ProjectScotland, the charity that helps young people get on in life through volunteering, is encouraging people in Edinburgh to sign up to be a volunteer mentor and give back to their community this #GivingTuesday.
A global day of giving, #GivingTuesday encourages people to give their time, money or voice to a charity on 2 December 2014.
ProjectScotland offers 16 – 30 year olds a full-time, three month volunteering opportunity, allowing them to learn new skills and gain valuable experience while giving back to society. ProjectScotland matches young people with charities working in areas such as the Arts, Sports, Youth Work and Animal Care, or to departments within charities such as Marketing, Human Resources, Fundraising and Events.
Upon signing up to become a volunteer, candidates are offered a mentor who works with them to help them get the most from their experience. Mentors are given the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of young people, whilst receiving training and support from a committed team at ProjectScotland.
Over 125 volunteer mentors are currently working with the charity to help coach a young person and support them throughout their volunteer experience.
Tahnee Downie attributes a great deal of her current professional confidence to her mentor Julie-Anne Jamieson, saying: “She was there for me in a way that was entirely separate to the support I got through the Travelling Gallery and ProjectScotland. She listened to my concerns about my career, and helped me plan for my future.”
When asked about her experience as a mentor Julie-Anne Jamieson said: “I love it because I meet such interesting and talented young people who are so enthusiastic; it really inspires me during my day-to-day work.”
ProjectScotland currently has 46 exciting opportunities across Edinburgh, from a Childcare Assistant with SmileChildCare to a PR and Events Champion with the Blackwood Foundation.
Through ProjectScotland charities can benefit from the additional manpower, talents and energy which volunteers provide, while local communities benefit from the volunteers’ help.
As well as being offered a mentor ProjectScotland volunteers receive a travel allowance and are invited to a series of job-focussed workshops designed to help them plan for the future.
Edinburgh College celebrated double success at the Scottish further education sector’s flagship awards, taking home two top prizes from the College Development Network’s annual ceremony.
The CDN Annual Awards recognise the talent, skills and achievements of colleges and their staff and students, celebrating the outstanding projects taking place in colleges across Scotland. The winners received their awards at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Thursday night.
The college won the following awards:
· The Changing Colleges Award, for the college’s groundbreaking partnership working agreement with Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA), the first of its kind for one of the country’s newly merged colleges. The agreement formalises how the college and ECSA work together, giving the students’ association a strong voice to influence decision making at all levels of the organisation. This award category recognises leadership and innovation in the development of regional colleges. ECSA was also named the Further Education Students’ Union of the Year 2014 by the National Union of Students.
· The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award, for ECSA’s commitment to reaching, representing and supporting some of the most under-represented and hardest-to-reach groups in the local community. In close partnership with the college, ECSA has developed a range of events and initiatives to ensure that all students are treated fairly and with dignity, and that their rights are respected. These include events giving under-represented groups such as care leavers and refugees the opportunity to tell their stories.
The college was also highly commended in the Sustainability category, for the continuing development of its solar meadow project at its Midlothian Campus, which includes an increase in student involvement.
The £1.2m, 2,560-panel solar meadow launched in 2013 in partnership with energy firm SSE and generates the equivalent energy for the campus to meet its electricity needs and reduce its carbon emissions by 300,000kg per year. Engineering students have been using data generated from the solar meadow in their studies to learn about renewable energies. This year, the use of the facility as a teaching tool will be expanded and more students from other subject areas will have the chance to use it.
Edinburgh College interim principal Elaine McMahon said: “Coming away with these awards is a fantastic achievement and our staff and students deserve huge congratulations. Winning and being highly commended across this range of categories shows the great diversity of excellent work being done at the college. There’s so much creativity and ingenuity here and it’s great to see it being celebrated this way by our peers in the college community.
“It’s particularly satisfying to see our students’ association rewarded as the college places huge importance on students’ involvement in key decision making throughout the organisation to provide the best learning environment. The equality award for ECSA is also truly deserved. The students have taken the initiative to make sure we engage with all our students, including those who are perceived as hard to reach, to give them every chance to succeed.
“The solar meadow commendation is a great credit to the sustainability work the college is becoming well known for. With renewable energy now Scotland’s main source of power, it’s important that we equip students to be at the forefront of this field. Our work in renewables is positive not only for students and our industry partners, but also our surrounding communities.”
Jeroen van Herk, president of ECSA, said: “This was an amazing night for us and we’re thrilled with the two awards. The whole ECSA team has done great things over the last couple of years and it’s an honour to be recognised for all the hard work.
“These awards reflect the close partnership we have with the college and the importance it places on listening to the student voice. This shows what an independent students’ association can do while working in partnership with its institution.
“We’re also delighted that we’re able to bring attention to groups such as students from care backgrounds and asylum seekers. As a student body, we must represent all our students equally and give them all the support they need, and this recognition shows we’re heading in the right direction.”
The awards dinner was hosted by Sally Magnusson at The George Hotel.
Photo :
From left to right: Myra McCabe, head of Student Services; Julie McCran, vice principal, quality, performance and the student experience; Zoe Croy, ECSA vice president (women); Elaine McMahon, interim principal; Craig Wilson, deputy principal
Ceilidh with Best Buddies
On 5 December, University of Edinburgh society Best Buddies will host a pioneering ‘friendship ceilidh’.
The society is part of the international Best Buddies community, which aims to promote social inclusivity for people with learning disabilities. In its biggest community event to date, the ‘life-changing’ university society will welcome members of the public to enjoy a knees-up at Edinburgh’s ENABLE centre.
A socially inclusive ceilidh probably shouldn’t be a news story – but sadly, Scotland has some way to go when it comes to including people with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities). According to ENABLE’s website, in Scotland an estimated 120,000 children and adults have learning disabilities.
Of these, 93% of children with a learning disability are bullied and only 1 in 3 individuals with a learning disability is able to name one close friend. Every week, the University of Edinburgh Best Buddies social evening brings local people with learning disabilities and students together to build friendship and understanding. By doing so, it makes steps towards a community which values and recognises all of its members.
Fundraising and publicity officer Brenna Aston was inspired to organise the ceilidh after a trip to the USA for the Best Buddies leadership conference this summer. The 21-year-old sociology student says: ’The friendships that we have at Best Buddies are special, and seeing the happiness Best Buddies brings to all of its students and members has been a real pleasure to be a part of. We are so grateful to ENABLE Edinburgh (SC016961) for making it possible.’ The society plan to use proceeds from the ceilidh to fund more activities and social events for their members.
Best Buddies welcomes everyone to their friendship ceilidh, which will be the first of its kind. Music will be provided by the talented Edinburgh University Folk Society, while a number of local businesses have contributed food for a cold buffet.
The Best Buddies ceilidh will be held at the ENABLE hall, 95 Causewayside Road, Edinburgh on 5 December. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £6, all proceeds to Best Buddies at Enable Edinburgh. Tickets available on the door.
It is a day to celebrate being Scottish in the wider sense of the word and in particular to celebrate our patron saint. Where better to do this than in St Andrew Square?
Here is the programme of events that are on offer in Edinburgh today:
Edinburgh Airport reopens after security false alarm
It has been all go at the airport this morning, except that passengers have not been going anywhere very fast.
Following a security alert the building was evacuated and emergency services were called.
The alert was finally declared a false alarm and passengers have now been allowed back into the building.
Police Scotland said that the object found was inspected and is of no danger to the public.
A spokesman said: “Operations at the airport have now returned to normal and those within the building are thanked for their patience and co-operation.”
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “We can confirm that the airport is now fully operational following this morning’s security alert.
“The object suspected has been confirmed as not being a danger to the public.
“The safety of our passengers and our staff is at the heart of what we do and we thank passengers for their patience as we resolve this situation.
“Our team is now working hard to ensure any disruption to journeys is minimised.”
On 30 November, people across Scotland and throughout the world, will come together to celebrate St Andrew’s Day.
Our national day is a wonderful time to reflect on Scotland’s many contributions to the world – our people, our history and our culture.
2014 has been a year like no other for Scotland, during which we welcomed the world to for our Year of Homecoming, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
The referendum debate was a wonderful display of peaceful democracy in action which re-energised our politics and challenged all politicians to respond to the expectations and aspirations of our citizens. As we reflect on the past, we look to the future with renewed focus and optimism.
In Scotland we are proud of our reputation as an outward looking nation and a good global citizen, with an estimated 50m ancestral Scots across the world. As First Minister, I recognise the importance of Scotland working together with our friends in Europe and across the globe to secure a better, more prosperous and peaceful future for all.
St Andrew’s Day also marks the start of Scotland’s winter festival programme and from January we will see a year long celebration of our unrivalled natural larder with Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink.
It really will be another fantastic year and I hope you can join us .
So wherever you are in the world, have a wonderful and happy St Andrew’s Day.
Five things you need to know today Edinburgh!
Grill the politicians in Juniper Green
World AIDS Day
Avoiding Christmas cards
Donate a bike to The Bike Station
Enrol now for your course in physics
The local elected politicians in South West Edinburgh including Alistair Darling MP, Gordon MacDonald MSP, Councillor Bill Henderson and Councillor Ricky Henderson, along with Lothians MSP Alison Johnstone are appearing at a Town Hall style event on 8 December 2014 at the Gibson-Craig Hall at 7.30pm. Are you interested in sending a question in ahead of time? Then email chair@junipergreencc.org.uk now and go along on the night to hear the answer!
***
For World AIDS Day tomorrow organisations across Edinburgh are joining the Scotland-wide campaign to ask: ‘What Will You Do’ about HIV – the virus that when left untreated can lead to AIDS.
15 buildings and landmarks across Edinburgh – including St John’s Church, St Andrew’s House, Harvey Nichols, Jenners and the Usher Hall – are turning their lights red to mark 1 December, events are being held across the city, and information and leaflets about HIV are being sent to GPs, colleges, businesses and clinics. The campaign (run by a coalition of charities, campaigners and local health boards) is asking everyone in Scotland, from individuals and businesses through to politicians, to think actively about what they can do to reduce new cases of HIV and to tackle the stigma and prejudice people living with HIV in Scotland still face.
Across this weekend and 1 December itself, the campaign will see: events held at the Scottish Parliament, Glasgow City Chambers and across the country; HIV information materials distributed across GP surgeries, colleges, and businesses; campaigners asking #WhatWillYouDo on social media and inviting everyone to add red ribbons to their profile pictures; and 80 buildings and landmarks across Scotland turning their lights red on 1 December to show support.
George Valiotis, CEO of HIV Scotland – the national HIV policy charity for Scotland – said: “It’s fantastic to see people and organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians supporting World AIDS Day and talking about HIV. Historically as a society we’ve chosen to be either actively terrified of HIV or to ignore it. Neither approach is the answer. As a nation we must use World AIDS Day this year to take a good hard look at where we are in our response to HIV. People living with HIV tell us they can still face stigma and prejudice in every area of their lives; and we know that rates of new cases of HIV haven’t reduced significantly across the last 10 years. This simply isn’t good enough, and that’s why our campaign this year is to ask everyone in Scotland – from members of the public, right through to key decision-makers – to stop and think: what will you do about HIV?
“For members of the public, the answer to that question might be simple: visit www.aidsdayscotland.com and learn a few facts about HIV, use condoms, get tested, or help spread the word by tweeting using hashtag #WhatWillYouDo or adding a red ribbon to your social media profile picture. Decision-makers can answer the question by making concrete commitments to work together and find new ways to reduce new cases of HIV and to tackle the stigma people living with HIV face. As Scotland’s Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework comes to an end in March, we have to grasp the opportunity right now to build a new, more effective response to HIV.”
Various events are also taking place in the city on and around December 1st to commemorate the day – including a Community Gathering for World AIDS Day at St John’s Church and a sponsored sea-swim in Portobello.
Maureen Watt, Minister for Public Health, said: “World AIDS Day is a chance for Scotland to unite with the world in tackling HIV. It is also a time to remember those who have died, as well as reflect on the progress that has been made over the past 30 years. The Scottish Government continues to work with NHS, third sector and local authority colleagues through the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework to reduce new infections and improve diagnosis, treatment and care for those living with HIV. I hope that the #WhatWillYouDo campaign will make people more aware of HIV and help us work together to ensure that people with HIV live longer healthier lives, free from stigma and discrimination.”
The latest Health Protection Scotland figures show that there are an estimated 4,800 individuals diagnosed and living with HIV in Scotland and that an estimated 24% of those living with HIV haven’t been diagnosed. Evidence suggests that most new HIV cases are a result of transmission from individuals who are unaware of their status – highlighting the need for earlier and more frequent testing.
An average of 356 new cases of HIV have been reported each year for the last four years in Scotland – close to one each day. While many of those diagnosed with HIV are accessing treatment, in 2013, half of those newly diagnosed were already at a late stage of infection – reinforcing the importance of widening access to HIV testing and getting people into treatment and care as early as possible.
Full information about the ‘What Will You Do’ campaign, events and HIV and AIDS are available at www.aidsdayscotland.com. Red ribbons can be added to social media profiles at www.bit.ly/getribbon and campaigners invite everyone in Scotland to tweet using #WhatWillYouDo to show support.
***
If you are keen on saving the planet by using less paper this Christmas, then use our sister site EdinburghReportage to send your Christmas greetings to customers or friends and family. You can make a video greeting from the office, your living room, somewhere interesting in Edinburgh, or somewhere unusual in the world to send your greetings to people who live here.
Get creative! Sing, dance, use flash cards in your video. Or you can just send a written message or a photo with a message….
Whatever you do use EdinburghReportage to get your message across! Click here.
***
Do you have an old bike gathering dust in a shed or garage? Then you could donate it to the Bike Station for recycling. They will either use the parts or renovate the whole bike for sale.
More information on The Bike Station website here.
***
Now you can study in your own time using the University of Edinburgh course which will teach you all about physics, the Large Hadron Collider and the Higgs Boson, and you don’t even have to leave your own house.
This free online course introduces the theoretical tools needed to appreciate the discovery, and presents the elementary particles that have been discovered at the tiniest scales ever explored. Beginning with basic concepts in classical mechanics, the story unfolds through relativity and quantum mechanics, describing forces, matter and the unification of theories with an understanding driven by the tools of mathematics.
Narrating the journey through experimental results which led to the discovery in 2012, the course invites you to learn from a team of world-class physicists at Edinburgh University. Learners participate in discussion of the consequences of the Higgs boson, to physics and cosmology, and towards a stronger understanding and new description of the universe.
The course starts on 27 January 2015 and you will find out more about booking your place here.
Sunday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today
Filmhouse Junior: Antboy (Denmark 2013 – English language version) Cert PG. Re-energising the superhero genre for a younger audience – who needs Spiderman when Antboy is in town? ‘a rollicking good fun caper movie’. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. £3.50 per person, big or small! Tickets can be booked online or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688. Part of the Discovery Film Festival’s touring programme.
The Big Interfaith Quiz: get your thinking caps on and test your knowledge of different world religions – one of the favourites of Scottish Interfaith Week returns! 7-9pm, The Mosque Kitchen, 31 Nicolson Square. A free buffet will be provided. Please contact Sakina on 0131 629 9058 or sakina@eifa.org.uk. Free entry: donations welcome.
Celebrate St Andrew’s Day in Edinburgh! A series of free events for all the family: live music, dancing and storytelling, historical tours of the area, free skate sessions on the ice rink, curling club demonstrations, Murrayfield Skating School performance, a St Andrew’s Day-inspired show from Pyroceltica, Robert Fish Band ceilidh, face-painting, fancy dress, children’s haggis hunt, The Scottish Market – and lots more. 10am-10pm (individual times vary), St Andrew’s Square. All events are free but some are ticketed: pre-book at edinburghschristmas.com to avoid disappointment. Part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals: read The Edinburgh Reporter’s article about the St Andrew’s Day launch here.
Santa Cruises with Re-Union Canal Boats! A fun, unique and memorable trip along the Union Canal and a special visit from Santa himself. Games, songs, craft activities, seasonal refreshments and a gift from Santa for every child. Begins at Re-Union Canal Centre, 1 Union Path. £10 per person, babies under 12 months go free (but must be included in booking). Booking & prompt arrival essential: see website: trips will run three times a day every weekend until Christmas, with an additional three trips on December 22nd.
Advent Music and Reflection: Mary, The Rose. Music by Michael Praetorius, Hugo Distler and Andrew Carvel, sung by the choir of St Andrew’s and Sr George’s West, with a reflection for the season of Advent. 1.30-2pm, St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, George Street. Free entry: all welcome.
Shot At Dawn: free drop-in tours of Chloe Dewe Mathews’ current exhibition. 2-2.30pm today and every Sunday, Stills Gallery, 23 Cockburn Street. No booking required, just turn up!
Enchanted Edwardian Christmas: a craft workshop for families with the Lauriston team. Enjoy Lauriston’s very special Edwardian Christmas experience, evoking the memories and atmosphere of a past era and take home some charming crafts. Christmas snacks included! 10am-1pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £7 per person: booking must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or via the Usher Hall website.
St Andrew’s Porty Ceilidh featuring Fun Fiddlers and The Belle Star Band. 3.30-5.30pm, The Wash House, Adelphi Grove, Portobello. £6 adult, £4 child, under-5s free: tickets on the door or in advance from Wild Flower Shop, 90 Portobello High Street.
Artists’ Books Spotlight: Jean Johnstone at the Royal Botanic Garden. Scottish artist Jean Johnstone invites you slowly to unwrap her artists’ books to experience the fine words of leading contemporary poets. Each small book contains one poem only, complemented by delicate images from the natural world, on Lokta, Tsasho and Resho papers. 11.30am or 2.30pm, Patrick Geddes Room, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place. Tickets £5/£4 available via eventbrite. A Book Week Scotland event in partnership with RBGE: for more information contact the Scottish Poetry Library at reception@spl.org.uk.
Morningside Makers Market: over 40 talented makers will be exhibiting their work. Jewellery, woodwork, cards, toys, soaps, bags, glasswork, photography, candles, decorations and more.11am-4pm, Columcille Centre, Newbattle Terrace.
Alpha Art Christmas Exhibition: a mixed exhibition of gallery favourites and new artists, plus a new collection of jewellery and gifts. 11am-5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12 noon-4pm Sundays, Alpha Art Gallery, 52 Hamilton Place. Today until 23rd December 2014.
Eco Kidz Pop Up Stall: a fantastic selection of recycled gifts. Eco Kidz is a Creative Social Enterprise project for children aged 8-12, set up by North Edinburgh Arts and funded by the Big Lottery Young Start Fund: it aims to develop young people’s art, design and business skills by helping them to create their own brand of handmade market-ready products using recycled materials and upcycling techniques. Today’s pop up stall will offer jewellery, notebooks, pincushions, vases, brooches, key rings, magnets, Christmas cards and more. 1.30-4pm, Ice Retail, St James’s Centre, Princes Street. (Next pop up stall 6th December, North Edinburgh Arts Cafe, 15a Pennywell Court.) For more information click here.
