West Pilton – Page 112 – The NEN

Police seek Red Bridge robber

Victim ‘left shaken’ by knifepoint robbery

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a knifepoint robbery near the red bridge by Crewe Toll on Tuesday.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm.

A 30-year-old man was walking on the cycle path between the red bridge on Ferry Road and the rear of the Morrisons supermarket when a male approached and presented a knife.

The victim was then threatened and robbed of his rucksack before the male made off.

Anyone who can assist police with their investigation is asked to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, early to mid-twenties, 6ft tall with an unshaven complexion and a pronounced Adam’s apple. He was wearing a navy blue hooded top with zipper and white drawstrings, navy blue trainers and scruffy white trainers.

Detective Constable Andy Cory said: “Fortunately the victim was unharmed but is obviously very upset at the theft of his rucksack and was left shaken by this incident.

“Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact police immediately. In addition, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect is also asked to get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

West Pilton Place incident: second man arrested

Police Scotland have confirmed that a second man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following an incident in West Pilton Place.

The 26-year-old is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

His arrest comes a day after a 39-year-old man was also charged with attempted murder in connection with the same incident, which occurred on last Thursday (7 May).

Rebranding, relaunching – and receiving guests this Friday!

Living Well North Edinburgh opens it’s doors this Friday

Living Well North Edinburgh (LWNE) is holding a rebrand launch event at their West Pilton Park home this Friday.

Join the LWNE team to celebrate the project’s brand new look – it’s a great opportunity to meet staff, volunteers and members and find out the wide range of services and activities on offer – and there’s food and refreshments too!

The fun kicks off from 12 noon – all welcome!

For further information call 343 6375.

LWNE latest newsletter

West Pilton attempted murder: man arrested

Police Scotland have confirmed that a 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following the incident that occurred last Thursday (7 May) in West Pilton Place.

Another man was stabbed in the incident which happened on the day of the general election.

The accused man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Forthview break-in: can you help trace bikes?

Heartless thieves could cost local primary school £1000

Forthview Primary School’s shed was broken into over the weekend – and the school needs your help to trace stolen bikes.

Forthview’s Tracey Berry said: “Bikes that we had borrowed, so that Bill Stobie could teach bike ability to P6, have been stolen, along with footballs and gardening equipment. We are responsibile for the bikes: it will cost us about £1000 to replace the them! Our fundraising is meant to be for outings and activities for Forthview Children not replacing things that thoughtless people have stolen.”

Tracey added: “The bikes look like this (above). If you find one please hand it to the school – the more we find the less money we have to pay out from the school funds.”

Can you help?

Jobs Fair in Muirhouse

Muirhouse Library and Shopping Centre will host an Employment and Learning Fair between 10.30am and 1.30pm this Thursday (14 May).

The event is aimed at both adult jobseekers and young people looking for advice and support to get into work or learning in North Edinburgh. Organisations attending the event will include employability providers from the local area as well as employers with vacancies to fill.

Community Renewal is one of the organisations involved in the jobs fair, and emplyment adviser Diana said: “Previous events have resulted in jobseekers securing interviews on the spot so jobseekers are advised to come prepared with CVs and dressed to impress!”

Talking community leadership at the Community Shop

Who speaks for the community? What makes a good leader? What skills and qualities should a good community leader have? What support do you need to help make your community a better place to live?

These are some of the questions to be discussed over a coffee and biscuits at the Community Shop on Pennywell Road between 10am and 12 noon this morning.

The ‘conversation cafe’ is the latest in a series of informal consultation events taking place across Muirhouse and West Pilton over the coming weeks. Come along and have your say – the kettle’s on!

A message from Mark Lazarowicz

I would like to thank all those who gave me their support in the general election held on 7 May. I was proud of the way we took our message to every street in every part of Edinburgh North & Leith, and although we were unsuccessful, I am sure that the efforts of our team were one of the reasons why I received more votes in 2015 than in the 2010 election.

I have been extremely privileged to have been able to serve the people of Edinburgh North & Leith as their representative in Parliament since 2001, and I thank them for giving me that opportunity.

I congratulate the successful candidate Deidre Brock on her victory. Like all MPs, she can be contacted at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA, switchboard 0207 219 3000.

My constituency office will now close down, and as I am no longer an MP I will not be able to deal with any constituency work. However, Malcolm Chisholm MSP continues to have his constituency office at 5 Croall Place, Leith Walk and can be contacted for any Scottish Parliament matters in the Edinburgh Northern & Leith constituency.

West Pilton short-listed for housing award

Edinburgh excels in 2015 housing design awards shortlist

West Pilton Crescent is among five Edinburgh housing projects shortlisted as part of the 2015 Saltire Housing Design Awards, it was announced today. The social housing development, which was visited by then Housing Minister Margaret Burgess last November, has been nominated in the Multiple Housing Development category.

Recognising housing design excellence throughout Scotland, the Saltire Society’s prestigious awards represent a long-standing commitment to celebrate innovation and excellence in Scottish house building and place-making.

Represented across three of the five available award categories, the shortlisted Edinburgh projects are:

Alterations Renovations and Extensions:

o 1 Rosefield Avenue Lane, Portobello, a refurbishment and extension project to create a desirable family home in the conservation area of Portobello; and

o 38 Ravelston Dykes (above), a modernisation project to upgrade the electrical and plumbing systems, making the house more energy efficient and fit for purpose in the 21^st century

Multiple Housing Development:

o West Pilton Crescent (top), a modern, energy efficient social housing development in a range of unit sizes; and

o Ellersly Road, Wallace Gardens, a high quality accommodation mix of townhouses and apartments that reflects the qualities of Edinburgh’s West Murrayfield Conservation area

Single Dwelling New Build:

o Murphy House, Hart Street, a contemporary new build within the World Heritage Site of the New Town.

The Multiple Housing Development category is particularly strong for 2015 with the Edinburgh projects facing competition from Glasgow projects, Phase 1A of the Glasgow Laurieston Transformation Regeneration Area and the Duke Street / High Street social and affordable housing development.

Also shortlisted in this category is the St Andrews West Burn Lane project, an innovative 14 unit development that had to overcome the challenge of presenting a contemporary housing solution within existing Medieval, Georgian and Victorian dwellings.

The two remaining categories are the Innovation in Housing Award, supported by the Scottish Government and new for 2015, the Landscape in Housing Award. All short-listed entries will receive a Saltire plaque marking their achievement.

The shortlists for all five award categories were announced by the Convenor of the Housing Awards panel, Jude Barber from Glasgow-based Collective Architecture, earlier today.

Those on the shortlist will now be subject to site visits by an expert judging panel consisting of architects, developers, academics, clients and tenants. The judging panel will then decide the winner of each category under the chairmanship of renowned Glasgow-based visual artist Toby Paterson.

The winners will be announced at a special ceremony on 22 June in the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, with winning projects automatically being considered for the Saltire Medal, which is accompanied by a separate cash prize of £1,500.

Past winners of this coveted accolade include North Gardner Street in Glasgow, the transformation of a semi derelict workshop and office building into a calm, private city house, designed by Cameron Webster Architects and the Artist Residence, in Perth by Fergus Purdie Architects.

Convener of the Saltire Society Housing Design Awards, Jude Barber from Collective Architecture said: “It is my great pleasure to announce the shortlist for the 2015 Saltire Society Housing Design Awards, with the standard of entries as ever being immeasurably high.

“The Housing Design Awards were established to recognise and celebrate Scottish architecture and I am greatly looking forward to the next stage of the process when the panel will have the opportunity to visit the shortlisted sites.”

Jim Tough, Executive Director of the Saltire Society said: ““The Housing Design Awards were the very first Awards scheme initiated by the society, and have been around longer than any other design awards in Scotland.

“Established in 1937, the Awards not only promote the importance of good design and housing for all, but have evolved to help to honour and encourage creativity, excellence and innovation in modern Scottish place-making.

“As we look forward to the forthcoming site visits, I wish all those shortlisted the very best of luck.”

Call in for coffee and chat at the Coversation Cafe

The Community Leadership College is holding the first in a series of ‘conversation cafes’ at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre this morning from 10am – 12 noon.

The greatest asset our community has is the people who live here, and the Community Leadership Cafe plans to build on the skills, knowledge and experience of our own residents to help build a better and stronger community for all.

Like to find out more? Call in for a chat at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre today from 10am – 12 noon – it’s very informal and there’s free refreshments too!

If you can’t make it along this morning, don’t worry – a number of sessions are planned. Confirmed venues so far include:

Wednesday 6 May: Muirhouse Millennium Centre, 2 – 4pm

Thursday 14 May: Muirhouse Millennium Centre, 6 – 8pm

Monday 18 May: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 4 – 6pm

Thursday 21 May: North Edinburgh Arts, 2 – 4pm

Monday 25 May: North Edinburgh Arts, 11am – 1m

Monday 1 June: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 4 – 6pm

… and there will be more!

For further information call Kelly (0751 975 8526) or Dave (0751 975 8555) or email comlc2015@outlook.com