Corstorphine Library is hosting Iona Lee for Book Week Scotland.
If you’d be interested in attending this poetry workshop on 18th November, and/or joining their Corstorphine Library’s fortnightly Writers Group, please ask at the library desk or telephone 0131 529 5506.
You can also get in touch via email at corstorphine.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
This November, art enthusiasts and pop culture aficionados are invited to immerse themselves in POP LIFE, an exhibition that explores the intersection of popular culture and contemporary figurative drawing, challenging traditional distinctions between high and low art.
Opening on Saturday, 2 November, POP LIFE features works by 13 Scottish and international artists, many of whom will be exhibiting in Scotland for the first time. Each artist uniquely engages with popular culture, referencing diverse influences such as music, film, fashion, literature, social media, and celebrities.
The exhibition highlights this interplay, using familiar language to delve into themes that expand traditional drawing practices.
Co-curated by artists Euan Gray and Witte Wartena, POP LIFE is a travelling exhibition previously showcased in Sweden (2022-23) and the Netherlands (2023). This iteration has been tailored to include Scottish artists and underscores the enduring allure of the human form as a reflection of identity and societal norms, drawing inspiration from art history, socio-political movements, and cultural shifts over the past six decades.
Visitors can look forward to works by renowned and early-career artists including Marcel van Eeden, Euan Gray, Paul McDevitt, Charlotte Schleiffert, Sandra Vásquez de la Horra, Witte Wartena, David Shrigley, Andrew Cranston, Laura Bruce, Marc Brandenburg, Donald Urquhart, Jamie Fitzpatrick, and Fiona Michie—all of whom draw inspiration from the imagery and messages of pop culture.
Over 80 works will be presented, with several new pieces created specifically for this exhibition.
Marc Brandenburg has transformed a room of the gallery with UV light, to explore unseen sides of Tiergarten Park in Berlin, whilst Laura Bruce accompanies her drawn tributes to country music icons with vocal renditions of their biggest hits. Edinburgh-based artist Jamie Fitzpatrick is showing his large-scale drawings alongside a new monumental sculpture, looking critically and who in society is publicly memorialised. Internationally renowned artist David Shrigley will present 16 brand new drawings, showcasing his absurd and humorous work.
Culture and Communities Convener, Val Walker said: “I’m delighted that the City Art Centre can showcase this fantastic iteration of the POP LIFE exhibition featuring the works of 13 exciting artists.
“I’m especially proud that it will mark the first time some of these artists have displayed in Scotland, and that we will be presenting works created especially for the exhibition.
“I’m sure visitors will be captivated by these pieces and engage with the ever-changing dynamics of art within society.
Curator Euan Gray, said: “In an era dominated by computer generated images, AI and 3D printing, this exhibition offers us a wonderful opportunity to champion the enduring appeal of traditional drawing, wholeheartedly embrace the language of pop culture and promote a remarkable group of Scottish and international artists for whom the human form remains an essential motif.“
Justice Secretary Angela Constance has updated Parliament on proposed amendments to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill.
The Justice Secretary told MSPs that, having listened to the cross-party Criminal Justice Committee and a wide range of other views, a plan to enable a time-limited pilot of single-judge trials for rape and attempted rape cases will not be pursued.
The Government also plans to amend the Bill, subject to MSPs’ approval, to enable more detailed research into jury deliberations, including how rape myths may affect verdicts.
The Bill includes measures to remove Scotland’s ‘not proven’ verdict and to increase the current simple majority required for a criminal conviction to a two-thirds majority of jurors. However, in line with committee recommendations, proposals to cut the jury size from 15 to 12 will be dropped.
Victims of crime are to receive improved support, advice and information as part of planned reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme – to be delivered through the Bill – as announced earlier this month.
Ms Constance said: “This Bill proposes a significant package of reforms to ensure victims are placed at the heart of Scotland’s justice system, such as creating a specialist Sexual Offences Court, establishing a Victims & Witnesses Commissioner and abolishing the ‘not proven’ verdict.
“I want to build as much consensus as possible for this important legislation. Clearly there is not enough parliamentary support at this time for the proposal to enable a time-limited pilot of single-judge trials for cases of rape and attempted rape, so we will no longer pursue this.
“I remain concerned by the substantial evidence that juries may be influenced by rape myths and I will introduce amendments to the Bill to allow for more detailed research into jury deliberations. We will undertake further work with justice partners to agree how to challenge and reduce the impact of rape myths. This might include, for example, further interventions or educational resources for jurors and the wider public.
“I believe that the most prudent approach to jury reform, including the abolition of the ‘not proven’ verdict, is to seek support for a model with two verdicts – ‘guilty’ and ‘not guilty’ – 15 jurors, and a two-thirds majority requirement for conviction.
“I look forward to working with partners and colleagues across Parliament to deliver what I believe is a shared ambition to ensure victims and witnesses are placed at the heart of the justice system and treated with compassion.”
Justice Secretary’s letter to the Criminal Justice Committee
A lucky local has won £50,000 at Buzz Bingo Meadowbank on Moray Park. The bingo-goer is planning to use the winnings to visit their family in Dubai for their granddaughter’s wedding.
The winner who wishes to remain anonymous, is a regular bingo player who has been visiting Buzz Bingo Meadowbank with their friend since the club first opened in 1997. They plan to use the winnings to visit family in Dubai for their granddaughter’s wedding next year.
On the day, the bingo player stated, “My favourite things about Buzz Bingo Meadowbank are the atmosphere, friendly staff and customers.”
Gordon Barr, General Manager at Buzz Bingo Meadowbank, said “We couldn’t be happier for our lucky winner and their fantastic win.
“Everyone was cheering from their seats – it was such an exciting moment.”
Chief Operating Officer at Buzz Bingo, Stevie Shaves, said “The atmosphere in club when there’s a win is always incredible, and we’re delighted to see one of our lucky members win £50,000 on the Big Buzz Special Jackpot Game at Buzz Bingo Meadowbank.
“Overall Buzz Bingo players win more than £2m per week in bingo prize money and we love to celebrate every one of them with our amazing community!”
For those looking to get in on the action, new members can play for just £5 on their first two visits. What’s more, Buzz Bingo clubs offer great value food and drink deals all day every day. For further information on deals and promotions you can visit buzzbingo.com.
The Big Buzz special is played every afternoon and evening Main Event, members who call “House” in 40 numbers or less win the £50,000 jackpot.
Learn more about Buzz Bingo and find your nearest club at buzzbingo.com/ComeOutToPlay.
Follow us on facebook.com/BuzzBingo and find us on Instagram and Twitter by searching @Buzz_Bingo. You can also reach us at PR@buzzbingo.com.
Enhanced patrols and resources have been deployed across this weekend as 5 November draws nearer, with Firework Control Zones and Dispersal Orders available to officers in order to manage any potential issues.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, commander for Edinburgh division, said; “Enquiries are continuing following disorder in the capital on Thursday, 31 October, and efforts are underway to identify those responsible for carrying out several violent attacks on buses and police officers during that evening. A police officer was injured when the window of the vehicle she was in was hit by a brick, causing the window to smash.
“As a result of these investigations, a 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged in connection with the disorder in the Hay Avenue and Niddrie Mains Road area of Edinburgh.
“We also continue to appeal to the public to come forward with any information about any disorder which has already taken place, or which they may be aware of being planned for the coming days. This can be passed to our officers via 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.”
Emergency Service workers will be exceptionally busy over the next week as we work together to combat issues that can arise from the misuse of fireworks and illegally lit bonfires.
As we have already seen, workers will be verbally and physically injured as a result of this.
Crimestoppers are running a campaign across Scotland that aims to help prevent deliberate fires and Bonfire Night attacks on Scotland’s Police, Fire and rescue, and Ambulance services during fireworks season.
If you have any information on the misuse of fireworks or any planned disorder, please report anonymously via Crimestoppers and do your bit by keeping your community safe.
Six by Nico, the dynamic dining experience in Edinburgh known for its six-week tasting menu rotation, has introduced its latest six-course instalment, taking customers on an adventure full of magical flavours where each bite sends your taste buds into technicolour.
Inspired by the iconic story from The Wizard of Oz, customers will begin their journey on the yellow brick road, travelling through a bewitching menu where each bite leads you closer to the Emerald City.
The latest menu will run at Six by Nico’s city centre locations including Queensferry Street and Hanover Street, for six weeks from 4th November to 15th December where customers will be immersed in this magical culinary experience and transported to the Land of Oz.
The menu includes the following dishes:
Course 1 – ‘Nugget of the Yellow Brick’
Sweetcorn Beignet, Yellow Courgette, Saffron & Güero Chilli
Course 2 – ‘Scarecrow’
Hay Smoked Middle White Pork, Fennel, Apple & Pickled Mustard
Course 3 – ‘Tin Woodman & Cowardly Lion’
Goats Curd ‘Heart”, Sweet & Sour Umeboshi Plum, Liquid Courage
Course 4 – ‘Deadly Poppy Field’
Blackened Miso Coal Fish, Coal Emulsion, Red Pepper Ketchup & Kohlrabi & Tarragon
Course 5 – ‘The Wicked Witch’
Chicken Breast, Pressed Leg & Black Onion
Sweet Roasted Garlic & Parsley Risotto
Course 6 – ‘Emerald City’
Apple Cremeux, Honey Mousseline, Yoghurt Sorbet & Lemon Gel
Veggie
Course 1 – ‘Nugget of the Yellow Brick’
Sweetcorn Beignet, Yellow Courgette, Saffron & Güero Chilli
Course 2 – ‘Scarecrow’
Hay Smoked Celeriac, Fennel, Apple & Pickled Mustard
Course 3 – ‘Tin Woodman & Cowardly Lion’
Goats Curd ‘Heart’, Sweet & Sour Umeboshi Plum, Liquid Courage
Course 4 – ‘Deadly Poppy Field’
Baby Aubergine, Coal Emulsion, Red Pepper Ketchup, Kohlrabi & Tarragon
Course 5 – ‘The Wicked Witch’
Barbecue Leek, Burnt Onion & Black Garlic Ketchup
Parsley Risotto, Confit Garlic & Pickled Shallot
Course 6 – ‘Emerald City’
Apple Cremeux, Honey Mousseline, Yoghurt Sorbet & Lemon Gel
For £44, guests will be able to experience the magical flavours from the Land of Oz, with a matching wine pairing from £33.
Nico Simeone, CEO and Founder of the Six Company, commented: “The Land of Oz menu is an exciting journey for us. We’ve been exploring this magical world for a while, and guided by guest feedback and our passion for storytelling, we’ve crafted each dish to immerse diners in Oz’s enchanting tale.
“We’re thrilled to offer diners in Edinburgh with a unique experience that pushes the boundaries of what Six by Nico can bring to the table.”
Land of Oz menu bookings can be made via the website:
A resilient Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) student has celebrated her graduation after recovering from colon cancer – and thanked the staff who supported her along the way.
Sophia McIntosh studied for a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from her home in Kingston, Jamaica, alongside her work as a university lecturer there.
She took time out from her studies after receiving her cancer diagnosis in 2019 but was later able to return to and complete the course.
Sophia crossed the stage at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Wednesday to collect her degree, having travelled from the Caribbean with her mum for the ceremony.
Sophia said: “I am just so full of joy, not just for me but for all of my family members and friends who have supported me.
“I am happy that I went on this journey, I am liberated and more confident. The doctorate is the icing on the cake, but the journey has transformed me.
“I still have my thesis on leadership sitting on my table at home and sometimes I just open it to have a look!
“I’m so proud of myself – I never knew I had it in me to read and learn so much.”
Having felt unwell for some time, it was through a chance meeting with a doctor at church that Sophia was referred for health checks and discovered her cancer diagnosis.
She underwent surgery and chemotherapy in the autumn of 2019, followed by more treatment the following year.
She said: “When I was told the news, I just went numb. I was told we would have to move quickly and have surgery.
“All the horror stories about chemotherapy happened to me. I had complications from my surgery, and my parents came down from another part of Jamaica to look after me.
“I had two major surgeries, and we lost my adopted brother around the same time. But despite these traumatic events, I resumed my studies after the year.”
Sophia’s graduation comes after taking time out from the course because of illness and the Covid pandemic. She is now receiving checks every six months.
Now that Sophia has completed her degree, she has paid tribute to ENU staff members past and present who supported her, including Dr Ciarán McFadden-Young, Dr Janice McMillan, and Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith – as well as Professor Alison McCleery, who sadly passed away last year.
“It was difficult going back to the doctorate, but my research supervisors helped me settle,” Sophie added. “They were patient with me and not judgemental. They were respectful and they gave me space.
“I can’t find the words to thank them – they held my hand. I never felt alone, I never felt unsafe. I had them all behind me.”
Sophia has graduated alongside fellow students from Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School today.
ENU’s autumn graduation ceremonies were held at the Usher Hall between 29 – 31 October.
As the clocks went back this past weekend, many people are noticing an early start to their mornings. Naplabs, a leader in sleep wellness, has partnered with a top sleep expert to explain why the recent time change could be responsible for these pre-dawn awakenings and how to adjust.
According to sleep experts Naplab, the main reason for this shift is “the body’s natural circadian rhythm, which becomes temporarily out of sync during time changes.” The extra hour gained over the weekend has thrown internal body clocks slightly out of balance, causing people to wake up earlier as their bodies adjust.
“Whenever clocks change, it can take about a week for our internal clocks to readjust,” explains Naplab. “For some, the shift to waking up earlier is amplified by stress, screen exposure, and modern lifestyle demands.”
Here are five expert tips from our experts to help you adjust to the recent clock change and get back on track with restful sleep:
Ease into Evening Relaxation: Spend 30 minutes before bed winding down with a calming activity, like reading or meditating, to help your body recognise it’s time to sleep. This supports your circadian rhythm in adjusting to the new time.
Get Natural Morning Light: Expose yourself to natural light soon after waking to signal to your body that it’s morning. This helps reset your internal clock, particularly during the shorter autumn days.
Avoid Screens Before Bed: Limit screen exposure at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light from devices can suppress melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep, making it harder to drift off.
Gradually Adjust Bedtime: Go to bed 10-15 minutes later each night if you find you’re waking up too early. This gradual shift will help your body adjust to the time change more smoothly than a drastic schedule alteration.
Stick to a Consistent Routine: Aim to wake up and go to bed at the same time each day, even on weekends. This consistency helps your internal clock stabilise, leading to more refreshing, uninterrupted sleep.
In addition to the recent time change, factors like exposure to evening light from screens and high-stress levels can contribute to early wakefulness. Naplabs recommends a few tips for resetting your sleep schedule, such as limiting evening screen time, using blackout curtains to prevent early light exposure, and practicing relaxation techniques before bed.
“The seasonal clock change provides a great opportunity to fine-tune our sleep habits. By making small adjustments, we can support a more balanced internal rhythm and enjoy the benefits of restorative sleep.”
Bonfire Night can be a very stressful time for a pet owner and their pet. The loud crashes, bangs and booms, and inability to pinpoint where they are coming from can be extremely distressing for a dog and they can perceive it as a threat. The anxiety can also be caused by the smell of the gunpowder, the reaction of other pets or owners and the lights flashing.
If you’re worried your dog is struggling with anxiety from fireworks, some of the key signs include: shaking, whining, hiding and refusing to go out, restless, and clingy. To help pet owners across the country, Bella & Duke’s Expert Dog Behaviourist, Nikki Mather has shared some tips to limit anxiety and combat stress on Bonfire Night in the future:
Nikki Mather, Expert Dog Behaviourist at Bella & Duke, said: “We all hate to see our pets suffering and seeing the anxiety they go through when hearing fireworks is heartbreaking.
“While there are steps we can take as pet owners to limit the stress they go through, unfortunately there isn’t a magic fix. Patience and preparation will be your greatest allies and remaining calm yourself can help in keeping our pets’ distress to a minimum at this time of the year.”
To find out more information on how to keep your pets calm during Bonfire Night please visit www.bellaandduke.com
