Day: November 19, 2023

Maggie & Me: Coming to Traverse Theatre in 2024

WORLD PREMIERE

 National Theatre of Scotland presents 

Maggie & Me 

Written by Damian Barr and James Ley,  

Adapted from the memoir by Damian Barr  
Directed by Suba Das 

Opening at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, and touring to Eden Court, Inverness; Perth Theatre; Lanternhouse, Cumbernauld; Dundee Rep Theatre and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, with full tour dates and venues to be announced.  

Opening performance at the Tron Theatre on Thursday 9 May 2024.

Maggie & Me, Damian Barr’s award-winning and darkly witty memoir about growing up gay in Thatcher’s Britain is coming to Scottish stages, in a bold and explosive new production.   

Damian Barr is adapting his memoir for the stage, teaming up with Scottish playwright James Ley and directed by Suba Das.  

This new production from National Theatre of Scotland premieres at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow in May 2024 before touring to Inverness, Perth, Cumbernauld, Dundee and Edinburgh. 

“Don’t you worry. I’ll always love you. Love doesn’t run out. It’s not like the gas meter. I’ll find extra love.”  

It’s October 12, 1984 – the Brighton bombing. Maggie Thatcher emerges from the rubble, dusty but defiant and somehow in the living room of 8-year-old Damian Barr in Newarthill, North Lanarkshire. 

No time for turning, so buckle up for a surreal yet so-real rollercoaster ride through Damian’s painful past rediscovering who he really is. From the furnaces of the Ravenscraig Steelworks to the sanctuary of Carfin Grotto, there’s pain and joy, coming of age and coming out. And Saint Dolly Parton.  

It’s about finding your voice and telling your story.  Before you can move on, you have to look back… 

Published in 2013, Maggie & Me was named Sunday Times Memoir of the Year, awarded Paddy Power Political Satire Award and Barr was named Stonewall Writer of the Year.  

The National Theatre of Scotland will be collaborating with film and video students from New College Lanarkshire to create a short documentary about the making of the production. 

Damian Barr, co-writer and author of Maggie & Me, said: “National Theatre of Scotland has given me some of my most memorable nights in the theatre so it’s a great honour to be bringing Maggie & Me to life on stage with them. 

“Maggie & Me is not just my story – it’s about the community that survived Thatcher, so I’m delighted we are working with New College Lanarkshire – based on the site of the Craig where my dad worked.  

“I’m a huge fan of James Ley’s plays and especially what they say about identity – writing with him has been a joy and I’ve learned so much about making the shift from page to stage.

“Director Suba Das is one of the most exciting theatre makers in the UK so I am thrilled he’s lending us his unique and uniquely engaging vision. I’m dedicating this play to my family, to my family of choice and to everyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world.” 

James Ley, co-writer, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the team reimagining Damian’s joyous, funny, heartbreaking memoir for the stage. The chance to get to work with Damian, Suba and National Theatre of Scotland is a dream come true.

“The play is so much more than a memoir, it’s a vital check-in with the nation about what’s important to us, who we are and how we make sense of everything that’s thrown at us in life.

“Going on this journey with Damian has been as moving, hilarious and uplifting as I hope and believe the play will be when it gets in front of audiences next Spring. I can’t wait!” 

Suba Das, director, said: “I’m honoured that National Theatre Scotland have stretched the border a pinch to invite a Geordie director – proudly queer and working-class –  up to Glasgow to help create the world premiere of Maggie & Me.

“Damian’s account of survival and the quest for community, joy and voice resonates for any of us who know what it is to negotiate boundaries of sexuality and class. In a world that remains hostile to difference, I’m so moved to have Damian and James’s trust to now lead the creation of a production that holds hope and healing at its heart – for me, for us, and for every audience member we’ll meet on the great big adventure ahead.” 

Maggie & Me was high acclaimed upon publication and established itself as a classic Scottish memoir. This is the first time it has been adapted for the stage:

‘Funny, tender, and heartbreaking.’ The Independent 

‘Certain memoirs catch a moment and seem to define it, bottle it… Hugely entertaining.’ The Sunday Times 

‘A memoir which is both personally moving and a valuable historical document.’ Literary Review 

Born in Bellshill and now living in Brighton, Damian Barr is an award-winning writer and broadcaster.

