Following several incidents across the city where drivers have been unsure if they left their vehicles locked, here are a range of options which will make stealing your car or its contents more difficult, especially if several are combined – to make stealing slow, noisy and difficult.
• Physically check the vehicle doors are locked before walking away.
• Do not leave keys near windows or doors – aids relay theft and quicker for thieves to locate them.
• If your car is ‘keyless’ keep the key device in a ‘Faraday pouch’ or metal tin which prevents it receiving or transmitting radio signals to and from the car.
• If you buy a second-hand keyless car, get the key reprogrammed.
• Make sure the key and any spares are stored securely.
• Consider fitting a lock to the On-Board Diagnostic port (OBD), to prevent keys being easily reprogrammed.
• Use a steering wheel lock.
• Fit a pedal box, which encases the driving pedals in a high visibility secure box.
• Fit a parking bollard to your driveway to prevent thieves easy driving your car away.
• Prevent thieves obtaining your car keys via good home security – lights, alarms, quality door and window locks.
• When parking in the street try and find a location that is well light and if possible covered by CCTV.
For further advice follow the link…….. https://orlo.uk/E0zNd or contact the crime prevention team via edinburghpreventionandintervention@scotland.police.uk
Please report any suspicious behaviour or incidents to Police on 101 or 999.
The Capital is once again searching for a worthy recipient of the coveted Edinburgh Award. Nominations for this year are open NOW.
Since 2007, this accolade has honoured individuals who have made remarkable and lasting contributions to the city, putting Edinburgh firmly on the national and global map.
The Edinburgh Award celebrates those whose outstanding achievements have enriched our capital and showcased it to the world. Past recipients have included extraordinary musicians, bestselling authors, pioneering scientists, human rights activists, and top-tier athletes – all of whom have left an indelible mark on Edinburgh’s legacy – and all have a cast of their handprints imprinted in flagstones in front of the City Chambers.
In 2024, the Edinburgh Award was presented to Mel Young MBE, a visionary leader who has transformed lives through the Homeless World Cup. The global initiative now spans 70 countries, empowering over 100,000 homeless individuals annually.
Mel’s co-founding of the Big Issue in Scotland in1993 and leadership as Chair of Sportscotland between 2016 and 2024 also exemplify his profound impact on the city.
Edinburgh has four weeks to cast nominations for the 2025 award, before a recipient is selected by the Civic Awards Committee.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge has urged individuals and businesses to nominate someone for the Award: “Edinburgh’s global influence over the last two centuries is thanks to the exceptional character, achievements, and excellence of our citizens.
“The Edinburgh Award gives us a chance to honour the individual whose work continues to make Edinburgh the extraordinary city we all know and love. I am continually inspired by the way Edinburgh’s people support one another, and this award reflects that community spirit.
“We are now in the 19th edition of the Edinburgh Award, and I invite everyone to nominate someone who has truly made a difference to our city. Now is your chance to help identify the next individual to be celebrated with the Edinburgh Award 2025”
Nominations opened yesterday (Monday 14 April) and close at 12 noon on Friday 16 May 2025.
RAC is predicting a ‘hat-trick of hold-ups’ as around 2.7m trips are planned on Thursday 18th, Good Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April
Delays of over an hour likely around London and routes to and from the West Country
This year’s Easter bank holiday weekend could be the busiest since 2022 – the first full getaway after COVID lockdowns – with more than 19m leisure journeys planned, according to a new study of drivers’ getaway plans by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX.*
Research suggests traffic will be equally severe on Thursday 18th, Good Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April with drivers planning around 2.7m trips every day during that period.
The number of trips planned drops slightly on Easter Sunday to 2.5m, before increasing again to a further 2.7m on bank holiday Monday as millions of people return home – ahead of most school terms beginning the next day.
A further 6.2m journeys are anticipated at some point over the Easter bank holiday weekend, but drivers planning these trips are still unsure exactly when they’ll travel – with the notorious British weather likely to be a big factor.
