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Edinburgh Napier University

Olympic rings in front of Eiffel Tower

Paris Summer Olympics 2024

25/07/2024 / / 0 Comments

Paris Summer Olympics 2024

Hot on the heels of Euro 2024 comes the Summer Olympics in Paris. These run from Friday 26th July 2024 to Sunday 11th August 2024.  Followed by the Paralympic Games (again in Paris) from Wednesday 28th August 2024 to Sunday 8th September 2024.

The 2024 Summer Olympics, also known as Jeux olympiques d’été de 2024, are officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and formally branded as Paris 2024.

The motto of the Olympic Games consists of three Latin words: Citius – Altius – Fortius – meaning Faster – Higher – Stronger.

For the first time ever, the opening ceremony will be held in a stadium –  where the Parade of Athletes will take place on the River Seine with boats for each national delegation.

The closing ceremony will be held at Stade de France on Sunday 11th August 2024.

Paris is one of three cities to have hosted the Summer Games three times (in 1900, 1924 and 2024), the other two being London and Los Angeles. The next Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028.

The Olympic Rings.

The Olympic Rings represent the five inhabited continents of Africa, America, Asia Europe and Oceania. The interlinked rings demonstrate the inclusiveness of the Games and how athletes from all over the world gather to compete. Antarctica is the only continent participating in the Games due to having such limited habitation.

The Olympic Torch Relay.

The Olympic Torch represents a symbol of unity and peace, spreading the spirit of the Games as it travels throughout France. From Marseille to Paris, the Olympic Torch Relay takes place over three months and also passes through French Overseas Territories.

Emblem for Paris 2024.

The emblem for the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics is inspired by Art Deco and is a representation of Marianne, the national personification of France, with a flame formed in negative space by her hair. The emblem also resembles a gold medal. And symbolises the power and magic of the Games, and that the Games are for everyone. The use of a female figure honours the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris – the first Games which allowed women to compete. For the first time, the 2024 Summer Paralympics will share the same emblem as the Olympic Games, with no variation, indicating a shared ambition between both events.

Mascots

The Phryges are the mascots of the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. A pair of anthropomorphic Phrygian caps, they are a historic French symbol of freedom and liberty. The two mascots share a motto of “Alone we go faster, but together we go further”.

Medals & Medal Events.

The Olympic and Paralympic medals feature embedded hexagon-shaped tokens of scrap iron which had been taken from the original construction of the Eiffel Tower with the Games logo engraved into it. The reverse of the medals features Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, inside the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic  Games were held in 1896. The Parthenon and the Eiffel Tower can also be seen in the background on both sides of the medal.

Events.

There is a huge variety of sports featured at the Olympic Games. This year, Breaking (Break Dancing) will feature as an optional sport for the very first time. There will also be events in Skateboarding, Sport Climbing and Surfing which featured in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 for the first time. The events will be held across 35 venues, including French Overseas Territories.

Women and the Olympics.

Paris 1900 was the first Games which allowed women to participate in the competition. Paris 2024 will make history again by ensuring that there is an equal representation of male and female athletes. Achieving numerical gender parity. The journey to increase women’s participation has taken over a century. Tokyo 2020 gave women more opportunities than ever before to compete and introduced several new sports. Tokyo 2020 also implemented a rule allowing male and female athletes to jointly carry their flag during the Opening Ceremony for the first time ever. All of this paves the way for women in sports and will help Paris 2024 achieve its goal of full gender parity.

Enjoy!

Whatever you’re doing this summer, have fun watching the Olympics. It is a real test of skill, stamina and sheer determination for the athletes. Watch the best of the best, world records being broken, personal bests being achieved. And, you never know, you might just find yourself wanting to try a new activity!

Missed our post about the EUROs, have no fear.

By Sharon McMichael

Photo by Luca Dugaro Unsplash 

Bristol Seaside Make a splash this summer

Making a Splash this Summer

19/07/2024 / / 0 Comments

.Making a Splash this Summer

Last summer in our Out and About in Scotland blog item we gave advice about wild swimming. You may like the idea of swimming outdoors but don’t feel confident about trying wild swimming in a loch or the sea. Across the UK there are many outdoor swimming pools or lidos which offer outdoor swimming in an enclosed environment and you may be able to visit one this summer.

History of making a splash

Although public outdoor swimming pools such as Bristol lido began to be built in the 19th century. The heyday was the 1930s. A rising public awareness of the potential benefits of physical activity and an outdoor lifestyle. The popularity of swimming encouraged many local councils of seaside resorts to invest heavily in new pools. By the 1930s it became as essential to have a lido for any seaside town that wanted to attract summer visitors. By the end of the 1930s lidos could be found all across the UK. Typically, they were in the Art Deco style. Many pools had changing rooms indoor or outdoor. Decks for sunbathing and separate cafés were also provided. Most pools of the era had a cascade or fountain which also served to aerate the water. Slides and diving broads featured. Some pools hosted swimming competitions and aquatic entertainment shows.

Saltdean and Jubilee

Two of the best-known UK lidos are Saltdean Lido in Brighton and Jubilee Lido in Penzance. Saltdean was designed by architect Richard William Herbert Jones and first opened its doors in 1938. Named by English Heritage as ‘One of the Seven Wonders of The English Seaside’ it is regarded by many critics as one of the best-surviving examples of lido design in the UK. Jubilee Lido by Captain F Latham, the Borough Engineer was opened with great celebration in May 1935, the year of King George V’s Silver Jubilee. Both fell into disrepair but have been refurbished thanks to funding and are now open again in all their Art Deco glory.

Decline

There were few new lidos built after World War 2 – the lido had reached the height of its popularity in the 1930s, although they were still popular attractions right up until the 1970s. As the 20th century progressed tastes gradually changed with more holidaymakers heading abroad. Poor attendance made the pools uneconomic to run. Many fell into disrepair and decay and were finally demolished. It is sad to note that few pools remain today, but those that do are well worth a visit and preserving. The lido stands out as a symbol of the 1930s – unashamed modernity, fashionable chic, healthy activity and the cult of sun worship.

Scottish survivors

Like the rest of the UK many of Scotland’s outdoor pools have disappeared, such as Edinburgh’s Portobello Bathing Pool however, a few do remain.

Gourock Outdoor Pool

Opened in 1909 this pool uses salt water taken from the Firth of Clyde. The pool had a major refurbishment in 2010 and re-opened in 2011 and now incorporates a leisure centre and gym. The pool opens from May until the beginning of September and offers Starlight Swims late on Wednesday evenings.

New Cumnock Pool

It re-opened in 2017 after a full refurbishment and was officially opened by Prince Charles, now King Charles III.

Stonehaven Lido

Opened in 1934 this is currently the UK’s most northerly lido. It is Olympic-sized and uses heated seawater.  Offers moonlight swims, a cafe, and lane swimming during the Stonehaven Folk Festival there is an Aqua Ceilidh with “Drip the Willow” and the “Splashing White Sergeant”

The Future of making a splash

Now some exciting news! Just outside the town of Macduff in a secluded cove sits Tarlair Lido. It’s a beautiful setting looking out to sea with plenty of green space to have a picnic or sunbathe. The pool seems to be excessively big considering the surrounding population base. Opened in 1931 it is a triple pool lido with a paddling pool, boating pool and swimming pool. Replenished with seawater at high tide. Closed in 1995, the pool and buildings fell into disrepair. But as one of only a few surviving lidos in Scotland Tarlair received category A listed building status in 2007.

In 2020 the Friends of Tarlair Community Group acquired the lease on the site and set about raising funds. Even appointing architects to refurbish the cafe pavilion. In 2024 the boating and toddler pool are scheduled to re-open. Pavilion cafe is due to open in late summer. Tarlair will then be able to steal the title of the UK’s most northerly lido from Stonehaven.

 

You can use Library Search to find books and articles on swimming, Art Deco design and architecture.

 

By Vivienne Hamilton

Photo by Martyna Bober Unsplash 

Rain on the high street

St Swithin’s Day

15/07/2024 / / 0 Comments

.St Swithin’s Day

Today is Swithin’s Day. Today determines what the weather will be for the next 40 days.

Who is St Swithin

St. Swithun (also known as Swithin) was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Winchester from 852 – 862. He died on 2nd July 862 AD.

Not much is known about St. Swithun’s life. He was well-known for giving gifts to others and building churches. And built a stone bridge over the River Itchen to allow the poor to cross the river and sell their wares in the town.

