Day: May 8, 2023

Dundee Rep Theatre’s No Love Songs set to take Edinburgh Fringe by storm as part of Made in Scotland

Dundee Rep Theatre is delighted to announce that its new production, No Love Songs, is set to receive its World Premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August in a 3-week run at the Traverse Theatre, co-directed by Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director, Andrew Panton, and Associate Director Tashi Gore and presented as part of Made in Scotland.

The creative brainchild of the lead singer of Scottish indie band sensation, The View, Kyle Falconer and his partner Laura Wilde, No Love Songs tells the brave and deeply personal story of love, new parenthood and deals with the subject of post-natal depression. This original, new musical follows Lana and Jessie as they learn to navigate the unique challenges of their new lives as parents.

It is now revealed that Dawn Sievewright (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, Glasgow Girls) and John McLarnon (My Left Right Foot, Local Hero) will play the characters of Lana and Jessie, joining the fantastic creative team working on this show, including co-writers Johnny McKnight and Laura Wilde, Musical Director and Arranger Gavin Whitworth, Lighting Designer Grant Anderson, Sound Designer Ritchie Young, Set Design Stylist Leila Kalbassi and Costume Design Stylist Cate Mackie. 

No Love Songs features hits from Kyle’s 2021 solo album, ‘No Love Songs For Laura’ such as ‘Stress Ball’ and ‘Mother’, reimagined live on stage in this unique and urgent gig theatre show.

This exciting new musical will preview at Dundee Rep this month after a work-in-progress sharing last year as part of Rep Stripped drew raves from audiences. Audiences can book their tickets for the preview performances at Dundee Rep between 13 and 20 May under this link.

The production is presented as part of the prestigious Made in Scotland showcase, a curated showcase of high-quality performance from Scotland at the world’s biggest arts festival – Edinburgh Festival Fringe – made possible by support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund. It is a partnership between Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Scottish Music Centre and Creative Scotland.

Kyle Falconer and Laura Wilde said: “As avid festival-goers ourselves, we could not be more excited to take No Love Songs to the Fringe, it’s a real ‘pinch-me’ moment for us to be included in the most famous festival in the world – it’s exactly what we hoped for No Love Songs.

“Especially being Scottish, it feels amazing to be able to take it from Dundee to Edinburgh and to give us that platform to reach a worldwide audience. We are really proud of the whole team involved and we cannot wait to open at this year’s festival!” 

Dundee Rep is thrilled to also be collaborating with the Traverse Theatre on THE GRAND OLD OPERA HOUSE HOTEL, an exciting new co-production that will be presented on the Traverse stage between 4 and 27 August before transferring to Dundee Rep this autumn (13-16 September).

Featuring a large ensemble, this mainstage production is the crown jewel in Traverse’s 60th year, brought to the festival audiences by the team responsible for hits such as Pride and Prejudice* Sort Of and Kidnapped.

Andrew Panton, Artistic Director, Dundee Rep, said: “We’re very excited to be partnering with the Traverse on two new shows for Travfest ‘23.

“Both use music and song to tell stories in new and innovative ways, dealing with important and urgent themes. I’m delighted that we’re collaborating with and showcasing the work of these extraordinarily talented artists at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.”

Lindsays: Edinburgh house prices showing no signs of dropping

Solicitor and estate agents records year-on-year rise with market holding strong – and prices significantly ahead of pre-pandemic level

  • Average house prices in Edinburgh are more than £60,000 higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic, city-based solicitors and estate agents Lindsays has found.
  • And the firm says that prices across Edinburgh and throughout the Lothians show no signs of dropping – with values remaining stable and strong.

Lindsays has revealed that the average price of homes it sold through its Edinburgh office in the 2022-23 financial year was £322,250. That compared to £259,893 in 2019-2020. The firm’s average price in 2021/22 was £314,798.

After two years of unprecedented activity since the nation emerged from the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020, its estate agency team says volumes have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Maurice Allan, Managing Director of Lindsays’ Residential Property department, said: “We’ve read lots of headlines about house prices dropping. We’re not seeing that. Edinburgh – as with other parts of Scotland – is bucking the trend that’s being reported elsewhere.

“We’re not in a market where prices are dropping. In fact, it’s a market that’s pretty solid. Family houses are continuing to enjoy strong attention and are going for real premiums.

“After a couple of quite remarkable years, we are seeing the market return to more normal levels of activity, last seen really in 2019.”

Property prices rose rapidly as the market intensified amid incredible demand following the lockdowns.

Activity began cooling in the face of political and financial instability last year, which saw interest rates – which had been at historic lows for a number of years – increase, coupled with the rising cost of living.

But this has not led to a drop in prices across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Mr Allan added: “For the vast majority of properties, prices are holding up well. What we’re not seeing now, however, are the extremes that we experienced in a relatively small part of the market when competition was at its most intense.

“We are not finding that properties are selling below their home report valuation. And properties are selling. Finance is still available for people – and many people still have healthy deposits.

“The issue is not whether people are worried about being able to afford to move, it’s whether they can find the right property to suit their circumstances, whether that be needing a bigger home, downsizing or relocating.

“If they can find the right property to move to, they will put their current home on the market. It’s a supply and demand issue.

“Most people are trading in the same market. So, if someone finds the right home and they are ready, we are finding they just go for it.”

In Dundee, where Lindsays’ estate agency team also operates, the average prices of homes sold in the 2022-23 financial year was £205,790. That compared to £161,786 in 2019-2020. The firm’s average price in 2021/22 was £181,849.

The current Bank of England interest base rate is 4.25%. Some mortgage market analysts have stated that they expect mortgage rates to gradually decline throughout the year, even if interest rates go up.

According to solicitor estate agents’ collective ESPC, the average selling price of property across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and the Borders rose 1% to £270,284 during January to March this year.

Its members recorded the average property achieving 102.8% of Home Report valuation at sale.

No Time to Lose: Holyrood must ‘bite the bullet’ on oil and gas phase out

CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR FULLY RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM BY 2030

Climate campaigners are calling on the Scottish Government to bite the bullet and commit to a fully renewable energy system by 2030 as the public consultation on its Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan closes tomorrow (Tuesday 9th May).

Campaigners highlighted conflicting visions within the document and the over-reliance on carbon capture and hydrogen to meet the Government’s 2030 vision, despite previously admitting this would not be possible. 

Campaigners said that with critical 2030 climate targets looming, it is essential that the final version of the energy plan sets out a comprehensive strategy for a managed and just phase out of oil and gas, moving to a fully renewable energy system that is run for the benefit of people and the planet. 

Whilst campaigning to be First Minister Humza Yousaf pledged to take a 10% equity share in future offshore wind leasing round and set up a publicly owned energy generation company. Neither of these options to create an energy system that delivers greater benefits to the public are considered in this document.

Given the abject failure of market forces to respond to the climate crisis, Friends of the Earth Scotland believes that public ownership is key to driving the transformation of the energy system.

The draft version of the ESJTP was also criticised for compiling existing policies and strategies, failing to fill in the gaps or address lack of coherence between these. 

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Mary Church said: “The final destination of this Strategy is bold but there is no coherent plan for how we will get there.

“If Scotland is to stop missing climate targets, it needs to get off fossil fuels and deliver the wide-ranging transformation needed in public transport, home insulation and renewable generation that can help slash climate pollution and tackle the cost of living crisis. 

“There is no time to lose. The Scottish Government must bite the bullet and set a clear direction of travel and how we are going to get there. As part of that we need a clear end date for oil and gas within this decade and a detailed plan on how affected workers and communities will be supported through the transition.

