Frame runner completes half marathon for charity
A shaggy dog story – with a yappy happy ending
Almost time for markets, ice skating and mulled wine Storm Babet finishes off the hut at Granton breakwater
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Clovenstone ABC celebrating three decades in the ring
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November 2023
The Indian festival symbolises a victory of light over darkness and good over evil
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
THE DIWALI Festival of Light which celebrates light at the darkest time of the year has become a permanent fixture on the calendar of Edinburgh festivals. The celebration has taken place in the capital for a the last eight years including a city centre parade with an abundance of music - and closing fireworks in West Princes Street Gardens in the most public expression of the event. This year the festival will be
celebrated in the capital on Sunday 19 November and all are invited.
Following the parade through the city which is led by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Edinburgh Diwali 2023 will take place at the Ross Bandstand with
performances of traditional Indian arts such as the Rajasthani dance group, photographed above, who performed in 2022.
Diwali is the Indian Festival of Light and is observed by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide.
Multi-national and life-affirming, the event celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, perfect for a long winter day.
Diwali promises to be a colourful afternoon of performance, just as the days become darker.
I MISSED THE Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, answering a portfolio question at Holyrood about establishing a Scottish public interest journalism institute or foundation, but reading Angus Robertson’s reply afterwards there was not much to miss.
The Scottish Government set up a public interest journalism working group in January 2021 which published its recommendations later that year. But nothing has happened with any of those, including one urging the government to set up a public interest journalism institute.
The working group included reputable journalists such as Rob Edwards, one of the founders of The Ferret, and Joyce McMillan, the theatre critic and political columnist of The Scotsman. Ms McMillan was one of the journalists who took strike action recently when the owners of The Scotsman, National World, would not improve on the 4.5% pay increase offered to journalists.
Contrast this situation with Wales - where funding of £200,000 was made available to establish a professional institute. This has led to 10 local news outlets being established. Plurality of media voices is key to holding power to account.
In Scotland it seems that independent news outlets such as The Edinburgh Reporter have to get on with it and help themselves. Perhaps with the exception of the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter scheme which works like a news agency and provides useful copy to us and our fellow “qualifying partners”, such as the story on Page 5 which involved attending a day long sitting of the Standards Commission.
We are founder members of The Scottish Beacon, a collaborative news initiative, which is shortlisted for a Press Award. The money behind that comes from the Google News Initiative, not the government. We look forward to hearing when The Scottish Government will do something to help sustain independent news outlets which try to inform their readers, rather than the big boys and their clickbait journalism.
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
Development of part of the car park at the Canon Court Aparthotel in Canonmills where 9 homes and 71 square metres of commercial space will be created in a four storey block. 23/05902/FUL
An application has been made to create 87 student bedrooms on the site of the Murrayfield Sports Bar on Westfield Road. This includes a request for permission to demolish the bar premises and replace the premises with four storeys of purpose built student accommodation (PBSA). 23/05902/FUL
Planning permission was granted for the new collections facility for the National Galleries of Scotland in Granton - The Art Works. This will comprise a community space, as well as spaces for research, conservation, visitor spaces and art storage and new public realm spaces with bio-diverse landscaping. 22/02899/PAN
The planning application for a PBSA development on Dundee Terrace will be decided in early November following public consultation events last month. The scheme will include a retail/commercial element. 23/03685/PAN
The former Cav or Atik nightclub at West Tollcross will be demolished and replaced by PBSA if the owners obtain planning permission. Plans have just been lodged for demolition of the extesnive building which was the location for many an Edinburgh love tryst and a scene in Trainspotting.
Fletcher Joseph Associates also say that the nightclub – which was on site for around five decades was “associated with anti-social behaviour”.
This event is on 19 November at The Centre Livingston when more than 150 elves will complete a one-mile lap with their parents, all dressed in elf outfits. Sponsorship monies will go to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland CHAS - last year £5,000 was raised.
The replacement will include student flats with 145 bed spaces and other parts will have a commercial use.
Part of the site under development is owned by the council.
We asked if the council would sell the piece of land in question and a spokesperson replied: “The developer has approached us to acquire the small area of land. We are in negotiations however would only sell if planning permission for the proposed development was achieved.”
and some public buildings including some libraries. The digital version of this paper is also widely distributed and we estimate our readership totals around 20,000 people.
You will find copies at all branches of Farmer Autocare, Summerhall, Art & Craft Collective, EICC, LifeCare on Cheyne Street, Coffee Angels, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Western General Hospital.
If you can, please subscribe to have a copy delivered to you each month. It helps us to cover the overheads of bringing the news to you in print and online. We can also distribute door to door on some selected streets. If you would like us to include your street then please do suggest it to us.
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By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
FINLAY MENZIES (18) from Balerno completed the Manchester Half Marathon, raising funds for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Charity.
It was no mean feat for the young man who has cerebral palsy and used a three-wheeled frame to help him balance, but he was focused on his goal both for his own personal achievement and as a Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) Youth Ambassador. The race, as well as the training beforehand, is part of his Bronze and Silver DofE awards. Finlay also coaches sports at the local disability sports class, The Edinburgh Eagles and at Harmeny Athletics, for the volunteering part of the DofE. He completed the half marathon distance in a personal best time of 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Finlay said: “It feels amazing to finish this half marathon and I’m really proud that I competed it.
“I love the sensation of whizzing down a track as fast as I can. I have been racing and training for the last six years at different levels and I have never let my disability get in the way of what I want to achieve. I’m aiming to run a marathon next!”
Ashley Williams, UK Youth Engagement Manager at DofE said: “Finlay is one of many young people who have achieved incredible things through their DofE. As a charity, we’re determined to put young people at the heart of everything we do and to connect them with opportunities to make a positive impact on the issues they care about – and we can’t wait to see what our new cohort of Youth Ambassadors achieve this year.
“As they navigate the ongoing after-effects of the pandemic and a severe cost-of-living crisis, it’s more vital than ever that all young people get access to opportunities like the DofE, which let them have fun, grow their resilience and self-belief, and develop vital skills they can’t always get in the classroom.”
LOTHIAN COUNTRY will register two new routes and extend another in West Lothian from 3 December.
Service 72 will operate between Kirkliston, Winchburgh, Broxburn, Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, St. John’s Hospital, Livingston Centre, Eliburn, Blackburn, Whitburn, Fauldhouse, running hourly, from 7.00am to 9pm 7 days a week.
Service 73 will run hourly from Livingston Centre and Blackburn via St John’s Hospital, Livingston North, Deans South, Boghall, Bathgate and Wester Inch, Mon to Sat from 7.00am to 8pm.
Service 74 will run hourly between Livingston Centre and Fauldhouse via Dedridge, Polbeth, West Calder, Loganlea, Addiewell, Stoneyburn and Bents. Mon-Sat between 0700hrs and 2000hrs and Sunday between 9.00am and 7pm Sarah Boyd, Lothian Managing Director said: “Operating safe, reliable services is the backbone of our business and our teams have worked extremely hard to stabilise our existing operation to be able to confidently provide a robust and reliable service for customers.
“It is no secret that the last 3 years have been extremely challenging for our industry and as
is by Mike Davis, Founder and Managing Director of My Probate Partner, an Edinburgh company created to reduce the stress and cost of dealing with a death in Scotland.
When a person dies, it falls to someone else who will need to close down their financial, tax and legal affairs.
While many of us are aware of the importance of creating a will, few understand the labyrinthine challenges that can arise when it comes to settling an estate in Scotland.
Depending on what makes up their estate, going through an official court process may be necessary. This is broadly known as ‘probate’ or, in Scotland, it is officially called ‘Confirmation’. This process is required after about 50% of deaths.
Yet, despite the high statistics, most of us are completely unaware of probate and how it works and while ‘learning on the job’ might be the preferred approach by many – familiarising yourself and knowing your options, could potentially save you thousands of pounds.
Probate or ‘Confirmation’ is a document issued by a Sheriff Court in Scotland, which gives the people named a Will (or the closest family member where there is no Will) the authority to deal with a deceased person’s estate.
Once Confirmation has been granted, the assets that were previously frozen can be accessed and the executor can begin distributing them according to the instructions in the Will, or by the law if there is no Will.
a commercial operator, with only 0.4% of our revenue coming from subsidised services, it is vital that any new service achieves the level of customer usage required to make it financially viable.
“Lothian Country is proud to be a part of the communities that we serve and our team is absolutely focused on running reliable services for those who rely on us.”
Lothian Country took the difficult decision last year and reviewed its entire network, making significant changes to services to improve reliability while ensuring as far as possible that all communities have access to a bus service.
Before paying anything out to the beneficiaries, executors must pay off any debts and taxes.
Handling a person’s death can be a highly emotional and stressful experience, especially if you are also appointed as an executor of the estate. Seeking help from a probate expert can help alleviate some of the pressure and ensure the estate is handled correctly and without delay.
By dealing with the estate without a solicitor and opting for the help of a probate support service, not only could you save a lot of time, stress, but also a small fortune in legal fees.
By STEPHEN RAFFERTY
A CHANCE VIEWING of the London Marathon on TV brought a beloved Alsatian, which had been adopted, running back to his original family home.
Zak had been part of the family since he was a pup, growing up alongside police officer Adam Wrigley’s young son Connor, but Adam had been forced to have Zak adopted by the German Shepherd Rescue Scotland (GSRS) charity due to his changing work shifts, a lack of pandemic-era dog walkers and other family reasons.
Adam recalled: “He instantly became a lovable hit with my little boy and the two of them were as thick as thieves. Zak had a wonderful life growing up and was often stopped and told how handsome he was and how well behaved he was.
“Fast forward to that horrible year for everyone - 2020 - and I had to make the heart-breaking decision to rehome Zak. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I am not ashamed to say there were many, many tears for the next few days.
“Zak was successfully rehomed in a loving family and as the years passed we thought about Zak often, my son often asked questions about him which I always responded that he is up in the Highlands enjoying his life, running around chasing balls with a family there that loved him.”
But there was to be a twist in the tail when Adam’s partner, Lyndsey Rafferty, happened to glance up at the TV when the London Marathon was being screened.
He said: “At the perfect moment the postman came to drop off a parcel and Lyndsey took it into the living room where she glanced up and saw an interview with GSRS volunteer Derek Adamson who was raising money for the charity.
“We often looked on the charity Facebook page and website to check the good news stories, and remember how much Zak was helped but it had been a while, so Lyndsey checked the website and there he was, our Zak.”
Zak’s “new” owner had sadly passed away and the beautiful beast was back up for adoption.
Adam added: “When I got home Lyndsey showed me her phone and I froze. I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t think, I just saw him, slightly older,
slightly greyer, slightly fluffier but unmistakably Zak. I could feel the tears again but I had to do it, I picked up my mobile and called the charity.
“I knew if it was possible he had to come back home. Life had changed, I had moved into a new home with Lyndsey, I no longer worked shifts, I had room again in my life to fill the Zak-size hole I could never bring myself to fill after the pain of rehoming.”
Meetings were arranged, Adam, Lyndsey and Connor were assessed for suitability to rehome Zak and a reunion date was set. Adam said: “I didn’t know what to expect. Would he remember us, would he be happy to see us, has he changed, have I changed, could I hold it together in front of other people?
“Out he came, the handsome but slightly wilder looking Zak. He didn’t notice us at first, he went straight to the bush to do his business. Then he saw me and he bounded straight up to me and jumped up. He knew. I was
overwhelmed and crouched down to have my moment and Zak did what Zak had always done in the past, and he still tries to do now - sit on my lap.
“It was decided Zak would be coming home! I couldn’t believe it, I was getting a second chance with my puppy, and a chance to give him the life he should have had if the circumstances had allowed.
“I had to pinch myself repeatedly, just to make sure this was real. He was here and it was like he had always been here. He relaxed, he found his favourite ball and we were back to playing fetch in the garden like things had never changed.
“I didn’t realise how much the new house was missing Zak until he was there. He slotted straight in, like the house was built with all four of us in mind. Zak is still loving his home life and has settled so well, it is honestly like he had never been away.”
www.german-shepherd-rescue-scotland.org.uk
Yousaf promises funds for The Yard
By STAFF REPORTER
THE SCOTTISH Government has promised funding of £2 million for Edinburgh charity The Yard in Eyre Place Lane which will secure its future. This charity supports disabled children and young people and their families from birth to 25 years-old by providing creative and inclusive play experiences. Four-yearold, Eilish Cowan began the campaign for funding. Eilish is one of only 200 children in the world with TUBA1A, a genetic condition. She is visually impaired and struggles to walk. She enjoys the space for her and her family with the creative play and friendships made at The Yard.
During a visit the First Minister, Humza Yousaf, said: “I am absolutely committed to improving outcomes for disabled children and their families across Scotland. Visiting The Yard has given me a chance to see their outstanding work first-hand, and hear more about the support being provided by the charity.
“I sincerely hope that this vital funding will enable The Yard to grow their services and offer support to more families of young disabled children across Scotland.”
VITALLY IMPORTANT
Central Edinburgh MSP Angus Robertson said: “It was great to see the First Minister visiting this vitally important charity in my constituency. I’m proud to be part of this Scottish Government led by Humza Yousaf, which has shown it will be there to support for those who need it.
“I congratulate Eilish Cowan, her family and all campaigners in raising awareness and engaging with The Scottish Government to obtain this funding.”
By CLLR MANDY WATT Finance Convener
WHY WOULD anyone who cares about the cost-of-living crisis not welcome a council tax freeze?
Here’s why: Edinburgh has the lowest per capita funding of any council in Scotland. The only way it can pay for the services we need, is by charging council tax. The impact of a freeze could be closures of libraries, swim centres
and museums. There could be cuts to less visible services like social care and homelessness prevention. The potholes will only get worse.
The SNP gave no thought to the consequences of their screeching U-turn when their leader announced the council tax freeze at their party conference. Before then they had been proposing hikes of up to 20%.
Then the party lost a by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, and in a state of panic Humza Yousaf
stole an old policy from the Alex Salmond handbook.
The promise of The Scottish Government showing respect for local services, made only weeks ago by the First Minister, was thrown in a skip – leaving councils in the dark about what happens next.
The latest promise is that the government will provide funding to cover the lost council tax. How much, is anybody’s guess. Edinburgh has been at the back of the funding
queue since the SNP took office, and that looks unlikely to change.
Hard-pressed households will be pleased that their bills are frozen, and none of their councillors will grudge them that.
All we ask is for their support when we demand some proper compensation from The Scottish Government, and also their understanding that it is the SNP who are responsible for any cuts to local services that we are forced to make.
Behaviour was not a formal breach but conduct was “disrespectful”
By DONALD TURVILL Local Democracy Reporter
A FORMER EDINBURGH councillor has been criticised by the standards watchdog for being “entirely inappropriate and disrespectful” during a meeting with junior lawyers – but was cleared of a breach of the councillors’ code of conduct due to his “enhanced right to freedom of expression”.
John McLellan (pictured) was brought before the Standards Commission after it was alleged he “lost the plot” and turned “as red as a tomato” in response to councillors being urged not to “seize upon” a report on historic sex abuse in the council “for political gain”.
The former Conservative councillor told a hearing he was “shocked” at a recommendation made to elected members and raised his voice so his points were “heard clearly”. But, he denied shouting, banging his fists on the table and ‘wagging’ his finger in anger – which it was claimed made a young female solicitor feel “really uncomfortable, nervous, upset and distressed” during the 2021 meeting.
The Commission said Mr McLellan, who did not seek re-election last year, behaved “in an inappropriate manner by raising his voice and expressing views on [the report] in an aggressive and challenging manner”.
But the panel concluded a “formal finding of breach could not be made” as he was “entitled to the enhanced right to freedom of expression afforded to politicians commenting on matters of public interest” under Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
Mr McLellan said: “I am satisfied the panel recognised the right of councillors to challenge clearly political material in official reports which seeks to influence the terms of public debate. This has been a difficult process for me, but an important point of principle has been reaffirmed.”
The former Edinburgh Evening News and Scotsman editor, director of Newsbrands Scotland, and High Constable of the City of Edinburgh, was invited to read a confidential report on the council’s mishandling of complaints of sexual abuse by former social worker Sean Bell along with two other councillors at the offices of Pinsent Masons, who conducted the inquiry.
Julian Diaz-Rainey, a partner at the law firm, wrote to the council afterwards reporting “manifestly unacceptable behaviour” by Mr McLellan, who was accused of shouting and banging his fists in protest at a section of the sensitive report which stated findings should not be “seized upon by elected members or their parties and used for political gain”.
Mr Diaz-Rainey also said it was “disgraceful” the former councillor had listened to a voicemail from a journalist during the meeting - despite being asked not to use his phone and jokingly asked one of the two female lawyers present “Shall I just pass the phone to you to comment?”.
He added at the hearing: “It’s a shame that conduct took place, particularly during such a sensitive matter, an important matter for survivors.”
Pinsent Masons solicitor, Alexander Richardson, who was in the room next door at the time of the incident, told the panel he heard a “raised voice” through the wall.
He said: “I do remember thinking to myself that’s quite odd, I wonder what that’s about.”
Mr Richardson said there had been an insinuation by Mr McLellan there was “some form of corruption on our part which is frankly outrageous” adding: “We had nothing to gain whatsoever from the issue. There is no vendetta against Mr McLellan – there is no conspiracy.”
Hannah Beaumont, another of the lawyers in
the room at the time, said he “raised his voice to a level that exceeded what I think was acceptable”. In a statement she said his face went “as red as a tomato” and that another female solicitor, who did not appear before the panel, was “shocked, taken aback and shaken” following the incident.
Ms Beaumont said: “I thought it was inappropriate to be speaking in that manner and to be shouting about a particular recommendation, particularly in light of the nature of the report and why we were all there.”
But the other councillors who were present, Neil Ross and Joanna Mowat, said they did not see Mr McLellan shouting, banging his fists or ‘wagging’ his finger about as had been claimed.
Cllr Mowat, also a Conservative, said in a statement that if she thought staff were made to feel threatened or uncomfortable she would have “torn strips off” Mr McLellan.
She said: “He reiterated his point asking why this had been put in there, what it was doing in there and could this be changed? There was shock and urgency in his voice…I didn’t perceive that as shouting, just deep concern over what he had read. There was nothing that I saw that needed to be intervened or stopped in the room.”
Mr McLellan said he raised his voice so his “points were heard clearly”. He said: “I couldn’t understand why the inquiry team felt it necessary to give instructions to councillors. What I sought to do was explain to them why I thought it was in everyone’s interests for that paragraph to be taken out. I think my voice was above conversation level but I did not shout.”
He said he had played the incident “over and over in my mind over the last two years” and added: “I’m still convinced I did not shout.”
He said the allegation was “devastating” as it was suggested he was “an abuser of a young woman” which was “as appalling as it gets.”
By STAFF REPORTER
THE VICE CHANCELLOR of the University of Edinburgh, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson logged expenses of £43,966,an increase of £26,056 from last year.
Sir Peter’s salary also increased by £43,000 last year taking his total salary to £406,000, at a time when the University College Union (UCU) just voted to end their dispute with university employers over the Universities Superannuation Scheme. UCU claim victory as the employers have offered full (backdated) restoration. Previously a 2022 cut would have led to a 35% reduction in members’ future guaranteed pensions. Some of the expenses were landscaping for eucalyptus trees in the garden of the vice-chancellor’s home on Regent Terrace and the energy bills for the house - £6,947 for electricity and £3,086 for gas.
UCU Scotland official, Mary Senior, said: “While so many workers at Edinburgh University are struggling to pay the rising costs of rent, energy and food bills, they see university bosses getting their gas and electricity paid, along with window cleaning and gardening bills. The disparity between those at the top with the workers delivering the teaching, research and student support is as stark as ever.”
A university spokesperson said: “In common with most other universities, accommodation for the University of Edinburgh’s Principal and their immediate family is provided as part of the role.
“The principal’s residence is not used solely as a family home but also frequently as a venue for hosting formal university events, and as such, the institution covers fuel costs and costs for maintaining the building. It is used for official events to welcome international guests and dignitaries which strengthens the university’s global reputation and increases our partnerships and potential funding streams.
“The university is proud to be the custodian of many historic buildings, including the Principal’s residence, which was first built in the 1800s. To maintain the conservation of these buildings, we regularly review our estate and work closely with different contractors to ensure they are in good condition.”
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
A YOUNG BOY was attacked by a "pit bull" type of dog and was bitten on the leg and side while playing in a park near his Edinburgh school.
Reece Munro was with his mother, Cheryl, playing in Craigentinny Park Playground near Loganlea Drive when he was attacked twice by the dog.
His mother fears he will be left with scarring once the wounds heal and is concerned about the safety of Reece and his friends while out playing.
Police Scotland are aware of the incident and we have been told The City of Edinburgh Council dog warden is looking into the circumstances of the attack.
Reece had been running around with his friends in a wooded area of the park as they usually do at the end of the school day. The boy was holding a stick, as were some of the other children, but he said that he threw it down on seeing the dog making a run for him.
Mrs Munro said: "My son and his friends were playing in the park as they do every day. There is a woodland area in the park and all the kids play in there after school. They think it's a forest, so they collect sticks and make dens.
"It was a normal day - we always go to the park after school, both children and parents. The man came in from the opposite
end of the park to where the boys were.
"Reece said he saw him coming towards him, but at that point the dog was on the lead. Obviously the dog was far too strong and he couldn't stop him.
"Reece threw the stick away thinking that was why the dog was coming for him, but that was when the dog latched on to him and he fell.
By the time I got to him my son had leapt over the fence to get away from the dog - it must have just been the adrenaline."
The man who was in charge of the dog ran out of the park but the boy's father, Ryan Munro, knew where to find the dog as they live in the same street. He caught up with the man who had been in charge of the animal but the man denied that the dog was his.
Mr Munro said that his son was able to identify the dog which had attacked him in an interview with the police that took place at the hospital where Reece was treated.
Although the bites will heal, the boy's mother believes he will be left with scarring. Mrs Munro added that he is "quite tough" and mentally seems all right after the attack, but she
said they have not yet been back to the same area yet.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We were made aware of a child having been bitten by a dog around 3.30pm on Thursday, 12 October, 2023 in the Craigentinny area of Edinburgh.
"The child received treatment for injuries sustained in the incident.
"The dog warden has been notified and enquires are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
The City of Edinburgh Council has been asked for comment.
