Councillor hits out at coalition stitch-up
Page 4
Toy poodle Pepper back home at last
Page 9
Former police HQ bows out at 50
Pages 12-13
Rudden reviews May’s best theatre shows
Pages 18-19
Local sporting heroes in the spotlight
Pages 20-21
By GEORGE MAIR AND PHYLLIS STEPHEN
HIS SELFLESS ACTS OF GENEROSITY raised more than £1 million for charities, and the late Tom Gilzean, MBE, was much loved
and well-known in the capital.
Now, an Oor Wullie-themed statue, in the image of the late Scots war veteran and charity fundraiser, has been unveiled on the spot where he used to break for lunch during his
long days spent in the city centre collecting cash for charities.The life size sculpture, a replica of one auctioned during an 2019 fundraiser, is now in place outside Gordon’s Trattoria on The Royal Mile which was his
regular lunch spot. For more than 20 years Tom could be seen rattling his collecting tin, wearing his trademark tartan trews and medals in the city centre. Read more on page 7
THE SCOTTISH political landscape has changed and Humza Yousaf, has resigned after little over a year in office as leader of the SNP, triggering a change in leadership of the party, and the possibility of a leadership election unless one candidate steps forward. There was a seismic shift when the First Minister decided not to wait for a decision by the members of the Scottish Green Party on whether they would continue the Bute House Agreement under which an official coalition was set up in 2021 or not.
Instead, he summarily dismissed the two Scottish Green ministers, Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie, and, following a Scottish Cabinet meeting, the union between the two parties came to an abrupt end. Some acrimonious comments from the Greens ensued, and it became clear the move was not well advised.
To his credit, Mr Yousaf admitted in his tearful resignation statement that he got this wrong in what turned out to be a major political miscalculation.
He said in his resignation speech: “Unfortunately, in ending the Bute House Agreement, in the manner that I did, I clearly underestimated the level of hurt and upset I caused Green colleagues.”
Two motions of no confidence had been lodged at The Scottish Parliament, either one of which might have meant no change in the status quo, a new leader of the SNP, or a new government.
In a year when the country and the political parties are already gearing up for a UK General Election it is difficult to understand how parties could also afford to campaign for an election in Scotland, but at least that has been avoided.
Who will be the new leader remains in question with names including those of previous leader, John Swinney, being mooted, and he is “actively considering” that.
Politics aside, Edinburgh is careering into spring with spectacular displays of blossom all over the city. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
A NEW APPLICATION has been lodged with the council for the site at 26 Dunedin Street where a previous application for Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) was refused. The revised plans are to retain some PBSA with amenity space, cycle parking, landscaping and infrastructure.
Plans have been submitted for new murals on the wall of South Leith Parish Kirk, rebuilt after the tram works.
An application for a building warrant has been submitted to internally refurbish the retained sports and community block at Wester Hailes Education Centre - all part of the £3.8million Wester Hailes High School scheme.
Hidden Door Festival are in negotiations with the council to lease the vacant commercial unit at 133 Lauriston Place as a permanent base and creative hub.
The former Craigiehall Barracks, on the western fringes of the city has been sold. The William Pears Group has acquired the 78 former MOD houses and will refurbish them. Miller Developments will buy the balance of the 96 acre site for development. The site
includes the A listed Craigiehall House with a walled garden and stable block and the Category B listed former Anti-Aircraft Operations Room.
Plans for the National Centre for Music at the former Royal High School have been revised by Richard Murphy Architects. Revisals include the addition of a new school entrance pavilion, all part of a new application for the Thomas Hamilton building lodged in March. Previous
plans to move St Mary’s Music School from its West End base fell through last summer amid claims that building costs had doubled.
The Meadows to George Street project has reached a “major milestone” with a consultation from 27 May to 8 July. Plans include pedestrianisation of Forrest Road, and two-way traffic on Teviot Place and Bristo Place with segregated cycleways and continous footpaths.
a network of city businesses and public buildings including selected local libraries.
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By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
EDINBURGH’S CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES have been very colourful this year, attracting even more photographers to the city to take photos of the beautiful displays.
The cherry blossom or Sakura can be spotted around the city including The Meadows where students, Congli and Jinzcan above, visiting from Newcastle, were having fun on a sunny day in The Meadows.
Edinburgh was recently named by The Times as one of the the best alternative places to enjoy the pink blooms. Both Japan and Washington
- where the trees have been gifted to the city by Tokyo since 1912 as a gift of friendship - are well known as places to look at, enjoy and photograph the pink blooms and now it seems that Edinburgh has made the grade with its displays. There are several places in the city where photographers or Instagrammers will get the best shots. The most abundant display is in The Meadows where the trees blossom along two of the avenues - although the duration of the display depends very much on the weather.
There are blossom trees along the railings on Princes Street inside the gardens offering a lovely frame for a photo of Edinburgh Castle, and also
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
FOUNDER OF EDINBURGH based charity Invisible Cities, Zakia Moulaoui, joined a roundtable discussion with the Duke of Sussex to talk about sustainable tourism.
Prince Harry set up Travalyst a not for profit organisation which assembled some of the biggest brands in travel and technology for an online chat about ways of supporting regenerative projects in the tourism sector.
Zakia explained to Prince Harry and the other delegates the model for the work they do, recruiting people who have experienced homelessness to roles where they run their own tours in the city. She said that conscious travellers can have an impact on communities. She said: “We are increasingly seeing people making even more conscious decisions when they are travelling and visiting new places. People want to see the money they spend directly benefit communities.”
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, said: “Travel and tourism relies on destinations, held together by communities, without which we have nowhere to travel to. Communities are the beating heart of travel, and we must do better by the people who are the custodians of the places we visit. We’ve heard from some fantastic organisations like Invisible Cities who train people affected by homelessness to be tour guides in their own city.”
lining the street on either side of Ravelston Dykes just round the corner from Modern One. At Starbank Park in Trinity the Friends hold an annual picnic to celebrate the display. In Washington DC the trees are so prolific that there is a website set up to monitor them - cherryblossomwatch.com - which predicted that peak blossom time already came and went on 17 March. Here in Edinburgh we still have the spectacle lingering as we go to press.
If you snap some good shots then please share them with us on social media or by emailing them to editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk GET IN TOUCH TODAY!
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By PHYLLIS STEPHEN AND STEPHEN RAFFERTY
THE FIRST SNP COUNCILLOR to lead The City of Edinburgh Council has launched a blistering attack on what he calls the “underhand” coalition governing Scotland’s capital.
In a candid interview, Adam Nols-McVey, who last month stepped down as SNP leader, alleged that while the minority Labour administration publicly denies being in a formal coalition, behind the scenes they are working hand-in-glove with the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives to push through policies.
He told The Edinburgh Reporter: “The dogs on the street know it’s a stitch up and that when it comes to budget time, appointments, major
decisions - they all vote together as a LabourTory-Lib Dem coalition.”
He accused the three parties of deliberately trying to “hoodwink” Edinburgh residents about the true nature of their relationship. As an example, he cited the council leader, Labour’s Cammy Day, repeatedly refusing to specify which party is accountable for the controversial short-term lets policy, with responsibilities split between Tory and Lib Dem conveners.
“They are not being honest with the people of Edinburgh about how decisions affecting them are being taken,” McVey claimed. “There is a problem with the democratic functioning of the council.
“It’s this dishonesty that I think breeds mistrust, and also just looks like bare naked
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
THE REMOVAL OF LEITH from the name of the two new Holyrood constituencies proposed to replace Edinburgh Northern and Leith “must be reviewed” according to former councillor Rob Munn.
Rob was a Leith councillor for a number of years, and being passionate about the port, he is keen that The Scottish Government keeps Leith in the constituency name as it reviews election boundaries.
But the current proposal is to have two new election areas called Edinburgh Northern and Edinburgh North Eastern - removing any mention of Leith.
Rob explained to The Edinburgh Reporter that this is a rerun of a 2004 situation when he was involved in a campaign to have the name retained in the title of the UK election area. At that point the Assistant Commissioner was persuaded (as he had also been a decade before) that Leith should be incorporated and now the UK constituency is called Edinburgh
North and Leith. The new boundary and name were first used in the 2005 election.
Deidre Brock MP for Edinburgh North and Leith has set up a petition to save the name. She said: “Leith is a historic town with a rich and vibrant history. For decades, our name has been included in the Scottish and Westminster seats, reflecting our distinct identity and significance. However, recent proposals by the Scottish Boundary Commission threaten to literally delete Leith from the landscape.
“Leith is a centre of tech, film, literature with an increasingly active port that is deeply intertwined with the history of Scotland. The inclusion of “Leith” in our constituency name is not just symbolic; it represents our shared past and community’s identity.
“The proposed change by the Scottish Boundary Commission would not only disregard our historical significance but also undermine our sense of place and community now.
“We urge the Scottish Boundary Commission to reconsider their
gameplay. For the Lib Dems to pretend that they are not in coalition while receiving £100,000 pounds of additional salary allowances for being in administration, looks ridiculous to people. That like somebody’s trying to tell everyone that the sky is purple when they can look outside and see that it’s actually blue.”
The former leader also slammed Labour politicians for lacking the “dedication” to properly scrutinise officials and drive change on major issues like nursery provision and damp/mould in council housing.
He added: “It is patently obvious to everyone. Joan Griffiths (education convener) is a nice person, but is essentially asleep at the wheel and is doing nothing to challenge officers who take decisions ‘off table’.
“Decision are getting rubber stamped by Labour politicians who are not even bothering to read the briefings that are put in front of them. And it’s being nodded along with the Tories and Lib Dems who are going along with it because they don’t want to upset the applecart.
“I don’t think it’s inaccurate to say that they can’t be bothered to drive forward change. We’re seeing this day in day out right across committees, with Labour politicians who can’t really sit still long enough to actually get into the issue and create the right solutions
“So officers are creating the solutions they think are best and sometimes they might be right - but often we are finding they’re not driving forward with the change that I think people of Edinburgh would expect. The two other parties are quite happy with things the way they are regardless of how terrible the outcome is for people in Edinburgh, so just vote along with it time after time after time.”
McVey, who led the SNP group for seven years, will continue to represent Leith from the backbenches and is looking forward to spending more time with his young family, but vowed to support the next leader in continuing to hold the administration’s “feet to the fire” from the opposition benches.
In 2019 when he and his partner welcomed their adopted sons he became the first councillor to take paternity leave. It is family life which he now cites as the main reason for taking a back seat. He is enjoying spending more time with the “two wee bundles of chaos” doing pickups and drop offs and has a role as parliamentary assistant to Tommy Sheppard. The next group leader will be either former transport convener Lesley Macinnes and Westminster hopeful Simita Kumar.
proposal and retain “Leith” in the name of the new Edinburgh North Eastern Scottish Parliament constituency.”
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith Ben Macpherson said: “In its current review, Boundaries Scotland’s revised proposals would split my current Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency across two new constituencies.
