Tag: leisure

Chippendale School 2024 Graduate Exhibition & Sale

The Chippendale International School of Furniture proudly announces the return of its eagerly anticipated Graduate Exhibition & Fine Furniture Sale, taking place in June 2024. 

This will be the 39th annual showcase for the renowned institution with expectations high for an extraordinary display of fine furniture crafted by this year’s graduating cohort of talented makers.

From Thursday 13 June to Saturday 15 June 2024, visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to witness an array of exceptional pieces meticulously crafted by those on the intensive 30-Week Professional Course.

Known for its international reputation for kickstarting the careers of skilled woodworkers, the Chippendale School’s Professional Course equips aspiring furniture makers with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the industry, covering everything from design techniques to marketing strategies.

The 2023/24 course cohort boasts 30 exceptionally talented students hailing from all over the world, from the Dominican Republic to Germany, Holland, France, Canada and the USA. 

Among the spotlighted makers is Kevin Tronel from France whose matching pair of mid-century easy chairs and vinyl record cabinet, both made from Oak, are a perfect example of the joy in putting a contemporary twist on a traditional style. 

Also gracing the exhibition is Maria Hensley from the UK, presenting her hallway bench in Oak and Danish woven cord. Attendees can also marvel at the striking fluted column cabinet in Sycamore made by Chlomo Hutcheson from Edinburgh.

Tom Fraser, Principal, commented: “Our annual Graduate Exhibition is a testament to the dedication and talent of our Professional Course students.

“Year after year, we are inspired by the creativity and ingenuity displayed in their final designs.

“This event offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the finest emerging global furniture design talent and even take home a piece that captivates them.”

Pizza and coffee on the day will be provided by local Edinburgh and North Berwick businesses Pizza Geeks and Steampunk Coffee. Admission to the exhibition is free, with advance booking of time slots required.

Visit Eventbrite to secure your spot: 

Register on Eventbrite

For those unable to attend in person, the Exhibition will also be showcased online via the School’s website, Facebook, and Instagram channels.

Edinburgh Cup under starter’s orders at Musselburgh

Musselburgh Racecourse is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the year, The Edinburgh Cup, sponsored by Edinburgh Gin, on Saturday 1 June.

With more than £150,000 in total prize money up for grabs across seven races, in addition to the highly anticipated £50,000 The Edinburgh Cup Handicap Stakes feature race over 1m 1 furlong, racegoers can look forward to the seven furlong £40,000 The Edinburgh Gin Queen of Scots Listed Handicap.

With top class action on the turf guaranteed, the Edinburgh Cup is also a social event where guests are encouraged to dress to impress, and a fashion competition will celebrate the most stylish racegoers.

Following the final race (provisionally 5.20pm), Forth One favourite Boogie in the Morning will host the After-Racing Party, which includes a surprise guest appearance.

Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “The Edinburgh Cup sponsored by Edinburgh Gin is undoubtedly one of our premier racedays, attracting strong crowds eager to soak up the party atmosphere and excitement of the races, and this has been confirmed by very positive ticket sales which points to an expected record attendance.”

Musselburgh Racecourse is also partnering with The Scottish Open golf tournament, held at North Berwick’s The Renaissance Club from 11-14 July, to celebrate another prominent East Lothian sporting event, and on-course activations and a competition is planned.

And for racing fans who want to catch the famous Epsom Derby, the 4.30pm race will be shown on screens throughout the racecourse.

Hospitality packages are already sold out, but a limited number of Edinburgh Gin Lawn experiences are still available. These exclusive packages, bookable in multiples of four, offer dedicated tables and chairs with parasols close to the parade ring action, an Ibiza chill vibe with a private DJ, and access to the Edinburgh Gin bar.

To make the day even more convenient and accessible, a special bus service will operate, offering a £10 return fare from Waterloo Place in Edinburgh departing at 11.15am and returning from the racecourse at 6pm.

“The Edinburgh Cup promises to be a day filled with excitement, fashion, and entertainment, and we would urge those still to obtain tickets not to leave it too late,” added Aisling Johnston.

Book your raceday ticket before midnight on the 31 May and save £5 per person.

For more information and to secure your Edinburgh Gin Lawn experience, visit the Musselburgh Racecourse website www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Discover Sailing at Granton Harbour

Discover Sailing: Royal Forth Yacht Club 5th May

On Sunday 5th May from 12 – 4pm at Granton harbour, the Royal Forth Yacht Club is hosting Discover Sailing: when yacht clubs such as the Royal Forth Yacht Club open up their clubhouse and harbour to the wider public for an experience of sailing.

RFYC members lend their boats, sailing expertise and time, and local organisations take a table to share their causes with the wider community too.

They are planning the usual variety of boats for people to try, organising the BBQ and hospitality.

They are grateful that the Community Action Team of the local Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be joining them this year, alongside their usual friends such as St Andrews First Aid, MCSUK, BDMLR, and Scottish Coastal Clean Up.

If you have any questions at all about Discover Sailing, please contact:

discoversailing@royalforth.org

Corgi Derby: Beckett crowned king!

Racegoers go corgi crazy at Musselburgh Racecourse

A NEW four-legged champion has been crowned for the Corgi Derby at The Sky Bet Sunday Series Raceday, Musselburgh Racecourse.

Amidst the revelry, racegoers went wild for the 12 competing Pembroke Welsh Corgis dashing down the grassy 70 metre course, in what was the biggest race to date.

In a thrilling photo finish that had spectators on the edge of their seats, it was four-year-old Beckett who nosed ahead of the pack to capture the coveted title of Fastest Corgi of 2024.

The chestnut, black and white pup edged out ahead of the competition beating year one winner Georgie by a nose, taking his claim as the new king of the racetrack.

Renowned ITV racing presenter Oli Bell had the honour of officiating the third edition of the event and presenting Beckett and his owner Heather Sliman with his winner’s trophy and treats.

The Corgi Derby, first launched in 2022 for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, has quickly become one of the most anticipated and beloved traditions at Musselburgh’s Easter Saturday festivities – which was rescheduled this year due to inclement weather.

Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Musselburgh Racecourse said: “The Corgi Derby is such a unique and fun tradition that keeps growing every year, attracting media attention from across the globe.

“We’re thrilled that the Corgi Derby could be rescheduled. Kicking off a day of high-quality racing with these adorable corgis always provides an unbeatable atmosphere.”

Following the exhilarating Corgi Derby, the event transitioned to a seven-card of top horse racing action broadcasted on ITV 4. With a staggering £225,200 prize money up for grabs, this is one of the richest racedays at Musselburgh course with the feature race of the day, The Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap Stakes, worth £75,000.

The next sensational raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse will be one of the most prestigious days of the Scottish Summer racing calendar. The Edinburgh Cup Raceday sponsored by Edinburgh Gin will take place on Saturday 1st June 2024, a celebration of Edinburgh with a day full of entertainment, music, food and competitive horse racing.

To find out more about the Edinburgh Cup, please visit: https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/sensational-7-highlights/highlight/the-edinburgh-cup-raceday

For more information and to book tickets for other race-days at Musselburgh Racecourse, please visit: https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/

The Botanist launches Live Music Event every Friday & Saturday

After a cold, grey winter, the sun is finally making an appearance, nights are getting lighter and there’s blossom on the trees; the season of days with friends turning into nights dancing until the small hours is here, and The Botanist is helping everyone celebrate summer with free live music every weekend at The Botanist LIVE. 

Supplying the soundtrack to your weekend every Friday and Saturday night, The Botanist’s talented artists are set to play live from 8pm until late. Guests can expect a vibrant party atmosphere and sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco and blues.

 The events are not ticketed and are free to attend, so all you need to do is turn up at the bar, order one of The Botanist’s refreshing botanical cocktails and wait for its house band get the party started. 

Out for the night? Showcasing what it does best, the Botanist team will be serving up signature feel-good food and shaking cocktails as usual throughout the evening, for those looking to book a table in the restaurant before letting the good times roll until the early hours. 

To find your nearest The Botanist and book your spot, visit:

https://thebotanist.uk.com/book-online 

Virgin Bet Easter Saturday curtain raiser for Musselburgh Racecourse Flat season

Musselburgh Racecourse’s 16-fixture Flat season gets under starter’s orders this weekend with the Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday.

With increased prize money of £295,000 – up £65,000 on the 2023 race day – the feature race is the £100,000 Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup, which has attracted quality entries from the leading UK training yards. Meanwhile, the £45,000 Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup – Scotland’s fastest horse race – remains an attractive proposition for the five furlong specialists.

Last year’s Queen’s Cup narrow runner-up Metier, will bid to go one better in Saturday’s big race (3.35pm). Trained in Dorset by Harry Fry, he was only half a length by Wise Eagle in the 1m 6f Heritage Handicap twelve months ago, and the Grade 1 winning hurdler also landed the 2023 Chester Cup after his excellent second-placed effort at Musselburgh.

Callum Shepherd has only recorded one winner at the East Lothian track, and Newmarket trainer George Scott has booked him for the mount on Prydwen, who was only touched off by a neck at Lingfield nearly a month ago. 

Berkshire Rocco was a gallant fifth in last year’s Ebor Handicap at York and Berkshire handler Andrew Balding has already secured David Probert for the ride, while Mark Johnston – who won two of the last four runnings – and his son Charlie have five entries including Yorkindness, who landed the Musselburgh Gold Cup over two miles last September.

Scottish interest centres around Jim Goldie-trained Faylaq and Lucinda Russell’s Evaluation, while Ian Jardine has three entries from his Dumfriesshire stable.

Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup at Ayr Racecourse

In the Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap (3.00pm), John and Sean Quinn could have one of the favourites in the shape of Jm Jungle. The Malton raider stopped a valuable prize in Bahrain in February when partnered by his regular pilot Hawick-born Jason Hart.

Silky Wilkie (2023) and Zarzyni (2022), winners of the last two renewals, are also among the entries for Karl Burke and David and Nicola Barron, respectively.

In the 2.25pm Virgin Bet Silver Arrow Handicap, last April’s winner, Gweedore, was successful for the second year running, and his Galashiels trainer, Katie Scott, is preparing her stable star for the hat-trick.

Musselburgh’s Flat season – which stretches to 6 November – includes the Edinburgh Cup sponsored by Edinburgh Gin on 1 June, Friday Night at the Races on 2 August, and the hugely popular Ladies Day on Friday 9 August, which typically is a sell-out event.

Racecourse director, Bill Farnsworth, said: “Sales for Easter Saturday are ahead of forecast so we are sure of an excellent atmosphere for our curtain raiser to the Flat season.

“Not surprisingly, the £100,000 purse for the Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup has caught the attention of some of the leading trainers and we can expect a very competitive contest. The fast and furious Scottish Sprint Cup will have the crowd on their feet as always.

“We have an excellent Flat racing programme evenly spread throughout the summer and autumn months which cements Musselburgh’s reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative and attractive racing venues and we look forward to welcoming guests old and new.”

Gates open on Saturday (30 March) at 11.30am, the first race is off at 1.50pm, and the last race at 5.20pm. Tickets booked before midnight on 29 March are reduced by £5 per person. Children aged years and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

For more information and to book a ticket visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Easter Family Activities at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Easter Activity Day, Garden Family Trail and £1 Gallery tickets

On an Easter activity day during the holidays, families can take part in arts and crafts activities as well as exploring the gardens of Edinburgh’s Royal Palace with a special family trail.

After taking inspiration from the story of the beautifully decorated Fabergé eggs in the Royal Collection, budding young artists can use paint, glitter and sequins to decorate their own Fabergé-style eggs to take home. A trip to the Palace would not be complete without a crown and children can decorate their own Easter crown to wear as they explore the State Apartments.

The family trail takes children on a journey through the gardens as they begin to spring into bloom and will help them explore the royal history, nature and wildlife of these beautiful grounds. Children can learn about the sun and moon dial which was made for Charles I, as well as exploring the medieval ruins of Holyrood Abbey, one of the most important buildings in Scottish history.

Families can also visit the recently reopened The King’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Following a successful run in London, the exhibition Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians explores life in Georgian Britain through the fashions of the day. Items on display include rare surviving items of clothing such as a court dress and items of Queen Charlotte’s impressive jewellery collection.

Also on display is a sword made for George IV’s historic visit to Edinburgh and a full-length portrait commissioned to mark the occasion. 

As part of the organisation’s charitable aim to ensure that as many people as possible can access and enjoy the Palaces and the Royal Collection, Royal Collection Trust has launched a new scheme of £1 tickets, available to those receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits.

The £1 ticket offer is available for up to six people per household when visiting The King’s Gallery in 2024, making this an affordable way for families to visit the Gallery during the Easter holidays.

The Extravagant Eggs craft activity will run in the Family Room on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the weeks Monday, 1 – Saturday, 13 April, 11:00–15:00.

The Easter activity day will be on Saturday, 30 March, 10:00–15:00.

Easter at Musselburgh a strong favourite with Virgin Bet

VIRGIN BET has been announced as the headline Easter Saturday Raceday sponsor at Musselburgh Racecourse – ahead of one of the biggest days of racing in the Scottish calendar.

Featuring the £100,000 Queen’s Cup and The Scottish Sprint Cup – regarded as Scotland’s fastest race – The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday will see some of the country’s top horses, trainers and jockeys converge on the East Lothian course on Saturday 30th March.

Bill Farnsworth, Racecourse Director with Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “In Virgin Bet we have a headline sponsor that matches our ambitions, to continue growing our Easter event and building its reputation as the pinnacle of horse racing in Scotland.

