Police are tonight appealing for witnesses after a 23 year old woman was discovered in Pilrig Park at 6.00am this morning with serious facial injuries.
A Police Spokesperson said “A woman aged 23 was found this morning in Pilrig Park with serious facial injuries. She was taken to the ERI for further treatment and our enquiries are ongoing. We would ask anyone who was in the ae at the time or has any information to contact us on 0131 311 3131 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A fugitive alleged to be part of the Basque separatist group, Eta, has been arrested in the Leith area – more than 10 years after he went on the run. Lothian and Borders Police arrested Benat Atorrasagasti Ordonez – who has been on Spain’s ‘most wanted’ list since 2008 – in a Friday night raid.
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: “A 36-year-old man has been arrested in Edinburgh on two European warrants, in connection with historical crimes committed in Spain and France.
“We can confirm that no armed officers were involved and at no time was any member of the public at risk. The man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday under the terms of the Extradition Act.”
The Basque separatist organisation ETA was formed in 1959, waging a campaign of terror that has included bombings, shootings and kidnappings costing hundreds of lives. The group declared a ‘permanent ceasefire’ in October last year – but it’s only the latest of many.
Leith Library is eighty years old next week, and you’re invited to join in a week-long series of events to celebrate the milestone in style!
Leith Library and New Town Hall was officially opened on 20 July 1932. As Leith became part of the capital, it was promised that the library would be built by the City Council and since then, it has gone from strength to strength. Still at the heart of the community, Leith Library is now also host to a Registrar’s office, an office for council enquiries, a wedding suite and, of course, a fantastic, renovated library too!
With reading groups, bookbugs, crafts for kids, free computer classes and even a knitting group, there’s loads going on in the library throughout the year and to celebrate next week’s special birthday they have a whole host of events on offer. Have a look at the programme below – why not pop in to wish them many happy returns…?
13th July , 11am – 3pm Open Day! Stalls showcasing council services and local organisations. Timetable of free family events.
Monday 16th July , 3pm-3.30pm Birthday themed stories for the under 5s.
Tuesday 17th July, 10.30am – 11.15am Birthday Bookbug
Wednesday 18th July, 6.30pm – 8pm My Favourite Place is… Leith – a creative writing workshop for adults.
Friday 20th July, 1pm Leith Time Bank – come together and share your skills in this new initiative.
Friday 20th July, From 1pm Big Birthday celebrations! Be transported back to Leith Library as it was in the 1930s. With music, birthday card making for kids, a photo exhibition of Leith Library through the ages and a display of library artefacts!
Have a look at their Facebook page and keep up-to-date with all their latest goings on!
A local housing association has launched a new campaign to help young people and homeless adults in Edinburgh break the cycle of unemployment and poverty – through sport. Dunedin Canmore Housing Association and Street Soccer Scotland have joined forces in a bid to give hundreds of youngsters and excluded adults the confidence to move into employment or education through the Changing Lives campaign.
The Edinburgh-based social landlord says Changing Lives will help build the self confidence and motivation of youngsters, as well as homeless adults, by plugging existing gaps in employability services.
Kicking off the campaign, Dunedin announced it will be major sponsor of the Scottish Homeless World Cup Team. Dunedin will provide a £10,000 boost to support the team, trained and managed by Street Soccer Scotland, as they head to the prestigious annual tournament in Mexico this August.
Changing Lives is already delivering a raft of community projects, including personal development courses and healthy living events for communities around Edinburgh offering advice on mental health, sexual health, housing, employment and training.
Under the partnership Dunedin will provide specialist accredited training as part of Street Soccer Scotland personal development and training programmes – and plans to open up volunteering, training and job opportunities to people coming through Street Soccer Scotland programmes.
Gavin Edmonds, Community and Business Initiatives Officer at Dunedin Canmore said, “We are proud to launch the Changing Lives campaign with Street Soccer Scotland and excited to kick it off with our sponsorship of the Homeless World Cup team again this year. Ultimately the goal of all the projects we do as part of Changing Lives is to give people the self esteem and life skills to help them to make a better life.”
David Duke, Chief Executive of Street Soccer Scotland said, “At Street Soccer Scotland our motto is positive change through football. By working with Dunedin we will be able to have a bigger impact and change lives of more people. And thanks to their sponsorship we will be able to secure training for the Homeless World Cup team as they head to Mexico.”
Dunedin Canmore and Street Soccer Scotland are also bidding for funding to set up programmes throughout Edinburgh as part of Football Works which will be aimed at young people aged 14 – 19 who are deemed to be going into a negative destination when leaving school.
Changing Lives – a lifechanger for Peter
Peter Dante (pictured above) is 41 and lives in Leith.
He gets support from employability worker at Dunedin Canmore and says this has helped him to turn his life around. He has background in crime, addiction and homelessness.
Peter became team captain for the Salvation Army hostels tournament and went on to organise a mini tournament for hostels teams in Edinburgh in 2012. And last year he started volunteering at Street Soccer Scotland and went into rehabilitation. Now he is now doing a Street Soccer Plus programme, delivered as part of the Changing Lives partnership between Dunedin Canmore employability support and Street Soccer Scotland.
Peter is doing an HNC in Working in Communities at Jewel and Esk Valley College, coaching young people at Bathgate Academy, voluntary work with adult literacy project Glory and Dismay and has started an employment trial with the Marriot Hotel. Peter has also reconnected with his son and started rebuilding his relationship.
Over 25 residents took part in a Diamond Jubilee celebration at St Nicholas Court Sheltered Housing Complex in Leith on Sunday. Residents and staff at the Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) dressed in their finery and enjoyed afternoon tea, including celebratory champagne, as they watched the floatilla on Sunday. There was also a Royal Quiz and music at the event.
Resident Margaret McKinlay remembers the Queen’s coronation in 1952. She said: “I have fond memories of the day the Queen was crowned and am delighted that we have been able to celebrate that today in such a fun way with the other residents.”
PoLHA’s other sheltered housing complexes at Hermitage and Jameson Place were also celebrating. Maureen Tait who manages St Nicholas Court said: “We had a lovely day and it’s fantastic to bring everyone together to make this jubilee a celebration to remember.”
