Corstorphine restaurant Prahna Indian Grill has announced it will run a series of summer Union Canal Sunday afternoon tea cruises in Edinburgh and West Lothian following the success of two trial events.
The award-winning restaurant, which specialises in a range of Scottish-infused Indian dishes, piloted two canal outings on 28 May and 11 June when customers boarded a specially commissioned dining barge at the Leamington Liftbridge in Fountainbridge.
For the next two hours the guests were treated to a classic ‘Afternoon Chai’ which included barbecue chicken sliders, chocolate fudge cake and a glass of prosecco while travelling along the Union Canal to the Slateford Aqueduct and back.
The events, organised in partnership with the Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust, proved so popular that Prahna has today announced a series of further afternoon tea cruises throughout the summer.
Further outings departing from Edinburgh will now be held on 23 July and 13 August.
The restaurant has also announced it will also trial its first Sunday afternoon tea cruise sailing from Linlithgow on 16 July with further departures from the West Lothian town expected to follow.
Prahna co-founder Arun Ramanan said: “We had an amazing response to our first Union Canal Afternoon Chai cruises. We’re now delighted to announce we’ll be running further sailings from Edinburgh and also Linlithgow throughout the summer in partnership with the Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust.
“As well as showcasing our unique and incredible Asian food, these events offer local residents and tourists a unique experience which connects them with the beauty and heritage of the Union Canal, an amazing but often overlooked part of Scotland’s history.”
Prahna opened its doors for trading in 2020, just as the global pandemic hit the UK. Rather than pulling down the shutters, co-founder Arun Ramanan and his team reached out to the local community and delivered hundreds of free meals to mainly elderly people who were shut in their homes at the time.
He has kept his focus on the local community and is involved in a number of events and activities to support people in the west of Edinburgh area.
Earlier this year Prahna was named as Scotland’s leading establishment at the Scottish Asian Restaurant Awards.
Three youths have been charged in relation to recent antisocial behaviour and damage on and around buses and trams in Edinburgh.
A 12-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys were identified and traced by officers in the South West of the city and have been charged with a number of offences including smashing a bus window, throwing excrement at a member of staff and an offence under the Edinburgh Tram Act 2006.
These incidents took place between 5 February and 15 February in the Westside Plaza and between Edinburgh Park and Balgreen Tram Stops.
Sergeant Scott Walker from Wester Hailes Community Policing Team said: “During the past few weeks we’ve received a number of reports of antisocial behaviour at bus and tram stops as well as damage being caused to buses and trams.
“A dedicated team of officers carried out enquiries to identify those who were responsible, during which they spoke to numerous witnesses and viewed CCTV footage.
“We’re pleased to report that three youths have been charged with five offences, and so far in an effort to prevent an escalation in unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, fifteen other youths have been spoken to in the presence of a parent or carer.
“I’d like to thank the public for their help in these enquiries and continued support, and would also like to reassure the residents of Edinburgh and those who use public transport that we will continue to tackle this kind of behaviour.
“This is a city wide issue that we face and our work continues across the division with similar initiatives. Local Community Policing Teams are working hard to identify those responsible in order to educate them on the potentially dangerous consequences of their actions when targeting public transport.”
Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact officers via 101, or in an emergency and when a crime is in progress, always call 999. Alternatively a report can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
As over 2,500 students make their way to the Usher Hall in Edinburgh to attend their graduation ceremony, one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, Shakespeare’s on Lothian Road, has rebranded as The Napier Graduate in honour of the university’s class of ’23.
For three days only from Wednesday 5 July to Friday 7 July, Shakespeare’s will be known as The Napier Graduate. Capturing the celebratory mood of the graduates, the pub has been decked out in red and white Napier livery, changing everything from the outdoor signs to the beermats in tribute of the new graduates and providing a welcoming space to celebrate with families and loved ones.
July 2023 marks Edinburgh Napier University’s biggest graduation celebration to date with six ceremonies spread over three full days, honoring the graduates of all five of the University’s Schools.
To mark the occasion the original Shakespeare’s signage has been replaced with the new Napier branding resulting in a complete redesign of the pub to make it the place to celebrate after graduation.
Among those graduating are Eilidh Skye Denny, an aspiring lawyer who was the first in her family to attend university. Hailing from Greenock, Inverclyde, Eilidh has completed an LLB Law degree at Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School at the age of just twenty-two and hopes to inspire other youngsters from less advantaged backgrounds.
Eilidh said: “Coming from a socially deprived area, as well as one of the poorest areas in Scotland, has been hard, but I have been able to challenge this and prove the statistics wrong, which has been rewarding.”
“My aim is to be able to inspire others who come from a similar area or background, to show that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and put the work in.”
