Month: January 2013

Love music? Sing out at community choir!

Edinburgh’s largest community choir is about to take shape in a new collaboration between Love Music Productions and the Usher Hall. Love Music Community Choir hopes to attract 250 enthusiastic singers to Edinburgh’s premier concert hall. The first choir session takes place on Tuesday 5 February.

The choir is open to anyone who wants and loves to sing. There are no auditions and no age restrictions (although anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Everyone is welcome, whether complete beginners or regular crooners.

A range of music will be enjoyed and programming will reflect the broad presentation of concerts at the Usher Hall. World, jazz, classical, rock and indie, folk, gospel, opera and all things in-between.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Convenor of Culture & Leisure commented: “I’m sure there are lots of would-be singers in Edinburgh who would really enjoy this opportunity to come out and join in. So I hope they won’t be shy but take the first step and get in touch”.

Love Music Director and the choir’s conductor, Stephen Deazley said: “We’re delighted that the Usher Hall is joining with us in this exciting new project, opening up this wonderful venue to the people of Edinburgh so that we can sing together and inspire each other with amazing music”.

The choir will meet every Tuesday with the first meeting taking place on Tuesday 5 February from 7pm – 9pm.

For further details and to register, visit www.choir.lovemusic.org.uk

Don’t be fooled by sweet talk, warns Green MSP

Scottish Greens are warning that yesterday’s ‘pledge’ by soft drinks firms to reduce the amount of sugar in their products is a diversion from the real issue.

The Public Health Responsibility Deal includes AG Barr, who produce IrnBru. However, Barr say they have no plans to reduce the sugar content of their regular IrnBru product. The deal has previously been criticised as being industry-led and does not have the support of organisations such as Alcohol Concern, the British Heart Foundation, the British Medical Association and Diabetes UK.

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian (pictured below), said: “The issue of what’s in our food has returned to the top of people’s agendas with the supermarket value burgers scandal. Today’s incredibly weak fizzy drink deal is a diversion from the real problem of secret sugar. People know full well fizzy drinks are bad for their health but many will be unaware of the hidden sugar they’re consuming in common foods like crisps, pizzas, burger buns and ready meals. Even baby foods and rusks are bloated with sugar.

“If we are serious about tackling the growing obesity and diabetes crisis in Scotland we must keep up with the processed food industry and big retailers. It’s not just drinks firms who know how addictive sugars and sweeteners are.”

cropped-AJ-smile[1]

Have your say on improving the Trinity area

Improving everyday life in Trinity – we need your views!

Trinity Priorities Event

Trinity Academy, Main Hall

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Drop in anytime between 5pm and 9pm

Refreshments provided

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership is holding a consultation event to get the views of Trinity residents on what they would like to see done to improve the Trinity area. We would like to encourage local residents to come along to Trinity Academy and give their views on what they think should be the priorities for action by the Neighbourhood Partnership in 2013/14.

They will also have an opportunity to see an exhibition on some of the improvements in the Trinity area funded by the Neighbourhood Environment Programme.

This will be an informal event where people can drop in at any time between 5pm and 9pm – Local Councillors, Trinity Community Councillors and officers from City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian & Borders Police will be available to answer questions.

For further information contact Forth Neigbourhood Partnership development officer Jim Pattison, telephone 529 5082 or email jim.pattison@edinburgh.gov.uk

TrinityEvent

Local children stage panto to highlight conservation fears

A group of young people from North Edinburgh are set to become exponents for nature conservation when they perform a panto to highlight conservation issues at North Edinburgh Arts this weekend. The performance is the culmination of an innovative project involving The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh-based Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the Lyceum Youth Theatre Discover Programme, North Edinburgh Arts and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

The group – who are all aged between 9 and 12 and live in Muirhouse, Pilton and Granton – have been working with conservation experts to learn about the importance of saving endangered species and habitats. The project – which is unique in its involvement of Edinburgh’s leading academic, conservation, and performing arts organisations – will culminate with the young people informing their local communities about conservation issues, through the performance – on Saturday 26 January – of a pantomime they have developed with the support of North Edinburgh Arts.

The young people will also go to Edinburgh Zoo for a ‘behind the scenes’ visit as part of the project, to learn about endangered animals first hand.

Speaking in advance of Saturday’s conservation-themed pantomime, project coordinator Naomi Webster – who is currently a visiting research fellow at Edinburgh University’s ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum, and works as Education Officer for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust , said:  “Young people have a natural interest in animals and wildlife, but often don’t realise just how endangered many creatures are or how organisations like Durrell and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland are working to save them from extinction. This project has enabled us to work with children in an innovative way to help them appreciate the importance of nature conservation, and to allow them to show their families and communities what they have learnt, by producing and performing their own conservation-themed pantomime.”

