Looking for ways to keep the kids amused this half term, then look no further than some free football being offered by Edinburgh Leisure.
Suitable for young people aged 11 – 18 years, the football sessions will run on the main pitch at Meadowbank Sports Centre from 1:30pm – 3:00pm on Tuesday, 13th, Thursday 15th and Friday, 16th February..
Participants can come along, stay active and socialise while enjoying the outdoors. Sessions don’t need to be booked – kids can simply turn up and have fun.
Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life.
In the heart of communities, we’re the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city. As a charitable trust we provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.
Musselburgh Windsor Blues Under 15s football team, who are currently top of the Scottish East Region Youth Football Association (SERYFA) Division 2 League, is appealing for sponsorship of hoodies and rain jackets ahead of their first-ever International Youth Tournament in Holland at the end of March.
The team, which has scored a total of 35 goals in their last four games, is on a mission to bring home the winning trophy at the two-day, ‘Holland Easter Open South’ tournament in Limburgh, which marks its 25thanniversary this year.
It is the largest international youth football tournament and continues to attract teams from around the world, including Japan, Jamaica and Mexico.
Various events have been taking place at the club to raise funds for the trip of lifetime for the youngsters to help keep the costs at a minimum for families, including a race night where almost £4,000 was raised and also a forthcoming ‘Sporting Lunch with Live Auction’ on Sunday, 3rd March, at the Ravelston Hotel in Musselburgh with guest speakers, former Motherwell FC player, John Gaughan and international referee, John Rowbotham. Tickets are £30 per person.
The football players, from high schools across the county, including Preston Lodge, Rosehill, North Berwick and Ross High, are appealing to businesses to help sponsor much-needed hoodies and rain jackets for the trip, to help them feel even more like a team on and off the pitch.
Pete Hardie, Team Coach and Secretary, said: “Taking the Under 15s Musselburgh Windsor Blues team to Holland in March is such a great experience for the boys and will provide memories of a lifetime as they get the opportunity to play with football players from around the world in their first-ever international tournament.
“We are continuing to raise funds as a club to keep costs down for families and would also like to appeal to businesses to help out by sponsoring hoodies and rain jackets, and join us at our fundraising lunch on the 3rdMarch at the Ravelston Hotel, which is guaranteed to be a fantastic afternoon with two brilliant guest speakers, former Motherwell FC player, John Gaughan and international referee, John Rowbotham, and a great opportunity to raise money at the same time.
“From everyone at the club, thanks to Forth Scaffolding Ltd for being our main kit sponsor, which is always appreciated.”
For sponsorship information or to purchase tickets for the Sporting Lunch on the 3rd March, please contact Pete Hardie on 07896 207209 or email – grolejac2001@hotmail.com.
The UK’s biggest cat charity Cats Protection has again welcomed the Pet Abduction Bill after it cleared another hurdle through parliament yesterday.
The Bill – proposed by Anna Firth MP – will give cats and their owners greater protection in law and help prevent pet theft.
Annabel Berdy, Senior Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection said: “This proposed law is a desperately needed safety net for the nation’s pets, helping to stamp out the criminals who prey on much-loved animals.
“Pet abduction is a particularly nasty crime, often leaving owners in permanent limbo about the fate of their pets and putting the animals themselves at high risk of mistreatment.
“Currently, the theft of an animal is regarded in law as being level with the theft of a mobile phone – and that is clearly not the case. Pets are not merely property – they are sentient beings, capable of suffering pain and fear, and are utterly irreplaceable to their owners.
“A new and specific offence will also enable police to build an accurate picture of pet theft across England and Northern Ireland by requiring a specific log, as opposed to the current situation where pet theft is recorded as property theft.”
The charity added that the new law would help tackle the backstreet market in purebred cats and kittens, driven by a growing demand for pedigrees.
Annabel said: “More than 40 per cent of all cats obtained in the last 12 months were pedigree, and criminals will no doubt capitalise on this demand. They may target pedigree cats for onward sale, or – if they’re unneutered – keep them as breeding animals to produce litter after litter of kittens to sell.
“We’re hugely encouraged to see the Pet Abduction Bill making such swift progress through parliament and will be working tirelessly with other animal charities and politicians to push it forwards. We cannot let this important opportunity to protect pets and owners slip through our hands.”
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has launched a petition to save the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion after SNP Ministers withdrew funding for a replacement hospital, for the second time in three years.
At FMQs last Thursday, Mr Briggs asked the First Minister about plans for the development of a new eye hospital for Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland. In response to Mr Briggs the First Minister stated that: “There is no doubting of course that the Eye Pavilion does need built”.
Following the original decision to withdraw funding for a replacement eye hospital, a significant campaigning effort led to the previous First Minister U-turning and reinstating funding for a replacement hospital.
The current eye pavilion is no longer fit for purpose with an extensive list of maintenance issues that the health board needs to keep on top of.
There has been no money spent on the existing Princess Alexandra Eye Hospital in the last year.
The current Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is a centre for excellence, which Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has said is at risk of being lost due to the mismanagement of budgets by SNP Ministers.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said :“It is completely unacceptable that SNP Ministers have removed funding for a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Hospital for the second time in two years.
“The current hospital is no longer fit for purpose and we need a new hospital to treat over 50,000 patients who attend the hospital every year.
“We are at risk of losing a centre of excellence in the South East of Scotland and future generations will have worse eye health due to this period of ineptitude by SNP Ministers.
“Please sign my petition for a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion to show the extent of public support for this funding to be reinstated.”
If you would like to support Mr Brigg’s petition to reinstate funding for a replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, you can find the petition here :
Yesterday (Thursday 1st February) at FMQs Miles Briggs MSP asked the First Minister:
Last year 59,240 patients attended the Princes Alexandra Eye Pavilion.
For a patient in Edinburgh or the Borders with a detached retina the need for urgent surgery is critical.
The Health Secretary has suggested that if the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion is not replaced then more surgery will be centralised to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Glasgow.
It would be unacceptable for emergency eye surgery to be centralised to Glasgow.
Can ask the First Minister if he and the Health Secretary will agree to urgently meet with Lothian MSPs to discuss the concerns that Ministers will now not commit to a new replacement Eye Hospital.
From 1st to 8th March, a group of seven friends – including wine experts, owners and chefs from some of the UK’s best restaurants – will cycle over 2700 km from Edinburgh to Rome, climbing over 27,000 meters in altitude, all in aid of Motor Neurone Disease charity ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’.
The cycle will begin at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium, continuing through London, rural France and trailing the Apennine mountains of Italy before descending into the group’s final destination at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Riding in a continuous relay, through the night, elements and mountains, the team aims to complete the cycle by 5pm on 8th March – which will require maintaining an average speed of 17mph.
Brought together by a mutual drive of raising vital funds and awareness of this degenerative, incurable disease, the team includes Edinburgh native and Berry Bros. & Rudd Senior Buyer Davy Żyw, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) five years ago aged 30.
Despite progressive onset of the condition, Żyw, a passionate cyclist, will join the team for the last leg of the journey from Sisteron to Rome. This is just one cycle undertaken by Żyw since his diagnosis: in 2020 he completed the North Coast 500 in just four days, and in 2022 he cycled the ‘High 5’, a 275 mile route over the five highest roads in Scotland, raising over £150,000.
Joining Żyw is his childhood friend James Porteous, owner of Edinburgh’s Electric Spirit Co; James Snowdon, owner of The Palmerston and co-owner of Lannan in Edinburgh; Seamus Sharkey, Head of Beverage at JKS restaurant group; Shaun Searley, Executive Chef at London’s Quality Chop House; Davy’s colleague at Berry Bros. & Rudd, Matt Jones, who has planned the entire route; and Dubai-based Greg Shevill who will be flying over to complete the challenge.
The cycle forms part of My Name’5 Doddie’s wider All Roads Lead to Rome campaign, with over 50,000 participants expected to take part throughout the year.
My Name’5 Doddie was set up by Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir who was diagnosed with MND in 2017, and later passed away in 2022. The charity is committed to a world free of MND and has already raised over £11m to support research projects and treatments – and ultimately work towards finding a cure. They also focus on raising awareness of the disease and being a voice for people with MND and their families.
Details for how to support the cycle can be found at:
Bringing together women with the condition, clinicians, researchers and support services, it will aim to discuss Polycystic Ovary Syndrome from the perspective of those diagnosed with it, and from the medical community.
The event will also highlight support that is currently available to those diagnosed with PCOS and consider new emerging research around it.
Mick Rae, Professor of Reproductive Biology at Edinburgh Napier, and event co-organiser said: “The aim of this event is to ensure PCOS is better understood, and more effectively supported.
“By teaming up with PCOS Relief, we hope to drive awareness, understanding and support for all dealing with the condition.”
Chand Kaur, Founder and Chief Executive of PCOS Relief, will be on the expert panel. She said: “We set up PCOS Relief to provide support to women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, while advancing education, equality, and dedicated support services.
“This is the first event of its kind that we have ever put on, so have high hopes that it will help us achieve those aims.”
Professor Colin Duncan, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine in Edinburgh and expert panel member, who will address clinical and diagnostic aspects of the condition, said: “Polycystic ovary syndrome is a very common condition that isn’t talked about enough.
“There are a lot of myths about PCOS and educational events such as this can highlight what we know already about this condition, and what we need to focus on in the future”.
Dr Kasia Siemienowicz, Lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, will also appear on the expert panel to discuss new PCOS findings emerging from Edinburgh-based research. She said: “In addition to the more widely known impacts upon fertility, those with PCOS are at increased risk of developing metabolic dysfunctions and obesity.
“These issues can pose significant health, well-being, and economic burdens. Therefore it is critical to better understand PCOS, and ultimately, to advance future treatments.”
Campus building photography 2020 by Student Ambassador Adriana-Iloana Cosma. Craiglockhart iecture theatre interior.
Professor Peter Barlow, Director of Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Biomedicine and Global Health said: “Public-facing events like this, where individuals can share their experience of PCOS with researchers, clinicians, and the wider public, can encourage more holistic approaches to PCOS care and research.
“As a multi-disciplinary group of scientists focused upon understanding origins and causes of disease, we are absolutely delighted to work with the charity PCOS Relief to support this effort.”
Professor Anna Glasier OBE, Women’s Health Champion for Scotland said: “PCOS affects women throughout the life course with symptoms often starting in the teenage years. PCOS does not go away.
“Although the menstrual symptoms disappear with the menopause, postmenopausal women who have PCOS are at increased risk of metabolic syndrome and heart disease.
“The Women’s Health platform on NHS Inform now provides a lot of information on PCOS including a short, helpful video explaining what it is and what treatments may be useful.
“This platform, together with meetings like this one will help women and healthcare providers have a greater understanding of PCOS.”
Event details:
Date: Thursday 7th March 2024
Time: 6pm – 8:30pm
Venue: Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, Edinburgh Napier University Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1DJ
The Scottish Government’s budget for 2024/25 has been set amidst a context of persistently high inflation, low growth and high interest rates amidst deep cuts to capital funding.
In its budget report published on Wednesday, Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee looks at the choices the Scottish Government has made, including on taxation.
Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said: “Significant pressure on Scotland’s public finances have presented difficult tax and spending decisions in the budget. Everybody recognises that.
“The Scottish Government priorities are based on delivering its three ‘missions’ of equality, opportunity and community. However, there was a great divergence in views from witnesses on what those priorities should be, with the focus understandably in areas where budgets will be reduced rather than increased.
“The committee is unclear how spending has been prioritised towards a fair, green and growing economy.
“Regarding taxation, there is uncertainty about the behavioural impact on taxpayers earning more than £75,000 per year and when there will be a fundamental review of the council tax.
“The Scottish Government needs to deliver long-term financial planning. At present it gives the impression that it’s procrastinating on important decision-making that would help the sustainability of Scotland’s public finances, albeit in the medium and longer-term.
“The Committee is also disappointed at continuing cuts to the capital budget by the UK Government which restricts the Scottish Government’s ability to invest in capital projects, achieving net zero and growing the economy.”
On public service reform Mr Gibson added: “The Scottish Government’s public service reform programme is critical to the sustainability of the Budget and ensuring effective delivery of public services.
“While the government has set out principles and objectives for its reform programme there are few other signs of progress. This is disappointing given the urgent need for reform.
“We need to see the government develop and deliver its reform programme at a quicker pace in the months and years to come.”
The report also says that the Scottish Government must explain why it has delayed:
First Minister chairs cross-party meeting on net zero
First Minister Humza Yousaf chaired a cross-party discussion on Scotland’s climate change ambitions at Holyrood yesterday.
Inviting party leaders to discuss how we can all address the climate crisis, the First Minister highlighted the Parliament’s shared goal of securing a future that is fair and just for all.
He urges all parties to lead and promote behaviour change from everyone in society.
Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the independent UK Climate Change Committee (CCC), presented information on where Scotland is in its journey to net zero.
Speaking ahead of yesterday’s meeting, the First Minister said: “Tackling the climate and nature crises is the collective fight of our lifetime, with implications for generations to come.
“The discussion will focus both on the challenges and opportunities we face in reaching net zero. We collectively made a commitment to deliver on net zero when Parliament backed the Act on a cross-party basis.
“There must be a recognition from across the political divide that we require bold action to tackle the scale of the climate crisis, and meet our ambitions on net zero.
“In addition to our Climate Change Plan, we are developing the first set of Just Transition Plans to set out how these changes impact different parts of society and how we can promote a fair path to a net zero and climate resilient Scotland.
“We will continue to implement net zero policies and deliver funding to where it is needed the most – with the highest impact.
“From today’s meeting, I am hopeful that we can continue to work together to implement net zero policies – thereby helping to create a better and more sustainable planet for us all.”
A record-breaking 11.5 million taxpayers submitted their Self Assessment tax returns for the 2022 to 2023 tax year by midnight on 31 January, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals.
More than 12.1 million taxpayers were expected to file a tax return and pay any tax owed. Of those that met their obligations by the deadline, 778,068 beat the clock to complete it on 31 January, including:
· 61,549 customers who filed between 16:00 and 16:59 – the peak hour for filing
· 32,958 customers who filed between 23:00 and 23:59
HMRC is urging anyone who missed the deadline to submit their tax return now. There is an interactive tool on GOV.UK to help customers with their return. Late filing and late payment penalties are charged for failure to meet the deadline.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:“Thank you to the millions of Self Assessment customers and agents who met the deadline.
“Anyone who has yet to file and is concerned that they cannot pay in full may be able to spread the cost of what they owe with a payment plan. Search ‘pay your Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”
The Self Assessment payment deadline was also 31 January, and anyone with outstanding tax to pay should do so as soon as possible.
A full list of payment options can be found on GOV.UK. There is also a video on YouTube that explains a customer’s Self Assessment tax bill and the different ways to pay.
Customers can plan ahead for their 2023 to 2024 tax bill and set up a regular payment plan to help spread the cost. HMRC’s Budget Payment Plan enables those who are up to date with previous payments to make regular weekly or monthly contributions towards their next tax bill.
A Budget Payment Plan is different from payments on account, which are usually due by midnight on 31 January and 31 July.
Taxpayers who file or pay late but have a reasonable excuse can appeal penalties on GOV.UK. HMRC has published interactive guidance to explain the process and signpost them to the correct course of action.
People should be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.
LAST weekend Leith Theatre rolled out its red carpet for an for an unforgettable celebration of the latest cohort from the BFI Film Academy Edinburgh and South East Scotland Short Course.
Screen Education Edinburgh learners spent the past few months working collaboratively towards their Preparing to Work in the Film Industry NCFE Level 2 qualification, while working together to write, direct and edit their own short films.
The result? Three phenomenal short films; “To Janice,” “To Be a Woman is To Be in Conflict,” and “I’ve Waited”, which we had the privilege of screening on the big screen at Leith Theatre.
Huge congratulations to all the learners for their outstanding films, hard work, and the remarkable stories they’ve brought to life. Your creativity and passion have left us inspired and delighted to be part of your undoubtedly incredible filmmaking journeys.
Thank you to