Don’t Disturb the Driver, theSpace, 12 to 24 August (except 18) 6:10pm, £10/8 (£8/6 concessions)

Velvet Trumpet presents the world premiere of this intimate Welsh comedy exploring the difficulties of finding fulfilment with life behind the wheel.

Set in a Welsh bus station, the story unfolds on the morning of the big drive with Will trying to reconcile this career milestone with the lack of achievement in his personal life. Bombarded by the absurd enthusiasm of hapless coach inspector Clive and the indifference of everyone else, Will struggles to keep his real feelings in check and get through the day.

The play is written by Thomas Jones and Nikolai Ribnikov. Along with production manager Samuel Gregory, these three Welsh exiles formed Velvet Trumpet in 2012 in South London. With an eye for finding comedy in the seemingly most mundane of settings, Jones & Ribnikov relish delving into the humour and pathos of unexplored occupations and unexamined lives.

Their offbeat approach to storytelling is mirrored by the company’s inventive fundraising efforts. Jones and Ribnikov walked 200 miles from London to Swansea in December to raise money for their play. As if the physical challenge wasn’t enough, they decided to document the walk in character through video diaries in order to showcase more of their comedic writing.

This dramatically dark play about the 1960s criminal Glaswegian underworld takes us on an emotional rollercoaster right into the heart of the Gorbals. Here, we witness intimately the convicted murderer Jimmy Boyle’s life and the gangsters who will do whatever it takes, including murder.

A preview of the upcoming Fringe show was put on last week by In Your face Theatre and directed by Craig Boyle, who took the place of the original director Christopher Rybank, at the last minute, with Rybank taking the lead role of Johnny Byrne.  The venue The Wee Red Bar perfectly suits its rough charm.

Based on the life story of notorious criminal Jimmy Boyle, it was co-written by Boyle alongside playwright Tom McGrath and performed at the Traverse in 1977, while he was serving time in Barlinnie Prison following a conviction for murder.  The prison’s rehabilitation program helped him find his creativity and turn his life around. Boyle has become a successful novelist and artist since his release. The play raises wider issues concerning atonement, reform of prisoners, their rehabilitation and redemption, and of justice.  These are considered to be important themes because rehabilitation programs remain controversial.

The intimate atmosphere comes from the set at The Wee Red Bar, whose artfully dingy decor with red painted walls  with theatre flyers pasted all over them, and the industrial, exposed  ceiling, enables you to relate to a grotty and seedy Glasgow.

The lack of a raised stage and low lighting emphasises informality and intimacy, with the closeness of the audience to the young performers whose energy and heat envelope you, and which it seems, you can reach out to touch. Their passionate performances in the centre of the floor, with the audience of about 60 gathered around its edges, and the use of the audience’s entrances and exits to the room create a believable two hours, where you feel yourself  a part of the performance.  Here you are present with them in the Gorbals, feeling what they feel and getting inside their minds. This intimacy lends to a sympathy for their actions, as their circumstances and motivations unfold.

The strong Glasgow accents and costumes of the young cast, clearly pointed to the rough lower-class of the characters, and the clothes placed them in the recent past. Johny’s  girlfriend Carole (Jessica Innes) in a white top, a high blonde ponytail and pastel pink lipstick was contrasted by the dowdy whitish Mac worn by Didi, the local gossip.

The play begins with Johnny living with his mother (Heather Hardcastle) in Glasgow’s rough Gorbals. We see him from the age of 14 as, over the next few years he gets involved in criminal activities escalating in their seriousness. We learn that this started at the age of 5 when he stole chocolate and broke into bubblegum machines.

Johnny and his gang get involved with Big Danny (Gavin McQueen) and his gang into selling masses of stolen goods, and also get involved in violence, when Didi (Christie Brown) enters with news of a murdered Spanish man.  Johnny barks at her:- ‘You saw nothing, we’re in this together’. When he asks his mother for money for the cinema, she tells him she doesn’t want the police at the door in the morning. She ends with typical motherly affection:- ‘He’s a good boy, it’s the company he keeps’.

The extent of the violence is shown throughout the play, as all sorts of props which were used in these violent acts,  batons, a screwdriver, beer bottles, a huge machete are brought forth.

The second act consists of Johnny in prison, locked in a wooden cage, as he tries to get at his captors. He is suffering, and is being beaten and bullied by the police, with Paisley (Sam Lennox) as the ringleader. Johnny ends up with his face covered in red blood and is restrained by a straightjacket for days; a ghastly sight. Paisley  spits into his food.  This scene of injustice makes Johnny even more determined that he will not break, despite what they try to do to him.

Compared to the second act, the first was overwhelming, with its strong characters, flashing lights and extreme behaviour, but not claustrophobically so.  It was essential to concentrate fully so as not to lose the thread, as the scenes changed fast and in the low lights the male characters were initially difficult to define, perhaps due to the lack of variety in their costumes. The second scene was the opposite of the first; this was pared down with fewer characters involved. This resulted in Johnny’s brutal treatment by the police being accentuated in the audience’s mind.

In this brutality,  we see the system, and its injustices, embodied by the authority of  policeman Paisley, and we realise that more than cheap thrills, we’ve  come to grips with the characters in a more sensitive and human way, and we have come to understand Johnny’s fragility and powerlessness.

This points to the underlying causes of the extreme behaviour, and adds dimension to his character. There is also some indication of his struggle to survive outside the law, which was just not on his side. This led to him becoming the Hard man, to the dead-end of murder, and of  prison.

Writer Jimmy Boyle  was given another chance with the help of the renowned Barlinnie rehabilitation programme and his dead end cast aside as he began to live in a new way.

This all provides a very positive message for today’s society which often demonises prisoners as causes and scapegoats for its ills.

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Police Scotland is appealing for information to help trace a man who has gone missing in Edinburgh. Stuart Ferguson was last seen at around 8.55am today as he left the Western General Hospital via the Craigleithhill Crescent. Since then the 47-year-old has not been seen or heard from and concern is growing for his wellbeing.

Stuart is described as white, average height and build with short brown but greying hair that is receding on top. He was last wearing a red and grey chequered shirt with dark grey bottoms and black crop shoes. He is well spoken and speaks with a Scottish accent.

In addition to a thyroid condition, which makes Stuart’s eyes appear bulging, he also lives with diabetes and so may appear slightly confused if he has not had a regular insulin injection.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: Stuart had no money on him when he went missing, nor did he have access to transportation and so we are conducting local enquiries to trace him.

“His health may suffer if he does not receive his insulin at regular intervals and so we are keen to locate him as soon as possible.

“Anyone who believes they have seen Stuart since this morning, or who has information that can assist our investigation is asked to contact police immediately on 101.”

It’s the time of year when many people prefer to to head to the beach and maybe indulge in some holiday nostalgia, but not everyone will share your happy memories.

Three Yorkshire artists are at the Union Gallery to let you know exactly what they think in a raw and uncompromising fashion.

Trystan Davies for The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to Norrie Harman, Robin Goodall and Natalie Liddle of studio and gallery Corner 165 about ‘Fun Park’.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROdQfwj5DJM]

Contributed article

Carbon emission is one of the most discussed topics in modern aviation. Many believe it to be the reason of global warming. It’s possible that one day, we will face a world with limited fresh water supplies and many extinct animals. We all need to do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint.

JetRadar.co.uk, which is an online travel search engine, presents eco-friendly way to fly. Meet ECO Rank, our brand new search filter. Now, JetRadar not only compares airline prices, but airline cleanliness as well.

It’s ICAO approach in identifying UK’s cleanest airlines. Our comparisons are based on individual aviation emissions, traffic forecasts and the range of aircraft types.

The UK’s Cleanest Airlines
1. Virgin Atlantic 60.3 CO2 g/km per passenger
2. Thomson Airways 67.54 CO2 g/km per passenger
3. Thomas Cook Airlines 69.79 CO2 g/km per passenger 4. Monarch Airlines 70.17 CO2 g/km per passenger
5. British Airlines 71.06 CO2 g/km per passenger
6. Jet2.com 86.09 CO2 g/km per passenger
7. easyJet 100.92 CO2 g/km per passenger
8. flybe 146.30 CO2 g/km per passenger
9. bmi regional 174.49 CO2 g/km per passenger

Interesting Fact: easyJet, a popular UK air carrier, is not listed in TOP 5. It’s CO2 emission per passenger is 100.92 which is 67.36% more than Virgin’s emission.

