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50 awards announced from the £100k Keep it Fringe fund

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced the recipients of the ‘Keep it Fringe’ fund, a new initiative to support Fringe artists, led by Fringe Society President Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The fund, supported by the Fleabag for Charity fund and donations to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society through individual donors and our partnership with Edinburgh Gin, is distributing bursaries of £2,000 to 50 artists and companies bringing work to the Fringe in 2023.

As part of the Fringe Society’s work to build a better and more accessible Fringe, the fund is intended to level the playing field for artists, providing the opportunity to reap the rewards of all the Fringe has to offer.

Since its announcement on Tuesday 07 March, 677 artists and companies have applied to the fund, and submissions were assessed by a diverse group of external assessors.

Each application was reviewed by two assessors, who were on the lookout for shows that capture the defiant spirit of the Fringe and can take advantage of the festival as a unique platform to tell untold stories at all stages of their career.

The successful award recipients represent the great breadth of variety and diversity that makes up the Fringe. Their work covers a range of subjects, from Climate Action and OCD to parenthood and migration; from love to death, and the realities of rural life.

There’s sketch comedy, musicals, stand-up, spoken word for children, plays, ventriloquist horror, immersive theatre for one audience-member at a time; drag, performance art, variety, solo work and pole dancing. These artists and companies will share 50 stories which talk to the very essence and spirit of the Fringe. We’ll be sharing more information on this eclectic range of recipients in the weeks to come.

From emerging artists and those presenting at the Fringe for the first time to more established acts returning to the festival, recipients reflect performers at every stage of their career. It was clear to the assessors that there were a diverse range of applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds looking to bring their work to the Fringe in 2023. Nearly one in two of those selected are disabled or have a health condition, with one in three coming from a working-class background.

Funding will be used to cover a variety of expenses, including childcare, transportation, media and PR support, help to meet living wage pay; supporting access costs for artists, and the production costs associated with performing. The successful recipients will present work across a range of spaces in Edinburgh and will offer a mix of paid-for and free shows.

In addition to the £2,000 financial grant support, the 50 Keep it Fringe recipients will receive an additional package of support to help them perform at this year’s festival. The leading destination for short-form video, TikTok, will also continue their support of Fringe artists and are kindly donating £50,000 worth of advertising credits to the Keep it Fringe fund recipients.

These credits can be used by artists to boost their account content and raise their profile in-app in the run up to, and during the Fringe.

Supporting the Fringe’s climate action development goals, electric rail provider sustainable rail network Lumo are generously donating 50 return tickets from any of their UK hubs, for travel to and from Edinburgh, for recipients of the fund.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘The number of applications received for the Keep it Fringe fund reflects the current economic climate, and a need for significant support for artists coming to the Fringe.

“The festival continues to be one of the most important cultural events in the world, and a platform for artists to gather, network and meet with industry partners as they explore future career possibilities.

“Our team continue to advocate for those across the Fringe ecology, and as we move at speed to this year’s Fringe, we encourage individuals and companies to reach out to our Artist Services team to see how we can provide further support.

“We are immensely grateful for Phoebe’s generous donation to this new fund, and would welcome conversations with partners, donors and organisations who would be open to supporting the development of this important initiative in the future.

“Our thanks to all the assessors who took the time to review hundreds of applications, and to TikTok and Lumo for their kind support package for the recipients.’

THE 50 SUCCESSFUL RECIPIENTS OF THE KEEP IT FRINGE FUND:

Full detail on the artists, companies, venues, and the shows themselves will be shared in the coming weeks as some shows are not yet on sale:

Abby Vicky-Russell

Alex Gibbon

Alistair Hall

BBD Productions

Ben Macpherson

Ben Target

Best in Class CIC

Brigitte Aphrodite

Bristol Performance Movement

c21 Theatre Company Limited

Cerys Bradley

Clementine Bogg-Hargroves

Down the Lens

Edith Alibec

Elisabeth Gunawan / Saksi Bisou

Ella Lovelady

Emerge Production House

Fiona Ridgewell

Flat &the Curves

Gara in association with Jess Donn

Hey Thanks! Theatre Company

Jaimee Aislyn de Witt

Joe Leather

Journey to the East Productions

KlangHaus

Lachlan Werner

Lee Kyle

MarianaMalena Theatre Company

Martin Mor Comedy

Matt Hutchinson

Max Percy + Friends

Moon Loaf

Mr Brake Down

Mwansa Phiri/Visual Sauce

Olly Gully

Peyvand Sadeghian

Prentice Productions with Kit Sinclair

Rachel E. Thorn

Ready Cett Productions

Riss Obolensky and Eloise Poulton

RoguePlay Theatre

Sian Davies

Simona Vrabcova

Slade Wolfe Enterprises Limited

Social Convention

StammerMouth

Stephen John Catling

Suhaila Suhaimi

The Thelmas WMC

Tom Mayhew

The Keep it Fringe fund is a pilot, and part of the Fringe Society’s wider fundraising campaign. The ambition is to provide direct financial support for Fringe artists every year, with widening eligibility where possible. The Fringe Society recognises that these funds won’t make or break a show but should provide a little bit of financial help to those who want to take part in the Fringe.

If you or your organisation can help contribute to the Keep it Fringe, or widen its reach, please contact support.us@edfringe.com.

Transport investment turbocharges UK’s net zero ambitions and economic growth in Scotland

– Transport Minister Richard Holden outlines commitment to UK sustainable transport and maximising economic growth in Scotland
– New hydrogen powered and self-driving trucks being developed in Glasgow will help create a carbon-free future
– Meetings with local businesses and communities to explore ways to boost connectivity between Scotland and the rest of the UK

Plans to boost Scottish connectivity and economic growth through transport were at the heart of Transport Minister Richard Holden’s visit in Scotland yesterday (Monday 3 April 2023).

In meetings with local businesses and community leaders, he outlined the government’s commitment to developing new green technologies.

Minister Holden was in Glasgow to see new hydrogen-powered and self-driving trucks backed by £16 million Government funding, which could be seen on UK roads in the near future.

These vehicles would makeroads safer, increase productivity and help protect the environment.This investment is supporting the UK’s ambition of achieving net zero by 2050 and ensuring the UK maximises the opportunities offered by new technologies, while supporting high-skilled jobs.

Minister Holden also had a tour of new transport links in Ravenscraig and the surrounding areas, which has received £127 million investment jointly funded by the UK Government, Scottish Government and North Lanarkshire Council.

This investment will improve connectivity to local towns and cities, create thousands of jobs and encourage more people to walk and cycle.

Transport Minister Richard Holden said: “Innovation like this in Scotland will help the UK become a world-leading next-generation transport hub by protecting the environment and meeting our global ambitions.

“Boosting transport connections across the UK will grow the economy and ensure that everyone no matter where they live has access to well paid, high-quality jobs.”

The regeneration of the Ravenscraig site is estimated to generate 4,600 construction jobs in follow on development and £626 million for the local economy.

This funding is part of the Glasgow Region City Deal which saw over £1 billion committed for major infrastructure projects in Glasgow and the surrounding areas comprising of funding from the UK Government and Scottish Government.

UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “UK Government investment is helping power Scotland into the fast lane of sustainable transport innovation and delivering improved connectivity – levelling up the UK and bringing communities closer together.

“From hydrogen-powered and self-driving trucks being developed in Glasgow, the regeneration of Ravenscraig’s road, rail, cycling and walking infrastructure, a new ferry to save Fair Isle, to a green transport hub in Dundee, we are working to improve people’s journeys, boost economic growth and protect the environment.

“But there’s more to be done and we are committed to continue working closely with the Scottish Government and local partners to deliver the benefits travellers want and businesses need.”

