The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3623 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Moving home: Brenda leaves Muirhouse Housing Association

Muirhouse Housing Association’s long-standing director Brenda Tonner has resigned following 23 years of service with the area’s largest housing association.

Muirhouse Housing Association (MHA) was formed shortly after the start of the regeneration of the Muirhouse area, established by a group of residents in 1992. Their original objective was quite simple: to improve the housing within the area and make Muirhouse a desirable place to live. Sounds simple, but anyone who remembers the reputation of the area back then knows the scale of the challenge.

Brenda was the first member of staff to be appointed and she worked alongside a strong board of community directors that included activists like Maureen McMillan, John Davidson and Jenni Marrow.

The original plans way back then centred on the Muirhouse Green, Muirhouse Park and Muirhouse Terrace areas but regeneration successful housing partners with the city council, Communities Scotland and private builders resulted in MHA expanding both within Muirhouse and further afield into Drylaw.

Through sheer hard work, Brenda and an ever-growing team built MHA into a thriving, community-based housing association with over 500 homes across North Edinburgh, the latest being a development of 52 units completed just last month.

Last summer the Muirhouse Medway-based organisation expanded to create a subsidiary called Muirhouse Homes, set up to manage a number of mid-market properties in the area, and in February this year new homes were opened in Magill Drive on the former BT site.

It’s not all been plain sailing for the social housing project, however, and there have been problems too. In December last year the Scottish Housing Regulator identified ‘serious and urgent risk to the financial health of Muirhouse’ and serious weaknesses in its governance and financial management. It used its statutory powers to appoint a manager and to make three statutory appointments to the governing body.

The Association also lost it’s long-serving Chairperson Michael Woods, who retired due to health problems in April. Michael first joined as a member in 1999 and he twice served as the organisation’s chairperson.

Since problems were flagged up MHA has taken steps to address the immediate risks faced and is developing plans to strengthen its governance and financial management to address the serious weaknesses it faces.

The Regulator has since extended the appointment until December 2015 and has published a revised regulation plan which sets out how it will work with Muirhouse to resolve outstanding issues.

Ian Brennan, Director of Finance and Risk, said: “The action taken has dealt with the immediate issues which led to the statutory appointments being made in December 2014.

“During the next six months, the manager and appointees to the governing body will work with Muirhouse to help it address the underlying causes so that it is able to comply with our Regulatory Standards of Governance and Financial Management.”

Now, having overseen the completion of a significant new build scheme and helped secure a new chair for the Association, Brenda (pictured above (second from right) at MHA’s 20th anniversary celebrations) feels the time is right to move on and let a new team take MHA forward.

After her final Board meeting last month, Brenda said: “Inevitably I feel some regret about leaving MHA. I have worked with a great team both within the board and the office staff.

“However, 23 years is a long time and now is the time for others to take up the challenges ahead. I am looking forward to having a bit more time for myself and my family and to take time to assess a new direction and opportunities with my career.”

Brenda Tonner’s commitment to MHA has never been in question and her outstanding dedication has been recognised by the board, the staff and the tenants of MHA.

Acting chair, Alison Blezard said: “We will miss Brenda’s unquenchable optimism and sheer determination, but she can look back with pride at the role she has played in growing MHA. We all wish her the very best for the future.”

A tree for Brian

Pilton Community Gardeners have planted a rowan tree in memory of one of their own – community activist Brian Robertson.

Brian (pictured below (centre) with fellow Social History Group members Brian Eddington and Anna Hutchison), who sadly passed away in May 2013, was an enthusiastic participant in a wide range of community activities over many years. Among them was Pilton’s Community Garden – Brian was one of the original community gardeners when the group launched in 2012, planting one of the first trees on the site off West Pilton Place.

Since then, the garden – and the group of enthusiastic gardeners – has yes, grown and grown! Gardener Kirsty Sutherland said: “We have come a long way and hope Brian would be proud of the garden now and approve of the rowan tree planted in his memory today.”

More pictures on Pilton Community Gardeners FB page

Tay-riffic fun at Youth Work Games!

Muirhouse Youth Development Group’s (MYDG) fourth annual youth work games took place on 14th & 15th July, bringing teams of young people, staff and volunteers from across North Edinburgh and Aberfeldy to compete in the decathlon event at the headquarters of Wildfox events, on the banks of Loch Tay (writes KATIE TUFF).

This event brings together youth organisations who may not necessarily work together on a regular basis, to show teamwork, companionship and friendship through the events and social interactions. Creating opportunities for young people to get involved in sport and exercise in a unique but inclusive way.

This year was the biggest yet with 13 teams competing for the sought after youth work games trophy. The ten events took place over the two days by the banks of Loch Tay, which was a beautiful setting for the first event, the cross country run, followed by the tandem bike ride race and finishing off the day in wetsuits with a swim and canoe on the Loch.

MYAdventure were working in partnership with MYDG , taking the lead on some of the events and were part of the staff team. Both Leaders and young people gave it their all to get points for their teams with some friendly competition and great participation from everyone.

As evening set on the athletes village, we were joined by the Dancing Feet Ceilidh band who gave a great night of live music with leaders and young people dancing around the marquee to some old Scottish classics, and learning some new moves (some a bit confusing!), culminating in everyone getting involved for a final rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to finish off the night.

The second day was welcomed with beautiful sunshine and some tired but enthusiastic young people raring to get going. The Swamp football tournament kicked off the day’s events, accompanied by archery, tree climb, tug of war and long jump all leading up to our final and most anticipated event, the assault course.

This year we had Perth and District YMCA Ybounce bring along their inflatable assault course and slide. The assault course had everyone getting involved ending in a youth leaders vs. youth work games staff showdown. This proved to be the favourite amongst all the events.

The prize giving ceremony was next on the agenda with most teams receiving medals. This year our Youth Work Games trophy winners and overall champions were Kids in the Street from Craigmillar ,who annihilated any competition by winning most medals and scoring an impressive 25 points over the two days! Granton Youth Centre came second with 12 points and the Breathe project from Aberfeldy third with 10 points. Rowlands from Selkirk were the recipients of the Sportsmanship award for showing enthusiasm, teamwork and all round good spirit for the event.

This year we received funding from the North Edinburgh Partnership to run the event, without which it would not have taken place to the level that it did. It was great to see so much enthusiasm and excitement around the event, with young people coming together, getting to know each other and work as part of a team.

It is our hope that the experience can be looked back on and the skills learned can be transferable back in the youth organisations after the event. A huge well done and thank you goes to everyone involved!

Plans are now being set for Youth Work Games 2016 for a bigger and better event, if you are interested in hearing more or want to book up for next year, please contact MYDG office on 0131 332 3356.

Katie Tuff, Muirhouse Youth Development Group

Remembering Hiroshima

‘We must always pray for the lost souls, always remember and always commit to peace and an end to nuclear weapons – I pray, I remember, I commit.’ – Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop’s message in the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall book of remembrance

Seventy years ago today, an American B29 Superfortress bomber called Enola Gay dropped the world’s first atomic bomb – with the innocent sounding name of ‘Little Boy’ -on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

This was followed three days later by the dropping of another nuclear bomb – ‘Fat Man’ – on Nagasaki. The bombs caused devastation on an unimaginable scale: at the epicemtre, five square miles of Hiroshima simply ceased to exist, flattened. Up to 120,000 people were killed in the attacks and many more suffered horrific injuries, disabilities and long, lingering deaths through radiation sickness. The nuclear bombs brought World War Two to a swift conclusion – but their unleashing changed the world we live in forever.

Today, the world will remember those cataclysmic events.

Events planned in Edinburgh include:

Today, 12 noon: Floating paper lanterns on the pond outside the Scottish Parliament. Organised by Edinbugh CND. Contact edinburghCND@yahoo.com

This evening, 6-7 pm: Vigil at the Mound/Princes Street. Organised by Edinbugh CND. Contact edinburghCND@yahoo.com

This evening, 6 pm: Launch of WMD Awareness Project exhibition, “Nuclear weapons in Popular Culture” Gayfield venue, Gayfield Square, with Bill Kidd MSP.

Saturday 8 August, 1-5pm: Support for an international Hiroshima-Nagasaki fast with singing from 1-2 pm.

The Scottish Government today reaffirmed its stance against nuclear weapons.

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop made the comments as the first of 22 events across Scotland to mark the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by atomic bombs begins today following her visit to Japan last month.

During her visit, The Cabinet Secretary visited the Nagasaki Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum and the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall, to pay respect to the tens of thousands who died in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

At midday, Ms Hyslop will join others to scatter flower petals on the pond outside of the Scottish Parliament to mark the commemorations.

Ms Hyslop said: “Just over a month ago, I stood at the hypocentre of the explosion in Nagasaki. Even standing beside the physical scars, it is impossible to imagine the destructive power of a nuclear bomb. The shadows of men, women and even children marked the city, memories of ordinary innocent lives burnt into rock. Why anyone would consider this to be an appropriate response today is equally hard to imagine.

“My thoughts today are with the generations of Japanese people who have had to come to terms with the horrific effects of nuclear weapons. I admire greatly the compassion they have shown in moving forward. My visit to Nagasaki left me profoundly saddened and in no doubt about the horror of nuclear weapons.

“Scotland stands with Japan on the issue of nuclear disarmament. We oppose the continuation and the proposed renewal of the UK’s Trident nuclear weapon system, and the Scottish Government is firmly committed to worldwide disarmament. We strongly believe that the way forward is to create the conditions for peace through dialogue as well as action.

“The successor Trident system is estimated to cost a staggering £100 billion over its lifetime – money that could be far better spent on initiatives to support our people and our economy. As a nation, Scotland opposes nuclear weapons. Both the Scottish Parliament and the overwhelming majority of Scottish MPs are opposed to its replacement, it’s time the UK Government listened to what the people are saying.”

While in Nagasaki, Ms Hyslop spoke about Scotland’s stance on nuclear weapons to Susumu Satomi, Deputy Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture and Mr Taue Tomihisa, Mayor of Nagasaki. The Scottish Government has a shared vision with the national and regional governments’ of Japan for a world free of nuclear weapons.

The Scottish Government has made repeated calls for the UK Government to reconsider renewing the trident nuclear weapon system and is strongly opposed to the possession of nuclear weapon by any nation or nuclear weapons being stored in Scotland.

Talking about a healthier Scotland

‘We want to know what really matters to people and their families when thinking about the future, and what support they need to lead healthier lives.’ – Health Secretary Shona Robison

The conversation on the long term future of health and social care services in Scotland began at an event held in Dundee yesterday.

Representatives from the Scottish Government, NHS, care sector, charities, patient groups and the third sector came together this morning in a café conversation-style event hosted by national third sector health and social care organisation, the ALLIANCE.

It is the first in a series of events and discussions which will be held around the country between August 2015 and April 2016.

Opening the event, Health Secretary Shona Robison called on people from across the country to get involved. She also announced the launch of the Creating a Healthier Scotland website, giving people the opportunity to follow the conversation and contribute to the debate as it progresses.

Ms Robison said: “Earlier this year I announced my intention to hold a national conversation about the future of our health and social care services. I want to seek agreement on how to make more progress in improving the health of the population, and on how our NHS and social care systems should develop by 2030 to continue supporting everyone to live well.

“We want to know what really matters to people and their families when thinking about the future, and what support they need to lead healthier lives.

“The NHS is a treasured institution and holds a special place in this country’s heart. Nearly every single person has used or had some experience of the NHS in their lifetime and so it is absolutely right that we involve as many people as we can in the discussion about where the NHS will go in the next ten to fifteen years and beyond.

“There will be many opportunities for people to get involved, and tell us what matters over the coming months.

“We have made some real progress in recent years – cutting waiting times, vastly reducing superbug infections in our hospitals and bringing together health and social care through legislation for the first time ever to deliver fully joined up services for people in Scotland.

“We have also taken steps to address immediate challenges – like investing £100 million to tackle delayed discharge, recruiting record levels of staff, investing more than £12billion in a financial year for the first time ever and setting out a new plan for emergency care.

“Our vision for 2020 – that people should live longer healthier lives at home or in homely settings remains the right course to set. But our approach to health and social care between now and 2030 cannot simply remain the same as we face increasing challenges and pressures and we must start discussing and planning for that now.

“Most importantly, I want to ensure that as far as possible the outcome of the national conversation is turned into a practical reality. This isn’t about producing just another vision – we want to take these views and put them into practice as quickly as we can.

“Today marks the beginning of this conversation and I’m pleased to be here in Dundee to listen to a wide range of stakeholders, professionals and patients of the NHS.”

Ian Welsh, Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) said: “The ALLIANCE welcomes the national conversation on the future of health and social care in Scotland. This provides us with an opportunity to engage with people across the country who use support and services in defining priorities for improving Scotland’s health and wellbeing. We look forward to working with our members to generate a substantial contribution to this process and support creative discussions about what keeps people well.”

The national debate will focus around three broad questions:

What support do we need in Scotland to live healthier lives?
What areas of health and social care matter most to you?
Thinking about the future of health and social care services, where should our focus be?

Find out more on the Creating Healthier Scotland website: http://healthier.scot/

Contribute to the debate via post and email, or by joining the discussion on the blog, Twitter, orFacebook page.

Kent generations remember Edinburgh firefighter

Proud great-grandchildren donate watch to Museum of Fire

The Museum of Fire in Lauriston Place recently received a very special gift from Robert (18) and eleven year old Cameron Hall (pictured) in remembrance of their great-grandfather David Hall. Three generations of the Hall family travelled up from Kent to visit the Museum, once the fire station where David worked.

David served as a firefighter with the then South Eastern Fire Brigade until sadly he died in an accident at work in 1967. Both grandsons were accompanied by their parents and grandparents last week when they presented a watch to the Museum in memory of the firefighter.

Alistair MacDonald, Museum of Fire, said: ““We were all very pleased to welcome the Hall family from Kent to the Museum of Fire in Edinburgh.

“It was a privilege to show Robert and Cameron around the museum along with their grandmother Sue and explain a bit about the kind of work their great-grandfather would have done whilst serving as a firefighter. Sadly David Hall passed way in 1967 following an accident at the Service’s headquarters on Lauriston Place.

“It was a real honour for our staff to be able to meet the family and take some time to remember David.”

Sue Hall, said: “My father-in-law David Hall served with South Eastern Fire Brigade until 1967 when he was tragically killed following an accident in Edinburgh. He actually worked in the building that now houses the Museum of Fire. My grandsons Cameron and Robert, David’s great-grandsons, have always been so interested in their great-grandfather the firefighter.

“They have been so excited to come and see where David would have worked, visit the museum that’s now there and present a watch in memory of him. It’s been lovely for all our family to come and see but especially for my husband, David’s son, to see this part of his father’s past.”

Created through the display of fire engines, equipment and uniforms, the history of the first municipal fire brigade in Europe and fire fighting in Edinburgh between 1824 and the 1940s can be seen at the Museum of Fire in Lauriston Place.

Visits can be booked by emailing sfrs.newbridgesdaadmin@firescotland.gov.uk

Higher still for Edinburgh pupils

The anxious wait is finally over for thousands of pupils across Edinburgh as they received their exam results today. Early indications are that candidates have once again improved on their performances in many areas from last year and that the overall good performance of city schools has been maintained.

A total of 40,425 resulted awards were certificated for 8,120 candidates (includes special schools, adults and mainstream secondary schools).

Highlights include:

By the end of S4 39% of the roll achieved five qualifications at National 5 Level which is an increase of over 1% from last year.
Across the city there were 17,700 presentations for National 5 courses (pass rate A-C of 80%).
By the end of S5 58% of all pupils achieved one or more Highers – a 4% improvement on last year and a 16% improvement since 2009.
Across the city there were 6,354 presentations for the revised Higher (pass rate A-C of 77%) and 4,693 for the new Curriculum for Excellence Higher (pass rate 82%).
By the end of S6, 63% of the S4 roll achieved one or more Highers – a 2% improvement on last year and a 15% improvement since 2009.

Overall for S4 pupils 1,325 awards were certificated at SCQF Level 3, 6,779 awards were certificated at SCQF Level 4 and 13,562 awards were certificated at SCQF Level 5.

Nicola Wilson, 16, is an S6 pupil at Broughton High School. She said: “I’m really keen to study Speech and Language Pathology at Strathclyde University so need at least 2As and 3Bs in my Highers. I did well last year in my exams so am hoping for the same again this year.”

Education Convener, Councillor Paul Godzik, said: “Early indications from the SQA exam results show that 2015 has been another really positive year for our pupils which is really encouraging . It’s a real achievement to have not only sustained but built on the successes of last year.

“I also want to congratulate all our teaching staff on their commitment to delivering learning experiences of the highest standards especially given the introduction of the new exams. Our pupils should be very proud of themselves too – all their hard work has certainly paid off and praise should also go to parents who have supported their children over the past year.

“The Council is committed to making sure all school leavers enter a positive destination of employment, training or further education. This year a record 93.1% of young people achieved and sustained a positive destination through initiatives such as the Edinburgh Guarantee. We will be looking to build on this in the future and look forward to seeing many more placements and positive results.”

Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Education Vice Convener, spoke to pupils and parents this morning at Craigmount High School where Minister for Education Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning paid a visit.

She said: “It was a real pleasure to chat to pupils today to hear how they had done in their exams. Their parents were rightly proud of their results and I hope everyone who was successful today achieves their full potential in whatever future career path they embark on.”

All candidates will receive their results by means of the traditional postal delivery on Tuesday 4 August. Those candidates who have activated their MySQA accounts, through which they can choose to receive their exam results by text in addition to their results certificate, will also receive these by 9am on Tuesday 4 August.

Letters: A not so cunning plan

Dear Editor

The worldwide financial crisis started in the USA, creating huge debts everywhere. These were not caused by working people.

The Conservative Party’s leading spokesperson Chancellor Osborne repeatedly told us over the last five years he ‘had a plan.’ If you were not sure about the objective of the plan then, you cannot now be unaware.

The working population is not only to pay the debt, public services will be cut again and again and there will be further selling of public property to private investors.

The Conservatives now see no need to hold back in carrying out their ‘Plan’ and feel safe in doing so.

The Tories now have the audacity to claim they are now the party for the working person – this they can never be!

The partial support at the general election must be falling away now that they are putting into practice their real intentions: that support must haunt those who voted for them.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Office space to let in North Edinburgh

Two local projects have office space to let

North Edinburgh Arts (above) has a ‘Big Bright Office’ space available from 1st September:

Ground floor office with large corner window
Can accommodate 4/5 desks
Built in kitchen with sink, cooker, fridge, dishwasher
All utility costs (gas, electricity, water) included
Reception duties, 9am – 5pm, and post handling included
Access to a photocopier/colour printer charged per print
Access to meeting/workshop rooms by arrangement
Free parking
Lively community café on site
Award winning gardens on site

Other agencies operating out of NEA include Tomorrow’s People, Muirhouse Link Up, Licketyspit Theatre Company, Tinderbox Orchestra, North Edinburgh Timebank. Ideal for a creative, community, or third sector organisation.

Cost £600 per calendar month

For more details or to arrange a visit call Sandra on 0131 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

And across in Granton Mains, The Prentice Centre (above) also has office space available to let.

This would be most suitable for small charities, community groups or social enterprises. There is also the opportunity for two or three small organisations to share the premises if you only require office space for one or two days per week.

The Prentice Centre is a modern, purpose built Community Centre serving the communities of West Granton, Pilton, Muirhouse, Royston/Wardieburn and Drylaw.

Office space comprising one main office with a large storage cupboard and small kitchen area has now become available in The Prentice Centre.

The office has space for 3 work stations, with additional space for low level seating. There are adequate power points within each workspace; the tenant would have to install telephone and internet.

The rental includes: heat, lighting, security shutters and alarm, cleaning, reception services and contribution to the performing rights society fees.

The centre is Wi-Fi enabled, there is ample free on street parking nearby.

The Prentice Centre is open Monday to Thursday 8am to 8.30pm, 8am to 3pm on a Friday all year, with the exception of Edinburgh Public Holidays and Christmas through New Year, when we are closed.

The unique aspect of a let in the Prentice Centre is the ability to hire our Board and other meeting rooms at a fraction of their cost: we can supply tea and coffee for meetings at an additional cost. Our Board Room has a ceiling mounted projector with a screen: there is a laptop available for use, making it ideal for formal meetings and for training purposes. We are also on a number of main Lothian Bus routes including numbers: 8, 14, 16, 24 and 32

This space is ideally suited to small to medium sized community groups, charities or social enterprises who must share the ethos of West Granton Community Trust who own the Centre. Sharing the office with another small charity or social enterprise may be possible.

Rental in the region of £5000 per annum

Please contact Janet on 0131 552 0485 for further details and to arrange to view the office.

Higher and Higher!

Scottish students achieve record number of Higher passes

Students across Scotland have achieved a record 156,000 Higher passes this year – up 5.5 per cent on 2014. Welcoming the figures, Education Secretary Angela Constance said the results are ‘very encouraging’.

Results certificates have been sent to 142,862 candidates sitting a wide range of qualifications – including new Highers for the first year and Nationals for the second year; and existing Access, Intermediates, Highers and Advanced Highers.

Figures released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) show attainment is again high this year, with Higher English passes up 17.7 per cent to 27,902, and Higher modern languages passes increasing by 15.2 per cent to 7,419.

The pass rate for the new Maths Higher was 70.8 per cent, similar to that in previous years. The SQA awarding process continues to take into account the level of difficulty of the exam.

Advanced Higher passes have increased by 4.0 per cent to a record level of 18,899.

This year also saw significant shifts onto the new National Qualifications at other levels, as the process of transition into the new system continued. For example, there was a large increase in National 5 course entries, particularly among those taken beyond fourth year – with 229,870 A-C grades awarded.

There has also been strong performance in qualifications related to wider skills for life and work, with attainment in Awards, National Certificates and National Progression Awards up 22.8 per cent, to 33,931.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said: “This is another strong performance by our young people. They have worked hard, and I congratulate each and every one of them, as well as the families and carers, and teachers and lecturers who have provided support.

“Scotland has seen record numbers of Higher and Advanced Higher passes. Students are performing particularly well in English and in modern languages.

“Despite concerns about the new Higher Maths exam, it’s clear that the system worked, that candidates have been treated fairly, and that standards have been maintained. The checks and balances in place ensure that students who would have gained a particular grade in a qualification in any previous year will still have done so at the same grade this year.

“This year we have already seen a record percentage of school leavers in employment, education or training. Today’s figures show that qualifications recognising life and work skills – such as Awards, National Certificates and National Progression Awards – are up a massive 22.8 per cent. This is very encouraging, as we support schools to do more to prepare our young people for the world of work.

“We now have a curriculum and assessment system designed to get the very best out of students and give them every possible chance of entering employment, training or further education.

“If you have not done as well as you had hoped or if you’ve done better than expected – help is on hand to discuss your future options by calling the exams results helpline on 0808 100 8000.”