For me, the best films are still the story tellers. I can appreciate a beautifully shot, masterfully crafted cinematic experience, but I only truly love the films which tell a story that captures my imagination and draws a genuine emotional response. Castles in the Sky is one of those films.

This is a true story simply told, and is based on the experiences of visionary Scottish Engineer, Robert Watson-Watt.  It tells the story of how a maverick inventor, working in the Meteorological Office, became the unlikely saviour of the Air Ministry, and ultimately, of Great Britain.

Director Gillies MacKinnon lets the characters tell the story, so there are no epic set pieces or whizzy special effects. Instead the director skilfully intersperses the film with real-life footage and contemporary news reels to give the context of the tension, secrecy and uncertainty in the build up to World War II.

Eddie Izzard gives an impressive performance as Watson-Watt, subtly underplaying the inventor’s madcap tendencies, giving a pretty credible Scottish accent to boot. Izzard brings to life the enthusiasm and passion of the great engineer, while portraying his softer side with a wholly convincing performance of a man torn between his passion for his work and his country, and his love for his wife and home life.

Watson-Watt tells The Ministry that the death ray he was asked to build could not be achieved, but that he could go one better. Instead of destroying aircraft, he could make the invisible visible, so that the now visible aircraft could be destroyed by more conventional means than fanciful ‘Death Rays’. So despite being ‘not quite the right sort’ he becomes a key figure in developing the newly emerging science of radar, and turning it into a useful defence for an island nation at war. His visionary approach, coupled with his practical nature convince the Ministry to fund and staff his research.

Watson –Watt, when assembling his team, eschews the Oxford dons and stuffed shirts favoured by the Ministry, instead involving his canny welsh mates from the Meteorological Office to build his crack team. ”We need free thinkers, rule breakers, men without ties” he rages to the meddling Ministry man who doubts the wisdom of this approach. And, of course, Watson-Watt is right. The story depicts the trials and tribulations of the search for a workable, practical system, battling against lack of funds, equipment and a watertight roof. The canny lads resort to ‘any means necessary’ and carry out a heist to get the equipment they need. This, and other moments of levity, including impromptu cricket games and drunken sing-songs that fail to impress The Ministry, bring a lightness to the film against the backdrop of growing fear as war looms ever closer. The tension builds as our anti-heroes attempt to demonstrate a working prototype to convince the Ministry to carry on funding their research. The supporting cast do a sterling job of portraying the highs and lows, joys and frustrations of their vital work, and the stresses it puts on relationships; both personal and professional.

Spoiler alert (but only if you are really bad at history) – our canny crew pull off the impossible task and develop the first ground-based early detection radar system just in time for the outbreak of war. This early warning system proved vital for the RAF and provided the edge they needed to win the Battle of Britain despite being outnumbered three to one.

This quietly compelling film brings home the idea that our freedom is due to the quiet heroism of so many men and women who put their lives on hold to use their ingenuity and quiet resilience for the war effort. Deftly shot, crisply scripted and subtly acted, this film is undoubtedly one of the highlights of 2014 Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Elaine Downs

Edinburgh International Film Festival today – Customs House to become Leith Museum – Horse trials – RNLI Fun Day – Weather snaps

The building, which will be put up for sale by the National Museums Scotland, has been identified by the Campaign for a Leith Museum as an ideal venue for housing cultural exhibitions relating to the maritime heritage of the Leith area.

At a full Council meeting on Thursday, the Capital Coalition confirmed a decision in principle to acquire Custom House through the Common Good Fund, following necessary legal and financial checks.

The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT)  agreed to join the Council in project-planning the delivery of a Leith Museum within the building.

Culture and Sport Convener Councillor Richard Lewis, who has backed the campaign for a Leith Museum, said: “Without any pledges on the table to save Custom House on the Shore, the campaign for a Museum in Leith has reached a crisis point. Leith had such a rich heritage and we could not sit and watch this opportunity pass by.

“The Council has voiced an intention to save the venue, and we have placed a bid which we hope will purchase the building before it is put up for general sale by National Museums Scotland.”

John Campbell, Chairman of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said: “We are delighted with the contribution of the Council to save Customs House for the benefit of the people of Leith and beyond. SHBT, as an organisation which has restored many buildings throughout Scotland look forward to working with the Council, the community and other key stakeholders in the development of this exciting project.

“Leith Customs House is the oldest in Scotland, built by Robert Reid in 1812, is the most historically significant building on the Leith waterfront and set the standard for Customs Houses throughout Scotland.”

The Edinburgh Common Good Fund is a fund to benefit the people of Edinburgh through projects and initiatives that better Edinburgh areas and boost public access.

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Hopetoun is the place to be for a bit of royal spotting as well as some exciting sport in the form of the Gillespie Macandrew International Horse Trials. Her Majesty the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips,  is taking part, and was expected to bring three horses with her.

Last month as a bit of a publicity stunt the organisers brought some horses to St Andrew Square.

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Whether it’s good weather or bad we would love to see your photos. If it’s raining or sunny Edinburgh always looks beautiful, so do use our sister site EdinburghReportage to show off your photos.

The site is mobile responsive and you will find it very easy to upload photos instantly from your phone.

We look forward to seeing your snaps!

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SUNDAY 29 JUNE 2014

Joe Abercrombie: Half a King.  Blackwell’s Edinburgh hosts the only Scottish event for Joe Abercrombie, one of Britain’s leading fantasy authors. An exclusive insight into Joe’s new book Half A King, a classic coming-of-age tale and the start of a new series.  6pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge.  Free but booking is essential; tickets are available from Blackwell’s front desk or by calling 0131 622 8218 or via eventbrite.

St Giles at Six: pianist Luke Welch plays Schumann, Chopin and Brahms.  6pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street.  Free and unticketed.

Stockbridge Duck Race: ducks (not real ones!) are numbered and released from the bridge into the Water of Leith at 3pm then caught by Duck Wardens further downstream.  The owners of the first lucky ducks to cross the line win prizes generously donated by local businesses.  Ducks are now on sale at £1.50 each from many local Stockbridge establishments and also online – see Facebook group for details. All profits will be donated to Lifecare and St Columba’s Hospice. Race is followed by an Apres Duck party and a children’s disco.

Leith School of Art End of Year Exhibition: Leith School of Art offers full-time and part-time courses and a summer school.  This exhibition will showcase work by this year’s students.  10am-4pm, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street. Free.

An Edinburgh Jewish Welcome – You’re Welcome to Write! Creative Writing Day presented by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities around the themes of Welcome and Migration. Want to share your story about immigration and welcome?  Come and discover your writing talents with the help of three writers who will offer insights and guidance on writing short stories and poetry.  Open to everyone regardless of writing experience and level of spoken English. Free Kosher buffet lunch, creche facilities and activities for children. 10am-4pm, Jewish Community Centre, 4 Salisbury Road, EH16 5AB. Free, part of Refugee Week Scotland  For bookings and more information see website or contact fiona@scojec.org

Plum Blossom Painting Demonstration: Dr Chun-Chao Chiu is an artist from Taiwan renowned for his mastery of traditional Chinese brush painting in depicting landscapes and floral art.  Join him as he paints a classic plum blossom watercolour in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the designation of plum blossom as Taiwan’s national flower.  Discover the symbolism behind plum blossom and many other national and regional flowers. 1-4pm, Patrick Geddes Room, Royal Botanic Garden. Free, no booking required.

Mythical Maze: art, crafts and activities for ages 5+.  Part of Edinburgh Libraries’/The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. 2.30-3.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North.

A stunning new exhibition of portraits by one of the UK’s most versatile and accomplished artists has opened the summer season at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Born in Paisley in 1940, John Byrne has had a remarkable career over the last five decades, enjoying huge success as an artist, theatre designer, playwright and screenwriter.  As a painter, as in life, Byrne is difficult to pin down, skillfully switching between an extraordinary array of styles, in a manner which betrays his restless intelligence and his remarkable ability to absorb disparate influences from the art of the past and draw upon them at will.

John Byrne: Sitting Ducks will explore and celebrate Byrne’s innovative and richly varied portraiture, with a selection of around 30 paintings and drawings, dating from the early 1970s to the present day.  Focussing mainly upon sitters who are close to him – his children, partners, family members, friends and colleagues – it will also feature many witty and insightful self-portraits, such as Self-portrait with Yellow Cigarette (1986) and Ceci n’est pas un Auto-Portrait (c.2003), his homage to the Belgian surrealist Magritte.

Among the highlights will be a number of striking portraits of the actress Tilda Swinton, the artist’s former partner; iconic images of Billy Connolly, whom Byrne first met through their mutual friend, the singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty (whose beautiful, hand-painted guitar will also be on show); and an unforgettable portrait of the actor Robbie Coltrane in the guise of Danny McGlone, one of the principal characters in the six-time BAFTA award-winning series Tutti Frutti, which Byrne wrote for the BBC in 1984.

Alongside these well-known images will be a fascinating selection of more intimate and revealing works, generously lent by a number of private collectors, which have rarely been seen in public.  These include brilliant and touching images of Byrne’s children: John and Celie from his first marriage (the latter featuring in an extraordinary pastel sketch from the early 1970s, Celie Watching TV); and Tilda Swinton’s twins Honor and Xavier, who appear, singly and together, in a number of memorable portraits.

The exhibition’s punning title underlines the significance of loved ones in Byrne’s work.  Falling so easily within his sights, they are a source of endless fascination for him, and are often, as a result, the subject of his most powerful works.  Byrne is also an obsessive painter of his own likeness, having created hundreds of self-portraits in the course of his long career.  For Byrne, identity is fluid, shifting and inconstant, and he appears in his paintings in a dizzying range of guises, somehow concealing as much as he reveals.

Indeed, Byrne’s first success as an artist came in the late 1960s when he submitted a series of paintings to a London gallery, claiming they were the work of ‘Patrick’, a retired labourer who painted as a hobby.  The works were painted in a faux-naïve style which stemmed from Byrne’s admiration for the work of ‘primitive’ painters like his great hero Henri ‘Le Douanier’ Rousseau (a self-taught French artist who was championed by Picasso and the surrealists).  They were an instant hit, and though he quickly had to reveal his true identity, Byrne continued to produce work in a similar vein.  Sitting Ducks will feature some key works from this period, including Self-Portrait in a Flowered Jacket (1971-3) and the remarkable The American Boy (1971), a powerful and enigmatic image, painted on an epic scale.

Byrne’s ‘Patrick’ paintings belied his training and sophistication as an artist (he had been described by the registrar at Glasgow School of Art as one of the most gifted young painter ever to have studied there), and demonstrate how easily he can shift gear in his work.  Some portraits, such as Xavier Asleep (2001), are dashed off with breath-taking facility while others, Sir Raymond Johnstone (1993) for example, are executed with immense control and precision.  Many are done partly or wholly from memory rather than from life, with their realism filtered through Byrne’s imagination.  Works such as Red and Uread (2002/04, a painting of Tilda Swinton), which are part-portrait and part-caricature, are described by Byrne as ‘formal’ portraits – images which capture and present the essence of the sitter unmistakably.  Tellingly, Xavier Swinton-Byrne was once asked about the length of time he had to sit for his father and replied with a smile “My Dad knows what I look like.”

A profoundly individual artist, John Byrne has always admired painters who broke the rules, or who, like Rousseau, didn’t seem to realise that there were any.  The prodigious range of work on show in Sitting Ducks illustrates how aptly the same claim can be made for Byrne himself, as well as the remarkable technical prowess, versatility, ingenuity, inventiveness, fun and gravity that he has brought to the genre of portraiture.

Speaking of the exhibition Christopher Baker, Director of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery said, “It is especially fitting that we should be celebrating the wonderfully diverse and accomplished portraiture of John Byrne – as he was the man who re-opened the doors of the Portrait Gallery following its successful re-development in 2011. I think visitors will find this a hugely enjoyable exhibition, as it combines iconic works with surprises, public figures and private moments. Underpinning them all is great warmth, wit and technical skill.”

Organised in partnership with Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.  Part of High Life Highland.

Part of the Edinburgh Art Festival, 31 July – 31 August 2014

Following its appearance in Edinburgh the exhibition will tour to Inverness, 1 – 29 November 2014.

JOHN BYRNE: SITTING DUCKS
14 June – 19 October 2014
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JD
Admission free | 0131 624 6200
nationalgalleries.org
#JohnByrne

Step right up as the Carnivàle takes to the stage tomorrow at the Edinburgh Dungeon, bringing with it all things funny and frightening as a big top full of thrilling tales travels through time at Scotland’s top attraction for scary fun.

Playing host to a collection of wonderfully dark circus stars, the Edinburgh Dungeon’s exciting new celebration, Carnivále, launches this weekend. In the centre of our capital city, it promises to separate the brains from the brawn and the bold from the bashful … if you’re game?

With the Dungeon’s usual injection of cheeky humour and thrilling new special effects, join the ringmaster and his cast of colourful characters throughout July and August as they produce splendid, spectacular and show-stopping scary fun.

Based on Market Street, the Edinburgh Dungeon – winner of the Scottish Entertainment Awards Best Visitor Attraction 2014 – serves up non-stop action and hilarity throughout an 80-minute interactive adventure through the country’s murkier past. With 11 live-actor shows, state of the art special effects, 360º theatrical sets, two heart stopping rides and gripping storytelling by hero characters, visitors to the Edinburgh Dungeon are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

For more information or to book tickets please visit www.thedungeons.com/edinburgh or follow @EdinDungeon for updates.

Every parent knows what it’s like taking a young child on a fun outing, and for those with twins, triplets or more it can be double, triple or even quadruple the challenge.

That’s why Edinburgh Leisure is celebrating Twins, Triplets & More Awareness (TAMBAS) Week with a limited-time-only £1 entry fee for multiples to its Scrambles and Tumbles soft play centres.

From 30th June – 6th July twins, triplets and higher multiples will only have to pay £1 each to enjoy an hour of soft play at either of these venues.

Scrambles at Edinburgh Indoor Climbing Arena (EICA) Ratho is a hugely popular soft play which draws inspiration from the world class climbing facility.

For under 5’s there’s the Rock Tots MEGA play café, offering a huge space with toys ideal for little ones to crawl, toddle and run around.

Tumbles at Portobello is a fantastic soft play based in the recently opened state-of-the-art Gymnastics facility. With comprehensive zoned areas for babies to 10 years old, Tumbles also allows kids to glimpse the exciting world of Gymnastics.

Parents and guardians of TAMBAS can also enjoy a well earned relax with quality coffee and tasty treats in Edinburgh Leisure’s own Refresh Cafes while kids play.

Adam Cruttendon, Manager of EICA, said: “We are delighted to support the Twins and Multiple Births Association Awareness Week with this special offer at two of our much loved soft play centres.

“Edinburgh Leisure is committed to helping all kids discover a love of activity from a young age. It can be more challenging for families with twins and multiples to get out and about as everything is at least double the work and double the cost – so this week it will be even more affordable at Edinburgh Leisure. Parents and guardians can enjoy a well earned break in our cafes, and kids are just going to have an absolute ball.”

The national awareness week is run by the Twins and Multiple Births Association (TAMBA), a charity set up by parents of twins, triplets and higher multiples and interested professionals.

Edinburgh Leisure is offering every twin, triplet or multiple entry for £1 for each for 1 hour of softplay from Monday 30th – Sunday 6th July at Tumbles, Scrambles or Rock Tots. Siblings are normal price.

Edinburgh Leisure is a not-for-profit organisation which manages 30 venues on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, providing the widest range of facilities and community based programmes across the capital.

For further information visit www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Edinburgh has a new Makar – Fundraising for It’s Good to Give – Craigmillar Festival 2014 – Ride of the Lions  – Bees colonising Holyrood

The Scottish Capital’s new poet, the Edinburgh Makar, was inaugurated yesterday afternoon at a special reception within the City Chambers.

Christine De Luca, who in May was announced as the fourth writer to be nominated for the prestigious post, follows in the footsteps of previous Edinburgh Makar Ron Butlin to become Edinburgh’s version of the Poet Laureate.

A highly respected poet and author, Christine was born in Shetland but has lived in Edinburgh since the late 1960s. An inscription of her name has been added to the Edinburgh Makars’ plaque in City Chambers, which also bears the names of the three writers who have held the office to date: Stewart Conn (Makar from 2002 to 2005), Valerie Gillies (Makar from 2005 to 2008) and Ron Butlin (Makar from 2008 to 2011, and reappointed from 2011 to 2014).

The Edinburgh Makar is a civic post instituted in 2002 by the City of Edinburgh Council. The writer is selected and nominated by representatives of the Scottish Poetry Library, Scottish PEN, The Saltire Society, Edinburgh City of Literature Trust and the Council.

The meaning of the Scots word Makar stresses the role of the poet or author as a skilled and versatile worker in the craft of writing.  Edinburgh has always been a literary city, and to celebrate the importance of writers in the Capital the Council continues to show itscommitment to the promotion of writers and literary projects, which enhance Edinburgh’s international reputation, including the post of the Edinburgh Makar.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Christine De Luca is an accomplished and prize-winning poet who writes in both English and Shetland dialect, which includes elements of old Scots and Norse.

“She is the latest addition to an illustrious group of writers who have filled this exciting role over the last decade, each benefiting the city with their talent, and I thank the fantastic Ron Butlin for the passion and spirit he brought to the role.

“Christine is an excellent choice, and I am sure she will inspire a great many people during her term as Edinburgh Makar.”

Christine De Luca said: “I feel amazed and apprehensive, ‘shaken and stirred’.  All three previous Makars have shaped the role and graced it.  I just hope I can rise to the challenge.”

Ron Butlin said: “Being Edinburgh Makar for the last six years has been a great honour and a real pleasure.  I am delighted that Christine de Luca will be my successor. A fine poet and lovely woman, she will be an excellent Makar!”

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Emma Hay and Malcolm Comerford will be walking the seven hills of Edinburgh today. They expect it will take them about 4 or 5 hours to complete the 14 mile trek for the local charity It’s Good 2 Give. You can read more and make a donation to the cancer charity by clicking here. 

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Roger Baird, a former Scotland and Lions player has been cycling from Twickenham by way of the Millennium Stadium and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin along with other former stars of these pitches in the Ride of the Lions.

The Ride of the Lions will arrive at Murrayfield today about 3.30 or so after a cycle of about 1000km . You can follow their progress on Twitter here. 

The Edinburgh Reporter interviewed Roger a couple of weeks back

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The Scottish Parliament became the first legislature in the UK to have beehives when two were installed earlier this year.  The bees are now ready for their new homes.

Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said:-“The Scottish Parliament has welcomed many guests and visitors but there has been a special buzz around the bees.

“Since we announced we would become the first Parliament in the UK to have its own beehives, the enthusiasm and level of interest from Members, staff and visitors has been astonishing.  We are looking forward to trying the first batch of honey which will hopefully be ready later this year.”

Paul Holmes, Chair of Kelvin Valley Honey said:-“Being the first of the UK’s four legislatures to welcome honey bees into its midst shows remarkable foresight and demonstrates in very real and practical ways the Scottish Parliament’s commitment to the nation’s environment.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Scotland’s law makers to observe at first hand the work of these amazing insects and the vital contributions that they make to our everyday lives, the environment and Scotland’s economy.

“Having honey bees at its heart not only benefits the Parliament but, through increased levels of pollination, also benefits the wider Edinburgh environment, most especially the city’s green spaces, parks and gardens by as much as two and a half miles around it.”

Ironically, the variety of bee at the Parliament will be the Buckfast Bee which is known for its calm temperament and productivity.

Mr Holmes added:-“People may well think the association is quite funny but it is a great variety. The bees are calm, acclimatised to the Scottish climate and are prolific honey producers and will be a very welcome addition at Holyrood.”

SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014

How To Train Your Dragon Activity Day: a dragon-themed activity day to celebrate the release of Cressida Cowell’s ‘The Incomplete Book of Dragons‘, which coincides with Dreamworks’ release of How To Train Your Dragon 2, a film inspired by the bestselling series.  Activities include Design Your Own Shield, Find the Dragons, raffle, colouring and a Costume Parade at 2pm – come dressed as a Viking or dragon, prizes for the best costumes.  11am-4pm, Waterstones West End.  Further information on 0131 226 2666.

Generation: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. First day of a landmark series of exhibitions tracing the development of modern art in Scotland over the last 25 years.  Works by over a hundred artists in more than sixty galleries, exhibition spaces and venues all over Scotland.  In Edinburgh exhibitions open today at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Collective Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, RSA and the Scottish National Gallery.  More will follow at other venues later in the summer.   See website for full details.

National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings.  2-2.45pm and 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Tour of the National Library Polish Collection: enjoy a behind the scenes tour at the National Library of Scotland and learn more about the Polish collections.  Tour will last about 50 minutes and will include a visit to the reading rooms and one of the stack floors where 16 million print items are stored. There will be a small display demonstrating the range of Polish material held.  10am and 11.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but numbers limited so booking is essential, either via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

The Hidden Library – for creatives.  Join print-maker, publisher and artist-book-maker Hugh Bryden for a book art workshop or novelist Vicki Hendry to find out how to use NLS for creative research.  Take part in a travel writing workshop or join the Library’s own handy knitters to uncover surprise patterns from the past – and have a go at knitting them (beginners and experts welcome!) Discover the Ian Hamilton Finlay archive, ‘Library in a Box’, vintage quilting patterns and much more.  2-5pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge.  Free but booking required via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.

Lunchtime Concert: St Maur’s Youth Choir, Rush, Co Dublin.  12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street.  Free and unticketed.

Recycled City: help build a miniature version of Edinburgh using recycled materials.  1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, Market Street. A free drop-in workshop for families – no booking required.

Leith School of Art End of Year Exhibition: Leith School of Art offers full-time and part-time courses and a summer school.  This exhibition will showcase work by this year’s students.  10am-4pm, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street. Free.  Also open Sunday 29th.

Giving Nature a Home: a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities.  RSPB staff will help you to discover more about the range of wildlife that makes the garden its home.  11am-4pm, Royal Botanic Garden (ask at Reception for venue.)  Free, all ages, no booking required.  Also available on Sunday.

No Strangers: Ancient Wisdom in a Modern World.  A group photography exhibition focusing on the plight of indigenous people throughout the world and the ways cultures express a shared humanity. Posing a fundamental question of ‘what does it mean to be human and alive?‘ No Strangers celebrates the 7,000 languages used globally, half of which could be silenced within a generation or two. 10am-5.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden.  Free. Exhibition ends 21st September 2014.

