A new report from Holyrood’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee calls on the Scottish Government to take steps to “supercharge” its efforts to tackle child poverty.
The Committee has been undertaking an inquiry into the issue, focusing on parental employment, which the Government sees as key to reducing the number of children living in poverty.
During the inquiry the Committee travelled to several places in Scotland to hear the views of parents. Not being able to access childcare from a child’s first birthday to when they start school, both during the school term and holidays, was the most common barrier to employment that they talked about with affordability and flexibility seen as critical.
Parents spoke of needing to find work that fitted in with school hours, while one contributor reflected that women could not develop in their careers until their children had reached high school age. In response, the Committee calls on the Government to accelerate its work on expanding the availability of childcare.
Public transport is a major theme in the report. Witnesses in urban and rural areas spoke about a range of issues including access and cost. The report asks the Government to consider how public transport services can be designed and better supported to provide affordable, frequent and direct services that support the type of trips more regularly made by parents.
The Committee’s report also encourages the Government to investigate how an integrated system of discounted travel offers for low-income working-age people could be provided. The Committee believes this would enable some families to access a wider range of employment opportunities by being able to travel further, more cost effectively.
Witnesses also identified an issue faced by parents who embark upon study to improve their career prospects. Student funding means that low-income parents at college or university would be ineligible for benefits such as Universal Credit. To help, the Committee calls for Scottish Child Payment eligibility to be extended.
Bob Doris MSP, speaking on behalf of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “In Best Start, Bright Futures, the Scottish Government said that parental employment is a key driver to meet the statutory targets to address child poverty. Our report looks at how the aims of that plan could come closer to being realised.
“The Scottish Government believes that without its actions to date, 28% of children would be living in poverty. Even so, the Government expects to narrowly miss its interim child poverty targets, with modelling predicting that 19% of children will be living in poverty this year. Therefore, we are calling for the Government to take decisive action now by clarifying its priorities and commitments and producing explicit delivery and spending plans to make sure progress is on track.
“We recognise the good progress the Scottish Government has made in reducing child poverty. We now want to see the Government supercharge its efforts so that the ambitions it has set can become reality.”
Police Scotland is appealing for information on the whereabouts of 34-year-old Ryan Gandy who went missing from the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh yesterday at around 5pm (Wednesday, 22 November, 2023).
He was last seen at Crewe Road South.
Ryan is described as being around 6ft tall, of slim build with dark receding hair.
He was wearing a blue Nike dry-fit top, black jogging bottoms, dark-coloured trainers, and a black Hoodrich gilet.
He has a tattoo with the word “Katy” on his right arm and scars on both sides of his face.
Officers are carrying out extensive searches and reviewing CCTV in an effort to trace him.
Members of the public are advised not to approach Mr Gandy if they see him but to contact police immediately.
Anyone who knows of his present whereabouts should contact Police Scotland on 101, or in an emergency on 999. Please quote incident number 2515 of Wednesday, 22 November, 2023.
Information can also be passed via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.
Ana Fernandez Santoz, Niamh Bortherston and Mairi Edwards from Edinburgh College, Milton Campus awarded prize by Michel Roux
Scottish Chefs, (Federation of Chefs Scotland) the organisation representing Scottish chefs, teamed up with Nespresso Professional for the first ever student coffee challenge.
The winning team from Edinburgh College, Milton Campus each received an invite to the Scottish Culinary Team dinner at Prestonfield House Hotel where they met Michel Roux, Patron of Scottish Chefs, and were presented with a signed book from him, plus a Nespresso M100 coffee machine for their college.
Teams were made up of three students, all in full time catering and hospitality college courses, and were given two hours to produce an afternoon tea selection alongside Nespresso coffee.
The winning menu from Ana Fernandez Santoz, Niamh Bortherston and Mairi Edwards was made up of Tiramisu x Mont Blanc, Coffee Apple Choux au Craquelin, Smoked Mackerel and Beetroot Tart and Puff Vegetable Samosa.
The judging panel of Joe Queen, Chair of The Scottish Chefs Culinary Committee, Kevin MacGillivray, International World Chefs Accredited Judge, Derek Johnston, the first winner of BBC MasterChef The Professionals, and Donna Dowson, Head of Sales UK, Nespresso, noted the winning team’s overall balance between sweet & savoury and the variety of pastry skills displayed by the students.
The standout item was the Smoked mackerel with beetroot with judges saying the flavours were an excellent combination.
Donna Dowson, Head of Sales UK, Nespresso, said: “It was a privilege to support this competition, and help support the next generation of culinary superstars. It was inspiring to see the high standard on display and such imaginative menus to complement our coffee.
“When food is this delicious, being able to offer the best coffee is something we feel extremely passionate about, and we hope this is the first of many competitions to come.”
Joe Queen, Chair of the judges, said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner up with Nespresso on this new competition and help ignite their imagination of the students to develop new ideas and combinations to bring the Nespresso coffee into their creations.
“The judges were really impressed with the quality and flavours produced on the day form the winning team from Edinburgh college.”
Game On, the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games, will return to Edinburgh next summer.
The exhibition, featuring iconic characters and games ranging from Space Invaders to Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario to Minecraft, runs from 29 June to 3 November 2024 at the National Museum of Scotland.
Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and artform. In Game On, visitors explore gaming’s rich history by playing many of the key games produced over the last 50 years.
The exhibition will open over 20 years after the National Museum of Scotland was its very first touring venue in October 2002, after its initial opening run at the Barbican in London.
Since then, over five million people of all ages, have visited this highly interactive exhibition in 24 cities around the world.
Patrick Moran, Game On Associate Curator, said: “The gaming world has had an undeniable social, cultural, and technological impact. Games transcend the boundaries between art and technology, becoming part of popular culture.
“Game On presents the opportunity to not only see the evolution of video games and how they have diversified, but also lets to immerse yourself inside the gaming world allowing you to play with over 100 playable games.
“The show features the largest playable collection in the world, including original arcade, handle hand, and console games, including Pac-Man, Super Mario, Tetris, Minecraft, Just Dance and FIFA.
“The exhibition also explores new advances in the gaming world. Highly interactive, all action, groundbreaking and popular, Game On is engaging for hardcore gamers and visitors new to the gaming, the show is suitable for players of all ages.”
Dr Geoff Belknap, Keeper of Science and Technology at National Museums Scotland said: “It’s great to welcome Game On back to the National Museum of Scotland.
“As someone in charge of science and technology collections, it’s exciting to see the rapid changes in gaming technologies over the last 20 years reflected in this exhibition through objects which I used to have in my own living room.
“The exhibition has been continually updated at each new touring venue since the early 2000s, when the show was first in Edinburgh, and so we look forward to bringing the story of video gaming right up to date here in Scotland, where the industry today is so vibrant.”
The exhibition is organised in thematic sections, inviting visitors to explore game design and technological parallels across the decades.
The sections explore different types of gaming, from handheld to home console to arcade machines across a range of genres, as well as wider cultural aspects such as the links between gaming and both music and film.
The exhibition will be supported by a programme of public events.
Stuck in a rut with your fitness regime? Scared to try something new? Then Edinburgh Leisure’s next Fitness Only Open Day could be the thing for you!
Taking place at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre in the north of the city, the free Fitness Open Day on Saturday, 2nd December is a chance to try before you buy or commit.
There will be high intensity classes such as Les Mills Bodypump, Bodyattack and Hatton Boxing classes to try in the Sports Hall, Mind and Body classes to experience in Studio 1, and free gym sessions and gym-based classes.
Wendy Avinou, Manager at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre said: “From time to time, people find themselves stuck in a rut or bored with their current fitness regime, but they don’t have the confidence to try something new. Our Fitness Open Day will hopefully be an opportunity for them to do just that.
“Open to existing and new members, come along and try something new. If you’re a fitness class bunny, why not ring the changes and see if you could combine it with some sessions in the gym, either on your own or in one of our quick, HIIT gym-based classes. Alternatively, come and try a different class from your norm – sometimes it takes a little courage to step outside of your comfort zone.”
