We’ll be holding a food collection at Sunday’s home match against Celtic. Supporters are invited to donate food items from the listed provided below, which will be used at our Community Hubs to support those in need across our community.
The collection point will be opposite the club store at the Famous Five Stand from 10:30 before kick-off. We’ll also be accepting cash and card donations 
TESCO TO STOCK FREE PRE-CARVED PUMPKINS IN STORE THIS HALLOWEEN
Pumpkin carving might be a Halloween tradition, but for busy families, finding the time to wrestle with a giant pumpkin and create the perfect spooky design can feel more trick than treat.
New research shows that despite pumpkin carving being one of our favourite traditions for almost half the population, just over a third (36%) of Brits say they’d appreciate a little help with pumpkin design. In response to this, Tesco is stepping in to help the UK get Halloween-ready.
For a limited time, Tesco will be giving away free pre-carved pumpkins in selected UK stores, meaning shoppers can pick up a Halloween-ready pumpkin while stocking up on everything else they need for spooky season.
From the 22nd – 31st October, a selection of spooky designs will be available for shoppers to take home, carved by Tesco’s very own pumpkin artists in residence.
The help for Britain’s pumpkin carving comes as Tesco research shows that over a quarter (28%) of Brits admit they feel pressure to carve a pumpkin good enough to proudly display on the doorstep while a third (33%) want their decorations to look as good as their neighbours’.
Lack of carving skills (26%), the mess pumpkin carving creates (19%) or simply not feeling creative enough (19%) are putting a dampener on pumpkin carving plans for Halloween lovers. In addition, over three-quarters of parents (78%) agree that they love seeing their little ones’ creativity come to life but over a third (37%) admit they would rather have a more polished pumpkin on their doorstep.
2026’s Most Memorable Moments
Tesco is also giving the Halloween staple a distinctly 2026 makeover by transforming some of the year’s biggest cultural moments into pumpkin art with professional carvers. The collection of designs is inspired by the moments Brits couldn’t stop talking about, based on new research from Tesco.
The four limited-edition designs showcase the most talkable moments of 2026 and have been meticulously sketched onto pumpkins, taking professional carvers over 50 hours. The key moments include:
For shoppers looking to pick up a pre-carved pumpkin at Tesco, there’ll be two designs to choose from: the Eclipse and the classic Halloween jack o’ lantern.
The pre-carved pumpkins will be available at 10 selected stores for one afternoon at each store between 22nd – 31st October.
For those who prefer to do their own carving, Tesco has a range of pumpkins available this Halloween, from cute mini munchkin pumpkins, to classic large pumpkins which are perfect for carving, starting at just 55p.
Shoppers can also pick up everything else they need for spooktacular Halloween celebrations, from costumes and decorations to sweets and party food, making Tesco a one-stop-shop for all things spooky.
Participating stores (each store has pre-carved pumpkins for one day only):
OVERWHELMING SUPPORT AFTER VANS DAMAGED
We are overwhelmed by the incredible support our community has shown over the past few days. 
Thank you so much to everyone who shared our post, sent messages, or made a donation following the theft and vandalism relating to our vans. Your kindness keeps us going.
To everyone who has made a monetary donation: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Things are a bit busy right now as we manage the fallout, but please know we will be getting back to each and every one of you individually to thank you properly once things have settled.
Things are hectic behind the scenes, but please know our team sees all of your lovely comments and support, and it means the world to us.
We still urgently need your help to keep our services running. We are relying heavily on direct furniture drop-offs right now.
If you have quality furniture to donate, bringing it straight to our drop-off zone makes a massive difference. 454 Gorgie Road.
Also, if you have contacts or connections at local media outlets, please let local news outlets know about our situation!
Raising awareness across Edinburgh will help us reach more people who might be able to support us or drop off donations.
Thank you for standing with us when we need our community most.
Communities will have more opportunities to have their say in shaping how Scotland’s largest landholdings are managed under proposals now open for public consultation.
The Community Engagement Obligations and draft large land holdings guidance under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 consultation paper is the next step in ensuring communities have more information about large land holdings of more than 1,000 hectares.
It is seeking views on what information should be included in new Land Management Plans, required by the Act, and what landowners should do to involve the communities in the creation of these plans.
The consultation also gives consideration to introducing new processes for community groups to request to lease land or establish a croft, providing more opportunities for communities to use land for their benefit, and what enforcement should be available if these requirements are not met.
There is also an opportunity to comment on guidance that will help landowners understand if they own land that will be covered by these requirements.
Climate Action and Rural Affairs Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The Land Reform Act reflects our commitment to a fairer, more transparent and more inclusive system of land ownership and use.
“These proposals can ensure communities have better information about how large landholdings are managed and more opportunities to influence decisions that affect them and mark the next step in Scotland’s land reform journey.
“We saw strong engagement as our land reform legislation passed through Parliament, and I hope communities, landowners and others will bring that same enthusiasm to this public consultation on our plans.”
As the consultation will go over the festive period it will be open 14 weeks, rather than the usual 12 to allow as many people as possible to have their say.
Join our new Friday Cooking Club!
Would you like to learn some new recipes, share your own cooking skills and meet new people?
Come along to our new Cooking Club at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre!
Fridays, 10am–12pm
We’ll be coming together each week to plan, prepare and cook our Community Lunch. We’ll take turns being ‘head chef’, choosing a meal for the group to make, with everyone pitching in to help with the preparation and cooking.
It’s a great opportunity to:
Learn new recipes and share your own favourites
Build your confidence and try new skills
Meet others and enjoy cooking together
Get support to achieve your Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate, if you’re interested. This could be useful for future employment opportunities or simply as a way to develop your skills.
You can come along every week or just drop in whenever suits you. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a confident cook or just starting out!
Interested or have questions?
Get in touch with Rebecca at rebecca@drylawnc.org.uk for more information.
Responding to the Scottish Government’s new Benefit Take-up Strategy, released yesterday, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “Today, the Scottish Government published its third Benefit Take-up Strategy. As the charity for older people facing financial hardship, we know firsthand how important income maximisation is for the older people in Scotland that we work with.
“With over £350 million going unpaid every year to older people on low-incomes, improving take-up of social security is essential to tackling poverty in later life. Our research shows that if there was full take-up of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction across Scotland, 30,000 older people would be pulled out of poverty and there would be a £90 million reduction in health and social care spending each year.
“However, our Older People’s Index 2026 revealed that 1 in 5 older people don’t know about Pension Credit, and around 1 in 4 don’t know about Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit, with even lower awareness of support like the Scottish Welfare Fund. So, this strategy and the actions proposed are incredibly important.
“We are therefore pleased to see a greater focus on how agencies can work together to increase take-up across all entitlements including those reserved to Westminster.
“We also welcome moves to better use existing data to help people access their entitlements no matter who administers them and look forward to seeing measurable progress.”
Out of the Blue are delighted to be supporting local artists and makers this November, with a series of special events, featuring a fantastic selection of handmade goods, all created in Out of the Blue Leith-based studios.
Makers Amok Pop-Up
At the Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, over 15 of the artists and makers based there are busy putting together Makers Amok. It’s a unique pop-up shop, showcasing and celebrating local art with all pieces crafted from the studios at the Drill Hall. What better way to make an early start to your Christmas shopping?
You’re invited to come along between Monday 2nd and Friday 6th November (10am – 5pm) and meet a vibrant collective of Edinburgh makers and explore an eclectic showcase of handmade jewellery, artwork, textiles, and original design.
To celebrate, the Drill Hall based artists and makers are hosting a Closing Event on Friday 6th November (3pm – 5pm) – an exciting opportunity to chat to some of the participating artists and find out more about their work.
Winter Open Studios Weekend
Over at Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios (Easter Road) the resident artists are delighted to be opening their doors to the public for another exciting Open Studios Weekend (their second of the year) on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November, 12noon – 5pm (free entry).
It’s a great chance to see the creative spaces at Abbeymount, meet the makers and browse a wide range of original artworks and gifts. Everything is handmade by local designers and makers here in their studios in the heart of Edinburgh. It’s the perfect opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done, or perhaps get an extra treat for yourself, while supporting local artists and makers.
With over 30 artists and makers taking part, there really is something for everyone to suit all budgets, from fine art, paintings and illustration to ceramics, textiles and photography.
Participating artists include painter Pippa Brown, textile artist Jen Byrne of Studio Nine plus illustrators like Trista Yen.
Out of the Blue Chief Executive, Rob Hoon says: “Out of the Blue support artists to help make Edinburgh a thriving hotbed of creativity all year round.
“Providing space for artists to create and sell their work, means they can earn a living, and people get to own the beautiful hand crafted fruits of the artists’ labour! Makers Amok at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall and the Open Studios Weekend at Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios are brilliant showcases of the many participating artists’ talent.”
Scotland’s First Minister officially became the first person in the country to donate to and receive his poppy for the Scottish Poppy Appeal 2026.
John Swinney’s donation on Tuesday came as Poppyscotland officially launched their annual Scottish Poppy Appeal, which is rallying the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of veterans, serving personnel, and their families living across Scotland.
As the country’s largest annual fundraising event, the Scottish Poppy Appeal raises over £2 million each year. These vital funds allow the charity to provide life-changing resources, including custom tailored advice on employment, housing, debt management, and specialised mental health support.
Receiving the first iconic four-petal Scottish poppy of this year’s campaign – traditionally designed without a leaf by Lady Haig in 1926 – the First Minister emphasised the profound importance of the appeal and urged the public to show their generosity.
Following a visit to Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, First Minister John Swinney said: “It was a privilege to receive the first poppy of the 2026 Scottish Poppy Appeal and hear directly from veterans about the difference the appeal’s support has made to their lives.
“This year is especially significant as we mark 100 years since Lady Haig’s factory began producing poppies in Scotland. As we remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, the poppy remains a powerful symbol of remembrance and Scotland’s enduring respect for those who have served.
“I encourage everyone to support this year’s appeal and join us in honouring the service and sacrifice of our armed forces.”
From now and over the coming weeks a dedicated network of volunteers will be visible on high streets, in shopping centres and train stations distributing around three million poppies across the country.
People can find out more and support the Scottish Poppy Appeal at www.poppyscotland.org.uk.
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has written an open letter to the Scottish Greens calling for consensus on securing a long-term fix for short-term let regulation.
It acknowledges that the ASSC and the party had “not always seen eye to eye” on how the sector is regulated but argues both sides now agree the current framework “isn’t fit for purpose”.
In recent days, the Scottish Greens and Living Rent shared data on the number of secondary lettings operating without planning permission in Edinburgh. While disputing the ‘loophole’ characterisation for withdrawn applications trailed in the media, the ASSC commends them for “shining a light” on an issue many assume had been dealt with. The letter repeats the ASSC’s longstanding call for the Scottish Government to separate licensing from planning and to end inconsistent planning decisions.
The ASSC makes clear that industry wants to be regulated. It notes businesses that have invested substantial sums of money following the rules are being undercut by illegal operators who face no consequences. The letter backs councils and Police Scotland using their powers against those rogue operators and calls for online platforms to verify licence details and remove unlawful listings promptly.
The ASSC’s own latest analysis of the Edinburgh Council’s register identifies 1,443 licensed secondary-let properties, representing only 0.5% of Edinburgh’s housing stock. While relatively small in number, these properties provide a vital source of alternative accommodation for visitors and performers during the Festivals, with BiGGAR Economics estimating that self-catering generates £154m per annum in the capital alone.
In Edinburgh, 98% of short-term let planning applications fail which amounts to a de facto ban. Where established operators cannot secure planning permission, the capital risks losing this accommodation while the black market continues unabated.
To address this, the ASSC calls for a dedicated planning category for self-catering through a new Use Class Order – which would require action from the Scottish Government – with fair arrangements for established businesses and a practical route to compliance.
The ASSC has asked to meet with the Scottish Greens to discuss how to break the current impasse between Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, where there is a difference in opinion as to how it can be tackled, and agree a workable solution to put to Scottish Ministers to finally put the issue to bed.
Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the ASSC, commented: ““We haven’t always seen eye to eye with the Scottish Greens, but we agree on this: the system simply isn’t fit for purpose.
“Businesses that have followed the rules are caught between planning and licensing with no certainty all while the black market booms.
“Our sector has been clear that it wants to be regulated but needs rules that are clear, consistent and fair.
“We’d relish the chance to sit down with the Scottish Greens and other stakeholders to finally resolve this issue once and for all.
“Local businesses and communities deserve nothing less.”
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial has launched in the UK, which could cut years from the search for treatments that work for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
The national trial, called AD- SMART (Alzheimer’s disease Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial), is led by the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) – in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), with ongoing funding committed by UK government to support the trial.
It will test multiple drugs simultaneously, starting with two repurposed medicines already used to treat type 2 diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Groups of participants will each begin treatment with a different drug.
The study will examine whether these medicines can lessen symptoms such as memory and thinking problems, and help people maintain their quality-of-life as the disease progresses.
Testing drugs that are already approved to treat other conditions and known to be safe means that, if successful, treatments can reach people living with Alzheimer’s much faster than a medicine developed from scratch.
As well as repurposed drugs, the trial is designed to test new potential treatments coming through the research pipeline.
Heather Ransome, 67, from the Isle of Wight, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2024. She said: “Before my diagnosis, my partner and I were going on lots of cruises and coach holidays, enjoying retirement together. We still enjoy life, but I’m worried about my condition getting worse.
“I’m not the sort of person who gets upset, but being told you have Alzheimer’s is quite upsetting. There weren’t many treatment options available, and the one drug I was offered has been around for many years.
“Getting involved with AD-SMART has given me some hope for the future.
“It’s not too taxing, just some extra tablets to take every day. I don’t know whether I’m being given the active treatment, but if it helps me, or helps others in future, that feels positive. I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to sign up and speak to the team.”
The Prime Minister said: “I know how it feels to lose a loved one to dementia and have seen first-hand the devastating impact this illness has on families.
“That’s why I’m proud to see this trial being launched in the UK, so that cutting edge treatments can reach patients here as soon as possible.
“I have made dementia research a national priority. I want Britain to be the leading nation, making the breakthroughs that change people’s lives.”
Minister of State for Social Care and Mental Health Alison McGovern said: “With an ageing population we need to change the way we look after people with dementia, and we can do this with a plan combining science and a new social care service together.
“Research gives us the tools we need to fight against dementia, and I welcome the launch of this first-of-its-kind innovative trial testing multiple treatments simultaneously and looking to speed up the process. To support more clinical studies, we have invested £33 million into the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme.
“We will build a National Care Service that will transform social care, including better support for people living with dementia and their families. As recommended by Baroness Casey’s commission on reform of the social care system, we are appointing a National Dementia Tsar to help drive forward that progress, and we are publishing the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid improvements in quality of care.”
AD-SMART is a type of trial known as a multi-arm, multi-stage platform trial. Several drugs are tested at the same time, and the results compared with one group of participants taking a dummy drug (placebo). This means more people receive an active treatment than would in a traditional trial.
Results are checked at regular stages throughout the trial and any drug that isn’t showing benefit can be dropped quickly, with new drugs added in its place. Overall, this means fewer participants end up receiving ineffective drugs.
Testing several drugs against one shared placebo group means that ̶̶̶compared with a traditional trial, the time to evaluate treatments can be more than halved, which also reduces costs.
The trial is being delivered by a team at Imperial College London, the UCL Innovative Clinical Trials Unit and the MRC Centre of Research Excellence in Clinical Trial Innovation (UCL), the University of Oxford and Dementias Platform UK (DPUK), with support from leading Alzheimer’s experts from across the UK.
Chief Investigator, Prof Paresh Malhotra, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) Centre for Care Research & Technology at Imperial College London, said: “For too long, Alzheimer’s research has moved at the pace of one drug, one trial, one answer, sometimes taking a decade or more before we know if we’ve found something that works.
“We are applying advances from cancer and other conditions to accelerate testing of treatments for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
“The way AD-SMART is set up means we’re testing several treatments at the same time, and those that don’t show promise can be quickly stopped. Then we can start testing something else. That’s the best way to get effective treatments to patients as quickly as we can.”
The first trial participants have been recruited at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and sites based at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Edinburgh and Southampton are now open.
Up to 20 NHS sites are expected to open across the UK over the next 12-18 months and more than 30 are planned overall. Researchers aim to recruit 1,200 participants across the UK to test these first two drugs.
They expect to finish evaluating the first drugs in 2030, in around four years’ time. During this initial four-year period, the team expect additional drugs to be added into the trial for testing.
AD-SMART is the first trial of this kind for people living with Alzheimer’s, but the model has already proven itself in the UK. MND-SMART, a similar platform trial for motor neuron disease, also led by the UK DRI, concluded that its first drugs tested were ineffective in just over three years – a process that would normally take at least eight. The trial has now moved on to testing other promising drugs.
Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, said: “We already know this model works. The SMART approach, used by MND-SMART, has shown that testing multiple drugs at once, in one smart trial design, can speed up the testing of new treatments for neurodegenerative conditions.
“Now, we’re doing the same for Alzheimer’s. And because of the way SMART trials are designed, biotech and pharmaceutical companies can also bring their drugs straight into the trial. That means more treatments tested more quickly, and for people living with Alzheimer’s, that could make all the difference.”
The two starting drugs were carefully chosen by an international panel of experts, together with people with lived experience of Alzheimer’s, based on evidence from earlier stage studies in patients as well as laboratory research. People with lived experience, working with a team at the University of Cambridge, have shaped the trial throughout – its design, which drugs to test and how success is measured.
People with a confirmed Alzheimer’s diagnosis who would like to take part can register their interest by:
To take part in this study and find other opportunities to participate in groundbreaking trials, visit Join Dementia Research.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, affecting around 600,000 people in the UK. There are currently no NHS treatments that can slow or stop the underlying disease.
Dr Sheona Scales, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “For people living with Alzheimer’s disease, time is precious. We urgently need more treatment options that can help people live better for longer and stay connected to the people they love.
“AD-SMART offers a smarter, faster way than conventional trials to find out which treatments could make a real difference. It’s the kind of innovative trial that Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Clinical Accelerator Programme was set up to support; AD SMART is the first trial we’ve funded via the programme.
“We hope this new approach to clinical trials will could help bring a future closer where people affected by Alzheimer’s have more treatment options — and ultimately, a cure.”
Professor Sir Andrew Morris, Director of Health Data Research UK, said: “We urgently need faster ways to test potential treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The AD-SMART trial is a great example of how we can do this by testing several treatments at once and quickly moving on from those that don’t show benefit.
“Through the Dementia Trials Accelerator, led by HDR UK and the UK Dementia Research Institute, we are building the data and trial infrastructure needed to make dementia research faster and more efficient, helping promising treatments reach people sooner.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and CEO of the NIHR, said: “For 20 years, the NIHR has empowered experts to tackle some of the biggest challenges in health and care, ensuring research reaches the people who need it most.
“I am delighted to welcome the launch of AD-SMART, a ground-breaking trial that will accelerate the testing of potential treatments for people affected by Alzheimer’s. It is a prime example of the ambitious, innovative research we need, which is why the NIHR has committed to its ongoing support as it opens more sites across the UK.
“AD-SMART will also play an important role in our ambition to increase participation in dementia clinical trials across the UK, strengthening our ability to test new treatments. Together, our investments aim to bring the benefits of research to people with dementia and their families sooner.”
Science Minister, Chris McDonald MP said: “Dementia has a devastating impact on millions of people, both for those living with the illness and for their friends and families. There is still so much we need to learn about how this disease works so we can then find the best ways to treat it, but this programme can help us bridge the gap.
“AD-SMART will help to uncover potential new treatments faster by exploring how existing drugs might be used to treat dementia, giving hope that we might be able to find ways to improve patients’ quality of life in the future.”
