European Elections 2014 – Consul General visits Edinburgh Zoo – Best Cupcakes in Scotland – Survey on City Centre Local Community Plan – National Library of Scotland
Remember to vote today if you are already registered. Polls are open between 7 am and 10pm. The address of your polling station is on the polling card, but if you cannot remember then there is a list here on the council website.
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Mr Pan Xinchun, Consul General for the People’s Republic of China visited Edinburgh Zoo earlier in the week as part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and Scotland China Education Network’s (SCEN) Global Classroom Day. The visit was one of Mr Pan’s first official duties as Consul General since assuming office at the end of April.
The Global Classroom Day brought together 175 students from 13 schools across Scotland to learn about China and its history, culture, language and environment, and is just one of several RZSS/SCEN joint educational programmes aimed at developing stronger bonds between the two countries.
During the visit Mr Pan watched presentations given by the students that detailed their Chinese learning experiences. The event was also attended by Prof Chris West, CEO of RZSS, Jeremy Peat, Chairman of RZSS, and Judith McClure, Convenor of SCEN.
The students also participated in RZSS ‘Beyond the Panda’ workshops, which form part of RZSS outreach and on-site learning activities. Funded by Jaguar Land Rover China, the ‘Beyond the Panda’ initiative has been taught to over 56 schools since August 2013 and aims to educate students about giant pandas, the history of China and the importance of taking action to save the species from extinction. This was followed by a visit to Tian Tian and Yang Guang, the UK’s only giant pandas, where the students had the opportunity to learn more about the species that inspired the programme.
Jeremy Peat, Chairman for RZSS, said:
“It has been a great honour to welcome Chinese Consul General Mr Pan Xinchun to Edinburgh Zoo as part of today’s Global Classroom Day. RZSS is deeply passionate to educating Scottish children about environmental issues, conservation as the roles they can play as individuals in making a difference. As the home of Tian Tian and Yang Guang, the UK’s only giant pandas, we are also committed to increasing the bonds between Scotland and China through research and educational programmes, such as the one held today. It is only through partnerships with organisations such as the Scotland China Education Network and support from Jaguar Land Rover China that we are able to reach these goals.
“The interest received from schools to participate in the Global Classroom Day was so great that we plan to hold several more in the future so as to accommodate all requests.”
Mr Pan Xinchun, Consul General for the People’s Republic of China added:
“This Zoo is not only a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, but also occupies a special place in my heart, as it is the second hometown of our national treasures, the giant pandas Yang Guang and Tian Tian. Two days ago, I visited the Zoo and was pleased to see Tian Tian and Yang Guang well looked after and enjoying their new life here. I salute RZSS for its endeavours to raise awareness and understanding of these animals. My appreciation also goes to SCEN for their use of pandas to promote culture exchanges between China and Scotland. Just as all my Scottish friends wished, I will keep my fingers crossed for the birth of a baby panda in coming months.”
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The cupcakes at Cuckoo’s Bakery in Dundas Street are officially the best in Scotland. The prize for Cuckoo’s Raspberry and White Chocolate cupcake was presented by Mich Turner MBE, owner of Award winning Little Venice Cake Company and Judge on ITV’s Britain’s Best Bakery, who said “It has given me great pleasure to be involved in the competition again this year. I wish Cuckoo’s well in the coming year.”
Cuckoo’s Bakery are proud to be based in the capital city and that this prestigious award has come to Edinburgh for the first time.
Owner Graham Savage said “It is a huge endorsement that the best cakes are produced by us, in the capital city. But we could not have come this far in the competition without our dedicated and skilled team and without the votes of all of our customers – Thank you”
Since opening in February 2011, Cuckoo’s Bakery has made a huge impression as the number one place for beautiful and delicious cakes with a unique twist. Cuckoo’s divine cupcake shop and tea room on Dundas Street is dedicated to producing homemade cupcakes and treats. They are currently running their acclaimed Referendum cupcake opinion poll
Every day scrumptious cupcakes are created by hand in an assortment of flavours which change regularly, including Eton Mess and Banana Split, as well as indulgent seasonal themed delights to tempt even the most diet conscious.
Cuckoo’s founders, the fabulous best friends Graham and Vidya, turned their baking fantasy into a successful reality. Cuckoo’s was recognised by none other than Cosmopolitan Magazine who have included Cuckoo’s Bakery in their list of ten; ‘Cupcakes and tea – the best in Britain’.
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The survey on the City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership Local Community Survey closes tomorrow 23 May. Have your say here.
After that the responses will be collated and then the council will look at these in depth and consult on the ideas over the summer. The final plan will be published in September.
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The National Library of Scotland would like to show you their Hidden Library…..
The Hidden Library invites new audiences into the heart of NLS with special events in the reading room on the last Saturday of the month.
Events include: workshops, talks, readings, story-telling, exhibition tours and Library inductions.
Dates:
Saturday 31 May – family-friendly events
Saturday 28 June – events tailored for people with creative backgrounds
Saturday 26 July – events tailored for NLS readers
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
