Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Parents can go back to skool tomorrow

Edinburgh’s primary schools are opening their doors tomorrow (5 November) as part of a campaign to get parents to send their children to their local catchment school.  Primary Schools Open Day will allow parents with pre-school age children to have a look around and learn more about their local school.

A concerted campaign by the Council resulted in the lowest ever number of parents making out of catchment requests last year as more families sent their child to their local school, and parents should be aware as birth rates continue to rise there is less space in schools which means fewer placing requests will be granted.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener urged parents to choose their local school and support their local community. He said: “I’d encourage parents to go along and see their catchment school for themselves next week. Sending children to their local school can have many benefits for parents, children and the community where they live.

“A great example is Castleview Primary School which in a recent inspection by Education Scotland was rated as one of the best primary schools in the country.

“More and more families are realising the positive benefits catchment schools offer as shown by the record low number of placing requests last year. I think there is also a growing recognition that the days where you could choose which primary school you wanted your child to go to have gone.

“Next week’s open day is a fantastic opportunity to pop in and have a look around and see your local school in operation. Staff will be on hand to show-off some of the great work taking place as all of our schools offer a high quality education.”

Any parents with children under primary school age are welcome to attend and parents who may be thinking of moving into an area may also find it useful.

Further information on catchment schools and the Open Day, including times for the different schools, can be found on the Council’s website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/primaryschoolsopenday

fast5

George Blaikie funeral

George Blaikie sadly passed away last Monday and his funeral takes place on Wednesday (6 November) at 1pm at Warriston, then on to Victoria Park. 

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre has organised a minibus for people who require a lift there and back.  The bus will leave at 12.30 – people should contact the centre (call 552 5700) if they need a  lift.

Thanks to Lynne McCabe for this information.

Letter: Offensive, Darling – bitter together

Dear Editor

I find it offensive that Alister Darling thinks that Scotland is not capable of self-government or of being a nation with full powers. How come small nations similar to Scotland can gain their independence and be successful, look after their people and economy without their neighbours ?

Lets look at what “Better Together ” has really done for Scotland. It has destroyed coal mining and ship building . It has given away our forests to the highest bidder,and our fisheries were sold down the river. Our whisky is taxed to the hilt . Gas, electricity,water and now the Royal Mail have all been privatised,but not for the benefit of ordinary people. Our hospitals ,schools and care homes can’t cope because budgets are cut year in, year out .
Scotland’s oil has been squandered to the extent that Mr Darling and his ilk say it’s running out, yet we are assured by experts there are still ample oil reserves. Denis Healey admitted to the people of Scotland that they were lied to in the 1970s about the oil supply running out then. New oil fields are being opened daily , weekly, monthly.
Under “Better Together ” Scotland has nothing – it all goes to Westminster! Our old , young unemployed , disabled ,  vulnerable are being driven into deeper poverty by a ‘better together’ UK Great Britain, whether you are a Tory, Labour or Lib/Dem.
As for George Osbourne telling the Scottish nation that should we get independence we would not be able to use the pound sterling? Have any Scottish people tried to exchange Scottish monetary notes in England ? It’s near impossible!
Another myth is having to use a Scottish passport to travel to England? Passports are not required to travel to the Republic of Eire. Yes identification is required but not necessary a passport.
As for defence Better Together have used their savage cuts to the MOD therefore Scotland has seen their regiments disappear. Teresa May’s recent comment that Scotland would be a target for terrorism. Scotland has been attacked once . We are more than capable of defending our country. How many times has England been attacked? Go back to the 1970s and as recent as the London bombings in 2012.
Any other nations who have gained their independence have never asked to be returned to their original countries.If the people of Scotland want more welfare cuts, ruled from Westminster, job losses, and unfair  treatment of our nation , then I dare you never to be poor, ill, young, unemployed  or old.
The Better Together  campaign are scaremongering our nation. Scottish people have to realise that in the referendum we are NOT voting for any political party but to have the right to rule our own country . All I have heard from political parties has been the back stabbing of Alex Salmond for suggesting we can achieve independence . Joanne Lamont is one of the worst offenders. Having listen to her at the Labour Party Conference she put down Alex Salmond 23 times . ” Better Together “?  More like “Bitter Together!”
Finally just to inform people I do NOT vote SNP – however I do  want independence.
Stand up, Scotland and be a proud nation!
Anna Hutchison (by email)

Halloween Safety Tips

Police Scotland have issued some advice to help everyone to enjoy Halloween safely …

It’s Halloween tomorrow, so we are asking residents of all ages to make Halloween a safe and enjoyable celebration.

We are issuing some simple guidance for young people to ensure that Halloween passes safely and that anti-social or irresponsible behaviour is avoided.

The past few years have seen Halloween pass quietly in the area but there are still residents who are affected by the minority who behave anti-socially and ruin what should be a fun and family orientated time of the year.

Parents and young people are asked to consider the following advice:

  • Stay in well-lit areas and consider carrying a torch.
  • Don’t frighten elderly people or younger children.
  • Don’t enter a house unless you know the person. Young children should always be with an adult. Older children should ensure they are with friends.
  • If a sign says ‘No trick or treat’, respect that person’s wishes and move on.
  • Be visible, it will be dark and it’s important that passing traffic can see you.
  • If you have a mobile phone make sure you look after it so that parents/guardian can keep in touch.
  • Tell your parents or guardian where you are going and what time you will be back.
  • If you are given money keep it hidden away in a wallet or clothing.
  • Remember that it might be raining so wear appropriate clothing that keeps you dry but still lets you show off your costume.

lantern

 

Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership meets next Wednesday

The next public meeting of Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership takes place on

Wednesday  6 November at 7.30pm in Blackhall Library.

As well as regular Neighbourhood Partnership business of small grant awards and roads funding, next week’s event will also be an opportunity to hear more about the Council’s budget proposals and find out how to have your say on this.

More info here.

BlackhallLibraryblog

MoonWalk boost for Western’s Mammography Unit

Moonwalk

MoonWalkers transform Edinburgh’s Mammography Services!

 Care for breast patients in Edinburgh will be transformed thanks to the opening of a state-of-the-art Mammography Department at the Western General Hospital.

The upgraded and extended department at the Western General Hospital was funded by donations of £1.4 million raised by the annual MoonWalk Scotland in Edinburgh and the unit was officially opened by Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk Worldwide on Friday.

Walk the Walk, the charity which organises The MoonWalk, has been working in partnership with NHS Lothian and The Breast Cancer Institute to improve facilities and care for breast patients.

Over the last eight years, Walk the Walk has donated £1.5m for the construction of the new theatre in the breast unit, with NHS Lothian funding the remaining internal work. Another £500,000 from the charity has gone towards the £1 million revamp of Ward Six at the hospital, to transform it into a dedicated breast surgery ward.

Elaine Anderson, Clinical Director of Breast Services, said: “The opening of our extended Mammography Department will enhance the specialised diagnosis and care which we are able to offer to our patients. The Edinburgh Breast Unit has been at the forefront of developments in the treatment of breast cancer for 30 years and Walk the Walk’s assistance will ensure it stays there.”

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk Worldwide, (pictured above (centre) and below) said:  “All of the Walk the Walk Team are delighted to see the completion of the new Mammography Unit at the Western General. 

“We have been granting funds for the projects at the Western for almost eight years, so with a new operating theatre, and the re-designed breast care ward, we have been able to help transform the facilities not only for the patients, but also the staff, so that those receiving and those giving care, feel supported by a nurturing and healing environment. MoonWalkers should feel very proud of what they have achieved for Edinburgh.”

Brian Houston, Chair, NHS Lothian, said: “It’s great to see the scope of facilities here in the mammography department. Patients from across Lothian will receive diagnostic care and treatment in a world-class facility.

“We are committed to providing patient-centred effective care and we recognise the importance of working in partnership with Walk the Walk on this particular project.”

Moonwalk

Drylaw Telford Community Council meets tonight

Agenda DTCC Mtg. 30th October 2013

Just a reminder that Drylaw Telford Community Council meets tonight at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre off Groathill Road North.

Among items on tonight’s agenda (see above) are the election of office-bearers for the forthcoming year, as well as updates on a variety of local community initiatives.

As ever, the meeting is open to the public – all welcome!

DrylawNC1

Granton Sur Mer to set sail once again?

swim

Remember Granton Sur Mer? The imaginative scheme to establish an international garden competition, artists’ village and seafront lido constructed from sea containers? The scheme seemed to have sunk without trace, but now it appears the Granton Sur Mer initiative is afloat once again!

Granton Improvement Society is the name of the organisation taking the regeneration ideas forward and they are staging a presentation of updated plans tomorrow (Wednesday 30 October).

Society secretary Barbara Robertson said: “Trustees would like to invite you to come to a presentation on Wednesday 30th October, of the community regeneration project for the Walled Garden www.granton-sur-mer.co.uk  and surrounding sites which will be transformed into the Garden Festival, Artisans’ Village and Lido,

“This exciting and dynamic project in Granton will not only bring community benefit, employment, fun, leisure and learning opportunities to North Edinburgh but will develop into Edinburgh’s next Festival.  This will certainly add to Edinburgh’s reputation as a Festival City, gold medal winner of Britain in Bloom, World Heritage City and a great, green place to live and work for all of its people.”

participants can enjoy a site visit at 11am followed by a light lunch at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, a project presentation by Studio DuB’s Gordon Duffy with an open discussion planned to end the afternoon session.

Interested and like to find out more? Contact

barbara.robertson@grantonimprovementsociety.org

or telephone 551 3050.

home-lido

Health inequality gap continues to widen

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today announced the publication of the latest Long-term Monitoring of Health Inequalities: Headline Indicators report, the sixth annual publication on headline indicators following the Equally Well (2008) report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities.

The main findings are:

  • The highest level of relative inequality continues to be seen in alcohol-related deaths among those aged 45 to 74 years. However, this rate has fallen to its lowest level in the reporting period (1998 to 2011).  Relative inequality levels for first alcohol-related hospital admissions have remained stable since 1997.
  • Despite stabilising in recent years, the level of relative inequality for deaths among those aged 15 to 44 years has increased since 1997.  A similar pattern can also be seen in deaths among those aged under 75 years.
  • Between 1997 and 2011, the death rate for coronary heart disease (CHD) among those aged 45 to 74 years fell by 61%. The reduction was slower in the most deprived areas of Scotland than elsewhere, meaning that relative inequality has increased slightly over the long-term while the absolute inequality gap has narrowed. However, there are signs that relative inequality has stabilised in recent years.
  • Despite no clear long term trend, in recent years heart attack hospital admission rates have increased and inequalities widened.
  • Over the longer term, most indicators have shown signs of stability in one or both measures.  Inequalities in low birthweight are now stabilising having decreased between 2006 and 2008, while other indicators, such as CHD deaths, have stabilised following increases in inequality.
  • Additional inequalities information, regarding healthy birthweight babies (babies with an appropriate weight for gestational age) as well as incidence and mortality rates by cancer type, is included in this report for the first time in 2013.
  • Full results for all indicators are available in the publication.

The gap in health outcomes between the most deprived and least deprived areas of Scotland is reported for a variety of indicators in both absolute and relative terms. The latest figures include data up to 2011 for most indicators.

Commenting on the latest statistics, Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson said that tackling income inequality is the root of the challenge. He said:

“Overall, health in Scotland is improving, and people are living longer, healthier lives. Reducing the health gap between people in Scotland’s most deprived and affluent communities is one of our greatest challenges.

“At the root is the issue of income inequality – we need a shift in emphasis from dealing with the consequences to tackling the underlying causes, such as ending poverty, fair wages, supporting families and improving our physical and social environments.

“In the face of the UK Government’s welfare cuts, we are working with all of our partners to tackle poverty and inequality and help those who want to work to get into work.

“Many people in Scotland are concerned about the welfare policies of the UK government and the implications they could have on them and their families. And that is why we want to develop a Scottish system which provide support for those who need it.

“This illustrates the fact that the full powers of independence would provide the opportunity to make substantial progress on tackling health inequalities.

“We are continuing to take decisive action in areas we have control, for example to address alcohol consumption, reduce smoking rates, encourage active living, healthy eating, and promote positive mental health. But without full control over areas like welfare, we are left having to deal with UK Government welfare policies that only threaten to make things worse.”

WesternGeneral

Adios, Anita!

Anita Aggarwal, popular Senior Development Worker at Pilton Community Health Project, is taking a career break and is off with her family on the adventure of a lifetime – to South America!

You can follow Anita’s progress on her blog at

 http://anitaisraandmiguelsgreatadventure.wordpress.com/

Good luck, Anita – it was great working with you and we’ll be following your adventures all the way!

Anita serves up smoothies to NEN charity walkers
Anita serves up smoothies to NEN charity walkers

Geraldine O’Riordan fills Anita’s role at PCHP and she can be contacted by email at geraldineoriordan@pchp.org.uk or telephone 551 1671.