This is not the first time Edinburgh Napier University has pulled out all the stops to celebrate its graduates. In 2021, the University held a city takeover, which saw the name of graduates displayed across 18 billboards, 100 bus stops, an Edinburgh Tram, and a taxi, accompanied by messages underlining the University’s pride in them and offering congratulations on their success.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, said:“Graduations in the Usher Hall are the highlight of the year for me and Shakespeare’s has been synonymous with celebrations after our ceremonies for as long as I can remember.
“To support recognition of the achievements of our class of ’23, we are dedicating a special place for them to celebrate with family and friends. The warm and welcoming staff at the newly named The Napier Graduate are the perfect hosts to help raise a toast to our new graduates as they embark on their next chapter after university.”
Izzy Polson, General Manager of Shakespeare’ssaid: “We love welcoming the new graduates to the pub each year. It’s always such a fun and celebratory time so we were delighted to be rebranded as The Napier Graduate to make this year even more special.
“As one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, Shakespeare’s was built at the same time as many of the theatres of the area, so you never know, I could be serving the next Shakespeare!”
The Napier Graduate is open from Wednesday 5 July to Friday 7 July 2023 at 65 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ.
A year of ceremonial duties for The Royal Regiment of Scotland – but the ‘day job’ doesn’t stop
TODAY Wednesday (5th July) saw King Charles and Queen Camilla make their first visit to Scotland since the coronation in May earlier this year.
To mark the occasion, over 60 soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland took to the streets, swapping their usual green combat gear for ceremonial uniform as they led a procession down the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral.
The King’s visit is one of a number of events that the Regiment has carried out this year as it balances its ceremonial duties with being the most deployed unit within the British Armed Forces.
While they’ve been away from the public eye, soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland have carried out a number of physically and mentally testing training missions, both in the UK and abroad.
From training alongside allies in Nato readiness tests in hundreds of hours of challenges across vast and rough terrain in freezing temperatures, to being deployed on peacekeeping missions in Mali that saw soldiers on patrol, engaging with the local community and mentoring foreign forces.
While today’s event wasn’t quite as demanding, preparation back in the barracks at home was nonetheless been carried out in true military fashion.
Lieutenant Damiani, from The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “Our troops that are parading on Wednesday have been practicing their drills, pipes and drums for weeks – balancing this with their countless other responsibilities.”
Some of the soldiers taking part in the parade recently returned from an intensive six-week training programme working with the Canadian Army.
Wessex Storm, which took place on Salisbury Plain Training Area, is a routine validation exercise which ensures individual units are ready to deploy at any given time as part of a larger battlegroup.
Damiani added: “As we gather to celebrate another landmark day in British history, our presence at stately events is always one of commitment to protecting and serving our nation.
“So much of what we do is behind closed doors, so it’s always a proud moment for our soldiers to be able to march on their home turf and have a such a visible role at these important events.”
Today’s events in Edinburgh to mark the coronation included a people’s procession, a royal procession and a national service of thanksgiving where The King was presented with the Honours of Scotland – the oldest crown jewels in Britain.
The day’s events concluded with a 21 gun salute at Edinburgh Castle and a flypast by the Red Arrows.
The popular street events programme is back for 2023 across three key city centre sites
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to announce details of the Fringe 2023 street events programme, a popular element of the festival experience. In 2022 56% of Fringe audiences watched street events performances, with iconic street scenes shared around the world across social media.
On the Royal Mile, family-friendly performers will take to the spaces of the High Street from 11:00 every day. Professional street performers from home and abroad will delight with a mix of theatre, comedy and circus skills.
In busker pitches dotted around the area, magic, music and sideshows will engage with audiences, with over 500 buskers performing over the festival. Living statues will deliver a range of surprises to those wandering by, with young children enthralled by the vibrant costumes while often confused by the seemingly impossible positions and shapes they take!
In a tradition dating back decades, each day at 10 am a street events draw will define the performances which will take place that day. A list of those performing will then be published on edfringe.com and shared across Fringe social media channels.
Working towards making the Fringe more accessible, the Fringe Society are again working with the team at Deaf Action, and BSL interpreted street performances will take place on various days throughout the Fringe, at the stage in West Parliament Square.
On the Mound Precinct this year the Fringe Society are delighted to welcome Belhaven Brewery to the festival as a new sponsor. The Belhaven team will be running a bar within this popular space, for audiences to enjoy their award-winning beers while watching nearby performers.
A large circle pitch will be central to this space, for daily street performance across a huge range of artforms. The popular Taster Stage for Fringe acts will also return this year, with an opportunity for local community groups to perform over three days of the festival.
St James Quarter will once again be joining the street events programme this year following a successful debut in 2022. Supported by Essential Edinburgh, they will be showcasing Fringe artists by programming 33 busker performances during the festival.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society, said: “The street events programme is a must-see for residents and visitors alike, when these iconic streets of Edinburgh are host to street artists and buskers from all over the world; whether they’ve been performing for decades or a first timer, the Fringe street events showcases a range of talents, skills and styles guaranteed to lift your day!
“Bring the family, enjoy the sights and sounds, Fill Yer Boots, and don’t forget to tip performers!”
The return of the street events programme is being supported by EventScotland (part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate), and the City of Edinburgh Council.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “As one of Scotland’s most recognisable cultural assets, EventScotland is delighted to be supporting this year’s street events programme as it gets set to transform Edinburgh’s historic streets into a vibrant playground of creative energy and diverse imagination once again.
“The street events provide a wonderful opportunity for both visitors and locals to sample a slice of something new, whilst enabling performers to showcase their incredible talent. They are a key part of Scotland’s portfolio of events and further strengthen the country’s position as a world-leading events destination”.
Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The street events programme is one of the most anticipated parts of the Festival Fringe and I am delighted to see it return for 2023.
“For a month the bustling streets of the capital are transformed by buskers and artists from around the world including family friendly performers who each bring a unique and exciting performance to all who pass by.
“The programme has something for everyone so make sure to take advantage of the array of talent on offer during the festival period”.
Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director, St James Quarter said: “We are delighted to once again partner with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society by hosting a curated selection of buskers to support our ‘St James Quarter Live’ music programme in August.
“We know our guests love to be entertained whilst they are in the Quarter and look forward to welcoming some of Edinburgh’s best unplugged music talent to the Galleria. The Fringe is Just Around the Quarter.”
The street events will be delivered by Unique Events, who are managing the programme on behalf of the Fringe Society, for the third year.
The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird has launched a free school uniform exchange that will run throughout the summer holidays to give parents good quality, pre-loved options for back to school and encourage more sustainable shopping habits.
The independent store, located between Trespass and WHSmith, is inviting locals to donate good quality school uniform items in exchange for something they need.
Everything from polo shirts and jumpers to school bags and shoes will be accepted and available for collection to help get little ones ready for the new term.
Sara Thomson, founder of The Leith Collective, said: “Parents often have to buy a whole new uniform at the start of the school year only to find their child has already outgrown it by the Christmas break. The clothing is often still in perfectly good condition and could easily do another child a turn.
“The uniform exchange is not only a practical response to the cost-of-living crisis, but it also promotes sustainable choices – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. Anyone can use the exchange service, whether your budget is squeezed this year or you want to be more sustainable – our only ask is that the uniform or other school items are still in a good quality condition.”
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“This is a fantastic initiative which we know will go a long way to support our local community, while also helping our visitors to choose more sustainable options where they can.
“We’re proud to support an independent store like The Leith Collective, and it’s brilliant to see the new and different shopping opportunities Sara and the team are bringing to the centre.”
The school uniform exchange follows The Leith Collective’s successful winter coat exchange which had an overwhelming response and saw 7,000 donations at its stores, including Fort Kinnaird.
The Leith Collective showcases the work of more than 300 artists and makers from all over Scotland, brought together by a common aim to reuse, recycle, and reclaim, and resells items that may otherwise have been destined for landfill.
It has three stores located across Edinburgh and Glasgow, including Fort Kinnaird. All of its stores also host a range of creative workshops focused on sustainability.
Throughout the summer, The Leith Collective is also inviting school holiday clubs and community groups to take part in free one-hour sessions with tips and advice on how to live more sustainably, alongside the opportunity to learn about the running of the stores. For more information on this, email: Info@theleithcollective.com.
The people of Edinburgh are being asked to become ‘Friends’ of NSPCC Scotland by signing up as a volunteer to help raise funds for the charity.
The children’s charity works in schools and communities across the country to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect, aiming to transform society for every childhood.
Around 90 per cent of the charity’s income comes from generous donations from the public, and its work could not continue without their help.
Last year (2022/23) the NSPCC run service, Childline, delivered 8,599 counselling sessions to children living in Scotland. The Childline bases in Aberdeen and Glasgow delivered 29,741 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK.
The top five main concerns for children were mental and emotional health and wellbeing; family relationships; friendship issues; bullying and school/education problems.
In the same year, 70,379 children from 373 schools in Scotland took part in the NSPCC’s online Speak out Stay safe programme which teaches children how to recognise the signs of abuse and neglect and where to get help.
The NSPCC now needs to build a group of passionate volunteers in [Glasgow] they can call upon for an extra pair of hands to support at local events and initiatives.
