Families looking for ways to make the most of the October half-term can enjoy a packed programme of animated adventures, familiar favourites and big screen fun at Vue Edinburgh from TODAY (Friday 9 October).
Causing plenty of mischief on the big screen is Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, the latest feature-length adventure from Aardman.
With Halloween approaching, Shaun and the Flock are looking forward to some spooky celebrations at Mossy Bottom Farm, that is until the Farmer accidentally destroys their prized pumpkin patch. Shaun’s attempts to fix things with a spot of mad science soon spiral out of control, leaving a mysterious beast roaming the woods of Mossingham.
Packed with Aardman’s trademark slapstick humour and playful takes on classic horror, it’s a fitting family watch as spooky season gets underway.
Families can also catch a recent big screen favourite for a low price of £2.49 when booked online with Vue’s Mighty Mornings, taking place throughout the school holidays. Among the films returning is animated adventure David, which brings the famous story of David and Goliath to life, following a young shepherd whose courage is put to the ultimate test when he steps forward to face a fearsome giant.
Also joining the Mighty Mornings line-up is Coyote vs. Acme, which sees legendary Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote finally fight back after years of malfunctioning ACME products. Teaming up with a down-on-his-luck lawyer, Wile E. takes the company responsible for his countless cartoon catastrophes to court in an adventure combining live action with classic Looney Tunes chaos.
For younger guests, Vue’s Big Shorts offers the opportunity to experience some much-loved stories on the big screen in a relaxed environment.
Join in the adventure with We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, the animated adaptation of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s much-loved children’s story, alongside The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which brings Judith Kerr’s classic tale of an unexpected teatime guest to life.
Families at Vue Edinburgh can also enjoy Vue’s biggest and comfiest seat, the Ultra Lux. Strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen, Ultra Lux seating also features an extra-wide armrest, back and leg rests that recline independently, a personal table for snacks and drinks and a state-of-the-art beverage cooler – making it the most luxurious way to immerse yourself in a great story.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “The October half-term is a great opportunity for families to spend some quality time together, and there are plenty of adventures to discover on the big screen at Vue.
“Whether it’s joining Shaun and the Flock for some spooky fun, catching up with recent family favourites through Mini Mornings or introducing younger children to the big screen with Big Shorts, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy together this half-term.”
Road Policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash in Edinburgh.
Around 10.55pm on Monday, 5 October, 2026, a pedestrian was struck by a tram on the tramline adjacent to Broomhouse Drive.
The pedestrian, a 20-year-old man, was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.
No other injuries were reported.
Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
“I am appealing to those who witnessed the crash and have yet to speak to officers or anyone who was in the area prior and has information that could assist, to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3804 of 5 October, 2026.
A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison for violent offences against women in Edinburgh, including endangering life.
Charlie Swain appeared at Edinburgh High Court today -Friday, 9 October, 2026 – having been convicted at the same court in August.
Detective Sergeant Euan Stobie said: “Swain is a dangerous individual who subjected women to horrific, violent attacks, which has understandably had a profound impact on them.
“I would like to acknowledge the support provided by those involved throughout the investigation and court process, and I hope this sentence brings them some form of closure.
“Police Scotland remains absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls and is determined to bring those responsible to justice. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.
“We will thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”
Are you currently studying for a career in healthcare? Want to make a difference to the patient experience?
Apply to become a Bridge Builder Volunteer today!
Bridge Builders support patients to attend and engage with their outpatient appointments, providing practical and emotional support throughout their healthcare journey.
Please come on a Granton Nature Map Community Nature Walk on Saturday 10th October at 2pm, meeting at Granton Crescent Park, by the benches at the top of the path.
You can walk and look, sketch and / or photograph the wildlife we see there if you like. Later, you will have the option to stitch something for the collective map (beginners and experienced embroiderers welcome).
Everyone is welcome. This is a free event – no need to book.
Victims and witnesses get an improved local service, including more dependable appointments and quicker investigations under a new community policing model being implemented across Scotland.
Forth Valley, Fife, and Tayside areas are already operating the model which has also recently been expanded to Highland and Islands, Argyll and West Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh and Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.
The approach draws clearer lines around the role of response officers, introduces a community investigations team, and will introduce additional community police officers across the country.
Areas already operating under the model report significant improvements in keeping local policing appointments, which were often cancelled when officers had to respond to emergencies.
There have been improvements on how quickly reports from the public about non-emergency incidents are assigned and progressed, while reducing pressure on response officers.
Although the new model makes better use of resources, community officers continue to be re-directed to support emergency response and to police events.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “I want the public to have the best possible local policing, whether that’s the response to an emergency, reliable and timely support around non-emergencies, or identifiable and accessible officers who work with citizens and our partners to build cohesive and resilient communities which feel safe and experience less crime.
“The results so far are encouraging. Response officers are under less pressure and we’re progressing non-emergencies more reliably and in a way that enables local officers to listen to victims and witnesses.
“But community officers are still too often required to support emergency response and police events, drawing them away from the policing which strengthens community relations to solve shared problems, prevent crime and build cohesion and resilience.
“So, while this model makes the best use of the resources we have, I am asking government to support us to put an additional 350 officers into those crucial community teams over the coming years.”
The Policing For Our Communities local policing model was developed based on over 1,000 interactions with officers, staff, members of the public, and key local partners, to understand where we needed to change local policing.
The model uses richer demand data, including travel time around rural incidents, and how many people and how long different incidents need. This approach provides a clear and evidenced understanding of what resource we need, and where and when we need it. The new community policing model is expected to be in place nationally by March 2027.
A complementary approach to local public protection and crime will begin a proof of concept by the end of 2026 in North East Division and Highland and Islands Division.
The investigations and safeguarding project will deliver a new model to modernise how we deliver investigations and safeguarding services across local policing as part of our overarching response to the violence against women and girls emergency.
It will create a more nationally consistent, sustainable and victim-centred approach to investigations and safeguarding through improved victim care, better resource utilisation and more effective investigative capabilities.
As part of the new approach to local policing, Police Scotland is also developing how we deliver frontline support services, such as licensing to reduce duplication and increase efficiency.
Further details about the public protection and crime model and the approach to delivering frontline support services will be shared as progress is made.
Andy Burnham announces £48 million industry partnership to back dementia research and speed up the development of new treatments
PM announces £48 million industry partnership to back dementia research and speed up the development of new treatments
Dementia to be one of the first priorities for the new Health Data Research Service that will join up NHS and research data for the first time to help new drugs reach patients faster
Comes alongside commitment to deliver a new National Care Service and reform social care to improve support for people living with dementia and their families
People living with dementia and their families will benefit from a major new partnership making it easier to join clinical trials and helping promising new treatments reach patients faster.
The Government is investing £33 million through the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme, alongside funding from Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK and Gates Ventures, to tackle one of the biggest barriers to dementia research: recruiting enough people into clinical studies to test promising new treatments.
The investment will support the work of The BARBARA Alliance, a UK-wide not-for-profit partnership bringing together government, industry, academia, charities and people with lived experience of dementia.
Its flagship programme, BARBARA, will create a single, co-ordinated platform linking the UK’s health data, research and clinical trial capabilities, making it easier for researchers to find participants and for people across the UK to take part in studies. By tackling one of the biggest bottlenecks in dementia research, the programme will help speed up clinical trials and bring promising new treatments to patients faster.
Dementia remains one of the greatest health and social care challenges facing the country. Nearly one million people are living with the condition in the UK today, and around one in two people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime, either living with the condition, being a carer or both.
The condition places enormous pressure on families, carers, the NHS, and social care services. Dementia is estimated to cost the UK more than £42 billion a year, with the vast majority of costs falling on social care and unpaid care provided by family and friends, and the cost to the NHS at £7 billion.
Yet too few people currently take part in dementia research, compared to other diseases. Anybody over the age of 18 years old can sign up, with or without a dementia diagnosis or memory concerns through the NIHR’s Join Dementia Research service. Taking part gives people the chance to contribute to the search for better treatments and help bring hope to the millions of families affected by dementia.
Speaking ahead of the Innovation Nation Summit, the Prime Minister said there was no reason why Britain could not lead the world in the search for new dementia treatments and that for too long dementia has been treated as something to be managed later on in life rather than a condition which can be properly treated and ultimately cured.
Today’s investment forms part of the Prime Minister’s wider mission to improve support for people living with dementia and their families. Alongside plans for a National Care Service, the Government is backing research that could help people live independently for longer and ease pressure on health and care services.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Dementia is a devastatingly cruel disease, not only for those who live with it, but for the families who care for them. For too long, we have accepted dementia as something to be managed later in life, rather than a disease we can defeat. I don’t accept that. In fact, I have real hope that we can come together and do exactly that.
“I want Britain to be the country that makes the breakthrough and delivers the cure for dementia the world has been waiting for. That is why I am making dementia research a national priority – by backing the NHS, universities, researchers and industry to drive the breakthroughs we desperately need.
“This investment goes hand in hand with our plans for a National Care Service, helping ensure that people living with dementia get the care and support they need, and giving families peace of mind that their loved ones will be cared for.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “This cruel disease has done so much damage to families across our country, and for too long we have lacked the tools to fight back. This investment will help us turn the tide on dementia, helping us to speed up diagnosis, accelerate research and give more people the chance to take part in trials that could transform their futures.
“We are also determined to ensure that every person living with dementia gets the care they deserve, and that no family is left to fend for themselves when a loved one needs support. So, alongside this new investment, we will ensure that the treatment of dementia is one of the central priorities of our new National Care Service.
Hilary Evans-Newton CBE, Chair of the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme and Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We know that people affected by dementia want the opportunity to be part of the search for better treatments. More than 90% we’ve surveyed told us they would like to take part in research, helping to shape a better future for everyone affected by the condition.
“The BARBARA Alliance has been created to change that. By tackling the barriers to dementia research and speeding up recruitment to clinical trials, this funding will help more people contribute to breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment.”
CEO of the BARBARA Alliance Jessamy Baird MBE said: “The BARBARA Alliance was essential in clearing some of the barriers that are preventing our life sciences sector from delivering new treatments to patients.
“What makes us different is our work across the whole sector, working with people with lived experience of dementia, charities, commercial companies, the NHS, and regulators,
“Taking part in a trial not only means that someone can contribute to the future course of the disease, they also get the opportunity to receive interventions, treatments and better care, which can help them and their loved ones.”
Kaivan Khavandi, SVP, Head of R&D Translational & Development Sciences, GSK said: “Our partnership in The BARBARA Alliance is a crucial step to advance research into dementia.
“By working together with the UK government and other partners, we aim to create a more dynamic and agile way to accelerate scientific trials. We’re proud to be a founding member and believe the partnership will help bring much-needed innovation to patients faster.”
Ken Rhodes, Vice President of Neuroscience research at Bristol Myers Squibb said: By bringing together unique datasets that advance AI/ML approaches, BARBARA will help the Alzheimer’s field ask better questions and accelerate progress for patients in need.
“Consortia like The BARBARA Alliance are critical in Bristol Myers Squibb’s efforts to explore both symptomatic and disease-modifying approaches, all in service of our ultimate ambition to bring medicines to patients faster.”
Niranjan Bose Managing Director, Health & Life Sciences, Gates Ventures said: “Recruiting the right people, at the right time, remains one of the biggest bottlenecks in developing new treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The UK has a remarkable opportunity to change that by bringing together its strengths in health data, the NHS, AI, research and clinical trials.
“The BARBARA Alliance is exactly the kind of investment the field needs — making it easier for people to find and participate in research, while connecting data, research and clinical capabilities across the UK, and a faster path for researchers to evaluate promising new treatments and recruit participants more efficiently. Gates Ventures is proud to support this partnership and its ambition to turn scientific progress into treatments that reach patients faster.”
The Prime Minister also announced that dementia will be one of the first priorities for the new Health Data Research Service (HDRS), a flagship commitment of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan.
Backed by up to £600 million from Government and the Wellcome Trust, HDRS will bring NHS and research data from across the UK into a single, secure system for approved research. Scientists will be able to identify eligible patients and recruit participants more quickly.
Britain has some of the world’s most powerful health data, but it is fragmented across different systems and organisations. Joining it up will help researchers understand how diseases develop, find suitable participants and translate discoveries into treatments.
By making dementia one of its first priorities, HDRS will help cement Britain’s position as a global leader in dementia research while giving more people the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge studies and clinical trials.
The service will also complement the work of The BARBARA Alliance, which will help more people take part in trials, while the Health Data Research Service will give scientists the evidence and insight needed to design better studies and drive new discoveries which could bring treatments to patients faster.
The announcement comes a week after the Prime Minister set out a new settlement for older people, bringing together a State Pension that continues to rise every year with plans for a National Care Service that would provide free personal care for older people.
As people live longer, the systems designed to support them have not kept pace. The current social care system is too often failing older people, their families and care workers, while placing growing pressure on the NHS. The proposed National Care Service would be built on the same founding principles as the NHS, ensuring everyone can access the support they need and helping people live independently for longer.
Under the plans, older people would be entitled to a basic level of free personal care, including support with everyday activities such as washing, dressing, eating and personal hygiene. The reforms are intended to give families greater peace of mind, protecting people from the fear that needing care later in life could leave them without the support they need.
As part of her review, Baroness Casey has been asked to provide recommendations on how and when to build up the national care service. Her work will include public deliberation to ensure the public’s priorities are reflected in recommendations and ongoing cross-party talks seeking to build political consensus.
Yesterday’s announcement also follows the launch of UKRI’s £80 million Dementia Challenge last week, which will test nine innovative technologies in the NHS, including faster MRI brain scans and remote cognitive assessments, to speed up diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.
The programme aims to help ensure 92% of people receive a diagnosis within 18 weeks of referral, up from around 60% today, by rapidly scaling innovations that prove they work in real-world settings.
Together with the new investment in clinical trials, this marks a major step towards turning Britain’s scientific strength into hope for millions of families affected by dementia, while reducing the financial burden on families and the state.
