UPDATES TO WEST PILTON PARK
CONSTRUCTION WORK AND PARK CLOSURE
Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust are holding a meeting at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on TUESDAY 25th AUGUST at 5pm to discuss the park development and for you to ask questions about YOUR park.
There is over £5 million being spent on re-developing the park and it will be closed until October/November 2027.
Come along, and have your say!
Tickets on sale for new Oasis film documenting the band’s record breaking 2025 tour – arriving at Vue Edinburgh next month
A new film charting Liam and Noel Gallagher’s triumphant reunion tour, Oasis Live ’25, is heading to the big screen next month – with tickets on sale from now.
Showing exclusively at cinemas from 9 – 17 September, Don’t Look Back in Anger documents one of the biggest musical events in recent years.
The 41-date world tour saw the brothers performing across five continents – with an impressive 17 shows taking place in the UK alone.
The film offers unprecedented access and never-before-seen footage, alongside the first joint interviews with Noel and Liam in over 20 years. It also explores the profound emotional impact of the tour and what the band’s music means to audiences and generations worldwide.
Fans will be able to watch Don’t Look Back in Anger on Vue’s biggest screen: EPIC by Vue – the ultimate way to experience the most anticipated releases.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh, said: “After decades of waiting, last year Oasis fans got the reunion they were hoping for. Now audiences can relive the iconic comeback on the big screen, with unprecedented access, behind-the-scenes footage and a joint interview – two decades in the making.
“What better way to enjoy this fly on the wall documentary than from the comfort of Vue, offering the ultimate seat, screen and sound experience.”
To find out more, visit www.myvue.com
Following its Fringe First Award win last week, critically acclaimed one-man show ‘The Bridge’ will extend its Edinburgh Fringe run with a limited series of three additional performances from 28-30 August at 8pm.
Written and performed by Palestinian artist Alaa Shehada, who also secured the prestigious accolade last year for ‘The Horse of Jenin’, and produced by the Palestine Comedy Club, ‘The Bridge’ tells the extraordinary story of the only route Palestinians in the West Bank have to the outside world.
It originally opened for a limited run at Assembly Roxy. Following its major award win and strong audience response, the production will now move to Assembly George Square Studios, Studio Two, for three additional performances.
The Fringe First Award recognises outstanding new work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The additional performances give audiences another opportunity to catch one of this year’s award-winning productions before its Fringe run comes to an end.
● The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched their Fitness to Drive campaign to encourage drivers aged 60 and over to reflect on their driving and take simple, practical steps to stay safe and confident on the road.
● The Fitness to Drive national roadshow will be stopping off in Edinburgh from 19 – 23 August appearing at local spots including IKEA Straiton, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, and Dobbies Garden Centre Edinburgh.
● Older drivers will be able to drop in for a free ‘Driver MOT’ – a session to help them recognise any changes in the way they drive and explore practical steps they can take to continue driving safely for longer.
A road safety campaign by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland is coming to Edinburgh as part of a nationwide tour to support mature drivers to stay safe and confident on the road.
With more than 850,000 drivers over 60 in Scotland, the Fitness to Drive roadshow will be appearing at IKEA Straiton on 19 August, before heading to Cameron Toll Shopping Centre on 20 August, before finally rolling into Dobbies Garden Centre Edinburgh from 21 to 23 August.
The purpose of the roadshow is to highlight the importance of recognising how ageing may impact driving, as well as understanding the steps that can be taken to mitigate that.
Transport Scotland statistics show an increasing trend in the number of road casualties involving drivers aged 60 and over. The Driver MOT roadshow aims to help people understand ways they can overcome age-related challenges, such as changes to eyesight, hearing and reaction times.
The roadshow will share tips for addressing these changes, which may include booking regular eye examinations, reducing night-time driving, avoiding busy junctions at peak hours, and/or refreshing skills with a driving review.
Fear of having to give up driving can often stop people from addressing these changes, but the Fitness to Drive initiative looks to equip older drivers with the knowledge and understanding they need to help stay safe behind the wheel for longer. Friends and family members of drivers aged 60 or over are also encouraged to attend for advice on opening up supportive and sensitive conversations about driving.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, said: “The Fitness to Drive campaign is designed to support older drivers to recognise any changes that come with age – whether that’s to eyesight or hearing – and encouraging them to take action to ensure they continue driving safely and confidently.
“Change doesn’t always have to mean hanging up the keys and, by helping older drivers and their families ensure their driving fitness, we can help make people more confident and safer when they travel which, in turn, can help stop collisions and save lives.”
The Fitness to Drive national roadshow will be at the following locations:
● IKEA Straiton – Wednesday 19 August – 10am – 4pm
● Cameron Toll Shopping Centre – Thursday 20 August – 10am – 4pm
● Dobbies Garden Centre Edinburgh – Friday 21 – Sunday 23 August – 10am – 4pm
For more details about the roadshow and advice about how to keep driving safely for longer, visit roadsafety.scot/fitness-to-drive/
ALMOST FIFTY KNIFE INCIDENTS IN EDINBURGH SCHOOLS IN FIVE YEARS
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has today urged the SNP government to step up efforts to tackle youth knife crime as she revealed that there have been almost 50 such crimes in Edinburgh schools since 2021.
New figures uncovered by the party show that since 2021 there have been:
Scottish Liberal Democrats previously revealed that the police have recorded almost 700 crimes of possessing an article with a blade or point in schools across Scotland over the last five years.
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said: “Each one of these crimes will have been hugely distressing for the staff and pupils involved.
“These figures do not sit in isolation, and we need to understand the part played by events like the pandemic, which had a severe and longer-lasting impact on young people.
“That impact hasn’t been helped by the Scottish Government’s failure to recognise the importance of interventions like youth work.
“Youth work can stop this kind of violence from happening in the first place by offering young people valuable support and guidance, often from someone who is neither a parent nor a teacher.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats will fight for a proper investment in youth work so that we can give young people the choices and the futures they deserve.”
Planning authorities will be required to notify Scottish Ministers of new data centre applications within seven days of validation.
A new direction, issued by Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad, applies to data centre developments exceeding 50 Megawatts (MW) power capacity. It will support strategic monitoring of the pipeline of such planning applications and of the implications for wider infrastructure.
Ms Goodlad has also recalled a planning appeal for Ministerial decision relating to a proposed green data centre in Edinburgh, and has issued directions requiring Environmental Impact Assessments at locations in Fife and Edinburgh.
She said: “Data centres is a rapidly emerging sector, and planning has an important role to play in considering applications, harnessing economic opportunities, and finding solutions which align with our climate goals.
“We must balance the economic and employment interests in developing data centres with national energy, climate and community wealth building ambitions, which are vital to our future prosperity, as well as the potential impact on local communities.
“It is essential to secure public benefits from this type of development, and I am clear that voices of communities that will be affected will be central to any considerations on data centres.”
ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE: SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER
We’re looking for a choir or singing group to help us spread some Christmas cheer at our FACE Winter Fair on Saturday 28th November 2026 at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
The fair is from 11am – 3pm and we’re looking for some festive entertainment for an hour approx 12noon – 1pm while people shop and enjoy the cafe. Sing-a-longs and flash mobs welcome!
If you think you can help, or would like to know more, please send us a message.
FACE (are part of NHS Lothian Charity, and money we raise helps go towards the little things that make a big difference to people with cancer and their families in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Next Monday, 24th August we will be starting Mindful Colouring In at Blackhall Library. These are casual sessions for anyone to join, no need to book, just come along.
For more information contact Blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
HARBOUR HOMES – NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY AWARDS
There will be more than a few winners on the books at the north Edinburgh Community Awards next month. An evening of prizes, entertainment and local pride will shine a light on the unsung heroes who make Leith one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods.
Leith has no shortage of local champions, whether that is supporting vulnerable residents, bringing people together, improving local spaces or helping to create opportunities for others.
Residents across the north of Edinburgh can nominate people who help make Leith one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant and connected communities across the following categories:
Those up for an award will be invited with friends and family to the free community awards night on Wednesday 30 September. This will feature Leith’s Big Bingo Night, a community supper and prizes.
Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of Harbour said: “Leith has always been a place where people look out for one another.
“The Big Bingo and Community Awards are a chance to celebrate that community spirit, recognise the incredible people making a difference, and bring everyone together for a great night out.
“Let’s make it a full house to thank the people who help make Leith such a special place to live, work and belong.”
To nominate a local hero, head over to the Harbour website.
To nominate by phone, call us on 0131 554 0403 during our opening hours.
Nominations close on Sunday 30 August.
THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has launched the Keep It Fringe US bursary initiative for a second year ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe 2027, which will be the Edinburgh Fringe’s 80th anniversary year.
In 2026, 555 shows from the United States participated in the Edinburgh Fringe, highlighting what an important market this is for the festival.
Keep It Fringe US will provide five artists based in the United States with bursaries of $2,500 to help bring work to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2027. In addition to financial support, successful recipients will receive a tailored support package of marketing, screen development, and industry networking opportunities to help with audience and career development.
Supported by Fringe Ambassador, Brian Cox, Keep It Fringe US was an initiative designed to help reduce the financial barriers faced by US-based artists taking part. Keep It Fringe US was launched in 2025, when five US-based artists each received a $2,500 grant. The fund followed the successful launch of the original Keep It Fringe fund in 2024 by the Fringe Society’s honorary President Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
In 2025, more than 130 artists applied for the five bursaries available through Keep It Fringe US. Keeping in the spirit of the original fund, Keep It Fringe US aims to encourage applications from the widest possible range of artists with professional ambitions. Successful recipients will have the flexibility to use their grants in the way that best supports bringing their work to the Edinburgh Fringe and making the most of the opportunity to perform for a global audience.
Heather and Paul Innella, and Her Royal Majesty Queen Angelique-Monet, The American born Queen Consort of Eti-Oni, Osun State, Nigeria and Edinburgh Fringe performer herself, have confirmed their support to help bring Keep it Fringe US back for 2027.
Through Keep It Fringe 2027, the Edinburgh Fringe Society hopes to continue supporting artists to access the festival and are inviting partners, sponsors and donors to get in touch to see how they can support this important work.
Tony Lankester, Chief Executive Officer of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘I am pleased to announce the return of Keep It Fringe US for a second year.
“Next year will be Edinburgh Fringe’s 80th anniversary, and throughout its history artists, from the United States and beyond, have pushed boundaries and responded to the world around them. I do not doubt that 2027 will continue in that tradition.
“We look forward to receiving applications from artists across the United States when applications open and welcoming many to one of the greatest demonstrations of arts and culture on Earth in Edinburgh next year.’
Her Royal Majesty Queen Angelique-Monet, The American born Queen Consort of Eti-Oni, Osun State, and Keep It Fringe US 2027 supporter said: “Opportunities for performing artists are crucial to the survival of the arts and to their power to bring people together for the greater good.
“Supporting Keep It Fringe US helps ensure that American artists have the opportunity to bring their stories to the world’s largest arts festival, while strengthening the historic cultural ties between Scotland and the United States.
“Having experienced the Edinburgh Fringe firsthand, I know the extraordinary work, courage and talent not mentioning the financial constraints that could stop artists from being part of it. I want to help ensure that other American artists have that same once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the support needed.”
