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Community councillors: get your nomination papers in NOW!

The deadline is fast approaching for local people taking part in this year’s community council elections in Edinburgh – nominations close on Monday (26 September).

This year, nominations are being sought for 44 community councils. By becoming a member, local residents are given the opportunity to influence what happens in their area. Members can get involved in a wide range of activities, comment on planning and licensing applications, take part in community campaigns and work with others to improve the local area.

Community councils are made up of local residents and community groups such as youth forums, parent councils and student bodies. Each one is represented on the Neighbourhood Partnership for their area, where they work with local elected members, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Lothian and the voluntary sector to identify and deliver local priorities.

The first community councils were established in Edinburgh in 1980 in Merchiston and Longstone, and there are more than 500 community councillors across the city.

Cllr Maureen Child, Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee Convener, said: “Community councils are an ideal way to support communities to thrive. They allow people of all ages and from all backgrounds to meet and share ideas and to make change happen. They are a fantastic way of making public sector agencies aware of the needs of local areas, and can really help to make changes for the better.

“With only three days left until nominations close, I’d like to encourage anyone who’s interested in local democracy to get involved – be part of something great.”

People aged 16 years or older who are registered to vote can join. The nomination period for the community council elections runs until 4pm on Monday 26 September 2016. Elections, where required, will take place on Thursday 27 October 2016. Residents can apply as an individual or as a local interest group, such as a Parent Council, Friends of Parks or sports club.

Nomination forms are available on the City of Edinburgh Council’s website.

You can find information on each individual community council, including maps, on the Neighbourhood Partnership website, telephone 0131 469 3838 or email community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk

Karen Lloyd
0131 469 357

Uncover Edinburgh’s lost past on Doors Open Days

Public invited to see ‘the Edinburgh that never was’

Historic Environment Scotland is throwing open the doors of the National Record of Scotland this weekend to reveal the hidden gems of Edinburgh’s past. Leith’s Trinity House Maritime Museum will also open its doors as part of the Scottish Civic Trust’s popular Doors Open Days programme, assembled by the Cockburn Association.

Edinburgh residents are invited to John Sinclair House on Saturday to explore the national records of architecture, design, archaeology and industry. There they will have the chance to see Edinburgh as it has never been seen before with behind the scenes tours, talks and exhibitions.

Highlights include a never before seen exhibition of Edinburgh’s historic cemeteries taken by American art curator Robert Reinhardt, and an exclusive preview of HES’s new Paul Shillabeer collection, which captures Edinburgh in the 1950s and 1960s.

Exclusive talks include ‘Unbuilt Edinburgh’, an opportunity to see how an alternative Edinburgh may have looked. The talk will focus on unbuilt projects for central Edinburgh, starting with designs by Robert Adam in the 1780s’s and travelling through to the present day.

Neil Gregory, Architecture and Industry Operational Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We’ve been curating the Scottish National Record of the Historic Environment for over a century, and it comprises over 5 million photographs, drawings and manuscripts. Doors Open Day is a great opportunity for members of the public to come and explore what we’ve got to offer. This year, we’re excited to be giving people a trip down memory lane to see photographs of how Edinburgh used to look, architectural models that have never before been on public display, as well as talks exploring plans for buildings that never made it from the drawing board to our streets.”

HES are also inviting members of the public to get hands on with history by using and adding to the National Record. Demonstrations of the Scotland’s Places and Scran websites will show visitors resources that they can use when conducting their own historical research, and the team from Scotland’s Urban Past will be on hand with information on how to become an Urban Detective.

Meanwhile in Leith, Trinity House Maritime Museum will also be opening its doors to the public. In its bicentenary year, visitors are invited to gain insight into the stories and voyages of Leith’s seafaring past with self-led tours, object handling sessions, quizzes and a free stained glass craft activity.

To mark the Year of Architecture, Innovation and Design, Trinity House will also have a temporary exhibition for visitors to enjoy, exploring 200 years of Leith’s nautical heritage. There will also be opportunities to meet painting conservators and find out more about the work they do to care for HES’s significant collection of paintings.

John Sinclair House is open on Saturday 24^th September, 9.30am – 4.30pm.

Trinity House Maritime Museum is open on Saturday 24 & Sunday 25^th September, 10am – 4pm.

For the full programme of buildings opening across Scotland, visit the Doors Open Days website http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/

And here’s one that’s very close to home …

Ends

Get fashionABLE at Waverley Station tomorrow

COMING up tomorrow on the Scottish fashion scene this autumn: ‘fashionABLE‘ – a new fashion event demonstrating that diversity in life does not mean exclusion from the catwalk and designs.

The first fashionABLE event will be hosting a range of models from all walks of life and showcasing Asian, African and Scottish designers and models supported by Models of Diversity, lead model and founder Angel Sinclair; Tania Pramschufer from LocalMotive Markets and Network Rail.

Model line-up includes TV chef Tony Singh; comedian and TV personality Hardeep Singh Kohli; Stacy Paris from Face of Diversity; Raygan Bold from UpMo and Albert Mkony from Karibu Kilimanjaro.

Celebrity kilts specially hand-made by new-in-town design company, Braw Kilts. Local team UpMo has created a new range of stylish umbrellas, parasols and clothing specially for the event and many more designers involved.

The event will take place on a specially-created ‘accessible’ catwalk designed in ‘3D chalk’ at Platform 2 in Waverley Station in Edinburgh. The staging will have a distinct ‘jungle’ theme with bold colours, lively floral decoration and with sounds of Scottish pipes and African drum music to capture the lively mood.

Global founder of Models of Diversity, Angel Sinclair, who has championed diversity in fashion for many years, will be making a special appearance at the fashionABLE event and is giving her backing with a chance for one person to win and attend a photoshoot in London with a top stylist*.

Founder, Angel Sinclair, said: “It’s important that people with disabilities see themselves represented in fashion. Models of Diversity calls on all High Street fashion brands and retail outlets to employ models with disabilities.”

Running for the very first time in Scotland, this new fashion event is set to show how diverse styles and fashions reflecting the diversity in society in race, shape, age and ability with local, ethnic, ethical and international designs with a distinct catwalk range of Asian, African and Scottish styles.

Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Markets, said: “This event is all about inclusion and putting people at the heart of fashion making it about them and their identity – not solely the amazing fashions they will be wearing.

“The audience will see for themselves the confidence and energy that these dynamic people demonstrate as they showcase exciting and bold styles with panache.”

Giving her time and support to the fashionABLE event, Face of Diversity at A.C.E and Equal Fashion, Stacy Paris*, said: “Society is a beautiful melting pot of all different types of people, yet media and fashion doesn’t always represent the diversity we see walking down the street.

“What’s fantastic is that there seems to be a movement starting that sees more diversity across the board.

“Whether it’s disabilities, ethnicity, size or body art, these are becoming more celebrated and incorporated into mainstream marketing. This isn’t to say ‘out with the old and in with the new’, not at all!

“Inclusion and diversity is the key here! Seeing everyone represented and rubbishing taboos and the belief that people don’t want to see that is, I believe, such a massive step towards a fairer and more tolerant society on the whole and I am so excited and proud to be part of that, however big or small my role may be!”

Commenting on her involvement, Raygan Bold, UpMo, said: “I’ve got so many words about this event. It’s making me feel really positive about the future and hopefully I will get a career path out of this.”

Young business entrepreneur, Jack Hope, Braw Kilts, added: ““It was a real surprise to be asked to make the kilts for the celebrities Hardeep Singh Kohli and TV chef, Tony Singh, and we are totally delighted to be involved in this new and diverse fashion show.”

Also backing the event, Juliet Donnachie, manager of Waverley Station, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Models of Diversity to Edinburgh Waverley Station.

“The fashionABLE event on 23 September is being organised as part of our Friday Market activities as a new PLATFORM for fashion that promotes inclusivity and diversity.

“We are really looking forward to this positive, inspirational event developed through working with a number of great organisations, including Upward Mobility, an Edinburgh-based mobility support organisation.

Designers will include BRAW Kilts, Covet, Catherine Aitken, Kuma, Rachel Nutini, Selenite, UpMo, Karibu Kilimanjaro, Barakah Designer Collections, Bill Baber knitwear and make-up by Re Make Up – with more exciting designers and models to be announced.

Fashion events run at midday and 2pm

Storm brewing: Greens concern over future of mountain weather forecasts

Guarantees over the future of Scotland’s mountain weather forecasts were sought by Green MSP Andy Wightman at Holyrood yesterday.

Reports emerged over the weekend suggesting that SportScotland is to end funding of the Mountain Weather Information Service, and In spite of repeatedly asking the Minister for Public Health and Sport if SportScotland had told the Mountain Weather Information Service at a meeting on July 2016 that its funding would end, Ms Campbell was unable to provide an answer.

Andy Wightman MSP, the Scottish Greens’ housing & land reform spokesperson, said: “I’m glad that the minister shares my view that the forecast service is an essential service for climber and walker safety in Scotland and that conversations with the government and its agencies are ongoing. However, the public will be looking for more transparency over what the current funding set up is and how that has been communicated to the MWIS. I’ll continue to seek updates from the minister to guarantee the long-term future of mountain weather-forecasting.

“This is a service that has provided trusted detailed forecasting for mountain users for 13 years and SportScotland has funded it since 2007. It’s a service that is trusted and relied upon by hundreds of thousands of users of Scotland’s mountains every year and safety and enjoyment of those who use our mountains is dependent upon accurate reliable, and above all trusted sources of weather forecasts.”

Playing cat and mouse to support community project!

Mitie Mouse teams up with Polcat to help out The Ripple Project

Volunteers from PoLCAT and Mitie Painting, the UK’s largest painting contractor, pitched in to help repaint the hall. They included Mitie’s famous mascot Mitie Mouse, office staff, foreman painter and a new apprentice who had successfully completed Port of Leith’s TOiL trainee programme. Continue reading Playing cat and mouse to support community project!

Welcoming’s secret party is no secret anymore!

Dear colleagues and community members,

We are writing to invite you to join us on Saturday 10th September for an afternoon of climate change related activities with friends and family in the beautiful space of Saughton Rose Garden. The purpose of this FREE family friendly event is to raise awareness about climate change. The event will include vegetarian food, live music from local artists, kids’ activities and entertainments, information stalls, up-cycling and gardening stalls, bike rides around the park, smoothie bike and much more! A publicity poster is attached for more details.

Please register at:

www.secret-garden-party.eventbrite.co.uk

The park is easy to reach with public transport and there is a car park available. If you have any access requirement or any questions, please email: info@thewelcoming.org or phone us on 0131 346 8577.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Welcoming a Greener Future Team
The Welcoming Association

Adil Ibrahim

Community Development Practitioner

Welcoming a Greener Future Project

The Welcoming Association

0131 346 8577

fashionABLE: platform soles?

AUTUMN FASHION SHOWCASE: “fashionABLE” AT WAVERLEY STATION

CATWALK AT PLATFORM 2

Events run at 12.00 and 2.00pm on Friday 23 September

Coming up this month on the Scottish Fashion scene, “fashionABLE” – a new fashion event demonstrating that diversity in life does not mean exclusion from the catwalk and designs. Continue reading fashionABLE: platform soles?

Children’s writing competition: green fingers required!

Young entrants to Edinburgh’s Green Pencil Award were immersed in their subject matter at the launch of the annual writing competition yesterday. Preston Street Primary School pupils explored the competition’s theme, Scotland’s Glorious Gardens, during a visit to Princes Street Gardens. Continue reading Children’s writing competition: green fingers required!

Deirdre Brock backs ‘Glow Gold September’

Edinburgh lights up for childhood cancer awareness

Deidre Brock MP welcomed the Edinburgh skies lighting up in gold at the launch of the parent-led ‘Glow Gold September’ childhood cancer awareness campaign this evening (Thursday 1 September) Deidre is attending the switch on of the ‘Luminations of Love’ light display in St Andrew’s Square. Continue reading Deirdre Brock backs ‘Glow Gold September’

Controversial city cycle link gets green light

A controversial city-wide cycle link has been given the go-ahead by councillors – despite objections by local traders and community councils. Members of the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee yesterdayrejected community concerns and instead agreed to proceed with ‘an ambitious project to create a family-friendly west to east cycle route through the city centre’.

The City Centre West to East Cycle Link and Street Improvements project aims to create a largely protected cycle way to and through the city centre, providing a crucial link from existing QuietRoutes in north and west Edinburgh to Leith Walk and intended to encourage many more commuters to choose to travel into town by bike instead of by car, reducing congestion and contributing to improved air quality as well as boosting health and fitness.

A new working group is being set up to help resolve outstanding design issues with the plans. Meanwhile work will start immediately to secure further funding and to make preparations to commence the necessary statutory processes for the scheme.

The Council’s Transport and Environment Committee voted to create the new stakeholder group, whose members will include the Transport Convener and Vice Convener, the transport representatives of the other political groups, local ward members, relevant local groups and selected officers.

A motion put forward by the Capital Coalition acknowledged “a strong division of opinion on the two options for the Roseburn area – with the majority of ‘Active Travel Forum’ members supporting Option A” and a “strong preference for Option B amongst local businesses and Community Councils”.

The stakeholder group’s discussions on this aspect and other outstanding design issues will be reported to the Future Transport Working Group, chaired by the Transport Convener and held in public, for a final decision under the delegated authority of the Executive Director of Place.

In approving the Capital Coalition motion, members agreed that this group “will also act as a ‘sounding board’ throughout the detailed design and eventual statutory processes”.

Transport Convener Cllor Lesley Hinds said: “We remain 100% committed to delivering this bold and transformational project, which will make it so much easier to cycle into and through the city centre by linking up with our already well-used cycle routes across the north and west of Edinburgh.

“Given the strength of feeling out there about certain aspects of the plans, there’s clearly still work to be done before the final route design is agreed.

“This new stakeholder group will allow all interested parties to get round the table and thrash out the remaining issues, listening to each other’s points of view and – hopefully – arriving at a conclusion which the majority are happy with so that the final route design can be agreed.” Continue reading Controversial city cycle link gets green light