Kate Wimpress, Director of North Edinburgh Arts, said:  “North Edinburgh Arts works with young people throughout North Edinburgh, through creative initiatives such as drama workshops, to encourage them to explore issues and develop understanding. Collaborating with the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Zoo and the Lyceum Youth Theatre on this initiative has enabled us to help young people to gain a greater understanding of conservation in an engaging, yet fun way. I know our young performers are very excited about both their trip to the zoo, and producing and performing their own conservation-themed pantomime.”

ESRCgenomics

NHS Lothian launches organ donation pilot programme

A new organ donation pilot programme is to be launched in NHS Lothian, it was announced yesterday.

The pilot will ensure that people who cannot be resuscitated after suffering a cardiac arrest in the community and who have previously expressed a wish to donate their organs in the event of their death, will have that wish respected.

The pilot will run in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where emergency medicine clinicians and the Scottish Ambulance Service practice the most advanced resuscitation techniques. As a result many more people who have suffered a cardiac arrest in the community are now making a good recovery.

Should the resuscitative measures prove unsuccessful, a decision will be made by two doctors that further treatment would no longer be in the best interests of the patient. End of life options (including organ donation) will then be discussed with the family.

Previously organ donation was not possible in these circumstances, even if the patient had made it clear that they wished to be an organ donor. The resuscitation process will continue to be run entirely by the emergency department based on their current policies and is totally separate from any consideration of organ donation.

Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson said: “We welcome the fact that more people who experience a cardiac arrest at home or in the community are now surviving due to the introduction of modern resuscitation techniques by the emergency department clinicians and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“However when all attempts at resuscitation in hospital have been unsuccessful it can be a source of comfort to the family to be able to respect the wishes of their loved ones who have made their organ donation wishes known by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register. This pilot programme is about doing this.”

Dr Matt Reed, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh said: “We have an ongoing programme of improving the management of patients who have had a cardiac arrest in the community. The modern resuscitation techniques practiced by the Emergency Department in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Scottish Ambulance Service in the South East of Scotland have seen survival rates for these patients improve dramatically and many more patients are now going on to make a good recovery.

“Unfortunately however, there are some patients who do not survive despite every attempt to save them. Many of those people will have expressed a wish to be an organ donor by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register in the expectation that their wishes be respected in the event of their death. This pilot will allow their wishes to be acted upon.”

Dr Jean Turner, Executive Director, Scotland Patients Association said: “Scotland Patients Association(SPA) welcomes this pilot which offers patients and their relatives the utmost assurance for the best outcomes from resuscitation with consideration and respect when organ donation may become an option for them.”

The pilot relates to adults aged 16-60 who have a witnessed cardiac arrest and who have expressed a wish to donate organs and/or tissues after their death. In its initial stages it will operate between the hours of 9-5 on weekdays.

Families will continue to be consulted on the proposed donation of their loved one’s organs.

Lothian is leading the way in Scotland in terms of population signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register (just under 50% of the population). There are currently more than two million Scots on the NHS Organ Donor Register – over 41 per cent of the population which is the highest in the UK. The UK average is 31 per cent (October 2012).

In 2011/12 there were 346 transplants in Scotland. The majority of people on the transplant list are waiting on kidney transplants – 514 people.

NHS Blood and Transplant research found that 96 percent of people would take an organ if they needed one, but only 41 per cent of Scots have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register.

You can join the NHS Organ Donor Register by visiting the Organ Donation Scotland website or by texting LIFE TO 61611.

Royal Infirmary Edinburgh
Royal Infirmary Edinburgh

 

Benefits advice groups to share Holyrood cash

The Scottish Government is directing new money to agencies helping people facing the brunt of UK benefit cuts, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday. In response to a substantial increase in requests for help as a result of Westminster welfare reforms, a new package of funding will support those providing front-line advice and support to people across Scotland.

This will include an immediate cash injection of £300,000 for services such as those provided by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), the setting up a new £1.7 million fund providing direct support to advice services and a further £3.4 million to be spent over the next two years on helping organisations mitigate the impacts welfare reforms.

Changes in Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit will reduce the budgets of more than 100,000 households in Scotland – 88 per cent of them couples with children. On average these families will be £700 a year worse off.

Over 100,000 households across Scotland will also lose on average of around £600 a year as a result of the bedroom tax.

And it is estimated that around 1 million working age households in Scotland will be affected by the uprating of benefits by 1 per cent, announced in the Autumn Statement, reducing the total income of Scottish households by around £210 million by 2014-15.

Announcing the funding boost Ms Sturgeon said: “Many people across Scotland are suffering as a direct result of UK Government benefit cuts, and many more are concerned about how they may be affected by changes yet to come into force. Citizen’s Advice Bureaux across the country are currently dealing with nearly 800 new issues for every working day. And the latest extremely worrying analysis about the families affected by benefits illustrates exactly that point.

“This reflects our serious concerns about the pace, scale and impact of Westminster’s benefits changes. It is clear that the impact of the cuts will extend across Scottish society, with vulnerable groups, women and working families all likely to suffer. This is putting more and more pressure on the organisations that provide crucial front line advice to those affected. These are the people, who, on a daily basis see how lives are being damaged by the fall out from the UK government’s welfare reform changes. That is why we have listened and are providing £5.4 million to help meet the demand for advice and support as it dramatically increases.

“This is just further evidence of the need for independence. We want a welfare system in Scotland that provides fair and decent support for all and protects the vulnerable in our society. The only way to guarantee that is to have possession of the powers to deliver it.”

Pilton CAB
Pilton CAB

Background Information:

The Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit analysis is taken from published DWP statistics. Bedroom tax analysis estimates that:

105,000 households will be affected by the bedroom tax.

Of these, 83,000 will be under-occupying by one bedroom and 22,000 will be under-occupying by two or more rooms.

With around 586,000 households in the social rented sector, it is estimated that 18 per cent of all households in the sector will be affected.

Depending on the measure of inflation used, the average weekly loss in 2012/13 prices is between £11 and £12.

This gives an estimate total loss of Housing Benefit to the sector of between £60 -£65 million per annum.

The Bedroom Tax will reduce the amount of housing benefit support that can be given to tenants in the social rented sector by introducing new size criteria for working-age Housing Benefit claimants, who have extra bedrooms.

People who are judged to be ‘under occupying’ their home by one bedroom will have their housing benefit slashed by 14 per Cent. Where they are under occupying by two or more bedrooms the deduction is 25 per Cent.

The new criteria for under occupation could mean that ill or disabled people, who use a spare bedroom for medical equipment, may all be affected.

East of Scotland forces join to launch crime initiative

Criminals across the East of Scotland who fund their lifestyles through crime are being targeted in a major new campaign launched yesterday. Lothian and Borders, Central Scotland and Fife Constabulary will work together in the latest phase of the successful ‘Made From Crime?’ initiative.

It is designed to make full use of the Proceeds of Crime Act, specific legislation that allows officers to seize assets that have been purchased through criminal activity, and the campaign asks communities throughout the East of Scotland to report their suspicions via Crimestoppers about those making money illegally through crimes.

People can voice their concerns over the the telephone, online using the secure Crimestoppers website or through specific facebook advertising that is geo-targeted to communities throughout the East of Scotland.

‘Made from Crime?’ is the only POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) initiative of its kind in Scotland, and has the backing of both the Scottish Government and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill joined Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, who will oversee the crime portfolio for the upcoming Police Service of Scotland, David Harvie (Director of Operations from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service) and Crimestoppers Chairman Bill Matthews to launch the campaign.

Monday’s launch marks an extension of the previous ‘Made From Crime?’ campaign which ran to huge success across the Lothian and Borders region in 2011 – during that phase of ‘Made from Crime?’ 44 people were arrested and charged in connection with POCA offences, and over £6.4 million of cash and assets were earmarked for seizure from criminals.

The joint working between Central Scotland Police, Fife Constabulary and Lothian and Borders Police comes in advance of the Police Service of Scotland launching on 1st April. These forces will join to form “East Command”, and will share services and resources.

Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “The launch of this campaign today sends out a strong message that the police in Scotland will not tolerate criminals profiting from crime. We know there are people living beyond their means on the proceeds of crime, be it through the purchase of flash cars, designer clothes or expensive jewellery, and that communities are suffering from the side affects of drug dealing, violence and other associated crimes.

” I would assure people who are trapped by those threatening them with violence or retribution, either associates or partners, that we will help them and tackle the violence and criminality they face. We will act on information and bring offenders to justice.

“Criminals don’t care or respect policing boundaries and it’s crucial that where they go, we go. This joined up working between Fife, Lothian and Borders and Central is the first step in stripping away the artificial barriers that force boundaries put up and tackling crime in a leaner, meaner and sharper way.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “‘Made From Crime?’ is a great initiative in the fight against organised crime and I welcome it being expanded across the east of Scotland. There should be no hiding place in our neighbourhoods for those who cash in on crime.

“More than £6.4 million worth of dirty money and assets was earmarked for seizure through the first phase and I look forward to this second phase building on that. The Proceeds of Crime Act in Scotland has allowed over £60 million to be recovered from criminals, and we are investing this money through the CashBack for Communities Programme to put that bad money to good use.

“With Lothian and Borders, Central and Fife joining forces to build on the progress made 12 months ago, the net is closing in on those responsible for crimes that cause serious harm to individuals and communities. With the public’s help, more of those profiting from crime should and will be firmly brought to justice.”

Director of Operations for Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service David Harvie said: “We know that organised criminals are ever more resourceful and we need to be one step ahead of them. To do that, we need to know what is happening on the ground. Law Enforcement and prosecutors can’t do that alone. Our biggest allies in this are the decent, hardworking people who see first hand the devastation that organised crime brings to communities and the profits made by those criminals from the misery of others. We have to make sure, together with one another and with the help of Scotland’s communities, that crime does not pay.”

Bill Matthews, Chairman of Crimestoppers said: “Crimestoppers are delighted to be playing a key role in ‘Made from Crime?’. As the charity celebrates its’ 25th anniversary, we are proud of our unblemished record in support of those who wish to report crime anonymously”.

Police

Get together to grow together

Edinburgh Garden Partners is a local charity that works with all Edinburgh City residents and aims help regardless of difficulties with health or wealth. They help those who have gardens but are unable to maintain them; the most common reasons are poor physical/mental health, struggling for time and lack of knowledge.  The charity supports individuals by helping them to find a volunteer gardener from the bank of volunteers it recruits.

Any matches made are mutually beneficial, the garden owner receives help to keep the garden tidy and attractive and the volunteer is allocated a place in the garden where they can grow vegetables and/or soft fruits. Both people involved in the match often share the fresh food and in time they will often begin to share good times together in and around the garden.

These matches have all sorts of benefits for those involved, such as increasing fitness, gaining gardening knowledge, decreasing social isolation and better connecting communities.

Edinburgh Garden Partners have many years of matching and supporting Edinburgh residents in garden sharing, they’ve shown it to be safe and an enjoyable way to grow food and maintain the garden.

Nancy is 89 years old and her husband 2 years her senior, their house has a large garden that was once full of flowers and vegetables. Five years ago they were forced to turf over the veg patch and scale back what flowers they were growing due to loss of mobility. For Nancy, this was a sad moment as she enjoyed fresh food and was proud of her productive garden.

It was a relief when she found that there was a specific service that could help. Edinburgh Garden Partners matched her with Abby, a woman who lived only a 15-minute walk away. Abby has been on the allotment waiting list for the last 3 years and she was keen to get started as soon as possible.

Now, Nancy and Abby often chat out in the garden and talk about how the crops are doing. Abby gets all the practical experience she needs to learn how to grow her own food and is confident that when she does get an allotment she’ll know where to start. For Nancy, she now has the joy of seeing her garden as she likes and enjoying the fresh tomatoes from it once again.

The charity currently has four partnerships in this part of Edinburgh and there are others looking for both gardens to grow in and for volunteers to help. If you’d like to volunteer your garden or your time then please call 0131 220 5067 or email info@edinburghgardenpartners.org.uk

Edinburgh Garden Partners

EGP logo

 

 

 

 

Edinburgh Reads is underway

Top authors will be visiting libraries across Edinburgh as part of the city’s Edinburgh Reads events. The spring 2013 programme, which runs until 2 May, will see a host of key figures from the literary world deliver talks and workshops in a number of city libraries.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Our popular Edinburgh Reads programme attracts a number of high profile and influential authors throughout the year and we’re delighted to once again present another fantastic line-up of events. It goes to show that libraries are not just places to borrow books but are also community hubs where people can come to be inspired and learn more about reading.”