INRIX expect Thursday 17th to be the worst day for traffic when jams are likely to increase by nearly a third (30%) more than usual. On this day, INRIX are predicting delays of more than an hour on the 35-mile anti-clockwise stretch of the M25 between J7 for Gatwick Airport and J16 for the M40 to the West Midlands, around 11:45am. The M6 north of Chester and M25 clockwise towards Godstone in Surrey could also see long delays in the evening.
Meanwhile, on Good Friday, the lengthiest hold-ups are expected between 11am to 1pm, meaning drivers are advised to start their trips as early as possible in the morning or delay them until later in the afternoon.
Two popular routes to the West Country – the A303 westbound to Stonehenge and the M5 southbound between J15 at the RAC tower north of Bristol and J23 for Bridgwater – could be affected by some of the longest jams, with journey times extending to 43 minutes and one hour 20 minutes respectively – more than half as long as usual.
For those returning from the West Country on Easter Monday 21st April, delays of nearly an hour (58 minutes) are expected around 2:30pm on the M5 northbound between J25 for Taunton and J16 at the RAC tower.
Elsewhere, the M25 anticlockwise between J4 from Bromley and the Dartford Crossing will be hit with queues at lunchtime, with journeys taking over half an hour longer than normal.
Interactive embeddable version of this map available here
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “The late bank holiday weekend clashes with the end of the Easter break for many schools – which we think will change the nature of this year’s getaway.
“Although journey numbers are still very high, we’re anticipating more day trips and weekend breaks than people heading off on one and two-week stints, reflected by INRIX’s predictions that the worst delays will be along routes from Gatwick to the rest of the country. This could lead to a ‘hat-trick of hold-ups’ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as drivers visit family and friends.
“But while getaway journeys may be shorter in length, we’re still expecting to see extremely high levels of traffic from Thursday onwards, with the greatest number of Easter getaway trips planned for three years.
“Drivers shouldn’t expect to escape the queues if they don’t plan the best time to set off. It’s always best to travel as early as possible in the morning or later in the day when most of the traffic has eased, especially if headed to popular holiday destinations such as the West Country, Scotland or Wales.
“The Easter bank holiday is always a busy time for our patrols, but motorists can often avoid breaking down altogether if they make sure their cars are road-ready before setting off. An RAC Mobile Mechanic can service or repair your vehicle at home or work, eliminating the need to get to a garage.
“Despite the predicted jams and weather set to be cooler than it was for many of us last week – the one silver lining for anyone getting away could be lower fuel prices. All the talk of trade tariffs has pushed oil prices down, which should lead to lower petrol and diesel prices at the pumps if retailers pass the savings on.”
National Highways’ traffic contraflow system, ‘Operation Brock’, will still be in place throughout the Easter weekend until 22nd April, with lorries travelling to the Port of Dover being directed to a specific lane at Junction 8 of the M20.
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said “Thanks to the hard work of our operational team, our French and UK partners, and the travelling public, we’ve seen strong passenger numbers move smoothly through the port this Easter break.
“Looking ahead to the bank holiday weekend, we’re forecasting a busy day on Thursday when we expect around 5,000 cars, and Friday 18th with around 5,500 cars heading on their holidays from early morning until lunchtime. We’d like to remind passengers to travel to the port by the main routes only and arrive no more than two hours ahead of their scheduled sailing.
“The launch of the coach trip pre-registration system during this busy Easter travel period, has also contributed to a more efficient experience, with ferry operators reporting that nearly a third of school groups have utilised it.”
For drivers planning a long Easter getaway journey, the RAC advises booking an appointment with one of its Mobile Mechanics. RAC Mobile Mechanics can complete services and repairs on the driveway or at a place of work, giving drivers peace of mind before they leave the house.
Interactive embeddable version of this map available here
Former Capital Radio presenter and Love Island star, Laura Anderson, swapped the beaches of Dubai for sunkissed Troon beach on Friday (11 April) as she launched Equi’s limited edition Dubai Chocolate ice cream.
The indulgent creamy ice cream is made with a chocolate base and is layered with delicious pistachio ripple and crunchy kataifi pastry pieces throughout. Over 41 parlours across Scotland are stocking the latest edition to Equi’s flavour wheel. From Aberdeen to Edinburgh and Glasgow to Largs more than 4000 scoops have been delivered in time for the weekend.
Laura Anderson said: “Everyone knows Dubai is one of my favourite places in the whole world.
“Dubai Chocolate has always been a staple every time I visit and to have it available as an ice cream is like complete heaven.”
Equis’s ice cream new product
Laura Anderson – love island.
David Equi, owner of South Lanarkshire based Equi’s said: “Having lived in Dubai for ten years and making frequent visits back, we knew Laura was perfect to launch our new ice cream flavour.
“With Dubai Chocolate already being rationed by supermarkets we’re confident our Dubai Chocolate ice cream is going to be a huge hit with customers. But don’t wait too long – we’ve limited stock available and once you’ve tried it once we can guarantee you’ll be back for more.”
Most children in the UK have ambitions to start their own business in future and would like to learn some of the skills that are needed to do so when they’re at school.
The findings come from new research* of 1,000 children aged 9 – 11, revealing their financial habits and entrepreneurial aspirations.
The results show that over two-thirds (71%) of children want to learn about starting their own business at school, while four in five (83%) aspire to start their own business in the future.
The study, commissioned by Virgin Money, also found that children understand the value of saving, with 88% having saved money for something specific before, saving £57 on average.
Despite the rise in digital transactions over recent years, cash remains a crucial part of children’s financial education. The research shows that almost half (47%) of children save their money in a piggy bank or money box, and 44% use cash when paying for things.
Parents play a crucial role in financial education, with a remarkable 82% of children saying they learn how to manage their finances from their parents. The survey also found that 92% of children are engaging in conversations about money with their parents or guardians, highlighting the importance of family time in financial education.
Children also recognise the value of investing, with around two-thirds (64%) preferring to invest to earn more in the future rather than spend it, if they were given £5.
The research by Virgin Money was undertaken to understand more about children’s views on money and entrepreneurship, as part of its Make £5 Grow programme. This programme is designed to develop financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills in 9-11 year olds across the UK, and over 200,000 pupils from over 3,000 schools have so far taken part.
Newport Primary School, in Brough East Yorkshire, has participated in the Make £5 Grow programme since 2020. Their involvement began when a planned school trip to Northumberland was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. In response, the school organised a unique experience for the students by setting up a school camp-out and expanding it into a larger entrepreneurial project.
Since being involved in Make £5 Grow, the students have engaged in various business ideas, including car washing, homemade sweet treats, ice creams, making arts, crafts, and jewellery.
The funds raised from these ventures contribute to a Mini Festival for the students, featuring a silent disco, DJ, ice cream van, pizza trailer, stuntman performances, popcorn machines, and inflatables for the entire school to enjoy. Additionally, the money has been used to purchase scripts and music for the end-of-year school production. This project has not only provided fun and excitement but also fostered a sense of responsibility and teamwork among the students.
Amy Earl, teacher at Newport Primary School said: “The children count down the days until we start the Make £5 Grow project. They work so hard and deserve to make memories that last a lifetime while sharpening their entrepreneurial skills.
“With the incredible support of their families, who help sell these items rain or shine, the children have gained invaluable entrepreneurial skills and created lasting memories. I would always recommend, and have recommended, this project to other schools and teachers.”
Jasmin Sanghera, community manager at Virgin Money said: “Entrepreneurship is a key driver of growth in our economy, so it’s vital that we help to foster the skills needed from a young age.
“Make £5 Grow is designed to empower children with the knowledge and confidence to pursue their business dreams, and we are thrilled to see such strong interest in learning about this from young people.”
