Letters: Lessons from the fracking USA

Dear Editor

Fracking – Danger Ahead

Fracking in America has made vast profits for investment companies: it has also caused contamination of the water table, with toxic chemicals making the water impossible to drink or use.

In some areas water is having to be transported and stored in containers by the householders. Imagine that happening in areas already earmarked for widespread fracking in our central belt of West, Mid and East Lothian.

The immediate danger arises – as it did with wind turbines – of private landowners making deals with fracking companies: this must be prohibited now.

The Scottish government must, without any ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’, state clearly that fracking will not be allowed in any shape or form. The potential disaster for the people of polluting our water supply in the pusuit of private profit must be stopped.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

Last chance to book your place at Compact forum

Edinburgh’s First Compact Third Sector Forum – last chance to book!

Cllr Maureen Child, Convenor of the Council’s Communities & Neighbourhoods Committee, would like to invite Third Sector organisations from across the city to:

Edinburgh’s First Compact Third Sector Forum
Monday 18 May 10.00am – 2pm
Edinburgh City Chambers, 253 High Street EH1 1YJ

The Forum will provide an opportunity to explore how the 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”, enables partners working together to face the challenges of the future, enhances coproduction approaches and improves service planning with public sector partners.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to:

Hear about the new Compact Strategy 2015-20
Explore the key issues facing the city’s third sector at city, locality and neighbourhood levels;
Highlight examples of good practice; and
Aim to build confident partnerships for the future.

Do take a moment to look through the Forum programme. Should you wish to attend, please email: Korstiaan Allan.

The Forum will become an annual event – it’s up to you to shape it in the way that’s best for you!.

Book Now

Free haircuts at Granton Campus

Come on, chaps: get your barnets coiffured by college students!

Students from Edinburgh College barbering courses are offering free men’s haircuts at the Granton Campus Hair and Beauty Academy.

The Hair and Beauty department at the college is looking for clients to come along and get their hair cut and styled by the gents barbering classes at the training salon. For a limited time only these men’s haircuts and styling are free!

Frances Bain, curriculum manager for hair, beauty and complementary therapy, said: “Clients will not only be receiving a free haircut, they will be helping the students work towards their assessments and qualifications. This a vital part of these students’ studies, as they work in a salon environment to provide top-quality service and cuts to clients.”

Men’s haircut appointments are available on Tuesdays from 10-11am and 4.30-6.30pm, and Wednesday to Friday from 9-11am until 12 June. To book an appointment please call the Hair and Beauty reception on 0131 559 4050.

The barbering classes are just one of many hairdressing and beauty services available at Edinburgh College. A range of treatments are available at the Hair and Beauty Academies at Milton Road, Sighthill and Granton Campuses. Students offer the latest industry treatments and styles using Elemis, Dermalogica and Wella products.

For opening hours and the list of available treatments and prices visithttp://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/welcome/leisure/salons/training_academies.aspx

To find out more about Edinburgh College’s hair and beauty therapy courses, and the many more courses available over the college’s varied curriculum and four campuses, visit www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/courses

Police seek Red Bridge robber

Victim ‘left shaken’ by knifepoint robbery

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a knifepoint robbery near the red bridge by Crewe Toll on Tuesday.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm.

A 30-year-old man was walking on the cycle path between the red bridge on Ferry Road and the rear of the Morrisons supermarket when a male approached and presented a knife.

The victim was then threatened and robbed of his rucksack before the male made off.

Anyone who can assist police with their investigation is asked to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, early to mid-twenties, 6ft tall with an unshaven complexion and a pronounced Adam’s apple. He was wearing a navy blue hooded top with zipper and white drawstrings, navy blue trainers and scruffy white trainers.

Detective Constable Andy Cory said: “Fortunately the victim was unharmed but is obviously very upset at the theft of his rucksack and was left shaken by this incident.

“Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact police immediately. In addition, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect is also asked to get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police seek woman following Broughton Road assault

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault and attempted robbery on Broughton Road near its junction with Redbraes Place. The incident took place at around 1:40pm last Thursday (7 May).

A 34-year-old woman was walking towards the city centre when another woman approached her from behind. The assailant then grabbed her by the hair and attempted to snatch her handbag.

The victim screamed and managed to prevent the attacker from stealing her property. The would-be thief then climbed into the passenger side of a nearby car, which was driven away from the scene and turned left onto Newhaven Road.

Police are very keen to trace the woman and the driver of the vehicle as quickly as possible.

She is described as being white with blonde hair, between 5ft 5in to 5ft 7in tall and aged in her early to mid 30’s. At the time of this incident she was wearing casual clothing including trainers and grey/blue coloured jeans.

It is not clear what the make and model of the car is however police believe it may be red in colour.

Detective Constable Iain Wallace said: “”We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Broughton Road around the time of this incident. This was a brazen attack carried out in broad daylight that has left the victim quite badly shaken.

“Anyone who can assist with our enquiries can contact police on 101 or, alternatively they can contact the crime charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

West Pilton Place incident: second man arrested

Police Scotland have confirmed that a second man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following an incident in West Pilton Place.

The 26-year-old is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

His arrest comes a day after a 39-year-old man was also charged with attempted murder in connection with the same incident, which occurred on last Thursday (7 May).

Rebranding, relaunching – and receiving guests this Friday!

Living Well North Edinburgh opens it’s doors this Friday

Living Well North Edinburgh (LWNE) is holding a rebrand launch event at their West Pilton Park home this Friday.

Join the LWNE team to celebrate the project’s brand new look – it’s a great opportunity to meet staff, volunteers and members and find out the wide range of services and activities on offer – and there’s food and refreshments too!

The fun kicks off from 12 noon – all welcome!

For further information call 343 6375.

LWNE latest newsletter

Have your say on Drylaw Telford’s green spaces

Nature in your Neighbourhood: see what’s being planned

Drylaw Telford Community Council has initiated a consultation on the area’s green spaces.

The city council has recently signed up to Edinburgh Living Landscape, a partnership project that will ‘create, restore and connect green areas of the city to make attractive and biodiverse landscapes’ (see below).

EdinburghLivingLandscape_exec_summary2

Drylaw Telford CC chairman Alex Dale said: “As a community council we have been asked to consult residents on the open green spaces and let them know what the city council’s Parks & Greenspace team plan to do in the local area.

“In Drylaw they are proposing ‘relaxed mowing’ of some highlighted areas: this means that they will leave these areas to allow grass to grow, only mowing a perimeter border. On bigger areas, they also propose regular cuts where there is a desired path line.

“If there is community support, the project planners will to look at creating areas of wild flower meadows in the future on some of these area. To that end we will have display boards in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre from 11th May until the 25th, and we hope local folk will come and have a look and comment on the proposals.”

DTCC Notice on Living Landscapes (2)

CEC Living Landscapes project www.edinburgh.gov.uk/livinglandscape

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20064/parks_and_green_spaces/1160/edinburgh_living_landscape

West Pilton attempted murder: man arrested

Police Scotland have confirmed that a 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following the incident that occurred last Thursday (7 May) in West Pilton Place.

Another man was stabbed in the incident which happened on the day of the general election.

The accused man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Give blood in Blackhall

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service are asking donors to make an extra special effort to give blood at St Columba’s Parish Church on Hillhouse Road tomorrow (Tuesday).

Sessions run from 2.30 – 4pm in the afternoon

and there’s an evening session from 5.30 – 8pm.

If you are not sure if you are eligible to donate, call 0845 30 17 270

email NSS.snbtsenquiry@nhs.net

or call in to speak to a member of staff at one of the sessions.