Rugby – Scotland v England 4 February 2012
February 5, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Auld Enemy turned up at Murrayfield on Saturday with eight new caps, a new head coach and the full support of Britains bookies, but with a bit of rumbling from the English ‘experts’ about dropping most of the old hands. While they weren’t anywhere near as dominant a force as some English teams have been in the past, they did manage to cross the finishing line seven points clear for their first Murrayfield win since 2008, Scotland’s eternal lack of success in the try scoring department letting them down in the end – but it was close.
Scotland kicked off into the seething cauldron that is Murrayfield when Scotland and England compete and straight away went on the attack with players all over the field making it difficult for the visitors to decide where the kick off was going to end up. However, once the game was underway, both teams were playing a cagey game with possession and territory swapping regularly. England had the first scoring opportunity 13 minutes in with a penalty which, new cap, Owen Farrell stuck just wide, giving the nay-sayers of English rugby a chance to stroke their beards and nod sagely. Less than 10 minutes later though, Scotland gave Farrell another chance to open the scoring, which he duly slotted home to give the visitors a three point lead with 24 minutes on the clock.
Straight from the kick-off, the home side put the English team under immediate pressure in their 22 and were awarded with their own penalty, a chance which Cardiff’s Dan Parks scored to draw the sides level.
Weathering an England attack which failed to penetrate the home sides defence, Scotland turned-over the ball, which was hoofed off down the field to get Scotland on the attack and just short of the England try line. With Chris Cusiter forcing Chris Ashton to hold onto the ball just short of the line, Parks took the chance the chance to put Scotland in the lead.
The half ended with Scotland in possession, on the attack, but not really doing anything to look like making a try-scoring opportunity and going into the break 6-3 ahead.
From the restart, the ball ended up in Parks’ hands for a nice, simple kick to touch. It didn’t quite work out as planned when Charlie Hodgson charged the kick down and then fell on the ball over the Scotland line. With Farrell scoring from the kick, England were 10-3 ahead with still 39 minutes to play. The Scots didn’t let their heads drop and attack after attack saw first David Denton making a charge up the left hand touch-line, then Richie Gray battling up the middle of the field (pictured) and finally a kick through from yet another assault on the 63 minute mark which saw the ‘nearly try’. Greg Laidlaw, on for Parks, chipped the ball in behind the visitors defence, and charged through to compete with Ben Youngs for the touch down. Oh, it was close! It took the TMO almost 5 minutes to decide that Laidlaw hadn’t got enough on the ball to warrant the score and match referee, George Clancy, gave the ‘no-try’ signal that the home fans were dreading.
And that was that, more or less. England came up with another two penalties, Farrell only scoring from one, and Scotland ended the match as they had begun, on the attack, but just failing to make the breakthrough. With David Denton being awarded Man-of-the-Match, Scotland came away from the encounter with another ‘brave’ defeat, 13-6 down, too many turn-overs and lack of penetration being the match losers which need to be worked on before meeting Wales in Cardiff next week.
As a footnote, such is the aura surrounding the Calcutta Cup encounter that the tongue-in-cheek reckoning in the Photographer’s room afterwards was that Scotland’s bid for Independence could hinge on the result of this very match. Choose your date wisely Alec…
Report and Photo – John Preece
Web - http://www.photoboxgallery.com/jlp-photography
Want to get married at Edinburgh Castle?
February 5, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Edinburgh Castle to host Wedding Open Weekend
Are you searching for the ultimate romantic venue to hold your wedding? Then look no further, as Edinburgh Castle is hosting a wedding open weekend on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th February from 11:00 to 4:00 pm.
Couples are asked to register in advance on hs.weddings@scotland.gsi.gov.uk indicating which day they would like to attend.
There will be discount booking offers and incentives on the day and our on-site event managers will be on hand to answer any questions.
When couples arrive they will register in the Gatehouse Suite and will be given a map to follow with the suggested route around the various venues. The Gatehouse Suite will be the first stop on the tour and its main room will be set for a ceremony. All the areas where ceremonies and receptions take place will be set up so people can see exactly what the different venues would look like on the day.
Nick Finnigan, Executive Manager of Edinburgh Castle said:
“With its fascinating history, unique setting and panoramic views across the city, Edinburgh Castle is the ultimate romantic and memorable setting for your special day.
“If you are looking for the perfect place to propose, our Proposal Package offers you exclusive access to the historic Argyle Tower, the upper part of the Portcullis Gate within Edinburgh Castle, with its beautiful window alcoves and views over the city and beyond.”
St Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest venue, dating back to the 12th century. It is the oldest building in Edinburgh and is available for small, intimate, religious wedding ceremonies. It has a capacity for 25 guests.
The 19th century Gatehouse Suite, offers an ideal venue for small wedding ceremonies, whilst the adjoining Ante Room is perfect for drinks and canapés. Access is also available to a private terrace. It has a capacity for 40 guests.
The recently refurbished Queen Anne Room is set in the heart of Edinburgh Castle in Crown Square. It has a capacity for 120 guests (seated) and up to 170 guests for dancing. There will also be a photographer and florist here to advise you. A private viewing of Scotland’s Crown Jewels can also be included.
If you are interested in the Proposal Package you can either purchase your entry tickets on-line in advance from the Edinburgh Castle website or in person on the day from the ticket office.
Historic Scotland who run the castle will then work closely with you in the run up to the day itself to formulate the all important plan, and confirm the exact timings etc for the use of the Tower during your visit. You can also order champagne and flowers from our menu to be waiting for you there. The historic Argyle Tower, the upper part of the Portcullis Gate will be closed for your private use for a period of 30 minutes.
Fruits in the City and Streetwork have fresh ideas this year
February 5, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Vulnerable people throughout Edinburgh have been given a fresh start this year thanks to a collaboration between a Leith-based workplace fruit delivery company and a local charity.
“Fruits in the City have been providing our crisis service on Holyrood Road with leftover fruit on a weekly basis,” said Jackie Brown, Fundraising and Relationship Manager, from the charity Streetwork UK.
The Edinburgh-based charity offers immediate crisis support for homeless people while encouraging them to make use of a range of support services with the ultimate goal of achieving life off the streets. Jackie continued:- “Jamie Henderson of Fruits in the City approached us to offer his company’s support – a clear demonstration of his generosity, his forward thinking and his interest in the wider scope of activities taking place in Edinburgh. He is also one of the cheeriest people I’ve ever worked with which is a real plus!”
Fruits in the City supply a tempting selection of fresh and healthy fruit boxes and baskets to Edinburgh and Glasgow’s office workforce. The company has exacting standards when it comes to the quality, size and appearance of the fruit that is delivered to customers. It also has a commitment to continuously improving its environmental credentials. By donating fruit to charity, Fruits in the City achieve two objectives; the company helps to directly benefit the local people who use the Streetwork facility and also minimises the wastage of fruit that – save the odd blemish or being a little smaller than average – is otherwise perfect.
Jamie Henderson, founder of Fruits in the City, explains, “The fruit that we donate is perfectly edible, it just hasn’t met our company’s strict quality control standards. Our donations could include undersized bananas, for example, or fruit that may ripen too quickly.” And Streetwork’s Jackie Brown is quick to agree, “The fruit that we receive is fantastic quality and provides a healthy and nutritious addition to our service users’ diets.”
Streetwork is not the only local charity to benefit from such donations. Jamie has come up with a novel solution to ensure that as little as possible goes to landfill each week. And the animals and exotic birds at Edinburgh Zoo are certainly not complaining!
“It’s vitally important that zoo animals receive a species-appropriate diet,” says Darren McGarry, Animal Collection Manager at Edinburgh Zoo. “Fresh fruit forms an important part of the diet – both in terms of taste and nutritionally – for lots of different creatures from Bali starlings to Buff-cheeked gibbons. And the regular donations that we receive from Fruits in the City provide a welcome addition to our food stores and help supplement the animals’ regular diet of vegetables and seeds.”
SNP call for devolution of broadcasting powers
The SNP has reissued calls for Scotland to have broadcasting powers after the BBC’s national governor for Scotland.said the country was poorly served by the corporation.
Quoted in the Scotsman, former head of BBC Jeremy Peat said the “case for more and more production out of London remains and the pressure for increased devolution of programming must continue”.
He also said viewers north of the Border should be offered an alternative to “England-only stories”.
Stewart Maxwell, SNP MSP for West Scotland and convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee which has invited senior BBC executives to appear before the committee to give evidence on broadcasting, said:
“There is a clear need – and growing support – for broadcasting powers to be devolved. It is of vital cultural importance to Scotland.
“The UK Government must listen to these voices – especially when the former head of the BBC in Scotland says our country is poorly served at the moment and that he backs devolution of powers.
“Those on all sides of the political divide in Scotland acknowledge we need our own distinctive broadcasting space.
“We need a stronger voice and greater accountability – especially during this historic time when Scotland’s constitutional future is being debated.
“Current broadcasting arrangements are not meeting the needs of the people of Scotland and it is time for this to change. Westminster must take notice of the growing demand for Scotland to be accountable for broadcasting.”
