New train designs for Christmas
Edinburgh’s Christmas today
Ceilidh with a difference
Edinburgh College wins Green Gown Awards
Colinton’s Reindeer Parade
Hundreds of heads were turned at King’s Cross Station earlier this week as Virgin Trains unveiled its two Christmas trains sporting striking blue liveries in place of the famous Virgin red. A Pendolino transformed into a Penguilino and a Class 91 made over as Claus 91 appeared side by side for the first time at London’s iconic station.
The unveiling marked the end of a nationwide competition amongst primary school children for a Christmas Train design. Joint winners, nine year old Amber Maxfield and 11 year old Madeleine Deakin, were there to see their festive drawings come to life.
The competition attracted hundreds of entries and was run in partnership with the Book Trust. The judging panel, which was headed by Jill Murphy, author of the popular Worst Witch and The Large Family series, were so impressed by the entries that two winners were chosen.
Jill Murphy said: ‘‘I am honoured to have been part of this exciting project. We received so many wonderful entries and Madeleine and Amber’s designs stood out as fun designs with a real Christmas feel to them.’’
Madeleine from Copdock in Suffolk said “I’m so happy to have won and it was incredible to see my drawing on the train – it’s made me even more excited about Christmas!” and Amber from Carlisle added “When I found out I’d won I just couldn’t believe it! Seeing my drawing on a train and coming to London is a dream come true.”
Now two trains, one on the West Coast (Penguilino) and one on the East Coast (Claus 91), boast the childrens’ very different designs but share the same midnight blue sky backdrop. Each Christmas train bears the name of its young designer.
Patrick McCall, Chairman of Virgin Trains, said: ‘‘We loved the concepts that these two young designers came up with and are proud to have their ideas transform two trains. It’s fantastic that both the East Coast and West Coast services have come together to make our customers’ journeys throughout December extra special – especially on their way home for Christmas.’’
Diana Gerald, Book Trust chief executive, said: “This project has been a great opportunity to inspire children to use their imaginations and we were really impressed with the quality of entries. We received everything from family party scenes to our most beloved Christmas characters.’’
The Christmas trains will run on the Virgin Trains network throughout December and carry passengers travelling over the festive period.
Virgin Trains East Coast is committed to delivering a high speed, high quality service with new services, faster and more frequent journeys, more comfortable travel and excellent customer service. More than £140m is to be invested in delivering improved service and a more personalised travel experience for customers.
‘Queen of the Edinburgh Festival’ (BBC), Camille O’Sullivan enjoys a formidable international reputation for her intensely dramatic interpretations of the songs of Brel, Cave, Waits, Bowie and more. The multi-award-winning singer has stunned audiences around the world with her 5-star sell-out performances, including Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, La Clique, Later with Jools Holland (BBC) and her Herald Angel award winning RSC solo performance ‘The Rape of Lucrece’. Dark, sexy, fierce, amusing and mesmerising, Camille transforms each song she performs into an intense, emotional and theatrical experience, inextricably drawing her audience into a world illuminated by the dark and the light. Expect joy and pure passion.
She starts a three night run at the Spiegeltent in St Andrew Square tonight.
If you fancy a ceilidh with a difference then look no further than this Saturday at Southside Community Centre which celebrates the International Year of Light.
Edinburgh College’s community garden and orchard project won major UK and worldwide awards last week for its work getting students excited and engaged about sustainability.
The college won both the UK and International Student Engagement Awards at the Green Gown Awards in Bristol, beating competition from colleges and universities across the UK and the rest of the world.
And the college’s electric vehicle project won a Highly Commended Facilities and Services Award.
The Green Gown awards recognise sustainability initiatives by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK, and are organised by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC).
Colinton have a reindeer parade and this year it will take place on 9 December. Join in the fun from 6.30pm at the foot of Spylaw Street. Then enjoy music, food, drinks & fun until 9pm in the Swing Cafe (Dell Room) of Colinton Parish Church.
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
