cooked and full of flavour. Being a vegetarian he says that he finds choosing from

a menu slightly less hassle. What a chap! My decision was harder as there were so many choices, all sounding sublime. In the end I opted for the Natural Smoked Haddock, Olive Oil Crushed Potato, Poached Hen’s Egg and grain Mustard. There’s never a bit of smoked fish a poached egg can’t put a crown on and this one was

of the best quality and unctuous.

Dessert was Pineapple Pavlova, Passion Fruit, Mint and Rum Syrup. It looked and tasted a triumph. “Fanny would have loved this!” Kevin declared. As did I. My new mantra: ‘Progress? Embrace it!’

My full review of The Broughton and full length interview with Kevin Geddes are online www. edinburghreporter.co.uk

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FOOD 25

Juliet's Food Diary

by Juliet Lawrence Wilson So how did we all cope with Dry January?

I did merely ‘damp’, booze wise, for the first month of the year, but goodness knows some of you must be craving a drinky poo by now.

One reason to return to the sauce is the Doddie Beir. Inspired by the Scottish Rugby legend, Signature Pub Groups has created a bespoke Doddie pint with all Profits going to Doddie Weir’s My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which helps sufferers and funds MND research.

This worthy tipple can be found at Signature Pub Group venues including The Queen’s Arms and Cold Town House to celebrate the Guinness Six Nations until the end of March. Myname5doddie.co.uk Another reason to return to the sauce is the worst day of the year is coming up. When I was in the restaurant business Valentine’s

Day was no picnic. One year half the couples had fallen out before their amuse bouche, one woman got so tiddly she threw up on the lavatory floor and another guest nicked the salt and pepper grinders. It was a sorry state of affairs but at least Valentine’s day fell on a Tuesday that year.

It was always a pain in the proverbial if it happened to be on a Saturday when we’d be packed out anyway. So my advice would be to save your cash for another night and stay in on February 14th.

My own ideal V Day treat would be a fish supper and a bottle of champagne. And should there be some candles lit, I’d feel quite the princess. Indeed one of my earliest boyfriends once surprised me with such a thoughtful dinner, and not only did he buy a bottle of champers, he also invested in a whole bottle of chippy sauce, quite clearly the food of the gods.

Sparks flew that night, let me tell you.

Romeo and Juliet, Burton and Taylor, Fergie and Andrew... legendary couples, all of them but none can hold a lit blowtorch to the love story that was Fanny and Johnnie.

Edinburgh Fanny fan Kevin Geddes has spent many hours recreating Fanny Cradock's most legendary and bonkers dishes on

his blog keepcalmandfannyon. blogspot.com and has now brought out a rollicking biography of the most flamboyant of TV chefs.

Having studied Fanny's work and culinary legacy for his Queen Margaret University Gastronomy Master’s dissertation, Kevin takes us through Fanny's mysterious early life, her prolific career as an author of both adult and children’s novels to her break in television and long career as the Mistress of reinvention - “Before Madonna had even considered it.”

The anecdotes in the book are often jaw dropping. Double bigamy, some light insurance fraud, theatrical food poisoning and an alleged flirtation with David Attenborough, there was rarely a dull moment in Fanny’s world.

Whilst Fanny obviously had a dark side and could be self destructive (particularly in relation to her two sons) and downright rude (to just about everyone else), Kevin tells her story with honesty, generosity and affection.

This would be a great read for retro food geeks or anyone who loves a great yarn. Keep Calm And Fanny On and Kevin's other book, Its All In The Booklet, Festive Fun With Fanny Cradock are both available at fantompublishing. co.uk

We’re social! @EdinReporter

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The Edinburgh Reporter

26 FEATURE

The Station Mouse Scottish Book Trust has chosen the winner of the 2020 Bookbug Picture Book Prize. Over 13,000 children across Scotland voted for The Station Mouse by Meg McLaren.

Printmaker and illustrator Meg McLaren graduated from the prestigious MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. She now lives in Inverness and The Station Mouse is her third picture book.

February Crossword Down 1. Therein lies confusion, not one thing nor another (7) 2. Nonet returned to this joint (5) 3. Resin rail built into flying craft (9) 4. Member of the clergy found inside a consecrated building (6) 5. Excessive measures to ensure Orville receives his knighthood (8) 6. Secret meeting place might test a holy man (5) 7. Compel Attlee to become an abstainer (8) 8. Sent in to play this game? (6) 14. Regal fop jumping over another in this game (8) 16. A smart man can be turned into a weapon-bearing soldier (3-2-4) 17. Helmsman shows way to coax wins (8) 18. Confusing echo, so select this one (6) 20. Can't she show the way to punish? (7) 21. Bride I play golf with scores one under par (6) 23. Armature turns in either direction (5) 25. Raised barrier in the middle of sleeves (5)

Crossword by David Albury Answers on page 28 2

3

4

5

6

8 7 1 2 2 7

8

10

11

13

STR8TS

12

14

15

3

26

24

25

27

28

4

5 6 8

20

21

2 5 9 4 8 7

8 4

6 1 3 3 8

9

4 19

23

4 8 1

Medium

1

2

16

18

6

9

17

22

SUDOKU

Medium 7

9

Living Memory Association contributed this photo to Edinburgh Collected which is an online community photo archive managed by Edinburgh Libraries. You can add your own memories to help preserve the city’s history for the future. It is also a good way for organisations to preserve their archives in online scrapbooks www.edinburghcollected.org

4

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 Each compartment must form a straight 6 4 5 a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be 4 5 in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells 4 3 6 2 remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

3 5 2 1 Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ 2 1 3 are formed.

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

1

Newly Wed Couple Stepping Into Taxi On West Maitland Street, 1957 - Angus Quinn and Nancy Ogilvie just married and off in a taxi to a meal with another couple.

3 6 2

4 9

9 2 5 4 5 3 2 2 1 1 5 4

9 1

6

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

Across 1. Unbolt stands, reducing them to basic components (4,3,5) 9. Central area of Pinner, for example? (5) 10. Eyelet can be destroyed by this flammable gas (9) 11. How a drink can represent something one has created (9) 12. Bits of cacti tangled up with giant (5) 13. Reduction of pain, for example, if reel is fixed in place (6) 15. Changing climates affect this climber (8) 18. Programme where people talk about what cosh to use? (4,4) 19. All together inside frozen block (2,4) 22. Put forward for sale as part of fertility rite (5) 24. I can still pick out a minute amount (9) 26. Dash north in response to this symbolic message (9) 27. Fixing pin in part of drive-through service area (5) 28. Tanners knife used by Shelley's doctor? (12)

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

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Get your children exercising early With a soft play membership this February your children will get the active habit.

Join in the adventure with Edinburgh Leisure’s soft-play membership, where children get to sample the world of sport and fitness from an early age. For those signing up to become a member in February 2019, March is completely free.

From only £16.00* per month, the membership offers good value, flexibility and of course, will keep little ones entertained and burning off energy as they explore the amazing soft plays.

Little adventurers can visit as many times as they wish,

enjoying unlimited fun at any of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues across the city at Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Tumbles at Portobello and Scrambles at EICA: Ratho. if you’re an existing member and refer a new member before 29th February 2020, Edinburgh Leisure will give you £16 cashback.** There’s no limit to the amount of friends that you can refer – the more the merrier. *£16.00 for one child, £27.00 for two children, £32.50 for three children and £38 for four children. **T’s & C’s apply

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Water babies splash in at Gracemount Gracemount Leisure Centre are offering free swim taster sessions between 3 – 7 February 2020. These will give your child an opportunity to discover a new passion and develop a skill for life.

Edinburgh Leisure has over 20 years’ experience helping children learn to swim, and offers a safe, positive and inspirational experience for children of all ages (and adults) and all abilities to learn to swim in our nine pools across the city.

The taster sessions are suitable for children aged 0-4 years and 5+.

To book your free space, telephone 0131 658 1940. www. edinburgh.leisure.co.uk

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FEATURE 27

Put on the L Plates!

Teenagers can learn to drive at half term. Young people between 10 and 17 can learn to drive on Wednesday 12 February 2020 at Royal Highland Centre Ingliston.

The lessons take place in a dual controlled Vauxhall Corsa with a fully qualified driving instructor.

