Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership
Public Meeting
Monday 25 May 6.30pm
Blackhall Library
Come along to the Inverleith NP meeting on Monday at Blackhall Library!
If crime is an issue for you, please come and hear what’s being done and what you can do to reduce risks!
Goldenacre is one of eight RBS branch closures
The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Goldenacre branch is to close on 13 August.
The bank says the decision to close the branch on the corner of Ferry Road and South Trinity Road ‘has not been taken lightly’ and cites a number of reasons for the branch closure, including a decline in the number of people using Goldenacre and an increasing take-up in mobile and telephone banking.
RBS Stockbridge at North West Circus Place will become the new ‘local’ branch for RBS customers when the Goldenacre branch closes in the summer. RBS say they also plan to invest in their Davidsons Mains branch this year.
In a letter to branch customers, RBS Local CEO Debbie Pows said: “Over the next three months we will be actively engaging, helping and supporting our customers and the local community on how they can continue to bank with us in the local area. If you’d like to talk about the decision or about the services that are available in the area you can come into the brnach, call me on 07826 664071 (Minicom 0800 404 6160) or email me at debbie.pow@rbs.co.uk ”
Edinburgh’s Tollcross is another of the eight RBS branches earmarked for closure across Scotland.
Local crime and Raeburn Place issues on the agenda
The next public meeting of the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership takes place next Monday 25 May at Blackhall Library from 6.30pm. Agenda and papers are now available online and can be found here.
If you have concerns about crime / housebreaking in your neighbourhood, come hear from Inspector Happs about some of the work that is taking place to tackle this.
Also, Raeburn Place: what are your views on traffic / waste / street furniture, etc ? Come and share them!
Broughton High School students stage event to support World Refugee Day
On Saturday 20 June (10am– 2pm), Broughton High School’s Amnesty International Youth Group is holding Amnes-T in the Park to raise awareness of World Refugee Day. Get into the summer festival vibe and come along to the school’s rugby pitch for a day of live music, games and food for all the family to enjoy!
New local talent, including Rastafarian White Boys, will bring the field alive as you dig into a delicious selection of home baking. The event will focus on the current issues surrounding refugees through a series of artwork made by school pupils. These will highlight important facts in a fun and engaging way!
All ages are welcome, although primary school children should be accompanied by an adult – and entry is free!
All the money raised on the day will go towards helping Amnesty International carry out their vitally important work protecting human rights worldwide.
Niamh McNulty
Broughton High School Amnesty International Youth Group
St George’s face thirty opponents in Euroquiz final
In which European city could you find the oldest amusement park in the world? Which European country has the ‘zloty’ as its currency? Do you know when the European Coal and Steel Community was founded?
These are examples of some of the tough questions that will face over 120 primary P6 from all over Scotland who will take over the Scottish Parliament’s Debating Chamber today (Monday 11 May).
Thirty schools have debated their way through a series of heats to represent their local authority areas in the Euroquiz final at Holyrood and the capital will be represented by Ravelston’s St. George’s School for Girls.
Deputy Presiding Officer and Euroquiz quizmaster Elaine Smith MSP said: “Euroquiz is a fun and engaging way for children to learn about Europe and Scotland’s place in the world. It’s wonderful that our children are growing up in Scotland so knowledgeable about our European neighbours and the level of awareness of the participants never fails to impress.
“I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament is once again hosting the final of Euroquiz and I look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters to Holyrood.”
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) has been running the quiz since 1993 and this is the eighth year the event has been held at the Scottish Parliament. The event is sponsored by the European Parliament and the Scottish Government.
Minister for Learning, Alasdair Allan MSP said: “It’s great to see so many children and young people from around Scotland participating in this year’s Euroquiz final and putting their knowledge to the test of all things European. I hope every team has enjoyed their experience this year.”
Each of the 30 Scottish schools taking part in the quiz have already won their local authority round and will be competing against the winners of all the other heats in the final. Bon chance, St George’s!
A live webcast of the event will be accessible via the Scottish Parliament’s website at – http://www.scottishparliament.tv/
![Mark_Lazarowicz[1]](https://i0.wp.com/nen.press/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Mark_Lazarowicz1.jpg?ssl=1)
I would like to thank all those who gave me their support in the general election held on 7 May. I was proud of the way we took our message to every street in every part of Edinburgh North & Leith, and although we were unsuccessful, I am sure that the efforts of our team were one of the reasons why I received more votes in 2015 than in the 2010 election.
I have been extremely privileged to have been able to serve the people of Edinburgh North & Leith as their representative in Parliament since 2001, and I thank them for giving me that opportunity.
I congratulate the successful candidate Deidre Brock on her victory. Like all MPs, she can be contacted at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, switchboard 0207 219 3000.
My constituency office will now close down, and as I am no longer an MP I will not be able to deal with any constituency work. However, Malcolm Chisholm MSP continues to have his constituency office at 5 Croall Place, Leith Walk and can be contacted for any Scottish Parliament matters in the Edinburgh Northern & Leith constituency.
The Night in the Garden event at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has been named as one of the best museum projects in the UK at the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence.
The project was a magical combination of light and nature – the first outdoor light experience of its kind to be organised by the Garden – was open to visitors between 30 October and 23 November. It was named as the winner in the Trading and Enterprise category at the Awards, presented by comedian and TV personality Marcus Brigstocke yesterday at the Historic State Rooms of 8 Northumberland Avenue in central London.
Accepting the award, RBGE Director of Enterprise Heather Jackson said: “It is a particular honour to be recognised by our peers. Now, our ambition is to build on the success of that inaugural event and create an evolving annual experience that will showcase the Garden and inspire visitors to support the wider research and conservation work of the organisation.”
The Awards are judged by a panel of senior sector professionals including Bernard Donoghue (Director, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), Diane Lees (Director General, Imperial War Museums), Matthew Tanner (Chief Executive of ss Great Britain), Sam Mullins (Director of the London Transport Museum), Maggie Appleton (Chief Executive, RAF Museum), Diana Owen (Director, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust) and Stephen Duncan (Director of Commercial and Tourism, Historic Scotland).
The judges commented: “This organisation successfully managed to maximise the opportunity to generate additional income during a period which was traditionally quiet, managing to attract crowds to the great outdoors during winter, paving the way for a future programme of revenue-generating events.”
Now celebrating its thirteenth year, the annual Awards, created by The Museums + Heritage Show, recognise the leading lights of the heritage sector and celebrate excellence and innovation at museums, galleries and visitor attractions across the UK and Europe.
Hundreds of sector professionals joined together at the ceremony – the ‘Oscars’ of the museums and heritage industry – to celebrate the groundbreaking achievements and spectacular projects taking place in cultural attractions over the past 12 months.
Among the night’s big winners were London’s Imperial War Museum’s WW1 galleries that walked away with the top honour of the ‘Best Permanent Exhibition’ accolade. While Michael Day, Chief Executive of the Historic Royal Palaces received the award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to the heritage sector.
Other 2015 winners were Kent Life Wildlife Farm Park for Outstanding Customer Service; The Black Country Museum for Project on a Limited Budget and Renfrewshire District Council took the award for the best restoration project for its work to restore the Grand Fountain in Paisley.
The winner of the International Award was Tinker Imagineers from Rotterdam for the DOMunder archaeological visitor experience, while the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh received the Winstan Bond Trophy for Trading and Enterprise.
Other winners included The National Trust for Scotland in Partnership with Historic Scotland & Designers Bright White Ltd which walked away with the Innovations award; Oxford University Museum of Natural History took the top Marketing award and London’s Historic Royal Palace’ ground-breaking installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red was named as the best Temporary or Touring exhibition.
The winners and highly commended entries (listed below) are a reflection of the industry’s resilience. Each museum, cultural and heritage visitor attraction is recognised for its excellence – whether for an innovative and groundbreaking exhibition or for making a considerable achievement on the smallest of budgets.
2015 WINNERS & HIGHLY COMMENDED
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL
Michael Day, Chief Executive, Historic Royal Palaces
CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
Sponsored by BDRC Continental
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park: More than a Guest, More than a Vision, More than a Job
Highly Commended: The Lightbox: The Lightbox Front of House Team
INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Sponsored by Martello Media
TINKER imagineers: DOMunder: archaeological visitor experience
Highly Commended: Natura Artis Magistra, Micropia
PROJECT ON A LIMITED BUDGET
Sponsored by Sweett
Black Country Museum: WW1 Greengrocers
Highly Commended: Woodhorn Museum: Stand up for Woodhorn: Making a Case for Comedy in Museums
RESTORATION OR CONSERVATION
Sponsored by FWA Group
· Renfrewshire Council: The Grand Fountain Restoration, Paisley
Highly Commended: Coventry Transport Museum: 1916 Maudslay Subsidy Chassis
WINSTAN BOND TROPHY FOR TRADING & ENTERPRISE
Supported by Association of Independent Museums
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: Botanic Lights: Night in the Garden
INNOVATIONS AWARD
The National Trust for Scotland in Partnership with Historic Scotland & Designers Bright White Ltd: The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre
High;y Commended: Mather & Co on behalf of Manchester City Council: Archives +
MARKETING CAMPAIGN
Sponsored by Volunteer Makers
Oxford University: Museum of Natural History Goes To Town
Highly Cemmended: Imperial War Museums: First World War Galleries
PERMANENT EXHIBITION
Sponsored by Martello Media
Imperial War Museums London and Casson Mann: First World War Galleries
Highly Commended: The National Trust for Scotland in Partnership with Historic Scotland & Designers Bright White Ltd: The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre
EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE
Sponsored by Arts Award
Imperial War Museums: Transforming Imperial War Museums London Learning Projects – JOINT WINNER
· Shakespeare Birthplace Trust: Shakespeare Week – JOINT WINNER
TEMPORARY OR TOURING EXHIBITION
Historic Royal Palaces: Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red
Highly Commended: The Royal Air Force Museum: Pilots of the Caribbean
CULTURE PROS PICK
In partnership with The Guardian Culture Professionals Network
People’s History Museum in Manchester
Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s small community grants fund is available again this year to support small, one-off projects. Proposed projects should show how they help progress one of our four key priorities and any group that is constituted and has a bank account can apply.
We have £26301 to allocated this year and welcome applications now for our meeting on 25 May. Other applications can be assessed and decided at future meetings.
Please click here for guidance and application form.
A-Star Sports doubles up in MITK Awards
Over the last two months, local network Mums in the Know has been hosting its awards across the UK. After receiving over 3,000 nominations and 15,000 votes, the network of readers has decided on its favourite local activities for children – and A-Star Sports has won two awards: Best After School Activity Class and Best Class for 2 – 4 Year Olds.
Local organisation TRIM won the MITK Local Star category and Dads Rock was also commended.
The awards have highlighted the talents of Brian Droudge, owner of two A-Star Sports franchises, through a number of parents’ nominations showcased via the Mums in the Know website, which included being a finalist in a third category – MITK Local Star.
Brian said: “It’s so rewarding to have our coaching highlighted in such a positive way and means a great deal that people have taken the time to vote and given such amazing feedback, too. All of us in the Edinburgh team are passionate about what we do and we take a lot of pride in making physical activity and sport as fun, accessible and enjoyable as it can be.”
Having left school at 16, Brian spent the next 15 years working for large life assurance companies. He also played semi-professional football from the age of 18, as well as managed and coached at various clubs. He has now been coaching physical activity and sports to primary aged children for over ten years and has a great pride in seeing their skills and love of sports grow and develop. He explains: “For me, influencing children’s development on a weekly basis gives me a great buzz, job satisfaction and a very positive feeling about the work I do.”
Brian runs A-Star Sports in Edinburgh South & East, Midlothian and East Lothian as well as Edinburgh North, West and surrounding areas, and employs assistant coaches as part of his multi-sports specialist team.
Following the recent merger of A-Star Sports with leading children’s physical activity provider Sports Xtra, Brian and his team will shortly be introducing an additional range of local activities and ‘Xperiences’ for primary aged children.
Award-winning businesses receive a free article in the winners’ section of the MITK website, social media mentions, window stickers, logo and additional advertising offers.
Over 3000 nominations were received and 15,000 votes cast in this year’s Mums in the Know North Edinburgh Awards. The winners were:
Best Soft Play: Clambers at Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh
with a special mention to Tumbles, Edinburgh Leisure and Tiki Tots who were also nominated.
Best Class for 0 -2 Year Olds: Monkey Music, Comely Bank Murrayfield and Corstorphine
And a special mention to Music with Jackie and Tinies with Daisy Foundation Edinburgh East who were also nominated.
Best Class for 2 – 4 Year Olds: A-Star Sports Edinburgh North, West and Surrounding Areas
And a special mention to Shuffle Dance Edinburgh and Sparkle Arts who were also nominated.
Best After School Activity Class: A-Star Sports Edinburgh North, West and Surrounding Areas
And a special mention to best Step It Up Dance and Zoo Arts Extra who were also nominated.
Best Place to Eat for Families: Pizza Express Stockbridge
And a special mention to Tony Macaroni, Omni Centre and Vittoria Group who were also nominated.
MITK Local Star: Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) ‘this group really go the extra mile to help the residents and local community’.
And a special mention to Brian Droudge, A-Star Sports Edinburgh North, West and Surrounding Areas and to Dads Rock who were also nominated.
Congratulations to you all!
North Edinburgh to loo-se public lavatories?
Toilets at Granton Square and Canonmills are among a dozen public conveniences earmarked for possible closure by the city council. Local residents are being encouraged to take part in a survey to have their say about the closures.
The Council decided in 2011 to reduce the funding of public conveniences in order to make budget savings of £300,000. It’s believed that around ten public toilets must close in order to achieve these savings.
A list of twelve facilities has been identified for closure, based on criteria such as usage, accessibility and condition:
· London Road
· Tollcross
· St John’s Road
· Canaan Lane
· Middle Meadow Walk
· Joppa
· Hawes Pier, South Queensferry
· Granton Square
· Ardmillan
· Currie
· Canonmills
· Juniper Green
Members of the public are being asked for their feedback on how these potential closures would impact on them individually and their communities – this will help the Council to make the final decision about which public conveniences to close.
Residents can now take part in the online survey which will run until Monday 25 May.
There are currently more than 60 publicly accessible toilets across the city and a community toilets scheme is currently under consideration to further improve provision.
