Double exposure at Holyrood

Photography in sharp focus at the Scottish Parliament

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World-leading photojournalism takes centre stage at the Scottish Parliament this summer as two inspirational exhibitions are unveiled today.

The World Press Photo (WPP) Exhibition 2015 is an international contest for photojournalists and features 130 moving and thought provoking images taken during the course of 2014. Once again the Scottish Parliament is the only Parliament in the world to host the exhibition.

Michael Peto: Politics in Focus includes photographs by Michael Peto – the celebrated Hungarian-born photographer who witnessed some of the most historic moments of the 1950s and 1960s.  The exhibition includes a number of unseen photographs of some of the world’s most iconic figures.  People who have shaped and changed the way we see the world including Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Indira Ghandi and Jennie Lee.

Both exhibitions are free to visit and will be on display in the Scottish Parliament’s Main Hall and Burns Room (Committee Room 1) until Saturday 22 August.

The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said: “The photographs in these two exhibitions show photojournalism at its finest. The images may be split by decades but what they have in common is their quality and thought provoking nature. They capture moments of time and make us look at who we are and what we do in a different way.

“I am proud that the Scottish Parliament is once again home to remarkable photography exhibitions that offer the people of Scotland the chance to see these images in their Parliament.”

Award-winning actor Brian Cox, Rector at the University of Dundee and Patron of the Peto collection, added: “From humble beginnings Michael Peto grew into an incredible artist and photographer. With an intense interest in the variations of human form he had a talent for capturing his subjects in their natural environment.

“This collection is an extraordinary gift he has left us, so please learn, appreciate, enjoy.”

Sharing Granton’s secret garden?

‘Save our Secret Garden’ community campaign reaches climax on July 29th!

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden 2

You may have heard of Granton Castle Walled Garden, but still not know where it is: that it is kept locked up and no-one can enter, or that it is still at risk from a luxury housing development (writes Kirsty Sutherland)!

At the end of this month the Friends Group campaign to safeguard and restore the walled garden will reach a crucial point.

On 29 July the council planners will make a final decision on the 2004 Waterfront Edinburgh Limited application; ‘minded to grant’ for demolition of parts of the walled garden to make way for 17 townhouses.

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden hope they decide to refuse the 2004 application, instead allowing a chance of the listed garden’s restoration for community use.

Hundreds of local people have made their views known through petitions, representations and deputations to the city council, community councils and other organisations over the last year.

Historic Scotland visited the walled garden this spring and after reviewing the research compiled, concluded that it merits B-listing. Much older than previously thought, infact the oldest undeveloped walled garden in Edinburgh!

So what will happen if the council decide in favour of the historic garden being protected and restored at the end of this month?

  • Raising funds for a future community buyout was discussed at our last two Friends Group meetings.

  • Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill news is good for community groups like ours, interested in taking on the responsibility for a bit of our historic environment on the waterfront.

– Community Shares? – One idea to let local people own a bit of the walled garden and take part in planning and decisions on its future.

One share = one vote

Would you want to help save the garden if we could buy it?

Buy a share in the garden at £10 per share?

Get in touch or come along to a Friends Group Meeting if you want to hear more, ask questions or get involved.

grantoncastlegardengroup@gmail.com

Next meeting on ‘Ideas for the Garden’ in mid-August, date tbc.

Friends of Granton Castle Garden | ‘Forgotten’ Walled Garden

Eid Mubarak

First Minister sends Eid Mubarak greetings

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Throughout 2015, as we celebrate our year of Food and Drink in Scotland, we are reminded again of the power of sharing food. Sharing a meal can strengthen our relationships with each other, it can give us an insight into a new culture, connect us to new people or help us to heal our divisions.

This Eid al-Fitr, Muslim communities across Scotland will join together to celebrate the end of Ramadan’s month of fasting. Many of the celebrations and feasts will be shared and enjoyed by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We can be proud of our diversity and our unity reflected in these shared festivities.

In Scotland we know that we have vibrant and dynamic Muslim communities who play a valuable role in our society and strengthen our interfaith relations.

