Come face to face with history!

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is urging people across Edinburgh to come face to face with history as details of the inaugural Heritage Awareness Day were revealed at the iconic Leith Theatre. Heritage Awareness Day – Scotland’s first-ever day dedicated to celebrating heritage – will take place on Friday 6th October, as the country continues to celebrate the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Continue reading Come face to face with history!

Police appeal after high value theft from Hibs Club Shop

Police are appealing for witnesses after a high-value theft of merchandise from the Hibernian shop on Albion Place last Friday (11th August). Eighteen replica Hibernian football tops – nine home and nine away versions – were stolen.

Continue reading Police appeal after high value theft from Hibs Club Shop

New residents welcomed at St Nicholas Court

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has welcomed more residents into its St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex on Ferry Road.

As part of a £1.6 million project, eight one bedroom flats were completed by Glasgow-based construction specialists, CCG, earlier in the summer. A sun lounge and guest bedroom, plus additional landscaping – including allotment plots for the residents to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers – have also been created

The heating system and bathrooms have also been upgraded in the original 35-bedroom development which was built in 1983.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager at PoLHA, said: “Our St Nicholas Court development has always been a popular choice for people seeking sheltered housing, so we’re thrilled to be able to give more people the opportunity to live here.

“We’re all really enjoying welcoming our eight new residents into these fantastic flats and hope that they make many happy memories in their new homes.”

New tenant Frances McPherson said: “I previously lived in a flat in Lorne Street for 50 years, but my husband has COPD and the stairs were proving difficult. We are delighted with our new home as it’s lovely and bright and requires no decorating. Plus, our four-year-old granddaughter is looking forward to sleepovers.”

Another new tenant Jane Kelly said: “It is lovely living here. It’s a big change as I lived in my last home for 51 years. I’m getting used to the open plan living layout and I’ve had my granddaughter across who has helped me make it feel like home with photographs and ornaments.”

Calum Murray, Director at CCG, said: “Over recent years CCG has become more and more active in the region of Edinburgh with a broad range of contracts ranging from new build housing to upgrade and renewal. We have worked with Port of Leith Housing Association on many of these contracts and we were delighted to continue this partnership with St Nicholas Court.

“The new residents across the development will benefit from savings on their energy bills thanks to the upgrades to their heating and the installation of solar PV on the roof as well as the enhanced accessibility brought by the new landscaping.”

Encore, encore: theatre’s support for charity is a smash hit

Edinburgh Playhouse CHAS - 1

The UK’s largest theatre – the Edinburgh Playhouse – and its generous audiences have together raised a total of £82,485.83 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Continue reading Encore, encore: theatre’s support for charity is a smash hit

Lottery success for MCFB

Multi-Cultural Family Base Awarded National Lottery Funding

chairs at vogrie

Children between the ages of four and seven from mostly Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) families are set to benefit from a Lottery award of £204,660 made to the 4-2-7 project at Leith-based Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB). Continue reading Lottery success for MCFB

To Leith from Leith Walk: Malcolm opens new surgery

Former health minister Malcolm Chisholm was on hand to help open the new £1.17m Leith Surgery on Thursday. Malcolm was an obvious choice – as well as representing North and Leith at both Holyrood and Westminster, Malcolm has also been registered at the Leith Walk surgery for forty years!

Up to 2,000 more patients will be added to the surgery list as a result of the move which will provide a modern and fit-for-purpose facility. Continue reading To Leith from Leith Walk: Malcolm opens new surgery