North Edinburgh News – Page 3344 – The NEN

It’s a Quangle Wangle Christmas at North Edinburgh Arts!

Licketyspit’s ‘The Christmas Quangle Wangle’ has opened at North Edinburgh Arts. Written by Virginia Radcliffe and based on the works of Edward Lear, ‘The Christmas Quangle Wangle’ is suitable for all ages (3 – 103!) and it’s the perfect way to really get into that Christmas spirit.

Daily performances at 10am and 1pm (Saturday 10.30am and 1.30pm) and tickets start at only £2.

The Christmas Quangle Wangle runs until 15 December. For more information contact North Edinburgh Arts on 315 2151 or see the www.licketyspit.com and www.northedinburgharts.co.uk websites.

Work starts on Great Junction Street homes

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) in conjunction with its subsidiary company, Persevere Developments Limited, has started work on its Great Junction Street development. The 32 affordable homes, made up of nine one-bedroom and 23 two-bedroom properties, are being built for social and mid-market rent and are due to be completed in autumn next year.

Twenty of the flats will be available for social rent, priced at £330 for a one bedroom flat and £375 a month for a two bedroom flat. The remaining 12 homes, available for mid-market rent, will be priced at £450 a month for a one bedroom and £550 for a two bedroom property.

The ground floor has been designed as a large retail unit that can be split into three separate units. The current plan is to lease the whole unit to a local community group called The Junction.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “High rents in the open market and tough mortgage criteria to buy a house make it increasingly difficult for people to access and live in good quality homes. We recognise the variety of housing requirements for people in Edinburgh which is why the Great Junction Street development will help meet a wider range of needs. PoLHA is committed to providing much-needed, high-quality, affordable housing for local people and this development will complement our existing affordable housing throughout Leith and North Edinburgh.”

In keeping with the surrounding buildings, the exterior will be stone and the properties will feature Solar Thermal Heating provided by panels located on the roof.

The main contractor is CCG Limited and the architect is EMA. It is being funded by a combination of private finance raised by PoLHA and Government grant allocated by the City of Edinburgh Council.

PoLHA is building the mid- rent homes on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary company Persevere Developments Ltd (PDL) which was set up in 2011 to allow the Association to be more innovative in terms of funding and development of this kind.

PoLHA owns around 2400 properties throughout the North Edinburgh area and hopes to deliver up to 500 additional new homes by 2015 through the Association and PDL.

Local MP calls for immediate investment in Port of Leith

Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz has called for immediate government investment in the Port of Leith. Participating in yesterday’s Westminster debate on unemployment in Scotland, he called for new investment in infrastructure by Government both north and south of the border to create new jobs, pointing to plans to develop the Port of Leith as a potential focus for Government-backed investment.

The North and Leith MP said: “Youth unemployment has risen sharply locally and there is also a problem of underemployment – people aren’t able to get as much work as they would like, whether with their employer or where they are self-employed.

“House building is always a sign of activity in the economy as a whole and there have been only 8 new homes built in Edinburgh North and Leith in the last quarter. Yet once again in his autumn statement the Chancellor failed to provide funding for new affordable housing.

“There were no plans either for High Speed 2 to extend to Scotland. In other sectors where the Government has announced investment – often more than once – little has happened on the ground. The Chancellor heralded new capital investment again today, but it needs to happen now not in some dim and distant future.

“A £119 million development of the Port of Leith is on a list of shovel ready projects here in Scotland. Both the UK and Scottish Governments need to get on with projects like this to create jobs so that young people desperately seeking work are not left disillusioned.”

Choirs to sing out at Sainsbury’s!

Fancy some seasonal sounds while you do your Christmas shopping? Sainsbury’s Blackhall will ring out with all your festive favourites with visits planned by three different choirs in the run-up to Christmas!

A spokesperson said: “We are delighted to welcome some members of the congregation of our local Church, Blackhall St Columba’s, to our store on Sunday (9 December) at 2pm to sing carols for our customers and colleagues. We are also looking forward to a visit from Stockbridge Primary School choir, who will be singing for us on Wednesday 12 December at 4pm, and the Edinburgh Jubilio Choir on Tuesday 18 December at 6pm.”

Yummy Food group hungry for international success!

Hello!

Last year a group of local women started the first Food Festival in North Edinburgh called the Yummy Food Festival celebrating healthy eating in Muirhouse. Even although it rained, it was an amazing day – full of food storytelling , food demonstrations, giveaways, cooking demonstrations, theatre, information stalls and face painting! Over 500 people come to North Edinburgh Arts to celebrate the talented cooks and chefs within the North Edinburgh Community.

On Friday 15 March 2013 the festival will be happening again! Next year’s food festival will continue with the theme of cooking on a budget £5 for a family of five, but this year’s festival aims have a very international feel and celebrate the culinary talents that are in our community.

Would you like to get involved … YES! we hear you cry!!There are many ways you can get involved:

· Can you volunteer on the day? Can you be a steward?
· Can you give a cooking demonstration with an international feel?
· Are you a gardener and can show people how to plant seed?
· Are you an organisation with food, health related information you would like to share in a fun way
· Can you face paint?
· Are you a good story-teller?
· Do you want to share information about health, cooking books, budgets, food, money, diet, being economical and other food related issues and share it with people in a fun way?
Can you help with the washing up?
· Can you help make foodie decorations or signage?
· Are you a group who bake or make and would like to sell them at the festival for your group or charity?

Last year’s event was amazing and we are busy planning next year’s Festival. To make it a real celebration of our community do lets us know if you want to get involved.

Thanks for your support!

The Yummy Food Festival 2013 group

If you’d like to be involved or require further info contact Lisa Arnott at Pilton Community Health Project on 551 1671, email lisaarnott@pchp.org.uk

Link sausage, anyone?

Pennywell Pork Butchers is reopening next week, but there won’t be any meats, pies or sausages for sale. The shop, which closed in November last year, is being pressed into service as an office/exhibition space for the local Link Up project!

Link Up Muirhouse worker Julie Crawford (pictured below) said: “We’re only open for one week, but we’re hoping to fill the whole week with a lot of things – you can find out about the Link Up project, talk to members of Tenants and Residents In Muirhouse (TRIM), hear the local Time Bank Choir , have a look at our photographs of Muirhouse and add some more of your own to our digital archive and there will be lots of seasonal arts activities too. Why not pop in for a cuppa and a chat about what’s happening in Muirhouse and how you can get involved in your community?”

The shop opens next Monday and will open:

Monday 11am – 3pm

Tuesday 9am – 2pm

Wednesday 12 – 6pm

Thursday 4 – 9pm

Friday 10am – 3pm

Saturday 10am – 4pm

Thanks to Total Craigroyston for passing on this info!

Summit to address youth unemployment

Young people are discussing youth employment issues with senior Scottish Government Ministers today. Around 120 young people from a broad range of backgrounds are attending Scotland’s Youth Summit at the Hub on the Royal Mile.

The event – organised by Young Scot, the Scottish Youth Parliament and the Scottish Government – gives young people the chance to speak directly to Ministers, including Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance, about ways in which 16-24 year olds can be supported into work.

Education Secretary Michael Russell, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages Alasdair Allan, Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell and Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison will also attend.

Ms Constance said: “Hearing the experiences of young people directly is vital to our work to support them and their peers into work. I have met many young people in training or education in the last year, as well as a number seeking an opportunity, but the Youth Summit will given dozens of 16-24 years the chance to tell Ministers about their experiences face to face.

“This government is doing more than any other to improve the employability of our young people. We are already committed to 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship opportunities in every year of this parliament and have guaranteed every 16-19 year old a place in education or training. The Employer Recruitment Incentive announced in the draft budget will also help small and medium-sized businesses to recruit unemployed young Scots. Today’s meeting will give key partners, including Ministers, a good sense of progress and ideas on how we can help further.”

Grant Costello MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “Young people have suffered enormously as a result of the economic downturn. It is crucial that action is taken to prevent a lost generation of young people who are unable to find work. I’m therefore delighted senior Government figures are coming to the Youth Employment Summit to hear from young people on their experiences and on the solutions which can make a difference to the thousands of young people who need a leg-up to get back on the ladder of work.”

Craig Shaw, Young Scot Digital Creative Modern Apprentice added: “When I left school, it look me a long time to find a job that I wanted to make into a career and I know the uncertainly of employment can be a daunting time for any young person. That’s why events such as the Youth Employment Summit are really important because it gives young people the chance to share their views with the Scottish Government and together with them, help design future employment opportunities for young people in Scotland.”

North Edinburgh – weekly managed collections

Councillor Lesley Hinds gives an update on refuse collection issues:

Like all residents in Edinburgh , I am sure those living in North Edinburgh aspire to live in an area with clean streets and open spaces, efficient rubbish uplift and the opportunity to recycle. As the Convener of Transport and Environment Committee and a local Councillor for Inverleith that is exactly what I have been striving for since taking over this role in May 2012.

Following the article in October’s edition of the NEN I would like to clarify a number of important issues about the city’s Refuse Collection Service and dispel a few myths which seem to have arisen about this important issue.

My personal view, and the one shared by the Labour Group on the Council, is that we fully support the in-house refuse collection service. Over the past couple of years we had campaigned to oppose the privatisation of services like cleansing and in November 2011, while in opposition, we voted unanimously as a Group against the proposal to outsource Refuse Collection. Our position on this helped defeat the proposal and led to the Council abandoning the Alternative Business Model programme which would have resulted in a private contractor taking over refuse collection and other services in Edinburgh. Therefore for there to be a suggestion that my group or I would want to privatise the cleansing service could not be further from the truth.

As a Council we are required to meet challenging Scottish Government recycling targets and we have introduced managed weekly collections as well as expanding our recycling services throughout the city. The plan is that these measures will leave us in a good position to reach our 40% recycling target by 2013. All political groups on the Council have supported this policy. Also, all groups put the savings which will result from this service change into their budget proposals. This year and the following years the Council will achieve substantial savings. Instead of paying increasing landfill charges we will be preserving services in our schools, care for the elderly and other important services.

The massive change in the Refuse Collection Service is intended to make sure that we provide a top quality service for residents while also making best use of our vehicles. As everybody is aware there have been some problems with missed collections since the new arrangements were introduced but these have reduced significantly. To allow us to deal with these challenges; Agency staff have been employed as a contingency measures.

I have instructed the Director of Services for Communities to take steps to make sure that all work carried out by Agency staff should be looked at and where it is possible, permanent staff are employed to carry out the duties involved. There will be occasions where Agency staff are used but these should only be in circumstances such as sickness cover or during extreme weather. I have asked for the action described above to be carried out by January 2013 at the latest.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their efforts in recent months and can assure them and city residents alike that this Administration is determined that Edinburgh has a modern and efficient refuse collection service which will serve the city well in future years. In order to achieve this, Management, staff and Councillors have to work together and as part of this process I have already had a number of positive meetings with the Trades Unions.

I would also like to thank residents for their forbearance during this massive change and if you have any issues regarding the cleansing service in your area please get in touch at lesley.hinds@edinburgh.gov.uk

Councillor Lesley Hinds

Woman dies in road accident outside Western

An 81-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car as she crossed Porterfield Road outside the Western General Hospital yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. The woman was treated at the scene, but died from her injuries.

The driver of the vehicle assisted police with their inquiries at the scene, and police are seeking witnesses to the accident, which happened at around 4pm.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “We are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision, which happened close to the Anne Ferguson Building.”

If you have any information please call Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.

On the Move in Inverleith

You may recall that we paid tribute to talented Broughton High School students in a previous post about the recent Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership community conference.

Well, on top of everything else the pupils did to ensure the conference was a success, they also took a few photographs of the event – correction, a few hundred photographs! A (very) small sample is included with this conference report by Broughton pupil Robbie Thomson:

It is always refreshing when Edinburgh youths and local residents alike are provided with the opportunity to pose any queries or concerns they may have in regards to their community. Even more encouraging is when people with the power to influence and change take the time out to listen.

Broughton High School was the venue for the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership Community Conference on 15 November, with a focus on transport. Presented by North Edinburgh News’ very own Mr. Dave Pickering, around 100 attendees were given an opportunity to engage in open discussion with key figures of transport in Edinburgh.

The set-up consisted of six different tables; parking, winter weather, road safety, road maintenance, walking/cycling and public transport. Attendees at each table rotated throughout the course of the evening, offering everyone the chance to make their voice heard.

Mr. Tony Lear of Edinburgh City Council discussed winter weather issues at length, and with an admirable clarity. He claimed £750,000 has been funded to the local authorities by the Scottish Government to prevent expansion and water retention in potholes throughout the winter, while also confirming that more funds are to be set aside from the revenue budget for off-road cycle paths. This winter will see pre-treatment and gritting on North Edinburgh cycle paths for the first time. Mr. Lear also noted that local care homes, sheltered accommodation and school access routes are to receive priority treatment.

As parents attended in large numbers, road safety was a particular topic of interest. Many parents raised issues over the poor lighting in local streets over the winter months, and the crossing difficulties at the bottom of East Fettes Avenue. Miss Helen Bourquin also addressed concerns over cycling restrictions in the Comely Bank area.

While the cycling infrastructure in the local area was generally praised, Mr. Phil Noble announced that design standards for walking and cycling in Edinburgh are soon to be revised. The Scottish Government have also recently increased the budget for the marketing of walking and cycling. Mr. Noble also stated that in the next year, 5% of the total transport budget (around £16 million) is to be spent on cycling, which would amount to around £1.5-2 million. There was also praise for Mr. Ian Bieniowski in regards to Lothian Buses pricing system, customer service and general consistency.

Certainly worthy of a special thanks are Broughton High senior pupils Fraser Young and Calum Chapman. Voluntarily, they again devoted their time towards helping set up the technical aspects of the evening, an essential aspect in the event’s overall success – particularly the ‘warm-up’ musical performances from Broughton pupils. The pair regularly volunteer their technical knowledge and organisational acumen in all events throughout the school – they couldn’t have done it without them!

The only downside of an otherwise very encouraging evening was the technical issue with the event’s twitter feed. Broughton High School pupils who had volunteered to help out were given I-Pads to regularly update the event’s twitter feed through the hashtag #inverleithconf, but the server became unresponsive midway through the event.

Nevertheless, the evening generated very positive feedback, on the whole. It would appear that the future is bright for the local residents as far as transport is concerned.

Robbie Thomson, Broughton High School