Tag: Edinburgh Zoo

Into Film Festival 2024 launched at Edinburgh Zoo

The Into Film festival opened yesterday across the UK and launched in Scotland at Edinburgh Zoo with a special screening of the critically acclaimed animated film Kensuke’s Kingdom, based on Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling book. 

The event was hosted by young, Scottish actor, Aaron MacGregor who voices the main character, Michael, in the film. Kensuke’s Kingdom opened the Festival throughout the UK.

Education charity, Into Film Scotland, has launched the 11th Into Film Festival programme and bookings are now live for this year’s exciting edition in November (8-29) with over hundreds of free screenings and events in cinemas and extraordinary venues across Scotland.

The Into Film Festival is the largest of its kind in the world hosting up to half a million pupils and their teachers each year to the free event which showcases previews and classic film screenings hosted by special guests from the world of film.

As ever, the Festival offers students a magical, big screen experience and provides insight into the film industry with the talent that brought the films to life. All film titles are accompanied by film guides and resources that align with the curriculum.

The annual, ever-popular Festival Review Writing competition compliments the Festival programme and is designed to help learners gain clear educational value out of the cinema experience.

About Aaron MacGregor

Now aged 15, rising star Aaron MacGregor voices the character of Michael in Kensuke’s Kingdom, and has already starred in Netflix series SuperPupZ as the voice of Scottie dog Haggis, in animated feature Puffin Rock and the New Friends (West End Films/Cartoon Saloon/Dog Ears) as the voice of Marvin, as Finn in CBBC’s popular show based on acclaimed writer Julia Donaldson’s book series Princess Mirror-Belle and in hit historical drama series Outlander. He toured as Gavroche in the UK and Ireland No 1 Tour of Les Miserables (Cameron Mackintosh Ltd).

About Into Film

Into Film is the UK’s leading charity for film in education and the community. We provide screen industry careers information and advice via school careers leads and direct to young people; support and inspire young filmmakers; and bring the power of moving image storytelling into classroom teaching by providing training and resources.

We also run the annual Into Film Festival, which enables more than 400,000 pupils to visit the cinema for free, and the Into Film Awards – the UK’s leading showcase for young filmmaking talent.

The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen. www.intofilm.org 

PICTURED (TOP): L to R: Santiago Otero Ferandez (St Mary’s Music School), Liana Ghotra (St Mary’s Music School), Aaron Macgregor, Abigail McQueen (Bruntsfield School), Kody Lam ((Bruntsfield School). Photo credit: Ian Georgeson

The Tiger Keeper Who Came To Tea: Virgin Hotels launches a roarsome afternoon tea in collaboration with Edinburgh Zoo

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with one of the city’s most beloved attractions, Edinburgh Zoo.

Together, they are set to launch a roarsome Afternoon Tea experience, taking inspiration from the cherished children’s book, The Tiger Who Came to Tea. This family-friendly event will debut on Friday, 18th of October, perfectly timed to coincide with the October school break.

The collaboration aims to provide a truly unique and unmissable experience for both locals and visitors to the capital. The event will take place in the hotel’s stunning Oculus Lounge, combining the opulence of the hotel’s popular Afternoon Tea service with a playfully wild twist for its younger guests.

Those who attend can expect a fun and immersive experience, hosted by one of Edinburgh Zoo’s talented Discovery Rangers.

The Ranger will kick off the event with an exciting storytelling experience, which allows guests to learn about the resident tigers at Edinburgh Zoo.

But that’s not all: the specially themed Afternoon Tea menu will also include a carefully curated selection of treats for children, ensuring that the whole family has a roaring good time.

Guests can enjoy a stylish Afternoon Tea menu of exquisite pastries paired with savoury treats and finely brewed teas, while the younger ones enjoy special treats like tiger cookies, milk chocolate pandas, scones and more! Pricing begins at £35 for adults and £15 for children, with two sittings available at 1pm and 3pm.

Adding to the excitement, guests will also get a glimpse straight into the ‘Tiger Den’ at Edinburgh Zoo on the day through a live stream.

Following the event, guests will be invited to the Scarlett Lounge for an exclusive screening of The Tiger Keeper Who Came to Tea animated film, giving adults the opportunity to relax with refreshments at Eve or Commons Club Bar.

Mafalda Albuquerque, General Manager at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh said: “We’re thrilled to offer our guests this unique family Afternoon Tea experience.

“Our collaboration with Edinburgh Zoo for this themed Afternoon Tea allows us to craft a memorable and educational day out, perfectly aligning with our mission to deliver family experiences that can be enjoyed by all.”

You can find out more information about this partnership here. Reservations can also be made by emailing afternoontea@virginhotels.com

You can also follow along on social media here: 

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Edinburgh campaign has had over 3,000 conversations with people to help keep children safe from abuse

A campaign to help protect young children from sexual abuse has resulted in approximately 3,240 Talk PANTS conversations with people in Edinburgh since it launched last September.

Edinburgh, Talk PANTS is being delivered by NSPCC Scotland, the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and a wide range of partners across the city to spread the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS message.

Talk PANTS gives parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children to help keep them safe from sexual abuse.

With the use of a colourful animated dinosaur, called Pantosaurus, it helps children to understand that their body belongs to them, that they have a right to say no, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. 

During the past year, local PANTS professionals have been trained to deliver the campaign messages and resources to other professionals and families across Edinburgh through webinars and workshops.

And several awareness raising events have been held across the city for parents, carers and children, including a fun family day with Pantosuarus at Edinburgh Zoo in July when more than 370 adults and children attended, and family sessions at Edinburgh Book Festival.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland Local Campaigns Manager, said: “A simple conversation can make a big difference and that’s what Talk PANTS is all about.

“With the help of our fun, loving dino – Pantosaurus – we’ve reached thousands of people across the city. 

“We have been really pleased to see so much engagement with the campaign from families and professionals in Edinburgh, and we’re looking forward to having more conversations with Edinburgh residents at our upcoming family events.”

Other upcoming Talk PANTS events in Edinburgh include a family day at Sighthill Library on Friday, August 30, when popular children’s author Bruna De Luca will read ‘Pantosaurus and the Power of PANTS’ and from her own book ‘I’m Not Cute, I’m Dangerous.’

Bruna De Luca, who lives in Melrose in the Scottish Borders, said: “I’m a parent of young children and I love how the TalkPANTS message is tailored to a young audience in a fun, positive, and reassuring way.

“I can’t wait because it’s not every day you get to meet a Pantosaurus. I also think my feisty crocodile character – Fifi – would fully support the TalkPANTS message. She might be little and cute, but she is NOT to be underestimated!

“The TalkPANTS message is so crucial in preventing abuse because it helps children to have the confidence to speak up if they feel unsafe.”

Lillian Cringles, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “It’s fantastic that this campaign has helped thousands of parents, carers and professionals to have such important conversations with children about their bodies and how to stay safe. 

“I’d urge families to come along to this fun event at Sighthill Library or look out for other events on our web pages to learn more about the TalkPANTS message.”

As well as book readings there will be facepainting, colouring, games and singing and dancing at the event which runs from 1pm until 2.30pm.

For more information about other events taking place in Edinburgh, visit: 

EdinburghTalkPANTS

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk for advice.

Children and young people can contact Childline about anything that may be worrying them by calling 0800 1111 or by visiting: www.childline.org.uk

The NSPCC would like to thank Baker-Ross for their donation of children’s craft packs.

Barratt Developments branches out with Edinburgh Zoo ‘tree-cycle’

Barratt Developments East Scotland has partnered with Edinburgh Zoo to recycle and donate felled trees from its upcoming Livingston development. 

Barratt Developments East Scotland – which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes – has donated 21 felled trees from its recently acquired Houston Road site, Woodland Gait, which will launch later this year. 

The trees were removed due to them being in a poor condition, creating public safety concerns, or because they were low quality with low biodiversity benefits.  

Following the tree removals, Barratt Developments will plant approximately 152 new trees across the site to support local wildlife.

In line with its approved landscape strategy, the new tree species include Rowan and Hazel, as well as other native species.

A robust landscape strategy has been approved for the Houston Road development, including native planting and various biodiverse elements such as the installation of hedgehog highways, along with bird and bat boxes.  

Following the donation, Edinburgh Zoo, which is operated by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), will repurpose the trees, with a significant portion being distributed to the Zoo’s resident giraffes, which consume an average of 75kg of plant matter every day. 

Larger branches and trunks will also be used as climbing structures and apparatus within the ape and giant panda enclosures, enriching the animals’ habitat experiences. Meanwhile, designated portions of the trees, such as trunk bases and off-cuts, will undergo natural decomposition processes, attracting insects which are ideal for the dietary needs of Giant Anteaters. 

The distribution of the repurposed trees across the diverse animal habitats within the zoo will help to ensure that there will be minimal waste, building on both Barratt Developments’ and Edinburgh Zoo’s shared commitment to sustainable practices and lowering carbon footprints.  

Jason Watt, Technical Director at Barratt Developments East Scotland, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Edinburgh Zoo with the donation of trees from our new Livingston development on Houston Road.

“Not only does this partnership support our sustainability commitments, it will also be beneficial to the animals and their enclosures. 

“Looking forward, we hope to continue to support Edinburgh Zoo’s mission of fostering an appreciation for wildlife and habitat conservation.” 

Robert Harden, Head Gardener at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We were delighted to accept the offer of trees and branches from Barratt’s new site in Livingston.

“We have since used the material as a source of food, branching and perching for the animals, and what was left after chipping has been used as a mulch for feeding the willows and growing on site for the giraffes. 

“We pride ourselves with not only trying to educate and preserve endangered species of animals but also to try and work in tandem with the landscape environment itself. That’s why every bit of material that we received from Barratt has and will be used to benefit the animals and the growing environment.” 

For more information on Barratt Homes in Scotland, visit: barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/scotland-east/  

Local businesses come together to tackle loneliness in the city

VINTAGE VIBES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Award-winning Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes is marking eight years of tackling the loneliness crisis in the city by having a party for lonely and isolated older people (their VIPs) and delivering cupcakes to those who are housebound and unable to attend Vintage Vibes’ birthday celebrations at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo.

Teaming up with Cuckoo’s Bakery and EZ Bike Tours, they delivered a birthday treat and a chat to older people who were unable to attend due to health or mobility issues to ensure nobody was left out of the celebrations.

Vintage Vibes brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh.

Since its creation in 2015, the charity partnership has now helped over 1000 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from baking, gaming and, like Aly and Betty, beach walks and milkshakes.

Events, and groups are also available from sewing to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Gemma Wright, Communications and Fundraising Lead at Vintage Vibes, said: “We are so grateful to Cuckoo’s Bakery, EZ Bike Tours and Edinburgh Zoo for helping to make our 8th birthday celebrations so amazing.

“We delivered cupcakes to the homes of our wonderful VIPs that were sadly, unable to join us for our birthday party. We exist to bring fun and friendship to older people who are feeling lonely and isolated through our network of amazing friendship volunteers and the support of local businesses and funding partnerships.

“We would like to thank all involved for your ongoing support and helping us to ensure everyone was included.”

Having successfully delivered over 20,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2023 annual survey showed that 95% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project left them feeling happier and gave them a better quality of life.

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

Thomas Partridge, Director of Cuckoo’s Bakery said: “We first helped Vintage Vibes back in 2017 when we supported their heart-warming Christmas Card Campaign. We are delighted to be able to make a difference again and provide celebration cupcakes to those older people who were unable to attend the party.

“The team at our new bakery on Grindlay Street waved them off on their mission to tackle isolation in the city and we hope everyone enjoyed the fun!”