People can also choose how they would like to get involved by creating a bespoke role for themselves related to their own hobbies and interests, and they can volunteer ‘as and when’ without the need for regular time commitments.
Sandra Jones, NSPCC Scotland Community Fundraising Manager, said: “The NSPCC couldn’t continue with its work without support from the public.
“Our amazing volunteers help us raise money and awareness of our vital work to support communities and protect children and young people.
“We need people who could spare a few hours to help at local fundraising and awareness events such as Childhood Day collections, acquiring prizes for events or assisting in-person events to make sure they run smoothly.
“This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and enjoy new experiences and to be part of the NSPCC and our mission to end child cruelty.”
A key role for volunteers is to share news about the charity’s work with the public, organisations and in the local community, for example on social media, to help promote a positive image of the NSPCC and let people know about upcoming fundraising events and initiatives.
The NSPCC appreciates that work, family and friends come first and, with that in mind, this role offers flexibility to fit in with your lifestyle. Volunteers only need to commit to a couple of hours a month, but if they want to do more that would be great.
Volunteers get a designated point of contact, regular newsletters, ongoing support with the right information and tools including access to training opportunities through the volunteer portal, knowledge and learning, and a discount portal.
Jacqueline Jones from Glasgow helped at a recent Childhood Day collection on Buchanan Street. She said: “I heard about the NSPCC when my six-year-old was singing the Pantosaurus song one day after school.
“I realised the song passes some vital information on to children to help protect them and their bodies and from this moment I was a big fan of the charity!
“I was a little nervous about fundraising on the street but after being paired up and given some words of wisdom from Sandra I found my flow quickly and had an amazing time. I cannot wait to do it again.”
Jodie Cullen, an Operations Analyst at Morgan Stanley, also helped at the Childhood Day collection in Glasgow, she said: “It was such an amazing day; I really enjoyed my first experience of volunteering with the NSPCC, everyone was so welcoming and in great spirits.
“The arrival of the Rock Choir was a fantastic surprise and added to the already upbeat atmosphere!”
Some examples of volunteer roles include:
Community crafts – this involves using your crafting skills whether it’s knitting or making jewellery to create items to be sold or donated to raise funds for the NSPCC. This role could include a craft group you are already a part of, setting up a new group or joining an existing group, and selling your items at craft fairs organised by others or yourself.
Cookery – use your cookery skills to produce items that can be sold or donated.
Walking groups – this could involve an existing walking group or you could set up a new one to do sponsored walks, such as climb Ben Nevis in Scotland
Auctioneer volunteer – this could involve hosting an auction and presenting items for sale, keeping track of bids and concluding sales by striking a gavel when the highest bid has been reached
Community challenge events volunteer – this would involve using your practical skills to set up a new group or join an existing one and co-ordinate local or overseas challenge events such as mountain biking through the wilds of Iceland
Christmas volunteer – you could join our Walk for Children in December or attend a Childline Merry Little Christmas Concert or help collect donations at a festive event
Community quiz co-ordinator – including organising prizes and a local venue
Book scheme co-ordinator – includes organising donations of books from the local community which can be picked up by members of the public for a donation
While volunteering is suitable for a whole range of people, the NSPCC would be particularly keen to hear from people with the following qualities and skills:
Passionate about helping young people and children
Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free on 0808 800 5000. Children can call Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.
Please note that we will not accept donations on the day of the event.
If you wish to donate items, please pop into the ELREC Office (14 Forth Street EH13LH) on Wednesday July 5th, and Thursday July 6th from 10 am to 5 pm.
Following news that the fire in Cambridge that killed a mother and her children last Friday was likely caused by an e-bike battery, Nathan Davies, Head of Policy and Portfolio at RoSPA, said: “Fires from unregulated e-powered vehicle batteries are becoming commonplace and we are very concerned that we are sitting on a ticking timebomb of cases.
“It is only a matter of time until we see a battery failure cause a devastating large-scale fire in a block of flats, hotel or public space.
“Unfortunately, e-bike batteries are designed to be charged indoors, and mostly overnight. Critically, this is where the risk to life from a fire is the greatest.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. We have been using certified lithium-ion batteries safely for years, the technology is well understood and these can be manufactured to the correct standards.
“The problem lies in a series of failings in the supply of unregulated units, meaning products with poor construction can be supplied by internationally based sellers on third party platforms. Action needs to be taken to address this situation to prevent future deaths.
“We urge people to only buy from reputable sellers and to purchase electrical items from a known and trusted brand that complies with legislation. If you think your battery is faulty, damaged or you just aren’t sure, then we advise that you dispose of it at a waste centre, not in the bin.”
