As the iconic character sets out on the next chapter of her story in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Vue venues in Edinburgh are welcoming film fans to get dressed all cosy in their pyjamas for the opening weekend of the film.
In addition to having the fun of channelling their inner Bridget, any guest who attends a screening of the film between February 14 – February 16 in their pyjamas will receive a complimentary sweet or savoury treat (in the form of a packet of Minstrels or Popworks) to share with their date, their friends – or all to themselves.
Heading to Vue on February 14, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy sees two-time Academy Award winner Renée Zellweger back in the titular role as the loveable British singleton – her first romantic adventure since 2016. After the loss of her husband Mark, Bridget, now a single mother, is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends, including her former lover, Daniel Cleaver…
Also arriving at Vue this Valentine’s Day is Captain America: Brave New World, debuting Sam Wilson’s role as the new Captain America. Using his abilities, skill and new gear to help protect the president from a shadowy threat, expect edge of your seat adventures when this superhero epic explodes onto the screens.
In addition, two romantic re-releases are heading to Vue, the 35th anniversary of Julia Robert’s Pretty Woman and what is often described as one of the best films of the 21st century, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “A trip to Vue has always been a hugely popular choice for Valentine’s and we’re excited to welcome couples, friends and film fans to enjoy the very best in big screen drama and romance this weekend – as well as chance to gain bag themselves some free sweet or savoury treats.”
Tickets cost from £7.99 when booked online. To find out more, visit www.myvue.com
In support of National HIV Testing Week, the Prime Minister undertook a public rapid HIV home test, available for free, in No 10 Downing Street.
Prime Minister takes part in National HIV Testing Week – UK Government backed drive offering free, quick and easy HIV self and home testing kits.
First Serving Prime Minister and serving G7 leader to take a public HIV test.
HIV Testing Week to drive efforts to reach estimated 4,700 undiagnosed people living in England to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.
In support of National HIV Testing Week, the Prime Minister undertook a public rapid HIV home test, available for free, in No10 Downing Street.
By taking part in the campaign, he will be the first serving British Prime Minister and serving G7 leader to take a public test on camera.
Joined by Terrence Higgins Trust Patron Beverley Knight, the Prime Minister took a rapid home test to raise awareness that during National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a free and confidential HIV test from www.freetesting.hiv to do at home.
The campaign which sees up to 20,000 funded kits being available to the public – centres on regular home or self-testing – one way to meet the Government’s ambition to end new HIV cases in England by 2030 committed to by the Prime Minister in December.
After undertaking a test, the Prime Minister said: “It is really important to do it, and I am pleased to have taken part too. It’s easy, it is quick. And during testing week you can get a test free – so it is a great time to also take part.
“If people test, they will know their status, it is better that people know, and that is a good thing because you can then get access to treatment, and that will also help meet our collective target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
It comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of leading HIV Charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, has found that more than 80% of adults in England are unaware it is possible to test for HIV at home.
However, when prompted as an option, at-home testing was the most popular way to know your HIV status, with 44% of people saying it would be their preference.
The Prime Minister has committed to ending new HIV cases in England by 2030, with a new HIV Action Plan to be published in summer 2025.
Once diagnosed, people living with HIV can access free, effective treatment which means they can have a normal life expectancy and can’t pass on the virus.
Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said: “The Prime Minister has made history by becoming the first G7 leader to publicly take an HIV test while in office and has led by example.
“This free, quick and simple test sends a powerful message to the country and to the public. During National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a test to their home, whether that’s to Downing Street, to Penzance or to Berwick-up-Tweed.
“England can be the first country in the world to end new HIV transmissions, but we are not on track to do so by 2030. Scaling up HIV testing will be crucial to our shared goal. We are delighted that Keir Starmer is leading from the front in this mission.”
Beverley Knight MBE said: “Living with HIV today is a world away from the experience that my late best friend Tyrone endured in the early 2000s.
“People living with HIV can now easily know their status, can access effective treatment and live a long, healthy life. I wish this was case for Ty.
“In his memory, I’m using my voice alongside the Prime Minister to make everyone aware of how easy it is to test. People need to hear the crucial message that thanks to effective medication people living with HIV can’t pass it on, so we can end this epidemic once and for all.”
Rebecca Mbewe, an author and speaker, who is living with HIV said: “Testing for HIV is the only way to know your status, and it helps you stay in control of your health.If you do have a positive result, you won’t be on your own.
“I have been living with HIV for close to 30 years, I am still able to do anything and everything that I like. I still have my glass of gin and tonic. I can still go out and dance. Thanks to free, effective medication,
“I have a full life, I can’t pass HIV on and I have a normal life expectancy. Every time I have a birthday I love telling people my age. It’s a statement. It’s a celebration!”
Have you heard the exciting news? Café Portrait is open again with a fresh new look!
Join us for a quick bite or a leisurely brunch in The Nook, our new and tranquil dining space. Enjoy signature dishes prepared right in our kitchen, inspired by the beautiful Portrait gallery’s artworks.
The menu will include delicious food made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, with everything prepared onsite. Under the guidance of Head Chef Alec, new signature dishes have been crafted, inspired by the gallery’s artwork.
One standout from The Nook’s menu is the Smokie Hash, a vibrant dish of smoked haddock, sweet potato hash, poached egg, wilted kale, spinach, grilled vine tomato, and cava beurre blanc.
It’s inspired by John Bellany’s Queen Street Café painting, which hangs in the Café and prominently features fish.
We’ve missed you, and we’re excited to welcome you back from 10am-4:30pm, daily. See you soon!
Louise, a regular bingo player, has been a regular at Buzz Bingo Meadowbank for the past five years. On the day of her big win, she called “house” on the lucky number 74 and was in complete disbelief she’d won the £10,000 jackpot. She plans to use her jackpot to replace her greenhouse, which was destroyed by recent storms, and also treat her family to a well-deserved holiday
Gordon Barr, General Manager at Buzz Bingo Meadowbank, said “We couldn’t be happier for Louise and her fantastic win. Everyone was cheering from their seats – it was such an exciting moment.
“We can’t wait to celebrate at our winner’s party on Wednesday 26th February, Evening Main Event, where we’ll be giving away a total of £10,000 in full-house prizes. It’ll be an unforgettable night of excitement with even more winners right here in our club!”
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 £10,000 on the Party Time 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 free on their first visit. 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 Party Time Special is played every afternoon and evening Main Event, for just £ 1 per ticket. Members who call a full house in 40 numbers or fewer will win the £10,000 jackpot! Every winner gets £10,000, guaranteed – it makes no difference if more than one players wins at the same time.
An OPEN LETTER from ALISON NOLAN, chief executive officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)
Did you know that over the past decade, 53 public libraries across Scotland have closed their doors for good – without replacement ?
The same public libraries which provide essential access to trusted information and education for all, which ignite a lifelong love of reading from early years, and which serve as warm, welcoming spaces where everyone is welcome without any expectation to spend. The same public libraries which, time and again, deliver enormous value to communities across the country, only to find themselves at risk when budgets are debated.
I’ve written to councillors across Edinburgh, before crucial budget decisions are made for the next financial year, to remind them what investment in public libraries truly means.
At the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), the advocacy body for Scotland’s network of over 500 public and mobile libraries, we understand the delicate financial situation that councils must navigate but we would urge those considering cuts to their library services to think again.
It’s no secret that the cultural sector is under unprecedented pressure but the narrative that austerity measures justify these cuts is shortsighted. This isn’t just a story of diminishing buildings and bookshelves; it’s a story of lives disrupted.
These closures are deeply felt because libraries represent so much more than the sum of their parts. Public libraries remain the most popular service local government delivers. Closing these doors means cutting off opportunities — a cost far greater than any savings achieved.
Libraries are proven to deliver significant economic and social returns, with research from Suffolk Libraires revealing a £6.95 return of economic benefit for every £1 invested through improved literacy, better mental health and stronger communities. And of course, when this investment figure is flipped, we see that the closure of public libraries will result in the community losing out on £6.95 of economic and social benefit for every £1 that is invested elsewhere.
The troubling trend of closures and cuts to library services across the country all too often disproportionately affects rural communities, exacerbating existing inequalities by stripping away vital access to education, digital resources and safe spaces for social interaction.
For these communities, libraries are not a luxury but a necessity. They provide essential services to support job applications, digital literacy training and social connection. To lose them is to deepen the isolation already felt by many.
Ask yourself: where else can citizens turn for support with their health, finances and employment? Libraries do it all under a single roof. They make real change to people in communities right across Edinburgh and play a central part in how the council brings about change.
Libraries drive forward crucial national agendas including preventative health – with the Health on the Shelf research report showing they save NHS Scotland £3.2m every year, bridging the digital divide by offering free access to PCs, Wi-Fi and digital support for a range of essential services, and fostering social cohesion by hosting a diverse range of community events. And this is all in addition to their core function: to encourage reading and provide a range of trusted reference materials.
As cuts and closures loom across the country, we’re urging local decision-makers to prioritise sustainable investment in libraries. Cutting library budgets is a false economy. The cost of losing libraries extends far beyond financial savings, impacting education, mental health and community cohesion. But it’s not just closures that we’re concerned about.
The slow, salami-slicing effect that has been seen over recent years, with opening hours cut – decreasing by 13%, on average – budgets slashed and staffing numbers reduced is felt across communities, with 1 in 3 voicing fears that their whole service is at risk.
Where councils have embraced the importance of libraries, the benefits are clear. 22 out of the 32 local authorities have not made any cuts to their library services in the last decade; instead, they are choosing to invest in their future, from creating learning hubs which have seen unprecedented loan figures, to developing dedicated ‘Maker Spaces’, reinforcing the role that libraries play as the originators of the sharing economy by offering access to emerging technology, such as 3D printers and laser cutters, as well as sewing and embroidery equipment.
In a recent survey from the Association of Public Libraries in Scotland, over 93% agreed that using the public library improves their quality of life, reminding us of the immense value that a public library holds, evolving to meet the needs of modern Scotland with the emergence of whole-community assets that can be used by educators, small businesses, community groups, and individuals to help people right across Edinburgh achieve their potential, while retaining their fundamental purpose: to connect, inspire and empower.
These services are a source of inspiration, but they remain the exception rather than the rule. To fulfil this potential, they need more than goodwill — they need sustainable funding.
No other community asset can deliver the vast economic and social benefits that a thriving public library service can, and so we would urge decision-makers to prioritise investment in their communities.
Anything less would be a failure we cannot afford.
ALISON NOLAN
Chief executive officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)
Orkney’s farmers, crofters and producers could benefit from a new local abattoir which will help them bring their produce to market, benefit the island’s economy and support high-welfare meat production.
First Minister John Swinney visited Orkney Auction Mart, which has received a £15,000 grant as a lead partner to help build the business case for a new, fit-for-purpose processing plant.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s Small Producers Pilot Fund, which this year has provided a total of £256,500 to support private kill abattoirs including in Shetland, Wishaw, Barra, Dingwall and Mull.
By creating more localised supply chains, the Fund aims to increase the proportion of food grown and processed by small farms and small holders, and consumed within the community.
The First Minister said: “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting small producers and strengthening Scotland’s food supply chain. We know that local marts and abattoirs play an important role in supporting island businesses and ensuring the best animal welfare.
“A new facility in Orkney would bring many benefits for the people who live and work here, supporting economic growth in the area and the future sustainability of the island’s food production industry. We will continue to work with HIE and the Orkney Islands Council as the project develops.”
Chair of Orkney Auction Mart Alan Corrigall said: “We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to Orkney to explain, first hand, how vital a new abattoir is for our community. Our case has been well received and we very much welcome the Scottish Government’s support.
“We’re looking forward to working in partnership with local butchers and other stakeholders, to build a strong business case for this important project.”
Last week, the Scottish Government launched their adult mental health campaign aimed at continuing the conversation around mental health and raising awareness of the free resources available through the Mind to Mind site on NHS inform.
