Edinburgh – Page 20 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Family fun and games at Grassmarket

Old Town gets ready to celebrate Playday

Edinburgh’s Grassmarket will be transformed into a giant children’s play area tomorrow as the city to promote play in the city. The historic Old Town street will be transformed, with lots of family-friendly activities on offer including junk drumming, giant weaving, magic potions, a giant sand pit, water play and a cardboard city!

The event hopes to build on the successes of previous years where thousands of people have came along to join in Playday activities.

Playday is the national day for play, which is being celebrated next week. On Playday thousands of children and their families get out to play at hundreds of community events across the UK.

As well as a celebration of children’s right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. It’s all about learning for life and showing that play is fun not just for the child but for adults as well.

Councillor Keith Robson is the city council’s ‘Play Champion’. He said: “Play is a massively important part of a child’s development and makes a tremendous contribution to happy and healthy childhoods. Our very popular Playday in the Grassmarket provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate play and promote its many benefits.

“One of our objectives is that we want to ensure that communities recognise the importance of play for children especially outdoor play. Not only are there significant health benefits from being out in the open air, but also exposure to a range of different activities can help a child’s development.

“Here in Edinburgh we’re very lucky to have some fantastic outdoor spaces and I would encourage all parents to get outdoors with their children during these lovely summer months. The great park at west end of Princes Street Gardens has been a family favourite these holidays when friends have been visiting from around the UK.”

Edinburgh’s Playday event will be held in the Grassmarket from 12.30pm – 4.30pm. On offer will be a giant sand pit, water play, magic potions, cardboard city, play pod, mud kitchen, giant weaving, play for babies, junk drumming and much more!

Access is free but children should be accompanied by an adult. For more information contact

cf.play@edinburgh.gov.uk

There have already been two meetings of the Edinburgh Play Forum which is made up of various community groups, schools and other organisations with an interest in promoting play in the city. The aim is to make Edinburgh a playful city where children can enjoy their childhood.

The Council is currently updating it’s Play Strategy which will be discussed at the Education, Children & Families Committee later in the year.

More Green Flag glory for Edinburgh

A record number of 59 Scottish parks will fly a Green Flag this year after receiving the environmental award, eight more than last year. Edinburgh topped the list with 26 flags – two up on last year.

Entrants are assessed on eight criteria, including whether the park or green space is welcoming, healthy, safe, clean and well-maintained. Parks and green spaces must also be sustainable, manage conservation and heritage, have community involvement, market themselves and have good management.

The Award scheme is administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful. Derek Robertson, chief executive of the charity, said: “Scotland’s parks are going from strength to strength. We’re very proud of all of our award winners and particularly of the army of local volunteers who work all year round in rain or shine to make Scottish parks beautiful.”

Environment minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The availability of high-quality green space and parks is very important for the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. Long may these commendable efforts continue.”

The announcement comes during Love Parks Week (26 July – 3 August), a celebration of our beautiful parks and green spaces across the UK. This annual campaign is managed by Keep Britain Tidy and supported, in Scotland, by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The city council’s Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “We have a beautiful array of parks here in Edinburgh, ranging from small residential spots like Montgomery Street Park to world famous landmarks, such as Calton Hill.

“With the invaluable support of dedicated community and Friends of Parks groups, our parks team work tirelessly to ensure the green spaces across the city, many of them Green Flag Award-winners, are of a national standard.

“But we can’t do this without the support of the public. Our parks provide a haven for people around Edinburgh, particularly during the warmer weather, and I ask those who use them to keep them that way by behaving responsibly and disposing of litter.”

Edinburgh is currently gearing up to represent the UK in the Entente Florale, Europe’s largest environmental competition – judges visit the city’s parks and open spaces next month.

Schools out – summer fun without breaking the bank

‘Mum, I’m bored!’ With the school holidays now underway, parents are planning how to keep their children entertained the next six weeks. Well, help is at hand – the city council has created a ‘best of’ list to help families stay occupied on a budget.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The summer break is a chance for families to get together and try something different but it is also a challenge to keep the kids entertained without breaking budgets. Whatever the weather, there will be a host of activities and events taking place across Edinburgh this summer, many of which are free.

“With the Commonwealth Games taking place in Scotland, there is the added excitement of trying new sports and learning about our fellow Commonwealth countries, and highlights to look out for this summer are the Active City sporting exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh and the many one off sport classes at Edinburgh Leisure venues.”

WHAT’S ON AT MUSEUMS

First on the list of things to do is a visit to the Museum of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile. Housed in the beautifully restored 16th Century buildings on the Canongate, it is the city’s principal museum of local history and from 5 July, will be home to a brand new exhibition looking at sport throughout the ages in Edinburgh.

With special activities for children, and a focus on the Commonwealth Games, the Active City – Celebrating Edinburgh’s Sporting Heritage exhibition is ideal for kids who are excited for Glasgow 2014, and to coincide with the exhibition there will be a special come and try sports challenge in the museum courtyard for children on 10 July.

Also on the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood hosts a treasure trove of toys the whole family will love. Children can learn what it was like to grow up in other eras and gaze at a range of toys and games, while adults can enjoy a trip down memory lane.

The latest exhibition to open at the Museum is a display of posters created by children for the annual Fringe Festival Children’s Posters Competition. This competition has been an annual event for the Fringe Festival since 1980 and this year’s competition received 3,453 entries from 144 schools across Scotland. The winning designs and runners up can be viewed at the Museum until 31 August 2014.

EDINBURGH’S LIBRARIES

As always, it will a busy summer across Edinburgh’s 28 libraries, with lots of free events.

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday. The theme for the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge taking place in all libraries across the city will be Mythical Maze created by top illustrator Sarah McIntyre.Children can read whatever they like – fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books – just as long as they are borrowed from the library.

Every time children finish a book they get stickers and rewards and there’s a certificate for everyone who finishes. Mythical Maze challenges children aged four to eleven to find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way.

Central Library has a brand new dedicated Children’s space with lots of new books, cubby holes to read them in, an under 5’s room and an arts and crafts area. Budding musicians can practice in the new music Library’s acoustic pod or on the digital piano.

South West Edinburgh Libraries are celebrating the Commonwealth Games with their Summer of Sport Programme which will host sport themed activities for local children including the chance to have Good Luck cards delivered to the athletes in the Commonwealth Village.

Need holiday reading but want to keep your suitcase light? Edinburgh Libraries provides free to use ebooks, audiobooks and downloadable magazines for children and adults.

ART IN THE CITY

This summer, families can also get stuck into crafts through the Edinburgh Art Festival. Launching on 31 July, a host of children’s workshops will be held in the City Art Centre.

The Centre also has a busy programme of Street Magic Master Classes up until 4 July as part of Edinburgh’s International Magic Festival. Classes range in price and places can be booked through the festival websites.

STAYING ACTIVE

To help keep kids active, Edinburgh Leisure is offering a host of activities to enjoy throughout the holidays, including fantastic free Multi-Sport sessions. Youngsters aged 5-16 are invited to try football, gymnastics, tennis, boccia, athletics and much more at the Meadows every Wednesday and Friday afternoon from 2 July – 8 August. Kids will benefit from support by qualified coaches and local sports clubs. There’s no need to book, visitors can just drop into The Pavillion Cafe, Jawbone Walk in Edinburgh’s Meadows.

Edinburgh Leisure is also offering free swimming all day to all primary school children at Dalry, Gracemount and Ainslie Park Leisure Centres until 12 August. There will also be free swimming available between 12:00pm-3:00pm at Wester Hailes Education Centre. Following a successful Easter initiative, this year marks the first time the free summer sessions will be open to any public swim session at participating pools.

In good weather, the beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle, laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s, hold over 300 trees and are worth a wander – especially on 29 July when children are invited to visit and learn how to identify each one. Entry is £5 per person. Guided tours of the Castle take place every day at 2:00pm except Friday and the Castle has a huge programme of family activities throughout the summer which can be booked through the Usher Hall.

After taking in the city, where better to enjoy the breathtaking views of Edinburgh than by climbing to the top of the tallest tribute to a writer in the world, the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens? Equally impressive is the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.

And don’t forget there are loads of fun activities right on your doorstep through the local Summer Programme. See below for details:

Capital prepares to mark Armed Forces Day

The Grassmarket will welcome a parade of serving personnel, veterans and their supporters tomorrow as the City of Edinburgh Council hosts special events to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Celebrations in Edinburgh will start from 10:30am on Sunday (22 June) as the annual parade of up to 500 serving personnel and veterans march up the Royal Mile and down to the Grassmarket where they will be welcomed by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost.

The parade and welcome will be followed by live music and dance until 2pm – highlights include a flashback to the forties with retro dance troupe The Kennedy Cupcakes, ska music from the Pork Pie Band and traditional Scots song and dance.

On Monday (23 June), the Armed Forces Day flag will be presented to the Lord Provost and raised above the City Chambers to honour Armed Forces personnel past, present and future. ‘Raise the Flag Day’ is when hundreds of civic and Government buildings throughout the United Kingdom will fly the Armed Forces Day flag until just after the weekend.

The Armed Forces Day events in Edinburgh are open to all to show their support for the Armed Forces and veterans. The celebrations take place ahead of National Armed Forces Day in Stirling on June 28.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Veterans Champion, Donald Wilson, said: “This city has a long and proud tradition of supporting the Armed Forces and our veterans. Holding a day of celebration in their honour is just one of the ways the people of Edinburgh can show their support.

“This is the city’s way of saying thank you and allows us to show our gratitude and appreciation for the enormous sacrifices being made every day on our behalf by so many courageous men and women.”

Colonel Martin Gibson, Executive Chairman of Veterans Scotland said: “Veterans Scotland very much appreciates the Capital City’s commitment to recognising the work of both today’s Armed Forces and the service of our veterans in maintaining our freedom.

“Our veterans have served in World War 2 and the many more modern day conflicts around the world; every year since 1945, apart from 1968, men and women from the City have been involved in operations somewhere in the world. Edinburgh has a long and very proud military tradition, and the strong support that the Armed Forces Community is given by all ages is very much valued.”

Kevin Gray, Chief Executive Officer at Legion Scotland said: “Legion Scotland is proud to play a part in the Edinburgh Armed Forces Day parade to honour Armed Forces personnel and show our gratitude and support for our veterans.

“On the centenary of WW1 the event is even more significant in our hearts and minds, as we stand together to pay tribute to so many brave soldiers who made enormous sacrifices to help protect our freedom.”

Similar events will take place across the UK, enabling people to come out and show their support, and giving a much-valued morale boost for Armed Forces personnel and their families.

EDINBURGH ARMED FORCES DAY PROGRAMME

Sunday 11:00am Edinburgh’s Armed Forces Day parade will reach the City Chambers for an ‘eyes right’ salute from Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Donald Wilson, before he joins the end of the parade and follows it down to the Grassmarket.

11:30am welcome from the Lord Provost and address by Lieutenant General Robert Baxter, President of Veterans Scotland, followed by performances from the Kennedy Cupcakes and music acts.

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

Monday 9:45am Procession to make its way to the City Chambers where ceremonial flag will be handed over to the Lord Provost, before the official Armed Forces Day flag is raised from the roof of the City Chambers.

The flag will be carried by Colonel Jim Wilson, General Secretary, Veterans Scotland, and escorted down the Royal Mile accompanied by a piper and two Royal British Legion Scotland National Standards, before it is presented to the Lord Provost. He will be accompanied by Commander Blackburn of the Royal Navy, and Squadron Leader Riley from the Royal Air Force.

So, where do you call home?

Do you live in the capital? If so, which area do you call home? This is the question that the City of Edinburgh Council is asking in a bid to help define the city’s natural neighbourhoods:

Residents can identify their local neighbourhood through a quick survey and also sketch their “home patch” online to help the Council make sure that services are being directed across the city in the best way possible.

Anyone taking part will be put forward for the chance to win from a selection of prints of beautiful old maps of Edinburgh from Our Town Stories, and can also try their hand at a fun Auld Reekie heritage quiz.

The replies will also inform consultations such as an ongoing review of Council wards, and the Scottish Government’s consultation on data zones.

They should help services to identify areas that are more meaningful to their clients. For example, if a service involves home visits, in most cases it would make sense to ensure that each neighbourhood is served by a single team – although many service areas reflect current natural neighbourhoods, some service boundaries are based on historical areas and the city has been changing markedly over the last few years.

Cllr Maureen Child, Communities and Neighbourhoods Convener, said: “Whether it’s Broughton or Barnton, Craiglockhart or Comiston, we all have some idea of which area of Edinburgh we belong to. Some of these areas are not so clearly defined though, and having a better idea will help the Council to deliver services more effectively.

“When it comes to gathering the data, there isn’t any right or wrong answer, the project aims to look at how people choose to define where they live, rather than any official definition of a neighbourhood.

“If you live in Pilrig, does that mean you live in part of Leith? Or if you stay near Lothian Road – do you live in the Tollcross area or possibly Fountainbridge? It’s the kind of thing that most people have a view on and we’re seeking to capture these views to map the natural neighbourhoods in the city.”

So when does Muirhouse become Silverknowes or Clermiston become Greater Corstorphine? It’s over to you!

Mary Erskine’s to represent city in referendum debate

Mary Erskine School will fly the flag for Edinburgh in the final of a TV schools debate on Saturday.

Eight secondary schools from across Scotland will battle it out on STV in the final of a national debating competition next Saturday (12 April at 1740).

The half hour programme, Referendum: The Next Generation, sees four pupils from each school take part in knock out rounds before the winner of the final debate picks up the trophy.

The other schools to compete are the Nicolson Institute (Western Isles), Douglas Academy (East Dunbartonshire), Montrose Academy (Angus), Lockerbie Academy (Dumfries & Galloway), St Andrews Academy (Renfrewshire), Grove Academy (Dundee) and St Josephs Academy (East Ayrshire).

STV teamed up with Debating Matters in 2013 to give secondary school pupils from all 32 local authority areas, many of who will be eligible to vote in the referendum on independence, the opportunity to research and discuss issues which will affect the future of Scotland.

The Scotland wide competition was open to secondary five and six pupils who had a chance to compete with other schools in their local authority area last summer before taking part in eight regional heats in November 2013. The final of the competition was held at The University of Glasgow and the programme is hosted by STV’s Gordon Chree.

Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV, said: “This programme is the culmination of a series of lively debates between secondary schools throughout the country. We are committed to providing a platform for debate on all the big issues and it is fantastic that secondary school pupils have the opportunity to research and discuss issues that matter to them. We hope people tune in to see which school picks up the winner’s trophy.”

Claire Fox, Director of the Institute of Ideas, said: “Debating Matters is delighted to have worked in partnership with STV to provide an intellectually demanding and rigorous platform for students across Scotland to engage in serious discussion of the big philosophical, cultural and political questions relating to Scotland’s future direction society, and to debate the key issues around the Scottish Independence referendum. The Institute of Ideas values substance over style and emphasises the complexities beyond the headline and beyond sound-bites, so important when young people are considering something as important as the future of Scotland constitutionally. Based on the debates we saw in the autumn and this spring, those young Scots we met rose to that challenge more than admirably.”

Good luck, Mary Erskine!

Community council elections go hi-tech!

Local people wishing to vote in three city Community Council elections will be able to do so online for the first time.

Following the closure of the nomination period, there were more prospective community councillors than there were places available in three areas – Craigmillar, Liberton & District and Portobello – so elections are now taking place, and for the first time an online option has been introduced making it easier for more people to take part. Votes can now be registered securely over a special website until the voting period closes at 8pm on 24 October.

All voters on the electoral roll in the three areas are being given the opportunity to vote over the internet, or they can attend a polling place on the 24 October to vote in person if they would prefer. Postal votes are also available for residents who prefer this option.

Councillor Maureen Child, Convener of the Communities and Neighbourhood Committee, said: “Our aim is to deliver democratic processes that people can take part in and trust. To offer a range of options for voting, including online voting, we hope to make it easier for people to have a say and that can only be a good thing for local communities. We hope that by offering flexible ways to vote that it will attract even more interest in these elections.

“Community Councils are an ideal way to support communities to thrive, to allow people from all backgrounds to meet and share ideas and to make change happen. They are a fantastic way of making public sector agencies aware of the needs of local areas, and can really help to make changes for the better.”

Community Councils each receive a grant to cover running costs and training is available for the members. They are represented on each of the city’s 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships and work alongside elected members, representatives from NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, the voluntary sector and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Community councils were first established in Edinburgh in 1980 and now more than 500 people are members of 41 community councils across the city. While elections are needed in three neighbourhoods, however, other areas are still looking for local people to make up their full complement of community councillors. Nominations are currently being sought for new members of the Gilmerton/Inch Community Council, and Drylaw Telford – one of the city’s original community councils – is one of a number of community councils with vacant positions.

“Following the nomination period we have five vacancies so we are very keen to encourage residents – old and new – to get involved”, said Alex Dale, chairman of Drylaw Telford. “Anyone interested in find out a bit about what we do should check out our website, or better still come along to our next regular monthly meeting on Wednesday 30 October at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. Our meetings are always open to the public and It would be great to sign up some enthusiastic new members.”

Alex Dale (left) with former DTCC chair Mike Clark

Blooming brilliant – Edinburgh strikes gold!

Edinburgh has won a top prize at the Britain in Bloom National Awards. Scotland’s capital city beat off competition from every corner of the UK to win the prestigious Gold award in the Large City category, it was announced at a ceremony last night (Saturday 12 October).

City council Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “This is fantastic news, I am delighted that Edinburgh has won such a prestigious award. This is entirely due to the talents and sheer hard work of our many Friends of Parks’ groups, community volunteers and the Council’s parks team. Edinburgh is a stunning city with beautiful parks and green spaces, and we will continue to work towards protecting and enhancing them.”

Britain in Bloom is an annual competition organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Channel Four news coming to Edinburgh

Channel 4 News is taking to the road this week with#c4newspopup – travelling from Cornwall to Edinburgh assessing how real the economic recovery actually is through the eyes of local people.

On Friday (23 August), Channel 4 News will be in Edinburgh where presenter Jackie Long (pictured below) will be anchoring the programme live.

Throughout the day Jackie and her#c4newspopup team will be meeting the public and interacting live online with workers, businesses and consumers from the region reporting their stories and views on the economy and how it is affecting them.

We want to hear from everyone … from inspirational local figures to complaints over bin strikes; from the hot new local arts centre to the shops which have closed on the high street – we will be reporting all their stories on the programme and across all digital platforms.

We are asking people to get in touch with us with their stories via:

Twitter:@channel4news using the hashtag #c4newspopup

Email:c4newspopup@itn.co.uk

More information:http://www.channel4.com/news/c4-news-pop-up-economic-recovery-economy-british-business-uk

Fresh appeal for missing student

Police Scotland Edinburgh Division is appealing for information in tracing a Russian student who has been missing from her address in the capital for over a week.

Yulia Solodyankina, (22), who has been studying Physics at Edinburgh University, was last seen at the Wee Red Bar in Lady Lawson Street on June 7 and was first reported missing last Wednesday (12 June).

Since her disappearance police have been carrying out extensive enquiries in order to trace her whereabouts, and continue to urge anyone with information to contact them. Her friends have also organised a social media campaign to track her down.

Yulia speaks fluent English with a strong Russian accent, and is described as being of medium build, with long dark brown hair. She is about 5ft 6ins tall, and has a small mole on her left cheek. Her ears are pierced and she wears a number of rings on her fingers, in particular a distinctive thumb ring, which is shaped like a small spoon.

When last seen Yulia was wearing a dark jacket, dark trousers, white trainers and carrying a large dark coloured rucksack which appeared to be full.

Chief Inspector Mark Patterson, of Police Scotland Edinburgh Division, said: “It has been a week since Yulia was first reported missing, and despite our enquiries and appeals for information from the public, we still have no information as to her current whereabouts.

“Yulia’s father had travelled to Edinburgh to visit his daughter and help plan her graduation celebrations, but instead he is distraught by her disappearance, and has left the Capital without ever making contact with her.

“We have been heartened by the level of interest in her disappearance, helped by her friends organising their own appeals through social media, and we remain keen for any information that can help us trace her whereabouts.

“I would urge anyone who has seen or heard from Yulia since she went missing, or who has any other information that can help us, to contact Police Scotland on 101, or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”