Making Magical Memories for Mercy

Mercy Cuthbertson from North Tyneside is a six-year-old girl who has enjoyed a very special experience day in Edinburgh after Newcastle-based train operator Lumo learned of her passion for the company’s bright blue trains.

Mercy is bravely fighting an aggressive paediatric brain tumour. Her parents Lorraine and Paul have already raised more than £113,000 towards a target of £120,000 for some life-saving trials abroad.

Open access train operator Lumo contacted Mercy’s parents offering a special VIP day trip to Edinburgh where the family were invited to an exclusive performance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in the city’s Royal Mile followed by a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, said: “When we heard about Mercy’s story and her love of our trains, we began to create a truly memorable experience for her and her parents.

“We teamed up with Imaginate: The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Edinburgh Castle to help organise what was a very special action-packed visit to Edinburgh.

“As a company proudly based in Newcastle, we’re committed to supporting the communities on our route so today has been a joy to help make happen for Mercy.”

As part of the visit Mercy was invited into the driver’s cab after they arrived at Edinburgh Waverley where she posed for photographs with some of the onboard team from Lumo.

Mercy Cuthbertson travelling on a Lumo train

Lorraine Cuthbertson, Mercy’s mother, said: “Today has been incredible. We’ve been made to feel so welcome and enjoyed some magnificent magical moments that we’ll never forget. Mercy loved her visit to the driver’s cab on the train and meeting the unicorn at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.”

The whirlwind visit to Edinburgh was Mercy’s first time travelling on the all-electric Lumo train. She posed with a specially made giant ticket as a memento of her day before boarding at Newcastle on Friday morning.

Paul Cuthbertson, Mercy’s father, said: “She’s had a brilliant day and has been treated like royalty. It’s been so special, and I think everyone had a tear in her eye when she reached out and stroked the unicorn who she named Twinkle. Thanks to everyone who helped make today so unforgettable.”

Mercy’s fundraising campaign continues to receive generous support from people in the North East but has also received donations from around the world as her parents work tirelessly to raise funds in a bid to do all they can to help Mercy.

For anyone wishing to donate to Mercy’s campaign, they can visit here.

Albert Bartlett thanks Fareshare volunteers with potato-inspired lunch

Leading potato supplier Albert Bartlett has hosted a special lunch for the Edinburgh-based FareShare volunteers who selflessly package, cook and serve food for the UK’s biggest charity tackling food waste for social good.

Albert Bartlett has donated the equivalent of over 12 million meals to FareShare.

The potato people were on site at Cyrenians Kitchen in Bonnington on Thursday (7th March) where Albert Bartlett Chef, Graham Wilson cooked a potato inspired menu* for the 30 local volunteers to thank them for their hard work and dedication.

Cyrenians, an Edinburgh-based homelessness charity, is responsible for delivering FareShare’s operation in central and southeast Scotland.

During its 14-year relationship with FareShare, Albert Bartlett has made a significant difference with generous food donations. In 2023 they donated 1,200 tonnes of food which provided three million equivalent meals*, helped 3,453 charities and prevented 3,000 tonnes of CO2e from being wasted.

Sales Director at Albert Bartlett, John Heginbottom: “Community is hugely important to Albert Bartlett, so giving back and saying thank you to the dedicated volunteers at FareShare is really important to us.

“It’s crucial that we continue to help FareShare towards its mission of tackling food waste and hunger – potatoes are rich in nutrients.’’

Stevie Murray, Volunteer at FareShare: “Yesterday we were treated to a special lunch on site from Albert Bartlett.

“The food was amazing, and the company was great. I have been volunteering at FareShare for the past five years, following my retirement I decided to spend my time helping others, which is fantastic and so rewarding.’’

The volunteer lunch follows the recent Albert Bartlett Golden Ticket giveaway which saw local charities in the FareShare network receive a voucher worth £100 in the 62 tonnes of surplus potatoes.

The charities included: 

  • Laurence’s Larder and Open Kitchen, Northwest London
  • The Food Chain, North London
  • Kellands School, Aberdeenshire
  • Dundee Survival Group, Dundee
  • Faifley Community Council, Glasgow

Director of food at FareShare, Simon Millard: “We are enormously grateful to Albert Bartlett for their ongoing support for FareShare.

“Their surplus potatoes are redistributed across our nationwide network of 8,500 charities and community groups and make a valuable contribution to getting good food to people in need, rather than letting it go to waste.

“Regular supplies of potatoes enable these groups to create hearty, nourishing meals for the people they support, bringing people together and helping them access other vital support services.

“Volunteers are absolutely crucial to FareShare’s operation, making sure good food gets to people and groups that need it. The meal was a wonderful opportunity to say thank you for their hard work and dedication, and we are grateful to the team at Albert Bartlett for making it happen.”

*The menu consisted of Spicy Buffalo and Vegan Blue Cheese loaded Crispy Albert Bartlett Mini Hash Browns, Luxury Mash Potato loaded with Tennessee BBQ Pulled Pork, Dill Pickles, and Crispy Nacho’s along with many other delicious dishes.

*The equivalent meals calculation is based on WRAP’s guidance around reporting the amounts of surplus food redistributed.

‘Broad support’ for Edinburgh’s Tourist Tax plans

Edinburgh residents, visitors, and industry back plans for a visitor levy, an engagement exercise has revealed.

Generating close to 4,000 responses in total, a four-week survey conducted by the Council over Christmas and New Year found broad support for the aims and objectives of its Visitor Levy for Edinburgh proposals.

The survey found that Capital residents and community groups are particularly keen to see some of an Edinburgh levy reinvested towards enhancing essential public services, such as keeping the city clean and moving.

Business groups, who have largely fed back via focussed engagement sessions, express greater support for dedicated destination marketing and industry support, while everyone tends to agree a levy should be simple to administer and support the protection and enhancement of Edinburgh’s heritage and world-famous cultural offering.

The full findings – which echo evidence gathered by Council officers over the last six years – will be presented to Councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday (12 March).

Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will also meet on the same day to debate amendments to the national Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill which, if set in legislation as the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act this Spring/Summer, will allow Scotland’s local authorities including Edinburgh to charge a levy on overnight accommodation.

With much of the Capital’s scheme already researched and developed, Edinburgh is well placed to formally consult on and finalise its plans and is likely to become the first city in the UK to formally adopt a city-wide visitor levy.

Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, said: “Edinburgh has been lobbying the Scottish Government for more than a decade for the local powers to introduce a visitor levy. Finally, we are edging closer to this long-called for legislation.

“Throughout the years, we have repeatedly and actively engaged with our tourism and hospitality industry, as well as with residents, seeking views at various stages on the type of visitor levy Edinburgh needs.

“At every turn, we’ve had overwhelming backing at a community level and have witnessed growing support from those in the tourism and hospitality industry. This is only building as we head towards the last Parliamentary hurdle.

“Edinburgh has an enviable reputation across the world as a bucket list destination and just this week was crowned Europe’s Leading Cultural City Destination at the World Travel Awards and listed as the best city in Scotland to live in, visit and invest. 

“We’re very proud that Edinburgh is one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations, but we’re equally aware that this success comes at a cost. A small overnight charge is common practice in other major cities and destinations, so why not here?

“The introduction of a levy will provide a funding stream that would be reinvested in the city and our infrastructure, to the benefit of our visitors and, crucially, the people who live here in our great Capital city all year round.

“While I welcome how far the Bill has come, I also echo the concerns shared by COSLA last week that it needs to allow visitor levies to be more flexible and quicker for Councils to roll out.

“Now that Edinburgh is ready to lead the introduction, I hope to see these adopted in the amendments Members of Parliament debate next week.”

Foreign Affairs Committee “deeply concerned” about Egypt-Gaza border crisis

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, says she is “deeply concerned” about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, following a visit to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and a meeting with President el-Sisi.

During a visit to Egypt, the Foreign Affairs Committee investigated conditions in Al Arish, on Egypt’s border with Gaza. The city in North Sinai is the organising point for all aid entering Gaza via the heavily controlled Rafah crossing, the only point of transit between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.

In Al Arish, MPs visited an Egyptian Red Crescent Society warehouse, where they spoke with local volunteers about the serious difficulties distributing aid to Gaza. They also met with patients evacuated from Gaza and medics at the Al Arish General Hospital, and with officials from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other humanitarian agencies such as UNICEF.

MPs also spent time in Cairo, where in addition to the President they met with senior Egyptian government representatives including Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Khaled Emara and Assistant Minister for Arab Affairs Mohamed El Badri. They also met with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Egyptian civil society leaders and human rights activists.

The Committee also conducted meetings in Saudi Arabia, including with the Minister of Commerce Majid Al Qassabi; Head of Policy Planning in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rayed Krimly; members of the Shura Council; President of the Human Rights Commission Hala Al Tawaijri and officials from the US Embassy in Saudi capital Riyadh.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns MP, said: “We’ve just returned from the aid staging location in Egypt, where thousands of trucks are sat waiting to deliver aid.

“Egypt is playing an important role in the current crisis as a mediator between Israel and Hamas towards a truce and enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. We also held important discussions with counterparts regarding crises such as Sudan, Yemen and beyond.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee saw at Egypt’s border with Gaza. We saw hundreds upon hundreds of trucks sitting in Al Arish, unable to deliver their goods to those so desperately in need of the lifesaving aid they carry due to insufficient opening hours of the crossing, inconsistent restrictions on what items can enter Gaza, and a lack of de-confliction to protect humanitarian operations.

“We also saw tonnes of goods that had been rejected. Last month there was almost a week where no trucks entered Gaza with aid and 17,000 children are now unaccompanied due to being separated from their families or being orphaned.

“Saudi Arabia is an important and influential power broker in the Middle East, with a key role to play in maintaining stability in the region.

“It was productive to discuss with interlocutors the crisis in Gaza, how to bring a long-term resolution to the conflict, and to discuss geopolitical priorities such as Yemen and beyond.”

For Activists Past, Present and Future

PLAQUE UNVEILED AT ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE

ROYSTON Wardieburn Community Centre’s management committee organised the unveiling of a plaque to mark North Edinburgh’s proud record of community activism on the eve of International Women’s Day.

RWCC Chair Billy Fitzpatrick, Willie Black and Cathie Ahmed were among the local people who spoke movingly and contributed poems on a special day.

The new plaque is situated alongside the cherry blossom tree planted to commemorate local activist Roberta Blaikie, and it was fitting that members of Roberta’s family attended to perform the unveiling just as the tree begins to bud once again.

The George partners with Edinburgh College of Art to pay tribute to Susan Ferrier

Students set to compete in art competition in homage to the 19th century Scottish novelist who once lived in townhouse, now part of iconic hotel

InterContinental Edinburgh The George Hotel – part of IHG Hotels & Resorts – has launched a competition for students at the Edinburgh College of Art – University of Edinburgh offering budding artists the opportunity to paint a piece of history, marking the 200th anniversary of the release of Susan Ferrier’s novel, ‘The Inheritance’.

Launched ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD), students from the renowned art school have been commissioned to create an exclusive piece of artwork which celebrates the novel, originally released in 1824 and considered to be the author’s greatest work, as well as the hotel’s unique connection to Susan Ferrier.

A novelist of the Scottish Enlightenment, who sold more books than Jane Austen in her lifetime, but whose legacy has been less known to 21st century audiences, once resided in one of the townhouses which now makes up the InterContinental Edinburgh The George. A successful business woman and intellectual, Susan Ferrier challenged gender stereotypes of her time and was recognised for her writing by the likes of Sir Walter Scott.

Located at No. 25 George Street, the Ferrier family home was well known amongst Edinburgh intellectual circles during the 18th century, with Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns frequently visiting. Scotland’s national bard even penned a poem to the Ferrier sisters.

‘The Inheritance’ tells the story of the young heroine Gertrude as she arrives in the Scottish estate of Lord Rossville to take up her position as his heiress, but finds herself in the middle of a gallery of humorous and eccentric characters — and at the centre of a mystery. The novel is concerned with questions of morality and education, in particular, a woman’s role in marriage and education.

The book also references national identity and the differences between Scottish and English cultures in the aftermath of the Union of 1707 and the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745.

To mark the bicentennial of the novel’s publication, InterContinental Edinburgh The George has worked closely with ECA to create a brief to help inspire students. As well as becoming part of the hotel’s heritage, the winning artist will also receive a purchase price for their artwork, which will be displayed within the hotel lounge for the months of July and August, before being permanently installed in the hotel’s Ferrier Suite.

An overnight stay in the Ferrier Suite and dinner in the hotel’s restaurant Le Petit Beefbar will also be included for the winning artist whose work will be chosen by a panel from both The George Hotel and ECA.

Stephanie Lee, Director of Sales at InterContinental Edinburgh The George Hotel, said: “Partnering with the Edinburgh College of Art on this innovative competition to pay tribute to Susan Ferrier while raising awareness of her wonderful work and talent mirrors InterContinental’s deep respect for the arts.

“Edinburgh has a long lineage of producing world-class creatives and the fact that one of its most talented daughters is celebrating a milestone anniversary, deserves to be commemorated.

“We’re excited to see the student’s interpretations of ‘The Inheritance’ and what it represents for them through their art. We’re even more excited to see the winning painting displayed in the Ferrier Suite for guests from around the world to see. We wish all students the best of luck and can’t wait to see the entries honouring Susan Ferrier’s life and work.”

Susan Mowatt, Head of School of Art, University of Edinburgh; “The Ferrier Painting Award launched by Intercontinental The George to celebrate the achievements of the novelist and publisher Susan Ferrier, is a brilliant opportunity for our art students which will see the selected painting commissioned and installed in the original Ferrier rooms. A really exciting public project.”

The competition, which is being run directly with students at ECA, will close in May 2024 with the winner being announced shortly afterwards.

Musselburgh Racecourse promises egg-citing Easter weekend

Top racing and entertainment makes for the hottest ticket in town

MUSSELBURGH Racecourse is set to serve up a weekend of exciting horse racing and top-class entertainment, cementing its status as one of Scotland’s premier destinations this Easter Saturday.

Racing enthusiasts can soak up the action as the East Lothian course launches its 2024 Flat season with the Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Race Day.

Featuring the coveted £100,000 Queen’s Cup and Scottish Sprint Cup- also known as Scotland’s fastest race- those in search of a great day out will find no lack of entertainment.

Featuring live music and plenty of dancing, the event promises to be one of the biggest social gatherings in the Easter calendar.

With a full day of entertainment lined up, Musselburgh Racecourse promises to be the hottest ticket in town this Bank Holiday weekend where racegoers can soak up the party atmosphere while enjoying spectacular top-class racing.

The variety of street food and drink vendors will tickle everyone’s tastebuds. Offerings include everyone’s favourite Nee Naw Pizzeria, run by Edinburgh firefighters from a converted fire engine and Cheese on Coast.

The popular Corgi Derby is also making a return, which will see spectators witness a four-legged race like no other with a distant cousin of one of the late Queen Elizabeth’s corgis in the running, Paddy.

Aisling Johnston, Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing and Business Development, said: “Whether you’re a racing fan or just looking for a fantastic day out, we’ve got something for everyone.

“Make sure you bring your dancing shoes as the Funkwagen DJs will be heading keep the atmosphere going at the after-racing party.

“With prestigious races, live music and delicious food, it’s the perfect chance to meet up with friends or family this Easter.”

The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday on 30th March 2024 will open doors at 11:30 am and the first race is off at 1:50 pm (subject to change).

Book your tickets before midnight on the 29th of March and save £5.00 per person with under 17s going free when accompanied by an adult, T&Cs apply.

For more information and to book tickets now for Easter Saturday, visit:

https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/view-fixture/easter-saturday-30-03-2024#tickets-header

Children’s author Yvonne Banham takes over the reading chair at The Centre Livingston Book Club

Children’s author Yvonne Banham, who was a nurse for ten years before deciding to embark upon her lifelong dream of becoming a children’s novelist, will be taking over the reading chair at the free Book Club at The Centre, Livingston on Saturday, 16th March.

The aim of the book club is to give visitors to the shopping centre the opportunity to join in regular storytelling and interactive sessions with award-winning authors and discover new books.

Yvonne, who was also a lecturer in Higher Education and won a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, (SCBWI), Undiscovered Voices Award in 2020, grew up on the island of Walney, off the coast of Cumbria and spent lots of time huddled on the wild beach with a scary book. 

When she left school, she couldn’t decide whether to be a nurse, an artist, or a writer, so she tried them all and decided she liked words best. 

Yvonne, who now lives in Stirlingshire and writes paranormal/fantasy fiction for readers age 10-14 years old, will be talking about how she became an author and read extracts from her book, ‘The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie’. 

The book is a ghost filled, paranormal ‘whydunnit’, packed with ghouls, shapeshifters and a grumpy gargoyle played out with lots of humour in the dark underbelly of Edinburgh’s Old Town with themes of friendships, trust, personal boundaries and the joy of found family.

Her interactive sessions will include tips on crafting your own scary story with ghosts, monsters and magical creatures, making the ‘monster’ the hero, and what makes a great villain. Kids will also have the chance to create their own bookmark.

The two 45-minute sessions on Saturday, 16th March will take place at 11am and 1pm across from Waterstones where Yvonne’s book can be purchased and personally signed on the day.

Yvonne said: “I love any opportunity to talk about books, reading and writing, so was thrilled to be invited to The Centre, Livingston to take part in their brilliant Book Club initiative. 

“I’m really looking forward to talking about Delores Mackenzie’s spooky Edinburgh adventures as well as chatting to readers about their own fantastic ideas.”

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming the very talented author Yvonne Banham to our free Book Club which is designed to give our shoppers the chance to meet lots of award-winning authors and hear extracts from the fantastic books they’ve written.

“The sessions are very interactive and great fun, with visitors also getting the chance to pick up a copy of the books from Waterstones and get them personally signed on the day too.”

Authors and illustrators who have taken up residency at the Book Club since it launched last year, include Catherine Rayner, Justin Davies, Morag Hood, Lindsay Littleson and Linda Erskine.

Further details can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.

Further regulation of the process for buying dogs should be welcomed, says Holyrood Committee

Further regulation of the process for buying dogs should be welcomed, says the Rural Affairs & Islands Committee, but registering unlicensed litters is unlikely to make a difference to issues around traceability.

The Committee’s report concludes its stage 1 scrutiny of the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill which aims to establish ‘a more responsible and informed approach to acquiring and owning a dog’ and ‘regulate the selling or transferring of puppies from unlicensed litters’.

In light of a growing number of problems across Scotland resulting from people buying dogs which suffer from poor health or buying breeds unsuitable for their lifestyles, the Committee agrees that further measures are needed to promote the more responsible acquisition of dogs.

It says that educating people looking to buy puppies and dogs, so that they buy the right dog for their lifestyle, and avoid the pitfalls of purchasing through unscrupulous breeders, is key.

To this end, the Committee agrees with Part 1 of the Bill which would establish a code of practice and require both buyers and sellers to sign a certificate to confirm they have thought through the practicalities of owning a dog before taking on the responsibility.

It also says that a publicity campaign to raise awareness of the code of conduct is essential but calls on the Scottish Government to do all it can to ensure the campaign is more effective than some previous campaigns, which have had a limited impact.

However, the Committee does not agree with Part 2 of the Bill and the proposed requirement to register unlicensed litters. Members agree this approach wouldn’t give any indication about a dog’s welfare or whether it had been bred by a responsible breeder. Neither, the report says, do local authorities have the finances or the resource to be able to enforce it.

Instead, the Committee calls on the Scottish Government to continue to explore whether a UK-wide single microchip database would help solve the problem. If this is not possible, the Committee asks the Scottish Ministers to detail what other measures they will take to improve the traceability of dogs.

Launching the report, Beatrice Wishart, Deputy Convener of the Committee, said; “This is an extremely well-intentioned Bill, introduced at a time when dog welfare issues are, as we heard from stakeholders, almost at an unprecedented level.

“We were told that a fifth of people spend less than two hours researching whether to get a puppy and a third say they wouldn’t know how to spot a rogue breeder. Clearly measures are needed to promote the best chances for a dog’s happy and healthy life and to support buyers in making responsible decisions for their families, lifestyles and their finances.

“We support the Bill’s aim of influencing unscrupulous breeding by educating prospective dog owners and that is why publicity should be maximised around the strengthened regulation this Bill would create.”

“It is also vitally important that a solution is found to reassure buyers about the origins, health, and well-being of puppies they are buying, and we will continue to press the Scottish Government on this.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed to this inquiry.”

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