Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

What’s The Matter?

Well, The Matter is a new way for young people to tell their councils and governments what they think about issues that concern them and a group of local teenagers unveiled the first edition of a new publication and presented their findings at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre last night.

Commissioned by the Total Craigroyston initiative, six young people from North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum spent six manic weeks researching, consulting, interviewing, writing and producing their very own newspaper – The Matter – to articulate younger people’s views on how their voices can be heard in the Forth community planning process.

And what were their findings? Well, you’ll have to wait for those – the young people have clearly developed a taste for journalism so they are going to write an article about The Matter themselves for the NEN. Watch this space!

The Matter is supported by design agency Snook in partnership with Young Scot and Firstport, who support new and emerging social entrepreneurs in Scotland.

Police activity stepped up in Stockbridge

Lothian and Borders Police investigating a sexually motivated assault in the Stockbridge area have carried out a weekend of activity, a week after the attack.

A 23-year-old woman was returning home from a night out in Fredrick Street and had walked onto St Vincent Street when a man grabbed her from behind. The victim was forced to the ground but screamed loudly during the struggle and the suspect made off.

Over the past weekend plain-clothes and uniformed police patrolled the area between 11pm and 4am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

Officers spoke with members of the public who were returning home or travelling through the New Town and Stockbridge area to establish if they’d been there the previous week and witnessed anything suspicious.

High-visibility reassurance patrols were also deployed throughout Stockbridge to engage with the local community and over 60 questionnaires were issued relating to last week’s assault.

As part of the policing activity, basement areas and secluded spots in and around Stockbridge were searched for anything of evidential value.

The area in and around Cumberland Street was also included during police patrols, as officers continue to investigate whether a similar attack, which took place on Saturday 29 September, is linked to this incident.

Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson praised the assistance of the public so far, but urged anyone who can help bring the suspect to justice to come forward.

DS Thomson said: “It’s now been a week since the victim was subjected to this terrifying ordeal and so it seemed appropriate to re-visit the area in the hope of talking to people who may have been there last week.

“Local residents, dog walkers, early morning commuters and taxi drivers were all spoken to during this time to determine whether they were in or around St Vincent Street in the early hours of last Sunday morning and whether they remember seeing or hearing anything suspicious.

“The response from those we spoke to was positive and we will now go through the statements and questionnaires we completed and progress the enquiry from there.

“Our reassurance patrols were undoubtedly a comfort to those who live in and frequent the Stockbridge area and these will continue for as long as is required.

“I would urge anyone who has yet to speak to police, but who may have vital information that can help identify the man responsible for this attack to contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Council to bin agency staff ‘within weeks’

The city council will only use agency staff to empty bins in emergencies, North Edinburgh campaigners have been told. The assurance came from Councillor Lesley Hinds in response to questions posed by local campaign group North Edinburgh Fights Back.

The group had challenged council leaders over the use of private contractors in the refuse collection service. Councillor Hinds, who chairs the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee, responded: ” I have had  several meetings with the Director of Services for Communities and now have an  assurance that within the next few weeks, agency staff will not be used in the  cleansing area except in emergency use.  I wish to see permanent staff employed in cleansing.”

She went on: “You will be aware that the Labour Group on the Council opposed ABM (Alternative Business Model) from the beginning and voted on many occasions to stop the privatisation of council services. During this ABM process an in-house bid was submitted, which included changes to how the service was to be delivered. I had a meeting, at my request, with he shop stewards from Unite and we agreed a number of actions we can take to ensure we have permanent staff employed with good terms and conditions.”

A spokesperson for North Edinburgh Fights Back said: “We welcome Councillor Hinds’ statement but we will continue to monitor the situation.”

Open doors at Muirhouse Shopping Centre

The doors are being taken off Muirhouse Shopping Centre today,  21st Century Homes – the team behind the area’s regeneration – has announced. Robert Pearson reports …

Residents are delighted to learn today that the doors of Pennywell Shopping Centre being taken down, It was confirmed on Friday afternoon in an email from newly appointed senior project manager John McDonald of the city’s 21st century
regeneration project.

An email sent to local groups advised that work will start today (Monday 22 October) to remove the doors and glass fronts on the shopping centre, with local shops and residents advised on Saturday about the intended work.

Since the shopping centre was roofed and these doors were put in place many
local residents and shop keepers have highlighted concerns with anti-social
behaviour  over recent months many people have taken shelter within the
area and continued to consume alcohol, throwing rubbish, and generally causing
a nuisance. Many find this behaviour intimidating and Lothian & Borders
police are often seen within the shopping centre tackling the issues.

I spoke to a shopper this morning and asked their opinion in the doors coming
off, she told me that is brilliant and might stop the drunks gathering within
the centre. She also added that they should have never have been put up in the
first place.

Just now walking through the enclosed centre can be very intimidating, but with
the doors removed it will hopefully feel a lot more open and more welcoming.
There have also been talks of the roof being removed; this has been delayed due
to structural.

 

 

Muirhouse says goodbye to Sister Ann

The Muirhouse community said goodbye to Sister Ann Buckeridge at a reception at North Edinburgh Arts Centre last Friday. Sister Ann is moving on to new challenges in Cardiff, but the wee woman with the huge heart will leave a lasting impression on Muirhouse.

Sister Ann belongs to the Daughters of Charity order, and arrived in Muirhouse just two years ago with a simple mission – ‘to help’.  Help she certainly has, and it’s fair to say that there has been very little that Ann hasn’t been involved in – from the community council, various Neighbourhood Partnership Action Groups, the Voluntary Sector Forum and Muirhouse Centipede Project to name a few. Small in stature she may be, but Ann’s boundless energy and enthusiasm have been a real driving force for positive change in Muirhouse and she will be sorely missed.

Community activists, council officials and project workers joined local councillors Cammy Day and Vicki Redpath to present gifts and to thank Sister Ann for her huge contribution to community life in Muirhouse.

Modest as ever, Sister Ann said: “From the moment I came to Muirhouse I received a  warm welcome and people have been so generous and kind. I am really touched by all the kind things that have been said and I have enjoyed working alongside so many dedicated people – it has been a pleasure to have been part of community life here.”

Roy Douglas, chairman of Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council, said: “We really have been so fortunate to have had Sister Ann working alongside us for the last two years. It’s hard to overstate the contribution she’s made – she has been wonderful to work with and we will all really miss her.”

The wee woman hopes to return for a visit one day – and, with the regeneration of Muirhouse beginning to gather pace, Sister Ann may find that some of the seeds she sowed will have bloomed.

 

Halloween Party at Millennium Centre

Halloween Party

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre and Link Up Muirhouse is delighted to announce that on Wednesday the 31st October we are hosting scary but fun-filled Halloween party from 6.30 – 8pm – and you can come too!

On the night we will be dooking for apples, playing games, enjoying some art as well as awarding the best dressed with a small prize.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre or North Edinburgh Arts Centre during opening hours, you can also call Julie on 07794467053 for information. Ticket only cost £1 per child to a maximum of £3. So if you have 4 children in your family you will only pay for 3, we felt this was fair to larger families.  We have 90 tickets for sale, available on a first come for serve basis – so get them quick before they sell out! When purchasing tickets we require a registration form completed by parent or carer.

Tickets must be bought prior to the 31 October part – No ticket, no entrance.

Parents and carers are more than welcome to remain at the Centre for the duration of the party, the Centre café will be open for sales of light refreshments.

The spooky Muirhouse ladies who have arranged this party with the guidance and support of Link Up and Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre hope that every child has a wonderful time and they hope to welcome many children back to future parties in Muirhouse!

Robert Pearson

 

Letter: Individualism

Dear Editor

In some respects we are all individuals; we like to feel and think we are in command, but a quick look at reality shows how dependent we are on others. We cannot exist in modern times as an individual.

We need those who work in the electricity industry, the gas works, water pumping stations and sewerage systems – that is before we step outside the door!

Then there are the transport workers, road and highway workers, distribution workers for all kinds of goods, papers, petrol, etc – and this is all before we get to work!

At work the same reliance takes place: we are individuals but must work collectively.

This is why the policy of the Conservative Party is so wrong and destructive. They believe that individualism should motivate people, but that can only apply to those that have the means to do so.

It is an outdated idea being used by the Conservatives today; it can be seen in their wholesale destruction or privatisation of public services that have been built up over many decades to match the growing realisation that collectively things can be done that as an individual would be impossible.

From any angle the Conservatives are backward thinkers; they either cannot see it or they are just intent on setting back the clock to the ‘good old days’ when workers knew their place in the world, and were grateful to the employers in letting them live.

A Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Letter: Use drug cash to help older people

 

Dear Editor

I think talking about taking pensioners’ bus passes and winter fuel payment  away is terrible – surely there could be another way? Allow them £100 – £150 and a couple £250. The money should be taken off people who are receiving money but who abuse it on drugs, etc. Take the money off them and give it towards winter fuel payments to the elderly.

Name and Address withheld on request 

Residents to fight City Park housing plans

Local residents will fight plans to build housing on City Park. A new Save City Park campaign group has been set up to challenge plans to build houses on the site off Pilton Drive North. The group says that the area needs it’s last remaining green space and could not cope with more traffic on roads and side streets.

Save City Park campaigners say that City Park – the former home of The Spartans –  ‘is a vital part of Edinburgh’s landscape and heritage and plays an important role in enhancing the city’s environment. It is one of an ever decreasing number of green “lungs” in a city of ever-increasing development.’

The group says that a plans by Link Group to build a mixed-tenure housing development on the City Park site would destroy the quality and character of the local area and put even more strain on already overstretched local services.

Falkirk-based Link Group employs 400 staff and celebrates it’s 50th birthday this year. The company is ‘one of Scotland’s leading providers of housing and related services’. The organisation’s website continues: ‘The Link companies help to deliver innovative regeneration projects in partnership with local communities, including health facilities, environmental initiatives, training schemes and financial inclusion projects. We are committed to the welfare of tenants and to the principles of social justice and inclusion.’

Interested members of the public will have three different opportunities to see and hear what is being proposed for City Park at a series of consultation events over the coming fortnight. Next Wednesday (24 October) Link will have a staffed presentation from 4.30 – 7.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Pilton Drive North and on Thursday (25th October) the exhibition moves on to The Spartans Community Football Academy off Pilton Drive, again from 4.30 – 7.30pm.

Link representatives will also be making a presentation to Granton and District Community Council’s meeting on Monday 29 October at 7pm in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre – this meeting is open to members of the public and all are welcome to attend.

The City Park campaigners concerns are highlighted on their new website which can be found at http://savecitypark.co.uk

 Has housing reached saturation point in East Pilton? Or is the need for more social and affordable housing more urgent than green space? What do you think – let us know!