August 2026 – Page 14 – The NEN

Local Tesco Express store managers are going the extra mile for St Columba’s hospice

Tesco Express store managers throughout Edinburgh will be taking part in the Kiltwalk
Any funds raised will go to St Columba’s Hospice
Funds will help St Columba’s staff continue delivering end of life care

Managers from several Tesco Express stores in Edinburgh will walk more than 11 miles to raise money for St Columba’s Hospice at this year’s Edinburgh Kiltwalk.

They will be lacing up their walking boots and donning kilts to take on the route from Musselburgh, through the capital, to the finish line at Murrayfield on Sunday 13 September.

Since 2016, the Kiltwalk has brought together more than 216,000 people and raised millions of pounds for good causes across the country.

All money raised by the group will be donated to St Columba’s Hospice, helping it continue to provide important end-of-life care to people in and around Edinburgh, while also supporting their families.

Jonny Hunter, Store Manager at Tesco Haymarket Express, said: “The team at St Columba’s Hospice are fantastic, so we are more than happy to help in any way we can.

“I’m extremely proud of my fellow store managers for going the extra mile to raise funds for a vital service that supports so many people in the local area.”

Amanda Southey, Partnerships Fundraiser at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “A huge thank you to the managers at Tesco for their wonderful fundraising and support.

“It’s thanks to the generosity of local businesses and our community that we can continue to be there for patients and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians, providing care, compassion and support when it matters most.

“We’re incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done for us.”

Donations can be made to Jonny and his team’s fundraising campaign online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jonathanhunter-1785823649377.

For more information on St Columba’s, visit https://stcolumbashospice.org.uk/.

Greens welcome boost for street art

EDINBURGH Greens have welcomed backing for a new project that will replace offensive, racist and damaging graffiti with street art.

Green Councillor Dan Heap added street art to the city’s new public art strategy last year, but no street art projects have started since then.

Last week (13 August), the city’s Culture and Communities Committee agreed to explore new street art projects, including a new scheme for walls and other spaces to be adopted by community groups for the purpose of painting murals.

Groups could include art groups, community councils, schools, and Edinburgh College of Art

Evidence suggests that street art discourages damaging graffiti, and has other benefits, such as improving mental health.

Speaking after the meeting, Dan said: “Edinburgh is a leading cultural city, but lags behind other cities in street art. We have some beautiful individual projects like the hugely successful Colinton Tunnel, but nothing like the large number of incredible murals that bring so much life to cities such as Glasgow.

We are hearing that many groups want to make their local are more beautiful and are willing to do the painting themselves, with minimal or no cost to the Council, but find it hard to engage the Council to get permission to paint on public walls.

“At the same time, residents are concerned about non-artistic graffiti that is meant purely to damage, offend or marginalise. There is, rightly, particular concern around racist graffiti.

“It is not hard to put two and two together here, and see that we can make our city more colourful, beautiful and welcoming by facilitating local communities to produce street art.”

First Minister visits Social Bite Village

It was great to welcome First Minister John Swinney MSP to the Edinburgh Social Bite Village to see first-hand the impact of our response to homelessness.

During his visit, the First Minister met with residents and staff to find out more about our innovative alternative to temporary accommodation.

FM John Swinney visits Social Bite’s Edinburgh Village – 19/08/26

Mr Swinney commented: “Social Bite, working with Cyrenians, is doing vital work to support people through crisis and help them rebuild their lives.

“I would like to express my gratitude to residents for welcoming me into their homes and giving me the opportunity to hear more about their experiences.”

We urge both the Scottish and UK Governments to explore adopting the Village Model in cities across the UK in a bid to address the nation’s homelessness crisis.

The Social Bite Village Model demonstrates how unused or derelict land can be transformed into high-quality, purpose-built communities, providing a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional forms of temporary accommodation.

Find out more about building a Social Bite Village in your local area:

https://www.social-bite.co.uk/…/build-a-village-in…/

Fringe comes to Davidsons Mains!

FRINGE PERFORMANCE AT BLACKHALL LIBRARY

One performance only on Wednesday 26th August 5pm at Blackhall library on Corbiehill Road!

We are delighted to present you a Storytelling show “Madam(e) Lou” by award-winning performer Kate Danley.

Free event, Age 16+, Booking not required, but spaces are limited.

Communist candidates condemn city council and ask: What is a feminist vote?

The Communist Party of Britain (CPB) has spoken out on women’s rights and opportunities in its campaign for the September 3rd City of Edinburgh Council by-elections. They ask ‘What is a feminist vote?’, ‘How do council policies affect women and girls?’

They condemn the City of Edinburgh Council for opposing the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Code of Practice on single-sex spaces, and for failing to implement it.

The party is standing candidates Richard Shillcock (Southside/Newington ward) and Peter Olech (Portobello/Craigmillar ward). They are offering distinct feminist policies within a socialist alternative to the mainstream parties.

They say the lives of girls and women in Scotland are under attack—from the widening gap between rich and poor, from cuts and underfunding and from an epidemic of male violence.

Women’s lives.

We need to rebuild women’s ‘social wage’ by investing in public services that lift the load from women in childcare and social care, and by increasing bargaining power and raising wages for the women who work in them.

Women’s rights.

We need to urgently implement the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010. Edinburgh City Council must fully uphold women’s rights and protections under the Act, including the right to single-sex services. The Scottish Government should require all public bodies to fully implement the Act.

Violence against women.

We need to strengthen domestic abuse and sexual assault services for women and children, with secure long term investment in prevention. We need to support women to exit prostitution, with zero tolerance towards the sexual exploitation of women by men.

The local by-elections were triggered following the resignation of two local SNP councillors who were recently elected as MSPs to Holyrood.

The Communist Party urges voters across Southside/Newington and Portobello/ Craigmillar to use their first vote and their numbered preference votes to opt for the policies they believe in—ones that will defend and extend the rights and the quality of life of working people.

Cole-Hamilton calls for more respite care and holiday hubs in Edinburgh after a tough summer for families

This week, Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, visited Oaklands School in Edinburgh with Edinburgh Northern MSP, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie where they received a warm welcome from both staff and pupils.

Oaklands provides a supportive and significantly adapted learning environment for those with profound learning disabilities and associated health care needs.

The main topic of conversation centred on respite care throughout the school holidays, as many pupils and families from the school struggled to secure some, if any. This pressure on families, often unpaid carers, can be difficult to sustain.

Alex is now calling for the Scottish Government to support the City of Edinburgh Council in providing a higher level of provision for families, especially in the school holidays.

Speaking after the visit, Alex said: “Visiting Oaklands School always brings me so much joy. The staff and pupils are a delight and welcome you into their space with such kindness.

It is so hard to see these pupils struggle outside of term time, as well as their families, by not having access to appropriate levels of respite care and holiday hubs.

“Many families are also going without Section 23 assessments. The awareness amongst families of their right to a Section 23 assessment is not nearly high enough. The Scottish Government needs to act on this to ensure families have the support they need.

“Councils need support from the Scottish Government as to how we up the ante for those who need it most during the summer months and other school holidays. We need to get it right for them and their families.”

More Chatty Cafe at LifeCare!

At a loose end? Fancy a cuppa?

For over 2 years now, LifeCare have been proud to host a The Chatty Cafe Scheme UK table in our community café. Due to such high demand for our Monday sessions, we are excited to be launching a new day of Chatty Cafe starting next week on Wednesdays!

Everyone is welcome to join us on Wednesday 9th of September 10am – 11.30am for our official opening party! Enjoy tea, coffee and cake and good company, all completely free

Every Monday 11am – 1pm

Every Wednesday 10am – 11.30am

At the LifeCare hub, 2 Cheyne St, Stockbridge

Stay for as long as you like – it can be 5 minutes or an hour or so – the choice is always yours.

Having a chat can brighten your day!

Waterfront assault: Witness appeal

POLICE are appealing for information following a disturbance in the Granton Waterfront area.

Around 7.30pm on Monday, 17 August, a disturbance started on Saltire Square and carried on towards Waterfront Avenue and Waterfront Broadway.

A 26-year-old man was assaulted and taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.

A number of males in the area ran off in the direction of Waterfront Avenue.

Detective Sergeant Kim Tennant said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw anything then please get in touch.

“We are also asking the public to check any private CCTV that they have covering these streets and let us know if something has been captured that could help with our investigation.

“Likewise, we are also asking anyone driving in the area to check dash-cam and contact us if they have anything that could assist officers.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2977 of Monday, 17 August, 2026.

UK condemns Israel’s launch of a tender for the E1 settlement project

Miliband summons Israeli Chargé d’Affaires – but Britain continues to aid Israeli aggression

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This Israeli Government’s publication of a tender for the E1 settlement project is an unacceptable and destructive act.

“E1 would cut across the heart of Palestine and risks separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem, which would endanger the viability of a two-state solution.

“The UK has been clear privately and publicly in our opposition to E1 and our support for a two-state solution as the only way to ensure long-term security and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. All settlements damage that prospect and are a flagrant breach of international law.

“Today, I made clear to the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar that the Israeli Government must halt E1 plans immediately, retract the tender and stop all settlement expansion.

“In addition, the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires has been summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where we set out the UK’s profound objection to this move by the Netanyahu government and demanded an immediate reversal.

“The impact of settler violence and terrorism has been catastrophic for Palestinian communities. Settlement expansion and attempts to create irreversible divisions on the ground threaten peace, security and the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.

“Britain will not stand back and accept the destruction of the Two-State Solution.

“In the coming weeks we will set out a comprehensive set of measures to respond to Israeli government policies, protect the viability of the Palestinian state, target sanctions at those who participate in illegal settlement expansion and support a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians.”

FINE WORDS AND MUCH HAND-WRINGING ONCE AGAIN – BUT BRITISH COMPANIES CONTINUE TO SUPPLY ISRAEL WITH MILITARY AID.

Hundreds of Palestinian people have been slaughtered during the current ‘ceasefire’ – and our country is complicit in this genocide. SHAMEFUL. – Ed.

Screwfix Foundation and VIY to begin renovations at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

The Screwfix Foundation supports renovation at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, with works taking place from Monday, 24th August until the 4th September.
The project is being delivered in partnership with Volunteer It Yourself (VIY), providing young people with hands-on construction experience and trade skills.
Local Screwfix volunteers will join VIY volunteers to support local community transformation

A Community hub supporting local residents in North Edinburgh is set to benefit from a major courtyard refurbishment, with works planned from 24th August and 4th September.

The renovation project will also give young people who are facing barriers to employment, the chance to gain hands-on construction experience and entry-level trade skills through a partnership between The Screwfix Foundation and Volunteer It Yourself (VIY).

Located in the heart of North Edinburgh, Royston Wardieburn Community Centre acts as a hub for the local community, providing facilities to people of all ages and abilities, including a sports hall, sensory room and outdoor area.

Funded by The Screwfix Foundation, the community centre courtyard will be fitted with new outdoor flooring, and the area will be opened to incorporate their café/kitchen space, allowing all community groups to safely access the outdoor area. Local Screwfix colleagues will also be volunteering on-site, helping to transform the community space alongside young people participating through VIY.

This project forms part of a wider partnership between The Screwfix Foundation and VIY. Across the first seven completed projects funded, 129 young people have taken part.

Following this participation, half of the young volunteers have said they would consider a career in construction and 98 went on to achieve at least one City & Guilds Entry Level 3 accreditation across areas including carpentry, painting and decorating, conduct at work and health and safety. 93% of young people involved felt more confident about getting a job in the future.

Claire Flory, Screwfix Foundation Manager, said, “Royston Wardieburn Community Centre is an important hub for the local community, and we’re proud to support its renovation through our partnership with VIY.

As well as creating a safer and more accessible outdoor space, the project will give young people the opportunity to develop practical skills, build confidence and gain valuable experience that could inspire a future career in the construction industry.”

Hannah Denny, Communications & Partnerships Director, VIY, said, “We’re really excited to be bringing VIY to Scotland for the first time through this project at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

“It’s a great milestone for us as we continue to expand our reach and impact across the UK, made possible through the collective support of partners including The Screwfix Foundation and George & Annette Bell Foundation.

“We’re looking forward to giving local young people the chance to gain practical skills, experience and qualifications while making a real difference to their community.”

VIY is a not-for-profit community interest company that combines impact in three areas: youth, community and volunteering. Challenging young people to learn skills in construction trades, they support youth in boosting their employability whilst also helping to transform local community spaces.