Endorsed by big names like George Clooney, Bob Geldof and Rob Brydon, we’re rolling out our village franchise model 
We’re calling for the UK’s Local Authorities to franchise the Social Bite Village model, a proven alternative to temporary accommodation for people who are homeless.
Find out more about the villages and get involved – read our village franchise model:
The Indian Council of Scotland/United Kingdom stands in full support with the Jewish community especially with the recent terrorist attack on 2 Jewish men at Golders green in London.
Neil Lal, Chairman and President of The Indian Council of Scotland and United Kingdom, which is the leading organisation representing the 2 million Indian origin people living in the UK, said: “No matter what one’s faith is there must be mutual respect for everyone’s religious beliefs.
“We are against any form of Anti Semitism, Anti Christianity, Anti Hindu, Sikh, Buddhism or Islamophobia.
We must all unite as one to stamp out this hatred against the Jewish community and we must support each other”
Neil Lal, Chairman and President of The Indian Council of Scotland and United Kingdom, has also announced a special interfaith prayer vigil in honour of the victims/peace and in solidarity with the Jewish community.
Condemning the attack in the strongest possible terms, Mr. Lal said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the horrific attack in Golders Green. Our thoughts and prayers are for a speedy recovery for the victims and are with the entire Jewish community.
“We stand with you, united against hatred and violence. No one should live in fear. Everyone must follow and respect the rule of Law.”
The upcoming vigil, which will bring together members of Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and wider interfaith communities, aims to send a clear message of unity and resilience in the face of division and hate.
“This is not just an attack on a single community — it is an attack on all of us who believe in tolerance, peace, and religious freedom,” Mr. Lal added.
“Our vigil/prayers will honour the victims, and reaffirm our shared commitment to harmony, respect, and solidarity across faiths and to stamp out antisemitism.”
Mr. Lal, a prominent leader of the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom and a long-standing advocate for interfaith unity, has called on community members and leaders across the UK to stand together in condemning acts of hate and reaffirming the nation’s core values of inclusion and mutual respect.
He is also calling for a continued robust action from the authorities/communities to protect all places of worship and especially Synagogues.
POLICE SCOTLAND STATEMENT
The UK’s Terrorism Threat Level has been raised to Severe – meaning an attack is highly likely.
There is nothing to suggest a specific threat to Scotland. You should be alert, not alarmed, remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, said: “Today the Home Secretary announced an increase in the UK’s Terrorism Threat Level to Severe, meaning an attack is now highly likely.
“This decision has been made in response to a series of recent attacks on Jewish communities and a terror attack declared in north London yesterday (29 April). I want to stress that there is no intelligence to suggest any specific threat to Scotland.
“However, I do want to take this opportunity to urge the public to remain alert but not alarmed. You should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland.”
Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 or in an emergency you should always dial 999.
The previously un-named graves of two officers who gave their lives during World War One have been identified in Belgium. Captain (Capt) Gordon Cuthbert of Sunbury, Middlesex, and Lieutenant (Lt) Leslie Harvey, originally from Windsor, both served with 1/8 Battalion Duke of Cambridge’s Own, Middlesex Regiment and both died near Ypres on 25 April 1915.
Two ‘unknown soldier’ headstones have been replaced with ones bearing the names of the men who lay there after investigation work by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’.
Rededication services for Capt Cuthbert and Lt Harvey were organised by the team, and services were held for Capt. Cuthbert at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Tyne Cot Cemetery and for Lt Harvey at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery yesterday (29 April 2026).
JCCC Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: “I am grateful to the independent researcher who put such a lot of effort into discovering the stories of these two men, and the records behind the un-named graves and who ultimatly submitted the cases for their identification.
“Their work has led us to recognise the final resting places of Captain Cuthbert and Lieutenant Harvey, and to restore their names to them.
“It has been a privilege to have contributed to these cases and to have organised the services of rededication today.”
14 August 1876 – 25 April 1915
In 1894, Gordon Cuthbert joined the London Rifle Brigade, and he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Volunteer Brigade of the Middlesex Regiment in February 1900. He transferred to the Territorial Reserve in 1908 and was appointed captain in command of the Twickenham Company in 1911.
On the outbreak of war in August 1914, he rejoined the Middlesex Regiment and proceeded to Gibraltar for garrison duty until February 1915 when he was sent to northern Europe. He was killed on 25 April whilst leading a storming party which retook a trench near Ypres. In the chaos of war immediate burial was impossible, and following the war Gordon’s name was added to the Menin Gate Memorial to the missing in Ypres.
In 1920 the body of a Captain of the Middlesex Regiment was recovered on the southern side of the Ypres-Roulers railway line – his rank and regiment were determined from elements of his uniform, but his personal identity was impossible to tell and so he was buried as an unknown Captain at Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Detailed research has now allowed the unknown Captain to be identified as Gordon Cuthbert.
