Today … Leith’s very own Viking Festival!
Tag: events
City gets set to welcome top cyclists
Edinburgh hosts Stage Four of the Aviva Tour of Britain cycling race on Wednesday. Cyclists will travel 218km from the Scottish capital to Blyth, Northumberland (see route), leaving the city at 10am.
Cyclists will face a spectacular journey through the heart of the city, starting in Holyrood Park, winding past the Scottish Parliament and up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle.
The race will descend Johnston Terrace and travel through the Meadows before passing Arthur’s Seat and heading out of the city. After leaving Edinburgh, the race will move on to East Lothian.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “This will be the first time in history that the UK’s most prestigious cycling race traces the winding streets of the Scottish Capital to launch the event north of the border. It’s going to be a spectacular sight!
“As the starting point and host city of the Scottish stage and with the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House and ancient volcano Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh is the place to be to experience the thrill of the Tour of Britain.”
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland said: “Scotland is gearing up to welcome the Aviva Tour of Britain and the top international cyclists and enthusiasts it brings with it from around the world.
“Scotland is the perfect stage for events with a global reputation for cycling and I’m certain the stages unveiled today will offer up some of Scotland’s most iconic and picturesque locations as a backdrop across the handlebars, as well as a fantastic spectator experience for all ages.”
Chief Executive for Scottish Cycling Craig Burn added: “Scottish Cycling is continuing to see an upsurge in interest in all areas of cycling. The Aviva Tour of Britain is a great showcase for cycling in Scotland and the hard work of the daily activities of our 178 clubs and the 600 plus events staged annually by our clubs and members.”
The Aviva Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step.
Over twenty of the world’s top teams are taking part in the competition. Heading the lineup in Edinburgh for the event is Dutch cycling champion Dylan Van Baarle, who returns to the Tour of Britain to defend his title.
The Dutchman won the 2014 edition of Britain’s biggest bike race, snatching victory from Michal Kwiatkowski and Sir Bradley Wiggins. He will wear the #1 at the head of the six rider Team Cannondale Garmin line-up
Another confirmed participant is 2009 Champion Edvald Boasson Hagen who will lead the MTN Qhubeka p/b Samsung team, which also includes 2013 stage winner Gerald Ciolek.
Team Sky’s versatile Italian sprinter Elia Viviani (above) timed a late challenge to absolute perfection when he pipped Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel to win the opening stage of the Aviva Tour of Britain in a dramatic finish in Wrexham yesterday.
The race moves on from Clitheroe to Colne in the Ribble Valley today and Stage Three will see the cyclists battle it out in The Borders tomorrow. Then on Wednesday, it’s Edinburgh: it promises to be quite a sight – don’t miss it!
Follow news of the Edinburgh event on Twitter using #TOBEdinburgh.
Fun on Friday in West Pilton
Free family fun at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Friday 14 August 1 – 3pm
Thursday’s Sand Castle Day at North Edinburgh Arts
Thursday 13 August is Sand Castle Day!
Remember it’s Sand Castle Day at North Edinburgh Arts this Thursday. Come along between 10am – 12noon to show off your skills in the sandpit. They’re getting a whole load of new sand put in that morning: who’ll be the first one in?
Fun Day at Drylaw on 22 August
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s ever-popular annual family Fun Day takes place on Saturday 22 August from 11am – 2pm.
There’s food, live music, bouncy castle, face painting, a race track and lots, lots, more …
Thursday is Fun Day at Granton Youth Centre
Granton Youth Centre’s the place to be this Thursday as GYC are holding a fun day at West Granton Road from noon until 3pm.
Come along and join in games, bouncy castle, storytelling, face painting and a BBQ. Entry is free – all welcome!
For more info contact Granton Youth Centre on 467 5854
Events, dear boy, events: College in the running for national award
College events shortlisted for prestigious Scottish Event Awards
An Edinburgh College school-engagement event and two student-led projects have grabbed places on the hotly contested shortlist for prizes at the Scottish Event Awards.
The college has been nominated for the Best Educational Event for an event held to engage local schools, particularly head teachers, and increase opportunities for young people. And two teams of talented Events Management students picked up nominations for the Best Student Event Award.
The Scottish Event Awards honour the best events of various types across a range of sectors. They are run by magazine and marketing website The Drum.
The college’s Schools Event welcomed head teachers and other representatives from 34 local schools, who heard about some of the college’s key projects, its curriculum offering and how it is creating new vocational learning and progression opportunities, and spoke to key staff from each of the college’s curriculum centres. It was warmly received by attendees, and will form the basis for future partnership working between the college and local schools.
Two groups of BA (Hons) Events Management students made the shortlist for events held as part of their course.
One team, Icon Events, organised a fashion show featuring people with dementia as models to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland. Service users, carers, staff and volunteers at the charity’s Fife Dementia Resource Centre in Kirkcaldy strutted the catwalk as models at the event, which raised more than £700 for the charity.
Another team, Festival Events, organised a sell-out mini fringe festival at the Voodoo Rooms, featuring a variety of musical acts and a magician. The team raised £2,200 for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
Teams of students from Events Management courses organised 38 events this year, raising more than £20,000 for a range of charities.
This year’s nominations follow the college’s win in the Best Educational Event category last year for the Graphic Design Industry Night, a one-night event that showcased graduates’ award winning design work, and celebrated Edinburgh College’s close ties with industry.
This event allowed young designers to get face to face time with potential future employers. Due to the success of the first event last year, this has been made an annual event, and this year’s was held at the Fruitmarket Gallery as part of Let’s Glow.
The awards take place at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday 7 October.
Police pooh-pooh Porty party plans!
Officers pour cold water over beach party plan
Police are urging organisers of a beach party to get in touch:
UNLICENSED GATHERING -PORTOBELLO
Local officers in Portobello are aware of social media messages which suggest a beach party will take place on Portobello Beach on Wednesday evening (8 July).
Events such as these require a public entertainment licence and involve lots of planning and consultation to make sure all of those in attendance are kept safe.
So far, our colleagues at the City of Edinburgh Council have received no application for a Portobello Beach Party.
We are committed to keeping our communities safe and local policing teams will monitor the area on Wednesday to engage with members of the public and address any issues which may arise.
If anyone is planning a party on Portobello Beach, we would ask that they contact us and the City of Edinburgh Council so we can discuss all the relevant safety matter and ensure appropriate resources are utilised.
T in the Park: have a happy and healthy time
With less than a week to go until T in the Park kicks off, NHS 24 is urging festival goers to look after their health and make the most of the event.
Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare service is advising visitors to the three-day event at Strathallan Castle in Perthshire to plan ahead and take a few essential items for dealing with illness.
NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “Summer festivals are great places to meet people and enjoy music with friends but try and remember to pack a few small items with you in case you do become unwell.
“Take some over the counter medication with you for stomach upsets or diarrhoea and take a simple painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. It is also really important to have sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and antiseptic hand gel or wipes are always handy to have at outdoor events, as are things like a supply of pads or tampons and if there is possibility of having sex take some condoms to avoid the risk of sexually transmitted infection.”
He added; “Plan ahead remember to take all your prescription medicine with you to last till you get home, if you use inhalers always keep them handy and think of things like hay fever medication if you are a sufferer.
“Don’t ruin your weekend by drinking far too much too quickly. Try alternating soft drinks or water for alcoholic ones on a regular basis over the day and don’t forget to eat regularly. You don’t want to miss out on seeing your favourite bands by feeling unwell with the effects of too much alcohol.
Professor Crooks advised: “If you do become ill, go with a friend to the nearest First Aid area. Remember there is safety in numbers. Never leave your drink unattended, never leave friends on their own and don’t wander off by yourself. Organise a meeting point if you get split up and stay with people you know.
“By taking simple steps, you can help minimise or even prevent minor health problems from ruining your weekend. Stay safe and have a happy and healthy time at T in the Park.”
For further summer health advice go to www.nhsinform.co.uk There is a Health in Focus section dedicated to staying safe in the summer months.
Be part of sporting history!
Volunteers needed to aid local world record attempt
The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) and Craig Gowans Memorial Fund are recruiting hundreds of volunteers to get the ball rolling at an upcoming World Record attempt for the longest 11-a-side football match of all time.
Friends, family and teammates of the late Falkirk defender Craig Gowans are hosting the Guinness World Record attempt in memory of the young football star, and require the help of a vast range of volunteers to help make the event a success.
The Memorial Fund was set up by Craig’s family and friends following his tragic death to ensure that his memory is used as a driving force for good.
This four day mega-match will take place at Ainslie Park, Home of Spartans FC, from 4 – 8 July, with all proceeds going to the SKFF.
The participating players aim to complete at least 103 hours of football in order to beat the current World Record which was recently set in Southampton. In order to complete this mammoth football challenge the charity are calling for people of all skills to support the fundraising efforts.
Volunteers needed include referees, stewards, physiotherapists, general helpers, as well as people to assist with the event setup and tidy up.
The Craig Gowans Guinness World Record Football Match is expected to raise more than £37,000 for the Foundation. The money will be used to open a state-of-the-art Snoezelen Room in Craig’s name at the new Sick Kids Hospital in Little France. This calming space will use cutting edge multi-sensory equipment to provide a vital, stimulating area for young patients with sensory impairments.
Jonny Wallace, one of Craig’s closest school friends and an advocate of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund said: “We have organised many fundraisers in the past in memory of Craig but this epic match will be one of our biggest challenges to date and we need help from lots of volunteers for the event to run smoothly.
“Volunteers make all the difference to the success of our events and we would really appreciate any level of help for our upcoming World Record attempt whether it is for one day or all four.”
Rachel McKenzie, Head of Voluntary Fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We’re extremely grateful that the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund has chosen to raise funds for the Foundation. Their upcoming world record football match looks set to be a very demanding challenge and we urge anyone that can help them during the event to show their support and sign up for a volunteer’s role online.”
To register as a volunteer at the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund World Record Breaking Football Match
visit www.tcggwrm.org/volunteer
or email Jonny Wallace at TCGGWRM37@gmail.com.