The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3715 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Xin nian kuai le! Gung hey fat choy!!

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!

Visitors flock to science centres

‘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/

Community Chat Cafe opens next week

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.

chat cafe poster

Community Chat Cafe is organised by the Living in Harmony Group and North Edinburgh Timebank

Great scot! Government changes web address

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.

Johnstone signs NHS pledge

‘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.”

Keir condemns development plan delay

‘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.

Trinity man sees off gang of intruders

Police seek occupants of silver Vauxhall following Trinity robbery

A man fought off up to six intruders after they broke into his home in Trinity earlier this week.

The 36-year-old resident disturbed one of the robbers in his Afton Terrace home at around 9.30pm on Tuesday.

The pair struggled and were joined by more intruders – all are thought to be teenagers – who entered the house by the back door. The robbers then ran off and escaped in a silver Vauxhall which was parked at the front of the house.

It is understood a quantity of cash was taken.

The first robber is described as white, 5ft 10in, slim, around 17 years old, with short dark hair and was wearing a black woolly hat and a dark navy tracksuit with stripes and a gold logo on the arm.

The second was white, around 19 years old, 5ft 10in, slim, with short hair and was wearing a white and red scarf over his face, grey hoodie and grey trousers.

A third was white, around 19, 5ft 8in and chubby. The others are described as aged between 16 and 18 and wearing dark clothes.

Detective Constable Mark Seymour said: “This was a very frightening experience for the victim who discovered the suspects within his home and who was then assaulted.

“Anyone who was in the area of Afton Terrace and Granton Road at around 9.30pm and saw a silver Vauxhuall car or has information about who was responsible is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

Love drama? Sign up for Summer Festival course

TALENTED youngsters who love drama are being urged to apply for Scottish Youth Theatre’s acclaimed Summer Festival flagship theatre courses by actors from the hit comedy Still Game and the hugely successful Harry Potter films.

SYT patrons, Oscar-winning actress and screenwriter, Emma Thompson – who played eccentric professor Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter films – and Paul Riley, who played lovable rogue Vincent in Still Game, believe that Summer Festival courses are a great way for young people to develop the acting and theatre production skills needed to follow a career in the industry.

Summer Festival, now in its 39^th year, consists of intensive courses for ages 14-25 years covering all aspects of theatre and drama including production, acting and stage management.

Places are highly sought-after, so entry to the courses, which range from three-six weeks-long in July and August 2015, is by audition only in February. Applications for Summer Festival can be made throughout February at www.scottishyouththetare.org.

There are also shorter courses available for ages 8-11 and 12-15.

Paul Riley, is just one of a long list of actors who started their career at SYT’s Summer Festival. Others include Gerard Butler (James Bond, How To Train Your Dragon, 300), Karen Gillan (Dr. Who, Guardians of the Galaxy), Colin McCredie (Shallow Grave, River City), Blythe Duff (Taggart, The James Plays) and Kirstie Steel (Waterloo Road, Glasgow Girls).

Paul said: “I remember taking my bow on the Olivier stage at the National on the south bank the same day Laurence Olivier died. I was 17 and a member of the Scottish Youth Theatre.

“I’m now proud to say I’m now one of their patrons. There is no question that attending SYT put me on the path to becoming the professional I am today. I’m one of hundreds, if not thousands, who passed through SYT and went on to have a career in the arts. Just as important are those who didn’t but still draw on the life skills and confidence that attending SYT provides.”

Long-term SYT patron, Emma Thompson, who also starred in numerous successful films including Howards End, Sense and Sensibility, and Nanny McPhee, added: “I had the privilege of visiting SYT’s Summer Festival in Glasgow in 2013, and meeting some of the talented young students along with my mother, and fellow patron, Phyllida Law.

“We were blown away by the energy, commitment and creativity of these young actors who were rehearsing two critically-acclaimed productions: Mary Queen of Scots got her Head Chopped Off, by the uniquely brilliant Liz Lochhead, and Now’s the Hour, about the independence referendum, which was a huge success at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

“It was very clear to us that Scottish Youth Theatre is unique in its ability to create a safe, fun and stimulating environment where children and young people can express themselves, take risks and reach their creative potential.”

Mary McCluskey, Scottish Youth Theatre’s chief executive and artistic director said: “Summer Festival is SYT’s sector leading flagship course. These intensive performance courses allow young people to build on their personal, social and performance skills in a professional theatre environment.

“Our Production and Performance Learning Programme for ages 16-25 also leads to a SCQF qualification equivalent to Advanced Higher. In 2013, Summer Festival created Now’s the Hour about the independence referendum which went onto to a huge success at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe.”

Edinburgh College in the running for marketing awards

Edinburgh College has been shortlisted for three prestigious marketing awards, recognising achievements in marketing courses, catering for students’ needs and communicating with staff.

The College Development Network (CDN) Marketing Awards 2015 – which take place next Wednesday (25 February) – are designed to recognise and celebrate the excellent marketing and communication practice taking place in colleges across Scotland.

The college is shortlisted for the following awards:

The Internal Communications Award, for communications around the college’s first staff conference in June 2014. The staff conference brought all the staff together to take part in workshops around the theme of innovation, covering technology, sustainability, teaching and learning, the workplace of the future and outward innovation.
The Customer Experience Award, for the college’s Centre for Creative Industries student Employability Day. The day was designed to develop students’ understanding of employers’ needs, give them insight into how they can make themselves as employable as possible, and promote positive destinations. Professionals from a wide range of creative industries ran workshops, talked to groups of students and shared their expertise.
The Integrated Marketing Campaign Award, in recognition of the success of marketing campaign held to promote, and increase, applications for college courses starting in January 2014. The campaign used the theme ‘Of course you can’ and achieved the highest attendance recorded for an open day at Edinburgh College or at any of its legacy colleges.

Edinburgh College interim principal Elaine McMahon said: “Being shortlisted for these awards is a great achievement and our staff deserve huge congratulations. It’s fantastic to see the creative work put into supporting, encouraging and communicating with students and staff being recognised in this way.

“The Creative Industries Employability Day was a fine example of the focus college staff put upon preparing students for working life in a competitive market and was so successful that the event will run again in February.

“The nomination for the staff conference is a welcome credit for the work done to build a sense of community in the still newly merged Edinburgh College.

“It is also satisfying to see that the work of our marketing and communications staff to promote the range of courses on offer at the college has been recognised. Their hard work led to a highly successful open day and the college meeting student recruitment targets for the year.”

Last year, Edinburgh College achieved a silver award in the Internal Communications category and bronze in the Event category in the CDN Marketing Awards 2014.

Support not stereotypes, says Lazarowicz

Young people looking for their first job: Mark Lazarowicz MP calls on Government to offer support not stereotypes

Mark Lazarowicz MP is highlighting a new scheme run by the voluntary sector EY Foundation that will offer paid work experience, advice and support to young people in Edinburgh looking for their first job.

Youth unemployment (amongst 16-24 year-olds) is still running at 18.1% in Scotland and 16.9% in the UK as a whole. In Scotland it has increased by 4.5% since 2008.

The North and Leith MP is urging young people in Edinburgh to apply for the Foundation’s Smart Futures scheme, a ten-month paid work experience programme.

He said: “Schemes like Smart Futures and the City Council’s Edinburgh Guarantee are priceless opportunities for young people to get experience and the skills to succeed in finding their first job.

“Labour is committed to introducing a compulsory Jobs Guarantee that would ensure young people who are unemployed start gaining vital work experience and skills.

“Too often the Government resorts to negative stereotypes, talking of the well-worn path from school gate to Jobcentre and on to a life on benefits.

“The reality is that the vast majority of young people desperately want to work and are eager to apply for schemes like Smart Futures – the Government should learn from it and the Edinburgh Guarantee because too often it’s the Government that’s failing not young people.”

The scheme gives young people work experience and the chance to meet with people in business and get valuable tips on writing CVs, application and interview advice, as well as an EY Foundation mentor throughout Sixth Year.

The City Council’s Edinburgh Guarantee aims to ensure that every school leaver goes into employment, further education, or training by bringing them together with employers. There is more information on how it works at

https://www.edinburghguarantee.org/about-us/

Applications for the EY Foundation’s summer 2015 Smart Futures scheme are now open until 1 March 2015 and anyone keen to apply can find more information on it at http://ukcareerguide.ey.com/schools/ey-smart-futures