Category: Leith

Police seek six following Leith assault

Police are asking for help to trace a number of people following the serious assault of a man in Leith Walk.

Around 11.15pm on Saturday 25 January 2020 an altercation happened between two groups, both male and female, in Leith Walk, between Dalmeny Street and Iona Street. As a result one man was attacked from the rear and received serious head injuries.

Constable Lambert at Gayfield Police Station said: “The group I want to trace headed off south in Leith Walk towards London Road after the incident, and contained six people, four men and two women. They are described as follows:

Male 1 – White, tanned complexion, approx. 30 years, around 5’8” tall, stocky build, short dark receding hair and stubble, dressed in black jacket, dark jeans and dark shoes.

Male 2 – White, mid to late 20s, around 6′ tall, medium build, short brown hair, dressed in a white unzipped hooded top with eye patches on the hood, dark t-shirt, jeans and white trainers

Male 3 – White, approx. 30 years, around 5’10” tall, medium build, brown hair shaved at the sides in a “topknot”, dressed in a dark jacket, dark top with white writing, blue jeans and dark shoes

Male 4 – White, approx. 30 years, around 5’10” tall, medium build, short dark hair and stubble, dressed in a dark round neck jumper, dark jeans and dark shoes

Female 1 – White, early to mid 20s, around 5’4” tall, slim build, long blond hair, dressed in a dark jacket over a dark top, black trousers with a white stripe down the side and black shoes

Female 2 – White, mid to late 20s, around 5’8” tall, slim-medium build, shoulder length blond hair, dressed in a red top, denim jeans and red boots.

“Anyone who may have been in the area and saw anything to call us at Edinburgh on the 101 number, quoting the reference number 4271 25 January 2020. Anyone wishing to pass on any information and remain anonymous can do so through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Port chaplains offer welfare to thousands of seafarers

Two port chaplains from international maritime charity Sailors’ Society reached out to more than 6,000 seafarers in Leith and Greenock ports last year. 

Pauline Robertson and Becky Haldane provide practical and emotional support to the men and women who dock at the ports.

Pauline said: “Seafarers are away from loved ones for up to a year at a time, so can often feel quite lonely. We provide them with a friendly face, news from home and welfare support.”

The support offered includes everything from providing free Wi-Fi and lifts to local amenities, to offering counselling in times of crisis.

Pauline recently supported the crew of the stranded ship MV Alexander Tvardovskiy during its month-long detention in Leith port. Pauline visited the nine men and one woman regularly, providing them with company, food, Wi-Fi access and phone cards.

Pauline added: “This situation is not uncommon sadly. We work all over the world supporting seafarers and their families with everything from abandonment to education.

“The issues seafarers can face have not changed that much in the 200 years that Sailors’ Society has been around. We have been a listening ear all that time and will continue to care for this invisible workforce that we all depend on for almost everything we use every day.”

Pauline, Becky (above) and their fellow Sailors’ Society chaplains reach out to 1,000 seafarers plus their families in more than 90 ports around the world each day.

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