Category: North Edinburgh News

Cash Machine Crime Warning

City police are warning people to be on their guard when using bank machines, after a woman had her card stolen at an ATM in Gracemount. The incident happened around 8.30am on Monday at the Bank of Scotland ATM outside Scotmid in Gracemount Drive.

The cardholder had gone to the machine with the intention of drawing cash, however the machine held her card. At this point she noticed the machine had a silver device placed over it, and went into the shop where she reported the incident to staff. However, when she returned outside the device had been removed, along with her card.

CCTV enquiries have established that two men removed the device and the card while the victim was inside, and used the card a short time later at the nearby Tesco supermarket, where they withdrew £80.

They are both described as white, and in their late 20s. The first suspect is described as having a slim build, thin face, and pointed chin. He was wearing a navy blue baseball cap, navy blue hooded top, and a body warmer. The second man is described as having a muscular build, broad shoulders, black hair and sideburns. He was wearing a grey hooded Adidas top with ‘Y3’ in white lettering on the back, and blue jeans.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “We are appealing to anyone noticed the two suspects in the vicinity of either Scotmid or Tesco in Gracemount Drive yesterday morning to contact police. Likewise, anyone who recognises their descriptions, or who has any other information that can assist our inquiries, should also get in touch.

“At this time we are advising people to be on their guard when using ATMs, and if there is anything unusual about the machine or there are signs of tampering, do not use it and report it to the bank as soon as possible.

“We would also advise people to stand close to the cash machine and always use your free hand to shield the keypad to prevent any prying eyes or hidden cameras seeing your pin.”

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

 

CASH MACHINE ADVICE

Cash machines are usually a safe way of withdrawing cash. However, they can be targeted by criminals who want your money. Following the common sense advice will reduce your chances of becoming a victim of this type of fraud.

CHOOSING A CASH MACHINE

  • Be alert and put your personal safety first.
  • If there is anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of      tampering, do not use it and report it to the bank as soon as possible.

USING A CASH MACHINE

  • If someone is behaving suspiciously or watching you, cancel the transaction      and go to another machine.
  • Don’t get distracted. Be particularly cautious if well-meaning strangers try to      distract you or offer to help you.
  • Shield your PIN. Stand close to the cash machine and always use your free hand to      shield the keypad to prevent any prying eyes or hidden cameras seeing your      PIN.

LEAVING A CASH MACHINE

  •  On completing a transaction, discreetly put your money and card away before      leaving the cash machine.
  • Report incidents quickly. Make sure you store your bank’s phone number in your mobile. If your card is swallowed by the cash machine or your money is not given out, report the incident to your bank immediately, ideally using your mobile phone while you are still by the machine.
  • Destroy (or preferably shred) your cash machine receipts, mini-statements or balance enquiries when you get rid of them.

www.financialfraudaction.org.uk

 

Colleges come together to showcase Best of the Fest

 Over 4,000 people attended a series of events, designed to showcase student talent and success, as part of Edinburgh’s biggest student led festival. The Edinburgh Colleges Festival brought together the collective student talent present at Edinburgh’s Telford College, Jewel & Esk College and Stevenson College Edinburgh ahead of the proposed merger set to take place later this year.

Proving they can work together to offer the very best in student focused further education across a variety of sectors, the event featured the work and performances of over 1,000 students from all three colleges.

Showcasing sporting, arts and design, music, performing arts and hospitality achievements as well as many others, the festival programme featured an impressive 43 events over six weeks.

Brian Lister, Interim Principal for Edinburgh College, said: “This year’s festival has been a huge success, not only in terms of its size and scale, but the fact that it demonstrates the potential of the Edinburgh College, for offering one of the biggest and best further education facilities. The merger of the three colleges has the interest of the students at its heart and so it made sense that we brought together the collective talent of the combined student body for the Festival.”

He continued: “I attended several of the events myself and it was a great pleasure to see the hard work and talent of all the students involved. There are definitely a few future stars out there and we wish every single student the very best of luck in their future careers. We look forward to building upon the success of this year’s vent in years to come and not only make next year’s event even bigger and better, but ensure that the positive and collective hard work of all three colleges is taken forward under the Edinburgh College brand.”

Feedback about the festival from an online survey was extremely positive and revealed that 100% of people would like to see an Edinburgh Colleges Festival in 2013 – 34% of these being members of the local communities surrounding the colleges.