On a realistic road system with junctions, traffic lights and roundabouts, pupils can learn how to get started, steer, change gear and even try a spot of reverse parking thanks to the scheme, which aims to improve the safety

of the UK’s young drivers.

Young Driver also operates at the Royal Highland Centre at selected weekend dates across the year.

Young Driver lessons in a Bentley Flying Spur are now also available at selected venues.

Driving tuition is available for disabled youngsters and birthday parties can also be arranged.

Lessons must be booked in advance and last either 30 or 60 minutes. www.youngdriver.com or call 0333 577 9010.

Care Crew are here to provide a quality care service in our clients’ own homes

Call us on:

07738 625 021

www.carecrew.co.uk

28 PHOTO OF THE MONTH

The Edinburgh Reporter

Tom Duffin took this wonderful photo during one of last month’s glorious sunsets.

Tom said : ”It has been said that Edinburgh has the best sunsets, but it's probably more accurate that it sometimes has the best sunsets and if you go out to catch them often enough you will be rewarded. This was one of these sunsets that didn't come alive with colour until well after the sun had gone. "I was on the verge of walking down Calton Hill when I noticed the edges of the clouds take on a rosy tinge... then blam! The benefit of this late showing is that the city lights come on - the castle, the Balmoral and all the streetlights, so instead of a stark silhouetted skyline you get a more balanced foreground showing the city at its best.

Tom Duffin is an Edinburgh photographer with a fantastic portfolio of Edinburgh landscapes and street photography www.tomduffin.com

Crossword Answers Across: 1 Nuts and bolts, 9 Inner, 10 Acetylene, 11 Handiwork, 12 Titan, 13 Relief, 15 Clematis, 18 Chat show, 19 En bloc, 22 Offer, 24 Scintilla, 26 Shorthand, 27 Rivet, 28 Frankenstein.

Down: 1 Neither, 2 Tenon, 3 Airliners, 4 Deacon, 5 Overkill, 6 Tryst, 7 Teetotal, 8 Tennis, 14 Leapfrog, 16 Man-at-arms, 17 Coxswain, 18 Choose, 20 Chasten, 21 Birdie, 23 Rotor, 25 Levee.

Get in touch today!

For editorial and advertising enquiries please email editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk @EdinReporter

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Half term Britannia has it covered Fresh from working with superstar Helena Bonham Carter and international magazine Harper’s Bazaar, the world’s coolest corgi, Marcel, hangs out on The Royal Yacht Britannia.

Britannia’s Visitor Assistant, Martin Bamford, captured a #corgiselfie with the cute canine before they set off to explore the ship.

Knowing Her Majesty The Queen was so fond of the wee dogs, Marcel le Corgi posed on the Grand Staircase modelling a crown before finding fuzzy corgi pals on Britannia’s Cuddly Corgi Treasure Hunt - the perfect activity to entertain kids during the February half term.

Want your photo featured here?

Email your photo to editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

Edinburgh Sketcher If you are planning your wedding then think about hiring a sketcher as well as a photographer.

Mark, The Edinburgh Sketcher, comes to your wedding, moves around in the background and draws the details which catch his eye. He says he likes the

flower arrangements, personal decorations, architectural details and colourful guests! He then creates a sketch book full of original pen and watercolour illustrations which capture the day perfectly. edinburghsketcher.com

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edinburghreporter

Commonwealth Pool is 50

James Heatly opts for a simple ‘dive’ PHOTO Chris Watt The Royal Commonwealth Pool made a big splash celebrating its 50th birthday The Edinburgh institution was opened by HRH Princess Anne half a century ago on her first solo official visit.

It is the only venue in the world to have hosted three separate Commonwealth games and has become loved by the city.

The Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh turned 50 years old

theedinburghreporter.co.uk swimming champions. But while the facilities have been used by elite athletes, ˜the Commie” has also provided years of fond memories thanks to its iconic white flumes and recreational swim facilities and water-based and dry fitness classes for the general public.

Edinburgh’s Got Soul Choir sang Happy Birthday to begin the day's celebrations while Scottish diver James Heatly cut a giant cake, in the shape of the pool. This amazing construction was made

by West Lothian Cake-tastic, and was shared with customers and staff. It was big enough to feed 700 people and by the time the day was over there wasn’t a slice left.

