April fools – Gorgie City Farm – Spa in the City next month – Holyrood Palace out of hours – Jobs at Summerhall
Many very good April fools jokes this morning in the papers and online. The Guardian has its Guardian Goggles which will only allow readers to see the world through The Guardian’s eyes at any time. The North Edinburgh News has Police Scotland launching horse power at Drylaw Police Station, which will be closed and converted into a stable. The Broughton Spurtle meanwhile uses the power of April Fools’ Day to launch another attack on The Edinburgh Evening News. But the Scottish Book Trust perhaps have the winner in our view. They have announced that they are all moving to the Rabbit Islands off the Sutherland coast where they will all live together and read each other bedtime stories…
And then there is this old chestnut from the BBC….
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Gorgie City Farm have a range of animals to be looked after and they are always on the lookout for help. Some of that help can be in the form of younger 8 to 12 year-olds who can join in the Saturday club, or even join in the Holiday Clubs. More information on the website.
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Beauty fans can look forward to a bumper weekend as Spa in the City – Edinburgh’s popular free beauty event – returns on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May for a sixth consecutive year. Heading once again to St Andrew Square, the Essential Edinburgh extravaganza will feature a new ‘Fresh as a Daisy’ theme which will be accompanied by a fresh new format, with six of the city’s most prestigious beauty retailers – John Lewis, Jenners, Harvey Nichols, Boots, Debenhams and the Roxburghe Hotel – each taking over their own marquee.
The weekend will offer city centre shoppers the chance to ‘freshen up their look’ with a menu of free treatments, with brands for this year including Shu Uemura from Harvey Nichols, Liz Earle from John Lewis and Clarins which will be in the Jenners marquee. Luxurious treatments courtesy of the spa team at the city’s Roxburghe Hotel will also be available, alongside Superdrug and Lush Spa.
The event is organised and funded by Essential Edinburgh, the city’s Central Business Improvement District and aims to promote the wealth of beauty and lifestyle retailers on offer in Edinburgh city centre and encourage shoppers into the area.
Andy Neal, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: -“We are delighted to be bringing Spa in the City back once again for its sixth year. This has proven to be a really popular event with beauty lovers in Edinburgh and we are confident that this year’s line-up will not disappoint.
“This year, the move to have major retailers hosting their own marquee shows just how far this event has come and how important it has become in the Edinburgh retail calendar. By having this level of involvement in the event, retailers have a prime opportunity to showcase their offerings and brands to thousands of Edinburgh shoppers.
“The Spa in the City event is a great success, driving footfall in the centre and generating valuable follow up business for retailers throughout the city. As we near our renewal ballot, we would like to thank those who have been fantastic supporters of this event and we hope that local retailers will support Essential Edinburgh’s bid so that we can continue providing this key event in the years to come.”
As well as the large marquees, a selection of smaller marquees around the Melville Monument will house brands such as Molton Brown and Kiehls, as well as jazz band Swing Supreme who will be providing entertainment.
Marcello Ventisei, General Manager at Roxburghe Hotel, said:- “Spa in the City is a fantastic event for us and having our own marquee this year is great in terms of driving our brand’s presence to the thousands of people passing through the event and the hundreds checking in for their complimentary treatments. The Roxburghe is rebranding to become a Crowne Plaza and this is an amazing opportunity to showcase our spa to the people of Edinburgh”
Spaces for treatments, which are limited to one per person, are secured at the registration desk on the event days from 9.30am until 4pm on a first come first served basis. Some pre-booking will be available through facebook and will be announced at a later date. For more information visit www.essentialedinburgh.co.uk or www.facebook.com/edsitc
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Did you know that there are special early and evening slots for groups to go and see the exhibitions in Holyrood Palace? The Royal Collection advise that this is possible – and ends with tea in the cafe….Here is what they say on their website:-
08:30-10:302 hoursPalace of HolyroodhouseThis very special tour of Scotland’s official residence of The Queen highlights both Holyrood’s dramatic past and the Palace’s important role today.
In the company of an expert guide, groups may enjoy a private tour of the State Apartments before the Palace opens to visitors for the day. Tours offer a unique opportunity to go ‘behind the ropes’ in selected rooms and the West Drawing Room, used by members of the Royal Family as a private sitting room and not normally open to the public, is included in the tour. It is among the most beautiful rooms in the palace and boasts one of the finest 17th-century plasterwork ceilings.
Morning tours finish in the Café at the Palace with light refreshments.
Price includes a copy of the official guidebook and tea, coffee and pastries. Minimum number 25 or booking value £625.00, maximum number 60.
£25.00 per person
+44 (0)20 7766 7322
Contract Period – 15th July – 1st September 2013 (subject to change)
Application Deadline: 3rd May 2013
Job Description:
The purpose of this post is to provide effective support for all technical and production aspects of an extremely busy venue, including film, theatre, workshops, exhibition and events both in-house and with visiting companies to the highest possible standards.
The technician will be a member of the Technical Team and will report to the Production Manager. Each technician should be multi-skilled but can have key areas of experience.Preferred skills are: Lighting, Sound (including live mixing), Stage Management, Rigging, AV.
Duties and Responsibilities will include:
- Each technician will assigned to one of six performance venues and principal areas of responsibilities will include :
- Actively involved in the installation set-up and subsequent removal of all venues and exhibitions.
- To welcome visiting companies and artists on arrival to ensure that all stage and technical facilities are prepared for use as required by the contractual requirements and visiting company specifications.
- Monitor and support visiting companies in the space.
- Assist in the daily turn rounds between shows, as well as the initial get ins and subsequent get-outs.
- To ensure that all backstage facilities and equipment are maintained to the highest standard. Ensuring that all backstage areas and dressing rooms are kept clean and tidy.
- Operate shows as required.
- To undertake any other duties and responsibilities as requested by the Production Manager.
Please note that due to the high number of applicants, we are unable to respond individually to anyone not invited to interview.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
