Rockin’ The Botanics on Father’s Day

Dads Rock on Father’s Day at the Botanics

Sun 19 June, 11am to 4pm

Dads Rock and friends are taking over the Botanics on Father’s Day. Come along and enjoy a day of free fun activities including arts and crafts, face painting, music, storytelling, yoga and much more. Supported by Year of the Dad.

Find out more>>>

Picture: Andrew O’Brien

Sun 19th June 11amRoyal Botanical Garden Edin

Severing Time at North Edinburgh Arts

Friday 24 June 7.30pm

North Edinburgh Arts

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North Edinburgh Arts Theatre Project & Festival and King’s Theatres Edinburgh Learning and Participation

INVITATION

You are invited to the Sharing of Work – Severing Time – on Friday 24th June 7.30pm

This performance includes Theatre, Dance and Video work by the Adults and Children of the North Edinburgh Arts Theatre project.

Severing Time investigates the influence and resistance we have towards the pressure of advertising, media and social networks, and considers the challenges, disruptions and distortions to our well-being and sense of self that virtual encounters can create. The ‘self’ we manufacture for internet-based encounters can be reductive, dehumanising and commodifying. It can also be a reflection to find and reclaim ourselves.

Background and Development of the project

North Edinburgh Arts Theatre project is an established and well-recognised Theatre project for adults, and has a track record for exciting and innovative productions and events. The project was developed in 2011 after research into the requirements of local people. The main finding of this research was that people wanted to make theatre again, after a history of using theatre and other art forms to create work which highlights their community and its needs and aspirations.

The project supports the participants’ aspirations and hard work for well-being and full creative lives, making strong contributions to their own communities as well as participating in the North Edinburgh Arts Theatre project.

In November 2011 North Edinburgh Arts Theatre project developed Yes We CanCan – a Cabaret of Resistance, which was the cementing of the project. Since then, the project has participated in a number of performances including Theatre Uncut in 2012 & 2013 and it regularly offers Sharing-of-Work and Work-in-Progress events. The 1d Tenement Opera in January 2015 through the support of the People’s Health Trust was an exciting and important development for North Edinburgh, and since then, the film Remembering Today, which was made in October 2015, has been acclaimed and celebrated.

Now North Edinburgh Arts’ Theatre project is delighted to be joined by Festival and King’s Theatres Edinburgh Learning and Participation Coordinator for the next stage in the Project’s development. The Learning and Participation Coordinator is leading Drama Workshops for the children of participants, and welcomes wider participation from other children interested in drama and theatre.

If you are interested in the Theatre project please email Sandra  admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

End of term celebration for Circle’s ISSEP

Ben Macpherson, Deidre Brock at Circle

Circle’s Inter School Social Education Project (ISSEP) works with primary-aged children supported by volunteer mentors who are 5th/6th year students.

For children, ISSEP provides a consistent 1:1 mentor one afternoon per week for the entire school year to support homework and a positive approach to learning, as well as providing a range of fun activities.

Mentors get a lot out of ISSEP too. It provides a first-class opportunity for volunteering, which is undertaken by some as part of accredited schemes such as Duke of Edinburgh and it helps to increase confidence and skills in working with young children. 

The ISSEP project has been a great success, and last week West Pilton-based Circle held an end of term celebration, as the project’s Claire Martin explains: 

Holly and Emma

Circle’s ISSEP Project enjoyed an end of term celebration on May 31st. Around 90 people joined the party at North Edinburgh Arts Centre. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the achievements of the 30 mentors and 30 children involved in the mentoring project this year (writes Circle’s Claire Martin).

The sun was shining and everyone enjoyed face painting, food, certificate presentations and a slideshow of the year’s highlights! Highlights included Zumba sessions at the mentors’ school and several visits to the Edinburgh International Science Festival.

Thank you to the mentors from George Heriot’s School whose fundraising efforts made these outings possible. We also enjoyed planting vegetables in the newly developed raised beds at Muirhouse Avenue thanks to Centipede Project.

Lots of special friendships have blossomed throughout the year and the feedback from parents, teachers, children and mentors involved has been extremely positive. Thanks to Ben Macpherson MSP and Deidre Brock MP for joining us to celebrate, as well as teachers from local primary schools and George Heriot’s School.

We wish the mentors well as they move on from secondary school. We look forward to the project starting up again after the summer.

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Boy dies following motorcycle accident in Silverknowes

SickKids

A 14-year-old boy has died after a collision between a car and a motorbike in Silverknowes. The boy, who has been named locally as Brad Williamson,  was taken to the Sick Kids hospital on Friday evening but died this morning.

The motorcycle, a white Vertigo driven by the youth, was involved in a collision with a black Toyota Aygo on Silverknowes Road near to the junction with Silverknowes Court, at around 4pm on Friday. The boy and his passenger, also 14, were both taken to the Sick Kids hospital with serious injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the collision and are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a white limousine.

Sergeant Brian Smith, of Edinburgh’s Road Policing Unit, added: “This collision has resulted in death of a teenage boy and our condolences are with his family at this sad time.

“Our enquiries continue in order to establish the full circumstance surrounding this, and anyone who may have witnessed the collision is urged to get in touch.

