davepickering

Benefits cap roll out begins

A cap on the total amount of benefits that people of working age can receive has begun rolling out across the country. Couples and lone parents will now not receive more than £500 a week, while a maximum £350 will be the limit applied to single people.

The benefits cap is not due to be rolled out in Edinburgh until 15 August, but claimants should really be making preparations for the introduction NOW.

The cap is an element of the government’s radical overhaul of the benefits system, which Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith argues is necessary as the present system is ‘unfair’. The government has set the cap at a level they say reflects the current weekly household income.

Most benefits – Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), housing benefit and child tax credits all count towards the cap, but there is no cap for people who receive Disability Living Allowance or its successor, the Personal Independence Payment. Those eligible for Working Tax Credit are also exempt.

“The benefit cap returns fairness to the benefits systems,” Mr Duncan Smith said. “It ensures the taxpayer can have trust in the welfare system and it stops sky-high claims that make it impossible for people to move into work.

“The limit of £500 a week ensures no-one claims more in benefits than the average household and there is a clear reason for people to get a job – as those eligible for Working Tax Credit are exempt.”

The DWP says about £90bn was paid out in benefit payments to people of working age and their families in 2009-10, and it expects the cap to save about £110m a year.

Shelter Scotland has issued the following advice:

‘If the benefit cap will affect you it’s a good idea to:

reduce your spending and focus on rent payments
make up any shortfall between your housing benefit and your rent by using other income.

If you still can’t afford your current home then you may have to consider moving somewhere cheaper. If you’ve received a letter from the DWP warning you that your benefits may be reduced, or you’re worried that you’ll be affected by the cap, talk to a money adviser who’ll be able to help draw up a budget.

It’s important to prepare for this as early as possible to avoid falling behind with your rent and being evicted. If you’re worried that you’ll be threatened with homelessness because of the benefit cap speak to an adviser in your area.’

The benefit cap will be implemented across the country by 30 September.

Letter: Pension Plan

Dear Editor

Sometimes one hasn’t a choice but I would expect everyone would wish to have a long and good life. To achieve both ‘long’ and ‘good’ requires reliable and steady employment and a society that is run for the benefit of all – this has been the aspiration of past generations of workers who struggled to improve their lives; we owe them our gratitude and respect.

The same applies to the pensioners of today, who in their time have striven to create better conditions for all of us. Now today’s generation must help, protect and care for their parents and grandparents whose welfare at the moment is under attack from a vicious reactionary government determined to undo all the social progress fought so hard for.

People who are working today are the pensioners of tomorrow and the government’s sights are firmly fixed on them – by playing the ‘divide and rule’ game, pitting one section of people against another, they hope to achieve their aims.

People working today must rally to support their parents and grandparents (the pensioners); this would then be their contribution to the ongoing struggle to achieve a society run for the benefit of all.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Sold! Celebs to help Shelter raise funds in online auction

TOP celebrities – including Olly Murs, Alan Carr, Chrissie Hynde and Plan B – have raided their wardrobes to donate some of their fashion favourites for an online pop-up shop in aid of charity Shelter Scotland.

Fans of music, fashion and comedy will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bid on signature items including an Olly Murs signed trilby hat and Chrissie Hynde’s Stella McCartney boots.

Other items include an Alexander McQueen jacket worn by comedian Alan Carr, fashionista Louise Roe’s 2013 Emmy’s red carpet dress, and a dress worn by former EastEnders actress Jo Joyner in her role as Tanya Branning.

Pop star and TV presenter, Olly Murs, said: “I’ve donated one of my trilby hats to Shelter Scotland this summer. It’s a great charity so get bidding guys!”

EastEnders actress, Jo Joyner, said: “Taking a bag of pre-loved clothes to a Shelter Scotland shop is a fantastic way to help a great cause. Shelter Scotland has never needed your support more, so I’m proud to donate my dress. Let the bidding commence!”

The online auction will open on Shelter Scotland’s website from 9.00pm on Tuesday 23 July and bidding will end at 9pm on Sunday 28 July.

Shelter Scotland is urging members of the public to take inspiration from its celebrity supporters and donate their own pre-loved clothes, home wares or books to their nearest Shelter Scotland shop, where every penny raised goes towards helping families and individuals facing homelessness and bad housing.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We’re so grateful to our celebrity friends for their outpouring of support and hope the public will get behind us too and donate any old or unwanted items to their nearest Shelter Scotland shop.

“It costs just £10 for one of our experienced housing advisors to help a family in need through our free national helpline. We can raise that money by selling an unwanted dress, jumper or pair of shoes. No donation is too small and every penny will go towards helping people in housing need.”

Shelter Scotland helps over half a million people a year in Scotland struggling with bad housing and homelessness. The charity’s free national helpline receives over 60 calls per day from desperate families and individuals. Shelter Scotland says this represents a 43% increase over three years, up from 42 calls per day in 2008/09.

Graeme Brown added: “We have never needed the public’s support more, and are relying on their kindness and generosity to ensure that we can continue to offer vital services to people who desperately need our help.

“Unlike our famous friends, your donations don’t have to include a designer label. Whether they’re as good as new or have seen better days – all donations are welcome. There’s no easier way to help people across Scotland who are facing homelessness or living in bad housing.”

Everyone who donates to a Shelter Scotland shop between Monday 15th and Saturday 27th July can enter a free prize draw to win one of five Fujitsu tablet PCs. The charity has also recently launched a new donation loyalty card. Each donation of stock will be rewarded with a stamp, with those collecting five stamps being rewarded with a £5 discount to spend in store.

Shelter Scotland has over 40 shops across Scotland, selling a range of good quality new and second-hand clothes, books, home wares and specialist items.

The online auction can be accessed via www.shelter.org.uk/sheltershops and will be open for bids from 9pm on Tuesday 23 July – 9pm on Sunday 28 July.

Sunday – six days to go

2013 WALKATHON SPONSOR FORM

Just six days to go until the NEN Walkathon!

With the big event drawing ever closer I’ve been getting into intensive training – it’s that serious, I even walked to the chip shop last night …

Seven Days and the legend of the Pilton Pieman

Just a week to go until the NEN Walkathon, and walkers may already have selected their chosen routes. You don’t have to stick to the suggested routes, however, the choice is all yours!

How about tackling … THE PIEMAN’S PATH?

Never heard the legend of the Pilton Pieman? Then read on …

The only known illustration of Patrick 'Pudden' Porter — The only known illustration of Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter

Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter – the Pilton Pieman

Many years ago, the legend of Pudden, the Pilton Pieman was born. This is the story:

Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter was of noble birth – his family was landed gentry. Young Paddy enjoyed all the privileges of wealth, but life was to change forever for the young man when he met and fell in love with a Newhaven fishwife. Paddy’s father disowned him when he chose to marry his Newhaven love.

Patrick and his new bride lived in relative poverty, particularly when the fishing was poor, but the young nobleman was a good, hard worker who would tackle any labour – when he could not go off to see on the trawlers he worked with butchers, bakers and yes, possibly even candlestick makers to make money, gain experience and provide for his growing family. It was a tough life, but Paddy never regreatted the path he had chosen.

One evening, when he was particularly down on his luck, Paddy cut through Caroline Park House on his way home from a labouring shift, bringing in the harvest on Drylaw Farm.

He was amazed to see hundreds, maybe thousands of rabbits scampering around the grounds – and an idea formed that was to change his life forever.

The following day he returned to Caroline Park House and spoke to the gamekeeper there. The gamekeeper was only too happy to have someone to help him deal with the rabbit epidemic and soon Paddy was hard at work.

Paddy then used the skills he had learned as a butcher and a baker – and young Paddy’s delicious home made rabbit pies and puddings quickly became the talk of the town.

Paddy ‘Pudden’ Porter became something of a celebrity in Leith and Edinburgh – he mixed with the rich and famous and his pies were served at Royal banquets at Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle.

Pudden's legendary rabbit pie can be seen at the British Museum — Pudden’s legendary rabbit pie can be seen at the British Museum

While ‘Pudden’ Porter’s family flourished, the same could not be said for the family who had disowned him. ‘Pudden’ had been the first of six boys – but each of the others died prematurely, often in suspicious circumstances. Some whispered that the Porters were cursed – a housemaid swore that each of the Porter boys died after eating …. no, contaminated fish!

The Pilton Pieman went from strength to strength – Paddy Porter became Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The Porters also had a large family – by a strange coincidence, also six boys – and each of them in turn became town councillors. It’s thought that this is where the phrase ‘gravy train’ originated.

And while both Edinburgh and Leith have grown and changed so much over the centuries, even to this day the city council still has it’s fair share o’ Puddens!

THE PIEMAN’s PATH

Bayne’s, Drylaw Shops

Groathill Bakery

Gregg’s, Pennywell Road

Gregg’s, Boswall Parkway

Caroline Park House

Granton Home Bakery, West Granton Road

Mason’s Bakery, Newhaven

Walk in the footsteps of a local legend and taste a piece of history!

Walkathon update

Edinburgh’s own Zumba Boys, will be on hand on Saturday 20th July turning up the heat in their own style with motivating music and warm up moves to get everyone in the mood for the Walkathon. David and Tom’s Zumba classes are great fun so we jumped when they offered to support the event. We know the boys will certainly get you lot jumping – for joy – and once the Zumba Boys have got you going you will be raring to raise as much as possible for the NEN – Thanks boys – see you there 😉

Ann Confrey, NEN Board

Eight …

… days until the NEN Walkathon. Are you walking the walk?

2013 WALKATHON SPONSOR FORM

‘Classical music the world over’

Chamber Philharmonia Cologne are coming to town later this month …

03-Edinburgh

“Classical music the world over” – this is the motto of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne. It is irrelevant for our musicians whether they are playing in a little village church, in the open air, in Cologne Cathedral or in the Sydney Opera House – their enthusiasm to play music is the same every time.

The objective is simple – we want to inspire as many people as possible across all generations to enjoy classical music. The popularity of our ensemble is reflected in the fact that the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne gives around 300 concerts a year around the globe and listeners throughout the world look forward to a musical encounter with our exceptionally talented musicians.

The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne was founded in the city whose name they bear: Cologne. The city that is famous throughout the world for its University of Music and its musical and instrumental teaching. Generations of musicians have been trained here for many decades who, in terms of their musicality, are unparalleled around the world. Taking advantage of this pool of talent, a stock of outstanding musicians has accrued that in a changing cast of musicians take our motto across the world.

Since November 2009, the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne has a very special partner at their side – the Mercedes-Benz Centre in Cologne. As part of a creative cooperation, this world renowned company, via its branch in Cologne, thrilled by our musical concept provides the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne with a comfortable tour bus. It enables our musicians to travel quickly and comfortably to the many varied concert locations. In return, the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne, in close cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz Center Cologne, organises special concerts for the car company’s special customers. The remarkable construction of the Mercedes-Benz Center is transformed in the process into a really top-class concert palace. This results in the smell of new cars mixing with the sounds of classical music.

The Chamber Philharmonia Cologne is at home all over the world. Our tours regularly take us to New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland and many other countries – and of course to Germany. In this context, the selection of works and soloists takes on a special significance. The multifaceted composition of the ensemble provides every member of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne with the opportunity to perform as a soloist.

The permanently expanding repertoire of the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne consists primarily of hand-picked pieces. The real appeal of our programme lies in the meeting of popular and unknown works from a wide variety of musical epochs. This sees familiar greats like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi in dialogue with works from people such as Sergei Prokofieff through to the “King of Tango” Astor Piazzolla. This mix promises great diversity of the very highest order, without us having to preach to the audience in the process. After all, music is for entertainment and not for instruction.

To inspire people across the world to enjoy classical music – that’s what we view as our maxim!

Quite simply:

Classical music the world over!

Chamber Philharmonia Cologne

Gwen Chrystal

Sad to report the death of North Edinburgh activist Gwen Chrystal, who died on Wednesday after a short illness.

Gwen, who was from Royston Wardieburn, was an active campaigner on a host of community issues over the years in Greater Pilton; from the Western General Action Group – which fought to retain A&E, Maternity and Paediatric services at the local hospital – to the current North Edinburgh Fights Back activities Gwen could always be counted on to rally to the cause.

A popular figure and a warm and friendly face, Gwen will be missed by her friends and colleagues in the North Edinburgh community and our condolences go out to her family.

We’ll post funeral details when we have them.

Stevey Hay

Stevey Hay’s funeral will be held today at 12pm in Warriston’s Lorimer Chapel.

Stevey, a hugely talented musician, died of a heart attack on 3 July at the age of only 51.

Muirhouse man Stevey was well known locally as the welcoming face of Muirhouse Millennium Centre until he was made redundant last year, but his musical talents as a blues singer and guitarist from an early age ensured he would be appreciated by a wider audience on far bigger stages.

Stevey loved making music from an early age and formed his first band, The Eploited, in 1978 at the tender age of sixteen. He never really stopped playing since, and Stevey’s new band was due to appear alongside blues legend Muddy Waters’ son Mud Morganfield at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival later this month with his new band, Stevey Hay’s Shades of Blue.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival producer Roger Spence said: “We were shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Stevey Hay.

“He was a much-loved regular performer at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and was due to play in a headline show alongside Muddy Waters’ son in the festival this year. His unique brand of rocking, good-times blues will be a huge loss, not just to the festival, but to the blues world as a whole.”

A truly talented, friendly and warm guy, Stevey is survived by his wife Louise, daughter Jasmine and sons James and Steven.