Mythical Monster Books: summer activities for children aged 5-11. 2-3pm, Blackhall Library. Free and unticketed.

Tenants with Scotland’s leading house and care providers were set to celebrate today with a tea party bringing together service users, relatives and the local community.

Bield’s Donaldson Court in Edinburgh is hosting a Superjam Tea party which allows residents to enjoy cakes, lashings of jam and live entertainment- all brought together by Fraser Doherty, the brainchild behind Superjam.

Fraser started making the jam with his grandmother in 2005 when he was 14-years-old and following visits to Bield’s Carntyne Gardens in Glasgow, makes a significant contribution to tea parties at Bield services. Whenever possible, Fraser will host the parties himself.

His grandmother would make homemade jam and scones and visit older people in her Glasgow neighbourhood and Fraser was so inspired by his grandmother that he decided to turn this hobby into a career.

Fraser’s successful career has enabled him to provide free tea parties for older people across the globe.

Since 2010, the SuperJam have contributed to hundreds of free parties for older people who live alone or in care.

He said:- “I have fond memories of visiting Bield services as a little boy with my grandmother so it’s great to be able to go back and keep the tradition going.

“I want these SuperJam Tea Parties to raise awareness of loneliness and show the difference made when we get residents and the local community together to simply enjoy each other’s company.

“It’s a great chance to chat, make new friends and most importantly, have a laugh. Hopefully the party will encourage more people to visit services in their area as spending just a few hours with somebody who lives alone really can make a world of difference.

“I plan to keep the parties going across the world and get as many people together, laughing and ultimately using the jam as a way to get people together.”

SuperJam Tea Parties have been extremely popular across the globe bringing older people together in countries such as Australia and Korea.

This will be the first time the party has visited the Edinburgh service where residents are already looking forward to a day of socialising and indulging in cakes and scones.

Kevin Rowe, fundraising manager for Bield, said: “We are thrilled to host a SuperJam Tea party at  Donaldson Court.

“It really helps raise the awareness of loneliness and encourages residents, relatives and even members of the community to come together and spend time chatting and laughing.

“Hosting events like this where it’s a case of simply eating cake and drinking tea makes such a difference to our residents’ lives and helps bring the community together.

“Everyone is welcome to the party so we’re all looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar and new faces at the party.”

Anyone can volunteer to set up a SuperJam Tea Party by applying for a grant at www.superjamteaparties.com

Bield – a registered charity- provides housing and care services for older people in Scotland, starting out with one housing development in Bo’ness. Established for over 40 years, Bield provide a range of care services and housing for over 20,000 people across twenty two local areas.

It’s been more than three years in the making, and this week all the work and wild imaginings have paid off: GENERATION, the National Galleries of Scotland’s largest ever exhibition, opens to the public tomorrow Saturday 28 June 2014.  Its focal points in Edinburgh include our three national galleries, but artists will also be showing in many other exhibition spaces across the capital and throughout the country.

GENERATION celebrates 25 years of contemporary art in Scotland: over 100 artists who have been a part of this exciting and internationally acclaimed period will participate, offering everything from fine art to installations, films, photography, sculpture, print-making and collage.  Organised by NGS in partnership with Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland, GENERATION is part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme. It brings together work from private and public collections, together with new pieces commissioned especially for the exhibition.  Artists have been involved in the preparations from the beginning, some choosing works from their back catalogues, others producing new pieces or restaging installations from previous shows.  The NGS team was keen to make sure the artists all knew what the others were planning, and how their own work would fit in to their allotted space and to the work around it. Visitors will experience the varied, dynamic and fascinating story of contemporary Scottish art, a story that certainly gives the lie to the person who once asked if there could really be ‘enough art in Scotland to justify a weekly column.’

In Edinburgh the largest part of the exhibition is staged at Modern Art One, where GENERATION fills the entire gallery. Upstairs Ross Sinclair installs Real Life Rocky Road, a representation of the Highlands featuring himself as his Real Life character, singing and playing guitar amongst the (stuffed) wildlife. Meanwhile, Torsten Lauschmann’s video of mechanical toys with a Vaudeville soundtrack At the Heart of Everything a Row of Holes compares the workings of the first computers to the punch cards once used in weaving technology. Lauschmann, who is German but based in Glasgow, looks at the ways in which technology can overtake our lives to the extent that we no longer have to do anything – it is all done for us.  In the end we find ourselves having to work against it: workers started off benefiting from the help machines gave them, but now they have to go to the gym to deal with the effects of physical inertia at work.

Julie Roberts is exhibiting some of her iconic paintings of medical ‘furniture’, equipment and clothing. Selecting the pieces has been, she says ‘a memory trip’ – she enjoyed thinking about where and when each work was painted, who she worked with at the time, and what those works meant, and still mean, to her.  One painting is of a gynaecological bed in an IVF clinic; when Julie saw it the sheet was still warm from the woman who had just left it, ‘it was both emotional and life-giving.’

Peek-a-Jobby, the installation Graham Fagen has recreated from its first incarnation at Matt’s gallery in London, seems at first to be a ‘cussy student apartment’ with many references to the 1980s. Fagen is interested in the interplay and disjuncture between art and life, expectation and surprise; he wants the viewer to pick up a script and become part of the room.  The power of the work is in the viewers’ imagination as they read the script and discover its unexpected denouement; a surreal event is conjured from a banal everyday scene.

Claire Barclay’s installation Trappings was commissioned by NGS, who asked her to use her allotted space in an innovatory way but with reference to her previous work.  An enormous wooden frame acts as a kind of loom around which wool is strung or woven.  Barclay uses natural materials and looks at how these function in our everyday world; she aims to discomfort the viewers, to ask them to consider the seemingly familiar and question their perceptions; how well do we know these things? how do we relate to them?

Islanders, Charles Avery‘s project, describes a fictional island in drawing, sculpture, painting and text. The figures in Market Place are mysterious, they have strange, often angry, faces and are sometimes emaciated.  We try in vain to pin down a ‘real’ location – the buildings are modern, one labelled ‘Bargain Village’, but the scene is almost mediaeval. Untitled: view of the port at Onomatopoeia – which is over five metres wide – shows more of these enigmatic islanders alongside tourists arriving by boat.  Avery improvises as he works, drawing entirely from his imagination; if a narrative starts to emerge he follows it.  In Dilettantes he depicts some islanders hunting an enormous eel, watched by what appear to be visitors, one wearing startling yellow wellington boots.  We are irresistibly drawn in to the story and start to imagine our own narratives.

Some of Victoria Morton‘s works are vast, exuberantly coloured canvases; Morton is an active musician as well as an artist and is interested in the relationship between tonality and colour, in the ways that music and paintings can resonate on psychological and emotional levels. Her portrait of the late composer and electronic musician Daphne Oram, is especially striking.  Lucy McKenzie meanwhile works on themes of identity and trompe l’oeil.  Here she exhibits pieces from her project Quodlibet; pinboards and writing desks appear to be covered in everyday objects, but closer inspection reveals these to be paintings. She aims to blur the boundaries between art and life, to explore and question existing orthodoxies.

Film is not neglected in GENERATION: in 24 Hour Psycho, Douglas Gordon slows down Hitchcock’s film to make it run over twenty-four hours. He wants to show us the way that memory operates in the flow of our consciousness: in this work our knowledge of what is to come is frustrated as we anticipate the famous shower scene that never seems to arrive (although the NGS staff say they can calculate exactly when it will…) Gordon is interested in the complexities of the human mind and in schizophrenia. He has also added to the role call of names that we see as we climb the gallery stairs; it is a list of all the people Gordon has ever met, exploring memory and the idea that we are what we remember.

At the National Gallery of Scotland we climb the wide staircase to see Karla Black’s beautiful Story of Sensible Length, an ephemeral pink and white hanging commissioned as a response to the gallery’s neo-classical sculpture hall; the fabric seems almost to float in the still space. Black is interested in ‘the raw creative moment when art comes into being’ and in themes of childhood and play.  We move from this to the stunning monochome of David Shrigley’s room full of woodcuts and ceramic black boots.

Entering the late Steven Campbell’s On Form and Fiction (first shown at the Third Eye Centre in Glasgow) the visitor is immersed in colour, music and sepia drawings.   The  work creates ‘a claustrophobic, fictional world of bizarre happenings’ whilst by contrast Martin Boyce’s Our Love is Like the Flowers, the Rain, the Sea and the Hours (an installation first shown at Glasgow’s Tramway) is a sparse darkened area illuminated only by trees made from tubular lamps.  In this ghostly unnamed setting Boyce merges the natural and the constructed, the real and the imagined, and perhaps asks how art in public urban places is experienced by those who see it.

These are just some of the many impressive and challenging works in Edinburgh’s contribution to GENERATION.  In the city itself there will be more exhibits at the National Portrait Gallery, the City Art Centre, the Dovecot Studios and eight other venues.  Glasgow is hosting 21 exhibitions and other shows can be seen in galleries, studios and spaces from North Uist to Peebles and Thurso to Kircudbright. Note that whilst some exhibitions are running simultaneously with those at NGS, others will continue to open throughout the summer. There is a also a programme of talks and tours (most of them free) beginning in July. Full details of all exhibitions and events are on the GENERATION website.

GENERATION aims to increase public engagement with contemporary art. In a year in which its political future is set to be decided, GENERATION also shows the world that Scotland’s dynamic and inspiring art scene helps to place it at the heart of international culture.

Gallery uses new technology to show paintings in room settings

Urbane Art Gallery, on Edinburgh’s Jeffrey Street, has installed a new programme on its website which enables visitors to view their potential purchase in a number of room settings.

Thanks to Tangram, who supplied the furniture and interior shots for the effect, Urbane Art can now showcase their paintings to customers in real home situations as well as in the gallery.

Gallery Director Tracey Robertson said: ”A lot of people can’t imagine what a painting will look like when removed from the gallery and hung in a living room, so now we can show them that, which helps them to envisage it in their own home. I can show them when they are here in the gallery or they can do this themselves on our website by clicking on a painting they like and then clicking ’View in a room’. As far as I know there is no other gallery in Scotland which does this. Tangram are leading experts in contemporary furniture and interiors, and we are very grateful to them for supplying the interior images and furniture.”

Julian Darwell-Stone from Tangram said: ”We source and install contemporary furniture, lighting, rugs and blinds from leading European manufacturers, with the emphasis on design and aesthetic. We felt that Urbane Art Gallery, with its wonderful modern art collection, was the perfect partner to collaborate with, and we are very pleased to be associated with this initiative.”

Submitted by Rosemary Walker

Hearts today completed their fifth new signing in recent weeks as they prepare for the new season in the SPFL Championship. Former Turkish Under 21 defender Alim Ozturk has become the latest player to sign for Robbie Neilson’s team after leaving Trabzonspor in Turkey.

Ozturk, 22, who was born in the Netherlands but qualifies for Turkey through parentage, was previously with SC Cambuur in the Dutch League. He moved to Trabzonspor for a sizeable fee but things didn’t work out as planned and he spent some time playing in the reserve side.

Hearts Head Coach Robbie Neilson was delighted with his latest capture. He told the club’s website:- “Ozturk is a very good player. He was sold to Trabzonspor 18 months ago for quite a bit of money and was a big prospect for them.

He wants to get back playing and has taken a big gamble coming here as he has taken a big hit on his wages. I think the fans will really take to him. He is big, strong and athletic and is good on the ball, too. I think him and Danny Wilson will form a great partnership.

“We have been trailing him for a few weeks and didn’t think we had a chance of getting him but I’m delighted to have signed him and sometimes you just have to wait a little while to get players like him.”

Hearts have already signed former Hamilton Accies striker James Keatings, former Scotland goalkeeper Neil Alexander, striker Soufian El Hassnaoui and midfielder Morgaro Gomis as they prepare to joust with Rangers and Hibernian for promotion back to the top flight of Scottish football.

When the former church building in Stockbridge came up for sale earlier in the year a campaign to save it for the community did not manage to secure the building at the time. There has been ongoing speculation regarding the future of St Stephen’s Church in Stockbridge since then, but now a resolution has been reached which may be just as good for the community.

It is now confirmed that Edinburgh businessman, Leslie Benzies, has agreed to buy the property in a philanthropic gesture which will preserve the long-term use of the property as a local community venue.

Philip Johnston, spokesperson and consultant for Leslie Benzies, said: – “Mr Benzies has lived in the area for over ten years and recognised the building’s importance to the community.  This is an entirely philanthropic purchase, which will preserve the building for years to come and we are delighted to have concluded a deal that will ensure the long-term viability of the property as a community centre that benefits all.

“A charitable trust has been created by Mr Benzies to manage the community centre and its Board of Trustees will include representatives of the local community.

“Stockbridge is a busy residential area with a relatively small number of community venues. The preservation of St Stephen’s Church as a community centre meets a pressing need as well as protecting an important historical building, which is significant as it was designed by architect William Henry Playfair and has been hailed as one of the most important Georgian buildings in the area. We are delighted that we can help bring the Church back to its former glory securing its future whilst providing a renovated local and performing arts centre that will benefit the wider community.”

Philip Johnston concluded:- “My client looks forward to completing the sale imminently to secure the plans for the Church’s ongoing use. We will engage with the community as the plans progress and look forward to welcoming local residents and groups back to the Centre in the very near future.”

Edinburgh College has achieved the highest rating possible in its Education Scotland inspection report published today.

Education Scotland’s overarching judgement on the college is that “Edinburgh College has in place effective arrangements to maintain and enhance the quality of its provision and outcomes for students and other stakeholders.” This is the highest rating a college can achieve in the review process.

This means that “in relation to quality assurance and enhancement, the college is led well, has sufficiently robust arrangements to address any identified minor weaknesses, and is likely to continue to improve the quality of its services for students and other stakeholders.”

Principal Mandy Exley welcomed the report: “I am delighted that we achieved the top rating in our recent inspection. I know we have all worked extremely hard since merger to create a college that meets the needs of students and industry. This has been demonstrated by our students’ excellence and success, but it is also important to receive such a strong inspection report, highlighting success and innovation across the organisation.

“We will continue to work with our industry partners and our students’ association to build on this success and to deliver even more opportunities that are relevant to the economic needs of Edinburgh and Scotland.”

Her Majesty’s inspectors spent a full week at the college in late April and early May conducting in-depth research, observations and interviews with staff, students and stakeholders to test the quality of the learning experience.

Looking at strategic direction, the regional chair, board and principal are praised as “working well together to provide clear direction for the college’s development” with strategies and operational plans providing a clear and comprehensive basis for its future.

The report comments widely on many aspects of the college’s operations. The curriculum is described as meeting the needs of students and industry well, while the report notes that the college has extensive and highly successful strategic links with key partners within the region and further afield.

Dr Allan Colquhoun, university liaison and emerging technologies manager at Selex ES and chair of the newly launched Edinburgh College Development Trust, supports the college’s work with industry, commenting: “Edinburgh College should congratulate itself on a positive report. Although “effective” is the highest rating, this wording does not truly reflect the college’s achievements. Edinburgh College has delivered education in depth and breadth from schools to degree level that has resulted in most students moving on to employment or to other studies. The college successfully prepares students for work and supports business through apprenticeship and CPD programmes. It is clear that some of the good work done by the college has influenced the Wood Commission and will result in its good practice being shared across Scotland. The pioneering work on the Academies project, creating smooth pathways from school through college and onto university, will hopefully become the norm in the post-Wood landscape alongside the blending of academic and work-based learning as exemplified by the Graphic Design mentoring programme highlighted in the report.”

The inspectors recognised the college’s commitment to fully involving students at every level of decision making, noting that “the college works very effectively in partnership at a strategic level with Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA) and the student voice is influential at Board, College committee and campus level. The college has ensured that the student voice has been a major influence as it progressed through merger to become one institution and has pioneered an approach to student representation at a strategic level.”

Student achievement and success is strong, with 94% of students whose destinations are known progressing successfully to further study, apprenticeships or employment. The report goes on to state that successful completion rates on FE and HE full time programmes were above the national sector performance level, while within the subject areas of art and design, care, engineering, hospitality, land-based and sport and leisure, the levels of student success rank amongst the best in the sector.

As part of the report, the inspectors also highlight initiatives which are sector leading. They have singled out the college’s effective partnership working in setting up the South East Scotland Academies Partnership in conjunction with Queen Margaret University, employers and schools, a programme which benefits both students and employers.

Karen Prophet, education manager at the City of Edinburgh Council added: “The City of Edinburgh Council wish to acknowledge the positive partnership working through effective school college partnership provision which was recognised as innovative practice in today’s Education Scotland report on Edinburgh College. We look forward to developing our successful collaboration further to jointly deliver improved outcomes for young people. I’d like to congratulate Edinburgh College on this very positive inspection report.”

Links with industry are also key to another highlighted sector-leading initiative, the college’s innovative and imaginative industry mentoring programme for HND Visual Communication Graphic Design students. The design industry links integral to this programme have resulted in students winning prestigious national awards and high numbers going on to further study or directly to successful careers in the industry.

Police arrested  a 43-year-old man in East Lothian yesterday in connection with alleged offensive online tweets posted about First Minister Alex Salmond.

The man was detained in police custody and was expected to appear at Haddington Sheriff Court today,

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We can confirm that a 43-year-old man has been arrested and is presently detained in police custody in connection with allegedly posting offensive tweets.”

A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

The re-trial of World’s End murder suspect Angus Sinclair will take place at the High Court in Livingston on October 6.

The 69 year old is accused of murdering Helen Scott and Christine Eadie while acting along with his brother-in-law Gordon Hamilton, who is now deceased, in October 1977

Sinclair  appeared at Glasgow High Court yesterday  for a preliminary hearing. He denies the two charges against him of raping and murdering the Edinburgh teenagers who  were found dead after a night out at the World’s End pub in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Sinclair originally stood trial in 2007, but was acquitted after a judge ruled there was no case to answer, but earlier this year the Crown Office was granted authority to bring a fresh prosecution following an application under the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act allowing suspects found not guilty in court to face a new trial.

Sinclair will be the first person to be retried under these new laws.

Police Scotland officers in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was assaulted in Leith.

The 29-year-old was subjected to an unprovoked attack while walking south on the bridge crossing the Water of Leith at the north end of Great Junction Street.

He was punched and kicked by a group of three teenagers during the incident, which took place at around 3pm on Tuesday 17th June.

It is understood that members of the public intervened to stop the assault and Police Scotland are very keen to trace those people.

Police Constable Iona McWilliam said: “This was a terrifying and unprovoked attack on a man and enquiries are underway to identify the three men responsible.

“It took place in the middle of the afternoon and we would urge anyone who witnessed the event or who may know something that would help our investigation to come forward immediately.”

The first suspect is described as white, aged between 16 and18, of slim build, and wearing a grey hooded top and grey jogging bottoms.

The second man is also described as white, aged between 16 and 18, of slim build, wearing a grey hooded top and grey tracksuit bottoms, and he was carrying a black drawstring sports bag at the time.

The third suspect is described as white, aged between 16 and 18, and of slim build, and he was wearing a black top with a white Adidas logo on side.

Anyone with information on this incident can contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Hibernian Community Foundation have continued their association with local groups linked to the Global Citizenship Partnership with the donation of new ‘old-stock’ kit to the initiative.

DHEF encourages families and especially women of all ages and cultures and from every sector of society to reach their potential through formal and informal educational projects. DHEF has a Christian ethos and in its activities promotes respect for the individual, personal freedom, self-confidence and responsible attitudes in professional, private and public life.

For the past 5 years, the charity has organised visits to Kampala, Uganda where volunteers have built a local school and now teach local children.

This week, Edinburgh based biology student Anna Stevenson received some of the new old-stock kit which the team of 15 volunteers will take with them. Anna is sports co-ordinator for the trip, and the Hibernian supporter was delighted when the Foundation agreed to support her efforts.

Portobello High School – Jazz at the Botanics – Dads Rock – Marketing Edinburgh – Orchid Fair –  

The council’s private bill to allow a new school to be built in the park at Portobello was passed yesterday afternoon just before 5pm.

The promoter of the bill was Siobhan McMahon the Labour MSP for Central Scotland since parliamentary rules prevented the Edinburgh and Lothians MSPs to officially back the bill. Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale referred to this in her remarks:-“When we last met to discuss the bill, I expressed my frustration at the rules that preclude members who represent an area from participating in a private bill process that affects that area. I was worried that my colleagues would not understand the complex and long-standing community interest in the issue and that they would be cold to the arguments from both sides and simply go through the motions, without an affinity for the community in question.”

Ms McMahon concluded her introduction to the final stage of the bill process thus:-“In conclusion, the committee has spent over 12 months considering the issues pertaining to this divisive bill and is disappointed that there has not been a greater degree of constructive resolution and engagement between the parties. We acknowledge the objectors’ concerns on various fronts. For example, there will inevitably be adverse impacts due to noise and operational disturbance; there will be a visual impact from the construction of the building and some loss of views to Arthur’s Seat; and there are indeed health benefits to be derived from open space, which the park provides. However, the committee also recognises that compensatory and mitigation measures will be implemented as required by the planning process; that there are other green and open spaces in the vicinity; and that there will be other benefits to the community from the new sporting facilities.

Overall, we are satisfied that an appropriate balance has been struck between the private interests of those who would be adversely affected by the proposal and its benefits to the wider community.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees that the City of Edinburgh Council (Portobello Park) Bill be passed.”

Lothians MSP Gavin Brown said:-“The significant progress that has been made on a couple of items has encouraged me to make my up mind to vote in favour of the bill at decision time today. The first was the firm commitment that was given to designate the existing site as a new park or recreation facility and to give it Fields in Trust status. Although that is not a statutory provision, it provides a degree of safeguarding and weakens some of the arguments against the bill. Secondly, as was referred to earlier, the amendment in the name of Alison McInnes that was lodged at phase 2 of consideration stage restricts the situation somewhat. Effectively, the bill can do only what it says on the tin—it will not give any wider scope to the City of Edinburgh Council or to any other council. Those two points are quite important and they tip the balance in favour of our passing the bill.”

It is true to say that this has been a divisive matter in the local community and those on both sides have been passionate about their cause.  Those forming the group objecting to the site of the new school did not appear to be admitting defeat last night, but it is now clear that the new school will be built and open in time for the new school year in August 2016.

Alison Johnstone Lothians MSP said:-“As an Edinburgh councillor, I visited Portobello high school and was, frankly, appalled by the condition of the building. Learning and teaching in that poorly designed and poorly maintained building is needlessly challenging. If Portobello high school had been properly designed in the first place and had been allocated a meaningful life-cycle maintenance budget, we might not be here today. I know that those who oppose building on the park also whole-heartedly agree that Portobello needs a new school. Passions have run high in this debate because our parks and our schools are among our most precious and most important community assets, and the local community concerned cares deeply about those assets.”

The bill was passed in the nick of time as Holyrood is now in recess for six weeks.

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The Botanics are hosting a jazz evening in July, so if you’re a member or know someone who is, then you can still get some tickets for this event.

Join the Friends of RBGE for an evening in the magnificent Palm Houses. Sparkling wine and canapes will be served and live music provided by the Roger Cull Jazz Trio. Tickets are available to Members and their guests.

All funds raised will be directed to the Small Project Fund, which supports worthy Science and Horticulture projects across our four Gardens.

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Two new high profile, non-executive appointments have been announced at Marketing Edinburgh, further strengthening the organisation’s role in promoting the city as a world-leading investment and visitor capital.

Bill Percy, Customer Experience Manager at Virgin Money and Juliana Delaney, Chief Executive of Continuum Group (owners of award-winning attraction The Real Mary Queen’s Close) have joined the board at Marketing Edinburgh, adding experienced industry voices to the table, dedicated to the promotion of Scotland’s Capital.

The new non-executive appointments follow the announcement of Gordon Robertson, ‎Director of Communications at Edinburgh Airport, as Chair of Marketing Edinburgh in April 2014.

Bill Percy, Customer Experience Manager at Virgin Money said:-“Virgin Money has a strong base in Edinburgh and a long-standing association with some of its iconic events, such as The Fringe and of course the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert that brings the Edinburgh International Festival to its close. Joining the board at Marketing Edinburgh offers the chance for me to make a contribution to a city I’m passionate about and help shape the direction of its future as an investment capital in Europe.”

Juliana Delaney, Chief Executive of Continuum Group said:-“Leading attractions like The Real Mary King’s Close richly embody the heritage strand of the city, but Edinburgh has so much more to offer as a place to Live, Work, Invest, Study and Visit – so I’m thrilled to join Marketing Edinburgh and to help bring the city’s unique brand to the wider market place. Other cities aspire to reach the level of quality and richness Edinburgh already has, but as those cities are snapping at our heels, the job remains a challenging one!”

Gordon Robertson, Chair of Marketing Edinburgh, said:-“A significant objective of Marketing Edinburgh’s three year business strategy is to build private investment in the organisation through Edinburgh’s ‘corporate citizens’. These new appointments reinforce this goal, with two hugely experienced, high profile individuals – each able tap into their own respective industries while taking a proactive role in growing Edinburgh.”

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Also at the Botanics they are holding an orchid fair starting from today.

Taiwanese Orchid Fair Fri 27 June to Sun 20 July Come and see a stunning display of colourful and elegant orchids by the Taiwan Floriculture Exports Association. Weekend activities will include Chinese flower painting and orchid culture tips. Orchid Events: Plum Blossom Painting Demonstration – Sun 29 June Chinese Flower Painting & Face Painting – Sun 6 July Life in the Trees – Fri 11 July Tea Ceremony & Tea Tasting – Sun 13 July Click on the event to find out more.

FRIDAY 27  JUNE 2014

John McPake and the Sea Beggars: Edinburgh native Stuart Campbell launches his debut novel ‘an extraordinarily warm and humane exploration of psychosis.’  6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, 102 West Bow.  Free event but please book via eventbrite or by calling into the shop in advance.

Gallery Social: John Byrne. Join artists for relaxed guided tours for anyone affected by dementia, their friends, relatives and supporters.  Very informal  tours exploring highlights from the permanent collection or special exhibitions.  Tours begin with refreshments in the Learning Centre: meet at the Information Desk.  10.30am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street.  To book a place call 0131 624 6560

Katie Paterson: Ideas. Paterson’s work is cross-medium, multidisciplinary and conceptually driven with an emphasis on nature and cosmology. Ideas presents her most recent work as part of the nationwide project GENERATION.  10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday, from today until 27th September 2014 (also open 12 noon- 5pm on Sundays in August only), Ingleby Gallery, 15 Calton Road.

Jim Lambie: a solo exhibition of the work of Jim Lambie, one of Scotland’s most internationally significant artists known for visually compelling, generous and beguiling work which attracts both critical and popular acclaim.  Bringing together two decades of sculpture and installation, the exhibition is part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2014 and GENERATION.  Today until 19th October 2014, 11am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 12 noon – 5pm Sundays.  The Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street.

Lunchtime Concert: Dokko Long Beach Polytechnic High School Choir, California.  12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.

Georgian Edinburgh before the New Town: a lecture by James Simpson, a conservation architect in private practice in Edinburgh.  James co-founded the firm of Simpson and Brown, now one of the leading historic buildings practices in the UK.  2pm, City Art Centre, Market Street.  Free: for bookings and further information contact Margaret Findlay on 0131 529 3963 or email  margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk

Leith School of Art End of Year Exhibition: Leith School of Art offers full-time and part-time courses and a summer school.  This exhibition will showcase work by this year’s students.  10am-4pm, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street. Free. Also open Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June.

Orchid Fair at the Botanics: the Taiwan Floriculture Association leads the world in orchid culture. See their stunning, colourful and elegant display of the state of the art in orchid floriculture.  Special events, including painting demonstrations and a tea ceremony, will be held around this exhibition (see Sunday’s listing for the first one.) 10am-5,45pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway. Royal Botanic Garden.  Free, no booking required.  Exhibition ends 20th July 2014.

Afternoon Tea Club: 3.30pm, Fountainbridge Library, Dundee Street.

School’s Out for Summer! Summer crafts and games session.  Celebrate the start of the summer holidays at South Queensferry Library, 9 Shore Road, 2-4pm.

Lothian Labour MSP, Sarah Boyack, has welcomed new laws to help homeowners get on with common repairs to their property.

The provisions, passed yesterday evening as part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, will allow owners to ask the Council to pay a share of common repair work on behalf of missing or uncooperative owners.

The Council will then be able to recover the cost from the owner over a period of between 5 and 30 years although the owner can appeal the duration of the repayment period.

The new provisions will help to address delays to common repairs where a majority of owners are unable to proceed because of missing or uncooperative owners – a situation that has often left repairs incomplete or forced owners down the route of statutory repairs.

During the passage of the bill, Ms Boyack successfully moved amendments which could see similar powers provided to housing associations to help them take forward building repairs in properties where they have tenants.

Speaking following the passage of the Bill, Ms Boyack said: “Over the years I’ve handled a number of cases where efforts to take forward joint building repairs have been frustrated by one or two owners.

“Up to now, other owners have often been forced to club together to pay the missing share with little prospect of recovering their money due to the cost of court action.   The only alternative has been to leave repairs until the point where they become dangerous or approach the council for a statutory repair. 

“The city is still dealing with the legacy of the statutory repairs scandal and while the Council continues to develop a new scheme, we need to find ways to support homeowners to get on with repairs themselves.

“These new provisions will allow owners to ask the Council to step in with a guarantee that they will be able to recover their costs.   This is a big step forward and it is important that the new measures are implemented as soon as possible.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government accepted my argument to potentially extend these powers to housing associations and will be lobbying Ministers to take the issue forward.

“In Edinburgh, I know of associations that have been forced to sell properties as they can’t afford necessary repairs.  Not only does this reduce the availability of social housing, where provision is already a major concern, it also reduces the money available to associations to provide services to their tenants.

