North Edinburgh News – Page 779 – The NEN

Young people from Edinburgh scoop four Young Scot Awards

EDINBURGH’S FERGUS CRAWLEY IS YOUNG SCOT OF THE YEAR

Young people from Edinburgh have been announced as winners in the Arts, Equality and Diversity and Health and Wellbeing categories at this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. Fergus Crawley, 25, also took home the title of ‘Young Scot of the Year’.

Fergus won the top spot in the Health and Wellbeing category for his work in encouraging young people to open up about their mental health struggles.

The personal trainer has been fundraising since 2018 to raise money for a host of men’s mental health charities, including going up and down Ben Nevis for 11 consecutive days, squatting 125,000 kg in 24 hours, and embarking on a 94-mile run.

His efforts have seen him raise a total of £100,000 in just four years, which Fergus hopes will go a long way to helping to break the stereotypes surrounding men’s mental health so that less people suffer in silence.

His charitable efforts blew the judges away, who also awarded Fergus Young Scot of the Year.

FOR SUNDAY MAIL Award 10, Equality and Diversity Award winner Whatever Next, presented by Carole Ann McCann, Arnold Clark. Young Scot Awards 2022, Edinburgh International Conference Centre. All money payable:- Mark Anderson Flat 2/2 Glasgow G41 3HG

Addie, Hannah and Jo, all from the capital, won the Equality and Diversity award, sponsored by Arnold Clark, for their work in setting up Whatever Next? – a multi-media platform that explores their experiences as Chinese adoptees, and adoptees in general.

Through a monthly podcast, the three discuss the varied experiences they have had as adoptees, and how it has impacted the different areas of their lives – covering areas like the ABCs of adoption, food, adoptive parents and dating as an adoptee.

In doing so, they aim to open up a conversation around adoption – busting myths and providing relatable narratives to other adoptees.

The work of Whatever Next? has won acclaim and the chance to speak on bigger platforms – with the trio having been interviewed on national television. Their work also won them the Creative Edinburgh Student Award in 2021.

Jordan Stewart and Amaranta Laing won the top spot in the Arts category for their work in creating Fusion – an organisation which aims to amplify the voices of young people through the power of music.

By partnering with Children 1st, Jordan and Amaranta have helped 10-year-old Sophie to produce ‘Sophie’s Song. Sophie created the track in the hope of influencing the justice system for victims and witnesses of crime.

Now in its sixteenth year, the annual awards highlight the triumphs of young people in 13 different categories – from sport and the environment to enterprise and volunteering. They shine a light on the invaluable contributions made by remarkable young people across Scotland.

The winners were announced at a star-studded red-carpet ceremony at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney hosted the evening.

Commenting on his win, Fergus said: “I had a great evening at the awards ceremony, and it was even better to be walking away with not one but two awards!

“It’s always a nice bonus to get recognition from the work I’ve been doing, but it’s the conversations around mental health that are the really important aspect. I’m hoping these awards will encourage more young people to open up about their experiences and allow me to continue visiting schools across Scotland to raise awareness of what I’m doing.”

Addie, Hannah and Jo said: “It’s so incredible to have won – we didn’t expect it all! It’s amazing to see that the work we’ve been doing is having an impact and making a difference.

“We’re really excited to have just signed a book deal and are working on getting everything finalised ahead of the launch in August.”

Jordan and Amaranta added: “There are no words to express how we felt when we found out we’d one – it was just surreal!

“It was such an honour for us to be able to take on the project and share Sophie’s story and we’re looking forward to composing more songs in the future. Congratulations to all the other nominees and winners”

Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said: “We’ve been completely inspired by the stories of our nominees, finalists and winners, who are all doing extraordinary things to improve the lives of others.

“We’ve kept the spirit of the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards alive for the past two years by hosting fantastic virtual events, but it’s brilliant to have the awards back in all of their glory this year to celebrate Scotland’s young people, who do so much to inspire, support and motivate those around them.”

Award host Gemma Cairney said: “It was an absolute honour to host this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. I was inspired by listening to the winners’ stories and their commitment to helping others in their community is truly remarkable. Congratulations to our winners and finalists!”

Meadowbank Milestone

A major milestone has been reached in the build of the new Meadowbank Sports Centre with the completion certificate being issued to the main contractors Graham Construction.

