A man who was found fatally injured at Academy Park in Leith has been named as Douglas Forbes. The 78-year-old was discovered around 8.50pm on Thursday (2 December 2021).
Detective Inspector Jonny Wright from Gayfield CID said: “”We are still working to establish how Douglas came to sustain his injuries. We are trying to piece together his last movements, and believe he was in the city centre with friends, prior to being dropped off at Academy Park by a taxi.
“We would like anyone who was out with Douglas on Thursday 2 December, and for the taxi driver who dropped him off, to get in touch with us as soon as possible. This can be done by contacting 101, quoting incident number 3329 of 2 December 2021.”
POLICE UPDATE:
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following the death of 78-year-old Douglas Forbes, at Academy Park in Edinburgh, on Thursday 2 December, Police Scotland can confirm a 69-year old man has been arrested in relation to driving offences.
“He’s been released pending further enquiries and the investigation continues.”
Three men have been sentenced following armed robberies at jewellery shops in Leith (August 2019) and Dundee (in September 2019).
Dean King (above), 28, Anthony Wheeldon, 40, and Connor Willis, 24, had pled guilty in October 2021 of the raid at the Walker shop in Union Street in Dundee. Willis had also admitted his part in a raid on a jewellers in Great Junction Street in Edinburgh.
At the High Court in Edinburgh King was sentenced to nine years and two months and Wheeldon to 11 years plus four years on licence. Willis was sentenced for both robberies to 12 years plus five years on licence.
Detective Inspector Bob Campbell, the senior investigating officer for the robbery in Edinburgh, said: “We welcome this sentencing. Willis was a member of a gang that entered the jewellers in Great Junction Street armed with a sledgehammer and axes and stole a large quantity of jewellery.
“A member of staff was injured during the raid but still confronted the robbers. Willis is a violent man and is now facing the consequences of his actions in prison.”
Detective Inspector Gavin McKinlay, the senior investigating officer for the robbery in Dundee, said: “These men went to the shop in Dundee armed with weapons, threatened a customer and staff and made off with jewellery worth a five figure sum.
“They had only one thing on their mind, to get the jewellery and nothing was going to get in their way. Despite the high levels of intimidation displayed and the clearly terrifying experience for those within the shop they were thwarted by the bravery of a customer who challenged them and this distraction allowed staff to activate the alarm. This meant they made off with a much smaller haul than they might otherwise have taken.
“An extensive and complex police investigation tracked these men down to locations across Scotland and the north of England, but I would like to pay testimony to the bravery of the customer, who was injured and has fortunately recovered, and the shop staff who were left badly shaken by what happened.
“These men are now facing the consequences of their actions. There is no place for this kind of violence in our society and we will always do all we can to bring people responsible for such crimes to justice.”
The award-winning Leith Collective reveals their plans to give back this Christmas with the launch of their ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives
The Leith Collective has had an incredible year, adding a string of awards and accolades to their name, so this Christmas they’re going all out to give back – to the people of Edinburgh and to the environment.
And they’re calling on locals to join them by putting sustainability at the top of their wishlists with the launch of their ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives.
Got an unloved Christmas tree languishing in your attic? Take it to The Leith Collective where they will be rehoming trees throughout the festive period, spreading Christmas cheer to those who can’t afford to buy one. What’s more, for every Christmas tree donated to the Edinburgh store, a real tree will be planted right here in Scotland.
The Leith Collective will be donating to Trees for Life which aims to rewild the Scottish Highlands and restore the Caledonian Forest. Native trees such as Scots Pines and woodland plants will be planted in the quest to reduce our carbon footprint, and to provide space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive.
Commenting ahead of the launch of the ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ initiative, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; ‘For anyone who has a tree or decorations gathering dust in their loft, this is a great way to ensure they continue to spread Christmas cheer.
“We understand many people have had it tough throughout the pandemic, therefore we will be giving away the donated trees and decorations completely free of charge to anyone who requests one, no questions asked”.
And to spread that Christmas cheer even further, The Leith Collective has called upon some of their resident artists to create a series of 24 seasonal sculptures – each lovingly reimagined and handcrafted from old wooden fixings – and they will be hiding one each day in the run up to Christmas throughout the city centre.
Discussing the advent surprises, Sara commented; ‘The secret seasonal sculptures are a fun way to show people what can be created using materials that would otherwise be discarded. We hope they encourage more people to get creative this Christmas and keep sustainability at the forefront of their mind’.
The first secret seasonal sculpture will appear somewhere in Edinburgh on Wednesday 1st December and anyone who finds one can take it along to The Leith Collective where they will receive an additional festive surprise.
The ‘Relove, Rewild Christmas’ and ‘Secret Seasonal Sculptures’ initiatives are just two ways The Leith Collective plan to give back this Christmas after what has been a phenomenal year for them.
In January 2021, The Leith Collective became the UK’s first single-use plastic free shop of its kind and was later crowned runner up in the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Awards.
In July, owner Sara Thomson took her message of sustainability west-side, opening The Clydeside Collective in Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre, followed by The Camdentown Collective in London’s Buck Street Market in September. Later that month, Sara was specially selected to become a UK ‘One Step Greener’ ambassador and showcased her story of how she is tackling climate change at COP26.
From Sara’s role as a One Step Greener ambassador and the inspirational work The Leith Collective is doing to showcase sustainability, the Prime Minister chose Sara to become the UK’s 1772nd Point of Light.
As a result, Sara met Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street and enjoyed a video chat with the Queen. On returning to Edinburgh, Sara received the news that she had won two awards at the Creative Edinburgh Awards – The Leadership Award and The Social Award.
FORTY managers from Asda central region – including local region manager Brian Boyle – will be taking a brave plunge into the chilly sea at Portobello at 1pm today to raise money for children in need (writes SHARON GRAY, Asda Leith’s Community Champion).
We have raised over £1000 so far, but are looking to raise more. Come along and give your support! Meet up at Bath Street entrance from 12:45pm.
Sharon has also sent some pictures of the Asda team in training:
We’re very excited for our next Croft Coorie-in which will take place on November 27th at Leith Community Croft
From 11am we will have flea market stalls, (email greta@earth-in-common.org for a stall), a whittling workshop (sign up: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/introduction-to…), as well as a crafting corner
From 3pm we will have a Ceilidh with wonderful ‘Flaming Nora’ – we can’t wait to have a boogie together, so make sure to save the date!
A new vaccination clinic has opened this week in Ocean Terminal, making it even easier for you to get your first and second dose of the COVID vaccine.
The clinic is open seven days a week, from 11am to 7pm. You don’t need to make an appointment to attend, and you don’t need to be registered with a GP to get a jab.
Anyone over 12 can drop in, just make your way to the clinic which is on the first floor of the centre. If you’re coming to get your second jab, you must have had your first jab at least eight weeks ago.
A PRINT and design firm based in Leith has rewarded its employees with the keys to the business following their hard work during the global pandemic.
Launched from the living room of couple Bob and Joelle Kirkpatrick in the middle of the 2008 financial crash; Wee Blue Coo Ltd has established itself as a successful business, dispatching thousands of products globally each week and selling its products on multiple online marketplaces.
Bob and Joelle were both made redundant from their jobs in 2006 before setting up their business, creating posters from public domain images to retail on eBay. Fast forward 15 years, they now have a strong team of 30 members of staff – some of which have been employed for more than 10 years – and have an annual revenue of more than £2 million.
Having previously gifted a 10% shareholding to long term employee Allan Gray for his hard work and dedication, the three shareholders agreed that the move to employee ownership was in line with the company’s values by safeguarding the future of the business for the benefit of its employees.
The entrepreneurs began exploring the succession model in 2019 before enlisting the help of David Morrison of EQ Accountants. The owners began the process of transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust at the start of 2021 with the move being facilitated by expert Carole Leslie from Ownership Associates as well as the teams at EQ Accountants and Anderson Strathearn.
Bob Kirkpatrick said: “There are perhaps more well-known ways to make an exit from a business, however, this was the only real option to ensure we safeguarded the futures of those who have contributed to our company’s success.
“The Employee Ownership Trust seems like a perfect and logical way to structure any business.”
Joelle Kirkpatrick added: “Being a people led business has always been the very essence of who we are, which is why becoming an Employee-Owned business was the only option that was seriously considered.
“Running our business this way has ensured we have a motivated and dedicated team who feel valued. That has always been more important to us than the bottom line. Relaying this news to our team has, without a doubt, been the highlight of my career so far.”
Bob and Joelle have always sought to take care of their staff with perks such as flexible working and providing private healthcare to all employees with more than one years’ service.
Naturally the couple felt this was the next step for their business. The team were shocked and delighted at the news and are very excited at being given the opportunity to shape the future of Wee Blue Coo Ltd.
Graeme Slater, Warehouse Manager, said: “Now that we are an employee-owned company it means that we all have a say in the direction the company takes in the future.
“This is a great opportunity to help us to grow as a company and offers us the chance to enjoy a more secure and prosperous future.”
David Morrison, Partner at EQ Accountants, said: “Having advised Bob, Joelle and the team for many years, it is great to see them safeguard the future of their business by handing control to their dedicated workforce.
“This is great example of using an EOT as a solution to succession, whilst ensuring that employees are rewarded for their hard work. We look forward to continuing to support Wee Blue Coo as they thrive as an employee-owned business.”
The Employee Ownership Trust was introduced in the 2014 Finance Act to encourage business owners to consider a sale to employees as a feasible succession solution.
Founder of Ownership Associates, Carole Leslie, who has worked on the transitions of more than 80 private businesses to the succession model, said: “We are continuing to see increased interest from a variety of different businesses across contrasting sectors in making the move to employee ownership.
“It is inspiring to see two entrepreneurs succeed in their business throughout the difficulties of redundancy and a global financial crash. It is testament to their hard work that they have reached this momentous milestone.
“Bob and Joelle have always looked to put their staff first, and this transition is another chapter for the couple and the business. I would like to congratulate Wee Blue Coo Ltd, and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”
Ownership Associates works exclusively within the employee-owned sector, supporting companies on their move to employee ownership and working with established employee owned businesses enabling them to maximise the ownership advantage.
The First Scottish free BPoC recording studio for young people launches in the heart of Leith!
Join Intercultural Youth Scotland on November 16th for the launch of ‘BLOCK BEATS’, our new free music production program for BPoC young people!
With Anas SarwarMSP (Scottish Labour leader) cutting the red ribbon, Scottish Rap Artist ‘Chef’ performing, and an Open Mic competition for young artists in which Anas himself is on the panel – what’s not to love!!
You are invited to view the red ribbon cutting, ask questions to our panel and young performers and watch all of the following entertainment – 4 Duncan Place, Edinburgh, Scotland EH6 8HW, 5:30pm.
Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS) is a youth-led movement dedicated to improving the representation and participation of Black and People of Colour (BPOC) young people in Scotland.
Established two years ago as a small youth work organisation oriented towards BPoC youth, we have grown as a centre of support, creativity and activism for our community.
IYS offers a range of participatory programmes for young BPOC to learn vital skills and further develop themselves,recording music has just become another one!
Know a BPoC young person that wants to work with a music producer? Or are they looking for some experience recording and producing their own music? BLOCK BEATS is the place for them!
With a brand-new recording studio and access to our in-house producer, they can grow their skills to levels rarely seen in the Scottish music scene.
Block Beats gives two, 2-hour sessions with our music producer to make a track tailored to them. After this, they can then come and record their finished track in our studio – all FOR FREE!
Young people who participate in Block Beats will also be offered other performance opportunities at other great events throughout the year with IYS like SixFive socials, Scotland in Colour as well as opportunities for performances with partners.
Intimate performances from two of Scottish music’s rising stars, streamed live from the historic Leith Theatre
Live in Leith returns after its inaugural series in Spring 2021. Streaming on DICE with exclusive weekend access over 6-7th November 2021, the venue hosts Lizzie Reid, Scottish Album of the Year nominee; and Wester Hailes’ LOTOS/Last of The Old School, recently featured in a BBC Scotland documentary (https://bbc.in/3pllbA2), who are one of the key voices in Scottish rap.
Inset: Lizzie Reid / Live in Leith – C: Rory Barnes
After being successful in gaining 2nd round funding from Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund, Leith Theatre was able to once again reach audiences who have a love of new music and the venue while the building remains closed.
Live in Leith was able to re-engage with the local creative network and work alongside them to produce two incredible recorded sets while providing important income streams for industry professionals and the artists themselves.
Inset: LOTOS / Live in Leith – C: Rory Barnes
Hosted once again by Vic Galloway, Live in Leith puts a spotlight on 2 of Scotland’s rising stars at what is an important time in their careers.
The artists play a 20 minute set composed of current and new numbers followed by a get-to-know-you interview with host, Vic Galloway. The setting is Leith Theatre’s Female Chorus Room, a green room used for major productions in the venue. A special space, largely untouched since its 1961 refurbishment, the viewers get an AAA pass for these streams.
“These streams are not to be missed. The recordings are up close and personal with two of Scotland’s brightest talents. I am in no doubt, these acts will come back and headline our main stage as well as many other famous venues across the country.” – Callum Jones, Programme Curator & Coordinator
– we can’t wait to have a boogie together, so make sure to save the date!
