The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 1383 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Forth announced as one of Scotland’s first Green Freeports

Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport have been jointly selected by the Scottish and UK governments to become Scotland’s first Green Freeports.

Following a rigorous assessment and selection process, the two winning bids will be supported by up to £52 million in start-up funding and will benefit from tax reliefs and other incentives through a combination of devolved and reserved powers.

Applicants to become a Green Freeport in Scotland were required to demonstrate how they would contribute towards a just transition to net zero emissions by 2045 and create new, green jobs. They were also required to set out how they would support high-quality employment opportunities with fair work conditions at their core.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “This is a milestone achievement in the process to deliver Green Freeports for Scotland.

“Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and Forth Green Freeport will support businesses to create high-quality, well-paid new jobs, promote growth and regeneration, and make a significant contribution to achieving our net zero ambitions. .

“A rigorous joint selection process has been followed. The successful applicants showed a strong determination to embed fair work practices, including payment of the Real Living Wage, and to enshrine net zero initiatives in their work.

“We look forward to working closely with them to ensure they deliver maximum positive impact and become operational as soon as possible.

“We will also work with the unsuccessful bidders to consider how they can build on the plans set out in their bids to deliver jobs and growth in their regions outside the Green Freeports programme.

“Scotland has a rich history of innovation, trade and manufacturing and as we look to seize the many opportunities achieving net zero offers, the creation of these internationally competitive clusters of excellence will help us to create new green jobs, deliver a just transition and support our economic transformation.”

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “Scotland has areas of outstanding opportunity but there are also places that can benefit from more investment to truly level up communities that have been overlooked.

“This is a shared challenge faced by us all across the UK, which is why I’m delighted the UK and Scottish governments have collaborated to deliver two Green Freeports in Scotland, which will undoubtedly be transformative for future generations.

“Inverness and Cromarty Firth and the Firth of Forth are fantastic areas for these new Green Freeports to set up, ensuring the benefits are felt right across Scotland. This will help to create exciting new jobs, boost business and encourage investment in the local areas and beyond.”

The Forth Green Freeport bid aspires to deliver up to an additional 50,000 jobs across the UK, generate £6 billion in investment and contribute over £4 billion in GVA across sites in Grangemouth, Rosyth, Leith, Burntisland and Edinburgh Airport.

Its activities will focus on renewables, advanced manufacturing, alternative fuels, carbon capture utilisation and storage, shipbuilding, logistics and the creative industries.

Lothian Conservative MSP Miles Briggs said: “I am delighted that Forth Ports, based at Leith docs, has won Greenport status along the Firth of Forth.

“Securing Greenport status is something I have been campaigning on for a long time and will bring huge economic, environmental and social benefits to the region. The team at Forth Ports did extremely well with their bid for the Firth of Forth to be one of two locations for a Greenport in Scotland.

“This is a great example of the UK Government and Scottish Government working together for the betterment of Scotland. The Firth of Forth Greenport area will be key in Scotland’s efforts to become net zero by 2045.”

Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports and lead Forth Green Freeport bid partner with sites at Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth and Burntisland, welcomed the shortlisting by the Scottish and UK Governments: “Today’s shortlisting is great news for Scotland, for new green jobs and for the country’s drive to net zero.

“Together with our consortium partners, our bid will re-industrialise the nation and create large scale economic development. Our green freeport will accelerate investment and generate 50,000 new green jobs by acting as a catalyst for new technologies and renewable energy manufacturing. This has the potential to unlock £6 billion of private and public investment for Scotland and create new training facilities, factories, logistics parks, rail, freight and fuel terminals and to enhance our creative industries.

“The benefits of trade will be spread widely into the communities that need it the most, through the establishment of a green growth investment corridor creating tens of thousands of jobs in low carbon logistics, renewable energy, green manufacturing and alternative fuels. These new jobs will not just be in Grangemouth, Leith and Rosyth, but in Glasgow and Edinburgh; the Lothians, Stirling and Falkirk; Dunfermline and Burntisland; and across the UK.”

The Forth Green Freeport consortium is a private and public partnership that includes: Forth Ports; Babcock; INEOS; Edinburgh Airport; Scarborough Muir Group; Falkirk Council; Fife Council; and The City of Edinburgh Council.

The bid’s strategically located tax and customs sites span 550 hectares in Grangemouth, Leith, Rosyth, Burntisland and Edinburgh Airport. This will increase trade through Scotland’s sea and air gateways and support the growth of trading businesses across the Firth of Forth and at sites spread north, south and west of the estuary. These locations are at the heart of Scotland’s international trade, with goods representing 30% of Scotland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) flowing through Grangemouth alone.

Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council, said: “The Forth Green Freeport bid is underpinned by a set of social values that includes inclusivity, combatting of illicit activity, anti-trafficking and safety and security of both goods and people.

“Falkirk Council is delighted that the Forth Green Freeport Bid has been successful and looks forward to working with the UK and Scottish Governments and other partners to ensure that the Green Freeport brings forward not only inward investment but real benefits for our communities.

“We are particularly pleased that the Forth Green Freeport Bid commits not only to Net Zero by 2045, but to both fair work principles and a skills fund for the benefit of local people.”

Cllr Altany Craik, Spokesperson – Finance, Economy & Strategic Planning, Fife Council, said: “Fife Council welcome Government commitment to the Forth Green Freeport Designation and look forward to continuing close working with all including Forth Ports to deliver the jobs, investment and economic outcomes that can now be realised for Fife.

“The opportunity to reindustrialise the Forth sustainably and to harness the strategic employment and investment opportunities along our Fife Forth coast will enable all parts of Fife and in particular Mid Fife, to benefit economically.”

Cllr Cammy Day, Leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Forth Ports’ bid to become a Green Freeport has been approved by the Scottish and UK Government. A Freeport will be positive for the north of Edinburgh and our economy as a whole.

“Our long-term investment in the tram extension to Newhaven is already unlocking this part of the city for long-term development and regeneration. Plus, our £1.3 billion green vision for Granton Waterfront is creating a brand new coastal community, with jobs and thousands of net zero homes.

“By progressing the vision for a Green Freeport at the Port of Leith and a customs site at Edinburgh Airport, we could unlock a whole east-west corridor of net zero economic growth. But it’s important that this is sustainable change and inclusive – we want to see the project provide pathways into work and learning for disadvantaged young people from the area.

“I’ve made it clear that we need fair work, fair opportunities, the living wage, a unionised workforce and community benefits as central to the delivery of this project going forward and I look forward to working with Forth Ports and the Scottish Government to make this happen.”

There has not been a universal welcome, however. Edinburgh Green councillor for Leith Chas Booth said: “Very disappointing news. Freeports undermine workers’ rights and risk a race to the bottom on environmental protection.

“Any jobs will be displaced from elsewhere, not be new. This is bad news for #Leith and I will continue to oppose.”

Police seek witnesses to fatal crash

POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A702 at Boghall, near Penicuik, yesterday.

The incident happened around 1.25pm on Thursday, 12 January, and involved a black Suzuki GSF 650 motorbike and a white Kia Sportage car.

Emergency services attended and the motorcyclist, a man aged 40, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed in both directions for crash investigation work to take place and re-opened around 6pm.

Sergeant Iain McIntrye said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and our enquiries into the circumstances of what happened are ongoing.

“I am appealing to anyone who saw what happened and anyone driving in the area who has dash-cam footage that could assist with our investigation to please get in touch.”

Anyone who can assist is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1488 of Thursday, 12 January, 2023.

Edinburgh Women’s Aid marks it’s 50th anniversary with the unveiling of commemorative artwork

Edinburgh Women’s Aid, which opened its first refuge 50 years ago in 1973, marked its 50th anniversary with the unveiling of a commemorative artwork by the artist Amy Steele at a special event attended by over 60 guests at the City Arts Centre tyesterday.

The aim of the event was to bring people together, including staff, councillors, volunteers and women who have been supported over the years, to mark this important milestone for the charity.

Speakers included Christina McKelvie, Minister for Equalities and Older People, Councillor Mandy Watt, Deputy Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council and the Chair of Edinburgh Women’s Aid, Morag Waller.

A year-long series of events to mark the 50th anniversary was announced
on the day, including various seminars to highlight and pay tribute to those who have provided support for women and their families over the past five decades, with everything from giving them a safe place to stay in a refuge, specialist housing support, legal advice and help securing employment, and the future plans for the charity.

The impressive artwork by illustrator Amy Steele, who won the charity’s 50th anniversary competition to design a piece of art which showcased how the charity has evolved over the years and the support available to help keep victims of domestic abuse safe, was also unveiled at the event.

