‘These crimes are committed by a small minority intent on ruining a great community spirit.’
Police Scotland have confirmed that a 17-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy have been charged in connection with the racially aggravated assault and robbery of a taxi driver in North Edinburgh. Continue reading Two charged following taxi driver attack
Leith to host monthly new comedy night
GILDED Balloon’s comedy newcomer competition, So You Think You’re Funny?, is back in 2017. Continue reading So you think you’re funny?
Tomorrow marks the start of Pass It On Week – and it lasts ten days!
With this year’s Pass It On Week starting tomorrow, now is the perfect time to clear out cupboards, wardrobes, garages and sheds of unwanted or unused stuff that could have a useful life with someone else. From clothes to bikes, books to sports kit and gadgets to tools, everything is potential re-use treasure. Continue reading Gearing up for Pass It On Week
Changeworks are organising a free afternoon of family-friendly fun and games in the Granton Medway BMX track on Saturday 18th March from 2 until 6pm to celebrate the champion work of the residents increasing their recycling and keeping the street clean and tidy. Continue reading Granton Gathers: street party in Granton Medway
Deidre Brock MP has called for tailored immigration solutions for Scotland to tackle its differing population needs and the economic threat of a ‘hard’ Brexit. She was speaking during yesterday’s Westminster debate on the Scottish Affairs Committee’s report into the demography of Scotland and its implications for devolution. Continue reading Brexit “a threat to Scotland’s population and prosperity”
Dear Editor
Actions by the Tory-led governments of 2010 and 2015 to deal with the financial crisis – caused not by the people, but by banks and financial institutions – was to immediately pass the debt onto the majority of people by restricting wages and reducing funding for services of all kinds.
They also launched a tremendous appeal to the people, assuring them that ‘we are all in this together’. This worked for a while but very quickly their tactic of ‘divide and rule’ was brought into play, blaming sections of the population for being scroungers or skivers, the disabled, those on benefits (particularly those on housing benefit), etc. to justify further cuts in wages and essential services.
After more than six years, people were seeing through their talk of a ‘big society’ and ‘all in this together’ speeches and began to realise they had been conned. This posed a threat to the continuation of Tory control, so out went David Cameron and in came Theresa May, who said in her first speech as PM she would do things differently, make changes to bring about a more just society and again making a Tory appeal for support from the people. She even claimed the Tories are now the party for working people!
This puts into context the continuous attack on Jeremy Corbyn in the press, in Parliament and other sections of the media. The Tories know his ability to speak the language of working people and therefore his capability of winning an election: this, the Tories fear.
The millions and millions of people who have seen and felt the difference between the words and deeds of the Tories must now reawaken nationwide activity and campaign to make real changes to our society.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
Police have released CCTV images of two males they wish to trace in connection with a serious assault in the city centre earlier this year. Continue reading CCTV appeal following Frederick Street assault
Cultural organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians are being urged to get their funding applications in now as a pioneering programme that promotes collaboration between Scottish business and culture celebrates a decade of success, investing more than £2.8 million across 175 individual arts and heritage projects in the Lothians. Continue reading Call for new applications as Lothians benefit from over £2.8 million in business/arts partnership funding
Leith Walk Studios are set to receive a £1,280,000 boost to provide develop the space into workplaces for new businesses and creative entrepreneurs. The grant will also see the re-development of the derelict buildings into a new street market initiative, energising Leith Walk and creating a draw for residents and visitors alike. Continue reading £1.28 million to develop Leith Walk hub
Funding for a charity supporting children with dyslexia is being doubled, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has announced. Dyslexia Scotland will receive £200,000 funding in 2017/18 to support their work, which includes a helpline, dyslexia assessments and tutoring.
New tools to help teachers address the needs of pupils with dyslexia are also being developed.
The Addressing Dyslexia toolkit has been revised to make it more accessible and easier to use. The free online resource helps teachers support children with dyslexia and literacy issues.
Free online training courses are also being developed to help teachers identify dyslexia early and improve support for pupils as they learn and when preparing to leave school.
Mr Swinney announced the funding at the launch of the refreshed toolkit yesterday, where he met young ambassadors for Dyslexia Scotland and the charity’s president, Sir Jackie Stewart.
Mr Swinney said: “It is vital that young people with dyslexia get the support they need so they can achieve their potential. Today I have met young people who show just how much can be achieved with the right identification and support. But we also know there is more to be done.
“That is why we are doubling the funding we provide to Dyslexia Scotland, to support their work in improving opportunities and supporting children and their families.
“To help children get the right start in life, teachers must be properly equipped to identify dyslexia early and provide the right support, which is why we have refreshed our Addressing Dyslexia toolkit, and created new online training tools.”
Sir Jackie Stewart (above) said: “I cannot emphasise how important it is for all teachers – and I mean all teachers – to use this free, comprehensive and informative Toolkit.
“For the sake of the 10-15% of children and young people with dyslexia in Scotland, my hope is that teachers, schools and local authorities actively promote this invaluable guidance and the accompanying online training. My sincere thanks go to the expert working group that has made this possible.
“My own experience at school scarred me for life due to the ignorance of my teacher – and we know that there are still too many young people not being identified and supported today. Therefore, I am delighted and very grateful that the Scottish Government has supported this initiative and that the Deputy First Minister has today announced that the funding to Dyslexia Scotland will be doubled next year.”
The Addressing Dyslexia toolkit was first launched in 2010.
The first of three online training modules – entitled ‘Introduction to dyslexia and inclusive practice’ – has been developed. It will be available on the Addressing Dyslexia, Open University and Dyslexia Scotland websites and through Education Scotland’s digital sites.