This enables the project to progress to the next stage – Edinburgh Leisure can now begin preparing the building for opening. Although an official opening date to the public has yet to be announced, it is expected that Meadowbank will be open around the start of the summer holidays.

The original Meadowbank was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games and was used by various clubs and sporting celebrities. The closure of the flagship venue on 3 December 2017 marked the end of an era and the start of a new one as the building was decommissioned to make way for a new state-of-the-art sports centre for people in Edinburgh and beyond to enjoy for decades to come.

The new Meadowbank was originally scheduled to reopen in 2020, but the two-year pandemic, various lockdowns and issues with building supplies and contractor resourcing, which affected the building industry, meant that delays were inevitable.

June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “We’re delighted that the finishing line is now in sight for the opening of this new flagship venue. The opportunity to be involved in such a major build project is special and I’m very grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council for involving Edinburgh Leisure in all aspects of this exciting investment into the City’s wellbeing.

“It’s been great to be involved in the project from day one however the level of excitement has certainly increased as we begin preparations for opening”.

“The new Meadowbank will undoubtedly pick up where the old Meadowbank left off; providing countless opportunities for generations to come to participate in physical activity and sport. New sporting memories will be created, and we can’t wait to welcome the people of Edinburgh and beyond, into the new venue.”

June Peebles added: “Now that the completion certificate has been issued, we will be spending the following weeks with final snagging, fit out items, finalising operating arrangements and a comprehensive staff training programme before we finally open the building.

“So, keep your eyes on social media and Edinburgh Leisure’s website for more announcements about the official opening date. We can’t wait to welcome you into the impressive new Meadowbank!”

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “It’s great news that this latest milestone has been reached today, which means the new Meadowbank Sports Centre is one step closer to throwing its doors open to the public.

“This glimpse behind-the-scenes shows what we’ve got to look forward to – one of the country’s top community sports centres with some of the most state-of-the-art fitness facilities in the UK.

“We’ve been working closely with Edinburgh Leisure throughout the development of this flagship project to make sure that the centre provides the very best in sport and physical activity, while prioritising participation and accessibility.

“Now, as June and her team put the finishing touches to the building and finalise arrangements for opening, we’re counting down the weeks before everyone can enjoy this fantastic facility”.

Last chance to see Audubon’s Birds of America

NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND LISTINGS

Exhibitions & Displays

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

*** LAST CHANCE TO SEE Audubon’s Birds of America ***
Until 8 May 2022
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed, £0-£10

This exhibition examines the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and largest books.

Published as a series between 1827 and 1838, Birds of America by John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a landmark work which achieved international renown due to the epic scale of the project and the book’s spectacular, life-sized ornithological illustrations.

Audubon’s Birds of America showcases 46 unbound prints from National Museums Scotland’s collection, most of which have never been on display before, as well as a rare bound volume of the book, on loan from the Mitchell Library. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to see so much of Audubon’s work in one place.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Book now nms.ac.uk/BirdsofAmerica

NEW Japanese Contemporary Design

Fri 6 May 2022 – 5 Mar 2023

Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1

Free Entry

From striking statement jewellery to prints and porcelain vases, this new free display considers how Japanese contemporary makers have combined innovative and traditional art, craft and design elements over the past five decades.

The star object is Hitomi Hosono’s A Large Pine Tree Pool, a sculptural porcelain bowl with complex hand-carving made and acquired in 2019. Further highlights include Junko Mori’s intricate New Pinecone Silver Organism, and colourful body adornments by jeweller Suō Emiko’s adapted from metalworking and engraving techniques traditionally used in the making of Japanese sword fittings.

Visit nms.ac.uk/JapaneseContemporaryDesign

The Typewriter Revolution
Until 11 Sep 2022
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free entry

The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this exhibition and looks at its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.

The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.

Visit nms.ac.uk/Typewriters

Inspiring Walter Scott

Until 8 Jan 2023
Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1
Free entry

Following the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.

In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller and supporting Year of Stories 2022.

Visit nms.ac.uk/walterscottexhibition

Book of Hours

31 Mar – 3 Aug 2022
Kingdom of the Scots gallery (Level 1)
Free

Explore the pages of an illustrated prayer book featuring a handwritten poem by a young Mary, Queen of Scots in this display.

Written in Latin on vellum, the Book of Hours contains 40 exquisite illuminations by a 16th century Master artist. Used for private worship, it belonged to Mary’s great aunt Louise de Bourbon, Abbess of Fontevraud, who is believed to have gifted this precious volume to the young queen.

The book will be exhibited in the Kingdom of the Scots gallery in a display alongside other objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Six different pages within the book will be revealed, with a new page displayed every three weeks. A QR code will allow you to scroll through the vividly illustrated pages in detail.

The Book of Hours is on loan to National Museums Scotland from The Pininski Foundation, Liechtenstein.

Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events

Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life
2 Jul – 13 Nov 2022
Member Preview Day 1 Jul
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed

Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders.

This exhibition will look at the social and medical history surrounding the practice of dissection. It will trace the relationship between anatomy, its teaching and cultural context and the bodies that were dissected. Looking at Edinburgh’s role as an international centre for medical study, the exhibition will offer insight into the links between science and crime in the early 19th century.

Supported by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers.

Visit nms.ac.uk/Anatomy

JUST ANNOUNCED Bernat Klein: Design in Colour

5 Nov 2022 – 23 Apr 2023
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free entry

Marking the centenary of his birth, Bernat Klein: Design in Colour will celebrate the work of the influential émigré textile designer.

Visitors will be able to explore Klein’s creative process and varied career, from providing couture fabrics for fashion designers to his influence on modernist architecture and interior design in the UK and Scandinavia

Visit nms.ac.uk/BernatKlein

Events

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Festival Family Encounters Day
7 May 2022
10:00-16:30
Grand Gallery
Free, drop-in. Some events may have timed slots and require sign-up on the day.

The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival opens on Saturday 7 May with Family Encounters at the National Museum of Scotland. Come along to get curious, creative and enjoy specially commissioned performances from Scottish based artists.

All events at Family Encounters on 7 May are free. Some may have timed slots and require sign-up on the day.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events

How The Nose Got Its Sneeze

11 – 12 Jun 2022
10:00-16:45
Event Space, Level 2
Free sign up on the day

In this fun and immersive play adventure, children will explore what happens inside the nose when things like smoke, dust and pollen get inside and how the nose defends our precious lungs against these invaders.

Play will start with a story to set the scene, followed by a journey through a giant nose and then continue with lots of loose-part-play within two large lung-shaped domes. A gentle soundscape of music and breathing will surround the hands-on activity. OKIDO play rangers and lung researchers will be on hand to help with questions and fun!

This event is for under-fives but parents, carers, grandparents and older siblings are encouraged to join in too!

In partnership with OKIDO Studio.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events

National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Bird Bingo
1 Apr – 31 Aug 2022
10:00-17:00
A trail around the museum
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Come and play Bird Bingo at the National Museum of Rural Life!

Can you find all the birds hiding around the museum? Using the clues on our family trail sheet, see if you can spot different birds in our museum galleries and learn fun facts about them on your journey.

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Find out more nms.ac.uk/birdbingo

Woolly Weekend
28 – 29 May 2022
11:00-16:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Visit the National Museum of Rural life to celebrate the start of summer and all things woolly. See our shearer at work with our Scottish Blackface sheep and enjoy wool-themed family crafts and activities.

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Find out more nms.ac.uk/woollyweekend

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
From 1 Apr, Open daily 10:00 – 16:00

Make Do and Mend

19 Apr – 22 Apr 2022
11:00-16:00
Concorde Hangar
Free with museum admission

Find out about the sustainability skills that people used during and after the Second World War with hands-on, family-friendly activities.

Discover original Second World War RAF items and find out how people reused these objects creatively in the times of austerity after the war. Visitors can also try “French” knitting or book tickets for the “Bundle and Steam” fabric printing workshops.

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Find out more and book nms.ac.uk/makedoandmend

Dig for Victory

8 May 2022
11:00-16:00
Free with museum admission

Find out how people grew and cooked their own food during the Second World War with cooking demonstrations, talks, tours and hands-on family activities.

Discover the challenges of wartime cooking with food historian Nichola Fletcher and find out about the fruit and vegetables that were grown on the airfield. Families can also join drop-in workshops to create a wildflower seed bomb or make a paper pot to take home.

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/digforvictory

Falklands 40 and the Vulcan at War

28 – 29 May 2022
10:00 – 17:00
Concorde Hangar and Vulcan Aircraft
Free with museum admission

Learn about the role of the Vulcan in the Falklands War, with talks, tours and displays to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the conflict.

