The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3759 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

New Town and Broughton Community Council

The New Town and Broughton Community Council meets on the second Monday of the month from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. Local residents are very welcome to attend and raise issue with the Community Council. The dates are:

Monday 13 October 2014
Monday 10 November 2014
Monday 8 December 2014

All meetings are held at the Drummond Room, Broughton St Mary’s Church, Bellevue Crescent (enter by ramp, suitable for wheelchairs, down at right hand side of church).

For further details and for a contact form see our new website

ntbcc.org.uk

Whitespace Gallery to host post-conflict exhibition

What happens when war moves on? Gayfield Square’s Whitespace Gallery is to host an important post-conflict programme next month. The week-long event will feature a photographic exhibition, conference and the screening of human rights photojournalist Fiona Lloyd- Davies’ film Seeds of Hope.

THE Voices of Post-Conflict Project – a student-led initiative from the University of Edinburgh – is delighted to invite members of the public, NGOs, academics and students, as well as all other interested parties, to attend our conference and exhibition from 3 – 9 October.

Against the backdrop of a photographic exhibition, the conference, ‘Agency in Post-Conflict Societies – Perspectives on Issues of Gender and Agency for Women and Young People’, showcases various post-conflict perspectives and explores topics related to gender in post-conflict situations.

The public is especially invited to the film screening of ‘Seeds of Hope’, followed by a Q&A with award-winning director, Fiona Lloyd-Davies, on October 8th, 6-8pm. Fiona Lloyd-Davies is a renowned filmmaker and photojournalist who has been reporting on human rights issues in conflict areas for more than 20 years.

For more information and to register for events, please visit http://voicesofpostconflict.wordpress.com/

Picture Credit: Fiona Lloyd-Davies

Lazarowicz: transfer of powers ‘without delay’

Mark Lazarowicz MP has pledged to work for the transfer of powers promised to the Scottish Parliament without delay as Ed Miliband and the other UK party leaders confirmed their commitment to the process.

The North & Leith MP sets out his views on the way ahead for Scotland and the rest of the UK on the path to constitutional reform in an article published on his website today.

He said: “There must be no delay in the transfer of powers promised during the referendum campaign to the Scottish Parliament.

“Gordon Brown announced a timetable with cross-party support for further transfers of power to the Scottish Parliament and Ed Miliband as well as the other UK party leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to it.

“That has now begun with the agreement of a Parliamentary Motion which will be published as soon as Parliament returns. Full debate involving the Scottish Parliament and civil society in Scotland will follow leading to legislation being drafted by January.

“We now need to re-engage people to rebuild democracy throughout the UK by devolving power and Scotland is leading the way in that.”

You can find the full text of the article at:

http://www.marklazarowicz.org.uk/constitutional_reform_all_round_needed_but_must_not_delay_implementation_of_commitments_to_scotland

Volunteer Recruitment Fair’s this Wednesday

The Volunteer Recruitment Fair takes place at St Paul’s and St Georges Church on York Place this Wednesday (24.09) from 11am – 7pm.

Entry is free, and we expect more than a thousand visitors to come along to find out more about the wide variety of volunteering opportunities available across Edinburgh with charities, social enterprises and the public sector.

This year, in addition to fifty plus stalls, there will be free employability workshops running at 11.30am and 3.00pm, and when visitors need to sit down after taking in all this new information there’s a café serving delicious food and drink run by the by city-based social enterprise Out of the Blue Drill Hall Arts Café .

Volunteering helps people build new skills, get a taste of different working environments, create new friendships and boost individual confidence and wellbeing. For those seeking a route into work, volunteering also adds skills to CVs as well as providing work experience and up-to-date references.

Making the choice to give your time and expertise to help others is a positive and meaningful commitment, with big rewards for the volunteer and the organisation or clients that the volunteer donates their time to. The Volunteer Recruitment Fair is the perfect way to match those who want to make best use of their time with those who benefit from their input. It’s also an opportunity to publicise Edinburgh’s vibrant Third Sector community.

VCE Convener Kris Von Wald said: “The role of volunteers in improving the quality of life in their communities has never been more important. The success of last year’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair demonstrated that the desire to donate both time and skills to help others is alive and well in the citizen’s of Edinburgh. All the signs point to 2014 being even more successful.”

For more about the Volunteer Recruitment Fair, visit the Volunteer Centre Edinburgh’s website, or Facebook page.

You for coffee?

Is your group, organisation or club supporting Macmillan’s Coffee Morning? If so – let us know – we’ll share your event with NEN readers!

It’s Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event, where people across the UK are asked to hold a coffee morning and raise money for people living with cancer. In 2013, 154,000 people signed up, raising a record £20 million.

Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. And as treatments improve, more and more people are living with cancer in their daily lives. The money you raise at your coffee morning will help make sure no one has to face cancer alone, from the moment they’re diagnosed, through treatment and beyond.

Join Gladys at PYCP’s event on Saturday from 10.30 – 2pm!

Also on Saturday, Granton Parish Church Big Coffee Morning kicks off at 10am in the West Hall. Can you help? Contact Heather McArdle

You can also sign up to host your own coffee morning by visiting www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or telephone 0300 1000 200.

Voluntary Sector Forum: extra date added

Due to the retirement of Gena Wylie and Thomas Brown moving to pastures new the Forth and Inverleith Forum now need to elect 2 new chairs for this Forum.

Due to the length of time between Forums I thought it best to organise an extra meeting for the Forum to discuss the election and how they wish to go forward with this.

The Forum meeting will take place on

Wednesday 15 October from 10am -12 noon

at Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway.

It would be beneficial to the Forum and Third Sector in these areas if we could have strong representation at the meeting to ensure everyone has had time and the opportunity to discuss as a collective.

Whilst there is no Chair for both areas my role is to cover all NP meetings where possible to represent the Third Sector in that area. I’m very keen that the representation comes from local Grassroot workers in the area, as I feel they would be better placed than I to represent a particular area.

Can you please let me know if you are able to attend.

Many thanks

Waterfront regeneration: still time to book your place

It’s now less than a week away, but there’s still time to book your place at Building New Futures, Forth’s regeneration conference:

Regeneration Event Poster

If you live, visit or work in the north of the city, you may be aware of regeneration activity underway. Here in the Forth Neighbourhood, a number of projects have started or are under development. The Forth Neighbourhood Partnership and local Community Councils feel that this is a good time to bring together as many of those involved with managing or developing local regeneration to engage with the wider Forth community.

The Forth Regeneration event will take place on Saturday 27 September in Edinburgh College – Granton Campus from 10am – 2pm.

The event has been designed to be interactive and allow people the opportunity to fully understand and influence, where possible, current regeneration activity and future proposals. Information and discussion groups will take place around:

· New homes and improved public space in Pennywell/Muirhouse and health facilities;

· Proposals for Granton Waterfront;

· Wider investment across Forth, identifying challenges and opportunities.

An overview of the Second Proposed Local Development Plan will help set the scene before we head into discussion groups around the above three key areas.

A light lunch is available. Please let us know if you require any childcare arrangements.

Use the link below to book a place. If you have already booked, there is no need to re-book – please forward to anyone you think may be interested in attending.

BOOK A PLACE

Location, location, location: Miller Homes launches photography competition

Miller Homes launches ‘great locations’ photography competition

Edinburgh housebuilder Miller Homes is launching a photography competition encouraging people to submit a photo they have taken which encapsulates all that is great about the area in which they live.

Highlighting the importance of location, the ‘Great locations photography competition’ will also ask entrants to provide a sentence or two giving context to their photo.

Anne Marie Britton, Scotland Area Sales and Marketing Director at Miller Homes (pictured above) said: “More often than not, location is a deciding factor in people’s decisions on where they want to live. Location is so important, and for this reason we ensure we only create communities in the very best places in Edinburgh with access to good schools, excellent local amenities and superb transport links.

“For our great location photography competition we are asking people to consider their locations and the reasons why they love them. We want to start conversations about place and to really tap into what makes a location appealing, exploring how vital this is to how people feel about where they live.

“We are anticipating a range of interesting entries and look forward to receiving these over the coming weeks and months. Best of luck to all entrants!”

Entries should be sent to millerhomesphotocomp@miller.co.uk and once received will be published on Miller Homes’ social media channels. Deadline for entries is 26 October 2014.

All entrants must be over 16 years old and pictures will be judged by professional photographer Mike Wilkinson.

Mike (pictured above) has 26 years experience and currently supplies images for The Times, Sunday Times and Financial Times. He said: “Often the most simple of objects make for the most interesting photographs. I am fascinated in the sights that capture the eye and look forward to seeing the array of images that are submitted in the competition.”

A winner will be selected from each of the housebuilder’s six regions (Scotland, North East, North West, Yorkshire, Midlands, Southern) and then from these winners an overall national winner will be selected. Regional winners will each receive a £50 Amazon voucher plus the opportunity to have their photo framed and displayed in their nearest Miller Homes development; and on top of this the overall winner will receive a gift voucher for a one-day photography course as well as a framed copy of their photograph.

Full terms and conditions can be read here.

Royal Victoria Hospital: heritage worth saving

I am the editor of www.craigleithhill.co.uk. Amongst other historical information on the Craigleith district I have included a history of the Royal Victoria Hospital.

My interest with the RVH site is the B listed Admin Block which hopefully the planners are going to retain. This building was built in the 1906 and the design was overseen by the pioneer of Tuberculosis treatment Dr Philip. I am hoping that this building with its superb acid stained beams (see my web site) and superb wood panelled conference room could be retained with the history of the RVH and in memory of Dr Philip who was a pioneer in the treatment of TB.

There are many wall plaques still retained in the entrance way to the old RVH which could well find a new home in this building. The building would be ideal as a conference room for NHS meetings as well as Community Council meetings.

Alan Ross

Saltire Society awards for prominent Scots

Professor Sue Black, Sir Chris Hoy and Dr Ann Matheson honoured for their contribution to Scottish culture

Leading international scientist Professor Sue Black, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and celebrated Academic Dr Ann Matheson have been named as this year’s winners of the Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award.

Established in 1988, the award forms part of the Saltire Society’s annual awards programme, which recognises and celebrates Scottish culture and heritage. It celebrates the legacy of Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, often remembered as one of Scotland’s true patriots, by recognising significant contributions made to Scottish culture.

Previous recipients include Tom Fleming, Donald Dewar, George Davie, Dolinna MacLennan, Robin Jenkins, George Mackay Brown and in 2013, William McIlvanney.

Nominations for the award are made by the Saltire Society Council who this year decided to broaden the scope to now include three different categories and thus three awards so as to recognise a wider range of achievements and to engage wider public interest. These categories are: Arts and Humanities, Public Life and Science.

The categories for the 2014 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award are:

Arts And Humanities – awarded to Dr Ann Matheson, member of the Board of the Scottish Poetry Library, for her lengthy and continued championing of Scotland’s literary and linguistic culture;

Public Life – awarded to Great Britain’s most successful Olympian and most successful Olympic cyclist of all time, Sir Chris Hoy;

Science – awarded to Professor Sue Black, Director of Dundee University’s Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification.

The ceremony took place at a reception at Edinburgh’s City Chambers on Saturday afternoon where winners were presented with a bespoke award by Convenor of the Saltire Society, David Ward.

Commenting on the Saltire Society Council’s selection Mr Ward said: “As a Council, we are thrilled to have been able to award one of our most prestigious accolades to three undisputable Ambassadors of Scottish culture.

“This year in particular Scotland finds itself in a spotlight on the world’s stage and we felt it appropriate that we should honour as wide a range of achievements as possible in order to truly be able to reflect the rich and varied cultural heritage that Scotland has to offer and that we support.

“2014’s Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Award recipients do that and more with their remarkable achievements highlighting some modern day examples of Scottish achievement.”

2014 award recipient Professor Sue Black of Dundee University said: “It is both an honour and a privilege to be selected as a recipient for this award, particularly when I see the calibre of fellow recipients past and present. “I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to the Saltire Society Council for electing to bestow this honour on me.”

Commenting on her award, Dr Ann Matheson said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Fletcher of Saltoun Award from the Saltire Society. It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to be associated with Scotland’s literary culture, past and present, and with all those who work so steadfastly on its behalf, during an inspiring period in the nation’s history.”

For more information about The Saltire Society go to:

http://www.saltiresociety.org.uk/