We are holding our AGM on Friday 28th February at 2pm at Madelvic House, Granton Park Ave, Edinburgh EH5 1HS
The community café at the venue is open until 2pm for those wishing lunch.
Isla Browning (Treasurer)
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden)
Seinn comhla rinn! Sing with us!
The First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) is calling on Edinburgh residents to get involved in the national conversation on tackling gender inequality.
NACWG is encouraging the local community to join the movement and lend a voice in the latest discussion surrounding disability.
Disabilities affect more women and girls in Scotland than any other group. Women continue to face equality disadvantages resulting in negative impacts on their everyday life.
NACWG welcomes individuals of any gender and those who don’t identify within Edinburgh to bring real experiences and new voices to the Circle to help shape recommendations to the First Minister.
Areas the Council wish to examine include independent living, access to services and information, and participation in society.
Established in 2017, the Advisory Council was formed to drive action and play a leading role in raising gender inequality in Scotland. The Council aims to bring people together focusing on a new spotlight every two months to share ideas and opinions on different gender equality issues. The NACWG is putting a spotlight on disabilities until the end of February, outlining the barriers faced by disabled women.
To get involved, people can come together to form a ‘Wee Circle’ with family, friends or colleagues discussing ideas and views related to inequality for women and girls with disabilities, and submit their feedback online at onescotland.org/NACWG.
Alternatively, they can share their thoughts on social media using the hashtag #GenerationEqual.
The NACWG Chair, Louise Macdonald OBE, said: “Disabled women are often faced with double discrimination because of their gender which adds further challenges to their day to day lives.
“We encourage people across Edinburgh to share their views and experience, whether they themselves or someone they know is affected by these issues. Every opinion we gather contributes to shaping our recommendations to the First Minister, so we want and need to hear from as wide a range of people as possible. It is an opportunity for the people of Edinburgh to play a part in real and lasting change for everyone in Scotland.”
This call for input follows the publication of the NACWG’s second Report and Recommendations, in which it found that step change is necessary in Scottish policymaking to tackle gender inequality.
Over the course of 2019, the Advisory Council consulted a range of stakeholders of all ages and genders, and those that don’t identify, across the country, including businesses and third sector organisations in order to gather the evidence needed to develop the second report which focused on Policy Coherence.
These recommendations build on those made by The NACWG in its 2018 Report and Recommendations – of which, all eleven were subsequently accepted by Nicola Sturgeon – with the recommendations devised to work in tandem to drive forward the gender equality movement.
The NACWG 2019 report and recommendations can be found at: https://onescotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/NACWG-2019-Report-and-Recommendations.pdf
Local school children from Forthview Primary School are to have the opportunity to participate in an exciting 12-week community project delivered by The Scottish Football Partnership Trust and The Spartans Community Football Academy.
GoFitba is a free to access football-based health and wellbeing project for Primary schoolchildren developed by The Scottish Football Partnership Trust and delivered by community football clubs.
The project aims to support the Curriculum for Excellence’s Health and Wellbeing outcomes as set out by The Scottish Government’s Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007.
Through a fun and progressive structure and delivery, the weekly two-hour project offers young children a platform of regular and fun physical activity and an understanding of the importance of leading a balanced and healthy lifestyle through diet and nutrition.
In addition, the project aims to increase the young people’s self-motivation, improve their self-confidence, further develop their social and interpersonal skills and improve their general self-esteem.
The project timetable provides one structured afternoon per week and takes a holistic approach to teach the children the benefits of regular physical activity within a football environment.
Starting this Friday, the youngsters participate in an hour of fun football activity, and during the second hour of each session they take part in an interactive educational journey to explore the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle through diet and nutrition. Each session ends with the children being served a hot, healthy meal and an opportunity to enjoy some social time with their peers.
Stuart McCaffrey, Chief Operating Officer at The SFP Trust said “The sport of football when used positively can act as a significant tool for personal and community development.
“We are excited to be delivering this project with (name of club) – a club truly at the heart of the community – and to be given the opportunity to positively engage with local school children to encourage them towards a healthy and active lifestyle.”
Douglas Samuel of The Spartans Community Football Academy said, “We are delighted to be working in association with The SFP Trust on this project which will see The Academy welcome 20 local schoolchildren over the next 12 weeks.
“Spartans Community Football Academy is always looking for new ways to engage with the local community and the GoFitba project is a fantastic way to showcase what we can offer to young members of our community at our excellent facilities here at the Academy.
“Participation in sport can bring a lifetime of benefits and we look forward to working with the children from Forthview Primary School to Get Fit, Get Healthy and Have Fun!”
Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery and assault in Leith. The incident happened around 7.10pm in Ocean Drive, outside the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, on Friday, 14 February.
A 43-year-old man has just left the shopping centre and crossed the road when he was approached by two women. They claimed to be police officers, took hold of him and searched him. The women then walked off. He subsequently found a three figure sum of cash missing from his wallet.
The first woman is described as white, 5ft 9ins, of stocky build, around 40-year-old, with shoulder length blonde hair that was tied up. She was wearing a blue Puffa style jacket and spoke with a local accent.
The second woman is described as white, 6ft, so slim build with long brown hair and also aged around 40. She was wearing a black Puffa style jacket.
Detective Constable Joanne Robertson, of Gayfield CID, said: “There were a number of people around when this incident happened and we are appealing for them to get in touch if they saw what happened.
“In particular we are keen to speak to two men who were at or near a bus stop at the time and are believed to have taken a number 200 Lothian bus.
“If you saw what happened, or anything suspicious around that time of the evening, then please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 3328 of Friday, 14 February. Or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has outlined new appointments to the Scottish Government and cabinet.
Following her delivery of the Scottish Budget, Kate Forbes has been nominated as Cabinet Secretary for Finance, while Fiona Hyslop will become Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture.
As the process of Brexit, and the discussion on Scotland’s constitutional future move into a new phase, Michael Russell’s responsibilities will be expanded as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs.
Fergus Ewing will take on responsibility for tourism as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism.
Jenny Gilruth has been nominated to join the Government as Minister for Europe and International Development, where she will support Michael Russell.
Ben Macpherson (above) will move to join the Finance team as Minister for Public Finance and Migration – where they will continue to make the strong economic and social case for a distinct migration policy for Scotland.
He will also work on issues around green and climate finance, to help ensure all of Scotland can deliver on our target of ending our contribution to climate change. He will also be tasked with ensuring that wellbeing sits at the heart of the budget process.
The First Minister will propose the appointment of Kate Forbes to Cabinet and of Jenny Gilruth as a Minister to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow.
Unveiling her new cabinet and government appointments, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “These appointments bring new talent into government and deliver a real focus, not only on driving forward our economy, but also on addressing the challenges of Brexit, increasing our population and ending Scotland’s contribution to the climate crisis.
“I am pleased to make these appointments and – in particular – to be able to put Scotland’s finances and Scotland’s economy into the hands of two incredibly talented colleagues.
“Fiona Hyslop has been an outstanding Cabinet Secretary, delivering a successful expansion of Scotland’s overseas presence and recognition, supporting our booming tourism industry and demonstrating the huge importance of culture – not just to our economy, but more importantly to who we are and how we see ourselves.
“I know she will bring that drive, passion and sharp focus to Scotland’s economy. Working alongside Kate Forbes as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, she will continue to drive forward our economy, support our key industries and maintain Scotland’s long tradition as an outward-looking, dynamic and enterprising nation.
“Ben Macpherson will continue to make the case for Scotland to have a distinct migration system in order to meet our economic, social and financial needs – and as Public Finance Minister will also take the lead on identifying ways to fund climate action, and he will work across government to build a wellbeing economy.
“Jenny Gilruth (above) will join government for the first time – having proven herself as a talented and hard-working MSP – and takes on the role of Minister for Europe and International Development. She will have the important task of promoting Scotland, building new links in a post-Brexit environment and delivering on our global responsibilities – and I know she is more than up to that challenge.”
New Appointments
•Cabinet Secretary for Finance – Kate Forbes (who also retains her current responsibility for the Digital Economy)
•Public Finance and Migration – Ben Macpherson
•Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Fair Work and Culture – Fiona Hyslop
•Minister for Europe and International Development – Jenny Gilruth
New Responsibilities
•Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs – Michael Russell
•Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism – Fergus Ewing
Jeremy Corbyn’s Shadow Scottish Secretary Lesley Laird backs Keir Starmer’s bid for the Labour leadership
Laird praises Keir’s leadership skills and “socialist credentials”
Former MP served as Shadow Scottish Secretary in Jeremy Corbyn’s frontbench team
Keir Starmer’s campaign for leadership of the Labour Party was today boosted by the endorsement of former Shadow Scottish Secretary Lesley Laird.
Ms Laird served in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet alongside Keir Starmer, until she lost her Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath seat in the December general election.
Praising Keir’s “socialist credentials”, Lesley Laird said: “I’m supporting Keir Starmer in this leadership election because I believe throughout this campaign already Keir has really shown his socialist credentials, which are going to be so important in taking forward the party and our policies to the electorate”.
Praising Keir’s leadership abilities, she added: “I’ve known Keir through our shadow cabinet roles, where he’s shown leadership – leadership at the despatch box and leadership in terms of the PLP – taking on difficult times and difficult territory for our Party through the Brexit process.
“I believe he has built up the trust and confidence of our PLP, of our wider membership and I believe he has the skills and the ability to build up the trust and confidence in the country – that will return a Labour Government.”
Mr Starmer is the overwhelming favourite to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party, with the other candidates Rebecca Long Bailey and Lia Nandy trailing.
Angela Rayner heads the race to become Deputy Leader.
Ballots will be dispatched to eligible Labour Party members from Monday 24 February.
Starts tomorrow at Royston Wardieburn
King’s Theatre, 18 – 22 February
I Think We Are Alone is a funny yet bittersweet tale, written by Sally Abbott (Vera, The Coroner), about the human ache to connect, and the letting go and holding on to what we love the most.
This new play stars Chizzy Akudolu (Edmond De Bergerac, Holby City), alongside Charlotte Bate (On The Other Hand We’re Happy), Caleb Roberts (She Ventures and He Wins), Simone Saunders (Jane Eyre), Andrew Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald; Coronation Street), and Polly Frame who recently headed up the cast of the critically-acclaimed Solaris which played at the Edinburgh Lyceum, and is a Frantic Assembly veteran having joined them on their last outing with Sometimes Thinking that played last year’s Latitude.
Co-directed by Artistic Director Scott Graham and Kathy Burke, I Think We Are Alone is the centrepiece in a year’s worth of activity to celebrate Frantic Assembly’s 25th anniversary and will be touring the length and breath of the UK throughout Spring 2020. You can catch it at the King’s Theatre this week.
OPEN DAY: TASTER SESSIONS this THURSDAY
