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Easter activities at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
Author: davepickering
Edinburgh reporter and photographer
Enjoying the holidays on a budget
Free and cut-price things to do over the Easter holidays
Which? is advising families facing cost of living pressures on how they can save money over the Easter holidays with these handy hacks for free, or cut-price, activities.
1. Enjoy a meal out with ‘kids eat free’ offers
When dining out as a family, it is worth checking if nearby restaurants offer discounts for children. Many restaurants and cafes run ‘kids eat free’ offers during the holidays. Which? found several popular chains offered discounts at certain times, including Yo! Sushi, The Real Greek and Morrisons Cafe.
2. Visit a theme park for less
Check the prices at attractions in advance, to save. For example, Which? found an adult day pass bought on the day at Alton Towers costs £62, but only £34 when bought in advance – a 45% saving.
Shoppers can also save money on days out at theme parks and attractions up and down the country when purchasing groceries at the supermarket.
Which? found that some Carex handwashes have vouchers for half-price entry for Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Sea Life Centres and Sanctuaries valid until May 31 2022.
Meanwhile, selected Kellogg’s cereal packs and snacks offer ‘adults go free’ vouchers for Merlin attractions valid until June 2022.
Tesco Clubcard holders can convert points into Tesco Reward Partners Vouchers, which can be used for as much as three times the saving at theme parks, wildlife parks and more.
3. Learn something new at a free gallery or museum
Many UK national galleries and museums are free to enter and are an easy way to entertain the family for a day out. Which? members highly rated: St. Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff, Beamish: The Living Museum of the North in County Durham, National Railway Museum in York, Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shropshire and the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Just remember they may need visitors to book a free ticket before arrival.
4. Burn off the Easter chocolate with some sport
There are many free sporting activities available up and down the country during the holidays. It’s worth checking local council websites for opportunities, some offer free swimming lessons for children, for example.
Alternatively, Parkruns are free weekly events, held every weekend in hundreds of locations around the UK. There are 5k events on Saturday mornings, and junior runs for children on Sundays.
Tennis for Free also offers free tennis sessions for all ages in public parks around the country.
5. Watch the latest movies at a discount
Some cinema chains offer discounts for family films at certain times, usually in the morning. Odeon’s ‘Odeon Kids’, Picturehouse’s ‘Kid’s Club’, and Vue’s ‘Mini Mornings’ all offer discounts for both adults and children.
For example, Vue ‘Mini Morning’ tickets cost £2.49 or £2.99 if you buy online (£3.49/£3.99 at the venue).
Film fans can also get cinema discounts with dining cards Gourmet Society and Tastecard. Both offer up to 40% off some cinema chains and currently offer 90-day free trials.
Anyone who buys a policy through the price comparison website Compare the Market will get 2 for 1 cinema tickets on a Tuesday or Wednesday for a year – those who may have bought a policy recently should check if this offer is available to them.
It is also worth checking if your phone provider offers cinema discounts.
O2 customers have access to O2 Priority and can often claim free Odeon tickets to use on Sundays and Mondays. Three Mobile customers can claim £3 adult cinema tickets for Cineworld or Picturehouse using the Three+rewards app and Vodafone customers can get two adult tickets for £7 at most Vue cinemas to use each week, using the My Vodafone app.
6. Catch a theatre show for less
Although usually an expensive outing, it is possible to bag cheaper theatre tickets. Local theatres often host touring West End productions for a fraction of the cost of London shows.
Which? found tickets for The Book of Mormon in Leeds Grand Theatre starting at £15, while prices begin at £40 in London on the same date.
Most theatres offer cheaper tickets for under 30s. For example, the National Theatre offers £5 tickets if you’re under 18, and £10 tickets if you’re under 26.
Every Monday at noon, a number of tickets for Disney shows (The Lion King/Frozen) are available for £25 through DisneyTickets and some shows, including Hamilton, run daily lotteries to enter, with winners able to purchase tickets for between £10-£35 for a performance that week.
Apps such as TodayTix can save visitors up to 66% on certain shows. Which? found tickets for Roald Dahl’s Matilda on Thursday 7 April for £25.
Often, seats at the back of the theatre cost less, but it is worth checking if the view is obstructed. Seatplan allows visitors to check out the view before purchasing tickets.
7. Take the train to save on days out
Some train companies offer cheap train travel for children travelling with an adult. For example, Southeastern, Chiltern Railways, London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway will allow up to four children (aged 5-15) to travel for £1 on a single or return journey when joined by an adult in off-peak times.
Which? found an adult and two children could go from London to Margate and back on Southeastern services for under £30, with the children’s tickets costing £2. If two adults are travelling, they could save money with a railcard – the two together card costs £30 upfront but also saves a third on rail fares for a year.
National Rail also offers 2 for 1 tickets at a range of attractions nationwide including Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and London Zoo when purchased with a train ticket.
8. Take advantage of local libraries
As well as borrowing physical books for free, most libraries allow users to borrow e-books and audiobooks. Some can also grant access to digital magazines and newspapers. Check local library offers via on the local council website and sign up for free.
9. Explore the great outdoors
Take advantage of the free parks up and down the country. Check out the Which? guide on the best national parks in the UK. Alternatively, plan a walk using Which?’s guide to the best UK walks.
Those in search of adventure could try geocaching tracking co-ordinates on a smartphone app to find hidden boxes known as ‘caches’. The National Trust has 10 places to try.
10. Seek out free local events
Many local councils offer free events during school holidays, so it is worth checking their websites. Search the local council’s name followed by ‘half-term activities’ to see what’s going on in that area. It is always worth checking out the local council’s website.
For example, Which? saw that Manchester City Council will be running springtime craft sessions and Haringey Council in London will offer free Easter workshops for teens aged 11-16 in creative writing, drama and film.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? Home Products and Services Editor, said: “With the rising cost of living taking its toll on household finances, millions of families are looking to cut down on their spending. However, there are plenty of fun, cheap and free activities you can do during the Easter holidays that don’t need to break the bank.
“Theme parks offer discounted entry if you book in advance, and there are plenty of deals on offer ahead of the Easter holidays. Many cinemas and theatres also offer discounts for children. It is worth checking if your local council is running free events or workshops, while parks and museums are free to enjoy at your leisure.”
Free auditions in Edinburgh this weekend
· Sunday 10th April – Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Leading entertainment industry training programme and talent management. Stagebox, has announced audition dates taking place across the nation from April 2022.
The annual search sees experts audition passionate performers aged 8-18 years old from across the country (and internationally), offering successful members the chance to benefit from world class training and opportunities in a contemporary supercharged industry accelerator for musical theatre, television and film.
Last year’s auditions saw the Stagebox team meet thousands of performers from across the UK and beyond, and this year they anticipate similar interest. This year, auditionees will be able to select whether they are auditioning for an acting or musical theatre membership and their audition day will see them be put through their paces in this discipline.
Many young performers training at Stagebox have already landed dream roles on stage and screen, thanks to the expert training and management.
Stagebox has secured their clients major lead talent screen roles in Oscar nominated and Emmy award winning productions, including Peaky Blinders (Netflix), Sex Education (Netflix), Robin Robin (Netflix), Ted Lasso (Apple TV+), Avenue 5 (HBO), The Power (Amazon Studios), Pistol (Disney +), BAFTA anthology Superdad (Channel 4), Gentleman Jack (Netflix/HBO), Lagging (BBC) and many more.
Stagebox management clients also continue to star in West End and UK Tour musicals including Frozen, Matilda the Musical, School of Rock, Annie, The Grinch, Mary Poppins and Tina the Musical to name a few.
To further the opportunities for their clients, Stagebox Management has also brokered agency partnerships stateside, working alongside Innovative Artists, Paradigm Talent, Luber Roklin Entertainment, Gravity Hill, KMR, Maverick and more.
Commenting on the upcoming 2022 auditions, Stagebox’s General Manager, Jasmine Quinlan Gardner, said: “We are so excited to begin our nationwide search for the stars of today and tomorrow.
“We are proud of our inclusive, diverse and extraordinarily talented community and we can’t wait to meet those who will join us on the journey.”
Kirsti Bagger, Head Agent at Stagebox, adds: “At Stagebox, the training is second to none, preparing our young stars for careers on the stage and screen. 2021 was one of our most successful years ever with Stagebox Management clients wrapping on global award-winning feature films and television series and critically acclaimed theatre productions.
“We’re committed to making auditions for Stagebox free as part of our ongoing dedication to inclusivity in the arts. We only open for auditions once a year, and we’re excited to see our 2022 auditionees’ incredible new talent!”
These auditions are guaranteed to fill up fast and limited spaces apply. To register your spot for your preferred audition date, please visit the Stagebox website to apply.
To find out more about Stagebox, please head to: https//www.stagebox.uk/
*Auditions will adhere to all necessary COVID-19 guidelines.
