A King’s ransom: joy for the Junction

Leith-based The Junction youth project has been awarded £30,000 from The King’s Fund. The Junction is the only Scottish project among ten recipients of a GSK IMPACT Award, which recognises excellence in health and wellbeing – and The Junction is one of a very select few to have won the award TWICE!

The GSK community investment programme has been running for 18 years, during which time it has awarded more than £5 million in unrestricted funding to charities across the UK. This year’s winning organisations were selected from more than 350 charities who applied for the GSK IMPACT Awards, which are run in partnership with The King’s Fund.

Winning charities are also given access to a free training and development programme and are invited to join the GSK IMPACT Awards Network. This Network offers previous winners the opportunity to develop their staff and provides a forum to share and learn from each other’s experiences and expertise.

This year’s winners will join more than 60 previous winning organisations from across the UK, who have committed to ongoing professional development, collaboration and delivering outstanding services to patients and communities.

An overall winner, who will receive an additional £10,000 in funding, will be announced at an award ceremony recognising all winners to be held at the Science Museum in London on Thursday 14 May 2015.

The winners were selected by a judging panel of health and charity experts including broadcast journalist Fiona Phillips; Gilly Green, Head of UK Grants at Comic Relief; Sir Christopher Gent, Chair of GSK; and Sir Chris Kelly, Chair of The King’s Fund.

Katie Pinnock, Director, UK & Ireland Charitable Partnerships at GSK, said: ‘These awards recognise charities that make an incredible difference to many people’s lives right across the country. The programme has grown immensely since we started in 1997, and we are extremely proud of the way it has brought people together, enabling them to share knowledge and learn from each other. Each year we are impressed, inspired and moved, not only by the innovation and talent in the work our winning charities undertake, but by the commitment and dedication of everyone involved.’

Sam Anderson, director at The Junction, said: “We are delighted at being a 2015 GSK Impact Award winner. Being a GSK Impact Award winner in 2009 provided the Junction with the platform to celebrate our strengths, develop and deepen. The 2015 GSK Impact Award offers fantastic recognition of all we have achieved in the six years since and provides us with both significant funding and development opportunities which will ensure we are able to continue to flourish.”

Lisa Weaks, Third Sector Programme Manager at The King’s Fund, said: ‘Charities provide important services and support in our health and social care system. These winners show just how much can be achieved with relatively limited funds, through the passion and dedication of the organisations and their volunteers. Their work spans the whole of our lives – they can help prevent young people from making detrimental decisions like taking up smoking, or provide support for people at the end of their lives so they can make the right decisions for them and their family. Their energy and commitment is inspirational.’

A Junction spokesperson added: “We have been named a winner of the GSK IMPACT Awards, and in fact we’re one of the rare organisations that have won twice! Not only is this a huge honour but it is a great way to recognise how The Junction has continued to strive for excellence year after year.”

The ten winners are:

Alzheimer’s Support – a charity improving diagnosis and support for people with dementia in Wiltshire
CoolTan Arts – based in Southwark, helps improve the lives of people in mental distress through creativity, self-advocacy and volunteer opportunities
Cut Films Project/Deborah Hutton Campaign – based in Islington, helps prevent smoking among young people through peer-to-peer education and campaigns
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – based in Islington, is the only UK charity supporting women affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities and focuses activity on raising the profile and understanding of the disease and ways to prevent it
National Council for Palliative Care – a members’ organisation campaigning to help everyone approaching the end of life have the right to the highest quality care and support
Neuromuscular Centre – a Cheshire-based charity that provides physiotherapy, training and employment opportunities for those with degenerative neuromuscular conditions, as well as assistance for their carers
Off the Record – a Bristol-based charity helping young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing
RESTORE – an Oxford-based charity supporting people with mental health problems to gain or maintain employment
The Junction – this is the second award for this Leith-based charity, which helps children and young people make positive choices that promote their health and wellbeing and reduce harmful behaviour
Wave Trauma Centre – a Belfast-based charity offering care and support to anyone bereaved, injured or traumatised through the violence in Northern Ireland.

The Germinators!

They came, they saw … they planted!

A top team of green-fingered activists descended on Drylaw on Saturday. Their mission: total germination and much more besides!

The Spring sun was shining and the afternoon was a great success: pictures by Georgia Forsyth Sijpestijn

And, yes … they’ll be back! Hasta la vista, baby …

Art? Free workshops

Hey, we just wanted to email to say it was great to meet you -we’ve loved meeting people during our performances of Treat, our workshops in the streets or through the books and scripts we’ve left around Edinburgh. Or maybe you picked up some FREE MONEY that we hid in the Grassmarket during our Do You Need This? campaign.

Now we need you. We’re looking for people to help us create art for Edinburgh. Art that speaks to people. That interacts with the public. This could be visual, performance, video or street art. Its really up to you.

We’d love to see you on a Thursday night 7 – 9pm at The Bongo Club.

Workshops and materials are free. Everyone aged 15-25 is welcome to come in and create new work.

For further information on Creative Electric and our work check out:

www.creative-electric.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/CreativeElectric

ART? workshops run on the following dates:

26/3/15, 2/4/15, 9/4/15, 16/4/15, 23/4/15, 30/4/15, 7/5/15, 14/5/15, 21/5/15 & 28/5/15

with work being exhibited at The Bongo Lives Festival.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Best Wishes

Heather & Christie

ART?

Creative Electric

www.creative-electric.co.uk

Congratulations, Hearts – and NEN told you so!

Heart s won the Scottish Football Championship title this afternoon without kicking a ball. Rangers victory over nearest challengers Hibs at Easter Road was enough to ensure the Tynecastle men secured the title.

Hearts topped the league after a victory over Rangers on day one and have never been headed in a remarkable season – the Jam Tarts have been relentless and have built up an unassailable 23 point lead at the top of the league with seven matches still remaining.

Hearts have lost only once during a dream campaign: sitting on 78 points, they’ve won 25 and drawn three of the league matches they’ve played so far, with the one blot being a 3-2 home defeat by Falkirk.

They have scored 84 goals along the way – that tally includes ten scored in a remarkable record-breaking 10-0 victory over Cowdenbeath. Worthy champions indeed – Rangers and Hibs will continue to slug it out for runner-up spot until the end of the season, but who remembers who finishes second?

Hearts’ success is down to meticulous planning, preparation and attention to detail both on and off the pitch, as head coach Robbie Neilson acknowledged. He told fans: “It’s a fantastic achievement and a great day for the club. It’s also testament to the support we’ve had from the fans, it’s also due to the hard work from Ann Budge, Craig Levein and all of the players. Everything that we have asked them to do, they have done it and they deserve every minute of it.

“The key factor has been the hard work from the players. They have bought into the changes made to the training regime. They have worked hard and they deserve everything. I couldn’t ask any more of them, every day at training they give everything. Every game they give me everything and to a man they have been fantastic this season.”

Few would have predicted Hearts’ rags-to-riches revival this season – the pundits, the experts to a man (and woman) predicted Rangers would land the title crown. The Scotsman, Express, The ~~Hun~~ Sun and Daily ~~Ranger~~ Record all said the league trophy would head to Ibrox. BBC Scotland’s Sportsound team confidently said the same.

Only one lone voice spoke from the wilderness:

‘No, it’s Hibs rivals Hearts who are poised to complete a remarkable resurrection. The club now has something the other contenders lack – stability – and the management team, knowing that Hearts were almost certain to be relegated at the end of last season, has meticulously planned this seasons’s campaign with that in mind.

The players brought in appear to have one thing in common – for different reasons, each has a point to prove – and there’s a quiet confidence emanating from down Gorgie way. Whisper it, but don’t be surprised if the Jambos go on to lift the title.’

Yes, you’ve guessed it … step forward your community newspaper North Edinburgh News. NEN – finger on the pulse of Scottish football!

Grown-up debate: meeting to discuss cuts to adult education classes

Campaigners have organised a public meeting to oppose cuts to adult education classes at Craigoyston Community High School. Adult education has always been a key element of life at the local high school – indeed, it’s seen by many as the ‘community’ in ‘community high school’ – but budget cuts now see adult education classes under threat (writes Dave Pickering).

The meeting takes place at the school on Tuesday at 3.30pm.

An online petition at www.change.org has already attracted almost 200 signatures and campaigners now hope to broaden that support.

The change.org petition reads:

‘Day Time Adult Education classes are under threat across the City of Edinburgh. We at Craigroyston Community High School are campaigning to save our day time classes.

There has been a change in the way money raised through lets and classes is allocated. Rather than the money going to the school it will now go directly to The City of Edinburgh Council.

This undermines the incentive for schools to run Adult Day Time classes and this will have a profound impact on Adult Learners.

Please support our Campaign to save Adult Education Day Time classes not only at Craigroyston Community High School but city wide as well.’

Vanessa Cousins, who initiated the local campaign, said: “Thank you everyone for signing up to our campaign – the response has been really encouraging. I am also setting up a Facebook page called Adult Learners Unite and I hope that this and our public meeting at the school will highlight our concerns even more. It’s important that we get the message about as widely as possible – we are short of time as changes could be taking effect as soon as April.”

Dave Pickering

Granton & District CC to discuss revised marina plans

I cordially invite you along to our March meeting on Monday 30 March at 7pm at Royston and Wardieburn Community Centre.

We expect to have a representative of the Marina Development in attendance – with their revised plans.

Hope to see you there.

Agenda _March2015 (1)

Regards

Dave

Secretary, Granton and District Community Council

http://grantonanddistrictcommunitycouncil.com/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantonDistCC

Behave, police warn fans ahead of Easter Road clash

Police are reminding fans that a policing operation will be in place at today’s Hibernian v Rangers football match to identify anyone in possession of alcohol, fireworks or flares.

Over 15,000 spectators are expected at Easter Road for the game, which kicks off at 12.45pm. Anti-social drinking in the surrounding streets will not be tolerated and officers will be enforcing the Edinburgh by-law in this regard.

Police officers will also be assisting stewards in conducting searches outside the ground to prevent illegal or prohibited items being smuggled in, including explosive or combustible materials.

Fans from both sides are urged to ensure their behaviour during the match does not put themselves or others in danger.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “This is a significant fixture and we want all supporters to enjoy the day. Police will be patrolling around the stadium with a focus on stopping anti-social street drinking and fans will be subject to searches as a condition of entry to the ground.

“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and while the behaviour of the vast majority of Hibs and Rangers fans is exemplary, the reckless conduct of a small minority could place others in danger.

“Anyone found to be in possession of these items, or any other objects that are not permitted within the stadium will be refused entry and may face further police action.”

Trinity Community Council – March bulletin

Trinity CC met on 9 March. These are the main points:

Crime

There was a lot of interest in the apparent recent increase in housebreakings in our area but police say that while there have been some high profile cases, housebreaking in Trinity is in fact down year on year.

West of Granton Road has been worse hit. Either way, police are taking steps to tackle the issue including specialist analytical and helicopter support. They believe they know the relatively small number of people responsible and are confident of bringing this rash under control. The perpetrators are by and large disciplined and reports of violence have exaggerated the extent to which violence occurs: it remains unusual.

Detection rates are up and when a successful prosecution is achieved police are requesting that sentencing includes evening curfews.

Meantime we can help ourselves. CHECK YOUR SECURITY! It’s a matter of making your house less attractive to the burglar through security lights, CCTV and good locks, etc. so that housebreaker moves on. The police are always happy to provide advice.

A public meeting on domestic security is being planned to take place at Wardie Residents Club, towards the end of March. We will also be putting together proposals for a statistical crime report for our area to make the facts clearer. Information is also available on Police Scotland Twitter and Facebook.

East Trinity Road

A recent survey by CEC officials of traffic along East Trinity Road following the realignment of Lower Granton Road shows an overall 18% reduction but, significantly a reduction of up to 30% in the evening peak.

Officials conclude ‘that the level of traffic on ETR is now in a range appropriate for the nature of the road’. They also conclude that ‘traffic congestion on ETR has been significantly reduced and that the traffic conflict issues that previously existed have now largely disappeared’.

Nevertheless, ‘for very brief periods, opposing traffic flows can block each other’s free passage. This is due to the fact that there are limited places to stop and give way to oncoming traffic, particularly as the street, towards the east end, is wholly parked up until some residents leave for work or some other purpose.

This issue could be resolved by the strategic placement of short lengths of single yellow line to create a series of passing places which would be in force from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. leaving residents to park on them overnight. Such a measure would result in a maximum loss of fifteen daytime parking spaces.

They propose to implement passing places on an incremental basis and monitor traffic flows over the next 6 months.

Parking

TCC received a lot of feedback on this following our February issue including meeting with some local groups. While there remains a range of views there does seem to be a consensus in favour of the judicious use of yellow lines before considering Priority Parking Zones (PPZs).

Granton Waterfront

Revised plans for Granton Harbour were recently presented by the developers featuring 2000 new houses/flats, 120 bed hotel, retail, marina, boatyard and landing for cruise ship tenders. Our main concern is impact on traffic levels and local schools but we are assured that arrangements are in place for the developers to provide the financial support needed for local facilities. We will also continue to press for a North Edinburgh Transport Review.

The current owners (National Grid) of Granton Gasworks have been trying unsuccessfully to find a restoring buyer for the gasholder. Community views are split. Some feel it is an important part of North Edinburgh’s industrial heritage and every effort should be made to preserve it, perhaps incorporating it into a housing or hotel scheme as has been done elsewhere. Others feel that the structure is rotting away and that the land should simply be used for housing. Yet others believe that legislation should strengthen the obligation on the owners to maintain it. Do you have a view? Let us know.

Granton Castle Walled Garden

Another controversy concerns plans for the medieval walled garden between the gasholder and Caroline House. This is earmarked for 17 townhouses but two community groups have been formed to press for retention and restoration as they believe the garden could be an attractive visitor destination.

2015 Walkabout

Join us for this on the morning of 25 April! It’s an opportunity to identify where work needs done and we intend using it to inform our bid for a share of the £400k Forth Neighbourhood budget. Currently pavement improvements are scheduled in the Denholms and the tennis courts in Victoria Park have been upgraded.

So where to check out this year? Any thoughts?

Drop a line to tcc-comm@outlook.com

Lothian Buses to/from Trinity

The buses serving Trinity area are to increase with up to a doubling of frequency from numbers 7, 11 and 23. Saves parking!

Friends of Starbank Park

TCC has awarded a grant of £150 to provide a cold frame to enable the Friends to grow their own plants, of better quality and at lower cost. Watch out for a special Easter Friends event!

Wardie Primary Parent Council

We are delighted to welcome Kevin Taylor as WPPC’s new representative on TCC.

New Venue for next meeting

Next meeting will be held on Monday 13 April at 7 pm in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road. Open to all. Join us if you have something to say or simply want to listen.

Did you find this useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing

tcc-comms@outlook.com

Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better!

1503 ebulletin

Letter: No fracking need!

Dear Editor

It would seem the oil extraction companies, finding their vast profits falling, are withdrawing investment. The question now arises: where will they invest their money, and in what?

In America there has been heavy investment in ‘fracking’ to extract gas. This has led to widespread contamination of the water table, with toxic chemicals making it impossible to drink or even use. The recent television programme on the dangers of ‘fracking’ should be shown over and over again to alert people before extraction companies start investing.

There have been some indications that authorities may oppose fracking; presure must be put on them to do so.

As with wind generators, a danger arises in that private land owners will make deals with fracking companies: this must be prohibited.

Fracking is neither needed nor wanted; it poses a potential disaster by polluting our water – all done in the name of making profits for some.

Fracking as a news topic is disturbing by it’s absence: this can only mean ‘Danger Ahead’.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

PoLHA raises £500 for Comic Relief

Lucky for some – residents raise some dough on Friday the 13th!

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has raised £500 for Comic Relief. The residents from its Jameson Place sheltered housing development donned red noses and t-shirts and had a home baking sale last Friday (13 March).

Maureen Tait, PoLHA’s Sheltered Housing Services Manager, said: “We are delighted so many people came along and bought delicious home-made goodies. The residents really enjoy supporting charity initiatives and getting in their kitchens to come up with a range of treats to sell. We’re delighted to have raised £500 for Comic Relief.”