Category: North Edinburgh News

Warrender Swim Centre reopening date announced

Scotland’s fourth oldest public swimming bath, Warrender Swim Centre, is to reopen its doors to the public Tuesday 23rd May, having undergone a major refurbishment.

June Peebles, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Edinburgh Leisure, in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, is delighted to be reopening the doors to Warrender Swim Centre, a Victorian pool loved by so many.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience during the somewhat longer than expected closure period. However, once inside the venue I’m sure everyone will agree it’s been worth the wait.

“Originally known as Warrender Baths, the venue has been serving the community since 1887 and this major investment will ensure Warrender Swim Centre, as it is now known, will continue to serve the community for many years to come.”

The latest major investment has been about maintaining the balance of Victorian charm and an environmentally efficient 21st century facility and, of course, improving the customer experience.

Significant changes and upgrades to Warrender Swim Centre have taken place including:

  • Maintenance work and repairs to the sandstone structure, windows, roof, and roof structures in keeping with the building’s listing.
  • Decoration throughout, including updating the changing rooms, both wet and dry, and retiling of the poolside.
  • Enclosing the area overlooking the pool and adding air-cooling.
  • New easy access, making it easier for customers to access the building and their activities, with the simple swipe of their membership card or fob.
  • Upgrades to the mechanical and electrical works, including improvements to the ventilation system.
  • New pool plant.
  • New boilers.
  • New lighting.
  • New air handling throughout the building including the gym.
  • Installation of a new sauna.

Stephanie Kelly, Manager at Warrender Swim Centre said: “We’re so excited at the prospect of welcoming customers into our lovely, refurbished swim centre.

“The renovations have taken longer than expected but as anyone who has ever renovated an older property will know, there’s usually something uncovered that requires a change of plan or often additional work, and that’s certainly been the case with Warrender. 

“We know that our loyal and our new customers, and of course, Warrender Swim Club, who have such a long association with the venue, will be delighted with the extensive work that has been carried out. Team Warrender look forward to welcoming back you all back to this iconic, Victorian swimming pool.”

Cllr Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “I’m really looking forward to Warrender Swim Centre reopening its doors, and I’m sure many users are looking forward to once again going for a swim in the beautiful surroundings of the heritage building.

“The major refurbishment has made sure some modern adjustments and improvements have been made whilst keeping the charm of the original Victorian building. I’m delighted that this investment will ensure families can continue to enjoy Warrender Swim Centre for many years to come.”

With a 25-yard pool, sauna, and a gym, Warrender is a Victorian swim centre in the heart of Bruntsfield and Marchmont. This historic venue retains many of its original features, including the original steam room’s roof in the gym, but also has the modern facilities required for an active, healthy life. The gym is in what used to be the Turkish Baths.

Join during the first week of Warrender’s re-opening from 23rd May to pay ‘No Joining Fee’ on your new membership. Additional member benefits can be enjoyed like priority bookings, free gym introduction and discounts on a range of activities. And unlike many other gyms, there is no contract and customers can freeze or cancel their membership at any time.

Edinburgh Leisure has different memberships that are flexible and affordable to fit around individuals/couples. Choose a Gym, Swim or Fitness Class package (not available at Warrender) at your local venue or sign up for Edinburgh Leisure’s most popular Full Fitness membership giving unlimited access to all their venues across the city. 

Warrender Swim Centre
55 Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh EH9 1AP

Exciting new exhibition comes to the Drill Hall

Celebrating the work of resident artists and makers

  • Outside + In exhibition – Monday 15th to Saturday 20th May
  • Exciting FREE exhibition showcasing the work of Drill Hall residents
  • Featuring 14 artists and makers from paintings and illustration to jewellery. 

Out of the Blue Drill Hall is excited to host an exhibition showcasing the work of 14 of its resident artists and makers, from painters and illustrators to jewellery makers and printers. 

Organised by resident visual artist Felicity Inkpen, the exhibition, Outside + In, will run from Monday 15th to Saturday 20th May (10am to 5pm), with an opportunity to meet the artists on Wednesday 17th May from 5:30pm to 7:30pm..

The artists of the Drill Hall have collaboratively designed the exhibition, and are excited to invite the local community, family and friends to marvel at their creations.

With so many artists taking part, there really is something for everyone. Artists include abstract painter and surface pattern designer, Catherine Lazcano-Thornton. She is inspired by the love of colour and seasonal change, using acrylic paints and a combination of mixed media to create textures and marks.

Tom Duncan of Twin City Pictures will be showing his photography at the exhibition. He specialises in providing industry standard headshot and showreel material to actors, as well as creating marketing posters and social content for theatres.

The poster for the exhibition was designed by resident, and exhibition organiser, Felicity Inkpen. Practicing and exhibiting as an artist since 2012, she draws on her experience as a working research scientist to inform her contemporary works that attempt to explore and communicate all the strange ways in which the mind works.

Felicity comments: “Out of the Blue Drill Hall is such an important space within the creative community of Leith. The artists and makers within its walls work incredibly hard, and to be able to display their talents in this showcase is a joy.

“After a difficult few years, Leith feels like a very exciting place to be, creatively. I hope that anyone who is curious will come to see the exhibition, and to find out more about the creators in this space.” 

Details of the Outside + In exhibition, as well as a list of participating artists and makers can be found on the Drill Hall website.

Fountainbridge set for new council housing

Over 100 new council homes have been approved as part of Edinburgh’s major regeneration of Fountainbridge.

Formerly the site of the Fountain Brewery, the huge number of new homes for social rent will feature in a 49,000 square metre redevelopment overlooking the Union Canal.

The area will be transformed as part of a development called Leamington Square – a joint venture between the City of Edinburgh Council as landowner and a partnership between Cruden Homes (East) Ltd and Buccleuch Property. They will deliver around 464 homes alongside landscaping and infrastructure improvements, over 2,700 square metres of retail space supporting the creation of a 20-minute neighbourhood approach and new local jobs.

The Council will own 115 homes for social rent and 71 homes for mid market rent as part of the plans and support the delivery of additional, affordable new homes. It will also spearhead the creation of a community growing space and new integrated cycle ways. Over 1,000 cycle parking spaces are planned for the development in total.

The Union Canal is a Local Nature Conservation Site and landscaping is planned to create a biodiverse area in harmony with the character of the waterway. Generous use of trees of varying species is also planned while the development will be designed to minimise greenhouse gas emissions and incorporate low carbon technologies, in line with Edinburgh’s ambitious net zero aims. Historic elements of the adjacent North British Rubber Factory will also be preserved and incorporated into the designs.

It is envisaged that work will begin in 2024 and be fully built-out by 2027.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “For years, Edinburgh has desperately needed more new social housing. This council is determined to tackle that shortfall and I’m delighted that we’ve secured space for over 100 new homes for social rent at Leamington Square.

“Just a stone’s throw away from the Union Canal, with great cycle links and amenities on the doorstep, the regeneration of the old brewery site is sure to prove a really popular place to live.

“The demand we are seeing for affordable and social homes is only going to increase as our city grows. And, while the future is challenging, together with developers and others we are doing everything within our powers to make it fairer on residents and on our environment with high quality, affordable, sustainable homes.”

 Carlo D’Emidio, Project Director of Cruden Homes, said: “This is a significant milestone for this flagship new development, which will see the transformation of this former brownfield site in Fountainbridge into a vibrant new community. 

“Subject to our development agreement with City of Edinburgh Council, Cruden and Buccleuch will deliver highly sustainable, Net Zero homes which will sit amongst a wealth of new amenities and community spaces in the Capital’s newest neighbourhood.”

Ewan Anderson, Managing Director, 7N Architects, said: “7N Architects are delighted that planners have approved our latest plans for this new, mixed use, neighbourhood at Fountainbridge in Edinburgh.

“The development will provide 464 mixed-tenure homes, 30,000 sq.ft of mixed-use space and people friendly public realm which will reinvigorate this important canalside site. We now look forward to taking the project onwards with Cruden Homes, Buccleuch Property and the City of Edinburgh Council.”

Facemasks: Return to pre-pandemic advice for health and social care

People in health and social care settings will no longer be advised to wear facemasks from Tuesday next week (16 May).

The return to pre-pandemic guidance means that mask use will be based on clinical need based on infection prevention and control advice, meaning  staff, patients, service users and visitors will not be routinely asked to wear facemasks in health and social care settings.

It follows a review of the guidance introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to protect staff, patients, service users and visitors, and recognises that Scotland has entered a calmer phase of the pandemic.

Chief Nursing Officer Alex McMahon said: “Due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, and the availability of treatments, now is the right time to revise the advice on wearing masks in health and social care settings and return to pre-pandemic guidance.

“We recognise that some staff may have concerns around the withdrawal of this guidance and would expect organisations to undertake individual occupational health assessments and risk assessments as appropriate.

“We continue to be vigilant in our response to Covid-19 and encourage everyone to make sure they are up to date with the boosters available to them. We are grateful for the tireless work of health and social care teams during these challenging times and to everyone who has helped them by adhering to the guidance.”

Fort Kinnaird’s ODEON to host Eurovision watch party 

Fort Kinnaird’s ODEON Cinema is opening its doors tonight (Saturday 13 May) to bring locals together to watch the Eurovision grand final from 7.30pm.

Adult tickets cost £17.50 and children tickets cost £12.50, a combined ticket for one adult and one child costs £25.00

For more information or to book tickets, visit: 

https://www.odeon.co.uk/films/eurovision-2023-grand-final-live/HO00004137/

Hosting a Eurovision party? Make THESE 10 cocktails for your guests

The Eurovision final is nearly here, and we’ll soon find out which country will be crowned as the 2023 winner – in the meantime, many Brits will be celebrating the competition and even throwing parties in the hopes that Mae Muller will win the title. 

However, a Eurovision party is not complete without some international cocktails to represent the qualifying countries.  

Event Management Company MGN events have gathered together 10 cocktails originating in the countries that have qualified for the Eurovision final to ensure your party is one to remember. 

Passion Star Martini  

An essential cocktail for your Eurovision party is the passion star martini – otherwise known by something slightly more explicit – which originated here in the UK, London to be precise. Create this yourself by filling a cocktail shaker with 45ml vodka, 30ml passionfruit puree, and 15ml vanilla sugar syrup and shaking and straining into a glass. Don’t forget to add half of a passionfruit on the top, as well as a shot glass of champagne on the side.  

Skhug Margarita  

Taking a twist on the classic margarita from Mexico is the Israeli skhug margarita. First, prepare some cardamom simple syrup by boiling ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water, then adding 5 cardamom pods. Once boiled, let it cool and place in a jar. Next, add 45ml tequila, 22ml lime juice, cardamom syrup, a sliced jalapeno pepper, and some cilantro into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass – you can also add a hint of pomegranate juice for an extra touch of flavour.     

 Aperol Spritz  

Another classic to serve up is the Aperol spritz from Northern Italy. In a wine glass, add a couple of ice cubes and pour in 50ml Aperol, 75ml prosecco, and just 25ml soda – finish it off by adding an orange slice for a decorative touch.  

Tinto de Verano 

Translating to “summer red wine”, Tinto de Verano is a classic Spanish concoction. In a large pitcher, pour in 750ml fruity red wine along with 750ml lemon-flavoured soda. Add slices of a lemon and an orange, 200ml sweet vermouth, and stir to allow all of the flavours to mix well. Instead of adding ice to the pitcher, which will cause the drink to water down and lose flavour, simply serve over a glass with ice. 

Finnish Long Drink 

To make the Finnish long drink, otherwise known as Lonkero, start by adding 60ml gin, 15ml lemon juice, and 15ml cranberry juice to a highball glass filled with ice. Stir the liquids together, add 120ml grapefruit soda, and finish off by adding a grapefruit wedge to your glass. 

