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Edinburgh landmarks shine a light of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day

 On World Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September, venues across Edinburgh’s iconic skyline will join landmarks across Scotland in lighting up green to raise awareness of suicide prevention and Samaritans’ charity.

Buildings and landmarks across Scotland will unite by shining a light on suicide prevention and the support available for people in crisis on the 10th of September. In Edinburgh, Museum on the Mound, Camera Obscura, and the Balmoral Hotel will be some of those landmarks shining green, Samaritans’ well-known colour.

Joining the venues will be Lerwick Town Hall in Shetland; Discovery Point in Dundee; Stirling Castle, Glasgow Science Centre; the Kelpies; Marischal College and King’s College in Aberdeen. 

Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through human connection, and this World Suicide Prevention Day, the charity’s message to people in Scotland is that you don’t have to be an expert to save someone’s life. Small, everyday interruptions and actions could help someone who is suicidal by distracting them from their thoughts. 

It could be a face-to-face conversation, a phone call, a text or any other way of connecting with someone. It could be as simple as asking someone you’re worried about if they are OK, perhaps making a positive comment on something you notice about them (for example, their shoes or coat), or even giving them something to touch or hold, which can help to distract somebody and help them feel grounded.

For Paul, 45, an unexpected interruption from a taxi driver simply asking if he was OK was all it took to change the course of his life.

“That taxi driver probably doesn’t know the impact he had that day or how much it helped me,” said Paul. “It seems a bit dramatic to say I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that conversation, but that is the reality. It shows that anyone can save a life, just by showing that they care.”

After struggling to balance a high-pressure job and family life, Paul reached crisis point and decided to take his own life. But a passing taxi driver stopped and got out to check on him.

“I had started to feel like I was the root cause of every problem and if I removed myself, then that would fix everything. I felt tired, burnt out and broken. I decided I was going to take my own life.

“I was crossing the road when the taxi stopped me. I suspect the driver initially thought it was some idiot not paying attention, but he must’ve recognised that something wasn’t right. He got out to check if I was OK and said something like, ‘You need to talk to someone.’

“So, I called Samaritans. I don’t remember much about that call, but they helped me get through the night. They listened and allowed me to offload. It helped me go to bed and try again the next day.”

A life-saving interruption for Paul, and a reminder that an interruption can make an enormous difference when it matters.

A new survey commissioned by Samaritans revealed that almost three quarters (74%) of respondents in Scotland felt that society is increasingly being designed to avoid interaction, with just over two in five (43%) saying they interact with people less than they did five years ago.

But despite the direction of travel towards less interaction with others, people still place huge value on human connection. More people in Scotland say they would prefer to turn to a stranger (50%) than AI (23%) if they needed help – showing that we can all have a role to play in looking out for one another.

It can be difficult to know what to say or do if you think someone may be experiencing a suicidal crisis. Samaritans has put together advice suggested by people with lived experience to help guide others through these moments:

  • Ask them if they’ve felt like this before and what, if anything, has helped them, and then do something they’ve suggested if possible.
  • If you feel able to, stay with them and sit quietly, letting them know you’re there if they want to talk.
  • Do not coerce or force anything on the person. Meet them as they are in that moment.
  • Let them know they are not alone.
  • Let them know that an emotion or thought does not last forever. An emotion or thought does not have to define them. It does not need to lead to a decision they can’t reverse.
  • Ask them what things they care about and what they like. 

Samaritans’ Executive Director for Scotland, Neil Mathers, said: “As Scotland glows green on World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re reminded of the power of connection. Each light represents hope, a moment of support, a conversation, and the reminder that Samaritans is here to listen.

“Suicide is preventable. The more openly we talk about suicide, the easier we can make it for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to speak honestly about how they are feeling.”

“We’re urging people across Scotland not to be afraid to ask someone if they are feeling suicidal. It can be a difficult conversation, but you don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. What matters is being there, listening without judgement and showing that you care.”

Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK and Ireland dies by suicide. But suicide isn’t inevitable. This World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), Samaritans is encouraging everyone to be prepared to interrupt if they’re worried someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Find advice on how to start a conversation, listen and support someone at www.samaritans.org/interrupt.

Samaritans provides a vital lifeline for people and communities across Scotland. Our helpline is available for anyone struggling to cope with suicidal thoughts, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE, any time, from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. Or you can visit www.samaritans.org.

‘What I Want You To Know’: New film tells one dad’s story of losing his son

“He didn’t want to die. He just didn’t want the pain anymore.”

  • Suicide Prevention Scotland launches a new documentary, What I Want You To Know
  • The film follows Phil Wanless, whose son Fraser died by suicide in 2021
  • It confronts the reality of trauma, relationships, substance use, isolation and suicide
  • Released for World Suicide Prevention Day 2026, it’s available to watch on SuicidePrevention.scot/Fraser and YouTube 

A groundbreaking new documentary has been launched today (Thursday 10 September) to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2026.

What I want you to know is a powerful film from Suicide Prevention Scotland following bereaved father Phil Wanless as he seeks to understand his son Fraser’s death. 

Suicide Prevention Scotland is the community of people and organisations delivering the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together. 

Running to 30 minutes, it gives one family’s story the space to explore some of the most difficult themes. 

Ultimately, the film asks what might have been different if the people around Fraser, and Phil, had been met with time, space and compassion sooner.

Fraser was just eleven years old when he found his mum, Lisa, dead after she experienced a fatal epileptic seizure. 

Phil’s journey has helped him understand that his son struggled to grieve her death. Later he turned to substance use and experienced difficult relationships. 

Ultimately, the documentary challenges people to consider the principles of time, space and compassion, in every part of our lives – not just suicide prevention; that every one of us can help save lives. 

Phil is joined by his partner Debbie Rowan, Fraser’s friend Darren Gallagher, Iain Corbett, a community development practitioner who has extensive experience working with young men, and John Gibson, founder of The Canmore Trust. 

John and his wife Isobel lost their son Cameron to suicide in 2019. 

A facilitation pack has also been launched so that a range of different groups and communities across Scotland can watch the film and talk about it together. It is designed for anyone, regardless of their experience. 

In the documentary, Phil Wanless says of his son’s suicide: “Fraser and I spoke every day, whether it was a voice call or a text. I hadn’t heard from him for a day, and that was very unusual.

“I don’t believe he wanted to die. I just don’t think he wanted to live. He just didn’t want the pain any more.

“The boy that I brought up, bought his first football boots, and put his first Hearts top on, everything was gone in the blink of an eye. Part of my heart is missing. That’s the only way I can describe it. It’s not a cliché. Part of my heart is missing. 

“It broke us. It took a family that was pretty close, and broke us. I wish I had the chance to tell Fraser right now how much I loved him.

“It is Fraser’s story, but it could be anybody’s story.”

The impact of Fraser’s death was profound, and was felt from as soon as Phil learned his son was gone. Eventually, he also planned to take his own life. 

“There were no instructions on how to grieve. The only time anybody talked to me about my mind health was at the point of crisis. That has to be the wrong way round.

“Suicide is the end product, and it’s the permanent product. But the truth is, we want to reach anybody who’s feeling like that long before we get to crisis.

“We need to stop the idea that the first time you get to talk to anybody is when you’re thinking about taking your life. We have to treat mind health as every bit as important as physical health.”

Phil wants the principles of time, space and compassion to be taught from an early age. Only as a bereaved father has he learned about the impact of trauma. 

“In my whole life nobody ever taught me about compassion, and yet it’s one of the most important things in life. I think we should be teaching it at school.”

Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, said: “I want to thank Phil Wanless and his family and friends for their courage in sharing their experiences in this powerful film. 

“Losing a loved one to suicide is a tragedy beyond measure and this documentary brings home the devastating impact. It also reminds us that opening up conversations about suicide and encouraging people to seek help can save lives.

“Our work on suicide prevention is informed and guided by those with lived and living experience. I am determined that we learn from Fraser’s tragic death as we continue that work to ensure that anyone with thoughts of suicide or impacted by suicide in any way gets the help they need and feels a sense of hope.

“Our Suicide Prevention Action Plan – joint with COSLA – aims to reduce deaths by suicide whilst also tackling the inequalities that can increase the risk of suicide, and is backed by a budget of £3 million in 2026–27.”

Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, said: “Phil Wanless’ story of his son Fraser’s tragic death, and of his own experiences of bereavement and suicide, is incredibly moving.

“Thank you, Phil, for sharing so openly. The documentary powerfully shows how deeply suicide is felt by friends, families, and wider communities, and is a clear call to action for all of us. 

“The film is also striking in how it tells us about the complexities of Fraser’s life, with trauma, substance use, and relationships all having a significant impact. It reminds us of the importance of ensuring our work on suicide prevention in Scotland continues to address the wider factors in our lives. 

“The COSLA and Scottish Government Suicide Prevention strategy and action plan sets out our vision and I am committed to ensuring that anyone who is having suicidal thoughts or is bereaved by suicide can access the support they need, when they need, and that local government does all it can to both provide support and address the wider social factors that can impact on suicide risk. 

“Phil has told us what he wants us to know, and now we must all act.”

Suicide Prevention Scotland’s national delivery lead Haylis Smith says: “The film shines a light on the reality of suicide in a way that hasn’t happened before. I know Phil doesn’t think he’s extraordinary, that he’s simply a grieving father angry after the loss of his son.

“But Fraser’s death will not be in vain, because Phil, Debbie and their families have opened up their home and lives in a way that will help so many people think about how to support people who experience trauma. He is extraordinary, because Phil’s intervention will save lives. We might never know who, but it will.

“We can see in the film where there were missed opportunities for time, space, compassion. It shows what their absence feels like, how much there still is to learn about reaching people long before a crisis and how we can all play a part in supporting people at risk of, or impacted by suicide.”

suicide-prevention-what-i-want-you-to-know-facilitation-packDownload

Three people charged following fatal crash near Newbridge

CRASH VICTIM NAMED AS LINDA PATTERSON

A 32-year-old man and two women, aged 19 and 23, have been charged following a fatal crash on the A8 near Newbridge.

Around 9.25am on Monday, 7 September, 2026, officers were called to the crash involving four cars.

A 58-year-old woman, who was driving one of the vehicles, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was Linda Patterson and the following statement has been released on behalf of her family:

“Linda was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend who brought so much love and joy to those who knew her.

“She had an amazing ability to always look on the positive side of life and was a great support and comfort to those she loved.

“Linda was a beautiful soul whose warmth and cheery sense of humour left their mark on everyone she knew.

“She will be greatly missed.

“We are devastated by her loss, but she will be forever in our hearts.”

Sergeant Mike Thomson said: “Our thoughts remain with Linda’s family and friends at this devastating time.

“Our investigation remains ongoing, though we are not looking for anyone else in connection, and we are continuing to appeal for information from the public.

“If you have not already spoken to police and believe you know something which may assist, please get in touch.

“We would also ask anyone with dash-cam footage or private CCTV which may be relevant to contact officers and pass this along.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0756 of 7 September, 2026.

The two women and the man were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Wednesday, 9 September) and reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Read more – https://orlo.uk/8pQKJ

Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt supports Scottish charity’s campaign to help feed hungry children

Join Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt: Swap your £4 meal deal to help feed hungry children

Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt is encouraging people across Edinburgh to swap their £4 supermarket meal deal to help feed hungry children.

Matt, who is one of Britain’s most recognisable chefs, having also hosted Food Unwrapped and Drop Down Menu and been a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals, has teamed up with school feeding charity Mary’s Meals to promote its Meals Deals campaign.

Mary’s Meals, which started in a shed in the Scottish Highlands in 2002, provides a nutritious meal to more than three million children every school day. Working in some of the world’s poorest communities in 16 countries, including Haiti, Lebanon and Zimbabwe, the charity’s school meals bring hungry children into the classroom, where they can gain an education and look to a brighter future.

Thanks to Mary’s Meals’ low-cost approach, it costs only £19.15 to provide a child with meals in a place of education for a whole school year, just 10p a meal.

Matt is backing their Meals Deals campaign, which calls on people to swap out their £4 meal deal for a donation that will be transformed into nutritious food for 40 children at school.

The TV chef says: “We all have busy lives and it’s so easy to quickly grab a meal deal when we’re on the go – I’ll often seek out my favourite sandwich, crisps and a drink in between cooking and filming.

“But it’s incredible to think that by skipping just one meal deal and instead donating £4, you could help to transform the lives of 40 hungry children by providing them with food, education and hope.

“It’s easy to feel a bit helpless when we watch the news and see everything going on in the world. There’s so much sadness out there and you don’t know how to respond. But when I heard about the Meals Deals campaign and the simplicity of it, I loved it and had to get involved. They have a lovely line of ‘school + food = hope’, and I think that’s something we can all get behind.”

By swapping out a meal deal for a £4 donation to Mary’s Meals, you can help children like Samar.

The primary 8 student lives in South Sudan, where more than one third of all children under five years old suffer chronic malnutrition, and over 70% of primary school-age children are out of school – the highest figure anywhere in the world. Economic hardship is such that many families have to make the heartbreaking decision to send their children out to work rather than attending school.

Samar’s mother, Medina, is bringing up her daughter alone. To make money, she buys small quantities of flour to make cakes to sell; this is the family’s main source of income.

Samar explains: “When my mother has some money, we can have two meals a day. However, when there is not enough money, we may only have tea in the morning and then wait until evening to have a meal. When there is not enough food at home, I simply endure the situation.” 

But thanks to Mary’s Meals, Samar can now rely on a nutritious daily meal at school. She says: “I feel happy to come to school every day because I know that I will receive a meal. Even when I do not have anything to eat at home, I know there will be food at school.”

Anna Houghton, Regional Development Officer for Mary’s Meals, says: “We’re all big Saturday Kitchen fans here at Mary’s Meals and so excited Matt has chosen to put our Meals Deals campaign in the spotlight.

“With one simple act, by saying no to a meal deal and donating just £4, you can help shape a brighter future for 40 children like Samar who face a daily battle for survival. Your spare pennies can make a tangible on-the-ground difference and be turned into happiness and hope through Mary’s Meals.”

Matt is encouraging the Scottish public to support the Meals Deals campaign today and says: “I love my trips to Scotland. It has incredible food, amazing produce, but most importantly, the most welcoming people.

“It’s no surprise that Mary’s Meals has achieved so much since its humble beginnings, fuelled by the renowned Scottish generosity and spirit.

“For me, food is always about bringing people together. And Mary’s Meals is doing that by showing that even the smallest of donations can connect people here in Scotland and hungry children across the world, by providing them with a nutritious meal and hope for a better tomorrow.”

A regular supermarket meal deal gives you a sandwich, snack and drink. But Meals Deals offers so much more. Could you help to transform a child’s life by swapping a meal deal for a £4 donation to Mary’s Meals?

Help support children like Samar today: www.marysmeals.org.uk/meal-deal

Watsonian FC and Harviestoun Brewery announce Hastings 13 Lager honouring club legend Scott Hastings

***Credit should read Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com***

Watsonian Football Club has announced the introduction of Hastings 13 Lager into the Myreside pavilion in partnership with longstanding sponsor and Scottish brewery Harviestoun Brewery in honour of the life and legacy of club icon Scott Hastings.

The partnership embeds Harviestoun into the fabric of matchday culture at Myreside while paying homage to Scott, a monumental figure in Scottish rugby who passed away earlier this year having served Watsonians, Scotland and the British & Irish Lions with distinction.

Harviestoun introduced Hastings 13 lager at the recent celebration of Scott’s life, in collaboration with pavilion operator Heart of Midlothian, and now the brewery and club have introduced the lager at Myreside as part of a sponsorship deal to support Watsonian FC’s growth.

The official launch took place at Myreside before the opening home fixtures of the season, on Saturday September 5, when both the men’s and women’s 1st XVs were in action.

John McLellan, President of Watsonian Football Club, said, “Scott Hastings represented the very best of what it means to be a Watsonian and as a hugely influential character who was the life and soul of any party I’m sure he would have loved the idea of raising a glass of his own beer to the club’s future.

“Harviestoun is one of our longest-serving and most important sponsors, and the club is privileged to work with them to embed the brewery into Myreside history. Having the Hastings 13 tap permanently on the bar gives our members, players, and supporters a meaningful way to celebrate Scott’s memory and spirit every single matchday.”

Scott’s brother, former Watsonians, Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings said, “Our family’s connection to Myreside runs incredibly deep and as a tireless champion of the club both on and off the field, I’m sure he would be very proud that our name will continue to be associated with celebration at Myreside, but also the future welfare of the club.

“When Harviestoun stepped up to work with Heart of Midlothian and created the Hastings 13 lager for Scott’s celebration of life, it meant a great deal to our family. Bringing this tribute permanently into the clubhouse alongside Harviestoun’s wider support is a wonderful way to connect our family, the club, and Scott’s legacy.”

Andrew McKnight of Harviestoun Brewery, commented, “It’s a real privilege to continue partnering with Watsonian FC and work alongside the Hastings family. Crafting the Hastings 13 beer to commemorate Scott was a deeply meaningful project for our team. 

“We are proud to recognise the club’s past, whilst supporting the club’s future across both the men’s and women’s games, while honouring one of Scottish rugby’s true greats.” 

