TOMORROW – SUNDAY 26th OCTOBER at 1.45pm
Good luck to my old Citizen pal Dave Forbes who will be performing some of his poetry in Leith tomorrow!
The Candyman’s Trumpet: Free event at Strathmore Bar
Day: October 25, 2025
Mental Health Foundation: The four pillars of good sleep
With the clocks going back this weekend, many of us will relish the extra hour in bed. 
Sleep helps us process our thoughts and feelings and gives our minds a chance to heal. 
But too many of us are struggling to get good sleep, with serious impacts for how we feel and function. 
Our free guide to getting a better night’s sleep is full of tips for anyone struggling with their sleep.
Check it out now: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/…/publ…/how-sleep-better
REMEMBER – Clocks go BACK this Sunday!
Aldi celebrates 30 years serving the Musselburgh community
Popular discount supermarket, Aldi, is celebrating 30 years of trading in Musselburgh, marking three decades since the store first opened its doors to local shoppers on 26 October 1995.
Since welcoming its first customers, Aldi’s Musselburgh storehas become a staple in the community, providing high-quality products at unbeatable prices while supporting jobs and investment in the local area.
Over the years, Aldi has grown from its first Scottish store in Kilmarnock in 1994 to a household name, with more than 100 stores across the country today. The business is a major employer in Scotland with over 3,600 staff located between its stores and headquarters in Bathgate.
Aldi is consistently recognised by shoppers and the industry for its championing of locally produced Scottish food and drink. It is the only retailer to have a dedicated Scottish Buying Department, and it currently works with more than 90 Scottish suppliers and stocks 450 Scottish products.
In 2016, Aldi’s Musselburgh store underwent a major extension to meet growing demand, increasing its shop floor space from 760 sqm to 960 sqm, allowing it to offer an even wider range of Aldi favourites to local shoppers.
As well as serving customers for three decades, Aldi’s Musselburgh store has been at the heart of the local community. In 2023, the store was one of the branches selected for Aldi’s popular Supermarket Sweep initiative, which saw a Musselburgh local raise over £650 for The Pennypit Trust Foodbank. That same year, the Musselburgh Windsor 2011 Girls Team was awarded the top amount of £2,500 from Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund.
Peter Greasley, Store Manager, said: “It’s been a pleasure to serve the people of Musselburgh for the past 30 years.
“Over the past three decades, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming generations of customers through our doors, and their loyalty and support have made this milestone possible. We are very much looking forward to continuing to serve the community for many more years to come.”
Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “It’s really special to look back at how far we’ve come as a business since we first opened our doors in Scotland.
“We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers and devoted team members in Musselburghwho have been with us every step of the way.”
SCVO partners with AccountsIQ to modernise finance operations
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the national membership body representing over 3,800 voluntary sector organisations in Scotland, has partnered with cloud accounting software leader AccountsIQ, to modernise its finance operations and drive efficiency.
SCVO needed to replace its legacy, server-based finance system, which was costly to maintain and relied heavily on manual processes across sales, purchase ledgers, banking, and reporting. With Salesforce already embedded as SCVO’s CRM system, it was critical to implement a financial management platform with proven integration, flexibility, and ease of use.
AccountsIQ was selected for its cloud-native architecture, intuitive interface, and seamless Salesforce integration as well as smart automation features and data-driven reporting capabilities. The onboarding process included bespoke support to configure general ledger and reporting structures tailored to SCVO’s needs.
Since implementation, the platform has automated repetitive workflows, eliminating time-consuming manual data entry and freeing the finance team to focus on higher-value tasks. Bank reconciliations have been streamlined through automated feeds, significantly reducing errors. Integration with Excel also enables fast, accurate, real-time reporting, giving the finance team instant visibility across the organisation.
Martin McComb, Head of Finance at SCVO, said: “AccountsIQ stood out because of its intuitive platform and proven history of Salesforce integration.
“The onboarding process was smooth and efficient, and we now have far greater automation across our finance function. It has saved us significant time, reduced errors, and allowed our team to focus on strategic, value-added work.
“I would absolutely recommend AccountsIQ to any organisation looking for a scalable, cloud-based solution.”
The system is agile and continues to evolve alongside SCVO’s operational requirements, ensuring that the finance function remains efficient and future-ready. The result is a single, integrated finance ecosystem where reports can be generated in seconds, routine processes are automated and the finance team can concentrate on analysis and strategic priorities rather than administrative tasks.
Darren Cran, CEO at AccountsIQ, added: “We’re proud to be supporting SCVO in its mission to champion Scotland’s voluntary sector.
“By integrating seamlessly with Salesforce and automating critical finance processes, AccountsIQ is enabling SCVO’s finance team to save time, improve accuracy and focus on what really matters – supporting members and driving social impact.”
Scotland’s oral health gap set to widen
New data shows decades of progress on children’s dental health risk going into reverse, with gains at best plateauing.
The latest report of the National Dental Inspection Programme, published this week, shows stark and persistent inequalities are widening between Scotland’s most deprived and most affluent communities.
Just 68.2% of P7 children in the tenth most deprived areas were found to be decay free – compared to 91.5% in the tenth least deprived – a gap of 23.3%, up from 20.1% in 2019.
The report acknowledges that since 2005 obvious decay experience has declined, but this downward trend appears to have flattened out since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reform to the system NHS dentists work to was rolled in November 2023. While the BDA secured some improvements there remain question marks as to whether the level of change is sufficient to keep practices sustainable and narrow inequalities of both access and outcomes. The BDA is advocating a fully funded workforce plan to ensure Scotland has the dental professionals it needs.
Gillian Lennox, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said: “Vital progress tackling deep oral health inequalities has at best plateaued, and at worst gone into reverse.
“As we head into an election year It’s a stark reminder that there can be no complacency when it comes to dentistry.
“Our children will pay the price for any indifference here.”
Pets Foundation support for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
We’re thrilled to share some good news! Earlier this year, we were successful in receiving grant funding from Pets Foundation! 
This multi-year funding will help part-fund our dedicated Foodbank Coordinator role, ensuring that our Pet Food Bank can continue to support pet owners across our community.
Since launching in 2019, our Pet Food Bank has provided essential meals to owners facing financial difficulties, illness, homelessness, or domestic abuse.
Last year alone, we provided 674,734 meals to pets in need!
Thanks to this funding, we can continue keeping pets where they belong – at home, with their families.
Directors planned £20m tax fraud at secret meetings
HMRC: West Lothian family sentenced
A network of corrupt company directors has been jailed for more than 70 years after they were caught planning an elaborate multi-million-pound tax fraud during clandestine meetings.
The company at the heart of the fraud, Winnington Networks Ltd (WNL), deliberately understated how much VAT was owed to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 2011 and 2014.
Key evidence was secured when WNL’s Financial Director, Neil Pursell, 60, and key players, were caught conspiring at two hotel meetings held in Manchester and Birmingham in late 2013.
At each meeting, the men openly discussed the fraud; the mechanics and how they could just “invent the numbers” to falsely offset their output VAT claims.
Three earlier trials have already resulted in prison sentences of more than 62 years and Director disqualifications of more than 100 years.
The fraud, which was described by trial Judge Dafna Spiro as “complex and highly sophisticated” saw WNL generating VAT by creating price drops on metals and electrical items they sold via a contrived chain of business transactions outside the UK.
After adding VAT back on to items and selling them at competitive rates to real customers in the UK, Winnington set about offsetting the VAT they had created.
They did this by falsely claiming they had sold VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol or telecommunications/internet airtime) to UK suppliers.
Richard Las, Director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said: “This incredibly complex fraud was dismantled thanks to the tenacity, skill and dedication of our criminal investigators.
“I hope this sends a clear message to anyone involved in tax fraud that regardless of how complex it may be, we have the skills, resources and the determination to catch you and to bring you to justice.
“The scale of the sentences and the significant director disqualifications show how seriously the courts have treated this sustained and sophisticated attack on the UK tax system.
“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime. It steals money that funds the public services we all rely on and I’d urge anyone with information about any type of tax fraud or money laundering to report it to HMRC on GOV.UK.”
The vast majority of VOIP was fake, but WNL and the co-conspirators recruited people who owned VAT-registered businesses to issue fake documents. In return they were handed a share of the profits of the fraud.
They created multiple fictitious deal chains to make it look genuine and even created two fake offshore banking platforms, said to be based in the Seychelles and Canada, in a bid to produce a convincing set of financial records.
A nationwide HMRC operation in March 2014, led to the arrest of 15 people, searches of 36 premises (including a property in Cyprus) and the winding up of three companies.
The huge investigation ultimately led to four trials at Southwark Crown Court and the conviction of 20 people.
Alexander White, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Kashaf Bashir, William Lindfield, Assim Rather, Vishal Chudasama, Adeel Karamat Malik, Beverley Thompson, and Sarah Jane Peploe were sentenced for playing important roles in stealing and laundering £20 million from the UK taxpayer.
“Together with the other thirteen convicted defendants, they helped operate a complex and sophisticated fake system of offsetting VAT payments to HMRC, money which was meant for public services but was instead stolen for their own selfish purposes.
“The CPS has commenced proceeds of crime proceedings against all of these defendants to claw back this illegally obtained money.”
All 20 people were convicted of or admitted either conspiracy to cheat the public revenue or money laundering offences.
Three family members from West Lothian have been sentenced for their role in the £20 million tax fraud case. It follows four separate trials, with the final sentencing hearing having taken place on Monday (20 October 2025).
Leslie Thompson, of Chapman’s Brae, Bathgate, (DOB: 25/07/1962), was convicted of conspiracy to cheat the public revenue following trial one, which ended in March 2024 and was then jailed for six years.
He was also disqualified from acting as a director of any company for a period of 12 years and handed a three-year Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) which begins when released from prison.
Beverley Thompson (wife of Leslie), also of Chapman’s Brae, Bathgate, (DOB: 22/12/1964), was convicted of money laundering.
On Monday 20 October 2025, Thompson was jailed for 24 months, suspended for 18 months, handed a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Andrew Collins (formerly Thompson, son of Leslie) (DOB: 06/06/1984), of Falside Crescent, Bathgate, entered a guilty plea on 22 July 2024 to conspiracy to cheat the public revenue.
He was sentenced to 22 months in jail, suspended for two years, given a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days and disqualified from acting as a director of any company for eight years.
A trip to Modern One for Strachan House Care Home residents
Strachan House care home in Blackhall have recently enjoyed a day out to the Modern One art gallery following the request of some art savvy residents.
Residents on the Ground Floor community were desperate to flex their creative muscles and attend an art gallery before returning to the home to create their own contemporary art.
Art is something that the residents feel crosses divides, it allows everyone to be creative and really gives everyone something to talk about. Favourite exhibitions from the day included the Rhythm display and Connection which the residents really loved especially with the links this display had to their own lives.
Zoe our activities coordinator said: “Art is very popular with everyone who lives here at Strachan House values it very much, we love an outing and this one was a real highlight, we can’t wait to visit Modern 2!”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
Ukraine: United in Support
Chairs’ statement following yesterday’s ‘Coalition of the Willing’ Leaders’ meeting
The Prime Minister and President Macron yesterday co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, attended by President Zelenskyy.
Leaders were united in their support for Ukraine, in particular during the challenging winter period, and desire for a just and lasting peace and an end to the bloodshed. They welcomed President Zelenskyy’s support for a full, unconditional ceasefire. They noted that President Putin, by contrast, had rejected a ceasefire, and that Russia had escalated its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure and recklessly violated NATO airspace.
They fully supported President Trump’s comments that the current line of contact must be the starting point for any talks. They reiterated their full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principle that borders must not be changed by force.
Leaders underlined the importance of increasing economic pressure on Russia now and until a just and lasting peace for Ukraine has been secured. They resolved to take further steps to take Russian oil and gas off the global market, end remaining imports into their territories, and deter third countries from trading in Russian oil and gas and fuelling Russia’s war effort. They welcomed the United States’ recent action to that end.
In addition, Leaders agreed to pursue additional measures to tackle the threat posed by shadow fleet vessels to the maritime environment and national security.
These would include further sanctions, steps to discourage third countries from engaging with the shadow fleet, increased information sharing as well as readiness to make use of regulatory and interdiction powers. They agreed to take forward closer coordination to increase collective impact.
They also expressed their intent to address Ukraine’s pressing financial needs for 2026-2027 including working up options to use the full value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets, so that Ukraine has the resources it needs to defend its territory and rebuild its armed forces.
They were clear that this should be in addition to existing flows of bilateral military aid, which would not diminish.
They strongly condemned Russia’s ongoing campaign to destroy Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure, an effort clearly intended to create a humanitarian disaster and break the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
They agreed to ensure Ukraine’s energy resilience and to provide urgent assistance to protect and rebuild energy infrastructure, and to continue to provide additional military support, including air defence.
Finally, they reiterated their determination to put in place robust arrangements for Ukraine’s future security, so that it can deter and defend against future attack.
They confirmed that plans are in place to deploy a Multinational Force Ukraine once hostilities have ceased, with a view to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.
This Weekend: Art Exhibition at St Columba’s Hospice
Hope to see you there, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm, 15 -17 Boswall Road