Month: May 2024

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Baillie Gifford end 20-year partnership

The Edinburgh International Book Festival and Baillie Gifford have ended their 20-year partnership.

The board and management of Edinburgh International Book Festival believe their ability to deliver an event this August that is safe and successful for audiences, authors and staff has been severely compromised, following the withdrawal of several authors and threats of disruption from activists. 

Jenny Niven, chief executive of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “It is with great regret that our board of trustees and Baillie Gifford have collectively agreed to end our partnership.

“We are hugely grateful to the firm for its considerable support over two decades, including through some challenging times for the festival, and we are proud of what we’ve achieved together during that time.  

“The pressure on our team has simply become intolerable. We have a major global festival starting in 10 weeks’ time and we need to focus all of our efforts and energy on delivering a safe and successful event for our audiences.

“Undermining the long-term future of charitable organisations such as book festivals is not the right way to bring about change. 

“It diminishes the voices of those who feel strongly about these complex issues, and it will be infinitely harder to build and sustain well-funded cultural institutions in the future than it is to put them out of business today.

“We speak to all our supporters about these complex issues and continue to believe that Baillie Gifford is part of the solution in transitioning towards a more sustainable world and that the firm operates in line with our Ethical Fundraising policy.” 

Allan Little, chair of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Our team cannot be expected to deliver a safe and sustainable festival this August under the constant threat of disruption from activists. This was a pragmatic response to that reality.  

“Funding for the arts is now in a perilous position and we should all be clear that without the support of our partners and donors, the future of festivals like ours – and all of the benefits these events bring to authors and readers alike – is in jeopardy.

“We are a charity that provides an important platform for authors and readers of all views and political opinions to agree, disagree, challenge, and provoke. Book festivals around the world are  forums in which rigorous, intelligent debate can take place. Our festival should be a place where progressive and nuanced discussion can happen in a safe and respectful space. 

“Indeed, our programme this year is designed to give a voice to those directly affected by conflict and those engaged at the most senior levels in its resolution. We will explore the real challenges involved in transition, green tech and climate finance, misinformation and the need for new economic models. 

“We are determined to have those debates and to have them out in the open, but we need everyone to come to the table. We have made several invitations to Fossil Free Books, and other groups, to attend this year’s festival and regret that they have not responded to those offers.”

Nick Thomas, partner, Baillie Gifford, said: “Our collaboration with the Edinburgh International Book Festival, spanning decades, was rooted in our shared interest in making Edinburgh a thriving and culturally vibrant place to live and work.

“In recent years we have been proud to support the Schools’ and Children’s programmes, providing free books and creating opportunities for young readers to meet authors.

“The activists’ anonymous campaign of coercion and misinformation has put intolerable pressure on authors and the festival community. We step back with the hope that the festival will thrive this year and into the future. We hold the activists squarely responsible for the inhibiting effect their action will have on funding for the arts in this country.

“Baillie Gifford is a long-term investor with high ethical standards and a complete focus on doing what is right by our clients. The assertion that we have significant amounts of money in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is offensively misleading. Baillie Gifford is a large investor in several multinational technology companies, including Amazon, NVIDIA, and Meta.

“Demanding divestment from these global companies, used by millions of people around the world, is unreasonable and serves no purpose. Much as it would be unreasonable to demand authors boycott Instagram or stop selling books on Amazon.

“Nor is Baillie Gifford a significant fossil fuel investor. Only 2% of our clients’ money is invested in companies with some business related to fossil fuels. We invest far more in companies helping drive the transition to clean energy. 

“We remain committed to contributing positively to our community through philanthropic support.”

This year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival will take place from 10 – 25 August, with the full programme due to be launched next week (Tuesday 4th June).

Baillie Gifford has supported the Edinburgh International Book Festival since 2004. The firm’s funding for this year’s book festival has already been provided and deployed.

Bill passed to provide justice to wrongly convicted sub-postmasters

Post Office Horizon victims to be exonerated

Legislation has been passed that will automatically exonerate sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted as a result of the faulty Horizon IT system, the day after Royal Assent is granted.

Those whose convictions are quashed under the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Bill will be able to access the UK Government financial redress scheme.

After the Scottish Parliament agreed to use its emergency procedure, the Bill has been introduced and passed in just over two weeks – to allow justice and redress to be delivered to victims as swiftly as possible in line with the UK Bill, which did not cover sub-postmasters in Scotland.

Sub-postmasters who previously sought to appeal their convictions will now also be exonerated, following a Scottish Government amendment to the Bill, brought at Stage two, in Parliament.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I hope this Bill goes some way to bring justice to innocent sub-postmasters who had their lives ruined by being wrongly convicted of offences of dishonesty on the basis of tainted evidence from the faulty Post Office Horizon system.

“As the UK Government’s legislation was not extended to cover Scotland, we have worked as quickly as possible to ensure parity for affected sub-postmasters here, who will also be able to access the UK Government’s compensation scheme.

“The unprecedented step of introducing legislation to right this terrible wrong was necessary to respond to the scale of the scandal and the length of time that victims have waited for justice.

“We will now be seeking Royal Assent for the Bill as quickly as possible so affected sub-postmasters can have their convictions quashed and then access the compensation they deserve.”

Scottish fishers successfully trial innovative fishing gear to prevent whale entanglement in ropes

A breakthrough collaborative project with creel fishers has successfully trialled a simple and relatively low-cost solution to the problem of whale entanglement that could be rolled out internationally saving many whales and sharks.

The project led by marine charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC),and funded by the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund managed by NatureScot, trialled the use of specially designed rope in Scottish pot fisheries that sinks rather than floats.

The rope currently used in the fishery is buoyant and forms floating loops in the water rather than lying on the seabed.

These loops can be several metres high and have been found to entangle whales and other marine animals such as basking sharks. Previous studies had found the majority of whales and basking sharks entangled in static fishing gear (pots, or creels as they are known in Scottish fisheries) are caught in this floating groundline rope linking a line of creels together.

It is estimated that an average of 6 humpback whales, 30 minke whales, and 29 basking sharks become entangled annually.

Where entanglement type was known, 83% of minke and 50% of humpback whales, and 76% of basking sharks were caught in groundlines between creels. If there are no large floating rope loops, then whales and sharks cannot become entangled in them.

Over a period of 18 months 15 fishing vessels targeting langoustine and crabs from the Inner Sound and Sound of Sleat area east of the Isle of Skye replaced floating rope in their creel groundlines with sinking rope to assess whether there were any problems with using it. Fishers reported back each time they hauled their gear, and details of over 1500 hauls were logged in the trial.

Trials were needed to determine whether it was practical for fishers to use this sinking rope. Problems which were anticipated such as snagging, or being difficult to handle were very rare.

The fishers involved in the trial reported positive experiences with using the rope, and there were no impacts on the seabed. 

Susannah Calderan, who managed the project for WDC, said; ‘The Scottish inshore creel fishery plays an important economic and community role in rural coastal areas in Scotland. Resolving the issue of entangling whales would be a major step forward in fisheries management as well as animal conservation and welfare.

‘It’s been great working with the Inner Sound fishers on this project, and we have an almost-unique opportunity to make a real impact on whale bycatch. We now have to move to the next step, which is consulting with other fishers around Scotland and with the Government to understand the possible options for implementing sinking rope more widely.’

Sinking groundline represents a simple, relatively low-cost option to greatly reduce entanglement risk.

The very successful, bottom-up, partnership approach with Scottish creel fishers and the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation (SCFF) demonstrated the importance of collaborative approaches to address complex conservation and management issues. Its implications are key to supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce incidental bycatch in fisheries.

Bally Philp from SCFF, who participated in this trial, said ‘This trial has shown there can be win-win outcomes for both fishermen and marine life, and we’re all working together to achieve this’.

Local walking rugby clubs train with Scottish stars in once in a lifetime opportunity

  • Special event sees walking rugby clubs from across Scotland come together to play at the home of Edinburgh Rugby
  • Ex Scotland caps Jim Hamilton and Tim Visser played alongside six local teams
  • Former Edinburgh and Scotland winger, Tim Visser said: “It’s harder than it looks!”

Scottish Building Society hosted a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for walking rugby teams across Scotland to play alongside Scottish rugby legends.

The seven-team event saw clubs from across Scotland come together to play a tournament celebrating rugby and how walking rugby allows everyone to keep fit regardless of their age or ability.

A team of Edinburgh Rugby Legends competed alongside, Ayr RFC, BATs, Kelso, Midlothian Uncoachables, Midlothian Unpickables and Murrayfield Wanderers in a celebration of rugby.

The Edinburgh Rugby legends team had past players such as Dave Denton, Andrew Easson, James King, Jim Hamilton, Lewis Niven, Conan Sharman, Hugo Southwell, Steven Turnbull, Tim Visser all playing alongside local teams from across Scotland.

Walking Rugby follows a similar format to traditional rugby except there is no sprinting, meaning passing accuracy and positioning are key.

It is a more accessible game as tackling is much lesser part of the game and requires greater tactical knowledge. The more social format of the game is growing in popularity because of its accessibility and social nature which is bringing people together from all backgrounds, age and abilities.

The festival was held on the pitches outside of BT Murrayfield, before Edinburgh’s home victory against Zebre.

“I loved that. It was great fun,” said Jim Hamilton, the former Edinburgh Rugby second-row turned podcaster and broadcaster.

“We don’t do it enough and everyone says the same thing. I joked with Hugo Southwell that we’ll do it again in ten years’ time and it’s one of those that you want to be out with your mates catching up and enjoying a laugh together.”

Walking rugby has found an audience of former and new to rugby players as a way to come together and keep fit, especially for older fans.

“It’s harder than it looks,” said former Edinburgh Rugby wing Tim Visser. “I was definitely out of breath a couple of times but I enjoyed it.”

Paul Denton, CEO, Scottish Building Society said: “Our sponsorship with Edinburgh Rugby is far more than the professional players on the pitch. It’s a great platform to work together on amazing community programs, like this Walking Rugby tournament, which makes a real difference to those who take part.

“Walking rugby is so important in supporting people to keep active and helping to get them out the house, whilst making a few friends along the way. It was great to meet the teams, and there was a real spirit of rugby, teamwork and friendship, which was brilliant to see.

“Scottish Building Society was proud to be a part of it. Walking rugby isn’t just about the actual game, it’s about embracing inclusivity, being sociable and building connections through a shared love of the sport.”

Serious assault in Drylaw: Can you help?

POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault of a man in Drylaw yesterday. The incident took place in the Groathill Road North area at round 2.30pm on Wednesday (29 May, 2024).

A 41-year-old man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Detective Constable Peter Lyons said: “Extensive enquiries are being carried out to establish the full circumstances of this incident.

“We are appealing to anyone in the area at the time who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with any information to get in touch.

“I would also urge anyone with dashcam footage or private CCTV that could assist our investigation to contact officers.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting incident 2702 of 29 May. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.

Edinburgh International Film Festival announce Midnight Madness programming strand preview screening of In A Violent Nature

Special preview of daring new horror film will screen at Edinburgh’s Cameo Cinema on Thursday 11 July in celebration of the launch of this year’s EIFF programme and tickets going on sale

The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced a special pre-festival, preview midnight screening of Chris Nash’s audacious and utterly thrilling arthouse slasher, In A Violent Nature, on Thursday 11 July.

The screening follows the EIFF programme which will launch on Wednesday 10 July at 5pm, with tickets going on sale at 12 noon on Thursday 11 July.

In A Violent Nature is a viscerally original and breathlessly entertaining dissection of the slasher genre which mashes together the poise of Gus Van Sant with the carnage of Jason Vorhees in a film that approaches its brutally direct story from the killer’s point of view.

Taking place at this year’s cinema hub, the Cameo Cinema on Home Street, one of the original venues for EIFF and home to some of its most iconic moments, the special preview screening of In A Violent Nature will give audiences a taste of EIFF’s brand new Midnight Madness programming strand that will run throughout the festival in August. Tickets to the screening are now on sale via the Cameo Cinema website.

The film had its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will be released by Altitude in the UK and Ireland on Friday 12 July.

EIFF has recently announced that the opening night film of its 2024 festival will be Nora Fingscheidt’s (System Crasher) adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir, The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan (Ladybird, Brooklyn).

Alongside this, EIFF has announced the name of its short film competition as The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence. Thelma Schoonmaker is celebrated for her iconic work as an editor on landmark moments in cinema history, collaborating on such films as Killers of the Flower Moon and Goodfellas.

This year’s 77th edition of the Festival honours the film festival’s history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a format rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression. 

The Film Festival encourages general audiences, film fans and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh, which is universally recognised as a place of beauty, history, discovery and adventure.

EIFF Director, Paul Ridd said: ‘The team is so thrilled to be launching Midnight Madness this year as part of the fabric of our new EIFF.

“Each night of the Festival we’ll be launching top notch horror films, action films and comedies from all over the world late into the night, and we can’t wait to announce the line up.

“In the meantime, this taster of the experience at the Cameo will be a total trip. In A Violent Nature is one of the most exciting and original new horror films of the year, and a total joy to experience its gory brilliance with an audience. Bring it on.’

From August 15 to August 21 2024, the 77th edition of EIFF will take place at unique venues in Edinburgh, including Summerhall and the historic Cameo cinema, allowing audiences to seamlessly experience the best of the Fringe along with the world-class programme of cinema at EIFF.

Submissions to EIFF have now closed with more information being found at www.edfilmfest.org.

Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Amy Jackson, producer of last year’s BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun. EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland.

The EIFF programme launches on Wednesday 10 July at 5pm, with tickets on sale at 12noon on Thursday 11 July.

Abbeymount Spring Open Studios Weekend

Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd June

  • Exciting FREE open studios event returns to Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios
  • Featuring over 30 artists exhibiting fine art, illustrations, photography, ceramics, mosaics and 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 next month for another exciting Open Studios weekend (their first  of the year) on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd June from 12noon – 5pm. This exhibition will be first in the line-up of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Out of the Blue.

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.

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

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 will also be taking part.  Her work is in National and International Collections and she has taught widely, with a specialty in drawing and painting from observation. 

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. 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. 

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.

The poster for the Spring Open Studios Weekend was designed by resident printmaker Rosanna Reade. She mainly works with lino, and occasionally screen and risograph printing. She particularly enjoys the tools and processes of linocut, and the sculptural nature of relief printing.

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.” 

Out of the Blue Chief Executive Rob Hoon says: “Out of the Blue is unique and resists classification. Our buildings are not simply artists’ studios, or ‘creative hubs’. Abbeymount Studios is one of our buildings which reflect a model that has developed and been sustained over 30 years, hosting a hybrid of arts, participatory education, enterprise, creativity, and community development.” 

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

New restrictions on puberty blockers

The UK Government has introduced regulations to restrict the prescribing and supply of puberty-suppressing hormones, known as ‘puberty blockers’, to children and young people under 18 in England, Wales and Scotland.

The emergency ban will last from 3 June to 3 September. It will apply to prescriptions written by UK private prescribers and prescribers registered in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

During this period no new patients under 18 will be prescribed these medicines for the purposes of puberty suppression in those experiencing gender dysphoria/incongruence under the care of these prescribers.

The NHS stopped the routine prescription of puberty blocker treatments to under-18s following the Dr Cass Review into gender identity services.

In addition, the government has also introduced indefinite restrictions to the prescribing of these medicines within NHS primary care in England, in line with NHS guidelines.

The new arrangements apply to gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues – medicines that consist of, or contain, buserelin, gonadorelin, goserelin, leuprorelin acetate, nafarelin, or triptorelin.

This action has been taken to address risks to patient safety.

Patients already established on these medicines by a UK prescriber for these purposes can continue to access them. They will also remain available for patients receiving the drugs for other uses, from a UK-registered prescriber.

Patients seeking more information should speak to their clinician.

The Leith Collective aims to help the ‘cut-back kids’with free school uniform exchange

The kids may be counting down the days until school’s out for summer, but many parents are worried about making their money stretch in the coming months.

Whether it’s the cost of essential childcare or activities to keep the kids entertained, many are concerned they just won’t have enough to pay for school uniforms when the new academic year finally rolls around in August, so are having to make cut-backs in response.

And it’s understandable. The latest research shows parents spend an average of almost £300 per year on primary school uniforms and more than £400 per year on secondary school uniforms. And so, to help ease the pressure,

The Leith Collective is launching its free school uniform exchange on Saturday 1st June. 

The exchange will take place at all four of The Leith Collective stores – at Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird, Glasgow Fort and their brand new store at Dundee’s Overgate. The Community Interest Company is calling on locals to donate good quality uniforms, shoes, schoolbags and lunchboxes to those in need. Items will be available for anyone to collect completely free of charge, no questions asked. 

The initiative is the brainchild of The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, who has just returned from 10 Downing Street after receiving a personal invitation from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

This was Sara’s third visit to Downing Street, having previously been invited by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss the positive impact of The Leith Collective’s important work on the community. 

Speaking ahead of the launch of the free school uniform exchange, Sara said; “The cost of living crisis is seemingly relentless, and there is now a generation of children growing up who have never known anything other than cut-backs and stressed out parents struggling to make ends meet.

“So, we’re taking action to help lighten the parent’s load by removing the expense of buying a new school uniform and helping the ‘cut-back kids’ get the best possible start to their education.”

Typography Trails aims to show Edinburgh through a new lens

Degree Show project encourages rediscovery of city’s history

From the Castle and cobbles of the Royal Mile to its secret underground streets, Edinburgh’s heritage and history is known worldwide. But what could be learnt from looking a little closer?

An Edinburgh Napier graphic design student is encouraging people to explore Edinburgh through a new lens by taking a closer look at what has been a mainstay of its streets for generations – its typography.

Fourth year graphic design student Rosa Marshall has unveiled her final year project – Type Revival Edinburgh – this week at the University’s annual Degree Show at Merchiston campus.

With an aim of encouraging tourists and design enthusiasts to visit lesser-known parts of the city, Rosa has created two type trail publications, one each for the New Town and Old Town areas, that contain a map and guided tour of historic and traditionally crafted lettering which adorn streets and buildings in both areas.

The trails take in numerous stone inscriptions and ghost signs as well as present-day examples of signwriting. The publications delve into Edinburgh’s past and allows the user to learn more about wayfinding, street signs, shop signs, graveyard inscriptions and more from years gone by.

Users are also encouraged to take typographic rubbings as they move around the trail to truly appreciate the variety of letting styles and sizes that appear.

Rosa’s fascination with typography and lettering has grown throughout her time at University after initially being peaked during a work trip to Malawi last year.

She explains: “I work for a charity in Edinburgh and I was lucky enough to be able to visit Malawi in June last year. While I was there, I was struck by the prevalence of signwriting and hand lettering.

“I saw loads of examples of, at times, really intricate hand-made signage, each of which had an individual charm, and the idea for my major project was born.

“When I was back in Edinburgh, I started noticing examples throughout the Old Town and New Town and found that both areas are distinctively different from each other. I developed the idea of a zine that helps people who are interested in typography to firstly explore the area, and also to learn more about the history behind the streets, buildings and locations that these signs appear on and in.

“One of my favourite discoveries is a ghost sign on Lynedoch Place in the New Town that has been almost revealed behind layers of concrete as well as some of the medieval inscriptions from the 1590s in the Old Town – there really is so much variety and history to be told just from noticing things as you walk through both areas.

“It’s been a really fun project to work on. It’s got me outside and it’s got me really interested in typography. I’ve done some signwriting workshops as a result and I would really love to bring some sort of typography festival to Edinburgh in the future too.

“There’s so much more left to discover in Edinburgh and so many more stories to learn and share. I feel like I’m just getting started.”

You can learn more about Rosa’s project and others at Edinburgh Napier’s Degree Show which takes place at Merchiston campus from 24-30 May.