PICTURED (top): Corey Hastings, Gavin Hastings, and Kerry-Anne Hastings

New name for St James Quarter

Charles Jeffrey reveals full programme for Westfield Days: The Sound of Style at Westfield St James Quarter

11-20 September 2026 | Westfield St James Quarter

To celebrate the launch of Westfield St James Quarter, officially renamed on 10 September 2026, acclaimed Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey returns home for an immersive ten-day takeover as part of Westfield Days: The Sound of Style. 

Presented in partnership with the British Fashion Council, the programme forms part of Fashion Britain, a nationwide initiative celebrating the designers, communities and cultural influences shaping British fashion today. 

Born in Scotland, Charles Jeffrey is internationally recognised for blending design, performance, music and culture into a distinctive creative vision.  

Returning home for the takeover, he brings that world to Westfield St James Quarter across three experiences: an exclusive Listening Room built from his own archives and soundscapes; the PUNK FLEA MARKET, a limited-time shop of archival pieces, accessories and exclusive products; and a full programme of talks, workshops and live performances spanning fashion, music and culture. The entire programme is curated by Jeffrey himself and features some of the most exciting, emerging names.  

A particular highlight will see Jeffrey in conversation with Kirsty Hassard, Senior Curator at V&A Dundee, in a talk introduced by the British Fashion Council’s Laura Weir. The conversation will explore the role research plays in shaping Jeffrey’s collections, Scotland’s rich fashion history and its influence on contemporary design, and the importance of recognising the creative talent to have come out of Scotland.  

The talk will connect directly to V&A Dundee’s current Catwalk exhibition, which traces the stories, designers and cultural influences that have shaped Scottish fashion’s place on the global stage. 

Guests can also expect a vibrant mix of experiences throughout the programme, including intimate one-to-one tarot card readings with the incredibly gifted Jade Mordente, an inspiring dance workshop with acclaimed choreographer Ivan Blackstock – known for his work on Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl music video – and a specially curated pop-up Vinyl Lounge from local tastemakers, Umbrella Vinyl. 

Charles Jeffrey said: “I’m looking forward to celebrating the people, places and cultural influences that continue to inspire my work on home turf here in Scotland and am delighted to have the opportunity to create something that feels immersive, playful and open to everyone.

“This programme is about showing how I work – the music, the references, the people I collaborate with – and putting it all in one place for ten days.

“There’s something for everyone, whether that’s catching a gig, digging through the PUNK FLEA MARKET or just spending an hour in the Listening Room.”

Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director at Westfield St James Quarter said: “Charles Jeffrey is one of Scotland’s most exciting and dynamic creative voices, and there’s no better way to mark this new chapter for Westfield St James Quarter than with a programme built around his work.

“Ten days of music, fashion and ideas, right in the heart of Edinburgh- we want people to come and experience it for themselves.”

What’s On: The Full Schedule

Highlights across the ten-day takeover include: 

Friday 11 September

10:00am – Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room – step inside Jeffrey’s personal archive of music and memory, through curated soundscapes and exclusive content. 

11:00am – Vinyl Lounge with Umbrella Vinyl – independent record store Umbrella Vinyl will be selling curated vinyl featuring a selection of the music that inspires Charles Jeffrey  

3:30pm – Bikini Body: Live at The Sound of Style – electrifying five-piece Bikini Body bring their irresistible collision of post-punk, dance music and percussion to Westfield St James Quarter  

5:30pm – Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY x V&A Dundee: Scottish Fashion in Conversation – Jeffrey joins V&A Dundee curator Kirsty Hassard, introduced by the British Fashion Council’s Laura Weir, to discuss research, Scottish fashion history and V&A Dundee’s Catwalk exhibition. 

Saturday 12 September

10:00am – Self-guided LOVERBOY Exhibition – explore Jeffrey’s LOVERBOY archive at your own pace. 

12:00pm – Live Music from Her Picture – an intimate live performance from one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging artists, Her Picture is the public confessional of singer Anny Tahaney, whose honest and thought-provoking songwriting is bewitching listeners in Scotland and beyond. 

2:30pm – Fashion, Movement & Theatre with Ivan Blackstock – a workshop exploring the crossover between fashion, dance and performance. 

Sunday 13 September

10:00am – Fashion Photography Workshop: Creating the Narrative with Claudius Ricketts – a hands-on workshop on building narrative through fashion photography. 

12:00pm – Love Your Body Dance Workshop with Ivan Blackstock – a dance workshop celebrating body confidence and movement. 

2:00pm – Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY: Life Drawing Workshop – life drawing inspired by Jeffrey’s own creative process. 

4:00pm – Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room

Monday 14 September

10:00am – Self-guided LOVERBOY Exhibition

12:00pm & 3:00pm – Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room

Tuesday 15 September

10:00am – Self-guided LOVERBOY Exhibition

12:00pm – Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room

1:15pm – MAC Cosmetics Make-up Workshop – a make-up masterclass from the MAC Cosmetics team in Boots. 

3:00pm – Lucia & The Best Boys x Neptune Studios: Petals and Frequencies – an autumn equinox bouquet making workshop while listening to Lucia & The Best Boy’s new album, Picking Petals. 

Wednesday 16 September

2:00pm – Talk: Tarot, Fashion & Identity with Jade Mordente – a panel discussion on tarot’s connection to fashion and identity. 

2:45pm – Tarot – Find Your Archetype with Jade Mordente – a workshop on finding your tarot archetype. 

3:45pm, 4:00pm, 4:15pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm & 5.45pm – Tarot Readings with Jade Mordente – one-on-one tarot readings. 

Thursday 17 September

10:00am – Argonaut Books x Charles Jeffrey Bookshop Pop-Up – independent bookstore, Argonaut Books, will be selling a curated selection of books including some of Charles Jeffrey’s favourites and with an LGBTQ+ focus. 

10:00am – Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room

3:00pm – DJ Miss Mixtape: LGBTQ+ Sounds – DJ Miss Mixtape spins an LGBTQ+ focused selection of records. 

Friday 18 September

10:00am & 1:00pm – Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room

5:00pm – Ray Laurél – performance from Ray Laurél, where the listener finds solace and security in tales centring an identity in flux, tales of unbridled desire & a yearning for the Divine. 

Saturday 19 September

10:00am – Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room

1:30pm – DJ Set: DJ Lu – An energetic set to soundtrack your shopping experience at Westfield St James Quarter.  

3.00pm – Cocktail Making Masterclass by The Alchemist – shake, stir and sample during an interactive mixology workshop 

Sunday 20 September

2:00pm – Pippa Blundell: Live at The Sound of Style – Experience Pippa Blundell’s captivating blend of folk storytelling, ambient sound and classically influenced vocals. 

3.30pm – Natural Lacquer Workshop with Moleskine – Discover the beauty of East Asian lacquer art through a contemporary marbling experience 

Proceeds from any ticketed workshops or masterclasses across the takeover will be donated to the Equality Network, which works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights in Scotland and has been home to the Scottish Trans Network since 2007. 

For the full programme and to book onto ticketed workshops, visit Eventbrite. 

WESTFIELD St James Quarter? Maybe showing my age here, but to me it’ll always be St James Centre! – ED.

Community Ownership and Asset Transfer: Online Seminar

Interested in Community Ownership and Asset Transfer? 🏫

This free online event will provide guidance on transfer processes and the support available to local communities and third sector organisations 🤝🏻

🗓️ 24.09.26

🕙 10am – 12pm

📍 Online

🎟️ https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/18d2f086-71d4-4bf7-8310-6af1cc597343@482a4ef9-66e4-4e76-9f24-6da09a713ed4

Murrayfield Stadium incident: Do you know this man?

POLICE have released images of a man they believe can assist with their investigation into an incident that took place around 7.30pm on Saturday, 8 March 2025 at Murrayfield Stadium.

The man is described as around 6ft, of slim build, with grey hair.

At the time, he was wearing black glasses, tartan peaked cap and a long dark grey/black jacket.

Constable Ewan Mitchell said: “I would urge the man pictured, or anyone who has information relating to him, to contact police.

“Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1254 of 10 March 2025.”

Hatchet Man Healey takes axe to delays holding back growth

  • Chancellor John Healey has set out his plan to drive growth in every postcode, backing Britain’s extraordinary strengths to deliver benefits across the whole country.
  • New ambition to double the number of UK unicorn firms in clear signal of ambition for British economy, alongside powers which will help businesses test and scale technologies from delivery robots to medical treatments.
  • Northern 500 initiative and £150m British Business Bank fund to back high-growth firms across the North.

Speaking at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry today (Monday 7 September), the Chancellor laid out how he will take an axe to delays holding back growth, from backing British business and giving local leaders more power, to clearing away the delays that hold back investment.