Minister Holden met local businesses and communities to explore how investment in road schemes, railway lines and domestic flights between Scotland and the rest of the UK could boost connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

Research found 60% of people thought that improving transport links across the UK would make a positive difference to their own nation.

Minister Holden will also be visiting Northern Ireland and Wales in the coming days.

Governing body serves up awards to Edinburgh tennis community

Tennis Scotland have announced the winners of 2023 Awards, celebrating the formidable achievements and contributions of individuals, clubs, programmes, and competitions in 2022.

Two players, a club, park venue, and competition also received prestigious awards on the evening.

The annual awards ceremony was hosted by comedian Josh Berry at the Stirling Court Hotel on Friday, 31 March in front of an audience of over 130 members of the Scottish tennis community. With membership figures exceeding 75,000, the ceremony was a fantastic way to acknowledge the success and diligence of the community, from club level to players competing on the international circuit.

Abercorn LTC, which was established in 1919 and currently boasts 310 members, was recognised as Club of the Year.

The club actively encouraged more women and girls to pick up a racquet, increasing their female membership by 83% in the last three years, and also developed a female-specific coaching programme led by Katie Hoch who was shortlisted for Development Coach of the Year.

Picking up the Park Venue of the Year was Rosewell Tennis Club in Midlothian, formed in 2021. The club strives to rejuvenate tennis in the community which previously had no facilities after they took over the lease of two derelict courts in March 2021 and secured funding to upgrade the courts and add floodlights.

The East Lothian Open won the Competition of the Year award, given to a competition with outstanding organisation and delivery. The East Lothian Open organised and hosted a week-long tournament on a voluntary basis which was open to all ages and abilities. The competition also hosted almost 40 different events with 420 participants in addition to hosting the first Open Grade 3 tournament for players with a learning disability in Scotland.

Edinburgh-born Sarah McFadyen, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the LTA Women’s 40s rankings, was awarded Senior Veteran Player of the Year. McFadyen reached No. 12 in the ITF Masters World ranking in August 2022, represented Scotland in the Senior Four Nations, and also represented Great Britain in the 2022 Young Cup at the ITF World Team Championships in Portugal.

Twenty-one-year-old Jacob Fearnley, who trained Craiglockhart Tennis Centre growing up, received the Senior Player of the Year award for his achievements over the past 12 months. Fearnley is currently a student-athlete at Texas-Christian University where he contributed to TCU’s first ITA National Indoor title in program history, helped the team achieve No.1 in the college rankings, as well as reaching No.1 in ITA National doubles ranking, and No. 8 in singles.

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to every winner at this year’s Tennis Scotland Awards, and thank all who do so much for Scottish tennis and who celebrated the Awards with us in person at the Stirling Court Hotel.

“As the Scottish governing body, we are grateful for the individuals and organisations that have played their part in growing and developing tennis across Scotland over the last year. With record numbers of members within our club network and record entries at many competitions, there is real momentum in Scottish tennis, and we look forward to further developments in 2023. Best wishes to all our winners who go ahead to the LTA British Awards this year.”

The full list of winners can be viewed here: https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/in-your-area/tennis-scotland/news/tennis-scotland-announces-winners-of-coveted-2023-awards/

For learn more about the Tennis Scotland Awards, please visit www.tennisscotland.org or follow @TennisScotland on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Supporting families: First Minister announces additional £15 million to expand school age childcare

Thousands more low-income families will benefit from free school age childcare as part of a £15 million investment to help tackle child poverty.

Existing services for eligible families in areas of Dundee, Clackmannanshire, Glasgow and Inverclyde will be expanded, with new services set up in other communities across Scotland.

Local football clubs will be able to apply for funding totalling £2 million to support the provision of after school and holiday activities clubs, in a joint initiative with the Scottish Football Association.

Nine other projects will also receive a share of the £15 million funding to continue offering childcare services in 2023-24.

