This striking photo of Granton harbour was posted on twitter by one of the @EdinSpotlight team. It must have been a particularly photogenic day – they’ve taken lots of pictures which can be seen on their Facebook Page. You can find out more about Edinburgh Spotlight on their website here.
If you’d like to share a striking photo of North Edinburgh on the blog, please get in touch!
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following two bogus caller incidents in Marine Drive yesterday (Wednesday 27 February).
The first incident happened around 12.45am, when the suspect called at an address in Marine Drive and asked for a drink of water. She pushed her way into the premises and was given a drink, before leaving empty-handed.
The next incident happened ten minutes later, at another address in Marine Drive. This time, the suspect asked to use a phone to call a taxi, and was allowed into the premises. She appeared to use the phone, and then made her way to the homeowner’s bedroom where she began looking through several trinket boxes before leaving, again empty-handed.
The suspect is described as white, 28 to 35-years-old, 5ft 5ins tall, stocky build, with light brown hair, wearing a dark jacket with hood, and carrying a tan coloured handbag. She spoke with a local accent.
Detective Constable Gavin Watson, from Lothian and Borders Police, said: “While no items were stolen in these incidents, it is likely that the suspect had called at these addresses with the intention of stealing any items of value that she could. We want anyone who received a similar call at their home address yesterday to contact police, and if anyone recognises the description of the suspect then they should also get in touch.
“At this time we would urge anyone who receives an unsolicited call at their home address by anyone asking for access to the property to refuse, unless they are completely satisfied that the caller is genuine. Anyone who has any suspicions over the intentions of any cold caller should contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 101, or Crimestoppers and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
The Take the Test Roadshow aimed at raising awareness of bowel cancer and highlighting the benefits of screening to people in Lothian will visit Asda in Newhaven today from 9am to 5pm.
The tour will also highlight the importance of screening to fans attending the Hearts v Motherwell football match at Tynecastle on 2 March and the Hibernian v Inverness CT at Easter Road Stadium on 30 March.
The nation-wide, 34-stop tour will roll into locations across Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign to encourage people between the ages of 50 and 74 to participate in the Scottish Bowel Screening programme.
Although almost 4,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Scotland, just over half (54.5 per cent) of those who are eligible to participate in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme every two years, actually do the test.
Currently, take-up of bowel screening in Lothian is 52.4 per cent, so more people need to understand the benefits of participation in the programme.
A new campaign includes a TV advert featuring the voice of Still Game star Ford Kiernan to highlight that bowel cancer is the third most common strain of the disease in Scotland. The campaign carries the message ‘Bowel Cancer. Don’t Take A Chance. Take The Test’ to highlight the fact that bowel cancer is a ‘hidden’ cancer, because the early signs are often not visible.
The Detect Cancer Early tour will offer help and advice to people in Lothian on how to take the test and staff will be available to answer any questions around the disease. An interactive presentation will be on site to allow local people to view the new advert and to help illustrate the bowel cancer screening test. Roadshow staff will also give away toilet shaped air fresheners and mini toilet tissue packs to encourage local people to pass on the message to their friends and relatives.
Dr Dermot Gorman, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian said: “Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Scotland and especially when detected at an early stage, it’s highly treatable – nine out of ten people survive if it’s caught early.
“The signs of bowel cancer including blood in the bowel motion, can be unnoticeable and the screening programme is the best way to detect this. We would urge everyone between 50 to 74 years old to find out more about the benefits of taking the bowel screening test and to participate every two years.
“It’s important to break down some of the taboos around the private nature of bowel cancer and we welcome the Detect Cancer Early Roadshow to Lothian. This will help to raise awareness about this important public health issue.”
While the Screening Programme remains the best way to detect bowel cancer you should never ignore changes to your health. Local people are advised to make an appointment with their GP if they spot any unusual or persistent changes to their bowel movements, even in between screenings.
For information on the screening programme, contact the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833 or visit www.bowelscreeningtest.org
Residents from Port of Leith’s Jameson Place sheltered housing complex and pupils from St Mary’s Primary school have been treated to a play presented by Citadel Arts Group. ‘Granny was a Rock Star’, written by Jim Brown, highlights the importance of recycling and community responsibility.
The cast of Andrea McKenzie (wee Donny), Iona Soper (her big sister Sandy) and Corinne Harris (Kath, the former rock star) raised laughter and tears in this heart-warming play.
St. Mary’s P5 pupils will now go on to explore some of the play’s themes. Working with Citadel Arts Group, the children will devise their own play and perform it for the Jameson Place residents after Easter.
Liz Hare Artistic Director at Citadel Arts Group, said: “The play looked at exploring green issues in a fun and informative way. The pupils liked the songs and thought it was a great way of getting across important issues. We’re very much looking forward to working with the pupils and helping them come up with their own play.”
Elaine Edwards, Scheme Co-ordinator at the Port of Leith Housing Association’s Jameson Place Sheltered Housing Complex, said: “It is a nice treat for the residents to have a fun-filled afternoon and there was a lot of laughter. The children are also so good, always polite and helpful. It means a lot to the tenants here.”
The project is funded by Foundation Scotland, Leith Benevolent and Age Scotland.
How could your local neighbourhood be improved? You can express your views on priorities for West Pilton and West Granton at an informal event organised by Forth Neighbourhood Partnership this evening.
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre is the venue and the event runs from 6 – 8pm.
Are you a carer living in North West Edinburgh? Do you know all the benefits you, or the person you care for, may be entitled to claim – or do you find the whole benefits maze too complicated and confusing? Well, help is at hand!
North West Carers Centre will be holding free advice surgeries at their base in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on the second Tuesday of every month – next one is 12 March.
So if you’d like advice on what you, or the person you support, can claim or some help with completing forms call the Carers Centre on 315 3130 to make an appointment.
Drylaw Telford Community Council will meet on Wednesday 27 February at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. Main items on this month’s agenda are the Thomas Tierney Award and a possible new website for the organisation. All welcome.
AGENDA:
1 Welcome (Chair)
2 Attendees
3 Apologies for Absence.
4 Minutes of the last meeting (30th January 2013) & matters arising.
5 Reports :-
• Police Report.
• Councillors Report.
• Treasurer’s Report.
• EDRA (Easter Drylaw Residents Association).
5a INP Action Groups:
• Clean, Green & Safe.
• Health & Leisure.
• Neighbourhood Environment Project.
6 Thomas Tierney Award (Selection of 2012 recipient)
7 Website for DTCC?
8 Any other Business.
9 Date of Next Meeting (27th March 2013).
An eighteen year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged robberies from people who posted items for sale online.
The man was held by police investigating a series of alleged incidents at McDonald’s car park off Telford Road, where three people have had electrical goods stolen after arranging to meet a “buyer”.
The man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.
Stockbridge Primary School pupils ‘took a step in 2013’ with Lord Provost Donald Wilson and Scotmid’s Malcolm Brown to mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight yesterday.
Running from Monday 25 February until Sunday 10 March, the campaign will see a series of themed events taking place across the city, including food and drink tastings, talks, presentations, fairs, fetes and the presentation of the Lord Provost’s Fair Trade Awards 2013.
Fairtrade Fortnight brings together consumers, retailers, licensees, businesses, producers and campaigners nationwide to promote awareness and sales of Fairtrade products and to campaign on issues of trade justice.
The theme this year is ‘Take a Step in 2013’, encouraging shoppers to go further by supporting Fairtrade farmers and workers by purchasing products with the FAIRTRADE Mark or encourage their local shop, school, church or even MP to do the same.
Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “The packed programme of events planned for the next two weeks is testament to how far Fairtrade Fortnight in Edinburgh has come since we were awarded Fairtrade status in 2004. Through this campaign and the Lord Provost’s Fairtrade Awards we are aiming to encourage more and more people to become ethical shoppers while also recognising the fantastic contribution that individuals and businesses are making to fair trade throughout Edinburgh.”
Scotmid Co-operative hosted the launch in their Raeburn Place store and will be promoting Fairtrade with local schools and supporting a range of community events over the coming fortnight.
Malcolm Brown, Head of Corporate Communications for Scotmid Co-operative said: “Fairtrade Fortnight is all about raising awareness of the difference we can make to millions of people in developing countries by simply supporting Fairtrade. Scotmid is proud to have been a champion of Fairtrade for many years. This fortnight we’ll be giving talks at local schools, holding Fairtrade events in our stores and supporting many other initiatives to educate people of all ages about why Fairtrade is so important.”
Local activists joined HND Contemporary Arts students from Edinburgh College Granton Campus and North Edinburgh Social Hostory Group members for an arts and activism workshop at North Edinburgh Arts earlier this week. Full report to follow, but see below for some images of the event:
