A number of activities have been planned to celebrate Davidson Mains Park’s 90th birthday this year.
Getting the party started is an exhibition of art created by pupils from Davidson’s Mains Primary and the Royal High School. The exhibition can be viewed in Holy Cross Church Hall on Quality Street next week.
The exhibition opens on Thursday 10 April from 3-8pm (private view in the evening), Friday 11 April 3-8pm and on Saturday 12 April from 11-4 pm.
Particularly during and since the Thatcher times people have been encouraged to think only of themselves. It has the divisive effect – which was it’s intention – of tearing people away from their natural instinct of caring for others. The evidence that the policy of looking after number one is the wrong thing to do is all around us, those with the most wealth have the most power.
A divided people are easier to manipulate: those in work against the unemployed who have to exist on benefits, the disgusting campaign against the disabled living on benefits, pitting those who work in the private sector against those in the public sector, the disgraceful ‘bedroom tax’ action taken against tenants and the continuing privatisation of public property …
The situation is not unique to this country; exactly the same is happening in many parts of the world, demonstrating that the capitalist system under which we live cannot solve their problems. What can we do? We can make a start to change things by identifying essential needs everyone has in common, to maximise unity; these essential common needs will show that no individual or groups of individuals should have the power to restrict or withhold them in the pursuit of profit. The following is a most obvious list of common needs upon which that unity can be achieved and removing them from those who only see those needs as a source of private profit:
Heating and power: this basic necessity should be treated as such, not as a source of private profit
Water & sewerage services: As above, absolute health essential
Transport: Essential public service to enable easy access to and from work and social activities
National Health Service: To ensure treatment is a permanent public universal service paid for out of taxation.
Recreation and Learning facilities of all kinds: Work is not an end in itself but a means of developing an intelligent quality of living in whatever choice of interest.
Greenbelt and Open Spaces: Selling these off to developers to be stopped immediately and lawful public consultation on any building applications.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has welcomed changes to income tax that will see thousands of Scots workers taking more of their pay home. Mr Carmichael said Scotland is benefiting from being part of the ‘fastest growing economy on the world’.
From this weekend, 242,000 people in Scotland will be taken out of income tax altogether thanks to UK Government policy which sees the tax free personal allowance increase to £10,000 in 2014-15 – and that means that from overnight on Sunday an extra 19,000 Scots will no longer pay any income tax.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said: “I am extremely proud to be part of a Government that has ensured that every hard working Scot will not pay any income tax on everything they earn up to £10,000. This is a key measure in our long term economic plan and one which every single Scot will be able to see and benefit from in their pay packet this month.
“Scotland is doing well because it’s part of the UK. We are benefiting from one of the fastest growing economies in the world which is creating jobs and ensuring certainty and security for families and individuals across the country.”
Over one million women in Scotland will directly benefit from this increase which comes as Scottish female employment levels reach near record highs.
This year’s Budget also confirmed that the personal allowance will increase again to £10,500 from next year helping even more Scottish families.
Across the UK, Government measures are cutting tax for over 26 million people. This includes taking over three million out of paying any income tax at all – 200,000 of these from this week.
The Sunday 6 April changes also mean that:
Someone working full-time on the October 2014 minimum wage (£6.50/h at 35hrs a week) will pay over 50 per cent less income tax in 2014-15 than a than someone on the national minimum wage in 2010.
Someone working for just under 30 hours a week on the October 2014 minimum wage will not pay any income tax at all.
Police appealing for witnesses after a 15 year old boy was robbed at knifepoint on Glenogle Road on Monday afternoon.
The incident took place around 4.45pm when the victim was walking along Glenogle Road towards Stockbridge. As he walked past Glenogle Swim Centre, he was approached by three men.
The first man presented a knife and demanded he hand over his belongings, the victim complied and handed over a quantity of money. The second suspect then lifted a pair of blue and orange Adidas trainers from the victim’s sports bag and the three men then made off towards Brandon Terrace while the victim continued on to Stockbridge.
The first suspect is white, 5ft 10in 5ft 11in, early 20s, skinny, brown shaved hair, clean shaven, black Reebok jogging bottoms, grey canvas shoes.
The second suspect is white, 5ft 9in, skinny, early 20s, black not quite shoulder length hair, acne, clean shaven, dark blue or navy Kappa tracksuit.
The third suspect is white, male, 6ft 2in, heavy build, early 20s, black neat reasonably short hair, stubble, left ear pierced without an earring, and black hoody and tracksuit bottoms.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “This was an alarming incident for the victim and we are keen to trace anyone who was in the area at the time or recognises the description of the suspects.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
1 April marked a major milestone in the continuing road of Scottish devolution, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said yesterday. He said that as part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has ‘the best of both worlds’
Major financial changes introduced as part the Scotland Act 2012 will begin to take effect on 1 April next year, increasing the accountability of the Scottish Parliament to the voters who elected it for raising revenue, and making decisions about how it is spent. These changes will mean that the Scottish Parliament will be responsible for funding around a third of devolved spending – roughly double the amount it currently funds.
Mr Carmichael said: “The Scotland Act provides the largest transfer of financial powers to Scotland in over 300 years. The Act received the unanimous support of both the UK and Scottish Parliament building on and strengthening the great success that is devolution.
“The Scotland Act devolves significant tax powers including the ability to set a new Scottish rate of income tax and gives the Scottish Government access to substantial borrowing powers. New powers bring new accountability and new responsibilities. To the people of our country, Holyrood will be more responsible and more accountable than ever before for the money it raises and for the money it spends.
“Today marks a major milestone in the continuing road of devolution. As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has got the best of both worlds: a strong Scottish Parliament with financial powers that can take decisions on those things that affect our everyday lives, like our schools and hospitals and we can pool our resources ensuring we benefit from a strong UK economy that is growing and creating jobs.”
The powers which come into effect on April 2015 are:
The full devolution of stamp duty land tax and landfil tax from April 2015. The Scottish Government has taken forward legislation to replace these taxes in Scotland with the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax and Scottish Landfill Tax. It is also taking forward legislation to establish Revenue Scotland as the tax administration responsible for the collection of the new taxes.
Extended current borrowing powers of up to £500m and creation of a new Scottish cash reserve to help manage the new tax receipts.
A new £2.2bn capital borrowing power for the Scottish Parliament, with a limited version of the power in place from April 2013 to enable the Scottish Government to fund £100m of pre-payments for the Forth Road Crossing.
The powers which come into effect from April 2016 are:
A new Scottish rate of income tax. The basic, higher and additional rates of UK income tax will be reduced by 10 pence in the pound for Scottish taxpayers. The Scottish Parliament will set a new Scottish rate – with no upper or lower limit – which will apply equally to all of the reduced main UK income tax rates.
For example, a UK basic rate at 20 pence would be reduced down to 10 pence, and a Scottish rate of 9 pence would see Scottish taxpayers instead paying 19 pence per pound at basic rate.
The block grant to Scotland will be reduced by an amount corresponding to the 10 pence in the pound reduction on the UK rate of basic, higher and additional tax. This will mean that a Scottish rate of 9 pence would see a reduction in income for the Scottish Government, while a rate of 11 pence would see an increase as compared with current arrangements.
The Act also introduced a power to create new devolved taxes, by a process of agreement between the two governments. This power has been in force since May 2012. The Scottish Government has not yet made any proposals to create new devolved taxes using this power.
Progress is being made in improving Scottish autism services, according to Public Health Minister Michael Mathieson. Today is World Autism Day, and Mr Matheson said said ‘great strides’ had been made in improving access to autism services.
Mr Matheson highlighted in particular the establishment of six new one-stop shops since the Scottish Strategy for Autism’s launch in November 2011, where people with autism and their families can get support and information. These centres, in Dunfermline, Inverness, Motherwell, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Perth, are added to those already in operation in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Services are provided by Scottish Autism, National Autistic Society Scotland and Autism Initiatives.
The new centres are funded as part of the Strategy which sets out 26 recommendations for improving the quality of life for people with autism and their carers.
