Festive period bin collection and recycling arrangements

For the majority of Edinburgh households there will be no change to collection dates for green wheelie bins, food waste bins and red and blue boxes over the festive period, but there will be no collections on Christmas Day (Wednesday 25 December) or New Year’s Day (Wednesday 1 January).

Collections for households whose bins or recycling boxes were due to be picked up on these dates have been rescheduled for Saturday 28 December and Saturday 4 January respectively.

Residents are reminded that bins and boxes must be on the kerbside by 6am ready for collection.

There will be no special uplifts between Tuesday 24 December and Tuesday 7 January. Normal service will resume on Tuesday 7 January.

Christmas Tree recycling

Residents will once again be able to recycle their real Christmas trees at the kerbside this year, no matter where they live.

Those with a brown bin or who live in a brown bin area should place their Christmas tree beside their bin at the kerbside by 6am on their next garden waste collection day (collection days can be checked by entering an address or by postcode at www.greenboxday.co.uk).

Residents in non-brown bin areas can place their tree beside their communal rubbish bin on designated collection dates during January – check our website (www.edinburgh.gov.uk/recycle) or call 0131 529 3030 to see when we are collecting in your area.

To enable trees to be recycled, residents are reminded:

– To remove all decorations from the Christmas tree
– To remove stands from trees
– To please cut the tree in half if it is 6ft tall or more
– Not to place trees in plastic bags, as this means we cannot recycle them

Christmas trees can also be recycled at any of Edinburgh’s three Community Recycling Centres. Please note these will be closed to the public on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Convener, said: “I’m delighted that thanks to all staff working together to deliver the service, we’ve been able to put in place very clear collection arrangements, with only two days without scheduled collections in the whole festive period. I’m sure residents are as pleased as I am that this has been made possible this year.

“Whether they put it on the kerbside next to their brown bin, take it to a Community Recycling Centre or leave it out for collection beside communal bins on the designated day, people can ensure that their real Christmas tree is recycled once the festive season is over.

“Much of the rubbish we produce at this time of year is recyclable, like cardboard and wrapping paper, so please take advantage of our recycling facilities as much as you can.

“Remember to check our website over the festive period for any possible changes to collections if the weather is bad.”

Waste and recycling collections may be subject to change in the event of severe weather. For more information on what to do if services are disrupted due to bad weather, visit the city council’s  severe weather pages.

For further information, residents can visit Recycling and collections or phone 0131 529 3030.

Calendars for 2014 collections now online

Calendars are now online for 2014 domestic waste and recycling collections. Collection days are the same as in 2013. As well as accessing the information online, residents can order a copy by phone on 0131 529 3030.

Red and blue collection days – which are also staying the same – can be checked at www.greenboxday.co.uk.

Stockbridge Market’s hot, hot hot!

Hot news just in from Stockbridge Market:

‘We got the park lit up just like Princes Street ( Stockbridge Market in collaboration with Community Council, SOS Stockbridge and Edinburgh Council

 and

‘We are number 61 in the List’s Hot 100  list of Scotland’s 100 hottest individuals and groups who’ve made a splash this year, from comic book writers to comedians, artists to actors. If they’ve contributed to Scotland’s cultural landscape in 2013, you’ll find them here!

How many other farmers markets have achieved this?’

Warm congratulations, Stockbridge Market!

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BDA’s top five tips for a healthy festive season

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Okay folks!  It’s that time of year again.  You’ve got your perfect party gear hanging in the wardrobe, your social diary has never been so full, every night there’s another party to go to (but you’re recording Strictly on Saturdays as you can’t miss that!) and you’re good to go for another month of Christmas partying!

Christmas is the party highlight for many of us and chances are you have been good in the run-up to December because you want to eat and drink a bit more than usual.  That’s normal, but just a word of warning, without wanting to dampen the festivities: the Christmas season is notorious for unexpected weight gain.

It is believed and accepted by many that the average person may eat an estimated 500 additional calories (kcal) a day over the Christmas season, resulting in a possible weight gain of 5lb.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA), founded in 1936, is the professional association for dietitians in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with over 7,000 members.

 The BDA lists the top five tips to enjoying the festive party season while maintaining a healthy balance and a healthy body:

Eat hearty before the party!

Decide whether to fill up on food of your choice, or run the risk of a limited choice at the buffet table, usually consisting of fat-filled stodgy offerings like quiche, sausage rolls, pastries and deep-fried samosas, with copious amounts of mayo-enhanced dips.  Have something hearty, healthy and filling before you make your grand entrance, such as veg soup, low-fat hummus with oatcakes, fresh fruit and wholegrain cereal or a yogurt-based smoothie.  Also, this avoids drinking on an empty stomach and you won’t have to worry about spilling food over your best Christmas outfit!

Step to it!

If driving to your party, park a little further away and enjoy a brisk winter walk to the party, if you feel it’s safe to do so.  Not only will the walk be a good way to get a little exercise, it will also get the blood coursing through your veins and will inject you with a burst of energy.  Driving to the party also means you will avoid those calorific alcohol drinks and cocktails, but keep an eye on those soft drinks too as they can contain a lot of added sugar.  Go for a diet version if you can or add fizzy water to dilute juices and cordials.

Festive Fizz!

Noddy Holder and Slade are still being blasted at every single party you go to (please stop!!!).  Don’t let this, and that Mariah Carey offering, drive you to drink! Those inviting festive brightly-coloured cocktails are often full of added sugar, cream and hangover favourites, ‘congeners’ (mostly found in darker spirits like whisky and rum).  If you decide to drink try sticking to a refreshing white wine spritzer (less alcohol and fewer calories) and alternate your alcoholic drink with water, low calorie soft drinks or unsweetened fruit juice mixed with fizzy water.

Fill Your Festive Boots!

If you decide to eat at the party, go for the more healthy options, such as skinless chicken, salads without dressing, vegetable crudités with hummus.  Try to avoid creamy dips, mayo-loaded salads and fried foods, and the pastry offerings that will be in abundance.  Step away from temptation, visit only once and use a small dessert-sized plate.

Get Your Groove On!

Get those shoes to boogie the night away.  Hit the floor and bust some moves to all the Christmas classics such as Shakin’ Stevens, the Pogues featuring Kirsty McColl, East 17 and, undoubtedly, more Slade and Mariah!!!  Dancing is a great way of burning calories and it is also the perfect distraction from drinking and eating more.  Just remember to drink lots of water throughout the night to maintain your disco dancing prowess.

Giving her views on the Christmas party season, Sian Porter, consultant dietitians and BDA spokesperson said: “For many of us, myself included, the Christmas party season is the highlight of the year.  Not only is it a time of fun and celebration, it is often a time when we meet up with loved ones and family members that we have not seen all year.  However, with all the fun and partying it is really easy to lose track of all the extra calories we are eating.  Indeed, what fitted a treat on the 1st of December can become a little snug by the end of the month.

“It’s not about pouring water over the fun and festivities, it’s just about being a little mindful of what we consume during this festive season.  However you decide to approach the Christmas party season, the British Dietetic Association wishes everybody a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2014!”

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The most precious gift of all …

With Christmas less than two weeks away and still so much to do, it’s easy to forget the really important things – like giving blood.

So if you’re a blood donor, don’t forget to give the most precious gift of all over the holiday period. Grandad’s new slipppers can wait!

Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre
41 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9HB
Telephone: 0845 90 90 999
www.scotblood.co.uk/edinburgh 

View map and directions to donor centre

Opening Times:

Monday 10am – 4pm
Tuesday: 12pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday: 12pm – 7.30pm
Thursday: 12pm – 7.30pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday: 10am – 1pm
santas-from-across-the-country-are-lining-up-to-deliver-this-years-must-have-gift-136385577857514201

 

TRIM’s stamp of approval for Epilepsy Scotland

Local group wants your used postage stamps

Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) are collecting used postage stamps to support charity Epilepsy Scotland.

TRIM chairman Robert Pearson said: “We are always willing to do what we can to help different charities, this time epilepsy Scotland needs our help.

“They need your stamps from Christmas cards and letters, so when you get your mail and it has a stamp on if, please simply cut around it leaving a one inch border and hand them in to the community shop on Pennywell Road. The more Epilepsy Scotland receive the more cash they will get – whether it’s first class, second class or pack stamps, they will accept them all.”

stampo

 

Open Studio event at Bongo Club

Creative Electric are hosting The Open Studio on Wednesday 18 December from 7.30 – 9.30pm at The Bongo Club and we’d love to see you there!
Our Open Studio’s are an opportunity for young and emerging artists aged 16-25 to come together to create and share new work. We have a programme of work which will take place throughout the building, in both of our studio’s, the toilets and the downstairs bar.
Materials and stimulus will be left out for you to create work on the night and results can be shared in the Electric photobooth. Further details on the programme are on the attached flyer.
Entry is by donation/pay what you can afford.
RSVP on Facebook:
Cheers
Heather
Dec Open Studio

Forthcoming attractions at West Pilton

Table Top Sale A4 December 2013

Tea Dance 20 dec 2013

Come on down to West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre to take part in two special events this month:

Thursday 19 December 11 – 3pm

TABLE TOP SALE

Do you have items in your cupboards you don’t want any more?

Then book a table at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre’s Table Sale!

If you are looking for something extra for Christmas then come along and browse the stalls

Soup, tea and coffee will also be on sale

Tables are £2 and can be booked by calling into the Centre or phone Linda on 0131 551 3194

Friday 20 December 1 – 3.30pm

CHRISTMAS TEA DANCE 

Come and join in the festive fun with live music, dancing, singing, tea, coffee and mince pies

Tickets only £1

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh

Tel:  0131 551 3194WPNC

 

 

Bogus workmen alert

Police in North Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following two bogus caller incidents in the area this week.

An 84-year-old woman was within her home on Bellevue Road on Monday (9 December) at around 10am when two men called at the door offering to carry out maintenance on the property.

After agreeing a fee with the occupants, one of the men left to get equipment while the other man followed the lady into her back garden to retrieve an item.

On going back into the house the victim stopped to lock the backdoor while the man went out into the front. She realised at that time that her purse had been stolen and both men had disappeared.

Both men are described as white, Scottish, with a local accent, around 50 years old, with an average build and 6ft tall. One of the men had a full beard.

In the second incident, an 85-year-old woman was at her home in Davidson Mains on Tuesday (10 December) at around 3.30pm when a man arrived at her door asking if she needed any gardening done. When she refused, the suspect asked if he could come in while waiting for someone. She agreed and whilst in the kitchen area the suspect is believed to have taken her handbag and gone back outside.

The suspect is described as having a tanned complexion, aged late 20’s to early 30’s, possibly sporting a moustache or facial stubble and spoke with a local accent. He was  wearing a dark winter hat, dark jacket and dark trousers.

Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness from Police Scotland said: “The elderly occupants have been left very upset after having their belongings stolen from within their house. Anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Belleview or Davidson Mains area of the city is asked to contact police immediately.

“Bogus workmen normally prey on the most vulnerable members of the community, particular the elderly and our communities are asked to be vigilant for people calling at the doors of neighbours, friends and loved ones.

“Similarly, all members of the public are advised to check the identification of anyone attending at their address seeking to carry out work. If they are not happy with the callers they should refuse them entry and phone the police”.

Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland 101, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

All welcome at PYCP Open Afternoon

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Christmas is always a busy time at Pilton Youth and Children’s Project, but this year, as well as the usual Christmas parties for different age groups (see below) PYCP are also hosting an Open Afternoon for the wider community to enjoy.

On Friday 20 December we’re promised special performances, Christmas storytelling, food and fun so PYCP’s Green house is the place to be from 12.30 – 2.30pm! All welcome.

PYCP parties