Road policing officers are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A70 near Kirknewton, Edinburgh last night.
The incident happened around 11.35pm on Friday, 2 May, near the junction for the B7031 and involved a blue Skoda Octavia car, a black Mercedes Vito taxi and a bicycle.
Emergency services attended and the driver of the car, a 46-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The taxi driver was taken to hospital and later discharged. The cyclist did not require medical treatment.
The road was closed for crash investigation work and re-opened around 9am this morning
on Saturday, 3 May.
Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are asking anyone who saw what happened to get in touch.
“We are particularly keen to trace a second taxi driver who may have witnessed this crash.
“Anyone with relevant dash-cam footage is also asked to contact police.”
If you can help please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4689 of Friday, 2 May, 2025.
We’re inviting everyone in the community to come along and take part in our upcoming Local Litter Pick for Local Beautification. It’s a great opportunity to do something positive for the area, meet neighbours, and enjoy some fresh air and light exercise.
Date & Time: Monday 5th May
Meet at 10am outside Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
What’s Provided:
No need to bring anything – we’ll provide all the equipment, including litter pickers and gloves. No experience is needed, just your enthusiasm and a bit of community spirit.
After the Pick:
We’ll finish up around 12 noon, and everyone is invited to join us back at the centre for a free community lunch as a thank-you for your efforts.
Whether you’re a regular volunteer or it’s your first time getting involved, we’d love to see you there. Every bit of help makes a real difference in keeping Drylaw clean, safe, and welcoming for all.
Let’s come together to show our local pride – all ages and abilities welcome!
If you have any questions or accessibility needs, feel free to get in touch with us beforehand.
Pic Greg Macvean 27/04/2025
City of Edinburgh Council – reception at City Chambers for the Arts Festivals Summit
215 festival specialists gathered this week in Edinburgh for the European Arts Festivals Summit 2025.
Hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival, Festivals Edinburgh, and the City of Edinburgh Council, the Arts Festivals Summit 2025 of the European Festivals Association’s (EFA) welcomed over 200 festival professionals for a four-day conversation about festivals, arts, and the role of arts festivals today.
With 215 delegates participating from 44 countries, it has brought diverse perspectives, questions, and themes forward on how festivals can assume a responsible role towards their artists, audiences and societies in an ever-changing world.
Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedettiopened the Summitwith a keynote talk on her experience of taking on the role and how her perspective as a performing artist has shaped her approach to curation, collaboration and connection.
Ms Benedetti shared reflections on the importance of holding in balance a deep respect for the past whilst providing a fertile ground for daring innovation, risk and unbridled creativity.
Delegates heard from a range of different voices and perspectives to gain a greater understanding of the interaction between festivals and their city, particularly in the case of Edinburgh, and explored the different aspects that contribute to Edinburgh’s success story.
They had the chance to meet the network of Festivals that exists in Edinburgh and the eleven festivals that contribute to Edinburgh’s unique reputation as The Festival City.
Fittingly Edinburgh is one of the founding members of the recently established EFFE Seal for Festival Cities and Regions, run by EFA which was developed by seven cities – Belgrade, Bergen, Edinburgh, Ghent, Krakow, Leeuwarden, and Ljubljana – to build on the achievements of the EU-funded Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe – EFFE programme and sets out to build co-operation between cities and their festivals across Europe.
During the Summit, four cities signed up to the EFFE Seal: Nis (Serbia), Budapest II District (Hungary), Coimbra (Portugal) and Tampere (Finland).
The EFFE Seal recognises cities for their commitment to their festival communities and aims to promote creativity, sustainability, internationalism, and resilience through knowledge exchange.
The future of festivals and their place in society focused delegates on how festivals contribute to societal topics such as sustainability, inclusion, well-being and freedom of speech, discussed from the point of best practices, learning from failures, perspectives and innovative proposals.
Inspiring keynotes by Roman Krznaric, author and social philosopher, and Elena Polivtseva, independent researcher and a co-founder of Culture Policy Room, challenged participants to think through the current tests the arts are facing, their vision for the future and the importance of long term thinking.
Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival, said: “The Edinburgh International Festival exists to spark dialogue and cultural exchange – not only on our stages, but across communities and borders.
“It was a privilege to host the European Festivals Association’s 2025 Summit at The Hub, our home in the heart of the Festival City – where the International Festival sparked what is now the largest cultural celebration after the Olympics, every August in Edinburgh.
“Being surrounded by such a dynamic gathering of cultural leaders was a powerful reminder that the most enduring festivals and institutions are driven by a deeper desire to change society for the better.
“Coming together with our international counterparts to reflect, challenge, and collaborate on how we can deepen our impact was both energising and essential.”
Jan Briers, President of European Festivals Association affirmed: “The Summit in Edinburgh was full of new information, permanent networking, and making new collaborations and friends.
“It was a wonderful edition during which festivals coming from many different contexts discussed the future and its shape.”
Lori Anderson, Director of Festivals Edinburgh added:“Seeing our European festival colleagues inspired by cultural conversations across the city, and exhilarated by the beauty of Edinburgh, has been not only heartening but deeply moving – and reminds us that, in the current climate of global uncertainly, there is so much that unites us and so much to gain from deeper international relationships”.
EFA Members elected their President giving a continued mandate to its current chair, Jan Briers
Jan BRIERS shared: “I am pleased to continue to chair this wonderful organisation and being elected in Edinburgh is very meaningful for my new mandate.”
Michael Herrmann, Founder and Director of the Rheingau Music Festival, has been appointed as new Honorary Member of EFA.
The Summit concluded with the handing over of Edinburgh to Budva, Montenegro.
“We are excited about the opportunity to host the Arts Festivals Summit in Budva next year. The gem of the Western Balkans has many things to offer.
We are committed to make sure delegates enjoy a fruitful and unforgettable stay.“, said Milena Lubarda Marojević, Director of Theatre City Budva that will host EFA’s next Arts Festivals Summit in April 2026.
During the Summit, 22 new organisations joined EFA, reinforcing EFA’s desire to increase the more diversity of its membership and adding to the Association’s relevance at a geographical and artistic level.
New members include Africa Simply The Best (Belgium), Anibar International Animation Festival (Kosovo), DokuFest (Kosovo), Festival Fabula (Slovenia), Festival Música Viva (Portugal), Food Film Fest Bergamo (Italy), I Suoni Delle Dolomiti (Italy), KotorArt International Festival (Montenegro), Maribor Theatre Festival (Slovenia), Oeiras International Piano Festival (Portugal), ReMusica Festival (Kosovo), SPRING Utrecht Performing Arts Festival (Netherlands), Turkish State Theatres (Türkiye), and Vicenza Opera Festival (Italy). Five Ukrainian festivals have been reconducted in their membership, expressing EFA’s solidarity with the country: Construction Festival, Festival of Contemporary Art “Gogolfest”, Kharkiv Music Fest, Odessa Classics Music Festival, and Ukrainian Festival Association “Art-Ethno Fest”.
Three organisations also joined as collective and affiliate members: Creative Island (United Kingdom), the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres (AAPPAC) and the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC).
POLICE investigating a number of linked violent incidents in the East and West of the country are continuing in their efforts to target those responsible. A further four people have been arrested in the past week bringing the total to twenty four.
On Friday, 2 May, Glasgow officers carried out warrants at four properties in the north of the city and Govan and arrested two men, aged 20 and 32.
The 20-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a wilful fire-raising on Wellington Road, Bishopbriggs on Tuesday, 8 April, 2025.
The 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with a breach of peace linked to serious and organised crime in connection with an incident which took place at Castlebay Street, Glasgow on Wednesday, 16 April, 2025.
Both men are due to appear in Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 5 May, 2025.
This is in addition to two arrests which took place on Balmore Road in the early hours of Thursday, 1 May. Officers carrying out pro-active patrols in the area spotted two men acting suspiciously. A vehicle was then stopped and searched and two men, aged 18 and 43, were arrested and charged. Both appeared in Glasgow Sheriff Court that same day.
A number of warrants were also executed in the east of the country on Friday, 2 May, and a number of items including cash and mobiles were seized. Enquiries remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, local officers continue to reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols to disrupt the activities of criminals in our communities.
Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said: “The high number of arrests made during this investigation highlights the ongoing work that officers have been doing to target those responsible for these attacks.
“While the number of incidents has decreased since we started this investigation I want to make it clear that we will not stop until we bring those responsible for this criminality to justice.
“The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. Your information really can make a difference.
“If you know anything about who is responsible for these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.”
Anyone who can assist our enquiries is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
More than 105,500 appointments and procedures were delivered by health boards last year through an additional £30 million of targeted investment – exceeding a pledge to carry out 64,000 appointments by the end of March 2025.
The funding was targeted at the longest waits and, as seen in latest published data, there have been reductions in waiting lists across a number of specialities. Between March 2024 and December 2024 there has been:
a 71% decrease in waits for Scopes at NHS Ayrshire & Arran
a 52% decrease in Imaging waits at NHS Fife
a 28% decrease in Ophthalmology waits at NHS Lothian
a 23% decrease in Urology waits at NHS Lanarkshire
a 10% decrease in Orthopaedic waits at NHS Highland.
Latest published statistics also show improved waiting times performance with diagnostic waits at their lowest since October 2021.
In April 2024 the Scottish Government funded NHS boards to deliver 64,000 procedures (40,000 diagnostic procedures, 12,000 surgeries and 12,000 new outpatient appointments) by the end of the year.
By March 2025, 10,700 surgeries and 15,800 outpatients appointments were delivered. Almost 79,000 diagnostic procedures took place – delivering almost double the original pledge of 40,000.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “We have delivered on our promise, exceeding our original target of 64,000 by more than 41,000 procedures – we have carried out nearly double the amount of diagnostic procedures originally pledged, with diagnostic waits now at the their lowest since October 2021.
“This is testament to hard work and dedication of our NHS staff and I thank them for their outstanding efforts.
“This is welcome progress and shows we are moving in the right direction. But we know many people are still waiting too long and we are determined do more. That is why we are investing record amounts in our health service, targeting waiting list backlogs and delivering 150,000 additional appointments.
“This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut waiting lists and make it easier for patients to get access to the treatment they need. Next week the First Minister will publish our Programme for Government, setting out how we will build on recent progress and further reduce patient waits in the year ahead.”
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, unity, and hope as we raise vital funds for communities affected by conflict.
16 May 2025, 7:30pm
Inverleith St Serf’s Church, 280 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh EH5 3NP
Suggested Donations: £15 (at the door)
Featuring breathtaking performances from Songbirds, Lothian Gaelic Choir, The Newhaven Community Choir, and The Ukrainian Choir, this event—organized by the Rotary Club of Leith—is a call for peace through the power of song.
Together, we can make a meaningful impact. Share, invite, and stand in solidarity through music!
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is sharing new posters which can be downloaded and shared by stakeholders to promote button battery safety and awareness.
These posters feature top tips that have been developed through collaboration with accident prevention charities, clinicians, manufacturers, online marketplaces and trade associations. 1.
They warn parents about the risks of button batteries and provide 5 top tips to keep children safe:
Look around your home for button batteries. Think toys, lights, remote controls and more.
Check for products with loose backs and button batteries that have dropped out.
Store button batteries in a safe place, up high and out of your child’s reach.
Dispose of used button batteries as soon as you can. They are still unsafe.
Act if you think your child may have swallowed a button battery, go straight to A&E or call an ambulance.
Used button batteries should not be disposed of in the household rubbish. They should be dropped off for recycling at a collection point at a supermarket, or any other big shop that sells over 32 kg of batteries a year.
The button battery top tips were produced by a working group chaired by the Child Accident Prevention Trust with representatives from Amazon, Amdea, Alibaba, British Retail Consortium, British and Irish Portable Battery Association, British Standards Institution, Chartered Trading Standards Institute, eBay, Electrical Safety First, Energizer, Etsy, OPSS and RoSPA and representatives from local authority trading standards services.
Working families sending their child to school for the first time in August can save up to £2,000 a year per child on their childcare bills
Tax-Free Childcare can be used flexibly to pay for childminders, wraparound and holiday childcare
Supporting the Government’s mission to grow the economy and deliver on the Plan for Change
Hundreds of thousands of families who recently found out their little one’s August primary school place, can use Tax-Free Childcare to save thousands on wraparound childcare and holiday club costs HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said.
Many working families will now be arranging childcare for the start and end of the school day, and with Tax-Free Childcare they can get financial support of up to £2,000 a year per child, or £4,000 if their child is disabled, towards the cost.
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury said: “Through our Plan for Change, we are putting more money into the pockets of working people, worth up to £2,000 per year through Tax-Free Childcare.
“This will make it easier for parents to get back into work as we go further and faster to grow the economy.”
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Starting school can be an expensive time, there’s a lot to buy and there’s also a lot to organise. Now you know where your child is going to school you can start organising your childcare and Tax-Free Childcare can help make the costs more manageable. Sign up to start saving today on GOV.UK.”
Tax-Free Childcare can be used to pay for any approved childcare so parents can arrange their childcare to suit them – whether that’s wraparound care, a childminder, after school clubs or school holiday care.
Parents can use the scheme to pay for childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 16 if the child has a disability.
For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it by £2 which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months to use to pay for their childcare costs.
Once an account is opened, parents can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use it whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.
The government’s Plan for Change is putting more money in people’s pockets and with Tax-Free Childcare, working families can save on their childcare bills by up to £2,000 per year per child or £4,000 a year if their child is disabled.
Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:
have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday
the parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average
each earn no more than £100,000 per annum
do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
Remains from six Commonwealth soldiers who fought in World War 1, none of them identifiable by name, have been laid to rest in France.
The men were commemorated in two burial ceremonies this week:
On 29 April, remains from four unknown Commonwealth soldiers were buried at the Commonweath War Graves Commission (CWGC) Ovillers Military Cemetery.
On 30 April, two unknown Commonwealth soldiers were buried at CWGC Loos British Cemetery Extension
All services were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’. The services were supported by serving soldiers from Abingdon-based 4 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps.
The burial party was composed of soldiers from 4RLC and a bugler from The Band and Bugles of The Rifles (Crown Copyright)
The soldiers buried at CWGC Ovillers Military Cemetery were discovered in fields near Fricourt, in the Somme region of France – whilst this land was fought over extensively during several phases of the war, these men are most likely casualties of the Battle of the Somme, 1916.
Two soldiers from 4RLC lay wreaths at the graveside in Ovillers Military Cemetery (Crown Copyright)
The soldiers buried at CWGC Loos British Cemetery Extension were recovered from Tilloy-les-Mofflaines and Loos-en-Gohelle – both in the Pas de Calais region of France. The man found at Tilloy most likely died during the Battle of Arras in 1917, whereas the man found at Loos was most likely killed either during the Battle of Loos in 1915, or the Hundred Days Offensive in 1918.
Due to the extensive fighting in the recovery areas by multiple battalions of different regiments over a long period, the list of those missing is extensive. Though the General Service buttons and ammunition found alongside the remains indicate the men were of Commonwealth origin and unlikely to be officers, no artefacts could identify individuals. With no way to distinguish these men from the thousands recorded there as missing, they were buried as unknown soldiers, known unto God.
Alexia Clark, MOD War Detective said: “Whilst it is disappointing that we have been unable to name these men, they have been afforded a dignified and respectful military burial to honour their sacrifice.
“Their memory will be kept alive by visitors to the cemeteries, and by those of us here to witness their burials.
Reverend Joseph Roberts, Chaplain to 4 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps said: “It is a huge privilege to officiate at these burial services, even though these soldiers are unknown to us, they are forever known, named and loved by God.
“As they are laid to rest alongside their comrades who too made the ultimate sacrifice, for the freedoms and liberties of our way of life, it is therefore only right and proper to bury them, with the honour, respect and dignity that they are owed. May they rest in eternal peace.”
Head of Commemorations at the CWGC, Dr James Wallis, said: “We are deeply honoured to have these soldiers laid to rest at our cemeteries in France, after they tragically lost their lives more than a century ago.
“Although their names remain unknown, their graves will be cared for by us, in perpetuity.”
Date & Time: Monday 5th May
What’s Provided:
After the Pick:
Inverleith St Serf’s Church, 280 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh EH5 3NP
Suggested Donations: £15 (at the door)
