Day: February 16, 2026

Spokes public meeting: Holyrood Hustings on Monday 16th March

Spokes/CUK Election Hustings

#Holyrood2026

Spokes and Cycling UK are holding a joint election hustings, on Monday 16 March, for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, to hear from Holyrood candidates on cycling and related policies.

Rather than the usual hustings approach, which can be rather boring, our meeting will comprise several sections, with speakers undertaking Initiation, Interrogation, Combination, Clarification and Education, as in the agenda below.

Speakers

All the main parties currently represented at Holyrood have been invited to send along a candidate for an Edinburgh, Lothians or Lothians List seat.  So far, we have…

  • Conservative – awaited
  • Green – Chas Booth [councillor, Lothians List candidate, councillor, Spokes member]
  • Labour – Daniel Johnson [MSP, standing again in Edinburgh Southern]
  • LibDem – awaited
  • Reform – awaited
  • SNP – Kate Campbell [councillor, Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh & Tranent candidate]
  • Chair/Maestro – Brendan Paddy, Spokes member, Director of Ramblers Scotland

Provisional agenda

  • Initiation – each candidate speaks for up to 3 mins on what they and their party would do for cycling and its wider policy context
  • Interrogation – each candidate in turn is questioned by the audience & chair for 5 minutes, on what they have said
  • Combination – two or three important questions are put to all candidates
  • Clarification [if time] – audience follow-up reactions or questions to any candidate
  • Education – each speaker has 2 minutes to say what they have learned and will take away with them

Arrangements

  • Date Monday 16 March
  • Time  Starts 7.30, Ends 9.30.  Doors open 6.45 for coffee, stalls and chat, including a special stall to join Spokes or renew your membership
  • Online We hope to live broadcast on our youtube channel – confirmation nearer the time – and make the recording available a few days later

Submit a question

If you have a question for all candidates (“Combination” section above) please email it in advance to spokes@ spokes.org.uk with the subject line hustings question. Note that questions to individual candidates (“Interrogation”) can only be asked in person at the meeting, after their Initiation speech.

Background

Check out the Holyrood 2026 manifesto signed by over 60 Scottish organisations, including Spokes. Commitments we’d like to see from parties include 10% of the transport budget going to active travel, and reorganised street space with well maintained, accessible networks of walking and cycling routes.

Think of England premiere – in Glasgow!!

UK premiere at Glasgow Film Festival – March 2026

“A thought-provoking exploration of truth and deceit” – Variety

 “an exploration of social norms, as well as cinema and filmmaking itself” – The Hollywood Reporter 

“A memorable cinematic experience … this is a film we hope is picked up for distribution, as it’s certainly one that will get people talking” – HeyUGuys
 “Deliciously absurd” Cineuropa

Giant Films is delighted to announce that the British feature film Think of England, inspired by an enduring wartime urban myth that the UK government commissioned pornographic films to boost troop morale during World War II, will receive its UK premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival on 6th March, followed by a screening at Manchester Film Festival on 22nd March.

Set in the summer of 1943 on the Orkney Islands, where the Normandy landings are fast approaching and troops on the front line are increasingly desperate, the film follows an eclectic group of characters, each selected for their own unique skillset, tasked with a top-secret mission: to make pornographic films intended to raise morale ahead of invasion.

As each assignee struggles under the weight of conscience, coercion, and fear, the darkly satirical story examines who draws society’s moral lines, who enforces them, and what happens when they are crossed under extreme pressure.

Directed by BAFTA-nominated British writer-director Richard Hawkins, Think of England explores moral boundaries, power, and performance against the backdrop of war, at a moment in history when the stakes could not be higher. The film interrogates censorship and hypocrisy, asking what happens when deeply held values collide with the demands of survival.

The film, which was shot under the principles of Ted Hope’s NonDe movement, stars Ronni Ancona (Big Impression, EastEnders) as wardrobe and makeup artist. Agnes Duprée, with leading lady Natalie Quarry (Rosalind Clifford in Call the Midwife) as Holly Spurring, and leading man Jack Bandeira (The Gold, Andor) as Corporal Evans, alongside and John McCrea (Olivier award-winner for playing the original title role in ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’) as Captain Anthony Clune.

