Love learning: Edinburgh College Open Days this week

Edinburgh College is getting ready to open its doors for two course information days where potential students can find out more about courses starting in August.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about studying at the college is welcome to attend the course information days, which will be held on Tuesday 27 January from 2-6.30pm at Sighthill Campus and on Thursday 29 January from 2-6.30pm at Milton Road Campus (above).

Resident subject specialists will be on hand with information about all curriculum areas, advice on studying at all four Edinburgh College campuses and guidance on funding options.

The college is offering over 900 courses in August at levels to suit all needs – from HNC and HND level and associate degree programmes that lead on to university study, to Access courses to get people back into education, community-based courses and industry-approved qualifications.

Edinburgh College offers a range of nationally and internationally recognised courses across a wide variety of subjects.

The college has courses in:

Business and management
Computing
Community and outreach
Construction and building crafts
Creative industries
Childhood practice, health and care
Engineering
English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Food, hospitality and tourism
Sport and fitness
Veterinary care

Applications for courses starting in August will open on 2 February. The deadline is 15 May.

Edinburgh College interim principal Elaine McMahon said: “The course information days are great opportunities to find out how the college can help you find the right direction to achieve your goals. Whether you have a clear idea of what you want to do or if you’re looking for help in figuring it out, we’ll be able to support you to make the best decisions.

“Edinburgh College’s courses are designed to give you the skills and practical experience to be prepared for further studies or the workplace, and to succeed when you get there. Our programmes are hands-on and developed with the needs of industry in mind, so you’ll be equipped to hit the ground running.”

Representatives from Herriot Watt, Queen Margaret and Napier Universities will also be on hand to talk about associate student degree programmes. Associate student degrees allow students to study the first two years of their degree course at the college with a guaranteed place at a partner university to complete the final two years.

More information about college courses is available at www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk. For more information on a specific course, contact the college’s course information line on 0131 660 1010 or email courseinfo@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

Edinburgh College is also currently recruiting for courses starting in January, with applications closing on 30 January. The full list of courses with places left can be found at www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/january/

Course Information Days

Tuesday 27 January. 2-6.30pm. Edinburgh College Sighthill Campus, Bankhead Avenue, Edinburgh, EH11 4DE.

Thursday 29 January. 2-6:30pm. Edinburgh College Milton Road Campus, 24 Milton Road East, Edinburgh, EH15 2PP.

Burns ceilidh: celebrating community at Royston Wardieburn

That Man to Man, the world o’er,

Shall brothers (and sisters!) be for a’ that

A Burns Night is about many things. Good food, shared with friends, family or neighbours – and sometimes all three! Burns is about love, about comradeship and about community but if there’s just one word that captures the spirit of Scotland’s national Bard it’s ‘celebration’ – and all those elements were there in abundance at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre last night.

Yes, last night’s Community Celeidh celebrated the memory of Burns but it was more than that – it was a vibrant, living tribute to all the good things Burns work extolls: a warm, friendly gathering of friends and neighbours of all ages, interests and ethnicities joining together to have fun in each others’ company.

Organised by Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Granton Community Gardeners and Pilton Community Health Project’s Living in Harmony group the evening built on last year’s event and proved to be a huge success.

Around 150 people – aged from three months up to … well, a good bit older! – enjoyed a traditional Burns Supper and were entertained by the excellent Homecoming String Band and a succession of local performers, all made poosible and supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers who were always on hand to make sure the evening went smoothly.

Congratulations to the organisers, the band, the excellent team of volunteers and the local performers who entertained us so regally on the night: the poets, the musicians, the singers and the wee dancer – you were all brilliant!

And thanks, too, the the local community who came along to support the event and whose enthusiasm made the evening such a success.

Rabbie would be proud of you all – here’s to next year!

Visit our Facebook page for more ceilidh pictures

Lazarowicz: Fast-track benefits for terminally ill

‘long delays risk leaving terminally ill people destitute in the last months of their life’ – Mark Lazarowicz MP

Mark Lazarowicz MP is backing Gordon Aikman’s MND campaign and has called on the Government to fast track benefits for people like Gordon with terminal conditions.

Speaking in a debate in Parliament yesterday, the Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith called on the Government to fast track benefit claims from people with terminal conditions like Motor Neurone Disease and intervened to tell the Minister that the prolonged delays, in some cases of up to 18 months, could mean the outcome comes too late for some people with limited life expectancy.

He said later: “I strongly support Gordon Aikman’s campaign to fast track benefit claims from people with terminal conditions like MND: people are waiting 6 months and in some cases 3 times that just to have an assessment.

“Claims can be fast tracked where someone is not expected to live longer than 6 months but where does that leave someone with MND where the average life expectancy after diagnosis is 14 months?

“The Government should offer financial support to people suffering as a result of the delays caused by its own incompetence but first and foremost it should make sure that their claims are fast tracked.

“The Minister’s response in the debate was not acceptable: it’s shameful that people who are so ill should spend the last months or year of their life in financial hardship having to fight so hard for the benefits they are entitled to.”

He was speaking in a debate on the introduction of the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the disability benefit that is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which is designed to help seriously ill or disabled people with the extra costs their condition entails.

It was announced on Thursday that responsibility for PIP is to be devolved in future and Mark has called for the roll-out of the new benefit to existing DLA claimants to be stopped until it is because of the huge backlog of assessments.

That was also the conclusion of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee: it reported last March that even where someone did have their claim fast tracked because they were not expected to live more than 6 months, the time taken to process their claim had increased from typically 8 days with DLA to 8 weeks with PIP.

Mark Lazarowicz says the Government has moved the goalposts: its original target was for the whole process from claim to decision to be completed within 16 weeks, now it is that all assessments should be completed within that time and it is even failing that target.

Gordon Aikman’s story

I’m dying. And fast.

That – in short – was what my doctor told me just a few weeks ago when I was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

It’s not the news you expect when you are 29 years old.

MND is a rare, progressive and debilitating disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It leads to weakness and muscle wasting and will affect how I walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.

There is no cure.

That’s why I am doing all I can to raise money for MND Scotland – a great charity that funds and promotes research into the disease and provides support to people affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

It’ll be too late for me, but we must find a cure for the next generation.

With your help I can turn a negative into a positive. Please dig deep and donate what you can today.

100% of the money you donate will be spent on trying to find a cure.

Thank you

Gordon

P.S. Please visit www.gordonsfightback.com to tell your your MP and MSPs to back my campaign to double MND research funding.

To date Gordon has raised £216,683.88 of his £250,000.00 target. 3,690 individual donations have been made.

https://www.justgiving.com/gordonaikman/

Two face Court following Pennywell drugs haul

Two men have been arrested and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act after police in North Edinburgh recovered a large quantity of Class C drugs.

As part of Operation Quarterlight, officers conducted a search of a vehicle in Pennywell Road at around 2pm yesterday (Friday). Around 30,000 diazepam tablets were recovered and two men aged 25 and 20 were detained.

A further 400 diazepam tablets, a half kilo of cannabis and a quantity of other suspected stolen items were later recovered following a search of two addresses by police. The recovered drugs are valued at over £35,000.

Both men are scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday (26 January).

Inspector David Happs said: “This was a significant recovery of potentially harmful drugs, which have been seized before they could cause harm to our communities.

“Operation Quarterlight action continues across Edinburgh and in addition to identifying those responsible for vehicle crime, this initiative will assist us in targeting criminals using their vehicles for committing other crimes, such as the transportation of illegal drugs.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling drug crime within our communities and will always act on information we receive from the public.

“Anyone wishing to report crimes of this nature in their local area can do so by calling on 101 or by making an anonymous report via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Seeing red on 6 February

British Heart Foundation says Wear It. Beat It on 6 February

One in four of our loved ones are lost to heart and circulatory disease, so on 6 February we’re asking the nation to show their support by wearing red and hosting an event to fund our life-saving research.

Whoever you are doing it for, and whatever you decide to wear, you can get involved in your workplace, school or with friends and family.

Hosting an event is easy and we’ve got loads of ideas to help get you started.

When you sign up we will be able to download our fundraising kit full of fun ideas to hold a successful event and raise money towards our fight.

CORONARY HEART DISEASE IS THE UK’S SINGLE BIGGEST KILLER

For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease.

But so many people still need our help. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure.

Join our fight for every heartbeat. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives.

Wear red and organise an event on 6 February and join us in our fight against heart and circulatory disease.

Report reveals the dangers of ‘legal highs’

Plans on how to tackle New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) – so-called ‘legal highs’ – and the health and social problems associated with them will be presented to city councillors next week.

In a report to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Health, Social Care and Housing Committee on Tuesday (January 27), elected members will learn about the multi-agency work going on to deal with the dangers linked to so-called “legal highs” in the capital.

The Council is working closely with Police Scotland, NHS Lothian, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Edinburgh Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and the Community Safety Partnership to raise awareness.

The city-wide Community Improvement Partnership has drawn up a draft framework to monitor the use of NPS and how to respond to the developing situation.

One difficulty is the fact that while these substances are known to be harmful, they are often not illegal. Talks are ongoing with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal to agree how Trading Standards can best use legislation to tackle the problem.

The report highlights an increase in the substances being injected by existing drug users along with illegal drugs. This has been linked to a rise in wound infections, physical and mental health issues, violence and anti-social behaviour. Community safety wardens have also reported a rise in the number of discarded needles being found.

Councillor Ricky Henderson said: “There is a lot of concern about the availability of these substances, which have similar properties to illegal drugs and can be very dangerous to the people who take them. As well as harming their own health, they can also have a knock-on effect on communities because they are believed to cause anti-social behaviour, and users are leaving used needles in public places.

“Unfortunately, as they are sometimes not illegal, it is very difficult to stop shops from selling them. We’re talking to the Procurator Fiscal’s office about what we can do to change that.

“The Community Improvement Partnership will continue to raise awareness of the dangerous side effects of using New Psychoactive Substances so that people won’t use them. We’re committed to protecting people’s health and ensuring that communities are safe places to live in.”

Superintendent Matt Richards of Police Scotland said: “Frontline officers are trained to deal with cases where people have become aggressive and are acting in a chaotic and out of character way, but we are seeing an increasing link between this behaviour and NPS – and people being very unwell.

“We are also genuinely concerned about the information that Council and NHS colleagues have shared with us. Our message is simple: don’t take NPS and if you have and see any signs of infection, speak to a healthcare professional immediately.”

On the buses: Concessionary travel scheme secured

ALL ABOARD: £414 million investment secures nationwide free bus travel for over 60s and people with disabilities.

Building on an agreement reached in January last year , Transport Scotland and Scotland’s bus industry have agreed terms for reimbursing operators for providing concessionary travel from April 2015. The new deal reflects expected growth in demand, fares and costs, and falling fuel prices.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “Concessionary travel is a key part of the Scottish Government’s social wage and makes a real difference to many of the 1.2 million national entitlement card holders, including our elderly and disabled.

“Research shows the National Concessionary Travel Scheme is greatly valued by users. Card holders themselves say it helps them financially, gives them a greater sense of independence, reduces feelings of isolation and gives them more confidence in their own ability to travel.

“The £250 million we provide every year for the bus industry is not only helping the industry provide services and invest in new greener fleets, but also benefits concessionary travel scheme users by an average of around £250 every year.

“The latest reimbursement terms are based on a formula agreed with the industry in 2013. They will help provide stability for the industry, with recent energy forecasts also taken into account to help manage the costs of the scheme – welcome news for taxpayers.”

The current reimbursement rate is 58.1% of the adult single fare, with a budget of £192 million.

Based on the agreed formula and recent authoritative forecasts on industry costs and consumer prices, and following technical discussions and agreement with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the new rates will be 57.1% in 2015/16 and 56.9% in 2016/17. The budgets for each year will be £202 million and £212 million respectively.

George Mair, Director of CPT Scotland, said: “Today’s agreement signifies the end of a thorough and fact-based look at National Concessionary Travel Scheme reimbursement which should ensure that the budgets for the next two years more closely mirror actual costs.

“This gives bus operators a welcome degree of certainty and signifies a pathway for future such discussions. We thank Transport Scotland for its constructive and positive approach throughout this process.”

Road rage!

A section of busy Pilton Drive will be closed for four weeks from Monday – but the local community council wasn’t even informed!

Pilton Drive will be closed to through traffic between Morrison’s and Ferryfield House from Monday morning to allow work to start on utility connections to the development site on the former City Park. Work is expected to last until 20 February.

Granton and District Community Council secretary Dave Macnab said last night: “I have just heard that Pilton Drive between Morrisons and Ferryfield House is closed. I did not know about this and we were certainly not advised.

“This is for four weeks – this during the period of course when Spartans have their cup match! There is also the issue of traffic from The Strada having to use local routes with the inherent dangers to pedestrians. Where was the communication with the community?”

Granton and District Community Council
http://grantonanddistrictcommunitycouncil.com/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantonDistCC

Hair today …!

Edinburgh College students help George Watson’s pupils donate hair to charity

Edinburgh College hair and beauty students have been using their scissor skills to chop George Watson’s College pupils’ hair to help make wigs for children with cancer. The students visited George Watson’s to cut the pupils’ hair in aid of the charity the Little Princess Trust.

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs to children with hair loss due to cancer treatment. Two members of staff and 12 pupils from P6, S4, S5 and S6 each donated seven inches of their hair to the charity. Each girl’s hair was braided into a seven-inch ponytail to be cut off and made into a real hair wig.

Thirteen Edinburgh College hairdressing students cut the ponytails off in front of the whole Senior School, before providing each volunteer with new hairstyles with the help of lecturers Adelle Smillie and Nicky Heneke.

The pupils had been inspired by an assembly in early December, where PE Teacher Kerry McNaughton and S1 pupil Ella Hopley had their hair cut in front of the school for donation to the charity.

Forth Bridge Raid exhibition opens

The story of the first German air attacks to hit Britain, The Forth Bridge Raid, will be chronicled at a new exhibition which opened today at the Queensferry Museum.

The pop-up display features photographs, film footage, and eyewitness accounts of the deadly air raid, which saw German bomber planes attack three ships on the Firth of Forth – HMS Edinburgh, HMS Southampton and HMS Mohawk.

During the attack, passengers on the train crossing the Forth Bridge at the time could witness explosions over the waters. The raid left 24 men dead and 44 injured, and four German airmen were captured and taken as prisoners of war to Edinburgh Castle.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The Forth Bridge Raid was a dark moment in Queensferry’s history. It also struck a chord across the country and people felt the impact of the war in Britain as the losses were reported. It’s important this story isn’t forgotten and The Forth Bridge Raid exhibition is a reminder to those local people who know about the events that took place, and an interactive way to introduce the history of WW2 in Scotland to younger generations.

“Queensferry Museum is free to enter and it’s great to be able to work with local people and organisations like Queensferry Tours to chronicle the history and customs of the local area. We are also trialling a small display called War Time Queensferry in the local library, and should these partnerships prove a hit with visitors we will look at introducing more pop-up exhibitions.”The display has been curated by Mark Taylor from Queensferry Tours, which provides historic walking tours through the old Royal Burgh town of Queensferry. Mark was struck by how little isknown and has been told about the Forth Bridge air raid. He said: “This pop-up exhibition will be displayed in Queensferry Museum and I am delighted that the Council’s Museums Service has allowed me to tell the story of the Forth Bridge Raid. For such a landmark event at the beginning of WW2 it seems to me a story that merits re-telling. It was the first time Spitfires were ever used in combat – an important event that should not be forgotten and it all happened here, above our Forth Bridge.”

Edward Thomson, an eye witness who was 10-years-old and travelling by train over the Forth Bridge at the time, said: “I was a passenger on the Dundee section of an Edinburgh to Aberdeen train which had just entered the first arch at the southern end of the bridge. The next stop was to be Leuchars Junction. I was in the corridor with an older boy called Jack Thomas from Edinburgh. We were looking downstream to the right of the carriage and were trying to identify some of the fleet at anchor below the bridge. Almost simultaneously there was a giant waterspout as high as the bridge alongside one of the capital ships and a barge tied up alongside; it seemed to fly up in the air! The German bombers were in plain sight only a short distance away flying parallel to the bridge.”

The exhibition, The Forth Bridge Raid, will be on display until 1 June 2015. The Queensferry Museum is free to enter and open Thursday through to Monday (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

Photographs: Queensferry Museum