Edinburgh Tradfest kicks off this Friday

TRADITIONAL MUSIC | FOLK FILM | STORYTELLING

A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest this weekend (1-11 May) thanks to continued support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation. 

In addition to the 65+ events already programmed, there will also be three, free pop-up performances lasting approximately 20 minutes each, and giving audiences and passers-by a taste of Tradfest in a new location:

Edinburgh Airport on Thursday 30 April, 11.30am –  Astro Bloc

Aroma Restaurant and Bar, Broxburn, Saturday 2 May, 11.30am – SAZ

Nobles Bar, Leith, Friday 8 May, 2pm – Dauntless

Edinburgh Tradfest opens at Hangar 5 with two incredible bands headlining: Scotland’s most sought after folk band RURA; and newcomers to the folk scene Astro Bloc, whose music offers an exhilarating mix of heritage and innovation. 

Over the weekend the music highlights continue with siblings Séamus and Caoimhe celebrating the culture of their Connemara homeland with dexterous instrumentals and beautiful blood harmonies; folk song sensation and multi award-winner Kim Carnie; an early evening concert with fiddler Eilidh Shaw (who is replacing Laura Jane Wilkie) and guitar legend Ian Carr; centuries old folk music from Rajasthani music sensation SAZ; African singing and step-dancing workshops; and late night sessions in the Traverse Bar. 

In addition, folk musicians playing at any level, can take part in #WorldPlayAStrathspeyDay on Saturday 2 May, by uploading a Strathspey tune online, or by joining fiddlers Sam Mabbett, Dylan Cairns, Eilidh Shaw and Angus Lyon for a live afternoon of Scottish music to celebrate the beauty of the humble Strathspey.

Plus, anyone under 5 years and their family can join in an afternoon of songs, actions and non-stop dancing with award-winning folk singer, primary music school teacher, and parent to a lively pre-schooler Fiona Hunter (Malinky), who will be hosting this year’s relaxed performance on Sunday afternoon.

Other hot tickets include The Furrow Collective with a final performance by Rachel Newton who is leaving the band; RANT (Anna Massie, Lauren MacColl, Bethany Reid, Gillian Frame); the Brian Molley Quartet tracing the Scottish roots of jazz; virtuoso musician Tim Edey; banjo-playing singer-songwriter from Montreal Kaïa Kater; The Complete Recordings of Hezekiah Procter, a vaudeville act seemingly from the 1920s with Montreal based songwriter Li’l Andy taking on the fictional persona of “Hezekiah Procter”; Gen Z old-time combo The Onlies from Seattle; Scandinavian string trio Northern Resonance; and acclaimed singer, composer, and live-looping artist GANNA Gryniva performing her new album UTOPIA which mixes Ukrainian folk tunes, with Peruvian grooves, jazz-tinged arrangements and electronic soundscapes.

One of the most unmissable events in this year’s programme has to be singer songwriter Josie Duncan’s new music commission on Monday night: A’ Chiad Litir (The First Letter), celebrating the life of Scots 16th century poet Marie Maitland whose works explored themes of same-sex attraction. Joining Josie on stage will be Charlotte Printer (bass), Chloë Bryce (fiddle), Eilidh Rogers(percussion), Jenny Clifford (guitar) and historian and author Ashley Douglas reading from Marie’s poems.

At the Storytelling Centre there will also be online talks and workshops discussing traditional dance, craft, music and storytelling with guest speakers including author, scholar, dancer and dance teacher Pat Ballantyne and CEO of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) Steve Byrne. Plus, there will be two storytelling performances: The Corpse Road on Sunday 3 May with Daniel Serridge and Heather Cartwright, about the Cumbrian roads that for many, formed their final journey to the grave; and The Cold Heart with storyteller Franziska Droll and musician Greg Harradine exploring the terrible cost that comes with the desire for wealth and belonging.

At the Cameo, the 12th edition of Scotland’s Folk Film Gathering also gets underway this weekend with the World premiere of a new documentary exploring the life and work of Gaelic singer and weaver Jimmy Hutchison, alongside a one-off live concert from Jimmy and his protegé Erika Douglas.

Other folk film highlights include Women in Resistance, a special double bill celebrating cross-cultural solidarities between Scotland and Peru; rarely-screened early short films from pioneering Scottish filmmaker Bill Douglas; and Heiny Srour’s groundbreaking Lebanese drama-documentary Leila and the Wolves introduced by Scottish-Palestinian poet Nada Shawa. 

The Folk Film Gathering runs until 10 May and closes with a special screening of the newly-remastered 1954 Ukrainian classic Andriesh, and a live performance from the Edinburgh Ukrainian choir.

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “Over the past few months we have booked the most incredible bands we can find, sorted food and accommodation, checked all our sound equipment is in place, liaised with our  programming partners, and  briefed all our lovely technical, front of house and production teams.

“We are marketing like crazy in any way we can think of so we are ready. All we need now is YOU, the audience. We have just the best line-up ever so come and check it out. A good time is guaranteed!”

Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from Friday 1 May to Monday 11 May. For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com   

Plans for more competitive European Single Market accelerate

“Rejoining EU Single Market only sensible route for UK,”says Scotland’s European Movement Chair

The three arms of the European Union have agreed a timetable towards making the European Single Market more globally competitive. By the end of 2027, the EU aims to have in place legislation that will benefit key economic sectors. They include digital technologies, financial services and supporting the growth of EU city regions. The initiative seeks to reduce bureaucracy and costs for business and stimulate economic growth.

Known as a “roadmap” the agreement to accelerate the reform of the Single Market was announced on 24th April. It followed a meeting between senior representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission.

The plan is based on the 2024 report on the EU’s competitiveness by former Italian prime Minister Mario Draghi. Donald Trump’s “America First” policies, the almost total US monopoly of digital communications, the wars in Ukraine and the Gulf and the rise of China’s as a global economic superpower status has driven the EU to accelerate its plans to counter the threats of the new world order.

Chair of the European Movement in Scotland, David Clarke, says: “The world has dramatically changed. The EU is responding with bold ideas and a united sense of purpose.

“The UK can opt to watch from the sidelines as Europe rises to the economic challenges of our time, or it can choose to re-engage by joining the European Single Market. We can join our friends and neighbours and fight our corner, or we can be outsiders at the mercy of the USA, China and Russia. Rejoining the Single Market is the only sensible route for the UK.”

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament said: “This Roadmap reflects what the European Parliament has been calling for: a stronger, more competitive and resilient Europe.

“It is ambitious, it strengthens our capacity to withstand shocks, and it provides predictability to our citizens and businesses. We said we would take bold decisions and we are doing it. This is Europe responding to what it needs.”

Among the key actions are:

  • Cutting duplicated regulation and inconsistencies in the application of rules. A main ambition here is to help European businesses scale up and be global competitive, most notably in the digital sphere.
  • Energy market integration, including investment grid in cross-border grid connections.
  • A savings and investment union, so that the financial services sector has a bigger market, consumers have more choice and there is a more competitive market for business borrowers.
  • Allowing city regions more say on how EU funds are spent in their localities, particularly in infrastructure, energy and transport.

Grand DÉpart GB launches poster design competition for students

GRAND DÉPART GB LAUNCHES POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS

  • Competition launched to design the official posters for each of the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift stages
  • Further and higher education students in host areas have the opportunity to enter a once-in-a-lifetime competition to kick-start their creative careers
  • The UK’s staging of the men’s and women’s races in 2027 marks the first time both Grand Départs have taken place in the same country outside France

Art, design and creative students from across England, Scotland, and Wales have the chance to showcase their talents, with the opportunity to design the official posters for the historic 2027 Grand Départs of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

Launched as part of the Grand Départ GB’s JOY social impact programme, students enrolled on art, design, graphics, creative and photography courses at further and higher education institutions across the local authority areas hosting each of the six stages can enter a competition that will ultimately select the official poster for the 2027 edition of each race.

It is a long-standing tradition that each edition of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is represented by its own unique official poster, unveiled each October in Paris as part of ASO’s official route presentation for the following year’s races. As proud hosts of the 2027 Grand Départ, Britain has the honour of designing both posters – and Grand Départ GB is extending that opportunity to students.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will showcase the skills of UK-based designers at the world’s biggest annual sporting spectacle, when it comes to Britain in July 2027, marking the first occasion that both races have begun from the same country outside of France. 

Used across the entire event, the artworks will be seen by millions, both on the roadside and worldwide, with the artwork being used by race organisers the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) across promotional materials, digital advertising and much more, making for an incredible opportunity for two students to truly go global with their work.

The competition is the first part of the JOY programme’s Arts & Culture strand to go live, with further opportunities for different communities to get involved and celebrate the Grand Départs creatively to follow.

Commenting on the competition, Tracy Power, on behalf of JOY, the Grand Départ GB 2027 social impact programme, said; “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for two talented students to showcase their creative skills on a truly global platform, and to forever be associated with this historic Grand Départ.

“The competition reflects the ambitions we have for JOY to be at the front and centre of the 2027 Grand Départ and we can’t wait to see the creativity of students and their submissions.”

An expert panel, headed by award winning artist Lucy Pittaway will judge the submissions. Shortlists for both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be put forward by the Grand Départ GB 2027 panel to ASO, who will select the final winners for each race and then work with them to develop their designs ahead of the October reveal in Paris.

Lucy Pittaway, a former graphic designer and teacher, who has been recognised with several awards, including ‘UK’s Most Popular Published Artist’ in 2018, 2019, and 2022 by the Fine Art Trade Guild, said; “I’m absolutely delighted to be part of the judging panel.

“Cycling has long been a source of inspiration in my work, and art has a unique power to capture the emotion, movement and stories behind these iconic races.

“Supporting emerging talent as they interpret such a historic moment for cycling across England, Scotland and Wales is truly exciting, and I’m honoured to help celebrate creativity at this level.”

In addition to having their work showcased across the Grand Départs, both winning designers will be invited to Paris in October 2026 for the official unveiling of their work during ASO’s route presentation of the 2027 races and enjoy a hospitality experience at one of next year’s British stages.

The competition will open from Monday 4 May until 5pm on Friday 26 June 2026.

Full details, including terms and conditions and how to enter, are available at: www.letourgb.com/poster-competition

To find out more and stay up to date with the 2027 Grand Départs, including more information opportunities to volunteer, ahead of the opening of volunteer registration at the end of May 2026, visit letourgb.com

PICTURES: ASO

Poverty Alliance: Voters should not be disenfranchised by deprivation

Campaigners say tens of thousands of people on low incomes are at risk of being ‘disenfranchised by deprivation’ in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.

New research by the Poverty Alliance has found an 11% gap in voter turnout at the last Scottish elections between the top and bottom 10 constituencies in terms of deprivation.

The charity is calling on politicians to close that ‘democratic deficit’ by supporting community get-out-the-vote campaigns – and by delivering on policies that close inequality and lift people out of poverty.

Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: “Our democracy can only work when politicians listen and act on people’s priorities. When that doesn’t happen, people lose trust in the system and simply stop participating.

“For years people in Scotland have put issues around the cost of living and the economy near the top of their political priorities. But lack of fundamental change has led to a democratic deficit, with people in areas of higher deprivation losing faith in the process more quickly.

“We regularly work with people struggling on low incomes. They are often highly political, with strong views about what is needed in their communities, in our society, and in our unjust economy. But they increasingly feel disenfranchised from a political process that is failing to address deprivation, poverty, and inequality. That has to change.”

The Poverty Alliance research found that in 2021 the average turnout in the 10 least deprived Scottish Parliament seats was 68%. In the 10 most deprived constituencies it was just 57%. That amounts to a gap of more than 60,300 voters.

The biggest democratic deficit was found between Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn with a turnout of 52%, compared to a 76% turnout in Eastwood. If the Glasgow seat had matched that level an additional 13,300 voters would have went to the polls there.

If the 10 most deprived seats had matched the turnout in Eastwood, an extra 108,000 votes would have been cast.

The Poverty Alliance has more than 450 members organisations across Scotland. It has created ‘Vote Your Values’ campaign materials that those groups can use to help people in their communities get registered to vote, and to get to cast their ballot on election day.

Peter Kelly said: “There is evidence that get-out-the-vote campaigns can help decrease the democratic deficit in communities, and we’d like to see greater support for them from political leaders for future elections.

“But the biggest thing politicians can do to help strengthen our democracy is to invest in a better future free from the threat of hunger, debt and destitution, where each of us has what we need to build a more secure life for ourselves and our households, and a better society for everyone.”

The Poverty Alliance manifesto calls for progress towards a Minimum Income Guarantee – which would give everyone the right to an income that never falls below what is needed for life’s essentials. The policy would be delivered through a combination of fair paid work, high quality services, and strengthened social security.

The charity says new MSPs can commit to piloting the approach among unpaid carers and in rural areas. And it calls for policy steps along the road to a full Guarantee, including encouraging and incentivising employers to deliver fair work with real Living Wages, raising the Scottish Child Payment to £55 a week by 2030, and investing in home energy efficiency and affordable heating to cut people’s energy bills.

The-Poverty-Alliance-2026-Scottish-Parliament-Election-ManifestoDownload

London Marathon breaks the Guinness World Records title for largest number of finishers

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR), the global authority on record breaking achievement, is pleased to announce that the 2026 TCS London Marathon has broken the record title for the Largest number of finishers in a marathon with a total of 59,830 beating 59,226 set by the TCS New York City marathon in November 2025.

The day delivered sporting history too, as Sabastian Sawe became the first man to run a sub‑two‑hour marathon in a competitive race, while Tigst Assefa defended her title and shattered her own women‑only world record in 2:15:41, and three women broke 2:16 in one race for the first time in the history of the sport.

Additionally 38 Guinness World Records titles were broken from 71 attempts including, Archie Hunt: Fastest marathon dressed as a book character (male) – 02:27:41 and Chelsea Grogan: Fastest marathon with multiple sclerosis (female) – 02:59:32.

Mark McKinley, Director of Central Records Services at Guinness World Records said: “It’s amazing to see the growth of the TCS London Marathon and this record marks the 19th consecutive year of our partnership, a collaboration that continues to offer runners the opportunity to add an extra challenge to their training.

“Congratulations to all the runners that took part, you are Officially Amazing!”

The TCS London Marathon on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Photo: Andrew Baker for London Marathon Events

Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said: “Sporting and marathon history was set at the 2026 TCS London Marathon, where Sebastian Sawe and Jomif Kejelcha became the first athletes ever to run a sub-two-hour marathon under official race conditions and for the first time ever three women ran under 2 hours and 16 minutes in one race.

“To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the TCS London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Records title.

“Our mission as a company is to inspire activity – and entries for the 2027 TCS London Marathon Ballot are open at tcslondonmarathon2027.com.”

An official record participant certificate is available for all 2026 TCS London Marathon finishers to purchase online via the GWR Store.

Tomorrow: Walk With Me at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

ZEN BUDDHISM FILM AT DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

A beautiful film about peace activist and Zen master Thich Naht Hahn showing Tuesday 28th April in our screening event 18.00 – 20.45.

We will serve soup at 18.00 and start the film at 18.30.

After the film we will have a short discussion group about Zen Buddhism and the online course: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet.

All welcome, Free.

Community Grants: Have your say!

The city council’s Community Grants Fund is currently decided for each area in Edinburgh by panel vote,

@Edinburgh_CC are currently running a survey to see what changes people would like to the decision-making process.

The survey closes 4th May 2026

Have your say:

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-U4qSORmdk6fJG2gmnE-1H_aqj53ERJOl-

94E5vW4L9UMVNPM0ZZSUcxWUNXUDZMTE9QRlFLNUY0Qi4u&route=shorturl

Ever After by St Columba’s to open next Sunday

PRE-LOVED BRIDALWEAR and OCCASIONWEAR at NEWHAILES

A new chapter begins for our pre-loved bridal and occasionwear! Ever After by St Columba’s located in Newhailes, Musselburgh will open from Sunday 3rd May by appointment only.

Email hharris@stcolumbashospice.org.uk for booking enquiries and dress donations.

Intertwined, we thrive: Edinburgh Climate Festival

SATURDAY 27 JUNE from 12 – 7pm

We are delighted to invite you to join us on Saturday, June 27th for this year’s climate festival at the Edinburgh Meadows from 12 – 7pm 🌻

Following last year’s theme of Root & Rise, we are left with the question: what makes a forest truly strong, resilient, and nourished?​ The answer lies beneath our feet, in mycelium.

Mycelium is an underground root-like network of entangled threads of fungi. It creates vast connections between plants and trees serving as a shared resource for nutrients, supporting growth as well as being a magnificent communication highway, sending signals and protecting one another.

Our 2026 theme embodies this ethos – supporting connection between ourselves, those around us and nature, expanding from local action to global solidarity.

A reminder that fundamentally, we are all nature. Facing climate challenges alone can feel overwhelming. But when we recognise how deeply intertwined we are, we also recognise our shared strength. Through collective action we can exchange ideas, re-energise, and cultivate meaningful change.

Whether you’re beginning your sustainability journey or deeply rooted in climate work, join us to build a hopeful and connected community – forming our own vibrant, intertwined network. Intertwined, we are stronger. Intertwined, we thrive.

Find out more about the day and how to get involved on our website:

edinburghclimatefestival.com

#climate

#community

#Festival

#nature

#edinburgh

#Intertwined

#june

Park Life: Edinburgh and Lothian Greenspace Trust activities at West Pilton Park

Local school children have been busy monitoring the Wee Forest in West Pilton Park, assessing how the trees are helping to bring more wildlife, cleaner air and flood management for those very wet days.

Pupils have been helping to gather data as part of their studies.

Get in touch with emily@elgt.org.uk if you fancy having a go.

We had more help in West Pilton Park from our Craigmount High School Duke of Edinburgh volunteers, who helped cut back overgrown vegetation, litter picked and helped complete a bird survey. Thanks for your help. 

There were some bears loose in the park as part of the Wellies in the Woods programme. We had fun reading the book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and did lots of fun nature-based activities. Not to worry, the bears were friendly!

We’re very proud of this hard working group of young people from Granton Youth who are learning brick laying skills in order to build some new brick planters in West Pilton Park. This is part of the re-development of the park and will be one of the new design features.

To find out more about the planned improvements see here.