In this week’s podcast, we are joined by Anna Reid a freelance stage manager. Anna has worked with the big stars of theatre and pantomime too. If you wondered what happened back stage, Anna tells Ruth all the technical details and it’s fascinating.

Speedway is back. For many of our older listeners, they will remember Old Meadowbank or even Powderhall. For Mike Hunter, Director and historian of Edinburgh Monarchs, speedway never really went away. Super fan Mike has been to thousands of speedway meetings and shares his love of this very family friendly special sport. For tickets, more details and lots of information - visit the Edinburgh Monarchs website.

It’s Dementia Awareness Week. Making theatre dementia friendly is a big undertaking. Dawn Irvine works for Capital Theatres as a Creative Engagement Coordinator with a special interest in working with experts from the dementia friendly community to make the theatrical experiences accessible to all. Whether this means physical adaptations from stairs to loos or creative new collaborations, Dawn has a fascinating story to tell. Over the last year, she has been busy delivering radio plays, afternoon teas, virtual tours, sensory boxes  and multiple productions which you can read about on the Capital Theatres website here.

Beki Dover came into the pod to talk to Maria about the upcoming 3 Harbours Arts Festival and gave us some background to this well established community festival . The Festival will run 3-11 July 2021 and will be exclusively online. There is going to be a wide range of artists, activities and musicians. You can check out all the details on their website and on their social media platforms - Facebook and Twitter - @3harbourArtFest.

Edinburgh Evening News Entertainment Editor, Liam Rudden came into the pod to talk about his journey into journalism and a lot more besides. Liam, in conversation with Ruth, tells an amazing  and amusing life story starting with fanzines, moving on to Marvel comics and a detour into celebrity interviews, theatre directing and speedway.
If you like Liam as much as we do, you can follow him on Twitter ( @LiamRudden ) or if you have a story then you can email him  ( [email protected] )

As we struggle through a late spring, we have a podcast to delight gardeners. Jenny Mollison is passionate about allotments and a regular Scotsman columnist and author. Jenny, in conversation with Marysia, explains the ins and outs of the allotment world from ‘dirty plot letters’ to the ‘weed police’.

Here are the links  for  Jenny’s book and the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society.

Collette from Trading Standards came in to tell us all about what is keeping Trading Standards busy in Edinburgh. As ever, there was lots of advice and reassurance from Collette and the following links are very useful. For help and information with regards to setting up a No Cold Calling Zone please contact [email protected]

If you are looking for work to be carried out around your home or garden. Please check out our Trusted Trader website first where you will find a list of reputable traders that have been vetted by Trading Standards and Police Scotland

For further helpful information against scams and what to look out for have a look at Friends Against Scams.

Anne Kirkland has been a journalist and a writer for a wee while and was the editor of a number of publications including ‘Jackie’ magazine.. When Anne joined Marysia in the pod, Anne talked about her inspiration, some of her background and offered some good advice for potential authors. Anne also answers the question, “does everyone have a book in them?” By the end of this podcast, you will be reaching for your pen and paper.

Jason Schroeder, CEO of Scottish Men's Sheds Association came on the pod to tell us the story of men’s sheds in Scotland. Ruth had lots of questions about ‘shedders’ and what their ‘men only’ activities were. It was a fascinating conversation and afterwards, if you want to know where your local men’s shed is; use the handy ‘Shed Locator’ on the SMSA website and check them out on social media, including YouTube.

Louise from Haddington Library came into the pod to tell us a little bit about what happens behind the scenes right now. From who chooses new books through to all the activities which library visitors enjoy; she gives a picture of the hub the modern library has become. And we are all looking forward to returning to. And as you would expect, when two book lovers get together, there are a flurry of good read recommendations. There are lots of ways you can stay in touch with the library now via their website and social media.