Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Cutting sods at Silverlea: Work begins on former care home site

Council Leader Cammy Day was joined by Fraser Lynes, Managing Director of Cruden and architects Smith Scott Mullan as work got underway on the development of143 energy efficient social and mid-market rent properties.

In partnership with Cruden, the project will deliver a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes across the site, including wheelchair accessible accommodation.

Work will include upgrades to greenspace and the main footpath linking Salveson Cresent and Marine Drive to create safer, easier access to the shorelines. Plans also include a new Pavilion for Craigroyston Community Football club.

The development is part of the £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront regeneration which will create a new residential-led mixed-use community and will deliver around 3,500 net zero carbon homes, a primary school, a health centre, commercial and cultural space, and a new coastal park.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: It was great to attend the sod-cutting ceremony at the Silverlea site today as we marked the beginning of construction on this exciting development here in Edinburgh.

“We’re facing a Housing Emergency so we must continue to build more affordable housing to address our chronic shortage.

“To deliver our net zero targets for the Capital, sustainable regeneration is so important, and every element of this development has been designed with that in mind. I’m delighted that plans also include a new Pavillion for Craigroyston Community Football Club which will be a real asset to the community.

“The project forms part of the wider £1.3bn regeneration of the Granton area where we’re unlocking brownfield land to build a new sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood. We’re continuing to work hard to ensure Granton is somewhere residents will be proud to live and I look forward to seeing progress continue throughout this year.”

Fraser Lynes, MD of Cruden, added: “Silverlea is a great example of development with sustainability and community at its heart, and we are thrilled to be involved in the delivery of this transformational project.

“The City of Edinburgh Council must be commended in bringing forward these much needed social and mid-market homes amid the capital’s housing emergency, and for specifying them to net zero carbon standards, making them greener, cleaner and more efficient to heat and run.  

“During this development, we’re looking forward to providing the new pavilion for Craigroyston Boys Club, carefully re-using the Griffens from the historic Muirhouse Mansion, as well as delivering an important programme of new tree planting and a wildflower meadow to enhance local greenspace.”

The progress is the latest in the Granton Waterfront regeneration with work already well underway on several other projects in the area.

Over 400 net zero homes at Western Villages as well as 75 net zero homes at ‘Granton D1’ are currently under construction.

The R&A transforms iconic Scottish locations for AIG Women’s Open

The R&A has continued to build on its “Never Stop Playing” campaign with a new and playful initiative which has seen golf terminology pop-up at iconic Scottish landmarks.  

This fresh chapter aims to heighten excitement for the AIG Women’s Open, which is set to take place from 21-25 August, 2024, at the historic Old Course in St Andrews. The latest activation cleverly merges golf with Scotland’s renowned sites, continuing to engage and captivate fans in the lead-up to the Championship.

Highlights

  1. See Birdies
  1. Where: Edinburgh Zoo
  2. What: Adapted plaque at the flamingo exhibit
  3. Copy: “See birds at Edinburgh Zoo. See birdies at the AIG Women’s Open. St Andrews, 21-25 August. Never Stop Playing”
  4. Quiet Please
  • Where: The National Library, Edinburgh
  • What: Quiet sign
  • Copy: “Quiet Please. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”
  1. The 19th Hole
    • Where: Loch Leven Castle
    • What: Makeshift tee box facing into the loch
    • Copy: “Hole 19. 596 yards. Par 5. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

  2. Chip Shots
    • Where: Anstruther Fish Bar, St Andrews
    • What: Signpost outside
    • Copy: “World Class Chips ➡ World Class Chip Shots. ➡ Never Stop Playing. AIGWO

This pop-up initiative follows the recent launch of the world’s first playable golf billboard. Unveiled at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station on 1st August, this interactive billboard allowed fans to experience the thrill of playing the par-3 8th hole of the iconic Old Course at St Andrews, host of this year’s AIG Women’s Open.

Zoe Ridgway, Championship Director of the AIG Women’s Open at The R&A, commented: “Our latest activation is designed to infuse golf with a fresh and engaging twist, transforming iconic Scottish landmarks with golf-themed elements.

“As part of our ‘Never Stop Playing’ campaign, this initiative invites fans to see familiar sites through a new lens, amplifying their excitement and connection to the AIG Women’s Open. 

“We’re thrilled to offer both new and long-time golf enthusiasts a unique way to experience the championship and celebrate the sport in a creative and memorable manner.”

Edinburgh Locations:

1. See Birdies

   – Where: Edinburgh Zoo

   – What: Adapted plaque at the flamingo exhibit

   – Copy: “See birds at Edinburgh Zoo. See birdies at the AIG Women’s Open. St Andrews, 21st-25th August. Never Stop Playing”

2. Ground Under Repair

   – Where: Victoria Street, Edinburgh

   – What: Fly posters on scaffolding/building sites

   – Copy: “Ground Under Repair. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

3. Quiet Please

   – Where: The National Library, Edinburgh

   – What: Quiet sign

   – Copy: “Quiet Please. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

4. Heavy Rough

   – Where: Carlton Hill

   – What: Sign in heavy rough at an iconic location

   – Copy: “Very heavy rough, recommended unplayable lie. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

5. Water Hazard

   – Where: The Water of Leith Walkway

   – What: Water Hazard sign

   – Copy: “95 yards to clear the water. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO”

Fife Locations:

Guerrilla Golf Campaign – Day 1 – 13.08.24 – Raymond Davies

1. The 19th Hole

   – Where: Loch Leven Castle

   – What: Makeshift tee box facing into the loch

   – Copy: “Hole 19. 596 yards. Par 5. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO“

2. Chip Shots

   – Where: Anstruther Fish Bar

   – What: Signpost outside

   – Copy: “Chip Shop ➡ Chip Shots. Never Stop Playing. AIGWO“

With less than a week to go until the AIG Women’s Open, the Old Course at St Andrews, renowned as the home of golf, is set to showcase world-class golf.

Lilia Vu, the reigning champion following her standout performance at Walton Heath last year, returns to defend her title. She’ll be joined by Yuka Saso, Amy Yang, and Ayaka Furue, all of whom have secured major victories this season. Leading the British challenge is Charley Hull, who was the runner-up in last year’s Championship and Scotland’s own Gemma Dryburgh. With these top players in action, the AIG Women’s Open is set to be an unforgettable week.

Tickets to the AIG Women’s Open are on sale via aigwomensopen.com. Adult tickets are available from £25, with Saturday tickets including a full day of golf action and entry to the Tom Grennan concert priced at £60. 

To encourage children and young people to attend the AIG Women’s Open, The R&A will continue the successful ‘Kids go Free’ programme on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, which provides children under-16-years-old free entry to the Championship when accompanied by a paying adult. Half-price youth tickets are also available on those days for 16-24-year-olds. Junior and youth tickets for Saturday’s golf action and Tom Grennan concert are £20 and £40 respectively. 

Hospitality packages are also on general sale, offering an unrivalled way to experience the Championship in which guests can enjoy over ten hours of world-class action and fully inclusive hospitality. Visit www.aigwomensopen.com for further information. 

For information on the AIG Women’s Open or to purchase tickets, please visit www.aigwomensopen.com. 

REFORM SCOTLAND: Time for action instead of ‘perpetual talk’ on local government powers

Think tank calls more financial controls to be devolved from Holyrood to local authorities

Reform Scotland, the independent, non-partisan think tank, has today released its response to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s call for views on the sustainability of local government finances.

The think tank suggests that successive Holyrood governments have failed to create the conditions for sustainable local government, and that political discourse has been dominated by “perpetual talk without action”.

For example, nearly 15 years ago the Christie report highlighted the necessity of early intervention and preventative spending programmes. The importance of that report is regularly highlighted by politicians and policymakers, yet it has not been delivered upon.

To make matters worse, prevention programmes are often delivered by the third sector in collaboration with local authorities, and with councils’ budgets under growing strain, all too often these programmes are first in the line for cuts.

In its response, Reform Scotland calls for:

  • Collaboration on new approaches for financing local government activity, such as social bridging finance
  • The end to central government interference in the setting of Council Tax rates, and an empowerment of local authorities to consider the adjustment of bands and exemptions
  • More fiscal powers to be devolved to local authorities to allow them to respond to local needs

Reform Scotland Director, Chris Deerin, said: “During the 25 years of devolution, we have focused on the transfer of powers between Westminster and Holyrood, but we have taken our eye off the ball when it comes to the power of local authorities.

“Unfortunately, in that time we have seen Scotland become further centralised. This approach must end. Scotland is too diverse to presume that the solutions which can work for Edinburgh can work for Elgin, or those that work for Glasgow can work for Gairloch.

“We need to shift away from a drip-drip approach of devolving small, occasional powers, which simply encourages councils to come cap in hand to the Scottish Government, and towards empowerment and recognising that local communities are best placed to meet local needs.

“We have seen years of broad agreement that a one-size-fits-all approach cannot work, yet this has amounted to little more than perpetual talk, without action. Now is the time for action.”

The full response can be read here.

Charity to host free Scottish Disability Sports Event for children living with muscle wasting conditions

Muscular Dystrophy UK and Scottish Disability Sport join forces to host a free Scottish sporting event on Saturday 24 August 2024.

The leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions is calling on people in Scotland to join the free session.

The event will give children aged under 18 living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions the opportunity to try different sporting activities, such as curling, powerchair football, boccia and swimming.

Children will be fully supported with adaptations, so they can enjoy playing sports, learning new skills, and meeting other children living with a muscle wasting and weakening condition.

There will be an opportunity for people to speak with Scottish Boccia, Powerchair Football Players and representative from Scottish Swimming on the day. Special thanks to Scottish Curling and SPFA for providing equipment.

Paralympian Stephen McGuire, 40, from Hamilton, Glasgow, lives with merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy. From the age of 14 Stephen has used a power wheelchair and has been part of the GB squad for 20 years. He is due to compete in his fourth Paralympian games in Paris (28 Aug – 8 Sept) following his appearances at London, Rio and Tokyo.

He said: “It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the Paralympics, so to be able to compete at my fourth one is incredible. I love competing in sport – sport is my passion. I’ve been hooked ever since, as it’s given me a purpose.

“The sport is really inclusive, you can play Boccia from school level to regional or national level, so I would encourage everyone to give it a try.

“That’s why the Scottish Disability Sport Event is important to help children explore different sports to build up their confidence and abilities. I had the opportunity to speak and demonstrate at some of the events. It’s joyous to see the younger generation getting involved and potentially witness upcoming future Paralympians.”

Jacqueline Munro, Head of Regional Support, Outreach, and Information said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Scottish Disability Sport once again to offer children aged under 18 the opportunity to try different sporting activities.

“It’s a great opportunity for families to meet others in the muscle wasting and weakening community in Scotland to engage in a fun filled day and find out how Muscular Dystrophy UK can offer support.”

Scottish Disability Sport is the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Joshua Thomson, Events Manager for Scottish Disability Sport said: “Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to be working in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy UK to provide a unique opportunity for children and young people living with muscle wasting conditions.  

“All of the sports are being delivered by coaches from Scottish Governing Bodies with expertise and knowledge in working with people with muscular dystrophy and similar conditions.”

The event will take place between 12.45pm– 4.30pm at Grangemouth Sports Complex, Abbots Road, Grangemouth, Falkirk, FK3 8JB. Accessible toilets and changing areas will be available including a Changing Places toilet.  

Find out more and register your interest musculardystrophyuk.org/Scottish-disability-sports-event

M-Club on Monday

🌿Did you know that you can manage menopause symptoms through food?🌿

Are you navigating through menopause and looking for natural ways to ease the journey? the right Foods can be powerful allies in managing symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and bone health.

📆When: Monday 19th of August

📍Where: Pilton Community Health Project

⏱What time: 18:30 – 20:30

Join us in exploring how simple dietary changes can support your body during this transition. Let’s embrace this stage of life with nourishing meals that help us feel our best.

#communitywellbeingprogramme

#FiveWaysToWellbeing

#pchp40

#menopause

#menopausesupport

The NEN North Edinburgh News

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Granton Library

Granton:hub

R2

Festival of Politics starts on Monday

The Festival of Politics starts on Monday and we can’t wait to welcome you into the Scottish Parliament!

For those of you needing last-minute tickets, here’s a list of handy links to every single event …

MONDAY 19th

Dementia – the power of dance and playlists

In Conversation with Jack Lowden

Healing Arts Scotland performance with Edinburgh International Festival

In conversation with Benedetta Tagliabue with a performance by Roberto Cacciapaglia

TUESDAY 20th

The power of age-friendly communities and the arts

Who controls AI – ethics and legality?

Health creators: health inequalities in Scotland

20 years of Holyrood

What is local government for?

Home sweet home?

Place and displacement: reconnecting to the world through the arts

WEDNESDAY 21st

AI and creativity

Why do we need whistle-blowers?

Space – launching Scotland’s ambitions

Jobs and the just transition – back to the 80s?

Are standards in public life really declining?

U.S. elections – Trump or Harris?

Making amends for the Empire – has Scotland done enough?

THURSDAY 22nd

Global politics in 2024 – testing times ahead?

Consent

GameApocalypse now: can games solve Scotland’s digital skills crisis?

Sexism in the workplace

Not the end of the world?

Reading between the lines: information literacy

25 years of the Scottish Parliament – where are the young women?

Join the Climate Café ®

FRIDAY 23rd

Mental health and young people

AI – deep fake politics

Raising the curtain on St Andrew’s Day

Incel culture

Elections in 50 countries

Think local, act global? – international cultural ambition in perilous times

Responsible debate

The Scottish Parliament at 25

There’s also live music, exhibitions, book signings, food and drink and merch on offer! 

Find more Festival information here.

More traffic problems expected on Telford Road from Monday

Scottish Power / Excalon move back to Craigleith on Monday (19 August) with Groathill Avenue closed between Telford Road and Sainsbury’s garage for around 5 weeks.

Groathill Road South will also be closed at Telford Road with local access retained via South Groathill Avenue.

First Minster thanks Makar as tenure comes to an end

First Minister John Swinney has thanked Scotland’s national poet, Makar Kathleen Jamie, for her contribution to public life as her three year tenure comes to an end.

The Makar’s work was celebrated at an Edinburgh International Book Festival event, attended by the First Minister, which saw award-winning composer David Paul Jones take Kathleen Jamie’s back catalogue of poems and set them to music.

Mr Swinney said: “I want to thank Kathleen Jamie and pay tribute to the stellar work she has done over the last three years as Scotland’s fourth modern Makar, and as a national ambassador for poetry in Scotland and overseas.

“Her term as Makar will leave a powerful legacy. She encouraged the public to become engaged with the role by writing a series of collective poems curated from individual lines of poetry submitted by the people of Scotland. This allowed a large number of people to contribute to the important role of Makar.

“Kathleen has also recently completed a collective poem using lines from prisoners throughout Scotland on the theme of hope, which I am very much looking forward to reading when it is published shortly.”

Kathleen Jamie said: “It’s been a huge honour to be Scotland’s fourth modern Makar and I have greatly enjoyed this role.

“I have performed at the opening of Parliament, written poems to commemorate the COP26 Summit and the life of the late Queen and I have toured libraries from Kirkwall to Coatbridge, tapping into the rich seam of grassroots poetry activities taking place across Scotland.

“In 3 ‘collective poems’ I curated pieces from lines provided by hundreds of members of the public. We wrote a National Nature Poem, a Letter to the People of Ukraine, and a Letter to World Leaders. I was happy to be asked to extend this to the prison population and develop a poem on the theme of hope.

“The role of the Makar is vital in engaging a vast audience with poetry. Rather than speaking to or for the nation, I am most proud of enabling the nation to speak for itself, and keep poetry at its heart.”

New research reveals over half of Scottish shoppers prefer environmentally friendly products

Two thirds (66%) of Scottish shoppers prefer to buy products that have a more positive environmental impact, but are unsure how to identify them

  • According to an Amazon-commissioned survey, Scottish shoppers find building flat-pack furniture (53%), completing a giant crossword puzzle (34%), and learning to use a new software package for their computer (32%), easier than figuring out which everyday products have a lower environmental impact when shopping online.
  • More than half (62%) of Scottish shoppers want retailers to help them easily identify products which have a more positive environmental and social impact. This ranges from everyday items like socks and sugar, to personal care products like soap and sunscreen.
  • Amazon makes it easier for UK customers to discover and shop for products with sustainability features through Climate Pledge Friendly badging, which lists products’ sustainability impact areas such as recycled materials, energy efficiency, organic content and packaging efficiency.
  • Climate Pledge Friendly partners with vetted and reputable third-party certifications to recognise products with improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability, enabling shoppers to discover more than 1.4 million badged products globally. More than 60 million Amazon customers globally have switched to a Climate Pledge Friendly product from their usual brand purchases.

According to a recent Amazon-commissioned study of 2,000 British shoppers, two in three (66%) Scottish shoppers prefer to buy products that have a more positive environmental and social impact, but are confused by sustainability statements on product labels.

In fact, Scottish shoppers surveyed find building flat-pack furniture (53%), completing a giant crossword puzzle (34%), and learning to use a new software package for their computer (32%), easier than figuring out which everyday products have a lower environmental impact when shopping online.

As a result, only 6% of Scottish shoppers say they always understand a product’s environmental impact when they shop. More than half (62%) want retailers to help them easily identify products which have a more positive environmental and social impact. This ranges from everyday items like socks and sugar, to personal care products like soap and sunscreen.

Amazon makes it easier for customers to discover and shop for products with improvements in at least one aspect of sustainability.

Its Climate Pledge Friendly badge helps shoppers to discover and filter products based on clear sustainability features – from products containing recycled materials and designed with less packaging, to items made from organic content and safer chemicals. These features are based on vetted and reputable third-party certifications, such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade International and Forest Stewardship Council.

Certifications matter to Scottish shoppers, with 80% of respondents saying they are more likely to trust a product’s sustainability claims if it is supported by an official certification from a reputable organisation. 38% also claim to have abandoned a purchase when they did not trust or understand its sustainability claims.

One in three (33%) claim they are more likely to try a new brand or product if their social, ethical and environmental credentials are clear on the product itself, or at the point of sale online, giving them reassurance these brands align with their principles.

“Products with certified sustainability features are a top choice for UK shoppers, and it’s important that customers can easily understand exactly what those features are. At Amazon, we’re taking the guesswork out of the shopping experience, helping customers to shop for items that match their values,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager.

Among the most sought-after sustainability features that Scottish shoppers look for are recyclable packaging (43%), kindness to animals (38%), reduced packaging (37%), made with responsible farming and forestry methods (33%) and made with consideration to protecting the rights/health of workers (32%), while 28% seek items made with recycled materials.

The top five product categories that respondents expect to find more sustainable options for include food and beverage items (50%), cleaning products (49%), apparel (37%), cosmetics and beauty (36%), and electronics/appliances (24%).

Nearly 37.6 million Amazon customers have switched to Climate Pledge Friendly badged products in 2023, leading to over 1.16 billion items sold, a 42% increase from 2022 – sending a strong signal to Amazon’s selling partners that customers want to shop for products with sustainability features.

As of today, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly product selection has grown to more than 1.4 million items globally – a 157% increase from 2022.

“Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly certifications help us to communicate our brand commitment to more-sustainable processes and products,” said Tom Lloyd, Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Bloomsbury Mill, an award-winning children’s and baby brand in the UK, with several popular Climate Pledge Friendly products on the Amazon UK store.

“The qualification process is reassuringly thorough which means when customers see the Climate Pledge Friendly badge, they can be confident they are purchasing a product that goes some way to help preserve the natural world we live in,”

Amazon’s UK Climate Pledge Friendly programme features more than 50 independent sustainability certifications.

Products which have one or more of these certifications can be found by clicking on Climate Pledge Friendly on Amazon.co.uk.

Each Climate Pledge Friendly-badged product comes with clear and detailed descriptions of their sustainability features and underlying certifications, helping consumers make more informed choices when shopping online.