The candles were blown out by three-year-old Sophie Ramsay, youngest grand-daughter of Charlie Ramsay, who was the first employee to be appointment at the pool in August 1969. Charlie went on to work as the Lifeguard Training Manager until his retirement in 2006.

Sophie was assisted by CEO of Edinburgh Leisure June Peebles and James Heatly, grandson of legendary diver Sir Peter Heatly, another champion who still trains at the Commie, having won medals in each of the past three European Diving Championships, as well as at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

James is a superstar and

FEATURE 29 while he was taking time out of his training, he was happy to accommodate the photographers’ request of a staged shot of falling into the diving pool, holding onto two helium balloons. This was definitely a one-shot picture as the moment James fell into the pool, the two balloons came loose from their ribbon and floated up to the rafters.

There was also a free exhibition in the foyer of the Commie about the history of the iconic building.

It ran until the end of the month and contained some specially commissioned prints by Edinburgh-based photographer, Soo Burnell, which complemented her poolside photographic artworks, many of which are Edinburgh Leisure’s Victorian pools.

Soak up the atmosphere from the day in our video by scanning the QR code

SCAN HERE!

on 16 January 2020 and staff and swimmers celebrated with lots of cake.

Generations of locals have learned to swim within the A-listed building, which is considered one of the finest examples of modern architecture in Scotland.

It is also home to the only Olympic-standard diving facilities and the capital’s only 50-metre pool and has been behind the success of many of Scotland’s

Sophie Ramsay (3) is helped by champion diver James Heatly and CEO of Edinburgh Leisure June Peebles to blow out the candles PHOTO Chris Watt

ONE MONTH FREE Soft Play Membership

Sign up in February and get March FREE! Terms and conditions apply.

edinburghleisure.co.uk Registered Scottish Charity No: SC027450

The Edinburgh Reporter

30 SPORT

Casting around for fishing news

Local angling scene

by Nigel Duncan International angler Kevin Lewis is looking for enthusiastic women anglers to join the Scotland sea fishing squad in the build-up to the Home International shore angling championships at Weymouth.

The Tartan Team came second to Ireland last year on their home water at Tralee in County Kerry and coach Kevin is determined to go one better this time.

Applicants don’t need to be experienced sea anglers as coaching sessions will be held ahead of the event.

The squad of five and a travelling reserve will also fish the location at Preston Beach in Dorset for prior to the two-day championships in the first week of July.

England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland are invited and Kevin added that equipment can be provided.

He added: “The girls did really

by Nigel Duncan TWO local angling associations have come together to offer cut-price access to one of the most popular rivers in the Lothians.

Anglers who sign up now will be able to fish on the River Almond from the Forth Estuary to Livingston with a £10 deduction on the cost of a joint ticket.

An adult ticket is £35 for Cramond Angling Club (CAC) and £15 for West Lothian Angling Association (WLAA) Joe Arndt, secretary of CAC, explained that if you pay £15 to WLAA then you would pay £25 to CAC or if you pay £35 to CAC then you pay £5 to WLAA which works out at £40 for 16 miles of fishing.

Bruce Hope, chairman of WLAA, said both clubs are keen to promote junior angling and adults taking up the offer.

Applicants will also be allowed one junior permit (under 16) free of charge and thereafter at £5 for the other water .

Anglers apply for membership of their home club, including any junior memberships.

They will be issued with a unique number which can then be used

well last year in Ireland and we are naturally travelling hoping to win.

“However, longer-term, we are looking for them to pick up valuable experience.

“It would be great if we could get more women coming forward from the Lothians or anywhere else in Scotland so we can travel with the strongest possible squad.”

Anybody interested should call Kevin on 0797 362 2059 Well-known sea angler Neil Cuttler from Gateshead won the Amble Open with a bag of 15lb 7oz including 16 flat fish and one coalfish.

David Cooper from Edinburgh was 39th with six cod for 6lb 4oz and Craig Ogilvie from North Berwick weighed in with 5lb 7oz thanks to five flat fish and one cod to take 45th place.

Stuart Fairbairn from Haddington landed one flat fish for 14oz in a field of nearly 500. He was 162nd.