His debut novel, You Will Be Safe Here, was Book of the Year in the Observer, Guardian and Mail. He has written several plays for radio, with Maggie & Me marking his first stage play. In 2019, Damian brought books back to television with the BBC’s Big Scottish Book Club, now in its fifth series. 

James Ley is an award-winning writer living in Glasgow.  

‘One of Scotland’s most exciting, early-career writers.’ Exeunt  

He wrote and directed Ode to Joy (How Gordon got to go to the nasty pig party), winner of a Scotsman Fringe First in 2022 and nominated for a Critics Award for Theatre Scotland Award 2023 for Best New Play which will tour next year.

His other plays include Wilf (Traverse Theatre) and Love Song to Lavender Menace (Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Summerhall, SoHo Playhouse, New York). James is currently under commission with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, and is an alumnus of the BBC Writersroom Scottish Voices 2022/2023 and Edinburgh Film Festival Talent Lab. 

Suba Das is an award-winning theatre maker from the North East of England. Previously Creative Director at the Liverpool Everyman; and Artistic Director/CEO of the internationally acclaimed new writing company HighTide; Suba trained at Cambridge and on the prestigious Birkbeck MFA in Theatre Directing. He is a 2023 graduate of the National Film and Television School’s Director’s Series.  

His directing credits include major revivals of Top Girls (Liverpool Everyman), East Is East (Northern Stage and Nottingham Playhouse) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Bolton Octagon); in addition to the world premieres of Ravi Shankar’s Sukanya (with The Royal Opera and London Philharmonic Orchestra), Pink Sari Revolution by Purva Naresh, and Wipers by Ishy Din (all as Associate Director at Leicester Curve). This is his first time working with the National Theatre of Scotland. 

Touring to Tron Theatre, Glasgow (previews Wed 8 May) Thurs 9 May – Sat 11 May; One Touch, Eden Court Tues 14 May – Wed 15 May; Perth Theatre Fri 17 May – Sat 18 May; Cumbernauld Theatre Thurs 23 May – Sat 25 May; Dundee Rep Theatre Thurs 30 May – Sat 1 June; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Tues 11 June – Sat 15 June 

The National Theatre of Scotland’s popular Theatre for a Fiver scheme will be available for 14 to 16 year-olds and those on Universal Credit. 

Full tour information and creative biogs to date here. 

Scottish Charities receive donations from INEOS as part of International Cycling Challenge

Local Scottish charities have received £13,000 from INEOS, the global chemicals and manufacturing company, to help fund causes close to the hearts of the teams at INEOS FPS, O&P UK and Petroineos. 

The donation comes from the INEOS Tour de France challenge where 122 teams of employees from across INEOS took part in an ambitious cycling challenge. Riding in teams from across its sites to complete the distance of every stage of the world-famous Tour de France cycle race. This year, 2800 employees took part – and have together cycled over 1.3 million kms.  

The 122 teams who have completed all 21 stages have won the right to donate the equivalent to a chosen local charity. The teams participating on behalf of INEOS FPS, O&P UK and Petroineos in Grangemouth, Scotland have chosen 13 charities to receive this donation. 

Funds raised will support charities close to the team member’s hearts such as Strathcarron Hospice and Dowards House, which provides specialist hospice care and expert end of life care for the elderly.

Kiran’s Trust is another charity supported by the INEOS teams which aims to support young people, typically 7 to 17 years old, development through education and sport as well as Jamie’s Sanctuary which supports young people in the area who are struggling with mental health issues and addiction. 

Other charities that have been donated to include Forth Valley First Responders, Woodland View School in Kirkintilloch, British Heart Foundation, Marion’s Still Smiling, Scottish Association for Mental Health, FDAMH, Cycling Without Age Scotland, and VIE Velo (Visually Impaired Edinburgh). 

“The INEOS Tour de France Challenge is another brilliant initiative set up by INEOS to support local communities all over the world.” 

This year, the Tour de France challenge saw 2,800 members of the INEOS team from 33 countries around the world cycle a total of 1.3 million km the equivalent 3 and a half trips to the moon. 

The aim of the challenge was for each of the teams to complete the equivalent distance of each stage of the iconic Tour de France, each day, many of them squeezing in cycling sessions before, during and after work.  

