The event is run by the Balerno Village Trust (BVT) and after being started by the Balerno Community Council (BCC) A special cake was baked and attendees watched as it was cut on a table in the Main Street congratulated the BVT for their efforts down the years and added: “The 20th anniversary was a great day people turned out in their hundreds and stallholders reported that they had been busy MAIN PICTURE: Flashback to the tenth anniversary in 2015 Other pictures by Allan Laing and Richard Henderson Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs The Edinburgh Reporter brings you news all about Edinburgh We use cookies to improve your experience of using our website Please let us know if you agree to the use of these cookies An Edinburgh church has been recognised in the Scottish Parliament for its tireless contribution to the Fairtrade movement Balerno Parish Church has been at the heart of the local community's work to support farmers in low-income countries for the past 20 years Any funds raised go to support the work that takes place in the St Joseph's Centre which is run by the church for the community of Balerno The MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, lodged a motion congratulating the people of Balerno for their contribution to mark Fairtrade Fortnight Organised by the Fairtrade Foundation the annual event raises awareness of the campaign to ensure that farming co-operatives businesses and governments in developing countries ensure trade is based on fairness so that producers earn secure and sustainable livelihoods the motion states: "That the Parliament congratulates Balerno on its 20th year as a Fairtrade Village "Acknowledges what it sees as the incredible efforts of the members of Balerno Fairtrade Village and the local schools and residents who have enthusiastically supported Fairtrade Fortnight and Fairtrade throughout the year." The Mill Cafe is open from 9am to 2pm Tuesday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on the second Saturday of each month when the local Farmers' Market is on Balerno Parish Church states: "The Mill is more than just a café "It is an important asset for the whole community in the heart of Balerno loved equally by its many loyal customers and the dedicated band of volunteers and staff who make it what it is." Lesley Henderson of the Balerno Fairtrade Village Group said: "We're delighted that the parliamentary motion endorses and commends Fairtrade generally as well as recognising many of Balerno's particular contributions over the last 20 years which is a major part of Balerno Parish Church's practical presence at the heart of this community "It routinely uses Fairtrade drinks and other Fairtrade products whenever it can "It has also produced extra Fairtrade themed cakes to help mark the fortnight and is actively publicising other local ‘Fortnight' events such as the stall at Balerno Farmers' Market whose staff will include some church members." said members were pleased that their efforts to support people in developing countries had been recognised in the Scottish Parliament "The church has always been a strong supporter of Fairtrade with members being involved in setting up the group," he added "It is important that we take an active part in using God's resources in the most sustainable and fair ways that we can." Congregation's environmental work recognised in the Scottish Parliament Minister who survived cancer twice recognised in Scottish Parliament Holyrood recognition for congregation's mission outreach work Contact us Balerno Theatre Company’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Church Hill may not be a traditional Christmas show but certainly provides a large helping of festive cheer about the reclusive chocolatier Willy Wonka who opens his factory to competition winners has become a media franchise and surely needs little introduction music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman It also includes a couple of well-known Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley numbers from the 1971 movie; not necessarily a good idea since it just shows how unmemorable the other songs are Iona Irving and Ade Smith in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company Other drawbacks of this adaptation are still evident The storytelling can be clunky and episodic and it takes a ridiculously long time to get going and it has to be said that this production nails the magic of the story much better than the touring version seen in Edinburgh not so long ago While that relied heavily on expensive video effects this benefits from Fraser Grant’s constantly inventive and imaginative direction This seeks to stimulate the imagination rather than impress with its cleverness although when required there are some nifty theatrical effects Following on from the professional versions the golden ticket-winning children are all played by slightly older performers with the exception of Charlie himself Iona Irving alternates the role with Lillie Paul and is quite simply excellent Michael Davies and Iona Irving in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company has that combination of the twinkling and the forbidding that the role of Willy Wonka demands Davies is responsible for the marvellous set design Ade Smith gives Grandpa Joe a gleeful likeability George Mackie and Susan Denham providing strong support as Charlie’s other grandparents Jessica Russell has the required pathos as Charlie’s mother Molly Mae Talbot and Fay Marshall all have genuine impact Paul Calder and Ashley Cosgrove similarly impressing as their respective parents Special mention must go to Hammond’s dancing as Veruca Salt and Marshall’s stroppy Mike Teavee Michael Davies and company in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company Amy Lindsay’s vendor of disgusting vegetables and Peter McLean and Susanna Anderson’s TV anchors also have comic authority It is one of the unavoidable faults in the musical’s construction that it has so many small named roles and correspondingly less time for the ensemble who nevertheless impress whenever called upon Hannah Kelly and Katie McLeod are particularly good with Darren Johnson’s choreography strong throughout The band under MD James McCutcheon are tuneful and unflagging MM Sound & Lighting provide the production’s technical side but louder numbers are oddly balanced and sometimes muddy with too many of the lyrics very difficult to work out What is happening on stage always makes up for it in a production that has its fair share of magic A scene from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Balerno Theatre Company is determined to win having failed to lift the trophy having been runner-up on the two previous occasions he has been involved in the event is determined to win the match scheduled for Saturday opens on Easter Sunday and volunteers are already working hard to spruce up the club to prepare for the big day which will house an appearance by top vocal impersonator is being redecorated and improvements made in and around the green Among plans to encourage more local people to join is the re-introduction of regular Hat Nights on a Monday and Saturday with the probable starting date of May 5 FACE-TO-FACE: Brian Buckner (left) and Philip Marshall BRUSH STROKES: The volunteer painters (left to right): Philip Marshall has been granted planning permission to start mining the rock under a parcel of land to the south of its current site It came after a debate which raised concerns about the long-term impact on local residents –  with councillors ultimately saying they felt the material in the quarry was vital to helping solve the housing crisis. the quarry has almost exhausted the rock under its current location with the site’s manager saying that mining would have to cease within a couple years if the new planning permission was not granted told councillors: “This is very much a resource question we have here at Ravelrig “There will be little chance of going back once the site is restored “That’s not to say that you should just permit anything at any quarry The extension we’ve designed makes sure that the blasting doesn’t come any closer to Balerno.” He said that the expansion to the quarry would keep it running for up to 24 years Under the planning permission for the site the quarry would then be rewilded over a period of two years Tarmac produced an animated video for councillors which showed how the site would be expanded and later restored a treeline adjacent to the A70 will be widened and a temporary earth berm will be built in order to hide the sight of construction equipment from the surrounding area Once the quarry is deep enough for construction equipment to be out of site The restored quarry will be turned into a small lake Cowan said informational signs could be produced to help explain the history of the site the need for materials to build in a city with a growing economy a housing crisis and an identified need for 40,000 new homes is still there it’s very good principle that we provide that material as close to the point of use as possible SNP councillor for Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart said: “This is clearly a relatively small expansion in a very deep well to provide 24 years of mining “And it’s also a great community engagement as well Councillors approved the planning permission Some locals in Balerno have raised concerns over the expansion citing worries that the expansion will make the blasting more perceptible if they hit the wrong rock seam then it could start giving people issues “You’re just as well giving in to it because you’re not going to stop it Nobody wants it but I can’t see you being able to stop it.” Cowan told councillors that the expansion to the quarrying site had been designed to make sure blasting did not come closer to Balerno than it already was planning permission for an expansion of the Bonnington Mains quarry Councillors cited local concerns and a lack of confidence over restoration plans in denying the expansion planning permission the Ravelrig quarry was given permission to amend parts of its earlier planning permission to increase the power of the blasts used in mining By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations Log in to leave a comment This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Balerno Bowling Club has contributed to that success through the late John Summers who won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham Melanie was in the B2/B3 mixed pairs and mixed events are one of the popular disciplines played at Balerno We invite you to come an join us free at our informal Hats events on Saturday afternoon and Monday evening There is no obligation and instruction can be provided if you have not been on a green before Our Saturday sessions are from 2pm and Monday night games start at 7pm said that some people have the perception that bowls is a game for those in their later years He added: “This is a sport that all the family can enjoy and we believe the club is Balerno’s best kept secret.” For those who do join and want to take the sport further then men’s and women’s teams play in several leagues in the Edinburgh area and we also ompete in Scottish events Stark said: “We are happy to provide free coaching for those new to the sport and under-16 bowlers are free so come along and try our facilities We have a well-stocked bar and a sizeable function room which is available for members to use “We also have a social membership which allows people to use the club and also to enjoy several games of recreational bowls a year.” Contact the club on 0131 449 3798 and view the website on www.balernobowlingclub.co.uk or contact us on info1@balernobowlingclub.co.uk and we are at 5 Ladycroft Turn left at the school and we are at the end of the lane PICTURE: Helen Girdler bowling in a competition at Balerno tripped over a kerb last Monday and was on pain killers during the lead up to Sunday’s final in a support for the match but it did not seem to upset his rhythm winning a two at the first and following up with a single at the second He lost the third to a two but bounced back to win the fourth by two shots won the next with a single but Robert moved to 7-3 at the sixth who beat defending champion Grant Wilson in his semi-final claimed a single but Robert snapped back with a two at the eighth A single from Stevie at the ninth cut Robert’s lead to four shots at 9-5 but then the roof fell in for the 2017 champion He lost the next four ends to Robert’s match-winning run of 3 Stevie collected a single at the 14th end but Robert claimed the shot he needed to lift the silverware at the 15th end with a final score of 21-6 18 new members have been signed and the Monday evening sessions will continue to the end of August in a bid to recruit even more locals is delighted with the response and said: “We have welcomed 18 people to the sessions and all have joined which is of tremendous benefit to the club “We will continue the sessions until the end of August and we would look to continue the initiative next season.” He added: “The sessions started with coaching and we progressed into games and two of the attendees have already played in club teams one in the ladies and another in the senior men “We would hope that other participants would follow them into the teams and this is once again good for the club.” Anybody interested in taking part should contact the club at 5 Ladycroft, Balerno EH14 7AG or phone 0131 449 3789 or through their email info1@balernobowlingclub.co.uk     PICTURE: Some of the trialists on the green at Balerno Bowling Club Fraser (10) and Genevieve (8) Dick who are already East of Scotland county players in the under-14 under-10 and under-8 categories respectively The talented trio are members of both Balerno and Thistle clubs for whom they have played age-grade team tennis this season In addition Elodie has figured in the VMH Solicitors ladies league Mum Heather says: “They love practicing on the artificial clay at Thistle a lovely welcoming club where they also take part in (coach) Jack Hardie’s Hotshots squads “That’s in addition to being coached  individually by Jack George-Burnell at Oriam Tennis Centre and training with East of Scotland County squads.  “Elodie was a latecomer to tennis and only played her first competitive match in April 2022 and this summer played her first ITF/Tennis Europe event and got through to the final 16 “She also plays hockey for school and Grange Hockey Club and is sponsored by the local Edinburgh based Hockey equipment company-Aratac “Fraser also plays for Currie Rugby Club and enjoys golf Genevieve is still deciding what she likes but seems a natural on the tennis court!”  Previously published in many publications around the world As the first-footers in “The Avenue”, part of the final phase of homes at Ravelrig Heights by CALA Homes (East) Craig and Alise are the first to enjoy life in one of the eight impressive five-bedroom homes on the crescent shaped The Avenue each home at The Avenue features a large driveway with electric gate entrance a double garage with self-contained accommodation above and gardens up to a third of an acre in size the house type purchased by Craig and Alise which spans 3726 square feet and the Roxburgh which spans 3252 square feet said: “We weren’t planning to move so soon but because of everything that happened during the pandemic we spent a lot of time at home and wanted a bit more space but when we looked at The Avenue it just made sense It’s amazing coming somewhere where our money can go a lot further but still reasonably close to Edinburgh city centre and close to my parents Alise used to live in Balerno so we always talked about starting a family here as the schools and community are really great upper galleried landing with an upper balcony and large rear garden the development stood out to Craig and Alise for its family-friendly charm an events coordinator said: “When we walked in and saw that staircase that was it for me Every part of the house just had that wow factor “We knew there was a garden but when we stepped out we were in shock I had never seen a home with a garden this big From the kitchen you can slide the doors open and step right out which is perfect especially for the summer Designed with light and spacious living in mind The Avenue’s homes benefit from designs equipped with an open planned kitchen Alise added: “We knew CALA had a great reputation and were going to look after us but they truly do go above and beyond We have the development manager checking in regularly to make sure everything is alright and that we’ve settled in well Craig added: “We are both very active people so the space above the garage has been amazing as we’ve been able to convert it into a home gym.” The Avenue offers buyers an ideal place to work from home with a range of outdoor networks into the countryside and excellent transport links into the capital Homes at Ravelrig Heights start from £795,000 with homes on The Avenue ranging from £1,095,000 – £1,215,000 https://www.cala.co.uk/theavenue in five communities in south-west Edinburgh: Currie Launched as Currie & Balerno News in February 1976 the “paper” has never failed to produce a promised issue – continuing in print even during successive Covid-19 lockdowns during 2020 and 2021 C&B News aims to be a platform to display the rich talent interests and achievements of local people,” said the paper’s chair “We don’t have a pool of paid journalists who write articles for the magazine but benefit from the opinions and knowledge of local people to inform the wider community each month in the articles they submit.” Paul Fisher Cockburn is a freelance journalist contracted to prepare each issue for publication “I often describe myself as the ‘lucky 13th editor’ “It’s been my good fortune to inherit a well-established and much loved publication which is loyally supported not just by its readers and contributors but also by so many local businesses that still actively choose to advertise in a print-first publication.” C&B News has grown and evolved considerably since 1976 developing from a 10-page monochrome text-based “newspaper” to a more visually inviting, 48-page full-colour magazine Although the 500th issue (cover-dated October 2024) will include an article celebrating notable previous editions its main focus will remain recent and forthcoming local events and activities.  “Reporting and presenting what’s going on in the local community was the original motivation for launching C&B News,” says Paul it’s what we – and our successors – will still be doing for many more issues to come.” Gordon MacDonald MSP has written for us about the difficulties facing the new sports pitches recently unveiled in Balerno A lot of hard work went into providing these pitches for the area and it seems that their open door policy is now in danger I attended the opening of the new 3G pitches at Malleny Park a couple of weeks ago with the Minister for Sport Jamie Hepburn MSP and Councillor Bill Henderson Balerno which are now being used for both football and rugby were funded in part by the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Pitches programme that provided £200,000 towards the cost The intention was that they would be available for use during school hours for Balerno High School and local primary schools Currie RFC and Currie Star FC would have the use of the facility at night and weekends with some community access at weekends and during the holidays However since their opening there have been a number of incidents that threatens that “open door policy” There have been a number of verbal confrontations between coaches and groups of youths who refuse to leave when they are asked so that training can take place Parents have also faced verbal abuse from some of the youngsters and there are now allegations of an assault on Friday 12 June resulting in police and paramedics having to attend Each morning the 3G pitches are covered in litter and there have been concerns about burn marks from dropped cigarettes Both Currie RFC and Currie Star FC are having to spend more time making the pitches playable than coaching the youngsters The result is that in order to protect this investment for the community it is actively being considered that the gates should be locked at all times and only those booked to play will gain access It is unfortunate that the actions of a minority are spoiling the opportunity that the wider community should be enjoying I have written to Gordon MacDonald on this subject expressing my view Gordon kindly responded and shared the pictures in your article with me; however I hardly think they make a damning case Subsequently I have also had a constructive discussion with Bill Henderson As I stated in my email to Gordon supplementing the existing fencing and locking the gates is not the answer There are simple solutions to these initial issues the most obvious being a warden stationed at the facility to ensure rules and regulations are adhered to Large barrel type bins would also help alleviate the littering issue These are both in place at Saughton and Meggetland It beggars belief the decision was made to invest heavily in this facility yet not deploy somebody to ensure its smooth running I have witnessed on many occasions large numbers of children using the facility with no issue I suggest Gordon or anybody who is actively campaigning for the closure of this facility wander past at the weekend or early evening to see what is actually happening It might also be worth noting the figures for childhood obesity and diabetes in Scotland If the decision is taken to remove the open door policy by locking the gates and adding further “defences” then this is not an investment for the community Gordon states “It is unfortunate that the actions of a minority are spoiling the opportunity that the wider community should be enjoying” – is this really the stance that is being advocated Surely tackling the actions of the minority and ensuring the open door policy remains is the best course of action Then the facility really can become a worthwhile “investment for the community” Shame the REAL story is not being reported; “Local Kids in their Hundreds Abandon TV XBOX and social media to Play With Friends On New Pitches Yes teething troubles and a code of conduct have yet to be ironed out But – please focus on the positive and do not amplify the negative Ideally a free use policy (non-monetary) of unbooked time will settle in successfully to encourage maximum use council – have to pull together to make sure the facility and all users are respected parents and clubs will have open and trouble free access for many years to come Firework Control Zones will be enforced in Niddrie, Calton Hill, Seafield and Balerno. Firework Control Zones will be enforced in Niddrie, Calton Hill, Seafield and Balerno from November 1-10 in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour and minimise the impact they have on animals and vulnerable people. Councillors rejected calls for a city-wide ban after Scottish Government officials said they would be “likely to challenge” the move. Furthermore the fire service and police said they would struggle to resource and enforce a Firework Control Zones (FCZ) covering the entire city boundary. The new rules make it a criminal offence to use a firework in a zone on specific dates, unless as part of a display licensed by the local authority. While it’s hoped they will discourage disorder and violence towards emergency workers seen in recent years around Bonfire Night, it’s anticipated this will continue regardless. Last November riot police, fire fighters and ambulance workers were attacked by around 100 youths with petrol bombs and fireworks in Niddrie, while there was similar trouble in Southhouse and Sighthill. David Morrison, station commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, told councillors: “Whether there’s a firework control zone or not, year on year we’re still going to continue getting the anti-social behaviour from the ones that are non-compliant.” Asked whether the service could cope with the introduction of a city-wide FCZ, Mr Morrison said: “To answer simply, no. “We know we’re stretched to the limit year on year, to add this additional demand on us it would be remiss of me to say yes that will be no problem.” However SNP councillors alongside the Greens backed enforcing the crackdown across the capital to avoid confusing residents and stigmatising communities, as they debated the new powers at the culture and communities committee on Friday, August 23. Cllr Kate Campbell, SNP, said: “We think it will be very confusing for people for there to be small areas where literally along the road it’s a criminal offence to have fireworks in your garden but further along the road it’s not. “We think that’s quite a difficult position. I personally feel there might be stigma attached to certain communities, but that also in doing this we’re not necessarily going to address the problem. “For example the Niddrie proposal is for a very specific number of streets where we’ve seen disorder happen on those streets in previous years but also on other years we’ve seen disorder happen in other areas of the community. “It seems like a bit of a contradiction to say in some areas of the city this is a criminal activity and in other areas it’s not.” A report said the Scottish Government “emphasised that the legislation was not intended to enable a FCZ to cover an entire local authority area and have indicated that, should one be implemented, they are likely to challenge this decision”. Val Walker, Labour culture and communities convener, said: “The guidance issued by the Scottish Government is clear that the zones are smaller zones within the area and not the whole city. “What weighs on me is the impact on our fire and police services, who have quite rightly… made it clear they cannot resource it. “This will be the first year of implementing these controls and the experience of this year will give us the basis to review that to have a longer consultation period to have more people, groups and organisations involved.” FCZs are designed to “support a cultural shift in how fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles are used,” however are not intended to be a “catch-all solution to deal with issues involving fireworks,” according to the Scottish Government, which states the powers should be utilised alongside other preventative and enforcement tools such as dispersal zones and community engagement. The committee voted six to five in favour of four individual FCZs which were suggested in applications made by various organisations. An application for a zone covering Balerno was made by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), while Edinburgh Cat and Dog home supported one for Seafield, Friends of Calton Hill for the city centre and Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership on behalf of service users and care staff in Niddrie. Ahead of November the council will notify residents of the exact boundaries of the agreed zones and launch an awareness campaign to ensure communities are aware of the new rules. Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “Today the Culture and Communities Committee endorsed the recommended actions, which allows us to implement the Firework Control Zones in the four areas from 1 – 10 November, following the 60-day lay period. “This is just the first year, and will provide us with tangible evidence of its effectiveness and help guide implementation in years to come, along with extensive community consultation in 2025. “Community safety, the protection of our emergency services personnel and animal welfare are among our top priorities when it comes to this decision. “Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use in the city can be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together, and we hope that these zones will allow the community to celebrate safely.” STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Up to 30cm of snowfall is expected in some areas as the Met Office warned of rare freezing rain across England and Wales Heavy snow has caused travel disruption across the country as flights were cancelled and motorways were closed after two amber weather warnings came into force Bristol Airport was forced to temporarily suspend flights for a few hours as it rushed to clear its runway of snow on Saturday night The M5 was also closed off in different directions due to a number of collisions between Weston-super-Mare and Taunton in Somerset Follow updates here It comes as more freezing weather is set to hit the UK over the weekend with eight Met Office weather warnings issued between Saturday and Monday morning An amber warning for snow and freezing rain covering most of Wales and central England is in place from 6pm on Saturday to midday on Sunday. The second warning for snow, covering most of northern England including Leeds, Sheffield and the Lake District, has been issued from 9pm on Saturday to midnight on Sunday. Both of the warning areas can expect to see 3cm to 7cm of snowfall widely, while snow may mix with rain at times in lower-lying areas, the Met Office said. Additional yellow weather warnings for snow and ice will be in force for most areas of the UK, covering different periods of time over the weekend. A yellow warning for snow and ice from midday on Saturday to midnight on Sunday was issued for much of England and Wales not covered by the amber warnings. A yellow warning for snow and ice covering much of Northern Ireland also came into effect from 9pm on Saturday to 6pm on Sunday. A yellow warning for ice was also in place for the north of Scotland from 4pm on Saturday to 10am on Sunday while a yellow warning for snow in the Shetland Islands has been issued for Saturday from 10am to 6pm. There is also a yellow warning for rain covering much of Wales and the West Midlands on Sunday from 6am to 9pm. Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said some “significant accumulations” of snow were possible in parts of Wales, the Midlands and northern England, and the additional factor of strengthening winds could lead to drifting of lying snow. He added: “There is a risk of freezing rain across parts of the Midlands and northern England, but especially Wales, adding to the risk of ice and leading to some treacherous conditions in places. “As the super-cooled rain droplets hit the surface they instantly freeze, covering everything in a layer of ice, making it extremely dangerous.” Meanwhile, National Highways warned a “spell of disruptive snow” would spread across southern and central parts of the road network on Saturday night. Drivers in high-altitude areas, particularly the Cotswolds and Peak District, were warned to take particular care. Gwent Police issued a warning for black ice on Friday. Road users in England’s north were warned that up to 25cm of snow could hit parts of the network including the A66 Old Spittal, A628 Woodhead Pass and M62 at Windy Hill. Meanwhile, Bristol Airport suspended flights after heavy snowfall with up to 17 diversions as of 9.30pm on Saturday. In a statement posted on its website, the airport said: “Snowfall at Bristol may result in some delays to flights. “Customers are asked to contact their airline for the latest flight information.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies A car drives through snow in Balerno, Edinburgh amid freezing conditions across the UK The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response The Scottish Fire and Rescue are currently in attendance at a blaze within a property in Edinburgh SFRS received a call around 6.36pm on December 9 regarding an incident at Deanpark Avenue in Balerno Authorities confirmed the blaze was at a house and are currently still at the scene Three appliances were dispatched to tackle the inferno The nature of the fire and whether there have been any injuries is unclear at this time READ NEXT - Dedicated Zayn Malik fans queue up outside Edinburgh venue braving wind and rain READ NEXT - Smoke seen billowing from Edinburgh home as hero fire crews race to the scene It's understood a large emergency service presence is in attendance while the blaze is extinguished A spokesperson for SFRS said: "We are currently in attendance at a fire on Deanpark Avenue with three appliances at the scene We were made aware at 6.36pm and we are still in attendance now.” Police Scotland have been approached for comment Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts: independent charities with a shared mission After the World Health Organisation named Glyphosate linking it to many other serious human and animal health issues some concerned individuals in Balerno started petitioning for their street and area to become pesticide-free leading to the formation of Pesticide Free Balerno in 2019 The community initiative was to raise awareness in the village about the harmful use of pesticides and ask the Council to take a precautionary approach and support safe environmentally friendly alternatives for weed management in the village There is now a much higher level of weed acceptance within the community and sightings of many more insects – particularly butterflies and bees • Groups and individuals from across the community are participating • Over 80% of residents report seeing more bees and butterflies and many other kinds of insects with lots of voices helping to spread the word We set up an Instagram page and petition for Pesticide Free Balerno The Pesticide Action Network (PAN UK) provided information to share with the Council and community regarding the dangers of pesticide exposure for humans We knew that hot foam and other environmentally friendly methods were being used effectively around the UK to treat weeds - Foamstream is approved by the Soil Association as safe to use around humans and animals and does not pollute our air We set up a demonstration for our Councillors We took our case to the Transport and Environment Committee in February 2020 Our deputation included young environmentalists The Committee agreed to stop applying pesticides in Balerno Go chemical-free in your garden to help wildlife Here's how to prevent slugs and insects from eating your plants with wildlife-… Set up a ‘nectar café’ by planting flowers for pollinating insects like bees and butterflies Will you take action to save the most important creatures on the planet We use cookies to collect information about how you use the Police Scotland website We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services The Scottish Police Authority has approved plans to dispose of three police stations following public consultation At the SPA Resources Committee held on Wednesday Seaton in Aberdeen and Carluke in South Lanarkshire were all formally declared as surplus Police Scotland announced on 14 December 2023 proposals to close police stations across the country as part of their estate transformation strategy Public consultation was launched both at a local level and nationally through an online Engagement Hub with consultations on individual properties taking place at different times The consultations on the properties in Balerno has historically been underutilised and has not been used as an operational response station for many years Officers deploy from Wester Hailes which is less than five miles away and has the nearest public counter Carluke was last fully utilised as an operational station three years ago Local community officers have been deploying from Lanark police station just over five miles away Lanark is the main response hub for the area and nearest public counter Officers have continued to effectively serve the area from Lanark with no detriment to the level of policing service delivery to the community of Carluke Seaton is leased space within Seaton Primary School The station was last in operational use in response to the Covid pandemic in 2020/21 policing services in Aberdeen have been realigned and the property has not been used as an operational station for over two years Officers previously based at this location relocated to other city stations Comments received from the public on all three properties recognised that the stations are not currently used and there was agreement that there is limited use of the buildings as a local safe place One theme that emerged was the sentiment that local police sites represent policing and infer feelings of safety within the community All three properties were considered surplus to requirements by local Divisional Commanders and the SPA Resources committee approved them being declared surplus Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said : “Police Scotland inherited a very large and ageing estate with high maintenance costs and environmental inefficiencies “Although we have rationalised and reduced the number of our properties over the last ten years in some cases we are still maintaining multiple buildings just a few miles apart with advances in digital technology and our fleet officers are no longer tied to working from police buildings and much of their time is spent out in communities dealing with calls and helping the public “All buildings incur running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance Retaining vacant and underutilised buildings the presence of a police building can bring reassurance and confidence to their local area “I can assure the public that our officers will continue to be active visible and accessible in these communities Disposing of a vacant building does not mean there will be a withdrawl of service to that area “Those local communities will continue to receive the same high level of service from our officers.” The outcomes of the consultations for Seaton, Balerno and Carluke have been published on our Engagement Hub and can be found on our Engagement Hub.  Estate Transformation: Local Area Consultations - Police Scotland - Citizen Space Police Scotland support those who wish to become police officers special constables or police staff by hosting various online and in-person recruitment events throughout the year supported victims and a thriving workforce Read about our 2030 vision and three-year plan Worried that your partner or the partner of someone you know might have an abusive past we'd appreciate your feedback on the service we provided Police Scotland has been working to make its websites more accessible - read our accessibility statement Approximately 6.7 kilometres of the path has been upgraded stretching from just upstream of the Union Canal on Lanark Road to Balerno muddy terrain has been improved using a groundbreaking material made from over 49,000 recycled tires As the Scottish Government aims to reach net zero by 2045 this innovative approach not only provides a safe path but also contributes to a remarkable carbon footprint reduction of 1,097,087kg when compared to traditional tire disposal methods Primary school children cycling along the National Cycle Network Route 75 One of the key benefits of this new path is its excellent drainage capability physical barriers were removed to improve accessibility This includes the redesign of 21 bollards and the construction of a new ramp for easy access to Lanark Road The City of Edinburgh Council Natural Heritage Section worked closely with local community groups including The Water of Leith Conservation Trust For the communities of Currie and neighbouring Balerno this upgraded path opens many opportunities It enables daily commutes to Edinburgh city centre and connects residents with local shops and restaurants along the National Cycle Network Route 75 these enhancements will allow people in Edinburgh West the opportunity to make sustainable choices Chief Executive of Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust "ELGT are delighted to have completed the upgrading of the path that will enable more people to benefit from accessing a wonderful walkway which links the city to the countryside and surrounding hills "The improved surface provides everyone a great way to explore the local area and will bring communities across the city and beyond together "The trail offers the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to get out exercise and try something new while enjoying some fresh air along the route of the Water of Leith whether it is completing the entire length or some of the more local circular routes." Senior Network Delivery Manager at Sustrans Scotland "We are delighted to see the completion of a major upgrade to a section of Route 75 on the National Cycle Network "The new surfacing and sustainable measures ensure that walking and cycling can be an attractive and enjoyable option year-round reaffirming our commitment to providing accessible infrastructure for everyone "We hope the new shared-use path will be a vital amenity for the local community in Edinburgh West making it easier and safer for everyone to make healthier happier and more sustainable choices for their everyday journeys." "I’m pleased to see the improvements to the Water of Leith path which is part of the National Cycle Network Route 75 "Over £1.7 million from the Scottish Government has been invested here to make walking wheeling and cycling easier for all and I know the path is particularly popular for families and people undertaking more leisurely journeys it’s particularly welcome to see that almost 50,000 old tyres have now been reused to make the new path." Find out more about National Cycle Network routes in Edinburgh and the Lothians Read more about our work in Scotland How walking, wheeling, and cycling can help Scotland meet its climate targets Our position on the climate crisis and transport National Cycle Network routes in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders National Cycle Network routes in Glasgow and the surrounding area Sign up now to hear more about our latest news Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. Read our fundraising promise Sustrans is a registered charity in England and Wales (326550) and Scotland (SC039263) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England (1797726) at 2 Cathedral Square These are some of the descriptions to describe The Balerno Inn Changed days when many locals in the leafy suburb used to side-step what was then known as The Malleny Arms Different now after an extensive refit which proved much tougher than initially expected The new owners say they found dry rot burnt-out wiring and a fractured gas supply and much That is well behind them. Now, it is hard to get a table has been transformed into a go-to bar/restaurant Bosses have also used the former car park to create a safe children’s play area with adjoining dining There are heated pods allowing for some seclusion and ideal for keeping inclement weather at bay What is also a boost is their dog-friendly attitude To crib from their website: “It’s a place where you can spend that special occasion or go when you just want a night off from cooking “It’s a place where you can go after that muddy walk with the dogs.” It certainly is and as the pub sits only a few steps away from the busy Water of Leith Walkway from the centre of Edinburgh and in the shadow of The Pentland Hills it is highly popular in winter and summer with walkers We sat in one of the pods which also has a TV house balsamic onions and wonderful tomato relish was one pick and so was the appealing haggis rolled balls which arrived sitting on a light base of turnip puree and a tasty seasonal vegetables and chips and chargrilled pork loin raw salad of crisp spring greens and fresh chilli and warm potatoes plus teriyaki soy and sesamae dressing – tad too much dressing for me but our Rioja went down well. Almost forgot Balerno EH14 7EQ or call 0131 202 3220 or email hello@balernoinn.co.uk has stepped into the role after working at the family business for more than 16 years at the Aberdeenshire firm latterly as its Sales and Marketing Director chooses a new position as Executive Chairman to have more time to take a strategic overview of the business and its development who took on the MD role in 1998 succeeding his father and Mackie’s founder said: “Stuart has already become an integral part of our senior management team over the last decade and I’m confident that he’s the right person to step into our MD role “He embodies the culture that underpins everything we do not to mention his close ties with our largest supermarket many of which he personally established and built up “We’re putting in place the foundations for the business to continue to flourish Stuart is young enough to thrive in the role for many years to come and will drive our agenda of growth with Mac’s sister Kirstin McNutt continuing in her role as Head of NPD and the recent arrival of Mac’s nephew Angus Hayhow marking the first of the fifth generation to join the business Mac has said: “We’re proud to be a family business and Stuart’s appointment will help ensure Mackie’s continues to thrive and grow for future generations.” The moves follow a period of sustained growth for Mackie’s which has climbed to become the sixth biggest food and drink brand in Scotland (Kantar Worldpanel) while reaching record market share south of the border It has also completed its largest ever internal investment programme with the installations of new ice cream filling capability and of one of Europe’s most efficient low-carbon refrigeration systems establishing the farm-base as an ultra-efficient and sustainable operation that produces twice as much energy as it uses started working at Mackie’s in 2006 on a year-long placement during his studies at Robert Gordon University business school he began to forge a career in sales before moving to Aberdeen Journals in 2011 The former Balerno High School pupil returned to Mackie’s in 2012 as National Account Manager taking responsibility for Mackie’s largest accounts He took on an expanded Sales and Marketing Director role in early 2022 Mackie’s has seen its turnover grow from £16.7m to £18.5m (FY 2021) Stuart is well known in the local business community being actively involved in supporting and promoting the Scottish food & drink sector for example through his holding voluntary positions on the food drink and agriculture board with Opportunity North East – a private sector led economic group and his serving on the board of Developing the Young Workforce North East for more than six years Stuart said: “Mackie’s is a company that refuses to stand still which is a huge source of motivation for me and my colleagues “I’ve enjoyed being part of a management team with such clear commitment to change growth and internal investment to build and prepare for the future The shared vision of continued growth and diversification is testament to the leadership that we have had in place since our inception as an ice cream business in 1986 and chocolate maker since 2016 “It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with this role at what is one of Scotland – and the UK’s – best known family businesses his hard work and determination has helped bring Mackie’s to the fore and I am excited to develop the brand further and continue pushing Mackie’s forward as one of Scotland’s best food companies expanding sales around the world and furthering the sustainability goals at the heart of the company.” Mackie’s is one of the UK’s top ice cream brands with its one litre Traditional tub being one of the best-selling premium ice cream product in the UK Mackie’s has gained a cache of awards in the process and still produces all its ice cream using fresh milk and cream from the dairy herd at its fifth generation family farm Mackie’s is the largest independently owned ice cream manufacturer in the UK The company produces luxury ice cream at the fifth-generation Aberdeenshire farm from ‘sky to scoop’ with wind and sun-powered renewable energy powering the dairy where it makes its ice cream using fresh milk and cream from its own herd To find out more about Mackie’s, please visit: www.mackies.co.uk Martin Moran, 26, was last seen leaving Larch Grove House estate in Balerno on November 18, 2022. Martin Moran, 26, was last seen leaving Larch Grove House estate in Balerno shortly after 6am on Friday, November 18. At around 3.20pm on December 30, the body of a man was recovered from the Water of Leith, near Saughtonhall Avenue, Edinburgh. Police said that while formal identification is yet to take place, Mr Moran’s family has been informed. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.20 pm on Friday, December 30, 2022, the body of a man was recovered from the Water of Leith, near Saughtonhall Avenue, Edinburgh. “Although formal identification has yet to take place, the family of Martin Moran, 26, who has been missing from Larch Grove House Estate, Balerno, since Friday, November 18, 2022, has been informed. “A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.” Artis Dental and Implant Studio has joined the Clyde Munro Dental Group with its two dentists and 10 support staff promising “business as usual” for its 4,500 patients Founded 16 years ago by owner Brian Clough and his wife Edel Artis Dental services has a thriving patient base not only in west Edinburgh but as far afield as St Andrews and the Scottish Borders who is in his second year of a Masters in Restorative Dentistry at Edinburgh University said the acquisition would allow him to improve patient care by introducing the new techniques learned on the degree course Drawing on the resources of a large group like Clyde Munro will also ensure the continued high quality of care is maintained at Artis Dental while allowing an expansion of services and personnel Brian said: “New regulations introduced as a result of the Covid pandemic have undoubtedly placed additional challenges and responsibilities on small independent dental practices it provides our practice with a level of support and investment that will ensure there is no drop in the level of service – and that patients in Balerno and the west of Edinburgh have access to some of the best dental services available anywhere.” including dentist Ashleigh Meikle and Brian are continuing to work at the practice Brian said: “I still love being involved in patient care and this deal will free up time to allow me to complete my Masters and to put that learning into practice and to improve the services we can offer to patients With Clyde Munro I am confident they will take the practice on to a new level and to the benefit of all patients who have put their trust in Artis Dental.” Clyde Munro Dental Group is Scotland’s leading independent dental group with more than 50 practices across Scotland 400 staff and taking care of 460,000 patients Chief Development Officer with Clyde Munro said: “Artis Dental and Implant Studio is an excellent addition to our network of family dentists and we are looking forward to working with Brian and his team to build on the strong platform that he has put in place in Balerno “His passion for dentistry shines through – highlighted by his return to his studies – and we will harness that care and enthusiasm to further improve dental services for patients in west Edinburgh while supporting additional investment to introduce other services and to add to the existing staff’s expertise.” As well as a presence in all of Scotland’s major cities Clyde Munro owns practices from Orkney and the Highlands to the Scottish Borders For more information on Clyde Munro, please visit: https://clydemunrodental.com/ Cala Homes (East) has sold its final property in the sought-after village of Balerno marking the culmination of a £110 million investment programme in the Edinburgh suburb The completion of the last sale at Ravelrig Heights marks the end of the developer’s seven consecutive years of building and five years selling homes in the village Cala launched the first homes for sale at Ravelrig Heights and nearby development with both developments comprising 346 homes in total ranging from apartments and cottage flats to 3 The final property to be released was the development’s Napier showhome a design that was bespoke to Ravelrig Heights This followed the recent sale of the development’s Waverley showhome which was the largest built by Cala Homes (East) with five bedrooms and a quarter acre private garden Sales and Marketing Director with Cala Homes (East) said: “Both Kingfisher Park and Ravelrig Heights have proven immensely popular “We’ve seen demand both locally and from wider Edinburgh including families and downsizers who are looking for a quality home in a highly accessible location at the gateway to the Pentlands.” In addition to more than £2million in section 75 contributions a series of sizeable investments in the local area have created a lasting legacy for the housing developer Cala has been the main sponsor for local rugby club Currie Chieftains since 2011 and played an integral role in support of the Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled Association (RRDA) – gifting the land it is based on and donating £20,000 towards the organisation’s bid to raise funds for an indoor riding arena it has been a partner in the Currie and Balerno Community Chest donating £2000 twice yearly towards the total with the money allocated therein by the local Rotary Club and the Balerno Village Trust to local causes in the surrounding community Positive engagement with the trust saw it purchase football goals for the high school while enabling much needed new village entrance signs befitting the setting as the gateway to the Pentlands Cala has also been the main sponsor of the Balerno Christmas Light Fund since 2017 added: “Since we began building in Balerno in 2016 we have been committed to leaving a positive lasting impact on the village and its surrounds while providing much needed homes in the area “We are proud of the relationship we have built with the local community and would like to thank everyone that has engaged with us over the years A total of 36 much needed affordable housing properties were delivered early in the build process at Ravelrig Heights via a mixed tenure approach comprising 12 semi-detached discounted sale homes and 24 mid-market cottage flats which are now owned and managed by Dunedin Canmore Cala’s Kingfisher Park development saw 51 affordable housing properties delivered during the build process Homes across Kingfisher Park and Ravelrig Heights ranged from one-bedroom apartments to five bedroom detached homes with the final phase of Ravelrig Heights also including a crescent called ‘The Avenue’ This comprised an exclusive collection of eight homes debuting some its largest product in its ‘Light and Space’ range The Ratho resident saw the potential in a crumbling former pub and has taken eight months to refurbish the building in the middle of Balerno’s main street into a bistro-style restaurant and bar offering all-day dining By December the prominent sandstone building decorated with fabrics including Harris Tweed Ben already has Christmas bookings from people coming home to visit relatives for Christmas and he has also had inquiries from parents of students at nearby Heriot-Watt University who wish to visit their children Others wishing to enjoy the hills and the City of Edinburgh have also made inquiries about The Balerno Inn which also has private dining facilities The Malleny Room is on the first floor and will accommodate groups of up to 12 It has a bay window which provides a view of the main street and the room also features fully-restored cornicing which will accommodate parties of up to ten is adjacent to The Garden Dining Room which has a capacity for 40 They can be used together as an exclusive space for weddings or graduation meaning townland/town of the hawthorns and the 18th-century saw flax snuff and paper mills springing up around the Water of Leith and its tributary and the village has expanded significantly since the end of the First World War Heritage is important for Ben and art work of local scenes taken by local photographers is very much part of the in-house decoration and he has also retained and restored the original beams in the property which used to be called The Malleny Arms It had the local nickname of The Honky as American servicemen stationed at a nearby base used to drink there Everything is cooked fresh in-house by chef Andy Robson and his staff of three which includes a sous and pastry chef and the close-knit team prepare food which ranges from classic pub fare to sophisticated bistro-style From November 25 they will be open from 10am for morning baking – croissants and Danish pastries – followed by a relaxed lunch The owner and his five front-of-house staff are pleased to welcome guests who need to re-energise after a walk or taking part in fishing or cycling (he has installed bike racks in front of the building) in the nearby hills The Balerno Inn is only yards from a bus stop served by the No 44 (around 45 minutes) from Edinburgh’s world-famous Princess Street He said: “I used to go to Balerno High School and lived in Ratho where I trained as a chef under my late father Ian at The Bridge Inn so I know the area and what makes it tick “My aim is to make The Balerno Inn very much the heart of the local community “We plan special events in the bar like quiz nights game nights and ladies nights and our menu is driven by quality provenance and great value for the entire family “That is why we designed a space with the kids in mind offering a play area that is safe and secure Guests can relax and keep a watchful eye whilst the wee ones enjoy the enclosed play area.” starters include soup with fresh bread is £4.50 and pheasant (locally shot) and barley terrine plus Harlaw hawthorn jelly is £6 or fire cracker cauliflower with roast garlic mayonnaise £6 Scrabster landed) with chips and mushy peas is £13 guests can pick a 180g fillet steak (£26) or rib eye (£20) with slow roast tomato There is also a beef burger (£11) or Honky Burger for £18 called after the former nickname for the previous pub There is a choice of five desserts and a range of coffee and tea plus a selected wine list and a range of ales Ben said: “I’ve used social media to publicise the opening and in just seven weeks we have generated 1,500 inquiries we appreciate everyone’s support and we are being flooded by reservation requests on our Facebook page.” That is why they have installed an automated online reservation system on the website (www.balernoinn.co.uk) You can call direct to 0131 202 3220 to make a reservation our garden room and elegant library room are coming on fast and we expect to have them ready by early December “Whether you’re looking to enjoy some Scottish sun at one of our outside tables in the summer or have a private get together in one of our cosy bothies you’ll feel comfortable and right at home at The Balerno Inn.” Planning permission in principle is being sought for a residential-led development at Ravelrig Road Extending the northern settlement boundary across farmland the plan would deliver new homes in addition to a health centre and community hub all set behind a 'landscape buffer' and green links to minimise intrusion upon the landscape The development will incorporate a network of paths and parkland including a disused railway line safeguarded as a possible cycle and footpath as well as a 2km loop of walking routes around the site perimeter An area of open ground to the far north will be set aside set aside as parkland with additional tree and shrub planting joining newly formed SUDS basins EMA wrote: "Key development frontages will be established to all main areas of open space within the development as well as primary street and lanes Housing along the southern boundary will back onto the edge of the site thereby protecting the setting of the existing neighbourhoods Housing which fronts onto Ravelrig Road will also be set back to protect the setting around the entrance and increase visibility along this section of road as well as the northern edge of development which will allow for pleasant frontages onto the woodland." Materials under consideration include dry dash render and reconstituted stone details with a mix of red and grey roof tiles All comments are pre-moderated and must obey our house rules.