Garden of Remembrance opens
PoppyScotland will officially open the Garden of Remembrance in Princes Street on Monday morning. A short open air service led by Reverend Dr Karen Campbell, National Padre of the Royal British Legion Scotland, will be held, paying tribute to servicemen and women who have given their lives in past conflicts.
The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, as well as piper Rory Cairns will perform. The Right Honourable Lord Provost, Cllr Robert Aldridge, and Paul McLennan, Minister for Housing, representing The Scottish Government will lay wreaths.
Halloween film night at The Biscuit Factory
Guests are encouraged to dress up for a spooky night at The Biscuit Factory on 1 November. Family friendly silver scream films will be shown from 4pm. Children are welcome until 8pm after which horror cult classics will be shown. Facebook followers can choose the films here.
Walkie Talky Brewing’s new popup taproom, now open until the end of the year, will serve a range of amplified ales, mulled drinks and refreshments.
Entry is free and includes a welcome popcorn. Event Eats will also be offering pizza by the slice until late.
Costumes and fancy dress are welcome and encouraged, but remember that the venue can be “bone-chilling” at times.
After 11pm DJ’s will spin spooky songs for any ghouls that are still haunting the Biscuit Factory.
At Abbey Strand
On Friday, 25 October. Fireside Stories: Local Lore will allow visitors to step inside Abbey Strand, a building with many chapters of fascinating history, and pull up a seat by the fireplace to hear some of its many stories by professional storyteller Fiona Herbert. The event includes complimentary refreshments, and a chance to explore this historic building. Book tickets costing £15 here.
The Scottish Parliament is in recess until next week
While The Scottish Parliament remains on holiday until next week, there are still ways of being involved in government matters.
The parliament has a petitions process which anyone can use to have a matter brought to the attention of MSPs. The most recent petition seeks to remove peak pricing from ScotRail fares, and another more specific demand for support for communities affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
The petition asks for government support by:
- setting up a national fund to assist struggling homeowners and tenants affected by RAAC
- initiating a public inquiry to investigate the practices of councils and housing associations concerning RAAC, including investigation of how business related to RAAC was conducted, the handling of safety reports and property sales, disclosure of RAAC, and responses to homeowner concerns
- introducing or updating legislation, similar to the General Product Safety Regulations, to ensure developers, councils, and housing associations are held accountable for using substandard property materials, mandate risk disclosure, and make surveyors and solicitors liable for untraced defects. Legislation should also include provision for a comprehensive register of high-risk buildings in Scotland.
Read or sign all of the petitions here.
Meanwhile remember that the carrier bag charge came into force ten years ago this month.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “The tenth anniversary of the introduction of the single use carrier bag charge is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how small changes in our behaviour can make a significant difference – and commit to the action we need to see over the coming years to make even greater progress in protecting the environment and moving towards a more circular economy.
“Single use bags can litter our neighbourhoods, cause harm to animals and pollute our natural environment. Environmental charges can be an effective tool to change people’s behaviour, encourage responsible consumption and reuse, and reduce the harm plastic and other litter can have on the environment.
“The charge on single use carrier bags has provided consistency for consumers and businesses and driven forward sustainable behaviours – with research published earlier this year showing an 80% drop in plastic bags found on beaches across the UK in the past 10 years.
“Data from Zero Waste Scotland also shows that 84% of people in Scotland are now always or mostly taking their own bags to the shops, playing a crucial role in increasing reuse and reducing waste and litter.
“This is an example of positive action from the government, in partnership with businesses and consumers which is delivering change and by working together over the next decade and beyond we can do even more to encourage responsible consumption and protect our environment.”
Handbags and gladrags
On 27 October Anna Somerville (previously of Covet on Thistle Street) will host a launch of her handbag collection at the &Gallery on Dundas Street.
During the one day only event you can explore the collection of Anna’s handbags and scarves while enjoying a glass of fizz.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
