Month: October 2011

Suicide threat after party stabbing

There was a dramatic stand-off after at Northview Court after a  stabbing at a party led one reveller to dangle himself out of a 14th-floor window for more than four hours.

It is believed that the 21-year-old man was supported by two men who also threatened officers not to enter the flat.

It is understood that a group barricaded themselves in the flat after a party went badly wrong.

At around 5.15am, an argument broke out and a man was stabbed in the thigh.

The 19-year-old victim managed to stumble out of the flat and hobble to his home, in Muirhouse Gardens, leaving a large trail of blood behind him that later led police to the scene of the incident.

His condition worsened and he was rushed to the ERI, where he is reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

One insider said officers later entered the party flat and found large quantities of blood in a bedroom and the kitchen.

It is understood, however, that one reveller, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol, panicked and threatened to jump out of the window if police attempted to arrest him.

Officers employed a negotiator as they tried to coax the man down from the ledge. Two others held on to him, and it is believed that they threatened to help him jump if police approached them.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said they had been watching the stand-off since 7.30am.

He said: “There was a party that night and we heard it got out of hand. There was an argument and they said a guy was stabbed. He was losing lots of blood, so there was a trail of it through the building and on the pavement outside.

“The police followed the line of blood to the flat and it all kicked off. Two people have been dangling the lad from the window for hours.”

Another added: “His mates said they would help him if the police didn’t keep back. I think the party went a bit crazy.”

Negotiators finally managed to talk the man down from the ledge at around 11.30am. Two men were taken away by police, and the 21-year-old was taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.

Police say a man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault.

Tributes paid to Agnes Campbell

Tributes have been paid to local community activist Agnes Campbell, who sadly passed away yesterday. Agnes was involved in local community activism for many years and has been involved in many campaigns to make North Edinburgh a better place to live.

Agnes Campbell was an inspirational woman

Agnes was very proud of the area she lived in and referred to the Greater Pilton area as Gods Chosen Country.

Agnes was from the generation of activists were sitting around in meetings with agendas set by other people wasn’t acceptable and often actions spoke louder than words. In 1962 the Council set about increasing housing rent and Agnes was part of the campaign group that was set up in North Edinburgh, they regularly halted Council meetings by having “sit ins” in the committee rooms and often occupied the Council Chamber.

Fellow activist Brian Robertson said “As a new person who knew nothing about community activism, Agnes was the one who took me under her wing, as it were, and I learned a hell of a lot from her. Agnes embraced me, encouraged me, and above all was my friend.”

“Agnes was an inspiration to me and to so many other local people. She never put me down or discouraged me. When Agnes spoke, you listened. You listened for the simple reason, you knew that you were learning something. She did not speak just for the sake of speaking, she always had a message or a solution.”

“She was a great woman and I will miss her so much.”

Please leave your tribute in the comments section below. We will publish details of Agnes’s funeral when they become available.

Spartans fear Scottish Cup exit despite win

Local Football Club Spartans fear being thrown out of this year’s Scottish Cup because they fielded an ineligible player.

The Scottish Football Association is investigating the registration documents for forward Keith McLeod, who has been with the club for 10 years. McLeod played in Saturday’s 2-0 win away to Culter in the second round.

Co-manager Mickey Lawson said: “We are hoping for a fine or a replay, but we fear we will be thrown out.”

Lawson, whose side have been drawn at home to First Division side Partick Thistle in the third round, explained that the problem could come down to a clerical oversight. The player’s registration form was sent to the SFA at the start of the season, in accordance with the national association’s rules.

But his form was sent back to the club because there was a mistake – and Lawson fears that it was never returned to Hampden Park.

Spartans chairman Craig Graham said “We are awaiting to be advised of the next steps.”

Graham did not wish to comment further until being contacted by the SFA.

However, the club’s website states: “Obviously we may not be in the next round.”

The SFA, which will call Spartans to state their case on 10 November, said in a statement: “A notice of complaint has been issued by the compliance officer to Spartans FC in relation to an alleged breach of Cup Competition Disciplinary Rules during the William Hill Scottish Cup match between Culter FC and Spartans FC on Saturday 22 October 2011.”

Midfielder Gavin Malin had put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot after 23 minutes in Aberdeen against the North Superleague junior champions.

Jordan Finnie sealed the victory after 83 minutes, but Spartans could now now miss out another day in the national spotlight against Thistle.

Pilton has never sucked

This letter was received to the NEN from an anonymous source.

I would like to commend the North Edinburgh News Blog for allowing people to express their opinions. I was a reader of a Blog called ‘Pilton Sucks’. Now this Blog was written by someone who had complete control of the site and it seemed that no one was allowed to reply.

I have kept a dossier of posts made on the Pilton Sucks site, and have copies of many posts that have been very personal and slanderous to politicians, local workers and to community activists ofNorth Edinburghand beyond. I have been in consultation wit I.T experts and they are of the opinion that it would not be difficult to ascertain the author or administrator of the Pilton Sucks website.

I am now talking to the appropriate authorities to look into the activities of this site. I am also asking people who have been spoken about slanderously to bring this matter to the fore in order that the author of Pilton Sucks is revealed to their identity.

If there are any readers who have been wrongly named in Pilton Sucks then lease make it known. It looks like that I have a chance of clearing all the names mentioned as wrong doing in the eyes of Pilton Sucks.

Regards,

Pilton has never sucked.

Councillor Morris to face Hearing following complaint

North Edinburgh News understand that the a Hearing will be held next month, following an investigation by the Standards Commission, into complaints received about her conduct.

Elaine Morris will face a Hearing into her conduct

 

We understand that the complaint is in relation to an email sent by Councillor Morris, to over twenty members on the email list of the Granton & District Community Council,  where she leaked information about a private companies financial matters with the Council.

According to the Standards Commission website it confirms the Hearing stating “Complaints LA/E/1098 & 1108 allege that Councillor Elaine Morris contravened the Councillors’ Code of Conduct (version December 2010) and, in particular paragraphs 3.14 and 3.15 which deal with General Conduct: Confidentiality Requirements.”

Its our understanding that the Hearing will take place on Tuesday 22nd November 2011 starting at 9.30 am and will take place in the Best Western Edinburgh Capital Hotel on Clermiston Road.

 

Granton community Council meeting halted amid allegations

The North Edinburgh News has today learned that the next meeting of the Granton & District Community Council has been halted amid allegations against members and the Community Council in general.

In a statement issued by the group Secretary, Isobel Macdonald, it states “Due to fact that some allegations have been made against certain members of the Community Council and the Community Council in general and  that an investigation is under way into these, it is prudent that we postpone the next meeting until the picture becomes clearer.”

Its not been confirmed what the allegations are but North Edinburgh News understands that some local people were unhappy with the way in which the last meeting was conducted.

Local Councillor Cammy Day said “I have had a number of allegations made to me, around the financial decision making process and behaviour of some members, of Granton District Community Council. As a result I have asked that the Chief Executive investigate these issues and provide a full report on these allegations.”

He continued “I hope that this will highlight any concerns and allow any required action to be taken to allow Granton District Community Council to get on with representing the Granton area community, and the people that live there.”

Dead canoeist named as local man

The canoeist killed in last nights tragic accident has been named as local man Michael Tattersall, 29, from West Granton Road.

Michael Tattersall was flown to hospital were he later died

Forth coastguard was alerted by police at 22:30 on Sunday after a caller said two canoeists and two swimmers were in difficulty near Granton.

The swimmers made it ashore and one canoeist was found just before 23:00, after a search of the coastline.

Mr Tattersall was said to have been unconscious and suffering from hypothermia when he was found.

The other people involved are believed to be men aged in their 30s.

Local Councillor Cammy Day said “Its tragic that someone died in last nights incident. My thoughts go out to Mr Tattersalls family and friends”

 

Canoeist dies after three-hour search in Firth of Forth at Gypsy Brae

A canoeist has died after a three hour rescue search of the Firth of Forth, at Granton last night.

Forth coastguard were

alerted by police at 22:30 on Sunday after a caller said two canoeists and two swimmers were in difficulty near Granton.

The swimmers made it ashore and one canoeist was found just before 23:00, after a search of the coastline.

An RAF rescue helicopter found the second canoeist at about 01:00. He was flown to hospital but later died.

The man was said to have been unconscious and suffering from hypothermia when he was found.

All the people involved were believed to be men aged in their 30s.

Locals unhappy with Councilors comment

Please see below a letter received from Muirhouse Womans Group.

Dear Editor 

We are writing to you regarding an article in the Evening News on 1st September about a leaked email in which Councillor Elaine Morris described members of our community in North Edinburgh (which she represents) as ‘rabid’ and ‘anti-establishment’. 

A rep from Muirhouse Womans Groups makes her feelings know at a recent protest

We looked up ‘rabid’ in the dictionary.  One of the definitions is ‘fanatical’.  This is very insulting, as it implies that the local people who organised the public meeting to inform our community about the Council’s proposals to privatise services are stupid.  We are very angry and disgusted that Cllr Morris has such a low opinion of local people who are trying to protect the services our community needs. 

In the email, Cllr Morris referred to members of our community as ‘anti-establishment’.  If this means speaking up for our community, voicing our opinions, standing up for our rights and trying to make our community a better place to live, then we plead guilty.  We are disappointed that Cllr Morris appears to think that our community should just accept the cuts happening in our area, and not question the decisions that the Council are making.  We have the right and the duty to protect our community. 

We met Cllr Morris earlier this year to discuss our concerns about the Government’s welfare reforms after our letters to David Cameron went unanswered.  During the meeting, we explained that we were trying to make our community a better place to live.  We thought, as our Cllr, she understood this. 

We would like to remind Cllr Morris that freedom of speech is a human right which people in this community are entitled to regardless of race, nationality, sexuality or social class. 

Yours sincerely 

Sara Martin

On behalf of Muirhouse Women’s Group