New business workspace facility opens in Leith tonight

New workspaces for creative businesses opens formally in Leith tonight

Creative Exchange Leith provides 80 workspaces for individuals, groups or businesses, and aims to create a new hub for creative talent in the city.

Based in the former Corn Exchange building, a local landmark located close to some of Edinburgh’s leading creative agencies, the hub has been renovated to Grade A standard with an award-winning design.

All members can access a wide range of facilities and support including super-fast broadband, space for meetings, networking and exhibitions. Plus there are business support services ranging from start-up advice through to mentoring and help securing investment.

Councillor Frank Ross, Economy Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “What Creative Exchange offers is flexible and affordable workspace combined with the support that both new starts and existing businesses need. This is another major milestone in our strategy for jobs and I’m delighted that the Council has been able to work with others to make this happen – not just those who have funded it directly but many other private and public organisations that have given their very welcome backing.”

Iain Munro, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, said: “Edinburgh needs affordable flexible creative spaces, with super-fast broadband, to support emerging and established creative entrepreneurs. This development is a welcome new opportunity to create a vibrant hub for networking, collaboration and showcasing of the Creative Industries in the capital city.”

Mandy Exley, Principal of Edinburgh College, said: “Edinburgh College is committed to excellence and innovation and the Creative Exchange provides an exciting opportunity for new and emerging talent to develop their businesses in a supported environment. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the City of Edinburgh and partners to support new business start-ups which contribute to the economic development of the region.”

Francois Roshdy, user experience Director, Border Crossing Media, said: “Facilities like this are absolutely vital to start ups and small businesses, allowing us to concentrate on developing new services and products without the worry or hassle of trying to find somewhere affordable to work. It’s also an ideal set-up for collaboration, and that’s so important to what we do.”

Costs range from just £80 a month for a weekend member, through to £320 a month for a ‘super member’ with full access. Users can also opt for a day rate. Rent, rates, heating and lighting are all included.

Funding for the project has come from the City of Edinburgh Council, Creative Scotland and Edinburgh College.

Edinburgh College has also agreed to fund around six students every year to take entrepreneurial residency at Creative Exchange Leith, receiving guidance and mentoring to start a new business.

The Creative Exchange’s first tenants moved in on 10 June 2013 and five businesses are now operating from there including Iglu Studio, Border Crossing Media, Voluntary Arts Scotland, SME Professional and Designers on the Run.

Potential tenants and others interested in Creative Exchange Leith can get more information and follow its progress via:

· Website http://www.creativeexchangeleith.com/

· Twitter @CExchange

· Facebook Creative Exchange Leith

· Google+

· Linked In

Demo at Leith job Centre today

DEMO DENOUNCES “SANCTIONS TARGETS” AT LEITH JOB CENTRE

Claimants and anti cuts campaigners are set to demonstrate at Leith Job Centre today (Thursday 11th July) in a protest against “sanctions targets” set by a Job Centre manager.

“A new manager at Leith Jobcentre has told staff that 30% of claimants are not meeting the conditions for receiving benefits – the clear implication is that these claimants should be anctioned, that is have their benefits stopped. In reality this is a return to the supposedly outlawed practice of setting sanctions targets, and is totally unfair and unjust,” said Ethel MacDonald of Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty.

The demonstration is part of the Boycott Workfare Week of Action against the government’s controversial “work-for-your-benefits” schemes and is in opposition to the whole government austerity programme.

“People are really suffering because of sanctions. Right now we are opposing sanctions imposed on a disabled claimant who is having to live on £26.05p per week because he was too ill to go to an
appointment with the Ingeus workfare provider. What’s more, most claimants who are sanctioned have their money stopped completely, for from one month to three years.”

The protestors state that they will challenge sanctions, and issue a call to direct action. “You have the right to challenge sanctions. Ask for the decision to be reviewed and appeal against it. If need be, we can alert our Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty solidarity network to have a peaceful demo INSIDE the Job Centre.”

The demonstrators point to a government press release stating that they have set up “hit squads” in all Job Centres to presurise claimants returning from workfare providers. “The government have
openly declared war on the unemployed”, say ECAP. “We know that in Leith Job Centre they have set up such a “hit squad” and some officials are misinforming claimants that they have to allow the DWP to monitor their online job search. This is a lie and we urge claimants to stand up for their right to protect their privacy.”

Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty have also been leafleting the Leith Job Centre workers, appealing for workers to join claimants in opposing cuts, sanctions and workfare. “Some Job Centre workers are themselves facing unemployment, as now they only get temporary contracts, and could easily find themselves on the other side of the counter,” explained ECAP’s Ethel MacDonald.

“If we are not to be condemned to years of austerity we need to take a stand,” she went on. “Enough is enough! Why should the vast majority suffer because of the greed of a minority of speculators, bankers and super-rich, and the chaotic nature of their profit-driven system? It’s time for action to assert that people’s needs must be the priority, not money. We can’t rely on any of the political parties, we must organise at the grass-roots, through people power.”

The protest takes place from 10am till 12 noon today at the Commercial Street Job Centre, Leith.

Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty (ECAP)

Get set for Leith Health and Fitness Festival

Looking after our elderly:

In the winter of 2012 a new Charity campaign emerged in Leith called Give a Gift this Christmas. This was an opportunity for organisations and members of the public to donate gifts which were distributed to elderly people across Leith and North East Edinburgh. This was a tremendous success and has led to the development of a Health and Fitness Festival, which will not only raise funds to help the Charity, but will also provide the opportunity for sharing information about keeping fit and healthy whatever your age.

To raise the profile of the Festival there will be a number of key events happening across Leith and wider. Subsequently there will be a range of raffles and smaller events to ensure that the word is out and that people are excited about the festival.

Leith Health & Fitness Festival – Saturday 10 August, Victoria Park, Leith

Our inspiration is to help bring back community spirit! Working together will offer a way to pull all generations together, to mend the cracks and try to give support and care to our local elderly residents.

There will be a range of stalls and events designed specifically for the older community, this will include a marquee set aside for entertainment, amusement and a free raffle, bowling on the green and lots of complimentary events / treatments on the day.

For the wider community there will be:

Stall spaces for therapists and personal trainers (small fee)
Stall spaces for local businesses (Small fee)
Advice on optimum & sports nutrition
Career advice
Youth and Community information
5k fun run (application form below)
Hula Honeys
Fitness demos
Activities for all the family.

If you feel you could support this exciting venture by having a stall, promoting your services, donating prizes for our competitions or raffle, (we have two raffles, a main raffle for everyone and another one for our elderly people). Or volunteering on the day then we would love to hear from you.

Please email me if you are interested in being part of our first Festival.

Email: lookingafterourelderly@virginmedia.com

All proceeds will go the Looking After Our Elderly and our second Give a Gift This Christmas campaign.

Thank you!

Kirsty Smith

Charity Director

5k run app

festival stall email application form

Adult Learning Success for North Edinburgh

We’re really pleased to report the success of two local groups during adult learners’ week, an international event celebrating and promoting the benefits of adult learning (write CLD workers Sarah Low and Lynn McCabe).

The highlight of the week is the Adult Education Awards ceremony. Over thirty groups across the city were nominated in eight award categories. Forth councillors Vicki Redpath and Cammy Day were at the City Chambers last month to help present the awards. Of the eight successful groups, two were from North Edinburgh: the ‘Use Your Loaf’ (pictured above) bread making group and the North Edinburgh Social History Project.

The selection panel were ‘inspired’ by the bread making group, who won the ‘Health and Well Being’ award. The ‘Use Your Loaf’ group is a Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) supported group, in partnership with CLD and North Edinburgh Arts.

Every week, the group (and their children!) meet in the Arts Centre with Lisa Arnott from PCHP and Sarah Low from the local CLD team to make loaves of bread (or rolls, naans, pitas, pizzas and deli breads). Whilst the dough was proving and baking, the group planned their own healthy community event: The Yummy Food Festival. The Festival took place in North Edinburgh Arts Centre in March this year and attracted 500 local people who enjoyed amongst many things, cooking demonstrations, workshops and a community ‘bake off’.

Learners from the group are being supported to develop a second bread making course which will run in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre in October, so watch out for more details! Two members of the original group have gone on to volunteer in North Edinburgh Arts Centre café and others have taught bread making in the local nursery. The learners will also be sharing their skills with others during the PCHP supported Food for Thought Forum’s Summer Programme at Forthview’s summer gala and with PCHP’s Women Supporting Women project.

Like to get involved? Call Lisa Arnott at PCHP on 551 1671 for details.

The North Edinburgh Social History Group began two years ago and was set up by community activists who wished to re-engage with the community and re-establish community participation and activism. They meticulously researched the history of the North Edinburgh community, producing a brilliant booklet and exhibition called “Never Give Up”, a record of the community’s fight for social justice.

The social history group won the ‘Political and Social Education’ award. Accepting the award, members of the group were keen to mention the longstanding history of protest in north Edinburgh, and dedicated their award to their friend and fellow activist Brian Robertson, a member of the group and committed community activist who sadly died just a few days before the Awards Ceremony.

Some members of the group are now part of a course called ‘Power to the People’, which meets in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Tuesday mornings. This ambitious course aims to cover the history of protest in Scotland over the past 300 years! In doing so, the group have been out and about on study visits to the National Gallery, the People’s Palace in Glasgow and the NationalMiningMuseum. If you’d like more information, please call local CLD worker Lynn McCabe, who runs the course, on 552 5700 (see Lynn’s piece on the group below).

The Outstanding Achievement Award went to the Bumpstart Pregnancy Café in Leith (pictured above). The Pregnancy Cafe is a relaxed group in which pregnant women and their partners meet other parents to be to talk about pregnancy and parenting. One learner described the tutors as always being there for her, and the other group members ‘like second mums’. Pregnant women in north Edinburgh are welcome to come along to their very own Pregnancy Café, on Tuesdays from 11 till 12.30 at the Haven (in CraigroystonPrimary School, Muirhouse Place West). Just turn up, or call Jo Aitkenhead on 537 4230 for more details.

Congratulations to all the learners involved on their achievements!

Sarah Low

Award for Power to the People

Having completed their successful project called ‘Never Give Up’, which documented the history of activism in North Edinburgh over the last 70 years, members of North Edinburgh Social History Group came up with a proposal for a new project called ‘Power to the People’. The group were keen to continue their research into activism but this time widened the scope of their research to cover the history of protest in Scotland during the last 300 years! To add to the challenge, the group decided that they wanted to use the arts to explore this hidden history.

The course began on 28 August last year and has proved very successful with fifteen people regularly attending each session in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. Some of the topics the group have studied so far include: the Jacobite Rebellion, The Scottish Enlightenment, the Friends of the People, the Radical War, Chartism, The Campaign for the Abolition of Slavery, the Campaign for Land Reform, the Suffragette Movement, the Scottish Hunger Marches and Red Clydeside.

The group’s learning has not been confined to the classroom. They have been out and about and have been on study visits to the National Gallery of Scotland, the NationalMuseum in Chamber Street, the Portrait Gallery, the People’s Palace in Glasgow and the NationalMiningMuseum. During their studies, they also managed to fit in making a short film for the BBC’s learning site called ‘Paintings and Protest’ which is worth a wee look. The course is due to finish at the end of June but there are already plans underway for a new course on issues for the Referendum in the Autumn, a publication on the History of Protest similar to Never Give Up and a community event celebrating the group’s achievements in North Edinburgh Arts Centre. Watch this space!

In recognition of their role in developing this very important course, the organisers of the event gave the award for Social and Political Education to North Edinburgh Social History Group.

Members of the group and participants involved in the Power to the People course have dedicated the award to their friend and fellow activist, Brian (Elvis) Robertson who died a few days before the award ceremony.

Lynn McCabe

Local support for Leith Walk revamp

Local residents and organisations have given the thumbs-up to council plans to improve Leith Walk. Ambitious plans would see upgrades and improvements along the full 2.2km length of the famous Leith thoroughfare.

Following a comprehensive public consultation earlier this year, the Council announced it would be seeking additional funding from the Scottish Government in order to give Leith Walk the best possible revamp.

At a 6 June meeting in McDonald Road Library, an enhanced design – which would make the thoroughfare more cycle and pedestrian-friendly – was presented by the Leith Programme team to local residents, business leaders and community groups.

Features of the enhanced scheme include:

clear pedestrian priority over 1.8km, including safer crossing points;
significant sections of uninterrupted cycle space (both dedicated on and off road sections);
redesigned, simplified junctions;
largely segregated cycle provision from Pilrig Street uphill for around 1km to Picardy Place;
two-way segregated cycle provision from Annandale Street to the Omni centre;
replacement of London Rd roundabout with a signalled junction to significantly enhance conditions for both pedestrians and cyclists;
1.75m wide cycle lane provision on the road in both directions between Foot of the Walk and Dalmeny Street (into town) Pilrig Street (out of town);
Narrower road environment with frequent zebra crossings, with a design that supports slower vehicle speeds;
a simplified streetscape more conducive to community activity, trading and business; and
better connectivity for sustainable forms of travel between the waterfront and the city centre.

Given the scope of this new design and the need to obtain a Traffic Regulation Order to implement the changes, stakeholders were advised that opting for the enhanced design would affect the timescale.

For anyone wishing to view the designs in detail and speak to the project team about any aspect of the programme, a drop in session will be held at

McDonald Road Library on Tuesday 23 July, from 2 – 8pm.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It was very useful for us to be able to present this potential enhanced design for Leith Walk to local stakeholders tonight. It prompted a lot of interesting debate and we are pleased that there was such overwhelming support for the plans from those present.”

Sustrans Scotland Director, John Lauder, said: “Sustrans Scotland wants to see Leith Walk reach its full potential as a busy, vibrant shopping and residential street. In order to achieve this aim, the City of Edinburgh Council, in partnership with ourselves, has put forward an ambitious proposal to Transport Scotland for the full 2.2km length of the street.

“Sustrans strongly backs the features of this ‘enhanced design’ for Leith Walk, including the addition of new crossing points, wider pavements and better cycle lane provision. We now call on the Scottish Government to carefully consider the Council’s ‘enhanced design’ proposal and fully back its implementation.”

Keith Hales, Vice Chairman of the Leith Business Association, who attended the meeting, said: “This is a massive improvement on what we thought the designs were going to be and we will be commending the designs to the membership.”

Charlotte Encombe, Chair of Greener Leith, said: “Greener Leith welcomes the improvements shown in these exciting new draft designs for Leith Walk, which will give pedestrians and cyclists a vastly improved public realm and help to revitalise the economy of the area. We are also delighted that officers and councillors have included local people’s priorities for the street and have made real changes to the design. We look forward to collaborating on the detail of the designs as the project moves forward.”

Duke joins volunteers to open new St Andrew’s First Aid offices

St Andrew’s First Aid Chairman of the Board of Trustees Rudy Crawford, CEO Stuart Callison, The Duke of Buccleuch Queensberry and Chairmen of the Edinburgh Lothian and Borders Executive Committee Jo Berry.

Volunteers were at the heart of a reception hosted by The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, President of St Andrew’s First Aid, to celebrate the opening of their new premises in Leith’s Dock Place during Volunteers’ Week 2013.

Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which takes place from 1 to 7 June each year and helps celebrate the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. Volunteers’ Week plays a huge part in raising the profile of volunteering in the UK. At the reception which took place on last night (Thursday 6 June), The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry officially recognised some of St Andrew’s First Aid’s most valued volunteers at an awards ceremony.

Jonathon Hughes (pictured above) and Clare Tervit (below) and Julie McLaren all received awards for their First Aid endeavours. Jonathon and Claire each received an award for Outstanding First Aid Contribution after Jonathon performed CPR on a casualty at the scene of a bike accident and Claire assisted with a fatal collapse earlier this year.

Julie (pictured below) received the award for Best Supporter of a Corps Company as she has been instrumental in the establishment of a Cadet section at the West Calder branch of St Andrew’s First Aid.

The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry met volunteers, staff and trustees before viewing a First Aid causality simulation demonstration preformed by the St Andrew’s First Aid Cadets. After the awards presentation and a short talk on the value of volunteering, the Duke officially opened Dock Place, by unveiling a plaque to mark the special occasion.

He said: “I was delighted to have been asked to officially open Dock Place and give some well deserved recognition to some of our most valued volunteers. It was a great pleasure to be able to present awards to the outstanding individuals who, through their skills, enthusiasm and commitment, are a credit to the St Andrew’s First Aid.”

Stuart Callison, Chief Executive, of St Andrew’s First Aid commented: “We have ambitious plans to raise public awareness of the importance of a good knowledge of First Aid, and to recruit new members to our team of volunteer First Aiders, who are a familiar sight at events all across Scotland. Dock Place is a more modern setting for our commercial and volunteering activities, which we have tailored to suit our exact requirements. We are honoured that our President was able to officially open our new premises, which we hope will go a long way to funding our charity work whilst providing room for future growth.”

Citadel double bill for Leith Festival

Citadel Arts Group is presenting a double bill of environmentally friendly plays during Leith Festival, which gets underway this weekend.

‘The Junk Food Vampire’ which features four Leith school pupils who delighted audiences in Citadel’s 2012 Leith Festival show, and ‘Granny was a Rock Star’ which uses humour, pathos and song to drive home the importance of recycling and explores cross generation friendship between two Leith teenagers and the older lady whose veggies they were trying to nick!

Two shows for all the family for the price of one!

Venue: The Granary, The Shore, Leith

Dates: Wed 12 June 7.30pm, Fri 14 June 2pm and Sat 15 June 7.30pm

The Granary are offering a 20% meal deal to our ticket holders so why not make it a night out with a healthy meal – no junk food of course!

Tickets@ £7/£5 from lizhare@blueyonder.co.uk or 0131 337 8570

Living memories of adventures in Leith

A book has been launched recounting the memories of eight Leithers. ‘An Adventure! – Happy Days in Leith’ has been produced by the Citadel Arts Group and tells the stories of residents of Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court Sheltered Housing Complex.

A launch event was held at the complex on Monday, when musician Laure Paterson entertained residents and a class of Trinity Primary School pupils who called in to join the celebrations and bring the generations together.

Maureen Tait, Senior Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator with PoLHA who manages the complex, said: “It is nice for the children and staff to hear stories of the past from the tenants and tales of things that we’ll never experience. The children are so good, always polite and helpful. It means a lot to the tenants here.”

‘An Adventure! – Happy Days in Leith’ is a collection of memories about childhood, school days, first work experiences and family life collected by Citadel Arts Group living memory workers, Laure C Paterson and Liz Hare.

The book features St Nicholas Court residents Rita Falconer, Bertha Glancy, Margaret McKinlay, Annie Mulvaney, Mary McNicol, May Stevenson, Jean Tait and Frances Veitch (pictured above) – each of whom shared their memories of Leith past and present with the book’s authors. Margaret said: “Things have changed a lot over the years and it’s been great to share those stories”.

The book is the culmination of seven weeks of sharing, recording and transcribing the stories of the eight residents. Citadel Arts Group’s Liz Hare said: “The tenants generously shared their memories and we have collected them into this book which will be a resource for the whole community. Each member of the project will receive two copies and copies will go into Trinity Primary and local libraries. It has been one of the most enjoyable projects we have been involved in.”

The project is funded by The Robertson Trust.

A happy and healthy birthday to Leith Rehab Group

The Chest Heart & Stroke Rehab Group celebrates it’s first anniversary at the Calton Centre in Leith’s Montgomery Street this month. The group provides much-needed support and exercise for people in the Leith area who are living with chest and heart conditions.

Enthusiastic group member Paul Hodson describes himself as a “stroke survivor” and is really passionate about the support he receives. “There are a couple of things about the Leith group that really matter to me. They’re really good company and also I’m finding I’m getting my strength back, step by step – after a heart attack and a stroke, that’s pretty important.”

The group, which meets every Wednesday from 2 – 3.30pm at the Calton Centre, may only have been running for a year but it has already made a real difference to all those who attend regularly. As well as weekly exercise there is an opportunity to exchange information and relax over a cup of tea.

Group chairman Roger Jones was initially unsure about joining a group. “When it was suggested I join cardiac rehab sessions, I said ‘no way!’ First, I was recovering from a difficult operation and felt that was enough to be getting on with” he explained. “Second, I wasn’t keen on the idea of joining ‘a club’ – I’m not that sort of person. But I was wrong. These classes are both helpful to my health (light exercises only!) and good fun. Being part of a group like the Chest Heart & Stroke Rehabilitation Group offers the chance to meet like-minded people who have been through similar health experiences. They’re a great crowd!”

An important part of keeping well following any hospital stay after a heart or chest incident is exercise. Anyone who has received heart or pulmonary rehabilitation following a stay in hospital is advised to continue exercising – but many do not, and this can lead to further hospital admissions.

Further information is available from Roger Jones on 0131 652 350 or Morag Hammond their trainer on 07818 250871. The Chest Heart & Stroke Rehab Group is affiliated to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and is one of five support groups in Edinburgh.

Celebrate World Book Night at your local library

Edinburgh City Libraries are preparing for a day of celebration of books and reading as World book Night kicks off tonight (Tuesday 23 April) when a host (shouldn’t that be ‘chapter’ or ‘volume’? – Ed) of local authors will participate in a series of events in libraries across the city.

The annual World Book Night celebrates reading and books by recruiting tens of thousands of passionate volunteers across the country to give out specially chosen titles in the community and share their love of reading.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “World Book Night is one of the key events in the literary events calendar and it involves tens of thousands of people across the country, putting books directly into the hands of those who might never otherwise engage with reading.

“Here in Edinburgh we’re gearing up for a fantastic evening of celebrations in a number of our libraries and I know many people are looking forward to our headline event – Alexander McCall Smith at the Central Library. It shows yet again that libraries are not just places to borrow books, but a hub of cultural and literary activity in the city, supporting and encouraging the development of reading in the community.”

Local World Book Night events include:

Leith Library (10am – 8pm)

World Book Night – Online Pirates of Leith Treasure Hunt

Solve all the clues about Leith using our fabulous Our Town Stories website (http://www.ourtownstories.co.uk/). Then come and claim your booty from some real live pirates! Successful adventurers will take home copies of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic ‘Treasure Island’. Yarrrr!

Keep an eye on the Leith Library blog at http://leithlibrary.wordpress.com/ and @LeithLibrary Twitter for more details! First clues due around 2pm.

Muirhouse Library (6 – 7pm)

World Book Night with Allan Guthrie

Prize winning Edinburgh based crime writer, author of many gripping stories including ‘Slammer’ and ‘Bye Bye Baby’, will read from and talk about his books. His books have been described as having the power to ‘make you writhe in agony’ while dealing ‘heart stopping suspense’.

To book a place call 0131 529 5528 or email muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Blackhall Library (6.30 – 7.30pm)

World Book Night with Andrew Greig

Listen to this Scottish novelist, poet and writer, read and discuss prose from ‘At the Loch of the Green Corrie’ and ‘Found At Sea’, a book-length sequence of narrative poems. The event will be chaired by Ryan Van Winkle, Edinburgh City Libraries’ writer in residence.

To book a place call 0131 529 5595 or email blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk