SATURDAY 25 JANUARY from 2 – 4pm at CORSTORPHINE ASTORIA CENTRE
Our first Tea Dance of 2025 will take place on Burns Day, Saturday 25th December …
Come and join us with DJ Colin for a Burns boogie and a wee bite to eat.
Tickets go fast and are on sale now from our charity shop.
We look forward to seeing you…
THE grooming gangs scandal has raised fears among many parents and carers about the safety of children and young people.
Even as calls grow for a national enquiry, it appears unlikely new measures will be rolled out anytime soon to safeguard those at risk.
It means parents and carers will be increasingly concerned about the risks children may be left exposed to by groomers preying on the vulnerable.
With this in mind author, counsellor and wellbeing expert Lynn Crilly has issued advice around how to spot the signs of grooming.
Lynn says: “In a recent survey I did with my thousands Instagram followers 71% of people said they were worried about their children or grandchildren being groomed. These figures show that more needs to be done to raise awareness and educate people on the dark side of the online and real world.
“There are two types of grooming and each case is different, as is the time scale grooming can take place over.”
Outlining the different types of grooming, Lynn continued: “Grooming can take place in person but a groomer can be a total stranger or someone the victim already knows. It might be a family member, friend, or someone at a club they go to. The connection makes it easier and quicker to build up trust.
“Groomers are very good at disguising and being deceitful as to who they really are. They are good at hiding behind a keyboard, where they can take on any identity they desire, making it easier to befriend a child or young adult. The internet has a very dark side to it and this can be infiltrated in text messages, social media networks, emails, voice and video chats, forums, gaming, sadly the list is endless.
The groomers themselves are also very clever at manipulating the child or young person, so it can be really hard to detect and difficult to spot.”
Here, Lynn outlines the signs that might indicate that a child is being groomed:
Secretive behaviour: It could be a red flag if your child starts to become secretive about their online or offline activities. This also includes being protective of their devices including their phones.
Talks a lot about a specific older child or adult: Or they suddenly wants to spend more time with them, maybe meeting them alone.
Inappropriate knowledge: If a child displays knowledge or behaviour that is inappropriate for their age, such as sexualized language or understanding as this indicate exposure to adult situations
Avoidance of certain people: if a child is ill at ease around certain adults and is not keen to be in their company this should also be explored as to why they do.
Isolating themselves: If a child spends more time alone in their room, or declines invites to be with friends or family, becoming withdrawn and isolated.
Unexplained gifts: Unexplained gifts and presents appearing without any real explanations to where they have come from. They do not want to talk about where they have come from and openly lies about it.
Stop talking to their trusted adult: As the child withdraws from their normal safe, secure everyday life they will also start to not talk to their trusted adult, lie about where they have been and who with so making it harder for the adult to keep track of where they are.
Physical signs: Look for unexplained injuries or changes in physical appearance that may indicate abuse.
Lynn added: “There are many reasons a child or young person can change their behaviour, and in my experience, no one knows their young person better than their parent, grandparent, or a loving carer.
“So if you think something is amiss, then you are probably right. Please do not leave it, talk to your child and arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can so you can find the appropriate help and support your child or loved one.”
A photograph of Brazilian Surfer Gabriel Medina, which captures an incredible moment where athlete, spectacle and photographer come together in perfect harmony, has won this year’s World Sports Photography Awards.
The image was taken by Tahiti-based French Photographer Jerome Brouillet on the third day of the Surfing event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo’o, French Polynesia.
This image is one of 24 winning images across sports categories including American Football, Baseball, Equestrian, Golf, Racquet Sports and Football. More than 2200 professional sports photographers from over 96 countries around the world submitted more than 13000 images to this year’s competition.
The World Sports Photography Awards are the only global awards for sport photography. Entered by the world’s best sports photographers, judged by leading figures from sport, media, photography, brand and creative.
Designed to recognise and celebrates incredible sports images and the photographers who take them. World Sports Photography Awards tell compelling stories of the emotion, passion, athleticism and focus that are at the heart of sport.
Sophie Collins, Chief Marketing Officer at awards sponsor MPB, said: “As a judge and sponsor of the World Sports Photography Awards, I am once again inspired by the extraordinary talent and creativity showcased in this year’s entries.
“Sports photography holds a unique power to freeze dynamic action and evoke profound emotion in a single frame, capturing stories that transcend the boundaries of the playing field. It’s been thrilling to see the innovation and passion from this year’s participants, setting a remarkable standard for the years to come.”
The full gallery of winning images including Top 10s in every sporting category are available to view on the World Sports Photography Awards website.
For more information, visit www.worldsportsphotographyawards.com
We are so excited to be welcoming Hanneke Laarhoven to the Hospice next Friday to deliver what promises to be an unmissable talk ‘In search of stories’, examining how patients interact with the arts to make sense of, and help them to tell their story.
Tickets for this event are free, but registration is required!
Secure your place today at https://stcolumbashospice.org.uk/…/palliative-arts-no…
TUESDAY 14 JANUARY from 10.30 – 2pm
Do your children need some more clothing for school?
January can be a financially difficult month however there is a pop up uniform bank next Tuesday at Gyle Shopping Centre. All the items are free.
This is run in conjunction with @edinburghschooluniformbank
After years of campaigning and engagement – including successfully advocating for a visitor levy to the Scottish Government to bring forward necessary powers – the Council is set to agree the Visitor Levy for Edinburgh scheme this month.
Following support from Councillors in August and the results of a 12-week public consultation, updated officer proposals will be considered by the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Friday, 17 January and by all Councillors at a special meeting on Friday, 24 January.
With over 4,500 responses, the wide-ranging consultation with residents, businesses and visitors reveals most people are aware of and supportive of the Council’s Visitor Levy plans.
Slight adjustments to officer recommendations have been made to reflect the public feedback, including:
If agreed, Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy charge will start being applied to bookings made on and after 1 May 2025 to stay in overnight accommodation in the city on and after 24 July 2026, representing a significant step forward in securing a new funding stream for the city.
Once established, the levy is expected to raise up to £50 million a year.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “This is the moment we have been working towards – a once in a lifetime opportunity to sustain and enhance Edinburgh’s position as one of the most beautiful, enjoyable destinations in the world.
“With income of up to £50 million expected once it is established, the funding could provide Edinburgh with the single biggest injection of new funding this side of the millennium, providing a unique opportunity to further improve and protect all that makes Edinburgh the incredible destination it is today.
“We’ll be able to use funds to help us manage tourism sustainably and boost projects which benefit the experience of visitors and residents. I’m looking forward to working with Councillors to agree the scheme this month, which will allow further work to be carried out on the details of Edinburgh’s new levy.”
Some businesses have expressed concerns over Edinburgh’s ‘Tourist Tax’ proposals, however.
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: “Given the importance of the tourist economy to the capital, Edinburgh Council cannot afford to be reckless with these plans. The implementation of short-term let licensing was a policy shambles and we cannot have history repeating itself with the visitor levy.
“Many simply don’t realise that this tax won’t just be paid by international visitors but by ordinary Scots staying in the city – be it for business purposes, seeing friends, visiting family in hospital, or taking in the Fringe.
“Other European cities might have it, but they often charge a small flat rate, don’t charge their own residents, and don’t have a 20% VAT rate. The schemes are not comparable. There is a real risk of undermining Edinburgh’s position as a leading destination.
“This policy will also disproportionately impact small local accommodation businesses, including self-catering and B&Bs, further increasing the administrative burden. The accumulative regulatory impact could cripple them at a time when recovery is precarious.”
“We also fear that the transitional period is too short. The Council still has a lot of work to do to reassure business that these plans won’t erode the very industry it is supposedly meant to support.”
POLICE are continuing to appeal for help from the public after a camper van was stolen from an address in East Lothian.
Between 11.30pm and 11.55pm on Monday, 6 January, 2025, a grey Volkswagen T6 Transporter with the registration WX66 VVP was stolen from outside a property on Arthurs Way in Haddington.
The van was later recovered on Goldcrest Place in Cammo on the morning of Wednesday, 8 January.
Detective Constable Jamie Donaldson said: “We are grateful for the assistance we’ve received so far but are still keen to hear from anyone who could have information that could help with our enquiries.
“In particular, we’re asking residents in the Goldcrest Place area to review any dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage they might have for anything unusual or suspicious. We’d also like to hear from anyone else in the Edinburgh or Haddington areas who may have relevant footage or information that could assist with our investigation.
“If you think you can help, please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1607 of 7 January, 2025. Alternatively, details can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
FRIDAY 7th FEBRUARY from 12 – 4pm at OCEAN TERMINAL
Did you know that you probably have a local heritage group offering a range of activities and opportunities on your doorstep?
Our city is fortunate to have an abundance of local groups and societies that focus on the promotion and preservation of local heritage.
These groups offer a range of activities and opportunities including (but not limited to) walks, talks, tours, exhibitions, performances, memberships, volunteering, and workshops. There are many ways to get involved with your local heritage group and to engage with your local heritage.
The Edinburgh Local Heritage Network Fair is the perfect opportunity to come along, meet with local heritage groups, and learn more about what they have to offer.
The groups that will be available to chat with during this fair include:
Citadel Arts, Portobello Heritage Trust, Edinburgh Printmakers, Living Memory Association, Art & Seat, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Greater Liberton History Group, Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society, Old Edinburgh Club, Cramond Heritage Trust, Edinburgh Lothian and Border Police Historical Society, Scottish Churches Trust – Edinburgh activities, History of Education Centre (Victorian Schoolroom), Hibernian FC Historical Trust, Southside Heritage Group and Newhaven Heritage.
There will also be plenty of information available at the fair about the other heritage groups and societies within the city.
All of the groups represented at this fair are members of the growing Edinburgh Local Heritage Network. There will be information available about this network at the fair too.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and ELHN Honorary President, Robert Aldridge said: “Edinburgh is a city of rich history, vibrant culture and captivating stories. We’re committed to sharing these as part of our Edinburgh 900 programme and the ELHN has a key role in our celebrations.
“I would encourage everyone to visit the fair and learn more about the various local heritage groups the city boasts, what they can offer and how you can get involved.”
The fair will take place on Friday 7th February from 12pm – 4pm in the Ocean Terminal Market Place, 74 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ.
There’s no need to book, it’s informal and drop-in. We look forward to seeing you there!
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is proud to announce that St Columba’s Hospice Care has been selected to receive a special one-off charity donation of up to £162,000 in celebration of its 75th Anniversary in 2025.
This donation marks a milestone in Tattoo history and aligns with the ‘Performance with a Purpose’ ethos, underscoring the commitment to giving back to the community by supporting essential projects. With over 50,000 votes cast, the public chose from a selection of non-military charities that all provide vital services across communities in the UK.
This donation, equating to 75p from each ticket sold for the 2025 Show, is in addition to the Tattoo’s usual charitable giving, supporting both military and arts charities in the UK with annual donations from surplus profit. The Tattoo’s annual charitable giving will continue alongside this new initiative, as it aims to build up to pre-Covid donations of £1M a year which is thanks to those who attend the Show each year.
St Columba’s Hospice Care has been a beacon of support for individuals and families for nearly 50 years, providing compassionate care to those facing the profound challenges of palliative and end-of-life care, and leaving a lasting, meaningful impact on countless lives.
The values and community spirit of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closely align with those of St Columba’s Hospice Care. The funds donated will enable the team to continue their vital work both in the Hospice, and in the community, and ensure that the services remain free and accessible to everyone in need across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
With the theme for next year’s Tattoo, The Heroes Who Made Us, spotlighting the individuals who have shaped and supported the iconic performances over the past 75 years, this additional donation gives the charity the means to pay tribute to their own heroes and continue their essential work.
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said: “Our 75th Anniversary is a momentous occasion, and we are delighted to celebrate it by supporting local Edinburgh charity, St Columba’s Hospice Care and their team of loyal volunteers, dedicated staff and patients.
“Their dedication to providing comfort, dignity and peace to patients at end of life as well as support for their loved ones is truly inspiring.
“This donation is a testament to our ongoing commitment to giving back to our communities and we are honoured to contribute to the heroic efforts of St Columba’s Hospice Care.”
Jackie Stone, CEO at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been chosen to receive this special 75th Anniversary donation from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
“This incredible support comes at a critical time for hospice care, as we continue to navigate significant funding pressures, with rising costs and growing demand for our services.
“It’s a wonderful start to the new year, and we’re so grateful to everyone who voted and to the Tattoo for their generosity. This donation will make a real difference in helping us provide vital care and support to patients and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians.”
Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary Show are now on sale and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone, 0131 225 1188. The Show will run from 1-23 August 2025
Sports performance students at Heriot-Watt University are getting the chance to trade the classroom for the football pitch as part of a new partnership with Falkirk FC.
Both institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to a two-year collaboration to merge academic and professional sport expertise.
This partnership grants Falkirk FC access to Heriot-Watt’s cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities, where player performance can be analysed using advanced exercise testing and movement analysis techniques, and body composition assessed by gold standard imaging methods.
In return, Heriot-Watt students will gain real-world experience in sport and exercise science, applying their skills to tasks such as player conditioning, match performance analysis, and injury prevention.
A key component of the agreement is to provide placement and research opportunities at the Club for third and fourth-year students studying for a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. They will learn directly from coaches, sports scientists, and club staff to understand the strategies and techniques involved in elite performance and player development.
Leading the MoU on behalf of Heriot-Watt University is Chris Easton, Professor of Exercise Physiology at theSchool of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.
He welcomed the signing of the MoU and is looking forward to optimising the performance levels at Falkirk FC.
Chris said: “Through this exciting partnership with Falkirk FC, our students will gain invaluable, hands-on experience in a real-world sports environment, where they can apply the principles they learn in the classroom directly to player development and performance analysis.
“This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, and we’re thrilled to offer our students an opportunity to learn from and contribute to a leading football club.
“By bringing together Heriot-Watt’s academic strengths in sport science with Falkirk FC’s expertise on the field, we’re setting the foundation for a powerful exchange of knowledge that will benefit both our students and the club.”
With Falkirk FC currently topping the Championship and aiming for a Premiership return, this partnership arrives at an opportune time for the club to leverage scientific support for player performance.
The MoU is not the only link between the University and Falkirk FC in recent times. In October, the Club signed a new centre-forward, Barney Stewart, from Heriot-Watt University Football Club. Barney has been loaned back to the University squad until January after which time he will move to Falkirk under contract until June 2027.
Blair Doughty, Head of Physical Performance at Falkirk FC, added: “This partnership has the potential of huge benefit for both Falkirk FC and Heriot-Watt University.
“The University share the same values and vision to help improve performance which is something we look for in a strategic partner. The access to cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities will be of great value to the performance department as we seek to provide a best-in-class performance services for our players to give them the tools needed to perform at the highest level.
“As well as facilities another benefit of this partnership is the ability to keep up to date with the latest research developments helping inform best practise and also develop our own process and frameworks to push performance both for the First Team and Academy.
“Lastly, this partnership will help Heriot Watt develop their students into industry ready candidates and allows us to shape the practitioners of the future. Through learning and seeing firsthand the work done at Falkirk Football Club”
To find out more about Heriot-Watt’s BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science programme visit the website.
