Sick Kids move update

The Royal Hospital for Sick Children is on schedule for its move to Little France at the end of 2012.  Here are update details.

Cameron Toll revamp proposed

Plans are emerging for an extension and revamp of the Cameron Toll shopping centre after 25 years of operation. Details in today's newspapers can be found here and here. Cameron Toll shopping centre is just outside Southside & Newington ward.

Edinburgh in Bloom Competition

Edinburgh is representing Scotland in the 2009 Britain in Bloom competition and, complementing that entry, there is an Edinburgh in Bloom competition with the following categories:

1. Front garden (clearly visible from road)
2. Commercial property (E.g. shop, guest house, hotel, office block)
3. Allotment plot
4. Allotment site
5. Shared tenement garden
6. Community garden or project
   

Thinking of entering? You can find more details here.

Local MP fails to block revelations

It seems there are further details to emerge this week-end concerning the conduct of Nigel Griffiths after he attempted to block them in a High Court case. Here is today's Labourhome article on the Edinburgh South MP.
30.1.09: Further comment in today's newspapers can be found here and here.

Archers Hall proposals decision

The proposals to upgrade the Archers Hall site including the provision of 15 flats for student accommodation will be considered by the Planning Committee this Wednesday (1.4.09).  The site, owned by the Royal Company of Archers, lies between Buccleuch Street, Boroughloch, North Meadow Walk and Meadow Lane (see map here).  The original scheme, presented at a public meeting in September last year, has been modified in some respects.  You can view details of the proposals online and the report to the committee is here (select document uploaded 25th March).  It recommends approval.  The Planning Committee meets in the City Chambers in the Royal Mile at 10am on Wednesday and members of the public can attend.

Saturday Cyclists

If you are in the area of the Commonwealth Pool around 10am on a Saturday morning you will see a large group of cyclists arriving, gathering or leaving.   This is one of many rides organised by the local branch of the Cyclists Touring Club and you can find the details here if you would like to join them.

Cafes decision deferred

Yesterday the decision on later opening of cafes in the Nicolson Street to Salisbury corridor was deferred to the next full meeting for the Planning Committee.  Apparently there had not been appropriate discussions with the Regulatory Committee and further information is required.

The Meadows, Edinburgh's green lung

Here is yet another of the many testimonies I hear on a regular basis to how much the Meadows is appreciated by so many people.

Excessive restrictions on cafes

Later today the Planning Committee will consider a revision and simplification of planning guidance for the location of food and drink establishments. The report proposes the removal of cafes from restrictions which limited them to 8am to 8pm operation in areas of special restriction. Over the years this limited opening has put cafe owners at a wholly inappropriate disadvantage in providing a place of resort for people, especially young people, who cannot or do not wish to frequent licensed premises. In addition the implementation of the 8pm rule was a mess. It did not apply to some cafes, others ignored it and some scrupulously observed the restriction. This will particularly affect the corridor from Nicolson Square to Salisbury. There have been several new coffee shops opening in the area in recent months. Perhaps a new Enlightenment is taking place!

Media frenzy distorts perspective

Seldom do I watch television news. But having kept an eye on the bulletins featuring a house in the Grange throughout the day from airports in London and Edinburgh, and again this evening at home, I have been reminded of the ability of the media to distort perspective - and, indeed, to impose its own editorial view. Three broken windows and a vandalised car! Of course it does merit every effort by the police to detain the culprits - not least because it may well have been perpetrated by anarchists using one of several locations in the Edinburgh area which tend to be used as bases or outlets for this type of activity. The key issue is the rule of law rather than the media honeypot Fred Goodwin.

Actually, day by day throughout the UK there are vandalism incidents similar to (and much worse than) that at at Sir Fred's home. Almost exactly two years ago, I reported on the anarchist attack on local MP Nigel Griffiths' office. It barely registered in the TV or print news media - but the event was at least as bad as the one which now is being given the oxygen of wall to wall publicity.

I am left to reflect that the most watched U tube clip in the world over the last 24 hours, has not registered at all with the television media - though it offers an (albeit partisan) critique of the handling of the current recession - of rather more substance than a few broken windows by some anarchic crackpots. Blogging is one of the reasons for the decline in the fortunes of newspapers and for the spread of Daniel Hanan's 3 minute YouTube speech. It is to be hoped that it will continue to flourish and bring a welcome counter perspective to the rather incestuous tendencies of television news.

Goodwin home vandalised

Sir Fred Goodwin's home in the Grange has been vandalised overnight and responsibility has been claimed by a group. More details can be found here.

This represents an unfortunate attempt to subvert the rule of law. We could well do without it in our area.

Edinburgh Student wins Japanese contest

Edinburgh University Student Jonathan King fought off students from Oxford, Leeds, University College London and the School of Oriental & African Studies in a Japanese speech competition. Details here. 

April is clean-up month

Keep Scotland Beautiful organises an annual springclean campaign in the month of April. On their website there are currently no organised cleanups within the Southside & Newington ward. An opportunity for public service awaits.

Local MP accused of lies

Nigel Griffiths, the local MP for Westminster reportedly denied as 'absolutely baseless' the truth of reports in the weekend papers of indiscretions with a woman in his commons office. However the Daily Record is reporting that the MP, who resides in Newington, has now admitted the accusations.

Kilmaurs guest house fire rescue

Eleven guests were rescued in the early hours of Saturday morning from a fire at the Rosevale Guest House in Kilmaurs Road.

Heating last chance for over 60s

This month is the last chance to take advantage of the Government Central Heating Programme. Under the scheme, pensioners who have broken or inefficient central heating systems could benefit from a replacement system which will be more efficient and reduce energy bills. The programme is open to private sector homeowners and tenants of private landlords who are aged 60 or over. More details can be found here or you can ring 0800 3161653 for more information.

St Leonards PC before sheriff court

Suspended PC Anna Wong is facing 54 charges against the Data Protection Act.   Details here.

City Car Club 10 years old

Edinburgh City Car Club is 10 years old. You can find a map showing where local cars are stationed here (insert your postcode) - and the website for membership details is here. An article giving more information can be found here. My wife and I were founder members of the previous scheme. We had membership cards with the numbers 05 and 06 on them!

Nominations for good citizenship

An award to a citizen or citizens of Edinburgh is made every year under the auspices of the William Y Darling Bequest for Good Citizenship. It is a recognition of the person or people who have done most for the honour and welfare of Edinburgh. If you know of anyone connected locally who should be considered, let me know.

Synagogue attacked - 2 men arrested

A 22 year old and a 17 year old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Friday after windows were smashed at the synagogue in Salisbury Road earlier in the week.  They pleaded not guilty and they will next appear on 8th April.   This has led to an offer from one Muslim group to stand guard at the synagogue in support of the Jewish community.  More details can be found here.

Blitz in figures

Earlier this week the co-ordinated clean-up action was reported.   Based at the King's Hall in South Clerk Street, the action week involves a selection of stalls - Southside Community Council, police, environmental Health, Anti-social behaviour, Spokes, debt/financial advice and others.   You can get tea and coffee and the operation base is open to the public between 10am and 3pm.

Here are the figures illustrating the action taken up to the end of Tuesday. 

100 gullies cleaned out

71 road repairs

5.5 tons of rubbish removed

42 street lighting repairs  (must have been a lot not working!)

83 graffiti removed  (very, vert welcome)

136 police visits to premises

108 crime prevention surveys undertaken

15 road traffic offences detected

30 police visits to licensed premises

139 fire prevention surveys undertaken

131 trade waste inspections

22 street litter control agreements

1 minor uplifts

14 hours of mobile CCTV deployment

56 visitors to Hub at king's Hall

30 schoolchildren involved in litter picks and educational activities

Surgeries tonight

Just a reminder that exceptionally, this month my surgeries are tonight (on the third Wednesday of the month rather than the normal second Wednesday).

6:00pm South Side Community Centre. See map here. I will be there.
6:45pm Cameron House Community Centre. See map here. Ben will represent me.
7:15pm Sciennes Primary School See map here. Ben will represent me.

From Rankin Drive to Rwanda

Nicholas and Elsie Hitimana spent several years at 53 Rankin Drive after fleeing here in 1995 after the genocide in Rwanda. After gaining a Masters and PhD in agriculture at the Kings Buildings campus of Edinburgh University, in 2001, they returned with their three children (two Scots-born) where they are now involved in a range of projects. A couple of weeks ago Nicholas returned to Edinburgh forging business links with the Together Partnership and meeting many of those in Edinburgh and Scotland who has supported them in Edinburgh. Whilst here, Nicholas was present at a premiere of a new film portraying the period before, during and after the genocide, mainly through the words of Nicholas and Elsie. He was also interviewed by a local journalist resulting in this article in today's paper. Part of their story is also included in the books written by Lesley Bilinda who also spent time in Southside & Newington ward after the genocide and now works for the Tutu Foundation UK. The books are The Colour of Darkness and With What Remains.

