Miller Homes releases Belford Campus at Varcity North

Fancy buying an apartment in your old classroom? Miller Homes has released a new apartment campus at their Varcity North development in Edinburgh.  Belford Campus is the second of five apartment blocks being built on the site of the former Telford College, with its name reflecting that heritage.

Belford Campus is a four storey, L-shaped building, which will offer a range of one and two bedroomed apartments with allocated parking.  Prices start from £123,000 for one bedroom and £167,000 for the two bedroomed apartments.  Reservations are being taken now.

The flexible accommodation offers an exciting prospect for investors buying to let, downsizers, newly singles and couples looking to move closer into the city centre.  With open plan living/dining combined with contemporary kitchen areas, the layout lends itself to living and entertaining in stylish, high quality apartments. Lift access to all upper floors, allocated parking and secure entry systems ensures that Varcity North is at the forefront of apartment living.

Situated between the city centre and the waterfront and with excellent transport links to all areas of Edinburgh and beyond, Varcity North combines stylish city living with spacious, practical and affordable homes.

Anne Marie Britton, Sales Director for Miller Homes Scotland East, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Belford Campus to market to complement the existing properties at Varcity North.  Space, quality and price are the differentiators and this development is becoming the place to live for househunters seeking all three.

“Starting at just £123,000, our competitive prices make owning a contemporary city apartment a reality, enjoying easy access to all that Edinburgh has to offer.  From parks to art galleries, the beach to stunning views across the Firth of Forth and restaurants, bars and bistros second to none, you won’t be short of ideas on what to do from your new capital apartment.”

For more information, go to www.millerhomes.co.uk or call 0800 840 8416. The sales centre is open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 6pm. Househunters can also logon via the Miller Homes’ website to book an appointment with an adviser at the development.

Letter – My Tears

Dear Editor

My tears are for all children, women and men who are suffering extreme poverty and starvation.

My tears are for all animals, birds and wildlife.

My tears are because of all the cruelty and the destruction of trees and natural habitat.

But my tears are not tears of despair, they are tears of knowing how different things could be.

We have allowed a relatively few powerful financial organisations to control and exploit – with unbelievable callousness – people, animals and the natural environment for their private profit.

These same people created the biggest financial mess ever seen worldwide and are now passing it on to everyone.

This “system” must be changed.

Wealth created by the work of people must be used for the benefit of all people; we would then be able to deal with all these terrible problems.

A Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Triumphant Technophonia!

Triumphant Technophonia! Local students perform Olympic music

Disabled musicians using new technology took centre stage with City of Edinburgh Music School students when they performed Technophonia, an orchestral arrangement to celebrate the Olympics, to great acclaim recently. 

The disabled musicians played specially designed, weird and wonderful instruments – with brilliant names like skoog, soundbeam and brainfingers! – which detect tiny movements, making it easier for people with disabilities to perform. The ensemble rehearsed weekly at Broughton High School, home of the renowned City of Edinburgh Music School, the new wave instruments playing in harmony with the conventional.

The children have been working with the charity Drake Music Scotland, established in 1997 with the ethos that ‘disability is no barrier to making music’. DMS’s Thursa Sanderson said: “We had no pre-existing link with the school, but our artistic director knew Tudor (Morris, head of the City of Edinburgh Music School).  When we were applying for the New Music 20×12 funding for the commission, we thought it would be great to approach Tudor and ask if pupils from the City of Edinburgh Music School would like to be involved as they are recognised as the best young players from Edinburgh and the surrounding area.”

She went on:  “It makes a huge difference for our young musicians with disabilities to play in an ensemble with them, because they rarely, if ever, get the chance to play or perform along with their peers, so it is a great experience for them. I think it works both ways, as it opens the eyes of the CEMS students to the technology and what you can do creatively with it, allowing them to see how young people with disabilities are able to play music – they just need the right resources and support.”

Tudor Morris said: “We were delighted to be involved in this initiative with Drake Music Scotland. It has been an incredibly rewarding project and a really great experience for our students.”

Scots composer Oliver Searle (pictured above) was one of twenty composers commissioned to write a twelve-minute piece to celebrate the Cultural Olympiad. He said: ”Part of this project was trying to write specifically for these instruments so you could say: this is a skoog piece, this is a piece for soundbeam and chamber ensemble, or this is for brainfingers. Not only have we used these instruments, but there are also solos for them!”

The soloists were Anthony Swift and Chris Jacquin, who both have cerebral palsy, and Stephanie Forrest on soundbeam, brainfingers and skoog respectively.

Andrew (15) said: ”When I was wee all I wanted to do was play an instrument. It’s just so amazing to get the opportunity to show people what I can actually be capable of.”

Pic: BBC

Technophonia, Scots composer Oliver Searle’s specially commissioned piece, was premiered in Edinburgh’s Queens Hall on 15 June, followed up with a Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on 22 June before a gala performance at London’s Southbank Centre on 15 July as part of the New Music 20×12 Weekend Celebration.

The performances received great acclaim. Triumphant Technophonia!”, “momentous achievement”, “brilliantly conceived” and “astonishing demonstration” were just a few of the many glowing comments on the three performances.

Technophonia demonstrated just  how technology can aid disabled musicians perform on an equal footing with their peers, and that skoogs, soundbeams and brainfingers could become a regular sight in orchestras and bands. And yes, that disability is no barrier to making music. Congratulations to all concerned – bravo!

Hurry – be part of Speed of Light!

Want to get involved in something a bit out of the ordinary next month? Arts charity NVA’s Speed of Light project (part of  Edinburgh International Festival and London 2012 Festival) takes place from Thursday 9 August – Saturday 1 September, and there are still a number of free places available for schools or community groups to be part of this huge event on Arthurs Seat!e members.

You could be a runner or a walking member, or groups can also take up a range of volunteer posts to experience the dynamic, behind-the-scenes environment..

What is Speed of Light?

 Cast yourself in this year’s most extraordinary performance!

 This August Edinburgh’s Arthur’s Seat is the stage for a remarkable fusion of public art and sporting endeavour. The iconic volcano is brought to life in a mass choreographed act of walking and endurance running, as part of Edinburgh International Festival and London 2012 Festival.

 As a member of the walking audience you become part of the work, carrying portable light sources set against the dark features of the hill. A mesmerising visual display unfolds each night on your ascent to the summit as hundreds of runners wearing specially designed light suits take to the intricate path networks below.

 Each individual performance is created by collective action, landscape and weather, offering a rare perspective on the cityscape, night skies and the sea and hills beyond.  NVA’s Speed of Light is one of only four national projects, commissioned as part of Legacy Trust UK’s Community Celebrations programme, which aims to build a lasting legacy from the UK’s hosting of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The wider programme extends across eight of Edinburgh’s festivals throughout 2012 with a series of blogs, lectures, events and discussions investigating environmental art, human endurance and the interior experience of running.

 How can you get involved?

 There are a variety of ways in which your group can get involved with Speed of Light. A number of free places are available for schools and community groups to take part as runners or as walking audience members. Your group could also take up volunteer posts to experience the dynamic behind-the-scenes environment of this large-scale event.
This is an excellent chance for everyone to participate in an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Arthur’s Seat illuminated at night, and to be part of Scotland’s official artistic contribution to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games celebrations.
Details of all the opportunities as well as registration forms – to be completed and returned to us – are available to download below on the Speed of Life website at www.speedoflight2012.org.uk If you would like to discuss your requirements, please just get in touch with the Speed of Light team.

Dates available for groups to run and walk:

 • Wed 22 August 2012
• Thu 23 August 2012
• Wed 29 August 2012
• Thu 30 August 2012

 Dates for volunteers:

Volunteers will be required to commit to several dates in August depending on the role undertaken. For full details subscribe to the Speed of Light mailing list and visit the Volunteer page.

 Audience tickets are now on sale at www.eif.co.uk.

Flying the flag: Edinburgh’s greenest of them all!

Edinburgh’s parks have scooped a record number of Green Flag Awards for the best green spaces in Scotland. Of 44 flags awarded in Scotland this year, the capital scooped no less than 24 awards – more than half of all flags presented across the country!

Ravelston Park and Woods is one of four new city parks to receive Green Flag recognition for the first time this year, and they join twenty who retained their awards from last year.

Parks are judged against eight criteria, including community involvement and sustainability. The Green Flag Awards criteria:

  • A welcoming place
  • Healthy, safe and secure
  • Clean and well maintained
  • Sustainability
  • Conservation and heritage
  • Community involvement
  • Marketing
  • Management

Welcoming the announcement, city environment leader Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “We’re delighted that, once again, Edinburgh is leading the way is providing high quality parks and gardens for our residents. The awards positively reflect on the hard work carried out by local communities and staff to ensure Edinburgh’s renowned parks are preserved.”

Flag raising ceremonies will take place in the four newly awarded parks next week.

The Green Flag Awards were established by Keep Britain Tidy in 1996. Paul Todd, Green Flag Award scheme manager, said: “An award provides national recognition for the achievements of all those whose hard work and dedication has helped to create these fantastic places for all to enjoy”.

Edinburgh’s green roll of honour

The parks and green spaces in Edinburgh to be given a Green Flag Award this year are:

  • Prestonfield Park (New award)
  • Ravelston Woods Local Nature Reserve and Park      (New award)
  • Ferry Glen and Back Braes (New award)
  • Lochend Park (New award)
  • Braidburn Valley Park
  • Pentland Hills Regional Park
  • Harrison Park
  • Easter Craiglockhart Hill LNR
  • Hopetoun Crescent Garden
  • Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park
  • Inverleith Park
  • Figgate Park
  • Station Road Park
  • London Road Gardens
  • Corstorphine Hill
  • Craigmillar Castle Park
  • Portobello Community Garden
  • Morningside Park
  • Muir Wood Park
  • Hailes Quarry Park
  • Victoria Park
  • Hermitage and Blackford Hill Local Nature      Reserve
  • St Margaret’s Park
  • Princes Street Gardens

For more information on the Green Flag Award scheme, visit ww.keepbritaintidy.org/GreenFlag.

Police renew appeal following Pilrig attack

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was seriously assaulted during the early hours of Sunday morning. The woman was found by members of the public in Pilrig Park.

The 23-year-old had been out with friends in the city centre and left the Picturehouse nightclub around 3am on Sunday 22 July 2012 to return home. CCTV enquires have shown that she made her way onto the West End of Princes Street before walking east.

Members of the public then found the woman within a play area of Pilrig Park at around 6am and contacted the emergency services. The victim suffered serious facial injuries and was taken to hospital, where she continues to be treated. Officers believe the attack was sexually motivated and have urged anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

Detective Inspector Scott Cunningham, who is leading the investigation said: “This has been a brutal and unprovoked attack on a lone woman as she made her way home. Her injuries could only have been caused through significant and violent force and a major investigation has now been launched.

“Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in or around the Pilrig Park area in the early ours of Sunday morning is also asked to contact police immediately. We are particularly keen to trace any rickshaw drivers, who may have been on Pilrig Street at around 3.30am. They are urged to get in touch as soon as possible to assist with our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

You need friends: LEAP launches fundraising charity

Malta House
Saturday proved to be an especially happy birthday for a groundbreaking local project when a new charity aimed at raising funds for LEAP, the Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme, was launched as part of LEAP’s fifth anniversary celebrations. Founders of the Friends of LEAP charity joined graduates, patients and staff at their annual ‘reunion’ event to celebrate the continued success of the innovative service based at Malta House in Stockbridge. 

Set up by a group of dedicated and skilled volunteers, Friends of LEAP will help to raise additional funds for the programme along with managing the donations they receive.

Dr David McCartney, Clinical Lead, LEAP, NHS Lothian, said: “LEAP continues to grow from strength to strength with more and more people successfully completing the programme and going on to live alcohol and drug free lives. We are delighted to see that the Friends of LEAP charity has been established. We welcome their support and I am sure their work will make a significant contribution to the service. All donations we receive are gratefully received and will go directly into catering for the needs of our patients.”

Trustee Alison Hume is one of four volunteers involved in setting up the charity. “Having volunteered at LEAP over the last few years we are delighted to set up Friends of LEAP. We have witnessed the dedication of staff, the high success in patients completing the programme and the impact that this has had not only on their lives but also that of their families and friends and we are delighted to be involved in this way.”

The LEAP programme operates seven days a week for people dependent on substances who want to achieve drug and alcohol-free recovery. There are six elements to LEAP’s three-month treatment and rehabilitation programme. These are:

  • Medical
  • Therapeutic
  • Mutual aid/recovery communities
  • Housing
  • Education, training and employability
  • Aftercare

“More than 500 patients have been admitted to the programme,” added Dr David McCartney. “It’s important we celebrate our achievements and look ahead with positivity in continuing to assist people in the future.”

Launched in September 2007 LEAP is the first programme of its kind in Scotland, and is an innovative partnership between NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, Transition (Access to Industry) and the Serenity Café and the Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in Lothian.

You can find out more about LEAP here LEAP webpage

Simply scrumptious food events this week!

Pilton Community Health Project’s Caroline Gibb has been in touch to remind us of a couple of food-centred events taking place this week:

Tuesday 24 July, 12-2pm: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 19West Pilton Grove 

Fabby Food Store Picnic & Barbecue 

A drop in event at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, people can come along and make their own burger, veggie kebab or salad, and find out more about Pilton’s newest food co-op at the same time.  Loads of indoor space if we get unlucky with the weather!

 

Tuesday 24 July, 11am -1pm: Millennium Centre, Muirhouse Medway

 Simple Snacks at MillenniumCentre Summer Youth Club

Making your own tasty veggiewraps.  Places must be booked for this event by calling 0131 467 3578.

 

If your group or organisation is planning an event you would like to share with our readers please get in touch.