Pedal on Parliament – Queen Margaret University and The Engine Shed – South West Neighbourhood Partnership – New exhibition at Open Eye Gallery from today – Greater Grassmarket
We have several articles about the Pedal on Parliament cycling protest which took place in the misty weather we had yesterday. Greener Leith have an article about their feeder ride here. Notwithstanding the dull day it was definitely livened up with the smiling faces of all who took part. Now it is down to The Scottish Government to do more than just talking with the safety campaigners to try and bring about a step change in road safety.
Several MSPs across all parties took part in the ride and here is Sarah Boyack MSP addressing the crowd:-
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Queen Margaret University will celebrate the success of its Santander scholars and award winners when it hosts the Santander Universities Scholars’ Reception, today. The event hosted by QMU Principal, Professor Petra Wend, will also provide the ideal opportunity to thank Santander Universities UK for their support over the last five years in enhancing the university experience of students, staff and recent graduates through the awards.
Santander Universities UK, a global division of Banco Santander, has contributed £135,000 to QMU over the last two years through its provision of scholarships for study and research, travel grants, community awards for volunteering activities and paid internships. Luis Juste, Director of Santander Universities UK, and other senior personnel from Santander Universities UK will be there to celebrate the success over the last two years of around 50 Santander Scholars and award winners, all of whom are students, staff or graduates of QMU.
In addition to study and research scholarships and travel grants, the latest tranche of awards includes £6,000 in Santander Community Awards to be awarded to local charities as a result of the volunteering activities of QMU students.
QMU Principal, Professor Petra Wend, said: “We are delighted to welcome Luis Juste, Director of Santander Universities UK, and his team to join us in celebrating the success of our Santander Scholars. The Santander scholarships and awards enable our students and staff to continue or deepen their studies or research, and to gain an international perspective, through the provision of travel grants to support research overseas. They play an important part in enhancing the university experience of students and staff, and we are most appreciative of Santander Universities’ continued generous support.”
Professor Wend continued: “We are delighted to congratulate the winners of this year’s Santander Community Awards several of whom have used the skills and knowledge gained as part of their studies for the benefit of local charities. Their volunteering activities exemplify the relevance of our courses and the ‘can-do’ attitude we aim to foster in our graduates.”
Luis Juste, Director of Santander Universities UK, said: “Twelve registered local charities or not-for-profit social enterprises in Edinburgh and Midlothian will each receive a Santander Community Award of £500 after being nominated by a QMU student who is an active volunteer with them.
They include, The Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, a new not-for-profit social enterprise nominated by Danish mountain biker Ms Sidse Sorensen, an undergraduate on QMU’s BA (Hons) PR and Marketing programme. Launched earlier this year, the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling aims to encourage more individuals to take to two wheels and gain health benefits for themselves and environmental benefits for the city.
Among the other charities to benefit are the Hollies centre, Musselburgh, an invaluable local resource which aims to counter isolation among the local elderly through its lunch club, respite care facilities and other services. Fergus Boden, Kara-Jo MacFadyen, Lorna Rew, and Dane Thomson, students on QMU’s BA (Honours) PR and Marketing programme became involved with the local social enterprise after working on a project with the Hollies as part of their studies.
Liz Shannon, Co-ordinator with the Hollies, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the award. I think it’s fabulous. We have built up such a rapport with the QMU students. To have a new board outside would be perfect because we want to open up the Hollies to the wider community. A lot of people think our facilities are just for old people. We are keen to encourage younger people and families to use our café as it is an important source of revenue for our work.”
Other charities to benefit from the £500 awards include: Mayfield and District Breastfeeding Support Group; East Lothian Special Needs Play Scheme; Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland; The Engine Shed; Bethany Christian Trust; South Leith Parish Church Breakfast Club; ‘No Limits’; CHANGES, Musselburgh; Waverley Care and the Pilmeny Development Project.
However The Engine Shed is now threatened by closure and there is a petition to persuade the council to keep it open which you can sign here.
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There will be a Public Meeting of South West Neighbourhood Partnership on Tuesday 21 May 2013.
The organisers pose this question:-“Does everyone know what a Neighbourhood Partnership and how it has an impact on your daily life in City?”
There are 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships in Edinburgh, each made up of a core membership of local Councillors and representatives from… the Police, Health, local voluntary sector organisations and the local community and they are accountable to YOU!
Got a burning question to ask them? Then come along to the next public meeting of your Neighbourhood Partnership
(http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/page/South_West.aspx) is on Tuesday 21st May, 7pm, Gorgie Dalry Parish Church, 190 Dalry Rd, EH11 2NXFind out what’s happening in YOUR neighbourhood!
For Further Information Contact:
Scott Neill & Graham Budd
Partnership Development Officers
0131 527 3816 / 0131 527 3884
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The Open Eye Gallery on Abercromby Place has a new exhibition opening today. One of the artists is Edinburgh artist and President of Visual Art Scotland, Diana Hope. The other part to the exhibition is a display of paintings by James McNaught RSW RGI under the title, Capricci, and featuring landscapes in watercolour and gouache.
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This weekend in the Grassmarket there will be pony rides! Here is what the organisers say:-
Between 12.30pm – 3.30pm on Saturday 25 May 2013 the Grassmarket will be home to two beautiful ponies; Flame is a Welsh B pony and Pumpkin is an adorable Shetland pony.There will be Free Pony Rides available to approximately 3-12 year olds during the afternoon to celebrate the start of the Grassmarket Summer Events Calendar – which includes monthly fun days, markets and entertainment for all ages throughout the summer.The Grassmarket was once home to a large and vibrant Horse Fair, which occurred every November in the area (for a great image of the scene click here).Next weekend we hope to reawaken a little of this magic with a visit from the two beautiful ponies (previously seen at Beecraigs and Polkemmet Country Park, West Lothian).This event is supported by the Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District, started February 2013, which works in collaboration with the businesses within the Greater Grassmarket district to improve and enliven the area. More information about this project can be found at www.grassmarket.net.
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