Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross was joined by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, fellow politicians and members of the Armed Forces community, for a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance to mark Remembrance Sunday yesterday. Continue reading Capital marks Remembrance Sunday
Poppyscotland Learning Competition launched
Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, led a special group of wreath-layers at the annual Opening Ceremony of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, at the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens yesterday. Continue reading Lord Provost opens Garden of Remembrance
Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Awards 2017 – Nominations Now OPEN
Is there an individual or even a group within your organisation that deserves an Inspiring Volunteering Achievement Award? Then why not consider nominating them. We want to recognise and celebrate as many volunteers as possible! Continue reading Nominate inspiring volunteers now
A joint Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network (ESEN) and Business Gateway festive social enterprise market was opened by Lord Provost, The Rt Honourable Donald Wilson along with Cllr Gavin Barrie at the City of Edinburgh Council’s headquarters at Waverley Court yesterday. Continue reading Lord Provost opens social enterprise market at Council HQ
Badminton star and community coach Christine McDiarmid Black has been presented with the British Empire Medal in recognition of her dedication to sport and coaching in her community. Continue reading British Empire Medal for badminton’s Christine
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost is on his marks and getting set to tackle 26.2 miles tomorrow when he takes on the Virgin Money London Marathon 2016. Continue reading Provost gets set to tackle London Marathon
Five World War Two veterans, including Edinburgh Award winner Tom Gilzean, have received France’s highest honour for bravery in a special ceremony in Edinburgh. Continue reading City veterans receive France’s highest honour
Cold comfort: Fundraisers get a taste of what life’s like for Edinburgh’s homeless people
Edinburgh’s Lord and Lady Provost and 126 hardy local fundraisers braved the elements through Thursday night at Edinburgh Zoo to raise funds for charities supporting homeless people.
Together they raised £24,340 – and counting – to be split between the Rock Trust and Four Square.
The open air sleep out, which took place close to the popular Penguins and Lemur Walkthroughs, was compered by Grant Stott. Featuring talks with charity workers, some of the city’s youngest rough sleepers and comedian Susan Morrison, participants were moved by stories of teenagers living without a home.
The brainchild of Edinburgh’s Lady Provost Elaine Brand, the event was the first of its kind for the Zoo. She said: “I’m overwhelmed by Edinburgh’s fundraising efforts. So many people got behind the event and raised vital funds for charity.
“Homelessness in Edinburgh remains a pressing issue and while nobody can truly experience the struggle of sleeping rough based on one night in the cold, everyone who took part will take away the knowledge of just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.”
The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “I’m so glad that together, we were able to make a difference. Our sleepover at the Zoo was certainly a challenge and leaves you feeling so thankful to have a warm bed with a roof over your head to go home to.
“That is something some of Edinburgh’s young people wouldn’t have without the efforts of the Rock Trust and Four Square. These charities are hugely important for Edinburgh’s struggling young people who find themselves with nowhere else to turn.”
Heather Arni, Chief Executive of Four Square, said: “On behalf of myself, The Board, staff and importantly our young people I would like to extend a huge thank you to the Lady Provost and her team, the staff of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, all the individuals who attended and those who have donated.
“Such an event has enabled both charities to raise awareness of young people’s homelessness in Edinburgh and the services that work tirelessly across the city working with vulnerable, disadvantaged young people.”
Kate Polson, Chief Executive of the Rock Trust, added: “We hope that the people who slept out understand that because of the amazing amount of money raised, some of our young people won’t have to go through other nights like that.
“The Sleep Out participants have contributed to the provision of vital services which will help young people to overcome homelessness and build better futures. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of all of those involved.”
‘again and again I see how important volunteering is to the social fabric of the city’ – Lord Provost Donald Wilson
A roll of honour celebrating Edinburgh’s inspiring volunteers has been unveiled at the City Chambers. Muirhouse tenants leader Betty Stevenson (above), who was Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer last year, was among the guests of honour at the ceremony yesterday.
In the event organised to mark National Volunteers’ Week, unpaid helpers from across the city joined the Chief Executive of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh Harriet Eadie and Lord Provost Donald Wilson to see the tribute unveiled for the first time.
The names of Edinburgh’s eight ‘Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year’ award-winners have been inscribed on a bespoke Honour Board, which will be added to each year with the names of future titleholders.
The award is the top accolade at Edinburgh’s annual Volunteering Awards. This year’s ceremony will take place at the City Chambers on 16 June when the ninth person to join the roll of honour will be announced.
Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “A few years ago I had the idea that Edinburgh’s volunteers should be celebrated in just as high a regard as our most famous and important names from history with a public tribute. I am delighted to finally see the Honour Board in place.
“Each and every one of the names on this roll of honour belong to inspiring individuals whose volunteering efforts have changed people’s lives and earned them an award. One of those names is Betty Stevenson, Convenor of the Edinburgh Tenants Federation. She is a formidable champion of tenants’ rights and has worked tirelessly for years to make sure their voices are heard. I was delighted that Betty and so many other previous winners could join me for the unveiling.
“In my role as the city’s Volunteer Ambassador, again and again I see how important volunteering is to the social fabric of the city. By reminding people about Edinburgh’s outstanding unpaid helpers, I hope the roll of honour will help inspire more Edinburgh citizens to start volunteering for the benefit of others.”
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost was among the guests as Port of Leith Housing Association’s St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex celebrated its 25th anniversary on Thursday (5 December).
In conjunction with the Pilmeny Project and children from the Pilmeny Youth Development Project, two original St Nicholas Court residents – Mary McNicol (90) and Maisie McKenzie (85) – were joined by another 12 residents in designing and painting a memorial 25 piece tea set compromising key dates, milestones and local landmarks. The tea set now has pride of place in a display cabinet in the complex’s reception area.
The residents also made a “Quilt of Friendship” featuring their memories, such as holiday locations, activities carried out by the complex, memorable events including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, as well as the PoLHA logo, which was hung in the sheltered housing’s lounge and unveiled by the Lord Provost.
Maureen Tait, Senior Sheltered Housing Coordinator for PoLHA who manages St Nicholas Court, said: “I’m delighted the residents have got on board with the preparations for the 25th anniversary. It’s such a special occasion for the development and given that we have two original tenants is wonderful. Many of the residents have enjoyed being creative have enjoyed showing off the fruits of their labour to guests.”
Mary McNicol, who came to St Nicholas Court in December 1988, said: “I’ve spent 25 wonderful years living at the complex and I’m glad we have done something different to commemorate this.”
To celebrate the 25 years both Mary McNicol and Maisie McKenzie have lived at St Nicholas Court, a time capsule featuring the names of current residents, Mary McNicol’s and Maisie McKenzie’s life stories and photos of Mary and Maisie was also buried in the complex’s garden by Port of Leith Chief Executive Keith Anderson and the Lord Provost.
Keith Anderson said: “St Nicholas Court does a fantastic job in looking after its residents and we are delighted to have reached this significant anniversary. We hope in many years’ time, someone will come across the time capsule and be interested in the contents.”
Many happy returns, St Nick’s!