In terms of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 it is the responsibility of the dog's owner to ensure that it is kept under control. One of the circumstances when an animal can be deemed out of control is when it bites another person and the council can impose a Dog Control Notice advising what the owner needs to do to bring the dog under control. The responsibility remains with the owner even if someone else, not the owner, was looking after the dog at the time.
and being part of the team runnig the profit-making Tartan Social Enterprise which is a part of GCP. She teaches, encourages and supports the members and other volunteers, many of whom are vulnerable adults.
Janie shows everyone how to craft the range of quliaty items
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
RAJNISH SINGH is Patron and a former President of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum (SIAF) and President of Edinburgh Diwali. He said the annual celebration is a very important festival for Indian diaspora to celebrate and emphasised that he extends a welcome to everyone in Edinburgh to come along on 19 November to enjoy the entertainment and the spectacle.
Former Lord Provost Donald Wilson was instrumental in transforming it from a VIP event at the City Chambers into the public occasion it is today.
Mr SIngh explained the Diwali civic reception in the city chambers was very nice, but he welcomed the opportunity to extend Diwali into the city to include the people of Edinburgh. He said: “We were very, very clear that if we were to take it over then it had to be a public Diwali. It could not be invite only. Donald Wilson was Lord Provost and he really backed our stance on this. At first the event was only held at the Ross Bandstand, and the first year was a great success.
NO BARRIERS
“Our intention was always that if we set it up then it should be without any barrier and people should not be constrained because of finances. So we have kept it free. That has been a big challenge, but our committee is made up of professionals and there are no paid staff.”
Mr Singh explained it is important that the service providers and professionalssuch as the dancers and musicians - are all paid for their work.
The finances are the biggest obstacle as every year the event starts again from scratch with “almost zero” in the bank. The council and the Lord Provost’s office provide some support, and there are private corporate sponsorships with Baillie Gifford - now committed for three years.
that are now in demand through the shop and online, at VisitScotland and at the gift shop at Edinburgh Castle. She is desribed as “the heart of a special project which she has used initiative and drive to create, while inspiring others to work with her”.
In 2019 the National Lottery Community Fund awarded £50,000 to Edinburgh Diwali from their People’s Projects which supports organisations which bring people together and “make communities stronger and more inclusive”. In 2015 the event began with a budget of £10,000, the 2019 event had a budget of £85,000 but in the last three years the budget after the pandemic has fallen back to around £30,000 which Mr Singh estimates is the base cost to cover payment for all the live performances.
www.edinburghdiwali.co.uk
By STEPHEN RAFFERTY
A RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN by failed bagel chain boss Larah Bross has backfired and attracted a slew of criticism. The Bross Bagels founder, who filed for liquidation with debts of £1 million, has been advertising for staff to work “in a fast paced environment with fun, fellow bagel loving folk” with applicants told it’s a “dream job”.
Just days before an interim liquidator was appointed by the courts to wind up the affairs of Bross Bagels Ltd, Larah Bross and fellow director Marc Millar sold the company’s assets to her newly registered business Hot Mama Bagels Ltd for just £18,000.
Ms Bross was later forced to shutter the prime site in St James Quarter but continues to operate in three of the original shops under the new entity in Portobello, Bruntsfield and Stockbridge - still using Bross Bagels branding, marketing collateral and social media accounts.
The Bross Bagels brand was anchored on a strong social media following with consumers buying in to quirky marketing featuring self-publicist Ms Bross and celebrity endorsed product placement, but now restrictions are in place to limit who can post comments on its Instagram and Facebook accounts to prevent negative criticism.
However, when the “dream job” post appeared on Facebook group Porty People the advert was slated by locals in Ms Bross’s own Portobello backyard where she first launched the business.
Raymond Young, said: “They actually have no shame, it’s embarrassing for them!” while Sheila McKay added: “Won’t be buying any.”
Neil McManus asked: “Will you pay staff?”, while Peter Baird added: “So no job security as they have no business sense and will probably go bankrupt again, so who actually will want to go back to them?”.
And when Bross Bagels left comments open on one product-promoting social media post, an amused contributor on the Reddit site posted a thread titled: “Edinburgh’s favourite tax dodging peddler forgot to turn off comments on a post.”
On the same thread, poster Radiant_Community400 commented: “… banning everyone who’s comment isn’t gushing over them - even when I asked the innocent question ‘do you pay your taxies’ I got banned and now I can’t view my favourite tax dodging bagels no more …”.
The Edinburgh Reporter previously revealed that according to the liquidators’ interim report Bross Bagels had crashed with liabilities of £970,000 with the largest debt of £635,000 due to HM Revenue & Customs.
The firm’s bank Virgin Money was due £134,000, unsecured creditors - mainly small suppliers - were due approximately £265,000, while “Shareholers” – almost 150 individuals who invested £1,000 each in two rounds of crowdfunding, were unlikely to receive a penny of the £148,000 due to them.
The Edinburgh Reporter asked Hot Mama Bagels if the job advert provided a sound career opportunity given that Bross Bagels had a past record of failing to pay wages, PAYE, National Insurance contributions, student loan payments, and would the new company fulfil employer’s duties by making appropriate tax and NI payments.
A spokesman replied: “Bross Bagels staff have never been left unpaid.
“As we have previously outlined, we took difficult actions to protect jobs and are now in a position to hire staff. We are happy to deal with any queries from genuine applicants via the email given in the advert.”
THE SCOTTISH SPCA’s fostering service is now recruiting suitable foster homes in the Edinburgh area.
Expanding the fostering service is a key part of the Scottish SPCA’s commitment to increase its community engagement activity and get ahead of the rising animal welfare challenges it is facing.
88% of people in Scotland have said the cost of looking after a pet has risen, and this increased pr essure on the Scottish SPCA’s capacity with calls to its animal helpline to give up a pet on the rise.
The charity recently expanded its fostering and rehoming team to increase its
capacity to foster, with the aim of adding 400 new foster homes to the service by the end of next year. Scotland’s animal welfare charity is now appealing to animal lovers to consider opening their hearts and homes to an animal in need by signing up to become a foster carer.
Anna O’Donnell, Scottish SPCA fostering and rehoming lead, said, “For over a year, we’ve been able to transform the lives of hundreds of animals with the support of selfless fosterers. We now want to grow and expand that service and need suitable local people to get involved.
“It is widely accepted in the
Join in night-time mass cycle ride
By KIRSTY LEWIN
The Our Streets Our Nights cycle ride takes place on 1 December, when a group of women from Edinburgh and the Lothians, will cycle through Edinburgh for the fifth night-time mass cycle ride. The ride will depart from Middle Meadow Walk at 7.30pm. Campaigning for night-time cycle infrastructure that is safe for women and girls, their winter rides are full of joy, music, fairy lights and laughter. But, there’s a serious message behind the fun.
While the council is slowly developing safe cycling infrastructure, progress is not what it should be, and many women and girls are afraid to cycle in Edinburgh, particularly in the dark.
The off-road paths, while important for leisure rides, tend to be isolated with few escape routes and no natural surveillance. Many women have experienced antisocial behaviour and some have been abused and even assaulted on these paths. On roads, women and girls often face aggressive close-passing drivers along with hazardous junctions and poor road surfaces in areas where there is no protected cycle infrastructure.
The campaign rides shine a light on the dilemma that women and girls face when cycling in the city and trying to plan safe routes for ordinary everyday trips. Sadly, while the rides are popular and welcoming, some women say they don’t come along because there is no safe route for them to get to the start of the ride.
animal welfare sector that a home environment is better for an animal’s rehabilitation than a kennel environment, which many animals find stressful. Anyone who fosters an animal is playing a massive part in getting that animal ready to find a permanent home.”
“And, on top of the significant benefits for the animal, it is a hugely rewarding experience for the people who foster too.
“If anyone is unsure about fostering we’d urge them to give it a go. You’ll be making a huge difference to the life of an animal and our team will be here every step of the way to support you.” scottishspca.org/fostering
This December, the InfraSisters are encouraging volunteers to lead feeder rides from around the city to support those women who are not confident cycling alone to get to the ride.
The InfraSisters invite all Edinburgh councillors and MSPs to join them. The group calls on The City of Edinburgh Council to follow Transport Scotland’s updated Cycling by Design guidance and: prioritise safe and comfortable on-road cycle infrastructure, protected from traffic or off the road, on well-lit direct routes; provide well-signed routes with exits, not fenced/ walled on both sides, and with good connections to other streets; and provide routes which use natural surveillance where possible, for example streets with high footfall.
The route will be posted nearer the time. www.infrasisters.org.uk
By KIRSTY LEWIN
PROFESSOR JOHAN Rockström gave the 44th TB Macaulay lecture in Edinburgh in the majestic McEwan Hall. His lecture was about some of his most internationally recognised work - the Planetary Boundaries. The latest iteration of this work, by an international team of scientists, shows that there are nine boundaries required for planetary resilience and six of the nine are already being crossed. These include climate stability, biodiversity and the quality of our water and air. Crossing boundaries carries severe consequences for us and nature.
We already have devasting floods, droughts, forest fires and intensifying storms across the world. Rockström explained that there will be no safe landing on climate if we don’t act now to bring the other planetary boundaries into a safe space, too.
The professor’s overarching question affects us all. What is the safe operating space for humanity’s future on earth, and what are the sustainable transformations that can take us there? Given the robust scientific evidence of where we are now, these questions feel both terrifying and overwhelming. The only way I can deal with them is considering them at a local level.
It was with this in mind that I sat down to read Historic Environment Scotland’s current consultation on its strategic plan for Holyrood Park. I was pleased to see that some of the major issues covered in Professor Rockström’s lecture are addressed at park scale. These include managing the park in a way that makes a positive contribution to both reducing dangerous emissions and developing resilience to the changing climate. For example, a lot more carbon can be locked up in the soil and vegetation to reduce emissions going into the atmosphere through better management. Improving surface water management can also help safeguard the city. And significant improvements can be made to the ecology of the park to support diverse habitats for plants and wildlife.
Other important aspects are the objectives to create an inclusive park and to make active travel the main travel mode to the park and through it. Moving away from prioritising cars in spaces like this is part of how we decarbonise the city, by creating the space and confidence for many people to take up less polluting travel modes. All of us enjoy spending time in green spaces
with wildlife that are not dominated by traffic and associated noise and pollution. And all of us benefit from being able to walk, wheel or cycle safely and comfortably without having to worry about hazardous junctions or close-passing drivers.
To achieve this in the park in an inclusive way means ensuring that those disabled people who currently rely on private cars to enjoy the park have genuine accessible alternatives. The existing status quo in Holyrood Park is inequitable, and closing the road to motor vehicle traffic will immediately open the paved and accessible space to be used by people on mobility scooters, children on bikes, and people pushing prams. It is vital that disabled people are involved in rapidly designing and facilitating sustainable options for a truly inclusive park. One initiative that can support inclusive access is Cycling Without Age Scotland’s trishaws (photo above). Low-carbon, community-led, inclusive transport options like these can be part of the change around the park. It is just one example of what communities can do when the road space is open for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
Professor Rockström’s messages to us were
clear. Humans have become the single most influential species on the planet. We are living now through the turbulence of our impacts with devastating consequences on people, biodiversity, and the natural processes that we need to sustain us. We are reaching tipping points that are irreversible.
Holyrood Park, with its massive presence in Edinburgh, could become a beacon of what real sustainability looks and feels like at the local level. Please respond to the consultation and call on Historic Environment Scotland to speed up the implementation of these measures. There is no time to waste.
Read about the Planetary Boundaries here: www.stockholmresilience.org/research/ planetary-boundaries.html
Read Historic Environment Scotland’s document here and respond to the consultation by activating the QR code.