Shore Poets BE THE FIRST TO LIKE THIS Quiet Slam: Shore Poets host their first ever slam, teaming up with Book Week Scotland, the Vagabond Voices and their brand new anthology BE THE FIRST TO LIKE THIS. Six of the slam slots will be taken by poets who appear in the anthology; the other four slots will be open to absolutely anyone, with names being drawn from a hat. This is a ‘quiet slam’ that welcomes slam virgins, self-identified ‘page poets’ and anyone who’s always liked the idea of a slam but is worried about how noisy they look! Prizes for the winners! 7.15pm, Henderson’s @ St John’s, 3 Lothian Road. Tickets £5/£3 on the door. More information from publicity@shorepoets.org.uk.
Whale Arts Christmas Craft Fair: arts, crafts, gifts, accessories, designware – and a chance for children to have their photo taken with Santa! 1.30-4.30pm, Whale Arts, 30 Westburn Grove.
Winter Guided Walk: join a garden guide for a leisurely afternoon walk around the Garden. Discover stunning seasonal highlights and learn about the history of the Garden and its plants. For ages 14+. 2pm, Royal Botanic Garden (meet at John Hope Gateway reception), Inverleith Row. £5 per person, no booking required.
Garvald Christmas Market: handcrafted goods for sale, cafe with soup and cakes. 11am-2pm, Mayfield House, McSense Business Park, 32 Sycamore Road, Dalkeith.
University of Edinburgh St Andrew’s Day Celebration: a celebration of Scotland’s music and song traditions, including a special tribute to the late Dr Jean Redpath MBE. 7.30-9pm, McEwan Hall, Teviot Square. All welcome: free tickets can be booked via eventbrite, and must be printed out and brought to the event.
Finnish Christmas Carols and Bazaar: 11am-2pm, German Church, 1 Chalmers Crescent.
Meet Your Maker: Jewellery. Join six makers in celebration of Scottish craft as they showcase the design, process and techniques behind their work. 10am-4pm, Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free: drop in and chat to the makers – but please note that some makers will be unavailable at certain times; see website for details.
Scottish Jewellers in Conversation: Stephen Bottomley, Programme Director of Jewellery and Silversmithing at Edinburgh College of Art, hosts a wide-ranging discussion with three contemporary jewellers, Melanie Muir, Grainne Morton and Gilly Langton. 2-3pm, Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free tickets can be booked here.
Edinburgh Palette Winter Open Studios: the artists, makers and craftspeople of St Margaret’s open their studios to the public in this weekend-long event. Family-friendly workshops, a craft fair, a cafe and one-off performances will take place across the building’s eight storeys. 10am-5pm, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. For full programme click here or see event Facebook page.
The Makers’ Fair: as part of St Margaret’s Open Studios event, a cluster of St Margaret’s artists will offer paintings, cards, prints, ceramics, soaps, candles and textiles in this special two day fair. 10am-5pm, Gallery 2, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road.
Lapin Wants To See Santa! Lapin has decided to invite Santa for hot chocolate – but will he have time to accept Lapin’s invitation? Join Lapin and his friends in a festive adventure! An interactive Le Petit Monde puppet show performed in English with short French sentences from the puppets. All ticket holders will get a free place at the French Puppet Making Workshop, in which lolly sticks, crayons and material will be used to make your very own festive puppet – whilst speaking French! For children aged 3-5 and their families. 1.30-2.05pm (show), 2.45-3.30pm (workshop) St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Brown Paper Tickets. Part of St Margaret’s House Open Studios Weekend.
Danish Film Club at The Outhouse: Flame and Citron (2008). Copenhagen 1944: Denmark is occupied by Nazi Germany. Flame and Citron are two resistance fighters charged with liquidating Danish informers: when Flame is asked to execute his girlfriend Ketty, an enigmatic Stockholm courier, he questions his orders, wondering who Ketty really is. Based on true events. Subtitled in English. For ages 18+. 7pm, First Floor, The Outhouse, 12a Broughton Street Lane. Free and unticketed. Facilitated by the Danish Film Institute, the Danish Cultural Institute and The Outhouse.
Nativity Blessing and Carol Service: All are welcome to join Exile Gospel Choir, St Mary’s Leith Primary School Choir and Edinburgh Deaf Choir to celebrate the start of Christmas in the city. 3pm, St Andrew’s Square.
Edinburgh Greek Film Festival continues today with A.C.A.B. – All Cats Are Brilliant?/Sygharitiria stous aisiodoxous?– ‘one of the funniest, most accurate and heartbreaking scenes of Greek family life’,Cert 15. Film shown in Greek with English subtitles. 8.20pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. For prices and tickets contact the Box Office on 0131 228 2688 or book online.
St Giles’ At Six: The Southside Choir. Christmas is coming – Edinburgh’s Southside Choir present a light and varied programme to put you in the mood for the festive season. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.
Alloa Athletic 1-2 Hibernian
First half goals from skipper Liam Craig (pictured) and vice-captain David Gray secured Hibs a place in the fifth round of this year’s Scottish Cup and despite last week’s hat-trick hero Dominique Malonga being sent off near the end, the Easter Road outfit ran out comfortable winners against a stuffy Alloa Athletic on the artificial turf at Recreation Park this afternoon.
Head Coach Alan Stubbs retained faith in the players who scored six against Dumbarton last week.
Hibs started brightly but it was the home side who grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 15th minute when Mark Oxley failed to deal with Meggatt’s long range effort and the ball squirmed underneath his body.
Kevin Cawley almost doubled Alloa’s lead a few minutes later before Gray almost levelled the scoring with a fine header which struck the post
On 28 minutes Hibs equalised when Craig struck a free kick around the wall and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Malonga then went close before the goalkeeper did well to stop a Paul Hanlon volley.
Hibs eventually took the lead their play deserved when Scott Allan spotted Gray at the back post and the former Manchester United full back’s header looped into the net, to the delight of the large travelling support.
Stubbs’ players continued to dominate possession throughout the second half however the Wasps had the best chance which Ryan McCord wasted.
Craig then tested the keeper before having to leave the field with a hamstring injury.
With four minutes remaining Hibs were reduced to ten men when Malonga kicked out at Ben Gordon and was deservedly shown a red card however the ten men held on to progress into the fifth round.
On Friday afternoon, six year-old Freya Brown went to see the Christmas poster she had designed displayed in the window of Mov8 Estate Agents who are behind a novel fundraising exercise linked with Corstorphine Primary School.
The school need £10,000 for a new playground. The estate agents have donated half of the cash and the pupils and parents will now raise the rest.
A spokesman from MOV8 explained how they got involved: “A few months ago we were approached by Gilly Herbert, a mother and the committee leader of Project Play to ask whether MOV8 Real Estate would be interested in sponsoring a part of the new playground they were intending to build for the children of the school. Since then we have begun a working relationship with the school, donating £5,000 to the cause and pledging to help the children raise the remaining amount.
“This has taken the form of creating lesson plans to pass skills on to the pupils and give them opportunities to explore new ideas such as design, photography, marketing and sales.
“The unveiling on Friday was the culmination of our first initiative – a poster competition. The children were asked to design a poster wishing the residents of Corstorphine a very happy Christmas which will be displayed in our branch on St John’s Road for the duration of the festive period.
“The winner, Freya Brown, unveiled her poster and received her prize.”
Freya said: “I’m very proud of myself. I like that everyone in Corstorphine can see my picture.’
The next initiative will be a game based on The Apprentice. In groups of 5 the P6 pupils will get training in marketing from the experts at MOV8. They will have to design cupcakes within a certain time frame and also create a mini marketing campaign between 9-11 December. Any money raised will go straight to Project Play.
First and Only Funding almost there with its crowdfunding campaign
Big Success For First And Only Film Funding Campaign – but there is still time for you to put your money where your mouth is
The Scottish people have spoken – As the crowdfunding campaign for the feature film adaptation of the best selling novel First and Only draws to a close 93% of the £50,000 target total has been raised
With little more than 24 hours to go until the door slams shut on First and Only – film adaptation, one of Scotland’s largest crowdfunding campaigns for an independent feature film, £46,637 of the £50,000 total sought has been raised. Click Here to go to the Indiegogo crowd fund page for more information.
Edinburgh born (and based) film director, Magnus Wake is adapting the best selling psychic thriller First and Only, written by Scottish Borders based Peter Flannery, and to raise funds towards the film’s £1.6 million production budget set up the crowdfunding campaign back in October.
Magnus Wake has taken a new approach to film making in Scotland’s capital by inviting enthusiasts and local businesses to become part of the film project. The fantastic perks include Directors Envy, giving an access “all areas” pass to the production, the ability to feed back on the scripts, storyboards and previewing first cut footage. Other rewards allow city businesses to have their names featured in the film, fans to share their selfie and a 30-character message in the closing credits and even having a walk on part.
Special promotions on the crowdfunding perks have been set up to make the most of Christmas and other events such as Black Friday during the campaign, together with a funders referral scheme.
Magnus Wake said: “The Scottish people have spoken. We are entering the final day of the crowdfunding campaign and we have raised 93% of our £50,000 total. We are thrilled that so many people have supported First and Only so far. We have tried to offer film buffs, wannabe movie-makers and novelists and fans of Peter Flannery’s fantastic thriller the chance to get involved in the film that we intend to shoot in Edinburgh in 2015. As the campaign draws to a close we really want to hit our £50,000 target and are looking for as many people as possible to log onto www.Firstandonlymovie.com and offer their support.”
Described as a cross between The Sixth Sense and The Bourne Trilogy, First and Only follows the adventures of Psimon – a young man with exceptional powers who is haunted by the murder of an old friend. The movie follows our hero as he tracks down a serial killer whilst battling with his own inner demons as well as world governments who decide he is too dangerous to be allowed to roam free.
While the novel is set in Manchester Wake has chosen to relocate the movie to Edinburgh to make the most of the city’s gothic backdrop and to involve city residents who have seen their city portrayed in numerous films but haven’t had an opportunity to be involved in what happens, where it happens and how it looks. To date the movie has secured Kilmarnock born James Robinson, the Braveheart star who played Young Wallace in the iconic movie. Other characters will be cast in the new year though an open casting process.
Police are appealing for information to help trace a man believed to be missing within the South Queensferry area.
Alistair Edwardson from Livingston was due home from work yesterday morning.
However, he did not return and members of his family grew concerned for his well being.
As such, a significant investigation is underway in South Queensferry with police in Edinburgh being assisted by the Air Support Unit, a Mountain Rescue Team and the Coastguard.
Anyone who has seen or been in contact with Alistair is asked to come forward.
He is described as white, 6ft 3ins tall with medium build, short dark greying hair and was last seen wearing a black dry fit t-shirt, blue jeans, black trainers. However, he may be wearing a dark hooded top with white writing, which says ‘Krav Maga’ on it, jeans and grey trainers.
Chief Inspector Richard Horan said: “It has now been over 24 hours since anyone has seen or heard from Alisdair and we are growing increasingly more concerned for his welfare.
“Enquiries to establish his whereabouts are ongoing not only within South Queensferry, but also in Fife and West Lothian.
“Anyone who believes they know where Alasdair is, or who has information that can assist with our ongoing enquiries, is asked to contact police immediately.
“I would also urge Alasdair to make contact with a family member friend, or with police as soon as possible to let us know he is safe.”
Regeneration in Register Lanes
Initial proposals for a £20m regeneration project in the Register Lanes area on the south east corner of St Andrew Square will go on display at a public exhibition this week.
The exhibition at the Voodoo Rooms on Thursday 27th November will present early stage ideas for the area, which will include the regeneration of the currently neglected backstreets off and around West Register Street, and will comprise a complementary mix of high quality office space, hotel, serviced apartments, retail units and restaurants.
Initial plans include the restoration of 42 St Andrew Square, the former RBS headquarters and home to one of the finest examples of an art deco banking hall, which is now on the ‘at risk’ register
The overall aim is to develop the buildings, which range from Victorian gothic to 1960s functional, as part of one comprehensive scheme that works successfully alongside the plans for the St James Quarter and the objectives of the Register Lanes Study.
Chris Stewart, CEO of Chris Stewart Group, said:
“This is an important site and we welcome all views as we shape our ideas and designs. We want to create a vibrancy for the area. To do that, we are looking at a mix of new uses for the buildings; uses that we expect will deliver an economic boost for local traders, together with considerable environmental improvements for the benefit of local residents and visitors to the city.”
Chris Stewart Group recently completed the Advocate’s Close development in Edinburgh’s Old Town, which has been awarded the RIAS ‘Best Building in Scotland’ award and has just begun works at Baxter’s Place, in Edinburgh, which is to become a Marriott hotel.
The exhibition will take place in the French Quarter, Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, EH2 2AA, between 3pm and 8pm on Thursday 27th November.
Alan Stubbs looking to end season at Hampden
Hibs’ Head Coach Alan Stubbs is aiming to end his first season in charge with a Scottish Cup Final to give the long suffering fans something to cheer about however he knows that his on-form players will have to get the better of fellow Championship side Alloa Athletic at Recreation Park this afternoon.
Hibs have already lost on Alloa’s artificial turf this season but the former Everton star insists that he will not use the surface or his injury problems as an excuse.
Speaking to Hibs TV, Stubbs said: “Our main goal and priority on Saturday is to play as well as we have been doing recently.
“If we can do that then we will give ourselves a great opportunity of progressing through to the next round.
“There will be no excuses about the surface, personnel or injuries – we’re really focused on keeping the momentum going and building on our recent run of results.
“The main aim is to keep the unbeaten run going and to keep improving.”
“There is a buzz and excitement around the match because it is the Scottish Cup.
“There would be nothing better than to give the fans something to cheer about and give everybody at the club a special day out.
“We enter the competition on Saturday dreaming about getting to the Cup Final otherwise there’s no point going into it.”
Five things you need to know today Edinburgh!
Traffic News
FIRST LEGO League
Dr Bike
The National carries on
New Transport Minister visits Control Centre
Today Spartans FC are playing Morton in the 4th round of the William Hill Scottish Cup. Admission is £12 for adults and under 12s are free.
Entrance is by the Pilton Avenue or Pilton Drive entrance and there are extensive arrangements for fans of both teams with or without hospitality on the Spartans website here.
There will be a lot of traffic in the area so you would be best to avoid it.
***
Lego robots from across Scotland are limbering up to face an epic series of daunting and exhilarating challenges.
For weeks, teams of innovative school children, aged 9 – 16, have been busy dreaming up, building and programming mighty Lego robots. Soon their creations will be put through their paces by tackling a variety of exciting missions.
Beginning today at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, 28 teams of up to ten pupils will compete in regional heats, with the following events happening on 2 December at the Glasgow Science Centre and 10 December at Aberdeen’s Satrosphere Science Centre.
As well as completing a series of set tasks, the teams will be challenged to imagine useful inventions to redesign how we gather knowledge and skills in the 21st century.
They join over 250,000 young people from 80 countries worldwide in the annual FIRST LEGO League championship (FLL), which is being run across Scotland by the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS) and Lambda Jam, a not-for-profit organisation working to improve children’s problem solving skills and enjoyment. They are working in partnership with The Institution of Engineering and Technology, which already runs a yearly event in the UK, to bring the league permanently to Scotland.
YAS programme organiser, Dr Fiona McNeill, said the league has an important educational purpose, “Computing develops skills in analytical problem solving, logical thinking and understanding information systems, each of which are useful for many areas of life.”
Dr Laura Meikle from Lambda Jam added, “When it comes to self-development, technology has huge potential to engage each child at their own level in rich and varied ways, and it can give the motivation and reward that comes from surmounting a fun challenge or creating something exciting.”
In running this year’s event, Dr Meikle and Dr McNeill have broadened participation by involving more than 20 schools which have never taken part. This has been enabled by creating a bank of Lego robot kits that can be lent to schools which do not have the resource available to purchase their own – approximately half of the teams taking part are in this situation.
In addition, a network of engineer mentors has been established to support teams and maximise the potential of the competition to interest children in computer science and engineering.
Such skills are becoming ever more important in today’s digital world, and especially so in Scotland, as the IT industry has become a vital part of the national economy and is expected to grow substantially over the coming years.
Unfortunately, recent statistics on computer science in schools and universities raise a number of serious concerns. According to figures obtained by Computing at School Scotland last month, the numbers of computing teachers in Scotland fell by nearly 14% over two years. The result is that one in eight Scottish secondary schools does not have a specialist computing teacher.
According to iomart, Scotland’s acute IT skills shortage is down to a lack of graduates being available to enter the jobs market. Scotland’s universities are producing only 1,800 qualified graduates a year – leaving a huge annual deficit of 7,800 vacancies still to be filled.
Dr Meikle said, “The FIRST LEGO League shows that there is ample appetite and capacity amongst young people for engaging with computer science. It also provides a way into the fun aspects of programming for the first time, and has seen success around the globe.”
Dr McNeill added, “As Scotland is crying out for more computer scientists, we hope that programmes like this will help support and strengthen the development of important skills from an early age.”
***
Today Dr Bike is out at Middle Meadow Walk between 10am and 1pm. He is there to offer free checks on your bike or some tips on safe cycling on our streets. More information here.
***
Scotland’s new pro-independence newspaper, The National, is to continue indefinitely, after what the publishers call ‘a hugely-successful five-day trial’.
The National Editor Richard Walker said: “Now that we have passed this initial test period, we have exciting plans for developing The National into a mainstay of the Scottish media landscape.”
The paper is targeted at the 1.6 million Scots who voted for Scottish independence in the recent Referendum.
The National is produced in Glasgow by the Herald & Times Group.
Managing Director Tim Blott said: “We are delighted with its early success and will continue to produce it as long as there is a market for it.”
***
The newly appointed Transport Minister visited South Queensferry this week.
Traffic Scotland has its base at the control centre and Mr Mackay took the opportunity to tweet from @trafficscotland to remind the tens of thousands of people who follow the service to use #winterinfo this year when they are sharing information on road conditions. In the last year the number people who use Traffic Scotland’s digital platforms has increased substantially. Almost sixty-five thousand now follow the service on Twitter and the Traveline Scotland smartphone app, which also includes real time travel information, has been downloaded half a million times.
Minister for Transport, Derek Mackay said:
“One of the major challenges that we face in the Transport sector is the Winter weather and I wanted to see first-hand the preparations that have been made to help mitigate the impacts of storms on the trunk road network.
“The National Traffic Control Centre ensures that the Transport Scotland response to major incidents is well coordinated, with experts from across the transport network, the Met Office and Police Scotland working under one roof. This means that when there is disruption, as I am sure there will be across the Winter season, we can make the decisive interventions that will help get things back to normal.
“It is clear that everything is being done to make sure that the Winter Service is as effective as it can be. I have seen for myself how well the flow of information is managed at South Queensferry and this is vital when we are dealing with any weather related issues.
“Weather stations, located across the country, are now feeding the latest data on road temperatures and conditions back to the control centre. This is used by the road operating companies to plan any treatments.
“We are also making use of all available technologies to get this information to the traveling public through Traffic Scotland. This allows travellers to make informed decisions about their journeys and I would urge everyone to use the #winterinfo when they are tweeting about weather related disruption. People can also get access to the latest real time travel information through our Traveline Scotland app and Traffic Scotland internet radio.”
Saturday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today
Garvald Christmas Bazaar: handcrafted goods made by members of Garvald Edinburgh, live music, children’s activities, refreshments. 10.30am-1.30pm, Garvald Gorgie Workshops, 454/1 Gorgie Road. Entry by donation. Garvald Edinburgh is a Scottish charity offering creative opportunities and support for people with learning difficulties.
Advent Fair: want to celebrate Advent in the countryside? The Pishwanton Community Wood near Gifford will be holding its Advent Fair today, 11am-3pm: traditional crafts and products for sale (cards, books, jams, baking, gifts), craft activity workshops – make an Advent wreath or a candle holder, – homemade organic food, hot soup and rolls, hot punch and cakes. From 3-5pm there will be a candlelit concert with music from Peaty Millers and Frank’s Folk Group andreadings and poems with Charles Lawrie. Pishwanton Community Wood, Longester, Near Gifford, East Lothian. Free entry to the fair, suggested donation of £5 for the concert. For more details contact The Life Science Trust on 01620 810259 or email admin@pishwanton.com.
Enchanted Edwardian Christmas: a craft workshop for families with the Lauriston team. Enjoy Lauriston’s very special Edwardian Christmas experience, evoking the memories and atmosphere of a past era, and take home some charming crafts. Christmas snacks included! 10am-1pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £7 per person: booking must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by phone or via the Usher Hall website. Also available at same times on Sunday 30th November.
GENERATION tours at Modern One: free, discussion-led tours of the exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, 75 Belford Road. Free and unticketed.
Linlithgow Advent Fair: 10am – craft fair in The Burgh Halls and a street fair around The Cross Well; 4.30pm – torchlight procession from Low Port Centre/School along High Street; 6pm – Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On at Linlithgow Cross.
Santa Cruises with Re-Union Canal Boats! A fun, unique and memorable trip along the Union Canal and a special visit from Santa himself. Games, songs, craft activities, seasonal refreshments and a gift from Santa for every child. Begins at Re-Union Canal Centre, 1 Union Path. £10 per person, babies under 12 months go free (but must be included in booking). Booking & prompt arrival essential: see website: trips will run three times a day every weekend until Christmas, with an additional three trips on December 22nd.
Portobello and Joppa Parish Church Guild Table Top Sale: baking, stocking fillers, jewellery, cards, arts and crafts, bespoke gifts. Visit Santa’s Grotto! 10am-12.30pm, Portobello and Joppa Parish Church, 1 Brunstane Road North, Joppa. Admission free: refreshments for sale.
National Gallery Highlight Tours: An introduction to, and tour of, the Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Mrs Mash The Storytelling Cook: join Mrs Mash for a generous serving of Scottish stories about our nation’s fabulous food. Taste for yourself the Queen’s ‘Balmoral drop scones’, which will be made on Mrs Mash’s very own cast-iron girdle. For ages 4+. 10.30-11.30am, Storytelling Bothy, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. £5 per child (accompanying adult free). Book via the Box Office on 0131 556 9579 or online – please remember to select a free adult ticket as well as a ticket for your child.
Edinburgh Palette Winter Open Studios: the artists, makers and craftspeople of St Margaret’s open their studios to the public in this weekend-long event. Family-friendly workshops, a craft fair, a cafe and one-off performances will take place across the building’s eight storeys. 10am-6pm, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. Also on Sunday 30th November, 10am-5pm. For full programme click here or see event Facebook page.
The Makers’ Fair: as part of St Margaret’s Open Studios event, a cluster of St Margaret’s artists will offer paintings, cards, prints, ceramics, soaps, candles and textiles in this special two day fair. 11am-7pm, Gallery 2, St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road. The fair will also be open 10am-5pm on Sunday 30th November.
Suspect 1950 (2010): Stan Douglas, courtesy of the artist, David Zwirner, NY/London and Victoria Miro, London
Murder At The Fruitmarket: as part of Book Week Scotland the Gallery hosts an evening of crime, which will include readings from Tartan Noir author Doug Johnstone, a specially commissioned short story from Hannah McGill and a private viewing of the Stan Douglas exhibition, whilst an exclusive performance from jazz chanteuse and La Clique star Becc Sanderson will take you back in time to the post war era. 7.30-10.30pm, Fruitmarket Gallery, Market Street. Tickets cost £5 and are available via eventbrite.
Lunchtime Concert: Giacomo Scinardo, piano. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.
Cramond Kirk Christmas Fair: gifts, crafts, toys, cakes, hampers, candy, refreshments, Santa, face painting, lunches. All proceeds will go to Fresh Start and the Forget Me Not Therapeutic Garden and Tea Room Project. 11.30am-2pm, Cramond Kirk Hall, Cramond Glebe Road.
The Torrance Gallery Christmas Exhibition: including jewellery by Sheana Stephen, inspired by gardens, sea and shore. Plus over 220 paintings by over 70 artists, sculpture, ceramics and glass -gifts from under £50 to £5,000! 11am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10.30am-4pm Saturdays, from today until 10th January 2015, Torrance Gallery, 36 Dundas Street.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Hugh Cornwell: Arnold Drive. Nothing much has ever happened to the Reverend Arnold Drive…until the day his church is sold off to property developers. Thrust into the modern world, for which he is utterly ill-equipped, Arnold is faced with a series of moral dilemmas that test his faith, his judgement and his understanding of human nature. ‘The story of a man’s journey from innocence to experience.’ Hugh Cornwell was the original guitarist, singer and main songwriter for The Stranglers and is one of the UK’s finest songwriting talents and accomplished live performers. After the talk Hugh will sign copies of his book; please note he will not be able to sign any Stranglers’ or other music memorabilia unless a copy of the book has been purchased. 2-3.30pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets can be obtained from Blackwell’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.
Gavin Francis: Empire Antarctica. Gavin Francis, non-fiction category winner in the 2013 Scottish Book Awards, talks about Empire Antarctica: Ice, Silence and Emperor Penguins, based on his experience as a resident doctor with the British Antarctic Survey, ‘the last great wilderness on earth’. 2.30-3.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free tickets should be booked via eventbrite.
The Scottish Gallery: four new exhibitions. Ed Kluz: Architecture of the Enlightenment (collages exploring the architecture of the New Town); Beth Legg: Surfaces (jewellery inspired by the Scottish landscape); Frances MacDonald: Beyond the Island of Storms, and Jill Fanshawe Kato: Nature’s Garden (ceramics). 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, until 24th December 2014. The Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas Street.
James Oswald: Dead Man’s Bones. James Oswald is the author of the Inspector McLean series of detective mysteries set in Edinburgh, the first two of which were shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger Award; he has also written The Ballad of Sir Benfro, a classic fantasy series inspired by the language and folklore of Wales. 3-4pm, Muirhouse Library, Pennywell Court. Please book via eventbrite. A Book Week Scotland event.
Millie Gray: When Sorry Is Not Enough. Sally Stuart’s adventures in post-war Leith continue with this thrilling sequel to The Tangling of the Web. Millie’s reading from her new book will be followed by a Q & A session and signing. Refreshments provided! 2.30-4pm, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road. Free, but as space is limited please drop in to book with library staff or call them on 0131 529 5517.
LGBT Trans Action Theatre and Activism Workshop: a fun and supportive theatre workshop for trans people. Explore drama skills and ways to boost your confidence through voice and movement; no experience necessary – just a willingness to have a go. 2-5pm, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Booking essential via this link, which also has more details about the workshop.
Philip Guston: Late Paintings. A reception to celebrate the publication of this book, which documents the acclaimed 2012 Inverleith House exhibition and includes photography by Michael Wolchover and text by David Anfamm, Paul Nesbitt and Philip Larratt-Smith. 1-3pm, Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. A Book Week Scotland event.
Portobello Poetry Circus Presents Twenty Poets: two hours of Pulsating Poetry Performance on the Prom. 7.30 for 8pm, Dalriada, 77 Promenade, Portobello. £3: tickets available from the Dalriada. For further details contact max.scratchmann@btinternet.com.
Winter Guided Walk: join a garden guide for a leisurely afternoon walk around the Garden. Discover stunning seasonal highlights and learn about the history of the Garden and its plants. For ages 14+. 2pm, Royal Botanic Garden (meet at John Hope Gateway reception), Inverleith Row. £5 per person, no booking required. Also available at same time on Sunday 30th November.
The Naming of the Shrew: A Walk with John Wright. Join John Wright, forager and author, on a stroll round the Garden to explore the stories behind the names we use to organise nature, and the humour and humanity of the people who devote their lives to giving names to it (over 2,000 new plant species are named each year). Expect to be entertained and to be left forever wondering about the people and stories behind the names. For ages 12+. 12.30-1.30pm, Royal Botanic Garden (meet at John Hope Gateway reception), Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. John will also give a free talk about his new bookThe Naming of the Shrew at 2.30pm in the Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway.
Lau-Lau Festival Club feat. Anais Mitchell, Kris Drever and Eamonn Coyne, Mystery Juice and Martin Green: Celebrate the end of Lau-Land with this after show club party extravaganza. Sessions, tunes and cocktail invention competition. For ages 18+. Doors open 10pm, The Dissection Room, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. £5 – book via Summerhall website or call box office on 0131 560 1581.
Pop Maskulinity: a new, thought-provoking, collective exhibition by Polish, British and international artists. Eleven artists at different stages of their artistic practice will investigate the underexploited subject of masculinity in the 21st century. Via photography, painting, drawing, collage and sculpture the artists will provoke a discussion on the status of men and the meaning of masculinity in the contemporary world. Opening tonight at 5pm, then 10am-6pm every day until 11th December 2014, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Organised by The Polish Contemporary Art Organisation.
Meet Your Maker: Jewellery. Join six makers in celebration of Scottish craft as they showcase the design, process and techniques behind their work. 10am-4pm, Learning Centre, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free drop-in, but please note that some makers will be unavailable at certain times – see website for details. Also available on Sunday 30th November.
Children’s Puppet Show and Storytime: Tania from Le Petit Monde is a native French puppeteer who introduces young children and their parents/carers to her language and culture through shows and workshops: for ages 3-5. 12 noon-12.30pm, Blackhall Library, 56 Hillhouse Road. Free but booking required: drop into the library in advance or call them on 0131 529 5595.
Holomodor Commemoration: organised by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Edinburgh branch. A representative of the Scottish government will attend and all are welcome. 2pm, Edinburgh Ukrainian Club, 14 Royal Terrace.
Morningside Makers Market: over 40 talented makers will be exhibiting their work. Jewellery, woodwork, cards, toys, soaps, bags, glasswork, photography, candles, decorations and more.11am-4pm, Columcille Centre, Newbattle Terrace. Also at same times on Sunday 30th November.
German Speaking Congregation of Edinburgh Christmas Bazaar: 2-4pm with carol singing at 3.30pm, German Church, Laudate House, 1 Chalmers Crescent.
Edinburgh Greek Film Festival continues today with Wild Duck/Agriopapia(‘the Greek Watergate’),Cert 18. The screening will be followed by a Q & A session with director Yannis Sakaridis. Film shown in Greek with English subtitles. 8.20pm , Filmhouse, Lothian Road. For prices and tickets contact the Box Office on 0131 228 2688 or book online.
The Line of Best Fit: place + platform presents a collaborative exhibition and event featuring MR CHOON!, Deejay Yourself, The Occasional Flickers, Krishkrush, The Beirdo, Two Wrongs, Urvanovic and Edyta. Artists have been invited to respond to the theme on paper: musicians and performers will respond to it live on the night. 8pm, Settlement Projects, 34a Haddington Place, Leith Walk. Free entry.The Edinburgh Settlement is a multi-purpose voluntary organisation with a rich history spanning more than 100 years.
Portobello Pop Up Festive Market: ceramics, textiles, organic soaps, homewares, photography, art, jams & preserves, gifts, illustration & print, glass, jewellery and accessories, writing and poetry! 12 noon-5pm, Dalriada, 77 Promenade, Portobello. Free entry.
Souper Saturday Annual Fundraising Jamboree: Souper Saturday provides food and friendship for those in need in St John’s Hall on Saturday mornings. Today you can help to raise funds for this worthwhile cause by buying postcard art by local artists, whilst enjoying live music – and of course, soup! 4-7pm, St John’s Episcopal Church Hall, Princes Street.
Winter 2014: a mixed exhibition including works from Michael G Clark, Simon Rivett, Linda Park, Alan McLeod, Mark Robertson, Laurna Ogilvie, Jane Gray, John Gardner, Annie Broadley, Anupa Gardner and John Wilson. 10am-5pm Monday to Friday, 12 noon-5pm Saturdays, Doubtfire Gallery, 3 South East Circus Place.
Scots Music Group Ceilidh with the Canongate Cadgers: licensed bar (no BYOB), free water available. 8pm (doors open 7.30pm) -12 midnight, St Brides Centre, Orwell Terrace. Tickets £8/£6 in advance from St Brides (in person or by calling 0131 346 1405) or the Scots Music Group, £10/£8 on the door.
Calum Colvin: Artist’s Talk: Calum has created the stunning exhibition using the boarded-up windows of the former North British Rubber Factory at the Castle Mill Works in Fountainbridge; he uses a mixture of painting, sculpture and photography to create his beautiful images. Edinburgh Printmakers has won Heritage Lottery funding to transform Castle Mill Works into a new centre for printmaking and creativity opening in 2017 – in the meantime come and meet Calum and find out the secrets behind the making of these eye-catching artworks (more exciting exhibitions using the outside of the building coming up next year!) This talk is outside the building at 12 noon and is open to everyone, but please RSVP to Hannah Rye at communitylearning@edinburghprintmakers.co.uk.
Interfaith Shabbat Service: the service will be led by Rabbi Mark Solomon and will last approximately 1 hour 45 minutes; it will be followed by a special kiddush. Everyone is welcome, but please contact norman.crane@googlemail.com giving the names of all those intending to attend. 11am, St Mark’s Unitarian Church, Castle Terrace. Part of Scottish Interfaith Week.
Selected: a selling exhibition of craft and design bringing together 27 Scotland-based makers. Ceramics, jewellery, furniture,textiles, glass and silver from some of the most talented makers in Scotland today, hand picked by an industry panel. 10.30am-5.30pm, today and then Monday to Saturday until 21st December 2014, Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street.
Faith In Women: Fresh Perspectives – Seeing Through Young Women’s Eyes. 10am-12.30pm, St John’s Church Hall, Princes Street. Part of Scottish Interfaith Week.
Rugby – George Watson’s College, V Merchiston Castle School, U18 Brewin-Dolphin Schools Cup
Watsons survive Merchiston fight back to take the Title
The second match on the night at BT Murrayfield had a hard act to follow as the U18 teams took the field to compete for their Schools Cup Final. This match was a less even affair with Watsons dominating the majority of possession and territory – certainly in the second half – but Merchiston refused to lie down and came within a score of winning at the end.
The match started well for Watsons with their first points on the board with a 35th second penalty, courtesy of the boot of stand-off, Kerr Stoddart. Unfortunately, a few minutes later the lost one of their players, carted off with, what appeared to be, a fairly serious injury.
The first try scoring opportunity came the way of Watsons. Surviving a period of Merchiston possession, Watsons set up a fine passing move which put centre, Ronan Kerr through the defence. It was only a fine tackle back by opposing centre, Cameron Gray, which stopped them adding to their score.
In fact, it was Merchiston who came up with the first try of the match. Swinging the ball wide, left wing, Louie Tang, left defenders in his wake as he sprinted up the touchline, deep into the Watsons 22. The final man in defence stopped him, but he got the ball away to fellow Merchistonian, Stafford McDowall who went over for the try. The kick was missed, leaving the scoreline at 5-3. Despite a late attempt by Watsons, which nearly came off – failing at the final off-load – Merchiston managed to hold on to their lead at half time.
It took Watsons six minutes of the second half to score their opening try from No. 14, Calum Fox. It was a classic score from the Myreside team, with the pack doing the hard yards in the centre, drawing in the defence. The final ruck set up the ball for scrum half, Davies to release the backs. Quick passing had Fox through a hole and over the line for the try and the lead. Stoddart missed the kick, leaving the score at 8-5.
Less than four minutes later, they were over again. This time it was the other wing, Robbie Nairn, who powered through for the second try and a 13-5 lead.
Merchiston enjoyed a bit of possession for a time, but lost the ball back to Watsons in the opposition half. A line out from a clearing kick, was lost by Merchiston and the ball came back to Stoddart, His kick over put the defence under some pressure and the ball finally went out to Nairn – one to watch – who, again powered over for his second try. Stoddart scored this time to take Watsons into a fairly comfortable lead at 20-3. He followed this up a few minutes later for a 23-5 scoreline with five minutes of the match remaining.
And what a five minutes! Merchiston finally found their feet and scored their first of two tries in that five minutes from a sustained bit of pressure on the defence. Their powerful maul pulled the game right, which left a yawning gap on the left for the backs to exploit. Two quick passes put Tang in the clear for the winger to gallop over for the try. Dan Nutton scored the touchline conversion to bring up a 23-12 score.
Again, from the kick off, pressure on the Watsons defence came up trumps. Another fine display of running rugby had the defence all over the place and the final ball went to McDowall who fired through for his second on the night (credited to Tom Bisset by Scottish Rugby…. Oops…) and, at 23-17 with seconds to play – 12 to be exact – put them in with a chance. The ref decided there was time to restart the game, but despite winning the restart ball and puting up a tremendous fight, Merchiston couldn’t advance out of their half and the game ended with an error on their part.
The Cup, therefore went to Watsons for the third time in succession, but if Merchiston had managed to get their act together earlier in the second half, who know what might have been.
Images from the match will appear here over the next few days.
The Edinburgh Gin Club – Ginnis & Gunn
We’re kicking off December with a distinctly Edinburgh-flavoured cocktail collaboration at our next event on Monday 1st December – a Ginnis & Gunn Cocktail Tasting!
You’re invited to enjoy the ideal balance of Edinburgh’s most cleverly distilled and bravely brewed tipples at our forthcoming Edinburgh Gin Club.
We’ve teamed up with the beer brainboxes at Innis & Gunn to create a collection of inspired beer and gin cocktails to tickle your taste buds:
• Enjoy a welcoming hot punch, plus three unique Edinburgh Gin and Innis & Gunn cocktails, featuring a selection of flavours from both parties
• The chance to make your own Martini using Cannonball gin plus a selection of vermouths and Innis & Gunn beers
• A tour of the Edinburgh Gin Distillery
• Insights into the history and botanicals of Edinburgh Gin, and the history of Innis and Gunn too
• The opportunity to meet our Edinburgh Gin distillers and the Innis & Gunn team
Rugby – Dollar Academy v Merchiston Castle School, U16 Brewin-Dolphin Schools Cup
Merchiston Castle take last-gasp win at BT Murrayfield
An overtime try from Merchiston Castle secured them a one point victory over Dollar Academy in Thursday nights’s U16 Brewin-Dolphin Schools Cup Final. Pairing the U16 and U18 Finals at the National stadium proved to be a winning formula as over 5,000 ardent supporters screamed, cried and chanted their way through two tremendous matches on the International pitch. All four teams involved showed a high level of skill – and not just ‘for their age’ – coupled with a degree of commitment worthy of any professional side.
