DAVID DICKSON

I am saddened to have to pass on news of the death of David Dickson, who many may remember as the first manager and driving force behind North Edinburgh Childcare Centre (now North Edinburgh Childcare). David sadly passed away last Monday.

A quietly determined, always courteous man, David played a huge role in shaping North Edinburgh’s very own dedicated childcare facility, a centre of excellence which seen as a model for others to follow.

It’s hard to over-emphasise the importance of the Childcare Centre to the people of North Edinburgh. The Centre not only offered an opportunity that enabled local people to return to education and employment, but also offered training and employment opportunities too.

Children were cared for and educated in a warm, loving and learning environment, which meant that parents and carers could happily leave their bairns knowing they were in safe hands. Crucially, the childcare costs were affordable and many thousands of local people children and their families – have benefited over the years from the marvel that is North Edinburgh Childcare.

At the helm over the crucial early years was David Dickson, who worked closely with his management committee and created, shaped and nurtured a very special – indeed, unique – facility. David’s legacy is a North Edinburgh Childcare which continues to thrive and develop today.

So many people have so much to thank David for: in his own quiet and determined way, he has made a real difference and improved the quality of life for thousands of local people. How many of us can say that?

A quiet and modest visionary. Goodbye, David.

David’s funeral will be held on Thursday at 3pm at Warriston – and afterwards all invited to Dalriada at Portobello

EU’re welcome here

EU nationals living in Scotland will have the chance to discuss the implications of the EU referendum result with the First Minister later this week. Continue reading EU’re welcome here

Newsagent seriously injured in Trinity robbery

A man has sustained serious injuries following the attempted robbery of a Trinity newsagents

Police are appealing for witnesses following a failed robbery involving a significant assault in Trinity. The incident happened around 5.20pm on Friday (12 August) at a newsagents on the corner of South Trinity Road and Cargill Terrace.

Two men entered the store and demanded money, before attacking the shopkeeper and running from the store. The shopkeeper sustained serious injuries and the suspects were last seen running along Cargill Terrace.

The first suspect is described as 20 to 25-years-old, medium build, with a pale complexion and unshaven.

The second suspect is described as 35 to 40-years-old, slim build, pale complexion with gaunt features and unshaven.

Both suspects were wearing dark clothing and dark woollen beanie hats and one was wearing a dark body warmer.

Detective Sergeant Todd Rutherford, of Corstorphine CID, said: “This was a cowardly attack, and the shopkeeper bravely fought off the attackers despite a shocking level of violence and the serious injuries he sustained.

“At the time of the incident, it is likely there would have been pedestrians and drivers in the Cargill Terrace area and we know the suspects were loitering nearby the shop before the incident took place. If anyone has seen these men before, during or after the attack, please contact us.”

Those with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

granton:hub history meeting rescheduled

Dear All,

Please find attached the notes from the first meeting of the history sub group, granton:hub.

You will see that the meeting agreed to a second meeting for this Saturday coming. However we are unable to meet then so the date of the next meeting is Saturday 20th August 10am – 12 noon.

I do hope you can make that and please invite others that you may feel would be interested in making this a success.

The meeting will be as before in Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, upstairs in the big room. There will be tea and coffee.

Barbara Robertson

Notes 1st meeing 23 07 16

Violence Reduction Unit set for RIE

emergency department is being extended to Edinburgh

A successful violence reduction project based at a Glasgow hospital emergency department is being extended to Edinburgh. The Scottish Government is providing £70,000 to extend the Navigator project, run by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, to Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.

The Navigator programme at Glasgow Royal Infirmary helps patients who have been the victims or perpetrators of violence to make the changes they need to improve their lives.

Continue reading Violence Reduction Unit set for RIE

Back to skool!

All 17 schools closed because of structural concerns back in March will welcome back city pupils next week. The final remedial works on Drummond Community High and The Royal High have now been completed by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership which means all pupils will be back in their own schools as normal for the start of the new session next Wednesday.

The confirmation will be a huge relief to pupils, parents and school staff and brings to an end a saga that has dragged on since April.

The first sign that something was wrong came in January, when hundreds of bricks were dislodged from a wall at Oxgangs Primary School during Storm Gertrude. Repairs were carried out and the school reopened within a few days – but was closed again weeks later when an inspection revealed serious concerns about the way the external wall had been constructed when the school was first built 10 years ago.

Oxgangs was part of the controversial Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme that saw 17 schools built or refurbished in a £360m deal between the council and a private finance consortium.

Days later, three more schools – St Peter’s RC Primary, Firrhill High and Braidburn Special School – were also closed after being deemed to be unsafe for pupils and these were followed in April by the remainder of the PPP1 schools, including local primaries Pirniehall, St David’s, Craigroyston and Forthview as well as Rowanfied Special School.

The schools were all built by Miller Construction, which was bought over by Galliford Try in 2014..

In total 17 schools were closed with 7,600 pupils affected as the Council put in place a huge logistical plan to provide alternative arrangements. More than 5,000 children were educated at over 70 different schools and education facilities during the three months until the summer holidays.

Council Leader Andrew Burns said yesterday: “I’m delighted that all of our pupils affected by the closures will be back in their own schools next week as we promised parents we would try to achieve this. We stressed to the Edinburgh Schools Partnership that they should bring forward school reopening dates where possible which has happened.

“Our priority has always been the safety of our pupils and staff and we insisted that ESP and their contractors ensure all our schools are 100% safe to reopen. All the relevant paperwork has been published on our website having been reviewed by an independent expert on behalf of the Council.

“I want again to thank parents and pupils for their patience and understanding and teaching staff for their commitment and flexibility during these difficult past few months.

“The next steps now are to establish exactly what went wrong with these schools. The Council has appointed respected construction and procurement industry expert John Cole CBE to lead an independent inquiry.

“Clear and thorough terms of reference set out exactly what we are aiming to achieve through this inquiry. We want to find out what went wrong and are determined to see what lessons can be learned, not just here in Edinburgh but across Scotland and the UK.”

The independent inquiry is underway and is expected to finish before the end of the year.

Free Fringe with North Edinburgh Arts

Free visit to the Edinburgh Fringe!

North Edinburgh Arts has partnered up with the Fringe Society to offer 20 free places on a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe. This is a fantastic opportunity, so book now before places fill up.

The trip will be on Wednesday 17th August and will leave NEA between 6-7pm, depending on which show is chosen. The choice of shows all have a political theme.

The choice of shows to vote for are:

Mark Thomas: The Red Shed
The Inspectors Call
Faslane
Discretion Guaranteed

TO BOOK:

Telephone 0131 315 2151

Email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

or in person at North Edinburgh Arts.

When you book, please state which show you would prefer to see. The show with the most votes is the show that everyone will go to see.

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The trip is free, including the cost of your return bus fare.

Please note: This trip is only suitable for adults

Holyrood Park BIG Fun Run set for 9 October

BFR _A4 Poster_Edinburgh

After the success of the Big Fun Run Series last year, the events are set to return in 2016 and are promised to be bigger and better than ever! Taking place from July – October and set in some of the most scenic parks throughout the UK, the 5K events are aimed at all members of the family with FREE entry for children under 5.

The 17 event-long series begins down in the South Coast in Brighton on 23rd July and then makes its way throughout locations in Scotland, the North West, North East, Midlands and South before finishing in London with a Halloween-themed run in Victoria Park on 30th October.

Big Fun Run events are the perfect way for runners to fundraise for a cause they really care about. Last year, over £200,000 was raised for charity and the series is brilliantly supported by hundreds of charities all throughout the UK.

Zahid Mahmood took part in last year’s Birmingham event after choosing to fundraise for a lifesaving baby unit that cared for his wife and newborn son. “I feel by doing the 5K Big Fun Run I’ve gone a little way to show the gratitude I have for the neonatal doctors and nurses,” he said.

The £450 he raised will go towards the purchase of specialist post-birth equipment such as incubators and heart rate monitors.

Big Fun Run Event Director, Neil Kilgour said: “Tens of thousands of people take part in Big Fun Run every year, it attracts people of all shapes, sizes and ages. No event is timed, it is all about having fun and raising funds for a charity close to your heart. Each run has a friendly atmosphere whilst offering an achievable challenge .

“It is a great event for all the family and it is not unusual to see grandma, mum and daughter all lining up together at the start line. We also have many people taking part in fancy dress to add to the feelgood atmosphere.”

To find out more about the 2016 Series, go to www.bigfunrun.com.