The Edinburgh Minute ⏰: Weekend edition 8-10 December 2023
Elm Row pigeon mystery solved, new torchlight parade route, local makers’ markets + your weekend events guide
☔️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers.
🐦 OK, most important news first: The Elm Row pigeon sculpture has been found. It was thought to have been stolen, sparking a police and council investigation. But Craig Jones Rowley, who owns Dean Jones Hairdressing on Elm Row, found it on the street and took it to a local cafe. Craig said: "They are such a pleasant wee bit of street art. I don't really understand why it would be damaged and then just dumped there." Craig helped return the bird statue to the council, who say it will be repaired. Police are still investigating. - BBC Scotland News.
🔥 A new route of Hogmanay’s Torchlight Procession has been announced. The December 29 event will see up to 20,000 torch-carriers set off on the new route up Middle Meadow Walk, crossing George IV Bridge and making their way along Johnston Terrace before reaching a finishing point on Castle Terrace beneath Edinburgh Castle. - Tickets are on sale here.
⮑ 🎧 Al Thomson, co-director of UniqueAssembly, producer of the Hogmanay events, is interviewed in the latest episode of Refreshing Podcast.
👮♂️ Edinburgh’s Chief Superintendent Sean Scott says police will not be able to respond to "lower hanging fruit" crimes if the Scottish Government do not increase funding for the force. He said: “We’re talking about lower level vandalisms, we’re talking about damage to cars, lower level road traffic offences where there’s no injuries.” - Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter in The Edinburgh Reporter.
🚨 An older couple were reported to have been assaulted and robbed by two men on South St Andrew Street on Wednesday. - Police Scotland.
🏠 Heritage chiefs at The Cockburn Association claim Edinburgh is seeing more approved housing plans being scrapped for student accommodation, after consent is already granted for mainstream homes. - Jolene Campbell, Evening News.
👨🌾 People in Edinburgh could be given the ‘right to grow’ their own food on council-owned land under a new initiative. - Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter, Edinburgh Live.
“All of us know within our city there are blank spaces not being utilised properly – they could be utilised so much better. We are massively in a cost of living crisis, there are enormous problems with people being able to afford food. But another aspect about growing food that’s really really important is people having a connection to it – actually understanding where your food comes from.” - Cllr Hal Osler, who tabled the motion.
📆 A reminder that the 20% off discount deal ends this Sunday. You can help support this newsletter into 2024 for just 10p a day. Without your support, it wouldn’t exist! And you get extras thrown in. Thanks to those who’ve snapped up the deal.
⚽️ Spartans will not be putting any tickets on public sale for their Scottish Cup Round 4 home tie against Hearts next month. The game will however be shown live on BBC Scotland TV. The club said:
“Since the draw was made, we have – unsurprisingly – been inundated with enquiries about the ticket arrangements. The Spartans allocation of tickets will not be going on public sale. Demand has already outstripped the likely number of tickets available therefore we will sell tickets through allocations to season ticket holders, our Youth Section/Community Programmes, sponsors, shareholders plus players and coaches.”
⮑ The Ainsley Park side also confirmed that its highly-rated SWPL side’s manager Debbi McCulloch will resign as manager to take up the role as new CEO of the Spartans Community Foundation. - Jack Dawson, Evening News.
⛴ Charles Hammond, the longstanding CEO Forth Ports, has announced he’ll step down next year. - Scott Reid, Evening News.
🌳 Free trees will be available at the Currie and Balerno markets this weekend, thanks to members of the local Greenspace Trust.
💃 A new podcast called ‘Keeping Edinburgh’ has been launched, aiming to help people become better connected and to encourage improved mental and physical wellbeing. - Thanks to reader Kerry for sending the details. - Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
📌 Stockbridge: LifeCare Christmas Fair this Saturday:
📌 On Sunday Fruitmarket Gallery hosts a Sudan fundraising event with live music and poetry between 3pm-6pm. Organisers say: “We are directing our donations towards three separate charities: Sudanese Legal Network, Fill A Heart and The Sudanese Community in Edinburgh. All donations will assist in food, medical, legal and shelter costs for those living in Sudan and/or attempting to flee.” - More details here.
📌 “The Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society (EDGAS) are excited to present their festive favourites. A Very Merry EDGAS Christmas promises to be a fantastic opportunity to hear some of the finest talent from across the Edinburgh musical community in solo and ensemble pieces. Sunday 10 December, Canongate Kirk, 7.30pm.” - More info via TicketSource. Thank you to subscriber Melissa for sharing the details.
📌 The Scottish Arts Club on Rutland Square has an artists’ and makers’ Christmas market on Sunday 10 December. Thank you to Barbara for sharing the details.
📌 Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust is hosting local groups for a Christmas Market at The Towpath Cafe upstairs at Biketrax on Saturday afternoon. Volunteers from The Forge community workshop will be among those selling their work. - More details here. - Thanks to reader Lorenzo for sending this in.