North Edinburgh News – Page 3576 – The NEN

Coorie Doon at North Edinburgh Arts

‘You could be my masterpiece’ – lyric from ‘Sam’s Song’

North Edinburgh Arts played host to a very special gathering earlier this week. Local women from Circle Scotland’s Haven Project – all of whom are pregnant or have recently become mums – have been working with professional musicians over the last eight weeks to produce songs for their children.

There can be few things in life more intimate than singing songs to and with your wee one, and if you wrote that song yourself: well … how wonderful is that! Tuesday was the first opportunity to hear the finished creations and what an inspiring occasion it was.

From June to August Enterprise Music Scotland’s Coorie Doon project engaged the young women to help establish a positive connection between mother and child. A composer, lyricist and musicians worked with participants – all of whom attend either The Haven’s Pregnancy Cafe or Bump to Buggy Group – to compose a song for their child which they themselves could sing to them.

Lead artist for the Coorie Doon project was composer, musician and music educator Rachel Drury, a talented freelance musician and researcher working predominantly in the field of music education and psychology.

Rachel was an inspired choice to lead the project -she is the creator and composer of Baby O and Sensory O, two internationally acclaimed operas for infants aged between 6 and 36 months. Rachel is also a lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has given a variety of research lectures across the UK.

Over the course of the project Rachel worked with the participants in both group and individual settings to produce a bespoke piece of music, each one of which is based on the womens’ own experiences.

When the women were happy with their songs they spent a day in North Edinburgh Arts studios to record their tracks, and yesterday’s final session was an opportunity to join with friends and family to celebrate the achievements of the participants and to hear their uniquely personal songs in a live concert setting. And those songs were very special.

One participant was Caroline, who’s ‘Calvin’s Song’ made reference to AC/DC sleeping suits! Her baby is due next month – Caroline knows he’s a boy – and when young Calvin comes into the world he’s going to have his very own little hard rock soundtrack!

Caroline, who’s from West Pilton, said: “It really was a brilliant to be involved in this. None of us had ever done anything like this before, it was completely new experience for everyone. I hope Calvin will like his song – I think he will!”

Coorie Doon was delivered in collaboration with North Edinburgh Arts and Circle Scotland’s Haven Project .

Legionnaire’s outbreak: we’ll never know the source

Final Report into 2012 Legionnaires’ Outbreak published but the source of the outbreak may never be known

NHS Lothian, on behalf of the multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT), has today published the final report into the 2012 Legionnaires’ outbreak which affected the south west of Edinburgh. The 68 page report goes into great detail – but the public heath professionals who produced the report are unable to pinpoint the source of the outbreak.

The report states: ‘As it has not been possible to identify the precise source of the Legionella bacteria that resulted in the death of four people, Crown Counsel has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any person or organisation for the deaths.’

The Incident Management Team has concluded that the outbreak was caused by an aerosol release of Legionella pneumophila Sg1 Knoxville ST191 over a defined area of south west Edinburgh during May 2012. Although the Incident Management Team could not establish the specific source of the organism, it has concluded that: ‘the most likely source of this aerosol release was an industrial complex containing wet cooling towers in the north east of the affected area.’

Between late May and late June 2012, 56 people who had links to south west Edinburgh, were confirmed as suffering from Legionnaires’ disease. Four of these people died and the Health and Safety Executive, under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Health and Safety Division carried out a full investigation into the cause.

The final report into the outbreak highlights that the locally coordinated public health, environmental health, scientific and clinical response helped protect the health of people living and working in south west Edinburgh and had a positive impact in preventing more people becoming seriously ill.

It has been published following the conclusion of all investigations into the outbreak.

Professor Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian said: ““I would once again express my sincere condolences to the families of those who died during this outbreak and the patients affected.

“The review of outbreak management and the subsequent public health research has provided valuable in enhancing the existing knowledge on Legionella outbreaks and control. This report allows us to share our experience and findings with other public health teams across the globe.”

2015 Final Report – Master 2015 Final 060815

Snakes Alive! Anaconda gies Gordon the Willies!

Anaconda found loose in West Pilton!

A four foot-long anaconda was rescued by a street cleaner who found it lying next to a fence in West Pilton Bank last Saturday. Gordon Fraser first thought the yellow snake was a child’s toy – until it moved!

Gordon bravely coaxed the snake into a box and took it back to his depot before contacting the Scottish SPCA.

William, as the snake has been named, is now being cared for at the charity’s Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno. He’s recovering well following three days of treatment at a vets.

Gordon Fraser explained: “I noticed the snake lying behind some cardboard next to a fence and thought it was a toy at first. Then it moved and I realised it was real!

“The snake looked in really poor condition so I tried to coax him into a cardboard box and we took him back to the depot. I’m pretty shocked to find out the snake is an anaconda – my workmates kept telling me not to touch him but I don’t think he would have survived for much longer if I hadn’t helped him.”

The SSPCA is now appealing for information. The charity’s June Chalcroft said: “Yellow anacondas need experienced owners as they are temperamental and will bite. However, William was extremely thin and dehydrated when he was found curled up outside and he didn’t put up a fight.

“We rescue all types of animals, including snakes, but they tend to be smaller species such as corn snakes. It’s extremely rare for a 4ft anaconda to be found in public.

“At this stage we don’t know how he came to be found outside. He may have escaped from home but we also have to consider the possibility he has been abandoned.”

Well, are you missing your pet snake?

Call the SSPCA on 03000 999 999

Moving home: Brenda leaves Muirhouse Housing Association

Muirhouse Housing Association’s long-standing director Brenda Tonner has resigned following 23 years of service with the area’s largest housing association.

Muirhouse Housing Association (MHA) was formed shortly after the start of the regeneration of the Muirhouse area, established by a group of residents in 1992. Their original objective was quite simple: to improve the housing within the area and make Muirhouse a desirable place to live. Sounds simple, but anyone who remembers the reputation of the area back then knows the scale of the challenge.

Brenda was the first member of staff to be appointed and she worked alongside a strong board of community directors that included activists like Maureen McMillan, John Davidson and Jenni Marrow.

The original plans way back then centred on the Muirhouse Green, Muirhouse Park and Muirhouse Terrace areas but regeneration successful housing partners with the city council, Communities Scotland and private builders resulted in MHA expanding both within Muirhouse and further afield into Drylaw.

Through sheer hard work, Brenda and an ever-growing team built MHA into a thriving, community-based housing association with over 500 homes across North Edinburgh, the latest being a development of 52 units completed just last month.

Last summer the Muirhouse Medway-based organisation expanded to create a subsidiary called Muirhouse Homes, set up to manage a number of mid-market properties in the area, and in February this year new homes were opened in Magill Drive on the former BT site.

It’s not all been plain sailing for the social housing project, however, and there have been problems too. In December last year the Scottish Housing Regulator identified ‘serious and urgent risk to the financial health of Muirhouse’ and serious weaknesses in its governance and financial management. It used its statutory powers to appoint a manager and to make three statutory appointments to the governing body.

The Association also lost it’s long-serving Chairperson Michael Woods, who retired due to health problems in April. Michael first joined as a member in 1999 and he twice served as the organisation’s chairperson.

Since problems were flagged up MHA has taken steps to address the immediate risks faced and is developing plans to strengthen its governance and financial management to address the serious weaknesses it faces.

The Regulator has since extended the appointment until December 2015 and has published a revised regulation plan which sets out how it will work with Muirhouse to resolve outstanding issues.

Ian Brennan, Director of Finance and Risk, said: “The action taken has dealt with the immediate issues which led to the statutory appointments being made in December 2014.

“During the next six months, the manager and appointees to the governing body will work with Muirhouse to help it address the underlying causes so that it is able to comply with our Regulatory Standards of Governance and Financial Management.”

Now, having overseen the completion of a significant new build scheme and helped secure a new chair for the Association, Brenda (pictured above (second from right) at MHA’s 20th anniversary celebrations) feels the time is right to move on and let a new team take MHA forward.

After her final Board meeting last month, Brenda said: “Inevitably I feel some regret about leaving MHA. I have worked with a great team both within the board and the office staff.

“However, 23 years is a long time and now is the time for others to take up the challenges ahead. I am looking forward to having a bit more time for myself and my family and to take time to assess a new direction and opportunities with my career.”

Brenda Tonner’s commitment to MHA has never been in question and her outstanding dedication has been recognised by the board, the staff and the tenants of MHA.

Acting chair, Alison Blezard said: “We will miss Brenda’s unquenchable optimism and sheer determination, but she can look back with pride at the role she has played in growing MHA. We all wish her the very best for the future.”

A tree for Brian

Pilton Community Gardeners have planted a rowan tree in memory of one of their own – community activist Brian Robertson.

Brian (pictured below (centre) with fellow Social History Group members Brian Eddington and Anna Hutchison), who sadly passed away in May 2013, was an enthusiastic participant in a wide range of community activities over many years. Among them was Pilton’s Community Garden – Brian was one of the original community gardeners when the group launched in 2012, planting one of the first trees on the site off West Pilton Place.

Since then, the garden – and the group of enthusiastic gardeners – has yes, grown and grown! Gardener Kirsty Sutherland said: “We have come a long way and hope Brian would be proud of the garden now and approve of the rowan tree planted in his memory today.”

More pictures on Pilton Community Gardeners FB page

Tay-riffic fun at Youth Work Games!

Muirhouse Youth Development Group’s (MYDG) fourth annual youth work games took place on 14th & 15th July, bringing teams of young people, staff and volunteers from across North Edinburgh and Aberfeldy to compete in the decathlon event at the headquarters of Wildfox events, on the banks of Loch Tay (writes KATIE TUFF).

This event brings together youth organisations who may not necessarily work together on a regular basis, to show teamwork, companionship and friendship through the events and social interactions. Creating opportunities for young people to get involved in sport and exercise in a unique but inclusive way.

This year was the biggest yet with 13 teams competing for the sought after youth work games trophy. The ten events took place over the two days by the banks of Loch Tay, which was a beautiful setting for the first event, the cross country run, followed by the tandem bike ride race and finishing off the day in wetsuits with a swim and canoe on the Loch.

MYAdventure were working in partnership with MYDG , taking the lead on some of the events and were part of the staff team. Both Leaders and young people gave it their all to get points for their teams with some friendly competition and great participation from everyone.

As evening set on the athletes village, we were joined by the Dancing Feet Ceilidh band who gave a great night of live music with leaders and young people dancing around the marquee to some old Scottish classics, and learning some new moves (some a bit confusing!), culminating in everyone getting involved for a final rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to finish off the night.

The second day was welcomed with beautiful sunshine and some tired but enthusiastic young people raring to get going. The Swamp football tournament kicked off the day’s events, accompanied by archery, tree climb, tug of war and long jump all leading up to our final and most anticipated event, the assault course.

This year we had Perth and District YMCA Ybounce bring along their inflatable assault course and slide. The assault course had everyone getting involved ending in a youth leaders vs. youth work games staff showdown. This proved to be the favourite amongst all the events.

The prize giving ceremony was next on the agenda with most teams receiving medals. This year our Youth Work Games trophy winners and overall champions were Kids in the Street from Craigmillar ,who annihilated any competition by winning most medals and scoring an impressive 25 points over the two days! Granton Youth Centre came second with 12 points and the Breathe project from Aberfeldy third with 10 points. Rowlands from Selkirk were the recipients of the Sportsmanship award for showing enthusiasm, teamwork and all round good spirit for the event.

This year we received funding from the North Edinburgh Partnership to run the event, without which it would not have taken place to the level that it did. It was great to see so much enthusiasm and excitement around the event, with young people coming together, getting to know each other and work as part of a team.

It is our hope that the experience can be looked back on and the skills learned can be transferable back in the youth organisations after the event. A huge well done and thank you goes to everyone involved!

Plans are now being set for Youth Work Games 2016 for a bigger and better event, if you are interested in hearing more or want to book up for next year, please contact MYDG office on 0131 332 3356.

Katie Tuff, Muirhouse Youth Development Group

Remembering Hiroshima

‘We must always pray for the lost souls, always remember and always commit to peace and an end to nuclear weapons – I pray, I remember, I commit.’ – Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop’s message in the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall book of remembrance

Seventy years ago today, an American B29 Superfortress bomber called Enola Gay dropped the world’s first atomic bomb – with the innocent sounding name of ‘Little Boy’ -on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

This was followed three days later by the dropping of another nuclear bomb – ‘Fat Man’ – on Nagasaki. The bombs caused devastation on an unimaginable scale: at the epicemtre, five square miles of Hiroshima simply ceased to exist, flattened. Up to 120,000 people were killed in the attacks and many more suffered horrific injuries, disabilities and long, lingering deaths through radiation sickness. The nuclear bombs brought World War Two to a swift conclusion – but their unleashing changed the world we live in forever.

Today, the world will remember those cataclysmic events.

Events planned in Edinburgh include:

Today, 12 noon: Floating paper lanterns on the pond outside the Scottish Parliament. Organised by Edinbugh CND. Contact edinburghCND@yahoo.com

This evening, 6-7 pm: Vigil at the Mound/Princes Street. Organised by Edinbugh CND. Contact edinburghCND@yahoo.com

This evening, 6 pm: Launch of WMD Awareness Project exhibition, “Nuclear weapons in Popular Culture” Gayfield venue, Gayfield Square, with Bill Kidd MSP.

Saturday 8 August, 1-5pm: Support for an international Hiroshima-Nagasaki fast with singing from 1-2 pm.

The Scottish Government today reaffirmed its stance against nuclear weapons.

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop made the comments as the first of 22 events across Scotland to mark the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by atomic bombs begins today following her visit to Japan last month.

During her visit, The Cabinet Secretary visited the Nagasaki Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum and the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall, to pay respect to the tens of thousands who died in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

At midday, Ms Hyslop will join others to scatter flower petals on the pond outside of the Scottish Parliament to mark the commemorations.

Ms Hyslop said: “Just over a month ago, I stood at the hypocentre of the explosion in Nagasaki. Even standing beside the physical scars, it is impossible to imagine the destructive power of a nuclear bomb. The shadows of men, women and even children marked the city, memories of ordinary innocent lives burnt into rock. Why anyone would consider this to be an appropriate response today is equally hard to imagine.

“My thoughts today are with the generations of Japanese people who have had to come to terms with the horrific effects of nuclear weapons. I admire greatly the compassion they have shown in moving forward. My visit to Nagasaki left me profoundly saddened and in no doubt about the horror of nuclear weapons.

“Scotland stands with Japan on the issue of nuclear disarmament. We oppose the continuation and the proposed renewal of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapon system, and the Scottish Government is firmly committed to worldwide disarmament. We strongly believe that the way forward is to create the conditions for peace through dialogue as well as action.

“The successor Trident system is estimated to cost a staggering £100 billion over its lifetime – money that could be far better spent on initiatives to support our people and our economy. As a nation, Scotland opposes nuclear weapons. Both the Scottish Parliament and the overwhelming majority of Scottish MPs are opposed to its replacement, it’s time the UK Government listened to what the people are saying.”

While in Nagasaki, Ms Hyslop spoke about Scotland’s stance on nuclear weapons to Susumu Satomi, Deputy Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture and Mr Taue Tomihisa, Mayor of Nagasaki. The Scottish Government has a shared vision with the national and regional governments’ of Japan for a world free of nuclear weapons.

The Scottish Government has made repeated calls for the UK Government to reconsider renewing the trident nuclear weapon system and is strongly opposed to the possession of nuclear weapon by any nation or nuclear weapons being stored in Scotland.

Higher still for Edinburgh pupils

The anxious wait is finally over for thousands of pupils across Edinburgh as they received their exam results today. Early indications are that candidates have once again improved on their performances in many areas from last year and that the overall good performance of city schools has been maintained.

A total of 40,425 resulted awards were certificated for 8,120 candidates (includes special schools, adults and mainstream secondary schools).

Highlights include:

By the end of S4 39% of the roll achieved five qualifications at National 5 Level which is an increase of over 1% from last year.
Across the city there were 17,700 presentations for National 5 courses (pass rate A-C of 80%).
By the end of S5 58% of all pupils achieved one or more Highers – a 4% improvement on last year and a 16% improvement since 2009.
Across the city there were 6,354 presentations for the revised Higher (pass rate A-C of 77%) and 4,693 for the new Curriculum for Excellence Higher (pass rate 82%).
By the end of S6, 63% of the S4 roll achieved one or more Highers – a 2% improvement on last year and a 15% improvement since 2009.

Overall for S4 pupils 1,325 awards were certificated at SCQF Level 3, 6,779 awards were certificated at SCQF Level 4 and 13,562 awards were certificated at SCQF Level 5.

Nicola Wilson, 16, is an S6 pupil at Broughton High School. She said: “I’m really keen to study Speech and Language Pathology at Strathclyde University so need at least 2As and 3Bs in my Highers. I did well last year in my exams so am hoping for the same again this year.”

Education Convener, Councillor Paul Godzik, said: “Early indications from the SQA exam results show that 2015 has been another really positive year for our pupils which is really encouraging . It’s a real achievement to have not only sustained but built on the successes of last year.

“I also want to congratulate all our teaching staff on their commitment to delivering learning experiences of the highest standards especially given the introduction of the new exams. Our pupils should be very proud of themselves too – all their hard work has certainly paid off and praise should also go to parents who have supported their children over the past year.

“The Council is committed to making sure all school leavers enter a positive destination of employment, training or further education. This year a record 93.1% of young people achieved and sustained a positive destination through initiatives such as the Edinburgh Guarantee. We will be looking to build on this in the future and look forward to seeing many more placements and positive results.”

Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Education Vice Convener, spoke to pupils and parents this morning at Craigmount High School where Minister for Education Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning paid a visit.

She said: “It was a real pleasure to chat to pupils today to hear how they had done in their exams. Their parents were rightly proud of their results and I hope everyone who was successful today achieves their full potential in whatever future career path they embark on.”

All candidates will receive their results by means of the traditional postal delivery on Tuesday 4 August. Those candidates who have activated their MySQA accounts, through which they can choose to receive their exam results by text in addition to their results certificate, will also receive these by 9am on Tuesday 4 August.

Letters: A not so cunning plan

Dear Editor

The worldwide financial crisis started in the USA, creating huge debts everywhere. These were not caused by working people.

The Conservative Party’s leading spokesperson Chancellor Osborne repeatedly told us over the last five years he ‘had a plan.’ If you were not sure about the objective of the plan then, you cannot now be unaware.

The working population is not only to pay the debt, public services will be cut again and again and there will be further selling of public property to private investors.

The Conservatives now see no need to hold back in carrying out their ‘Plan’ and feel safe in doing so.

The Tories now have the audacity to claim they are now the party for the working person – this they can never be!

The partial support at the general election must be falling away now that they are putting into practice their real intentions: that support must haunt those who voted for them.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Office space to let in North Edinburgh

Two local projects have office space to let

North Edinburgh Arts (above) has a ‘Big Bright Office’ space available from 1st September:

Ground floor office with large corner window
Can accommodate 4/5 desks
Built in kitchen with sink, cooker, fridge, dishwasher
All utility costs (gas, electricity, water) included
Reception duties, 9am – 5pm, and post handling included
Access to a photocopier/colour printer charged per print
Access to meeting/workshop rooms by arrangement
Free parking
Lively community café on site
Award winning gardens on site

Other agencies operating out of NEA include Tomorrow’s People, Muirhouse Link Up, Licketyspit Theatre Company, Tinderbox Orchestra, North Edinburgh Timebank. Ideal for a creative, community, or third sector organisation.

Cost £600 per calendar month

For more details or to arrange a visit call Sandra on 0131 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

And across in Granton Mains, The Prentice Centre (above) also has office space available to let.

This would be most suitable for small charities, community groups or social enterprises. There is also the opportunity for two or three small organisations to share the premises if you only require office space for one or two days per week.

The Prentice Centre is a modern, purpose built Community Centre serving the communities of West Granton, Pilton, Muirhouse, Royston/Wardieburn and Drylaw.

Office space comprising one main office with a large storage cupboard and small kitchen area has now become available in The Prentice Centre.

The office has space for 3 work stations, with additional space for low level seating. There are adequate power points within each workspace; the tenant would have to install telephone and internet.

The rental includes: heat, lighting, security shutters and alarm, cleaning, reception services and contribution to the performing rights society fees.

The centre is Wi-Fi enabled, there is ample free on street parking nearby.

The Prentice Centre is open Monday to Thursday 8am to 8.30pm, 8am to 3pm on a Friday all year, with the exception of Edinburgh Public Holidays and Christmas through New Year, when we are closed.

The unique aspect of a let in the Prentice Centre is the ability to hire our Board and other meeting rooms at a fraction of their cost: we can supply tea and coffee for meetings at an additional cost. Our Board Room has a ceiling mounted projector with a screen: there is a laptop available for use, making it ideal for formal meetings and for training purposes. We are also on a number of main Lothian Bus routes including numbers: 8, 14, 16, 24 and 32

This space is ideally suited to small to medium sized community groups, charities or social enterprises who must share the ethos of West Granton Community Trust who own the Centre. Sharing the office with another small charity or social enterprise may be possible.

Rental in the region of £5000 per annum

Please contact Janet on 0131 552 0485 for further details and to arrange to view the office.