Pilton Youth and Children’s Project will be holding their regular monthly Teen Boutique session this Saturday from 11am – 2pm at The Greenhouse.
PYCP’s TeeBo this Saturday
Faster, higher, stronger: some Olympic-themed fun to keep your children on track with learning
After a year that’s taken its toll on parents’ and children’s physical and mental health, we’re all longing for a bit of rest and relaxation.
But the school holidays can leave children’s learning brains a little too relaxed. So with the Tokyo Olympics in full flow, keep the kids’ brains sharp with these Games-themed activities from former primary school teacher Abby Milnes of education champs PlanBee:
Learn about…
… time zones
There is an eight-hour time difference between the Games and the UK. This is a great opportunity to teach your children about time differences between countries and why they exist. Challenge your children to work out what time they will need to turn on the TV if they want to watch an event live (hypothetically of course; some of the events may be broadcast in the early hours of the morning in the UK!).
Download this FREE Time Zones Map to help teach your children about Time Zones.
… measuring time
Many of the Olympic events are measured and scored against how long it takes to complete the event. Events under a minute such as the 100m sprint, 200m kayak, team sprints in cycling etc will provide suitable contexts for younger children to think about when measuring time. Older children may like to take on slightly longer events.
This PlanBee lesson may help teach your younger child about measuring time.
Challenge your child to see how many things they can do within the same time as it took an athlete to complete their event. For example, the Olympic record for running 100m was 9.63 seconds set by Usain Bolt at the 2012 Olympics. How many blocks can your child stack in this time? How many ticks can they do on a sheet of paper? After showing children how to read the amount of time on a stopwatch, get them to time each other and take it in turns to see who can beat the record in your own events.
… measuring distance
Other Olympic events such as long jump, javelin, shot put and discus are scored and measured using distance.
Using a metre ruler or measuring tape, challenge your children to take part in a long jump event. They can take a run-up, or go from a standing jump. Mark where the back of their foot landed and help your child measure how far they jumped!
… averages
Some events such as gymnastics are scored by a judges panel. Each judge gives the performance a score which is then averaged out to give a final score. Challenge your child to take individual judges scores and find the average score by adding them up and dividing the total by the number of individual scores.
… variables
“I wonder… do you run faster on grass or concrete?” Challenge your children to think about conducting simple investigations with “I wonder…?” questions like the one above. Younger children may need help with timing but they should be able to make verbal conclusions with you such as “I ran faster on the concrete”.
Older children (7+) should be encouraged to think scientifically. Is it fair if you wear sandals to run on the grass, but running shoes on the concrete? No, they should be the same. What about the distance you run?
Other things they could test:
● Do I run faster wearing trainers, or when I’m barefoot?
● Will I jump further with a run-up?
● Will I jump further with a long run-up or a short run-up?
● Does someone with longer legs jump further?
… pentathlons
What’s the difference between a triathlon, a pentathlon and a decathlon? The number of events! (This is also a perfect opportunity to look at the prefixes tri- pent- and dec- to mean three, five and ten e.g. tri-angle, tri-cycle, pent-agon etc.)
Challenge your children to come up with their own events for a family tri, pent or decathlon! They don’t have to be Olympic events, just a number of events that an athlete will be timed to complete. They don’t even have to be sport related: Who will be the fastest person to put on their socks? Who will be the overall winner?
… drawing figures
Do you have a budding artist in the ranks? Why not challenge them to draw their favourite athlete from the Olympics. Up the challenge by asking them to draw the figure in motion as they complete their event.
Use these FREE Paper Mannequin Templates to help support your artist in their challenge.
… architecture
Having held the Games before in 1964, Tokyo already had venues to host different Olympic events. The newly built National Stadium was finished in November 2019. Challenge your child to investigate its design, including the different ways it has been designed to be eco-friendly.
Work together to create your own model of an Olympic stadium, making sure there’s enough room for a track and spectators.
… map skills
Some of the cycling events in the Olympic Games require a set route to be planned out over a certain area. Print out a map of your local area and identify where you are and any areas they are not allowed to go to. Together, plan out a cycling route for your own Olympic cycling event. You could repeat the route several times to try and beat your personal best!
Beware: If you are riding on roads, make sure your child can ride confidently on them and is aware of safety rules.
… clothing design
Take a look at the designs for the athletes’ kits. How is the country represented in the design? What functionality does there need to be? This could link nicely with investigating the different countries’ flags.
Challenge your children to design a uniform for the country of their choice using this FREE template: https://planbee.com/products/design-a-sports-uniform
- PlanBee would love to see your OIympic achievements: give PlanBee a shout on social media or share your children’s work with them at info@planbee.com!
- Want more in-depth learning about the Olympics? Check out Olympics Topic with lessons in Art, History, Geography and more!
Record numbers vaccinated at Gyle Shopping Centre drop-in
NHS Lothian’s pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic scheme has seen its most successful day at Gyle Shopping Centre with 330 people attending.
The Gyle Shopping Centre pop-up clinic was launched on Tuesday (27 July) within an outlet at the centre alongside some of the biggest names in retail, allowing for those shopping or working nearby to drop-in to get their life-saving vaccine.
For the first time all three vaccines are available, allowing those in need of a second dose of Pfizer to be vaccinated. Moderna and AstraZeneca are also available at the centre.
The clinic is open to everyone over the age of 18 for their first or second dose, provided there has been an eight week gap between vaccinations.
Pat Wynne, Director of Community Nursing, NHS Lothian, said: “To see these numbers come through our clinic at Gyle is fantastic and it reinforces our decision to use pop-up clinics in order to move forward with our vaccination programme.
“We are really pleased to have teamed up with Gyle Shopping Centre and we are grateful to them for providing this space for such a prominent drop-in clinic and supporting our team with queue management.
“Sites like Gyle Shopping Centre are great venues for us because they allow people to easily drop in when they are out shopping or taking a break from work. I would encourage anyone who is due to be vaccinated to consider coming to our Gyle clinic as soon as possible.”
The Gyle pop-up clinic will run until Saturday 14 August and is open every day between 10am to 6pm.
Mr Wynne added: “Pop-up clinics are part of the campaign to target younger people and make it as easy as possible for them to get the vaccine in the places they visit.
“We feel the clinic at Gyle will also help us target people between the ages of 18-29, who we especially need to come forward for vaccination. We remain determined to do everything we can to make sure as many people are vaccinated as possible.”
NHS Lothian’s vaccination bus, which is being run along with Lothian Buses, is continuing to visit sites across Lothian. More details on its locations can be found in the COVID vaccination hub on NHS Lothian’s website.
Edinburgh Art Festival 2021 opens
Edinburgh Art Festival runs from 29 July – 29 August
Edinburgh Art Festival officially gets underway, running from 29 July – 29 August 2021. The 17th edition brings together over 35 exhibitions and new commissions in visual art spaces across the city, complemented by an online programme of events and digital presentations.
Following last year’s cancellation and an exceptionally challenging period for the creative sector, this year, more than any, we are proud to cast a spotlight on the uniquely ambitious, inventive and thoughtful programming produced each year by Edinburgh’s visual art community.
This year’s programme continues to place collaboration at its heart, with a series of festival-led commissions and premieres devised and presented in close partnership with leading visual arts organisations and a specially invited programme of new commissions curated in partnership with an Associate Artist.
All our festival venues will be following the latest Scottish Government Covid guidelines to ensure visitor safety, and we will be keeping our website regularly updated on what audiences can expect during their visit.
Highlights from the 2021 Festival Programme
Our festival-led programming features major new commissions and presentations by leading international artists, including the UK & European premiere of Lessons of the Hour by Isaac Julien in partnership with National Galleries of Scotland; and two new festival co-commissions, with work by Sean Lynch in collaboration with Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop; and a sound installation by Emeka Ogboh with Talbot Rice Gallery.