The sea was flat calm and there was a light breeze and temperatures reached around 12C and a spokesman said: “A total of 177 anglers weighed in with 131 cod, 526 flats and 12 coalfish with a total weight of 736lbs 14oz.”

Elsewhere, Blyth-based Sonik Sports have released details of their Gizmo bite alarm which, they claim, offers a miniature package giving instant indication for the slightest of line movement.

Functions are controlled by click dials which are claimed to be quick to setup for multiple alarm heads. An anti-theft and torch function are included.

Each alarm can also be assigned a colour channel to instantly recognise which alarm head has been triggered.

Prices start from £49.99 for a single alarm and £199.99 for a two-plus-one alarm and bivvy lamp up to £299.99 for a four alarm and bivvy lamp version.

Climb every mountain

by Nigel Duncan The Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival (EMFF) returns in February staged at the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre in George Square from Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 February 2020.

Tickets start at £5 and are on sale now at www.emff.co.uk Among the highlights are a posse of mountain bikers from Whistler, aged 11-14.

Skiers drop fearsome-looking lines in Alaska and sketchy gullies in the West Highlands. A female climber scales apparently blank

rock faces using holds the size of a pinhead, without ropes.

Then there are the parkour athletes on a stomach-lurching rooftop race in Paris and a blind man attempting to lead-climb the Old Man of Hoy sea stack on Orkney.

The festival welcomes three speakers. Jenny Graham from Inverness recounts her worldrecord breaking unsupported cycle around the world, navigating tornados, bears and Russian traffic.

Anna McNuff, now blister-free

Diving into the record books Edinburgh Diving Club’s James Heatly won the 3m Springboard at the British Diving Championships at Plymouth in January. This is James' third British individual title and it was a personal best points score of 478.50. He executed a Forward four and a half somersaults tuck to take the highest points for one single dive in the final.

Heatly told British Swimming : “I’m so happy - I’ve retained my title, and it’s a personal best as well, not sure I could ask for more at this stage of the season.”

Image courtesy of British Swimming Heatly is hoping for a place on the Olympic team heading for Tokyo at the end of July 2020.

after her 2,620 mile barefoot run through Britain and Leon McCarron who made a 1,000 mile walk through the heart of the Holy Land at a pace which allowed him to meet the people and understand the challenges of that region.

The festival, staged in association with Tiso and Mountain Equipment, expects big numbers and it has grown to be one of the most popular and dynamic events in Scotland’s outdoor adventure calendar attracting in excess of 2,000 outdoor enthusiasts.

City race Race in Edinburgh city centre on Sunday 15 March 2020. £20 registration fee, minimum sponsorship amount £50 You are encouraged to sign up for Crisis’ Race to End Homelessness, held in partnership with YTL Hotels The Glasshouse, a former church that offered shelter to people experiencing homelessness.

Crisis’ Race to End Homelessness is the first of its kind in Scotland, offering a truly unique route around Edinburgh, all while raising money for charity. https://www.crisis.org.uk/ get-involved/fundraise/calton-hill/

to apply to the other club for the discounted permit or permits.

Applications can be made with a cheque/postal order/bank transfer and a stamped self-addressed envelope to : Memberships Cramond Angling Club, 22 Parkgrove Loan, Edinburgh EH47QX or Memberships WLAA, 8 Cunnigar Hill View, Mid Calder, Livingston EH530SG The offer provides permits anglers to fish the other club's water but does not confer full voting membership of that club and either club retains a right of refusal.

Members will be bound by the rules of whichever club water anglers are fishing at the time and both organisations urged fishermen to familiarise themselves fully before travelling.

Permit holders are required to carry photographic identification in addition to the permits and will have to leave the river if requested

by Bailiffs of either club or the Forth Rivers Trust. Proof of age is required for junior permits.

Joe said: “Both clubs hope anglers take advantage to try out new waters and enhance their experience of the river.”

Applications for sport panel open now The Young People’s Sport Panel recruitment is now running until 24 February 2020.

Young people in Edinburgh are offered an opportunity to play their part in the future development of Scottish sport. sportscotland is looking for new members for the panel which was set up in June 2018.

