Category: Davidsons Mains

Live Music Now announce world premiere at Holy Cross Church in Davidsons Mains this Sunday

  • Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) bring Live performance to Edinburgh with world premiere of ‘What’s for you…’ by composer Jennifer Martin
  • The piece will be performed by clarinettist Calum Robertson and pianist Juliette Philogene who will also perform the second LMNS piece commissioned from Jennifer, ‘Bi-Cycle’
  • The concert will take place at 3pm on Sunday 24 October at Holy Cross Church, Davidson’s Mains

Live Music Now Scotland (LMNS) is delighted to announce its next public, live and in person performance this coming Sunday (24 October).

Taking place at Holy Cross Church in Davidsons Mains, this one-off concert will feature a world premiere of a new piece for clarinet and piano by Jennifer Martin, performed by and commissioned for clarinettist Calum Robertson and pianist Juliette Philogene.

Entitled ‘What’s for you…’ the piece is one of two commissioned by Live Music Now Scotland and written by Jennifer Martin, who recently published a book Creative Composition for the Classroom co-written with composer Sir James MacMillan.

‘What’s for you…’ is a reflective piece that was inspired by the hopes, joys and fears that must come with motherhood; joyous, irregular, humorous, difficult, but always looking on the bright side.

Jennifer Martin, author of Creative Composition for the Classroom and Chief Executive of the Cumnock Tryst, said: “It is a huge honour to have been asked to create two bespoke pieces for Live Music Now Scotland, an organization whose work is so vitally important when it comes to getting live music to those who may not otherwise get a chance to hear it, and in the career development of musicians. 

“Both ‘Bi-Cycle’ and ‘What’s for you…’ examine the relationship between mother and daughter in a myriad of ways, and I can’t wait to hear them in the beautiful surroundings of Holy Cross Church, performed by the brilliantly talented Calum and Juliette.”

The concert is free of charge although booking is required, and the concert will also feature Nocturne by Ronald Stevenson and Three dances by Germaine Tailleferre.

The location of this exciting performance is no coincidence. Throughout lockdown Holy Cross Church was incredibly supportive of LMNS, engaging artists to sing and play as part of worship when live performances were not allowed elsewhere.

Not only that, but the costs were also covered by the congregation, meaning a live world premiere seemed like a fitting tribute. The concert will slot into a new series of afternoon events in the church.

Carol Main MBE, Director at Live Music Now Scotland, said: “We are so excited to see a public LMNS performance, and a world premiere no less, return to the wonderful surrounds of Holy Cross Church in Edinburgh. Not only is a beautiful space, but one we feel a deep affinity with after the support they have shown our musicians throughout the pandemic.

“We also feel incredibly lucky to be able to hear these two pieces, commissioned especially for our musicians by the amazingly talented Jennifer Martin and performed by the equally talented Calum and Juliette, surrounded by a live audience.”

The two LMNS commissions were made possible by funding from Gavin McEwan.

Tickets for the performance can be purchased at scotland@livemusicnow.org

Spate of robberies: man charged

A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of robberies at business premises in Edinburgh.

The man has been charged in connection with 13 incidents in various areas across the city between Friday, 27 August and Wednesday, 8 September.

He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.

Armed robbery at second tanning salon – this time it’s D’ Mains

Detectives are appealing for information after a shop was robbed in Davidsons Mains.The robbery took place at a tanning salon in Main Street at around 11.40am yesterday (Wednesday, 1 September).

A man entered the shop and presented a knife at the shop assistant and demanded money. No-one was injured and he made off with a three-figure sum of money.

It’s the second tanning shop robbery in Edinburgh within days – a salon on Summer Place in Inverleith was robbed on Friday evening.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait of CID said: “Thankfully the member of staff working within the shop was unhurt, but extremely shocked by the incident.

“We are looking to trace a man described as being around 5’6” tall, of thin build. He was wearing a black beanie style hat, a black face mask, a black hooded top, black trousers rolled up to the knees and blue trainers.

“He left the shop on a BMX style bike, heading in the direction of Ferry Road.“We are carrying out a review of CCTV and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area to come forward. We would like to hear from motorists who have dash-cam, you may have captured something that could be of assistance to us.

“Anyone who has information that will assist this investigation is asked to contact us through 101 quoting reference number 1172 of 1 September, 2021. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Cole-Hamilton Seeks Walk-In Vaccine Centres for Constituency Hot Spots

Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton is seeking walk in coronavirus vaccination centres in the Lothians today, after an outbreak in his constituency which forced the temporary closure of a local primary school.

Last week, Mr Cole- Hamilton, raised concerns over the temporary closure of Davidsons Main Primary School within his constituency, after 12 out of the 19 classes were required to self-isolate. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf responded to Mr Cole-Hamilton with the assurance that an extra effort would be made to ensure appropriate testing measures would be in place to keep the virus under control.

Mr Cole-Hamilton believes that more immediate action must be taken, using an opportunity in the Holyrood chamber to ask if the Health Secretary would make drop-in vaccination clinics available for constituents over the age of 18 who have yet to have their first jag or face a long wait for their second in local hotspot areas across Edinburgh, as he had done in Glasgow over the weekend.

Unable to give a definitive answer, Mr Yousaf did promise to raise the merits of walk in centres during a meeting with NHS Lothian that will take place tomorrow.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary understands the value of walk in vaccination centres, and there are many examples of the appetite for them across the United Kingdom.

“If we have learned anything from this pandemic it is the tragedy of being slow to take action. If the city of Edinburgh is to avoid a situation like the one Glasgow has been facing for the last eight months, then walk in vaccination clinics must be set up as soon as possible.

“It is of the utmost importance that local outbreaks, just like the ones in Davidsons Mains and Silverknowes, are dealt with swiftly, to avoid further harm to our to both our health and economy.”

‘Far from Over’: Cole-Hamilton presses Health Secretary over Davidsons Mains Covid outbreak

Liberal Democrats Health Spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton has used a Scottish Parliament debate on Covid-19 to highlight the need for caution as Scotland begins to move out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Cole- Hamilton, who represents the Edinburgh Western constituency, raised concerns over the temporary closure of Davidsons Main Primary School within his constituency. He said that events at the school were a stark reminder that the pandemic was far from over.

The School has been forced to temporarily close on Tuesday, after over half of the after 12 classes were forced to self-isolate.

Mr Cole-Hamilton seized an opportunity to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health Humza Yousaf, for reassurance that the Scottish Government will work to tackle the appearance of Covid hotspots across the Lothians.

Although unable to give a specific answer, Mr Yousaf assured Mr Cole-Hamilton that he will look at the data in the community of Davidsons Mains to ensure that accurate and appropriate testing measures were in place to keep the covid-19 virus under control.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has appreciated the seriousness of the outbreak at Davidsons Mains Primary, and I am grateful that he plans to take action to ensure our community is kept safe and faces as little disruption as possible.

“The situation in Davidsons Mains is a stark reminder that our communities are by no means rid of this virus. But I hope that the willingness of the Cabinet Secretary to treat this outbreak seriously will be of some comfort to worried pupils and members of the school community.

“Tributes must be paid to the school staff, who have worked quickly and efficiently to respond to this challenging set of circumstances. They’ve applied every infection control protocol to the letter since this first started but community transmission of this very virulent strain has seen cases increase.

“I look forward to seeing the school gates reopen at the start of next month.”

Covid forces closure of Davidsons Mains Primary School

Davidsons Mains Primary School has been closed due to increasing numbers of Covid cases.

In a statement on the school’s website yesterday, Head Teacher Astrid Gracie told parents and carers:

Dear Families,

Thank you for your support over the past 8 days. Unfortunately, we continue to be notified of new positive cases, affecting more classes in the school. I will be in touch with the families of close contacts in the latest classes affected very soon and provide guidance around isolation dates and PCR testing.    

Following further consultation with the Health Protection Team, NHS Lothian & City of Edinburgh Education and Environmental Services we have had to make the difficult decision to return to remote learning for all pupils until the end of this week and close the School and Nursery to all children. 

This is because cases are continuing to spread and further steps, including self-isolation of close contacts and closing the school are considered necessary by the Health Protection Team, to reduce the risks of transmission of the virus.  

We recognise that this will be very challenging for many families and I can assure you that it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

Remote Learning Provision

Learning tasks and live classes will take place on TEAMS, as happened during the recent lockdown.  Class teachers will post further information on TEAMS.  Nursery staff will provide learning at home tasks via Learning Journals for our Nursery children.  Should you need to borrow a digital device to access the online content please email or call the school and we will make arrangements for you to collect this tomorrow.

Free School Meal Provision

Pupils in P1-7 (who meet free school meals entitlements) will be able to collect their meal from the main gym hall/dining room door (currently P4/5 entrance). If your child is entitled to free school meals and their class have been asked to isolate, we will contact you to arrange delivery.  

Please only attend at the times noted below to allow us to distribute meals safely.  You will receive a refund should your child be in P4-7 and you have paid for their meal:

Primary 1 – 3:  11.45-12.00

Primary 4 -7: 12.15-12.30

Hub provision for Key Workers

The return to remote learning is a response to the number of cases in the community and the number of classes and staff self-isolating.   We are therefore unable to offer key worker provision.

After School Provision

As a result of the return to remote learning  breakfast club and after school provision will not be available this week.

Review of School Closure

We continue to work closely with the Health Protection Team, NHS Lothian, Senior Education Leaders  and Environmental Health Services to closely monitor the spread of the virus. Our next review meeting is on Friday 28TH May.

We are committed to re-opening the school as soon as it is considered safe to do so. I will send updated information after the meeting.

PCR testing

We continue to ask that all close contacts and those displaying COVID symptoms take a PCR test. Walk-in test centres are open at Drumbrae and Ainslie Park. A drive-through centre is at the airport. Test results are received fairly quickly, so if you do not hear back within 36 hours please call the NHS to check if the test has been misplaced. 

The following links may be helpful:

Should you have difficulty getting to a test centre, please email the school at admin@davidsonsmains.edin.sch.uk

I would like to thank you for your ongoing support throughout this turbulent year.  Throughout, we have continued to work in partnership and to look out for all in our community. 

I know that if we continue to pull together, to follow FACTS and each play our part in sticking to the guidance, it won’t be long before we can welcome our children back in to the school building.

Best wishes,

Astrid Gracie

Head Teacher

Appeal following assault in Davidson’s Mains Park

Officers are appealing for information after a teenage girl was assaulted in Davidson’s Mains Park this morning.

Around 8am on Friday, 30 April, the 14-year-old was walking to school on a footpath through the park when she was assaulted by a male suspect. She was not injured and ran off, on the path through the wooded area, towards Barnton Park Avenue.

The male suspect is described as white, around 6ft tall, aged late 30s to early 40s. He is described as being clean shaven with short brown hair. He was wearing a long-sleeved black hooded top, a yellow high visibility vest and black combat style trousers.

Inspector Keith Forrester, of Corstorphine Police Station, said: ” Thankfully the victim was not injured, however understandably this was an upsetting incident for her.

“It happened near to a local school just before the start of the school day and so there may have been numerous people in the area at that time. I am therefore appealing to anyone who was in the Davidson’s Mains Park area this morning, and saw a man matching this description, to get in touch.

“If you were driving past the park at the time and have a dashcam, I would ask you to check back to see if you have captured footage of the suspect.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1081 of 30 April, 2021

Community appeal as Lauriston Farm beer garden ‘trashed’

During such a hard time for closed businesses, it comes with great sadness and disappointment that our beer garden has been left in this state 😢.

Last night between 9.30pm – midnight, a group of 4 have been caught on cctv completely abusing the area, breaking and throwing garden furniture, trying to smash down the smoking shelter, dumping all their trash as well as risking their own safety by climbing onto our restaurant roof.

We would kindly ask the community to share this and help it reach the people involved, before we have to forward the faces (who from cctv look as if they have visited before) to the police .

Attached are some photos of the mess. Thank you for your support.

Team Lauriston Farm