3 January 1884 – 25 April 1915
Leslie Harvey joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps, and on the outbreak of war volunteered immediately, being given a commission in the Middlesex regiment on 28 August 1914. Leslie was sent to Gibraltar with the regiment in October 1914 and was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1915. Following a short period of leave in England he was sent to France, in late February – early March 1915.
By April 1915 Leslie had reached Belgium and was engaged in fighting in the Zonnebeke area. On 25 April 1915 he was killed whilst leading a bayonet charge. Although he was buried by his men at the time – near a railway crossing – the records of his grave were lost and following the war he was named on the Menin Gate Memorial to the missing at Ypres.
In early 1929, the body of an unknown Lieutenant of the Middlesex Regiment was recovered from a location just south of the Ypres-Roulers railway – identified by a shoulder title, and his badges and buttons. It was impossible to determine his personal identity, and he was buried as an unknown Lieutenant at Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, alongside two other men recovered at the same place and time.
Archival research has now connected this unknown Lieutenant to Leslie Harvey and allowed us to identify his final resting place.
The services today were supported by serving soldiers from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and led by Padre Victoria Day of 26 Royal Engineer Regiment.
The headstones were replaced by CWGC.
Polly Brewster, Commemorations Case Officer at CWGC, said: “On the 25th April 1915, Captain Gordon Cuthbert and Lieutenant Leslie Harvey were engaged in fierce fighting near Ypres and made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It feels very poignant that 110 years later, almost to the day, we are now able to commemorate them by name at their final resting places. The Commission will continue to care for their graves in perpetuity, ensuring that they can rest in peace and dignity, their sacrifice remembered.”
“Rejoining EU Single Market only sensible route for UK,”says Scotland’s European Movement Chair
The three arms of the European Union have agreed a timetable towards making the European Single Market more globally competitive. By the end of 2027, the EU aims to have in place legislation that will benefit key economic sectors. They include digital technologies, financial services and supporting the growth of EU city regions. The initiative seeks to reduce bureaucracy and costs for business and stimulate economic growth.
Known as a “roadmap” the agreement to accelerate the reform of the Single Market was announced on 24th April. It followed a meeting between senior representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.
The plan is based on the 2024 report on the EU’s competitiveness by former Italian prime Minister Mario Draghi. Donald Trump’s “America First” policies, the almost total US monopoly of digital communications, the wars in Ukraine and the Gulf and the rise of China’s as a global economic superpower status has driven the EU to accelerate its plans to counter the threats of the new world order.
Chair of the European Movement in Scotland, David Clarke, says: “The world has dramatically changed. The EU is responding with bold ideas and a united sense of purpose.
“The UK can opt to watch from the sidelines as Europe rises to the economic challenges of our time, or it can choose to re-engage by joining the European Single Market. We can join our friends and neighbours and fight our corner, or we can be outsiders at the mercy of the USA, China and Russia. Rejoining the Single Market is the only sensible route for the UK.”
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament said: “This Roadmap reflects what the European Parliament has been calling for: a stronger, more competitive and resilient Europe.
“It is ambitious, it strengthens our capacity to withstand shocks, and it provides predictability to our citizens and businesses. We said we would take bold decisions and we are doing it. This is Europe responding to what it needs.”
Among the key actions are:
The city council’s Community Grants Fund is currently decided for each area in Edinburgh by panel vote,
@Edinburgh_CC are currently running a survey to see what changes people would like to the decision-making process.
The survey closes 4th May 2026
Have your say:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-U4qSORmdk6fJG2gmnE-1H_aqj53ERJOl-
94E5vW4L9UMVNPM0ZZSUcxWUNXUDZMTE9QRlFLNUY0Qi4u&route=shorturl
Local school children have been busy monitoring the Wee Forest in West Pilton Park, assessing how the trees are helping to bring more wildlife, cleaner air and flood management for those very wet days.
Pupils have been helping to gather data as part of their studies.
Get in touch with emily@elgt.org.uk if you fancy having a go.
We had more help in West Pilton Park from our Craigmount High School Duke of Edinburgh volunteers, who helped cut back overgrown vegetation, litter picked and helped complete a bird survey. Thanks for your help.
There were some bears loose in the park as part of the Wellies in the Woods programme. We had fun reading the book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and did lots of fun nature-based activities. Not to worry, the bears were friendly!
We’re very proud of this hard working group of young people from Granton Youth who are learning brick laying skills in order to build some new brick planters in West Pilton Park. This is part of the re-development of the park and will be one of the new design features.
To find out more about the planned improvements see here.
WANGING ON LIVE AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE AT THE KINGS THEATRE
On sale on Wednesday 29th April at 11 am
https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:6792
KINGS THEATRE
7 August 2026
Gilded Balloon are delighted to present Wanging On LIVE at the Kings theatre this August, which sees the return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe of globally recognised comedian, author and television presenter, Graham Norton alongside his friend, podcast co-host and fellow Fringe stalwart, Maria McErlane, to host their podcast, Wanging On, live on stage for the first time.
Produced by Platform Media, Wanging On is the weekly podcast that reunites Graham Norton with his dear friend Maria McErlane to dish out average advice and so-so solutions to your everyday dilemmas.
Together Graham and Maria do their level best to tackle office politics, friendship tensions, unruly pets, neighbourly disputes and family bust-ups. Plus, the ‘Wangers’ wade in with their nuggets of wisdom too. Each week, Graham and Maria also share the latest in their life – be it bikes, books, haircuts or hangover cures – and they pass judgement on your most peculiar proclivities in Am I Weird?
Wanging On is available to watch and listen on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This live version is a Gilded Balloon presentation by arrangement with YMU and Platform Media.
Staged in Edinburgh’s iconic King’s Theatre after its highly anticipated two-year renovation project, Gilded Balloon are delighted to be one of the first shows presented in the ‘new’ King’s Theatre with Wanging On Live on the official opening day of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2026.
“We can’t wait to take the podcast from studio to stage at the Edinburgh Fringe, armed with decades of friendship, sharp observations, and absolutely no expertise. Expect audience dilemmas, questionable judgement in Am I Weird?, and the Wangers in the room… so anything could happen” said Graham Norton & Maria McErlane.
Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors at Gilded Balloon, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Graham Norton as part of our Fringe programme as he continues to support the festival attending shows regularly each year.
“We were lucky enough to have Graham compere the Final of Gilded Balloon’s comedy competition for newcomers, So You Think You’re Funny? regularly in the 90s and we are delighted to see him back at the Fringe once again.
“And not to mention, lovely Maria McErlane, a Gilded Balloon pal from the 90s and a perfect partner to Graham in this special version of their podcast.”
Follow Wanging On on Instagram: @wangingon
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SINGALONG FOR SCOTLAND
A former business executive is swapping spreadsheets for songs to perform for people with dementia at the Edinburgh Fringe in memory of his father.
Johnny Collington, 62, who lives in the capital, first picked up the instrument in a bid to connect with his dad Stan, who had recently been diagnosed with dementia. Stan, originally from Motherwell, passed away in February aged 99.
Johnny is now registered to perform a series of shows at the Fringe in August to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland.
The married dad-of-two, who was born in Irvine but grew up in Lanarkshire, said: “I had been living and working in London for many years, but I took early retirement and moved back to Scotland, to Edinburgh, about six years ago. My mum Betty had passed away and my dad was in his early 90s and needed more support.
“My dad was diagnosed initially with severe cognitive impairment but his condition progressed quickly to dementia. He moved into a care home and soon could no longer communicate.
“I’d never been much of a musician in the past, but I owned a guitar and knew a few chords. By chance I took the guitar with me to visit dad and tried to play and sing a couple of traditional Scottish songs that I knew he liked.
“Amazingly, as soon as I started playing I could see him connect with me and start singing along. It was remarkable how he suddenly came to life. I realised then that music is a great connector.
“From that point I started seriously teaching myself how to play the guitar and looked for more songs to sing – anything quite traditionally Scottish with a good beat is always a winner.”
Before long, Johnny was asked by the manager of his dad’s care home if he would play for all the residents – many of whom also had dementia. Word soon spread and he now plays at 12 care homes, centres and other venues from Perth to North Lanarkshire and across the east coast, including at Alzheimer Scotland’s outdoor dementia resource centre at Lauriston Castle.
Johnny said: “I get the same reaction from the other people with dementia who I play for as I did from my dad. It’s fantastic how everyone brightens up when they hear the music and join in.
“One chap who was non-verbal and would usually seem quite disconnected, suddenly sat up, took a tambourine and started hitting it in time with the music.
“I’m a bit nervous about the Fringe but also really looking forward to performing and being part of such a world-famous festival. My shows are aimed at people with dementia but also to anyone who enjoys traditional Scottish music. It feels great to be on a new journey now and to be able to give back to the community.
“I want to keep doing what I can to bring music to people living with dementia and to support the amazing work of Alzheimer Scotland for as long as I can.”
As #Edinburgh‘s beautiful cherry trees burst into bloom, join us at Lauriston Castle this coming Saturday and Sunday for our varied and exciting programme of Japan #Sakura events!
Click on the link for a full and varied programme:
