Police have confirmed that Bervely Chaleka has been traced safe and well. Her family have been notified.
PI Keith Forrester said “Thanks very much for all the shares and comments, they helped us to find Bervely.”
Police in Edinburgh are continuing to seek the public’s support to find Bervely Chaleka, who went mssing on Monday evening.
Bervely is 25 years old and is described as 5’ 7” in height with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a white headscarf, navy jacket and light patterned trousers (see attached picture).
Inspector Keith Forrester from Wester Hailes Police Station said: “Thank you for sharing my previous post and for the feedback so far.
“Bervely is known to have travelled in to the city centre on Monday evening to visit shops on Princes Street and she was seen sitting at the tram stop at St Andrews Square between 7:30pm – 9:30pm before walking away northwards.
“If you have information about her whereabouts, or you have seen her on or since Monday night, please phone ‘101’ quoting incident number 491 of 21/09/2021.
“Bervely, if you see this message, please contact Police or your family to let us know you are safe. Thank you“
The Bon Vivant Group is expanding its collection of Edinburgh eateries with a new 140 cover family friendly restaurant, Luckenbooths.
Luckenbooths will open in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, offering a refreshing twist on much loved classic dishes with the same high-quality, exceptional dining experience locals have come to love from the award-winning hospitality company.
Taking its name from the locked booths which used to exist on the ground floor of the magnificent tenement buildings that formerly stood at the north of the historical Royal Mile, Luckenbooths will bring a much needed contemporary, family friendly offering to the city centre.
Located at 329 High Street, Luckenbooths is set to welcome back a familiar face with former chef from The Bon Vivant, Emma Clark-Szabo (above) returning as Head Chef.
Working closely with some of the finest suppliers in Edinburgh, Clark-Szabo has created mouth-watering dishes inspired by their fresh and flavoursome produce, with honey straight from the hives of Edinburgh Honey CO in Leith, bespoke batch whisky from Woven Whisky, and freshly caught lobster from Belhaven Lobster.
With the new menu designed to celebrate the best of Scotland’s local larder, guests can start the day with a hearty stack of Scotch pancakes complete with oat crumble and Edinburgh Honey Co. rose honey, or fresh and delicious beetroot glazed Scottish smoked salmon royale, with dill crème fraîche and rye toast.
The all-day menu presents a wide selection of dishes catering for the entire family, with Campbell’s haggis & beef shin bon bons, a Moving Mountains® vegan burger, and a crispy duck bowl with Asian ‘slaw, watermelon and toasted sesame – there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Guests can also take in the historic surroundings of Edinburgh’s old town while enjoying a dram or a glass of wine on the Luckenbooths spacious outdoor terrace. As with the other The Bon Vivant Group venues, the team have worked with The Bon Vivant’s Companion to put together a curated selection of wines, beers and spirits specially selected to complement the menu.
Luckenbooths is also set to offer a specially created children’s menu with a range of delicious small and large plates that will delight diners of all ages. The menu will include a Scottish beef burger, family favourite mac & cheese with vegetables, and for dessert a delicious chocolate brownie or mini plum mess.
Anthony Hester, Director at The Bon Vivant Group said:“Luckenbooths is a fresh, new, family friendly concept for The Bon Vivant Group where guests can gather every week to catch-up over drinks with friends, come together with family for Sunday lunch or celebrate those big life moments with those closest to us.
“We have taken all of the classic elements of casual dining fused with the high quality, excellent customer service of our other venues and created a space that is central, contemporary and most importantly, family friendly. We are really excited to introduce a new generation of local Edinburgh customers to The Bon Vivant Group and celebrate the best of Scottish hospitality for years to come.”
The owners of The Dome in Edinburgh have said they hope the planning committee approve plans for a new roof for their Rose Street Garden this week to ensure income for the famous venue and help them meet rising upkeep and maintenance costs.
Owners of The Dome say having the Rose Street Garden unable to trade due to do unpredictable weather conditions is putting a great strain on the business. A roof would allow the Garden to be used in all weathers, maximising customers space following the Covid-19 pandemic and helping The Dome meet upkeep and maintenance costs that are increasing on an annual basis.
But Council planners have recommended that the Development Management Sub Committee reject the application, despite no objections from community councils or members of the public and 27 submissions supporting the move indicating they believed it would be a positive addition to the building.
The Dome management are puzzled planners that Historic Scotland (HES), have recommended refusal when a similar application was granted in 1999 with no objection from HES.
Commenting on the report from the Planning Officers, The Dome management said: “The Dome is an iconic Edinburgh building and an attraction in its own right.
“Our application for a retractable glass roof to the rear of the property is similar to one approved in 1999. It means we can make better use of the space on Rose Street and adapt to the changing demands of our customers who more and more want safe outdoor space.
“Approving this roof will allow The Dome to continue as one of Edinburgh’s Premiere venues and tourist attractions. We hope the planning committee would give consideration to the points we have made above.”
InterContinental Edinburgh The George has partnered with Scottish Opera to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott with a special balcony performance of ‘Spargi d’amaro pianto’ from Lucia di Lammermoor, an opera based on Scott’s historical novel The Bride of Lammermoor.
Yesterday’s performance – on 21 September, which is the anniversary of his death – featured Scottish Opera’s emerging artist, soprano Catriona Clark, accompanied by pianist Toby Hession.
Forming part of the 250th anniversary celebrations of Sir Walter Scott, and in the wake of the pandemic, Scottish Opera will feature the novel, The Bride of Lammermoor as a creative stimulus and inspiration to explore issues such as loneliness and isolation.
‘Sweet Sounds in Wild Places’ aims to empower women who have been struggling during lockdown and to help build creative skills, as well as increase self-confidence and self-expression.
The hotel boasts a historical connection to Scotland’s beloved Sir Walter Scott and was originally a collection of five prestigious townhouses. James Ferrier and his family lived at Number 25, with many literary links including Sir Walter Scott, who was also a well-known friend of novelist Susan Ferrier and was regularly entertained at the family home.
InterContinental Edinburgh The George will welcome back Scottish Opera next year to host a curated exhibition of the artwork created throughout the ‘Sweet Sounds in Wild Places’ sessions.
Kieran Quinn, Hotel General Manager InterContinental Edinburgh The George said: “It is hugely exciting to host Scottish Opera at InterContinental Edinburgh The George, both to support the launch of Scottish Opera’s ‘Sweet Sounds in Wild Places’ as well as commemorate Sir Walter Scott.
“This world-class performance is not only a nod to Sir Walter Scott, whom had a personal connection to the historical building of this hotel, but also highlights that InterContinental Edinburgh The George is open, following the many challenges faced by the hospitality industry.
“The impact from the pandemic has left many people with feelings of loneliness, isolation and anxiety and it is important that we support them. We look forward to our partnership with Scottish Opera, and to welcoming them back to host a selection of the artwork created during their ‘Sweet Sounds in Wild Places’ workshops.
Jane Davidson, Director of Outreach and Education, Scottish Opera said:“The past 18 months has been a challenging time for many people, and even although some things are returning to normal, some of us are struggling with mental health and well-being which can make it difficult to re-connect with our usual activities, social circles or with the places where we live and work.
“At times like this it is important not to undermine the power of opera and the ability individuals have to connect with the art forms involved. We thank InterContinental Edinburgh The George for its support in our ‘Sweet Sounds in Wild Places’ sessions and look forward to celebrating the artwork created during the workshops with them later in the year.”
As part of the partnership The InterContinental Edinburgh The George join The Cruden Foundation and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels in supporting the Sweet Sounds in Wild Places project.
For more information about the InterContinental Edinburgh The George visit:
Underbelly, the producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, have officially submitted planning applications for the Capital’s 2021 Winter Festival.
The new application includes complimentary additions to the already granted planning application for Edinburgh’s Christmas at East Princes Street Gardens and The Mound. The updated 2021 application also incorporates West Princes Street Gardens and George Street into the festive mix.
This year, 62 trading stalls and four attractions will pop up in East Princes Street Gardens. The Big Wheel, which has become a firm favourite in Edinburgh’s festive skyline, will also make an appearance in the east end of the city.
