North Edinburgh News – Page 3130 – The NEN

Inspiring Young Women: be all you can be

Major event at Holyrood this month

Inspiring young women to be the best that they can be is the key focus of a major event being held at Holyrood on Monday 23 March, hosted by the Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP.

Announced as part of the Presiding Officer’s Time for Reflection address to the Scottish Parliament on 23 September 2014, the event will bring together 128 young women from across Scotland. It has been designed to encourage young women to develop the confidence and leadership skills needed to help them to achieve.

The Presiding Officer said: “The referendum demonstrated to the world that young people can and should play a full role in determining the future of their countries. This is right and proper. As the Scottish Parliament is led by its first female Presiding Officer with women in key political positions, we have a golden moment now to encourage this generation of young women.

“On 23 March, I have invited young women from schools across Scotland to come to Holyrood. We will explore what it means to be a young woman in Scotland today, what inspires them, what holds them back and what their hopes are for the future.”

Exploring themes of confidence, leadership and barriers that hold young women back from being the best they can be, the young women will meet with and have the opportunity to question female MSPs who are playing leading roles in their parties.

MSPs joining the Presiding Officer on the day are: Leader of Scottish Labour in the Scottish Parliament Kezia Dugdale MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson MSP, Business Manager and Spokesperson for Justice for the Scottish Liberal Democrats Alison McInnes MSP and Scottish Greens’ spokesperson on sport, rural affairs, environment, culture and education Alison Johnstone MSP. Also participating in the day will be key figures in the fields of arts, industry, sport and public life.

Speaking of her own personal commitment, Mrs Marwick MSP said: “All young women should have the confidence to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve. I am determined to play my role in making sure the Scottish Parliament is a place that encourages them and positively impacts on how they see themselves.”

Thirty-two schools across Scotland (one in each local authority area) will each send four young women to attend the Inspiring Young Women event at Holyrood Scottish Parliament staff are working closely with the S4 and S5 year group pupils ahead of the event to ensure they get the best from their time on the day.

Schools taking part are:

Aberdeen City – Torry Academy
Aberdeenshire – Peterhead Academy
Angus – Arbroath Academy
Argyll & Bute – Dunoon Grammar School
Clackmannanshire – Alloa Academy
Dumfries & Galloway – Maxwelltown High School
Dundee City – Off-site Education Service
East Ayrshire – Doon Academy
East Dunbartonshire – Boclair Academy
East Lothian – Preston Lodge High School
East Renfrewshire – Barrhead High School
Edinburgh City – Castlebrae Community High School
Eilean Siar – Sgoil Lionacleit
Falkirk – Falkirk High School
Fife – Auchmuty High School
Glasgow City – Springburn Academy
Highland – Inverness High School
Inverclyde – St Stephen’s High School
Midlothian – Newbattle High School
Moray – Forres Academy
North Ayrshire – Irvine Royal Academy
North Lanarkshire – Braidhurst High School
Orkney Islands – Stromness Academy
Perth & Kinross – Perth Academy School
Renfrewshire – Castlehead High School
Scottish Borders – Hawick High School
Shetland Islands – Anderson High School
South Ayrshire – Ayr Academy
South Lanarkshire – John Ogilvie High School
Stirling – Wallace High School
West Dunbartonshire – St Peter the Apostle High School
West Lothian – St Kentigern’s Academy

Edinburgh is world’s third safest city

We’ve had our share of problems recently, what with gun crime, armed robberies and acts of violence, but it seems we’re better off than most – Edinburgh has just come third in a survey of the world’s safest cities!

The survey was conducted on behalf of Post Office Travel Insurance, and while the sample size is relatively small Edinburgh sits proudly behind the top two – both of which are cities in England.

The winner has a wealth of history and quaint, narrow streets and closes – and it boasts the glorious mediaeval Minster. It is indeed a great place to visit, and it seems there’s another reason why tourists go there all year round – Britons reckon York (above) is the world’s safest city!

According to those surveyed, Britain is definitely best when it comes to safe travel destinations – Bath, Edinburgh and Brighton make up the top four safest places in the world. Edinburgh was rated by 69 per cent as ‘safe’ and only three per cent thought Edinburgh ‘risky’.

Travellers found Cairo, Bangkok, Istanbul and Marrakech the cities most risky to visit on a short break.

The survey by Post Office Travel Insurance of 2,075 UK adults showed that 72 per cent felt York was safe, compared to only one per cent considering it risky. By contrast, only seven per cent thought Cairo was safe – and more than half -56 per cent – felt it was dangerous to visit.

Britain’s most popular holiday destination is London, but the capital didn’t even make the top ten – 58 per cent see London safe while 16 per cent think it’s a risky place to visit.

Theft – in particular stolen wallets (24 per cent) – was the most common occurrence for those who had had problems in cities. More than a quarter of respondents (26 per cent) felt they had been ripped off on city visits, with this figure rising to 43 per cent among the 18-24 age group.

Of eight UK and Ireland destinations in the survey, the least-safe was Belfast with only 37 per cent deeming it safe.

While four home cities took the top honours in the poll, Venice, Vienna, Dublin, Florence, Stockholm and Copenhagen made up the rest of the world’s top ten safest cities.

Edinburgh city council’s community safety leader Councillor Cammy Day welcomed the findings. He said: “To be rated so highly for safety in not one but two national surveys is a fantastic accolade for the city, and I’m delighted that people feel secure when they holiday here.

“It’s not just visitors either – the most recent People’s Survey found that 91% of our residents feel safe here after dark. I’m really proud of these results and the good work carried out daily by the Council, Police Scotland and communities across the city.

“Tourism is vitally important to Edinburgh with millions of people coming here from around the world each year to enjoy the culture and attractions it has to offer. As well as being renowned as a festivals city, we can also now claim to be classed as one of the safest cities in the world.”

Scotland’s changing …

2.5 million Scottish households to receive leaflet explaining devolution changes

A leaflet explaining the changes to devolution as the UK Government prepares to transfer powers to Holyrood will begin arriving through letterboxes in Scotland this week.

The 8-page Scotland’s Changing leaflet (see below) will explain the new powers as well as the benefits people in Scotland retain as part of the UK, including the pound, pensions and passports.

It will be sent to every one of the 2.5 million households across the country.

Find out more about Our United Future

The leaflet clearly explains which powers will be devolved and reserved following the Smith Commission and the earlier Scotland Act 2012. Powers going to the Scottish Parliament include income tax, some elements of welfare and choices over new taxes such as Airport Passenger Duty and Stamp Duty.

The Smith Commission recommended action to raise public awareness of devolution and this is part of the UK Government’s response to that challenge.

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said:

“Scotland is changing for the better, with new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament.

These powers will have an impact on every person living in Scotland and it is important that we all know what they are and what they mean for us.

From Monday, households across Scotland will receive a leaflet, direct to their door – and that leaflet will spell out the facts.

The Scottish Parliament will soon be given power over the rates of income tax, welfare provision with a starting budget of more than £2.5 billion, and the ability to give the vote to 16 and 17 year olds in Holyrood and local government elections.

Alongside borrowing powers, and continued control over health, education, housing, public transport and so much more, the Scottish Parliament is set to become one of the most powerful devolved parliaments not just in Europe, but in the entire world.

At the same time, Scotland will keep the many benefits which come as part of the UK. We’ll keep our UK pound, our UK passport and our UK pensions. We’ll also continue to benefit from a single jobs market, a single defence system and a single, strong and fast-growing UK economy.

This is good news for Scotland. A united future, built to last.”

Scotland_s_Changing_info_leaflet

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Support your local Fire Fighters!

