Five things you need to know today
Royal Garden Party at Holyrood – Rock n Roll on Forth Bridge – Road works – Council team nominated for award – Computers for over 50s!
Arrangements for the Royal Garden Party today have had to be changed a little owing to the amount of rain we have had recently. Guests attending the Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood House, in Edinburgh, today are being urged to review their arrangements for getting to the venue.
Due to inclement weather the normal parking facility at the playing fields to the east of Holyrood House has had to be closed to all parking except for the dedicated disabled parking area.
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: “We are supporting the Royal Household by looking at alternatives for their guests but our message to those attending is consider using public transport or arrange for someone to drop you off.
“The normal parking area is out of commission due to the ground being saturated after days of heavy rain and only the area set aside for disabled parking will be available.
“We are working with our colleagues at City Of Edinburgh Council to look at alternatives but those who had been intending taking their own vehicles should be advised that there will be limited space for parking in other locations.”
It is intended that Regent Road will be closed to the public for the day and some parking will be available there. Access will be available at both ends of Regent Road, however people are encouraged to access it via Montrose Terrace which will be closed to all but garden party traffic. Shuttle buses will be running from Regent Road to the Palace of Holyrood House.
The police spokesman added: “We will have additional officers in Regent Road and the surrounding area to assist people. We would urge people to heed their advice and they will do their best to assist.”
Check the following websites for traffic updates www.lbp.police.uk, http://trafficscotland.org/ and follow the police on twitter @LBP_Police
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Edinburgh’s Bwani Junction have played three songs on the very very top of the Forth Bridge according to the BBC. Network Rail allowed them permission to play there following months of discussions… Anyone hear them?
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Today our main photograph shows you some of the many road works that are taking place in the city at the moment. This time the road crews were removing paint yesterday on Queen Street Gardens which had been put there to delineate a bus stand. You can find out more about the roads which are closed at any time by looking at this page of the council website. They also have Clarence where you can report potholes. Today our pothole photograph is on a pavement in Dublin Street.
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A team from the City of Edinburgh Council is in the running for a prestigious national award for supporting the city’s town centres. Edinburgh has been short listed by the Association of Town Centre Management for the ‘Best UK Town Centre Team / Town Centre Partnership’ award. The team has been recognised for their support driving up footfall and increasing spend in the city’s designated nine town centres. This has been achieved through a series of low cost, high impact promotional activities.
Tasked to ‘build stronger town centres’ the team made up of town centre coordinators works closely with the Federation of Small Businesses, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, BIDs Scotland, local traders, all Council departments and other external partners.
The team also offer additional support across the local centres in Edinburgh including the Royal Mile, West End, Thistle Street, Roseburn and Easter Road.Established in March 2010, after the Council received Town Centre Regeneration Funding for Portobello, the teamhas championed ‘clean-ups’ of the centres as well as rolling out citywide animation of empty units by displaying local art and public information boards. They have also produced street banners and worked on many local promotional activities.
The team also helped to secure a ‘Yes’ vote for South Queensferry to become a Business Improvement District (BID) this month and are now helping the Grassmarket area through the same process.
These instant improvements have helped revitalise and raise retailer confidence and all of this activity has helped reduce the vacancy rates in each of the nine town centres, which are all below the Scottish average of 15.4%.
Cllr Tom Buchanan, Convener of the Economic Development Committee, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and I wish the team luck in winning this national recognition for Edinburgh.
“We need to support our town centres as they are suffering from the impact of online shopping, supermarkets and out of town shopping centres. Our aim is to have vibrant town centres which create and retain jobs and attract new investment enhancing civic pride.”
The nine designated town centres are Corstorphine, Gorgie/Dalry, Leith Central, Leith Walk, Morningside/Bruntsfield, Nicolson Street/Clerk Street, Portobello, Stockbridge, and Tollcross.
The team also offer additional support across the local centres in Edinburgh including the Royal Mile, West End, Thistle Street, Roseburn and Easter Road.
The award will be announced at a dinner in Bristol later today.
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Know someone over 50 who needs to know more about computers?
Third Age Computer Fun, an Edinburgh based charity (SC042734), provides support and guidance to the over 50s via learning the benefits of computer training and the internet- age is no barrier.
Third Age Computer Fun continues to build upon their recent award success, having previously won The Herald Society Award for Older People’s Project of the Year 2011. Their most recent computer club was launched by Colin Keir MSP in Corstorphine, bringing the current total of six clubs across Edinburgh. The clubs enable the over 50s to gain and explore more confidently with computer training and discover the benefits of the internet. Once they have been taught the basics, the members of the clubs decide what they want to learn and at their own pace whilst meeting the requirements of the individual.
“It is such a comfort to know that when I have a problem I can come along and get it explained. I look forward to learning so much more and making my computer experience more interesting,” said one club member.
The clubs are operated by the strong support of volunteers who enable them to run weekly and to allow the over 50s to discover the benefits of Third Age Computer Fun. The volunteers come from a wide range of background of skills and culture which enables the clubs to provide a mixed set of talent. The volunteers and members learn from one another and build upon experience and life skills. The clubs also help to close the gap of the young and the older generation.
Mamie Donald the Founder of Third Age Computer Fun explained that “Having the chance to develop my idea has enabled those of my generation for whom computers are a no-go area to learn just how they can enrich their lives.”
The clubs not only enable new computer and internet skills, but also to build new friendships with other members, build more confidence and self esteem. The clubs help to increase mental stimulation whilst encouraging social interaction. Third Age Computer Fun continues to grow and strengthen-one click at a time. Contact- Mamie Donald (Organiser and Founder) on 0131 346 1179 or email info@thirdagecf.org.uk