He has only one miracle attributed to him. An odd one of repairing broken eggs which were dropped by a woman crossing the bridge. He would hear the woman crying and repaired the eggs immediately.

St Swithin in Norway

St Swithun is also honoured in Norway. He is commemorated at Stavanger Cathedral. The Catholic Church in Stavanger is also named after him. In Norway St. Swithun’s Day is celebrated on the 2nd of July, the date of his death. St. Swithun requested that he was to be buried outside the church so parishioners could walk on his grave and the rain would fall on it. However, the Bishop of Winchester, and Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, declared that Swithun was to be the patron saint of the restored Winchester Cathedral. Swithun’s body was moved from the church grounds and was interred in the new Cathedral on 15th July 971. Legend has it that a huge storm followed. Raining for forty days after his body was moved, suggesting that St. Swithun was unhappy with being moved from outside the church.

The weather of St Swithin’s Day

St. Swithun is probably best known for a British weather proverb.  It says that if it rains on St Swithun’s Day, it will rain for 40 days.

The St. Swithun’s Day Rhyme:

St. Swithun’s day if thou dost rain, 

For forty days it will remain, 

St. Swithun’s day if thou be fair, 

For forty days ’twill rain nae mair.

 

According to the Met Office, there has never been 40 dry or 40 wet days following St. Swithun’s Day since records began in 1861. So it seems unlikely that it will happen any time soon!

Keep an eye on the weather.

Another fun Day of the Year: Bakewell Tart Day.

Photo by Sarah (Unsplash) 

Pictures of Library Books to represent tours

Postgraduates: How the Library can help you

09/07/2024 / / 0 Comments

Postgraduates: How the Library can help you

For many of our postgraduate students, the holiday season is not quite in full swing yet. Final projects, dissertations and exams continue to loom over the summer period. Not to worry, however. While these huge deadlines and final projects will feel very daunting, the library offers an extensive range of online resources. As well as subject guides as well as various in-person training and study sessions ran by our subject librarians, who can also offer tailored 1:1 support all year round if needed. We do, of course, also have our shelves stocked with a range of up-to-date literature and print resources.  And our research collection offers guides for enhancing research and academic writing skills such as referencing, literature reviews, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey methods and report writing.

Our Online Resources

Our trusty LibGuides are tailored to effectively assist you with finding relevant information in a specific subject area. They feature information and advice on searching for relevant print and e-resources such as books and journal articles, recommend websites and databases. And information about how to get in touch with your subject librarian for additional assistance with accessing any further recourses you may require. You can also find our A-Z list of databases we are subscribed to for all your research needs with trial access included. Our detailed subject guides also cover every school within the university. We also have guides for conducting a literature review, critical thinking skills, reference management systems and referencing styles such as APA 7th.

Training and Events Calendar…

Throughout the year, library staff run a variety of workshops and training sessions. These are to assist you in developing and enhancing your academic skillset. The sessions are easily bookable through Libcal for students and staff. Like our Libguide, the sessions and workshops cover research skills such as conducting literature reviews, utilising reference management systems such as Endnote and Mendeley. Library help for your specific subject area and database searching skills. These are only a few examples of the training sessions we offer. Do not worry if one of the sessions you wish to attend is fully booked as well – our library staff often run several of the same workshops throughout the year to provide students and staff with the most opportunity possible to attend!

Find out more about our training and events calendar in our Home – Edinburgh Napier University webpage. You can also access our full and up-to-date calendar through here as well.

Other ways in which our libraries can support postgraduate and postgraduate study…

Whether you seek a silent study space to work with no distractions, or a group study space to collaborate with classmates. We even have somewhere to relax and unwind from your studies. Each campus library offers a range of study spaces tailored to your individual and research needs. We also have bookable rooms and study spaces which can be reserved through Resource Booker. A majority of them are also equipped with a PC, whiteboard, and plasma screen. And a family study roomsat Merchiston campus for students with young children. These study rooms feature small tables and chairs, child-sized bean bags and toys to keep them occupied while you study! You can read more about family study rooms and our regulations on our Family Study Room webpage on My Napier.

As well as our study spaces and bookable rooms, we also offer relaxation spaces in each campus library for when our students require a break and some time away from the textbooks. These cosy corners are usually equipped with comfortable seating such as sofas and armchairs, leaflets, and jigsaw puzzles. They are usually situated near our windows to let in the natural light. You can read more about our well-being collection and what kinds of books are featured within it in our  LibGuide.