Changes to the judicial review process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects announced today will fix a system where every decision can face another challenge, consultation or review before a single brick is laid or a spade enters the ground.

Sending a clear signal on his level of ambition for UK business, he also set a goal to double the number of unicorn firms – companies valued at over £1billion – in the UK.

The Government will work with the Business Department to identify the next generation of high-growth companies and help them overcome regulatory barriers, access capital, and win government contracts as an early customer.

And he announced the Northern 500: which will bring together 500 of the North’s most ambitious mid-sized businesses into a single growth community led by the Great North partnership of Mayors and supported by the private sector and central government.

Chancellor John Healey MP said: The UK is the third in the world for innovation. Our record is extraordinary… But too often, ideas born here in Britain have to go elsewhere to find the capital they need to grow…

“I’m setting an ambition to double the number of unicorn firms in this country. Together, with Johnny Reynolds I will identify the next wave of unicorns, with the state as an early first customer to ensure they have the necessary backing to scale.”

The Chancellor also committed to delivering new powers to oversee ‘sandboxing’ that will be ready to deploy next year. Sandboxing is the term for how companies and regulators can work together to test new models or features in safe and controlled environments.

The new powers, to be delivered through the Business Department’s Regulating for Growth Bill, will let businesses test cutting-edge products and technologies safely, establish what works and scale more quickly.

Potential use cases of these new powers include patient access to innovative treatments, rollout of delivery robots, defence technologies or maritime autonomous vehicles.

Today’s speech also set out reforms to tackle the bureaucracy holding back growth and investment, putting decision-making back where it belongs and helping ensure people in every postcode benefit from a government focused on delivery.

Chancellor John Healey MP added: I will take an axe to the thicket of consultation, litigation and administration that has a stranglehold too often on private investment.…

“And let me say this – the people who elected this government expect us to get on with it. The role of government is to act.

Judicial review challenges typically delay nationally important infrastructure projects by a year and a half. For example, Sizewell C was delayed by two judicial reviews, both of which ended up being dismissed by the courts, delaying the delivery of clean power to the equivalent of six million homes and 10,000 jobs at peak construction.”

The Chancellor has also instructed the Government to embrace risk when it needs to in order to get things done. Under the current system, decisions have been held back, for example:

  • Despite 99% of respondents to a Call for Evidence supporting microchipping cats in the same way as dogs in 2019, it took nearly 5 years to make it happen: one call for evidence, two further consultations, legislation through Parliament and then finally enacted in June 2024.
  • The planning process for East West Rail began in 2019 and has already involved four rounds of public consultation in 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026. And it could still face more challenges before getting over the line

That’s why from today, Ministers have been told that public consultations are not always required and have encouraged departments to find other ways to get views from the public and experts when developing policies.

The reforms support the Prime Minister’s drive for a faster, more effective state through No10 North, which brings together decisionmakers from across government to accelerate growth and strengthen delivery. 

The Treasury and No10 North have been working in lockstep and directly with departments to identify where projects are stalling, why, and which changes to law, regulation or process are needed to get them moving again.

The reforms also reflect lessons from the Fingleton Review, which highlighted how excessive risk aversion and slow decision-making can hold back the delivery of major infrastructure projects.

To tackle delays holding back growth and investment, the Government will introduce a package of reforms to give parliament the ability designate and approve the country’s most important infrastructure and give them significant enhanced protection from legal challenge, reduce unnecessary consultations and reporting requirements, ensure legal challenges are raised and resolved earlier, and make clear that legal risk should inform ministers’ decisions, not dictate them.

Together, the changes will help deliver major projects more quickly while strengthening democratic accountability and giving greater certainty once decisions have been taken.

The Government will also launch a review of the costs of rail infrastructure in the UK in the coming weeks, to identify further practical reforms to radically cut the costs of delivering new rail infrastructure in the UK.

Together, these measures will help build a state that delivers rather than delays, giving government greater confidence to act and ensuring approved projects can move forward more quickly.

The reforms form part of the Government’s wider mission to drive good growth in every Postcode, unlocking the investment needed to create opportunities across the country.

They are a key step in realising No10 North’s focus on stripping away the administrative sludge that has built up around government, restoring democratic accountability and replacing a culture of process with a culture of delivery. 

No 10 North will continue working with the rest of government to identify further blockages in the months ahead.