A new community is taking shape at the new Lovell housing development Oakwood Edge in Mayfield, with ten households, including many families, having now moved in.
The very first buyers to move to Oakwood Edge were Leah and Andrew Christie, a married couple with two young children aged 1 and 3 years old. The couple decided to move after their family expanded with the arrival of their second child, and they outgrew their previous house.
The couple from Midlothian moved into their 3-bedroom semi-detached Carnoustie housetype this summer, and the deciding factor was the 5% deposit that Lovell offered towards the house.
The new development of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes has spectacular views across to Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh and beyond to the Firth of Forth. It allows residents the opportunity to easily explore the nearby rugged peaks of the Pentland Hills.
Leah said: “It’s right on the cusp of beautiful countryside. You could walk for miles and miles. The views over Edinburgh, the Pentland hills, and Fife are stunning, and you see some amazing skies at night.”
The Carnoustie housetype has lots of storage space and a spacious lounge, where double doors connect to the bright dining space.
Leah said: “Lovell has really thought about storage and layout, which are so important to a young family. We love our kitchen; it’s the centre of our home and where we spend most of our time.
“It’s great to be able to eat and cook while still having the kids within sight in the living room. We also really love our en suite bathroom. It’s amazing having one especially when you have kids. It’s our little adult escape.”
Oakwood Edge is just ten miles from Edinburgh City Centre on the outskirts of Dalkeith, home to an array of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. Nearby the development, there are two primary schools and a high school.
Find out more about the homes available by visiting: www.lovell.co.uk2
Looking forward to meeting up with some of my Citizen pals this evening at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. We have a slot at 6.15pm, sharing stories about our memories of the old Royal Infirmary.
The Book Festival has a new home this year – the Edinburgh Futures Institute, which is built on the site of the old hospital in Lauriston Place – and I really do hope it has the same warm and welcoming atmosphere as the ECA did last year.
Walker’s Shortbread is inviting those travelling through Edinburgh Airport on a sensory journey this summer, with a new pop-up site which invites passengers to ‘experience the joy of shortbread’ through sight, smell and taste.
The activation will run until 2nd September, coinciding with Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival, which drew in travellers from over 170 countries last year.[ii] A whopping 15 million travellers are expected to pass through Edinburgh Airport in 2024.
Walker’s new pop-up looks to encapsulate visitors’ senses, with scents of freshly-baked shortbread, set to transport visitors to Walker’s home-town of Aberlour in the Scottish Highlands. This includes a new feature where shoppers can use the available atomisers to activate the scent.
To celebrate Walker’s provenance and heritage, the impactful space is decorated with eye-catching illustrations of well-known Scottish landmarks featured alongside a 3D replica of Joseph Walker’s original baker’s van. Walker’s iconic tartan presents a running theme throughout the designs, creating a visual, photo-friendly backdrop.
Visitors will have an opportunity to taste Walker’s delicious all-butter shortbread, with plenty of Shortbread fingers samples available.
As they progress on their shopping journey, customers can grab their very own complimentary postcard spotlighting Scottish designs to take away with them.
Shortbread themed signs hanging on the ceiling will also guide shoppers to Walker’s personalised vending machine within the World Duty Free store at Edinburgh Airport, where they can take a digital quiz to help match them to the perfect Walker’s product for any occasion.
Bryony Walker, Head of Commercial Strategy at Walker’s Shortbread, said:“As a proud Scottish brand, Walker’s new pop-up site aims to engage international audiences visiting Edinburgh in an exciting and memorable way.
“We have embodied Scotland’s ‘friendly and welcoming’ reputation, to create something that is not just a shopping experience, but a journey through Walker’s heritage using sight, smell and taste, to bring to life the joy of shortbread.”
Linsey Jordan, Head of Retail at Edinburgh Airport, commented:“Many passengers like nothing better than to stock up on Scottish favourites as they pass through the airport, and as Walker’s Shortbread is always a top choice it’s no surprise this eye-catching installation is proving a big hit.
“As travellers from all across the world come to Edinburgh to enjoy the Festival – and experience the very best of Scotland – we’re pleased to work with Walker’s on showcasing one of Scotland’s most loved treats in a unique way throughout the month of August.”
Jonathan McIvor, Head of the Confectionery Category in the UK for Avolta added, “At Avolta, we know that consumers want to be immersed in unique and memorable shopping experiences.
“Through collaborations with brands like Walker’s, we can deliver on this mission, while bringing heritage and culture to the forefront of what we do. Travellers from all over the world will now be able to visit this exciting pop-up to experience the true essence of Scotland.”
A University of Edinburgh academic and AI specialist will spend a term at one of the top universities in the world this autumn in order to explore ways to encourage more young people from disadvantaged groups to study computing.
Fiona McNeill has been awarded an All Disciplines Scholar Award from the Fulbright Commission and will head to California, the home of Silicon Valley, as part of an academic exchange.
The number of girls studying computing is falling and researchers have warned that the continued male dominance of the digital space could harm the UK’s aim to be a technology ‘superpower’.[1]
Fiona McNeill, a Reader in Computing Education, already runs a tutoring programme for pupils in disadvantaged communities and introduced one of the first robotics competitions for schools.
Her award at the University of California, San Diego is part of the longstanding US-UK Fulbright Commission exchange programme and she will be furthering her research at first hand on how UC San Diego has successfully broadened the appeal of tech subjects.
Co-funding this Fulbright award is the Rita Allen Foundation, a US philanthropic funder of transformative early-stage research ideas and civic engagement.
And this North American foundation has invited Fiona to join their pioneeringCivic Science Network as a Civic Science Associate – addressing biases and fostering inclusivity in research environments.
Fiona McNeill said: “The fundamental problem is that computer scientists are not very diverse. The discipline tends to be dominated by white and Asian males from more affluent social backgrounds.
“Correcting that imbalance is really important because this technology is driving society. For example, when Apple[2] developed its ‘Health’ app, there was no tracking of periods. The fact that this could be important hadn’t crossed the minds of its male designers. Similar issues come up all the time everywhere.”
Fiona began her career working in AI but has always been interested in education and how to broaden the appeal of computing. She will use her time in San Diego to study the inclusive policies introduced there, why they work and whether they would be equally successful if replicated in Scotland.
Fiona added: “I’ve been doing collaborative work with UC San Diego for a couple of years now. They’ve changed their student support model and we’ve been working together to see how students are responding to that.
“They’ve had a lot of success, however the environments are very different. I wanted to spend time there to experience it for myself and see what we might be able to copy.
“For this project I’ll be looking at what we can do to improve retention and outcomes for those who go to university. For example, as well as being less likely to take computing in schools, girls are more likely to drop out once they get to university and more likely to end up in a job in a different sector.
“We need to create an environment where girls and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds feel ‘this is the place for me’.”
The US-UK Fulbright Commission was established in the aftermath of the Second World War to foster better understanding between the US and the UK, and promote the empathy gained from cultural immersion.
Active in 150 countries, the Fulbright programme is the largest international education exchange in the world: more than 370,000 people have participated in it globally since it began, and over 25,000 have received US-UK Fulbright awards.
Sixty-two Fulbright alumni have won Nobel Prizes; 88 have won Pulitzer Prizes and 40 have served as head of state or government.
Maria Balinska, Executive Director of the US-UK Fulbright Commission, said: “Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding and collaboration.
“Today there are many global challenges to overcome, and the world needs compassionate leaders to tackle them.
“This year’s cohort of awardees will be placing cultural engagement at the heart of their experiences as they undertake ambitious study and research programmes in the US: I am filled with hope for the wonderful collaborations that will ensue.”
Elizabeth Christopherson, President and CEO of the Rita Allen Foundation, said: “The Rita Allen Foundation is pleased to partner with the US–UK Fulbright Commission to support trailblazers co-creating a future where all people can shape science to expand its benefits and horizons.
“We are eager to welcome Fiona to the dynamic community of Civic Science Associates and Fellows working to create new bridges for learning across sectors and communities, using the tools of science and evidence to open access for new generations.”
Fiona McNeill will join a cohort of 31 Fulbrighters heading to the USA from the UK for 2024-25 and is one of a long line of over 600 Fulbright awardees that have headed to California since 1949.
More than 150 of the people arrested in connection with this month’s violent disorder have already faced their day in court, data released on Friday has revealed.
The rapid action taken across the justice system by police, prosecutors and those working in courts has led to 118 of those individuals being remanded into custody in a collective effort to keep communities safe and free from further violence.
More than 500 prison places are also being brought online to boost capacity over the coming weeks and ensure there are cells ready to receive all those sent to custody by the courts.
The latest data released shows that as of Thursday 8 August 2024:
176 defendants had a first hearing scheduled in the magistrates’ court and 154 have already taken place
6 were sentenced in the magistrates’ court
50 have been sent to Crown Court for sentencing
72 have been sent to Crown Court for trial
26 cases will have another hearing in the magistrates’ court
All these numbers will increase over the coming days and weeks as more and more suspects are arrested, charged and sent to court.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “The mindless minority who caused and took part in the disgraceful scenes we witnessed were warned they would soon feel the full force of the law.
“This data shows that many have already seen the inside of a courtroom and will see a stint behind bars too. Where they have gone, more will follow.
“I would like to pay tribute to the thousands of dedicated professionals across the criminal justice system who have worked tirelessly so such swift action could be taken.”
The legendary film editor will speak as part of the EIFF 2024 Programme line-up
Festival also announces industry guests hosting tables at EIFF Networking Brunches
EIFF Industry events also include case study panels and distribution sessions in a wide-ranging programme focusing on cross arts conversations, Fringe partnerships and new talent support
The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced details of a special in-conversation event with the legendary Thelma Schoonmaker who is celebrated for her iconic work as an editor on landmark moments in cinema history and for her collaborations with Martin Scorsese, including Raging Bull, Goodfellas,The Wolf of Wall Street and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Thelma will be discussing her outstanding career on Tuesday 20 August at 3pm at Tollcross Central Hall. Tickets are on sale now.
Whilst at the Festival, Thelma will also present the award for The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence Competition which showcases World Premieres of new exciting short form work from Scottish, the UK and international filmmakers. The award comes with a cash prize of £15,000 and will be decided by audience vote during EIFF with the winner announced on Wednesday 21 August.
Alongside this, she will also introduce a retrospective screening of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s much loved film I Know Where I’m Going! (1945) set on the islands of Scotland.
Paul Ridd, Festival Directorsaid: ‘We are absolutely thrilled that Thelma Schoonmaker has agreed to an in-person career conversation with us at this year’s Festival. An icon of cinema, Thelma has already been so generous with us already, allowing us to launch our brand new shorts prize in her name.
“Our line-up of guests across the film and industry programmes is absolutely star-studded, including newly announced guests at our Networking Brunches.
We are just immensely grateful to everyone for their continued support of the relaunched Festival. Bring it on!’
Running throughout the Festival, but with a focus of activity across the weekend of Friday 16 August to Sunday 18 August, the industry programme presents an impactful series of panels and networking opportunities for Scottish and international creatives to engage with industry experts from around the world.
This 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.
EIFF is delighted to have initiated groundbreaking new collaborations and partnerships with Fringe organisations over non-traditional cinema spaces in renowned Summerhall, Inspace and 50 George Square in the University of Edinburgh. Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh’s acclaimed comedy club, is hosting the venue at Inspace, whilst Fringe favourite Assembly Festival is hosting the venue at 50 George Square.
On Friday 16 August, a morning NETWORKING BRUNCH co-hosted with Screen Fringe will take place at Summerhall Library Gallery, in collaboration with Summerhall.
