Upcycled piano sculptures hit perfect note at The Wee Hub

An enormous six-meter-high sculpture of three elephant tusks made entirely of upcycled pianos goes on display as part of a new exhibition marking the official launch of The Wee Hub at Ocean Terminal this Sunday (19 June 2022).

The sculpture, ‘The Elephant in the Room’, is a tripod of elephant tusks topped with more than 50 ‘ivories’ and is one of ten that can be seen in and around the Wee Hub’s community space, which has taken over the former Debenhams store at the waterfront centre in Leith.

Also on display is ‘Half of a Piano Cube’, a pyramid of three playable pianos, ‘Power to the People’, two grand pianos each boasting a large gramophone-like pentagonal horn made from lids and soundboards and ‘Piano Meant-A-Lot’, an allotment shed made entirely from old pianos and piano parts which houses a beautiful old playable upright piano. 

Legless grand piano planter boxes will be filled with vegetables and flowers to complete the bucolic idyll of this particular exhibit.

Each interactive sculpture, conceived and created in Leith by the Pianodrome Community Interest Company, uses locally sourced pianos and the exhibition is their first appearance in Scotland.

As part of The Wee Hub’s official launch, which includes a parade around the centre, circus performances and a series of free events, Tim Vincent -Smith, the artist who designed the sculptures, and Matthew Wright, the Pianodrome producer, will be there from 3pm – 4pm along with Danny McGeever, Edinburgh-based singer songwriter, and Nikki Hill of Dripping Tap Theatre, to give a tour of the sculptures, animating them with music and movement.

Expect music, clowning and a rendition of Sunshine on Leith from Danny.Sean Logan of Full Spectrum, will be there playing the sculptures all day.

Miles Tubb of the Living Memory Association which with the support of Ocean Terminal’s owners created The Wee Hub as a free collaborative space for local community groups in the heart of Leith, said: “Pianodrome’s sculptures are simply fantastic and opening their exhibition as part of our official launch day hits the perfect note.

“They are a community-led organisation, just as all the groups here at The Wee Hub, bringing people together to enjoy the arts, music and our heritage. The day will be a colourful and lively display of local people’s creativity and talents from dance through to circus performance.”

Tim Vincent-Smith and Matthew Wright who are also both musicians from the band S!nk set up Pianodrome in 2017 to build the world’s first amphitheatre made entirely from upcycled pianos. Tim said:

“The sculptures were commissioned by the Leeds International Piano Competition and formed a piano trail around the city which was enjoyed by tens of thousands of people – many made the journey specifically to see them. Having set up in Leith and collecting and working with old pianos from the area, however, exhibiting our sculptures at Ocean Terminal could not be more perfect – it is a bit of a homecoming.

“Working with The Wee Hub also presents us with many opportunities for further collaborations. Here we are at the heart of a lively and creative community and with the likes of Tinderbox, who are also based at OT, we hope to bring piano-inspired workshops and events in the months ahead.”

The Wee Hub Launch also includes a laser sculpture workshop with the artist Jonathon Elder, a fencing demonstration from Salle Holyrood Fencing, Circus workshops from Think Circus, music workshops from Tinderbox, a model railway exhibit, and heritage exhibitions.

There is also a dance programme beginning at 11am with a children’s disco, jazz, a parade and a show from the International Dancers of the Edinburgh Festival Carnival.

The Wee Hub Launch Day Programme:

  • 11am Children’s disco
  • 1pm – Nouvelle Jukebox.  Edinburgh based duo. Jazzy vocals and swinging guitar.
  • 2pm – Cutting of ribbon and parade round the Centre
  • 2.30  – International Dancers from Edinburgh Festival Carnival
  • 3pm – Pianodrome tour with music and movement.
  • 3.15pm – Think Circus performance

Edinburgh Zoo is the People’s Choice!

The Royal Zoological Society scoops national charity award

Edinburgh charity, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, scooped a top award last night (15 June) at the Scottish Charity Awards run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

The organisation – a wildlife conservation charity – won the People’s Choice award at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by Sally Magnusson at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Glasgow.