“We’re particularly eager to trace the driver of a white Mercedes limousine-style car which was travelling north on Silverknowes Road at the time, as we believe they may be able to assist with our investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101

 

Royal visit to Davidsons Mains

Quick birthday shampoo and set for Her Majesty

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BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

A Davidsons Mains hairdresser received a surprise visitor this morning – none other than Her Majesty the Queen!

It’s understood Her Royal Highness put her nintieth birthday celebrations on hold to enjoy a new hairdo at reduced senior citizen rates.

While Her Majesty herself remained tight-lipped, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said: “The appointment was secretly booked under the name Mrs Liz Balmoral-Windsor to avoid any publicity but unfortunately a pack of yelping corgis gave the game away when she arrived.

“It is well-known that Her Majesty enjoys a bargain, just as her dear mother did before her. She is very pleased with her new hairstyle and it’s extremely likely that she will return in the future – this by Royal appointment.”

It is unknown if Her Majesty tipped her hairdresser or indeed paid for her haircut.

Happy birthday, Ma’am!

Veterans’ artwork showcased at Leonardo’s Crewe Toll HQ

Richard Demarco talks of  ‘the healing power of art’

Combat Stress art exhibition launch at Leonardo's Airborne & Space Systems division in Edinburgh 9 June 2016 Photographer Mike Glendinning

The Edinburgh HQ of electronics company Leonardo is marking this year’s Armed Forces Day (25 June) by hosting a month long exhibition for staff displaying original artwork and poetry created by ex-service men and women supported by the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans, Combat Stress. The official opening of the event took place at Crewe Toll yesterday.

Senior members of the RAF and Richard Demarco, one of the founding fathers of the Edinburgh Festival, opened the exhibition to share their views on the paintings and text produced by the veterans. Artwork will be displayed alongside a ‘textline’ number for mobile donations and a collection box and there are plans to repeat the exhibition in November to mark Armistice Day.

Arts impresario Richard Demarco, Director of the The Demarco European Art Foundation, opened the event with his thoughts on the healing powers of art and how it can be used as a balm to those suffering both mentally and physically. The AOS’s secretary, Sqn Ldr Nobby Clark and OC 603 (City of Edinburgh Squadron) and Sqn Leader Jerry Riley paid tribute to the work of the charity and Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Glen MacDonald (rtd) gave an eloquent description of the process the veterans go through to channel their experiences into art.

Combat Stress art exhibition launch at Leonardo's Airborne & Space Systems division in Edinburgh 9 June 2016 Photographer Mike Glendinning

Leonardo, previously known as Finmeccanica (and, quite a while back now, Ferranti’s) has provided security equipment to Britain’s armed forces for over 73 years. The exhibition was the brainchild of one of the company’s apprentices, Michael Given, who wanted to find a productive way of supporting veterans, as Combat Stress is the chosen charity of Leonardo’s UK apprentices.

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans, providing free specialist clinical treatment and support to ex-servicemen and women across the UK with mental health conditions. The charity treats conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, and provides a range of free services including short-stay clinical treatment, a specialist PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme, occupational therapy, community support and a free 24-hour Helpline (0800 138 1619).

Sue Freeth, Chief Executive at Combat Stress, said: “Everyone at Combat Stress is incredibly grateful to Leonardo for their support in showcasing our veterans’ artwork.

“The event will raise awareness of Combat Stress and the work we do as the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. We are always working to encourage more veterans to seek our help as we know the difference that our free specialist clinical treatment and support makes.

“We saw a 28% rise in referrals over 2015/16 so fundraising events like this are vital in ensuring that Combat Stress is able to continue supporting veterans in Scotland and across the UK.” 

Combat Stress art exhibition launch at Leonardo's Airborne & Space Systems division in Edinburgh 9 June 2016 Photographer Mike Glendinning

While the event will not be open to the general public, it will be accessible to all Leonardo employees and it’s hoped that it will raise healthy funds for the charity as over 1800 employees are based at the Crewe Toll site.

For more information about Combat Stress’ fundraising events please contact Kath Provan on 01292 561347 or email kath.provan@combatstress.org.uk.

Pictures: Mike Glendinning

Free First Aid training for dads at Prentice Centre tomorrow

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The good people of the British Red Cross are coming to Prentice on Saturday to deliver some Free First Aid.  It starts at 10am until approx 1040am.

The session is for dads.  If you know someone who would like to book a slot let us know asap!  Dads can either just come themselves, or if they want their wee one can come to the playgroup with mum.

The Prentice Centre is at 1 Granton Mains Avenue

Dads Rock

Caring for young carers

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The introduction of a Young Carer’s Allowance to give young people extra financial support will be considered by the Scottish Government, Scottish Ministers have confirmed during Carers Week. Under UK Government guidelines only 250 people in Scotland under the age of 18 receive Carer’s Allowance. Continue reading Caring for young carers

Three shortlisted for Sainsbury’s Blackhall Charity of the Year

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It is the time of year again to choose the charity of the year for Sainsbury’s Blackhall! As valued customers and colleagues we would love for you to take part in this year’s vote for charity of the year (writes Gail Wilson). Continue reading Three shortlisted for Sainsbury’s Blackhall Charity of the Year