Leading Scottish independent school for boys, Merchiston Castle School, was crowned Tennis Scotland’s School of the Year at the organisation’s annual award ceremony.
A momentous accolade, the School of The Year Award celebrates educational institutions that deliver first-class tennis coaching, drive innovation within the game, and inspire further participation to support the continued development and growth of the sport.
Merchiston’s Tennis Academy, a dedicated tennis hub that provides tailored training programmes, one-to-one coaching and professional on-court opportunities designed to enhance player performance and development, is globally recognised for its strong player pathways and unrivalled training facilities.
Ranked the top school for tennis in Scotland by the LTA, and second in the UK, the Tennis Scotland award is yet another in a lineup of achievements for the Edinburgh boys’ school.
Merchiston’s celebrations did not end there. Tennis Academy coach Callum Lloyd was also recognised at the awards ceremony, walking away with Performance Coach of The Year for his ongoing commitment and dedication to developing young athletes.
Merchiston alumni and current British no.2 in singles, Jacob Fearnley, was also awarded International Player of The Year after a stellar year on the international stage.
Simon Pender, Director of Merchiston’s Tennis Academy,commented: “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award from Tennis Scotland. Their recognition is a testament to Merchiston’s continued commitment to excellence and solidifies our position as Scotland’s leading school for tennis.
“A huge congratulations to everyone who has contributed to the success of the Tennis Academy. From our exceptional tennis coaches and dedicated school staff to the catering team, volunteers and supportive families – this award belongs to you all.
“A special shout-out to our very own Callum Lloyd, who received the Performance Coach of the Year award. Callum’s passion for developing young athletes is unmistakable and is truly inspiring to watch. We are privileged to have him as a valued member of our coaching team.”
More information about Merchiston’s award-winning Tennis Academy can be found here.
Police officers are appealing for information following a fatal hit and run crash on the A90 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh.
Around 11.15pm last night – Tuesday, 8 April, 2025 – officers were made aware of a crash involving a Kawasaki KLE650 motorcycle and an unknown car.
Emergency services attended and the 61-year-old male rider was pronounced dead at the scene.
The car left the scene prior to officers attending and headed in the direction of Edinburgh city centre.
The road was closed to allow for investigations to be carried out and reopened around 6.35am on Wednesday, 9 April, 2025.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and trace the car and driver.
Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and our enquiries remain ongoing.
“We are continuing to review CCTV footage in an effort to trace the car and its driver, and I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the crash or seen any cars in the area or who may have dash-cam footage which could assist to contact us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 4274 of 8 April, 2025.
Funding for new police vans and training for officers and dog wardens has been agreed following a Responsible Dog Ownership Summit hosted by the Scottish Government.
Police Scotland has received £166,000 to train officers to identify banned breeds and buy specially-equipped vans to transport dangerous and out of control dogs. The National Dog Warden Association (NDWA) has received £30,000 to train wardens.
The actions were recommended in a report following the Responsible Dog Ownership Summit last September. The summit brought together Police Scotland, local authorities, veterinary bodies, public health and third sector organisations to consider improvements to dog control and public safety measures.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: ““The vast majority of dog owners are responsible but it is important that the public are protected from any dogs who do pose a danger.
“This Scottish Government funding for Police Scotland and the National Dog Warden Association will improve public safety and the control of dangerous dogs. The NDWA training fund will support training for dog wardens who work in our communities to promote responsible dog ownership, advise on dog welfare and enforce legislation.
“I am grateful to those who took part in the Responsible Dog Ownership Summit and I look forward to continuing to work with partners to explore further steps to improve dog safety and control.”
Jim Ferguson, Chair of the National Dog Warden Association said: “The National Dog Warden Association are proud partners of the Scottish Government and our organisation, which represents Scotland’s local authorities dog wardens, welcomed the Scottish Government Responsible Dog Ownership Summit report and recommendations.
“Building on the summit, the NDWA is committed to working with the Scottish Government and other key partners to look at opportunities to review existing policy and pinpoint any opportunities to enhance and strengthen policy in order to better protect people and pets together.”
Strachan House care home in Blackhall recently presented PASDA with a cheque for £600. To contribute to the costs of a special afternoon tea outing for the individuals that the charity supports.
