The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3676 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Circuit Class is fitting replacement for Metafit

Thursday night’s first session of the Circuit Class attracted seven people with a further 5 older people turning up and putting themselves forward for next week’s session.

The Metafit formula was changed to allow older users to take part and, with more elder people joining the group, we are sure that the decision to ‘re-shape’ Metafit – as reported as reported in the NEN, our own website & and North Community Newsletter and Facebook – was the correct journey to make.

As word of mouth goes round we think we’ll get even busier so thanks to all who supported our news and to the participants – see you all next Thursday!!

James McGinty

Waiting time info now available at NHS inform

PEOPLE seeking information about waiting times in Scotland can now access this via Scotland’s national health information service, NHS inform. Queries can be directed to the national health information service on 0800 22 44 88.

The extension of the NHS inform service builds on the ‘Your Health, Your Rights‘ resource at www.nhsinform.co.uk/rights which brings together information for the public about their health rights, access to health care and national waiting times.

Developed by NHS 24 in partnership with the Scottish Government, the zone was launched in 2013 with the aim of making it easier for patients to access the information relevant to them in one place.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Patients have an entitlement to be treated as quickly as possible but also at a time that fits in with their lives. The helpline provided through NHS inform will continue to give patients a single point of contact to find out more about their rights and how long they can expect to wait for treatment.

“Waiting times continue to be amongst their lowest ever levels in Scotland, and we want to make sure that patients know what they are entitled to. This information line will also help ensure that waiting times are open, transparent, and that patients receive help and support if they need it.”

NHS 24 Head of Health Information Services Lynne Huckerby added: “Our health information team are trained to answer health information queries on a wide variety of subjects from people throughout Scotland. By contacting NHS inform, people are accessing reliable health information from a trusted source.

“Directing their waiting times queries to the NHS inform phoneline will make it easier for people to access clear and accurate information on their rights and responsibilities. It allows people to access all the health information they need from a single trusted source.”

For more information, visit www.nhsinform.co.uk/rights

The NHS inform helpline is available on 0800 22 44 88, 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.

Community Education: who does what?

Still time to respond to Education Scotland survey …

Over 200 organisations, large and small, have now responded to the national survey of who does community learning and development in Scotland.

In response to demand, we are keeping the online survey open on the Education Scotland website for one more week.

The final closing date for responses will now be

Friday 17 April.

If you haven’t had a chance to respond yet, then please don’t miss this opportunity to contribute.

Live Well in Later Life

Drop-in event for older people at Broughton High School next week

Come along to our free drop-in event between

11am -3pm on Thursday 16 April

at Broughton High School, East Fettes Avenue.

Tea, coffee and cake will be served.

Free transport is available if booked in advance.

Call 0131 529 6552 or email rachel.howe@edinburgh.gov.uk

Live Well Inverleith Flyer

Best behaviour warning ahead of Edinburgh derby

Police are reminding football fans that a ‘robust policing operation’ will be in place at this weekend’s derby match to identify anyone in possession of alcohol, fireworks or flares.

Over 15,000 spectators are expected to attend Easter Road Stadium for Sunday’s Hibs v Hearts clash, and fans are being warned that anti-social drinking in the surrounding streets will not be tolerated and the relevant by-law will be enforced.

Police will also assist stewards to carry out searches outside the stadium to prevent illegal or prohibited items being brought into the ground.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “Like any derby day, this Sunday promises to be a great atmosphere with thousands within the city coming along to the match or watching it in the city’s pubs.

“The vast majority of supporters demonstrate exemplary behaviour and are a credit to their clubs – however, we will have a number of resources in place to target the minority of individuals whose behaviour can put both themselves and others at risk. This includes officers visiting local pubs and areas where groups gather.

“Officers and stewards will be carrying out searches of fans entering Easter Road and anyone found with illicit or illegal materials will be prohibited from entering and may face further police action.”

Wardieburn stabbings: one victim ‘critically ill’

‘This was an appalling attack’ – DCI Stuart Houston

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following the attempted murder of two men in Wardieburn. The incident took place at around 6pm on Wednesday evening in Wardieburn Place West. The area was busy at the time and police are hopeful that potential witnesses will come forward.

The men had travelled down from the Aberdeen area to buy a car, but on arrival they were attacked and stabbed after being lured into a common stair by two men. The suspects, who may also have robbed their victims, made off, possibly via the large grass area at the rear of the block.

Both victims were left with serious injuries and one – a 43-year-old man – is in a critical condition.

Officers are eager to speak to any witnesses who may have seen the two suspects.

The first suspect is described as a white man aged 17-19 years old, with a local accent. He has light coloured short hair which is shaved at the sides and was wearing a light coloured sky blue hooded sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms.

