Tag: city council

Edinburgh marks UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

This weekend, Edinburgh joined cities around the world in marking the UNESCO International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This annual event on 23 August provides an important opportunity to reflect on the historical roots, practices and lasting consequences of slavery.

In honour of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, a special remembrance concert took place at St Cecilia’s Hall on Friday (22 August).

Hosted by the Edinburgh Slavery & Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group and supported by Historic Environment Scotland, the performance featured live music, dance and spoken word from diverse local artists. 

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “This day is not only about remembrance, but also responsibility. By acknowledging Edinburgh’s links to slavery and colonialism, we honour the memory of those who suffered and reaffirm our commitment to building a fairer and more inclusive city for the future.

“I’m grateful to the members of the Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group who continue to take forward the recommendations that were made to Council.

“These address the Capital’s historical links to slavery and colonialism and how they should be remembered in today’s Edinburgh. By reflecting on the Capital’s colonial links, we can better recognise its enduring legacy in our city and pay tribute to those who fought for its abolition.”

Irene Mosota, Chair of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Review Implementation Group, said: “Today we pause to reflect on how our shared past continues to shape the present and the future.

“The history of slavery carved deep scars. Its echoes resound in divisions, in the barriers, in the racism we encounter still. To acknowledge this legacy with honesty, is the first step to more just and united society.

“Marking this day is not about reopening old wounds. It opens our eyes. It teaches us to remember. We do so to ensure that the injustices of the past are never repeated, and that our communities, our institutions, and our workplaces stand firmly against discrimination in all its forms.

“Our commitment is clear: to speak when silence would excuse wrong, to challenge what is unjust, to support what is fair, to listen with respect, and to continue learning from one another.

“When racism appears, we will not look away. We will answer it with fairness, with courage, and with solidarity for those most affected.

“Remembrance is not a single day. It is a living promise to uphold dignity, equality, and respect. That is what ‘never again’ means.”

Ranald MacInnes, Head of Outreach and Learning at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: “This event is an important moment for reflection and connection. At HES, we are committed to working with communities to expand our knowledge and explore the legacy of empire.

“Understanding our shared past is an important part in addressing inequality and helps to ensure our heritage tells diverse and inclusive stories that belong to everyone.”

International Day for Remembrance of Slave Trade: ‘Time to abolish exploitation once and for all’

Victims of atrocities and freedom fighters across history can inspire future generations to build just societies,the chief of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on the occasion of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, commemorated annually on 23 August.

“It is time to abolish human exploitation once and for all and to recognise the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual,” Ms. Azoulay said.

The Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.

‘The fight is not over’

Echoing the goals of UNESCO’s intercultural project The Routes of Enslaved Peoples, it should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, said the UN agency, which leads the annual commemoration.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that while the Day honours the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, “the fight is not over.”

“Modern slavery persists,” she stated. “Let’s confront injustice, past and present and uphold the dignity and rights of every person.”

For its part, the UN works towards these goals, including through its Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, established in 2007.

Uprising led to abolition

On the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in then Saint Domingue, now Haiti, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

Against this background, the International Day is commemorated around the world. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, including in 1998 in Haiti and in 1999 on Gorée Island in Senegal, where millions of enslaved people had been forced onto ships to cross the ocean.

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“Today, let us remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past so that they may inspire future generations to build just societies,” UNESCO’s Ms. Azoulay said.

Trial cycle hire scheme for Edinburgh launched

Edinburgh’s new trial cycle hire scheme, delivered by Voi, has been launched.

The public will be able to use the city’s new scheme of dockless e-bikes from Wednesday 3 September via the Voi app. A guide to using the scheme is available on their website.

A typical 20-minute journey on the e-bike will cost £2.20. There are a range of discounts and concessions for many groups including those on low incomes, people with disabilities, those over the age of 60, blue light workers, veterans, students, apprentices and many more.

In addition to pay as you go fares, Voi also offer day passes and multi day passes.

Full details on fares, concessions and promotions are available on Voi’s website.

There will be an initial tranche of around 50 e-bikes in the city centre. Alongside Voi, we’ll then gather rider feedback and monitor initial performance. This will then be used to expand across the city over the coming months, with a target of approximately 800 e-bikes for the full scheme.

The contract between Voi and the Council runs from 22 August 2025 for a period of two years with the option to extend for up to a further 18 months undertaken at the sole discretion of the Council.

The contract will also run at no cost to the Council.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve returned a cycle hire scheme to Edinburgh. Voi is a highly experienced operator, with many successful schemes across the UK and abroad, and I’m looking forward to working with them in this exciting new chapter for our city.

“The new scheme will allow everyone to be able to move around our city in a healthier and more sustainable way. We’re also ensuring that the scheme is accessible for all our residents and visitors, with a wide range of concessionary and discount fares available.

“We know that the demand and appetite for cycling is already strong, and getting stronger, here in Edinburgh. Just last week we saw the record for daily cycle journeys on Leith Walk being broken with 2,147 at the Picardy Place counter. 

“Meanwhile, our other major active travel routes such as the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) and Roseburn to Union Canal have also seen increasing patronage since opening.

“The scheme will complement our existing active travel and transport infrastructure and enhance connectivity, while also cutting congestion and reducing emissions. I look forward to seeing the benefits the scheme will bring to the city and our residents.”

James Bolton, Voi’s UK General Manager said: “We’re excited to set up in Scotland, starting in the historic capital.

“We are working closely with the council to make an affordable scheme that is sensitive to, and learns lessons from, the previous scheme and our experience in similar cities like Oxford, Dortmund, and Regensburg.

“At Voi we see massive amounts of untapped potential in Scotland, where people are really looking for affordable, quick and convenient ways to get around.”

Edinburgh’s mixed tenure service ‘is transforming lives’

Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron writes about the improvements the city council is making to blocks in Edinburgh:

Across Edinburgh, hundreds of residents are seeing improvements to their homes and neighbourhoods, thanks to the Council’s Mixed Tenure Improvement Service (MTIS).

Launched in Wester Hailes in 2021, the initiative tackles the long-standing challenge of maintaining mixed-tenure buildings – where some homes are owned by the council and some by private owners. Many of these blocks need significant investment to common areas due to age, lack of formal factoring arrangements and regular maintenance of shared parts of the blocks.

In Magdalene, Bingham and The Christians, work has been underway since summer 2024, with many homes are now nearing completion. Entrances are brighter and more secure, paths are safer and more accessible, and anti-social behaviour has been reduced by creating more welcoming, well-kept communities.

These works are complex and necessary, and I am pleased that they are delivering positive and visible results.

Together with councillor colleagues I recently visited the area to see first hand the scale and quality of the work taking place. We visited original blocks, some mid-refurbishment and some nearing completion. What stood out to me is how much the work has had an immediate effect, not only on how buildings look and function, but also on how people feel about where they live.

Residents have told us how much they value the work being done and it’s encouraging to hear from residents the sense of community and pride these improvements are helping to support and flourish.

That is why the MTIS is such an important and valued part of the city’s wider housing strategy, by allowing us to tackle long-standing maintenance issues in a way which benefits all parties. Private owners are supported through the process, and council tenants and residents benefit from living in buildings that are properly looked after.

Of course, this work isn’t without its challenges. Co-ordinating works among different owners takes time, patience and care but the results we are seeing now clearly demonstrate the success of the service and more importantly, that residents value it.

As the programme continues to roll out across the city, we shall keep listening to residents, working with owners, and making sure these improvements deliver lasting value.

Everyone deserves a home that is safe, warm, and well-maintained. Through this service, we are making that a reality and I look forward to seeing such progress continue.

New Fireworks Control Zones to be introduced in Edinburgh

Nine Fireworks Control Zones (FCZ) will be introduced in Edinburgh this year to minimise the negative impacts of fireworks around Bonfire Night.

FCZs, which ban the use of fireworks in a specific area, were first implemented in Edinburgh last year and covered Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.

On Thursday, members of the Culture and Communities Committee voted to reintroduce FCZs in these areas for two years, in addition to FCZs in Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone and Sighthill between 31 October and 9 November 2025.

In March people were invited to apply for their local area to become an FCZ resulting in proposals for Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone and Sighthill. A subsequent public consultation on FCZs for these areas, alongside Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield, found overwhelming support for their introduction.

Amongst the reasons community groups stated in their applications for FCZs were the misuse of fireworks and the protection of animals and vulnerable people.

Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Margaret Graham said: ““We want everyone to be able to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly and these FCZs are part of our efforts to ensure that.

“The new FCZs being introduced are based on community requests and respond to real concerns around the safety of people and animals in these areas. This is in addition to the FCZs first introduced last year, which we found had a really positive effect.

“This is just one tool for minimising the negative impact of fireworks at this time of year, and we’ll continue to work closely with partners to look at different ways of addressing the issue.”

It is intended that FCZs will align with any Dispersal Zones planned by Police Scotland around Bonfire Night.

They will also support work to tackle antisocial behaviour with partners like Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) as part of the Citywide Bonfire Strategic Planning Community Improvement Partnership (CIP).

This includes patrols of fly-tipping hotspots, co-ordination of CCTV cameras, visits to premises licensed to sell fireworks to conduct safety checks and youth engagement initiatives.

Find out more about FCZs in Edinburgh online.

It’s never too late to learn!

NEW PROGRAMME OF ADULT EDUCATION COURSES

The new term’s programme of adult education courses on offer across Edinburgh has been released.

The city has successfully run this programme for over 115 years, providing a variety of daytime, evening and weekend courses from Art, Archaeology and Craft to Languages, Tai Chi and Yoga.

There is something for everyone to try and enjoy and is an excellent opportunity to discover a new interest and learn skills for life.

Courses are offered online, outdoors and in many venues across the city.

The programme ensures that education is accessible, affordable and inclusive to all and would encourage anyone interested to sign up. Have fun learning!

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https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/adult-education…

New pavilion for Craigroyston CYFC

COUNCIL LEADER OPENS LOCAL CLUB’s NEW FACILITY

Craigyroyston Community Youth Football Club has been gifted a brand-new pavilion by the City of Edinburgh Council.

At an official ceremony to handover the modern new facility yesterday (Friday, 15 August) Council Leader Jane Meagher presented youth team members and club representatives with the keys to the Pavilion.

Relocating the club to their new modern premises at Marine Drive is part of the Council’s wider £1.3bn generation of Granton Waterfront. 

The former club base was previously on adjacent land where the Council is building 143 new environmentally friendly affordable homes known as the Silverlea development.

The half a million-pound project, funded by the Council, has delivered modern changing rooms with showers and a café for club members, their families and other visitors to enjoy.

Designed by architects Smith Scott Mullan, Cruden delivered the project on behalf of the Council and has also gifted the signage and branding in the new facility.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “As we continue to deliver our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront, this is a perfect example of our commitment to creating healthy and vibrant communities in the area.

“Investing in our young people is an important part of this work. The former club base was on land that we needed to build affordable homes.

“Providing these modern facilities right next to our Silverlea site works well for the young footballers and the wider community, allowing the club to thrive and attract new members in the future. “

Colin Dudgeon Club Secretary said: “This is a historic day for us. For the first couple of years setting up Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club we didn’t have a home until we moved into Craigroyston Park in 2009.

“The club base we’ve been using wasn’t in good condition and so we’d like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for our magnificent new club base for our players and parents to call our home. Thanks as well to Cruden for their part in this project and the signage and branding they kindly gifted for the building.

“We can offer safe, hygienic, and modern facilities to our players with changing rooms and showers suitable for all ages and parents can relax in our new Craigie Café, which will be opening on match days soon.”

Michael Palethrope, Community Benefit Manager for Cruden, said: “Community-run clubs like Craigroyston CYFC are at the heart of great neighbourhoods, and we’re proud to support them.

“Alongside building quality, energy-efficient homes and green spaces, we always look for ways to give back to the communities we work in.

“This club is a fantastic example of that, and we can’t wait to see them thrive in their new home.”

PICTURES: CYFC

Thousands granted to Edinburgh’s community food growing initiatives

More than £50k in funding has been awarded to food growing projects across Edinburgh.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s £52,500 Grow Your Own Fund has been shared between 13 community and voluntary groups whose work includes creating food growing spaces and providing food growing education. 

Applications for funding were individually assessed by a panel, with grants of up to £5000 awarded to a range of schemes. Amongst the initiatives are Tuk Tuk and Grow, which brings mobile growing and cooking sessions to families across Edinburgh using a tuk tuk bike, and Nuclear Growth, which plans to set up a food growing project on the site of a former nuclear bunker on Corstorphine Hill.

Funding is intended to be spent in areas such as: purchasing seeds, plants, and tools; equipment for community garden cooking areas; education and training activities; personal protective equipment; and staff time directly related to establishing the growing area.

Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “The standard of applications to the fund was extremely high, and the panel were really impressed – the successful projects demonstrate real creativity and ambition.

“Urban food growing is important for the health of both people and nature. These initiatives will really benefit local communities and the wider city by bringing people together, reducing food waste and supporting biodiversity.”

Full list of successful projects:

  • Nuclear Growth, Barnton Bunker Preservation Society (awarded £4640)
  • Get Blackhall Growing, Blackhall Parent Carer Council (awarded £2000)
  • Tuk Tuk Grow and Go, Edinburgh Community Food (awarded £5000)
  • Redhall Grows, Friends of Redhall School (awarded £5000)
  • Gate 55 Community Food Growers, Gate 55 Community Centre (awarded £4946)
  • Growing Together, Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre (awarded £5000)
  • Longstone Primary Farm and Garden, Parents at Longstone School (awarded £1400)
  • Community Garden at Pilton Equalities Project, Pilton Equalities Project (awarded £4000)
  • StJV Allotment: a growing space for the campus community, St John Vianney Primary School Charitable Trust (awarded £5000)
  • Community Garden and Foraging Trail, St Mary’s Episcopal cathedral (awarded £5000)
  • Flourishing Together at Gracemount Medical Practice, Transition Edinburgh South (awarded £5000)
  • Garden @ the Snake, Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust (awarded £2625 – partial funding)
  • Edible Garden at The Action Group, The Action Group (awarded £2889 – partial funding)

Patricia Lee from Gate 55 said: “We were really keen to support a new community food growing group here and this grant makes a huge difference to us.

” The funds will enable us to provide the group with resources for propagation space and for fruit bushes and compost, as well as supporting them with a project worker who will help with capacity-building and growing the membership of the group.”

Ryan Lytwyn, Mental Health Worker with the Pilton Equalities Project, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this funding from the Grow Your Own grant scheme.

“It will make a huge difference to our community garden at the Pilton Equalities Project, allowing us to expand our growing space, install greenhouses, and involve more local people in growing fresh, sustainable food.

“This support means we can promote food security, improve wellbeing, and help our community take positive action for our climate.”

Jonathan Baxter from A+E at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral said: “We were delighted to hear about the Grow Your Own Fund and even more delighted when we heard that our application had been successful.

“Community food growing is a key part of that commitment and securing funding for a community gardener/development worker allows us to realise our aim of establishing a Community Garden in the West End of Edinburgh.

Alongside local residents and current users of Walpole Hall, the Community Garden aims to support the wider climate justice movement in Edinburgh. It does this by providing a welcoming space where horticulture and ecological design skills can be learnt in a hands-on way.

Back to School – a warm welcome to the start of the new school year

Schools and early years settings across Edinburgh have welcomed back children and young people, parents and carers, teachers and school staff after the summer holidays.

Over 53,000 secondary and primary school learners will head back to the classroom this week, along with dedicated teaching and school staff. This includes 25,057 secondary school pupils in S1 to S6 and 28,307 primary school learners in P1 to P7.

Around 3,500 new Primary 1 pupils are starting their school journey including 55 sets of twins.

Over 4,400 young people will start secondary school and transition into S1 at one of our secondary schools.

The brand-new Currie Community High School building will welcome 920 learners through its doors for the very first time.

As a brand-new school year gets underway, Education, Children and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “There’s always a buzz in the air this time of year as a new school year and new term begins.

“For some of our children and young people, the new school year will mark the start of an exciting milestone as they start in P1, S1 or in one of our early years settings. I am confident that our fantastic teaching and school staff will do all they can to support children and their families to settle in as quickly as possible.

“I hope that families, children and school staff alike return well rested after a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. I wish everyone a brilliant start to the new school year and a successful year ahead!”

Teen Triple P

POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAMME

Teen Triple P is a positive parenting programme suitable for parents and carers of pre-teen and teenagers 11-16 years.

Teen Triple P can help parents and carers to:

· cope positively with some of the common issues associated with raising a teenager

· build stronger relationships with their teenager

· resolve conflict in the family

· manage problem behaviour

· keep their teen stay safe

We welcome applications directly from parents and carers or someone can apply on their behalf.

Applications can be made by completing our online application form found here https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/teentriplepform

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Venue: Northfield and Willowbrae Community Centre, 10 Northfield Road, EH8 7PP

Day: Tuesday

Dates: 2/09, 9/09, 16/09, 23/09, 30/09, 7/10 (telephone session no group) 21/10 (telephone session no group) and 28/10

Time: 10.00-12.00 midday

SW

Venue: St Augustines High School, 208 Broomhouse Road, EH12 9AD

Day: Thursday

Dates: 2/10, 9/10, 23/10, 30/10, 6/11, 13/11 (telephone contact no group) , 20/11 (telephone contact no group) and 27/11

Time: 6.00-8.00pm

NW

Venue: Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North

Day: Thursday

Dates: 2/10, 9/10, 23/10, 30/10, 6/11, 13/11 (telephone contact no group) , 20/11 (telephone contact no group) and 27/11

Time: 12.30-2.30pm

Virtual Group

This group will be delivered on TEAMS, participants will require access to a laptop, tablet or pc to complete the course.

Day: Wednesday

Dates: 8/10, 22/10, 29/10, 5/11, 12/11, 19/11(telephone contact no group), 26/11(telephone contact no group) and 3/12

Time: 6.00-8.00pm

If you require more information or you wish to discuss particular support needs please contact jill.coleman@edinburgh.gov.uk

Plans to relocate award-winning garden to Victoria Park

A national award-winning sensory garden designed by Leith resident Luke Coleman is set to be installed in Edinburgh’s Victoria Park, after being relocated from Yorkshire.

Earlier this month the garden, named ‘Drakkar’s Drift’, was on display at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Flower Show, Wentworth Woodhouse. Here it won a Gold Medal, RHS Young Designer of the Year, People’s Choice and Best Construction awards.

The garden, inspired by the history of the Scottish isles and its connections with the Vikings, will be installed on the site of one of two disused bowling greens returned to the Council by Edinburgh Leisure in 2023. Feedback from extensive local consultation carried out last year showed that residents were keen to see a sensory garden introduced to the area, alongside other options.

The garden has been dismantled and transported back to Edinburgh thanks to £20k previously secured and a fundraising drive is now underway to raise the additional £30k needed to reconstruct and embed Drakkar’s Drift in Edinburgh as a public asset. This will include expanding the design of the garden to meet the needs of the site and introducing paths, seating, and other features.

Councillor Margaret Graham said: “Luke’s Gold Medal success is a celebration of local creativity meeting international horticultural excellence. Bringing Drakkar’s Drift to Edinburgh would enrich our parks and unite community, nature and culture.

“We’ve been listening to residents, many of whom told us they’d like to see sensory planting on the site of the park’s old bowling green. As well as bringing this beautiful garden to the site, this project would enhance and develop it for community use. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in the site to support the campaign if they can.”

Designer Luke Coleman creates eco-friendly garden designs that harmonise with nature, where communities and ecosystems can thrive. Since the design of the garden began, he has envisioned that it would return to Edinburgh for residents to enjoy.

Luke said: “It’s been a dream to bring Drakkar’s Drift to life at the RHS Show, and now, seeing it find a permanent home in Edinburgh is something truly special.

“This project is about more than design; it’s about community, connection, and creating a legacy. I’m incredibly grateful for the support so far, and I hope people will get behind the fundraiser to help us rebuild the garden for everyone to enjoy.”

Amongst the garden’s elements are four mature trees, 1,500 herbaceous perennials, 13.5 tonnes of mossy boulders and living sculptures that support biodiversity.

Drakkar’s Drift draws inspiration from the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led Luke to deeper research into the island’s history.

The Norse word ‘Drakkar’ refers to Viking ships displaying a dragon head at their front and so reminds of the arrival of the Vikings in the northern Scottish isles over a thousand years ago. 

Find out more about the project and donate online.