July 2026 news from Councillor Pauline Flannery

Introducing our Liberal Democrat Candidate for the By-election, Artie Khovanov: 

After completing a Maths Master's at Cambridge, Artie started a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. He is investigating how AI systems learn to do mathematical reasoning. Artie lives in Prestonfield, travels everywhere by bike, works at the Informatics Forum, University of Edinburgh central campus, and teaches in King's Building.  

‘‘I joined the Lib Dems because of shared values of freedom and equality. My main policy interests are housing, transport and equalities.”

Artie has been working with Councillor Pauline Flannery meeting local residents and talking about local issues in Mid and Nether Liberton, Prestonfield and the Blacket Conservation Area. 

Artie is passionate about making the Southside/Newington Ward a better place to live: “I care about fixing our crumbling roads and dangerous junctions like the Dalkeith Road/East Mayfield intersection, finding creative ways to make sure we get people housed, and ensuring our cycle routes are fit for purpose.”

Artie is already a great asset to the Liberal Democrats. As a second Lib Dem councillor for Southside Newington Ward, he would bring local knowledge, an acute focus on detail, a realistic outlook for the remaining Council Term and regard for the future.

The Recreation of the Raleigh Run

A hundred years ago, Marjorie Cottle rode a motorcycle from London to Edinburgh as a publicity event promoting Raleigh Motorcycles, completing the journey in ten days. Pictured from above, the route spelt out the word RALEIGH in cursive script. Fast forward to 15 July 2026, it was my absolute pleasure to receive Mike Tizard and Mark Goulding, who recreated Cottle’s feat starting at the Mansion House at 9.45 am on July 5, finishing at City Chambers to present a letter from the Lady Mayor Susan Langley to the Lord Provost’s office, endorsing their enterprise.

Both events figure human endeavour at its best, but equally add to this history passion, commitment, and sheer doggedness. Mike reclaimed and restored his motorcycle, which, on the road, reached its 100th birthday; a repurposed frying pan served as a mid-engine cover.

Mike and Mark were raising funds for Parkinsons UK and Shooting the Stars charities. They have raised money and made memories. I had the opportunity to connect with Marjorie Cottle, who lived well into her eighties, still riding motorcycles.

Lyceum at Sixty

To celebrate this milestone, the Lyceum at Home was launched. This involved four specially commissioned 30-minute plays by Apphia Campbell, Alexander McCall Smith, Isla Cowan, and Stephen Greenhorn performed in residents’ homes throughout the City as part of the Community Tour in late June, covering all 17 electoral wards. Audiences ranged from 3 to 41.

Homeross House, Strathearn Road, was home to The Sights by Isla Cowan, featuring an exhausted ‘magical Edinburgh’ tour guide caught between the worlds of tourist Edinburgh and its reality, performed by Katrina Allen and directed by Shilpa T-Hyland. All 4 plays were presented live on the Lyceum Stage, with footage from the project featuring rehearsals, set-ups and performances.  A great project all around.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

It’s July, and it’s Jazz and Blues time! ‘From Friday 17 to Sunday 20 July, we present a genre-spanning celebration—from bebop to boogie-woogie, funk to soul, trad to techno, swing to searing blues-rock. There’s something for every musical mood in this year’s programme.’  

Across all 17 Wards, featured venues in Southside Newington are Queens Hall, featuring Afrobeat, Tuba Skinny, Davina and The Vagabonds; and George Square Spiegeltent and Piccolo with music events on offer throughout the day.

This year also sees the return of Carnival ‘The World in One City’ with over 1,000 performers. The route will start at The Mound, go along the east of Princes Street and return to West Princes Street Gardens. Enjoy! EJBF2026 programme.

Bitesize: the Council is in recess, but I can be contacted on my Council email for Ward issues. Cllr.Pauline.Flannery (at) edinburgh.gov.uk

Bridgend Farm. Check out the summer schedule for Social Stews, walks, arts and crafts.

Zoo Southside (Zoo 26). The centre for dance and physical theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Walk: Recreate our bike ride across the Ward from Nicolson Square, St Leonard’s Lane, Scottish Widows, Salisbury Road, Grange Cemetery, King’s Buildings, Sciennes Road, Middle Meadow Walk, and Potterrow.