Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Man hospitalised after nightclub assault

A man has been treated in hospital for a facial injury after being attacked in Frederick Street’s Suva nightclub. Police said the 28-year-old was standing at the side of the dance floor when a man struck him on the face with an “unknown object” at about 02:30 on Saturday.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and was later released. The suspect is described as white and in his 20s. He was wearing dark clothing and was last seen running from the club.

Det Con Douglas Mogg said: “The victim suffered a painful injury to his face and we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry to trace the male responsible. Anyone who was in the club and witnessed the attack or who has information that can help us trace the suspect is urged to contact police immediately.”

African Tudors remembered

African people in sixteenth century Scotland
– A forgotten population. But remembered today

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
12.45pm-1.30pm
Join historian Onyeka at the Scottish National Gallery as he discusses the untold story of African people in Scotland during the Tudor period.

Onyeka is the author of Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England, their Presence, Status and Origins, a groundbreaking publication that unearths the hidden history of African people in Tudor England and Scotland. The research in Blackamoores highlights the contribution African people made to the development of cities such as Edinburgh and challenges the commonly held belief that these people were slaves or placed at the lowest rung of society.

In his groundbreaking book, Onyeka argues that African people were present in cities and towns throughout England, but that they did not automatically occupy the lowest positions in Tudor society. This is important because the few modern historians who have written about Africans in Tudor England suggest that they were all slaves, or transient immigrants who were considered as dangerous strangers and the epitome of otherness. However, this book shows that some Africans in England had important occupations in Tudor society, and were employed by powerful people because of the skills they possessed. These people seem to have inherited some of their skills from the multicultural societies that they came from, but that does not mean all of those present in England were born in other countries: some were born in England.

 The arguments in this book are supported by evidence from a variety of  sources both manuscript and printed, most of which has not been widely  discussed – whilst some of it Onyeka has discovered, and this may be the first  time that it has been revealed. Other evidence is taken from texts that are the  subject of popular discussion by historians, linguists and so on, but Onyeka  encourages the reader to re-examine these works in a different way because  they reveal information about the presence, status and origins of Africans in  Tudor England.

African people in sixteenth century Scotland
– A forgotten population, But remembered today

Wednesday 3rd December 2014  12.45pm-1.30pm

Free admission

Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL

This will be a thrilling afternoon and one of the last opportunities to hear Onyeka discuss this subject matter.

For more information please visit www.narrative-eye.org.uk or email admin@narrative-eye.org.uk

 

Two men assaulted and robbed in Leith

PolicePolice are appealing for witnesses after two men were assaulted and robbed in Leith on Thursday evening. The incident happened at around 9.40pm in Breadalbane Street.

A 21-year-old and 19-year-old were sitting in a car waiting for a friend when three men approached the vehicle. Two of the suspects produced knives and threatened the pair, while the third suspect, who was in possession of a metal pole, searched the car for valuables.

Both victims were struck on the head with the pole during the robbery before the three men responsible made off. Fortunately neither required medical attention.

Police are urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

The suspects are all described as being white, 25-30-years-old, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 9ins tall with slim builds and wearing dark hooded tops and dark trousers.

Detective Constable Graham McIlwraith said: “The victims were taken by surprise when the suspects approached their car and produced weapons before robbing them of their personal possessions. Thankfully, though, neither of them were injured and we are now conducting local enquiries to trace the men responsible.

“Anyone who was in or around Breadalbane Street on Thursday evening and remembers seeing anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately. We would also request that anyone who recognises the description of the suspects, or who has any further information relevant to this investigation, gets in touch as soon as possible.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Northview Court assault: man charged

Northviewcourt_dp_220x150[1]A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault to severe injury after a 28-year old man was found seriously assaulted at Northview Court last Saturday (8 November).

He has also been charged with a separate and unconnected serious assault that took place on Elm Row on 28 October.

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Council offices on the move

1 Cockburn Street is closing

Council services currently based at 1 Cockburn Street are moving. The building will close at 3.40pm on Friday 28 November.

City Centre and Leith Neighbourhood Office

From 8.30am on Monday 1 December, the City Centre and Leith Neighbourhood can be found at Customer Hub, 249 High Street

0131 529 7061

Services from here include:

  • paying Council Tax and rent
  • housing, including bidding on properties through Key to Choice
  • reporting anti-social behaviour or environmental crime
  • parks and green spaces
  • roads issues.

Or you can access these services at our Leith Office, Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road

0131 529 6170

Homeless and Housing Support Services

From 9am on Monday 1 December, Homeless and Housing Support Services can be found at

1A Parliament Square

0131 529 7368

Services from here include:

  • housing advice
  • housing options
  • temporary accommodation
  • support to remain in your own home
  • immigration and asylum support.

CEClogo

Community meeting to discuss Granton Mill vandalism

West Pilton/West Granton Community  Council has organised a special community meeting to discuss vandalism in the Granton Mill area.

The meeting will take place on

TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER from 6.30 – 8pm

in Craigroyston Community High School

Police, council officials and councillors have been invited to the event and a council Community Safety officer will report on what steps are being taken to tackle the problems.

The meeting also offers an opportunity to meet with other concerned residents and tenants who are working for the betterment of the area, and community council secretary Willie Black hopes Granton Mill’s residents will attend, get involved and make a difference.

“Why not come along to the meeting and have your say? With your help we can all make Granton Mill a place where everyone can be proud to live and work”, he said.

For further information contact Willie Black (Secretary) on 07515686421 or email w.black@blueyonder.co.uk

Community Council Public Meeting

The joys of Latin … mea culpa!

romanSubscribers to the NEN blog email alerts and Twitter feeds may have been surprised to receive some Latin texts this morning. Takes me back to the good old days of double Latin: ‘Amo, amas, amat …’ 

Don’t worry: we don’t plan to move into new languages (or the classics, come to that) any time soon – mastering English grammar is difficult enough. No, the problem was caused by the development work that’s ongoing – normally that goes on in the background and you won’t be aware of it, but some testing is taking place and hence the Roman invasion!

Normal service has been resumed, please accept our apologies  – and there will be no charge for the Latin lessons!

 

Playing with fire

Don’t put yourself and your loved ones at risk by using heaters incorrectly

burnt_plug_450x350People are playing with fire in their efforts to find cheaper heating options this winter. Research by Electrical Safety First has revealed that many are unaware of the dangers that portable heaters can pose.

With concerns about rising energy prices forcing people to use portable heaters in order to warm their homes, the Charity is joining forces with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to warn of the risks associated with these items as part of Electrical Fire Safety Week, which runs from the 10 – 16 November.

Electrical Safety First’s research found that 78% of people were worried about the rising costs of energy bills, and over half would use portable heaters as an alternative to keep warm this winter.

However, it was also revealed that many could put themselves and their loved ones at risk by using the heaters incorrectly. 38% of people admitted that they would leave a heater switched on and unattended, whilst 21% would leave one switched on overnight. And with portable heaters having caused 11 deaths, around 77 injuries and over 290 fires in Scotland since 2009/10,  the dangers posed by using them incorrectly are very real.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable. Those aged 80 and over make up nearly 40% of the fatalities caused by portable-heater fires last year,  even though 33% of people would use a portable heater to keep an elderly relative warm.

In order to minimise the danger, Electrical Safety First and SFRS have produced the following guidance for heating homes safely:

• Never leave portable heaters unattended

• Never leave them on whilst sleeping

• Ensure that they are positioned well away from anything which could knock them over

• Ensure they are at least a meter away from any combustible materials, such as paper or curtains

• Never buy second hand halogen heaters

• Never power a halogen heater from an extension lead – these can easily be overloaded and cause fires

• Regularly inspect your heater for damage. If it’s damaged, don’t use it.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service director of prevention and protection, said: “We know that winter can mean more house fires than at any other time of year and  portable heaters are one of the factors which contribute to this.  Fires resulting from portable heaters being placed too close to beds or furniture can have tragic consequences while using them for drying clothes, or forgetting to switch off when you go out or go to bed can also place households in danger.

“Following the advice provided by Electrical Safety First, and making sure your home has working smoke alarms, could save your life.  Over the last five years three-quarters of preventable fire deaths in Scotland were people aged 50 years or over – and almost a third of people injured through fire were aged 60 or over.

“This winter we are appealing for the community to think about older people.  It could be a friend, relative or neighbour.

“Our crews offer a free Home Fire Safety Visit service but we need your help to make sure every older person is offered that support. Firefighters can help householders spot fire hazards and fit smoke alarms free of charge if the home is found to need them.  If you, or someone you know, could be at risk from fire, contact us now.”

On this guidance, and on the dangers posed by portable heaters, Emma Apter at Electrical Safety First said: “Having a warm home this winter is something everyone deserves, so we welcome portable heaters as a low cost option at a time when energy costs are spiralling.

“However, it is vital that the dangers associated with these items are understood – particularly as our research suggests that people are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk by using them in an unsafe way. By following our short, simple guidance, people can stay safe and stay warm this winter.”

SFRS