DOZENS INJURED AS CAR PLOUGHS INTO CELEBRATING CROWD
Statement from Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims and partners from last night’s press conference following the incident on Water Street in Liverpool city centre:
ACC Sims: “Firstly, my thoughts are with all those injured in tonight’s horrific incident, their families and friends, and all those affected by the terrible tragedy that has taken place today.
“I want to thank all the emergency services, partner agencies and members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured following this evening’s shocking events.
“This had been a joyous day in Liverpool with hundreds of thousands of people lining the streets to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory parade.
“Sadly, at just after 6 o’clock this evening, as the parade was drawing to a close, we received reports that a car had been in collision with a number of pedestrians on Water Street in Liverpool city centre.
“A number of people have been injured and were taken to hospital.
“In addition a large number of people of all ages were treated at the scene but did not require hospital treatment.
“Specialist officers have been put in place to support the injured and their families.
“Our emergency services colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service and Mersey Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene and will be able to provide further updates.
“The car stopped at the scene and a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested. We believe him to be the driver of the vehicle.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision and it is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media.
“I know that people will understandably be concerned by what has happened tonight.
“What I can tell you is that we believe this to be an isolated incident and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it.
“The incident is not currently being treated as terrorism.
“We would ask that people refrain from sharing distressing footage from the incident online and please share any information directly with our investigation team. Information, including video footage, can be passed on via the Major Incident Police Portal (MIPP) –
“In the lead up to this event we have been working closely with event organisers and a robust traffic management plan was put in place for the parade which included a number of road closures throughout the route and the city centre.
“We will provide any further updates as soon as we have them.”
Dave Kitchin, from North West Ambulance Service, said: “All of us at North West Ambulance Service are horrified and saddened that a day of celebration for the people of Liverpool could end in such terrible circumstances.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who witnessed the incident and those who have been injured.
“As large crowds were expected in the city centre to celebrate Liverpool Football Club’s victory, we thankfully had a substantial presence already close to the route, as we would do for any event of this type.
“Our ambulances, hazardous area response team, MERIT doctors, North West Air Ambulance and senior clinicians were very quickly on scene to offer aid and treatment.
“St John Ambulance also had clinical teams present to support us, and were quick to respond, our thanks go to them for their assistance.
“Our emergency ambulances took patients to our NHS colleagues at Royal Liverpool, Alder Hey, Arrowe Park and Aintree Hospitals. Sadly, four of the injured were children who were enjoying the day with their friends and families.
“We can confirm that our teams treated 20 patients at the scene for minor injuries – these did not need hospital treatment.
“27 patients in total were taken to hospital by ambulance and we believe two of those, including one of the children, have sustained injuries deemed to be serious.
“Our cyclist paramedic was also unfortunately struck by the vehicle, but we are pleased to report that no injuries were sustained.
“We also know some patients have self-presented at local hospitals.
“We are working closely with our partners at Merseyside Police and share their appeal for calm. This is indeed, an appalling incident, and we understand that people will be deeply upset. The people of Liverpool have shown many times before that you are a strong community, you support one another.
“All of us at North West Ambulance Service share with you the frustration that this wonderful day has ended like this. We hope those who have been injured make a speedy recovery, and would like to extend our thanks to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police, both of whom assisted us in tending to the injured, as did many of the supporters in the crowd. As well as our NHS colleagues who continue to treat the casualties.
“To the people of Liverpool, we are sorry this has happened to you today – we are all thinking of you.”
Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle, from Mersey Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this incident this evening.
“Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were informed at 1807, we immediately mobilised 3 fire engines to Water Street and were in attendance in 4 minutes.
“On arrival the crews were met with numerous injured people and 4 persons trapped under a vehicle.
“Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed people from beneath and passed them to our Ambulance colleagues. We then worked with emergency service partners to ensure casualties received medical treatment and transport to hospital as quickly as possible. My Fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the coming days and weeks.”
Liverpool City Council leader, Councillor Liam Robinson, said: “I’d like to start by saying on behalf of everyone in Liverpool how much our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this appalling incident in the city centre.
“It has cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day and the finale to a fabulous bank holiday weekend.
“We are working closely with Merseyside Police to support their investigation, and with other relevant organisations to make sure those affected get the appropriate support.
“I would urge people not to speculate as to the motives behind this appalling incident and to allow Merseyside Police to conduct their investigation.
“We won’t be commenting any further but will provide relevant updates as and when we know more and it is appropriate to.
“Once again, our hearts go out to all those affected.
“Liverpool is a city that has a proud history of coming together and supporting each other during challenging times
“I’ve no doubt that will again be the case over the coming days and weeks.”
Liverpool Football Club said last night: “We are in direct contact with Merseyside Police regarding the incident on Water Street which happened towards the end of the trophy parade earlier this evening.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident. We will continue to offer our full support to the emergency services and local authorities who are dealing with this incident.”
Dance Base and Assembly announce 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme
31 July – 24 August, Edinburgh
Dance Base Festival 2025 in partnership with Assembly Festival will present the landmark venue’s 24th Festival programme, welcoming dance companies from across the globe to Edinburgh, as well as showcasing Scottish talent.
Prepare to be moved by movement at Dance Base this summer, as Scotland’s National Centre for Dance announces its 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme.
Delivered in partnership with Assembly Festival, a collaboration now in its third year, the 2025 programme will present 29 shows from 13 countries, forging connections and new narratives in the home of dance at the Fringe.
As well as continuing to celebrate and nurture Scottish artists, including Tess Letham and Malcolm Sutherland, Dance Base is yet again set to become a microcosm of international culture this summer.
2025’s diverse, multi-genre programme explores connection in its many forms; to home, across cultures, self-identity, nationality, history and technology – with Isaiah Wilson’s pioneering work score pushing physicality to the limit with the latter.
The programme brings choreographers from leading European companies in Luxembourg and Denmark together with artists from as far afield as Brazil, Hong Kong and the USA.
This summer’s Festival also strengthens relationships between year-round dance organisations in Scotland, providing a platform for the likes of award-winning youth dancers YDance and contemporary company Barrowland Ballet.
Fringe Fragments returns for its second year with a flavour of fresh tour-ready works set to take flight around the globe. This is complemented by showcases including Made in Scotland, Hong Kong Showcase, Kultur LX, Basque Showcase, Here & Now, São Paulo Showcase, Taiwan Season, #DANISH and Culture Ireland.
Artistic Director of Dance Base, Tony Mills said: “This year’s programme presents the variety, diversity and complexity of dance that exists both right here in Scotland and around the world.
“Witness late-night curiosities and concerts. Calls to action and invitations to reflect. Find that age is only a number and that any body can dance. In short – we invite our audiences to be moved by movement.
“It is a privilege to be able to curate, host and share so many different perspectives under one roof, celebrating dance and its unique ability to move you through feeling, imagination and action.
“We can’t wait to share our programme with the world this August.”
William Burdett-Coutts of Assembly Festival affirmed: “We are delighted to be working again with Dance Base, which is such an important flagship for the wonderful, varied world of Dance.
“The range of work on offer is inspirational and a hugely important part of the festival that is the Fringe. As part of the wider dance programme, look out for Barrowland Ballet’s second Assembly Festival offering Chunky Jewellery at the Assembly Rooms. For our audiences, have fun with this feast”.
Programme Highlights
Celebrating their 10th anniversary year in 2025, PRIME, Dance Base’s in-house company for over 60s, presents PRIME at 10(1 – 3 August).
They will showcase new commissions by Robbie Synge, alongside a revival of sections of Steinvör Palsson’s Carry on Dancing which premiered in 2016. PRIME will once again be teaming up with Lothian Youth Dance Company (LYDC), Dance Base’s in-house company for young dancers, for a double-bill performance DOUBLE TAKE (5 – 10 August) which showcases new works from both companies including Dance Base’s own Artistic Director Tony Mills.
Another intriguing collaboration to catch is Evolution (5 – 10 August), a celebration of dance that unites Scotland and Estonia’s next generation of talent. Presented by YDance, this international collaboration features the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland, Estonia’s ETA Kompanii, and the 2025 Project Y Evolution Company. Don’t miss this vibrant fusion of movement and culture in an unforgettable performance of innovation, energy, and global collaboration.
Following a successful limited run at the 2024 Festival, Christine Thynne, aged 82, and Robbie Synge return to Dance Base this August to present These Mechanisms (1 – 20 August), as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase. These Mechanisms is a performance of persistence and joy, celebrating the beautiful functions and limits of a human body and the desire to make things happen. Proving, once again, that age can neither limit nor defy us.
Also crossing generational divides is Wee Man (5 – 17 August) by Barrowland Ballet, created by the company’s award-winning choreographer Natasha Gilmore. A highly physical and dynamic dance-theatre performance by an all male cast of men and teenagers, this candid and compelling work explores the shifting, and unshifting, rules of masculinity across the ages. Inspired by Gilmore’s experience of being a mother of teenage boys, it combines raw movement with evocative sound by Luke Sutherland and poetry by Kevin P Gilday, to unpack the ‘rulebook’ of accepted male behaviour, from the seemingly benign to the dangerous.
A frequent collaborator with Dance Base, Edinburgh-based artist Tess Letham returns to the Fringe with the World Premiere of What ever happened to Harmony Banks? (5 – 10 August). Tracing her story from media darling to public downfall, this playful and poignant new show portrays the rise and fall of a fictional icon, Harmony Banks, through a vibrant blend of dance-theatre and live documentary. In a similar vein, Norwegian company, 71BODIES’, NORMAL ∞ (31 July – 3 August), is an interdisciplinary production merging dance, storytelling and film. NORMAL∞ is about people, bodies and stories that do not belong to mainstream society.
Also fusing text with movement and situational absurdity, Malcolm Sutherland’s evocative work Solitude Without Loneliness (2 – 10 August) delves into the, often misunderstood, distinction between solitude and loneliness. Meanwhile, Lithuanian artist Vilma Pitrinaite presents similar themes in When you’re alone in your forest always remember you’re not alone (31 July – 10 August). This solo performance is a raw cry against the brutality of our times. With indignant voices rising one after another, fragmented movements evolve into a ritual against helplessness.
In an increasingly tech-driven world, Isaiah Wilson’s thought-provoking piece, score (12 – 24 August) examines the relationship between the human body and technology, questioning how advancements meant to simplify life may disconnect us from free will and cognitive abilities. Using electric muscle stimulation (EMS), three performers’ muscles are involuntarily activated, allowing choreography to be driven by computational code.
Set against a backdrop of flowing white sheets, dancers move through ever-changing spaces, exploring new states of being and new homes in Kathryn Gordon: A Journey of Flight (12 – 17 August). Created in Shetland, this visually stunning piece, inspired by the migration of birds, invites audiences to reflect on the delicate balance between nature, movement and our emotional ties to place and each other. Meanwhile, playful and poetic Fields (Extract) by In the Fields Project (5 – 24 August), draws the audience into a textured landscape of stone, where patterns of dwelling are made and unmade, shaped by land, time and human hands. Supported by Dance Base, City Moves, and Tramway.
Exploring the power of nature, caring for ourselves, and reconnecting with the body, through warm temperatures (12 – 24 August) – Mele Broomes’ latest work, affirms castor oil’s legacy as a natural remedy, an elixir, and a historic source that transcends boundaries. Presented as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase, Mele Broomes’ choreography and vocals combine with Simone Seales’ live cello and electronic soundscapes, as performers shift between solos, duos and collective movements; building towards a place of warmth, self-acceptance, release and renewal.
Fresh from his recent residency at Dance Base, Mark Bleakley’s Stepping in… Spilling out… (12 – 17 August), a collaboration with French percussionist Rémy Gouffault, takes a walk back through Mark’s personal history of dance practice. A stroll through the foundational act of stepping; the different people, communities, histories, places and politics that Mark encounters through these movements. Presented as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase.
The merging of cultures and ancient traditions with contemporary innovation is also showcased in Dance Ihayami’s Dansa Rickshaw’s (31 July – 10 August), which invites audiences to experience the universal language of movement and music. Choreographer Priya Shrikumar’s artistry reflects her dual heritage creating a dialogue between cultures in this vibrant performance which weaves Bharatanatyam’s intricate footwork and expressive storytelling with the soul-stirring melodies of bagpipes and the lively pulse of traditional reels.
Energetic movement inspired by music is further exemplified in Blue Violin’s Candlelight: Classic Rock in the Round (31 July – 24 August), a realm in which candlelight dances with defiance. Among 1,000 flames, Blue Violin shatters musical boundaries, breathing fierce new life into rock’s greatest anthems.
Watch as contemporary dancers emerge from shadows and smoke, their movements painting emotional landscapes through AC/DC’s Thunderstruck and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird.
Wakati is a Swahili word for time. Shelmith Øseth’s Wakati (31 July – 3 August) explores how past, present, and future affect the development of a culture and the life of a human. By using her own experience of immigrating to Norway from Kenya, Shelmith examines the expectations, ideas and limits that come with being an immigrant and multicultural in Norway.
Presented as part of #DANISH, AVIAJA Dance’s Soil (1 – 17 August) is a powerful dance performance about identity, language, and belonging. Through movement and the rhythms of the Greenlandic language it explores how we connect to culture – without words, across borders, and beyond expectations.
This August, Dance Base is set to welcome two performances as part of the Basque Showcase. Created by DAB Company, NOEUD (19 – 24 August) is a proposal, in which we delve into the working methodologies shared by Eduardo Chillida and Cristobal Balenciaga.
