Make organ donation your New Year’s resolution
Public Health Minister Maureen Watt today issued a call for everyone to consider making joining the Organ Donor Register their new year’s resolution for 2016. Continue reading A second chance at life: ‘The greatest gift of all’
‘It’s important we send a strong message of support to them’
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, has lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament calling for financial support for the 200 tenants of Lorne Street in Leith who face being evicted from their homes by the charity that owns their flats. The Agnes Hunter Trust wants to sell the properties, saying maintenance costs are too high. Continue reading Johnstone lodges motion supporting Lorne Street residents
Edinburgh College gives Black Dog a home to help raise mental health awareness Continue reading A home for Angus: College supports mental health campaign
Success for Canonmills campaigners
Canonmills campaigners are celebrating tonight following a decision by city councillors to reject an application to demolish a popular restaurant to make way for an ‘eyesore’ block of flats.
The planning battle over Canonmills Bridge has raged for over five years. Planning consent has already been granted for six flats, three townhouses and two restaurants on the site currently occupied by Earthy, but the developers still required permission to demolish the existing building because it is in a conservation area.
Save 1- 6 Canonmills campaigners have fought an energetic campaign to oppose demolition and put their arguments to a hearing of the planning committee earlier today.
Campaign leader Jan Anderson, representatives of both Inverleith and Stockbridge and New Town and Broughton community councils, urban designer Ross McEwan, Inverleith Society, the Cockburn Association and local councillors all spoke against demolition.
Committee members upheld the deputations’ views that demolition would have a negative impact on the Inverleith Conservation Area and noted that the scale of the proposed new development is much larger than the current one-storey building it would replace.
Campaigners are naturally delighted with the decision. One said: “The council has got it right this time and common sense has prevailed. We are so happy that the demolition has been halted but we are also very aware that this may not be the end of the saga, as the developer does have a right of appeal. So we have just won the battle, not the war – but today’s victory means we are ready for anything now!”
#GetChecked for potential signs or symptoms of cancer
#GetChecked – a new campaign to encourage people to get checked for potential symptoms of cancer in a bid to save more lives in Scotland – has been launched.
The Scottish Government has joined forces with Cancer Research UK to call on people in Scotland to wear checked patterns in support of finding cancer early as part of the drive to turn the Big C into the wee c.
The campaign aims to make check patterns synonymous with early detection, so that every time someone sees a check they think about getting checked, attend screening when invited, or encourage a loved one to do the same.
X Factor and The Voice coach Yvie Burnett and Lindsay Blake from Burntisland, Fife who survived breast cancer after early detection, kicked off the campaign with M&Co, who were unveiled as its first #GetChecked partner yesterday.
The women are big supporters of the #GetChecked campaign and they joined staff at M&Co’s flagship store at The Gyle Shopping Centre, Edinburgh to raise awareness of the importance of early detection to help save more lives in Scotland.
#GetChecked will be promoted in M&Co’s network of 62 stores across Scotland over the next two weeks to help spread the message. Their windows will also be dressed in colourful checks and staff will be handing out leaflets and stickers to promote the importance of early detection to customers.
Members of the public will also be encouraged to take a ‘check selfie’ showing an item of check as a visual prompt for making people think about getting checked, either themselves or nudging a friend or relative.
Statistics show that the likelihood of surviving breast cancer is five times higher if detected at an early stage compared to a late stage, 14 times higher for bowel cancer and 20 times higher for lung cancer.
Around 1,000 deaths could be avoided each year if Scottish cancer survival matched the best in Europe and early detection is key.
Yvie Burnett said: “I lost my wonderful Dad in 1992 when I was in my twenties, which was far too soon. When I had children he wasn’t around to see them and there are so many things I have done in my life which I would have loved to share with him.
“That’s why I’m passionate about what #GetChecked aims to do. I’m proudly wearing my checks today, and I hope others across the country will as well – the more we can encourage people to present early, the more lives that will be saved. It’s as simple as that.”
Mum of two Lindsay Blake, 42, said: “I was on holiday in Turkey when I first spotted a small indentation in my right breast that I’d never seen before. As soon as I got home I went to my GP to get it checked out and was referred to hospital for a mammogram, ultrasound and a biopsy.
“It was a shock when I was told I had cancer but my husband, kids, family and friends were all amazing from start to finish. Their support kept me feeling positive, even through the tough days. Now two and a half years on I’m well, back at work and starting to feel more like me again.
“I lost my own mum to lung cancer in 2009 and it broke my heart to watch her fade away. I don’t want that to happen to any other family. That’s why I’m determined to do everything I can to raise awareness that if cancer is caught early it can be very treatable. It’s so important women and men of all ages get to know their body by looking and checking themselves regularly then if they find any unusual changes or feel unwell go to see the GP.”
Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, said: “We know more about cancer today than ever before, and thanks to early detection, research breakthroughs and treatment advances, half of men and women now survive cancer in Scotland. But early detection is key to further boosting survival rates.
“#GetChecked is part of the wee c initiative, which aims to bring cancer down to size in Scotland. Early detection is one way we can all help turn the Big C into the wee c and we’re calling on the people of Scotland to show their support by wearing their checks.
“Having the support of M&Co, Cancer Research UK’s charity partner, who will be displaying checks throughout their 60 stores will help create the association between checks and ‘getting checked’ and lead to early detection. We want to empower people to visit their GP or attend a screening appointment, as well as encouraging their loved ones to do the same.”
John Hodgson, Central Operations Manager at M&Co, said: “We’re delighted to be kick starting such a vital campaign in association with our charity partner Cancer Research UK. Through our network of 62 stores in towns and cities across Scotland, 750 employees and large number of customers we’re committed to helping reach as many people as possible with the early detection message.
“Most people have been or will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives. If we can play a part in encouraging people to get checked earlier with signs or symptoms so more lives can be saved, we’ll be extremely proud.”
Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK’s senior policy manager, said: “More people than ever are living beyond a cancer diagnosis and, over the last 40 years, survival in the UK has doubled. Today half of all those told they have cancer will survive the disease for at least ten years.
“We know that early detection saves lives but to help make that happen it’s important that people with unusual or persistent changes to their body go and #GetChecked. It probably won’t be cancer, but if it is, diagnosing and treating it at an early stage, means treatment is more likely to be effective .”
For more information on #GetChecked and the wee c visit: www.theweec.org andwww.facebook.com/theweec
Actress Hayley Mills supports Canonmills campaign
The Save 1-6 Canonmills Bridge team kick off the final week of their campaign with a public meeting tonight.
The city council’s Planning Committee hearing is set for Wednesday, when a decision will be made on the proposed demolition of the building currently occupied by popular restaurant and organic produce store Earthy.
After weeks of campaigning and signature-gathering the team will conclude their efforts with a public meeting tonight at 7pm in Canonmills Baptist Church.
The meeting is an opportunity for the general public to hear those who will be speaking at Wednesday morning’s hearing and also offers the chance to air opinions and put questions to the team.
Speakers include campaign leader Jan Anderson, Marion Williams (Cockburn Association), urban designer Ross McEwan, Pam Barnes (Stockbridge & Inverleith Community Council) and Councillor Nick Gardner.
With the hardcopy petition at over 2000 signatures and the online campaign nearing 5000 the team was also thrilled to receive the backing of film and theatre star Hayley Mills.
Ms Mills said: “Good luck with your campaign to retain the heart of Canonmills. The loss would be a sad one for the local community and part of Edinburgh city.”
With those good wishes campaigners hope that council members will take notice and do the right thing by halting the demolition.
Victory for community councils bus campaign
Local residents will be able to get a 42 bus to Craigleith Retail Park again from October. Lothian Buses have agreed to reinstate the service and support the alteration to the 42 route following a joint appeal by local community councils.
Drylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale, who coordinated the campaign, said local residents will be delighted to hear the news. “The 42 service into the Retail Park has been missed and I’m often being asked: ‘when are we getting our bus back?’ It’s taken a while but it’s great to be able to tell people that the service is to be reinstated from the beginning of October. It’s good news and I hope local people will take the opportunity to use the service.”