Highlights of the festival included a Celebration of Achievement event at Jewel & Esk College, which recognised and celebrated the talent of its FE students, as well as the ‘Exposed’ photography exhibition, featuring work from Stevenson’s final year photography students which was attended by over 300 people.

A final highlight was the Gala Launch dinner hosted by hospitality and catering students at Edinburgh’s Telford College, with music and performances by students from across the three colleges. The event was also attended by Mike Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.

The new Edinburgh College will be formed later this year when Telford, Jewel & Esk and Stevenson Colleges merge. The merger will bring together around 35,000 students across four main campuses.

SELEX celebrates sixty years of success

SELEX Galileo marked 60 years involvement in airborne fire control radar with a unique celebration event and the publication of a fully illustrated book at last week’s Farnborough Airshow.

It was in 1952 that Ferranti – one of the corporate antecedents to what is today SELEX Galileo – began initial engineering studies and technology development work at its site in Crewe Toll, Edinburgh, for the airborne intercept radar that would eventually equip the RAF’s Lightning interceptor.

Paying tribute to its rich UK-Italian heritage in air-to-air and air-to-surface radar technology, the company exhibited 17 radar sets – ranging from the AI.23 system equipping the RAF’s Lightning fighter to its latest solid-state active electronic scanning array (AESA) products – at a reception to launch ‘Looking Forward: 60 Years of Fire Control Radar’.

Entering RAF service in 1960, the AI.23 was the world’s first high-power fighter radar to employ the monopulse technique. Its development was a huge engineering challenge, made doubly difficult by the absence of any established component supply base. Virtually everything from the smallest piece parts upwards had to be designed and built from scratch. Engineers pioneered the use of numerically-controlled milling techniques to machine the precisely matched waveguide system from a solid block of aluminium.

AI.23 laid the foundations for a high technology business that came to excel in the realm of fire control radar. Products such as Blue Parrot, Blue Fox and Blue Vixen went on to become part of the lexicon of British post-war military aviation.

In Italy, the story unfolded in the 1960s when FIAR – another of SELEX Galileo’s forebears – undertook the license build of the North American Autonetics NASARR radar to equip the Italian Air Force’s F-104G Starfighter interceptor. The company later produced the much evolved R-21G/M1 Setter radar, a solid-state evolution of NASARR conferring the updated F-104 ASA with a true look-down/shoot-down capability.

Later, FIAR had the vision to invest in the development of a family of lightweight pulse- multi-mode fire control radars, identifying the growing worldwide demand for fighter avionics upgrades. This gave rise to the best-selling GRIFO family, still a leader in its market with more than 450 systems sold and in operations on many different platforms.

Building on this heritage of success, SELEX Galileo has gone on to develop the modular Vixen family of affordable, high performance multi-mode AESA radars. It is also part of the multinational Euro radar consortium developing the next-generation CAPTOR-E radar for the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Speaking at the Farnborough event, Fabrizio Giulianini, CEO of SELEX Galileo said: “I am honoured to be here today representing years of outstanding individual, industrial and technological excellence. For many years armed forces around the world have relied on our radar to support airborne missions and come home safe. The United Kingdom and Italy have looked at SELEX Galileo, and all its previous incarnations, as the trusted partner to deliver the capability edge to counter enemies and threats.”

“Building on a continuous evolution of technology and techniques, SELEX Galileo today stands as the cornerstone of Europe’s sovereign capability in airborne fire control radar,” said Alastair Morrison, SVP Radar and Advanced Targeting. “The company has brought together the complementary experience, knowledge and lines of business from Italy and the UK to create a world-class airborne radar capability uniquely positioned to meet the needs of a diverse and demanding global customer base.”

SELEX Galileo

 

 

Positive start to Spartans’ pre-season

The Spartans began their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought goalless draw at home to a Falkirk XI side at Ainslie Park today (writes Alan Clark).

Falkirk had a headed goal chopped off for offside late on in the second half in the game’s only real goalmouth action.  New boss Douglas Samuel’s Spartans side were put through their paces in a full game for the first time since their King’s Cup Final defeat, as a young Falkirk team impressed with their movement and passing.

Spartans Keith McLeod challenges for the ball. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

North Edinburgh witnessed several seasons in the same day as a mixture of heavy rain, wind and some sunshine threatened to affect the play on offer to the 400 or so supporters who attended.

