Tag: Davidsons Mains

Bogus workmen alert

Police in North Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following two bogus caller incidents in the area this week.

An 84-year-old woman was within her home on Bellevue Road on Monday (9 December) at around 10am when two men called at the door offering to carry out maintenance on the property.

After agreeing a fee with the occupants, one of the men left to get equipment while the other man followed the lady into her back garden to retrieve an item.

On going back into the house the victim stopped to lock the backdoor while the man went out into the front. She realised at that time that her purse had been stolen and both men had disappeared.

Both men are described as white, Scottish, with a local accent, around 50 years old, with an average build and 6ft tall. One of the men had a full beard.

In the second incident, an 85-year-old woman was at her home in Davidson Mains on Tuesday (10 December) at around 3.30pm when a man arrived at her door asking if she needed any gardening done. When she refused, the suspect asked if he could come in while waiting for someone. She agreed and whilst in the kitchen area the suspect is believed to have taken her handbag and gone back outside.

The suspect is described as having a tanned complexion, aged late 20’s to early 30’s, possibly sporting a moustache or facial stubble and spoke with a local accent. He was  wearing a dark winter hat, dark jacket and dark trousers.

Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness from Police Scotland said: “The elderly occupants have been left very upset after having their belongings stolen from within their house. Anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Belleview or Davidson Mains area of the city is asked to contact police immediately.

“Bogus workmen normally prey on the most vulnerable members of the community, particular the elderly and our communities are asked to be vigilant for people calling at the doors of neighbours, friends and loved ones.

“Similarly, all members of the public are advised to check the identification of anyone attending at their address seeking to carry out work. If they are not happy with the callers they should refuse them entry and phone the police”.

Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland 101, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Edinburgh ready to remember

Edinburgh will join the rest of the world in observing Remembrance Day on Sunday – a commemoration of the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war.

Two minutes’ silence will be marked on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – a date which marks the anniversary of the ending of the First World War in 1918.

Scotland’s national remembrance ceremony will take place at the Stone of Remembrance on the Royal Mile. In attendance will be the Rt Hon Donald Wilson, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP, First Minister of Scotland and the Rt Hon Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “On Remembrance Sunday, people the length and breadth of Britain will pay tribute to all those who have fought and died – and who continue to do so – in order to keep this country safe.

“Whether it’s by attending a Remembrance Service or Parade, or simply by taking a moment of quiet reflection, we can all show our gratitude and appreciation for the enormous sacrifices being made every day on our behalf by so many courageous men and women.”

Some of the Remembrance services and parades taking place across the city on Sunday include:

Royal British Legion Remembrance Day parade

When? 10am

Where? Meeting in St Giles Street

Details: The parade will head eastward to the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers where they will be met by civic dignitaries and representatives of various public bodies for the Act of Remembrance and a wreath laying ceremony. This will be followed by a service in St Giles Cathedral.

Corstorphine Remembrance Day service

When? 10am

Where? Close to the War Memorial at Corstorphine Kirk, Kirk Loan

Davidson’s Mains Remembrance service and parade

When? 12.30pm

Where? East Barnton Gardens, near to Cramond Road South)Details: The parade will move towards the War Memorial situated in ‘The Green’, where the Remembrance Service will take place.

Heart of Midlothian Remembrance Day service

When? 10.30am

Where? Grosvenor Street, from the junction at West Maitland Street

Details: Wreaths will be laid at Grosvenor Street (and later moved to Haymarket Junction). The Salvation Army Band will then march from Caledonian Place and Dalry Road to Grosvenor Street, where a one-minute silence will be observed.

 

City copes with latest deluge

With weather warnings now lifted, and today’s forecast showing signs of improvement, it looks like the worst of the weather is over – for the timebeing at least.

The city council was well-prepared for Wednesday’s deluge. Speaking yesterday, city transport convener Councillor Lesley  Hinds (pictured above) said: “Our roads  teams have been fully prepared to deal with predicted heavy rainfall and we are keeping in regular touch with partner organisations. A Flood Control  Coordination Centre  has been set up as part of the Council’s Emergency Flood Plan. Drains and  waterways have been cleared of debris, while river levels and hot spot areas  have been continually monitored throughout the day. Around 7,000  sandbags were ready to be deployed, some of which were delivered to households  in response to residents’ concerns. Residents can be  assured that the situation will continue to be monitored over the next 18 hours  while the amber alert is still in place.”

Some local scenes yesterday:

While today’s forecast is for improving weather, it may be prudent to keep those wellies handy just in case …!

 

Councillors to decide on Silverknowes access

It may not be up there with the Berlin Wall or Northern Ireland’s ‘peace barriers’, but North Edinburgh’s own long-running dispute over local access and antisocial behaviour could soon be over. Members of the city council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment (TIE) Committee will decide whether Silverknowes and Muirhouse are to be separated by closed-off barriers at their 13 September meeting. 

Following anti-social behaviour and disturbances in part of the Silverknowes area last autumn, representatives from community organisations in Almond and Forth wards met with local politicians, council and police officials to discuss the possibility of closing off accesses at Silverknowes Eastway.

It proved impossible to reach agreement, however, with community groups and residents in Almond (i.e. Silverknowes) overwhelmingly in favour of closing off the accesses, while Forth community groups and residents are equally vehement in their opposition to closure.  Council officials have also indicated that their policy recommendation must be to keep the accesses open.

Council officials are now compiling a report for the next meeting of the TIE committee, and local groups and individuals have been invited to make submissions for inclusion in the report by 27 July.

Among the options councillors will consider will be the possibility of closing off the pedestrian and cycleway access between Silverknowes and Muirhouse at Silverknowes Eastway/Muirhouse Gardens and Silverknowes Eastway/Muirhouse Drive in the evenings.

Davidsons Mains and Silverknowes Association is one of the Almond groups pressing for closure of the access. The group points to a survey they conducted earlier this year to gauge public opinion on the access issue. In a newsletter to residents DMSA point out:  ‘The DMSA has previously advised residents on the outcomes from the residents opinion survey but it is worth repeating that there were 235 responses from Silverknowes and only 44 from Muirhouse. The Silverknowes return represented a remarkable 40% response and, of those who replied, 65% were in favour of complete closure and 15% wanted some form of restricted access, for example, by closure in the evening and overnight.’

The group is expected to make both formal written submission and to send a deputation to the forthcoming transport committee meeting to argue the case for closure.

Opponents of the proposals, however, argue that closing off and separating communities is not the answer. Roy Douglas, chairman of Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council, confirmed: “We will be making a submission and plan to send a deputation to the TIE meeting. The access must remain open and we will be putting that case strongly to councillors”.

D Mains Gala tomorrow

Organisers of Davidsons Mains Childrens Gala are keeping their fingers crossed for no more rain with the eightieth annual Gala due to take place tomorrow from 11.30am.

Everything is in place – Gala King Lewis Crosbie and Queen Anna Wynn with their Court (pictured below) will be leading off the procession – so here’s hoping for some summer sunshine!

For full information on the gala programme see the website dmainsgala.org.uk

North Edinburgh celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Maybe we didn’t have the sheer number of parties, but what we lacked in quantity we made up for in quality and enthusiasm when north Edinburgh celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee yesterday – and we had summer sunshine too!

Her Majesty herself made a surprise appearance at Holy Cross in Davidsons Mains (above), while a giant bear was seen dancing at an event organised by Stockbridge Colonies (below)!

And Wardieburn couple Marc and Joanne Blackburn organised a party for friends and neighbours at the local Salvation Army hall after they won a competition ran by local supermarket Iceland. Some revellers travelled from as far afield as Sunderland to join the Wardieburn event!

It’s Jubilee party time!

The Bank Holiday weekend will see Diamond Jubilee parties across the country and you won’t have to travel too far to join in the celebrations.

Granton Baptist Church are having a barbecue, fun and games at Crewe Road West on Sunday from 11 – 4pm, all welcome

Also on Sunday, Holy Cross Church in Davidson’s Mains is holding a picnic with music and games from 12.15pm – again all welcome, bring your own picnic but no dogs please!

Next weekend, St Serf’s on Clark Road are holding a Jubilee Fete on Saturday (9 June) from 2 – 4pm. Games with the Air Cadets, Stockbridge Pipe Band, many stalls and afternoon teas are all on offer along at Goldenacre.

Seems like North Edinburgh’s going Jubilee crazy!

If you know of any other Diamond Jubilee celebrations, or would like to publicise your own event, let us know!