Discovering North Edinburgh’s Hidden Gems evening walks
This week’s walk: Granton – Sea views and Lighthouse
All welcome! For more info call 551 1671 or email admin@pchp.org.uk
Category: Granton
Police seek witnesses to Granton motor bike incident
‘What it does, sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes’ – Chief Supt. Mark Williams
Police are appealing for information following a serious road traffic collision on West Shore Road last night. A fourteen year old boy is in a serious condition in hospital following the incident.
The incident occurred at around 11.20pm, when a BMW 1150cc motorcycle struck a wall. The rider, a 14-year-old boy, was thrown from the vehicle and subsequently landed on nearby rocks.
Police and emergency services attended and the Scottish Ambulance Service took the boy to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where his condition is described as ‘serious’.
The motorcycle is understood to have been stolen.
Officers investigating the incident are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Chief Superintendent Mark Williams said: “This was a terrible incident that has left a local boy badly injured. Thankfully it wasn’t more serious as the consequences could have been fatal.
“What it does sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes and it demonstrates the impact this can have on both the individual, their families and the community.
“We are appealing for anyone with information regarding this incident to contact us immediately.
“In unqualified hands motorbikes are extremely dangerous and tackling the theft of motorbikes and vehicles will continue to be a focus for local officers.”
TV ‘Hair’ star is guest speaker at Graduation
Former Telford student Denise McAdam announced as guest speaker at Edinburgh College Graduation
Hairdresser to the Royals and reality TV show judge Denise McAdam will be guest speaker at Edinburgh College’s Graduation ceremonies in September.
Denise, who grew up in Penicuik and studied hairdressing at the college, has worked with the Royal Family, international supermodels and Hollywood stars and is currently one of the judges on BBC Two’s popular amateur hairstyling competition Hair. She will give the guest speech at the Graduation ceremonies on 25 September at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall.
The college’s Graduation ceremonies celebrate the success of HNC, HND, Advance Diploma and degree students.
Denise first came to the forefront of British hairdressing in the 1980s and is known for being the first female celebrity hairdresser in the UK.
Having worked with photographers David Bailey, Lord Lichfield, Lord Snowden and Terry O’Neill, she came to the media’s attention when she styled the Duchess of York’s hair for her wedding to Prince Andrew. Denise went on to receive the Royal warrant in 1989 and was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal for services to the Royal Family in June 2010.
She has worked with generations of style icons including Grace Kelly, Joan Collins, Yasmin Le Bon, Cindy Crawford, Jane Seymour, Naomi Campbell and Kylie Minogue.
Denise said: “It’s an honour to share graduation day with Edinburgh College’s talented and enthusiastic students. I am inspired to celebrate their achievements, hard work and the passion they have given to their chosen subjects throughout their time at the college. The college and lecturers have encouraged and worked incredibly hard to prepare their students for the work place, further education or to go forth and change the world. My own memories and my time at Edinburgh College inspire me every day.”
Down to Earth(y)?
Officials recommend Earthy should be demolished
Planning officials have recommended that the popular Earthy shop and cafe on Canonmills Bridge should be demolished to make way for a new development. Councillors will discuss the issue at a meeting this morning.
Three local issues feature on today’s Development Sub-Committee agenda.
Reports on Granton Castle’s Walled Garden, the controversial demolition of Earthy at Canonmills and the ongoing saga of the proposed housing development on Trinity Road will all be tabled at the meeting. which takes place at 10am in The Dean of Guild Court Room in the City Chambers.
While councillors will be asked simply to ‘note’ the council’s current position on Granton Castle Walled Garden, where plans remain in place to erect 17 luxury townhouses, officials are recommending that the proposed demolition of Earthy on Canonmills Bridge is given the go-ahead.
Officials also recommend that the proposed demolition of the existing garage building at 127 Trinity Road – and the development of five new houses there – should be granted.
Members of the Save 1-6 Canonmills Bridge campaign plan to lobby councillors before the meeting, which is open to the public.
Related papers:
Item_6.3____GRANTON_CASTLE_WALLED_GARDEN___03_04595_FUL
Item_8.1____1_CANONMILLS_BRIDGE___15_01786_CON
Item_8.4_a_____127_TRINITY_ROAD___15_01788_FUL
Item_8.4_b_____127_TRINITY_ROAD___14_05070_CON
DM_Sub_29_July_2015_Full_papers
Thursday is Fun Day at Granton Youth Centre
Granton Youth Centre’s the place to be this Thursday as GYC are holding a fun day at West Granton Road from noon until 3pm.
Come along and join in games, bouncy castle, storytelling, face painting and a BBQ. Entry is free – all welcome!
For more info contact Granton Youth Centre on 467 5854
Get fit at The Prentice Centre
Fit Camp every Monday at The Prentice Centre, 7 – 8pm
Edinburgh College up for green awards
Edinburgh College has been named as a finalist in three categories in the prestigious Green Gown Awards, which celebrate sustainability initiatives in the education sector.
Now in their 11th year, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK.
The local college is shortlisted for the following awards:
- Facilities and Services Award – for the college’s eCar project. Edinburgh College has been operating a fleet of electric cars since its inception in late 2012 to provide staff with a sustainable, low-carbon, low-cost transport option for travel between its four campuses and other corporate travel. Significant impacts have been made in reducing the number of trips normally carried out in staff members’ own cars, saving 86,227 miles and £38,825 on equivalent travel expenses.
They are also fully integrated with the curriculum, offering students on our Engineering, Automotive and Electrical courses hands-on experience, and three electric vehicle scholarships have been created – in partnership with local care dealer Alex F. Noble – as the project continues to expand. - Student Engagement Award – in recognition of the work done to develop the college’s two community gardens as an important college and community resource. The community gardens at Milton Road and Sighthill campuses have more than 200 participants from a diverse range of groups including students – including many with additional support needs – staff and local community members and groups. For many of these users the gardens represent much more than a space to grow food. They are a space to learn about healthy living, gain new skills, build self-confidence and self-esteem, increase employability, adopt sustainable behaviours and make friends.
- Carbon Reduction Award – in recognition of the college’s Sustainability team’s work to develop a Carbon Management Plan, with a footprint and a projects register; a waste strategy; a community growing strategy; a green travel plan; and more. The comprehensive Carbon Management Plan has at its heart a target of 18% minimum reduction by 2020. The college’s energy-saving measures include a solar meadow at Midlothian Campus, photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the Granton Campus and an eco-friendly hair and beauty academy.
The college is up against other colleges and universities from across the UK, and is the only college to be recognised in the Student Engagement and Facilities and Services categories.
Martin Webb, Edinburgh College sustainability officer, said: “We are thrilled to be acknowledged for the progress made to embed sustainability within the college infrastructure and curriculum. We are early on our journey towards achieving the aims of our wider sustainability strategy, but our small enthusiastic team are committed to improving co-ordination, facilitation and promotion of Edinburgh College’s sustainability efforts.”
With sustainable development moving up the global agenda, the awards are now established as the most prestigious recognition of sustainability excellence within the tertiary education sector, as well as the environmental sector.
The Awards ceremony will be held in Bristol, European Green Capital for 2015, on 27 November.
Picture (top): Sustainability officer Martin Webb and Community Garden coordinator Severine Monvoisin in the Sighthill Community Garden.
Theatre opportunity for young people at North Edinburgh Arts
Red and the Wolf: An exciting theatre opportunity for North Edinburgh’s young people – and it’s free
Red and the Wolf by Liminal Dance is an immersive theatre performance working with a locally-based community cast of young people aged 8-16 years, in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts.
- Explore movement, dance and storytelling
- Perform with professional artists
- Create your own unique performance
- Open to all, no experience necessary
- @ North Edinburgh Arts
- Places are FREE
Rehearsals on:
- Thursday 30 July
- Saturday 1 August
- Monday 3 August
- Tuesday 4 August
- Wednesday 5 August
Rehearsal times: 10-5pm (except Saturday, 10-1pm)
Performance on Wednesday 5 August, 7pm
To book places and tickets: 0131 315 2151 / admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
North Edinburgh Arts
15a Pennywell Court
EH4 4TZ
A sporting summer at Spartans
Youth Work Provision at Spartans Community Football Academy over the summer holidays:
Street Football In A Safe Place (SFiSP):
Monday to Friday throughout the holidays from 1 – 5pm
Ages: 7-18
Cost – FREE
Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.
Details – SFiSP offers the opportunity for young people to come and play (for free) in a safe, fun and friendly environment. Our Youth Work Team are on the pitch throughout the afternoon to join in the fun and also to make all participants feel safe.
Our 3G requires that everyone on the pitch must wear football boots while playing, but not to worry if you don’t have any as we have a boot bank for those who don’t have boots but would still like to play -and everyone is welcome to borrow a pair!
FooTEA: Days
Friday Nights
Ages: 7 to 11yrs (5pm to 7:30pm), 12 to 15yrs (6pm to 8:15pm)
Cost – FREE
Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre (although on occasion we do hold this elsewhere but parents/guardians will be given plenty of notice)
Details – FooTEA is one of the main youth provisions we run here at the SCFA. FooTEA runs from 5pm to 8:15pm every Friday night here at the Academy. The young people who attend spend the first hour playing football, and then afterwards we have a hot meal together, before they are allowed to take part in various activities such as Baking, Xbox, Pool, Table Tennis, Arts and Crafts, etc.
Coaching: Bend it like Beesley (BILB)
Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm throughout the school holidays
Ages: 3yrs to 12yrs (split into three groups:3 -4, 5-8 and 9 -12)
Cost – £40 for the whole week or £8 per day.
Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre
Details – ‘Bend It Like Beesley’ is our fun packed holiday programme aimed at 3-12 year olds, named after Spartans First Team star and SCFA Development Officer, Jack Beesley.
The emphasis is on developing young children’s football skills, whilst providing a thoroughly enjoyable week – all under the watchful eye of our highly-qualified Academy coaches.
For more info visit http://scfacoaching.com/bend-it-like-beesley-2/
Jamie Tomkinson,
Youth and Community Worker, The Spartans Community Football Academy
Twitter: Spartans_CFA
Telephone: 0131-552-7854
Sharing Granton’s secret garden?
‘Save our Secret Garden’ community campaign reaches climax on July 29th!
You may have heard of Granton Castle Walled Garden, but still not know where it is: that it is kept locked up and no-one can enter, or that it is still at risk from a luxury housing development (writes Kirsty Sutherland)!
At the end of this month the Friends Group campaign to safeguard and restore the walled garden will reach a crucial point.
On 29 July the council planners will make a final decision on the 2004 Waterfront Edinburgh Limited application; ‘minded to grant’ for demolition of parts of the walled garden to make way for 17 townhouses.
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden hope they decide to refuse the 2004 application, instead allowing a chance of the listed garden’s restoration for community use.
Hundreds of local people have made their views known through petitions, representations and deputations to the city council, community councils and other organisations over the last year.
Historic Scotland visited the walled garden this spring and after reviewing the research compiled, concluded that it merits B-listing. Much older than previously thought, infact the oldest undeveloped walled garden in Edinburgh!
So what will happen if the council decide in favour of the historic garden being protected and restored at the end of this month?
- Raising funds for a future community buyout was discussed at our last two Friends Group meetings.
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Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill news is good for community groups like ours, interested in taking on the responsibility for a bit of our historic environment on the waterfront.
– Community Shares? – One idea to let local people own a bit of the walled garden and take part in planning and decisions on its future.
One share = one vote
Would you want to help save the garden if we could buy it?
Buy a share in the garden at £10 per share?
Get in touch or come along to a Friends Group Meeting if you want to hear more, ask questions or get involved.
grantoncastlegardengroup@gmail.com
Next meeting on ‘Ideas for the Garden’ in mid-August, date tbc.
Friends of Granton Castle Garden | ‘Forgotten’ Walled Garden