Christmas Open Studios Weekend 

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd December

  • Exciting FREE annual open studios event returns to Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios
  • Featuring over 30 artists from paintings to photography and mosaics to fashion
  • Meet the makers, watch demonstrations and get the chance to win an original piece of art in a free raffle

Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios are delighted to be opening their doors to the public again this Christmas for another exciting Open Studios weekend (their second of the year) on Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December from 12 – 5pm.  

Come along to see their creative spaces, meet the makers and browse a wide range of original artworks and gifts. Everything is handmade by local designers and makers here in the heart of Edinburgh. It’s the perfect chance to get some Christmas shopping done, or perhaps to just treat yourself.

With over 30 artists and makers taking part, there really is something for everyone, from fine art, paintings and illustration to ceramics, textiles and photography.

There will be FREE art/craft/animation demonstrations and workshops taking place over the two days, plus a FREE raffle featuring exclusive prizes donated by Abbeymount Studios artists. 

Artists include Robin Paine who exhibited at The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour’s winter exhibition, and was twice a finalist in London’s National Portrait Gallery Portrait Award. 

Her work is in National and International Collections and she has taught widely, with a specialty in drawing and painting from observation. Up-and-coming wildlife painter Kirsten Mirrey whose work for the past five years has focussed on both exotic and endangered wildlife in a highly realistic style will also be taking part of the two days. She’s also just completed her first successful solo exhibition at the Watson Gallery. 

Helen Miles represents the world of mosaics. Trained in Greece, Helen designs and makes mosaics for interior and exterior spaces, using a variety of materials from unglazed ceramic tiles to Venetian glass and found objects.

From ceramics, Frances Priest is represented in national collections including the National Museums of Scotland Edinburgh, the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, the Victoria & Albert Museum London & the McManus Galleries Dundee. She has also been awarded The Wesley Barrell Craft Award and the Arts & Business Scotland Award.

Award-winning designer Judy R Clark is famed for her exquisite hand-tailored womenswear designs comprising of Harris Tweeds, Scottish lace and antique fabric. Judy was crowned Designer of Year at The Scottish Style Awards.

Her twin sister Christine Clark will also be taking part. She has been exhibiting internationally with group and solo shows in London, France, Washington and Edinburgh including a large commission for the Rohallion Care Clinic in Perth.

The poster for the Christmas Open Studios Weekend was designed by resident illustrator Rebecca Sheerin. She makes narrative illustrations mostly inspired by landscapes and the natural world. She starts by painting a watery base layer then adding the fine details with coloured pencils and crayons.

Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studio Manager Bob Guilianotti says: “Out of the Blue Abbeymount biannual open studios showcases the work of all 48 resident artists in an iconic building which is an arts and crafts creative hub right in the centre of Edinburgh.” 

Details of the Christmas Open Studios Weekend, as well as a list of participating artists and makers can be found on the Abbeymount Studios website.

Celebration as pupils and teachers receive The Saroj Lal Award

Celebrating diversity through creativity in our schools was the theme of the Saroj Lal Award for Edinburgh Schools event held at the City Chambers on Thursday night (16 November).

Saroj Lal was one of the first Asian women to teach in a Scottish primary school when she began her role at South Morningside Primary School in 1970.

Her many successes included being at the forefront of race relations during a period of immense political and social change, delivering anti-racism training and starting the first local authority interpreting and translating service in Edinburgh.

Following her death in 2020, Saroj’s many achievements in equality, women’s rights, education, and community work are being formally recognised.

Every year our schools are invited to nominate pupil work relating to any aspect of equalities, in any artform. Headteachers were also invited to nominate staff, whose collaborative work around equalities has taken a creative approach and had an impact.

All nominated work will be used to start building a resource bank for schools. This year saw more schools and pupils enter with 11 schools nominated, 33 pupil/pupil group nominations and two teacher nominations submitted.

The entries were considered by a panel of judges, comprising Saroj Lal’s son and equalities campaigner Vineet Lal, Katie D’Souza (2022 Joint winner of the GTC Scotland Saroj Lal Award) and Nikhat Yusaf, Senior Development Officer Equalities for the City of Edinburgh Council.

The award categories for pupils were as follows:

  • Proud to be Me: Communicates the young person’s personal expression of pride in their heritage, in their own culture and/or identity.
  • How Prejudice Makes Me Feel: Expresses young people’s feelings about any form of prejudice inflicted on themselves or others.
  • Artivism: Art expresses their views on social justice and challenges others to change and/or act differently.

There were joint winners for the Proud to be Me category: Lily Schiller-Chatwood, Leith Academy and Natali Rawat, St Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School.

In the How Prejudice Makes Me Feel category the winner was Amna Parveen, Castlebrae Community Campus.          

For the Artivism category the winner were the Equalities Lead Pupils at St Augustine’s High School.

The staff winner was Elaine Oram, James Gillespie’s High School.

The Commendation winner, was a whole school effort, and went to Currie Primary School.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, hosted the event and said: “These awards build on the rich legacy that Saroj Lal left in her decades of pioneering work in Edinburgh and beyond. They recognise the work schools and pupils are doing to challenge the many forms of prejudice and discrimination.

I am so glad to see that in the Awards second year, many more schools have engaged with the award and submitted such a range of creative works, to include films, animation, poetry, and art works, demonstrating that diversity is thriving in our schools.

“The creativity, insights and depth of thinking on display have been hugely impressive, and everyone involved – pupils and staff – deserves to be congratulated.”

Vineet Lal, son of Saroj Lal, and one of the Award judges, said: “It has been thrilling to see the passion and enthusiasm demonstrated by all those taking part in the Saroj Lal Award for Edinburgh Schools.

“The sheer scope and breadth of nominations, from almost a dozen participating schools this year, illustrates how engaged our local pupils are with issues linked to equality, diversity and inclusion, and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the judging panel.

“The creativity, insights and depth of thinking on display have been hugely impressive, and everyone involved – pupils and staff – deserves to be congratulated.

Last night’s event followed on from Portobello High School biology teacher Hardeep Kaur being awarded the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland) Saroj Lal Award for a Pioneering Spirit in Equality and Diversity. 

Aims of The Saroj Lal Award for City of Edinburgh Schools: 

  • Mark the important legacy of Saroj Lal’s life and work.
  • Inspire action and promote equalities work in the widest sense.
  • Ensure pupils’ views, ideas and experiences are central and communicated widely through creative approaches.
  • Create a bank of resources for schools to use and share.
  • Challenge perceptions, remove stigma and celebrate diversity.

Vodafone 5G and 4G landed at Edinburgh Airport

Vodafone customers using and working at Edinburgh Airport are starting to enjoy stronger and faster 5G and 4G following the installation of dedicated mobile phone coverage.

The improvements, led by leading in-building solution supplier Exchange Communications, will ensure Vodafone customers, who make up approximately 14 million passengers who use the airport each year, benefit from both fast mobile data speeds and better call quality in departure, arrival and across the airport terminal.  

Meanwhile, businesses in and around the airport will be able to take advantage.  Whilst airport employees with Vodafone devices will benefit from the improvements, the introduction of ultrafast Vodafone 5G will also ensure the airport infrastructure has the technology needed to support a range of services – from contactless check-in to digital passport controls – if required.

Denis McIlroy, Head of IT at Edinburgh Airport said: “Whether it is tracking your flight, sending that important email, joining a virtual meeting or simply staying in touch with family and friends you are going or coming to visit, connectivity to reliable 4G and 5G is really important so it’s great to have enhanced that provision at Scotland’s busiest airport.

“Our work with Vodafone will also allow us to continue to make improvements for passengers behind the scenes and deliver a smooth and seamless journey through the airport.” 

Tom Sime, CEO of Exchange Communications, said: “Airports are a pivotal part of the UK economy and having deployed 4G & 5G at Edinburgh Airport it now benefits from the reliable wireless connectivity of 5G.

“This project will benefit from enhanced connectivity, resulting in faster connections and quicker streaming for passengers but it will also help enhance the technology working behind the scenes to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the airport.  

“Airports have an ecosystem of companies and business who interact with them, jointly delivering services which will benefit from the connectivity of 5G for fast reliable production, intralogistics with full flexibility for future Smart Building technologies and IOT.”

Andrea Dona, UK Network Director at Vodafone, said: “Airports play a vital role in the success of the economy as well as being major employers.  So, we’re delighted to be able to support Edinburgh in providing the connectivity they need to support their growth. 

“Meanwhile, the arrival of both Vodafone 4G and 5G will offer our customers fast mobile data speeds as they work at the airport or travel through.”  

The news is the latest in Vodafone’s ongoing investment in its Scottish network. This includes locations across the country where rural Vodafone coverage has been already boosted as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, a £1bn joint initiative between the UK Government and the UK’s four mobile network operators which will see overall 4G coverage extend to 91% of the Scottish landmass. 

In January 2022, Vodafone confirmed it would begin to switch off its UK 3G network in 2023, with the spectrum being used to boost its 4G and 5G coverage nationwide.

Transforming Cancer Care: Macmillan’s Peer Evaluator project

LISTENING LEADS TO CHANGE

The Macmillan Transforming Cancer Care Lived Experience Programme has published it’s Peer Evaluator project report.

Read the full report that puts considerations of equality right at the heart of its engagement:

https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/…/peer…/…

Peer_Evaluator_Report_WEB_updated_2FINALDownload

Introducing the Scottish Borders first Winter Light Trail: Monteviot Lights

Prepare to be enchanted as Monteviot House & Gardens unveils its inaugural winter light trail event, Monteviot Lights, illuminating the natural beauty of the Scottish Borders on nine dates between November 30th to December 10th, 2023.

This captivating spectacle promises to be a magical experience for families and visitors of all ages.

Monteviot Lights is not just another light show; it’s a unique opportunity to witness the first lighting and audio spectacle in the heart of the Scottish Borders. Unlike traditional light installations, Monteviot Lights embraces the natural backdrop of Monteviot Gardens, accentuating the beauty of nature itself. Visitors are in for a treat, with an unforgettable evening of wonder and enchantment.

This captivating outdoor illuminated journey unfolds within Monteviot House’s spectacular gardens as dusk settles over the historic grounds. Starting at Harestanes Visitor Centre, you’ll walk a 1.5km route through beautifully lit gardens and woods. Creative lighting brings nature to life, complemented by breathtaking soundscapes.

Pass through the magic doorway to encounter a symphony of twinkling lights, casting a spellbinding glow. Each step reveals a new spectacle, inviting you to immerse yourself in the ethereal ambience.

Follow the illuminated pathway winding through the grounds, leading to a captivating winter fairytale.Visitors are invited to take their time and to enjoy locally sourced food and drink also available at the event.

The light trail seamlessly incorporates the garden’s natural surroundings and key features, creating immersive experiences, produced by NL Productions, who have over 50 years’ experience of delivering large-scale events, including The Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry; Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle; and Edinburgh Zoo’s Halloween Spooktakular and Christmas Nights.

The event aims to attract 7,500 visitors in its inaugural year while focusing on long-term growth and sustainability, aiming to preserve the natural environment that the event beautifully illuminates.

The family behind the event has been instrumental in its creation and eagerly invites visitors to share in the experience. Michael, 13th Marquis of Lothian, expresses excitement about hosting the Scottish Borders’ first winter light trail.

He commented: “We are delighted to be hosting the Scottish Borders’ first winter light trail; it is thrilling for me to see the gardens my family and I have spent many years creating come to life with the beautiful lighting trail that is planned.

“As a family we have had a vision for this event, and it is such an exciting time to see it all come to life. It will not only be a wonderful event for us at Monteviot but we hope for everyone across the Borders. We look forward to welcoming you to Monteviot Lights.”

Phil O’Halloran, NL Productions Event Producer, shares his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing the magical experience of creative lighting and soundscapes, created in collaboration with Serena Foyle, amidst Monteviot Gardens’ natural beauty.

He commented: “We are very excited to be producing Monteviot Lights and can’t wait for everyone to experience the beauty of the trail in these stunning natural spaces.

“It is thrilling that this will be the Scottish Borders’ first winter light trail. Monteviot Gardens is a wonderful location with paths meandering through historic woodland, past ponds, and amongst awe-inspiring gardens.

“Families will have the chance to experience an evening of pure magic as creative lighting and soundscapes bring the winter landscape to life.”

Event Details:

  • Dates: November 30th – December 3rd and December 6th – 10th, 2023
  • Time: 16.30 – 19.30
  • Tickets: Sold in 15-minute timeslots
  • Location: Monteviot House & Gardens, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders
  • Parking: As you arrive at Harestanes Visitor Centre, enjoy food and drink along with toilet facilities. Support small local businesses like Buy Design Gallery, Out-There Artisan, Rub-A-Dug-Dug, Harestanes Glass Studio, and Mary’s Dairy, all based at Harestanes Visitor Centre.
  • Supporting Charity – Meetings of Minds

Join us at Monteviot Lights for a winter wonderland like no other.

For more information, ticket bookings, and updates, visit our website:

www.monteviotlights.co.uk

Community to the fore at Musselburgh Racecourse

As East Lothian’s largest sporting and hospitality venue, Musselburgh Racecourse takes seriously its commitment to working with local communities.

In the last year, the racecourse and its staff have been engaged in a wide range of activities, sponsorships and partnerships with charities and local businesses.

Themed race days which partner with local businesses – like the Luca Ice Cream Family Race Day in July – are a platform to work with sports clubs and charities and to introduce families to the thrill of horse racing.

At this year’s event, Musselburgh Windsor FC offered free football skill session for kids and were able to showcase the club’s 70 year old connection to the Honest Toun, while Musselburgh Food Bank were on-site to accept donations as part of a longer-term association with the racecourse.

At the same race day, children enjoyed more than 500 free pony rides courtesy of a local equestrian yard Tower Farm Riding Stables and 1,200 free ice creams were handed out in association with Luca’s.

The racecourse also teamed up with home builders Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes to offer free admission tickets to new homeowners as part of a “welcome to the neighbourhood” initiative.

Musselburgh Racecourse Commercial Manager, Aisling Johnston, said: “Musselburgh has a strong sense of community and we want to support the ethos of looking out for each other by providing opportunities for local clubs and charities, and to highlight the important contribution they make to the town as a great place to live, work and thrive.”

Another event saw racecourse staff participate in the British Racing Community Day when they collected litter around the Musselburgh Lagoons, and racecourse staff helped with the testing of affordable cooked meal kits on behalf of East Lothian Foodbank to share with local families.

The racecourse was able to raise the profile of groups like Musselburgh Windsor and Musselburgh Athletic FC and events such as the East Coast Harbour Race by providing free space in the race day programmes, naming races after the organisations, and complimentary tv advertising.

And as part of Musselburgh Festival Week, the racecourse hosts a Festival Day which welcomes hundreds of riders and families to enjoy a wide range of free activities following the traditional ride out.

“It is very rewarding to be working with some of Musselburgh’s best businesses and community groups and we are looking at ways in which we can strengthen those bonds and support the vital work they do,” added Aisling.

“The racecourse is synonymous with Musselburgh and on top of providing a five-star racing and hospitality experience for racing fans, it is important to play a part in the social and civic life of the town.”

Parents of children who drowned back school water safety initiative

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has developed the Water Smart Schools Accreditation, which launched in time for the new academic year, to facilitate classroom-based Water Safety Education.

And the mothers of Joe Abbess and Sunnah Khan who tragically lost their lives at Bournemouth beach in May this year, have recently advocated for the programme.

The RLSS UK initiative has been designed especially for schools to help their students develop water safety skills for life in the classroom environment, in recognition of the fact that not all schools can access pool-based safety education.

A cross-section of schools have piloted and successfully completed this new initiative, and now over 100 schools have signed up to the programme to ensure their students are educated on water safety.

Joe, 17, and Sunnah, 12, tragically drowned on 31 May this year when a suspected rip current caused sea conditions to change.

Joe’s mum, Vanessa Abbess, said, “I am keen to support the RLSS UK Water Smart School initiative to educate and raise awareness to improve water safety, in memory of our son Joe. 

“Joe and Sunnah lost their lives despite being only waist high in the water, on a lifeguarded beach. 

“Joe was sensible, healthy, and strong but taken from us, due to the ferocity of the sea that day. I am certain that if Joe had survived, he would definitely want to warn others of the dangers, as he was a very caring young man.

“I feel education is the key to get water safety to be broadly discussed and thus potentially save lives.”

Drowning is one of the leading causes of child trauma-related deaths in the UK (National Child Mortality Database, Deaths of children and young people due to traumatic incidents thematic report, July 2023) and is largely avoidable through education and positive experiences around water. 

Sadly, access to swimming tuition and water safety education differs across the UK and there is often disparity for those from low-income and ethnically diverse family groups. The most recent data shared through the 2022 Active Lives Survey shows that only 34.7% of children from low-affluence families are able swim 25 metres unaided, compared with 76.4% children from high-income families.

RLSS UK’s Water Smart Schools accreditation aims to improve this by providing schools with a framework and all necessary resources to facilitate this vital learning. 

Sunah’s mother, Stephanie Williams, said “”I think educating our children on water safety is incredibly important. The very least we can do is give all children an equal opportunity to access information that could potentially save their life one day. You never think it will happen to you until it happens to you. 

“Knowledge is power, let’s give our children the knowledge and start the conversation that may one day save their life. Sunnah had her whole life ahead of her and it was so brutally torn away from her that day, I want to do everything I can to prevent this from happening to other children.”

RLSS UK launched the free Water Smart Schools programme in line with the start of Autumn term and all educational settings are being encouraged to sign up and take part during the 2023-24 school year.

Flexibility is at the heart of the programme and the charity is proud that Water Smart Schools  can be applied to any learning environment including further education and SEND settings. The charity has already seen lots of enthusiasm from a number of schools and they want to ensure all school children have the vital water safety knowledge needed to stay safe in and around water.

RLSS UK’s Education Manager Andy Lane said, “We are excited to already have over 100 schools on board but want to grow this and get even more schools on board to ensure more children have the much-needed knowledge around water safety.” 

If you are interested in taking part to become a Water Smart School, please email education@rlss.org.uk.

Council tenants urged to give their views on new rent proposals

The City of Edinburgh Council is once again asking tenants to give their feedback on rent proposals and the financial pressures they face.

This year’s consultation closes on 17 December, and tenants across the capital are being reminded to share views on the rates rent could be set at next year and how this money should be invested to create more and better housing.

The full scale of the city’s housing challenge was highlighted earlier this month when the council officially declared a Housing Emergency in Edinburgh. This followed news that up to 5,000 households a night are now living in temporary accommodation due to homelessness and a shortage of affordable housing.

A budget strategy report published last month also reveals the gap between the amount of funding Edinburgh needs to improve housing and the budget available to achieve this, which is primarily funded by tenants paying rent and government grants.

By raising rent levels, the council could ensure homes meet statutory energy efficiency standards set by the Scottish Government, build hundreds of new affordable homes to help people who are currently homeless and improve the landlord service it provides.

Up to 80% of tenants in Edinburgh receive assistance with their rent, with costs covered by housing benefits or Universal Credit. The council intends to extend its Tenant Hardship Fund to support households who aren’t entitled to this support to access funding if they struggle to afford an increase in rent.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: Providing a better service to our tenants, improving their homes, and building more places for people to live is at heart of our housing budget strategy.

“We recognise that this year will be particularly challenging for all residents with rising inflation, spiralling prices, and the wider cost-of-living crisis.

“These price hikes are affecting us too and we’re seeing the cost of running our housing services increase, at a time when we desperately need to invest in new and better homes and tackle rising homelessness. That’s why we have declared a Housing Emergency, so we can work with partners to help everyone who needs a safe place to call home.

“In our last consultation tenants told us they want us to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and that they need more affordable homes. So, we are looking forward to hearing from our tenants again and hope this consultation allows them the opportunity to have their voices heard.”

Murrayburn

Alongside charging a higher rent for newly built homes and newly modernised homes, the council is considering three possible rent increase options:

  1. 4.1% increase each year for the next five years to deliver the council’s existing plan. This would help to deliver 2,000 new social rented homes and upgrade 5,200 existing homes to modern and high energy efficiency standards in the next ten years.  The average weekly rent would increase by £4.31.
  2. 5.0% increase each year for the next five years to be in line with inflation. It would help to deliver 2,300 new social rented homes and upgrade 5,600 existing homes to modern and high energy efficiency standards in the next ten years.  The average weekly rent would increase by £5.25.
  3. 8.4% increase each year for the next five years to deliver the council’s pre-Covid investment plan. It would help to deliver 3,560 new social rented homes and upgrade 12,400 existing homes to modern and high energy efficient standards in the next ten years.  The average weekly rent would increase by £8.83.

No decisions on rents or how the council spends the Housing Revenue Account in the next financial year will be made until February 2024, when the council sets a housing revenue budget as part of a wider budget setting process.

Find our more and share views here at the consultation hub.