We are delighted to welcome our regulars (and you lovely new folks!) into our own building for our Tea Dances.
Get tickets for the final 2 of 2026!!!!
Corstorphine Community Centre: Get your tickets for final 2026 Tea Dances
Category: North Edinburgh News
Mental Health Foundation: Talking about our emotions should never feel taboo
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Talking about our emotions should never feel taboo.
This #WorldMentalHealthDay let’s not just check in with those around us, but let’s also create space for open and honest conversation about our mental health.
Let’s move past “I’m fine”.
For tips, advice and support on talking about mental health, check out our website: https://shorturl.at/KZ8RX
ZOO Tales at Granton Library
TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 3.30 – 4.30pm
Zoo Tails is back next week!
We’re so excited to have Jaima from Edinburgh Zoo back with us on Tuesday to share all about our creepy crawly friends!
Will you be there?…
This is a free event and there is no need to sign up.
Martha organises sponsored walk to raise awareness of allergies
A Portobello High School pupil with life threatening allergies organised a sponsored walk to raise awareness of the condition.
Martha, who is in S6, was diagnosed with allergies in milk, eggs, nuts, mustard and seafood when she was just a baby. Her allergies are so severe that she needs to carry an epi-pen and could go into anaphylactic shock if she consumes certain foods.
Keen to raise awareness of the condition, and funds for Natasha’s Foundation, she organised a walk for 150 pupils and staff around Portobello Promonade.
Natasha’s Foundation is a charity dedicated to raising awareness of allergies and importance of food labelling in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died aged 15 after consuming a sandwich that was incorrectly labelled.
Martha, who hopes to go to study sociology at university next year, said: “I wanted to raise awareness of allergies and how life threatening they can be. Lots of people think that allergies aren’t that important or offer snacks without checking first that opening that bag of cakes could really harm someone.
“Some allergies are so severe that just the allergen in the air could send them into anaphylactic shock.
“Luckily I’ve not had anaphylactic shock before, but I have had severe reactions to food lots of times. I always carry my epi-pen on me and taught my friends how to use it on me just in case.”
The walk for Natasha’s Foundation raised £725 for the charity, with most walkers wearing purple, the official colour of the charity, and tucking into home made shortbread at the half way line – made by Martha and free from the 14 most common allergens in the UK.
Now Martha hopes to be able to teach all the pupils at Portobello how to administer an epi-pen. She said: “Knowing what to do when someone has a severe reaction could be the difference between life and death.”
Headteacher at Portobello High, Greg McDowall, said: “A huge congratulations to Martha for her hard work organising this walk and raising a fantastic amount for charity.
“The walk has definitely raised awareness within the school community of allergies and the importance of clear labelling as well as knowing what to do in an emergency.”
Challenge Poverty Week: Saturday
MENTAL HEALTH
Bus lane trial to launch on Monday
A new trial to assess whether bus journey times and reliability can be improved by extending bus lane hours launches on Monday, 12 October.
The trial will be in force between Milton Road East and London Road, where bus lane times will be extended to operate between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week. Current bus lane times are peak only – 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The changes will test whether longer bus lane hours can help reduce delays for buses along the route, in turn encouraging and supporting people to choose to travel by public transport and improving the experience for those who rely on buses.
Reliable and efficient bus services:
- are essential for getting around the city
- encourage more people to choose public transport over the car
- provide a vital transport option for many residents who do not have access to a private vehicle
Edinburgh has a great bus service, but more can be done to reduce delays to buses along key routes. Bus lanes that support buses to get ahead of traffic for as long as possible during the day are one way to achieve this.
The trial route is used by several services including the number 44, which Lothian Buses has identified as one of the services most affected by delays and reliability issues outside of current bus lane operating hours. Initial data analysis shows that bus journey times on part of the route have increased by 22% since 2019.
Data and stakeholder feedback collected during the trial will be used to help decide whether the measures should be made permanent.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Edinburgh is lucky to have a first-rate public transport system, which hundreds of thousands of people rely on every day. We want to make travel by bus an attractive, accessible and reliable alternative to the car and bus lanes support that.
“However, travel behaviour is changing and bus demand is increasing, leading to delays outside of traditional peak periods. This trial will help us to assess whether extended bus lane hours can reduce journey times on one of our busiest routes.
“Thanks to the nature of the trial we’ll be able to carry out real-world monitoring of traffic impacts and network performance, alongside feedback from the public.”
The 18-month trial will be introduced through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), which provides an opportunity to monitor the effects of the changes and gather evidence before recommendations are made on the longer-term arrangements.
Monitoring analysis will include bus journey times, traffic surveys, parking and loading surveys, business surveys and feedback from residents and other stakeholders. The first six months of the trial also serves as a consultation period.
During the trial some parking and loading restriction times will change.
People are encouraged to check signs and road markings and can find out more about the trial on the Council website.
Support for bereaved families
Raising awareness of help available this Baby Loss Awareness Week
Social Security Scotland is highlighting the financial support available to families that have lost a baby this Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 – 15 October 2026).
Families that already receive qualifying benefits can apply for additional support if they have experienced a stillbirth or have lost their baby after being born.
Bereaved families may be able to access Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment to help relieve financial pressures if their baby has died. In addition, Funeral Support Payment is available to help cover the costs of a baby’s funeral.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Losing a baby can have a devastating impact on families. During a time where parents should be able to grieve the loss of their infant, many are faced with added financial pressures that can make their loss even harder to process.
“This Baby Loss Awareness Week, I am letting families know about the package of financial help the Scottish Government offers to help ease some of those strains, giving parents the chance to mourn without added financial worries.”
An estimated 1 in 4 people in the UK experience pregnancy or baby loss. Social Security Scotland recognises the profound impact loss can have on families and is committed to providing support to clients and colleagues.
Social Security Scotland’s Deputy Director of People and Place, Nicola Rudnicki, added: “We understand that losing a baby is one of the hardest experiences a family can face.
“For families looking to apply for support, our teams are specially trained to manage bereavement cases with compassion and respect, meaning our clients can speak to our colleagues knowing they will be treated with dignity.
“We are also proud to have signed Miscarriage UK’s Pregnancy Loss Pledge, recognising that every loss matters and reaffirming our commitment to creating a supportive and understanding environment for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss.”
Rowena Pailing, Director of Bereavement Support Services, Community and Volunteering, Sands commented: “Baby loss has a huge emotional impact. It can also have a financial impact.
“At Sands, we hear from families who may be struggling because of their employment situations, or who are concerned about funeral costs. We would encourage anyone who loses a baby to check whether they are eligible for financial help from Social Security Scotland.”
Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 – 15 October 2026) brings people together to create a supportive space to share their experiences about pregnancy and baby loss. The awareness week also marks the annual Wave of Light memorial on 15 October where families around the work are invited to light a candle at 7pm in remembrance of all babies that have died too soon.
Sands is the charity speaking up about pregnancy and baby loss, saving babies’ lives and supporting bereaved families.
Miscarriage UK’s latest figures from March 2026 estimate that 1 in 4 pregnancies in the UK end in loss. To find out more about the research, visit: Miscarriage UK research report – March 2026 | Miscarriage UK
Family adventures take over the big screen at Vue Edinburgh this October half-term
Families looking for ways to make the most of the October half-term can enjoy a packed programme of animated adventures, familiar favourites and big screen fun at Vue Edinburgh from TODAY (Friday 9 October).
Causing plenty of mischief on the big screen is Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, the latest feature-length adventure from Aardman.
With Halloween approaching, Shaun and the Flock are looking forward to some spooky celebrations at Mossy Bottom Farm, that is until the Farmer accidentally destroys their prized pumpkin patch. Shaun’s attempts to fix things with a spot of mad science soon spiral out of control, leaving a mysterious beast roaming the woods of Mossingham.
Packed with Aardman’s trademark slapstick humour and playful takes on classic horror, it’s a fitting family watch as spooky season gets underway.
Families can also catch a recent big screen favourite for a low price of £2.49 when booked online with Vue’s Mighty Mornings, taking place throughout the school holidays. Among the films returning is animated adventure David, which brings the famous story of David and Goliath to life, following a young shepherd whose courage is put to the ultimate test when he steps forward to face a fearsome giant.
Also joining the Mighty Mornings line-up is Coyote vs. Acme, which sees legendary Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote finally fight back after years of malfunctioning ACME products. Teaming up with a down-on-his-luck lawyer, Wile E. takes the company responsible for his countless cartoon catastrophes to court in an adventure combining live action with classic Looney Tunes chaos.
For younger guests, Vue’s Big Shorts offers the opportunity to experience some much-loved stories on the big screen in a relaxed environment.
Join in the adventure with We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, the animated adaptation of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s much-loved children’s story, alongside The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which brings Judith Kerr’s classic tale of an unexpected teatime guest to life.
Families at Vue Edinburgh can also enjoy Vue’s biggest and comfiest seat, the Ultra Lux. Strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen, Ultra Lux seating also features an extra-wide armrest, back and leg rests that recline independently, a personal table for snacks and drinks and a state-of-the-art beverage cooler – making it the most luxurious way to immerse yourself in a great story.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh, said: “The October half-term is a great opportunity for families to spend some quality time together, and there are plenty of adventures to discover on the big screen at Vue.
“Whether it’s joining Shaun and the Flock for some spooky fun, catching up with recent family favourites through Mini Mornings or introducing younger children to the big screen with Big Shorts, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy together this half-term.”
Tickets are available at www.myvue.com
October Half Term at Vue
Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom – Showing this October half-term
Mini Mornings: David – Showing this October half-term
Mini Mornings: Coyote vs. Acme – Showing this October half-term
Big Shorts: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt & The Tiger Who Came to Tea – Showing this October half-term
Police appeal following serious tram accident in Broomhouse
Road Policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash in Edinburgh.
Around 10.55pm on Monday, 5 October, 2026, a pedestrian was struck by a tram on the tramline adjacent to Broomhouse Drive.
The pedestrian, a 20-year-old man, was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.
No other injuries were reported.
Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
“I am appealing to those who witnessed the crash and have yet to speak to officers or anyone who was in the area prior and has information that could assist, to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3804 of 5 October, 2026.
Man sentenced to six years in prison for violent offences against women
A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison for violent offences against women in Edinburgh, including endangering life.
Charlie Swain appeared at Edinburgh High Court today -Friday, 9 October, 2026 – having been convicted at the same court in August.
Detective Sergeant Euan Stobie said: “Swain is a dangerous individual who subjected women to horrific, violent attacks, which has understandably had a profound impact on them.
“I would like to acknowledge the support provided by those involved throughout the investigation and court process, and I hope this sentence brings them some form of closure.
“Police Scotland remains absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls and is determined to bring those responsible to justice. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.
“We will thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”