Tynecastle hate crime: man charged

Police in Edinburgh can confirm that a 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a hate crime at Tynecastle Stadium.

The incident happened on Saturday, April 6, and was reported to police on Monday, April 8.

The man will appear at court at a later date.

Inspector Kieran Dougal of Wester Hailes Police Station said: “These crimes are committed by a small minority intent on ruining a great atmosphere. Thankfully these types of incidents are very rare and are not a reflection vast majority of fans who attend football matches.

“However in order to protect everyone, we need all hate crimes to be reported to us. If you have been a victim of a hate crime you can report this to Police Scotland via 101.

“Alternatively you can report a hate crime through a third party. More details can be found on the Police Scotland website.”

Smashing egg-travaganza at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre

Edinburgh Leisure’s Craiglockhart Tennis Centre is hosting an egg-travaganza Festival of Tennis on Easter Sunday on 21^st April from 2-4pm, with something for all the family.

Open to members and non-members, there will be an opportunity to get a taste of the programmes and courses on offer at Edinburgh’s flagship tennis facility, have the opportunity to pick up a racket and have some fun and potentially, witness a Guinness World Record being smashed.

Scotland’s leading racket experts and retailers, Gannon Sports, who have an outlet at Craiglockhart, will be attempting a record of the fastest stringing of a tennis racket. The team at Gannon Sports have been practising hard to shave off as much time off the 15-minute benchmark.

Craiglockhart Tennis Centre offers junior tennis classes from as young as 18 months, up to adults of all abilities. Craiglockhart Tennis Centre has six indoor courts and a further six outdoor clay courts (five with floodlights for evening play), and a cycling studio.

Its Leisure Centre also boasts a spacious gym with over 70 pieces of kit, fitness studios, squash courts and a multipurpose sports hall.

The outdoor tennis courts at Craiglockhart have seen many world-famous players grace their surface over the years from Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe in the 1970s to Andy Murray in the 90s.

For more information or to book a slot visit www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/festival-of-tennis .

Craiglockhart Leisure & Tennis Centre, 177 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1BZ Telephone 0131 443 0101

Anyone for croquet?

With the sport of croquet today enjoyed by a wave of younger enthusiasts, British menswear brand Simon Carter has issued a rallying cry to croquet newcomers to give the game a go for free in this the first year Britain has hosted the Croquet World Championship since 2011.

Ahead of this year’s prestigious World Championship, where the British team will be led by its youngest ever team captain, lead sponsor Simon Carter is extending an invitation to the nation to try croquet for free at one of more than 200 local clubs across the UK on National Croquet Day on the 12^thMay 2019.

“As a passionate player of the game, I want to share my love of croquet with the wider world,” said Simon Carter, founder of the eponymous menswear brand. “The game is undergoing a surge in popularity especially among the young. May 12th is National Croquet Day, so turn up at your nearest club and give it a go!”

On 12^thMay, croquet clubs around the country will open their doors to people of all ages in a bid to reveal the contemporary side of a sport which in the mid-19^thCentury was more popular than tennis. All equipment and access to croquet lawns will be provided free of charge on National Croquet Day with croquet club members on hand to provide expert advice.

Carter hopes this drive to attract a new generation of enthusiasts to the nation’s favourite summer pastime will galvanise national support for England’s croquet team players competing in this summer’s World Championship.

“I am delighted to be the main sponsor for the 2019 Croquet World Championships. This is an excellent opportunity to show what an exciting, skilful and engaging game this is and to overturn many people’s preconceptions”, he said.

From Saturday 27 July to Sunday 4 August, the UK hosts the WCF Simon Carter Golf Croquet World Championship for the first time since 2011. The event will be held at the Sussex County Croquet Club in West Sussex (amongst additional local venues) with 74 players competing from 18 nations.

The British team comprises its youngest players to date and will be led by team captain J.P.Moberly, aged 24.

To find out the location of your local croquet club click here.

Meadows Croquet Club Info: mcc_leaflet