Category: Cramond

Cramond’s Jonathan visits his showhome bedroom creation

A GIFTED Cramond Primary pupil who won a design competition to create a showhome bedroom has finally had the opportunity to see his creation come to life.

After impressing the judges earlier this year, Jonathan Anderson, 11, visited the new Cammo Meadows development by CALA Homes (East), with his parents, ahead of the showhomes launching on 29 May.

Jonathan’s designs centred on a jungle theme, creating a striking digital moodboard to a detailed brief and floorplan, while budgeting for all of the items included.

Leading interior designer, Eileen Kesson of Envision had presented the project to the 51-strong two P7 classes – and selected Jonathan’s entry for its originality and attention to detail.

Eileen was subsequently able to source individual items, such as a fun wall tropical mural, specially printed for the home, green furniture, jungle toys and LED lights throughout.

Jonathan said: “I really enjoyed picking out the things to put in the bedroom and I decided to have a desk because I could draw and do my homework on it.

“It’s rainforest themed, with green, yellow and blue, because I love animals and the outdoors. I wish this was my bedroom!”

Eileen said: “Jonathan’s, and a lot of the entries, were absolutely fantastic but with Jonathan’s design what stood out to me was the colour – it’s so vibrant and exciting and he followed his theme through so completely.

“We asked the children if they could design a room for Sam, a ten-year-old boy, and we gave them a floorplan, a budget and they could take on that blank canvas and make it theirs.

“I love the detail of Jonathan’s room, in particular the bespoke rainforest mural. He asked for the curtains to be yellow because it’s sunny and positive, and he wanted the rug to be blue to simulate a pool in a forest so the detail was fantastic.

“With a showhome you’re looking for themes or threads that will run through the whole house so it’s important you carry them from room to room – and this room was so comprehensive it was quite easy for us to make it happen.”

Alison Cunningham, Marketing Manager at CALA Homes (East), said: “Having Jonathan and his family come to visit the showhome in person was the perfect way to round off what’s been a brilliant project with Cramond Primary.

“Jonathan’s designs really impressed the whole CALA East team too, we’ve been looking forward to the showhomes being ready so Eileen could pull everything together, and to finally see it in person is fantastic.”

His designs feature in The Mallaig, one of the two new showhomes CALA launching at Cammo Meadows on Saturday, which is situated near to Cramond Primary School.

Cammo Meadows is a development of detached homes, terraced homes and apartments next to the Cammo Estate nature reserve.

The development is minutes from Cramond Primary School and is also surrounded by a multitude of green outdoor spaces, a wildflower meadow, with a new woodland to be created as part of the development.

Built in 1975, Cramond Primary School is a non-denominational school that serves Cramond and the surrounding areas of northwest Edinburgh. The school has more than 400 pupils and is part of the Royal High School cluster.

For more information on Cammo Meadows, please visit:

https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/cammo-meadows/

Glam squad help care residents prep for post-lockdown debut

DEDICATED care staff turned glam squad during the pandemic celebrate the reopening of inhouse beauty salon as residents get ready for their post-lockdown outings.

The salon at Cramond Residence in Edinburgh has been closed for the duration of lockdown with care staff stepping in to give residents their regular cut and blow dry.

Now reinstated, residents have begun enjoying complimentary treatments including a full complement of hairdressing and manicures.

Built in 2018, the salon was part of the home’s original design and features alongside a host of unique aspects such as a wellness and physiotherapy suite, games room and cinema room.

Lisa Sohn, Head Lifestyle Co-Ordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “The salon has been out of operation since the start of the pandemic, so you can imagine the excitement of residents when we were able to reopen.

“Care staff at the home pulled together throughout lockdown to give residents manicures and trims.

“It’s great to see residents back in the salon getting the VIP treatment and are very much enjoying the post-lockdown glow up.”

Alongside the hair and beauty treatments on offer, residents also benefit from regular holistic therapy sessions including Reiki, Reflexology and hand massages. 

As well as a monthly programme of activities which are resident-led and aim to make life as fun and fulfilling as possible.

For the duration of lockdown, residents were confined to the nine individual houses within the home, with Activities Coordinators using technology to keep residents connected. With restrictions lifted, the home is now fully connected again, with residents enjoying a variety of activities together.

Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care for up to 74 residents, all enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.

As well as the beautiful gardens, it also offers a library, a hair salon, a private, fine-dining space, a physiotherapy room and a cinema, which doubles as a large, multi-purpose space for a host of social events.

Places in the care home start from £1850 a week. To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Cramond care home holds classes to help reduce falls

WITH the easing of lockdown restrictions, an Edinburgh care home is resuming its physiotherapy-led falls prevention class which looks to prevent falls and support residents’ mobility and wellbeing.

Cramond Residence had been holding weekly classes with reduced numbers, led by the home’s lifestyle coordinators, but as of early April they have reinstated the specialist physiotherapists from Balanced to resume their classes as normal.

The classes are available free of charge to all residents and take place weekly. Prior to attending, residents are individually assessed by a physiotherapist and split into groups based on their physical ability.

Lisa Sohn, Lead Lifestyle Coordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “The falls prevention classes have been very popular amongst residents, we have quite a few regulars who attend.

“It’s a great way for residents to socialise while also encouraging mobility and helping to keep them safe. Although classes are not mandatory, we do encourage residents to take part as much as possible to build up and maintain their strength.

“The pre-class assessments mean that residents are split into either seated or standing groups, ensuring everyone gets the most out of their sessions.

“The aim of the classes is to prevent potential falls and give residents the confidence to move around either independently or semi-independently, based on their needs and abilities.”

The falls prevention programme has been part of the care home’s programme since it opened in 2018, and was temporarily facilitated by lifestyle coordinators during lockdown to minimise risk for residents.

Throughout lockdown, residents have been isolating in nine self-contained small-group living units within the purpose-built care home, to help with infection control.

Lisa added: “It’s great to have Balanced back to take over the classes and provide their specialist support – it’s another step towards ‘normality’ for the residents which is not only fantastic for their physical health, but for their mental wellbeing.

“We’ve recently been able to bring residents back together again in larger groups, following social distancing guidance, which has also helped greatly with socialisation.”

Alongside the fall’s prevention programme, the 74-bedroom care home offers customised individual care plans for each resident based on their care needs, and a varied activity programme to keep them both mentally and physically stimulated.

Cramond Residence offers high quality care utilising a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.

To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Cramond Island’s rich history

by CONNOR LAW

Did you know you can walk part way across the Firth of Forth? 

North of Cramond village lies an island rich in history: Cramond Island.

The island is rare as it has a geological feature which few islands do: you can walk there, as it is a tidal island. 

Historians believe the Island was likely occupied by the Romans; Cramond is one of very few places in Scotland which is rich in Roman architecture.

Despite this there is little hard evidence of Roman activity on the island. There is, however, evidence which suggests that the island was of significance to the prehistoric culture, that evidence being a burial Cist ( a box like stone coffin).

Despite a lack of firm historical records during ancient times, strong evidence from the British Wool Company confirms that from the 1790s until the death of Peter Hogg in 1904, Cramond Island was used for farming and sheep grazing in particular.

One such piece of evidence comes from a 1853 ordnance survey which show as a Farmstead towards the northern end of the island, although today it is partially concealed in ivy.

Evidence also suggests that Cramond Island was also a fishing island, as the remains of a stone Jetty can still be seen at the northwest corner of the island.

Cramond island was once known for its oysters, but the oyster population has been destroyed due to overfishing.

The island was also requisitioned during both world wars to protect the nearby anchorage for warships and the dock gate at Rosyth Dockyard from German torpedo boats and possible sabateurs. Counter-measures included an anti- submarine net, which was placed along the Forth and ran from Cramond Island to Inchmickery and Inchcolm island and the Fife coast line.

Two-pounder guns (Personal Defence Weapons) were placed on the northern end of Cramond Island during World War One and reinforced with further two pounder guns during World War Two.

The remnants of several second world war buildings can be found on the island, including shelters, engine rooms and store houses. 

The island is approximately 7.70 Hectares in area, roughly 1/3 of a mile away from Cramond village.

Although it is owned by the Dalmeny estate, visitors can cross the causeway and explore the island, although any visitors to the island should take care to visit the island at low tide as visitors are stranded on the island on occasions.

It is difficult to believe that the opportunity to explore such wilderness and historical mystery lies on Edinburgh’s door!

Police Scotland: Taking a tough stand against antisocial youth?

Although the Meadows is not part of my policing command area, seeing the disgraceful scenes over the Easter weekend made it clear that a visible and robust police presence was required in green spaces in the north west of the city to deter this type of behaviour (writes Chief Inspector SARAH TAYLOR).

Although the Meadows is not part of my policing command area, seeing the disgraceful scenes unfold over the Easter Weekend made it clear to me that a visible and robust police presence was required in our green spaces within the North West of the city to deter this type of behaviour being replicated.

Communities living near to our own popular beauty spots such as Cramond, South Queensferry, Inverleith Park and Lauriston Castle can be reassured that targeted patrols are being conducted in these areas to ensure that every opportunity is made to disrupt and prevent such behaviours from taking place.

Officers will engage with the public, offer relevant advice if current COVID legislation is being breached and take appropriate enforcement action for any criminal offences we observe.

Please keep adhering to the existing Scottish government guidelines and help ensure the swiftest possible route out of lockdown.

You may all be aware that in the past few months we have received an increasing number of reports relating to criminality occurring on, and towards, Lothian Bus services across the city and a number of services have been temporarily suspended as a result.

Sadly, the North West has been one of the main areas where such instances have been reported. Officers have responded to incidents in Clermiston, Drumbrae and Drylaw where buses have been struck by objects.

Operation Proust aims to address these issues through joint community patrols with Lothian Buses, providing reassurance to drivers and members of the public, as well as speaking to youths about the dangers and consequences associated with this type of reckless behaviour.

We have now charged 30 young people in relation to these incidents. I would urge parents and guardians to speak to their children about the dangers associated with throwing objects at vehicles, as well as making sure they know where they are and what they are doing.

Sadly, this is not the only type of only antisocial behaviour we’ve experienced in the North West as of late.

Local residents in South Queensferry and Clermiston have been in touch to report a number of incidents of youth-related antisocial behaviour and as such we’ve carried out a range initiatives to identify those responsible, prevent further offences and divert youths away from getting involved in crime. We will share more about these initiatives and their progress via our social media channels.

Community safety remains an established priority and we continue to work with our partners including City of Edinburgh Council to combat antisocial behaviour in all its forms.

In addition to our commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour throughout the North West, we remain steadfast in our efforts to combat the harm caused by drugs within our local communities.

Over the past six weeks we have worked in partnership with relevant partners and other specialist resources across the Drylaw, Muirhouse and Pilton areas to target and disrupt those involved in drug supply.

Together, we have undertaken a range of enforcement and disruption activities that have resulted in various drug seizures being made, including the recovery of £25,000 of cannabis at one property.

The public continue to play a vital role in assisting investigations into drug crime and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns about drug-related activity, or has any information about those involved in drugs, to contact police on 101 or make an anonymous report to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CI Sarah Taylor is Local Area Commander for North West Edinburgh.

MD appointed at ‘Scotland’s finest care home’

A LEADING figure in the development of care homes and hospitals in Scotland is to take the reins as a dedicated Managing Director of Edinburgh’s finest care home.

Graeme Kelly, who is currently a Director at Walker Healthcare, will move across to the newly created role at its newest development, Cramond Residence, as it looks to build on growing demand as consumer confidence recovers within aspects of the sector that can demonstrate a positive track record over the past 12 months.

The home, which enjoys a leafy location, was purpose-built in 2018 by Walker Healthcare as a boundary-pushing advancement in both comprehensive luxury and clinical care for older people.

The latest technology and awareness of the importance of infection-control were factored into the design and specification from the outset, with small-group living in nine self-contained living pods as a cornerstone of the design alongside awareness of the benefits of the latest technology in everything from laundry systems to ventilation.

Graeme, 62, from Fife, has been astonished at the lengths that the care home’s teams have gone to provide rich and stimulating care, while managing to keep Covid-19 at bay, with very few cases recorded at the home to date.

Graeme said: “From day one we set out to create a new upper tier in the care home sector. Infection control was of utmost priority at this development long before the pandemic – and you can see how the design of the home is shaped around it.

“The Cramond Residence team, like so many key workers, have been truly inspirational throughout the last year. They’ve given the residents here the best possible care, hospitality and experiences and have provided families with reassurance

“We’re starting to see confidence returning and new enquiries are increasing month on month. Those that have put off a relative’s stay in a home are now ready to commit, if they can be reassured by the track record of the home, over the past year.

“All of our staff and residents have now had the vaccine too – and while we can’t for one second become complacent – we are grateful for our record so far in the pandemic.”

Graeme’s move over from Walker Healthcare, where he has worked since 1989 and which built and owns the home, coincides with the phased retirement of Eileen Gray.

The home offers nurse-led care, as well as offering a varied lifestyle programme. During this pandemic this has seen residents embark on a “Grand Tour of Scotland”, with distilleries, museums and attraction providing virtual tours and experiences.  

Cramond Residence is a purpose-built care combining unparalleled luxury; true five-star accommodation with outstanding clinical standards – with places available from £1850 per week.

The home offers high quality person centred care for up to 74 residents offering a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team.

The nine small bubble group living facilities have up to eight bedrooms, a private lounge, dining and snug facilities.

To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Cramond P7s to design dream bedroom for new showhome

CREATIVE pupils at Cramond Primary school are being given the opportunity to see their dream bedroom become a reality, thanks to a project with a major housebuilder.

Eileen Kesson, interior designer at Envision, is partnering with Cramond Primary for a design competition which will see children in P7 create their ultimate bedroom, complete with a budget, their choice of materials, and a floorplan.

Eileen, a renowned designer with more than 20 years’ experience, will give the children a full overview and brief today, with a moodboard to be created and presented later in the month.

Coordinated by CALA Homes, Eileen and Principal Teacher at Cramond Primary School, Yasmeen Naeem, the winning project will form the design for a bedroom at the new showhome at CALA’s Cammo Meadows.

Yasmeen Naeem said: “This is a fantastic experience for our pupils to enhance their design and artistic skills – the children are all already very excited for their presentation from Eileen and can’t wait to get started.

“Not only is it an excellent project for bringing out some creative ideas, having a proper project with a timescale and budget is hugely beneficial and gives pupils a flavour of real-life work.

“We’re sure this will be one of our most popular projects – it’s something different and engaging, making it ideal for remote learning.”

The lucky winner will get to visit their real-life dream bedroom at the showhome, located minutes from Cramond Primary, later this year when the showhome has been designed and furnished.

Eileen Kesson said: “I’ll be setting out a real-life scenario and portrait of a family for the pupils to use to create their ideal bedroom.

“With many children learning from home, it’s important that their bedrooms are their own, separate space with areas to play, learn and sleep so I’m looking forward to seeing what the pupils come up with.”

This is the second bedroom design competition of its kind that CALA has organised, the first being with West Barns Primary School in Dunbar in 2018, where P6 and P7 students designed a bedroom in a showhome at its nearby Castle Bay development.

Cammo Meadows is the housebuilder’s latest development of detached family homes in Edinburgh. The first phase of the development includes a collection of five-bedroom detached homes, with terraced homes and apartments to be built in later phases.

Neighbouring the Cammo Estate, the development is located minutes from Cramond Primary School and is surrounded by 23 acres of green outdoor space, a wildflower meadow, and new woodland to be created as part of the build.

Built in 1975, Cramond Primary School is a non-denominational school which serves Cramond and the surrounding areas of northwest Edinburgh. The school has more than 400 pupils, and is part of the Royal High School cluster.

For more information on Cammo Meadows, please visit: 

https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/cammo-meadows/

Beware rising tides at Cramond

The rising tide times around Cramond Island this weekend will mean RNLI are likely to see calls to help walkers cut off by the tide.

Two weekends ago, the volunteers at Queensferry RNLI were call out three times (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) to evacuate stranded walkers.

The causeway leading to and from Cramond Island will be unsafe to use at points throughout the weekend.

If you’re fortunate enough to live nearby and decide to walk across for your essential exercise, plan ahead before you go to reduce the risk of being cut off by the rising water.

  • Check the forecast and tide times before you go
  • Let someone know where you’re going & when you’ll return
  • Take a fully charged phone
  • In an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard

Follow the rules this weekend

Last weekend we saw large numbers of vehicles parking inconsiderately in and around certain areas in Edinburgh including Portobello, the Pentland Hills, Cramond Brig, Marine Drive and South Queensferry.

Chief Inspector Neil Wilson, from St Leonard’s Police Station, said: “We are fortunate to have so many wonderful parks and open spaces in the city, but please remember that several car parks which would usually accommodate these areas are currently closed to the public and some of our popular areas for exercising have limited parking available.

“I appreciate that people are keen to head out to exercise and enjoy what Edinburgh has to offer, but you should have a backup plan in the event that you can’t park your vehicle safely. Do not park irresponsibly, as you may restrict local residents and other road users or block access for emergency services.

“Parking your vehicle on a pavement or on a road in such a way as to cause an obstruction is not only an offence, but puts other road users and pedestrians at risk.

“We will be paying particular attention to key areas this coming weekend in response to the recent parking issues and officers will carry out enforcement action if necessary.

“People should also be mindful of the current guidelines in respect of meeting others outdoors.

“The Chief Constable has already made it clear that our approach throughout the pandemic has not changed. Police Scotland officers will continue to support people to follow the regulations and encourage them to take personal responsibility.

“People should not leave their home unless for essential purposes. The best way to stay safe is to stay at home.”

For the latest guidelines from the Scottish Government, visit its website here:

 http://ow.ly/zaQO50DjBaB

Police appeal following deliberate fires in Silverknowes & D Mains

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a series of fires in Silverknowes and Davidson’s Mains early this morning

A number of incidents were reported to Police Scotland in the area between 4.55am and 5.55am.

These included four vehicles on Silverknowes Eastway, Silverknowes Avenue and Cramond Road South as well as within a property of Main Street, Davidson’s Mains and a post box on Silverknowes Road.

Nobody was injured in any of the incidents. Each of the fires is being treated as deliberate and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg of Edinburgh CID said: “Our enquiries into this series of incidents are ongoing and we are working to establish the full circumstances.

“We would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to come forward as soon as possible.

“In particular we would be keen to speak to anyone with dashcam footage or private CCTV in the area.

“If you have any information which help our investigation please call 101, quoting incident 0341 of 27 January, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”