06/12/2024 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Storm Darragh: Red Warning advice issued by safety charity RoSPA

Damaging winds expected

Red Weather Warning for Wales and South West England: The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for Wales due to Storm Darragh, with winds expected to reach up to 90 mph, posing significant risks to safety and infrastructure.

Amber Warnings for Scotland and Northern Ireland: Scotland and Northern Ireland are also under amber warnings, anticipating severe weather conditions that could lead to widespread disruption.
Safety Precautions Urged: Authorities are advising residents to secure loose objects, avoid travel, and prepare for power outages to stay safe during the storm.

#StormDarragh has been named and is forecast to bring very strong winds and heavy rain to the UK later on Friday and through the weekend #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/xqPH9hvqxs
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 5, 2024

The Met Office has warned that gusts of up to 90 mph (144 km/h) or more are possible, particularly over the coasts and hills of west and south Wales. The caution is currently in place from 03:00 to 11:00 on Saturday, December 7th.

Additionally, amber warnings have been issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well parts of the South West of England, with many events being cancelled across the UK.

The rare red weather warning has been issued for Wales ahead of Storm Darragh, which is expected to bring extremely strong and damaging winds this weekend.

Here are some important safety tips to help you stay safe:

Secure loose objects: Ensure that any loose items outside your home, such as garden furniture, are secured or brought indoors to prevent them from being blown away.
Avoid travel: If possible, avoid traveling during the peak of the storm. If you must travel, check the weather forecast and road conditions before setting off. Many events have now been cancelled
Stay indoors: Stay inside during the storm, especially during the peak hours from 03:00 to 11:00 GMT on Saturday, December 7th.
Prepare for power cuts: Have an emergency kit ready with essentials such as torches, batteries, and non-perishable food in case of power outages.
Stay away from windows: Keep away from windows and glass doors to avoid injury from flying debris.
Charge your devices: Ensure your mobile phone and other essential devices are fully charged.
Check on vulnerable neighbours: If it is safe to do so, ensure that they are secure and have everything they need. .

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “A red weather warning is highly unusual and should be heeded as it can indicate a risk to life.

“With parts of Wales and the South West set to be battered by the wind between 3am and 11am on Saturday, we strongly advise drivers to postpone their journeys if they can. Anyone who must drive should stick to major roads, reduce their speed significantly, always keep a firm grip of the steering wheel and be on high alert for debris in the road.

“Exposed rural and coastal routes will be particularly treacherous. Drivers in these areas should be wary of any high-sided vehicles as they are at risk of being buffeted off course or, worse still, blown over. We also suggest parking well away from large trees due to the danger of falling branches or whole trees being uprooted.”

For more detailed advice on staying safe during strong winds, you can visit the Met Office’s stay safe in winter driving page and the RoSPA website

City Art Centre honours Jean Fletcher Watson as statue goes on display

Visitors to the City Art Centre can now celebrate a key figure behind in the city’s art collection with the installation of a statue honouring Jean Fletcher Watson.

In the 1960s, Edinburgh resident Jean Fletcher Watson (1877-1974) established The Jean F. Watson Bequest, a significant financial contribution to the City of Edinburgh dedicated to building a collection of Scottish art. This bequest remains the city’s primary funding source for acquiring artworks.

Since then, the fund has been used not only to address historical gaps in the fine art collection but also supports the purchase of contemporary works.

To date over 1,000 artworks have been acquired through the Bequest, featuring notable pieces by renowned artists such as Allan Ramsay, John Lavery, J.D. Fergusson, Dorothy Johnstone, William Gillies, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Eduardo Paolozzi, Joan Eardley, John Bellany, Victoria Crowe, and Maud Sulter.

In the 1960s, to honour Watson’s vital contribution to the development of the collection, the city commissioned sculptor Eric Schilsky to create a portrait bust of her. Schilsky, who served as Head of the School of Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art from 1945 to 1969, crafted this bronze bust, which is now permanently displayed as part of the City Art Centre’s collection.

Val Walker, Convener for Culture and Communities, said: “I am thrilled that the council approved the request from the Committee of the Jean F. Watson Bequest to provide a permanent showcase for this influential figure in our culture. Her contributions to the visual arts and culture in Edinburgh are invaluable and she should be celebrated.

“It’s remarkable that over 1,000 works have been acquired through this fund, tracing the evolution of visual arts in Scotland from the 17th century to today.

“The collection offers a rich overview for both current audiences and future generations, encompassing a diverse array of styles and mediums, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and installation art.

“Now whilst enjoying the collection visitors can also learn about Jean F Watson’s legacy.”

Heart of Newhaven: Christmas Craft Fair tomorrow

Come along to The Heart this coming Saturday 7th December, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM for some Christmas festivities!

There will be Christmas Stalls, Raffles and Tombola!

This event is organised by Pregnancy Counselling and Care.

See you there

#fundraiser Pregnancy Counselling and Care Community

#PCCS

Gracemount incident on 5th November: CCTV images released

EDINBURGH Police have issued CCTV footage of three men officers believe might be able to assist with enquiries into an incident on 5 November 2024 at Captains Road, in the Gracemount area.

The first male is described as a white, aged between 20 and 30 years-old, around 5ft 8ins tall with a slim build and a bushy brown/red beard. He was wearing a black hat, black tracksuit top with white logo on left chest and white lining around shoulders and black trainers.

The second male is described as a white, aged between 30 and 40 years-old, with a medium build and black hair. He was wearing a black jacket with a fur hood and black trousers.

The third male is described as a white aged between 18 and 20-years-old, 5ft 9ins tall, with a medium/athletic build, dark eyebrows and black hair. He was wearing a black snood, black crew-neck Nike jumper with small white swoosh on left breast, black trousers and black trainers.

Detective Inspector Steven Dick said: “We are keen to talk to these males as we believe he may have information which could assist with our enquiries.

“The males pictured, or anyone who may recognise them, are asked to please contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

‘Game-changing’ funding for Scotland’s creative sector

Hundreds of individuals and organisations to benefit

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has said an additional £34 million in culture and arts spending next year will be “game-changing” for the sector.

Wednesday’s draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 will see culture and arts spending increase by £34 million, with £20 million of this being channelled through Creative Scotland for its competitive multi-year funding programme for artists and cultural organisations.

Speaking at the National Gallery of Scotland, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said significant levels of public investment in the culture and arts sector would be coupled with an examination of the structures around culture funding to ensure as much money as possible goes directly to artists and organisations.

He confirmed that the review of Creative Scotland’s remit and functions will begin early next year and will aim to publish its recommendations in summer 2025.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland’s arts and culture are at the very soul of our nation. They speak to how we see the world, how we share ideas, and how our people can give expression to their hopes.

“Our draft budget could not be clearer in our steadfast support for Scotland’s arts and culture sector. We aim to provide an additional £34 million next year to bolster the sector. This is a game-changing increase.

“This will enable Creative Scotland to roll-out its multi-year funding programme – ensuring that the highest ever number of artists and organisations receive regular funding.

“We also plan to increase funding for Screen Scotland, give uplifts to our National Performing Companies, double our Festivals EXPO funding, provide above inflation increase to Sistema and the Youth Music Initiative, and restart the Culture Collective programme alongside with a range of other activity.

“This budget brings us half way to reaching our five-year commitment of a recurring £100 million increase for the sector in just two years. For 2026-27, subject to the normal budget processes, our aim is to deliver a further £20 million increase.”

The draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 was published on 4 December 2024. It commits an additional £34 million resource funding to arts and culture in Scotland.

Within this, a further £20 million will be provided to Creative Scotland for its multi-year funding programme in 2025-26. Funding will also increase by £4.5 million for Scotland’s National Collections and £1 million for the National Performing Companies.

The draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 also commits to an increase of £4 million funding for Scottish Festivals, doubling the EXPO Festival Fund to expand its reach beyond festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as providing funding for the Festivals Partnership. There will also be an additional £2 million for Screen Scotland to support work to attract international investment and large-scale productions to Scotland.

The Culture Collective programme will be restarted with £4 million to benefit Scottish communities, community organisations, individual artists and freelancers.

In addition, £270,000 has been allocated to enable the creation of a single digital library interface which directs people to Scotland’s public libraries, allowing the public to access information, online content and a national e-resources lending area to ensure equitable access to information and reading material across Scotland.

There will also be £4 million allocated for a new Scottish Culture & Heritage Capacity Fund. This fund recognises the significant challenges faced by heritage and culture organisations across Scotland.

Community cops at Morrisons Ferry Road tomorrow

Come along to Morrisons, Ferry Road this Saturday (7th December) between 1030 and 1230 and have a chat with your community officers about local issues

#ForthCommunity

#CommunityPolicing

Community Hero Award for Poppyscotland volunteer

A long-serving Poppyscotland volunteer has said how he felt “shocked” but “incredibly grateful” after being given a Community Hero Award by Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray.

University of Edinburgh academic Dr Alex Imrie, of Burdiehouse, was nominated by his peers within the ward of the Labour MP, after dedicating the last 25 years to raising both funds and the profile of Poppyscotland.

Alex’s long-running relationship with the charity began back in secondary school, when as part of a project he was encouraged to meet and speak with veterans. After setting up a chat with a friend of a neighbour, Alex was first introduced to and immediately inspired by the work of Poppyscotland. So much so, he decided to begin his own journey as a Poppyscotland volunteer.

His work has seen him pounding the streets of Edinburgh with collection tins and buckets, planting crosses in the Garden of Remembrance, regularly promoting the charity to members of the public and on his social media and taking part in Poppyscotland’s Sportive (46 miles), and then setting himself a mammoth 548-mile challenge in memory of his great-grandfather, William Scott, who served in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during WWI.

The ride simulated the distance between Loanhead, where William is commemorated at Memorial Park and Béthune, where he was buried and helped to raise over £800 combined with his Sportive fundraiser.

Alex said: “I was really quite shocked but incredibly grateful to hear that I had been selected for the Community Hero Award. My relationship with Poppyscotland goes back 25 years now and it really does hold a special place in my heart.

“I must thank everyone who nominated me for the award and of course thank you to Mr Ian Murray MP and his team for the Award.”

Gordon Michie, Head of Funding and Learning at Poppyscotland said: “Alex has literally given thousands of hours to our cause over the years and raised hundreds of pounds in the process.

“We were absolutely delighted to learn that he was being given this award by Ian Murray MP as Alex epitomises the core values of Poppyscotland. He is a first class volunteer!”

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray said: “I was delighted to present Alex with a Community Hero Award in my role as MP for Edinburgh South.

“His fundraising efforts have been utterly superb, and it was a real pleasure to meet him. Alex was nominated by the public to recognise his significant contribution to both Poppyscotland and the veteran’s community.

“Well done Alex and thank you again.”

Call for UK Government support in scrapping the two-child limit

Social Justice Secretary writes to counterpart seeking early engagement

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to Liz Kendall, the UK Work and Pensions Secretary, to follow up on the commitment to scrap the two-child limit from 2026.

The Scottish Government’s plan to mitigate the limit on Universal Credit, announced as part of the 2025-26 budget, will require cooperation from the Department for Work and Pensions to enable systems development and data-sharing.

In the letter to Ms Kendall, Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty in Scotland is a national mission and we believe that this policy will be a key driver in delivering that mission.

“The Scottish Government is committing the resources required to begin the preparatory work in the coming financial year with a view to making the first mitigation payments in 2026-27.

“The Finance Secretary was careful to note that co-operation with your Department will be necessary, which I understand will primarily need to centre around systems development and data sharing.

“We will also want to work with you to ensure that any mitigation payments are disregarded as income for benefit calculations. The Scottish Government is keen to progress this work as soon as possible. I would therefore be keen to meet before Christmas to discuss our policy and how, together, we might best be kept appraised of progress as officials take forward this work.”

Two-child limit: Letter to UK Government – gov.scot