Dame Helen Mirren and Martin Compston are among those celebrating the book launched on Thursday 17th August
Leading social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn MBE who has spearheaded initiatives that have raised over £25 million to help end homelessness, and can count George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio as supporters, has launched his first book, Paying It Forward: How to Be a Social Entrepreneur.
Paying It Forward, which is part memoir, part manifesto for social entrepreneurship, and part manual for putting purpose ahead of profit, has already gained praise from early readers including Sir Bob Geldof, novelist Irvine Welsh, film director Richard Curtis CBE, Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and actors Martin Compston and Dame Helen Mirren.
In the book labelled ‘an essential read for our times’ by Richard Curtis CBE, Josh gives practical advice and guidance to those looking to enter the world of social entrepreneurship and shares inspirational stories from homeless people he has met over the last decade.
Josh also shares his personal story, exploring the ups and downs of founding and growing Social Bite – from opening a string of cafés, to creating a village to house homeless people, and staging fundraising ‘sleep outs’ all over the world.
Celebrating the launch in Social Bite’s original café in Edinburgh, Josh Littlejohn said: “I’m thrilled to launch my first ever book, Paying it Forward, which tells my story and chronicles all of the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and humour of life as a social entrepreneur.
“I hope it offers practical lessons to inspire anyone interested in using their own skills to make a difference in the world. Most importantly,
“I hope it shines a light on the remarkable people I have met over the years from homeless backgrounds who inspire me every day. It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Heligo Books on Paying it Forward and I’m so excited for people to read the book.”
Josh began working on the homelessness issue when he co-founded a small café in Edinburgh in 2012 and a young homeless man named Peter Hart plucked up the courage to go in and ask for a job.
This chance moment inspired a social enterprise that now operates six cafes in Scotland and London, offering jobs and food to homeless and vulnerable people.
In 2018, Josh and his team launched the Social Bite Village, a purpose-built community providing homes which has so far helped to house almost 100 people. In 2019, Josh launched ‘The World’s Big Sleepout’, with events in over 52 cities around the globe, and 60,000 people sleeping out in the world’s largest ever display of solidarity for homeless and displaced people.
Josh has so far helped raise over £25 million for charitable and homelessness causes and received an MBE from the Queen. He has received a Pride of Britain Award, a Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, five honorary doctorates and he also been included in Debrett’s list of the most influential people in the UK.
Paying it Forward: How to be a Social Entrepreneur was published in hardback, audio and eBook on Thursday (17th August 2023).
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Social Bite to help combat homelessness.
We are proud to announce that the Actor Brian Cox, will be joining us on Saturday, 2nd September in Edinburgh, at the March & Rally for an Independent Scotland in the EU.
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a serious assault.The incident happened in Chambers Street around 9pm last night (Saturday, 19 August, 2023).
A 23-year-old man suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
Officers are working to identify two males as part of the ongoing investigation.
The first male is described as being aged between 16 and 17 years old, 5ft 5ins tall, with buzz cut style, dark hair. He was wearing a black and grey tracksuit jumper and grey tracksuit bottoms.
The second male is described as white, between 17 and 18 years old, 5ft 7ins tall, with short blonde/ginger beard and dirty blonde curly hair. He was wearing a football top.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gray, of Gayfield CID, said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information about those involved to get in touch.
“Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 3799 of 19 August, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Due to staffing changes our free drop-in wood-making session times haves slightly changed to ** Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am to 2.30pm **
We’re still making and mending, using recycled wood, at the NEA Community Shed, but for the rest of the year we are based at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (67b Groathill Road North, Edinburgh, EH4 2SA).
If you want to learn more about wood-making, up-cycle your home furniture or make something new out of recycled wood, come and join us!
NEXT MEETING:Thursday 31 Aug 2023: 18.50 for 19.00 on Microsoft Teams.
Speakers:
Andrew Field: CEC; Head of Community Engagement and Empowerment;
Helen Bourquin: CEC; Manager, Community Engagement and Empowerment.
Topic:
The roll-out of Edinburgh’s Locality Improvement Plans 2023-28.
Under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, the Edinburgh Partnership is required to develop and deliver Locality Improvement Plans (LIPs) for each of the four localities in the city.
Work on this is already underway in the North-West and is building-out elsewhere.
I’ve invited Andrew and Helen to talk through:
The scope and target outcomes of the LIPs;
The community consultation process intended to shape the right priorities for each locality; and
Where the LIPs stand currently in terms of their early progress.
Roger Colkett (Tollcross CC) is on the EACC Members’ Board and covers Licensing issues. He sits on the Edinburgh Licensing Forum.
He will host a one-hour screen meeting and invites all community council Licensing Leads to join him to chat through what is currently happening on the city’s Licensing front.
I’ll issue a reminder in two weeks or so, along with the meeting link. For now, please make sure your community council colleagues looking after Licensing have this message.
CITIZEN ADULT WRITERS’ FINAL PERFORMANCE AT BOOK FESTIVAL TONIGHT
As a charitable non-profit making organisation, the work of the Book Festival stretches far beyond the month of August. Indeed, our Communities Programme runs year-round, focused on inspiring and empowering people of all ages and backgrounds.
Our City, Our Stories is an outpouring of this year-round work: an event created both for and by those taking part in the Communities Programme.
This inspiring, recurring, and FREE event showcases new writing from both professional and non-professional writers across our Citizen project (and other community-based groups including Intercultural Youth Scotland and Open Book).
The stories performed make up a collective love letter to Edinburgh.
The final Our City, Our Stories session of this year’s Book Festival takes place this evening at 6.15. We’d love to see you there!
Take the scenic route with new UK and Ireland tours offering stunning islands, iconic stately homes and historic towns
Rabbie’s unveils 2024 storyteller-led, small group tours, and brand new Bath departure point
With its new tours for the 2024 season, and a new departure point in Bath, Rabbie’s passengers can enjoy the best sights and best kept secrets of the UK and Ireland.
New tours take in the Isles of Bute and Arran, historic stately homes including Chatsworth House and some of the country’s most charming villages. Starting in April 2024, the new tours are available to book from 14 August 2023.
A total of 11 new tours will see the Rabbie’s storytelling driver-guides taking small groups beyond the guidebooks to explore the lesser-known and uncover the hidden gems across the UK and Ireland. New tours departing from Bath for the first time will also see new one-day options for trips to Oxford the Cotswolds, and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Rabbie’s new 2024 tour highlights include:
Beyond the Cobbled Streets: Untold Cotswolds & Oxford
Guests can explore the many Oxford colleges, climb to the vantage points to admire the skyline, or see the art and antiquities collections in the Ashmolean Museum before a stop in Burford, the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’. This small market town has enormous character and local charm.
Enjoy the many quaint villages including Bibury, which was described by William Morris as the prettiest village in England, and which Henry Ford wanted to dismantle and ship back to the USA. This Rabbie’s one-day tour will depart from Bath and costs from £55 per person.
A Day on the Island: Bute
Take in the stunning views across the Firth of Clyde to the Argyllshire Sea lochs and Highlands Mountains before sailing across the Firth of Clyde to Rothesay, the largest town on the Island of Bute.
The gem in this island’ crown is the spectacular Mount Stuart, the ancestral seat of the marquesses of Bute where guests can enjoy a scenic lunch as well as a tour through the 19th century house’s history and remarkable, ornate gothic revival architecture.
The south side of the island offers spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde to the Island and Highlands beyond. Guests can explore the west coast sandy beaches before sailing back to the mainland. This Rabbie’s one-day tour will depart from Glasgow and costs begin from £75 per person.
Historical Adventure: St Andrews & Dundee
Guests can luxuriate in the scenic route to Dundee along the Scottish coast, before, on arrival, exploring the Royal Research Ship Discovery. Discover the 20th ship’s history as the first purpose-built Antarctic survey vessel, before heading over the Tay Road Bridge for stunning views over the Firth of Tay.
Enter ancient Scottish history at the Kingdom of Fife, famed for its breathtaking landscapes and being the home of golf. Here, walk the 1,000-year-old streets of the Medieval town of St. Andrews and discover the ruined cathedral and visit the third oldest university in Britain or the Grand Old Lady, also known as the Old Course and the world’s oldest golf course. This Rabbie’s one-day tour will depart from Aberdeen and costs begin from £52 per person.
Rabbie’s UK and Ireland tours depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast and Dublin, and from 2024, Bath.
For more information about Rabbie’s and to book a private or a scheduled tour, visit www.rabbies.com.
Scottish charity TechFest is calling on First Minister Humza Yousaf to support its vision of transforming high streets throughout Scotland before it is too late, and they die completely.
TechFest promotes STEM to school pupils throughout Scotland. The TechFest Blueprint Challenge is back this year to support all S3 – S6 pupils as they play their role in saving the country’s high streets.
The competition, aligned with the CREST Awards and grounded in STEM, asks students to come up with realistic ideas for regenerating failing high streets.
Sarah Chew, Managing Director of TechFest, said: “Scotland’s high streets are dying, and regenerating them is a huge challenge. We need the First Minister’s help to place this at the forefront of the national and local agenda.
“Young people and their fresh perspectives deserve to be heard by decision-makers and they might just have the answers and ideas that will help transform high streets throughout the country.”
Scottish Charity, TechFest, is urging the First Minister Humza Yousaf to get behind its goal and ambition to help transform high streets throughout the country.
Following a successful pilot year which brought a range of creative designs by students across Scotland, TechFest is once again challenging secondary school students across the country to redesign their high streets as part of TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge: A Future High Street.
TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge is a collaboration with Bluewater, a specialist private equity firm focused on global energy. The initiative has been developed through Bluewater’s charitable division to inspire children to think about future energy and how this can be integral to a better environment and social agendas.
However, this year as pupils return to school, the charity has written to the First Minister urging him to help raise awareness and drive positive engagement with Local Authority planners throughout the country to support the regeneration of Scottish high streets and give young people a seat at the decision-making table.
Bringing life back to the high street has been a hugely challenging task for local authorities and TechFest’s Blueprint Challenge has been designed to champion ideas that can help regenerate towns and cities throughout the country.
The competition is open to all S3 – S6 students who want to share their ideas on how to create a high street that allows society to thrive while celebrating the natural world at the same time.
Pupils are asked to take into consideration ‘’modern problems’’ surrounding architecture, economic stability, power generation and consumption, and how they can bring energy, technology and nature together to create a high street that meets Net Zero targets and encourages nature and community to grow.
The goal is a modern and progressive high street that is not simply about retail.
Sarah Chew, Managing Director of TechFest, said: “We need the First Minister’s help to place the transformation of our high streets at the forefront of the national and local agenda.
“In the past decade there have been continued discussions, debates and reports on how to transform our high streets and make them fit for the future but despite various thought-provoking think tanks and reports, sadly we have seen little to no action.
“The Scottish high street is in crisis, and we need urgent action to save them, that is why the TechFest Blueprint Challenge is a huge opportunity to champion the youth voice and help transform how we use our high streets.
“Young people deserve to be heard and we need the First Minister to bring our high streets further up the agenda and help us develop more positive and meaningful engagement with local authorities across Scotland.”
Schools have until September 11th to register a team ahead of the project launch on September 12th.
Teams will work together to create a project summary by the end of November, followed by a presentation day in December, where they will display their projects to a panel of experts, with a further opportunity to display their work as part of TechFest’s Science Festival in May 2024.
The competition is curriculum-aligned, and students and teachers will receive comprehensive support materials, including a series of online webinars with industry professionals and an opportunity for students to showcase their skills to the local community.
“Scotland has a strong heritage for innovation and shaping the modern world,” Sarah Chew added.
“The TechFest Blueprint challenge offers a huge opportunity to develop progressive and ground-breaking ideas that can be held up as best-practice throughout the world, whilst engaging with young people in a fun, meaningful and impactful way.”
First look at the National Theatre of Scotland’s new production DRACULA: MINA’S RECKONING ahead of the show touring Scotland, Liverpool and Coventry in September and October 2023.
Character images of Mina Murray and Dracula released, alongside a glimpse into the rehearsal room with director Sally Cookson
Bram Stoker’s classic novel has been reimagined by writer Morna Pearson, set in the North-East of Scotland and brought to life by an all-female and non-binary ensemble
World Premiere
National Theatre of Scotland and Aberdeen Performing Arts in association with Belgrade Theatre, Coventry present
DRACULA: MINA’S RECKONING
Conceived by Morna Pearson and Sally Cookson
Story by Morna Pearson, Sally Cookson and Rosie Kellagher
Additional material devised by The Company
Written by Morna Pearson after Bram Stoker
Directed by Sally Cookson
Full cast: Natalie Arle-Toyne, Maggie Bain, Ailsa Davidson, Catriona Faint, Danielle Jam, Liz Kettle, Anne Lacey and Ros Watt.
Set and Costume Designer – Kenneth MacLeod, Composer – Benji Bower, Movement Director – Vicki Manderson, Lighting Designer – Aideen Malone, Video Designer – Lewis den Hertog, Casting Directors – Simone Pereira Hind CDG and Anna Dawson. BSL Performance interpreters Catherine King and Yvonne Strain.
Corporate Sponsor: Pinsent Masons
Touring the UK from Saturday 2 September to Saturday 28 October 2023,
Opening at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen and touring to Theatre Royal, Glasgow; Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling; Eden Court, Inverness; Dundee Rep; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Liverpool Playhouse from September to October 2023.
Opening Performance at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen on Thursday 7 September 2023.
“Protect your loved ains fae the claws o’ a beast.”
A thrilling new adaptation of Dracula by acclaimed Scottish playwright Morna Pearson, directed by Sally Cookson, is brought to stages across Scotland and England by the National Theatre of Scotland in a co-production with Aberdeen Performing Arts in association with Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.
Sally Cookson’s sweeping, atmospheric production of Morna Pearson’s bold new adaptation is relocated to Aberdeenshire and the wild beauty of North-East Scotland, acknowledging the area’s recently reported inspiration for Bram Stoker’s classic novel. To mark this, Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning opens at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen in September 2023 before touring to Glasgow, Stirling, Inverness, Dundee, Edinburgh, Coventry and Liverpool.
Set in a psychiatric hospital in Aberdeenshire in 1897, this unique Scottish adaptation places the character of Mina Murray at the centre of the action.
Mina seeks refuge at the hospital to escape the horrors she has experienced, retelling her encounters with the most terrifying of beasts: Dracula. Mina is joined by the patients, an all-women and non-binary ensemble, and together they tell a unique version of Bram Stoker’s legendary tale.
We are transported to a world where immortality and ultimate power is possible, even for women – but with terrible consequences.
The lead character of Mina is played by Danielle Jam, who recently toured with Kidnapped (National Theatre of Scotland) and James IV: Queen of the Fight, (Raw Material and Capital Theatres, in association with National Theatre of Scotland) and appeared in Wings Around Dundee (Dundee Rep) and is known to TV audiences for her roles in Scot Squad (BBC) and Molly and Mack (CBeebies).
She will be joined by Ailsa Davidson (Lucy and Elsie). Ailsa has performed in Heathers the Musical (Bill Kenwright & Paul Taylor-Mills) in London’s West End, Lipsync at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (Cumbernauld Theatre), Elegies for Angels Punks and Raging Queens (Union Theatre) and Grease (UK & International Tour).
Liz Kettle takes on the role of Dracula, she was most recently seen on Scottish stages in Macbeth – An Undoing (Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh) and has appeared in numerous roles on TV including Unforgotten IV, The Secret Life of Mrs Beeton, Doctors (BBC), Fracture (20th Century Digital / Disney), Honoria Glossop in Jeeves & Wooster, Inspector Morse, Rosemary & Thyme and Poirot.
