The ongoing regeneration of Leith and North Edinburgh has received a further boost this week with the launch of Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) new subsidiary company, Quay Community Improvements (Quay). Continue reading Port of Leith HA launches new Community Interest Company
BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND
21 – 27 NOVEMBER
View the Book Week Scotland 2016 events programme here
Edinburgh events: edinburgh
#BookWeekScot
The full programme for Scotland’s fifth national celebration of books and reading has been announced. Working with a wide range of partners, Scottish Book Trust will deliver a feast of activities and events across the country during the 2016 edition of Book Week Scotland, all rooted in this year’s central theme of Discovery.
The key focus of the week will once again be a rich and varied events programme for all tastes and ages. Author events will abound with the UK’s best-loved writers and illustrators visiting libraries in every local authority, a programme funded by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), and appearances from such bookish heavyweights as Will Self, Lisa McInerney, Jenni Fagan, Jill Mansell, Simon Scarrow, Isabel Greenberg, Clare Mackintosh, Jodi Picoult, Alexander McCall Smith, whose event is programmed by East Lothian Libraries, and Liz Lochhead and Christopher Brookmyre, whose events are programmed by Cove and Kilgreggan Book Festival. Well-known personalities such as Alan Cumming, programmed by Literary Dundee, Nick Crane and Tony Robinson will also make special appearances in locations across the country.
As part of the theme of discovery, a brand new Book Generator quiz will be available on the Book Week Scotland website, enabling participants to uncover the perfect book match for themselves or the ideal present for a friend. Celebrities and authors such as Simon Mayo, A.L. Kennedy, Susan Calman and Lemn Sissay will provide additional inspiration by revealing which book they would give to everyone in Scotland for Christmas.
Booklovers far and wide will also be encouraged to take on a Reading Dare, with the joint aim of helping others to begin or continue their reading journey, and of challenging themselves to try something new. Those who need some inspiration can visit www.bookweekscotland.com to try out the Reading Dare Randomiser, which might suggest anything from gifting a book to a stranger, to proposing to the person you love with a line from your favourite poem.
To ensure that Book Week Scotland is accessible to as wide a range of people as possible, there will also be an outreach programme working with 20 local and national organisations. These partnerships will be tailored to specific audiences, and will include Dyslexia Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, 5 local authority Community and Learning Development teams and organisations like Fare Scotland, Sunny Govan FM, the Maker’s Bistro, Open Book and many others.
Participants will take part in a range of activities including finding out what friends and family like to read and gifting a specially chosen book, running book/film discussion nights, sharing and celebrating adult learners’ reading achievements, running a “write to recovery workshop” to encourage people to use creative writing to improve mental wellbeing and a “Reading, Writing and Self-Management” event to celebrate people using reading and writing to manage their long term health conditions.
For those who have an interest in discovering new writing talent, 150,000 free copies of a short story and poem collection written by the people of Scotland, Secrets and Confessions, will be handed out during the week via libraries, bookshops and other outlets.
School pupils across the country can also get into the Book Week Scotland spirit, with the three free picture books shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize gifted to every Primary 1 pupil in Scotland in the Bookbug P1 Family Bag, and free bags of books, writing materials and counting games gifted to all Primary 2 and Primary 3 pupils. The bags, produced in partnership with Education Scotland and Scottish Government as part of Read, Write, Count, provide fun materials for parents and children to use to have fun learning at home.
Additionally, children across the country can tune in to watch award-winning children’s author and Ruby Redfort creator Lauren Child in a special free Authors Live webcast on 24 November at 11.00am. Several secondary schools will also enjoy a personal visit from hip hop artist Dave Hook of Stanley Odd fame, who will tour schools around the country during the week.
The week will conclude with the unveiling of the nation’s 10 favourite Scottish book to screen adaptations – will cult movie Trainspotting triumph, or will Robbie Coltrane’s Gruffalo snap up the top spot? Voting is open now at www.bookweekscotland.com – film, TV and book fans can choose their number one page to screen adaptation from an eclectic shortlist of 40.
For more information about Book Week Scotland 2016 and how you can get involved, visit www.bookweekscotland.com, where you can find information about all the events taking place in your local area, vote for your favourite book to screen adaptation and discover all sorts of ideas to help you celebrate and share whatever it is you love to read.
Comments:
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It’s a fantastically positive endorsement of Scotland’s thriving literary scene that Book Week Scotland is now entering its fifth year, bigger, better and bolder than ever before. Authors, booksellers, libraries, readers and partners too numerous to mention have really taken this national festival to heart and made it what it is – a joyful, democratic and inclusive celebration of reading’s unique capacity for empowerment, enrichment, education, solace, pleasure and growth. The 2016 programme is our best yet, with world-class authors and more programmed events than ever before.”
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “Book Week Scotland has gone from strength to strength since it was established in 2012, gaining the support of some of Scotland’s leading authors, including Christopher Brookmyre and Liz Lochhead. The importance of reading for pleasure cannot be underestimated, it can be a force for good in so many ways, helping people realise their potential.
“The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging reading in all our communities and, over the last four years, thousands of people have enjoyed events and free books during Book Week Scotland. It’s now a firm fixture in the calendar for thousands, and I encourage people the length and breadth of the country to embrace Book Week Scotland 2016”.
Leonie Bell, Director, Arts and Engagement, Creative Scotland, said: “The fifth year of Book Week Scotland promises to be a real celebration of Scotland’s incredible literary culture, from new writers to old favourites. With an outreach programme ensuring that everyone across Scotland is able to enjoy the magic of reading and a plethora of book-related events, talks and dares to embark on, Scottish Book Trust is taking us on a reading adventure like no other.”
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive, Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) said: “The Scottish Library and Information Council is delighted to support Book Week Scotland in this its 5th year. Scottish Book Trust has pulled together a stellar programme which will tantalise and engage audiences across the country. Scotland has a proud literary heritage and it’s great to see today’s authors celebrated in such an imaginative and inspirational way.”
Author Jodi Picoult said: “I am delighted to be part of Scotland’s celebration of books and writing, and love coming north of the border to meet my fans. I can’t wait to be there!”
Initiated by the Scottish Government and supported, along with a Reading Champions programme in libraries, by £200,000 from Creative Scotland, Book Week Scotland will be delivered by Scottish Book Trust. Book Week Scotland in public libraries and Further Education College libraries is funded by the Scottish Library and Information Council
PICTURES: ROB McDOUGALL
The winners of the 2016 Observer Food Monthly Awards, supported by AO.com, were announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday – and Edinburgh was among the winners. Social bite received the outstanding achievement award (Social Bite’s Josh Littlejohn pictured above) and Edinburgh food blogger Kerry Teakle was also honoured at the event, winning best reader’s recipe. Continue reading City shares in Observer Food Awards
At least 2,000 people who have direct experience of receiving benefits are to help shape Scotland’s first ever social security system. People from across the country who currently receive a benefit which will be devolved to Scotland, or who have received it in the last year, will be recruited to help to design and test the new system to ensure it works for them.
The Experience Groups will be set up from spring 2017, and will build on the feedback which is already being gathered through the Scottish Government’s current social security consultation.
Announcing the project, Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, Angela Constance said: “We want to build a fairer social security system that treats people with dignity and respect. When we set out our guiding principles for social security, we said that we would put the user experience first, and that our system would be designed with and for the people of Scotland.
“As part of that process we are already consulting with a wide range of people from across Scotland to gather their feedback on how the current system works.
“We have listened to what goes well, but have also heard many reports of the problems so many people face when accessing benefits. We want to make sure that does not happen in our new system – therefore we will recruit at least 2,000 people from across Scotland, who are in receipt of benefits, to help us shape and test our new system.
“We are determined that our new social security system is built to support those people who need it most. This crucial involvement from people with direct experience of receiving social security payments will help make sure that we get it right.”
Once fully devolved, Scotland will take control of around £2.7 billion, or 15% of the total Scottish social security bill. The remainder of spending in Scotland will remain under control of the UK Government.
The Scottish Government is currently consulting on Scotland’s first ever social security consultation. You can give you views at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/social-security/social-security-in-scotland
You can also get involved in the consultation by email at socialsecurityconsultation@gov.scot or telephone on 0131 244 7763 or in writing at Social Security Consultation, 5th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU.
LOCAL EVENT: ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
Wednesday 26 October 10am – 12.30pm
We inivte you/your group to take part in a local consultation event about Social Security in Scotland. The event will take place in Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre on Wednesday 26th October from 10 – 12.30. The event has been organised in conjunction with the Poverty Alliance who have been running these sessions throughout Scotland during the last couple of months. We are keen to ensure that people from North Edinburgh who have experience of the current system are able to take part in the process and have their voices heard.
Continue reading Scots on benefits to help shape our welfare system
AfriFest – a vibrant celebration of Africa Arts and Culture, and the unique input black performers have made to the artistic and cultural landscape of Scotland. 2 day festival will include live music, dance, workshops, film and food, as well as the culture of people of African descent, supporting artistic expression and the pursuit of excellence and innovation. Performers include the award winning Senegalese kora maestro Seckou Keita.
Share your views on the regeneration of Muirhouse Shopping Centre and the surrounding environment. The city council’s consultation team will be back at the Shopping Centre today from midday – 3pm. Have a look at the plans and make your comments!
More than a hundred secondary schools will receive up to £11.5 million for projects to close the attainment gap, Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed yesterday. In Edinburgh Castlebrae Community High School, Wester Hailes Education Centre, Holyrood High School and Craigroyston Community High School will benefit from the funding. Continue reading Cash for schools to close attainment gap
Hi folks,
I am writing to invite you/your group to take part in a local consultation event about Social Security in Scotland. The event will take place in Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre on Wednesday 26th October from 10 – 12.30. Continue reading Have your say on our benefits system
Edinburgh arts patron Professor Richard Demarco has opened an exhibition of his work charting his collaboration with German legend Joseph Beuys, at Edinburgh College. The project aims to benefit art and design students at the college by giving them insight into the collaborative processes between top artists.
Continue reading Demarco exhibition opens at Granton Campus
Edinburgh Leisure is launching a new pre-school class, ‘Jump and Dive’ designed specifically for 3-5 year olds. Continue reading Jump into self-confidence
