PC Murdoch returns to the Capital

One of Scotland’s most beloved bobbies has returned home to Edinburgh after travelling around the country as part of Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail.  

PC Murdoch – a mini Oor Wullie sculpture painted in the style of the comic strip constable – has been on a tour of all of Police Scotland’s 13 regional divisions this summer in recognition of the work carried out by Scotland’s children’s hospital charities.  

The special sculpture visited all five Scottish cities taking part in the charity trail, before returning to Edinburgh just in time for Oor Wullie’s BIG Farewell Weekend at St Andrew Square, which took place from 13-15 September.  

Community Policing Inspector Bob Innes said: “We’re proud to be involved in this event and everyone has really enjoyed spotting the other Oor Wullie sculptures around Edinburgh this summer.  

“It’s been great to see our residents and visitors of the city sharing their fun photos online as they follow the trail around Scotland. Oor Wullie’s PC Murdoch joined us in Edinburgh recently during his tour of the country and spent time out and about with local officers.  

“The Farewell Weekend event at St Andrew Square was an amazing opportunity to see all of the big and small statues from the Edinburgh trail in one place before they’re auctioned off next week to raise funds for Scotland’s children’s hospital charities.”

A total of 200 life-sized Oor Wullie sculptures were installed around Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness as part of the trail, as well as a further 350 miniature versions decorated by school pupils.  

The Edinburgh auction takes place tomorrow (Thursday 19 September) at Prestonfield House, with all 60 sculptures from the city going under the hammer to raise funds for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC).  

Roslyn Neely, CEO of ECHC, said: “We would like to say an enormous thank you to Police Scotland for their efforts and kindness in supporting Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail.

It has been wonderful to follow PC Murdoch’s adventures this summer and we’re glad he has now safely returned to his forever home in Edinburgh.  

“Thanks to this project and the funds it will raise, we are able to continue the vital work we do in supporting children, young people and their families to have a positive hospital experience.”  

ECHC believes that nothing should get in the way of being a child and works to make sure children and young people’s lives are less interrupted by illness. It distributes around £1.5 million per year to support the RHSC and other children’s healthcare settings across Scotland.     

For more information or to donate, visit https://echcharity.org/  

Jeane Freeman announces inquiry into hospital sites

A public inquiry will be held to examine issues at the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) sites following recent concerns from affected parents over safety and wellbeing.

The inquiry will determine how vital issues relating to ventilation and other key building systems occurred, and what steps can be taken to prevent this being repeated in future projects.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The safety and well-being of all patients and their families is my top priority and should be the primary consideration in all NHS construction projects.

“I want to make sure this is the case for all future projects, which is why, following calls from affected parents, I am announcing a public inquiry to examine the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital sites.

“The recent KPMG and NSS reports into the new Edinburgh Children’s Hospital will provide a significant amount of the underpinning evidence for the inquiry alongside the ongoing independent review into the delivery and maintenance of the QEUH.

“The current situation is not one anyone would choose – but it is one I am determined to resolve.”

 

Edinburgh School Receives Free Author Residency

Scottish Book Trust has announced ten schools who will receive fully-funded author residencies this school year to inspire a lifelong love of reading and writing – and one of the ten is Leith’s Hermitage Park Primary School. 

The residencies will also give professional writers the opportunity to build relationships with the school and work together on a creative project. Continue reading Edinburgh School Receives Free Author Residency

Lindsay & Gilmour staff raise funds to enhance the lives of those experiencing chronic illness

A 32 strong team of Pharmacy professionals from Lindsay & Gilmour will take to the streets of Edinburgh this Sunday to complete a 24 mile walk raising funds to support people facing long term health challenges. Continue reading Lindsay & Gilmour staff raise funds to enhance the lives of those experiencing chronic illness

Port of Leith Housing Association holds young persons’ street art workshop

 

A group of young people have created a graffiti mural with Port of Leith Housing Association to celebrate Scottish Housing Day. Led by Spectrum Arts, the group experimented with spray painting techniques on an indoor wall at Transgression Skatepark inside Ocean Terminal. Continue reading Port of Leith Housing Association holds young persons’ street art workshop

Hot, hot, hot: Young Scots dance to the tune of £1.3 million

 

An intergenerational dance company that helps young people creatively connect with older generations through dance is amongst a number of groups sharing in 1.3 MILLION of dormant bank account funding announced today. Continue reading Hot, hot, hot: Young Scots dance to the tune of £1.3 million

Credit Unions: increasing access to affordable credit

Creating healthy balance sheets for Credit Unions

More people will have greater access to affordable credit and savings plans through a new £10 million fund.

Announced as part of the Programme for Government, the Credit Union Investment Fund will support credit unions to increase financial inclusion and help them to grow.

Credit unions are member-owned financial co-operatives, meaning they exist only for the benefit of the people who  use their services. They are not-for-profit and, as such, any money they make goes right back into providing competitive rates on savings and loans.

The Fund, which will open next spring, will be supported by a new Credit Union strategy that will improve credit union systems and increase their provision of affordable credit, reducing the cost of borrowing and offering savings opportunities in a responsible way.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Credit Unions are driven by a singular purpose: to serve their members, rather than to make profits for a select few.

“While more than 410,000 people in Scotland are already members of a credit union, we want them to become more mainstream so more people can benefit from their ethical services.

“This is particularly so for people who are unable to access mainstream financial services or have limited choices on where to go to borrow money so can feel forced to turn to high cost lenders who can exploit their vulnerable position.

“Credit unions offer saving plans as well as repayment rates that are affordable and tailored to the borrower’s income.

“By working with the sector to deliver this fund and strategy, we can enable it to develop and flourish.”

City parking proposals ‘respond to community concerns’

Telford to become a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)

Councillors have approved recommendations to progress proposals addressing parking pressures across Edinburgh, following the publication of findings from a citywide strategic review of parking.

The decision will see 25 new Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) created across the city and a host of Priority Parking Areas will also be introduced.

Continue reading City parking proposals ‘respond to community concerns’

Stepping Stones North Edinburgh AGM

Stepping Stones (North Edinburgh)

Invite you to our

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

At Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 11 Pilton Drive North, EH5 1NF

On Monday 30th September, 2019 at 12.30pm

As part of our AGM Young Parents will be presenting work about modern motherhood in 2019. This will be followed by a buffet lunch.  We hope you can join us.

R.S.V.P. 9A Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh EH5 1NF

By Monday 23rd September 2019

Tel. 0131 551 1632/info@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk

Registered Office: 9A Pilton Drive North Edinburgh EH5 1NF. Registered in Scotland as a Private Company Limited by Guarantee no. SC281866 Charity no. SC021775

Please R.S.V.P. to: 10, Wardieburn Road, Edinburgh EH5 1LY

EACC meets this Thursday

The next meeting of the Edinburgh Association of Community Councils will take place on Thursday (19th September 2019) from 7 pm until 9 pm in The European Room at the City Chambers.

The papers for the meeting can be downloaded HERE or from EACC Documents on the website Continue reading EACC meets this Thursday