MUSIC FANS INVITED TO ‘HAVE THEIR SAY’ ON SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL MUSIC PRIZE
Scotland’s national music prize, The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today invites music fans to ‘Have their SAY’ and vote for their favourite Scottish album.
The SAY Award’s 72 hour public vote is open now, meaning the public can back their favourite Longlisted album to secure its place on 2024’s Shortlist: remaining in the running to win the coveted title and £20,000 first place prize.
The free vote is now open via www.sayaward.com – fans have 72 hours to back their favourite record, with a diverse range of albums in the running from the likes of Arab Strap, Barry Can’t Swim, Becky Sikasa, Theo Bleak, The Snuts and more.
Voting closes 11.59pm Wednesday 2nd October.
Plus, The SAY Award has revealed 2024’s judging panel includes Scottish actor and comedian Karen Dunbar, author Doug Johnstone, BBC Radio Scotland presenter Stephanie Cheape, V&A Dundee Director Leonie Bell, Amazon Music’s Hazel Berry and more.
Music fans can vote once per person, choosing between 20 albums on The SAY Award Longlist, from trad to jazz, metal to indie and more. The album with the most public votes will be guaranteed a place on the 10-strong Shortlist, taking home a minimum prize of £1,000 and remaining in the running to win the title of Scottish Album of the Year and a £20,000 prize.
The SAY Award Longlist
Afterlands We Are the Animals in the Night
Amy LaurensonStrands
Arab StrapI’m totally fine with it don’t give a fuck anymore
Barry Can’t SwimWhen Will We Land?
Becky Sikasa The Writings and the Pictures and the Song
Bee AshaGoodbye, Gracious
Blue Rose CodeBright Circumstance
Broken ChanterChorus Of Doubt
corto.alto Bad With Names
Dead PonyIGNORE THIS
Empire State BastardRivers of Heresy
Fergus McCreadieStream
Kathryn Williams & Withered HandWillson Williams
Lucia & The Best BoysBurning Castles
Malin LewisHalocline
Mama TerraThe Summoned
Rachel SermanniDreamer Awake
rEDOLENTdinny greet
The Snuts Millennials
Theo Bleak Pain
The nine other albums on the Shortlist will be chosen by an esteemed judging panel, chaired by culture journalist and music professional Arusa Qureshi. The Shortlist will be announced Thursday 3rd October, with The SAY Award winner unveiled at this year’s Ceremony, taking place on Thursday 24th October at Stirling’s Albert Halls.
Buy tickets for The SAY Award Ceremony now via www.sayaward.com.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: “Each year, The SAY Award public vote is a chance for music fans to have their SAY and help determine the Scottish Album of the Year.
“The public’s choice will be guaranteed a place in this year’s Shortlist, securing them a minimum prize of £1,000 and keeping them in the running to win the overall prize of £20,000.
“We encourage music fans across Scotland to get involved, back their favourite record and have their SAY by taking part in the public vote. Best of luck to this year’s Longlist – it’s a truly fantastic snapshot of Scottish music from the past year, and we’re looking forward to celebrating these records and more, at The SAY Award Ceremony next month.”
2024’s judging panel will reconvene at The SAY Award Ceremony to choose the ultimate winner. This year’s judging panel is: Alistair Braidwood (Owner/Host, Scots Whay Hae!), Briana Pegado (Author & Founder, Good Trouble Co.), David Pollock (Journalist), Doug Johnstone (Author), Hazel Berry (Artist Relations & Amazon Originals Lead, Amazon Music), Karen Dunbar (Comedian/Actress/Entertainer), KevTame (Music Industry Professional, Welsh Music Prize Organiser), Leonie Bell (Director, V&A Dundee), Paul Bonham (Professional Development Director, Music Manager’s Forum), Sabrina Henry (Head of Programme, CCA), Stephanie Cheape (Singer/songwriter and BBC Introducing Presenter, BBC Radio Scotland).
All shortlistedartists receive a trophy designed by Dunblane glass maker Elin Isaksson via The SAY Award Design Commission, as well as a prize of £1,000. The SAY Awardwinner takes home the ultimate prize of £20,000 plus a bespoke trophy, which will be made from recycled and molten glass.
