Long-serving Spartans youth players have been presented with medals to mark 10 years of service to the club.
The group belong to the current Under-17s set-up, having first joined not long after starting primary school.
Les Atkinson is chairman of the youth section and said: “We want to make people feel welcome and create a safe place for them to play their football and enjoy themselves here. It’s the ethos of the club which we work on and testimony to that is the length of time people stay at the club.
“There is a real family feel to the club, a community spirit to it, and that helps keep players with us as they want to be part of something special.
“We are always pleased to develop players so they can move to bigger clubs but often they come back to us if things don’t work out for whatever reason.”
Spartans take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the quarter-final of the League Cup later this month and Les, who is also manager of the Under-20 Development Squad, added: “We have a visible pathway now which the youngsters can see. At least half a dozen of the first team players have come through the youth section to the U20 development squad and into the top team.
“Now we are in the SPFL, the players have a real target to aim for. The success of the first team filters down to the development team and then through the youth section and creates a real feel-good factor.
“But we have always been about more than just football and winning trophies. A key part of our success is doing a lot outwith the football, helping the local community.”
The youngsters were presented with the medals at half-time of a recent league match at Ainslie Park.
Photo shows back row (l-r): Les Atkinson (Spartans FC Youth Chairman), Stuart Gray (coach development officer), Daniel Weir, Cameron Findlay, Joe Barry, Josh Smith, Ola Benson, Michael Kiddie, Ford Mills, Tony Lewis (U17s coach), Paul Woods (U17s coach).Front row (l-r): Hugo Boyle, Charlie Cusiter, Preston Kennedy, Joe Woods, Ben Lewis, Finlay McNally, Chris Mill.
The Home Secretary convenes ministers and law enforcement partners to destroy the gangs that undermine border security and risk lives on small boats
The Home Secretary will convene a landmark operational summit of cabinet ministers and law enforcement partners today (Friday 6 September), as she sets out the moral imperative to destroy the criminal smuggling gangs making millions out of small boat crossings.
Her comments come after the horrific tragedy in the Channel this week that saw the deaths of at least 12 people, with others reported to be still in a critical condition.
The Home Secretary will be joined at the NCA headquarters in London by ministers including the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Attorney General Lord Hermer, as well as representatives from the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) is deploying formidable covert capability to support the NCA to penetrate and dismantle the gangs at every level of operation – from facilitators to financiers.
UKIC will also attend this landmark meeting, which will set out the progress being made on intensifying the enforcement activity aimed at disrupting, intercepting and destroying the criminal network moving people, boats and engines into Europe and across the continent to the French coastline.
Ministers and law enforcement partners will examine the findings from the analysis commissioned by the Home Secretary on the operational capabilities of the criminal smuggling gangs. Discussion will also be focused on collaboration with European enforcement agencies, including Europol, and plans will be put forward to rapidly enhance this through the government’s new Border Security Command in the coming months.
NCA Director General Graeme Biggar will highlight how close co-operation with the Bulgarian authorities and an established NCA presence in that critical transit country has led to more than 40 small boats and engines being intercepted in recent weeks. This material, now removed from the smuggling supply chain, could have enabled up to 2,400 people to attempt the deadly crossing.
He will also set details of around 70 further live investigations, including:
working with the Libyan police to target gangs trafficking migrants through Libya, with raids on warehouses where migrants are housed, often in appalling conditions, before making their onward journey to Europe
collaboration with French authorities to investigate the death of a woman killed in an overloaded boat on 28 July
This meeting led by the Home Secretary comes as she spoke to her French counterpart, Gérald Darmanin, this week to discuss increased co-operation to dismantle the gangs.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Exploiting vulnerable people is at the heart of the business model of these despicable criminal smuggling gangs. Women and children were packed into an unsafe boat which literally collapsed in the water this week.
“At least 12 people were killed as part of this evil trade. We will not rest until these networks have been dismantled and brought to justice.
