Day: November 8, 2024

Celebrate Hope: Book Week Scotland illuminates Edinburgh and the Lothians with inspiring literary events

Scotland’s national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland 2024, returns from 18-24 November to uplift Edinburgh and Lothians with its theme of Hope.

This year’s programme offers unique perspectives on resilience, community, and the landscapes that define the region. Over the years, Book Week Scotland has deepened its impact on Edinburgh and the Lothians, delivering literary events to even the remotest locations and fostering connections in towns and communities.

The 2024 programme spotlights regional authors and local libraries as community cornerstones. 65,000 copies of a new free book, Scotland’s Stories: Hope, will be distributed during the week.

It is made up of real-life stories from people across Scotland, including contributions from people in Edinburgh and Lothians.

Local voices in this year’s Hope book include:

·       “A Wee Pocket of Joy” by Rosemary Henderson, East Lothian

·       “Dancing for Hope” by Georgia Marlborough, Edinburgh

·       “Ribbons and New Socks” by Sheena Mason, Dalkeith

·       “Hope and Consolation” by David Pickering, Edinburgh

·       “It’s The Hope That Kills You” by Julie Drybrough, Edinburgh

·       “Thorin” by Sam Eastop, Edinburgh (also adapted as a comic strip by Mollie Ray)

Each piece reflects the theme of Hope in unique and personal ways, highlighting the power of local stories.

Book Week Scotland event highlights in Edinburgh and the Lothians:

·       Landscapes of Hope and Inspiration, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, 18 November—This event will bring together visual artist Julie Brook, writer Linda Cracknell, and musician Duncan Chisholm to discuss how Scotland’s landscapes inspire and provide hope. 

·       The Pleasures of Reading with Jackie Kay, Portobello Bookshop, 20 November – Jackie Kay shares the books that have inspired her, joined by Dr Sarah McGeown to explore the benefits of reading for pleasure. 

·       Various Author Events Across Edinburgh and East Lothian – Libraries and regional community centres will host readings, discussions, and family events celebrating the joy of reading. 

The variety of events this year reflects Edinburgh and Lothians’ longstanding engagement with Book Week Scotland, now in its 13th year and supported by Creative Scotland.

Scottish Book Trust invites everyone to join the #BookWeekScotland conversation and find further information and event listings at Book Week Scotland 2024 – Scottish Book Trust .

Extracts:

Rosemary Henderson, Tranent (East Lothian), ‘A Wee Pocket of Joy’

Sheena Mason, Dalkeith (Midlothian), ‘Ribbons and New Socks’

Georgia Marlborough, Edinburgh, ‘Dancing for Hope’

David Pickering, Edinburgh, ‘HOPE AND CONSOLATION’

Julie Drybrough, Edinburgh, ‘It’s The Hope That Kills You’

Sam Eastop, Edinburgh, ‘Thorin’ – story also adapted as a comic strip by Mollie Ray Jennie Tripp, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Leisure’s Festive Gymnastics Spectacular – It’s a Balancing Act!

Tickets are now available for Edinburgh Leisure’s 18th annual Festive Gymnastics Display, where more than 800 gymnasts and cheerleaders from six Edinburgh Leisure venues, plus guest clubs, will come together to dazzle audiences at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Sunday, 24 November 2024.

Dorothy McQueen, Gymnastics Development Officer, explained: “Gymnastics is a great way for individuals to learn and build on the fundamentals required for physical development, well-being, and personal growth.

“Our annual Festive Display provides a fun and energetic way to the showcase skills the gymnasts and athletes have been working so hard on throughout the year.

“The focus for this event is on participation and enjoyment, rather than perfection, allowing gymnasts and athletes of all skill levels to shine. The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive, making it a delightful experience.

“It’s a bit of a balancing act to keep youngsters interested and engaged in sport, but our Festive Display adds a real sparkle to our programme for both participants and spectators!”

Alongside over 30 performances by Edinburgh Leisure gymnasts, the event will feature special guest appearances from regional clubs like Acrobay, Cheer Evolution, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Jack Kane, and Kestrel, showcasing a range of talent.

Edinburgh Leisure is also looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly. With over 1,500 spectators and 500+ participants expected, volunteers are crucial to keeping things on track.

“You don’t need to know anything about gymnastics to help,” Dorothy McQueen shared. “It’s a great opportunity to get involved, whether assisting with registration, helping out in the warm-up area, or guiding guests to their seats. Anyone with time to spare, even part of the day, is welcome!”

Anyone interested should contact Dorothy McQueen – Dorothy.mcqueen@edinburghleisure.co.uk 

Tickets are priced at £5.50 each for spectators aged 5 and over, while under-5s enter for free (though without a reserved seat).

Tickets are available for either the morning or afternoon sessions via Ticket Source – https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/edinburgh-leisure-events

Edinburgh Leisure’s gymnastics programme offers something for everyone, from Baby Nippers for toddlers to more advanced classes for older children in disciplines like general gymnastics, trampolining, acro and display gymnastics. It’s just one of 12 sports offered across 17 venues, all designed to help children improve agility, develop new skills, and grow their confidence.

To find out more about gymnastics classes and coaching opportunities, visit Edinburgh Leisure’s website for inspiration.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/coaching

Appeal for information following fatal crash on City Bypass

Road policing officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the city bypass.

Around 9.10am yesterday (Thursday, 7 November, 2024), police were called to a report of a three-car crash on the A720 between Gogar roundabout and Hermiston Gait, Edinburgh.

The crash involved a grey Volkswagen Transporter campervan, a grey Volkswagen Tiguan and a red Vauxhall Corsa.

Emergency services attended and the driver of the Corsa, a 53-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died a short time later.

The driver of the Tiguan was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the campervan was not injured.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash ongoing.

Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man at this difficult time, and we will support them throughout the investigation.

“We would ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or who may have dash-cam footage, and has not yet spoken to or provided this information to officers, to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 4275 of 7 November, 2024.

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon bring special festive in-conversation event to Edinburgh’s Christmas

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon bring a special festive edition of In The Company of Books in-conversation event to Edinburgh’s Christmas

Thursday 5th December | 4pm | 60 minutes

Assembly Hall, New College, Mound Place EH1 2LU

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  • Join book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon for a special festive in-conversation event as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas
  • Special festive guests will join in the conversation as Val and Nicola explore the joys of reading (alongside a few glasses of mulled wine!)
  • Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday 8th November via the Edinburgh’s Christmas website
  • In The Company of Books joins stellar line-up of Christmas Shows at Assembly Hall this year including Jason Bryne, The Bubble Show and Swamplesque
  • Free To Use Edinburgh’s Christmas Images Here
  • Edinburgh’s Christmas Trailer

Edinburgh’s Christmas is pleased to announce that book lovers Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will bring a special festive edition of their in-conversation event, In The Company of Books, to Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

This special edition of In The Company of Books reunites friends and book lovers Val and Nicola to discuss all things literary, following a number of sold-out, acclaimed in-conversation events across the UK in recent years.

Joined by special guests to be revealed, Val and Nicola will explore the joys of reading alongside a few glasses of mulled wine and a lot of festive cheer.

Val McDermid has sold over 19 million books to date across the globe and has been translated into more than 40 languages. She is perhaps best known for her Wire in the Blood series featuring clinical psychologist Dr Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan, She is the recipient of six honorary doctorates and is an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda’s College, Oxford.

Nicola Sturgeon is the MSP for Glasgow Southside constituency, and the former First Minister of Scotland – the longest-serving and first woman First Minister.

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon said, “Books are magic. Portable magic, according to Stephen King. And like magic, books build bridges. In our case, an improbable friendship between a passionate politician and Scotland’s queen of crime.

“Our love of books is what first drew us together and it remains the mainstay of that friendship. Every conversation we have eventually meanders round to the books we are reading, what we’ve been enjoying, what has been making us laugh or cry, or keeping us on the edge of our seats.

“And now we want to share the love. First up, festive fun at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms with two stellar mystery guests; then off to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival where we’ll be joined by two top names from the comedy world.

“We’ll be interrogating our guests about the books that shaped them and why they love reading. Revelations galore await as we explore the love and laughter between the covers.”

Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas said: “We are thrilled to have Val and Nicola bring their in-conversation event to Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

“This is sure to be a highlight in the Christmas calendar and we invite everyone to grab a glass of mulled wine and settle in for what will be a witty, warm and insightful event.”

In The Company of Books joins a newly announced stellar line-up of performances taking place at Assembly Hall as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

These include the enchanting and inspiring children’s show The Bubble Show; brilliantly funny stand-up comedy from Jason Byrne in Jason Byrne: No Show; the award-winning, critically acclaimed burlesque and drag show Swamplesque.

For further information and to buy tickets, please go to edinburgh-christmas.com.

Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions are open daily except Christmas Day, with varying opening dates and times available at the official website.