The PostCode Challenge is back this Sunday!

We’re delighted to announce that we’re running the Innertubemap Postcode Challenge for the third year

on Sunday (28 April) from 11am-4pm.

The Challenge is a treasure hunt on wheels, where participants have to check in at 10 points on the North Edinburgh cycleway, for the chance to win some great prizes and to have lots of fun. We’re now also welcoming walkers (and runners), who can take part by checking in to a reduced number of stops along the route.

We have a couple of spaces for stall holders for the day – it’s a great opportunity to promote your organisation, not only to the participants (approx 500 took part last year) but also to the many people walking and cycling along the routes.

If you’d like to take part, or donate a prize for the Challenge, please get in touch with Ruth Wyatt at ELGT on 0131 445 4025 or email ruth@elgt.org.uk

This event is part of the Innertube project, funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and to the People’s Postcode Trust.

Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust

City shines with Silver of the Stars this summer

The Museum of Edinburgh on the Canongate is hosting the sparkling ‘Silver of the Stars’ exhibition, which makes a welcome return to the Scottish capital this summer following a triumphant six-year international tour.

On display until 21 September, this unique collection of contemporary Scottish silverware has been created by some Scotland’s best craftsmen and women in collaboration with world-famous Scottish actors, writers and musicians including Sean Connery and Ewan McGregor.

Commissioned by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh to mark their 550th anniversary, the exhibition has attracted over three-quarters of a million visitors across Europe.

On display will be the ten silver drinking vessels that make up the Silver of the Stars exhibition, including a vintage car-inspired whisky set for actor Robbie Coltrane, a bejewelled teapot for singer Sharleen Spiteri and a rolling teapot for Billy Connolly.

This year the collection returns to Scotland and is being shown at the newly refurbished Museum of Edinburgh before making its way up north for exhibitions at the Swanson Gallery in Thurso, the St Fergus Gallery in Wick and the Inverness Museum and Gallery.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The newly refurbished Museum of Edinburgh will be the perfect venue for this wonderful exhibition that has proved immensely popular both in Scotland and internationally. We’re delighted to be hosting Silver of the Stars and I’m sure it will draw in the crowds with ease, particularly during the busy summer months in Edinburgh.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by an exciting programme of events including silversmithing and jewellery workshops, handling sessions and lectures.

Tom Murray, the Deacon of the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh, which commissioned Silver of the Stars to mark the Incorporation’s 550th anniversary, said: “Scotland is home to a unique community of artists working in silver. Their work is held by some of the world’s leading collectors and the demand from galleries to show this unique collection has been overwhelming. There is a huge interest in Scotland and its heritage and this collection combines ancient techniques and craftsmanship with superb artistry and new engineering solutions. In many ways it stands as a metaphor for Scottish talent and innovation.”

The gloves are off: Osborne and Swinney in fight over money

In the latest of what promises to be a long series of cross-border skirmishes two political heavyweights squared up to each other over Scotland’s future currency yesterday. In the red (white and blue) corner we had Westminster’s George Osborne while in the blue (and white) we had Holyrood’s John Swinney.

Old Etonian ‘Gentleman George’ Osborne is well versed in the Marquis of Queensberry Rules but ‘Slugger’ Swinney is a capable street scrapper; in a bruising contest of contrasting styles neither fighter landed a knock out blow, so there’s sure to be a rematch soon. And it’s no clearer whether we’ll be spending pounds, euros or even dollars here in Scotland after next year’s referendum

Scotland_currency_IG

The clash came following the publication of a report on Scotland’s currency and monetary policy, helpfully produced by the Westminster government to ‘inform the debate on Scotland’s constitutional future’, launched by Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander in Glasgow yesterday.

The report reviews how the current UK currency and monetary policy arrangements work and examines the options in the event of independence. The analysis sets out in detail the advantages and disadvantages of the potential currency options open to an independent Scotland, including: a formal sterling currency union with the continuing United Kingdom; using sterling unilaterally, with no formal agreement; joining the euro; or introducing a new Scottish currency.

The paper concludes that none of the options under independence would serve Scotland as well as the current arrangements in the United Kingdom, which is one of the most successful monetary, fiscal and political unions in history.

All of the alternative currency arrangements would be likely to be less economically suitable for both Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

Speaking during his Glasgow visit Chancellor George Osborne (pictured above) said it would be a “very deep dive into uncharted waters” if an independent Scotland kept the pound in a currency pact with the UK, and added that there was no guarantee that the UK and Scotland would be able to come to an agreement on a currency union. That would mean a separate Scotland was left with three options – unilaterally keeping the pound, creating a Scottish currency or joining the euro.

Mr Osborne said: “All of these alternative currency arrangements are less suitable economically than we have now for both Scotland and the rest of the UK. The fundamental political question this analysis provokes is this – why would 58 million citizens give away some of their sovereignty over monetary and potentially other economic policy to five million people in another state?

He added: “Let’s be clear – abandoning current arrangements would represent a very deep dive indeed into uncharted waters. Would a newly independent Scottish state be prepared to accept significant limits on it’s economic sovereignty? To submit it’s economic plans to Westminster before Holyrood? The only way to be sure of keeping the pound as Scotland’s currency is to stay in the UK.”

However the Scottish Government has commissioned it’s own study and believes that a Sterling zone monetary union is the best option for an independent Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s currency paper, also published yesterday, fully endorses the findings of the Fiscal Commission Working Group’s expert report that as an independent country in a Sterling zone Scotland would have the powers needed to exploit areas of comparative advantage and also tackle those areas where we need to improve performance.

Scottish Government – Currency

Commenting on the paper, Finance Secretary John Swinney (pictured below) said: “A Sterling zone, with the pound as a shared currency will provide the full flexibility to set tax and spending decisions to target key opportunities and challenges in Scotland.

“The sharing of the pound between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK is the common sense position supported by the Fiscal Commission. A sterling zone is also in the overwhelming economic interests of the rest of the UK every bit as much as it is in the interests of Scotland. An independent Scotland using the pound will mean Sterling’s balance of payments will be massively supported by Scotland’s huge assets, including North Sea oil and gas – which alone swelled the UK’s balance of payments by £40 billion in 2011-12.

“The Fiscal Commission Working Group includes two Nobel Laureates, and their expert report – having examined several possible currency options – concluded that sharing Sterling with the rest of the UK is the best option, offering freedom and flexibility for Scotland to develop our own taxation and spending policies to boost growth and address inequality. At present, the Scottish Parliament controls just seven per cent of Scotland’s revenue base, and that would only increase to 15 per cent under the terms of the Scotland Act. With independence, Scotland will control 100 per cent of our revenues, which is what it needs to be to build a stronger economy and fairer society.‪

“The combination – which only comes with independence – of keeping the pound, accessing Scotland’s abundant resources, and taking decisions on tax and other economic policies that are right for Scotland, is the best way to boost jobs and growth.

‪“Scotland’s finances are consistently stronger than the UK’s – generating more revenue per head than the rest of the UK in each one of the past 30 years – and Scotland has had a lower fiscal deficit than the UK over the past five years. With the additional economic levers that independence will provide, and the up to £1.5 trillion asset base provided by Scotland’s oil and gas reserves, an independent Scotland will stand on a strong financial footing.

“Next year’s vote is the choice between unlocking the opportunities independence will open up or continuing to allow economic and welfare policy to be set by a Westminster system that isn’t working for Scotland.”

A deep dive into uncharted waters, or unlocking opportunities? Ultimately, you’ll decide next autumn.

Still waiting: MSP supports charity campaign

Lothians Green MSP Alison Johnstone yesterday visited Age Scotland’s shop on Edinburgh’s Nicolson Street to give her backing to the charity’s campaign to tackle isolation among older people. She signed the Still Waiting petition – which calls on the Scottish Government to extend the free bus pass scheme to include community transport services that help older people who find it difficult or impossible to use mainstream bus services – and encouraged local residents to do the same.

Alison Johnstone said: “Isolation is one of the biggest problems facing our older population and it’s clear that extending the free bus pass to include community transport would be a very positive step. All the evidence shows that increasing the independence of older people leads to better physical and mental health and fewer demands on our health system. I urge people to show their support the Still Waiting campaign by signing their petition”

Local Age Scotland Development Officer Laura Dunkel said: “Being unable to use mainstream transport can leave you isolated and lonely; a health risk comparable to life-long smoking. If successful, our campaign will benefit older people in Edinburgh who can’t use ordinary bus services, by allowing them to travel free on Community Transport.

“It will also help secure the future of local Community Transport providers, such as Pilton Equalities Project, that are vulnerable in the current economic downturn. And everyone stands to gain, as older people who are supported to maintain their independence and quality of life are less likely to need hospital or residential care, which is costly to the public purse.”

Leith resident Agnes, who is age 66 and suffers from a number of health conditions, said: “I couldn’t tell you the last time I would be able to get a bus. I do sometimes feel very isolated. Some days I cry, but you’ve just got to be strong and put it in the back of your mind – but it’s horrible when you can’t get out. I really think that if we could use our bus passes on community transport, it would make a great difference, not just to me, but to all older people.”

Siu Pang, Age Scotland Nicolson Street shop manager, said: “If you pop into one of our friendly Edinburgh shops between now and the end of September, you’ll find that signing our campaign petition couldn’t be easier. And you’ll find some great bargains to take away with you too.”

Petitions can be signed in Age Scotland’s Stockbridge, Nicholson Street and Morningside shops, and online at www.agescotland.org.uk/stillwaiting

Celebrate World Book Night at your local library

Edinburgh City Libraries are preparing for a day of celebration of books and reading as World book Night kicks off tonight (Tuesday 23 April) when a host (shouldn’t that be ‘chapter’ or ‘volume’? – Ed) of local authors will participate in a series of events in libraries across the city.

The annual World Book Night celebrates reading and books by recruiting tens of thousands of passionate volunteers across the country to give out specially chosen titles in the community and share their love of reading.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “World Book Night is one of the key events in the literary events calendar and it involves tens of thousands of people across the country, putting books directly into the hands of those who might never otherwise engage with reading.

“Here in Edinburgh we’re gearing up for a fantastic evening of celebrations in a number of our libraries and I know many people are looking forward to our headline event – Alexander McCall Smith at the Central Library. It shows yet again that libraries are not just places to borrow books, but a hub of cultural and literary activity in the city, supporting and encouraging the development of reading in the community.”

Local World Book Night events include:

Leith Library (10am – 8pm)

World Book Night – Online Pirates of Leith Treasure Hunt

Solve all the clues about Leith using our fabulous Our Town Stories website (http://www.ourtownstories.co.uk/). Then come and claim your booty from some real live pirates! Successful adventurers will take home copies of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic ‘Treasure Island’. Yarrrr!

Keep an eye on the Leith Library blog at http://leithlibrary.wordpress.com/ and @LeithLibrary Twitter for more details! First clues due around 2pm.

Muirhouse Library (6 – 7pm)

World Book Night with Allan Guthrie

Prize winning Edinburgh based crime writer, author of many gripping stories including ‘Slammer’ and ‘Bye Bye Baby’, will read from and talk about his books. His books have been described as having the power to ‘make you writhe in agony’ while dealing ‘heart stopping suspense’.

To book a place call 0131 529 5528 or email muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Blackhall Library (6.30 – 7.30pm)

World Book Night with Andrew Greig

Listen to this Scottish novelist, poet and writer, read and discuss prose from ‘At the Loch of the Green Corrie’ and ‘Found At Sea’, a book-length sequence of narrative poems. The event will be chaired by Ryan Van Winkle, Edinburgh City Libraries’ writer in residence.

To book a place call 0131 529 5595 or email blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Auditory Hallucinations. Eh?

Creative Electric have a new production touring Scotland that we thought you’d like to know about!

Auditory Hallucinations is an interactive theatre production that explores the comfort we find within our own heads.
Memories.
Moments.
Things that belong only to us.

Creative Electric were awarded Quality Production funding from Creative Scotland to create an interactive piece exploring memories. Inspired by an artists debate in Stockholm in February 2012, where the idea of collecting performance art and moments was discussed, the company decided to explore whether it was possible to own another’s moment and, in the case of verbatim theatre, their memory. The result is a little insight into a memory that the audience can share with performers. We’d love you to be a part of it.

Please note audiences are capped at a maximum of 15 people.

Audience members will be required to wear headsets.

Auditory Hallucinations is a part of Creative Electric’s emerging artists programme where the company aim to support artists at the early stage of their career with paid work and mentoring. This is the companies second emerging artists production.

‘Debutantes’ was produced in February 2012 and was performed in Edinburgh, Glasgow and at Stoff Festival Stockholm where it was nominated for the Audience Choice Award.

Performance Dates:

Howden Park, Livingston (Previews) 27th April 7 & 8pm

The Bongo Club, Edinburgh

30th April 8 & 9pm
1st May 8 & 9pm
4th May 2 & 3pm

The Old Hairdressers, Glasgow 7th May 7, 8 & 9pm 8th May 8 & 9pm.

Imaginate Fringe, Traverse Theatre Bar 12th May 12-6pm (adaption, installations running throughout the day, no ticket required)

The Space, North Berwick 14th May 7.30 & 8.15pm
Kelburn Garden Party 6th & 7th July. (included in festival ticket price)

Tickets £5.