The Vulcan aircraft on display at East Fortune, serial number XM597, took part in Black Buck missions, attacking Argentinian radar defences. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the conflict, some of the crew members and personnel involved in Operation Black Buck are visiting the museum to share their stories in a series of talks and tours.

In the Concorde Hangar, visitors will also be able to see a small photography display and some of Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum’s Airborne Forces Collection, and younger visitors will have the chance to make a paper Vulcan underneath Concorde.

Find our more nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events

Awesome Bricks

18 –19 Jun 2022
10:00-17:00
Ticketed

Join us for one of Scotland’s biggest LEGO events. See a host of unique and inspiring LEGO constructions, including a 3D hot air balloon festival, and get hands-on in our blue brick build zone.

Awesome Bricks is produced in partnership with Warren Elsmore.

Book now nms.ac.uk/awesomebricks

ENDS

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789

Charity offers fuel grant to ex-miners

A CHARITY is offering a £200 grant to former coal miners to help them cope with the rise in fuel costs in 2022.

CISWO – the coal mining charity – has launched the scheme to provide some support towards combatting the huge hike in the energy price cap which came into effect in April.

The one-off grant will be available to former coal miners, or their partners or widows, who are identified as being particularly vulnerable due to being on a low income, live in their own home and are responsible for paying for energy costs.

It is also only available to those former mineworkers who have ten years’ service in the industry or those whose last place of work was in the industry. Only one grant is available per household.

The price rises will see millions of people having to pay around £700 more each year to heat their homes.

And with former miners often suffering from health issues, poor mobility and managing on low incomes, they may be disproportionately impacted by the changes.

Nicola Didlock, Chief Executive at CISWO, said: “We are very aware that many of our beneficiaries are vulnerable and susceptible to the cold, especially those on low incomes and trying to cope with ill-health, mobility issues and older properties to maintain.

“We want to ensure that those individuals are identified and supported to keep warm and healthy, particularly during the colder months as the energy price rise begins to impact those most affected.”

CISWO’s Personal Welfare team will be identifying people in need and supporting them to get the help they are entitled to. As well as the CISWO grant, they will help people to obtain other financial aid and subsidies from the government.

The team will also be on hand to provide information about other support on offer from CISWO for former coal miners and their dependants, including:

Confidential home visiting service
Advocacy, information, advice and guidance
Emotional support
Benefit applications
Access to mobility equipment
Reducing loneliness and isolation
Access to holidays and convalescence

For more information about claiming the £200 CISWO grant, visit:

www.ciswo.org.uk

or call 01506 635 550.

Campaigners’ plea on eve of elections: KEEP our Eye Pavilion!

A grassroots campaigning group determined to ensure a new facility to replace the ageing Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is built in Edinburgh has pressed politicians to reaffirm their support.

The Keep Edinburgh Eye Pavilion (KEEP) has this week written to all the main Scottish political parties to ask that candidates for the local authority elections this Thursday within Lothian uphold pledges previously made.

In their letter, KEEP says: ‘Across the Lothians, people with sight loss are becoming increasingly concerned about the ongoing delays to the promised replacement Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion (PAEP) in Edinburgh. Recent press reports now indicate that further delays and increasing costs, mean that the new hospital will not be operational until June 2027‘.

KEEP points out that the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion provides specialist ophthalmological care for thousands of people across the south-east of Scotland. In 2015, the building was deemed not fit for purpose in a NHS Lothian report that made the case for a new facility.

But in late 2020, the Scottish Government withdrew capital funding from the health board earmarked to re-build it. However, following a campaign by KEEP it was announced in spring 2021 that the re-build would go ahead.

‘However,’ the letter from KEEP goes on, ‘there are growing concerns that the continued delays are not simply a construction matter. The existing PAEP building has been deemed not fit for purpose and is facing further reduced capacity through disrepair, resulting in waiting times and pressures on services becoming more acute.

‘It is not acceptable that blind and partially sighted people are increasingly being asked to travel across the country to the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank to receive treatment. Patients frequently face lengthy delays if unable to travel there independently‘.

During last year’s Scottish Parliament elections, KEEP secured commitments from all the main parties concerning the proposed new eye clinic facility.

Edinburgh city councillors also agreed a cross-party composite motion which said: “In terms of accessibility and equality of services it is vital that people have access that is affordable and is easy. As those of us who have had any trouble with our eyesight know, there is no time to spare. You need to get to that hospital quickly and efficiently. We have a centre of excellence that is world-renowned and we, as a capital city for people living in the south east of Scotland, depend on this facility. We need to stand up for Edinburgh.”

In their letter to each party’s health spokesperson, KEEP is asking councillors elected across the Lothian Health Board area to uphold pledges already made ‘and further work to ensure that the delays are reduced, that a clear timetable is given for when this project will start and be completed, and a guarantee to meet with members of the KEEP campaign to regularly discuss once they are elected‘.

Summer of fun as Fet Lor shares in Scotmid Community Connect awards

Three good causes across the East of Scotland have been awarded a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.

Sepsis Research (FEAT) secured £15,000 in funding, with FetLor Youth Club and You’re Never Too Old (YNTO) both receiving a £5,000 award. The charities were shortlisted by the community retailer to receive the lifeline financial support helping them to continue carrying out their vital work within their communities.

Each organisation delivers a range of different services, aimed at supporting and enhancing the lives of others:

Sepsis Research (FEAT) strives to identify why some people are more affected by sepsis than others. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection when your body’s immune system overreacts, and this can quickly lead to multiple organ failure. Funding from Scotmid will be used to research genetic variants, target new treatments and improve survival rates for those affected.

FetLor Youth Club provides services, including free activities and hot meals, for children and young people aged 7 to 17 in North Edinburgh, many of whom come from disadvantaged areas. Funding from Scotmid will be used to host the 2022 Summer programme which supports over 1000 people, allowing children and their families can spend time together and enjoy life changing experiences.

You’re Never Too Old (YNTO) supports older socially isolated people living in their own homes in the North-West area of Edinburgh. Twice a week they provide transport for members to the club where they take part in stimulating activities, days out and enjoy lunch together. Reducing isolation, making new friends and creating memories is at the heart of everything You’re Never Too Old do. Funding from Scotmid will be used to help cover transportation costs.

Dr Richie Adams, Chief Executive at FetLor Youth Club, said: ” FetLor is delighted to receive this award from Scotmid. We will use the £5,000 funding to give young people a fantastic summer holiday of fun and educational experiences.

“Our programme of events brings communities together and offers opportunities many of our members may not, otherwise, be able to access. Our summer programme is all about giving our young people the best summer ever!”

Colin Graham, Chief Operating Officer from Sepsis Research, said: “Sepsis is a devastating condition that can kill a previously healthy adult or child in hours. We are therefore delighted to have been awarded £15,000.

“This funding will allow us collect, store and process patient DNA samples and investigate why some people get so sick from sepsis and others make a fully recovery. The hope in the future is that this research will be able to develop new treatments so more lives can be saved.”

Anne Stewart from You’re Never Too Old, said: “YNTO is absolutely delighted we have been awarded funding of £5,000.

“We would like to thank Scotmid and all the members for voting for YNTO. The funding is extremely important and will ensure we continue to make a difference to older, socially isolated people.”

Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £500,000 has been awarded to 54 good cause groups enabling key projects to continue operating in their local areas.

Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid, said: “Community Connect is one of the core ways in which we are able to support the communities we serve.

“We have seen first-hand how local charities and good cause groups have provided a vital lifeline to many people, particularly over the course of the pandemic, whilst also facing new challenges of their own.

“We are truly delighted to award these good causes with this funding support, which will help them continue providing vital services within their own communities.”

On your marks. Get set. GLOW!

Edinburgh College creative students launch annual festival

Edinburgh College’s creative students are ready to take over the city with a number of unique performances and exhibitions taking place at venues across the capital as part of the annual Glow Festival.

Glow, the culmination of a year’s hard work for the College’s Creative Industries students, will see students perform and exhibit at venues in Edinburgh throughout April, May and June.

The festival will feature events covering the wide range of the College’s Creative Industries courses including: Performing Arts; Broadcast Media and Photography; Music and Sound Production; and Art and Design, with music concerts, theatre shows, exhibitions, film showings and more.

The ninth annual Glow festival, which sees a return to events happening in-person following two years of online performances and exhibitions, launched at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery last week (27 April) with performances from the College’s Musical Theatre students and Brass Ensemble.

Students will showcase their skills and talents across some of Edinburgh’s top venues including Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Festival Theatre, The Biscuit Factory, Bannerman’s, Assembly Roxy, Church Hill Theatre, Everyman Cinema, and the College’s campuses.

The programme of events includes large-scale end-of-year shows including a musical theatre performance with a modern twist on the classic tale Cinderella, an exhibition of Theatre Costumes, a new play set around 1990s rave culture, the Performing Arts Studio Scotland Cross Currents dance event and an exhibition of make-up artistry.

Edinburgh College Assistant Principal Curriculum for Creative Industries Jakki Jeffery said: “After hosting virtual events for the past two years, we are absolutely delighted to be launching our return to an in-person Glow Festival for 2022.

“Our students have been hard at work over the last few months perfecting their work and performances and can’t wait to show off their talents at venues across the capital.

“Glow gives our students the perfect opportunity to showcase their work in front of live audiences or at exhibitions in Edinburgh, giving them the experience that will help set them up for a successful career in the creative industries. We have some spectacular events planned this year, and look forward to seeing you all there!”

Find out more about all of the events taking place as part of Glow 2022.

EWA issues urgent appeal to protect victims of domestic abuse

EDINBURGH WOMEN’S AID REPORTS SURGE IN DEMAND FOR SERVICES

Edinburgh Women’s Aid, which has been providing services and support for women and children who have experienced domestic abuse for nearly 50 years, including refuge accommodation and legal advice, is calling on political leaders to help support the continuation of its services, following a surge in demand over the past two years.

Since the start of the pandemic, the charity has seen an increase in the number of women using their services by almost 10% due to factors including financial insecurity, social distancing and limited access to friends and family, which have made both escaping from an abuser and recovering from abuse even more difficult for women and children.

As a result, EWA, which remained open throughout the pandemic, increased its hours of operation and introduced new ways of supporting women including developing a webchat service and worked in partnership with other agencies to address the increased risks and trauma of those affected by domestic abuse.

They also continue to provide a number of services for children and young people, including outreach support in schools, delivery of the CEDAR, (Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery), programme, run an employability project, offer access to therapeutic counselling for women, art therapy for children and specialist housing advice. They are also currently running a pilot legal project which enables access to family law solicitors without the need for legal aid.

To enable EWA to continue to protect and keep victims of domestic abuse safe, the charity is calling on all political candidates in the run up to the elections to pledge their commitment to the provision of specialist services for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse in Edinburgh.

Linda Rodgers, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Women’s Aid, said: “Edinburgh Women’s Aid has been at the heart of delivering services to help protect women and children who have experienced domestic abuse in Edinburgh for almost half a century.

“Our support has been consistently available in the city and we have been learning and developing our services over the years in response to what women and children tell us they need to keep them safe from their abusers.

“During the pandemic we worked tirelessly and flexibly to meet the needs of women and children in Edinburgh. We remained open throughout, increased our hours of operation, developed a new webchat service and worked in partnership with other agencies to address the increased risks and trauma of those affected by domestic abuse.

“Demand for our services is increasing year on year and the provision of specialist support is vital to help women, children and young people to recover from their experiences.

“We believe it is imperative that the voices of women and children affected by domestic abuse are heard by elected representatives which is why we are asking them to pledge their commitment to the provision of specialist services for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse in Edinburgh.

“We are also urging people to speak to their local candidates at the door or in meetings, and ask if they have signed our pledge and if they are committed to supporting us to end domestic abuse, as without our services even more women and children’s lives would be seriously at risk in the city.”

Johnson: “Putin’s Historic Folly”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the Ukrainian Parliament yesterday:

President Zelenskyy, Mr Chairman, members of the Verkhovna Rada. It is a big honour for me to address you at this crucial moment in history and I salute the courage with which you are meeting, the way you have continued to meet, in spite of a barbaric onslaught on your freedoms

Day after day missiles and bombs continue to rain on the innocent people of Ukraine

In the south and the east of your wonderful country, Putin continues with his grotesque and illegal campaign to take and hold Ukrainian soil

And his soldiers no longer have the excuse of not knowing what they are doing

They are committing war crimes, and their atrocities emerge wherever they are forced to retreat – as we’ve seen at Bucha, at Irpin at Hostomel and many other places

We in the UK will do whatever we can to hold them to account for these war crimes

and in this moment of uncertainty, of continuing fear and doubt

I have one message for you today:

Ukraine will win

Ukraine will be free

And I tell you why I believe you will succeed, members of the Rada

When they came to me last year, and they said that the evidence was now overwhelming that Putin was planning an invasion

and we could see his Battalion Tactical Groups – well over 100 of them – gathering on the border

I also, I remember a sense of horror but also of puzzlement.

Because I had been to Kyiv on previous visits – and I actually met some of you and I had stood in the Maidan and seen the tributes to those who had given their lives to protect Ukraine against Russian aggression

and I’ve wandered the lovely streets of your capital

and I’ve seen enough about Ukrainian freedom to know that the Kremlin was making a fundamental miscalculation, a terrible mistake

and I told anyone I knew, anyone who would listen that Ukraine would fight and Ukraine would be right

and yet there were some who believed the Kremlin propaganda that Russian armour would be like an irresistible force going like a knife through butter, and that Kyiv would fall within days

Do you remember they said that? And people rang Volodymyr and offered him safe passage out of the country, and he said – no thanks

and that this Rada of yours would have to be reformed outside Ukraine maybe in Poland or even in London perhaps

and I refused to believe it.

And today you have proved them completely wrong, every one of those military experts who said Ukraine would fall

Your farmers kidnapped Russian tanks with their tractors

Your pensioners told Russian soldiers to hop as we say, although they may have used more colourful language

Even in the parts of Ukraine that were temporarily captured, your populations, your indomitable populations turned out to protest, day after day

And though your soldiers were always outnumbered – three to one it is now – they fought with the energy and courage of lions

You have beaten them back from Kyiv

You have exploded the myth of Putin’s invincibility and you have written one of the most glorious chapters in military history and in the life of your country.

The so-called irresistible force of Putin’s war machine has broken on the immoveable object of Ukrainian patriotism and love of country.

This is Ukraine’s finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.

Your children and grandchildren will say that Ukrainians taught the world that the brute force of an aggressor counts for nothing against the moral force of a people determined to be free.

They will say that Ukrainians proved by their tenacity and sacrifice that tanks and guns cannot suppress a nation fighting for its independence,

and that is why I believe that Ukraine will win

You have proved the old saying – it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog – which is an old English saying, I’m not sure how well that translates in Ukrainian but you get what I’m trying to say.

And as you turned the Russian army back from the gates of Kyiv, you not only accomplished the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century, you achieved something deeper and perhaps equally significant. You exposed Putin’s historic folly, the gigantic error that only an autocrat can make.

Because when a leader rules by fear, rigs elections, jails critics, gags the media, and listens just to sycophants,

when there is no limit on his power = that is when he makes catastrophic mistakes.

And it is precisely because we understand this danger in Britain and in Ukraine – precisely because we are democracies, and because we have a free media, the rule of law, free elections and robust parliaments, such as your own,

we know that these are the best protections against the perils of arbitrary power.

When an autocrat deliberately destroys these institutions,he might look as though he is strong and some people might even believe it,

but he is sowing the seeds of catastrophe, for himself and for his country,

because there will be nothing to prevent him committing another terrible mistake Putin’s mistake was to invade Ukraine, and the carcasses of Russian armour littering your fields and streets are monuments not only to his folly, but to the dangers of autocracy itself.

What he has done is an advertisement for democracy.

On a day when Putin thought he would be in charge of Kyiv, I had the honour of being able to visit your wonderful city,

and I saw the defiance of the people of Ukraine,

I know so much about the terrible price that Ukrainians have paid and are paying for your heroism.

Today, at least one Ukrainian in every four has been driven from their homes, and it is a horrifying fact that two thirds of all Ukrainian children are now refugees, whether inside the country or elsewhere.

So no outsider like me can speak lightly about how the conflict could be settled, if only Ukraine would relinquish this or that piece or territory or we find some compromise for Vladimir Putin.

We know what happens to the people left in the in clutches of this invader.

And we who are your friends must be humble about what happened in in 2014,

because Ukraine was invaded before for the first time, when Crimea was taken from Ukraine and the war in the Donbas began

The truth is that we were too slow to grasp what was really happening and we collectively failed to impose the sanctions then that we should have put on Vladimir Putin.

We cannot make the same mistake again.

And it is precisely because of your valour your courage your sacrifice that Ukrainians now control your own destiny: you are the masters of your fate, and no-one can or should impose anything on Ukrainians.

We in the UK will be guided by you and we are proud to be your friends,

I am proud to say our Ambassador, Melinda Simmons, is back in Kyiv to reopen our embassy.

In January of course– just before Putin launched his onslaught – we sent you planeloads of anti-tank missiles, the NLAWS which I think have become popular in Kyiv,

and we have intensified that vital effort, working with dozens of countries, helping to coordinate this ever- bigger supply line, dispatching thousands of weapons of many kinds, including tanks now and armoured vehicles.

In the coming weeks, we in the UK will send you Brimstone anti-ship missiles and Stormer anti-aircraft systems.

We are providing armoured vehicles to evacuate civilians from areas under attack and protect officials – what Volodymyr mentioned to me in our most recent call – while they maintain critical infrastructure.

And I can announce today from the UK government a new package of support totalling £300 million, including radars to pinpoint the artillery bombarding your cities, heavy lift drones to supply your forces, and thousands of night vision devices.

We will carry on supplying Ukraine, alongside your other friends, with weapons, funding and humanitarian aid, until we have achieved our long-term goal, which must be so to fortify Ukraine that no-one will ever dare to attack you again.

Here in the UK, in my country, you will see Ukrainian flags flying from church spires and in shop windows. You see Ukrainian ribbons on the lapels of people up and down the country.

There are many reasons your country has evoked such astonishing sympathy in the British people.

It is a conflict that has no moral ambiguities or no grey areas.

This is about the right of Ukrainians to protect themselves against Putin’s violent and murderous aggression

It is about Ukraine’s right to independence and national self-determination, against Putin’s deranged imperialist revanchism

It is about Ukrainian democracy against Putin’s tyranny

It is about freedom versus oppression

It is about right versus wrong

It is about good versus evil

And that is why Ukraine must win

And when we look at the heroism of the Ukrainian people and the bravery of your leader Volodomyr Zelenskyy – we know that Ukraine will win

And we in the UK will do everything we can to restore a free sovereign and independent Ukraine

Thank you all very much for listening to me today, and slava Ukraini!

Miles Briggs MSP and Tómas get Pawlitical to be crowned Holyrood Dog of the Year 2022

On Monday 9^th May, Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for Lothian and his sister’s five-year-old rescue dog, Tómas will compete with other politicians and their pooches to win the coveted title of Holyrood Dog of the Year 2022.

Following a three-year hiatus, dogs of all shapes and sizes, regardless of breed, creed or ‘pawlitical’ persuasion, will head to Scottish Parliament gardens at Horse Wynd, Edinburgh with their two-legged MSP owners to see who will be crowned Holyrood’s top dog.

Organised jointly by Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club, the competition offers the unique chance for Miles Briggs MSP to show off the lovely, Tómas.

With the boom in dog ownership during the pandemic, this year’s event focuses on promoting responsible dog ownership as well as celebrating the unique bond between dogs and their owners. Not only is responsible dog ownership integral to improving dog health and welfare throughout Scotland, it also helps ensure the nation’s dogs lead happy and healthy lives.

The event also encourages open dialogue on dog welfare issues with MSP’s having the opportunity to meet with dog welfare experts from Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club.

Proud dog lover, Miles BriggsMSP explains: “Tómas is a Spanish rescue dog who had a hard start in life but has now become a much-loved member of the family and dog brother to my niece, Skye.

“Tómas puts up with me dressing him up every Christmas and he has a huge life skill of managing to find and destroy the squeak in any dog toy within two minutes.

“Tómas is always super excited when you come home – he gives the best welcomes in the world. He will always be a winner to me and proves very popular in Lothian when out campaigning and meeting constituents.

“This fun event will be a great chance to celebrate the essential work MSPs are doing to improve dog welfare in Scotland while highlighting the importance of responsible dog ownership.”

MSPs are also calling for their supporters to vote for their canine companions online in a bid to win the ‘pawblic’ vote. There will be additional judging on the day by representatives from Dogs Trust and The Kennel Club, which will review the contestants on their good dog deeds and winning personalities. This will then determine which political pooch will take home the ultimate parliamentary privilege of the ‘Holyrood Dog of the Year’ title.

The Holyrood Dog of the Year 2022 competition starts at 10.00am on Monday 9^th May at the Scottish Parliament Gardens, Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX.

To vote for Miles Briggs and Tómas in the pawblic vote please click here:

thekennelclub.org.uk/hdoty

– where you will also find the details of all the MSPs and their four-legged friends entered in this year’s competition.