The Edinburgh Reporter January 2019

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4 NEWS The Edinburgh Reporter The Core opens in Stockbridge Openreach meet local politicians Drew Gowland and Murray Grant who established the MGA Foundation and who have now set up The Core in Stockbridge | Photo Neil Hanna THERE is a new space in Stockbridge designed to help performers in Edinburgh start their careers off on the right foot. This is a drop in café in the style of an airport lounge and it is now ready to welcome you if you just fancy a coffee or would-be performers who can go in and get career advice if they need it. It is a theatre-themed shop, resource and meeting place for local dancers, actors and performers. Go in, have a coffee and be assured that the profits are going to the MGA Foundation to help young performers pay their tuition fees. Half term holiday clubs BE an early bird and book by 31 January 2019 to receive a 10% discount on weekly Holiday Club places at Edinburgh Leisure for the February 2019 half term. Enrol your kids in the biggest club in town for reliable and fun holiday activities. Edinburgh Leisure’s Holiday Clubs run Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm during the main school holidays – with early drop off from 8am and late pick up until 6pm – perfect for working parents. Kids in P1 to P7 can look forward to games, the opportunity to try different sports, arts, crafts, drama, challenges and educational activities such as learning about healthy food. Holiday Clubs cost £145 a week per child but for those who book early, will cost just £130.50. Daily bookings are also available at £35 per day but the discount does not apply. Holiday Clubs can be booked directly with each centre or by telephoning the individual venue and take place at Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre, Drumbrae Leisure Centre and the Royal Commonwealth Pool. www.edinburghleisure.co.uk TWO Labour politicians met with engineers from Openreach to see for themselves what the next generation of broadband technology looks like. They went to Liberton to meet local residents who are among the first in the city benefit from the more reliable ultrafast Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology. Edinburgh is the first city in Scotland to benefit from the full fibre technology which Openreach are rolling out. Edinburgh South MP Mr Murray said: “Good connectivity is vital for a strong local economy, so it’s been great to hear about the progress that’s being made and what that means for constituents. “The fact that Edinburgh is one of the first places in the UK to by David Bol Local Democracy Reporter THE city council’s locality committees have been labelled “a nonsense” after it emerged they don’t even have the authority to put up new signposts. A call to put up welcome signs in Craiglockhart has been kicked into the long grass after the South West Locality Committee heard fears that backing the campaign could open the floodgates for communities wanting to put up the notices. Green Cllr Gavin Corbett tabled at motion at the south west locality committee asking for support for the ability to put up welcome signs in Craiglockhart. Cllr Corbett said: “The community council has wanted for some time to put some signs up – it’s going to raise some funds itself. I thought it would be pretty straightforward if it meets the criteria. “Unfortunately the feedback is that we cannot do that because it’s not a village, it’s a suburb. It should be a reasonable thing for a locality to be able to put up some welcome signs. We are just asking to support the idea that a community council should be Ian Murray MP watches engineer Steven Melville at work benefit from Openreach investment in full-fibre will help make sure that our historic city remains at the forefront of technology.” Edinburgh Southern MSP Mr Johnson added: “It was particularly interesting to hear about the huge difference a full fibre connection will make to residents’ broadband speed, reliability and capacity. “It was also useful to hear about developments at Openreach’s training centre in Livingston where a new fibre school will be launched next year. Engineering is a vital part of Scotland’s economy and skills learned there will benefit the nation.” Jim Wylie, Openreach’s fibre operations manager for Edinburgh, said: “We know good broadband is really important to local people and we’re delighted to be building our first fibre city here in Edinburgh. “Ian and Daniel share our ambition to make sure everybody in Scotland has access to a quality broadband service. We appreciate that they were able to make time to come and learn about the challenges and realities of delivering digital technology. For example, a specific issue in Edinburgh is getting access to put new equipment on telephone poles, which are often sited in people’s back gardens! ”Only Openreach has the commitment, experience, skills and large local workforce needed to deliver an open, digital network for all of Scotland that’s fit for the future.” Locality committees branded a nonsense able to welcome people to its neighbourhood.” He added: “I know one of the fears is somehow we can open the floodgates. I don’t see there’s a question of community councils snaking down the road. Even if there is a question of people wanting signs, how bad can that be? “We should be encouraging people to put up signs. I do think it would reflect slightly poorly on this committee if we cannot.” Cllr Corbett gained cross-party support for his motion – but officers spoke out against the logistics. Locality manager Mike Avery said: “My only concern is that we may run the risk of setting a city-wide precedent that maybe out of the remit of this committee.” South west locality convener, Cllr Denis Dixon, supported the idea – and agreed to take the issue up with the council’s executive transport committee. He said: “We are all in agreement that we support this motion and we would like these signs in place. “It’s generally a good idea. The problem we have is that it maybe out of our remit. We need to source and find out exactly who may approve this. What I propose to do is take this discussion up with the convener of transport and environment and pinpoint the person who would make that decision.” But councillors criticised the committee’s lack of power with SNP Cllr David Key labelling the situation “a nonsense”. He added: “There are branded signs all over Gorgie-Dalry. We are asking for two signposts in one of our villages or suburbs. “I agree that if we cannot make a decision on two signposts at this committee, what is the point in this committee?” Conservative Cllr Phil Doggart added: “I thought the whole purpose of locality committees was we could take a decision that affects the locality. This is a very straightforward low cost minimal impact but good for the neighbourhood. “It seems we are being hamstrung and it seems very bizarre we have to go back to another committee. It really brings into question the whole question of locality committees if we are not able to take a minimal impact decision – what’s the point?”
@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghre- NEWS 5 Doddie Weir receives the Edinburgh Award Doddie Weir was the 12th recipient of The Edinburgh Award. Here he poses with the Loving Cup given to him by the Lord Provost. SCOTTISH rugby legend George “Doddie” Weir was presented with the prestigious Edinburgh Award 2018 at the end of November. Surrounded by friends, family and familiar faces from professional rugby, Doddie inspected a set of his handprints outside the City Chambers before being presented with an engraved Loving Cup from Edinburgh’s Lord Provost FrankRoss. The award celebrates the difference he has made to the city, to sport and to Motor Neurone Disease awareness and research. Doddie becomes the 12th person to receive the city’s biggest annual accolade, following in the footsteps of last year’s recipient Timothy O’Shea (2017) and fellow sporting heroes Ken Buchanan (2015), George Kerr (2010) and Sir Chris Hoy (2009). The Rt Hon Lord Provost Frank Ross, said: “Doddie is not only an inspiring sportsman but a real champion of MND research, helping to raise awareness through his own Foundation and provide much-needed funds towards finding a cure for this disease. “He is Edinburgh’s gentle giant, as well-respected and loved by citizens as much as his peers and rugby fans. Doddie really has made an outstanding contribution to sport, to charity and to the Charity closes Capital. The Edinburgh Award is the city’s way of recognising all that he has achieved.” The Edinburgh-born 48 year-old began his professional rugby career at Melrose RFC, before going on to become one of the most successful and well-loved members of Scotland’s National Team and for the Newcastle Falcons. After announcing in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, Doddie continues to raise thousands of pounds to help research causes and cures for MND through his charitable foundation, My Name’5 Doddie. Doddie commented: "I am hugely honoured and humbled to receive the prestigious Edinburgh Award, especially when I see the names of those who have received it before me. Edinburgh has been good to me - it's where I was born, I was educated at Stewart's Melville College and began my rugby career here, and of course I have a special connection with Murrayfield. "The support I have received from all over the world since I shared my diagnosis has been incredible and it has helped drive the work of our Foundation forward as we try to raise awareness around Motor Neurone Disease and help find a cure for this devastating disease. "Edinburgh has been at the forefront of this support, along with the Borders, and I highly appreciate the efforts of everyone. I am determined that together, we will make a difference. "I would like to thank the Lord Provost for this honour and for adding my enormous paw prints to the others already there at the City Chambers.” Wellbeing in the West End this January Calm on Canning Street will be one of the West End venues THIS January the first Wellbeing Festival will take place in the West End. Between 11 and 13 January you can join in the fun with wellbeing classes, workshops and talks all designed to help you nurture and nourish yourself. You can also support the local businesses who are putting on the activities, and help raise funds for the Joshua Nolan Foundation and the Rock Trust at the same time. The events on Saturday will take place at the Arthur Conan Doyle Centre on Palmerston Place where there will be many businesses taking stands to exhibit what they can do to help you with your health and fitness this year. Other events will take place at Calm on Canning St A ticket for the weekend will cost £20 and gives you access to all activities over the three days. The Rock Trust is a charity that works in Edinburgh and the Lothians with homeless and socially excluded young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years. The Joshua Nolan Foundation believes it is possible to prevent every suicide. The Charity offers support, training and advice to people living in Scotland of all ages and gender identity, who may identify as being ‘at risk’ or affected by suicide. JNF aim to make a difference by offering support, education and awareness Book on Eventbrite KEZIA DUGDALE MSP recently lodged a motion in The Scottish Parliament to note the closure of one of Edinburgh's most important charities, Comas. She said : "The closure of Comas is a real disappointment. “The charity performed groundbreaking work in providing both opportunities and a safe haven for Edinburgh’s recovering community. “Serenity was much more than a café, and its absence leaves a gaping hole in vital community services. “I would like to personally thank the staff, board, volunteers and customers for their commitment over the years.” We told you about their difficulties earlier in the year when they had to move the Serenity Café to new premises on the Pleasance. Since then their financial problems have increased and the board decided to close the charity down making all staff redundant. Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron also brought the plight of the charity to the attention of councillors when she lodged a motion at full council in November. She pointed out the important work the charity had provided to the city for over a decade and thanked them for providing a safe space for those in recovery. Ms Dugdale's motion read : That the Parliament notes with disappointment and regret that Edinburgh’s Serenity Cafe has had to close its doors for the final time; recognises the groundbreaking work of Comas in providing both opportunities and a safe haven for Edinburgh’s recovering community while also providing a meeting space for organisations and groups seeking to influence and engage with the Parliament; remembers that Comas was much more than a cafe, running hugely innovative projects such as an income maximisation programme in the Dumbiedykes estate, which is an area of significant poverty and disadvantage close to the Parliament; considers that there is a gaping hole in services available to the recovering community that are compounded by an extremely challenging funding environment for all charities and social enterprises, and thanks the staff, board, volunteers and customers for their commitment over the years.
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The Edinburgh Reporter January 2019

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