“We have a packed programme for avid racing fans. The £100,000 Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup, a Heritage Handicap staged over 1m 6f, is the feature race. With total prize money nudging £300,000, there is also a superb supporting card boasting contests such as the Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup and Virgin Bet Silver Arrow, which are run over five-furlongs and seven-furlongs, respectively.

“Last year’s winner of the Queen’s Cup, Wise Eagle, went on to finish second in a Group 3 contest at Ascot while the 2022 hero Enemy was a close runner-up in a race in Saudi Arabia worth a whopping £1.2 million.

“The Scottish Sprint Cup attracts some of the fastest horses in the country, and twelve months ago, was won in blistering style by Silky Wilkie, who, just four weeks later, was just pipped by a short-head at Epsom on Derby Day. He was also second twice in Listed grade at Beverley and York.

“Musselburgh’s five-furlong track record was set in this race by 2018 winner Caspian Prince, who stopped the clock at 56.77sec, and meant he was travelling quicker than the cars on the adjacent road!

“Top jockey Hollie Doyle landed the 2019 renewal with Saheeq, who, like Caspian Prince, was trained by Mick Appleby.  Last year’s Silver Arrow winner, Gweedore, was successful for the second year running, and his Galashiels trainer, Katie Scott, reports that she is preparing her stable star for the hat-trick!”

The high calibre of flat racing will be captured and broadcast across the UK by ITV Racing, with the racing programme starting at 1:30 and the final race getting underway at 5:20.

Ric Leask, Marketing Director at Virgin Bet, said: “We are thrilled to announce Virgin Bet as the headline sponsor for Easter Saturday Raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse.

“We are passionate about delivering an unparalleled sports betting experience, and there’s no better way to showcase this commitment than by supporting one of the biggest days of racing in the Scottish calendar.

“Musselburgh holds a special place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts, and we are excited to be a part of the excitement and tradition that the Easter Saturday Raceday brings.

“This sponsorship reflects our dedication to being a leading player in the horseracing world, and we’re delighted to continue to be deeply embedded within the highlight moments of the sport.”

Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development with Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “Easter Saturday is one of our biggest annual events that has grown over the years, gaining the royal seal of approval along the way.

“Virgin Bet coming on board is helping us to be even more ambitious with our plans, so that we can put on the perfect holiday weekend event for all manner of racegoers. 

“This includes us expanding the off-track entertainment and hospitality offering. We believe it will be our best easter raceday to date.”

With the top-quality racing matched by a wide-ranging food and drink offering, plus an after-racing party, the event promises to be one of the biggest social gatherings in the Easter social calendar.

The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday on 30th March 2024 will open doors at 11:30 am and the first race is off at 1:50 pm (subject to change).

Book your tickets before midnight on the 29th of March and save £5.00 per person with under 17s going free when accompanied by an adult, T&Cs apply.

For more information and to book tickets now for Easter Saturday, visit: 

https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/view-fixture/easter-saturday-30-03-2024

#tickets-header

Lock Up Your Loved Ones!

THE EDINBURGH DUNGEONS ARE GIVING THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS MOTHER’S DAY BY LOCKING MUM OUT OF THE ATTRACTIONS

Forget dire supermarket flowers and last-minute grab-and-go chocolates this Mother’s Day, as The Dungeons is treating motherly figures to the gift that many actually want … a day of uninterrupted peace and quiet!

This Sunday 10th March, The Edinburgh and York Dungeons are giving families the opportunity to treat their mothers, caregivers and loved ones to a day of peace and pampering by temporarily banning them from the attraction.

So bid farewell to your mum, loved one or person that generally picks up your mess at every turn as they are officially exiled from the depths of the dungeons, allowing them to bask in the serenity of their own home whilst their families can journey into the gruesome attraction which brings to life the deepest and darkest secrets from the city’s history.

Whilst this may be the ultimate gift for any hard-working family members who deserve some rest and relaxation on this special day, fear not as those organised peasants who have already pre-booked to bring their mum or those who’d still like to step back in time together will be allowed to enter, they’ll just have to pretend to be your ugly sister or plague-ridden granny!

Kathryn Adam, General Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeon, said: “While most people give cards, chocolates or flowers for Mother’s Day, we wanted to go one step further by giving mums and loved ones the gift that they often truly want yet won’t admit – some peace and quiet!

“While our attraction is full to the brim with haunts and exciting tales, we also recognise the importance of taking a break and recharging, especially for those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to caring for their families. So put your feet up and relax while your family enjoys a day of frights and fun.”

For further information and to book a visit to The Edinburgh or York Dungeons, please visit the website here: https://www.thedungeons.com