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Council Homes set for closure take part in television spin off

November 12, 2010 By racheljanenorma Leave a Comment

By Rachel Watson

Three council run homes in Edinburgh are competing in a spin off from television show Come dine with me, in hopes of bringing residents from all three homes together.

The three care homes competing are The Tower, Clermiston and Clovenstone, with The Tower and Clermiston set for closure within the next two years.

Finlay Fraser, manager of Clermiston care home said that the idea for the event came about shortly after this was announced, with the idea of competition and fun, and an activity all residents could enjoy.

The idea was thought up by assistant manager at The Tower care home Veronica Currie, who said: “we’ve all seen the programme on telly and I thought it would be a good, fun event for residents to get involved in. There’s been a real buzz over the cookery challenges!”

The Competition is seemingly having the desired effect with residents. Betty Thomson a resident of The Tower care home said: “I’m really impressed with the menu choices and feel there’s an excellent selection of food on offer for everyone to enjoy.”

Alastair Innes, also a resident at The Tower, agreed: “Good food and good companionship go together.”

The competition will come to an end this week with residents at Clermiston stepping up to the challenge. Manager Finlay Fraser of Clermiston said that his residents were up to the challenge and that residents where now preparing for this weeks event, and said they were “really enjoying themselves.”

Residents are competing for a dinner for six at the Ellersly house hotel in Murrayfield and a Come dine with me trophy.

Filed Under: Life and Society Tagged With: Clermiston, Clovenstone, Come dine with me, The Tower

Fire Brigade and council team up for a safe Guy Fawkes night

November 5, 2010 By racheljanenorma Leave a Comment

By Rachel Watson

Edinburgh city council has this week been removing dangerously constructed and home made bonfires from around the city. This comes with the council’s launch of the new anti social behaviour strategy. It is hoped that these pro-active measures will target problematic situations before they arise, including accidents, injuries and violence.

Community safety officer at Lothian and Borders fire and rescue service, David Lockhart said: “every year we receive hundreds of calls about nuisance and unsupervised bonfires putting real pressure on our resources at our busiest time of year.”

With the new anti social behaviour strategy in place Mr Lockhart said the fire brigade hoped for a fall in violence at this busy period, “this is our busiest time of year but sadly this is also the time when we see a rise in violence towards the crew.”

Guy Fawkes night is one of the busiest weeks of the year for Lothian and Borders fire brigade. Last year they received 1171 calls between 31 October – 7 November, and were called to 249 bonfires.

In a bid to reduce the number of bonfire call outs which the fire Brigade receive this year the fire department are urging people to attend only organized events across the city. Further safety information regarding tonight has been published online by the Lothian and Borders fire brigade.

Filed Under: Life and Society Tagged With: Edinburgh City Council, fire brigade, Guy Fawkes

Cities flood defence scheme complete

October 8, 2010 By racheljanenorma Leave a Comment

By Rachel Watson

After five years of work and £43 million the Baird Burn flood defence scheme reached its completion this week, receiving a hopeful, yet cautious welcome from residents “Although our home has never been directly affected by the flooding, we’re glad to see work finished, its been a long time and now hopefully we’ll see the benefits of the work”, Elaine Paget a resident of Oxgangs. “I remember the last time the banks burst and the whole area was a mess, I’m really hoping that won’t happen again”.

The scheme which hopes to protect more than 1000 homes in the Colinton and Oxgangs area of Edinburgh, was declared officially complete this week by Councilor Mackenzie who said: “We have worked hard to improve flood protection and I am pleased that, with the scheme complete, we will be able to give greater peace of mind to the homes and businesses affected.”

The burn which runs into the city at Redford to meet the sea at Portobello has burst its banks four times in the last 16 years bringing millions of pounds worth of damage to the homes and businesses in the area. Over 250 homes and businesses where left under water with severe damage in the last flooding in 2002. The work over the past five years has included improvement of 15 bridges and culverts along the banks of the burn, along with 2.5km of new flood embankments and 4.5km of flood walls. It has also seen work done to strengthen existing defences and the making of two flood storage reservoirs.