Home News Five things you need to know today

Five things you need to know today

August 15, 2016 6:00 am

Edinburgh’s Turkish Baths
Red Box Coffee
Edinburgh Airport have busiest month in July
Car Boot Sale
Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show

Did you know that there are Turkish Baths in Portobello? Whether you are a local or a Fringe performer needing some rest and relaxation this could be the perfect way to relax. There are three hot rooms, a steam room, relaxation area and cold plunge pool (if Andy Murray thinks it works then it probably does!).

What you do is have a shower first and then go first to the steam room before going into the plunge pool. Then you go through the three hot rooms where the warmth should have a beneficial effect on your weary muscles. All this is promised by Edinburgh Leisure who run the Portobello Swim Centre.

All the opening times are here.

Superman fanatic and experienced hospitality business manager, Daniel Campbell, is launching Red Box Coffee from a red phone box in Haymarket train station, Edinburgh.

The new coffee pod, with an authentic red phone box look, will be there to save the day at the busy train station by offering commuters and residents high quality coffee, tea and artisan produce.

Campbell had always been passionate about the hospitality industry and was looking to set up something new and innovative; his concept took flight when he spotted a red phone box for sale. At the time, he had been thinking of setting up a coffee shop and saw the perfect opportunity to offer a unique daily staple for people on the mundane commute to work, whilst getting to play out the part of his favourite superhero.

Red Box Coffee will celebrate the finest artisan produce; with fresh sandwiches made daily and drinks from small local producers amongst the variety of products on offer. Not only is the premium coffee flown in all the way from Kenya, but Campbell also proudly produces the luxury tea from his own home in Edinburgh. Red Box will be introducing some innovative leaf flavours including heather and vanilla, cranachan and lavender, and whisky and cocoa nibs.

Photos ©Lenny Warren / Warren Media 07860 830050

Edinburgh Airport has reported that July was the busiest month ever at any Scottish airport. Last month over 1.3 million passengers flew through the airport which represents an increase of 9.6% on the same month last year.

Welcoming the passenger numbers, Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport’s Chief Executive, said: “We are greatly encouraged to have smashed another record at Edinburgh Airport with July being the busiest ever passenger month ever at a Scottish airport.

“While we welcome this growth it underlines the work we are doing at Edinburgh Airport to adapt and accommodate the ever increasing number of people wanting to fly in and out of Scotland’s Capital city.

“The trend of expanding international passengers continues – and with a growing proportion of inbound passengers we are helping drive tourism, economic development and additional job creation in Scotland.

“European airports’ growth for the first half of the year is at 4.9%; our growth over same six month period compared to the last year is more than double that.

“Despite our encouraging growth there is evidence of damage to the aviation business that has followed the Brexit vote – this further highlights the need to reduce Air Passenger Duty as soon as possible.

“Cutting APD will be a strong demonstration of Scotland’s international ambitions. It will send a powerful signal to the global airline market that Scotland is most definitely open for business, and would go some way to counter the negative business impact of the UK’s plans to leave the EU.”

Next Saturday they are having a Car Boot Sale in Sighthill so get your cupboards cleaned out this weekend!

Award-winning artist Aine Divine stepped into the frame to launch this year’s Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show.

The Roslin-based Irish artist has submitted ten pieces of work to the show which has raised nearly £460,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support to date.

The art show is being held at Bonhams in Queen Street, Edinburgh, as part of the Fringe Festival between August 25-28^th.

Aine’s works, which are among 200 original pieces of art, sculpture and jewellery submitted to the show, include a self-portrait and several still life paintings of flowers.

She said: “I’m glad to say I have no direct experience of cancer, but I have known many who have been touched by the illness.

“The brilliant care offered by the Macmillan nurses always comes up in conversation. It’s a charity I am very glad to be associated with, knowing the valuable contribution they make to people’s lives.”

Artists donate at least half of their sales to Macmillan and the money raised will help fund £1 million worth of new cancer services across the city, including benefits advice, information and emotional support, help to get active and support getting back to work.

A raffle will also be held throughout the show, with a chance to win an Escape for Two at the One Spa in The Sheraton Hotel, a Friday tasting menu with matching wines for two at Pompadour by Galvin, a round of golf for four at Duddingston Golf Club and 30 minutes flying in either a Microlight, Gyrocopter or Fixed Wing aircraft.

Jayne Forbes, Macmillan’s Fundraising Manager for Edinburgh, said: “The art show is one of the biggest events we hold in the city and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports it.

“We have some amazing works on offer so this is a great opportunity for people to support a great cause and buy a beautiful piece of art at the same time.

“Without events like these Macmillan could not provide the wide range of vital services it does. The money that is raised from the show will allow us to continue providing the much needed emotional, practical and financial support to people when they need it most.”

For more information visit: http://2016.macmillanartshow.org.uk/

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