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Libraries lend support to Just Read campaign

Edinburgh City Libraries are supporting ITV Good Morning Britain’s ‘Just Read’ campaign, to encourage parents and carers to spend ten minutes reading with their children every day.

The campaign, which is supported by national charity The Reading Agency and children’s publisher Puffin, will see 200 libraries across the UK, including five Edinburgh libraries, give away 50 free copies of the bestselling children’s book ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ by author Jeff Kinney this Saturday (13 September).

Children can visit Edinburgh’s Wester Hailes, Ratho, Fountainbridge, Moredun or Kirkliston Libraries to get their free copy.

As well as the giveaway, children who visit the libraries on Saturday 13 September will be able to enjoy other events on the day:

· Ratho Library will welcome well known author Jonathan Meres to the children’s library for a visit at 11am. Meres won the “Scottish Children’s Book Award 2012” and is the author of the bestselling ‘World of Norm’ teenage book series.

· Fountainbridge Library will also be having a visit from author Jonathan Meres at 2:30pm.

· Wester Hailes Library will welcome author Janis Mackay to the children’s library for a visit at 2.30pm. Mackay was awarded the “Kelpies Prize 2007” and is the author of the ‘Magnus Finn’ children’s trilogy as well as ‘The Wee Seal’ and ‘The Selkie Girl’ for younger readers.

· Kirkliston Library is hosting a Wimpy Kid Party for children aged seven to 12 years from 2-4pm. This will be a drop in event, meaning there is no need to book a place. Activities will include designing your own Wimpy Kid book cover, making a badge to take home, and playing the new Wimpy Kid board game.

· Moredun Library is hosting a Diary of a Wimpy Kid fun day from 2-3.30pm. The event will host four different activities for all ages to join in with, from creating your own character clay head and badge making, to Diary of a Wimpy kid mask making and painting, plus a special Diary of a Wimpy Kid treasure hunt around the library.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Convener of Culture & Sport, City of Edinburgh Council, comments: “We are delighted that five of our libraries have been selected to support this UK wide promotion, and we encourage parents and carers to visit participating libraries across Edinburgh to receive free books and enjoy a day out at the same time.”

This exciting campaign follows a wonderful summer of reading across Edinburgh City Libraries when thousands of children took part in the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge. This unique partnership between The Reading Agency and public libraries across the UK, saw MPs, libraries, schools and a host of well-known children’s authors including Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo encourage children aged 4-11 to join the library and read for pleasure during the summer holidays.

The campaign comes as a group of leading charities, teachers, parents and businesses join together to form a coalition called Read On, Get On. The coalition has launched a national mission to support parents and teachers to get all 11 year olds reading well by 2025.

The giveaway will highlight how vital libraries are for the nation’s literacy and that books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid can really help children on their reading journey.

The Reading Agency has identified that millions of children are readers because of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Jeff Kinney’s work is perfect for turning reluctant readers on to books. With 50% words and 50% cartoons, the books are described as 100% hilarious and children agree – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck was voted by children as Favourite Book in the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.

Edinburgh is the UK’s safest city

Edinburgh tops YouGov safest city poll

A new survey has revealed that Edinburgh is seen as the safest city in Britain. The YouGov research asked participants how safe they feel ten British cities are – and Edinburgh came out well on top.

When asked about the capital, 68% of participants – 1724 from across the UK took part in the survey – said it is ‘totally safe’ while only 14% believe Edinburgh is ‘totally unsafe’.

The other cities surveyed were Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol.

Glasgow came eighth in the poll, with 44% of people saying it is safe and 38% saying it is unsafe – although Scots who took part in the survey put both Scottish cities higher: 86% said Edinburgh is safe and Glasgow polled 68% – but Bradford was seen as the least safe city in the UK.

Bradford is perhaps best remembered to outsiders for the race riots of 2001 which lasted three days and led to hundreds of arrests (above). It is the only city mentioned in the poll where more people (42%) say it is unsafe than safe (35%). Britain’s second most dangerous city according to the public is Birmingham: people are divided 41-41% on its safety.

