Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Survey water voles to help save Scotland’s riverside residents

In 2015, wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) launched the first ever National Water Vole Monitoring Programme (NWVMP) to help save water voles – the UK’s fastest declining mammal. Now, four years on, PTES is calling for volunteers to take part in its annual survey of these riverside residents, in order to find out where water voles are living and where they are most in need of conservation action. Continue reading Survey water voles to help save Scotland’s riverside residents

Edinburgh Napier technician wins ‘I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!’ competition

James Munro wins funding to put towards further STEM activities

An Edinburgh Napier science technician has come out on top in a UK-wide online competition in which school students vote for their favourite scientist. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier technician wins ‘I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!’ competition

‘Unjustifiable’ benefits freeze means another tough year ahead for low income families

Families in poverty face another year of frozen benefits amid the uncertainty of Brexit, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

More are likely to be pulled into poverty following the Government’s decision to continue the freeze on working-age benefits and tax credits until 2020, despite declaring austerity over. Continue reading ‘Unjustifiable’ benefits freeze means another tough year ahead for low income families

Leonardo staff engineer super support for MND Scotland

Employees at aerospace giant Leonardo at Crewe Toll handed over a cheque for over £21,000 to their outgoing nominated charity MND Scotland recently, marking the culmination of two years of fundraising for them. Continue reading Leonardo staff engineer super support for MND Scotland

Hearts act swiftly to stamp out criminal behaviour

Hearts will close a section of their Wheatfield stand for the last two games of the season in a move to stamp out unacceptable behaviour at Tynecastle. The decision was announced hours after a 19 year old man was arrested and charged for an alleged hate crime committed during Saturday’s Edinburgh derby. Continue reading Hearts act swiftly to stamp out criminal behaviour

Tynecastle hate crime: man charged

Police in Edinburgh can confirm that a 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a hate crime at Tynecastle Stadium.

The incident happened on Saturday, April 6, and was reported to police on Monday, April 8.

The man will appear at court at a later date.

Inspector Kieran Dougal of Wester Hailes Police Station said:  “These crimes are committed by a small minority intent on ruining a great atmosphere. Thankfully these types of incidents are very rare and are not a reflection vast majority of fans who attend football matches.

“However in order to protect everyone, we need all hate crimes to be reported to us.  If you have been a victim of a hate crime you can report this to Police Scotland via 101.

“Alternatively you can report a hate crime through a third party.  More details can be found on the Police Scotland website.”