Five things you need to know today

Some sad news from the City Chambers and photos from The Meadows are all part of our essential reading today

Cllr Val Walker

The Edinburgh Reporter was very sad to hear the news yesterday that Cllr Walker who represented Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart had died suddenly.

She was comfortable in her role as Culture Convener, notwithstanding that she had only been elected for the first time in 2022.

Read more here.

Cllr Val Walker above who has died suddenly. As the whale sculpture at the new park in Granton was unveiled, Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Val Walker above said: “The new park – Gasholder 1 – officially opens on Saturday 5 April and I’m really looking forward to hundreds of visitors joining us that day and being able to see this this beautiful piece of art which is a spectacular focal point. I’m sure it will become a huge draw for local people and those visiting the area in the future months and years ahead. I’m hoping those who haven’t already explored the new green space will have the opportunity to do so at our official opening or in their own time at some point soon. “The gasholder has always played an important role in Granton Waterfront and it is fantastic to see it has been completely restored and is now lit up as a permanent feature after dark.” Picture Alan Simpson 27/3/2024

Awards for Men's Sheds

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) – Scotland’s largest member-led men’s health and wellbeing charity - has opened its "Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’" 2025 awards programme to applications from Scottish Men’s Sheds with a new regional twist.

The SMSA’s awards programme is now in its seventh year and endeavours to recognise, reward and promote the contribution Sheds make to our communities across Scotland and the huge life-changing impact that they have on the men that attend them.

SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder, said: “Our awards programme began back in 2019 and the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement has grown considerably since then. Now, with the engagement of 10,000+ men through over 200 open or developing Shed groups across all 32 local authority areas (identified on our online ‘Find a Shed’ map), we felt it was definitely time for a rejig of the process to simplify it and make it more appealing to encourage more Sheds to apply.

“We have listened to our members’ feedback and introduced five regional categories East Coast (North), East Coast (South), West Coast (North), West Coast (South) and Highlands & Islands and will have one regional winner for each. This way, five Scottish Sheds will receive the prestige of a regional title as well as be in the running for the winner’s title."

Enter here before 18 July.

Banff Macduff and District Men's Shed won in 2023 and 2024

Book beginning and ending in Edinburgh published this week

Walk Like a Girl will be published this week with Sparsile Books.

It is described as a travel memoir, that begins and ends in Edinburgh, about walking through Scotland, Georgia, Armenia, Nepal, India and Europe. Along the 1500 miles, the writer, Claudia Esnouf, faced heartbreak, camped in a minefield, faced down a rampaging water buffalo and survived a freezing glacier crossing.

Pop up market in May

There is a pop up market in Edinburgh Park on 7 and 8 May. There will be hot food, baked goodies, soaps and candles and beers and spirits. Everyone is invited to go along to the Civic Square at 3 Airborne Place EH12 9GR.

Tesco helps out

Shoppers at Tesco can help a fundraising campaign to support medical research into food allergies.

For the sixth year running, Tesco is partnering with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation to promote awareness of food allergies.

During Allergy Awareness Week (21^-28 April), Tesco stores in Edinburgh will donate 10p to the charity from the sale of more than 151 Free From and Tesco allergy medication products bought in store or online.

Edinburgh customers will also have the opportunity to round up their shopping to the nearest £1 at self-service checkouts from 21 April to 4 May.

All the money raised will help Natasha’s Foundation to improve the lives of people affected by food allergies.

The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation was set up in 2019 by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs, following the tragic loss of their 15-year-old daughter Natasha, who had a fatal allergic reaction to a baguette containing sesame seeds that were not listed on the packaging.

Through campaigning, education and research, the charity’s mission is to #MakeAllergyHistory, in particular food allergy.

Natasha’s Foundation is the only allergy charity dedicated to medical research, with the aim of understanding what is causing the dramatic rise in allergic disease – and developing ways to prevent, treat and ultimately eradicate it.

With support from Tesco, Natasha’s Foundation launched its Allergy School programme earlier this year, providing expert-led resources to create inclusive and safe environments for children with food allergies.
Nadim and Tanya said: “We’d like to thank Tesco and its customers for their continued support of Natasha’s Foundation. Food allergies are not a choice or lifestyle preference, they are a serious, unpredictable medical condition that impacts the lives of millions of people in this country. For some, they are life-threatening.

“Previous donations from Tesco have helped us to raise awareness and understanding of food allergies, fund medical research and be a voice for the allergy community. Thank you for your on-going support and allowing us to continue this important work to improve the lives of people with food allergies.”

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “We know customers are concerned about the potential dangers of food allergies, so we are proud to be working with the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation to raise awareness and fund potentially life-changing research.

 “There is a wide range of products in our Free From range, from meals and desserts to snacks, all created with great taste but without any of the allergens. We welcome any shoppers to try these products or kindly round up their shopping at the self-service tills to help raise money for a fantastic cause.”

Some of the products available in the Tesco Free From range include Tesco Finest Rigatoni Pasta, Tesco Free From Quiche Lorraine, Tesco Free From Red Berry Granola, Tesco Free From Confetti Cake and Tesco Free From Pepperoni Pizza.

For more information on products available in the Tesco Free From range and for milk, egg, gluten and wheat free recipe ideas, please visit www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/zone/freefrom

Bonus photo from The Meadows

Click on the image below to see the latest collection of photos from The Meadows.

Aerial shot of the blossom in The Meadows PHOTO Alan Simpson 17/04/25