First Minister Humza Yousaf made the funding announcement as he visited Ayr United Football Academy’s holiday club.

The First Minister said: “Tackling child poverty and helping families deal with cost of living pressures are key priorities.

“Funded school age childcare benefits families in a number of ways. It supports parents and carers into work, enabling them to provide for their families and to contribute to a wellbeing economy. It also provides safe, nurturing environments for children and opportunities for them to socialise and take part in a wide range of activities.

“This £15 million investment is part of our work to build a system of year-round school age childcare – fully funded for those who need it most.

“Scotland already has the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK. All three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds are entitled to 1,140 hours a year of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC). We are working with partners to progress our childcare offer even further, with plans to expand ELC to one-year-olds and more two-year-olds.”

Ayr United Football Academy Chair Allan Gunning said: “This project supports children and families by providing a wide range of activities through after school and holiday clubs.

“It is delivering positive outcomes for children including: increased access to activities and sports, improved nutritional intake, enhanced fitness and engagement in wider education. The project is also delivering positive outcomes for families including; assisting with employment, education and training, increasing community involvement, and family participation in grassroots clubs and organisations.

“We are delighted that project funding is continuing and appreciate the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to improving outcomes.”

Appeal for information following hit and run in Lochend

Police are appealing for information following a hit and run involving a car and a pedestrian.

A man was waking within Lochend Park, around 8.15pm on Sunday, 2 April, 2023, when he was struck by a black Audi.

Emergency services attended and the 21-year-old man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. The car left the scene prior to police arrival.

Around 8.45pm on Sunday, 2 April, 2023 a black Audi was found on Maplewood Park, with an attempt made to set it alight.

There were no reports of any injuries and the vehicle was uplifted.

Officers believe this vehicle may be linked to the earlier incident.

Acting Detective Inspector Steven Gray from Gayfield CID said: “Our enquiries into both these incidents, which we believe are linked, are ongoing.

“We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the initial crash or a vehicle leaving the scene, who has not already spoken to us to get in touch.

“I would also appeal to anyone with any information on the car in Maplewood Park or who has dash cam footage which may assist us to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 3398 of 2 April, 2023. Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Blooming Good News: Land Fund success for Granton Gardeners

A community garden in Granton, the arts agency in Wester Hailes and a village shop in West Linton are all set to benefit from the Scottish Land Fund

Granton Community Gardeners has received £89,902 to acquire land in Granton where GCG will continue to host various community activities related to the growing and sharing of food to around 700 visitors per month.

Across the city WHALE Arts Agency in Edinburgh has been given £157,483 to bring their entire project into community ownership by buying the land that the current WHALE building sits on.

Community ownership of the land will secure the future of this well-used amenity from which WHALE Arts have delivered services and activities to the community for 30 years.

And West Linton Enterprise Group has received £97,600 to purchase a building in West Linton, Scottish Borders. The group currently uses this asset and will continue to use the building as a volunteer-run community thrift shop and local art gallery called The Knot.

The projects are amongst 16 across the country that have received grants totalling £1,972,701 from the Scottish Land Fund.

Tom Kirby, Development Manager, Granton Community Gardeners, said: “We’re excited to be able to move forward with ownership of our Community Garden, which has been created through the hard work, skills, and dedication of our local community.

“This is now secured for the long term, opening up more possibilities to improve it, and for more people of all ages to enjoy the space; and to grow, cook, share and eat more food together.”

Dr Andrew McNiven, Chair, WHALE Arts Board, said: “WHALE Arts is delighted to have been granted this funding which will support us in our Community Asset Transfer. T

“his ensures community ownership of the WHALE Arts site for the people of Wester Hailes. We’re grateful for the support of the Scottish Land Fund in this important step for WHALE and the community of Wester Hailes.”

And Allison Glasse, Co-Chair, West Linton Enterprise Group, said: “We are so pleased to have been awarded this grant, which will enable us to take our small retail outlet into community ownership.

“We are excited by the future possibilities of making The Knot into a real local asset, run by community, for the community and raising money for local organisations and projects.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “Every one of these grants allows for the provision of assets and services that individual groups have identified as being essential to their areas.

“This localised approach helps to strengthen both urban and rural communities.”

Sandra Holmes, Head of Community assets at HIE, added: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.

“For example, the Coigach Community Development Company, through the purchase of the land at the former hydroponicum site, will now be in a position to build much-needed affordable community housing. The new homes are vitally important to create a sustainable future for the area.

“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”

Other groups receiving funding are:

Alyth Development Trust

Award – £76,774

Alyth Development Trust will purchase the Milhaugh site in Alyth, Perth and Kinross. The group intends to develop the site in order to provide a broad range of outdoor community activities.

Coigach Community Development Company

Award – £304,700

Coigach Community Development Company will purchase the former Hydroponicum site in Achiltibuie, Highland. They will develop affordable housing and an amenity space on the site, to strengthen the community’s long-term viability.

Concrete Garden

Award – £140,287

Concrete Garden, Glasgow, will acquire two sites, one currently used by the group and another vacant site nearby. Concrete Garden will continue to deliver community growing and creative play activities for the community and expand their outdoor services onto a new site.

Dunoon Community Shed

Award – £153,000

Dunoon Community Shed will acquire the former ceramics factory in Dunoon. DCS will continue to offer multiple activities to the local community to build skills, reduce isolation and provide a community gathering space.

The Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation

Award – £136,192

Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation will purchase Argyll Beaver Centre at Knapdale, Argyll. They will continue to provide educational and volunteering opportunities from the centre, alongside their conservation work.

Inspire Inverary

Award – £121,374

Inspire Inverary will acquire and restore Inverary Pier in Argyll. This will provide safe access for leisure, water sports and fishing activities, increased use by yachts and cruisers and offer opportunities for investment in moorings, pontoons and slipways.

Nether Lochaber Community Association

Award – £45,186

Nether Lochaber Community Association, Highlands, will take ownership of the Inchree Barn. The group plans to repair the building to address isolation in the community by providing a community hub for people and groups to meet.

Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment

Award £111,268

Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment will purchase Netherthird Community Centre in Netherthird, East Ayrshire, and continue to offer various community and wellbeing services from the building, including a community cafe.

Staffin Community Trust

Award – £116,064

Staffin Community Trust will purchase a slipway protected by a breakwater, plus onshore hard standing, a derelict boathouse and a parcel of land in Staffin, Skye. The Trust will continue to redevelop and improve the local harbour to serve a range of different users and meet the demand for onshore facilities.

Scenic Sandbank

Award – £119,890

Scenic Sandbank will acquire land in Sandbank, near Dunoon, Argyll, for the purpose of creating a community garden to develop the group’s horticultural activities and to provide an attractive green space for residents of Sandbank and the wider area.

Dornie and District Community Trust

Award – £66,316

Dornie and District Community Trust will acquire the former Dornie Store building in Dornie, Highlands. The group will renovate the building and reopen the shop and post office, establish a cafe and offer the flat above as an affordable rental opportunity.

Take A Bow Development Trust

Award – £65,650

Take A Bow Development Trust will purchase the Take A Bow Community Centre in New Farm Loch, East Ayrshire. TABDT will continue to run the site as a community centre offering a range of community-focused events and classes.

Tiree Community Development Trust

Award – £73,415

Tiree Community Development Trust will acquire land in Crossapol, Tiree and construct four light commercial business units, which will be leased to local businesses at affordable rates.

Amazon Development Centre support for four Scottish charities

Four charities that support communities across Scotland, and beyond, have received donations totalling £16,000 from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

The donations were made to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), SAY Women, Broomhouse Community Hall, and Change Mental Health following nominations of support from employees at Amazon’s office in Edinburgh’s Waterloo Place.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People, which has a support centre in Edinburgh, is the UK’s leading sight loss charity. Staff and volunteers provide practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers. The charity’s staff and volunteers raise awareness of the experiences of blind and partially sighted people and campaign for change to make society more accessible for everyone.

SAY Women positively impacts communities across Glasgow by supporting young women aged 16 – 25 who are survivors of sexual violence, homeless or at risk of homelessness as a result. The charity offers accommodation for young women, support through emotional and mental health difficulties and education to help the people it supports prepare for an independent, fulfilled and happy life.

Broomhouse Community Hall is a voluntary organisation run by residents in Broomhouse with the aim of ensuring local views are considered when decisions are taken that impact the community. The organisation, based on Baillieston Road, runs events for people in Glasgow who are lonely, isolated or struggling to buy food. The charity’s volunteers also manage the area’s annual Christmas tree light switch on.

Change Mental Health is a charity that creates talks and training programmes to help people with mental health struggles. Its services, many of which are bespoke to each person it supports, help build confidence and social skills, allowing people to feel more integrated in their community.

Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “The services offered by these charities have an incredible impact on communities across Scotland and we wanted to lend a helping hand to the staff and volunteers with these donations.

“The work being done by the RNIB, SAY Women, Broomhouse Community Hall and Support in Mind Scotland positively impacts the lives of many people across Scotland, and beyond, and we’re pleased to offer them our support.”

Jim Hume, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Change Mental Health, added: “From the staff and volunteers at Change Mental Health, I would like to say thank you to the team at Amazon for acknowledging our hard work and offering us their support.

“It is great to receive this donation from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.”

Kaukab Stewart, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, whose constituency covers SAY Women, said: “I am delighted that SAY Women, located in my Glasgow Kelvin constituency, have been given this funding by Amazon for the very valuable work they do supporting young women survivors of sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault and who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness.

“This funding will undoubtedly be put to good use providing services for this vulnerable group. I hope it will make a real difference to young women dealing with very challenging circumstances, including the damaging impact on mental health.”

John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, whose constituency covers Broomhouse Community Hall, said: ‘’I am pleased to see part of this £16,000 go to Broomhouse Community Hall.

It cannot be overstated the importance of places where the community can engage on issues which affects local people. It is my belief, these are the grassroots and foundations of our democracy.

“It also provides a place where vulnerable people can seek help and support from their neighbours and local community. I wholly congratulate Broomhouse Community Hall for this richly deserved donation.’’

Community donations are one of several ways in which Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Amazon provides students, teachers and parents with free computer science and STEM education programmes and has teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than six million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas of the country.

Arts & Business Scotland becomes Culture & Business Scotland with new identity and strategic vision

The former Arts & Business Scotland has today announced its rebranding to Culture & Business Scotland, as well as launching its strategy for the next five years.

Since the charity’s demerger from Arts & Business UK over a decade ago, it has significantly extended its reach across both the Scottish business and culture sectors, now encompassing heritage as well as the arts and further developing its offer to businesses.

Uniquely positioned as the only agency in Scotland to act as a conduit between the two sectors, the organisation has now repositioned itself as Culture & Business Scotland, part of its aim to ensure that potential beneficiaries across both the culture and business sectors better recognise the value of its work.

Along with its rebranding, the newly renamed Culture & Business Scotland is setting out its strategic plan. In alignment with its commitment to helping both sectors to thrive, the strategic plan accounts for the challenging economic backdrop the organisation is operating in and focusses on ways to mitigate the effects of this.

The legacy of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crises continue to present challenges to the cultural sector, compounded by pressures on public funding. Culture & Business Scotland’s strategic plan addresses this by supporting the cultural sector to access new opportunities and models of working, while ensuring that businesses gain an edge over competitors by mobilising the innovation and creativity offered by cultural organisations.

The organisation’s Strategic Plan outlines three key strategic goals:

· A commitment to championing the benefits of cultural experiences, both for individuals and collectively, and advocating for investment in culture based on the value it brings to social, civic and economic life;

· Further cultivating relationships between the cultural and business industries, including expanding membership to the organisation itself, facilitating funding opportunities between the two sectors and delivering and promoting the Culture & Business Marketplace Scotland initiative;

· and offering sector-specific training and development possibilities, as well as collaborating with industry partners to offer insights into compelling industry issues and provide professional expertise on relevant topics such as governance, fundraising and sponsorship.

Collaboration remains key to Culture & Business Scotland’s ethos, and the strategic plan will continue to uphold the organisation’s dedication to forming and building strong connections with other agencies, local authorities, higher education institutes and third-sector interfaces.

David Watt, CEO of Culture & Business Scotland, said: “As an organisation, we have grown and evolved immeasurably over the past decade, and the new naming and repositioning of our identity reflects this.

“Our rebranding to Culture & Business Scotland demonstrates our fundamental commitment to both sectors while ensuring that all potential beneficiaries can recognise the scope of our work and the value it can offer them”.

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chair of Culture & Business Scotland added: “Scotland’s cultural industry faces a challenging set of circumstances, but it also has immense potential.

“By helping to forge connections between the cultural and business sectors, providing genuinely meaningful training and development opportunities for creative and industry professionals and advocating for the value of cultural experiences, we’re supporting the cultural sector to fully harness this potential and strengthening its ability to weather the challenges ahead.

“Our new strategic plan is a manifestation of our values, vision, and mission, and reinforces our resolve to enable mutually beneficial connections and relationships between the cultural and business sectors – a unique commitment amongst Scottish organisations”.

For more information on Culture & Business Scotland please visit:

www.cultureandbusiness.scot

Tattoo showcases Scottish heritage on BBC’s Future Food Stars with Gordon Ramsay

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo had a starring role in the return of Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars series by showcasing its Scottish heritage.

Bringing Gordon back to his Scottish roots, the first episode was filmed with the beautiful backdrop of Glenapp Castle, Ayr which saw 12 food and drink entrepreneurs create outdoor banquets using local ingredients judged by Gordon alongside the Tattoo’s Drummers, Pipers, and Highland Dancers.

The first episode, which aired on Thursday 30 March at 21:00, is available on BBC iPlayer and more information can be found on the website:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015yj3.

Featuring the military at the heart of the Tattoo this summer, Stories will run from 4 – 26 August 2023, providing audiences with an array of magnificent sounds and sights of the Massed Pipes and Drums and Tattoo Dancers alongside dramatic and stunning performances from a number of International Acts. Further details about Stories will be announced in the coming months.

To purchase tickets for the summer’s Show, visit edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or call 0131 225 1188.

Bone Appetit! Morrisons launches pet Easter eggs!

– Morrisons launches £3 Easter egg range for cats and dogs –

– Made from pet friendly dairy alternatives, including carob and yoghurt –

– Available in-store and online now –

Morrisons has added Easter eggs for cats and dogs to its range – for just £3.

With more and more customers celebrating special moments with their animals, Morrisons has come to the rescue to ensure pets can also enjoy this Easter with their very own eggs made from Carob, a pet-friendly alternative to chocolate.

The Webbox Easter egg for dogs and Easter egg for cats are a paw-sitively wonderful treat for furry friends this Easter and are crafted using delicious dairy alternatives – sure to set tails wagging.

Stephanie Milner, Morrisons pet food Buying Manager commented: “This is a first for Morrisons and we’re thrilled to be putting these on our shelves so even pets can enjoy a classic Easter treat.

“We know what a big part pets play in our customers’ lives so we’re excited to be able to include them in our Easter celebrations.”

The Webbox Easter egg for dogs and Webbox Easter egg for cats are both available now for £3 each in-stores and online.