In a new approach for the festival, we are delighted to collaborate with Glasgow based artist, film-maker and programmer, Tako Taal as Associate Artist. Responding to the festival’s invitation to reflect on themes and ideas emerging from Isaac Julien’s Lessons of the Hour, Taal has invited new commissions for public and digital spaces, by a new generation of artists living and working in Scotland: Chizu Anucha, Sequoia Barnes, Francis Dosoo, Thulani Rachia, Camara Taylor and Matthew Arthur Williams.
We will also see the return of Platform, the festival’s annual showcase supporting artists in the early stages of their careers to make and present new work – with Jessica Higgins, Danny Pagarani, Kirsty Russell and Isabella Widger invited to create new work for Platform: 2021 at Institut français d’Ecosse.
There will also be chance to discover new generation artists at some of our partner galleries across Edinburgh, including the work of Satellite participant Alison Scott at Collective, Sekai Machache at Stills, Andrew Gannon at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and gobscure at Edinburgh Printmakers.
Solo presentations across the capital include Christine Borland at Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Alberta Whittle and Rachel Maclean at Jupiter Artland, Frank Walter at Ingleby Gallery, Ian Hamilton Finlay at The City Art Centre, Sonia Mehra Chawla at Edinburgh Printmakers, Jock McFadyen at Dovecot Studios and a major exhibition by the artist Karla Black for the newly developed and reopened Fruitmarket and Alison Watt at The Scottish Portrait Gallery.
This year’s edition will also feature important retrospectives and major survey shows including The Galloway Hoard: Viking-age Treasure at National Museum of Scotland, Victoria & Albert: Our Lives in Watercolour at The Queen’s Gallery and Archie Brennan at Dovecot Studios.
Edinburgh’s commercial galleries present a richly diverse offering including; a new group show from Arusha Gallery and Ella Walker, Shaun Fraser and Will Maclean at The Fine Art Society, Leon Morrocco at Open Eye Gallery and the centenary of the birth of Joan Eardley is marked with an extensive new show at The Scottish Gallery.
The festival is also planning a series of digital events, to include artist and curator conversations, bespoke tours through the programme, events and activities for families and community groups, as well as newly commissioned work for digital space.
Sorcha Carey, Director, Edinburgh Art Festival said: “Festivals have always offered a space for gathering, and this year more than any, we are proud to come together with partners across the city to showcase the work of artists from Scotland, the UK and around the world.
“Some exhibitions are newly made in response to the seismic shifts of the past year; others are the result of many years of planning and careful research; but all are the unique, authentic, and thoughtful products of our city’s extraordinarily rich visual art scene.
“The past year has revealed how precarious things can be for artists and creative freelancers, as well as for the institutions and organisations that support the production and presentation of their work.
“As our summer festival season gets underway, and we look forward to welcoming audiences safely back to the festival and our city, now more than ever we need the space for community and reflection that art and artists can provide.”
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “Edinburgh Art Festival shines a spotlight on the ambitious, inventive and thoughtful work being produced by Scotland’s visual arts community.
“I am pleased to see that the 17th edition of the Edinburgh Art Festival has brought together over 35 live exhibitions and new commissions, including a series of creative new works by six Scottish artists supported by £135,000 from the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.
“A further £215,000 has been awarded through our PLACE programme to provide greater opportunities for artists at the beginning of their careers. I look forward to seeing the results of the Festival’s work during this challenging time.”
For more information, please visit www.edinburghartfestival.com or follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @EdArtFest #EdArtFest #ArtUnlocks
Scotmid launches community pilot programme in Leith to help people make positive life changes
RISE, a collaborative pilot programme designed to help people involved in crime to make positive life changes has been launched by Scottish convenience retailer Scotmid.
Scotmid’s Project RISE (Recovering In a Supported Environment) will be initially piloted in Leith. It has been designed to proactively intervene and support those living in the local community by encouraging them to avoid potential criminal situations, suggesting alternative choices and signposting individuals to support services.
Project RISE will work in partnership with several organisations including Cyrenians, Turning Point, Link-Up, Connecting Circles and Police Scotland.
