Category: Granton

HOGMANAY MURDER IN GRANTON

Detectives are treating the death of a man as murder following a firearms incident which occurred in the Granton area last night (Sunday, 31 December).

Around 11.50pm police were called to reports of two men being seriously injured after a firearm was discharged in Granton Crescent.

Emergency services attended and the two men were taken to hospital.

A 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later and a 39-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Road closures remain in place on Granton Road and Granton Crescent while police enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.

Detective Superintendent Graham Grant said: “This is believed to have been a targeted incident and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of both men involved.

“Enquiries are at a very early stage to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened, and while officers have already gathered CCTV and spoken to various people who were in the area at the time, I’d urge anyone with information who hasn’t yet spoken to us to come forward.

“In particular if anyone has private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the Granton Crescent/Road area around the time of the incident, please bring it to our attention.

“This incident will undoubtedly have caused concern in the local community and officers will be carrying out extra patrols of the area and I’d like to reassure the public that everything possible is being done to trace whoever is responsible.”

The murdered man has been named locally as Marc Webley.

Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting reference 3819 of 31 December. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

HOMELESSNESS IN EDINBURGH: Charity CEO calls for urgent support in the run up to Christmas

  • Simon Community Scotland (SCS) figures show 38 people currently sleeping rough in Edinburgh each night 
  • The charity handles over 500 requests for support at their Edinburgh hub each week 
  • 12 women are currently living in emergency accommodation 
  • SCS urgently needs to raise £200,000 to help them provide safe places and support to people experiencing homelessness

Almost forty people could be sleeping rough across Edinburgh in the run up to Christmas according to Scotland’s largest provider of homeless support services, Simon Community Scotland (SCS).

The charity, known as Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland in Edinburgh, is currently responding to over 500 support requests per week at their Edinburgh Hub, which is open every day.

In Edinburgh, the charity is also supporting a dozen women who are experiencing homelessness by providing emergency accommodation. Around 30 people are currently in Simon Community Homes, and many more are supported through outreach services.  

Simon Community’s emergency winter appeal ‘A Safe Place’ is aiming to raise £200,000 this year with funds directed straight to people being supported through their Holyrood Road Hub, SCS Homes, Streetreads Library, Outreach and Accommodation Services and Street Team. 

Following the announcement that Edinburgh is now facing a housing emergency, and amid ongoing cost of living challenges, Simon Community Scotland has written an open letter to businesses around Edinburgh calling for support.

Lorraine McGrath, Chief Executive at Simon Community Scotland, said: “This week alone we are providing safe places and support to well over 500 people who find themselves homeless in Edinburgh. People who are tired, cold, on the streets or in temporary accommodation. 

“The winter months are particularly hard and we’re doing all we can to help. But we need support from businesses across Edinburgh to allow us to keep people safe and supported this winter, through Christmas and beyond.

“We urgently need donations to our emergency winter appeal to cope with an increasing demand for our services. From employee fundraising, volunteering and charity partnerships, we’re keen to work with as many local businesses as possible. 

“Scotland’s housing crisis is a problem which won’t be solved overnight. Our Street Teams and hub staff are on the frontline, delivering support to as many people as possible. We have seen an increase in the number of people sleeping rough and visiting our hubs. We urgently need support to help provide safe places and support and we promise that all donations will be put to immediate use.”

According to Scottish Government figures, Edinburgh saw an additional 723 homeless households between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023.  

As of 31 March 2023, over 15,000 households were living in temporary accommodation in Scotland – 46% more than a decade before.  

Community Carols at Granton Campus

TONIGHT from 6 – 7.30pm

🎄 Need help getting into the festive spirit?

Head along to The Hub at Granton Campus tonight (Wednesday 13 December), from 6 – 7.30pm, for a festive evening of carol singing, choir singing and live music performances.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/hXCP50QfQBK

Granton leading the way on low carbon housing, says Greens 

GREENER HOMES ON GRANTON WATERFRONT

The Scottish Government has published their consultation paper on planned Heat in Buildings legislation which sets out a path for how best to deliver greener, warmer homes for Scotland. 

The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenant’s Rights, Patrick Harvie, recently visited Granton to see heat networks being set up for the new developments on the Waterfront. 

The systems and homes being built in Granton are examples of what could be rolled out across Scotland – greener energy, lower bills and no fossil fuels. 

https://twitter.com/i/status/1729510041915457721

Green Councillor for Forth Ward, Kayleigh O’Neill said: “This is another major milestone in the Granton Waterfront project. Over £1 billion has gone into helping a community become well connected and no longer reliant on fossil fuels. This is a massive step towards tacking climate change and transitioning the city, and country, to net-zero.” 

Cllr. O’Neill added: “Over the next ten years we will also see more affordable housing being built and care taken towards our urban coastal green spaces. We have to be ambitious and put people and planet first in all future developments.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition towards a greener economy. Granton Waterfront will set the standard for sustainable growth and show how we can live without fossil fuels.” 

The consultation will run until 8 March 2024, then responses will be scrutinised and a final decision made on when to publish a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to pass in 2025. 

You can take part in the consultation here: 

https://www.gov.scot/publications/delivering-net-zero-scotlands-buildings-consultation-proposals-heat-buildings-bill/ 

Granton History Hub: Volunteers needed

If you are interested & want to know more, please visit our website, or come along to Granton:hub any time between 1-4pm on Tuesdays 12th and 19th December.

Stay as long as you like – simply say ‘hello’ or we can set you to work!

Contact Tamsin at history@grantonhub.org

Communities Reduce Re-use & Recycle: Zero Waste Final Event

JOIN us in celebrating our Sewing Club’s Zero Waste Competition on Monday, 4th December! 🧵🧷

The event will take place at Granton Parish Church and will include a presentation along with the announcement of the results and delivery of prizes and certificates 🏆

Address: 55 Boswall Pkwy, Edinburgh EH5 2DA

Program:

1:30 pm: Doors open

2:30 pm: Participants present their projects

3:30 pm: Results, prizes, and certificate delivery

4:30 pm: End of the event

Light refreshments will be provided ☕

Please register now to secure your place: https://www.meetup.com/edinburgh-sewing…/events/297633683/

For more information please email: c3r@elrec.org.uk

#zerowaste#edinburgh#sewingclub

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)

Granton Community Christmas Tree Lighting

Granton’s Community Tree lighting event is on Sunday 3rd December at 5pm.

Once again we will kick off our Christmas season with the Community Tree lighting event.

We are preparing for a great night where the community gathers together to celebrate the start of Advent and the lead up to Christmas.

There will be singing, there will be mince pies, there will be fun and there will be a great gathering of people!

This year we are delighted to welcome the Ukranian Children’s choir who were a massive hit at our Summer Festival back in Juner.

Be part of your community by bringing your voice and your friends. Together we will remind each other why Granton is such a great place to be and this year the tree will be bigger than ever!

https://www.grantonchurch.org.uk/community-tree-lighting…/

Granton Library Link: Can You Help?

RVS LOOKING FOR HOME LIBRARY SERVICE VOLUNTEER

We are looking for some help!

Our lovely Library Link group, which helps people with mobility difficulties to get to the library, is currently without a volunteer.

It runs on Tuesday mornings at 10am fortnightly and would require a commitment of around 3 hours.

The volunteer supports people from their front door onto the bus, during the session (tea and biscuits provided!) and then back home again.

If you think you could help, let us know at Granton library and we will put you in touch with the Royal Voluntary Service who co-ordinate this (Thanks RVS!)

Or follow this link: https://my.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/opportunities

Granton Community Gardeners become local landowners!

IT’S OFFICAL: We now own our Community Garden at 10 Wardieburn Road!

Our Community Asset Transfer is now complete, and we received money from the Scottish Land Fund (Scottish Government) to help enable us to purchase the land from the Council. The process has taken a wee while, but now it’s done. Thanks to everyone who’s helped along the way!

As a local community charity, we’re aiming to benefit our community as much as we can, and you’re all invited to get involved – and anyone living within our defined local area who supports our aims can become a voting member!

Today (and every Wednesday) there’s a free community lunch open to all at 2pm.

Wednesday Gardening club is an open drop-in session every week 1-3pm (winter hours).

And there’s women’s outdoor cooking club 12-2pm (with Pilton Community Health Project)

There are also other regular groups through the week even through the Winter:

Weds mornings: Wee Steps run by Stepping Stones North Edinburgh (parents/carers and under 5s)

Thurs mornings: Play Together Outdoor Adventures, with Pilton Community Health Project and Trees and Seas Outdoor Adventures (mums and under 5s)

Friday mornings: Women’s Woodwork, with Pilton Community Health Project and The Edinburgh Tool Library

For more information on our Asset Transfer, see: https://www.grantoncommunitygardeners.org/community-asset…

Pictured: Our Harvest Festival back in September