One of the most highly anticipated nights in Scotland’s musical calendar, music fans can buy tickets to attend The SAY Award Ceremony, joining an audience of artists, industry professionals, press and cultural tastemakers to celebrate outstanding Scottish music, with a series of special live performances on the night.
The SAY Award judging panel will reconvene to select 2024’s Scottish Album of the Year Award winner, exclusively announced at 2024’s ceremony, alongside this year’s Modern Scottish Classic and Sound of Young Scotland winners.
The SAY Award is a Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) production. The SAY Award 2024 is delivered in partnership with Creative Scotland, Stirling Council, Stirling Alive with Culture, Seabass Vinyl, Ticketmaster, Help Musicians, HMV, FOPP, PPL, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative, Youth Music, Music Declares Emergency and Hotel Colessio (hotel partner for The SAY Award Ceremony).
The SAY Award’s charity partner is Scotland’s national children’s and young people’s mental health charity, Tiny Changes, set up in memory of Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison to help young minds feel better.
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
This year’s shortlist includes 32 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country following a record-breaking number of nominations. While a judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Wednesday 24 May 2023.
Edinburgh Science has been recognised as a finalist in the ‘Climate Conscious’ category and are encouraging those in Edinburgh to vote for them.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Science said: “Climate change is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges of our time but we believe that if we all work together we can build a better future for everyone.
“Edinburgh Science has been dedicated to taking climate action for many years now, from empowering our Edinburgh Science Festival audiences, supporting small businesses and organisations to build their own carbon management plans with The NetZeroToolkit and even with senior business leaders and decision-makers through our Climate Co-Lab meetings.
“We are proud to be shortlisted for this important award – it really does mean the world to us.”
The 2023 Scottish Charity Awards winners will be announced at a celebratory awards ceremony in Edinburgh on 23 June 2023 – hosted by TV presenter Sally Magnusson.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “This year’s Scottish Charity Awards are a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the exceptional individuals and groups within our vibrant sector.
“This year’s record-breaking number of nominations underlines the strength of Scotland’s voluntary sector, and the crucial work that we see from charities and voluntary organisations across the country. The hard work and dedication of people and organisations like these 32 finalists are making Scotland a better place to live and work.
“There is still a chance to have your own voice heard by voting in the People’s Choice Award. Don’t be late – participate!
To view the full list of finalists, visit the SCVO website.
St Luke the Evangelist Church in St Andrews flies the flag for Scotland
Voting is now open to select the national winner in Ecclesiastical’s Good News church competition
Five regional winners received £1,500 each after submitting their Good News stories
A final overall winner will be selected following a public vote with the winner receiving £6,000 for their church
Voting has opened to decide the national winner of Ecclesiastical Insurance’s ‘Good News’ competition and give one church £6,000.
Good News launched last year to shine a light on the vital work Anglican Churches do by sharing their good news stories and showcasing all the ways that people in their local area have pulled together to make a difference.
Almost 200 entries were submitted from across the UK, covering stories about home delivery services for people self-isolating, community cafés and virtual events.
Five regional winners were chosen in November, receiving £1,500 towards their work. They now stand a chance of winning the grand prize of £6,000 – bringing their total winnings to £7,500.
Picture by Clint Randall www.pixelprphotography.co.uk
The public now has the chance to vote for their favourite before a panel of Ecclesiastical Insurance and church representatives select an overall winner.
Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical, said: “Despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought with it, churches have remained a beacon of hope to the communities they are based in.
“The response to the competition was fantastic and we received lots of incredible entries showing how churches pulled together with their local communities during what has been an incredibly difficult time for so many of us.
“The five regional winners really stood out to the judges and we’re now urging the public to show their support for their local church to be crowned as national winner.”
Picture by Clint Randall www.pixelprphotography.co.uk
Voting for the national winner opened on Wednesday 5 January and closes on Monday 28 February.
As an extraordinary year full of so many inspiring sporting moments draws to a close, UK Coaching is encouraging the nation to vote for its Great Coaching Moment, to be announced at next month’s UK Coaching Awards.
The Great Coaching Moment Award focuses not only on the material successes of coaches but on how they ground their work in putting people first. And with each of the incredible nominees, their unique connection with their team or athlete sets them apart and typifies what great coaching is all about.