Another Fact: British Airways is #82 on the worldwide chart of cleanliness. Emirates Airlines is the cleanest global airlines.

Search eco-friendly flights with JetRadar.co.uk. Use ECO Rank to help you

find the cleanest flight. Now everyone can fly clean.

Submitted by Yanis Dzenis

Following proposals aired earlier this year to establish the pedestrian zone in part of George Street in the same way as last year, which did not entirely meet with approval from businesses along the city centre thoroughfare, a new scheme has now been approved.

New and revised plans to create a Festival hub along the entire length of Edinburgh’s George Street have been agreed – to the delight of city centre businesses.

Edinburgh Canal Festival – Big Read at Ocean Terminal – Lothian Buses Family DAYTicket – Zoo news – Edinburgh Castle wants you to vote for them

The Edinburgh Canal Festival takes place today. If you want to catch the action then head for Cargo at Lochrin Basin around 12 to see the Lord Provost arrive on a boat with Richard Demarco. The pair will then officially declare the festival open and you can expect a variety of events and activities including:-

water-based: raft race | free boat trips | canoe polo | water walkers
wee boat flotilla | canoe taster sessions | international rescue display

land-based: stalls | bike assault course | bouncy castle
face painting | under 5s area | inflatable pole jousting | art exhibition
chair-o-planes | hands on science tent

music & dance: Little Love and The Friendly Vibes | Spells Tower | The Ringos Matthew T Hicks | Lara’s Belly Dancers | Wounded Knee | The Gorms
Tollcross Drummers | Piper Hamish Moore

history of the canal: visual timeline of the area’s history:
contribute on the day by sharing your story

grove community garden open day: gardening workshops, massage, traditional music, garden tours and treasure hunt

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Lothian Buses are launching their Family Day Ticket from tomorrow. This will allow 5 of you to travel for £7.50.

More information on the Lothian Buses website where they explain the fare:-

From 7 July we will be trialling a Family DAYticket on Sundays allowing families of up to 2 adults and 3 children to travel on our day service buses all day for only £7.50. A saving of up to 42%.
Think of the fun you could have and the places you could go!

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This month visitors to Edinburgh Zoo will have the opportunity to get hands on and learn more about some of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s key conservation projects with the RZSS Conservation in Action exhibition. Launching Monday 8^th July and running until Friday 19^th July, the exhibition will feature four in-situ conservation projects, both at home and abroad: The Scottish Beaver Trial, Highland Tiger project, Budongo Conservation Field Station in Uganda and the Pantanal Conservation and Research Initiative.

Free with zoo admission, the exhibition will include information explaining the story behind each conservation project as well as activities for all ages that will provide people with the opportunity to experience some of the crucial work that goes into each of the featured conservation field projects. Visitors will be able to see if they can distinguish between a Scottish wildcat and a feral cat, utilising the same identification markers used by field scientists or they can have a go at dam building, like a beaver. They will also be challenged to identify the Zoo’s oldest chimpanzee, Cindy, as a researcher would identify a particular chimp in the Budongo Forest as well as guess the animal tracks found in the Pantanal wetland.

Polly Phillpot, Senior Education Officer at Edinburgh Zoo said:- “The RZSS Conservation in Action exhibition will allow visitors both young and old to find out more about some of the important conservation work the Society is involved in around the world. Each of these four projects involves innovative science and research and we hope that this exhibition will increase awareness and help educate our visitors about the importance of global conservation projects. Located at the Budongo Lecture Theatre, there will be colouring in stations, informative videos about each project, feely boxes and more, all explaining how in situ conservation projects work.”

Highland Tiger

Started in 2008, the Highland Tiger project focussed research efforts in the Cairngorms National Park, which included monitoring the population of the Scottish wildcat within the area, assessing the effects of hybridisation and disease as well as working with land managers and cat welfare organisations. This part of the project finished in 2012 but the work of Highland Tiger has continued, with successful techniques developed in the Cairngorms to be rolled out across other parts of Scotland to help us to build a better picture of these animals in the wild. This information will help in developing a management strategy for the Scottish wildcat. Other work includes working on genetic tests and developing a new captive breeding programme.

Scottish Beaver Trial

The Scottish Beaver Trial started in 2009 and is the first official mammal reintroduction project of its kind in Britain. Beavers were once a native species to the UK until they were hunted to extinction in the 16^th Century and as part of the Trial four beaver families were reintroduced back into a trial site located in Knapdale forest, mid-Argyll. This ground-breaking five year scientific study will explore how beavers can enhance and restore natural environments. It will also help determine whether or not the reintroduction of beavers in Scotland is feasible and beneficial to nature conservation as well as assess the impact beavers’ activities have on the local environment.

Pantanal Conservation and Research Initiative

Found in Brazil, the Pantanal is the world’s largest freshwater wetland and in recent years it has become increasingly threatened by large development programmes and changes in land management practices. Since 2005, the RZSS Pantanal Conservation and Research Initiative has been conducting scientific research to create, implement and evaluate conservation actions and sustainable land management strategies. Results from the Initiative are used to promote conservation throughout Brazil and the rest of the world.

Budongo Conservation Field Station

The Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) in Uganda combines research and conservation to ensure sustainable management and utilization of the Budongo Forest Reserve as a model for tropical rainforest management. The main focus of much of the research at BCFS has been the conservation and study of the habituated group of chimpanzees.  Activities are now broadening to encompass other species, and to use this information to support policy development, conservation action and sustainable resource management. RZSS has been core funding the Budongo Conservation Field Station since 2005.

More information about the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s conservation projects can be found at http://www.rzss.org.uk/conservation-programmes

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Edinburgh Castle want you to vote for them so that they can be the UK’s best Heritage attraction again this year.

The castle is home to the National War Museum where the current exhibition is Arctic Convoys 1941-45. The exhibition runs from 24 May 2013 – March 2014 and it is free with admission to Edinburgh Castle.

Sailing from Scotland, Iceland and North America to ports in northern Russian, the Arctic convoys carried vital supplies to the Russian allies. As well as facing the constant possibility of attack from German U boats, the men who sailed on these ships faced some of the toughest conditions of the war: freezing cold, storms and treacherous fog. Thousands of British merchant and naval seamen lost their lives in this operation. Through photographs, letters, interviews and personal possessions, this exhibition tells the story of the courage and determination of these wartime heroes.

Pleasance Below, Pleasance Courtyard Wednesday 31 July – Monday 26 August 2013 (Not Monday 12) @ 3.25pm Tickets: Range from £8 – £11 (Previews – £6.50)

On an isolated industrial compound in a distant land, three men lie, cheat and abuse one another in this hilariously dark and absurd play about the pettiness of men at work…

Ham-on-Why proudly presents the UK premiere of Below the Belt, by Richard Dresser.

Set in the intensely bureaucratic world of an isolated industrial compound in the desert of a distant land, where unseen creatures prowl the fences outside, the play follows the arrival of eager newcomer Dobbitt, his tortured colleague Hanrahan and their calculating boss Merkin, as they lie and cheat one another to vie for status, friendship and escape.

Starring Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee Mike Wozniak, Tom Golding (Anna & Katy, The Ministry of Curious Stuff, Dr. Who) and Chortle Award nominee Graham Dickson (Austentatious). Directed by Hamish MacDougall.

Below the Belt is by Richard Dresser – a prolific and popular contemporary playwright from the United States. The play premiered at the Humana Festival in 1995 followed in 1996 by an Off Broadway production, named by the Wall Street Journal as the “best new American play of the season.”

