Category: North Edinburgh News

Letter – Changing Society

Dear Editor

A look at our history shows how society has changed; for example from serfdom, to feudal, to what we have now, capitalism. There is no reason to suppose that capitalism, in turn, will not be superceded by the most likely system of socialism.

When challenged, those in control of each system struggled very hard to maintain that control. The capitalist leaders are no different: they have powerful means to retain that control, but are savvy enough to allow general improvements to take place depending on the amount of pressure put on them.

Rapid industrial development throughout the 19th century, followed by the technical developments of the 20th century and the digital developments of the 21st century, have brought problems of trying to manage the vast volume of goods produced – they cannot do so, The only solution they see is to close down places of work, and this, as we know, creates massive poverty and misery. Other capitalist countries act likewise.

As in previous centuries those who own or control the means of production and the land are resisting social changes in society; in fact they are trying very hard to undo much of the collective social progress that has been achieved.

The new social system will not automatically come into existence: it has to be shown to be wanted by the majority, and to work on behalf of the majority.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Police seek help to find Craigleith woman’s family

 

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for help in tracing the relatives of a woman who was found dead in her Edinburgh home on Tuesday (April 24).

Eighty-one-year-old Margaret Holme died in her flat in Fettes Court, Craigleith Road, sometime between Monday (April 23) and Tuesday afternoon. There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

A police spokeswoman said: “We are appealing for anyone who may know of Margaret Holme, or have information regarding her family, to contact us on 0131 311 3131.”

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Police seek help to find Craigleith woman's family

 

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for help in tracing the relatives of a woman who was found dead in her Edinburgh home on Tuesday (April 24).

Eighty-one-year-old Margaret Holme died in her flat in Fettes Court, Craigleith Road, sometime between Monday (April 23) and Tuesday afternoon. There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

A police spokeswoman said: “We are appealing for anyone who may know of Margaret Holme, or have information regarding her family, to contact us on 0131 311 3131.”

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Young Scot to stage Olympics at Craigroyston!

Young Scot Youth Legacy Ambassador Bina Radhi is hosting an Olympic-themed day at Craigroyston Primary School next month.

Bina, who is 18, explained “On 11 May, myself and Jodi, another YLA from Edinburgh, will be hosting an Olympic themed sports day at Craigroyston Primary School for the primary sevens who are in transition to moving to high school. Since it’s the year of the Olympics, we have decided to host an Olympic themed day, by allocating each class with an Olympic country for the chance to compete against one another. There will be a mixture of different stations, from trying out sports such as football, javelin throw, as well as educational activities, where pupils will have to test their knowledge and learn some fast facts about each country!”

She went on: “As it is a transaction event, we have been working closely with the Active Schools Coordinator to invite other cluster primary schools in the area to come along, so that they can meet other young people that they will be going to high school with. Since then, we have had confirmation for a couple of schools to say they are coming. We also have all equipment, photographer, music, some media, sponsorship money (hopefully), all organised for the day! The event is on the 11th of May and will run from 9.30- 11.30am. We hope to see around 120 pupils come along and have already recruited around 30 volunteers.”

Sounds like a lot of fun!

 

Granton Youth Centre stages drama at North Edinburgh Arts

Just Like Everybody else – A6 Flyer

‘You look after your pals and they look after you – if you don’t who else will?’

Granton Youth Centre are staging ‘Just Like Everybody Else’ tomorrow at 2pm and again at 7pm in North Edinburgh Arts Centre.

The young participants performed an excerpt of their drama at a recent Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meeting and it’s well worth seeing. Produced by GRIP, the project is supported by Cashback for Communities and tickets are £3/£2 (concessions) for the evening performance, with some free tickets available for the afternoon event. Contact Jane at Granton Youth Centre for more information, jane@grantonyouth.com or telephone 467 5854.

 

Where have all the voters gone?

Last week's Blackhall hustings

The Local Goverment Elections take place a week tomorrow, but so far hustings meetings have failed to attract local voters.

A Forth hustings held at Muirhouse Millennium Centre last week attracted just twelve people, while Inverleith events have fared little better – fourteen people attended Craigleith Blackhall Community Council’s event and just ten hardy souls turned up at Drylaw Telford’s hustings last night.

Candidates from across the political spectrum have expressed concern at the level of apathy ahead of next week’s vote, and with all political parties having agreed that there will be no lamp-post posters reminding the electorate to vote, there are gloomy predictions about the turnout next Thursday.

Forth voters have another opportunity to meet their candidates when Royston Wardieburn Community Centre stages a hustings event tomorrow evening at 6.15pm. All welcome.

Are hustings events still relevant? Will you be voting next Thursday? If not, why not? Let us know!

North Edinburgh’s story goes world-wide

North Edinburgh Social History Group’s research archive is now available on-line. The group amassed a wealth of material whilst undertaking research for their ‘Never Give Up’ book, published last year, and the documents and photographs can now be found on-line following a collaborative project with lifelong learning agency Scran.

Scran, part of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, enables online access to resources from museums, galleries, archives and the media, supporting learning and teaching at all ages.

Scran’s Helen Foster worked with the local Social History Group to make their extensive resources available to a wider audience, and the online exhibition was launched last Saturday at North Edinburgh Arts Centre.

Social History Group member Roberta Blaikie explained: ‘It took us two years to produce ‘Never Give Up’ – the book, DVD and photo exhibition – and we realised it was important that all this research was saved for future generations and made available for others to access easily. We are all rubbish with computers, but thankfully we met up with Helen at Scran. We did a lot of talking, Helen listened and did all the hard work and now we’ve been able to get everything digitized!”

Brian Robertson, another enthusiastic group member, added: ‘We’re delighted that this material is now available on-line. Some of the pictures in the book are quite small and we had to leave some things out because of the limited space available, so it’s great that all the information we gathered over such a long time is now available on the internet for everyone interested in our area’s history’.

The collection was launched before Saturday’s performances of ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ and was accompanied by a new protest song penned and performed by group member Ian Moore.

Access to Scran’s archive is available through Edinburgh City Libraries – go to http://yourlibrary.edinburgh.gov.uk/capital-collections. You’ll find North Edinburgh Social History Group’s archives under Local and Family History.

North Edinburgh's story goes world-wide

North Edinburgh Social History Group’s research archive is now available on-line. The group amassed a wealth of material whilst undertaking research for their ‘Never Give Up’ book, published last year, and the documents and photographs can now be found on-line following a collaborative project with lifelong learning agency Scran.

Scran, part of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, enables online access to resources from museums, galleries, archives and the media, supporting learning and teaching at all ages.

Scran’s Helen Foster worked with the local Social History Group to make their extensive resources available to a wider audience, and the online exhibition was launched last Saturday at North Edinburgh Arts Centre.

Social History Group member Roberta Blaikie explained: ‘It took us two years to produce ‘Never Give Up’ – the book, DVD and photo exhibition – and we realised it was important that all this research was saved for future generations and made available for others to access easily. We are all rubbish with computers, but thankfully we met up with Helen at Scran. We did a lot of talking, Helen listened and did all the hard work and now we’ve been able to get everything digitized!”

Brian Robertson, another enthusiastic group member, added: ‘We’re delighted that this material is now available on-line. Some of the pictures in the book are quite small and we had to leave some things out because of the limited space available, so it’s great that all the information we gathered over such a long time is now available on the internet for everyone interested in our area’s history’.

The collection was launched before Saturday’s performances of ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ and was accompanied by a new protest song penned and performed by group member Ian Moore.

Access to Scran’s archive is available through Edinburgh City Libraries – go to http://yourlibrary.edinburgh.gov.uk/capital-collections. You’ll find North Edinburgh Social History Group’s archives under Local and Family History.

Charter presentation put on hold

Local campaign group North Edinburgh Fight Back has cancelled plans to present their anti-poverty demands to councillors at tomorrow’s full council meeting – the last before the 3 May elections.

Last month, the group announced their intention to present all 58 councillors with individual copies of the Community Charter scroll and to send a deputation to address Thursday’s meeting.

The group has been in touch to say that this will NOT now be happening and has asked us to let our readers know.

More information on why tomorrow’s deputation was cancelled – and when the scrolls will be handed over – when we have it.

 

Scott Hastings opens Inverleith fitness trail

Inverleith resident and former Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings officially opened Inverleith Park’s new fitness trail this morning. Scott was joined by members of the Friends of Inverleith Park group at a ribbon-cutting ceremony organised to mark the occasion.

Funded by the city council, wooden fitness equipment has been installed at ten stations around the park’s northern perimeter, and Scott was joined by his training companion Parker the dog as he demonstrated the delights of the exercise trail!

Inverleith Park is already a very popular location, used by a number of sports clubs, fitness groups and thousands of individuals, particularly joggers. The Council, along with the Friends of Inverleith Park and other user groups, decided that a fitness trail would improve the facilities and equipment for users of the park wanting to exercise.

Installation was completed at the end of March and fitness enthusiasts can now complete a circuit of the park whilst tackling bench sit-ups, a tyre run, wobble board and a number of other challenges along the way!

Scott said: “As a local resident and a regular jogger I am very impressed with the fitness trail. I am amazed at the number of people who have been using it to boost their exercise. I have had a bit of fun using the exercise stations as a break from my regular running route. Inverleith Park is a really fantastic space and this new fitness track enhances the amount of things that one can do whilst admiring the wonderful views across our great city”. 

Friends of Inverleith Park convener Tony Cook added: “Comments about the fitness trail have been overwhelmingly positive and the new facilities will mean that even more people will come to enjoy this wonderful park.”