Nominated and judged by an independent panel, this year’s finalists include:
Gareth Southgate – The England national team Head Coach protected and supported his players as they received criticism for choosing to take the knee before international matches. The outstanding leadership shown by Southgate amongst negative rhetoric, to insist England were “more determined than ever” to take a knee, encapsulated the togetherness he had created amongst his squad.
Jane Figueiredo – Figuerido helped make Tom Daley’s already legendary GB legacy a golden one, supporting him to a first ever Olympic title. Following the diver’s heartbreak at the Rio Olympics where he was unable to reach the final, Figueiredoopted to pair Daley with new partner Matty Lee at Tokyo 2020 – and gave us one of the most inspirational moments of the entire competition.
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Coaching Team – Head coach Paul Shaw and his backroom staff made history against all odds, with The Sweet Chariots bringing home a first ever Paralympic gold. This was all the more remarkable, given that the team had lost all their funding just a few years out from the tournament – yet such was their belief they could succeed, the coaching staff continued as unpaid volunteers, and immortalised themselves as Paralympic champions.
Gaz Choudhry – Choudhry stepped up for his teammates at the most pressurised moment possible as GB’s wheelchair basketball coach Haj Bhania tested positive for Covid prior to the Toko Paralympics and was unable to travel with the team. Leading the team as player-coach, Choudhry rallied the team despite circumstances conspiring against them, picking up an unprecedented bronze medal.
Discussing the shortlist for this year’s Great Coaching Moment Award, UK Coaching’s Director of Coaching Emma Atkins said: “This shortlist showcases the year’s best coaching moments. The moments that have inspired us all, made us feel proud and at times made us all very emotional, reminding us that with great coaching, so much is possible even through adversity.
“These coaches have stepped up when their athletes most needed them, they have looked at what can be done, and on the biggest stages taking the pressure off athletes so they can perform at their very best. Without fail these great coaches have considered the needs of others first and have shown us all that great coaching changes lives.
“Each of those shortlisted can be so proud of their own coaching moment and I cannot wait to see who the public chooses at our UK Coaching Awards 2021.”
The UK Coaching Awards are set to take place on Tuesday 7 December 2021 and will recognise and celebrate the work of people and organisations who are making a significant impact in communities across the country.
Congratulations to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), who received not one but TWO top awards at last night’s SCVO Scottish Charity Awards event!
The charity explained on Facebook: ‘Something pretty AMAZING happened tonight … ECHC won the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD at SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2021!
‘And then, just as we were gathering our thoughts and getting our emotions in check … we were announced as WINNERS of CHARITY OF THE YEAR too!
‘This is truly incredible. THANK YOU to everyone who voted for us and to our wonderful supporters, partners, volunteers and staff for your dedication in helping children and families in hospital.
‘This past year has been one of the toughest and we could not have done it without you all. So, this one’s for you…THANK YOU! ‘
ECHC’s Victoria Buchanan said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named Charity of the Year and People’s Choice winner at the Scottish Charity Awards 2021! Through the tightest Covid restrictions and a hospital move; ECHC was privileged to stand alongside those ill, injured and shielding at home.
” From emergency care packs, silent discos, giant inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, we pulled out all the stops to continue to bring fun, comfort and friendship to wards and waiting rooms and ease worries during one of the toughest years families have faced.
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our supporters, partners, staff and volunteers. This award is recognition of their phenomenal efforts to ensure children in hospital could be children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.”
https://youtu.be/C8chri-SO_o
You can watch the whole SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2021 event on YouTube (above).
The winners of the annual awards ceremony dedicated to recognising Scotland’s voluntary sector were announced last night (1 October) in a glittering online event hosted by Sally Magnusson live from the EICC.
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 47 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.
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 12,000 votes cast. As a result this year one finalist received both the Charity of the Year and People’s Choice Awards!
The winners for 2021 are:
Campaign of the year – Stop It Now! Scotland – Get Help or Get Caught
Child Sexual Abuse impacts one in six children in Scotland and targeting offenders is one of the most important ways of tackling abuse before it happens. As a result of the ‘Get Help or Get Caught’ campaign over 79,000 people visited the team’s website and 185 people accessed specialist self-help resources designed for people who are worried about their own online behaviour towards children and young people.
Stuart Allardyce, Director Stop It Now! Scotland said: “We’re thrilled to have won Campaign of the Year for our #GetHelporGetCaught campaign – thank you so much. As a child protection charity, our aim at Stop It Now! Scotland is to prevent children from being sexually abused, whether that’s online or offline.
“Child sexual abuse affects one in six children across the UK, and the number of adults posing a threat to children is growing. Our campaign is one way to tackle that problem, by telling adults who are offending or who might offend about the harm they cause, the consequences, and the support our helpline and website provide to stop their illegal behaviour.”
A special commendation was given to Aberlour Children’s Charity – Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund.
Volunteer of the year–Central and West Integration Network – Shawn Nicholas Fernandez
Shawn wants to be a role model for both BAME and disadvantaged communities. He successfully made an impact in communities across Glasgow by delivering Cyber Crime Prevention Awareness Workshops and also creating a space through a community gardening project to help refugees by encouraging them to spend more time in nature to benefit their mental health and wellbeing.
Sean said: “I am extremely overwhelmed and proud to be part of Central and West Integration Network and a special thanks goes to all the Staffs and the beautiful volunteers who are always working unconditionally without expectations.
“By winning this award, I hope it will be an eye opener and encouragement for other volunteers especially those that are socially excluded. Nothing is impossible if we put our minds to it. Every organisation should recognise their volunteers and their contributions to the community because they are the cornerstone and should be rewarded.
“Circumstances in life may not always turn out the way we want it to be. Life may not be as smooth as we want it to be. But hard work, dedication and perseverance goes a long way. Thank you.”
A special commendation was given to Bob MacKenzie from CACE (Cumbernauld Action on Care of the Elderly)
Pioneering project – Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs – Click and Deliver Naloxone
Over the last ten years, nearly 10,000 families in Scotland lost a loved one through drug-related death. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdose, providing vital time to call an ambulance.
The team at Scottish Families recognised the need for access to this vital medication and launched a unique national Click and Deliver service, providing training and free Naloxone by post to any adult in Scotland. From May 2020 until March 2021, the team issued 295 kits, potentially saving 295 lives.
CEO Justina Murray said: “We are absolutely delighted to win the Pioneering Project Award. This life saving project was set up in a matter of days, at the height of lockdown and we are so proud of it.
“Our colleague Suzanne Gallagher has done an awe inspiring job of running this service from her front room, delivering 743 kits and counting. Thanks also need to go to Kirsten Horsburgh and our friends at Scottish Drugs Forum for everything they have done to help create and promote this service.”
Employee of the year – Carers Trust Scotland – Nicola Bell
Nicola has achieved a huge amount in the last 12 months. Working with young carers, she set up #Supermarkets4Change, campaigning to raise awareness of unpaid carers with supermarkets to include young carers in the protected hours set aside for vulnerable people to shop.
This work, led to those young people nominating her for the Scottish Youth Parliament Support Worker of the Year Award, which she went on to successfully win. Resources she produced for professionals and young carers on the topic of supporting carers through a whole family approach have been so well received they are being translated into other languages by European carers organisations to use in their own countries.
She said: “I am so honoured to have won Employee of the Year! I would not be here without the support of the amazing Carers Trust Scotland team and the Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance. To all the incredible young carers & young adult carers – thank you!
“I feel very proud to work with such inspiring colleagues, services and young people each day.”
A special commendation was given to Fiona Mitchell from Harlawhill Day Care Centre.
Community Action – Cumbernauld Resilience
Cumbernauld Resilience was established in March 2020 as a community-based response to the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. It united people from all over Cumbernauld from a diverse demographic to reach out and help their neighbours.
The team has over 120 volunteers who have freely given their time, expertise and commitment to distribute over 90,000 meals and other essentials to locals – even hosting Christmas celebrations for over 600 people!
Chair Tony Murphy said: “As a relatively new charity, we are humbled and delighted to have been recognised in this way. We are especially delighted to have won in the Community Action Category as, from the outset, Cumbernauld Resilience’s ethos has been about mobilising the wonderful community spirit that exists in our town to help those in need.
“Thank you so much to every supporter, donor and volunteer – without your unbelievable support and unselfish commitment we really wouldn’t have been able to reach out and help so many in our community during their hour of need.”
