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…/
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
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
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.
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.
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 Name | Postcode | Accepting NHS Adults | Wait time for appointment |
| Duncan Smith Dental Practice | EH21 6AA | No | N/A |
| Campbell & Gibson Dental Practice | EH21 6AG | No | Private Only |
| Musselburgh Dental Care | EH21 7AD | Yes | No appointments until August |
| Craigentinny Dental Care | EH15 3AY | No | N/A |
| Dental Express | EH15 2DA | No | N/A |
| Portobello Dental Clinic | EH15 2AT | Yes | No Appointments until November |
| My Dentists Portobello | EH15 2AU | No | N/A |
| Duddingston Park | EH15 3NY | No | N/A |
| Duddingston Dental Practice | EH15 1QR | No | N/A |
| Bosco Dental Studio | EH22 2RF | No | N/A |
| Midlothian Dental Practice | EH22 1JZ | No | About 6 month waiting list |
| Family Dental Care East Lothian | EH32 9BF | Yes | N/A |
| SR Dental Care | EH22 1AH | No | N/A |
| WF Mocharie Dental Practice | EH22 1JB | No | N/A |
| Craigmillar Dental Centre | EH16 4AJ | No | N/A |
| Bridge Dental Care | EH33 1AH | No | Wait list of 7 to 8 months |
| Brite Dental | EH17 7JD | No | Wait list of a year |
| Espie and Hill Dental Care | EH33 1HH | Yes | N/A |
| BUPA Dental Care Prestonfield | EH16 5BY | No | N/A |
| Links Road Dental Practice | EH32 0DU | No | August at earliest |
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.”
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
A SCOTTISH housing developer has recognised the dedication and positive impact of five good causes in the Musselburgh community, awarding each with a £1000 grant.
The Dundas community fund – which had been extended to allow more time for deserving groups in and around Musselburgh to apply – came to a close at the end of July.
Hollies Community Hub, Blue Triangle Housing Association, First Step Community Project, Changes East Lothian and DadsWork were the chosen recipients, with each playing a vital role in the local area.
The roll out of the £5000 fund came as the Livingston-based firm launched its 140-home Wireworks development in the seaside town, forming part of its pledge to deliver lasting benefits to Musselburgh, in addition to contributions of up to £400,000 towards schooling and infrastructure.
Craig Fairfoull, Head of Sales and Marketing at Dundas, said: “We were thrilled that the decision to extend the community fund resulted in four times the number of original applicants.
“It did, however, make the decision to choose just five recipients out of a strong, deserving and varied group of applicants that bit harder.
“It has been a real pleasure to learn about each of the applicants, their inspiring causes and their contributions to the local community – I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their interest in the fund and wish them every success in achieving their project’s endeavours.
“While it has been a challenging task, we are really pleased to be able to announce the five recipients of the fund and believe that their initiatives are essential in supporting the local area.”
Hollies Community Hub, an organisation which aims to help elderly people in Musselburgh retain their independence by providing them with a safe space where they can engage with and meet their friends, will be using the £1000 fund to organise fun excursions to the East Coast for its members.
Liz Shannon, Manager of Hollies Community Hub said: “The Hollies would like to thank Dundas for allowing us to take our lunch club members for a much-needed day out.
“After nearly two years of social isolation, a trip down the coast with a fish supper and ice cream will be a day for them to remember and a chance to reminisce with their friends about past trips.”
Blue Triangle Housing Association is a supported homeless accommodation service which houses up to 14 young people at a time, helping them gain independent living skills. The community fund will help the group revamp its enclosed garden area to provide its tenants with a safe and secure communal area for socialising.
Steven Cranston, Assistant Project Manager at Blue Triangle said: “We are so thankful and grateful to Dundas for this opportunity. Our garden area can now be upgraded, which will provide our service users with a space to relax while also giving us the opportunity to teach them how to grow fruit and vegetables and how to then be self-sustainable by cooking what they grow.”
Set up by a group of local parents over 30 years ago, First Step Community Project works within the close-knit Musselburgh community supporting vulnerable families who are facing extreme financial difficulties during the current cost of living crisis.
With its funding from Dundas, the group will be issuing Winter Warmer Packs which seek to provide families with essentials such as hot water bottles, flasks and thermals, as well as useful information on how to help save on energy bills while keeping warm and healthy over the winter period.
Jennifer Mitchell, Early Years Manager of First Step Community Project, said: “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank Dundas. We will now be in a position to help families and community members ahead of what’s expected to be a very tough winter.”
Changes East Lothian is a mental health and wellbeing charity which provides free support services for over 16s living, or registered with a GP, in East Lothian. The charity provides counselling, therapeutic and peer support groups, as well as a wide range of activities and volunteer opportunities.
Marina Ramsay, Communications and Engagement Officer at Changes said: “Accessible mental health support is crucial for the happiness and wellbeing of people in communities across East Lothian and the funding will allow us to reach even more people, reassuring them that help is within reach and they don’t have to face challenges alone. We are incredibly grateful.”
DadsWork, a charity that delivers much needed support and services to men, fathers and male carers, will be using the fund towards its four-week programme for new expectant dads which aims to increase their confidence as they prepare for fatherhood.
Kevin Young, Project Manager of DadsWork said: “As a charity, we are delighted to be awarded £1000 from Dundas. As we know, emotional, practical and physical support for men is vitally important and this support should be readily accessible and offered locally. DadsWork and its beneficiaries thank Dundas for their donation and the benefits it will bring.”
Dundas has a mission to create homes that make people feel great. Headquartered in Livingston and proudly Scottish, it has a track record of building well-designed homes that are higher spec than a vast majority of competitor properties.
The independently-owned developer is focused on building welcoming, integrated communities and making the journey of buying a home more straightforward, inspiring and fun.
Through a partnership with Tesco, East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian, Dundas acquired The Wireworks site after receiving planning permission to regenerate the former Brunton Wireworks site and neighbouring land in 2008.
The development will have the capacity to store 140 bicycles in internal and external bikes stores. Electric car charging facilities will be available throughout the development. Private gardens and balconies will also be available at various apartments.
To learn more about The Wireworks visit:
https://www.dundas.co.uk/developments/the-wireworks, call 0131 243 3858 or email: thewireworks@rettie.co.uk
THE APPLICATION deadline for a community fund launched by an independent Scottish developer has been extended to ensure causes in and around Musselburgh don’t miss the chance to make their case.
The fund from Dundas Estates, which totals £5,000, will be distributed in £1,000 segments to five charities or community initiatives local to Musselburgh – whether it is to help them renovate a facility, secure a defibrillator or get a project off the ground and providing essential support, education or resources.
Craig Fairfoull, Head of Sales and Marketing at Dundas Estates, said: “We want to showcase this fantastic funding opportunity to as many amazing causes as possible as we know this kind of money is vital to charitable groups.
“When we first launched the fund at the start of summer, a few organisations might have missed out with it being a particularly busy period of time. Given the fund will provide lasting benefits to the surrounding community, the only option for us was to extend the deadline.
“Musselburgh already has a thriving and tight knit community with a number of local groups doing excellent work within the town, and this is something we are very keen to support.
“The cost of living crisis is bringing fresh challenges for good causes to navigate – so we hope this injection of funds will come at the perfect time for the five final recipients.”
In promoting and administering the fund, the housing developer is working closely with Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council (MICC) to help ensure worthy causes at the heart of the community are able to benefit.
Interested applicants can apply online via:
https://www.dundas.co.uk/musselburgh-community-fund
with applications now closing on Sunday 31st July.
The roll out of the fund comes as the Livingston-based firm launched its 140-home Wireworks development in the town, forming part of its pledge to deliver lasting benefits to the local area and in addition investing section 75 contributions of up to £400,000 towards schooling and infrastructure.
Dundas Estates, through a partnership with Tesco, East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian, acquired The Wireworks site after receiving planning permission to regenerate the former Brunton Wireworks site and neighbouring land in 2008.
Specially designed Racing With Pride jockey silks appeared for the first time at a Scottish racecourse yesterday as Musselburgh celebrates Pride Month.
Leading racehorse owner, Gerry McGladery, swapped his normal blue and yellow colours for the distinctive Pride colours for all his horses competing at the Racing TV raceday (Mon 27 June) at the East Lothian track, as will The Musselburgh Lunch Club syndicate.
The silks were created by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to increase visibility of LGBT+ support within racing and after a public vote the winning design was brought to life by racing silks supplier Allertons.
Musselburgh will also fly the Pride flag from its historic grandstand this week, racecourse staff will wear Pride ribbons, and promotional activity around the course will mark the global event held each June to mark the 1969 Stonewall riots in the US which changed gay rights history.
The racecourse is also marking its support for the LGBT+ community with two specially named races – The Musselburgh Racecourse Celebrates Pride 2022 race over five furlongs, which took place last night, and again on Wednesday over 1m 1f at 3.50pm.
Musselburgh also received a vote of confidence as an LGBT+ welcoming venue from Edinburgh hairdresser Leo Gourlay who attended a recent race meeting.
Leo said: “I was really anxious, as a flamboyant gay man, to go racing for the first time. Being a member of the LGBT+ community I was really apprehensive before I got to Musselburgh Racecourse and going into such a traditional sporting environment.
“The whole racecourse staff, especially Jane Walker, were very gracious and welcoming. They made the whole race day enjoyable and inclusive and I will definitely be back.”
Musselburgh Racecourse Senior Operations and Commercial Manager, Sarah Montgomery said: “We are delighted to hear that Leo enjoyed his first experience at Musselburgh and look forward to welcoming him back. We also really appreciate the support of Gerry McGladery in helping us to celebrate Pride Month with his adoption of the Racing With Pride silks for his runners.
“Our aim is to be a fully inclusive, friendly and accessible racecourse and it is only right that we take these symbolic but important steps in recognising and supporting the LGBT+ community during Pride Month. We fully support Racing With Pride and hope the community get a taste for the joy of racing during Pride Month and become frequent visitors to Musselburgh.”
The BHA has been a long-time supporter of diversity in the industry and in 2020 launched Racing With Pride, the official LGBT+ network for British racing.
The network is designed for British racing’s participants, workforce and fans who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other sexual orientations and gender identities as well as allies of the LGBT+ community, who want to demonstrate their support, regardless of their own identity.
The network offers a safe space for LGBT+ people and allies to meet, receive support, have fun and enjoy racing online and in person and promotes a better understanding of LGBT+ inclusion to ensure racing is everyone’s sport, encouraging all to step up as allies.
Gates open at noon tomorrow (Wedneday) and the first race is off at 1.40pm.
For further information and to book tickets please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk
