Tag: podcast

Queen Camilla’s chart-topping ‘Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ returns for 2nd season

● Neil Gaiman, Peter James, Kate Mosse and Richard E Grant among authors and actors set to feature on the 9 episode season which returns on Monday 20th May 

● The first season of ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ was listened to in 158 countries and featured in the top 1% of podcasts globally

● The first season of  the podcast also spent several consecutive weeks at the top of the book and arts podcast charts in the UK, US, Canada and Australia

The Queen’s Reading Room, the charity formed from the book club set up by Her Majesty Queen Camilla, has today announced the return of its chart-topping book podcast, ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’.  

The launch of season 2 comes just weeks after Her Majesty unveiled findings of the Charity’s ground-breaking research into benefits of reading at Clarence House AND comes only weeks before The Queen’s Reading Room Festival, which boasts a line-up including Helena Bonham Carter, Dame Harriet Walter & Harlan Coben, returns to Hampton Court Palace.  

The first series of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast featured Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin, actress Dame Joanna Lumley, and comedian David Baddiel and was listened to in 158 countries.  Upon its launch, ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ reached the top 1% of podcasts globally and spent several consecutive weeks at #1 in the UK arts and books podcast charts, #1 in the Canadian and Australian Apple books podcast charts and #14 in the US Apple podcast charts. 

Available weekly from Monday 20th May, the second season of ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’ will continue to create a space where book lovers – and those who wish to connect more with books – can hear straight from the mouths of literary heroes. 

The new season will feature a celebrated literary line-up which boasts ‘American Gods’ author Neil Gaiman, ‘Labyrinth’ author Kate Mosse and author of the ‘Roy Grace’ series Peter James, who will invite listeners inside their own reading rooms, taking us on their own personal journeys through the literature that influenced their lives. This brand new season will also feature Her Majesty Queen Camilla, who will once again let listeners in on some of her all-time favourite reads. 

CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room and podcast host Vicki Perrin said: “We were astounded by the response to the first season of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast. It is clear that the podcast reached and resonated with listeners globally, enabling them to connect and fall in love with books.

“I hope that this second season of the podcast will continue to inspire listeners to go on new literary adventures and help those wishing they loved books a little more, to discover the true joy of reading.”

The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast season 2 is available from 00:01 on Monday 20th May on all podcasting platforms. The episode schedule is as follows:

Episode 1 –  20th May – Neil Gaiman

Episode 2 – 27th May – Mel Giedroyc
Episode 3 – 3rd June – Kate Mosse
Episode 4 – 10th June – Peter James
Episode 5 – 17th June – Santa Montefiore

Episode 6 –  24th June – Ben Okri

Episode 7 – 1st July – Clare Mackintosh

Episode 8 – 8th July – Curtis Sittenfeld
Episode 9 – 15th July – Richard E Grant 

Hit podcast to stream live from Vue venues in Edinburgh next week  

A hit podcast, a legendary musical and a modern ballet will all be screening from Vue this May.  

Starting with Help I Sexted My Boss (14 May), William Hanson and Jordan North will be broadcasting live from the London Palladium in this brand-new show. 

Entertaining listeners around the world, Help I Sexted My Boss has amassed more than 50 million listens since launching over six years ago. From very different backgrounds, watch on as the comedy duo help listeners navigate the challenges of modern life. 

Also coming next week (16 and 19 May) is the legendary musical theatre classic 42nd Street, which tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway.  

Filmed live at the magnificent Theatre Royal in the heart of London’s West End, it stars national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock and features iconic songs 42nd Street, We’re In The Money and Lullaby of Broadway.  

Arriving on the big screen at Vue on 22 May is The Winter’s Tale from the Royal Ballet. It tells the story of King Leontes, who is crippled with an all-consuming jealousy when his friend King Polixenes of Bohemia stays with him and his wife Hermione. 

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this season, The Winter’s Tale is an award-winning modern ballet classic, packed with emotional turmoil heightened by Joby Talbot’s compelling score and Bob Crowley’s atmospheric designs. 

Robert Smith, General Manager for Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “Here at Vue, we pride ourselves on showcasing so much more than the biggest blockbusters – giving fans from all walks of life the chance to catch some of the best life performances from the comfort of their local Vue venue.” 

For more information and to book tickets, visit myvue.com.  

Keeping Edinburgh Active



Edinburgh Leisure’s Danceability is featured in the new ‘Keeping Edinburgh’ podcast which has recently launched for people across Edinburgh to help boost social connections across Scotland’s Capital.

Danceability, funded by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP), is one of several activities on offer as part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Fit & Active Programme – supporting those with disabilities to access socially connected, wellbeing-boosting fitness activities. 

Support to get Fit & Active can be accessed by making a referral to Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team. Everybody who is referred gets an access card that gives them reduced-cost access to activities such as the gym, swimming, or fitness classes for 1 year. 

Edinburgh Leisure takes referrals from the Local Area Co-ordination Team supporting young adults, from support providers and social workers or people with a learning disability can also self-refer to request support.  

Using their card, participants can attend any of Edinburgh Leisure’s gym, swim or fitness class sessions, as well as their specific Fit & Active activities for adults with learning disabilities that are available at Meadowbank Sports Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre. 

Sara Kemp, Equalities Community Development Officer for Edinburgh Leisure, explains:  “The funding from EHSCP is around supporting people to have more good days and physical activity is key to this. 

“There is a lot of data out there that says that people with physical and learning difficulties were among the most affected by services closing and not restarting after the pandemic. They also experienced the most social isolation.  

“If you think about lockdown, a lot of people who come to our classes rely on support workers to go out and meet other people so they can have fun in social situations – and all that was taken away.

“A lot of services didn’t restart after COVID-19 and that was due to a lack of funding for some of them, and at the beginning, due to restrictions on space. But Edinburgh Leisure has managed to restart Danceability and customers have started to come back after this period of potentially quite long isolation with the disabled community once again able to get out and socialise, and have a good time.”

The benefits of exercise are well documented.  Beyond the physical benefits, keeping active can improve mental health, quality of life and overall well-being. The second episode, Keeping Edinburgh Active, explores how organisations are offering opportunities to improve accessibility for anyone to keep active, and how keeping active is helping build confidence amongst those facing emotional or physical struggles or other disadvantages. 

The new ‘Keeping Edinburgh podcast’ launched in late November and is presented by Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter (and keyboardist to Callum Beattie) Gus Harrower. As well as a touring musician, Gus was approached for this project thanks to his ongoing work as an established Community Musician, working with major charities and organisations to empower and improve people’s well-being through music. 

The initial six-episode pilot series is an investment by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, with the podcast designed and delivered in collaboration with partners across NHS Scotland and the third and independent sectors. 

The series aims to highlight just some of the thousands of opportunities across the capital to support people’s well-being and launches at the start of the winter period – a time that sees increased pressure on health and social care services with research showing that those experiencing loneliness are more likely to visit their GP or A&E during this time.

Each half-hour episode provides an immersive audio journey into some of the many free-to-access social-prescribing experiences across the Capital, that are helping individuals and communities to have more good days. The first two episodes are available now to download via Apple and Spotify and feature experiences from several established Edinburgh organisations including Capital Theatres, Edinburgh Leisure, and Volunteer Edinburgh.

Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick, Strategic Programme Manager at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership is committed to addressing social isolation as it is the number one public health issue globally.

She says, “It’s an issue we all have to try and tackle. Part of that comes from increasing our individual and collective awareness of the breadth and range of opportunities out there that can offer people the opportunity to connect with one another and have more good days.”

“Whether it’s arts initiatives, community meals, physical exercise, mindfulness, or simply getting outdoors, there are many different options to benefit from. We want to showcase a ‘tip of the iceberg’ view of what’s out there, as well as help listeners, get a taste of what it’s like to be part of different groups and activities – experience what it’s like to be in the room or places alongside people already benefitting from these activities.

“We hope to build that shared knowledge as well as that confidence with listeners to take their own first steps by hearing directly from others who are benefitting from these wonderful programmes.”

Launching with an initial two episodes – Keeping People Connected (ep 1) and Keeping People Active (ep 2) – further episodes of the initial six-episode series will be released monthly covering initiatives and spaces across the arts, physical activities, community gardens, volunteering, and more. 

The ‘fly on the wall’ audio experience aims to offer an engaging content experience for anyone. For avid podcast listeners, its content and style of storytelling is one that sits within multiple genres, with a strong slant towards society and culture, as well as the podcast’s health and well-being-boosting intentions. 

Listen now: www.podfollow.com/keepingedinburgh

Find out more:  www.edinburghhsc.scot/moregooddays

More information on Fit & Active: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/fit-and-active 

To discuss a referral to Fit & Active get in touch by emailing: 

active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Nation’s spellbinding tales come to life with latest Love Scotland season

Fourth series kicks off with surprising insights on Scottish legend, Flora MacDonald

Love Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) podcast presented by NTS President, Jackie Bird, has returned for a fourth season. Each week, the podcast uncovers spellbinding stories from Scotland’s history, starting with the remarkable tale of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.

The inaugural episode of season four sees former BBC Reporting Scotland anchor, Jackie Bird, sit down with author Flora Fraser as they take a deep dive into the life of Flora MacDonald, the 24-year-old unlikely heroine who helped assist the defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Benbecula to the Isle of Skye in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden.

While immortalised in the Skye Boat Song, Flora MacDonald’s life beyond that dramatic escape is little understood by most, despite being of great historic interest. In this fascinating first episode, Flora Fraser, author of the forthcoming biography, Pretty Young Rebel: The Life of Flora MacDonald, explores who Flora really was, how she came to help Prince Charles and what happened to her in the years that followed.

As Scotland’s leading independent conservation charity, the Trust cares for over 100 sites across the country, spanning from castles and coastlines, art to architecture and wildlife. Episodes of Love Scotland range from thrilling tales about some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, to exploring Scotland’s history of ghost stories. Guests also discuss issues close to the Trust’s heart including conservation and sustainability.

Jim Whyteside, Interim Director of Customer & Cause at National Trust for Scotland, said: “The Love Scotland podcast is a fantastic way for us to further engage with everyone that is just as fascinated as us by the wealth of stories and heritage Scotland has to offer.

“We are excited to continue to have incredibly interesting guests on each week, having the chance to share our history with those tuning in from across the world and give our heritage the voice it truly deserves.”

Highlighting one of the Trust’s key pillars in driving forward its ten-year-strategy rolled out earlier this year: Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone. The charity aims to engage the public with the vast array of secrets and stories of Scotland ready to be told, and highlights the work constantly being done to conserve our country’s rich history. Keen listeners are in luck this season as the Trust has changed its upload schedule from bi-weekly to weekly with a brand-new episode coming out every Friday.  

For more information on the National Trust for Scotland visit: www.nts.org.uk.

Love Scotland can be accessed on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or directly via its website: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/for-the-love-of-scotland-podcasts

Podcast is sound choice for all passionate on independent living

Blackwood’s 50th anniversary includes new show for underserved sector

A pioneering independent living specialist in Scotland is launching a dedicated podcast to help celebrate 50 years of helping people live more independently.

Blackwood has promised the episodes will have something for everyone interested in Scotland’s rapidly changing housing, health and social care sector – including its own staff and customers.

The new venture will feature an exciting line-up of guests that reads like a Who’s Who of housing, health and social care, as well as leading experts in robotics and designers focused on improving living spaces for those with disabilities or age-related conditions.

Fanchea Kelly, Chief Executive of Blackwood, said: “We’re privileged to have access to so many interesting people who have given so much throughout their professional lives to improving the lives of others.

“So, we are incredibly pleased to be creating a new platform for those voices that will help explain and explore their work while making it easily accessible.

“We’ll be speaking with agenda setters and policy makers as well as the finest minds in science, research, robotics, smart technology and design. What unites them all is a passion for helping people to live longer, happier and more independent lives.”

As well as high-profile guests, the new podcast will also help the charity celebrate its 50th anniversary by focusing on some of its longest-serving staff and customers, who will tell their personal stories about how Blackwood changed their lives for the better.

Since being founded by disability campaigner Dr Margaret Blackwood, the organisation has gone on to become one of the most progressive in helping people to live independently, despite disabilities, mobility-limiting conditions and the effects of ageing.

Particularly renowned as a pioneer in technology, Blackwood’s annual Design Awards attract inventors and innovators from all over the world, while its bespoke “Blackwood House” design is seen as the benchmark for tech-assisted independent living.

Confirmed guests lined up for the new podcast include social care policy leaders, Brian Sloan the Chief Executive of Age Scotland; and Blackwood’s own high-respected Chair, Julie McDowell.

Broadcaster Pennie Taylor is also scheduled for a host slot. She is best-known as a long-standing BBC Scotland Health Correspondent and is still one of the country’s top journalists covering the health and social care sectors.

Other episodes will feature Blackwood’s tech champions interviewing academic experts on how robots and other cutting-edge technology will continue to transform independent living.

They will include Professor Praminda Caleb- Solly, of the University of Nottingham and Dr Mauro Dragone, from Heriot-Watt Universities Edinburgh Centre for Robotics.

Fanchea added: “There really will be something for everyone. We all know someone who needs extra care to live independently and since growing older is an inevitability, we have a vested interest in this for our own futures.

“The pace of technological change is summed up in podcasts, which have become one of the most accessible forms of communication there is, so it is a fitting format for Blackwood to adopt as we celebrate 50 years.

“The housing and care sector has gone through a tremendous change since we started, especially with advances in digital technology. We want to ensure Blackwood is at the forefront of what the next 50 years will bring.”

Since 1972, Blackwood housing and care has been providing specialist accommodation aimed at maximising independent living – with innovation being a key driving force.

The charity’s vision has remained consistent with what founder Dr Margaret Blackwood set out years ago – “helping people live their life to the full”.

Technology modernisation has seen the installation of a digital services system, CleverCogs alongside the launch of the bespoke “Blackwood House”, which is a cutting-edge design combining technology and modern construction to meet customer’s changing needs.

Blackwood operates more than 1500 properties across 29 local authorities, helping transform its customers’ lives.

The podcast will be available on the Blackwood website as well as on the usual channels including iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and most mainstream podcast apps – or by visiting https://www.spreaker.com/show/blackwood-50

Sleep Cove Podcast Plans Ukraine Charity Special Episode

Sleep Cove, one of the world’s largest Health podcasts, is hosting a Ukraine charity special episode. All sponsorship money will be donated to charities with the episode content chosen by Ukrainians.

Christopher Fitton, the founder of Sleep Cove, the podcast that helps people sleep with hypnosis, meditations and stories, is producing a charity special episode for the people of Ukraine.

Christopher says, “Before I worked full-time in mental health, I contracted for a tech company that had many staff based in Ukraine, especially Kharkiv.

“My colleagues were fantastic people and upon seeing how the terrible invasion unfolded, I reached out to them, offering to do a charity special for a Ukrainian cause of their choice.

“A Ukrainian fairy-tale called Kotyhoroshko (pea-roller in English) was chosen as the bedtime story for the episode. It’s a tale of how a boy defeats a dragon, which seems like a perfect analogy right now.

There will be a charity drive on the show for listeners to donate to charities helping Ukraine and its people.”

The episode goes live today – 14th March. All episode sponsorship money from present and future advertisements will be donated to these causes:

Robert Louis Stevenson family bible comes home to Edinburgh

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh (MGE) is delighted to reveal important new donations to the Writers’ Museum collections, relating to the family and life of author Robert Louis Stevenson.

Among the donations are the Stevenson family Bible, bible box and a family genealogical record written by Stevenson’s grandfather, Robert, the first of the famed lighthouse engineers.

The family record lists personal details of births, deaths and marriages in the family over many generations, while the bible has fascinating marks and notations from years of heavy use.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener said: These are fantastic additions to our collections, offering our residents and visitors such lovely and important further insights into such an iconic family.  

“I have no doubt this generous contribution will generate much interest and the city’s lasting gratitude.

Curator Anna MacQuarrie said: “Our Stevenson collections speak to the life and experiences of this great writer, both as a young boy and his later days spent in the South Seas.

“These new donations are a wonderful addition to the collection, allowing us to imagine what kind of influence these objects might have had on his young life and later inspirations.

“We are sincerely grateful to the donor for their generosity, enabling the wider public to better understand Stevenson and his family background.

The donor, who chose to remain anonymous, said: “I was touched by the gracious, enthusiastic attitude of the curators to whom I recently passed on family items, pertaining to Louis/RLS and the lighthouse engineer side of our family.

“Gifting was made easier by the knowledge and assurance that a wider public would benefit from being able to see other pieces in the familial, Stevenson jigsaw puzzle. It was a relief to realise that the items would be honoured and cared for – and subsequently appreciated by many other interested parties.

Jeremy Hodges, Robert Louis Stevenson biographer and co-ordinator of the annual RLS Day celebrations, said: “Despite the international fame of RLS as an author, he always felt slightly guilty about not following in his father’s footsteps as a builder of lighthouses – a proper job of more importance than making stories.

“He remedied this in part by writing Records of a Family of Engineers, drawing on the kind of genealogical material that forms part of this bequest.

“The family Bible would have been treasured by the devout Robert Stevenson and his descendants, including Robert Louis – despite his announcement in his early twenties that he no longer believed in the Christian religion, a confession that led to traumatic rows with his God-fearing parents.”

To further celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson day online MGE has an online talk on ‘Island Characters’ by Jeremy Hodges from the Robert Louis Stevenson Club, and a podcast (link to go live on 13 Nov) discussing the renowned Stevenson photo albums and new donations.

The Cultural Coven Podcast returns for series two

Stellar line up of star guests set to reveal all

After the success of the first season which saw guests such as Sam Heughan, Ian Rankin, Elaine C Smith, Liz Lochhead and more chatting to actress Nicola Roy about Scottish arts and culture, The Cultural Coven podcast is returning for series two.

The fortnightly series will kick off with a scintillating interview with superstar Alan Cumming on 10 November, followed by episodes starring Maureen Beattie (24 November), Grant Stott (8 December), Karen Dunbar (22 December), Sanjeev Kohli (5 January), Jackie Kay (19 January) and Len Pennie (2 February), before the season finishes with an extra special guest.

The Cultural Coven is a fortnightly podcast series that explores the lives of some of Scotland’s leading arts and cultural figures through conversation (and a bit of banter) with podcast host, actress Nicola Roy. 

It delves into the creative and life journeys of guests from backgrounds in music, theatre, TV and literature. With conversations covering life journeys, politics, arts and culture in Scotland, and fun green-room gossip and creative challenges along the way, the podcast connects the public with the artists, most of whom Nicola Roy has either worked with as an actress or has crossed paths with in the industry.  

This season is produced by Li Kennedy, with music by kind permission of Cameron Barnes of The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. It is presented in association with the Stephen Dunn Theatre Fund and the Lyceum Theatre, and is based on an idea by Stephen Dunn and Nicola Roy. ​ With strong ties to the Lyceum herself, many of Nicola’s guests will all have an association with Scotland’s leading producing theatre.

As the podcast grew out of the pandemic, it aims to keep artists and the public connected. From hard-hitting subjects to custom creative challenges, the podcast is an accessible celebration of arts and culture in Scotland and a window into the lives of the fascinating folk who feature on it.

Episodes will be released every two weeks and will again be freely available on all major podcast platforms. Season one is currently available in its entirety on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Google, and Spotify. 

Listeners can subscribe now to be notified when new episodes are released fortnightly beginning with Alan Cumming’s episode on 10 November, where Nicola and Alan discuss topics such as safety on film sets, bullying in the industry, and Alan’s friendship with Monica Lewinsky.

Nicola Roy said: “I am delighted to build on the lovely success of the first series and give listeners more top chat from fascinating folk for series two. It’s fantastic to celebrate our rich cultural landscape and our much-loved Arts and Cultural figures, many whom amplify Scotland’s creativity across the world, at a time when Scotland is questioning her identity. 

“I have been very lucky to work and cross-paths with the type of people my 12 year old-self daydreamed about meeting. People with brilliant stories, humour and insight. Who wouldn’t want to know more about them? This project was born out of lockdown with the aim of keeping the public and artists connected. I love bringing people together, and this podcast is another way of doing that”

David Greig, Artistic Director of Lyceum Theatre, said: “Cultural Coven is a chance to celebrate and hear another, backstage, side of the people who make Scottish Culture.

“Nicola’s a warm, funny interviewer who brings out the best in her guests. The conversations are recorded in The Lyceum and I’m really proud that Nicola’s producing this work in association with us. Her wide ranging conversations make a piquant, illuminating pairing with the work we do on stage.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in a tweet about the first series on 30.04.21, said: “If you like podcasts I highly recommend @CulturalCoven – brilliant interviews of really interesting people by @NicolaMRoy”

Alan Cumming said: “I had a lovely, lovely chat with Nicola, and I’ve never wanted to be a witch before but I really enjoyed being a part of The Cultural Coven.”

Maureen Beattie said: “We laughed a lot when we were recording my contribution to The Cultural Coven, but Nicola isn’t afraid to ask the deeper, more serious questions as well. She’s a brilliant interviewer – we could have gone on for hours!”

Karen Dunbar said: “The Cultural Coven was really enjoyable to record. Nicola’s chat, insights and questions helped take the interview in a refreshing direction. Give it a listen (or I’ll come round to your house and put a bat up your nightdress)“

For more information, please visit lyceum.org.uk/about-the-lyceum/artists/the-cultural-coven or follow The Cultural Coven on Twitter and Instagram.

The Amplify Project podcast launched in Black History Month

Black British Writers In Their Own Words

The Amplify Project podcast has been launched to celebrate and highlight the importance of Black British writers across stage, page and screen in the UK. 

Hosted by award-winning writers; playwright, author and director, Patricia Cumper MBE and writer and creative producer, Pauline Walker, each episode is an in-depth conversation with a Black British author, delving into their backgrounds and inspirations, the art and craft of writing, and what it means to be a Black British writer and how it has impacted their writing, and more. 

Listeners are invited to join in the conversation. Listen to the trailer here.

Funded by the Arts Council England, this ground-breaking new podcast is dedicated to addressing the undervaluing of Black British writers by promoting and examining the Black British literary canon, exploring the history and ideas of some of Britain’s most influential and innovative writers. 

Each week Patricia and Pauline speak to a different guest, about their own unique experience of being an author, and deep dive into the topics that impacted their lives and their writing. 

Guests include Alex Wheatle MBE (author profiled in Steve McQueen’s award-winning BBC drama Small Axe), Colin Grant (author, independent historian & producer for BBC radio), Diana Evans FRSL (London based award-winning, bestselling author), Hafsa Zayyan (winner of Stormzy’s inaugural #Merky Books new writers’ prize), Juliet Gilkes Romero (award-winning writer for stage and screen,) Nick Makoha, (award-winning author) and Oladipo Agboluaje (winner of the 2009 Alfred Fagon Award). 

Pauline Walker, co-creator of the podcast said, “We started talking about this project in May 2020, wanting to find a way to profile the careers and work of Black British writers, something we felt was lacking. 

“When you read something like “Publishers claim that they would like to reach more diverse audiences but do not know how to, or are reluctant to expend resources on doing so” in a report [Re:Thinking ‘Diversity’ in Publishing] it’s quite disheartening because Black British writers and their work is no less valuable or vital than non-Black writers and we wanted to change that and I’m so thrilled that we’ve been able to bring the project to life with the support of Arts Council England. 

“One of my favourite things about the podcast is listening to our guests’ stories of how they found their way to writing and what it means to them to be a writer”. 

Patricia Cumper MBE, co-creator of the podcast, continued: “There is no one Black British identity. More than anything else, that is what I’ve learned from making these podcasts. 

“The range of life stories and the many routes that Black writers have found into making work and viable careers for themselves is astonishing. What comes through in all of the interviews is the power of storytelling: to entertain, to educate, to heal, to reveal hidden worlds and new stories, and the sheer bloody-mindedness and determination to speak out that it takes to be a successful storyteller whatever your genre.  And it was was fun: challenging, surprising, riveting but most of all fun.  I am deeply grateful to the writers for these conversations”. 

Season one of The Amplify Project will feature twelve episodes, with episodes 1-4 readily available on the Amplify Project website here. 

Episodes will be released fortnightly. 

*Episodes of the podcast are available to listen to here * 

Heart of Newhaven: Past, Present and Future

Welcome to your July Newsletter. This is a newsletter about past, present and future.

First: the past.

We have been receiving plenty of positive feedback from the Pots of Kindness project. If you remember, this involved pupils from Victoria Primary School potting up edible flowers, herbs and vegetables and distributing them to some of the isolated or elderly members of the community, whose details were supplied by the Pilmeny Development Project (PDP). Recipients have been responding.

“What a lovely idea. It is so nice to be part of this initiative. As you know I am housebound, so it is great that I can still be part of the community while being at home. I loved the beautiful letter I received from the pupil – what a fantastic idea. Thank you,” said one.

Mary from PDP received a phone call once one pack was delivered

“Thank you so much for the plant and letter – I absolutely love it. I am delighted with the wee package and the letter from the pupil was adorable. And the man who delivered the package was really friendly – thank you”.

A few weeks later, the same recipient rang Mary to say “My plant has started sprouting – I have it on my window sill and I check it everyday. It was great getting the instructions on how to help the plant grow. I really am delighted to be part of this project – thank you”.

“My spinach has started to grow – I love Spinach and I think I might be like Popeye after this. The letter from the pupil was so sweet – thank you,” said another.

We’re glad it has proved so welcome.

The Present

Our partners at the PDP are organising more volunteer induction sessions so if you would like to get involved, make a note of this date: Saturday 7th August at 11am on Zoom, when you can find out about the different volunteering opportunities available within PDP. Expectations, boundaries and confidentiality will be among the topics for discussion.

Similarly, you can join in the HoNC/ PDP Newhaven Virtual Coffee Group for those living in or around Newhaven on either Mon 19th July at 4pm or Mon 16th Aug at 4pm, both on Zoom.

If you are interested in these events then please contact Norma by Email

Still in the present:

We’re thrilled to tell you that the University of Edinburgh student social media team has included HoNC in the most recent episode of their popular podcast’s third series

The Broadcast is The Broad Online’s podcast and aims to bring local community initiatives to its listeners’ attention. HoNC trustee Judy Crabb and Head of Victoria Primary School Laura Thomson were engaged in discussion on the creation of our intergenerational community centre in the old school in the latest recording.

Lauren Galligan and Jack Liddall were the co-hosts and interviewers. She is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Broad Online. Jack is the Secretary of The Broad and a volunteer with HoNC.

The podcast will shortly be available to listen to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Podbean. We will share a link to the podcast on the Heart’s social media and website as soon as it is available.

Future

Now on to the future. The Men’s Shed members have been busy at work on our Friendship Benches, which we aim to have ready for Mental Health Day in October. We will be organising painting and decorating days with local artist Johnathan Elders over the summer holidays, so watch this space.

In the immediate future, we await the decision from the Scottish Land Fund on our application for the funds required to make good our promise to buy the school site.

We will pass on the news as soon as we can.

Keep your fingers crossed!