We are now recruiting for the new Childcare Academy, which starts on Monday (23 February).
I have attached a poster and standard information for display and distribution.
Childcare Academy Standard Information
February 2015 CA Publicity Poster 16
Audrey O’Neill,
Training Administrator, North Edinburgh Childcare
Telephone: 0131 311 6931
Writing to get your teeth into?
Edinburgh City Libraries have paired up with Apex Hotels to offer a unique literary experience. Gourmet Reads gives you the opportunity to meet some of Scotland’s best-known authors during an evening of fine dining at the Waterloo Place hotel.
Guests will be able to meet novelists in person to chat about their lives, work and inspiration, as well as being given the chance to mingle with fellow diners.
This is the second Gourmet Reads evening, following theinaugural event in October, when best-selling author Ian Rankin entertained a small crowd with conversation and stories from his past.
And this month the event will return with an appearance from writer, journalist and musician, Doug Johnstone, author of six critically acclaimed novels including, most recently, The Dead Beat, an Edinburgh-set thriller.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, welcomed the addition to Edinburgh’s literary calendar. He said: “Literature is about more than just solitary reading, and can also form the basis of a vibrant, social activity like Gourmet Reads.
“This event adds to a packed literary programme in the capital, as well as a fantastic range of libraries and archives. I would urge anyone interested in spending an evening learning about new – or familiar – writers in Edinburgh, to book now and avoid missing out.”
Doug Johnstone will host on Wednesday 25 February and is the first of three writers to appear at the Apex Hotel as part of Gourmet Reads’ 2015 programme.
He will be followed by Daily Record columnist Shari Low, best-selling author of ten novels, on Thursday 13 March, and on Thursday 30 April by Alex Gray, whose latest book ,The Bird That Did Not Sing, is set against the backdrop of 2014’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Each event will cost £50 per person and will include a three course meal and half a bottle of wine, or an alternative drink. Income will be put into the Libraries revenue budget for use on resources and service.
Find out more about Gourmet Reads and how to book tickets on the Council website.
STV’s city TV channels, STV Edinburgh and STV Glasgow, are to enhance their schedules with extended transmission hours, additional news bulletins and sport.
From Monday 2 March the channels will be on air from 7am and will feature hourly week day news bulletins from midday. At 6pm, 8pm and 10pm, thirty minute news programmes will bring viewers across central Scotland all the latest updates.
The enhanced schedule will also include The Peter and Roughie Saturday Show with pitch-side updates from SPFL matches across all four divisions from Peter Martin and Alan Rough each Saturday.
The Fountainbridge Show will continue to air week day evenings from 1900 to 2000 on STV Edinburgh, with The Riverside Show airing at the same time on STV Glasgow. At 8,30pm each week night original, locally produced content will be broadcast across both channels: The People’s History Show on Mondays; Jak & Eddie’s Scottish Kitchen on Tuesdays; My Life in 10 Pictures on Wednesdays; Grass Roots Music on Thursdays; and Ch-Ewen the Fat with The Fountainbridge Show co-host Ewen Cameron on Fridays.
From 07am each week day morning, and 9am at weekends, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh will air a range of popular kids’ programmes made by STV, including, Meeow, Butterfingers, Uncle Dad and Harry and the Wrinklies.
Weekends will feature Scottish Parliament This Week.
In the first month on air, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh have reached a combined monthly audience of over one million viewers with an engaging mix of news, innovative formats and classic dramas from the STV archive.
Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, said: “City TV is a long term commitment for STV and the enhanced schedules that will be launched in early March support our strategy to deliver relevant content to consumers across Scotland. Both city TV channels have delivered in line with expectations since launch and the extended hours and enhanced news offering allows us to align the schedules on both channels so we offer the best possible service for our audiences.”
STV Glasgow broadcasts to a potential audience of two million viewers in the west of Scotland and STV Edinburgh has a potential reach of one million viewers in the east. The channels are delivered in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Napier University, with over 100 students from the universities having gained experience so far through their involvement in broadcast operations of the channels.
