08/09/2014 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Community Empowerment Bill: what’s it all about?

The Scottish Government is currently consulting on the Community Empowerment Bill and Granton Improvement Society have organised a public meeting to explain the Bill and how it affects communities.

The Scottish Government’s objectives are:

1. Empower community bodies through the ownership of land and building and strengthening their voices in the decisions that matter to them, and

2. Support an increase in the pace and scale of Public Service Reform by cementing the focus on achieveing outcomes and improving the process of community planning

An ‘easy-read’ version of the Bill can be found below.

The Community Empowerment Bill public meeting will take place

this Thursday (11 September) at 7pm

in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North.

Speaker will be Angus Hardie, Director of Scottish Community Alliance

Come and have your say about community assets – all welcome!

Empowerment Bill easy read

Read between the lines and help to prevent suicide

Read between the lines – that’s the message being promoted by the City of Edinburgh Council during National Suicide Prevention Week.

Two lives a day in Scotland are lost to suicide and the awareness week, which runs from today (Monday September 8), reaches out to the people close to those who are at risk.

Events to raise awareness will take place in shopping centres, libraries and neighbourhood offices in a bid to urge Edinburgh residents to help those who may be suicidal. As well as information stalls, a free showing of A Single Man starring Colin Firth is being held at the Filmhouse on Lothian Road on Wednesday (10 September).

The “read between the lines” campaign promotes the message that if you are worried about someone asking them how they feel can help to save their life – even if they say that they are feeling fine.

Activities kicked off at the weekend with the Choose Life Challenge five-a-side football tournament at Gracemount Leisure Centre. A church service for people whose lives have been touched by suicide took place yesterday in the Augustine United Church.

Councillor Ricky Henderson, Convener of Health, Social Care and Housing, said: “Talking to someone about suicide can make the difference between life and death and this can bring a real sense of relief to people who are struggling with these thoughts.

“Staff from Health and Social Care are actively involved in the Edinburgh Choose Life Steering Group with partner organisations, which supports the Scottish Government’s suicide prevention strategy.

“If you are worried about someone’s behaviour, please read between the lines and don’t be afraid to broach the subject. There are a number of excellent, professional organisations out there that would be happy to help.”

For help and further advice if you are concerned that someone you know might be at risk, contact Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

Edinburgh College Students: Aye or Naw?

Aye, Naw or Undecided?

Are you Aye, Naw or Undecided? Wherever you are in the referendum debate, come along to the Edinburgh College Students’ Association Debate and put your questions to both campaigns.

You are invited to attend The Edinburgh College Debate being held in the Music Box at Sighthill Campus, on Wednesday 10 September from 4 – 5.30pm.

This is an amazing opportunity for you to take part in the debate about the biggest decision any of us may ever make in the upcoming independence referendum.

Speaking for the Yes campaign are Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, and SNP MSP for Eastern Edinburgh, and Colin Fox, National Convenor of the Scottish Socialist Party.

Speaking for the Better Together campaign are Kezia Dugdale MSP, Labour MSP for the Lothians, and Cameron Buchanan MSP, Conservative MSP for the Lothians.

NUS Scotland’s Women’s Officer, Vonnie Sandlan will be chairing the debate.

Please arrive early (3:30pm) to avoid disappointment, and if you would like any further details on this event, get in touch with us at contact@ecsaonline.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you!

Cast your vote for the Forth Awards

Still time to nominate your community champion!

The ceremony recognises those living in our community as well as some of the biggest names in music and entertainment today.

Voting closes at 12noon on Sept 26th so you still have the chance to nominate someone from your community that you think goes the extra mile and deserves to be recognised for their hard work.

Please have a look around and nominate someone who you think deserves an award. Perhaps you know a community group who have raised funds for your local area or maybe you know of a teacher that goes the extra mile? Alongside this we also award The Best Artist, Fringe Act and Sports Recognition.

You can nominate who you think deserves to win here!

Just by casting your vote you can be in with a chance of winning VIP tickets to the event at The Usher Hall on Thursday 20th November 2014.

This year’s line-up is TOP SECRET until the day itself … previous guest appearances have included JAMES BLUNT, BOY GEORGE, THE STEREOPHONICS, PAULO NUTTINI, OLLY MURS, TEXAS, THE WANTED, DEACON BLUE, DAVID GRAY, ALESHA DIXON to name but just a few!

Craigie Cashback film to screen in Canada

No Show, a film made by Screen Education Edinburgh’s Craigroyston-based group, is to screen at the Vancouver Film Festival.

Click on link below:

CashBack Film Screening at Vancouver International Film Festival.

Usher Hall celebrates Edwardian Edinburgh

The Usher Hall continues centenary year celebrations this Saturday (13 September) with a Family Edwardian Day …

Edinburgh’s concert venue, The Usher Hall, is inviting families to step back in time and discover what life would have been like in the Hall when it first opened its doors in 1914. An action-packed day for all the family is planned with an array of activities including story-telling, traditional games, arts and crafts from this bygone era.

In the company of costumed characters representing Edwardian society, families will be taken on an engaging journey through the Usher Hall hearing stories from its past and exploring areas not normally open to the public. Standing on the famous stage where many stars have performed is sure to be a highlight of this event.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The Family Edwardian Day will be a unique opportunity to explore behind the scenes at the Usher Hall and find out what it was like to visit 100 years ago.

“The Usher Hall has been hosting concerts ever since it was gifted to the city by local whisky distiller, Andrew Usher, back in 1914. While its A-listed walls have welcomed some of the world’s best musicians over the years, many people do not know that the hall was once equipped to act as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.

“The Usher Hall has been at the heart of Edinburgh throughout recent history, and if you look closely, you will see many familiar figures from Scotland’s past depicted in the decoration of the hall including Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The open day will give people the chance to hear about these secrets.”

The event is suitable for primary school children and children must be accompanied by an adult on the tour. Booking is essential and tours take place at 10.30am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 3pm and last approximately 60 minutes. Tours provided by Mercat Tours Ltd.

Tickets cost £10 or £30 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).

For further details on tickets contact the box office on 0131 228 1155 or visit

usherhall.co.uk

Cancer charity fundraiser at Spartans this Sunday

The Jordan Houston Trust, a charity established in 2012 to support children suffering from cancer and their families, is holding a fundraising family fun day event at Spartans on Sunday.

Jordan, who died aged eleven from a rare type of brain tumour, was a football fanatic so it’s fitting that the highlight of the family fun day is a match between the Jordan Houston Trust Select and the mighty Hibs (kick off 4pm)!

For further information on the charity visit www.jordanhoustontrust.org

Come on in! Edinburgh’s doors are open this month

Edinburgh Doors Open Days Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September

ADVOCATES LIBRARY pic The Cockburn Association

The Cockburn Association (Edinburgh’s Civic Trust) organises Edinburgh Doors Open Day. Now in its 23rd year, the event has become one of the capital’s most popular free days out. This is your chance to explore some of Edinburgh’s most architecturally, culturally and socially significant buildings.

Many venues feature behind the scenes tours, activities, exhibitions and/or talks which bring the history of the building, garden, cemetery or monument and its everyday use to life. Some sites organise additional free activities for children and families.

We are pleased to announce that Edinburgh Doors Open Day 2014 will take place on the 27th & 28th September.

Doors Open Day 2014

The 2014 TALKS SERIES will be taking place in the week running up to Edinburgh Doors Open Day from 22nd to 26th of September. The list of talks, held at RCAHMS, 16 Bernard Terrace and Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, can be found on page 4 of the brochure (above). Advanced booking is advised via:

cockburnassociation.eventbrite.co.uk

The WALKS SERIES 2014 will also be running over the Doors Open Day weekend of the 27th & 28th September. Please see page 5 of the brochure for the list of walks and information on meeting points and bookings.

The Cockburn Association