Taking Kerr of the city council

New Chief Executive gets down to work

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Andrew Kerr, the new Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council began work yesterday. Mr Kerr joins from Cornwall Council and succeeds Dame Sue Bruce who retired last week following 40 years of public service.

Councillors unanimously approved a report recommending his appointment during May’s council meeting, following which he has made a number of trips to the Capital to familiarise himself with the role.

Andrew Kerr said: “This is a tremendous opportunity to lead one of the most high profile local authorities in the UK.

“There are undoubtedly major challenges ahead with increasing demands for council services and reducing budgets but I will do my utmost to ensure that the Council continues to work hard for the city and everyone who lives, works, visits and invests here.

“A great deal has been achieved in Edinburgh in recent years, and still much more to aim for, and I am looking forward to working closely with elected members, officers and our partners to ensure that we build on those successes.

“Of course, on a personal level, it is also great to return home, particularly when I still have family, including my parents, based here in Scotland.”

One of Andrew’s achievements in his previous role came earlier this month, successfully negotiating a Devolution Deal for Cornwall – the first rural authority in England to be offered one.

Edinburgh is currently working with its five neighbouring local authorities to pursue a similar deal for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region.

Council Leader Andrew Burns said: “It was clear from the recruitment process that Andrew had the qualities required to take on the role and I look forward to working closely with him to ensure the continuing prosperity of our city.

“He brings significant experience of leading and delivering change in the public sector and has achieved recent success in securing a Devolution Deal for Cornwall – all of which is very encouraging as he moves into his new role. I’m sure he’ll hit the ground running.”

Andrew Kerr began his career with the District Council in Falkirk, the town of his birth. His 32-year public sector career has since included over three years at Birmingham City Council, where he led the national award-winning Birmingham BEST organisational development programme. From 2005 he led the turnaround of North Tyneside Council as its new CEO.

He was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Cardiff Council in March 2012 where he delivered a £900m joint venture in waste management. He has led transformation programmes in his last three authorities delivering more than £100m worth of savings.  In his most recent post with Cornwall Council he led a programme planned to deliver £196m savings in the next four years.

Andrew has also represented Great Britain in international athletics (400m) – so he must know a good deal about running a council (sorry!)

Thursday is Fun Day at Granton Youth Centre

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Granton Youth Centre’s the place to be this Thursday as GYC are holding a fun day at West Granton Road from noon until 3pm.

Come along and join in games, bouncy castle, storytelling, face painting and a BBQ.  Entry is free – all welcome!

For more info contact Granton Youth Centre on 467 5854

Musical Director? Choreographer? Join the A-Team!

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A-Team Productions are seeking a musical director and choreographer for their 2016 production, Next Stop: Broadway.
Rehearsals span October through February, twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
This year we are not in a position to pay our Musical Director therefore this is a voluntary opportunity open to someone who has the time to commit to auditions, rehearsals and production week.
Do you know someone who has got what it takes? Can you please spread the word and let relevant people know.
 
Candidates should email
with a cover letter and CV.

A-Team productions are a not-for-profit organisation based in North Edinburgh, run by a team of experienced volunteers. Our ethos is simple: to provide a platform for young people ages 11-18 to construct and perform one musical per annum.

Kind Regards

 
Sean Quinn
Chair, A-Team Productions
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Finlay’s FUNdraising at Ainslie Park this Saturday

Wee Finlay Thomson’s family have organised a charity fundraising event to support the Sick Kids Foundation as a thank you for the excellent treatment they gave Finlay during his battle with cancer … 

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Most of you know about the football tournament taking place at Spartans this coming Saturday (see yesterday’s post, In Memory of Frankie).

Well, the lovely staff at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre have given us use of one of their halls along with the bouncy castle from 3pm to 5pm.

Other activities for the kids include Beat the goalie, Hook the duck, Splat the rat and Arts & crafts.

There will also be face painting from 3.30pm to 4.45pm courtesy of the very talented Brenda of Bubbly Bees & Co.

We will also have a Bake Sale, Guess the number of sweets and Guess the name of the cuddly toy.

Hopefully you can make it along to either/both the charity events.

Hopefully see you Saturday.

Anna, Bryan & Finlay. Xxx

The link to the event is

https://www.facebook.com/events/692263184240908/

Free family trip to Scottish National Gallery

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Making Faces:
Free Art Activities Trip

Thursday 6 August
10am – 12noon
4-12 years and families

The Scottish National Gallery (SNG) will be hosting free art activities for children and families (aged 4-12years). Inspired by the summer exhibitions at the National Galleries, the theme for the programme is ‘heads and faces’. The free SNG visit will include a guided tour of the exhibition ‘Bailey’s Stardust’ and an exclusive visit to Making Faces.

If you would like to join the North Edinburgh Arts group travelling up to the National Galleries to enjoy the Making Faces activities please book your free space now. We will be going to the galleries by bus (fare not included) leaving and returning to NEA together.

Spaces are limited. To book your free place:

Call: 0131 315 2151
Email: admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
In person at North Edinburgh Arts

Please note: The cost of transport is not included.

STV city channels to cover Festival

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STV Edinburgh and STV Glasgow will join forces to bring the best of the festival into homes across the central belt next month. They are pairing up to broadcast the Edinburgh Festival 2015 programme live from Akva bar and cafe from Wednesday 5 August.

The show will see hosts Ewen Cameron and Hayley Matthews from STV Edinburgh’s flagship programme The Fountainbridge Show team up with STV Glasgow’s David Farrell and Jennifer Reoch to bring the best international talent and local acts to the screen over the course of the festival. 

Paul Hughes, channel editor of STV’s City channels said: “The Edinburgh Festival is the world’s biggest arts festival and it’s on our doorstep. It’s an exciting opportunity for STV’s City channels to cover an event that’s both local and global at the same time bringing the festival to our viewers in a way we never have before.”  

The one-hour show will be broadcast live at 7pm each weekday evening from the canal-side Akva bar and restaurant at Edinburgh Quay.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “Every year, visitors and media from all over the world descend on the Scottish capital to experience our festivals. No one is more immersed in the festival atmosphere than the local reporters who cover Edinburgh in August.

“This new show will give viewers a unique insight into the heart of each festival. It’s great that STV is shining a spotlight on Edinburgh in this way and I hope it will encourage viewers to visit the city for themselves.”

As well as the Edinburgh Festival 2015 programme, STV Edinburgh and STV Glasgow will be featuring highlights of the festival on the Edinburgh Festival 2015 catch-up programme from 8:30pm Monday to Friday and the Edinburgh Festival See What You Missed show each weekend. 

Edinburgh Festival 2015 is sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Authority and is available on Freeview channel 23, Sky channel 117 and Virgin channel 159.

Gold medallist joins judging panel for Summer of Sport

Miller Homes Summer of Sport Sarah Clark

Commonwealth Judo Gold Medallist Sarah Clark will judge the Scottish applications for this year’s Miller Homes Summer of Sport competition.

Now in its fourth year, Summer of Sport is giving local sports clubs across Miller Homes developments a chance of receiving a cash boost by taking part in the competition, which could see them win £500 or, for the first time, pick up a top prize of £1,000.

To take part, entrants have to say in no more than 200 words why their sports club is worthy of winning, how the money will benefit the club and what it will be spent on.

Neil Gaffney, Sales and Marketing Director at Miller Homes Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have Scottish Judo Champion Sarah Clark on board with us to judge the entries for Summer of Sport. Sarah’s judo career has been inspirational and was topped off when she picked up the Gold medal in Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games last year. Her insights and enthusiasm will be a welcome addition to the judging process.

“Over the last few years we’ve been delighted with the success of our Summer of Sport competition and particularly the impact receiving the prize money has had on the winning clubs.

“We have been really impressed with the diversity and standard of entries from those clubs who’ve taken part previously. As a result we will be extending our support this year for those in our communities who are providing opportunities for sport, education and development by awarding an overall prize of £1,000 to one of our six regional winners.

“We strongly encourage anyone with an affiliation to a sports team or club to have a go, and wish all entrants the very best of luck.”

Commonwealth Gold medallist Sarah Clark said: “Coming from a small local club, as many of the entrants to the competition will be, I know first hand how important it is to have the right equipment and access to regular training. The Summer of Sport competition is an excellent way of supporting local clubs and I’m looking forward to receiving entries for this year’s competition. I am sure it will be a tough challenge to select a winner.”

Competition judges will assess the entries on a variety of factors, including how the money will be used and how it will directly support the development and fitness of its members.

Details of the initiative have been distributed at a local level among sports clubs and associations; however community leaders and club managers can also pick up an entry form at any one of Miller Homes’ marketing suites across the country.

To find your nearest Miller Homes development, please visit the Miller Homes website. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 31 August. Terms and conditions apply.

Miller Homes operates in the following six regional areas: Scotland, North West of England, North East of England, Yorkshire, The Midlands, and Southern.

Hold the front page! Jobs in George Street

The Printing Press is looking for staff

Tempus Restaurant

 

Edinburgh’s vibrant culinary scene will soon be joined by the opening of The Printing Press, an elegant, all-day restaurant that will champion seasonal Scottish produce.

The restaurant is due to open this autumn on the site of the former EH2 Tempus, with a new small coffee house called Burr & Co. next door.

Altogether, a team of 70 new staff will be needed – from waiters, bartenders and baristas to hosts, supervisors, managers, sous chefs and chefs de partie.

Stephen Begg, restaurant manager, said: “The Printing Press is set to offer Edinburgh a relaxed, warm and friendly drinking and dining destination where guests feel right at home. For that reason, we need a great team of people, with bags of personality, who are passionate about food and customer service.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to get in at the start of an exciting new restaurant launch and to be a part of all the activity that accompanies it. Our aim is to deliver great style at every level, from the food and drink to the interiors and the service. We hope The Printing Press will become a destination that people want to come back to, time and time again, not only for the great food but also for the talented and friendly staff who work there.”

Successful candidates will receive an intensive training course to learn about every element of the business, and a 19-day programme has been specially created for that purpose.

Both The Printing Press and Burr & Co. will open in the autumn.

A chef recruitment open day will take place on Monday, 24 August and the front of house recruitment open day will take place on Tuesday, 25 August 2015.

No appointment necessary, both recruitment days will take place from 12pm to 9pm at The George Hotel.

Alternatively, CVs and a short covering email can be sent to recruitment@edinburghgeorgehotel.co.uk  

In memory of Frankie

Charity match will raise funds for local youth project

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In 2005, Frank McEwan, a local Pilton lad in his twenties, tragically died of cancer. It is a tribute to his vibrant personality that, ten years on, several of his friends wish to pay tribute to him.

Frank, known as Frankie to his friends, was a keen and gifted footballer who played for West Pilton Albion FC. It is therefore fitting that the tribute is in the form of a football match – West Pilton Albion Veterans v Lauriston Thistle.

This will take place at East Pilton Park on Saturday 1 August, kick off 2 pm. As well as the match itself, there will be other attractions like Beat the Goalie, Spot the Ball and a raffle with some excellent prizes generously donated by local businesses. Refreshments will also be served.

As well as a fitting way to honour Frankie’s life, this should prove a really good community event. All proceeds will be donated to Pilton Youth and Children’s Project, which works tirelessly to improve life for local young people and is a cause his friends have no doubt Frankie would have approved of.

More information can be found on Facebook page – Frank McEwan Memorial Match. Come along and have a good afternoon out, but if unable to attend, donations can be made directly to Pilton Youth and Childrens Project, quoting “In memory of Frankie”.