North Edinburgh News – Page 42 – The NEN

Community cops at Morrisons Ferry Road tomorrow

Come along to Morrisons, Ferry Road this Saturday (7th December) between 1030 and 1230 and have a chat with your community officers about local issues

#ForthCommunity

#CommunityPolicing

Community Hero Award for Poppyscotland volunteer

A long-serving Poppyscotland volunteer has said how he felt “shocked” but “incredibly grateful” after being given a Community Hero Award by Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray.

University of Edinburgh academic Dr Alex Imrie, of Burdiehouse, was nominated by his peers within the ward of the Labour MP, after dedicating the last 25 years to raising both funds and the profile of Poppyscotland.

Alex’s long-running relationship with the charity began back in secondary school, when as part of a project he was encouraged to meet and speak with veterans. After setting up a chat with a friend of a neighbour, Alex was first introduced to and immediately inspired by the work of Poppyscotland. So much so, he decided to begin his own journey as a Poppyscotland volunteer.

His work has seen him pounding the streets of Edinburgh with collection tins and buckets, planting crosses in the Garden of Remembrance, regularly promoting the charity to members of the public and on his social media and taking part in Poppyscotland’s Sportive (46 miles), and then setting himself a mammoth 548-mile challenge in memory of his great-grandfather, William Scott, who served in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during WWI.

The ride simulated the distance between Loanhead, where William is commemorated at Memorial Park and Béthune, where he was buried and helped to raise over £800 combined with his Sportive fundraiser.

Alex said: “I was really quite shocked but incredibly grateful to hear that I had been selected for the Community Hero Award. My relationship with Poppyscotland goes back 25 years now and it really does hold a special place in my heart.

“I must thank everyone who nominated me for the award and of course thank you to Mr Ian Murray MP and his team for the Award.”

Gordon Michie, Head of Funding and Learning at Poppyscotland said: “Alex has literally given thousands of hours to our cause over the years and raised hundreds of pounds in the process.

“We were absolutely delighted to learn that he was being given this award by Ian Murray MP as Alex epitomises the core values of Poppyscotland. He is a first class volunteer!”

Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray said: “I was delighted to present Alex with a Community Hero Award in my role as MP for Edinburgh South.

“His fundraising efforts have been utterly superb, and it was a real pleasure to meet him. Alex was nominated by the public to recognise his significant contribution to both Poppyscotland and the veteran’s community.

“Well done Alex and thank you again.”

Call for UK Government support in scrapping the two-child limit

Social Justice Secretary writes to counterpart seeking early engagement

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to Liz Kendall, the UK Work and Pensions Secretary, to follow up on the commitment to scrap the two-child limit from 2026.

The Scottish Government’s plan to mitigate the limit on Universal Credit, announced as part of the 2025-26 budget, will require cooperation from the Department for Work and Pensions to enable systems development and data-sharing.

In the letter to Ms Kendall, Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty in Scotland is a national mission and we believe that this policy will be a key driver in delivering that mission.

“The Scottish Government is committing the resources required to begin the preparatory work in the coming financial year with a view to making the first mitigation payments in 2026-27.

“The Finance Secretary was careful to note that co-operation with your Department will be necessary, which I understand will primarily need to centre around systems development and data sharing.

“We will also want to work with you to ensure that any mitigation payments are disregarded as income for benefit calculations. The Scottish Government is keen to progress this work as soon as possible. I would therefore be keen to meet before Christmas to discuss our policy and how, together, we might best be kept appraised of progress as officials take forward this work.”

Two-child limit: Letter to UK Government – gov.scot

Last day for Corstorphine Christmas Support Project donations

Drumbrae Library Hub is a drop off point for donations to the Corstorphine Christmas Support Project!

This project supports families in the wider Corstorphine, Murrayfield and Roseburn area who need extra help at this festive time of year.

Please bring in toys and toiletries that you wish to donate TODAY as it will be the last opportunity to give these.

Swinney welcomes political leaders as British-Irish Council meets in Edinburgh

First Minister John Swinney will welcome political leaders to Scotland today as he hosts the 42^nd Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council.

The First Minister will hold talks with the UK Prime Minister, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, Prif Weinidog Cymru (the First Minister of Wales), the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, the Chief Minister of Jersey and the Chief Minister of Guernsey.

This main focus of the summit – which marks the 25th anniversary of the first meeting of the British-Irish Council – will see leaders gather for substantive talks on financing a just transition and tackling climate change.

First Minister John Swinney said last night: “Scotland will welcome political leaders to our capital city as we gather for the 42nd Summit of the British-Irish Council – a meeting which also marks 25 years since the first council was held following the Good Friday Agreement.

“As we reflect on 25 years, it is testament to the value of the British-Irish Council that the partnership conceived a quarter of a century ago has prevailed in the midst of unprecedented change and challenge.

“The meeting in Edinburgh provides a forum for us to discuss the greatest challenge facing the next 25 years that of climate change and delivering a just transition. The need to share our knowledge, our efforts and our actions is no less urgent today than it was when the first British-Irish Council meeting was held in 1999.

“As First Minister of Scotland, achieving a just transition is integral to the four main priorities of my government. Scotland needs to attract investment to tackle climate change and grasp the opportunities of that journey to Net Zero in a way that grows our economy and helps provide investment to tackle child poverty and improve public services.”

The Summit will be attended by political leaders from the BIC’s eight Member Administrations and will focus on the theme of ‘Financing a Just Transition’. Leaders will also discuss topical political developments.

This will be the sixth Summit hosted by the Scottish Government. The last was in November 2020 and was virtual owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous BIC Summits hosted by the Scottish Government have taken place in Glasgow (June 2016), Stirling (June 2012), South Queensferry (September 2008) and New Lanark (November 2002).

This Summit in Edinburgh will also mark the 25th anniversary of the very first BIC Summit, which took place at Lancaster House in London in December 1999.

Home | The British Irish Council

The British-Irish Council was formally established following the Good Friday Agreement and brings together political leaders from the Northern Ireland Executive, the Government of Ireland, the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, the Isle of Man Government, the Government of Jersey, and the Government of Guernsey.

The following political leaders are attending the 42^nd meeting of the British Irish Council in Edinburgh:

Scottish Government	Rt. Hon. John Swinney MSP, First Minister
	Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister
	Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs & Culture (Thursday only)
UK Government	Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister
	Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
	Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, SoS NI (Thursday only)
Government of Ireland	Simon Harris TD, Taoiseach
Government of Ireland	Micheál Martin TD, Tánaiste
Welsh Government	Rt. Hon. Eluned Morgan, Prif Weinidog Cymru (First Minister of Wales)
Welsh Government	Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
Northern Ireland Executive	Michelle O’Neill MLA, First Minister
	Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, deputy First Minister
	Minister Conor Murphy MLA, Minister for the Economy
	Minister Andrew Muir MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Isle of Man Government	Alfred Cannan, Chief Minister
Government of Jersey	Deputy Lyndon Farnham, Chief Minister
Government of Jersey	Deputy Ian Gorst, Minister for External Relations
Government of Guernsey	Deputy Lyndon Trott, Chief Minister

LifeCare Christmas Fair

SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER 11am – 3pm

Our Christmas Fair is happening THIS SATURDAY!

Just a few days until we bring the local community together at The LifeCare Centre, 2 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB, THIS SATURDAY, the 7th of December, between 11am and 3pm, for a fun filled day of Christmas magic at our charity fair!

Come along on the day and enjoy: – Craft Stalls – Santa’s Grotto (bookings on 0131 343 0940) – Gifts – Raffle – Merry tunes and delicious festive treats

Whether you’re looking for unique Christmas gifts, or just a chance to make a difference by supporting your local charity so we can keep local older people warm and well this winter, we’d love to see you there!

Mark your calendars and spread the word!

It’s a Wonderful Life Celebrating the Festive Season

Christmas arrived early for some Edinburgh care home residents this week, with a festive lunch and film afternoon at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).

In collaboration with catering partner, Leith’s, the event catering division of Compass Scotland, the EICC produced a special event for local people with Dementia. 100 guests were invited for a traditional two-course Christmas lunch while they watched the Christmas classic, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ on the big screen.

The Leith’s and EICC teams approached local care homes, agencies and charities to invite residents to attend the free event and enjoy some festive cheer in the lead up to Christmas. Residents and carers joined the event from Home Instead, Colinton Care Home, St Margarets Care Home, Alzheimer Scotland, Viewpoint Housing Association and Re-Engage Edinburgh.

Guests were greeted with a glass of bucks fizz to start the celebration, before enjoying a starter of either Cock-a-leekie terrine with pickled vegetables and tomato chutney or celeriac and sun blushed tomato tartare with oatcakes, followed by roast turkey or a roast butternut squash pave with all the trimmings. The afternoon was rounded off by coffee or tea and mince pies.

This is the third time the EICC has hosted the festive film afternoon for local care home residents. The event was carefully considered and supported to ensure it was comfortable, calm and enjoyable for all.

As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, this activity is in line with its ‘Our Social Promise’, which launched in 2022. This includes a Mission to a Million commitment, to provide support to one million people by 2030 through jobs, training, community engagement and development.

Claire McHardy, Leith’s General Manager at EICC said: “We understand the importance of social connections for older people, so we were pleased to be able to reach out to these organisations to help us put on this event.

“It was a lovely Christmassy afternoon, and it was heartwarming to see the joy that our food and the film brought to our guests.”

Lisa Moodie Commissioned Service Lead for Edinburgh & Lothians at Alzheimer Scotland said: “Alzheimer Scotland was delighted to be invited to the EICC’s festive film and lunch.

“The people we support thoroughly enjoyed the chance to watch a classic film over a festive lunch. Thank you to the EICC for reaching out to involve us.”

Marshall Dallas, EICC Chief Executive commented: “We’ve worked closely with Alzheimer Scotland over the last ten years, holding their annual conference here at the EICC.

“We have also hosted social gatherings for Re-engage, so we’re really pleased to welcome guests today from these organisations, together with guests from local care homes, as we enjoy a wonderful festive occasion.”

Heart of Newhaven’s Tallest Knitted Christmas Tree

The opening of the Tallest Knitted Christmas Tree was held on November 30th in front of a huge audience.

Our champion volunteer Pat Wilson cut the ribbon, the Newhaven Choir sang beautifully and then people were able to enjoy the craft stalls and refreshments including mulled wine supplied by Malones of Leith.

A huge thank you to all the businesses and individuals who donated so generously to us. Also to those people who came and spent money and also donated money to help us make the Heart more accessible for everyone.

A special thanks to our army of knitters from across the world and especially those who were there at the weekend helping to make the event a such a success.

The fishwife is called JEANNIE a name chosen by 5 people and we held a draw to find the winner and she promptly donated her prize to our fund.

The Tree contained 6257 leaves and is 17’7” (or 536cm) tall.

The Tree and Jeannie can be seen until December 22nd when the Heart is open and if you come on a Wednesday or Saturday morning the kettle will be on!

In January we shall have news of next year’s projects where everyone who wants to can come and join in.

The Heart bringing people together.

Merry Christmas from the Heart