Discovering North Edinburgh’s Hidden Gems evening walks
This week’s walk: Granton – Sea views and Lighthouse
All welcome! For more info call 551 1671 or email admin@pchp.org.uk
Month: August 2015
Police seek witnesses to Granton motor bike incident
‘What it does, sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes’ – Chief Supt. Mark Williams
Police are appealing for information following a serious road traffic collision on West Shore Road last night. A fourteen year old boy is in a serious condition in hospital following the incident.
The incident occurred at around 11.20pm, when a BMW 1150cc motorcycle struck a wall. The rider, a 14-year-old boy, was thrown from the vehicle and subsequently landed on nearby rocks.
Police and emergency services attended and the Scottish Ambulance Service took the boy to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where his condition is described as ‘serious’.
The motorcycle is understood to have been stolen.
Officers investigating the incident are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Mark Williams said: “This was a terrible incident that has left a local boy badly injured. Thankfully it wasn’t more serious as the consequences could have been fatal.
“What it does sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes and it demonstrates the impact this can have on both the individual, their families and the community.
“We are appealing for anyone with information regarding this incident to contact us immediately.
“In unqualified hands motorbikes are extremely dangerous and tackling the theft of motorbikes and vehicles will continue to be a focus for local officers.”
Our bus is coming back!
Victory for community councils bus campaign
Local residents will be able to get a 42 bus to Craigleith Retail Park again from October. Lothian Buses have agreed to reinstate the service and support the alteration to the 42 route following a joint appeal by local community councils.
Drylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale, who coordinated the campaign, said local residents will be delighted to hear the news. “The 42 service into the Retail Park has been missed and I’m often being asked: ‘when are we getting our bus back?’ It’s taken a while but it’s great to be able to tell people that the service is to be reinstated from the beginning of October. It’s good news and I hope local people will take the opportunity to use the service.”
Drylaw Telford CC joined forces with Stockbridge Inverleith, Blackhall Craigleith and Muirhouse Salvesen community councils to petition for the return of the service back in March, and Alex received confirmation from Lothian Buses earlier this week that the 42 will return to the local Retail Park this autumn.
The service was withdrawn because traffic problems around the shopping centre caused delays and disruption to the timetable, but it’s hoped that improvements to traffic signalling will reduce excessive delays.
A spokesperson for Lothian Buses confirmed that the 42 bus service will return to Craigleith Shopping Centre from 4 October on Monday – Fridays as a trial.
Nothing left in reserve when East meets West
A red-hot new roller derby team will assemble for Auld Reekie Roller Girls’ first Edinburgh Festival Fringe game of 2015. Sparks are sure to fly as Edinburgh’s All Star Reserves play Glasgow Roller Derby’s Maiden Grrders next Saturday.
Team captain Mallory Powers said the new skaters will raise temperatures with the fastest crossovers, big hits and speedy whips.
She said: “We have a brand new team and are really looking forward to bringing everyone together and building on the excitement and atmosphere of the two recent All Star derby derbies!
“This will be the first time the Auld Reekie and Glasgow Roller Derby B teams have played each other in a while and the teams are very different now, so no-one really knows what to expect.
“The focus will be on developing our newer skaters and working as a team to achieve our goals – but we’ll bring the same level of gritty determination, cheery competitiveness and fun as our wonderful All Stars.”
Vice-captain Lady Scrapnell said she was looking forward to the new skaters playing their first festival game.
She said: “It’s always exciting when new people skate on a team for the first time, and this time around we are lucky to have five new Reserves.
“We’ve all been working really hard in the All Star Reserves off-season, helping the All Stars train for their high level games, so lots of skaters have developed really quickly and we’ll be really proud to be skating out with them at Meadowbank.
“Between us all we’ll bring enthusiasm, athleticism and attitude, and will help to create one hell of a crowd atmosphere.”
Families are welcome to watch this test of strength, speed and agility as skaters battle through their rivals’ team using only the power of their bodies.
The show rolls into town next Saturday (8 August) at Meadowbank Sports Stadium from 2pm.
Volunteer and help Scotland’s animals
‘We need the support of the public more than ever’ – Diane Aitchison, SSPCA
The Scottish SPCA is appealing to kind hearted people in Edinburgh and the Lothians to help raise funds for abused, abandoned and injured animals by volunteering.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity is urging locals to get involved this Scottish Animal Week, which runs from 31 August to 5 September, by shaking a collection tin in their area.
Diane Aitchison, manager of the charity’s animal rescue and rehoming centre in Balerno, said, “Last year our centre took in over 1,000 animals and we need the support of the public more than ever.
“As an animal welfare charity, we receive no government or lottery funding and rely on the generosity of animal lovers to continue our vital work.
“During Scottish Animal Week we have opportunities to fundraise throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians and we’d be really grateful if locals can get behind our appeal and help.
“Door-to-door fundraising can be carried out between Monday and Friday, while people can hold street collections on the Saturday.
“We encourage people to have a bit of fun and some of our past
volunteers have dressed up in costumes or taken a canine friend along with them.
“Even if someone can only spare an hour or two to shake a collection tin, their time and efforts would be hugely appreciated.”
If you’d like to help fundraise for the Scottish SPCA contact the fundraising team on 03000 999 999 or email fundraising@scottishspca.org
Plant of the Month: Hebe
Here’s to the Hebe
Fancy giving your summer garden or terrace a boost? The Hebe is definitely the plant for you as it will introduce some sensational colour back into your garden. The Hebe, named after the Greek Goddess of Youth who served nectar and ambrosia to the gods, is deliciously versatile and is also incredibly popular, with gardeners and butterflies alike!
For this reason, Thejoyofplants.co.uk Garden Plant for the Month of August is the Hebe.
Cheerful butterflies
The Hebe is the ideal candidate to cover any dull spots in your summer garden and it will replace them with some much needed colour and vitality. The Hebe’s heavenly blooms will also keep your garden looking richer all the way through the summer months and well into October, enticing butterflies from far and wide to sample their stunning array of nectar filled flowers.
Plant with effect
The evergreen Hebe has numerous different species and their wide range of colourful flowers and decorative leaves will all add a great atmosphere and vivacity to your garden. You can create all kinds of interesting looks with Hebes – Why don’t you combine some white-flowered, shiny leaved Hebes with some paniculata hydrangeas in metallic containers to give that expensive, luxurious feel to your garden, or, if you would prefer to go for the untamed, wild effect, try planting a mixture of blue, violet and deep green Hebes into a variety of wooden pots and weathered containers.
Stay Green
Hebes are wonderfully easy to grow and maintain and they will thrive in most soil types. Their supreme versatility means that they can be planted almost anywhere, in containers, borders, and rockeries, and they will also grow in both sunny and shady areas. But most importantly of all, the enchanting evergreen Hebe will create interest and colour in your garden all year round.
New meningitis vaccination programme begins today
MenACWY programme gets underway in Scotland
The MenACWY vaccine is introduced for 14-18 year olds from today, and young people are being urged to make sure they’re protected.
Earlier this year it was announced that in response to a rise in the number of cases of meningitis W, and based on advice from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation, a MenACWY vaccine would be introduced to replace the MenC vaccine used in the adolescents and freshers vaccination programmes.
The vaccine will be offered to students under the age of 25 attending university for the first time this Autumn, along with a catch-up programme for all 14 to 18 year olds.
Those planning to go to university are urged to make an appointment at least two weeks before they go or, failing that, during Freshers’ week.
From this week, older teenagers will start receiving an invitation letter and information leaflet, asking those who have left school to get the vaccine at their GP practice as soon as possible.
Young people returning to school in August will receive their vaccine in school during the coming academic year.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The launch of the MenW vaccine prevention programme for teenagers is great news. This vaccine also protects against MenA, MenC and MenY, making sure young people are protected at such an important time in their academic lives.
“I would urge everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to make an appointment with their GP, or if they’re still at school to take up the offer of the catch-up programme there. They might be busy preparing to leave for university, working or enjoying their summer break, but a short appointment really could make an enormous difference to their future health.”
CEO at Meningitis Now, Sue Davie said: “As a charity dealing with the consequences of the disease on a daily basis I would plead directly to parents across Scotland to make sure that their children get the Men ACWY vaccination. We are particularly concerned with those going to university in the autumn as they are at a higher risk from what has been called ‘freshers’ flu’.
“It is critical that young people are not complacent about the disease and they take the necessary steps to protect themselves, stay vigilant and seek urgent medical help if they suspect it. This is a cruel disease, it does not discriminate and could significantly alter the future outlook for young people if they are not protected or meningitis aware”.
Meningitis Research Foundation Scotland Manager Mary Millar said: “Adolescents aged between 14 and 18 are more likely to carry meningococcal bacteria than any other age group and offering the ACWY vaccine to all of them should stop the bacteria from being passed on. This means that even unvaccinated people will be protected from catching the disease – an effect known as herd protection.
“Although we welcome the implementation of the ACWY vaccine amongst 14-18 year olds over the next couple of years, it will take time for herd protection to be established so babies (who are particularly vulnerable to developing disease) will remain unprotected. Fortunately, the MenB vaccine Bexsero, which will be routinely available for babies from September, also protects against this ST-11 MenW strain.”
21-year-old Sally Bound from Inverness contracted meningococcal meningitis while away from home at university. She said: “I was in my third of four years at uni and I was working late to meet a course deadline. I remember my housemate leaving for her boyfriend’s house at 8pm at which stage I started feeling really tired, achy and a bit nauseous – earlier in the week I had met a friend, who was recovering from flu for a drink so I was hoping I hadn’t caught his flu.
“I also wondered if it might be food poisoning but as I knew nothing about meningitis, other than seeing photos in doctor’s waiting rooms, it never crossed my mind it could be that – especially as I thought it was only young children who contracted meningitis.
“I went to bed about midnight feeling very sick and by 3am I was starting to get really worried that I was not very well, my arms and legs had gone very heavy and I felt as though I had a temperature. I rang my mum who was at home in Scotland, she suggested I called an ambulance but living on one of the most popular streets for students and having previously been called a bit of a drama queen I refused, too embarrassed I was causing a scene over the flu.
“Very quickly after that the sickness became worse and my head and neck began to ache. I contacted NHS direct and as instructed by them, I checked myself for a rash but didn’t find anything.
“However, I realised I needed to go to hospital and that being called a drama queen really was not that bad compared to how I was feeling.
“I have very little memory from there on but woke from a coma a day later so grateful to hear that I would be okay and discovering how lucky I had been as a couple of more hours without treatment could have made the outcome very different. After a few weeks I made a full recovery but I know that many university students have sadly not been so lucky.”
It’s official: Memorial match at Spartans sets new world record
Craig Gowans memorial match smashes world record
The team behind the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund have officially become Guinness World Record Holders, smashing the record for the Longest Marathon Playing Football – in aid of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation.
The group of enthusiastic football fans played out of their skin at The Spartans Ainslie Park home last month, completing a 105 hour-long football match which finished with an impressive final score of 774 – 707!
The game, hosted in memory of the late Falkirk defender Craig Gowans, who tragically died exactly ten years previously, originally hoped to raise £37,000 for the SKFF – inspired by Craig’s professional number at Falkirk, number 37. With donations still coming in, however, the final total is set to reach around £100,000!
The money raised will be used by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation to fund enhancements to the new Sick Kids hospital at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, specifically a state-of-the-art Snoezelen room in Craig’s name. The space will be a calming room with multi-sensory equipment providing a relaxing and stimulating space for children with sensory impairments.
Ex-Rangers, Hibernain and Scotland boss, Alex McLeish attended the landmark fundraising event, as well as the current Scottish Cup holding manager, John Hughes. Footballers Scott Arfield and Thomas Scobbie were also there to cheer the players on.
Dario Alonzi, a member of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund organising committee, said: “We’re over the moon to have been officially granted Guinness World Record Holder status – the football match itself was an epic challenge and one that pushed us all to the very limit.
“To come away from the experience with official recognition of our efforts in the form of a World Record, as well as putting Craig’s name in the history books and raising £100,000 to gift to the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, is just priceless.
“Again I would like to thank absolutely everyone who played a part in making this match possible, as well as everyone who has donated so generously.”
Roslyn Neely, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We have been blown away by the funds raised by the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund Football Match. The heroic lengths they have gone to in order to raise this money is something that will never be forgotten.
“Congratulations to the entire team, I’m absolutely delighted to hear that they have become official Guinness World Record Holders – and deservedly so. The money they have raised will help us transform the experience of the young people who visit Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital when it opens its doors in 2017.”
Talking about improvements in West Pilton …
Community Council to hold mobile meetings!
Sometimes it’s not too easy to get people to attend meetings, so West Pilton West Granton community councillors have come up with a plan: if residents can’t always come to meetings, we’ll take the meetings to them!
Community council members will be meeting local residents in their own back-greens tomorrow to discuss community ideas for environmental improvements.
They have leafletted the stairs in the blocks they will be visiting in West Pilton Gardens, West Pilton Avenue and Ferry Road Avenue (the section to Pennywell Road) and you may also have spotted the eye-catching mobile noticeboard outside the North Local Office in West Pilton Gardens earlier this week.
West Pilton West Granton community council chairman Willie Black explained: “Money has been made available to improve the environment of the backgreens, so we are inviting residents to share their views on what should be done.
The backgreen meetings will give the folk who live here to join us and their neighbours to chat and decide on how the money should be spent, not just in the backgreen but across the area.”
The backgreen meetings will take place on Sunday at 11am (West Pilton Gardens/Avenue) and 1pm ( West Pilton Avenue/Ferry Road Avenue).
There will be an update on the proposed local environmental improvements at next week’s Community Council meeting. Also on the agenda is the new bin collection and recycling arrangements.
The cleanliness of local streets and green spaces and problems with fly tipping remains a concern for local residents and council officers will attend the meeting to explain how the new arrangements will work.
The meeting will be held in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday at 7pm. All welcome.
TV ‘Hair’ star is guest speaker at Graduation
Former Telford student Denise McAdam announced as guest speaker at Edinburgh College Graduation
Hairdresser to the Royals and reality TV show judge Denise McAdam will be guest speaker at Edinburgh College’s Graduation ceremonies in September.
Denise, who grew up in Penicuik and studied hairdressing at the college, has worked with the Royal Family, international supermodels and Hollywood stars and is currently one of the judges on BBC Two’s popular amateur hairstyling competition Hair. She will give the guest speech at the Graduation ceremonies on 25 September at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
The college’s Graduation ceremonies celebrate the success of HNC, HND, Advance Diploma and degree students.
Denise first came to the forefront of British hairdressing in the 1980s and is known for being the first female celebrity hairdresser in the UK.
Having worked with photographers David Bailey, Lord Lichfield, Lord Snowden and Terry O’Neill, she came to the media’s attention when she styled the Duchess of York’s hair for her wedding to Prince Andrew. Denise went on to receive the Royal warrant in 1989 and was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal for services to the Royal Family in June 2010.
She has worked with generations of style icons including Grace Kelly, Joan Collins, Yasmin Le Bon, Cindy Crawford, Jane Seymour, Naomi Campbell and Kylie Minogue.
Denise said: “It’s an honour to share graduation day with Edinburgh College’s talented and enthusiastic students. I am inspired to celebrate their achievements, hard work and the passion they have given to their chosen subjects throughout their time at the college. The college and lecturers have encouraged and worked incredibly hard to prepare their students for the work place, further education or to go forth and change the world. My own memories and my time at Edinburgh College inspire me every day.”