Day: November 29, 2012

West Pilton welcomes fifty plus at November events

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre hosted three days of events this month for age 50+ which involved an activity morning, an information event and a social afternoon. 

Activities included gentle exercise, Indian dance, indoor bowling, table tennis and silk flower making.

Information sessions offered:  benefits advice from Granton Information Centre, Personal Safety from Community Police, health checks (Edinburgh Leisure), general advice (Age Scotland), Cooking on a budget (Barri Grubb) and energy savings advice.

Then ending the week the social offered an afternoon of dancing, bingo and a sing along with a museums outreach worker showing items worn to social events in the 50’s.

Local people were invited to enjoy all of the above with transport and lunch provided each day, funded through a grant received by the PCA.

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Winter’s tale: Christmas misery for abandoned pets


The Scottish SPCA has warned of the dangers of giving pets as Christmas gifts as the charity prepares for one of its busiest and most heartbreaking times of year. Scotland’s animal welfare charity has also revealed some of the excuses given for young and elderly pets being given up during the festive period.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Sadly, our animal rescue and rehoming centres are full every Christmas. It’s a time of year when many of our centres are asked to take in elderly pets, with dogs being the most common. The excuses our staff have heard have been shocking, with some owners telling us they have suddenly developed an allergy to a pet they’ve had for years. Others have said they’ve simply had enough of their pet because it’s so old and some have even told us they don’t want their dog making their house untidy when they have guests for Christmas.

“We know that in some of these cases the owners have in fact been making space for a new puppy or a younger pet, which is disgusting and extremely callous. Our centres will stop rehoming young animals between 20 December and 3 January because we have to be very careful they aren’t being taken on by anyone who wants a new pet for Christmas and hasn’t fully thought through their decision. Taking on a pet is a commitment for that animal’s lifetime and new owners should ensure they have the time and resources they need and understand their responsibilities.”

Chief Supt. Flynn said the Christmas period continues to have a distressing impact in the New Year.

“It’s another upsetting reality that in the weeks and months after Christmas our centres are often asked to take in puppies, kittens and other pets given as presents once the novelty has worn off,” he said. “Or, even worse, some of these pets are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Clearly, in these instances the owners hadn’t realised that the young pet which was great fun at Christmas would need to be housetrained and properly socialised and that this would require effort on their part.
Our message is pets are a long-term commitment and responsibility, not presents which can be given on Christmas Day and forgotten about soon afterwards.”

On Christmas Day last year the Scottish SPCA was called to rescue an elderly dog dumped on a remote country road and left for dead. Chief Supt. Flynn said, “It’s almost unthinkable that someone would do something so cruel. Winter could easily have been knocked down and killed and it was clear whoever did this didn’t care what happened to him. While we didn’t receive the information we needed to find Winter’s owner, we can’t rule out the possibility he was abandoned to make way for a Christmas puppy. Thankfully, we were able to rescue Winter before it was too late and soon found him a loving new home.”

City gets set for Christmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas celebration’s will kick off with a stunning Light Night ceremony on the Mound tonight (Thursday). 

A dazzling combination of projection, aerial performance and pyrotechnics will build excitement through a specially commissioned show – Christmas Dream Machine.  Revealing the enchanting dreams of a child at Christmas, the performance will culminate in the lighting of Edinburgh’s Norwegian Christmas Tree; a gift from the people of Hordaland.  An exotic Brazilian Samba Band will lead revellers to St Andrew Square, where the festivities will continue with a live after show, featuring an array of local artists, entertainers and a fire show.

Over the six weeks, the ever popular Traditional German Christmas Market returns to the city along with the Traditional Highland Village Christmas Market, plus a number of bespoke markets will take place across the city centre throughout December.

Commenting on the overall programme, City of Edinburgh Council Lord Provost, Rt Hon Donald Wilson, said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas is one of the most iconic Christmas celebrations in the world and we are pleased to announce a varied programme of events and attractions for 2012.  Whether it’s to catch up with family and friends, or just to relax and soak up the magical atmosphere, we are proud of the fact that so many people make Edinburgh their destination of choice.  With the nativity scene at the heart of the city and carol concerts to attend, visitors and residents will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the festive season.”

From skating beneath the stars on the Edinburgh Ice Rink to seeing the city from a new perspective on the breathtaking Edinburgh Wheel, there is something for everyone this Christmas. Visitors of all ages will be thrilled to see the return of live reindeer to St Andrew Square on 8 & 9 December, then Friday, Saturday and Sunday on both weekends before Christmas.

For the first time, there will be a 3D cinema in East Princes Street Garden, where children and adults alike will love the award-winning Christmas caper ‘Rocket’s Missing Antler’.  Rocket is usually the fastest of all of Santa’s helpers, but he has lost his antler, meaning Christmas could be cancelled.  The exciting visual feast follows the loveable reindeer, Cheeky Snowman and the Wishfairy as they battle against time to regrow Rocket’s antler and save Christmas.

Nickie Gott, managing director of She’s Gott It!, Edinburgh’s Christmas producers, enthuses: “There is no better place than Edinburgh during the festive period.  With the remarkable Light Night starting things off in style, the city centre will be buzzing with activity and excitement.  The capital is so magical at this time of year and we hope that our programme will amaze and delight the entire family.”

Following the success of last year’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations, Edinburgh’s Christmas will once again present an exciting programme of activity on the Castle esplanade tomorrow (30 November) as part of Scotland’s Winter Festival.  During the day, there will be a chance for visitors to make their own lantern, before a specially commissioned night time spectacular, with fireworks to celebrate Scotland’s patron saint.

Santa will be arriving in the city centre from 5pm on Saturday 8 December in his reindeer-drawn sleigh, and will make daily visits to collect his post and to see who has been naughty and nice. There will be a flurry of red and white on Sunday 9 December, as hundreds of Santas pull on their running shoes for the tenth Great Edinburgh Santa Run, in aid of the When You Wish Upon a Star Foundation. Starting in West Princes Street Gardens, Santas of all ages will be able to run, jog or walk the 1.5km route.

Andy Neal, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: “With Edinburgh’s Christmas bringing thousands of visitors to the city each year, Essential Edinburgh is proud to support some of the fantastic activities, such as Light Night and Santa’s Arrival – key features of the  programme that encourage visitors and residents to come into town during the festive period.  This investment is another example of the city centre’s private businesses, through Essential Edinburgh, investing in the Capital.”

Edinburgh’s Christmas is a highlight in the Winter in Edinburgh marketing campaign and is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, Essential Edinburgh and Marketing Edinburgh.

Nearly-new market can keep Christmas costs down

NEARLY NEW IS THE “NEW” NEW!

It is reported that the average family can spend up to a whopping £700 at Christmas, while the lowest price expected for a family to pay is £182. The easiest way to save money this Christmas is to shop for quality nearly-new items at your Local Jack & Jill Market.  Thousands of shoppers collectively tell us every month across all our markets about the fantastic savings they have made.

One happy shopper recently told us “This is the sixth Market I have been to, and every time I leave with a bag full of fantastic goodies for my boys which I am putting away for Christmas, I will be all finished soon and will probably have spent under £100”

Our children don’t know or care that an item has been played with and loved before it reaches them, in fact I am sure we can all relate to how they always seem to get more enjoyment playing with toys everywhere else that you go.  If it’s New to them then as far as they are concerned its NEW!

There are lots of reasons why its sensible to shop at The Jack & Jill Market, here are our favourites:

  1. Everything is cheaper – Your money goes a lot further!
  2. Your money stays in the community – You are buying your items from local Families and helping their family budget at the same time as yours!
  3. The Thrill of The Hunt – Scouring the Market for that must have item at an unbeatable price is exciting in a way retail shopping isn’t!
  4. Its Green – Buying nearly new cuts down on the amount going to landfill!
  5. It’s All Under One Roof – Generally you can find everything you might need or want all in the same place and leave with it that very day!

A recent stallholder told us “I am thrilled to have made over £300, that’s money which is going into the Christmas fund and will make a huge difference”

Join us at the very last Jack & Jill Market in 2012 on Sunday 9th December at Meadowbank Stadium from 10:30-1:30.  It’s going to be bursting with bargains to stuff your stockings and treats for under your tree as well as all the rest from start to finish!

Pauline, Jack and Jill Market

High-powered taskforce seeks ways to cut health gap

A new group of experts made up of health professionals and politicians is to seek ways to narrow the health gap between the richest and poorest people in Scotland. The Ministerial Taskforce on Health Inequalities meets for the first time today (Thursday) to examine evidence and to suggest new or better ways to reduce the difference in life expectancy and health among the whole population.

Chaired by Public Health Minister Michael Matheson, the Taskforce includes the Chief Medical Officer, clinicians, health experts, local government representative and other Ministers. The work will build on the Equally Well report of the last Ministerial taskforce in 2008.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said:

“While health in Scotland continues to improve and people live longer lives, health inequalities are still worse than in the rest of western Europe. Of all the challenges facing Scotland, the health gap between our richest and poorest communities is among the greatest. Inequality wastes human potential, while reducing inequalities will improve Scotland’s wellbeing, lead to higher productivity and less pressure on public finances.

”The challenge for the Taskforce is to review the effectiveness of current policy, to respond to new information and knowledge about what has worked to narrow inequalities and to hear to community views on the best way ahead.

“While Scotland is rightly seen as a world leader in public health legislation and policy, the main reasons for health inequality are income and power, so addressing these issues will be part of our overall approach. Delivering on this agenda takes leadership at all levels and I am determined to ensure the Scottish Government does what it can in the current political and economic circumstances to narrow the health gap.”

The Taskforce is expected to report in summer 2013.

Membership of the Ministerial Taskforce on Health Inequalities is:

Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health (Chair)

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People

Margaret Burgess, Minister for Housing and Welfare

Angela Constance, Minister for Youth Employment

Derek Mackay, Minister for Local Government and Planning

Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs

Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Environment and Climate Change

Sir Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland

Margaret Burns, Chair of NHS Health Scotland

Dr Charles Winstanley, Chair of NHS Chairs Scotland

Andrew Muirhead, Chief Executive, Inspiring Scotland

Professor Carol Tannahill, Director, Glasgow Centre for Population Health

Cllr Peter Johnston, COSLA Spokesperson for Health and Wellbeing