The Edinburgh Asociation of Community Councils (EACC) meets online tonight at 7pm.
Up for discussion is the Edinburgh Partnership’s draft Community Council Reform Implementation Plan (below)
In an email to community councils before the meeting EACC Chair Stve Kerr said: “I attach a draft implementation table which includes issues that have been covered in the initial discussion between the EACC Steering Group and senior City of Edinburgh Council officers.
“The list is not exhaustive, and I would welcome your thoughts on whether the areas covered are appropriate and additional issues that you wish to see addressed.
“I hope that as many of you as possible can participate in the discussion to ensure that the views of all 44-member Community Councils are represented.”
1. Steve Kerr, Chair of EACC, will give an update on the Edinburgh Partnership Improvement Plan’s Community Council Reform Programme.
2. Daisy Narayanan, Senior Manager, Place Making and Mobility for the City of Edinburgh Council, will introduce her new job, with a remit that includes ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’, City Centre Transformation, City Mobility Plan, and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
3. An LEZ team member will introduce the project and the current consultation which lasts until 20 September (to be confirmed).
4. Discussion about the National Care Service.
5. Any other business.
This meeting is open to the public, but priority will be given to questions from community councillors. The meeting will be recorded.
Please note that by joining the meeting you are giving your consent for the meeting to be recorded.
An inaugural wellbeing tournament on Saturday 11th September will mark Musselburgh Golf Club’s first steps to becoming a mentally healthy golf club.
Teaming up with two mental health organisations, NHS 24’s Breathing Space service and the charity Samaritans, alongside partners Network Rail, the Club aims to drive conversations to support better mental health locally.
Stuart Wright, Captain of Musselburgh Golf Club, said: “Just as we have physical health, we all have mental health too. As a club we recognise that golf can connect people and have tremendous benefits to our wellbeing.
This past year has been a challenging time for so many – we want to ensure our club members and the wider community feel supported. By developing a Wellbeing Strategy and hosting a series of events, training and other activities over the year we hope to make mental health a priority at the club. We’re looking forward to hosting our very first Wellbeing Tournament.”
The Wellbeing Tournament takes a three ball format and will raise awareness of the support provided by mental health services such as Breathing Space and Samaritans. The Tournament coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day on 10th September.
Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator, said: “Musselburgh Golf Club is doing a tremendous job in taking forward this mental wellbeing agenda.
“The Wellbeing Tournament will provide an opportunity to unveil a special ‘Take some Breathing Space’ bench at the clubhouse, offering members and the wider community a place to connect and reflect. We hope that the important work they are doing can be replicated by other clubs in the future.”
Over the coming months, ‘Learn to Listen’ workshops will be delivered by Samaritans’ Edinburgh branch to club staff and members to improve listening skills and develop SHUSH listening tips to listen effectively to others.
This will be complemented by wellbeing talks from Breathing Space with the aim of removing the stigma sometimes associated with mental ill-health.
Rachel Cackett, Executive Director of Samaritans Scotland, said: “Musselburgh Golf Club’s commitment to supporting and promoting mental and emotional wellbeing is a fantastic example of how sports and community groups can play a leading role in supporting open conversations about mental health and fostering meaningful connections.
“The Wellbeing Tournament and wider activity at the club is one of many examples where Samaritans, supported by Network Rail and a range of partners like Breathing Space, are working with local communities to champion mental health & wellbeing and ensure that more people know they don’t have to face difficult times alone.
“We’re are delighted to be able to support Musselburgh in their journey towards becoming a mentally health golf club through initiatives like our Learn to Listen workshops and we hope that their commitment will inspire other clubs across Scotland to consider how they can champion mental health and wellbeing within their communities.”
Minister for Mental Wellbeing & Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Mental health and wellbeing is everyone’s business, so I welcome the partnership approach being taken by Breathing Space, Musselburgh Golf Club, Samaritans and Network Rail in running this wellbeing golfing event and installing the Breathing Space bench.
“This helps remind us all of the value of looking after our own wellbeing and caring for family, friends and colleagues. My message is simple – we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about how we are feeling.
“This event is an excellent way to combine sport and improving mental wellbeing. I hope that, over the coming years, many members and visitors to the club will find the Breathing Space bench a useful place to gather their thoughts, and to take time to reflect.”
Scouts annnounce exciting new programme for 4 and 5 year olds
We couldn’t be prouder to announce Squirrels: our new programme for 4 and 5 year olds. It’s also a historic milestone for the UK Scout movement. As the first new age range in Scouts for 35 years, we’re helping young people gain skills for life where and when it matters most.
Following two years of pilots and pioneering work in Northern Ireland, 200 Squirrel Dreys have opened in locations across the UK. We’re prioritising communities most affected by the pandemic, and supporting families and young people who’ve fallen behind.
We’re particularly proud to welcome those young people from underrepresented communities, including those who haven’t tried Scouts before.
Promoting key skills when it matters
Research from Ofsted tells us that children hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic are lacking basic skills and learning. We know that what happens in these critical early years, when vital connections are being made in the brain will fundamentally shape their future.
Our programme’s therefore designed to support informal learning and help 4–5 year-olds catch up. It’s about promoting key skills like working together, communication, and language, as well as creativity and community awareness.
Squirrels get active, explore nature and have fun learning with friends, all while earning badges – just like other Scouts. New badges include Feel Good, Be Active, Explore Outdoors, Brilliant Builder and Exciting Experiments.
It’s a positive, safe environment for young children to develop essential skills for life, starting them on a journey to become the active citizens and leaders of the future.
Matt Hyde, Scouts’ CEO, said: “Squirrels is part of our commitment to help young people, families and communities come back stronger from the pandemic. Our mission is to equip young people with skills for life.
“What we learn up to the age of 5 lays the building blocks for everything that follows. If you’re 4, you’ve spent a third of your life in lockdowns. That’s why we’re opening the first Squirrel Dreys in those communities that need it most.
“But to scale up this new programme, we need support from volunteers, partners, donors and MPs, to help us reach even more young people.”
To support the roll out of Squirrels, we’re now calling for adults, including parents and carers to step forward as part of our #GoodForYou campaign, designed to recruit over 5,000 new volunteers.
We’re showing adults how volunteering for Scouts not only helps young people, but is good for them too, supporting wellbeing and building skills for employment and education.
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, is helping launch the new age range: ‘I’m so glad that younger children no2w have the chance to join our family of Scouts,’ he said, ‘and develop skills for life.
“‘We know from our pilot programme that 4–5-year-olds can really benefit from the activities that we offer. We believe that by offering opportunities at this early age, inspiring a sense of wonder, fun and curiosity, we can have a long-lasting, positive impact on young people’s lives.”
Charmaine, the mother of Alexia, a 5-year-old in an early years’ pilot group, shared the positive impact being in Scouts has had.
“Alexia has loved coming to the meetings. She’s learnt so many skills, like confidence, independence, and learning to tidy up after herself. During lockdown, she set up a tent in the living room and camped there for two nights. The socialising has also helped her. She doesn’t go to school with the children here, so it’s good for her to meet other children.”
Charmaine agrees that parents and carers get actively involved too: “If the children are making something then the parents can make something as well, so they know how to do similar activities at home.
“The leaders are very encouraging and very child focused. During lockdown they kept in touch and dropped off packs of activities for Alexia to do. The best thing coming to Scouts is the skills they learn, the discipline it gives them, and the chance to get outside, play and interact with other children.”
Alexia said: ‘I’ve been to every single meeting and I love everything. I like being outside, going to the park and playing.”
If you’d like to volunteer, find our more, or support the roll out of Squirrels, we’d love to hear from you. Join us as we start this exciting new journey, on the newest branch on Scouts’ family tree.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid justifies the Health and Care levy
This past year has been the most difficult in living memory for our country – and we have faced those difficulties together. The British people have made unprecedented sacrifices to our freedoms and our way of life to keep each other safe.
Whilst staff in the NHS and across social care have moved mountains to help those who needed care. They have treated over half a million patients with COVID-19, administered over 90 million life-saving vaccines, and cared for the elderly and most vulnerable in our society.
Despite these efforts, it was inevitable that this global pandemic would take its toll on a system that was already in need of reform. We now have a backlog of 5.5 million people waiting for treatment – and if we were to continue with business as usual this could rise in the coming years to as high as 13 million. Before the pandemic, we treated nine in 10 people within 24 weeks. That has now risen to 45 weeks.
The pressures of the pandemic have also been stark in social care, adding to the burdens of an unfair system in crisis. Around one in seven people end up paying over £100,000 for care, and often the heaviest burden falls on those least able to bear it. Meanwhile, staff in social care have worked tirelessly, even when we know they could have benefitted from better support and training.
No responsible government – especially a Conservative one – can bury its head in the sand and pass these problems onto the next one.
The Health and Care Levy announced yesterday will be a direct investment into the NHS and social care. But I appreciate it does not sit easily with everyone. No government would ever wish to go back on a promise it has made to the people – and I’ve always believed in making sure the tax burden is as low as possible.
Yet no government since the Second World War has faced unprecedented challenges of such magnitude. Last week I met health ministers from the world’s biggest economies at the G20: we are all having to deal with the consequences of this global pandemic. I am determined we face up to them.
We want the NHS to be a world-class service, and we need to put social care on the strongest possible foundation for the future. But we have to do that in a responsible way. That means spreading the burden across the broadest shoulders, and not simply borrowing in the short-term to pay for the long-term. That is what our levy does: it shares the burden across employers, employees and pensioners alike. The highest-earning 14 per cent in the country will pay over half the levy.
Together, we are making a critical investment in our country’s future. This will be the biggest catch-up plan in NHS history – delivering nine million more checks, scans, and treatments. We all know someone who has been waiting to long for such procedures.
We are going to ensure the vital work of routine operations, meaning things like hip replacements and cataract surgery do not stop. We are also investing in the next generation of scanners and screening equipment, so we are even quicker at finding and treating diseases like cancer.
The levy is also a vital first step for the reform of our broken care system. No one will have to pay more than £86,000 in care costs over their lifetime. That cap will apply to everyone – it will not matter what condition you have, where you live, how old you are or how much you earn.
We are also casting out the safety net further by expanding means-tested support, so many more people can benefit from having the costs of their care covered. In addition, care staff will now benefit from half a billion pounds of funding to deliver new qualifications, better career routes and much-needed mental health and wellbeing support.
Through these historic investments we are meeting the scale of the challenges we face together, just as we have done throughout this pandemic. In making these difficult decisions we are stepping up as a country to end the cruel care lottery and tackle the backlog. As a result, millions more people now have a better chance to live happy, healthy and dignified lives.
MPs voted through the NHS and Social Care tax rise last night
Victoria Park & North Edinburgh Cycle Paths Sunday 12th September, 1pm – 6pm
A full afternoon of music outdoors, along and nearby the cycle paths in North Edinburgh. Join us along the trail for any or all of the following events!
See the map for details of where we’ll be playing.
Note: the event & times are dependent on the weather – if it’s dry we’ll be there, if not we may have to cancel.
Thousands of children and young people living with a brain condition caused by exposure to alcohol while in the womb are in desperate need of dedicated and joined up support.
The charity Adoption UK is calling for each nation of the UK to provide a government funded Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in every nation of the UK.
Caused by the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, FASD is the most known cause of neurodevelopmental disability and birth defects in the UK – but it often goes unrecognised.
FASD could affect up to 5% of the population but it is estimated a third* of adopted children have the condition. Alcohol misuse is one of the main reasons children are taken into care but many adopted children with FASD will have come from families where there was drinking during pregnancy, but not to access, and where alcohol was not the main reason for them entering care.
Adoption UK’s 2020 Adoption Barometer report revealed one-in-four adopted children are either diagnosed with, or suspected to have, FASD. More than half of families polled had waited two years or longer for a diagnosis, and more than three-quarters felt healthcare professionals lacked basic knowledge about the condition, even though FASD is more common than autism.
Scotland leads the way in the UK, in terms of diagnosis, support, and awareness of FASD. The creation of the FASD Hub Scotland in 2019, funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Adoption UK, quickly established itself as a go-to resource for parents and carers seeking to gain support, information, signposting, training, and to navigate their way through the diagnosis process.
The SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) Guidelines (2019) means children and young people in Scotland now have a route to diagnosis. The guidelines have since been adopted in England where they are awaiting release as the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) quality standards for FASD.
Ruth Cliff has been unable to get an FASD assessment for her son, who she adopted 16 years ago, despite knowing his birth mother used alcohol throughout her pregnancy.
Ruth, who lives in England, said: “We were referred to a paediatrician who told me they didn’t have the expertise to assess for FASD and there was no one in our area who could do it either. I asked my local authority to fund an assessment via the Adoption Support Fund, but this was turned down.
“Finding the right support for my son has completely taken over my life, so to have a specialist one-stop-shop like the hub in Scotland, where people truly understand FASD, would be life-changing.”
Adoption UK is marking International FASD Awareness Day, by calling on Stormont, the Welsh Government and Westminster to replicate the success of the FASD Hub Scotland in each nation.
The charity is also calling on the Scottish Government to commit to the long-term funding of the FASD Hub Scotland.
Sue Armstrong Brown, Adoption UK’s CEO, said: “Great strides have been made in Scotland around FASD but we’ve still a long way to go to ensure individuals with FASD and their families receive the support they so urgently need. Every child entering the care system must be screened for FASD.”
Adoption UK will be launching an animated film today, made in collaboration with parents, carers and young people, some of whom have FASD. Conor, aged 13, who has FASD, provided the film’s voiceover.
The Children’s Commissioners of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have repeated their calls to the UK Government to end its two-child limit on Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit warning that the policy continues to violate children’s human rights.
All three have also called on the UK Government to abandon the scrapping of the £20 uplift, which would compound the poverty issues facing children across the nations, and urge the prioritisation of children’s rights in any further changes to Universal Credit.
Giving evidence yesterday (Wednesday, September 8) to the Public Services Committee at the House of Lords, the Commissioners again pointed out that the two-child limit policy – which disallows benefits payments to third and subsequent children born after April 2017 in most circumstances – is a discriminatory policy contrary to the government’s obligations under the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Sally Holland said: “We remain deeply concerned that the two-child policy and the scrapping of the £20 uplift breaches childen’s rights to an adequate standard of living and is contributing to a rising gap in poverty levels between families with three or more children and smaller households.
“The two-child limit in particular has a disproportionate impact on social groups where larger families are more common, such as some minority faith and ethnic groups and in Northern Ireland where families are larger than the rest of the UK.”
The Commissioners – Bruce Adamson for Scotland, Sally Holland for Wales, and Koulla Yiasouma for Northern Ireland – remain concerned that UK benefit rules prevent devolved governments from fully tackling child poverty.
Speaking after the Committee session, Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland, Bruce Adamson said: “The Scottish Government had an opportunity yesterday within the Programme for Government to do all that it can to mitigate against the worse of the UK Government’s benefit rules.
“While new commitments on housing, food and the new Whole Family Wellbeing Fund are welcome, not increasing the Scottish Child Payment with immediate effect was hugely concerning as children need this money now.
“Poverty is a human rights issue and while UK benefit rules continue to play a significant part in keeping families in poverty, the Scottish Government plays an important role in ensuring children’s rights are met. The effects of the pandemic – which are still becoming clear – have only served to make a dire situation worse for those in poverty or only just getting by. Both governments must do more.”
Commissioner Sally Holland said: “Children are hungry and living in sub-standard housing in the UK in 2021 and that is a disgrace. Poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life, from their health – both physical and mental – to their education. How can a child concentrate properly at school and learn if they are hungry?
“The State has an obligation to children and every child has the right to an adequate standard of living. Families have a right to social security. These polices are a clear breach of children’s human rights.”
In May, the Children’s Commissioners of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland wrote an open letter to the Right Honourable Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, calling for an end to the two-child limit of Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit and for the £20 uplift in universal credit amounts to be maintained.
The world’s most entertaining whisky club honours its members in style with events and tastings across the UK for their annual September Gathering.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) celebrates its annual September Gathering by showcasing a range of whisky tasting events across its signature UK venues.
Throughout the month the Society is hosting a series of events for members and non-members, with one exciting activation every weekend across each of their four UK locations; Glasgow, London, Edinburgh Queen Street, and The Vaults, Leith.
The Gathering 2021 launched at The Vaults on Friday (4 September) and ends with a virtual tasting on Thursday, 30 September.
As part of the Gathering, the Society has partnered with Linn Products, creators of some of the world’s finest music systems.
Founded in Glasgow in 1973, Linn goes to extremes to pursue musical perfection and designs and manufactures premium music systems that bring consumers closer to the music that they love.
The partnership will feature Linn Lounges at Society’s London and Glasgow venues, offering both members and non-members the opportunity to taste whisky whilst enjoying music from some of the worlds most decorated bands.
Other key events in this year’s programme include The Gathering’s take over at Glasgow’s WEST Brewery, which includes a three-course dinner and a five-dram tasting event hosted by Master Ambassador, John McCheyne and, a spectacular festival of whisky in Edinburgh’s Queen Street Gardens, featuring dram bars, culinary delights from local producers and a live DJ performance from long-standing BBC radio presenter, Vic Galloway.
Helen Stewart, Head of Marketing and Membership at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said:“For this year’s Gathering we have taken advantage of our four stunning Members’ Rooms to celebrate the love of whisky with our members.
“The 2021 Gathering line-up features a wealth of exciting events, which encourages our members to share their passion for whisky and offers the chance for new guests to explore the Society’s flavour profiles and what our Members’ Rooms have to offer.
“From a colourful festival of music and whisky to dram tastings and Society suppers, each occasion is incredibly unique and this year we look forward to welcoming our members and their guests to this annual celebration of our whisky community.”
For members ‘afar’ there will also be an immersive programme of home entertainment and virtual tastings, to bring ‘the spirit of The Vaults’ to members, no matter where they are.
Joe Rodger, Linn International Brand Manager, added: “The parallels between good whisky and good music run more than skin deep. Music is the soundtrack to the best times of our lives, and when it’s done right, we savour the difference.
“We are both proud and excited to be partnering with the SMWS. The meticulous focus on quality and provenance of Scotch whisky aligns beautifully with our own mission; we know our music systems are in good company, alongside whisky, as Scotland’s finest exports.”
4th September – The Gathering in the Courtyard. Members had the opportunity to purchase a ticket for a tasting session throughout the day. These included a rum tasting with Society ambassador Olaf Meier and an in-depth tasting session featuring this year’s Gathering exclusive releases hosted by The Vault’s own Dean M.
Edinburgh, Queen Street – 11th September:
11th September – Gathering in the Gardens. For an extra £20, members will be able to take part in a signature one hour Gathering tasting masterclass, taking place at 3.30 pm and 7.00 pm.
London, Greville Street – 17th September – 18th September
17th September and 18th September – Greville Street: Linn Lounge – Fleetwood Mac Whisky and Music Experience.
Glasgow, Bath Street – 24th – 25th September
22nd September – Bath Street: Linn Lounge – Led Zeppelin Whisky and Music Experience.
25th September – The Gathering goes West.
29th September – Bath Street: Linn Lounge – Pink Floyd Whisky and Music Experience.
For more information about The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Membership click here.
New data predicts a record number of Brits will sign up for their flu vaccination this Autumn. The UK’s largest online pharmacy, Pharmacy2U, reveals that two thirds of people surveyed intend to get a flu jab this year, with over one in ten (14 per cent) signing up to have one for the first time.
Research commissioned by Pharmacy2U found that attitudes towards getting the flu jab may have changed among Brits because of the nationwide Covid-19 vaccine drive, with 35 per cent of those surveyed saying that having their coronavirus vaccine made them more determined to get their flu vaccine this year.
Over half (58 per cent) said having the Covid-19 vaccine showed them how easy and accessible it was, over half (52 per cent) said they feel more knowledgeable about vaccines now, and over a quarter (27 per cent) said having had the vaccine, it made them less afraid of needles. Over half (53 per cent) said they now see the importance of the flu vaccine in protecting themselves and others.
Since the start of this year, Pharmacy2U has helped the NHS to vaccinate the nation against Covid-19, giving over 700,000 vaccines to people all across England. It continues to vaccinate people daily at its clinics across its 25 sites, in venues such as Odeon Cinemas, Morrisons, Village Hotels and The Jockey Club racecourses.
Pharmacy2U will continue working with the NHS, who recently announced that the free flu jab will be made available to 35 million people this year*, by vaccinating people in England against the common flu from 13th September onwards, for the second year in a row.
As the nation slowly returns to normal life, over two thirds (68 per cent) of Brits surveyed said they have concerns about their health this winter. Also, 43 per cent expressed concerns that their immune system may be weaker, with potential reasons including working from home (27 per cent) and limiting contact with many people (55 per cent) and the increased use of sanitisers (32 per cent).
In addition, 47 per cent expressed concerns about catching Covid-19 and flu at the same time and the health implications of this, and 68 per cent said they didn’t want flu to impact their newfound freedoms now lockdown rules have lifted.
Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, comments: “As we enter what could be a very challenging winter for many, this is a much-needed service for people up and down the country. Influenza can be potentially fatal, so having your flu jab is a vital way to play your part in protecting yourself and others.
“It is best to get your flu vaccination in the Autumn before flu starts circulating, so you should take a look at our website, where you find out more information and easily book your flu vaccine.”
Flu vaccinations will be available for free for patients in England that meet the NHS eligibility requirements, and additionally offered at an affordable rate for anyone else. For the full list of eligibility requirements, visit: www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/flu
Phil’s top tips for staying safe this flu season include:
Get a flu vaccination; flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses. It will also help to reduce pressure on the NHS and social care staff who may be dealing with coronavirus-related illnesses.
Wash your hands often for 20 seconds. Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects.
Use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze, or alternatively sneeze or cough into your elbow. Dispose of your tissue immediately.
Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain good health.
Sleep well: adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night, consistently, to stay healthy.
For more information and to book your flu vaccination in a few clicks, visit:
Push The Boat Out(PTBO) Scotland’s newest and most boundary-bending poetry festival, launches its inaugural programme today, Wednesday 8 September in Edinburgh.
Taking place from the 15 – 17 October 2021 within the creative hub of Summerhall, Push The Boat Out will be the second poetry festival ever to be held in Scotland and its aims to do what it says on the tin, by challenging perceptions of what poetry is and how it can be enjoyed.
Named after the poem “At Eighty” by the first Glasgow poet laureate Edwin Morgan, PTBO is inspired by the vibrancy and range of contemporary poetry, hip hop and spoken word coming out of Scotland, the UK and indeed the world. The aim of the festival is to not only give poetry a new platform, but to create an environment where all variations of this vital artform are encouraged to grow, evolve and even collide.
Taking place within the creative spaces of Summerhall in Edinburgh, the PTBO programme will seep into every nook and cranny of this established arts venue through multiple means, including film, imagery, song, music, dance, singing, debate and other forms of poetry performance.
Underpinning the festival are four key themes; social justice and representation; healing and recovery; climate crisis and ecopoetics; and virtual and other realities.
Audiences can expect first-class performances from around 60 poets, emerging and established, including the newly appointed Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie.
Images: Alicia Pirmohamed and Roddy Woomble
Other key programme highlights include performances by Scottish hip hop legend Solareye / Dave Hook of Stanley Odd, celebrated Caribbean poet Lorna Goodison, and the author the first-ever poetry collection to win The Guardian First Book Award, Andrew McMillan. Joining them on the many and varied Summerhall ‘stages’ are Roseanne Watt, Hannah Lavery, Nova Scotia the Truth, Harry Josephine Giles, Ray Antrobus, Clare Pollard, Caroline Bird, Salena Godden and many more.
Another key element to the PTBO programme is the Poetry Mile initiative which, through a dedicated web app, allows users to experience Edinburgh differently, filtered through the eyes and ears of some of the country’s finest poets.
Featuring over 50 specifically commissioned poems from over 25 poets, all locations featured are within a square mile of Summerhall. The app generates bespoke walking tours depending on the type of experience the user requests to have.
The brainchild of director Jenny Niven, former head of literature at Creative Scotland, and co-founder Kevin Williamson, writer, publisher and founder of the Edinburgh arts events collective Neu! Reekie!, PTBO is convinced of the need for poetry more now than ever before, particularly as we emerge from lengthy lockdowns and seek new ways to express ourselves.
Images: Founders Jenny Niven and Kevin Williamson
Jenny Niven, co-founder of Push The Boat Out, said:“We are so excited to be launching our inaugural Push The Boat Out programme after what has been a difficult year for everyone, not least those working within the arts.
“That said, poetry is all about using language in new ways, to express new experiences, so if ever there was a time to explore this vital and vibrant art form, it is now.
“We feel incredibly lucky to be hosting our inaugural festival in a city so full of talent, at a time when there is so much to say, and off the back of a summer festival season that saw performance take over more city spaces than ever before.
“With performers and artists spanning the full spectrum of this spectacular artform, from classical verse to hip hop, we can’t wait for audiences to come along and enjoy.”
Hot on the heels of a fringe festival that was soul food for a city starved of culture and live performances, Push The Boat Out founders and organisers hope to harness this sense of the city as a natural backdrop as the inaugural festival takes its first steps onto Scotland’s stage.
Push The Boat Out will go ahead in keeping with whatever Covid-19 regulations are in place on the 15 – 17 October in Scotland. Born out of a time of turbulence, the festival team, venue, founders and friends will continue to manage the festival in a safe and agile way.