“Ministers must stop clinging to the dangerous illusion that carbon capture can deliver the urgent step change needed in Scotland’s climate efforts, and focus on delivering a fully renewable energy system by 2030.

“Profit driven energy bosses have long failed to deliver an energy system that works for households or creates enough decent green jobs in Scotland.

“Humza Yousaf must build on his promise to take stakes in future offshore wind projects and make sure that a public energy company is set up swiftly to share the benefits of our energy resources more fairly and drive the just transition.”

The final version of the Strategy should: 

        • Set a clear date and plan for the end of oil and gas use within this decade
        • Reject new fossil fuel infrastructure and over-reliance on Carbon Capture 
        • Clarify that the 2030 decarbonisation target will be met fully through renewables
        • Detailed green jobs creation plan and clear pathways for oil workers to switch sector  
        • Centre public ownership with public good objectives to drive the just transition
        • Reduce overall energy demand through public transport and home insulation
        • Ensure fair consumption of minerals critical to the energy transition

Portobello Promenade assault: Do you know this man?

Police Scotland have released an image of a man they believe may have information in connection with an assault which occurred on Friday 17 March 2023 at around 12.15pm at Portobello Promenade.

The man is described as aged 30 to 37, of a medium build and with brown hair. He is between 5ft 11ins to 6ft 2ins and was wearing a grey Nike hoodie, dark coloured jogging bottoms and white Adidas trainers.

Portobello Promenade image

Constable Erin Millar of Police Scotland said: “The man pictured or anyone who recognises the man pictured please contact officers via 101, quoting incident number 1687 of Friday 17 March 2023.

“Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Christine Jardine joins Strachan House for Big Coronation Picnic

Local care home Strachan House has had a week full of royal themed activities but the fun didn’t stop there. They hosted The Big Coronation Picnic event yesterday (Sunday 7th May) for their residents, family friends and their entire local community.

In attendance was local MP Christine Jardine who kindly accepted her invitation to unveil a rose bush in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth ll after her son King Charles lll take the royal crown on Saturday 6th May.

 Christine Jardine spent the afternoon chatting with everyone who attended the event. Enjoying everything Strachan House had to offer Christine explained “It has been a lovely afternoon I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Chatting with the residents and staff has been lovely. Such a wonderful home and the amount of support was outstanding.” 

Mandy, Head of Activities, said: “Our residents have had a fantastic week on the run up but this event demonstrated that community spirit is very much alive and judging by all who attended it was prevalent that Strachan House is a very special place in our community.

“It has been a whole home approach to ensure our residents had a fantastic coronation. Having our local MP Christine Jardine accept our invitation was a testament to how valued we are within our community.”

Paul Dow, Head Chef at Strachan House, said: “It was an amazing day and an honour to cater for our local community and an absolute pleasure to showcase what we have to offer here at Strachan House.

“It’s certainly an event I won’t forget in a hurry!” 

Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House said: “We have been overwhelmed with the support and community spirit throughout our celebrations of the Kings Coronation, it has been such a special occasion for everyone not to mention our residents. 

Our staff have gone over and above to ensure Strachan House and everyone who lives and works here have had a spectacular day. To have so much continued local community support truly humbling.”

Bernard Saltmarsh, resident at Strachan House added: “it was an honour to meet Christine and have my picture taken with her.

“We even had the sun come out for the afternoon which was a big relief to what the morning was like!”

Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

Strachan House is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, respite care.

UNCANNY MACHINES: International artist Kasia Molga awarded The New Real’s major AI Art Commission

The New Real, a world-leading and Edinburgh-based AI research hub. has premiered its leading international AI Art award and commission that brings together the foremost institutions in both the AI and the arts, and announced UK and Netherlands-based Polish artist Kasia Molga as the winner of The New Real 2023 AI Art Commission: Uncanny Machines.

This award and commission gives artists an unrivalled opportunity to extend their practice by providing them a powerful and accessible generative AI tool, The New Real’s own AI Platform.

This is a fascinating and unique ‘tool box’ created with and for artists, to gain increased access and control over an AI model and to creatively explore AI.

This addresses limitations in the current crop of generative AI applications, in order to open new thinking which can lead to better art, and also provides a basis to probe and question urgent issues of today. Introduced as part of The New Real’s AI Art Programme: Uncanny Machines which explores the uncanny interplay of humans and machines, and the social implications of recent developments in AI.

The winner was publicly revealed on Friday at the event entitled The New Real Salon: The Algorithmic Turn at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

The event culminates the EFI’s Love Machine season of events bringing into light the intimate relationships between humans and algorithms. 

At this event the artist was joined by guest speakers; activist and self proclaimed cultural engineer Phoenix Perry, who shared insights into generative AI creative work, and leading academic in the fields of AI, Data Arts and Society, and Drew Hemment, who hosted a debate with Kasia Molga on the societal and ethical issues of digital reincarnations of deceased persons, a topic the art commission will explore.

The Open Call received a huge volume of outstanding submissions which the Jury whittled down to just five astonishing candidates who each received Development Awards. Kasia Molga is now revealed as the artist awarded the full commission allowing her to bring her concept to life.

The commission is designed to provide transformative experiences for audiences, fuelled by AI, and present an artwork that addresses key challenges in AI, such as consent, agency and confusion of humans and machines

In her project entitled How to find the Soul of a Sailor, Kasia Molga presents a very personal journey to find the soul of her father in data from a life spent on the seas. As a child, Molga travelled with her sailor father on merchant navy vessels. Her father often was the lone parent caring for her on board the ship.

They were two people who understood each other without words – sometimes Molga felt she could read her dad’s thoughts. He passed away quite unexpectedly 15 years ago leaving a huge hole in Molga’s heart and many diaries from his journeys.

Sometimes when Molga fears that her memories of being on the open sea with him are fading, she rereads his diaries trying to hang on to his voice.

In her commission, Molga will draw on her experiments using The New Real’s AI platform to recreate stories in his voice.

Having constructed a dataset from ships’ logs, her dad’s own diaries, and a British Library collection of maps from the Mediterranean Sea, Molga uses a Word2vec feature to explore, among others, whether AI can convincingly recreate a way of writing such that aspects of her dad’s personality can be ‘sensed’ and what are the implications and emotional effects of such a way of ‘resurrecting’ a person who is no longer with us. More on Kasia Molga’s project can be found here.

Announced earlier this year, The New Real 2023 Development Awards allowed five artists; Kasia Molga, Johann Diedrick & Amina Abbas-Nazari, Alice Bucknell, Sarah Ciston and Linnea Langfjord Kristensen & Kevin Walker, to conduct research and development (R&D) using The New Real’s AI Platform: a fascinating and unique ‘tool box’ created with and for artists, allowing them to manipulate a model, in order to enable profound artistic experiments with AI.

The output of the R&D phase is a visual presentation and talk. These five talks were screened at Inspace alongside this event.

The Uncanny Machines Art Commission will be presented later this year. Details to follow.

Drew Hemment, Director and Principal Investigator of The New Real, said: “We have achieved something truly unique in bringing together new ideas in both science and the arts to tackle urgent challenges just at the moment that Generative AI has exploded into the world’s consciousness.

“It is with huge pleasure we announce today that Kasia Molga has been awarded our coveted New Real 2023 Art Commission. Kasia blew us away with her vision and the intensely personal journey she wants to take with The New Real. She hopes to use AI to give new life to her father’s memories, and to bring a fresh perspective on the world’s oceans that he travelled his entire life.

“This is the next step in our journey to develop more fair and inclusive technologies, and to support artists to develop significant works.”

Winning artist, Artist Kasia Molga, said: “It is a huge pleasure and delight to work with The New Real, they are the leading group spanning the arts and AI in this way.

“This project is of the greatest personal importance to me. My dad’s diaries are extremely precious, and this is my way of showing my love for my father, and my shared concern for the ocean, his life’s passion.

“I’m excited to go to places I could not have imagined before using AI, and I can think of no one better to share this journey than The New Real.

“On one hand, this new body of work is about the transition of marine ecosystems. Yet it also probes the emotional implications of giving away data – almost fragments of personality – of departed loved ones and the ethics of AI in the context of digital afterlives.

“The work will use AI wisely to reveal unexpected interconnections between the words of those no longer with us and such large subjects as oceans and climate change.”

Boyack sounds alarm over access to dentists in Musselburgh

Sarah Boyack MSP has highlighted the grim findings that more than 3 in 4 Dental Practices serving patients in Musselburgh are no longer accepting NHS Patients.

Following up on concerns of Musselburgh residents, Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack contacted practices serving the Musselburgh area to inquire whether they were accepting new NHS patients.

The findings also highlighted those that were accepting new patients had waiting lists of over six months on average.

Commenting Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack said: “Patients in Musselburgh are being routinely let-down by the lack of NHS Dental provision.

“With more than three quarters of NHS Dentists unable to accept new patients, the people of Musselburgh have been left with a two-tiered system that routinely fails them.

“We are now seeing the devastating effects of the SNP mismanagement of our NHS, with patients spending months suffering unnecessarily whilst they are unable to see an NHS Dentists.

“This cannot carry on, The SNP must act now before more communities like Musselburgh are left without access to NHS services.”

Data collected by the office of Sarah Boyack MSP for the 20 closest practices to Musselburgh on 5/5/23:

Practice NamePostcodeAccepting NHS AdultsWait time for appointment
Duncan Smith Dental PracticeEH21 6AANoN/A
Campbell & Gibson Dental PracticeEH21 6AGNoPrivate Only
Musselburgh Dental CareEH21 7ADYesNo appointments until August
Craigentinny Dental CareEH15 3AYNoN/A
Dental ExpressEH15 2DANoN/A
Portobello Dental ClinicEH15 2ATYesNo Appointments until November
My Dentists PortobelloEH15 2AUNoN/A
Duddingston ParkEH15 3NYNoN/A
Duddingston Dental PracticeEH15 1QRNoN/A
Bosco Dental StudioEH22 2RFNoN/A
Midlothian Dental PracticeEH22 1JZNoAbout 6 month waiting list
Family Dental Care East LothianEH32 9BFYesN/A
SR Dental CareEH22 1AHNoN/A
WF Mocharie Dental PracticeEH22 1JBNoN/A
Craigmillar Dental CentreEH16 4AJNoN/A
Bridge Dental CareEH33 1AHNoWait list of 7 to 8 months
Brite DentalEH17 7JDNoWait list of a year
Espie and Hill Dental CareEH33 1HHYesN/A
BUPA Dental Care PrestonfieldEH16 5BYNoN/A
Links Road Dental PracticeEH32 0DUNoAugust at earliest

New mural at Fresh Start

Check out this freshly painted mural outside Fresh Start in West Pilton ♥

National Galleries of Scotland have been working with residents and artists Fraser Gray and Eva Paredes to create this stunning artwork, inspired by the work the charity does to support the local community.

The mural is part of NGS’ work to build stronger relationships with people and organisations in North Edinburgh, where The Art Works will be based.

The mural also features some artworks inspired by the national collection – see if you can spot them!

PM hosts Coronation lunch for community heroes and Ukrainians forced to flee their homes

Community heroes, Ukrainian families and youth groups gathered in Downing Street yesterday for a special Coronation lunch

  • Lunch was held in Downing Street with food from across the UK
  • Community heroes, Ukrainians forced to flee their homes and youth groups attended
  • Over 50,000 Coronation Big Lunches were held in the UK and across the globe

Community heroes, Ukrainian families and youth groups gathered in Downing Street yesterday for a special Coronation lunch hosted by the Prime Minister and Mrs Murty.

The event is taking place as part of The Big Lunch, a nationwide initiative to bring neighbours and communities together to celebrate the Coronation.

Over 50,000 Big Lunch street parties took place in the UK and in countries across the globe.

Downing Street was adorned with bunting featuring the official Coronation emblem and the Union Flag. Crockery will be donated by Emma Bridgewater – the award-winning ceramics company based in Stroke-on-Trent – including a limited edition King Charles III teapot.

Recipients of the Points of Light Award – volunteers that have made an outstanding contribution to their community – attended the event.

They include Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates who set up Saying Goodbye a charity that supports thousands of people who have lost a child during pregnancy, at birth or infancy – and Navjot Sawhney whose hand-cranked washing machine is benefitting over 1,000 families without access to an electric machine in underdeveloped countries or refugee camps.

Also joining was Laura Ashurst from Stokesley in North Yorkshire. A three-time breast cancer survivor, Laura has campaigned for fifteen years to improve the lives of the 35,000 women across the UK with secondary breast cancer.

Attendees enjoyed food sourced from across the UK, including Loch Duart salmon from Sutherland in North West Scotland and soda farl from Northern Ireland.

Beef came from Gloucestershire in South West England and ice cream has been sourced from Chilly Cow, a company based in Ruthin, Wales.

Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war on Ukraine and their UK-based sponsors also joined the event. They included Olga Breslavska who travelled to the UK as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme and is currently studying an intensive English course. Caroline Quill – a Homes for Ukraine sponsor – has been instrumental in matching 250 families across East Sussex and Kent and will also join the lunch.

Young people from organisations such as UK Youth and the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs also marked the occasion.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said: “Come rain or shine, thousands of friends and neighbours are coming together this weekend to put up the bunting, pour the tea and cut the cake at street parties and community events across the UK.

“I am proud to welcome Ukrainians forced to flee their homes and some incredible community heroes to Downing Street for our very own Coronation lunch to celebrate this historic moment.

“In England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland – and across our Overseas Territories and the wider Commonwealth – people are marking this momentous occasion in the spirit of unity and hope for the future”.

Traffic Wardens on the buses!

Parking attendants ride city buses to target inconsiderate drivers

A trial to crack down on drivers parking in bus lanes will see parking attendants riding Lothian Buses services to target city hotspots.

From tomorrow (Tuesday 9 May) parking attendants will begin travelling on specially selected routes, which experience issues with vehicles blocking bus lanes.

Attendants will be able to disembark buses to move on or issue parking tickets to any drivers breaking the rules and board the next bus on the same route.

The initiative, being carried out in partnership with Lothian Buses, aims to improve bus reliability and journey times by reducing disruption to services caused by incorrectly parked vehicles. In turn this will support and encourage sustainable, low carbon travel by public transport.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We already have an excellent bus service in Edinburgh, relied on by many, and our bus lanes are really important to making sure services can run smoothly and on time, especially during peak hours.

“This trial, in partnership with Lothian Buses, will let parking attendants target hotspots in real time, where drivers continue to park inconsiderately. We’ll continue monitoring its effectiveness to make sure we’re focusing on the right areas.

“Encouraging and supporting travel by sustainable, reliable public transport is crucial to our net zero 2030 aspirations, as well as helping to reduce congestion, improve air quality and provide accessible transport for everyone.”

Willie Hamilton, Operations Director, Lothian Buses, said: “Lothian is committed to providing a safe, reliable and trusted service across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“As we look to encourage the use of public transport in support of the Scottish Government and The City of Edinburgh Council’s wider environmental goals, it is important that we work with partners across the city on effective ways to ensure bus priority measures are followed which will enhance our ability to provide a consistently reliable standard of service for our customers.”

Find out more about bus lanes in Edinburgh.