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Forthview to celebrate Pathways to Pilton

Forthview Primary School will celebrate the culmination of the year-long Pathways to Pilton project with a video and photo exhibition at the school next month (12 March).  The event will mark the end of what has been a remarkably successful project which has captured the imaginations of the young and not so young alike!

The Friends of Forthview parents group received Lottery funding last year to ‘create new opportunities for local children and their families to acquire new skills and develop confidence and self-esteem through participation in exciting and innovative creative activities.’  Since then, groups have been working on three different elements.

Forthview Family Support Worker Tracey Berry, who has worked with the group throughout the project, explained:  “We carried out three projects which were geared towards the development of a caring tolerant and creative school and community. Adults and children worked together in an intergenerational and multicultural context to explore cultural similarities and differences with a focus on equality. The three projects were:-

Family Storytelling: We had two groups – one group for dads and their children, the other mums and their children. Each group worked to create a story book which can be used as a resource in our school. The adults and children were extremely enthusiastic and have produced three fabulous story books, with amazing themes – children shrinking the dads, children being rescued by mums from Volcano Island and Fairyland!  An award from “Cash for Kids” allowed us to print many copies of each book.

Family Photography: Carers and children worked together to produce fun and unusual family portraits.

Film Making: This part of the project introduced Carers to using digital media as a means of expression. A film called “Pathways to Pilton” has been produced which follows the diverse roads our children & their carers have travelled to reach Forthview School.”

It’s a fascinating journey, and all roads will lead to Forthview next month when the school will host a 12 March event to share what the families have learnt and celebrate the success of these projects with the school and the wider community. The families will talk about the project and there will be a screening of the ‘Pathways to Pilton’ Film.

Stockbridge Library open for business

Sir Tom Farmer

Edinburgh’s latest business hub was launched in Stockbridge Library in Hamilton Place last night.  The new facility was officially opened by entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer and it’s hoped that the hub will prove every bit as successful as it’s predecessor at McDonald Road library.

The hub will provide free training and advice to existing local businesses and new starts. A range of courses delivered by professional tutors will cover topics ranging from the principles of how to finance and market your business to classes on how to master social media and develop a competitive edge.

This is the first roll out of the groundbreaking business hub at McDonald Road Library on Leith Walk which has held 68 Business Gatewaycourses with 768 attendees since its opening in May 2010.

This work is part of the Council’s commitment to ‘Building Stronger Town Centres’ through the Economic Development team’s three dedicated Town-Centre Coordinators who work on a variety of projects across the city.

Councillor Tom Buchanan, Economic Development Convenor, said: “In these tough economic times, it is important that we as a Council do as much as we can to support local businesses. Giving them the opportunity to enhance their business skills can only help them develop stronger foundations and therefore a more secure future.”

He went on:  “The overwhelming success of the first business hub at McDonald Road Library has demonstrated the high demand for these types of workshops and I hope that we will eventually be able to roll out hubs across the rest of Edinburgh.”

Sir Tom Farmer CVO CBE KCSG DL, said: “I am delighted to be opening the second of Edinburgh’s dedicated business hubs.  It can often be very difficult for small businesses to get off the ground and it is centres like these that can help give people in the area the opportunity to come to discuss their various issues and the opportunities that arise.  This centre will give businesses a good foundation for success, by not only learning the basics of business but also how to market themselves properly.”

The first nine free weekly workshops at the Stockbridge Business Hub consist of four dedicated to business growth and five dedicated to those wanting to start-up their own business. Full programme information, including booking details, can be found on the Business Gateway website.

One Leith business, GM Cleaning, was started after owner Grant MacCusker attended a Business Gateway seminar four years ago. Now the successful entrepreneur holds talks of his own at the Leith Business Hub in MacDonald Road Library and believes the workshops are proving really popular amongst the local business community.

He said: “Business gateway was a great help in the starting and growing stages of my business. I find it rewarding talking to new and established entrepreneurs, passing on my knowledge and valuable information. With business gateway opening up more hubs and running more workshops it can only be an upwards climb for Scotland and our entrepreneurs coming through.”

 

 

Fresh start for Fresh Start!

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Councillor George Grubb received a warm welcome to Fresh Start last week as the local charity held a double celebration.  The Lord Provost officially opened Fresh Start’s newly refurbished warehouse in Ferry Road Drive on Friday and the project also received the coveted Investing in Volunteers Award from Volunteer Development Scotland chief executive George Thomson.

George Thomson presents award to Fresh Start volunteer Caroline Stewart

The event was also a great opportunity to say thanks to the project’s 200 volunteers, many of whom attended the celebration.  Fresh Start director Keith Robertson (pictured below) said: ““Providing a roof over a family or an individual’s head is the first step in ending homelessness but making sure they keep it is the next challenge. Our services are volunteer driven and sometimes just the human touch of a volunteer can help combat the isolation felt by those who have been homeless. As well as our Starter Packs and Hit Squads, we also help provide employment opportunities. For some people, without these things, homelessness can become a recurring problem. Our volunteers make it possible for us to continue to help the numbers of people we do.”

Fresh Start director Keith Robertson

More in next month’s NEN

Drylaw attack victim named

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HAPPIER TIMES: Evelyn Crawford pictured with Drylaw Church minister Pat Watson at the Tierney Award reception in 2007

Police have confirmed that the victim of Sunday’s attack in Groathill Road North was 75-year old Evelyn Crawford of Wester Drylaw.  Mrs Crawford remains sedated in hospital with serious injuries including broken ribs, a punctured lung and broken fingers following the vicious attack – thought to be a handbag snatch that escalated – which took place at around 6pm near Ferryhill School.

Evelyn Crawford is a much-loved figure in the local community.  A Drylaw Parish church elder and a willing helper at Girl Guiding and youth clubs, she has also been an enthusiastic member of Drylaw Telford Community Council for many years.  Her dedication to her community was rewarded in 2007 when she was awarded the community council’s Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship.

News of the attack on a much-loved local pensioner has left the community stunned.  A spokesman for Drylaw Telford Community Council said:  “We are all shocked and sickened at this news.  So many people knew and liked Evelyn – put simply, you couldn’t meet a nicer or more helpful person.  Our heartfelt best wishes for a speedy and full recovery go to Evelyn, and we appeal to anyone who has any information at all about this horrific attack to urgently contact the police.  This person must be caught”.

The attacker is described as in his early 20s, around 6ft tall with a skinny build. He was wearing dark clothing and a hat.  It’s understood that he tried to seize Mrs Crawford’s handbag in the attack which took place in Groathill Road North, near the junction with Easter Drylaw Avenue. The attacker was then pursued by a member of the public who chased him towards Telford Road before losing him in Easter Drylaw Drive.

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Governments clash over independence referendum

Who should choose the timing of the independence referendum?  Who should be allowed to vote, and what should the questions be?  A furious row has broken out between Holyrood and Westminster governments over Scotland’s future – the Scottish government says it has a mandate from the Scottish people, but Westminster argues that the Scottish Parliament does not have the constitutional powers to conduct the referendum, and cannot do so without it’s approval.

The row broke out last weekend when Prime Minister David Cameron made clear that he wanted to resolve the ‘legal uncertainty’ surrounding the vote and said:  “We want to work with the Scottish government to give the people of Scotland of a fair and more decisive question”.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was quick to respond, accusing Mr Cameron of ‘a blatant attempt to interfere in a decision that should be for the Scottish government and Scottish people’.  She added:  “It’s the attachment of conditions that gives the game away – this is Westminster trying to interfere.  Perhaps I should be relaxed about that because the more a Tory government tries to interfere in Scottish democracy, then I suspect the greater the support for independence will be, but there is a key issue of democratic principle here”.

Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore weighed in to the debate on Tuesday when he outlined the Westminster government’s position, but he struck a more conciliatory note.  “I think the important point is that we would not want to carry out the whole referendum process, make the decision at the ballot box and then discover somebody somewhere wanted to challenge that.  Isn’t it better to resolve that potential, get rid of any risk – which I think is clear-cut risk?  Let’s get on with it”.

He went on:  “I am happy to work with Alex (Salmond) to sort out the legal issue and then let’s have a debate about whether or not Scotland should be part of the UK or not – that is the crux of this matter”.

Since it’s election victory in May the SNP government at Holyrood has said that the referendum will take place in the second half of the current parliament.  Last night, that position was firmed up when the First Minister announced that the referendum will be held in autumn 2014.

Mr Salmond said:  “The date for the referendum has to be the autumn of 2014.  That’s because this is the biggest decision that Scotland has made for 300 years.  If you are going to do things properly and have the debate in the way it must be had then that is the date we are going to move towards”.

The Scottish government plans to launch a consultation on the referendum later this month.

Westminster and Holyrood disagree over a number of issues.  The UK parliament favours a straight yes or no question on the ballot paper, while the Scottish government favours a third ‘devo-max’ option that would give more powers to Scotland short of absolute independence.  The Scottish government would also like 16 and 17 year olds to take part in the vote, but this is opposed by Westminster.  Also disputed is the timing of the referendum vote.  Westminster wants the ballot to take place as early as possible while the Scottish government believes the ballot should take place in autumn 2014.

Unless a consensus is reached, it’s likely that these constitutional issues could well end up being decided by the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land.  Scotland’s biggest decision for over 300 years may yet be delayed beyond 2014.

One in three local children living in poverty

A report published today says that nearly one in three children living in the Forth ward are living in poverty.  The report shows that 13 Scottish councils have wards where more than 30% of children live in pockets of severe poverty, and campaigners are urging  politicians to do much more to tackle this ‘shameful’ social problem.

The Campaign to End Child Poverty has produced a map of child poverty for every ward, council and constituency in the country.  Scottish members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty include Action for Children Scotland, Barnardo’s Scotland, Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, Children 1st, the Church of Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland, Poverty Alliance and Save the Children.

The map classes children as living in poverty if they are in families on out of work benefits or work tax credits where income is less than 60% of median – before housing costs.  The Campaign to End Child Poverty said the latest official figures showed that overall in Scotland 20% of children live in poverty on this measure.

In Edinburgh, Sighthill/Gorgie shows the highest levels of poverty at 36%, followed by Forth (30%), Portobello/Craigmillar (30%), Leith (29%) and Liberton/Gilmerton at 28%.

Child Poverty Action Group’s John Dickie, speaking on behalf of Scottish members of the campaign, said: “It is shameful that in almost every part of our country there are children who are missing out and seeing their future life chances seriously harmed.  With public spending budgets under severe pressure the need to invest to prevent the numbers of children living in poverty spiralling is greater than ever.”

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “We are determined to address the root causes of child poverty.  That’s why last year we launched Scotland’s first ever national strategy to tackle child poverty, which will see Scotland’s poorest families benefit from help to increase their household incomes and improve their children’s life chances.”

 

 

Labour talking transport in Stockbridge

What’s the way forward for transport in Edinburgh?  Edinburgh Labour is holding a consultation event in Stockbridge House next week to let local people have their say on transport priorities for the city.

Labour Councilor Lesley Hinds wants hear locals views on transport. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Inverleith councillor Lesley Hinds, who is also Labour’s Transport spokesperson, explained:  ” I want to listen to a range of views and ideas from a variety of groups and individuals.  I want to feed them into our manifesto promises and Edinburgh Labour wants you to be part of our vision for moving Edinburgh forward after the elections in May.  Here are some of the key issues I believe are facing Edinburgh’s transport system today:

  • How are we going to keep Edinburgh moving in the 21st Century in a way that meets the needs of residents, commuters and businesses, whilst looking after our planet?
  • How do we meet the challenge of an increasing population and car ownership?
  • How do we enable more people to make a positive choice for public transport, walking and cycling?”

The consultation event will take place at Stockbridge House in Cheyne Street on Monday evening from 7pm.  If you are unable to attend but would like to put forward any ideas or comments please contact Lesley Hinds by email at lhinds@blueyonder.co.uk

Severe Weather – Midday Update

Scotland continues to be lashed by gale force winds, causing widepsread travel disruption.  As at midday, this is the picture in Edinburgh, where a gust of 102mph was recorded earlier this morning:

Forth Road Bridge – closed due to high winds

Waverley Station – all rail services currently suspended

Edinburgh Airport – all incoming flights cancelled and outgoing flights severely disrupted

Local Roads:

M9 City Of Edinburgh – M9 closed in both directions between J1, A8 (Newbridge) and J2, B8046 (Old Philpstoun), because of an overturned lorry. Police directing traffic.

A720 City Of Edinburgh – A720 Edinburgh City By-Pass in Edinburgh closed and slow traffic westbound between Calder Junction and Hermiston Gait, because of an overturned lorry. Diversion in operation – A71. Travel time is 20 minutes.

A71 City Of Edinburgh – A71 Calder Road in Edinburgh partially blocked in both directions between Calder Junction and the B701 Wester Hailes Road junction, because of fallen street light. Police directing traffic.

City Of Edinburgh – North St David Street closed in both directions between the Thistle Street junction and the Queen Street junction, because of unsafe building. Police directing traffic.

Lothian Buses have also issued the following information:

Due to the severe weather the following services have been diverted

Service 1 (Fountain Bridge  Closed) diverted via angle park West approach road, Lothian Road

service 2  hermiston gate closed operating via South  Gyle access

Service 3 diverted via A7 via Hardengreen, Dalhousie road into Newtongrange onto route

service 7 via Pilrig Street Ferry Road

service 10 terminate at Duke street

service 14 operating via Pilrig st, Ferry Road and North Junction Street

service 15 terminting at Fairmilehead

service 16 operating via Pilrig Street, Ferry Road and North Junction Street.

service 19 will operate via Portobello Road in both directions

service 20 will not operate through the Calders

service 21 (to Royal Infirmary ) diverted via  Fillyside Seafield Road.

service 22 Via Pilrig Street North Junction Street

service 23 to terminate at Greenbank

Service 25 will operate via Fillyside-Seafield road onto route at Leith Links

service 34 and 35 diverted via Angle Park Terrace,West Approach Road and Lothian Road and also will terminate at Duke Street

service 44 — Eastbound diverted from Jock`s Lodge via PiersHill Terrace; west Bound via NorthField Broadway and Portobello Road

Service 49 diverted via Seifield Road-Leith Links also not operating through Dalkieth Centre (via Melville road to Hardengreen. (not able to serve Tesco Hardengreen)

North St David Street Closed — All Services diverted Leith Street

West Approach Road Closed West Bound – all servoces diverted Morrison Link Haymarket,Dalry Road onto Gorgie.

Services 12 26 31 48 X48 100 and N26 diverted eastbound at Haymarket, click here for details.

Service 41 diverted both directions at Queensferry Road, Queensferry Terrace. Buses diverted via Craigleith Crescent, Ravelston Dykes and Queensferry Terrace due to a road closure.

For details of Princes Street diversions click here.

All other services operating on normal routes.

 

Conditions are expected to ease later this evening but in the meantime Lothian and Borders Police advise that only absolutely necessary journeys should be made.