I am experiencing problems when trying to upload new pictures and graphics due to a database running at 100% capacity.
I will have to do some serious deleting to free up space so there won’t be any more new posts today. I’m sure I’ll come across lots of images that will spark happy memories, though!
Be back soon – Happy Easter!
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Well everyone, this is it – the last post of 2024!
It’s been a record year for North Edinburgh News, with more readers visiting the site than at any time in our history. Thanks for dropping by!
I hope you have a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year and that we will all enjoy exciting new adventures in 2025.
Best Wishes,
DAVE PICKERING (Editor)
Two 15-year-old males have been charged and will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the serious assault and robbery of a man and a woman in Leith Street, Edinburgh.
The incident took place around 10pm on Monday, 28 October, near to the Princes Street junction.
Officers are continuing further lines of enquiry in relation to the incident.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gray said: “We would like to thank the numerous members of the public who have assisted our investigation so far and continue to appeal for information, as enquiries remain ongoing.
“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 4015 of 28 October, 2024. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
The UN General Assembly yesterday called for ending the war in Ukraine and demanded Russia’s immediate withdrawal from the country, in line with the UN Charter.
At its resumed eleventh emergency special session, the world body adopted a new resolution calling for an end to the war, only hours before the conflict enters its second year on Friday.
The results were 141 Member States in favour and seven against – Belarus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. Among the 32 abstentions were China, India and Pakistan.
By the terms of the 11-paragraph resolution, the Assembly reiterated its demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine and called for a cessation of hostilities”.
The Assembly, through the resolution, urged Member States to cooperate in the spirit of solidarity to address the global impacts of the war on food security, energy, finance, the environment and nuclear security and safety. Underscoring that arrangements for a lasting peace should consider these factors, the Assembly also called upon all nations to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to address these impacts.
The resumed session had met on Wednesday to begin debating the resolution, with the General Assembly President, Csaba Kőrösi, saying that for a full year, the 193-member Assembly, the Secretary-General, and the international community “have been consistent and vocal in our calls to end this war, and to adhere to the UN Charter and international law”.
The resolution reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.
The Assembly also emphasized the need to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Ukraine through independent national or international investigations and prosecutions to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.
© UNOCHA/Matteo Minasi
Rejected proposals
The world body on Thursday rejected two amendments proposed by Belarus. The first proposal would have altered several of the resolution’s provisions, and the second would have had the Assembly call on Member States to, among other things, refrain from sending weapons to the zone of conflict.
‘New chapter of history’
At the outset of the resumed session on Wednesday, the Assembly President said that in this “new chapter of history”, the world is facing “stark choices about who we are as an international community. These choices will either set us on a path of solidarity and collective resolve to uphold the tenets of the UN Charter,” he said, “or a path of aggression, war, normalized violations of international law and collapsed global action.”
Days after the 24 February 2022 invasion, UN Security Council members had voted to allow the General Assembly to convene the eleventh emergency special session after Russia had vetoed a resolution that would have condemned the invasion of Ukraine.
In line with resolution 377A(V), adopted in 1950, the Assembly is able to take up international peace and security matters when the Council fails to do.
For more information on the emergency special sessions, visit UN Meetings Coverage.
The UK will urge the international community to give the Ukrainian people the tools they need to win at a special session of the UN Security Council today [Friday 24th February], one year on from Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is expected to say: “One year into this terrible war, let us send this clear message: Our support for Ukraine is not, and will never be, time-limited. We will keep the promises we made to the UN Charter and the Ukrainian people. And will give the Ukrainians all the help they need. For as long as it takes. Until Ukraine prevails.“
Russia’s continued targeting of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, and key agricultural infrastructure, including grain silos, has significantly disrupted Ukraine’s food exports. This has directly exacerbated the increase in global food prices, hitting the poorest the hardest.
Today’s UNSC meeting follows a vote in the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, in which 141 countries voted in favour of a resolution underscoring “the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”
The vote highlights how from food and fertiliser shortages to Russia’s escalatory language on nuclear escalation, Putin’s actions have worldwide repercussions beyond Ukraine.
Following the vote, the Foreign Secretary said: “When Putin invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, he expected his brutal assault to succeed and international support to crumble within weeks. He has been proven gravely wrong.
“12 months on, yesterday’s vote is testament to the infinite resolve of the international community that Ukraine will win the war, end Russia’s threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty, and forge a sustainable peace.
“Ukraine is turning the tide and Putin is losing. One year into this terrible war, our support will continue for as long as it takes.”
As Ukraine enters its second year living under a full-scale Russian bombardment, the UK will continue to work with its international allies to secure a just and lasting peace which respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and defends the UN Charter.
While in New York, the Foreign Secretary will meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, to discuss accelerating UK support to Ukraine, establishing a lasting peace and the road to economic stability.
Later today, a national minute’s silence will take place at 11am today to mark the one-year anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, offering the UK public a moment to reflect on the courage of the Ukrainian people and demonstrating the UK’s unwavering solidarity with the country.
As a dark and dreary January draws to a close, I’m pleased to share at least one wee nugget of positive news.
The NEN blog passed a memorable milestone this week. Your community news website reached and passed the one million hits mark on Thursday.
It’s taken a while – the NEN blog was set up ten years ago this month (the first post was made on 19 January 2011) – but we got there in the end!
Since that first blog post there have been more than 18,300 more. The blog has over 5,000 subscribers and thousands more followers on Facebook and Twitter
When that first post was written, I’m pretty sure the word ‘coronavirus’ didn’t exist. And I know I would have been using ‘lock in’ a lot more than ‘lockdown’ back then. Social distancing. Face Coverings. Blended learning. PPE. Nightingale hospitals. These words and phrases are part of our everyday language now.
It’s twelve months to the day since the first cases of the new virus were confirmed in the UK, on 31 January. Life has changed so much since then, perhaps forever. It’s a darker, more uncertain world.
The NEN first mentioned coronvirus in a post on 25th January 2020. Since then, coronavirus has been tagged 1300 times, COVID-19 1700 times and vaccine close to 300 times in NEN posts.
It’s been a relentless litany of grim statistics and horror stories, lightened only sometimes by tales of heroic workers and volunteers working flat out to support the most vulnerable people in our poorest communities.
But despite the daily awfulness of it all, I do think it’s important to record it. One day, we’ll look back on these unprecedented times to establish what we could have done better – and sooner – and where our leaders got it horribly wrong.
But for now, it’s encouraging that the word ‘vaccine’ is being used more and more in NEN posts; goodness knows we’ve needed a glimmer of light at the end of a terribly dark tunnel.
Last week, the UK death toll surpassed 100,000. One hundred thousand people; each and every one of those deaths will have affected so many friends and families. Coronavirus will leave it’s mark on us all for years to come – perhaps forever – but there will be life after the virus.
As more and more vaccines come on stream, the future is looking an awful lot brighter than it did a few short months ago. IF enough of us remain sensible – and there are still a surprising number of foolish people out there – we will get there.
So while passing the one million mark is a reason to celebrate in these cheerless times, I will put the celebration on hold until life gets back to something like normal again when I will enjoy a real pint in an open pub!
Until then, if you keep reading I’ll keep writing. Deal?
Stay safe everyone.
DAVE PICKERING
Editor, North Edinburgh News
North Edinburgh’s COVID-19 Food Share Consortium has produced a second newsletter.
The limited print run eight page publication will initially be distributed through the Group’s food distribution network and will also be available at local projects and offices.
For further information please email northedinnews@gmail.com
A proposal to reopen public toilets in ‘hot spot’ areas near busy parks and beaches has been published by the city council following a city-wide review.
Councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee will consider a report on Thursday ( 9 July) which outlines how some public toilets could be reopened safely following government guidance, having been closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With lockdown restrictions being gradually relaxed in recent weeks and the weather improving, areas such as the Meadows and Portobello Beach have become increasingly popular. Unfortunately, this has also led to people relieving themselves outdoors and in the vicinity of people’s homes causing a significant health hazard.
Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: “The city is slowly starting to return to a ‘new normal’ and as more restrictions are gradually eased we know a lot of people are out enjoying our beautiful parks and beaches, and more recently returning to visit the many and varied quality shops and other businesses Edinburgh has to offer.
“We are reopening some toilets to ease the situation but I would ask that everyone is respectful they’re when out and about. Plan ahead and if you’re caught short, get home to use your own facilities if there are none open nearby.
“It’s only possible to reopen some public toilets in busy areas as we must make sure we’re following government guidance and putting in all of the necessary measures required such as additional deep cleaning and physical distancing to keep everyone safe. The cost of reopening can’t be underestimated but it’s important that we do all we can to support our communities and combat the negative anti-social behaviour some of our residents have experienced.”
Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “We know the situation is far from ideal, but we have limited resources and the priority here must be protecting public health.
“We’ll keep everyone updated as soon as it is possible to reopen all of our toilets safely. Until then we’ll be using signage, our website and social media to keep everyone up to date with health and safety measures we’re putting in place and which toilets are open when.”
Assuming the report is approved, and all health and safety measures are put in place, selected public toilets would reopen on Monday, 13 July.
This would be on a temporary basis until 30 October from 11am to 6pm, seven days a week. A further review will be carried out in September and an update report will be considered by councillors in October. This report will outline details of customer numbers, costs incurred, and any updates on public health advice.
Public toilets to reopen 13 July – 30 October:
Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, launches new online summer education programme.
Ten brand new interactive online learning courses will be available for young people across Scotland during the month of July. These exciting new online learning programmes have been developed to provide a fun and enjoyable way for young people to continue their environmental learning during the summer holidays.
The courses cover a range of topics and environmental activities which encourage young people and families to explore the world around them and to think how to protect and improve the places they love. Included are courses on Eco-Schools, heritage, food and the environment and climate change, as well as other environmental topics.
Each course consists of a combination of online learning and practical, fun activities, and all those who complete a course will be rewarded with a certificate of involvement.
Registration is now open for each course and the full list, more information and details about how to take part, can be found at: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/learning
Daniel Barrie, Education and Learning Manager, said: “Following the huge demand for our online environmental education programme during lockdown from both educators and young people, we have developed a series of exciting and interactive courses for children to take part in during the summer holidays.
“These courses will provide a fun and engaging way for young people and their families to explore some important environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable food, and the work completed can contribute towards their school’s next Eco-Schools Green Flag award. We have something exciting available for all ages – from nursery through to S6.”
As well as the online summer courses, Keep Scotland Beautiful will also be providing environmental education support to educators once blended learning begins in August. This will build on the existing partnership with E-Sgoil and will include a range of online learning activities for pupils coupled with professional learning for staff.
Utilita, the UK’s leading Smart Pay As You Go Energy supplier, is running ‘The Utilita Energy Hub-to-Hub Challenge’ in Leith to support South Leith Parish Foodbank whose vital fundraising and community-building activities have been curbed by the coronavirus crisis.
The charity fundraiser kicked off on 18th May and includes a team from the Leith Energy Hub either walking, running, cycling or skipping the equivalent distance from the Utilita Hub in Newport in the Isle of Wight to the Hub in Leith – totalling a whopping 516 miles.
They are clocking up the miles by making the most out of outdoor spaces, such as doing laps in their local park until they reach the 516-mile milestone.
To promote positive physical and mental health during the lockdown, members of the Utilita Energy Hub team are also recording their weekly body mass index, to demonstrate the health benefits of the challenge.
Debra Clason, Utilita Hub Manager in Leith, said: “The Utilita Energy Hubs exist to give local communities a place to go to talk about reducing their energy usage, as well as providing a space free of charge where local community groups and good causes can host their own activities, so we wanted to fill that current void with something equally as community-centred, whilst keeping the staff active to promote positive physical and mental wellbeing.
“Each Energy Hub has chosen a local charity or support group to raise money for, reflecting Utilita’s ethos of engaging with and supporting local communities.
“The team in Leith chose to fundraise for the South Leith Parish Foodbank because on a daily basis, we see people access the service, some of whom are also our customers. It’s a sobering thought to think there is an increasing need for reliance on food banks in the UK, with many families just one pay cheque away from becoming homeless.
“The energetic Hub team will happily put in the leg work and would be grateful for your donations via a dedicated JustGiving page to help them on their way.”
Rev Iain May, Chair of the South Leith Parish Church Food Bank, said: “The support from Utilita is really appreciated. In Leith, there are over 6,000 people, including over 1,500 children, who live on or below the poverty line.
“The efforts of the team from Utilita will make such a difference in allowing us to provide essential food to those in need in these challenging and difficult times.
“The support of the local business community here in Leith has been amazing, and Utilita has been in many ways at the forefront of this recently. So thanks again for all many miles, running, cycling, skipping that Utilita staff are doing, it will really make a difference.”
Visit the Leith Energy Hub JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hub2hubchallenge
The Utilita Hub teams have been busy taking part in the challenge across the UK, clocking up more miles each day – please see an infographic providing an update on how far they have travelled below.
You can download this here: https://we.tl/t-7mqEN1fpzT
Volunteers will be hitting local streets once again today to deliver the NEN Coronavirus special edition newsletter across North Edinburgh.
An enthusiastic team of volunteers delivered thousands of newsletters across Drylaw and Telford, Muirhouse, Salvesen, West Pilton, Granton and Royston Wardieburn last week, and a final push will see the last of the newsletters delivered this week.
If you would like to lend a hand – full guidance and protective equipment will be issued – teams will be leaving from the following locations from Tuesday – Thursday this week:
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Groathill Road North at 11am
Fresh Start, Ferry Road Drive at 11am
Pilton Community Health Project, Boswall Parkway at 11am
Ainslie Park Leisure Centre car park, Pilton Drive North at 2pm
The newsletter contains helpful information and key telephone numbers to help local people get through the pandemic.
The North Edinburgh Covid-19 Foodshare coalition would like to thank our magnicent volunteers who have done so much to support the community dring these most difficult of times.
Thanks also to the following organisations for their terrfic support:
Funders:
Cash for Kids,
Inspiring Scotland,
North Edinburgh Community Councils,
Muirhouse Housing Association,
Pilton Central Association (PCA),
SCVO,
STV Appeal,
The National Lottery for Communities,
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Cairn Energy
Cramond FC
Edinburgh City Council
Lindsay’s Charitable Trust
Martin Lewis Foundation
Murray Foundation
National Emergencies Trust
Neighbourly Community Fund
Places for People Foundation
Port of Leith Housing Association
Queensberry House Trust
Richardson and Starling
Scottish Government
Stewart Investors.
Food, supplies and support have kindly been donated by:
Baillie Gifford, Chand & Co Group,
Edinburgh Academy,
Fettes College,
Mathieson’s the butchers,
Morrisons,
PrepTable Scotland,
Porto & Fi cafe,
Scottish Gas,
Social Bite,
Tesco,
TB McKay Energy Supplies
Investec
Neighbourly Community Fund.
We couldn’t do it without you – THANK YOU ALL !