So to Scotland’s Muslim communities, I thank you for your on-going work within your communities and I wish you all a very enjoyable Eid.

Eid Mubarak.

The First Minister’s Eid Mubarak video message

MY set to grow with £25,000 grant

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Muirhouse based MY Adventure (MYA) has received £25,000 to support plans for a training base at Towford to support their employability programme for young people from North Edinburgh.

The funds come from the £1 million Legacy 2014: Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund which was created with investment from the Scottish Government and The Robertson Trust, and has been delivered by these organisations in partnership with Social Investment Scotland, sportscotland and Senscot.

MYA, a trading arm of Muirhouse Youth Development Group, plan to use the funds to help transform the Towford Outdoor Education Centre residential facility in the Borders (pictured above). The space will be turned into a training base for their MY Academy programme, a unique employability scheme for young people in North Edinburgh.

MYA is one of twelve third sector organisations to receive a total of over £250,000 in the fund’s second round of awards to help develop sports facilities for use by their local communities.

Ja:mes Howell, Director of MYA said: “Support from the Legacy 2014 fund will enable MY Adventure to realise the potential of our Towford Outdoor Centre in the Scottish Borders. The centre will operate as a training centre for our MY Academy programme, helping young people in North Edinburgh.

“It will also provide a wild retreat for children and young people from North Edinburgh and a space for meaningful outdoor learning. The Legacy fund will support a project officer to focus on the development of the project as well as community consultation, including conducting a full feasibility report for the building and its land and business planning to ensure the project’s success.

“MY Adventure is looking forward to this exciting project taking shape and offering increased opportunities for the communities of North Edinburgh.”

Alastair Davis, Chief Executive of Social Investment Scotland which administers the fund, said: “MYA has presented a compelling case outlining the benefits of their plans which will provide an incredible opportunity for local young people, families and marginalised communities in North Edinburgh.

We know that sport has the potential to bring a whole range of benefits to local communities and therefore we look forward to seeing the benefits their outdoor learning programme will have on the community of Muirhouse and surrounding areas.”

Other organisations receiving funding include Active Bellshill who will receive £14,000 for the planning of a new sports hub in Glasgow, the Comrie Development Trust who will receive £15,000 to carry out a study into local sports and recreational needs, and Scottish Athletics who will receive £25,000 to look at how they can increase community engagement through their clubs.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: “Small organisations like this are doing tremendous work to encourage more Scots to be more active, more often. Almost a year after Glasgow hosted the best Games ever, it’s important that Scotland continues to benefit from their legacy, and this fund is a key part of those efforts.

“The Sustainable Sport for Communities Fund is there to offer help to social enterprises and to allow them to ensure their long term sustainability. I look forward to seeing the positive impact the Fund will make.”

Kenneth Ferguson, Director of The Robertson Trust, added: “Sport can provide a range of positive benefits for individuals and communities. We are delighted to be able to use this Legacy 2014 programme to support organisations across Scotland which are helping to enhance the lives of the people they work with through sport.”

 

 

Police seek witnesses following Cramond assaults

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Police are appealing for witnesses after two teenage girls were indecently assaulted last week. The incident happened around 5pm on Friday 3 July at the Cramond Waterfall.

Both of the 13-year-old victims had been in the area when a male approached and assaulted the pair before walking off towards Cramond Beach.

The girls then reported the matter to police, who had been following a positive line of investigation but are now asking for the public’s assistance to help trace the suspect.

He is described as being potentially of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi ethnicity, around 25-years-old with a large build, short dark hair and a full beard. He was wearing a white polo shirt, black dress trousers and black shoes.

Detective Sergeant David Brady from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “This was a distressing experience for the young girls and we have been pursuing various lines of investigation over the past week to identify the suspect.

“However, we have so far been unable to establish who he is and I am keen to hear from anyone with information that can assist with our inquiry. In particular, we would like to speak with anyone who was walking between the Cramond Waterfall and Cramond Beach last Friday evening and may have seen this male.

“Similarly, anyone with any further information in relation to these assaults is also asked to come forward.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or  Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Renewable energy comes to town

Edinburgh renewable energy project to receive funding

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Communities from inner city Glasgow to western Harris are set to benefit from £500,000 in funding for demonstrator projects designed to encourage the use and local ownership of renewable energy.