Mr Matheson said: “The new one-stop shops really demonstrates what we are trying to achieve in our Autism Strategy. They bring local services closer to those who need them most, helping people to get support and build up networks. We are now into year three of a ten year plan. Some great strides have already been made, but we’re under no illusion that there’s more work to be done before we get to where we want to be.”
Many initiatives have been funded under the Strategy since November 2011, and some of the key ones include:
Working with the British Institute for Learning Disability – a Scottish edition of the Institute’s Good Autism Practice Journal has been produced, showcasing examples of innovative autism good practice work in Scotland. This was launched at a successful event in November 2013 and is available for free online
A ‘Menu of interventions’ has also been developed in collaboration with autism professionals , people with autism and their parents and carers. The Menu gives an overview of different interventions and techniques, and sets out the referral and assessment process that can be applied across the country. This will be launched at a special event in May and disseminated via a series of road shows across Scotland throughout the summer
A mapping project has also been carried out to establish what autism services are available in each locality. A Service Map was provided to each local authority to help them plan services and identify priority areas for action. Strategy funding was also given to each local authority to develop a local Autism Action Plan and the Service Maps have been helpful in informing the development of these
Mr Matheson added: “Our vision when setting out our strategy was that people with autism should be respected, accepted and valued in their communities, and that they should have services that enable them to have meaningful lives. There is no room for complacency, but I think we are well on the way to achieving that goal.”
World Autism Awareness Day has been a designated United Nations day since 2007 and is celebrated every year on 2 April.
The Scottish Government has been working with Autism Network Scotland to pull together a schedule of various activities and special events happening locally across Scotland to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. Event information will be posted on the Network’s website and a link to this provided on the Strategy website at
www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk.
There’s lots going on in Edinburgh to mark World Autism Day – see our 23 March post (City set to mark Autism Awareness Day) for details.
It’s been talked about for so long, but there’s still no sign of the Neighbourhood Hub, or Partnership Centre as it’s now called, opening any time soon – so what’s happening? You can find out tomorrow (Wednesday 2 April) at an informal drop-in session at North Edinburgh Arts Centre from 3 – 7pm.
The public information and engagement event has been planned to give people the chance to find out more about plans for the proposed new North West Edinburgh Partnership Centre.
NHS Lothian is leading on the development of the new £12-million Centre and members of the project team will be available to explain the latest designs and answer any questions from the public.
Peter Gabbitas, Joint Director, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership said: “The plans for the proposed new North West Edinburgh Partnership centre are progressing well and we anticipate submitting the planning application in the next few months.
“I’d like to welcome the local public along to this open session in order to see the latest designs and have any questions answered by our project team. The Centre will enable NHS Lothian to work much more closely with the Council and in doing so put children’s health and welfare at the forefront of our services.”
The Centre will bring increased health and social care services to the local community, including new GP accommodation and additional physiotherapy, podiatry, dentistry and child health services.
The City of Edinburgh Council is currently developing the existing masterplan for the area surrounding the proposed North West Edinburgh Partnership Centre including the library, the mall, arts centre and Pennywell Road. In addition, through the Council’s 21st Century Homes programme, 34 homes are due to be completed at West Pilton Crescent by Autumn 2014.
A site start is expected during late spring/early summer 2014 on the first phase of the Pennywell regeneration, which will eventually provide a total of 719 homes for rent and sale with 356 for Council rent.
Hub South East Scotland Ltd, the Council and NHS Lothian’s development partner, has been involved in the regeneration planning for North West Edinburgh.
Paul McGirk, Chief Executive, said: “The Hub initiative is all about enabling the delivery of better, joined up services for communities. I would encourage as many people as possible to attend the event to find out more about this important development for their area.”
All welcome – there’s a free buffet and prize draw and you can also find out about regeneration progress across the wider area, too. Go on, get involved!
For further information email steven.whitton@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
tim.packer@edinburgh.gov.uk or henry.coyle@edinburgh.gov.uk
People dropping litter or flytipping in Scotland risk being hit with higher financial penalties from today (1 April).
