We have a delicious lunch planned for this Monday! Lasagne with roasted green beans on the side, beautiful beans from Edinburgh Agroecology Coop!
And for pudding, apple crumble made with our very own apples.
As always, breakfast is on from 9am – 10:30am, lunch served at 11:30am – 12:30pm.
Sit in or take away available, open to all. See you there!
50+ miles. Two days. Talented paddle boarding. One extraordinary team.
This Thursday and Friday , an incredible group of people supported by EDGE took on on a challenge that many would consider almost unimaginable — paddling more than 50 miles over two days on one Mega-SUP, while raising funds towards a much-needed mini van.
My brother Abdul-Wahid is turning the big 30 this October and is taking on a fundraising paddleboarding challenge for Edge! 
Edge has supported Abdul-Wahid through the pandemic, helping him find purpose, travel to dream destinations, make lifelong friends and learn new skills. More recently, they have supported him through the heartbreaking loss of our beloved father.
We’re incredibly grateful for everything Edge has done for him.
Please support Abdul-Wahid’s challenge if you can. 
But this story isn’t really about how far they can paddle. It’s about what can happen when people are given the opportunity, encouragement and support to believe in themselves.
Over recent weeks, the team has trained tirelessly, developing teamwork, communication, resilience, coordination and problem-solving skills. They have faced difficult weather, adapted when plans changed and continued to work together towards their goal.
Their determination and commitment have been truly extraordinary.
The expedition is also raising vital funds towards a mini van for EDGE. Accessible transport would make an enormous difference to the people supported by the organisation, helping them access activities, connect with their local community, develop independence and enjoy opportunities that many of us simply take for granted.
We believe this deserves to be more than just a fundraising story. It is a story about inclusion, possibility and challenging perceptions — and about celebrating the remarkable achievements of people who are too often underestimated.
The team has already shown what they can achieve. Now they are ready to take on the water, together, as one crew.
We would be incredibly grateful if you would consider sharing their story with your readers and helping us raise awareness of both their incredible achievement and the importance of the mini-van fundraiser.
More information about the expedition can be found here:
https://www.edgegroupscotland.com/edge-to-edge-expedition
The fundraising page is here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/edge-to-edge-expedition-10-years-of-going-further
They have trained. They have prepared. They have believed in themselves. Now it’s time to paddle. 
Proud Big Sister Khadijah Shahid
The Scottish Veterans Commissioner (SVC) has challenged the new Scottish Government to make faster progress towards making Scotland a better place to live for those who have served their country.
The SVC today publishes her annual assessment of the Scottish Government’s progress in improving support and services for Scotland’s veterans and their families. The report evaluates progress against a number of recommendations made by the SVC office, which the Scottish Government has committed to implementing.
However, Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton has expressed her disappointment at the limited progression in key activities designed to make meaningful improvements to the lives of our veteran community.
With a new parliamentary term now under way and a new government programme of work announced earlier this month, the SVC says it is essential that the commitment to helping support those who have served our country and their families is maintained.
Following on from an encouraging report last year, this year’s evaluation highlights a slowdown in the progress being made towards implementing recommendations.
It represents the first review of progress towards recommendations laid out in the Veterans and the Law (2024) and Veterans and Finance (2025) reports and, as these are both policy themes chosen by the Scottish Government in its own strategy for veterans, the SVC says she is disappointed to note the low level of general activity in these areas.
And, while some significant milestones will be reached this year in the implementation of the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Pathway, the Commissioner remains concerned by the length of time it has taken to reach this stage.
The Commissioner said: “While there has been some headway made, it is a muted picture overall and that is disappointing.”
Areas the progress report explores includes work around housing and preventing homelessness.
The Commissioner said: “I welcome that the new Local Housing Strategy guidance issued in March 2026 contains an expectation that local authorities will give consideration to the needs of the armed forces and veteran community, including spouses, partners, children and the bereaved, when developing their statutory local housing strategies.
“However, there has been minimal progress on implementing the Veterans Homelessness Prevention Pathway. The establishment of a working group would bring rigour and focus to this work – which is long overdue.”
The report also calls for further action to be taken on veteran employment.
The Commissioner added: “I noted my concern last year that there lacked strategic leadership and direction on veteran employment.
“This is an area where there has been limited progress and I hope that the findings in my recent report on ‘Veterans and Employment’ will support further action – as I believe harnessing the experience, skills and qualifications of the ex-Service community, including partners and spouses, presents a real opportunity.”
The low number of GP practices registering with a scheme designed to recognise the specific needs of veterans is also highlighted by the progress report, with the Commissioner commenting: “I continue to hear from the veteran community that their Service and specific needs are not well understood when they require primary healthcare.
“The GP Recognition Scheme was launched in 2023 to address this. However, sign up remains inadequate at around five per cent of GP practices registering with the scheme.
“More attention and resource has been directed towards the roll-out – this needs to lead to a considerable increase in registration over the coming year.”
The report acknowledges that much of the progress that has been made over the last 12 months has been due to partnership between the statutory and voluntary sector, including the organisations funded by the Scottish Veterans Fund, whose work directly supports some recommendations.
The Commissioner encourages government and statutory services to continue to harness and deepen co-operation with the effective delivery partners in Scotland’s robust and collaborative ex-Service charity sector.
The progress report also welcomes some of the recently introduced gambling levy being allocated to support Serving personnel and veterans, with an increased risk of gambling harm having been identified within that community.
The Commissioner hopes the new government will now use the coming year to provide a renewed focus on areas identified for improvement, adding: “This progress report comes at an early stage of this government but what it shows is that more progress at a faster pace is going to be required to make Scotland the destination of choice for Service leavers, veterans and their families.
“The forthcoming extension of Armed Forces Covenant legislation to new policy areas also reinforces the need for continued effort towards providing fair treatment for those who have served our country so well, and to the families whose support is the backbone of that Service.
“I will continue to monitor progress closely and work with the Scottish Government and its partners to ensure commitments are delivered in a way that drives real, lasting change.”
The full 2026 progress report is available here:
Over 500 children visit a loved one at HMP Edinburgh every month. For many, it can be an overwhelming experience. That’s why our staff work tirelessly to make every visit as positive and supportive as possible.
Putting children first is at the heart of everything they do. Through their Play Learn Connect (PLC) sessions, often referred to as bonding visits, children can spend meaningful time with their dads in a more relaxed and natural environment. Unlike traditional prison visits, these sessions allow families to move around freely, play together and take part in shared activities.
As one visitor, who brings her newborn grandson to visit his dad, explains: “The bonding visits are just a chance for dads to let their guard down and be more authentic with their kids, in a way that they can’t really do if there are other prisoners around.”
She spoke about the impact imprisonment has had on her family: “Although he’s been in and out of jail for a while, this is the time that it feels like it’s truly punishment because he can’t be there.”
However, she also praised staff for the support they’ve provided to help maintain their connection: “When the baby was a couple of weeks old, they did handprints and footprints. They also got a photo taken together at the bonding visit. Obviously there’s no phones, so there’s no opportunity to get a photo of your baby otherwise.”
Staff also organise a range of family-focused experiences and events throughout the year, including sports days, movie nights, and Christmas and Easter celebrations. If a child has a birthday approaching, staff will even arrange for a cake to be shared during a PLC session, giving families the opportunity to celebrate together.
Nicola Leatherbarrow, a First Line Manager at HMP Edinburgh, is always looking for new ways to create meaningful shared experiences for children and their dads. Future plans include an outdoor area where children can learn to ride a bike with their dads, as well as homework packs that families can complete together. “I’m trying to do things that we take for granted,” she says.
Recently, 1919 Magazine spent time at HMP Edinburgh to better understand the experiences of visiting families. The team visited the Visitors Centre, run by our partners Barnardo’s Scotland, and spoke with staff and families about the importance of maintaining family connections.
Read the full article here: https://1919magazine.co.uk/…/child-friendly-prison…/
The Council’s Transport and Environment Committee may have voted to prioritise the Sothern section this week, but the debate about the Northern tram route – should it ever happen – continues:
LIB-DEM Inverleith Councillor Hol Osler said on social media: ‘On Thursday at the Transport and Environment Committee there was a report to consider the next steps on the Granton to Bio Quarter leg of the tram.
‘The Liberal Democrat’s put an amendment in to remove the Roseburn Path from being used for the Northern Leg and consideration given to other proposals.
‘Unfortunately Labour/SNP/Greens voted to keep the Roseburn Path in.
‘Presently there is no funding and priority is being given to progress the southern part of the route.
‘I am very disappointed that Labour/SNP/Greens, having been given another chance to remove the Roseburn Path and consider other options, have again voted to keep it in. This is despite the SNP having committed that they would not support Roseburn as an option.’
Back for another magical year! 
Our spectacular outdoor lantern trail is back – this time with an out-of-this-world space safari twist! 
From glowing galaxies to towering cosmic creatures, get ready to explore a luminous interstellar adventure like never before.
Book your ticket now – https://shorturl.at/4hUM8
PRIME MINISTER CLARIFIES HIS REFERENDUM STATEMENT
PRIME Minister Andy Burnham has responded to John Swinney’s request for a meeting to discuss comments he made at Westminster this week.
In a letter to Scotland’s First Minister, Burnham explained: ‘I was simply highlighting that there is no consensus for an independence referendum in Scotland’ and goes on ‘As I made clear to you personally when we met recently in Glasgow, independence and a referendum are off limits as it would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living.’
The Scottish Government has not formally responded but Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay said on X: “We have already endured far too many years of obstruction, hurdles and political games from UK governments.
“It has gone on for far too long.
“The Scottish Parliament should have the power to trigger that referendum!”
A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an assault in North Edinburgh.
The incident happened around 7.30pm on Monday, 17 August, in the Waterfront Avenue area.
The man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Friday, 11 September, 2026).
We are delighted to announce that BLAST will be hosting British boxing legend Frank Bruno MBE on November 12th at North Edinburgh Arts.
With November being men’s mental health awareness month we wanted to make a powerful statement in addressing it and what better way.
Frank Bruno MBE is a former WBC world heavyweight champion who has faced many challenges in boxing and with mental health and we are delighted he is going to share some of these stories with us on the night.
The evening will consist with doors opening at 6 with some welcoming refreshments (non alcoholic), a photo with Frank and then listening to Franks journey. With the evening coming to an end around 8.15.
Tickets are on sale now for all BLAST members or affiliations.
On general sale from September 18th.
Please note, tickets are limited to only 100. This is a very small and intimate event.
Please contact the FB page with any enquiries or to secure your space.
A special thanks to our sponsors:
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT
A consortium led by Spartans main shareholder Scott Davidson have been given EFL/IFR approval to purchase Shrewsbury Town FC.
The deal has yet to be finalised and is yet to receive SFA approval. The proposed new Board of Shrewsbury Town FC will be chaired by Scott and will also include fellow Spartans directors Will Dotson and Craig Graham, subject to IFR clearance which is expected this week, as well as Brad Friedel the US International and ex Premier League goal-keeper.
There will be an informal relationship between Spartans FC and Shrewsbury Town FC which will allow both of us to benefit from sharing knowledge and experience.
We also both have excellent Community Foundations, this deal will provide valuable opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning.
Further information will be shared as the acquisition process proceeds.
