North Edinburgh News – Page 2932 – The NEN

David Dickson: an appreciation

DAVID DICKSON 26.12.1950 – 8.8.2016

David was Manager of North Edinburgh childcare for over 10 years. He joined as the founding manager and developed the organisation from an ambitious local project to a thriving social enterprise with partners and connections across the city and beyond.

He lived and breathed youth and community work and had a wide and varied background from a range of both voluntary and statutory provisions. He developed many strong connections during his time at the Centre – some becoming lifelong friends, including his Chairperson Betty McVay.

In his latter years as Manager, David “commuted” to his home in Skye and took early “retirement” at the age of 55. He was a keen hillwalker and traveller and planned to mix spending time with family with heading further afield for adventures. It was during one of these adventures that David took ill unexpectedly in New Zealand and after an emergency operation found out that he had cancer and his time may be limited.

Once home, in true David fashion, he pushed boundaries and even after being told he couldn’t travel outside the UK, managed a trip to the Scilly Isles – a place he had always wanted to visit at almost the furthest he could go without leaving the UK.

He is survived by his wife Pat, (who he met while working at the Childcare Centre), his children Jenny and Justin and grandchildren Ossian and William.

David was a great story teller over a good meal and a bottle of wine and had many interesting stories and fond memories of his time with the centre.

PAT ARMSTRONG

DAVID DICKSON

I am saddened to have to pass on news of the death of David Dickson, who many may remember as the first manager and driving force behind North Edinburgh Childcare Centre (now North Edinburgh Childcare). David sadly passed away last Monday.

A quietly determined, always courteous man, David played a huge role in shaping North Edinburgh’s very own dedicated childcare facility, a centre of excellence which seen as a model for others to follow.

It’s hard to over-emphasise the importance of the Childcare Centre to the people of North Edinburgh. The Centre not only offered an opportunity that enabled local people to return to education and employment, but also offered training and employment opportunities too.

Children were cared for and educated in a warm, loving and learning environment, which meant that parents and carers could happily leave their bairns knowing they were in safe hands. Crucially, the childcare costs were affordable and many thousands of local people children and their families – have benefited over the years from the marvel that is North Edinburgh Childcare.

At the helm over the crucial early years was David Dickson, who worked closely with his management committee and created, shaped and nurtured a very special – indeed, unique – facility. David’s legacy is a North Edinburgh Childcare which continues to thrive and develop today.

So many people have so much to thank David for: in his own quiet and determined way, he has made a real difference and improved the quality of life for thousands of local people. How many of us can say that?

A quiet and modest visionary. Goodbye, David.

David’s funeral will be held on Thursday at 3pm at Warriston – and afterwards all invited to Dalriada at Portobello

EU’re welcome here

EU nationals living in Scotland will have the chance to discuss the implications of the EU referendum result with the First Minister later this week. Continue reading EU’re welcome here

Newsagent seriously injured in Trinity robbery

A man has sustained serious injuries following the attempted robbery of a Trinity newsagents

Police are appealing for witnesses following a failed robbery involving a significant assault in Trinity. The incident happened around 5.20pm on Friday (12 August) at a newsagents on the corner of South Trinity Road and Cargill Terrace.

Two men entered the store and demanded money, before attacking the shopkeeper and running from the store. The shopkeeper sustained serious injuries and the suspects were last seen running along Cargill Terrace.

The first suspect is described as 20 to 25-years-old, medium build, with a pale complexion and unshaven.

The second suspect is described as 35 to 40-years-old, slim build, pale complexion with gaunt features and unshaven.

Both suspects were wearing dark clothing and dark woollen beanie hats and one was wearing a dark body warmer.

Detective Sergeant Todd Rutherford, of Corstorphine CID, said: “This was a cowardly attack, and the shopkeeper bravely fought off the attackers despite a shocking level of violence and the serious injuries he sustained.

“At the time of the incident, it is likely there would have been pedestrians and drivers in the Cargill Terrace area and we know the suspects were loitering nearby the shop before the incident took place. If anyone has seen these men before, during or after the attack, please contact us.”

Those with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

granton:hub history meeting rescheduled

Dear All,

Please find attached the notes from the first meeting of the history sub group, granton:hub.

You will see that the meeting agreed to a second meeting for this Saturday coming. However we are unable to meet then so the date of the next meeting is Saturday 20th August 10am – 12 noon.

I do hope you can make that and please invite others that you may feel would be interested in making this a success.

The meeting will be as before in Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, upstairs in the big room. There will be tea and coffee.

Barbara Robertson

Notes 1st meeing 23 07 16

Free Fringe with North Edinburgh Arts

Free visit to the Edinburgh Fringe!

North Edinburgh Arts has partnered up with the Fringe Society to offer 20 free places on a trip to the Edinburgh Fringe. This is a fantastic opportunity, so book now before places fill up.

The trip will be on Wednesday 17th August and will leave NEA between 6-7pm, depending on which show is chosen. The choice of shows all have a political theme.

The choice of shows to vote for are:

Mark Thomas: The Red Shed
The Inspectors Call
Faslane
Discretion Guaranteed

TO BOOK:

Telephone 0131 315 2151

Email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

or in person at North Edinburgh Arts.

When you book, please state which show you would prefer to see. The show with the most votes is the show that everyone will go to see.

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The trip is free, including the cost of your return bus fare.

Please note: This trip is only suitable for adults

Holyrood Park BIG Fun Run set for 9 October

BFR _A4 Poster_Edinburgh

After the success of the Big Fun Run Series last year, the events are set to return in 2016 and are promised to be bigger and better than ever! Taking place from July – October and set in some of the most scenic parks throughout the UK, the 5K events are aimed at all members of the family with FREE entry for children under 5.

The 17 event-long series begins down in the South Coast in Brighton on 23rd July and then makes its way throughout locations in Scotland, the North West, North East, Midlands and South before finishing in London with a Halloween-themed run in Victoria Park on 30th October.

Big Fun Run events are the perfect way for runners to fundraise for a cause they really care about. Last year, over £200,000 was raised for charity and the series is brilliantly supported by hundreds of charities all throughout the UK.

Zahid Mahmood took part in last year’s Birmingham event after choosing to fundraise for a lifesaving baby unit that cared for his wife and newborn son. “I feel by doing the 5K Big Fun Run I’ve gone a little way to show the gratitude I have for the neonatal doctors and nurses,” he said.

The £450 he raised will go towards the purchase of specialist post-birth equipment such as incubators and heart rate monitors.

Big Fun Run Event Director, Neil Kilgour said: “Tens of thousands of people take part in Big Fun Run every year, it attracts people of all shapes, sizes and ages. No event is timed, it is all about having fun and raising funds for a charity close to your heart. Each run has a friendly atmosphere whilst offering an achievable challenge .

“It is a great event for all the family and it is not unusual to see grandma, mum and daughter all lining up together at the start line. We also have many people taking part in fancy dress to add to the feelgood atmosphere.”

To find out more about the 2016 Series, go to www.bigfunrun.com.

Sturgeon moves to cushion Brexit damage

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced measures to support and stimulate the economy in the wake of the EU referendum.

Capital spending on projects to support and create employment will be accelerated, starting with an additional £100 million of funding in this financial year. The capital funding will be used to speed up delivery of health and other infrastructure projects.

Projects will be assessed for accelerated funding against a range of criteria including how quickly work can start, the number of jobs that will be supported or created, the likely impact on the supply chain and geographic spread.

The Scottish Government will also set up a new dedicated service to provide information and support to businesses affected by the EU referendum, while a new Post-Referendum Business Network will work closely with the main business bodies, the STUC and the Scotland Office.

The plans were announced at the Golden Jubilee which will receive an extra £5 million to bring expansion of its elective centre forward from 2018-19 to this year.

Further details of the Capital Acceleration Programme, including the projects to be supported by the initial £100 million of additional funding and details of funding for future years, will be announced in due course.

The First Minister also called on the UK Government to give early certainty about EU Structural Funds and to urgently announce its own economic stimulus package, which would enable the Scottish Government to do even more to accelerate capital spending.

The First Minister said: “As I have made clear since the EU referendum, the Scottish Government will pursue all possible options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU and ensure that our voice is heard.

“However, it is also important to act now to support and stimulate the economy.

“Scotland is and remains an attractive and stable place to do business – however, there is no doubt that the referendum outcome has created deep and widespread uncertainty, with the impact on jobs and investment already being felt.

“The UK Government has not yet taken any meaningful action to alleviate uncertainty or to boost confidence.

“The UK Government has not yet taken any meaningful action to alleviate uncertainty or to boost confidence, and there are very real concerns that the damage to the economy and to jobs will be severe and long lasting.

“It is against this background that the Scottish Government is announcing early action to boost confidence, stimulate economic activity and support business.

“Our Infrastructure Investment Plan is already delivering major infrastructure improvements, with projects worth almost £6 billion currently under construction – we will now inject a further £100 million of spending this year to accelerate planned projects.

“We will also provide business with wider support to help them navigate the uncertainty caused by the referendum result. Business organisations have asked for a single point of contact and we will shortly launch a new Business Information Service that will provide up-to-date information and advice, and answer questions from individual businesses, going some way to alleviate business concerns about the future.

“We will also establish a new Post-Referendum Business Network, to work more closely and collaboratively with the main business bodies, the STUC and the Scotland Office to help shape future policy and support for business.

“These three initial measures will help support new and existing jobs and alleviate business concerns at this difficult time.

“However, it is important that the UK government also acts and I am calling today for urgent action on two fronts – firstly, early assurance about EU Structural Funds and, second, a UK wide stimulus package which, through consequential funding, would enable the Scottish Government to do more to accelerate capital spending.”

The STUC has welcomed the announcement. STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “The STUC strongly endorses the approach set out by the First Minister today. The Scottish economy, already weak due to the downturn in the oil and gas sector, risks falling into technical recession as a result of Brexit induced uncertainty. In this context it is important that the Scottish Government accelerates capital projects where feasible in order to support employment.

“The First Minister is also entirely justified in calling on the UK Government to act swiftly to help minimise the economic consequences of their calamitous handling of the referendum and its aftermath. With borrowing costs at a historic low, now is the time to invest to support jobs in the present and increase the economy’s capacity to grow sustainably in the future.

“The STUC looks forward to making a positive contribution as a member of the new Post Referendum Business Network.”

Employers organisation CBI Scotland also welcomed the infrastructure investment. Hugh Aitken, CBI Scotland Director, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to boosting growth through infrastructure spending and look forward to seeing more details.

“Progress on the Glasgow airport link, together with improvements to the A82, A96 and A9 are projects previously identified by businesses as vital, alongside advances in digital infrastructure.

“Firms will also be encouraged by the Scottish Government’s pledge to work closely with the Scotland Office as it engages with firms following the EU Referendum.

“Our members stand ready to work alongside both the Scottish and the UK Governments as companies seek clarity on trade, regulation, access to talent and protection for the economic and social benefits of EU funded projects.

“As options for the future take shape, it will be more important than ever for both governments to partner with businesses in navigating their approach.”

Opposition parties do not believe the stimulus is enough, however. Scotland Secretary David Mundell said Ms Sturgeon should rule out a second independence referendum to restore business confidence, while Labour’s Jackie Baillie said the £100 million commitment ‘feels like a drop in the ocean‘.

Scottish Labour Economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “It is welcome that the First Minister has agreed with Labour’s calls to bring forward infrastructure spending to stimulate the economy, although the SNP could be much bolder with this investment.

“For context the SNP announced £100 million today – the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow cost £850 million and the Queensferry Crossing will cost over £1 billion. Any investment is welcome but this feels like a drop in the ocean.

“Labour outlined a series of policies in our Brexit Action Plan two weeks ago including the establishment of a Brexit support fund for at risk sectors. The SNP Government should adopt this Labour policy to give support to key industries.

“Today’s announcement must be only the start of the increased investment. Nicola Sturgeon must stop the cuts her government is imposing on public services in Scotland. The SNP Government is cutting hundreds of millions of pounds from schools and local services, our police force is facing cuts and our health boards are tens of millions in the red. It is not sustainable. Any post-Brexit stimulus from both the SNP and Tory Governments must include an end to austerity.

“Labour will continue to make the case to use the new tax powers of the Scottish Parliament to invest in our economy and stop the cuts to public services. The recent interventions from senior SNP figures like Kenny MacAskill show that a debate about tax is very much back on the agenda.”

You can read Labour’s Post Brexit Action Plan here