Additionally, at the west end, revellers can expect to see a further 15 stall concessions and 11 attractions including the Christmas Tree Maze and a Santa’s Grotto.
For the first time since 2018, Underbelly is seeking permission to reinstate a firm favourite to the Christmas programme, an ice rink. The magical ice rink will have a brand-new location at the westerly end of George Street between Charlotte Square and Castle Street.
Underbelly is meticulously planning Edinburgh’s Christmas with Covid-19 in mind and is dedicated to creating a safe and fun environment for the 2021 Christmas celebrations. Working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and Essential Edinburgh, Underbelly has taken on board feedback from previous years to create an unmissable festive programme.
Boosting domestic tourism and reinvigorating Princes Street and the surrounding areas, Edinburgh’s Christmas is designed to support economic recovery in the city centre, driving footfall to the wider city centre area, and to bring some much needed cheer and happiness to both residents and visitors to Edinburgh.
More information on the programme and what can be expected for this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas will be announced shortly. Please make sure that you are signed up to the mailing list via the Edinburgh’s Christmas website.
Underbelly Co-Directors, Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam said: “The Underbelly team has been working tirelessly to create a bespoke Edinburgh’s Christmas programme that not only provides unforgettable memories and experiences, but also makes visitors feel safe and at ease at all times.
“It’s been a very challenging couple of years for everyone but our proposed plans for Christmas are designed not only to support economic recovery in the city centre, driving footfall to both the East and the West end of the City, but to also bring some much needed cheer and happiness to both residents and visitors.”
Launch Event Friday 01.10.21, 7–9pm Book free tickets here
Collective is delighted to present a new installation by Glasgow-based artist Mina Heydari-Waite.
Building on discourse around Iranian diasporic identity, Mina invites viewers into a new immersive set. Composed of sculptural objects and a sound work, this installation creates a dreamscape that holds the audience in a conversation about ritual sites, moments of rupture and Social Dreaming.
In sleep it made itself present to them translates the embellished architecture of Persepolis – an ancient city in modern Iran rich in cultural meaning and ambiguity – into a digital space, rendering it flat and geometric. Processing the elaborate motifs of Persepolis through graphics programmes, Mina prepares them as a CNC-machined, flat-packed kit.
An integrated sound work is made in collaboration with sound artist Claude Nouk and reconstructs fragments of conversation with Mina’s mother, Hamideh Heydari-Waite, a psychotherapist and anthropology researcher based in London.
Their conversation explores and expands on ‘Social Dreaming’, a practice that distinguishes dreams from the dreamer and explores their possibility to uncover wider collective meanings. In this exhibition, Persepolis itself becomes an emblem of this collective mode of dreaming.
Join us on Friday 1 October, 7-9pm, to celebrate the opening of the exhibition. This is an open event and all are welcome. Much of the event will take place outdoors in our new ‘Play Shelter’ so please dress for the weather!
Numbers inside the exhibition will be monitored in line with social distancing advice so a short wait may be required.
Please RSVP by booking a free ticket on Eventbrite.
A 36 year old man has been arrested after five people were hit by a car in Edinburgh city centre in the early hours of this morning.He will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.
Police Scotland received reports of the pedestrians being struck on Rose Street, near its junction with Frederick Street, at about 00:40 this morning.
Two men, aged 39 and 60-years old, and three women, aged 37, 22 and 65, were all taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
All five are in a ‘stable’ condition.
The car failed to stop at the scene and continued on to Lothian Road where it was involved in a crash with another vehicle. No further people were injured.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.
Lothian Road remains closed up to the West Approach Road junction.
The first exhibition dedicated to the Scottish artist John Henry Lorimer (1856-1936) will open at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh on Saturday 6 November.
Over the years, Scottish audiences have shown a lot of support for John Henry, voting Spring Moonlight at the Kirkcaldy Galleries and The Flight of the Swallows at the City Art Centre (above) as their favourite paintings in the galleries’ permanent collections. Both paintings will be included in the exhibition, along with many from private collections, some of which have not been on public display for several decades.
Further highlights include the Tate Galleries’ portrait of the artist’s younger brother Sir Robert Lorimer, A.R.A., as a Boy and the Musee d’Orsay’s painting Grandmother’s Birthday. Also known as Benedicte Grandmother’s Birthday, the first painting by a Scottish artist to be bought by the French Government, is displayed with one of the chairs that features in the painting, designed by architect and furniture designer Sir Robert Lorimer. The painting was last exhibited at the Musee d’Orsay in 1989, alongside paintings by Millet, Whistler and Morisot.
Co-curator Charlotte Lorimer said: “While artists such as Claude Monet and Edgar Degas pushed the boundaries of painting and were rejected by traditional galleries and the Paris Salon, John Henry developed a more classical style and won medals from the Salon and praise from critics.
“History tends to remember the rebels. But there is also a place for the quiet craftmanship of artists such as John Henry.”
Co-Curator David Patterson added: “Here at the City Art Centre, we are really excited to be hosting the first ever major exhibition dedicated to the work of John Henry Lorimer.
“His work, which is so often overlooked in favour of his more radical contemporaries, is technically brilliant and his elegant interiors and light-filled landscapes will uplift everyone’s spirits during the winter months.
Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Donald Wilson, said: “I’m delighted that the City Art Centre is able to showcase this fantastic exhibition of the rarely seen works of John Henry Lorimer.
“It’s incredible to think this is the first exhibition dedicated to him since his passing in 1936. Reflections: The Light and Life of John Henry Lorimer will take visitors on a journey of his work through five themes of light, identity, family, femininity and home. Not only will it be an opportunity to celebrate his work, there are pieces from both public and private collections, the majority of which have not been on public display in decades!”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “We’re excited to be exhibiting the first retrospective of John Henry’s work.
“A technically gifted, but somewhat forgotten artist, this is a chance for audiences to discover his work and learn about the artist himself and the role he played in Scottish art history. Alongside the exhibition there will be a programme of events and we look forward to revealing more details soon.”
In order to protect and maintain the safety of our visitors and staff, the City Art Centre has introduced a range of safety measures and procedures throughout the venue, including a one-way system, installation of screens at reception, hand sanitiser stations, extra barriers and signage. Staff will be wearing face coverings while offering visitors a very warm, socially distanced welcome.
Reflections: The Light and Life of John Henry Lorimer at the City Art Centre opens on Saturday 6 November 2021, and runs until 20 March 2022.
Admission is free.
Reflections: the Light and Life of John Henry Lorimer has been generously supported by The Lorimer Society, The Inches Carr Trust, The Binks Trust, The East Fife Members Centre and all those who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are currently in attendance at a large #fire on George IV Bridge. More than 60 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire in the city centre.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 6.18am this morning (Tuesday, 24 August) to reports of a building on fire at George IV Bridge.
Operations Control mobilised nine appliances and two height vehicles to the area where the fire was found to be affecting a number of properties. A further three appliances were mobilised.
Crews remain on the scene and are expected to do so for some time as they work to make the area safe.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Assistant Chief Officer David Farries is the Incident Commander. He said: “This is undoubtedly a complex and challenging incident.
“I would like to thank our crews as they work to extinguish the fire. I would also like to thank our emergency services colleagues and local authority partners.
“We will remain in attendance for a considerable time yet as we work to contain the fire.”
DACO Farries continued: “We continue to ask people living nearby to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.
“Road closures remain in place and we advise people to avoid the area and to allow access for emergency service vehicles.”
Nearby residents advised to keep windows & doors closed and road closures remain in place.
The City of Edinburgh Council aims to reduce air pollution, since it presents a significant threat to public health. It is especially harmful to young children, the elderly and those suffering from pre-existing conditions, including heart and lung diseases.
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) aspire to improve public health, by discouraging the most polluting vehicles from entering an area. If a vehicle entering a LEZ does not meet the minimum exhaust emission standard, then a penalty fine is issued.
The council says the zone is intended to only target the most polluting vehicles:
‘Only the most polluting vehicles will be affected by our proposed #LowEmissionZone and there will be exemptions for vehicles like the emergency services and blue badge holders’.
The city council is now consulting on it’s proposals and would like to hear your views.