The cast also includes Ben Bela Böhm (Better Call Saul), Oscar Hoppe (All the Light We Cannot See) and Ollie Maddigan (The Olive Boy).

Lead Natalie Quarry as wartime actress Holly Spurring delivers a bold performance that includes on-screen nudity, a brave evolution from Natalie’s work as Rosalind Clifford in Call the Midwife.

The film treats this exposure with gravity rather than spectacle, using it to interrogate power, coercion, and vulnerability in wartime Britain.Occupying a pivotal position within the film’s provocative wartime narrative, Natalie’s character sits at the centre of its exploration of sexual performance, power, and moral compromise.

Similarly, Jack Bandeira, the film’s leading man, appears naked on screen as Corporal Evans, delivering a performance marked by PTSD,his striking and sometimes harrowing turn is rooted in volatility and loss of control, with moments of stark physical exposure that sit squarely within the film’s darker moral terrain.

Think of England, produced by father-daughter duo Nick and Poppy O’Hagan for Giant Films, is also a controversial film about cinema itself, about how moving images have historically tested, challenged, and redrawn the boundaries of what audiences are willing to see.

Set firmly within its time, the film shines a light on the institutional misogyny and homophobia of the era while allowing its unlikely characters to gesture toward a more tolerant future, reminding us to continually question the sensibilities and censorship of any age, including our own.

The upcoming Glasgow Film Festival screening marks the first opportunity for UK audiences to see the film in a public cinema setting.

Glasgow Film Festival, 6 (UK Premiere) & 7 March 2026
  https://www.glasgowfilm.org/movie/think-of-england/

Manchester Film Festival, 22nd March 2026
 https://manchesterfilmfestival.app/eventdetails?id=695bd485988b844de87f16fa

Living Streets to host Local Place Plans Webinar

Our webinar on Local Place Plans – what could they mean for pedestrians? – takes place a week today: Monday, 23 February, at 3 – 4pm.

We are delighted to host Anna Grant, Edinburgh Council and Joanna McClelland, architect.

Aimed especially at community councils but everyone – groups or individuals – very welcome!

Register here! http://bit.ly/45KgofS

Scotland’s Largest Multi-Category Spirits Tasting Returns to Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s booming cocktail scene takes centre stage this March as Drinkmonger Spirits Fair returns to Mansfield Traquair on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March 2026, with award-winning local bartenders hosting sessions and sharing practical serves visitors can recreate at home – highlighting growing interest in a broader mix of spirits alongside traditional whisky.

Now in its third year, the event brings together more than 30 producers and over 150+ spirits and mixed drinks, positioning it as Scotland’s largest multi-category spirits tasting. Visitors can explore gin, agave spirits (tequila & mezcal), whisky and rum, alongside vermouths and liqueurs, with Japanese sake and shochu introduced as a discovery highlight for 2026.

The event arrives at a time when drinking habits are evolving, with bars reporting rising interest in cocktails, agave spirits and aperitif-style serves alongside established favourites. Organisers say the show has grown to reflect how people now discover drinks – socially, through bartenders and shared experiences rather than traditional structured tastings.

Organised by the team behind Royal Mile Whiskies – winner of Specialist Spirits Retailer of the Year at the Spirits Business Awards 2025 – and the long-running Whisky Fringe (which sold out in under an hour in 2025), the drinks show combines specialist credibility with a relaxed, accessible format.

Guests can move freely around the venue, chatting with producers and bartenders and trying drinks neat, mixed or in simple cocktails at their own pace.

New for 2026, partner brands have been paired with award-winning Edinburgh bartenders across three sessions each day, including Robert Meek (Bar Manager, Port of Leith Distillery) and Sian Buchan (Co-Owner, Uno Mas). The sessions focus on approachable serves and practical techniques visitors can recreate at home, highlighting the role of local bartenders in shaping drinking trends.

Scottish producers including Pickering’s Gin and North Uist Distillery will appear alongside international brands such as Don Julio, Casamigos, Redbreast and Nikka, with rum producers including Black Tot and Doorly’s also featured, allowing visitors to compare styles across multiple categories in one place.

An on-site festival shop will allow visitors to purchase favourites discovered during the event, with a £10 voucher included with each ticket redeemable against a £40+ purchase at the Drinkmonger Festival Shop on the day, or later at Drinkmonger Bruntsfield, Pitlochry or online (valid until the end of April 2026).

Sam Brabbs, Purchasing Manager at The Dormant Distillery Company, said: “We’ve worked hard over the last few years to make Drinkmonger Spirits Fair feel like the city’s fantastic bar scene under one roof.

“You can wander around, chat to the people behind the drinks, try some cocktails and explore an intriguing range of spirits you might never normally order, and leave with ideas you can actually recreate at home.

“It’s exciting to see it grow into Scotland’s largest multi-category spirits tasting, and we’d love anyone with an interest in spirits to pick up a ticket and come down.”

Held throughout the ornate halls of Mansfield Traquair, the fair is designed as a social day out as much as a tasting experience, showcasing Edinburgh’s bartending talent and giving visitors the chance to explore a wide range of spirit categories in one place.

Tickets are £35 and include tasting access, cocktail sessions, a branded tasting glass and the £10 voucher. 

St James Quarter welcomes the Lunar New Year with Lion Dance performances and Red Envelope Giveaways

2026 is the year of the Fire Horse. St James Quarter will officially mark the arrival of the Lunar New Year with a vibrant programme of celebrations, inviting visitors to enjoy traditional performances, family-friendly entertainment and exclusive giveaways in the heart of Edinburgh.

Taking place on Saturday 21st February, the celebrations will centre around a spectacular Lion Dance, a much-loved Lunar New Year tradition symbolising prosperity, happiness and good fortune for the year ahead.

Back by popular demand, St James Quarter has partnered with Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Edinburgh for the performances. The lion dancers will journey through the Galleria before arriving at Register Square, bringing colour, movement and energy to the Quarter as they perform to the rhythm of traditional drumming. Visitors can catch the performances at 12noon and 1pm, making it easy to plan a visit around the vibrant festivities.

Alongside the live performances, St James Quarter will be hosting red envelope giveaways throughout the day.

In keeping with Lunar New Year tradition, the envelopes will contain a range of prizes, discounts and special offers from St James Quarter brand partners, giving shoppers the chance to enjoy exclusive rewards while celebrating.

Potential prizes include: St James Quarter giftcards, a £50 Botanist voucher, Moleskine notebooks, bath and body treats from Molton Brown, as well as some beauty favourites including Sol de Janeiro minis.

Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director at St James Quarter said: “Lunar New Year is an important cultural celebration for many of our visitors and communities across Edinburgh.

“We’re proud to mark the occasion once again with traditional performances and activities that bring people together and add to the sense of atmosphere across the Quarter. We look forward to welcoming guests to join us on 21st February to celebrate the Lunar New Year with friends and family.”

The Lunar New Year celebrations form part of St James Quarter’s ongoing commitment to reflecting and celebrating Edinburgh’s diverse cultural calendar, offering engaging events for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

For more information, please visit https://stjamesquarter.com/

Bike Library at North Edinburgh Arts

Thinking of getting back on a bike or learning to cycle but not ready to invest in a bike just yet?

The NEA Bike Lending Library has bikes ready and waiting for you – and it’s completely FREE for NEA Members!

– Standard bikes in all sizes – available up to 1 week

– E-bikes & an e-trike – perfect for a day out, available for 1-day hire

– Ideal for trying out cycling, running errands, or exploring the area!