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 44 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.

The winner of each of the eight categories was decided by a judging panel, with the ninth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public with over 18,000 votes cast online.

Ben Supple, director of engagement and business development, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said: “I would like to thank everyone who voted for our charity and helped us win this prestigious award. We have been overwhelmed by the public support we have received during the pandemic and would like to dedicate this award to everyone who holds nature dear to their heart.”

The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel, with the tenth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public with over 18,000 votes cast online. The winners for the Scottish Charity Awards 2022 are:

  • People’s Choice award: The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
  • Trustee of the Year award: Ian Monteague – Fare Scotland
  • Pioneering Project award: The Access Hub – Simon Community Scotland
  • Climate Conscious award: Sustainable Thinking Scotland
  • Employee of the Year award: Claire Wadsworth – Scottish Families Affected By Alcohol And Drugs
  • Community Action award: FeldyRoo
  • Volunteer of the Year award: Nan Fotheringham – Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Campaign of the Year award: The Big Hare Trail – Leuchie House
  • Pioneering Project award: The Access Hub – Simon Community Scotland
  • Digital Citizen award: Leuchie House
  • Charity of the Year award: S.M.I.L.E Counselling

Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: “At SCVO we know that every day, voluntary organisations across the country are working tirelessly to support the people and communities they help, and are making an incredible impact.

“We are thrilled to have been able to join together in person to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and winners, after hosting the previous two years’ ceremonies online due to the pandemic.

“This year’s finalists have all demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment to their communities and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate their successes.

“Thanks to our sponsors, the team at the Crowne Plaza, our host Sally Magnusson and everyone who made the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards so wonderful. Congratulations to all winners!”

Green light for Forth Street aparthotel

The city council’s Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday granted approval, subject to conditions, for a new 55-room aparthotel on Forth Street and Broughton Street Lane.

This is to be undertaken by independent company, Supercity Aparthotels.

Its first operation in Edinburgh, the aparthotel will incorporate Forth House and Playfair House, current home to Radio Forth, with associated parking, landscaping, and ancillary works.

The stylish aparthotel will includea communal lounge/bar area, with reception facilities provided on a 24/7 basis, and a gym will also be provided. It is estimated that around 18 jobs will be created by the new operation, which lies in close proximity to the city centre, contributing to tourism, which is the city’s third biggest source of employment.

Supercity Aparthotel’s core clients are business travellers and extended stay guests attracted by the central locations. It offers long stay incentives through a higher level of discount for medium-long term bookings. These core client characteristics mean that movements to/from the property will be less than that of the existing use.

The front of B-listed Forth House will remain mostly unchanged, serving to preserve the historic building. Minor changes are proposed on the rear elevation, such as changing an existing opening to a door.

Modern Playfair House, fronting Broughton Street Lane, will be stripped back to its superstructure and a new facade of natural stone and precast concrete built to align with adjacent buildings, reinstating the mews street frontage.

The site benefits from excellent transport links and as such, the existing parking provision is being reduced from 24 spaces to seven. There is some demand for parking associated with the business which will be located within the building undercroft and will not be visible from the street.

Five of the car parking spaces will include electric vehicle charging points. Ten secure cycle parking spaces will be located internally with an additional four external spaces located in the car park.

Roger Walters, Chairman of Supercity Aparthotels commented: “We are delighted that our aparthotel operation has been approved by the committee, which will preserve the fabulous Forth House.

“This is an excellent location for our first operation in Edinburgh, lying close to the busy city centre and will also serve to benefit the community through reducing movements to and from the building than is currently the case.

“We look forward to working commencing onsite and will continue to engage with the community to ensure that it is kept updated as works progress.”

Operating in London, Manchester and Brighton, Supercity Aparthotels is primarily aimed at extended stay guests and business travellers, have led the way in superior and stylish serviced apartment hotels. Its signature personalised and flexible service has established a level of comfort, convenience, and attention to detail that only true independently owned and operated companies can achieve.

It currently has six properties with two new locations in city centre York and Leeds opening by 2023, with strong aspirations to expand into more key locations across the UK.

IT’S SCRADUATION DAY!

Scran Academy AGM this evening

We have our AGM/Graduation at Fetlor Youth Club today and it would be great if some of our local partner were able to attend to help us celebrate what the young people have achieved and some of the plans for the future.

Ian Midwinter

Chief Executive, Scran Academy

www.scranacademy.com

@Scranacademy

Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan launched at The Gathering

Increasing opportunities across Scotland’s communities

People, places and communities are at the heart of a new Volunteering Action Plan, launched in Glasgow yesterday at The Gathering, SCVO’s celebration of Scotland’s voluntary sector.

The plan aims to create an environment where everyone can volunteer, more often, and throughout their lives, with a specific focus on tackling inequality within volunteering, so that those who would traditionally experience barriers to volunteering can benefit and contribute.

Led by Volunteer Scotland and the Scottish Government, the plan was developed with over 100 participants, who have brought integral themes to the action plan including building knowledge and developing skills, supporting local communities and promoting the value of volunteers.

It will be boosted by £100,000 investment from the Scottish Government in the Make Your Mark Heritage volunteering campaign, which will help develop training and guidance to support inclusive volunteering.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “The value of volunteering has hit a high over the last two years, when nearly three million people stepped up during the pandemic to help in our communities. Volunteers continue to be critical to Scotland’s Covid recovery and renewal.

“Across Scotland, volunteers make absolutely vital contributions every day to their families, communities and society as a whole. They do it because they care and want to help and support others. Throughout Scotland, people are volunteering and contributing on the issues that matter to them.

“Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan will increase awareness of the vital role of volunteers in the delivery of services across Scotland from health and social care, children and families and sport. Volunteering is powerful and it matters.” 

Alan Stevenson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland, said: “Volunteering is the heartbeat of our communities. ‘Everyday’ volunteering touches all of our lives, in our local places and spaces. Volunteering is good for you; with proven health and wellbeing benefits, greater social connections, providing skills, confidence, experience, and enjoyment!

“Volunteering should be available to anyone from any background, throughout their lives. This Action Plan will maximise the impact of volunteering and with co-production at its core, it’ll create an environment and a community of practice in which volunteering is truly ‘for all’. It’ll establish accountability for ensuring that the needs of volunteers are at the heart of future decision-making.”

Craig, who is registered disabled, volunteers with Easthall Residents’ Association in Glasgow, organising discos every Friday. He said: “I love the feeling of being part of a team I am made to feel so welcome and I have a purpose. It gives me such a lift when I’m volunteering and helping others. I feel ten feet tall.”

Charley and Anna were matched through the befriending project Mearns Kirk Helping Hands in March 2021. Charley said: “Without the volunteering programme many older people would suffer from much greater loneliness and be far less stimulated.

“Anna allows me to learn from her every time we chat, has a passion for life and is great company. I think she really looks forward to our calls and meetings as she is such an enthusiastic person.”

Volunteering Action Plan

Audit Scotland: Clarity on Covid spending remains vital

The Scottish Government moved at pace with its partners to respond financially to the pandemic – but public sector leaders need to be clearer about how one-off Covid-19 funding is being spent and what impact it has had, according to a new report by public spending watchdog Audit Scotland.

The Scottish Government worked with councils, NHS boards and other public sector bodies to direct billions of Covid-19 funding in difficult circumstances. However, they were not prepared for the scale or speed of the response required and lessons need to be learned.

Spending decisions were recorded differently across government departments, and it was not always clear how data was used to inform funding allocations. Decisions were not centrally collated, making it hard to see how some financial decisions were reached. So far, there has also been limited evaluation of the difference the financial response to the pandemic has made to people’s lives.

The Scottish Government managed its budget effectively over the last two years, but some Covid-19 funding remains unspent. At the end of 2020/21 over £2 billion was added to reserves by the Scottish Government, councils and integration authorities – but it is not possible to say how much of that is from Covid-19 funding.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government and public bodies worked well together to distribute money during the pandemic, but lessons should be learned to improve planning for any future large-scale disruptions.

“It is vital for transparency and financial planning that the Scottish Government and other public bodies are clear about how one-off Covid-19 funding is being spent, including money in reserves.

“More work is also needed by the Scottish Government to collect the data that will allow it to understand the difference its interventions have made and plan the country’s recovery from Covid.”

William Moyes, Chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “Councils played an important role in the financial response to Covid-19 because of their local knowledge and the systems they had in place to distribute money.

“Pandemic spending largely protected councils and other public bodies over the last two years. But the financial challenges they were facing pre-Covid remain, and council budgets are particularly under pressure.

“Many services relied on one-off Covid-19 funding to remain sustainable, and it’s important that there is clarity about how they will be paid for in the future.”

Evaluating the financial response to the Covid-19 pandemic – which saw the Scottish Government allocate £15.5 billion between 2020-2022 –  the report highlights the significant challenges faced across the country.  

The report acknowledges that despite these extraordinary difficulties:

  • existing Scottish Government systems were utilised efficiently to help deliver financial support as quickly as possible, whilst developing new, streamlined processes that minimised the risk of fraud
  • the Scottish Government maintained a balanced budget
  • short notice UK Government funding was directed quickly by the Scottish Government to tackle the wide ranging impacts of the pandemic
  • over £5 billion was allocated for health and social care to support vital services and public health infrastructure for testing and vaccinations programmes
  • more than £4.7 billion was allocated to businesses in lifeline support
  • local authorities were allocated £1.8 billion to fund vital general and targeted services, including £200 million to cover councils’ lost income

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: “The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges on a scale our economy and people have never faced in living memory. At every stage, the Scottish Government worked to safeguard lives, businesses, jobs and livelihoods, acting as quickly and efficiently as possible to support people and businesses.

“Despite the impacts of the pandemic, many of which are still being acutely felt, we worked collaboratively with all sectors of the economy to identify those most in need and then with local authorities and partners to utilise existing systems to ensure financial support was delivered swiftly and effectively.

“We also set up a number of new support streams, to make sure businesses were being paid as quickly as possible. My thanks go to all of our partners who worked with us to deliver support at pace.

“It is important to remember the severity of the pandemic and that decisions were taken at pace as we considered how best to allocate funding to support business and people through the necessary public health restrictions.

“We will now carefully consider the Audit Scotland report and engage with relevant sectors to ensure that future decision making is as informed as possible and best supports the people of Scotland.”

nr_220616_financial_response_to_covidDownload

Join The Picnic in Victoria Park

The Heart of Newhaven Community, Friends of Victoria Park and The VP Allotment Holders invite you to The Picnic in the Park, at Victoria Park on Sunday 19 June from 12.30pm-3.30pm.

Bring a picnic and enjoy meeting your neighbours in the park

  • Children’s Races (including the world-famous 3-legged!) Fun Dog Parade
  • Plant Swap Table
  • Kids’ Books Swap Table
  • Live Music
  • Optional Fancy Dress for People and Pets!
  • Prizes for taking part for Children and Dogs!

Check the ‘Friends of Victoria Park’ and ‘Heart of Newhaven’ Facebook pages for updates

https://www.facebook.com/fovpedinburgh 

and 

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeartofNewhaven)

Inspired by the Eden Project’s Big Lunch

Men’s Health Week: AAA screening

For #menshealthweek, we are highlighting screening.

Today: AAA screening. All men 65 or over are offered an ultrasound scan to check for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) and will receive an invitation the year they turn 65.

Learn more: http://nhsinform.scot/aaascreening

#ScotsScreening

Men aged 65 are invited for a one-off simple ultrasound of the abdomen (tummy) to detect a AAA. Treating a AAA early greatly reduces the chance of it causing serious problems.

It could save your life.

