The Edinburgh Reporter August 2020

August 2020

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Edinburgh says . . .

Yes, our festival month will be unusual this year - and largely empty of things to see and do.

That said, The Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) 2020 is reintroducing some old favourites that we have seen here before to keep us all amused.

Some of these exhibits will be online, but others will fly high

from our buildings including Peter Liversidge's 2013 project, Flags for Edinburgh, recreated this year as part of EAF. What better way to get a festival started than to say Hello to each other after this enforced period of time apart? Flags will be flown from buildings all over the city including The Royal Scots Club.

See page 19.

Adrian Hayes and Morag Martin of The Royal Scots Club with their flag PHOTO Martin P McAdam

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Play fair plea It will take more than £4 million to bring our city's playparks up to as suitable standard, according to Almond Ward councillor, Kevin Lang.

There are 45 Edinburgh playparks which need repairs or a complete makeover. The price of a new playpark is around £100,000, and in calculating the total funding needed, council officers estimated £25,000 for repairs.

Cllr Lang said: “In too many of our parks, children are having to play on old and damaged equipment which desperately needs replaced and upgraded.

However, these new figures show a massive funding gap when it comes to getting the new equipment which is so desperately needed. Indoor play areas like soft-play and activity centres have obviously had to be closed because of Covid-19 and it’s unclear when these will reopen. It makes safe and secure outdoor play areas for children even more important.

“The Council needs to make this a priority and work to secure the extra funding needed. It’s no good waiting years for repairs which will simply mean today’s children will be all grown up by the time improvements are in place."

Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “We fully recognise the importance of play parks to children and families, which is why we have a long term upgrade and replacement programme in place to make sure that there is sufficient provision across the city to allow them to be used by as many people as possible.

"We also ensure regular quality assessments and never compromise on health and safety thanks to the frequent inspections and regular repairs carried out by our play equipment engineers - this also includes annual independent safety inspections carried out by RoSPA."

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NEWS

Planning notes

ABOUT US Another August edition, but a very different newspaper for us.

Usually we would have adverts and previews for the best Fringe shows. The festivals are cancelled and there are not so many tourists in the city.

The council still has to decide what to do about Christmas and Hogmanay. Since so much of Edinburgh's economy depends on tourism, it is likely that a scaled back version of events will take place.

Our bars and restaurants have been closed for months, and reopening brings new challenges.

Our Food and Drink feature on our centre pages, 12 and 13, highlights some of the places you might think of supporting.

For the protection of those out walking, wheeling and cycling, whether for exercise or shopping, Covid-19 measures are being introduced on our roads and streets. For some, these changes have not happened quickly enough. Others object to the lack of discussion over the introduction of wider 'pavements' or spaces to walk, and segregated cycle lanes.

The Transport Convener offers her point of view on Page 10.

We continue to seek advertising and funding to keep on publishing this newspaper. The Scottish Government will place some advertising with members of the Independent Community News Network, of which we are one. Our September edition and our website should have this government advertising. Quarantine measures were reintroduced for those returning from mainland Spain, only five days after they were lifted. The number of cases, mainly in northeastern Spain, had spiked again. This is a timely reminder that the virus is still with us, despite the pausing of measures for those who have been shielding, and the government's plans for children and young people to return to school on 11 August.

Another reminder is that those charities and organisations who have worked so tirelessly over the past months to deliver food and cooked meals to those in need continue with their work.

In a report published in November 2019, the council estimated that 82,000 people in Edinburgh live in relative poverty.

That is 16% of the population, but the percentage of children in poverty in the capital is higher at 22%. If you have the means, do support these local charities.

Phyllis M Stephen Editor

#BLM Mural Trail The Scottish Black Lives Matter Mural Trail has been popping up outside venues which are usually full of life in the summer months. The most recent was outside the Usher Hall which now features a series of images, including one of Sheku Bayoh who died in police custody. The artist Abz (pictured) is a tattoo artist, so this is a departure for her.

Abz said: “This series, the representation project and the piece for Black Lives Matter, were created from the heart. It was from repression suffered by my ancestors who couldn’t speak up because they are black and brown.”

Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: "This is hugely significant, not just culturally and artistically significant. It is in one of the most visible places in the city and will be seen by anyone walking past the Usher Hall. It is very high profile and this is a colourful and artistic statement of an injustice. For me it is all about education.

There’s a huge re-education involved here and it is about retelling the past by the values that we now hold dear in the present.”

Letters to the Editor Dear Madam, Dear Madam, Tonight my other half finished her latest 12 hour shift as a nurse in a windowless intensive care unit differently from usual. Yes, she was drained. She was exhausted.

But she was also incandescently angry, bitterly disappointed, horribly betrayed and so upset she was barely able to speak.

Her colleagues all felt the same.

The day had been one of tears, disbelief and baffled anger. That their huge and selfless efforts over recent months had been totally ignored.

Almost a million public sector workers are getting pay rises. But not nurses. It wasn't dentists who saved countless lives or held the hands and comforted the families of those who couldn't be saved.

Most of them haven't worked at all during the pandemic.

It wasn't teachers who faced the daily terror of being infected in the line of duty. None of these nurses begrudge the rises for other public sector workers. They simply don't want to be left out, overlooked and ignored. Not when they did more, gave more and hurt more than any other sector during this 100 year event.

Scott Douglas,

Edinburgh, EH9

Editor: Phyllis Stephen editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk 07791 406 498

The Scottish Government wants us to walk and cycle more, to reduce passenger numbers on public transport and encourages us to keep fit and healthy.

RNIB Scotland believes this 'Spaces for People' initiative could transform active travel for everyone. But, we remain concerned that, if these moves are introduced too hastily, with not enough thought given to people who are blind or partially sighted or who have other mobility issues, it could actually end up putting barriers in place. We want space for new cycle lanes to be taken from roads not pavements, for new designs to avoid the shared spaces concept, for clutter to be removed from our streets, and for controlled crossings to the road or bus stops to be installed. This will make things safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

The current situation has made us all a little more aware of what it is like to feel vulnerable, to depend more on others. Let's build on the sense of greater cohesiveness this crisis has created and make sure the Scotland we return to is inclusive for everyone.

James Adams, Director, RNIB Scotland

New plans were submitted for Stead's Place on Leith Walk by companies which appear to be related to Drum Property Group.

There has already been an online public exhibition of the plans in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines. There is a window until 13 August for any comments to be added to the online questionnaire.

The new Edinburgh Rugby stadium is appearing right next door to BT Murrayfield.

Construction began again in the middle of June. The main contractor the Malcolm Group are making "steady and ongoing progress'" with the groundworks which include drainage trenches, drainage for the stand roof and utility trenches. SP Energy Networks have installed the stadium's substation.

Collective Gallery on Calton Hill are set to restore Observatory House which sits just next door.

The 18th century house forms one corner of the site and was formerly home to the astronomers who worked in the observatory. It has been let until 2015 by Vivat Trust but now Collective will upgrade the house and create two apartments there which can be let either separately or as one house.

The restoration of Observatory House follows Collective Architecture’s design of the Lookout, the unique new hilltop restaurant run by Collective’s restaurant partners the Gardener’s Cottage.

On Iona Street plans were submitted earlier in the year to demolish a warehouse and office buildings and replace these with student flats, affordable housing and public realm improvements.

Now minor amendments have been made which are said to be the result of responses to their consultation.

Figure this Last month we attracted the second highest number of readers ever . . .

61,000+ followers on Twitter with 1.2 million tweet impressions in July @EdinReporter

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Plans have been approved for a site on the south side of the Union Canal at Lower Gilmore Place.

Existing commercial buildings will be demolished and replaced by a four storey block of 20 flats.

Affordable homes are included in the development which was approved by the government Reporter. Developer Glencairn Properties appealed against a decision by the council to refuse permission saying it would be over dominant and unsympathetic.

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Some of those are open again, but not all allow customers inside.

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We write about news relating to Edinburgh and the immediate area.

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Leithers Don't Litter any more . . .

By Phyllis Stephen An anti-litter campaign started five years ago has picked up its last piece of litter.

The demise of Leithers Don't Litter, set up by Zsuzsa Farrell and her husband Gerry, will be a loss to Leith and to Edinburgh. Thought provoking campaigns included The Pukemons, Crapitalism and Flyspotting, but those will be a thing of the past due to Covid-19.

Using their professional creative skills as advertising professionals, LDL made films for the Have You got the Bottle? campaign which has resulted in The Scottish Government introducing a deposit return scheme which is to be launched in July 2022.

I asked if the name was intended to be a statement or an instruction - as of course it can be understood both ways. Zsuzsa explained that at a school she asked if it was true that Leithers Don't Litter - and of course one child got it immediately and understood it as an instruction. But with adults, who are much more literal, they have very often taken a different view of the name.

Zsuzsa said: "I got slagged off.

People always replied that people in Leith do litter!"

The organisation grew fast.

They used the Leith Walk Police Box where they collected email

addresses from those who were interested in helping. When they were contacted about the first big community clean up, between 50 and 60 people turned up. But it started with Zsuzsa and Gerry actually doing this themselves.

She recalled: "We used to go out and pick up litter ourselves. It was always a good conversation starter, as many people wanted to know if we were getting paid for doing it. Then one day one of our neighbours told us that their daughter said she had stopped

"There is a group in Corstorphine for instance which said they started because of Leithers Don't Litter. Also there is a smaller group on Restalrig Railway Path. There are other Scottish local authorities who have contacted us asking for advice."

LDL have 30 sets of Weapons of Mess Destruction left (those are litter pickers to you and me) and they will be giving them away on 15 August at Leith Market. First come first served.

Gerry and Zsuzsa Farrell - masters of mess destruction

No lovin' for litter

By Phyllis Stephen A city minister ain't lovin' the litter strewn around his kirkyard and steps of his church.

The debris appears to come from a nearby Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet and McDonalds - whose slogan is "I'm Lovin' It".

Reverend Peter Sutton of the Parish Church of St Cuthbert in Lothian Road has pledged that he will collect the wrappings and other litter and deposit it on the doorsteps of the fast food giants.

Reverend Sutton suggested to McDonalds that he might gather up the rubbish which is mainly their branded takeaway boxes and bags, and deliver it back to their front door.

So is there a battle brewing in Princes Street Gardens? Mr Sutton said: "First of all, I don't see it as a battle. I'm not taking them on as it were. I'm just more trying to engage with McDonald's as opposed to seeing this as any sort of strategic campaign and a battle.

Certainly that would be the last thing that I'd be wanting to do.

"I'm just reaching out to a neighbour as we do from St Cuthbert's. I just want to see if McDonalds and also Kentucky Fried Chicken, who are equally close to the kirkyard, would like to help sort out the litter problem that their takeaway meals create."

The church undertakes a lot of work with people who are

dropping any litter just because she had seen us out collecting it in the street all the time."

That made it all seem worthwhile and the pair were invited to speak at schools where they delivered a presentation about their work and why littering was so bad.

Zsuzsa continued: "I have had some messages from people who have started community clean up groups elsewhere in the city and they have told me that we were the inspiration.

homeless. Mr Sutton continued: "Throughout lockdown and prior to lockdown, we've run a big meal for the homeless every Sunday night. We have 100 of them, and usually they come into the church, but lockdown has prevented them from doing that. Working with the charity Steps to Hope we have been able to use the kitchens at St Cuthbert's every Saturday night to create the meals and then we feed and serve our homeless guests out in the kirkyard.

"Interestingly, they are the best at looking after their own rubbish. You know, they're very keen and protective and they all go round and clean up after every meal. They're the ones - our good homeless friends - who get annoyed during the week when they see the amount of litter that comes in. They are very good, tidy guests and always have been.

"My idea is to just pop in with a bag of rubbish and say have a look in here. It's all got your branding on it, and I've just gone and picked it up. Wouldn't you like to be responsible as good neighbours for looking after it yourselves? I'm much more open to, you know, friendly engagement and hopefully coming to an agreement. I think personally that they should offer the homeless community the ability to collect the McDonald's rubbish and pay them a good wage for doing it."

NEWS

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Street legacy may live on

The Adopt a Street idea started

by Leithers Don't Litter may live on.

Leith Councillor Gordon Munro said: "Those that have adopted streets or even cycle paths have said they will continue to do so. I think we should support this active citizen approach. I pushed for this at the beginning and brilliantly one of the city officers used his discretion to authorise buying litter pickers and gloves for those that signed a pledge to clean their street. Joint responsibility is the way forward.

"My favourite campaign was ‘Poo Fighters’. It raised awareness and made clear that street bins could be used for dog waste. It has helped although it is still an issue in parts of Leith.

"I have been involved from the beginning and have taken part in most picks. Passing people have said ‘thank you’ to pickers and I even had some say to me ‘surprised to see you doing this but glad you are , thanks’. I think it has made a huge difference and has helped changed views although there is still a long way to go to change the ‘throwaway culture’.

They called it ‘Leithers Don’t Litter’ because they do litter and wanted that pride of Leith to extend to keeping it clean. I thank them for their hard work ."

Flyspotting in Leith - where else?

One of the campaigns which Leithers Don't Litter (LDL) contributed to in 2018 was yet another brilliant play on words.

With the Flypotting initiative the emphasis was clearly on Leith, and used well-kent faces to try and convince local people that they should stop leaving their old furniture out on the streets.

In particular they highlighted the council's own bulky waste service.

Photographer Euan Myles took the shots of locals like Mary Moriarty the former landlady at the famous Port O' Leith pub.

Mary's poster bore the typically pithy comment: "Most of us don't

want to live in a midden."

The idea came from environmental charity, Changeworks, whose research found that fly-tipping affected 8 out of 10 people personally.

LDL put up the posters around Dalmeny Park and launched the whole programme by setting up an outside living room in the street.

Hannah Milne, who was the coordinator for Changeworks Zero Waste Leith at the time, said: "We are working with our team of volunteers to post a new Sunshine on Leith magazine about fly-tipping through letterboxes in our pilot area. The ccommunity

Photographer Euan Myles with Mary Moriarty PHOTO Martin P McAdam

really cares about living on cleaner, greener streets. It was brilliant to see over 270 people taking part in litter picks in Leith to celebrate Earth Day." The campaign was run in partnership with Zero Waste Scotland and the European Regional Development Fund.

Gerry and Zsuzsa Farrell came up with the Flyspotting idea as a term to represent a new approach to the problem.

The headturning posters and stencils which they used said loud and clear 'not in my neighbourhood'.

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The Edinburgh Reporter

POLITICS

Hope springs Take care of city green spaces Eat out to help Unmasking familiar, favourite places and

By Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron out hospitality coronavirus from shadow discovering new favourites spaces When lockdown began, people in and routes to walk, run or cycle.

Liberton/Gilmerton came together sector discrimination of Covid-19 Reduced road traffic, improved air with local businesses, community, church and voluntary groups, creating supply chains/systems to support vulnerable people and those shielding.

Providing home cooked meals, collecting/delivering essential household items, and organising outdoor fitness sessions to music to keep active and combat social isolation have been ongoing for four months.

With council buildings, schools, leisure and community centres closed, logistics/operations aspects were undertaken in church halls, social clubs, sports clubs, shipping containers, and places like Bridgend Farmhouse. The enthusiasm, effort and energy of those involved has been endless and inspiring.

With restrictions easing, people are enjoying Edinburgh’s parks, gardens and green spaces, visiting

quality, and need for daily exercise, have encouraged people outdoors again and they’re sharing stories of birdsong and photos of wildlife on social media.

Edinburgh’s green spaces are popular and enjoyed in numerous ways – dog walking, gardening, running, cycling, walking, strolling, sitting, picnics, sports. They’re beneficial too - stimulating our senses and as venues for recreation, exercise, relaxation, and social interaction.

Less popular sadly, are the debris, litter and dog poo some people selfishly leave behind. We owe it to ourselves, our growing city, and those who come after us to respect, protect and to take best care of Edinburgh’s green spaces.

A shared citywide commitment to responsible litter disposal, and dog ownership would help make real that aspiration.

Pesky pesticides should stop

by Alison Johnstone MSP I share the concerns raised about the impact of pesticides and have been pushing The Scottish Government and local authorities to end their use for some time now.

I receive regular correspondence from constituents concerned about glyphosate which demonstrate the strength of feeling about ongoing use.

I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment shortly after

the 2016 election, asking the government to immediately prohibit the use of glyphosate in areas such as public parks and gardens, sports and recreation grounds, school grounds, children's playgrounds and in the close vicinity of healthcare facilities.

This would align with new EU regulations. I asked the government to publish a clear, time-bound commitment to phasie out the use of glyphosate.

by Miles Briggs MSP Edinburgh and Lothians restaurants, pubs, cafés are urged to sign up to the UK Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme.

Businesses using the scheme can offer a 50% reduction, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to all diners eating there in August.

The scheme is open to businesses across the UK and can be used all day, Monday to Wednesday in August. Customers do not need a voucher.

Restaurants will just take the discount off their bill and reclaim the discounted amount. The scheme is to protect hospitality jobs and is additional to the VAT reduction to 5% for tourism and hospitality businesses.

Businesses who sign up to the scheme will receive a window sticker and will be able to use promotional items such as posters and logos for social media. During lockdown the hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit due to necessary closures.

This scheme can give the industry a real boost during August to help businesses get back on their feet again. The hospitality and catering industry supports a huge number of jobs in Edinburgh and the Lothians which rely on the sector doing well.

I encourage businesses across Edinburgh and the Lothians to sign up to this scheme to attract more custom at the beginning of the week throughout August.

by Jeremy Balfour MSP As we take larger strides out of lockdown and embrace the ‘new normal’ of social distancing and mandatory face masks, it is crucial we all make ourselves aware of the extra challenges currently faced by those with disabilities.

Not only have disabled people been hit hardest by the outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK, they are now facing the struggles of undertaking daily activities, such as going to the shops and using public transport, without facing judgement or discrimination.

Forty per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by Disability Rights UK stated that they are unable to wear a facemask and 70 per cent of them said that they were worried about the judgement that they would face because of this.

This is a particular concern for those with ‘invisible’ disabilities who may face difficulties such as breathing impairments or sensory issues which are not obvious to onlookers.

These times are strange and difficult. We all want to stay safe, and for the majority of people wearing a face mask is a good way of doing so.

However, we must be aware that this is not possible for everyone and ensure we are not discriminating against people because of this.

by Cllr Hal Osler, Lib Dems, Inverleith Ward.

Lockdown has been tough and many people have had to face extremely challenging circumstances, illness (mental and physical), loss of job, home schooling and great uncertainty for the future. In amongst all these terrible things a positive light has shone, dim at first and then gradually growing stronger.

Organisations realising the desperate need that families and individuals suddenly found themselves in scrambled to help.

A call for support was put out and many residents answered.

They did this as individuals, streets, communities and several even set up a Facebook Page called Edinburgh Giving Tree. They have purchased, made, portioned and delivered thousands of hot meals and packed lunches and as the need grew the network expanded and more came to help.

They have supported amongst others North Edinburgh Arts, Drylaw Rainbow Club, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Spartans Academy, Scran Academy, Fresh Start, COSS (Broomhouse) & Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts.

They have given and continue to give comfort and support to those experiencing very dark times whilst also battling many of the same issues. We are not out of the woods yet not by a long shot but through this very bleak and dark time there is hope.

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Covid silver lining is to redress balance

by Ian Murray MP for Edinburgh South I always thought that Brexit would be the most intense and busy period as an MP. During the height of the Brexit debates with key votes in parliament the sheer volume of electronic and other correspondence from constituents was off the scale.

Hundreds and hundreds of emails every day. Every lobby group and organisation that had a mailing list was encouraging their supporters to contact their MPs on every Brexit issue imaginable. I didn’t think we would see the likes of that again.

How wrong could I have been?

The word “unprecedented” is overused but the needs of constituents has been truly unprecedented. This is understandable and what I believe the role of an MP is all about.

Some of those who have been in contact have never contacted their MP before.

The overwhelming theme though has been that of constituents’ health, jobs, businesses and livelihoods. For me it highlighted that government interventions and decisions can’t assist everyone.

The complicated matrix of how people live their lives results in every decision government makes creating more questions than answers.

For those looking after loved ones, running a business, providing for their family, worried about their jobs, and every other issue, my team and I have tried to

help in any way we can.

Those constituent experiences should provide understanding of how we respond to the recovery.

One size will certainly not fit all.

Indeed, one size may not fit many.

The concentration must be on protecting as many jobs as possible. The crisis has created no end of concern for those worried about their livelihoods. Edinburgh as a city is a microcosm of the national problems.

A city underpinned by tourism and culture. Driven by the hospitality trade, our world class universities and the financial sector. All areas that have been among the hardest hit and that will take the longest to recover.

So, as lockdown is further eased, both the Scottish and UK Governments must target in two ways.

Firstly, give support to those sectors that will not be able to re-open and to those individuals and businesses that have fallen through the cracks of government support.

Secondly, extend the current schemes to those sectors that have or will soon re-open but do not have the demand to recover quickly.

There is no doubt that businesses that rely on tourism and volumes of customers will require support until the level of demand returns to a level that sustains their businesses.

This was brought home to me by a local hotelier who said his business was losing more money

while open than it had been while closed.

However, on a more positive note, if there is to be any silver lining from this Covid crisis it should be a redress of what we all see as important.

It’s always been obvious to me and the majority of the public that we should cherish the NHS and all it provides. It has not been so obvious for social care. The debate about how to fund and value social care has been going on for too long and it is now time for it to be addressed.

I have long been involved in campaigns about low pay, insecure work, zero and short hours contracts, poor terms and conditions for workers.

Covid has shone a very bright light on to the labour market and I hope we can now address some of the fundamental weaknesses in the world of work, especially around issues of low pay.

All frontline staff that keep us safe, healthy, fed, supplied and connected deserve to be recognised for the jobs that they do and have done day in day out for years.

There is much work to be done to see off of Covid and get the country and Edinburgh back on the road to recovery.

We shouldn’t return to the old politics of pre-Covid society.

We must all work together with a focus on properly funding our NHS, protecting jobs and providing opportunity for all.

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

Christine Jardine MP

Telephone Surgeries

In line with Government guidance and to keep people safe, I’m now holding telephone surgeries.

Please call the team on 0131 285 5972 to make an appointment

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Edinburgh Central - an SNP battle?

Edinburgh Central is about to become the focus of national politics, after the former leader of the SNP at Westminster, Angus Robertson, officially launched his campaign to become the SNP candidate for the 2021 parliamentary election.

Robertson explained to The Edinburgh Reporter in detail earlier in the year why it was important to have a hands-on SNP MSP for the seat.

He said then: “Not only do I have a personal connection in that I do come from Edinburgh Central, but I think that what the SNP is trying to do, is the best prospectus for people living here. And I think that’s the best combination that one one can have.”

He makes much of the fact that he would be a ‘full-time’ MSP, clearly a reference to the accusations against current MSP, Ruth Davidson, that she has not paid enough attention to her city centre constituents. Mr Robertson was brought up in Stockbridge and now lives in Edinburgh once more with his wife and young baby.

MP for Edinburgh South West, Joanna Cherry, may stand for nomination too. But she stressed the SNP candidate selection process remains suspended due to the pandemic. She said: "Out of respect for my party procedures and the members of Edinburgh Central SNP branch, I won't make any announcements until that position changes."

POLITICS

Don't count on banks

5

by Owen Thompson MP Midlothian has lost 26% of its bank branch network since 2015 and is set to lose the last branch in Loanhead under the latest round of Bank of Scotland branch closures. I hosted a debate on a bank branch closures earlier this year.

A Which? report confirmed that banks do little more than tick the boxes before pressing ahead with their damaging plans. The rules protecting access to banking may be well-meaning but they are toothless.

They also have no obligation to properly consider the profile of the local population when making the decision. It seems the Bank of Scotland did not need to take the rapidly rising population of Loanhead into account when they announced the staggering plan to close the town's last bank. Nor did they consider the needs of the neighbouring populations the branch serves in Roslin, Bilston and Damhead.

Where banks fail, the government needs to step up to the plate.

We could, for example, look at a public service obligation to ensure people have access to a physical branch.

There is a real danger that even more branches and ATMs could be lost under cover of Covid-19. Without intervention we could sleepwalk into a cashless society which would damage our communities - with the worst impact on those who are lower paid or more vulnerable.

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The Edinburgh Reporter

NEWS

Bons amis with Contalmaison

The Rt Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross, has signed a Friendship Agreement with the northern French village of Contalmaison.

This formalises already cordial relations between Edinburgh and the final resting place in France of many Edinburgh born soldiers.

These were the men of McCrae's Battalion who fought at the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.

The Lord Provost said: "This is a historic event. I know this has been pushed for for many years. I had a long conversation

with Jack Alexander, who is Vice Chairman of the McCrae's Battalion Trust, earlier this year when he again pressed the case for recognising or formalising the relationship between Edinburgh and Contalmaison in relation to the Somme. And that interlinking between the two communities goes back over 100 years now.

"Since the cairn was unveiled in 2004 in Contalmaison there has been an annual pilgrimage to the town to commemoration those lost. It is integral to Edinburgh's history and it gives me great

The Lord Provost with members of the Trust

pleasure to be here today to carry out the formal signing following council's decision to enter this formal agreement."

Laurence Païs, Consul General for France, who is hoping to visit Contalmaison next year, told The Edinburgh Reporter: "It is a very important moment in the First World War, The Battle of the Somme and the role played by the British Army, especially by the Scottish soldiers in Contalmaison.

They helped save this village from the German Army.

"I am really glad that we have this agreement now to memorialise and show the next generations how important the relationship between France and Scotland is.”

Jack Alexander addressed the small audience in the City Chambers, saying: "I know that the men who served in the battalion wanted to build a memorial. It took a long long time to do it and they wanted to have some kind of understanding with the locals because there are 500 or more young lads from this general area buried next to their village. They care for them and their memory in a way that has been overlooked by us for decades.”

Corstorphine beehive attacked A newly installed beehive in Corstorphine Hill Walled Garden suffered serious damage after been trashed by mindless vandals.

It is believed that whoever is responsible threw large stones and rocks at the hive, leaving gaping holes in the exterior and agitating the bees inside.

The double loss is of course to the biodiversity in the walled garden which would have flourished wth the bees pollinating all the flowers there.

Local beekeeper Julia had offered to house her bees in the walled garden.

She told The Edinburgh Reporter: "I was looking for somewhere

The damaged Corstorphine beehive

public to share my bees and help to educate people about them. I just assumed people would want to support it, so I was extremely shocked and disgusted about it.

"Bees are struggling in the wild, and it is beekeepers like me who are keeping them going. Without them the food chain would collapse The bees are fine and back home with me. They are resilient, however, it is just as well that it was not wasp season as wasps would have gone into the hive and killed all the adult bees and their babies. There were about 40,000 to 50,000 bees in the hive.

It is a shame that someone has done this. What does it say about

them?"

Edinburgh City Council Natural Heritage Officer David Kyles explained to The Edinburgh Reporter: "It was a lot of effort in locating the bees from somewhere close to Corstorphine, relocating them and getting them into the Walled Garden. Sadly they only lasted a week before they were targeted. There's always anti-social behaviour in parks such as litter, camping, fires and cutting down trees.

"I'm almost immune to that because it comes with the territory. This was a bit different.

It was a targeted wilful act of destruction against the beehive and it was pretty clear that the bees were in there."

Cllr Mark Brown said: “I am absolutely disgusted by the behaviour of these mindless idiots. The generosity of the local beekeeper to put in place an invaluable wildlife and educational resource into the area was warmly received yet sadly had to be removed within a week of its installation, denying many visitors to the Walled Garden the opportunity to see it.

“The local community has been incandescent with rage after they’d heard of the news with widespread condemnation on social media channels, with some even contacting me to ask if they could take the beehive and look after it and the bees themselves.

“Hopefully someone will know who the culprits are and do the right thing by contacting the Police on 101.”

Balerno clubs Bike Station rides to rescue benefit from The Bike Station have launched treasure chest a fundraiser for their Hero Bikes programme.

The scheme offers key workers a refurbished bike with lights and accessories. This helps them to get to and from work safely and independently while also helping them to keep fit.

If you donate just £10 it would allow the charity to put lights on a bike they are providing. With a donation of £200 they can provide a refurbished bike and accessories to someone who needs it.

One user, Ella, a logistics coordinator for a catering social enterprise said: “I love how quickly I can get around now, and not having to worry about public transport. It feels safe.”

The Bike Station is the city's foremost recycling and cycling promotion charity. They repair bikes and put them back on the road. They also provide cycle training, bike maintenance training and promote cycling as a healthy and sustainable means of transport. thebikestation.org.uk

Cutbacks at the Traverse The Traverse Theatre is considering redundancies among its staff as it doors remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Management says it has lost two thirds of its earned income since 21 March. Despite applying to the Scottish Government's Performing Arts Relief Fund, they believe the current closure will last to the end of the year at least.

Sir John Elvidge, chair of the Traverse Theatre Board and Linda Crooks CEO said the theatre was faced with no choice.

A statement said: "We have therefore had to make the painfully difficult decision to enter into redundancy consultation with a number of our team in customerfacing and technical roles, with the likelihood that almost a third of our staff will be made redundant.

"We have worked tirelessly to explore all possible avenues and prevent this awful situation, but we currently have no other choice in order to protect the future of the Traverse and the vibrant organisation on which our community relies.

"This will leave the Traverse with a small core grouping, who are tasked with creating opportunities for our organisation to come back stronger and to oversee delivery across our work in engagement, talent development and creativity.

"Every member of our team is creative, compassionate and incredibly hard-working, and to lose any of them is both professionally and personally devastating."

Grants of more than £2000 have been made from the Community Chest, which is funded jointly and equally by the Rotary Club of Currie Balerno, the Balerno Village Trust (BVT) and CALA Homes and administered by the Rotary Club and BVT. Now in its second year, the Rotary Club was joined by the Balerno Village Trust and CALA Homes and has an annual budget of £6000.