Cast: Mike Wozniak: Mike is a renowned stand-up comedian who has been nominated for an Edinburgh comedy award and won the Time Out Comedy Newcomer award. On TV he has appeared in ‘The Kevin Eldon Show’, ‘Dawson Brothers Funtime’ and is about to star in the new sitcom by Greg Davies (all BBC). In theatre Mike recently appeared in ‘Celebrity Night At Cafe Red’ (Trafalgar Studios)Tom Golding: Theatre includes ‘Rozencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead’ (Chichester Festival Theatre/ Theatre Royal Haymarket) ‘Too Small To Be A Planet’ (Company Of Angels) ‘Year 10’ (BAC/ Tour of France) ‘Future Me’ (UK Tour). Also a renowned comedy performer his TV credits include, ‘The Cariad Lloyd Show’, ‘Ministry Of Curious Stuff’, ‘Dr. Who’ (BBC), ‘Anna and Katy’ (Channel 4) Graham Dickson: Graham is a co-founder of ‘Austentatious’, who are returning to Edinburgh after their hugely successful run in 2012 (HHHHH Chortle, The Skinny, EdFestMagazine). His Theatre credits include ‘The Pride’ (BeMe Theatre, Munich) ‘The Messiah’ (Dalston Bunker) ‘The Lights’ (Spring Warehouse Vauxhall) ‘She Stoops To Conquer’ (Hoxton Hall). TV credits include the upcoming ‘Anti-Social Network’ (Channel 4)

Creative Team; Hamish MacDougall (Director): Hamish is an Associate Director of Omnibus and The Kings Head Theatre. He is also an Associate Artist of The National Youth Theatre. Directing includes the world premiere of ‘I Never Get Dressed Till After Dark On Sundays’ by Tennessee Williams, ‘The Under Room’ by Edward Bond (Cock Tavern Theatre) ‘The Lights’ by Howard Korder (Spring Warehouse, Vauxhall) ‘The 24 Hour Plays’, ‘Shuffling Off’ by Gregory Skulknick (Old Vic New Voices) ‘Happiness’ by Murray Watts (Kings Head Theatre). Assistant Directing includes ‘The Master And Margarita’ (Complicite/Barbican) ‘Celebrity 24 Hour Plays’ (Old Vic Theatre) ‘The House Of Cards’ (Coney/Kensington Palace)Holly Pigott (Designer): Holly is currently the Resident Assistant Designer at the RSC. Her design credits include ‘The Prophet’ (Gate Theatre) ‘Sex With A Stranger’ (Trafalgar Studios) ‘Lean’ (Tristam Bates Theatre) ‘Sound Of A Voice/Hotel Dreams’ (Grimeborne/Arcola Theatre) ‘Hitchcock Blonde’ (Royal Welsh). Holly will design ‘The Island’ the JMK winning show at The Young Vic and Dry Writes new show in Edinburgh. Max Pappenheim (Sound Designer): Composing and Sound Design Credits include, ‘Being Tommy Cooper’ (UK Tour) ‘The Hospital At The Time Of The Revolution’, ‘I Didn’t Always Live Here’, ‘Facts’, ‘Somersaults’, ‘Hindle Wakes’, ‘The Barrow Hill’ (Finborough Theatre) ‘Word Play’ (Bolton Octogan) ‘Feathers In The Snow’ (Southwark Playhouse) Jonathan Monkhouse (Lighting Designer): Lighting & Design credits include ‘Sara Pascoe: The Musical’ (Edinburgh, Assembly Rooms), ‘The Freewheeling Cariad Lloyd’ (Edinburgh, Pleasance), ‘Austentatious’ & ‘Showstopper: The Improvised Musical’ Zoe Robinson (Producer): Winner of the Methuen Emerging Producers Award 2011. Zoe has produced ‘The Overcoat’ (UK Tour) ‘Believers Anonymous’ (Rosemary Branch) ‘Lean’ (Tristan Bates Theatre) ‘The Messiah’ (Dalston Bunker)Graham Dickson (Producer): Graham is the founder of Ham-on-Why. This is the company’s debut production.

Venue: Bar 50, (Within Smart City Hostels) Venue 151 Dates: 2-4, 6-11, 15-18, 20-25 Time: 23:00 (50 min)

Eric Hutton wants to show you his favourite songs. He started doing stand-up in his home town of Australiaville at the age of 20 and has been on TV and radio and all that kind of business.

But now he is tired of talking so much. Over his time at festivals he has performed odes to and renditions of his favourite obscure musical outings from around the globe. Starting as a pressure release in late night rooms and showcases after weeks of relentless gigs, this odd practice struck a chord with malnourished and fatigued drunkards throughout the afterhour’s festival landscape. Now it has been streamlined, had some things welded to its sides and is ready to be viewed by other people.

This show ploughs through genres as diverse as ‘Nature Metal’, straight out of Denmark, to avian based slam poetry from the heart of New York City. It swoops from the airy buzz of ‘Ponce rock’ to the crushing, Deutsche technical precision of ‘Kybernetisches der menshen’.

Eric, who has been performing and writing music since he was 15, hopes to bring something unique to the world of musical comedy. No instrument, no loop pedals and, for the most part, no backing tracks; this raw homage to the strangeness of global music will keep giving it to you until you are literally begging it to please stop.

Venue: Pleasance Dome Venue 23. Dates: 31 Jul – 24 Aug (not 13) Time: 16.20 (ends 17.20) Tickets: £11 – £8 (previews 31 Jul, 1, 2 Aug £6)

Following the TV success of Mr Selfridge and The Paradise, quirky shops are big in 2013. This new show from the creators of Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin is told with humour, intimacy and charm using Maison Foo’s inventively charming visual blend of storytelling, puppetry and live music. A modern day fairy-tale for grownups inspired by ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’ and set in a high street store nestling somewhere between House of Fraser and Selfridges, a desperate darkly comic tale of necessity versus greed.

Maison Foo present Pendulums Bargain Emporium ‘the high street store that offers more than you bargained for’ new show from acclaimed ‘Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin’ hitmakers

Brought to you by the creators of Edinburgh 2010 sell out smash hit ‘Memoirs of a Biscuit Tin’, Maison Foo entices you to join them on a darkly comic and shameless shopping experience like no other.

Inspired by ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’, Pendulums Bargain Emporium is set in a modern high street store located somewhere between House of Fraser and Selfridges. This desperate tale of necessity versus greed, touches on themes such as consumerism but is told with humour, intimacy and charm using Maison Foo’s trademark inventive blend of storytelling, puppetry and live music, raising the question ‘what lengths do we go to, to make ourselves happy?’

Maison Foo have created another highly engaging, innovative and thought-provoking piece of theatre, taking the audience on a memorable trip through the darker sides of the retail industry, via some wonderfully humorous satire. The story focuses on the greedy wife of an artisan shoemaker, who has built her empire out of the shoemaker’s desperate and desolate last piece of leather. But in an empire full of merchandise that claim to bring happiness, can the wife ever truly be happy herself?

Pendulums Bargain Emporium is where happiness and success are seemingly just one simple transaction away.

Maison Foo first came to national attention with their highly acclaimed sell out show Memoirs Of A Biscuit Tin at the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They also took the show on an extensive UK tour through autumn 2011 and spring 2012 to further critical acclaim and sold out notices.

Maison Foo has been tickling audience’s imaginations since 2007 with their trademark mischievous new theatre incorporating an enchanting mix of visual/physical theatre, puppetry, object manipulation and clowning. This exciting East Midlands based company charmingly challenge audiences by devising intriguing and inventive high quality theatre.

Pendulums Bargain Emporium was commissioned by Derby Theatre, LOV and Déda and has been supported by Hatch and The Castle Wellingborough. The show is also supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. It is suitable for ages 12+

Venue: Hunt & Darton Cafe (Venue 172) Dates: 2-25 Aug (not 5, 12, 19) 19:30 (ends 20:30) Tickets: £5 (preview 2 Aug £2.50)

The hidden links between the fall of communism, contemporary art and an old Triumph Herald

Artist Chris Dobrowolski’s talent for storytelling has previously charmed audiences with Landscape, Seascape, Skyscape, Escape! aboard Dr Roberts’ Magic Bus and Poland 3 Iraq 2 with 30Bird.

‘All Roads Lead To Rome is the story of his beloved Triumph Herald, its restoration and Chris’ subsequent trip to Rome in the car to visit the place where it was designed.

All Roads Lead to Rome is inspired by his father’s experience as a Polish soldier in Italy in the final months of the Second World War. In the style of a performance lecture, it brings together story-telling, film, still images and sculpture to tell a story about his recent road trip, Cold War politics, the rise of consumerism, car mechanics, contemporary art and classical civilisation.

In 1959, Soviet President Khrushchev met US Vice President Nixon in a mock-up of a modern American kitchen. Presented with the latest modern kitchen gadgets, Khrushchev dismissed them as ‘gimmicks’. He announced that the communist system would channel resources into things that were more fundamental to life and produce a more egalitarian society. When communism collapsed and the Cold War ended, it was arguably partly because of this decision as people rejected a society that promised equality in favour of a culture that gave them gimmicks.

Artist Chris Dobowolski has spent a year repairing his ancient but beloved Triumph Herald. Inherited from his father and purchased just before he was born, the car is a testament to “make do and mend”, the antithesis of modern consumerism. Chris says ‘Growing up during the Cold War, my family’s ultimate consumer purchase was the first and only time my father bought a new car. It was a Triumph Herald; coincidentally designed in 1959.The car is of great personal significance because my father bought it when my mother found out she was pregnant with her second child – me. Quintessentially English, the car was actually designed by an Italian in Turin.

Chris’ background is as a sculptor but contemporary art maker would be a more accurate description of what he does. He has made several, very home made, “knocked up in the garden shed” vehicles from recycled materials, starting with a boat made from driftwood and culminating with an aeroplane made from tea chests and newspaper.

All Roads Lead To Rome has been selected for Escalator East To Edinburgh. Each year Escalator, East to Edinburgh helps artists and arts organisations to raise their profile and perform to new audiences as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Contributed article

Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe comes to the Fringe this August in a new play at Assembly .

’The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe’, written and directed by Elton Townend Jones, is the latest work from Dyad Productions, a company with a run of proven 5-star Fringe successes under its belt with ’Austen’s Women’ (2009), ’I, Elizabeth’ (2010), ’The Diaries of Adam and Eve’ (2011) and ’Female Gothic’ (2012) – all of which continue to tour both nationally and internationally.

This new production presents Monroe as we’ve never seen her before: alone in her bedroom, in dressing gown and slippers; no glitz, no glamour, no masks. Overdosed on pills, the woman behind the icon unravels her remarkable life and bares all, revealing a biting intelligence, a frustrated talent and an imperfect body.

This stark confessional (DiMaggio, Gable, Miller, Hyde, her mother – it’s all here) offers a radical interpretation of this iconic figure and leads its audience, in real time, to the very moment of her death.

It is performed by RSC actor Lizzie Wort and produced by Rebecca Vaughan, who will also appear in a limited run of Dyad’s inaugural success, ’Austen’s Women’, recreating 13 characters from the classic works of Jane Austen.

Edinburgh stalwarts Dyad, have gone from strength to strength since their inception in 2009 and founders Vaughan and Townend Jones have performed their work in places as diverse as Adelaide and Kansas City and continue to tour extensively, with all five Dyad productions taking to the road in 2014.

Both productions are playing at Assembly @ George Square (Three)-Box Office: 0131 623 3030

Submitted by Elton Townend Jones

Everyone loves an adventure. Be it a classic tale of good versus evil, or a fun-filled tale with morals – everyone loves to be drawn into an action-packed story. And all parents love to see their children excited and involved in these stories. Spotlites Theatre Productions offer just this: an adventure for all the family to enjoy. Spotlites return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013 with six interactive adventures for children of all ages.

Explore Egypt and uncover real ancient mysteries in ‘Indiana Jones’ style archaeological action in Curse of Pharaoh’s Tomb for 5-12 year olds. Join Professor Artemis “Artie” Flinders and his friends who are delving into the secrets of Ancient Egypt to uncover the truth behind Tutankhamen’s missing heart. The audience help to raid the tomb, crack the code, escape the traps and battle mummified soldiers with real whips.

Adventure into space in the light-speed, light-hearted, light-sabre wielding production Rapunzel – May the Force Be With You! for 4-10s. This ‘Star Wars’ style epic fairy-tale is both imaginative and fun; and like its classical counterpart, full of moral twists and turns. Help Rapunzel and Duke Skylord to escape the clutches of Dark Vadia, a cybernetic witch. Audience members are invited onstage throughout to defend Rapunzel’s tower with real lightsabres and master Jedi skills to save Trueflapper.

Get stuck to the gluey, gooey, gloopy goose in brand new play for 2-6s, The Golden Goose. The youngest brother is kind to the mystical old man who returns the favour by giving him a magical Golden Goose. But what can he do when the greedy townspeople try to steal a golden feather? Audiences and families sail away on the magic land-ship and chop down trees to rescue the Golden Goose!

Also for 2-6s are the family tales The Enormous Turnip and Magic Porridge Pot, where triumph is gained by teamwork, morals and acceptance.

Returning for their seventh year are Spotlites’ highly adventurous Drama Workshops for 5-12s. Drama fun and activities on a variety of themes including: Star Wars; Harry Potter; Horrible Histories; Avengers; Scooby Doo; Pirates of the Caribbean; and Roald Dahl.

Diary of a Madman, Venue 13, 3 to 24 August (except 14) 4pm, £8 (£6 concessions)

Murder, She Didn’t Write, Sweet Venues, 12 to 25 August (except 14 and 21) 6:15pm, £8

Murder She Didn’t Write is an improvised murder-mystery play, inspired by great detectives like Miss Marple, Poirot & Sherlock Holmes as well as that famous detective board-game, Cluedo. Each night will be a different dramatic tale created entirely from scratch, and one lucky member of the audience will get to pick whodunnit!

Not just another improv show but a real, live play, all the way to the dramatic denouement!

ATOS AND LIVINGSTON ROUND TABLE RAISE FUNDS FOR SKFF

TWO generous Livingston organisations have donated almost £6,500 to the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) to help fund a new sensory room at NHS Lothian’s Sunndach Children’s Respite and Residential Home based in the town.

The funds raised are being used to upgrade the sensory room at Sunndach, which was originally funded by the Foundation ten years ago and provides therapeutic care to children with complex disabilities.

The new sensory room will allow babies, children and young adults to interact with staff at the centre on a one-to-one basis, providing them with a relaxing experience which is essential to their care.

International IT services company, Atos, donated an impressive £4,400 and Livingston Round Table stepped forward with a further £2,000 donation.

Will Guest, corporate fundraiser at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We are extremely grateful to Livingston Round Table and Atos for their generous donations.

“The new sensory room will feature state of the art equipment, such as a movement-sensitive magic carpet and colour wash lighting which will allow the children to learn about cause and effect, stimulate their senses and provide them with a positive, relaxing experience.

“Corporate support is vital to SKFF and the tremendous support, provided by organisations, goes a long way to helping improve facilities and resources, such as those available at Sunndach.”

Gavin Thomson, Atos’ senior vice president in Scotland, said: “Our Business Technologists based in Livingston have been fundraising and looking after the garden for NHS Lothian’s Sunndach Respite and Residential Home since 2008.

“I am very proud of their dedication to fundraising for the next big project to provide a new sensory room for the children to enjoy.

“They have already raised £4,400, which highlights how dedicated our employees are to our corporate social responsibility and supporting the important work carried out by our corporate supported charities like the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.”

Simon Aston, chairman of the Livingston Round Table, said:-“When we received the request from the Sunndach Centre we were completely inspired by the hard work, dedication and passion shown in providing care for these amazing children.”

Over £11,000 has been raised for NHS Lothian’s Sunndach Children’s Respite Home from a range of corporate sponsors, kindhearted individuals and fundraising by dedicated staff.

Image is of Simon Aston, chairman of the Livingston Round table, presenting a cheque to Sunndach staff.

Voted the top UK Heritage Attraction for the past two years’ running, Edinburgh Castle has once again been short-listed by the British Travel Awards to receive this prestigious award.

The castle is Scotland’s number one paid-for visitor attraction and welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors from around the world. It is facing competition from the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall and the Titanic Belfast.