Drylaw Telford CC joined forces with Stockbridge Inverleith, Blackhall Craigleith and Muirhouse Salvesen community councils to petition for the return of the service back in March, and Alex received confirmation from Lothian Buses earlier this week that the 42 will return to the local Retail Park this autumn.
The service was withdrawn because traffic problems around the shopping centre caused delays and disruption to the timetable, but it’s hoped that improvements to traffic signalling will reduce excessive delays.
A spokesperson for Lothian Buses confirmed that the 42 bus service will return to Craigleith Shopping Centre from 4 October on Monday – Fridays as a trial.
‘It ain’t over ’til the big ball swings!’ – Save 1 – 6 Canonmills Bridge campaigner Gemma Kicks
Canonmills campaigners achieved a partial victory yesterday when councillors from across the political spectrum called for a full public hearing to take place to discuss controversial plans to demolish buildings on Canonmills Bridge – a conservation area.
The hearing will take place on 26 August.
Campaigners will use the stay of execution to gather more support in the fight to stop the demolition. A spokesperson said: “Two key reasons for the agreement to the hearing was the positioning of the site which sits on the border of two council wards (wards 5 & 11) and two community council areas. It was therefore felt appropriate that councillors from these areas should be given a chance to share their opinions. The second reason being the vast amount of representations.”
The Save Canonmills Bridge campaign has attracted considerable public support since it was launched six weeks ago. Campaigners have gathered over 1600 signatures during weekend information stalls on the bridge at the weekends, a Facebook campaign has attracted 1228 followers and nearly 4000 people have added their support through an online petition.
The petition was presented to the committee yesterday.
In a statement, the campaign team said: “We have encountered unified support from across the local community (people of all ages and political perspectives), also from regular and occasional visitors to the area.
“We can’t overstate how much the area around Canonmills Bridge junction means to locals, pedestrians on their way to work or the Botanics, and to those frequenting the Water of Leith. We have been heartened by the repeat visits for progress updates and in encouragement to our stall.”
Campaigners shall now be gathering to agree their next moves, but it seems certain that the group will step up the campaign to ensure wider awareness of the development being proposed and to gather wider public support.
As local resident Gemma Kicks said: “It ain’t over til the big ball swings!”
B-list boost for Friends campaign
A deputation representing The Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden will attend today’s Planning Committee meeting with renewed optimism thanks to an imminent report from Historic Scotland.
Friends group organiser Kirsty Sutherland explained: “Just two days before our Friends Group deputation to the City Chambers we learned from Historic Scotland that they have almost completed the review of Granton Castle Walled Garden – and the great news is that they want to upgrade its status to B-listed!
“We hope this groundbreaking news will help convince the city council’s planning committee members to support our Friends Group aim of safeguarding this historic garden from a luxury housing development.”
The recent Historic Environment Act and planning guidelines issued for Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Edinburgh all recognise the significant contribution heritage landscapes & greenspaces make to our communities sense of place, cultural identity & understanding of history.
Friends Group members and supporters feel that one of the oldest walled gardens in Scotland deserves to be safeguarded, cherished and restored.
Kirsty added: “We’re really excited by the Historic Scotland news – I’m bubbling over! It’s a bit like David and Goliath, trying to stop a multi-million pound business from building houses in the garden.We’d like to thank everyone for their support – the more people that speak up and send in a wee message of support, the better.”
Deputation Letter to Planning Committee 14 May
Are citizens and community groups as effective as they could be? This is the question that is being asked by the Fred Edwards Trust and Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC).
We want to find out if activists have access to the information, tools and skills they need, not just to tackle the issues that matter to them, but to challenge and address the root causes as well.
We would like to know to what extent citizens and community groups who are working on issues of social, economic and environmental justice find the space to help them critically analyse the policies, decisions and systems that affect them.
Our aim in doing this is to find out if more needs to be done to support active and effective citizenship in Scotland. We would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to respond to the questions in the link below.
This survey will close on Friday 20 March 2015
