XL Bully dog owners have until 31 July to apply for an exemption certificate so they can continue to keep and legally own their dogs. Otherwise, you’ll be committing a criminal offence.
THE DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING!
Apply here: http://gov.scot/publications/xl-bully-dog-rules/pages/what-you-need-to-apply-for-an-exemption/
Thanks to The Flora Stevenson Primary School!
They successfully raised funds for ESUB during a recent uniform swap event. The initiative encouraged parents and students to donate gently used school uniforms, which were then made available for others to take at no cost.
The event not only promoted sustainability by recycling uniforms but also fostered a sense of solidarity within the community.
The funds raised will help the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank continue its essential work, providing assistance to families in need and ensuring that every child can attend school with confidence and dignity.
Thank You
Far too many MPs juggle multiple jobs alongside what should be their main job of representing their constituents and scrutinising legislation.
UNLOCK DEMOCRACY have written to the Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee with some recommendations:
https://unlockdemocracy.org.uk/our-letter-second-jobs
There’s already a fantastic buzz building across Edinburgh as the summer festival season starts to get into full swing. It’s undeniable that the festivals continue to be a central part of the fabric of our city.
They contribute year-round to our worldwide reputation as an outstanding destination and showcase our identity as a welcoming place to be, both for those of us lucky enough to live here and the millions who visit each year.
Edinburgh in August is a place like no other, with our residents and visitors enjoying access to thousands of outstanding performers and shows that we’d otherwise have to travel the world to find. From the Jazz and Blues Festival at the start of this month, through to the Fringe, Art, Film, Book, Tattoo and International festivals throughout August, we’re truly spoiled for choice here in the culture capital of the world.
Beyond the cultural benefits, it’s important also to remember just how important the festivals – and the tourism industry as whole – are to our economy. Tourism in Edinburgh sustains over 30,000 jobs, bringing in £2.7 billion worth of visitor spend each year, with the festivals alone supporting over 7,000 FTE jobs and contributing £407 million to our local economy. Beyond that, of course, it affords us, as residents, the choice of restaurants, bars, and other attractions that would simply not exist otherwise.
We do acknowledge, of course, that there is another side to this – for all the buzz we enjoy in August, it is also extremely busy – and we’re fully aware of our responsibility to manage this and find the right balance between the needs of our residents and visitors.
I was delighted, then, that following our long campaign to introduce a visitor levy, we’re now able work with the tourist industry and other partners to develop our plans, with a view to introducing a levy by early summer 2026 (following an 18-month mandatory stand still period).
This presents a major opportunity for us, generating millions of pounds in additional revenue to sustain and develop the city – just as so many other major cities already do so successfully – and to support and enhance our world class festivals. As an example, had a 5 per cent levy been in place over the weekend of Taylor Swift’s concerts, it would have generated an (estimated) additional £632,000.
With the city’s population effectively doubling during August, it’s important that we also consider short-term measures to keep the city moving. That’s why, we’ve re-introduced a series of changes in and around the Old Town, all designed to make our streets and pavements easier and safer to navigate.
Our transport partners are also doing what they can to help us get around smoothly and safely and I’m delighted that, once again, Edinburgh Trams will be operating an all-night service every weekend throughout August, while Lothian Buses will be offering additional on-street support during busy periods.
Alongside our festival season this summer, we’re also eagerly anticipating the launch of Edinburgh 900 – a celebration of nine centuries of our shared history and traditions as a Royal Burgh.
With the programme launching next week, we can look forward to 18 months of community and other events, shining a light on the wonderful and often colourful history of our fantastic city, and on the people and communities who’ve helped make our city what it is today.
I do hope that, like me, you’re looking forward to another fantastic August here in Edinburgh, the best city in the world.
A big-hearted schoolboy who visited 50 police stations in all divisions across Scotland in a month to raise money for charity completed his adventure yesterday – with a surprise promotion from the Chief Constable!
Anthony Green, six, visited his local station in Glenrothes, Fife, on the final leg of his journey.
Throughout July, Anthony has visited over 50 police stations and raised almost £2000 for the Police Benevolent Fund.
Officers from across Scotland welcomed Anthony and his parents, for his road trip which has seen him board a helicopter, a boat, been given tours of police stations and also meet a station cat.
As part of Anthony’s trip, officers gave him an investigation to track down missing pieces from a jigsaw puzzle which were scattered across Scotland after falling from Santa’s sleigh last Christmas.
He collected the missing pieces from each station on his travels and was welcomed back to Glenrothes to complete his puzzle by the officers he visits most days through his love of policing.
Anthony has worked his way through the ranks from starting out as a Special Constable back in 2022, to being promoted today by Chief Constable Jo Farrell to the role of Deputy Chief Constable.
In addition, Anthony’s father Will is considering applying to become a Special Constable following his engagement with police officers and seeing first-hand the work they do.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “It’s an absolute honour to promote Anthony to my Deputy today following his excellent fundraising efforts.
“It was quite a commitment for Anthony and his family to undertake the task of visiting over 50 police stations during this month for such a great charity.
“I am delighted to present him with his completed jigsaw puzzle and to let him know that we are all hugely proud of his efforts.
“It is great that his dad is now considering a valuable role as a Special Constable and hopefully we will see Anthony back in uniform as a recruit in the future.”
Special Invitation for NEA Ordinary and Youth Members! 
We’re excited to invite local families to a special preview performance of The Show for Young Men!
Date: Wednesday 31 July, 11am
Location: PASS Theatre @ Edinburgh College (Granton Campus)
350 West Granton Road Edinburgh EH5 1QE
This captivating production by GuestHouse Projects, presented in association with Imaginate UK, is directed by Eoin McKenzie in collaboration with award-winning dancer Robbie Synge and young performer Alfie from Forthview Primary School.