Swedish Glogg 

The Swedish glogg cocktail is typically served in winter, but it’s a must have for your Eurovision party to truly get into the spirit. Peel the zest of an orange, making sure to remove pith, and place into a large pan with a bottle of red wine and 200g of caster sugar. Add in 10 cardomom pods, five cloves, a cinnamon stick, three slices of peeled ginger, 40g raisins and finally 50g flaked almonds. Let the mixture warm for around 10-15 minutes but avoid letting it boil; finally, add in 150ml vodka and serve up. 

Kir Royale 

The kir royale is arguable France’s most famous cocktail, and it’s very simple to make. Pour a tablespoon of crème de cassis into a champagne flute, top with champagne, and add a frozen raspberry on top to complete the drink. 

Bourbon Radler 

Hailing from Germany, the Bourbon randler is possibly the closest beverage to a British shandy. Add 180ml of your favourite beer to a glass along with 180ml lemonade. Stir in 30ml Bourbon whisky and add some ice and lemon wedges to complete your German cocktail. 

Nikita 

The cocktail nikita originates from the Portugese island Madeira, and it will go down a treat for those who enjoy a sweet cocktail. Add 300ml fresh cubed pineapple to a blender, along with 180ml vanilla ice cream, 120ml lager and 120ml white wine. Once smooth, pour the mixture into a glass with ice – for an even sweeter taste, add a shot of white rum. 

Karsk 

Dating way back to the 1800s, karsk is a classic Norwegian cocktail. The traditional way to make this drink is by placing a clean penny at the bottom of a mug or glass and pouring hot coffee over it until you can no longer see the penny. Afterwards, you’ll need to pour either vodka or moonshine into the glass or mug until the penny is visible again; measurements may vary, but you can always add some sugar to sweeten it up. 

Creative Director, Matthew Strange from MGN events has commented: “Whatever the occasion, cocktails are a sophisticated touch when entertaining guests – but in the case of Eurovision, it’s much more exciting for the host to go the extra mile and add in a twist.

“By serving these 10 cocktails, you can please guests with a classic drink like a Pornstar martini that everybody knows and loves while adding some fun with an exciting cocktail like Portugal’s nikita. Not to mention, with the cocktails hailing from many different countries, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Eurovision.” 

This information was provided by mgnevents.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading luxury private party and corporate events management companies. 

Rosebank: Scottish Government fails to oppose controversial project as Equinor lobbies for more drilling

Climate campaigners have challenged the Scottish Government to speak out against the controversial Rosebank oil field as they revealed details of the lobbying operation by the Norwegian oil giant Equinor who are behind the project.

New data compiled by Friends of the Earth Scotland show that from the 2021 election until end of 2022,  Equinor has met 13 times with MSPs including five times with Scottish Government Ministers.[1] The lobbying register also shows that oil lobby group Offshore Energies UK, who represent Equinor, met with members of the Scottish Parliament at least 36 times over the last two years.

With a UK Government decision on the massive Rosebank oil field drawing closer, Humza Yousaf once again refused to oppose the project when questioned by journalists at the All Energy Conference in Glasgow yesterday. Equinor also faced protests in Norway, Aberdeen and London to coincide with its AGM.

Prior to announcing its formal application to develop the Rosebank field in August 2022 Equinor pursued meetings with 8 MSPs in the North East and Shetland to convince MSPs to back the project, the data shows.

Oil extraction from Rosebank was also discussed at the 2022 Cross Party Group on Oil and Gas, chaired by oil lobby group Offshore Energies UK, and attended by six MSPs. The group lists amongst its aims: “to encourage greater recognition of the importance of the oil and gas industry to Scotland”. [2]

The Scottish Government has repeatedly failed to officially state their opposition to Equinor’s plans to develop the 500 million barrels of oil in Rosebank, despite Nicola Sturgeon speaking out against the much smaller Cambo oil field in 2021. None of the MSPs lobbied have called for the project to be stopped or signed the motion of opposition lodged by Monica Lennon MSP. [3]

Equinor is 67% owned by the Norwegian state and posted £9.5billion pre-tax profits for first 3 months of 2023, in addition to the £62billion in profits before tax for 2022. Despite their claims to be a ‘broad energy company’ more than 99 percent of Equinor’s energy production comes from fossil fuels.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s campaigner Freya Aitchison said: “This research highlights the insidious power that Equinor and other fossil fuel companies have over decision making processes in Scotland.

“The scale and reach of the Equinor lobbying operation designed to influence the Scottish Government should be extremely alarming to anyone who takes the climate crisis seriously.

“For decades, the fossil fuel industry has denied and delayed the need for real climate action, and it is clear that it has significant means to continue doing so. Companies like Equinor have too much vested interest in continuing business as usual and cannot be trusted to play a meaningful part in a transition away from fossil fuels.

“99% of Equinor’s output is fossil fuels and the company is planning for the expansion of oil and gas drilling across the world, with the Rosebank project as well as others in Canada, Argentina and Norway. We know that in order to stay within agreed climate limits we can have no new investments in fossil fuel infrastructure, yet Equinor is deliberately ignoring the science and trying to persuade politicians to let it continue profiting from new extraction.

“There can be no place for the fossil fuel industry in decision-making around climate change – just as tobacco companies were banned from public health decision-making spaces, fossil fuel companies such as Equinor need to be denied access to power and influence in order for real change to happen.”

“To avoid catastrophic climate breakdown, and do our fair share globally, we must phase out oil and gas in this decade. First Minister Humza Yousaf has the chance to chart a new path away from fossil fuels without the industry trying to call the shots. If his Government is serious about tackling the climate crisis and delivering a just transition, it must cut ties with the fossil fuel industry and ban them from lobbying.”

Equinor’s influence peddling is aided by the revolving door – whereby politicians and officials jump from public office into lucrative industry lobbying jobs – or vice versa. Equinor’s Vice President Political and Public Affairs Global, David Cairns, was formerly the British Ambassador to Sweden and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Director for the Nordic Baltic Region. [4]

Cairns has had at least 8 lobby meetings with MSPs in 2022 and met with Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, during COP26 in November 2021. Every single meeting Cairns has had on behalf of Equinor gives the same description of purpose in the Lobbying Register – demonstrating the limitations of lobbying transparency rules. The meetings discussed Equinor’s “broad energy portfolio of oil & gas, offshore wind and low carbon activities” and “Future opportunities for engagement with MSPs in the Scottish Parliament”.

More than 100 years on, Great War stretcher bearer buried in Belgium

More than a century after his death, Private (Pte) Robert Kenneth Malcolm, a 23-year-old stretcher bearer from Stockton-on-Tees, has finally been laid to rest with full military honours and his war medals presented to his family.

Private Malcolm’s cloth orderly patch which indicated he was a stretcher bearer. Copyright Ruben Willaert nv

The burial service, organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, was held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Bedford House Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium on 10 May 2023.

Pte Malcolm is borne to his final resting place by officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Crown copyright

His unidentified remains were recovered from a shell hole outside a German blockhouse in Fusilier Wood, near Klein-Zillebeke, Belgium in 2019. Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) insignia and a ‘Medical Orderly’ cloth patch were also recovered, indicating the soldier may have been a stretcher bearer.

Private Malcolm’s cap badge. Copyright Ruben Willaert nv

After extensive research carried out by JCCC and DNA testing, the remains were identified as Pte Malcolm who was reported missing on 6 August 1917 – believed killed during shelling. With no remains recovered at the time of his death, he had been commemorated on the Menin Gate.

Rosie Barron, JCCC case lead said: “The identification of Pte Malcolm was a long and at times complicated task, so it is very satisfying to have organised his burial service today and to have seen a positive conclusion to this case.

“Stretcher bearers such as Pte Malcolm were vital to the war effort. Without their dedication and bravery, many more men would have died on the battlefields. 

