Anti austerity demonstrators condemning the government cuts to social security besieged the office of Labour MP Ian Murray yesterday. Protestors encircled the office with a giant banner proclaiming “IF YOU EXPLOIT US WE WILL SHUT YOU DOWN”. The office remained closed throughout.
People waved placards portraying a DWP Grim Reaper with the wording “CUTTING DISABILITY BENEFITS KILLS”. Passing vehicles tooted support. “End the DWP’s institutionalised cruelty towards claimants, and kill the new threats to reduce eligibility and lower the level of sickness and disability benefits.” urged the protestors’ leaflets.
“No to the two child benefit limit” and “Scrap the benefit cap” were prominent demands while demonstrators urged solidarity with migrants and the abolition of the discriminatory “No recourse to public funds” law.
The demonstrators also demanded the scrapping of the “anti fraud” bill currently going through the UK Parliament which would allow the DWP to spy on claimants’ bank accounts.
The demonstration. organised by Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty and the Austerity Resistance Front, is part of the No More Growing Up Poor – End Child Poverty Britain-wide campaign initiated by Food and Solidarity, and is in solidarity with the Disabled People Against Cuts Day of Action on 26 March
One of the organisers, Esther McDonald, said; “Today’s protest is only the start. A wave of mass direct acion is being planned Britain-wide. We will not tolerate the government robbing the poor to enrich the rich!”
Join us for ECCAN’s Spring Assembly: Root to Plate!
On Wednesday, March 26th at the Charteris Centre, we’re bringing together passionate individuals and key groups to explore the connection between food, community, and the climate crisis.
Whether you’re a foodie, work in the sector, or just curious about food sustainability and tackling waste, this is your chance to connect, learn, and take action!
If you are aged 12 – 25 and are looking for support then get in touch with ourselves or find the contact information for your area in the poster attached.
Studio LBA has been appointed as architect by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society for the refurbishment and creation of a multi-purpose space for the Fringe Society, Fringe artists and community partners.
The Fringe Society is currently spread across three buildings in Edinburgh but their commitment to access for all, carbon reduction and the need for greater efficiency, means these offices are no longer fit for purpose and the charity requires a public-facing home that offers a welcome to the whole Fringe community.
The complex conservation and development project will include the refurbishment of the category B-listed building on 6 Infirmary Street, in the Old Town of Edinburgh to create a multi-purpose space for the Fringe Central services and stories.
The site on 6 Infirmary Street dates back to 1736 but updates to insulation, and accessibility such as the addition of air source heat pumps, accessible toilets, entrance ramp and internal lift are essential to align the building with modern day sustainability measures.
Works are also crucial in the charity’s ambition to make the Fringe a net zero carbon event by 2030.
Studio LBA has a trusted reputation for delivering design-led, innovative and sustainable solutions across Scotland throughout its 12 years in business. Its client base spans master-planning, placemaking, residential, hospitality, culture and conservation.
Lynsay Bell Manson, managing director at Studio LBA, said: “We’ve worked on a number of specialist conservation projects and it is fantastic to be appointed by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to play our part in restoring and modernising a historic building.
“Our design approach is sensitive to the cherished history of the building, so our plans focus on preserving the existing character, whilst upgrading the building’s fabric and accessibility.
“Given the net zero targets for Scotland we’ll be adopting a low energy approach to retrofitting the existing building using sustainable materials and adding more energy efficient solutions throughout. We’ll also maintain flexibility for the future in our design to ensure the space can adapt to the changing needs of the charity and the Fringe for years to come.”
Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, adds: “Through funding from the UK Government we’re delighted that we are able to move forward with the long-held ambition of a new, accessible home for the Fringe Society which will benefit artists, community partners and the Fringe through a range of enhanced services throughout the year.
“We’re delighted to be working with Studio LBA on this project and can’t wait to open the doors to the new permanent Fringe Central later next year.”
Alongside Studio LBA as the architect, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has appointed a design team of Thomas & Adamson as project manager, Montagu Evans as heritage consultant, Will Rudd Davidson as structural engineer and Wallace Whittle as mechanical and electrical engineer.
A BEAUTIFUL city centre wedding recently brought together family, friends, and culture, as a couple celebrated their special day in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic venues.
Ciara and Morgan Bywater, a couple with ties to both the arts and the British Army, tied the knot surrounded by friends, family, and the rich history of the Royal College of Surgeons in the heart of Edinburgh at the prestigious Surgeons Quarter.
Ciara Bywater, 30, a Strategic Partnerships Manager in the Cultural Sector, and Morgan Bywater, 32, a British Army Officer, have called Edinburgh home since 2019, settling in the vibrant Morningside area. Their love story began at Leeds University, where they met in the final week of their last year, eventually leading to a romantic proposal in Puglia, Italy, in 2022.
Reflecting on their decision to host their wedding at Surgeons Quarter, Ciara explained: “We wanted a city-centre wedding, somewhere easily accessible for our family and friends.
“Surgeons Quarter, with its connection to Edinburgh’s cultural heritage and stunning architecture, felt like the perfect fit.”
Surgeons Quarter, located in the heart of Edinburgh, is known not only for its historic venues but also for its ability to host events of any scale.
The venue is a hidden gem, offering a perfect blend of tradition and modern elegance, catering to weddings, conferences, and special events with accommodation available at its on-site Ten Hill Place Hotel.
One of the couple’s highlights was the incredible food provided by Surgeons Quarter’s talented culinary team.
Morgan said: “The food was one of the best parts of our experience.
“We’ve been to a lot of weddings, and this was by far the best we’ve ever tasted. The tasting session was fun and generous, and the Surgeons Quarter team made the whole process feel seamless.”
The couple chose the venue not just for its beauty, but also for its practicality. With friends in the medical field who recommended Surgeons Quarter, it made sense to have their celebration at a venue so closely linked to Edinburgh’s medical and cultural history.
Ciara, who works in the cultural sector, was drawn to the venue’s proximity to the Festival Theatre and the artistic atmosphere surrounding Surgeons Quarter.
She added, “The architecture, the columns, and the courtyard made it feel special. It tied in so well with my love of the arts and Edinburgh’s rich cultural heritage.”
The flexibility of the venue allowed the couple to transition from the day’s formalities into a lively evening celebration in a different part of the venue.
The couple added: “We appreciated how the day flowed, moving from one beautiful space to another. It made for a refreshing change of scenery and kept our guests excited throughout the evening.”
Surgeons Quarter has been a prime choice for couples looking for an affordable, yet elegant wedding venue in the heart of Edinburgh. Morgan emphasised: “It’s tough to find a wedding venue in any city centre, let alone a capital like Edinburgh, and Surgeons Quarter was both beautiful and affordable. Their team did everything to make the day as stress-free as possible.”
With profits from Surgeons Quarter going towards the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s charitable objectives to improve surgical standards worldwide, the Bywaters felt their wedding was contributing to a greater cause.
Ashley Mok, Events Co-Ordinator at Surgeons Quarter said: “It was a pleasure to help Ciara and Morgan bring their wedding vision to life.
“At our venue, we pride ourselves on offering more than just a beautiful space — it’s about delivering a seamless experience from start to finish.
“From the stunning architecture to the exceptional culinary offerings, our team is dedicated to ensuring that every detail of the day is perfect.
“We were thrilled to see their guests enjoying both the unique atmosphere and the central location that makes our venue so special.”
Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells, and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus.
These include facilities for conferences, meetings, private events, parties, and weddings, as well as its own four-star hotel, Ten Hill Place, Café 1505, and SQ Travel.
Today, 05 February,the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society receives the keys to the new home for the Fringe.
The former Southbridge Community Resource Centre on Infirmary Street will be a permanent home for the Fringe and Fringe Society, enhancing year-round artist services delivery, maximising accessibility for all, and reducing the Fringe Society’s carbon footprint.
The new home will secure the long-term sustainability of the Fringe Society and their services and operations, as well as provide the opportunity for a publicly accessible space for artists and the Fringe community (including long-term Infirmary Street resident youth group Canongate Youth), and much needed space in the city dedicated to supporting the performing arts.
This new home has been made possible through generous capital funding from the UK Government and additional funds through grants from the Foyle Foundation and SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund.
In the 2023 UK Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced £7 million of capital funding for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to develop its new home. The Fringe Society are incredibly grateful to them for recognising the opportunity that this exciting project offers and that it will be transformational for the year-round support services for artists from across the UK and overseas.
In addition to developing the new home, this funding will aid the Fringe Society in delivering the Keep it Fringe fund and investment in digital architecture which is essential to its services to artists, media, arts industry and audiences.
The Fringe Society are also delighted to today announce a major legacy gift of £1 million from the Foyle Foundation to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, and £250,000 from SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund – a £5m pot set up to support community groups and organisations with their low carbon ambitions.
The project will focus on the renovation and restoration of a Grade B listed former schoolhouse (1885) in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Plans include preserving the building’s rich history while modernising it to maximise accessibility and sustainability.
This includes the installation of a lift and a Changing Places toilet; energy efficiency upgrades such as heritage-appropriate windows, improved insulation, and the replacement of gas heating with air source heating pumps which will significantly improve the building’s environmental sustainability.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “This is an exciting moment which has taken nearly two years of planning and discussion to get to this point.
“The conversion of South Bridge Resource Centre into a year-round Fringe home will allow local cultural and community organisations and Fringe artists the opportunity to utilise this space as well as being a new space for the Fringe Society team.
“It will allow a permanent home for our August community hub, known as Fringe Central, which artists, arts industry, media and international delegates access each summer for events, networking and industry gatherings.
“This is a significant moment for the Fringe in ensuring a permanent home for the festival. Our grateful thanks the UK Government, the Foyle Foundation and SP Energy Networks for recognising our vision and supporting us in bringing it to life.’
Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “The Edinburgh Fringe is one of the UK’s finest cultural festivals, attracting audiences and performers from all over the world every August.
“But the Fringe is not just for August. This new permanent home means that the Fringe Society can have a secure and meaningful presence in the city all year round, to support artists and provide the local community with access to arts spaces.”
David Hall, CEO of The Foyle Foundation, said: “The Foyle Foundation was seeking a Scottish project of strategic importance and long-term transformational benefit to support.
“The new Fringe home answers perfectly and is our legacy project for Scotland. It provides a permanent base, stability and excellent new facilities for the Fringe Society, as well as a year-round additional resource for Scottish performers and artists. The Foundation is delighted to partner with the Fringe to enable this project to happen.”
Guy Jefferson, Transmission Managing Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re proud to support the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society as they take their first steps in this exciting new venture.
“With our help, the team are creating a space where the local community can experience all of the cultural benefits of the city’s arts festival, year-round – using low carbon technology to reduce the site’s emissions by as much as 80%.
“Our Transmission Net Zero Fund was launched to support community groups and organisations across central and southern Scotland who are making bold strides towards their own net zero ambitions.
“It’s brilliant to see Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society reach this milestone and we’re excited to watch the project come to life.”
The fundraising for this project is a continuous effort and updates will be provided as the project progresses.
GREYFRIARS CHARTERIS CENTRE. THE PLEASANCE on 24th NOVEMBER
The RHCYP’s Memorial Service in Greyfriars Charteris Centre, 138/140 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9RR, offers space for personal or shared reflection for those who’ve experienced the death of a child.
People of all ages, all beliefs or none, are most welcome:
Assembly Roxy’s year-round programme continues this November with a line-up of theatre, music, and live events celebrating creativity, Scottish traditions old and new, and looking to a better future for all.