“Every homeowner has a responsibility to maintain their home to a safe standard and the provisions in the Housing Bill will hopefully make it easier for owners to work together on repairs.”

Photo Jon Davey Photography

Hibs formally introduced new Head Coach Alan Stubbs to the media today at the club’s training centre in East Lothian and the former Celtic defender has asked the supporters to help make Easter Road an intimidating place for visiting teams.

Stubbs said: “We’re all in it together and it’s vital that we’re all pulling in the same direction.

“It’s going to be an exciting season and I want the fans to be our extra man – it’s as simple as that.

“I remember coming to Easter Road and seeing how passionate and vocal the fans can be.

“It can be an intimidating place for away teams to play and I want that to come back and I want our players to enjoy playing at Easter Road again.”

Stubbs stresses he is keen for his Hibernian team to produce an attractive brand of football, but says his primary objective is simple – to win matches.

He added: “My philosophy first and foremost is that I want to win games of football.

“I don’t want to be in a position where I’m talking about philosophies, style of play and everything, but we’re not winning games.

“At 4.45pm on a Saturday afternoon, supporters want to be going away from the ground with a winning feeling and secondly talking about the players and how well they played.

“I want to give them a spring in their step again – I think that’s important.”

Police Scotland, Tayside Division is appealing for information that could help trace the whereabouts of 27 year old Lynton Frazer, who was last seen in the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh on Wednesday 25 June.

Lynton had been staying in Brechin and is known to travel extensively.

He is described as being five feet nine inches tall, of slim build with short-brown coloured hair.

When last seen Lynton was wearing a blue-coloured hooded top and blue-coloured tracksuit bottoms with white-coloured stripes down each side.

Anyone who knows where Lynton is or who has information that could assist Tayside Division in tracing him should call 101 or speak to any police officer

Police Scotland is appealing for information that could help to trace the whereabouts of 47-year-old absconder Kenneth Tait. He was last seen in the Craigleith Retail Park in Edinburgh at 7pm on Wednesday 25 June 2014.

Kenneth is six feet three inches tall, of thin build, with short thinning grey-coloured hair with fair complexion. He is believed to be wearing a red-coloured jacket.

Anyone who has seen Kenneth or who has information as to where he is now should contact Police Scotland on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Fancy somewhere to have a coffee where there is no problem with parking and there is free wifi?

300 Edinburgh coffee drinkers were today rewarded with a complimentary stylish reusable Bert’s Coffee Mug when Edinburgh’s award winning Corn Exchange opened its doors of new venture – Bert’s Coffee Bar.

The idea for the coffee bar came about after numerous and repeated requests from clients, local businesses and friends of the Corn Exchange who wanted somewhere they could get a high quality barista style coffee experience.

The Corn Exchange is a family run business and “Bert’s” is named after second generation Bert Demarco who is renowned for his love of quality coffee.

Scott Snedden, Venue Manager commented:- “After a significant financial investment and many months of planning, training, and hours of coffee and cake tasting we are delighted that Bert’s Coffee Bar is now open for business.  The aim is to offer a consistently high quality Barista experience for our customers old and new.  Having retained all the original features of the listed building, the atmosphere is stylish and welcoming at the same time family and business friendly.  Offering free Wi-Fi has also meant that on day one we already have several hundred social media followers. “

The coffee bar, the first of its kind in the Slateford area of the city is located within the stylish grade 1 listed original part of the Corn Exchange on Newmarket Road, Edinburgh.  It offers just over 50 seats, and during the warmer summer months for those who prefer their coffee al fresco there will be tables located outside the main entrance.

Hibs have announced a significant six-figure partnership deal with Marathonbet, which will see the global bookmakers become the Club’s new Main Sponsor.

The initial two-year agreement begins ahead of the 2014/15 season and includes an option to extend to a third year.

The Marathonbet logo will adorn the front of Hibernian’s home and away shirts plus the new sponsors will also operate in-stadia betting at Easter Road Stadium from the start of next season.

Established in 1997, Marathonbet is the sportsbook of choice for more than 1.5 million players across more than 185 countries.

Hibernian Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “We are delighted to welcome Marathonbet as our new Main Sponsor and we are excited about how our mutually beneficial partnership will develop moving forward.

“Marathonbet are an ambitious company who are aiming to grow substantially over the next few years – Hibernian shares similar goals and we’re confident the two brands will work well together as a team.

“Today’s launch sees the beginning of another new chapter for Hibernian and another fresh addition to the club as we look towards the start of the upcoming season.”

Marathonbet CEO Graham Luke said of the new partnership: “Hibernian Football Club present a unique opportunity for Marathonbet to launch its association with Scottish football. Hibs is a club famed for its history and its loyal and ardent fanbase.

“We join the club at a time of rebuilding that also sees the introduction of a new Chief Executive and Head Coach and these appointments underline the ambition of the club going forward.

“These ambitions echo our own as we look to grow and expand into new territories and this agreement is a key vehicle in broadening the awareness of our brand and helping us reach our strategic goals.”

A regeneration project in North Edinburgh is getting underway this week and some Craigroyston pupils were on hand to help start things off.

A total of 719 high quality private and affordable homes will be built as part of the Muirhouse and Pennywell area master plan. The first phase is due to commence on the site of the former Craigroyston High School on Pennywell Road.

The Council has committed over £42m to the project which is levering in a substantial amount of private investment to the area.

With 60 new jobs and apprenticeships and 180 placement opportunities available, the local community is set to feel the benefits.

Pupils from Craigroyston Primary joined the City of Edinburgh Council’s Housing Leader, Cllr Cammy Day, and directors from site developer Urban Union to officially mark the start of the work.

The Pennywell development will be delivered by the Council’s 21st Century Homes programme and will lead to 356 homes becoming available for social and mid-market rent over the next six years. Urban Union will sell the remaining 363 homes privately. Delivered in four phases, the first phase will lead to 193 homes, of which 108 will be for the Council, being built by the end of 2016.

The project will also deliver a number of community benefits, including jobs and training through apprenticeships and work placements.

An Arts Strategy for the regeneration is being developed and Urban Union recently appointed North Edinburgh Arts to take this forward. Other plans for the area include a play area, park, a community garden and landscaping.

Cllr Day said: “Residents will be delighted to see the start of work on the initial part of this project, which will breathe new life into the north of the city.

“Quality housing and access to jobs are major steps in tackling poverty, and working in partnership with companies such as Urban Union, NHS Lothian and local community groups will help to improve the future health and wellbeing of locals, as well as attract people to the area.

“The creation of training and job opportunities as well as new high quality affordable homes and investment in the area will support the local community and the economy.

“This will help to meet the high demand for homes in Edinburgh and create a sustainable neighbourhood in partnership with the local community.”

Janice Russell, Director of Urban Union, said: “We are now looking forward to moving on site and progressing with one of Scotland’s largest and most significant homes-led regeneration projects.

“As well as homes, the Pennywell project is also set to deliver a huge range of benefits – including apprenticeships and construction jobs as well as an innovative artworks strategy which will all deliver wider opportunities for the local community.

“Most importantly, we now want to build on the high level of community engagement which has already taken place in the development of the masterplan for the area. There will be opportunities for the community to be involved in finalising the plans for public spaces as well creating a range of community enterprises and partnership working.

“Our track record in Scotland shows we are 100% committed to community engagement and we look forward to developing strong local partnerships which will form the cornerstone of our development street.”

Roy Douglas, chairperson of the Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council, said: “The local community will be really happy to see that the work on this major project is starting. The development is a vital step forward in the regeneration of this area and will bring vital jobs and low-cost housing.”