For new members joining on the day, there will be a ‘no joining fee’ offer. There will also be a prize draw for all attendees with prizes of a free month’s membership, Myzone belts and AquaDash prizes.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography
07887554193
info@chriswatt.com
www.chriswatt.com
To get involved in Ainslie Park Fitness Open Day, gym sessions do not need to be booked but fitness and gym-based classes need to be booked. The activities are now available to book online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app.
Ainslie Park Leisure Centre has been keeping the community of north Edinburgh active for years. With swim, gym, and fitness classes and racquet sports such as Pickleball and badminton available, wherever you’re at on the map or in life, it’s easy to keep fit and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle at Ainslie Park. The centre is easily accessible by public transport, car and even by bike.
A site at the corner of Hanover Street and Princes Street is potentially set for a new lease of life following the submission of a planning application to City of Edinburgh Council for an exciting mixed-use development.
Undertaken by innovative property developers, RRH Hanover A Limited, the series of five under-used buildings in Hanover Street and Rose Street will be carefully repurposed into a luxury hotel, with associated guest amenities and ancillary accommodation.
The hotel is designed to operate as a bespoke apartment style destination, with each room and suite unique and individually styled. The 60 bedrooms have been designed to be accommodated within the existing and proposed buildings which carefully knit together the fabric of the site, respecting the historical context.
The development will serve to consolidate the unused space above several commercial units into a series of interlinked properties, with ground floor units reorganised to make the most of their central location, giving opportunities to businesses leasing the ground floor retail units.
The key concept of adaptive re-use of existing properties is to be reinforced by new build additions at Rose Street and Rose Street Lane. These elements knit together the five blocks of accommodation while improving neglected rear portions of the site and improving the overall universal value of the site.
Development comprises 60 premium bespoke hotel rooms and will be operated by RÌGH Properties. The development also includes the reintroduction of a tearoom on Hanover Street, of benefit to both the local community and visitors. These were once occupied by Crawford’s Tearooms, and development returns these to their former glory, reviving the building’s historical charm.
The founder of the tearooms in the 1920s, William Crawford, wanted them to be an ‘oasis of calm’ in the city centre, and the rooms were decorated and furnished by the artist Robert Burns, a key figure in the Scottish Art Nouveau scene in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Other offers include rooftop terraces, providing dramatic skyline views, a fitness studio and guest lounge overlooking the Mound and Princes Street Gardens.
The development will complement the 27 luxury serviced apartments units which are currently being developed by RRH in a refurbished category-A listed at 71 George Street and will be operated under the RÌGH Properties brand. The company also plans to refurbish 73-75 George Street into luxury managed serviced apartments.
David Grieve from RRH commented: “We are incredibly excited to be submitting a planning application for this development, which includes the delivery of 60 unique and individually styled flexible stay hotel suites and luxury bedrooms, as well as returning the fabulous Crawford’s Tea Rooms to their former glory.
“It is anticipated that guests will be discerning and experienced travellers, looking for a boutique stay in a prime location, but without the fuss of a busy city centre hotel. Offering a calm, flexible and luxurious stay, they will have the opportunity to enjoy unique views across the New and Old Towns of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth beyond the capital’s skyline.
“Delivering a highly sustainable development, this will consolidate unused space above the retail units into a series of linked properties, and conscious of its location, we have been highly sensitive to retaining all buildings and features considered to be of architectural and historic merit.”
Yesterday the SNP/Green led Scottish Government voted down Scottish Labour’s Motion to declare a housing emergency across Scotland.
In her speech Scottish Labour’s Sarah Boyack MSP, praised the leadership shown by City of Edinburgh Councillors but called out the SNP and Greens for failing to do so in Holyrood.
Ms Boyack urged the Scottish Government to provide local authorities, like Edinburgh, the resources they need to take substantial steps in tackling the Housing emergency.
Ms Boyack also used her speech to highlight practical solutions, that could be taken to make an immediate start on tackling the housing emergency, such as bringing empty homes back into use. However, Edinburgh Council need resources from the Scottish government, to make this happen.
Speaking after the debate, Sarah Boyack said: “Tackling the housing emergency in Edinburgh needs to be a priority. Every day I receive emails from constituents who are struggling to access the housing they need or are being priced out altogether.
“SNP Councillors recognise the magnitude of the crisis, so why doesn’t the SNP Government?
“So far, the Scottish Government has failed to recognise the scale of the challenge. The Scottish Government needs to work constructively with all councils, to ensure the resources are in place, to adequately tackle this emergency
“MSPs will have another opportunity to recognise that we are facing a housing emergency through my motion and subsequent members business in the new year.”
Energy regulator Ofgem has today (Thursday 23 November, 2023) announced the energy price cap for the first quarter of 2024.
The price cap will increase by 5% on the previous quarter from 1 January to 31 March 2024. For an average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel this equates to £1,928, a rise of £94 over the course of a year – around £7.83 a month. The price cap, updated every quarter, sets a maximum that can be charged to customers for energy bills.
Ofgem’s priority is to protect consumers and ensure that they pay a fair price for their energy. Today’s price increase is driven almost entirely by rising costs in the international wholesale energy market due to market instability and global events, particularly the conflict in Ukraine.
The regulator will continue to use all levers available to ensure costs are spread fairly and customers struggling with bills are supported. It has today further developed plans to permanently remove the so-called ‘prepayment meter premium’ to ensure that prepayment customers are charged the same standing charge as direct debit customers. Ofgem has already launched a ‘Call for Input’ on standing charges running until 19 January, 2024.
Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, said: “This is a difficult time for many people, and any increase in bills will be worrying. But this rise – around the levels we saw in August – is a result of the wholesale cost of gas and electricity rising, which needs to be reflected in the price that we all pay.
“It is important that customers are supported and we have made clear to suppliers that we expect them to identify and offer help to those who are struggling with bills.
“We are also seeing the return of choice to the market, which is a positive sign and customers could benefit from shopping around with a range of tariffs now available offering the security of a fixed rate or a more flexible deal that tracks below the price cap.
“People should weigh up all the information, seek independent advice from trusted sources and consider what is most important for them whether that’s the lowest price or the security of a fixed deal.”
Ofgem recently set out new rules for suppliers making clear that they should be prioritising enquiries from vulnerable customers who need help and proactively reaching out to households if they miss two monthly or one quarterly payment, check to see if they are struggling with bills and, if so, offer support such as affordable payment plans or, if appropriate, repayment holidays.
The regulator has also taken robust action to raise standards of customer service and worked in conjunction with suppliers and consumer groups to encourage industry to support those struggling with their bills, including the Winter 2023 Voluntary Debt Commitment recently announced by Energy UK and Citizens Advice.
A Statutory Consultation on levelling standing charges for prepayment meter and direct debit customers so customers pay the same daily charge has been published today.
Previously, customers on prepayment have been charged more than those who pay by direct debit to cover the additional costs and resources required by suppliers to provide their services.
In October 2022, the government introduced measures to temporarily remove this ‘PPM premium’ via the Energy Price Guarantee, which remains in place until April 2024.
Following a consultation this summer, Ofgem is now proposing an enduring solution that would ‘levelise’ these standing charges to coincide with the end of that government support. This consultation also sets out proposals to share the costs of bad debt more equally across customers to reduce the premium paid by standard credit customers (those who pay on receipt of a monthly or quarterly bill for the exact amount of energy used).
Under the terms of the regulator’s proposal, this would save PPM customers around £50 a year, reduce Standard Credit bills by around £45 a year but add around £20 a year for direct debit customers. Ofgem is keen to hear views on this proposal from all interested parties.
This follows the launch of a wider conversation on the issue of standing charges last week and how they should be set, which has already attracted a high number of responses in the first week of the consultation.
In response to today’s Ofgem energy price cap announcement, Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age said: ““Today’s energy price cap announcement offers little reassurance for older people in financial hardship, with bills still 85% higher than before the energy crisis.
“We speak to people in later life who are living in one room because they can’t afford to properly heat their home, those who risk falls because they aren’t turning on the lights, and older people who are in thousands of pounds of debt to energy suppliers. They urgently need help.
“With average energy prices having close to doubled in recent years, coupled with rocketing household costs such as water, food and broadband, those on a low income have endured several years of sky-high costs from all angles. Older people in financial hardship are especially vulnerable to sharp price increases, as many are on a fixed income. The extra money simply isn’t there.
“The UK Government needs to announce financial support now to help the most financially vulnerable, including those in later life, get through this winter. After that, we need a long-term solution to protect against the impact of continuing high prices, including energy.
“Our evidence shows an energy social tariff would offer more stability to older people on a low income and make sure no one is forced to make dangerous choices. This must be something the UK Government consults on.”
The next quarterly price cap announcement will be announced in February 2024, covering April – June 2024.
Push the Boat Out (PTBO), Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival, is due to set sail this weekend (24-26 Nov) with a vibrant line-up of over 80 performers, artists and speakers and 50 events taking place across Edinburgh’s iconic Summerhall.
The 2023 Push the Boat Out programme, supported by Creative Scotland, continues to expand the festival’s mission to change perceptions of what poetry can be.
From poetry readings and discussions, to new commissions, singer-songwriter circles, music hybrid events, dance and hip hop, poetic cocktail-making classes, film screenings, beach walks, panels, workshops and development opportunities – the polyphonic line-up is a true fiesta of the vernacular, promising something for everyone.
This year, the programme celebrates the poetry of songwriting with multiple events championing the poetic power of lyrics, hip hop and the songwriting process. Singer-songwriter, Hamish Hawk offers an evening of lyrical enchantment in a solo show with support from Iona Zajac whilst Conscious Route, Queen of Harps and Dave Hook share the back stories of their songs in an in-depth Song Exploder event.
The Songwriters Circle welcomes Hamish Hawk back to the stage alongside legendary Scottish folk musician, Karine Polwart and poet and performer Inua Ellams, as the three break down their songwriting process and share some of their poetic influences, whilst British rapper, Dizraeli takes an honest look at human creation with sharp lyricism and a sense of the absurd in his event Animal Noises.
The programme this year also finds drama at the heart of poetic form, with a series of new commissions from Imogen Stirling, Alycia Pirmohamed and Ross McCleary in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland. Developed on the theme of ‘seed’ and explicitly exploring poetry in conversation with other artistic disciplines, these new pieces promise to break new ground and plant some future discussions.
Audiences can also expect newly commissioned work that takes inspiration from the festival’s home base, Summerhall. Writer Ever Dundas and poets Harry Josephine Giles and Iona Lee celebrate the building’s history with a darkly gothic night of poetry and original music composed by David Paul Jones that offers a ‘cinema for the ears’.
Politics and poetry have platform too as Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey posit that poetry is for the many in an event that sees the pair share their favourite poems from their newly co-edited anthology and discuss why poetry is for everyone. Yvonne Reddick’s urgent climate poetry will share words and exchanges on nature’s defiance and audiences can enjoy the pulsing poem-stories of William Letford as he speaks of the resilience of ordinary people as they adapt to strange and uncertain times.
Audiences are encouraged to embrace the cat life in an extra special event at Maison de Moggy cat cafe with The Cat Prince himself, prize-winning poet Michael Pedersen who will share work from his new collection and Scottish Makar, Kathleen Jamie aims to remind audiences that poetry is made for the ear, in an evening celebrating tradition, mentoring and passing on the baton
For the food lovers and cocktail connoisseurs, Joelle Taylor and Kate Fox will help shake up a poetic cocktail or two in events that mix your drinks as well as your words and poet and culinary enthusiast, Sean Wai Keung adds some flavour in a dumpling and poetry workshop.
Emma Collins, Director of Push the Boat Out, said: ‘In this third year, Push the Boat Out is definitely poetry placed firmly in a current tide. This year’s programme is a true showcasing of contemporary excellence. Modern, charged, alive, joyful and celebratory with events that are also vehicles for important and vital discussions.
“We’ve brought together over eighty of the most exciting poets from Scotland, the UK and beyond and we’ve continued to expand our notion of what poetry is, with eclectic events that celebrate words and language in their many glorious forms and in conversation with other artistic disciplines.
“Poetry is everywhere, it’s the lyrics in songs, our conversations and dialogues, the rhythm of spoken word, scripts and sonnets, proclamations and points of view, the stories we tell and the history around us.
“That’s what Push the Boat Out is primarily about… words, how we use them, a celebration of them and what they mean to us. We’ve endeavoured to capture that in this year’s programming.
“We also strive to make Push the Boat Out as accessible for audiences as possible. BSL interpreted events are indicated within the programme and once again, in addition to our in person and online programme, we will have a programme of events free to listen to at home via our partners EHFM Radio as well as a selected live stream event that showcases newly commissioned work.
“We’ve been overjoyed by the response from the incredible artists and poets who’ve agreed to come on board the boat this year and cannot wait to bring them all together for audiences this November.”
Harriet MacMillan, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said: ‘In its third year, the Push the Boat Out programme is brighter and more dynamic than ever, capturing the many dimensions of Scotland’s rich poetry scene.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this unique and varied international suite of events is testament to the vital role poetry plays in all of our lives. Their increasing range of collaborations and activities continues to show us how words can connect us with each other and ourselves – the power of poetry will be felt by all who take part in this brilliant celebration.’
KEY EVENTS
Poetry that’s on your wavelength
Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh’s annual poetry festival launches on National Poetry Day. The festival will run 24-26 November. Tickets now on sale via Summerhall box office.
Neil Hanna
The full programme and artist line-up can be viewed: Here
Tickets can be purchased via pushtheboatout.org or from Summerhall Box Office. Prices range from 0-£20 with concessions available and free tickets for carers.
Push The Boat Out also offers a Pay What You Can Can option with tiered pricing selections. The Festival Pass (£40), gives access to the majority of the programme free of charge plus reduced price tickets for the higher priced and more intimate events.
The Cat Prince
Fri 24 Nov | 3pm & 4.15pm | Maison de Moggy (17 West Port, EH1 2JA)
Meow! Two extra-special off-site performances from The Cat Prince himself, poet and performer Michael Pedersen, celebrating his Forward Prize-nominated poem in a properly feline setting: Maison de Moggy Cat Cafe!
Cocktail Hour with Kate Fox
Fri 24 Nov | 5.30pm | Summerhall
Join us for our first Cocktail Hour of the festival, a heady mix of rum and rhyme. Mixologists from Ruma take you through the history and mixing of each cocktail, while poet, author and comedian Kate Fox creates a poem to accompany each drink. Ticket price covers the cocktails (and poetry).
A Summerhall Triptych: Tales From The Dissection Room
Fri 24 Nov | 8pm | Summerhall
A sublimely dark and gothic evening’s entertainment, as some of Scotland’s most exciting, fearless writers, including Ever Dundas, Harry Josephine Giles and Iona Lee, perform newly-commissioned works inspired by the history of Summerhall, each set to original music composed and performed by David Paul Jones in a ‘cinema for the ears’.
Double Bill: Majorie Lotfi & K Patrick
Sat 25 Nov | 11am | Summerhall
Two stunning debut collections meditating on beginnings and rebirths. K Patrick’s (Granta Best of Young British Novelists 2023) Three Births culminates in the powerful message that we should be able to inhabit the body we want to. Marjorie Lotfi’s The Wrong Person to Ask reflects on an Iranian childhood disrupted and uprooted by revolution and migration.
Songwriters Circle
Sat 25 Nov | 12pm | Summerhall
Three hugely talented lyricists – rising indie star Hamish Hawk, Scottish folk legend Karine Polwart and celebrated cross-disciplinary artist Inua Ellams – come together to offer rare insight into the processes behind creating a song. How do they make the language of words and music meet to tell stories, set moods and paint sonic landscapes?
Your Local Arena: Hair – Film screening and panel talk
Sat 25 Nov | 12.15pm | Summerhall
Delve into the BBC archives in this screening of pioneering film Hair. After the screening Hannah McGill, Nadine Aisha Jassat, Khadijah Ibrahiim and Joanna Bourke will discuss all things follicle, and poet Francesca Beard will read a new poem inspired by the film.
