Latest news with #WesterHailes
Edinburgh Reporter
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Writers urged to apply for Story Shop places
Writers are encouraged to apply for places on the writer development programme Story Shop run by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the National Library of Scotland before the 20 July deadline. Story Shop began in 2007 and offers authors the opportunity to perform in live storytelling events at the Edinburgh International Festival Bookshop. In 2009 it moved to the Spiegeltent and it has been a launch pad for several writers. It is now coming back in a new format with Story Sessions which will take place during August and emerging writers are urged to apply for a slot. This will link selected authors to the National Library of Scotland's (NLS) Dear Library exhibition sharing their stories about becoming a writer. These will be performed in the National Library's exhibition space where NLS is celebrating the power of books and libraries. The exhibition is named 'Dear Library', after the poem by former Makar Jackie Kay, whose literary archive was acquired by the Library last year. The National Library of Scotland continues its centenary celebrations with a major exhibition celebrating all kinds of libraries, and the books that shaped us. Pic caption: Wester Hailes Librarians & exhibition contributors Jessi Dimmock & Susannah Leake on the library steps Pic Neil Hanna Dr Harriet MacMillan, Director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature said:'Story Shop holds a very special place in the heart of many of the city's writers. We thought that our 20th anniversary as the world's first City of Literature was the perfect opportunity to engage with a new cohort of literary talent. Our city has an unparalleled literary heritage, held by the National Library of Scotland; we are so excited to find diverse new voices who will become part of this tradition.' Martha Burns Findlay, Head of Public Programmes at the National Library of Scotland said:'The National Library of Scotland is a home of writers' archives and a treasure trove of stories, so we're delighted to be collaborating with Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature on the upcoming Story Sessions. Our exhibition 'Dear Library' will provide a unique backdrop for this event series. Guest writers will be nestled amongst the books in our pop-up reading room – it's sure to be a memorable experience for all.' Dear Library Story Sessions is a development opportunity and showcase for writers based in Edinburgh that are comfortable performing and sharing the books that have inspired their writing. Produced by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, it takes place 12 – 14, and 19 – 21 August, Tues – Thursday, at midday – free and ticketed – in the National Library's exhibition space. Dear Library Story Sessions is ticketed on the Fringe programme online. Submissions for writers to apply close on Sunday 20 July 2025. You can find out more information about the Story Sessions callout and how to submit via the website: The National Library of Scotland continues its centenary celebrations with a major exhibition celebrating all kinds of libraries, and the books that shaped us. Pic caption: Wester Hailes Librarians and exhibition contributors Susannah Leake & Jessi Dimmock read to Jo Stevenson with her son Sonny (aged5) Pic Neil Hanna Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
National Library of Scotland unveils centenary exhibition
To host the organisation, the library's exhibition space at George IV Bridge has been transformed into a reading room filled with recommendations from the public and some of Scotland's best-known faces. Western Hails librarian Jessi Dimmock reading to Jo Stevenson and three-year-old Sonny (Image: Neil Hanna) Amina Shah, national librarian, said: "Developing this exhibition has been a labour of love for us, as we have chosen to use our centenary year to shine a spotlight on the power of libraries. "We kicked off our 'Love Libraries' campaign in February, which shouts about all the great work libraries and librarians do. "This exhibition complements the campaign. "Libraries change lives. "They empower individuals and the communities they belong to." "The library sector has a proud shared history of working together to make sure everyone can benefit from access to information, stories, culture and knowledge – from school libraries to universities, mobile libraries to specialised archives – many of whom have contributed to this exhibition. "We expect library fans and book lovers will visit this exhibition multiple times – there's so much to celebrate and discover.' Read more: National Library of Scotland unveils 'landmark' centenary programme Here's a funny thing about summer in Scotland... 'Paul Buchanan's singing actually reminds me of Miles Davis's trumpet playing' Credit: Neil Hanna Wester Hailes librarians Jessi Dimmock and Susannah Leake on the main staircase of the National Library of Scotland in celebration of the opening of its centenary exhibition Dear Library (Image: Neil Hanna) As part of the exhibition, the Library has ditched the practice of displaying items in glass cases, instead encouraging people to browse the shelves and examine any item that piques their interest. The books featured were suggested through a public call-out for the books that shaped people's lives. They also include recommendations from Damian Barr, Val McDermid, Alan Cumming, Gemma Cairney, Sir Ian Rankin, Lauren Mayberry, and Pat Nevin. The exhibition also showcases the role of libraries and librarians in popular culture, banners, and badges used in protests against library closures, and vintage film footage of libraries from the past. There is plenty for children too, with a Bookbug trail, a Lego model of a library, and a makerspace where people can create their own library card or placard. Kirsten MacQuarrie from CILIPS (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland), next to the protest banner she has loaned to the National Library of Scotland's Centenary exhibition Dear Library (Image: Neil Hanna) Specialist libraries from across the country have loaned items to the exhibition, including: the Glasgow Women's Library, The Nature Library, Making Public's Press (formerly Skye Zine Library), Innerpeffray Library, and the Library of Mistakes. These items show the variety of things libraries collect, including a bird's nest and rare books from Scotland's first free public lending library. Angus Robertson, Culture Secretary, said: "The National Library has been a cornerstone of our nation's cultural life for generations. "This exhibition is a direct reflection of the impact libraries have had, bringing together just some of the books and objects that have helped to shape our country and the people who live here. "Whether you are a regular borrower or first-time visitor, I would encourage everyone to visit this remarkable exhibition and re-discover the profound impact that libraries have had on our lives and communities." Teresa Elsmore with a Lego library model which forms part of the National Library of Scotland's centenary exhibition (Image: Neil Hanna) Dear Library opens on Friday, June 20, and will run until April 2026. Entry is free and the exhibition is open during library hours, Monday to Saturday. Further details of the Library's centenary celebrations are available to view on the National Library of Scotland website.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Edinburgh man called 999 and warned 'I have a knife' as he walked down train tracks
A knife thug had the east coast rail network shut down when he threatened to murder police officers while brandishing a blade. Peter Henshaw called 999 and told operators he was armed with the large knife and wanted to murder a police officer as he walked along the rail tracks at an Edinburgh train station. Henshaw, 42, said he would 'kill any officer' who approached him and rail bosses were forced to close down the network in the early hours of Boxing Day last year. Armed police raced to the scene at the capital's Wester Hailes train station and Henshaw was eventually stopped after he was tasered as he walked towards officers while holding the blade. READ MORE: Edinburgh to see thunderstorms hit capital as sun makes way for rain READ MORE: Edinburgh filmmaker warns 'we need to be honest about what's happening on schemes' Henshaw appeared from custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month where he pleaded guilty to possessing a knife and stating he would kill police officers while standing on the tracks at Wester Hailes train station. Fiscal depute Erin Illand told the court Henshaw first contacted the 999 emergency service and stated 'I'm going to kill someone' at around 1.35am on December 26 last year. Ms Illand said: 'At 1.46am a second call was made and he stated 'I've got a kitchen knife and I'm going to go out and kill someone'. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 'Police officers spoke to the accused at 1.59am and during that call he stated 'I'm at Wester Hailes train station and I have a knife and I'm going to kill police'.' Officers attended at the station where they found Henshaw standing on the tracks in possession of 17cm long blade. The court heard he told the constables to 'get to f***' and that he would 'kill any officer' who approached him. The fiscal added: 'The accused then contacted 999 again and stated 'If the officer with the dog doesn't back off I am going to kill people'." The court was told armed officers officers attended the scene and Network Rail was contacted to cancel all trains due to Henshaw making his way along the lines on foot. The lout was traced around an hour later where he was seen holding the blade to his chest and officers were forced to use a taser as Henshaw approached them with the knife. Henshaw was subsequently taken to St John's hospital in Livingston and later arrested and charged. He returned to the dock for sentencing on Friday where lawyer Joe Boyd said his client had been suffering from 'a significant and protracted problem with alcohol'. Mr Boyd said Henshaw had been 'drinking heavily and consistently' on Christmas Day and had 'no clear memory' of the incident involving police on the train tracks. The solicitor added: 'While he accepts the language used, direct threats towards the police officers, he tells me he had no intention to do any harm to anyone other than himself. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 'He tells me the disruption that was caused, to no doubt a number of people as a result of the rail network having to be closed, he is extremely remorseful about it.' Sheriff Kenneth Campbell KC described the incident as 'concerning' but acknowledged Henshaw had been in custody for five months agreed to the defence motion to impose a community order. Henshaw, of Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, was placed under the supervision of the social work department for 15 months and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. The sheriff also imposed a conduct requirement where Henshaw will have to attend alcohol and mental health counselling when required to do so.
Scotsman
21-04-2025
- Scotsman
Edinburgh police recovered class A drugs worth an estimated street value of £50,000 in Wester Hailes raid
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Edinburgh police officers recovered Class-A drugs worth an estimated street value of £50,000 in a Wester Hailes raid earlier this month. Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... On Thursday, April 10, officers in the south west of the city recovered the Class-A drugs worth an estimated street value of £50,000 from an address in Dumbeg Park, Edinburgh. On Thursday, April 10, officers recovered an estimated street value of £50,000 class A drugs from an address in Dumbeg Park, Edinburgh. | Google Maps Click here to sign up 👇 Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This was in addition to an estimated street value of £3200 Class-A and Class-B drugs seized from an address in Stenhouse Drive earlier in the week. Two men aged 29 and 31 have been arrested in connection with the enquiry, which remains ongoing. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Please continue to report drug dealing in the area.'
