Category: Leith

Police appeal following serious assault outside Omni Centre

POLICE SEEK TWO YOUTHS

POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information following the serious assault of a man in Leith Street.

The assault took place around 7.45 pm on Thursday, 29 December 2022, at a bus stop outside the Omni Centre.

The 41-year-old victim was approached by two male youths and seriously assaulted. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment and later discharged.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe, from Edinburgh CID, said: “We are keen to trace these two males, who ran off down past the Omni Centre in the direction of Leith Walk. They ran past a group of people.

“They are described as being in their late teens, wearing black tracksuits and white trainers.

“Our enquiries so far have established the area was busy at the time of the assault and witnessed by members of the public at the nearby bus stop. There was also a long traffic queue; motorists may have seen the assault or captured it on dash-cam.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and has any information to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 3075 of Thursday, 29 December 2022. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Have you seen Faith?

Missing 15-year-old girl – Faith Marley, Leith

Police are appealing for the assistance of the public to trace Faith Marley, 15, who is missing from the Leith area.

Faith was last seen around noon yesterday, Tuesday, 27 December 2022, in Bangor Road.

She is described as 5 ft 7 in height, of medium to heavy build, with blue eyes, shoulder-length blonde hair and was wearing a green khaki puffer jacket, grey scoop neck jumper, black leggings and black and white high-top shoes.

She left in possession of a black leather shoulder bag, a mobile phone and some cash.

Inspector Grant McCulloch, Police Scotland, said: “We have been liaising with bus and taxi companies, as well as colleagues in British Transport Police, in case Faith has travelled outwith the Leith area or, indeed, the city.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who may know where she is, or who she has been in touch with recently.

“Both we and her family just want her home and so, if you have any information that will help us find her, please call police via 101, quoting reference number 1362 of Tuesday, 27 December 2022.

“We’d also ask Faith herself to return home or speak to police. Everyone just wants to make sure she is safe and well.”

The Engine Yard hosts festive celebration in support of North East Edinburgh Food Bank

Helping to spread some festive cheer, leading social enterprise, Places for People hosted a fabulous Christmas event at The Engine Yard in Edinburgh last week to continue its support of the NE Edinburgh Food Bank run by the Trussell Trust.

 This is one of seven food banks operated across North-West, Central and East Edinburgh, which in total provided 1,059 meals in September 2022.  Over half a ton of food was donated (worth approximately £2,500) along with £200 in cash thanks to the generosity of The Engine Yard residents, the Places for People developments’ team and on-site subcontractors. 

This generous donation will help the foodbank to provide emergency food parcels to individuals, families and children who are most in need during the festive period.

Residents from The Engine Yard flocked next door to Grace Church, along with colleagues from Port of Leith Housing Association, Scottish Futures Trust, RMG and Greg Reed Group CEO for Places for People where they enjoyed a selection of tasty seasonal treats from the delicious Embo Deli.

Revellers meandered through Christmas-inspired craft stalls and residents got into the festive spirit by sporting their favourite Christmas jumpers for the chance of winning a prize.  

Kevin Bunyan, Senior Site Manager at The Engine Yard, for Places for People comments: “I would like to express my special thanks to the Grace Church and our Sales Team for organising a fun afternoon where food and drink were given out to local residents who have also kindly donated to the food bank this year.

“The Engine Yard has supported the Edinburgh NE Foodbank for many years, with donations from Places for People and our onsite sub-contractors.”

Alison Roxburgh General Manager of the NE Edinburgh Food Bank comments: “I would like to thank the Places for People team and the subcontractors at The Engine Yard for their generosity and support once again this year.

“My thanks also go to everybody involved in promoting the Food Bank Christmas Appeal 2022 to ensure its success at a time when it is most needed.”

Enjoying a prime position close to Edinburgh’s city centre and once a historic tram depot on Leith Walk, The Engine Yard forms part of a superb regeneration story and is fast becoming the city’s newest destination to reside in.

Boasting rich industrial architecture, with tram sheds, a chimney, a boundary wall and gables, the area is now being sensitively restored to create a unique development of 377 homes that elegantly combines old and new in one place.

For more information about The Engine Yard, please visit:

 www.placesforpeople.co.uk/find-a-home/homes-to-buy or call 07919 381278.

School children to get a ‘smart start’ to the New Year thanks to the Leith Collective’s free uniform exchange

With the cost of living crisis weighing heavily upon people’s minds and the expense of Christmas adding up, many people are understandably worried about how they will afford to pay for even basic essentials in January. And so, one local Community Interest Company is acting now to alleviate that anxiety with the launch of their free unform exchange.

Taking place at The Leith Collective stores in Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird as well as the Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre, the ‘Smart Start’ initiative will see locals donate good quality school uniforms to those in need. Items will be available for anyone to collect completely free of charge, no questions asked. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; “Kids grow so quickly. Parents tend to buy a whole new uniform at the start of the school year in August and often find their child has already outgrown it by the Christmas break.

“Yet these uniforms are often still in perfectly good condition and could easily do another child a turn. Our Smart Start initiative aims to make it as easy as possible for people to donate their unwanted uniforms, so that someone in need can make use of them.”

The unform exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. As Sara Thomson explains; “Smart Start is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, thus promoting a circular economy and helping to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry.”

The Smart Start uniform exchange comes just a few months after the launch of The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which has received an overwhelming response, with over 1,000 coats donated and collected by locals so far.  

People can donate and collect garments at The Leith Collective in Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird, and the St Enoch Centre during opening hours. No tights or socks can be accepted but all other good quality uniform items are welcome.

Leith Creative Trail this Saturday

Welcome to Leith Creative Trail – A day when you can hit up the best of Leith’s Markets and Open Studios.

It will be a jammy time, when you can visit some of Leith’s wonderful creative venues, filled to the brim of artists and craftspeople selling and exhibiting their products. 

Take the trail in whatever order you desire. We recommend starting at Coburg House Open Studios, scooting to Leith Farmers Market, hopping up to see Ruth Lesile at Custom Lane, sliding across the road to Edinburgh Open Workshop Makers Market and then meandering your way through to Out of the Blue – Drill Hall Market.  

Experience the Water of Leith, Quay and the vibrant, sunny (100% guaranteed) streets of Leith with fresh eyes.

Ready to get planning? You can download a digital map HERE, or can also pick up a paper copy of the map at any of the participating venues.

Follow @leithcreativetrail for all the updates and some groovy content! 

Port of Leith Housing Association and its subsidiaries rebrand as Harbour

An important new chapter has begun for Port of Leith Housing Association and its subsidiaries which have revealed new names and branding.

Harbour is made up of:

  • Harbour Homes (previously Port of Leith Housing Association)
  • Harbour Lettings (previously Persevere Developments Ltd, a mid market rent company)
  • Harbour Connections (previously Quay Community Improvements, a placemaking organisation and social enterprise)
  • Harbour Multi-Trades (previously TB Mackay Energy Services, a boiler, maintenance, repairs and multi-trades provider)

Harbour Chief Executive Heather Kitely said: “We’re excited to unveil our new branding which reflects our growth to become a family of organisations all working together to make a positive impact on people’s lives in Leith, north Edinburgh and beyond by providing excellent affordable homes and a wide range of services.

“I’m very proud of everything each member of Harbour has achieved to date. I’m confident that as Harbour we will continue to find new ways to support our brilliant communities and to provide vital services that make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The rebrand process began in October 2020 with an extensive research and consultation process. You can read more about the rebrand story at:

www.polha.co.uk/rebrand. 

Residential-led proposals for Ocean Point 2 in Leith revealed by Harrison

Property developer S Harrison Developments have revealed ‘exciting proposals’ for a residential-led development at Ocean Point 2 in Leith.

Neighbouring Ocean Point 1, whose occupiers include VisitScotland,  the brownfield site will aim to comprise a mix of residential homes for rent alongside other potential uses, which are currently being ascertained. These will occupy two buildings on the site.

Located in Leith, voted in October 2021 by Time Out as one of the “world’s coolest neighbourhoods”, the proposed development is conveniently situated just two miles from Edinburgh city centre and is likely to be attractive to those seeking to live and work in the area, taking advantage of local shops, bars, restaurants and cafés.

The tram line extension between Edinburgh and Ocean Terminal will also provide connectivity between the development and the city centre within 20 minutes.

Two public exhibitions on the proposals will take place on Tuesday 13th December and Thursday 9th February between 2pm and 7pm at Ocean Terminal.

Further information will also be posted on the website at:

www.oceanpoint2.com

Harrison has a long pedigree of working in the city, ranging from delivering the Malmaison at St Andrew Square to student developments at Westfield and Gorgie and hotel development at Osborne House, Haymarket.

A spokesperson for Harrison Developments commented: “We are extremely excited to reveal our proposals for this brownfield site. There are serious demands on housing supply in the city and this is a superb location in what has been voted one of the world’s ‘coolest neighbourhoods’.

“The proposals will significantly assist in the regeneration of this part of the city and we look forward to engaging with the local community, providing it with the opportunity to input their views and shape our ambitious proposals.”

Cyrenians Gamechanger ‘Baffies ‘n’ Blankets’ Big Slipper event

Cyrenians Golden Years, in partnership with Hibernian Football Club and Hibernian Community Foundation hosted their second Gamechanger Baffies n Blankets Big Slipper give-away lunch at Hibs stadium in Easter Road yesterday (Monday 14 November 2022).

Amy Karp, Service Manager for Golden Years, said: “The day was a great success with around 80 people joining us for our big slipper event, some of whom enjoy our free Gamechanger Lunch every Monday at the Stadium.”

Each person received a free pair of brand new, high quality, safe and cosy baffies (more like indoor shoes).  We had 3 podiatrists on hand to give everyone a precise measurement.  We also threw in a cosy blanket for chilly winter evenings.”

The event comes at a good time when the Cost of Living Crisis is forcing many people, including older people to make difficult choices such as having a hot meal or putting the heating on.  A well fitted pair of quality slippers can help keep the warmth in and importantly reduce the risk of trips and falls in the home.

Lewis Melee, CEO of the Hibernian Community Foundation, said: “Hibernian Community Foundation has a long and proud tradition of being at the centre of the community and providing support. 

“We see every community members’ health and wellbeing as a priority and this is a small part of what we do to support every year.

“Hibernian CF are pleased to be working with Cyrenians.  We share values including innovation and respect in working with older people.”

All Blacks visit local school children to support them doing the Daily Mile

● The All Blacks stopped off in Edinburgh today on their Northern Hemisphere tour to inspire children across Scotland to get moving. 

● This is the All Blacks’ first visit to Scotland since 2017, and tomorrow they will face Scotland in the highly-anticipated Autumn Internationals match. 

● The All Blacks are supporting The Daily Mile to help millions of children improve health & wellbeing by exercising for 15 minutes a day. 

● All Blacks Captain Sam Whitelock said: “It’s fantastic to be in Scotland supporting the charity of our sponsor INEOS and getting the chance to run alongside the kids and teach them some of our best rugby moves! We’ve been so impressed by the work The Daily Mile is doing to get kids more active and bring communities together through daily exercise – it’s something so simple but effective that everyone can benefit from.” 

The All Blacks took time out from their Northern Hemisphere tour today to visit schoolchildren in Edinburgh to help inspire more children across the country to get active through The Daily Mile. 

60 local school children from Leith Walk Primary School had the opportunity to take part in a very special Daily Mile with their guests from New Zealand and receive rugby skills coaching from All Blacks players at an event day hosted at Drummond Community High School. 

This comes as Scottish children stepped their way into the history books in October, making Scotland the world’s first Daily Mile Nation. It means that more than half of Scottish primary schools are now participating in The Daily Mile. 

The initiative encourages children to run, jog, wheel or walk for just 15 minutes a day in the fresh air with friends – promoting mental and physical wellbeing, which is especially important to help reduce the strain on the NHS this winter. Teachers can also take part alongside children, strengthening important school relationships and attainment outcomes. 

It was started by former Head Teacher Elaine Wyllie MBE of St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling in 2012 and has grown every year, with the support of INEOS. Globally, there are now nearly 4 million children taking part in 16,000+ schools in 87 countries around the world. It is endorsed by some of the most successful athletes including marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, British track and field athlete Eilidh Doyle and the All Blacks. 

Founder of The Daily Mile Elaine Wyllie MBE, said: “We are forever grateful for the incredible support we receive from athletes around the world and we can’t thank the All Blacks enough for taking time out of their busy schedules to come down and share their passion for daily exercise with the local schoolchildren.

“Their influence really does go a long way to inspire kids to get active outdoors and join in with their schoolmates. Just 15 minutes of daily physical activity improves a child’s mood, concentration and memory – enhancing their ability to learn.”

All Blacks Captain Sam Whitelock, said: “It’s fantastic to be in Scotland supporting the charity of our sponsor INEOS and getting the chance to run alongside the kids and teach them some of our best rugby moves!

“We’ve been so impressed by the work The Daily Mile is doing to get kids more active and bring communities together through daily exercise – it’s something so simple but effective that everyone can benefit from.” 

Headteacher at Leith Walk Primary Mr. Gorrie, added: “This has been a terrific opportunity for the children at Leith Walk Primary School to take part in the Daily Mile alongside the All Blacks, and to receive some rugby coaching from the most famous of all international teams.

“The children have had a terrific time today. They were so excited to meet the All Blacks. “Seeing the amazing skill and fitness of the All Black players first hand, will certainly have increased the children’s motivation to be active and participate in sport.

“On behalf of everybody who attended I would like to say a huge thank you to the All Blacks and wish them all the very best for the rest of their Northern Hemisphere tour. I hope they visit us again soon!”