6:15am: Nicolson Street robbery

A 30year old woman was robbed of her phone last Friday morning by a male who first engaged her outside Blockbusters at the corner of South Clerk Street and Bernard Terrace.  Though she tried to ignore him, the culprit followed her to Nicolson Street and then he pushed her and grabbed her phone and made off.

There is a description in the police press release and anyone who has information which may be relevant should contact the police on 0131 311 3131.  The police have also posted details on the MissingList website which is a nationwide site for police appeals.  You can see the entry here.

Rowling gives £10m to MS centre

J K Rowling is reported to have given £10m to Edinburgh University to set up a multiple sclerosis research clinic.  The gift is in memory of her mother who suffered from the disease and died aged 45.

Details can be found here.

Edinburgh appeal for Pakistan floods

The appeal by the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee is now under way and details can be seen here.   The Committee is a joint partnership between the Lord Provost representing Edinburgh Council, and Mercy Corps, and international relief agency based in Sciennes.

You can contribute here.  Previous posts on the slow response of the Committee are here and here.

Fringe ticket sales up 5+%

Kath Mainland, Fringe Director

Southside and Newington is host to a significant number of venues as illustrated in this post.

This year's ticket sales are over 5% up on last year.  It felt like it on the streets. As this post indicates, I suggested the city needs to move up a gear in providing space for street performers as the crowds grow.

Here are some of the details (with last year's figures in brackets):

• Tickets sold  -  1,955,913  +5%
• Performances -  40,254   (34,265)
• Shows  - 2,453   (2,098)
• Venues  -  259   (265)
• Performers  - 2,453 
• Fringe High Street acts  -  662 

More details here on the Fringe site.

Scottish power road closures

Because of work by Scottish Power the following roads will be closed to through traffic for a period of up to 20 days from Wednesday 1st September:

Langton Road (Between Rankin Drive & West Mains Road)
Grange Terrace (Between Blackford Avenue & St Thomas Road)

There will also be no waiting restrictions on the following nearby roads.

Blackford Avenue:  both sides, from a point outside 1 Blackford Avenue to a point outside 15 Blackford Avenue
Oswald Road:  both sides, from its junction with Blackford Avenue westwards for a distance of 50m
West Mains Road:  both sides, from its junction with Langton Road westwards to a point outside 4 West Mains Road

Quote of day: "Hollywood? If I've got time."

Danny in the Meadows

In an interview (not online) in today's Herald Danny MacAskill is interviewed by Rebecca McQuillan in Middle Meadow Walk about his career in trial bike acrobatics.   Danny is the 24 year old from Skye whose stunts in and around the Meadows went viral on YouTube when they were posted a couple of years ago.

Here are some quotes from the interview:

•  "I've got a phone call with him (Hollywood director) later tonight," says MacAskill. "To me, an offer to work in a movie wasn't, like, amazing.  If I've got time."
• "I'm not motivated by money or fame", he remarks over tea and cakes.  "The only thing that really excites me is doing stuff with my friends".
• Britain's Got Talent has been in touch 30 times (to no avail).

Worth a read if you get sight of the print edition.  It is on page 11.  One of the original YouTube videos can be found here and background links from an earlier post on this blog here.

10 posts in August

Cat litter banned

Here is a selection of the forty posts so far this August:

1. Begging - parts 1, 2 and 3
2. Ravelry in the Meadows 
3. Dalkeith Road proprietor jailed
4. Vindaloo ice cream
5. St Margaret's - parts 1, 2, and 3
6. Funfair delays  - parts 1 and 2
7. Crowded Royal Mile
8. Climate 1 and 2
9. Pakistan flood appeal backtrack
10. Cat litter banned

More on St Margaret's school closure

Today's Scotsman includes this article examining  the extended period over which the financial problems were known within the school - but unknown to parents and others.

Earlier posts can be found here, here and here.

Edinburgh bins: new rule - No cats!

Many bins in Sciennes and Marchmont now sport these signs.

Readers can be reassured that a local wag is responsible, not the Services for Communities Department of Edinburgh Council.

'R.' has certainly been prolific with the artwork

The signs are a commentary on this short video of a woman putting a cat in a bin.

Update 30.8.10:  The Evening News has picked up the local story here.

Flood appeal committee backtrack

Following pressure from a motion at Edinburgh Council last week, the Edinburgh Disasters Relief Committee has now agreed to a local appeal for the Pakistani floods. 

At a meeting yesterday, the earlier decision of the committee was rescinded and the Council and Mercy Corps will now open an appeal to channel the compassionate response of Edinburgh people.  

I understand the money given will go into long term flood relief via projects Mercy Corps already have on the ground.  A standing arrangement for appeals on Radio Forth and in the Evening News (at no charge) will combine with invitations to contribute at key festival events, as the appeal gets under way.

Jim Sillars on climate

Local resident Jim Sillars had a  letter in yesterday's Scotsman prompted by the climate camp protestors in which he identified a flaw in current thinking:

. . . the elevation of doubtful science, that the climate is undergoing profound change due to humankind's activities, to the level of a religious belief, with such belief carrying a licence for self-righteous zealots to impose their views on the rest of us. As well as an economic recession, it appears we are suffering from an intellectual one as well. 

It led to this response (scroll down the link) in today's letters pages:

Jim Sillars (Letters, 25 August) is right to point out that in the debate about "dirty oil" much of the zealotry is based on doubtful science.

On Tuesday night I attended the fascinating Book Festival debate on "Powering the Planet", and the assumption that imminent "dangerous climate change" is the settled consensus of science underpinned many of the arguments. This assumption is a fundamental flaw which underpins much of our public policy, including our "groundbreaking" Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Cllr Cameron Rose
City Chambers
Edinburgh 

Nicolson Street court details

The three persons arrested at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Nicolson Street have appeared in court and details of the charges are included in this BBC report.  Two persons from London and a woman from Wales are charged with breach of the peace by blocking the entrance to the bank and gluing themselves to each other and the doors.   They pled not guilty and were bailed for a later date.

Beirut Express - to nowhere

Newly opened, the Beirut Express, a takeaway in Marshall Street (between Nicolson Square and Potterrow) is now closed.

It has been served with an enforcement order for operating without planning permission for a hot food takeaway and there are noise and vibration issues as well.

It is rare to move to enforcement so quickly but the effect on neighbours was considerable.

Missing person: Appeal from daughter

Elizabeth (Betty) Brown (55)was last seen leaving a No 3 bus in Nicolson Street at 11:55am on 28th May this year.

Now her daughter Sarah Smith (23) from Gretna has made an emotional appeal for information on the mystery disappearance.

Betty is 5ft 7in tall, with fair hair and glasses. She was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and black shoes, and was carrying two large Aldi carrier bags when she was last seen.

Pakistan floods - why no local appeal?

Just over a year ago Edinburgh Council teamed up with Mercy Corps to set up a local fast response mechanism for sending money for the relief in disasters.   The BBC report at the time is accessible here.

So what about the Pakistan floods?  With a strong Pakistan community locally, this seems a good opportunity to bring the mechanism into play.

I understand the committee met and decided for some reason not to contribute.   With tens of millions of people disrupted, it is not clear why?

So at the full council last week I supported a request for the local emergency committee to reconsider its earlier decision and, I understand, there is a recall tomorrow to consider the matter again in response to the following motion from my colleague Cllr Mowat, passed at the meeting of Edinburgh Council last Thursday: "Council. . . invites the Edinburgh Disasters Relief Committee to reconsider its recent decision not to activate the committee's disaster response procedures."

Nicolson street 'climate change' arrests

Police are reporting the arrests of a 25 year old man and women aged 34 and 38 in Nicolson Street today during the week of protests associated with the Climate Camp in Edinburgh.  They are believed to have been targeting the Royal Bank branch in Nicolson Street at Nicolson Square.

The three arrested locally are amongst 12 persons arrested for disorder in various parts of the city so far today.  Here are reports on the disturbances from the BBC and the Press Association.

List of 1350 trees in Meadows area

A recent enquiry about trees in the Meadows led me to some information which may be of interest to some readers.

There are around 1350 trees in the Meadows, Bruntsfield Links and Middle Meadow Walk.   A comprehensive survey was completed 18 months ago when all trees were surveyed and listed individually.  

You can find the list here.  It includes the species, height, age and condition.  

Each tree carries a small (usually blue) label which matches this list.  Enjoy.

Buses bring Fringe to Sick Kids

Last Thursday Lothian Buses provided a bus to bring Fringe performances to the Sick Kids. There will be another visit on Tuesday 24th between 1pm and 3pm.  

Acts include storyteller John Hegley, comedian Phil Kaye, award-winning the List Operators, CBBC's Dan and Jeff, Monkey Music and Penguin the Kidzone Bus.

More details in the Lothian Buses press release.

Talk of the Town: more space needed

Following my post on the need for us to up our game in providing more entertainment space in the centre of town during the Festivals I note the Evening News have picked up the issue:

"Talk of the Town has become aware that journeys which usually take five minutes on foot are now taking considerably longer.

In fact, so bad have things become that one councillor has claimed that the Royal Mile is now positively "claustrophobic".

Tory Cameron Rose said it was time to pedestrianise more areas of the city during August to allow some of the crowds to fan out."

St Margaret's school - latest development

Today's Scotsman reports on the teachers who are proposing to sue for wages which were not paid.

Administrators are reported as confirming that there is currently no buyer interested in the school's estate.

Church to bid for Odeon

The Evening News reports a new bid for the Odeon Cinema building in Clerk Street. Actually, the new bid doesn't appear to have been made yet so there may be a long, long way to go on this one.  In the shorter term the building is fast becomning an emblem of our failing planning system.

The current Scottish Government (actually Historic Scotland ) took from October 2008 to May 2009 to overturn a council decision to allow a redevelopment proposal to go ahead.  Earlier posts and the history of delay can be tracked from here.

Prestonfield school open on Sept 9th

The neighbouring ward Liberton/Gilmerton has a by-election next month.  Prestonfield Primary School usually serves as a polling station for Southside & Newington as well as Liberton/Gilmerton - but it will not be used on this occasion and so Thursday, September 9th is a full school day.

Climate credibility

Across at Climate Edinburgh the weekly post examines the credibility of some of the science behind current public policy in an article titled Defending Fairy Dust.

So what do you make of this year's posters?

With more porters than ever before -perhaps organised a but better than previously, (thanks to a contract with City Centre Posters), Alice Jone analyses the posters in today's Independent. 

The majority of the city's posters seem to be in the Southside & Newington Ward

Edinburgh is not cheap - for students

student cash in Edinburgh doesn't go as far

The RBS Student Living Index suggests students in Edinburgh spend just over £200 per week.  That is £25 more per week than students in Dundee and Edinburgh is dubbed the least cost effective place for a student in Scotland.

More details and statistics here.

Viewcraig injured man mystery

A 37 year old man was found with serious injuries in Holyrood Road at Viewcraig Street on Sunday morning.  The discovery was made about 4:45am and police are looking for more information from anyone who might be able to clarify how he came by his injuries.

Were you in the Holyrood Road area at that time?   Details and description of the man here.

Craft House Concept interview

Craft House Concept is a shop in Minto Street owned  by Steph Marsden.  This interview gives details of the origins work and vision of this craft/furniture maker.

You can see more at Scotland's Housing Expo exhibition in Inverness which runs to the end of August.

Time for Edinburgh to step up another gear

Again the time has come for Edinburgh to up its response to the visitor success story that is August.

Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

In the middle weekend of August crowds just pour into the Royal Mile and, at times, it is close to capacity - giving even relaxed tourists that claustrophobic feeling of tightly packed crowds.

There was a time when the Fringe was spread into halls and venues around Edinburgh.  Recent years have seen a concentration of activity in the city centre -the Bristo Square, Royal Mile, Cowgate and George Street areas.  So the localisation of the Festival and Fringe has contributed to the success - you never have to travel far.

But at least as far as the street performances are concerned the time has come to devote more public space to accommodate both performers and the vast audiences for this part of Edinburgh's August.  A search to find the right place or places needs to be undertaken before next year. 

Places like West Market Street, Grassmarket, Chambers Street, Middle Meadow Walk or the Meadows itself should be considered for street theatre. It will probably mean more pedestrianisation  of some streets during August.  But we must respond the the ever growing success that is August in Edinburgh.

St Margaret's school fraud arrests

Police have arrested and charged a 17 year old and an 18 year old in connection with an alleged fraudulent fundraising account linked to the school.   This is related to the attempts to raise funds to save the school when.  The police press release is here and you can see a report when the attempted fraud was discovered in June here.

Grange resident 100 today

Elizabeth Laidlaw celebrates her 100th birthday today.  She resides in Camilla Nursing Home in the Grange.

She has lived in Hope Park Terrace and Livingstone Place before moving to the Grange.

Congratulations.  More details here.

Life and death - part 2

In an opinion piece in the Evening News today (not online) Mev Brown, who works with the homeless, examines several key factors relevant to begging including

• begging as a means of income
• begging as a response to homelessness
• begging associated with addictions

About begging he concludes:

 I see no justification on the basis income, homelessness or the public funding of substance abuse.

And I can see no reason why our politicians continue to allow socially dysfunctional behaviour on the streets of our city.

Many see begging as an emotional issue.   Well, possibly - but I don't.  I see the job of politicians and government as promoting and rewarding good behaviour, whilst preventing bad behaviour.  Not the other way round.

Here are three misconceptions which need to be dealt with in this debate.

1.  Moving on beggars harms vulnerable people.  On the contrary begging is predominantly a means of sustaining a destructive lifestyle.  What is often regarded as kindness is, in fact, the kindness that kills. 
2.  A firm line on beggars shows a lack of compassion.   There may be occasions when that is true but the issue is not 'either or'.  Compassion and intolerance of antisocial behaviour should go hand in hand as twin track responses which support each other.
3. If the authorities did more we wouldn't have beggars on the street.  That argument, often expressed in a self guilt kind of way, has two flaws.  It reflects a hopelessly rosy and unrealistic view of human nature. Secondly, it reflects an over ambitious view of government and what it can do. Some people do not want to be reformed and, in any case there are limits to the reforms a government (or council) can bring about.

Nonetheless there are things which can be achieved with public policy.  The resources available for those who are homeless or feel the need to beg on the street are now probably greater in Edinburgh than ever before.  Those resources need to be complemented by a firmer line on both anti social behaviour and begging.

Mev Brown in on the right track.  A firmer line might have achieved more with Kevin sooner.

Life and death

Today I attended the funeral of a constituent. 

Sleeping on the streets, drugs and alcohol are among the things which took a toll at various stages of Kevin's all too short life.  In recent years there had been a turn for the better as he found faith in God and became involved with a local church - but the damage to his physical health had been done.  The 'turn for the better' was very much a work in progress and many people and public services were involved, and now represented, at this farewell.

I was not the only one to shed a tear. Amongst those moved in a similar way were some from a small band of representatives of the street culture I have come to know over the years.  These were friends of Kevin, particularly from earlier years.   Some were part of the self styled 'Motley Crew', familiar to many of you as one of the groups which has been at the root of much anti-social behaviour at Nicolson Square.

Thankfully, Nicolson Square has been a rather more pleasant place this year (at least compared to last year).  The drinking and anti social behaviour has abated somewhat, though I understand the members of this group have turned up at other parks in the city. 

All this leads to consideration of how best to respond to two activities, both part of Kevin's experience, which concern many local people.  Anti social behaviour has been dealt with on this blog before - not least at two of the links in the paragraph above.

In addition, I posted on begging earlier this month.  In the next post, in the light of an article in today's Evening News, I will address begging further in the light of experience with Kevin and others.

BT booths open 24/7 for free stories

Both the Pleasance and Bristo Square have telephone boxes where you can hear free short stories told by a variety of well known names.

Invisible Dot are behind the Fringe idea and bring Will Self, Mark Watson, DBC Pierre, Simon Munnery, Tim Crouch and Hans Teeuwen and others to those who pick up the receiver in the phone box.  Short stories are free and available 24/7.  Details here.

Meadows funfair hours

Earlier this week I reported that the Evans Funfair was due to open its doors on Wednesday evening but that the Regulatory Board was not sitting to consider its public entertainment licence until 2pm on Wednesday.

Permission was granted and it duly opened last evening. Opening hours are from 2pm to 10pm daily until Monday 23rd. 

I have an assurance that discussions are ongoing with a view to coordinating the administration of the contract (with the Parks Department) and the issue of the public entertainment licence (Regulatory) in future to ensure the decision making process is not quite so last minute on future occasions.

St Margaret's School advertised

Following the school going into administration in June the bulk of St Margaret's premises were advertised for sale yesterday's Scotsman.

The selling agent is DTZ but details appear not to be available online.

Previous posts can be found here and here and here recording the unsuccessful attempts to save the school.

Contacting your councillor in August

You can contact me by email or by phone or in person.  I will usually be able to come and see you at a time and place convenient to you - but there are also monthly surgeries.  In August there is just one and it is this evening at 6pm at Southside Community Centre.  The premises will be busy as in August it doubles as a venue for the Zoo 'cavalcade of shows'. If necessary, we will repair to a local cafe in which case there will be a sign outside.

Telephone and email contact details here.

Local alcohol test purchasing

Since January 30 shops in the Southside, Newington, Meadows, Morningside areas have been subject to 'test purchasing' - in response to complaints about traders selling alcohol to children.  None of the premises failed the test.

If you have concerns about alcohol being sold to children you can pass the information to the Council's Community Safetly team who will investigate.  They can also be contacted here.

Pleasance police boxes exhibition

Malcolm Irving launches his exhibition of photos of police boxes - in a police box in the Pleasance at Drummond Street.

The exhibition is free and begins this evening at the corner of Drummond Street and Pleasance.  He is actually selling a book of the photos as well.

Funfair decision Wednesday

Evans' funfair, which for many years has been a fixture of the Meadows experience during August, will have to wait till Wednesday to know whether a public entertainment licence has been granted. 

There are differing views locally on whether the funfair should be allowed in the Meadows - but the big issue is the administrative bind the council is in regarding decision taking. 

Not for the first time the decision is subject to a last minute meeting of the Regulatory Committee - in this case at 2pm on Wednesday when the fair is due to commence on Wednesday evening.   I understand permission and terms from the Parks Department have already been negotiated.  But the issue of a public entertainment licence is a public process subject to public comment.

This seems no way to run a council - or a business.

Blackford technology company set to expand

Ben Panter

In December I reported on the progress of Blackford Analysis, an Edinburgh university spin off  company, working on a system to analyse huge amounts of data quickly.  The algorithm was developed by astronomers at Edinburgh University and the company's Chief Executive is Ben Panter. Inspired and developed for the astronomy and medical fields, it is intended to market the technology in other sectors where processing of large amounts of date is the norm.  Investment has been secured to fund the expansion which is expected to include the US technology market. See the company press release here.

Uni is festivals' largest venue provider

Last year, 686,431 tickets for performances were sold for shows on Edinburgh University premises - including Underbelly, Pleasance, Assembly and C Venues.  It seems that figure is likely to grow in 2010.  You can find more details of the university's part in the Edinburgh festivals here.

Vindaloo ice cream in St Leonard's St

93 St Leonard's St

This blog does not normally review eateries but, as a service to visitors and residents alike, today I am drawing attention to two restaurants - both, as it happens, in St Leonard's Street.

First the vindaloo ice cream.  It can be enjoyed (!) along with chocolate curry, marshmallow naan bread and the Kismot Killer - claimed to be the world's hottest curry - at Kismot in St Leonard's Street.  See here for more details in today's Evening News.  Kismot is run by 26 year old Abdul Ali who resides locally and has a reputation for culinary innovation!

One of many new offerings in the ward is Rice Terraces which, like Kismot, is to be found across from St Leonard's Police Station. It is a Filipino restaurant and I hear from some customers that it is not to be missed for outstanding value and good quality.  Apologies to all the other restaurants, old and new, but this is a local news blog - and to news we will return tomorrow.

Abdul Rauf jailed over Dalkeith Road house

Abdul Rauf

Back in February this blog reported a Newington link to the news that Nicola Sturgeon had intervened in a court case on behalf of a Abdul Rauf, a convicted criminal.  Abdul Rauf eventually admitted failing to declare ownership of a home in Dalkeith Road when he made an application for income support.

Rauf has now been sentenced to 2 years in prison for defrauding the Department of Work and Pensions of £80,000.   Details here.

Ravelry in the Meadows - Yes!!

A Ravelry meeting in the Meadows for Saturday 14th August.  Yup.  It's all happening in the Meadows in August.  Click here if you want to go and the location is here.

Begging - a ban could be part of the answer

Today's Evening News included this article which implies that 'city council chiefs' are looking at the possibility of  strategically situated 'giving boxes' to encourage  people  not to give directly to beggars.

In fact the source of the article appears to be a short discussion at the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership(NP) earlier in the year - which is to be discussed again at the NP meeting next Monday (9th Aug).  The relevant papers are here.   If you read them you will see that a cursory report indicates that 'giving boxes' is one of a number of options for the NP to consider.

So thus far, the issue has not progressed far.  The begging culture has two characteristics which do merit a ban. 

The first is that for many it is the means of sustaining a lifestyle not to be encouraged. For some beggars much of the money given goes on drink or drugs and for others the money gained goes to gang masters.  For some, begging may be at times be a lifeline, but nowadays there are very considerable resources and facilities available for those who are destitute.  

Secondly, there is the effect on those of us who are approached for money - either passively or more directly.  Most will not have the ability or opportunity to test or check that the money given will be used for the purpose given.   Begging often relies on a form of emotional blackmail. 

Generosity to those who are destitute is to be encouraged.  It does, however, involve more commitment than handing over money.

For my part I follow the following rules:

• Never hand over money
• Always engage the person begging with a greeting or a polite refusal 
• If opportunity permits offer to buy a sandwich or a cup of tea in a nearby cafe or shop
• If opportunity permits engage in conversation and encourage the person to seek support from one of the homeless agencies - taking them to the access point if necessary
• Occasionally the person asking for money will claim it is because he or she is stranded.  If reasonable and not obviously possible I offer to buy a ticket 

Begging used to be banned.  I understand it is banned in England and Wales.  A bylaw should be re-introduced banning it in Edinburgh.   It encourages a lifestyle which is a trap to the majority of those who beg.

As the experiment in Aberdeen has shown 'giving boxes' are not the answer.   At least not unless they are accompanied by a legal ban on begging.   There is a good case for grasping the nettle and seeking legislation to ban it again. 

In the meantime I have recently met with local police and am reassured to know that work is currently under way to assess the nature and extent of criminality associated with begging.   If we do get to the stage of legislation (I understand the Scottish Parliament need to be involved) there will be a very considerable challenge to draft any legislation in a suitable way.

I am sure the discussion at the Neighbourhood Partnership next Monday will look to chart a way forward.   It is a public meeting and starts at 7pm.  Local people (Southside/Newington and Meadows/Morningside wards) are welcome to attend.

NB  One of the many sources of help can be found here.  Previous coverage in the local press can be found here.

Masood Malik nominated for award

Awards in Scotsman offices on Tues 10th Aug

The Evening News, in conjunction with the Post Office, is running an awards process to identify winners in a series of different categories.  The process thus far has been by community nomination with votes by text or via coupons in the paper.  In each category the field has been narrowed down to 3 finalists.

Masood Malik is now at the final stage of the 'Best Community Contribution' category and his citation is as follows:

MASOOD MALIK, 70, is a well-respected member of Edinburgh's Asian community and runs the Asian 50 Plus Club for older people to get together and have lunch.

He has worked on many fundraising projects at home and abroad. The director of the Pakistan Society, he is also credited with establishing strong links between the Capital's Asian community and local polticians. 

And that last point is incontrovertable.   Details of other nominees in the 'Best Community Contribution' category can be found here.

Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony in the Scotsman Offices in Holyrood Road next Tuesday (Aug 10th).

McEwan Hall to host key fringe meeting

A key meeting of the Fringe Society to discuss a sweeping review of the workings of the society has been called for 10th August in the McEwan Hall in Bristo Square.  The McEwan Hall is the largest Fringe venue with a capacity of over 1000.  Full details in this edition of the Stage.

George Square library changes

The major redevelopment of the main University Library situated in George Square continues with significant trransfers of books to new locations over the summer months.  The University news releases can be found here and here. The work is set to finish in spring 2012.