STV Glasgow launched in June 2014 with STV Edinburgh following in January this year. The channels broadcast on Freeview channel 23, Sky channel 117 and Virgin Media channel 159 within their transmission areas. STV, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh are also available to watch live online with the STV Player.
In October last year STV also confirmed applications have been submitted to deliver local TV in Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee and are awaiting a response from Ofcom.
Have you watched the new TV station? What do you think?
Come join us on Monday at Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership at Blackhall Library, 6.30pm, on Monday (23 February).
Hear about ‘Edinburgh Living Landscapes’ and have a say in creating, restoring and connecting green areas of the city. There will also be a presentation on local roads and pavements budgets – come find out how much we have and how we decide where it gets spent!
Finally, see a display of plans for Fet-Lor Youth Club’s new building, Drylaw Skatepark, and hear decisions by Board on our Community Grants Fund applications.
We’d love to see you! Full papers are now available here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3608/inverleith_neighbourhood_partnership
Elaine Lennon, Partnership Development Officer
City of Edinburgh Council – Services for Communities
8 West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, EH4 4DP
Tel: 0131 529 5270
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Foreign Secretary Philp Hammond wish everyone celebrating Chinese New Year a great New Year and successful Year of the Sheep
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:
“I want to wish everyone celebrating – in the UK’s Chinese communities, as well as in China, Hong Kong and around the world – a Happy Chinese New Year.
“2015 marks the Year of the Sheep and, with some of the world’s largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia on offer, hundreds of thousands of people will be joining in the joyful festivities taking place across the UK.
“The Chinese sign of the Sheep represents peace, strength, creativity, endurance and enterprise – positive values to which we should all aspire to live our lives by, as we strive to build a stronger economy and fairer society together.
“The contribution Britain’s Chinese communities make towards helping us achieve this ambition is immeasurable: working hard, caring for their families, supporting their local communities and taking an increasing lead in every area of public life.
“Together, we can achieve the fairer, more peaceful and prosperous future we want. So, once again, let me wish everyone the very best for a great New Year and successful Year of the Sheep.
“Xin nian kuai le! Gung hey fat choy!!
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also sends his good wishes:
“I would like to wish a very happy Lunar New Year to those celebrating around the globe, in countries all across the Asia-Pacific region, and of course to communities in the UK, and elsewhere.
“As we celebrate the arrival of the New Year, we should also remember our achievements in the Year of the Horse. The UK enjoys strong relations with countries across the Asia-Pacific region, and our relationships with these countries go well beyond our important diplomatic ties and strengthening trade links.
“In 2014, we worked together to tackle numerous global challenges, improved policy cooperation in areas such as energy, low carbon, science and innovation, healthcare and sustainable development, and supported each other in the prevention of conflict in fragile states.
“In the spirit of the Year of the Sheep with its connection to strong social relationships and teamwork, I also look forward to seeing our friendships grow even closer in 2015. I hope that more visitors, tourists, students and businesspeople will be encouraged to travel between our countries. More connections will lead to a deeper cultural understanding and respect between our countries, and I look forward to our friendship continuing to deepen over the coming year.
“I hope that – wherever you may be – you enjoy the celebrations with your family and friends, and I wish you a successful, peaceful and prosperous Year of the Sheep!”
And so say all of us!
‘An interest in science at an early age can last a lifetime’ – Dr Stephen Breslin, Glasgow Science Centre
More than 3 million people have visited Scotland’s science centres in the last five years, Science Minister Alistair Allan announced yesterday as he committed £2.75 million for the coming year. Dr Allan made his announcement on the eve of the programme launch for this year’s Edinburgh International Science Festival.
The Minister announced increased funding in 2015-16 for all four Scottish centres – Satrosphere in Aberdeen, Dundee Science Centre, Glasgow Science Centre and Edinburgh’s Our Dynamic Earth.
More than 658,000 people visited the centres in 2014, an increase of 12.6% compared to 2010‘s visitor numbers.
Highlights in the past 12 months included the opening of Scotland’s Time Lords galleries at Our Dynamic Earth and the Ice Station Antarctica exhibition, which travelled to Dundee from the Natural History Museum in London.
Speaking after a visit to Glasgow Science Centre yesterday (above), Dr Allan said: “I am absolutely delighted that the many new activities, exhibits and revamped galleries have delivered a great year for our science centres and continued to build up visitor numbers.
“This increase is a tribute to the staff and their efforts to encourage more people of all ages to visit the centres. Our schools will always encourage children enjoy the science they are learning, but there is so much more that families and adults can experience at the science centres with engaging exhibitions and events that stimulate debate and discussion around science.
“This year Scotland has a key role to play in the international celebrations for Year of Light 2015 as one of our finest physicists James Clerk Maxwell is remembered. This means that there are even more events on offer and I would urge all parents, young people and everyone with a spark of curiosity to look and see what is taking place near them and get involved.”
New attractions planned this year include a major new exhibition Powering the Future that will open in Glasgow in the Autumn and an exhibition at Our Dynamic Earth on the work of CERN and its Large Hadron Collider.
Our Dynamic Earth’s Chief Executive, John Simpson, said: “We are thrilled to hear that funding for Scotland’s science centres has been confirmed by the Scottish Government for the year 2015-16. This will allow us to expand and deliver events which engage with local Community Groups and Schools across Scotland who would otherwise be unable to come to the Centre. In addition to our Charity Golden Ticket, which gives free access to Dynamic Earth for 25 Lothians based charities, the scheme has now been extended to include five local primary and secondary schools.
“Looking to the year ahead, Dynamic Earth will be bringing new films to Scotland’s only fully digital 360° planetarium cinema, hosting a dynamic exhibition on the work of scientists in Cern using the Large Hadron Collider, introducing visitors to new, as yet un-tamed, arrivals in our Rainforest, and allowing guests to race against our very own dinosaur to find out if they will become a winner or dinner!
“Our ability to make such investments and to be able to engage with young and old on the wonders of our Planet in such a way is only possible thanks to the ongoing support of Scottish Government.”
Dr Stephen Breslin, Chief Executive of Glasgow Science Centre, said: “An interest in science from an early age can last a lifetime, and this funding will help us to bring science to life in an interactive way through our education programme. We want to inspire our young people to be excited and stimulated by the opportunities that science offers and for them to study and achieve qualifications in science, technology, engineering and maths in the future.
“We are excited about the year ahead and the enhancements we will make to our visitors’ experience through redeveloping exhibition spaces in the Science Mall, creating new education and public programme and working with our partners from academia and industry. We are thankful to The Scottish Government for supporting our mission and helping us to promote science and technology through thought-provoking and exciting experiences.”
The funding package announced today includes revenue funding of £2,500,000 plus £250,000 to support school visits and community engagement. They will receive:
Satrosphere, Aberdeen £250,150 (up from £226,010 last year)
Dundee Science Centre £340,800 (up from £312,220 last year)
Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh £926,350 (up from £869,090 last year)
Glasgow Science Centre £982,700 (up from £922,680 last year)
Edinburgh’s Science Festival programme is launched today. Go to http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/
The Community Chat Cafe invites you to share food, language and culture. Join us for our free, friendly, sociable lunches and practice your English – all welcome!
Wednesday 25 February
Wednesday 11 March
Wednesday 25 March
12.30 – 2pm at Pilton Community Health Project, Boswall Parkway
A creche is available but must be booked by calling Rachel: on 07891 525663 or Julie on 07958 540 438.
Community Chat Cafe is organised by the Living in Harmony Group and North Edinburgh Timebank
The Scottish Government has adopted www.gov.scot as its primary web address to take advantage of the new .scot top level domain.
More than 8,000 domains have been sold to individuals and groups since they went on sale last September. The new .scot domain aims to promote Scottish identity, culture and economic opportunity on the internet across the world.
The previous address – www.scotland.gov.uk – will continue to take users to the site and other established links will operate as normal.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Using the .scot domain as our primary web address will be a visible symbol of the Scottish Government’s online presence and our involvement with the worldwide family of Scots who choose to express their identity or affinity online.
“The expansion of the number of top-level internet domains in recent times gives users many more options to brand themselves in new ways online – and we’re delighted to lead by example.
“Users will see the new web address on our site straight away but other changes to the infrastructure, including new email addresses for Scottish Government staff, will be introduced in a phased and structured way to ensure no one is inconvenienced.”
The .scot domain is one of hundreds to go live on the internet in the last year, adding diversity as alternatives to the most common domains such as .com, .net, and .org. At least 1,300 will be added over the next few years.
‘TTIP is a corporate power grab being negotiated in secret, threatening our NHS and putting at risk jobs and wages’ – Alison Johnstone MSP
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, is renewing her call for the Scottish Government to toughen its stance on TTIP, the controversial EU-US trade deal which threatens jobs, wages and food standards.
SNP ministers support the principle of the deal, as does Labour. It aims to remove barriers to multinational corporations and could enable them to sue governments over profits.
UK trade minister Lord Livingston gives evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s European committee today (19 Feb), while a protest will take place outside Holyrood by campaigners concerned at the threat to the NHS from TTIP. Alison Johnstone has signed the People’s NHS pledge calling for the health service to be exempted from any deal.
Lord Livingston has said the UK Government is “totally committed” to TTIP, and that “the benefit to industry is enormous”. However, a range of charities and unions have warned against the deal, with Global Justice Now highlighting the threat to local employment and public health.
Alison Johnstone MSP, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, said: “TTIP is a corporate power grab being negotiated in secret, threatening our NHS and putting at risk jobs and wages. Although Scottish ministers say they oppose the inclusion of the health service in TTIP they support the principle of the deal.
“While it’s perhaps no surprise that the UK Coalition Government is prepared to roll out the red carpet for big business, the mixed position of the Scottish Government is causing serious concern among people I’ve spoken to in recent months. There’s a real danger that this deal could make it easier for corporations to drive wages down and make employment even less secure. It could also weaken protections against the imports of GM foods and hormone-produced meat.
“The mounting public concern cannot be ignored.”
‘There was chaos over Local Development Plan 1 and now the same thing is happening over LDP2’ – Colin Keir MSP
Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir has accused the city council’s planning convener of incompetence following news that the City Of Edinburgh Council has deferred decisions relating to the Local Development Plan (LDP2).
The announcement that the decision on the Local Development Plan, which was due next week, has now been put off until after the General Election in May has been received with anger in Edinburgh Western – which contains the contentious Cammo and Maybury development sites along with other controversial development proposals at South Queensferry.
Mr Keir said: “There are serious questions to be asked of Convener of the Planning Committee Councillor Perry and senior planning officials. There was chaos over LDP1 and now the same thing is happening over LDP2.
“Thanks to Councillor Perry’s actions, my constituents particularly those in Cammo, Maybury, Corstorphine and South Queensferry, can look forward to even more uncertainty due to an avalanche of presumptive planning applications which are sure to follow the non-determination of LDP2.
“Councillor Perry has either shown a serious lack of competence and leadership on this or he is playing party politics with the daily lives of residents and the prosperity of the city. Where is the joined up thinking, what discussions have there been relating to transport and pollution management? These are questions residents need answers to. It’s time for Councillor Perry and the Labour Party to come clean with residents of Edinburgh West and the city as a whole”.
Mr Keir has consistently opposed the proposals to develop green field sites at Cammo and Maybury. He has also raised concerns over the number of new developments proposed for South Queensferry which were only introduced into the LDP last year.
The LDP process has been in development since 2011.
