There are five simple actions you can take to help make our environment more friendly for bees, butterflies, moths and other insect pollinators, says DEFRA:
Did you know here are at least 1500 species of insect pollinators in the UK? These are insects that help plants reproduce by carrying pollen from flower to flower as they feed. They include bumblebees, honey bees, solitary bees, hoverflies, wasps, flies, beetles, butterflies and moths. Continue reading Bees’ needs? Just food and a home!
Further to our last email about the sad loss of David Drysdale, who founded Fathers Network Scotland and Year of the Dad, we wanted let you about his funeral arrangements.
The funeral will take place on Friday 15 July at 4:00pm at the Lorimer Chapel, Warriston Crematorium and afterwards at David’s beloved Hibernian Football Club – full details can be found here.
David’s impact on the world has been truly exceptional with hundreds of friends and colleagues paying tribute to him. We are anticipating many people wanting to come together to celebrate his life, so if you wish to attend could you please RSVP here so suitable arrangements can be made.
Kindest wishes from all of the Fathers Network Team
Crystal clear communication from PoLHA
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has been awarded two Crystal Marks on behalf of the Plain English Campaign for its Customer Engagement and Antisocial Behaviour leaflets. Continue reading Let’s be clear: award for Port of Leith Housing Association
Members of the public are invited to have their say in how the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site should be run. The consultation will gather feedback for the three organisations who manage the site – The City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh World Heritage, and Historic Environment Scotland, and closes at the end of July. Continue reading Have your say on Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site
The doors to Edinburgh Leisure’s popular gym at Portobello Swim Centre are on schedule to reopen again on Monday (11 July) at 7am after its refurbishment. Continue reading Porty gym to reopen on Monday
Exhibition features works by William Gillies and John Maxwell
This summer the City Art Centre stages William Gillies & John Maxwell, a major new exhibition exploring two of the best-loved Scottish artists of the 20th century.
The exhibition features over 70 artworks and archival objects displayed across two floors of the gallery. It includes drawings and paintings from the City Art Centre’s own collection, supplemented by loans from the Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture, the University of Edinburgh Art Collection and several private lenders.
At the heart of the exhibition is the Fletcher Collection, a group of 43 artworks that has been on long-term loan to the City Art Centre since 1995. This is the first time in over 20 years that the Fletcher Collection has been displayed together in its entirety.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Convener of Culture and Sport, said: “This is a rare opportunity to see some of the finest artworks by William Gillies and John Maxwell – two very distinctive Scottish artists. This exhibition is particularly exciting considering the Fletcher Collection is being shown together for the first time in 20 years.”
The exhibition is timed to coincide with the 2016 Edinburgh Art Festival. Entry is free of charge and further information is given below:
William Gillies & John Maxwell
30 July – 23 October 2016
City Art Centre, Edinburgh
Free Admission
William Gillies and John Maxwell were among the most significant and distinctive Scottish artists of the 20th century. Gillies is best known for his tonal Borders landscapes, spontaneous Highland watercolours and carefully constructed still life compositions, while Maxwell is remembered for his expressive, dream-like depictions of creatures, flowers and timeless nudes. The two artists pursued differing approaches in their work, and had contrasting personalities, but remained life-long friends.
Gillies and Maxwell met at Edinburgh College of Art in the early 1920s. After completing their studies both received travelling scholarships, which enabled them to live and work in Paris and encounter avant-garde movements like Post-Impressionism and Cubism. As they matured they developed in different creative directions, yet their lives continued to interweave as they travelled, exhibited and socialised together. Both joined the staff at Edinburgh College of Art, and while Gillies’ teaching career was longer than Maxwell’s, each of them proved to be a considerable influence on the next generation of Scottish painters.
Volunteer Mentors Wanted
Would you like to make a positive difference to a young person in need?
Could you help develop the skills and confidence of a vulnerable young person in Edinburgh?
Do you have 2 hours a week to support young people to identify and achieve their goals?
Move On Edinburgh is currently recruiting volunteer mentors for our next training course, and your skills, knowledge and experience are our most valuable resource in engaging some of Edinburgh’s hardest to reach young people.
Our mentoring service matches young people (including those who are; young carers, looked after, accommodated, attending SEBD schools, lacking confidence, socially isolated, offending, engaged in risk taking behaviour, misusing substances etc.) with a volunteer mentor.
The service aims to improve outcomes for vulnerable young people such as increased self-esteem and social confidence, extended social networks and improved employability. The mentors also encourage the young people to focus on employment, training and education opportunities, identifying aspirations, finding out about different options and accessing suitable opportunities.
Our mentors are drawn from all walks of life and we are particularly keen to recruit mentors who have personal experience of the care system or homelessness. Mentors undergo a thorough recruitment, training and induction process, involving taking up references, a mandatory 5 week training course and membership of the PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) scheme.
If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please call 0131 558 3740 or email rebecca@moveon.org.uk to request an application pack, or visit our website for more information: http://www.moveon.org.uk/mentoring-3
On all week – starts Monday!
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has sent a message of reassurance to EU nationals living in Scotland that they are welcome here. Continue reading You’re welcome: First Minister offers reassurance to EU nationals
A small Edinburgh company which makes safe and stylish teething jewellery has won a social media competition run by Theo Paphitis, best known for his appearances on the BBC TV show, Dragon’s Den. Continue reading Edinburgh mum wins Dragon’s Small Business Award
