Weekend visitors to Silverknowes Promenade in Edinburgh should keep their eyes peeled for a sack race with a difference.
The Great Scottish Tattie Run is back after a three year absence and more than 300 participants are expected to race with a 20kg sack of Branston Potatoes on their back.
The fun event on Sunday (26 June) is free and open to all ages – female runners can opt for a 10kg bag of tatties – while youngsters grouped according to age can enter the Spud & Spoon race.
And every runner can cash in their chips, taking home their free Branston bag of spuds, in addition to a bespoke medal marking their completion of the race.
The 6th Great Scottish Tattie Run gets underway at 2pm and entries can be taken on the day for people arriving by 1.30pm. The adult race for men and women is 1 mile long, followed by a relay race featuring teams of four who will run 400 metres each, and rounding off the fun with the children’s event.
Event organiser Terry Crossley, of Great Scottish Events, said: “There is nothing quite like The Great Scottish Tattie Run and we hope the people of Edinburgh will come along to take part or just to cheer on the runners.
“Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, Branston, race entry is free and participants can also take home their 10kg or 20kg bag of tatties, and for younger runners they will have great fun in the Spud & Spoon race.
“After an absence of three years due to Covid restrictions, we are delighted to be back at wonderful Silverknowes and hope we can establish The Great Scottish Tattie Run as a not-to-be-missed fun family annual event.”
Kevin Imrie, general manager of Branston’s potato-packing site in Abernethy near Perth, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring this fantastic event once again and helping to raise funds for some very worthy charities in the process.
“Twenty kilos is a hefty weight to carry, never mind running a mile with it, so it’s real test of strength and stamina as well as a great way to work up an appetite for all those tatties.”
For more information and to enter the race, visit The Great Scottish Tattie Run or turn up on Sunday at Silverknowes Promenade near to the Boardwalk Beach Club by 1.30pm.
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is set to host a series of workshops this summer in Edinburgh for its Little Seedlings Club. Magnificent Microgreens will take place on Sunday 3 July, and back for 2022 is Dobbies’ Summer Holiday Club sessions, perfect for keeping the little ones busy during the school break.
Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club is a free children’s gardening club for children aged 4-10 in Edinburgh which explores the exciting ways children can connect to plants, wildlife and the environment, nurturing their minds with fun-filled activities.
The Magnificent Microgreens workshop will take a deep dive into the science behind the nutritious leafy greens, showcasing all the health benefits of eating these superfoods and how attendees can easily grow their own at home no matter the space by making their very own windowsill planter to take home and grow.
The not your average garden centre will also be demonstrating all the ways in which chefs use microgreens in the kitchen to help encourage kids to eat their greens.
Dobbies’ Summer Holiday Club sessions in Edinburgh will take place on 26 and 27 July between 11-12 am. These interactive workshops will explore how children can create their very own summer sanctuary in the garden for plants and wildlife to flourish.
Here attendees will take a closer look at the insects, birds and animals that call the garden home during the summer months, making bug hotels, learning interesting animal facts, and finding out all the ways we can make our garden into a wildlife haven.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, explained: “Summer holidays are a great chance for the little ones to harvest a new passion for gardening, enjoy time with kids of a similar age and learn something new.
“Our free Little Seedlings workshops are open to all, and this summer we’re showing our young gardeners that anything is possible in their green space if they have the right knowledge and tools.”
Advance booking is required for the free events to secure your space. For more information about how children can get involved in these workshops at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit the following links.
LAWYERS WARN OF MORE VICTIMS IN NHS LOTHIAN AUDIOLOGY CASE
Lawyers supporting victims of the NHS Lothian hearing service scandal have warned that the number of children affected could be far greater than those identified in the independent report.
An audit of the health board’s audiology services found significant concerns in 155 of the 1007 patients treated between 2009 and 2018, which led to some children being identified with hearing loss years later than when first tested.
However, it has now emerged that THOUSANDS of children could be affected as lawyers highlight the 1,007 patients analysed in the audit was just a “sample” of those tested during the 9-year period.
Grace Smith, Associate at global law firm PGMBM, who are supporting parents affected by the scandal, said: “Whilst the audit highlighted those 155 children who were significantly affected by the failures at NHS Lothian, it is clear that the real number of families affected is much higher.
“The audit was performed on a sample of just over 1000 patients that were treated at NHS Lothian between 2009 and 2018. Within that 9-year period there were far more children through the doors of the Paediatric Audiology Service. The patient case load for this time frame was 22,900.
“The audit found concerns with 88% of the records within the sample. If that same percentage is applied to the full patient caseload across that time period, then the number of families affected by the report, delays and misdiagnosis could run into five figures. We know that there are children who were not included in the audit sample who have been affected by the failings highlighted in the audit report. ”
PGMBM are representing a parent whose child was not included in the audit sample – but experienced significant and serious delays in diagnosis.
Grace added:. “One of the families we are representing was seen by NHS Lothian’s Audiology Service several times from 2019 after their child failed a hearing test at birth.
“Despite repeatedly raising concerns about their child’s hearing, they were dismissed again and again and told that their child’s hearing was normal. However, at almost three years old, an external second opinion diagnosed their child with severe hearing loss. This significant delay in diagnoses happened at a key developmental stage for their child.
“There are clearly more people affected than were reviewed in the audit sample. We would appeal to anyone worried to get in touch with either NHS Lothian or ourselves and we can look at ways to support you.”
The British Academy of Audiology report found systemic failings which led to babies and children undiagnosed or experiencing significant delays in diagnosis and treatment.
It was found that there were a series of serious issues particularly within the under-five age group of the Paediatric Audiology service. The root causes of these failures were found to be a lack of scientific leadership, knowledge, reflection and enquiry in the presence of a lack of routine and robust quality assurance process.
The report found that staff were not following professional standards, training was almost exclusively in-house and insufficient, testing was not carried out correctly and there was no evidence of consistent management protocol or structure for children after results of tests. As such children who presented with similar test results and histories were being managed in different and contrasting ways. It also found that parents concerns were often dismissed.
NHS Lothian apologised following the report which was published last December.
Anyone who thinks they might be affected by the issues identified in the audit and would like more information can speak to PGMBM lawyers at:
This week is Learning Disability Week (20th – 26th June) and an education expert has shared five pieces of advice on how to support children if they have learning disabilities.
Interestingly, research conducted by Oxford Home Schooling revealed that while overseeing their children’s learning during lockdown, many parents spotted potential signs of a learning difficulty.
Nearly half (47%) identified symptoms of dyslexia (difficulty reading, writing and spelling), whilst more than one in four (29%) observed possible indicators of dysgraphia (impaired handwriting or spelling).
To help parents who now think their child may have a learning difficulty, Greg Smith, Head of Operations at Oxford Home Schooling, has put together a guide on how best to support your child and what your next steps should be.
Get your child diagnosed
If your child’s difficulties are having a significant impact on their learning, it’s a good idea to have them tested for a condition and diagnosed.
A diagnosis can open the door for your child to receive appropriate learning support in school. This includes allowing them extra time in exams and being supported by a teaching assistant, so it’s a good idea to look into this as early as possible.
If you’ve observed signs that your child may have a learning difficulty, you should speak to your GP, who can either make the diagnosis themselves, or refer the child for the appropriate tests.
Speak to your GP
Once a child is diagnosed with a learning difficulty, you should consult your GP. They will then be able to recommend and refer you to an appropriate specialist for support1.
Specialists can include speech and language therapists, educational and clinical psychologists and paediatricians, among others.
Make the school aware
Once you have an idea of the areas where your child is struggling, you will need to make their school and teachers aware of the situation.
This will allow the school to put extra support in place should your child require it. They will need time to consider how the condition might affect the child’s learning and work out how best to adapt their teaching.
Talk to others
Many parents find it difficult to process the diagnosis of a learning difficulty and it can be a challenge to adapt to your child’s new needs.
Don’t be afraid to seek out the support of other parents who have experienced similar situations. There are many support groups and forums out there for advice, and you and your child can even build new friendships.
Support your child
The important thing to remember is that you need to support your child, whether this is with their learning, or any other aspects of life that they struggle with.
Being diagnosed with a learning difficulty is by no means the end of the world and children with such conditions go on to enjoy rich and fulfilling lives.
You will need to be patient, and it may be challenging at times, but with the correct support system in place your child will be fine.
For information on the benefits of homeschooling for children with learning disabilities and special educational needs, head to this page:
With over 100 sites across the country, including six in and around Edinburgh, and activities for all interests, spend your summer with the National Trust for Scotland:
The National Trust for Scotland is offering visitors the opportunity to spend their summer exploring the nature, beauty and heritage of Scotland, with a different site to discover each day, alongside lots of fun-packed summer activities to try across Edinburgh and the surrounds.
Summer officially starts today, 21 June, shortly followed by the school holidays, and families will be looking for inspiration to fill those long summer days. The Edinburgh area alone offers a wealth of opportunity for the summer months, with sites including the Georgian House and Newhailes House in Musselburgh.
New and existing members of the conservation charity can visit its 129 sites for as little as £5.25 for adults and £9.80 per month for families, equating to just 17p or 32p per day, making it a great value option for excitement-filled days, all while contributing towards the conservation of Scottish heritage.
From paddling and kayaking at Kintail, to conquering Ben Lomond, whirling through the Wild Wood at Crathes Castle, going down the rabbit hole at Brodie Castle’s Playful Garden, minding your Ps and Qs at Robert Smail’s Printing Works, or drinking in the breath-taking views at Glencoe National Nature Reserve, summer fun abounds with the National Trust for Scotland.
The Trust also recently relaunched its initiative with Young Scot which offers anyone aged 11-25 with a Young Scot National Entitlement Card the chance to visit National Trust for Scotland properties, such as the tranquil Malleny Garden and the carefully restored Gladstone’s Land on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for just £1.
For families searching for budget-friendly ways to keep children amused during the holidays, the Trust has a packed programme to help with summer holiday planning. Events taking place across the Edinburgh area include Doghailes on 31 July at Newhailes House, a fun dog event for all the family with competitions, food and drink and lots of activities for furry four-legged friends.
For those looking to embrace the health and wellbeing benefits of the outdoors there’s no shortage of breath-taking views to discover and gardens to enjoy.
Inveresk Lodge Garden is a peaceful spot tucked away in a charming village near Musselburgh while Malleny Garden is the place to go to see heritage roses sat beneath 400-year-old-yew trees.
Additionally, for people looking to soak up some culture and discover more about Scotland’s heritage, the Trust holds a wealth of stories and objects which have been passed down through the centuries at some of Scotland’s most notable historical homes, large and small.
The Georgian House in Edinburgh’s New Town has an interesting collection of paintings, costumes and period furnishings, while the immersive visitor experience at Gladstone’s Land takes you through three centuries of the building’s history.
Under an hour outside the city, you’ll also find The Royal Burgh of Culross where you can experience the paranormal in an after-hours tour of Culross Palace, or, if you prefer a more peaceful experience, Dollar Glen provides a serene green escape.
And if all of that isn’t enough, The Trust is also hosting a programme of events throughout the summer, including:
Doghailes 22 – a firm favourite for canine lovers, Doghailes takes place at Newhailes Estate, Musselburgh, on 31 July.
Redcoats in Residence – Alan Breck’s Regiment bring a Jacobite re-enactment to Gladstone’s Land on the 9 July. Meet soldiers of the Edinburgh city Guard as they support the army’s plans to march out against Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Carhailes 22– Carhailes is back, and its bigger and better then ever, with iconic cars old and new gracing Newhailes estate on 28 August.
Ceilidh in the Courtyard– an evening of dancing and amazing music brought to you by the Scottish fiddle Orchestra will be held in the stables courtyard of Newhailes estate on 13August.
Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive of The National Trust for Scotland,said: “The last two years have been a difficult time for us all, but our charity was pleased that our countryside and gardens were able to provide respite to many.
“As the country gets back on its feet post-pandemic, we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to our places and helping them to make the most of a summer free of travel restrictions and lockdowns.
“At the Trust we pride ourselves on creating memorable experiences. Whether attending one of our creative events, enjoying an engaging historical tour or taking part in an adventure activity, there are lots of ways to enjoy all that Scotland has to offer.
“We want to inspire everyone who spends time at our places and encourage even more people to discover the National Trust for Scotland. With so many of our beautiful places, spread all over Scotland, visitors could explore a different one every day of the summer holidays and still have more to discover. We look forward to welcoming back regular visitors, reconnecting with those we’ve missed over the past few years, and welcoming new audiences this summer to experience nature, beauty and heritage.”
Established in 1931, the National Trust for Scotland cares for, shares and speaks up for Scotland’s magnificent heritage.
Membership, which provides funding for Scotland’s largest conservation charity, can be purchased online from just £9.80 per month for families, £5.25 for adults and £3 for children.
For more information on the National Trust for Scotland and to plan your summer itinerary, visit: www.nts.org.uk.
The Heart of Newhaven Community, Friends of Victoria Park and The VP Allotment Holders invite you to The Picnic in the Park, at Victoria Park on Sunday 19 June from 12.30pm-3.30pm.
Bring a picnic and enjoy meeting your neighbours in the park
Children’s Races (including the world-famous 3-legged!) Fun Dog Parade
Plant Swap Table
Kids’ Books Swap Table
Live Music
Optional Fancy Dress for People and Pets!
Prizes for taking part for Children and Dogs!
Check the ‘Friends of Victoria Park’ and ‘Heart of Newhaven’ Facebook pages for updates
Three thousand art packs for refugees and asylum seekers have been made by the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Intended as a warm welcome to people arriving in Scotland who have fled conflict or persecution, they are being gifted in partnership with several charities and local authorities.
A large group of Ukrainian children and young people recently picked up their packs at an art workshop at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Organised by NGS and Dnipro Kids, a charity which supports orphanage children from Ukraine, activities across the day included an introduction to painting with their new watercolour sets, clay sculpture making and exploring the gallery spaces.
Thousands of the packs have been shared among other charities, including Aberlour Scottish Guardianship Service, Scottish Refugee Council, SCOREscotland, Cyrenians and The Welcoming. Local authorities across the country have also assisted in distributing the art materials to refugees and asylum seekers in their areas.
The packs contain 10 high-quality postcards showing artworks from the national collection, specially chosen for the children and young people receiving the packs. The images were selected with the intention of providing hope, to spark their curiosity and to introduce them to Scottish culture.
For instance, Una and the Lion (c. 1860) by William Bell Scott draws on the story of a brave young girl undertaking a frightening journey on her own. The packs also contain a sketchbook, pencil, colouring pens, a watercolour set and paint brush.
Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “It is a privilege for the National Galleries of Scotland to play a small part in extending a warm welcome to the people who will receive the art packs, and we very much hope they enjoy getting creative with them.
“We are also grateful to the charity and local authority partners who are helping us with distribution. We would welcome hearing from other such organisations should they be interested in requesting art packs for their beneficiaries.”
Steven Carr, Chair of Dnipro Kids said: “We’re very grateful to the National Galleries for their help. This art packs and visit have been wonderfully stimulating for the kids, who have enjoyed themselves immensely.
“The welcome and kindness from the people of Scotland continues to amaze us all, and this is another example of how people have opened their hearts to our group.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said; “We are pleased that players of People Postcode Lottery support the National Galleries of Scotland in extending a warm welcome to children and young people forced to flee from danger in their home countries.
“We hope the art packs offer all recipients the opportunity to spend some time getting creative as they settle in here in Scotland.”
Jump into the worlds of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. for the ultimate family day out as The Nickelodeon Experience, sponsored by BFF and Magic Tears by Cry Babies, arrives in the UK next month for its very first summer tour!
The outdoor experience, which kicks off its UK tour in Edinburgh from 2nd July, is bringing to life the very best of Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. for an unforgettable family day out. For the first time ever, kids can go behind the scenes and up close to some of their favourite TV shows including PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Henry Danger, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and many more.
Offering a variety of action-packed activities centred around Nickelodeon’s most popular TV shows, explorers big and small can take their pick from an exciting line-up of entertainment, including a timed immersive escape room, an interactive air maze, a pirate treasure hunt and the opportunity to get slimed (the ultimate Nickelodeon honour!)
At The Nickelodeon Experience, kids rule. Fun seekers ages 7-14 can discover their superpowers in The Thundermans’ School for Superheroes or step inside an episode of Henry Danger where Nick fans must navigate Henry Danger’s Maze full of secret twists, turns, puzzles and passages. They can also race against the clock to solve the Hunter Street Escape Room mystery, which puts teamwork to the test in an attempt to crack the code and find the key.