Edinburgh’s senior police officer Chief Superintendent Mark Williams welcomed the findings and said he is ‘delighted but not surprised’ by the poll.

Do you think Edinburgh is a safe city? Let us know!

Waverley – the first global blockbuster

Move over Da Vinci Code, step aside Harry Potter … the world’s original best-seller is on display in the National Library!

Two hundred years ago, an anonymously published novel sold out within two days and went on to become a global bestseller …

The original manuscript of Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley, the first novel in his series of global bestsellers, is now display at the National Library of Scotland – 200 years after it was first published.

The ground-breaking book tells the story of the 1745 Jacobite Rising and is widely regarded as inventing the modern historical novel. The first edition of 1,000 copies sold out within two days of publication in 1814. Within months, a fourth edition was being printed.

The National Library of Scotland (NLS), which has one of the best collections of Scott material in the world, is celebrating this literary landmark with a display of rare books and manuscripts which explore what lay behind the novel, how it was published and what people thought of it.

When ‘Waverley’ was published 200 years ago, very few people knew who had written it. Scott had made his name as a poet and decided to publish his first attempt at fiction anonymously, perhaps uncertain of the impact it might have on his reputation. Fiction was also seen as a lesser literary form in the early 19th century with the result that almost half of all novels were published anonymously or under a pseudonym.

On display at NLS will be items which show how Scott (pictured below) was identified by many people as the likely author and his dramatic public outing over a decade later. Scott seemed to enjoy the intrigue he had created and resisted the advice of friends in the know who urged him to own up to his authorship.

At the heart of the display is the original manuscript, showing Scott editing his novel as he went along. Letters written by Scott, his friends and publishers illustrate how the book developed, with its roots in the stories of 1745 Scott heard as a boy, and reveal that not everyone was convinced that the novel would be a great success. Also on display are the volumes of the first edition from 1814, contemporary advertisements and reviews, and a rich selection of the books which Scott used in researching the period.

Helen Vincent, Head of Rare Books and Music, at NLS said: ‘”Waverley” is an exciting book to read because in it you can see Scott inventing a new way of writing historical fiction. It is a novel full of drama and adventure, but Scott also had a serious purpose in writing it, wanting to capture the past as it was on the brink of slipping out of living memory. Scott’s skill as a storyteller and painter with words meant that his books appealed to readers around the world — and created an image of Scotland that still holds strong today.

‘We are delighted to be able to display some of the treasures from our Scott collections which tell the story of one of the most influential books in the English language.’

‘Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley: Voices from the archives’ is on at NLS on George 1V Bridge until 2 November. Entry is free.

Lazarowicz: keep rail on right track

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz has welcomed the latest figures from publicly-owned rail operator East Coast. He stressed again the case for the line to stay in the public sector and said the issue that has been kept alive by Labour MPs in constituencies along the route – especially those in Edinburgh.

East Coast paid £225m to the government in the year to March 2014, making a total of more than £1bn since the last Labour Government took it back into the public sector. The rail operator also came top for customer satisfaction amongst long distance franchises.

The Labour MP said: “It’s a real achievement for this public sector company to pay back £225m to the taxpayer whilst also coming top amongst long distance operators for customer satisfaction – I want to see the line stay in public hands.

“The Government is determined to reprivatise East Coast and the fight for its future has been led by Labour MPs along the route – in Yorkshire, the North-East and in Scotland.

“Issues like this don’t just stop at Berwick and only Labour is committed to giving it the chance to continue running the line – separation won’t stop privatisation, only a Labour Government will ensure passengers are put first.”

“Labour Shadow Secretary of Transport Mary Creagh has made a commitment to a complete overhaul of the franchise system where operators make unrealistic bids which can only be achieved if corners are cut on services or ticket prices are hiked. East Coast’s results show there is another way.”

Women: ask Elaine anything at North Edinburgh Arts!

Actress and comedian Elaine C Smith will visit North Edinburgh Arts on Saturday at 11.30am to talk to women about the referendum, life, anything!