They are joined by Natalie Arle-Toyne (Van Helsing and Titchy). Natalie’s recent theatre work includes Mrs Puntila and Her Man Matti, Arabian Nights, Rhinoceros (CATS Ensemble Award) at the Lyceum Theatre and The Lost Lending Library (Punch Drunk/Imaginate). Maggie Bain (Dr Seward and Georgina) has appeared in roles in theatre, TV, film and radio most recently on stage in Linck & Mülhahn (Hampstead Theatre), We’ll Meet in Moscow (Traverse Theatre), Dream (RSC) and on TV in I Hate Suzie (Sky) and Luther: The Fallen Sun (Netflix).
Catriona Faint (Jonathan and Annie) most recently performed in Enough of Him (National Theatre of Scotland). Anne Lacey (Mr Swails and Bella), who has worked extensively in theatre, film, TV and radio was recently on stage in Medea (National Theatre of Scotland at the Edinburgh International Festival), and Earthquakes In London (National Theatre); and on TV in Shetland (ITV). Ros Watt’s (Renfield and Katherine) previous includes Godot is a Woman (Silent Faces) at the Pleasance, Edinburgh.
Dracula is dripping with Morna Pearson’s trademark humour, theatricality, and her taste for the strange, the shocking and the grotesque. The production celebrates the novel’s gothic horror origins while, in a radical twist, it allows audiences to view the story through the eyes of Mina and the patients. Elements of the piece will be devised by the company.
The production features atmospheric, Gothic-inspired set and costumes designed by Kenneth MacLeod with video design by Lewis den Hertog, a dark, distinctive score from composer Benji Bower and visceral movement from Vicki Manderson.
Writer Morna Pearson said: “I was excited to adapt Dracula and place it in the familiar setting of the North-East, the place where my writing feels at home. I wanted to examine themes of our times – fear, trauma, and powerlessness – in ways the horror genre lends itself to.
With Stoker drawing influence from Cruden Bay, it felt appropriate to relocate the narrative to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, exploring the area and characters I find most inspirational.
There is room for more horror and stories from the North-East in theatre, so I am thrilled that my first large scale production is a bold retelling of Dracula set there.”
Morna Pearson was born in the North-East of Scotland, in Elgin, and is an award-winning Edinburgh-based playwright and screenwriter. Morna’s work for National Theatre of Scotland includes Darklands written as part of Interference trilogy and Clearing for Scenes for Survival. Other theatre work includes Let’s Inherit the Earth (Dogstar/Profilteatern); How to Disappear (Traverse) and Dr Stirlingshire’s Discovery (Lung Ha/Grid Iron). She was a recipient of the Meyer-Whitworth Award and her first short film, I Was Here, gained BAFTA Scotland and EIFF nominations for Best Short Film.
“One of the freshest, most fearless and taboo-busting voices to be heard anywhere right now” The Herald on The Artist Man and the Mother Woman
Sally Cookson is an Olivier award-winning director (A Monster Calls), an associate director at Bristol Old Vic and a collaborator with Travelling Light Theatre Company. Her theatre credits include Wonder Boy (Bristol Old Vic); A Monster Calls (The Old Vic/UK tour); The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Bridge Theatre/UK Tour/Gillian Lynne) and Jane Eyre and Peter Pan (Bristol Old Vic/National Theatre).
“Audaciously inventive” *****The Guardian on Wonder Boy
Bram Stoker’s Dracula was first published in 1897 and has since been adapted into numerous films and plays. Stoker himself wrote the first theatrical adaptation, which was presented at London’s Lyceum Theatre on 18 May 1897 under the title Dracula, or The Undead. For years Dracula has been associated with Whitby and Transylvania, but recent research suggests that Aberdeenshire played a significant part in shaping the novel, and in particular Slains Castle which features an octagonal room like the one described by Stoker in Dracula’s Castle.
Touring from September to October 2023 to His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (previews Sat 2, Tues 5, Wed 6 Sept) Thurs 7 – Sat 9 Sept; Theatre Royal, Glasgow Wed 13 – Sat 16 Sept; Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling Thurs 21 – Sat 23 Sept; Eden Court, Inverness Thurs 28 – Sat 30 Sept; Dundee Rep Thurs 5 – Sat 7 Oct; Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Wed 11 – Sat 14 Oct, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (18 to 21 October) and Liverpool Playhouse (24 to 28 October).
Full tour information and creative credits and biogs here.
