People with learning difficulties from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are to be given the chance to grill their local would-be politicians, thanks to an innovative hustings event being held next week. Continue reading Disability charity organises hustings event
Angus Hardie’s article in the latest issue of Local People Leading gives food for thought:
Here’s a cautionary tale of two charities. Both deliver drug and alcohol services but that‘s where the similarity ends. Lifeline is based in Manchester, delivers services across the UK, employs around 700 staff and generates a turnover in excess of £42m – 26% up on last year. The Castle Project is based in the Craigmillar estate of Edinburgh, generates an income that just about covers costs, and for the past 27 years its only priority has been to serve the needs of that community by developing a complex network of support for its clients.
The DNA of these two charities could not be more different. Lifeline, driven by an insatiable appetite for growth, successfully tendered for the contract previously held by the Castle Project. Having to compete for ‘market share’ is anathema to the Castle Project and so it will close its doors next week – 27 years of local knowledge and experience thrown out with the procurement bath water.
In our Vision paper (below) we call for a thorough reappraisal of how services are procured and for a new premium to be placed on services that are genuinely locally based. Local By Default isn’t just a slogan – it’s part of the solution.
Best wishes
Angus Hardie, Director
Trinity Academy pupils have produced the first edition of The Writers’ Block, a new school magazine.
S6 pupil Callum Watson, who edits the magazine, is already looking forward to the follow up issue and is inviting contributions from the school community. Good luck with the new venture, Trinity!
WATCH the skyline glow this Saturday as landmarks from Shetland to the Borders help to highlight international Purple Day for epilepsy – and look out for purple sheep!
Several local councils, public bodies and commercial companies are supporting Epilepsy Scotland’s public awareness campaign by having Scottish landmarks Turn Scotland Purple to get people talking about epilepsy. Continue reading Twilight treat as Scotland turns purple this Saturday
The sun is shining, summer is on its way and life in the northern hemisphere re-emerges (writes Bill Rodger). Among the green shoots to know about are: Continue reading We all need Friends – even Parks and Houses!
All quiet at Ainslie Park: There’s still time to sponsor silent Spartans!
Our Young People’s Committee have chosen to participate in a sponsored ‘Phone and Social Media Holiday’ to raise money to put towards the cost of hosting community activities for the young people in North Edinburgh such as The Quest and The Saturday Night Chill. Continue reading Who ya gonna call? Not Spartans!
Alison Johnstone, Lothian MSP and Scottish Green Party Spokesperson on Health, Wellbeing and Sport, joined two groups of young people from Street League Edinburgh as they played a friendly match at Spartans Community Football Academy at Ainslie Park yesterday. Continue reading On the ball: Johnstone meets Street League stars at Spartans
National Galleries Scotland consultation sessions
Saturday 5th and Thursday 8th March
National Galleries Scotland needs your views on the proposed National Collections Facility at Granton.
Drop-in public consultations take place at Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1HS at the following times:
11am – 4pm on Saturday 5 March 2016
2pm – 8pm on Tuesday 8 March 2016
FD9685 NGS Granton A5 Flyer.1.3.AW
FRIDAY 4th MARCH 7 – 10pm NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
US FILM SHOWS RISKS OF FRACKING
Communities invited to screening of American documentary
Community campaigners are inviting local people to view a documentary highlighting first-hand accounts of the effects of fracking in the United States.
Hands Over Our Scotland has helped organise a local screening of the film ‘Groundswell Rising’, featuring the testimonies of people in towns across America who have to live side-by-side with the fracking industry.
The film will be shown on Friday 4 March from 7 to 9:30pm at North Edinburgh Arts.
Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland will introduce the film. He will be joined by Prof Andrew Watterson, Director of the Centre for Public Health and Population Health Research, and Head of the Occupational and Environmental Health Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of Stirling for discussion after the screening.
Dr Richard Dixon said: “Scotland has to learn from the communities that have already had to live with fracking. Seeing the reality of having this dirty industry as a neighbour should persuade anyone that it’s not something we want here. For the sake of the climate and local people, fracking and unconventional fossil fuels are the last thing Scotland needs.”
Maria Montinaro, of Hands Over Our Scotland, who is accompanying the producer on a tour of UK, said: “This film shows the reality of what it means to live beside fracking operations, including the daily struggle of ordinary people to protect their children’s air and water.
“Their testimonies show what is potentially in store for communities around the Forth if our government allows big fossil fuel companies to go ahead with their plans. The first duty of any government is to protect its citizens. We call upon our Scottish Government to put the health and wellbeing of Scottish communities first – banning this industry .”
Groundswell Rising has been praised by critics. LA Weekly said it ‘balances grim facts and expert analysis with scenes of ordinary people pushing back’, while Hollywood Reporter said it ‘delivers its arguments with a canny mixture of facts and emotion’.
Executive producer Mark Lichty will speak at the first screening at the University of Edinburgh. Mark is an attorney and former CEO of Bustin Industrial Products. Having been in manufacturing for many years, he is deeply concerned about the safety issues not being addressed by the oil and gas industry.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting people of Edinburgh. The film shows how an industry rich with political connections managed to slip into a position of almost untouchable power and how at-risk communities have come together to fight back.
“Groundswell Rising is a documentary told by those who are living it, with honesty, passion and a sincere desire to protect our children and the world we leave them. I hope that Groundswell Rising will inspire people and politicians in Scotland to ban risky gas extraction once and for all.”
The Groundswell Rising screening at North Edinburgh Arts is part of a tour across central Scotland being organised by campaign group Hands Over Our Scotland.
Full screening details are available at www.groundswellscotland.com.
Dump your dreich and drookit doldrums and Laugh OUT LOUD with LGBT Youth Scotland tonight!
Support our Lothian LGBTYS team to work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people enabling them to be included and celebrated at home, at school and in their communities. Laugh OUT LOUD is the first LGBT comedians event at The Stand welcoming you to be entertained by our five fabulous comedy hosts.
Online link to buy tickets, which will be collected at the venue on the evening and checked against our registrations of sale:
https://lgbtys.eventsmart.com/
Online information about The Stand, extra tickets and concessions which will also be collected at the venue against registrations:
http://www.thestand.co.uk/
I’m going to Easter Road. Whether I’ll be laughing, well …!
