Green and Safe – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Drylaw Telford Community Council’s final meeting of the year takes place next Wednesday. The meeting could also see an end to one of the organisation’s longest-running sagas – the Groathill Road North roundabout.

The state of the roundabout has been making some local residents cross almost since the railings were removed there three years ago. Neighbourhood Partnership funding was allocated to Drylaw’s gardening group to undertake environmental improvements on the site, but a catalogue of problems with successive subcontractors has seen the roundabout become an untidy eyesore.

Drylaw Telford CC’s chair Alex Dale has had a series of meetings with North’s Environmental Manager Steven Cuthill to resolve the long-running issue, and a proposal to transform the troubled roundabout will be tabled at next week’s meeting.

Alex Dale said: “Steven produced the proposal at Inverleith Neighbourhood partnership’s last Clean, Green & Safe meeting and explained that this is a proposal and is still being costed. Steven will be attending our community council meeting on the 27th to discuss this proposal or listen to any other ideas the community would like to take forward instead.

“We have the choice to accept this or offer Steven an alternative plan. It will all be up for discussion on the night and if we can agree on something then it should bring the long ongoing saga to a conclusion!”

So there you have it – if the proposal is accepted Groathill Road roundabout will have ‘complete ground cover during summer within two seasons’ – blooming marvellous!

The meeting takes place in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesday 27 November at 7pm. All welcome.

EDRA to dish the dirt at AGM

Disgusting, isn’t it? Dog dirt was a common theme of Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA) meetings over the last year, and the topic is sure to figure prominently once again when the residents’ group hold their annual general meeting next week.

EDRA joined with Drylaw Telford Community Council to highlight the issue of irresponsible dog owners in their major campaign of the year. EDRA also continued to raise awareness of speeding motorists on the area’s residential roads with their ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ initiative.

To find out more about what EDRA has been doing, their plans for the year ahead and how you can get involved why not go along to their AGM?

EDRA’s annual general meeting will be held on

Monday 18 November at 7pm

in Drylaw Parish Church, Groathill Road North

All welcome

Work has started on fencing at the foot of Easter Drylaw Bank to prevent the grass area being used as a dog’s toilet. EDRA supported an application for funding from Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s Neighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP) to allow the project to go ahead.

EDRA action to target Drylaw dog fouling

EDRA (Easter Drylaw Residents Association) members, supported by Environmental Wardens, are planning two Days of Action to tackle dog fouling in our local area. We will be handing out leaflets and speaking to as many people as possible.

Anyone who would like to come along & support this initiative are very welcome – see details below:

Friday 23 August:

10am – Noon: In & around Drylaw Shopping Centre; meet at 10am outside the Key Store.

2pm – 4pm: In and around the Green Space at ED Gardens.

Monday 26 August:

10am-Noon: Morning Walkabout – meet at 10am Easter Drylaw Way/Bank.

2pm – 4pm: In and around Easter Drylaw Park. Meet beside the CEC notice board at the Park/Easter Drylaw Drive.

Mhairi Curran, Easter Drylaw Residents Association

In the light place?

Street Lighting Issues: Wester Drylaw Place

After the recent footpath upgrade in 2012 and installation of a new street lighting system along the length of Wester Drylaw Place, Drylaw Telford Community Council was contacted by residents of Wester Drylaw Place who said that they were unhappy with the new form of street lighting installed and asked if the Community Council if they could take forward their grievances to the CEC Lighting Dept.

This we did and the outcome was after a meeting and a walkabout in the Wester Drylaw Place with a representative from CEC Lighting Dept. it was agreed that CEC Lighting Dept. would for a trial period over the winter install other options of lighting along Wester Drylaw Place and then survey the residents as to their preferred option and this would then be installed.

This survey form was delivered on the 30April 2013 to all addresses in Wester Drylaw Place.

Drylaw Telford Community Council urges all residents of Wester Drylaw Place to complete the survey form and return it; it’s Freepost or go online and complete it at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EdinburghLights

This was a community-led initiative, so participation by all residents of Wester Drylaw Place in completing this survey form will go a long way in making Wester Drylaw Place a brighter and safer area to walk.

Alex Dale

Chair, Drylaw Telford Community Council

Green award for Drylaw gardeners

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is being celebrated by national environmental volunteering charity, The Conservation Volunteers. As part of the charity’s regional Green Heroes Awards, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is being recognised for the positive environmental impact it has made in Edinburgh.

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre was presented with the Community Award and was chosen for their outstanding commitment to volunteering and inspiring positive environmental change in Edinburgh with The Conservation Volunteers.

Elizabeth Graham, Community Engagement Coordinator at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (picured above, left) said: “Our volunteers put a lot of hard work and enthusiasm into the gardening project so it is great for this to be recognised by TCV. Everyone is welcome to come and help in the garden so we are a diverse group of people and everyone plays their part. Our main focus this year, thanks to funding from Scottish Natural Heritage, has been recording the species we have and building on this to increase the biodiversity of the area.”

Through their involvement in local conservation projects, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre has created a wildflower meadow, planted a wildlife hedge, worked with two local schools to help them grow their own, and planted two community-managed orchards.

The Conservation Volunteers’ Green Heroes Awards recognise winners from six categories: Partnership, Volunteer of the Year, Project Leader, Community, Green Skills and European awards.

Chris Peach, TCV Scotland who nominated Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre said: “We’re delighted to be acknowledging Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre who has given such an enormous amount of time and energy to conservation in Edinburgh. Without Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre providing their unwavering support and commitment we would not be able to enjoy the green spaces in Edinburgh we love and use every day. We hope that by highlighting the work of Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, it will inspire others to get involved in protecting the green spaces in Edinburgh and ensure that they remain here for future generations to enjoy.”

For more information about the Conservation Volunteers’ Green Heroes Awards visit: www.tcv.org.uk

The search is on for Scotland’s First Aid champions

Do you know an inspiring First Aid champion who deserves the recognition of a Scottish First Aid Award? They could be a First Aid volunteer, a child, or an adult who has displayed remarkable courage. Or perhaps you know a quick thinking neighbour or colleague who has saved someone’s life with their First Aid skills? We want to hear about them!

St Andrew’s First Aid is calling for nominations for the inaugural Scottish First Aid Awards. Nominations are open until Friday 28 September 2012 and a panel of judges will announce the shortlist in October 2012. Successful entries will be invited to a prestigious black tie awards event to be held on Thursday 29 November 2012, at the City Chambers, Glasgow.

“The Scottish First Aid Awards have been created to champion First Aid in Scotland and recognise those individuals and businesses that are leading the way in its provision,” said Stuart Callison, CEO at St Andrew’s First Aid. “We would like to encourage everyone to get involved. The awards are open to all, regardless of whether you have received First Aid training with St Andrew’s First Aid or another provider and we are welcoming nominations from individuals, businesses, public sector organisations, shops, schools and many more.”

Entry to any of the awards categories is free and nominations can be made online at www.firstaid.org.uk/awards.

CATEGORY 1: The Workplace First Aid Award Do you know someone in your workplace that deserves recognition for their First Aid Skills? This category has been created to recognise such individuals or organisations that are championing First Aid training to their staff, the public and their customers.

Public/Not for Profit Sector Award
Private Sector Award

CATEGORY 2: First Aid Volunteer Awards Volunteers are the lifeblood of a non-profit organisation. The Volunteer Awards category has been created to celebrate courageous volunteers who have demonstrated an excellent use of their First Aid skills in Scotland.

Young First Aid Volunteer of the Year (up to 15 years of age)
Youth First Aid Volunteer of the Year (16-24 years)
First Aid Volunteer of the Year (25 years and over)

CATEGORY 3: The Herald Community First Aid Award This category has been created to recognise courageous individuals, valiant First Aid advocates and those who have excelled in using their First Aid skills in the Community. We are seeking nominations from anyone, anywhere in recognition of a particularly inspirational First Aid achievement.

Young First Aid Champion (up to and including 15 years of age)
Community First Aid Champion (16 years and over)

For further information please contact Helen Forrest or Stephanie Stewart on 0141 332 4031

Helen.forrest@firstaid.org.uk or Stephanie.stewart@firstaid.org.uk

St Andrew’s First Aid

The search is on for Scotland's First Aid champions