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.
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.”
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
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
The Council has sent out the following advert:
Join the snow clearing effort
During severe weather the Council will do all it can to keep the city moving. However, our focus has to be on priority routes for buses and emergency vehicles and giving access to hospitals, health centres and schools.
In previous years, we have been encouraged by the number of residents who contact us to see how they can help. There is a lot you can do by clearing pavements in your area and checking on neighbours.
We are enlisting some volunteer snow wardens to be our eyes and ears in their community. They can tell us about specific problems and help residents with the local effort to clear snow and ice from pavements.
To find out if you could be a Volunteer Snow Warden call 0131 529 3687 or email winter.maintenance@edinburgh.gov.uk
Spartans FC Women’ Premier League side gathered at the Academy on Saturday night to celebrate the 2011 season. Finishing in runners up spot to worthy champions Glasgow City was a great achievement and full credit must go to the full squad of players, coaching staff and volunteers for their hard work and determination throughout the season.
It was time for the Spartan players to recognise there team mates contributions and the Players Player of the year awards were as follows: –
In 3rd place was central midfielder Kirsty McLaughlin who has really excelled in her first season at the club with terrific performances, 2nd Place went to striker Sarah Ewens who has blossomed as a player this season and is fulfilling the potential she displayed when she joined the club in 2009 scoring 21 goals in 2011.
Spartans Players Player of the year and also the Coaches Player of the Year was awarded to Hayley Lauder for a fantastic season for both Spartans and Scotland, the young midfielder played a huge part in Spartans success and all involved at the club are extremely proud of her individual achievements and we are all excited for her future.
To honour the contribution made to Spartans and acknowledge the achievement of scoring 100 goals during the 2011 season the final award of the evening was made to Diana Barry, a special award to a special player. Diana has now scored 118 goals in 94 games for the club and as she continues to score goals she will continue to set records that will be very difficult to match.
All the players receiving awards also received a generous gift from our fantastic sponsors Scott + Co and all pass on their gratitude for such a kind gesture.
www.spartanswfc.com
Spartans FC Women’ Premier League side gathered at the Academy on Saturday night to celebrate the 2011 season. Finishing in runners up spot to worthy champions Glasgow City was a great achievement and full credit must go to the full squad of players, coaching staff and volunteers for their hard work and determination throughout the season.
It was time for the Spartan players to recognise there team mates contributions and the Players Player of the year awards were as follows: –
In 3rd place was central midfielder Kirsty McLaughlin who has really excelled in her first season at the club with terrific performances, 2nd Place went to striker Sarah Ewens who has blossomed as a player this season and is fulfilling the potential she displayed when she joined the club in 2009 scoring 21 goals in 2011.
Spartans Players Player of the year and also the Coaches Player of the Year was awarded to Hayley Lauder for a fantastic season for both Spartans and Scotland, the young midfielder played a huge part in Spartans success and all involved at the club are extremely proud of her individual achievements and we are all excited for her future.
To honour the contribution made to Spartans and acknowledge the achievement of scoring 100 goals during the 2011 season the final award of the evening was made to Diana Barry, a special award to a special player. Diana has now scored 118 goals in 94 games for the club and as she continues to score goals she will continue to set records that will be very difficult to match.
All the players receiving awards also received a generous gift from our fantastic sponsors Scott + Co and all pass on their gratitude for such a kind gesture.
www.spartanswfc.com
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a couple were assaulted and robbed in Davidsons Mains over the weekend.
The incident happened around 2.10am on Sunday 18 December. A 71-year-old man and his 68-year-old wife had just left the Maitland Bowling Club in Davidsons Mains and were walking along the High Street when a man approached and grabbed at the woman’s bag.
A struggle ensued and the woman’s bag strap snapped causing her purse to fall out, which was then stolen by the suspect who made off from the area.
The victim’s husband tried to pursue the man and suffered minor facial injuries after being struck to the face.
Police are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.