– Not a member yet? It’s quick and easy to join at https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/get…/become-a-member/ or in person at our Welcome Desk

– Fees for non-members: standard bike – £25 per week; electric bike – £25 per day

For more information:

Call us: 07493 876130

Email: bikes@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Supported by The City of Edinburgh Council Active Travel Group and Cycling UK in Scotland

Pupils swap classrooms for Lovell construction site 

Lovell has opened its South Queensferry development to local young people, recently welcoming 51  pupils from Echline Primary School to the site and supporting work experience opportunities. The  education project gives young people a hands-on introduction to construction and the wide range of  careers involved in building new homes. 

The Crossings is a major mixed-tenure development that will deliver 398 homes, including 100 for  social rent in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland, 185 homes for private rent through Sigma Simple  Life, 113 private homes for sale by Lovell Homes and 14 commercial units. The development will also  support more than 300 local jobs. 

The education activity forms part of the ongoing commitment by Lovell to deliver social value in  communities where it builds, helping to create opportunities for young people and strengthen  pathways into employment.

It comes at a time when attracting new talent to the construction sector  is increasingly important, with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimating that Scotland  will need to recruit 26,100 additional construction workers by 2028 to meet future demand. 

Tony Rankin, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “Construction offers a huge range of  opportunities, but too often young people only know about a few job roles in the industry. Opening  up our sites like this is about showing them the bigger picture and helping them understand the many  different career routes available. 

“With Scotland needing to attract thousands of additional workers to the construction sector over the  coming years, it’s vital we support the next generation to see the possibilities and feel confident that  there is a place for them in the industry.” 

As part of the programme, P7 pupils from Echline Primary School were guided through a series of live  demonstrations by Site Manager Kevin Kelly from Lovell, including broadband installation,  underground pipework and the various stages involved in completing new homes.

The groups also visited a nearly completed home, where they learned about painting and had the chance to try it for  themselves. 

The tour concluded with a discussion about the wide range of roles involved in delivering new homes,  from trades and engineering through to design, planning and project management. 

Laura Marshall, P7 teacher at Echline Primary School, said: “This was a fantastic experience for our  pupils. Seeing a live site and speaking directly with the team helped them understand how homes are  built and how many different roles are involved.

“It’s important that young people are given  opportunities like this to explore career paths they might not have considered and it was very inspiring  for the children.” 

The visit is part of a wider programme of activity by Lovell that engages local schools and young people  in South Queensferry. Lovell teams have interacted with hundreds of pupils from Echline Primary  School and Queensferry High School through site visits, workshops and career sessions. Additionally,  15 surveying graduates from Hardies, the employer’s agent on the development, visited to learn more  about construction operations and live-site working. 

Lovell has also supported work experience opportunities at The Crossings, offering real-world  experience and helping participants build confidence for future employment.

The experience was  delivered in collaboration with Positive Qualities and its Construction Skills Academy, which supports  young people in developing essential workplace skills. Through the Academy, participants successfully  completed three SQA units ahead of their placement, including the Construction Skills Certification  Scheme (CSCS) Health and Safety certificate. 

Lovell site teams worked alongside supply chain partners R&M Contractors and Ramsey Electrical to  support placements and provide young people with meaningful experiences across various trades. 

Conor Watt, Development Manager at Sanctuary, said: “Creating great places to live is about more  than building new homes. It’s also about supporting the communities around them and investing in  opportunities for local people to ensure the benefits are shared and long-lasting.

!We’re proud to work  alongside Lovell on initiatives that inspire young people and help them imagine a future career in  construction.”

Post work placement surveys highlighted the real value of the live-site experience and showed  measurable impact, including increased workplace confidence and improved understanding of the  range of opportunities available within construction. Both work experience participants have since  progressed to further education, moving on to college courses following their time at the South  Queensferry development. 

Sean Siala, work experience student, said: “It was great working on-site, especially gaining practical,  hands-on knowledge.

“I really enjoyed the camaraderie. I loved chatting with the electricians and  learning from their experience.” 

For more information, visit www.lovell.co.uk

Thursday: Kids Crafting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

GET CREATIVE THIS HALF-TERM! 🎨🌍

Kids are invited to a fun afternoon of eco-friendly crafting, making cute animals and colourful vases from recycled materials.