The second suspect is a white man in his mid-twenties with a stocky build. He was wearing a striped top.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: “This was an appalling attack on two men who came to the address in good faith. This attack happened in daylight and we believe there may be a number of witnesses who may have seen the suspects in the area. Anyone with information that can help with our enquiries is urged to contact police immediately.”

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

Letter: A fair share for wealth creators

Dear Editor

Government money for investment is raised through taxes of all kinds on the people. Private investment comes from the rich and very well-off.

The biggest investment of all is the labour power supplied by working people every day of the working year, transforming money investments into products.

Both government and private investors, after costing materials and labour, keep the surplus – called ‘profit’.

Government profit should be ploughed back into society in the form of public services. Those who give their labour power – without which there would be no profit – do not receive any of those profits; they of course get wages of varying amounts for a year’s work … as opposed to the ‘efforts’ of the rich who in making one investment telephone call!

Private investors, as ever, look to maximise profit, keeping costs as low as possible, particularly wages and working conditions (zero hours contracts are the modern way): this is where trouble starts.

If wages are restricted by private industry or the government, the ability of the working people to buy what they have produced is cut. This eventually leads to private investors withdrawing and closing down companies – reducing further the ability of people to buy goods.

The situation is made worse if the government – like the present Tory/Lib Dem one – is dominated by and operates in favour of private investors, and not those who produce the wealth in the first place.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

General Election: Edinburgh candidates confirmed

The candidates nominated to stand in the City of Edinburgh’s five constituencies in the UK Parliamentary Elections on May 7th have been announced. Nominations closed at 4pm today.

The nominated candidates for each constituency are listed in full below and can also be found on the Council website:

Edinburgh East Constituency

CORBISHLEY, Oliver John – UK Independence Party (UKIP)
GILMORE, Sheila – Scottish Labour Party
MCCOLL, Peter Andrew – Scottish Green Party
MCMORDIE, James Frederick John – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
SALEEM, Ayesha – Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
SHEPPARD, Tommy – Scottish National Party (SNP)
UTTING, Karen Jane – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh North & Leith Constituency

BEATTIE-SMITH, Sarah Elizabeth – Scottish Green Party
BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP)
LAZAROWICZ, Mark – Scottish Labour Party
MCGILL, Iain – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
MELVILLE, Alan Gordon – UK Independence Party (UKIP)
VEART, Martin – Scottish Liberal Democrats
WHITEHEAD, Bruce – Left Unity – Trade Unionists and Socialists

Edinburgh South Constituency

BRIGGS, Miles Edward Frank – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
FOX, Colin Anthony – Scottish Socialist Party
HAY, Neil William – Scottish National Party (SNP)
MARSHALL, Paul – United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP)
MEYER, Phyl Stuart – Scottish Green Party
MURRAY, Ian – Scottish Labour Party
SUBBARAMAN, Pramod – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh South West Constituency

CHERRY Joanna Catherine – Scottish National Party (SNP)
DOHERTY Richard Alan – Scottish Green Party
FARTHING-SYKES Dan – Scottish Liberal Democrats
HENDERSON Ricky – Scottish Labour Party
LINDHURST Gordon John – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
LUCAS Richard Crewe – UK Independence Party (UKIP)

Edinburgh West Constituency

BLACK Pat – Scottish Green Party
CROCKART Mike – Scottish Liberal Democrats
DAY Cammy – Scottish Labour Party
INGLIS George Grant Gordon Otto – UK Independence Party (UKIP)
PATERSON Lindsay Sheila – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
THOMSON Michelle Rhonda – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

Voters: are your details correct?

Edinburgh’s voters are being urged to check their registration details are correct four weeks ahead of the General Election on 7 May.

Citizens are being reminded that they must be registered in order to cast their vote in May’s election, with tenants and recent movers in particular the focus of a drive to encourage registration.

Members of the public, including students and people who have moved home since the last time they registered, should check they are on the electoral role ahead of the registration deadline on 20 April.

Nominations close on Thursday for General Election Candidates, when the final list of those standing for Edinburgh’s five constituencies will be announced.

Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for the Edinburgh constituencies, said: “Interest in the forthcoming General Election is really starting to build up. It is essential that voters’ registration details are up-to-date so they can cast their votes and I would urge anyone who is unsure to check in plenty of time.”

More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September, but changes to the electoral registration system could mean some electors need to re-register. Anyone who has moved since August can update their address or other details by visiting the GOV.UK website.

You can check you are registered by phoning the Lothian Valuation Joint Board on 0131 344 2500.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote here.

Two in hospital following Wardieburn knife attack

Two men stabbed in Wardieburn in broad daylight

Two men are being treated in hospital following a knife attack in Wardieburn Place yesterday. The incident happened in broad daylight at around 6pm.

An investigation is underway to establish whether a Vauxhall Astra abandoned at the scene was involved in the incident.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to a report of a serious assault on two men in the Wardieburn/Pilton area of the city around 6pm on Wednesday. Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances of this incident.”

If you have any information about the incident call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.