Five things you need to know today
Finance Committee – Science Festival – Independence Day – Harlaw Hydro – John Byrne
The council’s Finance committee meets this morning with a long agenda in front of them. We have a couple of articles about the former North British Rubber factory and the proposed exchange of land in Moredun at the Community Centre there.
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The Edinburgh International Science Festival begins this weekend and in addition to all the events in the city there is some fun going on in Livingston to teach children about the wonders of science too.
The Edinburgh International Science Festival going to be in The Centre, Livingston to offer young shoppers the chance to test out their scientific ability. The educational charity will be turning the area outside H&M into a unique wind tunnel, to tantalise creative taste buds.
Families are invited to take part in a bumper drive of workshops beginning this Saturday 23 March 2013 until Saturday 6 April. Children will be invited to design a bespoke construction and test it out in The Centre’s very own wind tunnel.
The workshop will teach those between the ages of five and eight, about wind force, the potential for harnessing its energy and converting it into electricity. Not only will young shoppers have the chance to design their very own state-of-the-art turbine, they will also have the chance to build it and observe the effect of the position of the wind turbine.
James Bailey, centre director of The Centre, Livingston, said: “We’re thrilled to invite the Edinburgh International Science Festival into The Centre.
“The science team will be on-hand to coach our young creators to produce some unique wind turbines whilst educating them about the importance of wind. This is a brilliant workshop for children during the Easter holidays.
“Meeting the needs of families and supporting them in The Centre is fundamental in the mall’s on-going objectives. Last year, we invested a significant sum of money in a new baby feeding area for families to utilise during their time shopping in The Centre.”
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The Scottish Government is due to announce today the date when the Independence Referendum will take place next year. This will be as part of the Ministerial Statement at 2:00pm which you can watch online by clicking here.
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The council is to agree to grant a new 50 year lease to Harlaw Hydro Limited when it meets later today. The company who are going to undertake the renewable energy scheme will have a meeting on 9 April 2013 in St Joseph’s Hall when they will present their plans and launch the share offer. The planning application for the proposed hydro scheme was approved in 2012 and the community company will now try to raise the finance to proceed with it.
Harlaw Hydro Limited say:-“The plan is to install a 65Kw turbine at the base of Harlaw Dam and to take advantage of the government’s Feed In Tariffs (FiT) for Renewable Energy to sell power to the National Grid.”
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Something for Friday night. Artist, playwright and sculptor (among his many talents) John Byrne will be speaking at Summerhall on Friday. Details of how to get tickets here. Tickets are £5.