Category: Silverknowes

Keep your eyes peeled for Sunday’s Great Scottish Tattie Run!

Weekend visitors to Silverknowes Promenade in Edinburgh should keep their eyes peeled for a sack race with a difference.

The Great Scottish Tattie Run is back after a three year absence and more than 300 participants are expected to race with a 20kg sack of Branston Potatoes on their back.

The fun event on Sunday (26 June) is free and open to all ages – female runners can opt for a 10kg bag of tatties – while youngsters grouped according to age can enter the Spud & Spoon race.

And every runner can cash in their chips, taking home their free Branston bag of spuds, in addition to a bespoke medal marking their completion of the race.

The 6th Great Scottish Tattie Run gets underway at 2pm and entries can be taken on the day for people arriving by 1.30pm. The adult race for men and women is 1 mile long, followed by a relay race featuring teams of four who will run 400 metres each, and rounding off the fun with the children’s event.

Event organiser Terry Crossley, of Great Scottish Events, said: “There is nothing quite like The Great Scottish Tattie Run and we hope the people of Edinburgh will come along to take part or just to cheer on the runners.

“Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, Branston, race entry is free and participants can also take home their 10kg or 20kg bag of tatties, and for younger runners they will have great fun in the Spud & Spoon race.

“After an absence of three years due to Covid restrictions, we are delighted to be back at wonderful Silverknowes and hope we can establish The Great Scottish Tattie Run as a not-to-be-missed fun family annual event.”

Kevin Imrie, general manager of Branston’s potato-packing site in Abernethy near Perth, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring this fantastic event once again and helping to raise funds for some very worthy charities in the process.

“Twenty kilos is a hefty weight to carry, never mind running a mile with it, so it’s real test of strength and stamina as well as a great way to work up an appetite for all those tatties.”

For more information and to enter the race, visit The Great Scottish Tattie Run or turn up on Sunday at Silverknowes Promenade near to the Boardwalk Beach Club by 1.30pm.

Website: www.greatscottishevents.net

Letters: Roundabout ad safety fears

Dear Editor

A board has been ‘planted’ on Silverknowes Roundabout, inviting people to ‘Advertise Here’.

Is it possible the organisation dealing with the management of roundabouts is promoting the erection of such advertising boards on the actual roundabout?

How can they be so stupid to even think of doing so?

It is obviously meant to catch people’s atttention while they are also driving and navigating a roundabout!

Surely the transport authorities must overrule this idiotic rule?

Tony Delahoy

Racial abuse incident in Silverknowes: Eight boys charged

Eight boys have been charged in relation to the racial abuse and assault of two adults in the North West of Edinburgh.

The boys, aged between 12 and 15 years, were identified following an investigation into the incident which took place at Silverknowes Road on Saturday 5th March, and they have now been traced and reported.

Inspector Jonny Elliott of Drylaw Police Station said: “We are committed to an immediate and robust response when faced with antisocial behaviour. We will not tolerate this sort of behaviour and officers left no stone unturned to ensure a positive outcome.

“I’d like to thank the local community for their support during this enquiry.”

Hate crime can be reported to police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. Find out more about hate crime and how to report it via the Police Scotland website:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and…/hate-crime/….

Information can also be provided anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police seek information about Nissan Note and Silverknowes break-in

Enquiries are continuing following a housebreaking in Silverknowes on Monday evening (7 February, 2022).

Around 8pm, police received a report of a house in Silverknowes Gardens being broken into. Officers attended and the rear door to the property had been smashed. No-one was within the house at the time and an assessment of what has been taken is under way. 

Enquiries carried out so far have revealed that following the break-in the suspect(s) got into a beige or gold coloured Nissan Note car.  The registration of the car is GF60 XZH but it is possible the registration plate has been changed.  

The Nissan Note was stolen from the Davidson Mains area last month and officers are appealing to anyone who may have seen it to contact them.

Door-to-door enquiries are being carried out and officers are gathering and reviewing relevant CCTV footage for any further information on the suspect(s) and the Nissan Note.

Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “It appears the Nissan Note is being used by the suspect(s) to leave the scene and transport any stolen items.

“We should all feel protected in our homes, and know that our personal items and objects are safe from thieves. I am asking for the public’s help in trying to locate this vehicle. If anyone has seen it or noticed it parked up somewhere then please do get in touch with us.

“Your information could help us trace whoever is responsible and allow us to return any stolen items to their rightful owners.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3026 of 7 February, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.

Scottish Youth Parliament: Edinburgh elections results

The Scottish Youth Parliament election results 2021 were announced on Monday 22 November. Eleven new Members of the SYP will now represent young people in Edinburgh.

Ten of those elected are from state schools in the city, seven are young women and three are from a Black and Minority Ethnic background.

One remaining seat, in Northern and Leith, will be contested in the new year.

Edinburgh registered the highest number of expressions of interest in Scotland from potential candidates and fielded the most candidates (26) of any local authority.

We also achieved the highest voter turnout in Edinburgh since 2015, despite many of the usual campaigning activities being curtailed because of the pandemic.

Councillor Ellie Bird, Young People’s Champion, said: “I want to commend the astonishing achievements and contributions of all 26 candidates that stood across Edinburgh in the Scottish Youth Parliament election, and warmly welcome the eleven new MSYPs into our city’s elected member family.

“The success of this year’s election is a testament to the commitment and passion of everyone involved in prioritising the voice of young people, at a time when it’s never been more important.

“Due to the restricted access to schools, youth clubs and community centres, candidates have had to rely on their own ingenuity, creativity and sheer dogged persistence to get their message, and their vote, out.

“The determination that these young people have demonstrated in standing up for what they believe in by putting themselves forward for election and to be accountable to their electorate, especially during such a challenging period for young people, is nothing short of inspirational.

“I know they all have a lot to offer their communities and the causes they care about most, and I can’t wait to see what they do next and look forward to working with Edinburgh’s newest group of elected representatives to place young people at the heart of policy and decision making.”

For more information about the election and the successful candidates, please see @edinburghMSYPs

Plans submitted for Lauriston Farm agroecology project

The Edinburgh Agroecology Co-op (EAC) has submitted plans for their urban agriculture project at Lauriston Farm.

The group’s project aims to address access to local, affordable fresh produce, environmental degradation and promote knowledge of food production.

Planning application details can be viewed here:

https://tinyurl.com/5an2pwf4

Wheely good result following Marine Drive police intiative

Officers from Drylaw’s Local Initiative Team carried out proactive patrols in the Marine Drive area yesterday and recovered six motorbikes valued at approximately £20,000.

The bikes are now in the process of being reunited with their owners. Result!

I do like to be beside the seaside!

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh goes to the seaside in a new online exhibition

Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have launched ‘Life on the Forth’, a new digital exhibition which celebrates the city’s coastal communities.

The exhibition is the latest strand of activity as part of the ongoing Auld Reekie Retold inventory project, and explores the range and depth of the history of the area of Edinburgh on the shores of the Firth of Forth. Using map-based technology, it shows stories in the context of the very streets and places they originally came from.

Edinburgh’s coastline is rich in history. Drawing on objects from across the museum service, Life on the Forth celebrates stories and histories from across Edinburgh’s coastline. Some of these might be familiar, others perhaps unexpected.

The exhibition includes personal stories and individual lives, as well as tales of an industrial past. Uncovered stories, such as the life of Barbara Seaton, or the dangerous work of Edward McRobbie, help us understand the city that little bit better.

Whether tales of fishwives, fishermen, incredible feats of engineering or more modest lives and businesses, these communities past and present make the collections of Museums & Galleries Edinburgh what they are. The exhibition features the outdoor bathing pool at Portobello, which would have celebrated its 85th birthday this May.

Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Donald Wilson said: This fascinating exhibition is set to impress maritime history and Edinburgh enthusiasts alike.

“‘Life on the Forth‘ allows visitors to browse the exhibition at their own pace and without any time limit or physical restrictions. We’re proud to have expanded the reach of our exhibitions throughout the pandemic, not only to residents, but to those further afield who, due to distance, cost, disabilities or lack of opportunity, may have found it difficult to visit even in normal times.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse inside these fascinating stories and remember everyone who lived their ‘Life on the Forth‘.”

Culture and Communities Vice Convener, Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have been exploring new ways to engage with our audiences and this latest exhibition is a fantastic example of the service adapting what we do during these unprecedented times.

“2021 is the Year of Coasts and Waters, so what better time to discover new stories of life on the Forth? It’s truly fascinating and I can’t wait to revisit some of the areas highlighted in the exhibition.”

Auld Reekie Retold Project Manager Nico Tyack said: “This exhibition is the result of going through the coastal collections as part of the Auld Reekie Retold collections project.

“Many of these stories have never been heard before, and the virtual format has really helped us get the most out of these objects. ‘Life on the Forth’ is a truly team effort from the Auld Reekie Retold team, and much of the research has been carried out during lockdown.

“We are delighted to be able to share this new exhibition with you, and encourage you to explore the exhibition.”