Blooming good news for Drylaw florist

Drylaw-based Curcuma Flowers has been accepted for the Good Florist Guide (GFG), a web based directory of the finest florists in the UK.

The prestigious accolade is only awarded to florists who really make the grade and allows customers to have an extra level of confidence that they are buying from the best, and local florist Fiona Smit said she was ‘delighted’ to be included in the Good Florist Guide.

Each florist shop or freelance florist invited to be in the guide has to pass a rigorous evaluation process before being approved. This meant Curcuma Flowers had to submit a detailed description of their floristry business, including range available and services offered as well as images of the business premises, their design work, their team and even the delivery vehicle!

But GFG businesses aren’t just some of the best looking, they also offer the very best value when it comes to buying bespoke floristry and flowers because not only are they true craftsmen but have the very best product knowledge to make sure the flowers and plants you buy from them will last for ages.

Commenting on their success Fiona Smit of Curcuma Flowers said; ‘We are delighted to be accepted into the Good Florist Guide. We are passionate about flowers, design, quality and the service we give to each of our customers so it is wonderful to have this recognised.’

Caroline Marshall-Foster, the UK’s leading expert on independent bespoke florists, is responsible for setting up the Good Florist Guide. Editor of Florist magazine, the florist industry’s bible, and owner of Purple Spotted Media, a multi-faceted company providing services to all sectors of the flower industry, the Good Florist Guide is Caroline’s way of sharing the knowledge she has gained through years in the industry.

She said: “You can buy flowers virtually anywhere these days. But nothing really beats the experience of receiving fabulous flowers from a truly bespoke florist and without it costing an arm or a leg. The Good Florist Guide is my way of sharing all that is good about floristry. It allows consumers to know that the florist they use is able and willing to go the extra mile and make all their purchases, big or small, truly special.”

Seven Days and the legend of the Pilton Pieman

Just a week to go until the NEN Walkathon, and walkers may already have selected their chosen routes. You don’t have to stick to the suggested routes, however, the choice is all yours!

How about tackling … THE PIEMAN’S PATH?

Never heard the legend of the Pilton Pieman? Then read on …

The only known illustration of Patrick 'Pudden' Porter — The only known illustration of Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter

Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter – the Pilton Pieman

Many years ago, the legend of Pudden, the Pilton Pieman was born. This is the story:

Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter was of noble birth – his family was landed gentry. Young Paddy enjoyed all the privileges of wealth, but life was to change forever for the young man when he met and fell in love with a Newhaven fishwife. Paddy’s father disowned him when he chose to marry his Newhaven love.

Patrick and his new bride lived in relative poverty, particularly when the fishing was poor, but the young nobleman was a good, hard worker who would tackle any labour – when he could not go off to see on the trawlers he worked with butchers, bakers and yes, possibly even candlestick makers to make money, gain experience and provide for his growing family. It was a tough life, but Paddy never regreatted the path he had chosen.

One evening, when he was particularly down on his luck, Paddy cut through Caroline Park House on his way home from a labouring shift, bringing in the harvest on Drylaw Farm.

He was amazed to see hundreds, maybe thousands of rabbits scampering around the grounds – and an idea formed that was to change his life forever.

The following day he returned to Caroline Park House and spoke to the gamekeeper there. The gamekeeper was only too happy to have someone to help him deal with the rabbit epidemic and soon Paddy was hard at work.

Paddy then used the skills he had learned as a butcher and a baker – and young Paddy’s delicious home made rabbit pies and puddings quickly became the talk of the town.

Paddy ‘Pudden’ Porter became something of a celebrity in Leith and Edinburgh – he mixed with the rich and famous and his pies were served at Royal banquets at Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle.

Pudden's legendary rabbit pie can be seen at the British Museum — Pudden’s legendary rabbit pie can be seen at the British Museum

While ‘Pudden’ Porter’s family flourished, the same could not be said for the family who had disowned him. ‘Pudden’ had been the first of six boys – but each of the others died prematurely, often in suspicious circumstances. Some whispered that the Porters were cursed – a housemaid swore that each of the Porter boys died after eating …. no, contaminated fish!

The Pilton Pieman went from strength to strength – Paddy Porter became Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The Porters also had a large family – by a strange coincidence, also six boys – and each of them in turn became town councillors. It’s thought that this is where the phrase ‘gravy train’ originated.

And while both Edinburgh and Leith have grown and changed so much over the centuries, even to this day the city council still has it’s fair share o’ Puddens!

THE PIEMAN’s PATH

Bayne’s, Drylaw Shops

Groathill Bakery

Gregg’s, Pennywell Road

Gregg’s, Boswall Parkway

Caroline Park House

Granton Home Bakery, West Granton Road

Mason’s Bakery, Newhaven

Walk in the footsteps of a local legend and taste a piece of history!

EWE’ve got to be joking! Drylaw bench is MOOving out!

Drylaw’s lonesome stone bench is moo-ving on to pastures new. The striking stone bench – which features the heads of a sheep and a bull (or maybe a ram and a cow!) to signify the area’s past use as farmland – will make the short journey east from Drylaw Field to a new home at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre after repeated attacks by vandals.

The stone bench was the centrepiece of an upgrade to Drylaw Field six years ago – the bench was unveiled by then Lord Provost George Grubb in September 2007 (pictured below).

Almost since it’s introduction, however, the sculpture has been the targeted by vandals. It’s been spray-painted, graffiti has been scrawled on it, attempts have been made to set it on fire and it’s been physically attacked with rocks and boulders – it now looks like it has gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson and it’s a sorry sight (below).

Given the punishment the animal seat has taken over the years, Drylaw Telford Community Council has reluctantly decided to find a safer new home for the beast.

“It’s sad that we’re having to do this, but the bench was being slowly but surely destroyed and the community council agreed that this was the only course of action we could take”, said Alex Dale, chair of Drylaw Telford Community Council. “I spoke to Roy Douglas, manager at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre and they are happy to take the bench there. The bench won’t be as visible as it was in Drylaw Park, but local residents will still be able to see it when they visit the Centre and at least it will be safer there – the Neighbourhood Centre has CCTV and other security measures so we hope there may be a good few years left yet in the Drylaw bench.”

Staff at the city council’s North Local Office will supervise the move later this month. It’s not known at this stage whether officers from the Scottish SPCA will also be in attendance.

Drylaw Telford AGM tomorrow

Drylaw Telford Community Council’s annual general meeting will be held in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre tomorrow (Wednesday 19 May) at 6.30pm – note the earlier start time.

Highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship to Alex Dale.

All welcome.

Get on your bike for The Postcode Challenge

Explore the North Edinburgh Cycleways with Edinburgh’s favourite treasure hunt on wheels!

What: The Postcode Challenge, organised by The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust and The Bike Station. This is a fun, free ‘treasure hunt’ event for cyclists and walkers on the North Edinburgh Path Network, part of the Innertube project and funded by People’s Postcode Trust

Where: The North Edinburgh Cycleways (various entrances to the cycleway including at: Trinity Rd/Lower Granton Road; Ferry Road; Clark Road; Wardie Road; Hawthornvale; Pilton Drive; Scotland St)

When: Sunday 28^th April 2013, 11am – 4pm

This coming Sunday is the third Postcode Challenge on the north Edinburgh paths, a fun, free event for cyclists and walkers, a ‘treasure hunt on wheels’ (and foot), with the chance to explore around 27km of continuous off-road routes and to enter into the prize draw at the same time.

Dotted around the network will be ten stands, run by local organisations. Find your first one (you can start anywhere on the route) and they will give you a card. Get the card stamped at all ten locations (five if you are on foot) and bring it back to the event HQ at Fiveways Junction by 4pm to be entered into the free prize draw. As well as the main prizes, many of the stands may have freebies and presents to give away too and you’ll be able to get your bike fixed and have cycling advice from Hart’s Cyclery, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op and The Bike Station stands.

The event is totally traffic free and great for all ages and everyone is welcome – you can take part on your own, as a family or as part of a team.

Participants can download further information here and a cyclist route map and stamp card here or if you are on foot, download the walkers’ version. Or just collect one at the first stand you find.

Look out for the following stalls on the route:

The Bike Station – for bike repairs with Dr Bike
Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust
The Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop – check out their gorgeous new building!
Pedal on Parliament
Spokes
Sustrans
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
Harts Cyclery – Bike repairs and advice
My Edinburgh (MYDG)
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op – Bike repairs and advice

We can’t tell you where each stand will be – but once you’ve found the first one, you’re away. If in doubt, head to Fiveways Junction, where people will point you in the right direction.

And thank you to the following for donating prizes: Spokes, the Bike Station, Harts Cyclery Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op and Green Yonder Tours

This event is part of the Innertube project, funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and via the People’s Postcode Trust.

For further information, please contact Liz on 0771 265 1102 or email liz@elgt.org.uk

Download a printable version of the poster to help promote the Challenge.

You're never too young for the Postcode Cycle Challenge! — You’re never too young for the Postcode Cycle Challenge!

Drylaw’s home to new international artwork

A fascinating new art installation is being constructed in the middle of an Edinburgh neighbourhood. Internationally acclaimed Finnish artist Flei Tippynge chose Drylaw for his latest work because he wants his work to be appreciated by ‘ordinary people – the only true art critics’.

Flei uses ordinary household items in his work, which he often undertakes after dark. “As I work in the open air it is easier for me to be creative without constant interruptions. Just me, the night and my materials and my imagination can run wild!” Flei’s ‘materials’ often include washing machines, tables and old tyres.

The controversial artist added: “My Drylaw work is called simply ‘Home’. Over the next few weeks I shall bring more and more recyclable items to my open air studio in the hope that I can create a new ‘Drylaw House’ on the roundabout in Easter Drylaw Drive. It could take some weeks, and will involve tons of recyclable materials – this shall be a mighty mansion – but I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Typpynge’s evolving ‘installation’ can be seen in Drylaw until the Environmental Wardens take it away.

Taking shape: 'Home' — Taking shape: ‘Home’

STOP PRESS A team of city council environmental wardens removed the ‘installation’ at 1.50pm.

Artist Flei Tippynghe is distraught. “Philistines”, he sobbed. Creative Scotland were unavailable for comment,

Driver spared jail over Groathill Road accident

A newly qualified driver has been spared a prison sentence for running over a five-year-old girl after a court heard she was “blinded” by bright sunlight.

Cara Harrison, 30, collided with the child at a zebra crossing just two days after she had passed her test, Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told.

The mother of two then drove on rather than stopping at the scene of the accident on Groathill Road North.

The girl, who was on her way home from school with her father, received emergency treatment in hospital and was said to have made a “good” recovery.

Harrison, of Ferry Road, Edinburgh, admitted dangerous driving on September 28 last year, but said she had been unable to see clearly beacuse of the sunlight glaring through her car’s windscreen.

The court was told she was badly shaken by the accident and had no desire ever to drive again.

Sheriff Isabella McColl said she had considered a prsion sentence but opted instead to impose an order of 200 hours community service.

Harrison was also banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay £750 in compensation.

Defence lawyer Jackie McColl told the court: “The one thing that shines through all of this is Mrs Harrison’s complete and utter contrition for the charge.

“She understands how serious this offence is and it has always been her intention to plead guilty.”

Male held after 73 year old mugged

Police have confirmed a male has been arrested in connection with the mugging of a 73 year old woman in Drylaw thins morning. The incident happened near the entrance to Rowanfield School on Groathill Loan. Its believed the male pushed the woman over before running off with her handbag towards Telford Road.

The attack took place at Rowanfield School

Police used sniffer dogs to search for the suspect and its understood he was caught nearby on Groathill Road North.

Local Councillor Gavin Barrie said “This type of outrageous attack is unacceptable on any age of person but to mug a lady of this age is disgusting in the extreme, I look forward to hearing that the full weight of the legal system is brought to bear on them.’

The NEN understands the 73 year old victim is a dinner lady at the school.

Sharp fall in North Edinburgh crime figures

Recorded crime is falling in North Edinburgh. Statistics compiled for a community policing event held at Craigroyston High School last night show that overall crime in Forth has fallen by 10% over the first seven months of this year, while in Inverleith the figure is an impressive 31% – a reduction of almost one-third over the same period.

For the year to date in INVERLEITH Ward:

Housebreaking (homes) – down 42% (24 fewer houses broken into)

Housebreaking (businesses) – down 42% (10 less businesses broken into)

Robbery – down 86% (6 fewer victims)

Break-in to cars – down 46% (23 fewer cars)

Vandalism – down 55% (136 fewer victims)

Overall crime down 31%

In FORTH Ward:

Housebreaking (homes) – down 13% (8 fewer homes broken into)

Housebreaking (business) – down 58% (11 fewer businesses broken into)

Break-ins to cars – down 40% (32 lfewer cars)

Vandalism – down 27% (156 fewer victims)

Fire-raising – down 40% (17 fewer dangerous fires).

Overall crime down 10%

Commenting on the figures, Drylaw Police Inspector Mark Rennie said: “These are an excellent set of figures for the area for the first part of the year (April to October). To achieve such significant reductions in vandalism in both the Inverleith and Forth wards is really important – it means less damage, a better environment and an improvement in the behaviour of young people who predominantly commit this type of crime. Vandalism is a crime which always causes a great deal of concern locally, and it often provides a guide as to the overall amount of antisocial behaviour being experienced within communities”.

“To have 292 fewer crimes (156 Forth, 136 Inverleith) in a fairly short period is good news by any measure and gives an indication that the approach taken by the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Council Community Safety Team produces results. What we have to do now is continue that focus to ensure we maintain the improvements made and seek further reductions.”

The Craigroyston event was one of a series to allow communities in Edinburgh to have their say on how local policing should be delivered in their area. Staffed by police, fire service and council officers the drop-in session gave local residents an opportunity to discuss safety issues and to suggest local priorities ahead of the introduction of the single Police Service of Scotland next April.

Chief Superintendent Malcolm Graham, Commander of the City of Edinburgh Division, said: “We know that the key to policing communities effectively is to listen to local people and then deliver in partnership with them. These consultations are crucial to how we plan and set objectives. I am very much looking forward to hearing the feedback.”

The aim of the consultations is to make the 2013/14 Police Plan more responsive to public opinion and requirements at a ward level, with meetings being held in each of the six different Council neighbourhood areas.

Councillor Michael Bridgman, newly appointed Convenor of the future city Emergency Services Committee, said: “These meetings are a great opportunity for local communities to share their views with the police and council as to what they see as their policing priorities for the future. We would like to hear about the issues that really matter when it comes to delivering a first class police service. I would urge people to come along to any of the planned meetings, have your say and make a real difference.”