Invited Table Hosts at the Brunch include: Sam Gough (Summerhall), Briony Hanson (British Council), Tricia Tuttle (Berlinale), Julia Trawinska (Picturehouse Entertainment), Bec Martin (Artistic Director, New Diorama), Jess Toomey (Director, Live Comedy Association), Karel Och (Director, Karlovy Vary), Sarah Brocklehurst (Producer, THE OUTRUN) and Katie Metcalfe (Nowness).
SCRAPPER TO SCREEN: A CASE STUDY will be a panel exploring the development to distribution of the hit 2023 film SCRAPPER, taking place at EIFF venue Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel on Friday afternoon. Moderated by Melanie Iredale (Reclaim the Frame) and with panellists including Charlotte Regan (Director of SCRAPPER), Theo Barrowclough (Producer of SCRAPPER), Lucie Desquiens (Sales at Charades) and Julia Trawinska (Acquisitions Manager at Picturehouse Entertainment).
Following the panel, early evening NETWORKING DRINKS will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, ahead of an evening EIFF CURTAIN RAISER filmmaker and industry reception in Summerhall Library Gallery, both in partnership with BBC Film.
Saturday 17 August will begin with a NETWORKING BRUNCH which will take place at Summerhall Library Gallery in collaboration with Monkey Barrel.
Invited Table Hosts include: Jack Thomas O’Brien (Producer), Julia Jackman (Filmmaker), Mike Muncer (Evolution of Horror), David Bleese (Monkey Barrel) and writer and event producer Wendy Mitchell.
On Saturday early afternoon, IN CONVERSATION: GASPAR NOE will take place at Tollcross Central Hall with the iconic filmmaker discussing his work.
Later in the afternoon, a STAND UP TO THE SCREEN panel involving filmmakers who have transitioned from live performance/TV to filmmaking along with Fringe producers and creatives that are interested in screen work and working on developing ideas/adaptations for film.
The event will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, and will be moderated by Rowan Woods (Edinburgh TV Festival) with panellists Alex Walton (WME), Afolabi Kuti (Producer) and filmmakers from the programme selection.
In the evening, NETWORKING DRINKS will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel and supported by NFTS Scotland, ahead of the now legendary EIFF Ceilidh.
On Sunday 18 August, a morning NETWORKING BRUNCH will take place at Summerhall Library Gallery, in collaboration with Assembly Festival.
Invited Table Hosts include: William Burdett Coutts (Assembly), Helene Espeiss (Charades), Jonathan Rutter (Premier), Wahida Niblo (Vertigo), Luke Moody (Doc Society), Matt Mueller (Screen International) and Robbie Collin (Telegraph).
Sunday afternoon will see the Festival’s Keynote address from acclaimed filmmaker Alex Garland and producer Andrew Macdonald at Tollcross Central Hall. The pair will discuss their long history of collaborations across films that include The Beach (2000), 28 Days Later (2002), Ex Machina (2014), as well as the recent global hit Civil War (2024). Tickets for this event will go on sale on 1 August and EIFF industry delegates will be able to access tickets closer to the Festival.
In partnership with Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI), a DOCUMENTARY DISTRIBUTION PANEL will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, engaging Scottish documentary filmmaking talent, documentary producers and international documentary sales agents to deliver a rounded session on the business of independent documentary exhibition and distribution.
The session will be moderated by SDI’s Flore Cosquer with panellist Luke Moody (Doc Society), Graham Fulton (Conic), Sophie Fiennes (ACTING) and filmmakers from the programme selection.
Early evening NETWORKING DRINKS will take place at Inspace in association with Monkey Barrel, supported by SDI.
On Monday 19 August,coinciding with the Festival’s Out of Competition Shorts screening, there will be evening NETWORKING DRINKS in the Cameo Cinema bar supported by Screen Academy Scotland.
The same evening, BAFTA SCOTLAND celebrates the life and work of the ground-breaking film producer, curator, writer and former Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival Lynda Myles in a special event celebrating her presentation of the BAFTA Scotland Outstanding Contribution to Film Award.
From 9pm, Ali Plumb (BBC Radio 1) will host the EIFF Film Quiz at Summerhall’s Dissection Room.
On Tuesday 20 August, evening NETWORKING DRINKS in the Cameo Cinema bar will take place.
EIFF Industry delegates are welcome to also register with Screen Fringe, a Screen Scotland-backed programme delivered in partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.
Open to TV and film professionals, Screen Fringe offers a concierge service to delegates to help discover the best theatre and comedy talent from Scotland, the UK and beyond. EIFF industry delegates who want to engage with the Edinburgh Festivals to find talent and pursue opportunities for screen adaptation can accredit via the Fringe Society’s Arts Industry page (http://www.edfringe.com/take-part/arts-industry).
EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI Audience Projects Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, the Industry Programme is backed by EXPO funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland, and EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
Edinburgh International Film Festival runs from Thursday 15 to Wednesday 21 August 2024.
From August 15 to August 21 2024, Edinburgh International Film Festival will take place at unique venues in Edinburgh allowing audiences to seamlessly experience the best of the Fringe along with the world-class programme of cinema at EIFF.
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. EIFF encourages general audiences, film fans and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh.
The revamped Festival has recently announced its programme which includes over thirty-eight feature films, five shorts programmes and various talks and events across its dates. Concession pricing is available and Pay What You Can tickets will be available across select screenings.
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.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves calls on UK pension schemes to invest more in the UK economy and deliver better returns for savers
Wants UK to learn lessons from ‘Canadian model’ ahead of meeting with major Canadian retirement funds
Reeves confirms first Mansion House address will focus on financial service sector’s role in delivering more investment and financing growth as work continues to fix foundations of the economy, rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called on pension funds to “learn lessons from the Canadian model and fire up the UK economy”.
The Chancellor hosted a roundtable with the so-called ‘Maple 8’ group of Canadian retirement funds in Toronto on Wednesday (7 August), who have invested billions of pounds in the UK economy in recent years.
She will urge the funds to continue backing Britain and take home lessons about how consolidation of pension schemes into larger funds can help drive investment in productive assets such as vital infrastructure and high-growth businesses.
The meeting is part of intensive industry engagement for the landmark review of pension fund investment announced last month to boost investment in the UK and deliver higher returns for people’s pension pots.
Also on the Chancellor’s agenda to deliver more investment and finance growth is the financial services sector, with Rachel Reeves confirming her first Mansion House address will set out how she will work in partnership with industry and regulators to deliver growth.
This will include delivering the stability the sector needs to grow, the support it needs to invest across the UK and reforms it needs to remain at the cutting-edge of new innovations and technologies.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “The size of Canadian pension schemes means they can invest far more in productive assets like vital infrastructure than ours do.
“I want British schemes to learn lessons from the Canadian model and fire up the UK economy, which would deliver better returns for savers and unlock billions of pounds of investment.
“We’re already beginning to see schemes announce plans to invest. That’s a vote of confidence in our work to fix the foundations of the economy, rebuild Britain and make every part of our country better off.”
Industry strongly welcomed the announcement of the pension fund investment review, with supportive comments made by groups such as Legal & General, the BVCA, Aviva, Barclays and Phoenix.
New investment vehicles have since been announced to channel pension fund money into infrastructure and the UK’s fastest growing companies. Last week Phoenix and Schroders launched their Future Growth Capital co-investment fund, which will invest up to £20 billion in the UK over the next decade.
Channelling more pension fund money will release investment demand and comes alongside measures to unlock supply through fixing the broken planning system, setting up a National Wealth Fund and the biggest overhaul of listings rules for the UK stock exchange.
Most insect bites and stings can be treated through the following steps:
Wash the affected area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress.
Take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain or swelling.