Climate Conscious – Forth Valley Sensory Centre – Making Sense of Energy Saving
The project helped people cut their energy bills, despite the pandemic, but also secured new heating systems, warmer home payments and even new windows for a number of deaf and blind people who were struggling to heat their homes and pay their bills.
On top of this, with the change to LED lighting in the centre and the advice provided to centre users in braille, workshops, accessible video and BSL, it saved the equivalent of 300 tonnes of CO2.
Chief Executive Jacquie Winning said: “This award covers two of the biggest issues in today’s society, accessibility and the climate emergency.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us and to the staff at our Centre for making such an innovative project come to fruition!”
Trustee of the year – Linkes (SCIO) – Robert Smith
Robert is the co-founder and driving force of Linkes community project (2006), serving as chairperson to promote integration, empowerment and social inclusion. In response to the pandemic, he was visionary and determined, quickly building alliances to set-up a food distribution project.
Between March – September 2020, Robert’s team of volunteers delivered a whopping 18,000 meals and 2,000 grocery packs. Since October he has also overseen logistics of a weekly food-hub. Robert makes the magic happen, whether he is running board meetings, bulk buying food, driving the van, supporting new volunteers, making friendly phone calls– he is an unstoppable force for good.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award. It’s not something I expected as the other finalists have all achieved incredible things and I’d like to congratulate them on their work.
“I would also like to thank the amazing team of staff, board and volunteers at Linkes, our partners and funders and everyone else in the community who contributes to what we do. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved in what has been an extremely difficult year and on behalf of the team at Linkes, I’d like to say a big thank you for this award.”
A special commendation was given to Julia Grindley from Edinburgh School Uniform Bank.
Digital citizens – People Know How
People Know How believe in the inextricable link between social and digital isolation and the pandemic has only reinforced that view.
Over the last year the team has provided devices, digital skills and connectivity to thousands of people across Edinburgh and East Lothian. In doing so, the team has helped people stay connected with loved ones, access support and home-school their children.
Throughout this work they identified that the biggest obstacle to digital inclusion is data poverty, which is why they have now launched a national campaign to end data poverty.
Claudia Baldacchino, Communications & IT Officer, said: “It’s an honour to have been awarded the Digital Citizens Award. We’re so proud of our volunteers and staff for achieving so much over the last year, supporting thousands of people with devices, digital skills and connectivity.
“We’d also like to thank all our partners and funders who have made this work possible through their support and collaboration. We will continue to combat data poverty and digital exclusion as we recover from the pandemic and beyond, and can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
A special commendation was given to Space – The Louise Project.
Charity of the year AND People’s Choice Award – Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC)
Covid-19 has been a rollercoaster for everyone; no less for children and families in hospital and those privileged to support them. Innovation and dedication from supporters, partners, staff and volunteers saw support for children shielding at home, in wards and waiting rooms continue through the tightest regulations and a hospital move. From emergency care packs, silent discos, inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, ECHC has excelled to ensure children in hospital are children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.
Victoria Buchanan said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named Charity of the Year and People’s Choice winner at the Scottish Charity Awards 2021! Through the tightest Covid restrictions and a hospital move; ECHC was privileged to stand alongside those ill, injured and shielding at home.
“From emergency care packs, silent discos, giant inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, we pulled out all the stops to continue to bring fun, comfort and friendship to wards and waiting rooms and ease worries during one of the toughest years families have faced.
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our supporters, partners, staff and volunteers. This award is recognition of their phenomenal efforts to ensure children in hospital could be children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.”
A special commendation was given in the Charity of the Year category to North Edinburgh’s Scran Academy SCIO.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “At SCVO we know that fantastic work is going on all the time in the voluntary sector and we were delighted to celebrate the achievements and successes of our finalists and winners at this year’s Scottish Charity Awards.
“We had a record-breaking number of entries this year and each one demonstrated just how well the voluntary sector has responded and adapted to changes and restrictions over the past 12 months.
“Thanks to our sponsors, the team at the EICC, our host Sally Magnusson and everyone who applied and voted for making this year’s Awards so special. Congratulations to our winners for 2021!”
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today announced the shortlist for the 2022 Bookbug Picture Book Prize. Now in its sixth year, the shortlist includes Alastair Chisholm, Catherine Rayner, David Roberts, and Zoë Ingram.
The award was established to celebrate the most popular picture books by Scottish authors and illustrators and to encourage reading for pleasure.
The shortlist is selected by an independent panel of experts including Primary 1 teachers, a children’s librarian, children’s bookseller and Bookbug coordinator as well as experts from Scottish Book Trust’s Early Years Team.
The winner is then chosen by thousands of children across the country who can cast their votes online either at school with their teacher or at home with their families, via the Scottish Book Trust website.
THE BOOKBUG PICTURE BOOK PRIZE 2022 SHORTLIST IS:
Arlo the Lion Who Couldn’t Sleep by Catherine Rayner
Inch and Grub by Alastair Chisholm and illustrated by David Roberts
My First Book of Woodland Animals illustrated by Zoë Ingram
The 2022 shortlist features an exhausted lion who meets an owl friend; competitive cavemen; and a beautifully illustrated wild animal spotter guide.
Catherine Rayner is an author and illustrator of children’s picture books. She studied Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art where, for her final degree show, she created what would go on to be her debut picture book.
Originally from Yorkshire, Catherine fell in love with the city of Edinburgh and still lives there. She was winner of the 2009 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for Harris Finds His Feet. In 2010, she was the inaugural illustrator in residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Catherine Rayner said:“I’m so excited to be on such an amazing shortlist. “I’m a huge supporter of Scottish Book Trust and all they do so this is an exceptionally special honour. Arlo is extremely excited too!”
Alastair Chisholm is an award-winning children’s author and puzzle creator. He’s the author of the sci-fi middle-grade adventures Orion Lost and Adam-2, and children’s picture books The Prince and the Witch and the Thief and the Bears, as well as books of Sudoku, Kakuro and other puzzles, including the Kids’ Book of Sudoku and Kids’ Book of Kakuro series. Alastair lives in Edinburgh with his wife and two children.
David Roberts is a children’s illustrator originally from Liverpool. He has illustrated a large number of books in both black and white and colour. He has worked with such well-known authors as Philip Ardagh, Peter Bently and Julia Donaldson.
His sister Lynn Roberts is also a writer and the siblings have collaborated on several retellings of fairy stories, including Rapunzel: A Groovy Fairy Tale, which was shortlisted for a Blue Peter Book Award, and Little Red: A Fizzingly Good Yarn, which was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
Alastair said:“It’s a joy to see Inch and Grub shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize, and especially to be included in the Bookbug bag!
“This is a brilliant and vital project, and one my own daughters benefited from when they were younger – it’s wonderful now to think of my and David’s book becoming part of it. Thank you so much!”
Zoë Ingram is an artist & illustrator based in Edinburgh. With a printed textile design degree under her belt and a career in the creative arts spanning over twenty years, Zoë now focuses on client commissions and personal work.
Zoë primarily works with mixed media and digital applications, often combining traditional and digital techniques. Zoë has also recently written and published her first book, Oh My Gouache!, a beginner’s guide to painting with opaque watercolour.
Zoë said:“I’m so thrilled to be shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize.“It’s such an honour to be chosen and I just hope that everyone who reads My first book of Woodland Animals has as much fun finding out about all the lovely animals and insects in the book as I did when I was illustrating them.”
61,000 pupils across Scotland will receive a free copy of each of the three books on the shortlist, which are given to every Primary 1 child during Book Week Scotland (15 November – 21 November), in the Bookbug P1 Family Bag.
The winner of the Bookbug Picture Book Prize will be announced in an exclusive video to all registered groups on Wednesday 26 January. The winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy and £2,000 while shortlisted authors and illustrators receive £500 per book.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“Congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize. We encourage schools and families across Scotland to read the shortlisted titles and vote for their favourite.
“We hope the children receiving their Bookbug P1 Family Bag will enjoy sharing these stories at home and with their classmates.”
Katalina Watt, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said:“The Bookbug Picture Book Prize is such a special award with its focus on reading for enjoyment and placing young readers at the heart of the selection process.
“Warm congratulations to all the authors and illustrators who submitted their stories and to those making up such a rich and varied shortlist.”
The deadline for voting is Friday 10 December 2021 at 5pm.
PUBLIC URGED TO GET BEHIND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS SHORTLISTED IN THE PEOPLE’S PROJECTS
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is one of five inspiring local community projects shortlisted in STV’s transmission area in Edinburgh and the East to win a share of £3 million in National Lottery Funding
All five will be spotlighted on prime time STV so that the public can see for themselves the great work they do and can vote for this year’s worthy winners
Five local community groups are set to have their inspiring work spotlighted on STV as they compete for a crucial share of £3 million in National Lottery funding. One of them is Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, who are bidding for a new minibus.
The five have all been shortlisted as part of this year’s The People’s Projects – a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and STV, which gives the public a unique say in where National Lottery money should go in their local area.
All five will have the opportunity to showcase their work on prime time TV as they go head to head in a public vote to help them make an extraordinary difference to their community.
Now in its 14th year, The People’s Projects celebrates some of the incredible projects The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players to communities across the UK, has supported over the past year.
In total, 95 community-based groups are now shortlisted across the UK. In each region, the three with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £50,000. This will help them to continue their work to bring people together, build stronger communities and make a difference to people’s lives. The entire amount up for grabs across the UK is a life-changing £3 million.
STV News at Six will feature the projects over five nights, starting on Monday 1st April across STV’s transmission area in Edinburgh and the East when the Benarty Forum project by Benarty Community Forum in Lochgellywill be featured.
If successful, this community group will receive £17,346 to expand into the vacant property which is next door to their community shop. They will then be able to buy the necessary equipment and furniture to open a community café for local people. Volunteers will receive training and will be put through the necessary qualifications in food hygiene and First Aid Training.
On Tuesday it will be the turn of the A community continues to be connected by a shiny new bus project by Drylaw Telford Community Association SCIO, based in Edinburgh.
They hope to receive £34,794 for a project to allow the centre to buy an accessible mini bus which will be used by a variety of local groups, schools and organisations. This will include young people, people who have difficulty walking, wheelchair users and housebound older people to attend groups at the centre. The mini bus will also be made available to local partner organisations to help them transport their members.
Wednesday it will be the Edinburgh Diwali project by Edinburgh Diwali. They are competing for £50,000 toexpand the annual Edinburgh Diwali Festival bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities and religions from across Edinburgh to celebrate together through music, dancing, feasting and fireworks. This free Festival promotes friendship and understanding across cultures and over 1000 Edinburgh primary school children will participate in workshops and activities.
Thursday’s programme will feature Kidz n Kin project by Kidz-Eco CIC, based in Livingston, who hope to receive £45,604. This community group hope to use the funds to open an Early Years Community Space in The Centre, Livingston. Working with local partners including NHS and West Lothian Council they will be able to provide pre-birth and early years support to hundreds of families weekly through classes, activities, meeting space, play area and café.
The final project to be shown on Friday will be A Space to Play project by Bonnyrigg After School Club, based in Bonnyrigg. If successful, they will receive £50,000to move into a central location in Bonnyrigg from which they can expand their early years nursery service to help meet demand locally. The building will also be used as a community centre to allow a variety of other groups and organisations to make use of the space and facilities.
Steven Ladurantaye, STV’s Head of News and Current Affairs, said: “The People’s Projects can make a real difference to communities and lives across STV thanks to funding from The National Lottery and we are looking forward to highlighting the incredible shortlisted projects and groups from across Scotland. All you have to do is tune into STV News at Six and vote for your favourite project.”
Martin Cawley, Scotland Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “As the largest funder of community activity in the UK, we are proud to support groups that are led by the vision, determination and drive of local people to strengthen communities.
“In previous years we have seen a wide range of successful projects, from a café supporting young carers to animal-assisted therapy for people living with dementia and the development of a bee-friendly orchard. The People’s Projects is a chance for you to have your say on how National Lottery funding can help your community to thrive.”
Since 2005 around £42 million has been awarded through this partnership to 960 good causes across the UK.
Voting closes at noon on Monday 15 April 2019.
People can vote once per region and will need an email address or mobile phone number to vote*. For Ts & Cs please visit www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk
BBC Two viewers have voted Alan Turing as their ultimate icon of the 20th century. Alan Turing was in contention with finalists Nelson Mandela (Leaders), Ernest Shackleton (Explorers), David Bowie (Entertainers), Dr Martin Luther King Jr. (Activists), Muhammad Ali (Sports Stars) and Pablo Picasso (Artists & Writers) for the honour.
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