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Double fault: Stockbridge tennis tournament cancelled

Champions of Tennis tournament organisers go into liquidation

A showcase tennis tournament featuring former champions including superstars John McEnroe and Tim Henman has been cancelled and the organisers have gone into liquidation. The Brodies Champions of Tennis tournamentwas due to start tomorrow but the decision to scrap the event was only made yesterday.

The event has a history of controversy – last year’s Champions of Tennis event left fans furious when play was limited to a few games after an inadequate roof saw courts flooded out.

Yesterday – just two days before the event was scheduled to start – organisers Serve and Volley said the tournament had been cancelled because the new roof design could not be built in time.

Spectators who have bought tickets will be able to find information on refunds from today.

A statement on Serve and Volley’s website said: “We are disappointed to advise that we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel this week’s Champions of Tennis tournament, which was due to take place between Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 June in Edinburgh.

“Following on from last year’s event we revised the design of the roof covering the court to provide better weather protection. This resulted in a unique and complex design, which required specialists to manage and oversee the build.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances the specialist team have been unable to facilitate the build and despite extensively investigating all alternative options we have not been able to secure a solution.

“We fully appreciate the disappointment this will cause customers, sponsors and suppliers; this decision has not been taken lightly. The unavoidable cancellation resulting from the problems experienced with the roof has resulted in the organisers, Serve & Volley Ltd, entering into voluntary liquidation.

“Administrators are to be appointed over the coming days and will be in contact with all suppliers in due course. Information regarding match session ticket refunds will be available on our website from Wednesday 18 June. We would like to thank everyone that has been involved in the event to date as we fully recognise the huge amount of goodwill and support that we have received.”

Event sponsors Brodies say they will refund every ticket holder who is unable to get their money back from organisers Serve & Volley.

In a statement, the company said: “At an early morning meeting today with the organisers of Champions of Tennis, Serve & Volley Limited, we learned that the enlarged roof over the Champions of Tennis court cannot be erected effectively.

“This outcome was contrary to all assurances given to us by the organisers. The organisers advised us at the meeting that they were looking at options to reorganise the event as an open-air tournament, but we understand that this proved impractical in the time available.

“As sponsors, we are hugely disappointed that this has caused the cancellation of the tournament by Serve & Volley at this stage. We share the frustration of the many tennis fans who bought tickets expecting to see a premier sporting event.

“However, based on current weather forecasts, there is a measure of risk of a repeat of the upset caused to some spectators by disruption of some of the sessions due to rain at last year’s event, when there was a roof in place. We believe that pressing ahead with the championship under these circumstances would not be fair to ticket holders, who bought tickets expecting the additional protection this year of an extended court roof. It is also the case that Serve & Volley has run out of time to reorganise and properly re-advertise the event as an open air tournament to ticket holders.

“Our paramount concern is for these ticket holders. Although the tickets were sold by Serve & Volley, as a gesture of goodwill, Brodies will refund the cost of tickets to individual ticket holders who are unable to recover the cost of their tickets from Serve & Volley or from their credit or debit card providers. Further details will be published on our website, www.brodies.com, on Wednesday.

“Brodies will refund the cost of tickets to all individual ticket holders who try but are unable to get their money back. We are not doing this on behalf of Serve & Volley Ltd.

“We have supported Champions of Tennis for the last two years because we believed hosting such a prestigious ATP event in Edinburgh would benefit the economy, the local community, and help cement Scotland’s reputation as a leading sporting destination. We are genuinely sorry that tennis fans have been left disappointed.”

Job opportunities in North Edinburgh

North Edinburgh’s housebuilding and regeneration programme will offer new job, apprenticeship and work placement opportunities when it gets under way this summer – and you can register your interest at drop-in sessions at the North Local Office in West Pilton.

The drop-ins start this morning and will run every Wednesday from 10am – 12 noon. Why not call in to find out more?

Botanic Gardens open late for midsummer celebration

The Botanics will open late this Saturday to celebrate midsummer with a series of free attractions and activities – and you can take part in a world record attempt too!

RBGE says:

Enjoy the Garden in the evening and help us celebrate trees at midsummer. Join an attempt to break the world record for tree hugging at 20:00 and help us calculate the environmental benefit of our tree collection by doing some tree measuring. We’ll also have live music and performances throughout the evening, plus The Scottish Poetry Library will be joining us offering opportunities to write, share and perform poems.

6.00pm Corroboree stilt performance (30mins)

6.45pm Aerial performance with Vision Mechanics (5 mins)

7.00pm Harp performance (30 mins)

7.45pm Aerial performance with Vision Mechanics (5 mins)

8.00pm Tree Hug World Record Attempt (1 min)

8.15pm Midsummer Poetry with the Scottish Poetry Library (45 mins)

9.15pm Corroboree stilt performance (30 mins)

PLUS:

– Free entry to Glasshouses from 6pm – 9.30pm (last entry 9pm)

– Corin Sworn exhibition at Inverleith House (open until 9.30pm)

– Food & refreshments available at the Terrace Cafe and East Gate Lodge

Don’t miss it!

RBGE_midsummer

Happy birthday CAB!

Local MP praises work of Citizen Advice service

Mark Lazarowicz MP has pledged his support for Citizen’s Advice’s new campaign at a reception held to celebrate the charity’s 75th birthday. The Advice for the Future campaign aims to highlight the importance of free, impartial advice and get 100,000 people pledging their support.

Citizens Advice has launched the campaign as rising household bills, changes to the welfare system and a troubled jobs market mean that for many life is getting increasingly complicated. This means it’s even more important that people can access free, relevant and impartial advice to help make complex decisions.

Citizens Advice Scotland, the Scottish counterpart to Citizens Advice, opened its first bureau in September 1939 and so will also be celebrating its 75th anniversary later this year.

The North and Leith MP said: “I know from my work as a constituency MP just how valuable the service provided by Citizens Advice is to constituents: free, independent, impartial and trusted.

“The major changes to the benefit system introduced by this Government, sharply rising energy bills and the difficulty that many households have in just keeping their heads above water have left many more people turning to Citizens Advice for help.

“It has also used its first hand experience in dealing with the practical problems people face to contribute positively to debate on public policy which is why I and other Opposition MPs fought so hard against the restrictions that the Lobbying Act would have placed on charities.

“Largely run by volunteers though publicly funded, it supports the vulnerable and indeed anyone who needs advice: our society would struggle to cope without it.”

Citizens Advice celebrates its 75th anniversary this year:

• In 2013/14 the charity helped 2 million people to solve 5.5 million problems
• In 2012/13, 22,000 volunteers donated nearly 7 million hours to the service
• This amounts to a contribution of £109 million worth of volunteering hours.

Muirhouse summer fair this morning

You may not need your sunglasses, but today’s the day for the Old Kirk and Muirhouse Summer Fair. Get down for 10am to bag those bargains!

Referendum Registration Roadshow’s at North Office tomorrow

The Scottish Independence Referendum takes place on Thursday 18 September. To take part you must be registered by Tuesday 2 September.

To make sure you use, and don’t lose your vote, why not come along to a Registration Roadshow? You can check if you are registered or update your details if you have moved home.

The events are taking place in the city council’s local offices:

10am – 2pm, Wednesday 11 June, North Neighbourhood Office

11am – 3pm, Tuesday 17 June, South West Neighbourhood Office

10am – 2pm, Tuesday 24 June, Leith Office

10am – 2pm, Wednesday 25 June, West Neighbourhood Office

11am – 3pm, Monday 30 June, East Neighbourhood Office

11am- 3pm, Wednesday 2 July, City Centre Neighbourhood Office

You can also register by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on

0131 344 2500.

Valuable ring recovered following Western theft

Local Police have recovered a valuable gold ring as part of the ongoing Operation Wolf. The ring was stolen at the Western General Hospital but was tracked down to a local second-hand shop and has now been returned to it’s delighted owner.

A 73-year-old man was visiting the hospital on 1 May and washed his hands in a restroom. As he did so he removed his 18ct gold signet ring, which was etched with his family crest. He then left the building – but forgot to pick up the ring. The man returned a short time later but found that the item had been stolen and contacted police.

Officers from the Search and Recovery Team (SART) carried out local enquiries and spoke to local second-hand retailers. The investigation proved successful as police were contacted by one of the stores on Saturday 24 May after the ring was brought in for sale.

Police are now following a positive line of enquiry to identify those responsible for this theft, and the ring has since been returned to its rightful owner.

Superintendent Matt Richards said: “This ring was made by the victim’s brother and while it is worth a significant sum of money, it is of greater sentimental value.

“As a result of Operation Wolf activities carried out by the SART, police in Edinburgh were able recover the item from a second-hand store and are actively hunting for the thieves.

“I would like to thank all of the retail premises we work alongside for their continued support in tackling acquisitive crime.

“Operation Wolf continues to address the crimes and issues affecting our various local communities and will relentlessly pursue those responsible for these offences.”

Community Council office bearers announced

Drylaw Telford Community Council appointed the following office bearers at last week’s Annual General Meeting held in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre:

Chairperson: Alex Dale – email alex.dale@blueyonder.co.uk
Secretary: Andrew Barnett – email andrew@abarnett.net
Treasurer: Jackie Brown – email catchjackiehere@hotmail.co.uk
Vice-Chairperson: Mhiari Curran – email mhairi.curran@hush.ai

The Community Council meets at 7pm on the last Wednesday of the month in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre – all meetings are open to the public and new faces are always welcome!

Sing with the Time Bank choir!

Time Bank Sings!

We’re having an open evening on Wednesday 11 June from 7pm -8pm with a free crèche.

This is for anyone who wants to come along and try a bit of singing for fun. We’d like to have new members. The group is very friendly and easy going. No experience needed.

Some comments from people who have come along:

“Singing is great fun and I enjoy being part of a community. Great for your confidence!”

“ Meet new people, stops me being isolated”

“Works well as a group. We are positive!”

“Iit lifts your mood!”

So come along and lend your voice to our very own North Edinburgh Time Bank Singers!

Julie Smith

North Edinburgh Time Bank Broker

For further information visit:

www.edinburghtimebank.org.uk

email Julie at north.timebank@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

or telephone 07807 002 591.

More support for new home buyers

Scottish Government increases ‘Help to Buy’ funding

An extra £40 million will be invested in a scheme that helps people get on the housing ladder for the first time or move to a new property, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed yesterday.

The Scottish Government’s Help to Buy (Scotland) initiative has allowed more than 1,100 people to buy a new home since its launch in September 2013.

This latest financial boost brings the overall investment to £275 million – investment that has brought much needed financial support to the Scottish construction sector.

The scheme helps people to buy a new-build house from a participating home builder without having to fund all of the purchase price. The buyer is required to contribute a five per cent deposit, with the Scottish Government taking an equity stake of up to 20 per cent of the value of the property.

The buyer then receives the outstanding sum through a repayment mortgage from a participating lender, repaying the Scottish Government’s equity stake when they can financially afford to do so.

So far 156 house-builders have signed up for the initiative, with six mortgage lenders offering mortgages to buyers wanting to benefit from it.

Ms Sturgeon said: “This additional £40 million funding will allow more people in Scotland to buy their first home and continue to make it easier for ‘second-steppers’ and others to move to a new property.

“Since it launched in September last year, our Help to Buy scheme has already helped over 1000 households into home ownership and this additional funding will benefit even more families.

“It is also bringing much needed economic growth to Scotland by supporting our housing industry and creating employment opportunities. This is alongside our continued commitment to investing in affordable housing for communities across Scotland.”

New Homes for Scotland Chair Sandy Adam said: “A significant proportion of new homes are now sold through Help to Buy, delivering on the Scottish Government’s key objectives of providing more homes, creating more jobs and stimulating the economy.

“Additional investment, such as that announced today, and longer term support assisting developers with investment planning will help the industry to, quite literally, build on the scheme’s initial success and step up production to the levels required to meet housing need across all tenures.

“But this welcome boost for Help to Buy (Scotland) is valuable in another way. Many people in Scotland want to own their own home. Raising aspiration and confidence in this way can only be achieved through initiatives such as this.”