Celebrity chef Tony Singh: “reduce your festive food waste by planning ahead”
People in Scotland are set to throw away over 50,000 tonnes of food and drink throughout the month of December, including 280,000 turkeys, 240,000 Christmas puddings and 3.5 million mince pies. Continue reading Tony Singh: “Don’t be a Christmas turkey!”
Drop-in sessions in Northern and Leith
Saturday 21st November
1pm – 2pm at OOTB, 36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG
Saturday 28th November
12 -1pm Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre,11 Pilton Drive North, EH5 1N
Muirhouse Community Centre
Next week sees the monthly return of our M.S.P (Colin Keir) and M.P.(Michelle Thomson) for their local Surgeries here at the Centre (writes James McGinty).
Colin starts the week on Monday 2 November from 4 – 5pm and Michelle on Friday 6 November from 10.30 -11.30 am.
For more info on both parliamentarians click go to muirhousecommunitycentre.co.uk
Next week sees the return of Colin Keir MSP and Michelle Thomson MP for their surgeries (writes James McGinty). Both attract large amounts of people with their general inquiries.
Colin is on the first Monday of the month whilst Michelle is on the first Friday of the month. We would encourage people to use these services.
To visit their websites click HERE for Colin and HERE for Michelle
Dogs die in hot cars warning
The Scottish SPCA is urging pet owners not to leave their dogs in hot cars as the temperatures rise this summer.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity has also warned that earlier this year a woman from Stirling was convicted after leaving a dog in the boot of her vehicle on a hot day.
Concerned members of the public have already been contacting the charity’s animal helpline after seeing distressed dogs left inside warm cars. The Scottish SPCA is keen to remind the public that they may be risking their dog’s life by leaving it in a hot car for even a short period of time.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Most people know what it’s like to get into a car after it’s been sitting in the sun. It’s unbearable and we immediately roll down the windows or turn on the air conditioning.
“Imagine being trapped inside a hot vehicle wearing a fur coat for minutes, possibly hours, and you are some way to understanding how a dog left inside a hot vehicle feels.
“Many people might not realise that even on warm, cloudy days, cars can effectively turn into ovens and dogs can overheat in minutes.
“Leaving a window open or providing water is simply not good enough. Dogs can’t sweat the way humans do and need to pant to cool down which can lead to severe dehydration and hyperventilation.
“We run our campaign every year but we continue to receive a large number of calls from concerned members of the public each summer and we fear some owners don’t fully appreciate the danger they are putting their pets in.
“In April a 45 year old woman from Stirling was convicted for leaving a dog inside the boot of her car without water for approximately one hour on a hot day. She was banned from keeping animals for five years.
“Tragically the Yorkshire terrier, which belonged to the woman’s father, was diagnosed with heatstroke and died after suffering a cardiac seizure.
“We hope this case serves as a warning to other owners who may be tempted to leave a dog in their vehicle on a warm day. Our advice is to leave dogs at home as it is simply not worth the risk.”
Scottish SPCA posters highlighting the dangers of leaving dogs in hot
cars are available to be displayed in local communities. To request
copies please phone the charity on 03000 999 999 selecting option 5 or
email fundraising@scottishspca.org.
THURSDAY 14 MAY
10.30am – 1.30pm
Are you looking for a new job? A change of direction? looking to get some new skills or start a course … need some help?
Find out more about real jobs, training and learning opportunities near you!
Meet representatives from a range of organisations that can advise and support you with applications, updating your skills, volunteering, caring and more. City council Welfare Refrom officers will also be available to provide advice on benefits and housing.
It’s all available today at Muirhouse Library and Pennywell Shopping Centre – check it out!
Muirhouse Library and Shopping Centre will host an Employment and Learning Fair between 10.30am and 1.30pm this Thursday (14 May).
The event is aimed at both adult jobseekers and young people looking for advice and support to get into work or learning in North Edinburgh. Organisations attending the event will include employability providers from the local area as well as employers with vacancies to fill.
Community Renewal is one of the organisations involved in the jobs fair, and emplyment adviser Diana said: “Previous events have resulted in jobseekers securing interviews on the spot so jobseekers are advised to come prepared with CVs and dressed to impress!”
Are you confused with the Party manifestos at the forthcoming General Election? (writes James McGinty)
Cammy Day (Labour) will run a drop in to Muirhouse Millennium (Community) Centre from 12 noon -1.00pm on Wednesday 6 May to explain any issues or queries you may have.
So come along at any time between 12.00 and 1.00 pm and either add your questions or sit and listen to other peoples questions and prepare yourself for a very important General Election. The meeting will take place in our boardroom initially (dependent on community response).
James McGinty, Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Councillor Gavin Barrie, Convenor of the Licensing Regulatory Committee would like to extend an invitation to a meeting on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 from 6pm – 7.30pm in the European Room at City Chambers.
There have been many queries from organisers so this evening should provide lots of useful information for those of you who are thinking of organising a Community Event or Gala Day.
Councillor Maureen Child will join us to sit on the panel for the Question & Answer session along with Catherine Scanlin, Licensing Manager and Gordon Hunter, Licensing Policy & Project Officer.
Agenda:
6pm Coffee
6.15pm Introduction from Councillor Barrie
6.25pm Presentation from the Licensing Service
6.45pm Questions and Answer Session
7.15pm Closing remarks
Could you please confirm your attendance by emailing isla.burton@edinburgh.gov.uk
Please let us know if you require any assistance to attend or take part e.g. large print, disabled access requirements, travel arrangements, hearing loop, etc. We look forward to meeting you all!
New legislation aims to help the most vulnerable
New legislation comes into force today (Wednesday, April 1) which sees Scotland introduce one of the most modern systems of debt advice and debt management in the world.
The Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act introduces a suite of measures, including the Minimal Asset Process, which offers debt relief quickly and at less than half the cost of an application for bankruptcy under the previous equivalent scheme for those on low incomes.
Accountant in Bankruptcy will oversee implementation of the new law, which has been designed to balance the rights of those in debt with the needs of creditors and businesses.
The introduction of the legislation is the latest element in the Scottish Government’s vision of a Financial Health Service for Scotland, which commenced with the launch of the Scotland’s Financial Health Service web portal in December 2014. The site is a one-stop shop for advice on a range of money issues, signposting users to organisations offering information and advice on debt, managing money, housing, homelessness and ethical lending.
Other measures as part of the new legislation include:
Business Minister Fergus Ewing said: “This new law places Scotland firmly at the forefront of efforts on how to help some of the most financially vulnerable in society.
“These measures have been developed following years of consultation with experts across the financial advice community and from studying how other nations deal with issues of personal debt.
“It is only proper that we seek to do everything we can to help financially rehabilitate families and individuals on low incomes and with little by way of assets who are struggling with debt, while still offering a fair deal for those owed money.
“Taken as a whole, this pioneering legislation seeks to bring dignity to those people in Scotland seeking to break the cycle of debt once and for all.”
