Almost 4 in 5 of people in Scotland think that complacent attitudes pose a danger to those with allergies, new research from training provider High Speed Training reveals.
The survey, which forms part of the Safe to Serve report, polled over 2,000 UK adults to highlight levels of awareness and understanding of food allergies and hypersensitivities, and the impact that hypersensitivities have on daily life.
The survey shows that across the region, 79% of people are concerned about complacency around how food allergies are handled in eateries, and that 65% of respondents believe food businesses should do more to cater to people with food allergies. Based on the results, it’s evident that the reality of eating out for those with food allergies can be a stress-inducing and ostracising affair, and the public are calling for change.
As a leading provider of Food Allergen Awareness training, High Speed Training’s latest report aims to raise awareness of the importance of food businesses having the correct practices in place to help safeguard customers with food allergies.
Out of those surveyed, 88% of people in Scotland believe allergies are a serious issue, yet 49% of people think that people with allergies are often perceived as fussy or overstating the severity of their condition. This is a stigma that needs to be broken, as allergy safety is, for so many people, a matter of life and death.
The report also reveals that food allergies in the UK are a growing epidemic, with younger generations far more likely to develop a food allergy than ever. Over 2 million people in the UK have a diagnosed food allergy, and out of those 25% will at some point experience a severe anaphylactic reaction [1]. Furthermore, 1 in 5 live in fear of death by anaphylactic shock.
This fear is not unfounded, as evidenced by numerous deaths resulting from a lack of allergen awareness in eateries. Owen Carey tragically lost his life to an allergic reaction after dining out in 2017 due to a lack of clear allergen labelling and communication amongst restaurant staff.
Since Owen’s death, the Carey family have founded the Owen’s Law Campaign, which seeks to mandate allergen labelling on restaurant menus and advocates for proactive communication between restaurant staff and customers regarding potential allergens, alongside thorough staff training in allergen awareness.
Recently, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have openly backed the measures called for by the Owen’s Law Campaign and have written to make this recommendation to Ministers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are responsible for taking this forward. Despite this progress, there’s still a long way to go as the danger for allergy sufferers eating out is still very real.
High Speed Training, whose Food Allergen Awareness course is the first to be endorsed by the Owen’s Law Campaign, offers key advice in their report for businesses to help ensure they’re following best practice when it comes to allergy safety.
A third of people surveyed had, or knew someone close to them with, a food allergy, meaning a large portion of group bookings will be dependent on restaurants safely catering for those with allergies.
While it may initially seem overwhelming to have appropriate safety precautions in place that manage food allergens effectively, High Speed Training emphasises that a number of small actions will have a big impact.
Dr. Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, says: “Food businesses have a responsibility to follow best practice when it comes to allergen safety, as ultimately lives are at risk.
“Despite recent development in allergy safety regulations such as Natasha’s Law, our report shows that there is still a long way to go in providing customers with food hypersensitivities with safety and confidence whilst dining.
“For food businesses, catering to all potential customers, regardless of dietary requirements, will be beneficial in increasing the amount of potential customers and the quality of service they receive. Regardless of the advantages to business, taking all possible measures to safeguard customers with hypersensitivities is the right thing to do given the potential consequences.
“Promoting effective communication amongst staff and with customers, completing thorough food allergen training, and displaying accurate allergen information are three key actions food businesses should take to ensure the safety of your customers and to comply with future changes expected in the industry.”
To view the report in full, and to learn more about the reality of eating out with a food allergy, please click here.
New series “One Day” has taken the nation by storm, even influencing our travel choices. Travel search engine, KAYAK, has found there was a 69%* increase in UK flight searches to Edinburgh since the show aired, compared to a month prior.
The series premiered on February 8th, giving viewers a glimpse into what makes Edinburgh the ultimate destination. Since then, there has been an uptake in travel searches to Edinburgh from various airports across the UK.
From the Old College at the University of Edinburgh, to Vennel Steps and Arthur’s Seat, there are several Scottish landmarks featured in the show and many other big and small screen classics, including T2 Trainspotting, Burke & Hare and the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
According to KAYAK’s helpful “Best Time to Travel” tool, which provides insight into desired destinations, April is the perfect time to explore Scotland in spring.
The website suggests that due to an average temperature circling around 8 degrees and the city being less crowded, those looking to explore Edinburgh should consider April as their month to take the plunge.
For those seeking a touch of adventure, KAYAK recommends a trip to Edinburgh in August – with the city coming alive with festivals, theatre and an average temperature of 15 degrees.
The tool recommends the ideal time to visit in summer is specifically from the 26th – 29th August.
Climate and sustainability groups from across Scotland staged a fashion show of upcycled outfits outside the Scottish Parliament today (22 February), to call on MSPs to support the Circular Economy Bill that’s being debated soon.
Models took to the catwalk in outfits including a dress made of bike inner tubes to highlight that 65% of our clothing is made from fossil fuel-based plastic, a cape made from plastic bottles collected from beach litter, and an electric cable headdress to highlight the impacts of mining for metals and lack of repair opportunities for electronic waste in Scotland.
The new law could change the way we use materials, driving action to reduce the amount we take from nature by keeping materials in use for as long as possible.
The groups sought to remind MSPs that to create a circular economy, everyone in Scotland needs access to repair and reuse services, as well as high-quality recycling services. Campaigners highlighted that systematic change is needed from the Scottish Government to make all the products we buy more sustainable and ensure big businesses are required to clean up the products they sell.
There are many organisations across Scotland trying to tackle this issue at a grassroots level, and they are calling for greater support to deliver on action that brings down climate emissions and builds community.
Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Valuing our materials properly is essential to reduce the environmental destruction we’re causing, and as we’ve seen today it can be the jumping off point for so much creativity and community.
“The Circular Economy Bill is an exciting opportunity for Scotland to make real progress and build on the great work that is already happening. Reuse and repair offer people the chance to make affordable and green choices but far too few people have access to these services and those providing them need better support.
“We are currently using materials in a way that is driving climate breakdown whether that is single use plastics, electronic gadgets that break too soon or fast fashion piling up in landfill. Around half of Scotland’s emissions are not tackled by our existing climate targets because they don’t include imports.
“If consumption targets were brought in under the new circular economy law, Scotland would finally start taking responsibility for its global impact.”
Kim Blasco, from Plastic-free Scotland Communities said: “Plastic-free communities throughout Scotland are striving to promote circular behaviour among local businesses and the wider public.
“People are hearing the message and behaviour change is happening, but not fast enough or at the scale necessary to tackle the urgent climate crisis. The Scottish Government must require businesses to embed circularity in the goods and services they provide, and a strong Circular Economy Bill is key to making this happen.”
Franciele Sobierai, Communities Reduce Reuse and Recycle Project Coordinator at Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) said: “With the climate crisis getting worse, the need for a strong circular economy bill increases.
“We must shift away from rampant consumerism and redirect our efforts towards stronger communities which reuse and repair organisations can offer.
“Reuse organisations need more support from the Scottish Government. These efforts play a pivotal role in protecting our environment and helping people make more sustainable choices.
“Creating inclusive, diverse communities is vital to the fight against climate change. By empowering marginalised groups on our society through networks such as those created by community reuse projects, we can create a path towards a more environmentally conscious and inclusive future.”
Aldi is looking to hire 251 colleagues in Edinburgh & Lothians this year as the company looks to open new stores and update others.
Britain’s fourth largest supermarket is on the lookout for people of all levels of experience to fill roles across the region, with salaries of up to £43,440.
The roles include full and part-time positions such as Store Assistant and Deputy Store Manager, all the way up to Assistant Store Manager.
The recruitment push is part of a nationwide expansion drive, with Aldi pledging to create a total of more than 5,500 new jobs up and down the country in 2024.
Store and Warehouse Assistants at Aldi receive a starting salary of £12.00 rising to £12.95 nationally, while those working within the M25 receive £13.55 rising to £13.85.
Aldi is also the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is worth more than an additional £900 a year.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK, said: “Our colleagues work incredibly hard, and they are without a doubt a huge part of our success at Aldi. We continue to welcome more and more customers to Aldi stores every week, not just because of our unbeatable prices and local sourcing, but also our amazing colleagues.
“We are looking forward to welcoming even more colleagues up and down the country to Team Aldi during 2024 and this is another step in accelerating progress towards our goal of making affordable, quality food accessible to everyone.”
Aldi recently committed to opening 500 more stores across Britain and is investing more than £1.4 billion throughout 2023 and 2024 as it progresses towards hitting this long-term target. This investment includes work to expand its distribution and store network as well as further improving existing stores and technology infrastructure to support growth.
Those interested in applying for a career with Aldi can visit:
PARTICIPANTS of an Edinburgh Football Memories group enjoyed a visit from former referee Martin Clark as a Specsavers-sponsored whistle-stop tour of Scotland reached the capital.
The official sponsors of the Scottish FA match officials have facilitated for retired refs to speak to participants of Football Memories, a project which assists people living with memory loss conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as those experiencing loneliness and social isolation.
The tour will also stop in at Dundee and Aberdeen. Ex-whistler Dougie Hope got proceedings under way at Hampden Park on January 25, before Martin entertained the group at Hibernian FC’s Easter Road Stadium with tales from his career.
Established in 2009, Football Memories Scotland is a charitable project run by the Scottish Football Museum in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland.
With 500 groups around the country, often hosted in football settings, Football Memories uses engaging football-themed resources stored in a memory box, such as reminiscence cards, life-size player cutouts, newspaper clippings and books, to stir memories and discussions led by volunteers.
Specsavers have sponsored the boxes for the referee tour and have helped to provide some exciting new contents for them such as old football boots, photographs of former referees and other memorabilia.
Long-term memories can be triggered for many through the visual cues of images, videos, artefacts and discussions taking place in a small group or even a one-to-one setting, unlocking precious happy moments from the past. The impact can be enormous.
Robert Craig, Chair of the Scottish Football Museum, says: ‘We were delighted to welcome Martin to the group as our new partnership with Specsavers continued to demonstrate its power.
‘Their support to the Football Memories project, which impacts the lives of all who touch it, is invaluable and helps us to continue to deliver for those living with memory loss conditions or experiencing isolation.’
Crawford Allan, Scottish FA Head of Referee Operations, says: ‘Football Memories is a fantastic initiative and one our roster of former referees will gladly support, as an extension of our existing partnership with Specsavers.
‘We hope their stories and treasured memorabilia will spark many happy memories.’
Specsavers’ Arlene Stephenson, Scottish Divisional Chair, says: ‘Specsavers is proud of our long tradition in backing Scottish referees, but our latest sponsorship deal sees us going further than ever, helping to raise awareness of the vital work Football Memories does in assisting people living with memory loss conditions.
‘We can’t wait to hear what questions the referees are fielded on their tour of the country and learn about the impact for those attending the groups.’
Specsavers announced in 2021 that it renewed its’ sponsorship deal with football referees in Scotland, marking more than 20 years of support – one of the longest agreements of its kind in sport.
The deal has seen the partnership continue into 2024, not only helping with the training and development of referees, but also helping to raise awareness of para football and grassroots football in Scotland.
The Scottish Government needs to develop a clear national strategy for health and social care to address the pressures on services.
Significant changes are needed to ensure the financial sustainability of Scotland’s health service. Growing demand, operational challenges and increasing costs have added to the financial pressures the NHS was already facing. Its longer-term affordability is at risk without reform.
Activity in hospitals and other secondary care settings has increased in the last year, but it remains below pre-pandemic levels and is being outpaced by demand. This pressure is creating operational challenges throughout the whole system and impacting staff, patient experience and patient safety.
There are a range of strategies, plans and policies in place for the future delivery of healthcare, but no overall vision. The absence of a shared national vision, and a clear strategy to deliver it, makes it more difficult for NHS boards to plan for change.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Without change, there is a risk Scotland’s NHS will take up an ever-growing chunk of the Scottish budget. And that means less money for other vital public services.
“To deliver effective reform the Scottish Government needs to lead on the development of a clear national strategy for health and social care.
“It should include investment in measures that address the causes of ill-health, reducing long-term demand on the NHS. And it should put patients at the centre of future services.”
Responding to the Auditor General’s report on the state of Health and Social Care in Scotland Dr JP Loughrey, Royal College of Emergency Medicine Vice President for Scotland, said: “We welcome this report which addresses many of our recent and ongoing concerns – particularly around a lack of long-term planning and poor Emergency Department performance.
“The Scottish government must do more to address capacity and demand pressures. Hospitals are dangerously overcrowded and do not have the space, staff, or resources to provide safe and timely care for the number of patients who need it.
“There needs to be long term strategies to maintain an adequate baseline in capacity and staffing, and deal with predictable surges in pressure.
“As we have seen time and time again across Scotland, there are simply not enough beds to meet demand and our hospitals are routinely almost fit to burst, with patients enduring long, undignified waits and demoralised staff forced to deliver treatment in inappropriate areas, such as corridors and car parks.
“We urge the government to move away from short-term firefighting towards long term fundamental change to #ResuscitateEmergencyCare in Scotland.”
Seer 2 platform supporting collaboration across NHS boards
The expansion of a ‘world-leading’ data and analytics platform will help improve collaboration and innovation across Scotland’s health and social care system.
Seer is a platform that allows staff to access and analyse data easily, helping clinicians, teams and boards in decision-making around patient care and the planning of resources. Areas in which it is currently used include cancer intelligence, the monitoring of blood stocks and the flu vaccination programme.
Seer 2 is the next phase, which utilises cloud technology and will give the health and social care workforce access to a more advanced version, increasing opportunities to access new tools and technologies with greater flexibility. These features have already been used to create new dashboards to help manage capacity during winter.
Speaking at the Digital Health and Care Scotland Conference 2024, Health Secretary Neil Gray also confirmed the Scottish Government will provide an update on Scotland’s first Data Strategy this spring – with an updated Delivery Plan for the Digital Health and Care Strategy to be published in April.
Mr Gray said: “NHS Scotland is growing opportunities to use digital and technology-driven services to enhance health and social care.
“Better use of data and digital technology is critical to how we drive improvements in healthcare and is a key part of our plans to reform services. Through enhancing our use of technology, we can unlock opportunities for collaboration across health boards and other organisations, and it is therefore vital that this includes maximisation of digital and far better, and far faster, use of data.
“It’s great to see how world leading Seer 2 is enabling us to support collaboration and innovation across government and the NHS, providing near real time intelligence to support decision making, build new insights and enable better outcomes. This platform is just one of the ways we are embracing tech to help us as we face challenges ahead in funding pressures, inequalities and workforce.”
Mr Gray was also at Boroughloch Medical Practice, which has a long history of embracing technology, where Dr Abhayaratna demonstrated an online consultation and workflow system that helps GP practices manage patient caseloads through operational change and digital triage.
This makes it easier for people to talk to their own doctor or other healthcare professional and helps GP practices to prioritise and deliver care through message, phone and video.
Dr Abhayaratna said: “We’ve been making digital access available to patients since October 2019, with around 80% of patients making requests of the practice online. The system supports us in making the best use of our multi-disciplinary team’s skills, to ensure each patient gets the best care for their needs.
“This has resulted in a balanced workload for our staff and has enhanced the overall efficiency of the practice. Importantly, patient feedback tells a similarly positive story with 75% of patients reporting that our digital service is ‘better’ than previous arrangements.”
Granton Youth held its virtual AGM this week for its members and invited guests. Apart from the usual administration process of electing its volunteer board members those present heard about the work that the organisation did over the past year as well as a look ahead.
Mary Q-Burnside, Manager of GY, said in her report: ‘The year 22/23 was the first year following the pandemic when we were free to operate with full complement of staff and put the focus and vision of the GY strategy fully into practice – which is to provide holistic support to work with young people and their families.
‘GY has created a multi-support network and programme that can make a real difference to young people’s lives – by being where they are: in their streets, school, at our base within RWCC and within the family home.’
Mary highlighted there was a growing demand following pandemic and exacerbated by cost of living crisis means services are at capacity.
As part of GY strategy it has been recognised what we do well and ask young people and their families what they need and want.
In order to make this happen we have developed valuable and supportive collaborations through:
Community Mental Health fund partnership – Bwell together
North Edinburgh Youth Work collaborative – supporting youth work apprentices
Single Point Access pilot in North Edinburgh – working with NHS, Social Work and schools to ensure the right targeted support is identified for local families and young people
Despite the challenges in finding funding GY continues to be successful in sustaining its funding in an ever more competitive market.
Currently GY provides:
Open access youth work – a safe space to explore learning, creativity and be heard
Targeted youth work for nuerodivergent/isolated young people
Music – employing professional tutors so young people can learn to play, write their own songs and record and release them as well as being given and opportunity to play live with some of our musicians playing venues such as King Tuts and La Belle Angelle
Families Together – working with families to identify areas where support is required and providing tailored programmes to meet their needs
Volunteering – offering local people an opportunity to volunteer and receive accredited learning and have access to a paid apprenticeship in youth work
Mentoring- delivering 1:1 for young people requiring additional support, targeted at those who may be socially isolated or who are at risk of antisocial behaviour
Streetwork – working to engage young people who are not engaging in mainstream youth work services and or education. Meeting them in the local area and on their terms
Counselling – GY has a centre based counselling service for local young people and adults as well as counselling presence across 6 high schools in North West Edinburgh
Positive Activities programme is part of our open access youth work but also with offers a targeted programme to engage physically inactive/socially isolated or those engaged in risk-taking behaviour
Schools based youth work – supporting young people by providing 1:1 youth work mentoring to sustain attendance and improve attainment
Dave Macnab, Chair of GY, said: “All of this happens because we have developed a dedicated staff team who are experienced, skilled and enthusiastic about the work they do and the difference they make.
“It is heartening to see that 10 of our team of 21 are from the local area and that 6 of the core team started as volunteers at GY.
“In fact, in the last two years GY has employed five young people who are the product of the volunteer apprentice scheme”.
GY reaches around 500 young people and adults per year through its various provisions and demand is ever increasing as our word of mouth reputation and positive profile grow.
Initial batch of shows available to book months in advance of August festival, giving artists a longer lead-in to promote their work
Today, Thursday 22 February 2024, the first batch of shows that will be staged at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe have been revealed. All shows will be available to view on edfringe.com from 12:00 today.
The 276 shows span many genres of the Fringe programme, including cabaret and variety; children’s shows; comedy; dance, physical theatre and circus; music; musicals and opera; spoken word; and theatre. They will take place across 31 venues, with more shows to be revealed in the run-up to August.
It’s Fringe artists themselves who choose which date their show listing will go live on edfringe.com. For many, the reason to go live at this early stage in the year is to have a broader window in which to finance the show, sell tickets and promote their work.
This year, more than ever, the Fringe Society encourages audiences to start planning their Fringe experience as early as possible; to support the artists, venues, producers, promoters and all the participants of this world-renowned festival. It is a serious investment to put on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe and the only way that Fringe-makers can get a return is if audiences come out, see the shows and support the creatives who are the beating heart of this festival.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “It is always special to see the first batch of shows that will be performing at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“Those working across the Fringe have been preparing for this moment for months – laying the groundwork for artists to come to this year’s festival and the creative explosion that is August in Edinburgh. Being able to browse the first set of shows always adds an extra level of excitement.
“It’s a reminder that the 2024 Fringe is just around the corner, and it feels a lot more real for the whole Fringe community. I encourage audiences to support those performing at the Fringe this August by browsing shows and booking tickets as early as you can.
“It’s no secret that the cost of putting on a Fringe show can be a barrier to attending, and our role is in supporting artists in every way that we can, whether that’s keeping registration fees affordable, sourcing low-cost accommodation, seeking out direct routes to funding, or simply providing advice and information. Our Artist Services team is on hand to offer advice around every aspect of putting on a show, so please do reach out to us.”
Below is a small representative sample of shows available to book from today. The full list of shows released today can be found at edfringe.com.
Cabaret and variety
Cameron Young: The Scottish Magician (Gilded Balloon) offers ‘mind-bending illusions, captivating mind reading, and uproarious comedy’, while Ben Hart: HeX (Assembly) is a collection of Ben’s ‘most exciting material from the last decade alongside new ideas fresh from his laboratory, guaranteed to put a spell on you’.
Musicians Juliette Pochin and James Morgan promise ‘outlandish musical mashups (who knew Meatloaf worked with Mozart) and the entire history of Western music in just under four minutes’ in Music, Mayhem and a Mezzo at theSpaceUK. All-Stars Burlesque is a ‘celebration of bodies, tradition and inclusivity by award-winning, world-class artists and rising stars on the scene’ – it’s at Just the Tonic. At Laughing Horse, Stacey Clare and Gypsy Charms return with their adult Q&A session, Ask A Stripper: No Holes Barred.
Children’s shows
A Bee Story (Assembly) is ‘a uniquely Australian physical theatre show for children and families incorporating a kaleidoscope of circus, acrobatics, dance and live music’. Doktor Kaboom: Man of Science! returns to Pleasance with a combination of ‘astonishing live science experiments, stand-up comedy and lessons in empowerment’. The Amazing Bubble Man, Louis Pearl, is at Underbelly, ‘thrilling audiences… with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles’.
All-New Crazy Puppet Magic Show at Frankenstein Pub promises ‘crazy puppets, lots of magic and audience participation – young kids and older ones alike will love it’. Fever Pitch Academy Showcase 2024 (theSpaceUK) is an Edinburgh Fringe debut, ‘featuring music from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, SpongeBob, Legally Blonde, Grease and loads more’.
Comedy
Gilded Balloon hosts ‘the top three acts from the 2023 edition of So You Think You’re Funny?’ – Samira Banks, Christopher Donovan and Lizzie Norm – at their Best of So You Think You’re Funny? line-up show. ‘Transatlantic middle-aged Jewish atheist divorcee’ Leslie Gold brings A Chip Off the Gold Block (WIP) to Laughing Horse.
Canada’s Ajahnis Charley dies and ‘awakens at the gates of Gay Heaven’ where he faces ‘a mighty, flighty and unabashedly white-y God’ in Thots and Prayers (theSpaceUK). Kemah Bob brings their debut stand-up show, Miss Fortunate, to Pleasance. Character creation Frank Sanazi returns to the Fringe, once again ‘engaging in a spirited battle against the forces of political correctness’ in Frank Sanazi’s Mein Way (Le Monde).
At Greenside, Laura Rose will perform ‘an autobiographic comedic feast following stories from growing up on an Australian pineapple farm, misadventures abroad, Laura’s crazy family, and her forever loving husband’ in BUSHPIG. Polish-Cockney comedian Dickie Richards is at PBH’s Free Fringe with his show, Sexual Tyrannosaur 2024. Among the comedians representing Scotland at this year’s festival are Adele Birkmyre (Boteco de Brasil), Connor Burns (Just the Tonic), Jo Caulfield (The Stand Comedy Club), Kathleen Hughes (Gilded Balloon), Susie McCabe (Assembly) Raymond Mearns (Hootenannies) and Stuart Mitchell (Scottish Comedy Festival).
All of the above will be joined by some familiar famous faces at the Fringe: Jason Byrne, Jessie Cave, Rob Auton are at Assembly; Fern Brady is at the Edinburgh Playhouse; Jimeoin is at Just the Tonic; Catherine Bohart is at Monkey Barrel; Catherine Cohen, Chloe Petts and Rosie Jones are at Pleasance; and Geoff Norcott and Rhys Nicholson are at Underbelly.
Dance, physical theatre and circus
At theSpaceUK, ‘Hong Kong veteran community theatre company, Art Home, masquerade in masks and physical theatre to confuse the definitions of what is a human and who is a dog’ in Hound in the Light. Caller Ken Gourlay and his ceilidh band are hosting Ceilidhs (Scottish Dancing) at Royal College of Physicians, ‘an authentic Scottish experience in a historic building’. The Black Blues Brothers (Assembly) are returning to the Fringe ‘for the last time’, inviting audiences to join them for ‘the farewell season of this acrobatic celebration joining the energy of Africa with a R’n’B sound’.
Online, Displaced ‘explores contemporary challenges such as culture, place, race and imperialism’, while Odyssea ‘follows the epic journey of a curious sea traveller as she encounters flora and fauna in fantastical realms’ – both courtesy of C venues.
Music
At Novotel, Jazz at Lunchtime offers ‘jazz standards and melodic originals in a comfortable, intimate jazz club setting’ created by Ian Millar and Dominic Spencer. Memphis, Tennessee-born songwriter/singer/guitarist Andrea Carlson offers ‘a delicious evening of swing, jive, romance and occasional special guests’ at Andrea’s 21st-Century Speakeasy! (Argyle Cellar Bar). The Jazz Bar plays host to John Hunt Four O’Clock Afternoon Blues and Swing for his 12th year at the Fringe. Orchestra of Sound (Greenside) is ‘an electrifying one-man show seamlessly weaving unique inventive instruments, hundreds of sounds, and explosive original music into an unforgettable sonic and visual extravaganza’.
At St Giles’ Cathedral, South Australian cellist / songwriter William Jack performs ‘iconic songs (by AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Oasis and more) dismantled and reimagined for solo cello’ in This Old Cello Box. Marchmont St Giles Church is hosting Marchmont Music, a series of free afternoon concerts ‘from up-and-coming young musicians’. At Bannermans, Driven Serious play folk-rock from their new album Look On These Works, described by NARC Magazine as ‘an impressive experience’.
There are tributes to a host of popular artists across the Fringe, including (but not limited to) Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison (Frankenstein Pub); Lady Gaga, Adele and Joni Mitchell (Le Monde); Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, The Killers, Arctic Monkeys and Sam Fender (Liquid Room); plus Amy Winehouse, Celine Dion, Blondie, Dusty Springfield and many more at theSpaceUK.
‘Legendary 70s Tyneside folk-rock pioneers Lindisfarne present a classic five-piece line-up of long-time members fronted by founder-member Rod Clements’ at the Queen’s Hall. Edinburgh trio Curmudgeon play their Traditional Scottish Folk Music at artSpace@StMarks.
Musicals and opera
Created by Sarah Bishop, Somewhere (theSpaceUK) is ‘a brand-new fantasy musical with music and lyrics by internationally acclaimed indie-folk duo The Dunwells and other established Yorkshire singer-songwriters’. At Pleasance, Gwyneth Goes Skiing is ‘a story of love, betrayal and skiing – where you are the jury’.
Spoken word
‘The distilled 40-year career of an internationally renowned British Army doctor’ is ‘presented as a collection of original poems’ in Frontlines and Lifelines – An Army Doctor in Crisis and War (Forces @ The Fringe). Peter Barratt pays tribute to his great-grandmother in Alice Hawkins – Working-Class Suffragette at the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre.
Eileen Mahony performs a pair of thematically linked shows at Greenside, each musing on artefacts and memories from the past: Loft Clearance and Loft Luggage. Nikky Smedley, aka ‘LaaLaa (the yellow one)’, returns the theSpaceUk with Confessions of a Teletubby.
Online via C venues, Hiding Behind the Mask: Jesters, Jokers, and Clowns is ‘a rollercoaster through the joys and sorrows, comedies and tragedies of life’ with Professor Rosemary George.
Theatre
Written by Aksam Alyousef and performed by Amena Shehab, Hagar: War Mother (theSpaceUK) follows ‘one woman’s odyssey to escape Syria’s brutal war with her son, who should be having his first birthday party’. At Greenside, Purple Hat Theatre present A Time Traveller’s Life, ‘a Fringe show about the Fringe; a time-travelling odyssey through one woman’s joys, sorrows, triumphs and inability to learn from her mistakes’.
Sarah Cameron-West brings KAREN to Underbelly, ‘a powder keg of heartbreak and identity crisis which explodes in the ultimate office showdown’. ‘Familiar Chekhov themes of lost opportunity, failed love affairs, sibling rivalry and fear of a changing future are thrown into the blender with 21st-century characters and high comedy’ in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at St Ninian’s Hall.
At Assembly, Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow follows an ‘uncle and nephew DJing duo’ who ‘must successfully navigate their latest gig to save the company, their future aspirations, and ultimately, their relationship’. ‘Unstoppable 82-year-old Miriam Margolyes returns to the Fringe’ with Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits (Pleasance), ‘combining her infectious passion for Charles Dickens with her phenomenal versatility’.
Online, Theatre Ronin of Hong Kong ‘recreates folklore and contemporary emotional landscape’ in their Wuxia-themed production, Practice of Zen (C venues).
The British Dental Association has said there can be no complacency from the Scottish Government on the crisis in NHS dentistry, following yesterday’s debate in the Scottish Parliament, in which MSPs raised the heart-breaking case of a single mother going without food to pay for care, with others travelling hundreds of miles for access or embarking on ‘DIY’ dentistry.
The BDA’s own recent surveys found 83% of dentist respondents in Scotland had treated patients that had performed some form of DIY dentistry since lockdown.
Some reforms to the discredited small margin/high volume system NHS dentists work to were rolled out in November 2023. This system has been in crisis for a generation but proved undeliverable during the pandemic. Facing soaring costs, some practices were left delivering some NHS treatments at a financial loss.
The BDA had been seeking a decisive break from this system, and a move to a patient-centred, prevention-focused model of care. The Scottish Government refused to break with the overall framework.
The BDA stress that this must be the beginning, not the end of the road for reform, and that access, outcomes and inequalities need to be closely monitored.
David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said:“MSPs and patients across Scotland have sent a clear message: the Scottish Government cannot pretend it’s ‘Mission Accomplished’ on NHS dentistry.
“Recent reforms may ease problems, but Ministers can’t afford to take their eyes off the crisis in this service.”