People are asked to vote for Edinburgh Castle by visiting the Historic Scotland website on www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk  and pressing the ‘Vote Now’ button.

Nick Finnigan, Executive Manager at Edinburgh Castle said:-  “I am delighted that Edinburgh Castle has been nominated again for this prestigious award.

“Edinburgh Castle is a global attraction and is recognised around the world as a Scottish icon.  It was a huge honour for the castle to be voted the top UK Heritage Attraction in 2011 and 2012 and we are hoping people will support us again so we can bring the trophy back to Scotland for the third year running.

“This is another exciting year with concerts this month featuring Jessie J, Paul Weller and Runrig with the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the internationally renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the fabulous fireworks during the Edinburgh International Festival.

“There is so much to see at the castle – the Scottish Crown Jewels, which are amongst the oldest regalia in Europe, the Stone of Destiny and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh, as well as our costumed performers who bring history to life, making it a must-see attraction.”

Traverse Theatre 1-25 August – times vary

She’s a hot-rod F16 fighter pilot. She’s pregnant. Her career in the sky is over. Now, she sits in an air-conditioned trailer in Las Vegas flying remote-controlled drones over Pakistan. She struggles through surreal 12 hour shifts far from the battlefield – hunting terrorists by day and being a wife and mother by night. Grounded is a gripping, compulsive new play that flies from the heights of lyricism to the shallows of workaday existence. This UK premiere, presented by the Gate Theatre, London, targets our assumptions about war, family, and what it is to be a woman.

Heroes at The Hive 15-17 Niddry Street, Wednesday-Sunday nights at 8:30pm (August 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25)

Antifolk Legend Lach Returns To Fringe

Songs, stories and comedy from Lach the legendary star of BBC Radio 4’s new series The Lach Chronicles.

Lach, founder of the burgeoning Antifolk music and performance scene, will be returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013 with his new one-man show Anticdotes. It is free entry, though you may “Pay What You Want” on exit. For those that want to guarantee a seat (recommended!) one may book tickets in advance through edfringe.com. The show is age limited to 18+.

Lach’s previous Fringe shows of song, story and comedy resulted not only in rave reviews but a brand new four part weekly series, The Lach Chronicles, premiering on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday July 17th 2013. Such artists as Beck, Regina Spektor and Suzanne Vega have sited Lach as a major inspiration and his six albums have influenced a generation.

Anticdotes is Lach’s follow-up to the songs and stories that make up The Lach Chronicles. Anticdotes is chock-full of Lach’s hilarious true tales of testing acid for the mob, holding up fast food restaurants in Las Vegas, beating Joey Ramone in a moshing contest, being saluted by Kiss and loved by Dylan.

Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre: 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 at 1pm (2pm) Anatomy Lecture Theatre: 20, 22 Aug at 3.30pm (4.30pm) Ticket prices: £10, £8 (conc), £7 (preview 2 & 4 Aug)

Fringe first winning theatre maker and long term Chris Goode collaborator Jamie Wood presents an energetic, entertaining and ridiculously competitive new solo show about rivalry and love, and how they can both better us and destroy us. With the help of his audience, amongst vivid and surprising images, he performs a cathartic ritual: recreating and reliving the last point of one fateful match until he is finally able to move on in his life.

Jamie Wood’s work ranges from the comic and darkly surreal plays of The Frequency D’Ici (Paperweight, Fringe First 2008, Director) to the striking physical and visual poetics of Petra’s Pulse(Aegean Fatigue, National Review of Live Art 2008, Co-director and Performer). He is an Associate Artist with Chris Goode & Company. As a long-term collaborator with Goode, Jamie devised and performed in Escapology (2004), the critically acclaimed Homemade (2005) and Longwave (2006), and co-directed Hey Matthew (2008) and 9 (2011). In 2009, he was short-listed for The Stage Acting Award (Best Ensemble) forIcarus 2.0, devised with Matt Ball.

Beating McEnroe is about being a younger brother and a bad loser, about beating ourselves up for failing to live up to our youthful aspirations. It is about the consuming desire to be like other people. It is about competition and control, vitriol and zen. It is funny, disconcerting and strangely beautiful.

Jamie Wood said of the performance: “I used to play tennis all the time from about the age of 6. My brother is 8 years older so he coached me. It struck me as I made the show that it was his way of teaching me how to be a man. My family loved Bjorn Borg. When McEnroe came along, he entered my dreams. I felt like that was prohibited. The show is about questioning the roles we have been handed and yet perhaps not chosen.

With a day job as a clown in a children’s hospital, this style of performance influences Jamie’s work.   He notes: “Clown is about openness and honesty. I invite an audience to laugh at my ridiculousness. In a culture that seems so obsessed with individuality I want to invite people to laugh at me, and at the absurdity of the importance I place on an event that is possibly insignificant to them, The Borg McEnroe final of 1980. I use audience interaction not in order to make people look silly but to show how beautiful people are when they are vulnerable. I want all my participants to enjoy being on stage. I want to create a theatrical experience which is uplifting, entertaining and thought provoking.”

Beating McEnroe was originally staged as part of Camden People’s Theatre’s Beyond The Joke Festival in January 2013, as a work-in-progress. Jamie has also directed Rachel Mars in her Edinburgh show: The Way You Tell Them. Both artists met through Camden People’s Theatre’s artist network and are obsessed with human relationships, families, laughter and immense sadness.

*PLEASE NOTE: THIS PRODUCTION IS NOT LISTED IN THE FRINGE BROCHURE*

Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre: 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15 Aug at 1pm (2pm) Anatomy Lecture Theatre: 19, 21, 23 Aug at 3.30pm (4.30pm) Ticket prices: £10, £8 (conc), £7 (preview 3 Aug)

A spotlight on why we joke from two collaborating performers straddling the line between theatre and stand-up, created and performed by Rachel Mars and directed by Jamie Wood

Theatre maker and joke obsessive Rachel Mars’ latest solo performance considers how and why we use and abuse comedy in everyday life. It is a funny, painful and intelligent show that fuses real life stories, the dissection of humour, and strong visual imagery.

Rachel has recently been commissioned by Fuel Theatre, and has performed across the UK at Spill Festival, The Barbican, BFI, Pulse Festival and The Southbank Centre. Jamie Wood’s work ranges from the comic and darkly surreal plays of The Frequency D’Ici (Paperweight, Scotsman Fringe First 2008, Director) and is an Associate Artist with Chris Goode & Company. As a long-term collaborator with Goode, Jamie devised and performed in Escapology (2004), the critically acclaimed Homemade (2005) and Longwave (2006), and co-directed Hey Matthew (2008) and 9 (2011). In 2009, he was short-listed for The Stage Acting Award (Best Ensemble) and the Total Theatre Award for Icarus 2.0, devised with Matt Ball.

Setting up and deconstructing the comedy performer, the performance uses theatre to examine the comic form. As research, she interviewed stand-ups, academics, humourists and critics, then toured the London comedy circuit performing a bizarre act in a wolf suit which in was greeted with huge laughs or total bewilderment depending on the night. The show is for anyone who has questioned why they are laughing or trying to make people laugh.

Rachel deconstructs stand-up, discusses the strange uses of comedy in her Jewish family, and tells jokes as she journeys through the difficult ethical terrain of comedy.  She asks where the buck stops, and what happens when you choose to go beyond the easy gag.

Rachel Mars said of the performance: “If you open Leo Rosten’s 256 page joke book The Book Of Laughter and read out the punchline of any joke, my brother and I can work backwards to tell you the beginning. When my father answers the phone, his first words are not “how are you”’ but “got any new ones?” My shows are often about human interaction and social behaviour – how we are towards each other and why; families, underdogs, and the lessons we can learn from Tootsie. And they always try to be funny. The idea for the show started when I tried to be serious at work for a whole day and my colleagues got genuinely worried, and it developed when I observed our society’s discomfort with anything too serious for too long. I both use and distance myself from my own self-protective, compulsively joking persona. I want to ask – Why do we joke all the time? What are we scared of? Where does the responsibility lie when seeking a laugh? How do our bodies, brains and emotions both protect and betray us when it comes to humour? It’s an analytical show. A sad show. A thinky show. And, after all, a funny show. I hope that it is both painful and joyous. A bit like life. But considerably shorter (See? There you go again, brain, always with the jokes. Can’t you cut it out for one minute?)”

