Category: North Edinburgh News

Josh is a Young Scot Unsung Hero

The question was asked: “Do you know a young Scot who goes the extra mile every day but never asks for any recognition or reward?  Someone who has overcome difficult circumstances or risen to a challenge?  Someone who may have achieved something in the face of adversity?  We are calling you to nominate an unsung young Scot who deserves this award.”

We found out that our own Josh Hardwick, who is 17 years old andfrom Muirhouse, was nominated for this award because he qualified on every level – and we have now been told that he is now a FINALIST.

Josh is the leader of a group of volunteers who set up the TRIM & Friends of West Pilton Community Shop in Pennywell Road and has grown into the job to progress to Manager.

In our area where there are families who need help, Josh provides a multitude of help from our shop.  This includes food parcels from our Foodbank, cheaper food to buy, and cookery classes; he runs  the award winning Dr Bike Club on Saturday mornings, that offers repairs and advice to cyclists; assistance through the Community Hub, for those with drug and alcohol issues; and to those needing advice regarding Benefits, Housing and community issues.

A major part of his skills are around Health issues.  Josh is a trained First Aider and has been trained to use the community defibulator which is also available, in an emergency, from the shop.  He also facilitated a mass CPR week across the community.

Josh is charming, has a mannerly personality, and a caring nature so he is great at dealing with people from all walks of life.  He has attended meetings with Muirhouse Link Up, Save a Life Scotland and TRIM to discuss and arrange.

“We are so proud of him and wish him every success in these awards.  Having said that we do stress that he doesn’t need to win – he is our Unsung Hero and we so appreciate him!”

Barbara Beaufoy

Secretary, TRIM and Friends of West Pilton

Participants needed for home energy research project

University of Edinburgh research participants needed

Changeworks has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to deliver IDEAL, a cutting edge research project exploring how smart technology can help save energy in the home. They are looking for households in or near Edinburgh (EH1-35) with gas combi boiler heating to participate.
Continue reading Participants needed for home energy research project

Holyrood says aye, but Westminster says it’s not the time

Who blinks first? Something’s got to give as governments set on collision course

The Scottish Parliament has backed SNP plans to pave the way for a second independence referendum. MSPs voted 69 – 59 in favour, with the Greens supporting the SNP against Tory, Labour and Lib Dem opposition. Continue reading Holyrood says aye, but Westminster says it’s not the time

Craigie’s Elaine is Scotland’s Employability Champion

Craigroyston Community High School teacher Elaine Gray has been chosen by Career Ready as the Santander Employability Champion 2017 for Scotland. The award recognises Elaine’s commitment to improving the employment prospects of her students, and she’s been praised for her ‘magnificent leadership and energy.’ Continue reading Craigie’s Elaine is Scotland’s Employability Champion

New £1 coin becomes legal tender

The new 12-sided coin is being rolled out across the country to help tackle the rise of counterfeits

New £1 coin becomes legal tender
New £1 coin becomes legal tender

This is the first new £1 coin to be introduced in more than 30 years and will be the most secure of its kind in the world – highlighting the UK’s position as a world leader in innovation.

The new coins are being produced by The Royal Mint, in South Wales, at a rate of up to four million per day. The public can now expect to find them in their change in the coming days and weeks.

Around 1.5 billion new £1 coins are being produced by The Royal Mint and these will be distributed to banks and retailers over the next 6 months. Round £1 coins will be returned to The Royal Mint – some of which will be reused to make the new coin.

Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Baroness Neville-Rolfe said: “This is a giant step forward to help stamp out counterfeit coins and save businesses and the taxpayer millions of pounds every year.

“Today marks the start of the six-month transition period, so I’d urge everyone to make sure they spend, return or donate their old round pounds before 15 October. We have been working hard with businesses over the last three years to help make this changeover as smooth as possible.”

Adam Lawrence, chief executive of Royal Mint, said: “It’s an historic day for UK coinage, and one that The Royal Mint has been working towards, together with businesses and industry, for a number of years. From today, the public will start to encounter for themselves the most innovative and secure coin ever produced by The Royal Mint.

“It’s been designed to be fit for the future, using security features that aim to safeguard our currency, and currencies around the world, for years to come. Staying ahead of sophisticated counterfeiters remains a constant challenge and this coin helps in that battle.”

David Smith, Head of Public Affairs and Research at the British Parking Association, said: “The BPA has been working closely with The Royal Mint and HM Treasury to ensure that its members, who include local authorities, parking operators, and parking machine manufacturers, are ready to accept the new £1 coin wherever possible at launch. Most of the major parking machine manufacturers are positive they will be able to manage the upgrade in a timely manner, having begun upgrades over 12 months ago.

“Evidence suggests a significant number of motorists prefer using cash and they should feel confident that they can pay for parking wherever they choose to park when the new £1 coin is launched.”

The Royal Mint and HM Treasury have been working with businesses for the past three years to help them prepare for the change. Although many will have upgraded their machines to accept the new coin from 28 March, not all machines will accept the new coin from the date of introduction.

The new 12-sided £1 is highly secure and looks very different. New security features on the one pound coin include a hologram-like image that changes from a ‘£’ symbol to the number ‘1’ when the coin is seen from different angles. It also has micro-lettering and milled edges.

It is important that all round £1 coins are returned before 15 October 2017 when they lose their legal tender status. People will still be able to return old coins to their bank after this time.

Businesses, as well as members of the public, wishing to find out more information about the support on offer should visit the official new £1 website

 

EVOC: Localities event and annual survey

Wednesday 29 March: Dialogue – Citywide organisations and localities.

EVOC are holding a discussion for citywide organisations and their role in the new localities model. This event is to understand the concerns of organisations and to talk about next steps.

For information and to book your place:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dialogue-citywide-organisations-and-localities-tickets-32950656300

And there’s still time to respond to EVOC’s annual survey:

What does Edinburgh’s Third Sector look like?

We would like to hear from you, your voice matters!

Please fill in our Compact Voice 2017 Survey