Category: North Edinburgh News

Love Parks! Let’s celebrate our city’s green spaces

Inverleith Park

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.

Victoria Park in Spring

 

Love Parks! Let's celebrate our city's green spaces

Inverleith Park

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.

Victoria Park in Spring

 

Fire destroys Hanover Street travel agent

A fire ripped through the Thomas Cook store on Frederick Street yesterday afternoon. The fire was reported at 15.05 and at the height of the fire there was 60 Firefighters in attendance. The Fire Service were at the scene for the remainder of the day. Its not thought that anyone was hurt in the incident.

Thomas Cook on Frederick Street Fire. (picture: Thomas brown)
A Thomas Cook employee speaks with the Police. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
The Shop front. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Fire Service removing more rubbish. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
More debris cleared from the Shop. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Fire Investigation Team. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Fire Investigation gets under way. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Files on local school pupils stolen

 

An investigation has been launched after the confidential files of 45 school pupils were stolen from an Edinburgh City Council worker’s home earlier this week. The files relate to pupils from Forthview and Granton Primary Schools and Broughton High School, who have had contact with the Education Welfare Service. 

The files were stolen during a burglary on Wednesday, BBC Scotland has revealed.

The council said the files were ‘predominantly’ about school attendance, and a city council spokeswoman added: “We are working closely with the police on this matter but believe that these files weren’t targeted by the thief. We are making contact with all the families this information relates to and have made staff available to them to help with any questions or concerns they may have.”

 

Countdown to The Quest 2012

Summer’s flying by (or maybe floating by!) and one of the highlights of the summer youth programme is now just a week away. The Quest is the annual event enjoyed by hundred of local young people, and the final destination this year is , as always, a closely-guarded secret.

Muirhouse Youth Development Group’s (MYDGs) Joanne Stewart explained: “The Quest is an area-wide event  – a scavenger hunt across Edinburgh ending in a secret location with a barbecue and fun activities for around 100 young people and volunteers, which promotes team work and sportsmanship. The Quest aims to include each youth agency in the North Edinburgh area and is one of the most popular area-wide activities –  it’s been taking place for many years, always with a great turn out.  We are very proud to say that we won an award from the Edinburgh Evening News last year for ‘the best youth initiative’, voted for by Evening News readers, which I think shows the popularity of the event in the community. We’re hoping this year’s Quest will be even better!”

The Quest starts from Scottish Gas HQ on Waterfront Avenue next Friday (27 July) at 11am and finishes … well, who knows?

Some pictures from Quest 2010:

Niki – ‘it’s all good!’

‘It’s All Good’ as award winning Jazz singer Niki King is revealing her soulful, funky side during a summer tour of Scotland. Niki and her band The Elements have got the chemistry just right in time to hot things up at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival.

Local girl Niki has been getting great reviews and feedback during her tour where, supported by some of the best musicians in the industry, she is performing songs from her self penned ‘It’s all Good’ album.  The Jazz Festival performance marks the mid point of her tour and Niki is looking forward to bringing her own sound to Teatro Spiegeltent on Friday 20th July

The outstanding Scottish female vocalist of our times” (The List) gets down and funky with her pounding eight-piece funk and soul band featuring a super tight horn section, some real dirty grooves and King’s punchy vocals.

Tickets £15   (http://www.hubtickets.co.uk/)

Listen to tracks from her new album and watch a video of Niki in action at http://www.nikiking.com

Follow Niki on facebook

Ann Confrey

Niki – 'it's all good!'

‘It’s All Good’ as award winning Jazz singer Niki King is revealing her soulful, funky side during a summer tour of Scotland. Niki and her band The Elements have got the chemistry just right in time to hot things up at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival.

Local girl Niki has been getting great reviews and feedback during her tour where, supported by some of the best musicians in the industry, she is performing songs from her self penned ‘It’s all Good’ album.  The Jazz Festival performance marks the mid point of her tour and Niki is looking forward to bringing her own sound to Teatro Spiegeltent on Friday 20th July

The outstanding Scottish female vocalist of our times” (The List) gets down and funky with her pounding eight-piece funk and soul band featuring a super tight horn section, some real dirty grooves and King’s punchy vocals.

Tickets £15   (http://www.hubtickets.co.uk/)

Listen to tracks from her new album and watch a video of Niki in action at http://www.nikiking.com

Follow Niki on facebook

Ann Confrey

Postcode Challenge was ‘wheelie’ great!

Last year’s event was a hard act to follow, and we all know what the ‘summer’ weather has been like this year, so the signs weren’t promising – but this year’s Postcode Challenge proved to be a great success with hundreds of keen cyclists and enthusiastic walkers taking part in the 1 July event.

Although billed as a ‘challenge’, the Postcode Challenge is really a fun event and an opportunity to discover – or rediscover – your local natural habitat, by bike or on foot. Participants of all ages and abilities set their own pace, checking in at ten pit-stops along the cycle path routes and collecting stamps to be in with a chance of winning  prizes. There were also loads of goodies to collect along the way, including high-visibility cycle vests from People’s Postcode Lottery, and flower and seed packets from the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust team.

Zero Waste Aware Scotland, State Street, Drylaw Community Centre, Drylaw Community Garden, Spokes and MYDG (Muirhouse Youth Development Group) also had stands along the Postcode Challenge route.

Liz Stewart, of organisers Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust said: “The Postcode Challenge was a great event and we were so lucky as it must have been about the only sunny day in the last month! We believe that there were at least 300 participants – walkers and cyclists. Although cyclists had to pick up a stamp from each of the 10 ‘postcode stops’, walkers only had to collect 5, which made it easier to include them. The day went really well and it was such a happy, good-natured event and loads of great feedback – helped of course by some good weather for a change!”

It took a mighty team effort to make the Challenge such a success, Liz said.

“There’s a huge list of people to thank! The Postcode Lottery and their players for funding the event in the first place, for manning a postcode stop on the day and for providing prizes. Other stall holders were our co-organisers, The Bike Station, who also provided bike repairs on the day and kept all the wheels turning; Spokes, State Street, MYDG Muirhouse Youth Development Group, Drylaw Community Centre and Drylaw Community Garden. We also had the following prizes to give away and were very grateful to all donors:

· 37 bike themed Goody Bags from The Bike Station

· 2 Tickets to see a Film of your choice at The Filmhouse

· 2 Vouchers for Greenyonder Tours

· Lunch for Two at Hula Juice Bar

· Grow your own veg & wildflower seed packets from ELGT

· 1 of 4 cycling maps of in and around Edinburgh and the Lothians from Spokes

· 2 Herb planters, 2 bird nests & 2 nectar feeders from ELGT

· An assortment of prizes from the Postcode Lottery

· A £50 Alpine Bikes gift voucher donated by State Street

· Two tickets for a free tour of Royal Yacht Britannia.

I think that’s everyone, but it’s quite a list so apologies if we’ve missed anyone out!”

“We were delighted to support the Postcode Challenge Treasure Hunt again this year,” said Clara Govier, Head of Charities, People’s Postcode Trust. “It’s a great event and it gets everyone outside and learning a little more about the beautiful environment right here in the city.”

Organisers also encouraged participants to leave messages on the Edinburgh Innertube blog (which can be found at: http://innertubemap.com/.) and comments were very positive. One person wrote: ‘As good as anything I’ve ever done in Edinburgh – great for all the family/all ages and all abilities. You all deserve medals and loads of funding for this!’

 

 

Postcode Challenge was 'wheelie' great!

Last year’s event was a hard act to follow, and we all know what the ‘summer’ weather has been like this year, so the signs weren’t promising – but this year’s Postcode Challenge proved to be a great success with hundreds of keen cyclists and enthusiastic walkers taking part in the 1 July event.

Although billed as a ‘challenge’, the Postcode Challenge is really a fun event and an opportunity to discover – or rediscover – your local natural habitat, by bike or on foot. Participants of all ages and abilities set their own pace, checking in at ten pit-stops along the cycle path routes and collecting stamps to be in with a chance of winning  prizes. There were also loads of goodies to collect along the way, including high-visibility cycle vests from People’s Postcode Lottery, and flower and seed packets from the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust team.

Zero Waste Aware Scotland, State Street, Drylaw Community Centre, Drylaw Community Garden, Spokes and MYDG (Muirhouse Youth Development Group) also had stands along the Postcode Challenge route.

Liz Stewart, of organisers Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust said: “The Postcode Challenge was a great event and we were so lucky as it must have been about the only sunny day in the last month! We believe that there were at least 300 participants – walkers and cyclists. Although cyclists had to pick up a stamp from each of the 10 ‘postcode stops’, walkers only had to collect 5, which made it easier to include them. The day went really well and it was such a happy, good-natured event and loads of great feedback – helped of course by some good weather for a change!”

It took a mighty team effort to make the Challenge such a success, Liz said.

“There’s a huge list of people to thank! The Postcode Lottery and their players for funding the event in the first place, for manning a postcode stop on the day and for providing prizes. Other stall holders were our co-organisers, The Bike Station, who also provided bike repairs on the day and kept all the wheels turning; Spokes, State Street, MYDG Muirhouse Youth Development Group, Drylaw Community Centre and Drylaw Community Garden. We also had the following prizes to give away and were very grateful to all donors:

· 37 bike themed Goody Bags from The Bike Station

· 2 Tickets to see a Film of your choice at The Filmhouse

· 2 Vouchers for Greenyonder Tours

· Lunch for Two at Hula Juice Bar

· Grow your own veg & wildflower seed packets from ELGT

· 1 of 4 cycling maps of in and around Edinburgh and the Lothians from Spokes

· 2 Herb planters, 2 bird nests & 2 nectar feeders from ELGT

· An assortment of prizes from the Postcode Lottery

· A £50 Alpine Bikes gift voucher donated by State Street

· Two tickets for a free tour of Royal Yacht Britannia.

I think that’s everyone, but it’s quite a list so apologies if we’ve missed anyone out!”

“We were delighted to support the Postcode Challenge Treasure Hunt again this year,” said Clara Govier, Head of Charities, People’s Postcode Trust. “It’s a great event and it gets everyone outside and learning a little more about the beautiful environment right here in the city.”

Organisers also encouraged participants to leave messages on the Edinburgh Innertube blog (which can be found at: http://innertubemap.com/.) and comments were very positive. One person wrote: ‘As good as anything I’ve ever done in Edinburgh – great for all the family/all ages and all abilities. You all deserve medals and loads of funding for this!’