Queensferry Lifeboat – Third call out in three days

The RNLI Lifeboat crew were called out for the third day running to go to the aid of a motor boat which had suffered engine failure.

At 3.15pm today a Shetland motor boat with two people on board heading from  Grangemouth to Port Edgar suffered engine failure.

The sailors had an auxiliary engine, but since the boat only had a four horsepower engine they were making no headway against the tide. The craft  managed to make it to Brucehaven Harbour where the RNLI Lifeboat crew took the motor boat in tow and berthed her safely in Port Edgar.

Over the previous two days the Queensferry Lifeboat crew have rescued 13 foreign tourists stranded by the fast incoming tide on Cramond Island.

Queen Margaret University announces tuition fees

Queen Margaret University has set indicative tuition fees for Rest of UK (RUK) students at £6,750 per annum. No RUK student will pay more than £27,000 if studying for the full four years of a Queen Margaret University Honours degree programme.

Applicants with appropriate qualifications, including appropriately qualified candidates with A Levels, will continue to be able to enter directly into second year for a number of courses and to complete their Honours degree programme within three years. For those RUK students, the maximum payable will be £20,250.

Queen Margaret University is committed to shortening the learner journey where this makes good academic sense. The University currently offers entry with advanced standing to a number of undergraduate programmes to applicants offering a range of qualifications, including appropriately qualified candidates with A Levels.

Queen Margaret University is also committed to ensuring that suitably qualified candidates are not deterred from investing in their education on the grounds of ability to pay. For that reason, Queen Margaret University will offer financial and bursary packages to attract and support well-qualified students from low income backgrounds. Details of the bursaries will be published on our website as soon as possible.

Professor Petra Wend, Principal and Vice-Chancellor said: “Some 19% of Queen Margaret University students are from RUK, and we value sincerely the significant contribution that RUK students make to our vibrant learning community. Queen Margaret University offers a thoroughly relevant, high quality student experience reflected by our 92% graduate employment rate. When setting indicative RUK fees and bursaries, we have balanced the need to cover the costs of tuition with a commitment to continue to be attractive to RUK students, whatever their financial circumstances.”

Michael Breckenridge, Queen Margaret University’s Students’ Union President, said: “We are opposed overall to the introduction of tuition fees in Scotland for RUK students. However, we recognise that from a pragmatic perspective the University has had to address this. Queen Margaret University has set a fee below the maximum level and is looking at ways of minimising the cost to individual RUK students, e.g. through second year entry. The University has committed to cash bursaries rather than fees discounts. This is good news as the Students’ Union view is that students need as much ready cash as possible to fund their studies.”

The need to change the fee level paid by students from the rest of the UK to study in Scotland has been prompted by changes to university funding brought forward by the UK Government and the consequential withdrawal of Scottish Government funding for RUK students.

The new tuition fee per year applies to students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales starting a full-time undergraduate course in 2012. Tuition fees will not be paid upfront or while RUK students are studying. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply to the Student Loans Company for a tuition fee loan. This tuition fee loan is paid directly to the University by the Government and students only need to start repaying the loan once earning over £21,000 (or £15,795 in the case of students from Northern Ireland) after graduation, with all outstanding debt written off after 30 years.

In addition, Government grants are available, and it is estimated that up to a quarter of undergraduate students will benefit from extra financial support from 2012.

The fees apply to all full-time undergraduate programmes in all subjects. Current RUK students are unaffected. Scottish and EU students will continue to have fees paid by the Scottish Government on their behalf and are therefore not affected by this announcement.

Queen Margaret University’s indicative RUK fees cannot be confirmed until the Scottish Parliament has decided whether to approve the Scottish Government’s proposals. If so, they will be phased in from academic year 2012/13. Existing RUK students will not be affected by the changes.

Five things you need to know today

The day has dawned for the World’s Biggest Coffee morning for Macmillan….send us your photos of the best cakes!

We have been worrying all summer long that the stands at Edinburgh Castle would blight the skyline all year round but it appears not as our photograph shows. Presumably there is some structure left in place but we have to get up to the Esplanade to check it out for you! Unless you already know?

Damien Henderson in The Herald tells us that the government have backed down and will now enlist the help of Network Rail rather than a private company to build the 30 mile rail route from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, a move which he says will cause some delay in the contract being completed.

Leith Festival is holding a quiz night tonight to raise funds for its events. It will be held upstairs on the balcony. The organisers say:-”The Granary is a great pub. If you have not been along the shore before its very lovely. The 22, 16, 35 & 36 buses goes right by the door. The Granary is next to The Cruz boat, very easy to find.”

Each person pays £5, teams of up to 6 – 8 people. Lots of prizes for the winners.

Our guide to What’s on in October is due for publication tomorrow morning – you still have time today to send us any last minute details of October events for inclusion!

 

Edinburgh legal firm promote 27 staff

Following swiftly on the back of a significant consolidation in the Scottish legal sector in 2011, Anderson Strathern has announced a raft of promotions taking fee-earner numbers to 230 and further strengthening its position as one of Scotland’s largest full-service law firms.

In July this year the Partners and staff of another Edinburgh property law practice, Bell & Scott, joined Anderson Strathern creating one of the largest real estate teams in Scotland and boasting a stable of clients which they claim is the envy of many competitor firms.

Recent promotions recognise the hard work and specialist skills development of 27 solicitors across key practice areas. 

In Commercial Real Estate, Chris Richardson, Neil Fraser, Richard Hart and Stephen McDonagh are promoted to Senior Associate, Leanne Hill to Associate and Edward Gratwick is promoted to Senior Solicitor.  Chris, Neil, Stephen and Edward are based in Edinburgh and Richard and Leanne in Glasgow.

In the Edinburgh Corporate team, Ashley McIntyre, Hazel Clark and Martin Whiteford are promoted to Associate, Lorraine Balfour and Cecilia O’Connell are promoted to Senior Solicitor and in Glasgow Alana Gillies is promoted to Senior Solicitor.

In Dispute Resolution, Jonathan Guy, Judith Peacock, Sara Grewar and Sarah Philips are promoted to Senior Associate and Adam Wilkie is promoted to Senior Solicitor. All are based in Edinburgh.

In the Edinburgh Employment team, Andrew Brown is promoted to Associate.

In Land Resources and based in Edinburgh, Diana Thurston-Smith is promoted to Senior Associate and Alex Brown to Senior Solicitor.

In Private Client Martin Campbell is promoted to Senior Associate and John Peutherer to Associate. Jayne Arbuckle, Sophia Li and Alison Miller are all promoted to Senior Solicitor.  All are based in Edinburgh.

In Residential Property Alison McKenna is promoted to Senior Associate and Cheryl Edgar to Associate.  Alison is based in  Edinburgh and Cheryl in Haddington.

Further evidencing the growth strategy and commitment of Anderson Strathern to developing people, the firm has retained nine trainees who become new solicitors having successfully completed traineeships. These appointments reflect a retention rate of more than 70% of the total qualifiers for 2011 and creates new positions in Commercial Real Estate, Employment and Private Client. 

13 new trainees joined the firm in early September for the start of their two year traineeship adding to the talent pipeline for the future.

Robert Carr, Chairman of Anderson Strathern, said:

“The development of talent is crucial to the long term sustainability of our business.  Our strategy is underpinned by organic growth and these promotions reflect continued investment and development firm wide to develop legal skills and services.”

Lothian Firefighters to get new training facilities

Planning approval has been granted to Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service (LBFRS) to allow for the build of new fire training facilities at Newcraighall fire station.

The additional facilities will include an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) area, rope rescue and RTC training area to prepare firefighters to deal with rescues across a wide range of eventualities from a natural disaster to a terrorist attack.

The hard standing training area will be developed next to the existing fire station at Newcraighall. Instructors will be able to simulate the type of conditions firefighters could face in the event of a serious incident.

LBFRS is required to have a minimum of 60 staff trained in USAR techniques, with the specialist-trained firefighters potentially needed to respond to both local and national incidents.

The new training area will allow fire crews to practise a range of search and rescue skills including accessing casualties trapped in collapsed buildings, using thermal imaging cameras, heavy rig for breaking large holes in concrete structures and shoring techniques. Firefighters will also receive training on rope rescue techniques and response to road traffic collisions.

Personnel from other areas of Scotland may also be trained there under proposals for a single national fire service.

Development of the new facility, which is expected to cost around £450,000, is hoped to be underway in the near future.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said: -”We are pleased that our application for planning permission has been granted. This will allow us to progress the build of vital fire training facilities.

“The training area will allow us to deliver in-house courses and could potentially provide training for personnel from outside our Service area as we move towards a single fire and rescue service.

“The new build will create a site for realistic training scenarios which will ensure our personnel continue to be trained to the highest standard to provide an emergency response to the public.”

Edinburgh takes part in The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

Macmillan Cancer Support is holding ‘The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ tomorrow, with hundreds of people across Edinburgh expected to take part.

Last year there were 400 Macmillan coffee mornings across the capital, raising £65,000 and it is hoped that more is raised this year to add to the UK-wide total which was £8m in 2010.

The premise for the event is simple: host or attend a coffee morning and donate the proceeds to the cancer charity. Macmillan is known for providing medical, emotional, practical and financial support for those affected by the disease.

One of the hosts this year is MP for Edinburgh East Sheila Gilmore. She has already baked treats for her Friday coffee morning, which will be held at her office at 84 Niddrie Mains Road, Craigmillar, between 10am and 1pm. Local residents, office workers and members of the community will join her for a hot drink and slice of cake to raise funds, along with her colleague Kezia Dugdale MSP. A raffle of Marks and Spencer vouchers will also be held.

While baking yesterday in preparation, Ms Gilmore said:- “My carrot cake and scones should go down a treat. If you’re free come along for a coffee and a slice of it for just £2.”

“A member of my staff has lost two family members to cancer. I know just how valuable the care and support given by Macmillan nurses means to those suffering from cancer and their families, whether they provide one to one care, or provide benefits advice.”

It is possibly a wee bit late to set up an event, so Edinburgh residents are encouraged to search for their local public coffee morning.

Edinburgh Central MSP, Marco Biagi is also getting involved (although we are not sure he is doing his own baking!)

The event started in 1990, when a local fundraising committee decided to hold a coffee morning where people came along to meet and mingle – as they might ordinarily do – but donate the cost of their coffee to Macmillan in the process.

The idea seemed such a simple, yet effective one that they suggested the model be taken up on a national scale. The first National World’s Biggest Coffee Morning was in 1991, when 2,600 people registered to hold coffee mornings across the country. Since then it has raised over £60 million in total for Macmillan Cancer Support.

LIVEBLOG with Ian Murray MP 29 September 2011

Ian Murray is Labour MP for Edinburgh South. He was brought up in Wester Hailes and then went to Edinburgh University when he was just 16. He runs advice sessions in a variety of locations but would like you to take this online opportunity to question him direct.

 

This liveblog will start at 5.30pm today Thursday 29 September 2011. Send us your questions now or join in by commenting during the event.

Five things you need to know today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We seem to be enjoying an Indian Summer here in Edinburgh, as our photo of some sunbathers above Illegal Jacks illustrates perfectly. Do you think perhaps Jacks send them up Burritos by some kind of pulley system?

Later today we will be liveblogging with Ian Murray MP for Edinburgh South. Email your questions to theedinburghreporter@gmail.com or submit your points by comment on the liveblog when it becomes active this evening at 5.30p.m. Remember our Liveblogs can still be viewed in the days and weeks to come – but why not take part and put your questions to one of your Westminster representatives?

The Edinburgh Evening News tell us that Council Leader, Jenny Dawe is ready to have any investigation in the trams project now, and has written to the First Minister to advise him of her council’s state of readiness. What do you think? Is it premature to investigate the matter before the contract is completed? Add your comments below!

Gulp! is ‘popping up’ in the BackRoom of Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street, Leith from 5pm till…late! this evening.

Gulp at Sophies Sep 2011 Email Size

If you have a spare hour or two today then you might like to watch the ceremony by which The Princess Royal was installed as Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, and JK Rowling was honoured with a Benefactor’s Award at the same ceremony. The video is about 56 minutes long so be warned!

Edinburgh Reporter Chats – Andrew Dinnes

Edinburgh IT company launches support division

Ladarnas, one of Edinburgh’s most successful IT companies, has launched a new, dedicated IT support division, Rebooted.

Ladarnas, which was established in 2007, has increased turnover by more than 40% in the last year and has also doubled its client base in the same period. The company has grown to employ six full time staff, as well as a number of freelancers and associates.

Rebooted has been launched to specialise in offering ‘managed’ support services to small to medium sized businesses in Edinburgh, Glasgow and across other parts of central Scotland.

Rebooted will offer a ‘health-check’ service, to test, measure and ensure that clients’ systems are the best fit for the requirements of their business. This includes a systems check, security review, policy advice and a full report, with individual recommendations.

Rebooted will also focus on keeping clients’ IT systems up to date and secure, by monitoring networks around the clock, detecting and eliminating potential problems before they can affect systems.

Managing director, Neil Ballantyne said: “Our belief is that, as with most things, prevention is far better than cure. Our systems predict and prevent IT problems, which can save our clients time and money.”

He added: “Rebooted will bring the benefits of a ‘corporate’ IT service to small businesses. We’re anticipating a number of enquiries and expect demand to be high.”

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