PASDA is a charity that offers support to the families, friends and loved ones of autistic adults (over 16).
The grant had been awarded by Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, a charity that helps older people and adults with a disability or mental health problems across England, Scotland and Wales by offering grants to help people connect or re-connect with others in their local community.
The care home welcomed the founder of PASDA, Doctor Jane Neil-McLachlan to a small gathering in the home’s garden to receive the cheque and celebrate being awarded the grant.
Jane, Now a trustee of PASDA,said “It’s really wonderful to have received this cheque, it makes such a significant difference!
“I am a volunteer with Strachan House. So, to be presented with such an incredible donation from Barchester’s charitable foundation, by the lovely people at Strachan House was such a wonderful gesture”
Fran Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House, said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to local charities. It’s been a real pleasure to show our support and appreciation to Jane as one of our volunteers, as well as being a trustee of PASDA, A small charity that makes such an amazing impact.
“We’re making our homes as safe as possible and will ensure that all new residents and staff are vaccinated before moving in or working in our homes. Please do give us a call on 01313363166 if you are looking for care or need any further help.”
Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing, Dementia, respite and residential care for long and short term stays.
8% pay increase for nurses, midwives and NHS workers in 2025-26 and 2026-27
Nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff across Scotland have been offered a pay increase of 8% over two years to ensure they continue to be the best paid in the UK, Health Secretary Neil Gray has announced.
The offer guarantees the pay increase will be one percentage point above inflation over same period.
If accepted by trade unions, it will see pay raises of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27. It involves an investment of more than £700 million over the two-year period and will ensure almost 170,000 NHS Agenda for Change staff – including nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others – benefit from the pay rise which will be backdated to 1 April 2025.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “This is a strong two-year pay offer that has been agreed following constructive engagement with trade union representatives. It is guaranteed to remain above CPI inflation, which gives added reassurance to staff, and will ensure Scotland’s nurses, midwives and NHS staff have the best pay in the UK.
“This comes on the back of increased employer national insurance contributions following the UK Government announcement in October 2024. It directly increases the overall cost of pay by an estimated £191 million for Scotland’s NHS.
“I want to express my thanks again to Scotland’s hardworking healthcare staff for their continued hard work and commitment.
“The unions will now consult their members and I hope this offer will be accepted.”
A multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford agreed between Universal, the government and local council
The Prime Minister has today closed the deal on a new Universal theme park in Bedfordshire
Plans will bring an estimated £50bn boost for the economy and create around 28,000 jobs in total across creative, hospitality and construction industries
Set to open in 2031, the theme park will form part of a new planned entertainment resort, due to include immersive storytelling, rides, attractions and hospitality
Deal firmly puts the UK on the global investment stage, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change, which will create growth and opportunities across the country
A multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford has been agreed between Universal, the government and the local council, in a move that represents a major vote of confidence in the UK economy and the future of partnerships between the UK and the US.
The theme park, which is set to be one of the largest and most advanced in Europe, will bring nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period, with a further 8,000 new jobs across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens in 2031.
Supporting the government’s Plan for Change to create economic growth and opportunities by getting people into well-paid, decent jobs across the creative, technology, tourism and hospitality sectors, Universal has committed to working with local colleges and universities to train the next generation of its hospitality workforce, including through a range of apprenticeships and internships.
As well as generating significant opportunities, the new theme park and resort will bring significant local benefits – with approximately 80% of employees at the theme park expected to come from local areas – and support a stream of ongoing work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor through growth, infrastructure revitalisation and further job opportunities.
Universal expects the site to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy by 2055, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year – becoming the largest visitor attraction in the UK. This will support the government to deliver its growth mission – creating higher living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Today we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage.
“This is our Plan for Change in action, combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction, AI, and tourism.
“It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country. Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.”
The development, working with Bedford Borough Council, will be the first Universal-branded theme park and resort destination in Europe and will be part of a larger 476-acre entertainment resort complex.
Proposed plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences, a business unit of Comcast, include a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct brand of immersive storytelling, thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment, all utilising sophisticated and advanced technology. Initial resort plans also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex.
Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Corporation, said: “We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe.
“We appreciate the leadership and support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and their teams, as we work together to create and deliver a fantastic new landmark destination.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business.
“Universal’s investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets.”
Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: “Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe.
“We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead.”
As part of the Plan for Change, the government will commit to a major investment in infrastructure around the site to support the delivery of the project and ensure it is well connected and easily accessible. It comes just days after the government signed-off the expansion of Luton Airport, showcasing how the government’s pro-growth agenda is delivering real-life benefits for working people.
The deal supports the UK’s world leading creative industries, a growth-driving sector identified in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will be published this spring. The Strategy will drive investment into high growth sectors, unlocking jobs and growth right across the country.
Universal Destinations & Experiences has a proven track record of building and operating major theme parks and resorts across the globe. A Universal development in the UK will join the company’s existing portfolio of destinations across the United States and Asia-Pacific.
The proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
FoI request spotlights the UK’s leading universities for building repair and remediation works
The University of Edinburgh is among the top ranking institutions for investment in building repair and remediation, according to a new national study, with an overall score of 59.56.
To investigate the state of building maintenance across UK universities, SFG20, the industry standard for facility management, submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to universities across the country. They received responses from 61 universities, who were asked to provide information on: total costs spent on repair and remediation works in the most recent financial year; completed repair projects; outstanding projects; and total budgets.
Leading UK universities for investment in building upkeep and maintenance
As part of their overall ranking, Edinburgh University invested just over £22 million on building repair and remediation projects, the second highest out of the 61 universities that responded. Similarly, in 2023, the university completed the second highest amount of maintenance projects, totalling just under 47,000.
The ‘gold tier’ saw two other Scottish universities, the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee. These three institutions were all some of the first UK universities to discover RAAC in some of their buildings.
They have, since, had to invest significant time and money into prioritising the removal of RAAC and the maintenance of their student buildings and ensure they are doing so in the most cost-effective way, without compromising on quality and compliance.
Paul Bullard, Product Director at SFG20, on the issue of building maintenance in UK Universities, has said: “Staying significantly under budget on maintenance costs and keeping a low cost per repair request are both strong indicators of a well-structured, proactive maintenance strategy – one that prioritises efficiency and minimises more serious and costly unexpected downtime.
“To attract and retain the best calibre of staff and students, universities must provide outstanding learning environments, supported by high-quality leisure facilities and living conditions.
“Even before Covid, we saw a shift towards improving indoor air quality to enhance student focus and well-being. Now, more than ever, delivering a great experience is critical. Well-maintained facilities not only create inspiring spaces for learning but also play a vital role in university recruitment and retention.”
New figures show over 1,503 extra GPs have been hired through new scheme since 1 October
Major recruitment boost comes after government removed red tape which made it difficult for surgeries to hire doctors
Increased GP capacity will help fix the front door of the NHS and increase appointments to bring back the family doctor
Milestone builds on Plan for Change’s progress, which has delivered two million appointments seven months early, and cut waiting lists by 193,000
New figures show an extra 1,503 GPs have been recruited since 1 October – thanks to government action.
The recruitment boost, part of the government’s Plan for Change will help to end the scandal of patients struggling to see a doctor – easing pressure on GPs and cutting waiting lists. Alongside changes to the GP contract for 2025-26, these additional GPs will help end the 8am scramble for appointments which so many patients currently endure every day.
When the government came into office, unnecessary red tape was preventing practices from hiring newly qualified GPs, meaning more than 1,000 were due to graduate into unemployment. At the same time, there were also 1,399 fewer fully qualified GPs than a decade prior, showing how years of underfunding and neglect had eroded GP services.
The government cut the red tape and invested an extra £82 million to allow networks of practices to hire the GPs, with the funding continuing past this year thanks to the extra funding announced at the Budget.
People in communities across England will be more readily able to receive the timely care they deserve, helping to shift healthcare from hospitals to the community.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said: “Rebuilding our broken NHS starts with fixing the front door. We inherited a ludicrous situation where patients couldn’t get a GP appointment, while GPs couldn’t get a job. By cutting red tape and investing more in our NHS, we have put an extra 1,503 GPs into general practice to deliver more appointments.
“The extra investment and reforms we have made will allow patients to book appointments more easily, to help bring back the family doctor and end the 8am scramble.
“It is only because of the necessary decisions we took to increase employer National Insurance that we are able to recruit more GPs and deliver better services for patients. The extra investment and reform this government is making, as part of its Plan for Change, will get the NHS back on its feet and make it fit for the future.”
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, said: “I would like to thank the general practice teams that have employed significantly more than the 1,000 extra GPs promised to provide care for patients.
“Improving access to general practice is an NHS priority and GP teams are delivering 29 million appointments every month – up a fifth since before the pandemic.
“But we have more to do to make it easier for patients to see their local GP, so practice teams should continue to use this funding to best effect by recruiting more GPs, so more patients can be seen more quickly.”
The recruitment of an additional 1,503 GPs was made possible by the ‘tough but fair’ decisions the Chancellor took at the Budget to fix the foundations of the NHS, enabling the government to provide almost £26 billion to get the NHS back on its feet and make it fit for the future.
Thanks to these decisions, the government has already delivered over two million extra appointments since July, meeting its target seven months early, and brought the waiting list down by 193,000.
Last year, the department added GPs to the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) and provided extra funding, meaning that GPs could be recruited more quickly by primary care networks (PCNs).
The government has since provided the biggest boost to GP funding in years – an extra £889 million on top of the existing budget for general practice in 2025-26.
The investment comes alongside new reforms to modernise general practice. GP surgeries must now allow patients to request appointments online throughout working hours from October, freeing up the phones for those who want to book over the phone, and making it easier for practices to triage patients based on medical need. More patients will also be able to book appointments with their regular doctor if they choose to, to bring back the family doctor.
Cutting waiting times and improving access to health care for patients is one of the government’s top priorities in its Plan for Change which is driving forward reform of the health service to rebuild our NHS and improve living standards, which are growing at their fastest rate in two years.
The University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection has partnered with Gracemount High School to give pupils hands-on hospitality experience through the Hospitality Connect programme.
The initiative aims to reshape perceptions of hospitality careers while providing students with real-world training in a professional hotel environment.
Since launching last November, the partnership has enabled 30 Gracemount students, aged 14 to 16, to explore daily operations at The Scholar, a 4-star hotel run by The University of Edinburgh, through four immersive workshops. Participants gained practical insight into core hospitality functions including housekeeping, reception services, kitchen operations, and food & beverage management.
Hospitality Connect, founded by UK Hospitality, delivers six bespoke career experiences annually, including workshops, employer-led events, and hands-on training. By connecting classroom learning with real-world industry expertise, the programme helps bridge the gap between education and employment, offering students a tangible pathway into hospitality careers.
The programme culminated on Thursday, 27th March, with a special event at the hotel’s restaurant The Brasserie, rebranded by the students as “The Mount” for the day. Students took full control of the lunch service, overseeing everything from menu design and marketing to food preparation and front-of-house service.
This hands-on experience not only contributed to their year-end assessments but also provided them with practical skills and a deeper understanding of the industry – an invaluable stepping stone toward future career opportunities.
Gavin MacLennan, Group General Manager for Operations at the University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, said: “We have loved opening our operations to support students who have already demonstrated a keen interest in the hospitality sector.
“By providing real-world insights and experiences, we’ve sought to equip them with the practical skills and knowledge required to excel in this field and to demonstrate the career opportunities it brings.”
Morven Langley, Teacher at Gracemount High School, added: “This initiative really brings classroom learning to life.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to see the inner workings of a busy Edinburgh hotel, enhancing their learning and preparing them for exciting career opportunities in this growing sector.”
This partnership marks the start of what is hoped to be a long-term collaboration, inspiring the next generation to view hospitality as an exciting and rewarding career choice.
To find out more about theUniversity of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, please visit:
Paul and Meghan Godsman will take part in bp’s Coast 2 Coast cycle in aid of Simpsons Special Care Babies in Edinburgh
A couple whose baby son was born nine weeks early are to take part in a Scottish cycling challenge to raise money for the charity which supported them after his premature arrival.
Paul and Meghan Godsman, whose baby Blake, was born in May 2024, will be part of a 70 strong peloton for the bp Coast 2 Coast cycle in support of Simpsons Special Care Babies at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE).
Paul, an offshore wind engineer at bp, based in Edinburgh, has completed the annual cycle twice before but Meghan is cycling for the first time. He said: “Although I’ve completed Coast 2 Coast a couple of times prior and seen the incredible amounts of money raised for charity,
I’ve never had that personal connection with the charity before but this year I’ll be cycling in a totally different headspace.”
Meghan added: “When I first went into labour, Paul was with two members of the bp Coast 2 Coast committee cycling in Inverness so it seems fitting that we will now cycle together with Paul’s colleagues to help raise funds for the charity that saved Blake’s life.”
After Blake was born, he was admitted to the Simpson Neonatal Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he stayed for nine weeks. Facilities available in the unit meant the couple could also stay there for four weeks, allowing them to be close to their son whilst he was in a critical condition.
The Neonatal Unit is supported by Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB), a charity that exists to enhance the support and advice provided by the NHS to families of babies admitted to the unit from across the country.
Paul explained how critical SSCB’s support was for them as parents, as well as crediting bp with allowing him to have extended neonatal care leave while Blake was in hospital: “As much as the neonatal unit is there to care for the babies, there is a huge support need for parents who are navigating this terrifying experience,” he said.
“We were so grateful to stay in one of two parent rooms on the neonatal ward for the first four weeks of Blake’s life when we really needed it. It meant we could wake up and walk along the corridor to be beside him.
“If we’d been driving home to Linlithgow every night, we’d have been an hour away from the hospital should anything happen. That would have put an even bigger strain on us.
“Our goal is to raise money to help the unit improve its support for parents, refurbish family rooms and facilities and buy specialist equipment.
“I was also extremely grateful to my employer bp, which allowed me to have extended leave so I could be with my wife and son while he was being cared for in hospital.”
One in seven babies born in the UK are admitted to a neonatal unit each year due to being born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or full term (after 37 weeks) but requiring specialist lifesaving support.
Meghan explained how the couple’s experience has changed their outlook and inspired them to support the charity that helped them: “We were naive to the reality of what it felt like to have a baby in the neonatal unit and we were shocked to learn how common this is for families.
“Before Blake was born, we hadn’t realised there are only three centres of excellence in Scotland for babies requiring complex specialist care and people from across the country must travel to come to these centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen.
“Now that Blake is out of hospital and doing well, we want to support the charity that gave him life and make sure other parents who find themselves in a similar position can receive the same support we did and go on to experience parenthood like we are now.”
The 234-mile cycle will take place over three days from 6 June 2025. The endurance challenge, now in its 16th year, has raised more than £2million pounds for charity.
The cycle which will pass through Aberfeldy, Grantown on Spey and the Lecht this June will raise funds for four charities including Russell Anderson Foundation, the Teddy Bear Development Playgroup and Murtle Market by Camphill School, as well as Simpsons Special Care Babies.
The challenge is open to cyclists of all abilities with individuals covering their own accommodation and food costs. Each cyclist has a fundraising target of £1,000 and the total fundraising is split between the four charities.
The group is mainly made up of bp employees as well as bp alumni, representatives from the chosen charities and local organisations. Any money raised by bp employees will be matched by the bp Foundation – doubling the value of their contributions.
Emma Coffey, trustee at Simpsons Special Care Babies, said: “We can’t thank Paul and Meghan and the Coast 2 Coast team enough for selecting SSCB as one of the charities to benefit from this year’s fundraising. It’s thanks to supporters like them that our specialised staff can continue to provide care for the 750 families who attend the neonatal unit each year.
“Voluntary donations and fundraising are crucial for SSCB and this donation will help us purchase new specialist equipment such as the latest video laryngoscopes, which allow our staff to better visualise the airways of extremely small babies when inserting breathing tubes. This improves time, comfort and safety and ultimately helps save lives.
“We wish all the riders the best of luck and look forward to hearing how they get on.”
To sponsor one of the four Coast 2 Coast charities, you can select your preferred cause and click the link below:
