Organisers of the annual Davidsons Mains Children’s Gala will be keeping an anxious eye on weather forecasts this morning.
However the forecasts are certainly looking good for today so fingers crossed for a day of sun and fun!
The Parade leaves the Green at 1130am, progressing along Main Street, past Tesco and on to Lauriston Castle. The crowning of the Gala King and Queen will take place at around midday on the stage and this will be followed by a full programme of activities until 5pm.
WITH the school summer holidays fast approaching, Scots are being urged to prepare ahead to ensure they have a safe and healthy holiday, whether at home or abroad.
Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare service, NHS 24, is advising people to visit www.nhsinform.co.uk to get helpful tips and advice on summer holiday health issues, from sunburn and stings to travel sickness and heat exhaustion.
A dedicated ‘Safe Summer in Scotland’ section provides advice on how to stay safe in the heat and sun, as well as information on how to avoid outdoor hazards, travel tips and the safe preparation of food.
NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “It is always a good idea to be prepared whether on holiday at home or abroad and the wide range of information available at www.nhsinform.co.uk can help you do just that. Whether it is finding out what vaccinations to have before travelling, what to do when an upset tummy strikes or how to deal with insect bites, the information is readily available.
“If you take regular medication, make sure you have enough to last for your whole trip. Remember to order and pick up your repeat prescription in plenty of time before your departure to prevent any last minute delays or unnecessary panic.
“It is essential to always wear sunscreen when out in the sun, even in the UK. I would urge everyone to use a high factor sunscreen to protect themselves against the sun’s harmful rays. And if you are planning any picnics or barbecues in the coming weeks, it is important to keep food refrigerated until you leave home and use a cool box or bag to transport fresh food, particularly if you are taking meats or dairy products.
“By taking these simple steps, you can help minimise or even prevent minor health problems from ruining your holiday.”
NHS 24 is now available on the free phone number 111. By dialling 111, people across Scotland can continue to access the same high quality service for anyone seeking advice and support during the out of hours period when their GP surgery is closed.
The MS Therapy Centre is looking for volunteers this Sunday (22 June) to take part in the Golden Mile Walks.
As part of the Centre’s 30th anniversary, it is looking for each volunteer to raise £30 which will make a difference to all those in the Lothians living with multiple sclerosis.
Nancy Campbell, Operations Manager at the Centre, said: “With a choice of walking one, two or three miles we hope Edinburgh people who may be at a loose end on Sunday and fancy a walk will take part in the Golden Mile Walks and raise much needed funds for us.
“Nearly 2,500 people in the Lothians live with the debilitating condition of MS and our Centre provides a life line for many. We are there for practical and emotional support and only exist because of the generosity of others.”
The Golden Mile Walks take place at 11:30 am at the Edinburgh College Sports Grounds (formerly Civil Service Club), Marine Drive, Silverknowes.
For more information go www.challengescotland.com
Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir has reacted furiously to yesterday’s decision by councillors to approve a new local development plan, and said the fight to save green belt land at Cammo and Maybury will go on.
A meeting of the city council’s Planning Committee approved the latest Proposed Local Development Plan yesterday but the local MSP feels the legitimate fears of local people have been ignored.
Mr Kerr said: “I am deeply disappointed with the outcome of the meeting today. There were a huge number of objections made on good planning grounds to the release of Greenbelt land at Maybury and Cammo from local residents. These objections have been ignored and the sites remain in the plan.
“There were alternatives to the course of action taken by the Capital Coalition councillors today but quite simply they did not have the gumption or backbone to make the right decision for the communities of Western Edinburgh.
“Constituents of mine who made valid objections will be left feeling angry and ignored. Both Maybury and Cammo have been subject to planning applications recently precisely because those sites are included in the proposed plan. Those applications will not go away because of the action today – developers wishing to develop the Greenbelt will merely be encouraged.
“I have campaigned against development on these sites for ten years. I am not giving up the fight and will continue to object to development of these sites.”
Mr Keir is a supporter of The Campaign Against the Development of Cammo & Maybury (CADCAM), which was formed to campaign against the removal of greenfield sites at Cammo and Maybury from green belt designation in order to develop the sites for up to a combined total of 2100 houses.
The proposal to release this land for housing forms part of the proposed Local Development Plan, and the group argues that their communities will be adversely affected by further development.
CADCAM argue that junctions at Maybury, East Craigs and Barnton are already struggling at peak times and that proposed new developments will multiply that problem.
An added concern is poor air quality which affects both St John’s Road and Queensferry Road (both have been singled out recently as among the worst polluted roads in the country) – which is only likely to get worse with increased traffic – and they also believe that the community infrastructure – schools, GP and dental surgeries, etc. – will be put under unbearable pressure.
Call in Homecare are currently recruiting Community Care Assistants (Full or Part Time in the North Edinburgh areas and they’re holding a Roadshow at Muirhouse Millennium Centre on Tuesday (24 June) from 1 – 5pm.
Call in ir visit our website at www.muirhousecommunitycentre.co.uk
Jim McGinty
Yes, no, still don’t know? Then maybe some live theatre can help you make up your mind with The Great Yes No Don’t Know Five Minute Theatre Show!
Craigroyston Community High School will be streaming a series of live five minute theatre plays made by everyone for an audience of everyone on Monday (23 June) from 5 – 7pm.
There’s tea, coffee, juice, bacon rolls – and if your not on the Electoral Register yet there’s an opportunity to register too!
Everyone welcome!
Champions of Tennis tournament organisers go into liquidation
A showcase tennis tournament featuring former champions including superstars John McEnroe and Tim Henman has been cancelled and the organisers have gone into liquidation. The Brodies Champions of Tennis tournamentwas due to start tomorrow but the decision to scrap the event was only made yesterday.
The event has a history of controversy – last year’s Champions of Tennis event left fans furious when play was limited to a few games after an inadequate roof saw courts flooded out.
Yesterday – just two days before the event was scheduled to start – organisers Serve and Volley said the tournament had been cancelled because the new roof design could not be built in time.
Spectators who have bought tickets will be able to find information on refunds from today.
A statement on Serve and Volley’s website said: “We are disappointed to advise that we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel this week’s Champions of Tennis tournament, which was due to take place between Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 June in Edinburgh.
“Following on from last year’s event we revised the design of the roof covering the court to provide better weather protection. This resulted in a unique and complex design, which required specialists to manage and oversee the build.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances the specialist team have been unable to facilitate the build and despite extensively investigating all alternative options we have not been able to secure a solution.
“We fully appreciate the disappointment this will cause customers, sponsors and suppliers; this decision has not been taken lightly. The unavoidable cancellation resulting from the problems experienced with the roof has resulted in the organisers, Serve & Volley Ltd, entering into voluntary liquidation.
“Administrators are to be appointed over the coming days and will be in contact with all suppliers in due course. Information regarding match session ticket refunds will be available on our website from Wednesday 18 June. We would like to thank everyone that has been involved in the event to date as we fully recognise the huge amount of goodwill and support that we have received.”
Event sponsors Brodies say they will refund every ticket holder who is unable to get their money back from organisers Serve & Volley.
In a statement, the company said: “At an early morning meeting today with the organisers of Champions of Tennis, Serve & Volley Limited, we learned that the enlarged roof over the Champions of Tennis court cannot be erected effectively.
“This outcome was contrary to all assurances given to us by the organisers. The organisers advised us at the meeting that they were looking at options to reorganise the event as an open-air tournament, but we understand that this proved impractical in the time available.
“As sponsors, we are hugely disappointed that this has caused the cancellation of the tournament by Serve & Volley at this stage. We share the frustration of the many tennis fans who bought tickets expecting to see a premier sporting event.
“However, based on current weather forecasts, there is a measure of risk of a repeat of the upset caused to some spectators by disruption of some of the sessions due to rain at last year’s event, when there was a roof in place. We believe that pressing ahead with the championship under these circumstances would not be fair to ticket holders, who bought tickets expecting the additional protection this year of an extended court roof. It is also the case that Serve & Volley has run out of time to reorganise and properly re-advertise the event as an open air tournament to ticket holders.
“Our paramount concern is for these ticket holders. Although the tickets were sold by Serve & Volley, as a gesture of goodwill, Brodies will refund the cost of tickets to individual ticket holders who are unable to recover the cost of their tickets from Serve & Volley or from their credit or debit card providers. Further details will be published on our website, www.brodies.com, on Wednesday.
“Brodies will refund the cost of tickets to all individual ticket holders who try but are unable to get their money back. We are not doing this on behalf of Serve & Volley Ltd.
“We have supported Champions of Tennis for the last two years because we believed hosting such a prestigious ATP event in Edinburgh would benefit the economy, the local community, and help cement Scotland’s reputation as a leading sporting destination. We are genuinely sorry that tennis fans have been left disappointed.”
North Edinburgh’s housebuilding and regeneration programme will offer new job, apprenticeship and work placement opportunities when it gets under way this summer – and you can register your interest at drop-in sessions at the North Local Office in West Pilton.
The drop-ins start this morning and will run every Wednesday from 10am – 12 noon. Why not call in to find out more?
The Botanics will open late this Saturday to celebrate midsummer with a series of free attractions and activities – and you can take part in a world record attempt too!
RBGE says:
Enjoy the Garden in the evening and help us celebrate trees at midsummer. Join an attempt to break the world record for tree hugging at 20:00 and help us calculate the environmental benefit of our tree collection by doing some tree measuring. We’ll also have live music and performances throughout the evening, plus The Scottish Poetry Library will be joining us offering opportunities to write, share and perform poems.
6.00pm Corroboree stilt performance (30mins)
6.45pm Aerial performance with Vision Mechanics (5 mins)
7.00pm Harp performance (30 mins)
7.45pm Aerial performance with Vision Mechanics (5 mins)
8.00pm Tree Hug World Record Attempt (1 min)
8.15pm Midsummer Poetry with the Scottish Poetry Library (45 mins)
9.15pm Corroboree stilt performance (30 mins)
PLUS:
– Free entry to Glasshouses from 6pm – 9.30pm (last entry 9pm)
– Corin Sworn exhibition at Inverleith House (open until 9.30pm)
– Food & refreshments available at the Terrace Cafe and East Gate Lodge
Don’t miss it!
The playtalkread bus is in North Edinburgh next week, providing free fun activities for parents and carers and their children.
The bus will be hosting free storytelling and rhythm sessions and a range of play and activity sessions for children and their parents, to promote and raise awareness of the benefits of positive parental engagement with simple free activities and resources – which parents can then take home to further build upon the ideas and activities sessions with their children.
The activities are open to parents and children on a drop-in and information basis.
You can hop aboard the bus:
Tuesday 24 June – Morrisons, Ferry Road/Pilton Drive North
Wednesday 25 June – Muirhouse Shopping Centre
Thursday 26 June – Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
If you have any questions and or would like to arrange session times for groups of children and parents, call Hannah Mitchell on 0131 664 5390 or email hannah@workingonwheels.org
