The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is holding donor sessions at Blackhall St Columba’s Church on Hillhouse Road next Monday (12 May) from 2.30 – 4pm and in the evening from 5.30 – 8pm.
With afternoon and evening sessions for your convenience there’s really no excuse – make an extra special effort to give blood!
If you’re not sure if you are eligible to give blood, call 0845 3017270, email NSS.snbtsenquiry@nhs.net or speak to a staff member at Monday’s session.
Pilton Community Gardeners are going to be busy this weekend. Paths and high planters are being worked on this Friday from 10-1, with a bit of seed sowing too, pumpkins and salads ‘n’ greens.
Like to lend a hand? Enthusiastic new members always welcome, and you don’t have to be an expert – see the group’s Facebook page for more info.
If you are looking for something extra special for your garden then why not visit The Botanic Gardens’ Plant Sale this Sunday (11 May)?
It’s your annual chance to purchase from an enviable collection of plants at truly wonderful prices, plus there’s the Connoisseurs Collection & Home Baking Stall too.
As well as finding something new for your garden, you’ll be helping the Friends of RBGE to raise much-needed funds – last year’s sales raised over £12,000 for RBGE’s research and conservation work.
The sale takes place at the RBGE nursery (Inverleith Avenue South) from 2 – 4pm. Admission £3, free to members.
The Forth and Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnerships are currently asking people how they prefer to get news and information regarding what’s going on in their area. Survey forms will soon appear in community centres, libraries etc., so if you see them, please fill one in and post it back, or leave it at your local library. You can also complete the survey online here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/INP_2014
The NEN has been asked to work with the Neighbourhood Partnerships to help develop and improve channels of communication, so we will be looking to improve our web-site, Twitter and Facebook facilities, and, if a majority of people wish it, we will be aiming to re-introduce a local community newspaper. The survey is crucial, therefore, to find out what you want.
May be hard to believe, but it’s Sun Awareness Week!
PEOPLE in Scotland are being urged to stay safe in the sun, as part of Sun Awareness Week (May 5-11).
With the prospect of longer, warmer days ahead, people throughout the country will be spending more time outdoors. Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare service is urging people to seek advice on staying safe in the sun.
Professor George Crooks, NHS 24’s Medical Director, says that by taking a few simple steps, people can ensure they make the most of the summer season.
He said: “It is always a good idea to be prepared as best you can for the better weather and the wide range of information available at www.nhsinform.co.uk can help you do just that.
“By taking just a few simple steps, we can all make the most of the good weather, without any ill effects. It is all too tempting, especially in Scotland, to overdo it in the sun and end up with painful sunburn. The sun that shines in Scotland, though, is the same sun that shines in the Mediterranean.
“I would advise people, particularly children and young infants, to take sensible precautions like limiting exposure to the direct sun, using sunscreen and drinking plenty of soft drinks.”
NHS inform contains a wide range of advice and information on summer health issues, with dedicated sections on sunburn, heatstroke, allergies and hay fever.
NHS 24 is now available on the free phone number 111. By dialling 111, people across Scotland can continue to access the same high quality service for anyone seeking advice and support during the out of hours period when their GP surgery is closed.
Dear Editor
TRIBUTES
Every year, D-Day 1944 is celebrated, particularly in Normandy where the people express gratitude for their liberation by organising many ceremonies.
Tremendous efforts are made and much kindness and respect is shown to those veterans attending. It is very moving to be on the receiving end of such friendship, particularly when so much devastation was inflicted on Normandy during those summer months of 1944.
There are very many monuments, commemorative sites, museums, etc. maintained to express this continuing gratitude, but I have long thought that the Allied governments should erect a suitable tribute dedicated to the people of Normandy for their endurance, courage and sacrifice. It is long overdue but should be done.
I believe this tribute would attract the support of many sections and ages of the UK population, particularly as 2015 will be the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
The controversial redevelopment of Edinburgh Accies’ Raeburn Place home has received a boost with news that the project has received charitable status. However campaigners are urging the club to work with the local community to make the project a success.
In a statement, the organisation set up to progress the development said: ‘We are delighted to announce that The Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) was officially registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) on Friday 25 April 2014. This is a major milestone for the Project. The Raeburn Place Foundation will build and operate the new facilities.’
Former Scotland rugby captain David Sole OBE said: “”As the Honorary Life President of the Edinburgh Academical Football Club, I am delighted that The Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) has been granted charitable status (OSCR). I hope this will now facilitate the development, thereby helping shape the future of rugby and sport at Raeburn Place”.
The news has also been welcomed by Scottish Rugby. Chief Executive Mark said: “Congratulations to The Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) which has been awarded charitable status by OSCR. This is a major step in securing the much needed upgrade in facilities required at Raeburn Place.
“Scottish Rugby recognises that improved facilities will help increase and attract players of all ages, both male and female, into the game, and indeed sport in general. This will also make for a more enjoyable spectator experience, leading to an increase in match attendance, thereby also helping to sustain the club game.
“It is befitting that the home of the first international will also be the location for a museum celebrating the international game”.
Local campaigners Save Stockbridge opposed the redevelopment and met last week to discuss the next steps in their fight against the scale of the Raeburn Place plans. A spokesperson for the group said:
“We continue to be well supported with over 80 people in attendance. Supporters were updated on the critical issue of ownership of the 6 foot strip along Comely Bank Road, where the wall currently stands. Until ownership of this strip has been established, CEC will not issue final written planning approval, therefore the development may not move forward.
“Although opponents of this development, Save Stockbridge has always supported the presence of rugby on the Academicals ground. We acknowledge their need for better facilities and a good income stream to support the continued health of this historic club.
“We therefore asked Dr James Simpson to share some alternative proposals that he had been working on with the supporters. We believe there is an opportunity to develop facilities and commercial (not retail), possibly also residential, property along Portgower Place. Those present were really interested and put forward other positive suggestions.
“We would be delighted to work with the developers and share our suggestions. Sadly, this has never been encouraged despite several offers from Dr Simpson in the past.
“Regarding the award of charitable status to the Raeburn Place Development, we are aware that after initial difficulties this has now been granted. Our understanding is that the development had been having difficulty raising the necessary funds, this award will go a long way to helping them raise the necessary finance.
“To that end, it is not good news for Save Stockbridge with regards the current proposed development. However, if (as outlined above) the developers would listen to our alternative proposals and work with us, we would be delighted that they had achieved charitable status to raise funds for the mutually agreed benefit of rugby in Stockbridge.”
A reminder to the area’s charity and community projects that Forth and Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum will meet on Wednesday 7 May at 10am in North Edinburgh Arts.
It’s been a wee while since the last Forum meeting and there is lots to discuss (see Agenda) so why not go along – new faces are always welcome!
If you do plan to attend, please contact EVOC’s June Dickson (telephone 555 9100 or email june.dickson@evoc.org.uk) to let her know.
Sainsburys Blackhall have been helping FetLor Youth Club do some much needed repairs to their old building to keep it going until funds can be raised to build a new one …
Young people from FetLor have written to thank the Craigleith store for their help, attaching some before and after photos to show the difference that’s been made (attached below).
Sainsburys 1 page fixing jobs TQ
FetLor Operations Manger Lindsay Coulton said: “FetLor Youth Club is Scotland’s oldest Youth Work Project, set up in 1924. The Club is currently housed in a wooden hut built in the early 1960’s on Crewe Road South.
“It has served the North Edinburgh community well over the past 40 years and holds many fond memories, but it can’t last much longer and the cost of repairs is rising every year. Thanks to Sainsbury’s Blackhall some of the urgent repairs that the Club needs have been carried out, making the building safe and secure for our young people and allowing us to commit funds to the new building project.
“The support of organisations in the local community, such as the support offered to us by Sainsbury’s Blackhall, will be key to the success of our project. If you are interested in helping, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at FetLor Youth Club – we would be delighted to hear from you.”
High-quality nursery education helps improve performance at school at all ages, a Scottish Government research paper highlighted today.
In 100 days, families will start to benefit from an increase in the amount of funded early learning and childcare available for three and four-year-olds in Scotland – rising from 12.5 hours per week to almost 16 hours.
The same entitlement will, for the first time, be extended to over a quarter (27 per cent) of two-year-olds over the next two years – with those from workless or job-seeking households being among the first to benefit from expanded provision, starting from August 12.
Ministers have also set out in ‘Scotland’s Future’ how they would use the powers of independence to transform provision through a universal system of pre-school childcare.
Today’s paper – drawing on the findings of three major studies, which are supported by other research work – highlights evidence that:
• Pre-school experience enhances all-round development in children – and may particularly benefit disadvantaged children – with improved cognitive development, sociability and concentration when starting primary school.
• The positive effect of attending higher quality pre-school settings on children’s subsequent outcomes in reading and mathematics is evident at age 10, even accounting for the influence of background factors.
• The benefits of early education and childcare can persist into secondary school – with European research showing that, in most countries, pupils at age 15 who attended pre-school education programmes tend to perform better than those who have not.
Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell (pictured above) said: “By improving access to affordable, high-quality early learning and childcare we will deliver many benefits for Scotland, not least – as this research paper highlights – boosting children’s performance all the way through to secondary school. That’s why we’re investing in a skilled workforce and working with local authorities and partner providers to ensure that quality remains at the heart of our plans.
“In 100 days, with investment of more than a quarter of a billion pounds over two years, we will take further steps towards our ambition to transform early learning and childcare. By doing so in a well-managed, phased and sustainable way, we will support children and families both in their immediate circumstances and for their longer-term aspirations.
“With a 45 per cent increase in funded pre-school entitlement since 2007, backed by our investment in the workforce, an independent review of future skills and capacity, and capital investment of £91 million over the next two years, we are using the resources available to us now to build the foundations for the transformational change in early learning and childcare that we can deliver with the powers and resources of independence.”
Commenting on the paper, Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, said: “This paper is a helpful summary of both the national and international evidence which underpins Children in Scotland’s belief that good quality pre-school care and learning makes a significant contribution to a child’s development.
“This demonstrates, undeniably, that quality early education and care has advantages for every child but is especially important as one measure to eliminate Scotland’s inequalities in educational attainment.”
Early Years Taskforce member and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, added: “With 100 days to go until the expansion of nursery education this sound research is a reminder to parents about the real value of early education. It shows that nursery education, especially before the age of three, has long term benefits right through school.
“As a Liberal I know that investing in education, especially early education, can change lives and give great opportunities for people to get on in the world. This new research will give a further boost to our efforts for all. I would urge every two year old eligible for the new entitlement of over fifteen hours a week of nursery education be registered so they can take full advantage of the real benefits.”
