Month: January 2024

Celebrate 100 years of Scottish art icon Eduardo Paolozzi at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two

Paolozzi at 100 

National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two 

27 January – 21 April 2024 

Admission Free  

Paolozzi at 100 | National Galleries of Scotland

Visit the National Galleries of Scotland to mark the centenary of the birth of one of Scotland’s most well-known artists, Eduardo Paolozzi. Opening on Saturday (27 January), Paolozzi at 100 is a tribute to the father of Pop Art.

Taking over the ground floor of Modern Two in Edinburgh, this free exhibition takes visitors on a journey through some of Paolozzi’s most popular artworks, including his collages, prints, textiles, ceramics and sculptures. 

Of Italian descent, Paolozzi was born in Leith in 1924, and is a much-loved son of the city. He studied in Edinburgh and London before spending two years in Paris. There, he produced enigmatic, bronze sculptures and Dada and Surrealist-inspired collages that combined magazine advertisements with cartoons and machine parts.

Returning to London to teach at several art schools, Paolozzi continued to develop his printmaking and sculpture techniques, with a particular interest in the mass media and in science and technology, developing a style that would become known as Pop Art. Paolozzi was knighted in 1989 and gifted a major bequest of his works to the National Galleries of Scotland in 1995.  

In Paolozzi at 100 at Modern Two, visitors can explore 60 vibrant artworks across two rooms and a special display in the Keiller Library.

Discover the colourful life of a cultural icon through a selection of works drawn from Scotland’s national collection. The exhibition begins with the years following Paolozzi’s first visit to Paris in 1947 and travels through his life. Learn about his eclectic take on popular culture and the machine age.

Examine the highly detailed Mickey tapestry made with Dovecot Tapestry Studio and marvel in vibrant graphic and gold ceramic plate collaborations designed for Wedgwood. Don’t miss the kinetic energy of the Calcium Light Night and Moonstrip Empire News screenprints.

Complete the tour with a look into Paolozzi’s epic public art projects, including the vibrant mosaics designed for Tottenham Court Road Underground Station. In the Penrose Gallery, a large projection will focus on Paolozzi’s 1971 collaboration with fashion house, Lanvin. 

All this can be seen alongside the recreation of Paolozzi’s London art studio, the towering Vulcan and the Cleish Castle Ceiling Panels, all permanently on display at Modern Two for visitors to enjoy all year round.

Indulge in a coffee at Paolozzi’s Kitchen, named in tribute to the artist himself, then take a stroll through the grounds and see if you can spot Paolozzi’s imposing sculpture Master of the Universe. Visitors can also delve deeper into the artworks with an eight stop free audioguide on Smartify.

Anne Lyden, Director-General at the National Galleries of Scotland said: “Eduardo Paolozzi is one of Scotland’s best-known artists and was an Edinburgh icon. His powerful influence can still be seen across the city today in everything from sculptures and architecture to fashion to food and drink brands.

“The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to be celebrating his 100th birthday with an exhibition that brings together 60 key Paolozzi works from Scotland’s national collection. We hope everyone will take the opportunity to enjoy this free glimpse into the phenomenal art that is Paolozzi at 100.” 

Paolozzi at 100 opens at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two on Saturday 27 January 2024.

Join us and discover how high art became part of the everyday; from towering sculptures and chaotic prints to luxurious textiles and iconic collages, it’s time to celebrate the city’s favourite artist in style.    

Scottish Government announces funding for projects to tackle poverty and inequality

Supporting people in need

An initiative which will support low income families to take part in community action and advise on improvements in local services is being funded as part of a wider programme to help develop new approaches to child poverty.

The project, led by Midlothian Sure Start in partnership with Midlothian Council, is one of nine successful applicants to the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund – which was set up to explore promising approaches or redesign services to maximise their impact on child poverty.

A Cash First Fund, which aims to reduce the need for emergency food parcels and food banks, will also fund eight partnerships to provide help to low income families. Six of these will provide new sources of cash-first support.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said yesterday: “These two funds exemplify the innovative approach the Scottish Government is taking to tackling poverty and delivering for the people of Scotland.

“The Midlothian partnership will give local families the opportunity to get involved in and influence local services. It will aim to identify improvements which will ensure help on offer is joined-up and people are supported in a dignified way to reduce stigma.

“Other projects will help to accelerate progress in tackling poverty, including by making it easier for people to access cash in a crisis and by connecting people with advice to prevent future hardship.

“We are investing £3 billion this financial year to tackle poverty and protect people from the cost of living crisis. We are taking all the action we can to support people within our limited powers and fixed budget.”

Cash First Fund: successful proposals

AreaLead partner
AberdeenAberdeen Voluntary Action (TSI)
AberdeenshireAberdeenshire Council
EdinburghEdinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership
FifeFife Council
GlasgowGlasgow Centre for Population Health
North LanarkshireNorth Lanarkshire Council
OrkneyVoluntary Action Orkney (TSI)
West DunbartonshireWest Dunbartonshire Council

Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund: successful proposals

AreaProject
Aberdeen CityData driven identification of households experiencing child poverty to inform and direct intervention and support.
Argyll and ButeEvaluating the usefulness of third-party datasets for identifying communities in need of financial support.
EdinburghIncome Maximisation Outreach
InverclydeParent Centred Early and Intensive Intervention – supporting parents with children and babies under 5 years
MidlothianMidlothian Peer Research – A Case for Change through a Place Based Approach Building Skills and Influencing
MorayImproved identification of families affected by disability and delivery of support to maximise income
North AyrshireNorth Ayrshire Single Shared Assessment (NASSA)
Perth & KinrossBeyond Emergency Support to Sustainable Livelihoods – Capacity Building Programme for Local Communities
South LanarkshirePaths out of Poverty’ – empowering parent/carers of disabled children through innovative, holistic, strengths-based approach.

Ben Macpherson calls for new police station for Leith

MODERN ‘FIT FOR PUPOSE’ FACILITY AT VICTORIA QUAY?

EDINBURGH Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson is urging the Scottish Government to consider siting a new police station in Victoria Quay.

Writing to Justice Secretary Angela Constance yesterday, the local MSP said: “As you are aware, Leith Police Station in my constituency is one of those being  considered for closure, as part of Police Scotland’s estate review.

“In terms of the  current building in Leith, this is understandable as the current location is within the  old Leith Chambers which, while being a remarkable historic building, is not optimal  for twentieth century policing or meeting shared aspirations like net zero.  

“However, there is a very strong case for retaining a police station in Leith –  especially given recent and projected significant population growth in the locality and surrounding areas! This could be realised in the form of a new Leith Police Station  within a colocation premises, which would enhance public service provision and  make financial sense.  

Therefore, I am writing to state that I think Victoria Quay could potentially provide an  ideal location for a new Leith Police Station, collocated with other public services.  

“The under-utilisation of Victoria Quay is well known and I have previously liaised with  the Permanent Secretary about how it could be used going forward, to potentially  provide more for Leith and the wider needs of the public and local economy.  

“I would be grateful if the Scottish Government and Police Scotland could consider  the creation of a new Leith Police Station to be established in Victoria Quay?

“I have  copied the this correspondence to the Edinburgh Commander (Police Scotland) and  the Permanent Secretary. “

Offshore wind programme progresses

Projects worth around £500m move closer to completion

Strategic investment to help unlock Scotland’s green energy revolution has moved a step closer, First Minister Humza Yousaf announced yesterday.

In a significant milestone for Scotland’s offshore wind sector, three projects have been invited to move to Stage 2 of the Strategic Investment Model (SIM) process.

Collectively the projects – which represent a mix of local and inward investment into ports, port infrastructure and manufacturing – have a capital expenditure of around £500 million.

The SIM will help to deliver transformational offshore wind supply chain growth in Scotland through innovative collaboration between offshore wind developers, the Scottish Government, enterprise agencies and Crown Estate Scotland.

Making the announcement at the Scottish Renewables and Offshore Wind Conference in Glasgow, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “There are moments when certain industries can stand confident that when they look ahead, they will see a future in which they play a pivotal role in securing the wealth and wellbeing of a nation – Scotland’s offshore industry is at that moment.

“Together, we can create the right conditions to attract investment, build the supply chain, recruit and deliver the infrastructure needed to ensure that these projects will thrive.

“A select group of three initial projects have been invited to move to Stage 2 of the SIM process, in a significant milestone in our offshore programme. They represent a mix of local and inward investment opportunities into ports, port infrastructure, and manufacturing – collectively, they have a capital expenditure of just under £500 million.”

Due to commercial sensitivity specific projects cannot be named while undertaking the SIM process but details will be made available in due course.

An economy of opportunity – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

BAFTA award-winning writer Henry Normal & Internet sensation, poet & author Brian Bilston announce Edinburgh show

  • BAFTA award-winning writer and producer turned poet Henry Normal teams up with internet sensation, poet and author Brian Bilston
  • The pair announce Scottish tour – coming to Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on 9th April
  • Henry’s brand new poetry collection ‘A Moonless Night’ released 14th February 2024  
  • Brian Bilston’s best selling collection ‘Days Like These’ published in paperback on 9th November 2023

BBC Radio 4 regular Henry Normal and literary enigma Brian Bilston have announced a brand new Scottish tour together for 2024.  Following sell out shows in 2023 for both poets, the pair will be coming to Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on 9th April, 

Henry and Brian met at the Laugharne Festival and performed together for the first time in Morecambe last October. The collaboration has been so popular that the two poets are bringing their new shows together for the first time to theatres in Scotland with shows in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling and Dundee.

Brian Bilston is often described as the “Banksy of poetry” – making the artform accessible to all and maintaining a mysterious anonymity. He has cultivated a large and loyal following on social media and has become truly beloved by his 500,000 or so fans. Despite his popularity Brian has managed to keep his identity hidden so his live show represents an intriguing opportunity to hear Brian’s work read live by the enigma himself. Expect the funny, irreverent and powerful poetry that has made Brian an internet sensation. 

Henry has toured with his ever-evolving poetry show constantly since retiring from TV and Film production. In his own distinctive style, Henry’s show finds fun in the familiar, humour in the everyday and poignancy in the pitfalls of modern life. It is a show about love, life and family that is as deeply moving as it is funny and often both at the same time.  Henry has 15 poetry books in print including the latest collection “A Moonless Night’ out on Valentine’s day being 14th Feb 2024.

Henry’s longstanding BBC Radio 4 series ‘A Normal..” continues to go from strength to strength with ‘A Normal Journey’  chosen as pick of the week over the Christmas period. As co-creator of The Royle Family, he also appeared in the BBC documentary celebrating the life of Caroline Aherne on Christmas Day.

The evening represents a chance to see two brilliant poets for a very special night of life affirming poetry, marvellous escapism and lots of laughter. 

February Holiday workshop at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre celebrates Random Acts of Kindness with free children’s event

Families in Edinburgh will have the chance to take part in Dobbies’ free February Holiday Workshop, keeping children aged 4-10 years busy during the half term.

The February holiday workshop is taking place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store throughout half term. This fun-fuelled workshop is centred around Random Acts of Kindness, a celebration that takes place on Saturday 17 February, encouraging everyone to be extra kind to one another and go above and beyond to brighten someone’s day.

Children will come together in a friendly group setting at its Edinburgh store to delve into the history of this celebration and learn about the joys of kindness. 

Dobbies’ colleagues will detail what it means to be kind, why kindness is important, how it can make people feel, and all the ways we can be kind to others, to nature and to ourselves.

Spotlighting random acts of kindness in the garden, Dobbies is showcasing all the different ways children can care for the planet. From making a bug hotel, feeding birds or planting pollinating flowers to help bumblebees thrive to picking up litter or making compost, there’s plenty of ways to be kind.

In addition to being kind to others, Little Seedlings in Edinburgh will be encouraged to be kind to themselves by fuelling their bodies with healthy food, doing things they love, sharing feelings and most importantly, being proud of themselves. Kids will also have the chance to create their own sunshine thank you card to put a smile on someone’s face.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club Workshop Leader, Liz Savage, is looking forward to welcoming kids along to the February Holiday Workshop.

She said: “School holidays are a great chance to ignite a passion for a hobby or try something new. This workshop will allow kids to come together and learn, making friends along the way.

“Our Little Seedings Club is designed to engage and support local communities near our Edinburgh store by providing accessible, free of charge fun and educational activities.”

For more information about February’s Holiday Workshop and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

Good Food Nation plans published

Proposals to improve access to healthy, locally produced food

Ensuring everyone in Scotland can access nutritious, sustainable food is at the heart of new plans to transform the country’s food system.

The Good Food Nation Plan sets out the ways in which the Scottish Government will work with businesses and organisations across society to help connect people to locally produced, high-quality food.

The Plan will cover everything from farm to fork and beyond, and draw together a range of different policies. It will also require key public bodies, particularly local authorities and health boards, to set out their plans.

Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade Minister Richard Lochhead launched the consultation during a visit to City of Glasgow College where he helped National Chef Gary Maclean and catering students prepare a Burns Supper.

Mr Lochhead said: “This week the world will celebrate Burns Night which contributes to a thriving food culture and interest in Scottish cuisine. Supermarkets will offer Scottish dishes to shoppers, and many will use Scottish ingredients to prepare their traditional Burns Suppers.

 “In a Good Food Nation, this celebration of good quality and sustainable Scottish produce will be the norm. People across the nation will be able to easily access high quality food and drink, and will benefit from the food they produce, buy, cook and eat each day.

 “We have come far in this journey but we recognise that more needs to be done. That’s why we are seeking views on our fresh approach to food policy to make this vision for our food system a reality.”

The consultation on the national Good Food Nation Plan was published on the Scottish Government website and on Citizen Space yesterday (Wednesday 24 January). 

The consultation will be open for responses until Monday 22 April 2024.

More than Meets The Eye: Music and song inspire Freya to start speaking

THERE’s more to six year old Freya Reily than meets the eye. Freya, from Tranent, who was born very prematurely and has severe vision impairment, has been inspired by music and song to start speaking, something that her parents did not think was possible just a few short months ago.

Sight Scotland’s newly launched ‘More Than Meets The Eye’ campaign shows people what life with sight loss can look like when they have the right support. It aims to dispel the negative perceptions of people living with sight loss across Scotland and show that vision impairment isn’t a barrier to living a happy and fulfilling life.

Freya’s parents, Eilidh and Keir, have been amazed at her progress since she started at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh in 2022, and say they are so happy that they are able to give Freya the best possible education and the best possible start in life.

Her teacher’s say the progression in Freya’s development has been remarkable, and music and signing has played a huge part in this.

Eilidh explains: “There has been such a big change in Freya since she started at the Royal Blind School, and she is communicating so much more now. It is almost unbelievable, we tried so hard to get her to communicate before school, but all she could really say was ‘Mum’ or ‘Dad’, but now her speaking has really taken off.

“The signing she does at the school has also made a big difference, at first, we were not sure what she was doing, but when the school explained what all the signs meant it was incredible to see what she had picked up in such a short period of time. She does the double fist bump for school every morning with a huge smile on her face.”

Freya’s class teacher, Louise Buggy, says Freya has amazed everyone from the first day she started at school.

Louise says: “Freya’s language development since she started has been amazing, in fact I would describe it as almost overwhelming. She loves the On Body Sign System that we use, and on day one she was reaching out for the staff’s hands showing that she wanted to join in and connect and interact.

“She then started to guide our hands showing that she understood what the signs were meaning as we were speaking and singing, and then she started signing for herself. Incredibly, just a short time after this she started to say the key words in the sentences or songs; her first new word was school. She then started to learn new key words every couple of days based on our predictable routines. To see the progression in this little girl is just astounding.

“Singing and music is just massive for Freya and is a huge motivation for her. She has learned many of the words she can now say from songs. We used to keep a list of all her new words, but we are now struggling to keep up as her communication is developing at such a fast rate.”

