Tag: Easter Road stadium

Edinburgh pupils take part in pioneering sustainability skills showcase at Powering Futures Live

Pupils from across Edinburgh took to the stage at Murrayfield Stadium and Easter Road Stadium this week as they participated in Powering Futures Live – a series of regional showcase events which brought over 2,000 pupils from across the country to some of Scotland’s most iconic venues to present to, and network with, over 300 business leaders working across Scotland’s economy. 

Across the city, 225 pupils from seven schools – St Augustine’s RC High School, Trinity Academy, Balerno Community High School, Liberton High School, Drummond Community High School, Craigmount High School and Portobello High School – have spent the past 30 weeks working in teams to research, develop answers to real world challenges posed by leading Scottish businesses.

They then delivered their work in a presentation to a panel of professionals working in leading businesses across the Lothians, including Aecom, HSBC, PwC and Hitachi Rail, where they presented their innovative solutions.

Powering Futures Live, which was sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland, marks the end of a year-long journey for participants in the Powering Futures Schools Challenge Programme, bringing education and industry together for a series of regional events at Ayr Racecourse, The Crichton, Stirling Court Hotel, Pittodrie Stadium, Ross Country FC, Hampden Park, Easter Road and Murrayfield stadium.

This academic year marked the largest participation in the Powering Futures programme to date, with over 100 schools across the country and around 2,300 pupils taking part for 2025-2026.

Having undertaken their final presentations at Powering Futures Live, all participants are now expected to earn an SCQF Level 6 qualification – equivalent to a Scottish Higher. 

The challenges for this year’s cohort were set by leading Scottish industries, reflecting the priorities shaping Scotland’s future economy:

  • Seafood Scotland – ‘Fish-Tales’: Helping Scots to rediscover their local superfood by designing a campaign that reconnects Scottish people with local sustainable seafood 
  • Vital Energi with the Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CeNZ-HighDB) and HCI Skills Gateway – ‘Hot Stuff’: Design a town for 2,500 new homes that showcases the opportunities that new heating technology offers – creating communities where heating is affordable, efficient and low carbon
  • BAM and Siemens Energy – ‘Watt’s Next?’:  creating a nine-month timeline of experiences and events that redesigns how young people can discover careers in clean energy, and be connected with potential employers
  • SSEN Transmission – ‘Power-Up’: Create a plan for moving the equipment and materials for new electricity infrastructure to a remote environment whilst minimising the impact to local communities and the environment. 

Industry mentors from these organisations worked directly with pupils in the classroom, guiding their research and helping develop creative solutions, directly bridging the gap between education and business and helping employers to engage with the workforce of the future. 

Powering Futures was established in 2020 to empower young people with the skills, critical thinking and confidence to enter the workplace. At its heart is the Powering Futures Challenge Programme, which tasks teams of S5 and S6 pupils with solving a problem set by industry.

The programme supports pupils in developing skills in teamwork, problem-solving and presenting, and culminates with pupils presenting their creative solutions to a panel of industry judges. At the end of the process, participants will gain a SCQF Level 6 qualification, equivalent to a Scottish Higher. 

Jennfier Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures said: “We were delighted to have 225 pupils from across Edinburgh attend Powering Futures Live at Murrayfield and Easter Road this week, and we were blown away by the innovation and creativity in their final presentations.

“This has been our biggest cohort of young people taking part in the Powering Futures Challenge programme, and Powering Futures Live marks the pinnacle of their exciting journey. 

“What makes Powering Futures Live so special is the way it brings education and business directly together, giving young people the opportunity to showcase their talent, harness their skills and present the solutions they have collaborated on for the past year. 

“By empowering young people through our pioneering Powering Futures Challenge Programme, we can help them develop the critical skills that employers are looking for in their future workforce as well as establishing those essential links between the businesses of today and the workers of tomorrow who will power Scotland’s future.”

Jeni Adamson, Industry Engagement Manager at Seafood Scotland said: “As both a student mentor and challenge setter, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience the journey from the classroom to final presentations.

“The commitment and creativity displayed by the students at the live events I have attended has been outstanding, and the quality of solutions presented across all challenges has been incredibly impressive. 

“Every student I’ve encountered on the programme has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, which is inspiring to see.”

All Together: Home Nations bid to host FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035

Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden Park, and Easter Road Stadium – home of Hibernian Football Club – have been included as proposed venues in the UK’s formal bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035.

The application, under the banner of ‘All Together’, reflects the partnership of the four countries involved in the proposal.

The bid includes 22 proposed stadiums – 16 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland – across 16 host cities. With 63 million people living within two hours of a proposed venue, it would be the most accessible tournament ever.

A joint statement from the four respective CEOs – including the Scottish FA’s Ian Maxwell – said: “Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup would be a huge privilege for our four home nations. If we are successful, the 2035 tournament will be the biggest single-sport event held on UK soil, with 4.5 million tickets available for fans. 

“We are proud of the growth that we’ve driven in recent years across the women’s and girls’ game but there is still so much more growth to come, and this event will play a key role in helping us deliver that.

“Working together with FIFA, a Women’s World Cup in the UK has the power to turbo-charge the women’s and girls’ game both in the UK and globally. Our bid also demonstrates our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy, in the run-up to 2035, and the years afterwards. 

“Together, we want to welcome the world to the UK to celebrate and enjoy an unforgettable tournament.”

The 22 proposed stadiums offer a blend of heritage, cutting-edge innovation and elite operational excellence that will be ready to deliver exceptional FIFA-compliant facilities. The 16 host cities provide a network of extensive infrastructure, ample accommodation, efficient transportation and culture.

The tournament would involve 104 matches contested by 48 teams over 39 days, with 48 team base camp training sites, 82 venue-specific training sites and 32 FIFA Fan Festival Sites proposed.

Passionate fans, strong media reach and innovative digital engagement not only ensure that this would be a successful tournament, but also provide a transformational commercial opportunity for global growth and reinvestment in the women’s game for the benefit of the wider FIFA family.

The four nations are committed to leaving a lasting legacy that will be delivered via three key pillars:

  • Participation: Increase access locally and worldwide, focusing on under-represented communities.
  • Leadership: Empower women in leadership; double female officials by 2035; and deliver global mentoring and education programmes.
  • Commercial growth: Transform the game’s commercial potential; attract new fans and partners; and reinvest revenues into grassroots and elite pathways.

Former ref Martin Clark to speak at Hibs Football Memories group as Specsavers-sponsored tour hits capital

Participants of a Football Memories group in Edinburgh will get the chance to hear from former referee Martin Clark as Specsavers’ whistle-stop tour reaches the capital. 

The official sponsors of the Scottish FA match officials have facilitated for retired refs to speak to participants of Football Memories, a project which assists people living with memory loss conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as those experiencing loneliness and social isolation. 

Martin, from Edinburgh, refereed over 300 top-flight games in Scotland and will recount his career, which spanned 1976-2000 to the group at Hibernian’s Easter Road on February 19. 

The tour kicked off last month in Glasgow, as ex-whistler Dougie Hope got things under way at Hampden Park. 

John Rowbotham will talk to the Dundee group in March, while Mike Pocock will host the Aberdeen participants at April’s meeting. 

Established in 2009, Football Memories Scotland is a charitable project run by the Scottish Football Museum in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland. 

With 500 groups around the country, often hosted in football settings, Football Memories uses engaging football-themed resources stored in a memory box, such as reminiscence cards, life-size player cutouts, newspaper clippings and books, to stir memories and discussions led by volunteers. 

Specsavers have sponsored the boxes for the referee tour and have helped to provide some exciting new contents for them such as old football boots, photographs of former referees and other memorabilia. 

Long-term memories can be triggered for many through the visual cues of images, videos, artefacts and discussions taking place in a small group or even a one-to-one setting, unlocking precious happy moments from the past.

The impact can be enormous. 

Robert Craig, Chair of the Scottish Football Museum, says: ‘After a hugely successful first event with Specsavers at Hampden Park, we are delighted to be on the road and visiting one of our groups in Edinburgh. 

‘Their support to the Football Memories project, which impacts the lives of all who touch it, is invaluable and helps us to continue to deliver for those living with memory loss conditions or experiencing isolation. 

Crawford Allan, Scottish FA Head of Referee Operations, says: ‘Football Memories is a fantastic initiative and one our roster of former referees will gladly support, as an extension of our existing partnership with Specsavers. 

‘We are sure their stories and treasured memorabilia will spark many happy memories.’ 

Specsavers’ Arlene Stephenson, Scottish Divisional Chair, says: ‘Specsavers is proud of our long tradition in backing Scottish referees, but our latest sponsorship deal sees us going further than ever, helping to raise awareness of the vital work Football Memories does in assisting people living with memory loss conditions. 

‘We can’t wait to hear what questions the referees are fielded on their tour of the country and learn about the impact for those attending the groups.’ 

For those keen to attend the Easter Road group on February 19 at 10.45am, please register your interest via email here: tomwright.1972@btopenworld.com.

You have until 11:59pm, Thursday 15 February to do so.

Space is limited and attendees will be allocated and informed by Hibs Football Memories in advance of the group. 

Specsavers announced in 2021 that it renewed its’ sponsorship deal with football referees in Scotland, marking over 20 years of support – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport. 

The deal has seen the partnership continue into 2024, not only helping with the training and development of referees, but also helping to raise awareness of para football and grassroots football in Scotland. 

Leith older people’s activity day

FREE EVENT AT EASTER ROAD STADIUM TOMORROW

HIBERNIAN Community Foundation is hosting an event at Easter Road through Older Peoples Week! The Older Peoples Activity Day is a FREE event taking place between 12pm – 4pm tomorrow (Thursday 5 October).

For further information or to book your place for this event, contact lewis@hiberniancf.org

Health Issues in the Community training course

Health Issues in the Community (HIIC) is a course that helps people understand what affects their health & the health of their communities. HIIC supports people to develop the skills & knowledge to address health issues using community development approaches & bring about change.

Through a small grant from Edinburgh PACT’s Capacity to Collaborate fund we (Edinburgh Community Food, Inspiring Leith, YMCA and Port of Leith) will be running a HIIC course in Leith early next year – more details coming soon!

Before that we want to give workers, who might not be familiar with the course, the chance to find out more about it and what it might be like for people who want to participate in the full course.

We’ve also got a small amount of funds to support local workers attend the full HIIC training for trainers if these sessions inspire you!

The next 2 sessions will take place from 12 – 1.30 on the 14th and 21st of September at the Hibs Foundation Community Space, North Stand Entrance of Easter Road Stadium.

Book your  place by filling in this form: https://forms.office.com/r/Qjd48Fcs4d

Sweet smell of success: The Kilted Donut dishes out 10,000 doughnuts

Doughnut shop set to expand and recruit thanks to Scotmid partnership

A popular, independent doughnut shop has opened a second store in Edinburgh following the success of its partnership with a leading Scottish convenience retailer.  

Leith-based The Kilted Donut began supplying Scotmid in February. Since then, it has supplied over 10,000 delicious doughnuts to customers at Scotmid’s flagship store in Leven Street. Firm favourites have proved to be the Nutella Bomb and the Brown Butter Biscoff. 

As a result of the relationship with Scotmid, the business’s growth plans have been accelerated. Co-Founders, Mark Anderson and Lena Wollan, an ambitious husband and wife team, are now poised to extend their reach across the city with the opening of a second store in Stockbridge – and aim to expand their team by more than 50% through the recruitment of four more members of staff.    

The consistent wholesale order has also supported the business to increase their daily output through the purchase of key equipment and an upgrade to a larger kitchen. This has led to new partnerships including one at Easter Road Stadium, helping to feed hundreds of hungry football fans. 

Lena Wollan, Director and Co-Founder of The Kilted Donut (above), said : “The partnership with Scotmid means so much to us. It has been the springboard to reaching a broad customer base, which has supported our business in many ways, not least through the opportunity supercharge our expansion plans and open doors to new supplier relationships.   

“We genuinely value Scotmid’s commitment to supporting independent producers such as ourselves. We look forward to introducing new flavours into our growing repertoire over the coming months and working in our new premises.” 

Influenced by a doughnut shop visit in New Orleans, The Kilted Donut began as a small stall at Leith market before moving into its current site in Great Junction Street. 

Lena and Mark have been perfecting their own recipe over the last three years and are committed to creating the best doughnuts from natural ingredients, without the use of pre-made mixes or artificial flavours. 

Their existing menu comprises around 40 individual flavours, with six flavours chosen on rotation each week. 

Danny Scobie, Food-To-Go Operations Manager at Scotmid, said: “Kilted Donut is a fantastic example of a Scottish business that is committed to supplying the best quality local produce and we’re thrilled to be able to sell their incredible products in our Leven Street store.

“The doughnuts have been extremely popular with customers, who are excited to see the new flavours we have every week. 

“We’re delighted to see Lena and Mark’s business go from strength to strength and to have played a role in their journey of expansion and success in Edinburgh.” 

The Kilted Donut partnership forms part of Scotmid’s wider local sourcing strategy, which focuses on both provenance as well as supporting local, innovative suppliers. The retailer aims to grow the business through innovation and partnership which comes as a direct response to meeting shifting customer demands for greater choice and top quality, local products.   

Other Scotmid suppliers include well-known Scottish names such as Grahams, Tunnocks and Barrs, all the way through to emerging brands such as Confectious Fudge and Lost Orchards Cider. 

The retailer is always interested in discovering new and innovative products via Product Guru’s free specialist platform: www.productguru.co.uk/scotmid  

Scotmid’s Leven Street store is located at 5-19 Leven St, Edinburgh, EH3 9LH. 

Help stop the spread in Edinburgh

Covid cases are still rising in #Edinburgh and getting tested helps #stopthespread so we can all look forward to fewer restrictions.

There are lots of places to get a free test : https://edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus-4/covid-19-community-testing-people-no-covid-19-symptoms/1…

Latest test centre is @HibernianFC which is open 9.30am – 4.30pm until Sunday.