The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 28 - 30 June 2024
Porty Pride weekend, Banana Flats appeal, Tron Kirk Makers Market reopens, Gemma Cairney's new creative hub + learn how to DJ with Tinderbox
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. The forecast shows Friday will be breezy and showery, Saturday will be warmer and less windy and Sunday will start sunny and end cloudy. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute, followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers.
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💰 The chief executive of the Edinburgh International Festival has warned Scottish culture is on the brink of a ‘house of cards’ collapse unless the Scottish Government delivers promised new funding for the arts within months. - Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman.
🏢 Residents from Leith’s Banana Flats have pleaded with the council to fix the lifts. Cables Wynd Residents Group said some residents ‘cannot simply take the stairs’. - Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter, Edinburgh Live.
🗳️ There’s a climate-themed hustings in Augustine United Church on George IV Bridge this evening from 6pm. Candidates will discuss how they plan to tackle the climate emergency. - Reserve a free place here.
🚲 The number of people using the Leith Walk cycle path - named the worst in the bike lane in the world - has more than doubled. Local councillor Susan Rae said: “If this council actually got active travel right, what could we achieve?” Council leader Cammy Day added: “I accept Leith Walk’s not entirely finished yet.” - Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter covered yesterday’s council meeting and filed this report on STV News.
🎖️ A memorial service to commemorate 80 years since the Battle of Kohima is planned for 10.30am on Saturday at Lauriston Castle. - STV News.
🛬 EasyJet apologised yesterday after cancelling five flights from Edinburgh Airport due to 'air traffic control restrictions.' - Katie Williams, Edinburgh Live.
🍸 Hanover Street’s Hoot the Redeemer bar will close in September. - Hamish Smith, Class magazine.
🍽️ Morningside’s McLarens on the Corner has a new ‘Grandparents Eat Free’ initiative. - Sarah Campbell, The Herald.
🌞 Broadcaster and writer Gemma Cairney has opened a new micro-space in Marchmont. Describing ‘number 22’ as a ‘new neighbourhood hub with a revolving door of holistic workshops, art and other activity’, Gemma is hosting a range of creative exhibitions, workshops and happenings starting tomorrow. The first is ‘Sisterhxd Ceramics' an exhibition showcasing ceramics depicting ‘12 real women whose legacy we stand on the shoulders of’. - Find out more here. Gemma adds:
“Definitely worth a peruse as to what number 22 down in Marchmont is hosting this summer... A chance to heal in collective and even grab an artisan cocktail in peace in Aug.... Keep eyes peeled and check out the listings as they get announced.”
🍦 Desert shop SoftCore is due to open on Marchmont Road on Saturday. There’s free ice cream for the first 100 customers.
🏊♀️ Advance notice for the Commonwealth Pool’s mid-morning swimmers: From Monday 1 July, school summer holidays mean the return of one-hour closures every morning until 13 August for the Aquadash inflatables set-up. The closures are usually between 9.30am and 10.30am but can vary, so check the timetable here. - More background here via Edinburgh Leisure.
🎪 The Edinburgh Climate Festival returns to the Meadows this weekend. - The festival’s full programme is on North Edinburgh News.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
📌 “The Tron Kirk Makers Market - housing 21 local artists - is reopening! After a sudden closure due to falling masonry 4 weeks ago, the market will be open between 10 and 5, every day. Come along to pick up some locally made gifts and support the independent traders on the Royal Mile!” - Thanks to Sammy Bishop, Paraffle, Tron Kirk Market Trader, for sharing this update.
📌 “On Saturday 29t June, at Dalkeith Palace, there will be a Georgian Ball. Come along and take part in Baroque and Regency dances! More information on the Edinburgh Quadrille Society facebook page.”
📌 “The non-walking hilariously funny history tour! Sit doon and have a laugh at The Stand on Sunday at 5.00 with me, Susan Morrison. You can have a drink as well.” - Susan Morrison. Filthy history enthusiast.
📌 Also on Sunday: “Discover 5 million years of Scotland's history in 90 minutes on this unique, dark and funny tour of Edinburgh's Old Town!” - Thanks to Gerry of Some Kind of Tours for sharing this.
📌 “Join local artist Papercut Punk at Portobello Town Hall Sunday 30th June to make a stunning 'LOVE WINS' layered papercut to celebrate all kinds of love during Porty Pride. Everyone welcome and no drawing skills needed as we work from templates - you will come away with a 3d piece of art to show off to everyone you see! £25, over 18 due to sharp blades, please note there are a few steps up to the workshop space. For more info see Papercut Punk on Instagram or Facebook.” - Thanks to Ruthie Patten aka Papercut Punk for sharing this. Details on how to book a spot are here.
📌 “The July/August “bumper summer issue” of volunteer-led FREE community magazine “C&B News”, serving communities in south-west Edinburgh, is now available digitally (https://candbnews.com) and in print from this Friday in selected retail outlets across Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton Mains, and Colinton. (See website for list.) Issue includes the latest news from local groups and organisations, contributions from all the General Election candidates for Edinburgh South West, and picture spreads celebrating recent summer community events.” - Thanks to Paul Fisher Cockburn for sharing this.
🛝 This week’s Gayle’s Guide of family-friendly things to do in Edinburgh is full of school holiday events for those with school aged kids.
🌊 The Current is a new weekly guide to what’s on in East Lothian, including Dunbar Garden Centre’s Summer Shopping Event on Friday, Summer Street Food at Archerfield Walled Garden on Saturday and Tyninghame Wee Fair on Sunday.
📆 More things to do this weekend:
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