Due to roadworks, North Bridge will be closed in BOTH DIRECTIONS from 8pm tomorrow (Sunday 4th February) and will be closed between 8pm and 6am each night for 8 nights.
See Lothian Buses website for diversion information.
Young people in villages, towns and cities across England are set to benefit from 140 new or refurbished youth centres thanks to the largest funding round to date from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund.
Totalling more than £90 million, funding announced today (3 February) will support nearly 20,000 more young people per year to access new state of the art facilities such as workshop spaces, sports halls, art rooms, recording studios and skateparks.
Activities ranging from dance, drama and music to sport, horticulture and employment skills development will be on offer, giving young people access to opportunities that broaden their horizons.
Today also marks a major milestone with the very first new build youth centre funded by the Youth Investment Fund opening its doors.
Located in a deprived area with high levels of antisocial behaviour, The Chichester Shed has used a grant of over £420,000 to build a brand new space to support more than 120 young people. The open access service will provide a space to relax and learn new skills, with activities including woodworking, yoga and skateboarding available.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I want to see every young person have someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go outside of the classroom, no matter where they are from, to help maximise their potential in life.
“This next round of funding from the Youth Investment Fund will help nearly 20,000 more young people achieve this goal.
“We have now committed to building or refurbishing over 220 projects in some of the country’s most underserved areas, creating more opportunities for young people to gain the skills needed to succeed in life and stopping them from falling through the cracks.”
The Youth Investment Fund has now allocated £250 million of its more than £300 million budget to services in areas of the country where need is high and provision is low.
It will engage young people most in need, including those that might have otherwise been at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or falling out of education, training or employment.
This is the latest announcement that forms part of the Government’s ambition to make sure young people are supported with positive and engaging opportunities both in and outside of school hours.
Clare de Bathe, CEO of Chichester Community Development Trust said: “The Chichester Shed will provide an informal, dynamic and versatile space where young people can connect, learn and experience new activities.
“The space will be a haven for all ages and backgrounds to use throughout the school day and holidays, including intergenerational activities where boundaries can be broken down as well as adult education sessions and group workshops delivered.
“The funding has enabled the project ideas to be brought to a reality and we cannot wait to open the doors.”
Examples of other youth centres receiving grants in this funding round include:
Nick Temple, CEO of Social Investment Business said: “The Youth Investment Fund is transforming the youth service landscape right across the country, enabling youth centres of all shapes and sizes to enhance their services and reach more young people.
I”t’s very exciting to see the first Youth Investment Fund newbuild open its doors to Chichester’s young people today. Before securing the funding, these young people had nowhere safe to go, and nothing to do after school.
“Young people now have a brand-new youth centre, inspired by their ideas and needs, giving them every opportunity to thrive and discover their passions. The Youth Investment Fund is truly unlocking potential and creating a legacy for future generations of young people in communities like this across the country.”
Denise Hatton, Chair of Back Youth Alliance said: “We are delighted that nearly 20,000 young people will be able to access new and refurbished youth clubs through the latest instalment of the National Youth Guarantee.
“With mental health, loneliness and anti-social behaviour all on the rise, now more than ever young people need a safe space to go, a trusted adult to speak to and access to positive activities in their communities all year round.
Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), said: “This multi million-pound investment is so much more than skateparks, sports halls and art rooms. It’s an investment in the resilience, confidence and independence of young people, which thanks to the on-going impact of a pandemic and cost of living crisis, has never been more needed.
“We at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award know first-hand that when you invest in young people, there is no limit to what they can achieve. The government’s National Youth Guarantee has brought the DofE to thousands of young people in England for the first time, breaking down barriers and providing life-shaping activities and volunteering opportunities.”
Today’s announcement forms the latest part of the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’, that will ensure every young person aged 11-18 in England has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025, backed by an investment of over £500 million.
The National Youth Guarantee will provide greater access to activities such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the National Citizen Service, and uniformed youth groups such as Scouts, Girlguiding, and Cadets.
To further support giving young people the best start in life, in September 2023 the Government announced the opening of the second phase of the £19 million Million Hours Fund, designed to create more than one million additional hours of youth centre provision in areas with high numbers of antisocial behaviour incidents.
Some good news for youth work facilities south of the border then, but here in North Edinburgh the future for children and families provision is looking far from positive. MORE ON THAT NEXT WEEK …
February is here already, join us over February break for an exciting week of activities and drop ins 
The Connecting Scotland Helpline provides digital support to anyone in Scotland. It is free to call and is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Anyone can call this freephone number and receive support and advice on topics including:
The helpline is run by charity People Know How, in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). It forms part of the charity’s Reconnect service, which aims to improve digital inclusion across Scotland.
Part of the wider Connecting Scotland scheme set up during the pandemic, the helpline was set up to support those who received devices as part of that programme. It has since been expanded to help anyone in Scotland who needs digital support, regardless of whether they interacted with the original scheme.
“Thank goodness for Connecting Scotland…We felt we were living in the 19th century; now we’ve joined the 21st century, and we’re enjoying every moment of it!” – Greta & Heidi, helpline callers
The charity has supported thousands of people through the helpline.
Sisters Greta and Heidi received iPads that made their life in a rural part of Scotland much easier, with continual support from the helpline that allowed them do things like order food and essentials to their home instead of making the 60-mile round trip to the nearest shop.
David was able to solve connectivity issues after recently moving to Scotland, allowing him to apply for local college courses and build his skills as he supports his family.
Mary still calls in regularly for advice after the team supported her to regain access to her iPad, which is vital in her life to access medicine and food and to communicate with friends and family.
Rachel eased her worries online and improved her knowledge of online safety, learning about spotting spam emails and identifying trustworthy websites.
The helpline is available to anyone who needs it, whether you’re an individual in need of advice, or a support worker or community organisation looking for a helpful resource to refer those you support to.
Call the helpline today for free digital support and advice: 0800 0 590 690
Find out more at: https://peopleknowhow.org/reconnect/#connecting-scotland
The culture and creative sectors of an independent Scotland would be enhanced by the establishment of a new Scottish public service broadcaster reflecting the needs and values of Scottish audiences, according to the latest Building a New Scotland paper published by Culture Secretary Angus Robertson.
The tenth paper in the series outlines how the Scottish Government would have the power to determine the list of events that should be available to broadcast free-to-air to reflect the interests of Scottish audiences, including some major sporting events.
It also sets out how re-joining the EU would help mitigate the impact of Brexit on the culture and creative sector’s ability to reach new audiences and generate income in a key export market.
The paper outlines how an independent Scottish Government could further protect, support and enhance Scotland’s culture and creative sectors by:
Mr Robertson said: “Our culture and creative sectors, such as music, video games and the screen sector, are a key part of Scotland’s economy, not just in their own right but also as a driver of other sectors such as tourism and hospitality.
“Our creative industries already make an important contribution to our economy but as an independent country, Scotland’s rich and diverse culture would help our economy to thrive.
“Independence means that broadcasting decisions that impact Scottish audiences and our creative industries would be determined by the Scottish public through the Scottish Parliament. For example, decisions about what large-scale sporting events should be made available to broadcast free-to-air, such as international football qualifiers.
“A new public service broadcaster would prioritise content and services that are more representative of diverse audiences in Scotland, enhancing local voices and coverage of community issues.
“Brexit and the removal of free movement has had a major impact on Scotland’s cultural and creative sectors by limiting access to the people, talent and skills the sector needs.
“The increased costs and administrative burdens have also meant that working in the EU is now beyond the reach of many of Scotland’s artists, damaging their ability to reach new audiences and generate income.
“Independence and Scotland becoming a full member state within the EU is the only way for artists and creatives to regain the vast benefits of EU membership, including freedom of movement.”
Building a New Scotland: Culture in an independent Scotland
It is the tenth paper in the Building a New Scotland series.
Confirming the appeal of Musselburgh Racecourse’s bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials which benefits from a significant increase in prize money, legendary trainer Paul Nicholls is expected to make his first appearance at the East Lothian course this weekend.
Little wonder the two-day fixture, (3 and 4 February) which includes Musselburgh’s first £100,000 jumps race and a total £430,000 prize fund, has caught the eye of the 14 times champion trainer and his contemporaries.
In Saturday’s big ticket race, the bet365 Edinburgh National which at over 4 miles is a top draw for the country’s leading stayers, last year’s comfortable winner Magna Sam is among the thirteen declarations. Trained in Shropshire by Alistair Ralph, the ten-year-old will be looking for his fourth victory on this fifth visit to the track.
Liam Harrison and Fergal O’Brien, the Edinburgh National winning combination in 2022 with Captain Cattistock, are represented by Landen Calling, who won the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen on Boxing Day.
Paul Nicholls, who boasts a 33 per-cent strike-rate with his Somerset raiders and has close to 150 Grade 1 winners to his credit, is double-handed with Truckers Lodge and Enrico, while Irish handler Gavin Cromwell saddles Peaches And Cream under rising star Ben Harvey and local favourite Lucinda Russell is responsible for another of the market principals, Inis Orr, who was fifth in the Lincolnshire equivalent.
The opening contest at 1.40pm, the £25,000 bet365 Frodon Novices’ Handicap Chase, carries the name of the horse ridden to so many memorable triumphs by Bryony Frost (course figures 6-16), who partners likely favourite Monmiral for Paul Nicholls.
Frodon actually won this contest under Sam Twiston-Davies in 2017 and is now spending his retirement with Bryony, who recorded a treble on this card in 2020 after enjoying her first strike under Rules on the same day five years earlier.
In the bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (2.50pm) Nicholls also runs Afadil, successful in last year’s Scottish Triumph Hurdle, but shouldering top-weight is Sandy Thomson’s Benson, a recent all-the-way winner of the Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle on New Year’s Day over 2m 4f.
Donald McCain’s Collingham and the Nicky Richard’s trained Parisencore, first and second twelve months ago, are also in a typically-competitive line-up for this £30,000 challenge.
Nicky Richards-trained Florida Dreams, a Grade 2 bumper winner at Aintree on Grand National day last season, carries the colours of Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe in the bet365 Scottish Stayers’ Novices’ Hurdle (3.25), while Midlothian owner Lynne Maclennon is represented by Got Your Back, an impressive maiden hurdle winner at Musselburgh in December for Donald McCain.
Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “We are delighted with the quality of entries over both days and are looking forward to an excellent weekend of quality jumps training at what is now established as one of the UK’s premier National Hunt festivals.”
Gate open on both days at 11.30am and provisional times for the first races are 1.40pm on Saturday and 1.20pm Sunday with the last race on both days at 4.35pm.
For more information and to book tickets visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
2024 North Edinburgh Film Festival is TODAY – Saturday 3 February (12.30pm to 5pm) at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.
From 2.45pm on Screen 1 we’ll be presenting ‘North Edinburgh from the Archive’.
Screen Education Edinburgh, formerly known as Pilton Video, opens its archive to bring you a fantastic selection of 9 short drama films that showcase North Edinburgh, its creativity, and its cinematic talent on and off screen.
Today promises to be a fantastic day celebrating community cinema and filmmaking in North Edinburgh. From filmmaking workshops and screenings of films created through North Edinburgh Arts’ Saturday programme, to an exhibition on local history and more, we have something for everyone to enjoy.
Look out for friends, family and neighbours on the big screen as we showcase some of the best locally-made films, as well as 5-star family favourite ‘Song of the Sea’.
Free entry – you can join us from the beginning at 12.30pm or drop in throughout the day. Food will also be provided, with opportunities to connect with local residents and neighbours.
We look forward to seeing you there!
SEE is delighted to announce the films we’ll be screening from our archives today at the North Edinburgh Film Festival!
Spanning both decades and genres, this selection of films highlights the talented people we’ve worked with over the years, as well as the creativity and vibrancy of the North Edinburgh community.
The North Edinburgh Film Festival is presented with North Edinburgh Arts and will be held at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre today = Saturday 3rd February – from 12.30pm-5pm.
It’s a completely free event, and you’re welcome to drop in throughout the day.
We hope to see many of you there!
Image description: 1) Schedule for the North Edinburgh Film Festival
2) Information on the films Stuck, Aye and John’s Shoes
3) Information on the films Lucky Draw, Time and Motion and The Interview
4) Information on the films Oh, The Man with No Name and My Shadowlands
5) Information on the films Keep It, Contact Trace and To Janice
Looking for ways to keep the kids amused this half term, then look no further than some free football being offered by Edinburgh Leisure.
Suitable for young people aged 11 – 18 years, the football sessions will run on the main pitch at Meadowbank Sports Centre from 1:30pm – 3:00pm on Tuesday, 13th, Thursday 15th and Friday, 16th February..
Participants can come along, stay active and socialise while enjoying the outdoors. Sessions don’t need to be booked – kids can simply turn up and have fun.
Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life.
In the heart of communities, we’re the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city. As a charitable trust we provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.
Musselburgh Windsor Blues Under 15s football team, who are currently top of the Scottish East Region Youth Football Association (SERYFA) Division 2 League, is appealing for sponsorship of hoodies and rain jackets ahead of their first-ever International Youth Tournament in Holland at the end of March.
The team, which has scored a total of 35 goals in their last four games, is on a mission to bring home the winning trophy at the two-day, ‘Holland Easter Open South’ tournament in Limburgh, which marks its 25thanniversary this year.
It is the largest international youth football tournament and continues to attract teams from around the world, including Japan, Jamaica and Mexico.
Various events have been taking place at the club to raise funds for the trip of lifetime for the youngsters to help keep the costs at a minimum for families, including a race night where almost £4,000 was raised and also a forthcoming ‘Sporting Lunch with Live Auction’ on Sunday, 3rd March, at the Ravelston Hotel in Musselburgh with guest speakers, former Motherwell FC player, John Gaughan and international referee, John Rowbotham. Tickets are £30 per person.
The football players, from high schools across the county, including Preston Lodge, Rosehill, North Berwick and Ross High, are appealing to businesses to help sponsor much-needed hoodies and rain jackets for the trip, to help them feel even more like a team on and off the pitch.
Pete Hardie, Team Coach and Secretary, said: “Taking the Under 15s Musselburgh Windsor Blues team to Holland in March is such a great experience for the boys and will provide memories of a lifetime as they get the opportunity to play with football players from around the world in their first-ever international tournament.
“We are continuing to raise funds as a club to keep costs down for families and would also like to appeal to businesses to help out by sponsoring hoodies and rain jackets, and join us at our fundraising lunch on the 3rdMarch at the Ravelston Hotel, which is guaranteed to be a fantastic afternoon with two brilliant guest speakers, former Motherwell FC player, John Gaughan and international referee, John Rowbotham, and a great opportunity to raise money at the same time.
“From everyone at the club, thanks to Forth Scaffolding Ltd for being our main kit sponsor, which is always appreciated.”
For sponsorship information or to purchase tickets for the Sporting Lunch on the 3rd March, please contact Pete Hardie on 07896 207209 or email – grolejac2001@hotmail.com.
The UK’s biggest cat charity Cats Protection has again welcomed the Pet Abduction Bill after it cleared another hurdle through parliament yesterday.
The Bill – proposed by Anna Firth MP – will give cats and their owners greater protection in law and help prevent pet theft.
Annabel Berdy, Senior Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection said: “This proposed law is a desperately needed safety net for the nation’s pets, helping to stamp out the criminals who prey on much-loved animals.
“Pet abduction is a particularly nasty crime, often leaving owners in permanent limbo about the fate of their pets and putting the animals themselves at high risk of mistreatment.
“Currently, the theft of an animal is regarded in law as being level with the theft of a mobile phone – and that is clearly not the case. Pets are not merely property – they are sentient beings, capable of suffering pain and fear, and are utterly irreplaceable to their owners.
“A new and specific offence will also enable police to build an accurate picture of pet theft across England and Northern Ireland by requiring a specific log, as opposed to the current situation where pet theft is recorded as property theft.”
The charity added that the new law would help tackle the backstreet market in purebred cats and kittens, driven by a growing demand for pedigrees.
Annabel said: “More than 40 per cent of all cats obtained in the last 12 months were pedigree, and criminals will no doubt capitalise on this demand. They may target pedigree cats for onward sale, or – if they’re unneutered – keep them as breeding animals to produce litter after litter of kittens to sell.
“We’re hugely encouraged to see the Pet Abduction Bill making such swift progress through parliament and will be working tirelessly with other animal charities and politicians to push it forwards. We cannot let this important opportunity to protect pets and owners slip through our hands.”
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and has helped an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year over the last five years through its national network which includes around 210 volunteer-run branches and 34 centres.
