The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3155 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Port of Leith residents raise £1580 for Macmillan

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has raised £1580 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

PoLHA’s sheltered housing developments St Nicholas Court, Hermitage Court and Jameson Place hosted events for their residents and locals as part of the charity’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ initiative last Friday.

Suzie Connery, who manages the Hermitage Court complex, said:
“We are delighted so many people came along to help makes the coffee mornings a success. Without their generosity we would not have been able to raise such a vast amount of money to this fantastic cause.”

Pictured (left to right): Christine McCauldin, Irene Graham, Mary Fox and Ella Maitland

EVOC thinkSpace event: A Fairer Scotland

Friday 9 October, 9.30am – 12.30pm, EVOC Office

We would be delighted if you join EVOC’s Fairer Scotland thinkSpace and hear speakers from the Scottish Government and the Third Sector consider the questions in the current consultation:

What are the main issues that matter to you?
What do you think needs to be done to create a fairer Scotland?
How can you and your community play a role in helping to shape our future?

We invite you to bring two other stakeholders from your organisation, e.g. service users and/or trustees.

Robin McAlpine of the Common Weal will be speaking on People Power plus we have facilitators confirmed from Citizens Advice Scotland, Crisis Edinburgh and One Parent Family Scotland. Ella Simpson, EVOC’s Director will be leading the discussions on what we can do in Edinburgh and how we can feed back into the consultation process.

You can book places at: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evoc-thinkspace-fairer-scotland-tickets-18434528170

View the Fairer Scotland thinkSpace Programme.

REMINDER: Voluntary Sector Forum

The October meeting of Forth and Inverleith VSF was brought forward as the meeting was scheduled to take place during the school holidays.

The new date is Tuesday 6 October 1-3pm, at Pilton Community Health Project.

Local MP suspended pending police probe

Edinburgh West MP Michelle Thomson has withdrawn from the SNP whip and been suspended by the party after police launched an investigation into property deals conducted by her lawyer Christopher Hales.

News of the police investigation follows revelations which first appeared in a Sunday Times article on 19 September.

Mrs Thomson’s solicitor, Christopher Hales, was struck off in May last year after being found guilty of professional misconduct in relation to 13 property deals – all of which involved Ms Thomson or her company M&F Property Solutions.

There is no suggestion Michelle Thomson is personally being investigated by police, and the Edinburgh West MP – who was also the SNP’s spokeswoman for business, innovation and skills at Westminster – said she will ‘cooperate fully’ with any investigation.

She said yesterday: “I am aware of the police investigation and will cooperate fully if required to do so. I have always acted within the law and look forward to being cleared of any wrong doing.

“I have this afternoon decided to withdraw from the party whip whilst an investigation takes place. Once the investigation is concluded I look forward to returning to play a full role in party activities. I will be making no further comment on this matter.”

While investigations are ongoing Ms Thomson, who was elected in May, will sit as an independent MP at Westminster.

Glasgow Girls in Muirhouse!

Please help to publicise the screening of the Glasgow Girls next Thursday night (8 October) at North Edinburgh Arts (writes Lynn McCabe).

We will be joined by one of the young women from Drumchapel High School who helped to initiate the campaign against dawn raids and deportation of asylum seekers in her community in 2005.

Transport will be available for anyone who needs it. For further information call 552 5700 or email lynn.mccabe@ea.edin.sch.uk

October plant of the month: bay laurel

More than a green leaf

The bay laurel, “laurus noblis”, is also commonly known as a bay tree, sweet bay, true laurel and Grecian laurel. It is a superbly fragrant evergreen tree/shrub that originates in the Mediterranean region and its glossy green leaves can be clipped into stunning shapes to add dignity to your doorsteps and panache to your patios. The bay tree is also incredibly easy to grow and October is the ideal month to give it a place in your garden which is why the bay tree is Thejoyofplants.co.uk‘s Garden Plant of the Month of October.

Leaf, flower and berry

Glossy green, stately shape: Laurus nobilis lives up to its name. The strongest feature of the bay tree is its dark green, pointed oval leaves. In May, it produces cream-coloured flowers and in autumn it produces glossy black oval fruit. If you leave the bay tree to its own devices, it can grow up to 40 metres tall and will look strong and ruggedly beautiful, however it is more commonly used in topiary and can be clipped into a variety of wonderful shapes.

Flavour

The bay leaf adds extra flavour to many different dishes such as goulashes, stews, soups, casseroles, marinades and pickling juices and is also a great addition to a Bloody Mary!

Interesting Facts

Historically, the bay tree has been used as both an antiseptic and a digestive and it has also been placed in food jars to deter weevils.

Mice are not bay tree fans so scatter bay leaves in your pantry to deter these furry visitors from your home.

Oil from bay leaves is used in massage products to relieve arthritis and rheumatism and in aromatherapy to treat high blood pressure and earache.

The laurel symbolises high status, prosperity and fame and in Christianity it also symbolised the resurrection of Christ.

Easy

You do not require green fingers to grow the bay tree – indeed, under ideal conditions, it can live for as long as a hundred years. The bay will thrive in containers, particularly if it is watered regularly and placed in a sheltered, sunny or partially shaded position. Feed your plants every two weeks during May and June and ideally re-pot every two years in the spring. Bay trees can withstand cold temperatures but frosts and extreme cold will damage them so they should be covered when the mercury drops or put in your garage or any other frost-free outbuilding.

Show support for Charlie Bear

My name’s Jaymee Gorrie and I am currently fundraising for The Charlie Bear Fund – a group of friends and family raising funds for The Ronald McDonald House Charities and The British Heart Foundation on behalf of a 6 week old little boy named Charlie Campbell.

Charlie has recently undergone major heart surgery after being diagnosed with a rare condition called Di George syndrome which was a shock to everyone involved as this condition is normally recognisable at birth however until 4 weeks ago he was a happy healthy baby.

Charlie is now in the children’s hospital in Glasgow battling for his life whilst his big sister Kendal Leigh and the rest of the family are in Edinburgh. His parents Nicole and Ben, as you can imagine, are not only distraught about being given this news but now are finding it very hard to cope with being away from home

However due to the fabulous Ronald McDonald House, they have been given a home from home and are able to stay with their sick child day and night and spend every minute possible with him hence why they are desperate to give something back.

We are desperately seeking help from lovely people like yourselves in the hope that you may be able to provide us with some support and raise awareness of our cause while we start this rollercoaster of a campaign.

At the moment we are finding it very difficult to find businesses willing to offer donations and were hoping with your help we can change that. We would be so grateful for any help and support you may be able to offer, thank you in advance.

Jaymee and the charlie bear team.

https://m.facebook.com/Thecharliebearfund

Charlie Bear’s Halloween Disco – 24 October 4-6PM

at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

The Charlie Bear Funday – 7 November 12-4 at PYCP

Celebrate Older People’s Day at Active Ageing event

To celebrate International Older People’s Day, come along a fun-filled afternoon at Meadowbank Sports Centre tomorrow (Thursday 1 October from 12.30 – 4pm).

Organised by Edinburgh Leisure, experience a great afternoon with exciting stalls, energetic and toe-tapping demonstrations, and take a partner for a fun-filled tea dance!

Active Aging – 50 years and beyond. Event 1^st October 2015

Last chance to comment on SESplan Main Issues Report

A public consultation into how the future of Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland should be shaped closes tomorrow.

Anyone interested in commenting on the Main Issues Report, which will be used to develop plans to accommodate the area’s future growth, have until the consultation ends on 30 September.

Feedback received will help identify people’s key issues and priorities and will be used to form a strategic development plan for the area. This will inform the Local Development Plan for each local authority area in the region, focusing on long-term strategic level planning matters such as housing, economic growth, green networks and infrastructure.

Councillor Ian Perry, Chair of the SESplan Committee, said: “The South East of Scotland faces serious challenges as a result of population increases and projected future growth. It is vital that we plan now to make sure we have adequate housing and infrastructure, while protecting the environment.

“This means that we have to think creatively and innovatively to find solutions that will help ensure the continued success and growth of the area.

“The response we have received from local residents so far has been very encouraging but there is still plenty of time to have their views heard. Their comments will help us to make decisions that play a vital role in shaping the future of the region.”

Comment on the consultation through the SESplan website.

‘Amazing’ public response to refugee appeal

Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf was in Glasgow yesterday to support volunteers loading an aid lorry with urgent materials and supplies for refugees in the Balkans. The Minister praised Scots’ ‘amazing’ response to the humanitarian emergency.

The truck leaves Scotland later this week and will travel 1, 660 miles, bound for Novi Sad in the Balkans, where it will be received by the Red Cross and other NGOs working to aid refugees. It’s estimated materials and supplies will begin arriving at the regional aid hub in as little as 72 hours after departing Glasgow.

16 tonnes of warm winter clothing and ‘Soapaid’ hygiene bars have been kindly donated by the Scottish public to Glasgow The Caring City since the humanitarian crisis began. The soap can combat five of the seven main waterborne diseases.

Mr Yousaf said: “We have been overwhelmed with practical offers of support from people across Scotland who want to help alleviate the suffering of vulnerable people caught up in this humanitarian emergency. Scotland’s response has been amazing so far.

“The work of the refugee task force is well underway. Scotland stands ready to give the very best of Scottish welcomes to the refugees who are fleeing their homes and seeking protection, safety and security but we’re urging the UK Government to do more now and help those in need on mainland Europe.

“The Scottish Government has reiterated its support, making it clear to the UK Government that we will take a proportionate share of the numbers who come to the UK.”

Reverend Neil Galbraith from Glasgow The Caring City said: “Structuring a humanitarian response which meets the needs of people fleeing the most distressing circumstances of violence and conflict, is a skilled and professional tasks. Glasgow the Caring City charity leads from the front at times such as this. We are the conduit between the goodwill of the people of Scotland and those seeking refuge in times of crisis.

“Our people on the ground in Serbia and senior staff in Scotland are coordinating an aid distribution program which links with local statutory agencies, The Red Cross and other NGO’s to ensure that we effectively contribute to a situation which is ever changing in nature and scale with each passing day.

“Glasgow’s charity is matching the goodwill of the Scottish people with the needs of those in their greatest hours of need. Our aid will be sustained and will cover a large geographical area including Serbia, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia and northern Greece but vitally, it is coordinated by our staff on the ground and highly experienced partner agencies.”

People who wish to donate to the crisis are being asked to raise money so that it can be deployed through charities to reach those most in need.

Members of the public are also being encouraged to visit the Scottish Government’s dedicated website: www.scotlandwelcomesrefugees.scot