Tag: Colinton

Families invited to explore enchanting Forest School

The Forest at Merchiston to host Open Morning on 15 June

Edinburgh’s answer to progressive education, The Forest at Merchiston, is to open its woodland gates to prospective families on 15 June between 9:30am – 11:30am for a truly enchanting Open Event.

Merchiston Castle School’s highly anticipated Forest Nursery and Junior School will welcome families interested in the cutting-edge, co-educational provision for an interactive Open Morning in the gorgeous 100-acre wooded grounds.

Alongside hands-on activities and Forest games, attendees will hear from The Forest Head Teacher, Davina Bowers, about this pioneering new offering, and have the chance to speak to the newly appointed Forest teaching staff.

Opening in September 2024, The Forest Nursery and Junior School seeks to bring a holistic approach to childhood development to Edinburgh.

Founded in Forest school principles, which prioritises child-centred outdoor learning, this educational offering will provide boys and girls ages 3 – 5 (Forest Nursery) and year groups P1 – P3 (Forest Junior) the very best formative years of education.

Davina Bowers, Head Teacher of The Forest Nursery and Junior School, said: “We are very excited to be hosting this Open Morning for prospective families to discover more about The Forest at Merchiston.

“This is the first chance for parents to meet our passionate Forest team and learn about our vibrant academic curriculum. We will also be answering questions, covering everything from after-school activities to uniform and more.

“As with all our Forest events, we are incorporating some fun Forest-themed activities to keep the little ones – and big ones – entertained! There will even be a surprise visit from a very special guest to add to the magical atmosphere.”

The Forest at Merchiston’s Open Morning is taking place on Saturday 15 June between 9:30am – 11:30am. Registration is required to attend the event, please do so here.

https://www.merchiston.co.uk/the-forest/open-morning-15th-june

Police seek info on Colinton robberies

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following two robberies and an attempted robbery in the Colinton area on Saturday.

Around 7.40pm on Saturday, 7 October, a man entered shop premises on Bridge Road, threatened a male member of staff with a knife, and demanded money. The suspect then left the premises with a three-figure sum of cash before making off in the direction of Colinton Village.

The suspect is described as a being aged between 30 – 40, 6’2”, athletic build with a local Scottish accent. He was wearing a distinctive light grey Adidas hooded top with a neon green trim, white face covering, light-coloured gloves, dark trousers, and dark trainers.

Around 7.50am on Sunday, 8 October, a man entered shop premises on Colinton Road, threatened a female member of staff with a knife and demanded she hand over money and cigarettes. He left empty-handed.

Shortly after, around 8.30am, the same described man entered shop premises in Ashley Terrace, in possession of a knife, threatened the staff, and again demanded money. He left the premises with a three-figure sum of cash.

He was wearing a black and white coloured face covering with a skull and cross-bone design, a black hooded top with an orange t-shirt underneath. He also wore camouflaged coloured jogging bottoms, and black and red/pink shoes, and was carrying a white string bag secured on both shoulders.

Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper from Edinburgh Division CID said: “The members of staff in all three incidents have been left badly shaken and it is vital that we trace the person involved.

“Due to the physical description of the suspect involved and the proximity of the premises it is believed the incidents are linked.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the suspect in the surrounding areas before or after the incidents to please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3529 of the 7 October, 2023.

Edinburgh salon shortlisted for TWO national hairdressing awards

Two stylists from Jason Hall Hairdressing in Edinburgh have been shortlisted for two awards at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. Jason Hall has finalised for Scottish Hairdresser of the Year and Jak Hall is through in the Newcomer of the Year category.

Widely regarded as the highlight of the hairdressing calendar, the annual awards – now in their 39th year – celebrate the outstanding creative and technical skills of stylists from across the United Kingdom.

Featuring ten regional categories recognising the greatest talents from all areas of the UK, stylists from all over the globe are also celebrated in the International Collection of the Year category.

Standout talent is honoured in nine specialist categories including Afro, Men’s and Avant Garde, the event’s most coveted trophy is British Hairdresser of the Year* – arguably the industry’s greatest accolade. 

Judged anonymously by over 100 leading hairdressers (including celebrity stylists, session stylists, salon owners, previous winners and Hall of Fame** members), winners are set to be announced during a red-carpet ceremony on Monday 27th November at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London. 

Jason and Jak each made the shortlist having submitted four photographic images demonstrating the breadth of their hairdressing expertise, including both technical and creative abilities.

They will now submit additional images for the final round of judging, which takes place in September. Both stages of judging are independently audited and verified.

‘It’s a dream come true to make the finals, particularly alongside Jak’ says salon owner Jason. ‘Our industry is full of such talented creatives, so to be shortlisted with names we admire so much feels very special.

“We’re incredibly proud of our collections and hope the judges will see the passion and time that has gone into creating them.’

Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards said: ‘Almost forty years since their inception, HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards continue to be the most coveted accolade in hairdressing, celebrating the artistry and expertise of the remarkable individuals that make up our industry.

“Jason and Jak have presented work that is both eye-catching and inspiring, showcasing a diversity of skills and an eye for detail. They should feel incredibly proud to have made an impact amongst such impressive competition.’

Schwarzkopf Professional has been the sole sponsor of the event since its launch in 1985.

Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Beauty Care Professional UK & Ireland, says: ‘Schwarzkopf Professional is honoured to once again be sponsoring this celebrated event which recognises the remarkable talents of the British hairdressing industry.

“Our finalists have produced work brimming with passion, creativity and skill and I am delighted to see their expertise recognised at this level.’

ReDrawing Edinburgh: free Cinescapes outdoor events

ReDrawing Edinburgh is a community-led outreach project designed to mark the centennial commemoration of the 1920 Edinburgh Boundaries Extension and Tramways Act.

It is coordinated by a community steering group comprising representatives from each of the boundary extension areas, with support from Council Archive, Library, and Museum services.

The city boundaries were extended in November 1920 to incorporate the Burgh of Leith in the north and the Midlothian parishes of Cramond, Corstorphine, Colinton, and Liberton to the west and south of the city. The expansion meant the city grew from 17 square miles to 53 square miles and increased its population from 320,000 to 425,000.

The ‘amalgamation’, as it was referred to at the time, was welcomed by some but opposed by others – in particular Leith Town Council who fought to retain its independence. The centenary commemoration provides an opportunity for everyone to understand how the city has grown and for the communities to reaffirm their own identities and heritage.

A series of short films created as part of Redrawing Edinburgh, were produced in a partnership between local heritage and community groups and Council Archive, Library, and Museums services. These presentations explore what happened in 1920 and celebrate the identities and histories of these communities.

It is the city centre of Edinburgh that often receives the most attention, however this project focuses on the communities that joined in 1920.

For general information about the project please contact archives@edinburgh.gov.uk or redrawingedinburgh@gmail.com

Free outdoor screening events, September 2021

All images © Lesley Martin photography

Join us on the 3-18 September for Cinescapes: ReDrawing Edinburgh, a series of five pop-up outdoor screenings of a new 15-minute film.

This film has been created from archive footage showing the 5 areas which were amalgamated with Edinburgh in 1920 through the Edinburgh Boundaries Extension and Tramways Act. ReDrawing Edinburgh celebrates the strong independent identities of the areas of Cramond, Colinton, Corstorphine, Liberton, and Leith and how they have retained them throughout the past century.

This isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about identity. We’re celebrating the individual spirits that make up Edinburgh by screening the projections in the places that they are from.

Book tickets for these events via Eventbrite: 

Corstorphine on Friday 3 September

Colinton on Saturday 4 September

Cramond on Friday 10 September

Liberton on Saturday 11 September

Leith on Saturday 18 September

For general information about these events, please contact:

archives@edinburgh.gov.uk or redrawingedinburgh@gmail.com

Police appeal following arson attack in Colinton

Police are appealing for information after two cars were deliberately set on fire in the Colinton area. 

The incident happened around 11.30pm on Wednesday (14 July 2021) on the driveway of a property in Spylaw Park.

Officers are keen to speak to two men seen at the time, both wearing grey tracksuits and dark-coloured trainers. One is described as around 6ft, the other as around 5ft 10ins and he was riding a mountain bike and carrying a rucksack. 

The men may also have been in Lanark Road and Spylaw Avenue around the time of the incident.

Detective Constable Sam Gillies, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Fortunately no one was injured but this was a deliberate and reckless act that has destroyed two cars and could have caused more extensive damage if the fire had not been put out quickly by the fire service.

“We are asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area at the time of the incident to get in touch, including if you were driving and have dash-cam footage that could help with our investigation.

“If you can help please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4203 of Wednesday, 14 July, 2021, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”