The rise in Fixed Penalty Notices will see those caught littering face an £80 penalty; while those flytipping could be £200 worse off. The move follows a public consultation, which supported tougher penalties for anyone who doesn’t bin their waste or damages our environment by flytipping.
The penalty increase comes ahead of the Scottish Government’s National Litter Strategy – the first since devolution, which will be published later this year alongside the Scottish Marine Litter Strategy.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s natural environment is one of our greatest assets and we must do everything we can to keep it clean and litter-free. It is easy to do the right thing and put your litter in the bin – there really is no excuse for littering.
“Tackling litter and flytipping costs us a staggering £78 million every year. It’s impacting our economy, looks terrible and in some cases is affecting public health – none of us wants to see a litter-strewn environment; be it rural or urban. It’s up to all of us to take responsibility for this problem and I’d encourage everyone in Scotland to take their litter home, recycle it or find a litter bin.”
Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA’s Development, Economy and Sustainability Spokesperson commented: “Litter and its effects have significant costs to both communities and councils. Local authorities are committed to working with their communities and partners to reduce the negative impacts of litter and flytipping, and fixed penalty notices are one of a number of ways in which behaviour change can be encouraged.
“The increase from a £50 to £80 penalty for littering had strong support through the National Litter Strategy consultation and councils will seek only to use this increased financial penalty when other avenues of education and prevention have failed to stop those individuals who not only flout the law but also the efforts of the wider community to keep Scotland clean, tidy and litter-free.”
PEOPLE in Lothian are being encouraged to “hop” into Easter by preparing ahead for the holiday period.
The NHS Scotland Be Ready for Easter campaign, which was launched today, is advising people to take a few simple steps to look after their health.
By making sure they have a supply of over the counter medicines, knowing when their GP surgery is open and checking their repeat prescriptions, they can ensure they make the most of the Easter holiday weekend.
This year many GP surgeries across Scotland will close for four days from Good Friday (18 Apri) to Easter Monday (21 April), before re-opening on Tuesday 22 April.
NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “After winter, Easter is the busiest time of year for Scotland’s health services. The Be Ready for Easter campaign wants to remind people of the small steps they can take to ensure illness doesn’t ruin their Easter.
“Being prepared by having enough repeat medication to cover you and having some simple home remedies available can make all the difference if illness strikes. It is also important to plan ahead for any required repeat prescriptions over the Easter break, so please order and collect in good time. We would also remind people of the wide range of health information available at NHS inform.”
Professor Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said: “We’d encourage anyone who relies on prescription medicines to ensure they get their request for a repeat prescription to their GP or pharmacist well before Easter preferably by 10 April.
“It’s important you have the medicines you need to see you through this holiday period. Coughs and colds are still doing the rounds. Staying at home, regular hot drinks and taking plenty of rest is the best medicine for a cold. This also helps our specialists focus their efforts on those who are seriously unwell. To help manage troublesome symptoms e.g. colds, your local pharmacist can advise on what you need for a well stocked medicine cabinet.”
Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, hundreds of GPs will be working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland.
The four key steps that Be Ready for Easter recommends this Spring are:
Restock your medicine cabinet if needed
Common ailments such as colds can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine such as pain relief, cough mixture and cold remedies. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with child-friendly remedies.
Use your local pharmacy
Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you need over-the-counter remedies or have run out of any prescribed medication. You can also pick up plasters and antiseptic creams to prepare for any minor accidents.
Make sure you have enough repeat prescription.
If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you have enough medicine to last over the holiday period.
Know when your GP surgery will be open
Your local doctor’s surgery may be closed for four days during the Easter weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 18th – April 21st).
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.
Archaeological dig unearths ‘treasures’ at heart of housing estate
World Heritage Site status following Drylaw discovery?
The ring of Brodgar, the standing stones of Callanish, Stonehenge – these world famous ancient sites have aroused wonder and speculation for centuries. Why were they built? Were they religious temples, astronomical navigation sites, burial grounds or even fantastic art creations by intelligent creatures from another world?
Channel Four’s ‘Time Team’ believe they may have unearthed some answers following an archaeological dig in North Edinburgh.
Late last year, scientists were alerted to some unusual ground activity following a prolonged period of torrential rain in the Drylaw housing estate in North Edinburgh.
Historic Scotland’s Barnaby Welton-Trowell explained: “The heavy rain had washed away layers of topsoil on a small roundabout, revealing a primitive stone circle which we believe may be thousands of years old. It’s a remarkable find, and it appears that the stone structure was built as a repository for important relics that span the ages. Drylaw’s standing stones will undoubtedly become as well known as any of the world’s most famous sites”.
A preliminary examination unearthed some fascinating artefacts.
Mr Welton-Trowell continued: “We first came upon ancient plans for a tram network, which we believe could date back to Roman times. Etched on a stone tablet, they were drafted by a man called David the Begg – we are currently researching him and believe he may have been one of a group of wise seers who once lived in the Lothians. The Begg’s blueprint even included a cost – five magic beans, which must be around £25 billion in today’s money – so you can see that transport and infrastructure schemes were just as expensive way back in antiquity. However the stone tablet was only the beginning – you can imagine our excitement as we had literally only really scratched the surface. What other treasures could we find?”
The stone tablet – an early forerunner of today’s hi-tech iPad – was sent for carbon dating, but Channel Four’s Time Team got wind of the discovery and rushed to Edinburgh. Now working with Historic Scotland and the local city council, the TV archaeologists have already made some startling discoveries on the Drylaw dig – and expect many more.
Tony ‘Baldrick’ Robinson (pictured above) said: “We are always amazed at the things our investigations can throw up and our Edinburgh visit has been particularly rewarding. Among the artefacts unearthed so far are an antiquated scrap of parchment which we believe may be Saxon or even earlier – clearly it is very difficult to decipher the hieroglyphics on the ancient manuscript, but one of our experts believes it may refer to the victory of ancient Hibernians in a battle in the West, where they won a momentous victory at something called the Scottish Cup. It is clearly very old and may well be very significant – it was always believed that this was the stuff of legend, a fairy tale, but it may actually have really happened after all”.
A tray of modern-day bridies
Also discovered was a fossilised piece of foodstuff. Tony Baldrick continued: “We had always imagined our forefathers were farmers, living on a fairly basic diet of grain and vegetables. However we have dug up what we believe may be an early Pictish bridie. If it really is – and we are very hopeful, as it was placed in a Gregg’s bag, perhaps as part of a religious ceremony as an offering to the gods – we may have to rethink the diets of our ancestors. Perhaps the pie, bridie and sausage roll were just as popular with the Stone Age Scot as they remain today. Carbon dating will reveal all – it will certainly give the scientists something to get their teeth into!”
VisitScotland senior marketing executive Ruaridh Culloden said the find offers a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for the area. He said: “After a series of top level brainstorm and focus group sessions our team has come up with some wonderful ideas to really put the site on the tourist map.
RING of Brodgar: ‘No Drylaw’
“We’ve yet to visit the site, but we would envisage a Visitor Centre – probably on the site of one of the local pubs, either the Dew Pot or the Furry Boat, and a gift shop on the site of the current Drylaw church. We’d also like to flatten Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre and use the space to develop a fun theme park there.
Mr Culloden added: “It’s also very important that the Standing Stones are easily accessible so we would like to establish a big coach and car park where Ferryhill School is currently located, perhaps with any overspill directed to Easter Drylaw Park, where was also plan to build a hotel. So as you can see, we’re certainly not short of great ideas on how we can build on Drylaw’s heritage – quite literally”.
A spokesperson for Drylaw Telford Community Council said: “The interest generated has been amazing – we’ve had communications and inquiries from as far away as Trinity and Cramond. The roundabout was really just a bit of an eyesore, to be honest, so the events of recent weeks have taken us all completely by surprise. The stones have certainly put Drylaw on the map and it seems that our neighbourhood is going to be transformed. It’s simply unbelievable.”
A number of activities have been planned to celebrate Davidson Mains Park’s 90th birthday this year.