Eat for £1 at any of Asda’s cafés
By STAFF REPORTER
FROM 1 NOVEMBER until the end of February, Asda will serve everyone aged 60 and over soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffee for just £1 in any of Asda’s 205 cafés. The retailer first launched Winter Warmers in November 2022 for two months in a bid to support older customers who were badly affected by rising costs, with 65 to 74-year-olds experiencing a £163 year-on-year drop in disposable income in August 2022. More than 650,000 £1 soup meals were served, and the retailer has extended the deal until 28 February in 2023.
The offer is available all day, every day and will run alongside the Kids Eat for £1 offer which continues to be hugely popular, with more than 2.6 million meals served since its launch in June 2022, and more than 180,000 in the last four weeks alone.
The latest figures from Asda’s income tracker reveal that 40% of the lowest earning households are still experiencing negative disposable income in September, meaning that their income does not cover what they need to spend on bills and other essentials.
Kris Comerford, Asda’s Chief Commercial Officer said: “We know winter is set to be incredibly hard for thousands of pensioners as they continue to worry about how to keep themselves warm in the face of rising living costs and on a fixed income.
“Last year we served over 650,000 meals to the over 60s in two months, by bringing the initiative back for 2023 and extending it until February we hope it will prove just as impactful across the winter months for those who need it most.”
LOCAL BAND CHIL plan a charity gig in December for The Crisis Centre which supports 2,000 people in the city each year who are experiencing emotional distress and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The facility is run by charity, Penumbra Mental Health and the team operates 24/7, 365 days a year.
The event is on 1 December at Leith Dockers Club. Doors at 6pm.
Nick Bell, Centre Manager, said:
“It’s always great to have this kind of support in the local community and we couldn’t be more grateful to Jack and the rest of CHIL for what they’re
doing. The Crisis Centre has been in the city for 15 years and each year the number of people we support and who phone in for advice increases. Tickets are £10 and can be booked by email laura.brownlie@ penumbra.org.uk.”
CHIL lead singer, Jack Hunter said:
“We think support for mental health is critical, especially in our current climate. CHIL have experience of these kinds of issues within our families and friend groups. Some of us have worked in the social sector and were aware of the great work of the Edinburgh Crisis Centre.”
THE CHARITY which helps give people independence by refurbishing bikes for them, Bikes for Refugees, has had a setback and needs some help.
The charity’s community hub was broken into and bikes intended for refugees, tools/equipment, laptops, cash and a cargo bike were all stolen. The charity would welcome any help with donations of bikes in relatively good condition or funds. And a date for your diary - on Saturday 9 December there will be a big fundraiser. Details of how to donate are on the right.
bikesforrefugees.scot
Debbie Anderson invites you to take yourself back to your childhood with traditional jars of sweets in her shop. Chewits and fudge will take you back a decade or two. Open from 10am except Mondays. One of our stockists.
102 Leith Walk EH16 5DT 0131 554 1401
Subscribe today and have your own copy of The Edinburgh Reporter delivered to your front door from next month - in a compostable envelope. Or donate a subscription to a friend as a birthday gift. The gift which keeps on giving. ter.ooo.subscribe
Vlad has a unique style at 48 Thistle Street with great coffee and above average chat . He may even play chess with you. The city centre micro roastery is increasingly a place to go. Coffee also available to order online if you are working from home. cobbledroasters.co.uk
Donate any unwanted items to this shop on Gilmore Place knowing that they will find a loving new home. Very little ever goes to landfill. Visit the shop to pick up a copy of our latest paper and also to admire their innovative and ever-changing window displays. birthlink.org.uk
Subscribe today and have your own copy of The Edinburgh Reporter delivered to your front door from next month - in a compostable envelope. Or donate a subscription to a friend as a birthday gift. The gift which keeps on giving. ter.ooo.subscribe
Di Giorgio’s have a variety of cakes and slices, coffee with a smile and pasta and lasagne to go. Morning rolls and ciabattas are also available, but this is brownie heaven. And ask about their very special birthday cakes. Open 7 days 10-4pm 1 Brandon Terrace EH3 5EA
A specialist importer of boutique fine wines from Italy. Carefully hand-picked award-winning wines of premium quality sourced from winemakers direct. Oleg and Elvira visit every vineyard. Free UK delivery - same day delivery to Edinburgh available. independent.wine
Party on down to the junction of Heriot Row at the top of India Street for a coffee and fine chat with mine host and local resident, Fleur Woolford. Open on weekday mornings until 12.30pm with handy EV charging right next to the former police box. Opposite India Street on Heriot Row
Very reasonable rates allow start-ups to use the small pop-up space as the first rung on the ladder. From food to political parties and all manner of organisations in between. Have a look at their pop-up garden when you visit. Croall Place EH7 4LT hello@leithwalkpolicebox.com
Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking guides of their own city. This is the alternative tour for locals and tourists alike. Book tours in Edinburgh, York, Manchester and Glasgow. invisible-cities.org
The gallery focuses on original paintings, prints and fine crafts inspired by nature. Wide price range to accommodate various budgets. Jurgita warmly welcomes you to Dundas Street. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-4pm. birchtreegallery.co.uk
Are you wanting to stop smoking? Hypnotherapy is a safe and effective method to quitting smoking in only one session. For more details on how hypnotherapy could help, please visit my website. www.stephenmcmurray.com 07908 553041
Love Your Business networking club is relaxed, informal and good fun, and is at Black Ivy on the last Thursday of the month with a host of inspiring speakers sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and invaluable business tips. www.lybnetworking.com Facebook/howtolyb
Bespoke tailoring for men. Craig’s focus is on making the highest quality personally tailored attire that others will aspire to. His pyjamas and dressing gowns will make your video calls or working from home very stylish. 0131 226 7775 • 45 Thistle Street EH2 1DY • craigbankstailoring.com
A unique gallery and gift shop in Edinburgh’s Southside - a cornucopia of all forms of art. Buy handmade art and craft from independent artists. Linsay says: “If we don’t have it, we can probably find it for you.” artcraftcollective.co.uk 0131 629 9123
Manda and her team will look after all your beauty requirements from massage to manicure. Perfectly located to offer you treatments during your busy work schedule. www.beautyhqedinburgh.co.uk 0131 556 3610 22a Dundas Street EH3 6JN
Heriot Gallery features exciting work by established and emerging contemporary artists. Exhibitions change regularly and there is always new work to view. Have a look at our website and add your email to the mailing list for Private Views. www.heriotgallery.com
Do go to this beautiful wee shop filled with Italian handmade goods and see for yourself how much they’ve taken off in their regular sales. Bag a bargain in store at 44 Dundas Street or online - all will be parcelled up with gorgeous turquoise ribbon and tissue. www.salentoshop.co.uk
A neat wee café and deli, Rotonda sells imported Mediterranean goods, as well as home baked goods, both sweet and savoury. Everything is home baked and cooked by owner Rebecca in house. 23c Dundas Street EH3 6QQ rotondaltd@gmail.com
Clydebuilt Sailmaker winner of the Master medal at the Scotch Whisky Masters encompasses hand-selected sherry casks from Lowland, Speyside and Highland distilleries. This and the full range of independent bottlings can be found in specialist stores. ardgowandistillerycom/stockists
UEdinburgh’s Christmas begins on 17 November when the festive sites will open to the public in East and West Princes Street Gardens, on Castle Street, George Street West and St Andrew Square. Phyllis Stephen chats to Dani Rae, Co-Director of producers UniqueAssembly
niqueAssembly was appointed to run Edinburgh’s Christmas last year when they stepped into the breach as the appointed contractor withdrew only weeks before the event. In our exclusive interview Dani Rae, one of the company’s directors outlines what is on offer this year.
WHO IS UNIQUEASSEMBLY?
UniqueAssembly is a partnership between Unique Events and Assembly Festival. Separately we produce some of the most recognised world-class events that take place in Edinburgh, including as part of the Fringe, so it seemed natural to team up last year to produce Edinburgh’s Christmas and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2022/23.
ARE YOU ALL EDINBURGH-BASED?
I’m originally from Dumfries & Galloway but have lived in Edinburgh for over 20 years, and am proud to call it my home. Most of our team lives and works in Edinburgh year-round or certainly considers Edinburgh their home away from home. When we’re not working on Christmas, we’re busy planning other events in the city like the Festival Fringe or Burns & Beyond.
AND WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL?
UniqueAssembly Ltd was awarded the contract for Edinburgh’s Christmas by The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) on an emergency basis last year – after the contract tender failed. We worked hard for both the council and the city to turn around a festival – at extremely short notice – that did the city proud. This year, with a little more notice, we continue to work toward making this city’s event the best it can be. The emergency period is coming to an end, with CEC releasing the tender details for future events shortly. We’re keen to be part of Edinburgh’s Christmas and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay for some time to come so are working on a vision that respects the city and ensures it can remain part of our capital’s best cultural fixtures.
ARE ALL THE EVENTS IN THE CITY CENTRE?
Our celebrations will be spread across four locations in the city centre this year – East Princes Street
MUST DO THIS CHRISTMAS...
Eat and drink some Christmas treats at East Princes Street Gardens. Stay warm and toasty with a mug of something mulled.
Christmas markets on George St/Castle Street. Find the perfect locally-made, artisanal gifts for your loved ones.
Classic funfair rides in West Princes Street Gardens. Take a spin on the Carousel or chase your chums on the Dodgem Cars.
Christmas storytelling with Santa in St Andrew Square. Teach your children the gift of giving at Santa’s Stories.
Gardens, West Princes Street Gardens, St Andrew Square and George Street West/Castle Street. One of the benefits of being so central is how easy it is to access using public transport from other areas of the city and for visitors coming from elsewhere. We’re also working closely with a number of organisations on partner events, such as Edinburgh Diwali and Churches Together, and our Winter Festivals brochure will include events from the city centre to Corstorphine and beyond. There’s loads to discover and we hope that visitors will enjoy walking around each of the different markets and attractions.
WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?
Last year our hands were tied with contracts that had already been signed before we came onto the event, so this year we’re looking forward to putting our own stamp on it. We’re keeping people’s favourite attractions – the Big Wheel and the Ice Rink are both coming back - but hopefully there’s lots of little improvements that will add up to a big difference. The Ice Rink is bigger and with a clear roof so people can enjoy the architecture of George Street whilst on the ice, the Festive Family Funfair will have more rides for all ages, and we’re really pleased to be working with more local suppliers for the markets in East Princes Street Gardens and George Street West/Castle Street.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ST ANDREW SQUARE GARDEN?
We’re excited to be hosting the man himself - Santa Claus - and some of his very helpful elves in St Andrew Square this year. Children will get the
We’re excited to be hosting the man himself, Santa Claus and some of his very helpful elves
opportunity to meet Santa and learn the importance of giving, as well as receiving a gift of their own at our Santa’s Stories event. St Andrew Square will also host a special Postbox & Letter Writing Station where children will be able to send their Christmas requests to the North Pole. We’re proud to be partnering with homelessness charity Social Bite, who will host their Festival of Kindness in the Square, including the amazing 10m tall Kindness Tree and Gift Donation point to help those in need this winter.
WHO WILL FIX ANY DAMAGE TO THE GRASS?
Unique and Assembly each have years of experience in protecting the ground upon which our events take place, including use of Princes Street Gardens and other sensitive city centre sites.
As part of the contract with CEC we pay an annual reinstatement bond, agreed with the council based on the level of activity in each of the areas. A site survey is undertaken with an appropriate council officer prior to and post the event and rectification required post event is at our cost.
Where we do use green spaces, we work with the council Parks Department to design a layout that minimises risk and avoids damage to grass areas where possible adhering to the council’s Tree Protection Plan.
We have mitigation strategies in place to ensure that minimal damage occurs to the grass. All mitigation measures are agreed with Parks in advance including the installation of protective ground surfaces and the filtering of foot traffic away from grass and onto hard surfaces.
Post event City of Edinburgh Council Parks and their appointed contractors are responsible for all reinstatement works, including reseeding and re-turfing as required.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS CHRISTMAS?
One of the best things about Christmas in Edinburgh is how the city transforms. All the Christmas lights on the trees and on the glorious architecture the city has. That and the Big Wheel set against one of those gorgeous red sunsets we get this time of year. It makes me want to sup something mulled and open a tin of Christmas chocolates!
LIGHT
OPENING CONCERT
Saturday 18 November
Edinburgh’s Christmas officially kicks off the festive season with a family-friendly gala day filled with joy and Christmas spirit on Saturday 18 November. Gather friends and family and explore the Festive Family Funfair by the Ross Fountain; enjoy performances at the Ross Bandstand; and soak in the festivities that finish with a dazzling display of lights. Make a weekend of it and join in Edinburgh Diwali’s celebrations the following day.
DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHT WITH EDINBURGH DIWALI
Sunday 19 November
Following a parade through the city, Edinburgh Diwali 2023 culminates at the Ross Bandstand with music and performances of traditional Indian arts on Sunday 19 November.
Diwali is the Indian Festival of Light and is observed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Multi-national and lifeaffirming, Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, perfect for a long winter evening.
Edinburgh Diwali brings together folk dancers from both India and Scotland for a colourful evening of performance, finishing with a firework display perfect for all the family.
DANCE
CHRISTMAS SILENT DISCO
Saturday 25 November ( Ticketed event)
Those silent nights just got a whole lot of boogie as Silent Adventures bring two very merry silent discos to West Princes Street Gardens. Bringing festive cheer to your ears, Edinburgh’s premier roaming rhythmic disco tour hosts a family-friendly and an adults-only Christmas themed silent disco under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. With a playlist of sparkling hits and Christmas classics, get ready to lose your inhibitions and jingle all the way with Edinburgh’s Christmas.
ST ANDREW’S OUTDOOR CEILIDH
Sunday 26 November (Free tickets)
Christmas and Hogmanay may be the main attraction in winter, but there’s more than that to celebrate in Scotland. St Andrews Day on 30 November is the traditional start to advent and Edinburgh’s Christmas will host an outdoor ceilidh in honour of the patron saint on Sunday 26 November. Get ready to whirl and burl on the terrazzo of the Ross Theatre as local Scottish ceilidh bands lead the dance. www.edinburgh-christmas.com
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
MEET GABRIELA Aguado, the President of the Rotary Club of Portobello, who is keen for anyone who lives or works in the area to consider joining their club.
Gabriela is an engaging and charismatic Mexican woman. She describes herself as creative, and always interested in knowing more about different cultures, traditions and religions.
She enjoys art, writing, walking, nature and meditation and she says she is also interested in emotional well-being, self-knowledge and emotional healing. Gabriela works as an art therapist and is also an Interior Designer.
She said: “I am an entrepreneur, with diverse business experiences, nowadays, in charge of Yekta a unique shop in the Old Town on South Bridge.
“I first started in interior design in 1991 when I set up a business there. But I have done a lot of different things - I am the author of the novel “La historia equivocada de Wanda Petunias”, (Awareness of sexual abuse) published in Spanish, in 2012 and I am now working on its translation.”
Gabriela is the former CEO of IFIP Instituto de Finanzas Personales (Personal Finances Institute) in Mexico City, from 2009 and is well used to media interviews about using Personal Finance advice to empower people.
In a past life she worked with people, especially single mothers - and many of them girls or teenagers - living in poverty, homeless and/or struggling with drug and sexual abuse. She has used art therapy workshops as part of their healing process and recovery.
Her Rotary career has been a long one. She said: “Rotary is in my veins, my grandfather was a Rotarian. I became a Rotarian in 2000.
“I have been the representative for Community, dealt with the Club’s administration and PR, been the Rotary Foundation Officer, and also the Secretary. I was president four times at my former Club Rotario Contreras in Mexico City. I have served as Diplomatic Relations and Peace and Mediation District Officer in D4170 in Mexico City, at “Revista Rotary Mexico” (Mexico’s Rotary Magazine) in charge of Rotary Diplomatic Section, interviewing diplomats in Mexico City, and am now happily President 2023-2024 of Rotary Club of Portobello D1320.”
Gabriela came to live in Edinburgh when she found love here and then became involved in Rotary in Portobello.
She said: “Rotary is a way of living that brings me a lot of nurturing moments when I am able to change forever the lives of others. Rotary gives me satisfaction while being able to draw smiles, touching people’s hearts and making a better world. Rotary is part of my ‘Ikigai’. We base our ethics on the Four Way Test, from what we think, feel and do, either with personal or social matters, family or business:
• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Gabriela explained more about the Rotary Club and what members get involved in. She said: “The Portobello club has participated in several very important projects. Locally, with the CBS at Newcraighall Station Park & Ride every last Sunday of the month (from March to October), we contribute to allowing people to make an income and to recycle unused things. The income that we earn, we donate to charities like VOCAL, which cares for unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian.
“Lend with care is an international microloan project that supports entrepreneur
By STAFF REPORTER
OUTLINE HAIR in the Old Town, was recognised by Cycling Scotland’s Cycling Champion Awards for owner Kay Corbett’s efforts to support staff and customers to cycle, including by installing cycle parking inside the hair salon.
The salon based in Edinburgh’s Old Town, and has been announced today as winner of Business Champion of the Year. Having experienced difficulty with storing her bike at previous workplaces, owner Kay Corbett was determined to make her new salon as cycling friendly a space as possible when opening the business in 2020.
In providing dedicated indoor space for cycle parking for both customers and staff, Kay has helped foster a welcoming environment for anyone choosing to travel by bike, with nominations commending her proactive and positive support for the wider health benefits of cycling.
BUSINESS DECISIONS
families, Polio Plus, a Rotary International world-wide programme, to eradicate polio, we vaccinate every child in remote places. And Children’s Visual Health in Mexico City involves eye tests for students from very low-income schools and delivering spectacles to the ones who need them. This year, along with other clubs in Scotland and Mexico, we have delivered more than 500 lenses. Our vision is to improve their vision and to change their lives forever.
“Service above self” is our motto and we would welcome new members at our club - for example someone who would like to contribute to create a better world while having fun with new friends all over the globe.”
www.facebook.com/portobellorotary
Kay said: “It feels so great to be recognised for the choices we’re making as a business. Having always cycled to work, I know how much of a problem it can be to not have anywhere to keep your bike. So, it’s important to me to do anything we can to help staff or clients who want to get to the salon by bike to be able to do that easily.”
A spokesperson for the awards panel said: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate each of these worthy award winners, who have each worked incredibly hard to support cycling in their local communities and to champion the many benefits that cycling can bring.”
The Cycling Champion Awards are Scotland’s national cycling awards. They recognise the people and organisations that have made the largest impact on cycling in the past year. The awards were first presented in 2017, making 2023 the seventh time they have been presented.
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
ALEXANDRA BORTHWICK set up madescotland.com the online marketplace where you can buy beautiful, sustainable, Scottish-made gifts at the beginning of 2023 and it is becoming a go to for some of those in the know.
Made Scotland sells a range of gifts from Highland venison charcuterie to cashmere bed socks, from jewellery to botanical beauty products and includes various Edinburgh
gifts. When you searched online it just felt that what they had to offer was so jaded, so clichéd. All I could find were things for a tourist market - the thistle engraved whisky tumblers, that kind of thing.
"When I moved back home six years ago I found a thriving scene of amazing makers but there was nowhere that you could find all of the goods in one place without going out to markets and fairs.
“I also found some really amazing, really beautiful brands in some out of the way shop for example. There are small businesses doing really interesting things.
"I found so much produce but it always felt like a chance discovery. That was the beginning and I sat on the idea for a while, but then I couldn't let it go, and there is nobody else doing it.
"Made Scotland is a dream for busy people who can find a range of beautiful gifts in just a few clicks, and who don't have time to do the last minute dash to the nearest Tesco or John Lewis. And especially at Christmas - my dream is that I am wandering around a twinkly Christmas market with a mulled wine in my hand, browsing and buying some lovely gifts. The reality of life is nothing like that so I have pulled brands together which are a bit more sustainable and special. I choose the things which go on the site. All the products are made in Scotland."
More than 30 brands have been curated on the website from homewares to beauty, knitwear, accessories, jewellery, art, food and drink. And the next thing that Alexandra is considering is making bespoke hampers - not those "filled with stuff you will never use" but just ordinary stuff people will like.
By BUSINESS REPORTER
WFHOSPO MONTH organised by
SWURF is a new campaign aiming to encourage people to get out of the house and work in a hospitality venue nearby.
In turn this move will bring new business to local venues while providing remote workers with a more social environment and a way of saving on household bills.
Two women founded SWURF, an app which connects remote workers with hospitality spaces, Nikki Gibson and Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson (the founder of Boda Bar and now a hospitality consultant). The duo believe that it will be better for workers’ mental health during the darker winter months.
LONELY AND ISOLATING
Ms Gibson said: “The pandemic impacted our lives in so many ways but nothing more so than the landscape of work.
‘Working From Home’ has fast become the ‘norm’ for millions of workers and provides wonderful freedom and flexibility, but it can also be very lonely and isolating.
“We have heavily populated cities and neighbourhoods with empty hospitality spaces, and they deserve to be enjoyed. That’s why we founded SWURF a few years ago to connect people to those places through its simple aggregation platform.
“As we approach the winter months there is a huge opportunity to realise the benefits for both venues and remote workers and that’s why we have come up with the idea of WFHospo. It is not just a campaign; it is a movement, and we want to encourage hospitality venues to get involved, as well as remote workers.”
Ms Lagerqvist Christopherson said: “WFHospo month in November is exactly what both Hospitality and Remote workers need. SWURF urges people to turn their heating off and come to sit in their local venue. SWURF is the first business that I have found that really helps this big group of freelancers, remote workers and entrepreneurs sitting at home to find a nice place to work outside of home. It is such a great tool to find welcoming places.
makers, such as Shibui Tea, dook, Aye Pickled, Mademoiselle Macaron, and also alcohol free beer from Jump Ship Brewing.
After a career in women's magazines as a journalist, Alexandra spent years living abroad where she found it hard to find quality Scottish-made produce to give as gifts to friends and family back home. Being a storyteller she wanted to relate the makers's stories which she finds really interesting.
She said: "When I lived away from Scotland I really struggled with the industry of Scottish
Alexandra said: "I spent the first six months building up the makers, the concept and the website. I am going to curate some hampers myself and will have some basic models to see how that goes.
"I guess the content writer side of me has meant that I have a blog on the site too which I use to recommend all kinds of things - like on one of the most recent recommending the seven best Christmas Fairs and Markets in Scotland which you can read now.” www.madescotland.com
“In 20 years in hospitality with the Boda Bars and now with The Green Room I have never seen a tougher climate for hospitality businesses. The triple effect of Brexit, Covid and Cost of Living increase is affecting us all.
“But our industry is a fighting breed that don’t like to give up, so therefore we are doing something about it, and that is why we are hoping lots of people will join WFHospo. Getting involved is free –both for hospitality venues and remote workers. Swurf.co
By Charlie Ellis
A fixture on the coffee scene is a bit of an outlier in Trinity
TRINITY HAS a reputation as one of Edinburgh’s most desirable residential areas, with its semi-detached villas and quiet leafy streets.
The railway paths that criss-cross through it give it a ‘rus in urbe’ vibe. What it doesn’t have is a reputation as an obvious destination for eating out - or for those looking for specialty coffee. Mostly the best places for specialty coffee tend to be in Leith, Stockbridge and Abbeyhill - and near the University. But specialty coffee is available in the area - at places such as Milk at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop on the Hawthornvale Path.
The leading specialty coffee destination in the area is Mr Eion on East Trinity Road. Begun by Eion Henderson, their original roastery on Dean Park Street has been part of the Edinburgh scene for a decade. Their large Dietrich machine roasts a range of excellent beans (imported by D.R. Wakefield), sold in the shop and used in many Edinburgh cafés. Walking past the shop you often get an enticing waft of what’s being roasted.
Since 2019, Mr Eion has also had its café and roastery in Trinity. The
location was previously Filament, one of the pioneers of specialty coffee in the city. Filament is now a fading memory, and its closure opened the door for Mr Eion. Their initial period was badly affected by the pandemic, but Mr Eion Trinity is back to opening on a regular basis (8-3 Tues to Fri and 10-3 on Saturdays).
On my visit, the place was particularly busy and the welcome warm. With only nine seats, the emphasis is on takeaway. Luckily there are some lovely spots nearby to enjoy your coffee, including the upper part of Starbank Park where you can sip your coffee in peaceful, beautiful surroundings.
Those able to sit in at Mr. Eion will appreciate the airy feel of the café, and those near the window can enjoy the sun streaming in - and admire the elegant terraced houses and tenements opposite. A calming, contemplative spot on a quiet day.
Also on offer in the Trinity café is a range of beans: from the house Stockbridge Blend to the rich and powerful Moustache Twirler. They stock single origin beans (current
1 Ado (4)
3 Overshadowed (8)
8 Rove (4)
9 Series of military operations (8)
11 Meal in tray (anag) – relating to nourishment (10)
14 Lugubrious (6)
15 Bedlam (anag) (6)
17 Pizza topped with mozzarella, tomato and basil (10)
20 Hostile – unfavourable (8)
21 Hindu spring festival in honour of Krishna (4)
22 Coiled fossil shell – met Naomi (anag) (8)
23 Fingered – matted material (4)
5 Simultaneously (2,8)
6 Peel (4)
7 All over (4)
10 Jane Austen novel (10)
12 It will eat anything (8)
13 Impractical person (8)
16 Horrified (6)
18 __ Simone, US singer, d. 2003 (4)
19 Resistant to pressure (4)
highlights include a Kenya Asali Estate), as well as seasonal specials, such as a blend for Spartans FC, and the recent Spooky Blend, ‘the spookiest and friendliest blend in town’. As the chatty barista put it, this one is “really something a bit different”, with its combination of beans from three different countries (Brazil, Kenya, and Costa Rica) and its slightly spicy notes, with a subtle, subdued citrus element. It made for a memorable drink with the satisfyingly thick crema evident even in a drink with milk (a cortado in my case).
Staff happily give advice on what beans may suit particular home brewing methods and will grind your beans appropriately. Mr Eion stocks a good range of brewing equipment abd the café offers bakery, including vegan options. It is well worth a trundle through Trinity’s peaceful leafy streets and ex-railway paths. Walk from their Dean Park Street shop to the Trinity branch along the railway path - an interesting and satisfying journey. Mr Eion
44-44A East Trinity Road EH5 3DJ www.mreion.com
1 Personal guns (8)
2 Man of La Mancha, say (8)
4 Talkative (6)
THE SPENCE restaurant within the Gleneagles Townhouse has partnered with one of Scotland’s most iconic sandwich shops, Alby’s, to create a festive breakfast sandwich, which is being served from 1 November. A Christmas cracker of flavour, this menu special will be a bespoke breakfast sandwich crammed full of porchetta filled with pork, sage & cranberry stuffing, The Spence brown sauce, matchstick crisps, celeriac & apple remoulade and rocket.
It will be served on Alby’s signature focaccia, baked in house by the Spence team. For each sandwich sold, The Spence will donate 50p to Social Bite – a charity on a mission to end homelessness.
EATING OUT HAS definitely become more expensive as the hospitality sector has understandably had to increase prices to cover their own costs, and the markup on wine has become eye-watering in some establishments. But play your cards right and pick one of the BYOB establishments and eating out doesn’t have to break the bank.
Luckily for me, living near Leith Walk, there are at least four BYOB restaurants within striking distance, including the authentic Cilantro restaurant serving Indian-Bangladeshi cuisine. It has quickly established a name for itself and within three weeks of opening last year, won the Best Newcomer in Scotland Award at the Asian & Restaurant Awards 2022. In September 2023, the restaurant took the top accolade and won the Best Asian Restaurant Edinburgh. It’s not difficult to see why.
They promise ‘their culinary experts are masters in blending aromatic spices with fresh Scottish produce to create mouth-watering
dishes’. And Cilantro delivers just that, along with faultless service from our friendly, and helpful, waiter Ratul, a Master's graduate in International Banking and Business. He even waited outside for my dining partner, Caroline, whose Google Maps somehow had her walking the length of Leith Walk to find the restaurant. Well, at least she got her steps in, to compensate for the feast we were about to consume.
Starting with a tray of homemade pickles and poppadums, we asked Ratul for his recommendations as my curry choices can be somewhat predictable, with Butter Chicken being a favourite.
I’d already spotted the Tawa Chicken Liver
Masala Fry. He agreed this dish was a great choice. Ratul explained that tawa is the metal cooking utensil they are cooked in.
Unlike a lot of people, I’m not afraid of offal. While not to everyone’s taste, chicken livers were a childhood staple in our house, and I’d recently spotted a recipe by Nadia Hussein for southern ‘fried’ chicken livers, which I’ve saved to cook in the near future.
The marinade of fresh ginger, garlic, black pepper, freshly squeezed lime and homemade garam masala, paired with cooked yellow pepper and onions gave this dish a lovely crunch and enhanced the rich iron taste and creamy texture of the chicken livers.
Caroline opted for the Chicken Puri, small tender pieces of chicken in a subtle and lightly spiced sauce enhanced by fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves, which she scooped up with the puffed fried bread which accompanied it. She loved the lemon freshness and described it as ‘fresh, tasty and something different’.
While Cilantro has the usual curry staples on their menu, including Korma, Rogan Josh, and Dansaks, I’d advise veering off your beaten path and taking the waiter’s recommendation to try something different. For main course, we opted for the Shatkora Lamb, tender marinated lamb
cooked in a medium spiced sauce with rinds of special Bangladeshi citric fruit, herbs and coriander. I’m not sure what the fruit was exactly but the dish had a refreshing lemon taste.
Caroline declared her Karai Chicken, a chicken curry with a tomato gravy, as ‘the best curry she had ever eaten’ and loved its spicy bite. I’m not sure if this was the wine talking as we were a bottle of our BYOB wine down by this stage, but I concurred that her choice was delicious. Prepared in a karahi, a type of wok, cumin, green chillies, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and coriander are the key to the flavour of the dish. We also shared a filling yellow Tarka Dahl made with stewed lentils and split peas, Pilau Rice and a Peshwari naan. If you want to eat out but don’t want to break the bank, take the tram to Cilantro. Equidistant from either Macdonald Road or Balfour Street tram stops, not only will your taste buds be rewarded, but so will your bank balance. But as the restaurant is small and bijou and perfectly formed, with only 18 covers, book to avoid disappointment. Cilantro is fast becoming the talk of the town where Asian cuisine is concerned and deservedly so.
Cilantro, 4 Albert Place, off Leith Walk cilantrorestaurant.co.uk
By STAFF REPORTER
SCOTTISH GROUP Young Fathers have won the prestigious Scottish Album of the Year Award (SAY) with their album Heavy Heavy victorious for the third time ahead of a very strong shortlist.
The award comes with a financial prize of £20,000, and this is the first time that any artist has won the award more than twice. Young Fathers won in 2014 and in 2018. This year the eligible album list totalled 437 albums cut down to the shortlist of just 10.
These Streets by Paolo Nutini was awarded the Modern Scottish Classic Award celebrating an album which still inspires. Sadly Paolo himself is in the US and was unable to attend
the ceremony to pick up the award personally. No Windows was named The Sound of Young Scotland, winning a £10,000 funding package including cash and in kind assistance to create their debut album at The Old Tollbooth recording studio in Stirling.
The prize also includes 500 vinyl pressings from Seabass Vinyl.
The nine runners up received £1,000 as well as the low carbon statuesque concrete totems created by local artist Brutal Concrete Workshop to a commission by the SAY Award, and each winner received a unique concrete and terrazzo bowl.
This award handed over at one of the biggest events in the Scottish music calendar has now distributed more than £350,000 to Scottish
musicians. Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan hosted the event at The Albert Halls in Stirling where the ceremony was held for the second year in a row.
Alloysious Massaquoi, Young Fathers winners of The Scottish Album of the Year Award 2023 said: “Thank you to the judges, and all the nominees and everybody that’s turned up - it’s a bit radge! The album is called ‘Heavy Heavy’ for a reason, it’s the trials and tribulations of everybody. It’s one of those things where we sort of had to start from scratch, it had been 4 or 5 years since we put something out since Cocoa Sugar. For us to get back together and get excited again with each other, all the ideas that everybody else bringsit’s great and this is topping off a great year.”
BRITISH ARTIST Zarina Bhimji makes photographs, films and installations which engage with themes such as institutional power and subjectivity. Her work grows from observation and felt sense and is rooted in a careful use of colour and light. Embracing slippages and ambiguities, it is evocative rather than descriptive or documentary in its pace, setting and mood.
The exhibition spans Bhimji’s career. It begins with She Loved to Breathe – Pure Silence (1987), a photo-text installation that explores politics, voice, beauty and love as forms of resistance.
This is joined by her most recent work, a new film, Blind Spot (2023). Shot in London this summer, it engages with ideas of home. Also included in the exhibition is Bhimji’s first film, Out of Blue (2002), an allusive exploration of the extermination and erasure of particular groups by a state; and Waiting (2007), an atmospheric wander around a stilled factory that processed sisal into twine.
A new book will accompany Bhimji’s exhibition at Fruitmarket which is next to Waverley Station on Market Street.
With an essay by Allison K Young and a conversation between Zarina Bhimji and novelist Kamila Shamsie, it extends the reach and range of what is on display. www.fruitmarket.co.uk
THE FAIRY Godmother of all Pantomimes is back in Porty this Christmas.
A new professional pantomime production of Cinderella takes centre stage at the newlyrefurbished Portobello Town Hall. Cinderella the Pantomime promises to be an “unforgettable theatrical event filled with muchloved music, and hilarious comedy”. Stage Door Entertainment, in partnership with Portobello Town Hall, will bring the enchanting fairytale to life to captivate audiences of all ages and people
from all over Edinburgh and the Lothians. It will be “a delightful celebration of family-friendly entertainment, and maybe even create a new festive tradition”.
