Five things you need to know today Edinburgh!

Films at Old College

Exams Helpline

Lifeboat launched

Mela  need models

Ten minutes

Earlier in the year we had the fabulous Chinese Warriors at the Old College Quad. Now it is to be come the site for the city’s latest pop up cinema venue. Highlights from the varied programme include Edinburgh-based romantic comedy One Day, Eighties’ classic Ghostbusters and children’s favourite Shrek.

Film in the Old College Quad, which will take place from 17 to 23 August, is presented by the University in association with the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Short films by Animation and Film and Television students from Edinburgh College of Art will also be screened each evening.

There will be themed evenings throughout the week, including a comedy night with Whisky Galore!, an Eighties’ night with The Breakfast Club and a night dedicated to films directed by the Coen brothers. Their cult classics Fargo and The Big Lebowski will be screened.

There will also be free family matinees on Sunday 17 and Saturday 23 of August, showing Shrek and Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon.

An Edinburgh-themed evening also aims to show the city’s alternative side, with Danny Boyle’s infamous Trainspotting and 1980’s dark comedy Restless Natives.

As well as enjoying the atmospheric surrounding of the Old College, festival-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic and watch classic film under the stars on the quad lawn.

Professor Mary Bownes, Vice Principal External Engagement at the University of Edinburgh, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the public to the Old College quad for this series of outdoor cinema screenings. We are particularly pleased to showcase new talent from our students in ECA and hope the historical setting will add to the drama.”

Ken Hay, CEO of the Edinburgh International Film Festival said: “We’re delighted to be working with the University of Edinburgh in hosting this season of film screenings in the iconic surroundings of the Old College quad. After the success of the outdoor screenings as part of EIFF and Film in the City in June, it’s great to be back in August with even more.”

Film in the Old College Quad is produced by Unique Events. Booking information can be found at www.ed.ac.uk/festivals and more films will be announced in the coming week.

Tickets cost £5 per film (family matinees are free) and can be booked via the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website. 

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So the exam results are out and they have perhaps not been the best for every candidate. What now? (apart from remembering that Richard Branson has no university degree….!)

Help is at hand. Skills Development Scotland have a Helpline operating. This year’s Helpline received 1200 calls during the first two days of operation. Career coaches were on hand to offer young people and their parents help, information and advice on next steps.

Two-thirds of calls came from pupils and over half of that number hadn’t received the results they expected. However, ten per cent of callers had received better results than anticipated.

SDS Operations Director Danny Logue said: “This is the 22^nd year of our Helpline and this year’s feedback has shown how important the expert advice given by our careers advisers is to young people and their parents.”

Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages Dr Alasdair Allan said: “The Skills Development Scotland helpline provides an invaluable resource for learners who are unsure about their next move after getting this week’s exam results.

“I have seen first-hand the excellent advice call handlers provide, so I am delighted that the overwhelming majority of callers have found the service so useful.”

The Helpline will be open from 9am until 5pm until 13 August on 0808 100 8000 and further information is available on the SDS web service www.myworldofwork.co.uk.

97% of callers to Skills Development Scotland’s Exam Results Helpline would recommend the service.

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RNLI Queensferry launched to go to the aid of a yacht which had fouled her propeller when trying to pick up a mooring in North Queensferry harbour.

Due to the wind and swell, the yacht ended up aground and pinned to the harbour wall. A tow was established and the yacht was pulled free and taken to the slipway in North Queensferry.

A lifeboat spokesman said: “A tricky little shout today, and a great team effort working with Queensferry Coastguard who were assisting throughout.  The crew was Mike Garfitt, Derek Sutton, Ross Denver, Jonathan Hunter.”

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The Edinburgh Mela are looking for models to take part in the 20th Edinburgh Mela Fashion Show.  Open auditions will be held at Duncan Place Resource Centre (EH6 8HW) on Tuesday 12th August from 18:30-20:00.

Models must be available to attend rehearsals in Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd and Saturday 30th August from 12:30-16:30.  The Fashion Show will take place at the Edinburgh Mela Festival on Sunday 31st August at 3pm.

Please contact 07890 698 303  with any queries.

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Do nothing for ten minutes! In Edinburgh at this point in the year it is difficult to know how to do absolutely nothing. But then you could always try….