What's On
Book Week Scotland 18 to 24 November
East Lothian Libraries Libraries have an interesting and engaging programme planned for the 13th annual Book Week Scotland.
Designed to appeal to a range of age groups, it will take place a a range of venues from 18 to 24 November
This year's theme celebrates and embraces hope. It includes titles for all ages, abilities and interests - from the highly illustrated Bright New World: How to make a Happy Planet which aims to empower young children to be informed about climate change, to Resist, set in occupied Netherlands during the second World War and inspired by the childhood of actress Audrey Hepburn. Matthew Syed's Dare to Be You is a non-fiction read for secondary aged pupils focused on the importance of dreams and ambitions, while Tomorrow is Beautiful sees author Sarah Crossan bring together a collection of poems to 'comfort, uplift and delight' readers of all ages.
Find a full list of hopeful books for Book Week Scotland 2024
Information drop-in at Port Seton Centre
Port Seton Centre will be hosting an information drop in on 11 December from 12pm until 2pm. Partners attending to support and provide information to those in the community include:
- Social Security Scotland
- Circle
- Climate Change Hub
- Sure Start
- Enable Works
- Citizen Advice Bureau
- East Lothian Council’s early years’ service.
The event has been planned to offer the community can access support locally on issues that are important to them. This drop in is free for anyone to attend and confidential spaces are provided if required.
East Lothian Council is working in partnership with various partners including NHS to explore more locally-based drop-ins across East Lothian. Community Development Officer Jordan Irvine commented: “Port Seton Centre has already been running a monthly drop in on Thursdays with Social Security Scotland which has highlighted the need for services to be accessible within local communities. We’re hoping to replicate this in other areas of the county.”
What's on at The Brunton
The Brunton invites you to immerse yourself in a dazzling array of performances that capture the magic of the season. Get ready to be swept away by a line-up of spectacular shows that promise to warm your heart and ignite your holiday spirit. The Brunton’s winter programme is brimming with excitement and joy, offering the perfect escape to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
The beautiful Northesk Parish Church will be hosting Timothy Orpen and Scott Mitchell as part of a series of recitals from the wonderful players at Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The audience can expect pieces by Mozart, Brhams, Debussy, and Giampieri. The Virtuoso Clarinet: Timothy Orpen and Scott Mitchell, Wednesday 20 November at 7:30pm.
Also at Northesk Parish Church, The Brunton will be welcoming the Royal Northern Sinfonia, where you can expect to hear the orchestra’s signature blend of classical chart-toppers and lesser-known gems. Playing a selection of beautiful, atmospheric pieces carefully chosen to make you feel warm from the inside out, Christmas by Candlelight with Royal Northern Sinfonia is on Sunday 01 December at 7:00pm.
The Brunton are ecstatic to be holding a concert with world renowned Scottish fiddler, Alasdair Fraser, and brilliant Californian cellist, Natalie Haas. Together, the duo blend a profound understanding of Scottish tradition with cutting-edge string explorations. Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas will be playing at Northesk Parish Church on Friday 06 December at 7:30pm.
Down the road at Loretto Theatre this festive season, The Brunton welcomes Hambledon Productions as they recreate three ‘lost’ episodes from Hancock’s Half Hour. Missing from the BBC archives, this UK tour will mark the very first time these hilarious scripts have been brought to life since their original broadcast.
Don’t miss your chance to watch the timeless comedy of Hancock’s Half Hour - The Lost TV Episodes on Saturday 23 November at 7:30pm.
The holiday season continues with André Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver on Saturday 07 December at 7:00pm at Loretto Theatre. Get ready to be transported to the wondrous world of enchanting glamour that is André’s winter wonderland! Don’t miss this chance to celebrate music, love, and Christmas sparkle!
The Countdown to The Brunton Pantomime is on!
In collaboration with acclaimed theatre company, Wonder Fools, A Christmas Carol is an exciting new pantomime, with original songs, inspired by Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas Story and set in East Lothian.
A warm-hearted festive treat for all ages!
A Christmas Carol, Corn Exchange Haddington, Friday 06 - Saturday 14 December at 1:30pm / 5:00pm / 7:00pm
A Christmas Carol, Loretto Theatre Musselburgh, Wednesday 18 December - Saturday 04 January at 1:30pm / 5:00pm / 7:30pm
Number Confidence Week
Number Confidence Week 2024 takes place from 4 to 8 November.
This year's theme tackles the link between gender and number confidence.
National Numeracy, the organisation behind Number Confidence Week, states that, despite having similar skill levels, women show much lower confidence levels with maths than men which can have significant impacts on their life. Lacking number confidence makes things more challenging – whether it's managing bills, following medical advice, or advancing in a workplace. The result can lead to debt, anxiety, and missed career opportunities.
And it's not just women – these attitudes hurt everyone, including men who face pressures that prevent them from seeking support.
Number Confidence Week, 4 to 8 November, seeks to change that by empowering people to build their confidence and unlock new opportunities.
If you would like to improve your confidence with numbers East Lothian Works has many options available. The team can provide individual support, learning in small groups, budgeting sessions, cooking with numbers or courses designed to help you gain a qualification.
You can
Get in touch to find out more – email elworks@eastlothian.gov.uk or call 01620 827262.
To find out more visit - https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/eastlothianworks
16 Days of Activism - online briefing events
16 Days of Activism is a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and girls. 
It runs from 25 November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, to 10 December, which is Human Rights Day. These dates were specifically chosen to emphasise that VAWG is a violation of human rights.
Upcoming events
Why do we need to reframe masculinity?
Gender norms place expectations on men and boys to meet unhealthy and impossible standards of masculinity, which are linked to their experiences of mental health problems, disproportionate suicide rates, drug-related deaths and risk of violence. Research with young boys is finding that many young people are struggling to define what it means to be a ‘positive’ male.
David Russell, Development Lead with Thriving Survivors will speak about the current perceptions of masculinity, links to the ‘Incel’ sub-culture and messages society gives boys and young men. This input will outline what needs to be done to tackle widespread misogyny in current UK culture and the importance of reframing masculinity in tackling violence against women and children.
Learning Review - the case of Ms L.
Learning from cases where children and adults have been significantly harmed, put at risk of harm or have died is a vital part of an effective and improving system to protect children and adults. Reflecting on learning helps us identify good practice in protection work, and the improvements needed to help protect children and adults in the future.
This briefing will focus on the findings from the Ms L Significant Case Review commissioned by the Dundee Adult Support and Protection Committee and published in November 2023. Ms L was a woman who moved to Scotland from England in an attempt to leave an abusive relationship. Ms L had a complex history of domestic abuse, homelessness, substance use, mental health issues, chronic physical health issues and isolation from family/friends. We will consider the findings from the review as well as the implications for practice from local reviews.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Join our online briefing event to hear Linda Thompson, National Co-ordinator, Women’s Support Project talk about Commercial Sexual Exploitation – learn more about what it is, how people are impacted from it and why it is a form of violence against women and girls.
Online Briefing Marac
Marac (Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference) meetings address high risk cases of domestic abuse. In this briefing Jayne Duncan, Marac Co-ordinator will tell you how they operate in East Lothian and Midlothian - who is involved, how risk assessments are carried out and safety plans are developed at the meeting.