The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3805 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

The fitba’s back!

For some, it’s almost like that childhood excitement of waking on Christmas morning – the fitba’s back!

Yes, okay we’ve had the World Cup in Brazil, but really – what’s that got to do with us? The waiting’s over and it’s time for the real fitba’ – the blood and snotters Scottish stuff!

The days of poring over the fixtures in The Wee Red Book have long gone, of course – TV demands mean you’re just as likely to be watching your team at some ungodly hour on a Sunday as you are on Saturday afternoon – but the Leagues get under way this afternoon and it promises to be a season like no other in Scotland. Who would have thought that all interest would focus on the second tier?

Champions League hiccups aside – and they seem to have been very, very, lucky -, it’s inconceivable that Celtic will be allowed to lose the SPFL this season – possibly their last without the company of their dear Glasgow rivals. Aberdeen, Motherwell and Dundee United have all shown signs of being able to narrow the gap but it would be foolish to expect any one of them will pose a serious challenge to Celtic in the top flight this season. Celtic need Champions League cash – and they have the resources on and off the field to ensure they are back in the draw for next season. Whether their current manager will still be leading them into Europe is another issue, of course …

So if the top flight – the Premiership to give it it’s posh name – is a one horse race, what about the Championship (that’s Division Two for our older readers)?

In Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller bookies favourites Rangers (or The Rangers or Newco Rangers) have striking talent and experience in abundance – assuming they remain fit there should be no shortage of goals at Ibrox this season. It’s not impossible to imagine that either man could well score more goals than some teams manage over the course of the season.

Rangers (or The Rangers or Newco) should have more than enough resources on the field to lift the title and return to the top flight – or reach the top flight for the first time, depending on how you see the club’s status. As has been the case over the past few years, the Glasgow club’s problems are off the field. Boardroom shenanigans, HMRC (not HMFC, we’ll come on to them later!) circling ominously once again, poor response to share issues, fans unrest, Charles Green waiting in the wings … Rangers’ business problems have not gone away, and until they are resolved there’s bound to be uncertainty at Ibrox. If that ongoing uncertainty starts to affect the players confidence – and experience shows that it often does – Rangers are far from certain to win the Championship. And if legal issues continue to dog the club, will there even be a Rangers Football Club to support come the end of the season?

So who are most likely to benefit from a Rangers slip? It’s unlikely to be Hibs, who paid for years of underperforming when dropping to the second tier at the end of last season. A new Chief Executive, and yet another new manager simply can’t solve the club’s deep problems overnight. A bright new dawn or more misery with the Chairman still pulling the strings? We’ll have to wait and see, but title challengers? Unlikely. With just a handful of new players added to a very bare squad this is a season to rebuild – the club needs time.

The so-called ‘smaller’ clubs shouldn’t be underestimated – a few of them have proved more than good enough to beat the ‘big boys’ over recent seasons – but it’s hard to see any of them sustaining a season-long challenge.

No, it’s Hibs rivals Hearts who are poised to complete a remarkable resurrection. The club now has something the other contenders lack – stability – and the management team, knowing that Hearts were almost certain to be relegated at the end of last season, has meticulously planned this seasons’s campaign with that in mind.

The players brought in appear to have one something in common – for different reasons, each has a point to prove – and there’s a quiet confidence emanating from down Gorgie way. Whisper it, but don’t be surprised if the Jambos go on to lift the title.

Enjoy your season! I’m away to look out my lucky scarf!

Fun in the park, by George!

Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s BIG Search finished with a flourish at King George V Park on Monday, with an afternoon of family fun and games.

Thanks to the Friends of KGV and Scotland Yard Parks for the photographs, and Mark Sydenham of Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust for sending them on to us.

Letter: In the public interest

Dear Editor

In the main, the wealth of the nation is represented by the amount of products made by the people of the UK.

After paying wages and other costs the remainder is the owner’s profit, so it follows that the owner’s aim is to get as much produced for as little as possible; for the workers, their aim is to get better wages, working conditions and job security.

Given the fantastic profits being made by many industries, and the disgraceful salaries and bonuses being handed out to top management, it shows the distribution of wealth is very one-sided. The interests of owners and management as helped by having supporters in top political positions.

If the position was reversed, and workers had the overwhelming support of their political representatives, it would be a fair and just situation in that the interests of the majority of the population takes precedent over the very few. These interests would go beyond asking the employers for a few extra pounds in wages that – in a very short time – is swallowed up in rising prices.

Interests common to all are gas, electricity, water supplies, bus and rail transport, road transport and fuel supplies to get to and from work; also in particular the NHS and allied services, local services and amenities, green and open spaces.

These are a minimum of industries and services that should be run in the public interest, not for private profit; there are no doubt many other common interests that could be listed.

I believe a very large majority of people would support such a programme – a programme that worked for them, not the interests of the few.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Call for volunteers to to end immigrants’ isolation

Edinburgh College is recruiting a small army of volunteers to teach English in people’s homes, as part of a scheme to support people who cannot get to a classroom.

Predominantly used by refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers, the Edinburgh College Home Learning Scheme supports those who would like a better grasp of the English language and UK culture. This includes mothers with young children or members of the community who are unable to attend college for other reasons, such as ill health or unsociable working hours.

With almost one million immigrants living in the UK who do not speak a basic level of English, the Learning Scheme can provide vital language skills to allow people to have a better quality of life.

Before taking on the role as an English tutor, volunteers receive hands-on training from specialist English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) staff at Edinburgh College. This includes practical teaching tips, intercultural communication and awareness of cultural sensitivities. Throughout the course, volunteers are supported by a lecturer and attend regular training days.

Rose McKendry, a volunteer at the Edinburgh College Home Learning Scheme, said: “Teaching students from other countries and nationalities has given me an insight into how different life is and how strange it must be for people when they first come here. I now have a deeper sympathy and understanding for people who do not speak the language or understand our customs.”

Jean Howat, ESOL lecturer at Edinburgh College, said: “We are very excited to be recruiting our next round of dedicated volunteers. We are looking for volunteers from all walks of life who would like to use their communication skills to help those who are most in need of tuition. Previous volunteers have included students from university and college, retired teachers and those who simply want to give back to the community and meet new and interesting people.

“Teaching immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers can have many benefits. Volunteers can open themselves up to a new culture and way of life, and learn what it’s like to integrate into Scottish society. For many of our students, learning English can help them to go about their daily lives, such as learning how to fill out doctor’s forms and filling out application forms for a job. It can also help people to integrate within their local community and put an end to feelings of isolation.”

Jury’s still out after referendum debate

A record TV audience of 1.3 million viewers watched the referendum debate in Scotland on Tuesday evening. Better Together leader Alistair Darling went head-to-head with First Minister Alex Salmond in the two hour debate and – here’s a shock – both camps claim victory for their man!

The two-hour live programme aired on STV after the broadcaster secured the first televised referendum debate between the leaders of the respective campaigns.

The debate,presented by John MacKay and moderated by STV’s political editor Bernard Ponsonby, was held at Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before a studio audience of 350 voters.

The politicians clashed on a range of issues – currency, EU membership, poverty, and political sovereignty were all debated in a series of sometimes heated exchanges.

With the stakes so high, it was little wonder that both men ‘wobbled’ during the session – Mr Salmond when pressed by the ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer on whether an independent Scotland would be able to reach a sterling-sharing agreement with the rest of the UK, and Mr Darling when repeatedly asked by the First minister to clarify whether he thought Scotland could succeed as an independent nation.

A poll conducted by ICM for The Guardian immediately after the debate found 56% of voters declaring Mr Darling the winner, with Mr Salmond trailing on 44% – a view generally shared by the media.

However the Yes Scotland campaign heralded polls showing their share of voters intentions picked up by 4% following ‘Scotland Decides’, with more undecided voters seemingly inclined to vote Yes.

Better Together said Mr Salmond had been ‘skewered’ by Alistair Darling in the TV debate, and added that the First Minister’s failure to map out his Plan B on currency means more Scots are saying No Thanks to separation.

Earlier, ahead of the debate, leaders of the three major unionist parties signed a joint letter supporting the devolution of further powers to Scotland, including in “fiscal responsibility and social security”.

Labour’s Ed Miliband, Conservative David Cameron and Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg all signed the letter, as did their Scottish leaders Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie. Plans for these powers, which would be drawn up fully following a “No” vote.

The letter reads:

Power lies with the Scottish people and we believe it is for the Scottish people to decide how Scotland is governed.

We believe that the pooling and sharing of resources across the United Kingdom is to Scotland’s benefit in a partnership of nations in which distinct national identities can flourish and be celebrated.

We believe that Scotland and the United Kingdom as a whole have been strengthened since the advent of devolution.

We support a strong Scottish Parliament in a strong United Kingdom and we support the further strengthening of the Parliament’s powers.

The three parties delivered more powers for Holyrood through the Calman Commission which resulted in the Scotland Act 2012.

We now pledge to strengthen further the powers of the Scottish Parliament, in particular in the areas of fiscal responsibility and social security. We believe that Scotland should have a stronger Scottish Parliament while retaining full representation for Scotland in the UK Parliament. That can bring people together from all of Scotland, from civic society and every community.

The Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have each produced our own visions of the new powers which the Scottish Parliament needs.

We shall put those visions before the Scottish people at the next general election and all three parties guarantee to start delivering more powers for the Scottish Parliament as swiftly as possible in 2015.

This commitment will deliver a stronger Scottish Parliament in a stronger United Kingdom.

That commitment doesn’t go far enough for everone, however, and the Scottish Greens are among those to argue that only self-government will create a fair Scotland.

Green Yes, the Scottish Green Party’s campaign for a Yes vote in the independence referendum, welcomed comments by the First Minister on the opportunity to create a more just society during the TV debate.

Commenting on the debate, Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood’s economy committee, said: “None of the arguments was new to those of us who’ve been on the campaign trail for the past two years but so many people are only now switching on. Alex Salmond highlighted the opportunity to end austerity and improve our democracy.

“I was also pleased to hear the First Minister highlight the opportunity we have to adopt a more welcoming immigration policy, retaining skilled workers instead of kicking them out as the three big UK parties would have us do.

“Alistair Darling – my MP – highlighted what he called the risks of independence, failing to acknowledge that a No vote also contains risks. He kept referring to strength and security, which probably sounds attractive if you’re well off but is simply meaningless if you’re one of the many Scots struggling to make ends meet.

“As our political system demands a winner and a loser we have an adversarial debate that isn’t best suited to those seeking information. I hope we hear a wider range of voices and visions over the remaining six weeks.”

Did you watch the debate? Impressed? Will it change the way you vote?

Let us know!

STV looking for game show contestants; honestly!

CONTESTANT CALL FOR SECOND SERIES OF STV’S THE LIE

Hit STV gameshow The Lie is back for a second series and looking for contestants from across Scotland to take part.

The Lie is a unique game show presented by Scottish comedian Susan Calman – there are no questions, just statements, so all you have to do is spot the lie to be in with a chance to win £10,000.

STV is looking for teams of two from across the country to apply. If you think you have what it takes to work together and use your combined knowledge to spot The Lie then you can get in touch with the production team.

Gary Chippington, executive producer of The Lie, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to take part in a fun, unique game show with the chance to win big. The Lie is a joint effort that includes tactics and good fortune so we would encourage anyone who would like to take part in the next series to get in touch.”

Email your name and number to theLie@stv.tv or apply now at www.stv.tv/thelie – closing date is 12 August 2014. Filming will take place in September 2014. Applicants must be 18 or over to take part. Please note we are looking for teams of two who already know each other.

Gaza crisis appeal: Scots urged to give what they can

UK Government will match first £2 million donated ‘pound for pound’

The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) launched their Gaza Crisis Appeal yesterday and Scotland’s Minister for External Affairs Humza Yousaf has encouraged Scots to donate what they can to help people affected by the conflict in the area.

The UK government also announced it will activate UK Aid Match for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal, matching the first £2 million donated pound for pound.

Over 400,000 people have fled their homes in Gaza and urgently need food, water, shelter and medical care.

The Scottish Government has already provided half a million pounds to help people in Gaza and given a commitment that Scottish hospitals will help treat those who need specialist care.

Mr Yousaf said: “The situation in Gaza is clearly causing a great deal of suffering for ordinary people in the area. People who have been forced to leave their homes urgently need daily essentials including food, water, shelter and medicine.

“Scots are well known for being a caring and generous nation and I’d urge people across the country to consider donating what they can afford to help those in Gaza. Every single donation, no matter how big or small, will help towards this international effort to provide supplies to those who are suffering and in need.

“The Scottish Government has already provided half a million pounds to help the humanitarian relief effort in Gaza and we are committed to ensuring people with injuries who need specialist treatment can access Scottish hospitals if that is best for them.

“Of course, what we need in Gaza is an immediate lasting end to the violence. Given the UN’s statement that there is a strong possibility international law has been violated, I once again encourage the UK Government to implement a complete suspension of arms sales to Israel until there has been an investigation into whether not UK arms have been used in any violation of international law.”

Donations to the DEC’s Gaza Crisis Appeal can be made at http://www.dec.org.uk/.

Further information on ways to donate is available from http://www.dec.org.uk/how-to-help/how-to-pay

The British government will activate UK Aid Match for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced yesterday.

The DEC will see the first £2 million of donations from members of the public aid matched, meaning that every £1 donated is matched by UK aid.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “Four weeks of violence have left people in Gaza in desperate need of food, shelter and medical supplies. The British people have shown immense generosity in situations like this and the UK Government will help that generosity go twice as far.

“For people wanting to help civilians in Gaza caught up in this crisis, giving now means every pound they donate will buy twice as many food parcels, provide twice as many blankets and help twice as many people to get through this crisis.”

The DEC appeal will provide immediate life-saving support to people affected by the crisis in Gaza.

The new £2 million commitment will take the UK government’s total support for the people of Gaza since the start of this crisis to £17 million. In addition to today’s announcement, since the beginning of the crisis Britain has released:

a total of £6 million for the UNRWA’s Flash Appeal to pay for basics such as shelter and cooking equipment
£3 million to the World Food Programme to provide emergency food for more than 300,000 people for one month
£3 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide emergency healthcare and clean water and
£3 million, which has been made available for clean water, emergency healthcare and protection of civilians through the Rapid Response Facility, which was activated on Saturday 2 August.

make donations at http://www.dec.org.uk/ or by texting the word DONATE to 70000

City prepares for Drumhead commemoration

‘Sunday will be a very special, very memorable occasion that will unite the people of Scotland’

Final preparations are underway for Scotland’s Drumhead Service, procession and memorial on Sunday in Edinburgh that will mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Musicians from the Band of the Royal Marines were at the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle yesterday to practice constructing and deconstructing the altar that will form the centrepiece for the multi-faith service, which is expected to be attended by a congregation of more than 8,000 people representing all parts of Scotland.

Hundreds of representatives of the armed forces will be at Redford Barracks today for a full rehearsal of the major commemoration event, believed to be the first of its scale in Scotland’s history.

The City of Edinburgh Council is planning to implement several road closures and restrictions to facilitate the event. They include the complete closure of Johnston Terrace, High Street, Canongate, Lawnmarket, Queen’s Drive, Chambers Street and a number of nearby roads at various times between 7.15am and 2pm on Sunday.

Loading restrictions will also affect a number of streets from 6pm on Saturday. Full details of road closures and restrictions are available from the City of Edinburgh Council’s website at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Lothian Buses’ services 6, 9 and 35 will also be affected. Information about how this will affect local journeys is available from the Lothian Buses website at: www.lothianbuses.com

Drumhead Service organisers have also released a final batch of free tickets to those who are able to collect them in person from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s office on Market Street up until 2230 on Saturday evening, or from The Hub at Castlehill on the Royal Mile on the morning of the event.

Signalling the start of the five-year Scottish Commemorations Programme, the Drumhead Service will replicate those held on the front line 100 years ago when, in a long-held military tradition, neatly piled drums with draped Colours were used in place of an altar.

The service will feature troops from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and will be accompanied by music from three military bands, two cadet bands, three choirs and around 200 massed pipes and drums. The service, procession and memorial will be attended by guest of honour, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant Donald Wilson.

At the end of the Drumhead Service, the military bands and tri-service guards will parade down the Royal Mile accompanied by around 100 marching veterans and 100 cadets. The congregation will then be invited to follow in a procession down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Park, where over 1,000 replica Commonwealth War Gravestones will form a temporary memorial, at which people will be invited to leave poppies, wreaths or markers.

Brigadier David Allfrey, Producer of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and chief organiser of the Drumhead Service, procession and memorial, said: “Sunday will be a very special, very memorable occasion that will unite the people of Scotland – people of all ages and from all parts of the country – in a shared act of commemoration, remembrance and reflection.

“The event will give a sense of what it might have been like to enlist during the first few weeks and months of the war. The multi-faith service on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle represents the moment before deployment; the procession down the Royal Mile will symbolise a ‘March as to War’ and the gathering in Holyrood Park, the approach to the front and assembly for military action. The memorial of over 1000 headstones will provide a vital sense of scale and a focus for acts of individual and collective commemoration.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said: “The Drumhead Service, procession and memorial on August 10 will signal the start of Scotland’s commitment to commemorating the centenary of the First World War.

“The event will bring the people of Scotland together to consider the impact of that brutal conflict, which claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Scots and left many more injured or disabled, forcing families and loved ones across the country to come to terms with the terrible consequences.

“From this Sunday until January 2019 we will encourage the people of Scotland and those with connections to Scotland to recognise the significant and broad impact the First World War had on our nation, and to reflect on its lasting social and civic legacy.”

Norman Drummond, Chair of the Scottish Commemorations Panel, said: “Many thousands of people have shown an overwhelmingly strong willingness to take their place at the Drumhead Service, procession and memorial on Sunday.

“We have worked with local authorities, the armed forces, the veterans community and charities to ensure that people of all ages and from every part of Scotland will be there to participate in this important commemoration.

“With final preparations now underway, the further release of a number of tickets represents the last opportunity for the people who have thus far been unable to obtain tickets to take their place at an event upon which we and our children and our grandchildren will in years to come reflect that ‘we were there and we remembered’.”

The Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh Donald Wilson, said: “Every August, visitors flock to the Royal Mile to experience the buzz of the festival season. This Sunday, the street will pause for a very special event. The Drumhead Service and procession will offer Scotland the opportunity to come together for a moment of quiet reflection to remember the thousands of Scots who fell during the First World War.

“It is very fitting that as the Capital city we should play our key part in these commemorations and show our support and gratitude for the enormous sacrifices made by courageous men and women in service of this country.”

Renewed appeal to trace missing man

Have you seen John Coleman?

Police in Edinburgh have issued a renewed appeal to trace a man reported missing in the Capital five years ago.

As part of Police Scotland’s commitment to the continued review of missing person cases, officers are currently looking at the disappearance of John Coleman, who was last seen in Leith Street on 1st May 2009.

The 57-year-old (52 at the time he went missing) was known to visit various areas of Scotland including Montrose, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee and Perth, as well as Northern Ireland. However, no positive sightings have ever been confirmed to police.

Officers are now urging anyone who believes they know of John’s current whereabouts to come forward.

He is described as white, around 5ft 9in tall with a medium build, brown eyes and medium-length brown hair. He speaks with a Glasgow accent, and was last seen wearing a beige jacket.

In addition, he also has the word “John” and a rose, dagger and Irish harp all tattooed on his left arm.

Detective Inspector John Kavanagh said: “We have never given up with our efforts to trace John and will continue to review his disappearance.

“Several years have now passed since he was last seen however, I would ask anyone who believes they have information that can assist with this enquiry to contact police immediately.

“In addition, we continue to urge John to make contact with friends, family or police and let us know he is safe and well.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.

Contact Details

Call 101 for non-emergencies and general enquiries, in an emergency call 999. If you have information about a crime you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Protecting the Arctic: local MP signs declaration

Mark Lazarowicz MP has signed a declaration calling for the Arctic to be safeguarded from a rush to exploit its natural resources.

This exploitation could speed the melting of the Polar ice cap, which would have severe consequences not only for the environment in the Arctic itself, but climate change in general by transforming weather patterns.

The marine biologist Sylvia Earle, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Richard Branson and leading NGOs are supporting the Declaration which has also been passed by the European Parliament. It can be found at http://www.arcticdeclaration.org/

Mark Lazarowicz was one of the MPs behind a pioneering report on protecting the Arctic published in September 2012 and he said: ““I am very pleased to see this Declaration highlight the dangers facing the Arctic if unrestrained commercial exploitation such as drilling for oil is allowed to go ahead.

“The long Arctic winter would make any clean-up operation extremely difficult – that’s why an environmental sanctuary over at least part of the Arctic is essential before we consider commercial exploitation on any scale.”

“The ice cap is already melting at an alarming speed and safeguarding it should be one of the key parts of any strategy to tackle climate change.”

The Declaration and its demands will be presented – along with a petition of five million names – to global leaders and to the foreign ministers of the Arctic States (USA, Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark).