Category: North Edinburgh News

SSPCA: Think twice before buying a bunny

Next week is Rabbit Awareness Week – but you knew that, right?

rabbitsThe Scottish SPCA fears more rabbits than ever are being neglected, mistreated and forgotten about after rescuing a record breaking number of bunnies.  Scotland’s animal welfare charity is growing increasingly concerned at the number of animals arriving in their care and is urging members of the public to think very carefully before buying a bunny.

As part of Rabbit Awareness Week, which runs from 11th – 17th August, would-be owners in Edinburgh are being asked to consider taking on a rescue rabbit.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn, said, “In 2013 our Balerno based rescue and rehoming centre took in 170 rabbits, a figure which has been increasing year on year. “This worrying trend demonstrates why we need to raise awareness of the hardships many pet rabbits face.

“Some rabbits arrive in our care in a terrible state having been denied basic nutrition and veterinary attention, while others are sadly forgotten pets children have grown tired of.

“Thankfully, the severe cruelty cases are in the minority. The biggest issue is rabbits being put in a hutch and left at the bottom of the garden, with many enduring a life of solitude and boredom.

“Often the only interaction they have is a brief visit from their owner to bring food and water. Many owners even find this to be a chore and it is these rabbits which tend to be dumped outdoors or handed into one of our Rescue Centres unwanted.

“While we never encourage taking on a pet on impulse, we currently have a number of rabbits in our care looking for good, permanent homes.”

Superintendent Flynn added, “Anyone thinking of rehoming a rabbit should ensure they have the time, commitment and financial ability to provide a happy and healthy life.

“Rabbits are highly intelligent, sociable and can make fantastic family pets, though we strongly advise parents that they and not their children need to take responsibility for their welfare. Pets are not toys and should never be given on a whim or as a gift.

“We’d be delighted to welcome potential owners along to our Centre to meet the rabbits we have waiting for a fresh start in life and loving new homes.”

The Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre is open from 10am to 4pm daily.

For more information call 03000 999 999 or visit scottishspca.org/rehoming

MinnieCase Study

Minnie (above) is a Continental Giant who was found abandoned at Roslin Glen Country Park.
She has a very gentle nature and would make a great addition to any household looking to take on a larger breed of rabbit.

Due to her size, Minnie will need a good size hutch or shed with access to a large run or, ideally, a free run of a safe enclosed garden. Minnie could also be neutered in her new home and introduced to another large breed neutered rabbit.

 

Travellers: know before you go!

Don’t get caught out by local customs: advice to holidaymakers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office:

did you know Every year British nationals risk getting caught out by local laws and customs when travelling overseas. From driving a dirty car in Russia, to wearing camouflage clothing in Barbados, travellers could end up with a hefty fine or may even be arrested if they are caught unaware.

According to new research issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, while 70% of people believe that researching local laws and customs would make their holiday more enjoyable, less than half would actually make this part of their preparations when visiting somewhere new. For those visiting places they had been to before, just 40% said they would do this research, despite the fact that local legislation and even local customs can change at any time.

In 2014, the following changes in local law were introduced:

  • fines were increased to $500 for swearing publicly in certain parts of Australia
  • new requirements were introduced for parents travelling with children in or out of South Africa
  • e-cigarettes are now banned from being brought into the United Arab Emirates
  • from January 2015 tourists must have passport valid for at least 60 days from expiry date of their visitor visa when travelling to Turkey

FCO Minister Mark Simmonds said: “It’s easy to throw caution to the wind when on holiday but it’s important to be aware of the local laws and customs before you set off. We want people to enjoy their holidays so we encourage them to be prepared. Laws and customs vary widely from country to country and visitors should respect them to avoid causing offence or even being arrested. Spending five minutes reading our travel advice may save travellers a lot of time in the long run”.

Just last year, two British tourists were arrested for swimming in the Emperor’s moat at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This might sound like a bit of harmless fun, but their actions were the equivalent of attempting to break into Buckingham Palace – and being arrested in Japan for even a minor offence can mean remaining in custody for 23 days while awaiting an investigation.

Jaywalking in the USA, the Czech Republic and Poland; entering churches or mosques with arms or legs uncovered in Italy or Turkey; and leaving the beach still in swimwear in Mallorca and Barcelona; are just a few examples of common laws and customs broken by foreigners who didn’t research their destination before going on holiday.

How many cigarettes can you legally bring into Thailand? What equipment should you carry in your car when driving in France? What is appropriate attire to wear in public in Saudi Arabia? Wherever you are going, the FCO’s travel advice pages have a laws and customs section for each destination and are a great place to begin your research. Also take a look at our Local Laws and Customs visual graphic (below) for some interesting examples from around the globe.

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Judgement time for Edinburgh!

judgesJudges from across Europe took a closer look at Edinburgh’s parks, streets and gardens yesterday on a tour of the city. The panel assessed the capital for this year’s Entente Florale, Europe’s biggest environmental competition.

This is the first time the capital has represented the UK in the prestigious awards, following it’s success in Britain in Bloom earlier this year.

Each summer more than 22,000 cities, towns and villages enter the contest, which judges entries on horticultural achievement, community involvement and responsibility for the environment.

The jury spent a full day in the city centre, scoring Edinburgh on everything from the built environment in the High Street, community input in Dunbar’s Close Garden and the Cowgate Nursery’s outdoor learning strategy.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson will host the judges, who have travelled from as far afield as Austria and Croatia, during their stay. He said: “We are honoured to be representing the UK in the Entente Florale this year and are delighted to be able to showcase the hard work carried out by the Council, partners and local groups to the jury.

“It’s not hard to see why Edinburgh is such a popular place to live and visit, and this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the natural and built environment that makes the city what it is.”

Among the criteria to be assessed for the award are sustainability, landscape, green spaces and tourism and leisure.

As well as the management and design of the city’s parks and green spaces, judges focus on aspects like the city’s active travel strategy, its attitude to recycling, tourism and leisure and the work of bodies like Historic Scotland, Essential Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh and various community and Friends of Parks groups.

Among the initiatives visited by the judges was the Grassmarket Community Project, a charity which works with homeless and vulnerable people to develop skills in horticulture, cooking and woodwork.

Workshop manager Tommy Steel explained: “We involve participants to grow a herb garden in Greyfriar’s Kirk and we use the herbs in our training kitchen. By developing their skills in these areas they’re also developing self esteem and confidence.

“Being part of Entente Florale gives them a focus. Taking part in the judging day has given them a real sense of achievement, as they see the fruits of their labour.”

Find out more about Edinburgh’s involvement in the Entente Florale on the Council website, www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Bon chance, Edimbourg!

PATS training at PEP

Who’s PAT, and why is he training at PEP? Read on, all will be revealed …

DSCF9648

 Accredited (PATS) Passenger Assistant Training

Tuesday 2 September 2014
9.30 -2.30 at the PEP Centre, West Pilton Park

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) is registered with the Community Transport Association funded through the City of Edinburgh Council and recognised as the community transport operator for the North Edinburgh quadrant. We are a partner of the Edinburgh Community Transport Operators Group (ECTOG) PEP, Dove Transport, SEAG, LCTS, & Handicabs.

PATS means Passenger Assistants Training Scheme – PATS is a development of MiDAS and has a similar structure.

PATS has been developed for those people who undertake the role of passenger assistant, sometimes called escort. The PATS programme is relevant for passenger’s assistants working in cars, minicabs, taxis, minibuses, large buses and coaches.

PATS is open to any organisation that employs uses or supplies passenger assistants. An organisation does not have to be a member of the MiDAS training scheme in order to use the Passenger Assistant Training Scheme. It is also open to any organisation that uses volunteers as passenger assistants.

As places are limited, for further information on any of our courses call our trainer:

Theodora Hidalgo on 0131 315 4466

email theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk

pepequalities@btconnect.com

MiDAS PAT’s Publicity

Theodora Hidalgo
Learning and Training Officer, Pilton Equalities Project

Fast Forward to Clydeside

Clyde

Mhairi Smith is volunteer co-ordinator at Leith-based youth project Fast Forward. Mhairi has just completed some volunteering of her own – she was a Clyde-sider at Glasgow’s ‘pure, dead, brilliant’ Commonwealth Games.

Click on the link below to read her story:

As a Commonwealth volunteer I danced with Rod Stewart, stood next to the Queen, and got proposed to by a Ghanaian athlete.

via As a Commonwealth volunteer I danced with Rod Stewart, stood next to the Queen, and got proposed to by a Ghanaian athlete.

POP at PY

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PYCP’s Preventative Opportunities Programme (POP) are now looking to receive referrals for young people aged 14-18 years to start now and continue until February next year.

It is a six month intensive support package for young people and their families. We will offer the young person 1:1 support, group work based sessions on a range of different issues and interests and possibly some outings.

We will also provide the parent/carers and siblings with support on what issues are affecting the family and opportunities to get involved in new experiences and activities together as a family.

If you have any young person or family who would benefit from this type of support or have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly on 332 9815 or send a referral to Katie@pycp.co.uk.

I have attached a referral form and a poster for families (see below) to look at as we do require the family to agree to the support before a referral is received.

POP Leaflet pdf version

POP referral-form

Katie Grover
Senior Preventative Worker, Pilton Youth and Children’s Project

Roll up, roll up! Randolph Crescent joins the party

Don’t you feel the West End is always left out when it comes to Fringe Fun? Well, no more – the West End is joining the party …PIC: Ann BaraquinRandolph Crescent gardens are no longer sleeping. From 8 to 24 August a 150-seats circus tent, twice the size of the Institute’s theatre, will expand the Fringe experience at the Institut français.

The gardens off Randolph Crescent are about to turn into a new Fringe venue as the Institut français adds circus to its programme for the first time this August. From 8 to 24 August, the tailor made big top of Belgian company T1J will be the home of the circus show L’Enfant qui…

Randolph Crescent gardens are no longer sleeping. From 8 to 24 August a 150-seats circus tent, twice the size of the Institute’s theatre, will expand the Fringe experience at the Institut français.

Under the ‘Chapiteau’, the Belgian theatre company T1J will bring together acrobatics, puppetry and live music for the stunning circus show L’Enfant qui… Passing the doors of the impressive structure, festival-goers, neighbours and inhabitants of Edinburgh West End will discover the world of an ill child who finds his own way to escape reality through arts, his connection to Nature and the power of his imagination.

Including circus to its Vive le Fringe! programme is the latest and biggest development of the Institut français since its return to the Fringe in 2010.

Covering almost all the surface of the gardens, the circus tent will provide greater visibility to the Institut français’ presence at the Fringe and increase the attractiveness of the West End, a flourishing area that the recent arrival of the tram contributed to reinforce.

lenfantqui_AnneBaraquin_02

 Pictures: Ann Baraquin

Institut français d’Ecosse/ Venue 134 – 13 Randolph Crescent, Edinburgh.

Box Office: 0131 225 53 66 Mon – Sun 9.30 am – 9.00 pm.

www.vivelefringe.org

Nominate your champion in Age Scotland awards

carer

Age Scotland is asking people across Scotland’s communities to nominate a champion in their annual awards.

The Charity, which is dedicated to helping people in Scotland enjoy a better later life, is looking for nominations for the Age Scotland Awards 2014, which will be presented in the Scottish Parliament later this year.

The Awards celebrate the groups and individuals that have made a significant contribution to the lives of older people.
There are six categories in the awards:

· Volunteer of the Year Award (sponsored by Solicitors for Older People Scotland)

· Employer of the Year Award

· The Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing (sponsored by McCarthy & Stone)

· The Patrick Brookes Partnership Award (sponsored by Specsavers)

· Service for Older People Award

· Member Group of the Year Award (sponsored by David Urquhart Travel and open only to Age Scotland member groups)

The Employer of the Year Award has been introduced for the 2014 awards because, with the scrapping of the mandatory retirement age in 2012, we now have more older people in work and it is vital that employers respond to this positively.

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “Too often we hear negative messages about older people such as the ‘demographic time bomb’. Age Scotland’s Awards are our way of challenging these perceptions and celebrating later life.

“We want to demonstrate how older people embrace civic and social responsibilities and showcase the depth of talent and experience amongst our older generation.

“If you know someone who’s making a real difference to the lives of older people then tell us about them. And remember, if you know of an employer who has exemplary age friendly practices, please nominate them for our newest category of award.”

The nomination form can be downloaded at www.agescotland.org.uk/awards or can be requested by calling 0845 833 0200.

Nomination forms must be received no later than Friday 29 August.

AgeScotland

St Nick’s summer fayre raises £1400

St Nicks summer fayre 2014Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex raised over £1,400 at its summer fayre held last Saturday (2 Aug) – despite the deluge!

Based on Leith’s Ferry Road, the complex has been open for 25 years and has 45 residents.

All funds raised will go towards supporting activities for them to enjoy including day trips, theatre trips, exercise classes and lunch clubs.

The complexes had an array of stalls including a raffle, tombola, home bakes, bric-a-brac, books and toys.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager who manages the St Nicholas Court complex, said: “This was our 17th summer fayre and we were delighted to raise £1,400 despite the heavy rain. We’re lucky to have the support of the local community as all fundraising proceeds go towards getting our residents out and about, which they thoroughly enjoy.”