 

We wish our postgraduate students the best of luck with their studies over the summer and their futures and careers going forward.

By Rachel Downie

 

A range of postgraduate posts

John Napier bronze bust at Merchsiton.

History of Napier

08/07/2024 / / 0 Comments

History of Napier

Ever wonder how the name Napier in Edinburgh Napier University? Ever wonder about the old tower on Merchiston Campus? Or the statue placed by the tower? Well, wonder no more.  We are going to look at the History of Napier.

John Napier

John Napier, eighth Laird of Merchiston, was born in Merchiston Tower in Edinburgh in 1550. He died in Merchiston Tower in 1617, the very tower that stands in the centre of Merchiston Campus.

John Napier is most ‘famous for his contributions to the world of Mathematics. His invention of logarithms decoded previously unexplored complexities within mathematics and inspired contemporaries, as well as future generations, to pursue and realise their own academic achievements in many fields of scientific inquiry. His later introduction of a series of calculating devices ensured mathematics was applied to common use and enabled the development of entrepreneurialism’ (Napier.ac.uk/ourHistory)

Today, logarithms are an internal part of Science, Engineering and Computing.

Napier’s dedication to the Protestant Faith is well-documented and it is suggested by some historians that he considered his book Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St John as his finest work.  It is his interpretation of the Protestant Christian Bible’s Book Revelation.  A time of change in Scotland including the dethronement of Mary, Queen of Scots and the coronation of James VI.

John Napier also had a number of other inventions including Machines of War and Archimedes Screw (one of the earliest hydraulic machines) and Common Salts.

John Napier died in 1617, nearly 350 years later, Edinburgh Napier University began it’s journey.

Edinburgh Napier University

Our foundations go all the way back to the 16th century. But in the last five decades has seen us grow into a globally renowned institution. Opened our doors as Napier Technical College in 1964, welcoming 800 students. To now, home to over 19500 students from over 140 countries. In 1992, Napier is officially inaugurated as a University. Lord James Douglas Hamilton and Principal William Turmeau unveil the new University sign at Merchiston.

In 2024, Edinburgh Napier wins the 2024 Higher Educational Institution of the Year.

At Edinburgh Napier University, we believe in the importance of making a difference. While we’ve risen in rankings and grown in scope over the years, we’ve stayed true to our heritage as an applied technical institution. For our students and researchers, this means that learning and discovery don’t just take place in the lab or the classroom, it happen in the real world.

We’ve come a long way from 1550.

A timetable of Edinburgh Napier University.

Read about our Heritage

 

Graduations at the Usher hall on the 5th of July 2023 coincided with King Charles III visit to Holyrood and included a Red Arrow display team fly over the city including the Usherhall while the graduation Ceremony was in progress.

Class of 2024

03/07/2024 / / 0 Comments

Class of 2024.

Well done and many hearty congratulations to the class of 2024. Today is the start of our Summer graduations at the Usher Hall on Lothian Road. Starting off with the School of Applied Sciences. And finishing with the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment and School of Health and Social Care. We congratulate you and wish you all the best for future endeavours.

Graduations 2024

Graduations are a special time of year for everyone at Edinburgh Napier University. And there is certainly a buzz of excitement at the University. Our graduations are being held at the Usher Hall. The Usher Hall came about at the end of the 19th Century, with Whisky brewer Andrew Usher gifting £100 000 to the City of Edinburgh. According to the Bank of England, that’s roughly over 11 million pounds. The dream was that the Usher Hall would ‘become and remain a centre and attraction to musical artistes and performers and to the citizens of Edinburgh and others…’ (UsherHall.co.uk).  Unfortunately, Andrew Usher died before he saw his dreams come to reality, Usher Hall was opened in March 1914. Since then Usher Hall has been a pinnacle in the city centre and the home of our graduations.

The auditorium will open one hour before the start of the ceremony. All guests and graduands (graduating students) must be seated at least 20 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony.  Then the Academic Procession and the Chancellor’s Procession enter the auditorium. The Chancellor of the University will declare the ceremony open and deliver his opening address. And the graduating ceremony begins. MyNapier Graduations has more information. 

