Counterfeit goods seized in North Edinburgh raid

Counterfeit tobacco and alcohol confiscated in joint raids

Over £4500 worth of contraband goods were seized and one man was arrested following raids on premises in North and Central Edinburgh yesterday.

Detectives and police officers from the Search and Recovery Team worked with colleagues from Trading Standards, Imperial Tobacco, HMRC and Stirling Council in the operation.

The team carried out intelligence-led raids on on five shops – including one North Edinburgh convenience store – and recovered a ‘significant amount’ of counterfeit tobacco products and alcohol.

Illegal goods worth around £4500 were seized including around 70 litres of vodka and whisky valued at approximately £3000 and a large quantity of imported tobacco. A 29-year-old male was also arrested for an immigration offence.

DCI Stuart Houston, Edinburgh Division CID said: “Following intelligence, officers from Police Scotland, HMRC, Trading Standards, Imperial Tobacco and Stirling Council took part in a day of action targeting a number of commercial premises in Edinburgh.

“As a result, officers seized around £4500 worth of counterfeit goods and made one arrest in relation to an immigration offence.

“This follows a similar operation we led in December and we will continue to thoroughly investigate those who choose to ignore the law surrounding the sale of counterfeit goods.

“If anyone is aware of counterfeit goods being sold to the public then I ask them to contact police immediately on 101 or Crimestoppers.”

Positive parenting: the Teen Triple P programme

Raising a teenager? Teen Triple P parenting programme

What is Group Teen Triple P?

Group Teen Triple P is a parenting programme which can help parents and carers cope positively with some of the common issues associated with raising a teenager.

The group and telephone/ individual consultation sessions give parents an opportunity to explore ways they can build a stronger relationship with their teenager, reduce conflict, manage problem behaviours and help their teen stay safe.

Group Teen Triple P helps parents make small changes in the way they handle things which can make big differences to the whole family.

Teen Triple P is suitable for parents, step parents and carers of pre-teen and teenagers aged approximately 11-16 years. Groups for kinship carers and dads also run.

What does it involve?

It is natural to feel nervous when attending a group and meeting new people. The facilitators will try to meet each parent before the group starts, either during a home visit or at the venue. They will do what they can to make everyone feel welcome. Teen Triple P groups are run by two facilitators with up to 12 parents in each group. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Each parent will be given a parent workbook which is theirs to keep.
Each group usually runs for 9 weeks with:

 Five group sessions which last for 2 hours
 Followed by three phone or individual sessions
 Then a final group session

During group sessions, parents learn from DVD clips, discussions and activities.

Parents choose which strategies to try each week at home. The facilitators will chat with parents during telephone or individual sessions to offer additional support.

Outline of Sessions

Introductory Session: Getting to know you. Parents are given a brief overview of the programme and get a chance to meet the facilitators and other parents in the group.

Session 1: Positive parenting. This session provides parents with an introduction to positive parenting, explore factors that influence teenage behaviour, and set goals for change.

Session 2: Encouraging appropriate behaviour. During this session, ways of improving positive relationships with teenagers are considered. Strategies to increase desirable behaviour and holding family meetings are also covered.

Session 3: Managing problem behaviour. In this session, parents learn how to develop family rules, deal with noncooperation and acknowledging and managing teenage emotions

Session 4: Dealing with risky behaviour. This session helps to identify risky situations, explores routines to deal with risky behaviour, and discusses family survival tips.

Session 5-7: Implementing parenting strategies. During telephone or individual consultation sessions, facilitators assist parents to review their chosen parenting strategies.

Session 8: Programme close. Parents return for a final group session to review progress, look at ways to maintain changes and problem-solve for the future. Information on additional available supports is provided.

Where does Group Teen Triple P run?

The City of Edinburgh Council runs Group Teen Triple P in each area of the city. They run in venues such as Community Centres, Schools and Libraries. Programmes run during the day and in the evenings.

How do I apply to attend Group Teen Triple P?

Applications can be made at any time as we operate a waiting list system. We welcome applications directly from parents or practitioners may apply for a place for a family they are working with.

Application forms can be requested by emailing supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gcsx.gov.uk

or by telephoning 0131 529 6700

More Information

If you would like more information about Teen Triple P or wish to discuss if it is suitable for you or a parent you are working with contact Jillian Hart, Teen Triple P Lead, Parent and Carer Support Development Officer- Tel: 07860736129 or email jillian.hart@edinburgh.gov.uk

Quotes from Edinburgh parents who have attended Teen Triple P groups:

“I have found the program very helpful and supportive, the atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly.”

“Really enjoyed this course, it helped me a lot.”

“It is reassuring to know that we are not alone, to have a better insight into what motivates our daughter, and to be able to refer to the workbook for tips and strategies.”

“Really made me think, we have a better relationship.”

“Excellent content with varied strategies which makes the program flexible and manageable for all”

“I feel stronger and more confident as a parent and a person.”

TTP flyer Kinship

Excel-lent computer course at Craigroyston!

Confident Computing Course at Craigroyston

Whether you are an absolute beginner or you just want to brush up on your computing skills, this course will give you the skills you need to progress to the next level! There will be a focus on Excel and how to improve the way you use Excel as a database or for keeping records or creating reports.

Where: Craigroyston Community High School

When: Wednesday mornings, 10.30am – 12.30pm, starting now.

More info: www.joininedinburgh.org/activity/6501/ or call 0131 477 7801

Interested in finding other Adult Education classes? Take a look at www.joininedinburgh.org/craigroyston

Congratulations, Craigie!

Craigroyston Celebrates ‘Very Good’ Inspection

All at Craigroyston Community High School were delighted to read their recently published Inspection report.

The school was inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in November 2014. The Inspection found the following key strengths:

A shared vision which focusses on securing positive destinations for all young people
Strong engagement of partners in the development and delivery of the curriculum
Coordinated and high quality support for young people and their families
Staff and partners leading developments to improve the quality of young people’s learning
Young people who are increasingly ambitious for the future

The Inspectors also noted that they found innovative practice at the school in partnership working and the school’s approach to developing a curriculum that focusses on employment. This innovative will be shared across Scotland as highly effective practice.

The full report can be read on the school’s website

www.craigroyston.edin.sch.uk

and at www.educationscotland.gov.uk

or click on links below

CCHS report

CCHS evidence report

This Land is Your Land!

An update from the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden:

Granton Castle’s ‘forgotten’ Garden may well be the oldest Walled Garden in Edinburgh, and it deserves to be protected from neglect and demolition.

Local plantswoman Kirsty Sutherland was inspired by the idea that the two acre walled garden could become an oasis of locally grown food.

After a brief visit to the garden in the spring of 2013, Kirsty returned with a group of interested community growers from North Edinburgh to do a bit of remedial pruning work on the old fruit trees. They all fell in love with this ‘secret’ garden, overgrown and tangled but magical in its air of faded grandeur.

The wealth of tales recounted by the retired gardener from over 500 years of occupancy were fascinating, and the windfall of apples much appreciated!

The Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, a small but dedicated group of locals, have campaigned since then to save the garden and restore it as a community resource for the area. Local gardeners, historians and community groups are keen to be involved.

Recent awareness raising has garnered support from many people and organisations at a crucial time, when the future of the walled garden is being discussed by the planning department.

Strength in numbers is needed to persuade the city council that it is better to save this historic garden, rather than allow it to be demolished to make way for 17 luxury townhouses as developers wish.

” North Edinburgh is leading Edinburgh’s local food revolution. It has more community gardens per square mile than any other residential area in the city. Local people are increasingly coming to understand the fact that if we want cheap, fresh, healthy food, the best way to get it bar none, is to grow it yourself.

“Community gardening is starting to heal fractured communities and help develop relationships, skills and top class nutrition for a whole new generation. The vision for Granton Castle’s Garden is to create a safe and inclusive environment for local people to learn more about the history of their area and the skills needed to bring fresh food from local soil.”

(Quote from a member of Transition Scotland & Fife Diet)

We are asking that anyone who wants to show their support fill out a membership form. They will be left out in three places in North Edinburgh, with a dropbox to deposit them:

Muirhouse Community Shop – 57 Pennywell Road, EH4 4TY
Pilton Community Health Project – 73 Boswall Parkway, EH5 2PW
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre – 11 Pilton Drive North, EH5 1NF

Forms can also be downloaded and printed from our website and posted to the Community Shop. Community groups and organisations can also join as associate members to show their support for our campaign.

We don’t want this garden to be demolished for townhouses: it could be full of fruit, herbs, flowers and vegetables instead. A community cafe, visitor centre, plants & crafts for sale. A ‘horticultural jewel’, showcasing the history and cultural heritage of North Edinburgh!

Help local people protect the ‘Oldest Walled Garden in Edinburgh’, and restore a living link with the past, dating back as far as 1479. Please fill in a Friends Group form to show your support, or better still join in!

Read more at https://grantoncastlewalledgarden.wordpress.com/ or check out the FB page for the latest news and local meetings.

Love learning: Edinburgh College Open Days this week

Edinburgh College is getting ready to open its doors for two course information days where potential students can find out more about courses starting in August.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about studying at the college is welcome to attend the course information days, which will be held on Tuesday 27 January from 2-6.30pm at Sighthill Campus and on Thursday 29 January from 2-6.30pm at Milton Road Campus (above).

Resident subject specialists will be on hand with information about all curriculum areas, advice on studying at all four Edinburgh College campuses and guidance on funding options.

The college is offering over 900 courses in August at levels to suit all needs – from HNC and HND level and associate degree programmes that lead on to university study, to Access courses to get people back into education, community-based courses and industry-approved qualifications.

Edinburgh College offers a range of nationally and internationally recognised courses across a wide variety of subjects.

The college has courses in:

Business and management
Computing
Community and outreach
Construction and building crafts
Creative industries
Childhood practice, health and care
Engineering
English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Food, hospitality and tourism
Sport and fitness
Veterinary care

Applications for courses starting in August will open on 2 February. The deadline is 15 May.

Edinburgh College interim principal Elaine McMahon said: “The course information days are great opportunities to find out how the college can help you find the right direction to achieve your goals. Whether you have a clear idea of what you want to do or if you’re looking for help in figuring it out, we’ll be able to support you to make the best decisions.

“Edinburgh College’s courses are designed to give you the skills and practical experience to be prepared for further studies or the workplace, and to succeed when you get there. Our programmes are hands-on and developed with the needs of industry in mind, so you’ll be equipped to hit the ground running.”

Representatives from Herriot Watt, Queen Margaret and Napier Universities will also be on hand to talk about associate student degree programmes. Associate student degrees allow students to study the first two years of their degree course at the college with a guaranteed place at a partner university to complete the final two years.

More information about college courses is available at www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk. For more information on a specific course, contact the college’s course information line on 0131 660 1010 or email courseinfo@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

Edinburgh College is also currently recruiting for courses starting in January, with applications closing on 30 January. The full list of courses with places left can be found at www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/january/

Course Information Days

Tuesday 27 January. 2-6.30pm. Edinburgh College Sighthill Campus, Bankhead Avenue, Edinburgh, EH11 4DE.

Thursday 29 January. 2-6:30pm. Edinburgh College Milton Road Campus, 24 Milton Road East, Edinburgh, EH15 2PP.

Burns ceilidh: celebrating community at Royston Wardieburn

That Man to Man, the world o’er,

Shall brothers (and sisters!) be for a’ that

A Burns Night is about many things. Good food, shared with friends, family or neighbours – and sometimes all three! Burns is about love, about comradeship and about community but if there’s just one word that captures the spirit of Scotland’s national Bard it’s ‘celebration’ – and all those elements were there in abundance at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre last night.

Yes, last night’s Community Celeidh celebrated the memory of Burns but it was more than that – it was a vibrant, living tribute to all the good things Burns work extolls: a warm, friendly gathering of friends and neighbours of all ages, interests and ethnicities joining together to have fun in each others’ company.

Organised by Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Granton Community Gardeners and Pilton Community Health Project’s Living in Harmony group the evening built on last year’s event and proved to be a huge success.

Around 150 people – aged from three months up to … well, a good bit older! – enjoyed a traditional Burns Supper and were entertained by the excellent Homecoming String Band and a succession of local performers, all made poosible and supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers who were always on hand to make sure the evening went smoothly.

Congratulations to the organisers, the band, the excellent team of volunteers and the local performers who entertained us so regally on the night: the poets, the musicians, the singers and the wee dancer – you were all brilliant!

And thanks, too, the the local community who came along to support the event and whose enthusiasm made the evening such a success.

Rabbie would be proud of you all – here’s to next year!

Visit our Facebook page for more ceilidh pictures

Road rage!

A section of busy Pilton Drive will be closed for four weeks from Monday – but the local community council wasn’t even informed!

Pilton Drive will be closed to through traffic between Morrison’s and Ferryfield House from Monday morning to allow work to start on utility connections to the development site on the former City Park. Work is expected to last until 20 February.

Granton and District Community Council secretary Dave Macnab said last night: “I have just heard that Pilton Drive between Morrisons and Ferryfield House is closed. I did not know about this and we were certainly not advised.

“This is for four weeks – this during the period of course when Spartans have their cup match! There is also the issue of traffic from The Strada having to use local routes with the inherent dangers to pedestrians. Where was the communication with the community?”

Granton and District Community Council
http://grantonanddistrictcommunitycouncil.com/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantonDistCC

Granton & District CC to meet 26 January

Please note that the next meeting of the Granton & District Community Council will take place on Monday 26th January at Royston & Wardieburn Community Centre at 7.00 pm.

Agenda: CCAgenda _Jan2015

Various items will be discussed:

Update on the cuts
Granton Harbour Development
Waterfront Development
20 mph campaign.

Hope to see you there.

Dave Macnab,

Secretary, Granton and District Community Council

http://grantonanddistrictcommunitycouncil.com/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantonDistCC

Police seek witnesses to Boswall dog attack

A local couple were taken to hospital after being attacked by a dog in North Edinburgh on Friday, police have confirmed.

The 71-year-old man and 65-year-old woman were walking their own dog when the incident happened at around 4pm on Friday in the park at the junction of Boswall Parkway, Grierson Road and Boswall Drive.

The dog – described as being a pit-bull type – was unrestrained and was with its female owner.

The dog is described as a male, tan-coloured pit bull type breed, with a strong muscular build and large head. It may have been wearing a leather harness.

Its owner was said to have been a woman aged between 30 to 40, 5ft 5in tall, with a large build, blonde hair and wearing a black parka style jacket.

The couple were treated in hospital for their injuries but were released on Friday evening.

PC Carolyn Cutter said: “This was an incredibly dangerous and terrifying incident and we are urgently seeking to trace the owner and the dog.”

If you have any information call

Police Scotland on 101 or

Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111