Home News Five things you need to know today

Five things you need to know today

September 16, 2012 9:41 am

Pedal on Postbox – City centre diversions today – Brave at the Botanics – Royal Blind – Liveblog 20 September

The nice people from Pedal on Parliament have a new postcard, and they want you to go along to the Chris Hoy golden postbox at 11 this morning to post it to your MSP or your councillor to tell them that you support the call for improvements on our roads and streets for cyclists.There are more details here on Facebook. The hashtag if you just post your own card is #goldenlegacy

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There will be road closures and diversions for a time today to allow the open top bus tour carrying Olympic and Pralympic athletes to come from the City Chambers at around 2pm to George Street where it will drop Sir Chris Hoy off to receive the Freedom of the City from the Lord Provost, Donald Wilson. We were out early in George Street this morning and saw at least one car being transported away from the parking in the middle of George Street.

George Street will be closed between Frederick and Hanover Street from 1-4pm today.

Lawnmarket from St Giles Street to George IV Bridge will be closed from 1-3pm today.

Parliament Square and West Parliament Square will be closed from 1-3pm today.

St Giles Street will be closed from 1-3pm today.

George IV Bridge will be closed northbound from Chambers St to Bank St from 1.30-3pm today.

Lawnmarket from Castlehill to George IV Bridge will be closed from 1.30-3pm today.

Bank Street, North Bank Street and The Mound will be closed from 1.30-3pm today.

Market Street from North Bank Street to Waverley Bridge, Hanover Street from Princes Street to Thistle Street and George Street from St Andrew Square to Hanover Street will all be closed between 1.30 and 3pm.

Meanwhile Andy Murray is doing his own thing with a tour round Dunblane from noon.

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If you have now had enough of the Olympics and want to get away from the melée in the city centre then you could head for the canal or head for the Botanics where they are offering you some Brave antics for the day. And that gives us another opportunity to show off the photos from the red carpet at the EIFF Brave Gala Premiere. Our photo shows Kelly Macdonald with the winner of the Daily Mail’s Princess Merida lookalike competition, Caitlyn Boyd from Brechin in Angus. There will be a bit of archery for over 7s with some arts and crafts for the rest of you. Hope they keep the archers away from the Glasshouses… More details on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh website.

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Royal Blind have told us about an event they are running in a couple of weeks with historian Neil Oliver.

This is what they say:-“On Friday 28th September, Royal Blind will be hosting a night of travel and adventure at the Playfair Library, South Bridge, Edinburgh. Acclaimed historian and BBC presenter, Neil Oliver will host an evening of entertainment and discussion that includes talks from blind traveller, Tony Giles and around-the-world cyclist, Mark Beaumont.

Tony Giles was born with a rare genetic visual impairment but has accomplished the monumental achievement of visiting all seven of the world’s continents. His experiences include traveling across all fifty states of the USA and crossing the Arctic Circle, as well as participating in several bungee jumps and sky dives.

Mark Beaumont was first inspired to travel after reading about a cycle from John O’ Groats to Lands End, which he later accomplished on his own. Mark set a new world record for cycling around the world in 2008, which raised £18,000 for charity and produced a BAFTA nominated documentary titled The Man Who Cycled the World.

Both Tony and Mark will be reading excerpts from their latest books and sharing memories from previous expeditions. This is a brilliant opportunity to be taken on a journey through a world of travel and adventure that very few individuals can claim to have experienced. Royal Blind invites you to attend an evening filled with travel and adventure!

There will also be opportunities to participate in a special charity auction, as well as a stimulating question and answer session. Tickets cost £49 per person, which includes a delicious buffet and a book signing. You can book online at www.royalblind.org via our events section or by contacting Karen Deacon on 0131 229 1456 andevents@royalblind.org.”

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