FetLor Calling!

CALLING ALL FORMER MEMBERS!!!!!

As you may know, this year is FetLor’s 100th birthday!

We are keen to connect with as many former members as we can this year.

On 24th May we are having our Centenary Dinner at Fettes College. As part of that evening, we would like to show some short interviews with former members. We are keen to hear about your favourite FetLor experiences and what you are doing now.

Our Chief Executive, Richie Adams, would love to chat with you. Richie would be delighted to welcome you to the club for a coffee and chat at a time to suit you or he’ll happily come and meet you at a place that suits you both.

Alternatively, if you’d like to make a short video telling us your favourite FetLor memory, when you were a member and what you’re doing now and, perhaps, wish us a happy birthday, we can show that on the night too. Just send it to Richie and he’ll do the rest.

We are really keen to make this a fantastic year and very much hope we can reconnect with you.

If you would like to come to the Club or meet with Richie somewhere else, please either message us here or drop Richie and email at richie@fetlor.org.uk

Looking forward to seeing you!

#FetLor100

Join Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s Young at Heart group

🎉✨ Join the Young at Heart club! 🎲☕

Hi lovely followers! We’re looking for women aged 60 and above to join our Young at Heart group who meet every Friday 1-3pm. Picture this: Bingo thrills, endless laughter, and heart-warming tea sessions—all in one fantastic group! ☕🎉

Our ladies indulge in friendly Bingo battles, games of Dominos and savour cups of tea, having a good old natter and a laugh at the same time. Whether you’re interested yourself, or have an amazing lady in your life who might benefit from some relaxed socialising and games, get in touch!

You can pop into the centre or give us a message and we can get you or someone you know set up.

We can provide taxi transport for those less able to get to the centre independently. Please share and spread the message so we can make sure no one gets left behind.

Message on here, email info@drylawnc.org.uk or call 0131 315 4989.

Here’s our Spring timetable for 2024.

Keep an eye out for new activities as we have a few in the pipeline 

Spaces available for many of our activities, and don’t forget we have taxi service for our disabled attendees.

Email coordinator@drylawnc.org.uk for more info.

Trams: Northern Loop back on the agenda … twenty years late!

A public consultation will help inform the Strategic Business Case for a tram route from Granton to the BioQuarter and beyond, if approved by councillors next week.

On Thursday (1 February) Transport and Environment Committee will hear about a recommended north – south tram line, which would extend the existing network between the Airport and Newhaven.

This would run through the city centre via Roseburn then on to North and South Bridge, Clerk Street and Minto Street to Cameron Toll, before following the A7 to the BioQuarter. Further consideration is being given to potential future routes into neighbouring local authorities.

If members agree to proceed, a 12-week consultation in spring 2024 would show participants the recommended route across the four sections (Granton – City Centre; through the City Centre; City Centre – BioQuarter; and BioQuarter and beyond) and explain why it has been chosen. It will include details of alternative options that have been explored and the reasons why these have been discounted.

Engagement builds on a consultation on the City Mobility Plan (CMP) in 2020/21, which found that 62% of respondents would like to see tram network expanded, and 89% desired general improvements to public transport. Exploring the expansion of the tram network is outlined in the CMP and supports aims to both reduce car kms travelled by 30% and become a net zero city by 2030.

Future plans would build on the success of Trams to Newhaven, which was completed on time in June 2023, and has contributed to the award-winning Edinburgh Trams service carrying more than 9 million passengers in the last year.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Like cities around the world we’re challenged by poor air quality, congestion and carbon emissions relating to transport.

“This, paired with a rapidly increasing population – projected to grow at three times the rate of Scotland’s – demonstrates the pressing need to rethink the way we move people and goods around the Capital.

“By improving public transport, we want to provide safe, efficient and affordable travel in Edinburgh, and expanding the tram network is key to this. It’s clear that the public support it too, with almost two-thirds of respondents to our CMP consultation in favour of more tram routes. Of course, we know how disruptive a project of this scale can be to residents and businesses, but the success of the recently completed line to Newhaven is proof that we’re well prepared.

“Our recommended route for Granton to the BioQuarter and beyond links key areas of growth and development to the city and will more than double the capacity of our tram network. Not only would this support local regeneration and the delivery of much-needed affordable homes, but it would help create new jobs, boost economic growth and link to educational and cultural venues along the route.

“We’re already engaging with Transport Scotland to explore financial options, and it’s encouraging that mass rapid transit in the area has been highlighted as an investment priority by the Scottish Government. We’ll continue to work closely with them and other stakeholders as we look to progress this major project.

In addition to local policies, The Scottish Government National Transport Strategy (NTS) and Transport Scotland’s Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2) have highlighted Edinburgh and South-East Scotland Mass Transit as an investment priority.

“Alongside the existing line between the Airport and Newhaven, a Granton to BioQuarter tram service would also improve transport links to four priority investment zones identified in the City Plan 2030 – Waterfront, West Edinburgh, City Centre, and South-East Edinburgh – connecting major development sites, employment centres, retail hubs and educational facilities.”

If approved, the public consultation will run in spring 2024 and feedback received, along with a draft Strategic Business Case, would be reported to committee in autumn.

Tram from Granton to BioQuarter and Beyond: Consultation for Strategic Business Case Development, is being presented to committee as part of a package of reports looking to the future of transport in Edinburgh.

This includes: Our Future Streets – a circulation plan for Edinburgh, a framework for the design of all future projects to improve Edinburgh’s streets; West Edinburgh Transport Improvements Programme, which explores a series of improvements to the A8 corridor as a priority; and the first review of the City Mobility Plan.

Read the full report online and watch Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast from 10am on 1 February.

‘A LITANY OF AVOIDABLE FAILURES’ – Read the Edinburgh Trams Report

IAN MOORE

Sad to hear of the death of Drylaw and wider North Edinburgh community stalwart IAN MOORE, who passed away last week (Tuesday 15th).

My deepest sympathy to Muriel and family.

Ian’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 31 January at 10am in Warriston’s Lorimer Chapel.

Morrisons Daily to open at Drylaw Shopping Centre tomorrow

Morrisons is to open a Daily convenience store in Drylaw tomorrow.

The new store will sell a wide range of fresh and frozen foods and drink and will continue to house the Post Office and a National Lottery terminal.

Morrisons, National Convenience Retailer of the Year in 2023, takes over the unit from McColls.

Two Weeks On: Have you seen Daniel?

POLICE are continuing to appeal for information to help trace missing man Daniel Fraser two weeks since he was last seen in Musselburgh.

Around 1.37am on Sunday, 7 January, the 35-year-old was seen outside The Old Golf Course reception building, Stables Pavilion, near the racecourse in the town.

Extensive enquires, including reviewing CCTV, are ongoing to trace Daniel who is from the Drylaw area. 

On the evening of Saturday, 20 January, officers were out and about in Musselburgh asking the public if they have seen Daniel or if they know where he might be.

They were asked to think back in case they remember seeing him in the area two weeks ago, when he was last seen.

He is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, of slim build with short light brown hair. When last seen he was wearing a grey long-sleeved jumper with a white t-shirt underneath, dark-coloured jeans and black trainers with blue detailing.

Chief Inspector Neil Wilson said: “It has been two weeks since Daniel was last seen and we are becoming increasingly concerned. It is completely out of character for him not to keep in contact with his family and friends and this is a very upsetting time for them.

“Extensive searches and enquiries are continuing to trace him and a team of local officers have been assisted by specialist resources, including the Force helicopter, search teams and police dogs, in our efforts to find Daniel as soon as possible.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Musselburgh area, particularly near the Old Golf Course building to think back. Please get in touch if you think you may have seen anyone matching Daniel’s description.

“In addition, if you have private CCTV or dash-cam footage that could assist with our enquiries to find where he went then let us know. Any information, no matter how small, could help our enquiry.

“I urge anyone with information to contact 101 quoting incident number 3723 of 11 January.”

Fet Lor 100: Cyclothon

Things are warming up at Fet Lor next week!

Join us on our cycle journey to kick off our centenary celebrations for Fet Lor turning 100 this year 🎂

From the 22nd-26th of January, all group members will have the opportunity to hop on an indoor exercise bike at Fetlor to take part in our challenge.

Daily updates will be posted to track our progress 💪

#Fetlor100

Missing man: Police reissue appeal to trace Daniel Fraser

POLICE UPDATE – 12 FEBRUARY

Around 10.55am on Sunday, 11 February, 2024, the body of a man was discovered in the water at Musselburgh Lagoons.

Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of missing man Daniel Fraser are aware.

There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

POLICE continue to appeal for information to help trace missing Drylaw man Daniel Fraser. The 35-year-old was last seen walking alone in the High Street area of Musselburgh on at around 1.30am on Sunday, 7 January.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing and the most recent confirmed sighting of Daniel is now in the Goose Green Place area of Musselburgh a short time later on Sunday, 7 January, 2024.

Daniel is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build with short, light-brown hair. When he was last seen, he was wearing a grey, long-sleeved jumper with a white t-shirt underneath, dark-coloured jeans and black trainers with blue detailing.

Daniel was reported missing on Thursday, 11 January, 2024 after concerns were raised that he had not been in touch with family or friends.

Inspector Craig Sandbach said: “It is unusual for Daniel not to be in touch with anyone and we are concerned about him.

“From our enquiries, we now know the last sighting of Daniel was on his own in the Goose Green Place area of Musselburgh at around 1.35am on Sunday, 7 January, 2024.

“We have significant resources dedicated to this enquiry and we are urging the public to come forward with any information relating to his whereabouts.

“If you were in the area at the time, please think back, did you notice anyone matching his description? I’m particularly keen to speak to any taxi drivers who may have been in the area at the time.

“If anyone has seen Daniel, or has any information as to his present whereabouts, please contact police. I would also urge people who live in the area to check outbuildings and sheds.”

Anyone who may have seen Daniel, or who has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to contact 101 quoting incident number 3723 of 11 January.