Freya has also become much stronger, and her movement has increased dramatically, since she started at the Royal Blind School.

Eilidh says: “She is just so much stronger and independent, she is crawling around by herself and pulling herself up. I still can’t quite believe it when I am seeing it. Everything they do at the school is designed to help Freya, she just adores the soft play, and the sensory story time. She loves the swimming in the hydrotherapy pool, and this is really helping with the strength in her legs. She is developing in every single way.”

Eilidh adds: “Freya’s journey since a very young age to now has been amazing, and she has developed so much. We could not have imagined back then how much she would have progressed, and that she would now be communicating with us and crawling and standing. We wanted to give Freya the best possible start in life, and the best possible education, and we know the Royal Blind School is doing exactly this.”

Sight Scotland, which is Scotland’s largest vision impairment organisation, and runs the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh, wants to reach and help more of the 180,000 people living in Scotland with sight loss.

For more information, visit sightscotland.org.uk 

IAN MOORE

Sad to hear of the death of Drylaw and wider North Edinburgh community stalwart IAN MOORE, who passed away last week (Tuesday 15th).

My deepest sympathy to Muriel and family.

Ian’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 31 January at 10am in Warriston’s Lorimer Chapel.

Remote Scottish communities worse off due to ‘rural premium’ despite cost of living support, MPs find

The Scottish Affairs Committee warns blanket UK-wide schemes intended to support households with the rising cost of living were not sufficiently ‘rural-proofed’ and did not meet the needs of remote communities in Scotland who face a ‘rural premium’.

The ‘rural premium’ refers to the higher prices that communities in remote rural areas pay, relative to urban areas, to access the same goods and services. The report highlighted three key areas – energy, food security and transport – and finds that rising costs in each sector disproportionately affects rural communities in Scotland. 

Examples cited by the Committee include exposure to fuel price inflation due to being more reliant on transport, a reliance on expensive alternative fuels for off-grid households and higher charges for food deliveries to remote locations. 

In a new report published yesterday, MPs on the Westminster-based Scottish Affairs Committee acknowledge the unprecedented package of support provided by the UK Government which has helped to mitigate the impact of price spikes.  

The Committee concludes that some schemes, however, had prioritised administrative ease to accelerate funds getting to people rather than specifically targeting financial support for those who need it most. MPs on the Committee found that financial support tailored towards remote communities experiencing the ‘rural premium’ would have more effectively alleviated the acute and unique pressures those households face. 

Evidence submitted to the Committee as part of the inquiry showed that prior to the sharp increase in fuel prices, the highest rates of fuel poverty in Scotland could be found in the most rural regions – Na h-Eileanan Siar (40%), Highland (33%), Argyll and Bute (32%), Moray (32%), Shetland Islands (31%) and Orkney Islands (31%). The Scottish Government has estimated that 57% of households in rural areas would be in fuel poverty by April 2023. 

The Committee heard that food insecurity had led to a ‘cost of surviving crisis’ for some in particularly remote areas, while delayed plans to improve ferry and road infrastructure has further exacerbated difficulties for rural communities. 

MPs are calling for the Scottish and UK Governments to work together in order to better understand the scale and complexities of the challenges facing rural communities in Scotland. Agreeing consistent definitions of food poverty and more effective collaboration to overcome transport infrastructure challenges would be welcome steps forward in tackling this issue, the Committee says.

Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, Pete Wishart MP, said: “During the cost-of-living crisis, people living in remote parts of Scotland have found themselves in a perfect storm of poorly-insulated, high energy usage homes with an extended journey to local amenities and food shopping bills off the charts.  

“Schemes implemented by both the UK and Scottish Governments have been welcome in large parts of Scotland, but the reality is these households have been lumbered with a ‘rural premium’ that hasn’t been adequately addressed by state support. 

“We must learn the lessons from the economic challenges households have faced over the last few years. I hope both the UK and Scottish Governments will use this time to properly understand the support these communities will need to prevent them falling further into poverty should we face similar problems in the future.”