 Some Programme Highlights:

Tues 22 January, 5.30-7.30pm, Tues 19 February, 5.30-7.30pm & Tues 19 March, 5.30-7.30pm, Muirhouse Library

 Muirhouse Library Writers Workshop

Join experienced workshop facilitator and writer Laura Brown and explore the world of creative writing. With a PHD in Creative writing, Laura and Ryan Van Winkle, (Edinburgh Libraries’ writer in residence) get your writing juices flowing!
To book a place call 0131 529 5528 or email muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Tues 19 February, 6.30 – 7.30pm, Central Library

 Firefighting in Edinburgh

Ian McMurtrie, retired Assistant Firemaster and Curator of the Museum of Fire, outlines the evolution of the Fire Brigade in Edinburgh.

Wed 27 February, 2-3pm, Stockbridge Library

 Christine de Luca – And Then Forever

 Christine De Luca, established Scottish poet and novelist writing in English and in Shetland Dialect, talks about and reads from her new novel – ‘And then Forever’.
To book a place call 0131 529 5665 or email stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk 2 weeks before the event.

Thurs 7 March, 7-8pm, Central Library

 Julie Davidson – ‘Looking for Mrs Livingstone’

 Award winning journalist, ex TV presenter and travel writer, Julie Davidson explores what really happened in the Livingstone marriage, and brings to life the real Mary Livingstone, forgotten by History, laid to rest in an obscure Mozambique grave.

 Sat 16 March, 3-4pm, Central Library

Kate Atkinson – ‘Life after Life’

Best selling local author, Kate Atkinson wonders “What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?” Her new novel, published this month, tells the story of Ursula Todd born during a snowstorm in England in 1910, but two parallel scenarios occur – in one, she dies immediately. In the other, she lives to tell the tale. As the possibility of having a second chance at life opens up, Ursula lives through the events of the twentieth century again and again….

Thurs 21 March, 7-8pm, Central Library

Louise Welsh and Regi Claire – a literary friendship

Writers Louise Welsh and Regi Claire both talk about their novels, ‘The Girl on the Stairs’ (April 2013), an uneasy, imaginative tale of Jane and Petra in Berlin anticipating the arrival of their baby, and ‘The Waiting’, another tale of two women- Rachel, a messed-up young Swiss PHD student and Lizzie Fairbairn, an elderly widow whose Edinburgh home she invades.

 Thurs 18 April, 7-8pm, Central Library

 Iain M Banks – ‘Hydrogen Sonata’

The Scavenger species are circling. The End Days beckon for the Gzilt civilization. Having made the collective decision to follow the well-trodden path of millions, they are going to Sublime, elevating themselves to a new and almost infinitely more rich and complex existence. It seems that the final days of the Gzilt civilization are likely to prove its most perilous.
Come hear local author Iain Banks talk about his new novel.

 Fri 19 April, 7-8pm, Central Library

 Turkish Writers come to town

 Turkish writers, Ahmet Ümit and Murat Mentes, visit Edinburgh as part of a British Council cultural exchange and celebration of Turkey in 2013 (part of the Cultural Programme of the Market Focus at the London Book Fair). Ahmet Ümit is a leading figure in Turkish crime writing and several of his novels have been adapted for screen and television. Murat Mentes is an up-and-coming young writer who writes thrillers (but with a definite strand of crime).
Both will explore the theme of the event- ‘Narratives of Crime in Fiction’ , and focus on the role of cities (Istanbul/Edinburgh) in the context of this theme.

 Tues 23 April, 6.30-8pm, Central Library

 Edinburgh Zoo – Celebrate 100 years!

It’s 100 years since Edinburgh Zoo opened its doors to the public. To celebrate this historic centenary, a guest speaker from Edinburgh Zoo will share stories about animals old and new, whilst looking to the future.

 Thurs 2 May, 7-8pm, Central Library

 Richard Holloway – ‘Leaving Alexandria’

 Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh, talks about his memoir ‘Leaving Alexandria’, his birthplace, and his journey through the meaning and purpose of religion. Compelling and intense, his erudite exploration of faith will not fail to move you, the story of one man’s exploration of ‘Christianity, a great work of the human imagination’.

 Tues 14 May, 6.30-8pm, Central Library

Edinburgh Zoo – Penguin Parade

 Colin Oulton and Jo Elliott, penguin keepers at Edinburgh Zoo, talk about the history of penguins at the Zoo, the world famous Penguin Parade, captive management techniques from the past to the present day, penguin conservation and research and much more.

 “There can be no doubt that the ‘crowning glory’ of the Zoological Park is its magnificent display of Antarctic penguins.” – Thomas Gillespie, founder of Edinburgh Zoo.

All events are free and tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 242 8100. Booking is essential for all events.

 Book sales and signings will be available at most Edinburgh Reads events.

Edinburgh_Reads_logo_hp_338x220[1]