Tag: leisure

Tennis: US Open trophy drops in to Broughton Primary School

Children encouraged to give tennis a shot

The US Open trophy made a special appearance at a school in Edinburgh as part of a UK-wide trophy tour to celebrate Britain’s No.1 women’s singles player Emma Raducanu’s success at last year’s tournament.

Tennis Scotland is working alongside the LTA to deliver the US Open Trophy Tour as they aim to increase tennis participation and inspire young players to take to court across the United Kingdom and children at Broughton Primary School welcomed the trophy to their school for the Scotland leg of the tour yesterday (Friday, 13 May).

The morning’s activities included a special message for the pupils from Raducanu, followed by an on-court session delivered by an LTA Youth coach. During the trophy presentation, there were also opportunities for pupils and staff to have their pictures taken with the famous piece of silverware.  

Emma is currently an ambassador for LTA Youth Schools and all the participating schools have signed up to deliver LTA Youth Schools for current pupils.

At just 18-years-old, Raducanu became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in 44 years and made tennis history when she became the first ever player to come through qualifying to win a Grand Slam title when she defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-3 in New York.

Speaking about the tour, Emma Raducanu said, “I’m really excited to be teaming up with the LTA to take my US Open trophy on a tour of the country.

“All the schools we are taking the trophy to have played tennis as part of the LTA Youth Schools programme and my hope is that the trophy will inspire them to continue their tennis journey both inside and outside of school.” 

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, added, “The US Open trophy tour is the perfect opportunity to highlight Emma Raducanu’s incredible success and showcase the opportunities in tennis. We hope this tour will inspire younger players to keep working hard and follow in Emma’s footsteps.”  

The schools part of the programme is delivered in Primary and Secondary Schools across the country, and offers free teacher training and content that has been specifically created to help address the nation’s challenge of declining physical literacy and activity among children.

The programme offers free teacher training and content that has been specifically created to help address the nation’s challenge of declining physical literacy and activity among children.

LTA Youth Schools is designed specifically for schools to support the curriculum and wider school outcomes. The programme brings together inclusive PE lesson plans, personal development resources, teacher training and much more. It’s all been designed by teachers, for teachers, and it’s all free.

For more information, click HERE.

Edinburgh locals net national tennis awards

The winners of the Tennis Scotland Awards 2022 have been announced, celebrating the outstanding individuals, clubs, programmes and competitions that made a significant contribution to tennis in 2021 by helping to create an accessible and welcoming environment which supported 8000 incoming club members across the nation.  

Former ITF circuit player Karen Lamb has been named as Performance Coach of the Year, an award given to an individual that has delivered a successful coaching programme in an inclusive, diverse, and safe environment, acknowledging her contributions to East of Scotland tennis and the East Wee Aces programme.  

Mary Byrne-Leitch (above) has earned the title of Senior Veteran Player of the Year as a result of her outstanding accomplishments as a member of Thistle Tennis Club, with honours including becoming a Scottish 65s ladies doubles champion.

Meanwhile, former Merchiston Castle School pupil Matt Rankin has been awarded the Junior Player of the Year after a breakthrough year on the Junior ITF tour which saw him climb to World No. 68 in the rankings and qualify for his first Junior Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open in January.  

Elsewhere, Musselburgh Tennis Club has earned the Communities and Park award, having innovatively engaged local groups of players, both new and returning, to play tennis in a welcoming community venue setting.  

Finally, Scotland’s nominee for the LTA President Award,reserved for individuals that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the tennis community, is Graeme Soutar in recognition of his services to Craigmillar Tennis Club. 

The category winners were announced on Friday (29 April), with an awards ceremony to be held for recent winners at the Davis Cup in September, as part of the celebrations marking the Emirates Arena’s role as a host of group stage matches.  

   

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, said: “I would like to congratulate each of the winners of this year’s Tennis Scotland Awards, alongside everyone who stepped up and played their part in continuing to grow our sport by facilitating welcoming tennis environments all over the country.”     

“As the governing body, it gave us great pleasure to witness a plethora of Scottish success stories across the year, on a national and international level. I wish the very best of luck to our winners and LTA President Award nominee as they aim to pick up more accolades at the LTA Awards later this year.”  

You can view the full list of winners here: https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/in-your-area/tennis-scotland/news/tennis-scotland-awards-2022/    

To learn more about the Tennis Scotland Awards, please visit www.tennisscotland.org or follow @TennisScotland on Twitter and Instagram.  

‘The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience’ Launches at the Gateway to Scotland

●        The UK’s first attraction dedicated to love and marriage is now open

●      The Famous Blacksmiths Shop has been transformed into an immersive, storytelling experience at the heart of the iconic Gretna Green destination

The iconic Blacksmiths shop at the heart of Gretna Green has re-launched following a £1.5 million transformation into an new immersive attraction.

The newly transformed The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience is the UK’s first attraction dedicated to love and marriage and, alongside the newly refurbished hotels on site, is now welcoming visitors to the iconic destination at the ‘gateway to Scotland’.

 At the heart of the scenic village, fondly nicknamed the ‘land of love’, the famous wedding destination and tourist attraction oozes historic tales of love and marriage dating back many generations.

The aptly named ‘Gateway to Scotland’ has been operating for over 250 years and has hosted thousands of weddings since its very first ceremony back in 1754.

The creation of The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience will future-proof many more love stories. As part of the new attraction, guests are taken on a magical journey of true love, starting with virtual chats with some of the original Anvil priests and ending with a 360 degree immersive show celebrating what love means to us all.

This outstanding new UK visitor attraction explores the ‘World’s Greatest Love Story’ and everything that love and marriage means to us today.

Guests can browse original love letters from the 1700s and learn from the Anvil priests themselves about how Gretna Green’s location on the border of Scotland made it the home of runaway romance.

Visitors can even experience a ‘sneak peek’ of a wedding in action and have the chance to add their own love story to the wedding wall.

The Famous Blacksmiths Shop now also houses two wedding venues. The original Blacksmith’s marriage room where couples have been running away to get married since 1754 has remained untouched and still provides the iconic wedding experience of getting married over the historic anvil.

Next door is a brand new wedding room “The Forge”. This space has also retained all of its original features providing a backdrop for the big day steeped in history whilst also incorporating modern aspects such as the opportunity to project imagery of your own love story across the walls.

In addition to this, Gretna Green has also unveiled newly refurbished hotels on site – the  4* Smiths Hotel and the historic Gretna Hall. Both of the hotels have received large-scale investment including an impressive new penthouse suite at Smith’s Hotel and a full refurbishment of rooms at Gretna Hall.

The launch was a celebration of love with guests including Gretna Green wedding couple, Dennis and Marie, returning for the first time since their wedding at the venue in the 60s!

They were joined by local social media superstars, Cole and Abbie, who took part in a handfasting ceremony celebrating their love and commitment to each other.

Susan Houston from the Gretna Green family estate, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have launched this immersive new attraction here at Gretna Green.

“This is our way of telling our love story to the world and we can’t wait to welcome visitors from across the country and the globe to our famous destination at the gateway to Scotland ”

Junior Dodgeball coming to Granton

Thursdays at WARDIE RESIDENTS CLUB from 6.30 – 8pm

Starts 5th MAY

Hey folks!

Junior #Dodgeball is coming to #Granton

First session will be completely free for anyone to come along and give it a go!

Register via Spond: https://group.spond.com/UYNRU (an app we are using to manage attendance)

#ChooseDodgeball #Parents #Kids

Easter opening times at Fort Kinnaird

For those looking to enjoy a day out with family and friends or pick up some last-minute Easter gifts and decorations, Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its Easter weekend opening times.

With a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as ODEON cinema, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the Easter break at Fort Kinnaird.

From Friday 15th – Monday 18th April the centre’s shopping hours will remain the same as normal: 

  • Good Friday – 15th April: 9am – 9pm
  • Easter Saturday – 16th April: 9am – 6pm
  • Easter Sunday – 17th April: 9am – 6pm
  • Easter Monday – 18th April: 9am – 9pm

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know many people will be looking for ways to spend quality time with family and friends during the Easter break, and we look forward to welcoming them to the centre.

“To help them make the most of this time together, we’re open every day over the Easter weekend, so visitors can spend a day or evening out at the centre.”

Fort Kinnaird is home to more than 70 retailers and restaurants, including Primark, M&S, ProCook, Next, Smyths, Wagamama, Nando’s and Fridays. There are also over 2,600 free parking spaces.

It’s recommended to check the opening hours of individual retailers before setting off to avoid disappointment.

For more information to help plan your Easter trip to Fort Kinnaird, including what’s on head here.

Fore Play Crazy Golf’s cracking good Easter Egg Hunt

SUPPORTING LOCAL WITH PRIZES HIDDEN AROUND EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW

Fore Play Crazy Golf are sending fans in Edinburgh and Glasgow on an Easter Egg Hunt with a twist this spring, with a range of egg-citing prizes worth a total of over £1000 on offer, hidden at iconic landmarks in both cities from today.

Plus, Fore Play’s venues have had a playful spring clean makeover; launching brand new cocktails and floral displays fit for the ‘gram. 

Rewarding six lucky winners, Fore Play’s Easter Egg hunt will feature prize packages including £100 Scotland Loves Local gift cards, as Fore Play aims to support fellow local independent businesses this Easter.

Winners will also take home a supercharged birdie package worth over £70 offering a round of golf, welcome prosecco, 2 cocktails and a delicious meal from Luxford Burgers in Edinburgh or Loaded street food specialists in Glasgow, PLUS a luxury Easter egg from local chocolatiers Bare Bones Chocolate.

Fore Play Crazy Golf take inspiration for their fun-loving courses from their city’s landmarks, from Glasgow’s famous Duke of Wellington cone to Edinburgh’s own Greyfriars Bobby, and this is where fans can expect to come across some egg-cellent prizes this Easter…

Fans should be on the lookout for Fore Play’s bright pink flags and branded envelopes at key locations throughout the cities, with a prize per day up for grabs in each city. Launching today – Tuesday 12th April – and running until Thursday 14th April, fans can secure the goods in time for the Easter weekend …if their detective skills are up to par! Stay tuned for clues dropping each day on Fore Play’s Instagram. 

And if that wasn’t enough this Easter, the crazy golf venues in both Glasgow and Edinburgh have enjoyed a real good spring clean – dusting off everything from a new cocktail menu, floral garlands fit for the ‘gram and even upgrading Fore Play’s golf carts with a special floral installation, sure to add a spring to your step as you crush the course.

Fore Play’s floral explosion continues in their photo booths with floral frames and flower crown props setting the spring scene.  

Just in time for those spring summer evenings, Fore Play have launched new cocktails with garnishes as good as their golf game, including the Match-Play Margarita – a delightfully fruity frozen blend of Tequila, Marshmallow Unicorn gin, strawberry pure and lime juice, all topped off with Haribo lovehearts.

The Glasgow venue have also introduced a perfect pick-me-up cocktail with the Lat-Tee Break – a Kraken Rum concoction with caramel syrup, coffee mix and milk, served with chocolate drizzle, whipped cream and cocoa powder.

In the capital, fans can enjoy the Sherputt Sour, made with Pickering’s Grapefruit Gin, melon liqueur, sweet and sour mix and lemonade, served with flying saucer sweets. 

Fore Play is the ultimate night out combining tasty street food and fun-loving cocktails with crazy golf. Whether you’re looking for some playful competition between friends or want to brush up on your putting skills, Fore Play Crazy Golf’s friendly environment makes for the perfect night out and the venue’s Easter makeover will see it transformed into a spring wonderland. 

For full competition Ts&Cs visit www.foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk

Book now at www.foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk

Maison Sport announces £442,000 investment to fuel further growth

Maison Sport, the Edinburgh-based market leading independent ski and snowboard instructor provider, has announced it has raised a further £442,000 in funding as it targets 300% growth in 2022. This is in addition to the £1.3M that was announced early last year.  

