Alex Dale, Drylaw Telford Community Council’s representative on Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnersip’s Clean, Green and Safe Action Group, has reported that Easter DrylawPark has been uprated from ‘good’ to ‘very good’ in the city council’s latest 2011 Parks Survey.
Families, cyclists and craft enthusiasts braved the chilly weather and had a lovely time with The Bike Station and ELGT at Sunday’s Innertube Christmas Fun Day. We heard wonderful stories from Macastory and adults and children had a great time scavenging for natural woodland materials such as holly and ivy, to make festive wreaths to hang on the door. These are some of the best examples!
Katriona Harding
Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust
This week, Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council launched their campaign to stop the Council closing paths that lead from Muirhouse into Silverknowes Eastway. The petition was launched following a public meeting organised by the Davidsons Mains Silverknows Association last month where they have requested the Council look to close off these public footpaths.
As well as closing off the footpaths the Council are also looking at installing up to twelve CCTV monitors in private houses, two of which will be linked to the City in View system which will allow the Police to monitor them at a cost of £4,800.00.
The public meeting which took place on 17th November was attended by over two hundred residents from Silverknowes following a spate of vandalisms and an increase in anti social behavior. Natalie Hoy, Neighbourhood Manager for the West of the City, was in attendance along with Ruth Stanley from the North Office, local Politicians and representatives from the Police.
It was agreed that the Closure of the access points from Muirhouse was the “most important consideration in trying to solve these problems” and according to the Davidsons Mains Silverknowes Association website “there was an assurance this would proceed as quickly as possible”
This is a move, which has angered the Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council and their Chairperson, Roy Douglas said ” We are disgusted to learn that residents of Silverknowes (who are technically part of Forth Ward) want to close public access footpaths. These footpaths are part of Muirhouse and lead into a newish housing complex that is part of Muirhouse and the Forth Ward. No “Berlin Wall” should be allowed to be built between Communities in this day and age. These paths are used by our school children to get to school safely away from busy main roads and are used by people to access local shops and bus routes.”
We are also disgusted to learn what Police resources have been used and how much is being spent in response to the residents of Silverknowes Eastway complaints. According to a Police representative who attended our meeting said reports have been minor incidents, a smashed window, car keying. In other areas of the Forth Ward they happen every other day. We acknowledge that there is a youth issue in parts of Muirhouse but with the involvement of our local professional Youth Agencies which have great success in engaging with local youth in resolving such issues, and we feel that resources should be given to them.
If the Council allow such division in communities where does the Equality and Diversity policies for our city stand? Peter Strong did apologise that our Community Council was not informed but he should hang has head in shame for allowing another Neighbourhood Partnership to become involved in the affairs of the Forth Ward. We are heading up to a local election and councillors of an adjoining ward want to scare monger and get support to the splitting up of communities and get votes for their parties. Leave our Community alone, do not create more problems with a wall of division.
Our Community Council have circulated petitions for residents of Muirhouse to become aware of this and sign. All we all want for Christmas is Peace and Goodwill lets achieve a New Year with Communities living in Harmony not peering over a wall at each other.”
Inspector John Cooper from Lothian and Borders police said “The main issues are youths passing through Silverknowes to congregate in the Davidsons mains area and this has lead to a number of minor vandalism’s such as car windows being smashed and cars being scratched.
At this moment in time we have not been asked to provide any evidence to suggest that closing these paths will resolve the problems currently being experienced. Over the past few months we have had undertaken a variety of tasks to identify these youths and this has included increased patrols in the area as well as the use of the CCTV van which has been located in the are for the past few weeks.”
Natalie Hoy the West Neighbourhood manager said “To be very clear the Council and Police committed to commissioning a Environmental Survey of the area using Safer by Design which is an accredited and recognised tool for assessing environmental factors in a local area, this survey is carried out by colleagues in Lothian and Borders Police.
I must stress that the council have not committed to closing the footpaths, this will be subject to further discussion and will involve communities from both West and North. A cross neighbourhood summit involving senior officials from the police and council, elected members and community representatives will be convened in the next few weeks.
The Council has committed to offering CCTV provision in domestic properties in the area affected and to explore the Silverknowes Community Representative’s idea that he would like to see further cameras purchased, no cameras have been purchased and these discussions have commenced this week.
Significant work is already underway with young people in both the North and West looking at positive engagement and diversion, action will be taken in cases where this is appropriate jointly in partnership with our Police colleagues however we recognise that the vast majority of young people themselves want to live in a safe community. Council and Police work hard to tailor responses to local community issues and this is part of our neighbourhood working on a day to day basis.”
Almond Councillor Kate Mackenzie said “There have been lots of issues in and around the Silverknowes area caused by young people passing through. These issues have been mainly vandalism and local people have had enough of it. I am unaware what, if any, work has done been to engage with the young people that are causing this problem.”
Local Councillor Cammy Day said “I was made aware of the issues in Silverknowes Eastway, and a public meeting held in Almond ward regarding a few incidents that had taken place. Silverknowes Eastway is in the Forth Ward, and I was surprised not be invited to attend.