“Pte Malcolm came from a large family. His mother and siblings died unaware of his fate and memory of Pte Malcolm had been lost through the generations. It has been a privilege therefore to have his great great nieces here today to see him laid to rest and to know that he will be remembered by future generations of his family who will now be able to visit his grave.”

Records uncovered during Rosie’s investigation showed that though Pte Malcolm’s medals were sent to his mother after the war, they were not delivered and so were returned and destroyed. The MOD Medal Office (MODMO) has therefore been able to reissue his 1914 Star with Clasp ‘5 Aug – 22 Nov 1914’, often referred to as ‘the Mons Star’, and the British War Medal and Victory Medal (Please note: photos of the medals are unavailable but for more information please visit the IWM website.

They were placed on top of the coffin as Pte Malcolm was carried to his grave, and afterwards they, and the flag which covered his casket, were presented to his family by Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Adam Gregory of 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital, who led the bearer party.

An officer of the Royal Army Medical Corps presents Pte Malcolm’s service medals to his great great niece Linda Jordan. Crown copyright

Linda Jordan, Pte Malcolm’s great great niece, was one of two family members who provided positive DNA matches. She, and her sister, attended the burial service.

Linda said: Getting a letter five months ago from JCCC suggesting I could be related to a fallen WW1 soldier, whose body had been recently discovered, was quite a shock. My family was unaware that our great grandmother had eleven siblings, one of whom was Pte Malcolm.

“It is fascinating how we were traced and the link confirmed through DNA testing. As Pte Malcolm had been missing for so long it was amazing and quite emotional to see the care that all those in the wider Army family have taken to identify and honour him. We were privileged to represent his family at his funeral. It is our way of respecting him and acknowledging the sacrifice he, and so many others, made in service of our country.

WO2 Gregory said: “It is an honour and an overwhelming privilege to be part of this burial service for a fallen WW1 comrade from the RAMC. Pte Malcolm has been placed alongside his brothers in arms whom all paid the ultimate sacrifice for their King and country. 

“Pte Malcolm was a regular RAMC soldier supporting the citizen volunteers in a new Army unit. This is part of an historic event, and it is very befitting that a mix of Regular Army and Army Reservists from 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital have carried him on his final journey.”

The service was conducted by the Reverend Andrew Grant, Chaplain to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, and a bearer party from 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital RAMC bore the coffin to the graveside.

The Reverend Grant said: “I am greatly honoured to have been asked to conduct the burial service for Pte Robert Kenneth Malcolm of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

“The continuing work of identifying the remains of those killed in the World War 1, and bestowing upon them the full honours of a proper burial, are key to reminding ourselves that, despite the unimaginable numbers lost in the conflict, each soul whose life was cut short was a precious human being, and loved by someone.

“This can be so easily forgotten when death back then was meted out on such an industrial scale.”

Pte Malcolm is guarded by officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps before burial. Crown copyright

The grave of Pte Malcolm will now be cared for in perpetuity by CWGC.

Head of Commemorations Casework at the CWGC, Mel Donnelly, said: “We are very grateful to our partners in Belgium who conducted the painstaking excavation of the site near Fusilier Wood.

“Their professionalism ensured that the remains of a Commonwealth soldier recovered together with his insignia, enabling Private Malcolm to be identified. He can now be laid to rest alongside his comrades.”

Scottish dentists to join strike action

The British Dental Association has announced that dentists in Scotland employed under the same contract as junior doctors, will join their medical colleagues in a 72-hour walkout, the dates of which are yet to be confirmed, if BMA ongoing negotiations with the Scottish government do not result in a credible pay offer.

The overwhelming majority of voters (91%) from this small but important cohort backed industrial action, on a turnout of 79%.

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said: “Our members stand ready to do whatever it takes to secure a fair deal on pay.

“Just like their medical colleagues these dentists aren’t worth a penny less than they were a decade ago.

“We are hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be found. But our members will take strike action if the Scottish Government fail to come back to the table with a serious pay offer.”