Founded in 2015 by ski instructors Aaron Tipping, Nick Robinson and Olly Robinson, Maison Sport has experienced “unprecedented demand” following the relaxing of restrictions and forecasts it will grow overall revenue by 300% this season.  

The latest phase of successful crowdfunding by the UK-based company will strengthen its position as it reaches new customer markets across Europe, with skiers in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy all using the platform in increasing numbers.

Maison Sport has also recently expanded its service to the SnowWorld Landgraaf, an indoor slope in the Netherlands, as well as to new audiences in the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Montenegro.  

Maison Sport co-founder Nick Robinson said: “The end of the winter season alongside restrictions being removed has led to unprecedented demand, with Maison Sport instructors being snapped up at breakneck speed.

“This latest funding phase means we can continue to provide a world-class customer experience for skiers across Europe, from the point of first engaging with our platform right through to enjoying lessons on the slopes.  

“The year ahead will see a number of enhancements to our customer and instructor offering such as a new instructor app, giving them additional capabilities such as a “calendar sync”, which enables them to autoupdate their Maison Sport availability. We have also moved all instructors to instant book, meaning bookings are confirmed immediately rather than customers having to wait up to 36 hours for instructors to accept a booking.  

“It’s truly fantastic to be in this position in early 2022 and to emerge from all the challenges of the last two years with genuine confidence. Thanks to this latest round of funding, Maison Sport is well positioned to continue to deliver industry-best experiences for skiers and instructors and widen the availability of our service including in new European territories.” 

For more information or to book your ski or snowboard instructor visit: 

www.maisonsport.com 

The Best Whisky Bar in the World!

Edinburgh’s Kaleidoscope Bar scoops top prize at Whisky Magazine Awards

OPEN TO ALL: The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Kaleidoscope Bar at 28 Queen Street Edinburgh has been announced as Global Whisky Bar of the Year at the prestigious Whisky Magazine 2022 awards. A visit is a must for all whisky adventurers in the city

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s (SMWS) Kaleidoscope Bar in Edinburgh has been named the Icons of Whisky, ‘Global Whisky Bar of the Year,’ in Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards 2022 in London. A huge achievement for the SMWS and superb timing as we head into a restriction-free summer.

The journey of discovery when tasting whisky can be overwhelming but Kaleidoscope Bar offers something quite magical for both SMWS members and non-members compared to rival whisky experiences. From the bar’s remarkable and captivating building to offering guests can’t-buy-anywhere-else whiskies and experiences, a visit to the bar is a must for all whisky adventurers in the city.

Kaleidoscope Bar is a warm, welcoming whisky bar located on the ground floor of 28 Queen Street, an elegant four-story Georgian town house in the heart of Scotland’s capital city. The award-winning bar is open to all, offering fantastic welcome deals to not-yet-members including ‘Membership and a bottle for £99’.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s focus is always on flavour and Kaleidoscope Bar love to experiment with sensory elements to enhance the enjoyment of drinking whisky. Every visit brings something different with a new selection of rare whiskies to explore almost every week alongside creative food pairings, music matches, one-of-a-kind cask cocktails to playing with aroma.

A recent collaboration with Kingdom Scotland, Scotland’s first fragrance house, incorporated guests’ olfactory systems to show how your sense of smell is key to discovery when enjoying whisky.

Kaleidoscope Bar’s expertly trained staff guide visitors through the colourful world of SMWS whiskies and recommend the best dram for them based on their flavour preferences. It’s the perfect way to discover and learn about SMWS whisky, but also the benefits of being an SMWS member.

The bar is home to an ever-changing collection of more than 500 exclusive single malts from Scotland and beyond – the SMWS recently celebrated its 150th distillery release, from Ireland. The bar also offers the finest craft beers, artisanal spirits, cocktails and wines.

The 28 Queen Street venue hosts a busy programme of colourful whisky tasting experiences, previews of new SMWS bottlings, one-off whisky events and masterclasses as well as private bookings – there’s something for everyone.

Commenting on the prestigious award, Sarah Prior, Venue Manager at 28 Queen Street, said: “To win ‘Global Whisky Bar of the Year’ is an outstanding achievement and to gain that highest level of recognition is amazing.

“We pride ourselves on being a warm and welcoming bar with expertise in whisky, but Kaleidoscope is a fantastic bar for anyone to visit, whatever their level of whisky knowledge. If you’re a whisky lover already, it’s a must-visit location.

“The passion our staff have for the Society is embodied in our friendly and first-class service. Being open to non-members gives us the chance to show this love for the world’s most colourful whisky club.

“From ever-changing unique single malt and one-of-a-kind single cask drams to a range of summer cocktails and delicious bar snacks, there’s something to please every guest. As we welcome more visitors to our beautiful city over the summer months, Kaleidoscope Bar will be the place to visit in Edinburgh for locals and tourists alike.”

Begin a discovery of flavour with the Society now and find out more about visiting Kaleidoscope Bar here: smws.com/venues/28-queen-street



CONTACT DETAILS

28 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2 1JX

0131 220 2044

E: queenstreet@smws.com

F: @SMWSQueenStreet

T: @SMWSQueenStreet

I: @SMWS_queenstreet

Monopoly reimagined

WHAT WOULD THE BOARD LOOK LIKE WITH MODERN HOUSES PRICES?

  • The board gets a reshuffle, with Whitehall and Strand now some of the most expensive places in London, with prices increasing over 700% in the past 25 years alone
  • Victor Watson’s 1935 selection looks to be completely different
  • Old Kent Road and The Angel, Islington still among the cheapest

While the original 1935 order of the Monopoly board was loosely based on property values at the time, new research has revealed what the board could look like with modern property values.

The research by gaming experts SolitaireBliss analysed the average sale price of each area since 2015 to see what the order of the board would look like nowadays. It also looks at property size to see each area’s average ‘price per metre’.

It found that Mayfair still sits as the most expensive area with an average sale price of £6,830,154. Strand, which was once halfway down the board as a red tile, is now the second most expensive area, with an average sale price of £5,438,715.

One of the most significant differences in Whitehall, which has now seen itself be moved 13 spots up the board to a green tile, with an average sale price of £4,393,652. Adjusted for inflation, 1935 prices would see Mayfair worth only £93,911, Strand worth only £74,799 and Whitehall worth only £60,410.

Whitechapel Road, The Angel Islington and Old Kent Road remain as the three cheapest on the board.

Oxford Street, which was previously one of the most expensive tiles on the classic board, has been moved down 13 places, with an average sale price of £1,019,975. Coventry Street has also seen a significant reshuffle, being pushed down 11 spots to now be a light blue tile. Adjusted for inflation, a 1935 property in Oxford Street would cost you only £14,020 on average.

StreetAverage sale priceAverage price per metreOriginal order
Mayfair£6,830,154£29,338Mayfair
Strand£5,438,715£30,945Park Lane
Whitehall£4,393,652£23,847Bond Street
Trafalgar Square£3,786,694£23,964Oxford Street
Piccadilly£3,706,235£28,958Regent Street
Vine Street£3,629,885£34,276Piccadilly
Park Lane£3,113,750£25,554Coventry Street
Bond Street£2,230,125£21,311Leicester Square
Bow Street£2,153,900£20,584Trafalgar Square
Pall Mall£2,041,488£16,445Fleet Street
Marlborough Street£1,890,650£17,628The Strand
Regent Street£1,861,179£25,127Vine Street
Fleet Street£1,480,313£21,101Marlborough Street
Northumberland Avenue£1,310,257£15,168Bow Street
Euston Road£1,110,000£12,658Northumberland Avenue
Pentonville Road£1,052,125£17,311Whitehall
Oxford Street£1,019,975£13,478Pall Mall
Coventry Street£796,774£18,598Pentonville Road
Leicester Square£670,779£11,950Euston Road
Old Kent Road£539,438£10,261The Angel Islington
The Angel Islington£501,117£6,706Whitechapel Road
Whitechapel Road£423,509£8,998Old Kent Road

In terms of looking at the average ‘price per metre’, The Angel, Islington comes in as having the lowest price per metre of £6,706.

Whitechapel Road and Old Kent Road are the second and third cheapest. Vine Street has the highest price per metre with £34,276, along with Strand and Mayfair coming in second and third.

A spokesperson from SolitaireBliss said: “What can be looked at as simply a modernisation of the legendary Monopoly board game, can also be viewed as an illustration of current house prices in the capital.

“It’s interesting to see how more commercial areas have seen huge changes with the likes of Oxford Street and Whitehall, whereas more residential areas such as Old Kent Road and Whitechapel Road have seen a steady and consistent with housing cost trends.”

This study was conducted by SolitaireBliss, an online gaming service with a wide array of card games and challenges available to play for free. 

‘The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience’ launches following £1.5m refurbishment

●      The Famous Blacksmiths Shop to be transformed into an immersive, storytelling experience at the heart of the iconic Gretna Green destination

●      UK’s first attraction dedicated to love and marriage will open in late April 2022

●      Visitors to embark on a journey of the ‘World’s Greatest Love Story’ 

Gretna Green, The Home of Romance, rebellion, and runaway marriages, has given its iconic Famous Blacksmiths Shop – the jewel in the crown of Gretna Green since 1754 – an impressive £1.5 million transformation to create a modern and immersive new experience that tells the fascinating story of this world-famous destination.

At the heart of the scenic village, and fondly nicknamed the ‘land of love’, the famous wedding destination and tourist attraction oozes history and tales of love and marriage dating back many generations. The aptly named ‘Gateway to Scotland’ has been operating for over 250 years and has hosted thousands of weddings since its very first ceremony back in 1754. 

Now, at the heart of Gretna Green, the Famous Blacksmiths Shop is set to become the UK’s first immersive visitor attraction dedicated to love and marriage.

The newly transformed ‘The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience’ will open on 28thApril allowing customers far and wide to be a part of The World’s Greatest Love Story. The renovation has seen a full internalbuilding makeover, including the brand new museum experience, as well as the launch of a new wedding room, named The Forge.

The creation of The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience will future-proof many more love stories. As part of the new attraction, guests will be taken on a magical journey of true love.

From showcases of historic weddings, to explorations of what it means to get married today and getting the chance to add their own love story to the wedding wall. They can even experience a ‘sneak peek’ of a wedding in action!

Historically, the prestigious Scottish landmark was a popular hotspot for eloping couples due to its location on the Scottish border and the strict Marriage Act in place in England, resulting in couples travelling across into the neighbouring country to tie the knot.

Originally and traditionally known for shoeing horses, Gretna Green blacksmith Joseph Paisley quickly realised he could make more money marrying star crossed lovers escaping the marriage act in England and reinvented himself as an ‘anvil priest’.

With marriages being deemed official solely by declaration up until 1940, the self-declared ‘anvil priests’ at the Blacksmiths shop had stumbled on a new line of business. 

Over the years the venue has developed and grown dramatically, drawing in customers from every corner of the globe and becoming a five-star award-winning visitor attraction. 

Today, Gretna Green houses a luxury retail shopping experience, restaurant, a food hall, three hotels – Smiths, Gretna Hall in Gretna Green and Greens at Gretna – an award-winning online retail business that ships to 55 countries worldwide, and at the heart of the destination remains the historic Famous Blacksmiths Shop.

A family-run attraction established in 1885, the business has been handed down through four generations and remains family-run to this day. The investment into the attraction will enable future generations to continue to enjoy the magical experience already discovered by so many. 

Isabel Rhodes, CEO of the Gretna Green family estate, said: “We are the home of runaway love – what could be more romantic?

“We wanted to fully tell the fascinating story of our destination and the recent investment is our way of paying tribute to that.”

Susan Houston, family director of the Gretna Green family estate, commented: “Since the family took on the estate in 1885, we have built a successful visitor attraction whilst maintaining the compelling appeal of forbidden love and romance.

“We offer something very unique with the abundance of history.”

Lucy Houston, family director, added: “The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience is a huge milestone in our history and we are excited to welcome everyone so that they too can experience the World’s Greatest Love Story.”