Five things you need to know today

Weather – Musselburgh – Morningside – Wester Hailes – South Queensferry 

Although we are not directly affected by a hurricane or Tropical Storm Isaac, our weather seemed to take a turn for the worse yesterday when the skies opened in the afternoon, and around two weeks worth of rain fell in a couple of hours in some areas. The Usher Hall was hit by flooding in the basement, and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called upon to assist. According to The Daily Record the concert billed for yesterday evening went ahead as planned.  LBFRS have a whole section on flooding and what to do if you are caught in that situation.

The council have taken a decision to close Inverleith Park as a potential viewing area for the Fireworks Concert this Sunday due to flooding, although that flooding has been apparent all summer and not just this week. The Edinburgh Evening News have a photo of hail in Mid Calder following the storms yesterday afternoon. Today the Met Office predict high temperatures of 14 degrees for Edinburgh, but basically a dry day with sunny spells later, and the forecast for Sunday’s fireworks display is a partly cloudy evening following a dry day. Not the best weather for taking photographs of fireworks then….

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Holyrood reconvenes next week when there will be three business days rather than two from now on.

Alison Johnstone Lothians MSP has lodged a motion relating to Musselburgh and which reads as follows:-“Musselburgh Transition Toun—That the Parliament congratulates Musselburgh Transition Toun on establishing itself as a charitable organisation with the aim of reducing what it understands is the community’s dependency on cheap oil and to help it prepare for climate change; believes that encouraging local trade and food production and sustainable transport such as cycling brings benefits to public health, the local economy and the environment; applauds Musselburgh Transition Toun projects such as Incredibly Edible Musselburgh, which is helping the community grow its own fruit and vegetables, and wishes it success with its future endeavours.”

You can learn more about the work which Musselburgh Transition Toun is undertaking, including their gardening endeavours at Rennie Bridge by looking at their website.

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Local MSP Jim Eadie who represents Edinburgh Southern has lodged the following motion:-“Congratulating Rev Dr Derek Browning on 25 Years of Service—That the Parliament congratulates the Reverend Dr Derek Browning, Minister of Morningside Parish Church, and pays tribute to him on his 25 years of service since his ordination; notes that his first charge was in Cupar Old and St Michael of Tarvit Parish Church; understands that, two years after his ordination as Minister for Cluny Parish Church in 2001, he oversaw the union of that church with Morningside Braid Church in a manner that was sensitive to the traditions enjoyed by both congregations and that the union has worked very well; thanks him for what it sees as his dedication to the development of worship, education and leadership in the congregation of the Church of Scotland; commends his work as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Eric Liddell Centre; welcomes his commitment to outreach work, including his contributions to Pause for Thought on BBC Radio Two, and, in wishing him well, hopes that his ministry grows and develops over the coming years.”

Rev Browning spoke to The Reporter about his career. He said:-“I have been immensely fortunate in my ministry to have had the support of a large number of kind and dedicated people. Ministry is not a solo effort but is very much about teamwork. I would not be the minister I am today without the kindness and encouragement of so many people in my first parish in Cupar, and my current parish in Morningside. 25 years seems a long time but in many ways the years have flown by. I am grateful for having had so many opportunities to serve the church and the wider community, and hope still to have quite a few years left to continue in what for me has been the calling of a life-time.”

You can find out more about Rev Browning on the church website. 

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Gordon MacDonald MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands has lodged a motion recognising sterling work in the South West of the city:-“Whale Arts 20th Anniversary—That the Parliament congratulates Wester Hailes Arts for Leisure and Education on 20 years of aiming to deliver arts projects in south west Edinburgh and understands that, since August 1992, it has engaged tens of thousands of people in the community by encouraging them to be creative and positive about how arts can be used to make real changes in their lives and the lives of those around them.”

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Colin Keir MSP for Edinburgh Western has lodged this motion:-“South Queensferry’s Ferry Fair Festival—That the Parliament commends the organisers and participants in South Queensferry’s Ferry Fair; notes that the origins of this unique community event can be traced back to the 13th century, has been held over a period of eight days since the 16th century and that the current format was established in the 1930s; understands that, this year, the fair attracted vast crowds of locals and visitors and once again brought South Queensferry alive with concerts, music, stalls, sports and its infamous Burryman; notes that the tradition of the Burryman is shrouded in mystery, as is its costume of flannel bandages, flowers and ferns. which, this year, were adorned by South Queensferry man, Andrew Taylor; understands that the parade and crowning ceremony were truly memorable community events involving local children, including ten-year-old Lucy Mucklow, the newly crowned Ferry Fair Festival Queen, who began her twelve month reign by performing her first duty of laying a wreath for the fallen, and believes that the festival is a resounding success that brings together many facets of the local community and inspires and entertains all of those who attend the wealth of performances, events and concerts in the town.”