The creation of spaces and curvilinear figures are the concepts of both artists that guide the movement of their time towards freedom. Née (19 – 24 August), by Cielo rasO is a work that; moves us, gives roots to the human, caresses loneliness, stratifies loss, accompanies disillusionment, emancipates disenchantment, energises absence, fights for love, virtualises the nearby, sustains magic, frightens off demons, humanises the inanimate, returns from the dark, attacks the imagination, separates fears and puts them in order, crosses the air and strives.
Inspired by Romulus and Remus’ legend and the symbolic meaning of Rome’s city walls, Hani Dance’s Inlet (1 – 23 August) explores the significance of borders throughout history. Raising thought-provoking questions about walls and their timely relevance, Inlet examines their role as boundaries, fortifications and barriers that influence human interactions and perceptions. Presented as part of Kultur LX.
Presented as part of Hong Kong Soul, artists Blue Ka Wing, Justyne Li, and Panda Waack team up for a triple bill, each exploring different approaches to navigate conflict, similarity, vulnerability and beauty in Hong Kong Soul – Triple Bill (12 – 24 August). Blue Ka Wing’s re-do re-do questions; how can we create changes in repetitions, and can we find certain routines in a series of change?
Beautiful Chaos sees Panda Waack trying to anchor herself in different cultural and social contexts through exploring the beauty in disorder and confusion. Justyne Li’s Does My Body Represent My Whole Self is a work of exploration and whispered secrets, unfolding in a delicate collaboration with the choreographer.
Choreographer Hsieh Yi-Chun makes an impressive international debut with a brand-new ensemble dance about collective ritual and individual will in Chun Dance’s Taiwan Season: Trace of Belief (31 July – 24 August). Inspired by temple processions and childhood memories, her mesmerizing sextet uses a flow of dynamic movement to pose a key question: ‘What anchors our faith in an ever-changing world?’
Ireland’s dance theatre vanguards CoisCéim Dance Theatre are back in Edinburgh this Fringe with Co-Founder and Artistic Director, David Bolger’s latest hit, Dancehall Blues (12 – 24 August). Presented as part of Culture Ireland’s Edinburgh Showcase this August, the show captivated audiences and critics alike during its premiere at Dublin Fringe 2024. This bold, gripping, and unmissable duet unfolds in a surreal dancehall at dusk, blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
Part of the São Paulo Showcase, Brazilian company, São José dos Campos Dance Company present Voyeur/ Samba and Love (31 July – 24 August), a double-bill by choreographer Lili de Grammont, which explores vulnerability, control, tenderness and tension.
Voyeur opens the evening, inviting the audience into a charged, intimate space where private gestures unfold under the weight of being watched. Samba and Love closes with intensity – a visceral response to the burnout of modern life, where samba rhythms become a physical expression of exhaustion, desire, and resistance in a world that demands too much.
Also from Brazil, choreographer Alice Ripoll and dancer Hiltinho Fantástico present the premiere Puff (19 – 24 August). Puff explores disguise in African Diaspora dances, where silenced cultures, messages, and traditions are transmitted. Samba, capoeira, and passinho showcase speedy footwork and body dissociation, creating illusions that suggest something is being concealed. Presented as part of the São Paulo Showcase.
Two dancers specialized in acrobatics and floor technique have become tools of the classical artist’s genius, but inspiration is running low, and the choreography is not progressing in Kinetic Orchestra’s Bolero (12 – 23 August). The pressure is high, and emotions are heating up as they struggle to create something final. This duet is a combination of black comedy and skilled fast-paced dance, full of techniques from different acrobatic disciplines.
Presented as part of the Here & Now Showcase, SERAFINE1369’s IV (19 – 24 August) considers cycles, time, divination and decomposition. A quartet that fractures and unfolds from calm tranquillity into moments of blissed out dancing, four dancers engage in a detailed and expansive practice of constant movement, energetic tuning and impossible stillness. SERAFINE1369 is a dancer, choreographer and body-focused researcher. Cycles, time and haunting are recurring themes in their work.
Dance Base’s unique pitching platform showcaseFringe Fragments returns for the second year on 18 –19 August. Designed as both a public event and industry showcase, audiences can see excerpts from tour-ready performances from artists from Scotland and abroad.
Whether you’re an industry professional or simply a lover of dance, this is not one to be missed! This year’s showcase features a line-up of all-female creators from across the world including Luxembourg and Quebec.
The return of the showcase also affirms Dance Base’s commitment to working towards a more sustainable Festival for both artists and venues alike, helping to strengthen bonds and facilitate new connections.
Continuing Dance Base’s commitment to providing a home for Edinburgh’s thriving dance community throughout the Festival, the venue will also host a vibrant programme of public dance classes from 28 July – 24 August.
Members of Edinburgh’s professional and public dance communities can also dance alongside several artists from the programme including Kinetic Orchestra and Alice Ripoll Company in a series of Masterclasses running from 2 – 23 August.
As Robbie Williams prepares to take to the Murrayfield stage at the end of May, Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is kicking things off early to celebrate his arrival in the capital.
On Friday 30th May, Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh turns back the clock for one night only to host the exclusive Hard ‘Rock DJ’ Night, celebrating the best of 90s music and nightlife.
From 7pm until late, the iconic George Street venue will come alive with a high-energy DJ set packed with 90s floor-fillers, sing-along classics and Robbie’s top hits, perfect for those who can’t make the concert the next day.
More than just a night of music, the restaurant will be serving up its full menu, available until 10:30 pm, featuring favourites such as the Legendary® Burgers, spicy wings, and signature cocktails, making it the perfect fuel for a night on the dancefloor.
Whilst the event is free to attend, reservations are highly recommended and can be made through OpenTable or Event Brite.
In Scotland, 38% of melanomas in men are found on the torso and 36% in women are found on lower limb, according to new analysis from Cancer Research UK.
Melanoma skin cancer cases expected to rise again this year, with a projected 1,800 cases in Scotland in 2025.
Cancer Research UK urges people to stay safe in the sun as the weather gets warmer, and to go to their doctor if they notice any unusual changes to their skin.
New analysis by Cancer Research UK suggests that clothing choices may influence where skin cancer develops.
The latest data for Scotland (from 2018-2021) shows that 38% of melanomas in men were diagnosed on the torso (back, chest and stomach) – more than any other part of the body. This translates to around 280 cases every year.
However, in women, the most common location is the lower limbs (from the hips to the feet) – with more than a third of cases (36%) diagnosed here – around 270 cases every year.
The charity says people’s behaviours in the sun, like what they wear or how much sunscreen they use, could be influencing where skin cancer develops on their bodies. For example, men might be tempted to go without a shirt, while women might wear shorts or skirts as the weather gets warmer. Surface area could also be playing a role as men’s torsos are typically bigger than women’s and women’s legs take up a larger proportion of their body surface area.
Although wearing less clothing in hot weather can help people stay cool, it also means that more skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage the DNA in cells and cause skin cancer.
In fact, 81% of melanoma cases in Scotland – that’s around 1,300 each year – are caused by overexposure to UV radiation, which is why it’s so vital to take steps to stay safe while enjoying the sun and avoid using sunbeds.**
Fiona Osgun, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said:“As the weather gets warmer, it’s really important to look after yourself in the sun.
“Getting sunburnt just once every couple of years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer, compared to never being burnt.
“And it’s not just the hot, sunny days you need to watch out for – UV rays can be strong enough to cause skin damage between mid-March and mid-October in the UK, even when it’s cloudy or cool.
“That’s why we encourage people across Scotland to take some simple steps to stay safe. Try to stick to the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest, wear clothes that help cover up your skin, with a hat and sunglasses, and use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars. The key is to apply it generously – and remember to top it up regularly, especially if you’re sweating or in water.”
Nearly 100 years ago, Cancer Research UK helped prove that UV radiation can cause skin cancer. Since then, the charity has learnt more about how skin cancer starts and spreads and is pioneering ways to prevent, detect and treat the disease.
UK melanoma survival has doubled in the last 50 years and, today in Scotland, more than 9 in 10 adults diagnosed will survive their disease for five years or more.
But rates continue to rise, with a projected 1,800 cases in Scotland in 2025 – the highest on record. Since the early 1990s, melanoma skin cancer rates have doubled in Scotland.
In women, rates have increased by almost three quarters and in men, they’ve increased by two and half times (157%).
Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said:“Improvements in skin cancer survival rates highlight the remarkable progress driven by our research. But the growing number of people diagnosed with melanoma in Scotland is still concerning, especially when we can see that rates are rising faster in men.
“If you notice anything different on your skin like a new mole, a mole that’s changed in size, shape, or colour, or any patch of skin that looks out of the ordinary – don’t ignore it, speak to your GP. We want to beat skin cancer for everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from – early diagnosis is key and could make all the difference.”
With the weather getting warmer, more people will head outside on high UV days, so Cancer Research UK and NIVEA Sun are – in partnership – urging the public to protect their skin and enjoy the sun safely.
When the sun is strong, they recommend three simple steps to reduce cancer risk:
Spend time in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK.
Cover up with clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protection sunglasses
Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars generously and regularly.
Mum of two Michelle Harris understands the impact of a skin cancer diagnosis all too well.
Complex needs teacher Michelle who was diagnosed with melanoma in November 2019 was on a family holiday to Finland when her husband Alistair Harris, 45, first flagged that a mole on her back had changed shape and was growing larger. Michelle had also noticed the mole had become itchy.
She visited her GP and was referred to University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie for tests which confirmed she had cancer. Breaking the news to her children Abby, 17, and Kaden, 13, was tough.
Michelle, 38, of Motherwell said: “Cancer turns lives upside down, steals precious moments and affects far too many of us.
“I was very matter of fact and open when I told the children I had cancer. I explained that doctors had told me it was stage 2b melanoma so they had got the cancer early. Although I had to go through an operation I was going to be okay. I just had to get on with things. It was good the NHS were there to look after me so well and my GP was fantastic.”
Michelle had day surgery on 30 November 2019 to remove the mole as well as lymph nodes from under her arm. She recovered well but has regular check ups on other areas of her body where there are moles.
Michelle said: “I think it’s really important to raise awareness about skin cancer. I have a lighter skin tone and I take extra care in the sun, make sure I’m covered up and I seek shade when the sun is at its strongest.”
Scottish EDGE returned for its 25th round as 35 winners with high-growth potential took home £1.5 million in prize money.
The awards ceremony was hosted by Royal Bank of Scotland at Citation in Glasgow city centre and united entrepreneurs who made it through the competitive pitching process to secure funding.
There were 8 different winners from Edinburgh, each benefiting greatly from their share of the £1.5m prize find. Those Edinburgh businesses are:
GoodBridge App LTD
Amytis
Broonie Limited
Swift Aeronautics Ltd
Raygonal Ltd
VibraSpex
Glitchers Lab
JAC Trades ltd, Trading as The Cycling Gardeners
Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, delivered a special message congratulating the winners and acknowledged the vital role entrepreneurs play in shaping Scotland’s future economy. In her remarks, she highlighted the passion, creativity and determination of all the entrepreneurs who made it to the finals.
The biggest winner at the awards was Vanilla Farms, who cures and supplies premium-quality vanilla using sustainable, high-tech agriculture. The business received a total of £150,000 from the newest addition, Missions EDGE, supported by Scottish Enterprise.
Veteran awards categories also returned for the 25th round, with the £100,000 Scale EDGE Award, supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, going to accredited Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre, Ardent Training.
Meanwhile, Shifted Group and Swift Aeronautics secured funding as the top £15,000 Young EDGE Winners, supported by Techscaler and IOE Foundation respectively.
Those successful in Wild Card, which provides grants to pre-trading businesses, included digital game apparel designer, Haggis Studios, who received the category’s top £15,000 award.
The STV supported award of £70,000 plus £75,000 worth of ad airtime was given to innovative kitchen provision maker, Goat Rodeo Goods, while Green Crop Tech, an agritech start-up developing a dual-action biostimulant, emerged as winner of the Scottish Government backed Pathways category, winning £70,000.
Round 25 also saw the return of the £100,000 Circular Economy EDGE Award, which is supported by Zero Waste Scotland, and went to New Found Hope for its therapeutic footwear innovations to address the issue of toe-walking in neurodivergent children.
Narture CIC, who bakes artisan sourdough while supporting community, creativity, and social inclusion, won £75,000 in the Social Enterprise category, supported by the Postcode Innovation Trust.
Elsewhere, the Creative EDGE Award, facilitated by support from Creative UK, which champions, connects and promotes the development of the creative industries across the United Kingdom, gave a boost of £75,000 to SaaS live concert streaming service, Everyday People.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: ““Scottish EDGE has played a central role in supporting emerging entrepreneurial talent and innovative business ideas for many years and I am proud that the Scottish Government continues to be long standing partner of the awards.
“I am also pleased that a growing number of businesses and private investors are supporting the vision behind Scottish EDGE. Scotland’s entrepreneurs and start-up businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and we must do all we can to encourage and foster the incredible talent and innovation in evidence right across the country.”
Judith Cruickshank, MD Commercial Mid-Market at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Congratulations to Ardent Training and all the winners of the 25th round of EDGE. Ardent is a fantastic example of a business that continues to scale and grow.
“We know that entrepreneurship is key to unlocking economic growth across the country and, through our involvement with Scottish EDGE, we celebrate these successes as well as the innovation and creativity taking place across the ecosystem.”
Jane Martin managing director of innovation and investment at Scottish Enterprise said:“Congratulations to all of the winners as well as the innovative team at Vanilla Farm the winner of the new Mission EDGE award and it will be exciting to see what is next in store for these agritech entrepreneurs.
