Celtic and Scotland footballer Scott Brown officially opened the new sports hall at Cramond Primary School yesterday. Scott cut the ribbon of the new £1m building with Head Teacher Helen Donaldson and the school’s eight Primary 7 house captains. Continue reading Great Scott! Cramond Primary scores with new sports hall
Hello,
We would like to invite you to our event ‘Do you see?’ This event is being planned and presented by our young parents. They will be launching a film they have made to combat the stigma around being a Young Parent and sharing their experience. This is a chance for them to have their voices he’rd on a topic that has a massive effect on them.
The event will be held on Wednesday 7 December at North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court.
1pm – 1.30 pm – presentation and film launch
1.30pm – 2.30pm – a more informal chance to speak to the young parents, network and find out more about the services provided by Stepping Stones. Refreshments and nibbles will be provided.
If you can make it along to either the presentation and film launch, and/or for a chat and a bite to eat afterwards , the young parents would appreciate your support.
Please RSVP to info@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk
Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald, has announced that Edinburgh, Aberdeen and the Scottish Borders will be the first three locations for Early Learning and Childcare expansion trials. The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Craigentinny Nursery yesterday.
The trials, which form part of the Scottish Government’s drive to increase the flexibility, quality and quantity of provision, will commence in January 2017 and will test out a variety of models including:
Mr McDonald said: “High quality early learning and childcare plays a vital role in narrowing the attainment gap that is why this Government has gone further than any other in our commitment to expanding free entitlement.
“But, the Scottish Government is not simply determined to increase the amount of early learning and childcare. We are also determined to deliver the flexibility that families need to make best use of high quality childcare.
“Right now, councils work hard to be flexible but we must all acknowledge that too often the system does not offer places where and when families need them. We are going to change that.
“We have already launched a major consultation looking at different options, including blending together ideas like funding following the child and Children in Scotland’s Childcare Commission proposal that parents can opt to receive funding in a childcare account.
“Today, we are launching a series of trials to test various models of delivery for the expansion to 1,140 hours.
“By trialling different delivery models we will be better able to understand what parents and children need and want. The three successful local authorities announced today put forward a diverse range of proposals and I look forward to seeing how these work in practice.”
“As highlighted in research from Heriot-Watt University published yesterday, quality childcare is a key contributor to reducing poverty and tackling inequality. Today marks the latest milestone in Scotland’s journey towards a high-quality, flexible childcare system that helps children, parents and families the length and breadth of the country.”
Councillor Cammy Day, Education Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s important for children to experience a diverse education from an early age and the Forest Kindergarten trial project is a really innovative way of enriching their learning as research shows that education outdoors has a really beneficial impact on young people.
“Apart from the positive educational benefits the project will also give pupils from areas of social deprivation opportunities and experiences which may otherwise be limited to them.”
Edinburgh’s Christmas is the place to be in 2016
This is the fourth year of Underbelly creating and delivering Edinburgh’s Christmas on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. In its four years of producing the event, Underbelly has grown the event to be one of the biggest and most diverse Christmas events in the UK. Adding to a dynamic city centre, it established Edinburgh as the place to be at Christmas in 2015:
And Edinburgh will continue to be the place to be in 2016 with the following highlights:
As part of the celebrations, Standard Life will be gifting 10,000 free tickets to school children in Edinburgh. They will have a chance to take a free spin around the ice rink in the stunning setting of St Andrew Square between 18 November 2016 and 7 January 2017. Standard Life free tickets for school children will be available from 11 October and all schools in Edinburgh will be eligible to apply and join in the celebrations.
Those applying for free tickets online will also be invited to make a donation to Place2Be, a leading national children’s mental health charity and chosen by Standard Life’s employees as their charity partner in the UK. The Christmas ice rink is always a popular draw for families, last year issuing over 61,000 tickets over the Christmas period. Standard Life will also be gifting some tickets to Place2Be, its official charity partner until the end of 2017, and encouraging people to support their work.
The Christmas on Stage partnership between the Lyceum, Traverse, Usher Hall and Edinburgh’s Christmas will celebrate live theatre and music in Edinburgh’s West End. Additionally, One Square Restaurant is teaming up with Edinburgh’s Christmas to offer audiences for Five Guys Named Moe in the Festival Square Theatre the show and a festive dinner and parking package.
As part of the Christmas on Stage partnership, tickets via edinburghschristmas.com will be available for the Lyceum (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) and the Traverse (Black Beauty).
2016 also sees the return of the popular Edinburgh resident’s 20% discount across all shows, rides and events. In 2015 99,990 tickets were sold to Edinburgh residents accessing their 20% off tickets, providing a total saving of over £170,000 to residents across the city.
Sunday 27 November, 3pm, St Andrew Square
In conjunction with St Andrews and St Georges West and Edinburgh Churches Together, at the start of Advent, a carol concert will take place around the Nativity Scene in St Andrew Square, generously donated to Edinburgh by Sir Tom Farmer. Free to access.
Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, Edinburgh’s Christmas, said: “This is the fourth year of Underbelly producing Edinburgh’s Christmas on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council and during that time the event itself and the positive impact it has socially on the residents of Edinburgh and economically for the businesses in the city and the city itself have grown substantially. In 2016 we are looking forward to putting on the biggest event yet, stretching from St Andrew Square to the West End, from the hit musical Five Guys Named Moe in a fantastic new production in Festival Square Theatre, to a partnership with Standard Life offering 10,000 free ice skating tickets to schoolchildren, from Street of Light transforming George Street to the local choirs of Edinburgh on Light Night. Edinburgh in winter is truly world class and proves yet again, it’s the place to be.”
Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “This winter, the curtain will rise at the West End as Edinburgh’s Christmas expands right across the city. An exciting new collaboration between the Capital’s theatres and the Usher Hall will take Edinburgh’s Christmas to the stage, while the Street of Light will move to George Street for its second year. The events drew over one million visitors last year and regulars will be delighted to hear festive favourites like Santa’s Grotto, the Big Wheel and ice rink will return. With such a colourful programme, I’m sure Edinburgh’s Christmas will hold on to its reputation as one of the most popular winter celebrations in the UK!”
Graeme McEwan, Chief Communications Officer, Standard Life, said “As one of the largest employers in Edinburgh, we’re extremely pleased to be supporting Edinburgh’s Christmas 2016. It promises to be an inspiring festival that our employees and the people of Edinburgh will enjoy being part of, as well as the many visitors who come to Edinburgh for this special celebration.”
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas has been very successful at bringing people to the city centre during the Festive Season in even greater numbers, so we welcome the announcement of such an exciting programme. It is excellent that the festival is being spread across the city centre with both George Street and the west end at Festival Square becoming new hubs of activity, thus supporting footfall right across our BID area and beyond.”
John Donnelly, Chief Executive Marketing Edinburgh said: “The substantial year on year growth over the last four years in terms of footfall, hotel occupancy and retail spend throughout December is a testament to the quality of the city’s Christmas celebrations and varied shopping offering. Edinburgh’s Christmas has played a crucial role in building the city’s reputation as one of the UK’s most popular festive destinations.
“I am particularly pleased Street of Light is moving to West George Street. After its success last year on the Royal Mile, I have no doubt it will prove the perfect gateway leading residents and visitors to the new West End attractions.”
Christopher Bell, Chorus Master of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus said, “I’m delighted to be invited to bring two fine ensembles to this Christmas Party. Both the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and the RSNO Junior Chorus will get a chance to perform for an audience that doesn’t normally hear them – a wonderful Christmas present all round.”
Blazin’ Fiddles said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Street of Light in Edinburgh this Christmas, and to have the music of the Highlands and Islands lighting up the capital over the festive period.”
David Greig, Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre said; “I love Christmas shows, it’s the perfect time to coorie in with the ones you love in a theatre and laugh, cry and share the joy of a good story well told. Christmas on stage is going to be a blast.”
Linda Crooks, Executive Producer of the Traverse Theatre, said: “We are delighted to be a part of this new collaborative partnership which celebrates Edinburgh as a year-round destination for quality entertainment. As a venue and producer of new work throughout the year, we aim to continuously enrich the cultural offering for visitors to the city whenever they come. The Christmas on Stage partnership celebrates the diversity of live performance to be found in the city’s West End and we are proud to be at the heart of this with Black Beauty for audiences young and old and Last Christmas for our more mature audiences.”
Tristan Nesbitt, General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, said: “The arrival of the Festival Square Theatre this Christmas will add to the buzz of our vibrant cultural quarter. One Square is delighted to partner with Edinburgh’s Christmas and offer a special dining package to ticket holders attending the exciting West End and Broadway hit Five Guys Named Moe.”
Neil Baxter from The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland said, “The 24 Doors of Advent is a great initiative which encourages the people of Edinburgh and visitors to explore parts of the City they might not normally see.
“The Festival of Architecture has been a truly year-long and Scotland-wide celebration. It is wholly appropriate that the programme should finish in the Capital and on a high with this brilliant event.
“The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016 is also reflected in the schools project, Winter Windows theme – Architecture, this is an excellent way of raising awareness of Architecture in young people.”
Paulette Randall, Director of Five Guys Named Moe said “I am thrilled and so excited to be back in Edinburgh with this amazing show. We had such a warm and enthusiastic response last time we here, and this Christmas promises to be even better. Do not miss it!”
Tigerstyle said “We’re delighted to be taking part in Street of Light and Edinburgh’s Christmas. We’re planning to get the crowds dancing in George Street with our special bhangra sounds!”
More information:
The Street of Light
West George Street
20 November to 24 December 6.00pm & 8.00pm
The spectacular Street of Light this year transforms West George Street in Edinburgh’s New Town with its 24 arches each 19 metres high covered in a total of 60,000 bulbs. This year the lights are accompanied by music from local choirs and bands including the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus, the hottest contemporary fiddle music from the Highlands and Islands’ Blazin’ Fiddles and Scotland’s very own bhangra group Tigerstyle. Last year’s spectacular was all about spectating, this year we want to get you singing and dancing.
The Street of Light will open at Light Night on 20 November and then run for 35 days until Christmas Eve, with an expected audience of over 350,000 people. Free to access.
St Andrew Square Ice Rink
18 November 2016 until 7 January 2017
10am – 9.30pm, slots 45 minutes
The elliptical ice rink in St Andrew Square is always a popular draw and a much loved part of Edinburgh’s Christmas, set next to the Christmas Nativity scene in the gardens. Last year 61,000 tickets were issued to festive skaters. This year new sponsors Standard Life are making sure local school children have every opportunity to enjoy the fun, through the donation of 10,000 free tickets.
FESTIVAL SQUARE THEATRE
Underbelly Productions in association with Cameron Mackintosh present
FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE
A musical by Clarke Peters
Featuring Louis Jordan’s greatest hits
A major new production of the hit West End and Broadway musical opens at Edinburgh’s Christmas.
Five Guys Named Moe features the toe-tapping and irresistible hits of jazz legend Louis Jordan, including; Early In The Morning, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie and Saturday Night Fish Fry, plus many more performed on stage by a live band.
First seen at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1990, from where it subsequently transferred to the West End winning the Olivier award for Best Entertainment, this musical tells the story of Nomax. Newly single and broke, he finds solace in the Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe, Four Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, No Moe and Little Moe), who emerge to rouse him from his misfortunes with a whole lot of soul, music and infectious energy!
Packed with an uplifting live soundtrack of soul, blues, gospel and early r ‘n’ b, and led by our all-singing, all dancing Five Guys, this high-octane production of Five Guys Named Moe is the ultimate celebration to lift your soul. See this completely new production in the brand new Festival Square Theatre!
18 November to 7 January 2017. Tickets are available to book at edinburghschristmas.com
Morgan & West: A (sort of) Christmas Carol Magic Show!
Fringe favourites Morgan & West, as seen on Penn and Teller’s Fool Us and CBBC’s The Slammer, present Charles Dickens’ timeless classic A Christmas Carol. There is only one problem – Mr Morgan hasn’t read it. Well not just one problem, there are also only two of them to play all the parts. Oh, and Mr West is rather insistent on doing a magic show at the same time. How hard can it be?
Fun for all the family in this utterly splendid (and totally silly) Christmas magic show!
1 December to 7 January 2017. Tickets are available to book at edinburghschristmas.com
Light Night
Sunday 20 November, 1pm – 5pm
Light Night is an event free for all to enjoy, which encapsulates the true spirit of the festive season: family and the community.
Choirs from across Scotland including Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus, Edinburgh’s Got Soul and Sing in the City will perform in front of an expected audience of around 20,000 people.
This year the Street of Light at the west end of George Street will make its first appearance as part of Light Night and the acts will perform on a stage under its lights.
The Christmas Tree on the Mound, a gift to the City of Edinburgh Council from Hordaland County Council in Norway, will be lit as part of the Light Night switch-on.
The Mound Precinct and East Princes Street Gardens
19 November 2016 to 7 January 2017. Free to access.
The Star Flyer: See Edinburgh as you have never seen it before, and this year you might just open your eyes! Located next to the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens.
The Big Wheel: The arrival of the Big Wheel in East Princes Street Gardens signals the festive season has arrived! Take a ride in this Dutch made Ferris wheel’s cosy, covered pods to enjoy spectacular views across the city. Bejewelled with 20,000 lights it makes a joyful addition to Edinburgh’s famous festive skyline.
Santa Land: Santa takes up residence in his festive and cosy Santa Land grotto from 19 November. In the heart of East Princes Street Gardens the grotto is surrounded by Christmas sparkle and magic with the Elves workshop hidden inside the Christmas Tree Maze, if you can find it, the Santa Train and other affordable kids rides.
The European Christmas Market: Over 100 stalls return to East Princes Street Gardens and the Mound Precinct from across northern Europe with a selection of tasty food, warming drinks and beautiful handmade gifts for sale.
Photographs of Edinburgh’s Christmas are available for download at:
Edinburgh’s Christmas photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/137495091@N02/863nes
A video with highlights of Edinburgh’s Christmas and a film introducing Five Guys Named Moe are available to view or embed into your site at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFAfkBXUkIuX9ZwSpR0rbbg
Follow us:
Facebook: facebook/edinburghschristmas
Twitter: @EdXmas
Tickets for all ticketed events are available from:
www.edinburghschristmas.com
0844 545 8252
For further information on Edinburgh’s Christmas, please contact:
Susie Gray or Magda Paduch
The Corner Shop PR
0131 202 6220
07834 073 795 Susie
07583 164 070 Magda
How to access free tickets to St Andrew Square Ice Rink brought to you by Standard Life as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas –
Edinburgh’s Christmas will send a unique code for the edinburghschristmas.com website to all Edinburgh schools for further distribution to parents at the school. A maximum 6 tickets are permitted per booking. Tickets are only available to pupils in full-time primary or secondary education. Children of 11 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult while on the ice, and the parent or responsible adult will be required to bring proof of Edinburgh residency when collecting tickets. Tickets are subject to availability.
Saturday 26 November 10 – 12 noon Granton Parish Church
The End Child Poverty coalition has published a new child poverty map covering Scotland and the rest of the UK. The latest figures reveal that poverty affects children in every part of Scotland, with as many as 34% of children living in poverty in some local authority areas – compared to just one in ten in others.
Across the UK more than three and a half million children are living in poverty, with 220,000 of them living here in Scotland.
Local child poverty estimates are broken down by local authority, parliamentary constituency and ward and show huge variation across the country.
Members of End Child Poverty in Scotland, including Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, Barnardos Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) Children1st and the Poverty Alliance are calling for urgent action to be taken at UK, Scottish and local government level.
The coalition is calling on the Chancellor to use the upcoming Autumn Statement to end the freeze on children’s benefits, and reverse the sharp cuts being introduced to in-work benefits under Universal Credit. They warn that the current benefits freeze means that as prices rise, low income families find it increasingly hard to pay for basic essentials at the same time as cuts to Universal Credit are pushing more working families below the poverty line.
In Scotland the campaigners are calling on Holyrood and local government to make sure the proposed Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill addresses poverty at local level.They believe that the Bill, which will enshrine the Scottish Government’s ambition to eradicate child poverty by 2030, should explicitly set out and support the role of local government and its community planning partners in tackling child poverty.
John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said: “There’s no doubt that many of the key drivers of child poverty are UK wide and if the new Prime Minister is serious about supporting families then decisive action must be taken to end the freeze on children’s benefits and reverse sharp cuts to in-work support under Universal Credit.
“But this new map also makes it clear that child poverty plays out in different ways at local level. Local authorities and their partners know their communities and are in a great position to work with local people to prevent poverty. Many are already doing important work to make sure local childcare, housing and employability policies are working for low income families.
The new Scottish child poverty legislation must now be drafted so as to ensure all local authorities are supported in law to take a strategic approach, and that all levels of government are pulling in the same direction – towards a Scotland free from child poverty.”
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “The latest map of child poverty across Scotland reflects the experience of our services working with families on low income day in, day out.
“There is much good work taking place to support these children and families but given their financial situation changes in benefits that reduce income have a damaging effect on parents and children. To address these challenges Barnardo’s Scotland works in partnership with local authorities and public bodies in many areas. We recognise the key role they have in the ambition to eradicate poverty and believe that a strategic approach to tackling poverty at the local level should be a key part of the new Child Poverty Bill as well as support to implement this duty”.
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said: “Poverty in Scotland continues to harm the lives of children across Scotland, as this new map shows. Living on a low income not only affects their well-being now, but can have a negative impact in the future. This is an unnecessary situation and one that requires urgent attention.
“The forthcoming Scottish Child Poverty Bill and the Social-Economic Duty should begin to focus more action on the way that we support people at the local level. However, these figures also serve to highlight the damaging impact that cuts to social security benefits by the UK Government have had on many Scottish families. If Theresa May wants to signal a new direction for her Government, then these cuts should be reversed.”
Alison Todd, Chief Executive of Children 1st, Scotland’s National Children’s Charity said: ““Many of the children and families we support are becoming increasingly caught in a complex poverty trap which includes housing costs, trying to meet the costs of enabling their children to take part in school activities and being isolated from opportunities. By working in genuine partnership with families experiencing poverty, local authorities can make a real difference in these and many other areas to help lift children out of poverty.”
Scotland
Percentage of children in poverty (after housing costs)
By Local Authority
| Aberdeen City | 18.2% |
| Aberdeenshire | 13.1% |
| Angus | 20.6% |
| Argyll and Bute | 20.4% |
| Clackmannanshire | 27.3% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 24.3% |
| Dundee City | 27.7% |
| East Ayrshire | 28.0% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 14.2% |
| East Lothian | 20.3% |
| East Renfrewshire | 14.5% |
| Edinburgh, City of | 22.0% |
| Eileanan an Iar | 17.6% |
| Falkirk | 22.0% |
| Fife | 25.0% |
| Glasgow City | 34.1% |
| Highland | 19.2% |
| Inverclyde | 27.9% |
| Midlothian | 22.5% |
| Moray | 17.2% |
| North Ayrshire | 30.4% |
| North Lanarkshire | 25.0% |
| Orkney Islands | 14.1% |
| Perth and Kinross | 18.2% |
| Renfrewshire | 23.6% |
| Scottish Borders | 21.0% |
| Shetland Islands | 10.6% |
| South Ayrshire | 25.7% |
| South Lanarkshire | 22.0% |
| Stirling | 18.8% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 26.5% |
| West Lothian | 22.8% |
By Parliamentary Constituency
| Aberdeen North | 23.0% |
| Aberdeen South | 15.7% |
| Airdrie and Shotts | 28.2% |
| Angus | 23.3% |
| Argyll and Bute | 20.4% |
| Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock | 30.0% |
| Banff and Buchan | 18.9% |
| Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk | 22.7% |
| Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross | 23.0% |
| Central Ayrshire | 27.0% |
| Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill | 22.6% |
| Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East | 22.2% |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 24.8% |
| Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale | 20.0% |
| Dundee East | 22.7% |
| Dundee West | 27.9% |
| Dunfermline and West Fife | 21.0% |
| East Dunbartonshire | 12.2% |
| East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow | 19.6% |
| East Lothian | 20.3% |
| East Renfrewshire | 14.5% |
| Edinburgh East | 27.3% |
| Edinburgh North and Leith | 23.7% |
| Edinburgh South | 18.5% |
| Edinburgh South West | 23.4% |
| Edinburgh West | 17.5% |
| Na h-Eileanan an Iar | 17.6% |
| Falkirk | 21.1% |
| Glasgow Central | 39.2% |
| Glasgow East | 33.7% |
| Glasgow North | 31.0% |
| Glasgow North East | 37.6% |
| Glasgow North West | 33.2% |
| Glasgow South | 29.3% |
| Glasgow South West | 33.4% |
| Glenrothes | 30.6% |
| Gordon | 9.2% |
| Inverclyde | 27.9% |
| Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey | 17.7% |
| Kilmarnock and Loudoun | 26.7% |
| Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath | 27.7% |
| Lanark and Hamilton East | 23.7% |
| Linlithgow and East Falkirk | 23.1% |
| Livingston | 23.0% |
| Midlothian | 22.5% |
| Moray | 17.2% |
| Motherwell and Wishaw | 26.1% |
| North Ayrshire and Arran | 29.3% |
| North East Fife | 18.4% |
| Ochil and South Perthshire | 21.7% |
| Orkney and Shetland | 12.2% |
| Paisley and Renfrewshire North | 22.0% |
| Paisley and Renfrewshire South | 25.2% |
| Perth and North Perthshire | 19.7% |
| Ross, Skye and Lochaber | 18.0% |
| Rutherglen and Hamilton West | 23.0% |
| Stirling | 18.8% |
| West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine | 9.9% |
| West Dunbartonshire | 26.5% |
Continue reading New Child Poverty Map reveals urgent need for action
Saturday 12 November 10am – 11am – booking essential
Parents and carers are being reminded that Registration Week begins tomorrow (Monday 7 November) for prospective primary school children who will start school in August 2017. Continue reading Time to register for Primary School places
PlayTalkRead is calling for all parents and carers of pre-school children in Scotland to “play, share and win” throughout the month of November as part of its #30daysofplay campaign. Continue reading Early Years Minister launches 30 days of play