Closing soon: Funding for activities tackling alcohol-related harm
The Scotch Whisky Action Fund offers eligible projects up to £25,000 – closes 25th April
Foundation Scotland, Scotland’s community foundation, set up the Scotch Whisky Action Fund (SWAF) in 2013 and has to date awarded over £940,000 to 70+ projects aiming to reduce the negative impact of alcohol-related harm across Scotland.
Only open once a year, Foundation Scotland is urging interested groups to apply now as applications close on the 25th April 2022. Offering up to £25,000 in funding; it is the only fund dedicated to tackling alcohol-related harm in Scotland and supports targeted interventions, new initiatives and pilot projects designed to tackle alcohol-related harms in Scotland’s communities.
Jennifer McPhail, Funds Adviser at Foundation Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to be running this important funding stream again.
“Now in its ninth year, the Scotch Whisky Action Fund has already made a massive impact on individuals and communities affected by alcohol-related harms. The alcohol industry plays an important role in Scottish society, and Scotch Whisky is at the heart of the industry.
“However, the misuse of alcohol through excessive or inappropriate consumption can have implications for health and a range of social problems, including anti-social behaviour, violence, family breakdown, problems with money and work. This can impact individuals, families and communities.
“The fund is not set up to support recovery or treatment of alcohol issues. Rather it’s for innovative projects to educate, raise awareness, and prevent future alcohol-related harm.
“Examples of projects include preventative training programmes and diversionary activities for young people, peer support groups for carers and family member counselling services.
“There are many examples of previously funded projects available on our website and we are advising interested groups to carefully read through all the guidance before applying. We are encouraging those that are interested to progress quickly as the fund only opens once a year.”
Groups such as Waverley Care, Paisley YMCA, Bright Light and Govan Youth Information Project have received project support across the lifetime of the fund.
Projects which secure funding from SWAF, and can demonstrate an impact after their first year of funding, may be able to receive further funding of up to £25,000 per annum for a maximum of three years, to support their initiative.
For full information, including eligibility criteria and application details visit:
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/scotch-whisky-action-fund
Schoolchildren enter competition to inspire drivers to stop littering
School children in the South East of Scotland have unleashed their artistic side through a competition to inspire drivers to stop littering along the roadside.
BEAR Scotland, which manages the trunk roads in the South East on behalf of Transport Scotland, organised the ‘Trunk not Junk’ schools litter competition to coincide with this year’s ‘Keep Scotland Beautiful’ Spring Clean campaign. Over 650 primary schools were invited to submit a poster, slogan, song or rap encouraging people not to litter on Scotland’s trunk roads.
The road maintenance company revealed a surprise twist by announcing two winners of its competition, which aimed to get schoolchildren to think about the issues that litter can cause.
Indira Williams aged 11, a P6 pupil at Roslin Primary School, became one of the winners after impressing BEAR Scotland with her ‘What a sin, not to bin’ poster, which highlights the effect that littering can have on local wildlife and the environment.
Colin Burt, P6 teacher at Roslin Primary School, said: “We were delighted to be invited by our school Eco Committee to participate in the Trunk Not Junk schools litter competition.
“Our Roslin learners are passionate about environmental issues, so they were keen to be involved in raising awareness around this important subject.
“We are so proud of Indira’s winning entry and look forward to seeing it being used soon as part of the campaign.”
Primary 6 pupils at Colinton Primary School went further, writing and recording a rap titled ‘Litter is a no, no, no’ .
The rap includes lines such as ‘see it at the roadside that’s a no, no, no – stop throwing rubbish out of your window’, to make it clear that littering is socially unacceptable and to emphasise issues that can arise from dropping litter, including how long it can take to disintegrate.
The rap also gives helpful tips to keep the environment clean including using a reusable bag.
Rachel Billes, P6 teacher at Colinton Primary School, said: “We had so much fun participating in this project and the children really enjoyed unleashing their creativity to help raise awareness of this important issue.
“It’s essential that we teach children about looking after the environment from a young age so that they understand the impact they can make.”
In 2021, BEAR Scotland collected over 5,000 large black bags of litter and 2,200 large objects on the roadsides in the South-East which it is responsible for litter-picking on. If laid out in a line this would stretch to over 3.6km or over two miles of litter.
BEAR Scotland litter picks the motorways and dual carriageways on the SE trunk road network on a rotating basis weekly with hot spot areas treated twice monthly or as and when required. All other roads are the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
Iain Murray, Managing Director at BEAR Scotland, said: “Every entry that we received sparked joy in the team – we loved to see the children’s creativity as they helped us get this message across. It was so hard to choose just one winner!
“It’s of paramount importance that we teach children about the negative impact of dropping litter. They’re also powerful in encouraging others to dispose of rubbish properly.
“Dropping litter at the roadside is sadly still a huge issue up and down the country but we’re confident that the efforts of the school children at winning schools, Colinton and Roslin Primary Schools, will help to inspire drivers to take their rubbish home.”
Both winning entries will appear on BEAR Scotland’s social media channels, and the winners will receive certificates as well as £75 worth of amazon vouchers for their classroom.
Enliven Edinburgh campaign – up to £5,000 funding available
See below for details of the Enliven Edinburgh Campaign – the funding application form is attached below.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to 5.00 pm on 22 April.
Enliven Edinburgh Campaign
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 9 – 15 May will focus on loneliness and the Enliven Edinburgh campaign will use this week as a catalyst to highlight and spotlight the ways in which people can connect or reconnect.
Funding of up to £5,000 is available for partnerships and organisations to either build on existing initiatives or create new initiatives and opportunities for people to connect and interact.
These don’t all have to happen doing this week, but there will be awareness raising of the initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Final proposals for Meadows to George Street project unveiled
A milestone for Edinburgh’s City Centre ‘Transformation’ has been reached as final designs for the Meadows to George Street (MGS) scheme are published.
The Meadows to George Street (MGS) project will overhaul conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling on some of Edinburgh’s busiest and most iconic streets, as well as enhancing public spaces.
Changes made along the route via Teviot Place, Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, the Mound and Hanover Street will be made in a way which respects and enriches the World Heritage Site.
Plans include segregated cycleways, wider pavements and pedestrian priority areas and have drawn on feedback received through various stages of public and stakeholder engagement since 2018.
The council aims to begin construction in early 2024 and once complete, MGS will integrate with the forthcoming George Street and First New Town (GNT) scheme at Hanover Street, which is scheduled for a construction start later in 2024.
Following the last public consultation carried out in 2019, some amendments have been made to designs.
Amongst these, the two-way cycle track at Hanover Street is changing to one-way cycle lanes on either side of the road to better tie in with the proposed George Street junction under GNT.
A bus gate is also being introduced on Market Street to reduce through-traffic in the area, while footways along the route have been widened further and a new safe cycle crossing over Princes Street tram tracks has been added.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The transformation of Edinburgh’s city centre will lead to a truly connected, people-friendly place to live, work and spend time in.
“The Meadows to George Street project is one of the first steps to achieving this, as well as supporting our net zero goals by promoting sustainable travel, so it’s really exciting to see the final designs.
“We’ve worked hard over recent years to develop proposals which balance the needs of all those who use the street while prioritising safe and accessible travel by foot, wheel or bike. These plans provide a snapshot of how the route will look and operate in the near future, as part of our broader ambitions for the city.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Our plans for Meadows to George Street are key to creating a Capital fit for the future, where healthy, active and sustainable travel is supported, and public spaces are opened up for socialising and relaxation.
“This is one of many projects to transform the way we use our city centre and I look forward to seeing it progress in the coming years.”
The MGS project is principally funded through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, via Transport Scotland. This links in with other major Places for Everyone projects in Edinburgh, including the GNT project and City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) which is already under construction.
Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone, at Sustrans said: “Sustrans have been working closely with The City of Edinburgh Council over the last few years to ensure designs for the MGS project meet the wants and needs of the people of Edinburgh. It’s great to see the final designs for the MGS project now shared.
“Once complete, the MGS project will make walking, wheeling, and cycling across Edinburgh city centre a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, connecting the Old Town to the New like never before.”
By transforming walking, wheeling and cycling through the busy heart of Edinburgh, MGS will make it easier and more attractive for people to choose travel by foot or bike as part of their everyday journeys. Improvements to the streetscape will create a safe, vibrant place for people to live in and for all to enjoy.
MGS will be central to the broader transformation of the city centre, which will reshape Edinburgh by significantly improving public spaces and prioritising movement on foot, by bike and by public transport.
It will connect to several other major schemes already underway or in development, such as CCWEL, Meadows to Union Canal and, with cleaner air and a more a more pleasant and attractive city centre to spend time in, the Low Emission Zone.
The council plans to begin the statutory processes required to carry out the proposed changes to the road layout in May.
The final designs for George Street are due later this year.
Find out more about the Meadows to George Street project and view the final designs online.
Police appeal following Ibrox disorder
Police Scotland is appealing for information following a number of incidents surrounding Sunday’s Old Firm game.
Officers responded around 2.45am on Sunday (3 April) following a large group attending at Ibrox Stadium where different areas of the stadium were vandalised.
Three men aged 18, 22 and 25 have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident and enquiries remain ongoing to trace others involved.
During the match, a number of missiles were directed from the stands including two separate incidents where glass bottles were thrown towards the pitch.Around 12.50pm, a glass bottle was thrown towards the field of play from the Copland Road Stand that resulted in a delay to the second half starting.
A second incident took place where another glass bottle was thrown and struck a Celtic staff member who required medical assistance.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “The disorder and violence shown during the game on Sunday was completely unacceptable.
“All the relevant authorities must work together and with genuine fans to prevent incidents such as this in future. There is no place in Scottish football for this type of behaviour.
“We are continuing enquiries into a number of incidents that took place during the game, which includes the serious assault of a Celtic physiotherapist who was hit with a glass bottle.
“We would ask anyone with information to contact police via 101.”
Enquiries into these incidents are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
Stay safe in the water this Easter
With the clocks having gone forward and the lighter evenings now in store, national charity and leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding training across the UK and Ireland, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is urging people to brush up on their water safety skills and knowledge.
With over 400 people dying each year in the UK and Ireland from accidental drowning, it’s clear that it’s a topic that needs more attention. With the hope of warmer days and evenings round the corner, and the Easter holidays upon us, now is a vital time to ensure you and your family know how to stay safe in and around water.
Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “It is vitally important that everyone has an understanding of water safety, especially now we have the lighter evenings where we will start to see more people out and about in, on and around the water.
“We have seen a rise in the number of drownings over the last few years, with peaks during the summer. In July 2021, there were 49 accidental drowning fatalities in the space of just two weeks in the UK, and we know that with the right water safety knowledge, accidental drownings are avoidable.
“We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy their Easter and summer breaks and enjoying the water but be safe in the knowledge that they, and their children, have the skills and understanding about water safety, which could potentially save a life. Every life is worth saving.”
Drowning is not just an issue that needs attention for those who take part in water-based activities either, evidence shows that one in two people who accidentally drown never intended to enter the water and in 2020 evidence from the National Water Safety Forum showed that 45% of accidental drownings took place when people were taking part in everyday activities.
RLSS UK has a range of free educational resources available on their website for children, young people and parents and are holding their annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign in June. The campaign will take place between 18th-25th June and aims to equip everyone across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge to make the right decisions about water safety.
Lee continued: “This year for Drowning Prevention Week we are aiming to educate more young people than ever about water safety and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.
“We have a range of free educational resources available on the RLSS UK website, including lesson plans for schools and resources for parents.
“In a recent survey, over 55% of parents said they would not be confident their child would know what to do if they fell into open water; this is something we want to change.
“Drowning Prevention Week brings the focus of water safety to people’s minds, giving everyone the opportunity to be equipped with the appropriate skills and knowledge to be summer ready when it comes to being safe in and around water when the warmer weather is here.”
Royal Highland Show celebrates Illuminated events success
Nearly 2,000 visitors witness 200-year history of Scotland’s most prestigious agricultural show
The Royal Highland Show Illuminated is celebrating success after making a month-long tour across Scotland.
The immersive installations, which saw the Royal Highland Show’s rich history projected onto buildings and historical landmarks, attracted 1,780 visitors across the eight dates.
The events, which were free to attend and produced in association with Turcan Connell, projected expressive imagery, woven together with never-before-seen treasures and untold stories from the Show archives, creating a magical experience which truly brought the Show’s illustrious history to life.
Overall, there were 170 pieces of archive footage and images, put together by Edinburgh-based digital artists Bright Side Studios, that formed the 5-minute-long visual history of the Royal Highland Show.
Royal Highland Show organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), created the event to raise awareness of the Show and highlight its positive impact on Scotland throughout the years.
RHASS Chairman Bill Gray commented: ““The Royal Highland Show is a key moment in both Scotland’s events and agricultural calendar – these installations were the perfect showcase of its wide-ranging impact and influence over the last two centuries.
They took place in eight locations around Scotland, referencing how the Show would tour each of the RHASS regions annually before it settled permanently at Ingliston in 1960. These were Edinburgh City Chambers, Jedburgh Town Hall, Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries House, Alloa Tower, Glamis Castle, Haddo House and Eastgate Shopping Centre.
“However, the Royal Highland Show Illuminated also looked to the exciting future of both the Show and the Society. We hope that you’ll join us this June as we mark 200 years since that very first Show and celebrate the full return of Scotland’s biggest outdoor event.”
Supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, the Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 23-26 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. Tickets are limited in number this year with sell out days anticipated, so it is advised to purchase early.
For further information and to purchase tickets please visit: