‘The Big Brother scheme is history’
Judges at the UK’s highest court have ruled against the Scottish government’s Named Person scheme. The Scottish Government says it will act swiftly to make the necessary amendments to ensure ‘the service will be implemented at the earliest possible date’ but opponents of the controversial legislation have hailed the judgement as a victory for families. Continue reading Setback for Scottish Government as Supreme Court rules against Named Person legislation
The warmer weather is an opportunity for people to enjoy their garden, and for youngsters that can often mean playing on their trampoline. Unfortunately this can also result in injury, from simple bumps and bruises to more serious head and neck injuries. Continue reading Don’t let the kids bounce their way to hospital
Dear Friends/Colleagues,
Some of you might know that we have doing lots of work on West Pilton Park over the last year with the aim of improving negative perceptions and getting more people using it. We’ve been working with local organisations, the council and residents from the area to hold events on the park. These have enabled us to talk to lots of people about what would make them want to use the park more and their suggestions have been used to develop improvement plans, some of which are underway already!
Also, the events have been such a success that there is now a constituted ‘Friends of West Pilton Park (Parklife)’ group made up of local people enthusiastic about seeing change on the park. ‘West Pilton Parklife’ are already busy planning an annual programme of events on the park for the local community. It is after all, a great open space in the heart of North Edinburgh with potential to have something for everyone.
We hope that you enjoy reading all about it (below)!
Kind Regards
Lianne Pipskyj & Clare Symonds
Pilton Community Health Project
73 Boswall Parkway,
Dear Editor
We are asked by the new leaders of the Conservative government to accept as genuine that there will be a change in attitude towards people and that they will pursue policies fair to all.
We have to remember they are politically commited to maintaining the system of capitalism. The system where very wealthy financial institutions have the power to invest depending on the amount of profit to be made – if not enough, they will have no hesitation in moving to where it can, anywhere worldwide. In doing so, the issue of jobs, poverty or family life does not concern them, so the potential contradiction between words and deeds of the political supporters of the system arise.
As the last six years have shown, despite any feelings of sorrow expressed they will always pass the cost of a slump onto the people in widespread cuts across all aspects of life.
Their determination to maintain a system that creates such devastation to peoples’ lives worldwide is matched by an equal determination by many others to replace it with a more just, fair and workable system of socialism, where the results of people’s work will be used to benefit all, not just the few.
History shows that systems have always changed when circumstances made it necessary and able to do so, from slavery to serfdom to feudalism to capitalism. It will change again because peoples’ circumstances will make it.
A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens
Hey All,
Please see below information about some local opportunities for people to get a bit more active, at a pace that suits and meet new people. 
HIDDEN GEMS WALKS, discovering historical and artistic surprises in North Edinburgh
Thursday evenings 7pm:
28th July (TONIGHT) – All that Sparkles Art Walk- meets at North Edinburgh Arts Centre
4th August- Discovering Grantons Industrial Past- meets north side Granton Square
11th August- Long Gone Schooldays- meet north side Granton Square
18th August- North Edinburgh’s Lost Medieval Walled Garden- meet at Prentice Centre
25th August- Foraging for free- Meets North Edinburgh Arts Centre.
NEW: YOGA for Beginners (by donation)
Starts Wednesday 17th August 4.30-5.30pm, The Spartans Football Club
Many Thanks
Lianne Pipskyj
Development Worker- Physical Activity
Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway
Edinburgh, EH5 2PW
0131 551 1671
A new report by Common Weal argues that an independent currency pegged to Sterling is likely to be most advantageous initially for an independent Scotland, but flexibility would be needed over the longer term. Continue reading Sound as a Pound?
Will Pickvance
presents
Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners)
At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016 and part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2016
VENUE: Scottish Storytelling Centre Venue 30a
DATES: Aug 4 Preview; Aug 5-28 (not 17, 22, 23, 24)
Aug 10 BSL interpreted performance
TIME: 13:00 (55 mins)
Will Pickvance’s acclaimed family show, Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners) returns to the Fringe, taking audiences on an entertaining, musical journey through piano history. The performance combines brilliantly played piano music with a fascinating exploration of the instrument Will loves.
An Edinburgh-based pianist, storyteller and renowned Fringe performer; Will Pickvance has an infectious passion for inspiring audiences of all ages to enjoy and make music.
One Christmas, Will asks Father Christmas for a space rocket. Instead, he gets a piano. Despite his initial disappointment, Will realises that his new gift might even be better – now he can travel wherever and whenever he wants. In Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners) we join Will on a fantastical musical adventure through space and time, finding out where pianos come from, how they evolved; experiencing Beethoven’s bad moods, Bach’s cave piano and jamming with Fats Waller along the way.
‘Highly entertaining maestro for young and old alike’ **** The Stage
Will’s virtuoso musical skills, whirlwind piano playing, witty conversational style and spinning of fabulous yarns, are complemented by quirky, hand-drawn projections by local artist Tim Vincent-Smith.
Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners) is a hugely entertaining celebration of the piano, enthralling audiences of all ages. Will’s inspirational love of music and his impressive self-taught piano skills will encourage and entice the musician within us all.
‘the pace of the show is riveting, adults shaking their shoulders, children banging the floor while their mouths hang open in astonishment’ ArtsHub Australia
Recommended for ages 6 and over, Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners) was the Runner-Up, Best Children’s Show, Fringe World Festival 2015.
Created and performed by Will Pickvance
Direction by Magda Dragan
Dramaturgical development by Robert Alan Evans
Producing support by Alice McGrath / Red Bridge Arts
LISTINGS
VENUE: Scottish Storytelling Centre Venue 30a
DATES: Aug 4 Preview; Aug 5-28 (not 17, 22, 23, 24)
Aug 10 BSL interpreted performance
TIME: 13:00 (55 mins)
TICKETS: £9/£7 /£28 Family; (Preview – £7/£5 /£20 Family)
BOX OFFICE: 0131 556 9579 www.scottishstorytellingcente.co.uk
Leith charity Saheliya has received £5,000 from the STV Children’s Appeal, helping the project to reach even more women who need their support. Continue reading STV Appeal support for Saheliya
Police Scotland and Sustrans Scotland joined city council Transport Convener Lesley Hinds and mascot The Reducer today to mark the launch of the first zone in the Capital’s new 20mph limit rollout.
Phase 1 of the rollout of a 20mph speed limit on all residential, shopping and city centre streets in the Capital goes live on Sunday (31 July), when a Traffic Regulation Order formalising the reduction in the speed limit comes into force.
The Transport and Environment Committee approved a new speed limit network for Edinburgh in January last year following extensive public consultation with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders.
In becoming Scotland’s first 20mph city, Edinburgh follows a growing number of European and UK cities (eg Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cambridge and much of inner London) in introducing slower speeds. The project extends 20mph speed limits to approximately 80% of Edinburgh’s streets and the council says there is strong support from city residents for the move.
The new speed limits are aimed at increasing safety for all road users as well as creating a calmer, more people-friendly environment in shopping and residential streets. A network of key arterial roads across the city will be retained at 30mph and 40mph.
Slower speeds bring many benefits to places and people. They help to reduce the risk and severity of collisions, encourage people to walk and cycle and spend more time in an area, boosting trade for local businesses.
The reduced speed makes it easier to cross roads, particularly for children and older people.
In preparation for the ‘go live’ on Sunday, large 20mph signs have been erected in Zone 1 over the past few weeks, marking the entrance and exit of a 20mph area where the speed limit is changing. These are supplemented by smaller repeater signs or road markings with speed limit roundels.
As part of the 20mph programme, existing signage is being reviewed and reinforced. Any existing signage which is no longer needed will be removed and reused where possible.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “Slower speeds bring many benefits to the urban environment, making streets more people-friendly, promoting active travel (and thereby improving public health) and reducing the risk and severity of road collisions. The majority of Edinburgh residents support our 20mph scheme and we know that other local authorities in the rest of Scotland are closely monitoring our experience.
“We’ve been working towards this rollout for a number of years now and I’m delighted to see the first phase going live. Changing driver behaviour is not an overnight thing, obviously, and it will take a bit of time for it to become second nature. Experience here from our South Edinburgh pilot and from schemes elsewhere shows that support for 20mph increases after implementation as people welcome the benefits.
“We’ll continue to help people adapt to the new limit throughout the rollout, through awareness raising and education campaigns.”
Chief Inspector Mark Rennie of Police Scotland said: “We remain committed to casualty reduction on our roads and whenever we observe motorists disobeying the 20mph speed limit, or where the public tell us there is an ongoing problem, we will respond appropriately.
“Changes to road layouts, proper signage and continued engagement with the public are the keys to ensuring the speed limit is adhered to, however, police will give due attention to areas around schools to ensure public safety.”