Well done Class of 2024

We just want to say congratulations one more time. The library is truly proud of all the work achieved and accomplished. We are wishing the very best for the future. And don’t forget, you can join the Alumni Network.  

Which will give you endless library visits and you can always follow the blog.

 

 

Lest we forget
War Poets Collection re-launch event. Projections on the old Craiglockhart building by Double Take Projections.

‘Lest we forget’: Armed Forces Day 29 June 2024

29/06/2024 / / 0 Comments

‘Lest we forget’: Armed Forces Day 29 June 2024

On the last Saturday of June every year, Armed Forces Day emerges as an annual day-long commemoration of the service carried out by those within the Armed Forces community. As well as promoting vast recognition and awareness of the sacrifices they have made and the service they have provided in past wars and wartimes. It also fosters a national appreciation of the work they continue to do today. All throughout the year, the Armed Forces community works not only to provide national security and promote peace. They also offer national and foreign aid when needed, deal with drug smuggling and trafficking instances, and combat terrorism on both a national and global scale.

 

Showing our appreciation and support for the Armed Forces significantly boosts morale within the Armed Forces community. Both for the veterans, current personnel and their families. There is an abundance of opportunities as well in which individuals, society, organisations, and institutions can express and demonstrate their support. You can learn more about how to show your support on the Armed Forces Day webpage: Get Involved – Armed Forces Day.

 

Lest We forget: Our War Poets Collection…

 

Craiglockhart War Hospital hosted more than 1800 officers from the First World War suffering from shellshock and various other casualties which emerged from some of the horrific experiences they encountered in the trenches. This building now forms part of one of the three campuses of Edinburgh Napier University and hosts our War Poets Collection Exhibition.

This collection is made up of just over 800 different items and archival materials, including poetic works from former soldiers including Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. A signed copies of first-edition books, and three original issues of the famous Hydra magazine. What is so unique and interesting about this collection is that most of the materials and items give a very deep and informative insight into the social and personal experiences of those who served in and lived through the First World War. The accounts and perspectives provided by soldiers, medical staff, and families of the military community during these times bring to light the raw and very real experiences and hardships which they lived through.

 

Starting this year with a new yearly-recurring feature for Armed Forces Day, we will highlight a different member of the Armed Forces community who was linked to Craiglockhart War Hospital. First up is:

 

Lest we forget: Captain James Edgar Leach VC (1894-1958)…

James Edgar Leach VC, like the soldier poets Wilfred Owen and Seigfried Sassoon, was a patient at the Craiglockhart War Hospital and had served as a sergeant in the First World War. A document written by his granddaughter Felicity, who conducted some recent research about his life, forms a significant part of our War Poet’s Collection. It serves as a memorial of remembrance of his life, achievements, and experiences during the war.

James Edgar Leach VC was noted to have been born on the 27th of July 1894 at Bowerham Barracks, Lancaster. His father, James Leach, was also noted to have been “a Colour Sergeant with the King’s Own Royal Regiment.”

 

It seems that James Leach VC followed a similar path to his father and was eventually promoted to sergeant himself during the War. His courage and distinguished conduct in the First Battle of the Aisne played a huge part in helping him achieve this promotion. On 29 October 1914, he and Sergeant John Hogan were also awarded the Victoria Cross for demonstrating bravery, resilience and effective forward-planning and strategy. When serving for the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment on the field and assigned to the unit on the Western Front. The announcement made in the London Gazette, 22 December 1914, notes their “conspicuous bravery near Festubert on 29 October”. There they  decided after two failed attempts at recapture to “recover the trenches themselves” on the afternoon. They were also said to have worked “from traverse to traverse at close quarters with great bravery”. And eventually regained possession successfully, having held their ground even when faced with heavy shelling. The Victoria Cross is recognised as the highest. It is the most reputable award for showing valour against their opponents on the battlefield.

 

James Leach VC eventually went on to receive the rank of Captain. The Victoria Cross which he was awarded can be found on display inside the Lord Ashcroft Gallery.  Located within the Imperial War Museum in London. More information can be found on the Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes | Imperial War Museums webpage.

 

Felicity, upon visiting the former Craiglockhart War Hospital, has described that this visit made her feel a “closer connection” to her grandfather James Edgar Leach VC. She also noted the ambience of the building. Particularly within the long corridor alongside the War Poets Collection and the Rivers Suite, which she described as “impressive.” And then implied that it had brought to life an image in her mind of what the building may have looked like over a century ago. She described how the doors in front of the War Poets Collection opening “on to the former main entrance to the hospital”. And the “beautiful black and white tiled flooring” made her feel like she was “walking in her grandfather’s footsteps.”

 

Based on Felicity’s description of visiting our War Poets Collection, it was a very moving and reflective experience. Both the building itself and the range of archival materials and items detailing the personal experiences and hardships faced by many patients of the Craiglockhart War Hospital. It all brought to life the very real horrors of the First World War. And sacrifices made by the veterans, their families, and the Armed Forces community.

 

You can view all the War Poets Collection items and materials through LibrarySearch. The collection itself can also be visited and consulted during general Craiglockhart campus hours. Our Exhibition and Visiting webpage also has more information. Felicity’s written document about her grandfather can also be read in full in the War Poets Collection exhibition area.

 

By Rachel Downie

Learn more about the War Poet Collection. 

And you can read previous posts to learn more about the collection. 

Picture of the Library Bookshelves

Feedback 2024

19/06/2024 / / 0 Comments

 Feedback 2024

Summer is here, well if you ignore the weather.

The libraries have got a bit quieter. So, we thought it is a perfect opportunity to ask for feedback.

At the Library, we are always trying to find new ways to improve. To make our resources both more accessible and more relevant to our users. The best way to do this is of course feedback!

We take feedback very seriously.

How you can give feedback in 2024:

You can give us feedback in various ways, from filling out feedback slip. You will find feedback stations at each library. Or you can email library@napier.ac.uk. You can also reach out via our social media accounts and here at the blog.

Importance of feedback:

We understand the idea of giving feedback, there might be a thought that it won’t matter and nothing will change. But we want to stress that this is not the case with the library. We act on feedback. We listen. For example, we launched our You Said, We Did campaign. The list below is a few examples from our campaign:

  • LapSafe laptops were made accessible
  • ID on mobile phones can now be used instead of a card to borrow laptops from LapSafe
  • Family room Craiglockhart initiated
  • Book stock hours for Merchiston moved to be the same as Craiglockhart & Sighthill
  • Increased number of loans – 30 for students and staff
  • Provided ergonomic equipment.

You can read more on You Said, We Did.

All of those things happened because of feedback.

So once again, we are asking for feedback *insert Bernie Sanders*

Let us know what you like at the library but more importantly, let us know what needs changing or improving.  Check our library webpages to leave feedback.

Tomatoes

16/06/2024 / / 0 Comments

Tomatoes

You read that correctly. That’s our title. Craiglockhart Campus Library is growing tomatoes again, a bumper crop this summer.

Tomatoes at Craiglockhart:

The Info & Ops team have been growing tomatoes at Craiglockhart library workroom for a few years now and this year, we believe, we’re going to have a bumper crop.  When I say bumper crop, I mean more than 3 which is our usual level of harvest to be shared across a team of 7!

We’re currently growing 3 plants of the Tiny Tim variety, small tomato plants which can easily be grown in a pot on a window sill.  Although this is a compact variety, here at Craiglockhart the plants grow a bit long due to the lack of light, hence the canes you see in the pictures.

Tomatoes growing at Craiglockhart

Growing Tomatoes

The seeds for these particular plants were sown in February this year. They were then kept warm in a conservatory until about the end of March. And then moved to a greenhouse when it got warmer.  When I say warmer it got warm and then cold again so initially they had to be covered with fleece to keep them warm!  They’ve been in the window for about 2 months now and have really come on, albeit in a long way!

When the flowers came out we helped with the pollination by brushing the flowers with a paintbrush.  The plants must be kept well (and consistently) watered to prevent the skins from splitting and blossom end rot. This is where the bottom of the tomato (where you can see the remains of the flower) turns black.  They’re also now being fed once per week with Tomorite (other brands of tomato feed are available!).

We’re all very much looking forward to the tomatoes growing and ripening over the next few weeks.  Looks like we’re going to get more than half (or less than) a tomato each this year!

Salad anyone?

by Cathryn Buckham

 

Edinburgh

Things to do in Edinburgh over the Summer Period

14/06/2024 / / 0 Comments

Things to do in Edinburgh over the Summer Period

Stumped for what to do over the summer? Looking for inspiration? Look no further – here, you can find a list of venues and activities located within the city of Edinburgh. As well as a range of events taking place here over the summer. Whether you are seeking out live entertainment, cultural experiences, or simply to wind down in nature following a long exam season, Edinburgh has a range of exciting events on during the summer period. There are also many breathtaking attractions and outdoor hill walks if you wish to immerse yourself in the natural wonders that the city has to offer.

 

Festivals and Entertainment over the Summer…

Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2nd of August – 26th of August 2024)

The iconic three-week Edinburgh Fringe Festival started shortly after the Second World War when eight theatre groups were uninvited to perform live at the Edinburgh International Festival. Many performers were influenced by this movement and started to follow in their footsteps until the Festival Fringe Society eventually emerged in 1958.

The Fringe Festival now occurs every August in Edinburgh and welcomes huge numbers of artists and performers worldwide. Venues, along with bars and food stalls, are often scattered around the city centre as well. When it comes to genres of each live performance, we are spoiled for choice – you can see many live acts playing out through the city streets including circus performers, physical and musical theatre, comedy acts, opera, dance acts, children’s shows, and many, many more. Some of them are even free of charge!

You can stay up to date with what acts are on and when they are playing by following the Edinburgh Fringe Festival social media channels, checking out the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website or downloading the Fringe app.

Walks and Nature in Edinburgh …

Arthurs Seat and Calton Hill

Located within Holyrood Park and a short walk from the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat is a popular peak.  A hill walk for activities such as hiking and sightseeing. It is the highest point of Holyrood Park and an extinct ancient volcano which sits at 251m above sea level. And provides vast, panoramic, and breathtaking views of the cityscapes of Edinburgh. It is relatively easy to climb for avid hillwalkers and is known to take approximately one to two hours to reach the top.

If you are looking for a gentler hill walk which also has excellent, panoramic views of the city. Calton Hill is also a very short walk from Edinburgh city centre and hosts our National Monument. As well as the Collective Art Gallery which is a contemporary art centre situated on top of Calton Hill.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Don’t fancy hill walking? Located one mile from the city centre is also the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. It offers 72 acres of magnificent landscape and scenery as well as being home to over 10,000 different plant species. Visitors can immerse themselves in the peace and tranquillity of the park scenery. And being presented with the opportunity to learn more about the fascinating origins and history of the park itself, which was founded by two doctors researching the use of plants for remedial purposes in 1670. Some of the most popular features of the gardens include the Chinese Hillside, the Queen Mother’s memorial garden, the Giant Redwood trees in the Woodland Garden and the globally recognised Rock Garden.

Albeit the glasshouses, you can visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh free of charge. Nevertheless, you may still be tempted to spend some money in the Botanics Shop which offers a varied selection of souvenirs, gifts, artwork and plants. You can find more information and check for any upcoming events being held there through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh webpage.

Edinburgh International Book Festival (10th of August – 25th of August 2024)

As can be expected, our library team were going to find an opportunity to promote a book-related event here! Since 1983, visitors and book lovers have been presented with the chance to meet and engage with some of the greatest and most well-recognised authors, as well as thinkers, performers, and artists at Edinburgh’s International Book Festival. It hosts a variation of innovative and exciting events, some of which include open on-stage discussions and conversations, workshops, think tanks and masterclasses encouraging creativity and skills development. Many authors will sign copies of their books for you after each event as well.

As is the case with many festivals, food and drink is available. As well as relaxation spaces such as the indoor café on Lauriston Place. There is also an on-site bookshop should any of the authors you engage with at the festival gauge your interest! Every year, the festival also seeks out short-term staff over the summer to assist with visitors and the running of the festival. Some of the perks of the job include discounted books and entry to events. A booklover’s dream job!

The Edinburgh International Book Festival will take place at Edinburgh Futures Institute this year. More information can be found on their webpage: Edinburgh International Book Festival (edbookfest.co.uk).

 

Other cool attractions to check out…

 

  • Edinburgh Castle
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • Dynamic Earth
  • Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
  • St Cecilias Concert Room and Music Museum
  • The Scott Monument
  • Edinburgh Dungeon

 

By Rachel Downie

We will be updating the blog regularly over the summer with fun and interesting articles, stay tuned!

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