Scottish Opera’s Breath Cycle wins prestigious international award

Berlin, Germany

Scottish Opera has won the prestigious Classical:NEXT Innovation Award for its ground-breaking project Breath Cycle.

Started in 2012, it helps those with lung conditions, such as Long Covid, using breathing techniques in singing and songwriting workshops. It beat competition from across the world to pick up the award at a ceremony in Berlin on Wednesday (14 May).

The Classical:NEXT Innovation Award is decided by nominations from renowned international journalists and leaders in the arts and is selected by the Classical:NEXT community. It recognises organisations and projects that ‘push the boundaries of classical music through innovative approaches, audience engagement, and artistic excellence’.

Breath Cycle was praised for its pioneering work supporting people with respiratory conditions, which included its innovative response to the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing the project back to life through the lens of Long COVID. 

Since then, the project has relaunched to include new video and audio resources, one-to-one song writing sessions exploring the participants’ experiences of living with Long COVID – resulting in The Covid Composers Songbook – and a series of intimate performances showcasing these heartfelt and emotive songs in 2023 and 2025, including A Story of Healing:Breath Cycle on Stage.

Jane Davidson MBE, Director of Outreach & Education at Scottish Opera, and composer Gareth Williams, travelled to Germany for the award ceremony.

Jane Davidson said: ‘Voice is such an integral part of what makes us human. Your voice is yours and yours alone, and to lose control over it can be devastating. We’ve learnt so much about how loss of voice through lung conditions of all types, attacks the very core of one’s identity, often leading to profound loneliness and isolation.

“So, from the beginning, the challenge for us was twofold: to help alleviate the physical symptoms of their illness, and to help participants regain their self-worth through the song-writing programme. Hearing these authentic voices ‘singing’ out is an artistic and a human experience that speaks to us all.’

Breath Cycle began in 2012 as a partnership between Scottish Opera and Gartnavel General Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Service in Glasgow. The programme has since worked with nearly 2,500 people, with participants reporting improvements in mental and physical health and wellbeing.

The 2025 Breath Cycle sessions have shown remarkable results, with participants reporting significant improvements in their wellbeing, physical and mental health, as well as reductions in stress levels and increases in energy and motivation.

Classical:NEXT 2025, the world’s largest networking event for classical music professionals, featured over 220 contributors and delegates from 54 countries.

Scottish Opera shared the Innovation Award spotlight with two other recipients: OPERA APERTA (Ukraine) and Clásica No Convencional (Chile).

Scottish Opera’s Outreach & Education department is the oldest outreach and education unit of any opera company in Europe, forming in 1971 under the leadership of Scottish Opera’s founder Sir Alexander Gibson.

Breath Cycle will continue throughout Scottish Opera’s 2025-2026 Season with support from The Scottish Government, Cruach Trust, The Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, WM Mann Foundation, Souter Charitable Trust, and Scottish Opera’s Education Angels.

For more information about Breath Cycle, visit Breath Cycle | Scottish Opera

For full details about Classical:NEXT, visit Innovation Award – Classical:NEXT

First Minister urges Prime Minister to drop EU red lines

Scotland’s interests ‘cannot be an afterthought in negotiations’

First Minister John Swinney has urged the UK Government to reflect Scotland’s interests by dropping its EU red lines on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement.

Ahead of tomorrow’s summit between the UK and EU, the First Minister has reiterated his calls for the closest possible co-operation with Europe and said the best future for Scotland is as an independent nation within the European Union.

The Scottish Government has previously called for the UK Government to negotiate with the EU on a number of key areas including removing barriers to food and drink exports, closer energy and climate co-operation, a youth mobility agreement, and rejoining the Erasmus+ and Creative Europe programmes.

The First Minister said: “Scotland’s best future lies as an independent country within the European Union. More than ever, the current uncertain economic and geopolitical environment reinforces the importance of Scotland having the security, stability and opportunity that comes with EU membership. 

“Right now, the Prime Minister must negotiate the closest possible working relationship with the EU, in the interests of people and businesses across Scotland. To do that he must drop his ideological red lines on the single market, customs union and freedom of movement.

“This would remove significant trade barriers and red tape for Scottish businesses and give a much-needed boost to the Scottish economy which is still being badly impacted by Brexit.

“If the UK Government wants to get serious about economic growth, it should recognise that the EU is one of our most important economic and security partners. At the very least we need to see a reduction in red tape for our food and drink exports, closer co-operation on energy and climate issues and greater freedom of movement for our young people. These areas and others can bring benefits both for us and our European partners.

“The Scottish Government stands ready to work with the UK and the EU towards stability and progress but the UK Government must reflect the interests of Scotland in the upcoming talks. Given the appalling economic, social and cultural damage of Brexit, Scotland cannot be treated as an afterthought by the UK Government in these discussions.”

The Scottish Government has published papers on some of our key priorities for closer cooperation:

The Scottish Government has also published a number of reports on the impact of Brexit on Scotland and Scotland’s economy, including:

In 2023, the Scottish Government published a paper setting out the Scottish Government’s vision for an independent Scotland in the EU:

Building a New Scotland: an independent Scotland in the EU – gov.scot

UK-EU Summit: Starmer set to deliver deal ‘good for growth, good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders’

  • This week, the Prime Minister will strike ‘yet another deal that will deliver in the national interest of this country. It will be good for growth, good for jobs, good for bills, and good for our borders’, says the UK government.
  • In the last two weeks alone, the government has delivered trade deals with India and the United States. Jobs saved, faster growth, wages rising.
  • These deals are a huge vote of confidence in the United Kingdom. They show that, even though times have been tough, the decisions the government have taken to stabilise the economy and lead the way internationally have made this a country people want to do business with again.
  • Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will set out how a strengthened, forward-looking partnership with the European Union will deliver for working people and lead to more money in pockets as part of our Plan for Change – and sticking to the red lines set out in our manifesto. 
  • Because the British public deserve better than the deal reached under the previous government, which isn’t working for anyone.  
  • It will be better for UK producers – who face red tape and checks just to export to our nearest and biggest trading partner. Or sometimes can’t export at all. 
  • It will be better for British supermarkets, who have to pass these costs onto consumers and reduce the availability of products on shelves. 
  • And it will be better for British families who face higher bills, queues on holiday and whose safety and security is harmed by a lack of cooperation between neighbouring countries facing the same global challenges. 
  • First India, then the US, now the European Union. This is what outward-looking, independent sovereign nations do – we look at the problems facing our country and we work hard, alongside our allies, to find solutions that deliver for our people (says the UK Government). 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “In this time of great uncertainty and volatility, the UK will not respond by turning inwards, but by proudly taking our place on the world stage – strengthening our alliances and closing deals in the interests of British people. 

“First India, then the United States – in the last two weeks alone that’s jobs saved, faster growth and wages rising. More money in the pockets of British working people, achieved through striking deals not striking poses. 

“Tomorrow, we take another step forwards, with yet more benefits for the United Kingdom as the result of a strengthened partnership with the European Union. It will be good for our jobs, good for our bills and good for our borders. 

“That’s what the British people voted for last year, and it’s what my government will deliver.”

Forth 1 a DOUBLE WINNER in UK ‘Radio Oscars’ in its 50th year

It was another golden night for Bauer Media Audio at the 2025 ARIAS (Audio and Radio Industry Awards), hosted by Magic Radio’s Gok Wan, where our teams picked up an incredible twelve awards including the prestigious Special Recognition Award, presented by Ken Bruce, to Greatest Hits Radio Network Content Director Andy Ashton.

Forth 1 won two Gold awards with Boogie in the Morning winning Best Music Breakfast Show – for the second year running – and the station being named as the John Myers Local Radio Station of the Year.

Rayo took Silver in a new category for 2025, UK Audio Brand of the Year as KISS picked up two Silver awards for The 2024 ‘Genny Lex’ in the Best News or Current Affairs category and Best Commercial Partnership Award for Empowering Young Lives with KFC.

Greatest Hits Radio 60s was also a Silver winner for Best Sonic Branding.

The Bowie@Breakfast team saw Bronze for Best Music Radio Breakfast Show and the Hits Radio team were also Bronze Social Impact Award winners for Clare’s Law: A Decade Saving Lives.

Greatest Hits Radio was another Bronze winner for UK Radio Station or Radio Network of the Year, as were the Clyde 1 team in the Best Event Coverage Award for Superscoreboard at Euro 2024

The full list of Bauer Media Audio UK winners:

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Andy Ashton

GOLD

JOHN MYERS LOCAL RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR: Forth 1

BEST MUSIC BREAKFAST RADIO SHOW AWARD: Boogie in the Morning – Forth 1

SILVER

UK AUDIO BRAND OF THE YEAR: Rayo

BEST MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT AWARD (SHOW OR PRESENTER): Ruthie Henshall Sees Dead People – Magic Radio

BEST NEWS OR CURRENT AFFAIRS AWARD: The 2024 ‘Genny Lex’ – KISS

BEST SONIC BRANDING AWARD: Greatest Hits Radio 60s

BEST COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP AWARD: Empowering Young Lives – KISS and KFC

BRONZE

UK RADIO STATION OR RADIO NETWORK OF THE YEAR: Greatest Hits Radio

BEST MUSIC BREAKFAST RADIO SHOW AWARD: Bowie@Breakfast – Clyde 1

THE SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD: Clare’s Law: A Decade of Saving Lives – Hits Radio

BEST EVENT COVERAGE AWARD: Superscoreboard at EURO 2024 – Clyde 1

Forth 1 has been celebrating its 50th birthday this year.

They have also recently hit a 24 year audience high (RAJAR) and the Forth 1 news team also recently picked up at Gold at the IRN Awards winning the ‘News Team of the Year’ (Under 1.5million TSA).

Waddle over for a weekend of duck-tastic fun at New Lanark Duck Festival this May Bank Holiday Weekend

New Lanark is thrilled to announce the return of its most popular family event – the Duck Festival!

Taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May, this two-day celebration promises laughter, adventure, splashing fun for the whole family.

A Weekend of Wholesome Quack-tivities Includes:

What’s Happening?

  • Duck Race at 12pm & 2pm each day – Cheer on your duck as it floats down the lade. Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners.
  • Treasure Hunt: Track down hidden ducks for a sweet ice lolly reward.
  • Craft Corner: Get creative and make your own duck mask to wear in the Duck Parade.
  • Meet Bubbles the Duck: Snap a pic with the festival’s star. Our friendly festival mascot is ready for photos at the historic New Lanark Waterwheel.
  • Duck Parade at 3pm – March behind Bubbles(mascot) from one end of the lade to the other in a splashy spectacle.
  • Best Duck Mask Awards at 3:15pm – Flaunt your handmade masterpiece for a chance to win
  • Optional Extras (available on-site for an extra charge): Face painting, carousel rides, and soft play for even more fun.

Tickets are just £7.00 per child, with free entry for accompanying adults. Ticket times correspond with the Duck Race sessions (12pm or 2pm), but families are welcome from 10am to enjoy all the day’s activities.

Following the model of our popular Easter Sunday Duck Race event, this festival promises to be another unforgettable experience filled with community spirit and family fun.

Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure yours soon and waddle your way to a weekend of quack-tastic excitement at New Lanark.

Buy Duck Festival Tickets online – New Lanark

Fuelling the school day

Breakfast clubs to help tackle poverty

Thousands more children will benefit from free breakfasts supported by the Scottish Government.

The Bright Start Breakfasts fund is now open to applications and will provide £3 million so more primary school children can have a nutritious start to the day and parents can benefit from free childcare.

Nearly half of Scotland’s schools already provide breakfast at the start of the school day. The Bright Start Breakfasts funding will support expansion of existing clubs and establishment of new ones, creating more free places for primary school children. 

In addition to more breakfast clubs, the Scottish Government is expanding the Extra Time programme, which provides funding for 31 local football clubs and trusts to provide free access to before school, after school and holiday clubs for targeted primary school children from families on low incomes.

Work is also under way in 23 communities to design and deliver further childcare services for priority families.

Visiting a breakfast club at Riverside Primary School in Glasgow Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “We know how important a healthy breakfast can be for children, particularly those most at risk of living in poverty, and breakfast clubs have a crucial role in our mission to eradicate child poverty.

“They help set children up for the day, supporting them to achieve their learning potential, and provide families with childcare, helping more parents to get to work in the morning.

“Applications are open and I encourage anyone who could deliver a breakfast club to contact Inspiring Scotland.”

Celia Tennant, Chief Executive at Inspiring Scotland, said: “Inspiring Scotland is pleased to be working with Scottish Government to manage the Bright Start Breakfasts fund.

“We are committed to working together to tackle child poverty and improve family wellbeing. We are delighted to see applications starting to come in since launching the fund on Wednesday”

The Bright Start Breakfast fund is being managed by Inspiring Scotland. Guidance on applying to the fund can be found here: Bright Start Breakfasts – Inspiring Scotland.

Inspiring Scotland invites applications from groups and organisations who deliver or want to deliver breakfast clubs, including:

  • Primary schools
  • local authorities
  • third-sector organisations
  • registered childcare providers
  • activity providers
  • parent or volunteer groups
  • childminding services

Work to design and deliver childcare services for priority families is taking place in 23 Early Adopter Communities across six local authority areas (Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Fife and Shetland).

Returning next month: The Power of Food Festival!

We’re absolutely delighted that The Power of Food Festival’s annual event will return this June, 10 years after its first edition and 6 years after it last took place!

The Power of Food Festival is for everyone. Whether you’re visiting the city or live here; whether you’re young … or young at heart; rooted in this place or hailing from elsewhere; whether you love growing your own food, or are simply curious to discover what’s on your doorstep.

You’re all very welcome. This is our chance to celebrate these beautiful and productive spaces, and (re)discover the magic of nature and people working together in our city.

Between 14 June and 21 June, as the summer solstice brings the longest days in the year, the 2025 Power of Food Festival will offer a great mix of nine gardens to explore (list below);some well-established ones that are returning to the Festival, others that have developed more recently and are new to the city’s annual celebration.

The Festival will showcase beautiful and joyful community food growing spaces right across the city: from Leith to Wester Hailes, and from Gracemount to Granton. There’ll be a range of fun and inspiring activities for everyone.

Stay tuned for the full #poffest25 programme in a few weeks’ time!

2025 Festival line-up:

Leith Community Croft of Earth in Common

King’s Buildings Permaculture Garden of Permaculture Gardening Society

Lauriston Agroecology Farm of Edinburgh Agroecology Coop

Granton Community Gardeners

Empty Kitchen Full Hearts Community Garden Empty Kitchens Full Hearts SCIO

Community Farm in Davidsons Mains Primary School

Gracemount Community Garden of Transition Edinburgh South

Hailes Quarry Park Herb Garden of Friends of Hailes Quarry Park

Granton Castle Walled Garden of Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden

#communityfoodgrowing

#edinburgh

#festivals

Cello Recital at Stockbridge Library

WEDNESDAY 4th JUNE at 6pm – CARLA COSTE

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music with the incredibly talented Carla Coste -a renowned cellist who has performed as soloist and chamber musician at prestigious festivals across Europe, England and Asia.

On the day, Carla will be performing Suite numbers three and four by Johann Sebastian Bach, and a contemporary French piece by Graciane Finzi entitled “A strange Dream”

Don’t miss this chance to experience her captivating performance live at Stockbridge library on Wednesday 4th June at 6 pm!

A ‘catalogue of failures’ led to issues at Scotland’s water watchdog

A ‘catalogue of failures’ led to the inappropriate and unacceptable use of public money at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), according to a new report issued today.

The report, published by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee, follows the Committee’s consideration of the Auditor General for Scotland’s (AGS) 2022/23 and 2023/24 audits of WICS.

The Committee highlighted ‘inappropriate and unacceptable’ spending on training courses for senior staff, benefits to the workforce and, hospitality.

The report found that the Board of WICS failed in its responsibilities which led to a lack of financial control. This meant that decisions taken did not always provide value for money to the public purse. With WICS also showing a failure to follow even its own rules.

In considering the issues raised by the AGS’ reports, the Committee heard evidence from both WICS and the Scottish Government in their role as sponsoring the work of WICS

The Committee’s new report highlights that there were also significant weaknesses and failings in the Scottish Government’s approach, with a complete failure by the Government to challenge the culture at WICS, which led to an unacceptable use of public funds. This raised serious concerns for the Committee.

The Committee has now called on the Scottish Government to review its systems for identifying concerns with public bodies to ensure any issues are caught at an early stage.

Speaking as the report launched, Committee Convener Richard Leonard MSP said: “Some of the evidence we have heard about the arrangements in place at WICS was simply extraordinary.

“That the body, charged with promoting long term value from Scottish Water to its customers, itself failed to live up to the standards required of a public body left the Committee with deep concerns.

“But the Committee is clear that there also appears to have been a serious lack of oversight from the Scottish Government. This failure from those who are meant to be safeguarding the public purse is simply unacceptable.”

In its report, the Committee notes that there have been widespread Board and management departures from WICS, and indeed from the Scottish Government, since the audit reports were published.

Whilst the Committee recognises the changes which have been made at WICS, it has called on the current Board to undergo refresher training on their roles and responsibilities to ensure that the failure of responsibilities does not happen again.

The Convener continued: “We have heard about significant changes within WICS and the organisation’s commitment to improve the governance arrangements. These are clearly welcome. But we want to see concrete evidence of these changes to ensure that the unacceptable culture that was in place has truly gone.”