Double Bill: Kim Moore & Iona Lee
Sat 25 Nov | 1pm | Summerhall
A double bill of poems and lyrical essays written defiantly through the female gaze. In All The Men I Never Married, Kim Moore reckons with the harms and coercions of being female in a male-dominant world. Iona Lee’s debut collection Anamnesis charts a descent into adulthood, exploring truth and tale-telling, art and artifice. BSL Interpreted.
Poetry for the Many with Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey
Sat 25 Nov | 2.15pm | Summerhall
As well as a shared belief in a fairer, more equal Britain, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and trade unionist Len McCluskey share a love of poetry. In this special event, they share poems from their new co-edited anthology Poetry for the Many and talk about why poetry is for everyone. BSL Interpreted.
Dizraeli: Animal Noises
Sat 25 Nov | 5pm | Summerhall
Rapper, songwriter and raconteur Dizraeli brings his new book Animal Noises to the Push the Boat Out stage. A searingly honest look at human creation, he confronts the messiness of fatherhood, sex and the end of the world. Expect ferociously sharp lyricism and a sense of the absurd. BSL Interpreted.
Cocktail Hour with Joelle Taylor
Sat 25 Nov | 6pm | Summerhall
We can’t think of better company for a cocktail than the legendary Joelle Taylor. As our Ruma mixologists shake a heady mix of delectable drinks, Joelle will offer up some stirring words to accompany each sip. Ticket price covers the cocktails (and poetry) at this workshop.
Poetry Jam with Leyla Josephine and band
Sat 25 Nov | 7pm | Summerhall
Want to try out your poetry in conversation with music? This event – part open mic, part jam session – gives you the opportunity to do just that. Bring a poem to share, liaise with the band about mood, rhythm and tempo, and then give it a go. Come to listen or perform.
Hamish Hawk Solo Show
Sat 25 Nov | 7.30pm | Summerhall
Hamish Hawk’s rich, poetic imagery, storytelling songs and velvety vocals have invited comparisons to Scott Walker, Jarvis Cocker and Ivor Cutler, so we’re thrilled to welcome this rising start of the UK music scene to close our Saturday night with a solo evening of lyrical enchantment. Support from Iona Zajac.
Rishi Dastidar: Walking with Neptune
Sun 26 Nov | 10am | Meet at Portobello Bookshop, 46 Portobello High Street EH15 1DAP
Poet Rishi Dastidar has spent a lot of time with Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. Join them for a Sunday morning stroll along the beach, where they will try and answer questions about waves, the apocalypse, and much, much more.
Song Exploder
Sun 26 Nov | 4pm | Summerhall
Understand the craft behind the bars in this panel with some of Scotland’s foremost rap and hip hop artists. Bemz, Queen of Harps and Dave Hook lift the lid on their lyrics, telling the backstory to their songs and explaining their process. Chaired by Arusa Qureshi. In association The Skinny
Seeds: New Poetic Performances
Sun 26 Nov | 5pm |Summerhall
Three new poetry-led performance pieces, commissioned by Push The Boat Out in association with National Theatre of Scotland. Featuring Imogen Stirling and Susan Bear’s drum & bass/ spoken word piece inspired by the myth of Persephone; Ross McCleary’s AI-era reinvention of the Biblical tale of Legion; and an ecopoetic collaboration between poet Alycia Pirmohamed & choreographer Gwynne Bilski, these pieces are all breaking new ground. BSL interpreted. This event will be live-streamed free of charge.
BELONGING: A Quines Cast Special
Sun 26 Nov | 6.15pm | Summerhall
Hannah Lavery and Caitlin Skinner host a one-off, live special of Quines Cast, the hugely successful Stellar Quines podcast. The theme is BELONGING, with poetry from RJ Hunter and an extract from a new work in progress by Hannah Lavery. Live music from a special guest. Come and find your place.
Inua Ellams: Search Party
Sun 26 Nov | 7.30pm | Summerhall
Inua Ellams – playwright, performer, poet, MBE, Nigerian-British wunderkind and polymathic award-winner – wants you to throw words at him. No, really. Welcome to Search Party, a magical, anarchic evening of reactive poetry created from his archive around whatever the audience suggests. Fresh from uproarious successes in London and NYC, Search Party is chaotic, exciting and always completely unique.