Prestonfield charity painting auctioned

A painting by John Lowrie Morrison, who is better known as Jolomo, of Winter Falls On Linlithgow Palace was commissioned by First Minister Alex Salmond for his 2007 Christmas card. It was auctioned on Friday evening for the Scots charity Who Cares? Scotland at Prestonfield Hotel.  More here.

Attempt to seize Sir Fred's house

The Times reported yesterday on the proposal by some MSPs to use terrorism legislation to seize assets belonging to Sir Fred Goodwin, including his house in the Grange.  Here is one commentator who challenges the rationale of doing so.

Chalmers Crescent closure Thurs

Chalmers Crescent, and its junction with Palmerston Road will be closed this Thursday to facilitate safe crane operations outside No 8. It should be a part day closure.

BLITZ!!

Today sees the beginning of a week bringing together community groups and public services to smarten up the streets in the corridor from Nicolson Square to Salisbury. Environmental and community groups, supported by Council staff, Police, Fire Service, Crime Prevention and other public officers will engage in a concerted effort to

• clean gullies
• repair street lighting
• remove fly posting and graffiti
• tackle anti social behaviour
• clean street
• road and pavement inspection and repairs
• road checks
• fire safety checks
• business crime surveys
• address dog fouling
• and much more

The teams will be anchored from their hub at the King's Hall church in South Clerk Street. You are welcome to call in during the day and ask questions or add suggestions to what needs to be done.

More details can be found here on the Southside Community Council website.

Apologies for the 3 day gap in posts. I ate something which disagreed with me and have been recovering.

A bureaucratic mess

The following article is not specific to Southside and Newington but the authors did give me the opportunity to point out the mess that is current employment legislation.  It does include comments from two of the Southside councillors.  It concerns the uncertainties and ongoing saga of of equal pay and 'single status' as it affects this council.   The law is a morass and a mess. Here is the article.

Surgery change

Normally I am at hold my three surgeries on the second Wednesday of the month. Instead of 11th this month I will be swapping with one of the other councillors and I will be doing the 3rd Wednesday surgeries. In other words if you want to call in I will be available this month on Wed 18th at Southside Community Centre at 6pm, at the Community Centre in Prestonfield Avenue at 6:45pm and Sciennes Primary School at 7:15. Of course you can contact me by email or by phone anytime and I am happy to visit you on my travels.

Protesters charged with racism

Last August, the performance by the Jerusalem Quartet in the Queen's Hall in Clerk Street was interrupted by protesters who were then arrested and charged with a beach of the peace.  As this report indicates, they proved rather unpopular with music lovers present.  Now the Procurator Fiscal has now changed the charges against them from breach ofd the peace to racially aggravated conduct.

Australian Rules Football - in Meadows

The Scottish Australian Rules Football League is under way - in the Meadows.  Last Saturday saw Edinburgh defeat Glasgow by 5 goals.   And the teams will be competing for the Haggis Cup in May!

New Grange Road lunch club proposed

A volunteer lunch supervisor is being sought for the new multi-cultural lunch club which is proposed for St Catherine's Argyle Church in Grange Road. See details on the community council blog.

Community Councils this week

Wednesday 11th March is the date next week for two of the ward community councils.

• Southside is at 7pm in the Nelson Hall and the agenda can be found here.
• Marchmont and Sciennes is at 7:30pm in St Catherine's Argyle Church and the agenda is here.
• Grange and Prestonfield Community Council will meet on the following Wednesday (18th) at the Cameron House Community Centre, 34 Prestonfield Avenue.

'New pyjamas' to part fund Sick Kids.

A New Pyjamas campaign is being supported by NHS Lothian to fund additional services at the new Sick kids hospital.  The Sciennes hospital is due to move in 2013.  More details about the costs here.

Marchhall HMO bid withdrawn

The controversial application to turn Hotel Ceilidh-Donia in Marchhall Crescent into a hostel for the homeless was dramatically withdrawn at the Committee today. This newsblog reported in December the details of how it was planned to provide thirty spaces for short term homeless.

Today the applicant acknowledged that he had underestimated the concerns of neighbours and, in particular the possible effect on the Daybreak House home in the same street. He withdrew the application after hearing the views of local residents.

University election results here

Here are the full election results for Edinburgh University Students Association. The headlines are that the new president of EUSA is Thomas Graham and the other sabbatical posts go to Evan Beswick, James Wallace and Camilla Pierry.

Quiet news day so. . .

Today seems a quiet news day as we wait for the results of the count for the Edinburgh University Students Association elections.   I did take a call from ITN who were looking to do a programme on Sir Fred Goodwin's local connections in the community.  No contribution from me except to say that whilst

• the culture of bonuses rewarding failure must change and
• the conduct of some bank executives (including Sir Fred) deserves further investigation to ascertain what evidence there is of them breaking the law

the current attempt to focus attention on his large pension is a distraction and wrong.   The law applies both ways - and if he was awarded a pension, the contract should be honoured.  We need better (not more) regulation and a witch-hunt  and media frenzy is just what we do not need.   It's not that I don't have some sympathy with ITN in their current difficulties, I just have no desire to be part of dishing the dirt on Sir Fred.

The 25th anniversary of the beginning of the miners strike led me to call Radio Scotland on the Morning Extra programme this morning.  Having been on the picket lines (in my former life as a policeman) at Bilston Glen at the time, I just had to object to the repeated contempt of some very brave people who went to work in the face of extraordinary intimidation and bullying.   To hear the presenter and some contributers again and again contemptuously label them as 'scabs' needed a bit of balance.   The programme was remarkable for the number of times the current economic downturn (and most of Scotland's other ills) were blamed on Mrs Thatcher.  We Scots need to move on.

Student elections today, tomorrow

Edinburgh University Student Association elections for office bearers including a new president are taking place today and tomorrow.  Details of voting can be found here and you can find details of candidates here or on lampposts!

Non-embryonic stem cells research

For some time scientists have had the choice of using embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells.   This report from Edinburgh University records research showing the potential success of non embryonic stem cells - confirming other reports (such as this one) which suggest the comparative value of embryonic stem cell research may have been overrated.

Gas main replacement - Queen's Cresc

A closing order has been obtained in relation to streets in the vicinity of Queen's Crescent in preparation for work to replace gas mains from the week beginning Monday 9th March. The order is to last for 12 weeks though it is to be hoped the work will not last all that time. The work and/or the diversions will affect Burgess Terrace, Peel Terrace, McLaren Road, and Cobden Crescent.

Islamic studies post at University

The Evening News reports today: 'Professor Hugh Goddard, an internationally recognised scholar currently based at the University of Nottingham, will lead research on the impact of Islam on the contemporary world at Edinburgh University.' This may sound familiar to readers of this newsblog. Regular readers will have seen this information as a post on this newsblog on 29th January.

Man arrested. Housebreakings fall

There has been much talk about what the economic downturn will do to crime.

Local police are reporting a fall of 26% in the number of housebreakings in Southside & Newington Ward for the period from April 2008 to January 2009. The actual number is 66 compared with 89 in same period in the previous year. A 41-year-old man who has been charged with 58 alleged housebreakings in the Prestonfield and Grange areas (not necessarily in the same period). More details here.

More on Dumbiedykes assaults

Here is more information on the very serious assaults in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Dumbiedykes racial assaults

The BBC is reporting on two racial assaults in the early hours of last Saturday morning in Viewcraig Street in the Dumbiedykes.

Sciennes charity nominated for Nobel

Mercy Corps, with its European HQ in Sciennes, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace prize.  See here for more details.

Google Earth updates Southside

Google Earth has updated its maps of the Southside of Edinburgh to 21st July 2008 pictures.  More information here.

Newington corridor clean-up

A multi-agency week of activity in the corridor from Nicolson Square out to Newington Road and nearby streets gets under way on Monday 16th March.
Community groups, police, fire and various council services will be involved. This will involve

• high visibility patrols
• concentrated street cleaning
• roads/lighting/gully repairs
• trade waste inspection and advice
• liaison with local schools
• fly posting and graffiti removal
• road checks
• crime and fire prevention surveys and safety checks
• licensed premises checks
• and much more

One wag suggested that a 'week of action' implies the other 51 are weeks of inaction! Not so. Simply that on this occasion all agencies will be working together in a concerted effort. If successful the concentrated multi service approach will be used in other areas.

If you want to feed in an issue if you think you can help in any way you should contact the South Neighbourhood office on 5295151.