This year’s West Pilton and Muirhouse Gala, which takes place on Sunday 30 June, will feature a procession and gala court.
The procession will include local groups, schools, nurseries, a marching band plus much more. The procession will start leave Craigroyston Primary School at 11:45am and parade through the streets of Muirhouse and West Pilton to arrive at West Pilton Park at 12pm.
For more information on all things Gala email wpmcgala@gmail.com
Care Information Scotland helps Scots to be ‘Prepared to Care’
The theme for this year’s National Carers Week (June 10 – 16) is ‘Prepared to Care’. It is designed to raise awareness of issues that affect both carers and the people they look after, to highlight the help that is available and to illustrate the impact that caring can have on an individual and the family.
Care Information Scotland is a telephone and web service providing information about care services for older people living inScotland. It is there to help carers when making important decisions about care needs, both now and in the future.
Marcia Rankin, Head of Health & Care Information Services at NHS 24 explains how the service can help: “As National Carers Week highlights, there are many challenges that people face when thinking about caring for someone. If it’s an older relative, friend or neighbour then Care Information Scotland can help with facts about getting care needs assessed, what options there are for providing care at home or alternatives like supported housing and care homes.”
Care InformationScotland also signposts to services and support to help unpaid carers, and an overview of an individuals rights. Marcia Rankin says it’s important that people plan for care needs, understand their options and really do feel ‘prepared to care’: “There are many choices and options to help meet care needs and the more information people have then the better able they are to make the right decisions.
“This information and more is available on www.careinfoscotland.co.ukor if you would prefer to talk to someone, you can call the helpline on 08456 001 001 8am – 10pm seven days a week (calls charges may vary depending on your service provider). Whatever your question about care, Care Information Scotland is a good place to start.”
May was far from being a merry month for Edinburgh’s criminals, as Police Sotland report …
Several people have been arrested and charged in connection with a number of alleged housebreakings and attempted housebreakings across Edinburgh last month. Officers from the city’s Community Investigation Units (CIUs) conducted enquiries following various reports of break-ins and thefts from addresses throughout the city during May.
The CIUs were formed following the launch of Police Scotland to investigate a range of offences, which impact upon our communities and as a result of their enquiries several incidents have now been solved.
On Wednesday 8 May officers responded to an address in Drylaw Crescent, where various goods had been stolen from inside. A 16-year-old youth was subsequently identified and charged in connection with this crime.
Officers were next alerted to two attempted break-ins at newsagents in Great Junction Street and Newkirkgate, which happened on Thursday 9 May. Forensic investigation was carried out at each premises and a 34-year-old man was charged in connection with both incidents.
A Citroen C1 car was then stolen along with a laptop from a property in Wemyss Place Mews on Tuesday 28 May and the North and Central CIU carried out local enquiries to identify those responsible. As a result, two males aged 18 and 33 were arrested and charged before pleading guilty in court.
A 26-year-old man has also been charged following a break-in at a property in Lorne Street on Thursday 30th when jewellery and electronic items worth a four-figure sum were taken. All goods have since been recovered and returned to the rightful owner.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Cunningham said: “Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and recognises that crimes such as housebreakings, antisocial behaviour and drug offences have a serious impact on our communities. As such, our Community Investigation Units were formed to provide a focused and targeted approach to addressing these issues and bringing those responsible for offences of this nature to justice.
“The recent results of the unit have been good – however, we cannot be complacent and will continue to robustly investigate whenever a crime is reported. Similarly, we will maintain our commitment to community engagement and crime prevention through sustained dialogue with Edinburgh’s residents and businesses – offering advice and guidance on appropriate security measures wherever they are required.”
Dogs die in hot cars
Can you imagine the horror of returning to your car to find your beloved pet dog boiled alive? The Scottish SPCA is urging pet owners not to leave their dogs in hot cars, warning they are risking their animals’ lives by doing so. Concerned members of the public have been contacting the charity’s animal helpline after seeing distressed dogs left in cars during the recent spell of warm weather.
The Scottish SPCA is keen to remind people that leaving a dog in a warm vehicle for even a short period of time can have serious consequences for both the dog and the owner. A 53 year old man from the Glasgow area has already been cautioned this year under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 with causing two dogs unnecessary suffering after leaving them in a hot vehicle. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We run this campaign every summer but some owners simply are not getting the message and we fear that they don’t fully appreciate the dangers they are putting their animals in. Many people might not realise that even on warm, cloudy days, cars can effectively turn into ovens and dogs can overheat in minutes. Leaving a window open and providing water is not enough. Being left inside a hot vehicle causes dogs to pant to try to cool down and this can lead to severe dehydration and hyperventilation which is extremely dangerous.
“Most people know what it’s like to get into a car after it’s been sitting in the sun. It’s unbearable and we immediately roll down the windows or turn on the air conditioning. Imagine being trapped inside a hot vehicle wearing a fur coat for minutes, possibly hours, and you are some way to understanding how dogs in hot cars feel.”
The charity is urging owners to leave their animals at home in warm weather rather than taking them on a car journey, stressing that dogs have previously died in Scotland as a result of being left in hot cars.
CS Flynn added: “We aren’t scaremongering. Sadly, we have dealt with cases where dogs’ body temperatures have increased to such a point they have effectively been boiled alive from the inside. The suffering they endured would have been horrendous and what’s even worse is these tragedies were entirely avoidable. Our advice is to leave dogs at home on warm days if they are going to be left in the car for any period of time as it is simply not worth the risk.
“Owners should ensure that their dogs have fresh water available at all times and that there is adequate ventilation in the room. When dogs are kept outdoors, shelter should be provided so they can escape the heat of the sun. Causing an animal unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence and anyone found guilty of doing so can be fined and banned from owning animals. However, there would be no greater punishment than an owner returning to their car to find their dog has died a horrific death due to their own ignorance.”
Scottish SPCA posters highlighting the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars are available to be displayed in local communities. To request copies please phone the charity’s Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 and
select option 5.
Alternatively, email info@scottishspca.org, providing the address you wish your posters to be sent to and the number you wish to receive.
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre’s annual general meeting will be held in the Centre on Friday (14 June) at midday. The AGM – and business plan launch – will be followed by a sponsored walk to raise funds for the Centre’s summer playscheme. All welcome.
Usually, community groups and voluntary organisations are up in arms over council cuts to services in their area. However one Muirhouse man is on the warpath over a lack of cuts!
TRIM (Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse) member Robert Pearson has written to the local council team to demand action over the state of local green spaces – weeds, long grass and the general state of the area.
He said: “Yet again I feel it necessary to email you regarding Muirhouse, I am absolutely fed up with the way Muirhouse is being left to rot by you, Edinburgh City Council. It was you who caused the area to fall apart in the first place and now you are leaving us in a mess.”
He goes on: “Back in March this year local children join the Centipede project and planted over 2000 bulbs which spelt Muirhouse Is Home (pictured below). It looked fantastic, the children loved it and it was never vandalised. Unfortunately we are not able to see it anymore as the grass and weeds have taking over the place. Walking around the estate the green areas are all overgrown and basically in a mess; why is this happening again? Does this happen elsewhere in the city? Or does it just happen in the forgotten estate?”
North Neighbourhood Team Business Manager Mandy Rudden said she has requested information from her Regeneration and Task Force colleagues and will update Robert when this has been received.
Local residents and organisations have given the thumbs-up to council plans to improve Leith Walk. Ambitious plans would see upgrades and improvements along the full 2.2km length of the famous Leith thoroughfare.
Following a comprehensive public consultation earlier this year, the Council announced it would be seeking additional funding from the Scottish Government in order to give Leith Walk the best possible revamp.
At a 6 June meeting in McDonald Road Library, an enhanced design – which would make the thoroughfare more cycle and pedestrian-friendly – was presented by the Leith Programme team to local residents, business leaders and community groups.
Features of the enhanced scheme include:
Given the scope of this new design and the need to obtain a Traffic Regulation Order to implement the changes, stakeholders were advised that opting for the enhanced design would affect the timescale.
For anyone wishing to view the designs in detail and speak to the project team about any aspect of the programme, a drop in session will be held at
McDonald Road Library on Tuesday 23 July, from 2 – 8pm.
Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It was very useful for us to be able to present this potential enhanced design for Leith Walk to local stakeholders tonight. It prompted a lot of interesting debate and we are pleased that there was such overwhelming support for the plans from those present.”
Sustrans Scotland Director, John Lauder, said: “Sustrans Scotland wants to see Leith Walk reach its full potential as a busy, vibrant shopping and residential street. In order to achieve this aim, the City of Edinburgh Council, in partnership with ourselves, has put forward an ambitious proposal to Transport Scotland for the full 2.2km length of the street.
“Sustrans strongly backs the features of this ‘enhanced design’ for Leith Walk, including the addition of new crossing points, wider pavements and better cycle lane provision. We now call on the Scottish Government to carefully consider the Council’s ‘enhanced design’ proposal and fully back its implementation.”
Keith Hales, Vice Chairman of the Leith Business Association, who attended the meeting, said: “This is a massive improvement on what we thought the designs were going to be and we will be commending the designs to the membership.”
Charlotte Encombe, Chair of Greener Leith, said: “Greener Leith welcomes the improvements shown in these exciting new draft designs for Leith Walk, which will give pedestrians and cyclists a vastly improved public realm and help to revitalise the economy of the area. We are also delighted that officers and councillors have included local people’s priorities for the street and have made real changes to the design. We look forward to collaborating on the detail of the designs as the project moves forward.”
YOUth Decide!
The next meeting of Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership, which takes place at 1.30pm on Friday (14 June) at Broughton High School, will be focused on the young people of Inverleith.
Anyone living in Inverleith aged under 18 years is invited to send us your thoughts on small projects that might improve the neighbourhood for young people, and those present will vote on favourites. The NP will then look at ways of finding the resources or funding to make it happen!
Please send us your ideas and come along on the day to cast your vote. The day will also include entertainment from pupils and information stalls.
Download proposal form and guidance or complete online form here
New taster video of Bike Track at Gypsy Brae http://youtu.be/S8gMmqz6Yng worth a watch (better with sound)
Volunteer Days coming up at Gypsy Brae:
Monday 10 June – 9am – 5pm – TOMORROW !!!
Monday 17 June – 9am – 5pm
Launch Saturday 22 June 1-4pm
Races, refreshments, side stalls
Jonny Kinross
Social Enterprise Manager www.myadventure.org.uk
Office: 0131 332 7132 Direct: 0131 208 3321
M: 07794 467 351 F: 0871 528 4830
As some of you know we are planning to develop an Active Lives Forum.
The forum will enable better link working between organisations in the local area, help us to avoid duplication and enable us to support each other in terms of developing physical activity in Greater Pilton.
The first meeting is due to take place on
Wednesday 19 June 2-4pm at Pilton Community Health Project
It would be great to see you or someone from your organisation there. The aim of the first meeting is to explore what people think the forum should look like, identify its primary aims/objectives and to start the process of building relationships.
Some local people who took part in our project review would also like to take the opportunity to present the findings; these include some very novel and interesting ideas!
Please get back to us by Tuesday 18 June to confirm your attendance at the meeting if possible and please circulate to anyone else you think might have an interest or would benefit from being involved in the forum.
Lianne Pipskyj
Physical Activity Project Coordinator, Pilton Community Health Project
0131 551 1671