The game lacked any real goalscoring opportunities but both sides offered some neat passes and movement despite lacking that killer touch in the final third of the pitch.

The first action of the game came after three minutes when Chris Anderson tried his luck for Spartans with a low shot from outside the area, the ball comfortably held by Falkirk’s goalkeeper Graham Bowman.

It was Falkirk’s turn to try their hand at scoring next as pacy striker Lewis Small was sent through on goal.  After wrestling with a defender and then creating some space for himself, Small hit his shot wide of the post and would have been disappointed with his end product.

With 19 minutes played, Spartans had their best chance of the game as dangerous new signing Gary Cennerrazzo broke down the left wing, crossing for Jordan Finnie who managed to turn the ball towards the Falkirk goal but his shot was saved. It was parried into the path of prolific striker Keith McLeod but he got his feet tangled and the ball was cleared.

In the second half, a number of substitutions were made by both sides and the fixture remained even and very tight.  The only action highlight was when a Falkirk’s Tyler Fulton met a free kick with his head, steering the ball home to the keeper’s left. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net, but only to see the offside flag being raised by the far side linesman.

Local lad Chris Milligan was taken off injured in his Spartans debut. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

The game ended with no goals but plenty of positives for both managers to take away.  For Spartans, a draw against First Division opposition will boost their confidence as the East of Scotland runners-up prepare for the new season, and new signing Cennerrazzo certainly looks a worthwhile addition.

Steven Pressley will be encouraged by the performances of captain for the day Kris Faulds and fellow central midfielder Craig Comrie, as both players ran the show in the middle with a superb range of passing and willingness to start attacks off throughout the game. No doubt these young prospects will be used by Falkirk in their league campaign as they aim to return to the Scottish Premier League.

SPARTANS:  Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Ali MacKinnon, John Grant, Mark Whatley, Chris Anderson, Jordan Finnie, Keith McLeod, Sean Wringe.  Subs:  Ross Gilpin, Chris Milligan, Alastair Woodburn, Callum Donnelly.

FALKIRK:   Graham Bowman, Conor Greene, Kyle Turnbull, Ryan McGeever, Tyler Fulton, Kris Faulds, Steven Brisbane, Craig Comrie, Lewis Small, Thomas Grant, Conor McGrandles.  Subs: Craig Sibbald, Robbie McNab, Kieran Campbell, James Flynn, Daniel McKinlay. 

Positive start to Spartans' pre-season

The Spartans began their pre-season preparations with a hard-fought goalless draw at home to a Falkirk XI side at Ainslie Park today (writes Alan Clark).

Falkirk had a headed goal chopped off for offside late on in the second half in the game’s only real goalmouth action.  New boss Douglas Samuel’s Spartans side were put through their paces in a full game for the first time since their King’s Cup Final defeat, as a young Falkirk team impressed with their movement and passing.

Spartans Keith McLeod challenges for the ball. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

North Edinburgh witnessed several seasons in the same day as a mixture of heavy rain, wind and some sunshine threatened to affect the play on offer to the 400 or so supporters who attended.

The game lacked any real goalscoring opportunities but both sides offered some neat passes and movement despite lacking that killer touch in the final third of the pitch.

The first action of the game came after three minutes when Chris Anderson tried his luck for Spartans with a low shot from outside the area, the ball comfortably held by Falkirk’s goalkeeper Graham Bowman.

It was Falkirk’s turn to try their hand at scoring next as pacy striker Lewis Small was sent through on goal.  After wrestling with a defender and then creating some space for himself, Small hit his shot wide of the post and would have been disappointed with his end product.

With 19 minutes played, Spartans had their best chance of the game as dangerous new signing Gary Cennerrazzo broke down the left wing, crossing for Jordan Finnie who managed to turn the ball towards the Falkirk goal but his shot was saved. It was parried into the path of prolific striker Keith McLeod but he got his feet tangled and the ball was cleared.

In the second half, a number of substitutions were made by both sides and the fixture remained even and very tight.  The only action highlight was when a Falkirk’s Tyler Fulton met a free kick with his head, steering the ball home to the keeper’s left. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net, but only to see the offside flag being raised by the far side linesman.

Local lad Chris Milligan was taken off injured in his Spartans debut. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

The game ended with no goals but plenty of positives for both managers to take away.  For Spartans, a draw against First Division opposition will boost their confidence as the East of Scotland runners-up prepare for the new season, and new signing Cennerrazzo certainly looks a worthwhile addition.

Steven Pressley will be encouraged by the performances of captain for the day Kris Faulds and fellow central midfielder Craig Comrie, as both players ran the show in the middle with a superb range of passing and willingness to start attacks off throughout the game. No doubt these young prospects will be used by Falkirk in their league campaign as they aim to return to the Scottish Premier League.

SPARTANS:  Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Ali MacKinnon, John Grant, Mark Whatley, Chris Anderson, Jordan Finnie, Keith McLeod, Sean Wringe.  Subs:  Ross Gilpin, Chris Milligan, Alastair Woodburn, Callum Donnelly.

FALKIRK:   Graham Bowman, Conor Greene, Kyle Turnbull, Ryan McGeever, Tyler Fulton, Kris Faulds, Steven Brisbane, Craig Comrie, Lewis Small, Thomas Grant, Conor McGrandles.  Subs: Craig Sibbald, Robbie McNab, Kieran Campbell, James Flynn, Daniel McKinlay. 

Bark in the Park to support St Columba’s

Bring along your pampered pooch to our sponsored dog walk at Inverleith Park – with a dog show, agility course, doggy manicures and lots more!

BARK IN THE PARK

Sunday 29 July 2012

Inverleith Park

Bring along your pamered pooch to our sponsored dog walk at Inverleith Park – with a dog show, agility course, doggy manicures and lots more!

  • Registration starts at      9.30am
  • Wufts dog show starts at 10.30am
  • Activities run from 10am –      1pm
  • Dog walk starts at 11am

Edinburgh’s four legged friends are invited to put their best paw forward and come along to Bark in the Park on Sunday 29 July – a doggy-themed day out at Inverleith Park in aid of St Columba’s Hospice.

As well as a sponsored dog walk around the park, there will be lots of extra activities guaranteed to get tails wagging. Back again, after its ‘barking’ success last year is the ‘Wufts’ dog show – judged by Fiona McKinlay, a very well regarded and experienced judge and breeder. Owners who think their canine is Crufts material have a chance of walking away with one of five prizes:

Most Handsome Dog – sponsored by Citidogs Creche

Waggiest tail – sponsored by Just for Dogs

Best Six Legs – sponsored by Christine’s Parlour

Best small dog

Best large dog

For playful pups there will also be an agility course to try out, while for more pampered pooches, doggy manicures and grooming will be available.

Entry costs just £7.50 per dog in advance or £10 on the day and St Columba’s requests that all entrants try to raise at least £25 sponsorship. Entry to the Wufts dog show competition is £5 per dog. So come along for a great day out and give your pampered pooch a real treat!

To sign up or contact St Columba’s Hospice fundraising team at fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or telephone 0131 551 1381.

Bark in the Park 2012 is kindly sponsored Batchelor, Davidson and Watson Veterinary Surgeons.

Bark in the Park to support St Columba's

Bring along your pampered pooch to our sponsored dog walk at Inverleith Park – with a dog show, agility course, doggy manicures and lots more!

BARK IN THE PARK

Sunday 29 July 2012

Inverleith Park

Bring along your pamered pooch to our sponsored dog walk at Inverleith Park – with a dog show, agility course, doggy manicures and lots more!

  • Registration starts at      9.30am
  • Wufts dog show starts at 10.30am
  • Activities run from 10am –      1pm
  • Dog walk starts at 11am

Edinburgh’s four legged friends are invited to put their best paw forward and come along to Bark in the Park on Sunday 29 July – a doggy-themed day out at Inverleith Park in aid of St Columba’s Hospice.

As well as a sponsored dog walk around the park, there will be lots of extra activities guaranteed to get tails wagging. Back again, after its ‘barking’ success last year is the ‘Wufts’ dog show – judged by Fiona McKinlay, a very well regarded and experienced judge and breeder. Owners who think their canine is Crufts material have a chance of walking away with one of five prizes:

Most Handsome Dog – sponsored by Citidogs Creche

Waggiest tail – sponsored by Just for Dogs

Best Six Legs – sponsored by Christine’s Parlour

Best small dog

Best large dog

For playful pups there will also be an agility course to try out, while for more pampered pooches, doggy manicures and grooming will be available.

Entry costs just £7.50 per dog in advance or £10 on the day and St Columba’s requests that all entrants try to raise at least £25 sponsorship. Entry to the Wufts dog show competition is £5 per dog. So come along for a great day out and give your pampered pooch a real treat!

To sign up or contact St Columba’s Hospice fundraising team at fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or telephone 0131 551 1381.

Bark in the Park 2012 is kindly sponsored Batchelor, Davidson and Watson Veterinary Surgeons.

Councillors to decide on Silverknowes access

It may not be up there with the Berlin Wall or Northern Ireland’s ‘peace barriers’, but North Edinburgh’s own long-running dispute over local access and antisocial behaviour could soon be over. Members of the city council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment (TIE) Committee will decide whether Silverknowes and Muirhouse are to be separated by closed-off barriers at their 13 September meeting. 

Following anti-social behaviour and disturbances in part of the Silverknowes area last autumn, representatives from community organisations in Almond and Forth wards met with local politicians, council and police officials to discuss the possibility of closing off accesses at Silverknowes Eastway.

It proved impossible to reach agreement, however, with community groups and residents in Almond (i.e. Silverknowes) overwhelmingly in favour of closing off the accesses, while Forth community groups and residents are equally vehement in their opposition to closure.  Council officials have also indicated that their policy recommendation must be to keep the accesses open.

Council officials are now compiling a report for the next meeting of the TIE committee, and local groups and individuals have been invited to make submissions for inclusion in the report by 27 July.

Among the options councillors will consider will be the possibility of closing off the pedestrian and cycleway access between Silverknowes and Muirhouse at Silverknowes Eastway/Muirhouse Gardens and Silverknowes Eastway/Muirhouse Drive in the evenings.

Davidsons Mains and Silverknowes Association is one of the Almond groups pressing for closure of the access. The group points to a survey they conducted earlier this year to gauge public opinion on the access issue. In a newsletter to residents DMSA point out:  ‘The DMSA has previously advised residents on the outcomes from the residents opinion survey but it is worth repeating that there were 235 responses from Silverknowes and only 44 from Muirhouse. The Silverknowes return represented a remarkable 40% response and, of those who replied, 65% were in favour of complete closure and 15% wanted some form of restricted access, for example, by closure in the evening and overnight.’

The group is expected to make both formal written submission and to send a deputation to the forthcoming transport committee meeting to argue the case for closure.

Opponents of the proposals, however, argue that closing off and separating communities is not the answer. Roy Douglas, chairman of Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council, confirmed: “We will be making a submission and plan to send a deputation to the TIE meeting. The access must remain open and we will be putting that case strongly to councillors”.

Terror suspect arrested in Leith

A fugitive alleged to be part of the Basque separatist group, Eta, has been arrested in the Leith area – more than 10 years after he went on the run. Lothian and Borders Police arrested Benat Atorrasagasti Ordonez – who has been on Spain’s ‘most wanted’ list since 2008 – in a Friday night raid.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: “A 36-year-old man has been arrested in Edinburgh on two European warrants, in connection with historical crimes committed in Spain and France.

“We can confirm that no armed officers were involved and at no time was any member of the public at risk. The man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday under the terms of the Extradition Act.”

The Basque separatist organisation ETA was formed in 1959, waging a campaign of terror that has included bombings, shootings and kidnappings costing hundreds of lives. The group declared a ‘permanent ceasefire’ in October last year – but it’s only the latest of many.

Watch the birdies at Botanics!

Fancy a bird’s eye view of some young birds of prey? You can now get up close and personal with a family of sparrowhawks at the Botanic Gardens!

In partnership with RSPB Scotland, Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group and the Scottish Seabird Centre a live ‘nestcam’ has been trained on the nest of a sparrowhawk in the Garden.

The Garden has been a key breeding site for these magnificent birds for many years and research on sparrowhawks across the City is indicating that it is one of the most productive breeding territories due to the healthy population of songbirds that make up the prey of sparrowhawks.

Live images of the sparrowhawk family can be seen at the viewpoint in the John Hope Gateway from 10am to 6pm, with interpretation of activity at the nest provided by RSPB staff and volunteers from Wednesday to Sunday 1-4pm.

RBGE