Day: September 4, 2022

Children of Winchburgh ‘claim’ their new park and celebrate the opening of Auldcathie Playpark

The children of Winchburgh staked their ‘claim’ on their own designed playpark last Thursday. Over 500 children marked the official opening of the Auldcathie Playpark with a picnic and parade of flags featuring their reflections on Winchburgh.

Accompanied by local piper Rab Reid, 53 S1 pupils of the new Winchburgh Academy marched with flags, creating a colourful corridor to the playpark.

The ceremony was topped by John Hamilton, Chief Executive of Winchburgh Developments, handing the playpark over to the children who had designed it. The claim was made with a flag staked on top of the tallest slide mound.

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, joined the celebrations by holding the ribbon as Winchburgh Primary pupil Elodie Harris flew down the fly fox. She commented, “The Auldcathie Playpark is such a great addition to the village and the development of Winchburgh.

“Designed by the children who came together to claim the park for the children of the village, their piped parade from Winchburgh Academy, with their personally designed flags, is a memory I will carry for a long time.

“The joy and happiness and energy of the hundreds of Winchburgh children exploring this very big space of their own brand-new play area and play apparatus was very evident. It was a pleasure to join them and speak to them as part of the ‘opening claiming ceremony’ on this very special day.

“Thank you to the developers, park designers and engineers for building this very special place which will form a new heart to this growing village.”

John Hamilton, Chief Executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, commented,“It is fantastic to have the first phase of the Auldcathie development finally complete and marked with such a joyous occasion for the children of Winchburgh.

“The children have now claimed the playpark they designed, and we look forward to providing the next phase with more space for them to enjoy.”

The Auldcathie Playpark has received an investment of £300,000 from Winchburgh Developments and was designed by the children of Winchburgh, pre-covid. It consists of over 100 metres of children’s play facilities, with a sandpit and sensory areas for toddlers and young children, and adventure play areas for teenagers.

The most requested equipment now featured in the playpark includes a witch’s hat climbing frame, a 50-metre fly fox and a large slide.

Ian Harvey, Headteacher Winchburgh Primary School, commented, “We were delighted to attend the official opening of Auldcathie Playpark. This was a real-life learning experience for our pupils to see their playpark opened.

“Many learners have been involved in the initial design ideas, model building and visits to the construction site. This is another milestone in the history of our developing community. It was fantastic to share this experience with pupils from across the schools in Winchburgh.”

Mia Hendry flag bearer from Winchburgh Academy commented, “It’s been amazing to have been part of designing our new playpark and now seeing it in real life, it’s even better than we thought it would be.

“Being part of the ceremony today was a great way to open the park!”

Colette Murray Headteacher Holy Family Primary School commented, “It is so exciting for our pupils to attend the opening of Auldcathie Playpark, now sitting adjacent to our newly opened Primary School. Our pupils loved being part of the design process.”

McKirdy’s Steakhouse is on the market

A popular Edinburgh city centre steakhouse has been brought to market by DM Hall, one of Scotland’s leading firms of chartered surveyors, as a result of the owner’s impending retirement.

McKirdy’s Steakhouse, located at 151-155 Morrison Street, and close to Haymarket and Edinburgh’s economic hub, has traded for 24 years.

Offers over £450,000 are invited for the business which is supplied by McKirdy Butchers, which has been active in Edinburgh and East Lothian since 1895.

Morrison Street, a busy one-way thoroughfare which connects Lothian Road with Haymarket Terrace/West Maitland Street, carries a substantial volume of traffic on a daily basis being one of the main arterial routes out of the City Centre towards the West.

The area is mixed residential and commercial in nature and adjacent to it there are a number of other restaurants and public houses. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre and various hotels are located a short walk from the premises.

McKirdy’s Steakhouse, which has recently been re-furbished, is arranged over the ground floor. The frontage incorporates large display windows providing good natural light to the restaurant.

The restaurant business, which has a reputation for the very highest quality meat available and trades from Wednesday to Sunday, is reluctantly being brought to the market as a result of retirement, its success is reflected in its profitability.

Margaret Mitchell of DM Hall who is overseeing the marketing process, said: “This is a great opportunity to acquire a successful, busy and readily managed restaurant with an established reputation.

“Its location, on the edge of the soon to be completed Haymarket Edinburgh development, an impressive £350m mixed-use development which will include hotels, retail space and offices will bring further investment and buzz to the area. As a result, any future owner will benefit significantly.

“Our client is seeking offers over £450,000 including goodwill, fixtures and fittings. Trading accounts are available upon request to seriously interested parties. Viewing is strictly by appointment and arrangements can be made by contacting me, Margaret Mitchell MRICS, Surveyor, on 07919574184 or Margaret.mitchell@dmhall.co.uk.”

With 24 offices and over 250 members of staff including 24 Partners, DM Hall this year celebrates 125 years since its foundation in 1897.

Peter Coshan murder: body found

Officers investigating the murder of Peter Coshan, 75, have recovered the body of a man in Northumberland.

The body was found on land close to the A696 near the village of Kirkwhelpington this morning (Sunday, 4 September).

He is still to be formally identified but Mr Coshan’s family has been made aware.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with Peter’s family at this incredibly difficult time and we are continuing to provide them with support.

“I would like to take the opportunity to pass on our thanks to everyone who has come forward with information which has helped our investigation.”

Two men, aged 27 and 63, have previously been arrested and charged in connection. Both have already appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The People Woke Up

ice&fire present new Actors for Human Rights theatre piece

  • A new script and production for theatre company ice&fire’s long-running Actors for Human Rights project, focusing on the 2020 election crisis in Belarus and its fallout
  • A ‘political education project’ based on interviews and testimony of the Belarussian diaspora, including former political prisoners, presented as a rehearsed reading with four Belarusian actors. Award-winning poet Hanna Komar performs as herself
  • The piece will premiere in Edinburgh with two performances, one at the Scottish Parliament on September 28th and the other at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh on September 29th, before being made available for touring around the UK
  • ice&fire explore human rights stories through performance

‘The People Woke Up‘ is a new script from ice&fire’s long-running Actors for Human Rights project, focused on the 2020 election crisis in Belarus, its fallout and how its impacts are still felt today.

A partnership with The People’s Consulate of Belarus in Scotland, this new dramatic work tells the stories of people whose lives were changed forever in Belarus in 2020 following the rigged presidential election where Alexander Lukashenko further extended his 27 year reign.

Following the election, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians went out onto the streets to demonstrate and protest for justice and democracy. This resulted in the most widespread and violent crackdown in Lukashenko’s reign, with thousands of peaceful protestors arrested, tortured, and killed at the hands of the security forces.

Presented as a rehearsed reading with four Belarusian actors and comprised of first-hand testimony from the Belarusian diaspora across Europe, this new work tells the stories of some of the people who were caught up in these tumultuous events and the impacts that are still felt today.

A unique political education project, ‘The People Woke Up’ will premiere in Edinburgh with two performances: an abridged version at the Scottish Parliament on September 28th and a full version at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on September 29th, before being made available for touring around the UK. This project is supported by Creative Scotland.

Artistic Director of ice&fire, Christine Bacon, said: “While the protests across Belarus attracted the attention of the world in August 2020, the cameras have now moved on.

“However, the people of Belarus continue to resist and risk their freedom and their lives with the aim of removing the Lukashenko regime so a new nation can be built.

“With this new script, we invite audiences to listen to stories from the people at the heart of this struggle and ask themselves what they can do in solidarity with the people of Belarus.”

Irina McLean from The People’s Consulate of Belarus in Scotland said: “Sergey Tichanousky – 18 years of imprisonment. Aliaksandr Ivulin – 2 years of imprisonment. Maria Kolesnikova – 11 years of imprisonment. A vlogger. A sports journalist and footballer. A musician. Not criminals but citizens of THEIR country, who want it to be set free of pain, absurd autocracy and dictatorship.

“It is our pain. Every Belarusian feels it and this amazing opportunity to share it with others should help us to heal. This production will help us to tell our story. The story of our fight.”

JCVI advises use of additional bivalent vaccine for autumn booster campaign

Following on from the previous advice on which vaccines should be used in this year’s autumn booster programme, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its published advice to include an additional bivalent vaccine now approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Studies indicate the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine produces a marginally higher immune response against some variants than the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Original ‘wild-type’ vaccine. The clinical relevance of these small differences is uncertain.

‘Bivalent’ vaccines have been developed by global manufacturers since the emergence and dominance of the Omicron variant. These vaccines are targeted against antigens (substances that induce an immune response) from 2 different COVID-19 strains, or variants.

All of the available booster vaccines offer very good protection against severe illness from COVID-19. As more vaccines continue to be developed, the committee will consider their use in the autumn programme.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, Chair of COVID-19 immunisation on the JCVI, said: “It is very encouraging that more vaccines continue to become available and we now have another option to add to the vaccines already advised for the autumn booster campaign.

“Winter is typically the time of greatest threat from respiratory infections. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to have their booster vaccine this autumn when it is offered. This is our best defence against becoming severely ill from COVID-19.”

Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent COVID-19 booster approved by UK medicines regulator

A second, “bivalent” vaccine was yesterday approved as a booster by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after it was found to meet the UK regulator’s standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

The updated booster vaccine made by Pfizer/BioNTech, targeting two coronavirus variants, has been approved for use in individuals aged 12 years and above. This decision has been endorsed by the Commission on Human Medicines, after a careful review of the evidence.

In each dose of the booster vaccine, ‘Comirnaty bivalent Original/Omicron’, half of the vaccine (15 micrograms) targets the original virus strain and the other half (15 micrograms) targets Omicron (BA.1).

The MHRA’s decision is based on data from a clinical trial which showed that a booster dose with the bivalent Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both Omicron and the original strain. Safety monitoring showed that the side effects observed were the same as those seen for the original Pfizer/BioNTech booster dose and were typically mild and self-resolving, and no new serious safety concerns were identified.

Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive said: I am pleased to announce that we now have a second approved vaccine for the UK Autumn booster programme. The clinical trial of the Pfizer/BioNTech bivalent vaccine showed a strong immune response against the Omicron BA.1 variant as well as the original strain.

“Bivalent vaccines are helping us to meet the challenge of an ever-evolving virus, to help protect people against COVID-19 variants.

“We have in place a comprehensive safety surveillance strategy for all UK-approved COVID-19 vaccines, and this will include the updated booster we approved today.”

Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, Chair of the Commission on Human Medicines said: “Following an independent review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine, the Commission on Human Medicines and its COVID-19 Vaccines Expert Working Group supports the MHRA’s decision.

“As with any medicinal product, including vaccines, it is important to continually monitor effectiveness and safety when it is deployed, and we have the relevant processes and expertise in this country to do that.

“The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will advise on how this vaccine should be offered as part of the deployment programme.”

Home Energy Scotland is calling on households in Edinburgh to act now to find out if they are eligible for £5000 worth of home improvements

  • A further 110,000 Scottish households could be eligible for energy saving home improvements as part of the Warmer Homes Scotland programme
  • The Scottish Government scheme has already supported more than 1500 homes in Edinburgh and has now extended its eligibility criteria to support more Scottish households this winter–         

With fuel bills on the rise, a further 110,000 Scottish households could now benefit from energy saving home improvements as the eligibility criteria* for the Scottish Government’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme is extended.

Home Energy Scotland is calling on Scottish households in Edinburgh to act now ahead of the colder months, to find out if they may be eligible for around £5000 worth of support including heating and insulation improvements.

Delivered by Warmworks, more than 1500 households in Edinburgh have already benefitted from the programme since 2015, bringing a total cost saving on energy bills of around £388,189 in the region.

Designed to keep the heat in and increase energy efficiency in the home, Scottish households could also reduce their bills by getting in touch, with those who may have contacted Home Energy Scotland previously, encouraged to get back in touch due to the extended eligibility criteria.

Harry Mayers, Head of Home Energy Scotland, said; “With winter just around the corner, we understand that it is an extremely worrying time for many Scottish households in Edinburgh as we see home energy prices rise, but we are urging people to get in touch now to check whether they may be entitled to support.

“Following the Scottish Government extension to the eligibility criteria, support is available to even more Scottish households granting access to funding for energy saving home improvements including renewable systems.

“Even households who may have previously contacted Home Energy Scotland but unfortunately did not meet the criteria at that time, are encouraged to get back in touch as they may be eligible now due to the updates.”

Home Energy Scotland, the Scottish Government’s free energy efficiency advice service, helps people access the Warmer Homes Scotland programme along with a range of other financial support and impartial advice.

To find out exactly what you are eligible for – even if you have applied before – call the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline now on 0808 808 2282 or go to www.homeenergyscotland.org

Craigmillar’s Walk-Up Avenue project welcomes first visitors

An innovative new outdoor space for people to meet and spend time has opened to the public in Craigmillar.

The newly named Walk-Up Avenue project has transformed a previously unused site in the heart of Craigmillar into a multi-purpose place that can be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike.

Visitors have had a first taste of the new space, which was used as a venue for this year’s Craigmillar and Niddrie Community Festival. It is linked to the existing play park via a sculptural entranceway. It provides a new commercial unit set within a wider green space – designed as a raingarden to support biodiversity – alongside outdoor seating, informal play and an events space with a stage pavilion.

The site was developed with the intention of providing a new outdoor space for people to meet and spend time, supporting small businesses and increasing footfall to this local centre.

The project has been delivered by the City of Edinburgh Council with support from the Town Centres Fund, Place Based Investment Programme, Scotland Loves Local, Nature Restoration Fund and Cycling Friendly & Social Housing Fund.

The Council owns the site and will oversee the management of future occupation and maintenance.

Walk-Up Avenue aims to support the wider regeneration investment in the Craigmillar area, and will contribute to Edinburgh’s 20-minute neighbourhood strategy for people across the city to live well locally with amenities available within a short walk, wheel or cycle from their homes.

The 20-minute neighbourhood approach is being developed with a focus on quality natural spaces for recreation and social activities that support physical and mental wellbeing for everyone, and places with their own identity and purpose, where everyone feels part of their local community.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener said: “Walk-Up Avenue presents a clear vision for the future of outdoor recreation and social spaces in Edinburgh.

“Linked to our 194-home Craigmillar Town Centre development, the site is a prime example of our 20-minute neighbourhood approach in action. It’s not just about building homes, it’s about creating communities that help to end poverty and isolation in Edinburgh.

“Craigmillar is also an important trial in our work to support projects that bring local food growing back into everyday spaces and improve green spaces in local areas. This is vital for creating more opportunities for people across the city to have better access to nature and open space, such as play parks and places to exercise or meet friends, which can support physical and mental wellbeing for everyone.”

Children’s service providers warn of mental health emergency caused by cost-of-living crisis

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist children’s services, has warned of a child mental health emergency caused by the cost-of-living crisis, driven by increasing energy costs.

With inflation, energy costs and shopping bills now outstripping wage levels, this has replaced Covid and lockdown restrictions as the primary cause of poor mental health for children and young people

The coalition has called for an urgent co-ordinated response by both the Scottish and UK Governments to address the crisis and avoid a potential “lost generation” of children and young people with mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and self-harm. It has also called for greatly increased investment in mental health services.

Poverty is a major contributor to mental ill health, and children living in low-income households are three times more likely to suffer mental health problems than their more affluent peers. 1 So more young people will experience worse mental health as a result of the current cost-of-living crisis and as families fall behind with their bills, causing increased anxiety.

Even before the pandemic, cases of poor mental health were at unprecedented levels with services in crisis, and there are a growing number of vulnerable children who cannot access adequate support.

The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have exacerbated this, with more children and young people driven into poverty, with the resulting impact on their mental health. This has led to unprecedented demand and backlogs, with services struggling to keep up.

Figures published by Public Health Scotland in June indicate that over the quarter covering January to March 2022, 9,672 children and young people were referred to CAMHS for treatment, a staggering 22.4 per cent increase in numbers from the same quarter of the previous year when the equivalent figure was 7,902.2 The cost-of-living crisis is set to further worsen this. At the end of March 2022, a staggering total of 1,322 children and young people had been waiting for over a year for treatment.3

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “Millions of our children and young are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels because of the effect of the cost-of-living crisis.

“Since the pandemic, referrals have increased and the cost-of-living crisis is only going to make it worse, creating a potential lost generation of vulnerable children and young people.

“If we don’t give young people the support they need, when they need it, the consequences can be catastrophic.

“By minimising the drivers of mental health problems – such as poverty – we can reduce the impact on services and we would urge the Scottish Government and UK Government to work together and address this.”

Smoking banned outside hospitals

New legislation comes into force from tomorrow

Patients and healthcare staff will no longer face second-hand smoke at hospital doors as a nationwide ban comes into effect tomorrow (Monday 5 September).

The new legislation means anyone found lighting up within fifteen metres of a hospital building could face a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.

This is the latest step in the Scottish Government’s plan to create a tobacco free Scotland by 2034 and supports the voluntary smoke-free hospital grounds policy introduced in 2015.    

The new law will apply to NHS hospital settings used for the treatment and care of patients and includes a ban on lighting up beneath overhanging structures.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Everyone knows that smoking is bad for our health and hospital patients in particular should be protected from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

“This new law is the latest step in our bold plan to make Scotland tobacco-free by 2034 – building on our dedicated stop-smoking services and early intervention measures to stop youngsters picking up the habit altogether.

“Anyone looking to quit can contact the NHS QuitYourWay Helpline or speak to their local pharmacy to discuss the range of help available.”

ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said: “Extending current legislation to include outdoor areas will have the positive impact of protecting people from the harmful effects of breathing in toxic tobacco smoke through vents, windows or doorways while they are being treated and recovering in hospital. 

“We urge people who smoke to be considerate in remaining outside the 15-metre perimeter, ensuring hospital patients do not face unnecessary additional risks to their health caused by inhaling harmful substances.

“This is particularly important as Scotland challenges the normalisation of smoking on our journey towards becoming tobacco-free.” 

NHS QuitYourWay Helpline  0800 84 84 84

Appeal after pedestrian dies on Edinburgh City Bypass

A pedestrian has died following a collision involving a car on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass yesterday.

The incident happened around 5.10am on Saturday, 3 September eastbound near the Straiton junction.

The 25-year-old male pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 39-year-old male driver of the BMW 3 Series car involved was uninjured.

The road was closed until around 12.40pm to allow for an investigation at the scene.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friend at this difficult time.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and I would ask anyone with information which could help to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage which could help our investigation.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 0714 of 3 September.”