Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Going to the Fringe? Don’t Bother!

Multi award-winning performance poet Bróccán Tyzack-Carlin has brought his stand-up poetry show Don’t Bother to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Making a name for himself on the comedy and poetry circuits, Bróccán has been wowing audiences with his clever, quick witted repertoire, and is described as being “at the top of his game”. Continue reading Going to the Fringe? Don’t Bother!

Frazzled parents and holiday blues: holiday competition

Edinburgh mums and dads could be in for a treat this summer, as Drayton Manor Park is giving away £500 cash, as well as FREE theme park tickets and hotel stays to parents who are frazzled by the summer holidays.

The giveaway comes after a survey by the family attraction found that Edinburgh parents will last fewer than three weeks into the summer holidays before they start feeling completely fed up – and one in five confess they find it the most STRESSFUL time of the year. Continue reading Frazzled parents and holiday blues: holiday competition

UK aid to help hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans on the brink of starvation

• Zimbabwe is facing a chronic food crisis and without support more than 5.5 million people will not have access to the food they need by 2020

• International Development Secretary Alok Sharma announces UK aid support to help malnourished children, families and communities following a UN appeal

• He also urges Government of Zimbabwe to act on its promise to deliver fundamental political and economic reforms

Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans will receive life-saving access to food and water thanks to UK aid as the country faces a potentially catastrophic famine.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma yesterday announced £49 million of UK aid. This will be given to trusted partners to help malnourished children, families and communities following a UN Zimbabwe appeal.

He also urged the Zimbabwean Government to act on its promise to deliver fundamental political and economic reforms.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma (above) said: “The Government of Zimbabwe must do more to deliver the promised fundamental political and economic reforms and take responsibility for the humanitarian crisis affecting its people.

“The UK stands with the people of Zimbabwe at a time when millions are at risk of starvation and disease. Through trusted partners we will continue to give families access to food and clean water, and support children to gain a decent education.”

Zimbabwe is facing a chronic food crisis as crops have been devastated by the effects of drought, economic crisis and a powerful cyclone. Without support, more than 5.5 million people in Zimbabwe will not have access to the food they need by 2020.

The food crisis is closely linked to the economic challenges in Zimbabwe which has led to high unemployment and high inflation.

Having already experienced outbreaks of cholera following the devastation of Cyclone Idai earlier this year, water shortages are also leaving the country more susceptible to further outbreaks as people struggle to find clean sources of drinking water.

Police Advice: Summer Sessions in Princes Street Gardens

SUMMER SESSIONS PRINCES STREET GARDENS

Are you heading to one of the concerts in Edinburgh?

Check out the site map attached and please read the advice from the event organisers ahead of the gig:

  • Plan ahead your travel using
  • There are two entrances to the site so please use both (the box office is located at the East Entrance and you should use this if you need to collect a ticket)
  • There will be security on entry so please expect searches and queues on entry
  • Bag searches will be in place – please don’t bring a bag larger than A3 as it won’t be permitted
  • Be prepared for all weather conditions as the weather is very unpredictable – umbrellas are not permitted
  • If you feel unwell, please seek help immediately from a member of festival staff or a steward

For full event info visit the Summer Sessions website – http://ow.ly/n6iM50vpkYC

Show Kiltwalk some love!

Love Island star Anton Danyluk has called on fellow Scots to sign up to this year’s last two remaining Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk events.

Airdrie-born Anton, who shot to fame on the popular ITV2 show, has “got a text” for the nation via video message, urging people to participate in the events in Dundee and Edinburgh.

He also congratulated the Kiltwalk for becoming the fifth biggest mass-participation charity event in the UK, climbing an incredible nine places from last year.

Anton said: “I would just like to congratulate Kiltwalk in all their successes. As a fellow Scot, it’s amazing to see.”

Kiltwalk has already seen more than 16,000 walkers participate in the Glasgow and Aberdeen events earlier this year, raising £4.5 million for charities across the country, including the 40% boost from The Hunter Foundation.

Anton continued: “I just want to encourage you guys to get involved. Get your kilt on, sign up to one of the events and raise money for a charity that means a lot to you.”

Last year, 20,082 walkers helped to raise £3.6 million for 1,156 charities across Scotland. Thanks to backing from Sir Tom Hunter, a 40% top-up by The Hunter Foundation brought the impressive total to more than £5 million.

Kiltwalk Chief Executive Paul Cooney said: “It’s brilliant to have another high-profile Scot showing support for our event. We’re thrilled to have Anton’s backing for this year’s Kiltwalks, and I’d like to say a huge thank you for his amazing support.

“To the people of Dundee and Edinburgh, we want you to “crack on” with the last two remaining Kiltwalks to be bigger than ever before, raising those all-important funds for Scotland’s amazing charities. Like Anton said, grab your kilt and get walking!”

Registration for the Dundee and Edinburgh events are open. Events will take place on:

  • 18 August in Dundee
  • 15 September in Edinburgh

For more information about the Kiltwalk, or to register, visit www.thekiltwalk.co.uk