A Lothian and Borders fire investigation team is working to discover the cause of a small fire that broke out at Blackhall Mosque in the early hours of this morning. There is also a small police presence at the site.
More to follow …
Author: davepickering
Edinburgh reporter and photographer
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.”
West Pilton & Muirhouse Gala planning day today
The Gala Committee is hosting a planning day at Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church from 11am this morning. The event is for everyone looking to be involved, people looking to find out whats going on is invited. We hope to see you all there.
The Gala will take place on Sunday 26 August from 12 – 4pm at West Pilton Park. For more info visit the group’s website at www.westpiltonand muirhousegala.co.uk or email wpmcgala@gmail.com
West Pilton & Muirhouse Gala Committee
D Mains Gala goes ahead
Despite 36 hours of near continous rain Davidsons Mains’ eightieth Childrens Gala went ahead as planned this morning.
Spectator numbers were understandably down on past years but all credit to organisers for getting the show on the road despite the misserable weather. Flaming June, indeed!
Olympic Reflections
The North Neighbourhood Olympic Torch Project came to a dramatic finale on the 30 May when participants took part in a Mini Olympians final event at Bangholm (writes Ricky Karoyan). Pupils were split into countries before taking part in various Olympic sports – from athletics to martial arts – and competing to win gold! Pupils were awarded prizes based on effort and being a good player in keeping with the Olympic values.
The torch started it’s journey at Craigroyston Primary on Tuesday 21 February. The torch was then delivered to St Davids and ended up at Lorne Primary on the 21 May. As the torch travelled from school to school the pupils got to experience one of the Olympic sports, whilst also sharing the experience with a neighbouring school. They even got to meet some Team GB Olympians, such as hockey player Graham Moodey) and athlete Lynsey Sharp, who visited schools in their Olympic Games kit! This project involved P3’s from 11 schools from across North Edinburgh.
The activities experienced were hockey, basketball, judo, athletics, Paralympics events, handball, taekwondo, seated volleyball, fencing and boccia.
The pupils had a great time and learned lots of exciting new sports and skills with neighbouring schools. Active Schools were really impressed with the effort that the classes put into their class presentations and their flag and mini torch making.
A special thanks to all the schools who supported this project and for their enthusiasm and energy. Also a big thanks to Telford College who delivered our final festival, bringing lots of energy and excitement to the event. Lets hope our mini Olympians are future Olympic athletes in the making!
Ricky Karoyan
Active Schools Coordinator, Craigroyston Cluster
Family Fun Day at Blackhall Mosque
Blackhall Mosque is holding a family fun day with loads of fun activities for all the family at the Mosque on Saturday 23 June from 2 – 6pm. All welcome.
D Mains and Silverknowes Association AGM
Davidsons Mains and Silverknowes Association are holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 19 June at 7.30pm in Holy Cross Church Hall on Quality Street.
The meeting offers an opportunity to meet and put questions to the area’s newly elected councillors – Lindsay Paterson (Conservative), Alistair Shields (Lib Dem) and Norman Work (SNP).
D Mains Gala tomorrow
Organisers of Davidsons Mains Childrens Gala are keeping their fingers crossed for no more rain with the eightieth annual Gala due to take place tomorrow from 11.30am.
Everything is in place – Gala King Lewis Crosbie and Queen Anna Wynn with their Court (pictured below) will be leading off the procession – so here’s hoping for some summer sunshine!
For full information on the gala programme see the website dmainsgala.org.uk
New Edinburgh Orchestra at St. Serf’s
New Edinburgh Orchestra will be performing a concert at St Serf’s Parish Church Hall tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30pm. Conducted by Tim Paxton, leader Joanna Duncan, the orchestra will perform:
David Horne’s Strands, Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor Op. 85 (solo cello Harriet Bruce) and Devorak’s Symphony No & in D Minor Op 70.
Tickets are available on the door or can be purchased online at wegottickets.com
Legionella outbreak claims another life
A further death linked to the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Edinburgh was confirmed when a man with significant pre-existing underlying health conditions died in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary last night.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said: “My sincere condolences go to the family and friends of the patient who passed away in Edinburgh tonight in a case linked to the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the city. My thoughts are with them at this very difficult time. Despite this sad and tragic development, it remains the case that we believe the outbreak to have peaked. However, we continue to monitor the situation carefully and advise anyone with any concerns to contact the special NHS 24 helpline on 08000 85 85 31. The Health and Safety Executive and Edinburgh City Council are continuing to make progress in their investigations into the possible source of the outbreak.”
Dr Duncan McCormick, Chair of the Incident Management Team and Consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Lothian, said: “Whilst we realised that further deaths were a possibility this additional death is extremely sad and I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the patient.”