The funding is awarded twice a year and this year’s first tranche was approved in June, with three of the five awards reflecting the Covid-19 situation. The awards totalling £2,100 were in response to applications from: • the Currie Rugby Club to assist in the production during the virus lockdown of multi-media support programmes for youth coaching and player development and changes to support youth rugby and women’s rugby.

• the Anna Burnett Trust to help establish this new club’s website offering artistic and creative opportunities in secondary schools in less affluent areas.

• the Balerno Village Trust to develop the Red Telephone Box as a facility providing information on the local area, such as walks and local businesses, to welcome visitors coming to the Pentlands for leisure and exercise.

• Balerno Community High School to provide screens within the Hub, which offers a calm and safe place to support children with social, emotional and behavioural needs.

• the Scouts’ Wildfire Explorer Unit to provide Expedition Compasses to contribute during lockdown to virtual expedition training. The Balerno based unit is one of the largest in the Pentlands District.

Rotary Club President Theresa Douglas said the Community Chest was a great success. She said: “The Club celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2021 and we have achieved a lot over the years but what makes the Community Chest special is the community element. We are proud that this initiative has helped so many local initiatives, but we are delighted also to be operating the scheme in partnership with Balerno Village Trust and CALA Homes. We see our Rotary Club as an integral part of the local community and the Community Chest is evidence of that.”

The Community Chest provides grants of up to £500 to local organisations for projects which benefit the local community.

Applications can be made up to the end of May and November each year for consideration in June and December. www.cbrotary.org

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NEWS

7

No statute of limitations on the limitations of statues

By Stephen Rafferty The controversial Melville Monument in St Andrew Square could take on an innovative new digital life according to historian and former journalist Chris Holme.

The memorial to Henry Dundas, (1st Viscount Melville), former Lord Advocate, MP and First Lord of the Admiralty, has caused division for years due to his central role in delaying the abolition of slavery.

The City Council recently placed a temporary plaque on the monument to record Dundas’s role in imposing colonial rule on indigenous peoples and in facilitating the continuation of the slave trade until 1807, which led to more than half a million Africans being enslaved.

Chris, founder of The History Company which specialises in bringing together historical content, said the 150ft tall statue

Chris Holme

could be put to more appropriate use for the digital age.

He said: “Henry Dundas has left us with a problem, but not so much his figure atop the column which is already out of sight with only defecating pigeons for company – more the 1500 tons column which supports him. But instead of destroying it or defacing it, we could harness creative energies and skills to fashion something new through digital remastering.”

One use could be to screen films in St Andrew Square which would feature contemporary Black Scottish voices. Possible screenings could include the Stewart Kyasimire documentary Black and Scottish; 1745 - An Untold Story of Slavery; the poem A Scottish Solder by Makar Jackie Kay about Arthur Roberts who fought with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in WW1; and David Hayman’s two part documentary Slavery: Scotland’s Hidden Shame.

Chris added: “The column itself is wide and tall enough for projecting images with accompanying sound and there is no shortage of material. It could feature, for example, the cross of St Andrew on the flag of Jamaica, contemporary caricatures of Dundas or panels from the

Scottish Diaspora Tapestry.”

Digital technology offers ready access to historical primary sources, said Chris, and this has helped fuel renewed public interest in Scotland’s links with the slave trade which is mirrored by new research by academic historians.

As Chris points out, St Andrew Square has being repurposed before - in 1918 as a hutted village built by the American YMCA to

stop using glyphosate in their area because of health risks.

The council confirmed that they would trial a 'Foamstream ' weed control system instead, although that has fallen foul of the Covid-19 pandemic. The parks department are concentrating on grass-cutting instead.

Annie Macdonald of Pesticide Free Balerno, with its 580 signatures, explained that they were delighted by the response.

She said: "We were relieved that the council listened to the community's health concerns in Balerno, safeguarding those with vulnerable immune and respiratory health issues like asthma which is crucial now more than ever."

Now they have taken matters into their own hands with volunteer weeding groups removing the weeds manually or individually outside their own property or street. Annie explained there are benefits to what they do: "Our Volunteer Weeding group is sponsored by our local Scotmid and we have been removing weeds in the community this year to support the council moving to safe alternatives.

It's not just in the suburbs that weed control is an issue. City centre resident, Lorna, said: "I was horrified to see the council out spraying near Dublin Street. We were walking by with our two small children who were put at risk of breathing in the cancer causing pesticide chemicals, and I am disgusted that the council would allow this to happen.

stone, bronze or lead, but we can now interrogate them using tools they couldn’t have imagined.

"Creative talents across all the arts have been denied expression

by Covid-19 which this year for the first time has also drawn the curtain on Edinburgh’s festivals.

But with every problem comes an opportunity and it is time to put our thinking caps on." www.historycompany.co.uk

Dundas memorial could be digitalised

Pesticides purge welcomed across the city

By Phyllis Stephen A petition to stop Edinburgh spraying glyphosate on our city's streets has inspired similar campaigns in Balerno and fledgling movements in Portobello.

Jessica Windsor began the Pesticide Free Edinburgh campaign, explaining her view that pesticide use has multiple harmful effects on human and animal health causing environmental pollution.

She said: "The notorious chemical glyphosate is used here in Edinburgh and has been linked to cancer in humans and animals.

Direct contact with any pesticide can cause acute short term health problems such as respiratory tract irritation, allergic sensitisation, nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea, seizures, headache and loss of consciousness.

"Children are more at risk than adults due to their age and also their behaviour, for example, investigating nature, crawling and playing on grass and spending time in areas such as playgrounds and parks where pesticides are used. Dogs and cats are particularly vulnerable too due to their close proximity to the ground.

Pesticides have also been shown to have a damaging effect on bee populations and other pollinators which are currently in steep decline and need all the help they can get."

Residents in Balerno petitioned the council earlier this year to

serve soldiers on leave from the war, while the south side of the square has been largely rebuilt in recent years and will soon have a fresh focus alongside the new Edinburgh St James Centre.

He said: “We have time to reflect further on this, there isn’t a statute of limitations on the limitations of statues. Edinburgh has around 200 statues and virtually all have one thing in common. Essentially, they are mostly white blokes set fast in

"It is irresponsible, dangerous and against our human rights to have these chemicals sprayed around the city centre. I raised my concerns with the council and these have been completely ignored.

"Councils and cities all over the world are banning its use, due to concerns the chemical can lead to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and other health issues, water and soil pollution, and can impact the health of important insects e.g. bees. The City of Edinburgh Council continues to be a dinosaur when it comes to environmental issues with minimal EV car charging points, few bike lanes, and clearing trees left right and centre, it is a disgrace.”

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener said: “In terms of controlling weeds generally, we take an integrated approach and have greatly reduced our use of glyphosatebased herbicides by using a variety of methods, such as deep cleansing streets, mulching, strimming and hoeing.

“We have also trialled a number of glyphosate-alternative herbicides, hot water and hot foam, and ultimately plan to move away from using glyphosate-based herbicides when an effective and financially viable alternative is found, however for the moment they remain the most effective treatment on roads, pavements and other hard surfaces.”

Marketing the capital city is amiss

by Phyllis Stephen We have written many times about the fate of the city's marketing body, and make no apology for doing so. Now, more than ever, it seems to us that the marketing body which drew in a ninefold return on investment on its This is Edinburgh campaign is very much needed, to help rekindle the city's tourism business.

Instead, the Arms Length External Organisation with three councillors at the helm, has cost the council just over £1.6 million with further funds retained as contingency funding. And that figure according to the council does not include 'payments for services’.

In the reply to our Freedom of Information request, the council confirmed that the Board of Marketing Edinburgh did appoint an external organisation to undertake the preparation and auditing of the company accounts.

But, they go on to say that the cost of that is not known to them.

However, they were able to confirm that the board appointed external HR consultants at a cost of around £2,345. This presumably dealt with the voluntary and compulsory redundancy matters. The company has now been taken in-house by the council.

If the council had accepted the October 2019 business plan drawn up by the previous board, that would have cost £450,000 with a defined strategy to reduce its dependence on council funding.

Instead the company headed up by three city councillors, Cllr Kate Campbell, Cllr Claire Miller and Cllr Mandy Watt, has incurred fines of an estimated £1500 due to late filing of its accounts with Companies House.

It is now officially sidelined, and the council has agreed to pay £55,000 to Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) to create a tourism message for the city now.

This is a bitter pill as Marketing Edinburgh was a Director of ETAG, 'shaping, influencing and leading the visitor agenda for the city'.

At the time of going to press the company is still in default with Companies House as the accounts have not been lodged timeously, inccurring fines of possibly £1500.

The reason given for that was somewhat questionable. The Director of Place, Paul Lawrence, claimed at a recent council meeting that the reason for it was that the auditors would not sign the accounts off until the council decided on the future of the limited company.

Given that the accounts related to the period to 31 March 2019, this seems an odd excuse.

The last accounts submitted to Companies House ran to 31 March 2018 showing income of £1.97 million.

There is no doubt that times have changed, and that level of income would be difficult to achieve, but £1.6 million is difficult to find at any time.

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Students paint a poor picture of Edinburgh College of Art online degree show efforts

By Stephen Rafferty Final year students at Edinburgh College of Art have painted college bosses as cheapskates over their attempts at hosting an online virtual graduation show.

The traditional graduation show is a huge affair, bringing together the works completed over four years of hundreds of students from the art, design and architecture schools at ECA. The show is a platform for budding artists hoping to embark on careers in their chosen field and an opportunity to celebrate with friends and family, but due

Art student Louis Lisle to Covid-19 restrictions ECA were unable to stage a live show this summer.

Disgruntled students say ECA’s attempt to host the graduation show online was haphazard, incomplete, hosted on an outdated website platform and was a poor representation of students hard work.

Undergraduates pointed to similar virtual graduation shows

put on by Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen and Glasgow School of Art which they claimed were far superior and a proper recognition of students efforts compared to ECA. Now the students have launched an alternative online showcase, named Alt_D, which they say will be user-friendly and easy to access. The platform goes live on 10 August and has received hundreds of submissions Fourth year painter and student spokesman, Louis Lisle, said: “ECA sold us a false dream that their virtual degree show would be a real celebration, something to look forward to, but when we saw it we were absolutely gutted. It was difficult to navigate, clunky, some people’s profiles were missing, images were wrongly labelled and it was hosted on a very outdated platform.

“Other schools of art around the country had made a real effort but ECA’s appeared to have been done on the cheap and it was very disappointing. We appealed to the ECA Principal pointing out this was not fit for purpose but the attitude was everything was fine and there was no willingness to change anything.

“After collectively feeling underwhelmed and disappointed by the Edinburgh College of Art’s online space, we took it upon ourselves to create our own. That is why the idea behind Alt_D is to celebrate the wonderful talent

of this year's cohort in our own, democratic terms. Our main aim is simple - to create an accessible online exhibition platform which is clean, user-friendly and, most of all, exciting.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh College of Art, said: “When it became clear that a physical show could not take place, we spoke with graduating students to rethink what could be done to give their work as much exposure as in previous years.

“The result is the ECA virtual show, which showcases 2,500 pieces of work from 28 degree programmes and has created

Clubland:The Dance Mat by final year student Geraldine Sawyer

Museums reopening in August National Museums Scotland will reopen the National Museum of Flight, National Museum of Rural Life and the National Museum of Scotland in August.

With a range of safety measures in place they are raring to see visitors again, although ask that everyone books a timed entry slot.

Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland said: “We’ve missed our visitors and are thrilled to be welcoming them back to our museums.

"We have enjoyed creating a vibrant digital experience during closure, but nothing compares with that exhilarating feeling which comes from encountering real objects in our unique buildings.

It has been a difficult time for so many and we know our museums have a vital role to play in people’s lives as places to enjoy time with family and friends, promoting well-being and offering inspiration through our wonderful collections.

“The safety of our staff and visitors is paramount and everyone can feel confident that we have been working incredibly hard across all of our sites to ensure their visit will be both safe

and enjoyable. Things may feel a little different when you visit, but we are still here, your much-loved museums, with a few additional measures to keep you safe.”

All museums will operate their normal opening hours except for the National Museum of Scotland which will open from 10.30 - 16.30.

This is to allow the large staff team to arrive and implement their daily health and safety checks of the building safely.

online portfolios for each of the 300 graduating students. In a testament to the strength of the work on show, our data suggests that visitors to the site are staying longer and exploring more than on previous Degree Show websites.

“We are continuing to work with our students under these exceptional circumstances and are listening to their views on the virtual degree show hub. We remain committed to staging a physical show when that becomes possible.” www.degreeshow.eca.ed.ac. uk/2020/

The visitor experience at all the museums has been reviewed and to begin with there will be a more limited offer than usual at each museum, with high-touch areas, and spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained remaining closed.

National Museums Scotland has been awarded the UK-wide, industry standard ‘We’re Good To Go’ accreditation. This means they have been following Government

and public health guidelines, have carried our Covid-19 risk assessments and have the appropriate processes in place.

Opening Dates: National Museum of Flight 5 August 2020 National Museum of Rural Life Wednesday 12 August 2020 National Museum of Scotland Wednesday 19 August 2020 nms.ac.uk/

Maddy Moore, Collections Care Technician, National Museums Scotland, brushes lions in preparation for the reopening of the National Museum of Scotland on 19 August. PHOTO: Stewart Attwood

FEATURE

9

August things you need to know At Leith Walk Police Box you will find a lot going on - and more activities will be added to their list as the month progresses.

Tipico Sicilian confectioners - nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, tarrone, brittles and gift boxes Wednesdays and Fridays 11-5ish.

Card payment please.

Smex pop up art café - browse zines, prints, cards and tees designed by illustrator Alex Weir over a coffee 12-5. Artwork for sale, food and drink by donation.

Saturday 1 August, Sunday 2 August.

Leith and Lochend Home Grown - Saturday 8 August 11-4 - get gardening and growing in Leith with Edible Estates. Free seeds and garden resources.

Woodland Trust - Sunday 9 August 11-3 - the charity that protects the UK’s trees and woodlands Historic Environment Scotland reopen the doors of Edinburgh Castle on 1 August.

The organisation has over 300 properties in its care and our castle was included in the second phase of a staggered programme of openings. It is only the outside space which is available to visitors, along with some inside areas where physical distancing can be maintained.

They hope that by the end of the month they will have everywhere open fully. Visitors have to book tickets online and use contactless payment where possible. There will be one-way systems in place to keep visitors and staff safe.

Visitor numbers will be limited.

Only Inchcolm Abbey will be open during the 2020 season, but other seasonal attractions will remain closed.

Plans are in place to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day – or ‘VJ Day’ as it is better known. Saturday, 15 August, will mark 75 years to the day when Imperial Japan surrendered in the Second World War to bring six years of global conflict to an end.

VJ Day will be marked by a series of “virtual” events organised

by Armed Forces charities Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government.

A series of programmes will be broadcast live via the charities’ social media channels to mark the milestone anniversary. A virtual Service of Remembrance will be shown from 10:35am on, 15 August, and will be followed at midday by a virtual concert.

On Monday, 17 August, which will mark the first full week of the new school term, a live lesson will help to ensure that younger generations have an opportunity to learn more about the significance of VJ Day.

