ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE – THURSDAY 16 MAY 6.30pm
Edinburgh College EIS-FELA branch are hosting a public meeting this week to discuss the impact that cuts to Further Education are having and will continue to have in Edinburgh.
We are yet again facing more job losses and the cuts to educational provision at our campuses will have a devastating effect for our local communities.
The meeting will take place on Thursday 16th May at Royston Wardieburn Community centre from 6.30pm.
We have invited local community leaders to attend and we are hoping that this meeting will be the first of three meetings in communities in which our campuses are situated.
A new levy on arena and stadium tickets and a cut in VAT are urgently needed to support grassroots music venues across the country as they struggle to cope with a crisis of closures and soaring costs, says a Westminster committee.
The recommendations are in a report from the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which highlights how small local venues integral to the pipeline of professional creative and technical music talent are stopping performances or closing entirely at a rate of two per week.
The Committee also heard about how artists are facing a “cost of touring crisis”, while promoters are struggling to get shows off their spreadsheets and into venues.
On top of immediate financial help through a levy-funded support fund and a targeted temporary VAT cut to help stem the tide of closures, the report says a comprehensive fan-led review of live and electronic music should be set up this summer to examine the long-term challenges to the wider live music ecosystem.
The Committee inquiry, launched at the Music Venue Trust’s Venues Day in October 2023, heard from across the sector1 of the scale of the crisis facing venues and the impact this is having on artists and all those that rely on them for business.
The MVT described 2023 as the most challenging year for the sector since the trust was founded in 2014, while Creative UK said the grassroots music sector took a ‘battering’.
In total the number of GMVs declined from 960 to 835 last year, a net decrease of 13%, representing a loss of as many as 30,000 shows and 4,000 jobs.
The report says that given the urgency of the crisis, a voluntary levy on arena and stadium concert tickets would be the most feasible way to have an immediate impact, creating a support fund for venues, artists and promoters administered by a trust led by a sector umbrella body.
The Committee also calls for the industry to ensure the levy cost is not passed on to music fans. If there is no agreement by September or if it fails to collect enough income to support the sector, the Government should step in an introduce a statutory levy, the report adds.
On VAT relief, the Committee calls for a temporary cut based on venue capacity, with the Government undertaking analysis to assess the impact to inform future decisions.
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said: “We are grateful to the many dedicated local venues who gave up their time to take part in our inquiry. They delivered the message loud and clear that grassroots music venues are in crisis.
“The ongoing wave of closures is not just a disaster for music, performers and supporters in local communities up and down the country, but also puts at risk the entire live music ecosystem. If the grassroots, where musicians, technicians, tour managers and promoters hone their craft, are allowed to wither and die, the UK’s position as a music powerhouse faces a bleak future.
“To stem the overwhelming ongoing tide of closures, we urgently need a levy on arena and stadium concert tickets to fund financial support for the sector, alongside a VAT cut to help get more shows into venues.
“While the current focus is on the many grassroots music venues falling silent, those working in the live music sector across the board are also under extraordinary strain. It is time that the Government brought together everyone with a stake in the industry’s success, including music fans, to address the long-term challenges and ensure live music can thrive into the future.”
Among the report’s other recommendations are for the Government and Arts Council to make it easier for the live music sector to apply for public funding and for stakeholders across the industry to continue to support the Featured Artists’ Coalition’s campaign to end punitive fees on artists’ merchandise.
A hit podcast, a legendary musical and a modern ballet will all be screening from Vue this May.
Starting with Help I Sexted My Boss (14 May), William Hanson and Jordan North will be broadcasting live from the London Palladium in this brand-new show.
Entertaining listeners around the world, Help I Sexted My Boss has amassed more than 50 million listens since launching over six years ago. From very different backgrounds, watch on as the comedy duo help listeners navigate the challenges of modern life.
Also coming next week (16 and 19 May) is the legendary musical theatre classic 42nd Street, which tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway.
Filmed live at the magnificent Theatre Royal in the heart of London’s West End, it stars national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock and features iconic songs 42nd Street, We’re In The Money and Lullaby of Broadway.
Arriving on the big screen at Vue on 22 May is The Winter’s Tale from the Royal Ballet. It tells the story of King Leontes, who is crippled with an all-consuming jealousy when his friend King Polixenes of Bohemia stays with him and his wife Hermione.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this season, The Winter’s Tale is an award-winning modern ballet classic, packed with emotional turmoil heightened by Joby Talbot’s compelling score and Bob Crowley’s atmospheric designs.
Robert Smith, General Manager for Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “Here at Vue, we pride ourselves on showcasing so much more than the biggest blockbusters – giving fans from all walks of life the chance to catch some of the best life performances from the comfort of their local Vue venue.”
For more information and to book tickets, visit myvue.com.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is celebrating International Nurses Day, highlighting inspirational team members who have made a significant impact on the service.
Janice Heggie, Lead Nurse for the Neonatal Service at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, is one nurse who definitely falls into this category.
This month, Janice won Leader of the Year at the service’s Women and Children Awards and, next year, will mark 35 years of service with NHSGGC.
Before she hits that milestone – and her 60th birthday – Janice is taking on her biggest challenge yet.
In June, she will cycle almost 400 miles from London to Amsterdam across four days to raise funds for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
“I wanted to set myself a challenge for my 60th birthday and when the charity announced a call for people to make this cycle, I signed up right away.
“For years, I’ve watched the charity giving to the hospital, and I have seen the impact that their work has on people’s lives. This is my chance to do something for them.
“I started training in October last year and I average about 100 miles per week. Cycling has become a huge part of my life now. I even cycle indoors. I have more than one bike – let’s just say that,” Janice said.
Janice will cycle with another colleague and 16 patient family members who also want to give back to the hospital and charity. The team will meet with five other children’s hospitals from across the UK too.
Angela Wallace, Executive Director of Nursing explained that she isn’t surprised that Janice has taken on such a challenge. “All of our nurses are inspirational in one way or another, but we find great strength in leaders like Janice.
“We’re so proud of the work that she gives and the care that she delivers to patients. For the past 35 years, she has dedicated her time to caring for children, often in very complicated cases.
“Janice sets a goal and works hard towards it so it isn’t a surprise that she has signed up for this journey and I can guarantee that she will be an amazing motivator to those cycling with her. A huge thanks to Janice and to all our nurses that are inspiring others,” she said.
International Nurses Day is today – Sunday, 12th of May 2024.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is delighted to support staff marking International Nurses Day 2024
May 12 is Florence Nightingale’s birthday and begins a week-long celebration of the profession of nursing.
Each year the International Council of Nurses (ICN) have a theme, with this’s theme being “Our Nurses, Our Future, The Economic Power of care.”
Nurses are often the first members of staff that patients meet and are the constant in their care. Nurses give care with empathy and compassion throughout a patient’s life which can be challenging and rewarding daily.
Professor Angela Wallace, NHSGGC Executive Director of Nursing, said: “When I speak to our nursing colleagues across the organisation, I see a dedication and passion to ensure the patient receives the best care possible and how the patient is always central to how our nurses deliver care.
“These conversations are so important to me, as I get the chance to speak and listen to fellow nursing colleagues.
“Nurses play a vital role in the care of our patients and loved ones which can be sometimes in difficult circumstances. I want to take this opportunity on International Nurses Day to thank you today and every day for the invaluable care you give with dedication and professionalism.
“I hope you enjoy celebrating International Nurses Day.”
You can now buy tea flavoured like haggis, whisky and pease pudding!
Tea range with flavours of haggis and pease pudding has now launched
Inspired by famous places across the UK, the range has been created by staycation provider Verdant Leisure
Often cited as a favourite hot drink for many Brits, a good cup of tea has become synonymous with the UK’s cultural identity.
whilst being a nation of tea drinkers means we’re accustomed to the comforting taste of an English Breakfast blend, or the zing of an Earl Grey, British brew lovers could now be in for a savoury surprise thanks to the launch of a brand-new tea range that takes inspiration from some of the nation’s favourite dishes.
Verdant Valley Infusions, which has been imagined by staycation provider Verdant Leisure, has been created with popular staycation destinations in mind taking flavour notes from much-loved regional dishes and drinks from Scotland, North East England and Devon to give tea lovers a unique twist on their favourite brew.
The Scottish range includes the classic Haggis, which boasts a perfect blend of spice and sweetness, oats and barley, and a finishing crack of black pepper. Whisky – a smooth black tea spiked with spices, vanilla and malt to recreate the flavour of the country’s most beloved tipple and there’s Tablet – blending creamy vanilla with toasted brown sugar to whip up a cosy and comforting hug in a mug.
The famous, or infamous, Pease Pudding inspires the North East blend, which the staycation provider describes as a smoky, earthy chai with notes of bay leaf, thyme and citrus, it’s a rib-sticker that’s sure to warm your cockles.
And, ending on a sweeter note, Devon’s iconic jam, cream and scones inspire the last blend, this tea claims to have fresh-baked flavours of clotted cream and vanilla perked up with vivid raspberry and bright bergamot to create a cuppa that’s a sweet treat of its own.
The full range not only takes its taste from regional favourites but is also steeped in local history to celebrate the tales and heritage that Britain has to offer.
Speaking on the launch, Francesca Houldsworth, travel expert at Verdant Leisure, said:“We are champions for exploring the best of what destinations closer to home have to offer we saw a perfect opportunity to celebrate our local cultures, stories and food through a medium that’s loved just as much – tea!
“The ranges have been created with the histories of the dishes in mind and each flavour picked carefully to reflect the meals and drinks that have become a part of our regional identities, so we’re excited to now be sharing them!”
Survey from The Gym Group identifies supporting mental health as one of top reasons for gym visits for young people
In a recent survey* from nationwide gym chain The Gym Group, young people (aged 16-34 years) said their mental health is an important motivation for going to the gym.
When asked for their top three reasons for going to the gym, those in the 25 – 34 age group were most likely to put mental health as being their number one motivation, with those aged 16-24 most likely to put it as one of their top three.
This year the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week (13th – 19th May) is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”.
The Gym Group has 236 gyms around the country and is offering free day passes throughout the week, inviting more people to visit their local gym to experience the mental health benefits of exercise.
The Gym Group is also supporting Better Health-Every Mind Mattersfor Mental Health Awareness Week to help more people make healthy changes with exercise.
Every Mind Matters is a campaign and digital resource, delivered by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which aims to equip people to protect and improve their mental wellbeing.
Their resources provide a range of simple, NHS-approved self-care tips and tools that help people make self-care a priority within their daily life.
Better Health programmes focus on driving long-lasting behaviour change, and The Gym Group has always been committed to helping people to build lasting habits of regular gym visits.
In 2023, average member visits per month increased by 10% compared to 2022, showing that more people choose to prioritise their gym routines. 1 in 4 adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health concern every year.
Whilst regular exercise and movement can support with more positive mental wellbeing, it is reported that 4 out of 10adults are not currently meeting NHS recommended physical activity guidelines.
Health Minister, Maria Caulfieldsaid: “Exercise is incredibly important to help maintain good mental health.
“Our Every Mind Matters tool offers fantastic self-help advice including exercise tips, and tailored Minds Plans that build resilience and help people cope with life’s challenges. I encourage everyone to use it, whether it be to boost your mood, improve your sleep or deal more easily with mild stress or anxiety.”
Martin Scholes, Head of Operations, The Gym Group said: “It is our founding mission to break down barriers to fitness so that more people can reap the mental and physical benefits of regular exercise.
“We know that a lot of our members rely on our gyms to support and protect their mental wellbeing and it’s great to support campaigns like Every Mind Matters to inspire even more people to do the same.’
Do you have experience in community engagement and development? We have an exciting new paid role for a Community Navigator, to support more people in North Edinburgh to access and benefit from Lauriston Farm.
The Community Navigator will work to foster relationships, increase engagement, make the farm more accessible and inclusive and reach people within our neighbouring communities of Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw and Granton.
You would collaborate with local organisations such as Pilton Community Health Partnership (with a desk based at PCHP), North Edinburgh Arts, Granton Youth, Low Income Families Together, Muirhouse Medical Practice and Community Renewal to offer activities and support individuals and groups with their engagement at the farm.
We would particularly like to encourage people from the Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw and Granton areas and from under-represented and marginalised groups to consider applying for this role.
Click here to see all details and the application process:
BLACK SHEEP COFFEE OPEN NEW SITE IN HAYMARKET SQUARE
Black Sheep Coffee,the Robusta rebel of the coffee world, is proud to announce the opening of its newest site in Haymarket Square on 14th May 2024. To celebrate, Black Sheep Coffee will be offering £1 coffees throughout, for customers to enjoy a fantastic first day.*
Located in the middle of the bustling Haymarket Square, the latest Black Sheep Coffee is bringing its signature blend of passion and rebellion to Edinburgh.
The new site is set to become the go-to destination for locals and visitors seeking an unforgettable coffee experience from Edinburgh’s best baristas in a laid-back, welcoming space. From carefully crafted coffees, to refreshing smoothies, to an indulgent selection of pastries and waffles, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
With Edinburgh being a creative hub in the UK with a famously rich culture, the city is very special to the brand.
The new opening is a demonstration of the incredible recent growth for the Black Sheep Coffee family, as it spreads its wings further across the UK, with over 90 stores – and nearly 40 opened in the last year alone.
The pioneering coffee group is rapidly expanding, throughcombining a passion for coffee and a mission to take down the big corporate chains, along with harnessing support and funding from their loyal customers and those who believe in the values of the company.
Renowned for unapologetically bold flavours and an unrivalled commitment to quality, Black Sheep Coffee are innovators in the space – by sourcing the first specialty-grade 100% Robusta coffee, they went against the market trends and became the ‘Black Sheep’ of the coffee world.
With a commitment to sustainability and ethically sourced beans, every cup of Black Sheep Coffee is a statement of rebellion against the ordinary. The coffee shop group also achieved another world first with the launch of their Lion’s Mane Latte, which is made up of Lion’s Mane, ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea extract & B12.
Black Sheep Coffee is not just a space to grab your morning coffee, it’s a community hub where rebels, misfits, and free spirits come together to celebrate individuality and embrace the extraordinary.
Gabriel Shohet and Eirik Holth commented on the launch: “We’re so excited to be launching our newest Black Sheep Coffee site in Edinburgh and creating another coffee haven for those who dare to be different.
“With Edinburgh’s rich culture of creativity, we feel that this is a perfect new spot for us to open in.”
Leave the herd behind and brew some positive change at Black Sheep Coffee Haymarket Square.
Black Sheep Coffee Haymarket Square will be open from 14th May 2024 at Unit 1, 3 Haymarket Square, Edinburgh, EH3 8RY.
For the first time ever in Scotland, this summer visitors to National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh can enjoy two paintings by world-famous artist Johannes Vermeer.
The free display, which opened on Friday (10 May) as part of the National Treasures celebration, will see A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal coming to Scotland from the National Gallery in London. The stunning artwork will be shown alongside Scotland’s own Vermeer, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, one of the much-loved artist’s earliest paintings.
National Treasures marks the bicentenary of the National Gallery in London, with 12 of their most iconic paintings being lent to partners across the UK. This is also the first time ever that A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal has been on show in Scotland, presenting a unique, free opportunity for locals and visitors to Edinburgh this summer.
With only some 36 known works in the world by Vermeer, the National Galleries of Scotland is one of only 18 galleries worldwide to hold one in their collection and Christ in the House of Martha and Mary is the only Vermeer in a Scottish collection. National Treasures | Vermeer in Edinburgh presents a remarkable chance to compare a later Vermeer work with one of the artist’s earliest surviving paintings.
One of the most renowned artists in the world, Johannes Vermeer’s works have achieved iconic status, in part due to their scarcity. His early paintings differ greatly in subject matter to his later works, as the artist moved from painting history to capturing everyday scenes. Nearly all Vermeer’s works depict young women in calm, orderly domestic interiors, often playing musical instruments.
The work, Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, from about 1654 – 1655, is his largest and his only known work of a biblical subject. It depicts Christ’s visit to the sisters’ house, as written in Saint Luke’s Gospel.
