Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Huge demand for Royal Highland Show tickets

The Royal Highland Show is urging visitors to snap up remaining tickets as demand soars for the event, which takes place next week from Thursday 23rd – Sunday 26th June. 

There are only a few hundred tickets remaining for the Friday and Saturday of the event, which this year is celebrating 200 years since the very first Highland Show took place back in 1822 – the first time in it’s 200 years that two days will sell out ahead of the event. 

With huge demand for Friday and Saturday tickets, the only way to guarantee entry now is to buy in advance. There are still car parking tickets available to purchase for every day of the Show. 

Mark Currie, Director of Operations at the Royal Highland Show, said: “We are delighted that Show goers are clearly as excited as we are about the return of Scotland’s biggest outdoor event. With Friday and Saturday looking like sell-out days, we’re encouraging people who might be holding off to book Friday or Saturday now, or to consider a Thursday or Sunday visit. 

“If for any reason you can’t attend this year, luckily you can still catch the action through RHS TV – it will be broadcast live from the Showground over the four days and available to watch for free on the Royal Highland Show website.” 

The Royal Highland Show, supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, will take place 23-26th June 2022. Tickets, including for car parking, must be pre-purchased online this year and no tickets will be available to buy on the gate.

The Show will be broadcast online this year via RHS TV, funded by the Scottish Government. 

For further information and to purchase tickets please visit:

www.royalhighlandshow.org. 

Volunteer Edinburgh are pleased to be working with the RHASS to deliver the Volunteer Showmakers programme at the Royal Highland Show 2022.

The volunteering programme for the RHS has been completely renewed for 2022 which is the 200th anniversary of the show.

Volunteer Edinburgh are recruiting Volunteer Showmakers, who will welcome visitors to the event, providing information to the public and helping to ensure that every visitor has a fantastic time.

The four day event runs from the 23rd June to the 26th June and Volunteer Showmakers will be deployed throughout.

The show, first held in 1822, is the pinnacle of the agricultural calendar. Each year over 1,000 trade exhibitors, over 2,000 livestock competitors entering into 900+competitions (with over 6,500 animals) and tens of thousands of visitors come to the Royal Highland Show to experience the best of farming, food, and rural life. You can see a short video from the 2015 edition here.

Some key information about volunteering as a Showmaker:

  • Dates: Thursday 23rd , Friday 24th , Saturday 25th, and Sunday 26th June
  • There are two shifts available per day (morning 7am-1pm and afternoon 1pm-7pm)
  • You can volunteer on as many days as you wish, but there is a maximum one shift per day
  • There is a dedicated Volunteer Hub where lunches, snacks and refreshments will be available during the during the shifts
  • Free travel to the Royal Highland Showground on dedicated Lothian Buses services is available to all Volunteer Showmakers
  • We have developed a streamlined on boarding process to ensure you have all the information and support that you need to volunteer with the 2022 Showmaker programme
  • You will need to complete a short online induction
  • You will be issued with a Yoti RHS volunteering card and this will allow you access and is separate from the CTV accreditation.

To sign up please follow this link and complete this short form. You will be asked to indicate the shift/s that you wish to volunteer for.

Please note that if you wish to volunteer with colleagues, you will each individually need to complete the form, but you may wish to coordinate and select the same shift times.

Sign up now using this link or by clicking the grey button below: www.voled.in/rhs22

This is your chance to see a hairy coo !!!!

Heather Yang

Core Services Manager


 sign up 

Edinburgh has welcomed 5000 Ukrainians fleeing conflict

Around 5,000 refugees fleeing war in Ukraine have arrived through Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed.

Of those who have come to or through the city, 2,222 were warmly received by Council officers and volunteers at Edinburgh’s Welcome Hub – where volunteers have clocked up at least 3,465 hours day and night over 496 shifts, providing 536 rucksacks filled with donations and support to arrivals and their hosts.

To provide this advice and access to vital services, 1,175 hours of translation have taken place. And now, with arrival numbers only expected to increase, Ukrainian refugees are being employed by the Council as interpreters and customer care team members to provide extra assistance.

Visiting the Hub and the Ukrainian Club ahead of World Refugee Day Monday (20 June), Council Leader Cammy Day thanked volunteers and officers and hailed the way in which the city has come together to support those in desperate need.

He said: “Seeing families arrive and find their feet in Edinburgh has brought home the sheer scale of our city’s ongoing response to this crisis.

“It was so moving to hear the lengths to which our staff and volunteers are going to in order to provide the best possible welcome to our Ukrainian guests as they take their first steps towards a life of safety here in Scotland. Some are working incredibly long hours, seven days a week, to be there to help and to ensure everyone can get a roof over their head regardless of what time of day it is.

“The city has already welcomed thousands of people, with 2,222 arriving through the Hub. The majority of arrivals in the country have been landing here in Edinburgh. The scale of support we need to offer is huge and this is only increasing – from accommodation, interpretation and education, to host checks and health and social care, transport, counselling, and financial advice.

“We know that Edinburgh’s population swells in August so we’re already looking at how we can manage capacity and speaking to the Scottish Government about this. Because services will be under strain, we need to work together with our partners and those in the private sector so that all arrivals continue to receive what they need.

“The response from all sides of the city has been outstanding, with many companies offering useful donations, whether that being nappies, buggies, shoes or sim cards. The way in which Edinburgh has come together to support people in such desperate need of our help fills me with hope and pride and I have no doubt we’ll continue to pull out all the stops for as long as it takes.”        

As an extension of the Welcome Hub, a drop-in facility is available at 249 High Street where the Council’s customer contact team is offering specialist advice on benefits and employment opportunities. A Council helpline is also in place 24 hours a day, which received 2,750 calls in the first 100 days of the conflict alone.

Alan Sufi and his family were the first people to arrive from Ukraine through Edinburgh’s Welcome Hub. Having experienced the support of the service first hand, Alan is now one week into a new job with the Council at 249 High Street, where he is helping new arrivals. 

Alan said: “I’d like to thank the city, the people and the Council. Edinburgh Council has been like a parent to us, taking our situation to heart and providing every opportunity to help. If I can do the same for others, I will feel good. 

“Everyone has been very supportive and there are people from the Polish community who have been helping us too. We have a home. I have my job. Within three days of arriving in Edinburgh my children were at school.

The Bike Station gave us all bikes for free, so we’ve been able to explore the city. We’ve been to Newhaven Harbour and to Lauriston Castle. We’ve climbed Arthur’s Seat and been to the beach. We were given a pass to Edinburgh Leisure and we’ve been enjoying that a lot. My children have joined a rugby group too.

“Edinburgh is a great place. It is full of history, tradition and monuments. Based on that you make associations about what the people will be like, but it’s not so. I’ve found Edinburgh to be open and modern. But the weather – it is astonishing. On the day we arrived, it was windy and raining, sunny and snowy, all at the same time.

“In Kharkiv I was a photographer. It was also a great city, but I know it won’t be the same, even when the war is over. It will need many, many years of recovery. But for Ukrainians, they carry home with them. They don’t live there – Ukraine lives in them.” 

Nataliia Danova, aged 34 from Kyiv, arrived from Ukraine in March. She has also been employed as a Council interpreter.

Nataliia said: “Ukrainians are displaced, they do not really see themselves as refugees. As a people we have a very strong will to work – and as soon as possible. The support which is now on offer in Edinburgh is very welcome and it is positive that financial assistance is being provided. But, generally we are arriving in Edinburgh with skills which are valuable to employers, and we would rather work. 

“I came to Edinburgh alone from Kyiv where my career is as a crisis manager and my experience is useful for my role here in Edinburgh. I’m in the process of settling on the Homes for Ukraine scheme and I’ve been working at the Council for a couple of weeks now, offering support and translation to new arrivals at the Welcome Hub in Gogarburn and the Advice Shop at 249 High Street. Before that I was volunteering to translate documents and help others, and I continue to volunteer for Help Ukraine Scotland and their helpline.

“Every third Ukrainian arriving doesn’t speak English – but you’ll find that they’re willing to learn. By taking English language courses, more Ukrainians will be able to find work, and be able to pay for things like childcare so that they can stay in work. Employers in Edinburgh should consider making roles accessible to Ukrainians coming here – like the Council is doing. That would be great to see. Everyone has so much to offer.”

Anna Kulish, aged 33, was born in the Khersen region of Ukraine which has been occupied since the start of the war. She arrived in Edinburgh in May and started working for the Council at the beginning of June, as an interpreter for the Welcome Hub.

Anna said: “It is lovely here in Edinburgh. The people are friendly. Most Ukrainians I know are looking for a job and I’m really pleased to work at the Council. I’ve not long been through the process, having arrived at the Hub a few weeks ago. It was indeed a warm welcome. We were accommodated within hours and everyone has been very supportive and eager to go the extra mile to help.

“It’s a pleasure to now work there and to be helpful, to keep myself busy and distracted from the news and to reassure others arriving that things will be okay. I’d love more employers to consider jobs for Ukrainians, who are very hard working. Anything we can do to encourage that is worthwhile.”

Education attainment gap is closing, say Headteachers

Almost nine out of 10 (87%) headteachers in Scotland say improvements have been made in closing the poverty-related attainment gap despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 Headteacher Survey, published yesterday, also finds that 94% expect to see improvements over the next few years as a result of Attainment Scotland Fund (ASF) supported approaches.

An evaluation report on year 6 (2020-21) of the ASF, also published today, indicates there has been positive progress towards closing the poverty related attainment gap despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. Challenges included staff and pupil absence and the ability to deliver some initiatives.

Education Secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said: “It’s encouraging that our headteachers are continuing to report progress towards tackling the poverty-related attainment gap, despite the impact of the pandemic.

“We know the disruption caused by COVID-19 has presented serious challenges for learning and teaching in Scotland, as it has around the world. But the response of schools and local authorities in adapting to this, supported by Attainment Scotland Funding, has been a testament to the resilience of Scottish education.

“Progress was being made in tackling the poverty-related attainment gap before the pandemic and we now need to increase the speed and scale of this.

“That is why one of our top priorities is to accelerate both recovery and progress in tackling the poverty-related attainment gap, supported by a record £1 billion investment in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the course of this Parliament.”

The Headteacher survey 2021 found 87% reported seeing an improvement in closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

Pipers take centre stage for Falklands commemorations

Falklands veterans and their families gathered in Edinburgh yesterday (Saturday 18 June) to pay tribute on the 40th anniversary of the end of the conflict. They were joined by the Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge and Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown MSP for the parade and remembrance service.

Hundreds lined the streets as the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and the Scots Guards Association Pipes and Drums marched along George Street before the service in St Andrew Square. Many Falklands veterans were among those taking part, including former Scots Guards drummer, Graham Hopewell, from Ayrshire.

At 11am, the bands were joined by more than 120 pipers across Scotland and as far away as Peru, New Zealand and the Falklands, to play “The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain” in unison. This tune was composed by Scottish Pipe Major James Riddell in the midst of the decisive battle on 13th June 1982, which led to the Argentine surrender and the end of the war the following day.

The commemorations were organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, in partnership with the Armed Forces and the Scottish Government.

The Rev Dr Karen Campbell, National Chaplain of the Royal British Legion Scotland, and The Rev Angus Smith, former Padre to the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards who served in the Falklands, jointly led the service.

They remembered the 255 British servicemen who fell in the Falklands, as well as 649 Argentinian military personnel, three civilians, and thousands more who were wounded.

The conflict began on April 2nd, 1982, when Argentina invaded the British territory in the South Atlantic, and ended on June 14th, as British troops approached the capital, Stanley. It was the first military action since the Second World War which involved all elements of the British Armed Forces.

Following the service, wreaths were laid by the Lord Provost, Mr Brown MSP, Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, a Falklands veteran and President of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, the Heads of all three Armed Services in Scotland, and the War Widows Association.

Participants then enjoyed musical entertainment from the two military bands, Legion Scotland Sweetheart Amy Hawthorn, Stuart McLean, Juniper 3 and Ellyn Oliver. The public were also able to enjoy exhibits from Legion Scotland, Poppyscotland, and many other organisations and associations.

Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “It was heartening to see so many people come together today to pay tribute to all those who served in the Falklands. For veterans and their families, today was a very poignant day, as we remembered those who laid down their lives 40 years ago. Even now, many of those who served are still living with the physical and mental scars of the conflict.

“This was also an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary resilience of our Armed Forces community and the vital role they continue to play today. We’re delighted that people of all ages have engaged with our learning programme over recent months, taking the chance to find out more about the Falklands and other conflicts, and their impact on our recent history.

“It was particularly moving to hear the iconic pipe tune “The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain” being played at 11am, both here at St Andrews Square and by our global pipe band in all corners of the world.

“We would like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council and everyone else who has made today’s events possible, as well as the public for their support.”

Keith Brown MSP said: “I am delighted that we have been able to partner with Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland to deliver a commemoration which will provide the people of Scotland with an opportunity to recognise the sacrifices made 40 years ago in the Falklands War.”

I

Sharing his memories of the long journey to the Falklands onboard the QE2, Rev Smith said: “We suddenly remembered what war entailed.  The question that was at the back of our mind was “would we or would we not return”. 

“But I had to go beyond that.  I had about 500 lads who were in the same position. These were the ones who were fighting, so it was up to me to help these people as much as possible.”

Reflecting on the 40th anniversary commemorations today, Rev Smith continued: “It has been one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve had in years.  The thought that has gone into this, it’s beautiful really. 

“The first person I met today was the wife of a great friend of mine, who was amongst the first men killed in the war.  We just looked at one another today, and we couldn’t speak.”

For more information of the Falklands 40 commemorative events programme visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/Falklands40.

Falklands 40 | Remembrance | Royal British Legion

Scottish charities celebrate share of £1 million Movement for Good fund

13 charities based in Scotland have received donations of £1,000 each as part of the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

For the fourth year running, the Benefact Group is giving away £1million to charities through its Movement for Good awards. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 250 awards of £1,000 available now for donation. 

Touch of Love Outreach, Hindu Mandir (Glasgow) and Women’s Aid Orkney are some of the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the country.

More than 9,450 kind-hearted residents have voted for charities across the country so far. In total, more than 104,000 people around the UK supported the Movement for Good awards, with over 7,250 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes.

The 250 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated, with a further 250 winners being selected in September.

It’s quick and easy to nominate, you can vote for your favourite charity online at: www.movementforgood.com

Data gathered from the nominations so far has revealed that 41% of Scotland residents still intend to donate to charitable causes despite the increase in the cost of living, showing just how generous they are. Additionally, residents are more likely to support a local charity rather than a national or international one.

Thanking supporters in Scotland, Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good Awards.

“Benefact Group is the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the group grows, the more the group can give.

“As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

A further 120 £1,000 grants will be given away in December and £500,000 will also be given in larger grants later this year. For more information about the awards visit www.movementforgood.com 

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.

Full list of winning Scotland charities:

Touch of Love Outreach

Finn’s place

Hindu Mandir (Glasgow)

Women’s Aid Orkney

Sports Driving

Broughty Ferry YMCA

Dunfermline Athletic Disabled Supporters’ Club

Thistle Youth Football Club

Lead Scotland

Baba Yangu Foundation (SCIO)

Scottish Burned Children’s Club

Ladies of the rock

Equi-Power Central Scotland RDA SCIO

Summer tour brings two fantastic authors into Scottish schools

Over 2,000 pupils to be involved via classrooms and online events

The Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour will bring two fantastic authors into schools this summer.

Ross Mackenzie, the recent winner of the Scottish Teenage Book Prize, will visit primary schools in Perth and Kinross as well as online from Monday 20 to Tuesday 21 June. As part of the tour he will discuss his latest novel, The Colour of Hope, a powerful adventure of a world purged of colour by an evil Emperor and the remarkable girl who might just be able to restore light and brightness to a drab, grey empire. Ross will explain how he creates his immensely likeable characters and vivid fantasy worlds, with time for pupils to ask questions.

Kate Gilby-Smith, author of Olive Jones and the Memory Thief, will visit primary schools in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and West Lothian from Thursday 23 to Friday 24 June. She will talk about Olive Jones and the Memory Thief, an ideal read for any budding scientists, tech industry pioneers and daydreamers. Kate will also use brilliant interactive activities to get children thinking about how they can come up with their own futuristic gadgets.

Ross Mackenzie is a multi award-winning author of books for children, including The Nowhere Emporium, which won the Blue Peter Book Award. He grew up in Renfrew, just outside Glasgow, and knew from a young age that he wanted to be a writer.

Kate Gilby-Smith is a children’s author and publicist based in London. While daydreaming during a philosophy of time travel seminar at the University of Edinburgh, she first had the idea for her debut book, The Astonishing Future of Alex Nobody.

The Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour is supported by Scottish Friendly and organised by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing. During the pandemic, the tour has been delivered virtually throughout classrooms in Scotland, with educational watch on demand video content viewed over 100,000 times.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust said: “It’s wonderful that the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour is able to visit pupils both in person and via online events.

“Thanks to this, we are able to visit more classrooms than ever before, and this tour alone will reach over 2,000 pupils. Both Ross and Kate are great storytellers, and we are sure they will inspire pupils across a range of ages.”

Full list of tour dates:

Ross Mackenzie

Monday 20 June

9.15am: event at Tulloch Primary – Perth

1.30pm: event at St Dominic’s Primary – Crieff

Tuesday 21 June

9.15am: event at Kinross Primary – Kinross

1.45pm: event at Fossoway Primary – Kinross

Wednesday 22 June

11am: Virtual Event 1215 pupils from 19 schools, P6 – S1

Kate Gilby-Smith

Thursday 23 June

9.30am: event at Quarrybrae Primary School – Glasgow

1.15pm: event at Castleton Primary School – Glasgow

Friday 24 June

9am: event at Gylemuir Primary School – Edinburgh

11.15am: event at Woodmuir Primary School – West Lothian

COSLA elects new leadership team

Councillor Shona Morrison (Moray, Council) has been elected as the 16th President of COSLA following a meeting of the full Convention in Edinburgh yesterday.

Councillor Steven Heddle (Orkney Islands Council) was appointed Vice-President at the same meeting.

Commenting following the meeting COSLA’s new President Councillor Morrison said: “I am honoured to be elected President of COSLA and excited to take on this opportunity in one of the top political jobs in Scotland.

“I look forward to continuing the progress which has already been made on a cross party basis over the last five-year term.

“I am clear about the pressures faced by Local Government and the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is an important job and a challenge I will relish and give my all to. I am a politician and a member of a political party, however my focus in this role will be on the ‘Team Local Government’.

“Working with the Vice President and the Spokespeople at COSLA, I’m confident we will deliver on our key priorities as we work together to be the voice for local Councils and champion the essential services they continue to provide under increasingly challenging circumstances.

“I would like to congratulate Cllr Heddle on their election as Vice-President and also pay tribute to the sterling work done by my predecessor Councillor Alison Evison and Vice President Councillor Graham Houston.”

COSLA’s new Vice President Councillor Heddle said:  “I am delighted to be elected to the position of COSLA Vice President. It is a wonderful opportunity and a role that I am honoured to take on, on behalf of the whole of Local Government.”

Following the announcement of Councillor Shona Morrison, Moray Council as the new COSLA President and Councillor Steven Heddle, Orkney Islands Council as the new COSLA Vice- President, the five Spokespersons have also been announced today (Friday), covering key policy areas.

This means that the full COSLA Political Team is as follows:

  • President – Cllr Shona Morrison, Moray Council.
  • Vice-President – Cllr Steven Heddle, Orkney Islands Council.
  • Resources Spokesperson – Cllr Katie Hagmann, Dumfries and Galloway Council).
  • Health and Social Care Spokesperson – Cllr Paul Kelly, North Lanarkshire Council.
  • Community Wellbeing Spokesperson – Cllr Maureen Chalmers, South Lanarkshire Council.
  • Environment and Economy Spokesperson – Cllr Gail Macgregor, Dumfries and Galloway Council.
  • Children and Young People Spokesperson – Cllr Tony Buchanan, East Renfrewshire Council.

Surviving Suicidal Thoughts – sharing personal stories for support 

“‘I’m struggling’. Those two words were all it took.“

NHS 24 and the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) are offering new support to people living with thoughts of suicide or plans to end their own life.

Short video clips are hosted on NHS inform, where people from across Scotland tell their individual stories. The people featured generously share the ways they have found to live past their suicidal thoughts or intentions. The aim is to offer people in this situation support to better manage these thoughts and to find hope..

The videos are presented alongside information on how to listen and talk about suicidal feelings. There is advice on ways to cope when it feels as though you can’t, and what warning signs to look for as well as how to reach urgent help via 999, the Samaritans or 111.

NHS 24 Director of Service Delivery, Janice Houston said: “Our first priority is offering a compassionate service to everyone that contacts us about their mental health, and we know that some people would prefer to listen than to talk – at least at first.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this option to people experiencing thoughts of suicide and our thanks go to those who have shared their journeys so generously.

“For anyone who is concerned for themselves or anyone else, we encourage you to listen to these stories and to find someone who can listen to you – whether that is a friend, colleague or family member, or one of the specialist helplines available 24/7.”

NSPLG chair Rose Fitzpatrick CBE QPM said: “We are committed to exploring innovations in digital technology to help save lives from the tragedy of suicide. The creation of the new Surviving Suicidal Thoughts resource on the NHS Inform website represents a significant step towards better supporting those who are having suicidal thoughts and their loved ones.

 “This new resource, developed with our partners at NHS 24, is intended to help those thinking about suicide and those who are supporting someone who may be suicidal.  It features people who have themselves known these tough times describing what they experienced and what has helped each of them get through.

 “We hope these compelling personal stories will encourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts to know that they can get through such dark moments and will also provide information for others on how to support someone who may be suicidal.  We believe that suicide prevention can be everyone’s business.”

NSPLG Lived Experience Panel member Neil Renton features in one of the videos and is urging people to seek help by talking about their mental health.

Recalling his own story, he said: “Currently I feel really good mentally, but it’s not always been like that.

“I think the thing that caught me out was I wasn’t expecting to feel as bad as I did. It was hard to pinpoint exactly what made me feel depressed and low and took me to feel suicidal.

He added: “I think I was in denial because there wasn’t anything that set it off or triggered it, I came from a loving family, I’m well-supported, life and soul of the party. I felt I didn’t have an excuse so I found it really difficult to appreciate that I could have been suffering mentally.

“It was a struggle to be open and honest with others, be it my wife, family, medical people, friends and colleagues as well. You were always worried you were going to be judged, people would look at you differently.

“I remember what it was like when I was suicidal and just felt like there was nothing else I could do.

“I’d hate for anybody to be in the position I was in. I could see it like an edge I was running towards and no obstacle could stop me.

“My family would be like a wall I would smash through, my friends barbed wire I could jump over and there was nothing stopping me getting to that edge.

“And I just remember thinking: ‘I really need to say something at this point or that’s me gone’.

“I was dreaming up this big speech to my wife that I wanted to be poignant and memorable, but I simply said: ‘I’m struggling’. Those two words were all it took.

“We talked for hours, I gained confidence, felt supported and from there I got the help I needed and continue to work on my mental health to this day.

“Please talk about it.”

The content is for anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide. It is for those around them, family, friends, work mates and others too. The full stories are also on the NHS 24 YouTube channel.

This Weekend: It’s the Platinum Jubilee Youth Spectacular

  • Saturday 18th June, 6pm-8pm, St Ninians former opencast mine site, off Junction 4 of the M90
  • Sunday 19th June, 2pm-4pm
  • Site is signposted and accessed via the B914, west of the M90.

A stunning event to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and hosted by TV presenter, magician and comedian, Stephen Mulhern (pictured) is taking place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June at St Ninians, near the village of Kelty.

The Platinum Jubilee Youth Spectacular will be held in a newly constructed arena, located at the former mine site

The event is sponsored by Community Interest Company (CIC) National Pride UK, which jointly owns the site and is planning its future development. 

The event is being organised by local Events Manager, Michael Boyle and the former Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo impresario, Brigadier Sir Melville Jameson.

Performers include:

·         The Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the world’s foremost youth display team

·         Katie Robertson, the award-winning ‘Wheeled Piper’

·         Massed pipes and drums from Scottish schools

·         Massed military bands

·         The musical skills of the massed army cadet force brass bands

·         Highland dancing displays and other dancers

·         The world-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Stephen Mulhern, hosting the event, said: “I am incredibly excited to be hosting this amazing event. Bringing together a fabulous line-up of young talented performers on what was a former coal mining site is truly awe-inspiring.

“This will be a truly inspiring spectacular event.”

Irene Bisset, Chair of National Pride UK, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this spectacular event to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. It brings together an incredible range of some of Scotland’s top performers in the stunning setting of St Ninians, showcasing the amazing skills of our young people.

“The local communities are coming together to show great support for what we are sure will be a fantastic celebration and a brilliant event for all the family to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming everyone onto St Ninians and having a great weekend of fun.

“Those attending this extravaganza are in for a real treat.”

For further information:  https://platinumjubileeyouthspectacular.co.uk/