Since then they have met with the Minister for Sport Joe Fitzpatrick to discuss the importance of young people as leaders in Scottish sport. The panel is working in three particular areas : on women’s and girls’ sport, access to sport and mental health and sport.

Panashe Muzambe, a Watsonians and Edinburgh University rugby player, is hoping to be named in the Scotland Six Nations Squad, and she encourages young people to apply for the panel. The 24 year-old said : "Sport is an opportunity to be free, it is a freedom expressed as an

individual or in a group. It brings people with differences together, bonded by something they have in common.” sportscotland.org.uk

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SPORT 31

Sarah is in the GB team Hearts overcome Rangers at home

by Nigel Duncan Sarah Robertson heads Down Under for high-profile women’s hockey clashes with Australia and New Zealand.

That is short-term. Her long-term goal is to be picked for Great Britain’s Olympic squad which would realise an ambition for the talented midfielder who has played on 99 occasions for Scotland.

She has also proudly worn the Great Britain colours in 42 games, but the pinnacle would be Tokyo from July 24 to August 9 2020.

Law graduate Sarah, a former Edinburgh University star, has been named in a 22-strong squad who face Australia, who played in the Grand Final last year, on February 1 and 2 and then New Zealand on February 8 and 9.

The matches are in the FIH Pro League and coach Mark Hager has selected all 18 of the players who secured their Olympic berth by overcoming Chile at the end of 2019.

This is the first time that the women have experienced the new format of playing two doubleheaders away from home.

It’s a serious challenge but one Sarah relishes and the double Commonwealth Games player (Glasgow and Gold Coast) argued that playing the best will help Hager iron out any snags in their game ahead of the Olympics.

The coach firmly believes he has versatility in his squad and he is excited to get the build-up under way.

So is Borders-born Sarah who has been a professional athlete for over two years. The law degree is parked while she pursues her dream of Olympic glory and, of course, Britain returned from Rio four years ago with gold.

That, said the 26-year-old athlete, raises the expectation level but the steely Scot said: “That was four years ago and there have been major changes to the squad.

“Around seven of the gold medal team are still in the squad but there are a lot of new faces and it takes time to gel.”

The Dundonian was picked for the GB squad after a strong performance in the EuroHockey Championships II in Glasgow last year when Scotland won gold and secured promotion back to the top tier of European hockey. Since then, pacey forward Charlotte has made an impact on the national side in her five appearances. She has 67 Scotland caps.

So has Edinburgh-born defender Costello who has been with the squad since February 2018 and has collected 27 Great Britain caps to add to her 51 for Scotland.

It’s good, admitted Sarah, to have Scottish voices in the camp but Sarah, who plays for London-based, Hampstead and Westminster, knows the Englishborn players well from her club games.

She now opts out of the club scene to travel Down Under but her international schedule allows for a return just before the crucial end-of-season play-offs.

Ladbrokes Premiership – Sunday 26th January 2020 – Tynecastle

by Mike Smith It was just like old times at Tynecastle at the end of January as Hearts produced their best performance of a troubled season to come from behind to defeat Rangers. The Gorgie team secured three vitally important points in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

After going behind at the beginning of the second half the Jambos roared back and goals from Steven Naismith and debutant Liam Boyce secured

Hearts first league win in ten games. Hearts 2 Rangers 1 PHOTOS Ian Jacobs

The Scottish Hickory Tour revived

On 6 February the first Scottish Hickory Tour since 1930 will begin with the James Braid 150th Anniversary Hickory Open event over 9 holes at Braid Hill, followed by 9 holes at Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club in the afternoon.

The Merchants was originally designed by Ben Sayers in 1907 and altered by James Braid in 1936. The course is challenging and fun, and will be a good test for players, including past World

Hickory Open Winners Fraser Mann (Scotland) and Andrew Marshall (England).

In April Jack’s Open Pro Am will be played at Musselburgh Golf Club and Royal Musselburgh on 8 and 9 April 2020.

Heriot's Rugby welcomed Boroughmuir Bears for a local FOSROC Super 6 match at Goldenacre for their Round 8 match in the new – for this season – competition. Heriot's swept aside Boroughmuir to go joint top of the FOSROC Super6 table and maintain their top-four play-off place PHOTO John Preece

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DESTINATION:

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27/01/2020 14:14