Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Poverty? We’re not having it!

Maybe it was the lure of Euro 2012 football on TV, or maybe it was the draw of the Olympic torch up at Edinburgh Castle, but whatever the reason there was a disappointing attendance at North Edinburgh Fights Back’s public meeting held in North Edinburgh Arts Centre last week.

Despite the draw of advertised speakers from the Poverty Alliance and Shelter Scotland, only a dozen people came to hear NEFB plans to fight back against poverty and social injustice.

The sparse attendance did provide NEFB members an opportunity to rehearse speeches before next week’s Full Council meeting, however. North Edinburgh Fights Back plans to present individual Community Charters to all 58 councillors during a delegation to the 28 June meeting, urging councillors of all parties to commit to a series of anti-poverty measures.

A group spokesperson said: ‘We would like more people to have been at the public meeting but it is always difficult to get people out to attend meetings. However we are sure that many more members of the community will be supporting us when we present the charter at the council meeting, and we would urge local people to join us to let the councillors know ‘Poverty – we’re not having it’!”

The Full Council meeting on Thursday 28 June is open to the public and begins at 10am.

You can find out more about North Edinburgh Fights Back by visiting their website at  www.northedinburghfightsback.org.uk

 

Stockbridge hosts rugby festival on Saturday

If you’re a fan of the oval ball game – or just enjoy a sociable day out – Stockbridge is the place to be this Saturday when Edinburgh Accies’ Raeburn Place ground hosts the Edinburgh 10s Rugby Festival.

Tens rugby is very popular and this years’ event sees ten local teams being joined by two international sides for the first time – Stockholm Exiles from Sweden and Les Kebabs from France!  Rugby aside, there will be lots of entertainment on offer for all the family and the event, sponsored by Hunters Residential, promises to be a lot of fun and a great day out.

Former British Lion and 61 times Scotland cap Dodie Weir said: “I’m pleased to support the Edinburgh Rugby 10s Festival at Raeburn Place this year – whether you are a rugby enthusiast or just looking for an entertaining day out it promises to be a fantastic spectacle”.

June NEN is out

NEN’s  June issue is out now and is being distributed as we speak. We hope you enjoy the latest issue – let us know what you think.

As the latest NEN drops through letterboxes we are already working on the next one – a ‘Summer Special’, no less!  The deadline for that one is 15 August, so put the date in your diary now – no excuses for late contributions!

If you can’t wait to see the printed version, here’s an electronic copy of June NEN:

NEN_FINAL_JUNE12

A new 'pad' for Robert!

Browsing for a new ‘pad’ on the Miller Homes’ website has won a retired police officer one of the latest ‘must-have’ gadgets. Robert Togneri was browsing www.millerhomes.co.uk  when he entered their competition to win an iPad.  Robert’s name was the first drawn out of the hat for the competition run across Miller Homes Scotland East’s ten developments, and last week he received his new iPad from Miller Homes’ Jacqui Steel at The Varcity North development near Crewe Toll.

Robert said: “I’ve never won anything significant before. We are looking to move into a new house soon and although the specific area is still under discussion, we like the East Coast of Scotland, particularly Perth and Fife. I was impressed with the properties on Miller Homes’ website and at their development in Edinburgh. You don’t really expect to win these things.  I do lots of travelling and this iPad will help me to keep in touch with what’s happening at home.”

Varcity North offers a range of one and two bedroom apartments, starting from £121,000. The first phase of the 209 apartment development was launched in June last year and has proved a popular choice for buyers seeking affordable, but luxurious, apartment living in the city.

 

 

 

A new ‘pad’ for Robert!

Browsing for a new ‘pad’ on the Miller Homes’ website has won a retired police officer one of the latest ‘must-have’ gadgets. Robert Togneri was browsing www.millerhomes.co.uk  when he entered their competition to win an iPad.  Robert’s name was the first drawn out of the hat for the competition run across Miller Homes Scotland East’s ten developments, and last week he received his new iPad from Miller Homes’ Jacqui Steel at The Varcity North development near Crewe Toll.

Robert said: “I’ve never won anything significant before. We are looking to move into a new house soon and although the specific area is still under discussion, we like the East Coast of Scotland, particularly Perth and Fife. I was impressed with the properties on Miller Homes’ website and at their development in Edinburgh. You don’t really expect to win these things.  I do lots of travelling and this iPad will help me to keep in touch with what’s happening at home.”

Varcity North offers a range of one and two bedroom apartments, starting from £121,000. The first phase of the 209 apartment development was launched in June last year and has proved a popular choice for buyers seeking affordable, but luxurious, apartment living in the city.

 

 

 

Legionnaire's outbreak update

The latest reports on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show that there are no further confirmed or suspected cases of the disease. The total number of confirmed cases remains at 44 and the total number of suspected cases remains at 47, a total of 91 cases overall.

At noon yesterday, of those cases being treated in hospital, six are in intensive care – a reduction from seven yesterday – and 18 are on general wards.

A total of 19 cases are being treated in the community, 39 have been discharged from hospital – an increase from 38 on Monday – and two people have sadly died.

Seven cases are being treated outwith the NHS Lothian area. The ages of the confirmed cases ranges between 33 and 85, with more males than females affected.

The Health and Safety Executive and Edinburgh City Council are continuing their investigations into the possible source of the outbreak, with cooling towers in the Gorgie and Dalry areas coming in for particular attention.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am pleased to see a reduction in the number of  people in intensive care. I would like to thank the hardworking staff at NHS Lothian who are continuing to provide the very best treatment to the remaining six individuals who are critically ill. For anyone who is concerned about the outbreak, there is information on NHS Lothian’s website NHS 24 dedicated legionnaires’ helpline can be reached on 0800 0858 531.”

Dr Duncan McCormick, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “We are encouraged to see that the numbers of patients with Legionnaire’s disease in Lothian remains unchanged. This is in line with our prediction that the numbers would reach a peak at the weekend and then begin to gradually decline. We will continue to monitor all of the services in NHS Lothian which are working extremely hard as part of this outbreak, but overall the numbers of people seeking treatment or with concerns continue to fall.”

Legionnaire’s outbreak update

The latest reports on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show that there are no further confirmed or suspected cases of the disease. The total number of confirmed cases remains at 44 and the total number of suspected cases remains at 47, a total of 91 cases overall.

At noon yesterday, of those cases being treated in hospital, six are in intensive care – a reduction from seven yesterday – and 18 are on general wards.

A total of 19 cases are being treated in the community, 39 have been discharged from hospital – an increase from 38 on Monday – and two people have sadly died.

Seven cases are being treated outwith the NHS Lothian area. The ages of the confirmed cases ranges between 33 and 85, with more males than females affected.

The Health and Safety Executive and Edinburgh City Council are continuing their investigations into the possible source of the outbreak, with cooling towers in the Gorgie and Dalry areas coming in for particular attention.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am pleased to see a reduction in the number of  people in intensive care. I would like to thank the hardworking staff at NHS Lothian who are continuing to provide the very best treatment to the remaining six individuals who are critically ill. For anyone who is concerned about the outbreak, there is information on NHS Lothian’s website NHS 24 dedicated legionnaires’ helpline can be reached on 0800 0858 531.”

Dr Duncan McCormick, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “We are encouraged to see that the numbers of patients with Legionnaire’s disease in Lothian remains unchanged. This is in line with our prediction that the numbers would reach a peak at the weekend and then begin to gradually decline. We will continue to monitor all of the services in NHS Lothian which are working extremely hard as part of this outbreak, but overall the numbers of people seeking treatment or with concerns continue to fall.”