Category: Leith

Firestarters!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like getting around central Edinburgh if you were blind, partly sighted, a wheelchair user or have mobility issues? Yesterday, 15 people found out.

A grouping of charities gave them an opportunity to accompany people with a range of complex needs around the congested area beside the Omni Centre on Greenside Row.

The move is part of the ‘Firestarter’ programme of nationwide events that aims to ‘allow people from all aspects of public service to share innovative and creative ways that are making a difference to Scotland’. Those taking part included policymakers, civil servants and other influencers.

Yesterday’s event was hosted by We Walk, We Cycle, We Vote, a collaborative campaign calling for more investment in walking and cycling, with RNIB Scotland, Spinal Injuries Scotland. Guide Dogs Scotland also supported the event.

James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, said: “Letting the people who set the framework for things like planning and urban design experience hear what it’s like trying to get around a city centre will give them a greater appreciation of the potential problems those with sight loss and other disabilities face every day.

“We are campaigning for all of our cities and towns to be made more accessible to people and for any obstacles or impediments to be kept to a minimum.

“That’s why we very much welcomed the recent decision by Edinburgh City Council to make its ban on advertising boards permanent. A bold and progressive move like this will make our capital more welcoming to residents and visitors with disabilities.”

Maureen Morrison, operations manager with Spinal Injuries Scotland , said, “We are committed to supporting spinal cord injured (SCI) people and ensuring that our towns and cities are designed to enable them to undertake life’s daily functions with as much independence as possible.

“For many who require a greater level of accessibility, the prospect of leaving the house can be daunting. We welcome this event as an opportunity to point out the barriers that many people face in the hope that influencers will incorporate more accessible design in our towns and cities in the future, for a more inclusive society.”

Local company achieves Investors in People Platinum accreditation

Warmworks Scotland, managing agent of the Scottish Government’s  national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland, has achieved the prestigious Investors in People Platinum accreditation.

To have received the highest level accreditation means that Warmworks has become only the second organisation in Scotland to achieve a Platinum award in its first assessment against the standard.

For nearly 30 years, Investors in People has been recognised internationally as a leading people accreditation and Warmworks’ achievement reflects the commitments that the company makes to its employees – leading and inspiring people to achieve great things on a daily basis.

Commenting on the accreditation, Ross Armstrong, Managing Director of Warmworks said: “I am absolutely delighted that Warmworks has been awarded the Investors in People accreditation, Platinum standard. This was our first assessment against the standard and to receive the highest level accreditation is a testament to how we do business.

“I am extremely proud and privileged to be a part of this amazing organisation, one that has already achieved so much in the four years since it was formed. The next step for us is to use our unique, values-driven culture as our starting point for our future growth and development, ensuring that we maximise this platform to build an equally exciting and inspiring future.”

 Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith said:  “Warmworks do vital work in my constituency, delivering the Scottish Government’s nationwide energy efficiency scheme and helping to lift many of my constituents out of fuel poverty.

“That’s why I was so delighted when Warmworks received the Investors in People Platinum accreditation. This demonstrates not only their commitment to their employees but also their determination to lead by example as an employer of choice.”

Warmworks, based in Leith, was founded in 2015 and employs around 70 field and office-based employees. It also manages a supply chain of 300+, which cover the length and breadth of Scotland.

£eith chooses on Saturday

Saturday (1st February) will see Leithers flock to the Leith Community Centre in the Kirkgate to cast their votes for their favourite community projects at City of Edinburgh Council’s annual participatory budget event.

Those who live, work or volunteer in Leith will be able to vote for a variety of projects that address specific needs in the community;  the themes in 2020 being food and fighting loneliness.

The £eithChooses Steering group has been working for 10 months preparing for the event which will see £44,624 distributed – 20 local projects will be on hand to display and discuss their work with voters who need to be eight years old.

However, following last year’s popular ‘children’s’ vote, where those under 8 can vote for their choice of ‘best stall’, this will be repeated allowing youngsters to experience voting for the first time.  And, as another innovation, the Citadel Youth Social Media Team will be on hand to record the day.

Sally Millar, Leith Links Community Councillor and member of the Steering Group said: “This is a great fun community day out for finding out about all the brilliant community groups and projects operating in Leith, and for members of the Leith community to have their voices heard about local priorities.”

Cllr Susan Rae, Chair of £eith Chooses, is looking forward to voting day.  She said: “This is the culmination of 10 months’ work by a hugely dedicated, small team of community councillors, community education staff and volunteers, whose knowledge and understanding of the participatory budgeting process is unmatched.

It’s also an immensely enjoyable day when the community really come together, to talk, to network, to learn about each other’s lives and work. Everyone who is anyone in Leith will be in the Kirkgate Community Centre that day, and I am hugely grateful to the £eithChooses team for their commitment.’

Leith’s participatory budgeting event takes place from 11am – 3.30pm.

Woman dies following disturbance at Restalrig flat

Police in Edinburgh have confirmed that a woman has died following a report of a disturbance at a property in the east of the city.

At around 6.50pm on Friday (24 January) officers attended a property in Restalrig Circus. A 79-year-old woman was taken from the property by the Scottish Ambulance Service to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she died later that night.

The death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing.

Police are eager to speak to a man who was near the address at the time and they believe he may be able to assist with their enquiries. 

He is described as white, aged between 20 and 30-years-old, about 5ft 6ins tall with combed back dark hair and a Scottish accent. He was wearing dark clothing with a top which possibly has white sleeves.

Inquiries into the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

Chief Inspector David Happs, Local Area Commander said: “Our enquiries into this incident are at an early stage and ongoing. The local community will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.

“Our thoughts at this time are with the family and friends of the woman who has died and specialist officers are providing her next of kin with the necessary support.”

Anyone who may have been in the Restalrig Circus area yesterday evening, or who recognises the description of the man police wish to speak to, or who holds any information around this incident, are urged to get in touch with officers as soon as possible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 3175 of 24 January. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Tram-hit traders to unveil winter Window Wanderland

A Leith community affected by ongoing tram works will transform their windows into magical outdoor galleries this weekend.

Tomorrow (Saturday 25 January) from 5pm to 8pm, Constitution Street will become a Window Wanderland – a spectacular walking trail that gives people a chance to show off their creative talents.

The event, now in its second year, invites businesses and residents to decorate their windows with bright lights and touch of artistic flair. This year’s event is part of wider efforts to boost trade in a neighbourhood which has been hit by ongoing tram works.

On Saturday evening, Constitution Street will be transformed, with everyone invited to come and take a look.

Last year, businesses in the area formed a collective to support one other through the tram project which they fear could disrupt trade. Constitution Street has been closed to traffic since November and the project is expected to continue in the street for THREE YEARS.

As the street’s prominent statue of Robert Burns has been removed for cleaning during the tram work, the group decided to host Window Wanderland on the Bard’s birthday.

Local firm George Brown & Sons, established in Leith in 1828, has kindly offered to sponsor the event. The engineering firm will also be providing a piper to kick-start the wander down Constitution Street.

The Window Wanderland concept was developed in Bristol by set designer, Lucy Reeves Khan in 2015 and has since been held throughout the UK and internationally.

Inspired by her imagination, her community spirit and her personal experiences of isolation due to years of chronic illness, Lucy imagined her local streets alive with people viewing eye-catching scenes in the windows around her neighbourhood. She wondered if, in the dark of winter, these displays would cheer up others too.

She put on her first event in her own area. It was a huge success and the idea has since been taken up by many other communities.

To download a Constitution Street Winter Wanderland event map visit: https://www.windowwanderland.com/event/constitution-street-2020/

 

Streets of Shame

Friends of the Earth Scotland has ranked the country’s most polluted streets for 2019, and the results show Scotland is failing to improve air quality. Once again, Auld Reekie’s streets of shame include Nicholson Street, St John’s Road and Salamander Street.

Many areas across Scotland suffered from higher pollution levels in 2019 than in previous years.  Continue reading Streets of Shame

CCTV appeal following Easter Road fire raising

Police have released CCTV images as part of ongoing inquiries into a wilful fire raising in the Leith area. 

The incident happened between approximately 2am and 2.30am on Wednesday, 4 December 2019, at Easter Road. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and nobody was injured as a result.

Officers are looking to speak to the man shown in the images as they believe that he may have some information to assist their investigation.

He is described as a white, aged in his teens to mid-20s and with a slight build. He is shown in the images wearing a dark-coloured hooded rain jacket, tight grey-coloured jeans and dark coloured NIKE trainers.

Constable Fergus Kelly, from Leith Police Station, said: “The fire was set close to houses and cars in residential areas and it is fortunate that it was quickly put out and that no one was injured.

“As part of our inquiries we are eager to speak to the man pictured and would ask anyone who can help us identify and trace him to get in touch with officers as soon as possible.

“Equally anyone with any other information that can help our investigation should come forward.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 0240 of 4 December 2019. Alternatively a report can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.