Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Innertube map goes green

Edinburgh’s unique Innertube map is now celebrating the launch of its third version – the Greenspaces edition. 

This green map highlights the many parks and green spaces that are easily accessible by bike or on foot using Edinburgh’s amazing network of off-street paths, made up of old railway lines, canal towpath, the Water of Leith walkway, coastal promenades, routes through parks or on dedicated segregated paths. As well as linking to parks and open spaces, most of the paths themselves go through woodland, parkland or by the sea at Silverknowes and Portobello.

The map has been created on behalf of the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) in partnership with The Bike Station, by Mark Sydenham, the originator of the Innertube map concept.  The map is part of the wider Innertube map project, a campaign to improve and promote Edinburgh’s 75km of traffic-free off-road paths, characterised by a London Underground style map.  This latest Greenspaces edition of the map highlights 54 of the city’s 145 parks, which have easy or close access to the path network, and is designed to encourage Edinburgh residents and visitors to use the routes to walk and cycle  to green destinations throughout the City, rather than taking the car.

The Innertubemap project was established thanks to funding from the People’s Postcode Trust, a grant giving body funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who funded this edition, and continues with a wide range of environmental improvement work along the routes, community volunteering sessions and guided activities, which are publicised on the project’s blog at http://innertubemap.com.

“We’re excited to be launching a green edition of the Innertube map and hope that it will inspire people throughout the city to take to the paths and explore the wealth of green networks, paths and open spaces that Edinburgh has to offer,” said Liz Stewart, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust.

The map has been designed as an attractive, pocket-sized A7 format, which folds out to show the A3 map on one side, with useful information about environmental organisations on the reverse.  The map will be distributed to libraries, community centres, businesses and other organisations over the summer and anyone wishing supplies should contact info@elgt.org.uk.

The Innertube map project continues throughout this year, thanks to further funding from the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage, supporting environmental improvement and community activity work delivered by the ELGT, with a programme of free community events and activities, all of which celebrate the Year of Natural Scotland 2013.

The Greenspaces edition of the Edinburgh Innertube map, is the third edition of the map since its launch in 2011. This edition follows the publication by The Bike Station of the student edition, funded by SESTRANS and Edinburgh’s universities and colleges, and the first edition, funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The map, designed by the Hillside Agency, has already made a big impact, with over 80,000 copies distributed to date.

greenmapphoto

 

Have your say on Leith Walk proposals

Local people, businesses and other groups are being invited to a drop-in event to view proposed designs and street layout for the Leith Walk programme tomorrow (Tuesday).  

The event follows a June meeting where local people and organisations strongly supported an enhanced design for Leith Walk as part of the Leith Programme to make the thoroughfare more pedestrian and cycle friendly.

Tomorrow’s event, at Nelson Hall in McDonald Road Library, from 2-8pm, will give local people and organisations the opportunity to view the proposed designs and discuss with officers the street layout for the Foot of the Walk to Pilrig Street and the Pilrig Street to Picardy Place sections of Leith Walk.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The session follows a very productive meeting in June when the local community pledged their support for the project. I am delighted that these plans are close to being finalised and to complete our detailed consultation and design process we are now keen to talk to local people and businesses about the proposals.”

“As the construction work is being phased, with the Foot of the Walk to Pilrig Street section commencing first, we are aiming to have a finalised draft design for this section ready by the beginning of August. This will allow us to proceed with the required Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process prior to the work starting. We will also be displaying the Pilrig Street to Picardy Place section at the same time to allow local stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the emerging design for this section.”

“I am hoping a wide range of people attend and provide their views on all aspects of the project, in particular, parking provision and domestic waste bins, so please let other local people and businesses know about the event.”

Twenty walk for NEN

walkers1Around twenty hardy walkers – and two dugs! – took part in the NEN Walkathon on Saturday. The small but enthusiastic band braved sweltering temperatures to raise funds for the community newspaper.

The walk took off from Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus and visited a number of community projects – some of whom opened especially to support the walk – including Pilton Community Health Project, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Muirhouse Library and North Edinburgh Arts.

Zumba warmup at Granton Campus
Zumba warmup at Granton Campus

It’s not yet known how much was raised by the charity walkers, but although it’s unlikely to be enough to produce an August edition your support – and the support of those who assisted on the day – is greatly appreciated.

Welcome refreshments at PCHP
Welcome refreshments at PCHP

Thanking the walkers before they set off, NEN Chairman Martin Hinds said that the board will be seeking commitment from the council to ensure the community newspaper’s survival (report to follow).

walkers2

Time to step out – it’s Walkathon Day!

CreweTollWalkWell the big day has final arrived and it seems the weather gods have smiled down on the NEN Walkathon – it’s not quite so hot this morning and there’s also a gentle breeze.

So walkers, the final check:

Sun hat?

Sunglasses?

Water?

Sunscreen?

Regal King Size?

Attending Betty McVay’s belated birthday party last night was perhaps not the ideal pre-walk preparation for me, but good luck everyone – and thanks for supporting your community newspaper!

SeaWalk

 

Weather warning for Walkathon

Participants in tonorrow’s NEN Walkathon are being urged to put safety first as the recent spell of hot weather shows no sign of cooling down. Walkers should carry and drink plenty of water, wear loose, light-coloured clothes and stay out of the sun as much as possible – especially in the fierce heat if the midday sun.

Temperatures over the weekend are expected to remain high, with many places expected to reach 26 or 27 degrees centigrade – that’s into the eighties in Fahrenheit – so here are some timely tips for our Walkathon walkers:

Seek Out Shade

Direct sun can make the temperature feel up to 15 degrees hotter! Check your area to see if there are parks with trails through the trees.

Expose Your Skin

Sweat can evaporate more easily from bare arms and legs – wear plenty of sunscreen, even under your shirt.

Just Add Water

Wet your shirt, and you’ll have on-the-spot air-conditioning!

Ice Your Thirst

Freeze a half-full water bottle, then top it off as you head out. Take sips regularly while you’re walking. Six to eight ounces of water every 15 minutes should be enough. As an extra precaution against dehydration, weigh yourself before your walk and again afterward. If you’ve dropped a pound or two, drink up. You’ve lost fluid that is important to your body’s cooling system.

Try Sports Drinks

If you just can’t get yourself to drink more water on your summer jaunts, then why not try a sports drink? They taste good and supply less than half the calories of fruit juices. They’re absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, so you can walk farther and avoid post-exercise fatigue. If you don’t like the taste of a sports drink, you can also diluter your favorite fruit juice with water and take it along with you.

Cover Your Head

Wear a breathable hat (not a visor—it will only protect your face, not your head), and wet that too.

Switch Shoes

For warm-weather workouts, you need lightweight, ventilated walking shoes and socks that wick away sweat. Mesh is cooler than leather and dries faster when your feet sweat. Or try a walking sandal.

Reduce Friction

Be aware of areas where skin rubs against skin—between your toes, thighs, and under your arms—and apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or use Runner’s Lube, a nonstaining cream made from lanolin, zinc oxide, and benzocaine. It can be found in many sporting goods stores.

Listen to Your Body

Your body will tell you when you can push yourself, and when it’s time to coast. If you develop a headache or become dizzy or weak, stop exercising and head for a cool place. Drink plenty of cool fluids, and rest.

Walkathon Route Map 3

NEN Walkathon

Saturday 20 July

Leaves Edinburgh College Granton Campus 10.30am

Come and join us!

NewhavenWalk

Visiting students attacked in Muirhouse

mmc

A group of overseas students have been attacked and robbed in Muirhouse. The incident happened outside the Millennium Centre on Muirhouse Medway on Wednesday night.

A dozen foreign exchange students were confronted by a gang of 15-20 local youths, both males and females, aged from nine or ten up to 18 years of age. Two of the students were assaulted and robbed and another two students received minor injuries.

A Police Scotland spokesman said the attack took place at about 22:00 on Wednesday and added: “This was an unprovoked attack on a group of foreign students who are currently staying with host families in Edinburgh. Inquiries are continuing and we are determined to find those responsible for this attack. Additional high-visibility police patrols are in the area and anyone with any information is asked to contact us.”

Walkathon update

walkaton

Almost there, people – just two days until the BIG DAY!

The latest itenerary for Saturday is as follows:

9.30 am – 9.45 am
Volunteers and Stewards arrive at Granton Campus to set up e.g Registration Desk/Agree Roles and Routes/Receive Maps and Hi Vis Vest etc.
9.45 am – 10.30 am
Registration
Walkers register and choose which route to walk
Opportunity to find out about community facilities at the College e.g. Hair & Beauty/Spa/Restaurant etc.
10.05 -10.10am
Welcome speech from Chair of NEN Board
10.10 – 10.15am
Show of support speech from Chair of Forth Neighbourhood Partnership
10.15 – 10.25am
Walkers warm up with Edinburgh Zumba Boys
10.30am
Walkers join their chosen groups (Stewards and Volunteers will be wearing Hi Vis vests). and Walk Starts
10.30 – 10.45am
Tally up numbers registered and phone to advise participating centres of expected numbers.
10.45 – 11.30am
Prepare photo opportunity area to welcome first walkers back to The Hub
11.30 –  2.00pm
Walkers expected back
WALKscottishgas2

NEN Walkathon: just three more posts to go

Walkathon Route Map 3

Just in case you’ve missed one or two previous posts, NEN Walkathon is taking place this Saturday (20 July), leaving from Edinburgh College Granton Campus.

Registration takes place from 9.45am and the Walk starts at 10.30.

NEN boeard member Ann Confrey has helped to organise the event. She said: “I have had a very productive meeting with a group of volunteers who will be assisting on Saturday. There are five ladies, all of whom have experience leading or helping to lead groups of walkers in the North Edinburgh area.

“I have one other volunteer – Clare – who will be manning the registration desk and the college’s lovely Jen Kelly will be ensuring that refreshments, information and ample space are provided for the registration process.”
 
So everything’s in place – all we need now are the local walkers to help make the NEN Walkathon a day to remember!
 
 
WalkDNC