As the theatre production’s 2023 run heads towards a conclusion, it has won the Scottish Theatre Awards Leading Light Prize, awarded to the best Scottish theatre production at the Fringe.
The show also collected a Scotsman Fringe First Award, an accolade marking its 50th anniversary which is designed to encourage performers to bring new work to Edinburgh in the spirit of adventure and experiment.
In addition, the show’s writer and director, Jack MacGregor, was shortlisted for the Bright Spark prize, for Scottish theatre artists embarking on their career.
Presented by Harry’s production company O’Neill/Ross, Everything Under the Sun tells the story of an interpreter attached to the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Mali, following an insurgency in the country in 2012.
Harry is now hoping to use the experience of this year’s production to inform his research at ENU, which examines the work of Army at the Fringe through a critical events lens. The organisation was set up in 2017 to spark conversations about the role of the armed forces in Scottish society.
Reacting to the awards, Harry said: “It’s really pleasing. It’s been good to take stories from the army and connect with very good young artists to tell them.
“Putting on these productions is pretty much a joint effort, so it’s satisfying to see them come together. The Army delivers the venue, and being a reservist myself has given it that extra personal connection.
“Working with Edinburgh Napier, it has been really helpful to lean upon expertise from across the University. For example, with the knowledge of festivals at the University, or even when it comes to acting.”
Harry’s Director of Studies, Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith, and second supervisor, Dr Gary Kerr, attended Army at the Fringe to see some of Harry’s creative works.
Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith said: “We are delighted to have Harry join us as a PhD student here at the Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement.
“Harry is part of a vibrant Gold Covenant University research centre with multidisciplinary at the heart of our research.
“Army at the Fringe was thought provoking and I encourage people from all walks of life to go along to challenge their views on the role of the Army in Scotland. I am delighted that Harry has won these awards.”
Dr Gary Kerr said:“The Edinburgh Festival Fringe provides the opportunity for us all to share moments with each other, and the power of the arts allows us to challenge our thinking.
“Army at the Fringe is diverse, creative and hugely inspiring – the performances are a must-see!”
Army at the Fringe performances take place at Venue 358 – Drill Hall, Hepburn House, until 28 August 2023.
Bensons for Beds is making big changes in Edinburgh as it opens two new stores in the city in the next 10 days.The sleep experts are opening a brand new store at Craigleith Retail Park and relocating its existing Straiton Retail Park store into a new unit.
Stores teams at both Craigleith and Straiton are getting set to help customers choose the right bed and find the right sleep solutions.
The first store to move will be at Straiton retail park when the bed and mattress retailer moves into Unit 5-6, Edinburgh, EH20 9PW from its old home on the park with the new unit opening today (Friday 25 August).
The new unit will feature more than 7,000 square feet of trading space and employ five colleagues who’ll move across from the old store.
The second store is a brand new unit which will open in the capital at unit 7a&b, Craigleith Retail Park on Friday 1 September.
More compact, this new location will feature over 4,500 square feet of trading space and employ five new colleagues.
To celebrate the openings, Bensons will be rolling out its iconic purple carpet to welcome visitors who will be offered an additional 10 per cent off items bought over the opening weekends.
The new stores have been designed to showcase the wide range of beds and mattresses on offer at Bensons as it invests significantly to build a portfolio of brands that cater to every sleep need and the majority produced in-house at its own manufacturing centre in Cambridgeshire.
That portfolio includes Slumberland, which has been crafting a superior night’s sleep for over 100 years here in the UK. Slumberland is the proud owner of Good Housekeeping Institute Awards for its Airstream Memory, Naturals and Eco Solutions mattresses.
Last year it also launched its new Simply by Bensons range to give consumers a great night’s sleep from only 15p per sleep[1]. The affordable, feel good quality range features mattresses, divans and bed frames – all with free five-year guarantees.
Bensons also recently launched a new and exclusive range of beds and mattresses under its heritage Staples & Co brand which has been re-inventing sleep since 1895. The new ranges are designed to give customers a wide choice of comfort, storage and style features, with over 28,000 potential combinations.
The Staples & Co divan bases and Artisan Collection mattresses are handcrafted to order in the UK at Bensons’ dedicated British Kite Mark quality accredited factory in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Bensons is the exclusive home of iGel Advance, mattresses with a patented Graphene Technology, that helps customers regulate their body temperature to stay comfortable throughout the night.
As well as its exclusive in-house brands, last year Bensons also it unveiled its first collection of luxury mattresses from leading British maker Hypnos to broaden choice for customers. Other brands available include Tempur and Silentnight, so that customers can choose the right bed for them to help them get a good night’s sleep.
Bensons’ regional manager, Peter Doyle for Edinburgh said: “We’re delighted to be expanding the Bensons portfolio. Both stores will be showing off the best of what Bensons for Beds has to offer to customers in and around Edinburgh
“The store teams will be dedicated to one thing – giving our customers everything they need to get the best night’s sleep.”
School libraries across Scotland will receive a £200,000 funding boost for projects supporting anti-racism and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion to recognise the issues that matter to our children and young people.
The School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF) is the Scottish Government-supported national funding programme which supports creative and innovative projects within the school library sector.
Available to all state-run nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools, the 2023-24 fund once again puts a priority focus on project applications which support anti-racism and racial equality. The scheme officially opens for applications on Wednesday (23 August).
The 2023/24 fund will build on the anti-discrimination work undertaken in schools last year – including Ross High School in Tranent’s ‘Stand Up and Be Counted’ project, which developed a racial equality digital resource to recognise, represent and celebrate diversity in school libraries and communities across East Lothian.
Last year’s funding also supported the collaborative Academy programme in Clackmannanshire, which saw a series of progressive diversity and equality workshops launched with the Empathy Lab as part of the ‘Building Empathy Through Books’ initiative.
Apportioning funding to initiatives which help school library services achieve the key aims of ‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools: A National Strategy for School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023’ – the strategic document for the development of school libraries, the announcement of this year’s fund brings the total investment from the Scottish Government to £1.7m over the lifetime of the School Library Strategy strategy.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “School libraries play a vital role in the learning experiences of children and young people across the country. They are also places where positive values can be celebrated and developed, which is why I am delighted to continue our support for them through this fund.
“I am determined that inclusion, diversity and representation will be at the heart of our education system. This fund’s focus on developing anti-racism resources will help ensure that children and young people understand the harmful consequences of racism and discrimination, and encourage them to actively challenge it wherever it occurs.”
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) which administers the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government, added: “School libraries play a central role in helping children and young people gain the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for learning, life and work.
“They ensure every young person has the chance to fulfil their full potential, so it’s great to see this level of Scottish Government funding pledged to support the aims of ‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools’ once again.
“From physical and digital resources to collaborative workshops and initiatives, SLIF grants can help school libraries improve and expand the services they offer for their pupils, staff and the community around them.
“As we continue to put a focus on projects advocating for anti-racism and anti-discrimination, we would encourage every nursery, primary and secondary school to consider how they can help lead the way in developing our services and apply for funding today.”
Schools can apply via individual application or collaborative application with SLIC accepting up to two individual applications per local authority and an unlimited number of collaborative applications to ensure equal opportunities across Scotland.
The School Library Improvement Fund 2023-24 is now open to applications and will close at 12pm on Wednesday 20 September 2023.
Studio growth enabled inward film and HETV production spend to increase by 110%, driving increases in employment and economic value in Scotland’s screen sector
Overall production spend in Scotland grew by 55%, including content made by Scotland-based producers
Screen Scotland has published latest figures evidencing continued growth in the value of Scotland’s film and TV industries to the country’s economy including in Edinburgh.
Commissioned by Screen Scotland and produced by Saffery Champness and Nordicity, the independent report which looks at The Economic Value of the Screen Sector in Scotland in 2021 finds that significant growth was found in all areas of production, particularly inward investment film and High-End TV (HETV) production:
Inward investment film and HETV production spend increased by 110%, from £165.3 million in 2019 to £347.4 million in 2021.
In total, an estimated £617.4 million was spent on the production of film, TV and other audiovisual content in Scotland in 2021, compared to £398.6 million in 2019, up 55% compared to 2019*.
This included content made by Scotland-based producers, producers based outside of Scotland filming in Scotland and Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) commissioned content.
The employment impact in Scotland’s production sub-sector rose from 5,120 full time equivalent jobs (FTEs) in 2019 to 7,150 FTEs in 2021, a 39% increase. The employment impact across Scotland’s entire sector increased at a lower rate, by 5.6%, from 10,280 FTEs in 2019 to 10,940 FTEs in 2021 – with the covid impacts in that year on employment in the cinema exhibition and screen tourism accounting for the difference.
According to the research, undertaken by Saffery Champness and Nordicity as a follow-up to their recent study of 2019, growth is in large part due to sector development work undertaken since Screen Scotland’s formation in 2018, including significant skills development work and the opening of new or expanded studio facilities, particularly FirstStage Studios in Edinburgh, where Prime Video’s The Rig (which has returned to Scotland to film series 2) and Anansi Boys were filmed, and the expansion of The Pyramids in West Lothian, home to another Prime Video HETV series, Good Omens 2.
These studio facilities have made Scotland an even more attractive place to film, opening in time to catch the global post pandemic boom in production**.
Alongside film and TV development and production, the wide-ranging study analyses the economic contribution of the full screen sector value chain – film and TV development and production, animation, VFX and post-production, film and TV distribution, TV broadcast, film exhibition – and extends into the supply chains that provide services at each stage of the content process, including facilities, equipment, transport, catering and accommodation.
Beyond that direct supply chain, the study looks at where the screen sector stimulates economic activity elsewhere in the Scottish economy: screen tourism, the education and training sectors and infrastructure.
In total, the screen sector in Scotland contributed Gross Value Added (GVA) of £627 million to Scotland’s economy in 2021, providing 10,930 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs, up from £568 million and 10,940 FTEs in 2019. GVA is the standard measure used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other national statistical agencies for measuring the monetary value of economic activity and the economic performance of industries.
Isabel Davis, Screen Scotland’s Executive Director said: “The growth in all forms of production in Scotland between 2019 and 2021 is a phenomenal result. It shows us that public investment via Screen Scotland in infrastructure, development, production and skills development, combined with attractive levels of production incentive are the catalyst for a successful industry.
“Now is the time to build on these newly created jobs and growth with a sustained funding commitment towards skills development, attraction of large-scale productions and a focus on the development of locally originated film and television. Screen Scotland is committed to delivering further growth, working hand in hand with the commercial production and studio sectors.
“This will rely upon sustained funding and support in order for Scotland to seize the opportunities ahead of it and see that growth trajectory continue.”
Authors of the Report, Stephen Bristow, Partner, Saffery Champness LLP and Dustin Chodorowicz, Partner, Nordicity noted further significant Report findings: “The doubling of Scotland’s annual level of inward investment film and high-end TV production between 2019 and 2021, was nearly three times the 39% growth rate experienced by the UK as a whole, according to published BFI statistics.
“In addition, Scotland’s screen sector GVA rose by 9.7% in those two years – well ahead of the 1.2% increase in nominal GVA (i.e. not adjusted for the effects of price inflation) posted by Scotland’s overall economy during that period.”
Wellbeing Economy Secretary, Neil Gray said: “This report highlights another banner year for Scotland’s screen sector, which is all the more significant for the jobs, investment and economic growth it has delivered. The scale of the return to the Scottish economy from the investment in screen production is remarkable.
“Beyond film and TV, this report also highlights how our tourism, hospitality and construction sectors have benefitted from this investment through screen tourism, catering contracts, and infrastructure expansion, and the supply chains that support these activities.
“The efforts of Screen Scotland have been key to this result and we are committed to working with them and the sector to ensure this growth and the wider benefits being delivered can continue.”
Bob Last, who’s FirstStage Studios in Leith has housed Prime Video’s Anansi Boys and The Rig, and where the second series of The Rig is currently filming, said: “We at FirstStage Studios are excited to have created a facility that helps our customers and their creatives realise ambitious visions for audiences both local and global.
“We are pleased to have rapidly built relationships with, in particular Amazon Prime Video, enabling us to play a part in anchoring more of this global industry and its varied employment opportunities in Scotland and Leith.
“We thank all those who have chosen to make our facility their creative home and especially the crews whose hard work we witness daily, every one of them is a part of the good news today’s Screen Scotland report outlines.”
As a highly experienced Scotland-based film and HETV producer, and currently producer on The Rig, Suzanne Reid commented: “As I progressed in my career the higher-level productions I wanted to work on just didn’t exist in Scotland, in part due to a lack of studio facilities – so I had to head to England and Wales for this type of work.
“It has been wonderful to be working back at home and to be able to work alongside our brilliantly talented Scottish crew on such a highly ambitious series. While it may have been a very successful couple of years for the Scottish Film and TV industry, we need to keep pushing for more high-end productions to be based in Scotland so we can continue to grow our talent base and keep them working at home.”
Craigies Farm, the much-loved family friendly destination in South Queensferry, has launched new Halloween events for this October, alongside their popular pick-your-own pumpkins.
Halloween at Craigies will feature the return of their pumpkin patch, with views over the picturesque South Queensferry countryside. New for this year, the fields will also feature ‘Tunnels of Terror’, providing frights and spooky fun for the whole family! Costumed characters will provide fun scares throughout the themed tunnels to provide a truly immersive experience.
During the day, in addition to the pumpkin patch, the Spooky Tunnels will offer little frights designed especially with younger visitors and those with additional support needs in mind. Meet a cast of colourful characters, hear tales from our spooky storyteller, take part in ghoulish games, snap some photos with creepy props and enjoy a spectacular sensory light experience.
As the sun goes down the fear factor creeps up, and at night the Spooky Tunnels become the Tunnels of Terror. Designed for older children and adults, these fun scares will keep the entire family on their toes and crying with laughter!
In the evening, we are also adding a brand new after-dark illuminated experience. From spiders and scarecrows to skeletons and ghosts, there’s plenty to get you into the Halloween spirit. Join us for a pumpkin picking adventure in our eerie patch, brave the Tunnels of Terror filled with fun scares for all ages, meet a range of scary characters waiting in the shadows, and take boo-tiful family photos at our illuminated photo opps.
Created in partnership with NL Productions, the team behind the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo’s Spooktacular and Christmas Nights, visitors can be assured of a high-quality immersive event experience.
The daytime Spooky Tunnels and evening Tunnels of Terror events will run on selected dates starting from 13th October.
The pumpkin fields will be open for the month of October, with tickets being released weekly depending on availability.
Tickets for the events and pumpkin picking can be booked online at: craigies.co.uk
Craigies Farm Owner John Sinclair commented:“Our pumpkin patch has always been popular, but we are taking it to the next level with our exciting new Halloween events this year. With both day and night time events taking place, there truly is something for every family, no matter hold old the kids are.
“The illuminations will be a spectacular sight and we can’t wait to see our fields transformed – we are expecting tickets to fly out the door, so I would recommend booking early to secure your visit.”
Phil O’Halloran, Managing Director at NL Productions added:“NL Productions are hugely excited to be working with Craigies to deliver what will be an amazing Halloween experience for all the family. Craigies is a wonderful visitor attraction, offering a great family day out.
“We admire their high level of customer service and provenance. Being able to bring our events expertise to the table and work together to take the existing Halloween offering to the next level will be thrilling and we can’t wait for families to come and experience it!”
A man has been found guilty of the murder of a man in Niddrie. At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, Ryan McCabe was found guilty following trial of the murder of Liam Maloney.
Mr Maloney, 30, died in hospital on Saturday, 7 May, 2022, two days after being stabbed by 49-year-old McCabe.
The attack happened during the evening of Thursday, 5 May, 2022 at the junction of Niddrie Marischal Grove and Niddrie Marischal Road in the east of the city.
Mr Maloney was taken to hospital but died as a result of his injuries.
McCabe was arrested and charged on Monday, 9 May, 2022 and has now been found guilty of murder and possession of a knife.
Detective Inspector Scott Roxburgh from the Major Investigation Team said: “Liam Maloney had a young family when his life was ended by the violent actions of Ryan McCabe. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones at this time.
“Violent incidents are completely unnecessary and unacceptable but are felt by the whole community. We will always act swiftly to deal with offenders to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Police Scotland has outlined urgent action to maintain effective policing within the funding available to the organisation.
Policing’s funding allocation for 2023-24 represents a real terms reduction, meaning more than £50m of savings are required to ensure a balanced budget.
Police Scotland has been clear hard choices are necessary and we have been required to reduce our budgeted officer establishment from 17,234 to 16,600.
Deputy Chief Constable Designate Fiona Taylor QPM provided an overview of work to prioritise resources to keep people safe and protect the vulnerable and was clear our service to the public will be impacted.
DCCD Taylor said: “Our financial planning in March made it clear that our funding allocation for 2023-24 represents a real terms reduction, meaning we have been required to reduce the number of police officers we have from 17,234 to around 16,600.
“Of necessity, we will reduce police staff costs in proportion to the reduction in officer numbers and reduce overtime spending.
“Hard choices are being taken now to maintain effective policing within the funding available to us. Action is being taken to achieve savings and deliver a balanced budget for 2023-24. Areas which encounter the greatest demand and which carry the greatest risk are being prioritised to ensure we continue to effectively reduce harm and protect the vulnerable.
“As part of this urgent action we have paused police staff recruitment other than for reform or externally funded posts; for roles based in our Contact, Command and Control (C3) Division or Resource Deployment Unit; for Police Custody and Security Officers; and for Public Enquiry and Support Assistants.
“Recruitment of Probationary Constables will continue and our commitment to no compulsory redundancies for police staff remains.”
DCCD Taylor also said funding challenges underlined the need to accelerate changes which made savings or supported operational policing, including the successful transformation of the police estate.
DCC Taylor said: “This work will shape our Service and define core policing. It seeks to reduce demand and increase capacity, and accelerate those changes which save money and provide benefits to operational policing. This includes the ongoing transformation of our estate. We will also review support services and our command structures.
“Consequently, some of the things that we do may need to be done differently or take us longer. The level of service we provide in some areas will reduce.”
Police Scotland returns more than £200m to the public purse every year compared to legacy arrangements.
The Scottish Government’s budget for 2023/24 confirmed an £80m core funding uplift for policing, with £37m required to fund the ongoing cost of the 2022-23 pay award, leaving £43m to fund unavoidable pay and other inflationary costs for the current financial year.
Recommendations to improve audiology services have been made to the Scottish Government, Health Boards and third sector partners.
An Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland sets out 55 recommendations for improving governance and structure, education and leadership.
Professor Jacqueline Taylor MBE conducted the review for Ministers following failures identified in audiology treatment for children.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “I would like to thank Professor Taylor and her team this thorough report that sets out clear options for improving audiology care across the country.
“We must recognise that many families were badly let down by these services in the past and this report’s recommendations will help ensure that is not allowed to happen again.
“The report is clear in its call for better leadership, structure and governance at all levels. Some of the recommendations are in areas where we are already taking action, such as increased funding for staff training.
“What is abundantly clear in their findings is that good audiology care can be life changing, and patients recognise and value the expertise and compassion of staff. We will fully consider the findings and set out the next steps to Parliament in the coming months.”
Professor Taylor said: “The wide-ranging recommendations in this report provide the foundation for improvements which will ensure high-quality, joined-up, patient-centred services.
“Audiology staff are working incredibly hard, often in challenging circumstances and during the course of the Review process we have seen many examples of good practice.
“We have also identified a range of issues which need to be resolved. I am extremely grateful to the patients, parents, audiology staff and stakeholders who helped to shape this Review. We have listened carefully, and I believe that by working together, we have a real opportunity to develop excellent services across Scotland.
“The Review Report is not an end in itself: it is the first step in a process of change which will require time, resources and national leadership to deliver. We hope that the Scottish Government will respond positively to the recommendations and will ensure that the words in this report, are turned into actions.”
Following the publication of the final report and recommendations of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, Mark Ballard, Head of Policy and Influencing for Scotland at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “This report paints a deeply concerning picture of the state of audiology in Scotland.
“Parents who rely on audiology services for their children will be shocked to learn there has been an absence of national leadership, strategic planning and workforce planning at audiology departments across Scotland and that there has been no quality assurance of services in recent years.”
The most urgent recommendations in the review are around the quality of auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, which is carried out to identify deafness in very young children.
Mr Ballard said: “It is alarming that issues were identified in the quality of ABR testing at every single health board across Scotland.
“We know deaf children can achieve anything that hearing children can when they get the right support, but for this to happen their deafness must be identified at the earliest opportunity. This is why it is vitally important that children always receive high quality and effective testing and long-term support.
“Parents need reassurance that issues with the quality of services will be swiftly addressed. This report was commissioned after significant failures were uncovered at NHS Lothian involving more than 150 children over nine years. Some of those children experienced life-changing consequences, because their deafness was identified too late for them to get the surgery or communication support they needed. There must be no more similar failures.”
The report also found there is a lack of consistent data collection, meaning it is difficult to monitor quality and compare how health boards in Scotland are performing. This makes it impossible to know if other deaf children are being failed in the same way as those in Lothian.
Mr Ballard continued: “Parents told the review about the difference a good audiologist can make and it is clear from this report we need to make sure they always have the resources, training and leadership required to deliver effective support.
“It is now crystal clear to the Scottish Government and NHS health boards what they must do to make sure every child gets the testing and support they need,” Mr Ballard added.
Up to £960,000 to support delivery of affordable homes
New funding will support more affordable homes and facilities in remote and rural areas.
Provided jointly by the Scottish Government and Nationwide Foundation, funding for Communities Housing Trust and South of Scotland Community Housing over three years will deliver affordable housing projects.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan made the announcement during a visit to Auchtercairn development in Gairloch, Wester Ross, where Communities Housing Trust, together with Albyn Housing Association and Highland Council, have delivered a mix of 25 affordable homes, shops, a café, tourism hub, and education, community and commercial facilities.
Community Housing Trusts are charitable organisations which engage with local communities to promote, support and develop community-led affordable homes.
The funding meets a commitment in the Bute House Agreement to ensure community housing trusts are adequately funded so they can support the delivery of rural homes.
Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Community housing trusts play an essential role in supporting the delivery of affordable homes in rural and island areas. This development is a great example of how community-led organisations can build homes that meet the needs of local people.
“That is why I am pleased the Scottish Government is providing new funding for these organisations, provided in partnership with the Nationwide Foundation.
“Good quality housing is essential to attract and retain people in remote, rural and island communities and the Scottish Government has committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 – with at least 10% in remote, rural and island areas.
“We are providing support of up to £30 million over this parliament through our Rural and Island Housing Fund. We are also developing a Remote, Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan, to be published in Autumn.”
Interim Chief Executive of Nationwide Foundation Sam Stewart said: “Community-led housing, if delivered at scale, offers a genuine alternative to mainstream forms of development and a strong mechanism for delivering affordable homes.
“The conditions for this to happen are strong in Scotland, and we believe that Communities Housing Trust and South of Scotland Community Housing’s work, which we have been funding for several years, will help to realise that aim.”
Co-Chief Executives of Communities Housing Trust Mike Staples and Ronnie MacRae said: “This funding package means our organisations can provide early-stage engagement and support to a greater number and range of rural communities facing extreme housing pressures.
“Enabling communities to increase knowledge and capacity to deliver projects, significantly increasing the pipeline of deliverable affordable homes that meet local needs.
“We are very grateful for the opportunities this will provide to raise awareness and grow the community-led housing model across Scotland.”
Insect bites and stings 
Move away slowly, don’t panic.
Cover exposed skin with long sleeves and trousers.
Wear shoes outdoors.
Apply DEET-based insect repellent.
Avoid flowering plants, food areas, rubbish.
Remove fallen fruit, use lids on dustbins.
Camp away from water sources.
Keep food and drink covered.
Use netting on doors and windows.
Keep doors and windows closed.