The suspect is described as white, 20-25-years-old, 6ft 2ins tall with a slim build and wearing a patterned woolen hat with earflaps.
A police spokesman said: “This incident has left both victims incredibly shaken, although neither required treatment in hospital.
“Anyone who was in or around Davidson Mains High Street in the early hours of Sunday morning and witnessed the robbery or can help identify the suspect is asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Decorations and cards beside candles and open fires make Christmas a time to be extra vigilant, says Community Safety Manager David Lockhart, from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service
Flames are silently flickering in your living room – you’ve accidentally left a candle burning next to your Christmas cards.
It’s set fire to a curtain and within a mere four minutes the entire room could be engulfed.
You and your children are fast asleep in bed. Four minutes in a deep sleep passes in an instant – a working smoke alarm would have woken you by now… but you never got round to fitting one.
A fire at any time of the year is devastating. But over the festive season we know accidental house fires rise by 20 per cent and fire casualties by a third.
It’s a frightening thought, isn’t it? It could be your home lost to a fire, it could be you losing a family member or friend to fire. It could be you.
And in the aftermath? No clothes or personal belongings. No precious possessions. Potentially no roof over your head.
Victims of fire are often forgotten after the initial turmoil, with many not getting back into their property for months.
At Christmas, the danger of a fire breaking out in your home is heightened. Twenty people were injured by fire over an 18-day period at Christmas last year in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders – that’s an average of more than one a day.
Alcohol has a part to play in many fires, often combined with careless disposal of cigarettes or leaving cooking unattended – the perfect recipe for a killer inferno. It’s not our place to suggest people cut down on what they’re drinking or don’t smoke, all we ask is that you take a second to think. If you’ve had a few too many, don’t head towards the cooker. If you want to light up, go outside. It’s too easy to settle in your armchair and nod off with a cigarette in hand. Before you go to bed make sure cigarettes are extinguished and ask guests to do the same.
When a fire rips through your home it takes everything at breathtaking speed. Having a working smoke alarm can make the difference between a manageable fire, with an early warning, and you having to rebuild your life from the ashes.
It couldn’t be easier to protect your family and your home. Not only do we offer free smoke alarms with long-life batteries, firefighters will come to fit them. This isn’t a sales pitch, there is no financial gain for us – we fit them to save lives.
Christmas brings a host of flammable materials – paper and plastic decorations, cards and real Christmas trees. Add to that cooking, smoking, candles, fairy lights and open fires, it’s not surprising fire has wrecked so many festive holidays. Most accidents can be avoided by switching off Christmas lights, electrical appliances and extinguishing cigarettes when you go to bed or go out. Keep decorations away from candles and open fires – an obvious but surprisingly common mistake is putting cards above the fireplace. Also, don’t take batteries out of the smoke alarm to power Christmas presents.
Make an escape plan, does everyone know where your window and door keys are? If your main escape route is blocked, do you know what to do? In the excitement, noise and festivities of a party, will all guests have a clear path to safety? If you do find yourself trapped, get into a room together, preferably with a phone, open the window wide and dial 999 for the Fire and Rescue Service. If it’s safe to do so, stay at the window and wave and shout to attract attention.
After a fire, people often say they never thought it would happen to them – but why not? Fires happen to ordinary people often when they least expect it. It’s a terrifying ordeal to go through, please don’t let it happen to you.
Stay safe this Christmas
* Ensure your smoke detectors are working and check them every week, they could save your life.
* Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard and switch them off overnight or when you are out.
* Keep decorations clear of lights, candles and fires – that includes cards on fireplaces.
* Take extra care if you are smoking indoors.
* If you have been drinking, think twice about using the cooker.
* When preparing Christmas meals, never leave cooking unattended – fires can start and get out of control frighteningly quickly.
* Make an escape plan – do you and your guests know where your window and door keys are? Is your main escape route blocked?
* In an emergency remember: Get Out, Stay Out, Dial 999.
To arrange a free home safety visit, call free on 0800 169 0320. For further advice visit www.lbfire.org.uk.
