Join us at granton:hub to launch Kenneth G. Williamson’s book, Edinburgh, Granton and Leith Railways, a collection of historic photographs on Sunday 28th of May 2023 from 2pm – 4pm.
With a wealth of superb rare and previously unpublished images, Kenneth G. Williamson tells the story of Edinburgh, Granton and Leith railways.
‘In 1861, the Caledonian Railway, in its efforts to gain a foothold in Granton and Leith, opened a line from Slateford to Granton with a connection to Granton Harbour, where the Edinburgh, Dundee & Perth Railway (NBR) was already established. The CR further built, at great expense, an elevated line to Leith Docks in an effort to establish itself in one of Scotland’s busiest ports. Significant dock traffic never materialised and the CR’s 1903 Leith New Lines failed. The North British Railway meanwhile, in their attempt to keep the CR out of Leith, opened Leith Central station in 1903 – the largest station constructed in Britain from scratch in the twentieth century. The station was much larger than necessary and as such was never used to its full potential. It was converted in 1955 to a Diesel Maintenance Depot and in 1972 closed completely.’
This is one story, come along on the day and enjoy many others!
A small number of books will be available for purchase or bring your own copy for signing.
Tennis Scotland has today announced a significant new prize for players on Scotland’s national tennis tour.
In addition to increased prize money being invested into the TS Open Tour, the men’s and women’s players who finish top of the leaderboards following the 19-event circuit will each be rewarded with a £1000 bonus ahead of the end-of-season TS Open Tour Finals.
This prize will reward players for commitment to the tour and consistent performances throughout the year.
The TS Open Tour was created by Tennis Scotland, in partnership with clubs and organisers, to encourage player development and raise levels of play.
The 2023 circuit has been enhanced with significant investment, via sponsorship, with increased prize pots of up to £7600 at some events.
Players take part in men’s and women’s singles tournaments across the country throughout the year, earning ranking points based on their performances, which are then collated into leaderboards.
After the final tour event – the Scottish National Championships in November – the men’s and women’s players with the most ranking points will each be awarded £1000.
The top 16 players on each leaderboard will then take part in the two-day TS Open Tour Finals in December, where they will compete for a prize pot of £10,000 and the coveted Sword trophies, named in memory of former Scottish internationalists Derek and Allan Sword.
Tennis Scotland Chief Executive Blane Dodds said: “We are delighted to offer a bonus cash prize for the men’s and women’s players who finish top of the TS Open Tour leaderboards.
“Thanks to sponsorship, which we are most grateful for, increased prize pots at some events are helping to attract more players to compete in Scotland’s national tennis tour, and also helping our young pro players earn much-needed income to support their competition schedule.
“This bonus will reward the players who show commitment to the tour and consistency in their performances throughout the year.”
David Lloyd Leisure has appointed its senior management team in anticipation of opening its new Edinburgh Shawfair club.
Michael Lindores joins the team as General Manager from David Lloyd Aberdeen and will oversee preparations for the 2023 summer opening. The Edinburgh Shawfair team has launched its local recruitment drive this month, with management interviewing candidates for key hospitality, spa, and fitness roles.
David Lloyd Leisure expects that the new club will generate up to 75 jobs when operational. Construction began in October 2022, and the development phase is expected to generate more than £4 million for local subcontractors and companies and involve 50-60 construction jobs.
The site recently opened a dedicated marketing suite staffed by a full-time membership team. There has been intense interest from locals who have registered for updates in recent months, and early-bird discounts still operate for those registering online for a little while longer.
The club is committed to exploring opportunities to develop local community partnerships over the coming months, most notably as a sponsor and participant at the Midlothian Gala in May.
The centrepiece of David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair will be the 100+ station gym, which will house David Lloyd Clubs’ cutting-edge gym concept with an unrivalled array of best-in-class equipment.
Four bespoke designed studios will offer high-octane High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) classes, such as Blaze, group cycling with Cyclone and mind and body classes, such as SPIRIT.
A 20m indoor and a 25m heated outdoor swimming pool will offer a range of activities, including aqua aerobics, family splash time as well as quiet adult swim sessions for a more relaxing way to enjoy lengths. The new Club will also feature three outdoor padel courts plus four tennis courts inside an aerodome.
There will also be a Clubroomwhich will be carefully zoned to meet member needs, including a dining area with freshly cooked meals and a business area to catch up with work in peaceful surroundings. Families can enjoy a dedicated zone with eating areas and an indoor playframe. An outdoor patio area will offer a space for outdoor dining and socialising on warmer days and evenings, with playground facilities for the children.
The club will have a 250-space car park and is well-connected to Edinburgh and surrounding towns in Midlothian and East Lothian by nearby bus, rail, and cycle links. The development was granted planning approval in April 2021 following extensive consultation with the local community in 2020.
Michael Lindores, General Manager at David Lloyd Shawfair, said:“I am delighted to be appointed General Manager to oversee the process of building our new community at David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair.It is a privilege to lead the new team welcoming our members in summer 2023.
“David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair will be an amazing place. Our members will enjoy new and unrivalled facilities, ranging from incredible outdoor spaces to an extensive suite of group exercise studios, with Signature classes exclusive to David Lloyd Clubs.
“We are committed to the Midlothian area, and our recruitment drive is a fantastic opportunity for those with the drive and passion to thrive in a fast-paced fitness environment.
“Many of our senior team have transferred from across the United Kingdom, and we are steadfastly committed to seeing Shawfair become a premium destination that locals can be proud of.”
Britain’s disposable society to strike again with single-use party favours
Saturday May 6th is the big day as King Charles III is crowned at Westminster Abbey, and the party is expected to last until at least Monday, with one of three bank holidays that month.
And there’s one group of people not looking forward to the aftermath at all – those hardworking teams from the UK’s waste and recycling companies charged with clearing up after the celebrations.
UK waste collection company Divert.co.uk says the worst part is going to be separating the recyclable rubbish from the stuff going to landfill and warns there may be record amounts of the latter.
“Every bank holiday brings a spike in waste,” says Divert.co.uk spokesperson Mark Hall, “But we think we might be up to our necks in plastic waste come the Tuesday after the party. It’ll be like Christmas and Easter rolled into one”
The coronation will be, for most of us, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it is a very good excuse for everybody to have a good time away from – well – everything else.
The bad news for the British economy is that every bank holiday costs the nation approximately £3.9 billion* in lost productivity.
The good news, however, is that each holiday gives small businesses such as shops, pubs and restaurants a modest boost to profits of around £250, while people spend approximately £500m on leisure activities.
And suffice to say that as well as the boozing, barbecues and endless coronation quiches, there is going to be astonishing levels of rubbish to go with it.
“It’s going to be the street party to end all parties,” says Divert.co.uk’s Mark Hall, and the big problem is going to be a complete collapse of recycling across households and businesses.
“Nobody thinks about recycling during a celebration, so everything is going to end up in the same bin bag; and that’s going to end up in landfill. What a waste.”
Christmas produces about 688,000 tonnes of waste but Divert.co.uk thinks the coronation will be Christmas and Easter rolled into one.
“Rolled into one, put in big plastic sacks, and dumped in a hole in the ground at your town or city’s landfill facility,” says Hall. “Three-quarters of a million tonnes? Not out of the question in today’s disposable society.”
And that’s before we consider the cheap coronation souvenirs.
All the cheap plastic rubbish you can carry
“All that plastic bunting, those Charles and Camilla face masks, cheap imported crowns, the whole nine yards,” says Mark Hall. “And the sad fact is that it’s all going to end up in the bin.”
If last year’s Platinum Jubilee is anything to go by, there’ll be no end of trashy souvenirs that won’t make it past the first car boot sale, or the first charity bag to come through the front door.
There are whole lists of these things on the internet – Queen and Corgi car air fresheners, Platinum Jubilee leggings, and no end of tat embossed with the unfortunate words “platty joobs” – and it’s highly doubtful whether much of this rubbish has either survived or been sensibly recycled.
“Thank the stars that ‘corribobs’ hasn’t caught on,” says Hall, “but the fact remains that a lot of souvenirs and bunting at the cheap end of the market will prove to be a tremendous waste of resources.”
As a country, we should be doing better, Divert says.
But with the coronation and its long weekend being an enormous hit of the UK economy, the tens of thousands of tonnes of extra waste to be dealt with, and the possibility and the horror of the gift of Charlie and Camilla boxer shorts, is it all worth it?
“Of course it is,” says Mark, “We need the burst of national pride, and we need a party. Get out there and enjoy yourselves.But remember to separate your recyclables, in the name of the King.”
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has released new statistics showing that during last year’s record-breaking heatwave, where temperatures soared to in excess of 40C, vets saw fewer cases of heat-related conditions in pets, such as heatstroke, burnt paw pads, sunburn and breathing difficulties, than the hot summer of 2018, which was by comparison significantly cooler.
Responding to BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, vets pinpointed the extensive media coverage and a red extreme heat warning issued in 2022, but not in 2018, as a key factor in generating higher awareness of the dangers and appropriate preventative action being taken among owners to protect their pets.
In 2022, half (51%) of all vets in the UK saw cases of animals requiring treatment for heat-related conditions compared with 66% in 2018. In both surveys, dogs were the most common type of animal seen with heat-related conditions, seen by 51% of small animal vets in 2022, followed by rabbits (9%) and cats (6%).
As the weather begins to warm up, BVA is urging owners to start taking extra precautions now, during these seemingly cooler months, to keep pets safe from heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. The advice comes as vets fear that owners may have their guard down in these deceptively milder days, which can be as risky for dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets as during peak summer months.
British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Anna Judson said:“These new figures are a stark warning to pet owners not to be caught off guard by the seemingly cooler months of late spring and early summer.
“We might not be in the midst of a record-breaking heatwave, however, when the sun comes out from behind the clouds, cars, pavements and spaces like conservatories can quickly heat up and pets are at risk of overheating.”
Dogs need extra care
Dogs are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. They can struggle to stay cool in high temperatures and humid conditions since, unlike humans, they are unable to cool down quickly through sweating, making them vulnerable to overheating. Even a very short walk in the middle of the day or being locked in a car for a few minutes can prove to be fatal.
Flat-faced breeds such as English or French bulldogs and pugs are at even greater risk, as their short muzzles can make breathing difficult, and therefore they struggle to cool down through panting, which is a dog’s main way to cool its body temperature.
Anna added: “Each year, vets across the country report seeing large numbers of cases involving dogs who require treatment for heat-related conditions. Dogs won’t stop enjoying themselves and exercising because it is hot, so owners need to take action to prevent them overheating .
“This includes making sure pets aren’t walked or exercised in the middle of a hot day or left inside a car or conservatory, even when it is overcast or even for a little while, as ‘not long’ can prove fatal. Early signs of heatstroke in dogs include heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, bright red or very pale gums, and lack of coordination.”
Other animals
Anna outlines some of the signs of heat related illness in other pets: “Signs of heatstroke in rabbits include drooling, lethargy, short and shallow breaths, red and warm ears, wet nose and seizures.
“If your pet has overheated, take it to a cool, well-ventilated place, give it small amounts of cool (not ice-cold) water to drink, and pour room-temperature water over it to cool it down. Seek immediate advice from your vet.”
Vets’ top warm weather tips:
Make sure all pets always have access to fresh water to drink, adequate ventilation and shade from direct sunlight at all times. This includes birds in cages or aviaries and rabbits in hutches. Provide extra shade to guinea pigs by covering the top of wire mesh runs with damp towels.
Don’t exercise dogs in the hottest parts of the day: especially older dogs, overweight dogs, flat-faced breeds or dogs that you know have heart or lung problems. Stick to early morning or late evening walks.
Do the five-second tarmac test before taking a dog out for a walk; if it feels too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Never leave dogs in vehicles. If you see a dog in distress inside a hot car, call 999.
Rabbits and guinea pigs cannot sweat or pant to regulate their body temperature and cool down. Keep the hutch or run away from direct sunlight at all times of the day.
Flystrike is a life-threatening risk for rabbits and guinea pigs in the warmer months, Check their bottoms twice daily to see if they are clean and to spot early signs of fly eggs or maggots. A ‘sticky bottom’ is not only at much higher risk of flystrike, it may be due to a problem with your rabbit’s teeth or digestion. Speak with your vet for advice on how reduce the risk of flystrike.
Some breeds of cats and dogs, particularly those with lighter-coloured or finer fur, may also benefit from pet-appropriate sun cream, especially on the ear tips, which are prone to sunburn.
Spare a thought for wild animals. Keep out bowls of water for wildlife such as birds and hedgehogs.
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ‘issued words’ to mark the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6 May 2023:
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be a moment of extraordinary national pride.
Together with friends from across the Commonwealth and beyond, we will celebrate the enduring nature of our great monarchy: its constancy, devotion to duty, and service to others.
No other country could put on such a dazzling display – the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties.
But this is not just a spectacle.
It’s a proud expression of our history, culture, and traditions.
A vivid demonstration of the modern character of our country.
And a cherished ritual through which a new era is born.
In the Abbey where monarchs have been crowned for almost a thousand years, representatives of every faith will play a central role for the first time.
And in a fitting tribute to the spirit of service that will define the Carolean Age, people across our country will help their communities with thousands of acts of kindness.
So let’s celebrate this weekend with pride in who we are and what we stand for. Let’s look to the future with hope and optimism.
And let’s make new memories, so we can tell our grandchildren of the day we came together to sing: God Save The King.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack on the Coronation of His Majesty The King Charles III and The Queen Consort:
Huge congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla, ahead of their Coronation later today.
I hope everyone has the chance to come together with friends and family to celebrate what is an incredibly important moment for the whole of the United Kingdom.
Have a fantastic long weekend and please join me in wishing the King and Queen a long and happy reign.
God save the King.
Scotland marks Coronation day
Street parties, gun salutes and charity events to celebrate historic occasion
Events will take place across Scotland to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
There will be gun salutes at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles as well as ceilidhs, street parties and charity events. Big screens will also show the ceremony at locations including Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh and Glasgow Cathedral.
The First Minister, the Lord Advocate and the Permanent Secretary will attend the event at Westminster Abbey.
The King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland at a separate Scottish Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving, which will take place at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh later this year.
First Minister Humza Yousaf – an avowed republican – said: “I will attend the Coronation ceremony as First Minister, on behalf of the Scottish people – and many people across the country will also take part in the celebrations by watching the ceremony on big screens, hosting street parties or taking part in charity or volunteering.
“I look forward to participating in the ceremony when His Majesty is presented with the Honours of Scotland at a Service at St Giles’ Cathedral later this year.
“The King’s longstanding connection to Scotland is well known – through his patronage of many Scottish charities and institutions, including the Prince’s Foundation.
“Queen Camilla has also built strong ties with communities over many years, including through her role as Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen.
“I know many people in Scotland will want to send their best wishes to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on this historic occasion.”
The Royal Standard will fly over St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh for the Coronation weekend.
Further details of the service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh which will take place later this year, including viewing opportunities for the public, will be issued in the coming weeks.
