The school summer holidays are quickly approaching, starting with the term ending on Thursday, 26th June. Kids are ready to start the fun, but that doesn’t mean adults should miss out on a little break, too.
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is spicing things up during the week by introducing ‘Own The Week’, with a different deal hitting the menu from Monday through Thursday each week, allowing guests to treat themselves without breaking the bank and turn a weekday night into a weekend vibe.
Mega Monday Margaritas start the week right with jumbo versions of the classic, bursting with flavour – perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself). At £13.95 each, they’re the ideal way to toast to summer.
Tako Tiki Tuesdays lets you pair your choice of two tacos and a tiki drink, for the perfect summer match. Choose from either Baja shrimp, chopped cheese, buffalo chicken or al pastor, paired with a cocktail like the ‘Cheeky Tiki’ or ‘Tiki Tiki Boom Boom’ for just £20. As an extra treat, collective tiki glasses can be purchased for £7.50 – it’s tiki time somewhere!
Winning Wednesdays are for the wine lovers. Order a bottle of house wine to receive a complimentary plate of the delicious Tupelo Dippers – crispy hand breaded chicken tenders served with your choice of two dipping sauces.
Throwback Thursdaysare made for dining on old-school throwbacks, prepared the Hard Rock way. Dive into an iconic classic burger, fries, a side of onion rings and refreshing Coke Float for just £19.71.
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced that the UK premiere of Macon Blair’s gloriously outlandish cult classic remake THE TOXIC AVENGER will be the closing night film of the Festival’s Midnight Madness strand.
Before Deadpool and Venom, there was The Toxic Avenger, the original mutant mop-wielding hero that confirmed production company Troma Entertainment as a favourite to cult film fans the world over.
Premiering at Fantastic Fest, Macon Blair’s THE TOXIC AVENGER stars Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Jacob Tremblay (Doctor Sleep), Taylour Paige (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), Kevin Bacon (MaXXXine), Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Julia Davis (Gavin & Stacey) and Luisa Guerreiro (Baldur’s Gate III).
When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (Peter Dinklage), is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from outcast to savior, taking on ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces who threaten his son, his friends, and his community. In a world where greed runs rampant… justice is best served radioactive.
Based on the franchise-spawning 1980s cult classic, THE TOXIC AVENGER is directed by Macon Blair (I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore), written by Macon Blair, Lloyd Kaufman (Mother’s Day) and Joe Ritter (The Toxic Avenger 1984), produced by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Troma Entertainment, Alex Garcia (Godzilla MonsterVerse) and Mary Parent (Dune Part One, Dune Part Two) of Legendary Pictures.
Signature Entertainment will release the film in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 29 August.
THE TOXIC AVENGER joins Ben Wheatley’s BULK as new films presented as part of this year’s EIFF Midnight Madness strand which runs throughout the Festival and unleashes the very best in new genre cinema from around the world.
Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 14-20 August 2025. Building on EIFF’s reinvigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival will continue to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.
Paul Ridd, CEO and Festival Directorof EIFF, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to be hosting the UK Premiere of THE TOXIC AVENGER, which will bring our Midnight Madness strand this year to an extravagantly gory and hilarious close.
“Peter Dinklage’s terrific reimagining of this iconic character in Macon Blair’s genius film, together make for an absolute blast of cult cinematic energy. Bring it on!”
Katie Wilkinson, Acquisitions & Development Manager at Signature, said “We couldn’t think of a better place for THE TOXIC AVENGER’s UK Premiere than as the closing film of Midnight Madness at EIFF 2025.
“Genre fans can expect a crazy world of mutated maintenance men, killer chicken brutes and Elijah Wood as you’ve never seen him before.
“Peter Dinklage’s take on the Toxic Avenger will leave audiences forever changed by this fantastically unique hero story.”
Helmed by CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.
Ridd is supported by the EIFF Board, led by Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; as well as Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio.
More information will be released on the 2025 Festival in the coming weeks.
Chancellor spends £1 billion to enhance and repair run down transport infrastructure and futureproof England’s road network
Package also includes further £590 million to take forward the long-awaited Lower Thames Crossing, and follows record £15.6bn investment in city region transport announced ahead of the Spending Review.
Funding will ensure vital upgrades are made to tired bridges, flyovers and tunnels across Britain, supporting highly skilled job opportunities, delivering on the Plan for Change.
Drivers across the UK will benefit from major investments to improve vital road structures, alongside committing cash to finally deliver a new Thames Crossing, working with the private sector.
Across Great Britain, approximately 3,000 bridges are currently unable to support the heaviest vehicles, restricting access for agricultural and freight transport in regions, and slowing down journeys.
And nationally, the number of bridge collapses has also risen – a stark reminder of the need for urgent action to turn the tide on the decade of neglect.
The Structures Fund will inject cash into repairing run down bridges, decaying flyovers and worn out tunnels across Britain, and ensure other transport infrastructure is both more resilient to extreme weather events and to the demands of modern transport – making everyday journeys safer, smoother and more dependable.
The Government is also pledging a further £590 million to take forward the Lower Thames Crossing, the most significant road building project in a generation and a national priority- ending the painfully slow approach seen before.
The new crossing will cut frustrating congestion at Dartford, better linking up motorists and businesses in the Midlands and North with key ports in the South East, and spreading growth throughout the regions as outlined in the Plan for Change.
The Government will look to bring in private finance and expertise to support this major project.
These investments come as part of the new 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, which will be published later this week, and sets out clear, achievable and robust vision for projects over the next decade of renewal.
This also comes swiftly after a record £15.6bn was announced at the Spending Review to enable local leaders to build long awaited projects like the Tyne and Wear Metro extension and the West Yorkshire Metro, and more investment to fund the TransPennine Route Upgrade and deliver East-West Rail.
The Government is also delivering direct funding to support growth across the UK – with funding for five new rail stations in South Wales, and financial backing for carbon capture storage in Aberdeenshire.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “When it comes to investing in Britain’s renewal, we’re going all in by going up against the painful disruption of closed bridges, crossings and flyovers, and ensure they’re fit to serve working people for decades to come.
“Today’s investment also goes even further and faster to spread growth by providing critical funding to take forward the Lower Thames Crossing – not just boosting connectivity in the South East, but ensuring a smoother, less congested passage of vital goods from Europe to our regions.
“This is a turning point for our national infrastructure, and we’re backing it with funding to support thousands of jobs and connect communities, delivering on our Plan for Change.”
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “We’re finally getting on with the Lower Thames Crossing — a crucial project to drive economic growth, that has been stuck in planning limbo for far too long.
“This project is essential for improving the resilience of a key freight route and is critical to our long term trade with Europe. It will speed up the movement of goods from South East England to the Midlands and the North, crucial to thousands of jobs and businesses.
“Our structures fund will make long-overdue investments to repair ageing structures across the country, speeding up journeys, restoring pride and delivering our Plan for Change to boost the economy and support regional growth.”
Capital investment today will not only address these immediate risks over the next five years, but create skilled jobs in construction, engineering and maintenance, support vital regeneration in local areas by improving connectivity, and boost local economies by improving access to jobs, education and services.
The government will set out more detail about how funding will be allocated shortly. This funding is additional to the funding local authorities will receive for highways maintenance, which will be set out in due course.
Tumbles Soft Play at Portobello has reopened following a refurbishment that has transformed the much-loved venue into a dynamic new world of adventure—Explorer Island.
The reopening was marked with a special celebration attended by friends, family, and the 15 winners of the recent sandcastle photo competition.
These lucky young adventurers were treated to an exclusive party, complete with fun activities, party bags, and the honour of being the first to explore the reimagined play space.
As part of the festivities, the Tumbles team selected 15 “Star Guests”—children from across different age groups—who joined beloved characters Emma, Fox, and Squirrel on their first expedition through the upgraded soft play environment.
“Our Explorer Island is a whole world of fun—an island where anything is possible, and adventure awaits,” said Ashliegh Murray, Manager at Tumbles. “We’re so excited to welcome families back to a space that’s been designed to spark imagination, creativity, and active play.”
The refurbishment is part of Edinburgh Leisure’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, inclusive spaces for children and families.
Key upgrades at Tumbles include:
New light and video features in the baby and toddler zones
A reconfigured layout for enhanced play experiences
Upgraded versions of favourite features
Extended café seating with fixed options
New flooring throughout the soft play and café areas
A refreshed reception area
A redecorated birthday party room for the return of celebration packages
Tumbles is one of three soft play centres operated by Edinburgh Leisure, a charity dedicated to helping everyone in the city lead more active, healthy lives. With over 30 facilities across Edinburgh, the organisation continues to invest in spaces that inspire movement, imagination, and community connection.
Open 7 days a week from 09.15 – 17.00, Tumbles offers wonderful adventures for kids aged 0 – 10 with designated baby, toddler and junior play areas.
For more information about Tumbles at Portobello and upcoming events, visit:
New figures show that 249 people accidentally drowned in the UK and Ireland in 2024, with more than 1,600 lives lost in the last five years.
Following the release of new data from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) and Water Safety Ireland, national charity, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is urging people to stay vigilant when in, on or around water this summer.
With 141 children known to have drowned from England, Scotland and Wales in the last three years alone, ensuring your family knows what to do in an emergency is vital. RLSS UK is urging everyone to learn the Water Safety Code through its video animation, during its annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign, from 14 to 21 June 2025.
Targeted at young children and families, the national water safety education campaign aims to ensure as many people as possible are equipped with vital lifesaving knowledge to allow them to enjoy water safely this summer.
Matt Croxall, Interim Charity Director, said: “Drowning is preventable. As a charity, we believe in the importance of everyone having the opportunity to learn key lifesaving knowledge, including the Water Safety Code, to keep them and their families safe and able to enjoy the water safely.
“We are deeply saddened at every life lost to drowning. We will continue to campaign and advocate for all children to have access to high-quality class-based water safety education, whatever their background.”
RLSS UK has been a long-term advocate for class-based water safety education across schools in the UK and Ireland.
Research has shown this type of learning is proven to increase water safety awareness and water confidence in the long-term, providing a ‘lesson for life’.
Professor Mike Tipton, Chair of the NWSF, added: “Drowning claims many lives each year, often of young people. Education and knowledge underpin drowning prevention which is why events like the RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week are so important and the ‘lessons for life’ it will provide are crucial.”
In 2024, the campaign saw the charity’s free resources used to educate an estimated 1.25 million children. As part of its ambition to grow this number further, RLSS UK has just launched brand-new materials for children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The charity will be hosting an event with MPs and partners tomorrow (Tuesday 17 June) at Westminster, to draw attention to the urgent need for class-based water safety education and seek support for its formal inclusion in the National Curriculum’s RHSE guidance for England.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Water Safety Education, of which RLSS UK is the Secretariat, will also be hosted on the same day.
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 Adds Two New Categories and Voting Deadline Extended!
Scotland’s hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened! Two brand new categories have been added to this year’s awards lineup: Community Pub of the Year and Hotel Bar of the Year, recognising the vital role these venues play in Scottish hospitality!
To give these deserving establishments the recognition they’ve earned, voting has been extended until Friday 20th June – giving customers extra time to back their favourites for glory!
With the deadline looming, now’s your last chance to rally behind the venues and hospitality heroes who deserve their moment in the spotlight. Make sure they’re in the running!
From bustling bars and traditional pubs to vibrant restaurants and buzzing late-night venues – plus the bartending talent behind the magic – it’s time to propel your local hospitality heroes onto the national stage.
This year’s stellar lineup includes categories like Deanston Whisky Guru Rising Star Award, De Kuyper Award for Cocktail Excellence in Neighbourhood Venues, Favela Independent Multiple Operator of the Year, HOSPO Manager of the Year and Jameson Best Irish Bar – proving there’s a spotlight waiting for every corner of Scotland’s hospitality scene.
Event organiser, Susan Young said, “These category additions reflect the incredible diversity of Scotland’s bar and pub scene. Community pubs are the heartbeat of Scottish towns and villages, while hotel bars deliver world-class experiences that put Scotland on the global hospitality map. Both deserve their moment in the spotlight.
“We’ve been thrilled by the outstanding entries received thus far, and there’s still time to nominate the bars and people who make Scotland’s hospitality scene truly special. It’s time to help us celebrate the incredible talent across the country!”
Marking three decades as Scotland’s premier licensed trade awards, the 2025 ceremony celebrates a milestone 30th year. Judges will once again embark on covert missions across the country, conducting mystery visits from the Highlands to the Borders to uncover Scotland’s hospitality gems.
Voting is easy, just go to www.scottishbarandpubawards.comand you can vote in as many different categories as you like. Voting closes on the 20th of June, finalists will be announced, and the winners will be crowned at the glittering award ceremony in Glasgow on the 26th of August!
You can also find a full list of all categories on the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards website and socials.
Deadline for Nominations – 20th June 2024
For a full list of categories and to vote please go to:
Ratho primary and nursery pupils were treated to a special reading from Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated Axel Scheffler at Ratho Library on Wednesday (11 June).
The children were also each gifted a copy of the classic story, which has inspired a special artwork inside the new Ratho Library. This was unveiled when the library opened its doors in March.
A quote from the book was chosen by the local community in 2023, when a public vote was held to select words for the artwork from a range of beloved children’s books. The winning quote is now displayed above the children’s library section, alongside illustrations of Rowena frog and other characters from the book.
Each child who attends the early years centre adjacent to the new library was given a copy of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by publishers Macmillan Children’s Books to celebrate its opening.
Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Margaret Graham said: “It’s wonderful to see some of our youngest library-goers enjoying the new space at Ratho, and even better, their very own copies of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book!
“I recently visited the library and was really impressed with all that’s on offer, including this striking artwork, which clearly has the community at its heart. Their involvement, along with our dedicated team at the library and Macmillan Children’s Books, has helped to create a design which will inspire young minds for years to come.
“Thanks to Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and Macmillan for their support throughout this process, including the gift of these books to our local nursery pupils, which I know will be well-loved.”
Julia Donaldson said:“I have long campaigned on the valuable role that public libraries play in communities and in developing a love of books, and I am very pleased that there is now this new library in Ratho.
“I want to thank everyone who voted to see ‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book’ featured on the walls in the children’s area and I hope this joyful space introduces a new generation of readers to stories they will treasure for life.”
Axel Scheffler said:“It is an honour to know that ‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book’ was chosen by the local community in Ratho to feature in their new library.
“I would like to thank them all and also the librarian team who have worked so hard to make this happen. I am so pleased that Rowena frog and Charlie will welcome young readers into the children’s area and I hope they will inspire families to discover great new books together.”
On Wednesday, pupil librarians from Ratho Primary School helped publishers Macmillan Children’s Books to gift a copy of the book to a small group of nursery children to then take back to share with the other children at the nursery.
Ratho Library offers a broad range of services to customers, including access to a wide variety of digital and printed books, free public access to computers, free public Wi-Fi, collection of NHS hearing Aid batteries, support with National Entitlement Cards alongside an exciting programme of events and activities for children and adults.
The library will host Tech Donation Boxes later in the year where everyday tech devices can be upcycled.
An innovative new study, funded by Cancer Research UK, aims to identify patients with early signs of cancer through medications they are prescribed before they are diagnosed with the disease.
It’s hoped the project could help identify various cancers at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be effective.
A team of researchers including Professor Chris Cardwell, Professor Carmel Hughes, Dr Sarah Baxter, Dr David Wright and Dr Blánaid Hicks of Queen’s University Belfast with Professor Peter Murchie of the University of Aberdeen, will study extensive anonymised medical information to identify treatments given to people who are then diagnosed with cancer.
The research will be the first of its kind to study prescription information comprehensively in the UK. Similar studies have been carried out overseas and smaller studies conducted looking at fewer cancer types in the UK.
Previous studies have already shown increased use of pain and indigestion medication in women with ovarian cancer up to eight months before diagnosis and increases in haemorrhoid treatments in patients with colorectal cancer up to 15 months before diagnosis.
Professor Chris Cardwell, of Queen’s University Belfast, said:“Our study has the potential to identify previously unrecognised medications which are newly used in the period up to two years before cancer diagnosis.
“These changes in specific medications could act as an alert for doctors to consider earlier cancer investigation or point to unrecognised symptom patterns.
“Diagnosing cancer as early as possible is key to ensuring treatment is as effective as possible and give patients the best chance of recovery.”
The study, which will receive £76,462 from Cancer Research UK, will focus on eight cancers: multiple myeloma, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, lung, renal, colorectal and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – selected because these cancers are known to involve more GP consultations prior to diagnosis.
Currently, there are many symptoms and medical conditions known to be associated with cancer, but often symptoms can indicate a variety of conditions, not just cancer, making diagnosis harder.
Professor Peter Murchie, of the University of Aberdeen, said:“This is an exciting study which we hope will show how our increasingly sophisticated health records can be used for the maximum patient benefit.
“We know symptoms of cancer can develop slowly so changes in our prescription data could become a very important early warning signal to prompt busy GPs.”
This requires permission from the Databank’s Information Governance Review Panel which oversees the safe and responsible use of population health records.
Codes used in the NHS to indicate medication prescriptions are easier to analyse and track than symptoms, for example an increase in dose or stronger medication can be flagged more easily to medical colleagues than notes on a patient’s record saying a symptom is worsening.
Cancer Research UK Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said:“Innovative approaches to tackling cancer are crucial to improving outcomes for patients. We have already made great strides in turning many types of cancer into a treatable disease if diagnosed at an early stage, and studies like this aim to help doctors identify people at risk of cancer much earlier.
“Earlier diagnosis takes us further along the path towards a world where cancer diagnosis is the start of the road to recovery and a less fearful prospect for patients.”
Nearly one in two people born in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime.*
With around 10,300 people being diagnosed with cancer each year in Northern Ireland (385,000 across the UK) finding new ways to diagnose cancer earlier, is vital.**
Motorists are being warned of the rise in car cloning crimes, amid a worrying increase in vehicle identity theft.
Car insurance comparison experts from Quotezone.co.uk have urged drivers to stay alert, avoid posting images of their car online and park in garages when possible to minimise the risk of car cloning.
This comes after an investigation revealed a 64% surge in car cloning in London alone.
The crime is a form of fraud and involves stealing or copying another person’s car registration plates, allowing criminals to run up fines for speeding, driving through low emission zones or to hide the identity of stolen or salvaged vehicles.
Number plates can be physically stolen or purchased through fraudulent suppliers.
Those who have fallen victim to car cloning will start to receive fines for crimes they have not committed, and proving innocence can be difficult, so it’s important to understand ways to prevent cloning.
The car insurance experts also say people can fall victim to car cloning through buying a used cloned vehicle, which can lead to significant legal and financial problems which could see motorists losing the car and the money they paid for it.
Motorists are not able to completely prevent car cloning, but there are some things which can help minimise the risk, including parking in a garage whenever possible, or using a car cover so your number plate is not easily visible.
The experts are advising motorists to be careful with what they post online, as images including number plates can make your vehicle more susceptible to criminals.
Those buying used cars must also be careful and make sure to check all car details beforehand. Make sure all VINs on the vehicle match each other and those in the logbook.
Anyone concerned they may be buying a cloned car should run the registration number, make and model of the car through the DVLAs vehicle enquiry service.
Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone said: “The sharp rise in car cloning across London is very worrying and highlights a need for more awareness around the crime, as all drivers are susceptible to this growing type of fraud.
“Car cloning is not just a minor inconvenience – it can have serious legal and financial consequences for victims, who often find themselves receiving fines or penalty points for offences they had no part in.
“In some cases, people have unknowingly bought cloned vehicles and lost both the car and the money they paid for it. An increase in penalty points can also increase insurance premiums from 5-25%, depending on the number of points accrued.
“Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent car cloning, but there are ways motorists can minimise the risk. It’s also not sensible to share pictures of your vehicle online where the number plate is clearly visible – social media can be a goldmine for those looking to illegally copy registration details.
“While insurance companies can’t prevent car cloning, some may offer advice and assistance with legal expenses – which may help if you’ve unknowingly purchased a cloned vehicle, just be sure to check the policy details to see what’s included.
“If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned it’s important to report it to the police, DVLA and your insurer immediately and consider getting a new registration number.”
