Penicuik’s Janet Malcolm will be recognised at an annual awards ceremony organised by Headway, the brain injury association, as one of just three people from across the UK in the running for the title of Carer of the Year – sponsored by Sweet Tree Home Care Services. Continue reading Brain injury: Caring Janet is national finalist
At dusk this Sunday, the people of North Edinburgh will light a beacon at The Boardwalk Beachclub, Silverknowes to bring hope to the besieged people of Aleppo.
Revd Dr Harriet Harris, the Chaplain of the University of Edinburgh who started the appeal, said: “Every day, the people of Aleppo have less food, fewer medical supplies, and aid is not getting through. We want them to know they are they are not forgotten: the people of the world are watching.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS RECEIVE FUNDING TO BRIGHTEN UP DEVELOPMENT SITE
Seven community groups in Edinburgh are being allocated funding to enhance the New Waverley development in the Old Town while it is still under construction. Projects ranging from making Jacob’s Ladder steps more useable, lighting up the Arches during the winter festive period, art installations and a graveyard planting scheme will transform the area. Continue reading Transforming the Old Town
Green MSPs expressed disappointment last night after Holyrood’s other main parties voted against proposals to allocate more than the proposed £125 million per year to eradicate fuel poverty.
An amendment from Andy Wightman MSP, housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, aimed to strengthen Labour’s debate motion as it did not call for additional funding. However, SNP, Conservative and Labour MSPs voted it down.
Andy Wightman, housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Fuel poverty is a national disgrace with over 800,000 households suffering. The Scottish Government did not meet its target to end fuel poverty by this month and there is broad agreement across the parties that action is needed.
“It was therefore sad to see SNP, Conservative and Labour members voting against the Green proposal to increase funding. When the draft Scottish budget is presented next month, it’s essential we see a firm commitment to increase funding. We need action, not more words.”
Andy Wightman’s amendment:
http://www.parliament.scot/
A drive to tackle rubbish, fly-tipping and dumped trade waste on city streets was kicked off this week. The second phase of the Our Edinburgh initiative, which aims to address anti-social behaviour like littering, has begun in the Leith Walk area, identified as a hotspot for overflowing bin complaints. Continue reading City cleanup initiative targets Leith Walk
Ho Ho Ho! Christmas is just around the corner and the Edinburgh Leisure elves have been busy planning some festive fun across Scrambles, Clambers and Tumbles’ soft plays.
With fun-filled parties, a glittering grotto, an action-packed pantomime and much more, there’s something that will bring some festive cheer to all age groups:
Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool
Santa’s Grotto
Visit Santa in his enchanting grotto at Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool Party Room, where children will make their own reindeer dust, write a letter to Santa and finish with their Santa visit where they will receive a gift.*
Date: 17th and 18th December
Time: 10am – 4pm (30 minute slots)
Cost: £6.00 per child (£2.50 for under 1’s)
Who: 0-10 years
*Clambers will operate as normal
Clambers Christmas Party
Christmas bells will be jingling and the elves will be singing as Edinburgh Leisure invite the little ones to join in their Christmas party, jam packed with festive fun, including a disco, face-painting, gingerbread decorating, arts and crafts and of course, a visit from Santa, who present each child with a gift.
There will also be prizes for the best dressed.
Date: 21st and 22nd December
Time: 4pm-6pm
Cost: £11.50 (under 1’s £5.00)
Who: 0-10 years
Tumbles at Portobello
Tumbles Christmas Party
Two hours to burn off some Christmas excitement in Tumbles’ soft play at Portobello, plus a disco to boogie on down to and lots of festive party food. Not only that, the man in red will be there with a present for every child.
Date: Sunday 11th December
Time: 3pm-5pm
Cost: £11.50
Who: 0-10 years.
New Christmas Craftivator – NEW for 2016
Struggling to find the time to get the last of your Christmas shopping done? Drop the kids off at Edinburgh Leisure for a morning or afternoon full of crafts and soft play to allow time to blitz those last minute tasks.
Date: 23rd Dec (9-12pm or 1-4pm) and 24th Dec (9-12pm)
Cost: £10 (includes snack)
Who: P1 – P7
Scrambles at EICA: Ratho
Dick Whittington Panto
Caplin Gold Pantos will be presenting an afternoon filled full of fun, sing-a-long songs and comedy, as children are taken on the magical adventures of Dick Whittington; one not to be missed.
Date: 23rd December
Time 1-3pm and 3.30-5.30pm
Cost: Under 2yrs free
Single ticket £7.50
Family ticket 2 adults & 2 children £26
Who: The whole family
Breakfast and lunch with Santa
The children’s eyes will light up with delight as Santa joins them for breakfast or lunch and listens to their Christmas wishes before presenting them with a gift. After they eat, Santa will join in some festive party games before they finish with a relaxing story about Christmas.
Breakfast:
Date: 24th Dec
Time: 9.30am – 11.00am
Cost: £12.95
Who: 0-7 years
Lunch:
Date: 24th Dec
Time: 12.30-2.00pm
Cost: £12.95
Who: 0-7 years
Book now!
Booking is advised. Call or visit reception at the individual venues to book your tickets.
Clambers, Royal Commonwealth Pool – Telephone: 0131 667 7211
Scrambles, EICA:Ratho – Telephone: 0131 333 6333
Tumbles, Portobello – Telephone: 0131 669 0878
Last year’s event
Some of the country’s top chefs will team up with Cyrenians and Edinburgh College to lay on a gastronomic spectacular and raise money for people excluded from family, home, work or community tomorrow evening. Continue reading Creme de la creme: Top chefs to take part in Cyrenians Cook Off
The UK Government must use the Autumn Statement to reverse its freeze on benefits and the damaging reduction of the benefit cap, and ensure low income families will not face any further welfare cuts Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said.
He urged the Chancellor to reverse the further lowering of the benefit cap which came into force last week – which the Chartered Institute of Housing’s recent report estimates will affect up to 20,000 children in Scotland, and to reconsider the on-going freeze to working age benefits and cuts to work allowances in Universal Credit.
Mr Mackay also asked for confirmation that the UK Government will not add to the welfare cuts already planned to be imposed on Scotland which are expected to reduce annual spending on social security by around £1 billion by 2020.
Mr Mackay said: “Low income families have faced the brunt of the UK Government’s damaging welfare reform agenda to date so it’s only right that the Chancellor provides some reassurance that they will be protected from further attacks in the Autumn Statement.
“The impact of cuts and changes to benefits over the last few years, alongside a discredited sanctions regime, has widened the poverty gap, left families on low incomes worrying about putting food on the table, heating their homes and paying their bills, and driven the rise in the need for foodbanks.
“With £1 billion expected to be annually cut from benefits by 2020 UK Government policies will plunge significant numbers of households into financial difficulties – the UK Government should recognise it has squeezed enough from the welfare budget and low income families.”
Social Security Secretary Angela Constance added: “We will continue to urge the UK Government to reverse changes to the benefit cap and the on-going freeze to working age benefits as it is harming our poorest households.
“We are already spending £100 million a year in mitigating the worst of the welfare cuts inflicted by the UK Government, including fully protecting people from the bedroom tax. This is money which would be far better spent on lifting people out of poverty.”
