Woman dies in road accident outside Western

An 81-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car as she crossed Porterfield Road outside the Western General Hospital yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. The woman was treated at the scene, but died from her injuries.

The driver of the vehicle assisted police with their inquiries at the scene, and police are seeking witnesses to the accident, which happened at around 4pm.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “We are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision, which happened close to the Anne Ferguson Building.”

If you have any information please call Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.

Domestic abuse campaign launched

Lothian and Borders Police are encouraging victims of domestic abuse to take the first step in their journey to seeking help and getting a fresh start this festive period.

This weekend (7 – 9 December) all bus tickets on Lothian Buses and Firstbus buses will be advertising contact details for the Domestic Abuse Helpline, a charity designed to provide help and guidance to sufferers.

A phone number, website and a QR code will be printed to allow people from communities across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders to either telephone or visit the Lothian and Borders Police website. The details on the tickets are deliberately subtle so victims needn’t feel worried about being caught carrying them.

Despite an encouraging rise in the past few years in victims coming forward, domestic abuse is vastly under-reported.
This campaign is designed to empower victims and arm them with practical tools they can really use to break free.

Assistant Chief Constable Graham Sinclair from Lothian and Borders Police said: “People often think domestic abuse is purely about physical violence, however many people suffer years of verbal and emotional abuse which is just as damaging.

“Domestic abuse saps the confidence of victims and leaves them in a constant state of fear and anxiety. As such, it is vastly under-reported, and although more than 7,700 incidents were reported across Scotland last year, we believe this is only a fraction of the true amount.

“For women suffering domestic abuse, taking the bus this weekend could be the first step on a much more important journey. If you are suffering domestic abuse, or know someone who is, get the bus this weekend. Call the helpline now or later, have a look at our web pages, and know that there are people who can help.”

Liz Kelly from the Domestic Abuse Helpline added: ” We view this initiative being taken by Lothian and Borders Police as a positive step forward in addressing the anxieties of many victims of domestic abuse who fear that the police do not have an understanding of their situation and the negative impact it has on their own lives and that of their children and families.

“We will work closely with the police during this initiative and give our assurance that anyone affected by domestic abuse will be offered support and information at any time of the day or night. The telephone number is 0800 027 1234 and is free from landlines.”

On the Move in Inverleith

You may recall that we paid tribute to talented Broughton High School students in a previous post about the recent Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership community conference.

Well, on top of everything else the pupils did to ensure the conference was a success, they also took a few photographs of the event – correction, a few hundred photographs! A (very) small sample is included with this conference report by Broughton pupil Robbie Thomson:

It is always refreshing when Edinburgh youths and local residents alike are provided with the opportunity to pose any queries or concerns they may have in regards to their community. Even more encouraging is when people with the power to influence and change take the time out to listen.

Broughton High School was the venue for the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership Community Conference on 15 November, with a focus on transport. Presented by North Edinburgh News’ very own Mr. Dave Pickering, around 100 attendees were given an opportunity to engage in open discussion with key figures of transport in Edinburgh.

The set-up consisted of six different tables; parking, winter weather, road safety, road maintenance, walking/cycling and public transport. Attendees at each table rotated throughout the course of the evening, offering everyone the chance to make their voice heard.

Mr. Tony Lear of Edinburgh City Council discussed winter weather issues at length, and with an admirable clarity. He claimed £750,000 has been funded to the local authorities by the Scottish Government to prevent expansion and water retention in potholes throughout the winter, while also confirming that more funds are to be set aside from the revenue budget for off-road cycle paths. This winter will see pre-treatment and gritting on North Edinburgh cycle paths for the first time. Mr. Lear also noted that local care homes, sheltered accommodation and school access routes are to receive priority treatment.

As parents attended in large numbers, road safety was a particular topic of interest. Many parents raised issues over the poor lighting in local streets over the winter months, and the crossing difficulties at the bottom of East Fettes Avenue. Miss Helen Bourquin also addressed concerns over cycling restrictions in the Comely Bank area.

While the cycling infrastructure in the local area was generally praised, Mr. Phil Noble announced that design standards for walking and cycling in Edinburgh are soon to be revised. The Scottish Government have also recently increased the budget for the marketing of walking and cycling. Mr. Noble also stated that in the next year, 5% of the total transport budget (around £16 million) is to be spent on cycling, which would amount to around £1.5-2 million. There was also praise for Mr. Ian Bieniowski in regards to Lothian Buses pricing system, customer service and general consistency.