The professional production will showcase some incredible talent among local performers, creatives and musicians. This collaboration highlights this year’s reopening of the Town Hall which is now in full swing, and supports the delivery of a high-quality arts programme to delight audiences, involving both the local and wider community.
Cinderella has been written and
directed by local creative Lewis Baird. Lewis graduated from Queen Margaret University with a BA (Hons) in Drama and Performance in 2021. During his time studying, he was the Writer / Co-Director of their production of ‘Cinderella’ at North Edinburgh Arts Centre. Since graduating, Lewis has worked with Forth Children’s Theatre directing their productions of ‘Oliver!’ and their five star Fringe 2023 production of ‘The Addams Family’. Last year, he also wrote, directed and produced their pantomime, ‘Beauty & The Beast’.
Lewis said: “I am thrilled to be joining Stage Door Entertainment as writer and director for ‘Cinderella’. This is such an exciting time for the company, and I feel honoured to be a part of Tommie and Aidan’s exciting plans for Stage Door. Bringing Pantomime back to Portobello is going to be a joyous process, bringing a new, yet very familiar, spin on the classic fairytale about the girl with a heart as pure as gold. We hope to bring hilarity, joy and magic to audiences this Christmas. Cinderella shall go to the ball in tremendous style!”
By STAFF REPORTER
MORE THAN 130 artworks have been selected to be displayed in two galleries, at the City Art Centre. The chosen works reflect all dimensions of natural and/or man-made environments including works that are imaginary, surreal, abstract, documentary, ecological and realistic across a wide range of media – from painting, sculpture, drawing and miniatures, to film, animation, audioscapes and virtual reality.
With a £27,000 prize fund, the awards welcomed entries from anyone over 16 years old, born, living or studying in Scotland, irrespective of their level of experience.
The first prize, the Lapeca Scottish Landscape Award of £10,000 is open to works in any medium, as is the second prize of £5,000 donated by the Robert Haldane Smith Foundation.
This year’s awards also includes The City of Edinburgh Award of £5,000 for the top work depicting any aspect of the city in any media. The winning work will become part of the City of Edinburgh’s permanent collection.
The Scottish Landscape Award for Environmental Art, is another major award open to works in any medium, with a £3,000 prize donated by the Cruden Foundation.
Friends of the City Art Centre and Edinburgh Museums have donated £1,000 for the Scottish Landscape Award in Photography. Whilst Irene Adams OBE is supporting the £1,000 Young Landscape Artist Award, which will be given to the top work entered in any medium by an artist aged 16 to 25 years.
Barbara Rae, CBE, RA, Chair, Scottish Landscape Awards Panel said: “We wanted to see something that arrested us with its skill, insight, humour, sensitivity – to see work that spoke to a truth, to a dream, to microscopic realities or vast surreal worlds. We hoped to find work that pushed the very boundaries of contemporary landscape art, and we were not disappointed.”
David Patterson, City Art Centre’s Curatorial and Conservation Manager said: “We are thrilled to have been selected as the venue for the first-ever Scottish Landscape Awards exhibition. From the outset, our vision matched the ambitions of the Scottish Arts Trust in wanting to challenge the traditional notion of landscape painting. We’re genuinely pleased with the variety and quality of artworks selected by the judges, as well as the high calibre of artists who submitted their work. I believe visitors will leave the gallery thoroughly impressed, given the exceptional standard and diversity of the exhibited pieces.”
Looking back in time this
In 1695, the Bank of Scotland was founded by an Act of the Scottish Parliament. And in 1828, Rumford Medal-winning Balfour Stewart was born at 1 London Row in Leith, the son of William Stewart a teamerchant, and his wife, Jane Clouston. Also in 1897, Naomi Mitchison (née Haldane), author, poet, and politician, was born in Edinburgh; Mitchison was a campaigner for women’s issues and a lifelong Socialist.
In 1854, Susan Edmonstone Ferrier, Scottish novelist (Scotland’s “Jane Austen”), died in Edinburgh and is buried in St Cuthbert’s Churchyard. And in 1879, Edinburgh-born mathematician and physicist James Clerk Maxwell, died; his most notable achievement was to formulate the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, bringing together for the first time electricity, magnetism, and light as different manifestations of the same phenomenon. Also in 1940,
SUMMERHALL will host its first Summerhall Big Christmas Weekend from 1 to 3 December.
The Big Weekend will be spread out all over Summerhall and will build on the popularity of its annual Christmas Market - 90 stalls of locally curated businesses will make for a bigger, better, and even more festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.
A full weekend of Christmas creativity and fun for the local community, Summerhall’s Big Christmas Weekend will include events, activities, performance and stalls. Highlights will be Adrenalism Theatre’s A Very Crypto Christmas (with Christmas Karaoke and bar service); Crispmas Confessional; Après Ski Bar with raclette and German beer; Carol Singing from Summerhall’s very own community choir; a Friday night Christmas Ceilidh in
six 250 pound bombs fell around Corstorphine Hill.
In 1869, Edinburgh University admitted female medical students for the first time; however they were not able to graduate, as women were not allowed to practice on medical wards; as an aside a woman, masquerading as Dr James Barry, actually took a medical degree at Edinburgh University in 1812 and became an army surgeon.
collaboration with The Edinburgh Ceilidh Club; and Wreath Making with Ollie and Ivy using locally and sustainably sourced materials - as well as a wide range of high quality food and mulled wine and cider vendors.
Entry for everyone will be £3 and free for Under 18s, for a full weekend of Christmas creativity where special gifts can be bought and made, culture enjoyed, and the festive spirit found at every corner.
Summerhall Events Manager Steph Leach said: “Summerhall’s Christmas Market has always been popular, but every year we want to make it bigger and better so we can showcase even more local talent and makers. We are calling this year’s programme our Big Christmas Weekend to really encapsulate how much there is to enjoy! We were keen to
make this year a bit different by working with multiple local organisations and offering more than just a market.
We’ve been really lucky in finding lots of amazing collaborators to work with this year, like The Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, Ollie and Ivy, and Adrenalism Theatre, as well as increasing our available capacity for exhibitors at our marketnearly 90 this Christmas! I really feel that this year is already demonstrating the importance of collaboration and community for all Edinburgh creatives.”
Summerhall CEO, Sam Gough, said: “What I love about the Summerhall Christmas Market is just how authentic it is – local makers, boutique sellers and high-quality produce. It really is the highlight of the month and will just be so much fun.”
In 1996, fifteen days after the return of the Stone of Destiny, thousands of people lined the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to watch troops escort it from Holyrood Palace up to Edinburgh Castle. And in 1998, Queen Elizabeth II opened the modern extension to what is now the National Museum of Scotland.
The complete list of all events in November can be viewed on: theedinburghreporter.co.uk
Storm
a piece of history but our local historian is right on the case
By ANDY ARTHUR
STORM BABET, which battered the east coast of Scotland finished off one of the old huts on the eastern breakwater at Granton. Somebody asked me “is that one of the huts that was full of beer cans and smelled of pee?“, the answer to which was “yes“.
The official record (i.e. Canmore), says the structures on Granton Eastern Breakwater are WW2 military defences:
“2 rectangular concrete pillboxes at intervals along W (harbour) side; flat-roofed and supported on stilts over sloping embankment wall; 1 and 2 entrances and gun embrasures respectively.”
I’m sceptical about this theory – they just look
wrong for the description. The walls are thin, they offer no seaward defence, the thin legs supporting them would make them very easy to destroy (as the sea managed to do), and they aren’t listed in the very thorough paper by Gordon Barclay and Ron Morris on the defences of the Forth. I’m so sceptical that I decided to delve into the newspaper clippings to thoroughly debunk the notion for the record and perhaps establish what these structures actually were.
There are two reinforced concrete “huts” or shelters constructed on the leeward side of the Eastern Breakwater. It is the one furthest from shore which has collapsed. There is a larger structure closer to the shoreline. Both have been variously used in recent years as shelters/ toilets/ drinking dens by fishermen, teenagers etc. and
were in an appalling state, absolutely stinking and full of rubbish. Both have been bricked up, with the doors and window shutters welded shut in recent years, and there has been a campaign to have them removed.
A 1929 aerial photo shows the second, larger, of the structures, so clearly it is at least 10 years older than WW2. It also shows a pair of steps down to the water, and if you look closely, what appears to be a floating platform just offshore.
It didn’t take long to find out what purposes this had been built for in the newspaper archives. The hut was built by the Corporation as a bathing shelter in 1928, opening to swimmers for the summer season in May 1929. The shelter had an attendant and a charge was
made for its use. In August 1935, the Evening News reported a 12 year old girl who had been playing on the beach in her swimming costume had been saved from drowning after falling off the breakwater at the foot of the bathers’ steps. She was saved by two men, including Mr C. Homer, the hut attendant. He told the News‘ reporter that it was his third rescue in a month. From good anecdotal evidence, I’m reasonably confident the purpose of the structure was as a starter’s/race marshal’s hut, built in the early 1960s, for races organised by the Royal Forth Yacht Club and is aligned with the starting line across Wardie Bay. The balustrade around its top certainly suggests that the roof was meant to be stood on.
threadinburgh.scot
By NIGEL DUNCAN
FRANKIE KENT has, during his early career, played against world-class strikers like Harry Kane - the England captain did not score - and now, nearly 20 games into his move to Hearts from Peterborough United, he believes he has forged a productive partnership with Australian defender Kye Rowles and his other colleagues at Tynecastle, despite having a number of injuries this season.
The Romford-born defender is also settled in Scotland's capital, his girlfriend having made the move north of the Border, and his family have travelled to Edinburgh to watch some of the matches he has played in.
This has all helped in the transition of the 27-year-old from a lower league player into one who is now performing against top Scottish sides like Rangers and Celtic who regularly play on the European stage.
Make no mistake, Kent is ambitious and he loves to compete having tasted success
early, helping Shenfield High School win 2008 English Schools' Football Association under-12 Schools Cup, scoring in the final at Molineux, the home ground for Premiership side, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Kent progressed from schools football into the highly-rated Arsenal academy where he made it through each age-group from seven to 16. He was, however, released before signing for Chelmsford where he played 127 games.
From there he moved to Peterborough who play in League One, the third tier of English football, and appeared in 164 games, so the move to Hearts was, indeed, a step-up for the affable player who admits to loving life in Auld Reekie.
Playing against Scotland's leading clubs is what he loves and he admitted: "The bigger games are something you look at and look forward to".
Recently, Hearts hosted Hibs in the Edinburgh derby, then Celtic and also travelled to Rangers and Kent added: "It is what you want to be doing,
By NIGEL DUNCAN
SCOTTISH international
goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who turns 41 on Hogmanay, has told Hearts fans: "I'm still very determined to keep going and do as well as I can."
He has been sidelined since being in a collision with Scottish international striker Steven Fletcher on Christmas Eve at Tannadice last year and went under the knife on Christmas Day to repair a fibula and tibia break.
After that, the 6ft-plus stopper had to wear a protective boot, then moving with the aid of crutches and building strength.
Some feared he would never play again and it's been a long, slow road back to the position he is in now, but Gordon played for 45 minutes in a friendly against Edinburgh side Spartans during the international break.
Gordon dampened speculation about an early comeback and he confirmed there is still a long way to go before he is considered for selection for the first team back at Tynecastle.
He told Hearts official programme that the Spartans appearance was a step in the right direction and said:
"During the game I felt quite good. I've still got a few weeks to go and some things I still need to work on before I feel like I'm back up to full speed.
"I want to get more minutes now and get back in the first team if I can, but I've still not played a competitive game."
It helped Gordon during rehabilitation that team-mates Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce and Craig Halkett were also working their way back to fitness, but the hot-stop said that at the start of his rehab and playing for the first team again seemed "so far away".
His crocked team-mates all had fairly similar injuries and Edinburgh-born Gordon, a former pupil of Balerno High School, said: "There were four of us were in the gym working hard at the same time.
"There was always someone
having a good day or a bad day and that meant that one of the other guys was able to bring them up again and talk things through.
"If someone reached a milestone it gave you more motivation to go and reach yours."
Building his strength to jump for crosses and kicking the ball was a stage in the process and he said: "These little things when you are playing seem so simple, but when you're injured and you can't do them, they are big obstacles."
For now, it is about continuing to train, working through the soreness that comes from hitting the grass again and he added: "I'm happy with where I am right now, I'm enjoying it, but it has certainly been hard work."
playing in the biggest and best games, and it is a way of testing yourself."
Whoever you play against, said Kent, it is another game and another three points if you win but playing games against men who have
been playing in the Champions League is a level everybody wants to get to.
Kent said: "We know what we have to do (in the big games) and we will be trying to do that. However, when you are up against the best players there are moments when they can just do something."
The Englishman believes he has bedded in successfully at Hearts and said: "The amount of games we have had I am starting to get used to how people play.
"I feel like as a team we are slowly building and you can see that in the last month we are, sort of, getting results. You can see good progression.
"There have been a few games in and out with certain players, Nats (Nathianiel Atkinson) got injured and so have Kings (Stephen Kingsley) and Alex (Cochrane) as well, but I have been quite fortunate to have played alongside Rowlsey and Toby (Sibbick) has come in and done really well.
"Yes, there are ups and downs during a season but, overall, we have been doing OK."
By CALLUM NAPIER
HIBS FANS will travel to Glasgow for this month’s ViaPlay Cup Semi Final against Aberdeen.
The game gives fans a chance to return to Hampden Park after missing out on the trip West last year, a rare occurrence in recent years as 2018/19 was the last season Hibs failed to reach the National Stadium.
Prior to the cup exits last campaign the Hibees had a fairly impressive domestic cup record, however lifting silverware has proved elusive since the Scottish Cup win in 2016.
Boss Nick Montgomery will be hoping to change that, he will experience Hampden for the first time after guiding his side to a 4-2 League Cup Quarter Final victory over St Mirren at Easter Road last month.
After that win he looked ahead to the Semi Final with Hibs TV saying: “There’s a place in the final at stake… hopefully there will be a good crowd at Hampden, and I am really looking forward to that one.”
Montgomery, who joined Hibs in mid-September, has had a relatively successful
start to life as Head Coach and he has certainly lifted the mood amongst the fan base after an initial poor start to the season.
Following a winless start after three league games the 41-year-old was appointed and subsequently went on a six-game unbeaten run before the defeat to Rangers at Ibrox whilst stamping his attacking brand of football on the team.
Montgomery tends to set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation no matter the opposition, demonstrated in the derby at Tynecastle where Hibs came back from two goals down to secure a draw thanks to a double from Frenchman Elie Youan.
The team will be boosted by the recent return to training by Chris Cadden who has been out of action
since the final game of last season following injury.
The 27-year-old revealed that he sat his coaching badge courses whilst out injured but will now be looking forward to returning to first team action.
Heading into November Hibs find themselves in mid table of the Scottish Premiership with league games coming up against St Mirren, Kilmarnock, and Dundee a run where they will look to gather as many points as possible following a difficult run of fixtures the previous month. First up though is the Semi Final against Aberdeen, that match kicks off at 5.15pm on 4 November at Hampden Park and tickets can still be purchased via the Hibernian ticketing website.
Joppa’s
old man of cycle speedway, John Murphy to celebrate his 80th birthday at the world championships in Australia
FOR THE MOST poignant of reasons John Murphy missed the entry date for his agegroup due to the death of Diane, his wife of 55 years, in August. But he was persuaded to travel anyway by fellow members of his Edinburgh Falcons club, notably Steve Gilroy and George Swanson.
John said: “Some time ago I was privileged to be made an honorary member of the Salisbury cycle speedway club, near Adelaide, where the world championships are being held so I have connections ‘down under and on one occasion while there spoke with Joan Young, wife of Jack who won a world speedway title out of Edinburgh Monarchs in the 1950s.
“I won’t be racing but I have been asked to provide an exhibition.
“I’ll maybe show off a bit with my trick of riding a bike backwards, something I learned when I was about eight years old and a team mascot.”
The Australian audience won’t have to worry about John, a former taxi driver, being rusty in the saddle as, last month, he turned out as a guest for the Northumbria Vikings when they arrived a rider short; it was a winning appearance in the North and Scottish League too for a man who simply insists “cycle speedway is in my blood”.
Dubbed “The Master” by Steve Gilroy, in his heyday, when he wasn’t travelling to Las Vegas to attend four Elvis Presley ‘live’ concerts John ventured around the world on two wheels although his “claim to fame” occurred closer to home at the Jack Kane Centre.
There a Danderhall BMX racing club challenged John’s cycle speedway outfit to a match.
“I found myself racing against a young lad by the name of Chris Hoy – beat him too!”
Another notable experience occurred while racing in Poland.
“A bus promoting the event displayed some really attractive posters and I fancied bringing one home to Edinburgh.
“A young local girl could only have read my mind and climbed aboard the bus and handed the poster to me.”
That young girl turned out to be Anita Wlodarczyk who has gone on to become Olympic hammer champion in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
“Every Christmas Anita sends me a calendar” said John, whose own experience of multi-sports gathering extends to running with the Queen’s Baton message along Portobello prom in the build up to the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
John’s eventful career extends to racing for TWO countries and – typically – there is an intriguing story behind his selection for Northern Ireland after a Scotland racing career went into remission.
“The Cycle Speedway Council noticed I wasn’t in the Scotland team and for them to get Sports Council funding they needed a home international tournament involving four home countries. The missing link was Ireland.
“Somebody reckoned with a name like Murphy I had to have some Irish blood so I checked things out to discover there was a grandad from Enniskillen I never knew I had!”
Over the years titles and honours have piled up but there was one that eluded John in bizarre fashion.
“Back in 1987 the first British over-40’s championship was held and I drove to Norwich to find that even maximum points from my races wasn’t good enough for the title.
“When I queried this I was told that there was somebody older than me in the field and a rule provided bonus points according to age so I lost out. That rule was never used again.”
A year later though John was selected for Great Britain when he got the chance to wear that team’s blazer.
Craig McEwan is hoping as many exchampions and other former members can be contacted to share in celebrations marking a 30th anniversary this month. Craig, former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and successful pro, who for a spell, fought out of Hollywood, California, has taken over the running of the club from his dad, Rab, 70, (photographed in foreground below) who set up the venture on 5 November 1993.
Recounting how the club has grown from small beginnings, Craig said: “My dad, who was a successful international amateur with 100 bouts out of the Meadowbank club, was also janitor at our local Clovenstone Primary and was aware of a couple of huts in the school grounds.
“An approach to the headmaster saw these huts knocked together to form a gym and these lasted until we were fortunate to get new premises with help from, among others, the National Lottery.
“Things are the same today as they were back then with the club taking pride in not only a competitive element but doing our bit helping recovering drug addicts and others get their lives back on track.
“Among our 30 registered boxers we have a couple who have just won Scottish development titles and others looking forward to taking part in a show in Ireland.
“But the keep fit side sees us train policemen, lawyers, the army and students at Heriot Watt University. I’m pleased to be taking on the role filled by my dad having accompanied him as an eight-year-old to Meadowbank.
“When it came to having my first fight, at Longstone Hearts Club, I lost and cried all the way home, but by then I’d caught the boxing bug and aged 14 I was the only member of my family with a passport as travel opportunities opened up through boxing.”
The plan is to celebrate in the gym.
CITY OF EDINBURGH basketball club have expanded their programme for primary 5-7 girls after initial successes.
Started in 2021 with monthly tournaments, coach Mhari Campbell is now holding three weekly training sessions for 40 girls across Edinburgh.
Ten of these girls were this year selected to attend training camps run by Basketball Scotland for talented youngsters and many of those who started out in the programme are now playing competitively at under-12 and under-14 level with some aspiring to regional play.
“Coach Campbell says: “After recognising a number of girls with lots of potential and enthusiasm, I started a Junior WNBA Talent Programme which gives selected girls an extra session per week where they can still
have the same fun but develop skills in a more focused environment.
“Sessions are at an affordable price to keep it inclusive.
“I take great pride in being part of these kids’ growth from little girls to basketball players. The girls come to each session smiling, excited and eager to learn and that’s what makes me love my job.”
C of E club official Garreth Lodge pays tribute, saying: “Mhari is the mastermind behind an amazing project and has even started a high performance development programme for talented young girls from it.”
Sessions are either at Portobello or Holyrood High School. For more information e-mail: coachcampbell.m@gmail.com
CHARLOTTE KERSHAW and Joel Akhurst are ladies and men’s singles champions at Lomond Park tennis club, Trinity, for 2023.
In the final Charlotte defeated Harriet Balloch while Joel came out on top against Euan Ward.
OTHER FINAL RESULTS...
• Ladies doubles – Harriet Balloch and Charlotte Kershaw beat Bernadette Capaldi and Jane McCauley.
• Men’s doubles – Euan Ward and David Reid defeated Graeme Milne and Duncan McFadzean.
• Mixed doubles – Phil Mullery and Bernadette Capaldi defeated Jerry Balloch and Harriet Balloch.
PLATE EVENTS...
• Ladies singles – Val McKenzie.
• Men’s singles – Nik
OF Midlothian swimming club, Edinburgh, had a night to remember at the annual Scottish Swim awards.
Nominated for “club of the year” although they missed out to eventual winners Lerwick in a final three that also included Renfrew it was still a significant achievement to stand on the podium.
The photo above shows some of the delighted Heart of Midlothian contingent with a plaque to mark their success which came after they had to compile a video and undertake interviews to reach the final three.
Holly McGill recently moved to Stirling University having represented Great Britain at the European Junior Championships then Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games during the summer.
Also at the awards dinner were Phil Potter (head coach), Michael Adamek (assistant head coach), Claire Mackie (committee member) and Jennifer McGill
(entries secretary).
Another factor contributing to the nomination may have been sending a coach and five swimmers to Sheffield for the National County Team championships as part of the East of Scotland squad placing a commendable 11th in A Division.
President Elinor Crofts said: “We are especially proud of the recognition our swimmer of the month award provides. It isn’t about who is the fastest or best swimmer but recognises those who put in the extra effort. Our swimmers have said this makes them feel valued.
“The club is thriving with a continual stream of new enquiries and run regular trials for new starts to ensure they go into the appropriate squad."
Any new members are welcome and should contact secretary@swimhearts.com or fill in the form at www.swimhearts.com
Stansfeld.
• Ladies doubles – Lynne Lineen and Kathryn Hardie.
• Men’s doubles – James Beaton-Hill and Arthur Cross.
• Mixed doubles – Kathryn Hardie and Graeme Hardie.
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