Designed for young audiences aged 8+, The Show For Young Men considers familiar and unexpected ideas about men and friendship, forging a space where a more compassionate and caring mode of masculinity can exist.
Find out more and book your spot: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/938511401867
Learn more about NEA membership and sign up: https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/membership/
Audiences are invited to ignite their festival season with Edinburgh International Festival’s Opening Event: Where to Begin, set to light up the grounds of George Heriot’s in the heart of the Scottish capital on 2, 3 and 4 August in response to this year’s Festival theme: Rituals That Unite Us.
Tickets are now available on Festival’s website.
Blending immersive installations, performance, spectacular video projections and captivating storytelling, Where to Begin is the perfect opening to the city’s festival season.
Released today are stills from the projections designed by UK’s leading creative production company, Pinwheel, giving the audiences a taster of the spectacular event they can expect.
It is also announced that “One of the finest singer-songwriters in Britain” (The Guardian), Karine Polwart features on a new track commissioned for Where to Begin, composed by Roma Yagnik with lyrics by Davey Anderson and Simon Sharkey. Listen to a snippet of the song here.
An Edinburgh International Festival production, created by Pinwheel and in partnership with The Macallan, Where to Begin transforms an iconic Edinburgh location into the epicentre of creative power, exploring the myths and rituals which shaped the country, the capital and its festivals.
These include the process of whisky making and the warm welcome visitors to the city received in 1947 thanks to the private donations of coal rations by Edinburgh residents which were used to light up Edinburgh Castle during the first ever Edinburgh International Festival.
Clinical trials to accelerate research into treating chronic kidney disease will be strengthened as a result of a new partnership between the Scottish Government, academia and industry.
NHS Scotland, AstraZeneca and the Universities of Dundee and Glasgow will work together on new medicines to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, reducing the risk that patients might need dialysis or kidney transplantation.
The partnership will allow for development of new treatments to treat chronic kidney disease, build infrastructure and enhance expertise in renal clinical trial delivery in Scotland with the key aim of improving patient outcomes.
Preventing progression of the disease allows people to live longer, better lives, free from other consequences of the condition such as heart failure, cardiovascular disease and stroke. This allows people to work, contribute to their communities and economy, while reducing pressure on the NHS.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, said: “This project’s ‘triple helix’ approach is a shining example of how collaboration between the NHS, Scottish Government, academia and industry can accelerate health studies. As we navigate the complex issue of chronic kidney disease, our commitment to patient-centred research remains unwavering.
“Together we can advance targeted studies into medicines that slow progression of the disease and reduce the need for dialysis or transplantation, strengthen our workforce through dedicated research fellows and specialised training, provide greater opportunities for patients, and enable Scotland to attract and deliver more innovative trials.”
Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Chief Scientist (Health) at Scottish Government said: “I welcome this partnership with AstraZeneca which builds upon the excellent research infrastructure and expertise we have in Scotland, to drive the development of new treatments for chronic kidney disease.
“We must all work together to improve the outcomes and life circumstances for people living with kidney disease; and this partnership enables the fusion of medical expertise, knowledge, and insight from across NHS, academia, and industry.”
Tom Keith-Roach, AstraZeneca UK President, said: “Scotland is setting a bold ambition to change the trajectory of chronic kidney disease. We are thrilled to invest in a partnership with the University of Glasgow, the University of Dundee, and the Scottish Government to speed up the study of three potential new combination medicines to treat this disease.
“The triple helix of industry, academia and NHS Scotland is a powerful force with the potential to transform care and outcomes for people.
“Furthermore, we believe Scotland is well placed to collaborate with AstraZeneca to shape our research on the world stage across a number of disease areas and attract investment to the country’s thriving Life Science sector.”
Scotland’s largest outdoor shopping centre, Fort Kinnaird, is on the lookout for local performers to step into the spotlight as part of its inaugural Summer Live event.
Taking place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2nd August – 18th August between 12-5pm, the centre is giving all type of performers from musicians, dancers and actors, to uplifting choirs, spoken word poets and solo singers the chance to showcase their talents to hundreds of local people.
The Summer Live stage will be set up near Hotel Chocolat, with a seating area for visitors to enjoy acts, and performers will be allocated a 30-minute time slot.
Fort Kinnaird is also partnering with East Lothian Arts Service – a council run programme supporting the arts – to host a series of workshops and performances from local community groups across the three weekends.
This will include sessions from The Brunton’s Performing Arts Network, East Lothian Youth Music Forum (ELJam), Sistema and Tinderbox Collective. Separately there will also be a variety of performances from The Theatre School of Scotland.
And as part of the centre’s commitment to supporting the arts, Fort Kinnaird will also be donating £1,000 to Tinderbox Collective to support an ongoing initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries, so people can borrow them for free – just like taking out a book – which is currently operated locally within Craigmillar and Moredun libraries.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “With a series of city-centre events hosting Edinburgh’s talent across the summer, we wanted to get involved to support even more local performers and groups to share their talent with the local community.
“We also hope our donation to Tinderbox Collective will help more people discover or continue to pursue their musical talents.
“We’re incredibly excited for our first ever Summer Live event. If you would like to take part, or even just find out more information, we’d encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible as we expect the line-up to fill up pretty quickly.”
Fancy taking part? All you need to do is contact info@fortkinnaird.com with the following:
For more information visit: Got talent? Take part in Summer Live | Fort Kinnaird Shopping in Edinburgh
To plan your day out and find the full list of stores and restaurants at Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com
*Please note that all electrical equipment must be PAT tested.
