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Stockbridge Market – VIBES Awards – Photography Exhibition – European Elections – At the Filmhouse today

We have grown quite fond of Sundays in Stockbridge with a bacon wrap from one stall at Stockbridge Market and a coffee from another run by Steampunk Coffee Company (housed in a VW camper van). What are your favourite things to do in Edinburgh on Sundays? 

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Applications for the 15th annual Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards are now open and businesses in Edinburgh are being encouraged to enter the search for Scotland’s greenest business.

The VIBES Awards is Scotland’s leading environmental awards scheme, recognising businesses that contribute to Scotland’s sustainable development through improving process or developing new products and services.  The awards are free to enter and entries can be submitted until 11 July 2014.

The awards aim to encourage efficient use of resources, enhance business competitiveness, improve environmental performance and support wider sustainable development goals.  There are seven awards categories open for entry: Management, Environmental Product or Service, Transport, Co-operation, Hydro-Nation, Circular Economy and Micro Business.

Winners of the 2013 VIBES Awards include Airdrie based, Albert Bartlett & Sons Ltd., Dryden Aqua Ltd., Rabbie’s Small Group Tours and Vegware from Edinburgh, Whitmuir Organics from West Linton, Peeblesshire and Biomatrix Water Solutions in Morayshire.

Gillian Bruce, Chair of VIBES, commented: “The VIBES Awards have been recognising champions of sustainability for 15 years and have engaged with businesses across the country from a wide range of sectors.

“We want to continue to encourage the great work being done by so many businesses that are working to make Scotland more environmentally aware and would be very keen to hear from businesses in Edinburgh”

Sponsoring the event this year are Business Stream, Albert Bartlett and Sons Ltd, ScottishPower, Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, Lothian Buses Ltd., NetRegs and the University of Stirling Management Centre.

Lothian Buses were 2012 winners of the Transport section for running the first hybrid double decker fleet in Scotland.

VIBES has also teamed up with former winners to host free-to-attend events to give interested businesses information about the awards and how to enter.  Dryden Aqua Ltd. are hosting an event in Edinburgh on 20th May followed by an event in Forres hosted by Biomatrix Water on 22nd May.  Businesses interested in registering should contact vibes@sepa.org.uk.

The VIBES Awards are a strategic partnership between Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and the 20:20 Climate Group.  The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and Bright Green Business.

The Awards are accredited by the RSA Environment Awards Accreditation Scheme (www.rsaaccreditation.org).

For more information or to obtain an application form for the VIBES Awards visit www.vibes.org.uk.  Facebook: www.vibes.org.uk Twitter:@VIBES_Awards

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At the Botanics you can have a walk around an outdoor photography exhibition – the International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition.

Time:10.00 am — 5.45 pm

Location:Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (find us)

Venue:John Hope Gateway Decking (outdoors)

Price:Free

Booking:No booking required

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With less than a week left before the European Parliamentary Elections this Thursday, voters are being urged to make sure they have their say.

Those voting by post are being reminded to return their postal vote packs in time for 22 May.

Almost half of the 65, 863 postal packs sent out to Edinburgh residents have already been returned, but the remaining voters must ensure their packs are filled out and sent back in time to avoid missing out.

Their postal votes need to be returned by 10pm on 22 May, so they are being advised to send these off as soon as possible.

Voting in the European Parliamentary Elections will take place across Edinburgh on 22 May, when citizens will vote to elect six members of the European Parliament to the Electoral Region of Scotland.

The European Parliament is currently made up of 766 members from 28 EU member countries, and has powers in areas including animal rights, the environment and workers’ rights.

A list of the Scottish candidates and their parties is available on the City of Edinburgh Council website.

Council Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Sue Bruce, said: “I would encourage everyone who is eligible to vote to do so. This is the best way to ensure that you have your say on the aspects of our lives that are influenced by the European Parliament.
“We’re already seeing a great return from the city’s postal voters but we want to make sure as many citizens as possible make their votes count.”

Details of Edinburgh’s polling places and how to vote can be found on the Council’s website.

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At the Filmhouse today an old favourite will be played on the big screen this evening. The African Queen starring Bogart and Katherine Hepburn is showing at 20.40. Nothing else needs to be said about this John Huston classic . Booking details here. 

 

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.