STARTS TOMORROW
Futsal with Spartans at Craigroyston
Man remanded following offences in Holyrood Park
POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION
LAST Friday 18th April 2025, officers from Police Scotland charged an individual with a number of offences, including sexual exposure.
He appeared before Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Saturday 19th April 2025 and was remanded in custody.
These offences occurred around the area of Holyrood Park, Edinburgh between the 11th and 17th April.
If you were in the area during this period and have any information you think may be relevant to the enquiry, please contact Police Scotland quoting incident number PS-20250411-1138.
ORGANISE!
EDINBURGH WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY
SATURDAY 26th APRIL from 12.30 – 1.30pm
at the Workers’ Memorial Tree in Princes Street Gardens
Two arrests following drugs recovery in Wester Hailes
On Thursday 10th of April 2025, officers in South West recovered an estimated street value of £50,000 class A drugs from an address in Dumbeg Park.
This was in addition to an estimated street value of £3200 class A and class B drugs seized from an address in Stenhouse Drive earlier in the week.
Two males aged 29 and 31 have been arrested in connection with the enquiry which remains ongoing.
Please continue to report drug dealing in the area.
Lost Victorian relic found in attic during Edinburgh renovation
During renovations, an exceptionally rare Victorian Crossley engine was found tucked away in the attic of CoDE The Court, where it had remained hidden for decades. It is now on display in The Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building.
Built in 1878, this marvel of Victorian engineering, it was far ahead of its time, used to regulate the temperature of the Edinburgh Police Chambers, and its survival offers a rare glimpse into 19th century innovation.
Remarkably, this engine is the second-oldest surviving Crossley four-stroke engine in the world and the oldest in Europe. Only two other examples exist, the oldest is housed at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, USA, and another in Denmark. Its discovery, in near original condition, by founder Andrew Landsburgh, adds a significant chapter to Britain’s industrial heritage.
It’s unclear whether the engine was newly installed in the building or a second-hand acquisition. Adding to the intrigue, research revealed a royal connection.
In the 1800s, Edinburgh Police Chambers and Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s Scottish residence, had the same system installed; adding to the royal connection, this rediscovered engine had originally been installed in the short lived “Royal Aquarium” at Waverley, before being moved to the police chambers in 1881 where it was installed for the purpose of ventilation.
Andrew Landsburgh, Director and Founder of CoDE Concepts, said: “This is one of the most exciting finds in Scotland. We found it during The Court’s renovation, posted a photo online not knowing what we had, and suddenly experts from around the world were contacting us telling us we’d uncovered something incredible.
“What began as a refurbishment turned into the discovery of a vital piece of Edinburgh, and the world’s industrial heritage. This engine connects us directly to Scotland’s innovative past and the very beginnings of technology which still powers the modern world.
“We’ve brought it down from the attic to The Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building, where visitors can experience this historic find firsthand.”
The story of this extraordinary discovery will be featured in an upcoming documentary titled ‘Potential Energy’ airing from 23rd May, which delves into how the engine was found, its relocation from the attic to The Lost Close, underground vaults of the building and the possibilities of restoring it for modern use.
The engine is currently on display at The Lost Close. To mark this discovery, The Lost Close is launching the Scottish Innovations Tour this June, exploring the country’s contributions to innovation and industry.
Visitors will journey through The Lost Close, now the permanent home of the Crossley ‘Otto Silent’ engine, and uncover Edinburgh’s role in shaping global technological progress.
James Armandary, Tourism Development Lead of The Lost Close, said: “This is an incredibly exciting addition to The Lost Close. It’s not every day you uncover a piece of engineering history that bridges the gap between Scotland’s past innovations and technology we take for granted today.
“This building continues to surprise us with its storied history and with the launch of the Scottish Innovations Tour, visitors will not only be able to see the engine up close but also explore Edinburgh’s long-overlooked role in shaping global industry.”
The Lost Close, hidden for nearly two centuries beneath layers of rubble from the Great Fire, was also rediscovered during renovations in 2019.
For more information, please visit https://thelostclose.com/crossley-engine
To book tickets to the ‘Potential Energy’ premier and Q&A, please visit:
To book tickets to the Scottish Innovations Tour, please visit:
Additional Scottish support for Middle East appeal
First Minister announces boost for humanitarian aid
First Minister John Swinney has announced an additional £300,000 funding will be provided to support humanitarian aid efforts in the Middle East through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal and Scottish charities, SCIAF and Mercy Corps.
This funding, delivered through the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund programme, will help provide urgent assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict, including food, clean water, medical care, and shelter for displaced individuals in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.
The announcement was made by the First Minister during a parliamentary debate on the international situation in which he also called for Scotland to champion the benefits of international trade, cooperation, and solidarity during this period of international turbulence.
The First Minister said: “I’m pleased to announce a contribution of £240,000 through our Humanitarian Emergency Fund to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal for the Middle East, along with £30,000 each for Scottish charities, SCIAF and Mercy Corps for their responses in Lebanon and Syria.
“This is in addition to the £250,000 that we provided to this appeal last November and comes at a time when humanitarian needs continue to increase across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.
“I believe that wherever we can, we do what is within our power to de-escalate and support recovery from disaster and conflict in our deeply interconnected world.
“Investing in the wellbeing of the international community is also an investment in our national wellbeing and security and I make no apology for doing so in these turbulent times.”
The First Minister added: “At a time when the US, the UK and other donors have slashed their aid budgets, we in Scotland are committed to continuing to support our Global South partner countries, and more widely to responding to humanitarian emergencies globally.
“Though we recognise the amounts Scotland contributes may be small in the face of growing need, we will do all we can to ensure it has maximum impact. Scotland will continue to act as a good global citizen.”
DEC spokesperson Huw Owen said: “This additional donation to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal from the Scottish Government through its Humanitarian Emergency fund is hugely welcome.
“The Appeal has now raised close to £4 million here in Scotland, over £45 million UK wide, which also includes many generous individual donations from the public. We are hugely grateful for this support.
“It will bolster DEC charities and their expert local partners’ continuing efforts in Gaza and the wider region, working in incredibly challenging circumstances, to reach the most affected communities with medical care, food and clean water as well as psychological support for traumatised children and their families.”
Humanitarian needs across the Middle East continue to escalate, with nearly half of the population of Gaza facing emergency levels of food insecurity and water, shelter and medicine in desperately short supply. By providing this funding, the DEC and its member charities can ensure that when the current blockade of Gaza is finally lifted, those needs can be addressed without delay.
The DEC appeal for the Middle East launched on 17 October 2024 and the Scottish Government’s previous contribution of £250,000 supported DEC and partner organisations in delivering humanitarian aid across the region.
Since the appeal’s launch, generous donations from the public have helped deliver lifesaving assistance, and further contributions remain essential to sustain these efforts.
The appeal has raised £3.8m in Scotland and the Scottish public can make a donation at Donate to Middle East Appeal | Disasters Emergency Committee
Boost your mental health with springtime nature
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Come rain or sunshine, the spring brings lots of wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature – and boost your mental health while doing so. 
1/ Go for a spring walk and tap into your senses – what do you see, hear, smell, and touch?
2/ Tend to your garden or houseplants, are you seeing any start to blossom?
3/ Get in touch with your creative side and draw, paint or collage spring’s nature.
4/ Animal lover? Walk in the countryside or visit a city farm and spot the new arrivals!
5/ Feeling adventurous? Go on a spring scavenger hunt and discover nature (find resources at Woodland Trust).
What are spring activities you enjoy, that bring you closer to nature?
BYITC’s 7th International Maths Olympiad breaks records with unprecedented participation
13 winners, 11 levels, and one unique online contest for youngsters
The British Youth International College (BYITC) has named thirteen winners of its seventh annual International Maths Olympiad competition, including two children from Edinburgh.
Tejas Mittal, aged 10, who attends Calderwood Primary School in Edinburgh was the joint level 10 winner.
He said: “Maths feels different now. I actually enjoy solving things, and I can see how much I’ve improved since I started Supermaths!
“The games are my favourite way to learn and practice maths. I wish we had this at school too!”
Tejas’ parents Mukesh and Neha Mittal said: “Seeing my child solve math problems with confidence is amazing! BYITC’s structured learning and supportive teachers have really helped in the Olympiad journey.”
Abel Abby, 10, attends St John Vianney RC Primary School in Edinburgh and was the joint level 11 winner.
He said: “What helped me most was learning how to think through a problem. BYITC taught me not to rush, but to solve things the smart way. The teachers are really kind and explain things until I get it!”
Mum Abby Jose said: “I’m so happy with the progress my child has made through the BYITC Olympiad. The questions really helped sharpen their thinking, and the support from teachers has been excellent!”
Of the thousands of students from all over the world who took part in the week-long free-to-enter challenge, which is aimed at students ranging from four to fourteen, the following were successful and received certificates and trophies:
Winners (13):
- Aanya Muppidi, 9, Leatherhead – level 1 winner
- Anaisha Saxena, 6, Glasgow – level 2 winner
- Saksham Kataria, 7, Birmingham – level 3 winner
- Isaiah Tahir, 10, Glasgow – level 4 winner
- Chinmaye Kanumuri, 8, Hemel Hempstead – level 5 winner
- Aarav Shah, 12, Birmingham – level 6 winner
- Kapishan Kadsan, 11, New Malden, London – level 7 winner
- Jithya Krithika Kotte, 12, Liverpool – level 8 winner
- Krishna Nair, 9, Glasgow – level 9 winner
- Pranav Aiyer, 10, Reading – joint level 10 winner
- Tejas Mittal, 10, Edinburgh – joint level 10 winner
- Abel Abby, 10, Edinburgh – joint level 11 winner
- Vivaan Rawat, 10, Glasgow – joint level 11 winner
The first-of-its-kind challenge is based on BYITC’s pioneering Abacus Maths programme, with 50 questions in total and results based on accuracy and timely completion. Students used concepts like finger, Abacus, and Mental theory.
The top performers across each of eleven levels of BYITC Supermaths training were awarded certificates and trophies for their impressive arithmetic skills.
BYITC’s Founder, Dr Rashmi Mantri, said: “Congratulations to each of the winners. Every child who took part deserves enormous credit as we can tell they gave it their best shot and worked very hard.
“Young people are naturally competitive and derive lots of fun from playing and experimenting with numbers. Competitions like this prepare them for higher levels of assessments and exams as they go through their educational journey as they worked on time management and enhance their problem-solving skills.
“As we know from research, such high-level game playing significantly boosts logical thinking skills, an excellent preparation from a future which is going to be dominated by AI.
“Since we launched the Challenge, we have had more than 75 winners which is a great achievement. The success of our Olympiads and the sheer scale of entries from across the globe are very satisfying and give us confidence that there is a huge hunger out there for learning more about, and getting lots of fun from playing with, numbers.”
Less than half of Scots say reaching net zero will improve quality of life
Mixed views on climate crisis
Almost half (44%) of Scots think that reaching net zero by 2045 would improve their quality of life – compared to just 1 in 10 who think it would make it worse – according to new official statistics published for the first time today.
The Scottish Climate Survey also found that almost three-quarters of those surveyed (72%) feel climate change is an immediate and urgent problem and almost all households have experienced a severe weather event in the past 12 months.
More than 4,000 adults across Scotland shared their views on a range of climate-related issues, including transport, nature, preparing for the impacts of climate change and home energy.
The survey found that a third of households (33%) were finding it difficult to afford their energy bills whilst more than four in ten (42%) said they were having to cut back spending on food and other essentials to spend more on energy bills.
People were also asked about their overall views on climate change and the impact of the transition to net zero. Almost half of adults (46%) reported feeling worried about climate change – with one in ten (11%) saying that their feelings about climate change had a negative effect on them most of the time.
Acting Minister for Climate Action, Alasdair Allan, said: “The findings from this survey highlight that people recognise the benefits that reaching net zero by 2045 will bring.
“However, if we are to persuade people to back climate action wholeheartedly, we must speak not only of the costs and challenges but also demonstrate clear and direct household and community benefits where possible.
“Whilst the powers over energy price setting and regulation are reserved, we continue to prioritise support for the most vulnerable households through access to long-term, sustainable measures with our energy efficiency programmes. We are also calling on the UK Government to introduce targeted energy bill discounts to support those who need it most.
“Scotland is now halfway to net zero and continues to be ahead of the UK as a whole in delivering long term emissions reductions. However in order to reach our target, we need to work together more effectively, at all levels of Government and beyond – and the findings from this survey help demonstrate that Scots not only understand the seriousness of the climate crisis – but want to see action.
“That’s why we will continue to drive climate action that is fair, ambitious and effective at addressing the scale of the emergency which faces us.”
Eligible? Get Vaccinated!
Evidence shows that the vaccine can help prevent severe disease, hospitalisation and death in older adults and those with a weakened immune system.
If you’re eligible, it’s important to take up the offer of an additional dose.
Visit http://nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine for more information.