Each performance can accommodate an audience of up to 15 people.
For reservations email Creative_electric@hotmail.com

To keep up to date with Creative Electric please add https://www.facebook.com/CreativeElectric

Selex forges new link with Heriot-Watt

Finmeccanica company Selex ES (formerly Ferranti) is joining forces with Heriot Watt University to fund and create the “Selex ES Professorial Chair in Laser Devices and Engineering” at the university’s School of Engineering. Dr Daniel Esser will take up the position in May and will lead a research group to develop innovative new laser technology.

Selex ES, at its site on Crewe Toll, is at the forefront of laser design and production with customers all over the world including in the US. One of the reasons the company produces such advanced laser products is due to its world-class laser research programme and this in turn is boosted by Selex ES’s links with leading academic institutions.

“A close partnership with a first-class university such as Heriot-Watt is vital to access emerging technology for future product development and to further strengthen our position as an innovative technology supplier” said Selex ES’s Chief Technologist for Electro-Optics Professor Robert Lamb. Results from the research on future innovative emerging laser technology will support the company’s laser designation business.

The chair builds on Selex ES’s significant work with academic institutions aimed at inspiring the next generation of engineering talent. This is the second chair sponsored by Selex ES, the first being the Selex ES/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Signal Processing at Edinburgh University. The company also plays a strong role in initiatives such as the annual Edinburgh International Science Festival and Big Bang Fair and regularly hosts schools for its “Rampaging Chariots” robot building competitions. The schemes are well regarded and successful – many of the company’s laser and signal processing engineers graduated at Heriot-Watt and Edinburgh universities.

Edinburgh goes Dutch: free concert

KJO_flyerEdinburgh30April2013

An outstanding youth orchestra from the Netherlands – the KJO – will perform a varied and entertaining programme of popular, classical and film music in Edinburgh next Tuesday (30 April). The orchestra will be joined by young talented soloists from China, Azerbaijan and The Netherlands at the free concert.

The Kennemer Youth Orchestra (Kennemer Jeugd Orkest / KJO), directed by Matthijs Broers, ranks high amongst youth symphony orchestras in The Netherlands. Rooted in the Classic/Romantic repertoire, the orchestra is also known for its more adventurous programming including film music as well as participating in crossover projects incorporating ballet, the visual arts and pop music. Currently seventy young people from the Haarlem area, between the ages of fourteen and twenty-two, join together to perform in an orchestra of exceptional musical quality and youthful exuberance.

Each Spring the orchestra goes on concert tour to a foreign destination – the highlight of the season for the young musicians; performing in front of these audiences but also coming into contact with the local musicians is both memorable and educational. Social interaction through the universal medium of music is essential in the development of young people. These concerts are well attended and appreciated by audiences and critics. The tour destination for 2012 was the Loire and Bordeaux regions of France. This year, from 27 April to 1 May 2013, the orchestra will perform in Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The programme includes:

• Nabucco, Overture | Giuseppe Verdi
• Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, KV 503 | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Finders Keepers Suite | John Treherne
• Ballade Opus 4 for Cello and Orchestra | Reinhold Glière
• Pezzo Capriccioso for Cello and Orchestra | Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End | Hans Zimmer

The Edinburgh performance – at the Reid Concert Hall – is a FREE CONCERT.
Free tickets are available on the door or book via EventBrite.

For more information visit www.kennemerjeugdorkest.nl

To boldy go: search is on for young innovators

The Science Festival may be over, but the search for the innovators of tomorrow has only just begun …

Edinburgh International Science Festival celebrated 25 years of introducing audiences of all ages to innovative and entertaining science this Easter and marked the occasion with a diverse programme of over 200 events. Over 90,000 visitors enjoyed a family programme packed with sensational science together with world-renowned scientists looking forward to the next quarter century and exploring the future of our lives, our cities, our food, our play, our medicine, our challenges and our world.

With the Festival over for this year, the Science Festival continues to look to the future and has now announced Fuselab – an exciting new project looking for the young innovators of tomorrow.

Supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, Fuselab is an immersive ‘out of this world’ experience which will take place at Edinburgh’s Summerhall in July 2013. The Science Festival is seeking 80 innovative and creative minds aged between 16 and 20 to plan the future in a hypothetical, as yet uninhabited, world. Fuselab pioneers will be challenged to develop innovative approaches to a sustainable way of life, free from the constraints of the systems and structures currently utilised on here on Earth. In the process, they will learn how to challenge their thinking through workshops, skills sessions, talks and games; collaborating to design, prototype and test ideas.

Applications for Fuselab are now open, and 16 – 20 year old innovators are invited to apply through http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/whats-on/fuselab before Wednesday 8 May 2013.

Amanda Tyndall, Deputy Director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, said “We need to equip young people with the skills, networks and confidence not only to survive but to thrive in a rapidly changing world. In helping our Pioneers see how innovation can help build a better future, and to understand the role that they personally might play, Fuselab will do just that – helping unleash the potential of the next generation. “

Scottish Government Minister, Humza Yousaf, said “For a quarter of a century, the Edinburgh International Science Festival has informed, engaged and challenged the minds of visitors from Scotland and around the world, building on our strengths as a creative and innovative nation, from the enlightenment to the Higgs boson. This year’s excellent programme of events was no exception.

“It makes strong economic sense to support the Science Festival’s growth and to ensure that Scotland’s own emerging creative talent is placed at its centre. That is why I am proud to announce £110,000 to support young people to develop their skills and expertise here in Scotland through the Fuselab project. This takes the total Scottish Government Expo Funding awarded to the Science Festival to £562,000 since the Expo Fund began in 2008/09.”

Fuselab participants can draw upon the content of some of the sessions at the 2013 Science Festival for inspiration, which included Professor Dickson Despommier speaking on the future of vertical farming, Bas Lansdorp who invited his audience to apply to be the first new colonists on Mars in 2023, and Professor Mark Post who reported on the progress of his research to use stem cells to grow meat in the laboratory. Three previous winners of the prestigious Edinburgh Medal, Chris Rapley, Colin Blakemore and Jocelyn Bell Burnell looked into the future and explored their dangerous ideas and the future of astronomy while the 25th Edinburgh Medal was awarded jointly, for the first time in its history, to Professor Peter Higgs and CERN.

Dr Simon Gage, Director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, said “The 25th Science Festival has been packed with world renowned speakers, innovative and exciting science and some ‘out of this world’ ideas. While we may not have found all the answers to the challenges we will face in the next 25 years, we have certainly had great fun exploring our future and some of the solutions that are being proposed, from eating insects and laboratory grown meat, to colonising Mars and personalising our medicine.”

The 25th Edinburgh International Science Festival finished with Scotland’s first Mini Maker Faire held at Summerhall where over 50 makers, enthusiasts, geeks, tinkerers, engineers and artists from across the Scottish maker community and beyond showed off their work to a fascinated audience of over 3,000 people. From cutting edge technologies to time honoured crafts, this family-friendly showcase was the perfect opportunity to converge and celebrate ingenuity, invention and resourcefulness.

The Fuselab programme is a fully immersive four day experience with a maximum of 40 participants per session from the UK and beyond. Fuselab 1 runs from 1 – 5 July, while Fuselab 2 runs from 5 – 9 July and applications for both sessions are open from today, Monday 8 April to May 8. Fuselab is completely free of charge with meals and accommodation provided. To apply visit: http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/whats-on/fuselab

The 2014 Edinburgh International Science Festival will run from Saturday 5 to Sunday 20 April. Full details of the programme will be announced in February 2014 and details can be found at www.sciencefestival.co.uk.

Council agrees: no eviction over ‘bedroom tax’

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Policy and Strategy Committee agreed to adopt a ‘no eviction’ policy for council tenants last week. The policy is in response to a series of national welfare reforms such as the new Under-Occupancy Restrictions (often referred to as the ‘bedroom tax’) which is expected to affect thousands of Edinburgh residents who receive housing benefits.

Where the Director of Services for Communities is satisfied that tenants subject to the under occupancy restrictions have done all they can to avoid falling into arrears and are actively engaging with Housing staff, they should not be evicted for failing to pay the part of their rent which is due to the new restrictions.

Convener of Health, Social Care and Housing, Councillor Ricky Henderson (pictured above), who proposed the motion, said: “We have a lot of challenges ahead and the welfare reforms implemented throughout the UK will have a significant impact on the city. It is essential that people make every effort to pay their rent as this funds housing services and investment. However, this decision will protect our tenants from losing their home due to the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’. We will do all that we can to support the people most affected by these changes and our ‘no eviction’ policy is an important step towards this.”

The Council recently announced that is has strengthened its advice services for people who are concerned about the reforms and has contacted residents who are likely to be affected to make sure they know about the support available to them.