North Edinburgh Fights Back and Muirhouse Womens Group are holding a public meeting in North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Wednesday (13 June) to organise a joint campaign against cuts to local services – an opportunity to ‘hear the case against poverty and join the fightback’.
Speakers confirmed include representatives from Shelter Scotland and the Poverty Alliance.
The meeting starts at 6.30pm – all welcome.
For further information visit www.northedinburghfightsback.org.uk
See poster for details:
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a disabled woman was assaulted and robbed in West Granton Road yesterday.
The 52-year-old, who suffers from Huntingdon’s Disease, was walking southwards along West Granton Road towards the Morrison store between 10.30am and 11.20am on Thursday when someone approached her from behind.
The suspect grabbed hold of the woman’s handbag strap and pulled on it violently, causing her to fall to the ground before making off with the bag, which contained cash and other personal possessions, towards Pennywell Road.
Two passers-by then came to the victim’s aid and she was taken to the ERI where she is currently being treated for a dislocated shoulder.
Detectives are now keen to speak with anyone who was in the area yesterday morning and remembers seeing anything suspicious.
The suspect is described as white, around 5ft tall with a skinny build, wearing a dark hooded top with the hood worn up concealing their face and dark trousers.
A police spokesman said: “This was a sickening and opportunistic assault and robbery on a clearly vulnerable woman and we are carrying out enquiries in the local area to identify the person responsible. As the victim did not get a good look at the suspect we are unable to say at this time if they were male or female and would urge anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward and assist with our enquiries. We believe a number of cars may have been driving past during the time of the attack and these motorists are asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
‘Curtain up! Dim the lights! We got nothing to hit but the heights!’ That was the blurb in the Edinburgh Filmhouse programme and Wednesday’s showing certainly lived up to it’s billing. Telford’s HND Creative Industries Television course graduation show will be the last ever – Edinburgh colleges merge this autumn – but this years’ students ensured that the final programme would be just as memorable as those that have gone before.
With drama, documentaries, animations and adverts the films covered a broad spectrum and provided a perfect showcase of the students’ talents. From the atmospheric opening drama ‘Hungover’ to final action film ‘The Street Fighter’ the theme was quality throughout.
There were some amazing ideas and imagination on show. A special mention to Emma Murray’s animation ‘Big Gus’, an everyday tale of a pair of pants! and Lewis Kyle, whose ‘You’re Dead’ provided the ‘shock horror’ gross moment of the evening! Michael Dobb’s ‘The Sound of Scent’ was a beautifully constructed documentary while Eve Jarron provided some light relief with ‘At Home With Dr. Devious’.
Winner of the Crtics Award, however, was Jack Kyle’s experimental movie ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ (pictured above). Gloomy urban landscapes in Granton and Seafield shot from a moving vehicle, superb soundtrack … dark, desolate but very effective and a worthy winner.
Congratulation to all this year’s contributors – who knows what next year will bring, but it’s clear that the class of 2012 may now be gone, but certainly won’t be forgotten. Well done, everyone.
The Arabian Nights will come to sedate old Inverleith Park tomorrow night with all the exotic mystery of the East – yes, it’s Moonwalk 2012!
Thousands of women – and more than a few men, too – will walk either the Full Moon (26.2 miles) or the Half Moon. As always, everybody will be wearing brightly decorated bras and this year’s theme is ‘Midnight at the Oasis’; organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk are looking forward to seeing some exotic and exciting creations!
Since the first MoonWalk Edinburgh in 2006, this iconic night has brought together ordinary women and men, not just from Scotland but from all over the World, to achieve an extraordinary personal challenge, whilst raising money to improve the lives of cancer patients in Scotland. With the support of over 60,000 walkers over the last 6 years, this one evening has raised in excess of £14 million and over £2 million in 2011 alone.
One in eight women in the UK are expected to experience some form of breast cancer, and statistics show that this type of cancer has accelerated faster in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Reports also show that 42% of all breast cancers could potentially be prevented by reducing alcohol intake, making changes to diet, becoming more active and, most mportantly, maintaining a healthy weight. Joining a Walk the Walk challenge for many is often that first, all-important step towards making vital life changes.
Organiser and founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough, said: “The MoonWalk Edinburgh is a very special night, not only for all the wonderful Scottish energy that unites us in this common bond, but I love and cherish the fact that we are making such a difference to the lives of so many people in Scotland with cancer, not just in the main cities but from coast to coast including people living in the Highlands and Islands. It really is a night when everybody can help to make a difference, not only towards their own health but the lives of many. It is probably the most dynamic and awe-inspiring night that you could experience.”
Walk the Walk’s volunteer team could use some extra help on the big night. Their appeal:
‘We really need your help to recruit more smiling faces to act as route marshals to guide, cheer and encourage our walkers round the route. We are also looking for some early morning drivers to patrol the route and respond to calls to pick up and transport marshals or walkers who can no longer continue their walk. Finally, perhaps you are a keen cyclist – you could be part of one of our cycle teams, supporting the static marshals and lending comfort and safety to walkers who may find themselves on their own or struggling. If you can help please come along to Inverleith Park from 2 pm on Saturday and we’ll sign you up. Whatever time you can come, we’ll find you something to do!! AND it’s great FUN!!’
Wardie Bay Residents Association (WBRA) are organising their annual clean-up of Wardie Bay beach tomorrow afternoon from 2pm until 5pm – and they could use some help!
Trinity Community Council Secretary Tom Kelly said: “WBRA will supply tools (picker-uppers, gloves and bin bags) for use in collecting lighter items. They request those who can, to bring a spade or fork to release larger items such as car tyres. The work party will be meeting at the entrance to the beach off Lower Granton Road. It would be good if you can pass on this message to any possible volunteers – or indeed join the work party yourself or send along able-bodied members of your family.”
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following a recent spate of bike thefts in the North of Edinburgh. Between 16 May and Tuesday 5 June five bicycles were stolen from addresses in Inverleith Terrace, Comely Bank Avenue and Rodney Street. The combined value of the stolen cycles is around £1500.
Prior to each theft, individuals claiming to be delivering takeaway menus were allowed entry to the common stairs. Police believe these recent incidents are linked and are urging those who live within flat blocks to be vigilant when allowing people access to the building.
A police spokesman said: “The stolen bikes were used for recreation or for essential transport and the victims are all deeply upset and frustrated by these thefts. Officers have made enquiries with all local takeaways in the area and none of these businesses are currently leafleting. Residents within common stairs should always be wary of who they permit entry to and report any suspicious activity they witness to police.”
He continued: “Anyone who can assist us with our enquiries to identify those responsible for these recent thefts is also asked to come forward immediately. Members of our communities who would like crime prevention advice and information on protecting their possessions can contact their local policing team or visit our website at www.lbp.police.uk.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Hugh Cullen
Spartans Under 14s Whites won the League Cup last Thursday after a season that has seen them go from bottom of the league to cup glory in a matter of months.
The league campaign started poorly with the team losing 10 games in a row, which saw them drop out of most competitions and fall to the bottom of the table. The Head Coach left and a new coaching team took over. Hugh Cullen, Lewis Melee and Greg Atkinson became the youngest coaches in the club at the ages of 16, 17 and 17 respectively.
Soon, the side started scoring goals and their first win came away to Gullane in the League Cup- this gave the boys a huge lift and soon they became more confident in their ability and started to play some good, attractive football. One of the real signs that this team was not to be taken lightly was when Spartans defeated top of the table Dalkieth 4-2 in an entertaining match at Marine Drive.
It has been revealed that the team actually came very close to folding when the team’s goalkeeper decided to leave the club however they were saved when Finlay Kidd boldly volunteered to wear the number one jersey and, in fact, had a great season in between the posts. The side were also helped when, midway through the season, there was a new addition to the side. Samuel Nhamburo scored twelve goals in his first two games and only failed to score on two occasions, both against eventual league champions Fernieside.
Spartans went on to go undefeated in the League cup and finished in top position in their five man group and thrashed Leith Athletic 6-2 to progress to the final (Nhamburo scoring five). In the final they faced Fernieside who are the only team that they lost to in 2012. Spartans took an early lead through a 25-yard goal from Daniel Anderson however Fernieside got back into the game and led going into injury time. Spartans substitute scored in the last minute of the 90 and then with four minutes of injury time played, Gabriel Hill scored the winner, topping off a fantastic season for the boys.
Sunday 27 May marked a significant milestone in Elsie Moir’s 58 year association with North Edinburgh parents and children. Having reached her 80th birthday, Elsie decided it was time to ‘retire’ from the leadership of the Patch Club at Granton Parish Church.
Elsie started her teaching career atGrantonSchoolin 1954. Following her marriage in 1961, she went to South Africa and worked with husband Ian at a black African High School for 12 years. When Ian became minister of the West Pilton’s Old Kirk in 1983, Elsie asked for a teaching transfer to North Edinburgh. She was appointed toGrantonSchool, but resigned her post after a year in order to work in the Church with the large number of families who were moving into the renovated houses inWest Pilton.
She started a Parent and Toddler Group and also a group for parents. Elsie believed passionately in giving people of all ages an opportunity to learn together, through the expressive arts (art, music and drama). This led to the formation of the ‘Worship Workshop’. People worked for six weeks around a theme which culminated in an all-age worship presentation in the Church. This approach was very attractive to parents and children, who appreciated being able to learn and work together.
Following Ian’s retirement in 2000 the couple became members of Granton Parish Church. The Patch Club grew out of an existing organisation, the Magic Carpet Club, which Elsie had started as a storytelling club for parents and pre-school children in 2006. In 2008 she started a Sunday version of the club – Patch Club. It has the same elements as the ‘Magic Carpet’ – free-play, storytelling, music and two craft activities.
Of the ten families currently attending, there are two Polish families, two Chinese families and a Czech family as well as local families. It is a very good meeting place for immigrant and Scottish families and warm friendships have grown among the group.
The Patch Club starts again after the summer break on Sunday 2nd September and meets from 11 – 12 noon inGrantonParishChurch,Boswall Parkway. New families are always welcome.
Thanks to Ian Moir and Chas Macintosh
The latest reports from the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show that there are now 21 confirmed cases and 19 suspected cases.
One of the confirmed cases has died, two have been discharged from hospital and 12 are being treated in intensive care.
An emergency information leaflet will be delivered to all homes and businesses in affected areas today (Thursday). GPs have also been provided with information on spotting the signs of infection.
A dedicated NHS helpline has been set up for anyone concerned and can be reached on 0800 0858 531.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “The fact remains that the risk to the general public is low – however, due to the incubation period of the infection we are still expecting to see an increase in cases over the next couple of days.
“There is a now a dedicated advice line for everyone who is affected by the outbreak and households in affected areas will receive a leaflet advising on the symptoms to look out for.
“A tremendous amount of work has been done to identify and deal with the source of infection and ongoing work is focusing on cooling towers in the area. All of the towers have been treated and the first phase of site inspections has now been completed by HSE.”
Dr Duncan McCormick Consultant in Public Health Medicine NHS Lothian said: “Our advice is that there is a very low risk to the public and people should go about their daily business as usual.
“We remain confident – based on the available evidence – that the general source of the infection has been identified and that the treatment to the cooling towers will prove successful.
“We are expecting cases to continue to emerge over the next few days.
“I would like to assure the public that the drinking water is completely safe – the virus is not passed on by drinking water or from person to person transmission.
“If anyone has any concerns we would advise them to consult their GP or the NHS 24 dedicated helpline.”
Ms Sturgeon will be making a statement on the legionella outbreak to Parliament later this morning.
Oaklands was transformed into a strange new galaxy last month when the school celebrated National MOVE Day. Pupils, staff and visitors boldly went to search out new worlds – and raised over £140 in the process!
Oaklands introduced the Move curriculum in July 2009. It’s a movement-based programme which combines therapy and education to develop the individual’s mobility skills. Each individual programme is set by the physiotherapist, the pupil and their family and the school staff. Using a goal-based approach, the pupil works towards agreed targets; these range from being able to raise and hold their head independently enabling them to view and interact with the world around them, to being able to walk using walking frames.
Oaklands has supported National MOVE Day – a nationwide day celebrating the achievements of children with complex disabilities and health needs – since then, and the theme this year was ‘MOVE in Space’. The school was transformed into a strange and wonderful new universe where children and visitors could take part in a magical space voyage, stopping off at various points to enjoy exciting new experiences. Cosmic!
