NEN PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BLOG POST ON THIS DAY IN 2011
The very first NEN blog post was published on this day in 2011. The post read:
Hello, and welcome to the brand new NEN blog.
For those of you not already familiar with the newspaper, we are a local community paper serving the North Edinburgh community. We’ve been here for over thirty years.
This blog, along with our new Facebook page and Twitter stream, represents our first foray into the world of social media. We really want to encourage more participation, more questions and ideas from the North Edinburgh community – both online and offline – and hope that these new tools will help us to do that.
We already have a good website, where you can always find the latest edition of the printed newspaper. The blog won’t be replacing that, but will instead be there to show people the latest news about the area, and also to help us cover the current funding crisis we are facing as an organisation.
Above all, we want to include your input on the blog – be it ideas for stories, comments, pictures and events. So get in touch!
The NEN’s website was sadly deleted when funding ceased but our social media presence continues on both Twitter and Facebook and the blog is still going strong with 10 – 12 posts daily.
2025 was the NEN blog’s busiest ever year with 36,000 visitors. As I write this we’ve published more than 38,000 posts – all of these remain accessible online – and we’re currently on a run of publishing on 2749 consecutive days.
When the NEN office in Crewe Road North closed much of the NEN archive material was lost, but thankfully some of our picture library was salvaged and can now be found at granton:hub (Madelvic House), where the volunteer archive team has also collated all remaining hard copies of the North Edinburgh News newspaper.
Hopefully, between the physical archive and the NEN blog, you can find all you need to know about our community’s rich history – and we’re adding to that history every day!
Stores across the country have been overwhelmed by the generosity of customers who donated at the Tesco Winter Food Collection.
An incredible 1.48 million meals’ worth of long-life food items were donated to the collection between 24 November and 29 November across the retailer’s large and Express stores, including 41,804 in and around Edinburgh.
More than 2,000 volunteers helped store colleagues throughout the collection where every item donated provides much-needed support for food redistribution charities FareShare and Trussell in the run up to Christmas.
In addition, more than £300,000 was donated to both charities thanks to customers rounding up their bill at the till to the nearest pound and online donations throughout the collection period. When combined with Tesco’s financial support of the charities, it equates to more than £2m in funding in 2025.
Trussell research shows over 14 million people in the UK are now facing hunger, including 3.8 million children. They predict that their community of foodbanks will need to give out an emergency food parcel every ten seconds this winter to meet the need.
FareShare continues to see high levels of need and say that more than a third of its partners now primarily serve families with children, or services for children. Research carried out by the charity’s network partner, The Felix Project, recently found that almost a quarter of UK working parents have had to turn to a food support service in the last year.
Donations to Trussell help food banks to provide emergency food parcels to people who cannot afford the essentials, while donations to FareShare support thousands of frontline local charities in communities across the country.
This winter will see heightened levels of demand for both charities’ services with the Christmas holidays being a particularly difficult time for families due to the increased costs that occur at this time of year.
Tesco UK CEO Ashwin Prasad said: “As ever, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Tesco customers who have shown how much they value the hard work of our partners Trussell and FareShare in their local communities.
“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated and made this such a special event in stores across the UK. Every single item donated really helps to make a huge impact in communities across the UK supported by Trussell and FareShare.”
FareShare Chief Executive, Kris Gibbon-Walsh, said: “Once again, the generosity of Tesco customers at the Winter Food Collection has been humbling. The long-life items collected will go to 8,000 charities across the UK, helping to support people during the winter months.
At a time when many people are forced to choose between keeping warm and eating, demand for these local charities’ services is higher than ever. The food that we can provide thanks to the Winter Food Collection makes a real difference, helping to bring people together, strengthen communities and support those in need.
“Thank you to every single person that donated an item of food, topped up their shopping bill or generously gave their time to volunteer in store. Your support will help provide a meal for someone facing hardship this winter, enable them to connect with other vital services, and make a positive difference. Thank you.”
Matthew van Duyvenbode, co-chief executive of Trussell, said: “We are so grateful to Tesco for supporting our community of food banks through the coldest season by organising the annual Winter Food Collection.
“Crucially, it’s thanks to you – Tesco customers – who donate food and money so generously. By doing this, you’re ensuring food banks can continue to help people in your local community who are facing hunger and hardship. Thank you for your kindness. When we all play our part, we can end hunger for good.”
With both charities requiring ongoing support, Tesco shoppers can continue to donate food at permanent collection points at every Tesco store in the UK or make a donation after their online shop until the end of February.
Artisan Real Estate to Partner with Whitbread to transform 1980s office on edge ofNew Town into hub by Premier Inn
Planning consent has been granted by the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) to transform a sandstone office building on the edge of Edinburgh’s New Town into a sustainable 102-bedroom city centre hotel.
Regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate is now set to progress with the redevelopment of Albany House, located at 58 Albany Street on the corner of the capital’s Broughton Street, with completion scheduled for summer 2027. Artisan have agreed terms with Whitbread plc to operate the completed hotel under its popular hub by Premier Inn brand
The five-storey Albany House was constructed in the 1980s and was designed to reflect the adjacent Georgian neoclassical town houses along Albany Street. The current occupiers are relocating to new offices in the city centre in 2026.
Artisan’s design proposals will retain much of the external structure of the building whilst replacing the top floor facade with a contemporary new cladding and finish to meet current building standards. Internally, the hotel’s design specification will meet high environmental and sustainability standards, with air-sourced heat pump technology replacing the existing fossil fuel heating and hot water system.
Welcoming the planning consent for Albany House, Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater, said: “This exciting hotel development will bring continued interest and investment to a vibrant corner of Edinburgh’s eastern city centre.
“We are pleased to be once again working with Whitbread to create a modern and contemporary hotel interior providing the high levels of insulation and energy technology, delivering both a sustainable and attractive addition to Edinburgh’s successful hospitality sector.
“The existing sandstone building is well-suited to hotel development with high levels of natural daylight and an established entrance area.”
He added: “Albany House is the latest in a succession of high-profile planning proposals delivered by Artisan in Edinburgh’s city centre during the last 12 months and reinforces our stated commitment to bring substantial investment coupled with high quality development to the heart of Scotland’s capital.”
Whitbread currently welcomes close to a million visitors to its established network of 14 Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels within the City of Edinburgh Council area. The business calculates its guests staying at these hotels generate more than £32 million in visitor expenditure to the Edinburgh economy every year.
Jill Anderson, Acquisitions Manager for Whitbread, said: “Albany House is an excellent location for a hub by Premier Inn hotel, and I am very pleased to be working with Artisan to expand our footprint in the city in a sustainable way through the proposed conversion of the 1980s office building.
“Our hub by Premier Inn hotels are designed to appeal to budget, short-stay travellers, looking to stay in the most interesting and connected city centre locations. It offers all the comfort, consistency, and reliability of Premier Inn, but with a smaller bedroom and the format allows us to offer great value rooms in the most vibrant places.”
She added: “Premier Inn has been part of Edinburgh’s hospitality scene for more than 30 years.
“We’re incredibly proud to have built a network of popular, good-value hotels across the city, and we see great potential for further investment driven by our own high occupancy in the city and the fact that budget hotels like Premier Inn account for just 20% of the city’s bedroom stock.”
Artisan Real Estate has an established track record of delivering innovative hotel development in architecturally sensitive city centre locations.
This includes three hotels as part of the award-winning New Waverley development in the heart of the Edinburgh’s Old Town – including partnering with Whitbread to deliver a Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn (trading as Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile).
Most recently, the developer has completed the transformation of Glasgow’s historic Clydeside Custom House into a new hotel quarter.
The Albany House planning proposal follows Artisan’s successful application to transform the city’s historic Caledonian Brewery into a new residential neighbourhood which received planning consent from CEC in May 2025.
The developer is also progressing with the homes-led regeneration of a vacant office block on the city’s Ferry Road, to the north of the city centre.
Heritage Portfolio, the specialist events and catering company within Sodexo Live! recently supported an unforgettable evening at Edinburgh’s Mansfield Traquair, where the Benedetti Foundation raised an impressive £88,555 during a special charity auction and gala dinner.
Held on 29th October, the evening combined exquisite food, exceptional music and generous giving to support the Benedetti Foundation’s mission to bring the transformative power of music to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Mansfield Traquair, often referred to as ‘Edinburgh’s Sistine Chapel’ for its spectacular murals, provided the perfect setting for this celebration of music, education and philanthropy. The historic venue, located in the heart of the city, offered a magnificent backdrop for the Foundation to share its work, achievements and ambitions with friends, supporters and guests.
Guests were treated to performances from Nicola Benedetti and the musicians currently touring with her, including Plínio Fernandes on guitar, Samuele Telari on accordion and Max Calver on cello. Andrea Gajic, one of the Benedetti Foundation’s Tutors also joined her on violin. Foundation Tutors and Ambassadors then joined Nicola onstage to showcase some of the talented musicians the Foundation supports.
Heritage Portfolio curated an elegant dinner menu showcasing the best of Scottish cuisine, featuring a starter of celeriac and turmeric velouté with a Mull cheddar crouté and rosemary oil.
The main course was roast loin of Highland venison with dauphinoise, candied red cabbage, broccoli and port wine jus. Dessert was an apple crumble and filo tart with cinnamon gel and clotted cream ice cream.
A total of 106 guests attended the gala, with the auction led by Helena Newman, Chairman of both Sotheby’s Europe and Impressionist & Modern Art Worldwide, whose expertise and enthusiasm helped to make the evening a great success.
The highest bid of the night was for a three-night exclusive stay at Château de Pont Bourguet for up to twelve guests, which achieved a hammer price of £9,000.
Heritage Portfolio contributed to the fundraising by donating a Champagne Afternoon Tea for two at the Signet Library’s Colonnades, offering a chance to enjoy handcrafted sweet and savoury creations in one of Edinburgh’s most elegant settings.
Sandy Robson, Executive Director of Heritage Portfolio, said:“Supporting the Benedetti Foundation with this fundraising gala was an opportunity to engage with a wonderful charity, and we were proud to host them within the beautiful space of the Mansfield Traquair.
“Heritage Portfolio created a menu that reflected the quality and creativity of the evening, delivering a dining experience worthy of such an inspiring cause in one of Edinburgh’s most breathtaking venues.”
Paul Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive, The Benedetti Foundation said: “Mansfield Traquair was the perfect venue for our fundraising gala. The venue’s beauty, atmosphere and remarkable acoustics made it an ideal space for live performance and celebration.
“Every detail ran so smoothly thanks to the professionalism of the Heritage Portfolio team, allowing us to focus on sharing our mission and connecting with guests in a truly special setting.”
Heritage Portfolio, a division of Sodexo Live!, is a leading provider of private and corporate hospitality for cultural destinations. Producing outstanding catering and event services, it serves some of the most prestigious venues across Britain, delivering amazing experiences that go beyond the remarkable food it creates.
In Scotland, partners include Musselburgh Racecourse, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, National Galleries Scotland, V&A Dundee and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
LIMINAL: OUT OF THE DRILL HALL until 6 NOVEMBER – FREE EXHIBITION
Liminal, a new exhibition showcasing artwork created by young people who are treated at the city’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, is open for one week in Edinburgh.
Running until Thursday 6 November, the exhibition has been developed through a collaboration between the Mental Health Foundation, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), and artist Louise Fraser, as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. Liminal explores the emotional and physical “in-between” spaces that young people often navigate between childhood and adulthood, wellness and illness, comfort and unease.
The exhibition features imaginative and deeply personal work created by young people who have spent time in hospital settings. They participated in a series of workshops to create their artwork and co-produce the exhibition.
Through drawing, painting, and mixed media, they reflect on identity, transition, and the complexity of growing up while managing health challenges.
Poppy Porteous, age 13 from Linlithgow, is one of the young artists whose work is on display. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when she was 7 years old and has been attending medical appointments at the hospital since.
Poppy said: “Living with a long-term health condition can be scary and frustrating sometimes, so doing art like this really helped me feel better. I got involved in the Liminal project after taking part in a teddy photography activity through the hospital and ECHC.
“I loved being part of Liminal. It was so much fun and everyone was really kind. My artwork shows the creative and messy side of me, especially the wooden block paintings. It felt great to be allowed to try everything and I love seeing my artwork on display”.
Ilayda Balkan,age 15 from Edinburgh, was diagnosed with Polyarthritic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)in April 2024. Her rheumatology nurse at the hospital introduced her to the arts project.
Ilayda said: “My nurse told me about the Liminal project before she retired, it felt like a gift she left me. Taking part was a lovely experience. I met kind, creative people and felt a real sense of empathy, even though we didn’t know each other’s stories.
“The project gave me space to express myself freely, and my artwork reflects that – especially my sunset paintings, which remind me of my family’s home in Turkey. Living with a long-term health condition can be really tough, but projects like this show that your illness doesn’t define you. It’s your kindness and strength that truly shine.”
The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, led by the Mental Health Foundation, is one of Scotland’s most diverse cultural festivals, and the biggest festival of its kind in the world. It celebrates and encourages using the arts to explore mental health, challenge stigma, and promote wellbeing.
Gill Means, Project Manager at Mental Health Foundation said:“Liminal has been a powerful and moving project to be part of.
“The young people involved have shared their experiences with honesty, creativity and courage, and their artwork speaks volumes about what it means to live with a long-term health condition.
“This exhibition is a celebration of their voices, their imagination, and the strength they’ve shown in expressing themselves through art.”
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) works to transform the hospital experience for children and young people by supporting their health and wellbeing through creativity, play and connection.
Creative projects offer a vital outlet for imagination and emotional resilience and help make hospital a place where children can still be children.
ECHC works in partnership with NHS Lothian to help seriously ill children and their families have a positive hospital experience.
Tonya McMullan, Arts Officer at ECHC, said: “We see firsthand, every day, how creativity gives children in hospital a way to express themselves, have fun and just be children again.
“Art can help them cope with tough days and give them some choice and control at a time when they have very little. “We’re so inspired by all the young people who took part in Liminal. Their artwork is powerful, moving and so inspiring.”
Liminal is on display at Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH6 8RG until Thursday 6 November 2025. The gallery is open daily, 10am–5pm
The store, located on Broughton Road, has spent eight years raising vital funds for the hospice, which provides people in Edinburgh with end-of-life care, as well as supporting their families.
Recently, members of the Tesco team took part in the 7 Hills of Edinburgh Challenge, a long gruelling walk of around 27km with over 700m of climbing involved, in which they raised nearly £2,000 for the hospice alone.
In September, the team will be taking part in the famous Edinburgh Kiltwalk, part of Scotland’s largest mass participation walking event with over 178,000 people taking part since 2016.
Year-long fundraising in store includes a book donation point, which was started by store colleague Caroline Phillip, where customers are encouraged to take a book and make a small donation, which is then given to the hospice – with a current sum of £17,432 donated so far. Books are provided by local businesses and customers.
Ross Wallace, Store Manager at the Superstore, said: “We have supported St. Columba’s Hospice Care for many years and are delighted we have been able to give them such a fantastic donation of over £19,000.
“The hospice has provided help to not only colleagues in store, but our customers as well, so it’s a cause very close to our communities’ hearts.
“I’m extremely proud of all my staff for going the extra mile to raise funds for a vital service which supports so many people in the area, and I’d like to thank everyone who kindly donated over the years too.”
Amanda Southey, Partnerships Fundraiser, said: “We’re incredibly thankful to the team at Tesco for their continued commitment and generosity over the years.
“Their support makes a real difference to families across Edinburgh and the Lothians, allowing us to deliver expert, compassionate care, so no one has to face the end of life alone.”
Tesco Superstore is located at 7 Broughton Rd, Edinburgh, EH7 4EW.
Donations can be made to the store’s Kiltwalk efforts at:
Whether you’re looking for quality pre-loved furniture at great prices or just fancy a browse, a cuppa and cake, pop along to our Furniture Centre next Saturday for our exclusive discount day!
Every penny raised through the sale of pre-loved goods goes to support vital hospice care in our community.
The shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.
Nicola Daniel of Broughton High Schoolis nominated for Scots Teacher of the Year for her dedication to the language in her teaching.
She is one of 45 individuals and organisations nominated who each showcase the Scots language in their own unique way. 2025 nominees hail from across Scotland and voting is open until Sunday 31st August.
The Scots tongue was given official status as a language earlier this year with the unanimous passing of the Scottish Languages Bill. Now in its seventh year, the Scots Language Awards – organised by cultural advocacy organisation Hands Up For Trad – aim to recognise the importance of the Scottish indigenous language to daily Scottish life.
Returning to Dundee, the 2025 awards will be held at Discovery Point on Saturday 6th September and hosted by Dundee’s own Taylor Dyson, who is this year’s National Library of Scotland Scots Scriever, and Scots folk singer from Angus, Lynne Campbell.
Scots Language Awards host Taylor Dyson said: “Scots is oor language – it’s intrinsically linked to oor culture and we are so proud tae celebrate it.
“This is a chance tae gie credit tae aa the guid fowk daein work in Scots. We’ll be gien oot awards tae teachers wha promote Scots in scuils, tae actors yaisin Scots on stage, fowk scrievin books for bairns an adults, as weel as aa sorts o ither awards.
“We would encourage folk tae cast a vote for the projects, poets, businesses and figures they reckon deserve it maist and why not come alang for a celebration of all things Scots in Dundee this September.”
The full list of nominees are:
Scots Writer o the Year, sponsored by National Library of Scotland
● Josie Giles
● Kathleen Jamie
● Len Pennie
● Yvonne Tait
Scots Community Project o the Year
● Auchies Spikkin’ Auchie – Grace Stewart-Skinner
● Blether – Dundee Scots Nicht
● Celtic Croft – Limelight Music
● Orkney Voices Vaigan b’ the shore
● Seagully Blonde, Aberdeen
Scots Bairns’ Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Government
● Foggie Bummer Rescue by Aaron Gale (Doric Books)
● Corrie Doon by Jackie Kay (Walker Books)
● Hirda Da Oorick (Peerie Oorick)
● Hiya in There Wee Bairnie (NHS/Dundee Contemporary Arts)
● The Lass and the Quine (Tippermuir Books)
Scots Teacher o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority
The esteemed Scots Champion, Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award, sponsored by Creative Scotland, and the Young Scots Writer o the Year award, sponsored by Education Scotland, will be decided by a panel of judges and presented at the event.
The awards will also showcase performances from some of the finest Scots cultural practitioners including Scots singer Ellie Beaton, Slam poetry champion Hamish MacDonald and young Edinburgh vocalist Amy Leach. The event will be followed by an after party at Dundee Scots Language night Blether.
The Scots Language Awards 2025 will take place at Discovery Point, Dundee on 6th September. Voting is open until 31st August.
