The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3798 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Help get goods to Gaza

Toy convoy leaves on Friday

Edinburgh Direct Aid who are the group behind the collection – they have been amazed by the response so far.

However they tell me they are in desperate need of:

Stationery Items
Arts and Crafts
Pencils etc

These items will be head to Gaza for the children

They also need:

Parcel tape
Card Board boxes all the same size
Marker pens

These will be used for packaging the items for shipment

Do you know anyone who can help?

Maybe you have a few things to donate?

DEADLINE is FRIDAY at 5pm

*Note – Toys will also still be accepted

Robert Pearson
Tenants & Residents In Muirhouse (TRIM)

Website – http://muirhouseresidents.co.uk
Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/trimgroup
Also on Twitter – http://twitter.com/MuirhouseTRIM

Community classes starting soon at Craigroyston

New classes starting at Craigroyston

We have some free classes aimed primarily at local people in our community at Craigroyston:

Cook your tea
Sometimes the hardest thing about cooking is deciding what to make!

It is all too easy to run out of ideas for offering something delicious, healthy and within a tight budget. The friendly tutor for this class has a wide range of ideas which can be made quickly and cheaply making this the highlight of your culinary week.

Favourite dishes range from Thai curry, to mushroom risotto as well
as home made lemon chicken. If there is anything you really want to learn to make, the tutor will be able to help.

Come along, cook your tea and take it home to surprise all the family and friends!

Please bring £1.50 each week towards the ingredients.
The class is *FREE.

Saving Money (and the Environment)
Small steps = big changes!

This practical maths course takes everyday situations and shows you how to make the maths work for you!

Work out the running costs of many household appliances, decipher your
energy bill, compare special offers while out shopping and even find out how to make the most of a square foot garden!

Don’t worry if you didn’t get maths the first time round, this course allows you to start small and build up at your own pace. It uses examples from everyday life that affect everyone, from recipes to recycling
and will help you quickly gain confidence in handling your finances!
Not only that, we are running this course in partnership with Edinburgh’s
very own Science Museum at Dynamic Earth and several sessions will take place there (all transport & entry fees provided).

Creative Expressions

Bringing together creative writing, photography and other forms of creative expression, this class offers a range of combined art forms. The informal setting means that everyone can take part in different forms of self expression and gain a satisfying experience.

*(This class is FREE)
And also some classes that we hope will be of interest and are very good value:

Fee is £50 for the standard 10 weeks of 2 hours per week courses – £25 for a senior citizen or student – £14 for anyone receiving benefits. (half of this for the 5 week course or a 1 hour course)

These can be booked online as well as by phone or in person – www.joininedinburgh.org

Make and Mend
Creative Upcycling Projects (5 weeks)

Upcycling is about converting old or discarded materials into something
useful and beautiful for your home or to give as a personalised present. Join this weekly course to learn all sorts of original ways to refashion and redesign things you have at home already, with a friendly tutor full of inspiring ideas and different craft techniques.

Pottery
This class teaches the basics of hand building and wheel throwing in clay and introduces different artistic styles & methods of creating successful ceramic pieces.

It also offers an introduction to the use of the potter’s wheel and stone
wear firing. There is an additional £10 to pay towards materials used.

Creative Writing
Do you feel you might like to have some guidance in developing your creative writing skills, to express ideas and show you how to overcome writer’s block?

A very friendly tutor can help you develop characters, transform experiences into storylines and encourage you to share your writing with
the group. The class is supportive and will look at wide ranging in creative styles.

NOW STARTING SEPTEMBER:

Computing for Not Quite Beginners
This course is ideal for people who can create a word/text document and would like to start experimenting with pictures and tables in order to create a poster, newsletter, invitation or flyer.
Potential students should be able to create a simple document with some
text in it.
The course will cover:
Inserting pictures from clipart, inserting photos from a memory stick, downloading pictures from the Internet, arranging text size, colour etc, using Wordart, designing page layouts and using columns and inserting tables.

Scots History through Scottish Novels

This enjoyable course will to explore the relationship between 20th and early 21st century Scottish literature, history and the culture and politics of contemporary Scotland.
The books the course will be looking at will be James Douglas Brown, The House with the Green Shutters; Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Sunset Song; Jessie Kesson, The White Bird Passes; Muriel Spark, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie; James Robertson, And the Land Lay Still.

There will be a small amount of advised reading to support a deeper understanding of the texts and their historical and cultural background.

and there are many more – language, music and others – and it it would be great to have some local people take advantage of these great classes!

Fiona Henderson

Ebola: should we be alarmed?

The Department of Health confirmed yesterday that a British national residing in Sierra Leone has tested positive for Ebola virus infection. Should we be concerned?

The simple answer is no, there is no immediate cause for alarm – but the health authorities remain vigilant.

‘the risk of any traveller to West Africa contracting Ebola is very low without direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person.’

Professor John Watson, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said: “The overall risk to the public in the UK continues to be very low. Medical experts are currently assessing the situation in Sierra Leone to ensure that appropriate care is provided. We have robust, well-developed and well-tested NHS systems for managing unusual infectious diseases when they arise, supported by a wide range of experts.”

Ebola haemorrhagic fever is a rare but severe disease caused by the Ebola virus. Ebola is highly transmissible by direct contact with organs or bodily fluids of living or dead infected persons and animals.

An Ebola outbreak was first confirmed in Guinea back in February and quickly spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. The outbreak is the world’s deadliest to date.

Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected but patients have a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment. The latest outbreak has caused more than 700 deaths since February.

The UK government is closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak – the largest outbreak of the virus in recent times – but said in a statement:

‘This is not an issue that affects the UK directly. We have experienced scientists and doctors including at the Royal Free Infectious Disease Unit, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. We also have a lot of experience of dealing with dangerous diseases. The risk of this disease spreading fast in the UK is much lower because of that.

‘The UK government is taking precautionary measures and looking at capability but is confident that the UK has experienced people who are ready to deal with anything if it were to arrive here.’

Following a meeting of government committee COBR, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: “We’ve looked at how we are co-ordinating with our French and American colleagues under the World Health Organisation, we’ve considered what additional measures the UK could take to help control the outbreak in West Africa and we’ve also looked at what measures we need to put in place on a precautionary basis in case any UK nationals in West Africa should become affected by the disease.

We do not, at the moment, think this is an issue that affects the UK directly.”

Guidance has been issued to front line Border Force staff on how to identify and safely deal with suspected cases of Ebola – it makes clear what steps need to be taken should a passenger arrive at the border unwell.

If a person is identified at the border as being a potential carrier they will be immediately referred by a Border Force officer to a specialist medical care provider and reported to public health authorities.

There was a local scare earlier this month when an athlete from Sierra Leone fell ill during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but he tested negative for Ebola. Dr Colin Ramsay, of Health Protection Scotland, said then: “There’s been no programme of actively screening athletes simply because of the Commonwealth Games.

“The situation is that if someone presents with symptoms suggestive of the possibility of Ebola virus infection and who has come from a country affected by the current outbreak – and that’s Sierra Leone and Guinea and Liberia – they would be investigated accordingly and that would involve managing them with a set of standard precautions. People in this sort of situation would be investigated for a number of conditions, not just Ebola.”

No cases of imported Ebola have ever been reported in the UK.

West Pilton & Muirhouse Gala is OFF

Organisers: ‘gutted that it’s been hit on the head over a piece of paper’

Tomorrow’s West Pilton & Muirhouse Community Gala has been CANCELLED. Organisers say they have had to cancel as they have not received the necessary Entertainment Licence in time, but now plan to stage the event next month.

The group’s Facebook page was updated yesterday to say:

‘Ok folks , sadly we have to break some bad news , after multiple lots of paperwork , and permissions it seems the galas Entertainment Licence has not been granted yet. With insurance , park permission and suppliers all in place it’s a shame it’s all come down to one bit of council legislation ….

Therefor the gala will be cancelled and rescheduled to a date tbc near the end of September… Please share with as many as possible so as everyone knows it won’t go ahead this Sunday..

The committee and truly gutted that it’s been hit on the head over a piece of paper. But we will strive to get this pushed through for Sept…’

West Pilton & Muirhouse Gala was also cancelled last year because of ‘supplier issues’.

Events today at Drylaw, Silverlea and Craighall Centre all go ahead as planned (see previous posts).

Police target stores selling ‘legal highs’

Shop raids mark start of ‘legal highs’ campaign

Police in Edinburgh yesterday executed search warrants at three premises following intelligence that New Psychoactive Substances – so-called ‘legal highs’ – were being sold there.

Around 70 officers from across the city were involved in the activity, which took place in the Leith Walk, Newington and Wester Hailes areas as part of a national operation to stem the sales of these items and to raise awareness as to their risks.

Representatives from Scotland Fire and Rescue, City of Edinburgh Council Trading Standards and Environmental Health also carried out visits to a further eight premises to provide appropriate guidance on legislation and licensing issues relating to NPS.

Over 3,000 sachets of substances were seized from the three stores and have been sent for further analysis.

The operation is being backed by a two-week nationwide campaign to help raise awareness of the dangers of taking New Psychoactive Substances.

The campaign is aimed at young people aged 11-18 year-old as well as their parents and teachers. It also targets young professionals aged 25-35 years and will include a national radio commercial.

Posters and screens highlighting this issue will also be on display in train stations and on local buses across the country.

Furthermore, a range of initiatives are taking place with local community officers visiting schools, youth groups and community events to help raise awareness and educate young people on the dangers of NPS.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston, who led yesterday’s activity said: “Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe and to stopping the sale of any substances, which may cause harm to our communities.

“The items seized during the operation will now be subject to detailed analysis and we will be continuing to engage with our various partner agencies throughout.

“Enforcement, however, is only a small part of this operation and we are keen to educate the public on all the associated risks of NPS so that less people are inclined to buy and consume them.

“School Liaison Officers and Community Policing Teams will be engaging heavily with the public in the coming weeks in relation to the dangers of New Psychoactive Substances.

“I would strongly urge our communities never to consume any of the NPS material currently being sold at premises across the country. They may contain extremely harmful chemicals, which could seriously impact upon your long-term health.”

Further information on NPS can be found at:

If you have any information about NPS, or indeed any drug activity, contact the police on 101 or, in an emergency by dialling 999.

Information can also be reported anonymously and in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you are a young person, information can also be reported anonymously atFearless.org.

Local arrest following Operation Wolf activity

A Drylaw man is one of seven men arrested and charged for domestic abuse and sexual offences following an Operation Wolf day of action in Edinburgh this week.

Wednesday’s activity saw officers from the Public Protection Unit and the Divisional Violence Reduction Unit target a number of individuals for various crimes including rape, indecent assault, lewd and libidinous practises and assaults.

The 31-year-old man from the Drylaw area was charged with a number of domestic assaults.

Other arrests included a 44-year-old man from the Duddingston area, who was detained following reports of historic sexual assaults which were made in May this year. He was subsequently charged for numerous offences relating to six separate victims.

A 40-year-old Bo’Ness man was also arrested, two men aged 38 and 64 from the Restalrig area were both apprehended and charged in connection with historic sexual offences against children and will appear in court at a later date,

A 13-year-old male from the Craigmount area was charged in connection with a recent sexual assault on a female youth. He has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal and Children’s Reporter.

Last year, Police Scotland received a report of historic domestic violence and serious sexual assault and enquiries were undertaken into these crimes. As a result, a 29-year-old man from Bathgate was arrested and is also due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Public Protection officers had also been investigating numerous reports of historic sexual abuse that took place at various areas within Edinburgh in previous years.

Detective Chief Inspector Alwyn Bell said: “Police Scotland is committed to tackling violent crimes such as domestic abuse and any offences of a sexual nature.

“As part of the ongoing Operation Wolf, various activity was carried out across Edinburgh and in West Lothian and a number of males are now subject to legal proceedings for a range of crimes including rape, indecent assault and domestic violence.

“These arrests should send a clear message to our communities that regardless of when a crime takes place, we will investigate the matter thoroughly and anyone found to be responsible will be brought to justice.

“I would urge anyone who wishes to report a crime to come forward and rest assured that your report will be treated with the utmost sensitivity and professionalism.”

Anyone wishing to report a crime can do so by contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

All eyes on the skies ahead of weekend events

Organisers of this weekend’s Fun Days and Galas will be keeping an anxious eye on the weather forecast. Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s Fun Day takes place tomorrow and West Pilton and Muirhouse Gala is on Sunday.

Fingers crossed – it might just be okay!

Tomorrow’s forecast: A chilly start then a mainly dry day with sunny spells. Cloud will bubble up in the afternoon with isolated showers developing across Lothian and Borders.

And Sunday? A chilly start but dry with sunny spells.

Here’s hoping …

Tuesday is decision day for Telford parking

Measures to introduce priority parking measures to the streets of Telford could be agreed by councillors at next Tuesday’s Transport & Environment committee meeting. Local campaigners are pleased that traffic and parking problems that have beset the area for years could at last be resolved.

Drylaw Telford Community Council has been seeking solutions to irresponsible parking in the area, and last year initiatived a survey of the area to gauge residents views on introducing priority parking measures. That October consultation was inconclusive, but the community council gave it another go and organised a public meeting in March.

The meeting was well-attended and there was sufficient support on the night to justify a second consultation in June.

This proved more decisive: 156 residents responded – and of these 154 were in favour of introducing a Priority Parking scheme!

Drylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale chairs the sub-group set up to address Telford’s traffic problems. He said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of recent consultation letter which resulted in a overwhelming favour for the scheme and I’d like to thank our members for all their hard work in advising the residents of the merits for introducing the scheme.”

He went on: “The sub group met last night to discuss this report and next stages. If the scheme gets the go-ahead next week Parking Operations will produce a detailed map of the area, showing where priority parking bays will be located and non legislated free bay and highlighting the single/double yellow lines propoals. The transport officials will be invited to this meeting to fully explain the proposals and our sub-group will then agree or amend. Clearly we won’t do anything until we know the result of Tuesday’s meeting but we are very hopeful that things will get moving in Telford soon.”

Telford Parking paper

Salvesen housing for disabled veterans gets go-ahead

A project that will create an affordable housing scheme for disabled veterans in Edinburgh is to receive a £250,000 funding boost. The scheme, which has been championed by the Lord Provost, will deliver five accessible homes in Salvesen.

The project, proposed by the Scottish Veterans Garden City Association (SVGCA), had faced a financial shortfall but councillors agreed yesterday to provide the funding from the Council Tax Discount Fund, which is ring fenced to support affordable housing.

The accommodation will now be built in Salvesen Gardens at an estimated cost of £800,000.

Edinburgh Veterans Champion, Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “I am committed to supporting veterans, and we signed the Edinburgh Armed Forces Community Covenant, which encourages integration between local communities and the Armed Forces communities, in 2012.

“A lot of work to address the city’s shortage of affordable housing is ongoing, and we have introduced changes to our lettings policy for Council homes to recognise the special difficulties that veterans are facing in particular.

“The length of time ex-service personnel have served is now taken into account when they are applying for Council homes, and work with the Edinburgh Garrison to provide housing advice and information to personnel before they leave the armed services.”

Several projects aimed at addressing a shortage in affordable housing are currently taking place in Edinburgh, and the Council delivered more than 1,200 quality, low-cost places to live in 2013/14.
Working with housing associations and house builders, the city council has invested £142m of public and private funding in house building over the past year, generating £107m for the local economy, and support for more than 1,900 jobs.