Man falls off roof in Edinburgh……(nearly)

This was the scene today on a rooftop in Elder Street ,on  the east side of the Bus Station.

So what is wrong with this?

Apart from the high-vis jacket , the roofing worker was wearing no other safety gear, and did not appear to be taking any other safety measures to stop himself falling from the four storey building. Onlookers reported he slipped down the roof just before this photograph was taken.

We may often complain about Health & Safety but this young man could have been a statistic today.

The HSE website advises:-

There is a simple hierarchy for managing and selecting equipment for work at height. Duty holders must:

avoid work at height where they can;
use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid working at height; and
where they cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur.
The Regulations include schedules giving requirements for existing places of work and means of access for work at height, collective fall prevention (e.g. guardrails and working platforms), collective fall arrest (e.g. nets, airbags etc), personal fall protection (e.g. work restraints, fall arrest and rope access) and ladders.

Edinburgh on Twitter 31 March 2011

Today has been a busy day here at Reporter Towers, and we paraphrase it for you in Tweets….

Edinburgh set for bus fare rises

From Sunday 3 April both Lothian Buses and First in Scotland East will be revising their fares across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Having last set Adult fares in January 2009, Lothian Buses are set to raise prices for most of their tickets. The cost of an Adult single ticket will rise from £1.20 to £1.30, Adult day tickets will rise from £3.00 to £3.20 each, while a weekly Ridacard will now cost £16, previously £15. However, there are to be no increases in the cost of either Student or Child fares.

The fare revisions are explained by Lothian Buses as the inevitable consequence of current economic conditions. The company’s website states that, since the last time fares increased, the Retail Price Index has risen by more than 9 per cent and the cost of fuel has moved up by more than 40 per cent. Ian Craig, the Managing Director of Lothian Buses, said: “The quality of our service which we are committed to providing for our customers comes at a cost and we have now reached the point where we have to increase the prices of some of our tickets to ensure that we can continue to match the high standards which our customers rightly expect.” He also noted that, in the preceding two years, the company has invested just under £15 million on 80 new buses.

First in Scotland East will be making similar changes.

In Zone M, which covers Edinburgh, Midlothian and parts of East Lothian, an Adult single ticket will also increase, from £1.20 to £1.30 (apart from service 86/86A, where the cost of this ticket is already £1.30), while an Adult FirstDay ticket will rise from £3.00 to £3.20 (FirstDay tickets on services to South Queensferry and Kirkliston will now cost £4.80).

Single fares outside Zone M are also to increase by 10p. However, return tickets that cost over £3.10 are to be calculated according to a different formula, which will result in cost savings.

Child single fares within Zone M are to be discounted, from 80p to 70p.

Paul Thomas, Managing Director of First in Scotland East, stated: “We have worked hard to minimise the impact on passengers and have kept fares the same where possible and have kept any increases to an absolute minimum.”

For more information on these changes, visit the Lothian Buses website, or the First in Scotland East website.

Edinburgh University Rugby Club v Harper Adams College

by Thomas Haywood

Edinburgh University Rugby Club sensationally managed to win their promotional match (18-16) with a final penalty kick against Harper Adams College at Peffermill yesterday.

The game was essentially a story of two halves. Harper Adams took the lead early on in the game leading by 13-3 dominating possession of the ball in the Edinburgh territory. Edinburgh came back to score an unconverted try before half-time.

In the second half Edinburgh came back and dominated play in the Harper Adams territory. They were unluckily disallowed a try after the Referee deemed that he had interfered with the play, and called them back for a 5 metre scrum. However they bounced back and later scored a converted try. It was only in the dying seconds that Edinburgh were awarded a penalty which was converted to win the game.

This was a hard fought game, and at the end the dejection of the Harper Adams players was clear to see. They had travelled a long way and left empty-handed.

I then interviewed rugby development officer for Edinburgh University, David Adamson, after the match

More pictures from the event can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/polwarthpics/sets/72157626274750301/

Thomas Haywood Photography
25 Polwarth Crescent 2F1
Edinburgh
EH11 1HR
Scotland

Tel: +44 131 466 1111
Mobile:  +44 7968 085 609

http://www.thomashaywood.com
email: photos@thomashaywood.com

Scottish Documentary Institute offers screening opportunities for new Filmmakers

Five new documentary filmmakers, nurtured through Scottish Documentary Institute’s annual Bridging the Gap scheme, have been selected to screen in competition at four of the world’s leading documentary film festivals this spring:

Robert de Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival, New York selected Jane McAllister’s Caretaker for the Lord for competition from thousansds of entries.  Tribeca was founded by Robert De Niro in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture. It runs from 20 April – 1 May 2011.

Jane McAllister lives in Glasgow, and is a Bridging the Gap Alumni (Sporranmakers) and a graduate at Screen Academy Scotland. The film is about the battle between the space and souls of a local church congregation. It has also been selected to screen at the renowned and highly selective Full Frame film festival in Raleigh Durham, North Carolina. 

Hotdocs, Toronto, Canada selected two Bridging the Gap films:

Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market. (28 April – 8 May, 2011) it will present an outstanding selection of 170+ documentaries from Canada and around the world to Toronto audiences and international delegates. Screening with a Sundance award winning film at Hotdocs will be PS: Your Mystery Sender, a story around the unwrapped and unusual objects the renowned designer Paul Smith has been receiving for the last twenty years. PS has just had its US premiere at SxSW in Austin, Texas.

Surpriseville by Tim Travers Hawkins will screen in front of the Danish feature The Good Life (as well as at Vision Du Reel, Nyon). It was produced by Carina Wilson and Blindside Productions in Glasgow and is a comment on utopian “master plan communities.”

Vision du Reel, Nyon, Switzerland selected Amy Rose’s Bridging the Gap film Twinset for competition. A film which explores gender and one woman’s quest to become a lady.  Vision du Reel is one of the leading European documentary film festivals and market for creative documentary and runs from  7-13 April 2011.  Surpriseville will screen there, too and also having its international premiere there is 15 and Half by yet another ex student at Screen Academy Scotland: Tali Yankelevich. Tali is currently in production with a new Bridging the Gap film (The Perfect Fit), due for completion in May 2011.

Responding on behalf of all the filmmakers Jane McAllister says: “To be recognised by two major film festivals in America is a great honour. I’m proud I was able to do this story justice – a real measure of the quality of training I received from Bridging the Gap and Screen Academy Scotland these past two years.”

Noe Mendelle, Director of Scottish Documentary Institute & Professor in Film & TV at Edinburgh College of Art says: “We’re very pleased that once again our Bridging the Gap nurtured filmmakers are reaching international audiences with their short gems. These are serious calling cards for their next films. “

You can watch the trailers as follows:-

Synopsis: Surpriseville by Tim Travers Hawkins   9’05’’
We explore 21st century suburbia in the city of Suprise, Arizona, a man made oasis, a master-planned community where residents go to great lengths to ensure life is as safe as possible.
Trailer: http://www.scottishdocinstitute.com/films/surpriseville/

Synopsis: PS: Your Mystery Sender by Benjamin Wigley  9’05’’
The search for the meaning behind the unwrapped and unusual objects that Paul Smith, the fashion designer, has been receiving in the post for the last 20 years, from a mystery person. Funded in collaboration with EM Media.
Trailer: http://www.scottishdocinstitute.com/films/ps-your-mystery-sender/

Synopsis: Twinset by Amy Rose 12’
Tea and cake, stilettos and gentle murmurs; old ladies in an Essex church welcome a towering transvestite into their midst. But families ask questions that polite old ladies do not dare; this is an observational film about courage, family and the cost of being happy.
Trailer available here:  http://www.scottishdocinstitute.com/films/twinset/

Funded & Supported by Creative Scotland, BBC Scotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise & Edinburgh College of Art.

CARETAKER FOR THE LORD_Trailer from Jane McAllister on Vimeo.

Pupils launch road improvements at Fountainbridge

Pupils from Tollcross Primary School have been helping to launch brand new road improvements at the junction at Fountainbridge and Gardner’s Crescent.

Now, the Council say that pupils and public alike will be able to benefit from a safer route to school.

The £0.5m scheme was largely funded by Transport Scotland’s Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets initiative. Work included the replacement of an existing roundabout with traffic lights. This has improved road safety for pedestrians as well as cyclists, especially improving access to the Union Canal path.

The new lay-out connects with the off-road link to Morrison Street and will also provide a direct route to the West End once work on the Edinburgh International Conference Centre extension is completed late next year.

Susan Robertson, from Tollcross Primary School , who is running the School’s Cycle Training Scheme in the summer, said: “We have a lot of children who cycle to school and anything which improves the safety of the trip into school is a very good thing.”

John Lauder, National Director of Sustrans Scotland , added: “This is a really exciting development and we hope the Council will roll out developments like these across the city. Edinburgh is an increasingly great city to get around by bike and this development will only improve things.”

Make your Mum Queen for a Day at Edinburgh Castle

This Sunday, celebrate Mother’s Day at Edinburgh Castle – and come face to face with Scottish history’s most famous mother, Mary Queen of Scots.

In 1566, Mary gave birth at the castle to her only child – a son who grew up to unite the crowns of Scotland and England and rule as King James VI and I.

And on Mothering Sunday, 3rd April, the dramatic backdrop of the castle’s Great Hall will provide an apt setting for a series of light-hearted and engaging costumed performances featuring the enigmatic and beautiful Scottish queen and members of her entourage.

Focusing on different aspects of what life was like for mothers in the 16th century -  and touching on everything from social customs, etiquette and costume to politics, religion and witchcraft – the colourful performances provide a fascinating glimpse into Mary’s life and times, highlighting a host of interesting historic details.  For example, visitors will learn what the royal midwife received as her reward and why it resulted in a right royal makeover.  They’ll also find out why Mary named her favourite shortbread after ladies’ undergarments, and why an obsession with fashion and makeup is no modern phenomenon – and in the Renaissance could even risk your life.

Mary was certainly not short of her enemies so ensuring her safe protection was a full-time challenge.  On Sunday, her guards will be demonstrating the weaponry at their disposal – and whilst Edinburgh Castle’s famous One O Clock Gun is not fired on a Sunday, there will instead be a special Mothering Sunday volley of musket fire.

Visiting Mums will be able to dine like a queen at the castle on Sunday as the Queen Anne Café has a treat in store for them – a special Mothers’ Day lunch and afternoon teas.

The lunch menu – which is superb value at £18.00 – offers a tempting selection featuring starters including plum tomato soup and croutons and course pork country pate, plum chutney and oatcakes.  The delicious mains include pan roasted chicken breast, tian of root vegetables, with mushroom and white wine cream sauce, and seared salmon, lemon, cherry tomato salsa and skirlie potatoes.  And dessert lovers won’t be able to resist soft chocolate cake, orange caramel cinnamon tuille, Cranachan cheesecake or a selection of Isle of Arran ice cream.

The afternoon teas consist of a selection of mouthwatering sandwiches, cakes, and scones with cream and jam.  And at the Red Coat Café there will also be Mother’s Day cookies for sale.

Visitors browsing in the castle’s gift shops will find a host of ideas for Mother’s Day presents including the elegant new ‘Symbols’ range, which is exclusive to Historic Scotland and includes a beautiful devore scarf (£40) a mirror compact and a pendant, both at £14.95.

Entry to Edinburgh Castle and Sunday’s Mother’s Day event is free for Historic Scotland members and membership can be bought on arrival at the castle or in advance

Costing less than £7 a month for a family, membership enables free admission to all of Historic Scotland’s 78 paid-entry visitor attractions throughout the country, as well as free entry to a host of special on site events throughout the year.

For visitors who are not Historic Scotland members, the cost of Sunday’s event is included in the castle’s normal admission price: adult £14, concession £11.20 and child £8.20.

Edinburgh Castle Executive Manager Nick Finnigan said: “If you’re looking for an original and special Mother’s Day treat, what better place than Scotland’s best loved heritage attraction.  Our entertaining Mary Queen of Scots performances, great catering and shopping add up to an unbeatable combination for a really memorable day out.”

Five things you need to know today

Expenses claims and the Freedom of Information requests that uncovered them may now seem a little passé but for former Livingston MP, Jim Devine, it is still in the forefront of his mind. Devine has been jailed for 16 months this morning at The Old Bailey in London for expenses fraud, and you can read a full report from Nick Eardley writing in The Scotsman.

Wife of former Prime Minister, Sarah Brown, is booked for the Purple Lunch organised by Wellbeing of Women in April. She will be speaking about her new book, Behind the Black Door. You can read more and book your tickets here.

Election Hustings are well underway (and we will have some news on those later) but the  event being held in Midlothian on Friday 1 April may be a little tastier than most, as former Masterchef winner and Edinburgh restaurateur, Gerry Goldwyre, is providing the eats, as The Edinburgh Evening News reported last week.

STVLocal report on the largest Dragon Boat Challenge which might raise £100,000 for charity – and which is taking place in June in Leith.

Lothian Buses have told us that Lost Property is on the move.

From 4 April 2011 we’ll be at Hanover Street Travelshop . . .

Have you left something on the bus?

Hundreds of items are left on our buses every week.  From the obvious, such as umbrellas, gloves and mobile phones to golf clubs, suitcases, guitars and stuffed animals!

With only 60% of these items ever claimed we are making it easier for you to collect your lost items by moving our Lost Property office to a City Centre location and extending the opening hours.

From 4 April 2011 Lost Property will be located in our Hanover Street Travelshop and will be open from 0930 – 1330 then 1400 – 1730, Monday to Friday, doubling the previous opening hours.

You can also call us on 0131 475 0652 (number active from 4 April 2011) during opening hours

Or

You can email lostproperty@lothianbuses.co.uk

Items will be held there for one month before being donated to Save the Children.

Sarah Brown to speak at Edinburgh WOW lunch in April

Sarah Brown is speaking at the WOW lunch next month being held in Edinburgh, and will talk about her book “Behind the Black Door”, reminiscing over the years living with husband Gordon in Downing Street, when he was Prime Minister.

She will be accompanied by Professor Suzanne Hagen, a WOW researcher.

WOW stands for Wellbeing of Women, and Brown was formerly the President of this organisation, which seeks to improve women’s health through research, training and education. She is the Founder and President of PiggyBankKids, Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood and a former public relations executive.  Sarah is a regular public speaker and you can follow her on Twitter

Edinburgh Lunch 2011 Poster

The charity has several campaigns underway at the moment including the Mother’s Day Campaign to find better treatments for mothers and their babies.

You can book your tickets by printing out the application form here.

Ticket Application for Purple Lunch 2011

VisitScotland app hits the Top 5 on iTunes

An innovative iPhone app launched by VisitScotland at the end of last year is sitting above the likes of Tripadvisor and British Airways in iTunes’ top free travel apps chart, boasting more than 15,000 downloads so far.

Produced in association with Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland, the VisitScotland Days Out app capitalises on the Scottish staycation trend.

Launched in November and available to download free from the iTunes store, the app features an ‘Inspire Me’ button which allows the user to select their location, give the phone a shake and, fruit-machine style, it will spit out ideas for things to see and do in the vicinity.

Extensive information on days out from partners Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland, VisitScotland Information Centres, ASVA attractions, a selection of Quality Assured visitor attractions and restaurants are all pre-loaded on to the app, along with various seasonal offers from tourism businesses nationwide. And, in the year of Active Scotland, activity providers such as surf schools, golf courses and places to hire bikes also feature.

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the success of Days Out – VisitScotland’s very first app. It has proved an innovative and useful tool for both visitors and locals and we hope that Days Out will prove an even bigger hit when it is ‘refreshed’ later this year, offering users twice as much to see and do.”

Stephen Duncan, Historic Scotland’s Head of Commercial and Visitor Operations, said: “Historic Scotland is very keen to promote the use of social media in order to reach new audiences. The Days Out app has been a great success and is an engaging and innovative way to let people know about the wonderful visitor attractions they have in their vicinity.”

Ian Gardner, Marketing Manager of the National Trust for Scotland, said: “It’s great news that this app has proved so popular. We’re sure it’s encouraging lots of people to get out and explore Scotland and all the places that the Trust cares for all over the country.”

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