Macmillan Coffee Morning at Starbank Park this Saturday

Don’t miss our Macmillan coffee morning next Saturday 24th September 10-12 noon.

Mini harvest show! Prizes for best jam/chutney/lemon curd, best sunflower, best courgette/marrow, prettiest dahlia, most quirky vegetable, best child grown product

💚
☕️
👍🏻

@StarbankPark

Leith musicians off to Prague Fringe

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.

Further details can be found on www.praguefringe.com

Mair Scran fir Bees in Muirhouse!

Wildflower seeding at May Court and Fidra Court

Join us for creating a bee-friendly installation of the second BEES FIR SCRAN with Artist Natalie Taylor. This time we’ll be at Fidra Court car park verge, which will be seeded with wildflower perennials, which means the installation can be enjoyed for more than just one year.

Wednesday 21 September, 11am to 3pm – Volunteers wanted to help us with some preparation work, drop in any time

Friday 23 September, 2pm to 3.30pm – Main Event: Seeding and seed bombing – All welcome, free event!

SCRAN FIR BEES is supported by The National Lottery: Together For Our Planet Fund.

Windsor Street assault: Do you know this man?

Police have released an image of a man that they wish to speak to as they believe he may have information that can assist with an investigation into a serious assault.

The incident took place around 7.20pm on Sunday, 17 July 2021, on Windsor Street, Edinburgh.  A 24-year-old man was verbally abused and assaulted by two males, and sustained facial injuries which required hospital treatment.

CCTV Image of man for Windsor Street assault

The person shown in the CCTV image, is described as a white male, slim build, 5ft 5 to 5ft 19 inches in height, between 15 and 18 years old, with light brown/blond hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a white logo on the front, black Nike shorts, grey trainers and was carrying a black rucksack on his back.

Officers believe that the male shown in the image may have information that could assist them and would appeal to him or anyone who recognises him to contact them.

Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 2274 of 21 July 2021, or if they wish to remain anonymous, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Charity acts to support homeless people as services close their doors on day of state funeral

‘shocked to the extreme to hear that Scotland’s homeless charities and other key providers are closing their doors at this time’

In response to the closure of frontline services and businesses for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday, Homeless Project Scotland opened an emergency Soup Kitchen which served warm food and other provisions from 8pm on Argyle Street under the ‘heilanman’s umbrella’.

This provision was in addition to the charity’s 24/7 free helpline for those at risk of homelessness or are homeless. 

Raja Rani in Bearsden and Tantrum Donuts were among the local businesses to support the project’s initiative.

Speaking on the eve of the state funeral, a spokesperson for Homeless Project Scotland said: “We appreciate that tomorrow will be an emotional day for our country, however we also must recognise that tomorrow will bring challenges for those who are vulnerable and homeless in being able to source and access warm and nutritious food, in addition to support given tomorrow’s closures of food banks and other homeless charities closing their doors at this time. 

“It is disappointing and we are shocked to the extreme to hear that throughout Scotland homeless charities and other key providers are closing their doors at this time. It must be recognised however that Homelessness does not stop tomorrow, and as such we must uphold our principles at this difficult time and ensure that nobody goes to bed with an empty stomach . 

“This is particularly going to be felt in Glasgow especially given that those who are homeless and in the city’s hotels used for accommodating the homeless will only be able to provide breakfast, consisting of a cereal bar, due to the removal of evening meals from all hotel based accommodation since May this year. 

“This service will not affect our normal Soup kitchen operations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Higher Education Strike: Support workers on the picket lines

Higher Education workers have had enough of poverty pay while senior management take 6 figures plus expenses!

✊

During this cost of greed crisis a 3% rise is an insult. We are demanding a real pay rise of RPI+2%!

📍

Pickets tomorrow and Wednesday, get along to support!

Order of Service for Committal Service of Her Majesty The Queen

A Committal Service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, will take place at 4pm this afternoon (Monday 19th September).

Alongside His Majesty The King and Members of the Royal Family, the congregation will be made up of past and present members of The Queen’s Household, including from the private estates. Also in attendance will be Governors General and Realm Prime Ministers.

The Order of Service can be downloaded below:

PDF iconCommittal Service of Her Majesty The Queen.pdf

The Service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park. The Choir of St George’s Chapel will sing during the Service.

Prior to the final Hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Sceptre will be removed from Her Majesty The Queen’s Coffin, and placed on the Altar.

At the end of the final Hymn, The King will place The Queen’s Company Camp Colour of the Grenadier Guards on Her Majesty’s Coffin. At the same time, The Lord Chamberlain will “break” his Wand of Office and place it on the Coffin.

As The Queen’s Coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor will say a Psalm and the Commendation before Garter King of Arms pronounces Her Majesty’s styles and titles.

The Sovereign’s Piper will play a Lament and The Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the Blessing. The National Anthem will be sung at the conclusion of the Service.

Order of Service for the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen

The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey this morning (Monday, 19th September) at 1100am. 

Elements of the State Funeral Service and the associated ceremonial arrangements will pay tribute to The Queen’s extraordinary reign, and Her Majesty’s remarkable life of service as Head of State, Nation and Commonwealth.

The Order of Service can be downloaded below:

PDF iconState Funeral Order of Service.pdf

The State Funeral Service will be attended by Heads of State and Overseas Government Representatives, including Foreign Royal Families, Governors General and Realm Prime Ministers. Other representatives of the Realms and the Commonwealth, the Orders of Chivalry including recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, Government, Parliament, devolved Parliaments and Assemblies, the Church, and Her Majesty’s Patronages will form the congregation, along with other public representatives.

Almost 200 people who were recognised in The Queen’s Birthday Honours earlier this year will also join the congregation, including those who made extraordinary contributions to the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and have volunteered in their local communities.

The State Funeral Service will be conducted by the Dean of Westminster.

During the Service, the Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Commonwealth will read Lessons. The Archbishop of York, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and the Free Churches Moderator will say Prayers.

The Sermon will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who will also give the Commendation. The Dean of Westminster will then pronounce the Blessing.

‘Moved Beyond Measure’: King Charles says thank you on eve of final farewell

Over the last ten days, my wife and I have been so deeply touched by the many messages of condolence and support we have received from this country and across the world.

In London, Edinburgh, Hillsborough and Cardiff we were moved beyond measure by everyone who took the trouble to come and pay their respects to the lifelong service of my dear mother, The late Queen.

As we all prepare to say our last farewell, I wanted simply to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my Family and myself in this time of grief.

His Majesty The King

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN: A REMARKABLE LIFE

A new photograph has been released ahead of Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral.

The photo was taken to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee – the first British Monarch to reach this milestone.

Today, millions will come together to commemorate her remarkable life.

Scottish Ministers observe National Moment of Reflection

One-minute silence observed across the country

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has marked the National Moment of Reflection mourning the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

Mr Swinney led a moment of reflection outside the Scottish Government’s St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh, alongside other Scottish Ministers. They reflected on Her Majesty’s life and legacy during a one-minute silence.

My Swinney was joined by Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Ben Macpherson, Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Jenny Gilruth, Minister for Transport and Lesley Fraser, Director General Corporate.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The National Moment of Reflection has been a dignified way for many of us to pay our respects to The Queen, whether in our own homes or at public events, by observing a minute silence.

“In reflecting on Her Majesty’s life and legacy, many of us have considered her long and valued service to the nation and the respect and admiration she had for the people of Scotland. These feelings were reciprocated, and will remain long after we pay our final respects to The Queen as part of tomorrow’s State Funeral.

The First Minister travelled to London earlier on Sunday ahead of The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen today (Monday), and observed the National Moment of Reflection there.

The First Minister said: “The State Funeral for Her Majesty will be one of the most momentous occasions in recent history, with people from around the world watching and paying their respects. She was the great constant and it is an honour to represent Scotland at the service.

“As the Queen is laid to rest, it gives us a chance to reflect on the events of the past 10 days which have provided a sincere, solemn and fitting tribute to our longest reigning Monarch.

“We knew how important Scotland was to The Queen and, over recent days, we have been reminded just how much Her Majesty meant to the people of Scotland.

“I am sure the ceremonial events in Edinburgh will live long in our national memory and today we will all bid a final and poignant goodbye to a deeply respected and much loved monarch.”

The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP will represent The Scottish Parliament at the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen today. 

The First Minister of Scotland, the Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, will represent the Scottish Government. All four party leaders will also attend:

  • Douglas Ross MSP,  Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Anas Sarwar MSP, Scottish Labour Party
  • Lorna Slater MSP,  Scottish Green Party
  • Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Scottish Liberal Democrats

The Presiding Officer said: “It will be an honour to represent the Scottish Parliament at the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen.

“The Queen was a true friend to the Parliament and her unstinting support helped establish our institution as a central part of Scottish public life.

“Since the announcement of Her Majesty’s passing, people across the country have gathered in their thousands to pay tribute to The Queen.  It will be a privilege to join with others from Scotland and far beyond in giving thanks for her life of unrivalled service.”