East Lothian Council’s Arts Service and Youth Music Initiative is delighted to be able to once again offer the NYCoS (National Youth Choir of Scotland) singing groups to all P3-P7 pupils attending an ELC primary school. Due to Covid restrictions, we have had to change venues and shorten the block slightly but the sessions are still completely FREE.

From Monday 25 April we will be running sessions in:

Haddington & Musselburgh on Mondays

Tranent & Dunbar on Tuesdays

Cockenzie and North Berwick on Wednesdays.

No previous singing experience is required and there’s no audition. This is open to any pupil in P3-P7 who wants to sing with friends and have fun. Sessions are free but participants must register by Sunday 17^th April. This link plus further information is available on our website and in the attached fliers.

East Lothian Council Arts Service

www.edubuzz.org/youthmusicinitiative  https://www.thebrunton.co.uk/  Twitter.com/ELCArtsService  #YMIEastLothian

YMI | Arts Service | The Brunton | Ladywell Way | Musselburgh | EH21 6AA

Sustrans Scotland and Cargo Bike Movement have a joint electric bike and e-cargo bike demo day coming up on Sunday 27^th March, at Fisherrow Park in Musselburgh from 10am – 3pm.

They will have numerous electric bikes and e-cargo bikes for people to trial free of charge. They will also be able to offer advice on which bike would best suit people’s needs, and advice on interest-free loans available to purchase a bike.

The event is open to all.

Under 22’s Free Bus Travel

All young people in Scotland are entitled to free bus travel as of 31^st January 2022.

To order a new card with free travel or for first time applications with free travel, please visit the getyournec.scot website.

If you are unable to apply online you can visit your local library and the staff there will assist with the application process and order the card with the free travel on it.

The libraries will also take the photograph for the new card. It is important photographs are kept up to date, the picture on the card must be a true likeness otherwise the bus driver may refuse the free travel.

East Lothian Councils web pages will provide information on the free travel scheme and how people can apply Smartcards | East Lothian Council including links to FQA’s.

For questions not answered in these pages or any issues please call the East Lothian Council switchboard on 01620 827827 and ask for Smartcards and you will be transferred through to the office.  This line is open 9 to 5 Monday to Thursday and 9 to 4 on a Friday. Outwith these times a voicemail can be left and one of the team will get back as soon as they can.

Failing which you can email smartcards@eastlothian.gov.uk.

Please note the Smartcard team do not deal with Home to School transport. For questions on that please contact the Transportation Admin number on 01620 827367.

As we approach the end of term just a reminder that Christmas Jumper day is tomorrow (Friday 10th December), you can donate to Save the Children at the following link:

Our Christmas Jumper Day (savethechildren.org.uk)

Christmas Parties are next week on the following days:

Tues 14th Dec – P1 & 2

Wed 15th Dec – P3 & 4

Thurs 16th Dec – P5, 6 & 7 and Nursery

Skills for Work programme offers parents/carers a supportive step back into education, especially for those considering a career in Early Learning and Childcare.

Friday 19th November is Children in Need day at school. Children can come to school dressed up, there will be fun activities at school and our fundraising page can be found here.