North Edinburgh News – Page 3680 – The NEN

Police seek witnesses to Boswall dog attack

A local couple were taken to hospital after being attacked by a dog in North Edinburgh on Friday, police have confirmed.

The 71-year-old man and 65-year-old woman were walking their own dog when the incident happened at around 4pm on Friday in the park at the junction of Boswall Parkway, Grierson Road and Boswall Drive.

The dog – described as being a pit-bull type – was unrestrained and was with its female owner.

The dog is described as a male, tan-coloured pit bull type breed, with a strong muscular build and large head. It may have been wearing a leather harness.

Its owner was said to have been a woman aged between 30 to 40, 5ft 5in tall, with a large build, blonde hair and wearing a black parka style jacket.

The couple were treated in hospital for their injuries but were released on Friday evening.

PC Carolyn Cutter said: “This was an incredibly dangerous and terrifying incident and we are urgently seeking to trace the owner and the dog.”

If you have any information call

Police Scotland on 101 or

Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Home Office targets modern-day slave traders

Home Office shines light on criminals seeking to exploit homeless people this Christmas

The Home Office has joined forces with charities across the country to raise awareness of criminals preying on the homeless and vulnerable this Christmas.

Criminals often target vulnerable individuals, particularly at Christmas, with false promises of work and accommodation. There have been numerous occasions where this has led to people being trafficked, forced into labour and a life of servitude.

The Minister for Modern Slavery and Organised Crime Karen Bradley has written to charities and shelters that provide support to homeless people across the country about this horrific crime.

Posters featuring a powerful image from the Home Office’s hard-hitting television advert have been sent to shelters around the UK, alerting homeless people to the risks of modern slavery and directing them to the dedicated helpline number. Advice has also been provided to shelter staff on what to do if they suspect modern slavery.

Minister for Modern Slavery and Organised Crime Karen Bradley said: “Modern slavery is taking place across the UK, often out of sight – in shops, fields, building sites and behind the curtains of houses on ordinary streets.

“But we also know of some horrific cases where victims have been approached when they are at their most vulnerable – looking for work and living on the streets.

“That is why we are taking action on a number of fronts. We have brought forward a Modern Slavery Bill, the first of its kind in Europe, and published a wide-ranging strategy to tackle this crime.

“If we are to abolish it, everyone needs to play a part, at local as well as national level, and to raise awareness of the issues involved.”

The Home Office launched a national campaign this year, the first of its kind in the UK, to encourage the public to identify the signs of modern slavery and report it by calling the new national helpline.

The Modern Slavery Bill will give law enforcement the tools to stamp out modern slavery. It will ensure perpetrators receive suitably severe sentences for these appalling crimes; introduce an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner; enhance support and protection for victims; and encourage businesses to do more to eliminate slavery from their global supply chains.

Legislation is only part of the answer. The new Modern Slavery Strategy sets out a cross-government approach, detailing the actions that we expect from government departments, agencies and partners in the UK and, importantly, internationally.

If you think you work with someone who may be a victim of modern slavery, call 0800 0121 700 or visit modernslavery.co.uk

Have your say on school streets schemes

A public consultation is now live as part of a new pilot school streets initiative in Edinburgh.

A total of 31 schools expressed an interest in taking part in the pilot, which is designed to improve the environment around schools and encourage safer and healthier ways for pupils to travel to and from school.

While Cramond Primary in the Almond Ward expressed an interest in taking part, no schools from Forth or Inverleith will be involved in the pilot.

The Local Transport Strategy 2014-19 contains a commitment to pilot school streets at up to five schools.

However, given the volume of interest from schools across the city, a list of ten pilot schemes covering 11 schools was drawn up and was agreed by councillors in October.

These locations have been experiencing on going road safety issues caused by too many drivers bringing their vehicles too close to the school gates.

The pilot schemes will prohibit traffic on streets outside or around school entrances at specific times of day.

The benefits of implementing school streets are:

• Increase in walking and cycling and active lifestyles for pupils and parents/carers
• Reduction in traffic speed, congestion and pollution around the school gates
• Responding to demand from parents and residents.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “There’s a huge appetite out there for this initiative and our next task is to finalise the details of how the schemes might work. We’re looking for as much feedback as possible from people in each of the 11 school communities, including local residents.

“Please have your say in our online consultation or pop along to one of the many drop-in sessions we’ve got planned early in the New Year.”

An online consultation is now live and will run until Friday 27 February 2015.

A series of drop-in information events will also be held in each of the schools during January and February.

School Streets Drop-in Sessions Diary

January 2015
8th – Clermiston Primary School, 3-6pm
13th – Buckstone Primary School, 3-7pm
14th – Duddingston Primary School, 3-6pm
15th – Sciennes Primary School, 3.30-7pm
20th – Abbeyhill Primary School, 3-6pm
21st – Cramond Primary School, 3-6.30pm
27th – St Peter’s RC Primary School, 4-6.30pm
28th – Towerbank Primary School, 3-6pm.

February 2015
3rd – Bonaly Primary School, 4.30-7pm
4th – St John’s RC Primary School, 3-6pm
25th – Colinton Primary School, 3-6.30pm

Bowled over by a community’s Christmas spirit

Volunteers at Muirhouse Community Shop have illustrated the season of goodwill by creating hand-crafted Christmas gifts for people in need.

Muirhouse Community Shop was asked by Fiona Henderson, Community Access to Schools worker at Craigroyston Community High School, to hold a painting session to support the ‘Empty Bowls’ initiative.

Empty Bowls, an international grassroots effort to fight hunger, was founded in the USA. The basic premise is simple: potters and other craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to an organization working to end hunger and food insecurity – Empty Bowls has raised millions of dollars to donate to hunger-fighting organizations.

Volunteers at Muirhouse Community Shop were delighted to support the cause and local people enthusiastically got to work to decorate bowls which were later displayed in both the Community Shop and the High School.

The Muirhouse bowls were then filled with goodies donated by the local community and they’ve now being wrapped and will be donated to people in need.

Christmas can be a very tough time when you don’t have much, so these heartwarming little gifts will bring some welcome seasonal cheer into some local homes this Christmas.

For further information on Empty Bowls visit

www.emptybowls.net

Pictures by TRIM

You need friends …

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Gardens set January date

Next Public Meeting Venue confirmed 8 January at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre 6 – 7.30pm.

Agenda so far:

Updates and plans for the new year!
Quick slideshow of garden images through time.
Group membership forms and committee elections.

All welcome!

Kirsty Sutherland

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden

Getting physical – members attend ‘stormy’ meeting to talk green space!

Twelve hardy members braved winter’s first icy blasts to attend the North Edinburgh Physical Activity Forum meeting on 10 December.

It was worth doing battle with the elements – the meeting discussed the topic: ‘How can we improve access to open spaces in North Edinburgh?’ and it proved to be a popular subject.

“This theme turned out to be a great choice!, said NEPAF coordinator Lianne Pipskyj, Pilton Community Health Project’s physical activities development worker. “A lot of work has begun – and there’s more in the pipeline – right across the community that is relevant to this topic, so there was a real buzz at the meeting!

“I would especially like to thank Out of the Blue manager Rob Hoon who gave up his time to come along and tell the forum about the ‘Friends of Dalmeny Park’ project. This is an inspiring example of a piece of community engagement and partnership working that influenced a lasting change.

“We can learn lessons from their experience – I’m already looking forward to our next meeting in March 2015!”

NEPAF Meeting Minutes dec 14

Police seek witnesses to Newhaven fatality

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road collision in Newhaven. The incident happened on Wednesday at around 1.15pm on Lindsay Road.

Harry Slade, an 81-year-old pedestrian, was involved in a collision with a Kia Picanto car and sustained serious injuries. Members of the public, including an off duty doctor, provided emergency first aid until the Scottish Ambulance Service arrived. Mr Slade was then taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he later passed away.

Road Policing Officers responded to the scene and closed the road for around four hours while they conducted their investigation.

Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding the collision are ongoing and anyone who can assist police is asked to come forward.

Road Policing Sergeant, Ross Drummond said: “The driver of the Kia stopped immediately and has been helping officers with their enquiry into this incident.

“We are now keen to hear from other motorists or members of the public as we look to establish exactly what happened.

“Officers have managed to speak with a number of those who provided emergency assistance to Mr Slade, but we believe there may be others who witnessed the collision and would urge these individuals to contact police immediately.

“Mr Slade was wearing a distinctive maroon-coloured jacket and a tweed hat. If you remember seeing him around the time of the collision the please get in touch.”

If you have any information please contact

Police Scotland on 101.

Top ten tips to avoid a Christmas debt hangover

Hitting the shops to start your Christmas shopping? Or shopping online, maybe? However you shop, it’s far too easy to get caught up in the annual festive shopping frenzy. Here are some seasonal tips from Citizens Advice Scotland to help make sure you don’t start the New Year with a debt hangover …

top_ten_tips_for_christmas

Government sets out priorities for health and social care

‘care that puts patients, service users, families and carers at the heart of service planning and delivery.’

Health Secretary Shona Robison has outlined new guidance to help health boards and local authorities jointly plan local services.

Reducing health inequalities and providing dedicated support in early years have been identified as a priority for Scotland’s NHS, as health boards have been set six improvement areas to drive forward services and quality of care.

For the first time separate, mutually supportive, guidance also sets out what local authorities and health boards will be asked to deliver in 2015/16 as part of the new partnership working legislation which comes into force from April.

Integration of health and social care will ensure that people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, and that people are supported to stay in their own homes and communities as much as possible.

The guidance sets out the key standards that the health service will be expected to meet in the next year. This includes standards around A&E waits, the treatment time guarantee, GP access and child and adolescent mental health waiting times, and also focusses on improving preventative and anticipatory care.

NHS boards are expected to improve the 12 week outpatient waiting times performance during 2015/16 to achieve a 95 per cent standard with the aim of getting to 100 per cent. The guidance ensures delayed discharge remains a key priority for health boards and the new integrated partnerships.

Speaking yesterday, Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“We all know that Scotland’s people are living longer. Not only does the Scottish Government want to ensure that people are living healthier long lives, but we want more older people to be supported to stay in their own home and local communities.

“We will only achieve this by ensuring that our health and social care services work seamlessly together – something Scotland is already leading the way on across the UK.

“This guidance sets out the Government’s vision for how health and social care will be brought together with services delivered around the patient’s needs. A key element of this guidance is the retention of a focus on reducing delayed discharge. While we have made substantial progress since this Government came to power, recent increases suggest we need to do more. This guidance should provide clear indication that we expect boards and the new integrated partnerships to deliver significant reductions in people spending longer in hospital than they have to.

“This government is clear that health inequalities must be tackled, every child in Scotland should have the best start in life through better early years support and that every patient treated by our NHS receives safe care centred on their needs.

“We’re absolutely committed to supporting our NHS to deliver world-leading care. That is why we have clearly outlined the standards of care that Scottish people can be assured they will get from our NHS.

“Scotland has some of the strongest health standards in Europe, with standards introduced by this Government reducing waiting times to among the lowest levels on record. This has seen more Scots diagnosed and treated quickly for cancer, greatly improving their chances of survival. We will continue to do everything we can to support health boards to achieve these standards.

“Of course our system of health and social care must put the quality of care and the interests of people using services first, and these standards are just one part of our continuing drive forward to further improve care.

“Through this guidance we have reviewed the standards to ensure the focus is on those which provide the most significant benefits.”

The guidance will help health boards and the new integrated partnerships deliver care that puts patients, service users, families and carers at the heart of service planning and delivery.

NHS Scotland LDP Guidance 2015-16: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Quality-Improvement-Performance/NHSScotland/LDPGuid1516

Giant Christmas Doodle at Broughton High School

Burgerman loves Broughton artwork

In the run up to the holidays Broughton High School pupils have created a giant Jon Burgerman-style feast for the eyes at the main entrance to the school.

A talented group of young artists was formed – S1 pupils Robin McGillivray, Rachel Moir, Aisha Maughan, Dexter Black, Bayley Glasgow and Keeley Muir worked alongside Advanced Higher pupils Harriet Johnston, Owen Morrison, Victoria Sturgeon and Rose Subido – and after being set the challenge, the group set about adorning the windows with a herd of reindeer and festive characters which have come alive in the sky above a rooftop scene.

They worked away together over a couple of weeks to create an ‘inspired Christmas doodle’ which has raised many a smile on the way into the school!

As well as the enjoyment that being involved in a project like this brings to participants, visitors and other pupils admiring the display, the artists heard that artist Jon Burgerman himself thinks it’s awesome and has actually retweeted some of our amazing artwork!

Oh, the joys that Christmas brings! Ho ho ho!

Natalie Wingate (Broughton High School teacher)
Callum McLeod (CLD Worker Forth & Inverleith)
Photographs by Len Fife