Tag: Musselburgh

Queen Margaret Uni transforms its teaching and learning spaces

Queen Margaret University’s attractive modern campus, which was built in Musselburgh in 2007, is undergoing a significant transformation which will see the development of exciting new teaching and learning spaces.

The Future Spaces project involves the revitalisation of some of the University’s most important learning and teaching spaces to help ensure QMU meets the changing needs of students and staff.

The work also aims to support QMU’s ambitions to refresh, enhance and modernise the campus so that it continues to attract prospective students and supports the growth of the university. 

With an investment of £2.1 million, students and staff can expect to see a dramatic change to the Learning Resource Centre and some ground floor classroom areas, which will ultimately expand capacity for self-directed and collaborative student learning and informal teaching activity.

The enhancement and repurposing of spaces will also provide more flexible use of key areas of the building and a wider choice of more comfortable, vibrant, and sociable study space options. Some of the changes will also provide increased capacity for larger practical group work, which will provide greater flexibility with timetabling and support the delivery of high demand courses. 

Bruce Laing, Director of Campus Services, explained: “Queen Margaret University already has an attractive, bright, modern campus development, but it’s important that we continue investing in our buildings to ensure they reflect changes in the way students work and developments in the way we teach.

“Essentially, we want to create welcoming and comfortable study and teaching spaces where students want to be, and which will support and enhance their learning. Aside from supporting current students studying at the University, the investment will help us to remain competitive in our ability to attract prospective students.”

A range of stakeholder engagement took place across the university through workshops, surveys and feedback sessions to help shape the plans and deliver attractive, flexible spaces which would inspire, motivate and support students to fully engage in a diverse range of learning opportunities.

The renovation work involves the transformation of the Learning Resource Centre to create spaces which support social learning through collaborative and peer-group projects, and flexible spaces which support a diversity of informal teaching and supervision activity.

Bruce Laing continued: “We are delighted to be working with Morris & Spottiswood in the transformation of the building spaces, and it is hoped that the full first phase of the project will be completed by mid-September, allowing our students to take full advantage of the new spaces in their first semester.

“We are also excited about showcasing our new interior spaces to hundreds of prospective students and their families at our September and October open days this year. More importantly, we are confident that the current transformation of learning and teaching spaces will help us enhance the student experience so that students are well equipped to go out into the world and make a difference.”

David Thorn, Operations Director at Morris & Spottiswood said: “Our aim is to create places where people can thrive, and this project really seeks to deliver such spaces, so we are thrilled to be involved. 

“All stakeholders are committed to successful delivery, and we have experienced true commitment to partnership working across our team, Designers ADP Architecture, Project Managers HD Property Consultants and the wider project delivery team.”

Professor David Stevenson, Dean of the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management and Project Sponsor, concluded: “This is an exciting, creative project for the University which, after two years of work, will now revitalise and improve our learning environment.

“We are pleased that our partner Morris & Spottiswood is providing the excellent support that we need to deliver our vision and that they share our commitment to ensuring the QMU environment is a happy, productive and enjoyable place to be.”

Queen Margaret University annual open event this week

WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL from 4.30 – 7pm

Queen Margaret University is set to welcome representatives from business, industry and voluntary organisations, along with members of the local community and alumni, to its  annual open event to learn about the fascinating range of work that is going on at the University.

People from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are invited to the campus in Musselburgh to find out about a variety of the University’s initiatives and build links with its staff. The event will provide an insight into QMU’s research and innovation work, educational and community engagement initiatives, and its economic impact both locally and internationally. 

Visitors can expect an insight into the use of immersive virtual reality to help paramedic students navigate real life emergencies; portable ultrasound technology to help detect swallowing difficulty in acute and community settings, community arts projects, and QMU’s impressive international education partnerships. 

For those interested in the great outdoors, this will be a chance to tour the newly opened Outdoor Learning Hub and Discovery Trail, located in campus grounds, and to hear about QMU’s focus on outdoor learning. 

In a brief presentation and Q&A session, those attending will hear directly from the University’s Principal, Sir Paul Grice, and Chair of Court, Pamela Woodburn, who will discuss the institution’s recent developments and ambitions for the future, as well as how QMU’s work makes a difference to people’s lives locally, nationally and globally. 

Visitors will be invited to chat to researchers and academic staff at an informal fair in the University’s atrium, where they can learn about research projects and academic work being delivered by the School of Health Sciences and the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management. 

Pamela Woodburn, Chair of the University Court, said: “We look forward to welcoming people from across the Lothians.

“The evening will provide a great way for people involved in the business community, arts and cultural organisations, charitable and third sector organisations, food businesses, healthcare providers and local QMU graduates to find out how Queen Margaret University might benefit their organisation, or them individually. 

“The evening will provide an excellent platform to support informal networking, and to make new connections with visitors and university staff which could be of mutual benefit.”

A presentation, stallholder event, Outdoor Learning Hub tours, virtual reality demo, light refreshments; and networking opportunities will all be part of this friendly, interactive evening event, which will run on Wednesday 17th April from 4.30pm – 7pm. 

Attendance at QMU’s Annual Open Event titled ‘Local Impact and Global Reach’ is free. Book your place at Eventbrite (QMU’s open event). 

Event Timings:  

  • 4.30-5.30pm, Registration and opportunity to explore exhibits, speak with University representatives, including Court members, and tour the Outdoor Learning Hub.  
  • 5.30-6.10pm – formal presentation  
  • 6.10-7pm – exhibition continues, along with tours 
  • Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available in the atrium tiers along with the informal exhibition. 

OPEN EVENT EXHIBITION STALLS 2024

As part of our 2024 open event, there will be an informal exhibition and fair showcasing a range of projects and developments from across the University.

See list of stalls.

Path upgrades create gateway for active travel in Musselburgh

A PATH connecting Queen Margaret University (QMU) to the centre of Musselburgh has been refurbished and upgraded to meet the needs of local users after receiving a grant through  Scotland’s national walking charity Paths for All on behalf of Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government and funding from East Lothian Council.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, joined representatives from Paths for All, East Lothian Council and QMU to see the benefits this project has delivered.

The path, which runs under the railway line between residential areas at Craighall Drive and Monktonhall Place also links the University with NCR1, has been revitalised following a £58,800 grant from Paths for All’s Ian Findlay Path Fund.

This grant funding for “A short path with a big impact’, has allowed the university, with support from East Lothian Council, to invest in making the route more accessible to all.

Work on the path involved removing physical barriers, resurfacing, new lighting and drainage. The result is path that is accessible to all and resilient to poor weather and flooding.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, said: “I’m really pleasedto be able to visit this project which has been made possible through grant funding provided by the Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF).

“Ian would have been enthused by the projects coming forward through the fund and that it continues to support communities across the country to put their ideas for local walking and cycling infrastructure into practice, and encourage more people to choose active forms of travel for their everyday journeys.

“This new path will not only help staff and students to travel in a more sustainable way, but also provides a safe and accessible connection to the wider National Cyle Network for surrounding communities.”

Queen Margaret University applied to the Ian Findlay Path Fund last year and was one of 22 successful projects to be offered funding and support to improve active travel networks in their area.  Most of those projects are now reaching their conclusion, delivering improvements for communities all around the country. 

Professor Richard Butt, Deputy Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “As a university with sustainability central to our values, this new accessible path that helps our students and staff travel to and from the university safely, without the need for a car, is a huge benefit. Importantly, we know that it will also help people living around the campus.

“It’s been great seeing this project develop first-hand, knowing the positive impact it will have for our community and the surrounding area.”

East Lothian Depute Provost, Andy Forrest, said: “In recent years more people have expressed an interest in active travel both within and to our towns and villages.

“This new route offers a safe path segregated from traffic for people to walk or cycle to parts of Musselburgh connecting with the QMU campus.”

Senior Development Officer for the fund, Yvonne McLeod, said: “The Ian Findlay Path Fund team has been delighted to be able to support this project and it is fantastic to see the finished path being put to such great use. 

“The purpose of the fund is to support community projects just like this one and it has been great to witness this fantastic example of team work between the University and the Local Authority which has allowed this path to be upgraded to such a high standard.

“Seldom has a project been so well named  and we hope the newly refurbished path will continue to have a ‘big impact’ for this community, well into the future.”

CEO of Paths for All, Kevin Lafferty, said: “The QMU path has meant that people of all abilities can get outside, be safe and get exercise while commuting on routes that are used on a daily basis.

“Delivering safe environments for active travel is at the forefront of our Paths for All objectives, supporting people to live active healthy lives. The success from QMU’s use of the funding shows the differences that path development can make for communities.”

The fund concluded its second round of awards to community-based groups on the 8th March and a further £1.5 million will be allocated to similar path improvement projects located all around Scotland.

The Ian Findlay Path Fund, established in memory of Ian Findlay CBE, the late Chief Officer of Paths for All, continues to support local initiatives aimed at enhancing path networks and removing barriers to active travel.

The team works directly with communities to improve local path networks that will make it easier and more attractive for people to walk, wheel and cycle or choose public transport for local everyday journeys.

Community groups interested in potential future funding can reach out to the Ian Findlay Path Fund team at IFPF@pathforall.org.uk.

For more information about the Ian Findlay Path Fund, visit: 

https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/community-paths/cmp-grants/ian-findlay-path-fund

Green Futures Festival this Saturday

GREEN FUTURES FESTIVAL 🌎

Saturday 16th March 10am – 3pm

Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh

Join East Lothian Climate Action Network at the first ever Green Futures Festival 🌳

Take part in interactive workshops, attend inspiring talks, listen to live music and eat delicious food.

Don’t miss this opportunity to come together and celebrate the amazing climate projects across the region 🎉

Find out more 👉: https://sccan.scot/…/will-you-be-at-the-first-east…/

Musselburgh’s £430,000 Scottish Cheltenham Trials attracts top trainers this weekend 

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

Citizen Winter Warmer events: Stories and Scran

The Edinburgh International Book Festival has announced Stories and Scran will take place on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December as part of the third season of Citizen Winter Warmer events: a community celebration bringing together local voices and authors and artists. 

Audiences are invited to savour a sumptuous 3-course meal provided by the Scran Academy (included in the price of the ticket) and hear new writing from local people who have taken part in the Citizen project.

This year’s first event will take place at Fisherrow Centre in Musselburgh and will showcase the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups including illustrations from students at Edinburgh College of Art and the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group and The Citizen Collective. Special guests include Chitra Ramaswamy. 

This will be followed on Saturday 2nd November with another Stories and Scran Winter Warmer event in North Edinburgh.

Join us at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre for tasty food and brilliant storytelling in a heart warming event at the heart of the community.

Savour a sumptuous afternoon-tea provided by Scran Academy (included with your ticket) and hear new writing from local people alongside special guests including including Kate Foster and Doug Johnstone.

This year’s North Edinburgh event showcases the diverse voices and creative talent from local groups including a film from the North Edinburgh Drama Group and the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group.

For more information visit: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/stories-and-scran-2 

Concern grows over missing man

UPDATE: Around 2.55pm on Wednesday, 11 October, 2023, the body of a man was discovered next to an industrial estate in Newhailes Road, Musselburgh.

Formal identification is still to take place, however the next of kin of missing man Martin Sinnett, 70, has been informed.

Police officers were in Musselburgh yesterday to stop and speak to motorists two weeks on from when missing man Martin Sinnett, 70, was last seen.

The last confirmed sighting of Martin was around 9.20am on Tuesday, 26 September, in Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, where he was seen walking south away from the Shell petrol station at the junction with Edinburgh Road.

Shortly before this sighting, he was seen around 8.45am on North High Street.

Martin is believed to have walked to the Musselburgh area from Edinburgh, having been sighted outside a motorbike training centre in Seafield Road around 6.45am.

CCTV of Martin Sinnett

Inspector Colin Fordyce said yesterday: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Martin’s welfare, particularly given his age and the length of time he has now been missing.

“Officers will be stopping motorists this morning, exactly two weeks on from when Martin was last seen, in a bid to glean any information which could lead to tracing him.

“We are looking to speak to people who take this route through Musselburgh regularly and asking them to cast their minds back to the morning of Tuesday, 26 September, to consider whether they may have seen Martin in the area or have dash-cam footage.

“We would also urge people to continue to check any outbuildings and garden sheds in case Martin has sought shelter somewhere.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0708 of 26 September.

Boyack sounds alarm over access to dentists in Musselburgh

Sarah Boyack MSP has highlighted the grim findings that more than 3 in 4 Dental Practices serving patients in Musselburgh are no longer accepting NHS Patients.

Following up on concerns of Musselburgh residents, Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack contacted practices serving the Musselburgh area to inquire whether they were accepting new NHS patients.

The findings also highlighted those that were accepting new patients had waiting lists of over six months on average.

Commenting Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “Patients in Musselburgh are being routinely let-down by the lack of NHS Dental provision.

“With more than three quarters of NHS Dentists unable to accept new patients, the people of Musselburgh have been left with a two-tiered system that routinely fails them.

“We are now seeing the devastating effects of the SNP mismanagement of our NHS, with patients spending months suffering unnecessarily whilst they are unable to see an NHS Dentists.

“This cannot carry on, The SNP must act now before more communities like Musselburgh are left without access to NHS services.”

Data collected by the office of Sarah Boyack MSP for the 20 closest practices to Musselburgh on 5/5/23:

Practice NamePostcodeAccepting NHS AdultsWait time for appointment
Duncan Smith Dental PracticeEH21 6AANoN/A
Campbell & Gibson Dental PracticeEH21 6AGNoPrivate Only
Musselburgh Dental CareEH21 7ADYesNo appointments until August
Craigentinny Dental CareEH15 3AYNoN/A
Dental ExpressEH15 2DANoN/A
Portobello Dental ClinicEH15 2ATYesNo Appointments until November
My Dentists PortobelloEH15 2AUNoN/A
Duddingston ParkEH15 3NYNoN/A
Duddingston Dental PracticeEH15 1QRNoN/A
Bosco Dental StudioEH22 2RFNoN/A
Midlothian Dental PracticeEH22 1JZNoAbout 6 month waiting list
Family Dental Care East LothianEH32 9BFYesN/A
SR Dental CareEH22 1AHNoN/A
WF Mocharie Dental PracticeEH22 1JBNoN/A
Craigmillar Dental CentreEH16 4AJNoN/A
Bridge Dental CareEH33 1AHNoWait list of 7 to 8 months
Brite DentalEH17 7JDNoWait list of a year
Espie and Hill Dental CareEH33 1HHYesN/A
BUPA Dental Care PrestonfieldEH16 5BYNoN/A
Links Road Dental PracticeEH32 0DUNoAugust at earliest

Planning Submitted for £60m Newcraighall East Development

Leading affordable housing specialists Cullross Ltd has submitted detailed planning for its Newcraighall East development. The site is located east of Glennie Road, Newcraighall.

The site forms part of the local development plan and has an existing planning approval in principle.

Proposals form part of a £60m investment by Cullross. Plans consist of 236 properties, with a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bed flats, garden flats, duplex flats, and townhouses. 75% of the fully tenure blind development will be affordable properties, which will be managed by Hillcrest.

The detailed planning application has been submitted to Edinburgh City Council following the completion of the pre-application notice consultation period, which commenced in December 2022.

Following feedback from the community, a new site access has been proposed off Newcraighall Road to link in with the signalised junction being formed for the adjacent New Brunstane development.

As part of the development, a new linear park will be formed. This will provide extensive amenity for both the existing and new residents, along with any visitors to the area. There will also be a new active travel route formed to Musselburgh Train Station creating excellent links and access to the city centre. This will allow access to the city centre in circa. 15 minutes.

Allotments are included to the north of the linear park along with a small retail development, which has been included within the proposals to meet the local needs, and as part of the 20-minute neighbourhood offer.

Enhanced biodiversity has been carefully considered and is included throughout the site.

Other important aspects of the development include the SUDs strategy addressing the existing flooding on site. This has been carefully coordinated with the adjacent EIH development to allow future integration of their development.

Cullross Ltd has nearly 60 years of combined experience designing, developing, and building new homes and specialising in affordable housing projects. 

Mark Beaton, Director of Cullross Ltd., said: “We are thrilled to submit our detailed planning application for this much-anticipated development in Newcraighall. 

“There has been significant community interest in the proposals at our community events and having reviewed all the feedback that was received we have incorporated suggestions and ideas where possible.

“We are excited to be able to provide 75% of the new homes as affordable, with the remaining properties being private. We believe both this mix of tenure and property types will provide a great enhancement to the existing Newcraighall community and provide an opportunity for many looking to move into the area or into larger or smaller properties.

“As a company, we place a premium on a strong relationship and collaboration with the community, and we hope that having listened to the feedback received at the two community events, the finalised proposals for the development will be well received.

“The entire project team has worked seamlessly to develop these exciting proposals and we look forward to engaging with CEC through the planning determination period to hopefully achieve a successful outcome.”

Rod Duncan, Director of jmarchitects, said: “Working closely with Cullross on this project, jmarchitects have designed a masterplan that addresses several key design drivers.

“This is achieved through a placemaking framework where every space has a clear purpose and defined sense of ownership, creating a new neighbourhood woven into the local heritage and physical aspects of this site.

“Clear frontages create a secure and welcoming environment and the creation of a new linear Park enhances biodiversity and creates fantastic amenity for the new and existing residents.”

Fiona Morrison, Hillcrest’s deputy chief executive said: “Hillcrest is dedicated to delivering good quality affordable homes and we are delighted to be developing 177 new homes with Cullross in such a fantastic location.

“Delivered with funding support from Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council, these mixed tenure, energy efficient homes will provide a great boost to Edinburgh’s affordable housing provision while giving tenants a home they can really be proud of.”

Citizen writers meet in person tonight

Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen writing programme has been working in communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2019.

The weekly local writers group, which meets on Monday evenings, has met online since the Covid lockdown, but will meet in person tonight for the first time in a very long time at Musselburgh’s Fisherrow Centre from 6.30 – 8pm.

As life slowly returns to normal (fingers firmly crossed!) another in-person workshop is planned for granton:hub at Madelvic House on Monday 21st November from 6 – 8pm.

Online weekly sessions will continue between the two ‘in-person’ workshops.

The local writers showcased a selection of writing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August and are now looking forward to presenting more of their work at Winter Warmer events in Musselburgh and North Edinburgh in December.

Provisional dates for the two Winter Warmer events are Friday 2 December in Musselburgh and West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday 3 December – more details to follow soon.

Like to get involved, or just find out more? New writers of all abilities are always welcome – email Citizen programme’s Eleanor Thom at citizen.nea@gmail.com