Day: November 10, 2016

Take the plunge and help local animals!

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The Scottish SPCA is calling on daredevils to abseil down The Falkirk Wheel to raise vital funds.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity has spaces left for the exciting challenge which takes place on Saturday 22 April 2017.

Balerno centre manager, Diane Aitchison said, “This is the first time we have organised an abseil at The Falkirk Wheel and spaces are going fast.

“It’s a fantastic challenge for anyone who wants to do something fun and memorable to help animals in the local area.

“Those who have completed abseils for the charity in previous years have said that it’s an amazing experience and one they’ll never forget.

“There will be a team of highly skilled instructors to ensure participants are equipped with everything they need to make the abseil as safe and enjoyable as possible.

“We rely on public support to continue our work rescuing abused, abandoned and injured animals so every penny and pound raised in sponsorship really does count.”

Cheryl McLoughlan from Hamilton who previously took part in the Titan Crane abseil said, “I was terrified on the day but excited too. I had never taken part in anything like it before.

“That moment I had to climb over the side of the crane to my descent was pretty scary, but as soon as I got going I was loving it!

Anyone interested in taking part in the abseil can call the Scottish SPCA fundraising team on 03000 999 999 (option 4) or email fundraising@scottishspca.org for further information.

Picture: Peter Sandground

Watch the birdies! Roost exhibition launch

Please see information (below) about the ‘Roost’ exhibition and launch to be staged in Muirhouse Shopping Centre on the Thursday 24 November from 3pm to 7pm, with the exhibition continuing in the days afterwards.

Led by artist Lindsay Perth, ‘Roost’ is part of the artist residencies linked to the NW Edinburgh Partnership Centre, based at NEA and funded by Creative Scotland and the Edinburgh & Lothian Health Trust.

Full details can be found at www.roostproject.org

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Have your say on the new Meadowbank

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The public are being invited to give their views on a new sports complex to replace the existing Meadowbank Stadium and Sports Centre.

The City of Edinburgh Council is intending to submit a planning application early next year as the kick-start for the project to deliver a modern, fully accessible high quality sports complex for sports clubs and the local community.

To help the Council shape the planning application they are asking people to let them know their views to ensure everyone’s needs are taken into account.

There is an online survey for people to take part in and two public information events will be held at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Thursday 17 and Tuesday 22 November both between 3pm and 8pm.

Current proposals for the new sports centre include:

• An outdoor athletics track with a 500 seat stand
• Two multi sport games halls
• Three fitness studios
• A gym
• A gymnastics hall
• Two squash courts
• A combat studio for martial arts
• A  boxing gym with ring
• A 60m 6 lane indoor athletics track and jumps space
• An outdoor athletics track with jumps space
• An outdoor throwing area
• Two FIFA 1 3G (all weather) pitches – one which will be in the centre of the athletics track
• Cafe and meeting rooms

The first multi sport games hall would be equivalent in size to an eight court badminton hall with permanent seating for 420 and additional bleacher seating for 725. The second hall is set to be the equivalent of a four court badminton hall with permanent seating for 430.

The new centre will be partly funded by residential and commercial development on parts of the existing site that are not required for the new sports complex. This will include development of affordable and low cost housing through the Council’s 21st Century Homes Programme.

In addition to the planning application for the new sports complex, a masterplan for the wider site development will be submitted with the aim of gaining outline planning permission.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We want the new Meadowbank Stadium and Sports Centre to be a venue fit for the 21st Century and the public’s views on our proposals are key to this.

“Transforming Meadowbank into a brand new sports complex would provide a modern, fully accessible high quality sports centre for sports clubs and the local community.

“I would urge everyone to tell us what they think about the range of facilities being proposed and the masterplan. The public can either take part in our online survey or come along to one of our two public information events.

“Not only would we see a new Meadowbank but more homes would be built to meet the city’s housing needs. The new venue will also bring health and wellbeing benefits across the city by supporting even more people to become and stay active.

“Public consultation on our proposals and submitting a planning application are the next important steps to realise our ambition of redeveloping Meadowbank.”

June Peebles, chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure, added: “Meadowbank is part of Edinburgh’s sporting heritage and continues to attract thousands of customers, participating in a wide range of physical activities, through its doors every week. However, appreciating the age of the venue and the changing needs of customers, it is in need of attention.

“Edinburgh Leisure is therefore delighted to be working with the Council on this exciting project which could create a new Meadowbank for the city, creating an inspiring and welcoming venue that supports even more people to get active, stay active and achieve more.”

The existing Meadowbank was originally built for Edinburgh’s 1970 Commonwealth Games (

Scottish swimming team, Commonwealth Games 1970. Pictured at the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh

lachiestewart

Hanover launches volunteering service to combat social exclusion

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Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association has launched a new volunteering service to combat social exclusion among their residents, an issue that disproportionately affects older people. 

As a leading not-for-profit provider of quality housing for older people in Scotland, employing over 500 staff in more than 200 housing developments, the new volunteering service aims to make a positive difference to Hanover’s customers’ lives as well as the wider community.

The framework will encourage Hanover residents to volunteer in their developments and local communities, as well as empower Hanover staff to establish high quality, customer focused volunteering opportunities.

Delivered by a newly appointed Volunteer Coordinator, the framework will also promote the take up of volunteering within developments from local communities and third sector organisations.

Since taking up the new role, Edinburgh-born Jim Brown has carried out in depth analysis of Hanover’s current volunteering capacity and the range of social activities residents participate in. Over the next few months Jim will meet with staff and residents to consult in the development of the new framework, ensuring it meets the needs, requirements and abilities of those who will benefit most from it. 

Jim said: “I am delighted to have been selected as Volunteer Coordinator for an organisation that really cares about its residents, employees and the communities it is part of. I am very much looking forward to getting out to our developments across Scotland to meet with residents and staff and encouraging them to volunteer and become more socially active.

“I have volunteered throughout my life, as a befriender for an adult with learning difficulties as well as managing a youth football team, so I fully understand and appreciate the benefits volunteering brings to everyone involved.”

Hanover’s Chief Executive, Helen Murdoch said: “Customer service is at the heart of what we do. It is our priority to help all our residents lead rich and fulfilling lives and we are confident that by encouraging residents, local communities and third sector organisations to take up volunteering, that we will see a hugely positive social impact on the lives of everyone involved.”

Darling Award for ‘whirlwind’ Tracy!

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The Sir William Y Darling Bequest for Good Citizenship for 2015/16 has been awarded to Tracy Rendall in recognition for her charity work and volunteering. Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Donald Wilson made the presentation on Tuesday night during a reception held in the City Chambers. Continue reading Darling Award for ‘whirlwind’ Tracy!

Letters: truly the nasty party

Dear Editor

The Conservative government always resorts to playing off one section of the population against another. They tried it against people who have to claim different benefits, calling them scroungers, they tried it against people who have disabilities affecting work possibilities, calling them work shy. This tactic carried on over years did create some division, which fortunately is now being overcome.

Now they are at it again, this time trying to create division between pensioners and young people, saying pensioners are now very financially comfortable at young peoples’ expense!

Always the objective of divide and rule is to impose what they wish on both sections. Watch for the stepping up of this particular effort.

They truly are the ‘nasty party’.

Thank You,

Tony (Delahoy, by email)

 

Edinburgh sees red to support Poppy Appeal

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Some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks will be going the extra mile for the 2016 Scottish Poppy Appeal by lighting up red.

Edinburgh Castle, The Balmoral Hotel clock tower, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Airport, Jenners, EICC and the Government buildings at Victoria Quay and St Andrews House will all be turning the capital red in support of this year’s appeal.

They will be joined by many other iconic buildings and structures across the country in a bid to light up Scotland red and raise awareness for the annual fundraising campaign run by the leading charity Poppyscotland.

Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see Edinburgh lit up in poppy red once again for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, and we’ve been blown away by the community’s support.

“We hope that when people see Edinburgh glowing red over the Remembrance weekend they will think about the many ways they too can go the extra mile in their support for this year’s Poppy Appeal. Whether it’s putting a little bit more in the poppy tin, or doing something completely different to raise money, every penny helps us to offer life-changing support so we can be there when they call for backup.”