Mental health concerns affect an estimated one in three people in Scotland*, with research indicating a direct correlation between poverty, social exclusion, and poor mental health. Additionally, those from marginalised minority backgrounds are often less likely to seek or find support.
This campaign aims to address these disparities across communities in Scotland to encourage those struggling with their mental health to get the help they need.
To mark the start of this phase of the campaign, a group of Scottish personalities and community advocates came together at the iconic Hampden Park to share their experiences of mental health, emphasising the importance of staying ‘onside’ by supporting others to access support and resources available to them.
Attendees included media personality Gail Porter, viral content creator Howey Ejegi (@HoweyDon), former professional footballer Zander Murray, Founder of Diversity Scotland Tony McCaffery, and David Duke, Founder of the social initiative Street Soccer Scotland.
Their standout advice focused on the importance of talking to someone they trust about their struggles and making use of resources like the Mind to Mind site (nhsinform.scot/mindtomind).
If you’re going through a difficult patch or are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or lonely, you are not alone and support is available.
Mind to Mind (nhsinform.scot/mindtomind) is a dedicated NHS Inform resource that aims to help people who may be facing challenges with their mental wellbeing.
The site helps people look after their mental wellbeing in ways that suit them, featuring over 30 videos of people talking about their own mental wellbeing challenges in a bid to show others who may be going through the same that they’re not alone.
Mind to Mind aims to contribute to the national conversation around normalising mental health and wellbeing, giving people the courage and skills to open up and encouraging them to share their stories in a bid towards reducing stigma.
The website also provides practical advice on how to deal with life’s ups and downs and signposts where people can access further support.
Gail Porter, TV personality, said: “Mental health struggles affect so many of us, and it can be difficult to start those conversations around accessing support.
“I know that any time I’ve felt like I needed support, my first inclination is to keep it to myself and not burden anyone else – but the truth is there are so many resources out there like the Mind to Mind site, to start your journey.”
David Duke, founder of Street Soccer Scotland, said: “Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland has never been more important, and at Street Soccer Scotland we do that through our shared love of football.
“We believe that by engaging in sport and physical activity, our players can create positive habits through our weekly football sessions.
“With dedicated mental health and wellbeing sessions across Scotland, we provide a safe space to socialise for players as well as offering an accessible environment for one-to-one counselling, but we’re not the only resource out there.
“Sites like Mind to Mind are such a great first port of call for anyone looking to start that mental health support journey.”
Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd, said: “When you, a friend or relative is struggling with their mental health, it can be an upsetting and daunting time, but it’s important for all of us to understand and make use of the resources out there – help is available.
“One of the key elements of the Mind to Mind campaign is asking us to think differently about mental health, and how we approach these conversations with each other. Visiting nhsinform.scot/mindtomind can be a really important first step, and there are so many resources that we can take advantage of to help the people closest to us to lead fulfilling lives.”
The Mind to Mind multi-channel campaign is live across radio, press, social and digital channels, and out of home advertising, supported by a PR campaign.
Our new drop in Youth Clubs @thepittmarket are starting tonight! As always, these are open access and you just have to be S3 or above to attend!
Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-8pm and Fridays 1-4pm! We want the space to evolve and grow with our young people so come down, shoot some pool on our new table, and tell us how you want it to look!
PS: The Pitt isnt open on a Tuesday, but we will very much be there so give us a message if you have any questions – other times you will also be able to enjoy the delicious scran on offer from them too!
This month we are showing the work of Jane Murray (1952-2024). The exhibition, titled Starting With A Line, was organised first by Jane herself and latterly by friends and family and includes paintings on wood, oil pastel on paper and mixed media works.
In a short introductory text in her own words, Jane shared reflections on her art practice which conclude: “As I have got older there is the realisation that the genre of my work was less reliant on observation and more on the expressive and instinctual, similar to that early child who put together visuals to make sense of her world.”
Jane was also a much-loved member of Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen Writers Group and some of her old pals have already visited the exhibition on George IV Bridge.
Roddy Scott Photography
