Luke and Al discuss the differences between the two news bulletins.
STV vs. BBC
Posted by edinburghnapiernews on February 8, 2010
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Julia and Tracy – News treatment discussion
Posted by edinburghnapiernews on February 8, 2010
News Treatment discussion
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Alternative Fitness
Posted by edinburghnapiernews on February 8, 2010
Tired of running, pumping iron or all of those tried and tested methods of making yourself buff? Do this instead.
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Avatar pockets USD 2 b at box office
Posted by nganesh on February 1, 2010
James Cameron’s 3-D science fiction movie ”Avatar” has grossed USD 2.039 billion surpassing the USD 2 billion mark held by Titanic by the same director.
The movie’s distributor, 20th Century Fox, released the figures on Sunday. Fox declined to forecast where the film would end up, since it expected Tuesday morning’s Oscar nominations to spur a new wave of interest, Reuters said.
Avatar last Monday smashed the USD 1.843 billion record set in 1998 by Titanic. Fox did predict that Avatar would break Titanic’s North American record of USD 601 million by Wednesday.
The foreign collection stands at USD 1.45 billion after a USD 95 million weekend from 120 countries. It remained No 1 in many of them, including France, China, Australia and Brazil.
The movie could pull in so much money because ticket prices were considerably higher for 3 D screenings.
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China angry at US arms sales to Taiwan
Posted by nganesh on February 1, 2010
Edinburgh, Feb 1
The US today defended its 4 billion pounds arms sales to Taiwan following protest from China. Washington said it was committed to helping the island nation defend itself, a US official said.
The arms sales has strained further the US-China relationship. An official Chinese daily said US weapons sales to Taiwan, which China claims as its own inevitably cast a long shadow on Sino-US relations, Reuters said.
China’s response, no matter how vehement, is justified, it said. No country worthy of respect can sit idle while its national security is endangered and core interests damaged, it said.
US Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asia-Pacific region said Washington aimed to maintain cooperative, cordial relations with China but would not abandon Taiwan.
“The US is also obligated to ensure Taiwan’s self-defence capability and the US fully intends to meet every one of our obligations there and we will continue to do so into the future,” he said in Tokyo.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must accept eventual unification, by force if necessary.
China’s president Hu Jintao has not commented yet on the issue suggesting that he wants to keep some leeway in dealing with Washington.
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Buckfast a Symptom, Not a Cause.
Posted by Tracy Norris on February 1, 2010
The monks of Buckfast Abbey have defended their product in a statement today saying it was “hard to see” how the wine could be “held responsible for all the social ills” of Strathclyde.
The possible link between the wine and crime emerged after a Freedom of Information request by BBC Scotland. Buckfast Tonic Wine was mentioned in 5,638 crime reports from 2006 to 2009, Strathclyde Police said. One in 10 of those offences were violent and the bottle was used as a weapon 114 times in that period leading to Supt Bob Hamilton, of Strathclyde Police, stating that is was “clear from the figures that there is an association there”.
Buckfast have issued a statement defending the wine, which its distributors say has just 0.5% of Scotland’s alcohol market “Has anyone considered that the misuse of this wine by some could be seen as a symptom rather than a cause of such problems?”
There have been calls for the wine to be banned by the EU, but South West Conservative MEP Ashley Fox said banning Buckfast would “destroy years of Devon heritage”. He said: “Do people honestly think that if Buckfast wine is banned, hooligans will start drinking tea?”.
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Celebrated photographer Weston, goes East.
Posted by Steve Gold on February 1, 2010
By Steve Gold
A major Arts exhibition devoted to the legendary US photographer, the late Edward Weston, is sure to draw huge crowds at Edinburgh’s newly reopened City Art Centre this summer.
Edward Weston: Life Work is organised by art2art Circulating Exhibitions and will run throughout Edinburgh’s main summer festivals period from July until late October 2010. The touring event is coming from the USA to Edinburgh for its only UK showing before returning to New York. The event will be the biggest exhibition of the photographer’s works ever to be seen in Britain. It will be held in the Council run, City Art Centre on Market Street, which is due to be refurbished at a cost of £700k.
Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture Leader, said: “Edward Weston is recognised as being one of the greats of 20th century photography so we are really delighted to be exhibiting his work at the City Art Centre next summer. The City Art Centre has played host to some truly sensational photography shows, including the stunningly successful Ansel Adams ‘Celebration of Genius’ show in 2008 and the fantastic Albert Watson photography exhibition ‘Frozen’ in 2006 – I’m sure the Edward Weston exhibition will draw equally impressive crowds.”
Photo courtesy of www.edward-weston.com
For those who are not aware of one of the masters of 20th century photography, Weston’s work and life;
Edward Henry Weston was born in Highland Park, Illinois, and raised in Chicago. He received his first camera from his father in 1902 and began working as a photographer in his spare time. He then travelled to California where he worked as a door-to-door portrait photographer. After studying at Illinois College of Photography from 1908 to 1911, he opened his own portrait studio in Tropico, California. Weston became dissatisfied with his work and by 1920 he was experimenting with semi-abstractions.
His photographs of the ARMCO Steelworks in Ohio marked a turning point in his career. They were unpretentious and true to reality. He then moved to Mexico City and then San Francisco. His photography continued to develop with the use of soft-focus techniques and started his precise studies of natural forms. He began to work on his most famous work: natural-form close-ups, nudes, and landscapes.
Weston started a family, with wife Tina Modotti, who had two sons Brett and Cole. Weston developed Parkinson’s disease and died in 1958, aged 72.
The ’survey exhibition’ at the City Art Centre will showcase 115 vintage prints from all phases of Weston’s five-decade career. Previously unpublished masterpieces are interspersed with well-known signature images. The exhibition is arranged in seven thematic sections: early work, Mexico, portraits, nudes, still life, early landscape and late landscape. A 30-minute video, Remembering Edward Weston, featuring interviews with family members will also accompany the show.