The Edinburgh Reporter

10 ADVERTORIAL

Spaces for People - Keeping People Safe and supporting Edinburgh's business recovery

This is an opinion article by Lesley Macinnes, Convener for Transport and Environment, The City of Edinburgh Council.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Scottish Government awarded £5 million out of their £30 million pot to Edinburgh.

The purpose of the funding is to provide more space for people to walk, wheel and cycle in the capital.

Cllr Macinnes writes: "Edinburgh’s residents are beginning to notice more pedestrianised areas, wider pavements and cycle lanes popping up across Edinburgh recently. With these temporary measures, and more in planning, our Spaces for People programme is making good progress.

"Over the coming weeks, the City of Edinburgh Council will deliver more than 30km of temporary segregated cycle lanes, as well as widening pavements in some local shopping areas and reducing speed limits in key areas so people feel safer.

"We were awarded £5 million of Scottish Government funding, through Sustrans, to make these temporary changes as lockdown is gradually lifted. We are creating space for everyone to keep a safe

distance, whether they are walking or cycling, using a wheelchair or other mobility aids, using a pram or queueing to get into a shop.

"Temporary measures implemented so far include segregating cycle lanes on several streets and closing pinch points like Waverley Bridge to car traffic. People will be able to enjoy moving around our city more safely including in shopping streets like Cockburn Street, Victoria Street, Portobello and Gorgie/Dalry.

"Work is well underway to create new cycle lanes and widened pavements across the city.

"We’re basing our changes to the city landscape on previous consultations as well as on the phenomenal feedback we received through the interactive

Cllr Lesley Macinnes

s e c

physical distancing remains in place. People clearly want to see measures which focus on these areas and we’re working hard to design proposals which reflect this.

"In our local shopping areas, for example, residents have called for wider pavements, parking restrictions and the reduction of street clutter such as railings to support the reopening of shops and other businesses. Providing the space to allow easy queueing to get into shops, for example, will help to encourage people to linger and support their local economy.

"As we go through the next few weeks and months, implementing

Commonplace online tool.

"Residents made more than 4000 suggestions on how to make the city function better during this difficult time. Comments about reducing the amount and speed of traffic and widening pavements, for example, came through loud and clear. Those suggestions and our actions are all about making the city’s streets and communities more accessible and welcoming to everyone.

"We monitored the trends in your feedback - key issues are traffic speeds and volume, and the need for wider pavements and cycles lanes to support easier movement by foot, bike or wheeling while

Braid Road was one of the first to close

a p

S

more measures across the city, we will be using these ideas and suggestions to improve or tweak the reallocation of space in our city. It is very important that we give everyone the space to move around safely, secure in the knowledge that the best possible measures have been put in place to let them go shopping, get some exercise or go to work in this beautiful city."

Find out more about Spaces for People, what work has been done, what is currently underway and what’s coming up at edinburgh.gov.uk/ spacesforpeople

o f

p r

e l p o e

Temporary changes to our streets Keeping people safe and supporting business recovery. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/spacesforpeople

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THE BEST OF... 11

The Edinburgh Reporter Best Of . . .

Lighthouse Bookshop's Life Raft This will keep you and the bookshop afloat while the shop is closed. The Lighthouse online shop is accepting all book orders.

Email the titles and the shop will send a payment link and arrange dispatch.

More details on lighthousebookshop.com

Ardgowan Distillery Enjoy the recently released Clydebuilt Coppersmith - a limited edition blend of malts matured in first fill Oloroso sherry casks.

FREE shipping with a branded Glencairn nosing glass.

The Hideout Café A cosy hideout in Edinburgh serving speciality coffee, tea, treats and brunch. Iced lattes and other goodies to sort you out.

Open daily.

0131 552 5289 40-42 Queen Charlotte St EH6 6AT www.thehideoutcafe.co.uk

Twelve Triangles If you are desperate for a sweet treat the Brunswick Street and Portobello High Street shops opens at 8.30am until they have sold out of everything.

Also delivery next day where possible, minimum order £15.

The Eco Larder Zero waste shop on Morrison St. Matt in Edinburgh manned the shop, but his wife and co-owner, Stephanie ran the website from Bute - and looked after her mum.

Show them some love and buy their products now. Ask about soapnuts. Collect/Cargo bike deliveries www.theecolarder.com

Broughton Place Hair and Beauty Friendly boutique city salon.

Owner and stylist Juliet is always happy to discuss your needs and deliver a highly professional service. They specialise in long hair and tape in hair extensions.

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

Good Brothers Wine Bar Neighbourhood wine bar in Stockbridge, specialising in natural and organic wine and local, artisan produce. Also enjoy at home, as part of a Good Brothers To Go delivery.

4-6 Dean Street EH4 1LW 0131 315 3311 goodbrothers.co.uk/ @goodbrotherswinebar

The Wee Coffee Bar Sharon owns and runs the Morrison St café where she serves delicious, aromatic Illy coffee. Try a breakfast roll or get ready for lunch with homemade soup and a sandwich with a range of fillings all made to order. Takeaway or eat in 7.15am - 2.30pm. weecoffeeebar.co.uk

Passorn WIth a Michelin Bib Gourmand under their belt this Thai restaurant is a real winner. The Banquet Box gives home diners a tasty option with Angel Curry Sirloin steak and Miang crispy seabass salad delivered to your door.

0131 229 1537 passornthai.com

Edinburgh Photography Workshop Learn how to use your camera in Edinburgh’s Old Town with awardwinning photographer Rich Dyson.

In just four hours you’ll gain the skills and confidence to take better pictures. Book now to enjoy a fun experience. edinburghphotographyworkshop. com

Rose Theatre Café You don't know what you've got till its scone . . . Mary and Sinead say: "We are open for takeaway, come grab a coffee and a scone, it can be part of your daily walk routine in this crazy new world order." Preorder bread by FB Messenger www.facebook.com/rosetheatrecafe

The Fine Wine Company The Portobello wine shop has stepped up delivery of wines and spirits, even champagne if you feel like it. Adam and Alex Rankine are also helping us by distributing our papers. Delivering wine to EH7, EH15 and EH21 at the moment.

Shop open from 10am to 6pm thefinewinecompany.co.uk

Something Fishy Independent fishmonger providing quality fresh and cured fish. At the beginning of lockdown there was some question over availability but this wee shop has kept going.

Use Schop to have your fish delivered.

16a Broughton Street EH1 3RH 0131 556 7614

Schop This is an easy, convenient and eco-friendly alternative to a supermarket shop. Working in partnership with independent retailers, Tim at Schop offers to deliver a huge range of great quality food and drink straight to your door. schop.co

Craig Banks Tailoring 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 so stylish!

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

Edinburgh School of Food & Wine Ian and his team put the teaching kitchen to good use helping Food for Good by sending out over 13,500 meals to those in need.

Now they are back and you can buy vouchers for classes again.

The Glenturret Shop Four individually hand crafted Glenturret glass baubles filled with different single malts.

It is the perfect gift to send to any whisky lover, and of course you can do this, or order a bottle or two for yourself online. theglenturret.com

Roots They are offering veg boxes with zero contact delivery and collection options.

Free delivery in certain cases.

Support local business!

Roeder & Bell Each week, gourmet parcels of fresh provisions are meticulously curated by the team and packed with glorious things to eat, drink and enjoy, delivered directly to your home. Large, small and vegetarian boxes available alongside a well-stocked pantry section. roederandbell.com

Maid of the Forth Award-winning 90-min or 3 hour sightseeing cruises from South Queensferry, with landing trips on Inchcolm Island.

Ideal for families, couples and groups alike.

Daily sailings throughout August. www.maidoftheforth.co.uk

shop.ardgowandistillery.com

twelve-triangles-myshopify.com

18 William Street EH3 7NH 0131 225 6376 munch@rootsedinburgh.co.uk

0131 331 5001 www.esfw.com

The Edinburgh Reporter

12 FEATURE

Good things come to brothers who d "It sounds brutal but Edinburgh will be all the better if it is no longer financially viable for multi-nationals in the city centre"

The Neighbourgood Market in Stockbridge

By Stephen Rafferty He shut the doors of his Stockbridge wine bar and restaurant on the first weekend of lockdown in March and walked away not knowing if the business would remain closed for four, five, six months.

But within 48 hours Graeme Sutherland and brother Rory, owners of Good Brothers, had launched a home delivery service providing all the produce that they normally supplied in the wine bar to regular customers who were isolating at home.

“Walking away that Saturday night we had no idea when we would reopen or if we would reopen, but I have been in hospitality for 20 years of my life and the thought of sitting around for months was going to drive me insane, said Graeme.

“Out of necessity and in just a few days we pivoted our business to launch Good Brothers To Go and it has evolved in to a bit of a beast which is now a key part of our business.

“Initially we looked at who we were working with in the bar and restaurant, those who were really affected, like Charles Stamper our fruit and veg supplier, the Mellis family who were doing all our meats and cheeses, Bon Accord our soft drinks supplier, and we got them involved.”

With initial expectations of perhaps serving a handful of regulars, the bespoke home delivery service confounded expectations, peaking at £5000 a week turnover, and in Graeme’s words it was “utterly humbling” to find such strong support from customers.

“With the recent opening of lockdown and people's freedoms being given back to them this has dropped off a bit but we are now looking to evolve this side of the business by providing luxury

Good Brothers got on their bike during the pandemic products and fine foods alongside the wines we have always provided as take away or delivery.”

While many businesses struggled with lockdown conditions or were simply unable to adjust, Good Brothers are an example of what can be achieved in the face of adversity. “I feel guilty about saying this, but the lockdown has been very positive for us. It made us focus on what we were doing right and to assess how we could survive, and it gave us the time to sit down and look at how we could change things for the better.”

In addition to home deliveries Good Brothers have also been one of the local suppliers invited to participate in the innovative The Neighbourgood Market, set up on the site of The Grange Club’s cricket ground and due to run until the end of August. The contactless open air market features a range of pop-up bars supplying drinks, food and beverages and is limited to only 300 people at any one time.

Good Brothers had a pop-up bar designed and built specially for the market and now that too will form a separate arm of the business as the company looks to diversify in

to outside events in the months ahead.

The Dean Street bar and restaurant has also reopened and initial reviews from customers visiting in the post-lockdown era have been encouragingly positive.

At the moment opening hours are more restricted – Wednesday to Saturday – but that will change in time.

Graeme said: “All our staff are back from furlough, we have very strict two metre distancing between tables, all staff are wearing PPE, we have a one-way system in the building and implemented detailed Covid returnto-work protocols. The feedback has been superb, with customers saying that while we were busy, they felt completely safe and we had created a welcoming atmosphere in what is a strange situation. We want to open more hours but we first want to make sure we are doing everything as best we can and do things well.

Getting consumer confidence back and making sure people are happy coming out and feeling safe is key.

If we just threw open the doors and people were uncertain about what we were doing we would not survive.”

Graeme Sutherland and Sanni Jokinen ready to serve at Good Brothers. PHOTO Martin Casting his eye over what lies ahead for Edinburgh’s vast and varied hospitality sector, Graeme doesn’t mince his words on where he feels the city – and certain businesses – are failing to step up to the mark in this new environment.

He said: “There are going to be lot of casualties and the landscape will be very different. It is going to be a strange place and it will take years to recover but the smaller businesses who are able to adapt and change their business quickly are the ones who will survive long term. A number of people who sat back and relied on furlough and survived on Government handouts but who have not actually changed their busines have shown a lack of imagination, and those are the ones who will struggle.”

Fresh thinking from commercial landlords and the city council could play a crucial role in breathing new life in to the city centre which is about to feel the post-Covid-19 chill with businesses retreating from strategic sites. He added: “I have been a huge critic of Edinburgh over the last 10 years. Historically it was a wonderful place to do business for the small owner-

operators and independents but the city centre, and in particular George Street and St Andrew Square, has been dominated of late by multi-national businesses.

It sound fairly brutal but if these people go because it is no longer financially viable for them to stay, Edinburgh can become better for it.

“Commercial landlords, who own all the main sites, should look to engage with local tenants more. They may not get the huge financial rents they have negotiated in the past but they will get people in who are committed to the city and who will offer some form of continuity. Local Edinburgh businesses who are looking for good site to work out of but who have been frozen out because of disproportionate costs, could benefit but there needs to be greater communication between landlords, the council and business owners.

“The Edinburgh Festivals have been cancelled and yes, it is going to be dreadful for central Edinburgh, but you know what, most of Edinburgh does not benefit from the Festival and business wise the city may end up stronger."

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New landscape heralds changes in hospitality

Necessity is the mother of invention it is claimed, but it didn’t need wise words from Greek philosopher Plato for Edinburgh’s pub and hospitality trade to reinvent themselves in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Across the city, pub licensees, restaurateurs and food vendors have been coming up with fresh and innovative ways to continue serving thirsty and hungry customers, while adhering to guidelines aimed at protecting the safety of staff and paying punters.

Measures introduced to ensure diners and drinkers feel comfortable and safe vary greatly. At The Ivy on The Square, measures include using thermal cameras for temperature checks, the use of tracking software for all employees logging daily temperature readings over a seven-day rolling period, and professional deep cleaning and disinfecting on a daily basis.

Contrast this with a pub in Portobello, which on a packed sunny afternoon made no effort to collect any personal information of guests which could assist track and trace if required.

serving.”

Like many city restaurants, the Michelin Bib Gourmand rated Thai restaurant Passorn in Tollcross, focussed on a take-away offering during lockdown but opened fully on 31 July.

Owner Cindy Sirapassorn said: “Safety, hygiene and social distancing measures are all vital, but reopening is also about making sure both the experience and value for our customers are outstanding. While our menu has been refreshed, all of the long-standing favourites are still there.”

Passorn has also enhanced its offering for cautious customers who still prefer to dine at home and with local delivery now available, the takeaway menu is a stripped-down version of the restaurant’s offering.

Hospitality businesses which could not trade during lockdown, such as the Edinburgh School of Food & Wine at Newliston, found other ways to keep busy. Now fully reopened, Principal Iain Pirrie said: “We are delighted to be back up and running again and we started with a wonderful Kids Masterchef

Shezan, Union Place

Passorn passion

Edinburgh School of Food & Wine

Ready for a Wee Coffee?

n P McAdam

Counting the cost of Covid For some the pandemic has sadly brought the shutters down permanently and the cityscape has lost a number of well-loved establishments.

Dominic Jack’s award winning Castle Terrace restaurant is one casualty after 10 years serving up top quality fair in the shadow on the Castle, while Kitchin Group stablemate Southside Scran in Bruntsfield will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

The Tower located in the National Museum of Scotland in Chamber Street is part of James Thomson’s portfolio and has closed after a 20 year run. Covid-19 had presented “insurmountable difficulties” due to social distancing measures and the end of the restaurant’s lease was another factor.

Edinburgh Food Studio chose not to renew their lease at Dalkeith Road where the ground-breaking team had hosted a range of visiting internationally renowned chefs, and also on the Southside, husband and wife team Stuart Ralston and Krystal Goff at Aizle has moved upmarket and upped sticks to take up residence at The

Kimpton Charlotte Square.

One of the highest profile victims of Covid-19 has been Henderson’s, which opened on Hanover Street in 1962 and as Scotland’s first vegetarian restaurant helped convert many an Edinburgher from burgers to salad and greens. The restaurant bravely tried a clickand-collect service but with city centre offices and businesses shuttered, there was not enough footfall and passing trade to sustain the business.

The city’s celebrated George Street has not escaped the coronavirus crisis and The InterContinental George Hotel will remain closed until next February, while many other hotels are engaged in redundancy consultations.

There is good news however, immediately across the street, with confirmation that arguably the capital’s jewel in the crown, The Dome, will reopen on 19 August and as always it will be primed to signal the start of the Christmas season as the first site to install impressive festive decorations and lights in November.

Shahid Ghani, owner of Indian restaurant Shezan in Union Place is pragmatic about the steps he had to take to reopen. He said: "It has cost me quite a bit of money to get to this point but it just had to be done. All our staff have taken Covid-19 health and safety exams and the response from customers leaving reviews on TripAdvisor has been very positive with many saying how safe they feel during their visit here. We haven’t been given much direction by the government, but we’ve researched everything and have introduced protective 6 ft high transparent plastic screens between each table to keep people safe. When you arrive at Shezan you will follow our one way system, tables are sanitised with anti-bacterial spray and cutlery is only placed on the table when food is served. All our staff wear masks and visors and other PPE and they stay at a distance from customers when

summer camp, which was a lovely way to get back in the swing.

During lockdown and in a time of global crisis we put our teaching kitchen to good use, sending out over 13,500 meals to those most vulnerable and in need around Edinburgh and a huge thank you is due to the volunteers who helped us as well as Food for Good who have organised and distributed over 55,000 nutritious meals to date.”

Smaller coffee shops and cafes – a lifeline for city office staff and workers – have been particular hit hard with less footfall and many businesses still to fully reopen but Haymarket favourite, The Wee Coffee Bar in Morrison Street, is brewing up a storm. Owner Sharon Miller admits recent months have been tough but she and her staff have worked through the crisis and are looking forward to some kind of normality in the coming weeks and months.

FEATURE 13

Popping up is the new propping up Propping up the bar is a no-go as Covid-19 measures now discourage drinkers from standing while ordering or drinking a beer, and with that there has been a big move towards table service and drinking outdoors.

There are a growing number of options for city drinkers to enjoy a get-together al fresco and with moves by the city council to reduce traffic in the city centre and increase outside space around hospitality venues, Edinburgh could rival other European capitals where eating and drinking outside is the norm.

The Cold Town House in the Grassmarket led the charge when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited just before the relaxation of measures on outdoor areas, while the wider Grassmarket area has benefited as a place where bars and restaurants have traditionally offered outside eating and drinking. The Pear Tree, with 50 tables a huge TV screen and BBQ area, continues to enjoy its status as a Southside favourite, while just off Broughton Street, The Outhouse was concerned it remained an unknown outsider and commissioned a catchy video to tell potential clients of its sunny beer garden.

In the New Town, the Cumberland Bar hopes drinkers will take a butcher’s at their outside facilities and is in stellar company with neighbour the Star Bar shining a light on its small but perfectly formed outside area. Deeper in to Stockbridge and adjoining The Neighbourgood Market on the site of Grange cricket ground is the popular family friendly The Raeburn.

In Morningside, the once infamous but now spruced up Canny Man’s has a large beer garden area and while venturing inside visitors can marvel at the stark “No mobile phones” sign which is a relic from the days of a former no-nonsense licensee.

Up the hill and close to the King’s Theatre the trendy Blackbird in Leven Street claims to be home to “the best beer garden in Edinburgh (probably)” as you would if you were a former winner of the Scottish Style Awards.

And for those who like their food and beverages served with a splash of culture, the grounds of the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art have reopened with a pop-up café serving coffee and cake for visitors who can wander through specially created sculpture trails in Modern One and Two free of charge. The gallery buildings remain closed but staff are working hard towards a phased reopening later this month.

Much talked about The Little Chartroom visits the seaside from 1 August with a pop-up BBQ offering on Portobello Beach, Wednesday to Sunday.

The Edinburgh Reporter

14 BUSINESS

Princes Street £50 million hotel planned as Debenhams exits site

Proposals for a £50 million hotel with shopping dining hospitality and event space at 109-112 Princes Street have been published and will proceed to the Pre-Application process.

The owners say the historically significant buildings which include Debenhams on Princes Street and Rose Street as well as the former club next door, are underused at present and they want to transform them into a 'vibrant destination' for residents and tourists alike.

Legal & General who own the building have already undertaken regeneration projects on this scale in other UK cities like Cardiff and Newcastle.

They have spent billions of pounds on the developments using their capital streams to reshape the urban landscape. They say they are committed to doing this by "recycling hard-earned UK savings and pensions into real assets" promoting job creation and supporting a bounce-back after the coronavirus pandemic.

The refurbishment will literally be top-to-toe with a Sky Bar on the roof and a basement spa.

There would be a shopping 'close' between Princes Street and Rose Street all open to the public.

The company say that this will

help to fulfil the council's long held ambitions to create a café culture on the city centre street.

It is a decade since Jan Gehl produced their report which imagined Edinburgh as Paris, putting the pedestrian first. That report also predicted with a great degree of foresight the need for around 1.3 to 3.5 metres of social distance in outside developments in its outline for a "city which is truly for people".

Matt Jarvis, Senior Fund Manager at Legal & General, said: “As normality begins to return around the world, it has never been more important that we support the UK’s cities in continuing to adapt, change and innovate

by supporting their economic recovery and continuing to promote them as attractive places to live, work and visit.

"Our vision for Princes Street will do just that, whilst securing these important buildings as a vibrant hub in the centre of one of the world’s great cities.

"With some of the best views anywhere, looking directly on to Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle, our aim is to create a space which all Edinburgh and Scottish residents can enjoy, whilst continuing to attract quality tourism to the city."

An online consultation process is to be launched.

Debenhams on Princes Street could become a hotel PHOTO Martin P McAdam

Appy new home Be clear on from Bield college courses A couple from South Africa secured a dream Edinburgh move after viewing their new home over WhatsApp. Staff at housing provider Bield ensured distance and technology was no barrier after they received the request from the couple to view the property at Halmyre Street in Leith – from their current home 8,000 miles away. Bield proposed using WhatsApp to show images and video of the exterior and interior of the flat.

It was the first time Bield has successfully let a property using WhatsApp, underlining its new drive to enhance the role digital technology can play in helping to improve its service to older people.

Scott Robertson, Bield Housing Officer for the East, said: “Social media is such a big part of all of our lives, it didn’t really surprise us that it’s becoming the preferred method of communication when people are looking to rent or buy properties – especially if you’re living on the other side of the world. This WhatsApp viewing came about after I’d made contact with one of the applicants on our housing list for vacant properties – and found out they were living in South Africa.“ Halmyre Street is for people aged over 60. bield.co.uk

Edinburgh College will help prospective students find a course to suit them with its annual Clearing Events on 7 and 8 August.

The college cannot welcome applicants onto campus as normal for clearing, but the admissions and course teams can give guidance about best study options. The Clearing call centre opens at 10am each day and students are urged to '"make that call".

Students can register for a course starting in September and find information about additional support requirements, or student funding options and course fees.

Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming new and returning students to Edinburgh College for session 2020/21 – albeit in very different circumstances than in previous years.

"We still have places available across a range of courses, and we’d encourage anyone considering the first or next steps in their career to contact our teams during our Clearing Events to assess the best available study options for this year and beyond."

Tel 0131 297 8300 between 10am and 4pm each day. clearing@edinburghcollege. ac.uk.

Raise a glass to Campervan beers Shoppers happy with

by Nigel Duncan Campervan Brewery have released two new beers, MIMOSA, a new fruity sour beer which is part of its Signature Range, and a White IPA second edition of its Transient IPA Series.

MIMOSA (4.8 per cent ABV) is a raspberry and apricot Berliner Weisse is a cocktail inspired sour beer. The lemony acidity of the German beer style gives the fresh kick to the sweetness and softness of the apricot and raspberry.

Paul Gibson, Campervan Brewery founder, said: "Fruity beers will always be a part of Campervan’s identity. Following recent additions to our Lost In Leith range and the Transient IPA Series, we always like to hit the summer months with a few fruity, sessionable beers.”

Transient is a series of changing IPAs and the second beer in the range is a bold 6 per cent ABV

called White IPA. Sabro and Ekuanot hops bring a big tropical fruit cocktail aroma of lychees, mangoes and pineapples. T Katie M Guthrie, an Edinbuurgh mural artist and illustrator has created transient aesthetic and cans designs.

Paul Gibson said: “Working with Katie on this project was a perfect match as we share the

same passion for skateboard and surf culture as well as the great outdoors and environment.

"The aesthetic she gave to our Transient IPA Series is reflecting perfectly Campervan Brewery’s roots and the playful tone and character we wanted to give to the series and the beers themselves.” www.campervanbrewery.com

Campervan Brewery pitches two new beers

AT HOME

Bring a little bit of Edinburgh Leisure into your home.

Online classes, advice and more.

edinburghleisure.co.uk/fitness-at-home

snappy Scotmid offer Ordering online has become second nature to many during the lockdown and now you can continue to do so with the newest app in town.

Using the Snappy Shopper app you can order your Scotmid groceries and have them delivered to your door within an hour.

Customers may choose from the 1000 product lines using the app or the website and these are then picked by Scotmid staff and delivered. The retailer have some big Scottish names like Barrs, Golden Wonder, Tunnocks and Mackies ready and waiting for delivery.

Stewart Dobbie, Head of Innovation and Change at Scotmid, said: “Snappy Shopper is enabling us to provide on-demand, simple, digital convenience to our customers and the positive

feedback we receive daily from customers in areas where Snappy Shopper is in place supported our decision to expand the offering.

“Our move into the capital marks the next step in our drive to enhance our food offering to existing and new customers.”

The first delivery for every customer is free when they sign up on the app, with subsequent deliveries across Edinburgh costing just £3.50.

There is a £10 minimum basket spend with a limit of 25 products per delivery while the pandemic persists.

Customers can order for delivery within an hour between 10am to 9pm.

Delivery slots are made available every 24 hours and booked on a first come, first served basis.

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Blair maps out Staycations puts employee-owned Jerba Campervans on road to success whisky guide Jerba Campervans is an employee owned business based in North Berwick and they are looking forward to continued trading improvement in the second half of the year.

Theres is evidence from AutoTrader that demand for motorhomes will rise with the increase in staycations.

The company has already improved both productivity and profit in the most recent financial year. In the year to January 2020 the firm's team of 14 converted 54 bespoke VW T6.1 camper vans.

While turnover was steady at £2.9 million the productivity boosted profits by 19%. The employees all share in the increase through their share bonus scheme.

Simon Poole, who with his wife Cath founded Jerba in 2006, believes the business model is already delivering far-reaching benefits.

He said: “Everyone has a voice and is very motivated to use it. The last financial year saw a bedding in of the new business model and its benefits start to really shine through.

“What that means now, is our team really is together and united.

Everyone takes an active role in assessing our productivity, knowing full well that it boosts

the business and directly impacts both their long term job security and their annual bonus.

“Since coming back from lockdown, the togetherness has been exceptional, as we strive to catch up on customer orders and ensure everyone feels safe and able to do their job to the fullest extent.”

Simon added: “Like with all businesses, the pandemic threw everything up in the air for us. But I’m relieved to be in the situation we are in – knowing we are in a very fortunate position.

“Whether or not the predicted boom in staycations fully materialises or not, we’ll keep

doing what we’re doing, working with our small team to build bespoke campervans that we hope go on to become beloved by their owners.”

Simon and Cath had owned and hired camper vans all over the world and decided they could add their own flair to the design and the overall user experience.

Volkswagen now supply all the van skeletons for them to transform into homes on wheels.

The company feel the employeeowned model enables greater transparency between all members of staff with everyone involved in decision making. www.jerbacampervans.co.uk

Ian Adkins, Senior Mastercraftsman at work on a bespoke van

Flower creatives blossom at Seventeen Style Your Spaces will have a new temporary home at Space at Seventeen on St Stephen Street in Stockbridge during August.

After a turbulent few months navigating the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the wedding and events industry as well as the direct impact on the newlylaunched small business, the company is thrilled to be looking forward with the positive news of a month long residency at Space at Seventeen.

Katie Brigstock, Creative Director and Founder, said: “We’ll be transforming the space with colourful flower installations, a candle wall, a dried flower bar where you can build your own bouquet and fresh flowers for sale in our signature style every weekend. It will also be a chance for us to chat with clients about our bespoke window installations for shops, hotels and restaurants

along with our styling services for press events, weddings and private celebrations.

"The shop will be open from Wednesday to Sunday each week with special social distancing measures in place.

"We have been blown away by the local response so far and can’t wait to welcome customers into

Say it with flowers

the space.”

Opening hourse are: Monday - closed, Tuesday closed, Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 10-6, Friday 10-6, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-4.

Only one household at a time will be allowed into the shop. styleyourspaces.co.uk

Blair Bowman knows a thing or two about whisky.

Based in Edinburgh, Blair regularly hosts whisky training sessions and 'multi-sensory' tasting events. He says he is passionate about introducing the world to whisky.

Bowman has visited over 100 distilleries so there is perhaps nobody better placed to write a guide on his chosen subject.

He has updated a compact pocket guide to uisge-beatha to help others pick their way through the infinite number of brands and distilleries.

Along with Nikki Welch, author of The Pocket Guide to Wine, this is a ‘tube map’ to aid whisky enthusiasts on their journey through the daunting world of whisky. Happily it helps readers to avoid the unnecessary, while explaining more about the premier blended malts too.

This is an updated edition with news about new small distilleries which have opened, recipes and guidance on whisky for every occasion.

Bowman is a whisky consultant and Nikki Welch first devised the flavour tube map concept.

The Pocket Guide to Whisky, Blair Bowman with Nikki Welch, £8.99 paperback Birlinn Ltd. blairbowman.com

BUSINESS 15

Student flats demand strong Maven Capital Partners, a UK property and private equity manager, has bought a site at Murieston Crescent, Edinburgh, for a £15 million development of a purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) complex.

Planning permission has been granted for a 120-bed PBSA development, with 108 studio apartments and 12 ensuite cluster flats on six floors.

Colin Anderson, Partner at Maven, said: “The PBSA sector has a history of low volatility and, despite the wider macroeconomic issues which have resulted from the Covid-19 crisis, we are continuing to see strong student sentiment to continue their education with an increase in applications this year to UK universities and colleges according to UCAS." Will Scarlett of Scarlett Land and Development, who acted for the seller, added: “SLD are delighted to have completed this transaction on behalf of The Route Finance which has required patience and tenacity by both parties.

"This is one of several PBSA deals brokered by SLD at the current time that demonstrate that the Edinburgh market remains solid for the right site in the right location."

New flights take off from Edinburgh to Belfast City Stobart Air will begin a new Edinburgh to Belfast service in August.

The company is the operator of Aer Lingus Regional and they will fly three flights a day with an ATR72-600 aircraft. Stobart Air now fly four services from Edinburgh Airport to Dublin, Cork, Shannon and now Belfast City.

Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult time for everyone in the aviation industry over the past few months so it’s great to finally see some positive developments and growing connectivity. We are delighted to enhance our aviation connections to make travel between these two great cities even easier."

Stobart Air Managing Director Andy Jolly said: “As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Stobart

Air has been challenged and we have worked hard over the past number of months to protect our airline and to position us for the future, once restrictions ease and passenger demand increases.

“Working with Belfast City Airport and Edinburgh Airport, along with our partners Aer Lingus, we are pleased to establish a base at Belfast City to service flights to Edinburgh. High frequency day-return flights from Edinburgh to Belfast City Airport will cater for both business and leisure travellers for direct, convenient and cost-effective flights.

“We continuously strive to provide our passengers with frequent, convenient and affordable services. We look forward to welcoming our passengers on board this new route from Edinburgh from 27 August.”

The Edinburgh Reporter

16 FEATURE

LNER on track with limited edition masks

LNER have created East Coast inspired face masks for customers to wear while travelling on their trains.

These include the thistle in their limited edition Edinburgh design.

The masks are reusable and can be bought online for £13.50 each.

LNER Communications Director, Kate McFerran, said: “We know how passionate our customers and colleagues are about the

great towns and cities of the LNER route. The thistle design reflects our gateway to Scotland, Edinburgh, and as a national symbol of Scotland we are excited to see our Scottish communities wear it with pride. Whilst we all adjust to these new ways of going about our daily lives, including using our services, we wanted to ensure that customers and colleagues could travel safely and in style."

LNER Edinburgh masks

Down 2. In the spa, use a short break (5) 3. Turn sad soon, over this despicable person (2-3-2) 4. Adjudicator turns free e'er long (7) 5. Mail sent by air or via a porn channel (3,5) 6. Compensate for printing method (6) 7. Severe reprimand for sending sword away (8-4) 8. Bodily protection provided by our ram (6) 11. Horse devours unusual appetizer (4,8) 16. Wave blown and broken with pace of wind (8) 17. He rams into female living quarters (6) 18. Rolling Stones I describe as being most inquisitive (7) 19. Do tie in new version of book (7) 21. Gloomy ? Sadly more so ! (6) 24. Fourth letter dealt out (5)

Edinburgh Collected This photo was taken about 1934 and shows a group of children possibly from Dean School. Marjory Turner submitted the snap, which was taken at the steps leading to No 1-10 Dean Path Buildings in Dean Village near the West End. It has been confirmed that the girl on the top step was Catherine Robertson, aged about 13 when the photograph was taken.

Edinburgh Collected is an online community photo archive managed by Edinburgh Libraries. Add your own memories to help preserve the city’s history, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Edinburgh Collected will add your contributions to the ‘Edinburgh 2020 – coronavirus pandemic' scrapbook. www.edinburghcollected.org

STR8TS

SUDOKU

Medium

6 5

9 2 4

6

8

3

6 7

1

5 4 9

8 8

3 2

3 5 1

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

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

7 5

5 8

1 6

Very Hard

1 3

8 1 3 9 2 5 3 2 2 1 1 5 4

9 4 6

2 9

5 4

7

6 2 1

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

Across 1. Work, stirring soup (4) 4. Ready to be plucked from pier (4) 9. Scientific notation or description of mural (7) 10. Turf her out to a greater distance (7) 12. Hold-up involving a stocking ? (9) 13. Some covers open to the left-hand page (5) 14. In Malta I like to follow somebody (4) 15. Postal payment in USA made via one more dry run (5-5) 17. Overbearing attitude of one waving arms in the air ? (4-6) 20. Tame sort of group of players (4) 22. Perch made from roots (5) 23. Drinks I've mixed for underwater swimmer (9) 25. Cool men sporting single eye-glass (7) 26. Silliness is not responsible for disease (7) 27. Observe a tricky situation (4) 28. Close-by in one arrangement (4)

© 2020 Syndicated Puzzles

Crossword by David Albury Answers on page 20

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

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

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

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FOOD 17

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Juliet's Food Diary - city in a jam with no festivals

by Juliet Lawrence Wilson Happy festival free August, folks. Whilst I don’t object to a fallow year myself I do feel for the hospitality industry, who have a difficult time of it in normal circumstances.

As an ex-restaurateur I feel it’s only right to add my sympathies to the restaurants and bars who are understandably livid at the unacceptable no-shows since reopening. There really is a special place in hell for such cretins.

That said, it’s hardly a new thing for clients to treat restaurants badly. When I was trading it wasn’t unusual for a table of eight to book with only six turning up.

No advance notice of course.

Almost equally annoying would be customers who take an age to taste a bottle of wine. It’s like their mum didn’t cuddle them enough, such is the pathetic attention-seeking of the whole affair. It’s very simple to be one of the favoured customers in a restaurant: turn up, on time and act like a nice and reasonable person. Oh and tip well. If things are going less than smoothly it might not be anyone’s fault. Also be aware that when you complain of “terrible customer service” to anyone who isn’t a cheapskate,

Hawksmoor's steak and chips - just remember to show up that directly translates to “didn’t get a full refund for a minor grievance”. Have a bit of class, eh?

Anyway, let’s move on to the more therapeutic and rewarding art of jam making. Nothing quite beats a home made jam.

Raspberry and blackcurrant are my firm favourites as the tart fruit combined with great quantities of sugar give the preserve a lovely mouth buzz. I’m not a fan of strawberry jam or conserve as I’ve never come across a recipe where strawberries tasted better cooked than raw. This week’s recipe is for apricot jam which is my mum’s favourite. I like to jazz it up a bit with flaked almonds and a dash of brandy. This reminds me of apricot brandy which is a lovely liquor in cocktails and a last resort when

you’ve drunk the sideboard dry.

Jam making is nothing to be shy of but a few basic rules help. First of all boiling jam is like molten lava, so not an activity to do with children or boisterous pets in the same room. A jam burn is like no other.

The setting point is something that confuses novices too. I use a jam thermometer which has a very clear arrow for setting point. When I reach this I double check by putting a little jam on a chilled plate. When you push this with your finger after a few seconds, a slight wrinkle on the surface indicates you’ve reached the setting point. If anything it’s slightly better to make undercooked rather than

Home made jam PHOTO Martin P McAdam overdone jam. As long as it’s kept in the fridge it will last for a while. You want to give your jam an occasional stir as it boils but should you be caught out at the end of the process be wary of scraping any burnt stuff from the bottom of the pan, as it will spoil the whole lot.

To sterilise my jars I wash them in hot water then dry them in the oven on their sides at about 100C for 30 minutes then take them out and place them on a wooden board. The jam goes in while they are still hot then I seal them and turn them upside down to create a vacuum. I’d like to tell you where this tip came from but I can’t remember. It’s worked for me for 20 years or so now and I’ve never had a jam go off yet.

Apricot almond and brandy jam 1.5 kg fresh apricots 1.5 kg white sugar Juice of one lemon Handful of lightly toasted flaked almonds - 100ml brandy Begin the night before. Halve and stone the apricots then layer them in a large pan with the sugar and squeeze over the lemon juice.

When ready to cook the jam begin over a low heat until all the sugar is dissolved then bring to the boil.

Depending on the size of your pan, setting point should be reached in 20 to 25 minutes. Take the jam off the heat when ready and add the almonds and brandy if using.

Allow to sit for ten minutes then bottle as above.

Packing a punch Aldi has provided a set of healthy and easy to make packed lunch recipes for under £3 to help those who are returning back to work maintain the savings they’ve enjoyed during lockdown.

As more people return to work, the temptation is perhaps to buy lunch on-the-go.

To help save money with nutritionally balanced meals, Aldi has developed quick and healthy lunch time recipes that can easily be made at home.

Each recipe ranges from as little as 80p to just under £3 per person.

All recipes are on the Aldi website.

You will need the following ingredients and essential seasoning items, like salt, pepper and olive oil.

Chicken Salad Pittas (serves 6 £0.80 per serving) : White / Wholemeal Pittas – 1 pack of 6 Flame grilled / Tikka chicken breast slices – 1 pack of 200g Spring Onions – 2 packs Radish – 1 bag Cucumber - 1 cucumber

Avocado - 1 avocado Light Squeezy Mayonnaise – 1 tub Specially Selected Rosso Pesto – 1 jar Mediterranean Falafel, Pomegranate and Radish Buddha Bowl (serves 2 - £2.67 per serving): Mediterranean Falafel – 1 pack Pomegranate seeds – 1 pot Radish – 1 bag Little Gem Lettuce – 1 pack Specially Selected Regal Vine Tomatoes – 1 pack of 4 Wholenuts - Pine nuts & Pumpkin seeds – 1 bag Sweet Mini Peppers – 1 bag Chicken, Coleslaw and Houmous Wrap serves 4 - £0.90 per serving): Plain Tortilla Wraps - 1 pack of 8 Mini Chicken Fillets - 1 pack of 400 g Red Onion – 1 bag Iceburg Lettuce – 1 pack The Deli Reduced Fat Coleslaw

Mediterranean Falafel, Pomegranate and Radish Buddha Bowl

Chicken Coleslaw and Houmus Wrap – 1 pot Reduced fat Houmous selection – 1 pot £1.08 per serving): Everyday Essential Kidney Beans - 1 tin

Mexican Bean and Rice Salad

Chicken Salad PIttas Four Seasons Mixed Beans - 1 tin Four Seasons Sweetcorn - 1 tin Worldwide Wholegrain Rice & Quinoa – 1 bag Sweet Mini Peppers – 1 bag Red Onion – 1 bag

Nature’s Pick Mixed Chillis – 1 bag Garlic - 1 pack of 4 Herb Cut Coriander – 1 bag Herb Cut Parsley – 1 bag

The Edinburgh Reporter

18 WHAT'S ON

Eastern promise at Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse has reopened for visitors five days per week for the moment, remaining closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The good news is that the Café at Holyrood is open five days a week too, offering only takeaway service for the moment.

Visitors must book in advance, and all the expected measures are in place, such as perspex screens and hand sanitiser stations.

At the Queen's Gallery, the exhibition until the end of January 2021 is called Eastern Encounters: Four Centuries of Paintings and Manuscripts from the Indian Subcontinent which presents the Royal Collection’s exceptional holdings of South Asian paintings and manuscripts.

On display for the first time, an enamelled gold locket, studded with diamonds and rubies, contains a miniature Quran measuring just 46 x 35mm. Dating from around 1700, the locket is said to have belonged to Zinat Mahal, wife of the last Mughal emperor, and was subsequently presented to Queen Victoria in the late 19th century.

Also on display are an imperial

Mughal spinel, a stone similar to a ruby, presented by Raja Sir Hira Singh of Nabha to King Edward VII as a coronation gift, and an early 17th century Mughal dagger, known as a ‘khanjar’, with a rock-crystal handle inlaid with rubies.

This exhibition will be followed

by Victoria & Albert: Our Lives in Watercolour, 5 March – 5 September 2021, exploring Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s enthusiastic collecting and commissioning of watercolour paintings to record their public and private lives. www.rct.uk

Maharajah Duleep Singh dressing Prince Arthur in Punjabi Attire, 1854 Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2020

Big plans at North Edinburgh Arts

by Kate Wimpress, Director, and Lesley Hinds, NEA Chair North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) has run its purpose-built cultural venue from the heart of Muirhouse for over 20 years. During the last decade they have won five national awards for developing green, creative and welcoming spaces enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike.

Last year over 40,000 visits were recorded with studio workshops, classes, theatre performances, use of the recording studio, galleries, social enterprise café, children’s play, the half acre community garden and community shed. The byline is ‘being the place where

people can’.

During the Covid-19 pandemic (within which NEA as a Community Anchor Organisation made and distributed 15,000 hot meals, tens of thousands of food parcels and hundreds of art packs for all ages) the NEA finance position remained stable, with revenue funding in place as a City of Edinburgh Strategic Partner, 2020-2022, and ongoing investment from The National Lottery for Communities, Creative Scotland, Robertson Trust and the Tom Farmer Foundation.

In 2018 NEA submitted a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) request for the land leased from

North Edinburgh Arts are looking to the future

the council on which the venue and garden sit. Since then, NEA has developed plans to better fit the current and future needs of the community. The body wants to ensure the venue and site is held in community ownership for the long term. As part of this it wants to acquire additional land to make sure the much loved community garden is not compromised.

The vision? To develop the venue for the next 20 years, ensuring much needed community space, of exceptional quality, using carbon neutral building techniques and innovative design. This community space reflects current community aspirations, and is flexible for future demand. NEA is working alongside Richard Murphy Architects, who have proved to be supportive and visionary partners.

In July NEA and council officers held very constructive discussions taking the plans forward. NEA will adjust the CAT application and partner with the council to develop a community hub with an early years centre, improved library and expansion of the NEA site with a re-sited café, attractive street frontage, enterprise spaces, studios and a shared entrance space. The new hub will create a community-led destination promoting culture, learning, work and well-being in and around MacMillan Square.

Work is continuing apace to set up a Memorandum of Understanding and partnership board for the project, with a view to submitting joint NEA/CEC detailed planning permission in November 2020.

Airport drive-in What's on In Light gets lift off Edinburgh International Film Festival and Unique Events have announced the first film titles for their ambitious new project, Drive-in Movies, arriving at Edinburgh Airport on Thursday, 27 August.

27 August 6pm - Sunshine on Leith (2013) 10pm - Get Out (2017) 28 August 2pm - Grease (1978) 6pm - Airplane! (1980) 10pm - Con Air (1997) 29 August 10am - Mary Poppins Returns (2018) 2.15pm - Clueless (1995) 6pm - William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (1996) 10pm - Alien (1979) 30 August 10.30am - Up (2009) 2pm - The Princess Bride (1987) 5.45pm - La La Land (2017) 10pm - Dirty Dancing (1987) www.edinburghdrivein.co.uk

Citadel strong on drama Citadel Arts Group’s Leith Festival show, ‘Beyond the Ash Tide’ was about to go into rehearsal when Covid-19 began.

Their older writers and the older audiences who enjoy the work have of course also been in lockdown. But the arts group says it has not been silenced.

In response they started to adapt the work into a play for voices, sound and music. And then they set their writers the challenge of creating short new audio plays, which confront the reality of life under lockdown.

Some responded with dark humour, or the sadness and frustration that the crisis caused.

Recording the plays on Zoom brought its own challenges and frustrations. But the quality of the writing and the commitment of the actors have marked this project as an exciting development for the group. Each week a new play is broadcast.

Beyond the Ash Tide by Susan Chaney is a powerful and touching drama set in present day Cornwall, and in the past - where women known as Bal Maidens laboured in the tin mines. Two middleaged sisters retrace childhood memories on a holiday intended to help the older one, Kat, cope with a sudden bereavement.

Their relationship is tested to the utmost.

Beyond the Ash Tide will be broadcast in three 10- minute instalments on 17, 24 and 31 August. www.citadelgoesviral.com

An amazing array of artists including Julie Fowlis and Éamon Doorley as well as Whisky Kiss member, and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Ali Levack, will get together to present The University of Edinburgh's Celtic & Scottish Studies online event on 22 August.

The day is entitled In Light and will feature new work by Mhairi Hall and Rachel Newton as well as film screenings and panel discussions, all followed by an evening concert hosted

by Professor Gary West, Chair in Scottish Ethnology.

At Jupiter Artland they have now reopened allowing you to pre-book a timeslot for arrival.

They have a series of 'Happenings' following the lead of Allan Kaprow who used to stage unconventional gatherings in New York in the 1960s.

There will be works include by Cinzia Mutigli and James Hoff.

Also, Peter Liversidge (creator of the 'Hello' flags) is reinventing Allan Kaprow’s only UK happening, originally created by Kaprow for The Edinburgh Festival in 1963.

Liversidge began the reinvention in collaboration with ORBIT Youth Council, a group of young Scottish people, and during lockdown expanded his modernday reworking to become a Sign Painting Studio, which is open from Saturday 1 August.

Mutigli will transform the Tin Roof Gallery with a repeating wallpaper motif which forms a backdrop to a new filmwork.

Hoff is creating an installation inspired by How to Make a Happening, Kaprow’s instructional LP, in which the artist delivers 11 rules on how to, and how not to, make a ‘Happening’.

Saoirse Amira Anis will also unveil a new piece in the BLM Scottish Mural Trail.

The Scottish Arts ClubFest 2020 will run from 19 to 23 August.

Free tickets available through Eventbrite.

There will be some big names featured here including historian, Professor David Purdie, who will join up with Robyn Stapleton, BBC Traditional Singer of the Year, to tell the national story of Scotland.

On the final night the Music of Django Reinhardt will be played

by Seonaid Aitken, award-winning violinist, with Ross Baird an aficionado of jazz, contemporary and classical music.

Christine Bovill is never to be missed. She will sing her musical homage to Edith Piaf accompanied by Michael Brawley on piano. Her songs are linked with a bit of her own personal story. Usually Bovill plays to full houses during the Festival.

Many, many other acts for you to enjoy.

Scottishartsclub.com

@EdinReporter

/EdinReporter

edinburghreporter

Flying the flag for Edinburgh art

The Edinburgh Art Festival 2020 will go ahead online, and as you can see from our front page photo Flags for Edinburgh is already flying high from many city buildings.

Peter Liversidge first created the display in 2013, and flags reading HELLO will be flown from libraries, hotels, galleries, museums, schools and community parks.

There are nine other artists whose work is also being shown as part of the festival. The exhibits will be both online or in public places. One of these is The hand

made map of the world which is the creation of Tam Joseph, and will be on display in The Meadows. The artist confesses to a fascination with the area which hosted the International Exhibition of Art, Industry and Science in 1886. The map shows the way that so-called super powers strive for territorial control.

Joseph renames landmasses familiar to most of us since primary school, for example portraying the United Kingdom as Cuba and America as China.

Ruth Ewan, Ellie Harrison, Tam

Artist Peter Liversidge on top of Camera Obscura & World of Illusions PHOTO Ian Georgeson

Joseph, Calvin Z Laing, Peter Liversidge, Tamara MacArthur, Rosalind Nashashibi, Rae-Yen Song, Shannon Te Ao, and Hanna Tuulikki will each present work as part of this August offering.

Sorcha Carey Director of Edinburgh Art Festival said: “It is hard to imagine an Edinburgh without festivals this summer.

"We, along with our colleagues in the August festivals, will miss welcoming artists to the city this year and the opportunity to engage with audiences from Edinburgh and around the world - not least because, at a time of such significant global change, art offers a vitally important space for collective reflection, and to imagine new possibilities.

“I would like to thank all the artists who have so generously agreed to contribute a response to our August offering, and have risen creatively to the challenges of presenting work despite the ongoing restrictions.

"We very much look forward to being back next year, and in the meantime we are sending a hello from Edinburgh to friends across the city and around the world.” edinburghartfestival.com

theedinburghreporter.co.uk

Rae of sunshine Book Festival at Open Eye turns a new At the Open Eye Gallery this month they have called upon Barbara Rae, CBE, RA, to show her colourful art which is bound to cheer everyone.

From 4 to 29 August you can see her new landscapes full of colour, composition and line.

Rae recently visited the Arctic following the Northwest Passage and some of these new paintings chart her journey through the Hudson Strait to Greenland.

The artist travels the world in search of inspiration, working from studies created on location when she returns home to her Edinburgh studio. Rae chooses to visit key places that provide her with firsthand insight into an area’s specific social history.

Her studies have ranged from ancient standing stones in Scotland to black blasted vines terraced on a Spanish hillside.

A Falkirk Bairn, she studied at Edinburgh College of Art from 1961 to 1965. She travelled first to France and Spain with a post graduate scholarship and has exhibited regularly since then. www.openeyegallery.co.uk

Next Chapter

Art's ideal occupation for therapist Jane for authors

By Stephen Rafferty A popular city art gallery has change hands with a long-standing customer taking over ownership of the Velvet Easel in Portobello.

Occupational therapist Jane Grant and husband Paul had over the years bought a number of works from founder Rosalind Walker who opened the High Street outlet in November 2013.

Rosalind has decided to retire for a second time – she was a social worker before opening the gallery – but as an artist in her own right she will continue to paint and produce new works.

Jane, who specialised in mental

health and substance misuse during a 22 year NHS career, said: “Our house is mostly full of art work from the Velvet Easel and a good number of my birthday and Christmas presents have come from here, so I know the place very well.

“This is a change of direction but I have always used art and creative activities as a therapeutic tool and I have always understood the importance of art and the creative process, but also the joy that you can get from looking at nicely created pieces of work.”

Nothing much will change from the imprint Rosalind has laid down over seven years in establishing the Velvet Easel as a gallery which

New Velvet Easel Gallery owner Jane Grant

promotes a wide range of Scottish and international artists.

“Rosalind has sourced so many fantastic artists of different media and we will run it along the same lines. We are not in a rush to change anything and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it would be our guiding principle,” said Jane.

“Business has been encouraging and a lot of people have been buying gifts for themselves with the mindset that they have got through lockdown and they are desperate to have something new and different and beautiful in the house.”

Jane and Paul will be introducing an e-commerce option on the gallery website so that clients can purchase works online and virtual tours of the gallery featuring individual artists may be a possibility if further Covid-19 restrictions return.

Rosalind added: “The highlight for me is that is has been so well supported by the people of Portobello and further afield and we established a reputation as a small national gallery that punched above its weight.

“Since I retired I have had lots of messages from artists saying that I took them on and that really started things moving for them and they appreciated the faith I had shown. I wanted a welcoming gallery where people would feel comfortable to look around and to browse without being interrupted or facing any kind of hard sell and I think we achieved that.” velveteasel.co.uk

WHAT'S ON 19

The Scottish Book Trust have opened their Next Chapter Award for applications.

This literary prize for talented authors who have yet to be published is now in its seventh year.

A £2000 bursary prize affords aspring authors support, breathing space and time to write.

Gail Honeyman, author of the acclaimed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, is a previous winner. Her novel went on to win at the 2018 British Book Awards.

Ryan O’Connor the winner in 2018 has just signed a two book deal with Scribe. His debut novel The Voids will be published in 2022.

The award also offers a stay at the Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre, some training in PR and social media and mentoring.

Marc Lambert, CEO of the Scottish Book Trust, said: “The Next Chapter Award proves that it’s never too late to start writing, as seen from the success of Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. The award gives the gift of time and support to write, something that many struggle to fit around their daily lives. We look forward to finding new, exciting talent within Scotland’s literary scene."

The winner of last year’s award, Olive M. Ritche, is writing a book of poetry inspired by her home on Orkney. She said: “Being the recipient of this year’s Next Chapter Award has given me a tremendous boost."

page online

Charlotte Square will be empty but that does not mean that the Edinbugh International Book Festival is not happening.

An online festival will be Keeping the Conversation Going and from 15 to 31 August the website will be alive with people reading books and talking about them. As usual there are big names attracted to Edinburgh and the literary scene, but nobody will be sloshing through the puddles to get into the big tent.

Ali Smith presents her latest book Summer, and Andrew O'Hagan introduces his first new novel in five years. Michael Faber discusses his new novel D and Ian Rankin allows us into the pages of his latest Rebus novel. Richard Holloway has a new book Stories We Tell Ourselves and there will be a Scottish BAME Writers Network Showcase featuring Hannah Lavery, Courtney Stoddart and Heather H Yeung.

Hilary Mantel will discuss the final novel in her trilogy on Thomas Cromwell, Frans Timmermans explores the future of Europe with former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and Arundhati Roy discusses her latest collection of essays.

The booklover who lives in Bute House, the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will be joined

by Bernadine Evaristo, the 2019 Booker Prize Winner. David Mitchell explores Utopia Avenue and historian William Dalrymple discusses the East India Company wth Fergal Keane, the Irish foreign correspondent with the BBC. Turkish author Elif Shafak launches her new book, hailed as her latest polemic, How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division.

There are many Scottish authors too joining the line-up with Maggie O'Farrell delving into her debut historical novel, Hamnet, and Val McDermid launching her latest Karen Pirie series. McDermid will be speaking with Joan Bakewell.

Alexander McCall Smith will chat with Central Edinburgh MSP Ruth Davidson, and Douglas Stuart who has written his debut novel Shuggie Bain, billed as a love song to 1980s Glasgow. Kirsten Innes will reveal all about the Scabby Queen and Kapka Kassabova joins Gavin Francis to talk about borders created by lakes and islands.

Every morning at 9.30am there will be a draw-along activity for younger audiences on the Book Festival's Facebook page. Julia Donaldson, Cressida Cowell and Lari Don will be waiting for you.

All events are free to watch and there will be chat rooms for early birds and Q&As at the end. And there will be time for 50 'face to face' book signings with the author. Next best thing to the real thing.

The Edinburgh Reporter

20 FEATURE

Craigmillar's Helen of Try

Words and photos by Martin P McAdam Normally in August Edinburgh is abuzz with festivals and the Fringe, every railing and every piece of street furniture is adorned with flyers for the most fabulous and brilliant act ever to be staged.

There are many figures that have become associated with the festival culture in Edinburgh - perhaps none more so than Dr. Helen Crummy MBE (10 May 1920 – 11 July 2011).

Helen was a founder of The Craigmillar Festival Society (CFS), and served as the Secretary for

the group until 1985. This month we focus on her statue which is located outside the Craigmillar Library. The statue was created

by Tim Chalk and was unveiled on 21 March 2014 by arts impresario Richard Demarco and journalist Ruth Wishart.

Helen Murray Prentice was

Community activist Helen Crummy by Tim Chalk

Callum on the spot for 747 flights Plane spotter Callum Risk was on hand to record possibly the last flight of a Boeing 747 in to Edinburgh Airport.

The 15-year-old was on hand to get some cracking photographs of three recent Air China flights in and out of Edinburgh in the last month or so.

The first in June was a 747 which came from Beijing and almost 200 people turned up at the airport to see it land.

Callum said: "The pilot gave us a nice wave as they taxied past after arrival. The plane landed at around 11.00am and then took off again at 3.30pm with passengers on board. It took off and banked left over the Forth Bridges."

The second Air China flight was a Boeing 777. Callum, of Falkirk, explained: "I checked this on Flight Radar 24 and this one came originally from Wuhan. It spent a day in Beijing being deep cleaned and then came to Edinburgh. Sadly the pilot did not give us a wave this time and the plane proceeded straight to its gate."

After the plane left just after lunchtime a Royal Air Force C-17 requested three 'touch and goes'.

Callum said this was really exciting: "It was like an airshow.

It came in and flew right over the airfield, a massive rumble as it flew over! It then banked over Falkirk/Larbert and came in for a second approach. It did that three times and then the Air China plane left again at 3.30pm."

By the time the third Air China

flight came in there was a bit more traffic with Air France, KLM, Ryanair and easyJet planes flying in and out in between.

Callum thinks that the planes all arrived in China at Dalian before going onwards to Beijing.

Callum shoots with a Nikon D3000 with a Tamron 100-300 lens and has been a plane spotter for years now. It is only in the past year that he has taken up aviation photography. You can see his other photos on Instagram @ the_edinburgh_avgeek A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport confirmed the Air China

flights came into Edinburgh to help transport Chinese citizens home.

He also confirmed our suspicions that the 747 which landed in Edinburgh in May might very well be the last time the 'Queen of the Skies' is seen here.

The first aeroplane to be dubbed a "jumbo jet", the 747 first entered service with Pan Am in January 1970. Due to be retired in 2024, the date was brought forward due to the economic downturn caused

by Covid-19 and it is estimated there are about 500 747s still in service with only 30 actively flying passengers.

born in Leith, the eldest of six children. Her mother was Joanna Blaikie and her father John, an accomplished fiddler and a watchmaker.

Helen’s early desire was to become a teacher but due to family circumstances she quit school to work in a shop even though she was ‘top of the class’.

In 1939, after war was declared, she was conscripted and served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). She achieved much there serving as an administrative Corporal under Air Chief Marshal "Bomber" Harris. Helen married Larry Crummy in 1942 and later there followed three sons.

Many people are familiar with the story of Helen, the daughter of an accomplished fiddler asking the local headmaster if one of her sons could have access to violin lessons - the answer was no.

Helen had already been active in the community creating a mothers' support group but now determined to bring music to Craigmillar she and others created the CFS – a venture which has been lauded worldwide for its innovative approach to community arts, social change and community action.

Researching Helen you get the feeling of someone who would not be fobbed off easily. Perhaps one of her greatest successes came in 1975. Frustrated by increasing

The Edinburgh Sketcher Commission your very own personal drawing created by Mark Kirkham, the Edinburgh Sketcher.

Either on location or from photographs Mark will create an original painting of your favourite scene, or montage of locations.

Possibly the last 747 to land in Edinburgh

Crossword Answers by David Albury Across: 1.Opus, 4.Ripe, 9.Formula, 10.Further, 12.Suspender, 13.Verso, 14.Tail, 15.Money order, 17.High-handed, 20.Team, 22.Roost, 23.Skindiver, 25.Monocle, 26.Illness, 27.Spot, 28.Near.

Down: 2.Pause, 3.So-and-so, 4.Referee, 5.Par avion, 6.Offset, 7.Dressing-down, 8.Armour, 11.Hors doeuvres, 16.Whitecap, 17.Harems, 18.Nosiest, 19.Edition, 21.Morose 24.Delta.

poverty, growing unemployment and ignored by the Scottish Office and UK Government, the CFS applied for a grant directly from the European Community (as it was known then). Helen travelled to Brussels and presented her case for aid from the European Economic Community's antipoverty programme. The CFS was awarded more than £200,000 to combat poverty.

The Craigmillar Festival Society, and the grass-roots philosophy behind it was soon attracting international attention, and in 1976 its principles were set out in a Comprehensive Plan for Action, which became a standard text among social scientists. In the same year Helen Crummy was awarded an MBE which, typically, she insisted was not hers, but an award for the community as a whole.

The sculpture depicts Helen in a seated position handing a violin bow to a young boy.