🗓 Thursday 19th February

⏰ 1:30–3:30pm

🎟 Booking required – limited spaces available!

Call 0131 315 4989 or email rebecca@drylawnc.org.uk

AND DON’T FORGET:

TODAY UNTIL 1pm – share your views!

Half-term Savings at Dobbies

Great-value family fun

Families looking for great-value half-term days out will find plenty to enjoy at Dobbies Garden Centres this February. Younger children can experience a fun-filled session at Dobbies’ Soft Play where they can let off some steam, and parents can make the most of Dobbies’ Kids Eat for £1 restaurant offer. 

Soft Play

Families are welcome to join the fun at Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Soft Play, where toddlers and young children can burn off energy and play in a safe environment. 

The soft play is located in the restaurant, where families can enjoy a hot drinks, snacks, meals, and a famous Dobbies’ scone while the kids play. There’s also the chance to take in the wider garden centre experience as part of the visit, including plants and gardening, toys, pet products, homeware, clothing and gifting. 

Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, but there may be walk-in spaces available on the day. Prices and age ranges vary for each store, starting from £2.50.

For more information and to book, visit Soft Play | Dobbies Garden Centres

Kids Eat for £1 restaurant offer

Dobbies offers Kids Eat for £1, allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy their food for £1 with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. Children can pick from the kids’ breakfasts, lunch menu or pick ‘n’ mix meal, and this deal also includes a drink. 

Kids Eat for £1 is available every day, all year round, with no membership required. Restaurants are open Monday to Sunday from 9am, location times may vary and customers are advised to visit the website to check the restaurant opening hours. * 

A £1 supplement applies to kids’ Sunday roasts, and customers are advised to visit dobbies.com to check local opening times and menus.  

* 9am for Scottish stores, 10:30am for stores in England and 1pm for the two Northern Ireland stores.

Heriot-Watt University appoints Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas as Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Heriot-Watt University has appointed Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas as its next Principal and Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Hewitt-Dundas joins Heriot-Watt from Queen’s University Belfast, where she serves as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Transnational Education) and Professor of Innovation Management and Policy. She is also an internationally recognised academic in innovation and science policy and currently serves as a non-executive Board member of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Professor Hewitt-Dundas will join the University on 1 September 2026, with Professor Richard A. Williams remaining in post as Principal and Vice-Chancellor until the end of September ensuring a smooth and effective transition.

Bruce Pritchard, Chair of Court at Heriot-Watt University, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Professor Hewitt-Dundas to the Heriot-Watt community. She is joining at an exciting time, as we embark on the realisation of Strategy 2035.

“Nola brings the vision, drive and leadership experience needed to lead Heriot-Watt into this next chapter. Her academic credentials, a strong alignment with our University’s values and a track record of delivering transformational change programmes makes her a perfect fit to lead the organisation in the coming years.

“We look forward to working with Professor Hewitt-Dundas to inspire and engage our staff, students, alumni and partners, and to shape a bold, sustainable and globally connected future for the University. I would also like once again to thank and pay tribute to Professor Richard Williams, who is leaving us at the end of September after a very successful 11 years in the role.”

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Hewitt-Dundas said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the next Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University. Heriot-Watt is a distinctive global university, renowned for its excellence in science, engineering and business, its strong industry connections, and its international reach.

“I look forward to engaging with colleagues across the University’s campuses to support our staff and students, deliver Strategy 2035, and build a sustainable and successful future together.”

Heriot-Watt University is a global institution with campuses in Scotland, Dubai and Malaysia, as well as a growing cohort of online learners.

The University is internationally recognised for its industry-focused education, research excellence, and real-world impact across science, engineering, business and the built environment.

Professor Hewitt-Dundas was appointed following a highly competitive international search. She brings extensive experience in senior university leadership, global engagement, governance, innovation and research.

She will be the first woman to serve as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, marking a significant milestone as the University celebrates the 60th anniversary of its Royal Charter.