Scotmid is calling on creative young minds to showcase their design talents in a special competition celebrating the International Year of Co-operatives. This exciting challenge invites youth establishments to design a stunning garden that will become a permanent feature at Scotmid’s Head Office in Edinburgh.
Inspired by the way bees work together as a co-operative, entrants are encouraged to create a design that reflects the spirit of co-operation and community while supporting our essential pollinators.
“We’re thrilled to offer young people the chance to bring their garden designs to life,” said Lynne Peacock, Membership & Communities Manager at Scotmid.
“This competition not only highlights the importance of creativity but also fosters a sense of community and environmental responsibility. We look forward to seeing how young designers express the power of working together through their garden ideas.”
The competition is open to all young people, and the winning entry will see their garden design brought to life. The winner will also receive a framed print of their design, £200 of fundraising vouchers for their school or youth group, and a special goody bag featuring exclusive merchandise.
Budding designers can send their creations via email to:
Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening hours for the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend and is inviting families to enjoy a packed programme of fun, food and entertainment throughout the school holidays.
Whether you’re looking to stock up on Easter crafting supplies, treating the kids to a special meal out, or sampling some limited-edition Easter sweet treats, there is something for everyone looking to make the most of the long weekend and beyond.
The centre’s opening hours over the Easter weekend will be:
Good Friday (Friday 18th April): 9am – 9pm
Easter Saturday (Saturday 19th April): 9am – 6pm
Easter Sunday (Sunday 20th April): 9am – 6pm
Easter Monday (Monday 21st April): 9am – 9pm
Opening times at individual retailers may vary, so visitors are encouraged to check with specific venues ahead of their trip.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know the Easter break is a cherished time for families to relax, reconnect and make lasting memories.
“That’s why we’re delighted to be hosting a wide range of exciting Easter activities and deals all in one destination, from offers on Easter crafts to discounts at some of our most popular restaurants.”
Easter fun to make the most of at Fort Kinnaird includes:
Easter crafting essentials from Hobbycraft: Up your Easter craft game this year by making the most of a 50% discount on some supplies. From paint your own ceramics sets to paint by numbers, there’s something to keep all the little ones entertained on a rainy day.
Indulge in some Easter goodies at Frankie & Benny’s: Nothing says Easter like Cadbury Crème Eggs and Frankie & Benny’s have combined these with their cookie dough dessert for the ultimate sweet treat this Easter.
Free workshops at Pets at Home: The popular My Pet Pals workshops will be returning to Pets at Home this Easter, where children can get involved in some free crafts while learning about pet welfare and how to look after animals – educational and fun!
Kids eat free at Pizza Express: When you’re not snacking on chocolate eggs this Easter, treat your family to a meal at Pizza Express, where kids get a free Piccolo meal with every adult main. This includes Dough Balls, pizza, pasta, or salad, a dessert, and a Bambinoccino.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has today published the post-split fixture list for the William Hill Premiership following another dramatic weekend of football.
St Mirren secured their place in the top six with a 3-2 victory over Ross County on Saturday, to join Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen in the top half of the table.
The schedule for the final five fixture rounds has now been confirmed, with the 30 games to be played across the weekend of April 26/27, the weekend of May 3/4, the weekend of May 10/11, the midweek of May 13/14 and the weekend of May 17/18.
The final top-six fixtures in this season’s William Hill Premiership will take place on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm, while the bottom six will conclude on Sunday May 18 at 3.00pm.
For the first time since 2017/18 unfortunately it has not been possible to ensure that all clubs will have 19 home games and 19 away games across the season. In the top six, St Mirren will play 20 home fixtures and in the bottom six Motherwell will have 18 home games. Motherwell were the last club to gain a home game when a 19/19 balance could not be achieved in 2017/18, with Heart of Midlothian having only 18 home fixtures on that occasion.
Celtic will have the opportunity to win the title away to Dundee United in the first post-split fixture on Saturday April 26, live on Sky Sports at 12.30pm, while their final meeting of the season with Rangers will be at Ibrox on Sunday May 4, live on Sky Sports at 12 noon.
Sky Sports will also show Rangers v Aberdeen on Sunday May 11, kick-off 12 noon, and Celtic v St Mirren on Saturday May 17, kick-off 12.30pm. Sky may also select a match in due course for live broadcast in fixture round 37.
David Gray’s Hibernian, who are on a 17-game unbeaten run and sit third in the table, begin their postsplit matches away to Aberdeen before hosting Dundee United the following week.
In the bottom half of the table, only a single point separates the clubs in ninth, 10th and 11th position and two of them, Kilmarnock and Ross County, go head to head at Rugby Park in fixture round 34. Dundee, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, begin their run-in against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle.
Calum Beattie, SPFL Chief Operating Officer, said: “It was another hugely exciting weekend of football, with three clubs going into Saturday’s matches separated by only a single point in the battle for the final top-six place and St Mirren making the cut with a late winner.
“I’m pleased to be able to publish the fixtures and TV selections for the remaining five rounds of the William Hill Premiership. There is so much to play for between now and the end of the season, with the title, European qualification and relegation places all on the line. It all gets started with a huge match at Tannadice on Saturday April 26, live on Sky Sports.”
POST-SPLIT MATCHES CONFIRMED FOR LIVE BROADCAST ON SKY SPORTS
Saturday April 26: Dundee United v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12.30pm) Sunday May 4: Rangers v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12 noon) Sunday May 11: Rangers v Aberdeen (Sky Sports, 12 noon) Saturday May 17: Celtic v St Mirren (Sky Sports, 12.30pm)
William Hill Premiership fixture rounds 34-38 announced
TOP-SIX FIXTURES
Saturday April 26 Dundee United v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12.30pm) Aberdeen v Hibernian (3.00pm) St Mirren v Rangers (3.00pm)
Saturday May 3 Hibernian v Dundee United (3.00pm) St Mirren v Aberdeen (3.00pm)
Sunday May 4 Rangers v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Saturday May 10 Celtic v Hibernian (3.00pm) Dundee United v St Mirren (3.00pm)
Sunday May 11 Rangers v Aberdeen (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Wednesday May 14 Aberdeen v Celtic (7.45pm) Rangers v Dundee United (7.45pm) St Mirren v Hibernian (7.45pm)
Saturday May 17 Celtic v St Mirren (Sky Sports, 12.30pm) Dundee United v Aberdeen (12.30pm) Hibernian v Rangers (12.30pm)
BOTTOM-SIX FIXTURES
Saturday April 26 Heart of Midlothian v Dundee (3.00pm) Kilmarnock v Ross County (3.00pm) Motherwell v St Johnstone (3.00pm)
Saturday May 3 Dundee v Motherwell (3.00pm) Ross County v Heart of Midlothian (3.00pm) St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (3.00pm)
Saturday May 10 Heart of Midlothian v Motherwell (3.00pm) Kilmarnock v Dundee (3.00pm) St Johnstone v Ross County (3.00pm)
Wednesday May 14 Dundee v Ross County (7.45pm) Heart of Midlothian v St Johnstone (7.45pm) Motherwell v Kilmarnock (7.45pm)
Sunday May 18 Kilmarnock v Heart of Midlothian (3.00pm) Ross County v Motherwell (3.00pm) St Johnstone v Dundee (3.00pm)
Please note: Sky Sports may select a Round 37 match (midweek of May 14) in due course
If a client is due a payment between Friday 18 April and Monday 21 April over the Easter bank holiday they will receive it by the end of Thursday 17 April.
Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Tracy Gilbert, has welcomed the lifting of sanctions on Syria.
Tracy Gilbert MP wrote to the Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer MP, following concerns raised by her constituent, Youssef Al Hariri. Al Hariri contacted Tracy Gilbert’s office expressing his deep concern about the ongoing sanctions in Syria. In response, the Minister confirmed that the UK had recently revised aspects of its Syria sanctions regime.
As of 6 March, the UK government lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines, and energy companies.
In a letter from the Minister for the Middle East to Tracy Gilbert MP, he confirmed that: “On 6th March we lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian entities that were previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of the Syrian people, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines, and energy companies.
“These de-listings underscore our commitment to help the people of Syria rebuild their country and economy.”
Speaking after the meeting, Tracy Gilbert MP said: ““I was grateful to meet with members of the Syrian community here in Edinburgh and to share the government’s response.
“While these policy changes were already underway, it’s thanks to input from constituents like Youssef Al Hariri that the UK government takes the positive decisions to support Syria as it tries to end the decade long civil war, move on from the oppression of the Assad regime and develop for the future.”
Youssef Al Hariri said: “I am grateful to Tracy Gilbert for taking the time to visit our group today and for bringing positive news. This is an important step forward by the British Government, and it is most welcome.
“However, it is vital that this positive progression continues and at a swift pace to avoid further instability in Syria. I look forward to working closely with Tracy and her team as we continue to push for peace.”
From the science behind the seven deadly sins to the chemistry of Star Wars, there’s lots still to uncover at Edinburgh Science Festival 2025.
Running until Sunday 20 April, the Festival explores the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration with the theme Spaceship Earth.
This week’s highlights include:
A Climate of Truth(15 April) We have all the technology we need to live better than ever before, and yet humanity is still accelerating into a climate emergency. Sustainability expert, Prof Mike Berners-Lee looks at the challenge from new angles, and reveals how the need for radically higher standards of honesty in our politics, media, and business is the single most critical point of leverage for those seeking change. Berners-Lee shows what all of us can do to be part of the evolution that humanity so urgently needs to deal with the polycrisis.
Seven Deadly Sins(15 April) Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Envy. Lust. Anger. Do these sins really represent moral failings, or are they simply important and useful human functions that aid us? Professor of neurology, Guy Leschziner reveals the hidden science and humanity behind our so-called flaws and follies.
Mission Bake: From Bake Off to Blast Off (18 April) Are you ready to see some “out-of-this-world” treats? Join scientist and Great British Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley as he showcases the wonders of space through the art of baking, with edible meteorites and macaron planets. Plus, space expert Dhara Patel from the National Space Centre will be bringing real meteorites to the show! Josh Smalley also joins the Festival for The Easter Baking Show, also on 18 April.
Memory Lane: the Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember(18 April) We often think our impressions of the past remain preserved somewhere inside our brains. In fact, we reconstruct our memories every time we try to recall them. But a faulty memory isn’t always a bad thing…Explore the cutting-edge science of human memory, the ethical implications of memory manipulation and the pitfalls of false recollections. Psychologists Ciara Greene and Gillian Murphy reveal the surprising benefits of a flexible memory system and explain why no two trips down memory lane are ever quite the same.
The Chemistry of Star Wars(20 April) In a galaxy far, far away, there is a Star Wars universe packed with captivating science, from the biology of alien species to the astrophysics of hyperspace. But what about Chemistry? Join Alex Baker, a chemist from the University of Warwick, as he explores the freezing of Han Solo, the colours of lightsabers, the reactions that power star ships and much more.
DiscoveryLab(Running until 19 April) Visit the Festival’s reimagined flagship family experience at City Art Centre and explore five floors packed with hands-on activities designed for all the family to get involved in. Children aged 5–11 can also book entry to one premium workshop including Splat-tastic, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Wild Vets.
The Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is pushing ahead with efforts to safeguard British Steel. Today [Tuesday 15 April] he will travel up to Immingham as the raw materials that have been waiting in the dock are unloaded and transported to the site, following the government settling payment for them.
The materials – which have arrived from the US – are enough to keep the blast furnaces running for the coming weeks, with officials continuing to work at pace to get a steady pipeline of materials to keep the fire burning.
A separate ship which contains yet more coking coal is on the way to the UK from Australia. This cargo was the subject of a legal dispute between British Steel and Jingye over the weekend that has now been resolved. The materials have been paid for using existing DBT budgets.
New legislation passed last weekend, in an unprecedented move, gives Government the power to direct the company’s board and workforce, ensure they get paid, and order the raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running. It also permits the Government to do these things itself if needed.
The government acted to protect 37,000 jobs in supply chains and ensure we can build the infrastructure needed to deliver growth which is fundamental to the Plan for Change.
On Monday, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the appointment of Allan Bell as interim Chief Executive Officer, and Lisa Coulson as interim Chief Commercial Officer, both with immediate effect – ensuring the right expertise is in place to keep the site running smoothly.
After intensive work over the weekend, the government has secured coke and iron ore pellets for the blast furnaces and is confident there will be enough materials to keep the furnaces burning.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:“We will always act in the interest of working people and UK industry. Thanks to the work of those at British Steel, and in my department, we have moved decisively to secure the raw materials we need to help save British Steel.
“Our industries depend on UK steel and – thanks to our Plan for Change – demand is set to shoot up: helping build the 1.5 million homes, railways, schools and hospitals we need to usher in a decade of national renewal.”
We are saddened to report that, overnight between April 10th and April 11th 2025, Glasgow South West Foodbank’s Cardonald Foodbank Centre was broken into, burgled and vandalised.
The premises that we operate our Cardonald Foodbank Centre from, Hillington Park Parish Church, was broken into. Our storage area was burgled and vandalised, leading to the loss of thousands of pounds worth of stock and materials. This is the busiest of the five Foodbank Centres we operate.
Glasgow South West Foodbank is a small, independent, local charity. We already have an Urgent Appeal running to try and raise desperately needed funds to allow us to continue operating in the current challenging climate.
We have seen an increase in people needing our support, while food costs have increased and donations have fallen, so this incident has happened at a particularly unfortunate time for us.
Development Manager, Claire McCunnie, says: “Thankfully, no one was here when the break in occurred, and no one was hurt. But clearing up all the mess left behind was very upsetting as, of course, was the loss of stock. It’s honestly devastating.
“We are a small team who work extremely hard helping people in our community who are unable to afford the essentials we all need to get by, like food, bills and toiletries. To experience a break-in like this is heartbreaking, not just for our team, but for the people we support.
“We would be extremely grateful for any donations the community can give during this difficult time. You can donate money online to Glasgow South West food bank or food at our warehouse or drop off points in local supermarkets.”
Our team was able to open the food bank as planned on Friday despite this distressing situation, and we are determined to keep the food bank at Cardonald open for the foreseeable future.
Since opening in December 2013, we have provided over three quarters of a million meals to Glaswegians who have been unable to put food on the table. Alongside emergency food parcels, we offer a warm welcome, listening ear, and advice and support through our partner agencies.
The incident has been reported to Police Scotland and anyone with any further information can contact them to assist with their inquiries.
