Veterans recreate historic photograph almost 100 years on at ancestral home of their founder

A group of 20 veterans attended the stunning Bemersyde residence in the Scottish Borders this week, to recreate a historic photograph linked to their place of work.

The team from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh travelled to the 16^th century country house set above the River Tweed, near Melrose, as part of the factory’s centenary year celebrations. The visit saw them pose for the same shot at the exact same location as 60 ex-servicemen who worked for the factory, some 90-plus years ago in the early 1930s.

Bemersyde House has been the ancestral home of the Haig family for over 800 years. After WWI, Field Marshall Earl Haig, the commander of British forces during the war, returned to the estate.

Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory was founded in 1926 by Countess Dorothy Haig, the wife of Field Marshall Haig. She established the Edinburgh-based factory to produce poppies exclusively for Scotland, whilst also providing meaningful and dignified work for men disabled as a result of their service.

To this day a team of 40 veterans all with supported needs, continue to manufacture thousands of handmade wreaths and other remembrance symbols from purpose-built premises on the capital’s Warriston Road. The factory also produces over 2.1 million poppies for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, organised annually by Poppyscotland in October and November.

During their visit to Bemersyde, the veterans were given a tour of the property by Countess Jane Haig, the wife of 3^rd Earl Haig, Alexander Douglas Derrick, taking in the stunning views of the Borders countryside from the 16^thcentury peel tower, before then recreating the historic photograph in front of the sundial in the grounds of the home.

Lady Haig said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the veterans from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory to Bemersyde, and wonderful to be able to capture the same photograph almost 100 years later.

“We are proud to maintain the relationship between the Haig family and the factory to this day, and we wish them a very successful centenary.”

Major Charlie Pelling (Retd), Factory Manager added: “We are extremely grateful to Earl and Lady Haig for welcoming us to their private Bemersyde estate, to mark another milestone in our centenary by recreating the old image taken back in the early 1930’s.

“The team very much enjoyed the tour of the house, and hearing all about its history throughout the generations of the Haig family. The beautiful home has certainly seen a lot over the decades.”

To learn more about the factory’s history, or to book a tour of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk

SPFL Statement on Celtic vs Hearts league title decider

THE SPFL HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:

“Firstly, we send our congratulations to Celtic on winning the William Hill Premiership in the most exciting of circumstances and our commiserations to everyone at Heart of Midlothian following an incredible campaign.

“We would also like to thank the referee and his excellent team of match officials for their cool heads on such a dramatic day. Given the speculation about the conclusion of the game, we would like to make clear that, prior to awarding the trophy, we were informed by the match referee that the match had ended and had not been abandoned.

“Yesterday’s match showed off the very best of the Scottish game and the drama and excitement that it is rightly famed for. The eyes of the world were on Glasgow and the climax of the William Hill Premiership, with millions of viewers watching the match on Sky Sports and across the globe.

“However, we utterly condemn the scenes which saw a number of Celtic supporters encroach onto the field of play. We await the report of our match delegate regarding any specific incidents that took place but, regardless, supporters entering the field of play in any circumstances is wholly unacceptable and puts those participating and working at a match at risk.

We note that entering the pitch in England and Wales has been a criminal offence since 1991.

“We urge anyone with information about any alleged criminal activity to contact Police Scotland.”

Two officers seriously injured and 14 arrests made following disorder in Glasgow

Fourteen people were arrested in Glasgow during and after Celtic’s Premiership title win on Saturday, 16 May, 2026.

Four arrests were made at Parkhead stadium during the match and 10 in the Trongate area of the city. They relate to a number of offences including mobbing and rioting, resisting arrest, police assault and possession of offensive weapons. Officers also seized pyrotechnics and alcohol at both locations.

During the violence that followed, two officers were seriously injured and three members of the public required hospital treatment.

Significant work remains ongoing around the disorder and officers will be reviewing CCTV and capturing statements to identify those responsible.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: “The large majority of people at the Trongate yesterday were in a celebratory mood and simply wanted to support the victory of their team.

“However, we once again saw significant disorder and anti-social behaviour when police responded to a medical emergency within the crowd. A man was found unresponsive after taking unwell and continues to receive treatment in hospital. While dealing with this, our officers came under sustained attack from missiles and bottles, which resulted in two of them being seriously injured.

“I cannot condemn this behaviour strongly enough. It is completely unacceptable.

“Our officers must be kept safe when doing their job. They acted bravely, courageously and with the highest degree of professionalism throughout the event. They took decisive action, which was entirely appropriate, to clear those intent on violence and disorder, and make arrests.

