POLICE are appealing for information after an unprovoked assault on two teenagers in Leith.
The incident happened in the Albert Place and Leith Walk area shortly after 1am yesterday (Wednesday, 19 October).
A group of males on electric motorbikes approached the two male teenagers, aged 19 and 18.
The 19-year-old suffered a stab wound to his leg during the incident and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
The 18-year-old was treated at the scene for an injury to his leg sustained while attempting to get away from the group.
The group of males, all described as white, wearing balaclavas, gloves, rucksacks and dark clothing, then left the scene on their motorbikes in the direction of Albert Street.
Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “This was a completely unprovoked incident and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the group of three males on motorbikes involved.
“Our enquiries so far suggest they have been riding their motorbikes a short time earlier in the city centre so I would urge anyone who believes they may have seen them to get in touch.
“Anyone else with any information can get in touch with us by calling 101, quoting reference 174 of 19 October, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A mother’s experience of caring for her severely disabled son is the basis for a new play which will be performed next month at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Caring, by Rhona McAdam from Edinburgh, describes the daily struggle of living with a disabled teenager, and is based on her own life story.
The play, performed by Citadel Arts Group on November 3 and 4, with support from the Lottery, will be free, with a special invitation extended to carers’ groups in the city.
Rhona McAdam, who lives in Colinton, says: “It’s a realistic view of a mother caring for her teenage son.
“She is finding it tougher to care for him because he has a lot of physical care needs. Now he’s getting older she is maybe mothering him too much. In the play it’s his fifteenth birthday and she’s telling him he can’t have another beer.”
According to charity Care for Carers there are now more than 800,000 adult carers in Scotland, and 82 per cent have no time for respite or breaks.
Rhona based the character of Joey on her own son Ruairidh, who had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and died this year, aged 29, shortly after she finished writing the play.
Boys and young men with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy lack a protein which causes progressive muscle weakness, leading to respiratory problems and difficulty swallowing.
The writer hopes others will be able to relate to the story.
“These are characters and these are their struggles – but it could be any teenager or any mother.
“All Joey wants to do is play on his X Box For Joey it’s a world where he can do things, run, and fight.”
In the play the character of the mother struggles to look after herself as well as her son, but comes to realise she needs to find a way to do this.
“I tried to make it realistic. Mum is no saint – in fact neither Mum or Joey is angelic. They are both a bit grumpy with each other. Mum is tired and a bit frustrated and Joey resents his mum for being annoyed.
“I wanted to show the reality of caring – but also that normal life goes on – whatever difficulties you face.”
Rhona McAdam was one of the writers of Leithers One Family, the play based on a family of Leithers, which Citadel Arts Group created and staged online during lockdown.
A version of the play Leithers Live, was performed at Custom House, Leith in June.
As well as losing her son this year Rhona also lost her husband Iain, who died during lockdown in December 2021. Writing the play and working with Citadel has given her a welcome focus.
She says: “I have written short stories before but I have really enjoyed being part of the collaborative process and working with actors and directors.”
Caring, which will be directed by Mark Kydd, will be staged at the Storytelling Centre on November 3 and 4.
The part of Mum will be played by Laverne Edmonds, Joey will be played by Fraser Allan Hogg, while Dale McQueen will take the supporting roles.
Liz Hare, director of the Citadel Arts Group says: “It will be a very welcome return to the Storytelling Centre for us. Although we are usually associated with Leith, the group originally performed at the Storytelling Centre. It’s a beautiful theatre space and we’re delighted to be going back.
“We’ve done a lot of work with Care for Carers and the Carers’ Group from the Eric Liddell Centre running creative writing workshops and Rhona’s play fits in really well with that. We did an early run through of the play with Edinburgh carers and they gave feedback and suggestions to help with the development of the script.”
Erica Whitaker Wallis, of Care for Carers said: “Across Scotland, there were an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 unpaid carers before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Survey work from Scottish Government in September 2020 suggests the number of adult carers had grown to around 839,000.As a result of the pandemic 90 per cent of carers are spending more time caring, with 82 per cent having had no access to respite or breaks from caring.
“It is therefore more important than ever that we continue to shine a light on the vital contribution that unpaid carers make to our society.
As an organisation we work alongside community partners to provide carers with access to short break opportunities which this year has involved providing drama workshops with Citadel Arts.
“For a carer, just a few hours break away from their caring role can make a big difference to their wellbeing which is why we view these partnerships as so important.”