As a ‘restorative practice intervention’, it will be used as an alternative engagement model to provide solutions to a recurring problem, which in many cases, tends to be crime.
If successful, Scotmid hopes that the programme will be rolled out across other areas of the city, where additional resources and support would help make a difference.
Nick McGuirk, Project RISE Project Manager at Scotmid, said: “As a retailer based in the heart of our communities, we are in a fortunate position to be able to identify and reach some of the most vulnerable people in our local areas.
“We’re pleased to work collaboratively with some fantastic charities to ensure we can support as many people as possible, helping them to make more positive life choices.”
Carmen McShane, Scotland Service Manager of Turning Point, said: “It has never been so important to make mainstream services more accessible for those who suffer from alcohol and other drug use.
“Accessing support and treatment can be a protective factor in reducing overdose, therefore, outreach work in Leith, and other local communities like this, is vital if we want to prevent drug-related deaths. I’m so pleased to work with Scotmid, Connecting Circles, Cyrenians and Link Up in this initiative to deliver the support to people in our community who need it.”
A Spokesperson at Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland is looking forward to working alongside our partners in this pilot programme, designed to make positive changes for those who require support and help.
“We hope the programme will expand its work to other areas, so that people can avoid potentially dangerous circumstances, whilst flourishing in their communities.”
Which brew are you?
Aldi launches summer Scottish Beer Festival
Aldi has launched its summer Scottish Beer Festival with a fun quiz, designed to help customers find the best Scottish craft beer to suit their personality.
Aldi’s summer Scottish Beer Festival launches on Thursday 29th July across all 96 stores in Scotland and will showcase 30 unique craft beers from 14 of the best local craft breweries, with prices starting at just £1.49.
From fruity IPAs to crisp Lagers and hoppy Pale Ales, there is something to suit every palate. For Aldi’s ‘Cool Character’ a simple Lager or Pilsner would be the go to brew, such as Bellfield’s Bhoemian Pilsner or Genius Brewing’s Gen!us Craft Lager.
For the ‘Hipster’, Aldi suggests Barney’s Beer’s Cranberry Margarita or Hidden Lane Brewery’s RS Raspberry Saison. Meanwhile, for the ‘Adventure Seeker’ there is nothing quite like a Scottish crafted IPA or Pale Ale to round off the day, and customers can choose from a range of brews including Stewart Brewing’s Island Getaway, Loch Lomond Brewery’s Too Orangey For Crows, or Six° North’s Slipstream IPA.
Finally, Aldi’s ‘Strong, Mysterious Soul’ can choose from a range of stouts and ginger beers, including Loch Lomond Brewery’s Mocha Doodle DHU and Glasgow Beer Works Jaggery Imperial Stout.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said: “Our summer Scottish Beer Festival has launched at exactly the right time, giving Scots the chance to sip on cold, refreshing beer during a rare spell of good weather.
“To mark this, we wanted to do something a bit different, and have created a fun quiz which helps people explore the range and find the right craft beer for them.
“We are all naturally drawn to the products we are most familiar with, and while it might not be an exact science, our ‘Which Brew Are You’ quiz will allow customers to discover new tastes and flavour profiles. Every beer we have in stock is of an exceptionally high quality and is sourced locally from top breweries, so no matter your choice, you won’t be disappointed.
“We are committed to supporting the Scottish craft beer industry and are exceptionally proud of the relationships we have established with local breweries. As we look to the future, we will remain committed to our suppliers and will continue to grow our partnerships.”
Aldi’s summer Scottish Beer Festival launches in stores across Scotland tomorrow (Thursday 29th July).
You can find your nearest Aldi here.
Tonight at 6.30: Public Meeting – Save Our Care Homes
Speakers include Graeme Smith (Unite), Alyson Pollock, Nick Kempe, a Unison rep and more.
We want to make the case for saving the homes as widely known as possible and argue that the future of residential care should be public, democratically accountable and provide security and comfort for all those who need it.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/…/tZwodOGuqDIvE9bz…
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Chancellor hails Scotland’s pivotal role in future of UK economy
- The Chancellor will visit Scotland today (29 July 2021) to meet people and firms supported by the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs throughout the pandemic.
- In advance of the trip, Rishi Sunak hailed the economic strength of the Union and said Scotland’s “innovation and ingenuity” would be key in powering the UK’s future global economy;
- He will meet firms in sectors ranging from tech to tourism and see how Scotland is helping drive the UK’s transition to net zero ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow later this year.
The Chancellor has hailed the economic strength of the union ahead of a visit to Scotland where he will see first hand how the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs has supported businesses and families during the pandemic.
Rishi Sunak will meet Scottish businesses and individuals in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife to discuss how they are recovering from the crisis and find out more about the ways Scottish firms are creating jobs and playing a key role in the UK’s green recovery.
Ahead of the visit, he hailed the economic strength of the union and said Scotland’s “innovation and ingenuity” would be key in powering the UK’s future global economy.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said: “We’ve come through this pandemic as one United Kingdom – with our Plan for Jobs supporting one in three jobs and tens of thousands of businesses across Scotland.
“Thanks to the strength of our Union we’ve deployed the fastest vaccination rollout in Europe and our economy is rebounding faster than expected.
“It’s vital this continues, and Scotland’s innovation and ingenuity will be key in creating jobs, powering our growth and driving a green recovery.”
Since the start of the pandemic the UK government has delivered one of the world’s most generous packages to support, create and protect jobs across the UK.
In Scotland one in three jobs have been supported through the pandemic, over 900,000 people in Scotland were furloughed, more than 90,000 businesses have received loans and £1,535 billion has been paid in self-employment support.
People in Scotland are benefitting from the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs – the Kickstart scheme is already helping thousands of 16-24-year-olds into work, Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS) Scotland is providing up to six months of targeted support and 13,500 new Work Coaches have been recruited across Great Britain to give tailored support to people out of work.
On today’s visit, the Chancellor will travel to a number of businesses – both small and large – to meet business owners and furloughed employees who have returned to work after their jobs were protected through the UK-wide scheme.
With just under 100 days until the COP26 summit in Glasgow, he will also see how Scotland is harnessing the power of offshore wind, a sector which supports 2,800 jobs in Scotland and is key in helping the whole of the UK reach our climate goals.
The Chancellor will also meet representatives of Scotland’s financial services sector to thank them for keeping call centres and branches open over the pandemic as well as distributing billions of pounds through UK government loan schemes.
He will discuss his vision for the future of financial services – a sector which accounts for 153,000 jobs in Scotland (financial and professional related services).
He will also see how Scotland’s culture sector is preparing for the summer ahead, as it looks forward to welcoming back locals and tourists who wish to revel in Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.
UK Government eases travel restrictions – Scotland follows on
The latest steps towards reopening international travel make it easier for people vaccinated in Europe or the USA to travel to the UK.
- passengers fully vaccinated with vaccines authorised by the EMA and FDA in Europe and the USA will be able to travel to England from amber countries without having to quarantine on arrival from 4am 2 August
- part of the second Global Travel Taskforce review, these latest changes will boost economy and make it easier for those vaccinated in Europe or USA to return to the England and unite with family and friends
- updates include restart of international cruise sailings and bespoke testing programmes for certain groups of workers
The UK government has today (28 July 2021) announced that passengers arriving from amber countries who have been fully vaccinated in Europe (EU Member States, European Free Trade Association countries and the European microstate countries of Andorra, Monaco and Vatican City) and the USA will not have to quarantine when entering England, as part of a range of new measures designed to continue to drive forward the reopening of international travel, set out as part of the second Global Travel Taskforce checkpoint review.
From 4am on 2 August 2021, passengers who are fully vaccinated in the EU with vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or in the USA with vaccines authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or in the Swiss vaccination programme, will be able to travel to England without having to quarantine or take a day 8 test on arrival.
Amber arrivals who have been fully vaccinated in the USA and European countries will still be required to complete a pre-departure test before arrival into England, alongside a PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival.
Separate rules will continue to apply for those arriving from France. Those vaccinated in the US will also need to provide proof of US residency. Passengers from all countries cannot travel to the UK unless they have completed a passenger locator form.
Following the close monitoring of epidemiological evidence, gained through the restart of the domestic cruise industry earlier this year, the UK government has also confirmed the go ahead for international cruise sailings to restart from England in line with Public Health England guidance.
International cruise travel advice will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad.
To further support the safe restart of international cruise travel, the government and cruise industry have signed a breakthrough memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help the industry build back from COVID-19 while protecting British nationals from future pandemic-related disruption.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We’ve taken great strides on our journey to reopen international travel and today is another important step forward. Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade – this is progress we can all enjoy.
“We will of course continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but thanks to our world-leading domestic vaccination programme, we’re able to look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our vaccination programme is building a wall of defence against this virus so we can safely enjoy our freedoms again, with 7 in 10 adults in the UK now double jabbed.
“By reopening quarantine-free travel for travellers who have been fully vaccinated in European countries and the USA, we’re taking another step on the road to normality which will reunite friends and families and give UK businesses a boost.”
The UK Government is also relaxing the testing requirements for certain critical workers, who by the nature of their work do not mix with the public or leave their vehicles helping free up running times by removing undue burdens.
All measures announced today will be kept under review and be guided by the latest data. The UK Government insists ‘public health remains our top priority’, and say they will not hesitate to act should the data show that countries risk ratings have changed.
Travel continues to be different this summer, and while some restrictions remain in place passengers should expect their experience to be different and may face longer wait times than they are used to – although the government is making every effort to speed up queues safely.
The government will continue to rollout upgrades to e-gates over the summer to automate checks for health requirements, with many e-gates already in operation and more to be added over the coming months to increase automated checks on passengers at airports.
If travelling abroad, you should continue to take the steps to keep safe and prepare in case things change before you go or while you are there.
Check the booking terms and conditions on flexibility and refunds and subscribe to FCDO travel advice updates to understand the latest entry requirements and COVID-19 rules at their destination.
SCOTLAND FOLLOWS SUIT
‘Step only possible due to success of vaccination programmes’
Fully vaccinated people from the EU and US will now also be able to travel to Scotland without quarantining from Monday (2 August).
The need for travellers to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival in Scotland is being waived subject to countries covered remaining on the amber travel list.
The easing also removes the need for a PCR test on day eight after arrival and is a major relaxation of travel restrictions that were imposed to protect wider public health in Scotland.
All travellers will still be required to produce a negative test prior to departure and a negative PCR test on day two after arrival.
The step has been made possible by the success of vaccination schemes here and abroad with inbound travellers from the EU and US required to produce accepted documentation to prove they are fully protected with recognised vaccines.
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “This has only been made possible due to the overwhelming success of our vaccination programme here in Scotland when coupled with successful roll-outs of vaccination schemes in the EU and US.
“Fully vaccinated travellers will be able to travel to Scotland under this significant relaxation of international travel measures, providing a boost for the tourism sector and wider economy while ensuring public health is protected.
“This new arrangement will be carefully monitored by clinicians and kept under close review as we seek to put Scotland firmly on the path to recovery – but people should continue to think very carefully about travelling – especially given the prevalence and unpredictable nature of variants of concern.”
Music scene launches Scottish Classical Music Green Guide
- Set up by Nevis Ensemble and Scottish Ensemble in July 2020 the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group (SCSG) brings together more than 30 of Scotland’s music organisations
- SCSG are excited to launch its first Scottish Classical Music Green Guide today
- The SCSG won the Environmental Sustainability Award at the 2021 Scottish Awards for New Music hosted by New Music Scotland
Set up during the pandemic, the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group (SCSG) is putting the welfare of our planet in the spotlight with the launch of its first ever Scottish Classical Music Green Guide.
Given the events of the past eighteen months, both in terms of how the COVID-19 pandemic has made us reconsider our impact on the environment, and the natural disasters – from floods through to wildfires – that we have witnessed taking place across the globe, the issue of environmental sustainability has been top of the agenda for many, and not least Scotland’s musical sector, who have come together to discuss how they can reduce the impact of their work on the planet.
The SCSG brings together more than 30 of Scotland’s music organisations, alongside Creative Scotland, Creative Carbon Scotland, Musicians’ Union and Association of British Orchestras (ABO) and was set up in July 2020 by Nevis Ensemble and Scottish Ensemble.
Today, 28 July 2021 it launches its first ever Scottish Classical Music Green Guide.
Aimed at changing behaviours not only in organisations, but in individual musicians and audiences across the country, and for both professional and leisure-time ensembles, the guide is the culmination of discussions around how the sector can best address the Climate Emergency as we aim for a Net Zero society.
Established in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of the SCSG has already seen it win the Environmental Sustainability Award at the 2021 Scottish Awards for New Music hosted by New Music Scotland.
The Green Guide, building on the 2010 Green Orchestras Guide, put together by the ABO, Julie’s Bicycle and Orchestras Live, shares ideas, knowledge and tips on how organisations can engage with staff, musicians and audiences, but also on how individual musicians can exert influence, whether as freelancers or as part of a larger organisation.
Examples of best practice from across the Scottish classical sector, including Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Drake Music Scotland, Live Music Now Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland are also highlighted.
The guide ends with a series of pledges from members, detailing actions they plan to take in the next twelve months to concretely reduce their emissions.
Actions include stopping all staff flights within the UK, engaging international promoters in discussions about how the greater costs of more sustainable land travel can be covered when planning tours, and replacing one-off performances from international guests with longer residencies.
William Norris, Interim Chief Executive at Scottish Ensemble, said: “We are hugely proud of the way in which Scotland’s ensembles, orchestras, organisations and musicians have come together to put the health and sustainability of our planet centre stage. Particularly after a year to eighteen months of huge instability and insecurity for everyone within the sector, and indeed across the world.
“This guide represents our collective commitment to ensuring best practice not only within our own organisation, but with the other organisations, individuals and audiences we engage with on a regular basis, and we really hope it help others as much as it us.”
Ben Twist, Director of Creative Carbon Scotland says: “We’ve learned a lot from seeing how the members of the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group have collaborated over the past year, even during the exceptionally difficult circumstances that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented for those working in the arts.
“This detailed guide is testament to the group members’ commitment to playing a part in addressing climate change, their ability to share and learn from each other, and the growing environmental expertise that they are developing within the classical music sector.”
Scott Crawford Morrison of the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group says: “We are thrilled to launch this Guide, which we hope will be used not only by organisations, but also by individual musicians, whether professional, student or leisure-time.
“As music organisations and individuals, we pride ourselves on having close relationships to our communities and audiences – let us also make full use of the amazing power of culture to inform and transform thinking, and work collectively to reduce the emissions associated with our current ways of living and working.”
Gavin Reid, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra says: “With the climate emergency and issues of global sustainability ever present in our minds, this comprehensive guide for the orchestral sector is a vital touchstone which will help inform our collective thinking, planning and knowledge as we work towards a sustainable musical future.”
Read and download the Scottish Classical Music Green Guide here
Here are some suggestions from the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group for how to make the most of the guide:
- Share it widely within your network: with friends and colleagues, different teams across your organisation – including musicians, and with senior management staff, and board/committee members.
- Discuss it: online or in person. A discussion of the guide will provide a good opportunity to create momentum, engage in meaningful conversations and agree on actions.
- Make it visible: the more people who read the guide, the more effective it will be! You can share it on social media and add news stories or blog posts to your website linking to the guide.
- Arrange an event: if you would like to arrange an event for staff or audiences to talk about the ideas in the guide, and would like members of the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group to talk at this, drop them an email at: georgina@nevisensemble.org