In the picture, Martha complains that she is doing all the work while Maria is idling at Christ’s feet, however, Christ addresses Martha and praises Maria’s eagerness to listen to him. Given the unusual size and subject-matter it is likely that the painting was a specific commission, created by request.
The delicate, much smaller, A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal, from about 1670–2, depicts the subject standing with her hands on a keyboard, her head turned towards the viewer, holding our eye with a direct gaze.
She seems caught in a moment of expectation and uncertainty. Perhaps we have interrupted her playing, or maybe she is waiting for us so she can start. Maybe the empty chair in the foreground is significant: is she waiting for someone else?
The large painting on the wall behind her of a naked Cupid, the god of love, may help us to understand more. It seems to be a signal that this is not just a scene of music making, but that the woman is waiting for her lover.
For National Treasures | Vermeer in Edinburgh, A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal and Christ in the House of Martha and Mary will be on display amongst the National’s superb collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the fascinating juxtaposition of his earliest work with the London later work until Sunday 8 September.
National Galleries of Scotland, Director-General, Anne Lyden, said: ”It is so exciting to be able to exhibit two Vermeer paintings, never seen in Scotland together before, alongside our wonderful collection.
“What a fantastic opportunity for visitors to the National this summer to see these two rare works at the same time. We would like to say congratulations to the National Gallery in London on their bicentenary and are thrilled to be a part of their fantastic programme of celebrations.”
National Treasures is a key strand of the programme celebrating the National Gallery in London’s bicentenary. 12 of the nation’s most well-known paintings are being lent to 12 venues across the UK. Paintings including, Constable’s The Hay Wain, Turner’s Fighting Temeraire and Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond will each travel to a regional centre such as Bristol, Newcastle and York. Each of the partners is set to mark the national treasure’s stay by organising events, exhibitions and digital interventions to showcase their works.
Alexandra Kavanagh, Head of National Touring at the National Gallery, London, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the National in Edinburgh – it’s been so terrific seeing how our painting can have a dialogue with the wonderful Vermeer in their own collection.
“It’s brilliant to work with the National Galleries of Scotland and find new ways to collaborate and mutually support one another, bringing art to the public and caring for nationally significant collections.”
All National Treasures displays will open simultaneously on 10 May 2024, the 200th anniversary of the National Gallery’s opening in London, enabling people from all over the country to see, up close, some of the greatest works in the history of Western art. For the duration of the displays, 35 million people – more than half the UK population – will be within an hour’s journey of a National Gallery masterpiece.
The appointment of Angela O’Hagan as the new Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission is to be endorsed by the Scottish Parliament on 16 May.
The Scottish Human Rights Commission’s role is to promote widespread awareness, understanding of, and respect for human rights.
The appointment follows an open recruitment process which sought candidates with a proven track record of promoting human rights, experience of successfully leading an organisation and excellent interpersonal and team working skills.
Professor O’Hagan will take up post in August 2024.
Angela O’Hagan is currently Professor of Equality and Public Policy at Glasgow Caledonian University where she created the current MSc in Human Rights and previously led the MSc in Citizenship and Human Rights.
She is the Depute Director of the WISE Centre for Economic Justice.
Her career encompasses leadership roles in the community and statutory sectors in Scotland, including as Director of Carers Scotland, and Head of Campaigns and Communications with Oxfam Scotland, after a period with the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Throughout her career Professor O’Hagan has focused on integrating equality and human rights analysis in public policy, policy analysis and service design.
She has served on a number of advisory and project groups with successive Scottish Governments including currently as the independent chair of the Equality and Human Rights Budget Advisory Group and the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, and previously as a member of the Commission on Local Tax Reform.
Professor O’Hagan has an international profile, particularly in gender and human rights budgeting, and through membership of academic and civil society networks. In 2019, she was awarded the Jo Cox Award for Public Service and Activity Citizenship by the Political Studies Association.
Terms of appointment
The appointment is for a single term of 6 years.
The post attracts a daily fee rate of £351 and is not pensionable.
The time commitment is 10 days a month, 120 days a year.
The Scottish Human Rights Commission
The Commission is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) for Scotland. NHRls are independent organisations established by law, to promote and protect human rights.
The Commission is one of over 100 NHRls around the world.
