Tag: stories

Celebrating amazing moments during the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Fringe

From nervous beginnings, and the rewarding elation of performing at the Fringe for the first time, to the butterflies of finding new or everlasting love.  The Fringe Society is delighted to share amazing moments gathered from artists and audiences, from the past 75 years of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Anecdotes have been gathered over the last few months and include memories such as the excitement of bumping into a favourite celebrity, to taking inspiration from a performance and setting out on a new career journey.

“I first discovered street performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. I was there for the first Fringe Sunday in 1981 and that’s where I first saw a street band called Pookiesnackenburger (from whom Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell later became STOMP) who played huge gigs on the street. That got me interested in street performing.” Eddie Izzard

“Whilst here I met a guy who was working at the same venue, we hit it off… 19 years later we are married, have two girls, two cats and we both work in the arts and cultural sector in Edinburgh.  I would just like to say thank you to the Fringe for positively changing my life.”  Sharon May

“I love the unexpected, the chaos, the anarchy of the Fringe. Trying to find your way through the programme knowing that while you’ll see excellent shows, you’ll always miss other great ones; talking to strangers while queuing up about their favourite performances so far and sharing yours; watching the audience and actors mix … All of this with the dramatic and incredibly beautiful backdrop that is Edinburgh, a perfect place for the festival.”  Uta Bretsch

“We have attended the Fringe every year since 1998 and it is something of an obsession for us. So much so that we decided to get married there… in secret.” Richard Brownsecret

  “Edinburgh Fringe has been a highlight of our summer since we moved to Edinburgh in 2013, an opportunity for our whole family to indulge in culture and the arts together, to dip our toes into new experiences and deep dive into some familiar favourites.  Come rain or shine, we pack our rucksacks and disappear into the crowd and into another world of magic and endless possibilities.”  Julia Whitaker

“It’s just great being part of it; it’s the biggest arts event in the world. It’s the only place to be in August – the two years I didn’t go at all, I just felt like my friends were having a big party and I decided not to go. I would feel like I was in the wrong place, not being in Edinburgh.”  Arthur Smith

“This year will be our 20th visit since first coming up to see our son in a college production. Every time is magical, trying to take in as many diverse shows as we can.”  Merlyn Anne Goudie

“There is no place in the world like Edinburgh Fringe in August. The energy is fantastic and you feel alive doing what you love, during the height of summer.” Clare Harrison Mccartney

“To this day I have met lifelong friends and some of the most inspirational people at the Edinburgh Fringe having participated in more than 10 Fringes. The Fringe tests your resolve, your patience, your abilities and your energy. Yet it also rewards you with an amazing experience that will forever leave a mark on your soul.”  Paul Perez

Shona McCarthy, CEO of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “It has been an absolute joy to read memories from audiences and artists from across the years, and it is testament to the resilience of this great festival, and all those who have played a part in building it, that it is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. 

“The stories that have been shared with our team highlight the impact the Fringe can have on inspiring young people, captivating audiences, and being the place to be every August.

“From childhood memories, to the transformational affect the festival has had on artist careers, we thank each person for taking the time to share their favourite Fringe memory.”

We encourage the public, and those performing at this year’s Fringe to share their own memory on social media and tag it #FringeMoments.

Link to the stories: https://edfringe.shorthandstories.com/fringe-moments-75/index.html

Tattoo announces tickets on sale for 2023 show – STORIES

For the first time ever tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are on sale during the August run of the 2022 Show 

Tickets for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s 2023 Show, Stories, are officially on sale today, with the first 50,000 tickets available at 2022 prices. 

With just eight performances left in the 2022 run of Voices – the first Show from new Creative Director Michael Braithwaite under the Tattoo’s bold new brand proposition, Performance in a New Light – the team is getting set to lead audiences into the next phase with Stories. The 2023 Show will transport audiences with tales of music, dance, and culture with performers and musicians from around the globe. 

Stories will run from 4-26 August 2023, featuring the military at the heart of the showcase with the Royal Air Force confirmed as the lead service.

Audiences can expect the magnificent sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums filling up the Esplanade alongside performances from the incredibly talented Tattoo Pipes and Drums and Tattoo Dancers.

International acts will also join the 2023 line up bringing new cultures and vibrancy to this sought after spectacle. Further details about Stories will be announced in the coming months.  

Jason Barrett, Chief Operating Officer of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said:“The highly anticipated return of the Tattoo this year has been an absolute triumph. Seeing the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade come alive once again with the sounds and colour of the talented Tattoo cast performing on the Esplanade each night is truly unforgettable. It’s so good to be back! 

“We can’t wait to do it all again next year so for the first time ever we have tickets on sale for 2023 during our August run. It’s a unique opportunity to make sure you don’t miss out by purchasing tickets now.

“Also, you can take advantage of getting your 2023 ticket at 2022 prices for the first 50,000 tickets. Stories is set to be another awe-inspiring and immersive production that is not to be missed.”   

Voices will run until 27 August 2022. Tickets are on sale now for both the 2022 and 2023 performances and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188. 

It’s Bookbug Week!

All aboard for Bookbug’s Big Journey

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will host Bookbug Week from Monday 16 May – Sunday 22 May.

This year’s theme is Bookbug’s Big Journey, and Bookbug jumped on a vintage bus with families at the Riverside Museum to mark the occasion.

Bookbug Week will focus on all kinds of journeys, whether it’s the excitement of riding on the bus or a train, strolls through the park, an adventure to outer space or even just a trip out in a buggy. Scottish Book Trust is also reminding families that wee ones love hearing stories and songs when they’re out and about.

Bookbug Week is an annual celebration of Scotland’s national book-gifting programme and Song and Rhyme Sessions.

This year, Scottish Book Trust ran a competition for a new Bookbug Week illustration, and the winner was Dylan Gibson.

He illustrates picture books and illustrated stories for older children and reluctant readers and has produced artwork for dozens of books and covers. Dylan will run an online event showing children how they can draw their very own Bookbug Week picture.

Award winning illustrator Nick Sharratt and author Katrina Charman will host a live online event jam-packed with rhyming fun. They will be sharing book readings of their book, Car, Car, Truck, Jeep and The Whales on the Bus, with a fun draw-along to take part in too.

Many Bookbug Sessions will return in person – check Scottish Book Trust’s website to find a Session near you. The popular live Bookbug Session on Facebook will run on Friday 20 May at 10am.

Bookbug has recently launched their very own Instagram, and members of the public can join in the fun by sharing their own #BookbugWeek pictures and stories.

Families can access Bookbug’s Song and Rhyme library, via Scottish Book Trust’s  website, or on the free Bookbug app. There are also fun activities for children available on Scottish Book Trust’s Home Activities Hub.

An exciting Bookbug Week competition will run across Bookbug social media from Monday 16 May, and you could be in with a chance of winning a bundle of books and some transport goodies.

Clare Haughey, Minister for Children and Young People said: “I am very excited for Bookbug Week 2022 ‘Bookbug’s Big Journey’, knowing families will be able to enjoy sessions in libraries and community settings.

“Bookbug helps to encourage an early love of books among children while also providing great opportunities for parents and their wee ones to spend time together, having fun and learning.

“I am very proud that we have a universal national programme in Scotland, which supports all families to enjoy reading with their children from the earliest opportunity.  As well as laying the foundations of early literacy, the Bookbug sessions help to promote positive interactions and attachment for families, which we know is key to children’s health and wellbeing in the long term.

“I’m delighted that the Scottish Government are able to provide increased funding for 2022/23 of £1.7m for the continuation of the fabulous Bookbug programme.”

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome families back to libraries and community groups for Bookbug Week and Bookbug Sessions.

“Our thanks to Dylan Gibson for designing this year’s wonderful Bookbug Week illustration. We hope everyone enjoys their Bookbug Week journey, and we look forward to seeing people across Scotland joining us in person and online.”

Bill helps inspire a love of reading in children with Children 1st and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

  • Former BBC Radio Scotland rugby commentator helps inspire a love of reading in children with Children 1st and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • Murrayfield favourite Bill Johnstone records bedtime story to inspire a love of reading among children and families

Former rugby commentator, Bill Johnstone, has recorded a reading of Goodnight Digger by Michelle Robinson to support a charity partnership that aims to give the gift of reading to children and families across Scotland.

Bill has made the recording to encourage people to donate to a fundraising campaign, by charities Children 1st and the Dollywood Foundation UK, to spark the love of reading.

Children and families can enjoy Bill Johnstone’s reading of the Penguin book – a delightful rhyme which help little ones easily drift off to sleep after saying goodnight to all their favourite toys – on the Children 1st website.

Bill Johnstone is the latest in a series of well-known book lovers to record children’s stories for the campaign, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, actor and musician Tom Urie, radio presenter Katy Johnston, actor Jordan Young and singers Michelle McManus and Eddi Reader. 

Bill commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to read this month’s bedtime story to support Children 1st and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 

“Reading is an incredibly valuable skill, and I am thrilled to support this partnership which helps bring the love and magic of books to children across Scotland. I chose to read Goodnight Digger by Michelle Robinson as it is a lovely relaxing rhyme for young children to listen to as they drift off to sleep.”

As well as encouraging families to enjoy the celebrity videos together, the charities are also encouraging avid readers to donate to the campaign, to help share their love of reading with children in Scotland who may not have access to books at home.

With public support, the charities will deliver a free book to children who might otherwise go without, every month from birth to their fifth birthday. Alongside the books, children and their families are also offered practical and emotional support to keep their children safe and to support their wellbeing and development.

One parent, whose young child has been receiving books, said: “I think all children should get to have a story at bedtime. 

“My son is really excited to get books in the post addressed especially to him. Having a new book keeps it fresh and stops him getting bored listening to the same story all the time. It’s been great for my son and for his older siblings too, as they’re enjoying reading the new stories to their little brother.”

Gary Kernahan, Children 1st Director of Fundraising, said: “We’re delighted that Bill Johnstone is supporting this campaign and helping to pass on his love of reading and stories to other children across Scotland.

“Stories are an important part of childhood and Children 1st wants to ensure that all children get to experience the joy of books. If you would like to help support this important campaign and help more children who don’t have access to books at home to develop a love of reading, please donate today at 

www.children1st.org.uk/imaginationlibrary.”

You can watch Bill Johnstone at: https://www.children1st.org.uk/get-involved/give-books/listen-to-a-bedtime-story/

Enterprise and National Literacy Trust’s School Road Trip arrives at Hermitage Park

Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the National Literacy Trust have teamed up to give away almost 23,000 copies of Serena Patel’s award-winning book, Anisha, Accidental Detective, to 240 primary schools in nine cities around the UK.

Today, a team from Enterprise will land in Edinburgh at Hermitage Park Primary School as part of a five-day tour of the UK to deliver the books in a van specially decorated by the book’s illustrator Emma McCann, featuring characters from the book.

The National Literacy Trust has worked with Enterprise to identify communities across the UK that will benefit from an injection of books and the charity is confident that this donation will help to increase reading for pleasure among these children.

The road trip started in Belfast on Monday and will visit schools in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and London.

The aim of the initiative is to provide schools in very diverse inner-city communities with a stock of interesting books that they can gift children to take home and keep as this reinforces classroom learning.

Enterprise employees have recorded a read-along version of the book which children can access via an online link or QR code as an added aid to help them read.

Research shows that reading for pleasure out of school is a major contributing factor to success at school and then in later life and is even linked to a higher lifetime earning potential.

The initiative was made possible with a £128,000 donation from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation as part of the US$55 million global ROAD Forward initiative that promotes social and racial equity projects across the world.

Darranda Rowswell, Director of Development at the National Literacy Trust, said: “Around one in 11 children from lower income families don’t have a book of their own at home.

“Reading is not just great fun, but it’s a vital skill and we want all children to love reading. Children and young people who enjoy reading and who read frequently are better readers, helping them to realise their fullest potential at school and in life.

“This book donation is one more important step in our literacy recovery programme to address the educational issues caused by the pandemic and will help the children who need it most. We’re so happy that Enterprise was able to support us in this programme which will see thousands of children benefitting from this exciting book.”

Simon Caughey-Rogers, Enterprise’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Charity Events Manager, said the partnership with the National Literacy Trust has had enormous support from the whole of the company.

He added: “Many of our super star employees also struggled with reading at school. Every child should get the support they need to be their best and we hope this initiative will go a little way to helping more children get the resources they need. We are really looking forward to their feedback and excited to see how they get on with the book.”

Research from the CLPE in 2020 revealed that only eight per cent of children’s books featured an ethnic minority leading character. Serena Patel’s book was chosen to inspire children who may not usually see themselves represented in the books they read.

Author Serena Patel said she supported the National Literacy Trusts’ campaign to promote reading for pleasure and was delighted that her book was playing an important part in the programme. 

Serena said: “I was thrilled when I heard that Enterprise and the National Literacy Trust were coming together for this initiative to gift books to children in primary schools. The lockdowns have been tough for everyone and so being part of such a positive, inspiring project is a massive privilege.

“I couldn’t be prouder that Anisha will be helping encourage children to discover the excitement of reading. Huge thanks to Enterprise for making it happen and for supporting young readers all over the country.”

Enterprise’s ROAD (Respect, Opportunity, Achievement, Diversity) Forward programme is a global initiative launched by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, aimed at strengthening and supporting the communities where the company operates. It provides funding to projects that open opportunity for people who lack of access to resources in education, health and wellbeing.

The Enterprise Holdings Foundation was established in 1982 to give back to the communities where partners and employees live and work.

Social mobility is core to Enterprise’s hiring and development strategy.

The company was recently awarded Organisation of the Year and Progression Programme of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs).

River City and Edinburgh panto star Jordan Young helps inspire a love of reading in children

Jordan Young reads bedtime story for young children and families

River City and Edinburgh Christmas panto star, Jordan Young, has recorded The Last Wolf by Mini Grey – a powerful and funny story that reimagines the classic Little Red Riding Hood in an entirely new way. 

The reading is in support of the partnership between charities Children 1st and the Dollywood Foundation UK, which are working to spark the love of reading in every child in Scotland. 

Children and families can enjoy Jordon’s reading of the Penguin book on the Children 1st website.

Jordan is the latest in a series of well-known book lovers to record children’s stories for the campaign, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, actor and musician Tom Urie, radio presenter Katy Johnston, actor Sanjeev Kohli and singers Michelle McManus and Eddi Reader. 

Jordan commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to read this month’s bedtime story to support Children 1st and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I really enjoy reading to my two young children every night and sharing the joy of stories together.

“My children love them – it lets them use their imagination, helps them get to sleep and provides a time we all look forward to every evening. I hope my reading of The Last Wolf inspires other children to develop a love of reading too.”

As well as encouraging families to enjoy the celebrity videos together, the charities are also encouraging avid readers to donate to the campaign, to help share their love of reading with children in Scotland who may not have access to books at home.

With public support, the charities will deliver a free book to children who might otherwise go without, every month from birth to their fifth birthday. Alongside the books, children and their families are also offered practical and emotional support to keep their children safe and to support their wellbeing and development.  

A parent, whose young child has been receiving books, said: “I think all children should get to have a story at bedtime. Getting books in the post addressed to my son is really exciting for him.

“Having a new book keeps it fresh and stops him getting bored listening to the same story all the time. It’s been great for my son and even for his older siblings too, as they’re enjoying reading the new stories to their little brother.” 

Gary Kernahan, Children 1st Director of Fundraising, said: “We’re delighted that Jordon is supporting this campaign and helping to pass on his love of reading and stories to other children across Scotland.

“Stories are an important part of childhood and Children 1st wants to ensure that all children get to experience the joy of books.

“If you would like to help support this important campaign and help more children who don’t have access to books at home to develop a love of reading, please donate today at www.children1st.org.uk/imaginationlibrary.”

You can watch Jordan read The Last Wolf at: 

www.children1st.org.uk/imaginationlibrary

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 *