Children participating in Make £5 Grow are encouraged to develop innovative business ideas and generate a profit for their school, using a £5 loan per child from Virgin Money. The programme provides pupils with an insight into how the world of business and finance works.
It helps them to build key money management skills by starting a small business, with access to a Make £5 Grow Ambassador for business support and a suite of curriculum-based classroom tools, which have recently been accredited as a financial education resource by Young Enterprise.
The schools keep any profit made after repaying the initial £5 loan.
Through this initiative, Virgin Money aims to empower the next generation to save, invest, and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, building a financially literate and economically resilient future.
Scottish Opera’s much-loved Pop-up Opera tours to audiences all over the country from 31 May, with performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s celebrated comic operas A Little Bit of The Gondoliers and A Little Bit of The Pirates of Penzance, and children’s opera, Puffy MacPuffer and the Crabbit Canals.
The Company has joined forces with Scottish Canals to bring public Pop-up performances to the Union Canal, Edinburgh, The Falkirk Wheel, Caledonian Canal Centre in Fort Augustus, The Egg Shed at Crinan Canal, on board a barge in partnership with Forth & Clyde Canal Society, and Stockingfield Bridge in Glasgow, in partnership with North United Communities.
There will be additional performances in communities at Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival in Sanquhar, Moniaive, Musselburgh, Cupar, Charlestown, Milngavie, Coatbridge (at Monkland Canal), Lochcarron, Cruden Bay, Kirriemuir, Ayr and East Kilbride.
There will also be free schools performances in Dumfries & Galloway, West Lothian, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, Strathcarron, Fort Augustus, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeenshire.
In addition, Scottish Opera will be offering illustration workshops to local primary schools in some venues so they can meet and draw the characters from Puffy MacPuffer & the Crabbit Canals before coming along to see the show.
Scottish Opera’s productions use ten specially created illustrations to help the performers — storytellers Allan Dunn and Katie Barnett, along with singers Jessica Leary, Holly Teague, Colin Murray and Paul Grant, cellist Andrew Drummond Huggan and guitarists Sasha Savaloni and Luke Anderson — present the story.
Scottish Opera’sDirector of Outreach & Education, Jane Davidson MBE said: ‘This year we are once again delighted to bring our miniature musical tales to locations across the country.
‘Gilbert & Sullivan’s topsy-turvy nautical adventures will be navigating the waterways from Penzance to Venice, and we will be stopping at some of Scotland’s most beautiful canalside spots.’
Scottish Canals CEO John Paterson said: ‘We are delighted to be able to bring opera to our canalside locations this summer.
‘Partnering with Scottish Opera allows us to both deliver a truly unique, entertaining, and accessible experience for all.
‘I would encourage everyone to get out and about this summer, and enjoy some canal magic as our canal corridors become the perfect stage for these performances’
Cleverlyre-scored by Scottish Opera’s former Head of Music, Derek Clark, in A Little Bit of The Pirates of Penzance, a young man bound by an overactive sense of duty, a soft-hearted pirate king with a hopeless band of rogues at his side, a beautiful young girl, a very modern major-general and an ineffectual bevy of policemen add to a plot hinging on the technicalities of having a birthday on the 29th of February. What could possibly go wrong?
A Little Bit of The Gondoliers satirises the ruling classes and their position within society, with the tale of two happy-go-lucky gondoliers who discover that one of them is the heir to the throne of a distant kingdom. In a show packed full of fun, the gondoliers set off to rule with an idealistic – if somewhat chaotic – plan.
Created specifically for five to eight year olds, with music and words by Marion Christie, PuffyMacPuffer & The Crabbit Canals is a tale of the five waterways that link Scotland from the North Sea to the Atlantic. Like most families, each one is different: Caledonian – the longest; Crinan – the most beautiful; hard-working Monkland; Union – the fastest; wise old Forth & Clyde. Each one thinks they’re the best. Can an ordinary little puffer boat make them think again?