Queen Margaret University secures new training role
February 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (QMU) has secured contracts to provide Ombudsman staff with accredited training programmes. This training will be delivered to the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Legal Ombudsman for England and Wales.
QMU recently secured a four year contract to provide accredited training for the Financial Ombudsman Service in London which is the largest ombudsman organisation in the world. The team has delivered a new Masters course which was piloted with seventy ombudsman staff.
In partnership with Northumbria University Law School, QMU has also won a national tender to provide accredited training for the new Legal Ombudsman for England and Wales. This work saw 300 staff trained by the end of 2011.
These significant contracts come on the back of the University’s growing reputation for providing high quality training for ombudsman organisations, complaint handlers, trading standards and other regulatory services. The move reflects QMU’s drive to provide industry relevant courses to equip ombudsman staff to respond effectively to the high levels customer complaints about financial and legal services across the UK and Ireland.
Director of QMU’s Consumer Insight Centre, Carol Brennan, is leading this initiative for the University and is developing a centre of excellence for training, research, knowledge exchange and consultancy in ombudsman and complaint handling practice.
Carol said: “A rise in complaints about services is a reflection of the current economic climate with an increasing number of unresolved disputes being referred to ombudsmen. In the last couple of months, for example, the number of new payment protection insurance (PPI) cases being referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service has climbed steeply – from fewer than 1,000 a week to over 3000. This means they will soon be receiving their 300,000th PPI complaint.”
Recently the Centre has enjoyed several other significant achievements – QMU is the first UK University to provide approved accredited training for the British and Irish Ombudsman Association (BIOA) offering ‘The Professional Award in Ombudsman and Complaint Handling Practice’ and ‘The Professional Certificate in Ombudsman and Complaint Handling Practice’.
Carol explained: “Launched at QMU in 2009, these courses were a sell-out, reflecting a high level of enthusiasm for this project among BIOA’s membership. Also, there is growing international interest in this type of training with course participants coming from as far as Bermuda and Ghana.”
The Centre also delivered a new course for the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland. Staff worked in partnership with the organisation to develop a bespoke course which reflects the approach of the organisation and the fact that it deals with some of the country’s most challenging complaints. Professor John McNeil, Scotland’s Police Complaints Commissioner, has recently been appointed as Honorary Professor at QMU to advise the University on its future research and course development.
Carol Brennan concluded: “These significant achievements clearly demonstrate the quality of QMU’s work in the increasingly important area of customer complaints. They also emphasise the University’s commitment to improving service provision and ultimately quality of life.”
Valentine’s Day treats at Cuckoo’s
February 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Sugarcraft Roses are red…. Sugarcraft Violets are blue….
Cuckoo’s Bakery launch their luxurious range of Valentine’s Day treats
Flowers and chocolate are so passé! Show how much you love your sweetheart with six exquisite cupcakes delivered to their door, fresh from Cuckoo’s Bakery. Each cupcake represents a different romantic moment, from the tender to the passionate, which St Valentine himself would swoon over!
Show your softer side with “Truffle Cuddle” – A lovable chocolate sponge cupcake filled with homemade chocolate ganache, and topped with a teddy.
Give them an edible kiss with “Cherry Velvet Lips” – A romantic take on the cupcake classic, Red Velvet laced with cherries and decorated with a cherry red chocolate pout.
“Raspberry Passion” will make their taste buds tingle! – An exotic passion fruit and raspberry cupcake with a passion fruit sunset frosting.
“Toffee Sweetheart” is as timeless as your love story – Cuckoo’s have adapted the classically British sticky toffee pudding, for a deliciously moreish cupcake.
Heaven is “Coconut Love Cloud” – a fluffy coconut cupcake filled with homemade coconut custard and topped with a cloud of coconut cream cheese frosting, crushed meringue and pink heart sprinkles.
Spoil them with the luxurious “Strawberry and Pink Champagne” cupcake, complete with pink buttercream icing and a fresh strawberry.
Cuckoo’s will bake these cupcake fresh for you, before placing them in a box decorated with red ribbon, complete with a Valentine’s day card – all for £17.50. Now you have the perfect Valentine’s gift sorted, all you have to do is decide whether to sign your name on the card, or simply a mysterious “?”…
Cuckoo’s Bakery
150 Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5DQ
t: 0131 556 6224 / e: hello@cuckoosbakery.co.uk
www.cuckoosbakery.co.uk
Valentine’s Day – Mussel Inn
February 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
As the dish traditionally known as ‘the food of love’, and enjoying a reputation as a potent aphrodisiac, oysters will feature as specials at award-winning Scottish seafood restaurant Mussel Inn this Valentine’s Day.
Yet, whilst chilled oysters served naturally or with shallot and red wine vinaigrette remains the most popular option on its menu, Mussel Inn has noticed a growing trend in popularity of grilled oysters – and even oyster tempura.
Matt Johansson, food and beverage manager at Mussel Inn, said: “According to Greek myth, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, sprang forth from the sea on an oyster shell and gave birth to Eros, which is where word ‘aphrodisiac’ derives, and legendary lover Casanova always started a meal by eating 12 dozen oysters. That’s why we’re sure that our oysters will prove popular options on our menu this Valentine’s Day!
“Yet whilst I personally love them naturally with a sprinkle of lemon juice – they are so fresh that you can taste the sea water – our grilled oysters with gruyere cheese and bacon are amongst the most popular dishes on our menu. For novices I would recommend the oyster tempura, which has a delicious crispy outing and lends the oyster an appealing, velvety texture.
“Carefully nurtured in the sea lochs of the Scottish west coast, our hand selected and sustainably cultivated oysters grow more slowly then those from warmer waters, providing a richness and depth of taste that we believe is unique.”
Located at 61-65 Rose Street, Edinburgh and 157 Hope Street, Glasgow, the award-winning Mussel Inn is renowned for its passion for its offering of delicious locally sourced fresh seafood, providing excellent value for money and a quick and friendly service.
To book a table call 0131 225 5979 or 0141 572 1405 or log onto their website for more information.
Weekend racing at Musselburgh
February 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
At just a touch under £90,000 Musselburgh is putting up record prize money for its feature jumps meeting of the season on Sunday with the John Smith’s Scottish Cheltenham Trials.
Three £20,000 races and a supporting £12,000 race has caught the attention of leading stables from as far apart as Newmarket, Lambourn, Cheshire and North Yorkshire, with the indigenous Scottish stables poised to ensure the raiders don’t disappear with the bulk of the booty.
Musselburgh has made a concerted effort to establish this fixture as genuine trials or prep meeting for the major Spring festivals, starting with Cheltenham and on to Aintree and the Grand National in April.
The John Smith’s Scottish County Hurdle is billed as a run out for the top handicap hurdlers fancying a shot at Cheltenham’s County Hurdle and Nicky Henderson will be looking to repeat his 2009 victory in this race when Eradicate won. The leading Lambourn trainer holds a powerful hand this year with Crystal Rock and Dubai Crest but Henderson will not have matters easy this time round.
Richard Fahey is sending his talented Ingleby Spirit in search of his third consecutive Musselburgh success, while Cumbrian trainer Nicky Richards is optimistic that Simply Ned will follow up last month’s popular win in the valuable TurfTV Handicap Hurdle. Scottish trainers Jim Goldie and James Ewart are equally confident of a bold showing from New Year’s Day winner Kaolak and Allow Me.
A decent run in the £20,000 John Smith’s Scottish Triumph Hurdle could lead to a pop at the Triumph Hurdle proper at Cheltenham and this race has piqued the interest of Newmarket’s John Ferguson who is enjoying a fine season with his ex-Godolphin flat racers. His final choice between dual winners Asaid and Creekside will have to be seriously respected but the value could lie with the Malton-trained Blue Destination and John Quinn’s four year old – a runner up in both his recent outings over hurdles – looks a progressive type poised to improve with experience.
Always keen to innovate, Musselburgh introduces a new race, the John Smith’s Scottish Champion Steeple Chase Handicap and the best two miler collects the Bowes-Lyon Cup, named in honour of David Bowes-Lyon who recently retired as a director of Musselburgh Racecourse.
A tartan version of Cheltenham’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, albeit a handicap, the race will feature razor sharp competition amongst the top northern stables. With front runners like Carrietau, Laterly, Storm Surge and Quito Du Tresor among the entries a strong gallop will be assured and the early pace could play to the advantage of Time Out. Langholm trainer James Ewart has already saddled the nine year old to score three times this season and Time Out’s ability to act round sharp tracks and his proven stamina will both be in his favour.
Musselburgh Racecourse general manger, Bill Farnsworth, is predicting another cracking day of National Hunt action at the East Lothian course. He said: “This is the richest jumps fixture yet staged at Musselburgh and that is reflected in the quality of entries and the geographic spread of the stables heading our way.
“It sets the stage for a superb day on Sunday and I expect an old fashioned north/south tussle will make for very interesting racing. I won’t be surprised if the furthest travelled trainers don’t get it all their own way which can only be good for the paying race goer.
“We are grateful to John Smith’s for their ongoing support in building up this flagship fixture and we are in talks with the brewer to strengthen our relationship, with possibly other fixtures benefiting from their sponsorship.”
Gates open on Sunday at 11.30am and first race on the seven card meeting is at 1.30pm.
Musselburgh team get new kit
February 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Musselburgh Windsor Amateur Football Club has started 2012 with a new look thanks to an Edinburgh property company.
Ross and Liddell set up its Community Bursary Scheme last year and donated £250 to the club, which used the funding to purchase a new change strip for its amateur squad.
Mark Finlayson, team manager, said: “On behalf of Musselburgh Windsor Amateur Football Club I would like to thank Ross and Liddell for its funding and support.
“The bursary has allowed us to fund a new change strip, which is essential when there are so many teams and competitions at amateur level.
“Musselburgh Windsor Football Club has been around for a long time with a range of teams of all ages, but this team was only established in 2011 and this is their first competitive season.
“It was a natural progression for a boys club as large as Windsor to develop a senior team for boys to progress towards as they work through the age groups. We hope to be successful within the Lothian and Edinburgh Amateur Football Association and compete with the existing amateur teams in Musselburgh and the surrounding areas.”
Based in Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, Ross and Liddell specialises in property management and maintenance, as well as providing a comprehensive range of residential and commercial services, including sales, lettings, surveying and insurance.
Property manager, Wayne O’Connor, recently visited the club to meet the team and check out their new strips.
He said: “Our aim when we set up the bursary scheme was to give non-profit groups in the area the opportunity to apply for financial support to help continue their valuable work in the community.
“Musselburgh Windsor Football Club is very much part of the local community and we are delighted that the club has been able to purchase a new away kit with the money awarded through our bursary scheme. We wish them every success throughout the season.”
Five things you need to know today
February 4, 2012 by admin · Leave a Comment
Occupy Edinburgh
Scotland v England
New Library App
National Libraries Day
Midlothian Libraries Fine Amnesty
Occupy Edinburgh still occupying our thoughts this week. The campers moved to The Meadows last Monday following their eviction from St Andrew Square, and found themselves in court yesterday morning. The Reporter spoke to Willie Black after the court hearing, and he was very pleased that the sheriff had dealt with the matter fairly. He said that the council had tried to “shift the goalposts” during the hearing, but that if necessary the camp would move to the eastern side of the Meadows which he claims is not covered by any bye-laws, as it is not within the council’s ownership. Whether or not that is the case will no doubt be thrashed out next Friday when the council and the occupiers are back in court again.
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Nothing and everything to do with nationalism, there is a rugby international with the Calcutta Cup being played for at Murrayfield today starting at 5 p.m. Ross Ford who plays for Edinburgh Rugby will captain the home team. England last won here in 2004, so it should be an exciting match. And at The Jamhouse tonight a charity event for Hearts and Balls with two bands playing live, the John Beattie Band and the Prov Johnstone Tribute Band. You can be assured of a good night and the cause is also a very good one, supporting as it does rugby players who have sustained injury.
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Edinburgh City Libraries have just launched a mobile app. Here is what they say about it:-”One of the first fully transactional public library smartphone apps in the UK, the Edinburgh Library app helps you get more from your library service:
Out shopping and seen a book you want to read? Scan the barcode on the back cover to your phone and the libraries app will search the catalogue to see if the library has a copy you can reserve.
Couldn’t get to the library to renew your books and DVDs ? Use the Edinburgh Libraries app to log in to your account and do it there and then wherever you are.
Keep forgetting your library membership card ? Scan it in to your phone and you won’t need to worry in future. The scan will work on self service and at traditional library counters.
Edinburgh Libraries updated smart phone app is now available and if you already have the previous version you can quickly update it on your phone.
If you are not a member you can still use the app to search the library catalogue, find the nearest Edinburgh library to where you are, when it’s open and how to get there, or just follow the Literary Map of Edinburgh.”
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Today is National Libraries Day. There are lots of events to attend in city libraries which you can find out about here.
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Midlothian Libraries to offer a week-long Fines Amnesty from today until 11 February 2012.
Midlothian Councillor Peter Boyes, Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries, explains: “We know that some people with overdue items have been discouraged from using our library service because of the fines they have accrued. By offering this one-off fines amnesty, we hope to tempt them back into the habit of using their local library on a regular basis.”
Boyes continued: “Love your Library Day is all about celebrating the importance of libraries to local communities and this amnesty is a practical way of encouraging as many residents as possible to take advantage of all that our libraries have to offer.”
The fines amnesty is a one-off opportunity. It applies to all overdue items, regardless of how long the item has been overdue. Items not returned by 11 February will continue to accrue fines at the usual rate.