The project received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Director Mark Kydd said: “I think people will enjoy the play. In spite of the seriousness of the subject matter it’s surprising, it’s funny and it’s playful.
“Because the character Joey loves gaming he wants to be a superhero of his own story and that adds a fantasy element to the narrative.”
Caring, by Rhona McAdam, will be performed at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh on November 3 and 4, with a matinee on November 4
Thursday 3 November, 7pm
Friday 4 November, 4pm and 7pm
There will be a Q and A after the matinee on November 4 with Erica Whittaker Wallis from Care for Carers.
One of Edinburgh’s most famous streets is set to be significantly revitalised by an exciting range of independent retail businesses which are due to be opening their doors during the next few months.
Drum Property Group has unveiled a host of new tenants for its refurbished ‘Red Sandstone’ building which extends from 106 to 154 Leith Walk. Following a major redevelopment project the distinctive two-storey building, first completed in 1933 in the Scottish Art Deco style, now provides flexible space for up to 10 ground floor retail units, together with a range of open-plan first-floor business suites overlooking the foot of Leith Walk.
New retail tenants include Hobz Bakery, Cornelius Wines, vintage clothing store Rhinestone Cowboys, Chorrito Sauce Company and Design Eat Repeat, a design store and gallery space.
They join Leith Depot, an established bar, restaurant and music venue which has been based at the location since 2015 and has recently signed a new lease expanding the venue and extending its stay at the retail parade.
Known simply as ‘The Red Sandstone’, the building forms an iconic gateway to Drum’s £50 million transformation of the 2.9-acre Stead’s Place site, which will bring 148 new homes to the rear of the development linking Leith Walk to Pilrig Park and beyond.
Graeme Bone, Drum Group’s Managing Director, is excited by the widespread level of interest in the Red Sandstone – both in the retail units and in the office suites above. He said: “The Red Sandstone, as a distinctive entry point for our new development, will provide both a new focus and destination for the foot of Leith Walk.
“And with more tenant and business announcements to be made shortly, the eclectic mix of occupiers attracted to the building will bring something a little different to the city centre, continuing the rich tradition of diversity and independence which makes this area such an exciting destination in which to live, work and visit.”
Hobz, which means ‘bread’ in Maltese, was established in early 2021 by Matt Mallia, who began selling his bakery produce at the Leith Walk Police Box and at Leith Arches, and quickly established a devoted customer base.
Matt said: “I immediately felt welcomed to the Leith area, and quickly began looking for a ‘brick and mortar’ shop in Leith. The Red Sandstone soon emerged as the top contender in my search for a permanent home for Hobz and we’re so glad to be able to launch in an area with so many other artisan producers.”
James Wrobel, owner of Cornelius Beer and Wine added: “For almost two decades, Cornelius gained a reputation as one of Edinburgh’s very best off-licenses, with a very wide range of drinks that manage to be both affordable and slightly outside the mainstream.
“We are very excited to now be opening on Leith Walk, one of Edinburgh’s most historic and important thoroughfares, with both a thriving local community and a lot of commuter traffic.”
Leith Depot has been based in the Red Sandstone since 2015 and is now set to be expanded and improved as part of the building’s refurbishment. Owner Julie Carty said: “Everyone at Leith Depot is looking forward to an exciting and prosperous future for all who will reside in the Red Sandstone Building at Steads Place.”
The Chorrito Sauce company specialises in producing small-batch, handmade hot sauces in a range of exotic flavours – including Chipotle, pineapple and garlic and Carolina Reaper honey and Bourbon. Design Eat Repeat is an ever-changing space celebrating creativity with a shop that showcases leading independent British design brands, together with gallery space for emerging designers.
For more information on The Red Sandstone and its mix of retail and office spaces, visit: www.theredsandstone.com or contact office agents Culverwell on 0131 243 9617.
For more information on Drum Property Group’s Stead’s Place site, visit: www.steads-place.com
Police Scotland has released images of two women they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a fatal road traffic collision which occurred around 2.40am on Sunday, 19 June, 2022 on Easter Road.
A 21-year-old man died as a result of the collision and 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the collision.
The first woman is described as white, aged between 30-40 years, large build, blonde hair with darker roots tied up in a bun, wearing glasses, light clothing, carrying two full “bags for life” and a mobile phone.
The second woman is described as white, aged between 50-60 years, very skinny build, dark hair, dark trousers and possibly a maroon jacket, carrying a large dark handbag and was seen struggling to walk.
Constable Joanna Murphy, from the Edinburgh Road Policing team, said: “I would urge the women, or anyone who has information relating to the women, depicted in these images to make contact with the Police.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting incident 0590 of Sunday, 19 June 2022. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), working alongside local arts charity Out of the Blue, have commissioned a mural for the garden of one of its developments in Leith.
PoLHA asked what type of mural residents would like and using the chosen theme of gardens, artist Kate George held a riso print workshop with tenants at Out of the Blue to create garden-themed shapes to include in the design.
Inspired by the tenants’ ideas, Kate and the team layered different nature based shapes including a swift and a robin to create a design for the 12 metre long mural.
Artist Kate George commented: “I was approached by Out of the Blue as I have previously worked on large scale murals and my studio is based at their Drill Hall. I always use community input into the designs.
“We surveyed the tenants and found that they wanted a garden themed mural featuring plants and flowers; most importantly they wanted it to be bright.
“This mural was different to any I’ve produced before as I used the Out of the Blue riso print studio to work with tenants to create riso prints of garden themed shapes then applied these to the mural design. It’s changed my approach to community murals that I’ll undertake in future.”
Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “This mural is an excellent example of us working with community organisations and our tenants to create brilliant outside spaces.
“I love the bright design which makes the garden an even more appealing place for residents to enjoy.”
Marks and Spencer is to close it’s food store in Ocean Terminal. The store will close before the end of the year, but the company insists ‘the vast majority’ of Leith staff will be offered new jobs other M & S stores.
Scott Munro, M&S’s regional manager for the east of Scotland, said: “Shopping habits are changing and we’re reshaping our store estate across Scotland and the UK to make sure we’re reflecting the needs of our customers.
“As part of this transformation, we have today announced to colleagues our decision to close the M&S Ocean Terminal store at Ocean Terminal later this year.
“Our priority is to support our colleagues through these changes and we are confident of being able to offer new roles to the vast majority of those affected.
“We are committed to Edinburgh and this decision means there are more opportunities to invest in our eight other stores across the city.”
“But their decision does not impact on our plans. Instead, it has allowed us to actively pursue a range of opportunities for partnership with alternative food retailers as part of ongoing plans to reconfigure Ocean Terminal and shape the ongoing transformation of the centre and its important waterfront location.”
Responding to news of the closure of the Marks & Spencer store in Ocean Terminal, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “I was shocked to find out today that the M&S store in Ocean Terminal is set for closure with the loss of a number of jobs. This could be the death knell for Ocean Terminal.
“Marks & Spencer is one of Ocean Terminal’s remaining flagship outlets for the area.
“With the tram set to arrive before long, I fear that this is a short-term decision that will damage Leith in the long-term.
“I will be writing to Marks & Spencer to seek a meeting to urgently review this decision.”
Two popular Leith musicians will shortly be showcasing their talents in the unlikely environment of Eastern Europe, having received, for the second time, an invitation to perform at the Prague Fringe, a festival of music, comedy and drama which is held annually in the Czech capital.
Capital-based singer-songwriters Kevin Gore and Bobby Nicholson are best known for their Gone Native show which they have hosted for several years as part of the Edinburgh Fringe, performances taking place nightly in the basement of the legendary Royal Oak pub in Infirmary Street .
Gore and Nicholson performed at the last Prague Festival, in March 2019 and, as well as attracting capacity audiences for their run of four sold out shows, they received excellent feedback from both attendees and professional reviewers, hence the invite to return this year.
It was a Czech tourist visiting Edinburgh three years ago who, after witnessing the show, which, according to Gore, is a musical production featuring songs largely based on social justice and Scottish history, ancient and modern, often tinged with humour, suggested that the duo apply to perform at the Prague event and, after sending off samples of their work to the promoter, they were delighted to receive an invite.
“We’re really excited about taking the show to Prague once again” said Gore who recently recorded a tribute song for Edinburgh boxing legend Ken Buchanan which he performed at last months’s unveiling of Buchanan’s statue in the city and which forms part of the Gone Native setlist.
“We are the only musical act appearing at the festivaI. We have been receiving five star reviews from our involvement at the Edinburgh Fringe and we see this as a great opportunity to get our material out in front of a wider audience.
“We’re changing the name of the show to Gone Edinburgh for the Prague event to reflect the fact that we’re taking the show abroad. The content will be largely the same and we’re delighted to be returning to the venue which is very close to the iconic John Lennon memorial wall in the city’s Old Town district.”
Gore and Nicholson fly to Prague this week and will perform Gone Edinburgh on six successive nights at the Café Club Misenska in the city.
