Firefighters hold emotional memorial for Ewan Williamson

Chief Fire Officer Jimmy Campbell and Convener Mike Bridgman place a wreath in memory of Ewan

By Cara Sulieman

FIRE-FIGHTERS paid tribute to fallen hero Ewan Williamson at an emotional service to mark the first anniversary of their colleague’s death in Edinburgh yesterday.

Lothian & Borders Fire & Rescue Service chief fire officer Jimmy Campbell – in his first day in the job – led tributes to the 35-year-old who died rescuing people from a blaze at the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road last July.

Joined in laying a wreath outside the brigade’s HQ by Convener of the Fire Board Mike Bridgman, Mr Campbell said:  “It’s been a difficult year for the service.

“This wreath is being laid in memory of Ewan – it’s to remember Ewan’s family, his friends and his work colleagues.

“This was a very emotional day for the service. It’s a year on since we lost Ewan Williamson and it was a time for us to come together.

Pet cat saves owners’ lives as fire tears through house

Jenny Ferguson was alerted to the fire by her cat

By Cara Sulieman

A PET cat saved its owners lives by waking them up while a fire tore through their house.

Ken Page and Jenny Ferguson were sleeping in their home in Athelstaneford, East Lothian when the blaze broke out in their kitchen.

But thankfully their terrified moggy made such a commotion that it woke them up.

The pair, both 64, were able to call the fire brigade before the flames got out of control.

Fire chiefs said the house didn’t have a smoke detector installed, meaning that the cat’s actions were the only clues of the growing blaze.

The fire broke out at around 1am this morning at the small cottage in the picturesque village near Haddington.

Boy freed by firefighters after finger stuck in toy

By Cara Sulieman

FIRE-FIGHTERS had to free a traumatised tot after he his finger jammed stuck in a toy work-bench.

Two-year-old Adam Brown had been playing with the JCB Tool Bench at his home in Edinburgh’s Shandon when his forefinger jammed fast in a hole.

Despite his mum Angela’s best efforts to free him using everything from shampoo to washing-up liquid, she had to give up and call in the professionals after almost two hours of tugging and squeezing.

In the end a squad of five fire-fighters and three ambulance workers had to join forces in order to spring him free.

Ewan Williamson memorial unveiled

Linda Williamson in front of the plaque remembering her son Ewan

By Cara Sulieman

A LASTING tribute to remember tragic Scots firefighter Ewan Williamson was unveiled by his mother Linda yesterday (Mon).

The 35-year-old had been with Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service for seven years when he died rescuing people from a blaze at the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road in Edinburgh last July.

Although around 20 people were evacuated from the building, Ewan tragically lost his life – the first Edinburgh based firefighter to die whilst battling a blaze in living memory.

And now the service has dedicated a lasting tribute to a “wonderful individual” and “courageous firefighter”.

Bin men refuse to work in ice and snow

By Cara Sulieman

RUBBISH in Edinburgh is being left to rot in the streets after bin men refused to go and collect it in the treacherous weather.

Two out of three stayed away from work on Thursday, saying “health and safety” was preventing them from braving the slippery streets.

But it has caused anger among other workers at Edinburgh City Council – including parking attendants and park wardens – who downed tools and took to the streets to try and clear the roads.

The head of the council’s services for communities department, Mark Tuley, said that they had given the bin men the option of working or going home without pay.

Rubbish continues to pile up as council prepares for the festival

By Cara Sulieman

AS BINS across Edinburgh spill over into the street, the city council are trying to ensure the public that they are doing everything they can to tackle the stinking backlog.

But in the leafy suburbs of Morningside and the Grange, where the city’s more famous residents reside, there is no sign of the waste that is piling up elsewhere.

The pavements outside the houses of the shamed banker Fred Goodwin and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling are clear of rubbish, whilst communal bins overflow outside the busier city centre tenements.

And Edinburgh City Council yesterday revealed they have now hired more private contractors to try and get the city clean again in the week before the festival season starts.

Contractors cleaning up streets targeted by bin men

Rubbish piling up in the capital

By Cara Sulieman

THE BIN strike in Edinburgh is turning ugly with claims contractors brought in to deal with the mess have been the target of aggression.

Workers for Shanks, who cleaned up the city ahead of the Gathering at the weekend, have complained about a driver shouting “scabs” at them from a passing car and bosses being abused by text.

As the industrial action enters its second month and workers threatening to strike right through the festival, it is feared the situation could get worse.

One worker at the company’s headquarters in Milton Keynes called the police after being abused about strike breaking, with officers still investigating.

Army to clear up streets of capital

By Cara Sulieman

THE Army could be deployed onto the streets of Edinburgh to collect rubbish bins as a battle over pay escalates, according to claims by staff.

Angry worker say council bosses told them that if proposed strike action goes ahead next month they will look to call in reinforcements – from the Army.

City of Edinburgh City Council have so far distanced themselves from the claim officially.

But protocol exists using what is known as a Military Aid to Another Government Department request which would be considered by top brass.

Sex survey says that more Scottish women have multiple orgasms

By Oliver Farrimond

A SEX survey released yesterday has turned up some surprising secrets about what Scots get up to in the bedroom.

According to the report, over three-quarters of Scottish women say that they’ve had a multiple orgasm.

Most men are incapable of multiple orgasms, and generally only a quarter of women experience them.

Jacqueline Gold, Chief executive of Ann Summers, said: “I think the Scots are very relaxed people – they like having a good time.

“They are obviously very hot-blooded.”

Scottish women have also had fewer sexual partners than anywhere else in the UK – just six, compared with nine in London and 11 in East Anglia.