Dollar were first on the scoreboard with seventh minute try from stand-off, Grant Hughes. He dragged a couple of defenders over the line with him to touch down for a 5-0 lead, but, unfortunately, missed the conversion. They followed this up after a period of dominant play, in the 23rd minute with a second try from Dollar, this time courtesy of Rory Cooke. Hughes scored this conversion and Dollar were 12-0 ahead. Hughes then blotted is, so far, immaculate copy book in his own area. Merchiston had driven the game up inside Dollar’s 22, but lost the ball to a turn over. The pass back to Hughes inside his goal area was gathered but his clearing kick was fired straight into the advancing Hamish Scanlon. He then had the presence of mind to follow the rebound in and dived on the ball for Merchiston’s first try. Stand-off, Ronan Dowds, slotted the kick home and it was 12-7.
But not for long as Dollar came straight back into the game and scored their third try of the half with an neat overlap, Cooke being on the end of the line to receive the ball and go over. Hughes then scored from the touchline to take the score out to 19-7 to Dollar, who were looking good for the win.
Whatever the Merchiston coaches said to – or fed to – their team at half time did the trick, as it was a different team who came out for the second half. After being dominated and dragged all over the place in the first half, they came out with all guns blazing and put their first points on the board after four minutes from a Dowd penalty. They followed this up five minutes later with a try. Again dominating play, they took a tap penalty in the Dollar 22 and, catching the opposition on the hop, put Tyler Thomas over for the points. Dowds again slotted the kick home and the score now stood at 19-17 to Dollar.
With Dollar’s No. 3 in the bin, Merchiston kept up the pressure and Dowds broke clear and launched himself upfield. The play ended with another penalty which Dowds scored to give the Edinburgh side the laed for the first time at 20-19, with 10 minutes still to play.
With Merchiston on top and on the attack, they lost the ball and Hughes booted the ball upfield and followed his kick through. With the ball in the Merchiston area, Hughes won the battle with the three defenders to touch down and give the lead back to Dollar. Unfortunately, one of the Merchiston players was injured and the stretcher had to be called for as the medical teams dealt with a leg injury. Meantime, the conversion was missed, so the score remained at 24-20 with less than eight minutes left.
And then came the final play. With the clock standing at 70 minutes, Merchiston hammered away at the resolute defence, winning two penalties in the process, but keeping the game going. And then, with players tiring, something had to give and it was the Dollar defence. Hammering away and swinging the play from side to side, they found a gap and centre, MacKenzie Cox, evading the defenders and powered over for the match-winning touchdown (top). Dowds didn’t really care where the conversion attempt went as the match was over and Merchiston Castle had won by a single point, 25-24 to take the Cup and set the scene up for the U18 match to follow.
Could they beat that!?
Images from the match will appear here over the next few days.
REVIEW – Passenger at Usher Hall
Photo by Valentina Peruzzo
What is a folk gig? Not a Passenger gig. He can boast all he wants, but in the end it is a pop gig with all the musical clichés in the world attached to it.
First song and he’s already making us “miserable” – that’s how he put it – and the next he’s trying to lighten the mood. It’s something that Passenger has learned while performing solo shows, and that is livening up the crowd.
Admirably he slots in his smash hit ‘Let Her Go’ halfway through the set and doesn’t wait until the rear end of the gig so that people don’t leave early. Thankfully nobody left as the singer-songwriter was constantly on top of things.
He may appear as a bashful, fragile type of guy, but his interaction with the crowd lifted spirits even higher. Usually audiences are not ready for artists blabbing on about what they get up to and what each song is about, but Passenger’s stories before some of his songs made a real connection with every crowd member in Edinburgh’s most prestigious venue.
But while Passenger’s impeccable performing and wonderful stage presence wowed the crowd, the continuous milking of the conclusions of songs in an acoustic KISS fashion grew a bit more tedious as the 80-minute show progressed. Well, it could have been less than 80 minutes if it wasn’t for his clichéd finished-but-not-finished “This is the last song,” but then coming on for three more.
The decision to not bring his band out on tour was an odd one. It’s an easy transition for an artist whose music is solely acoustic anyway. The added strings and percussion is just layered texture to the songs – basically so that the albums don’t dry up half way through. Shame that approach isn’t loaded into his live sets.
One song is fingerpicked, the next is strummed, both in varying scales; one is about his messy relationship, the next is about being 27 and doing this, that and the next thing. All the banal stunts and formulaic music grew more and more anaemic as the show progressed.
Luckily the saving grace was his performance!
Letter from Scotland
A Powerhouse Parliament?
“I vow to thee my country…” takes on yet another meaning this week.We sang it at school to that stirring tune, Jupiter from Gustav Holst’s “Planets”. We sing it every Armistice Day – particularly poignantly this 100th anniversary year.
Now the unionist parties are singing it, claiming the vow has been fulfilled. And the country concerned, is not Britain, but Scotland.
This “vow ”, which is supposed to have swung the referendum vote, will give The Scottish Parliament substantially more powers. That is, if the Smith Commission’s plans announced on Thursday survive their passage through turbulent waters at Westminster. The new First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave the plans an arms-folded welcome. She said the added powers are good as far as they go but the lady’s not for turning as regards full independence.
Lord Smith himself has performed something of a political miracle, getting Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats to agree on a common plan for more devolution within a month, something they were shockingly unable to do during two years of referendum campaigning. But the “vow” seems to have concentrated minds. So too has the impending general election when the SNP are expected to stand over the unionist parties with a large wooden club.
Under the Smith proposals all of income tax is to be devolved to the Scottish parliament – but not the initial threshold. Welfare is to be devolved – but only those payments linked to local authority services like housing and attendance allowances. Half of all VAT receipts in Scotland are to be assigned to Holyrood – but not the VAT rate. Air Passenger Duty is to be devolved – but not corporation tax, or inheritance tax or the minimum wage. Decisions on the voting age are to be devolved – but not sensitive issues like abortion or immigration.
So, it’s a mixed bag. And this has allowed each side to claim victory. The unionists say it amounts to half of Scottish public spending and more powers than many federal states in Europe and America. The SNP say it is less than half of public spending and a long way short of “devo-max”, let alone independence.
I’m not sure any of the politicians are heeding the old Chinese proverb “Be careful what you wish for.” Powers over taxation are all very well, but one day you may actually have to use them and be forced into a choice between cuts in public services or increases in tax. Nicola Sturgeon’s new model government – with her cabinet equally balanced with men and women – has not yet faced up to this awkward choice.
In their programme for government, announced this week, they shied away from big commitments on spending or taxation – except for an easy hit on business rates for sporting estates. There’s to be another search for an alternative to the council tax. There will be a campaign on reading skills for young children, another on gender balance at the top of companies and quangos, and still another on the living wage. The number of apprenticeships is being increased slightly. There are to be more short break facilities for carers. There’s to be a Bill against domestic abuse. There will be continued protection for the NHS budget and £30m more for first time home buyers. It’s not exactly a Bolshevik revolution.
Meanwhile, out in the windy world there has been a revolution in our energy industry. In the first six months of this year, renewable power from wind turbines and hydro schemes produced more electricity than our two ageing nuclear power stations. The problem is it’s not base-load electricity and some way of storing it has to be found in case the wind drops. On the other hand, the waves never fail but we appear to be ignoring this with news last week that the Pelamis wave power machine has failed to attract enough investment to carry on to the next stage of development.
However the private sector is willing to risk having another go at running the East Coast railway line to London. The Westminster government has awarded the £3.3bn franchise to a consortium of those good old knights of the realm Brian Souter and Richard Branson. Stagecoach and Virgin Rail can now add the east coast line to their west coast franchise and take our money whichever way we travel out of Scotland. The unions are furious. They wanted the franchise to stay in public hands – though not, of course, French public hands. The state owned French company Keolis seemed to be the only alternative bidder.
We’ve been asking ourselves this week why it has taken five years and £10m to produce a report on the outbreak of clostridium difficile at Vale of Leven Hospital. So much time has passed that Lord MacLean’s findings seem pretty obvious now – no proper records were being kept, not enough hand-washing was going on and doctors were prescribing too many antibiotics. The lessons have been learned long since and all the inquiry was able to do was offer an occasion for some sort of apology to the families of the 34 patients who died.
The only bit of happy, uncontested news this week has been Andy Murray’s announcement that he is to marry his long time girlfriend Kim Sears. The brave and beautiful Miss Sears has been with Andy on the bumpy road to stardom since they met at the US Open in 2005.
Let’s hope that when they exchange their vows there won’t be the same brouhaha has there has been over that other vow.
The Drambuie Hot Apple Toddy Bar
People who know me will all-too readily tell you I’m a bah-humbug kind of guy. My dislike of Christmas is well known although, in fairness, it’s not that I dislike Christmas – I just prefer it at Christmas time and not celebrated before the clocks go back…
So when I received an invite to the launch of The Drambuie Hot Apple Toddy Bar at the foot of the newly erected big wheel on Princes Street, I was a tad apprehensive. I knew that, even with four weeks still to go, there would be a huge throng of people there enjoying the bright attractions and market stalls.
However, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the bar. Looking on to the skate rink, which is proving as popular as ever, it was a veritable hive of activity and the ideal place to escape the masses jostling each other through the never-ending array of market stalls.
The young bar staff were only too willing to help and the variations of Drambuie flavoured drinks were all too tempting for me. I tried the much-vaunted Drambuie Hot Apple Toddy and it was just the thing for an ageing hack fast succumbing to a sore throat on a chilly winter’s evening. And the Drambuie with Ginger Ale was also delicious.
I still refuse to join the masses and celebrate Christmas in November. But if you’re being dragged to Christmas shopping this weekend – or any day from now until 4 January – you would do well to pop into The Drambuie Hot Apple Toddy Bar for a delicious tipple or four. Although I would advise to try the ice skating before sampling the Drambuie…
Three due in court following drugs seizures in North Edinburgh
Three people have been arrested and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act after police in North Edinburgh recovered various drugs from three separate properties.
Officers carried out searches at the addresses in Muirhouse Grove and recovered quantities of diamorphine, diazepam and cannabis with a combined total of around £3,000.
Two men aged 35 and 40 and a 33-year-old woman will appear in court at a later date.
Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness said ‘Drug dealing within our communities will not be tolerated and I would appeal to those with information around the supply of drugs in their community or other matters of serious and organised criminality to get in touch with us.
“It is through the public’s help that we are able to carry out activity like this and remove harmful substances before they can do untold damage to our communities.”
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on ‘101’, speak to their local officer or contact the registered charity Crimestoppers in anonymity on 0800555111.
Four wee monkeys at Edinburgh Zoo
Scientists and keepers at Living Links, a top field station and research centre at Edinburgh Zoo, are celebrating the birth of four squirrel monkeys.
The new arrivals can be seen on the backs of their mothers amongst the active mixed groups of monkeys and will one day contribute to ground breaking research at the facility. You can watch them here on the Squirrel Monkey Cam.
Living Links is a partnership between the University of St Andrews and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland which supports studies by scientists affiliated with the Scottish Primate Research Group.
The eldest baby, a female named Loki who was born in June, has already been showing enthusiasm by swinging through the enclosure and trying to get scientist’s attention by jumping into research areas when they open the doors.
Dr. Lara Wood, Research Coordinator at Living Links, said:
“Entering the research cubicles is a completely voluntary option for all monkeys at Living Links. We couldn’t believe it when little Loki made her debut on her mother’s back at only three days old. Now five months old and with an outgoing personality, she will enthusiastically jump into the cubicles herself with the older monkeys. In fact, as she associates the area with rewards, it’s sometimes challenging getting her back out!
“Loki’s curiosity and alertness means she is a little troublemaker, but at the same time she is so irresistibly cute that it is impossible not to succumb to her playful charms. Her big personality even inspired her name; one of the researchers who watched her throughout the summer named her Loki after the God of mischief in Nordic mythology.”
Sophie Pearson, Team Leader of Living Links, adds:
“Each monkey at Living Links has its own distinct personality and it’s only fair they get a meaningful name – this always a fun and interesting part of the keepers and researchers’ jobs. The two male baby monkeys have been named Norrisaur and Gonzo. Norrisaur was named as a birthday present for a keeper, it’s a take on his name which encompasses his love for dinosaurs; whereas Gonzo was named after one of the researcher’s favourite TV characters because he is always happy. Sofia, the other female youngster, is a bit more graceful so has been named after an actress.”
All four baby monkeys can be observed in both the indoor and outdoor enclosures in the West Wing of Living Links. The research facility, which opened in 2008, is split into East and West wings to allow for direct comparative studies to be undertaken.
Combined, the large indoor and outdoor enclosures are home to 40 squirrel and 35 capuchin monkeys who live in mixed-species groups which would naturally occur in the wild where they can be found living in groups of up to 300 monkeys. Native to the rainforests of South America, the character-packed squirrel monkeys are instantly identifiable due to their bright yellow legs and arms.
Minister highlights St Andrew’s Day events
Marco Biagi MSP for Edinburgh City Centre and Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment enjoyed a St Andrew’s Day Out when he visited the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Royal Mile Edinburgh, one of the many attractions across Edinburgh offering free or discounted entry for St Andrew’s Day.
More information on what to get up to across Scotland on the website here.
Student demo against fossil fuels
Students at the University of Edinburgh, involved in the worldwide ‘Go Fossil Free’ divestment campaign, staged a demo on the university’s campus earlier today.
The students have been calling on the University to follow Glasgow University’s example and shed its stake in companies involved in extracting oil, coal and gas, whose products are directly causing climate change.
The protest was intended to highlight that the University continues to invest about £30 million of its endowment fund in those companies. The protest was held outside a staff committee meeting which was being held to discuss the university’s response to the students’ demands.
The ‘Go Fossil Free’ campaign is a global movement urging institutions to stop investing in fossil fuel companies. Assets worth $50 billion have already been removed by Churches, Universities and philanthropic funds from all over the world.
Just this week announcements have been made by the Church of Sweden as well as the Rockefeller foundation. The campaign is endorsed by the Executive Secretary of the UNFCC Christiana Figueres, the U.N. Special envoy for climate change Mary Robinson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Both Robinson and Tutu are honorary graduates of The University of Edinburgh.
The students say that the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report makes clear that burning fossil fuels is causing the planet to warm dramatically. They believe that we are already witnessing the impacts.
A spokesman said: “Given current trends, we are on track to exceed a 4 degree Celsius rise in global temperature, which means the spread of dangerous diseases, the disruption of rainfall patterns vital for food supply, the loss of bio-diverse rainforests and coral reefs, as well as frequent extreme weather and sea level rise resulting in more flooding. Scientists tell us that to avoid this scenario requires dramatic and urgent reductions in global fossil fuel emissions.
“The logic of our demands is simple, if it’s wrong to wreck the planet then it is wrong to profit from that wreckage. It’s high time for the University of Edinburgh to do the right thing and stop investing in fossil fuels.”
Canongate Youth win People’s Millions
Canongate Youth’s Old School Café has won £38,000 of funding from the People’s Millions.
They found out on STV East’s news programme earlier this week that they had won.
Canongate say that the cafe will train unemployed young people whilst providing a much needed welcoming and affordable space for the community. It is expected that renovation work will start in January 2015 and the cafe will open on 1 April.
Debbie Ure the project’s Employability Team Leader said: “The Old School Cafe was piloted during the Edinburgh Festival, and it was a tremendous success, with almost every young person who took part moving into work or training.
“There has been a lot of public support for the project. Winning the People’s Millions will allow us to refurbish 2 kitchens and make the cafe a really nice space that values its customers. One of the kitchens will be used specifically to train unemployed young people, and the other will serve as our cafe area. I would like to thank everyone who supported us and invite them to The Old School cafe next year.”
Edinburgh University FloWave wins renewables prize
The FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility at Edinburgh University has secured the ‘Best Innovation’ prize at this year’s Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards.
The world-leading ocean energy test facility – which can replicate both waves and tides in its unique 25 metre circular pool – landed the prestigious innovation award at a ceremony held in Edinburgh last night.
Congratulating FloWave, University of Edinburgh Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea said:
“Congratulations to the FloWave team on their well-deserved win. This is a worthy accolade befitting a world-class facility, and we look forward to seeing FloWave build on its success in the months and years ahead.”
Commenting on the award, FloWave Chief Executive Officer Stuart Brown said:
“This award is a tremendous accolade for FloWave in its first year of operation. It gives well-deserved recognition of the collective effort of many dedicated professional engineers and academics whose combined vision and effort over a number of years has allowed this unique concept for an ocean test facility to come to fruition.
“A special thank you is due of course to our initial funders the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council, and to the University of Edinburgh for not only providing the loan funding to get the facility built in the first place, but also for their persistence and continued belief and support for the project through the two-and-a-half year build process. Also I should like to thank Scottish Enterprise for their contribution in helping FloWave make the step up from being not only the world’s most sophisticated wave and current test tank for academic research, but to being a truly world-class test facility of international importance for commercial research, development and innovation.
“Finally I would like to thank main contractors Graham Construction and Edinburgh Designs Limited. They made this facility – quite literally! EDL in particular immersed themselves in the task and worked collaboratively with us to overcome the technical, hydrodynamic and control system challenges that such a novel design presented.”
As well as winning the Best Innovation award, the FloWave facility was also shortlisted in the Engineering Excellence category.
Dogs abandoned in Duddingston greenhouse
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after two dogs were abandoned inside a greenhouse in Duddingston.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted early on Tuesday morning (25 November) when a member of the public discovered the two Staffordshire bull terriers at Duddingston community garden.
The two female dogs are now in the care of the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno, where they have been named Harriet and Hope.
Senior Inspector John Toule said, “Harriet and Hope were discovered at around 7am by one of the community gardeners. It’s very likely they could have been stuck in there over night.
“Whoever left them would not have known how long it would be until they were found and didn’t leave any food or water for them.
“Harriet and Hope are both friendly girls and did not deserve to be treated like this. We’ll continue to look after them until we can find them loving new homes.
“In the meantime we are urging anyone who recognises them to get in contact with us.”
Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
Photo by Scottish SPCA
Witness appeal following Dalry robbery
Police are appealing for witnesses following a knifepoint robbery at a city convenience store.
The incident happened around 7.40pm yesterday at the Dalry Newsagent on Dalry Road.
A 39-year-old woman was working alone within the shop when a man entered and presented a knife before demanding money.
After stealing the contents of the till he then made off towards Gorgie Road.
Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.
The suspect is described as white, early twenties, around 5ft 7ins tall with a slim build. He was wearing a grey hooded top with white stripes running down the sleeves, a black scarf covering his face, woolly gloves and black trousers.
Detective Constable Joyce Gunderson said: “Fortunately the shop assistant was not injured during the robbery, but this was a distressing ordeal and she was left understandably shaken.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in the Dalry Road area on Thursday evening, or anyone who recognises the description of the suspect.
“The male is believed to have been loitering outside the store and the nearby Bensons Bar just prior to the incident and so any patrons who believe they have information that can assist with our enquiries are asked to contact police immediately.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
