Category: Canonmills

Scottish Secretary visits Poppy Factory

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack visited Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Redford Barracks yesterday.

The factory makes five million poppies and 15,000 wreaths every year to raise funds for Poppyscotland’s veteran support services. During lockdown the factory staff worked from home, continuing to make poppies for this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Mr Jack met factory manager Major Charlie Pelling (retired) and many of the former service men and women who work in the factory.

Speaking after his visit, Alister Jack said: “It was a real privilege to visit Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory and meet the former service men and women who produce the famous poppies.

“It was heartening to hear how hard they had all worked to make sure that production continued right through lockdown. Every year Poppyscotland raises much needed money for veterans charities, and I wish them the very best of luck with this year’s appeal.

Charlie Pelling, Manager at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, said: “The lockdown has been a very challenging period for us but it is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of our workforce that they adapted to home working so enthusiastically.

“In doing so that have ensured that the millions of poppies needed for the 2020 Scottish Poppy Appeal would be ready in time. While we expect this year’s Appeal to be different due to the ongoing pandemic, it is vital that we continue to have the support of the public, without which Poppyscotland would not be able to continue offering it’s life-changing support to our Armed Forces community.”

Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, a subsidiary of Poppyscotland, is currently located in Redford Barracks while their permanent premises in Canonmills are refurbished.

Poppyscotland raises money through the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal to deliver support to members of the armed forces community. The charity funds services in advice, employment, housing, mental health, mobility and respite.

Witness appeal after assault in King George V Park

Detectives are investigating after a man was assaulted in Edinburgh on Saturday (25 April 2020).

At around 2pm on Saturday afternoon, a 21-year-old man was in King George V Park when he was verbally abused by a group of four men. The man continued on his journey, walking towards a tunnel which leads to Broughton Road.

As the man got towards the end of the tunnel, the four suspects followed him, continuing to shout at him. They then demanded money from him before racially abusing him and assaulting him.

Suspect one is white, in his early 20s, around 6 ft. tall with a slim build. He was wearing a block hooded jacket with white lining and black jeans.

Suspect two is black, in his early 20s around 5 ft. 4 inches in height with a muscular build. He was wearing a black hooded top, blue jeans and dark coloured gloves.

Suspect three is white, in his early 20s, around 5 ft. 10 inches in height with a medium build. He was wearing a black hooded top and blue jeans.

Suspect four is black, in his early 20s, around 5 ft. 6 inches in height and wearing a dark coloured puffer jacket.

Officers continue to gather and review CCTV footage for any additional information on the suspects.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident.

“I appreciate the number of people out and about is limited during these times but for those who were out, I would ask them to consider if they saw these men or witnessed the incident to contact us. It is unacceptable for people to be targeted in this way and we will do everything we can to trace the men responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2925 of 25 April 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Creating a community at Canonmills Gardens

Dozens of homeowners at a new Edinburgh development got the chance to meet their future neighbours at the best venue possible – the pub that will become their ‘local’.

Property developer Artisan Real Estate hosted an innovative “Meet Your Neighbours” event for buyers of properties at Canonmills Gardens to encourage the creation of a close-knit community ahead of the development’s completion later this year.

Buyers and their friends turned out for an evening of drinks and canapés at their new local, One Canonmills, as well as the chance to chat and get to know each other.

Jointly-sold by Gilson Gray and Savills, Canonmills Gardens is situated within Edinburgh’s vibrant Canonmills area – a short distance from Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Charlotte Swanson, Regional Development Manager for the North at Artisan, said: “After the success of our summer “Meet the Neighbours” garden party we decided to host another event at what is effectively the local pub in Canonmills.

“We’ve had some really nice, positive feedback from buyers and their friends which is always lovely to hear. Many of the guests remarked on how rare it is to meet and get to know your neighbours before you move into a new home.”

The development comprises 180 one, two, three and four-bedroom properties and has already attracted a variety of diverse buyers – from upsizers and first-time buyers to empty-nesters.

The first two phases have almost sold out – with only a limited range of one- and two-bedroom apartments and a luxury three-bedroom colony home overlooking Canonmills Gardens left to purchase.

Rob McGregor, Associate Director of Property Sales at Gilson Gray, said, “As well as the perfect opportunity for new owners to meet the neighbours, the event was also an opportunity for friends and family to experience more of the Canonmills area before they move.

“It represented a genuine feeling of people coming together to create a new community in the area. I’m sure that there were friendships already being formed and people talking about meeting up for walks, events and sporting activities.”

Charlotte added: “As an added incentive, we gifted £500 John Lewis vouchers to both buyers and friends if a friend also registered to buy a property at Canonmills Gardens.”

Artisan Real Estate focuses on delivering sustainable, mixed-use developments, to create vibrant, high-quality environments.

For more information on Canonmillls Gardens, please visit https://www.canonmillsgarden.com/

Pictures: Chris Watt Photography

Doors Open Days coming up

The Edinburgh Doors Open Day 2019 gives you the chance to discover some of Edinburgh’s most unique and interesting buildings which are normally closed to the public. Across the weekend you can visit these fantastic sites across the city, completely free of charge.

Drumsheugh Baths Club DAD 2019

Open the door on Edinburgh’s hidden gems

The Edinburgh Doors Open Days is one of the city’s favourite free days out. This is your chance to explore some of Edinburgh’s most important buildings. Many venues will offer behind the scenes tours, talks or exhibitions to bring the history of these monumental buildings to life.

New locations for 2019 include: 

– Castle Mills
– Collective at the City Observatory
– Dean Gardens
– Drumsheugh Baths Club (above)
– Informatics Forum
– MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine
– Panmure House
– Seafield Treatment Centre

Plus, locations such as Anatomical Museum, Burns Monument and the Lothian Buses headquarters will be opening their doors to the public once again this year.

Read about all of these places and more on the Doors OpenDays website. 

2019-brochure

 

Neighbourhood Networks: exciting new chapter for community planning?

Community groups, voluntary sector organisations and local councillors will come together across the city this month for the inaugural meetings of the new Neighbourhood Networks. Continue reading Neighbourhood Networks: exciting new chapter for community planning?

Scotland has lost OVER A THIRD of bank branches in just eight years

New analysis from Which? has revealed that Scotland lost over a third of its bank and building society branches in just eight years, raising concerns that consumers and businesses alike could struggle to access cash across the country. Continue reading Scotland has lost OVER A THIRD of bank branches in just eight years

 Capital Coalition votes through £33 MILLION cuts package

Ray of hope for projects hammered by Health & Social Care grant cuts

Up to 200 council jobs in the Capital will go as the SNP-Labour administration passed a controversial austerity budget which sees £33 million of cuts to vital public services across the city.  Continue reading  Capital Coalition votes through £33 MILLION cuts package

Funding boost for GP practices

Loan scheme to ease burden of owning a surgery Continue reading Funding boost for GP practices

Edinburgh’s budget: still time to have your say

There’s still time to share your views on the City Council’s draft council change strategy and proposals for the 2019/20 budget.  Continue reading Edinburgh’s budget: still time to have your say