Letters: Beware promises made to be broken

Dear Editor

Between now and the election of members for the Scottish Parliament in May, prospective candidates will claim and counter-claim that they are the ones we can trust. When we make our choice we hop that trust is not misplaced – the only help we have in choosing is the past record of the individual or their party.

A close look is needed to avoid being taken in by words and promises that flow freely during election times. Promises made, then broken, are usually blamed on others – whether here in Scotland, the UK or abroad.

After voting we cannot sit back and let them have free rein: this has happened so many times, resulting in a dreadful cost to most of us.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

Everybody needs good neighbours

Do we care about a sense of community?

Residents from across Scotland are invited to nominate the projects or organisations that make a real difference to their local communities to receive funding of up to £2,000 each. Continue reading Everybody needs good neighbours

Save Yourself a Fair Whack with an Edinburgh Leisure Discount Card

Whilst we all know that exercise is good for us, life is hectic – so for those unable to commit to a monthly or annual gym membership, Edinburgh Leisure’s Discount Card might be the solution. For a one-off annual payment of £29.90 (less than 60p a week) is all you need to pay to save all year long!

The Discount Card gives unlimited access to all Edinburgh Leisure’s venues across the city, with savings of up to 25% across a huge range of activities including gym visits, swimming, fitness classes, golf, racquet sports and much more (*exceptions apply – see below).

It also lets you book classes or courts eight days in advance, ensuring you don’t miss out on your favourite session. And for those purchasing a card before 30 April, a free swim or gym visit is given as an incentive to get you started.

With over 30+ venues offering 1 climbing centre, 15 gyms, 700+ fitness classes per week, 23 tennis courts, 6 golf courses, 10 swimming pools, Edinburgh Leisure is ‘the biggest club in town’.

The Discount Card is available to buy online at Edinburgh Leisure’s website or from any one of Edinburgh Leisure’s venues.

*There is no discount on the following activities: soft play, Clip ‘n Climb, all climbing activities with the exception of casual climb and bouldering; sauna, steam room, shower and Turkish Bath; hall hire for football, basketball, volleyball etc; outdoor football; bowling and putting.

Edinburgh College graduates nominated for New Talent awards

Three Edinburgh College TV graduates will walk the red carpet at the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards later this month after receiving nominations for their film and writing work.

Michal Wdowiak, Wayne Mazadza and Scott Willis – all graduates from the HND Television course at the college – have made the list of nominees for the awards, which celebrate the best rising talent in Scottish film, TV and game production.

Michal has been shortlisted in the Editor and Writer categories for a short drama, Yogi, which he shot in Edinburgh last summer during his time at Edinburgh College. Yogi (above) tells the story of a man who wanders the streets, breaking into flats in search of food and comfort.

Scott is nominated in the Factual category for his personal documentary Dear Peter, (above) inspired by his journey to track down the owner of a collection of handwritten postcards. Dear Peter is also the winner of the Scottish Audience Award at this year’s Glasgow Short Film Festival.

Wayne is nominated in the Editor category for Microcosm, a documentary he made since graduating from the college. The story is told first-hand by a man called Colin, who reflects on his past life and his home in Hamilton Wynd.

Michal and Wayne both graduated from Edinburgh College last year, and Scott completed the same course in 2010.

Michal is now employed as a cinematographer for a production company, The Gate Films, in Manchester. Wayne is in year two of his studies at Edinburgh College of Art, while Scott finished at ECA two years ago and continues to produce his own films that have been televised and screened at international film festivals.

He said: “I am incredibly pleased to be nominated for the BAFTA award for my final college drama – I definitely didn’t expect to be nominated as a writer. This was the first script I have ever written and English is not my first language. I hope it is a good sign for the future.

“I had just moved to a different city for work after college and I was busy settling in. I owe my lecturer Fergus Robb a big thank you for mentioning this opportunity to me.”

Scott said: “Dear Peter is a documentary that’s very personal to me so the nomination has encouraged me to remain honest to my vision as a filmmaker. I am grateful to have studied at Edinburgh College. Fergus was influential in developing my understanding of storytelling and gave me practical knowledge on how to communicate through moving image.”

Fergus Robb, Creative Industries lecturer at the college added: “These guys were all excellent and highly motivated students, and aware of the opportunity the course afforded them to develop their skills and explore their potential as filmmakers. I’m delighted to see them do so well.”

The BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2016 take place on Thursday 14 April at Drygate Brewery in Glasgow.

Yogi, Michal Wdowiak – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsqD7a-lDU4

Dear Peter, Scott Willis – https://smlwillis.wordpress.com/dear-peter/

Microcosm, Wayne Mazadza – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThDCuQUkn-M&feature=youtu.be&a

Disability charity organises hustings event

People with learning difficulties from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are to be given the chance to grill their local would-be politicians, thanks to an innovative hustings event being held next week. Continue reading Disability charity organises hustings event

Too much information? Autism Awareness Week

World Autism Awareness Week

Saturday 2 – Friday 8 April

NAS TMI Poster A3 Scotland PRINT

As many as two-thirds of people with autism feel socially isolated, according to a new report. Research by charity The National Autistic Society Scotland has found poor public understanding of the condition is making some feel socially isolated and trapped in their own homes. Continue reading Too much information? Autism Awareness Week

Total Craigroyston checks out

What’s Total Craigroyston ever done for this community? Well, quite a lot, actually …

Total Craigroyston, the council-led agency formed to tackle deep-rooted children and family problems in North Edinburgh, wound up last week with a ‘Checking Out’ event at Pilton Youth & Children’s Project. Continue reading Total Craigroyston checks out

WATCH out! New see-saw at The Yard!

Blackhall St Columba’s raise over £11,000 for The Yard

Disabled children and young people at The Yard in Edinburgh were delighted when their new playground see-saw opened last weekend in time for Easter, thanks to funds raised by Blackhall St Columba’s Church’s WATCH Committee. Continue reading WATCH out! New see-saw at The Yard!

Kirkgate Crusher: “You grunt, I’ll groan”

Surprising new career for Leith’s popular parliamentarian

What does a parliamentarian do when it’s time to walk away from front-line politics? Some take up directorships, some retire gracefully to spend more time with their families while others write newspaper columns, memoirs and novels. Continue reading Kirkgate Crusher: “You grunt, I’ll groan”

Last call for Holyrood candidates

Thinking of standing in the Holyrood election? Then you’d better get your skates on!

Nominations close today for candidates to stand in next month’s Scottish Parliamentary Election – and papers must be submitted by 4pm.

The Notice of Election was published on 14 March for Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh Southern and Edinburgh Western Constituencies plus the Lothian Region.

In order to stand as a candidate, individuals must submit nomination papers, which are available on the Council website, by Friday, 1 April.

The Scottish Parliamentary Election will take place on Thursday 5 May when people living across Scotland will elect MSPs to represent them at Holyrood.

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh and Regional Returning Officer for the Lothian Region, said: “The Notice of Election signifies the official start of the election period. The forthcoming election will enable the city’s residents to have their say, and I would take this opportunity to urge all citizens to use their vote.

“We are keen to continue the enthusiasm demonstrated by voters during the UK Parliamentary Election last year and the Scottish Referendum in 2014, including the 16 and 17-year-olds who will be able to vote for the first time. Anyone unsure about how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can find more information on the Council website.”

More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September 2014, which also saw a record-breaking turnout across the country. At the UK Parliamentary Election in May 2015 turnout in the capital stayed high, at an average of 73% across Edinburgh’s five constituencies.

On 5 May it will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in a Parliamentary election after the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill was passed last year.

While most people who registered to vote in time for the UK Parliamentary Election will still be eligible to take part in the Scottish Parliament Election in May, first time voters or anyone who has since moved house will need to register again. Continue reading Last call for Holyrood candidates