The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 17 - 19 May 2024
'Exploitative’ festival jobs, Meadows to George Street redesign, 'urgent' foodbanks appeal, Canonmills flats refused, new rooftop cocktail bar + busy weekend of events
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Amazingly, there are now 10,000 people subscribed to the free version of this newsletter. Thank you for giving it a go and sticking with it. I genuinely would’ve given up without the support of paying subscribers too, so heartfelt thanks to you. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute, followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers.
💰 Job adverts offering young creatives the chance to work during the entire Festival Fringe for the equivalent of £1.25 an hour have been branded ‘exploitative’. An investigation by The Independent has found job adverts from a London-based company attempting to hire reviewers and interns for 10-hour days, seven days a week, for just £200 for the month. - Emma Guinness, The Independent.
⮑ The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “Fair Pay is, for the UK, a wider arts sector issue, and we are regularly advocating to ensure working or volunteering at the Fringe is rewarding for all.”
⮑ The problem was highlighted by journalist Lauren Gilmour earlier this month:
🚦 Cameron Toll roundabout is due to reopen from 4pm today. It’s been closed since February when a large sinkhole was discovered. The council said it took the opportunity to resurface the road during repairs.
⮑ Emergency gas works have closed Crewe Road South partially closed for 6 weeks. - Neil Johnstone, Evening News, has the bus diversion details.
👩⚕️ Nurses at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People have been left ‘furious’ after being denied time off from work to attend their colleague's funeral. - Kris Gourlay, Edinburgh Live.
🗣️ Thanks to a subscriber for reminding me that today is the final opportunity to comment on the Meadows to George Street redesign consultation. - Have your say here.
⮑ You can see the design proposals here.
🚧 A ‘dramatic image’ shows the former Ocean Terminal Debenhams being demolished. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🥫 The Edinburgh Food Project says demand for its services are soaring, with 21,350 parcels distributed by its seven food banks – an eight per cent increase from last year and almost double the amount given out in the previous year. - Graham Martin, Third Force News.
“The cost of living crisis is pushing an alarming number of people in Edinburgh and across Scotland to the brink. These figures paint a stark picture – families struggling to feed their children, disabled people facing impossible choices, and food banks like ours stretched to their limits. We urgently need support to help us weather this storm.” - Bethany Biggar, Edinburgh Food Project Director.
🏢 Plans for a new block of flats in the carpark of the Canon Court Aparthotel in Canonmills have been refused due to a ‘risk of significant flooding’. - Kris Gourlay, Edinburgh Live.
📚 Authors Alexis Wright, Iman Mersal, and Ian Penman, as well as translator Robin Moger, have won the James Tait Black Prizes for biography and fiction. The awards are judged by literature scholars and students, and have been presented by the University of Edinburgh since 1919. - Melina Spanoudi, The Bookseller.
🛌 Homelessness charity Right There says it has been ‘forced’ to end its contract with the council, providing housing in three locations for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. - Niall Christie, Third Force News.
🍸 The Moxy Hotel in Fountainbridge has opened a new rooftop cocktail bar named Lochrin, with views of the castle. - Quine magazine has the first look.
🎓 Restoration work on a 150-year-old University of Edinburgh graduation ceremony bonnet has raised questions that it could be older than first thought. And it may have inspired the Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter books. - Sarah Thomson, Atlas Obscura.
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📌 “Do you dance enough? We don’t! Hence we have hired Voodoo Rooms, a choreographer Pirita who will teach us Saturday Night Fever routine and DJ Barney Strachan. Date 6th June 6.45pm.” - More details from Anna Christopherson, Dance enthusiast, Just Dancing.
📌 “New online exhibition hosted by the University of Edinburgh includes photos showing life on Comiston Road in Morningside more than 100 years ago.” - More details here from Rebekah Day, Exhibition Curator, Regional Ethnology of Scotland Project.
📌 “The Scottish Arts Club has launched its new website with the ability to book directly online - so no fees! .With talks, music, art exhibitions - we’re delighted to host an inspiring programme of events and collaborations. We’re also offering a great social platform for creatives during the Festival / Fringe and still have opportunities for those who want to perform.” - Thanks to Barbara Kerr, General Manager, for sharing this.
📌 “ACE IT is running an Online Safety event for over 50s at the Heart of Newhaven on Wednesday 29th May at 12:30pm, as part of ALL DIGITAL Weeks. Come along to learn how to stay safe online and use digital devices securely. Call 0131 667 2053 or email info@aceit.org.uk to book in.”
📌 “Join us at Nip's this Friday for an exclusive and intimate tasting event featuring four unique expressions of the iconic Islay whiskies, Laphroaig and Bowmore. Led by whisky expert David Miles, explore the depths of rich, peaty flavours in a cozy, exclusive setting. Following the tasting, continue your evening at our Nightcap bar with a special cocktail on us—book your spot now for a truly immersive whisky experience.” - Thanks to Nip's Bottle Shop owner Chris for sharing this.
🛝 Here’s this week’s Gayle’s Guide of family-friendly things to do in Edinburgh, including Wellbeing Week at the museum, World Bee Day and baby penguins.
📆 More things to do this weekend:
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