Historic Environment Scotland have challenged a group of top travel bloggers to visit as many historic sites as possible in just two days with the History Hunters challenge. Continue reading History Hunters roam wild this weekend
Letters: Red Alert over rampant nationalism
Dear Editor
In living memory we saw before and during World War II how bad rampant nationalism can be.
Today the rise of nationalism is leading to more advocacy by the right wing of an ‘anti-everyone not a national from their country’, it is a form of racism and a tactic to divide people, instead of tackling the real problems working people face.
This is being seen in places like America, France, Germany and many other countries including the UK: this was particularly evident during the referendum, the result of which is already showing its affects on the economy and helping those using divisive talk and actions.
The danger signal is at red, we must not go down this road again: it solves nothing, and poses great danger.
A.Delahoy (by e-mail)
World Premiere: Mermalade
Manhattan Children’s Theatre presents
MERMALADE
World premiere
Based on the children’s book by Clare Cockburn-Martin
Illustrated by Anna Welsh
Directed and adapted for the stage by Laura Stevens
A Little Mermaid she is not.
A fast paced, interactive comedy. A universal quest. A play for all ages
Left with a cryptic note, a pearl, and three annoying oysters for company, MERMALADE is determined to make sense of it all. She’s brave enough to approach the biggest forces in the universe. She’s strong enough to confront those that get in her way. But is she wise enough to find her answer?
Add three life size Oysters as narrators, cameos from the Moon, Sun, Stars, Thor (God of Thunder), a beach setting, a splattering of pop music and one strong-willed 11-year-old girl that never quits and what do you get?
Unlike traditional fairy tales, MERMALADE’s story holds no moral decree. In the Socratic Spirit, the show offers more questions than answers with WHY? being at the top of the list.
Why does everyone tell me what to do and feel?
Why is a pearl so special?
Why do I have to keep asking “WHY?”
“If you’re tired of Once upon a time same old, same old, you should visit Manhattan Children’s Theatre for The Last of the Dragons.” – New York Times
“The idea of a damsel in distress being rescued by a handsome man has been around for so long, we hardly notice it’s there. Which is exactly why it’s so damaging as a stereotype. So hurrah for Manhattan Children’s Theatre for joining a burgeoning list of storytellers re-dressing the balance.”
wow24/7 **** review of The Last of the Dragons
“This is a tale of bravery, intelligence and unexpected NEW traditions. Beautifully set for the stage and directed by Laura Stevens (…) with an all-Edinburgh cast, this show will delight young and old.”
Families Edinburgh on The Last of the Dragons
Manhattan Children’s Theatre offers complimentary tickets for local youth groups for the preview dates of MERMALADE (3-4 August). Also, on non-performance days the show will be visiting local Edinburgh schools.
Laura Stevens, who recently moved to Edinburgh from her native New York, co-founded Manhattan Children’s Theatre in 2002 and directed over 30 plays since, including theatrical productions for very young audiences (Little Tales, based on folk tales from around the world). Between 2002 and 2011, MCT welcomed over 250,000 audience members through its doors. Laura’s production of The Last of the Dragons debuted at Fringe in 2015 to rave reviews and toured to Biggar in Scotland and Warsaw in Poland to sold-out audiences.
Now Scotland-based, the mission of Manhattan Children’s Theatre is one of providing affordable, high quality theatre entertainment to audiences in Scotland, children in particular.
Mermalade
Famous Fridays headliners announced
The Famous Grouse has announced the winners of its ‘Famous Fridays’ headliner competition. The competition, launched at the beginning of July, gave four talented artists or bands the chance to win a headline slot and earn the right to say they have played on stage at The Famous Grouse House this Edinburgh Festival! Continue reading Famous Fridays headliners announced
Childcare costs: Rowntree Foundation calls for radical overhaul
New research from the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) highlights the impact the prohibitive cost of childcare has on parents’ ability to make ends meet and care for their children – even taking into account the rise in the National ‘Living Wage’.
Continue reading Childcare costs: Rowntree Foundation calls for radical overhaul
Bogus builder jailed for three years
An Edinburgh Trading Standards and Police Scotland anti-doorstep crime initiative has resulted in a jail sentence for a bogus workman. Robert Stewart, who defrauded an elderly victim out of almost £150,000, was convicted and jailed for three years at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.
Last December, Stewart (21) attended at the Preistfield Road home of an 87-year-old man and offered to repair a television antenna. Stewart then advised the homeowner that extensive work was required on the roof, which his company Abbey Building & Roofing could carry out.
The elderly man agreed to the maintenance and between late December 2015 and March 2016 made several online payments to the building company totalling £147, 460.
Staff at the victim’s bank contacted police after becoming suspicious and officers began investigating during which time they arranged for two independent surveys on the Priestfield Road house. It was established that the work carried out was inferior and valued at far less than the fee charged.
Detectives carried out financial inquiries and linked the payments to an account held by Robert Stewart, who was detained and subsequently charged on 14 April this year.
Detective Sergeant Gary Reid said: “Robert Stewart preyed on an elderly man and was able to extort a large sum of money for work that was sub-par and nowhere near the valuation of such repairs.
“After bank staff observed a pattern in the victim’s payments they became suspicious and reported their concerns to police. We then launched a robust investigation alongside the City of Edinburgh Council’s Trading Standards department resulting in Stewart being charged with bogus workmen offences.
“His sentence should send a clear message that we will continue to work closely with our partners to actively pursue those involved in crimes of this nature to bring them to justice.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remind our communities never to allow unsolicited work to be carried out on your home or property and to always use individuals or companies you know or trust.
“In addition, family, friends and neighbours of vulnerable people are asked to be vigilant for any suspicious or unusual activity around their homes and report any concerns they have to police.
“We are committed to tackling bogus workmen and rogue trader crimes and whenever these incidents are reported to us we will investigate thoroughly to bring those responsible to justice.”
Community Safety Leader Councillor Cammy Day said: “This court case should send a warning to those who are involved in this type of criminal behaviour. Doorstep Crime remains one of our top priorities and incidents can be devastating for victims, both financially and in terms of having the confidence to live independently.
“We must ensure that everyone has the confidence to come forward – every complaint is taken seriously. Consumers must be able to trust what they are told by tradesmen, and we advise the public to use Edinburgh’s Trusted Trader scheme if they need any work carried out. You can report incidents or ask for advice by calling 0131 529 3030.”
Hate Crime: do you know this woman?
Edinburgh police have released CCTV images of a woman that officers wish to trace following a hate crime on a bus where a 36-year-old woman and her children were subjected to xenophobic comments.
The incident happened around midday on Monday 9 May onboard a number 10 Lothian Bus travelling on Great Junction Street in Leith.
Officers believe that the woman shown in the images may be able to assist them with their enquiries.
She is described as white, in her early 40’s, of skinny build and at the time of the incident, she was wearing a white top and dark trousers.
Constable Thomas Winsor from Leith Police Station said: “The woman pictured in the CCTV footage is of interest to our ongoing inquiries and I would ask anyone who recognises her to contact police immediately. In addition, anyone with any further information relevant to this investigation should also come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where all information can be provided anonymously.
Fair play: £300,000 fund for sporting equality
A Sporting Equality Fund is to be set up with the aim of increasing women’s engagement in sport, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.
The £300,000 fund will be used to find ways to close the gender gap that emerges in the early teenage years when 71% of boys compared to 51% of girls say they are active participants in sport. Continue reading Fair play: £300,000 fund for sporting equality
Jobless figures down but economy flat, latest figures reveal
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 18,000 in the period March to May, and now stands at 152,000, according to data released today. Continue reading Jobless figures down but economy flat, latest figures reveal
Early years flexibility ‘crucial’, says Minister
Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald visited Crookston Early Years Centre today to highlight progress made by local authorities in offering new patterns of early learning and more flexibility in childcare. Continue reading Early years flexibility ‘crucial’, says Minister