“Dropping “Leith” as a description is a mistake and it should be added back into the name for the
constituency that would include Leith. Leith’s distinct identity and history matters. I encourage Leithers to help feed this message back to those considering these Scottish Parliament boundary changes. Please support the petition, respond to the consultation, and encourage others to do so too.”
Deidre Brock added: “I don’t know what Boundary Scotland were thinking, but they will have to think again about wiping Leith from the electoral map at Holyrood.
“Leith has always been a distinct, diverse community with a rich history and heritage of its own - we must make sure this remains the case for future generations.
“Previous attempts to absorb Leith into Edinburgh have never gone down well. I expect the community will stand together again to protect Leith’s unique identity, and I’ll be right there with them. I will be making my objections clear and urge others to do the same.”
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
THE COUNCIL HAS ANNOUNCED that applications can now be made by community groups for Edinburgh 900 funding of up to £5,000 per organisation.
The fund celebrates 900 years of Edinburgh as a royal burgh since it was founded by King David I around 1124. Out of the funding for the celebrations £100,000 has been allocated to the Community Fund for events and activities. A separate fund of £100,000 has been set up for city wide events led by cultural or heritage organisations and there are grants of up to £15,000 on offer. In either case the applications must show their commitment to Edinburgh 900 programme aims and themes.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “I’m delighted that both the Edinburgh 900 community and civic funds are now open for applications.
“I’m clear that our communities should play an integral part in these celebrations and I’m really excited to see the proposals as they come through in the next few weeks. I have no doubt that our residents will rise to the occasion and show the very best aspects of our city.
“On the civic side this is an opportunity for our cultural and heritage organisations to exhibit Edinburgh and its illustrious past like
never before.
The deadline for applications is 20 May for the civic fund and 27 May for the community fund.Applications may be made on the council website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/eventsvenues/edinburgh-900-years-old/3
Cllr Katrina Faccenda is sceptical of the arrangements to celebrate the anniversary - which are even now incomplete. She said: “£500,000 has been allocated in the council budget for 2024 celebrations details of which
we are starting to hear about in May and there is minimum involvement and scrutiny by democratically elected councillors. There appear to be two parallel worlds in Edinburgh - the so-called civic events from which much of the city is excluded and then the world of housing crisis, food banks and daily struggle.
Until councillors recognise it isn’t enough to promise a lovely party which will “put the city on the map” we deserve to be called to account.”
By SARAH BOYACK MSP
THERE IS A REASON THE NHS is such a valued part of our society. If you get ill, be it minor or major, we have a dedicated public health system that will be there for you, at no cost. However, The Scottish Government’s mismanagement has left the NHS trying to fulfil its duties with one hand tied behind its back.
NHS Lothian has been under pressure for years, but this year’s Scottish Government budget has left NHS Lothian having to find 7% savings - the majority of which will come from cutting services. I have been contacted by a constituent who has
experienced these cuts first hand.
My constituent, Megan, has been a type 1 diabetic since the age of 12 and volunteered to trial ground-breaking diabetes technology for the NHS. This closed loop system, as its known, is a game changer for diabetics and my constituent found that her blood sugar had never been better while using it.
One of the perks of taking part in the trial was quicker access to the technology once the study was complete. However, at her last meeting she was told that due to NHS Lothian cuts, the closed loop system would not be offered to her after the trial and she would have to revert to her old glucose pump.
This in my view is a direct impact of SNP mismanagement of our health service. NHS England began rolling out this technology at the start of April and NHS Lothian had similarly planned to start their roll out across Edinburgh. But now, this service has been cut and thousands of diabetics across Edinburgh will have an indefinite delay to access this life changing technology.
Two thirds of diabetics in Lothian want this technology and investing in diabetes tech will pay dividends in the long run as less NHS resources will be required to treat diabetes complications. With 10% of the NHS budget allocated to diabetes and 75% of that allocation dealing with
complications, this technology can completely transform how our health service approaches the disease and free up funding for other parts of the health service.
Edinburgh is already the lowest funded council area in Scotland, but with 84% of Scotland’s future population growth happening in Lothian, it is clear something has to change. We cannot go on underfunding our health services while our population is growing dramatically.
The state of Edinburgh’s Eye Pavilion illustrates what happens when critical NHS services don’t get the investment they require. We cannot allow diabetes treatment in Edinburgh to go the same way.
By OLIVIA THOMAS
TOURISM ADDS TO EDINBURGH in terms of jobs and prosperity according to Essential Edinburgh boss Roddy Smith, but he urges the council and national government to do more to look after this asset.
Positive footfall with encouraging retail figures, particularly in St James Quarter which he describes as “thriving”, and high investment levels from foreign organisations are all reasons to celebrate.
Mr Smith said: “You don’t have to look too far west, or too far to the north east, to see how important tourism is. Our empty department stores are being brought back to stunning life as 4 or 5 star hotels. Hundreds of millions of pounds are pouring into Princes Street – and that is not because we are a city of 500,000 people but because we attract millions of visitors a year.
“While our tourism has insulated the hospitality businesses in the city centre from the worst of the crisis the sector has faced through high energy, staff and stock costs, which doesn’t mean they are raking in fortunes. Far from it. Trading conditions remain extremely difficult, and many are surviving rather than thriving.”
With the Visitor Levy being introduced later in the year, he commends this as an opportunity for the local council to work with the tourism sector in how to spend the estimated £25 million, saying it is time for councillors to show their stated aim is “more than empty talk”.
Mr Smith said: “The enabling legislation makes it plain that local councils are expected to use the money – certainly the greater part of it – to support a sustainable visitor economy. We have heard a lot of councillors talking about ‘widening’ their options, and that has caused considerable concern.”
Residents look to the UK Government for help with their bills
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
RESIDENTS IN GREENDYKES are calling on the UK Government to help as their heating costs have gone up by 500%.
Tommy Sheppard, MP for Edinburgh East, is also involved, asking the government to take urgent action to extend energy price caps for these residents whose homes are heated through district heating.
People in Edinburgh East who receive their heat and hot water from district heating have had eye-watering energy bill increases on unit charges when the UK Government’s Energy Bills Discount Scheme concluded at the end of March.
Residents in one 2019 newbuild development in Greendykes, built by Places for People, have said bills have skyrocketed with some experiencing overnight price increases well in excess of £1,200 a year for heat and hot water alone.
The Edinburgh East MP said that the UK Government has repeatedly ignored SNP calls to close a loophole meaning residents getting their heat from district heating sources are not covered by the energy price cap that most households benefit from. The result has been that, following the ending of temporary UK Government support, energy bills for residents and businesses have skyrocketed since 1 April.
Mr Sheppard has written to The UK
Government to seek an urgent update on district heating systems being charged at commercial, rather than domestic rates. This has meant residents who are part of district heating schemes fall into a loophole of the UK Government’s energy price cap, meaning price rises for them are not subject to the same controls.
He said: “Residents are worried and rightly angry about the impact of these eye-watering rises. It’s farcical that having done everything right, these residents now face bills well in excess of what they would be paying if they had an individual gas boiler. This defeats the entire point of low carbon energy schemes which are essential if we’re to continue to make progress on tackling climate change.
“The UK Government need to urgently bring district heating schemes under the same price protections as the rest of the energy market. It’s not right that energy companies continue to make a killing out of residents purely because of a technicality that the UK Government have been aware of for years and have done nothing
to resolve.
“I’m demanding action from UK Ministers. They’ve been asleep at the wheel while residents in my constituency are suffering, they need to fix this now. What’s happening isn’t fair.”
Local resident Claire who has lived in the development for the last four years said: “As of the 1st of April my provider has implemented a 500% increase in the price I pay per kWh from 5p to 26p - with no notice to myself or my neighbours. I am now facing bills in excess of £200 a month for simple heating and hot water requirements.
“This has put a huge financial strain on my budgeting, alongside the many other cost of living increases faced today. As our home is served by district heating not only are we not protected by any price cap or regulations, we are also trapped to one provider with no option to shop around or swap tariffs, leaving myself and my neighbours forced to find five times the money to simply have warm showers and heat our homes.”
By STAFF REPORTER
A PRELIMINARY HEARING, part of the proceedings which lead up to a fatal accident inquiry (FAI), will be held on 31 May at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to investigate the death of Carlos Correa in September 2018.
In a hearing in 2023 Edinburgh Trams Limited was fined £240,000 when the company admitted a breach of health and safety legislation.
The pedestrian, 53-year-old Mr Correa, crossed the track on his way home from work as a bus driver. The tram driver sounded his bell a number of times and slowed the vehicle down when he saw Mr Correa.
Applying the emergency brake approximately 18 metres from the tram crossing also set off the warning horn which all trams are fitted with, but Mr Correa was killed in the incident. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: “The criminal investigation found Edinburgh Trams Limited had fail to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the layout of the crossing, and to ensure that it provided sufficient notice and warning to pedestrians of the crossing itself.
“The company failed to assess the loudness of audible warning devices on Edinburgh trams, or the emergency braking distances of trams approaching the crossing in order to identify and implement adequate control measures to address these hazards.
“The absence of any written risk assessment was made worse by the failure to regularly review which meant the original error went unnoticed. A near miss incident at the same crossing in November 2016 was reported but failed to result in any action in relation to the risk assessment.
LIVING RENT will hold a public meeting about development of Daltons Scrapyard in Leith on 10 May 2024 at 6.30pm at Duncan Place Community Hub. Land owned by Daltons on Eyre Place Lane was earmarked by developers for student flats. After two appeals to the Government Reporter the application to build student flats has been refused. The decision stated that the proposed development does not “accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which would justify granting planning permission”.
On 4 May join a discussion of developments at Granton Waterfront as ideas and comments are invited on heritage restoration in Grantonparticularly Granton Lighthouse, Granton Station Platforms, Madelvic House and the Granton Castle Walled Garden. The council already has the funding but wants to know what locals think. There is an online survey running from 1 May and on 4 May there is a drop in session at Granton Station from 11am to 2pm. Staff from Granton Station will also be there to talk about WASPS in Granton.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, the National Museum of Scotland will host a Wellbeing Week with a range of events designed to help visitors discover mindful moments at the museum. From 13–17 May, join in Wellbeing Wanders, a guided tour around the museum that takes a closer look at some of the objects on display.
Edinburgh Bookshop has announced they are moving to the former Oddbins shop on Bruntsfield Place with an open evening for the neighbourhood on 17 May.
“The investigation found there were no issues with the tram drivers driving and that he had responded to the situation in accordance with his training. The tram was in working order and the braking system was functional.”
An FAI will decide the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and what
Alan Simpson
reasonable precautions could have been taken, if any can be identified and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of any deaths in similar circumstances. The FAI will explore the circumstances of Mr Correa’s death, looking at the process of risk assessment and safety management at Edinburgh Trams Limited.
By GEORGE MAIR AND PHYLLIS STEPHEN
THE FORMER BUS DRIVER, Tom Gilzean, MBE, who served in the Royal Engineers during WW2, raised money for charities including the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and Erskine Care Homes for veterans before he died in 2019, aged 99.
The “Oor Tom” statue was created in his image by Edinburgh artist Chris Rutterford to honour Tom and the thousands of children and their families whose care he helped support in Edinburgh’s hospitals.
The statue includes QR codes so that passers by can continue to donate to the ECHC in Tom’s regular spot.
Tom’s son, Douglas, 72, and daughter Maureen, 76, said: “We are overjoyed that this will be a legacy to our father and that money will continue to be raised for sick kids, which was his passion.”
The new figure was unveiled by the Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, after a ceremony featuring Belhaven Hill School Pipe Band.
The Lord Provost said: “Tom Gilzean was very well known on this very spot wearing his tartan trews and collecting money for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital.
“He raised more than £1 million in his life. He collected money every day, rain or shine, well into his nineties, and he remains an absolute inspiration to us all.
By STAFF REPORTER
THE DEPARTMENT STORE on Princes Street which used to be British Home Stores for so many years is now home to Japanese clothes retailer UNIQLO.
This is a major development for UNIQLO who consider Edinburgh to be one of their flagship stores, opening hot on the heels of One Oxford Street in London. The focus is on local partnerships, for example the retailer has teamed up with Golden Hare Books from St Stephen Street to offer a library area where customers can read books about Japanese heritage. The store’s café Katsue100 is only the second after the Covent Garden store introduced the concept, and proceeds will help local charity Social Bite. (All the staff have volunteered with Social Bite to find out more about the work they do). Clothing will also be donated to the Social Bite Village.
Photos in the Edinburgh store show locals wearing UNIQLO, like Aisha from Leith Theatre and Darcie Maher of Lannan Bakery.
“This artwork reflects the warmth and good will that Tom radiated every day when he was here and will carry on the good work that he did.
“It is with enormous honour and pleasure that I have the duty to unveil ‘Oor Tom’.”
Rachel Baxter, of ECHC, who worked with Tom for more than a decade, said: “This is in celebration and memory of Tom Gilzean. He was a phenomenal fundraiser and an absolute legend. Come rain, wind or shine he would sit in this spot collecting for charities.
“I joined the charity 16 years ago - he came up to me and said ‘I’m here to fundraise’. I used to go and collect his cans because he filled them up so quickly.
“He raised over £1 million and in Oor Tom his legacy lives on, because people can scan the code and make a donation and continue to support seriously ill children in hospital.”
The Oor Wullie Art Trail that inspired the work took place in 2019. The statue’s installation on the Royal Mile was delayed mainly by the pandemic, but planning permission was granted recently for the statue to remain in place until 2027, although it is hoped it can become a permanent fixture.
Ms Baxter added: “Tom lived for his charities. He used to say to people ‘Open up your hearts for sick children’ and he learned to say it in every language.
“When we were installing the sculpture at 7 o’clock in the morning, so many people stopped and shared their memories of him. Oor Tom
will be here for at least three years but we hope that this will be its forever home.”
Kevin Wood, Chairman of Central Taxis, who have pledged to maintain the statue, said: “Tom has sadly passed and it’s been a five year project to get Oor Tom here but this means in spirit he’s back on the street fundraising. It’s fantastic.”
It was Central Taxis who sponsored the original figure in 2019 which we understand is now resting by a pool in Greece. Tom used to take part in the annual Taxi Drivers’ Outing as a VIP guest of the taxi firm. There was some disappointment among Tom’s family who had tried to buy the statue at the charity auction.
Artist Chris immediately asked the successful bidder if he could produce another one more or less the same and was given the green light. Chris, who painted among other things the Colinton Tunnel mural, had been commissioned to paint the tartan clad
sculptures of both Tom and also Sherlock Holmes for the trail. Central Taxis stepped up and helped to pay for a second statue as well as being responsible for its transport to its site in the City Centre.
Chris said: “It was a huge honour. Tom was a true hero, and to see Oor Tom continue his work in the Royal Mile makes me very proud.”
Gordon Scott, owner of Gordon’s Trattoria, who gave Tom lunch every day, said: “I met Tom 30 years ago. He said ‘I’m retired son, but I collect money for charity’. From that day on he became like family. He was a fantastic guy and as bright as a button til the day he died. This is a fantastic tribute to the man.”
He was awarded the British Empire Medal by The Queen in 2013 and the prestigious Edinburgh Award in 2014. When he died mourners turned up to the ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral wearing tartan.
By DONALD TURVILL LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
ANY OBJECTIONS to plans for new student flats will no longer be aired in public, as the council has failed to determine a planning application in time.
The 138-bed crescent-style block on the corner of Willowbrae Road and Northfield Drive will now be decided by a Scottish Government planning reporter.
A local councillor called it “outrageous” that locals “won’t get to make their case against this development in a formal public forum”.
The city’s planning convener said the applicants were “within their rights to appeal”. This has happened on at least two occasions this year as developers appealed to the Government Reporter immediately on the deadline for a decision.
The company behind the redevelopment have been criticised for switching their plans for the former Radical Road bar site from 48 homes – approved by the planning sub-committee last September – to an application for student accommodation.
A report drafted by planners recommended refusal.
Taking on a fundraiser to combine his work life and favourite charity the marathon runner will cover the miles before the end of this year
By OLIVIA THOMAS
KEVIN WHITE (38) from Edinburgh grew up watching the RNLI set out from the Hawes Pier in South Queensferry and has always understood the important role which the charity plays in saving lives at sea. He is now combining his admiration for the charity with his work role as Compliance Officer at Scotmid by raising funds for the organisation which is Scotmid’s charity partner for this year. Kevin has worked for the retailer for 23 years supporting many good causes and charities during that time, but this is his first individual challenge.
He is embarking on a 10-race run, and
has already completed the Supernova Kelpies in March. Now he is preparing for the Scottish Half Marathon which takes place in August.
Scotmid’s goal is to raise enough funds to buy an Atlantic 85 lifeboat capable of carrying four crew members and a load of essential medical and rescue equipment. The boat will serve in the reserve fleet when lifeboats in the UK are undergoing maintenance.
Kevin said: “I am incredibly proud to be supporting such an important charity for communities around the UK. My father and grandfather were keen runners, but I only took up running during lockdown, so this challenge is a great opportunity to follow in their footsteps. I am loving
the challenge but not sure if my legs will agree by the end of the year.”
Kirsty Connell, who is Membership & Community Manager (East) at Scotmid, said: “We are immensely proud of Kevin and his achievements in this challenge so far. Through our partnership with the RNLI, we hope to raise enough funds to purchase a new Atlantic 85 Lifeboat. It’s great to see our colleagues contributing through individual and team challenges. Good luck Kevin!”
https://www.justgiving.com/page/ scotmidkevinwhite2024
Sir Geoff will have his own coat of
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
PROFESSOR SIR GEOFF
PALMER, OBE, has received the highest Scottish royal honour, the Order of the Thistle, which is in the personal gift of the monarch.
He will be installed as a Knight of the Thistle at St Giles’ in a ceremony during Royal Week later this year.
Sir Geoff is Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University and a university spokesperson said: “This honour recognises Sir Geoff’s significant contributions to national life and public service.”
Knighted by Her Majesty the Queen at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2014, he previously received the honour of OBE in 2003.
Born in St Elizabeth, Jamaica and raised by his aunts, he came to the UK to join his mother when he was just 15. It was his mother who advised him later from a “very Jamaican and Windrush generation standpoint” to accept the first honour of OBE. She said to Geoff then: “They have never given us anything in the past because they think we weren’t worth it. Now they think you’re worth it
- so take it.”
As for this most recent honour he finds it striking that he is a recipient some three centuries after the Order was established by James VII. He said: “In 1697 the Royal African Company existed.
The company bought and sold slaves, probably including some of my ancestors. I am sure James VII never imagined that a black person would receive this great honour.”
Sir Geoff is a known activist in the areas of slavery and colonialism. He is very gracious saying it was a result of The Edinburgh Reporter video of his speech during the Black Lives Matter campaign in 2020 that the discussion of slavery in the capital was progressed by the council. He claims it was after watching the video from that day that Adam McVey, the then council leader, contacted him to discuss the possibility of rewriting a new memorial plaque to put at the base of the Melville monument in St Andrew Square. Whether or not that is the case, the debate has certainly moved on. Sir Geoff has been instrumental, drawing on his own life story and his knowledge as a researcher to inform the debate particularly
on Henry Dundas. But it has not been without opposition from other academics. He counters those who tell him he is wrong by pointing out the importance of research and the truth. He said: “I was taught how to do research. I came from Leicester University where I got my first degree. I was trained in research at Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt. I looked at Dundas and at the Scottish history. Others have not for example quoted Pitt the Prime Minister who said Dundas was a gradual abolitionist “prescribing some condition, waiting for some contingency, or by refusing to proceed, till a thousand favourable circumstances unite together”. And gradual abolition meant never. There are similarities with climate change today.”
The emeritus professor was not sure (at least when we spoke) that he would need a coat of arms on his “stall” in the Thistle Chapel in St Giles’.But The Lord Lyon King of Arms, Dr Joseph Morrow, confirmed that all knights and ladies are assigned this space. He said: “It’s normal practice that the stall plate which consists of a person’s coat of arms is put on that specific stall. All the plates
stay there so giving the history of all those who have been knights or ladies in that particular stall.
“It doesn’t have to be in place by the time of the investiture but Sir Geoff, in common with anyone else wanting a coat of arms, will have to petition me to have a suitable one created.
“As he is at the very top of our honours system in Scotland he is also entitled to two “supporters” - these are the two beasts or animals on either side of the shield. The process does not take long and usually the stall plate is placed in the chapel within a few months of the investiture.”
The Thistle Chapel is a Robert Lorimer design completed in 1911. Above the 16 stalls for the Knights of the Thistle (as well as two others for the Soverign and two other members of the royal family) there are heraldic shields with the Sovereign’s being the most ornate.
The King’s brother, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, prominent human rights lawyer, Baroness Helena Kennedy, and eminent anthropologist, Professor Dame Sue Black, will also be installed during a ceremony this summer.
By DONALD TURVILL LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGERS could be installed in lampposts across Edinburgh for residents without driveways.
The council has rolled out 140 chargers over the last three years, and says around 780 more will be needed by 2026.
There are an estimated 20,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in the capital, and incorporating power points into existing lampposts in residential areas is one option being considered by the local authority.
A council report said that once a commercial partnership is agreed officials would “explore opportunities for the provision of additional types of chargers” including “lamp column chargers”.
Director of operational services Gareth Barwell said it was very much on the radar. He said: “This type of technology has been on the market for a while and it’s changing almost on a monthly basis. We’ve engaged with various companies and our street lighting colleagues to find out what can be used and what’s an acceptable way of using these types of units. It’s reliant usually on the street lighting column being at the kerbside of the footway, however we are in discussion to look at the development of channels that would allow charging cables to be from the lighting column to the kerbside. There’s a number of things being discussed that we need to take into account but it’s very much on our radar.”
By STEPHEN RAFFERTY
A MISSING DOG which survived crossing one of Scotland’s busiest motorways has been reunited with her frantic owners after 19 days on the run.
Toy poodle Pepper kept a volunteer search team, gamekeepers and local landowners, on their toes for almost three weeks before she was brought to heel in a humane trap.
Pepper’s anxious owner Davie MacLennan enlisted the help of dog tracker Hazel Gowans and her specially trained dog Fox Red Labrador, Thor, who led a massive community effort to trace Pepper after she was spooked by a larger dog at a garage in the Broxburn area.
A drone, thermal imaging and strategically placed cameras in areas where sightings had been reported across West Lothian all played a part in successfully reuniting the wayward canine.
Amazingly, Pepper even survived crossing the M9 - one of Scotland’s busiest motorways - and was filmed on the dash-cam of a horrified motorist who reported the sighting.
Nervous Pepper, who runs away when approached, was eventually apprehended in a humane trap in a farmer’s field and is now happily home in South Queensferry.
Electrician Davie, 49, admitted: “I had given up hope, I thought I am never getting my dog back but Hazel is awesome and that woman and her dog deserve medals.
“She has been scrambling about in mud, setting up traps, following up sightings and out at all hours of the day and night. I can’t thank
Hazel enough, she has been absolutely fantastic, along with many others including gamekeepers, wardens, landowners and members of the public who have been brilliant.”
Pepper has lost a few pounds, but is in good health added Davie: “She has been hunting to survive and I think instinct has kicked in - toy poodles were originally bred for hunting, long before they became fluffy show dogs. She has lots of ticks and doesn’t smell great but otherwise is fine, but we had her checked by a vet just in case.”
Hazel, who runs the Hazel Muzzles Mutts Facebook page, said: “Pepper is safe after almost three weeks on the loose. She covered huge distances and was very elusive in showing to anyone - preferring to find holes under rocks to keep herself safe. Winchburgh, Birdsmill, Broxburn, South Queensferry and up in the country fields behind Newton were part of her route.”
Hazel revealed that Pepper had been tracked to Hopetoun Fishery at Broxburn and her search dog Thor confirmed she was in the area - also supported by reports from two people who had come across Pepper before she fled the scene.
Hazel added: “Due to the proximity of the motorway only metres away, it was imperative to keep the area clear of dogs and walkers and bait her away from the roads and traffic.
“Davie and Lyndsey (the owners) you were amazing, doing absolutely everything and anything that was required to get your lass safe. Well done everyone and welcome home little Pepper.”
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
OWNERS OF A YOUNG SAMOYED
DOG have praised the Edinburgh veterinary team which saved her life. Just months later, one-year-old Tayto won a top award at Crufts. The puppy returned to Braid Vets after competing at the worldfamous dog show in March to celebrate with the team which treated her for a rare form of ovarian cancer.
Colin and Nuala Sim took Tayto to the local vet in Mayfield Road, last October amid concerns that she was not her usual self.
Tayto had been in season - the time during a female dog’s reproductive cycle when she could
become pregnant – for an unusually long time and blood tests revealed an abnormality in oestrogen levels.
An ultrasound scan detected a growth and vet Scott Dickson carried out fairly complex emergency surgery the following day to remove a four-inch granulosa cell tumour on one of her ovaries.
Scott, who has been part of Braid Vets since 2003, said it was the first time in his 30-year veterinary career that he had seen that type of cancer in a pet.
Tayto then won the good citizen class for Samoyed females at Crufts and came very highly commended in the Samoyed yearling class – for females, aged between one and two.
Colin Sim said: “There were times
when we weren’t sure Tayto would make it and we are so grateful to Scott. I don’t think she would be here if it wasn’t for him and the team.”
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, presented Scott and his colleagues with a special Community Hero Award for their lifesaving work. Mr Murray said: “The Tayto story is lovely and the rosette at Crufts was a fitting award for a remarkable dog and family. It is also a great tribute to the veterinary team at Braid Vets who serve the community brilliantly and have done for many many years. My community hero award to Scott and his wonderful veterinary team is so well deserved.”
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
INCEPTION ART SHOW partly sponsored by Anderson Strathern, will take place from 3 to 12 May at Dalkeith Palace.
The works have been created by more than 30 sculptors, artists, photographers and painters with ten new artists also exhibiting for the first time. With a focus on contemporary art and sales, Inception is for art enthusiastsbut also an opportunity to see inside the historic building. This year, 35 modern and contemporary artists will ‘take over’ the Palace, visitors will have the chance to meet and engage with the artists and their creations over the course of 10 days.
Families will be welcomed on a special Family Day on 11 May sponsored by Savills when there will be family-friendly workshops and demonstrations . There will be other events included in the programme with an online charity auction of the art raising funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Walter Dalkeith, who helps curate the show with Taisir Gibreel and Charlotte Rostek, and whose family owns the palace, said: “Working
alongside the artists, we hope to create an immersive cultural experience that showcases the art at its best and engages directly with visitors.
“We are proud to create this platform for visitors to purchase artwork and support the incredible creativity and talent on show.”
Edinburgh based fashion designer Judy Clark has reverted to large scale fashion illustration for this show, and she is also displaying a piece using lace from Ayrshire commissioned by the W Edinburgh. This was made for photos taken by photographer Jody Mann and then reworked by the artist Christine Clark to put on display at the hotel. Christine has also just painted the album cover for Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics.
Entrance tickets to the Inception Art Show cost £3 and are on sale now. The exhibition is open daily from Friday 3rd May to Sunday 12th May, from 10.00 to 4.00pm as well as daily, pre-bookable guided tours of the Palace.
For more information & to book tickets, visit www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk/event/ inception-art-show/
In 1589, the King (James VI) and the Queen (Anne of Denmark) landed at Leith. In 1612, the council instructed the treasurer to build and equip a song school in the Over Kirk yard in the same place where there was one many years before. And in 1644, the burgh council renewed the order forbidding the wearing of plaids around and over the heads of women which was a custom adopted by strumpets, whores, and other indecent women to appear respectable.
In 1544, a letter sent to Lord Russel, Lord Privy Seal of England, the writer stated that “It was determined … utterly to ruin and destroy Edinburgh with fire. This we did not fully achieve … However we set fire to three or four parts of the town.”
In 1870, Sir James Young Simpson, (photographed left) who pioneered the use of chloroform in childbirth, died in Edinburgh. Also in 1941, a 1,000-pound bomb was dropped on Milton Crescent and 100 incendiaries at Jewel Cottages; four were killed and two injured.
In 1911, the famous illusionist The Great Lafayette died in a devastating fire at the Empire Palace Theatre in Edinburgh on Nicolson Street (now the site of the Festival Theatre). And in 1957, a massive fire at Bell’s Brae in the Dean Village (photographed above right) destroyed the premises of the largest theatrical costumiers anywhere outside London.
In 1506, King James IV issued letters ordering proclamations to be made at the Mercat Cross prohibiting the packing and parcelling of goods or merchandise in Leith and in the Canongate, or the shipment of goods until the same were examined in Edinburgh and Customs duty paid to the burgh.
In 1562, the marriage of John Fleming, 5th Lord Fleming, to Elizabeth Ross, one of Mary’s Ladies-in-waiting, took place and the celebration took place in part on an artificial loch specially constructed for this in the area in Holyrood Park known as Hunter’s Bog.
Also in 1809, Andrew Bell, who was born in Edinburgh and co-founded the Encyclopaedia Britannica, died. Finally in 1843, Robert Adamson established his photographic studio at Rock House, Calton Hill Stairs in Edinburgh; he later teamed up with David Octavius Hill to form one of the most famous photographic duos ever.
In 1870, Sir James Young Simpson, the West Lothian physician who pioneered the use of chloroform in childbirth, was buried in Warriston cemetery; the day had been declared a holiday in Scotland, and more than 100,000 people lined the streets of Edinburgh to see the funeral cortege pass by.
In 1589, Anne of Denmark, Queen of Scotland, made her formal entry into Edinburgh with great pomp and joy. And in 1815, Catherine Thomson “Kate” Hogarth, later wife of English novelist Charles Dickens and mother of his ten children, was born at 8 Hart Street, Edinburgh.
In 1650, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, was executed by hanging at the Mercat Cross. His head was removed and stood on the “prick on the highest stone” of the Old Tolbooth outside St Giles’ Cathedral (bottom left) until the beginning of 1661.
In 1962, the Gaumont cinema (above) was destroyed by fire.
Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Old Edinburgh Club, membership@ oldedinburghclub.org.uk
Debbie Anderson invites you to take yourself back to your childhood with traditional jars of sweets in her shop. Chewits and fudge will take you back a decade or two. Open from 10am except Mondays. Handy for the tram.
102 Leith Walk EH16 5DT 0131 554 1401
Subscribe today and have your own copy of The Edinburgh Reporter delivered to your front door from next month - in its own compostable envelope. Or donate a subscription to a friend as a wee present. The gift which keeps on giving all year long ter.ooo.subscribe
Vlad has a unique style at 48 Thistle Street with great coffee and above average chat . He may even play chess with you. The city centre micro roastery is increasingly the place to go. Coffee also available to order online if you are working from home. cobbledroasters.co.uk
Donate any unwanted items to this shop on Gilmore Place knowing that they will find a loving new home. Very little ever goes to landfill. Visit the shop to pick up a copy of our latest paper and also to admire their innovative and ever-changing window displays. birthlink.org.uk
Love Your Business networking club is relaxed, informal and good fun, and held at Black Ivy on the last Thursday of the month with a host of inspiring speakers sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and invaluable business tips. www.lybnetworking.com Facebook/howtolyb
Discovering and exhibiting the best of local made art, accessories, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, homeware and much more from local creatives. Markets at Portobello Town Hall, Greyfriars Hall, St Giles’ Cathedral and at The Neighbourgood Market. supportthemakersuk.com
The gallery focuses on original paintings, prints and fine crafts inspired by nature. Wide price range to accommodate various budgets. Jurgita warmly welcomes you to Dundas Street. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-4pm. birchtreegallery.co.uk
Party on down to the junction of Heriot Row at the top of India Street for a coffee and fine chat with mine host and local resident, Fleur Woolford. Open on weekday mornings until 12.30pm with handy EV charging right next to the former police box. Opposite India Street on Heriot Row
Very reasonable rates allow start-ups to use the small pop-up space as the first rung on the ladder. From food to political parties and all manner of organisations in between. Have a look at their pop-up garden when you visit. Croall Place EH7 4LT hello@leithwalkpolicebox.com
Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking guides of their own city. This is the alternative tour for locals and tourists alike. Book tours in Edinburgh, York, Manchester and Glasgow. invisible-cities.org
Subscribe today and have your own copy of The Edinburgh Reporter delivered to your front door from next month - in its own compostable envelope. Or donate a subscription to a friend as a wee present. The gift which keeps on giving all year long. ter.ooo.subscribe
Subscribe today and have your own copy of The Edinburgh Reporter delivered to your front door from next month - in its own compostable envelope. Or donate a subscription to a friend as a wee present. The gift which keeps on giving all year long. ter.ooo.subscribe
Subscribe today and have your own copy of The Edinburgh Reporter delivered to your front door from next month - in its own compostable envelope. Or donate a subscription to a friend as a gift. The gift which keeps on giving all year long. ter.ooo.subscribe
Bespoke tailoring for men. Craig’s focus is on making the highest quality personally tailored attire that others will aspire to. His pyjamas and dressing gowns will make your video calls or working from home very stylish. 0131 226 7775 • 45 Thistle Street EH2 1DY • craigbankstailoring.com
A unique gallery and gift shop in Edinburgh’s Southside - a cornucopia of all forms of art. Buy handmade art and craft from independent artists. Linsay says: “If we don’t have it, we can probably find it for you.” artcraftcollective.co.uk 0131 629 9123
Manda and her team will look after all your beauty requirements from massage to manicure. Perfectly located to offer you treatments during your busy work schedule. www.beautyhqedinburgh.co.uk 0131 556 3610 22a Dundas Street EH3 6JN
Heriot Gallery features exciting work by established and emerging contemporary artists. Exhibitions change regularly and there is always new work to view. Have a look at their website and add your email to the mailing list for Private Views. www.heriotgallery.com
Do go to this beautiful wee shop filled with Italian handmade goods. Bag a bargain in store at 44 Dundas Street or online -and all will be beautifullyparcelled up with gorgeous turquoise ribbon and tissue for a friend if you can bear to give it away... www.salentoshop.co.uk
A neat wee café and deli, Rotonda sells imported Mediterranean goods, as well as home baked goods, both sweet and savoury. Everything is home baked and cooked by owner Rebecca in house. 23c Dundas Street EH3 6QQ rotondaltd@gmail.com
Clydebuilt Sailmaker winner of the Master medal at the Scotch Whisky Masters encompasses hand-selected sherry casks from Lowland, Speyside and Highland distilleries. This and the full range of independent bottlings can be found in specialist stores. ardgowandistillerycom/stockists
Tom Wood, author and former Edinburgh police officer, inspects for one last time the landmark building which was home to the city’s
It had been over 20 years in the planning but when the Fettes Avenue headquarters of Edinburgh City Police opened for business on Saturday 18 May 1974, it was state of the art.
Gone was the old Victorian HQ in the city’s historic High Street - now all policing services would be in one modern buildingand there was space aplenty. It was just as well, for only a year later Fettes became the headquarters of a much larger organisations when police forces were amalgamated and Lothian & Borders Police came into being.
The second largest force in Scotland, “L&B’s” 3,000 officers and 1,500 support staff covered a vast area stretching from the Scottish Borders to East and Midlothian, The City of Edinburgh and West Lothian, altogether a population of one million people.
Whether by accident or design Fettes was big enough to cope. The building was ultramodern with a bespoke Operations Room, cell complex, and a dedicated Identification Parade Suite. In the separate CID Tower were housed all the city’s detectives as well as specialist units that served the entire Force.
Criminal Intelligence, the Serious Crime Squad, Fraud Squad and Special Branch were all located near each other and close to a specially designed suite built to accommodate major incidents and murder investigations.
These facilities were to be well used as the new Force soon faced two long running hunts for serial killers Robert Black and The World’s
End killer Angus Sinclair. Between them these investigations were to span over 30 years.
On the top two floors of the CID Tower were the Criminal Records Office and behind locked doors, the Forensic Laboratory & Fingerprints Department. In other parts, functions of the Force Headquarters included Planning, Firearms, Licensing and Lost Property and there was even a modern print room and a large canteen.
On the second floor was housed the Executive Suite where the Chief Constable, his Deputy and three Assistants all had their offices. This opulently carpeted sanctum was viewed with trepidation. It was usually very good news or very bad news when you were summoned to the red carpet.
Outside the main building was a large garage complex housing the Traffic Department, vehicle workshops and luxurious accommodation for police dogs and horses. So grand were the stables that when Queen Elizabeth formally opened the building, the equine expert monarch commented that the stables were better than hers.
Elsewhere was housed a radio workshop and the complex’s outdoor facilities included large playing fields and top class sport and recreation facilities. There was even a licensed bar on the premises - open at lunch times and evenings from Monday to Friday - and many a lengthy social evening was kicked off from the bar at Fettes.
The 1980s and ‘90s was a time of huge
advances in police use of computers and forensic science, but Fettes coped well and bulky computer equipment was successfully accommodated.
But if the facilities in the building was revolutionary, the build quality was pure 1970s. Brick-built with flat roofs and poorly fitted metal framed windows, it was practical rather than beautiful, especially when compared with the gothic Victorian splendour of the adjacent David Bryce designed Fettes College.
In the early hours of 19 July, 1992, the design shortcomings of the building comprised the security of what should have been Edinburgh’s most secure institution - apart from possibly HMP Saughton. The metal framed windows had always been difficult to secure properly and it was through a ground floor window that a thief entered the ground floor offices of the Scottish Crime Squad to steal secret files. The ensuing scandal, nicknamed “Fettesgate” by a jubilant media, was one of the most embarrassing in the history of Lothian & Borders Police.
Eventually in 2013, Lothian & Borders Police disappeared when the national force - Police Scotland - was
formed and Fettes lost its headquarters function. Gradually, many of the support functions moved out, leaving the building as an administrative hub.
Time was catching up with the 1970s building. Leaks in the flat roofs affected the lightweight concrete used in the construction, with parts of the building deemed unsafe and closed and repair costs would have been prohibitive.
Besides, use of police buildings was changing so it was only a matter of time before Fettes was declared obsolete and scheduled for disposal. In due course the old building will be pulled down and the site redeveloped - leaving no trace of its former existence.
Fifty years to the day of the opening of Fettes Police Headquarters - Saturday 18 May - Police Scotland and The Retired Police Officers Association are inviting serving and former officers back to Fettes for the last time. Photographs and displays covering the half century at Fettes are bound to jog old memories, as will the many old colleagues who will gather on the day. For more information contact.elbphs@gmail.com
FAMOUS PANDAS Yang
Guang and Tian Tian have returned home to China, but a replica of the city’s original police “Panda” car will be on display at a special event commemorating 50 Years of Fettes Police HQ.
The first Panda car - so called because the original design was black and white before the familiar light blue colour was chosen - arrived in Edinburgh in 1968 and marked a change in the way the city was policed.
A new Unit Beat Policing System was introduced and while the city centre kept the old foot beat system, everywhere outwith adopted the new system, with Craigmillar, Mayfield, Drylaw, Corstorphine, Oxgangs and Portobello now policed by a combination of Panda response cars and community officers on foot.
Former chief officer Tom Wood commissioned a faithful recreation of Edinburgh’s very first Panda, registration GWS 462D, and the car will take centre stage at an event where serving and former officers can bid farewell to the surplus-to-requirements former police headquarters.
Tom said: “The first Pandas were all Morris
the housing estates.”
Following the 50 Years at Fettes event, Tom hopes to loan the Panda out for local historical displays or to be used for TV or film purposes. He added: “This is the very car that Edinburgh’s most famous detective, Inspector John Rebus, would have driven in his early days, so when Ian Rankin writes the prequel about his famous sleuth I might get a call.”
By BUSINESS REPORTER
A LISTED GEORGIAN BUILDING is up for sale with development possibilities to convert it into a luxury hotel.
CBRE is marketing 10 Picardy Place for sale, subject to planning permission, to transform it into a 51-bedroom apartment hotel.
Formerly the Hertz car rental office, plans for a new hotel include en-suite rooms, ranging in size from 19 to 26 square metres, a courtyard area and reception.
Picardy Place is just a five minute walk from Princes Street with views up to Calton Hill. It is also conveniently located for Edinburgh Waverley train station and there is a tram stop right outside taking passengers either way to Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven.
Chris Dougray, Executive Director at CBRE, said: “This is a rare chance to secure a consented freehold site in one of the best locations in Edinburgh, one of Europe’s most sought after tourist destinations. It’s the perfect place to stay for those going on shopping or theatre breaks, close to the restaurants and bars of Broughton Street, Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre and the St James Quarter.
By BUSINESS REPORTER
AN EDINBURGH CARE HOME is holding an open day when members of the public are invited to come and experience a tour. Dementia care experts, Cramond Residence is urging members of the public looking at care facilities to come and view its facilities between 4-8pm on 2 May. Guests will be led by professionals to learn more about the benefits of the home, its unique care packages, as well as learning more about how Cramond Residence Tailors care provision for each individual resident.
“Edinburgh is one of the UK’s strongest performing hotel markets, attracting 1.8 million overnight stays in 2022, with strong growth in the average daily rate (ADR) achieved in the last 24 months. Now is a great
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for a hotelier or hotel group to transform an empty building dating back to the 1800s into a beautiful hotel and revive the historic Georgian frontage, which would not only add to the visual appeal of the area, but also create new jobs and attract tourists.
time to invest in a new hotel in the city as there are very few development sites of this quality remaining.”
Dougray added that it is envisaged that a decision on planning permission will be made by The City of Edinburgh Council before summer.
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
UNITY TRUST BANK, set up by the trade union movement which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has announced the promotion of Scott Hutchinson, who joined in 2019, to Deputy Regional Director, alongside the appointment of two new Relationship Managers to its
Scotland team, Jordan Hady and Michelle Wilson reinforcing the bank’s commitment to supporting and expanding its growing customer base in the country.
Michelle and Scott will work from the Edinburgh hub.
Mark Smith, Relationship Manager at Unity Trust Bank, said:
“Since joining Unity in 2016, it has been fantastic to see the continued
investment in our team as we strive to deliver outstanding service to our expanding regional customer base.”
Pictured: (L-R) Mark Smith, Relationship Manager; Michelle Wilson, Relationship Manager; Scott Hutchinson, Deputy Regional Director; Jordan Hady, Relationship Manager at Unity Trust Bank
Client Liaison Manager Christian Daraio said: “It’s always great to welcome new people into our home and our open day offers an opportunity for those exploring care for a loved one to come and view our brilliant facilities and get a feel for what makes Cramond Residence unique.”
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
THE NEWEST RESTAURANT in the New Town, is Under the Table opened by chef Sean Clark who set up the fine dining restaurant The Table just upstairs, with his business partner, former wine merchant, Paul O’Donoghue.
As well as the champagne and canapés at the opening party, the star guest of the night was Joe Russo, the Marvel director who has invested in the new venture after being so impressed with Sean’s food while filming in Edinburgh.
The restaurant will offer a fixed price lunch and à la carte dinner with seasonal changes in a more relaxed bistro atmosphere than the
restaurant upstairs.
The promise is that this will be “an ingredient-focussed restaurant with strong links and references to classic European cuisine, taking inspiration from the Bouchon’s and Osteria’s of France and Italy that we love, where wine lives front and centre and warm hospitality is ever present”.
Each dish on the menu will be a celebration of carefully considered local and seasonal produce and will change often to ensure customers are experiencing only the best ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s carefully curated local suppliers.
underthetable.uk
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
HIDDEN DOOR FESTIVAL is 10 this year and will hold a birthday party in the St James Quarter car park on 10 and 11 May.
The location was kept secret until recently, and the underground venue is very much in keeping with the ethos of the arts and music festival while it is also quite different. Usually Hidden Door use a venue which has lain empty for a while pending redevelopment, but this time the festival will be held in the pristine surroundings of Level B3 of the underground car park which is painted white and has lights above each space to tell drivers if it is free.
This will be a two night programme of music, visual art and performance.
Edinburgh Tool Library also celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2024 and will help to create a custom bar. The venue is fully accessible with lift access and it is only a few minutes from public transport.
Making With Pride will help with other aspects of the build in partnership with LGBT Health & Wellbeing.
Hazel Johnson, Festival Director of Hidden Door, said: “B3 is unlike any other space that has played host to a Hidden Door event and we can’t wait to reveal its transformation in May. This vast basement car park has plenty of room to play with. We’ll be making the most of the wide open floorplan, whilst creating nooks and crannies amongst the pillars for people to explore the art installations and projections.
“Hidden Door’s 10th birthday event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the past decade of festivals, collaborations, community and creative innovation - and what better way to do that than by opening up another of Edinburgh’s fascinating spaces and filling it with art, music and performance!
“We can’t wait to welcome you to our birthday bash, to celebrate what has been - and what is yet still to come!”
Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing director at St James Quarter, said: “We’re really excited to work with Hidden Door and host their 10th anniversary party, bringing life, music and art into this unexpected space. We have already hosted Edinburgh College of Art’s Graduate Fashion Show as well as a ‘Deaf Rave’ in B3 but to now optimise this vast space which has incredible acoustics, with one of the biggest arts organisations in the city is amazing.
“Everything we do at St James Quarter is
woven into the city’s culture, celebrating its rich heritage. We can’t wait to welcome event-goers to what will be a really special showcase of music and arts in one of the most creative cities, under a destination that’s redefining retail as a new lifestyle quarter.
The programme will be curated by synth-pop duo Maranta around their multi sensory live show Microsteria. Paradise Palms Record will join in on the Friday night and EHFM on the Saturday introducing a long list of musical acts and DJs.
As well as music, artwork created by 18 visual artists will be on display - and audiences are promised “surprises”. On Saturday 11 May the doors will be open for free between 1 and 5pm with bars sponsored by Bellfield Brewery.
Hidden Door will be back in the autumn with a five day festival at a secret location yet to be announced.
hiddendoorarts.org/tickets
By STAFF REPORTER
JUPITER ARTLAND AT BONNINGTON HOUSE near Wilkieston is to feature an installation of new sculptural works by Glasgowbased artist Laura Aldridge this year, “bringing together the cosmic with the everyday, building a world indoors and outdoors filled with fictions, songs, luscious colour and sensual texture”.
The indoors/outdoors exhibition will be open from 11 May to 29 September.
Aldridge’s varied artistic activities are imbued with a sense of freedom and play, leaving space for audiences’ own interpretations and feelings.
Also opening at the same time this spring are Andrew Sim’s new
paintings that will transform The Ballroom space at Jupiter into a dreamlike forest, with plants and
trees growing beneath rainbows and star-studded skies. Sim lives and works in New York and London drawing on everyday experiences representing their experience of Queerness. Winged horses, flowers, rainbows and werewolves have all featured in this painted mythology.
This exhibition of brand new work continues Sim’s exploration of trees, with works made on-site at Jupiter and at the artist’s London studio.
Laura Aldridge’s work combines luscious colour and sensual texture with handmade and collaged qualities.
Richly glazed ceramics, elements sculpted in modroc and fishing floats are illuminated among soft folds of fabric. www.jupiterartland.org
DANNY BOYLE the British director noted for Transpotting set in Edinburgh is being celebrated at Cineworld this month with a mini festival of four of his films. Tickets are on sale for the event at £5 a ticket.
FILMS WILL INCLUDE
7 May - Sunshine - Futuristic sci-fi thriller penned by Alex Garland returns to the big screen starring Cilian Murphy and Chris Evans.
14 May - Shallow Grave - Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Boyle’s dark comic debut feature featuring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Eccleston.
21 May - 28 Days Later - The legendary British zombie movie returns to the big screen. Take in the deserted streets of London and the journey into the unknown…
28 May - Trainspotting - Choose Life. Choose Trainspotting as the iconic gritty cult classic gets a 4K Restoration and will be screened nationwide on May 28th
Stuart Crane, VP of Film Cineworld Group said: “Danny Boyle is undeniably one of Britain’s greatest directors, and we’re thrilled to bring back a selection of his most memorable titles to the big screen for only £5. Whatever your taste in films, there’s a cinematic delight for every taste in this tribute to Danny Boyle.”
DON’T MISS the floral event of the year.
Global flower show Fleurs de Villes returns to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for the UK premiere of the new show Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE, a floral celebration of remarkable artists, created by the capital’s talented florists.
Experience incredible fresh floral mannequins inspired by Edinburgh’s vibrant art scene, and enjoy floral talks and demos, picnics, afternoon teas and more. New this year, visit the Fleurs de Villes Tea Salon in Inverleith House or immerse yourself in the beauty of ARTISTE with floral-inspired
drinks and a live DJ at one of two exclusive Le Soir evenings.
Inverleith House Lawn, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 9, 2024
Open daily 10:15 – 18:00 (last entry time 16:45)
Admission fee £23 for adults, £20 for seniors and RBGE members, and £11 for children (4-16 years). A family discount (2 adults & 2 children) is priced at £56.
By Charlie Ellis
SUMMERHALL has, since 2011, established itself as one of Edinburgh’s leading cultural venues. For its Director, Robert McDowell, Summerhall is a place where “Festival addicts” can “shoot up” all year round, culture coursing through their veins for twelve-months - not just August. It is a clear manifestation of the Festival’s continuing cultural legacy for Edinburgh. One reason why Summerhall has embedded itself so well in the city is that it provides a variety of reasons to visit; concerts, exhibitions, gigs, films etc. With the Royal Dick pub and the café, it also provides a place to meet, eat and drink. The café at Summerhall has always been a popular destination but has now been substantially revamped. With this revamp comes a substantially improved coffee ‘offer’.
The MF Coffee Project has taken over the café and the coffee they serve is a major upgrade. In terms of flavour profile, what I’ve tasted has been nicely complex but balanced. The MF Coffee Project also manifests a key aspect of the specialty coffee scene in that it focuses not just on the quality of the product but also on the conditions of the producers. MF is a ‘small collective comprising farmers, processors, and roasters, facilitating connections between specialty coffee producers in Northern Malawi and
conscious coffee consumers in the UK.’ In short, the aim is, through ‘forging a direct link to the coffee’s origin and the farmers behind it’, to skip some of the ‘middlemen’ of the coffee industry and ensure that the growers receive a higher percentage.
As a measure of the popularity of the new café, it took me three visits until I could actually secure a seat. It’s clearly doing something right. The place is consistently full of people studying, chilling, and meeting. The range of seating, from desks to sofas helps to accommodate these different reasons for being there. Particularly prized by students, are the seats at the window side. These provide a nice lap-topping or writing space plus a cracking view out towards the fringes of the Meadows. On my last visit, bright sunshine battled with torrential bursts of rain and sleet. Four seasons in one hour!
Many cultural types meet here - the place is abuzz with interesting conversations on artistic themes. That’s a real sense of energy about the place, which is an ideal place for cultural cross-pollination. On a recent visit there, I was sitting next to a group discussing a theatre production they were collaborating on. On the next table, a pair were sharing ideas about illustration for a book cover. Though it’s constantly busy, the high
By Aldhelm
ceiling prevents the place from becoming claustrophobic or stuffy. The walls have been painted particularly attractive dark green and the wooden tables give the place a natural warmth.
While specialty coffee culture has spread across the city, our cultural institutions have largely failed to embrace this. Too often, the coffee served at such places is stuck in the late 1990s; vaguely drinkable but hardly something that would encourage you to visit for the coffee. On a recent trip to London, I was very pleasantly surprised by the fantastic coffee I was served at the British Library. Origin Coffee runs the coffee bar there and have now also made their way to Edinburgh, taking over Brew Lab’s old venue on South College Street. Hopefully, Summerhall’s new seriousness about coffee is a prelude of things to come. People are increasingly expecting something good for their money. It’s also an example of the way that good specialty coffee has gone mainstream; it’s no longer just the preserve of the cognoscenti.
MF Coffee is another reason to visit Summerhall, even when there were no specific events on. It is an interesting example of the further penetration of specialty coffee within the city.
ACROSS
7 ANYONSCREEN (anagram) (4, 7)
9 Pause, quick rest (8)
10 Slice of bacon (6)
11 Bury (5)
12 Forbearance, openmindedness (9)
14 Go under, yield (7)
16 Female deity (7)
18 Streamlined, well-organised (9)
20 Fire, conflagration (5)
21 Zoo worker (6)
22 Child’s sweet on a stick (8)
24 Hidden, secret (11)
1 Male teacher (6)
2 Satisfactory, adequate (10)
3 Printing fluid (3)
4 Mended (8)
5 Shor t dash (6)
6 Orator (6, 7)
7 Doubter, disbeliever (7)
8 Road cleaner (6, 7)
13 Coastal illumination (10)
15 Personification of the USA (5, 3)
17 Instance, case in point (7)
19 Dawn ____, comedienne (6)
20 Nor thern European sea (6)
23 Strange (3)
CHEF NICO SIMEONE took his executive chef team to New York to inspire them in the creation of the new menu available at Six by Nico on Hanover St until 19 May. Dishes include the New Yorker Slice - Pepperoni Ragù, Panzanella & Pecorino Foam, Savoury Cookie & Truffle Royale (Inspired by: Joe’s Pizza, Carmine Street, Greenwich Village), B.E.C - Potato Rosti, Smoked Bacon Belly, Confit Egg Yolk, Rye Crouton, Trapanese Hot Sauce & Parmesan Beurre Blanc (Inspired by: Daily Provisions, E119th Street, Union Square), Pastrami Sandwich - Ox Pastrami Sandwich, Choucroute, Pickled Kohlrabi, Gherkin & Frenchies Mustard (Inspired by: Katz Deli, Lower East Side and Shelsky’s, Brooklyn).
Nico said: “We met with locals, wandered the city day and night and tried so many different food types It could be one of my favourite menus we’ve created.”
OVER THE YEARS I’ve entered the odd food or cooking competition including MasterChef, but that was more than 20 years ago, when Lloyd Grossman, (him with the strange accent) was still the presenter.
I reached the regional selection process and a cook-off at Edinburgh Napier University when I cooked herb crusted rack of lamb but I didn’t make the TV round, unlike Highlander Sarah Rankin, who reached the Finals Week on the BBC’s MasterChef in 2022.
Although she didn’t clinch the title, she’s certainly winning at life, epitomised by the launch of her debut cookbook, ‘Kith’, (a word which refers to family, friends and other close relationships), by Edinburgh-based publisher Birlinn.
Since her MasterChef stint, Sarah’s culinary adventures have extended beyond the kitchen, hosting Supper Clubs, catering for events, writing about food, and sharing expertise at food festivals. Remarkably, she still finds time
to lend her marketing skills to a select group of clients.
Sarah’s passion is seasonal Scottish food, and her recipes celebrate Scotland’s larder and the wonderful producers who nurture it. At the heart of Kith’s theme of food at the heart of family and community, Sarah also extends this love to the environment through her focus on sustainable cooking.
“Food is love,” Sarah says. From researching and planning a new dish to all the effort that goes into its creation, serving food to the ones you love is a meaningful way to form bonds and nurture relationships. Sarah explains that ‘the act of cooking and serving something delicious to someone brings her so much joy. And sitting together to share even the simplest of dishes always lifts her spirits.’
She said: “Being a food lover encompasses all. Loving the ingredients, of course, but also the seasons – the weather that brought them to you – and the people who tend, harvest and
Divided into four seasonal sections, her cookbook, a treasure trove of 100 sensational recipes, features a blend of traditional and contemporary recipes, celebrating the remarkable diversity of Scotland’s larder. Each recipe reflects Sarah’s unwavering passion for quality ingredients and thoughtful cooking techniques. The book also features a selection of tempting drinks and canapes, along with a section titled “Firm Foundations”, designed to empower novice cooks with essential culinary skills and a repertoire of sauces, stocks, pastry, bread and pasta, and butter and creams.
During an exclusive dinner party at Birlinn’s historic venue in Newington, I had the privilege of experiencing Sarah’s culinary magic firsthand. With her infectious enthusiasm and attention to detail, she crafted a memorable six-course meal, each dish infused with stories of its origin and inspiration from the pottedpigeon shot by her friend Jerry to her predessert palate cleanser, a delightful seabuckthorn (sourced from her dear friend Kirsty) and blood orange ice lolly.
But what sets Sarah’s recipes apart is their accessibility. Even novice cooks will find joy in recreating her dishes. Personally, I’ve savoured her Lemon, Basil, and White Chocolate Fudge and the exquisite Lemon Posset with Caramelised White Chocolate and Oat Crumble, both of which are easy to reproduce, and which elicited rave reviews from those fortunate enough to taste them.
Kith is more than just a cookbook. It’s a celebration of food, community, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone looking to embark on a flavourful journey through Scotland’s gastronomic delights.
Kith, £25 –Hardback - ISBN 9781780278360
By KERRY TEAKLE
NEW OPENINGS – The Spanish Butcher, from independent Scottish restaurant group, RUSK & RUSK, officially opens in Edinburgh on Friday 10 May on North Castle Street. Famed for its distinctive Galicia meets Brooklyn proposition – incomparably unique in Scotland the new 90-cover addition to the capital’s dining scene, encompasses vibrant Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired flavours, showcasing some of the finest dry-aged beef in the world across an à la carte menu, married with the very best homegrown produce from Scotland’s larder.
UNCORKED
To Book – Ticket Offer - Have you got your tickets booked for the Edinburgh Uncorked Wine Fair with Susy Atkins on Saturday 1 June at The Assembly Rooms on George Street? It promises to be an incredible tasting with hundreds of wines to taste, from all over the world. Discover more unusual wines from the likes of Ukraine to the classics of Burgundy or St Joseph in the Rhône, to many New World favourites. There are two sessions to choose from, either 12-3 pm or 4-7 pm. The Edinburgh Reporter has a 15% discount code off the full-price ticket, normally £30. Quote EDUNCORK#REPORTER15 when booking. bit.ly/EdUncork24
There
are show-stoppers and then there are show stops - let’s hope for the former this May as Elaine C Smith transforms into The Child Catcher, and Bowie, Macbeth and Edward Scissorhands vie for audiences in Edinburgh at the same time as Thief sets sail for London
Show stops can be dramatic.There are many reasons for a show stop, some more serious than others.
Over the years, I’ve seen Les Mis come to a halt, literally, when the revolve failed, I watched as Jason Donovan grabbed his coat to make a sharp exit with the immortal words, ‘I’m off’, as a smoke alarm put the brakes on Priscilla, Queen of the Desert press night, and have witnessed countless other incidents when the action ground to a halt due to a range of technical issues. It happens more than you might think.
The majority are nothing more than minor inconveniences but occasionally a show stop can be more urgent. Last month, at The Studio during the opening night of James V: Katherine, a clatter from the back of the auditorium brought the call to ‘Stop’. Cast froze, house-lights brightened and stewards
quickly responded. A second call for any ‘doctor in the house’ and the evacuation of the auditorium added to the urgency of the situation.
Twenty minutes later, with the stricken woman in the safe hands of the NHS ambulance crew, the performance continued. The cast received a huge round of applause as they appeared and took their positions, but the real appreciation must go to the front of house team who calmly and professionally handled the situation with great finesse. Good to hear the lady concerned is recovering well. And on that note, let’s look ahead to this month’s ‘Must See’ offerings, remembering that, should you experience a show stop, follow the instructions of the Front of House Staff at all times. They know what they’re doing.
There’s an eclectic mix of shows heading to
Edinburgh in May, but let’s start at The Traverse where Scot Squad’s gormless Chief and a global rock icon come together (sort of) in David Bowie and Me: Parallel Lives (16-18 May).
Yes, BAFTA award-winning Jack Docherty returns home to Edinburgh to once more share his love of Bowie, who he spent time with in 1997. In the show he’ll also embark on an emotional and hilarious trip through the inner workings of his mind; from families to teenage years, AI to culture wars, first love, hedonism, mortality and why you should always meet your heroes, even if just for one day.
Running time 75 minutes. Tickets £17 https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/ jack-docherty-in-david-bowie-and-meparallel-lives-spring-24
In the same week, the Festival Theatre welcomes Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company back with their fast-selling production of Edward Scissorhands (14-18 May). Devised, directed and choreographed by Bourne, and based on the classic Tim Burton movie, Edward Scissorhands is the bittersweet tale of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world: In a castle high on a hill lives Edward, a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies, he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can he find his place in a well-meaning community struggling to see past his curious appearance to the innocence within? This new touring production finds New Adventures’ favourite Liam Mower sharing the title role with Stephen Murray. Edward Scissorhands premiered in 2005 and this passage of time is well reflected in the current casting with former New Adventures stars taking on the roles of the mums and dads in the piece, including Company legends Dominic North who plays father figure Bill Boggs, Associate Artistic Director Etta Murfitt, who comes back to the stage as the maternal Peg Boggs and Kerry Biggin, once Edward’s love interest, who now plays her original character’s mother.
Running time 1 hour 55 minutes including 20 minute interval. Tickets £29.50-£59.50, https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/ all-shows/edward-scissorhands/2250
Direct from a run in New York, Macbeth: An Undoing (14-25 May) arrives back at the Lyceum this month. A retelling of the classic Scottish play, it puts Lady Macbeth at the heart of the story. When her husband returns victorious from battle with a prophecy he is to be King, Lady M is ruthless in her pursuit of power but quickly descends into madness and despair. Which begs the question, have we
heard the whole story? It should be intriguing to see how it has evolved since its World Premiere at the Grindlay Street theatre in February 2023.
Running time 2 hours 10 minutes plus interval. Tickets £18-£38
https://lyceum.org.uk/events/macbeth-anundoing-2024#dates-and-times
Last of the big hitters this month is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Musical, which flies back onto the Playhouse stage with some imaginative casting as Elaine C Smith follows in the creepers of Robert Helpmann, Wayne Sleep and Paul O’Grady, as the demented Child Catcher - can’t
wait to see her in the role.
Based on the 1968 film of the same name, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features the unforgettable songs Toot Sweets, Truly Scrumptious and the much loved title song. Don’t get caught out by the earlier start time, curtain up is 7pm.
Running time 2 hours 30 minutes including interval. Tickets £22-£68 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/chittychitty-bang-bang/edinburgh-playhouse/
If you’re heading to London, this month’s ‘Theatre Break’ pick is the acclaimed Broadway musical, MJ, (until 7 December) at the Prince Edward Theatre. Tony Award Best Actor Myles Frost, who originated the role of Michael
Jackson in New York, leads the UK cast in this retelling of the making of Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour, which gives a rare insight into the creative and collaborative spirit that catapulted him to legendary status. Expect to hear Man in the Mirror, Thriller, Smooth Criminal and more.
Running Time 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval. Tickets £20-£227.75 https://mjthemusical.com
If you do happen to be in London and like your theatre dark, my own Broadway awardwinning play, Thief (22-25 May), will play London’s newest pub theatre, The Stage Door Theatre at The Prince of Wales on Drury Lane, it’s a hard hitting study of abuse not for the faint of heart. It would be great to see you there.
Running time 56 minutes. Tickets £18 https://www.stagedoortheatre.co.uk/ thief-by-liam-rudden-22-25-may/
Finally, www.MustSeeTheatre.com is now live with all my latest reviews, news and theatre features, do check it out, although you still find all my Edinburgh reviews accessible through the Edinburgh Reporter website too.
Right, time to immerse myself in Edinburgh Fringe press releases again, you’d be surprised just how many I receive, and to think, when I first ran a Festival desk they all arrived by “snail mail” between five and ten sacks of mail a day as August neared. Can’t imagine how many that would be these days. Until next time, happy theatre-going, Líam
ROYAL HIGH CORSTORPHINE CRICKET
CLUB have appointed Emma Turner to the role of “Junior Activator”.
Currently a pupil support assistant at Craigroyston Primary School, Emma previously worked as a rugby coach for The Royal High School and RugbyTots. Emma is captain of Corstorphine Cougars RFC and was recently selected to represent Glasgow Warriors in the Celtic Challenge.
Emma said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started with the cricket club and I can’t wait for the new challenge of working with the girls.”
Club secretary, Robert Drummond, added: “The majority of RHC players are under 25 and as such we lack players who have children aged 7-10. Traditionally parents are the organisational bedrock of junior cricket.
“Given that we have very few parents we feel we need the input of an Activator –someone who can relate well to children, meet and talk with parents, communicate with schools, etc. Emma is a schoolteacher, and together with her sporting prowess is ideally suited to this role.
“Her initial role has a focus on under-12 and under 15 girls cricket. At present we have four
men’s teams but only one women’s team. One of our top ambitions is to add a second women’s team and the key to making that happen is to produce our own pathway that allows teenage girls to join RHC. We are particularly keen to develop our girls’ under-12
EDINBURGH CITY under-16
footballers will attempt to complete back-to-back Scottish Cup triumphs when they take on Glasgow side
Hampden FC in the final at Excelsior Stadium Airdrie on Sunday 19 May.
Last year the team competed in a younger age group and captured the trophy with a final victory over local rivals, Musselburgh Windsor.
With a couple of players added to their squad City took off on the glory trail once again and in reaching the final have seen off SEVEN opponents for the loss of just ONE goal.
That was in a 1-1 draw with Broxburn Athletic Colts before City prevailed 5-4 in a penalty shoot out.
Other teams overcome are
Polbeth, North Berwick/Gullane, Milan FC (Coatbridge), Portlethen, Letham SC Reds and, in the recent semi-final when Tommy North was player-of-the-match, Luncarty.
The team are coached by Mark Quinn, Chris Jackson and Stephen Moffat.
Squad: Rory Campbell, Ross Lang, James Barrett, Jaden Riddell, Thomas Scott, Finn McLennan, Aiden Burgess, Lucas Quinn, Tommy North, Matthew Murray-Smith, Daniel Jackson, Isaac Mukaro, Kristofer Bjarnason, Dillon Thomson, Arran Matheson, Lewis Service, Jack Bathgate, Rhys Berry, Riyard Elmrabty, Jack Richardson and Harry Moffat.
coaching and playing this coming year.”
If you’d like to give cricket a try at RHC get in touch through the club website https://royalhighcorstorphine.play-cricket. com/home
GRACE MCGUIGAN is pictured with Heart of Midlothian B team coach Liam Fox after gaining the “Camper of the Week” accolade at the Hutchison Vale community sports club football camp.
Liam took part in a question and answer session with the participants as well as presenting awards including a white skill badge to Grace.
The full roll of honour for the Easter week two camp included: Camper of the week – Grace McGuigan, Runner-up – Danny Kenmure, Older skill award – Mason Hogarth, Younger skill award – Jenson Duke.
Skill badges – Mason Hogarth (blue and green). Mason James (blue and white), Jenson Duke (blue and white), Andrew Power, Ellis Bell, Alfie Bell, and Grace McGuigan (all white).
The next set of weekly camps begin on 1 July and run through to 9 August.
THE DECISION to push the start of this season’s Eastern Cricket Premiership back a week until Saturday, 4 May, due to the recent inclement weather, has afforded a longer settling in period for new players at various clubs.
And few have been busier over the winter than defending champions and Scottish Grand Final winners, Grange.
Not only have they recruited new sponsors, more of which later, but also a string of recruits one of whom, Jamie Crawley, has already made a mark by hitting 119 for Scottish Saltires in a win over the MCC at Lord’s last month.
Crawley, one imagines, will be champing at the bit to get into league action for the club his internationalist dad, Steve, served well when the curtain goes up for Grange at Watsonians.
Watching on as Jamie compiled his Lord’s century were his new club-matesFinlay McCreath, Jack Jarvis
and Jasper Davidson. a trio of all rounders. Davidson, a Scotland under-19 cap in 2020, joined this season after learning much of his cricket in South Africa and having also played for Stirling County. From further afield comes batter Liam Smith (left), an Australian who has represented Queensland at age group level. He is also a Cricket
Captaining Grange men will be Angus Brown while Catherine Edwards, a Scotland cap, takes the helm of the women’s team who have recruited Scotland star Ellen Watson (pictured right). Sponsoring Grange this season will be Cold Town Beer and Murray Capital whose names will appear on the men’s and women’s kit with Rathbones sponsoring the Grange juniors. team.
NORTH BERWICK RUGBY CLUB
have earned praise for helping 10-year-old member Ollie McMillan fundraise for his Marfan Syndrome charity.
Last October Ollie had two consecutive Pneumothorax which is a collapsed lung. An operation and seven titanium staples followed.
He was diagnosed in January with the rare condition which has required him to quit playing rugby.
But it has not stopped his resilience or determination to charity fundraise and draw attention to Marfan and the club have rallied round.
Ollie’s P6 rugby coaches and team mates at the club helped raise funds with an East Lothian three peaks hike while Ollie is tackling Ben Nevis later this month.
Ollie arranged a virtual race night where the whole club supported sponsored races, bought horses and raised more money.
In total just over £5,000 from a £1,000 target has been raised with
half of that coming from the North Berwick rugby community. Dad Gib, said: “We are grateful for their support, but even more grateful in how they care and help Ollie out with fundraising. They keep him involved in each of his clubs. He coaches the P3 rugby team, (is a) recently appointed analysis drone flying coach for p6 and still plays football. All
“Our club is more than just rugby. Dan Carter in a podcast once said “better people make better All Blacks”, we certainly have better people at our club too.”
For his efforts Ollie’s been nominated as a young fundraiser of the year with JustGiving and headed for Old Trafford for Manchester United’s Captains’
EDINBURGH’S DEEPTI VIJAYAKUMAR, 15, completed a clean sweep of titles at the Scottish under-17 badminton championships in Perth.
In the singles final Deepti beat Qing Yang Xiao then teamed up with her to win the girls’ doubles, beating Anishita Jaiswal and Ingrid Wang in the final.
In the mixed doubles Deepti partnered Lewis Smith to victory over Lingyun Xiao and Qing Yang Xiao.
In the boys’ events Alfie Martin won the singles against Yingyun Xiao partnering him to doubles success at the expense of Ciaran Hope and Alfie Sweeney.
In the under-13 singles Yingfan Wang beat James Huang and in the girls’ event Emily Jobson won against Akshara Chavan. The boys’ doubles was a triumph for Yinming Oscar Feng and Yingfan Wang against Divyam Goyal and James Huang while Akshara Chavan and Emily Jobson won the girls’ doubles against Josie Columbine and Sophie Mackay.
STEWART’S MELVILLE cricket club have welcomed Kari Carswell on board as a women’s team coach.
Kari has had a role as Head of Woman’s Cricket at Middlesex and MCC, and has now taken up her new role at Inverleith.
Kari will work alongside Hannah Short to continue the growth and success of the woman’s and girls
section.
Someone who is becoming part of the furniture at Stewart’s Melville is Shaylen Pillay who is returning for a sixth season as overseas professional.
Stewart’s Melville are due to open their Eastern Premiership campaign on Saturday 4 May at home to Falkland.
By NIGEL DUNCAN
ZANDER CLARK recalled that almost two years ago he was training on his own in a public park, sometimes with his mates, to keep in shape while he did not have a contract.
Now, he is Hearts’ No 1, has three Scotland caps and eyes a slot in the international squad for the UEFA European Championships in Germany from June to July.
The 31-year-old opened up on his dramatic change of fortune admitted that the pressure he is under is nothing compared with that experienced daily by his wife Robyn, a midwife, who worked extra shifts to keep the household going while he was waiting for a fresh opportunity.
That opportunity arrived when he joined the Tynecastle team in 2022 and Clark, who has played over 50 games for the Gorgie club, said this season has been enjoyable so far, playing football regularly and being involved in the international set-up.
He argued there is time left to make it an even more memorable season, but looking back to being jobless, Glasgow-born Clark admitted: “It was a tough period for myself, but I was always confident.
“There was stuff going on in the background, but getting that message across to my wife was
another story.
“I was just off the back of a wedding and we came back from honeymoon and I did not have a job. I had months training on my own but I had the help of two mates who were excellent with me.
“They got me into shape, but it was tough. A couple of things fell through, but the opportunity to sign here (at Hearts) was one I was delighted to get done.
“Fast forward to now. I came here with the hope of getting a couple of games in between European games and, obviously, the circumstances when I got in (Craig Gordon suffering a double leg break) were disappointing for Craig. It was an opportunity for me and I had to make sure I was right at it.
“I felt, when I first came into the team, that I was a bit rusty as when I played it was
December and it was seven or eight months since I played a competitive game.
“Thankfully, I did well in the first few games and to where I am now is night and day.”
The 6ft 3in hot-stop said that during the dark days when he was out of contract he was too stubborn to consider life outside football. He added:
“I always backed my own ability on the back of winning a cup double with St Johnstone. I thought to myself: ‘You cannot go from that to nothing’. I also had my old boy on at me saying I should be doing this and doing that, but I was stubborn. Thankfully, it worked out.”
He added: “I am a big believer that if you believe in yourself and you put the work in then good things happen. I had to be patient. I am now trying to perform to the best I can be.”
From that public park around two years ago
to being in contention to going to the Euros is a huge change and with it comes pressure, but he has learned to live with that.
However, straight-talking Clark praised his wife for being “a rock” during the dark days and added: “You can quickly fall into a dark hole, and there were dark days, where she was at work for three or four days on 12-hour shifts and there was just me and my thoughts.
“She was the trooper in the household and I wanted to make sure I could bring in another income because of the hard work she was put through. I probably switch off when she comes in and explains how stressful her day has been. We have got pressure internally and externally (at Hearts and Scotland) but when you are delivering a baby and you have two lives at risk I think that is a lot more pressure than I will ever face in my life.”
By CALLUM NAPIER
WITH HIBS NARROWLY MISSING out on the top six, they approached the first post-split game safe from relegation and with the prospect of five relatively meaningless games. But for Nick Montgomery, that is far from the case following the board’s recent statement saying that the season has been unacceptable, the head coach must prove that he is the man for the job in the remaining fixtures.
Goals from Emiliano Marcondes, Dylan Vente and club captain Paul Hanlon, saw the Leith side take three points at McDairmid Park leaving St Johnstone peering over their shoulder at the prospect of the relegation play-off. Hibs couldn’t have asked for a better start only six minutes in after Martin Boyle was fouled by Saints’ skipper
Dan Phillips, Marcondes placed the ball down from 35 yards out and unleashed one of the strikes of the season. The on-loan Bournemouth man whipped the ball from right to left, and despite Dimitar Mitov’s best efforts, it sailed into the top corner.
With 24 minutes on the clock, Nick Montgomery was forced to make a change. After a tussle with Nicky Clark, Will Fish went down with a back injury, and he was replaced by Paul Hanlon, who made his first appearance in over a month.
For all the superlatives used to describe Hanlon throughout his career, super-sub has likely never been one of them, but it was the defender who doubled Hibs’ lead.
St Johnstone failed to deal with a long Joe Newell throw in the 44th minute, and with the ball bouncing around the box, it was Hanlon who was quickest to react, finishing well
in the bottom right-hand corner. Midway through the second half, Hibs’ substitutes combined when Josh Campbell looped a header over the St Johnstone defence for Dylan Vente to chase, and the Dutchman emphatically finished to put Hibs 3-0 up in the 76th minute.
Ten minutes later Vente returned the favour and set up Campbell who was driving into the penalty box, his effort was well kept out by Mitov, who was outstanding, not for the first time against Hibs this season. It was a much-needed three points from Montgomery’s point of view, who will look to build on the result for the remaining games. He said: “If we’re honest, we weren’t as clinical as we should have been because we could have scored another four goals minimum, but their goalkeeper pulled off some great saves.”