Ask_Elaine_anything_flyer

Elaine is a commited YES supporter of course, so in the interests of balance we should point out that other voting options are available!

Women: talking referendum at Royston Wardieburn

Join local women Women’s International Group at Royston Wardieburn this morning to talk about the referendum …

Dean – MS Therapy Centre’s real hero

The final episode of Royal Bank of Scotland’s Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes airs this Friday (12 September) on STV and features Dean Reilly.

Dean (pictured above (L) with Mark Beaumont) is from Portobello and has been nominated for the ‘Scotland’s real heroes courage award’ award.

Mark Beaumont meets Dean who has multiple sclerosis, but won’t let it limit his life. He fundraises for the MS Therapy Centre in Leith through a range of tough challenges. Dean is currently in training for a boxing match with ‘The Celtic Warrior.’

Good luck, Dean!

Edinburgh’s Counting Officer shows X marks the spot

The Deputy Chief Counting Officer for Scotland and Counting Officer for Edinburgh has urged the public to make their vote count just over a week before the vote on Scottish Independence.

Sue Bruce, who is also Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council, met first time voters at Drummond Community High School today and reminded the city’s electorate how crucial it is to take care when casting their vote.

She said: “I want to make sure everyone is able to have their say, so can’t stress enough how important it is to take care when completing their ballot paper, putting one ‘X’ in the box beside the option they wish to choose.

“Postal voters should also complete their voting statement carefully by inserting the correct date of birth and signature and ensuring it is returned to the Counting Officer by 18 September.

“All those planning to vote in person should check their polling cards to find out where their local polling place is, or visit the Council website for more information on where and how to vote.”

Voter registration for the Referendum closed on 2nd September. All those unsure of whether they are registered should contact the Lothian Valuation Joint Board on 0131 344 2500 or visit their website.

More information on voting in the Scottish Independence Referendum is available from www.edinburgh.gov.uk/elections.

HEY! I’M ALIVE!

Arts group seeks funds for project to highlight cystic fibrosis

Creative Electric is a critically acclaimed, award-winning company who create contemporary performance based on real experiences. Often their work is interactive, sometimes its personal, at times its one to one.

Their work has been performed in both Scotland and Sweden, in theatres, studios, art galleries, nightclubs, on trains, in fields, city centre squares – and on rooftops! By creating work in non-traditional theatre spaces Creative Electric aim to engage with audiences who may not necessarily attend traditional arts venues.

Creative Electric are now trying to raise funds to support an exciting new project, as Director Heather Marshall explains:

“We are working with Arches Live to create HEY, I’M ALIVE! an immersive theatre experience that explores the impact that Cystic Fibrosis has on a young person and their family and friends. It’s a project that we’re really excited about as we feel that it raises awareness of the condition whilst also giving opportunities to emerging artists, including a young performer with CF.

“Because people with Cystic Fibrosis are not meant to socialise with one another (the risk of infection is too high) we are faced with the challenge of not being able to reach out to as many young people with CF as we would like. And so we’re hoping to live stream the production so that it can be shown to young people at home and in hospital. Jordan, our performer with CF feels that its important that other young people see that they’re not alone and hopes that HEY, I’M ALIVE! is a way to reach out to some of his peers throughout the UK and hopefully across the world.

“The costs of staging the production are mounting and so we’ve launched a crowd funding site to help pay for the live streaming, Jordan’s travel & support and childcare costs for one of our emerging artists who is also a young mum. We’ve attached further information about HEY, I’M ALIVE! in the hope that you may be able to support the project. This may be through a donation on our indiegogo page

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hey-i-m-alive

or promoting the project via your social media -we’re using the hashtag #electricHIA.

“We’d love to be able to name you as one of our supporters and will make sure that you are mentioned in all press and marketing related to the production. If you require further information please contact me on Creative_electric@hotmail.com

The HEY, I’M ALIVE! team

and

Heather Marshall

Director, Creative Electric

www.creative-electric.co.uk