THE PANTO IS BACK Oh yes it is. Allan Stewart is playing a woman once more, this time, Faerie May. He said: “It was the first
panto I did at the Glasgow Pavilion in 1975! Mummy, did he say 1975?… he’s very old isn’t he, Mummy? Yes! But wait till you see the legs. They are the legs of a 20 year old...” Local “Big Tidy”, Grant Stott, is also back for his 30th
pantomime year, playing Baroness Hibernia Fortuna. He said: “It’s just great to be back together with you all at this magical time of year. As always, please boo and hiss at will.” His fellow River City cast member, and panto
Greg Macvean
IT MAY ONLY BE OUR NOVEMBER ISSUE, but we have to mention the Christmas word in this issue to tell you about the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes, Cinderella which is at the Festival Theatre until Hogmanay. And Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from 15 November until 4 January with all the usual Christmas Markets and the Big Wheel (see Pages 12-13). As we prepared to go to press 60+ organisations in the city were getting ready to protest at the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) (made up of the council and NHS Lothian and responsible for social and other care in the city) meeting at the City Chambers. EIJB propose to plug a small gap in their massive budget deficit by axing £4.5 million from community grants paid to local bodies. It is unlikely to be accepted gracefully, as some of the bodies are wholly reliant on EIJB funding to carry out their important work. The funding last year was awarded for programmes such as HIV charity, Waverley Care, (£177,754), Citizens Advice Edinburgh for advice on “income maximisation” (£313,897), Bridgend Farmhouse for a community kitchen (£23,155), Edinburgh Community Food to promote healthy lifestyles by delivering community food and health work - such as running cooking courses and workshops (£160,426), Health All Round in Sighthill/ Gorgie delivering services to improve the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of local people (£185,548). These examples are randomly chosen from a list of charitable bodies which will be affected. Who will step in? There were few clues as we closed our files on the November issue and sent it off to press - but it is a story which will run and run.
Our usual Hibs and Hearts news can be found on Page 23, with more local, amateur sports on Pages 20-21. Kerry has been out and about learning more about food on Page 17 as well as eating it, and Charlie has been drinking even better coffee on Page 16. We hope you enjoy reading this month’s news.
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
Planning news
A public consultation will take place on 7 November and 2 December at Muirhouse Library, 12a Macmillan Crescent EH4 4AB when the Proposal of Applicaiton Notice (PAN) for the proposed regeneration of Pennywell and Muirhouse town centre for the council will be on display for public comment. The scheme includes 85 to 95 new council homes with shops on the ground floor.
Plans have been submitted to demolish the 22-year-old Anderson House in Bonnington before the site is then redeveloped.
Is this the ultimate in Leith’s gentrification?
The former Pilrig Motors on Leith Walk is to become a dessert shop called Cake Box.
The Thistle Street shop occupied by the off-licence, The Bon Vivant’s Companion, is becoming a site for a Linlithgow wine bar Du Vin Bouchers.
The former Binns building at the West End now occuped by Johnnie Walker Edinburgh, is up for sale with an asking price of £31.5 million. Diageo’s masterpiece is not about to move as the Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI)
lease still has 19 years to run. The annual rent is £1.85 million. The tenant Diageo which owns the largest selling Scotch Whisky brand in the world reports a turnover of £2.6billion in 2023 with around £960 million of pre-tax profits.
Screwfix may become the new Grays (where everyone bought hardware from mouse traps to brushes) on George Street.
The firm will move into the unit formerly occupied by NatWest.
A unit at Ferrymuir Retail Park previously Frankie & Benny’s is to become a new outlet for Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s which has its main restaurant in Dunfermline. The new venture will bring around 60 jobs to the area on opening in spring 2025 - with lobster rolls on the menu and “first class” fish and chips.
Cheyne
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Editor: Phyllis Stephen
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Johnnie Walker on Binns’ Corner
Delightful Diwali
Uncertainty over Gorgie Farm
By DONALD TURVILL, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
THE FUTURE OF Edinburgh’s Gorgie City Farm is uncertain as the charity tasked with its revival has unexpectedly returned control to The City of Edinburgh Council.
The urban farm, which was for a long time a popular free attraction, has been closed to the public for more than 18 months.
Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) received £150,000 to develop a plan for the farm’s future. Their blueprint, which was unveiled this summer, included spaces for growing, outdoor play, community enterprises, and markets. But, the return of animals – previously the farm’s main attraction for children and adults alike – was deemed unfeasible for several years due to costs.
Councillors have expressed concern over EVOC’s unexpected move, fearing the condition of the site could deteriorate further. The
farm will remain closed until a new operator is secured, with April 2025 mentioned as the earliest possible reopening date.
Sighthill/Gorgie councillor, Dan Heap, said: “It is almost two years since the farm closed to the public, and it is unacceptable the farm has to be closed down even further, with community groups now asked to leave due to safety concerns.”
Independent ward councillor Ross McKenzie said: “This is presented as if it was part of the plan, but I think it’s important to be clear this is not the case, and that during the discussion at committee in August, there was no suggestion that EVOC was in any hurry to hand back the lease.
“The Interim chief executive of EVOC made it very clear that intended to keep the lease, continue with activities on the site and work on a ‘transition plan’ for the new tenant.
“We’ve suddenly gone from a position where we recognised that
the site needed a bit of attention, a bit of a presence to stop it from falling into a state and to support volunteers to do a bit of gardening, to one where the council is essentially going to mothball the site until a new tenant comes in.”
The council has received five expressions of interest from groups keen to run the farm long-term. Culture and Communities convener Val Walker said: “It’s my priority to have the farm back open for residents, visitors, and volunteers as soon as possible.”
EVOC said that structural damage, flooding, and frozen pipes among issues discovered upon taking over last year, would mean that significant investment is needed before any reopening.
The council confirmed it will take necessary steps to make the site safe, allowing volunteers to return to the garden area. The hope remains that the community asset might be reopened at some point.
Gorgie Farm
Edinburgh Diwali on 3 November brings the Indian festival of lights to the capital. Events include a parade along George Street led by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland to the Ross Bandstand where music and dance will be followed by fireworks.
EVOC plan did not involve animals
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
A COMMUNITY PROJECT to turn a city centre street into a public square has almost ground to a halt after 17 years of local activism. In 2007 the campaigners turned the triangular traffic island at West Crosscauseway into a tropical island to show that it could be used as a public square.
In the intervening years there have been light shows, gatherings of cyclists and projections on the surrounding buildings all hoping to draw attention and support for the project, and make it into a permanent installation.
Causey Development Trust (CDT) simply want to create a safer place to walk or cycle, which would also improve the area for any wheelchair users. Their plans include reversing the traffic flow, resurfacing the street and realigning the pavements to help locals be more neighbourly, adding trees and seating.
The project is split into two Phases. The total cost of the plans to complete Phase 1 and progress Phase 2 is around £2.1 millionalthough the cost of the initial scheme when drafted several years ago was a fraction of that. Phase 1 covers the bulk of the scheme and Phase 2 covers the on-street changes in Chapel Street.
CDT has a great deal of support and interest from people who live and work in the area. But despite an approved Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), and not one, but two, offers of funding
Protecting residents against unfair heating charges Rebel without a viable Causey
By CLLR JACK CALDWELL
LEITH WALK WARD is the most densely populated neighbourhood in Scotland. If we are serious about promoting urban living, then one of the first things we can do is free our most vulnerable residents from unfair heating charges.
Imagine, for the property you rent, being charged around £412 a year to have an active gas connection for your central heating before using a drop of gas.
Now imagine that you are forbidden from changing supplier.
That is exactly what a number of my constituents living in Leith Walk ward, in the north east of the city, are going through as they live in buildings with shared District Heating Systems.
District Heating Systems themselves were designed for
to make the plans come to life, no progress has been made.
After a public hearing in 2021 the Reporter said that any objections to the TRO “could not be sustained”. Scottish Ministers recommended in June 2022 that the order should be confirmed without modification.
The various awards of funding have now been clawed back as the work has not started. Monies were originally allocated through the government’s Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP). That government funding has now been withdrawn by The Scottish Government, except for projects already under construction.
This project sits in the council’s Active Travel Investment Programme which is “aimed at increasing the numbers of people choosing to walk or cycle for everyday local journeys”. It was to be paid for from council funding and Sustrans contributions.
The TRO which came into effect on 1 March 2024 now requires to accommodate bigger buses in the Lothian fleet, and new communal bin hubs, which means changes to the TRO and the layout. This aspect of the proposals would come under the second phase covering Buccleuch Street and Chapel Street.
A new TRO and a Redetermination Scotland Order (RSO) require to be drafted and the council has not yet begun that work (although it could have started this in March this year).
Sarah Drummond, Chair of the Causey
Development Trust, said:“The Causey is about more than augmenting existing and planned Active Travel networks (which it does) - it is about creating an attractive, usable space that prioritises people.
“It’s about making a place for cultural events, outside of the high and overcrowded festival seasons, it’s about putting community first and promoting wellness. We are not some big developers, we are local people who volunteer because we think The Causey really could make people’s lives better – it already has - and we appeal to the Council to find a way of funding the
works that will see these long laboured plans come to fruition.”
noble reasons; to reduce the waste from individual boilers and ensure a level of reliability that individual boilers can’t provide. For many of my residents, they’ve become anti-consumer cages where feudalistic homage must be paid rather than having individual choice. Or indeed even choose to reduce your usage to save money.
Utility prices are a scandal across the country and it’s hitting many of the most vulnerable. It’s why Lib Dem colleagues across the UK are continuing to call for green infrastructure, a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas giants, and have voted against cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance.
One group of residents who have notified me of this live just off Leith Walk in social-rent housing. Another building with this system is retirement housing near Easter Road. Both buildings
contain a number of vulnerable individuals who are hit hardest by these charges, especially after recent UK government belttightening for pensioners. While the regional average sits around 30p, one resident who approached me is being charged an eye watering £1.13 a day for gas they’re not using. Having your gas standing charge sitting at around 70% higher than the southern Scotland average is not justifiable. As some landlords, factors, local authorities and providers pass the issue around and eventually blame ‘market conditions’, it’s clear that the government are long overdue in standing up for
these individuals by ensuring they have a fair choice and liberty in the how they use, or not use, utilities – and find ways to ensure District Heating Systems get at least price parity with other models so their true potential can be met. We cannot afford to penalise people who are using more sustainable forms of energy. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of receiving the welfare you are entitled to. Edinburgh residents are estimated to underclaim benefits so please do contact advice services or representatives, such as the Council’s own Advice Shop. You will not be bothering anyone just by asking.
Burgh celebrations
THE EDINBURGH 900 celebrations have begun, marking the anniversary of King David I establishing the first royal burgh in Edinburgh and continue into next year. A series of exhibitions and displays at Central Library include David I: A Revolution produced by Historic Environment Scotland. There is rare and historic material from the library - such as coin from the Museums and Galleries and Archaeology Service dating from the time of David’s grandson, William the Lion. A separate display shows 18th century Edinburgh as a City of Ideas. James Craig’s plans visualise the streets and crescents of the New Town as well as material referencing innovations in philosophy, science and the arts including music. edinburgh.org/900
Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said:“The future of The Causey project is likely to be dependent on external funding from the Scottish Government and this is currently unavailable. I acknowledge that delays on this project have been frustrating, chiefly due to the pandemic. “We’ll continue to explore all available options but unfortunately we are unlikely to be in a position to be able to move forward with the project in the current climate.” GET IN TOUCH TODAY!
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Jack Caldwell
People’s Story Museum - closure sparks debate
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
EDINBURGH COUNCIL’S DECISION to temporarily close The People’s Story museum has resulted in debate at The Scottish Parliament, among councillors, council officers and local residents. The retrospective decision to shut the doors was said to be due to “staffing pressures”, but it was also intended to cut the department overspend by up to £200,000.
The move has drawn criticism from locals who view the museum as an essential part of the city’s cultural landscape. Local support is headed up by Jim Slaven, a local resident and cultural expert. He is spearheading a group which wants to reopen the museum. He emphasised the importance of keeping the building in public hands, and involving new board members with fresh ideas. Referencing other deals relating to council-owned buildings in the city centre, he said: “We don’t want this building taken out of council control and passed to one of their dodgy charities.” Mr Slaven says he is continuing to talk to the council, but demands that the museum is open to allow for a positive backdrop against which he believes financial donations might be forthcoming.
Culture Secretary, Angus Robertson, who is also the constituency MSP, replied to Conservative MSP Miles Briggs enquiry that he was “saddened by the closure”. He said: “We are continuing to support the sector with £2.7 million of funds in 2024-25 to Museums Galleries Scotland, Scotland’s national
museums and galleries development body. I urge the City of Edinburgh Council to continue discussions with key stakeholders, including Museums Galleries Scotland, to see whether there is a way forward.”
Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Val Walker, assured the public of the council’s commitment to reopening the museum. She said: ”We are totally committed to re-opening The People’s Story museum, but we recognise that there are challenges to overcome.” She promised to explore reopening options at the December committee meeting when a new report is to be produced. The matter will also be raised at two other council meetings in between.
Not all elected members share the same view.
Conservative councillor Phil Doggart advocated for a more commercial approach to managing all the city’s museums. He said: ”We need to consolidate the number of buildings that we’ve got” and suggested that the council should explore ways to generate more revenue from its facilities.
City Centre councillor Finlay McFarlane said: “The SNP Group are clear that the Labour-led administration must re-open and secure the future of The People’s Story in its current premises as a priority. It is utterly unacceptable that Edinburgh’s only workingclass history museum and all the stories it contains remains closed while civic Edinburgh toasts its 900th year celebrations.
“Labour should be moving heaven and earth to find a solution that re-opens the doors, rebuilds the damaged relationships with working class communities in the city and explores the great many offers of support and ideas for renewal. We also expect Labour to be crystal clear that under their administration
The People’s Story will remain in the Canongate Tolbooth as a city centre standalone museum for the public good.”
A longer version of this article can be read in full online theedinburghreporter.co.uk
Need for a new Eye Pavilion
By SARAH BOYACK MSP
FOR A DECADE, Edinburgh’s Eye Pavilion has been not fit for purpose. The Scottish Government have refused to tackle the problem. Instead, they have kicked the can down the road and dithered and delayed at every turn. Initially supporting the hospital, they then ditched the project, only to support it again at the 2021 Holyrood election. Three years later a new hospital has still not been approved.
The latest shocking news is that the eye hospital will have to close for six months for urgent repairs. For those who have been constantly raising awareness for the dire state of the current facility, this was inevitable.
I recently toured the pavilion with NHS staff. It was clear that the building was far beyond its use by date. There are constant disruptions with leaks and maintenance issues affecting surgeries and other vital procedures.
The reports from NHS Lothian Chief Executive, Jim Crombie, and NHS staff about the levels of disruption that will occur from the closure, paint a grim picture. Procedures and operations that
are all currently centralised in the Princess Alexandra, will be spread across NHS Lothian.
The eye hospital currently operates with only paper notes. There are more tha 100,000 notes in the eye hospital that will need to be efficiently and quickly transferred to a myriad of locations across Lothian at a moment’s notice, depending on where patients are being sent.
With 84% of Scotland’s future population growth happening in Lothian, we urgently need state of the art facilities to keep up with our growth.
I recently heard harrowing stories at a roundtable with patients about the cancelled appointments and high costs for taxis to and from the facility. These patients are deeply anxious about the impact of the temporary closure.
I do not envy NHS Lothian. If the Scottish Government is going to continue to enforce spending cuts on our health board, then we will continue to see issues like this arise. We are staring down the barrel of a potential major health crisis in Edinburgh. The only way we can avoid a greater disaster in the future is by finally approving a new eye pavilion for our city.
Controlling fireworks
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
FOLLOWING DISTURBANCES in certain areas of the city last year and unruly behaviour, with attacks on emergency services, the council has taken action.
Councillors have agreed that this year there will be Firework Control Zones (FCZ) in these areas: Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie, Seafield. FCZs - areas designated by the council to limit the use of fireworks - will be in place between 1 November to 10 November 2024 only.
When the decision was made Culture and Communities Convener, Val Walker, said: “The Culture and Communities Committee endorsed the recommended actions, which allows us to implement the Firework Control Zones in the four areas from 1 – 10 November, following the 60-day lay period.
“This is just the first year, and will provide us with tangible evidence of its effectiveness and help guide implementation in years to come, along with extensive community consultation in 2025.
“Community safety, the protection of our emergency services personnel and animal welfare are among our top priorities when it comes to this decision.
“Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use in the city can be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together, and we hope that these zones will allow the community to celebrate safely.
“The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 gives councils power to introduce Firework Control Zones (FCZ). We will use FCZs along with other measures to support the safe use of fireworks.”
Jim Slaven
Doors are closed at The People’s Story
Jim Slaven
New benches set the mark
By STAFF REPORTER
TWO NEW BENCHES have pride of place in Gorgie-Dalry and are already brightening up the area.
The benches were designed by local artists, Yvonne Weighand Lyle and Katriona Gillespie, who say they were inspired by the natural and social heritage of the area. Both are members of Gorgie Collective, a local arts and cultural organisation.
The City of Edinburgh Council has installed the benches in front of White Park on Gorgie Road, and also beside the Coop on Dalry Road.
Chair of Gorgie Collective, Katriona Gillespie, explained the project: “Yvonne and I are both very passionate about where we live and we began this project as a way of bringing more street art to our local public spaces.
“The Gorgie bench features plants found in our neighbourhood’s parks and gardens and the central design is inspired by points on a compass, including local landmarks that are meaningful to me such as Tynecastle and of course The Diggers!”
Fellow artist Yvonne Weighand Lyle added:
“The benches represent a link between people and place. The Dalry bench design captures the skies above Gorgie-Dalry at the time we developed the designs, when there was a conjunction of the moon and Saturn. This abstract celestial map then also features plants, industry and people situated in the urban landscape.”
Sarah Boyack, Lothian MSP said: “Its inspiring to see the Gorgie Collective’s work supporting the local community. These sculptural benches don’t just look fantastic, they’ll provide a much-needed area for the people in Gorgie and Dalry to sit and enjoy their community”
Independent Councillor for Sighthill-Gorgie, Ross Mackenzie, said: “Gorgie Collective artists, Yvonne and Katriona, have been doing excellent community-led work for several years here in Gorgie-Dalry, providing free creative workshops and public artwork for local people to enjoy. I am delighted to see these highquality sculptural benches installed.
“They are beautifully designed by local artists and also offer important added amenity to our high street.”
Street cleaning under the spotlight
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
THE STANDARD OF STREET
CLEANING in Bellevue and Broughton is deplorable according to local, Shane Carter. He has now presented a petition with 74 signatures to the council which will be discussed at a meeting of the Transport and Environment Committee this month.
Mr Carter, who has lived in the area for around ten years, said: “It is manifestly plain that the City Council does not have a systematic plan of maintaining a satisfactory level of street cleaning. The way the service is currently organised, executed and delivered is failing us all and requires immediate revision in the light of the lived experiences of those who foot the Council Tax bill.
“I was very impressed with how spotlessly clean the Royal Mile was by 7.30am each morning when the late Queen was lying at rest in St. Giles’ Cathedral. If the Council can manage to keep The Royal Mile clean for royalty why are they incapable of doing the same for those of us who pay the Council Tax Bill, year in year out?
“I had such high hopes for
improvements in street cleaning and the streetscape when Labour gained control of the City Council in the last local government elections only to be disappointed; nothing changes!”
Mr Carter said that street cleaning and weeding had improved slightly after word of his petition got out.
He said: “One petitioner commented that the Council has now weeded the bin hub areas in East Claremont Street and that this was “unprecedented.”
“However, the worker carrying out this work stated they had no instructions to weed anywhere else in the street.
“One lady said to me: “There is no service: we have no service.” Her eight words say it all.
“Another woman told me: “Whoever is managing and supervising this service should consider their position.”
“Another man said: “ I want them to have good pay, good pensions, good conditions and good sick pay but I want them to take a pride in their jobs.”
“A local woman told me: “The bins in the bin hubs need to be pulled out at least once a week and hosed down with water and cleaning agent.”
Mr Carter has also garnered support from local politicians. Cllr Jack Caldwell, who represents Leith Walk ward, said he will be watching proceedings at the committee this month “with keen interest” to see what the administration’s response is. He said he continues to try to assist people living in the ward he represents, and has alerted the council department in the past to uncollected bins in the Bellevue Road area.
LOST SHORE SURF RESORT is opening this month. It is Scotland’s first inland surf resort, and represents a multi-million pound investment in a former quarry in Ratho. The project plans to deliver a world-class facility, hoping to establish itself as a destination for adventure. It has announced its own version of festive funThe Lost Feast - from 4 to 20 December. The indoor winter wonderland with fire pit will warm guests after optional surfing lessons.The sharing menu will be provided by Glasgow’s Five March restaurant
putting its toe in the water in Edinburgh for the first time. A cinema will offer an indoor winter woodland cinema experience, where guests will step through a Narnia style wardrobe into an enchanting workd with classic festive films.
Lauren Hyder, Head of Events and Sales, said: “There has been a trend in recent years of people wanting more from their festive night out, looking for unique and unforgettable experiences. We are excited to offer what might just be one of the most unique party packages in our first year of operation.”
Cresting the wave
Shane Carter
L-R Katriona and Yvonne take a seat
Craig Maclean Photography
Katriona and Yvonne admiring their work
Bagel firm’s assets sold off at knockdown price
By STEPHEN RAFFERTY
TWICE BANKRUPT LARAH BROSS sold the assets of her failed Bross Bagels chain to her new phoenix company at a knockdown price, an official report has revealed.
The Edinburgh Reporter earlier revealed that that when Bross Bagels Ltd was put into receivership in August 2023 the assets of the business was transferred to Hot Mama Bagels Ltd for just £18,000.
Ms Bross then continued to trade in three of the former Bross Bagels units using the same branding, website and social media assets, until that last of the shops eventually closed in July.
Now an annual Progress Report by the official liquidator, Interpath, has confirmed the assets were undervalued - a serious matter which could lead to action being taken by the Insolvency Service which will scrutinise if any criminal or civil wrongdoing has taken place.
The report also states that investigations are continuing into the circumstances leading to the insolvency and that the conduct of the company directors will feature in a report by the official liquidator to the Insolvency Service.
Interpath tried to secure further payment from Hot Mama Bagels for the shortfall in the £18,000 asset valuation but were unable to do so because Hot Mama Bagels (HMB) has also been put into liquidation.
The report states: “Investigations into the fair value of these assets subsequently undertaken concluded that this transaction was at undervalue. Accordingly, we pursued HMB seeking a further payment towards the sale of these assets. Unfortunately, HMB was placed into liquidation, by its directors, on 8 August 2024 before we could extract a further payment.”
Insolvency expert Jonathan Munnery of business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor Group, said: “If transactions at undervalue are entered into by a company that later becomes insolvent, it can result in serious repercussions for company directors who may be viewed as deliberately diverting assets away from creditors.”
Sanctions open to the Insolvency Service include disqualification as acting as a director for 2-15 years, personal liability for some or all of the debts, fines, or in severe cases criminal prosecution and a potential prison sentence.
The Interpath report also reveals directors loans of £61,000 - due personally to the business
by Larah Bross and her husband and co-director Marc Millar - also remain outstanding after they failed to agree terms to repay the funds.
The report adds: “We have been in negotiations with the directors for repayment of the sums due, with no acceptable proposal received to date. We are continuing to pursue this matter and are also exploring our other options to recover this debt.”
Total debts outstanding by Bross Bagels Ltd stand just short of £1 million at £971,000, with the largest creditor listed as HM Revenue & Customs in relation to unpaid VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions of £635,000, while unsecured creditors are assessed at £265,000. Virgin Money is due a debt of £134,000 made up of an overdraft, an enterprise loan and a
back loan, but the report reveals it is unlikely there will be sufficient funds to allow repayment to any of the creditors.
Larah Bross has spent the summer parading around Foodies Festival cookery events across the UK taking selfies with minor celebrities and has not responded to earlier attempts by The Edinburgh Reporter to obtain a comment.
The Edinburgh Reporter revealed on 2 September how Hot Mama Bagels Ltd had also been placed in to liquidation and that Ms Bross had simultaneously launched a third company. She is listed as a director and the major shareholder of World Wide Hole Ltd, alongside directors, Declan Penfold, a food and hospitality consultant, and chef and consultant Jeff Kipp.
Caring
at Christmas
BETHANY CHRISTIAN TRUST asks that people in Edinburgh choose a Caring Christmas Tree to help people without a home this winter.
Buying from the charity helps to bring much needed care and support to some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people.
Priced from £45 and sustainably grown in Scotland, shoppers can buy a Grade One Nordman fir tree, with 100% of all proceeds going directly to Bethany’s work to support homeless and vulnerable people this winter.
The funding from the social enterprise helps to provide outreach, drop-in support, shelter, befriending, new opportunities and professional support to thousands of people during the harsh winter months.
Caring Christmas Trees has been running in Scotland for almost 20 years. Last year the project sold 3,330 trees and raised £53,231 towards its work.
Regular customer Fiona said: “I’ve had a Caring Christmas tree for a number of years - I’m glad that my purchase of something that feels luxurious can help someone in need. My tree lasts through till Twelfth Night, it smells fantastic and when I go to pick it up there’s always a great sense of camaraderie amongst the team of volunteers. Everyone wins!”
Caring Christmas Trees are available to purchase online www. caringchristmastrees.com or by calling 0131 561 8948. The trees will be ready for collection at various locations in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Glasgow and Fife in November and December, with an option for delivery also in November and December in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Covid bounce
Larah Bross served up a discounted deal - to herself
On the election trail
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
WHILE THIS IS NOT THE US, the campaign to become the third councillor in Colinton/ Fairmilehead is hotting up with a by-election taking place on 14 November. Some 12 candidates have tossed their hats in the ring. There is the usual bickering between political parties. The Labour candidate’s election agent, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, has questioned the terms of a letter signed by the Liberal Democrat group leader, Cllr Kevin Lang, (who is just back from campaigning for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania) who said that in the 2022 local government election their candidate, Louise Spence, was just 2% behind the successful SNP candidate.
Cllr Jenkinson however pointed out that the SNP candidate ended up in third place -
meaning that Ms Spence was fourth.
The voting system used in the local election is the Single Transferable Vote system which is not so easily explained, but the numbers do speak for themselves in this instance.
Last time Ms Spence got 1,416 first preference votes out of 11,414 votes cast. Three councillors were elected in 2022 - Scott Arthur (3,812), Marco Biagi (1,969) and Jason Rust (2,317).
The Labour candidate, Sheila Gilmore, has caused ripples just by standing. Ms Gilmore is a former councillor who received a “golden goodbye” payment of £16,000 in 2007. Other
parties said the sum should be repaid to allow her to stand for election again - but the rules were changed after former Lothian Labour MSP, Neil Findlay, tabled an amendment at Holyrood.
Ms Gilmore, a solicitor, volunteers with Citizens Advice Bureau, and was the MP for Edinburgh East from 2010 to 2015.
She said: “I genuinely think local government and what you can do for people locally, is really important. I think I’ve got the experience and the capacity to do it and to keep doing it. Local government is actually the thing that people are
One penny, endless possibilities
By STAFF REPORTER
WHEN SETTING OUT towards a healthier, more active lifestyle, there is no time like the present.
Now a special promotion at Edinburgh Leisure – just in time to drop a few pounds before the Christmas festivities - might be the persuasion needed.
Until 10 November, customers can join any of Edinburgh Leisure’s fitness, climb or golf memberships for a joining fee of just one penny. This limited-time offer is a golden opportunity to experience the benefits of being a part of Edinburgh Leisure.
Their memberships are designed to cater to all fitness levels and interests. For seasoned athletes or those just starting out, the charity has something for everyone. The new Evolve Membership at Meadowbank Sports Centre is also included in this offer.
People wanting to keep fit can access 50+ venues, including 17 top-notch gyms, 12 swimming pools, six golf courses, one world-class climbing arena, and sports facilities across the city. Enjoy the flexibility of choosing from over 750 fitness classes each week, including yoga, pilates, spinning, and more. Expert trainers are there to support and
motivate every step of the way, ensuring that everyone achieves their fitness goals in a fun and engaging environment.
Members can also enjoy additional member benefits like priority bookings, and free gym introduction. There is no contract – and membership can be frozen or cancelled at any time.
Bonnie Prince Bob, Independent Mev Brown, Independent Mairianna Clyde, SNP
Neil Cuthbert, Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Sheila Gilmore, Scottish Labour Party
David Ian Henry, Independent
Tam Laird, Scottish Libertarian Party
Grant Lidster, Reform UK
Richard Crewe Lucas, Scottish Family Party
Daniel Aleksanteri Milligan, Scottish Greens
Louise Spence, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Marc Wilkinson, Independent
most affected by.”
David Henry is an independent candidate. He reported possible criminal behaviour in the SNP to the police, alleging that thousands of pounds was misused by the party. In this by-election he is handing out leaflets saying that he will fix the roads.
Conservative Neil Cuthbert stood in this ward in 2022 and won 1,100 first preference votes. He thinks voters want Conservatives to have more of a voice.
We hope to interview all candidates and there will be video reports online before the election.
A
WHEN A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER
DIES it can be difficult to grieve amidst so much paperwork and planning. Because of this, most people turn to a solicitor to alleviate stress and deal with the administrative process, usually referred to as ‘probate’, but officially called ‘Confirmation’ in Scotland.
What people don’t realise, however, is that solicitors can easily turn a process that may only take a couple of months into a year or more, and that’s before considering the eye-wateringly high fees they charge - often 3-5% of the estate value.
Except in very complicated situations, the only time you would absolutely need to use a solicitor is if the deceased person didn’t leave a Will and their estate is worth more than £250,000.
For those looking to cut costs and reduce stress, an alternative approach might be to use an online probate support service - a middle-ground solution that provides expert guidance without the hefty price tag and long delays.
www.myprobatepartner.co.uk
By MIKE DAVIS OF MY PROBATE PARTNER
Looking ahead through the Colinton Tunnel to this month’s by-election
Ricky Demarco, CBE
Demarco’s festival archive in peril at Summerhall
By CHARLIE ELLIS
THE POSSIBLE CLOSURES OF THE PEOPLE’S STORY MUSEUM AND SUMMERHALL ARTS CENTRE have attracted plenty of controversy. They have added to the sense of a looming cultural crisis in a city which prides itself on its wealth of cultural institutions and events, including the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe.
Summerhall has grown to become a key venue for art and performance since it was acquired from Edinburgh University in 2011. At present, the future of Summerhall as an arts venue is very much in doubt.
Among Summerhall’s most important aspects is the vast collection of material that constitutes the Richard Demarco Archive. Now 94, Demarco is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s most important cultural figures.
The archive’s thousands of documents, artworks, photographs and videos, tell the rich tale of the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe. It is also a record of Demarco’s many connections with artists throughout Europe. The world renowned Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović recently spoke of the key role played by “the legendary” Demarco in presenting her first international performance in 1973. She is typical of the path-breaking artists that Demarco has promoted. The archive is a rich record of this activity.
Robert McDowell, Demarco’s long-time collaborator, has made Summerhall an effective home for his archive. Although it’s never been ideal, very little of the material can be exhibited or accessed in a proper manner. This goes against Demarco’s hope that the archive will be “an educational resource” and an inspiration to present and future generations. This potential is thwarted by its
current location. Another serious concern are floods which have affected the archive in recent years, caused by rather ancient plumbing in the building which regularly blocks and overflows.
Demarco feels he must move. But where and how? The Demarco Archive Trust is currently examining possible new locations. It has also begun a fundraising campaign to cover the very substantial costs involved in moving and rehousing the archive.
However, even to simply store it is beyond the Demarco Archive Trust’s finances. They have launched a major appeal, with an initial target of £50,000.
This is a conservative estimate of the costs involved in moving to a new permanent home in 2025, as well as reviewing the collection and professionally conserving as many artworks as possible.
Upcoming fundraising events include a dinner at Prestonfield House on 15 November, when some of Demarco’s own artworks will be auctioned off. It is evidence of the urgency of the situation that Demarco faces that he’s prepared to do so.
Though Demarco’s optimism is starting to wane, his passion for art remains undiminished. Demarco holds that “that which contains darkness also contains the prospect of light”.
The Edinburgh Festival was created in a time of general scarcity and political turmoil. Because of this, Demarco retains a faith that art will endure through uncertain times.
Demarco believes his archive manifests this deep belief.
So, he needs the archive to persist and be properly accessible in order to illustrate the cultural values that inspired him and the Edinburgh Festival.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Edward Schneider
Historic steps
By GEORGE MAIR
A GUIDE BOOK has been published of one of the most picturesque streets in Edinburgh, with connections to infamous murderers Burke and Hare, Scotland’s youngest suffragette, and crime writer Sir Ian Rankin and his literary creation, John Rebus.
The Vennel Steps in the heart of the capital’s Old Town is a popular tourist destination. It is one of the best spots to pose for a photograph against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. (A vennel, in Scots, is a narrow alley or lane between houses.)
The new book by Elspeth Wills and Jennie Renton reveals its hidden history, explaining that the Flodden Walls which are part of the Vennel were built in the 16th century to protect the capital from English invasion.
Once a slippery lane where kids with candles
offered to light people on their way, the book reveals how the 77 steps were added in the 20th century to make the passage between Heriot Place and the Grassmarket safer.
Ms Renton, who lives nearby, said: “Visitors to Edinburgh know the Vennel Steps as the best spot to picture yourself - and friends and lovers - against the backdrop of the Castle. For local people it is perhaps no more than a handy shortcut when escaping the hubbub of the Grassmarket for the green expanse of the Meadows.
“But the Vennel has a rich and tantalisingly hidden history. Its many stories have been overshadowed by the Grassmarket’s more lurid tales of public executions and riots. We decided that it deserved a guidebook of its own.”
Edinburgh’s Vennel: Steps into History is published by Main Point Books, priced £10.
Brain health and research
By STAFF REPORTER
EDINBURGH BASED PROFESSOR
CRAIG RITCHIE expects there will be a cure for Alzheimer’s within ten years.
The world-renowned dementia expert also believes that Brain Sciences Scotland, which he founded, will play a significant role in Alzheimer’s disease becoming a rarity.
Around 90,000 people in Scotland have dementia.
Approximately two thirds of care homes occupants live with it and it is among the leading causes of death in Scotland. By 2031 it could cost the country between £2.6£2.9 billion annually, but the emotional cost of the illness is almost immeasurable.
Professor Ritchie said: “The most recent research reveals that Alzheimer’s disease can start decades before symptoms appear.
“We’re now recruiting younger volunteers for research and clinical trials, looking at it as a brain disease you could potentially have from your 50s or younger - but many years before symptoms emerge.”
His aim is to prevent the next generation from developing symptoms, using a test which looks for the presence of amyloid protein, a known contributor to the many symptoms typical of the disease. A new treatment, Lecanemab, can help clear these proteins from the brain but it is not yet in NHS use because it is considered too expensive.
Professor Ritchie said: “The new treatments being developed won’t work for anyone beyond the early stage. They’re for a younger generation, who need to be brain disease aware much earlier. We aim to identify those who have it and give them treatments to clear
amyloid protein from the brain. We need volunteers from Scotland who are 55+ and who have mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s dementia. They’ll prove the science, that brain disease can be treated before it becomes a severe dementia.”
He claims that the approach to Alzheimer’s treatments has barely changed in decades. “We need a new and dedicated speciality, bringing together neurologists, psychiatrists and others as Brain Health and Neurodegenerative Medicine.
“They’d focus on brain disease starting in midlife which could be prevented from developing into later stage disease – currently described as ‘dementia’. And we need to do it fast.”
“These treatments won’t suit everyone and will have some quite serious side effects so specialists will closely monitor their patients.
These are the first generation of many more treatments to follow, that will be even more targeted, safer and more effective.
“I don’t just expect a cure for Alzheimer’s disease in ten years. I also expect that with early detection, managing risk factors and powerful new treatments, that advanced Alzheimer’s diseasedementia - will be very rare.”
https://brainsciences.scot/how-tojoin-us/
REDISCOVER the magic of Christmas shopping at Cloudberry in Barnton where you can pick up a copy of our paper. Known for their enchanting and magical displays, this year they have two Christmas shopping experiences on 6 and 28 November from 6-8pm.
Cloudberry
Craig Ritchie
Looking towards the castle
Instagram Central
A common sight on the steps
The historical Vennel
Looking back at some significant historical dates this month
3 NOVEMBER
In 1698, the Darien Expedition of about 1,200 persons landed at “Caledonia” in Panama - the first phase of a scheme to establish a Scottish colony in Panama to create an overland route to connect the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. (Photo above shows Company of Scotland coat of arms)
9 NOVEMBER
In 1847, Sir James Young Simpson delivered Wilhelmina while chloroform was administered to her mother, Jane Carstairs, the first child to be born with the aid of anaesthesia. And in 1955, the C&A Modes department store fire (photo bottom left)on Princes Street ranks as one of the worst that the city of Edinburgh has ever witnessed.
10 NOVEMBER
In 1799, Joseph Black, physicist and chemist, known for his discoveries of magnesium, latent heat, specific heat, and carbon dioxide, probably the greatest chemist of his age, died. And in 1955, fire broke out at the Carr & Aitkman shoe warehouse on Jeffrey Street.
15 NOVEMBER
In 1824, fire broke out about 10 o’clock at night in a second floor workshop in Old Assembly Close, belonging to the engraver, James Kirkwood; this turned out to be one of the most destructive fires in the history of the city, destroying the
High Street, Parliament Square and the Tron Kirk over 5 days. And in 1873, the statue of Greyfriar’s Bobby was unveiled. In1996, the Stone of Destiny was ceremonially returned to Edinburgh from Westminster Abbey where it had been installed by King Edward I 700 years previously, in 1296. (photo below)
16 NOVEMBER
In 1093, Queen Margaret died at Edinburgh Castle. And in 1789, the Grand Master Mason of Scotland laid the foundation stone of the University of Edinburgh’s Old College (then the New College). Also in 1956, a sea of spectators filled Hanover Street to watch the ‘last’ trams come down the Mound; later the ‘last’ tram entered the Shrubhill depot.
18 NOVEMBER
In 1870, the Surgeons’ Hall Riot took place as a result of misogyny shown to the Edinburgh Seven, a group of women fighting for the right to train and practice as doctors led by Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake (Photo above by Samuel Laurence).
19 NOVEMBER
In 1976, Scottish architect Sir Basil Spence died; he was educated at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh and the Edinburgh
College of Art; one of Spence’s earliest commissions was a design for the Southside Garage at Causewayside which he designed in his distinctive Art Deco style.
26 NOVEMBER
In 1892, the original Jenners department store building was destroyed by fire.
30 NOVEMBER
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 to Edinburgh Castle (photo below).
Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Old Edinburgh Club, membership@ oldedinburghclub.org.uk
Christmas is coming
Phyllis
Stephen discovers the cool new Polar
Ice
Bar and revisits old favourites like the Star Flyer and the ice rink all part of the winter festivals
Ho Ho Ho! It’s almost time for the big man to arrive.
Ahead of the patter of reindeer paws on roofs, this year Edinburgh’s Christmas have even more entertainment on offer for everyone in the family.
Venues for the festive fun are scattered over the city centre like snowflakes, taking in the area from Princes Street Gardens to George Street and St Andrew Square Gardens. Some of the attractions are well known to locals, and popular with people living here in Edinburgh and those who visit, but organisers also have some new attractions up their sleeves...
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2024
• Brand new this year is the Assembly Hall programme packed with Fringe favourites, which will be headlined by Swamplesque. The programme will also include a show with no comedy safety net: Jason Byrne: No Show, plus an ideal counterpart to a family day at the market with The Bubble Show.
• Returning for 2024 is The Coorie Inn, the welcoming bar on George Street - the place to warm up after a skate around the magnificent alpine ice rink. This year, a programme of live music and wintery workshops will add to the entertainment.
• A brand new cold sensory experience for
2024: Edinburgh’s Christmas will be home to the coolest new bar in town, with the city’s first Ice Bar. Visitors are invited to take some time to chill this festive period, at the all-new Polar Ice Bar where tables, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice. This unique pop-up bar experience created in partnership with Hamiltons Ice Sculptors, will be on George Street and will be kept to a chilly -8°C. Visitors can stay cosy the whole time with warming jackets and gloves provided on arrival.
Right - Eat, drink and be merry at the markets
Below - The coolest bar in town - the new Polar Ice Bar
Inside the Polar Ice Bar, guests will enjoy festive alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, served in an individual pre-carved ice glass. The first drink is included in the entry ticket. Visitors can also enjoy the bar’s beautiful, engraved ice walls and sculptures featuring winter forests and wildlife, providing the perfect Insta moment for friends and family.
RETURNING FAVOURITES
Many favourites of Edinburgh’s Christmas return for 2024, including Scotland’s largest Christmas Tree Maze which is back after a short hiatus in St Andrew Square this year. Santa will be the star at Santa’s Stories at St Andrew Square where little ones can listen to his tales. Gliding down to the opposite end of George Street, the Ice Rink returns for all the skaters to show off their pirouettes. Meanwhile at East Princes Street Gardens, there are two familiar trips up above the Edinburgh skyline with the more tranquil LNER Big Wheel and the rather more thrilling Around the World Starflyer. Once little ones have made their way out of the Christmas Tree Maze, paid Santa and his elves a visit, a venture down to West Princes Street Gardens will allow them to take a ride or two on the familiar Edinburgh’s Christmas funfair.
ILLUMINATIONS
Edinburgh’s Christmas will continue spreading illuminations around the city in 2024. For the most scenic route into the traditional Christmas market enter from Market Street and experience a festive gallery of illuminations from lower street level - this is the best way to access the market and dodge any crowds. https://bit.ly/4hk9P7V
New from Stills workshop
A NEW EXHIBITION, Stills Salon, will feature the work of more than 80 contributing artists. Each piece in the exhibition has been produced in Stills’ state-of-the-art production facilities on Cockburn Street, in the analogue darkrooms or using their digital scanners and printers.
All work featured in Stills Salon will be for sale, priced at the artists’ discretion.
Stills facilities support a vibrant community of artists, students, and photographers to develop their practices affordably. Several of the works featured in Stills Salon were produced on photography courses offered at stills, others by alumni of Stills School: a free photography school for young people aged 16–25 who face barriers accessing the arts.
Displaying a diverse range of subject matters, skills and production techniques, the exhibition highlights the importance and value of affordable workshop spaces in developing a lively artistic community in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Stills says it is committed to ensuring “continued access and opportunity for the practice and study of photography”.
The gallery is supported by Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Project Echo, and The William Grant Foundation. Stills Salon is generously supported in-kind by Hahnemühle and Bellfield Brewery.
Kevin’s chair is simply merveilleux
THE VERNE EASY CHAIR, designed by an Edinburgh based furniture designer won “Best Chair in Show” at the Young Furniture Makers Exhibition in London this month.
recently graduated from a furniture school in Gifford, and his chair was entered into the exhibition organised by The Furniture Makers’ Company. This event showcases the best emerging talent in furniture design, from GCSE students to recent graduates.
Kevin said: “The Young Furniture Maker Awards are highly competitive, and I was proud to exhibit alongside 13 fellow graduates from the Chippendale International School of Furniture in East Lothian.
“The Verne Easy Chair
combines minimalist design with comfort. Crafted from solid prime European oak, it features removable cushions upholstered in Brera Lino fabric in a rich Forrest green, filled with Reflex foam for lasting support. With Pirelli webbing for durability and long-term comfort, the chair is both stylish and customisable, making it an ideal choice for
By STAFF REPORTER
JAMES THOMSON, OBE, owner of Prestonfield House and The Witchery, has been honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Independent Hotel Show. This recognition celebrates Thomson’s significant impact on Scotland’s hospitality industry throughout his career.
Mr Thomson, who became Scotland’s youngest licensee at 20 when he opened The Witchery, offered thanks for the award and acknowledged the importance of relationships in the industry. He said: “It’s incredibly humbling to be recognised by your peers, especially in an industry as rich in talent as hospitality and tourism. I’m shocked and truly humbled. Our success is built on people, and we’re lucky to work with amazing suppliers and colleagues.”
modern interiors.”
Tom Fraser, Principal of Chippendale International School of Furniture said: “We are delighted that Kevin’s Verne Easy Chair was awarded Best Chair in Show at this year’s Young Furniture Makers Exhibition. At Chippendale International School of Furniture, we take pride in nurturing talented designers from across the globe. Kevin flourished throughout our 30-Week Professional Course and it’s wonderful to see his hard work and talent celebrated on such a prestigious platform.”globe. Kevin flourished throughout our 30-Week Professional Course and it’s wonderful to see his hard work and talent celebrated on such a prestigious platform.”
His vision for hospitality focuses on delivering outstanding Scottish food, wine, and service, paired with unforgettable guest experiences. Prestonfield holds the AA five red star luxury status. His efforts in preserving Scotland’s historical architecture particularly in the Old Town and including the award-winning Secret Garden at The Witchery near Edinburgh Castle.
James was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh in 2018 and received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 for his services to Scottish hospitality and tourism.
James Thomson, OBE
Luxury at Prestonfield
Lorem
Miriam Morris Manequin
Paul Bermudez Paris Double Helix
Kevin(L) with John Makepeace, OBE
City Art Centre is Top of the POPS
By STAFF REPORTER
THE POP LIFE EXHIBITION at the City Art Centre which opens in November will show works by 13 Scottish and international artists on a pop culture theme.
Some of the artists have not exhibited their work in Scotland previously and each one engaged with popular culture with influences such as music, film, fashion, literature, social media and celebrity. The exhibition will use familiar language to delve into these themes.
Co-curated by artists Euan Gray and Witte Wartena, POP LIFE is a travelling exhibition previously showcased in Sweden and the Netherlands a couple of years ago. This iteration has been tailored to include Scottish artists and underscores the enduring allure of the human form as a reflection of identity and societal norms, drawing inspiration from art history, socio-political movements, and cultural shifts over the past six decades.
Visitors can look forward to works by renowned and early-career artists including Marcel van Eeden, Euan Gray, Paul McDevitt, Charlotte Schleiffert, Sandra Vásquez de la Horra, Witte Wartena, David Shrigley, Andrew Cranston, Laura Bruce, Marc Brandenburg, Donald Urquhart, Jamie Fitzpatrick, and Fiona Michie—all of whom draw inspiration from the imagery and messages of pop culture.
Marc Brandenburg has transformed a room
of the gallery with UV light, to explore unseen sides of Tiergarten Park in Berlin, whilst Laura Bruce accompanies her drawn tributes to country music icons with vocal renditions of their biggest hits. Edinburgh-based artist Jamie Fitzpatrick is showing his large-scale drawings alongside a new monumental sculpture, looking critically and who in society is publicly memorialised. Internationally renowned artist David Shrigley will present 16 brand new drawings, showcasing his absurd and humorous work.
Culture and Communities Convener, Val Walker said: “I’m delighted that the City Art Centre can showcase this fantastic iteration of the POP LIFE exhibition featuring the works of 13 exciting artists. I’m especially proud that it will mark the first time some of these artists have displayed in Scotland, and that we will be presenting works created especially for the exhibition.
