Day: September 13, 2011

A bit of oomph

“You can go a long way on a bit of oomph”. This was the advice given to the graduating students of Edinburgh’s Telford College by guest speaker Jenny Eclair. Jenny had been invited to the College’s 2011 Graduation Celebration to honour the many students who had graduated after years of hard work.

Friends and family came together last night (Monday 12 september) to see hundreds of students receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates and we were treated to a flavour of the kinds of ability the College nurtures from dancers, actors and musicians. Principal Miles Dibsdall, in his usual enthusiastic and voluble way, paid tribute to the hard work of all the students there.

Jenny Eclair, who admitted to being a bit of an “illiterate goth” at school, told us that she finally achieved her success through writing. The underlying message was that, whatever your ability, you can achieve your goals through identifying what you are good at and going for it.

Despite the well-deserved celebration of achievement, this year’s graduation followed controversial and unpopular cuts in the College’s budget, which resulted in courses being axed and staff made redundant, after the Scottish Government imposed a 10% cut in funding. Shortly we will, coincidentally, also see the publication of the Scottish Government’s pre-legislative paper on the future of further education, which may well result in the merger of colleges throughout Scotland. Telford College attracts 40% at least of its students from the north Edinburgh area. If it is forced to merge with another college, what will be the impact on courses offered and therefore on the number of local students. How local will local colleges be then?

North Edinburgh Childcare

The Annual General Meeting of North Edinburgh Childcare took place on Monday 12 September.

Over 360 children are cared for at the Centre and, despite, funding reductions, high quality services have been maintained. Convenor Betty McVay MBE paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the staff, who provide support and training to many individuals and families in the area. A major success in the past year has been the securing of a contract to manage the workplace nursery at Victoria Quay for the Scottish Government. In addition the Training Team has supported over 230 people to attain a Scottish Vocational Qualification and have gained a contract with Mary Erskine/Stewart’s Melville Junior School to deliver an SVQ in Children’s Care Learning and Development.

North Edinburgh Childcare look to continously improve services, despite funding reductions. They offer the highest quality child care, with a full range of of activities and outings, in an area which sorely needs it. Long may they continue.

Spartans u19’s see off Dumbarton in tough Scottish Cup tie.

Local football side Spartans u19’s played host to Dumbarton on Sunday at Ainslie Park.

Despite the strong wind and heavy rain showers both teams played some attractive football, but unfortunately this game wont be remembered for the football it will be remembered for the ten players that were yellow carded and six players were sent off, all this despite there hardly being a bad challenge in the game.

Spartans took the lead in the opening ten minutes after some great play for James Cuthbertson, he went on a run down the wing and when he broke into the box his powerful shot was pushed away by the Dumbarton keeper Ryan Malley, Cuthbertsons’s persistence was rewarded and he had the simple task of heading the ball into the empty net.

Cuthbertson got his second of the afternoon when he was played in and as he broke away from the defence his perfectly placed shot nestled low in the corner of the net. On the half hour mark Cuthbertson got his hat-trick when he again broke away from the Dumbarton defence and the cool headed striker slotted the ball home.

Just as it was looking as if it was going to be Spartans day they were reduced to ten men when Daniel Shields was sent off for a deliberately tripping the Dumbarton striker Ryan Metcalf as he was bearing down on the Spartans goal. From the resulting free kick Dumbarton pulled on back when the ball was whipped in and fell to the feet of Gary McKell who smashed the ball past Ian McTurk in the Spartans goal.

Despite this setback Spartans still managed to sneak another goal before the halftime interval thanks to Callum Donnelly, he got on the end of a long ball forward and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. Dumbarton felt they should have had a penalty just before the interval when the ball appeared to hit the hand of Lawrence Kidd but referee Ralph Gordon judged it to have been accidental.

On the hour mark Dumbarton were also reduced to ten men when Metcalf appeared to take a dive in the Spartans box and the young striker gave the referee no option having already been cautioned earlier in the match. Dumbarton started to get on top for a spell and Reece Pearson picked the ball up in midfield and his powerful shot beat McTurk but crashed of the woodwork before the danger was cleared.

Pearson did get one back when he got on the end of a cross and his shot beat McTurk and landed up in the net. A melee then ensued in the Spartans goals and Dumbarton’s Gary McKell lashed out at McTurk leaving the Spartans goalkeeper lying on the ground and the referee had the simple task of producing the third red card of the afternoon.

Pearson got his second of the afternoon when he broke into the Spartans box and as the danger looked to be cleared by the defender the ball came off Pearson’s leg and over the McTurk and into the net.

Chris Keddie was then played but the assistant referee had judged the ball was out off play, Keddie made his feelings about the decision clear and after a verbal tirade at assistant referee Peter Peace promptly became the fourth player to be dismissed.

With only a few minutes remaining Alan Longmuir almost levelled it when he got the end of a cross and his powerful header from close range went just wide of the target.Into injury time and just as it appeared all the action was over Dumbarton’s Glen Campbell put in a wild tackle on Paul Henderson leaving the player requiring treatment and Campbell became the fifth player to be set packing. After his challenge there was a coming together of a few players and on receiving advice from his assistant referee, Ralph Gordon produced a sixth red card to Spartans Isaac Imrie.[slideshow]

Spartans will now face St Johnstone in the next round of the Scottish Cup.

Spartans back from the brink

Spartans first-half substitute, defender Daniel O’Donnell, proved to be the Ainslie Park outfit’s saviour when – on the hour mark – he rose majestically in the Craigroyston penalty box to power a header beyond Dale Cornet and seal a win for the visitors.
Spartans had to dig on their deepest reserves to overturn a 2-0 half-time deficit in the first round of the South Region Challenge Cup.This cup tie was the proverbial game of two halves, although more precisely it was aboutthe opening 15 minutes of the second half when Craigroyston appeared overcome by stage fright and conceded three goals in a ten-minute spell.
The clubs may occupy different positions in the Premier and First divisions of the East Seniors League, although to the neutral observer there was no obvious difference in the quality of football played. Mark Antoni had an opportunity to put Craigroyston ahead in only the second minute when his near-post shot was well blocked by Chris Flockhart, while at the other end JackBeesley was a constant threat to the Craigroyston defence.
Greg Irvine caused the Spartans defence problems, particularly in the air, and he was unlucky to watch his header from an Andy Milligan cross drift over the bar.Craigroyston took the lead after 30 minutes when Spartans’ Alasdair MacKinnon had to stretch to make a passback that was intercepted by Irvine and the big striker managed to beat Flockhart to the ball and lift it gently and slowly before it trundled into the net at the far post.
Craigroyston then found themselves under pressure with Omar Kader, Dean Hoskins and Beesley all guilty of failing to trouble Cornet from good positions.
Seconds before half-time Craigroyston increased their advantage when an Irvine shot from 25 yards took a deflection and fell to the feet of Stephen Mullen, who steadied himself and rounded Flockhart before he rolled the ball over the line from eight yards despite the best efforts of Beesley.

As expected, Spartans came flying out of the traps and with only five minutes of the second half gone, a Robbie Manson cross to the back post picked out O’Donnell, who calmly flicked the ball to Chris Anderson, who finished from six yards.

Spartans pushed forward and eight minutes later a Kader low cross from the right appeared to be turned into his own net by Steven Finlayson under pressure from Beesley, who claimed the last touch was his.

It took only two more minutes for Spartans to edge in front when Anderson, from wide on the left, hit over an inch-perfect cross that O’Donnell headed into the net with aplomb from ten yards.

For the last 30 minutes the game evened out again and Craigroyston came close to forcing extra-time when a Keiran Dodd free-kick was only inches from Paul Russell’s head and Flockhart punched clear from Irvine before a Martin Laidlaw free-kick from 20 yards slipped over the crossbar.

O’Donnell, who came on as a substitute for the injured MacKinnon, said: “Both teams played well in the first half, in which we probably had the better possession, but Craigroyston scored two goals from two shots on target.

“However, we could not have started the second half any better. We scored two goals and then I gambled a bit hoping that Chris would put over a good cross, which he did and thankfully for me I got my head to it and the ball was in the net before their keeper could move.

“It was good for me to get a chance as I’ve only been getting five or ten minutes and then it was even better to score the winning goal.”

George Bowmaker, the Craigroyston manager, said: “Although I was obviously disappointed to lose, I was in no way disappointed with our performance. Our plan was to hold the ball and play football on the deck, which we did with the exception of the first ten minutes of the second half.

“Spartans are a good side and we ran them close. Our players did Craigroyston proud.”

Mike Lawson, Spartans co-manager, added: “I told my players at half-time to keep the faith and keep the pace up. After our first goal we then had the momentum and we showed great spirit, endeavour and skill. To come from behind makes the win seem so much sweeter”

Craigroyston: Cornet, Wallace, Milligan, Stewart, Russell, Lockhart (Dodd, 63), Finlayson, Laidlaw, Irvine (Herd, 86), Mullen, Antoni (Simpson, 75). Subs: Cameron, Budge.

Spartans: Flockhart, Fusco, Hoskins, Sivewright, MacKinnon (O’Donnell, 30), Malin, Kader (Bannon, 80), Manson, Anderson, Beesley, Henretty (C. Smith, 80). Subs: Finnie, R. Smith.

Craigroyston 2

Spartans 3

Source: Edinburgh Evening news

Embarrassed patients 'putting lives at risk'

MEN and women in the Lothians are putting their lives at risk because of embarrassment, a bowel cancer charity has warned.
Research by Bowel Cancer UK found that 40 per cent of residents would rather not talk to their GP about a concern, despite the risks of staying quiet. It is an issue that is proving a huge obstacle to health chiefs, who say the cancer is highly treatable if caught early.

Chief executive of the organisation, Deborah Alsina, said: “I can’t stress enough how important early diagnosis is. It saves lives.” Last week the Evening News reported how a project to send self-testing kits to everyone in the Lothians aged between 50 and 74 has potentially saved more than 150 lives – the number of people who began treatment having not known they had the disease.

Embarrassed patients ‘putting lives at risk’

MEN and women in the Lothians are putting their lives at risk because of embarrassment, a bowel cancer charity has warned.
Research by Bowel Cancer UK found that 40 per cent of residents would rather not talk to their GP about a concern, despite the risks of staying quiet. It is an issue that is proving a huge obstacle to health chiefs, who say the cancer is highly treatable if caught early.

Chief executive of the organisation, Deborah Alsina, said: “I can’t stress enough how important early diagnosis is. It saves lives.” Last week the Evening News reported how a project to send self-testing kits to everyone in the Lothians aged between 50 and 74 has potentially saved more than 150 lives – the number of people who began treatment having not known they had the disease.

NHS launches online help for addiction

HELP on drug and drink addiction is now available online thanks to investment from NHS Lothian.
The health board has revamped its Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership (EADP) website, which it runs with the city council. The resource provides in-depth information about addiction and recovery, as well as links to support in the area.

Nick Smith, EADP’s joint programme manager, said: “We have made the most of the partnership and drawn all the available knowledge together on to one site.

“People concerned about their drinking, or that of a family member or friend, will find advice on the issues caused by alcohol and drugs and, importantly, information on the wide range of local agencies which offer help to aid recovery.”

Kids aged ten set fire to flats in city's 'Wild West'

CHILDREN as young as ten are said to have set fire to a derelict building in Muirhouse – as besieged locals tell how the area is fast becoming the “Wild West” of the Capital.A gang of 15 youths was seen scaling the disused building in Muirhouse Avenue on Friday afternoon before breaking through metal security shutters on the first floor and running amok inside.

Residents reported hearing the yobs ransacking empty homes on their way to the top floor, where it is thought they started a fire. Fire crews said it was the second suspected fire-raising incident in the building in as many days, while locals told how the external wall of a neighbouring building, which is also abandoned, had been torn down by vandals.

In May, yobs set fire to a block of flats in nearby Muirhouse Parkway while continuing to search for scrap metal as the building burned.
One Muirhouse resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the area was blighted with relentless antisocial behaviour and called for the two derelict buildings to be demolished.”This kind of this has been going on for months,” he said. “And it seems there’s nothing to stop them, they aren’t afraid of anything. “When these yobs managed to get access to the building, they did so in full view of everyone but they just didn’t care.

“They took the side of a house down the other week and the hole was so big you could have driven a van through it. It’s like something from the Wild West or maybe even Monty Python, because it’s so crazy.”

The unnamed resident, who has lived in Muirhouse for 40 years, said he watched youths climbing to the first floor balcony at around 4pm before breaking in and sparking a blaze. “There were about 15 of them aged between ten and 16 breaking in,” he said. “The next thing a neighbour came up and asked me to call 999 because they had set fire to it.

“There had been a lot of smashing and banging coming from the rear of the building but then there was thick black smoke pouring out from the top floor. My house is only about 30 metres from the flats and I could smell the smoke inside my own house. “As soon as they heard the fire brigade sirens they scarpered.”

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Border Fire and Rescue Service said: “We had already attended a small fire at the property on Muirhouse Avenue the previous evening.

“We are yet to establish whether it was started deliberately but derelict properties often attract a rogue element.”

Ward councillor Steve Cardownie called on residents to help police identify the culprits but said the vast majority of the community were “law-abiding and hard-working” people.

“There is obviously a distinct lack of parental control if parents are letting ten-year-olds get up to such wilful acts of fireraising and vandalism,” he said.

“It beggars belief that kids as young as ten are putting themselves and others in great danger by getting involved in this kind of activity and we need to nip this in the bud before something tragic happens.”

Source: Edinburgh Evening news

Kids aged ten set fire to flats in city’s ‘Wild West’

CHILDREN as young as ten are said to have set fire to a derelict building in Muirhouse – as besieged locals tell how the area is fast becoming the “Wild West” of the Capital.A gang of 15 youths was seen scaling the disused building in Muirhouse Avenue on Friday afternoon before breaking through metal security shutters on the first floor and running amok inside.

Residents reported hearing the yobs ransacking empty homes on their way to the top floor, where it is thought they started a fire. Fire crews said it was the second suspected fire-raising incident in the building in as many days, while locals told how the external wall of a neighbouring building, which is also abandoned, had been torn down by vandals.

In May, yobs set fire to a block of flats in nearby Muirhouse Parkway while continuing to search for scrap metal as the building burned.
One Muirhouse resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the area was blighted with relentless antisocial behaviour and called for the two derelict buildings to be demolished.”This kind of this has been going on for months,” he said. “And it seems there’s nothing to stop them, they aren’t afraid of anything. “When these yobs managed to get access to the building, they did so in full view of everyone but they just didn’t care.

“They took the side of a house down the other week and the hole was so big you could have driven a van through it. It’s like something from the Wild West or maybe even Monty Python, because it’s so crazy.”

The unnamed resident, who has lived in Muirhouse for 40 years, said he watched youths climbing to the first floor balcony at around 4pm before breaking in and sparking a blaze. “There were about 15 of them aged between ten and 16 breaking in,” he said. “The next thing a neighbour came up and asked me to call 999 because they had set fire to it.

“There had been a lot of smashing and banging coming from the rear of the building but then there was thick black smoke pouring out from the top floor. My house is only about 30 metres from the flats and I could smell the smoke inside my own house. “As soon as they heard the fire brigade sirens they scarpered.”

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Border Fire and Rescue Service said: “We had already attended a small fire at the property on Muirhouse Avenue the previous evening.

“We are yet to establish whether it was started deliberately but derelict properties often attract a rogue element.”

Ward councillor Steve Cardownie called on residents to help police identify the culprits but said the vast majority of the community were “law-abiding and hard-working” people.

“There is obviously a distinct lack of parental control if parents are letting ten-year-olds get up to such wilful acts of fireraising and vandalism,” he said.

“It beggars belief that kids as young as ten are putting themselves and others in great danger by getting involved in this kind of activity and we need to nip this in the bud before something tragic happens.”

Source: Edinburgh Evening news