Certainly worthy of a special thanks are Broughton High senior pupils Fraser Young and Calum Chapman. Voluntarily, they again devoted their time towards helping set up the technical aspects of the evening, an essential aspect in the event’s overall success – particularly the ‘warm-up’ musical performances from Broughton pupils. The pair regularly volunteer their technical knowledge and organisational acumen in all events throughout the school – they couldn’t have done it without them!

The only downside of an otherwise very encouraging evening was the technical issue with the event’s twitter feed. Broughton High School pupils who had volunteered to help out were given I-Pads to regularly update the event’s twitter feed through the hashtag #inverleithconf, but the server became unresponsive midway through the event.

Nevertheless, the evening generated very positive feedback, on the whole. It would appear that the future is bright for the local residents as far as transport is concerned.

Robbie Thomson, Broughton High School

Seasonal sale at Saint Nicholas

Saint Nick’s celebrate Saint Nick!

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex raised £1500 at its Christmas fayre held last Saturday (1 Dec). All funds raised will go towards supporting activities for residents including day trips, theatre trips, exercise classes and lunch clubs.

The complex, on Leith’s Ferry Road, had an array of stalls including a raffle, tombola, home bakes, bric-a-brac, books and toys. There was also the opportunity to buy gifts hand-made by the residents, including decorations, necklaces, knitting and aprons.

Maureen Tait Senior Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator with PoLHA, manages the complex. She said: “The annual Christmas fayre is always great fun for the staff and residents and a great chance for us to interact and have a good time with the local community. We’re delighted to have raised £1500 and are grateful to the all those people who came along to support us. Many of our residents are young at heart and really enjoy getting out and about on trips and this fundraising event helps make it happen for them.”

Pictured: St. Nicholas resident Frances Veitch displays festive treats

Looking for an NHS dentist in Edinburgh?

The following dental practices are currently accepting new NHS patients:

9 Dean Bank Street, Stockbridge EH3 5BS 0131 332 5510

4 Inverleith Gardens, Inverleith EH3 5PU 0131 552 4024

4 Howard Place, Canon Mills EH3 5JZ 0131 556 7232

4 Great Stuart Street, West End EH3 6AW 0131 225 3911

264 Morrison Street, Haymarket EH3 8DT 0131 229 6633

212 Morrison Street, Haymarket EH3 8EA 0131 229 7899

42 Earl Grey Street, Tollcross EH3 9BN 0131 221 9535

1D Pennywell Gardens, Muirhouse EH4 4UA 0131 315 2666

3 Quality St, Davidson’s Mains EH4 5BP 0131 336 1785

32 Duart Crescent, Clermiston EH4 7JP 0131 339 7446

65 Ferry Road, Leith EH6 4AQ 0131 554 1791

163 Great Junction Street, Leith EH6 5LG 0131 554 8589

116 Ocean Drive, Leith EH6 6JG 0131 208 2222

120 Ocean Drive, Leith EH6 6JG 0131 555 0376

80/1B Commercial Quay EH6 6LX 0131 553 5959

57 Constitution Street Leith EH6 7AF 0131 555 2020

6 East Hermitage Place, Leith EH6 8AA 0131 554 5028

1 Bellevue Place, Newtown EH7 4BS 0131 556 3240

15 Earlston Place, Meadowbank EH7 5SU 0131 659 5670

Boroughloch Med. Cent, 1 Meadow Place EH9 1JZ 0131 656 4525

59 Ratcliffe Terrace, Newington EH9 1ST 0131 667 4433

39 Mayfield Gardens, Newington EH9 2BX 0131 668 1521

125 Mayfield Road, Newington EH9 3AJ 0131 667 5656

147 Bruntsfield Place EH10 4EB 0131 229 7999

1 Millar Crescent, Morningside EH10 5HN 0131 447 0606

27 Comiston Road, Morningside EH10 6AA 0131 447 2722

3C Washington Lane, Dalry EH11 2HA 0131 337 8272

14 Ardmillan Terrace, Gorgie EH11 2JW 0131 337 2771

296 Gorgie Road, Gorgie EH11 2PP 0131 337 3936

176 St. John’s Road, Corstorphine EH12 8BE 0131 334 2704

9 Bughtlin market, East Craigs EH12 8XP 0131 339 2992

302 Oxgangs Road North EH13 9ND 0131 441 3231

132 Colinton Road, Colinton EH14 1BY 0131 443 4050

1 Hailsland Gardens, Wester Hailes EH14 2QN 0131 453 1151

Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes EH14 2SW 0131 442 4084

38 Balerno High Street EH14 7EH 0131 449 5545

274 Portobello High Street EH15 2AT 0131 669 1193

216 Portobello High Street EH15 2AU 0131 669 2995

310 Portobello High Street EH15 2DA 0131 669 3333

23 Duddingston Park South EH15 3NY 0131 669 9977

198 Peffermill Road, Craigmillar EH16 4DT 0131 661 3424

1 Parkside Terrace, Newington EH16 5BN 0131 667 0500

173 Dalkeith Road, Newington EH16 5BY 0844 387 8333

1 Bellstane, South Queensferry EH30 3PU 0131 319 1879

Information correct on 1 December 2012

Edinburgh’s green forever (and that’s nothing to do with Sunday’s Cup result either!)

Edinburgh has been recognised for protecting most parks and green spaces in the UK at a prestigious award ceremony. The City of Edinburgh Council was awarded Landowner of the Year at the inaugural Fields in Trust Awards 2012 ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the charity’s Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge programme, and the city was also given £10,000 from Fields in Trust to spend on further improving the city’s parks.

The city received the award for dedicating more sites as part of The Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge than any other UK landowner – a total of 25 sites across Edinburgh. This commits the Council to dedicating the named sites for the purposes of public recreation, in perpetuity, for the use of the residents of Edinburgh.

Councillor Jim Orr, the city’s Environment Vice-Convener, said: “Here in Edinburgh we have no shortage of beautiful outdoor spaces and this Council recognises the important role they play in boosting the well-being of communities. I’m delighted that Fields in Trust have recognised our efforts in dedicating many of our green spaces as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. This will have a lasting legacy for Edinburgh and reaffirms this city’s commitment to protecting our parks and green spaces for future generations.”

The dedicated sites are (local parks highlighted):

Easter Drylaw Park
Ravelston Park
Ravelston Woods
Starbank Park
Victoria Park
Figgate Park
Lochend Park
Rosefield Park
Portobello Golf Course
Braidburn Valley Park
Hermitage of Braid
Blackford Hill
Morgan Playing Fields
Morningside Park
Seven Acre Park
Colinton Mains Park
Easter Craiglockhart Hill
Hailes Quarry Park
Harrison Park
Saughton Park & Gardens
Ferry Glen
St Margaret’s Park
Union Park
Montgomery Street Park
Pilrig Park

Fields in Trust was founded in 1925 and is the only national charity working to safeguard and improve outdoor recreational spaces. The Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge aims to protect outdoor recreational spaces as a legacy from HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Port of Leith makes it’s red cars green (and it’s nothing to do with yesterday’s Cup result!)

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), famous for nipping around the North Edinburgh area in red branded vehicles, has purchased two electric cars to add to its fleet.

Running the Peugeot iOns will cost 75% less than an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle, with charging points in PoLHA’s Constitution Street underground car park.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at PoLHA, (pictured) said: “The electric cars are a perfect addition to our fleet. The distances we travel are relatively short but we have to make a lot of them visiting tenants and developments. We are committed in being energy-efficient and playing our part to protect the environment so we are delighted to be embracing the use of these vehicles.”

An overnight charge fuels the car for 100 miles and many of the cars’ components are 100% recyclable.

A clear festive message – don’t drink and drive

Police in Scotland are giving their clearest ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ message yet this festive season and pledging to use every means at their disposal to track down those who fail to heed the warnings.

The basic message from the country’s senior officers is that while they support any plan to reduce the drink drive limit those who plan to get behind the wheel should not drink any alcohol.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) is backing a four-week campaign, starting today (Monday 3 December), which will target those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Across Scotland, officers in marked and unmarked vehicles will be on the lookout for offenders as will all officers who are on patrol in their own local areas. Information and intelligence will be gathered on possible trouble spots and potential drink or drug drivers.

Police are urging the public to help end the scourge of drink and drug driving by reporting suspected offenders to the police or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland (part of Transport Scotland) are supporting ACPOS annual festive drink and drug drive campaign. A television and radio advertising campaign is being aired to emphasise the consequences of drink driving by underlining the message that “if you choose to drink and drive, you choose to lose your licence”.

Deputy Chief Constable Tom Ewing from Fife Constabulary, who speaks on road policing matters for ACPOS, said: “Throughout my career I have found it astonishing that people are prepared to risk not only the serious consequences of losing their licence but also the threat to life and limb, by taking to the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Last year we saw 7445 people charged with being over the limit, which is a simply unacceptable figure.

“We will use every means at our disposal to track down those who drive after taking alcohol or drugs and, with our law enforcement partners, will ensure that they face the consequences. That is likely to mean a fine, loss of driving licence for at least a year and, for repeat offenders and those who give a high reading, the chance of losing their vehicle.

“Many serious crashes happen as a result of drivers drinking or taking drugs and as many as one in nine road deaths is related to a drink or drug driver. That is simply not acceptable and we must work together to end the scourge of drink and drug driving. ACPOS fully supports the idea of reducing the limit for drink driving, which has been the subject of recent consultation but would stress that our clear advice remains that no alcohol or drugs should be taken before driving a vehicle.”

Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice added: “If you choose to drink and drive, you choose to lose your licence. But the consequences can be devastating for victims, their families and our communities. On average, an estimated 30 lives are lost on our roads every year due to drink driving.

“The Scottish Government andRoad Safety Scotland are supporting the ACPOS annual festive drink and drug drive crackdown with an advertising campaign to remind people of the dangers and the consequences.

“This Government has made it clear that we want a lower drink driving limit as we believe it will help make Scotland’s roads safer. Our consultation, that sought views on reducing the drink driving limit to a level which would bring Scotland into line with most of Europe and which will help save lives on our roads, closed last week. Consultation responses will be independently analysed and we will publish our consultation report early next year. We will continue to work with the police and road safety partners to consider new measures to tackle the scourge of drink driving on Scotland’s roads.”

The Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Frank Mulholland QC said: “As the festive season comes around again parties and celebrations will be commonplace. Across Scotland many people will be enjoying time with their families, catching up with old friends and making new ones.

“For some though it may well be a tragic and upsetting time, their lives devastated as family die needlessly because selfish drivers get behind the wheel while under the influence. One in nine deaths on the road is as a result of a drink or drug driver, which is totally unacceptable.

“While we would encourage all involved to enjoy themselves we urge them to act responsibly and not spoil their celebrations, or those of others, by driving under the influence. The message is simple; if you are driving do not drink and do not take drugs.”

Transition Group to hold capacity building event

North Edinburgh’s BME Transition Group has organised another information event – and this time the focus is on capacity building.

Group coordinator Adil Ibrahim said: “The purpose of this event is to support North Edinburgh-based black and minority ethnic (BME) community groups to access information about funding, setting up and developing local community groups. It should be another exciting event and we’re looking forward to meeting a lot of participants.”

The Transition Group’s Capacity Building Event will be held on Thursday 13 December from 11am – 2pm in the Heritage Lottery Fund, 38 Thistle Street.

To register or for further information please contact Adil or Deborah, email adilabuelseed@hotmail.com or dclark@elrec.org.uk

Capacity Building Event Flyer

Light a light tomorrow night

St Columba’s Hospice has a special way of remembering family and friends who are unable to be with us at Christmas time. Every year, thousands of supporters gather in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square Gardens to watch as the lights of the Tree of Remembrance are switched on – each light on the tree is dedicated to the memory of a loved one, as St. Columba’s Sister Margaret O’Hara explains:

Dear Friend,

My colleagues and I working on the wards at St Columba’s Hospice have been thinking for a few weeks now about how we can make Christmas this year precious for our patients and their families. Christmas is a time when we all look forward to having our families and friends close, sharing in the joyous Festive Season. But for many of us the season can bring sadness as we remember loved ones no longer with us.

Here at St Columba’s Hospice we always mark the beginning of this special season by Lighting a Light on the Tree of Remembrance in Charlotte Square Gardens. Light a Light allows all of us to celebrate life and the memories of those we are unable to hold close.

On behalf of all the nursing staff and volunteers, I invite you to join us in dedicating a light to your loved one on our Tree of Remembrance this Christmas. And, I also ask you to consider making a donation to help to pay for the costs of care during Christmas and into the New Year.

We really hope that you can join us at 6.30pm on Monday (3 December) in Charlotte Square Gardens, when we Light a Light for all those whose memories we cherish.

With warmest regards,

Margaret O’Hara, Sister, St Columba’s Hospice