Leith Community portal, edinburgh, eh16, Leith, Persevere

A new sculpture by local artist Graciela Ainsworth commissioned as part of South Leith Parish Church’s 400th anniversary was dedicated by the Rev Ian Gilmour Minister of South Leith Church and unveiled by Sir Tom Farmer. The South Leith Choir (led by their Choir Master and Church Organist William Watt) Led the congregation to the “Secret Garden” (Churchyard annexe) along with Jack Knowles, a young piper from South Leith Parish Church, where the memorial is situated.

“I heard a voice from heaven”
Sung by the South Leith Parish Church Choir and sang a new piece of music created for the occasion.

Later a Communion Service was held in the garden led by Rev Jennifer Booth.

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Gordon Brown has said he will arrange for the Queen to attend next Saturday’s D-Day events in France if she wants to.

The prime minister told BBC One’s Andrew Marr programme if any royal wants to be at the commemorations on 6 June he would “make that possible”. for more click here

A man facing extradition to the US over claims he sold chemicals to crystal meth dealers could face hundreds of related charges, a court has heard.

Brian Howes, 45, from Bo’ness, near Falkirk, is accused of supplying the chemicals to people in the US. for more click here

A supposedly massive denial of service attack against the British National Party website has been exposed as a gross exaggeration.

The assault, which began on Friday, was described by the party in an email appeal for funds as the “largest cyber attack in recorded history” and comparable only to a 2001 assault against Microsoft*. Nick Griffin, leader of the controversial far-right political party, asked the party’s supporters to stump up the £5,000 urgently needed to purchase hardware and servers supposedly needed to keep the site up and running. for more click here

A paradox of the modern United States is that it wields unprecedented military power in the world yet its people are constantly kept frightened about unlikely foreign dangers. Its politics, too, are dominated by fear. for more click here

Editor’s Note: Over the past few decades, an arrogant Establishment has led the United States on a dangerous course of deindustrialization, empire-building and free-market extremism that brought fortunes to the well-connected of Wall Street and Washington, and declining standards of living for many other Americans. for more click here

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told a Knesset committee meeting Tuesday that Hezbollah has more rockets than before the Second Lebanon War and is boosting it’s power in South Lebanon ahead of the country’s upcoming elections. for more click here

May 27 (Bloomberg) — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said North Korea must face consequences for its “belligerent and provocative behavior” after Kim Jong Il’s regime threatened military action against South Korea. for more click here

(CNSNews.com) – Days before President Barack Obama delivers a much-anticipated speech to the Muslim world, Islamic nations have set the conditions on which they would agree to any U.S. plan to offer Israel recognition as part of a Mideast peace deal. for more click here

Statement by the Foreign Secretary on the British hostages taken in Iraq on 29 May 2007:

“It is two years since five British men were abducted from the Finance Ministry in Iraq. I don’t think that any of us can imagine their ordeal nor the anguish that their families and friends have had to suffer during this dreadful time.

“We have seen the humanitarian appeals that the families of the men have made. I’d like to support this appeal. Our thoughts are with them all as they continue to endure the pain of being separated from their loved ones.

“We are totally committed to working for the safe release of the men. There is a dedicated team from across government, including people on the ground in Baghdad, working tirelessly with the Iraqi authorities and Coalition partners to help bring this about. We are grateful to Prime Minister Maliki and all our allies for their support and continue working with them and with anyone who may be able to help.

“The Iraq of today is a different place to that of two years ago. There are signs of progress and reconciliation as the Iraqi people show their commitment to a democratic and peaceful future. Hostage-taking has no part in that future. We call on those holding all hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally and return them safely to their families where they belong.”

Kind regards,
FCO Webmaster