Celebration reception to honour winners of Edinburgh 900 writing competitions
Hosted by the Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, the event recognised the creativity and talent of local writers who submitted original works inspired by Edinburgh's remarkable nine-century history.
The two featured competitions included the Green Pencil Award 2024, aimed at school-aged children (P4 to S3) attending Edinburgh schools or home-educated in the city, and a city-wide poetry writing competition organised through Edinburgh's library network, open to adult residents.
The Edinburgh 900 initiative commemorates 900 years since the Royal Burgh was established by King David I around 1124. In honour of this historic milestone, residents were invited to share their reflections, memories, and love for Scotland's capital through poetry and storytelling.
Lord Provost with Highly Commended Green Pencil entrant Marcus Osborne
Lord Provost with Highly Commended Green Pencil entrant Sofia Brown (wearing green jumper) and her family Lord Provost with overall Green Pencil Award winner Ema Mene and her family
Lord Provost with overall Green Pencil Award winner Ema Mene
Lord Provost with Highly Commended Green Pencil entrant Isobel Rhys-Davies and her family
Both competitions highlighted Edinburgh's rich heritage, cultural vibrancy, and strong community spirit. Six winning entries from the poetry competition will be immortalised on exclusive bookmarks to be distributed across Council-run libraries throughout the city. The winning poets will also be filmed reciting their work, with the recordings shared across the Council's social media channels and preserved as part of the Edinburgh 900 archive for future generations.
The winners are Shasta Hanif Ali, Eric Robinson, Rory Allison, Tricia Ronaldson and Suzanne Smith.
The Green Pencil Award encouraged young people to express their voices creatively in written form, with entries limited to one side of A4 and open to stories or poems in any style. Twenty finalists were selected, with one crowned the overall winner and presented with the prestigious Green Pencil Award trophy and winner's medal.
The Green Pencil was awarded to Preston Street Primary 7 pupil Ema Mene for her poem 'To Edinburgh She Went'.
Highly commended: Isobel Rhys-Davies, Cargilfield School (P6); Marcus Osborne, Bruntsfield Primary School (P6B); and Sofia Brown, James Gillespie's High School (S1).
The Lord Provost Robert Aldridge praised all entrants for their enthusiasm and passion: 'Creative writing ensures our stories are told and remembered. Edinburgh 900 is not only a celebration of the past but also a platform to inspire the future. These competitions show how deeply people care about the city and its legacy.
'Edinburgh has long been a city where literature thrives, as we mark 900 years these wonderful written pieces provide another meaningful way to honour the city's legacy through the words of its people. My congratulations to our fantastic winners.'
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
11-08-2025
- Scottish Sun
Why have Oasis hit out at Edinburgh Council?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OASIS slammed Edinburgh Council after city officials hit out at fans attending the Britpop band's megatour. Both the first and second nights of Oasis Live '25 at Murrayfield Stadium included sweary rants from Liam Gallagher about "waiting for a f****** apology" from the Council. 1 Liam Gallagher branded Edinburgh Council 'f****** slags' Why have the Gallagher brothers criticised Edinburgh Council? Oasis' feud with Edinburgh Council began when officials branded the band's fans as "fat, drunk, and rowdy" back in June. The officials claimed Oasis fans were "middle aged men" who "take up more room", and expressed concern for performers at the Edinburgh Fringe taking place at the same time as the band's August shows. On his band's first night in Murrayfield, Liam hit back, calling the Council "f****** slags". He also took a swipe at the Fringe: "People juggling f*****g bollocks and that? Swallowing swords ...one-legged bicycles. What's all that s*t about? S****y card tricks". The second night included more sweary comments before the band performed 1994 hit Bring It On Down. Liam told the crowd: "Two billion pounds we'll have brought into this city over the next few days - two f*****g billion - and you'll see none of it." These comments followed superfan David Walker of the Oasis Collectors Group condemning the Council's "jaundiced view" of Oasis' fanbase. When can I next see Oasis play in the UK and Ireland? Oasis will play one more sold out show at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium, on August 12. After that, they'll head to Dublin on 16 and 17 August, before returning to Wembley for two more shows, on 27 and 28 September. Every UK and Ireland show on the tour is currently sold out on Ticketmaster. The tour heads to the US and Canada in late August, and finishes with an autum leg Asia, Australia, and Latin America. What's on the Oasis Live set list? Fittingly, the Oasis Live '25 tour opens with Hello, before moving into classic hits like Morning Glory and Cigarettes & Alcohol Their best known songs, Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger and Champagne Supernova, are saved for the encore. Hello Acquiesce Morning Glory Some Might Say Bring It On Down Cigarettes & Alcohol Fade Away Supersonic Roll With it Talk Tonight Half The World Away Little By Little D'you Know What I Mean? Stand By Me Cast No Shadow Slide Away Whatever Live Forever Rock 'n' Roll Star Encore: Masterplan Don't Look Back In Anger Wonderwall Champagne Supernova The iconic 90s band are supported on their reunion tour by Richard Ashcroft of the Verve, and indie rock band Cast. Have any celebrities been to the Oasis tour? Celebs from the music, film and TV worlds have flocked to Oasis' reunion gigs. Tom Cruise, Dua Lipa, Davina McCall, and fellow 90s pop star Geri Horner were all spotted during the band's five-night run at Wembley. Before heading to South Korea in October, the Gallagher brothers will reportedly splurge £200,000 on a party with celeb pals to celebrate the end of their UK tour.
BBC News
11-08-2025
- BBC News
Skate ramp added for children in Newborough despite objections
A new £84,000 skate ramp has been officially opened by two new facility next to Fernie Close in Newborough, Peterborough, was approved by Peterborough City Council in 2023, despite objections concerning noise and anti-social Ormston, the chairman of Newborough and Borough Fen Parish Council which initially proposed the ramp, thanked everyone involved."There's been concern about anti-social behaviour and this kind of thing, but ultimately it is the children of this parish that wanted this project and wanted this ramp here. We're really pleased to get it in place for them," he said. Funding for the ramp came from a variety of sources, including Section 106 funding, the parish council, a Sport England grant, a donation from the Foresters Friendly Society and fundraising from children and the Fox, the Mayor of Peterborough, helped to cut the ceremonial ribbon for the ramp on 8 August and said she was "so pleased to see it open", added the Local Democracy Reporting Service."The children have waited a long time for it. There have been a lot of problems but it's all worked out alright in the end and it's fantastic," she Bristow, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, also attended the opening."It's so important that young people have somewhere to go and somewhere they can have as their own," he said."I hope the young people of Newborough and surrounding areas enjoy it."Eye, Thorney and Newborough ward councillors Steve Allen and Rylan Ray also attended the opening, alongside councillor John Fox, Sandra Rust of the Foresters Friendly Society and parish council clerk Irene Healiss. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Business News Wales
08-08-2025
- Business News Wales
Anglesey Council to Showcase Services and Opportunities at Anglesey Show
Representatives from a range of Anglesey County Council services will be on hand at the Anglesey Show to share how their work is helping to shape the island's future. Guided by the Council Plan 2023–28, the authority's goal is to 'create an Anglesey that is healthy and prosperous where people can thrive'. The two-day event, taking place on 12 and 13 August at Mona near Gwalchmai, is one of the island's biggest annual gatherings. The county council's marquee is located on stand D11. There, visitors can learn more about their economic development work, including the Freeport scheme. There will be an opportunity to learn more about employment opportunities provided by the council through valuable schemes such as Dyfodol Môn – which gives graduates the opportunity to follow a career – and Denu Talent, which offers work experience. Both schemes reinforce the Council's aim of being the employer of choice for young people and residents. Members of the Anglesey Urdd Eisteddfod's Executive Committee will also be at the marquee as they continue to raise funds to host the unique Welsh festival in 2026. Hoodies, t-shirts and other merchandise will be available to buy. Information will be available on the Welsh Government's Ffermio Bro scheme, launched by the Welsh Government on 1 April 2025 to support projects to improve nature and the environment in National Parks and National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) across Wales. The council will showcase services including Oriel Môn, Anglesey Archives, Teulu Môn, and the County's Libraries, with staff on hand to offer advice on fostering and adoption. Broadcasting live from outside the marquee, MônFM will once again join the event. Sports activities, craft workshops, and and staff from the Housing Service will also be providing advice and support to Council tenants, while the Môn Actif leisure team will host the showground's sports area. Next door, the Anglesey Dementia Hub – Age Friendly stand (D12) will provide information and guidance on ageing well. The Leader of the County Council, Councillor Gary Pritchard, said: 'A wide range of our services will be present on the council's stand during both days of the show. Once again, our presence will be an opportunity to demonstrate how we are working on behalf of local residents and communities. 'The Council Plan is crucial as we work on behalf of Anglesey. We continue to provide an extensive range of quality services on behalf of the public – despite facing increasing financial challenges. At its core is our desire to continue to work with residents and our partners to ensure the best possible services, improve the quality of life for all and create opportunities for future generations.' 'We look forward to attending the Show, which is without doubt, one of the biggest events in the Anglesey calendar, and wish the organisers, those competing or those with trade stands all the best over the two days.' Anglesey County Council Chief Executive, Dylan J Williams, added: 'As a county council, we're pleased to be back at the Show once again this year, supporting this special event. The Anglesey County Show raises the Island's profile, supports the agricultural community and wider economy.' 'I can think of no better stage than the Anglesey Show to tell residents and visitors about our aspirations for the Island and its communities.'