With highlights including immersive theatre piece Maiden Mother Whore from Theiya Arts Dance Collective, Jeremy Corbyn at Lighthouse Books’ Radical Book Fair, and the Scottish Dementia Arts Festival 2024, there’s plenty coming up at Assembly’s year-round venue.
Theiya Arts Dance Collective joining Assembly Roxy on the 01 Nov with a thought-provoking performance experience, in Maiden Mother Whore.
A 90-minute show, Maiden Mother Whore invites audiences to interact with five installations throughout the Roxy, exploring complex relationships between women, social structures, health and social policies, and institutions.
Assembly Roxy regulars Edinburgh Ceilidh Club with Teannaich bring the finest in Scottish Ceilidh dancing back to Assembly Roxy Central on Fri 08 Nov. All the dances are taught and called by the band – so bring along regulars and newbies alike to celebrate the Scottish tradition.
Scottish Dementia Arts Festival 2024 boasts a jam-packed line-up of events including live performance, creative workshops, film screenings, open-mics and more. The four-day festival runs from 11 – 14 Nov and celebrates the creativity of people living with dementia, and highlights include relaxed Scottish panto McScrooge by Alan Mountford and Citadel Arts Group and creative consultants living with dementia, Dementia the Musical Soundtrack Gig with Sophie Bancroft and Friends, and Meeting Centres Scotland film launch, as well as a host of ceilidhs, open mics, discos and more!
Lighthouse Books return with their annual Radical Book Fair from Thurs 21 – Sun 24 Nov with a line-up of workshops, cabarets, panels and talks exploring community organising, creativity and international solidarity. This year’s theme ‘From Where We Standcelebrates histories of resistance, protest and change-making.
Highlights include We Are It: Community Power in Our Time with a panel including Jeremy Corbyn, Kate Pickett and Oliver Escobar, and Young Radical Worlds exploring radical writing for young people with Faridah Abike-Iyimide and Margaret McDonald.
Closing out the month, Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul bring their duo gig Amy and Alasdair to the Snug Bar, passing on traditional Scots songs and ballads. With history in Edinburgh and beyond,
Amy and Alaisdair share their simple and striking approach in a stripped back show sharing glimpses into the darkest and lightest moments of life. Amy and Alasdair is showing for one night only on 29 Nov.
Tickets and information on all the events above are available now from www.assemblyroxy.com
Summerhall celebrates stunning festival season visual arts programme with official Courtyard Launch
Including work from Helen Denerly, Pulitzer Prize-winner Lucian Perkins, and Summerhall’s own Robert McDowell
Summerhall is proud to bring a season of carefully curated, interrogative and thought-provoking exhibitions from local and international contemporary artists as part of the Summerhall 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme – celebrated last night during their official Courtyard Launch.
Running from 26 July – 20 September, Summerhall’s Visual Art Programme exhibitions include work from leading UK’s leading wildlife artist Helen Denerly (famed in Edinburgh for the beautiful giraffe sculptures that stand proudly outside the Omni Centre, in addition to a plethora of other UK and international work); Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lucian Perkins; internationally renowned for his distinctive style of ‘constructed photography’, Calum Colvin; Summerhall resident and skilled picture restorer, Jo Coates;bold paintings created during a Bipolar manic episode from Australian comedian turned artist, Sam Kissajukian; and Summerhall’s own Robert McDowell.
Last night (Thursday 25th July), drinks were served in the Summerhall courtyard and all the exhibitions opened for viewing – including this year’s Courtyard Commission winning artwork.
The festival season Visual Arts programme was curated by Samantha Chapman.
Join us for ECCAN’s Spring Assembly: Root to Plate! 
Whether you’re a foodie, work in the sector, or just curious about food sustainability and tackling waste, this is your chance to connect, learn, and take action!
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