Four new laws aimed at tackling abusive behaviour and sexual harm come into force today. These include a requirement for judges to direct juries when dealing with trials relating to certain sexual offences. Continue reading Tackling abusive behaviour and sexual harm: new laws come into force today
STV2 will launch this evening with a ‘distinct and exciting schedule, featuring a variety of new programmes for Scotland including an enhanced hourly news service, a live daily magazine show, an award winning soap, features on local sport, the best of UK and international drama as well as classic movies’.
The new channel will broadcast the first integrated Scottish, UK and international news programme, STV News Tonight. Anchored by Halla Mohieddeen live from Glasgow, the half hour programme will air weeknights at 1900 on STV2 and offer a comprehensive news service featuring Scottish, UK and international news from a Scottish perspective.
The channel will also provide a weekly insight into political life in Scotland with Scottish Politics This Week, giving viewers the opportunity to catch up on the week’s debates from Westminster and Holyrood.
A range of quality acquisitions will form part of the new schedule, including Ireland’s most popular soap Fair City. A daily diet of classic and acclaimed movies will bring Hollywood stars like Hugh Grant, Gary Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow and Bette Davis to the STV2 small screen. Every weekday at 9pm, the channel will offer top quality UK and foreign language drama including Finnish hit drama, Black Widow and acclaimed UK drama Secret State. Viewers will also have the opportunity to watch much loved classic dramaTaggart, still one of the most popular crime dramas in Britain.
Popular weekday magazine show Live at Five will expand its reach on STV2 with outside broadcasts from across Scotland. Presented by David Farrell, Hayley Matthews and Jennifer Reoch, the family friendly programme introduces great guests, cooking from local chefs, live performances by local bands and features reflecting what’s going on across Scotland.
The STV2 schedule will also bring viewers live guests, and music and entertainment news. Weekly show E… presented by Laura Boyd and Gerry Cassidy will provide a guide to what is going on across Scotland with celebrity interviews, features and reviews of live music, TV and film. And Ewen Cameron will host The Late Show, a tongue-in-cheek weekly chat show every Thursday on STV2.
The channel will also provide a home for many of the cultural events around Scotland, kicking off with a one hour special from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in its first week. Conservatoire Sessions will showcase the work of the academy’s keyboard department, with some of the school’s top students performing pieces by composers including Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky.
The channel will create a platform for local sport as well as providing the latest from the football world each weeknight and weekends throughout the football season on Peter and Roughie’s Football Show.
The STV2 schedule will also include hourly news bulletins with stories from across Scotland in three dedicated half hour news programmes at 1300, 1800 and 2200.
Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, said: “STV2 is the new channel for Scotland designed to reflect life across the country. The channel will provide a unique opportunity to broadcast content that isn’t available for viewers anywhere else, including in-depth coverage of local sport and live events and exciting acquisitions including soap and drama, alongside an enhanced news service with local, UK and international stories.”
STV2 will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will reach approximately 85% of viewers in STV’s transmission area. In addition to Freeview, access will be available online and via Sky and Virgin. The service will also be available online via the STV Player.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Andrew Burns has issued his final Leader’s Report. Cllr Burns is one of a number of experienced city councillors who will not be seeking re-election next month.
He said: “As you may be aware, many councillors, including myself, have chosen not to stand on 4 May. I haven’t done the maths, but the cumulative experience leaving the Council must add up to many hundreds of years.
“As current Council Leader, and on behalf of all the Group Leaders, I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the retiring councillors who have given dedicated public service to their local communities over so many years.
“I’d also like to wish all remaining councillors, and new candidates, all the very best of luck. It really is a privilege to serve your local community – and you never know how long that privilege will last – so please do enjoy it while you can.
“Huge thanks also to our dedicated workforce, who have shown nothing but enormous understanding, adaptability, and sheer dedication to public service, over recent years. It’s been my pleasure to work with you all.
“And finally, many thanks to the people that matter most: the residents of Edinburgh. You have given us the chance to make a contribution to the ongoing evolution of this most beautiful city; one which I’ve had the good fortune to call my family home for the last 24 years.”
A new national action plan to help protect children and young people online has been launched by Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald. The refreshed plan will help children and young people develop the skills they need to stay safe on the internet and support parents and carers to be more aware of the potential risks that their children face online. Continue reading Protecting children online: Action Plan launched
Edinburgh pubs are being celebrated as traditional coaching inns of historical significance in the latest publication from the Campaign for Real Ale, “Historic Coaching Inns of the Great North” by acclaimed beer writer Roger Protz. Continue reading Historic Edinburgh pubs promoted in latest CAMRA guide
The Mental Health Information Station (MHIS) in Palmerston Place played host to Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt recently. Lead Occupational Therapist, Community Mental Health Services Jane Sutherland guided the Minister round the service, where she met with some of the project’s partners and Ms Watt went on to speak with a number of people who have benefited from using the service. Continue reading Minister visits Mental Health Information Station
15% of Scots think young people are homeless by choice
A Scottish charity has launched a new Facebook Messenger “bot” to teach Scots about the real causes of homelessness amongst young people after research found nearly half believe it is through choice or a refusal to accept assistance. Continue reading Ask Alex: new Messenger “bot” to teach Scots about causes of youth homelessness
New statistics have revealed that Scots seeking health information online look at muscle, bone and joint injuries more than any other condition. Figures released by NHS 24 show people look up these injuries more than any other health complaint on the national health website, NHS inform. Continue reading NHS 24: Don’t rely on ‘Dr. Google’
Pilton Community Health Project, Boswall Parkway
Wednesday 26 April, 1 – 4pm
Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) are hosting an walking group open day from 1-4pm on Wed 26th April at PCHP, 73 Boswall Parkway EH52PW. The aim is to introduce people to our regular walking group that happens on a Monday and Friday every week (and has done for six years or more!).
If you know anyone who might would benefit from a walking club, might want to get out and about but feels shy or who has been recommended they exercise more but doesn’t know what to do, then this is the perfect opportunity to come and meet our walking volunteers and find out more about our walking group. Just drop by, no appointment necessary. Clare Symonds, Development worker – Physical Activity, Move It, Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway, Edinburgh, EH5 2PW, 0131 551 1671, http://www.pchp.org.uk/!
Continue reading One week to go: Beltane Festival returns to set Edinburgh alight