The action takes place in a doorway - perhaps a portal to a new future. The panels of the door are decorated with casts of clay scenes created by local adults and children. To the rear of the sculpture is a model of Craigmillar Castle, the scene of many production by the CFS. An open book celebrates Craigmillar as a place to live and the talents of women.

Mark will create a sketch to order

Prices start at £75, and sketches are available in various sizes.

Artwork can be mounted or framed.

Email Mark at contact@ edinburghsketcher.com for more information.

@EdinReporter

edinburghreporter

/EdinReporter

FEATURE 21

theedinburghreporter.co.uk

Coronary care nurse Julie puts her heart into street art

by Stephen Rafferty A coronary intensive care unit nurse brushed up on her painting skills to relieve the stress of working on the NSH front line at the height of the coronavirus crisis.

Julie Fitzsimmons, has been an ICU nurse for 13 years at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, but has always had an artistic bent and runs a part-time photography business.

During the coronavirus lockdown, Julie picked up her brushes for the first time in years as a means of reducing stress. She shared some of her works on Instagram and one painting of historic Circus Lane in Stockbridge proved a big hit with her followers.

The mum of two, of Fairmilehead, Edinburgh, was astounded to be inundated with requests for prints of the much-photographed lane and this led a spin-off which has led to a number of commissions.

Julie, 39, said: “I have always been interested in art and it was my favourite subject at school but I was never interested in pursuing it as a career and this made my art teacher furious when I didn’t go on to art school or university.

“I have done the odd painting over the years but very

infrequently. Then lockdown happened, work was very stressful and we were all anxious about how things would go.

"When I wasn’t working I was stuck in the house and had to organise home schooling for my daughter and son. While the children were busy with schoolwork I picked up my brushes again and I found painting really relaxed me and got me in to a good place.

“My first painting was of Circus Lane and I put it on Instagram and was really surprised when people starting asking if I could supply prints. Everywhere was closed but after getting some advice on how I could source prints I ended up with dozens of orders."

A delighted Julie followed up her initial success with a number of commissions, including a wedding anniversary gift and a request from a group of residents who wanted to present a memento to a neighbour who was leaving Edinburgh to take up a new posting in London.

She added: "After the initial round of inquiries someone got in touch asking if I would paint their house and people really seem to like that.

"Since then I have done a few pubs for owners or of people’s favourite haunts and it has just

grown and I have had various requests to paint other homes and places which have special connections to people.

“One couple were celebrating their 20th anniversary and wanted a painting of the Grassmarket which has special memories for them, which was really nice. It has been pretty varied - another asked me to do one of Tynecastle Stadium."

Julie has produced about 20 original paintings and delivered hundreds of prints. She added: “I have a wedding and portrait photography business but during the lockdown I couldn’t go anywhere and all that stopped so that was probably another reason why I have returned to painting." @fuliejitzsimmons

Julie Fitzsimmons

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Grassmarket

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The Edinburgh Reporter

22 SPORT

Youth football Speedway stopped in its welcomes Anderson help tracks in 2020

New Hearts boss Robbie Neilson will welcome Dundee in league opener PHOTO Ian Jacobs

Battle hardened Hearts ready to shrug off SPFL disappointment

By Mike Smith Few Hearts fans who were around in the 1980s would recall the 1985/86 season with any fondness.

It hardly needs repeating that their team lost the league title in the final eight minutes of the season when Dundee’s Albert Kidd score two late goals to deprive the silver-shirted Hearts players of the league title.

A draw at Dens Park would have been enough for Hearts to lift their first league title since 1960. But those final eight minutes proved fatal.

If thinking back to that game is still painful more than 34 years later (and it is) then think back to a few weeks earlier to the end of February 1986. Top of the table Hearts visited Celtic Park defending a lengthy unbeaten run in the league. When Maurice Johnston put the Hoops ahead it seemed that run would come to an end and the chasing pack would close in on Alex MacDonald’s side and the title dream would be seriously threatened. But striker supreme John Robertson – who else? – equalised and served notice that Hearts title bid was serious indeed.

There were eight games left to play in the league. Hearts were three points clear of Aberdeen and five ahead of Celtic – at a time when only two points were awarded for a win.

Which leads to me to think of a classic what if scenario? What if the coronavirus, which has

devastated so many lives across the world this year, had surfaced in 1986?

What if the Scottish Football League had decided that, as lockdown was imposed, the season would need to end then – and declared Hearts league champions? Can you imagine the furore?

Aberdeen, Dundee United and Celtic would be up in arms at being denied the chance to win the league. Celtic, in particular, would be overflowing with rage – especially as they did go on to win the league overcoming the five-point deficit and inferior goal difference.

Of course, such a scenario didn’t happen in 1986 – it happened in 2020. Hearts weren’t three points clear at the top of the league – they were four points adrift at the bottom. The only similarity between these two situations is that there were still eight games to play.

And the controversial vote among the SPFL clubs to ‘call’ the 2019/20 season – Dundee changing their crucial vote well past the deadline – meant Hearts were demoted to the Championship despite there being 24 points still to play for. Partick Thistle – only one point adrift at the foot of the Championship and with a game in hand of the team immediately above them – were cast into League One. Stranraer were also demoted to League Two. Hearts, as you might expect under the chairpersonship of

Ann Budge, have not taken this decision lying down. They and Partick Thistle challenged the SPFL, arguing a decision to call the league with almost a quarter of the league campaign still to be played was grossly unfair. They took their case to the Court of Session where Lord Clark ruled that an independent tribunal should hear the case, as intimated

by Scottish Football Association rules.

The arbitration hearing – a panel including a QC selected by both Hearts and Partick and the SPFL and an agreed chair – upheld the relegations. The three-strong panel ruled the SPFL were entitled to act as they did, a decision which left Hearts and Partick bitterly disappointed.

Former Hearts chairman and one of Edinburgh’s top lawyers Leslie Deans believed Hearts had a strong legal case. He was of the opinion that clubs in the SPFL have a duty of care to each other and that for clubs to be, in effect, ejected from their league is a breach of that care. However, the arbitration hearing didn’t share that view.

Hearts and Partick said in a joint statement that they did not regret taking this course of action as “it was the right thing for them to do.”

Hearts will now prepare for a truncated season in the Championship which is due to begin on 17 October.

They may have lost the war but, in the eyes of many, they won the argument.

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Edinburgh-based philanthropist James Anderson who has already donated more than £3 million to the men’s senior game, and £250,000 for women’s football will now donate £300,000 to youth football teams across the country.

Anderson is joint manager of the £10 billion Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust for Baillie Gifford and also holds stakes in global conglomerates such as Amazon, Facebook, Tesla and Netflix.

In 2014 he agreed to underwrite Hearts’ shirt sponsorship to allow youth charity Save The Children to reap the benefits of branding the front of the club’s’ jerseys.

The latest donation, which comes via the Scottish Football Partnership Trust, will cover teams up to and including the under-21 age group and will also fund coaching, grassroots volunteers and first aid.

This means every Scottish Youth FA club will receive free membership for an entire season.

Over 4,000 clubs and 60,000 players will benefit from the money, which is to help with the costs of new safety measures being put in place as a result of the coronavirus.

James Clydesdale, chair of the Scottish Football Partnership Trust, said: “This will make a huge difference to a large number of clubs and tens of thousands of youngsters. Youth football needs support at a time when every level of football has been hit hard by the pandemic crisis.

“It is crucial for the long term good of the game there is not a decrease in the number of children and young people participating.

We greatly appreciate James Anderson’s interest and support and have identified specific areas with the Scottish Youth FA where we can help youth football.”

The SFPT and SYFA proposals include funding to offset membership/affiliation fees for teams competing in small-sided and the eleven-aside leagues whose seasons have been disrupted.

There will also be grant support for 2,000 youth coaches and volunteers on National Sports First Aid courses delivered by the Hampden Sports Clinic and for coach education delivered via the Scottish FA.

by Nigel Duncan Professional league speedway in the UK will not return in 2020 despite confirmation from the Government that October is the target day for crowds to return to sporting stadia.

Speedway bosses say this does not give enough time for a full season of league racing to be staged. In the meantime work will continue on the grassroots level of the sport and clubs have been invited to gain the necessary permission from their local council to stage some form of racing before the end of October.

Rob Godfrey, chairman of British Speedway Promoters Ltd (BSPA Ltd), said: “We would like to offer our sincere appreciation for the supportive attitude shown to us from our broadcast partners Eurosport, they have been very understanding of this most difficult situation for the sport.

“Promoters up and down the country have worked 24/7 to try and give themselves every opportunity to stage league racing this season and I take my hat off to all those who have shown a positive attitude throughout.

“It is also important for us to thank all the riders who have remained patient throughout all of this, they have been left in an extremely difficult situation and our thoughts are with them all.

In addition, the loyal sponsors throughout the country must also be acknowledged and we must also thank all supporters of this wonderful sport. We must now embrace the future and look forward with a positive attitude as we look to grow British Speedway.”

Jamie Steward, senior director of production and broadcast, Eurosport UK said: “Whilst very disappointing, we are fully supportive of what has been a difficult decision to make in these unprecedented times. We remain committed to speedway and we are already working in collaboration with the BSP Ltd to deliver the best possible viewing experience to passionate fans across all Eurosport platforms in 2021 and beyond.”

Further details of fixtures at those tracks which manage to stage meetings in will be provided via the British Speedway website and social media channels.

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Alex Gogic could walk down the Kirkgate on a Saturday night. Pics by Alan Rennie.

New season bounce for Hibs even without Easter Road fans

by John Hislop Growing up in the late sixties and early seventies the opening game of the season was always a special time.

The summer holidays were nearing an end when the ‘Shoot’ magazine’s free league ladders arrived along with the ‘Wee Red Book’ which cost 6d. Then the long awaited fixture list would be published.

In those days Hibs had a genuine chance of winning the league and were virtually guaranteed a European run every year. Such was the quality of the team, between April 1972 and August 1973 Hibs played six times at Hampden Park against both halves of the Old Firm, winning five and losing one.

This includes two Drybrough Cup finals which, despite what some may, say was a wonderful tournament and the perfect way to start a season. It was only open to the four highest scoring teams from the two divisions and many so-called top sides never even qualified.

Not only did Hampden become our second home, but during that period Hibs hammered Sporting Lisbon 6-1 at Easter Road and demolished Hearts 7-0 at Tynecastle, playing, in the words of the song, "the best brand of

football the world’s ever seen".

Unfortunately, that magnificent team never won as much as they should have due to Celtic having their best ever side at the same time, but the memories of that eleven never fade.

Since then we have had a couple of memorable opening day victories, most notably the "Graeme Souness game" which involved 21 yellow cards and a sending off and the "Chic Charnley game" when Jim Duffy’s side beat Celtic 2-1 on Henrik Larsson’s debut. But the more realistic Hibs fans now accept that the league flag is unlikely to be flying over Easter Road any time soon so expectations have lowered somewhat.

Now qualification for Europe is considered to be a great achievement even though it usually results in hard fought games against sides no-one has ever heard of.

This season is slightly different as there will be no fans inside the stadium for the next few months at least and no Edinburgh derbies apart from the Scottish Cup semifinal held over from last season.

Celtic are odds on favourites to win the league and make it 10-ina-row while Rangers will spend enough money to guarantee

second place.

Third is up for grabs and should be between Hibs, Aberdeen and possibly Motherwell. Jack Ross has added three new faces to the squad and while this has been met with universal approval from the Hibs’ fans, no-one can be sure how they will settle in at a bigger club.

Kevin Nisbet looks to have all the qualities to shine in the top flight and Drey Wright and Alex Gogic have both impressed at their previous clubs and the Cypriot midfielder in particular is already being talked about as the new Matty Jack or Marvin Bartley.

His appearance on Hibs TV was greeted by one supporter’s tweet suggesting he looked as though he could "walk down the Kirkgate on a Saturday night".

Five regular starters have left the

Kevin Nisbet

theedinburghreporter.co.uk club, Steven Whittaker, Vykintas Slivka plus loan signings Stephane Omeonga, Greg Docherty and Marc McNulty, but the current squad should still be good enough to make the top four.

In goals, Ofir "Rocky" Marciano will start in goals, backed up by 6ft 5in Polish youngster Kevin Dabrowski.

Paul McGinn and ‘Sir’ David Gray will fight it out for the right back spot whilst Ryan Porteous, Adam Jackson, Darren McGregor and Paul Hanlon will compete for the two central defensive places. The ever dependable Lewis Stevenson is likely to retain the left back role with Sean Mackie and Josh Doig waiting in the wings.

Jack Ross will have some difficult decisions to make with regard to midfield however as the new arrivals Wright and Gogic will face competition from Daryl Horgan, Martin Boyle (if he has not been sold), Joe Newell, Stevie Mallan, Melker Hallberg, Scott Allan and Fraser Murray.

Up front, Nisbet is likely to be paired with Christian Doidge who scored an impressive 18 goals last season, with youngster Jamie Gullan ready to take over for injuries and losses of form.

Swiss striker Florian Kamberi is currently training with the club but his future is in doubt and he is unlikely to play for the club again after his comments about his "dream move" to Ibrox in January.

Finally, the club has announced that popular TV presenter David Tanner, former striker Tam McManus and women’s captain Joelle Murray will join the excellent Cliff Pike on a new and improved Hibernian TV programme which will be available free of charge to all 10,500 season ticket holders, and the East Stand will contain cardboard cut-outs of supporters including Andy Murray and 33 kangaroos courtesy of the Australian Branch of the Hibs’ Supporters Association.

Hibs started the campaign with a home game against Kilmarnock followed by games against Livingston, Dundee United, Motherwell, St Johnstone, Aberdeen, St Mirren then Rangers.

By the end of September we could be top of the league when we go to Celtic Park and who knows after that?

SPORT 23

Lismore ethos shines through lockdown

Children and young people under 17 have been allowed to play outdoor contact sport since 13 July and Lismore RFC were quick to gather their teams on the training pitch.

They have put the necessary public health measures in place and recruited a Covid-19 coordinator to take charge.

They followed Scottish Rugby's return to rugby guidance in all of this, with advice for all players, coaches and club administrators.

The young players are now back on the pitch at Inch Park Community Sports Club although they have been active online during the past few months too.

They raised funds for the Royal Blind Care Home and collected supplies for the Edinburgh SE food bank. They also ran CV writing workshops for their young members, The club reached out across the world to their Australian counterparts who share the same name and created the Lismore-2Lismore challenge which involved a virtual race running, cycling and walking the distance between the two club houses.

The club’s Youth Development Officer, Eric Jones, says doing what they could to help the local community and staying engaged with its players was vital for the club. He said: “The kids were delighted to see each other again and be able to throw a ball about.

"We’ve tried to get across the community ethos during lockdown. We’ve tried to stay engaged with everyone. We know we’re a rugby club but we always want to be a bit more than that, we want to develop people as well as rugby players, that goes for supporting family members as well. That is a key message we wanted to get across.

“The challenge started as a way of engaging our youth players with some School of Rugby outcomes during lockdown. It has been important to Lismore to get the message across that we were still here to support all our players, club members and their families despite the current restrictions."

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