For more information: www.nhsinform.scot/aaascreening

#menshealthweek

#ScotsScreening

University supported companies celebrate EDGE Awards success

Innovators to share in £150K prize fund and other business growth support measures

A host of University of Edinburgh students and alumni who have founded their own startup companies are celebrating after taking honours at this year’s Scottish EDGE Awards.

Xiaoyan Ma, founder of Danu Robotics, an innovative business focused on developing sustainable technological solutions for the benefit of the environment, was named among this year’s main award winners. The company secures £75K in grant funding to accompany its award.

Three other company founders, which have also been supported by Edinburgh Innovations (EI), the University’s commercialisation service, were named as Young EDGE winners. They include Alex Hodson of Podspectrix; Niall McGrath of Robocean; and Elena Höge of Yaldi Games.

Meanwhile Ioannis Stasinopoulos of Prozymi Biolabs, a further EI-supported startup, was named as a Wildcard EDGE award winner. Between them, the four companies will share a further £45K in grant funding along with their awards.

The annual Scottish EDGE Awards, aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming, innovative, high-growth entrepreneurial talent, recognises and supports entrepreneurs and startup businesses.

Funded by the Hunter Foundation, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and private donors, the competition is delivered twice annually and has to date supported 395 early-stage Scottish businesses with over £15m in award funding.

The winners from this year’s Scottish EDGE Awards will share in more than £150K ingrants and benefit from other forms of support and mentoring to help them maximise their growth aspirations.

John Lonsdale, Head of Enterprise Services from Edinburgh Innovations said: “We congratulate all the University of Edinburgh students and alumni in their success at this year’s Scottish EDGE Awards.

“We are delighted to have supported these emerging companies, all of which are focused on developing innovative solutions to some of the key challenges facing society.

“As an organisation committed to helping University of Edinburgh startups reach their full potential, Edinburgh Innovations is proud of its role in supporting entrepreneurs who are driving economic growth in Scotland and beyond.”

National Galleries of Scotland gifts art packs to young Ukranian refugees

Three thousand art packs for refugees and asylum seekers have been made by the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Intended as a warm welcome to people arriving in Scotland who have fled conflict or persecution, they are being gifted in partnership with several charities and local authorities.

A large group of Ukrainian children and young people recently picked up their packs at an art workshop at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.

Organised by NGS and Dnipro Kids, a charity which supports orphanage children from Ukraine, activities across the day included an introduction to painting with their new watercolour sets, clay sculpture making and exploring the gallery spaces.

Thousands of the packs have been shared among other charities, including Aberlour Scottish Guardianship Service, Scottish Refugee Council, SCOREscotland, Cyrenians and The Welcoming. Local authorities across the country have also assisted in distributing the art materials to refugees and asylum seekers in their areas.

The packs contain 10 high-quality postcards showing artworks from the national collection, specially chosen for the children and young people receiving the packs. The images were selected with the intention of providing hope, to spark their curiosity and to introduce them to Scottish culture.

For instance, Una and the Lion (c. 1860) by William Bell Scott draws on the story of a brave young girl undertaking a frightening journey on her own. The packs also contain a sketchbook, pencil, colouring pens, a watercolour set and paint brush.

Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “It is a privilege for the National Galleries of Scotland to play a small part in extending a warm welcome to the people who will receive the art packs, and we very much hope they enjoy getting creative with them.

“We are also grateful to the charity and local authority partners who are helping us with distribution. We would welcome hearing from other such organisations should they be interested in requesting art packs for their beneficiaries.”

Steven Carr, Chair of Dnipro Kids said: “We’re very grateful to the National Galleries for their help. This art packs and visit have been wonderfully stimulating for the kids, who have enjoyed themselves immensely.

“The welcome and kindness from the people of Scotland continues to amaze us all, and this is another example of how people have opened their hearts to our group.”

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said; “We are pleased that players of People Postcode Lottery support the National Galleries of Scotland in extending a warm welcome to children and young people forced to flee from danger in their home countries.

“We hope the art packs offer all recipients the opportunity to spend some time getting creative as they settle in here in Scotland.”

Pictures: Roberto Ricciuti.