Month: August 2023

Church and community groups urged to attend Green Home Festival

Discover how former religious buildings can be resurrected for energy-efficient housing

Organiser of the upcoming Green Home Festival are urging religious and community groups to attend their upcoming show and discover how Scotland’s abandoned churches can be transformed into energy efficient social housing that benefits whole communities.

In Bringing Churches Back to Life, architects will explain what happens to former churches and community halls at the end of their working lives and how they can be converted into sustainable, eco-friendly homes for those who need them most.

And organisers say the show is the ideal opportunity for religious bodies to see how Scotland’s classic buildings can be saved for future generations – and the potential of transforming them into low-carbon homes that also benefit the environment.

Green Home Festival co-organiser David Logue, who is partner at Gardiner & Theobald, said: “Scotland has a large number of churches and other religious buildings that face a wide range of challenges due to their ageing infrastructure and exposure to the elements.

“Running costs, ongoing maintenance and dwindling usage can all mean that such buildings face an uncertain future, plus their very size often means that it’s difficult to know what to do with such a large space.

“Converting such buildings into energy-efficient social housing is already gaining traction and the upcoming Green Home Festival will give examples of how such ideas have already become reality.

“We hope that religious bodies, community groups and those with an interest in Scotland’s heritage will join us to explore the options for resurrecting buildings that might otherwise be left to decay or stand empty.”

The Green Home Festival show on Friday 18 August will see Eamon McGarrigle and Jess Davidson from Page\Park architects explain the challenges of marrying old with new to achieve ‘passivhaus’ standards.

They’ll reveal details of the first social housing built to such standards in Glasgow and share their experience in developing retrofit plans for the conversion of existing buildings for housing, with a focus on the delivery of low-energy and zero carbon strategies.

This will be followed by a presentation by James Anthony of Eco Congregation Scotland, who’ll outline the many issues found in church buildings while seeking to reduce carbon and give an overview of the body’s own ‘greening’ strategy for such structures.

Co-organiser Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, added: “Scotland has some truly beautiful religious buildings that are coming to the end of their working lives and yet absolutely deserve to be preserved, used and admired for generations to come.

“If we can combine such preservation with energy efficient-housing that benefits local communities, that has surely got to be a good thing for both the environment and the people who live in them?

“This Green Home Festival show will demonstrate some excellent initiatives and we would encourage anyone with an interest in church buildings to attend and find out the potential for bringing them back to life and giving them a useful and rewarding purpose.”

Starting on Monday 14 August, and organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), the second Green Home Festival will deliver 11 free shows on low-carbon living as part of the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Topics will include how to reduce energy bills, preparing for heat pumps, community heating networks, creating sustainable kitchens, green garden rooms and offices, making retrofit projects eco-friendly and how the home of the future will be powered.

Live sessions will take place at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) at 10 Charlotte Square in central Edinburgh, with contributions from the likes of Home Energy Scotland, Scottish Water, SNIPEF and SELECT.

The festival is the latest in a string of practical and constructive initiatives launched by the CICV since its creation at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Made up of 28 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish Government ministers.

  • Full details, including how to book tickets for each event, are available on the Festival’s website at greenhomefestival.co.uk

Fort Kinnaird launches free community book swap for kids

Fort Kinnaird has launched its first ever ‘Little Library’ book swap so children can share and exchange books for free as they get ready to go back to school.

With books for children of all ages, the book swap aims to help families be more sustainable while also providing them with access to new stories free of charge.

More than 100 books have been donated by employees at Fort Kinnaird to stock up the Little Library’s shelves and families are encouraged to put another book back in its place if they take one – but only if they are able to.

Books available include everything from The Hungry Caterpillar and Dear Zoo for younger children, to several of the popular David Walliams novels for older readers.

The book swap will be available at the centre until September and is located in the play park, between Caffé Nero and TGI Fridays.

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re so pleased to be launching our first book swap. From our ongoing partnership with the National Literacy Trust through the Young Readers Programme, we know how important it is for children to have access to books – both for their imaginations and to support their learning.

“As well as helping families that need a little more support this summer, we also hope this initiative will encourage our visitors to recycle any unwanted books they might have at home and give them a second life. It wouldn’t have been possible without the kind donations from our team, which we’re extremely grateful for and we can’t wait to see children across the community benefitting from it.”

For more information on different ways to enjoy summer fun at Fort Kinnaird visit: https://www.fortkinnaird.com/whatson

Fort Kinnaird is open from 9am – 9pm on weekdays, and 9am – 6pm on weekends.

Festival of Politics event at Holyrood

YESTERDAY (Wednesday 9th August), the Scottish Parliament in partnership with the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh held a panel discussion on the ‘Urgency of climate change and justice in vulnerable low-lying countries ahead of COP28.’

The event, chaired by Member of Scottish Parliament and Convener of CPG Bangladesh Foysol Choudhury, is part of the 19th Festival of Politics hosted by the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh International Festival between 9th – 11th August.  

The panel on climate justice featured experts on climate advocacy, including Ben Wilson, Advocacy Manager at the Scottish International Catholic Aid Fund (SCIAF); Jelina Berlow-Rahman, Senior Director of Berlow Rahman Hassan Ltd. Solicitors in Glasgow; Dr Elizabeth Cripps, Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of Edinburgh and Professor Saleemul Huq, Director of the International Centre for Climate Change in Bangladesh.

Among the guests were the Consul General of India in Edinburgh; Turkish-Scottish Chamber of Commerce and academics from Scotland and Bangladesh.

The event centred on the theme of the unequal impact of global climate change on low-lying countries such as Bangladesh, Maldives, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Panellists engaged in discussions about climate change as a moral and human rights issue, and how countries can mobilise long-term climate adaptation plans to tackle emerging challenges such as climate migration.

They further deliberated on the loss and damage fund established at COP27 and how the international community can best continue supporting local actors at the frontline of climate disasters ahead of COP28 this year.   

Speaking after the event, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Today’s discussion reaffirmed that Scotland must reinvigorate its commitments to net zero emissions, as well as its targets to ensure climate justice elsewhere in the world, before COP28. 

“Failure to meet climate goals will have, and is having, a devastating impact on low-lying countries, who have contributed the least to the climate change which is devastating them. 

 “We have already seen an increase in extreme weather in countries vulnerable to climate change, such as the floods in Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

“Scotland needs to urgently engage in a multifaceted response comprising of climate mitigation, adaptation, and support, to ensure that climate justice for all countries can be realised on our path to net-zero. 

“I hope this discussion offers insight into the urgency of the situation and reinvigorates the drive for change. 

“We cannot afford to wait any longer before doing so.” 

The panel event can be viewed on the following link:  

Urgency of climate change and justice in vulnerable low-lying countries ahead of COP28 | Scottish Parliament TV

Explore more of Edinburgh International Film Festival 2023

Edinburgh International Film Festival, this year hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival, has announced more information about guests involved in its Encounters discussion sessions, along with details about this year’s Curate-It programme:

Encounters

A chance for audiences to go deeper into the EIFF programme in a series of creative conversations with filmmakers and guests. Taking the talk beyond the post-screening Q&A, the Festival is proud to present a series of generous and expansive discussions about some of the ideas bubbling away in this year’s film selection.

Each session will feature BSL interpretation, and tickets are priced as Pay What You Can, £6 / £4 / £2.

Visit eif.co.uk/edfilmest for speaker biographies and full details of contributors.

Encounter 1: Casual Intimacy  

Sunday 20 August 14:15-15:45 Everyman 3 [BSL]

What does it take to make a film about somebody else, or about your own lived experience? How much can you really know about a person or character through the act of filming them? The panel of creatives from across film, literature and performance will explore crafting intimacy in storytelling.

Speakers will include the co-directors of queer revenge thriller Femme, Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, writer and performer Colm McCready (whose show Scaredy Fat is playing at this year’s Fringe), author Kirsty Logan (The Unfamiliar: A Memoir of Queer Motherhood) and filmmaker Ella Glendining (Is There Anybody Out There?)  

Encounter 2: Creative Survival  

Monday 21 August 16:30-18:00 Everyman 3 [BSL]

Survival as an artist is a question of resilience. How do we make work without sacrificing ourselves or others? A panel of multidisciplinary creatives convenes to discuss how to keep on making art when everything seems stacked against artists.

Author and critic Katie Goh (The End), author and agency founder Nikesh Shukla (The Good Immigrant, Brown Baby), author and filmmaker Guy Gunaratne (Mister Mister), author and screenwriter Huw Lemmey (Ungentle, Bad Gays) and filmmaker Paris Zarcilla (Raging Grace).  

Encounter 3: Defining Belonging  

Tuesday 22 August 16:30-18:00 Everyman 3 [BSL]

The sense (or absence) of belonging permeates this year’s most powerful works. How do we shape stories about fitting in, or standing out? Babak Jalali, director of Fremont, the EIFF Closing Night film, joins author Heather Parry (Orpheus Builds a Girl, This Is My Body, Given For You) and writer and editor Anahit Behrooz (BFFs) to discuss how the exploration of belonging has informed their work, and what makes these stories feel so universal.  

Curate-It online film programmes

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) and Curate-It have once again partnered to showcase the work of new curators based in Scotland. Curate-It is an innovative new digital training application developed, with support from Screen Scotland, to provide users with the information and skills needed to implement their own film screening events.

The platform has been designed to actively ensure that knowledge of film curation is easily accessible within the digital space and is focused on providing access to curatorial talent from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the film sector.

As part of this year’s edition, Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) and Curate-It offered two fellowships to early career curators and programmers working in Scotland. Beulah Ezeugo and Zainab Ashraf have undertaken the Curate-It course and are each presenting a programme of events. 

no gaze or hand can hold you there

From 19:00 Friday 18 August

Curator Beulah Ezeugo presents a programme that centres on 20th-century photography through the black gaze. The selected films invite audiences to examine the importance of visual agency and how the ability to represent oneself can become means for salvation, for revelation, for pleasure, for exposure, or for emergence.

Heritage Withheld.

From 19:00 Monday 21 August

Curator Zainab Ashraf invites viewers to look at the importance of heritage. Juxtaposing work from filmmakers working in Scotland and Palestine, the programme explores forms of resilience where an aspect of heritage is withheld.

Each Curate-It programme will be available for audiences to watch for free for 72 hours on Curate-It’s VoD platform Screen-it.

Curate-It Project Director, Justine Atkinson said: “It is always such a privilege to guide and witness curatorial ideas take form and flourish, and I’m so delighted this was once again possible through the EIFF x Curate-It collaboration.

“The programmesthat Beulah and Zainab curated allow audiences to navigate interesting and poignant subject matter through distinctively formed cinematic journeys. We are so looking forward to sharing them with you all’’.

The 2023 EIFF & Curate-It Curatorial Fellowship is supported through the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund. View the full programme details here.

Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 August.

#EdFilmFest

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Harvest Granton Wheat this weekend

Neighbours! This Saturday 12th August, join us in the allotments with Granton Community Gardeners to harvest the first wheat crop at Lauriston Farm for many years.

Book your free space here:

https://eventbrite.com/e/our-seeds-wheat-harvest-tickets-690993920417…

#NorthEdinburgh

#Edinburgh

#UrbanFarm

#FoodSovereignty

First Private Astronaut Mission Virgin Galactic: Scottish passengers and crew

  • Historic Mission Will Fly First Olympian and First Caribbean Astronauts to Space
  • Flight Window opens today – August 10, 2023
  • Spaceflight to be Livestreamed on VirginGalactic.com

Virgin Galactic will launch its seventh spaceflight and second commercial spaceflight, ‘Galactic 02,’ today (Thursday 10th August), which will fly three private passengers to space, achieving several historical milestones and furthering the Company’s mission of broadening access to space.

Ahead of today’s flight window, one of the private passengers, Anastatia Mayers, met with Dave Mackay, Chief Pilot, at Spaceport America. Both instantly connected with their Scottish links, with Ana currently studying at the University of Aberdeen, and Dave being the first native-born Scot to visit space.

Dave Mackay joined Virgin Galactic in 2009 and is the company’s Chief Pilot. Dave became the first Scottish astronaut during Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity flight on February 22, 2019 and became a two-time astronaut as a pilot on VSS Unity’s first flight from new Mexico on May 22.

Anastatia Mayers is an 18-year-old philosophy and physics student at Aberdeen University. Driven by a passion for the sciences, Anastatia was drawn to the mix her degree offers. It was on this basis that her mother, Keisha Schahaff, elected Anastatia to accompany her on her spaceflight.

Both Antiguan-born and raised, Keisha and Anastatia are set to become the first astronauts from the Caribbean and the first mother and daughter-duo to fly to space. In a quirk of fate, Anastatia will become the second astronaut to hail from the University of Aberdeen. 

Anastatia said: “Philosophy and physics make an interesting combination, but it expresses both my love for science and my curiosity about how the world works.”

The dynamic and multinational crew highlights the role the commercial space industry can play in removing barriers that once existed to becoming an astronaut. To date, fewer than 700 people have travelled to space, with little diversity among that group. Virgin Galactic’s mission is to change that – beginning with an 800 strong Future Astronaut community that represents more than 60 different nations. 

The ‘Galactic 02’ mission will achieve several historical milestones, showcasing the power of each Virgin Galactic spaceflight to help redefine who gets to be an astronaut. VSS Unity will fly: 

  • The first astronauts from the Caribbean 
  • The first mother-daughter duo to go to space 
  • The first Olympian to go to space 
  • The second youngest person to go to space 
  • The second person with Parkinson’s to go to space 

Audiences are invited to participate virtually in spaceflight and see first-hand the extraordinary experience Virgin Galactic is creating for private astronauts.

The livestream will be available to watch on VirginGalactic.com.

Scottish Government: Placing diverse communities at the heart of events

Against the backdrop of the world’s biggest cycling event in history, discussions are taking place which aim to further boost equality, diversity and inclusion across Scotland’s world-renowned events sector.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has seen competitions for disabled and non-disabled athletes taking place alongside each other. This inclusive approach has helped to showcase and raise awareness of Para sport.

Yesterday in Glasgow Culture Secretary Angus Robertson hosted a roundtable with partners representing people with protected characteristics, such as race and young people, to explore ways to strengthen the approach to the planning, delivery and legacy of major events.

Along with a public consultation and stakeholder workshops held earlier in 2023, this will inform the refreshed National Events Strategy for 2025-2035.

Mr Robertson said: “It’s important that collectively we make most of the many benefits events can bring to the lives of diverse communities right across Scotland.   

“The UCI Cycling World Championships are a great example of how mega events like this can showcase our cultural diversity, boost accessibility and extend a warm welcome to all communities.

“The inclusion of Para sports in the Cycling World Championships has contributed significantly to the atmosphere. The competitive spirit and level of skill and dedication demonstrated by all athletes taking part side by side has been inspirational and an important part of the success of the event.

“We want our portfolio of world-class events to deliver positive economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for everyone in Scotland.”

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships runs until 13 August. The event has a focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, including through signing a Ride Together Pledge.

Scottish Labour’s Shadow Minister for Culture Foysol Choudhury MSP said that championships as such are an excellent opportunity to get more people into sports and showcase all that Scotland has to offer to the world.

The Lothians list MSP said: “With our fantastic landscape and cities as backdrops for the event, it’s been great to show the world exactly why so many of us are proud to call Scotland our home.

“Not only that, but it’s really helped to encourage sport, amongst young people and adults alike.

“We not only have breath-taking scenery if you want to cycle outdoors, but we also have excellent velodromes for indoor cycling.

“This is a great opportunity to embrace active travel as part of a healthy lifestyle and start cycling again-I know I’ve definitely been inspired to get back into the habit!”

As part of the build-up to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, an £8 million Cycling Facilities Fund has been jointly invested by the Scottish Government and Sportscotland to support cycling communities and club facilities across Scotland.

Mr Choudhury continued: “To encourage active travel and sport, we need to make sure that everybody has access to the equipment and facilities needed to participate. That’s why funding to community and club facilities is so important.

“I would like to congratulate two projects from West Lothian – Balbardie Park Pump Track and West Lothian Cycle Circuit, Linlithgow – who have received awards of £45,433 and £636,011, respectively.

“I hope that my constituents can make use of the benefits that these funds can bring.

“Let’s all get inspired by the Championships this summer and join in to feel the Power Of The Bike! “

COVID-19 testing guidance update

Testing to be based on clinical need in hospitals, care homes and prisons

Routine COVID-19 testing in hospitals, care homes and prisons is to be substantially reduced following clinical and scientific advice.

Due to the success of the vaccination programme and improved treatments, Public Health Scotland and Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infection Scotland have recommended a return to pre-pandemic testing.

This means testing will be based on person-centred clinical decisions, rather than a routine policy for all individuals. Routine testing will continue for patients moving from hospitals to care homes and will be reviewed based on future advice and outbreaks. Tests will also continue to be available for those eligible for antiviral treatment.

The new guidance will come into effect by 30 August 2023.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Gregor Smith said: “Due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, and the availability of improved treatments, now is the right time to revise the advice on routine COVID-19 testing across health and social care settings and prisons. This will ensure the testing regime remains effective and proportionate.

“Routine testing will remain when patients are discharged from hospital to care homes, to provide additional reassurance for these settings, and testing will still be required when clinically appropriate.

“The clinical advice tells us that focusing on the risk to individuals under general infection control procedures will allow our hospital, social care and prison staff to better protect those in their care and that there is no longer a requirement to apply separate COVID-19 guidance across the board when so many are now protected from its worst harms.”

COVID CASES ON THE RISE

This UK Health Security Agency fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.

The latest report was produced on 3 August:

COVID-19 case rates continued to increase this week compared to our previous report. 5.4% of 4,396 respiratory specimens reported through the Respiratory DataMart System were identified as COVID-19. This is compared to 3.7% of 4,403 from the previous report.

The overall COVID-19 hospital admission rate for week 30 was 1.97 per 100,000 population, an increase from 1.17 per 100,000 in the previous report.

ICU admission rates have decreased to 0.05 compared to 0.07 in the previous report.

Those aged 85 years and over continue to have the highest hospital admission rates; these have increased to 20.49 per 100,000 from 9.8 per 100,000 in the previous report.

Admission rates among those aged 75 to 84 years have increased to 9.45 per 100,000 from 5.54 in the previous report.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “We continue to see a rise in COVID-19 cases in this week’s report. We have also seen a small rise in hospital admission rates in most age groups, particularly among the elderly.

“Overall levels of admission still remain extremely low and we are not currently seeing a similar increase in ICU admissions. We will continue to monitor these rates closely.Regular and thorough hand washing helps protect you from COVID-19 and other bugs and viruses.

“If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, we recommend staying away from others where possible.

“The NHS will be in contact in autumn 2023 when the seasonal vaccine is available for those who are eligible due to health conditions or age, and we urge everyone who is offered to take up the vaccine when offered.”

Appeal following attempted murder incident

Detectives investigating an attempted murder in North Berwick are appealing for witnesses, CCTV or dashcam footage.

This follows an incident involving a white Audi A3 and a red Ford Focus (registration plate YM65 WWF) at around 8pm on Sunday 30 July 2023 on Clifford Road, roads near Tantallon Castle, Whitekirk, Tyninghame, all in North Berwick and roads near the entrance to Foxlake, Dunbar.

Detectives are also seeking information on the whereabouts of the Red Ford Focus (registration plate YM65 WWF).

Detective Sergeant Jade Wardell said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of this incident. It is important we gather as much detail as possible, and any small piece of information could prove vital.

“Also, if anyone has dash cam equipment, please check it as there may be footage which could aid our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3501 of 30 July, 2023. Alternatively, you can pass your information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Research experts set for Scotland eye health meet

The latest research taking place to help find a cure for one of the biggest causes of blindness will take centre stage in a Scotland-wide event.

Experts in the field of macular disease research will join the talk, including leading ophthalmology researcher professor Baljean Dhillion of the University of Edinburgh.

The online talks will take place over an hour on Zoom on Wednesday 13 September, 11am-12pm.

The event is overseen by sight loss charity the Macular Society, which is the only UK charity solely dedicated to funding research for macular disease. It supports people of all ages with a macular condition, of which some conditions have treatments to help people manage their central vision, though there is no cure.

Professor of clinical ophthalmology Baljean Dhillon will discuss some of the latest treatments available, as well as ongoing research into the fight against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The Macular Society’s Sarah Clinton will provide an update on research projects funded by the charity, as well as the audience having the opportunity to put their questions to the experts.

To register for the event please email the Macular Society at groupsadmin@macularsociety.org or call 01264 560 259 who will then be able to provide the Zoom link.

Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected by macular disease and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces.

Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement. There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. AMD is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

For general information on macular disease, call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org