Playday in Grassmarket – Paper sculptures – Lord Provost’s blog – Break in at house in Trinity – Fringe
Edinburgh’s historic Grassmarket will be transformed into a giant children’s play area today to mark national Playday.
The enclosed street will be transformed from 12.30pm, with lots of family-friendly activities on offer including a giant sand pit, water play, magic potions and parachute games.
The event hopes to build on the success of last year where over 2,000 people came along to the Grassmarket to join in with Playday activities.
Playday is the national day for play, traditionally celebrated on the first Wednesday in August. On Playday thousands of children and their families get out to play at hundreds of community events across the UK.
As well as a celebration of children’s right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives.
Councillor Paul Godzik, Children & Families Leader, said: “Play is such an important part of any child’s development so our now very successful Playday in the Grassmarket provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate it and promote its many benefits.
“As a Council we’re very conscious of the importance of outdoor play for children. Not only are there significant health benefits from being out in the open air, but also exposure to a range of stimulus can help aid child development.
“Here in Edinburgh we’re very lucky to have some fantastic outdoor spaces and I would encourage all parents to get outdoors with their children during these summer months.”
Edinburgh’s Playday event will be held in the Grassmarket from 12.30pm – 4.30pm on Wednesday 1 August 2012.
On offer will be a giant sand pit, water play, magic potions, cardboard city, play pod, wheeled play, parachute games, play for babies, giant games and more.
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The fascinating paper sculptures which were sent to the Scottish Poetry Library, The National Library of Scotland and the Central Library as well as other places around Edinburgh during this last year are to be exhibited publicly in one place for the second time. The first was at an invitation only event at Holyrood (no The Reporter was not invited…) and now the sculptures are going on tour around Scotland starting in Aberdeen and coming back to the Capital in November. We feel a bit miffed that they are not being shown off here in the capital first, but the itinerary is set and the ten intricate sculptures will be exhibited in the library in Aberdeen from 17 August according to The Guardian Scotland blog.
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Speaking of blogs, did you know that Lord Provost Donald Wilson has decided to start a blog? You can read it here. He has the plum job of going on trips and meeting all the dignitaries who come to Edinburgh, and he has already told The Reporter that he is loving it.
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Lothian and Borders Police have sent a couple of photos of some of the many items of jewellery that were stolen yesterday from a house at Craighall Bank. Here they are just in case any of our readers come across them.
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Edinburgh is buzzing. The Fringe gets under way properly on Friday 3 August 2012 but the Underbelly starts from today with a plethora of shows at several venues. We saw a little snippet of a show last night which begins its Fringe run tonight at Assembly George Square. The Ragged Trouser Philanthropists is an adaptation of Tressell’s book of the same name. It aims to deliver a serious message of how painter/decorators struggle for survival in a complacent Edwardian Britain, and there are many comparisons with employment conditions today. The show is being supported by Unite Scotland and we were invited to a special discussion and preview of snippets from the stars of the show, Neil Gore and Fine Time Fontayne at Holyrood. It is very thought provoking! Book your tickets here but be warned this is not a wheelchair accessible venue.
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