Next of kin appeal

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information to help trace relatives of a man who died in hospital earlier this week.

Gregory McEwan (53), passed away at the Western General Hospital on Tuesday (May 7). There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

It is thought that he has a daughter called Yvonne McQueen, who may stay in the Muirhouse area. He also has another daughter called Tammie McEwan, but her possible whereabouts are unknown.

Police are appealing to anyone who has any information that can assist them in tracing any relatives of Gregory McEwan to contact Police Scotland on 101.

Craigroyston to host Africa Day celebrations

A consortium of African community organisations, Southern Agenda and Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) with the support of the City of Edinburgh Council are organising the

AFRICA DAY CELEBRATIONS 2013

  on Saturday 25 May

at Craigroyston Community High School

67 Pennywell Road, Edinburgh EH4 4NL.

The event has twin themes of

African Union @ 50

&

Exploring the voice of the African Diaspora Child.

The event is FREE and open to all – African food and refreshments will be served at the event. Places are limited and we request you to please confirm your attendance at the earliest by registering at

http://africaday2013.eventbrite.co.uk/

Please contact us for any further information:

Telephone 0131 556 0441

Fax 0131 556 8577

Email: admin@elrec.org.uk

Please also let us know in advance of any special requirements you may have, and we look forward to your participation in the event.

Best regards

Arun Gopinath (Manager, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council) 14 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LH

AFRICA DAY

Port of Leith signs up to Living Wage scheme

PoLHA

Port of Leith Housing Association has committed to setting its basic starting salary level at the national Living Wage standard of £7.45 per hour – 20% above the current minimum wage level set by the UK Government.

The Association has committed to the voluntary scheme run by the Living Wage Foundation in which living wage level is calculated by the Centre for Research in Social Policy according to the basic cost of living in the UK, with the hourly rate updated annually.

Research has shown that the Living Wage benefits both organisations and individuals. An independent study revealed that more than 80% of employers believe that the Living Wage had enhanced the quality of the work of their staff, while absenteeism had fallen by approximately 25%.

And half of employees felt that the Living Wage had made them more willing to implement changes in their working practices, enabled them to require fewer concessions to effect change and made them more likely to adopt changes more quickly.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of Port of Leith Housing Association, said: “Signing up to the Living Wage scheme is a win-win situation. We firmly believe in being a responsible employer and supporting our staff is a key priority. Signing up the scheme shows that we are committed to each every one of our employees.”

wagepacket

Parlez-vous Francais en Stockbridge?

paris

Would you like to learn French quickly? New ‘Speak Out!’ courses are starting at Kiss the Fish in Stockbridge next Monday.

The courses are different from traditional language courses in that they focus on communication rather than grammar and exams; courses are designed to get learners speaking with confidence within ten weeks!

As part of each course, there’s also the option of a trip to Paris…

For further information visit www.speakoutwithconfidence.com

SpeakOutWithConfidence

Apologies for failed ‘O’ level French in headline!

Botanics plant sale’s on Sunday

Summer’s supposedly here, and this Sunday provides your annual chance to purchase from an enviable collection of plants at truly wonderful prices. Organised by the Friends of RBGE, there’s also the Connoisseurs Collection and the Home Baking Stall.

The sale takes place from 2 – 4pm at the RBGE Nursery, Inverleith Avenue South. Admission is £3 (Members free).

rbge-001

Blackhall Plant Sale this Saturday

Blackhall Horticultural Society Sale this Saturday

The Annual Plant Sale is on Saturday 11 May from 10am – 12noon at Blackhall St Columba’s Church. Great variety of top quality plants at low prices –  and there’s teas and coffees too.

Note that the Society’s AGM takes will be held on Monday 13 May at 7.45pm in the small hall.

BlackhallStC