A third of the 23 projects are specifically focussed on town and city areas, building on the already established trend for community ownership of renewable energy sources in more rural areas.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing announced in June that community and locally owned energy capacity in Scotland could generate enough electricity to power approximately 100,000 domestic households.

This is the second allocation made from the Scottish Government’s Local Energy Challenge Fund, which confirms Scotland’s position as a global leader in renewables and low carbon development. Each project has received funding of up to £25,000 for feasibility work and, if successful, may be able to compete for significant capital support.

The 23 projects include Edinburgh-based UrbanLink. Led by ChangeWorks, the UrbanLink project will identify opportunities to install new hardware in 1000 households, including modern electrical and thermal energy domestic storage.

Other successful applicants include:

• Large Scale ASHP District Heating Exemplar: This project will provide an example of off-grid district heating to Glasgow Housing Association multi-storey blocks built in 1971 in South Glasgow. It will use a large scale Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP), an alternative to electric or gas heating.

• Heat from the Street: This Linlithgow project will use heat pump and solar panel technology to capture heat from the local waste water system and distribute it to town centre buildings.

Mr Ewing said: “The Scottish Government is defining a distinctive approach to Scotland’s future energy provision; putting communities at the heart of decisions about their local energy system; and empowering them to take an economic stake in new developments.

“Community ownership gives communities more control over their own energy and will help us tackle challenges like grid constraints and fuel poverty – while at the same time sparking economic revival.

“Onshore wind is our most successful technology for community benefits, but it is by no means the only game in town. I am excited by the breadth and depth of the work this funding will support and am equally pleased that the projects will explore the potential for ownership of renewable technologies to support all of the communities in Scotland, be they in Gala or Glasgow.”

Laura Campbell, Challenge Fund Project Manager, said: “Local Energy Scotland is delighted to be able to provide support through the Local Energy Challenge Fund to these 23 innovative and aspirational projects. We are looking forward to working with the projects over the next year to develop their proposals further. It’s exciting to think that these projects have the potential shape the future of Scotland’s local energy economies and act as demonstrators for other communities.”

Don’t fall for it: health and safety tips for older people

‘Take Small Steps to Stay on Your Feet’ campaign launched 

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A new campaign to encourage older people to keep fit and healthy by avoiding falls has been launched by the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian.

‘Take Small Steps to Stay on your Feet’ gives older people five easy tips to try and prevent falls and also information about what to do if they do suffer one.

Falls are a major problem for older people with more than 30% of over 65’s falling every year, with many more than once.

They can cause physical injuries such as fractures and head injuries and also psychological harm along with longer term problems such as disability, loss of independence and social isolation.

In Scotland the cost of falls by older people living in the community has been estimated to exceed £471m every year.

The new campaign has five top tips for older people:

  • Get checked out top to toe – have your eyes and hearing tested regularly, wear shoes and slippers that are comfortable and fit properly, and get your GP to regularly review your prescription medications
  • Calcium keeps bones strong – eat a well balanced diet that contains calcium rich foods like dairy products, green leafy vegetables, bread and fish
  • Get enough Vitamin D – to help keep your bones strong. Natural sunlight is a good way or take supplements from your GP or pharmacist
  • Stay active – exercise such as walking, gardening and dancing can strengthen muscles, bones and improve balance
  • Clear your way at home – make sure there’s nothing that might cause someone to trip or bump into them such as rugs, loose carpets and items lying on the floor
  • In addition, the campaign advises older people what to do if they have a fall. These include: move to a soft surface, keep warm, call for help and keep moving. There is also information about the best ways to get up after a fall.
Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s important people realise that falling is not an inevitable part of getting older as many falls can be prevented. By making a few simple changes, older people can reduce the risk of falling both in and out of the home.
“The consequences of a fall can be devastating but by following these five easy tips we can make a real difference to older people’s lives.”
Lynne Douglas, Corporate Lead for Falls Prevention and Bone Health, NHS Lothian, said:  “Preventing falls is vital in helping older people to live well and safely in their communities. This is an excellent initiative which is a result of collaboration between NHS Lothian services and City of Edinburgh Council and we hope that, most importantly, it will make a difference to the lives of older people in Edinburgh.”
Leaflets and posters highlighting the campaign will be issued to surgeries, pharmacists, libraries, care homes and sheltered housing complexes in the coming weeks.
More information about ‘Take Small Steps to Stay on your Feet’ can be found at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fiveeasysteps or www.nhsinform.co.uk/falls.
Alternatively, phone NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88
(textphone 18001 0800 22 44 88).

Events, dear boy, events: College in the running for national award

College events shortlisted for prestigious Scottish Event Awards

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An Edinburgh College school-engagement event and two student-led projects have grabbed places on the hotly contested shortlist for prizes at the Scottish Event Awards.

The college has been nominated for the Best Educational Event for an event held to engage local schools, particularly head teachers, and increase opportunities for young people. And two teams of talented Events Management students picked up nominations for the Best Student Event Award.

The Scottish Event Awards honour the best events of various types across a range of sectors. They are run by magazine and marketing website The Drum.

The college’s Schools Event welcomed head teachers and other representatives from 34 local schools, who heard about some of the college’s key projects, its curriculum offering and how it is creating new vocational learning and progression opportunities, and spoke to key staff from each of the college’s curriculum centres. It was warmly received by attendees, and will form the basis for future partnership working between the college and local schools.

Two groups of BA (Hons) Events Management students made the shortlist for events held as part of their course.

One team, Icon Events, organised a fashion show featuring people with dementia as models to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland. Service users, carers, staff and volunteers at the charity’s Fife Dementia Resource Centre in Kirkcaldy strutted the catwalk as models at the event, which raised more than £700 for the charity.

Another team, Festival Events, organised a sell-out mini fringe festival at the Voodoo Rooms, featuring a variety of musical acts and a magician. The team raised £2,200 for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.

Teams of students from Events Management courses organised 38 events this year, raising more than £20,000 for a range of charities.

This year’s nominations follow the college’s win in the Best Educational Event category last year for the Graphic Design Industry Night, a one-night event that showcased graduates’ award winning design work, and celebrated Edinburgh College’s close ties with industry.

This event allowed young designers to get face to face time with potential future employers. Due to the success of the first event last year, this has been made an annual event, and this year’s was held at the Fruitmarket Gallery as part of Let’s Glow.

The awards take place at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday 7 October.

Compact 10: planning the way ahead for Edinburgh’s third sector

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Many thanks to those of you who attended one of Compact 10’s events or took part in Compact Voice over the last year. The extensive consultation carried out with 120 Third Sector and Public Sector partners through Compact 10 culminated in the launch of the Edinburgh Compact Partnership’s new Strategic Framework and Action Plan on 24 June at Edinburgh City Chambers.

The new Strategic Framework and Action Plan is ambitious, optimistic and forward thinking. Ten years since the launch of the Edinburgh Compact Partnership times have changed, however the foundation values of the Edinburgh Compact Partnership are of no less relevance today. They are:

  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • Good communication
  • Equity
  • Respect and fairness across partners
  • Co-operation with partners, communities and citizens

There are four strands to the Strategic Framework:

  • Future Thinking
  • Resourcing and Investment
  • Community Planning and Reach
  • Thriving Third Sector

Each strand has an associated Action Plan. These strands aim to deliver Compact’s Vision of

“A City of active resilient communities where a vibrant Third Sector works in partnership with others to build social value and reduce inequalities.” 

This is the third Compact Partnership Strategy which continues to embrace a vision for the City where all sectors work together towards a shared goal of improving the quality of life for all citizens and communities.

The Third Sector Call to Action (see below) outlines just some of the ways the unique reach of Edinburgh’s Third Sector can drive achievement of the outcomes in the framework.

Third Sector Call to Action

See this work in action in our short film Getting it Right for Edinburgh: The Power of Partnerships

For further information about Edinburgh’s Compact Partnership please visit our website

 Sarah Wade
Development Worker, Compact 10 Project