Maggie checks out of Kildonan Lodge

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Kildonan Lodge Hotel in Edinburgh. For nearly 30 years, the hotel has been run by Maggie Urquhart, who is now set to retire.

Located in the affluent suburb of Newington, Kildonan Lodge enjoys a large private plot which is within easy reach of Edinburgh city centre. The business is set in a large Victorian villa, which boasts grand period feature and comprises 15 letting rooms in a range of styles, from traditional with four-poster beds, to modern boutique.

Previous owner, Maggie Urquhart said: “I would like to thank all our guests, many who have stayed multiple times.  It has been a pleasure to meet you all and I wish you all the very best for the future. 

“To my staff, who became like family, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your loyalty and dedication in helping make Kildonan Lodge such a warm welcoming place to stay.”

Gary Witham, Director – Hotels at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, comments, “Small high-quality hotels rarely become available so close to the City – there is certainly good demand from buyers who benefit from the international appeal of the Edinburgh market.  Post covid trade has been stronger than ever.”

Kildonan Lodge Hotel was sold with a guide price of £2,000,000.

AI turns popular video game heroes into villains

  • AI transforms video game heroes into alternate evil versions. 
  • Super Mario is transformed into a blood-sucking fiend, “Count Mariocula. 
  • Luigi becomes Mario’s right-hand ghoul, “Ghoulish Greenhand.”  

As the world of artificial intelligence continues to grow and expand, Online Casino has tapped into its possibilities of reimagining video game protagonists as villains.

Using MidJourney, an artificial intelligence program, Online.Casino transformed beloved video game heroes into their dark and sinister counterparts, showcasing the limitless possibilities of technology and AI-assisted creativity.
 
Inspired by the release of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, this collection reimagines Mario, Luigi, and many other protagonists as their villainous counterparts. The AI-generated pictures highlight a unique twist on classic characters, revealing them in a new light. 

These reimagined villains, which have also been re-named by ChatGPT, offer fans an intriguing new perspective on their beloved heroes, inviting them to delve into a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred. 
 
Mario 
Mario from Super Mario Bros. becomes “Count Mariocula,” the blood-sucking villainous version of Mario from the Super Mario Bros. series. 
 
 

Luigi 
Luigi from Super Mario Bros. becomes “Ghoulish Greenhand,” “Mariocula’s” right-hand ghoul: 

 
 
 
God of War 
Kratos from the God of War series becomes “God of Death”: 

 
Tomb Raider 
Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series becomes “Tomb Terror”: 

 
Sonic 
Sonic the Hedgehog transforms into the menacing “Sinister Surge”: 

Uncharted 
Nathan Drake from the Uncharted series becomes “Nathan Dark”: 

 
The Legend of Zelda 

Link from The Legend of Zelda becomes “Darkened Blade”, the evil version of the legendary hero: 
 
 

Halo 

Master Chief from the Halo franchise becomes the “Ominous Overlord”:  

 
A spokesperson for Online.Casino commented on the images: 
 
“This AI-generated artwork showcases the limitless possibilities of technology and creativity and encourages us to consider the duality of our favorite characters.” 
 
“The goal of this project was not only to showcase the creative potential of AI technology, but also offer a fresh and unique perspective on some of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Fans have a new chance to explore the dark and twisted versions of their favorite heroes, and perhaps even gain a greater appreciation for the complex and multi-dimensional nature of these beloved characters.” 

IBS vs Bowel Cancer: three red flags that need to be seen by a doctor

With April being IBS awareness month, Google searches for ‘What is irritable bowel syndrome?’ have increased by over 300% in the past 30 days, and ‘What does IBS feel like?’ has also seen an increase of 250%.

Below you will find some answers from Dr Vivek Goel, a gastroenterologist at Spire Cardiff Hospital 

I’m a doctor and here are the symptoms, triggers, and cures for your IBS 

The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but some causes include family history and infection 

The exact cause of IBS isn’t known, although potential risk factors have been identified such as stress and family history. Differences in the bacteria that live in the gut of those who have IBS could also have other conditions. IBS can also occur after an abdominal infection (gastroenteritis), which subsequently changes the gut microbiome.

IBS is also caused by contractions that are too weak, which can slow down the movement of food through the gut leading to constipation. At the same time, contractions that are too strong or too long can lead to diarrhoea, bloating and flatulence.

Symptoms include problematic urination, backaches and nauseousness, as well as the usual stomach pain

IBS symptoms are often triggered or worsened by eating or drinking. Common symptoms include stomach pain and cramps, abdominal bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. You may also experience backache, feel tired and nauseous, pass more wind (flatulence), pass whitish mucus on your stools, and have problems controlling your urge to urinate and open your bowels.

Food triggers are different for everyone, but some of the main culprits are cabbage, broccoli and apples

Food and drink triggers for those with IBS vary from one individual to the next, which is why it is helpful to keep a food diary where you can track what you’ve eaten and drank alongside your symptoms.

Drinks that can trigger IBS include caffeinated drinks (e.g. tea, coffee, and certain energy drinks), and fizzy drinks. Foods that may trigger IBS include cabbage, cruciferous vegetables (e.g. broccoli, Brussel sprouts), high-fructose fruits (apples, mangoes, pears), fatty/fried foods (chips, crisps, cheese), highly processed foods and pulses.

Chewing gum might also be a trigger of your IBS 

The primary triggers for IBS outside of food and drink are anxiety, stress and certain medications e.g. antibiotics, certain antidepressants and medication containing sorbitol (e.g. cough syrup). Eating too quickly and chewing gum can also trigger IBS symptoms.

Non-caffeinated drinks and probiotics can help ease symptoms of IBS 

Drinking non-caffeinated tea (e.g. peppermint, chamomile or fennel tea) may help to reduce stomach cramps.

Taking probiotics can also be helpful. Probiotics contain live bacteria that support your gut microbiome and can be taken as tablets or found in certain foods (e.g. yoghurts with live bacteria, kefir, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh) and drinks (e.g. kombucha).

In general, cooking food at home using fresh ingredients can help you better manage IBS as you can control exactly what goes into your food to avoid triggers.

There is no cure for IBS. However, it can get better on its own and its symptoms can be managed through dietary changes, regular exercise and stress relief.

IBS vs bowel cancer: bloody stools, thin stools and unexplained weight loss should cause concern 

Both cause stomach pain, cramps, bloating and changes in your bowel habits. IBS can also cause whitish mucus on your stools but this doesn’t usually occur in bowel cancer. Unlike IBS, bowel cancer can cause bloody stools, thin stools, unexplained weight loss and general weakness. If you’re experiencing persistent bowel symptoms, seeing your GP to rule out more serious conditions, such as bowel cancer is important.

IBS vs diverticulitis – IBS can cause pain anywhere, whereas diverticulitis causes pain on the lower left side

Both IBS and diverticulitis cause stomach pain. However, in diverticulitis, this is usually focused on the lower left side of the abdomen and is constant. In IBS, pain can occur anywhere across your abdomen and usually eases after opening your bowels.

Diverticulitis changes occur in the lining of the gut, with the formation of small pockets that become inflamed and/or infected. In IBS, no changes occur to the gut lining.

New For Spring 2023: Rabbie’s launches brand new tours departing from Bristol & Belfast

Award winning, small tour company Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com) has announced two new departure points in the cities of Bristol and Belfast.

From these cites, new tours will explore all West England, Wales, and Northern Ireland has to offer, providing the opportunity for both the cities’ natives and visitors from the world over to explore the regions. The new tours start from April 2023 and are available to book now.

In their luxury mini-coaches, all Rabbie’s tours venture off-the-beaten path to show guests hidden gems, like Carreg Cennen Castle in Wales and Northern Ireland’s beautiful Lough Erne, without missing out on much-loved sights like Stonehenge and or Giant’s Causeway.

By venturing beyond the guidebook, Rabbie’s tours support the local economies of the places they visit, supporting family-owned restaurants, attractions, giftshops, hotels, and more.

Bristol provides the perfect point to set off and explore the far reaches of the Southwest and the unspoilt terrain of Wales. Natural wonders like Dartmoor National Park and the Wye Valley, as well as man-made sensations like Tintern Abbey await.

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a vibrant and historically resonant city, and offers the perfect introduction to the stunning sights of the rich and diverse region, like the gorgeous Causeway Coastal Route and the hilltop fort Grianan of Aileach.

Tours departing from Bristol and Belfast start from April 2023 and include:

Four-day Cornwall, Devon & Stonehenge tour from Bristol

A drive through Exmoor, a National Park which offers a mix of moorland, woodland, coast, and rivers is the perfect tour introduction. The road will take you to the clifftops of North Cornwall and the ruins of Tintagel Castle, famed for its links to King Arthur. The castle is a unique mix of fact, myth and natural beauty.

Explore Cornwall’s beloved St. Ives and walk along the cobbled streets of the idyllic fishing town before hitting the road and arriving at Land’s End. 

Walk the rugged landscape of Dartmoor National Park and visit the rocky granite outcrops before enjoying the lively city of Exeter. Witness one of the UK’s most remarkable national landmarks, Durdle Door and visit Shaftesbury, a quaint English village over 1000 years old. Conclude this adventure at Stonehenge, one of the world’s most iconic sights and most puzzling mysteries.

Join Rabbie’s four-day Cornwall, Devon & Stonehenge tour from Bristol from £325 per person based on a 23 April 2023 departure.

Three-day Causeway Coast, Derry & Fermanagh Lakelands tour from Belfast

History, legend, culture, and nature all unite on this stunning tour that celebrates the very best of Northern Ireland. The Causeway Coastal Route is the perfect beginning to the tour. Driving from Belfast, the road winds past steep cliffs, ancient castle ruins and the magnificent Glens of Antrim.

Journey through the Dark Hedges, the haunting beech avenue that is over 300 years old and explore the wonders of Derry’s growing cultural and artistic scene. Take in the charming island town of Enniskillen and cruise on its beautiful Lough Erne.

Travel inland to the ecclesiastical city of Armagh to explore the two cathedrals dedicated to St. Patrick and taste the local ciders and legendary Irish Black Butter. Finally, walk the ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands and charming glens of the Hillsborough Castle.

Join Rabbie’s three-day Causeway Coast, Derry & Fermanagh Lakelands from Belfast from £299 per person based on a 1 May 2023 departure.

Other tours departing Bristol include:

  • The one-day Stonehenge & Cotswold Villages tour. A day out exploring myths, history, and the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds.
  • The one-day Flavours of Somerset & Glastonbury tour. Explore the flavours of Somerset, renowned for its cheddar cheese and cider, and marvel at the history and legends of Glastonbury.
  • The two-day Stratford–upon–Avon, Oxford & the Cotswolds tour. Discover Great Britain’s history as you explore the world-famous Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
  • The four-day South Wales, Cotswolds & Oxford tour. A coastal drive in the south of Wales. A medieval town with an interesting past. A photo-worthy mountain range. A book-lovers paradise. And much, much more.

Other tours departing Belfast include:

  • The four-day Donegal & the Wild Atlantic Way. An escape to county Donegal famed for its wild, rugged coast and warm welcomes.
  • The six-day The Wild Coasts of the North. A combination of both of Rabbie’s Northern Ireland tours provide the ultimate Northern Ireland experience.

From April 2023, Bristol and Belfast expand Rabbie’s departure city options. UK and Ireland tours also depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester and Dublin.

For more information about Rabbie’s and to book, visit www.rabbies.com.

Creative workshops at Granton Parish Church

Hello there!

Together with Granton Goes Greener we created a programme of up-cycling workshops for you.

Come and learn how to make jewellery and basic macrame knots which will enable you to create amazing designs of your own.

Places are limited, so book your place by emailing Ola on: aleksandra@elrec.org.uk

See you soon in Granton!

Living Wages towards Living Pensions

News from THE POVERTY ALLIANCE

Our Living Wage Scotland team has had great success in encouraging 3,000 businesses in Scotland to become accredited Living Wage employers. Now the Living Wage Foundation is moving into a new area. 

The Living Pension accreditation scheme was launched in Edinburgh on 21 March 2023. It is a voluntary savings target for employers and aims to help workers build up a pension pot that will provide enough income to meet basic everyday needs in retirement.

Research completed by the Resolution Foundation in 2022 showed that four in five workers, and 95% of low-paid workers, paying into defined contribution schemes are not saving at the level needed to reach an acceptable standard of living in retirement.

You can read more about Living Pensions here, and you can also sign up to a free webinar being hosted by the Living Wage Foundation on Tuesday 16 May 2023.

Jupiter icy moon explorer begins journey to discover new worlds

The mission will study Jupiter’s moons for potential habitability for life

The Jupiter icy moons mission (JUICE) has taken off on its journey to study Jupiter, our largest planet, and investigate whether some of its icy moons are home to conditions that could support life.

Funded by the UK Space Agency, the UK leads on one of the 10 science instruments on board the European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and has contributed to the development of two more.

Blasting off from Kourou in French Guiana at 1:14pm BST on Friday 14 April, JUICE will spend eight years travelling to the Jupiter system. On the way, it will perform fly-bys of Earth and Venus, using the gravitational fields of the planets to generate enough speed to reach Jupiter. One of these will be the first ever lunar-Earth gravity assist manoeuvre.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan, said: “The UK Space Agency has invested around £9 million in the JUICE mission to explore Jupiter and its moons. UK tech on the spacecraft illustrates how our world class universities and research institutions are unlocking deep space exploration.

“I want the UK’s space sector to continue thriving and encourage STEM learning for the next generation. It’s important that we push the boundaries of science, innovation and technology across the country to support the jobs of the future.”

On arrival in 2031, JUICE will circle Jupiter and fly past moons Ganymede, Europa and Callisto, making observations and taking measurements, studying the Jovian system as an archetype for gas giants elsewhere in the universe.

Finally in December 2034, JUICE will transfer into orbit around Ganymede, becoming the first spacecraft ever to orbit a moon other than Earth’s. While up close and personal with Ganymede, the mission will investigate the giant ocean that scientists believe hides under its icy crust, seeking evidence of habitability.

Dr Caroline Harper, Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, said: “The launch of JUICE marks years of hard work and collaboration by scientists, engineers and space agencies all over the world, but the journey is far from over.

“We look forward to following the spacecraft as it makes its eight-year trip to Jupiter and then as it studies the planet and its moons, using specialised UK-developed science instruments.

“We have a large community of research experts in the UK who are eagerly awaiting the data that JUICE will provide. With this information we hope to discover more about the nature of gas giants in space, and their icy moons, bringing us another step closer to understanding the evolution of the Universe.”

Ariane 5 rocket launching
JUICE lifting off. Credit: ESA – M. Pédoussaut

The UK Space Agency invested £9 million into the JUICE science payload, by supporting three critical instruments on board, which are:

  • J-MAG (UK-led magnetometer) – Development led by Imperial College London with radiation-hardness and mechanical design contributed by the University of Leicester.
  • JANUS (Italian-led optical camera system) – Imaging sensors developed by Teledyne-e2v in the UK, then tested, calibrated and characterised by Open University.
  • PEP (Swedish-led particle environment package) – Solid-state detectors provided by University College London and radiation design for instrument suite contributed by Aberystwyth University.

Principal Investigator for the J-MAG instrument at Imperial College London, Professor Michele Dougherty, has been involved in JUICE since well before it was selected by ESA in 2014 as the first Large Class mission in its Cosmic Vision Science Programme.

Professor Michele Dougherty, Head of the Department of Physics at Imperial College London, said: “With our instrument’s measurements, we are almost looking inside these worlds.

“What we’re doing, however, is extremely difficult, as the signals we’re trying to detect are extremely small. It’s like trying to find lots of needles in a haystack, and those needles are changing shape and colour all the time. But we think the results are going to be spectacular.

“Space missions are long and slow, so launch only marks the halfway point of this one – because we first started thinking about it 15 years ago, and we’ll be getting the last data in 15 years’ time. But I can’t wait for launch to happen because that’s the next milestone for us – we’ll be on our way to Jupiter.

JUICE is a collaboration between ESA, NASA and the space agencies of Japan and Israel and will consider two key themes from ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015 – 2025: What are the conditions for planet formation and the emergence of life? And how does the Solar System work?

After taking off on an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from Kourou in French Guiana it is expected to arrive at Jupiter in July 2031 and complete 35 icy moon flybys before arriving at Ganymede – the largest of Jupiter’s moons – by December 2034.

JUICE will spend its eight-year voyage productively; it will pass by Venus to test and calibrate its instruments, gather data and take advantage of the gravity assist to save on fuel. Meanwhile, scientists on the ground will work on finalising software and data modelling in time for arrival at Jupiter.

Chiaki Crews, Research Fellow at the Open University, said: “The JUICE mission aims to answer many exciting questions, including whether the ocean worlds beneath the surfaces of Jupiter’s icy moons could potentially harbour life. One of the many instruments needed to make detailed scientific observations to help answer such questions is a camera.

“Our team at the Open University has spent several years testing and optimising a new image sensor for JUICE’s scientific camera, JANUS. A large part of our work was to irradiate test sensors with high doses of radiation, just like it is expected to experience during the JUICE mission lifetime, to check that JANUS will still be able to take images without too much degradation.

“We are now very much looking forward to watching the launch, albeit we’ll have to wait patiently for several more years before we’ll see the first images sent back from Jupiter’s moons.”

Professor Geraint Jones at University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory, said: “It’s fantastic to see JUICE, carrying the PEP instrument that we contributed to, nearing its launch. We look forward to seeing data from our sensors on the ‘soup’ of ions, electrons and atoms surrounding Jupiter and its moons.

“This data will help us, for instance, to understand how particles around Jupiter reach such high energies – energies that could be fatal for an astronaut. We are excited that the mission will shed new light on worlds that could potentially host life.”

Professor Emma Bunce, Director of the Institute for Space at the University of Leicester, said: “The JUICE mission represents the next logical step in our exploration of potentially habitable worlds in the outer solar system. The JUICE spacecraft will do that via multiple flybys of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, and eventually from a dedicated orbit at Ganymede towards the end of the mission.

“After many years of hard work from science, engineering, and industry teams, we are so excited that the JUICE mission is finally ready to launch and start its long journey to the Jupiter system. We will patiently await the incredible data that we expect to receive from 2031, and we are confident that it will absolutely be worth the wait!”

Professor Manuel Grande, Head of Solar System Physics at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Physics, said: “The major challenge when visiting the icy moons of Jupiter, in particular Europa, is the extreme radiation environment which would interfere with the spacecraft’s instrumentation and swamp any readings.

“The innovative design of the shielding, which was pioneered at Aberystwyth, makes it possible to avoid the effects of radiation on readings and allow for the detection of organic molecules in the neighbourhood of Europa, which is perhaps the most likely site for life in our Solar System after our own Earth.”

Daniel Waller, Vice-President at Teledyne e2v, said: “The launch of JUICE with the JANUS optical camera onboard marks a milestone in this important mission. This is our second complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensor from our facility in Chelmsford to fly in space in recent months.

“This sensor will give us sight of both the icy moons and the environment of Jupiter, increasing our understanding of other planets in our solar system.”

‘Beautifully Tragic’: True love story couple cared for together during final days

The daughter of two patients who were able to spend some of their final days together at Inverclyde Royal Hospital (IRH) has praised staff for their compassion and for recognising ‘a true love story’.

Margaret O’Brien and her husband Alfie O’Brien sadly both required end of life care at the same time earlier this year, after it was discovered Margaret had terminal brain cancer, while Alfie was experiencing organ failure in his lungs, liver and heart.

The pair, who lived in Skelmorlie, were inseparable during their 58 years of marriage, travelling the world together and helping daughter Vanessa look after their beloved grandchildren Ben, 19, and Carla, 21.

When both became unwell in January, they were initially in separate wards in the IRH, but after medical staff noticed conditions worsening, they decided to make arrangements for the pair to both be together while they received treatment.

Alfie was admitted to hospital on January 4, after displaying symptoms of pneumonia, a condition he had most winters. But, following tests, it was discovered his organs were failing. While he was in hospital Margaret stayed with Vanessa, who began to notice her mum was getting a bit confused and took her to her local GP Dr Rai, who advised that he wanted to refer her for a brain scan.

Vanessa said: “I cannot thank the staff enough for everything they did for our family and for my mum and dad. The efforts were amazing, both consultants Dr Maycock and Dr Simmons were absolutely brilliant.

“They kept us up to date with exactly what was going on and even worked together to explain the situation of what was happening with mum to my dad in such a compassionate and caring way.

“When both my parents were at Inverclyde Royal Hospital they were initially in different wards, after it became clear it wasn’t looking good for either of them a staff member asked me if I thought they would like to be together in a room they had found. I thought that was amazing, it was a great idea.

“My mum and dad were inseparable, you didn’t get one without the other so getting the chance to have some more time together at that time, that’s just incredible. It was huge for the family as it meant we could always be with them too.”

After some time together at the IRH, the couple were moved to Bridge of Weir Care Home, where Margaret passed away by her husband’s side.

Ten days later, on February 27, at home with his family, Alfie passed away. The family were able to arrange a funeral for the couple, in March, with a double coffin, meaning they were back together.

Vanessa said: “I would say this has been beautifully tragic, I think that’s the best way of putting it. It’s a strange feeling, I can’t tell you how at peace I am. My parents had everything how they wanted it, they were able to spend some of their final precious moments together at the IRH then at the care home.

“We have experienced every part of the care services during this time and I cannot speak highly enough of everyone. From the consultants who treated and comforted my parents, the nursing teams who arranged the room for them and provided such great care, to the GP Dr Rai and the care home staff, everyone went above and beyond for our family.

“My parents were legends, I think staff at Inverclyde Royal Hospital recognised the true love story that was their marriage and relationship. Our whole family have lost our best pals, which is hard, but we’re comforted to know they were together throughout all of this. The kindness we have experienced will never be forgotten.”

Melanie McColgan, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s director for Clyde said: “I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to all of the O’Brien family. Our entire team were moved by Alfie and Margaret’s story and were honoured to be able to provide some comfort to them and to the entire family during an emotional time.

“Our patients, their families and the whole IRH community are so important to our staff, who continue to go above and beyond for those they care for and we are touched by Vanessa’s kind words.”

Council promises action to boost city’s cleanliness

A dedicated graffiti removal team and free special uplift service for some residents are just two new street cleansing measures the City of Edinburgh Council is considering to be introduced this year.

report published yesterday (14 April) to be discussed by councillors at the Transport and Environment Committee on 20 April sets out how an additional £3.078m, allocated when the local authority set its Lib-Dem budget in February, will be spent introducing these as well as several other new initiatives to keep the Capital looking at its best.

The report also updates on Edinburgh’s latest Local Environmental Audit and Management System (LEAMS) survey results, which monitor the city’s cleanliness and highlight areas for action.

As well as demonstrating continued improvement in service performance, reaching pre-Covid levels, the data shows the Capital is performing better than average when compared to similar council areas.

If agreed by committee, £530,000 will be set aside for a dedicated team of officers using specialist vehicles to focus on removing graffiti from public buildings and infrastructure with the ability to raise additional income by charging privately owned buildings for the service.

Committee will also be asked to agree to £500,000 being allocated for a means tested special uplift service, making it easier for those households in receipt of council tax reduction to use the service at no cost.

Other measures being considered are increasing the budget for gully cleaning and channel cleaning by more than 50% (an investment of £380,000), funding of £180,000 for a ‘Rapid Response Service’ to improve cleanliness in the city centre, and additional teams to focus on high density areas which have communal bins and suffer from fly tipping at a cost of £290,000.

A dedicated team to tackle approach roads into the city and rural roads at a cost of £300,000 for additional staff and equipment is also being considered. This multi-skilled team would be tasked with litter picking, mechanical sweeping, gully emptying, and verge and hedge maintenance.

The remaining £940,000 would be used for night shift operations and making sure there is always cover for essential tasks such as litter bin emptying, rapid response teams, city centre and town centre cleansing.

Labour’s Cllr Scott Arthur, Environment Convener, said: “Keeping our Capital city clean and tidy for our residents, businesses and those visiting Edinburgh is a top priority for us. We have listened to residents and businesses, and now plan to redouble our focus on cleaning up Edinburgh.

“That’s why we allocated additional funding for our street cleansing team which we set aside in our (Lib-Dem) budget in February.

“If agreed, the measures highlighted in the report will allow us to employ a dedicated team to remove graffiti as well as making sure residents on lower incomes aren’t deterred from having larger items responsibly picked up from their homes through the free uplift service we are proposing.

“We’ll also reduce flood risk by increasing the gully cleaning budget.

“I’d like to thank the street cleansing staff for their efforts in recent months, they have worked within a very limited budget to improve performance.

“The latest data shows there’s been a real improvement in service delivery, and that Edinburgh performs better than average when compared to equivalent Councils.

“This gives me confidence that deploying additional staff, vehicles and equipment throughout the city will further ensure street cleanliness continue to improve.”

Missile warning ahead of today’s Edinburgh derby

Two men, aged 24 and 19, have been arrested and charged in connection with items thrown during a match between Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian in January.

The items were thrown during a match at Easter Road Stadium on Saturday, 22 January.

The men were arrested on Thursday (13 April) and are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Chief Inspector Murray Tait, policing lead for today’s Edinburgh derby, said: “We take reports of missile throwing at matches very seriously and we work with clubs to identify anyone involved.

“The consequences of being struck by an item thrown from a stand can be severe and such behaviour will not be tolerated by our football clubs or Police Scotland.”