“I’m sure visitors will be captivated by these pieces and engage with the ever-changing dynamics of art within society.”
Curator Euan Gray, said: “In an era dominated by computer generated images, AI and 3D printing, this exhibition offers us a wonderful opportunity to champion the enduring appeal of traditional drawing. We can wholeheartedly embrace the language of pop culture and promote a remarkable group of Scottish and international artists for whom the human form remains an essential motif.”
Portrait Gallery in the frame
By STAFF REPORTER
THERE IS A FREE EXHIBITION at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery this winter which celebrates four decades of photography. The photos invite you to step back in time to the 1980s which is when the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) began its collection of world-class photography.
There will be more than 100 artworks from the collection on display dating from the 1840s to the present day. There are famous and
not so famous faces to see. People like Sir Andy Murray, the Proclaimers and Jackie Kay are included.
The NGS collection of 55,000 photographs and artworks is regarded as one of the best in the UK and includes work by Scottish and international photographers such as Annie Liebowitz and Robert Mapplethorpe.The work of David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson takes central stage showing subjects which are still photographed today in Edinburgh. Looking to the future the exhibition invites visitors to
consider the changing technology and the work of artists who are pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally thought of as a photograph.
The art is displayed according to six distinct themes - portraiture, landscape, documentary photography, archives, inclusion and also experimentation.
(Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespie) Viviane Sassen Zed Nelson
Paul McDevitt Notes to Self 19 January 2020, Ink and acrylic on paper, courtesy of artist
Amy Liptrot, 2016
Charlie and Craig Reid ‘The Proclaimers’ from the series ‘As Others See Us’ In Bloom
David Tennant
GROUND FLOOR IN LEITH
By Charlie Ellis
From the grounds up
New opening in Leith doubles up as a local radio station
AS SPECIALTY COFFEE spreads across the city, it’s increasingly found in a variety of places. This includes good coffee spots popping up in cultural venues. The MF Coffee Project at Summerhall is a prominent example of this. On a slightly smaller scale, we find a newcomer: Ground Floor on Great Junction Street in Leith. Opened this August, they had a belated launch party in early October.
Leith is one of the few areas in Edinburgh where cultural institutions are more integrated into the local community. These include Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, a community arts centre which also has a café. Ground Floor has a similar vibe, albeit it’s focused much more on music than the visual arts. Other community arts related places nearby include the excellent, well curated Edinburgh Community Bookshop, which is just a few metres along the road.
This slightly Tardis-like location is something of a hub, playing hosts a variety of creative activities, as well
as retailer Drum Central. As you enter you will encounter, just past the coffee bar, the impressive new purpose-built home of EHFM radio. This online station previously broadcast out of Summerhall. Founded in 2018, EHFM has built up a substantial community of presenters and volunteers. This allows them to broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With café customers being able to see the studio so easily, hopefully it will help promote the station and give it a higher profile. Proceeds from the café go towards “powering” EHFM. You can hear the music and the DJ’s wafting through the space while you have your coffee. A nice calming background if you want to sit here and read, study, or chill. Several people seem to come to the place to write, perhaps absorbing the energy from the surroundings and turning it into literary magic. Previously Spilt Milk Social Club and Café, the space itself is much changed. The interior has gone through something of a transformation, with a lot of stuff
CROSSWORD
removed. They’ve created a less cluttered and airier space. Ground Floor staff got involved. “if you’ve never demolished anything I can tell you that it’s very satisfying...they even let me have a go with a sledgehammer!”
The coffee itself is well made, using specialty beans with satisfying chocolatey notes. While I was there, fresh sacks of beans were being delivered, roasted just a few days before. Ground Floor have recently started using beans sourced from Mutual Coffee, a very new roaster based in Edinburgh. Ground Floor is acting as something of a “guinea pig” for Mutual, to gauge customer feedback. So far they’ve had “really positive feedback” from Ground Floor customers. They plan to have retail bags of a range of Mutual’s beans for sale in the coming months. It shows how specialty coffee places promote and give business to other local businesses. Alongside the coffee and sweet baked goods they offer topped vegan focaccia. This is baked by Alby’s - the popular sandwich bar on
nearby Portland Place.
The coffee bar at Ground Floor is not the main focus of the place but adds to the sense of a communal cultural hub. It’s open to anyone walking in off the street. It also helps to caffeinate the presenters of the radio station and stimulate those using the extensive music studios downstairs in the basement.
In the 30 minutes I was there, at least 10 different musicians came and went, lugging their instruments through the doors. All were given a warm welcome. The place acts as a meeting place for musicians. It plays a leading role in connecting people
looking to form bands and looking for jam sessions to play at. It all emphasises the community hub aspect of the place - as well as an undoubted sense of energy. You may well find yourself popping in for a flat white and pastry and getting caught up in something new. The spread of specialty coffee through Leith shows the changing character of the area, though it retains its unique flavour. Ground Floor has added to that.
Ground Floor 125 Great Junction Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5JB
Examining the packs on Farm to Fork demo Never mind the quality...
I WAS invited to a fascinating event at the Edinburgh New Town Cook School on Queen Street by my friend, Emma. Now working in marketing for Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), she brought me to the ‘Farm to Fork Demo’—an eye-opening experience that left me with a new appreciation for locally sourced Scottish meat.
Master butcher Gordon Newlands with a young rising star in the butchery world, 19-year-old Anna Forbes, demonstrated expert butchery skills. Anna is an apprentice butcher with Sheridans Butchers in Banchory and Ballater, and she impressed the audience with her confident and engaging presence during the demonstration. Perthshire beef and sheep farmer Beth Alexander, explained the approach to farming and meat quality taken by QMS, giving us insight into their new marketing campaign for Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork.
QMS’s new campaign, “When You Know, You Know” has been developed with Edinburghbased creative agency Multiply. It is all about helping consumers choose their meat with confidence. The campaign highlights the rigorous standards behind the various meats. It’s not just about buying the meat, but making an informed decision based on quality assurance from farm to plate.
We were reminded of the distinctive blue Saltire and UK GI badge stickers on meat products. To be honest, I hadn’t noticed them much- until now. These badges are part of a 30-year-old assurance scheme that guarantees
the meat was born, reared, and processed in Scotland, under a whole-of-life quality assurance system. Choosing meat with these stickers means you’re getting a product that upholds world-class standards of animal welfare, sustainability, and quality.
Beth manages the QMS Monitor Farm Programme which supports Scottish farming. The Monitor Farm Programme brings businesses and communities together, encouraging farmers to collaborate with industry experts and
researchers to explore innovative solutions that drive positive change in agriculture. It’s all about ensuring that the quality behind the Scotch labels is upheld at every stage of the supply chain.
During dinner, we learned about a brilliant initiative aimed at boosting the profile of Scotch Lamb—Lamb for St. Andrew’s Day. This project was the brainchild of auctioneer George Purves and sheep farmer Willie Mitchell, developed during the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme. Their idea is to make lamb the dish of choice for St. Andrew’s Day, much like haggis is for Burns Night or turkey is for Christmas.
By encouraging schools to serve lamb on St Andrew’s Day, QMS aims to introduce a nutritious, healthy, and delicious meal to schoolchildren. And it’s not limited to schools—if you’re keen to get involved and cook lamb for St. Andrew’s Day, the QMS website offers a range of easy-to-follow recipes.
makeitscotch.com
Raising a glass at reborn Hectors
HECTORS IN STOCKBRIDGE has officially reopened after an extensive five week refurbishment.
The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional cosy interior. The changes which have been made include a new handcarved wooden gantry, new furniture and fresh colour scheme on the frontage.
The friendly and welcoming team and the selection of Scottish pub fare make this a go to at most times of the day.
All the pub classics are included
on the menu, including a chicken and truffled oyster mushroom pie, classic fish and chips and beef brisket burgers, as well as the renowned range of Sunday roasts. Guests can choose from a wide selection of craft beers, British gins and a range of whisky.
General Manager, Alex Bruce, said: ‘This is an exciting time, not only for Hectors, but for the people of Stockbridge. Our aim is simple, to serve delicious food, great drinks, and friendly service to all of our guests. Our fresh new look,
matched with our welcoming team, will go hand in hand to provide Stockbridge with an excellent local pub where everyone is welcome.”
Following the significant investment several new jobs have been created for the local area, the team are standing ready to welcome guests.
The pub takes its name from Sir James Hector, a Scottish-New Zealand geologist, naturalist, and surgeon who originated from Stockbridge in 1834.
Culinary capers in the capital with Kerry Teakle
Anna Forbes apprentice butcher
Recipe suggestions
Look at the packaging
Hectors
Master butcher Gordon
November brings plonkers, Juliet without Romeo, dalmatians, a Treasure Island and the Ugly Sisters to the Capital’s stages. It’s nearly that time again, oh, yes it is! - but first...
Confession time! I never understood all the love for Only Fools and Horses when it was one of the highest rated sitcoms on the box. So I’m curious to see how well Only Fools And Horses The Musical (5-9 November) goes down at The Playhouse where fans will have a chance to meet the cast including Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil and Mickey Pearce in the flesh.
Yes, it’s time to stick a pony in your pocket as The Trotters come to Edinburgh. They arrive here on the back of a record-breaking four-year sold-out run-in London’s West End. Based on John Sullivan’s legendary television show.
The musical has a script and original score by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, and finds Paul Whitehouse of The Fast Show fame reprising his role as Grandad. Love is in the air in Peckham and you can bet that with 20 songs, including some from Chas & Dave, the show will be a cushty, Cockney, 42 carat knees-up.
As the publicity blurb says, “Only a plonker would miss it”.
Running time 2 hours 20 minutes, including interval, tickets £25-£103 from atgtickets.com/shows/only-fools-and-horsesthe-musical/edinburgh-playhouse
Staying with The Playhouse, where they have three big titles programmed for November, &Juliet (12-16 November) begins where Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet left off, revealing what might have happened had the young Juliet Capulet not ended her life over the loss of her Montague lover. For this Juliet, life after Romeo includes a score of pop anthems such as Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time, Katy Perry’s Roar, Backstreet Boys’ Everybody and more. Created by David West Read, the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt’s Creek, this comedy musical looks certain to flip the
Godot stars Lucian Msamati and Ben Whishaw
greatest love story ever told on its head.
Running time 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval, tickets available from £22-£76.50 from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/ and-juliet/edinburgh-playhouse/
Later in the month, take Steps to The Playhouse again as pop princess turned musical theatre favourite, Faye Tozer, returns to Edinburgh to play Cruella de Vil in Dodie Smith’s much loved tale of 101 Dalmatians (19-23 November). When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of young pups. Suitable for ages 5+. Fans of Steps should note that Tozer will not perform on 19 November.
Running time 2 hours 20 minutes, including interval, tickets £13-£65 from https://www. atgtickets.com/shows/101-dalmatians/ edinburgh-playhouse/
If you’re planning a theatre break this month, my Must See recommendation stars one of the finest actors of his generation, and was the reason I popped aboard Lumo’s Edinburgh to London service to check it out. Big shout to Lumo for sponsoring my trip, with a journey time of just four hours 23 minutes, you could technically nip down to London for a matinee and be back the same day. Times and prices can be found at www.Lumo.co.uk
Waiting For Godot, at London’s Theatre
famed couple in this production of Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece from award-winning director, James Macdonald. In the play, Didi and Gogo wait by a tree for a man named Godot. They don’t know who he is, why they are meeting or what time he is coming, only that something incredible could happen when he does. Witty and absurd, poignant and profound, Beckett’s timeless take on what it means to be human is regarded as a defining work of the 20th century by many. This production plays for a strictly limited run, ending 21 December. You can read my review on mustseetheatre.com
Running Time 2 hours and 45 minutes, including a 20 minute interval, tickets £15-£150 from https://trh.co.uk/whatson/ waiting-for-godot/
It almost seems too early to use the C word but before the month is out at least two Edinburgh theatres will have opened their Christmas shows. For December’s column in The Edinburgh Reporter I’ll be pulling together a Must See Christmas Show list but for those eager to get in the festive spirit earlier, the Festival Theatre once again hosts The King’s panto during the Old Lady of Leven Street’s redevelopment. This year, returning favourites Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young tackle the most magical panto of them all once more, Cinderella (23 November 2024-31 December 2025). Featuring the usual mix of gags, word plays, stunning scenery, fab costumes, boos and hisses, and perhaps a few surprises along
Running time to be confirmed, tickets £20.75-£40.75 from https://www. capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/ panto-2024-cinderella/2282
Over at the Royal Lyceum they’re set to transport audiences to Treasure Island (28 November - 4 January) later this month. It’s Christmas Eve and young Jim Hawkins works at North Edinburgh’s finest accommodation for reformed pirates and past-it privateers. It’s a place where talk of cutlasses, ships and gold can be dangerous, still it’s not long before Jim, Ben Gunn and Lean Jean Silver are reliving their time hunting for treasure on the Hispaniola. Sea shanties and heartfelt fun enliven Jim’s adventure as Billy Bones’ treasure map leads him to the isles of Orkney in search of Captain Flint’s hidden fortune... but will he be able to beat the pirates to the gold and get back home to Edinburgh safe and sound? Adventure awaits in this playful new adaption by Orkney playwright Duncan McLean but keep your eyes peeled for the Jolly Roger.
Running time 2 hours, including interval, tickets £18-£38 https:// lyceum.org.uk/events/treasureisland#dates-and-times
Until next time, please do check www.mustseetheatre.com for your theatre news, views and reviews. Líam
Land ahoy!
Making a mark at Wanderers
THOSE FAMILIAR with the highly acclaimed television series starring ex-England cricket captain, Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, would surely identify with what is going on at Murrayfield Wanderers rugby club.
The programme shows Freddie helping youngsters from less than salubrious backgrounds become model citizens through sport.
For Flintoff read Marko Mladenovic, himself an international sportsman of – admittedly –lower profile than Flintoff but someone who has come up the hard way, of which more later.
Appointed Youth Development Officer at Wanderers three years ago, Marko is now seeing the fruits of his labours.
“A while back the club launched a Friday night (playing) project recognising that this was the time bored youngsters would most likely turn to things like booze, smoking, vaping etc.
“It was a struggle at first but now we have achieved capacity numbers and what’s more are fielding teams at various age groups and pushing the occasional player into regional set-ups.
“It is very rewarding and best of all we teamed up with Leith and Penicuik to form a side which reached the semi-final of an East
Skydiving fundraiser
THE SKY isn’t necessarily the limit for Civil Service Strollers committee member, Nazmi Ozan, nowadays.
After a successful sponsored parachute jump in aid of the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, Nazmi admits the thrill seeking bug could have smitten him - at the age of 67.
“For an encore? Maybe a bungee jump? I could be tempted by that” he said. The catalyst for Nazmi’s jump was care received at the hospital for his granddaughter, Londyn, who from birth was diagnosed with an intestinal problem.
He said: “Londyn’s made a full recovery thanks to the magnificent treatment received but in her first six months she had three major operations. Londyn’s mum, Lara and her sister Denize were talking about
Shield under-16 competition losing to Kelso only on ‘first try scored’ when all other tie-break methods were equal.”
As Marko says Wanderers have provided a platform and soon players will be fed into the senior set-up much like he was as a young player, becoming a full cap (with Cyprus) aged just 17.
But go back further and you find a dogged determination and family survival instinct the 33-year-old ex-flanker draws upon to this day.
“I’ve always had a fighting instinct believing that whatever the odds I am in with a chance”
what they could do to repay the kindness and dedication of hospital staff and when they suggested a sponsored sky dive I said I’ll join you.
“I am not usually a risk taker unless there is a good reason and this was certainly one. There was a bit of anxiety involved but the views ascending to 10,000 feet took my mind off it. Once attached to a professional jumper I knew I was in good hands especially after the first 30 seconds when I relaxed and was able to enjoy the complete silence.”
Lara’s partner and Londyn’s dad is ex-Hibs 2016 Scottish Cup winner Liam Fontaine. Nazmi said the football community had been especially generous.
https://bit.ly/3YoOEZt
he says.
This can be traced to early days in Croatia living near the Serbian border during a well documented conflict.
“Neighbours literally knocked on our door and told us we weren’t welcome to stay after a bombing raid took place a few miles away; my dad organised for us to be on one of the last flights out … to Cyprus.
“There I was a rough-and-tumble sort of kid until my mum noticed something in the newspaper about rugby and enrolled me.”
He never looked back, gaining an international debut away to Azerbaijan and going on to win 45 caps against the likes of Bulgaria, Finland, Monaco, Croatia and Serbia.
Rugby also took him to Bristol where he was part of the Bears Academy, a club near St Etienne in France and Currie before settling at Wanderers, his playing days ended by a knee injury earlier this year.
He is concentrating on coaching with opportunities like the one next May when he has been asked to assist the Cyprus sevens team at a “small Olympics” competition in Andorra.
Buckstone are cup victors
FOLLOWING FIVE MONTHS of matches involving 30 non course owning golf clubs this year’s Sivewright Quaich winners are Buckstone, for a fourth time.
Buckstone, represented in the Lothians’ Golf Association sanctioned competition by, left to right, J Dunn, J Notman, M Sykes, captain, and M Hunter have now appeared in seven finals over the past 15 years.
On this latest occasion they defeated Stewart’s Melville FP with Buckstone secretary John Dunn, a member of the winning line-up, reporting that the competition final was played “in very good spirits on a well presented Prestonfield course”.
Shuttle stars shine
LOTHIAN PLAYERS featured prominently throughout the Yonex MCFM East of Scotland under-15 and under-19 badminton championships which were held initially at Jack Kane Centre and then at Meadowbank Sports Centre on the following day.
Competitors came from England and Wales as well as all over Scotland. Emily Jobson won the under-15 girls singles while Deepti Vijayakumar won two titles in the under 19 age group, including the mixed doubles with fellow Lothian player, Blair Tait. There were two double winners in each age group.
In the under 15s Calum Tsang claimed singles and boys doubles titles while Nathan Luo claimed boys doubles and mixed titles.
In the under 19 age group, in addition to Deepti who won the girls doubles as well as the mixed, Lewis Smith also won the boys
singles and boys doubles.
The tournament was sponsored by Martin Campbell Financial Management (Martin is photographed above with Deepti Vijayakumar and Jaagruti Mannem) and Yonex equipment. Additional support came from The City of Edinburgh Council.
The next big event for local junior badminton will be the Yonex MCFM East of Scotland under-13 and under-17 championships at the Jack Kane Centre on 2-3 November.
RESULTS:
• Under-19 boys singles Lingyun Xiao (Heriot’s) lost to Lewis Smith (Glasgow & North Strathclyde), 12-21 17-21
• Under-19 girls singles Deepti Vijayakumar (St.George’s) lost to Jaagruti Mannem (West of Scotland), 18-21 19-21
• Under-15 boys doubles Melrick D’Souza (Craigmount) & Dylan Jia (Watson’s) lost to Nathan Luo & Calum Tsang 13-21, 19-21
• Under-15 girls doubles Emily Jobson & Elona Kennedy lost to Maia Baker and Riya Bhaskar (Midlands) - 16-21, 21-17, 21-19
• Under-15 mixed doubles Melrick D’Souza & Emily Jobson lost to Nathan Luo & Elona Kennedy 19-21, 22-20, 13-21
Sivewright Quaich winners
Marko came up the hard way
Wanderers’ U14s, U16s and U18s.
Nazmi Oman with daughters Lara and Denize
Fundraiser to send junior roller derby player to Oz
FIVE RISING STARS from the Demonburgh club have been selected to train with Team GB ahead of the Junior Roller Derby World Cup in Brisbane, Australia, next year.
These include Cameron Sarpong, aged 14, and known as Pika 2, who has already been selected to join the prestigious Open Division Team having earlier this year competed in a nationwide selection process.
Cameron is one of just two Scottish athletes to make the final roster.
Over the coming months he will be travelling to practice sessions at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire to prepare for the Olympic level competition.
He will be joined by four talented Demonburgh team-mates selected for the Team
Joe causes a splash
JOE MATHIESON of Portobello water polo club was voted Most Valuable Player for a Scottish under-18 boys water polo team who won Division Two of the UK inter-regional tournament.
The team defeated (English) West Midlands 16-10, Wales 19-8 and East (England) 18-13.
Joining Joe in the squad were Portobello colleagues Ben Williamson, Lorcan McNally and Struan Bailey while Daniel Chowings flew the flag for Warrender.
GB development squad. They are Cecily Hutcheson, 13, Chloe Hu, 14, Sarah Gordon, 14, and Sophie Marshall, 13, all from Edinburgh.
The quartet will train alongside Cameron’s Open Division team hoping to compete in future international competitions,
Heather Weatheritt, Demonburgh’s coach, said: “This is a huge moment for Demonburgh and for each of the skaters selected. They have all shown immense dedication and have trained so hard to get where they are.
“We are so proud to see them recognised.”
Jonathan Emery, Team GB head coach, added: “We are incredibly excited to welcome Demonburgh athletes to Team GB - their skill and passion for the sport have earned them a
well-deserved place among the finest young talents in British roller derby.
“We expect the training and preparation for the 2025 World Cup to take their skating to the next level and we can’t wait to see them shine and push their limits in the months ahead.”
The Junior Roller Derby World Cup runs every two years and features USA, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and France.
Funding through the Junior Roller Derby Association UK is limited, so junior athletes must fund the majority of their trip - estimated to be in the region of £10,000.
Cameron hopes to raise enough to cover his trip for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
https://bit.ly/3YnhyJN
New head coach at Accies
EDINBURGH ACCIES NETBALLERS have received a boost going into the new National League season which gets underway on 8 December with the appointment of Australian Helen Taylor as new head coach.
Helen arrives with a glowing CV and club president, Gemma Sole, said: “We are thrilled to appoint Helen Taylor for the 2024-25 season.
“We have some ambitious performance targets this season and believe that the combination of Helen’s technical knowledge and franchise experience (with the professional team Strathclyde Sirens) will be key in developing a performance culture and grinding out some big wins in the National League.” Helen is equally enthusiastic about what lies ahead.
She said: “Scotland’s pool of netball athletes is second to none compared to the rest of the world! Facilities and funding are our biggest barriers, but all is improving as netball is growing in Scotland. The girls at Edinburgh Accies are passionate and super willing to learn, which I have found refreshing as a coach and why I am so excited for the upcoming season. Bring it on! “
Helen starting playing in Australia aged 10, and five years later debuted for the West Australia state side. And at the age of 15 she also was picked for Australia Schools. Throughout later teenage years she was identified to be part of the Australian Institute of Sport netball squad and played for the Suncorp Super Netball team, West Coast Warriors. Moving to Scotland Helen was initially part of the Strathclyde Sirens professional team but has now moved cross country to assist Accies whose three teams have performed well in the build up to the National League.
Lorem Joe Mathieson and Portobello Water Polo Club teammates
Demonburgh in action
Ian Jacobs
New Hearts boss “was good to me”
By NIGEL DUNCAN
MIDFIELDER YAN DHANDA was at Liverpool from the age of 14 to 19, and was a “friendly face” when new coach, Neil Critchley, walked into the Hearts’ dressing-room for the first time. Critchley has signed a deal which keeps him at Tynecastle until the end of the 2026/27season.
Goalkeeper Ryan Fulton is another who enjoyed eight years in the Anfield development squads. He was also involved with the new Hearts boss, but it is 25-year-old Dhanda who opened the lid on Critchley’s association with under-age teams at the Merseyside club.
Tipton-born Dhanda, an England under-age player, said that for four out of the five years he was at Anfield he worked with Critchley and moved into his under-18 team when he was just 16.
When the player moved up to the under-23 squad so did “the gaffer” and he has a lot of respect for the Crewe-born head coach and Mike Garrity, Critchley’s assistant at Tynecastle. Garrity has coaching experience in Norway and China and is a former Liverpool Academy, Blackpool, Lincoln City and Queens Park Rangers coach.
Dhanda said that the new Gorgie head coach helped him on his journey at Liverpool and he added: “He improved me massively as a player and he helped turn me from a kid into a man.”
The talented midfielder said Critchley provided clear messages, simplifying issues, and the player added: “He was very good to me when I was with Liverpool on the pitch and off the pitch and with my family.
“We stayed in touch since I left Liverpool and we spoke a couple of days before he actually got the job. I said it would be good if he did get it and I am just glad to see him again.
“He is someone who gives everything and makes an effort to improve everyone and he will give everyone time. Hopefully, it will be possession football and we dominate the ball and it will be good to watch as it will be attacking football.
“He is a very good person and he will take care of everyone. He will be honest and, no matter who you are around the place, he will definitely give you a lot of respect.”
There has been a mixed reaction from Jambos fans to the appointment, and the Englishman said: “He (Critchley) knew it was a massive club before he got the job and when we spoke he said he knows how big the club is. He needs to be judged on his time here.
“He plays attacking
Hall of Fame
By JOHN HISLOP
LEWIS STEVENSON AND PAUL HANLON have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to Hibernian Football Club at an official Hall of Fame presentation night at Easter Road.
Born in Kirkcaldy, Stevenson spent over 20 years with the club and played a key role in the 2007 League Cup winning side that beat Kilmarnock 5-1 at Hampden Park
– picking up the Man of the Match award after an exceptional performance in the final.
In 2016, he played in the Scottish Cup Final victory over Rangers at Hampden Park, becoming the first
– and currently – only ever men’s player to win the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup with Hibs.
Recognised at international level
– Stevenson received his first, and only, Scotland cap in May 2018 and currently sits fourth on the Club’s all-time record appearance holders list with 600 to his name.
More records tumbled for Stevenson, when he became the Club’s record league appearance holder in February 2023 surpassing Arthur Duncan’s record of 449 league games.
Hanlon made his First Team debut in 2007 and cemented his name as one of the first on the teamsheet throughout his 17 seasons with the Club.
He will forever be fondly remembered for that equalising goal at Tynecastle that kept the Scottish Cup dream very much alive back in 2016.
He featured heavily in the entire Scottish Cup winning campaign – starting the final and writing his name into the history books as the Hibees ended a 114-year wait for Scottish Cup glory.
Hanlon sits fifth on the Club’s all-time record appearance holder charts with 565 to his name.
After the presentation an emotional Stevenson said: “It felt weird driving in but it felt like being
football, what every fan wants to see. It may take some time, but I think you will see a Hearts team which wants to play possession football and create and score goals.”
Dhanda said in the early days of the new era, Critchley came in and opened the lid on the style of play he wants and his philosophy. The coach has been simplifying messages and trying to get across to players, who have been asking questions, what is
Lorem
required for their position.
He added: “Everyone in the changing room knows that with the old manager we should have been better for him and we should have been winning games. Now we have a new manager and we have to be winning games in the Scottish league.
“It will be perfect to have him here, someone who cares about his players. You have ups and downs, but he is somebody who stuck by me and I scored a lot of goals under him and I really enjoyed football under him.
“Tactically, he really helped me going from an academy set-up into a men’s team. I was saying to the young lads here that he is somebody you would want to be gaffer because he cares for young players and wants to improve everyone.”
back home, especially in football terms.
“I feel so privileged and a big thank you for getting inducted tonight. It’s unbelievable.
“You hear about these names (previous inductees) when you are playing but you never put yourself in the same bracket. There are some unbelievable names that go down in folklore so to be put beside them is a massive achievement for myself.
“When I’m older I’ll probably sit back and look at my career. r“To play for this football club for so long, so
many games and been lucky enough to have been in teams that have won cups, and I’ve had some amazing times here, it’s been an honour.
“It’s nice to be inducted alongside Paul. His mum or maybe his wife says we are like Ant and Dec because we are always together.
“Most of the games, I’ve played have been alongside Paul and it’s made my job a lot easier at times.
“I was just a young guy from Fife when I first came and I left as a man with a family and kids and some
amazing memories and some great friends on and off the field, the fans as well.
“Looking back, it’s been a privilege to be part of this football club.”
Off the pitch, the pair proudly run the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation - which has already done so much to help young people in the local area.
Also inducted were former Turnbull’s Tornado Alex Edwards, former owner Tom Hart and two former Hibs’ Women, Joelle Murray and Suzy Shepherd.
Ian Jacobs
Alex Edwards and Lewis Stevenson (left), Paul Hanlon (right) with other Hall of Fame inductees
Alan Rennie
SCOTLAND v FIJI
SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER
SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL
SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER
SCOTLAND v SOUTH AFRICA
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
SCOTLAND v AUSTRALIA
SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
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