Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Stamp of approval for Forthview project

Forthview Primary School’s P5A class is collecting stamps to raise money for charity – and they could use your help.

New teacher Ian Holden explained: “Since the holidays we’ve carried out some learning about stamps and the Olympics and on Tuesday we were visited by Roberto Catto, the General Secretary of the Edinburgh Philatelic Society. Roberto brought in his collection of London 2012 stamps, including all the stamps issued by Royal Mail following on from Team GB Gold medals.”

Ian went on: “The class will also be collecting used stamps which we will then sell to an auctioneer and give the raised funds to a charity of the children’s choice (not yet decided). If NEN readers would donate any used stamps to Forthview Primary School – for care of Mr Holden and P5a – we would be very much obliged.”

So don’t throw away those used stamps – drop them off at Forthview Primary in West Pilton Place – and remember, philately will get you everywhere!

Letter – Forgotten Estate?

Muirhouse and Pennywell will be regenerated as part of the council’s 21st Century Homes initiative, but Muirhouse resident Robert Pearson has written to the city council expressing concerns over the current state of the area:

I feel it necessary and appropriate to email you. I have lived in Muirhouse for eight years and have seen a steady decline in the area. Most recently the flats on Muirhouse Avenue were brought down to make way for the so called 21st century homes. No work has started since these flats where demolished months ago, instead you felt it necessary to plant some sort of wild flowers. These have never been maintained and as a direct result we now have a large open area which has now been taken over by weeds in excess of 4ft in height. If maintained correctly the area could be used by local children until such time the building work starts.

I made contact with my councillor regarding this matter but I feel I need to chase it up myself; I fail to understand why 21st century feel its appropriate to leave the area in such a mess. I know Muirhouse is not the most pleasant area but you’re certainly not helping.

There is a path which kids are expected to walk along to and from school which runs from Muirhouse Park to Muirhouse Avenue; this is overrun with weeds either side, flies, slugs and snails. Whilst I understand this can’t be totally prevented, this is something I would expect on a nature trail not on a walk way in the middle of a housing estate. So why is this happening, I ask? I’ll explain why: it’s because we have substantial amount of weeds either side.

I truly believe that we live in a forgotten estate, I think it would be beneficial for you to visit the area to understand my concerns. Simple resolution: cut the weeds down and a general clean up of area.

I am more than happy to meet up and discuss in person, I have photographic evidence if you require.

I await a prompt reply

Robert Pearson

 

Broughton welcomes Iraqi Youth Orchestra

Broughton High School welcomed the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq yesterday.

Tudor Morris, who is Director of The City of Edinburgh Music School based at Broughton, explained: “This is the orchestra’s first ever visit to the UK, where they are performing at the  Edinburgh Festival with Julian Lloyd Webber, Khyam Allami and players from the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, conducted by Paul MacAlindin.

“The National Youth Orchestra of Iraq is a remarkable project set up by a brave 17-year-old Iraqi, Zuhal Sultan, just four years ago. Although many musicians had fled the country during the war, Zuhal was determined to create a national youth orchestra, which has since enjoyed great success in Iraq and abroad.

They were featured in a Channel 4 documentary last week and have been on several news programmes this week, and we are delighted to welcome them to Broughton.”

The Iraqis are spending three weeks working with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra
before the 26 August concert at Greyfriars Kirk. They will join cellist
Julian Lloyd Webber and their repertoire will include a concerto by Scottish composer Gordon McPherson.

Find out more at www.nyoiraq.com.

 

Happy anniversary, State Street

It’s forty years since State Street moved to the UK, and the corporation’s 750 Edinburgh staff will celebrate at Crewe Toll today with a giant barbecue attended by Olympic silver medallist Roger Black.

Sate Street purchased Deutsche Bank’s securities division and moved into the 146,000 sq. ft. Crewe Toll complex in 2003, and since then the banking giant has played a significant role in supporting local community initiatives, both through staff volunteering and through the organisation’s Foundation Community Support programme.

Among the many local organisations with particular reason to wish their Crewe Toll neighbours a happy birthday are Stepping Stones, North Edinburgh Childcare, Oaklands School, PROP Stress Centre, Drylaw Rainbow Club and Craigroyston Community High School – and there are more.

Speaking ahead of today’s celebrations (fingers crossed for a little sunshine!) State Street’s senior vice-president Jeanette Patrizio said: “This is a time to feel a little more optimistic, and to share that with people. It is up to us as business leaders to remind people that it is not all doom and gloom.”

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meets on Tuesday

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership’s next public meeting will be held on Tuesday 21 August from 7 – 9pm in Craigroyston Community High School, Pennywell Road.

The Total Craigroyston initiative will be the main agenda item.

For further information visit the website www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/forth or telephone 529 5082. All welcome.

NHS Lothian powers up campaign to save energy

NHS Lothian has launched an innovative campaign to encourage staff to save on the energy they use at work. The Power Pack campaign centres on a group of digital characters each promoting a key message to save energy, print less, recycle more and  switch-off.

A recent survey showed that 91 per cent of NHS Lothian staff felt they could do more to conserve energy whilst at work. The survey also generated a number of positive suggestions which have been used to help shape the campaign, ranging from double-sided  printing and recycling initiatives to rechargeable batteries and car  sharing schemes.

Charlie Halpin, Energy and Environment Manager, NHS Lothian, said: “By taking these steps, staff will help NHS Lothian maintain the Carbon  Trust Standard and sustaining a reduction in our carbon emissions by  four per cent per year over the next five years. Simple tasks like turning off computer monitors overnight or only  printing essential documents can make a huge difference. Working  together will help us significantly reduce the amount of energy we use  and make essential savings for the organisation.”

NHS Lothian  spends around £14 million on energy bills and produces 90,000 tonnes of  carbon dioxide every year. That works out at £500 and three tonnes of  C02 per member of staff.

Kirsten Smith, Senior Charge Nurse, Ward 72, Royal Victoria Building, said: “I’ll definitely be joining the Power Pack. It’s great that staff have the chance to contribute to this campaign and I’ll be putting my  thinking cap on to come up with some energy saving ideas of my own.”

Stuart Wilson, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, NHS  Lothian, said: “This is an engaging campaign which we hope will grab the attention of the 24,000 employees who work for NHS Lothian. We are keen for all staff to join the Power Pack giving us their own energy saving advice and ideas. Our staff are key to making this  campaign a success and continuing our good work in reducing the energy  we use at work.”

Dr Charles Winstanley, Chair, NHS Lothian, said: “We are committed to continuing to drive home the message of energy efficiency and hopefully the Power Pack will help to make the difference. We have already  reduced our energy emissions from fossil fuels by 5.3% over the past two years and this led to being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard.”

The Western’s recently-opened Royal Victoria Building has achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. The  project incorporates a number of initiatives developed to provide an  environmentally friendly building: use of photo-voltaic panels, ground  source heat pump, low flush WCs, low energy lifts, occupancy and light  sensors. The building also achieved a ‘Considerate Contractor’ award – incorporating high level of  construction site waste management, and water services are designed to minimise  water-borne disease.

Teenager stabbed in Trinity

A teenager was stabbed as thieves robbed two friends in Trinity last night.

The 16-year-old victims were walking under East Trinity Road, near Bangholm Recreation Grounds at around 9pm when they approached by two men. One of the thieves, described as 18 to 19 years old with a local accent, was carrying a knife and demanded the girl and boy hand over their belongings.

One of the vivtims was stabbed as the thieves made off with a phone and a handbag containing an iPod, purse and other personal belongings.

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Both of the suspects are described as white males, aged between 18 and 19 years old and had Edinburgh accents. One is thought to be about 5’9″ tall and of a slim build with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark or black-coloured hooded top. The other suspect thouoght to be 5’8″ tall, with short blond or fair hair. He was wearing a light-coloured hooded top.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

Total Craigroyston – update

Manager Christine Mackay gives an update on the Total Craigroyston initiative:

Consultation meeting at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

I hope you have all had a good summer in spite of the dreary weather.

Many thanks to all of you who contributed to our consultation events. In total, 215 local residents and front line staff, from 37 different teams and organisations were involved in nine events.

We had expected to be ready to share the outcome with you earlier in August but in the end, processing all the information we received took longer than we thought. However, we now have a draft ‘Road Map’, which will set the direction for the Total Craigroyston Initiative. The information and insights that we gathered have been grouped into themes and we have identified a range of short and long term actions that we would like to achieve over the life of the initiative.

What is obvious is that there is a real strength within the community and a desire to build on the good work that is already going on. Of course, some challenges were identified and we hope that we can make progress on these in order to achieve the kinds of changes that people would like to see.

We have organised a range of meetings to present the findings of the research back to people who were involved and other stakeholders.

The meetings will take place on the following dates:

Tuesday 4 September at 2pm in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Wednesday  5 September at 7pm in Craigroyston Community High School

Thursday 6 September at 10am in North Edinburgh Arts Centre.

Everyone is welcome but please book a place by contacting Julie Innes by telephone on 469 3162 or by email on julie.innes@edinburgh.gov.uk. Childcare can be arranged for those who need it. Please let Julie know when you book a place.

The draft Road Map will be available on Monday 20 August from the Total Craigroyston Blog at totalcraigroyston.wordpress.com and if you have any comments or observations please let us know.

As well as the meetings above, there will be a short presentation to the Forth Neighbourhood Partnership on Tuesday 21 Aug at 7pm, which is open to everyone.

Two Play Out days were organised by Total Craigroyston