Visitors to Edinburgh’s Central Library will be able to sample a special selection of Nordic noir, as well as sci-fi, history and poetry, thanks to a delivery by the Finnish Institute in London. Continue reading Library receives special consignment of Scandinavian stories
Tag: city council
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay plans revealed
Edinburgh today announces the programme for its 25th Hogmanay festival. Including the family friendly Bairns Afore and a new look ceilidh at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, Hogmanay 2018 will feature an extended fireworks display and a revamped and animated Street Party that keeps the celebration going all evening. Continue reading Edinburgh’s Hogmanay plans revealed
Flora’s kids warn: 20’s plenty
Local primary school children have created their own colourful posters to support the ongoing rollout of slower speeds on roads across Edinburgh. Phase three of the road safety scheme will be rolled out next month. Continue reading Flora’s kids warn: 20’s plenty
Let’s look after our parks and green spaces
Visitors to Edinburgh’s parks, woodlands and nature reserves are being urged to take care over the summer months to avoid the risk of fire.
Parks and Greenspace Officers from the City of Edinburgh Council have reminded the public of the speed at which sparks or small flames can escalate, causing severe damage to local greenery and wildlife.
People are encouraged to ‘leave no trace’ after spending time in any of the sites by clearing away rubbish, properly extinguishing barbecues and disposing of cigarettes safely.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “In Edinburgh we are lucky to have such a wealth of parks and greenspaces, many of which offer areas of particular natural beauty and biodiversity.
“Of course it’s fantastic that residents and visitors to the Capital can enjoy these beautiful spaces, but I would encourage the public to treat them with care, ensuring they remain as welcoming to wildlife and people as they have always been.”
Natural Heritage Officer, David Kyles, added: “Fires can be devastating in parks and other more rural and upland areas. The breeding season for birds, between March and July and sometimes seasonally later, is a particularly vulnerable time for nesting birds, especially those that nest on or close to the ground.
“Fires that devastate areas can pose knock-on problems whereby small mammal populations can be significantly harmed, posing localised food shortage, loss of shelter and other sources of food and the general loss of habitat. Please act responsibly when out in Edinburgh’s countryside sites.”
Potentially vulnerable parks include Corstorphine Hill Local Nature Reserve, Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve and Colinton Dell – areas popular for picnics, barbecues and building campfires over the warmer months.
However, at this time of year many of the sites are home to ground-nesting birds such as skylarks, willow warblers, curlews, lapwings, grouse and more common birds such as wrens, dunnocks and blackbirds, which settle in heather, gorse and low-lying dry shrubbery susceptible to catching fire.
Kenneth Rogers, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Local Senior Officer for Edinburgh, said: “Grass and wildfires are a common risk at this time of year when warmer weather dries out vegetation and grassland – which offers an ample fuel source. Just one heat source like a campfire ember can cause it to ignite and the if the wind changes direction even the smallest fire can spread uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides.
“In the unfortunate instance that a fire is set deliberately, SFRS resources can be diverted from real emergencies. Through robust strategic planning we will always be able to respond to an emergency, however the fact remains that these fires can present a very real danger to our communities.”
Amongst precautions, the public are being urged to place disposable barbecues on bricks or sand to avoid overheating and consequently burning grass. Campfires are not permitted in woodland or shrubby areas and anyone building a fire is advised to choose a clear space away from trees and bushes, not to leave their fire unattended and to build a fire ring with stones. They must also ensure the fire is extinguished before leaving the site.
Time to celebrate The Scotsman’s 200th birthday
Continue reading Time to celebrate The Scotsman’s 200th birthday
Rankin joins the greats at Edinburgh’s Writers’ Museum
Ian Rankin has joined the ranks of Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson today as his work is is celebrated in a new exhibition at Edinburgh’s Writers’ Museum. A rare selection of personal items, manuscripts and images belonging to the best-selling writer are displayed in a new exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of his much-loved Edinburgh sleuth, Detective Inspector Rebus. Continue reading Rankin joins the greats at Edinburgh’s Writers’ Museum
Stop the evictions!
CRISIS: campaigners demand an end to the eviction of families
Campaigners resisting the evictions of families due to the Benefits Cap are protesting at the full meeting of City of Edinburgh Council thios morning. Deputations from North Edinburgh’s All About Me and Power to the People groups will demand the council take action on the crisis. Last month the campaigners occupied both Council offices and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson’s constituency office to demand housing for homeless families. Continue reading Stop the evictions!
Opportunities with Edinburgh’s Housing Apprenticeship programme
Mechanical marvels nove into Museum of Childhood
Forty special clockwork characters have been ticking, springing and racing their way to Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood.
Continue reading Mechanical marvels nove into Museum of Childhood
Muirhouse Shopping Centre plans move ahead
Transformation of shopping centre environment takes another step forward
Barton Willmore’s Edinburgh team has secured Planning Permission in Principle on behalf of Robertson Regeneration for the regeneration of the Pennywell and Muirhouse Shopping Centre in North Edinburgh. Continue reading Muirhouse Shopping Centre plans move ahead