Blackhall Library, in partnership with Surgeons Hall, is hosting a talk about Mary Seacole on Wednesday 15 April at 3pm. The event is free.
Click on link (below) for more info about this remarkable woman:
www.bbc.co.uk/history/
Category: Comely Bank
North Edinburgh Arts AGM next week
NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
Annual General Meeting
To be held at North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court
Wednesday 22 April at 12 noon
Soup and sandwiches will be served at 12.30
Creche available on request
Come and hear about the work of NEA and plans for the next three years, followed by the opportunity to put your ideas forward.
To RSVP and reserve a creche space call Sandra on 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk by Wednesday 15 April.
Live Well in Later Life
Drop-in event for older people at Broughton High School next week
Come along to our free drop-in event between
11am -3pm on Thursday 16 April
at Broughton High School, East Fettes Avenue.
Tea, coffee and cake will be served.
Free transport is available if booked in advance.
Call 0131 529 6552 or email rachel.howe@edinburgh.gov.uk
Science hits the streets this Easter
Spectacular street science is expected to attract large crowds to locations across Edinburgh during the Easter holidays.
The ‘Busking Bikes’ project is part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the City of Edinburgh Council is supporting six performances from 4-14 April.
Each trike carries a box full to the brim with impressive, explosive, messy, and down-right weird science experiments. From the power of water to finding out how carbon capture could save the planet, each demo will explain some of the most interesting science happening today.
As well as watching expert performers do some unforgettable demonstrations, the audience can get stuck in too and learn their own science tricks, from skewering a balloon to launching a rocket.
Councillor Frank Ross, the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a really exciting project as we expect the bikes to draw large crowds to each area creating a vibrant atmosphere, colour and life where ever they go. The ‘Busking Bikes’ project is being funded as part of the Council’s Town Centre Strategy to build stronger town centres by driving up footfall to support local businesses.”
Programme:
Saturday April 4 – Portobello Market
Sunday April 5 – Gorgie City Farm
Friday April 10 – Stockbridge Library
Friday April 10 – Morningside Library
Friday April 10 – Costorphine Library
Tuesday April 14 – McDonald Road Library
Easter Holiday Programme
With the holidays almost upon us the Total Craigroyston team has produced a useful guide to what’s on for children and families across North Edinburgh during the Easter break.
To find out what’s on, where and when, click on the link below:
Nominate your inspiring volunteers
Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards 2015
Edinburgh’s Volunteering Ambassador the Lord Provost Donald Wilson will honour some of the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and commitment to the people of Edinburgh at a special awards ceremony to take place on Tuesday 16 June at The City Chambers.
Now nine years old, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.
Nominations are now invited for this year’s awards, and can be submitted online here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/IVA2015
Organisations are welcome to nominate up to three individual volunteers and one team of volunteers.
Some lucky nominees will be invited to accept their award at the City Chambers, others will receive a certificate in the post. ALL nominated volunteers will receive a certificate either in person or in the post.
Eligibility criteria for 2015:
· The Awards are only open to people volunteering in the City of Edinburgh
· There are no age restrictions.
· Volunteers must have volunteered for at least six months with your organisation before being eligible to be nominated.
· If they have previously received an “Inspiring Volunteering Certificate” at the City Chambers they should not be nominated again.
· Only fully completed nominations will be considered for individuals or teams, and we will quote from these statements when presenting the awards.
Shortlisted nominations will be considered by the Lord Provost for the ‘Lord Provost of Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year Award 2015’.
Special recognition categories to highlight some of the diverse areas of volunteering across the City of Edinburgh include:
· A Young Volunteer (aged between 11 and 25 years old)
· Long Standing Contribution to Volunteering Award (an individual who has volunteered for 10 years or more, and has made an outstanding contribution)
· Charity Shop Volunteer
· Fundraising Volunteer
· Trustee Volunteer
· Health & Social Care Volunteer (volunteers engaged in health and social care, including support work, befriending or projects which reduce social isolation and help assist independent living)
· Sports Volunteer (volunteers actively involved in supporting sports in their communities).
· Environment & Conservation Volunteer (volunteers engaged in environmental activities including education, conservation or gardening).
· Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteer
· Housing / Tenant participation champion *** Introduced in 2014 ***
The Awards Ceremony usually takes place during Volunteers Week – which runs every year from the 1– 7 June, however in 2015 it will be take place on the later date of Tuesday 16 June. Nominations will close on 1 April 2015 at 8pm.
We also encourage volunteer involving organisations to organise their own recognition events during Volunteers’ Week, whether that be their own mini awards ceremony, coffee morning, lunch or social activity that recognises and celebrates the contribution of their volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to do something to say thank you, and show your volunteers that they are valued and appreciated.
Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “There are thousands of dedicated and inspiring volunteers in Edinburgh selflessly giving up their own time to help and support others. These awards are simply one way of recognising some of their tremendous work, and their contribution to the wellbeing of our city’s residents cannot be overstated.”
Kris Von Wald, Convenor of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, said: “The Lord Provost has agreed to present these awards because he recognises how important volunteers are to Edinburgh and its residents. The Awards seek to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, energy and positive difference that volunteers make”.
Read all about it: local Forum lifts literary prize!
We-CTV Award for North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum
North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum (NEYPF) has won second prize in a national competiton organised by the Scottish Youth Parliament. Josh, Laura and Brandin’s entry was the only submission from Edinburgh to win an award at this week’s presentation ceremony (writes Dave Pickering).
Launched last June, the We-CTV Competition asked young people to address issues of interpersonal violence in communities. Groups were asked to produce a piece of creative work on themes like knife crime, abuse and online bullying in one of three categories: Art (drawing, painting, textiles), Literary (creative or discursive writing) or Multimedia (video or audio).
NEYPF decided to take part in the competition and agreed to write a piece on bullying.
It’s been a long process. Entrants were first asked to submit an expression of interest by the end of August 2014. The creative concept deadline was 31 October and a National Creative We-CTV Production Day took place on 11 November, giving entrants an opportunity to meet with creative experts and share ideas. The final submission deadline for ‘creative solution’ entries was 16 January and this was followed by an online vote.
The group has had an anxious wait since voting closed on 8 February, but the NEYPF were rewarded for their hard work when they were announced as runner-up in the Literary category at Wednesday evening’s awards which were held in Glasgow’s Film Theatre.
Josh Ward (13), Laura Hulbert (14) and Brandin Sharpe (13) – all of whom took part in a training session with NEN last Autumn – attended the gala event with NEYPF youth worker Danielle Ward and were delighted to win second prize in their category. As well as the Award, each team member received a certificate and vouchers from Pizza Express and Vue Cinemas.
Their certificates read: ‘Their contribution helped raise awareness of interpersonal violence against young people‘.
Prizes aside, the highlight of the event for the Forum members was meeting Sanjeev Kohli, Still Game’s Naveed, who was MC for the evening! His quote: ‘I am just a monkey in a suit’ was the group’s favourite.
The final words, quite rightly, go to the NEYPF members. “It was an emotional rollercoaster!” said Brandin, while Josh added: “It was fun and I met Navid and we came second!”
Short and sweet but says it all! Well done, NEYPF!
Just capital! Free wi-fi in Edinburgh this Easter
Connected Capital: Enjoy free wi-fi this Easter
Edinburgh residents and visitors are to benefit from free wi-fi in 70 public buildings across the city as part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Connected Capital Programme.
Attractions such as the majority of Edinburgh Leisure centres and the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo and Dynamic Earth, will be live in time for Easter and the rest will come on line in the coming weeks and months.
Those travelling on Edinburgh’s trams and Lothian Buses are already benefitting from free wi-fi as the project is rolled out across the city.
Edinburgh is one of 22 cities across the UK benefiting from the Government’s SuperConnected Cities £150m Programme, which is being delivered through Broadband Delivery UK.
Councillor Frank Ross, Economy Convener, said: “This is great news as the new service will mean that everyone will be able to get free access to the latest information on their favourite apps and websites while out and about and when going to the gym, taking in some art or when taking their children to one of Edinburgh’s many museums. It is also great timing as some of the attractions gearing up for Easter crowds already have public wi-fi installed.
“This project is central to the Council’s plans for growing the city economy, and encouraging residents and visitors to stay longer and increase their spend.”
Edinburgh Leisure, ICT Manager Stuart Fairbairn, said: “Edinburgh Leisure is delighted to offer free wi-fi in 13 of its venues thanks to this funding from the UK Government via our partners at The City of Edinburgh Council. It will allow us to provide our busy customers with a great opportunity to stay connected while working out or relaxing in these venues, giving them yet another reason to stay healthy and active with Edinburgh Leisure.”
Hugh Wallace, Head of Digital Media, National Museum of Scotland, said: “We’re already seeing a healthy level of uptake, and people connecting to the service are then linking to museum-based material on our website (what’s on information, downloadable apps, e-newsletter sign-up). When we fully promote the service we will encourage the sharing of content, engagement with the museum’s collections, and offer further downloadable options – something we hope will provide a real step change for our visitors.”
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I’m delighted Edinburgh took up the challenge to become one of the UK’s Superconnected Cities as part of the Government programme. It’s vital that our cities have the digital infrastructure like superfast broadband and wifi in place to deal with the demands of the digital age. Our investment in Edinburgh has delivered a welcome boost to the local economy, and is all part of our long term economic plan.”
Buildings that currently have free wi-fi include:
- Edinburgh Zoo
- National Museum of Scotland
- Dynamic Earth
- All Edinburgh Leisure centres with the exception of Warrender Swim Centre and the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA)
Buildings which will go live at some point in the next few months:
- Queen’s Hall
- Nelson Monument
- People’s Story Museum
- The Lyceum
- Festival Theatre
- King’s Theatre
- City Art Centre
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Scottish Poetry Library
- Out of Blue Drill Hall
- Museum of Edinburgh
- Museum of Childhood
- The Writers’ Museum
- Museum Collections Centre
- Lauriston Castle
- Old City Observatory and the Dome
- Trinity Apse
- The Church Hill Theatre
- Usher Hall
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Traverse Theatre
- Warrender Swim Centre and the EICA (EICA)
Free wi-fi is also being installed in a number of the Council’s community centres, care homes and young people’s accommodation.
Tierney Award for Susan – Leader of the Pack!
Susan Jeffrey received Drylaw’s Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship at a packed Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre last night. Susan was joined by friends, family and colleagues at a reception organised to mark the annual award that celebrates our unsung local heroes (writes Dave Pickering).
Susan was the unanimous choice of Drylaw Telford community members for her incredible contribution as a volunteer with the Brownies at Drylaw Parish Church – Susan has been with the pack on a Monday evening for thirty years!
Presenting the award, Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “It’s really nice to see such a big crowd here tonight and it’s particularly good that Mrs Tierney has joined us once again.
“The community council received four every strong nominations this year ans it says a lot that Susan was the unanimous choice of the community council for her thirty years service with the local Brownie Pack, but also in recognition of her work as a fundraiser with Drylaw Church, where she chaired the fundraising committee.
“Presenting the award gives me particular satisfaction this year as I am an ambassador for the local Girl Guiding movement and I know just what a difference people like Susan can make to young people’s lives. I wonder just how many girls and young women have been influenced in a positive way over those thirty years? Susan has been described as a ‘warm, caring person’ and while she may be quiet and reserved she has made a great contribution to community life here in Drylaw.”
Susan said: “I would like to thank everyone – my friends and family – who have helped and supported me. I don’t know if I will manage another thirty years but we will see how things go!”
Speaking after the presentation Guide Leader Elizabeth Martin, ex-Commissioner of Raeburn Division (which covers Pennywell District, of which Drylaw is part) said: “It was an honour for me to present Susan with her 30 year knot at 170th ‘B’ Brownies in January, my final role as Division Commissioner for Girlguiding Raeburn.
“Susan has seen many girls go through Brownies and some have even become leaders within Girlguiding and Scouting. She always encourages the girls to do their best along with encouraging the volunteers she has had over the years to take a full part in the unit. Susan runs a very full programme of activities for the girls and plans the unit meetings with her other leaders. Congratulations, Susan on your Award.”
If you’d like more information about Girlguiding – perhaps your daughter is interested in joining or you’d like to find out about volunteering with the organisation, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk
Susan is the fifteenth recipient of the annual award – and the women have forged into a clear lead! The tally now stands at 9-6 in the girl’s favour, so come on Drylaw boys – get out and support your community!
Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship Award Winners:
2000 Harry MacDonald
2001 David Pickering
2002 Anna Aitken
2003 Alexander Sandilands
2004 Emma Robertson
2005 Florence Atkinson
2006 Evelyn Crawford
2007 Jackie Brown
2008 Eileen Outterson
2009 Margaret Robinson
2010 Henry MacDonald
2011 Ian Moore
2012 Alex Dale
2013 Mhairi Curren
2014 Susan Jeffrey
More pictures from last night’s event:
Dave Pickering
Edinburgh Police Choir on lookout for new members
The Edinburgh Police Choir is looking to recruit new tenors to its ranks. We are arguably the most exciting and innovative contemporary choir in Scotland, made up of police officers, support staff and members of the local community.
The choir started in 2008, and has performed at some cracking venues, including the Festival Theatre, Usher Hall, the SECC, Scottish Parliament and as far afield as New York. More recently the choir finished in 6th place at the 2014 BBC Choir of the Year adult category, and in 2nd place at the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition last month, although most of our performances raise money for charity.
If you can hold a tune, don’t mind working hard and would like to perform great material in some fabulous venues, then get in touch to arrange to meet the choir. We rehearse in north-west Edinburgh on Sunday evenings.
email us at edinburghpolicechoir@gmail.com
check out our website at www.edinburghpolicechoir.com
or ring 07971920435
