From vikings to hedgehogs, parking equity to bank closures...
All the latest from our partners - and plans for 2024
The Scottish Beacon partners are incredibly diverse, not only in the type of publications they are and the communities they serve, but also the stories they publish.
And this is certainly true this week. From viking marches to rescued hedgehogs, island bank closures to on pavement parking there’s a smorgasbord to choose from. Scroll down for more.
Thanks to a community learning exchange grant from the Scottish Community Alliance, The Scottish Beacon held our second in-person meet-up in January. This time we got together in Edinburgh with eight partners attending in person, and another five joining online.
The day provided an opportunity to make plans for the year and talk through the future development of the Beacon with plans to collaborate on stories throughout the year. Lots of stimulating conversations and exciting ideas percolating… watch this space!
-Rhiannon
Latest from our website…
A historic Up Helly Aa in Lerwick as women join the jarl squad
It is only the second year that there are no gender restrictions on squads in the Lerwick event, and this year is the first time there have been females in the jarl squad itself.
Bank closures in Islay create concerns in community of being left behind
The imminent closure of a Bank of Scotland branch has left members of the rural community with concerns over the loss of face-to-face banking in their local town.
Fossil find off Cowie (re)confirmed as oldest air-breathing creature
When amateur fossil-hunter, Mike Newman found a centipede thought to be the oldest creature known to have lived on land, it was named after him. But recently the dating of the 'Pneumodesmus newmani' was called into question.
Edinburgh becomes first local authority in Scotland to enforce pavement parking ban
The parking ban is being introduced in the capital in order to create a more equal city.
FONDS: New multimedia exhibition tells the stories of Govanhill through its most treasured objects
The objects treasured by people in Govanhill reveal stories of migration, transformation, love and resilience. A new photography exhibition, film and podcast will launch on 3 February.
Hogwatch Dumbarton: providing lifesaving care for hedgehogs
As numbers drop, hedgehogs are now on the endangered list but once centre is trying to change this.
News about our partners
Congratulations to The Broughton Spurtle who are celebrating the 30th birthday of their publication which claims to be ‘Broughton’s independent stirrer’ covering north and central Edinburgh.
Greater Govanhill has been shortlisted in the Regional Press Awards in the ‘Reporting Communities Award’. The award recognises work to ensure all communities are well represented in coverage and that diverse communities are well served with inclusive reporting.
Good luck to the Shetland News who are up for two awards tonight at Highlands and Islands Media Awards: website of the year and environment and sustainability writer of the year.
New podcast launched
A new podcast, created by Greater Govanhill – which tells the stories of people through the objects the hold most close – has been launched this week. It accompanies an exhibition of the images, which his opening at the Tramway arts centre in Glasgow. Listen here or search for FONDS wherever you get your podcasts.
Elsewhere in local news…
A piece in the Guardian today claims the ‘Collapse of local media leaves us all in the dark’. It highlights the negative impact that the decline in local news and the brutal cuts that the big corporate news providers have been making. It doesn’t acknowledge however the impact that so many small independent news providers are making against the odds with very little resources.
As commercial models based on advertising lose out to big tech, and digital platforms too often remain at the whims of social platforms, there is a desperate need for more funding to be made available to local public interest news providers. Until that happens, you can support your own local media or become a member of the Scottish Beacon by clicking the button below.