Euan at EZ Bike Tours said: “We’re delighted to support Vintage Vibes in making their birthday celebrations extra special and to play our part in helping to tackle loneliness in older people across Edinburgh.”

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes by emailing hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

Edinburgh Zoo’s Penguins Café upgrades the visitor experience

Workplace design and management consultancy, Space Solutions, has refreshed Edinburgh Zoo’s Penguins Café to enhance the customer experience.

Overlooking Penguins Rock, Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool, the Penguins Café is a busy eatery at Edinburgh Zoo. Challenged with a tired and inefficient space, SPACE upgraded the café to accommodate its large, diverse clientele while meeting the ambitious timescales of completing the project ahead of the opening weekend of school summer holidays.

The SPACE Design & Build team undertook the design services and fit-out, collaborating with graphic designer Heather Cumming who handled the updated branding, from the new logo to menu boards and wall murals.

Transforming the black and white space with bright, vibrant colours, the refreshed Penguins Café mirrors the excitement of visiting the adjoining penguin enclosure, with penguin facts featuring around the space.

Following a review of the space and customer needs, SPACE retained many of the existing features and furniture to reduce waste, including reupholstering the existing banquette seating for reuse.

To seamlessly manage the high foot traffic, SPACE designed a two-colour flooring system, with blue areas designated for highlighted key customer touch points, such as servery counter and seating areas, while neutral beige trails encourage movement. Cleanable, soft seating and coverings as well as acoustic rafts suspended from the ceiling were incorporated to better the acoustics in the active space.

Isobel Jones, Senior Interior Designer at SPACE, said: “We are thrilled to have worked with Edinburgh Zoo to refresh the popular Penguins Café. Our design has enabled the space to feel bigger and work more efficiently for both customers and staff.

“At the heart of the café remains an appreciation of the penguins, enabling visitors to retain the excitement of visiting Penguins Rock while improving their dining experience.”

Beccy Angus, Head of Discovery Learning at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, commented: “Overlooking Penguins Rock, Penguins Café is situated in the heart of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo.

“The café is an essential part of the customer experience and the refreshed design will ensure all of our visitors continue to have a memorable time at the zoo which helps inspire them to protect, value and love nature.”

Space Solutions has been creating award-winning interiors since 1997. The business continues to develop the concept of workplace consultancy and has worked with major public & private organisations across the UK. The business has locations in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee Livingston and London and employs 198 members of staff.

Meerkat’s Out of the Bag! Cheeky creatures coming to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital

Children at an Edinburgh hospital will soon be learning important conservation lessons from some very unusual teachers – a mob of meerkats based in an outdoor classroom within the grounds!

The first programme of its kind outside of Australia, the meerkats from The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo will reside at NHS Lothian’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and be at the heart of an extensive learning and discovery experience.

Thanks to a partnership between Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), NHS Lothian and RZSS, the inquisitive creatures will give young patients, particularly those staying long term, the opportunity to learn all about nature and the environment.

Edinburgh Zoo currently delivers a weekly programme of educational activities at the RHCYP, including projects on penguins, pandas and tigers, all of which encourage children to think about their place in the world and the importance of wildlife within it.

The meerkat enclosure will replicate their natural habitat and zookeepers from Edinburgh Zoo will care for them and provide meerkat educational sessions while on site.

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “Some children are too unwell or have been in hospital for so long that they don’t have the opportunity to engage with the outdoors, or interact with animals.

“Many of the children who visit the hospital care passionately about nature and the environment. Our programme will allow them to learn from experts while getting up close to the best teachers of all – the meerkats themselves.

“The wellbeing benefits of engaging with animals and using nature in the healing process are well documented, and there’s great excitement within the hospital in anticipation of our furry friends arriving.”

David Field, chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said, “Our conservation education programme has already been a great success and now we are taking this incredible next step by creating the only meerkat enclosure at a children’s hospital outside of Australia, making this a first in the UK and Europe.

“Being close to nature and animals can have a tremendous impact on people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. We also know that people and communities are more likely to help protect nature when they have had the opportunity to connect with our natural world.

“We are really looking forward to bringing a group of meerkats to live at the hospital next year and seeing the impact this will have for the children and their families.”

Allister Short, Service Director, Women’s and Children’s, NHS Lothian, said: “We are really excited about this innovative programme coming to the RHCYP.

“Meerkats have been introduced into many children’s hospitals in Australia and this unique concept encourages children to learn and be inspired, particularly when they’re in hospital for long periods of time.

“We want to brighten up our patients’ days in an educational way and we know that the meerkats will be an exciting addition to the RHCYP.”

The programme is currently in the early stages of planning and it is hoped the meerkats will move into their new home at the RHCYP from 2024.

Blind and partially sighted children visit Edinburgh Zoo

Twelve children with sight loss and their families had the chance to visit Edinburgh Zoo thanks to the charity RNIB.

Among those attending was 15 year-old Hannah Evans from Linlithgow who has is partially sighted with bilateral congenital cataracts and a learning disability. 

Hannah’s mum Carol said: ” Hannah loved the visit to the zoo as it combined art, food, meeting new people and seeing animals. We all had a great time. I think that was the most she has ever enjoyed the zoo, and it was great to network with other visually impaired children and their families. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming.”

Hannah has also had an art exhibition in Ocean Terminal in September. “She sees colours and focus differently due to her eye conditions as such, has her own unique styles of art and excellent colour expression,” said her mother. 

Katrina Thomson, support officer for the charity, said: “RNIB’s Shape and Share events bring children, young people and their families from across the UK together to share experiences and take part in fun activities, both in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams.

“Last weekend, it was Scotland’s turn to host an event and we had a wonderful time at Edinburgh Zoo, home to over 2,500 amazing and endangered animals. The Zoo offers large-print maps and some enclosures have QR codes which describe the animals in them.”

Edinburgh Zoo is the People’s Choice!

The Royal Zoological Society scoops national charity award

Edinburgh charity, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, scooped a top award last night (15 June) at the Scottish Charity Awards run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

The organisation – a wildlife conservation charity – won the People’s Choice award at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by Sally Magnusson at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Glasgow.

Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 44 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.

The winner of each of the eight categories was decided by a judging panel, with the ninth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public with over 18,000 votes cast online.

Ben Supple, director of engagement and business development, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said: “I would like to thank everyone who voted for our charity and helped us win this prestigious award. We have been overwhelmed by the public support we have received during the pandemic and would like to dedicate this award to everyone who holds nature dear to their heart.”

The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel, with the tenth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public with over 18,000 votes cast online. The winners for the Scottish Charity Awards 2022 are:

  • People’s Choice award: The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
  • Trustee of the Year award: Ian Monteague – Fare Scotland
  • Pioneering Project award: The Access Hub – Simon Community Scotland
  • Climate Conscious award: Sustainable Thinking Scotland
  • Employee of the Year award: Claire Wadsworth – Scottish Families Affected By Alcohol And Drugs
  • Community Action award: FeldyRoo
  • Volunteer of the Year award: Nan Fotheringham – Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Campaign of the Year award: The Big Hare Trail – Leuchie House
  • Pioneering Project award: The Access Hub – Simon Community Scotland
  • Digital Citizen award: Leuchie House
  • Charity of the Year award: S.M.I.L.E Counselling

Anna Fowlie, chief executive of SCVO, said: “At SCVO we know that every day, voluntary organisations across the country are working tirelessly to support the people and communities they help, and are making an incredible impact.

“We are thrilled to have been able to join together in person to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and winners, after hosting the previous two years’ ceremonies online due to the pandemic.

“This year’s finalists have all demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and commitment to their communities and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate their successes.

“Thanks to our sponsors, the team at the Crowne Plaza, our host Sally Magnusson and everyone who made the 2022 Scottish Charity Awards so wonderful. Congratulations to all winners!”