It’s important that we take this in perspective, and we take appropriate action to respond positively to any acts of vandalism or anti social behaviour.
I would be keen to have our community safety team and youth street work teams engage with the young people involved for a positive resolution.
A meeting of local representatives is to be arranged later this week to agree a course of action.”
What are your views on building fences to separate communities?
The Drylaw Cookery group have just launched their first ever Cooking Recipe Calendar.
Project worker Elizabeth graham said “The group has been running on Wednesday evening for approximately 2 years. The group is made up of men and woman, aged from 15 upwards, who come together to share recipes and learn cooking skills form one another. We have guests visiting regularly to show us their delicious dishes from around the world. Our cookery evenings are a fantastic way to meet new friends, help bring the community together and are a fun social event too.”
The group were awarded sponsorship from State Street Bank who very kindly printed 200 Calendars for the group to sell to raise money for the centre and Susan Paul from State Street said “State Street is delighted to support the Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre with the production of their 2012 calendar. Active engagement within our communities is one of State Streets fundamental values. ”
Calendars are priced £2.00 and can be bought directly from the centre.
If you would like more information on the Cookery Group or any other services at Drylaw call the centre on 315 4989.
Granton and District Community Council meets this Wednesday (14 December) from 7 – 9pm at Spartans Community Football Academy. For further information please telephone 07923 548159.
Not posted your Christmas cards yet? It’s not too late – last posting dates for Christmas deliveries are:
Second Class – Saturday 17 December
First Class – Tuesday 20 December.
Better get your skates on!
A 12 year old girl is in hospital this morning after being knocked down on her way to school. The girl was knocked down at 8.10am this morning on Orchard Brae opposite Flora Stevensons School.
A Police spokeseperson said “We were called to the accdient at 8.10am today where a 12 year old girl had been knocked down outside Flora Stevensons School. The girl suffered a minor injury to her leg and her injuries are not thought to be serious”
Come and join us down at North Edinburgh Arts for the fabulous fairytale of Princess Paris Pilton, the beautiful girl who falls under the spell of the Wicked Fairy of Ferry Road, who puts everyone in Muirhouse to sleep for a hundred years!
See what happens when they all wake up in Edinburgh one hundred years in the future! Has Scotland gained independence; have we solved global warming; are the trams running yet? We’ll only find out if handsome Prince Barry can fight his way to her and kiss her awake again!
The show, brought to you by Edinburgh’s Telford College promises to be packed full of fun and Christmas cheer. We are offering our email friends reduced price tickets at £1 per person.
If you would like to come along and make the most if this offer please contact Box Office on 0131 315 2151 quoting this unique offer codeNEAXMAS11
We look forward to hearing from you
The NEA Team
This afternoon’s gymnastics festival at Broughton High School was a tremendous success, with children from across the city performing to a full house. Among those taking part were Broughton’s City of Edinburgh Display Team, Castlebrae, Stockbridge, Broughton High, Corstorphine, Forrester High, Flora Stevenson, Ferryhill, Pentland schools and the City of Edinburgh Gym Club Display Team staged a fantastic finale.
Firefighters are appealing to residents to take precautions after several very close calls following a spate of wilful fire-raising in Edinburgh.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service have attended a number of deliberate fires in north Edinburgh in recent weeks, which could easily have resulted in casualties.
Tony Collins, Watch Commander at Crewe Toll Fire Station speaks of one of his recent experiences: “Blue Watch were mobilised to a fire outside a two- storey property in Pilton at 8.40pm on Sunday night. It turned out a lean –to structure was on fire, filled with old furniture and other highly flammable materials. When we arrived, the flames had reached the eaves of the building and had melted the gutter. The first floor flat’s bathroom window had cracked, and was, in my opinion seconds away from failing and allowing the fire to spread into the occupied first floor flat.
“Thankfully we caught the fire just in time and there were no casualties, a few minutes later and it could have been a very different outcome.”
David Lockhart, Community Safety Manager for the Service said: “These incidents are very serious as fire can easily spread into properties causing severe damage and endangering people’s lives. Wilful fire-raising is a crime and we work together with the Police to reduce incidents like these. However, residents can also play their part to reduce the risk of something similar happening near their property.
“Don’t leave clutter such as old furniture or rubbish lying around outside your property or in your common stair, discard it properly, find a secure place to store it or arrange with the council to have items uplifted. Keep wheelie bins out of sight, ideally in a secure location such as a locked bin store or garage. Keep communal areas tidy and free of combustible materials which can be attractive to fire setters.
“If parents have concerns or suspicions that their children may be involved in fire-raising they can seek assistance from the fire service or the police. Look out for small burn holes in carpets, clothing or furniture, hidden or missing matches or lighters, a smell of smoke on clothing or evidence of burnt paper or plastic. This behaviour should be addressed to protect those involved from coming to harm or harming others.”
For further fire safety advice or to find out how to access help or assistance from the Fire Service visit www.lbfire.org.uk or call free on 0800 169 0320. To report information regarding suspected wilful fire-raising call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .
