KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES HAPPY THIS OCTOBER HALF TERM
Looking to keep your kids happy this half-term? Burger King® UK is here to help with a scarily good deal in the run up to Halloween, with the return of Kids Eat FREE!
From 11th-20th October, families across Scotland can enjoy a King Jrmeal, featuring a Kids Hamburger or Chicken Nuggets, fries or apple slices and a drink of your choice, totally free when purchasing an adult meal*!
All you need to do is download the Burger King® UK app via Google Play here or the App Store here to claim the offer.
This October, Dynamic Earth invites families to swap fright for fascination and embark on a thrilling journey into the world of misunderstood creatures, eerie adventures, and science-led discovery.
With a spectacular programme of Halloween-themed activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy — from spine-tingling trails to spooky planetarium shows and hands-on exploration.
Running from Wednesday, 2nd October to Sunday, 3rd November, this unmissable line-up promises weeks of fun and learning for children and adults alike.
Highlights of the October Programme Include:
Trick or Treat Trail (2nd Oct – 3rd Nov)
Admission ticket + £4
Get ready for an adventure with Blaize the Bat as you explore our exhibition and uncover hidden wonders of the natural world. From slithering serpents to creatures from the deep, you’ll be guided through Dynamic Earth by clues and puzzles, leading to a special prize — your very own Blaize the Bat beanie!
Eerie Encounters (4th Oct – 3rd Nov)
FREE drop-in activities
Our Science Communication team invites you to dive into a world of “eerie encounters” with misunderstood creatures and fascinating plants. From crafting your very own Venus flytrap puppet to uncovering prehistoric creatures in our dino-dig, these family-friendly activities will have everyone getting hands-on with nature’s creepiest and most captivating lifeforms.
New Planetarium Shows (2nd Oct – 31st Oct)
Daily screenings
Embark on an out-of-this-world journey with two captivating shows in our 6K resolution Planetarium:
Fungi: Web of Life (narrated by Björk) unveils the mysterious and interconnected world of fungi. With expert insights from acclaimed British biologist Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, this film explores the hidden network that sustains all life on Earth. Dr. Sheldrake’s groundbreaking research in mycology adds a deeper layer of intrigue, making this a must-see for science enthusiasts.
What’s Up: The Fright Sky takes you on an exclusive live journey presented by Dynamic Earth’s in-house astronomers. These shows, created by our expert team, reveal real imagery from space and stunning visuals captured by satellites. You’ll hear personalised content and seasonal insights directly from our science experts, offering an immersive and unique look into the darker tales and legends of the night sky.
Planetarium Lates (18th, 19th, 21st, 25th Oct)
16 special evening shows (18+)
For adults, Dynamic Earth offers Planetarium Lates — an immersive experience with Halloween classics like The Shining and The Thing, plus Dark Side of the Moon shows. Sip on a themed cocktail such as Beetlejuice or Vampire Kiss, and settle in for a spooky, star-studded night out.
October Outdoor Club (Mon – Tue, or Thur – Fri)
Ages 7-12
For younger adventurers, Dynamic Earth’s October Outdoor Club offers a two-day journey into Earth and environmental sciences. From exploring sustainability to learning about the fascinating creatures that inhabit our planet, this club promises endless excitement and discovery for curious young minds.
October Membership Offer:
This October, there’s more than just Halloween fun in store at Dynamic Earth! From Wednesday, 2nd October to Tuesday, 31st October, visitors can upgrade their Adult, Child, or Concession day ticket for just £5 and receive a 12-month membership at Dynamic Earth.
A Dynamic Earth Annual Membership Includes:
Unlimited visits to Dynamic Earth’s exhibition, galleries, and 6K resolution Planetarium for 12 months.
Exclusive previews to seasonal activities and events.
Free admission for under-4s.
As a special bonus, those who take up this membership offer will be invited to an exclusive preview of our Winter What’s Up show and a screening of the festive favourite, The Muppet Christmas Carol.*
Visit Dynamic Earth and Transform Your Halloween!
With a blend of science, adventure, and spooky fun, Dynamic Earth’s October programme is the perfect way for families to celebrate Halloween. Whether you’re tracing the Trick or Treat Trail, marvelling at the mysteries of fungi, or spending an evening at Planetarium Lates, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
A mixture of old and new faces are heading to Vue venues in Edinburgh this October Scottish half term – offering plenty of opportunities for audiences of all ages to enjoy a trip to the big screen.
Families and film fans are invited to Cybertron in Transformers One, which rolls out at Vue sites just in time for the Scottish school holidays on 11 October. Learn the untold origin story of the iconic Autobot hero Optimus Prime and the villainous Megatron – and discover how these two sworn enemies were once close friends.
The first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie to appear on the big screen, Transformers One will be an action-packed adventure with everyone’s favourite Robots in Disguise.
Also for the Scottish half term, film fans eager to catch Dreamwork’s The Wild Robot will be able to enjoy Scotland only exclusive screenings at Vue on the 16th & 17th October, promising a beautiful, wild ride for all the family.
Following the charming tale of Roz, a futuristic robot who finds themselves on a deserted island filled with adorable animals, The Wild Robot is set to be a hugely emotional journey packed with discovery when it hits the big screen this month.
One of 2024’s most popular family favourite is also returning to the big screen this October, screening everyday of the school holidays as part of Vue’s Mighty Mornings with our favourite emotions in Pixar’s Inside Out 2 – available from just £2.49 when booked online.
Providing a short and sweet set of screenings for younger audience members, Vue’s Big Shorts will invite audiences to spend time with some of their favourite TV characters, with Bing & Friends: Birthday Celebration showing each day from 11 October.
From just £3.99 when booked online, these screenings offer a relaxed big screen environment with dimmed lights and reduced sound, tailor-made for younger film fans aged one to four.
Robert Smith, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “We’ve got a great selection of new films and family favourites heading to the big screen this October half term, offering an ideal way to enjoy quality family time together this school holiday.
“Parents and children can come along, switch off and immerse themselves in great stories.”
Transformers One – from 11 October Vue’s Big Shorts – Bing & Friends: Birthday Celebration – w/c 11 October Mighty Mornings: Inside Out 2 – from 11 October & 18 October The Wild Robot – from 16 October
Staff from NSPCC Scotland’s local campaigns team will be out in force during the school holidays teaching people from various organisations how they can play their part in keeping children safe.
With autumn holidays approaching, the team felt it was a good time to make sure everyone knows what to do if they are concerned about a child so they can play their part in helping to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.
Listen Up, Speak Up (LUSU) offers free online or face-to-face training to help adults recognise when a child may be at risk, and what they can do to help.
NSPCC Helpline made 1,103 referrals to local authorities and agencies in Scotland over the last three years over concerns of the neglect of a child, highlighting the importance of LUSU.
The NSPCC Helpline takes calls from adults concerned about children, and practitioners will make referrals to agencies if they feel that further investigation of support is needed.
The NSPCC aims to inspire a million people across the UK to take actions that keep children safe through the Listen Up, Speak Up campaign to create a nation of safeguarders who can support families before they reach crisis point.
After a pilot last year, LUSU was rolled out across the UK in February this year. Sanctuary Housing, SSE, House of Bruar and Montrose Playhouse are among the organisations that have signed up so far in Scotland.
And the local campaigns team have organised a week of activity from October 4 to 11, conducting LUSU workshops across Scotland with organisations such as Glasgow Clyde College, Dads Rock in Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire Rangers.
Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “It’s been great getting out into communities across Scotland to deliver the important messages of LUSU.
“Everyone wants to play their part in keeping children safe, but it can be difficult to know when and how to act. You will come away from a LUSU session with the knowledge of what to do when you are worried about a child’s safety and wellbeing.
“A lot of people think ‘what if I am wrong?’ but it is more important to think ‘what if I am right?’. That could make a massive difference to child’s life.
“NSPCC Helpline has had to make more than 1,100 referrals for neglect to agencies in Scotland over three years – that’s almost one a day. That lays bare the scale of the problem. We need people across the country to play their part in helping keep children safe.
“If you are part of an organisation which could benefit from a LUSU session, please get in touch.”
Craigroyston YFC 2013 year group are trying to raise funds to attend a big football tournament in Craig Tara.
It’s a big cost for parents who may struggle to go but don’t want to let their kid to miss out. We have 4 mile sponsored walk, race night, bake sale, raffles and loads of other things happening but one of the mum’s has also set up a crowdfunding page.
Children with life-shortening conditions in Scotland and their families were invited to Edinburgh Airport for a special sightseeing flight where they were accompanied by some of Disney’s most popular characters.
On Saturday, 15 children who receive care and support from the charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) were invited by Loganair to experience Scotland from the skies on a sightseeing flight from Edinburgh up the east coast of Scotland and back again.
In a bid to provide a truly magical experience, Loganair partnered with Wish Upon a Star Kingdom for the annual CHAS flight to bring Elsa and Anna on the journey with them for the ultimate Disney experience.
Additionally, Edinburgh Airport’s iconic mascot, EDI The Pilot was on hand to welcome the children to the airport, flanked by James Smith – a member of the security team – who volunteered his time to entertain the children and soar the skies with them as Batman.
Experiencing flying for the first time as a family were siblings Ruhee, Rayan and Khadijah Mahmood. Their dad Viqar said: “They’ve been looking forward to this for weeks and have been very excited today.
“The excitement reached new heights when Ruhee was able to soar the skies with Batman, and his sisters, who are big Frozen fans and regularly dress as Anna and Elsa at home, were able to join the princesses in the sky.”
In support of the day, British Airways provided access to its lounge in Edinburgh Airport, providing a VIP experience for the children and their families. There they experienced a meet and greet, storytelling and sing-a-longs with the Disney princesses and other characters before taking off to see Scotland from the skies – the first time some of them have experienced a flight.
Reflecting on the day, Viqar said: “The amount of organisation that went into today was worth it when you see their faces.
“They’ve had the best time, thank you.”
Loganair and CHAS have a long-standing relationship having embarked on a partnership three years ago. In June 2024, the regional airline announced it would be adding a voluntary £2 donation option to all its online ticket bookings in a bid to bolster its commitment to the charity even further.
In addition to supporting with monetary donations, Loganair provides flights to CHAS at Home nurses, who support families in remote island communities.
This flight marks the third occasion of the annual Loganair flights for CHAS children and their families across Scotland, with previous flights at Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports. Employees also volunteer at Robin House, one of the charity’s two ‘home from home’ hospices in Balloch, tending to the garden throughout the year and decorating the hospice at Christmas time.
Luke Farajallah, Chief Executive Officer, Loganair said: “It is our upmost pleasure to provide a unique and captivating experience for the children and young people of CHAS – it means a huge amount to the families that take part in the trip.
“The CHAS partnership is something that we value hugely, and we are thrilled to play a part in the lives of these incredibly special young people.
“Every year we are committed to bringing joy and happiness to young people and while the sightseeing flight around Scotland is the icing on the cake, we were pleased to be able to partner with Wish Upon a Star Kingdom this year to make the experience as magical as possible.”
CHAS is a children’s palliative care charity which strives to reach and support children and their families across Scotland who are living with life-shortening conditions, offering much-needed respite and continual care. It is CHAS’ ambition to make sure that no one in Scotland has to face the death of their child alone.
Through its partnership with CHAS, established in 2021, the airline has provided staff nurses and the family support team with flights for CHAS at Home services, offering specialist medical care, vital respite and practical support to families across the country within their own homes.
Nikki Corrigan, Service Manager for Outreach at CHAS said: “Our partnership with Loganair has been invaluable to CHAS in helping us be there for families where they need us most, which for many families is in the comfort of their own home.
“As well as the essential support Loganair provides in helping us reach families in more remote areas of the country, days like this give children and their families the opportunity to have an unforgettable experience together, making joyful memories that will last a lifetime. We can’t thank them enough!”
Loganair would like to extend its thanks to all its partners who have helped to make the special day happen, including Edinburgh Airport, Menzies Aviation and OCS.
It’s that time of year again! Time to get your Halloween hats on and create some wonderfully spooky and surprising drawings to go on display in the library in time for the 31st October!
You have from Monday 7th until Thursday 31st (Halloween night) to get your creations in to the desk
Edinburgh Council’s Senior Housing Staff meet North Edinburgh Parents Action Group at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Last Wednesday (27th September), North Edinburgh Parents Action Group met with senior members of the Council’s housing management team and the Chair of the Housing Committee to discuss the issues raised in their report ‘SOS North Edinburgh’s Housing Emergency’ .
The group used the meeting to highlight many of the housing problems which sadly are common in most areas of North Edinburgh including mould and dampness, overcrowding, anti-social behaviour and an unacceptable repairs service.
Shocking
Group members shared their own personal stories about how these issues were impacting on their familiies’ physical and mental health. The housing staff and the chair of the Housing Committee were visibly shocked at some of the stories shared by members.
The senior housing staff gave a commitment to work with the parents group to address these issues as a matter of urgency. They also agreed to work closely with local families who have been involved in the project to try to resolve their ongoing housing problems and will use this process to identify what needs to change.
Susan Rowand, Chairperson of the Parents Group, said: “People have been waiting so long to get their housing issues fixed, many of them can’t wait any longer. We really hope that things begin to happen soon.
“A follow up meeting has been planned for the end of November to update the group on progress made.”
A group member added: ” I feel pain and anger at what my family have been through, maybe something will happen now – I don’t know.”
Next Steps
After the October break, group members will meet with Dr Olivia Swann, Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Edinburgh University.
Dr Swann worked with the parents group earlier this year on their publication and told group members that “strong scientific evidence has shown that poor housing can affect someone’s physical and mental health throughout their life.”
This is a very worrying concern for group members and highlights the need to address the area’s housing emergency now.