And the excitement doesn’t stop there! From a trip to Adventure Bay with an opportunity to meet PAW Patrol fan-favourites Chase and Marshall, to a subterranean adventure in The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ underground lair, Nick fans will be utterly captivated in this immersive outdoor experience.
What’s more, budding explorers can also jump on board a giant pirate ship and hunt for treasure in an immersive play zone based on the swashbuckling world of Santiago of The Seas.
Visitors will also be able to cool off and chill out in SpongeBob’s Bikini Bottom Beach, where they can relax, eat, and refuel after all the fun! Then, as the perfect way to finish up an unforgettable day, kids can head to the Slime Time Party to get SLIMED before heading to The Nickelodeon Experience store to take home the perfect memento.
The Nickelodeon Experience kicks off a UK tour next month from 2nd July at Saughton Park in Edinburgh before venturing to Heaton Park in Manchester and, finally, to Knebworth House, Hertfordshire.
Kids tickets start at £29.50 and infants under two years old go free.
THE NICKELODEON EXPERIENCE LOCATIONS AND DATES:
· SAUGHTON PARK, EDINBURGH – 2nd July – 14th July
· HEATON PARK, MANCHESTER – 23rd July – 5th August
· KNEBWORTH HOUSE, HERTFORDSHIRE – 14th – 27th August
The Nickelodeon Experience is proudly produced by The Luna Cinema and suitable for children aged two to fourteen years old.
George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinemasays:“With less than a month to go, we cannot wait for The Nickelodeon Experience to officially kickstart this summer! For years we’ve wanted to develop a truly interactive experience that allowed kids to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favourite TV shows, just as we do with Friends fans at FriendsFest and film lovers with our Luna Cinema screenings.
“To have such an iconic catalogue of shows, including global brands like PAW Patrol, The Thundermans and SpongeBob SquarePants under the Nickelodeon umbrella is a treasure trove of content to explore and bring to life.”
Virginia Monaghan, VP, Events and Experiences, Paramount Global, commented:“We are thrilled to be partnering with The Luna Cinema to bring our hugely popular Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. shows to life through this uniquely immersive experience.
“This is a chance for children to make new memories with friends, in a safe and fun setting, and with their favourite characters.”
For more information and to purchase tickets please visit:
Thrilling Tartan Titan challenge for all the family
Conifox Adventure Park is taking family fun to another level with an exhilarating and globally unique assault course experience.
Billed as the world’s longest and best continuous inflatable assault course, the Tartan Titan is an immersive interactive adventure, propelling participants into the realms of their favourite game shows – Ninja Warrior, Total Wipeout and Gladiators.
At a whopping 560metres, it is almost 65metres longer than the current world record course and packed full of challenges for all ages. The whole family can climb, crawl, jump and bounce their way to glory, with dedicated time slots for adults and younger children to ensure everyone enjoys the experience.
Conifox is currently seeking Guinness World Records verification to confirm the Tartan Titan’s official status as the longest inflatable assault course in the world.
Open to everyone taller than 1.1metre, the new attraction features 50 sections of obstacles including the Corkscrew, Wipe Out, Ninja Run, Ladder Challenge, Tidal Wave and Everest Slide. There will also be special Challenge Days when visitors can attempt to set a record time on the course with a prize for the winner of the #TitanChallenge 2022.
The spectacular course is the latest addition to Conifox Adventure Park, at Kirkliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh, which recently invested £2million in a new Activity Centre.
James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “This is just the most exciting time for us all at the park.
“We’re constantly looking for new ways to up the fun factor here, for both children and adults, and we’ve come up with something thrilling that really fits the bill. It’s an action-packed adventure, accessible for the whole family to enjoy.
“The Tartan Titan is unique worldwide – only available at Conifox – and it’s set to be an absolute blockbuster for us. We’re sure it is going to prove fantastically popular with visitors who are up for a challenge and a lot of fun.
“We’re especially looking forward to real enthusiasts taking up the Titan Challenge and encouraging super-fit celebrities and sports stars to join in and help raise the bar. So come on down and take on the Titan!”
Bookings are now open for the Tartan Titan. Please visit:
