Urban Resort update

The site’s been cleared, and work on the DeVere Hotel and Urban Resort at Crewe Toll will soon be underway.

The company’s Chief Executive Robert Cook said:

“Demolitions have started in preparation for building to commence on our Edinburgh site – a new Village Urban Resort at Crewe Toll on the site of the old Telford College. It will have 120 bedrooms and 20,000 sq ft of leisure including a 20m pool, full cardio gym and studios for spinning and pilates.

“We’ll have a seven bedroom spa called Viva Urban Spa and a full-blown meetings and events facility with the ability to do weddings for up to 200 people. The food and beverage element will include Starbucks and a chop and ale house, which is fundamentally a large gastro pub with a sports element (plasma screens), counter dining and a theatre kitchen.”

The Crewe Toll development will be De Vere’s first in Scotland. Mr Cook went on: “Edinburgh is without doubt one of the strongest markets in the UK. It’s a 52 weeks of the year market with very busy summers and good corporate business. Our analysis of the particular location we chose showed a need for a health and fitness facility for 3,500 to 4,000 members, and making our food and beverage work will be a particular side of that.

“Typically 60% of our business comes from within a three-mile radius of the hotel. We’re in a strong position with the Western General Hospital up the road and it’s a good base to create something for the community around the hotel.”

The Urban Resort on Crewe Road South will open next year.

Exam pass rates ‘best ever’

Standard Grade and Higher results at record levels

The nervous wait is over – the 2013 exam results were published today, and Scotland’s school pupils have excelled themselves with great grades.

Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance has congratulated the 151,000 candidates who sat exams this year, and has also emphasised that help is available for those who hadn’t achieved what they’d hoped for.

Key results show:

Overall pass rate for Advanced Highers increased by two percentage points to 82.1 per cent
Overall pass rate for Highers increased by 0.5 percentage points to 77.4 per cent
Overall pass rates for Intermediate levels one and two increased to 77.8 and 81.8 per cent respectively
Overall pass rate for Standard Grades increased by 0.1 percentage points to 98.9 per cent
Overall pass rates for Access levels two and three increased to 71 and 93.6 per cent respectively.

Ms Constance said:

“The wait for tens of thousands of Scotland’s pupils and their families is finally over, and I am delighted that so many have come out with strong grades, leaving them well positioned for whatever they choose to do next. The exam pass rates are building on a solid record of achievement, meaning that today is a time for celebration. Record pass rates in a set of rigorously assessed exams confirm Scotland’s strong record in attainment and I wish the class of 2013 the very best of luck in their next steps, be it another year in school, or moving on to college, university, training or employment.

“For those young people out there who haven’t got what they had hoped for, did even better, or who are simply unsure what to do next, there is help available. The Skills Development Scotland exam results helpline on 0808 100 8000 offers dedicated advice on potential next steps. We have guaranteed every 16 to 19 year old the offer of a place in education or training, and I am working hard to ensure as many employers as possible are making young people their business in the ongoing difficult economic climate.

“Standard Grades have served our young people well for their academic and working lives since the 1980s. However, the introduction of National 4 and 5 courses next year are a fundamental part of Curriculum for Excellence, meaning that young Scots will be better prepared than ever to succeed in learning, life and work.”

Edinburgh’s schools shared in the national success story, enjoying a double-digit increase in the number of students scoring passes in their Highers.

City council education leader Councillor Paul Godzik said: “Early indications from the SQA exam results show that 2013 has been another really positive year for all our pupils, and I’m delighted by all their successes. Our pupils should be very proud of themselves, too – all their hard work has certainly paid off.”

Tony urges councillors: support the NEN!

North Edinburgh News’ senior and most enthusiastic contributor Tony Delahoy has written to councillors urging them to back the NEN.

In his letter, Tony (pictured below) – who celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year – said:

‘Since the funding of our local monthly newspaper stopped it has been a tremendous struggle to produce some editions.

It now seems likely publication will have to cease unless the Council reinstates funding.

It is important that people know what is happening and have a say in what is happening in their areas, building a confidence in their community.

The Council policy of greater involvement of the population in helping to decide issues of concern will benefit.

The value to the Council in maintaining this means of communication by reinstating funding cannot be overestimated.’

Who’s your health hero?

Celebrating Success Awards- Health Hero category open!

NHS Lothian’s Celebrating Success Awards mark the inspiring and truly amazing work that takes place across health services in Lothian each day.

The Health Hero category encourages the people of Lothian to get involved. This is an opportunity for you to nominate for a health care worker or team who has been exceptional in their line of work. It may be someone who has constantly provided help to others or it may be someone that has made a positive change to a patient’s life. This is your chance to say thank you.

All shortlisted entries will be invited to attend an evening award ceremony, where our winners will be presented with their award by our special guest.

This year’s ceremony will be held on 24th October.

We are looking for someone who:

Is constantly supportive and helpful to others
Goes the extra mile
Is outstanding in what they do
Is approachable to both patients, colleagues and others
Professional in their line of work
Focuses on patients’ needs
Shows genuine understanding and care for patients.

If you know someone who you think is your Health Hero then nominate them by completing the nomination form and submiting it by email to:

celebrating.success@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

or by post to:

Celebrating Success Team

NHS Lothian, 2nd Floor, Waverley Gate,

2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EG.

Tips for writing your nomination:

If you are completing this form by hand, please use block capitals
You can submit as many nominations as you wish – please use a separate form for each entry
Please provide your contact details.

Deadline for all nominations must be received by 30th August 2013

For further information call 0141 578 1779.