Month: December 2011

Stay safe for a Happy Hogmanay

With the big night upon us, organisers of Edinburgh’s world famous street party are urging revellers to be warm, to stay safe and to enjoy all that Edinburgh has to offer this Hogmanay.  City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian and Borders Police, NHS Lothian, G4S Events and the Met Office mt earlier this week and offer advice to help revellers bring in the New Year safely.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader, said:  “”To make sure you and your friends have the best possible time seeing in the bells at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, take some simple steps to look after yourself: dress for the weather, bring your New Year cheer in plastic bottles, and use your common sense.  It’s also a good idea to heed the advice from police and stewards, who will be working extremely hard on the night to make sure everyone enjoys themselves safely.

“Look after yourself and your friends and help us welcome 2012 in style at the official ‘World’s best Hogmanay celebrations’.”

Jim Watson, Public Weather Service Advisor for the Met Office, said:

“The weather is currently looking good for the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations, generally dry but with the possibility of some showers reaching the City. Although temperatures are likely to stay above freezing the strong southwest wind will mean that it will feel cold. As always revellers should dress for the conditions and wrap up warm.”

Dr. David Farquharson, Medical Director, NHS Lothian said:  ““We want everyone to have fun at Hogmanay and a few simple precautions will help make sure that celebrations are a night to remember – for all the right reasons.  If you are heading for the street party, you will probably be outside in the cold for several hours. It’s worth remembering that alcohol lowers your body temperature, so warm clothes are vital.  It’s also important for people who take regular medication to make sure they have what they need with them.  When it comes to drinking, it is best to pace yourself and have a meal beforehand to soak up some of the alcohol – starchy foods are best. It is also a worthwhile tip to try drinking a soft drink or water in-between having an alcoholic drink.  The temperature will drop throughout the night and icy weather can lead to nasty slips and trips, which in turn may mean a trip to the minor injuries unit or even the accident and emergency departments so try and take extra care when out and about.”

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party organisers are offering a few extra tips for revellers to bear in mind:

-Follow the instructions on the Hogmanay Street Party tickets

-Dress for the weather

-Look after each other and arrange a meeting point

-Think about how to get home

-Police and stewards are on duty to look after everyone’s safety – bags may be searched on entry

-Revellers are encouraged not to bring under 16s to Street Party on the 31 December.

-People under the influence of too much alcohol may be refused entry

-No one will get in unless they have an Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party ticket

-Don’t bring glass into the arena

-Pay bars and food outlets are located within the Street Party Arena.

The three day festival began in style with the last night’s annual Torchlight Procession but the biggest draw to the programme is undoubtedly tonight’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party.  Now in its 19th year, the world famous event  welcomes 80,000 revellers from around the world to the ‘Home of Hogmanay’. With seven live music stages featuring headliners including Festival favourites The Vaccines and Friendly Fires, superstar DJ Mark Ronson, Celtic superheroes Peatbog Faeries and Capercaillie, Fringe Favourites Frisky & Mannish and The Cuban Brothers alongside an unmissable mix of artists including Kassidy, Wild Beasts, Jaymo & Andy George and Rura.  Throw in one of the world’s largest New Year fireworks displays and a host of surprises and you have the ultimate Edinburgh’s Hogmanay experience.

On the same night, Concert in the Gardens headliners Primal Scream will be having their own party beneath Edinburgh castle and are joined by special guests, Bombay Bicycle Club, Sons and Daughters.  The Concert in the Gardens is opened by Matt Norris and the Moon, the new, unsigned Scottish band from Edinburgh, winners of this year’s Hog The Street Competition.

If you like a bit more birl with the bells, then The Keilidh is the place to be. Dance the night away on the outdoor ceilidh dance floor on Mound Precinct to the very best in traditional music with Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut, Ceilidhdonia and The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience.

GETTING HOME: Lothian Buses will be running free services from various departure points around the City Centre to return revellers safely home after the Street Party. For the first time Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have teamed up with Citylink Buses to offer late night buses to destinations outside Edinburgh after the Hogmanay celebrations.  Revellers will be able to travel home from the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party to a range of destinations in Glasgow, Fife including Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and St Andrews, Dundee, Perth and Kinross.  Tickets cost £30 and can be booked online or by calling 0871 266 3333.  Passengers wishing to travel on these services are required to pre-book their ticket to guarantee a seat.

The fun continues on Sunday 1 January with the Loony Dook, the annual dip in the River Forth at South Queensferry at 11.00am.  Revellers are also invited to come and play at the all new event, The New Year Games, which will take place in the Grassmarket and around the Old Town. Two teams – the Uppies and Doonies – will play games in four stunning venues – Dancebase, The Hub, St Giles Cathedral and the National Museum of Scotland.

Working with innovative Scottish artists and game design studio Hide&Seek, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has re-imagined some of the traditional Scottish street games with the support of the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund. Giant board games, re-imagined classics, secret missions and a huge playground in the Grassmarket invite residents and visitors to play, participate or just spectate in a fun-filled afternoon of mental stimulation and physical challenges.

So enjoy yourself – but stay safe!

Patient dies following hospital fire

A patient has died following a Fire in the Western General Hospital. North Edinburgh News understands that the male patient had gone to the toilet on his ward to have a cigarette when the fire started.

The Fire Brigade were called to extinguish the fire.

A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said “We attended a call at the Western General Hospital on Wednesday to deal with a Fire.  We understand the male had been taken for treatment prior to our arrival, this is now one the Police will deal with following the subsequent death”

Despite this NHS Lothian remain tight-lipped and are keen to separate the Fire at the Hospital from the patients death, Chief Operating officer, Jackie Sansbury said “A small fire broke out in a ward at the Western General Hospital. Thanks to the quick response from staff, all patients were evacuated and returned to the ward”

Sansbury added, “Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called to put out the fire and are investigating the cause”

PEP's Christmas Showtime

This year, the weather stayed clear for PEP to host the ‘Christmas Good Old Days’. The event was compered by the ‘devilishly dashing and debonair’ Ian Mason (complete with bow tie and moustache). A last minute cancellation from some entertainers, resulted in PEP’s staff gamely standing in to perform and started the show off with ‘Staff Stocking Fillers’. Theodora played some pieces on her harp, with the audience joining in on ‘The First Noel’; before reciting the Christmas poem ‘The Night Before Christmas’. Frances then read out ‘A Chocolate Christmas’ accompanied by ‘PowerPoint’. The chocolaty pictures had everyone chuckling away.

Pep Christmas Show 2011 (Picture: PEP)

There was then some festive singing from the Neighbourhood Group including ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Winter Wonderland’, White Christmas’; finishing off with ‘Amarillo’. Louise then read out a poem created by the group about all the things they get up to through the week. Well done to the group!

During the ice-cream break the free raffle was drawn with manager Helen and the compere giving away many prizes.

The ‘phenomenal flirtatious’ Frances kicked off part 2 with an amazing mind reading act. She stunned her audience with her amazing ability and left them rolling in the isles. She then sang a song before the Weekend Resource finished with an ‘old-time medley’ of music hall songs. The audience joined in having a whale of a time. The evenings entertainment ended with all the acts coming together to sing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.

PEP Christmas Showtime 2011

A buffet meal was then served by staff and volunteers before the final drawing of the raffle for four prize hampers. A wonderful evening was had by all and a special thanks must go out to; all the staff and volunteers of PEP; service users who worked so hard on the entertainment; staff of the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre who always make us feel welcome; and of course to all the people who came along to join in the fun of ‘The Good Old Days’

Pilton Equalities Project

PEP’s Christmas Showtime

This year, the weather stayed clear for PEP to host the ‘Christmas Good Old Days’. The event was compered by the ‘devilishly dashing and debonair’ Ian Mason (complete with bow tie and moustache). A last minute cancellation from some entertainers, resulted in PEP’s staff gamely standing in to perform and started the show off with ‘Staff Stocking Fillers’. Theodora played some pieces on her harp, with the audience joining in on ‘The First Noel’; before reciting the Christmas poem ‘The Night Before Christmas’. Frances then read out ‘A Chocolate Christmas’ accompanied by ‘PowerPoint’. The chocolaty pictures had everyone chuckling away.

Pep Christmas Show 2011 (Picture: PEP)

There was then some festive singing from the Neighbourhood Group including ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Winter Wonderland’, White Christmas’; finishing off with ‘Amarillo’. Louise then read out a poem created by the group about all the things they get up to through the week. Well done to the group!

During the ice-cream break the free raffle was drawn with manager Helen and the compere giving away many prizes.

The ‘phenomenal flirtatious’ Frances kicked off part 2 with an amazing mind reading act. She stunned her audience with her amazing ability and left them rolling in the isles. She then sang a song before the Weekend Resource finished with an ‘old-time medley’ of music hall songs. The audience joined in having a whale of a time. The evenings entertainment ended with all the acts coming together to sing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.

PEP Christmas Showtime 2011

A buffet meal was then served by staff and volunteers before the final drawing of the raffle for four prize hampers. A wonderful evening was had by all and a special thanks must go out to; all the staff and volunteers of PEP; service users who worked so hard on the entertainment; staff of the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre who always make us feel welcome; and of course to all the people who came along to join in the fun of ‘The Good Old Days’

Pilton Equalities Project

Merry Christmas to all our readers

We would like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

We look forward to providing you more local news and the relaunch of the paper early in the New Year. If you need to get in touch with us please email us at northedinnews@gmail.com

 

 

Oaklands brings Christmas cheer to cancer charity

Oaklands School’s fantastic festive show ‘A Magical Christmas Dream ‘ has brought some Christmas cheer to Macmillan Cancer Support.  Money raised through admission and the sale of refreshments was donated to the cancer charity and Macmillan Fundraising Manager Jayne Forbes called in at the school on Ferry Road this morning to pick up a cheque for £317.

Oaklands Head Teacher Maureen Mathieson explained:  “The show was a huge success – the school hall was packed and it was great to see so many people coming along to support our event.  We had talked about which charity we would like to donate to and our staff chose Macmillan Cancer Support.  Visitors to our show were very generous so we are really pleased with the total we are able to give Macmillan Cancer Support”.

Macmillan’s Jayne Forbes enjoyed a school assembly where senior kids performing their own version of an Eminem rap, first performed at the Christmas show.  She told the children:  “We are really grateful for your support – we couldn’t do our work without your help.  Thank you so much”.

TRIP to the Doocot anybody?

Tenants and Residents in Pilton (TRIP) are holding their annual general meeting in The Doocot tonight at 7pm.  The AGM will be followed by a Christmas dinner.

TRIP’s Jon Black said:  “It would be great to see residents of West Pilton/West Granton there for the AGM, and you will get a Xmas dinner. Anyone from further afield is most welcome to join us after the AGM part of the evening for food and a drink!”

For further information give Jon a call on 0790 191 4829.

Dunedin Canmore men are top of the world!

WINNERS: William and James with the trophy

William McLean couldn’t believe his luck when he was selected to represent his country in the Homeless World Cup.  William was a homeless ex-offender who had battled drug addiction when he started playing football, but the 27-year-old Edinburgh man says football has helped him turn his life around.  Now, William is volunteering as an ambassador for young people and training to become a community football coach.

William got into football when he was staying at the Dunedin Canmore Housing Association Hostel in Leith. He took part in free Street Soccer events held at Portobello and Sighthill Power Leagues as part of a Dunedin Canmore project to help homeless men get into work.

After helping the Dunedin Canmore Partizan football team reach the Street Soccer National League Cup Final William was invited to attend trials for the national team to represent Scotland in the Homeless World Cup in August and was delighted to be selected for the final squad of 8 players from over 300 applicants. The Scots did the nation proud at the games in Paris, out-performing 47 other teams to bring home the trophy before going on to pick up the most inspirational performance award at the Scottish Sports Awards on 1 December.

When Dunedin Canmore started partnering with Street Soccer Scotland to offer football sessions the goal was to get more homeless men involved in their employability project. Now the Edinburgh based social landlord is celebrating what it says is a real home win for young men like William who have turned their lives around.  Since returning from Paris William has continued to work with the employability links worker and developed an interest in community coaching. He is now volunteering with Street Soccer Scotland, working towards gaining SFA coaching qualifications and hopes to move onto paid work as a community coach.

James Horsburgh, the goalkeeper in the Homeless World Cup Team, also got involved through the Dunedin Canmore employability project and is now working as a community coach for a football team in South Gyle.  William and James are former residents at Dunedin Canmore Hostel in Leith and both are now living in a permanent home.

The Dunedin Canmore Group was the official sponsors of both the men’s and women’s teams which competed in the prestigious International tournament. As well as contributing £5000 towards travel and accommodation for Scottish teams Dunedin Canmore sponsored William as an individual player.

William said, “The work that Dunedin Canmore has done for me is great. Instead of pushing me into a job they took the time to find my interests and helped me find something constructive to do with my time.  A lot of people say that we’re just playing football but the skills we gain from taking part in the sessions, working as part of a team, communication, trust, health and safety, compassion – it all makes a difference.”

Gavin Edmonds, Community and Business Initiatives Officer said, “Football is about team work. It’s great for improving fitness and health including mental health. The project has definitely put the young people in a more positive place. The skills they learn can help them move out of poverty and into a better life. It can really help them look to their future.”

Ewan Fraser, CE Dunedin Canmore said, “We are proud to be associated with the Homeless World Cup and congratulate the team and players on winning this fantastic award.  Dunedin Canmore is committed to helping others through a number of initiatives and the Employability Pathways Programme is a great example of how we can make a difference by giving people the skills and confidence to help them to move on in their lives.”

Holiday Refuse Collection Reminder

For residents living in the Edinburgh area there will be no change to collection dates for green wheelie bins/ black sack collections, food waste bins and red and blue boxes over the festive period.

However residents are reminded that there will be no garden waste collections or special uplifts between 26 December and 6 January. Normal service will resume on Monday 9 January.

City of Edinburgh Council

Festive Drink Drive Crackdown

Lothian and Borders Police have arrested 14 drink drivers in West Lothian in the first two weeks of the ACPOS Festive Drink Drive campaign.

This year the vehicle forfeiture scheme has been extended to include those who are more than three times the drink drive limit, and those who refuse to provide a sample at police stations. Of the 14 incidents, nine fit the forfeiture criteria.

Last Monday (December 12) a 55-year-old woman was involved in a crash in Livingston, and admitted drink driving in court the next day, so a warrant was issued for the seizure of her vehicle.  In the early hours of Sunday morning (December 18) a driver was found asleep in his vehicle in Bathgate and was charged with alleged drink driving. He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (December 19).

Inspector Simon Bradshaw, Livingston Road Policing Branch said: “It is disappointing that a small minority of drivers still choose to put their own and others lives at risk, by driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.  We will continue to do our utmost to detect and arrest drink drivers and bring them before the court and drive the message home that drink driving will not be tolerated.

“As we have already seen during this campaign, where appropriate, drink drivers’ vehicles will be forfeited by the court, thereby removing them from the road. I would urge all drivers to think of the potential consequences and not to get behind the wheel whilst under influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Anyone who suspects that a person may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can contact the police on 0131 3113131 or by dialing 999 in urgent cases. Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where the information will be treated in confidence of anonymity.”

Lothian and Borders Police