Day: November 8, 2018

Money worries? Start talking!

Wednesday 14th November 11am – 2pm

The Prentice Centre, Granton Mains Avenue

(opposite entrance to Edinburgh College Granton Campus)

The event brings together multiple agencies who are working to tackle poverty and inequality and assist people in a range of ‘financial capability’ areas including income maximisation, debt advice, help with fuel and housing costs, free school meals and clothing grants, housing support, employability, low cost credit, etc.

Organisations taking part in the Prentice Centre event are:

  • Granton Information Centre (hosts)
  • Muirhouse Housing Association (event sponsors)
  • Changeworks
  • Family & Housing Support
  • Scotcash
  • Y People
  • Community Renewal
  • Circle
  • West Granton Housing Co-operative
  • Advice Shop
  • Dunedin Housing Association
  • Fresh Start
  • Turn 2 Us

For further information telephone Granton Information Centre 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 or email michelle@gic.org.uk or david@gic.org.uk

Airport drop off price hike: think again, says Briggs

The price hike for drop-off charges at Edinburgh Airport has come under further scrutiny as Lothian MSP Miles Briggs says it is the people waiting for older relatives and disabled people, who need more time, will be the ones really hit by the doubled drop-off charges.

Miles Briggs has written to Michael Matheson to raise his concerns that older and disabled people will be hit by the doubled drop-off charges.

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, said: “It is clear that the original introduction of this drop-off charge has not achieved the outcome that it said it would.

“People waiting for older relatives and disabled people who need more time will be the ones really hit by the doubled drop-off charge.

“It’s time for Edinburgh Airport to think again.”

They’ll have to think fast – the widely-criticised price hike comes into force today

Digital Festival returns to Book Week Scotland

Line-up of virtual events including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

Book Week Scotland’s award-nominated Digital Festival will return for a second year, after the success of 2017’s inaugural virtual event programme.

After engaging over half a million people last year during the week that celebrates all things reading and writing, the charity Scottish Book Trust has unveiled a series of new and exciting online events taking place between 19-25 November 2018.

Things are even set to get rebellious this year, with a rabble-rousing line up as part of Book Week Scotland’s 2018 theme of ‘Rebel’. Featuring the First Minister, top football pundits like Pat Nevin and well-known authors and poets like Maggie O’Farrell, Joseph Coelho and Kevin Williamson, the week has as something for everyone.

Monday

On Monday 19 November, the week starts with a debut film from Scottish Book Trust showcasing the charity’s key areas of work. ‘I Read’ features a poem written by Edinburgh poet Tom Pow especially for the charity.

Then on Monday evening, ‘Scotland’s Greatest Football Rebel’ kicks off live at 7:30pm on Facebook. In partnership with Nutmeg Magazine, a panel including: Pat Nevin, former Scotland international and BBC pundit; Alan Pattullo, top Scottish sports journalist and biographer; Ginny Clark, former sports editor at Scotland on Sunday; Daniel Gray ‘Saturday, 3PM’ author, and Chris McQueer, rising star author of ‘Hings’ and ‘HWFG’, will debate who Scotland’s greatest football rebel is. Poet Thomas Clark will also perform a selection of work inspired by the beautiful game. Online viewers will be able to interact digitally with the event throughout the evening and will be able to vote for their own greatest football rebel via Facebook Live. Buy tickets for the event at the Scottish Storytelling Centre here.

Tuesday

On Tuesday 20th November, Scottish Book Trust will encourage the public to take part in #BookWeekScotlandSpinePoem: can you spell out a poem by stacking your books? Send your pictures to @BookWeekScot on Twitter or Instagram (@scottishbooktrust).

In the evening, top poets Michael Pedersen, Tom Pow, Nadine Aisha Jassat and JL Williams will do battle. Starting at 7pm, the 2018 Book Week Scotland Poetry Slam with be themed around ‘Rebel’. Returning champion, Katie Ailes, will open the night. Hosted by Edinburgh City of Literature’s Sian Bevan at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, this promises to be a pulsating night of competitive live poetry. Viewers can tune in via Facebook Live. 

Wednesday

It’s all about Wikipedia on Wednesday 21st November. Delphine Dallison, Wikimedian in Residence at Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), will host a livestream workshop about using Wikipedia like a rebel. Delphine will set tasks and answer questions from the public viaFacebook Live from 11:00am.

Thursday

On Thursday 22nd November, schools across Scotland can tune into BBC Authors Live with Joseph Coelho from 11:00am. The poet and author will share his picture book If All The World Were and will talk about how to create poetry. Classes can register via Scottish Book Trust’s website and can submit questions for the author through Twitter (#BBCAuthorsLive).

The winner of the Rebellious Reads of the 21st Century vote will also be announced via social media. With a record number of votes received this year, since the beginning of October, the public has been voting for their favourite non-fiction Rebellious Read of the 21st Century via Scottish Book Trust’s website.

Titles in the running include Poverty Safari by Darren McGarvey, I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and The Good Immigrant, edited by Nikesh Shukla. Members of the public can continue to cast their vote until midnight on Wednesday 21 November.

In the evening, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and award-winning author Maggie O’Farrell will be in conversation at an exclusive event at Stirling Castle. The event itself sold out 48 hours after tickets went on sale, but the public can still drop into this exclusive event online. The First Minister and Maggie O’Farrell will discuss what being a feminist means to them, and how their reading lives have shaped their identities.

The event will be held in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES), and Scottish Book Trust will live-stream the event via Facebook.

Friday 

Pamela Butchart, award-winning children’s author of The Phantom Lollipop Man, will take part in a live twitter Q&A with primary schools at 10am via the First Minister’s Reading Challenge using #PamelaBookChat.

At 11.30am, author and illustrator of Mortal Engines, Philip Reeve, will take over. Tweet your questions to @philipreeve1 for our @FMReadChallenge Twitter Q&A tagged #PhilipBookChat.

Watch the ‘Story of Rebel Inc’ as Scottish Book Trust takes activist Kevin Williamson and writer Jenni Fagan around Edinburgh to revisit famous landmarks from one of Scotland’s most important literary magazines.

Williamson launched Rebel Inc., which was one of the first places to publish Scottish writers such as Irvine Welsh, Laura Hird, Alan Warner and Toni Davidson. Later Williamson joined forces with Canongate Books to create the Rebel Inc imprint, which published 52 titles, mixing Scottish fiction with the international counter-culture and the politics of dissent. The video will be published across social media and Scottish Book Trust’s website.

Saturday

On Saturday 24 November, Scottish Book Trust will search for your rebellious #HiddenBookTreasure. Tweet about an under-the-radar book that more people should really read using the hashtag, to @ScottishBookTrust.

Well known book bloggers will also share their Hidden Book Treasures: Simon Savidge, previous judge of the Costa Book Awards; Jen Campbell, poet and author of Franklin’s Flying Bookshop and Jean Menzies, podcaster of That’s Ancient History.

In addition to the Digital Festival, hundreds of free events and activities will take place all across the country for Book Week Scotland. View the full programme of events here.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “At Scottish Book Trust, one of our key aims as a charity is to create di2gital content that can be accessed by all. The Digital Festival allows us to reach a more diverse audience from the comfort of their own homes.

“We hope even more people will take part in the Digital Festival this year, and we look forward to the public’s interactions via our social media channels and website.”

Mairi Kidd, Interim Head of Literature, Languages & Publishing, said: “The Digital Festival takes Book Week Scotland onto new platforms, meaning that more people across Scotland and further afield can join in with our national celebration of reading.

“Getting to meet authors and illustrators can be a powerful way into books and the Digital Festival brings a host of amazing events right into readers’ homes, including the exclusive evening at Stirling Castle with Maggie O’ Farrell and the First Minister. It’s especially great to see the sport world getting in on the action, inspiring more Scots to give reading a try.”

Ali Bowden, Director of Edinburgh City of Literature, said: “It’s fantastic that Scottish Book Trust run a Digital Festival as part of the Book Week Scotland celebrations.

“I love the variety of what’s on offer and that we can all be part of it, just by hopping online and firing in our questions and photos, and sharing our comments and thoughts.”

Travel advice for rugby fans

Rugby fans heading to watch Scotland in the Autumn Tests this month are being advised to take note of traffic and travel information.

In their first match this Saturday (10 November, kick-off 2.30pm), Scotland are playing host to Fiji and tens of thousands of spectators are expected to flock to BT Murrayfield Stadium for the sell-out fixture.

To ensure pedestrian safety and to minimise traffic disruption, pedestrian diversions will be implemented around the Haymarket Station area over the next three weekends.

The Council is working closely with Police Scotland to keep road and pedestrian traffic moving smoothly before and after the games.

And Edinburgh Trams will be running services to the Stadium from every three minutes, with extra staff on hand to help customers.

Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “The Autumn Tests always create a great buzz in the Capital and we’re anticipating hundreds of thousands of spectators to flock to Murrayfield to see Scotland in action over the next three weekends. 

“Please take heed of travel advice and road closure information to help you plan your journey in advance. And go Scotland!”

Road Closures & Restrictions  

There are a number of temporary traffic and parking restrictions in place on nearby streets on match days.

Supporters attending any of the fixtures using any nearby on-street parking are advised to check the timings of the road closures as they may be parked within an area that is affected by the various post-match closures.

Access/egress will not be available during the road closure times, including areas such as Haymarket Yards, the Stanhope area, Wester Coates area, Balbirnie Place and parts of the Roseburn area.

Pedestrian Management

To ensure pedestrian safety and to minimise traffic disruption, pedestrian movement will be safely managed around the Haymarket area following the match.

Those heading back into the city centre or Haymarket Station may experience delays due to the available width for the number of supporters heading along this corridor.

Alternative routes back to the city centre are available via Magdala Crescent, Coates Gardens or Rosebery Crescent. Access into Haymarket Station will be managed across the tram tracks. Trams will still be running so members of the public are asked to be patient and take advice from the stewards and Police who are there to ensure their safety.

Unlike previous fixtures there will be NO route back to the city centre/Haymarket Station via Balbirnie Place/Haymarket Yards. Pedestrians heading along Russell Road will be directed to Dalry Road as an alternative route back to the City Centre.

Please note that these diversions will not add any significant length on to pedestrians’ route and will have no affect to journey times as delays to pedestrian movement will be reduced.

These measures are there for the safety of all road users. Further assistance and instruction will be given to rail passengers as they approach Haymarket Station.

Supporters must allow plenty of extra time for their journey to the game. There are plenty of activities to enjoy at BT Murrayfield before the match, with lots of food and drink options available.

Identical arrangements are planned for Saturday 17 November, when Scotland will face South Africa in another sell-out match kicking off 5.20pm, and Saturday 24 November, when the hosts will take on Argentina (kick-off 2.30pm).

Information about getting to and from BT Murrayfield Stadium by bus, tram or rail for the Autumn Tests can be found on the Scottish Rugby website.

Full details of temporary road closures and parking restrictions are available on the Council website.

Scottish parents prioritise careers that make a difference

–          Parents say teaching, medicine and engineering are careers where their children could make a difference to the world

–          Seven in ten have had a conversation with their child about how their career can make a positive difference to society

–          Tomorrow’s Engineers Week starts today to celebrate engineers on a mission to make a positive impact on the world

Scottish parents want their children to have a future that makes a positive difference to society, according to new research released to mark the start of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week. Continue reading Scottish parents prioritise careers that make a difference

Angry People in Local Newspapers

It’s Gogglebox, only pointing at bins and dog poo

What do you do when your bins haven’t been emptied, you’ve got an unfair parking ticket or found a sticking plaster in your takeaway burger? Logic says that you go and complain to the people responsible for this minor outrage in your life.

You would be one hundred per cent WRONG.

The correct response is to go to your local newspaper and be photographed pointing angrily at the thing that displeases you – and that’s the subject of a new book coming out this month from author and journalist Alistair Coleman.

Angry People in Local Newspapers does exactly what it says on the tin, laughing along with the funniest stories of justified rage in Britain’s local press.

It shows Britain (and Australia, and New Zealand) as a tightly-wound ball of rage, where the only release is to have your photograph in your local newspaper pointing at a pile of dog poo.

Take these for example:

  • “Naked gardener put me off sausages for life” – the tale of a mild mannered lady from the English Home Counties forced to avoid her favourite tea time meat product all because of her exhibitionist neighbour.
  • “I was charged 8p for brown sauce on my pie” – Possibly the greatest scandal ever to come out of Wigan in the 21st Century.
  • “He left a dump instead of a tip” – The sorry tale of an Australian taxi driver who found his fare had left a steaming brown trout on the back seat of his cab.
  • “We’re sick of this… Residents deliver dog poo to the mayor” – The fragrant story of how locals in one small New Zealand town highlighted the problem of dog mess, complete with one of the greatest photographs ever committed to news print (attached, credit Nelson Weekly NZ)
  • “Piers Morgan turns down invite to ‘grim’ Dudley” – And what better way to illustrate your dislike for Britain’s most recognisable controversialist that to pose with a Piers Morgan horror mask taped to a stick, giving him a firm thumbs-down? Bravo, then, the Express and Star for mission accomplished.
  • “Popular American diner to be knocked down and turned into a cesspit” – Because if you’re after an indicator to how badly your life is going, this is it.
  • “Outrage after Aldi store in Morecambe closes” – It’s the little inconveniences in life that really stir up fury. The branch in question is closing because they’re opening a new, bigger one ON THE SAME STREET. But, as they say, there’s no pleasing some folk.
  • “Residents’ bollard erection fury” – You didn’t see this. Keep scrolling down. (But bravo to the Canterbury Journal for this utter FILTH)
  • “Does Billericay have the most expensive public toilet in the UK?” – We’re going to go out on a limb and say “Yes”, only because the person complaining is wearing a trilby and a cravat, and is holding a five pound note.

And to prove that the best seem to be the ones seemingly thrown together with random words and a photo of somebody pointing at something that’s no longer there anymore because it’s been stolen:

  • “Old man on bicycle stole a book case from our front garden” – More questions than answers, and surely the world’s slowest ever chase scene. That’s the magic of the local press.

Angry People In Local Newspapers is the cult website and Facebook group dedicated to the magnificence of British (mostly) regional journalism, now coming out in book form.

With around 250,000 members, many of whom acting as Official Spotters, it’s a daily round-up of the news that REALLY matters just about to celebrate its tenth year of people pointing at things.

It turns out that most of us don’t care a hoot for high-falutin’ politics – we just want our bins emptied, our pavements free of dog poo, buses to run on time, and (it turns out) Christmas to turn up once a year without it being totally RUINED by low-quality Santa’s Grottos.

APILN is a labour of love for BBC journalist Alistair Coleman, and it’s a big change from his usual beat of uncovering and explaining the global phenomenon of fake news.

“There’s a truth in local news that’s impossible to beat,” he says, “It’s everyday lives, the beating heart of this country. And when we’re annoyed, it’s the place we go to get things put right – and it’s your 15 minutes of fame as promised by Andy Warhol.”

Alistair says that local news is often the launch pad for stories that go viral in the national press and worldwide.

“Back in the day, your local news story stayed local,” he explains, “But now, the power of the internet means that you pointing with a scowl on your face at a dead mouse in a tin of beans can go all the way round the world, translated into every language from Tunbridge Wells to Vladivostok.

“Think of it as Gogglebox, only pointing at bins and dog poo, wrapped in a Union Flag.”

Local news is the where the next generation of journalists is to be found, and it should always play a central part in British life.

“It’s a thing worth celebrating in book form, and we’re pointing and laughing along with the people that make this country great.”

“And we’re delighted that so many editors and publishers see the funny side of the book. We couldn’t have done it without them.”