The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3582 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

‘Volcano Hunters’ face icy reception

Icelandic police hunt for Edinburgh charity fundraisers

They set off with the noblest of intentions – to raise as much money as they could for PoppyScotland. However it seems that a plan to raise funds by off-roading in Iceland has incurred the wrath of the gods – or at least the local police – and could yet spark a diplomatic incident.

In the finest Boy’s Own tradition, ex-servicemen Matt McHugh and Rhys Rowlands have been planning Operation Ragnarok (a Norse term interpreted as Final Destiny of the Gods) since April. During their month-long expedition this month the men plan to drive a pick-up truck on tricky off-road terrain to the summits of five or six volcanoes across Iceland. It’s the type of challenge Jeremy Clarkson himself would relish.

However it appears that their meticulous planning did not include checking out Iceland’s environmental laws and local sensitivities. The pair’s escapade has caused a storm of protest and could land them in hot water – and we’re not talking geysers!

A number of readers, including some from Iceland, have contacted NEN to express their anger over the expedition.

One said: ‘This is as illegal as it gets in Iceland, you cannot do off-road driving in Iceland. I hope this is just a(n) honest mistake and that you two are not one of the people to leave scars in the fragile environment that we are responsible for!’

Another added: ‘I sincerely hope they find another way to fund this. As others have said here before me off road driving in Iceland is illegal and an downright insult to us Icelanders. The nature here is very delicate and driving off road damages it and leaves a permanent mark.

‘The damages to moss alone can take hundreds of years to heal and frankly travelling to a country that is known for its untouched nature only to damage its nature is idiotic.’

According to local news source Iceland Review the ‘volcano hunters’ are now being hunted by police. IR’s Alex Elliot reported: ‘Northeast Iceland police were not informed of the expedition ahead of time, and the police chief in Húsavík says the case is under investigation in partnership with Vatnajökull National Park rangers to see what damage has been caused to the sensitive landscape.

‘The police chief says that all motorized traffic in the area is forbidden and if the men did indeed drive there, they were in a restricted area. The case would fall under nature protection laws. Any punishment will depend on how much damage the alleged off-road driving has caused and could result in heavy fines.’

Back in April when they launched their Operation Ragnarok campaign, the pair (above) said they were bracing themselves for ‘a tough time ahead’.

Matt said: “I have always wanted to see lava and, admittedly, there might be simpler ways to do this but tackling these volcanoes and reaching the summits is going to be a huge adventure and will test our endurance and stamina to the maximum.”

Rhys added: “The rocky, off-road environment and varying climate of Iceland will test our resilience and perseverance. The attributes and skills we learned in the military will help us to operate in this remote area but it will still be extremely hazardous.”

A tough time and hazardous, indeed – but maybe not the kind of challenges the comrades trained for …

A meander through Muirhouse?

Join Pilton Community Health Project’s walkers for a summer stroll through Muirhouse and Silverknowes this Thursday evening. All welcome – walk leaves Muirhouse Community Shop on Pennywell Road at 7pm.

Learning? Together it’s fun

Early learning initiative will focus on P1 – P3s

Parents and families have a key role to play in helping their children to read, write and count well. That’s the message from Read, Write, Count, a new Government-led campaign aimed at children in Primaries 1 to 3.

The campaign, which was launched yesterday, will build on the Scottish Government’s PlayTalkRead early years campaign by encouraging parents and families to include reading, writing and counting in their everyday activities, such as walking around the supermarket or travelling home from school.

The campaign, which will be delivered in partnership with Education Scotland and Scottish Book Trust, builds on existing Scottish Government efforts to tackle educational inequalities and raise attainment in early years and beyond.

As part of the campaign, all P1-3 children will receive a gift of books and literacy and numeracy learning materials through their school. Outreach will be provided in some communities to support parents, families and communities to make the most of these resources. Resources will be available for children in both English and Gaelic medium education.

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “Ensuring children read, write and count well early is key to their success at school and in life. There’s lots of really good work already underway across Scotland and Read, Write, Count will bring some exciting new and fun ideas into the mix.

“Crucially, it will encourage parents and families to play a key role in helping their children – something all the evidence suggests can have a big impact on how well children do at school.

“I was proud to launch PlayTalkRead nationally in 2011, which encouraged parents to play, talk and read more often with their children. Read, Write, Count takes the idea of learning further.

“It’s understandable that any parent or carer could feel daunted about playing a part in their child’s education. That’s why our campaign offers support on bringing fun and learning in to everyday activities with their child to make life happier and easier.

“Whether it’s in the supermarket, on the way to school, at bedtime or sitting down for a meal, learning isn’t just for classrooms or homework. Read, Write, Count offers some great ideas on how adults and children can have fun learning and sharing together. I would urge parents, carers and the primary pupils themselves to check out the website for ideas on how to get involved.”

Sophie Moxon, Deputy Director of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Scottish Book Trust is delighted to be working together with the Scottish Government and Education Scotland to deliver Read, Write Count. The campaign builds on the success of our existing Bookbug programme to deliver a new, exciting campaign for P1-3.

“Gifting a pack of high quality books and literacy and numeracy resources directly into the hands of every pupil in P1–3, coupled with strong community outreach, will make a fundamental contribution to the lives and prospects of all children in Scotland, especially those in our most disadvantaged communities.”

For more information and resources on Read, Write, Count, visit www.readwritecount.scot.

Join Granton Community Gardeners for BBQ this weekend

Dear All,

Hope you’re well and enjoying the Summer!

You’re all invited to our Annual Summer BBQ this Saturday. It’s at the community garden on the corner of Wardieburn Road and Boswall Parkway. Free food will be served from 2pm-4pm or when it’s all run out. All welcome!

It’s harvest time at the moment, but there’s always something to do whatever the season; come and help out at our regular drop-ins every Tuesday and Saturday at 11am. No previous gardening experience required.
(Meet at garden on corner of Wardieburn Road and Boswall Parkway)

Another event next week is our ‘Dream Meal’ and AGM on Thursday 27 August at 6pm at Pilton Community Health Project.

This will be a chance to contribute ideas/dreams for the future of our community gardening, and there will be a meal provided (please RSVP so we can cater appropriately). We are also making this our AGM as we are planning to apply for charitable status for our group, so we need to make a formal decision.

Tomato crop is just starting to ripen in the greenhouse, so hopefully there’ll be some to taste at the BBQ!

Tom, Granton Community Gardeners
http://www.facebook.com/grantoncommunitygardeners

Police seek witnesses to walkway robbery

Cyclists may hold vital information

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault and robbery in North Edinburgh yesterday.

The incident happened around 6am near the Boswall Place exit on the walkway behind Morrisons that runs from Crewe Road North to Pilton Drive.

A 57-year-old man was approached and assaulted by six youths, who then stole his phone. The scene was attended by the Scottish Ambulance Service and the victim was treated for minor facial injuries.

The first suspect is described as a white male, around 5ft tall, 14-years-old, with a skinny build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a black tracksuit.

The second and third suspects are described as white males, 15-16 years old, around 5ft 5inches in height with skinny builds. They were dressed all in black and one of them was in possession of a bicycle.

The remaining three suspects are all described as white males, 17-18 years old, around 5ft 9inches tall with skinny builds. All were wearing grey cotton tracksuits.

The group were last seen heading in the direction of Crewe Road.

Detective Constable Chris Harding said: “This was an unprovoked and cowardly attack on a lone man as he went about his daily business and we’re urging anyone with information which can help with our enquiries to come forward.

“In particular, we’re eager to trace two cyclists who were in the area at the time of the incident and who may be able to assist us in identifying the suspects.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Library success story is a tale worth telling

Edinburgh’s libraries are thriving – more people are using our city’s library services than ever before.

A report to the Council’s Culture and Sport Committee tomorrow (Tuesday 18 August) will detail achievements such as a 2% increase in visits to libraries and 16% increase to special events, a 4% rise in transactions, significant upgrades to buildings and an expansion of digital services.

The Next Generation Library Strategy 2012–2015, based on a major public consultation involving customers, staff, local communities, partners and stakeholders, was approved in March 2012 and sets out key objectives for the development of the service.

Achievements include:

• The doubling of membership of the Central Children’s Library since the new service began in 2014;
• The launch of Level-UP, an innovative reading and gaming scheme for boys aged 11-14;
• The award-winning Digital Toybox project at Drumbrae;
• Free books for four-year-olds of high social need through Reading Rainbows Literacy;
• The first MoreFun Book Festival in Moredun in June this year;
• New buildings at Drumbrae and Craigmillar;
• Eleven libraries earning the in-house Gold Standard Programme.

The strategy’s eight objectives are:

• Access to library and information services through a community based network of small libraries, neighbourhood libraries and larger neighbourhood hubs;
• Buildings fit for purpose, in the right place;
• Innovative and excellent 24/7 electronic access to library services;
• Improved literacy and digital skills and enhanced love of reading;
• Effective use of technology to deliver service improvements;
• Empowered and motivated staff delivering excellent customer service;
• Best Value from resources and assets through partnership, innovation, income generation and new ways of working;
• Increased customer base supported by clear marketing and promotion of the service.

Edinburgh has 28 public library buildings, a mobile library service and outreach library services for looked after children, hospitals, care homes, and HMP Edinburgh.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “I am delighted that all of the hard work put in by staff to make libraries so appealing is paying off, and that so many people have discovered what wonderful places they are.

“Our libraries are fantastic, inclusive facilities that can be enjoyed by all ages and backgrounds. They cater for all, whether you want to borrow books or read newspapers, or if you’d rather play computer games or take your children to a rhyme time session. Best of all, these services are either free or at a very low cost.

“We will keep delivering on the objectives of the strategy, so that we can continue to develop the diversity of services provided by libraries.”

New term, new classrooms

Hundreds of primary school children will start learning in their new classrooms today as the city council continues to tackle the issue of rising school rolls. Local primaries Wardie and Flora Stevenson are among the schools to start the new school year with additional classrooms.

The Council has provided 24 new class spaces, delivered in conjunction with partners Hub South East Scotland Ltd and Morrison Construction, for the start of the 2015/16 school session.

The primary schools where the new class spaces have been provided are: James Gillespie’s (4 classes), Clermiston (4), Flora Stevenson (3), Gilmerton (4), Pentland (3), Ratho (4) and Wardie (2).

In addition South Morningside Primary School now has a significant new temporary annexe which has been created for P1 and P2 pupils at the former Deanbank Resource Centre and extra internal space has been provided at both Brunstfield and Liberton Primary Schools.

Since 2013 the Council has provided 70 new class spaces to accommodate the city’s increasing primary school population, ensuring catchment pupils can get a place at their catchment school. At the start of the 2014/15 school year there were 28,010 primary school pupils but latest estimates show this is anticipated to rise to 31,700 by 2020 and then increase further to 35,400 by 2030.

New classrooms or not, good luck to all the children starting their new school today!

Walled garden group takes steps (and may just build some too!)

Last week seven of the ‘Action Group’ got together outside the walled garden for some serious discussions, following on from the recent positive meeting with developers EDI Ltd (writes KIRSTY SUTHERLAND).

How to get steps up this steep slope & understanding where the castle used to be!

Many trees have covered the quarry site where Granton Castle stood until 1926, and the ground level is a lot lower than it used to be.

What we chatted about at this site visit:

Possible temporary access point to the walled garden back door, still in working order but at the top of a wooded embankment.
Access and horticultural use proposal, ‘Heads of terms’, is to be put forward to EDI on behalf of the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden.

(KS to circulate license proposal to committee members for discussion as soon as draft available)

We hope to begin work in earnest with the RCAHMS through ‘Scotland’s Urban Past’ by the end of October at the latest. Scotland’s Lost Gardens

Surveys of the listed walls & garden are needed urgently, before any clearance work and restoration could begin.

Finally a thank you to Anne Hamilton of Lothian Life for publishing an awareness-raising article on our behalf. See Granton’s Secret Garden

Castle doocot with chimney and pump, gardeners bothy in Cockburn's time

Our next General Meeting is open to all – hope you can make it!

Thursday 10 September, 6-7.30 pm
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North

Agenda so far…

Stairway to the garden door! When could we start, initial funding?
Community Shares Scotland guest speaker – presentation & questions answered on how this could work. A short film was forwarded to explain the basics Community Shares animation
Ideas for the first couple of years, if we get in! Archaeological digs? CSA? Heritage Orchard project?

Please get in touch if you are coming along, seating for 20, or send in any questions or ideas if you can’t make it.

Back to skool advice from NHS24

AS children return to school after the summer holidays, NHS 24 is reminding parents of the wealth of health advice and information available to help their families stay fit and healthy throughout the year.

NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “With children returning to school in the next week or two, what better time than for parents to think about their children’s health and preparing for the year ahead.

“NHS inform includes a section on common health questions associated with children’s health, with information on a wide variety of matters from diet and exercise to pain relief and blood types.

“There is also a section dedicated to answering those common questions you may have about vaccinations and you can also find out what to have in your first aid kit at home.

“It is a busy time of year for parents as they get ready for the new school year but I would advise them to take some time now to think about their children’s health. By taking simple steps, you can help prevent minor illnesses affecting your family.”

For further health advice and information go to www.nhsinform.co.uk

The popular health resource provides a wealth of advice and information on health issues relevant to young people as they embark on or continue their higher education years.

The Health A-Z is packed with information about common illness, treatments and health services, covering topics from acne to yellow fever. Users can also find out about local health services and information on how to register with a GP.

For more info visit

www.twitter.com/nhs24 and www.facebook.com/nhs24