The Way You Tell Them was originally staged as part of Camden People’s Theatre’s Beyond The Joke Festival in January 2013, and developed on CPT’s Starting Blocks 2012 scheme. The Way You Tell Themis directed by Jamie Wood, whose own show Beating McEnroe is also performing at Summerhall. Both artists met through Camden People’s Theatre’s artist network and are obsessed with human relationships, families, laughter and immense sadness. True collaborators, Jamie directed Rachel’s performance and offered up his skills in clowning and genuine liveness, while Rachel offered an objective eye on his show.

The Way You Tell Them was supported with a grant from the Arts Council England and was commissioned by the Basement, Brighton with additional support from CPT, London and the London Comedy Film Festival.

Greenside: 2-24 August at 8.50pm in Studio 1.

Manic Chord Theatre present their first major performance work, After What Comes Before. The company, founded by three Leeds University graduates in 2012, will perform their collectively devised performance, After What Comes Before, following the story of three scientists who set out to create a machine which can extract thoughts. The scientists become consumed by their machine and trapped within the world of the laboratory.

After What Comes Before explores the theme of conditioning within society, raising important questions regarding control, medication and self-expression. Through their competitive physicality Manic Chord Theatre submerge the audience in a farcical world of Quantum partying, flying cashew nuts and absurd game play.

The show has previously been performed at Temple.Works.Leeds and stage@leeds to full houses. The Culture Vulture said: ‘The shocks and giggles and pure honest belly laughs came thick and fast,’ and that the show is ‘completely fearless and with genuine heart.’

Manic Chord Theatre have collaboratively devised, written and produced After What Comes Before. One of the founders of the company, David Cartwright, says this is integral to the way the group works. David explains, “We all discuss and play with ideas together in the same space, with the designers and producers all involved in the generation of ideas and material”. David goes on to say, “The idea of the collective is extremely important for us as theatre makers – both ethically and artistically – and we hope it comes through in the work we make.”

Underbelly Cowgate – Iron Belly 1st-25th August 2013 21.25 No show 13th Aug

Written by Rachel Hirons, Directed by Kat Hoult, Produced by Joe Brown

Writer Rachel Hirons returns to the Underbelly with a brand new comedy following the huge success of When Women Wee and A Guide to Second Date Sex, both of which received critical acclaim followed by a sell-out run at the Soho Theatre, London. The film rights for When Women Wee have since been optioned by film producer Damian Jones and now entitled Powder Room is set for release this summer starring Bafta award winner Sheridan Smith, Jaime Winstone, Oona Chaplin and Kate Nash. Rachel is also currently developing original sitcoms with the BBC and Sky.

This year Rachel Hirons, “bordering on genius” (Cult of VHS) and director Kat Hoult“unlike anything else around” (Time Out), Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Alley Kat Productions, join forces to bring us the rawest, most darkly comedic portrayal of how voyeuring through the dirty laundry of a colourful array of characters, one unassuming, working class woman finds herself at the epicentre of the juiciest, most disturbing scandal her small town has ever known. Proving madness is closer to genius than ever imagined; Dirty Laundry offers a thoroughly disturbing and twisted take on society’s obsession and over-exposure to trash mags and trash TV today.

The spectacular cast of three include Hayley Jayne Standing of Skins, Quick Cuts and New Tricks fame alongside the “wildly talented” (Independent) Matthew Floyd Jones best-known as one half of the acclaimed cabaret double act Frisky & Mannish, with whom he has played the West End, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Comedy Festival, and the New Zealand International Arts Festival. Matthew has also featured on BBC2′s The Culture Show and numerous appearances on BBC Radio 1. The cast of three is complemented by upcoming comedy sensation Lizzie Daykin of Toby fame.

Venue: Pleasance Courtyard | Pleasance Below, 31 July – 26 August (not 13th), 4.45pm (5.45pm) Tickets: Full price £7.50-£10 | Previews £6

After last year’s critically-acclaimed “impressive debut” (The List), sketch monsters BEASTS return with a brand new hour of inspired silliness.

BEASTS are in fact an Englishman, an Irishman and a Welshman: James McNicholas, Ciarán Dowd and Owen Roberts. In 2012 they made their Edinburgh bow at the Pleasance Courtyard, gathering a plethora of four star reviews and an in-depth knowledge of late-night Scottish cuisine in the process.

Between them, BEASTS have assembled a variety of acting credits. You may remember Ciarán Dowd as a charming hotel manager in ‘Shadowline’ (BBC). You may remember him as a grumpy barman in ‘Torchwood’ (BBC). You may not remember him.

Owen Roberts has been seen successfully upstaging and undermining a perfectly decent production of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and exposing himself to complete strangers in the comedy ‘Nude’ at the Pleasance Courtyard in 2008.

James McNicholas has appeared in productions at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Mernier Chocolate Factory and Old Vic Tunnels. He has appeared in other factories and tunnels too, primarily as a labourer. As a group, BEASTS have appeared on BBC Radio.

Police Scotland is appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at an Edinburgh bookmaker. The incident happened around 6.35pm yesterday at the Ladbrokes store on Crichton Place.

A 23-year-old man was working in the property while four male customers placed bets and watched the TV screens. At this time two males entered the premises and made their way to the front of the shop.

One of the men placed a plastic bag on the counter while the other stood back holding a long object that was concealed within a black bag. The men then demanded the staff member hand over the store’s money.

A two-figure sum of cash was put into a bag and both suspects made off onto Iona Street, before heading towards Albert Street where they were lost to sight.

Police are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

The first suspect is described as white, 5ft 11ins tall with a heavy build He was wearing a dark blue hat, blue hooded top with white laces and zip, a dark-coloured body warmer with a light-grey hood, dark jeans, dark footwear and was carrying a white plastic bag. His face was covered with a maroon scarf.

The second suspect is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall with a slim build. He was wearing an olive green Ralph Lauren baseball cap, light-grey hooded top with small a small triangular emblem on the left side, blue jeans, dark footwear and carrying the long black bag. His face was covered with a striped scarf.

Detective Sergeant Lyle Shaw said: “Neither the member of staff, nor the customers inside the store, can confirm what was within the black bag. However, we believe the suspects wanted it to appear they had a firearm.

“We are conducting local enquiries in the area to identify these men and anyone who recognises their description is asked to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone who was in or around Crichton Place yesterday evening and remembers seeing anything suspicious is also urged to get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Police Scotland have confirmed that a 25-year-old man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today  in connection with the murder of Mohammed Abdi  who was found seriously injured in the Willowbrae area of the city around 1.00am May 26, 2013.

Police initially believed they were responding to a traffic accident when they were called to Abercorn Avenue, but on their arrival, officers found Mr Abdi lying beside a VW people carrier which had crashed into a set of railings.

Enquiries subsequently established that Mr Abdi from Leith had been shot multiple times. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he later died.

An hour later, another man was found bleeding heavily on nearby Paisley Crescent.

To date  Cadil Huseen, 22, Ahmed Hussain Ahmed, 27, and Mohamud Mohamud, 29, have all previously appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court  charged with murder and were remanded in custody.

A week long initiative aimed at improving safety and awareness for vulnerable road users started at 7am today and runs until 7am on Friday 12 July.  The initiative is part of Police Scotland’s commitment to making Scotland’s roads safer.  Vulnerable road users include pedal cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders and motorcyclists.

During the summer months we see more people out using our roads, whether walking, on bikes or on horseback, making the most of the longer days and the better weather. It is imperative that we all work together to ensure the safety of everyone.

Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2012 show that car and pedestrian casualties have decreased whilst motorcycle and pedal cycle casualties have increased.  Pedestrian and pedal cycle fatalities have also increased.

All road users are asked to ensure that they are properly prepared and equipped for whatever activity they plan, including maintenance checks on vehicles and suitable hi-visibility clothing and helmets where appropriate.

To reinforce this message officers will be patrolling roads and carrying out road checks for the duration of the initiative.  They will be taking every opportunity to talk with road users to give advice and, where appropriate, enforce legislation with a particular emphasis on the dangers faced by more vulnerable road users.

Inspector Tracey Robinson, Divisional Road Policing Unit Edinburgh, said: “This campaign focuses on educating everyone about the vulnerability of such groups, but all road users have a responsibility to ensure they are doing everything possible to keep themselves safe.

“Pedestrians – take all necessary precautions when crossing a road and wherever possible use a designated crossing point.  On country roads where there are no footpaths, walk on the right so you can see oncoming traffic approaching, be extra careful at right hand bends.

“Drivers, remember some pedestrians need longer to cross the road, be patient and ensure they are safely across before moving off.  Children and the elderly may find it difficult to judge speed and distance so may attempt to cross the road when it is not safe to do so, we should drive with the safety of pedestrians in mind at a speed that is suitable for the conditions.

“Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable when under the influence of alcohol, as this impairs judgement and drivers must take this into account in relation to the night-time economy.

“There are a great many more people, especially in our towns and cities, now choosing to cycle rather than take the car.   We need to remind drivers to watch out for pedal cyclists and give them plenty of room when overtaking and only overtake when it is completely safe to do so.

“There are a minority of cyclists who flout the law and place themselves and others in danger.  Cyclists must obey all traffic signs, traffic light signals and must not cycle on pavements.  At night your bicycle must have the correct lights fitted and lit.  Whether motor cycle or pedal cycle, remember ‘Think Bike, Think Biker!

“When passing people out on horseback, slow down and always leave plenty of room.  Take great care and treat all horses as a potential hazard.

“Riders, before you take a horse on to a road you should ensure all tack fits well and is in good condition and make sure you can control the horse.  The message is clear to all – ‘Don’t Risk It’

“If you are unsure of the legislation which applies to your chosen activity suitable advice and guidance can be found in the Highway Code which is available online.

“I would ask anyone who has any information relating to the irresponsible use of vehicles on the roads to contact  Police Scotland on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111”

For more information on how you can improve your driver behaviour, visit the following websites:

http://Vulnerable Road User Initiative, Edinburgh

www.dontriskit.info <http://www.dontriskit.info/>

www.aroundthecorner.org.uk

Royal visit to Craigmillar – Honorary degrees at QMU – Cluedo – Wester Hailes Library today – Today at the Edinburgh International Magic Festival

While the Princess Royal was hosting a garden party in Queen Street yesterday evening accompanied by The Lord Provost, Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting another part of the city and a great charity this morning.

Scottish charity the Thistle Foundation will today welcome Her Majesty the Queen to mark the start of its 70^th anniversary year.

The charity’s first scheme set up to provide housing for disabled veterans was opened by the Queen Mother who compared the charity’s new settlement and its work to that of ‘pioneers’.

Seventy years later The Thistle Foundation is one of Scotland’s leading providers of support services for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.

The charity is delighted to receive Her Majesty, who is the charity’s Patron, to mark the start of its anniversary year, during Holyrood Week.

Through Supported Living and Health and Wellbeing services the charity works with over 300 people a year living with a long term health condition and helps more than a hundred disabled people to live the lives they choose in their own homes.

The visit from Her Majesty marks the start of the charity’s 70^th anniversary year, which will celebrate the charity’s work in supported Living and Health and Wellbeing programmes – and its original beginnings in 1944 as a pioneering community housing scheme where veterans could live with their families.

The settlement for disabled veterans and their families was officially opened in 1950 by the Queen Mother, who praised the Thistle Foundation, saying:

“It gives me great pleasure to be here today, to open the settlement which has been created here at Craigmillar by The Thistle Foundation. The very word settlement suggests the work of pioneers and it is fitting in this case that it should do so, for the Craigmillar scheme is entirely new and largely experimental. Here we can see, I think for the first time, the fusion of hospitals and homes into one complete and living community.”

Two of the original residents of Thistle’s Craigmillar settlement, Win Scullard (88) and Doreen Martin (87), will welcome Her Majesty to Wighton House today, along with representatives of other groups Thistle works with – including veterans, volunteers, disabled people supported by Thistle, those that have been supported to better manage long term health conditions and Thistle Friends who volunteer to help raise money for the charity.

Win was one of the first arrivals to the settlement in 1951. She lived here with her husband Peter, who had served with the Royal Corps of Signals in the war. “Peter would go to work, then come home and have physio treatment and other treatment for his leg at night. It gave us freedom.”

Chief Executive Diana Noel-Paton said, “As we mark our 70^th anniversary with this wonderful visit by Her Majesty the Queen, we start this anniversary year with renewed commitment to our goal – to ensure that everyone in Scotland can live the life they want regardless of their disability or long term health condition.”

“Win’s story was the reason Sir Francis Tudsbery and others set about building Thistle. He saw a gap in provision and moved heaven and earth to create something that didn’t exist.

“We’re doing the same thing here at Thistle today – coming up with solutions to fill gaps in services for people with disabilities long term health conditions and veterans.

She added: “Scotland’s health and social care services have changed dramatically over the years and are still changing. Thistle has been at the centre of some significant changes over the years, enabling people to live longer healthier lives at home.”

“In the early 1990s we made the then-radical move to supported living services that focussed on each individual and began to develop our successful lifestyle management courses – and are well placed to both continue this pioneering work and help share our approach more widely.”

***

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is delighted to honour two inspirational individuals at its graduation ceremony today – one a gastronomic pioneer who is responsible for bringing authentic Asian cooking to Scotland, and the other, a leading composer who has used his musical ability to heal divisions in war-torn communities.

Shaheen Unis, the entrepreneur and business woman behind Mrs Unis Spicy Foods Ltd, is responsible for introducing the Scottish palate to the finest range of handmade, halal Indian foods. Her name is synonymous with deliciously spiced pakoras, bhajis, samosas and oven baked nan breads produced at her Edinburgh manufacturing base in Peffermill. However, she is probably best known for her vegetarian haggis samosa, which was launched on Burns Night in 2002 under the ‘MacUnis’ range – the concept of which was developed by students at Queen Margaret University.

Shaheen Unis, who came to Britain in the 1960s from Pakistan, opened her first restaurant ‘Nadia’s’ in Dalry in 1980. By the end of the 90s, she had expanded into retail, wholesale and catering markets with her establishment of Mrs Unis Spicy Foods Ltd and by 2006, many of her well-known Asian delicacies became widely available in grocery outlets all over the country.

Aside from being a successful business woman, Mrs Unis is a leading member of Edinburgh’s social and cultural community. She is one of the founders of the multi-cultural festival, the Edinburgh Mela. In 1990, she also jointly established ‘Milan’, an organisation which supports older members of the South Asian community, who are experiencing isolation or challenges living in Edinburgh’s retirement homes.

Queen Margaret University is also delighted to honour Professor Nigel Osborne, a talented composer and former Reid Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh (1990 – 2013).

Born in Manchester, Nigel Osborne was schooled in Glasgow, and studied music at Oxford with Egon Wellesz, a former pupil of Arnold Schoenberg. After graduating he went to Warsaw to attend the Chopin Academy. He travelled extensively in Eastern Europe and during his career as a young composer won many prizes in the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA and elsewhere.

While continuing to compose, Nigel turned to academic music, becoming Reid Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh. During his 22 years in post, he founded the ‘Institute of Music, Human and Social Development’. His keen interest in links between music and neurosciences is lifelong.

Professor Osborne also used his musical gift to help heal the divisions in Bosnian society. The 1992 Bosnian war was an important turning point in Nigel’s life and he made many dangerous trips to besieged Sarajevo. He set up the ‘Mostar Sinfonietta’, the first organisation in the city to draw members from among Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs. To house the orchestra, he built an arts centre using a generous donation from Luciano Pavarotti. He has also worked tirelessly for children traumatised by war – in Bosnia, then in Kosovo and later in other conflict-torn places. His tireless efforts in this area were recognised when he received the ‘Freedom Award of the International Peace Centre’ in Sarajevo.

Professor Petra Wend, Principal of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, said: “Professor Osborne and Shaheen Unis have made a significant contribution to key sectors which QMU seeks to serve – creative industries and business. In addition, they exemplify aspects of Queen Margaret University’s mission of improving quality of life. We are also delighted that students at the graduation ceremony had the opportunity to hear about their lives and work. We hope that this inspires them to go into their new workplaces and their communities and continue QMU’s work of serving society and improving lives.”

Shaheen Unis, was presented with a Degree of Doctor of Business Administration, Honoris Causa by Queen Margaret University’s Deputy Principal, Professor Alan Gilloran. Professor Nigel Osborne was presented with a Degree of Doctor of Letters, Honoris Causa by Keir Bloomer, Queen Margaret University’s Chair of Court.

***

Edinburgh has landed Scotland’s very first regionalised CLUEDO board to be based on customised characters like ‘The Comedian’ and ‘First Minister’.

And the first regional UK board outside London could well see the First Minister wielding a Candlestick at Holyrood. Unthinkable? Well not now!

Edinburgh has bumped off a host of other UK cities – originally 10 in all, including Edinburgh – to land its own official board.

Last November the UK’s first regional CLUEDO board was unveiled – based on London – featuring modern day characters like Winnie White the Therapist replacing the likes of Miss Scarlett. The board was hailed as modern and hip: and the Edinburgh board is set for the same contemporary customised treatment say the board’s makers – all complete with an Edinburgh twist, flavor and feel.

It was announced last November that there would be a second edition produced for this year based on another British city. A shortlist of 10 was originally drawn up – and Edinburgh has come out top.

Ironically it was Edinburgh that in 1998 ended the monopoly on MONOPOLY when it landed the very first UK regional board outside of London and 15 years on the dice has landed a DOUBLE

And it’s also the very same company – Winning Moves UK – producing this board.

And as in 1998 they will be in the Scottish capital to officially announce on Thursday – as well as make a formal appeal to the Scottish public to suggest which characters should fill the board.

A one-week public email vote line is being set up from today. (details below)

Edinburgh CLUEDO will have characters like ‘The First Minister’, ‘The Comic’, ‘The Writer’, and ‘The Student’ and ‘The Tourist’ as playing counters.

“But it will be all down to the public,” says Mr Barnes.

“The characters will reflect the essence of Edinburgh. Potential murder settings could be The Castle or Holyrood. The board is a blank canvas at the moment. We would like to hear from the great Scottish public – and beyond bearing in mind its world renown – on how this board should look. We are extremely excited about – and honoured at – producing it. A big congratulations to Edinburgh for bumping off the opposition!”

Councillor Frank Ross – Edinburgh City Council’s Convener of the Economy Committee Cllr Frank Ross, Convener of the Economy Committee, said:-

“I am sure everyone with links with Edinburgh will have great fun choosing the new characters for CLUEDO as there is a wealth of material available.

“Edinburgh is a multi-award winning city which is steeped in culture and history. As well as being the seat of the Scottish Government and having world famous visitor attractions such as the Castle and the National Museum of Scotland, there are also many internationally renowned festivals and events held every year.

“The city’s strong financial sector could also spark some creativity for the game!

“This really is great news for Edinburgh as the buzz around choosing the characters and the launch of the game will be a welcome reminder to potential visitors everywhere that Edinburgh really is a world class tourist destination.

In all there will be six brand new characters and nine themed locations. The weapons will stay the same.

The board will include the following:- 

• SIX EDINBURGH THEMED CHARACTERS. In traditional CLUEDO the characters include Colonel Mustard (a yellow piece) and Miss Scarlett (red).

• NINE POTENTIAL MURDER SCENES In the traditional CLUEDO the rooms include the Study, Ballroom and Billiard Room.

• SIX MURDER WEAPONS: These stay the same from the original board: The candlestick, dagger, lead piping, revolver, rope and wrench.

In CLUEDO – the classic and ultimate murder mystery game – there is one murder victim (not the characters as outlined above). ALL six of the characters like Professor Plum and Colonel Mustard fall under suspicion, with each having equalling compelling murder motives. The room is where the murder takes place. The weapon is the means. The idea of the game is by skill and deduction to name in one fell swoop the character, weapon and room. There are 324 different combinations.

CLUEDO: Edinburgh Edition will be available from this October in time for Christmas at all good toy and book stores, as well as very extensively online including atamazon.co.uk. Stores stocking it include: amazon.co.uk, Blackwells, Jenners, The Works, Toys R Us, Waterstones and WH Smith.

Voting starts at 00.01am today  and ends next week at midnight on 11^th July 2013. Votes to: cluedo@winningmoves.co.uk

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If you live in the Wester Hailes area then you can take your 8 to 12 year old along to the library this morning for them to take part in the creepy Mummy competition!

This is what their Facebook page says:-

That summer holiday boredom kicked in yet? Why not join us at 2.30 this Friday to see who can make the best Mummy (ages 8-12) or sort yourselves out a set of skeleton hands this Sunday afternoon at 2pm (ages 6-10)? Give us a ring on 529-5667 to find out more or drop us a message here!

While you are at the library you may like to know that one of our ‘auras’ is located there…..This is called Augmented Reality – We have been introducing you to our use of Aurasma over recent months. For those of you who have not read our earlier articles about this then here is what you need to know about our use of augmented reality

Download the Aurasma Lite app  which is available for iPhone or Android.

Follow The Edinburgh Reporter channel by using the search facility in the app.

Find our trigger images and use your phone to watch our added content automatically. And one of those is the opening hours sign at the front door of the library….

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It appears that the final event at the Edinburgh International Magic Festival takes place tonight with the Four Nations Magic-Off

Fri 5 July 10.00pm

Voodoo rooms • £16/£14 conc

Duration: till late!

Over 18’s only

If you can’t stay up till then there are FREE Street Shows Summer

Street shows will be taking place throughout the Festival on the Royal Mile and surrounding areas subject to the unpredictable (even for magicians) Edinburgh weather! Check www.magicfest.co.uk for more information.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS

Online: www.magicfest.co.uk

Telephone: 0131 473 2000

In person: Hub Tickets (The Hub, Castlehill EH1 2NE)

Police have arrested and charged a man in connection with a fatal road collision that happened at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh last year.

Mary Dawson (81) died as a result of injuries she sustained in a collision with a Skoda Superb car outside the Anne Ferguson Building, around 4pm on December 4.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged, and will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Police continue to appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the incident to contact Police Scotland on 101.

Police investigating the disappearance of the missing Russian student Yulia Solodyankina believe she may have travelled to the north or far west of Scotland following her last confirmed sighting.

The 22-year-old was last seen on CCTV at the concourse of Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow around 4.55pm on Friday, June 7.

Officers believe that she boarded a bus following this sighting, with the most likely destinations being either Fort William or Inverness, where police have been carrying out local inquiries in order to trace her.

Inquiries have also been made in other areas she may have travelled to by bus, including Largs, Campbeltown, Ardrishaig and Oban.

Yulia, who speaks fluent English with a Russian accent, is described as being of medium build, with long dark brown hair.  She is around 5ft 6ins tall, and has a small mole on her left cheek.

When last seen on CCTV she was wearing a dark coat with belt, dark shoulder bag, a red and orange coloured scarf, grey trousers, and brown shoes with white laces.

Chief Inspector Mark Patterson, from Police Scotland, said: “Yulia was last seen on CCTV at Buchanan Street bus station, and from there we think she may have travelled either to the Highlands, or to Argyll and Bute.

“Our belief is based on previous visits that Yulia made to some of these areas, along with the destinations of buses that left from Buchanan Street station around the time she arrived there from Edinburgh on Friday, June 7.

“It is now almost a month since Yulia was last seen, and we remain keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard from her since she went missing.

“In particular we want to speak to anyone in the areas where Yulia may have travelled to by bus from Glasgow, who thinks that they may have seen her.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or the charity Missing People, where information can be passed by calling, emailing, or sending a text to 116 000.  The service is free, 24 hour, and confidential.