“The last two months has seen encouraging progress, with significant seizures of boats and equipment in Europe. But there is work to do, and the Border Security Command will bring all the relevant bodies together to investigate, arrest and prosecute these networks, as well as deepen our ties with key international partners.
“At the same time, we are swiftly removing those with no right to be in the UK, which will ensure we have a fair, firm and functioning asylum system where the rules are respected and enforced.”
NCA Director General Graeme Biggar said: “People smuggling puts lives in mortal danger.
“As well as arresting suspects and seeing our investigations lead to convictions and sentences, we’re operating around the world to disrupt the perpetrators. This includes helping seize more than 410 small boats and engines since last spring, preventing thousands of crossings.
“Tackling the callous criminals behind organised immigration crime is one of the NCA’s highest priorities. We continue to expand our activity to deliver ever greater impact against the threat.”
In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has led a ‘reset’ in the relationship with Europe, with work to increase security co-operation and tackle illegal migration at the heart. This has already led to a 50 per cent uplift in the number of NCA officers stationed in Europol, working on organised immigration crime.
Last week, the Home Secretary announced an additional 100 specialist investigators to disrupt people smuggling globally. In addition to the Europol presence, the NCA has enhanced its international liaison officer network, responsible for cracking down on criminal networks in specific areas.
A new post is open in Austria and officers are being permanently deployed to Romania. Headcount is also increasing in South East Asia, in key countries where gangs are advertising Channel crossings. These are just the first steps of an intensification of the UK’s international law enforcement and bilateral partnership arrangements and serves as a platform for Border Security Command operations.
The tragedy off the French coast on Tuesday 3 September highlights the increasingly extreme measures the gangs are willing to contemplate, as more people are crammed into less seaworthy vessels. It has been reported that most of those who died were women and children.
Intelligence reveals smugglers have also increased the price they charge for migrants to cross the Channel, including charging for children to get into boats, as the business model comes under pressure from UK and partner law enforcement.
Former Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings has confirmed his wife Jenny has been missing since disappearing while wild swimming at Wardie Bay on Tuesday afternoon.
HM Coastguard was alerted to Jenny Hastings’ disappearance shortly before 3pm but despite a swift and thorough response by emergency services she could not be found. The search was stood down on Tuesday evening.
Jenny Hastings has struggled with her mental health for a number of years and police are treating the incident as a ‘high risk missing person case’.
Astatement issued on behalf of the family says:
The Hastings family are absolutely heart broken.
Jenny and Scott have a huge following of friends from all walks of life including those that work in the media and we ask that at this moment in time we are allowed to grieve privately with family members.
For the time being we request that you hold off from messaging us directly and/or posting on any social media until further news.
We know that you all care for us deeply and as soon as we hear any update from the police we will advise you accordingly.
We miss our Jenny. She leaves a gaping hole in all our hearts and hope that she is returned to us safely so that we can celebrate her remarkable life.
Social media marketing experts reveal six things to consider when taking the perfect photo
Finding the best spot is key, so embrace natural light, avoid harsh sources, and face the light at eye level to prevent unflattering shadows
Create a flattering photo by posing at a 45-degree angle, look up with the camera at eye level, and hold your arms slightly away from your body while creating triangles with your pose
With approximately five billion photos taken daily worldwide and a trend toward natural looks, many people are looking for ways to capture the perfect picture without relying on editing.
Social media marketing experts at Viralyft have identified six top methods for taking a flawless photo, so you can skip the filters and Photoshop.
Lighting
Step one is to find the perfect spot to take your picture and this means finding the best lighting. The are two key things to remember: one is to embrace natural light and steer clear from harsh lighting like computer screens, bright light bulbs or harsh sunlight. The second thing to remember is to make sure you face the light and adjust the camera until the light is hitting around eye-level; this is to avoid creating any unflattering shadows, such as dark circles under the eyes.
Strike a Pose
There are some simple adjustments you can make to your posing that can make all the difference when it comes to taking a flattering or an unflattering photo.
One is to position your body at a 45-degree angle to the camera as opposed to facing it fully; it is incredibly slimming and adds interest.
A couple of other key tricks to striking a becoming pose are to hold your arms slightly away from your body and to create triangles with your body, such as putting your hand on your hip or playing with a strand of hair.
Backgrounds
You don’t have to be on an exotic beach or a snowy mountain top to create the perfect background. Intriguing backgrounds can be found anywhere, from your house to your local park. Choosing a lighter background with fewer distractions can lighten your features and makes sure your face stands out.
Make use of phone and camera features
While it’s easier to use your front camera for selfies, the camera on the back of your phone is much more powerful, creating a much higher quality and professional looking photo. And don’t forget to take advantage of features such as portrait mode which can often be used on both your front and rear-facing cameras, such as with the iPhone.
The grid that can be displayed on the camera screen of most smartphones is another great tool for creating aesthetically pleasing photos. This allows you to create pictures according to the classic composition technique of the rule of thirds, which states that your subject should be off-centre for a more engaging photo.
No digital zooming allowed
Optical zoom, which relies on the physical adjustment of lenses, preserves image quality when zooming in, resulting in sharp and detailed photos. However, digital zoom, which is the type of zoom a smartphone uses, is convenient but typically reduces quality by digitally enlarging the existing image. So, the best options are either moving closer to your subject or a camera with adjustable lenses.
Be careful using your flash
Flashes are far inferior to other forms of lighting such as natural light or a ring light as they are often situated too close to the lens to create flattering light and the bulb is an LED, which creates an unnatural blue tinge.
“These contribute to the red eyes, squinting eyes and harsh, bleached out effect that are regular consequences of flash taken photos. Some current-generation smartphones have significantly improved the multi-shot HDR capabilities, particularly Google Pixel phones which boast an impressive low-light feature known as Night Sight.
“If it’s dark and flash is the only option, play around with angles until you find one that works best for you, but your best bet is to just turn if off in most situations.
Thomas Moore, Director of Viralyft, commented:“With photo-sharing and video-sharing apps like TikTok and Instagram having gained extreme popularity over the past few years, photoshopping has become so prevalent that the line between fiction and reality has become truly blurred.
“But with this rise in photoshopping has come an increase in expertise and knowledge, which has created edit investigators who can spot an altered photo when they see it. And there are now even fake image detectors, which can say whether an image has been changed.
“Therefore, a demand for the natural and unedited has also risen, and many celebrities have joined in the trend that promotes body positivity.”
The city council is to repair the road surfaces and drainage on the A8 at Glasgow Road and the Ingliston interchange to improve driving conditions and enhance road safety.
Work will start on Monday 16 September and is expected to finish in March 2025.
Each phase of work will be split into two parts:
Drainage improvement work. This will take place between Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am – 3.30pm.
Road resurfacing work. This will take place overnight between Mondays and Fridays from 7.30pm – 6.30am.
Phase 1: 16 September 2024 – 25 October 2024 A8 Eastbound – from Ingliston Interchange North West slip-road To Gogar Roundabout.
Phase 2: 28 October 2024 – 15 November 2024 Glasgow Road – From Gogar Roundabout to Maybury Road.
Phase 3: 18 November 2024 – 29 November 2024 Ingliston Interchange North East slip road.
Phase 4: 6 January 2025 – March 2025 Ingliston Interchange dumbbells and remaining slip roads.
Work will temporarily stop between 30 November and 5 January to minimise disruption during the busy festive period.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “We’re committed to keeping Edinburgh moving and making sure our roads are properly maintained and serviced. This is why we’re carrying out this major work on the A8 through the autumn and into the New Year.
“Whilst there may be some disruption whilst work is ongoing, this is a key arterial road and it’s essential that we make these repairs.
“I’d like to thank all road users for their patience during this time.
“I’m also conscious that this was one of the key issues raised by our residents in the recent Budget Engagement Consultation. We’re listening and fixing the roads.”
Set to launch from September 3rd, Gravity Active is excited to introduce two brand new offers, set to provide families with unforgettable experiences this Autumn. Enjoy both the Family Tickets and Gravity Rocks offers and get ready to make exhilarating memories!
Whether bouncing on trampolines, tackling an obstacle course, or climbing to new heights, Family Tickets offer the perfect opportunity for families to bond and stay active together.
Designed for groups of four, five, or six, these tickets offer families incredible value for money, with tickets starting at just £40.95 for a family of four. Available all day Monday to Thursday, and after 4pm on weekends, Family Tickets make it easy to enjoy quality time together, no matter how busy your schedule.
These one hour sessions, priced at £12.50 per person during term time, offer a fun and challenging activity for climbers of all ages. Whether as an after-school treat or a weekend adventure, Gravity Rocks is the perfect way to stay active and have fun.
Harvey Jenkinson, Co-Founder and CEO of Gravity, commented: “We are thrilled to continue to introduce new and exciting offers to our Gravity Active sites.
“The Family Tickets offer provides incredible value, making it easier than ever for families to bond, stay active, and enjoy quality timetogether. And with the launch of Gravity Rocks, there are even more opportunities for families to challenge themselves and create lasting memories.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to Gravity Active for an unforgettable experience this Autumn.”
One in 100 deaths worldwide are connected to suicide. In Scotland, that accounts for over 700 people a year and three-quarters of these are men.
A new BBC ALBA Trusadh documentary, Big Boys Don’t Cry, will air during National Suicide Awareness Week on Monday 9 September at 9pm with presenter Derek ‘Pluto’ Murray meeting people whose lives have been affected by mental health struggles and suicide.
Professor Rory O’Connor from the University of Glasgow, is Professor of Health Psychology, Director of the ‘Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory’, and leads research into suicide and self-harm.
Discussing the support available, Professor O’Connor says: “We did some work recently looking at trying to understand male suicide specifically and one of the messages that came back time and time again was that the services and support out there are not tailored to their needs.
“We have this traditional model of expecting men to go to clinical services; well, that might work for some people, but what about actually going to places that men are? Why don’t we go to places like football clubs, rugby clubs, the shinty club, whatever it might be, and use that as a mechanism of support?”
This is particularly important in a rural context. Professor O’Connor continues:
“We’re trying to make sense of why the suicide rates are particularly high there. Part of that is linked to access to services, and part of that is linked to the fact that if you live in rural communities, the likelihood of being socially isolated is increased.
“There’s also this idea people talk about of ‘living in a fish bowl’, that you’re less likely to talk about your emotions, your feelings, or if there’s problems going on in your life because you’re concerned about what your neighbours or friends might think.
“Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, it’s not a sign of weakness, so we need to engrain that in our young people. But we also need to ensure that the services and support out there is tailored to these men.”
Patrick Mullery from the ‘James Support Group’ explains: “We offer support – monthly meetings in various locations. There’s 10 actually, all the way from Thurso down to Fort William, across to Elgin, Inverness and lots of places in between.
“It’s a group setting, it’s specifically for people who are bereaved by a suicide but also for people who have suicidal thoughts. We bring those two types of people together for mutual support and understanding – the hope is that people who have suicidal thoughts will see the devastation that is left behind in an attempt to give them another barrier to stop them going that extra step.
“To actually just make them stay with us and realise that they are loved and they would be missed.
“We’ve all got emotions and we have to break the stigma around poor mental health and about suicide. Boys can cry and the best thing to do for yourself, if you’re in a bad place, is talk about it. Unfortunately, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
In Glasgow, Derek visits Drumchapel-based charity ‘Men Matter Scotland’ to find out more about their approach to offering support and how they have created a safe place for men to visit.
From street outreach to the facilities available at the welcoming hub, the team hope to build a self-sustaining and secure model that can be shared with other parts of Scotland.
Vice chair D I Brown says: “What is most important is that people talk. If people don’t start to speak about this, it will be hidden and more men will die from suicide. I’d say that people need to open up and be open.”
“We all have a role that we can play in preventing suicide. Anything we can do, no matter how big or small – a WhatsApp message, a text message, a phone call – anything that reaches out to someone who might be struggling, that sense of connection could be potentially lifesaving.
“I would encourage everybody and anybody, if you’re concerned about a loved one, a friend, a colleague, please reach out… That sense of human connection could save a life.”
Filmed and produced by Stornoway-based MacTV, Big Boys Don’t Cry premieres on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayeron Monday 9 September at 9pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles).
Encourage your pre-school child to get active from an early age by signing them up for Play & Try coached activities.
As the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, Edinburgh Leisure is well-placed to encourage your child to reach their full potential, help them build confidence, learn skills, and meet friends at the city’s largest sports and leisure provider.
Edinburgh Leisure is offering a taster week from 13th – 19th September where new and existing customers can come and try coached activities for under 5s for £3.00 per session. Tailored for little ones, from babies to pre-schoolers, these fun and engaging sessions are all about having a blast while exploring the first steps into various sports.
Classes include Gym and Jump, Gym Nippers, Swim Baby, Swim Nippers, Swim Toddler, Pre-School Dry Dive Gym, Jump Into Sport, Football Mini Kickers and Kick Starters. Sessions will be offered at Ainslie Park, Drumbrae, Gracemount, Kirkliston and the Royal Commonwealth Pool and are suitable for babies and toddlers.
For those that loved the taster sessions, parents can sign up their child/children for a coaching course at the venue on the same day, with the September fee waived.*
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. And it’s never too early to start.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has announced a review of Creative Scotland to ensure its operations and structure are optimal to the needs of the culture sector, as part of this year’s Programme for Government.
The review, which will be the first since the public body’s establishment in 2010, will examine Creative Scotland’s remit and functions as a funding body, and how the overall impact of planned increases in levels of public funding can be maximised to support sustainability in the sector and in participation in the arts.
Full details of the review and its process will be set out to parliament in the near future, and will include seeking views from individuals and organisations from all parts of Scotland’s culture sector.
The Culture Secretary also confirmed that following a period of necessary due diligence, Creative Scotland had now received funding previously allocated to it in the 2024/25 Scottish budget, including £1.8 million for youth music, and £6.6 million that will allow its Open Fund to be re-opened.
Mr Robertson said: “Scotland’s culture is world-renowned and it remains integral to our nation and our economy. Over the past 14 years, Creative Scotland has had a significant role in supporting that role, distributing £65 million of public funding in the last year alone.
“With the sector having faced a number of new and enduring challenges since then, the time is now right for us to ensure Creative Scotland’s remit and functions remain relevant, in line with our commitments to invest at least £100 million more annually in the arts and culture by 2028-29, and to continuous improvement across all our public bodies.
“It is routine for public bodies to undergo reviews throughout their lifetime, and while that process is ongoing we are clear that we expect the organisations involved to take forward their business as usual.
“Creative Scotland is no different and they will be carrying on with their important work throughout.
“In the meantime I’m pleased to confirm release of £1.8 million to Creative Scotland for youth music, and another £6.6 million, which includes £3 million towards its Open Fund and £1 million for Screen Scotland.”
“We welcome the continued commitment to provide an additional £100m in funding for Culture and will work with the Scottish Government on the effective allocation of that funding, to the benefit of culture and creativity in Scotland.
“We also welcome today’s confirmation of £6.6m, originally committed to Creative Scotland by the Scottish Government at the start of this financial year, reinstating budget removed in the previous year.
“We continue to see unprecedented levels of demand for the Open Fund for Individuals and will process the high volume of applications we have received. With the budget now confirmed, we will work to re-open this fund.
“We are sure today’s confirmation of the release of this funding will be welcomed by the creative community of Scotland.”
