The Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) has received £74,300.00 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Routes to Roots: Adopting Scotland as a Homeland project, it was announced yesterday. The two year project aims to mainstream the heritage of minority ethnic communities and explore the intertwining histories of Scottish and diverse communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Continue reading Lottery funding for ELREC’s Routes to Roots project
Free visit to the Edinburgh Fringe!
North Edinburgh Arts has partnered up with the Fringe Society to offer 20 free places on a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe. This is a fantastic opportunity, so book now before places fill up.
The trip will be on Wednesday 17th August and will leave NEA between 6-7pm, depending on which show is chosen. The choice of shows all have a political theme.
The choice of shows to vote for are:
Mark Thomas: The Red Shed
The Inspectors Call
Faslane
Discretion Guaranteed
TO BOOK:
Telephone 0131 315 2151
Email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
or in person at North Edinburgh Arts.
When you book, please state which show you would prefer to see. The show with the most votes is the show that everyone will go to see.
Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The trip is free, including the cost of your return bus fare.
Please note: This trip is only suitable for adults
After the success of the Big Fun Run Series last year, the events are set to return in 2016 and are promised to be bigger and better than ever! Taking place from July – October and set in some of the most scenic parks throughout the UK, the 5K events are aimed at all members of the family with FREE entry for children under 5.
The 17 event-long series begins down in the South Coast in Brighton on 23rd July and then makes its way throughout locations in Scotland, the North West, North East, Midlands and South before finishing in London with a Halloween-themed run in Victoria Park on 30th October.
Big Fun Run events are the perfect way for runners to fundraise for a cause they really care about. Last year, over £200,000 was raised for charity and the series is brilliantly supported by hundreds of charities all throughout the UK.
Zahid Mahmood took part in last year’s Birmingham event after choosing to fundraise for a lifesaving baby unit that cared for his wife and newborn son. “I feel by doing the 5K Big Fun Run I’ve gone a little way to show the gratitude I have for the neonatal doctors and nurses,” he said.
The £450 he raised will go towards the purchase of specialist post-birth equipment such as incubators and heart rate monitors.
Big Fun Run Event Director, Neil Kilgour said: “Tens of thousands of people take part in Big Fun Run every year, it attracts people of all shapes, sizes and ages. No event is timed, it is all about having fun and raising funds for a charity close to your heart. Each run has a friendly atmosphere whilst offering an achievable challenge .
“It is a great event for all the family and it is not unusual to see grandma, mum and daughter all lining up together at the start line. We also have many people taking part in fancy dress to add to the feelgood atmosphere.”
To find out more about the 2016 Series, go to www.bigfunrun.com.
Views sought on how best to use Edinburgh’s key public spaces
Residents, local organisations and businesses are being asked for their opinions on proposals to balance the use of civic spaces, both owned by the Council and not, in the city centre.
Feedback from an online consultation will be used to inform the development of a Public Spaces Protocol, which will support Council decisions on the most appropriate use of spaces like the Grassmarket, the Mound precinct and the High Street.
Edinburgh’s status as a world renowned Festival City, World Heritage Site and visitor destination will be considered alongside residents’ quality of life, the requirements of established local businesses, as well as seasonal traders, and promoters or organisers of events and activities.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “As a capital city, Edinburgh boasts a wide range of attractive and accessible spaces in which the public can spend time and enjoy diverse and world-class events.
“In order to cater to all those who use these spaces, including residents, visitors, businesses and traders, as well as ensuring the fair and balanced staging of events across all the areas on offer, it is necessary that we establish a clear set of guidelines.
“By trialling a number of approaches across spaces in the city, I am confident that we will able to create informed and relevant criteria, and I look forward to hearing what the public think of our approach.”
Trials are already in place to test the different approaches to managing public spaces across the city. In George Street, a set of criteria has been developed to assess proposals put forward by event organisers for large scale festival-related events, while this summer in the Grassmarket a series of measures are in place to deliver a more coherent approach to managing activity in the area.
Evaluation is also currently underway on best practise for Castle Street, which was redeveloped in 2008 but is now considered under-used. Outcomes from this and the other two trials will contribute to the final Public Spaces Protocol.
The Public Spaces Protocol is part of the City Centre Programme, which incorporates a number of projects with a ‘place-making’ agenda. The Programme focuses on a vision for the city, ensuring that everyone who cares about the centre has an opportunity to have their say.
The Use of Public Spaces consultation is open until Tuesday, 6 September and can be accessed through the Council website.
Oktoberfest is coming back to Edinburgh for a ‘wunderbar’ long weekend at Princes Street Gardens West.
The organizers of World Wide Oktoberfest tour have announced the official dates for Edinburgh Oktoberfest 2016. Princes Street Gardens West will be hosting the event from 5th -9th October. Continue reading Wunderbar: Octoberfest’s back!
The Travelling Gallery will unveil a new exhibition in Edinburgh this week in partnership with New Media Scotland for the Festival of Architecture and Edinburgh Art Festival. The capital mini-tour gets underway on Friday. Continue reading Travelling Gallery’s on the road again
Volunteer Edinburgh and more than fifty voluntary organisations will join together on Wednesday 21st September between 11am and 7pm at St Paul’s and St Georges Church on York Place to host Scotland’s leading Volunteer Recruitment Fair. Continue reading Roll up, roll up: Volunteer Recruitment Fair
The fascinating stick figures which brightened up St Andrew Square over the dark winter months have been short-listed for a national award. Continue reading Stick figures nominated as Exhibition of the Year
Police in the Capital have launched their own unofficial Fringe venue as part of this year’s Edinburgh Festival policing campaign! Continue reading Laughing Policemen: all the world’s a stage for city cops
