Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of a man who is missing from his home in Edinburgh. Sixty-one year old John Wilken suffers from dementia and has not been seen since he left his home in Comely Bank Place around 6.15am this morning.
Police are concerned he may not be aware of his surroundings as he is a keen walker and is capable of covering large distances on foot.
John is 5ft 5ins tall, slim build with short grey receding hair, and walks with a limp. He was wearing a dark green coloured jacket with a hood, waterproof trousers and trainers when he was last seen.
Constable Christopher Greer said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Mr Wilken’s safety as we know his dementia may mean he has walked somewhere and then lost track of where he is. We would appeal for anyone who may have passed him this morning to contact us on 0131 311 3131 urgently.”
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
UPDATE: Mr Wilken was found ‘safe and well’ in East Lothian this afternoon
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of a man who is missing from his home in Edinburgh. Sixty-one year old John Wilken suffers from dementia and has not been seen since he left his home in Comely Bank Place around 6.15am this morning.
Police are concerned he may not be aware of his surroundings as he is a keen walker and is capable of covering large distances on foot.
John is 5ft 5ins tall, slim build with short grey receding hair, and walks with a limp. He was wearing a dark green coloured jacket with a hood, waterproof trousers and trainers when he was last seen.
Constable Christopher Greer said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Mr Wilken’s safety as we know his dementia may mean he has walked somewhere and then lost track of where he is. We would appeal for anyone who may have passed him this morning to contact us on 0131 311 3131 urgently.”
Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
UPDATE: Mr Wilken was found ‘safe and well’ in East Lothian this afternoon
Edinburgh’s parks have scooped a record number of Green Flag Awards for the best green spaces in Scotland. Of 44 flags awarded in Scotland this year, the capital scooped no less than 24 awards – more than half of all flags presented across the country!
Ravelston Park and Woods is one of four new city parks to receive Green Flag recognition for the first time this year, and they join twenty who retained their awards from last year.
Parks are judged against eight criteria, including community involvement and sustainability. The Green Flag Awards criteria:
A welcoming place
Healthy, safe and secure
Clean and well maintained
Sustainability
Conservation and heritage
Community involvement
Marketing
Management
Welcoming the announcement, city environment leader Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “We’re delighted that, once again, Edinburgh is leading the way is providing high quality parks and gardens for our residents. The awards positively reflect on the hard work carried out by local communities and staff to ensure Edinburgh’s renowned parks are preserved.”
Flag raising ceremonies will take place in the four newly awarded parks next week.
The Green Flag Awards were established by Keep Britain Tidy in 1996. Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: “An award provides national recognition for the achievements of all those whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy”.
Edinburgh’s green roll of honour
The parks and green spaces in Edinburgh to be given a Green Flag Award this year are:
Prestonfield Park (New award)
Ravelston Woods Local Nature Reserve and Park (New award)
Edinburgh’s parks have scooped a record number of Green Flag Awards for the best green spaces in Scotland. Of 44 flags awarded in Scotland this year, the capital scooped no less than 24 awards – more than half of all flags presented across the country!
Ravelston Park and Woods is one of four new city parks to receive Green Flag recognition for the first time this year, and they join twenty who retained their awards from last year.
Parks are judged against eight criteria, including community involvement and sustainability. The Green Flag Awards criteria:
A welcoming place
Healthy, safe and secure
Clean and well maintained
Sustainability
Conservation and heritage
Community involvement
Marketing
Management
Welcoming the announcement, city environment leader Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “We’re delighted that, once again, Edinburgh is leading the way is providing high quality parks and gardens for our residents. The awards positively reflect on the hard work carried out by local communities and staff to ensure Edinburgh’s renowned parks are preserved.”
Flag raising ceremonies will take place in the four newly awarded parks next week.
The Green Flag Awards were established by Keep Britain Tidy in 1996. Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: “An award provides national recognition for the achievements of all those whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy”.
Edinburgh’s green roll of honour
The parks and green spaces in Edinburgh to be given a Green Flag Award this year are:
Prestonfield Park (New award)
Ravelston Woods Local Nature Reserve and Park (New award)
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was seriously assaulted during the early hours of Sunday morning. The woman was found by members of the public in Pilrig Park.
The 23-year-old had been out with friends in the city centre and left the Picturehouse nightclub around 3am on Sunday 22 July 2012 to return home. CCTV enquires have shown that she made her way onto the West End of Princes Street before walking east.
Members of the public then found the woman within a play area of Pilrig Park at around 6am and contacted the emergency services. The victim suffered serious facial injuries and was taken to hospital, where she continues to be treated. Officers believe the attack was sexually motivated and have urged anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.
Detective Inspector Scott Cunningham, who is leading the investigation said: “This has been a brutal and unprovoked attack on a lone woman as she made her way home. Her injuries could only have been caused through significant and violent force and a major investigation has now been launched.
“Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in or around the Pilrig Park area in the early ours of Sunday morning is also asked to contact police immediately. We are particularly keen to trace any rickshaw drivers, who may have been on Pilrig Street at around 3.30am. They are urged to get in touch as soon as possible to assist with our enquiries.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Malta HouseSaturday proved to be an especially happy birthday for a groundbreaking local project when a new charity aimed at raising funds for LEAP, the Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme, was launched as part of LEAP’s fifth anniversary celebrations. Founders of the Friends of LEAP charity joined graduates, patients and staff at their annual ‘reunion’ event to celebrate the continued success of the innovative service based at Malta House in Stockbridge.
Set up by a group of dedicated and skilled volunteers, Friends of LEAP will help to raise additional funds for the programme along with managing the donations they receive.
Dr David McCartney, Clinical Lead, LEAP, NHS Lothian, said: “LEAP continues to grow from strength to strength with more and more people successfully completing the programme and going on to live alcohol and drug free lives. We are delighted to see that the Friends of LEAP charity has been established. We welcome their support and I am sure their work will make a significant contribution to the service. All donations we receive are gratefully received and will go directly into catering for the needs of our patients.”
Trustee Alison Hume is one of four volunteers involved in setting up the charity. “Having volunteered at LEAP over the last few years we are delighted to set up Friends of LEAP. We have witnessed the dedication of staff, the high success in patients completing the programme and the impact that this has had not only on their lives but also that of their families and friends and we are delighted to be involved in this way.”
The LEAP programme operates seven days a week for people dependent on substances who want to achieve drug and alcohol-free recovery. There are six elements to LEAP’s three-month treatment and rehabilitation programme. These are:
Medical
Therapeutic
Mutual aid/recovery communities
Housing
Education, training and employability
Aftercare
“More than 500 patients have been admitted to the programme,” added Dr David McCartney. “It’s important we celebrate our achievements and look ahead with positivity in continuing to assist people in the future.”
Launched in September 2007 LEAP is the first programme of its kind in Scotland, and is an innovative partnership between NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, Transition (Access to Industry) and the Serenity Café and the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in Lothian.
A Michael Daly double was enough for Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic to defeat hosts Spartans 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Ainslie Park yesterday.
Keith McLeod trys to get a shot away. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
The Galabankies made the long journey north from Dumfries and Galloway but didn’t seem affected by the travelling as they controlled the fixture for large spells and always looked comfortable. A first-half brace from striker Daly was enough in the end, even though a late surge from Spartans – including a delightful chipped goal from John Grant – threatened the Annan lead.
It was Spartans’ second preparation game in their schedule and after last weekend’s credible 0-0 draw with a Falkirk XI at home, manager Douglas Samuel was hoping to get another positive result from a Scottish Football League side. The result didn’t go their way, but the performance showed promise and the late second-half attempts to get a draw will have pleased Samuel – especially with seven first-team regulars missing.
Chris Anderson tries to hold of the defender. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Annan took the lead after 17 minutes when Steven Sloan saw his shot parried by Spartans’ goalkeeper Chris Flockhart onto the post, only for number nine Daly to slam into the back of the net. It was an early blow for Spartans but it didn’t dampen their spirits.
Jordan Finnie came close to equalising for the home side as he saw his header from six yards go just by the ‘keeper’s left-hand post and out for the goal-kick. Shortly after Finnie’s chance it was striker Keith McLeod’s turn to attempt to level the scoreline. He received the ball on the edge of the area before turning the Annan defender quickly and powering a shot just wide.
Annan thought they had doubled their lead after 36 minutes, but the tap-in was ruled offside. Graeme Ramage tried his level best to double it for real but his shot from just inside the box was always rising and the ball went over the bar. They did manage a second goal just before half-time when a good cross came in from the left and the 27-year-old Daly rose well to angle a header past the goalkeeper and into the net. Their half-time lead of two goals was very much deserved.
New signing Alistair Woodburn almost put Spartans in front in the opening minutes. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Annan’s left-back Gary Thorburn was proving to be a good weapon for Harry Cairney’s side and it was his delivery three minutes into the second half that gave Daly a chance for a hat-trick, but he put his header just over. Sean Wringe then wasted a great opportunity to pull his side back in the game when he blasted well over after cutting in from the left just inside the danger area.
With ten minutes left Steve Swinglehurst went close with a powerful header from a superb right-hand side delivery from Ramage, and the Annan number four could have paid for the miss as Spartans got one back minutes later. After finding some room on the right-side of the box, John Grant expertly lobbed Craig Summersgil, much to the delight of the home support. With six minutes left Spartans pressed for an equaliser but ultimately fell short as the game ended 2-1 to the visitors.
SPARTANS: Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, McCuish, O’Donnell, Mark Whatley, Alastair Woodburn, John Grant, Jordan Finnie, Keith McLeod, Sean Wringe. Subs: Chris Anderson, Sean Palizcka, Neil Irvine, Ian McTurk.
ANNAN ATHLETIC: Craig Summersgil, John Blake, Gary Thorburn, Steve Swinglehurst, Michael McGowan, Scott chaplain, Steven Sloan, Tordyn McKechnie, Michael Daly, Graeme Ramage, David Murray. Subs: Alexander Mitchell, John Watson, Jack Steele, Ally Love, Graeme Bell, Kieran McGachie, Andrew Donnelly.
Police are tonight appealing for witnesses after a 23 year old woman was discovered in Pilrig Park at 6.00am this morning with serious facial injuries.
Police enquiry is ongoing following incident in Pilrig Park.
A Police Spokesperson said “A woman aged 23 was found this morning in Pilrig Park with serious facial injuries. She was taken to the ERI for further treatment and our enquiries are ongoing. We would ask anyone who was in the ae at the time or has any information to contact us on 0131 311 3131 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Pilton Community Health Project’s Caroline Gibb has been in touch to remind us of a couple of food-centred events taking place this week:
Tuesday 24 July, 12-2pm: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 19West Pilton Grove
Fabby Food Store Picnic & Barbecue
A drop in event at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, people can come along and make their own burger, veggie kebab or salad, and find out more about Pilton’s newest food co-op at the same time. Loads of indoor space if we get unlucky with the weather!
Tuesday 24 July, 11am -1pm: Millennium Centre, Muirhouse Medway
Simple Snacks at MillenniumCentre Summer Youth Club
Making your own tasty veggiewraps. Places must be booked for this event by calling 0131 467 3578.
If your group or organisation is planning an event you would like to share with our readers please get in touch.
Residents across Edinburgh are being encouraged to love their local park this week as national Love Parks Week launches across the country. From 21-27 July, events will be held across the Capital with the aim of encouraging people to visit, enjoy and take pride in their local parks and green spaces.
Edinburgh is home to over 130 parks – ranging from small community parks, to natural heritage parks and large premier parks. A broad range of activities are on offer – from play areas, skateboard parks, peaceful gardens, football pitches to ponds and wildlife. We have our fair share of them here in North Edinburgh – from Inverleith and latest Green Flag winner Ravelston (pictured below) to Drylaw, West Pilton and along to Victoria – large and small, there are so many green spaces to be enjoyed right on your doorsteps.
City Environment Leader Councillor Lesley Hinds (pictured below), said: “Attractive and well-presented parks and greenspaces are fundamentally important to maintaining the quality of life in Edinburgh. We take particular pride in ensuring good outdoor spaces are accessible to all and the city has the highest number of Green Flag parks in the country.Although the weather might not be the best at the moment, we’re still hoping lots of people will turn out next week to visit their local park and take part in some of the events.”
This year Love Parks Week will focus on access for all to healthy green spaces. The campaign will highlight what a healthy (quality) green space looks like and will begin to assess the nation’s parks by encouraging people to give their park a simple health check.
In 2006, 96,000 people attended 240 events across Britain. Last year 1,200 events were held with an estimated one million participants.
Among the local ‘Love Parks’ event highlights this week are:
Inverleith Park: 12 – 4pm, Wednesday 25th July
Go behind the scenes and meet the people behind our parks and woodlands at our depot in Inverleith Park. Staff from the Forestry Service will talk about their work and demonstrate their tree climbing skills. There will also be a horse logging demonstration.
You can also visit the blacksmiths and joiners workshops – the teams responsible for looking after the safety of our play areas and maintaining our presentation seats.
Our Allotment Officer will be joining the Inverleith Allotment Association to give tours around the Inverleith Allotment site, crowned the best allotment site in the city in the Edinburgh in Bloom competition 2011.
Chat with our Park Rangers about the work they do to improve our parks for people and wilidlife, with a site visit to the new annual wildflower meadow in the park.
Cammo Estate and River Almond Walk: 10 – 1pm, Thursday 26th July
Join our natural Heritage Ranger at the Cammo Estate visitor centre for a gentle stroll along the banks of the River Almond then a meander around Cammo Estate looking at history, heritage and wildlife. This is one of the best parks and river walks around Edinburgh.
Age 12 and above.
Water of Leith – Balerno to Slateford: 10:30 – 2:30, Sunday 29th July
Follow the Water of Leith from Balerno to Slateford, passing through old mill villages of Edinburgh. Hear about the history of the area, the importance of the river – past and present and discover the wildlife which thrives along this corridor. Bring a packed lunch, wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. Please note you will have to arrange your own transport, the walk will begin in Balerno and end in Slateford.
Age 12 and above.
Edinburgh has a number of Friends groups looking after parks and greenspaces in the city. Working with the Council, the Friends of Parks groups give residents a greater say in what goes on in their park. Find out more on the city council website or contact the Parks department on 0131 529 3030 / parks@edinburgh.gov.uk for information on whether your local park has a friends group, or, if not, how to set one up.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of a man who is missing from his home in Edinburgh. Sixty-one year old John Wilken suffers from dementia and has not been seen since he left his home in Comely Bank Place around 6.15am this morning.