These 30-minute shows take opera out of the theatre into unexpected places, and are ideal for anyone new to the artform.
Pop-up Opera was originally inspired by the ancient Japanese art of Kamishibai (which roughly translates as ‘paper story’), a form of entertainment where itinerant storytellers travelled between small communities, telling traditional folk tales using a set of small paintings to accompany the narrative.
Pop-up Opera is supported by Friends of Scottish Opera.
Scotmid is calling on creative young minds to showcase their design talents in a special competition celebrating the International Year of Co-operatives. This exciting challenge invites youth establishments to design a stunning garden that will become a permanent feature at Scotmid’s Head Office in Edinburgh.
Inspired by the way bees work together as a co-operative, entrants are encouraged to create a design that reflects the spirit of co-operation and community while supporting our essential pollinators.
“We’re thrilled to offer young people the chance to bring their garden designs to life,” said Lynne Peacock, Membership & Communities Manager at Scotmid.
“This competition not only highlights the importance of creativity but also fosters a sense of community and environmental responsibility. We look forward to seeing how young designers express the power of working together through their garden ideas.”
The competition is open to all young people, and the winning entry will see their garden design brought to life. The winner will also receive a framed print of their design, £200 of fundraising vouchers for their school or youth group, and a special goody bag featuring exclusive merchandise.
Budding designers can send their creations via email to:
Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening hours for the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend and is inviting families to enjoy a packed programme of fun, food and entertainment throughout the school holidays.
Whether you’re looking to stock up on Easter crafting supplies, treating the kids to a special meal out, or sampling some limited-edition Easter sweet treats, there is something for everyone looking to make the most of the long weekend and beyond.
The centre’s opening hours over the Easter weekend will be:
Good Friday (Friday 18th April): 9am – 9pm
Easter Saturday (Saturday 19th April): 9am – 6pm
Easter Sunday (Sunday 20th April): 9am – 6pm
Easter Monday (Monday 21st April): 9am – 9pm
Opening times at individual retailers may vary, so visitors are encouraged to check with specific venues ahead of their trip.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know the Easter break is a cherished time for families to relax, reconnect and make lasting memories.
“That’s why we’re delighted to be hosting a wide range of exciting Easter activities and deals all in one destination, from offers on Easter crafts to discounts at some of our most popular restaurants.”
Easter fun to make the most of at Fort Kinnaird includes:
Easter crafting essentials from Hobbycraft: Up your Easter craft game this year by making the most of a 50% discount on some supplies. From paint your own ceramics sets to paint by numbers, there’s something to keep all the little ones entertained on a rainy day.
Indulge in some Easter goodies at Frankie & Benny’s: Nothing says Easter like Cadbury Crème Eggs and Frankie & Benny’s have combined these with their cookie dough dessert for the ultimate sweet treat this Easter.
Free workshops at Pets at Home: The popular My Pet Pals workshops will be returning to Pets at Home this Easter, where children can get involved in some free crafts while learning about pet welfare and how to look after animals – educational and fun!
Kids eat free at Pizza Express: When you’re not snacking on chocolate eggs this Easter, treat your family to a meal at Pizza Express, where kids get a free Piccolo meal with every adult main. This includes Dough Balls, pizza, pasta, or salad, a dessert, and a Bambinoccino.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has today published the post-split fixture list for the William Hill Premiership following another dramatic weekend of football.
St Mirren secured their place in the top six with a 3-2 victory over Ross County on Saturday, to join Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen in the top half of the table.
The schedule for the final five fixture rounds has now been confirmed, with the 30 games to be played across the weekend of April 26/27, the weekend of May 3/4, the weekend of May 10/11, the midweek of May 13/14 and the weekend of May 17/18.
The final top-six fixtures in this season’s William Hill Premiership will take place on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm, while the bottom six will conclude on Sunday May 18 at 3.00pm.
For the first time since 2017/18 unfortunately it has not been possible to ensure that all clubs will have 19 home games and 19 away games across the season. In the top six, St Mirren will play 20 home fixtures and in the bottom six Motherwell will have 18 home games. Motherwell were the last club to gain a home game when a 19/19 balance could not be achieved in 2017/18, with Heart of Midlothian having only 18 home fixtures on that occasion.
Celtic will have the opportunity to win the title away to Dundee United in the first post-split fixture on Saturday April 26, live on Sky Sports at 12.30pm, while their final meeting of the season with Rangers will be at Ibrox on Sunday May 4, live on Sky Sports at 12 noon.
Sky Sports will also show Rangers v Aberdeen on Sunday May 11, kick-off 12 noon, and Celtic v St Mirren on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm. Sky may also select a match in due course for live broadcast in fixture round 37.
David Gray’s Hibernian, who are on a 17-game unbeaten run and sit third in the table, begin their postsplit matches away to Aberdeen before hosting Dundee United the following week.
In the bottom half of the table, only a single point separates the clubs in ninth, 10th and 11th position and two of them, Kilmarnock and Ross County, go head to head at Rugby Park in fixture round 34. Dundee, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, begin their run-in against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle.
Calum Beattie, SPFL Chief Operating Officer, said: “It was another hugely exciting weekend of football, with three clubs going into Saturday’s matches separated by only a single point in the battle for the final top-six place and St Mirren making the cut with a late winner.
“I’m pleased to be able to publish the fixtures and TV selections for the remaining five rounds of the William Hill Premiership. There is so much to play for between now and the end of the season, with the title, European qualification and relegation places all on the line. It all gets started with a huge match at Tannadice on Saturday April 26, live on Sky Sports.”
POST-SPLIT MATCHES CONFIRMED FOR LIVE BROADCAST ON SKY SPORTS
Saturday April 26: Dundee United v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12.30pm) Sunday May 4: Rangers v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12 noon) Sunday May 11: Rangers v Aberdeen (Sky Sports, 12 noon) Saturday May 17: Celtic v St Mirren (Sky Sports, 12.30pm)
William Hill Premiership fixture rounds 34-38 announced
TOP-SIX FIXTURES
Saturday April 26 Dundee United v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12.30pm) Aberdeen v Hibernian (3.00pm) St Mirren v Rangers (3.00pm)
Saturday May 3 Hibernian v Dundee United (3.00pm) St Mirren v Aberdeen (3.00pm)
Sunday May 4 Rangers v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Saturday May 10 Celtic v Hibernian (3.00pm) Dundee United v St Mirren (3.00pm)
Sunday May 11 Rangers v Aberdeen (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Wednesday May 14 Aberdeen v Celtic (7.45pm) Rangers v Dundee United (7.45pm) St Mirren v Hibernian (7.45pm)
Saturday May 17 Celtic v St Mirren (Sky Sports, 12.30pm) Dundee United v Aberdeen (12.30pm) Hibernian v Rangers (12.30pm)
BOTTOM-SIX FIXTURES
Saturday April 26 Heart of Midlothian v Dundee (3.00pm) Kilmarnock v Ross County (3.00pm) Motherwell v St Johnstone (3.00pm)
Saturday May 3 Dundee v Motherwell (3.00pm) Ross County v Heart of Midlothian (3.00pm) St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (3.00pm)
Saturday May 10 Heart of Midlothian v Motherwell (3.00pm) Kilmarnock v Dundee (3.00pm) St Johnstone v Ross County (3.00pm)
Wednesday May 14 Dundee v Ross County (7.45pm) Heart of Midlothian v St Johnstone (7.45pm) Motherwell v Kilmarnock (7.45pm)
Sunday May 18 Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian (3.00pm) Ross County v Motherwell (3.00pm) St Johnstone v Dundee (3.00pm)
Please note: Sky Sports may select a Round 37 match (midweek of May 14) in due course
If a client is due a payment between Friday 18 April and Monday 21 April over the Easter bank holiday they will receive it by the end of Thursday 17 April.