This exhibition will be yet another jewel in the crown of Edinburgh International Festival and increase Edinburgh’s cultural pull.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: Edinburgh Festival, edward weston, photography | Leave a Comment »
Greenpeace members jailed in Denmark for twenty-two days for bursting official dinner
Posted by irenesword on January 11, 2010
By Irene Gimeno
Four Greenpeace members, including the president of the organization in Spain, were arrested in Copenhagen on the 17th of December 2009 to remain in prison until the 7th of January because the Danish Superior Court decided so after they faked their identities in an official dinner organized by Margarita II of Denmark for the Heads of State of those countries attending the Climate Conference.
Juan Lopez de Uralde, president of Greenpeace in Spain and Nora Christiansen, from Norway, were walking through the red carpet when the extended a banner which said “politicians talk, leaders act”. They had claimed to be the “Head of State” of Greenpeace and his wife, followed by Christian Schmutz, allegedly their bodyguard. The three of them were arrested ipsofacto whilst a fourth member of the most popular ecologist organization in the world. Joris Thijssen was arrested the next on the grounds of the mind of the action since he was the International Responsible for the Climate Change Campaign.
The usual procedure of next-day-release arrest in this kind of situations surprised everyone in the organization when Denmark’s Superior Court announced that the activists must stay in prison until the seventh of January of the following year – a total of twenty-two days of imprisonment – which resulted excessive by both the affected and their families and colleagues, considering that the arrested were deprived of spending Christmas with their loved ones, accused of offences such as “identity supplanting”.
Greenpeace claimed that during the last twenty years, world leaders have ignored the climate change problem, risking the planet’s welfare; therefore, they decided to intervene in the social act to remark that the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 was the first real opportunity to take a step, says Mario Rodriguez, Greenpeace Spain. He asserts at the Spanish website of the organization that once again politicians failed to their duty of creating “a legally binding treaty to ensure the proper reductions of greenhouse-effect-gases emission to prevent the increase of the Earth temperature by two degrees celsius”, signing instead “The Copenhagen Treaty” which constitutes, according to the ecologist member “a void shell: a hand grenade against the multilateral efforts to stop the climate change“.
Not only do the activists recently released assure that the incident will not stop them, but that it will in fact increase their fight. Their members back at home, the organization wants to make sure the average citizen know the challenge the planet is facing and that society should respond to that in a practical way. A vital call for the action is been made after the severe punishment the four ecologist received in Denmark.
Posted in All Politics, Life and Society | Tagged: climate change, Copenhagen, Greenpeace | Leave a Comment »
RestByte
Posted by mjhowson on January 11, 2010
There is a familiar issue experienced by students: what to do when there are no classes, no work to do and no money in the drinking column. The answer for a good few is to game, and that is no longer just an answer for the geekier among us. Ever since Modern Warfare 2 overtook Avatar in Box Office sales, gaming has become a serious media.
So how does the world of student and gaming combine? In RestBYTE, a new student run website. Liam Anderson, a co-creator and the website designer for the project explains “we know you can get a review anywhere that tells you HOW good the game is. The problem is these 5 star games then over-exhert themselves on to us and we end up with poor grades. The answer is a website that advises how addictive the game is.”
On this premise RestBYTE has designed a rating system that includes: “unplayable”, “dont try this at home unless your an achievement or trophy whore”, “good dipping”, and “leave it till summer honey”! The aim is to be humourous but informative and to help students avoid a controller addiction over term time.
“There is the aim of total interactivity – forums and comment pages, within a user-friendly setting” states Anderson, which should make RestBYTE the first of its kind. The writing staff are keen however to remain cutting edge but realistic. “After all this is a free publication, we will be writing from our own stocks of games”: what comes across is the websites awareness that it may not necessarily review the must-have game right away but have a catalogue of hundreds of older games once it is up and running. The features sound intersting to, exploring the eternal debate of Guitar Hero v. Rock Band, 360 v. PS3, and what older console rocks!
The site is still taking its baby steps, but is hoping to collaborate with Edinburgh Napier as well as other Universities post launch.
Posted in Entertainment, Life and Society | Tagged: games, gaming, RestBYTE | Leave a Comment »
A preview of the next decade’s weather
Posted by mjhowson on January 11, 2010
2009 was all about recycling, reusing and reducing. There was a barrage of constant information demanding we highten our recycling efforts. Scotland vowed to cut emissions by 42% by 2020, the strongest commitment by any country. Copenhagen came and went and no one really followed suit. The end of 2009 saw Britian in the brace of cold snap, that further proved theories of global warming.
The outlook on 2010 environmentally is bleak. A decade ago global warming was a distant problem and it has crept up on us quicker than expected. The proof is the Artic ice melting, and predictions are without change, there will be no ice over summer. The reality is that there will be no where for polar bears to live.
Polar bears are not the only creatures of concern, deforrestation has seen the panda and tiger both emerge high on the endangered species list. These cuddly creatures emotionally engage us. But what about the less cute critters – people don’t consider that thier dinner may be endangered. Sadly overfishing has resulted in cod, salmon, pollock and tuna being endangered.
The World Wildlife Fedaration want people to also think about the house plants, and herbal remedies being used. Ginsing, considered a wonder-herb that premotes life and treats ailments such as depression, diabeties and anxiety disorder, needs to be preserved. Also on the cards is the loss of Maghogany Trees due to over logging for commercial use.
Scotland is so far ahead of the numbers game, but we are a long way away from healing the world.
Posted in Life and Society, World In Depth | Tagged: Copenhagen, global warming | Leave a Comment »
Ghillie New
Posted by alyfra on January 11, 2010
by Aly Fraser – 11th Jan ‘10
With over 40 properties throughout the country, native chain G1 Group lends considerable weight to the Scottish entertainment scene. Independentlyowning an array of bars, clubs, restaurants. cinemas and hotels they have turned their attention to the old casino and tourism office in Edinburgh’s West End. Laying idle and unloved on Rutland Place for a several years now, it has been left out of the recent redevelopment and renewal of the West End. However its luck has changed. Scheduled to be completed in March 2010 with the new name ‘Ghillie Dhu’ it is set to have a bar and bistro on the ground floor and underneath the newly uncovered, classic vaulted ceiling upstairs an ‘entertainment venue’ unashamedly aimed at being one of Edinburgh’s best Fringe venues.
It would seem then that the newbie on the block shall fit in with the current upmarket locals. There is the ‘reminiscent of New York’ Hudson Bar and its stylish subterranean sister Bacaro Club or the bold UV-coloured Club Berlin. However on Princes Street’s final throe before merging with Shandwick Place comes the Ghillie Dhu’s immediate neighbour, the impressive and expensive Rutland Hotel, 5 seconds from the Caledonian Hilton. No qualms about location then.
2 Rutland Place.
G1 Group have decided to adopt the strategy of not outsourcing their means of bringing in the comedians, musicians and theatre productions but instead doing it themselves. This is creates more risk yet adds the bonus of creating yet more jobs. Tie this in with their reputation of being sympathetic and tasteful when reinstating older buildings, G1 Group sound like a healthy investment for the city.
A short jaunt up the road is the HMV Picturehouse. Opened in mid-2008 it thus heralded a new burst of energy for Edinburgh’s lagging music scene. It lacked a larger, inner-city venue for years and the Picturehouse is regarded has being they key of irrevocably improving it. It has attracted bigger bands which would have only ever played at the other end of the M8. With plans to put on theatre productions the Ghillie Dhu’s live venue doesn’t inspire visions of an airing cupboard and another roomier addition to Edinburgh’s music scene can be no bad thing. Some believe there is a problem however. This new shining, beacon of Scottish development has a Gaelic name. It is to be Scottish-themed. That phrase may well inspire a bout of knuckle-biting among many. People are worried that the staff will inevitably be adorned with some shade of tartan and they will have a list of expensive whiskys on the wall and there may even be scheduled ceilidhs. However this ensures that the place will be ‘hoachin’ throughout the summer, bursting at its tartan seams with rich tourists spending money on the inevitable haggis and whisky. Simultaneously upstairs some of the best comical talent Britain has to offer will be making the Tennents-in-hand natives laugh. Other than sounding like am Orwellian dream it is being hailed as a great asset to the International festival.
No exact date in March has been scheduled for the grand opening but as long as the Ghillie Dhu is open before the festival begins it can iron out any creases before the big push. Nobody would see any harm in attracting a few popular comedians and bands for a test run inbetween times however.
Posted in Economy and Business, Entertainment, Life and Society | Tagged: Bars, Clubs, Edinburgh, Ghillie Dhu, West End | Leave a Comment »
GRRRR-IT! Anger as grit only now hits the streets
Posted by rparris on January 11, 2010
By Rahsian Parris
Photo courtesy of Markgorman
After several weeks of extreme weather conditions and heavy snowfall, the city of Edinburgh is slowly beginning its recovery from the the worst winter in decades. Temperatures as low as -18C had been recorded in Kinbrace, Sutherland, however, also on Saturday, the buzzing Capital of Scotland and its neighbour, Glasgow, saw temperatures rise to a slightly warmer 4C and 0C respectively. These warmer temperatures should come as great news to the hundreds of people left in the deep freeze without working boilers; however, the snow is gradually starting to melt and yet another crisis is pending, sending shock-waves through the city. With slippery roads and slush ridden pavements the city is desperately in need of grit and though the city center and areas surrounding it seem mildly affected, higher up in the hills residents are suffering.
Ms King of South West Edinburgh area, Colinton, expressed her dismay at the current state of the residential area due to excessive snowfall and the slow progress of gritting in her area saying “throughout the whole of the Christmas period I’ve pretty much been stuck in my house, unable to move my car and in fear of even walking down the street to the supermarket because the streets are so snowy and icy and there hadn’t been any grit laid down. I came out this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see that the roads had been somewhat cleared and that grit had finally been put down, but it’s taken far too long; it’s been what? Three weeks now? It’s ridiculous”.
An unhappy elderly resident stated “the pavements have been cleared near the school in time for the start of the new term, but the kids are young, strong and stable, I have almost slipped many a time on these streets since it started snowing, what about those of us that cannot just pick ourselves back up?”
Grit, the deicing salt responsible for making icey roads safer to drive and walk on has been in huge demand as the wider United Kingdom, including Wales and many cities in England were panicked after it was announced that there may have been a shortage in supplies of grit throughout. However, over the past couple of days saviour lorry deliveries, of which the first supplies were loaded with 12,000 tonnes of grit, are aiding in the fight against the freeze, just as the country received further warning to be aware that the snowfall may not be over.
In a recent press release about The City of Edinburgh Council’s work during the current weather conditions, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Cllr Jenny Dawe supported the council’s efforts stating: “The last few weeks have seen a massive amount of increased pressure on Council services. I am confident that our staff have been putting in maximum effort, working around the clock in the face of the difficult weather conditions, to reduce the impact for those living and working in the city. [...] We have seen some treacherous conditions on the roads and our priority must remain [with] the main routes into the city, access routes for emergency services and routes to hospitals. We are acutely aware of the impact on local areas because of the priority system. Residents should utilise the 1,600 on street grit bins across the city, which are replenished as quickly as possible. [...] I am sure that people are thinking of those less able than themselves and are remaining vigilant and lending a helping hand where possible.”
Posted in Economy and Business, Life and Society, News in Brief, Travel and Communities | Tagged: Anger, Christmas, City of Edinburgh Council, Cllr Jenny Dawe, Colinton, crisis, Edinburgh, Grit, Jenny Dawe, Kinbrace, Scotland, Snow, Weather | Leave a Comment »
Toxic lifestyle
Posted by martinadam on January 11, 2010
Image courtesy of www.reachinghearts4kids.org
By Martin Adam
A government estimated 350,000 children have been left abandoned on Kenya’s war ravaged streets. Conflict between tribes, escalated by recent elections has despoiled any concept of the family unit, leaving the republic’s youth to turn to solvent abuse as a form of chemical counselling.
Bottles containing a slightly runny, honey hued substance are passed from young mothers into the hands of eager youngsters. Much like the syrup settling at the bottom there is little sweet in this scene. The mother is addicted to glue and transferring the neural depleting toxin into the possession of a toddler.
Philippa Frankl of Street Kids International informs me that “within our target group worldwide, cases of children abusing psychoactive substances are around the 90 percent mark. In Kenya these statistics would be likely to be very similar.”
Ethnic grouping is the sole factor in defining a person’s identity in the East African region. Passion runs so high that there is great division between Kenya’s tribal factions. Amidst allegations of corrupt presidential elections in 2007, Mwai Kibaki was placed back into office and violent clashes between The Luo and Kikuyu tribes swiftly erupted. Infants have looked on in terror and what one would imagine bewilderment as vicious strikes of blood tainted machetes strike their parents.
Nyankvir de Mabior of Edinburgh and former resident of Nairobi for 13 years insists that most children choose solvents as a way of “numbing their existence” with many taking to glue “as young as 10 years old”. Nyankvir adding that with the recent bloodshed following elections “little hope these children held has instantly gone.”
She detailed a common sight from the streets of the nation’s capital to me. “Use of glue is done openly in public. Groups of around 6 to 8 children will purchase the glue from hawkers then crowd in busy streets and take it”. Pedlars of the chemicals are typically adults who in turn gain a commission as they poison what is the country’s future.
Kibera stands out as one of Africa’s largest slums second only to Soweto. Located in the centre of Nairobi it is home to perhaps 1 million. It is typical of this area for a male to aspire towards dealing drugs with young women falling into prostitution. Life is of such poor quality that such a grim outlook is a widely accepted goal. In a bid to survive people are inevitably lured into an inescapable circle of crime leading on to drug abuse, ill health and eventually death.
Children still with family are sent out on to the streets in order to beg for money or food. Whilst on charity work Nyankvir met 17 year old Kamau.
“His parents had died from drug abuse whilst in their 30’s. Kamua takes care of four kids. The need for money is so great that sadly he has to use them for begging.”
For many missing mature guidance the sole purpose of begging is to provide glue money. Members of the general public have been encouraged to only provide food when possible.
Unfortunately, as Philippa told me, “government assistance is limited and sporadic. Help given to the problem is mostly down to non-governmental organisations and individual efforts.”
Street children are looked down upon by fellow Kenyans as a lower form of life, demonised by the higher classes. Nyankvir stated that “people try to avoid the street children on sight”. Some orphans claim to be forced into sacks then harshly kicked and beaten with solid objects. These are not attacks perpetrated by fringe groups but by police officers. Those who are meant to help, specifically target children of the slums and deliver regular abuse.
A wooden seat in front of a blackboard is preferred by all over lying in a bed of cast away filth, your brain smothered and grinding into shut down. High levels of crime coupled with second class health care result in low levels of school attendance. Little money which is possessed is increasingly spent on purchasing the glue, therefore thousands with a desire to learn cannot afford the necessary uniform. Without regulation attire the institution will refuse admission to the child.
Aumi Aumi is illicit alcohol made with the industrial chemical methylated spirit. It is now common for children to produce it by themselves using makeshift equipment. At the end of the process the dangerously potent drink is shared amongst groups. Possible side effects of consuming such a powerful concoction can be impotence, blindness and a slow death. Alarmingly those knocking it back are fully aware of the peril. Adolescents are embracing slow suicide.
Persistent charity work will reward with success stories. Hussein, 19, a former periodic street based child and solvent user gained practical skills assisted by Street Kids International’s “Street Business” course.
“Through this he learnt how to run a small business going on to establish his own selling second hand clothes. He now employs his cousin to run that business while he has started a new venture selling shoes”.
Hussein stands as one of hopefully now many industrious young people thankful after receiving such a deserved and overdue break into mainstream society.
Nyankvir mentioned that “national pride is strong and the youth of Kenya hold a sense of it. Now it is being threatened”. Despite such hardships there is a great sense of this amongst the communities of Kenya’s disaffected youngsters. To the side of drug abuses are the foundations of a solid social network powered by brave individuals. Food is resourcefully scavenged, cooked under flame and shared amongst friends. Rivalry between adult counterparts is overlooked. Bonds are formed regardless of tribal allegiance.
As Philippa summarised “it is an extensive and by all accounts growing problem with no apparent end. “A large scale problem met on a small scale level”.
Perseverance is essential. With heightened awareness of this growing problem and greater funding to back local projects such as “ExStreet” plus more support to valuable international charities like Street Kids International, life could eventually hold a fresh awakening and progress for neglected young Kenyans.
http://www.plan-uk.org
http://www.streetkids.org
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk
Posted in Features, Life and Society, World In Depth | Tagged: Africa, drugs, International, Kenya, Poverty | Leave a Comment »
Relief as ‘Rage Against the Machine for Christmas no.1′ Facebook page re-appears
Posted by holliewould on December 15, 2009
For Jon Morter and his 700,000 avid followers, (and counting) of the Facebook page, ‘Rage Against the Machine for Christmas no.1′ it has been an exciting couple of weeks. However last night concerns were raised when Facebook’s most popular campaign page disappeared.
Ringleader, Jon Morter was concerned that the page had been shut down in a bid to halt the masses from buying Rage Against the Machine – Killing in the name.
The page went down last night (13th December), and had been inaccessible today, the day in which Morter’s minions intended to storm the charts by purchasing the 1993 hit.
Speaking to theglobalhearld.com Morter said,
“The group went down last night in which a member of Facebook’s PR team contacted to say it was a ‘bug’,” he continued, “Later in the evening the group returned as normal, but now it’s gone yet again I do start to be concerned.”
Jon’s main concern was that charitable contributions to Shelter had substantially slowed. Members of the group have so far raised in excess of £20,000 for the charity.
In a panic a back-up page was launched while Morter awaited another response from the powers that be at Facebook. However, tonight it would appear that all is well on the camp Rage side as the page is once again functioning as normal.
The track is available to download from various websites including, HMV.com, iTunes, amazon, Play.com and Tesco Digital – and looks to be giving Mr. Mclederry a run for his money currently sitting proudly at number 1 in the HMV download charts, while Joe McElderry sits patiently at number 3. Rage also reside the top spot in Amazon’s top downloads as well as number 1 on play.com. However bookies favourite Joe, currently retains the number 1 position on itunes.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: 2009, Cheryl Cole, christmas number 1, Facebook, facebook campaign, geordie joe, itunes, joe, joe mcelderry, jon morter, killing in the name, play.com, rage, rage against the machine, rage against the machine for christmas number 1, rage against the x factor, simon cowell, Tesco, uk charts, X Factor, xfactor | Leave a Comment »
Dave? That Spark (single)
Posted by captaincalum on December 3, 2009
This initial offering from Scottish band ‘Dave?‘ is a lithe little number clocking in at a slight 2;50.
As it contains nought but guitar bass drums and vocals you might be forgiven for thinking that it conforms to the template which has seen various east coast rock band’s releases savaged in the anglocentric music press of late, but this is an altogether different kettle of fish.
An ode to inadequacy written from the perspective of a solitary drinker, the song starts rather abruptly and rattles through a wiry, cribsy first verse (featuring some clever drumming) before kicking into a rather beautiful chorus. From here it falls down only to pick its self up and charge through an excellent finale, the chiming minor chords and shouted backing vocals perfectly matching the melancholy mood of the lyrics.
All in all an excellent song, well worth 79p. Released December 14th.
Posted in Entertainment | Tagged: 2009, Dave?, Single, That Spark | Leave a Comment »
Some things never change….some things
Posted by mylesedwards on December 1, 2009
By Myles Edwards
http://mylesedwards.wordpress.com
Cast your mind back to 1967. Labour were in power in the United Kingdom. War in the Middle East was causing conflict in the western world. Casino Royale was a box office hit. Mini skirts were the craze. Ken Barlow was strutting his stuff in one of the nation’s favourite soap operas. Some things never change……some things.
Mel Edwards is a former British marathon international runner with a personal best time of 2hours 18minutes 24seconds (set in 1967), and is widely regarded as one of the most inspiring, modest and popular coaches in the running fraternity.
Born in December 1942, he graduated in Civil Engineering from Cambridge University in 1966 and has since enjoyed a great deal of success in the world of distance running. In a career which has spanned over 40 years, Mel has endured a roller coaster of ‘injuries’ and success at every level from club competitions to international level. Detailed and accurate training diaries have been kept, which show he has racked up a total of over 100,000 miles of running!
Mel Edwards at Font Romeu high altitude training camp. Following receiving his second Cambridge ‘blue’ for his exploits on the track he went on to bigger and better things in 1967. It was quite literally a record breaking year for Mel. He impressively broke the Scottish 6 mile record – whist finishing 2nd to Lachie Stewart, but went one step higher on the podium in the English universities 3 mile race by cracking the previous record. 1967 saw him really flourish as an athlete, most notably in the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. In his first attempt at the event, Mel ran away from his rivals early on to win the Harlow marathon and climb to 4th in the British rankings. To cap it all off, he narrowly missed out on the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, by 2 places.
What contributed to this large amount of success in a sport, which, at the time was highly competitive in the UK? In an answer that was oozing with Mel’s typical, determined attitude, he said: “It was down to single minded focus on getting the best out of myself, by doing the work and when injured leaving no stone unturned to find the solution.”
Renowned for his training regimes of around 100miles per week, what makes Mel stand out is his positive attitude and dogged determination to get the best possible outcome from everything he does.
In November 2006, aged almost 64, Mel underwent a MRI scan for lower back pain. 45 minutes later he was diagnosed with Myeloma, an incurable but very treatable form of bone marrow cancer. After numerous treatments and minor disruptions to work, 8 months later he was back to full-time work as a chartered road safety engineer and running over 20 miles per week. His reaction following the diagnosis typified his personality traits.
“Those are malignancies, cancer”, said Dr. Frank Smith. Much to the doctor’s amazement, Mel’s immediate reaction was not to be shocked but “I’ve got a big cross country race coming up soon.”
When asked if he felt his attitude and fitness achieved from competitive sport had helped him face cancer head on, Mel’s response was definitive:
“There is no question these elements made fighting myeloma much easier. I would hate to have had to deal with it if I had never had to show determination in my life due to things coming too easily. Certainly fitness means that you have a built-in reserve which can be used to deal with additional stresses.”
It is this attitude which has served Mel so well throughout his life and during the treatment. An inspiration to many, but what makes this inspirational character tick?
“I am inspired by the opportunities available to do constructive things, such as helping people with their athletics aims and trying to make roads safer in my working capacity. These aims, when carried through, give people a feel-good factor.”
British marathon running was booming in the late 1960s and continued to do so for the best part of the following two decades. In 1968 there were only 2 countries to have more than 3 runners faster than Mel – Japan and UK, which, looking at today’s standards makes him look rather unlucky at missing out on competing at an Olympic Games. But it is evident that excuses, simply, aren’t in his nature.
In 1968, 46 UK men broke the 2hours 30 minutes barrier. In 2007, only 31 men managed to achieve this feat. With all the advances in footwear, nutrition and training tools, as well as even faster role models, albeit from other countries – why is there such a decline in British marathon running standards?
Mel’s opinion on the decline is, again, filled with absolute clarity:
“It is down to distance runners not putting in the work they did 40 years ago. You have to be totally dedicated to getting the mileage in and choosing the right races. Between 1966 and 1984, in Aberdeen alone, there were ten guys faster than 2 hours 20 minutes for the marathon.”
For many people, it is intriguing to find out what gets an athlete through long runs without boredom setting in. For Mel, it is simple:
“I really enjoy the challenge of distance and time. The fact that others with an aim to be in the top echelons of marathon or cross country running in the UK, were doing similar training also gave me a desire to be the best.”
The lack of top marathon runners in the UK today is in stark contrast to the likes of Kenya, Ethiopia and America. For Mel, in the late 60s and 70s you only had to turn up for a local race to compete with or witness elite athletes in action. Therefore can the lack of male distance running role models in the UK be a factor in the decline of standards? Perhaps so, but with Mel’s philosophy, it is very likely thatall smaller factors would subsequently fall into place.
“More role models would emerge as a result of increased hard work from individual athletes. To be the best, you must learn from, and work harder than those faster than you.”
His fair, no nonsense attitude spans far wider than himself or anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him. For those who are not familiar with the name, Oscar Pistorious, he is a South African Paralympic runner, known as the “Blade Runner”. He is the double amputee world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres and runs with the aid of carbon-fibre limbs, attached from the knee down. In 2007 Pistorious took part in his first international able-bodied competitions. However, the International Association of Athletics Federations (with their typical Rubix Cube-like mindset) ruled that his lower leg, artificial limbs gave him an unfair advantage over able-bodied athletes and subsequently banned him from competing under their rules. That decision has since been reversed and Pistorius is eligible to compete in able-bodied Olympic competition.
Mel’s opinion on Oscar Pistorious’ situation not only demonstrates his love of a challenge but also seems to apply common sense to some harsh obstacles which had previously been placed in the path of the young South African’s destiny.
“I believe he should be allowed to compete at the highest level possible. He is not far off the top able bodied 400m runners and relishes the challenge of competing against them. It would have been crazy to deny him the chance. He deserves the opportunity to enjoy himself as he wishes and I see this taking precedence over views of others on his actions.”
The British male marathon running scene offers little sign of competing at the front of world class racing. At 67, Mel Edwards shows less chance of slowing down than Formula 1 cars and even less likelihood of quitting than Ken Barlow: “I have no reason to stop. I feel good and it is exciting.”
Some things never change.
Posted in Life and Society, News in Brief, Sports, World In Depth | Tagged: athletics, Edinburgh Napier, haile gebrselassie, Journalism, marathon running, mel edwards, Myles Edwards, myles edwards aberdeen, oscar pistorius, www.mylesedwards.wordpress.com | Leave a Comment »
Night Noise Team Launch Debut Single
Posted by niallmcquaid on November 30, 2009
The Wee Red Bar is tucked in at the back of Edinburgh College of Art and to find it, its one of these places where you have to be in the know, of where the hell you actually are.
Edinburgh indie-pop rockers, Night Noise Team launched their debut single Menolick at the Wee Red Bar last Saturday, the single to be released today and can be downloaded on iTunes.
The venue was fairly packed for this 45 minute performance of new material and tracks from their album Ronde De Nuit, having seen the band previously two years ago, I was dying to see how they have honed and crafted their sound.
The band kicked off with the Gift a punchy uptempo number that utilises the drumming skills of Mike Walker to a fine zeal. As I have said before, Walker like their previous drummer Keith Kirkwood is the teeth of the group and the driving force that keeps the group a tight cohesive unit.
The next few numbers Deadport and Etc kept a nice pumping flow that ensured there was many shaking and dancing on the floor. Sean Ormsby, more than holding his own as the groups frontman and vocalist, his voice having tinges of Bowie and Ian Curtis in his style of singing.
Billed on their Myspace page as French pop, NNT comprise the songwriting skills of Northern Irish man Sean Ormsby and French producer Fabien Pinardon who plays bass with the group.
Fabien and guitarist Marco Morelli from Italy give NNT a European edge, giving them a distinction amongst their peers in the Edinburgh scene.
There was pacier, slower numbers too, such as Nouvelle Vague and a new track Canonmills Gothic, which created a nice balance to the faster stuff. Canonmills Gothic using funk and touches of reggae in its construction.
The tempo picked up again for Slow Release, a punky number that ensured the odd head was wagging here and there. The group finally closed with their new single Menolick, which also packs a fine punch, the audience giving a fine roar of approval at the close of the track.
NNT takes some of the elements from great indie pop bands like the Smiths, Nick Cave and Joy Divison and with a sprinkling perhaps of the Jam and the Undertones energy.
You can download the new single from iTunes or from their record label website Permwhale.
Lead singer Sean Ormsby talks about the new single, the reaction to the gig and plans for 2010 Sean Ormsby interview
Posted in Entertainment | Tagged: Indie-rock, Live music review | Leave a Comment »
An Afternoon with Edward Minton of Elliot Minor
Posted by rparris on November 28, 2009
By Rahsian Parris
Elliot Minor - From Left to Right: Ed Minton, Dan Hetherton, Alex Davies, Ali Paul and Ed Hetherton
I recently caught up with Ed Minton (from band of the moment, Elliot Minor), who took some time out of the bands hectic UK tour to talk about their new album Solaris, dish the dirt on his band mates and shed some light on what really happens on tour with one of Britain’s favourite pop rockers.
I am anxious, my palms feel clammy and all of a sudden I feel overwhelmed. Is my voice shaking? I am introducing myself and I start to stutter, why am I giggling like an excited child? Maybe it is because I am about to talk to a founding member of one of my favourite bands. I manage to get my name out and ask Ed how he is, “Hiya, I’m very well thank you. How are you?” he says. Much to my surprise, the young, modest voice on the other end of the line is instantly comforting and just like that, it is like talking to an old friend. I answer his polite question, mentioning how petrified I am and slightly unnerved that my other interviewee – Alex, who sings lead vocals – is still asleep in bed. “Do you want me to wake him up?” asks Ed, more as if he were asking me how many sugars I would like in my coffee rather than if he should rouse his superstar band mate from the depths of post performance slumber. He tells me, in an almost childlike fashion, that unfortunately he is not allowed to anyway (orders from management) and that the interview will continue Alex-less.
“I’m the guitarist Ed, not the bassist one” he exclaims, not to confuse ‘the Eds’ (there are two, Minton and Hetherton, brother of other band mate Dan Hetherton) “I’m 23, I was originally born in Japan, I came over to England when I was eight and I’ve been here since.” When asked if he plays any other instruments, other than guitar, he sheepishly replies “in the band I sing a bit, but that’s about it” and outside of the band? “I can play the piano and violin” he says, so matter of fact that you would think that mastering the art of playing such instruments is common practice. Having said that, in Elliot Minor it is. Between them they play nine different instruments including the cello, clarinet and double bass and that is before we even consider their hearty vocal talents. “We all did music at school, we all took to studying music as a major subject, so we all pretty much did the same thing” says Ed who went to independent school Uppingham in Rutland, England. With such prestigious schooling behind him and co-founder, Alex Davies, there is no wonder Elliot Minor are massive; Uppingham’s former residents are no less than Charlie Simpson (formerly of Busted, currently of hard rockers Fightstar) and Harry Judd of punk/pop sensations McFly to name a few. Ed fills us in saying “It’s where I met Alex. We started doing some acoustic stuff together before we formed the full band. We were called ‘The Academy’, but we didn’t really do much with that and then in our gap year we joined up with Dan, the drummer and then we were a three piece for a bit. As the year went on, Alex and Dan got in touch with their friends from school, who were Ali and Ed and then we formed the full Elliot Minor”.
In 2006 the fully formed band entered a Myspace competition to win a chance to support McFly on the Newcastle leg of one of their tours. They won. This instantaneously threw them into the media spot light and they quickly built up a massive fan base, particularly out of McFly fans, but as they signed to Warner Bros. Records (who they parted ways with this year to return to their aptly named indie label, Repossession Records) and went on to support pop/rock giants Simple Plan and and Fall Out Boy; six singles and two chart topping albums later, they are now sporting hardcore fans of their own; just as well because you dare not mention rumours of the feud between them and McFly, you might just get the death stare.
With the band being back ‘on the road’ in support of their sophomore album Solaris it is only right that we get to grips with what actually happens on tour with Elliot Minor. We have heard all the rumours about how younger rockers behave most unscrupulously whilst on tour, but to be perfectly honest, Elliot Minor seem pretty tame as Ed excitedly announces half way through our interview “Alex is awake now…he’s gone downstairs, he’s getting changed, he’s walking around butt naked” before a voice in the background shouts out “Edward is a d**do”. Ed quickly lowers his voice saying ” you didn’t hear that did you?”, my uproarious laughter gives it away. The hubbub dies down and we get back to talking about the tour. A popular part of the last Elliot Minor tour was when Alex played his violin live, Ed unfortunately denounces any rumours of this happening on the current tour saying “Well he smashed his violin up…a few years ago or something? Yeah, I think it was when we played the Astoria [in London], he decided to just throw it to the ground and it broke, so until he gets a new one I doubt he’ll be bringing that one out again”. Slightly disappointing, but I am sure there will be other great things on the new tour. What should we expect? “You should expect to see us playing about three quarters of our new album and then pretty much all the singles from out last album. It’s quite an exciting set. It’s got its ups and downs and it’s quite energetic really; I dunno, we’ll just play the songs and see how the kids react”. Fan’s favourite parts of the gigs seem to be when the guys go all sentimental and play some acoustic versions of some of their tracks, but Ed mentions that this wont be happening either. “We were gonna do a song called ‘All Along’ from our second album, but Ali couldn’t learn the part in time”, Ali interrupts saying “yeah I couldn’t be bothered” [there is laughter], “Yeah he couldn’t be bothered to play it” continues Ed, “Nah, I’m kidding, we were gonna do it, but we didn’t have time…we did ['Last Call To New York'] last tour actually, we were thinking of playing it on this tour, but our set is, I think, the length already, so it would be pushing it a little bit if we added another song, but if the demand’s there we might pull it out as an encore”. This pleases me as it is one of my favourite tracks, thus I go on to tell Ed how I will gather my trustee EM fans and campaign for them to play ‘Last Call To New York’; he laughs and enthusiastically says “yeah you should, then we’ll play it”.
Last year Elliot Minor appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Live lounge album and played a very well received acoustic version of Take That’s ‘Rule The World’, asked if they have any more covers in the pipeline, Ed replies “we just did a radio thing yesterday and we covered Jordin Sparks’ ‘Battle Fields’, that was pretty cool. I know Alex really wants to cover Black Eyed Peas, but it’s just not going to happen [laughter]. Can you imagine that? Alex is like “I’ll rap, I’ll rap” but nobody’s buying it, so nah, that’s not gonna happen” he says in between giggles. “Maybe we’ll put out a band version of Jordin sparks one day, that’d be quite cool”. I am sure the fans would love that, I know I would, speaking of the fans, in the short time that Elliot Minor have been in the spotlight, they have acquired an army of loyal fans that follow them around in adoration and apparently keep them comfy whilst on tour, Ed declares “the best thing a fan has ever done [pauses], you know what? The best thing from a fan, is when a fan gets us a present, like boxes of socks, they’re the most appreciated thing on tour because we obviously run out, then we have to start pulling things inside out [laughs], so that kind of thing is great. Fans also buy you tea and that kind of stuff which is also great [he becomes animated], actually the other day I had a girl customise a mug for me which was really nice. She did the Elliot Minor logo, she just customised it as my own which was great; it’s now on the bus and I drink my green tea out of it. She’d written ‘Ed Minton’s Green Tea Mug’ on it, in Japanese as well, so cool”. So what is the worst thing then? “The worst thing a fan has ever done? You know what? I don’t know, they actually don’t do anything that bad. I guess some things can get a little bit annoying, but that’s fine, it’s no problem”.
As was becoming the ever growing trend at that time, Elliot Minor started out on Myspace before they won the competition to be the support band of McFly and Ed says it was the key to their initial success, “Myspace was, initially, the real driving force behind building a fan base, but it’s definitely kind of ground to a halt now, because nothing happens on it, especially for us; I don’t know how it is for other bands, but for some reason it’s just dead, I think everyone’s bored of it. Facebook is as buzzing as ever, but it’s extremely difficult for bands because you can’t really upload music, can you? I dunno, I don’t really spend that much time online, but Dan, the drummer, is a big gimp, he spends most of his time online so he would know a lot better than I do. He’s quite into Twitter right now” (I get excited and tell Ed how much I love Twitter) “Ooh really? I have my own twitter too, but I struggle to use it” he says. I leap into groupie territory when I animatedly tell him that I’ll add him, “yeah?” he replies “please do”. Back to online communities and the success of the band, we get talking about the pros and cons of social networking sites and music. “It gives everyone a chance doesn’t it? So in that sense it makes it easier for bands to get their music out there, but because everyone’s got access to it now, in a sense, it’s harder to get your name out there; but, I guess if you’re a band and you just wanna get your music out then it’s very helpful, in that sense it’s amazing; but I do feel that it’s kind of going downhill now. Myspace is incredible for it, but since that’s dying down now, it’s starting to get harder again”.
There is a bit more noise now as Ed heads out onto the tour bus, the boys are playing Swansea’s Sin City tonight, so no doubt they need to go and prepare. As we come to a close we chat about memorable moments and Ed’s favourite Elliot Minor show. “The Astoria in London. There was this real buzz period where we had our first album out and our Japanese label was on board, it was just a really good time for us. There were like two thousand kids just going mental, it was unbelievable. It was also our first show where we had pyros [pyrotechnics] and all that stuff, so that was probably the highlight for me; but to be fair, every show is awesome, though I am looking forward to the one in Edinburgh” Queue me getting over excited. “I really am, Edinburgh’s always been a wicked place to play. We played the Liquid rooms before and Studio 24 is it? They’re always such a great crowd up there and also it’s just a beautiful city, I love being up there”. He goes on to tell me about his best live show outside of the band, a Green Day concert in Tokyo that he went to see with his best friend “it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in my life. That will definitely stay in my memory forever”; and for the rest of the Elliot Minor tour? “We’re touring up until the start of December and then we’ll get a bit of time off, I’m going back home to Japan. We’ll get back in the New Year and hopefully, I think this is the plan as it is now, we’ll have a single out early next year and then we’ll just carry on touring. Maybe another UK tour, but we also promised our European fans that we’d go out there and maybe head to Japan as well because they’re releasing an album in March”.
Huge gusts of wind blow down the phone and Ed is audibly cold, the tour bus should be leaving soon to head to the venue of another explosive Elliot Minor show, but in the mean time, at least he has his customised mug and Green Tea to warm his hands and cockles, for after all, this is one rock star that is far more ‘Home Sweet Home’ than ‘Anarchy In The UK’.
Elliot Minor play the HMV PictureHouse tonight in Edinburgh – Doors 19:30 For more UK dates visit www.Elliotminor.com
The New album Solaris is OUT NOW
Posted in Entertainment, Features | Tagged: Alex Davies, Ali Paul, Charlie Simpson, Dan Hetherton, Ed Hetherton, Ed Minton, Elliot Minor, Fightstar, harry judd, HMV, Liquid Rooms, London, Mcfly, Myspace, Picturehouse, Sin City, Solaris, Studio 24, Swansea, The Academy, The Astoria, Tour, Uppingham | Leave a Comment »
Christmas in Edinburgh is finally here.
Posted by meganberkley on November 27, 2009
By Megan Berkley
Last night, the famous Christmas tree on the Mound was lit.
For the past 24 years Edinburgh has received the gift of the tree, given to the City by the people of Hordaland, Norway.
The launch of Capital Christmas saw for the first time ever, the hugely popular Edinburgh Wheel, Winter Wonderland and the Traditional German Christmas Market which all hit off from 5.30pm in a sensational start to Edinburgh’s winter festivals.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost George Grubb, believes that from switching on the Christmas tree, we have made Edinburgh sparkle.
The event made the city come alive last night, with a good turn out. Although it has been no different than any other year, George feels the event has been a great success and the atmosphere of the city has been magical, and a great start to Edinburgh’s festivities.
Here is what the people of Edinburgh thought of last nights event:
George spoke of a successful evening:
Posted in Entertainment, Life and Society, Uncategorized | Tagged: Christmas, Edinburgh, george grubb, Night Light | Leave a Comment »
Pyjama parties pull in cash for kids
Posted by meganberkley on November 27, 2009
by Emma Craig and Megan Berkley
Pyjama parties with a twist have been held in Edinburgh to raise money for children.
Oxgangs Primary School has been one of many to take part in fundraising for Children in Need.
On Friday both school children and teachers came dressed in their pyjamas for lessons.
Their donations raised a grand total of £159 between three infant classes.
As well as seeing their favourite teachers don their pyjamas the children learnt about disadvantaged youngsters their own age.
This week also saw the launch of New Pyjamas campaign, hosted by Jack McConnell and George Foulkes in the new Sick Kids hospital.
The money raising drive has a target of £15m for the hospital and has already pledged funds for a drop-in centre, helping to make it a centre of excellence in Scotland.
The money raised by the pyjama fund will go towards the building of the new hospital and the purchase of the best equipment.
Elaine McGonigle, director of the charity said: “It’s about doing something a bit different, and getting senior politicians wearing their pyjamas helps get more people in. Everyone quite enjoys it.”
The Charity organiser recognised the success of the event however hopes for even more support.
Ms McGonigle added: “We need everyone to get behind this, and if everyone in Scotland gave as little at £3, we would reach our target in no time.”
It’s hoped the new building should be completed around 2013.
Jack McConnel Speaks:
George Foulkes Speaks:
Miss Mery Oxgangs Primary Teacher Speaks:
Posted in Life and Society, Travel and Communities | Tagged: Charity, Children in Need, George Foulkes, jack mcConnel, oxgangs primary, sick kids | Leave a Comment »