The national car wash takes place on Saturday 14 March

Firefighters across Scotland are preparing to roll up their sleeves to take part in the National Car Wash this weekend, raising vital funds for The Fire Fighters Charity.

Crewe Toll and McDonald Road are among the dozens of community fire stations where firefighters will be on hand to make your car sparkle – and as you drive away in your gleaming car, your donation to The Fire Fighters Charity will help thousands of serving and retired fire service personnel and their families!

Regional Fundraiser for Scotland Margaret Barnes-Smith said: “Monies raised through national fundraising initiatives provide a real boost to The Fire Fighters Charity and we are delighted that so many of our fire stations are getting involved.

“Firefighting can be dangerous, stressful and traumatic. When fire fighters are injured, they can be in pain and unable to work for months. Dealing with life or death situations every day often takes its toll emotionally too.

“The Fire Fighters Charity is here for every one of the UK’s serving members of fire and rescue staff – and their families. No other organisation provides such a full package of high quality support, exactly tailored to the needs of fire fighters.

“We also give lifetime support to retired fire fighters and their families. They’ve risked so much for us and in return, we provide help and support when they are in real need.

“It costs £9million a year to keep our charity running. With no government funding, we rely completely on donations and goodwill. Please come along to your local fire station and support us.”

Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, Jill Tolfrey, said: “The National Car Wash provides a vital source of income for the Charity, as well as being a fun and popular event. It costs over £8million a year to keep The Fire Fighters Charity running – and with no regular government funding, we rely completely on your donations and goodwill. You can show your support to our firefighting heroes by visiting your local fire station on Saturday 14 March – and afterwards drive away safely, in a clean car!”

As well as being a fun fundraising event for The Fire Fighters Charity, the firefighters want to share a very serious message about fire safety in the home. Each year fire destroys lives, something firefighters see regularly and by taking some precautions this risk can be minimised.

While your car is being pampered you’ll have the chance book a FREE home fire safety visit with SFRS – as part of the service’s commitment to building a safer Scotland everyone in Scotland can have a free home fire safety visit – smoke alarms can also be fitted free of charge if your home requires them.

You can arrange a free home fire safety visit by calling SFRS on the freephone number 0800 0731 999 or by texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800. You can also fill out a form at www.firescotland.gov.uk or contact your local community fire station.

East area fire stations taking part this Saturday:

Bathgate Fire Station
Crewe Toll Fire Station
Dalkeith Fire Station
Eyemouth Fire Station
Galashiels Fire Station
Hawick Fire Station
Innerleithen Fire Station
Liberton Fire Station
Livingston Fire Station
McDonald Road Fire Station
Newcraighall Fire Station
Peebles Fire Station
Selkirk Fire Station
Sighthill Fire Station
Tollcross Fire Station
West Calder Fire Station
Callander Fire Station
Denny Fire Station
Falkirk Fire Station
Larbert Fire Station
Stirling Fire Station
Auchtermuchty Fire Station
Cupar Fire Station
Dunfermline Fire Station
Glenrothes Fire Station
Kirkcaldy Fire Station
Lochgelly Fire Station
Methil Fire Station
Newburgh Fire Station
St Andrews Fire Station

Dig out those platform soles for the ultimate 70s Disco!

We are ‘Flare Events’: students attending Edinburgh College studying for an HND in Events Management. As part of our course we will be running a fundraising charity event on Saturday 14 March from 8pm to 11pm and held at The Cav, Edinburgh.

We will be hosting a themed 70’s Disco called ‘Flare – the Ultimate 70’s Disco’ which we hope will be very successful on the night. Our chosen charity is Radio Forth’s ‘Cash for Kids’ which is, I’m sure you will agree, a very worthy cause supporting disadvantaged children in Edinburgh, the Lothian’s and Fife.