“The minority of individuals involved will face the most robust action from Police Scotland and partners as we move forward. If you were involved in criminality, expect us to be knocking at your door.

“Once again, Police Scotland has been left holding the responsibility and accountability for supporters away from the stadium at the Trongate.

“We have strong and positive relationships with Celtic Football Club and Glasgow City Council on a day-to-day basis to keep people safe, but on this particular issue more must be done.

“Celtic FC and football authorities, working with local authorities and Police Scotland, must take greater responsibility. This cannot happen again at any future celebrations.”

We are also carrying out enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage from Parkhead stadium in Glasgow following the pitch invasion and disorder that followed. We continue to engage with Hearts of Midlothian FC to establish if any of their players were assaulted on the pitch.

The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers.

We would appeal to anyone with footage or photos of criminality from Parkhead or around the Trongate area to upload it using the online form here:

https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT26X10-PO1

Information can also be passed to Police Scotland via 101 quoting Operation Gristaline. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Four further arrests were also made in the vicinity of Tynecastle Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday, 16 May, 2026 in connection with breach of the peace, and assault and robbery offences.

QR code alternative for the MIPP.

Drumbrae Library celebrates Bookbug Week

We’re so excited for Bookbug Week 2026 which starts on Monday!

Celebrate Bookbug’s Big Quest at Drumbrae Library all next week and have an adventure with your little one.

We have our usual 3 Bookbug sessions to enjoy, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10.30am.

Whilst you’re in the library why not take part in Bookbug’s scavenger hunt, colour in a mini Bookbug and look at Bookbug’s Big Quest wall to see what adventures Bookbug has been on during the week!

We also have a fun, interactive Story Walk around Clermiston Park! Collect your map at the front desk, enjoy the walk, find the pages of the story, then return to the library to collect your certificate!

Hidden osteoporosis crisis to be addressed at QMU symposium

Queen Margaret University (QMU) will host a major public event later this month to confront the long-standing lack of awareness and action surrounding osteoporosis, and positioning the condition firmly as a public health priority.

Despite affecting millions of people across the UK, osteoporosis remains one of the country’s most overlooked health conditions – often widely under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated, despite its potentially devastating and life-changing consequences.

In response, QMU’s Lydia Osteoporosis Symposium, taking place on Wednesday 20 May 2026, is on a mission to change that by raising awareness of the risks of osteoporosis and equipping people with the knowledge and tools needed to improve bone health and prevent fractures.

The symposium will bring together people living with osteoporosis, family members and carers, health and social care professionals, researchers and members of the wider community for a powerful and inclusive day of learning, discussion and shared experience.

Led by the Lydia Osteoporosis Project team, the event will highlight osteoporosis as a significant but neglected public health issue, while showcasing the latest research alongside practical, evidence-informed guidance on bone health and fracture prevention. All sessions have been designed to be accessible and engaging for all attendees.

The full-day programme will explore a wide range of topics, including lifelong bone health, osteoporosis care, and the role of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle in maintaining strong bones. Alongside expert presentations from leading health practitioners and researchers, attendees will also take part in interactive sessions shaped by both research, evidence and lived experience.

Gemma Stevenson, Project Lead of the Lydia Osteoporosis Project, said: “Too many people are living with the devastating consequences of osteoporosis without enough awareness, support or action.

“It is often described as a ‘silent’ condition, yet its consequences can be devastating, life changing and, in many cases, preventable. This symposium is about breaking that silence – making knowledge accessible, valuing lived experience, and empowering people to take action.

“By bringing communities, professionals and researchers together, we can challenge complacency, shift perceptions and drive the change needed to improve prevention, diagnosis and care.”

The symposium, which will run from 8:30am to 4:30pm at Queen Margaret University, is now fully booked – reflecting the growing demand for better understanding and action around osteoporosis.

Living Streets: Parents miss out on the mental health benefits of walking

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and our new research finds that parents are missing out on the mental health benefits of walking.

We’ve learned that:

* One in ten parents walk for pleasure less than once a month

* After a walk, parents say that their fitness and mental health are better

* Only 51 percent of children aged 5-10 in England walk to school (it was 70 percent in the 1970s)

Next week is Living Streets’ Walk to School Week (18-22 May) where families are encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4dvqjJh

Childline counselling sessions about online child sexual abuse jump by over a third in one year

Alarming new figures reveal that last year Childline delivered over 2,400 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK about online child sexual abuse and exploitation – an annual increase of 36%.
Overall, the service delivered over 4,300 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK with concerns about online harms.
NSPCC urges the Government to go further than a ban and take three key actions when their online safety consultation concludes to force tech companies to keep children safe.
The charity has also launched a new campaign Shift Ctrl which highlights how online harm disrupts the everyday lives of young people.

Children’s charity the NSPCC are raising the alarm as Childline counselling sessions across the UK about online child sexual abuse and exploitation jumped by more than a third in the last year.

New data from the NSPCC-run service reveals that between April 2025 and March 2026 Childline delivered 2,444 counselling sessions across the UK about online child sexual abuse and exploitation, marking a 36% annual increase.

These figures feed into and reflect a wider problem, with 4,321 counselling sessions taking place about all online harms, including online child sexual abuse, cyberbullying and concerns about young people’s digital behaviour – a 30% increase compared on the year before.

The NSPCC is highlighting these findings as further evidence of how tech companies are failing to protect children across their sites, arguing that without swift action the risks young people face online will get even worse.

Speaking to the service, children described encountering inappropriate and harmful content, falling for online scams, being bullied online and facing privacy concerns on big tech platforms.

They also shared reflections on their social media behaviour and sought advice on managing their screen time and online habits.

Of the 2,444 contacts about online child sexual abuse, young people spoke about being scared that images of them would be shared, about being financially extorted, and the impact this form of abuse could have on their futures. Many asked for support on how to speak to an adult about this.

One 14-year-old girl who contacted Childline said: “I met a guy online and he managed to get photos of me in my underwear. I didn’t send them to him, so I don’t know how he got them.

“He threatened to put my photos on adult websites if I don’t send him more photos. I’m so scared. I’ve reported him online and I’m wondering if I should go to the police too.”

At the same, the children’s charity has launched its Shift Ctrl campaign which highlights how online harm disrupts the everyday lives of young people. It calls on the public to join the charity in demanding urgent action from Government and tech companies to create a safer online world for children.

A video[SM1] promoting the campaign will appear on various on‑demand TV services, in cinemas (including before The Mandalorian and Grogu), across online video and social media platforms and on billboards across the UK.

As the Government consults on children’s access to social media, the charity is setting out three key actions that they must take to hold tech companies to account and keep children safe:

Make sure teens get genuinely age‑appropriate experiences – platforms must be safe before children can use them.
Stop platforms using addictive design tricks that leave young people feeling out of control.
Use the full force of the law to block illegal and harmful content e.g. nude images at the source across online services, including on devices and AI.

Chris Sherwood, CEO at the NSPCC, said: “For far too long, tech companies have prioritised profit over the wellbeing of children, playing fast and loose with their safety. Enough is enough.

“Behind each of these Childline counselling sessions is a child in distress, using an online world with features that are designed to put them at risk.

“It is crucial that the Government uses their consultation on children’s access to the online world as a springboard to finally hold platforms to account for this harm and to force them to make these spaces safe for young users. This includes ensuring tech companies take action in blocking nude images of children from being taken and shared in real time.

“I urge everyone who cares about creating a safer online world for children to take part in the public consultation before it closes. Together, we can put an end to this harm and give children the safety they need and deserve and parents demand.”

Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said: “Everywhere we look online, children are being sexually exploited. Girls are facing increasingly normalised sexual violence, while boys are being singled out by criminals who capitalise on feelings of shame and fear to extort money from them.

“Our analysts are discovering record amounts of child sexual abuse imagery online. Stopping this downward spiral and working to create an internet where everyone can flourish needs to be the priority. Safety by design needs to be a guiding principle – and new products and platforms must be built to make sure there is nowhere where criminals can target and exploit children.

“This must apply to all parts of the internet, even those which are end to end encrypted. Currently, it is just too easy for criminals to target and exploit children and young people. Everybody must play their part in making sure children can learn, play, and socialise online in safety.”

You can submit your response to the Government’s consultation here.

Tomorrow: Author event at Corstorphine Library

WE are hosting local author Flora Johnston for an event talking about historical fiction, and her published books.

If you would like to come to this free event, simply come along to the library for 18:30 tomorrow – Monday 18th May.

May is Local History Month, and 2026 is the National Year of Reading – #GoAllIn

Residents across Edinburgh to choose how to spend Visitor Levy funds in their neighbourhoods

Councillors have agreed how the new £2m Participatory Budgeting (PB) programme will fund the local neighbourhood projects chosen by residents.

Each of the Council’s 17 electoral wards will benefit from a share of £1.7m over three years, with residents directly deciding how to spend the portion of Levy income in their local ward via a new online voting portal.

It will launch through a one-year pilot programme to test the process and identify areas for future improvements, with £20,000 available per ward in the 2026/27 financial year, followed by the remaining funds for two-year projects to take place in 2027/28 and 2028/29. The share of the fund wards receive is influenced by local need and population, with amounts going to different wards recognising where some are more deprived.

Each PB cycle will be delivered in three stages:

Idea generation: Communities and residents will express how they want the money to be spent in their ward (local plans will be considered as part of this process, where these exist).
Project proposals: Community organisations and charities will make funding applications in response to the ideas and priorities generated.
Decision-making: People can vote to decide which specific proposals residents want to see funded in their ward – residents will only be allowed to vote on projects in the ward they live in.

The final selected projects in each area will be awarded to external organisations for delivery.

Also included in the overall £2m fund is £300,000 to administer the programme, including staff time to establish and manage the process, alongside promotion and engagement activities. The programme team will work to establish partnerships with community organisations, including community councils, to deliver and champion local activity.

The scheme – which is the first of this scale in the UK – is part of the £90m+ package of transformative funding over the next three years, agreed in February, to sustain and enhance Edinburgh’s reputation as one of the most beautiful and enjoyable destinations in the world.

The initiative has been designed to empower the city’s local communities, increase civic engagement and improve Edinburgh’s neighbourhoods in a way that addresses local priorities.

The programme’s proposals have been developed by Council officers, informed by feedback from consultation with elected members and community groups. The independent Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum has also been consulted and provided feedback and recommendations.

In accordance with the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act (2024), funds raised by the levy must be reinvested in local facilities and services substantially used by business and leisure visitors. However, participatory budgeting may also benefit residents and those who work and study in Edinburgh.

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “Some of our communities have already experienced and benefitted from other PB programmes in Edinburgh, but this is the biggest and first to be delivered across the whole of the city.

“We’ve specifically designed this programme to complement existing schemes, and we’re proud that residents in every ward across the city will soon benefit from an equal share of some of the funds provided by the Visitor Levy. This means visitors to Edinburgh are contributing towards local projects that benefit us all in the places we live, work and visit ourselves.

“Given the scale of the programme, we’re taking a trial approach for the first portion of funding, which will allow us to closely monitor how well the scheme runs and make improvements for future years. The proposed approach is the result of a huge amount of engagement with community groups – and I’m very pleased that this level of engagement will continue as we review and evolve the programme.

“There are going to be plenty of opportunities for people to participate and have their say on the kinds of projects they’d like to see improve their local areas.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the first sets of project ideas take shape, and how our communities engage with this process and choose to invest in their local areas so we can continue to improve every corner of our beautiful capital city.”

Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy scheme was formally agreed in January 2025.

The levy applies to paid overnight accommodation booked after 1 October 2025, if the stay takes place from 24 July 2026 onwards. It is a 5% payment on the accommodation-only cost and applies to the first 5 nights’ stay. The scheme is projected to raise up to £50 million a year to invest in protecting, supporting and enhancing Edinburgh’s worldwide appeal as a place to visit and live.

The PB paper was heard at Culture and Communities Committee on 15 May. You can view the meeting on our webcast.

The Desperation Olympics?

GOVERNMENT GIMMICK TO SHARE UP SUPPORT IN NORTH OF ENGLAND?

First Olympics in the North of England in government’s sights alongside stadium regeneration push
Initial strategic assessment commissioned into potential bid for Olympic and Paralympic Games in the North of England in the 2040s
Assessment will test if hosting could deliver transformational regeneration and growth in the North
Towns and cities across England also set to benefit from sports infrastructure accelerator programme, to remove barriers to major sports led regeneration
By-election looming in Greater Manchester – just a coincidence?

The Labour government has commissioned its expert arm’s-length body UK Sport to carry out an initial strategic assessment examining whether the UK could host an Olympic and Paralympic Games in the North of England during the 2040s, as part of an ambitious growth drive to use sports to power regeneration of towns and cities.

Initial work examining whether the UK could host the Games for the first time since London 2012 will assess key factors such as potential cost, socioeconomic benefit and any bid’s chance of success.

The Government ‘firmly sees major sporting events and sporting facilities as playing a key role in driving economic growth, regeneration, improving pride in place, and bolstering the UK’s global appeal’.

Culture Secretary (and coincidentally North of England MP) Lisa Nandy said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world.

“But while the North of England has driven so much sporting excellence, no matter the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create, and the world-class events we attract – for too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the North.

“Not any more. It’s time the Olympics came North and we showed what we can offer to the world. I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Britain’s sporting prowess is recognised and respected around the world. It’s something we are determined to capitalise on to breathe life into our communities and build a stronger and more secure economy.

“That’s why we’re throwing our full support behind bringing the Games back home which will boost our Northern Growth Corridor. It’s also why we’re backing stadium regeneration plans, like at Elland Road, to deliver new homes, business opportunities and public spaces in Leeds and beyond.

The Government has also announced a wave of new work to use sport as a catalyst for local regeneration and economic growth. This includes:

A Stadium Regeneration Accelerator:In a further growth boost for towns and cities across England, a new cross-government programme will work with sporting bodies on priority sports infrastructure development projects – such as stadiums – that can help deliver local regeneration and commercial growth. Funding will not be used for the regeneration of these stadiums but the government will work with sports clubs and leagues to unlock opportunities for large-scale housing delivery, jobs, apprenticeships, transport improvement and community sports facilities. DCMS will work alongside the Office for Investment (OfI) HM Treasury and Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government with sports bodies such as the Premier League, the English Football League and the WSL Football. Together they will identify, and unblock, barriers to development at both a national and local level – and will include projects across the sports sector. The OfI will act as the front door for potential investors to be involved in the programme. Planned projects across England include proposals in Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and London that have the potential to regenerate their surrounding areas. The government will also look at how we can learn lessons and share best practice with counterparts from Europe and further afield.
A new Sporting Events Bill:Introduced to Parliament on Thursday, the new Bill will make it easier to bid for, secure and deliver major sporting events in future, including UEFA EURO 2028. It will also make the unauthorised resale of tickets for designated major events a criminal offence, ensuring more tickets reach real fans at face value rather than being snapped up by touts and resold.
UK Government Strategy for Major Events:The government will set out its plans to support and provide leadership to the nation’s wider major events sector, by delivering a cross-sector strategy within the coming year. The strategy will cover major events in all sectors – cultural, sporting and business – and will ensure that major events continue to drive economic growth, enhance the UK’s soft power across the globe, and strengthen social cohesion in our towns and cities. This will build on the UK’s outstanding track record — from the 80th commemorations of VE day and the billions of pounds generated every year from hosting business events, to the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup last year.
A Ministerial Adviser on Soft Power and Major Events:The government has also appointed Lord McConnell as a Ministerial Adviser on Soft Power and Major Events. Lord McConnell, who was central to bringing the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow in 2014, will support the government’s ambition to cement the UK’s position as the go-to destination for the world’s most prestigious sporting and cultural events, drawing on his experience in international affairs, public policy and supporting the delivery of major events.

The UK has a ‘phenomenal pipeline’ of major sporting events to look forward to.

This summer alone brings the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. In 2027, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grands Départs will be the most accessible major sporting event ever held in Great Britain.

UEFA EURO 2028 is forecast to generate £3.2 billion in socioeconomic benefits – creating jobs, driving regional growth, and drawing a surge of international visitors to communities the length and breadth of the country.

The Government is already backing bids to host the World Athletics and Para-Athletics Championships in 2029, as well as the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as part of its commitment to driving a decade of change in women’s sport.

Alongside more than £500 million invested into the delivery of major sporting events, the Government is making a serious and sustained commitment to grassroots sport. At least £400 million is being invested in community facilities across the country, ensuring that the legacy of every major event is felt far and wide.

Chair of The Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “From our great cities and towns to our coastlines and countryside, the North has the venues, the passion and the sporting pride to deliver a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Games that showcases the very best of Great Britain to the world.

“A Great North Olympics would be a global showcase, leaving a legacy of prosperity, unity and renewal. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, delivering transformational investment in transport, regeneration and public spaces across the North of England. This could become the most people-powered Games ever hosted: inspiring millions of people into sport, volunteering and community action.”

No quote from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, though. Funny that!

Bad Luck, Hearts!

The Lord Provost sends his commiserations to everyone at Heart of Midlothian Football Club following their loss to Celtic

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “On behalf of the city, I want to pass on my commiserations to everyone at Heart of Midlothian FC, the players, their fans and everyone who has been rooting for the team during this incredible season.

“The players gave absolutely everything at Celtic Park this afternoon and to lose so late in the game was truly heart-breaking.

“The club has had such a great campaign, bringing so much joy, excitement and inspiration to their fans and to the wider community. They really have been the ‘talk of the toon’ and in recent weeks the buzz in and around Gorgie has been palpable.

“The players’ hard work and spirit has been something to behold and, despite today’s disappointment, I’m sure this will stand them in good stead for next season.”