Month: April 2012

Letter

Dear Editor

A hustings was arranged  at Muirhouse  Millennium Centre on Thursday 19th April . Despite prospective candidates having been invited to this event to discuss issues which effect the Forth Ward, only three candidates bothered to attend . Labour Conservative and the Green parties were represented – there was no representation from the  SNP, LibDems and the Anti-Cuts candidates .

Steve Cardownie has also indicated that he will not be able to attend a hustings on April 26 at Royston Wardieburn  Community Centre . I understand that these so called  representatives are busy however they have not  indicated that they will send anyone from their parties  to the hustings. George Gordon is also standing in the Forth Ward  along with Councillor Cardownie for the SNP; surely  one of these candidates can represent their  parties? Invitations have been sent to all prospective candidates  to attending the hustings, some have not bothered to reply to their invitations   Yet they expect people in Forth Ward to  vote for them ?  I think not !!!!!!

I hope the electorate remember this  when they vote on May 3rd

Anna Hutchison

Crewe Road West

Twenty’s plenty for Drylaw residents

Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA) launched their local road safety campaign at Drylaw Parish Church earlier this week. The group plans to raise awareness of speed limits in the area hopes to encourage drivers to act more responsibly.

EDRA chair Eileen Brash explained: “Parking and traffic matters are regularly discussed at our meetings, and the issue most frequently raised by residents concerns the speed many vehicles drive at within our area. In response we are launching an Awareness Campaign which will highlight the speed limit in this area – 20mph.”

She continued: “We are liaising with the police, councillors, local council staff and Ferryhill Primary School and we have applied for funding which would enable 20mph road markings to be installed at all entrances leading to and from Groathill Road North. We believe these measures will complement the 20mph signs already erected on Ferry Road and at the top and bottom of Groathill Road North, and make it clearer to motorists that they are travelling in a 20mph zone”.

EDRA will be raising the issue in a number of ways over the coming weeks – through schoolbag leaflet drops, posters, banners, flyers and a series of ‘awareness days’.

EDRA would be delighted to see more local residents getting involved to support the campaign. The group meets on the third Monday of the month from 7.30 – 9pm in Drylaw Parish Church; to find out more, or to discuss other issues of concern, why not attend their next meeting?

Relatives sought following Crewe Road fatality

A pedestrian who was seriously injured in a road collision on Crewe Road South earlier this month has died.

Alan Dowling, (64), of Muirhouse View, passed away this morning at the Western General Hospital, where he was being treated for serious injuries he sustained in the collision with a cement mixer lorry on Thursday 5 April.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Police are appealing for assistance in tracing relatives of Mr Dowling, and anyone with any information that can help is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on (0131) 311 3131.

D Day for Raeburn

Councillors will make a decision on renovation plans for the Raeburn House Hotel when the Development Management sub-committee of the Planning Committee meets this morning. Council officials recommend that the refurbishment plans are rejected despite wide public support for the project.

A 19 page committee report for this morning’s meeting states: ‘ … the proposals are contrary to the development plan and non-statutory guidance. The proposals will not preserve the character or appearance of the conservation area and will adversely impact on the listed building and its setting. It will not have any effect on residential amenity, road safety or biodiversity. The refurbishment of this building, to restore it and maintain it into the future, is not disputed as being a desirable outcome. However any proposals must be of good quality and sensitive to the existing building to ensure that our built heritage is conserved.’

The report concludes: ‘It is recommended that the Committee refuse this application, for the reasons stated relating to its detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area and the setting of the listed building.’

Councillors will make their decision at a 10am meeting of the Development Management Sub-Committee in the City Chambers.

 

Careers event at Granton library

Granton Library is hosting a careers event for young adults tomorrow (Wednesday) from 4 – 6pm.

Participating agencies include Careers Scotland, Edinburgh Leisure, Working Links and the City of Edinburgh Council and

* VIRTUAL LIBRARY TOUR *

*DRESS FOR SUCCESS*

* REFRESHMENTS *

* MUSIC *

are among the delights and activities on offer!

Drop in at the library – it’s at 29 Wardieburn Terrace – any time between 4 – 6pm, or call 529 5630 for more information.

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre – Open Day on Friday

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre is holding an Open Day this Friday (20 April) from 10am – 2pm.

Call in to to the centre in West Pilton Grove to find out the range of activities and courses available for all the family, browse through the bargains at the Table Sale and enjoy a coffee and cake in the cafe!

For more information call Linda on 551 3194.

We are recruiting for Community Reporters

Are you passionate about North Edinburgh and well informed about the issues affecting it? Are you connected to local communities or projects? Are you a keen writer, blogger, video maker, podcaster or social media user?

The newly relaunched NEN is looking to recruit three dynamic community reporters to work with the paper.

The role is part-time and voluntary, but includes intensive training with former Guardian reporter and social media expert Tom Allan. The three new community reporters will be equipped with smart phones, and trained in how to blog, produce videos and audio interviews, and how find and report local news stories in interesting and creative ways.

Applications are particularly encouraged from people who are already involved in local projects or community groups, and ideally you will already have some experience of writing or publishing your material online. But the main qualification is a passion for the area, and an interest in sharing stories from North Edinburgh. Initially, applicants are being sought in the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership area of the city.

If you are interested in finding out more about the role and how you can apply, please email w_t_allan@yahoo.com for more details.

Drylaw cooks to launch blog

Drylaw Cooking Group’s new blog will be launched tomorrow (Wednesday 18th April) from  7-8.30pm at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. Baking stall, recipe ideas, cooking tombola, cookery demonstrations. Be creative and you could be a winner in the Best Apron Competition – one junior prize and one adult prize to be won!

All welcome – call 0131 315 4989 for more details.