TER Statue

Lothian Buses in the running for seven awards – Bruncheon at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall – History made fun at Georgian House – Withered Hand in Wester Hailes – Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the library

Lothian Buses has been shortlisted for seven awards in this year’s UK Bus awards, the industry’s premier public transport awards scheme.

The UK Bus awards, which were founded in 1995, were set up to reward and encourage good practice amongst bus operators and local transport authorities and inspire excellence in the planning, operation and marketing of bus services in the UK.

Lothian Buses has been shortlisted for seven awards including:

  • The Bus and the Community Award
  • Environment Award
  • Making Buses a Better Choice
  • Top City Operator
  • Putting Passengers First
  • The Unsung Heroes Award
  • Top National Bus Driver

Welcoming the news of Lothian Buses success in being shortlisted, Chief Executive Ian Craig said: “To be shortlisted for seven awards is a major achievement for us after such a successful year.

“Being recognised for our commitment to environmental standards once more is a real testament to the hard work we have done investing in and improving our transport fleet and customer service.

“It is also great to see two of our employees shortlisted for two awards for their hard work over the past year. Our staff are the heartbeat of our operation and our success wouldn’t be possible without the excellent service they provide day in and day out.”

The news of the shortlist tops off a successful year for Lothian Buses, after winning the Contribution to Sustainable Transport title at the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards and the National Scottish Green Champion title at the annual Scottish Green Apple Awards.

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1381578_592372367488025_281609704_nOctober Bruncheon features At the Out of the Blue Drill Hall will be the mysterious band “The Birds who Flew Beyond Time” presenting some new material with vocal harmonies and trumpet sounds. As well as Iain Mackechnie’s duo “Le Combo”; acoustic-based songs influenced by Celtic, African, R&B, Blues, Jazz and Reggae styles on guitar and percussion. Other acts TBC! And plenty of yummy food and drink – from local to global – the kitchen is cooking up a funky menu as we speak! Live music starts around mid-day. FREE entry – come along and bring all your pals!

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Christmas scene.If an 18th Century house in Edinburgh, which pays tribute to the grandeur of the era, sounds stuffy to a child then the National Trust for Scotland invite you to take them along to the National Trust for Scotland Georgian House for a lovely surprise.

Sited in the glorious Charlotte Square this building is a fabulous example of Robert Adam’s architecture and will take visitors back in time to refined world of the first owner, landowner John Lamont.

For younger visitors during October there’s a chance to really experience life during that period. They can try on costumes and and find out about the life of children at that time, or learn to write with a quill pen – quite a difficult art! Objects of the time can be handled and will be explained, whilst there’s plenty of fun work to be found in the Activity Guide. By trying the flashcards or doing some colouring in, they’ll soon realise that history can be fun.

The Georgian House has been restored to reflect the social, financial and intellectual status of wealthy New Town inhabitants of the time. On display are paintings by leading 18th-century Scottish artists, including Sir Henry Raeburn, Allan Ramsay and Alexander Nasmyth, complemented by fine furniture, silverware and porcelain. While you are there, find out more about life in Edinburgh’s New Town by watching our short film, ‘Living in a Grand Design’, by using one of the information-packed touch screen computers in a small room in the basement, and by chatting to the knowledgeable volunteer guides as you tour the restored rooms.

The Georgian House is an ideal family holiday venue well worth an exploration.

DATES: until 3 November 2013 10.00 – 17.00.

TICKETS: Activities are included in the admission cost and booking is not required. For more information please call: 0844 493 2118.

 

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The Fruit Tree Foundation and South West Soundsare putting on an event in Wester Hailes next weekend.

They have Withered Hand Plus sets from the Fruit Tree Mentoring Programme and South West Sounds @ WHALE Arts Centre, 30 Westburn Grove, EH14 2SA  on Saturday 19 October, from 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Internationally renowned musicians Withered Hand and Rod Jones will perform sets alongside community musicians from WHALE’s South West Sounds project and The Fruit Tree mentoring project.

This unique opportunity to see these incredible musicians on your doorstep is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival and is funded by Creative Scotland. FREE entry – contact WHALE Arts Agency to book: 0131 458 3267 or email tickets@whalearts.co.uk

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Scottish Chamber Orchestra and NLS joint event: ‘The pity of war’   

Monday 14th October | 6 pm | free
Composer Sally Beamish will talk about her new work ‘Flodden’, in conversation with Lady Judy Steel. The work was commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to commemorate the Battle of Flodden 500 years ago. On display will be ‘The pity of war’ by Iona Leishman (resident artist for Historic Scotland at Stirling Castle 2011-2012), part of a body of paintings commemorating the battle.

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.