Amy, whose artwork will be used throughout the year, including on the cover of the charity’s printed and digital Impact Report and other marketing materials, including banners, leaflets, the website and social media, also received a prize of £500.

Amy, said: “In creating the artwork to commemorate Edinburgh Women’s
Aid’s 50th anniversary I wanted to design something which celebrates the
diverse and vibrant community of women and children that EWA strives to
protect and advocate for, whilst showing how these groups come together
to support each other too.

“The artwork, which is bright and fun, in celebration of all the positive improvements EWA have made towards the safety and equality of women and children in the past 50 years, has also provided a great opportunity for me, as a female artist, to use the platform to contribute to EWA’s mission.”

Linda Rodgers, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Women’s Aid, said: “The 50th
anniversary of Edinburgh Women’s Aid is such an important milestone for
us and really gives us the chance to pay tribute to all of those who came before us to help make the organisation what it is today.

“As long as domestic abuse scourges society we will continue to provide vital services for women and children in Edinburgh. But we will also continue to tackle the causes of domestic abuse so that one day we can look back on the history of a service that is no longer needed.”

Christina McKelvie, Minister for Equalities and Older People, said: “I’m
honoured to join Edinburgh Women’s Aid in marking their 50th anniversary
and celebrating their achievements.

“Their unwavering dedication to building a Scotland free from violence has made a huge difference to the lives of women and girls. We all know that there is still a way to go before we live in a world where domestic abuse is history.

“The ground-breaking work of organisations such as Edinburgh Women’s Aid
over the last fifty years, which continue to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse and speak out and campaign for change, will help us realise this ambition.”

EWA also launched their #challenge50 fundraising campaign at the event to encourage people to set themselves a challenge, ranging from baking and selling cakes to taking part in a sponsored 50km walk, to help them reach their £50k fundraising target this year.

‘Saved’ manuscripts join collection at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

12 original Burns manuscripts have been added to the National Trust for Scotland’s Robert Burns collection in Alloway following fundraising campaign
Alongside the National Library of Scotland, the conservation charity also became the joint owner of the Burns First Commonplace Book
The Burns First Commonplace Book will be on public display in Scotland for the first time since 1896
‘Homecoming’ exhibition runs from 13 January – 12 March at the conservation charity’s Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway

Twelve original manuscripts written by Robert Burns, which have just come into the care of conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland, will go on display this January as part of a new exhibition entitled Homecoming.

The important pieces include letters, poems ‘Donocht Head’ and ‘Queen of the Lothian’ and songs ‘As I was walking up the street’ and ‘O wat ye wha’s in yon town’ giving further insight into the creative process of Scotland’s most famous poet.

They were donated to the National Trust for Scotland from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library by the Friends of the National Libraries in 2022 following a successful campaign to raise funds to secure these, and other important literary pieces, including works by Sir Walter Scott and the Brontës, for the public which were part of a private collection that was put up for sale in 2021.

The manuscripts join more than 5000 Burns-related items which are in the care of the National Trust for Scotland at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway. The site includes an award-winning museum experience, as well as the cottage where Burns was born in 1759.

Also part of the exhibition is the Burns First Commonplace Book which was given jointly to the National Library of Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library by the Friends of the National Libraries in 2022. The book was last displayed in Scotland in 1896 at the major Burns exhibition held in Glasgow and provides an invaluable record of his development as a man and poet.

National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Philip Long OBE said: “Securing this outstanding collection for the public was an excellent example of our sector working together to raise the funds and support needed to save them for our cultural heritage and ensure that they would be protected for and enjoyed by future generations. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.

“Burns was inspired by nature, beauty and heritage and his work is of deep significance to Scotland. As the custodians of the place where Burns was born, and many of his most important works, the National Trust for Scotland is honoured to add these important pieces to our collection and to share these with the public through our new exhibition.”

National Librarian and Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland, Amina Shah, said: “It’s fantastic to finally offer members of the public the opportunity to see these priceless items up close, after they were hidden away for so long.

“This is why we, alongside National Trust for Scotland and other organisations, worked so hard to acquire these items when they came up for sale – it was unthinkable that they would once again end up in private hands. It’s also fitting that the First Commonplace Book makes its first appearance at Burns’s birthplace – it will feel like a true homecoming.”

Homecoming is open daily at the Robert Burns Birthplace until 12 March. Entry is free.

To mark Burns’ Night at the place where Burns was born, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is hosting a Burns Birthday Bash family weekend on 21 and 22 Jan and a Blazing Burns Night Spectacular ceilidh and fire performance on 21 Jan.

Find out more at: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum

Scottish Government responds to Drug Deaths Taskforce report

Cross-government action plan backed by £68 million.

More than 80 actions supported by £68 million over the course of this parliament are outlined in the Scottish Government’s response to Changing Lives, the final report from the Drug Deaths Taskforce.

Measures are being taken across a broad range of areas including employment, justice, transport, education and health and social care to improve the lives of those affected by drugs.

The response is underpinned by two principles – that services treat problem drug use the same as any other health condition and that people with lived experience are involved in policy decisions.

Many of the 20 recommendations and 139 action points made by the Taskforce are already being addressed but new announcements include:

£30 million ringfenced from the Enhanced Services Allocation to NHS territorial Boards from April 2023 to support specific drug treatment services within primary care settings
£18 million to develop stabilisation and crisis care services, in addition to the £100 million already available for residential rehabilitation
£4.3 million for a Stigma Action Plan which includes an accreditation scheme for organisations to improve awareness and challenge stigma across public life
£5.5 million for new programmes for children and families including the expansion of Routes, a young person’s support group run by Scottish Families Affected By Drugs
£3.4 million additional funding to deliver a workforce action plan and expand the Addiction Workers Training Programme run by the Scottish Drugs Forum and an additional £3.3 million to expand trauma training
£2.4 million to improve care for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions to build on the recommendations set out in the recent rapid review
£0.5 million for an initial pilot to expand the concessionary travel scheme to include people with a substance dependency

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “Every drug death is a tragedy and unacceptable. We continue to face a public health emergency and cannot underestimate the scale of this crisis.

“The Drug Deaths Taskforce was formed to provide independent expert advice on our response to this emergency and this cross-government action plan includes a broad range of initiatives which will not only support the complex needs of people who use drugs but also help support prevention and early intervention.

“This publication outlines our whole government commitment to addressing this challenge and ensuring that people with problem substance use can access all the services they need and are entitled to.

“I thank the Taskforce members, past and present, for their important contribution. The final report, Changing Lives, has provided us with clear, evidenced recommendations and our response outlines a new, even more ambitious, phase of our mission to save and improve lives.”

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TON UP FOR TONY!

COMMUNITY LEGEND CELEBRATES HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY

TONY Delahoy celebrates his 100th birthday today. The popular Silverknowes man plans to spend the milestone occasion quietly with family, but daughter Barbara has asked me to pass on Tony’s best wishes to his many friends, acquaintances and old comrades across North Edinburgh and beyond.

Durng lockdown Tony used his time at home productively, producing Things Remembered, a memoir of his life. I was very touched but absolutely delighted when he hand -delivered a copy to me, and I fondly remember that brief visit to my doorstep – one of the brightest moments of a very dark time.

Tony explains in the introduction: ‘We all have memories that are important or significant in our lives. At the time of writing this account I have reached the age of 98 and the years since my birth in 1923 have seen great change.

‘Thinking about some of the changes and events that I have witnessed during my life, I felt it might be interesting to share them with others who might also find them interesting or informative.

‘I have recorded some memories from my childhood, school years and early work experiences. Also, the outbreak of the Second World War, when I was just 16, and of course my call up and war service. I end this account with my return to civilian and family life and the immediate post war period.

‘This is not exhaustive or by any means complete, but is a record of some events and occurrences that I felt worthy of setting down.’

I’m honoured to share just a few of Tony’s memories today, and will post more over the coming weeks:

OUR HOUSE AND LOCALITY

i was born at 12 Holmshaw Road, Lower Sydenham, London SE 26 on 13th January 1923. Number 12 was a mid terraced-house; it had three rooms and a scullery downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs.

The rooms were gas lit and there was just one main water tap in the scullery. The front room downstairs was the ‘best’ room and was not used a lot, except at Christmas time when a coal fire was lit.

We lived there, next door to my mother’s family, the Goddards at number 10, until September 1940, when at the age of 17 the houses at numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 were bombed and destroyed …

SCHOOL

Our school, Haseltine Road Elementary, which is still in use, was very close to our house, a couple of hundred yards away and within hearing distance of the warning bell that was rung at 8.45am, the school starting at 9am.

The school bell was in a tower and was rung by the Schoolkeeper on the ground floor by pulling a rope.

Class sizes were very large, up to 50, boys only. The classroom floor was stepped up front-to-back to accomodate the iron-framed desks at which the children sat.

The desks had a folding wooden top, with a groove along the top for pen and pencil and an inkwell set in the top right corner.

WORK

Having had early mornig jobs from the age of 10 – delivering papers and helping the local milk roundsman evey day of the week – work was second nature and mostly enjoyable.

At the end of term in December 1935 thoughts turned to getting a full-time job, having been asked by the school if I would like to carry on my schooling at the Central school.

I asked my Mother, was said it was up to me, but I knew that a school uniform would have to be bought and I knew that it would be impossible to do.

Also, I was so used to work and my earnings would help Mum – incidentally, any money earned on my paper or milk rounds was always handed over to Mum; that was the norm and she would in turn give back some money to you.

I believe it was something like a wage of three shillings and sixpence handed over and one shilling and sixpence (1/6d) handed back.

Although the school did not help to find jobs there was one on offer from a shop in Sydenham for a window dresser, but it did not appeal to me at all having had years of outside jobs. I really wanted to work in the milk delivery trade with the Co-operative Society. I applied to the Co-op and was still waiting on a reply when I left school, so I had to apply for a job at one of the two local factories.

This was a metal working factory, Aerograph, and I was taken on and put in the inspection department checking threads on nuts and bolts.

I was only there for one week, for which I got paid twelve shillings and sevenpence (12/7d). I had by then heard from the Co-op asking me to attend for an interview and test.

The test was English and Arithmetic and a couple of other tests. I passed and eventually got a letter to report to the Catford Milk Depot. I was permanently allocated to a large round. A round was an area covered by one roundsman, serving approximately 500 customers. Transport of the milk was of course by horse and cart. My roundsman Johnny was a good chap and trained me very well.

Tomororow: WAR, HELEN, CALL-UP and MARRIAGE

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, TONY!

Forth 2 to rebrand as ‘Greatest Hits Radio’ (Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk)

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Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey will continue hosting the breakfast show as Scotland’s first nationwide commercial radio station launches April 3rd

Forth 2 is changing its name to Greatest Hits Radio as part Scotland’s first ever nationwide commercial radio station.

Bauer Scotland stations, Clyde 2, Forth 2, MFR 2, Northsound 2, Tay 2, West Sound in Ayrshire, and West Sound in Dumfries & Galloway will all unite under one name as they rebrand to Greatest Hits Radio in 2023. This means that wherever they are in Scotland, listeners will have one recognisable name they can search for to find their favourite music soundtrack of the greatest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s, along with the presenters they know and love.

Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey will continue as hosts of the Breakfast Show across the stations, with the details of the full schedule to be announced shortly.

Listeners will be able to continue to find all their local news and information, including traffic and travel that they receive from their current stations upon rebrand, and advertising opportunities for local businesses will also remain.

Speaking about the change, Ewen & Cat said: “We are thrilled to be leading the Breakfast Show each weekday on Greatest Hits Radio as it expands into Scotland, creating the first nationwide commercial station.

“We have some really exciting plans up our sleeves and can’t wait to reveal them later this year.”

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for Bauer Scotland said, “Entertaining hundreds of thousands of listeners a week, Forth 2, is much-loved for its playlist of classic hits and entertaining content, so rebranding as Greatest Hits Radio just makes total sense.

“Strengthened under its new name, we’re so excited by the scope of opportunity ahead, including national marketing campaigns and more.”

Station frequencies will stay the same for listeners in April, and they’ll be able to find the station online, via smart speaker and the station app by searching for “Greatest Hits Radio” and their relevant area, as listed below.

Forth 2 shall also continue to support disadvantaged young people across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and Falkirk through Bauer’s Cash for Kids charity.

Cramond Association: History section meets next week … for auld lang syne!

ROBERT BURNS is the theme of 18 January meeting

Passport fees to rise next month

The UK Government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2 February 2023, the first time in 5 years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.

The proposals, which are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, will include the following:

the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children
postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children
priority service fees are being aligned so all customers will pay the same

The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

The fees will also contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.

The new fees include those newly applying or renewing their passport.

Since January last year, over 95% of standard applications have been processed within 10 weeks and customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling.

Apply online for a UK passport.

Passport fees are reviewed in line with His Majesty’s Treasury guidance Managing public money.