Edinburgh’s world-famous floral clock is ticking once again, this year in honour of The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland’s (RIAS) centenary. Continue reading Floral clock honours Scotland’s architects
Month: July 2016
Seize a senior in Inverleith Park!
Sunday 24 July 10.30 -12.30 Inverleith Park
No, it’s not an incitement to violence – Friends of Inverleith Park are delighted to announce their new fitness equipment, specially designed for use by older people! Why not pop along and have a look or have a go? It’s beside the playpark.
The official launch party takes place this Sunday (24 July). Kids, ‘seize a senior’ – bring along a bus pass carrier and get a free gift!
Fun in the sun in Inverleith
Looking for something to do during the holidays? The Inverleith Coordinated Summer Programme of activities for children and young people runs until Monday 15 August.
Crewe Toll company gives local kids a break
Leonardo-Finmeccanica invited local children in for lunch on Friday … and Forth 1 popped in too!
It happened in a flash. Marie Cooper, an employee at Leonardo-Finmeccanica, the electronic engineering company based at Crewe Toll, was walking through the restaurant. She had just left a meeting with Forth One’s Cash for Kids team discussing their fundraising drive, Holiday Hunger, raising money to feed children from the local area who often go hungry during the summer school holidays.
She suddenly thought perhaps we could use our facility and get Cash for Kids to contact local organisations to invite some of the children they support in for lunch one day during the holidays.
Marie approached the business and ISS, who are responsible for our catering, and was given their full support to open the doors on Friday 15 July to feed over 150 young people from the local Edinburgh community who often have to struggle during the summer school holidays with little food at home.
Marie said: “To think that many of these children not only go hungry but can’t invite their friends over during the holidays because the expense is too great is quite heart breaking and hopefully this activity we are planning will give them a bit of a boost.”
But the inspiration didn’t end there. When Marie heard that the machine shop needed to dispose of obsolete machinery, she suggested that perhaps the proceeds of the sale of the equipment to Lapmaster, amounting to £,5,500, could be donated to this very worthwhile Cash for Kids campaign.
Marie said: “The guys were fantastic and they couldn’t do enough to support and thanks to their cooperation we have been able to add this to the £661 which employees have already generously donated and which has now been handed over to Cash for Kids.”
Forth One attended the event on Friday to show their support for the local children and the Leonardo’s fundraising efforts.
Emma Kemp, Charity Manager, Forth One said: “When I learned that the employees at Leonardo had managed to raise over £6,000 it just blew me away. The money is going to make such a difference to improving the quality of life of so many young people who are really struggling right now. The event on its own was going to be an amazing morale booster for them, but to find out that the extra funds have been gathered too is absolutely fantastic.”
Pictured: Fat Brestovca (DJ Forth One), Emma Kemp (Charity Manager – Radio Forth Cash for Kids), Ruaridh Tait (Radio Borders) and Marie Cooper, PA, Leonardo.
Leonardo Finmeccanica
‘Constructive’ talks as FM meets PM
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon held ‘constructive talks’ with the Prime Minister Theresa May at Bute House on Friday. The First Minister welcomed the Prime Minister to Edinburgh on what was her first official visit since coming into office.
Following the meeting, the First Minister said: “It was a constructive and very good discussion.
“The Prime Minister and I have big political disagreements but we are both women who approach business in a similar way, so I think we can have a good working relationship not withstanding those political differences.
“I was very pleased that Theresa May said that she was absolutely willing to consider any options that the Scottish Government now brings forward to secure Scotland’s relationship with the European Union. The process that is now taken forward by the UK Government will be open and flexible and the Scottish Government will be fully involved in that.
“These negotiations have yet to take shape and the UK Government don’t yet know exactly how they will proceed from here, but there is an agreement that Scottish Government officials will be very closely involved in discussions to give shape to this process and will be involved in that process. Crucially, and this is the most important point from my point of view, is that that process will be open to considering options that the Scottish Government brings forward.”
The First Minister reiterated to the Prime Minister that she will make sure Scotland’s interests are protected and she will continue to examine every option possible, including a second independence referendum. She added:
“I’ve said previously that if we want to protect our relationship with the European Union then Scotland may have to consider becoming an independent member. If it proves not to be possible to fully protect Scotland’s interests through the UK process then the Prime Minister knows that a second independence referendum is of course on the table.
“However, I’ve also been consistently clear that I want to examine all options for protecting Scotland’s position, protecting our interests, protecting our relationship with the EU. That’s why I’ve assembled a team of experts that will advise me on the options that might exist, and it was very important today to get a commitment from the Prime Minister to listen to options that the Scottish Government will bring forward.”
The Prime Ministers’s visit, coming less than 48 hours after being invited by Her Majesty The Queen to form a government, emphasised Mrs May’s ‘strong personal support’ for the Union in talks with the First Minister at Bute House.
The Prime Minister also affirmed the government’s commitment to fully engaging with the Scottish Government in the forthcoming negotiations about the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the Prime Minister said: “I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom – the precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This visit to Scotland is my first as Prime Minister and I’m coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries.
“And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the government I lead will always be on your side. Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family – not the rich, the mighty or the powerful.
“That’s because I believe in a union, not just between the nations of the United Kingdom, but between all of our citizens. Whether it’s reforming the economy or strengthening our society, we are going to build a better Britain and a nation that works for everyone – not just the privileged few.”
Police Open Day next Saturday
Free Summer Programme for adults at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Royston/Wardieburn Adult summer programme kicked off on Tuesday with a visit to the Scottish Parliament. After viewing the World Press Photo exhibition by the world’s leading photo journalists*, participants had a meeting with Ben MacPherson, the new MSP for the Forth Ward. Continue reading Free Summer Programme for adults at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Brexit voters felt ‘ignored and left behind’
The independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is calling for a renewed drive to solve poverty, as new research reveals the extent people feel disconnected from the UK’s economic growth and how their concerns are ignored by the political establishment.
Following last month’s Brexit vote, which revealed deep divisions in British society, a poll of over 2,000 people conducted by Populus for JRF has revealed that those who voted for Brexit feel left behind by economic growth and ignored by politicians.
In one of the first polls after Brexit, it presents a clear instruction for the next government to ensure things do not return to ‘business as usual’ for people and places who feel left behind. The new Prime Minister, Theresa May, has said her premiership will focus on uniting the country and carrying out a programme of social and economic reform.
The findings show:
- Brexit voters are twice as likely to feel their local area doesn’t get its fair share of Britain’s economic success (23% vs 11%), and that their local area has been neglected by politicians (27% vs. 13%).
- Brexit voters are also nearly twice as likely to believe that national government does not listen to their concerns (40% vs. 23%).
- Brexit voters are more likely to believe wealth in the UK is not fairly distributed, and that they do not personally benefit from economic growth in the UK. In all cases, Brexit voters on low incomes were more likely to share these sentiments than those on higher incomes.
- Brexit voters feel more optimistic about their family’s future, although poorer Brexit voters less so. Asked whether they ‘feel optimistic about my family’s future’, 48% of DE Brexit voters agreed compared to 62% among AB Brexit voters.
- Brexit voters feel more optimistic about the country’s future, although poorer Brexit voters less so. 61% of DE Brexit voters agreed with this sentiment compared to 70% among AB Brexit voters.
This comes as separate polling for JRF shows poverty is a rising concern among the public as social mobility is perceived to be moving backwards. The poll, conducted a week before the Brexit vote and released yesterday, revealed:
- 90% of those polled say poverty reduction is task for central government
- Two thirds of people think poverty has increased over the last decade
- 52% believe it is harder for those living in poverty to escape than it was 10 years ago – compared to just 15% who say it’s easier.
JRF is calling for urgent action to tackle poverty and prevent further economic and social division. In September JRF will be launching a comprehensive strategy to solve poverty, outlining how national and local government, businesses and citizens can each play their part.
Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of JRF, said: “The reasons for people’s vote in the referendum are complex, but this clearly shows that millions of people up and down the country feel left behind by economic growth and ignored by those elected to serve them.
“We believe Britain will be stronger if we solve poverty, giving everyone regardless of their background the chance to live a decent and secure life. Yet instead we’re seeing a real sense that it’s harder to get on than it used to be and poverty is on the rise.
“The result of the EU referendum shows we cannot afford to return to business as usual for the poorest people and places across the UK. It is vital that politicians seize this opportunity to show that they are listening, and work not only across party lines but in collaboration with business, individuals and local communities to solve poverty once and for all.”
Motorbiking: the safe way
Biker Down: Firefighters are working with bikers to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on Scotland’s roads.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews regularly respond to serious collisions knowing those on two wheels are by far the most likely to be involved in a tragedy.
As many riders travel in pairs or groups a fellow biker is often the first person on scene following an incident involving a motorcycle.
In a pilot project firefighters in Argyll and Bute, Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire are running Biker Down courses, giving riders potentially life-saving skills to help them make the scene of a collision safe and protect a casualty.
The initiative first came to Scotland in 2015 when Firefighter John Branney of North Lanarkshire’s Cumbernauld Community Fire Station sought permission to replicate the Kent Fire and Rescue Service project.
His team of volunteers – all firefighters and members of the SFRS Bikers Section – has delivered numerous courses over the past year. Their efforts have been bolstered with crews at Oban and South Queensferry also now delivering the courses.
Dozens of motorcyclists from across Scotland have taken part, with the firefighters sharing their experience of attending serious road traffic collisions to make them aware of the dangers that face casualties and those coming to their aid.
Area Manager Iain McCusker, the local senior officer for North Lanarkshire, said: “Motorcyclists are around 38 times more likely to be killed than people in cars, because a collision that would barely damage a vehicle could easily claim a biker’s life.
“Our crews are all too familiar with the devastating aftermath of incidents on the roads. Firefighters are often needed to help people who are trapped and injured following a crash, but sadly there are times when their specialist rescue skills just aren’t enough.”
He continued: “Biker Down isn’t about lecturing riders on the consequences of things going wrong – it’s about equipping them to make a difference if they encounter an emergency.
“If someone there when a crash happens has the skills to manage the scene and provide first aid it could save a life.”
Participants learn ways of making a scene safe, first aid appropriate to common types of injury and how to safely remove a helmet.
The course also helps bikers make it less likely they will become a casualty, by covering ways those on two wheels can get noticed by other road users.
Station Manager Gordon McGuire, of the SFRS service delivery team in North Lanarkshire, wants other motorcyclists to come forward to learn potentially life-saving skills.
He said: “Every day around 30 bikers come to harm on Britain’s roads.
“Biker Down gives an insight to what it’s like at the scene of an incident and what steps can be taken to help prevent them becoming tragedies.
“Learning some basic first person on scene techniques could make all the difference and keep a casualty alive until specialist medical helps gets to them.
“The course is designed by bikers for bikers and we want people to get in touch if they are interested in taking part.”
Courses are currently scheduled to run in Motherwell on Saturday 13 August and in Oban on Sunday 14 and Sunday 28 August.
Dates are yet to be confirmed for the next course in South Queensferry.
Anyone interested in taking part in a course can contact the teams operating in the west and east of Scotland by email to w.bikerdownscotland@firescotland.gov.uk (West) or e.bikerdownscotland@firescotland.gov.uk (East).
Firefighter Branney said: “Our advice for motorcyclists is always to anticipate the actions of others, make sure they could slow down and safely stop if the unexpected happens, and to position their bike in the safest place to maximise their visibility.
“They should always take a ‘lifesaver’ glance over their shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres, so they know where others are and what they’re doing.
“Because bikers are particularly vulnerable we also need drivers of other vehicles to ‘Think Bike’ and carefully look for motorcyclists, especially at junctions, when changing lanes or turning in the road.”
More information on the courses is available by visiting the ‘Biker Down Scotland’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Biker-Down-Scotland-100598230291251/.
More Hidden Gems Walks
Following the success of last year’s Hidden Gems walks PCHP are running another series of six walks discovering parts of North Edinburgh you never knew existed! Even people who have lived in North Edinburgh all their lives are guaranteed to find out new things about their local area.
“I can’t believe I learned so much about the area I lived in considering I have been here all my life” said Kathy, who joined in with last year’s walks.
All walks are led by PCHP’s award-winning walk leaders and will be at an easy pace. All walks start at 7pm except the first one (21 July) which starts at 6.30pm
The first walk takes you to Lauriston Castle. Meet up at Silverknowes Golf Course at 6.30pm on Thursday (21 July). The walk will take about an hour to an hour and a half.
21st July Meander Round Lauriston Castle Gardens 1 mile
NB this walk starts at 6.30pm not 7pm
Meet Roundabout Silverknowes Golf Course Silverknowes Rd, EH4 5ET
28th July All that Sparkles Art Walk 2 and ¾ miles
Meet North Edinburgh Arts Centre 15a Pennywell Rd, EH4 4TZ
4th August Discovering Granton’s Industrial Past 1 mile
Meet north side Granton Square by Lochinvar Drive EH5 1HE
11th August Long Gone Schooldays 1.4 m
Meet north side Granton Square by Lochinvar Drive EH5 1HE
18th August North Edinburgh’s Lost Medieval Walled Garden 2m
Meet Prentice Centre 1 Granton Mains Ave, EH4 4GA
25th August Foraging for Free 3 miles
Meet North Edinburgh Arts Centre 15a Pennywell Rd, EH4 4TZ
For more details please contact 0131 551 1671 or email admin@pchp.org.uk
Clare Symonds (Development worker – Physical Activity)
Move It, Pilton Community Health Project
73 Boswall Parkway, Edinburgh EH5 2PW
0131 551 1671