Edinburgh Today – Armed Forces Day – Fundraising BBQ – Bus diversions – Trams update
There are actually so many things happening in the capital today it is difficult to fit them all in. Here is just a selection:-The Edinburgh International Film Festival ends tonight with the closing night Gala Premiere of DisneyPixar’s Brave which our Film Festival correspondent Ryan McNeely previews here. We hope to get some photos of the Hollywood stars who did the voiceovers for the film arriving at the Festival Theatre this afternoon.The Pride Scotia March is taking place today and will arrive at the Omni Centre in Greenside Place around 2p.m. A new exhibition opens at the National Gallery called Expanding Horizons, featuring landscapes by Lusieri, while the Munch exhibition continues. You should perhaps know that the Portrait Gallery will be closed on Monday due to a Royal visit.The Canal Festival is on today which includes a Raft Race from Lochrin Basin. Edinburgh Spotlight tells you more about what is happening on the canal. And there is the Big Dance taking place today and tomorrow which you can read more about under our Culture and Entertainment section. If you know about anything else feel free to add it in our comments section below.
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Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh 2012 will begin with a parade of veterans from King Stables Road into and through Princes Street Gardens starting at 1pm. Speeches from the Ross Theatre will take place at approximately 1.20pm followed by entertainment that includes military bands, jazz band, highland dancers, majorettes and the Kennedy Cupcakes. There will also be children’s activities in the gardens and stalls promoting the work of the Armed Forces and veterans charities. Entry to the Ross Theatre and all children’s activities is free.
A variety of different events will be hosted in the gardens until 5pm. Highlights include a flypast by a Royal Air Force Typhoon, entertainment from acts such as the Kennedy Cupcakes and the SCOTS Mil Afghan Rock Band, as well as inflatable assault courses and bouncy castles. Events will last throughout the day and round off at 5pm with the Ceremony of Beating Retreat.
The Rt Hon Donald Wilson, Lord Lieutenant, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and Veterans Champion said: “Our military service personnel and veterans deserve recognition for the immense sacrifice they make day in and day out to keep this country and its people safe. Holding a day of celebration in their honour is just one of the ways the City can thank them.
“Edinburgh is looking forward to welcoming hundreds of veterans to Princes Street Gardens for a fun, family-friendly event to celebrate these men and women’s bravery and dedication to duty”.
Armed Forces Day is the annual, national campaign that allows everyone to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces past and present, including currently serving troops, Service families, Reservists, veterans and cadets.
Kevin Gray, spokesperson for the Royal British Legion Scotland, said: “We are proud and delighted to take part in Armed Forces’ Day. The Legion regards the event as one of the most important parts of its year when we can come together as a nation and pay tribute to the grit and professionalism of our Forces.
“Recent years have put extraordinary pressure on our Servicemen and women, it’s only right that we can, once a year, acknowledge their extraordinary achievements. It is also one of the rare opportunities to involve all the families, an important part of the Services’ community and one should never be forgotten.
“It’s a day of togetherness with all the ex-Service charities participating while serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans march together. We see it as a fun day too, a celebration not solemn commemoration. Let’s salute and celebrate!”
Similar events have been taking place across the UK, enabling people to come out and show their support, and giving a much-valued morale boost for Armed Forces personnel and their families. This year’s national event took place in the City of Plymouth.
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There’s a fundraising BBQ at one of Edinburgh Council’s care homes, Clovenstone House Care Home, Clovenstone Gardens, Edinburgh today Saturday June 30. It starts at 1.30pm and the star attraction will be the dance group Hustle who will be providing the entertainment – a singing and dance group who got to the final of Edinburgh’s Got Talent. Hustle will be on at 2.30pm.
They are donating their time to the event which should be a great event for residents and their families.
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From today, Princes Street will be reopened (between South Charlotte Street and South St. David Street) to most City Centre buses, and possibly also to taxis and bikes. Other diversions are still in place in the City Centre. Here is the information you might need to get about by bus from today.
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If you would like to know how the trams are coming along, Edinburgh Trams have issued a photo update:-
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