Five things you need to know today

Rugby travel – Caltongate – Funding for Leith – Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council meeting – Spring Fling

Anyone travelling to and from the rugby this weekend will be glad to know that Scotrail have decided to add more carriages to each train to help fans travel more comfortably. More news here

***

Caltongate is back on the agenda at this morning’s Development Management Committee meeting. The report produced for the meeting explains that a pre-planning public exhibition will be held on site in the form of a drop-in session on Thursday 14th March 2013 at the Canongate Venture, New Street, Edinburgh, so if you are interested in what shape the development might take you should note the date in your diary now.  The planning papers for Caltongate can be found on the council planning portal here.

***

A Leith community project has been awarded almost £43,000 of funding. Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) secured funds for Saheliya from the Scottish Government’s Community Fund.

 

The organisation will receive £42,482.00 over the next two years. The funds will provide learning activities to improve language and communications skills to over 90 ethnic minority women living in the North Edinburgh area. A number of PoLHA’s tenants use the service.

 

Mary Hastie Business Development Co-ordinator at Saheliya, said:-“This funding is vitally important and allows us to reach out to women and young girls who are disengaged and feel disempowered and give them a voice.

 

“This money will allow us to provide vulnerable women with the confidence and skills needed to access additional services to support and encourage integration within the wider community.

 

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at PoLHA, said:-“We are committed to supporting communities and creating a sense of purpose and belonging for our tenants. Saheliya is a fantastic initiative and I am delighted we have been able to support them through access to the Scottish Government’s Community Fund.”

***

Next week’s Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council meeting will take place at St Catherine of Argyle Church 61 – 63 Grange Road. EH9 1TY. The whole meeting will be on one subject, the rising school rolls for primary schools in South Edinburgh. More information on the community council website.

***

 

(And yes today’s photo is of Edinburgh – Morningside…)