“Mission EDGE reflects Scottish Enterprise’s focus on priorities around energy transition, boosting capital investment and scaling high-growth industries of the future such as industrial biotechnology.
“We are targeting our support to help deliver transformational change for Scotland’s economy and the Scottish EDGE awards uncover talented innovators that will shape the business landscape for generations to come.”
Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE added:“Reaching our 25th round is a true testament to the resilience, ambition and creativity of Scotland’s entrepreneurial community.
“With every round, we continue to see businesses not just innovating, but actively contributing to a better future, whether it’s through sustainability, social impact, or cutting-edge technology.
“We’re incredibly proud to support them on their journeys and excited to see what the future holds for this new group of winners.”
A replica of the Hungarian Horntail dragon which featured in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire is coming to Edinburgh
Complete with a moving head, mouth and eyes, the hydraulic dragon roars and bares its teeth to visitors and was created to celebrate the new Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
The dragon will stop off in Edinburgh as part of a UK tour, aiming to take a piece of filmmaking magic from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to fans across the country
People visiting Castle Street, Edinburgh will be able to get close to an iconic movie moment and have the opportunity to win tickets to see the full feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Edinburgh will have a rare chance to interact with a piece of Harry Potter filmmaking magic history later this week (30th and 31st May).
A Hungarian Horntail dragon will be landing at Castle Street, Edinburgh in a special appearance outside of its rightful home at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with the magical creature, which fans will recognise from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, experiencing its ability to roar, move and even give passersby a delightful wink of its eye.
The huge animatronic dragon, which weighs 1.3 tonnes, brings to life the fan favourite, nail-biting scene where Harry Potter’s Hungarian Horntail breaks free of its chains during the first task in the Triwizard Tournament.
The dragon was created to mark the launch of the new ‘Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions’ feature at the Studio Tour, running from 15th May to 8th September 2025. The new feature celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cinematic release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and invites visitors to go behind-the-scenes of the Triwizard Tournament to discover how filmmakers created the iconic competition we see and love on-screen.
As well as having the rare opportunity to come face to face with a legend of the wizarding world, fans seeing the dragon on tour will have the chance to win tickets to ‘Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions through an exclusive competition.
Harry Potter filmmaker and Animatronic Designer, Joe Scott, designed the dragon , replicating the creature in the fourth film, complete with a moving head, mouth and eyes and sound effects.
The skilled recreation of the famous dragon was carefully crafted over 750 hours, using materials that included 40 metres of fiberglass. The team first created a series of detailed sketches and CGI mock-ups, before Sculptors, Carpenters and Scenic Artists meticulously built the dragon’s head, which was 3D printed using a scan of the original Hungarian Horntail from the film.
A total of 119 spikes were individually applied to garnish the dragon’s head and tail, taking 265 painstaking hours, whilst 38 razor-sharp teeth were 3D printed in resin to create bite in the creature’s animatronic mouth.
The stunning creature will give visitors a preview of the new summer feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where for the first-time ever, fans can explore the Backlot Stage, showcasing the Secrets of Special Effects. This new, dedicated indoor space, offers visitors the opportunity to discover how filmmakers brought the action-packed scenes from the Triwizard Tournament to life.
Comprising a digital screen, a stage and tiered seating, it promises to uncover secrets that not even the most knowledgeable Muggle will know. From creating the Hungarian Horntail dragon to understanding how Harry Potter held his breath for so long underwater, all will be revealed as part of the feature.
Visitors can also witness a mesmerising demonstration reminiscent of the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students’ arrival, featuring Beauxbaton’s iconic blue dresses as seen in the film.
Geoff Spooner, Senior Vice President at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London says: “We’re excited to launch our brand-new summer feature, Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, where visitors can learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the fourth Harry Potter film.
“To celebrate and bring the magic of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to fans across the UK we recreated the iconic moment of the escaped Hungarian Horntail dragon 20 years on from ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
Further additions to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London summer feature include Mad-Eye Moody’s arrival into the Great Hall and wizarding journalist Rita Skeeter, best known for her poison pen articles.
The dragon will land at Castle Street, Edinburgh at 1pm on the 30th and 9am on the 31st May. For those wanting to see more, the Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions is a special feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London running from 15th May – 8th September and all new additions are included in the ticket price.
Hungarian Horntail National Tour details
Location: Castle Street, Edinburgh
Date and Time: 30th May from 1pm until 9pm, 31st May from 9am until 8pm
NHS Lothian are very proud of the many green spaces we own and manage. The vital connection between outdoor spaces and both physical and mental well-being is now well understood.
To support this, NHS Lothian have now launched a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to create a thriving natural environment across our estate. This plan will guide our efforts for the next 10 years, making our hospitals and facilities more welcoming for wildlife and people alike. It will also help to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
Mr George Gordon, Sustainability Champion, Non executive Board Member for NHS Lothian said: “This plan outlines the development of the greenspaces within the NHS Lothian estate and builds upon successful projects that have already positively impacted patients, staff, and the wider community.
“We prioritise enhancing our teams’ skills in managing diverse grasslands, collaborating with experts, and partnering to improve key sites.
“Witnessing the dedication of our staff has been inspiring. We share a collective responsibility to create a sustainable future, and I urge everyone to engage with this plan.”
A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is a program designed to protect and enhance the biodiversity of environments.
This plan has been supported by the NHS Lothian Charity.
MasterChef champion Gary Maclean has teamed up with Mary’s Meals this National BBQ Week to encourage Scots to back the charity throughout barbecue season
Firing up the barbecue this week? Gary Maclean, Scotland’s National Chef, has you covered!
It’s National BBQ Week and MasterChef champion and long-time Mary’s Meals supporter Gary has compiled his top five tips to make a stress-free family cookout.
Gary is backing the international school meals charity once more and encouraging people to donate to Mary’s Meals during National BBQ Week (26 May – 1 June).
Mary Meals feeds more than 2.6 million children every school day in 16 countries across the world. By offering a daily meal in school, Mary’s Meals attracts children from the world’s poorest communities into the classroom where they can gain an education which can be their ladder out of poverty.
Gary says: “It costs only £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year, just 10p a meal, which is such incredible value!
“This National BBQ Week, you could ask family and friends for a small donation to come along to your barbecue, and if you use my five top tips, you’ll make your guests happy all while giving hope to hungry children.”
Marinate ahead Marinate meat overnight to build flavour and tenderise. A mix of whisky, honey, cracked pepper and thyme works well with pork, chicken or game.
Bring to room temperature Take meat or fish out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. It’ll cook more evenly and won’t stick to the grill as much.
Use two heat zones Set your barbecue with a hot side for searing and a cooler side for finishing. It gives you more control and helps avoid flare-ups.
Add a bit of smoke A handful of soaked oak chips or sprigs of rosemary on the coals adds great flavour. Dried heather works too, if you have it.
Rest before carving Let meat rest under foil before serving. It keeps it juicy and gives you better texture.
Bonus Tips
Grilled Veg – Courgettes, mushrooms, and leeks grill beautifully. Season well and finish with a bit of crumbled crowdie.
Quick Grill Cleaner – Rub a hot grill with half an onion on a fork. It’s simple and does the job.
Sauce Late – If you’re using a sweet glaze or BBQ sauce, brush it on near the end to avoid burning.
Dessert on the Grill – Try halved peaches or apples in foil with brown sugar and a splash of whisky.
That’s not all though: Scotland’s national chef has also served up four delicious Scottish barbecue recipe ideas that are sure to impress:
Scottish twists on barbecue classics
Haggis-Stuffed Peppers
Fill peppers with traditional or veggie haggis and grill until charred and smoky.
Whisky-Glazed Venison Burgers
Swap beef for venison and brush with a whisky and honey glaze. Serve with pickled onions on a soft roll.
Aberdeen Angus Brisket with Irn-Bru Glaze
Slow-cook brisket with a smoky rub, then glaze with reduced Irn-Bru for a sweet finish.
Seaweed Butter Corn
Grill corn and brush with butter mixed with dried seaweed or samphire. Salty, savoury, and very moreish.
Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots at Mary’s Meals, says: “It costs just 10p to provide one school meal to a hungry child with Mary’s Meals.
“With a £5 donation at your next barbecue, we can reach 50 children with a nutritious meal.
“If you purchase a cooking apron from our online shop ahead of hosting your own summer barbecue, your £15 donation will feed 150 children in school. With the sun out and with Gary’s top tips, there’s never been a better time to get grilling, all while supporting Mary’s Meals!”
By making a donation to Mary’s Meals, supporters can help children like 11-year-old Melanie from Madagascar enjoy a nutritious meal at school today and work towards a brighter tomorrow.
She says: “Thank you, Mary’s Meals. We are always full at school and that motivates us to work hard. I study because I want to achieve my goals and help my parents when I succeed.”
To find out more about Mary’s Meals, and to donate, please visit marysmeals.org.uk
During Mega Match May, your generosity will go three times as far – meaning you can feed even more hungry children with Mary’s Meals. Until 31 May, if you set up a regular gift to Mary’s Meals, your first three donations will be tripled by a generous donor. Visit marysmeals.org.uk/mega-match-may and start your monthly donation today.