Tickets available through Flare Events:

by e-mail:events.flare@gmail.com

or via our Facebook page/FlareEventsEdinburgh

Family matters: extensions for innovative family support projects

An extra £2.5 million in government funding to help charities and other groups support families going through relationship breakdown has been announced today (8 March 2015) by Steve Webb, Minister with responsibility for child maintenance.

Scotland’s Family Decision Making Service partnership is one of sixteen trial Innovation Fund projects to have been providing tailored support across the country helping separated parents work together for the benefit of their children since 2013. The new funding means they will now be extended until September.

Projects include specialist support to teenage parents working with their children’s grandparents, face-to-face services for separated parents caught up in long-term disputes, and tailored help for Muslim families who are experiencing relationship breakdown.

Minister for Child Maintenance Steve Webb said: “Family breakdown can be difficult for everyone involved, but the evidence shows that children stand a much better chance of getting on in life when their parents are working together.

“This funding will allow these projects to continue their excellent work by helping parents to put aside their differences for their children’s sake.

“We are starting to see some very encouraging results from these projects which will be invaluable when it comes to designing future services and are proving priceless for the families being helped.”

Children 1st’s Family Decision Making Service (Scotland) has worked with more than 1500 individuals since it’s launch.

This bespoke service provides support to parents 365 days a year over the telephone or through live webchat. It draws upon the expertise of three organisations: Children 1st, Scottish Child Law Centre and One Parent Families Scotland.

Assistant director Linda Jardine said: “This extra funding is good news for separated and separating families in Scotland.

“Children cope better with family break-up if their parents work together on the decisions which affect them, and through the Family Decision Making service parents are able to draw on the combined expertise of three partners to help them to do this.

“So far the service, which is unique in Scotland, has worked with more than 1,500 individuals to make sure that, whatever difficulties the adults may be experiencing, their children remain the focus.”

Part of the DWP’s work on relationship support, the projects were originally set up to work alongside the new Child Maintenance Service, which is taking a fresh approach to tackling the issue of family breakdown.

More than 6 out of 10 separated parents using the new Child Maintenance Service are now choosing to make their own financial arrangements rather than relying on the state to collect and pay maintenance on their behalf.

At the heart of the reforms lies the principle that children have a much better start in life when both parents work together across a range of issues including contact, schooling and finances – even if they have separated.

The third party organisations delivering the projects were encouraged to come up with new and innovative ways of delivering the support.

Each of the projects is unique in the type of support that they offer, which can be delivered through face-to-face sessions, over the telephone and online.

Some of the projects target specific groups, such as teenage parents, people on low incomes and families with diverse cultural background. Practical guidance is also offered on a range of matters including legal advice.

A total of £10 million was set aside to fund the various projects when they were introduced in 2013. The results from the projects will be used to design future government services.

The Innovation fund projects are:

Howells: Working Together for Children (South Yorkshire)

Family Lives (Leicester, Waltham Forest, Gloucestershire)

Resolution: Family Matters (Doncaster, Wakefield, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Retford)

Sills and Betteridge: Moving Forward (Lincolnshire)

Mediation Now: Changing Lives (Hampshire and Portsmouth)

Spurgeons: Supporting separated teenagers (West Midlands and Warwickshire)

Changing Futures North East: Moving On (Teeside, Sunderland and County Durham)

Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships: Parents In Dispute (London)

Children 1st: Family Decision Making Service (Scotland)

Pinnacle People: Families Together (Bristol)

Malachi Family Support Services (Birmingham and West Midlands)

One plus One: Splitting Up? Put Kids First (nationwide)

National Family Mediation: At Court Mediation (Hereford and Worcester, West Yorkshire and Berkshire)

Family Matters Mediate: Listening to Children Matters (Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire)

Goldenacre Fairtrade: helping the third world, helping your neighbours

We make it easy for you to buy fairtrade in north Edinburgh, and we make it easy for you to help low income families in north Edinburgh.

Help the third world, and help your neighbours!

Today (Sunday 8 Mar 2015) marks the end of Fairtrade Fortnight. What can you do, and how can you make a difference year round?

If you live in north Edinburgh, did you know that you have an award-winning fairtrade stall on your doorstep? We won two awards at the Lord Provost awards on Monday.

We’re at 280 Ferry Road, EH5 3NP http://inverleithsaintserfs.org.uk/

We sold £7,000 fairtrade products last year from our stall. We would like to do even more for third world producers, so would love if you visited our stall. We run every second Sunday, year round. Come to the 10.30 church service at Inverleith St Serf’s Church or visit afterwards (11.30-12.30) via the Clark Road entrance.

A major reason that we won the awards however, is that we are more than a fairtrade stall.

We also work with Tenants & Residents In Muirhouse (TRIM), who run a community shop and food bank in a neighbouring community. We accept food donations at every stall, and take these to the shop in Muirhouse. You can bring donations, or buy items from our stall.

So please come along today: stock up, donate, get ready for Easter with eggs and cards. All are welcome!

Edinburgh flies the flag to mark Commonwealth Day

Capital to celebrate Games legacy

The Lord Provost Donald Wilson will convey a message from Her Majesty, The Queen before raising the Commonwealth Flag at the City Chambers on Commonwealth Day tomorrow (Monday).

It is expected that 730 flags will be raised on Monday by 53 Commonwealth countries. In Edinburgh, the flag-raising will also be an opportunity for the City of Edinburgh Council to celebrate the start of Legacy Week (9-15 March).

Legacy Week is a Scotland-wide Government initiative celebrating last summer’s Commonwealth Games. In Edinburgh, events spanning athletics, swimming, paralympics, walking and cycling will take place showcasing the variety of sporting opportunities that take place in the Capital.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson will say: “Organisations from all 53 Commonwealth countries are joining to raise more than 730 Commonwealth Flags in a shared celebration of this remarkable family of nations.

“The Commonwealth is made up of two billion citizens drawn from all faiths, cultures and ethnicities. Commonwealth countries come together voluntarily in a spirit of co-operation, partnership and understanding. It is for that reason we are here today to raise the Commonwealth Flag in unity with those throughout all the participating countries of the world.

“We also welcome the Commonwealth Day theme for 2015 which honours the future generation: A Young Commonwealth and commits to advancing opportunities for the development and growth our youth.”

Events to celebrate benefits of the Glasgow 2014 Games

Events will take place all over the country next week as partners come together to highlight the positive impact of the Commonwealth Games.

The third national Legacy Week (March 9 – 15) will put the spotlight on how the Games has helped to boost communities in Glasgow’s east end and beyond.

On the eve of the Week, a Legacy Cycle Ride takes place in the brand new Aberfoyle Bike Park, Stirlingshire, which has received funding from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund. Riders will take on a 40 km course to celebrate the positive influence the Games is having to encourage more people to take up physical activity.

On Monday, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn will visit the new Dalmarnock Legacy Hub in the east end of Glasgow. Construction of the Hub is now nearing completion and the new modern community centre next to the Emirates Arena will provide health services, a nursery, leisure facilities and training and employment for local people.

Mr Hepburn will also visit Active East, a Glasgow scheme to inspire young people from deprived backgrounds to take advantage of the training opportunities connected to the Games, and on Thursday he will see some of the infrastructure projects being led by Clyde Gateway.

The legacy of the Games covers opportunities across community development, sport, education, culture, business, tourism, and many more areas of life and the Scottish Government will be supporting a number of events, projects and programmes across the Week.

Other events include a Legacy 2014 Equality and Human Rights Conference at Hampden Park; the opening of a national touring exhibition of artefacts showing the history of the Commonwealth Games Hosts and Champions in association with the Commonwealth Games Scotland Archive;, and activities taking place across Scotland involving community groups, local authorities and national partners involved in delivering the legacy of the Games including Young Scot, University of the West of Scotland, Cycling Scotland and Transport Scotland.

Mr Hepburn said: “The thing that made Glasgow 2014 such a success was the people. It was the spectators, volunteers and competitors who truly made them the best Games ever. It’s no surprise to see that the Games’ legacy is being driven by communities across the country, whether that’s through small local projects or big national programmes.

“Legacy Week is a chance to celebrate the contribution that people are making to ensure that the memory of the Commonwealth Games doesn’t fade.

“Whether that’s a bowls player taking a coaching qualification, or a young person working to build the Legacy Hub in Dalmarnock. All of them are just as much a part of the success story of the Games as the Team Scotland stars who did us proud last summer.”

Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Executive Member for Commonwealth Games, Councillor Archie Graham, said: “Hosting the Games provided us with an excellent opportunity to make our city healthier, greener and more prosperous; before, during and after the sporting event. For the council and our partners, legacy is a long term commitment and this week is a chance for all of us including individuals, organisations and communities to celebrate and showcase their achievements so far and what they have planned for the future.

“Yes, 2014 was a fantastic year for our city and it cemented our reputation for hosting high profile events and being a great place to live and visit, but now we have to keep the momentum of legacy going. We are continuing to lead on, provide the means for and support a range of projects and organisations that will help us to continue the momentum.”

During Legacy Week people can also enjoy the Games experience by also visiting the two legacy exhibitions currently running in Glasgow’s museums. Launched last week Blood, Sweat and Gears at the Riverside Museum showcases some of the Scottish athletes’ journeys and challenges faced in getting to the Games, while at the People’s Palace the Host City Volunteer exhibition ‘Our Games‘ highlights the experiences of the many different volunteers who delivered the best ever Commonwealth Games.

The show must go on!

Government commits over £2m to Edinburgh’s festivals

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, has confirmed £2.25m in funding to support Edinburgh’s festivals.

The latest round of the Scottish Government Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund will support twelve projects and the work of strategic umbrella organisation Festivals Edinburgh in 2015/2016.

The Expo Fund provides Edinburgh Festivals with £2.25 million to promote themselves to overseas audiences and invest in the work of talented Scottish artists and performers. Running since 2008, this year’s allocation brings the total invested close to £16m.

The focus of the 2015/16 Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund is new creative works by Scottish artists, international collaboration and the promotion of Edinburgh as the best festival city in the world.

Ms Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government Expo Fund is direct investment in the future of Edinburgh’s Festivals. The fund has given the festivals scope to deliver world class pieces and performances that have caught the imagination of international audiences. Thanks to the Expo Fund festivals are working more closely together boosting tourism and Scotland’s cultural ambitions.

“The investment in Edinburgh’s Festival is about creating long term benefits for Scottish artists, the economy and our country’s’ international reputation. The Edinburgh festivals contribute more than £250m in additional tourism revenue to Scotland’s economy but just as important is their international profile.

“Edinburgh’s Festivals have been defining and promoting Scotland’s identity as a confident, creative, welcoming nation for over 65 years. We are supporting their work through the Expo Fund to fund innovation, collaboration and artist development, all vital for future success of our festivals.”

Faith Liddell, Director at Festivals Edinburgh, said: ‘The Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund provides an incredibly powerful platform for Scotland and its artists, thinkers and companies to be showcased to the world at Edinburgh’s Festivals.

“As a direct result, not only have hundreds of performances and events of the best Scottish work been presented as highlights in our prestigious Festival programmes; many have also been taken to other venues and festivals around the world and new networks and opportunities have been delivered for Scotland’s artists and thinkers.”

All twelve of Festival Edinburgh’s members benefit from the Expo Fund. The funded projects develop the creative industries at home and showcase Scottish talent abroad. The projects included in this round of funding are:

‘A Bollywood Love Story’, a collaboration between the Edinburgh Mela and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A forty-minute, full length show in the Bollywood tradition will be created for the Mela Festival. Key aspects of the show will also be presented as part of this year’s Edinburgh Tattoo in August.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival Short Film Challenge will profile new Scottish filmmakers from across the country and the EIFF Talent Lab and Animation Lab will work with emerging feature film writers, directors and producers during the 2015 Festival.
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival will use the funding to create new works by Scottish musicians and opportunities for them to perform internationally.
The Edinburgh International Festival will premiere a new stage adaptation of a classic Scottish novel with a leading Scottish theatre in 2015.
Expo Funding supports Edinburgh Art Festival’s commitment to opening up new and unexpected places across the city through its annual, city-wide commissions programme, providing a platform for leading and emerging Scottish artists to make ambitious publicly-sited work.
How a multilingual society influences literature in Scotland and elsewhere and how language and identity shapes the writers that Scotland produces will be examined in a dedicated strand for Edinburgh International Book Festival.
The Mela World Dance Feste continues this year as a platform for diverse arts within Scotland and will work alongside ‘A Bollywood Love Story’
Expo Funding makes the Made in Scotland Showcase, part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, possible.
The fund has already supported Scot_Lands during the 2015 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations earlier this year.
Expo Funding will support, live and digital works as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival will bring some of Scotland’s oldest cultural resource to international audiences with explorations of global issues.
In celebration of Scotland’s year of Innovation, Architecture and Design in 2016, the Edinburgh International Science Festival will launch a major new programme that will combine a cutting-edge technology showcase with an innovative series of associated events for teenagers.
Imaginate Platforms will be a celebration and showcase of Scottish-based artists who consistently create work of a world class standard for children and young people.

Festivals Edinburgh receives £250,000 to continue to promote and position Edinburgh as the world’s leading festival city.

Since 2008 the Scottish Government Expo Fund has provided a legacy of important new work. This includes writing by Don Paterson, Ali Smith and James Robertson to installations by artists Callum Innes and Martin Creed at Regent Bridge and the Scotsman Steps as well as science installations and ambitious new performing arts commissions that have gone on to tour around the world.

That funding in full:

Funding (2015/16)

Edinburgh Art Festival	£150,000
Edinburgh International Book Festival	£110,000
Edinburgh International Film Festival	£115,000
Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Made in Scotland	£590,000
Imaginate	£89,700
Edinburgh International Festival (EIF)	£200,000
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival	£110,000
Edinburgh Mela	£80,000
Edinburgh International Science Festival	£100,000
Scottish Storytelling Festival	£95,300
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo & Edinburgh Mela	£160,000
Hogmanay Festival	£200,000
TOTAL	£2,000,000

Money well spent? Is the government right to support arts and culture to this extent when so many public services are under severe pressure? Or do you think our festivals are a key element in Edinburgh’s quality of life and deserve to be supported?

Let us know!

Laing’s jewellery robbery: arrests made

Two in court on Monday – watches still missing

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery which took place at Laing the Jewellers in Frederick Street on Monday morning.

The man is in custody after police carried out a search of a property in Chesser Grove on Thursday.

Officers also recovered a significant quantity of heroin with a street value of about £47,000, two firearms, ammunition and a quantity of cash during the raid.

A second man, 26, who is not believed to have been involved in the armed robbery, was arrested at the property for firearms and drug-related offences.

Both men are now due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

A man and woman from Easter Drylaw were detained by police in connection with the incident on Tuesday but were subsequently released without charge.

Police Scotland’s Detective Inspector Grant Johnston said: “Following an investigation officers have arrested and charged a 24-year-old man in connection with an armed robbery at Laing the Jeweller. As part of our inquiries we also recovered a quantity of drugs and firearms, and a second male has been arrested for these offences.

“I would also add that police are still attempting to trace the Rolex watches that were stolen from the jewellers and I would ask anyone who can provide information on their whereabouts to call us immediately.”

If you have any information call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111