INFO EVENT – THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER 4.30 – 5.30
PYCP: Learning to Lead
Author: davepickering
Edinburgh reporter and photographer
Edinburgh residents urged to take advantage of 2023 Will Writing campaign
Residents in Edinburgh are being urged to secure their spot this month to have a Will written to protect their families’ assets and inheritance during this year’s Will Aid campaign.
During the current cost-of-living crisis, the Will Aid scheme, which sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November, represents a great opportunity to tick writing your Will off your to-do-list, and ensure your family’s future is protected.
The annual nationwide fundraising campaign shares its proceeds between nine of the UK’s leading charities: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (N. Ireland).
Will Aid is open and appointments are now available with MHD Law and McEwan Fraser Legal. There are also several firms that can take your instruction remotely, so wherever you are you can get your Will written through Will Aid this year.
Visit www.willaid.org.uk to find your solicitor, but hurry as bookings will close at the end of November.
Like previous years there is expected to be a high demand, so people are encouraged to book an appointment now with a participating solicitor, which they can find via the Will Aid website.
Will Aid has been running since 1988 and is open to all adults. The campaign has encouraged more than 350,000 people to write their Will with a regulated and insured solicitor and, in so doing has raised over £24 million in donations, and many millions more in pledged legacies. The suggested voluntary donation is £100 for a single Will and £180 for a pair of mirror Wills.
Peter de Vena Franks, Campaign Director for Will Aid, said: “The money raised each year is incredibly important for each of our partner charities. It was inspiring to see our committed solicitors, continue to volunteer their time to raise vital funds last year.
“I encourage anyone who does not yet have a Will to use this opportunity to protect loved ones and causes close to them, while supporting nine of the UK’s best-loved charities.”
Jonathan Chase, Chair of Will Aid, added: “We are very grateful to all the solicitors, new and returning, who selflessly volunteer their time to write thousands of Wills without their normal fee each year.
Not only does their philanthropy help thousands of local people protect their loved ones and causes close to them with a professionally written Will, but it also helps the Will Aid partner charities continue their life-changing work.”
Class of 2023 honoured at Edinburgh College Graduation
More than 600 students celebrated in style as they graduated as part of Edinburgh College’s class of 2023 at the McEwan Hall last week (2 November).
Students were joined by over 1,800 proud family members and friends who watched as their loved ones crossed the McEwan Hall stage to receive their certificates of achievement.
Graduates from across the College’s curriculum areas were honoured during three ceremonies throughout the day, graduating in subjects across each of the College’s faculties: Health, Wellbeing and Social Science; Tourism, Hospitality and Business; Engineering and Construction; and Creative Industries.
Across the three ceremonies, the College’s best-performing students were also commended by Principal Audrey Cumberford, receiving awards for academic excellence.
Prizes were also awarded on behalf of the Edinburgh College Board of Management to students who have exceeded expectations throughout their College journey.
In addition, around 14 members of College teaching staff were also presented with professional development awards during the ceremonies – celebrating the wealth of CPD opportunities available to staff to support them in their role of educating more than 28,000 students each year.
Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “Graduation is a special time of year, providing an occasion to celebrate all of our students’ hard work and determination shown throughout their time at College.
“The class of 2023 have shown a great commitment and dedication to their studies which will stand them in good stead for whatever they decide to do next. Armed with a college education, I have no doubt that they will go on to achieve great things.
“On behalf of the College’s governing body, management team, tutors, and support staff, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of them. I wish them the very best as they move forward in their further studies and chosen careers.
“Here’s to you, class of 2023!”
Culture: ‘Perfect storm’ has not abated, says Holyrood committee
The ‘perfect storm’ of financial pressures facing Scotland’s culture sector “has not abated” over the last year, according to a new report from the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.
The report follows pre-budget scrutiny of the Scottish Government culture portfolio spend ahead of the Scottish Budget for 2024-25, which is expected to be announced to Parliament in December.
Last year, the Committee found that the existing budgetary challenges facing the culture sector had become “much more acute”, contributed to by a “perfect storm” of long-term budget pressures, reduced income generation, and increased operating costs.
Twelve months on from that initial warning, the Committee have concluded that “this ‘perfect storm’ has not abated, with external and public funding pressures maintaining, and the culture sector remaining under significant financial strain and the risks to its future becoming more severe.”
At the same time, the Committee recognised that the Scottish Government continues to face a “challenging fiscal environment”.
A key finding by the Committee was that there was an “urgent need” for the Scottish Government to restore the confidence of the culture sector as it continues to face significant budgetary pressures.
It therefore noted the recent commitment by the First Minister in response, to increase the Scottish Government’s investment in arts and culture by £100 million over the next five years. The Committee is now awaiting the detail of this funding commitment, with further information expected to be provided in the upcoming budget.
The Committee also found that both the initial cut to Creative Scotland’s grant-in-aid for 2023-24 in the draft Budget and, after it had been reversed, the reinstatement of that cut in the Autumn Budget Revision had “damaged an already fragile confidence” within the culture sector.
While it acknowledged that the organisations receiving regular funding from Creative Scotland would not receive a budget reduction during 2023-24 as a result of this cut, with some of Creative Scotland’s National Lottery reserves having been allocated to offset it, it sought further clarity on the extent to which the use of these reserves will have impacted the level of funding available to manage the transition to Creative Scotland’s new Multi-Year Funding Programme.
The report also considered what progress the Scottish Government had made in the last 12 months on taking forward innovative funding solutions in response to the challenges facing the culture sector, including government commitments on multi-year funding and cross-portfolio funding models.
The Committee highlighted that “very limited progress” had been made and called for “much greater urgency and a clear pathway to make tangible progress” on implementing these funding models.
Commenting on the report, Committee Convener Clare Adamson said: “The First Minister’s recent commitment to increase the Scottish Government’s investment in arts and culture by £100 million over the next five years comes as the Committee has been hearing from stakeholders across the culture sector of the significant financial challenges it continues to face.
“We heard that the ‘perfect storm’ facing the operating environment of the sector has not abated over the last 12 months, with external and public funding pressures maintaining; and that there has been very limited progress made on implementing innovative funding solutions to support the sector.
“Given this context, there was an urgent need for the Scottish Government to restore the confidence of Scotland’s culture sector.
“We look forward to receiving further details of the First Minister’s commitment to provide additional funding for arts and culture.”
Man given Order for Lifelong Restriction for sexual abuse and online offences
A 52-year-old man has been given an Order for Lifelong Restriction, along with a custodial sentence of two years and three months, in connection with online sexual abuse and exploitation.
Mark Fordham pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, 9 November, 2023, in connection with the offences. He was arrested following an intelligence-led police operation.
Detective Inspector Bruce Ward said: “Mark Fordham is a dangerous and predatory individual who will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.
“Online offenders may think they are anonymous. They are not. No matter what steps they take to avoid detection, you cannot hide behind a computer screen. We will find you.
“We remain fully committed to protecting children and bringing anyone involved in these abhorrent crimes to justice.
“Any form of child sexual abuse is a serious criminal offence and a priority for officers. I would urge anyone with any concerns about a child at risk of abuse, or a potential victim, to contact us immediately.”
Police Scotland’s current #GetHelpOrGetCaught campaign proactively targets those who are either already offending or at risk of offending online, and provides signposts to available support.
Appeal for information following M90 crash
Road policing officers are appealing for information following a crash on the M90, Edinburgh.
The incident happened close to Junction 1A, near Kirkliston, around 3pm on Wednesday, 8 November, 2023, and involved three cars.
Four children, aged nine-months to 15-years, were taken by ambulance to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People as a precaution.
The other occupants of the vehicles – a black Nissan Qashqai, a black Vauxhall Zafira and a blue Volkswagean Sharan – sustained minor injuries.
Enquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the crash and officers are appealing for witnesses.
Road Policing Constable Chris Currie said: “While there were no serious injuries, this was a terrifying experience for the children involved.
“We’re looking to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened or saw the vehicles before the crash.
“I’m also keen to hear from anyone with dash cam or any other footage of the area shortly before 3pm on Wednesday.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2180 of Wednesday, 8 November, 2023.
Ceasefire NOW! Rally in city centre
WAVERLEY BRIDGE at 12 NOON
TODAY! Please note Edinburgh will meet at the earlier time of 12pm at Waverley Bridge. Please double check your nearest demonstrations time AND location.
Ceasefire now. Stop the genocide!
As with previous weeks, there haven’t been applications to march – though people may want to on the day.
SOS: New campaign launched to save Scottish Hospitality
‘This is an SOS – we need help to make sure Scottish hospitality can survive’
- The Scottish Hospitality Group has launched a new campaign, warning the Scottish Government that there is just five weeks to save the Scottish hospitality industry.
- The campaign calls for the Scottish Government to use the Scottish Budget to provide emergency support for the hospitality industry and a new long-term deal to support the sector to thrive.
- The Scottish hospitality sector has been struggling to recover from the double economic punch of COVID-19 and rising energy prices and inflation, and the campaign warns that many local venues could be lost without new support.
The Scottish Hospitality Group has launched a new campaign to Save Our Scottish Hospitality. Launching the campaign, the Scottish Hospitality Group warns the Scottish Government that there is just five weeks to save the Scottish hospitality industry from disaster.
The Scottish hospitality sector faces a crisis, with many businesses struggling to recover from the double economic punch of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of rising inflation and energy prices.
This double economic punch has disproportionately hit the hospitality sector – more than any other sector of the Scottish economy. Since March 2020, over 15,000 hospitality businesses venues have shut across the UK[1].
According to the Scottish Government’s own survey[2], three in five (60%) hospitality businesses have seen production, suppliers or both affected by higher energy prices and almost half have been forced to pass these higher costs on to consumers.
The SOS: Save Our Scottish Hospitality campaign calls on the Scottish Government to use the Scottish Budget in December to provide emergency support for the hospitality industry to survive, and a new long-term deal to support the sector to thrive.
The campaign calls for:
- an emergency 75% business rates relief to match the support that hospitality businesses in England & Wales have received over the last year;
- creation of a new hospitality category for business rates, which would recognise the unique challenges faced by hospitality and ensure that rates don’t cripple hospitality businesses;
- a new partnership between the hospitality industry and government to develop a plan to grow Scotland’s much-loved hospitality industry and address the challenges it faces.
Stephen Montgomery, Director of the Scottish Hospitality Group, said: “The hospitality industry – our pubs, bars, clubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels – makes a vital contribution to Scotland’s economy and they are embedded in the heart of our communities.
“But the hospitality industry faces a crisis and we can’t go on like this. Without government support, there will be higher prices for consumers, a loss of jobs, and many of our best-loved hospitality businesses closing their doors forever.”
“We need to back our hospitality industry to survive and thrive. A new, fairer deal on business rates would be one step the Government can take in the Budget to give our hospitality industry a fighting chance.
“A freeze in rates or the status quo won’t be enough. We need both emergency support and long-term reform. This is an SOS – we need help to make sure Scottish hospitality can survive”.
As part of the campaign, members of the public and politicians are asked to show their support for Scottish hospitality.
The Scottish Hospitality Group represents many of Scotland’s best-loved, family and independently-owned hospitality businesses – from bars, pubs, and cafes to restaurants and hotels.
The Group was recently relaunched with an expanded membership, in every area of Scotland and collectively employing more than 6,000 people.
The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego to make its mark at the National Galleries of Scotland this winter
The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego
National Galleries Scotland: National (Royal Scottish Academy)
2 December 2023 – 25 February 2024
The Printmaker’s Art | Rembrandt to Rego | National Galleries of Scotland
This winter, discover five hundred years of boundary-pushing artwork in The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego at the National (Royal Scottish Academy) in Edinburgh.
Visitors can explore four galleries packed with around 100 artworks by some of the world’s most iconic artists, including Rembrandt, Hokusai, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley and Paula Rego. The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego opens on 2 December 2023 till 25 February 2024, with tickets on sale now from the National Galleries of Scotland.
Bringing together the very best examples of fine art printmaking from Scotland’s national collection; The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego includes early woodcuts, such as Albrecht Dürer’s incredible Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, through to bold, punchy pop-art idols such as Roy Lichtenstein’s Reverie and Andy Warhol’s The Cow. The exhibition also looks to the future, with a range of new artworks acquired through the Iain Paul Fund on display together for the first time.
These acquisitions include work from contemporary printmakers such as Tessa Lynch, Lucy Skaer, Lucy McKenzie and Christian Noelle Charles. Visitors will also have a unique opportunity to see art on loan from public and private collections, including exceptional prints by Katsushika Hokusai, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Yinka Shonibare and Cornelia Parker, which will grace the walls of the National (Royal Scottish Academy) especially for this exhibition.
The Printmakers Art: Rembrandt to Rego takes a striking visual journey through a fascinating spectrum of printmaking techniques.
From historic trailblazers to contemporary movements, old traditions to new visions, revered artists to the creatively curious, printmaking achieves an array of distinct visual effects which would not be possible in other mediums.
It is also one of the most widely accessible forms of artistic expression; starting with a basic handprint on a page, printmaking has the power to evolve into something daring, bold, provocative and new.
At the heart of The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego is a celebration of the skills and processes which form an integral part of this traditional yet ever evolving and much-loved artform.
See films of printmakers at work and get up close to discover how you can spot an etching from a lithograph, or woodcut from wood engraving. The fundamental processes developed in the 15th century printing press are ever-present in the bustling print workshops of today.
Artworks on show will demonstrate how this has evolved, including the ingenious ways contemporary artists are developing new and sustainable processes, alongside utilising digital technologies, to secure the future of printmaking for generations to come.
Scotland’s printmaking story is key to the exhibition, not only through the artworks on display, but through a series of films from print studios across the country at the forefront of contemporary printmaking. There is also a unique opportunity for visitors to see the tools and working materials used to make prints featured in the exhibition, on loan from the artists themselves.
Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland said: “Printmaking is an enduring art form that continues to capture the imagination and ignite a spark of inspiration.
“The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego at the National (Royal Scottish Academy) offers an exciting opportunity to see some of the most popular works from Scotland’s national collection alongside several important loans.
“The exhibition gives visitors a chance to come face to face with many revered artists from the last five hundred years, all while discovering more about this beloved practice.
“This is also a chance to put our homegrown printmakers in the spotlight, proudly displaying work by contemporary artists who are consistently pushing the boundaries of creativity in Scotland and beyond.”
The Printmaker’s Art: Rembrandt to Rego opens at the National on Saturday 2 December 2023.
Tickets are on sale now.
Ticket sales up for this year’s Storytelling Festival
Multiple sell-outs and thunderous applause were enjoyed by the organisers and performers at this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival (13-29 Oct).
The festival’s two week programme of live storytelling, music, art and song enjoyed a 20% increase in ticket sales from its events at the Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, online and in pubs, gardens and other venues across the city.
Including the Festival’s Go Local programme, which runs until the end of November bringing storytelling events to village halls and parks all across Scotland, from Shetland to Dumfries and Galloway, the festival’s 2023 programme included over 125 events, with 64 taking place in Edinburgh compared to 75 during Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
This year’s festival theme was our ‘Right To Be Human’ chosen to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Storytellers both local and international embraced this theme and presented tales of war, gender inequality, censorship; ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious prejudices; and other threats and challenges that impact us daily as we live in the midst of so many humanitarian crises across the world.
Donald Smith, Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival said: “Right To Be Human, the theme of this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival has evoked powerful and eloquent creative responses, and drawn capacity audiences.
“Inspired by the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Festival theme gained tragic resonance as Middle Eastern conflict – added to war in Ukraine, the Yemen and Sudan – produced appalling, large-scale breaches of fundamental rights.
“At the same time the Festival drew strength from growing worldwide advocacy which is advancing human values and experiences through legal, social and cultural frameworks. We were also encouraged by the Scottish Government’s plans to incorporate more recent international conventions on environmental, cultural, children’s and other rights into domestic law in recognition of the 75th Anniversary.
“In a myriad of storytelling performances, eloquently married with music and dance, themed workshops, and podcasts, the Festival programme embraces the highs and lows of humanity’s existential planetary struggles, while keeping the frailty and humour of human life in close focus.
“Artistic inspiration remains vital to confronting the horrors of abuse while invigorating hope and its constructive outcomes.”
Steve Byrne, Director of TRACS, the festival’s parent organisation, said: “The festival is a flagship event for TRACS and we are delighted to see its success in connecting with new audiences this year on such a profound theme of our collective human rights, so often under great challenge in many parts of the world.
“The Festival is a superb advert for the humanity and empathy of our storytellers and traditional artists, upholding TRACS’ mission of celebrating the diversity of local cultural traditions from around the globe.”
For those who couldn’t attend in person, Global Lab – a daily programme of online lively workshops discussing this year’s festival theme ‘Right To Be Human’ led by nationally and internationally renowned guest speakers was available.
Chaired by Festival Director Donald Smith, Global Lab talked about our human rights, our cultural rights, our place in nature, and the empowerment of children, exploring how it is often better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness in the world.
Dates for 2024 are to be announced.
Another Story, the festival’s newpodcast series hosted by Daniel Abercrombie, Associate Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, is still available online – listen on spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/another-story