Five things you need to know today

Police appeal for witnesses after robbery

Pennywell Bright Lights tonight

At the National Museum of Scotland

Hibs launch new play room at St John’s Hospital

Outdoor learning for Wester Hailes students

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was robbed in the city.

The incident happened around 9.15pm on Tuesday 24 November 2015 in South Gyle Crescent.

A 17-year-old woman had left her work and was at a nearby bus stop when a male approached and demanded her handbag.

A short struggle ensued before the male managed to pull the bag from her grasp and make off from the area.

The victim was not injured during the robbery and contacted police to report the matter.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their inquiries to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, in his mid twenties and 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall. He was wearing a black scarf over his lower face, a red hood, dark/khaki jacket, dark tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

DC Joyce Gunderson of Corstorphine CID said: “Thankfully the young woman was uninjured, but this was extremely distressing for her and she was left deeply upset at the theft of her handbag.

“I would ask anyone who works in the area and who saw or heard suspicious activity around the time of this robbery to get in touch with police immediately.”

Anyone who has information that might assist with this ongoing effort is asked to contact police on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

The North Edinburgh community of Pennywell will be helping to shine a light on all that is great about their neighbourhood as it welcomes crowds to see unique artworks inspired by and designed for the local area.

‘Bright Nights’, tonight from 6pm-8pm, is an event being organised by North Edinburgh Arts and supported by the City of Edinburgh Council and urban developer Urban Union, which is hoping to attract young and old from around Pennywell and Muirhouse to the first exhibition of its kind.

The installation will be accompanied by unique reflective dressings which will decorate nearby trees. The whole project has been created by Artist Alice Betts and is set to transform the Muirhouse Shopping Centre area as well as helping local residents get more enjoyment and use from a community space that has previously been forgotten.

As well as the artwork and colourful lights there will be performances from local choir The Timebank Temptations, a series of painting with light workshops with top photographer Kenny Bean and a few other top secret surprises.

The local community will also be given the chance to get in front of the camera or to be interviewed as part of a new short-film being made, by Angelica Kroeger, about Pennywell.

Kate Wimpress, Director at North Edinburgh Arts, said: “The focus of the ‘Bright Nights’ event is to present to the public this very special art installation which has been specifically designed for the walkway area at Muirhouse Shopping centre.

“The idea behind this creation is to provide something that will help encourage local residents to look at this space differently and to hopefully use it more for community activities.”

The activity is part of an overall arts strategy set up by the organisers in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council. The event marks the beginning of a seven year arts plan supported by Urban Union and Creative Scotland, incorporating opportunities for the local community, new and arriving, to get together to draw, play, grow and perform.

Councillor Cammy Day, Housing Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Events such as “Bright Nights” are a fantastic example of what we are hoping to create in Pennywell – a close-knit community living in good quality and modern homes. This will be a great opportunity for people to have a look at what’s been completed so far on site. I hope that this is the start of many other similar, community-based events at Pennywell.”

‘Bright Nights’ is just one part of Urban Union’s regeneration programme, Pennywell Living, which will create new public open spaces, apprenticeships for local people and a community benefits programme providing a range of activities and events for local people.

Pennywell Living is the result of a major investment of £42 million by The City of Edinburgh Council’s 21st Century Homes programme. It is delivering 356 new social and mid-market homes for rent from the Council alongside 363 new properties for private sale throughout the area.

Craig Kidd of Urban Union said: “Through working with North Edinburgh Arts, we can ensure that art is an integral part of how we develop and grow the Pennywell area.

“We want to encourage residents to take pride in their surroundings, demonstrating the existence of a tight-knit community. The ‘Bright Nights’ event is a great way to get this started.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone on the night and seeing how the installation plays a part in bringing people into the centre over the coming weeks.”

Spotlight On: The Silversmith’s Art Today. The Collection of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London at the National Museum of Scotland

Date: Tuesday 1 December

Time: 2-3pm

Cost: Admission Free
The Goldsmiths’ Company’s Art Director and Curator, Rosemary Ransome Wallis, will give a talk on the Company’s role as a guild and leading patron of modern silver, showcasing its beautiful collection of innovative studio silver featured in The Silversmith’s Art: Made in Britain Today exhibition. Hear about the silversmiths’ inspirations, unique practices and learn the stories behind their compelling modern masterpieces.

For more information and to book a place, call 0300 123 6789 or visit http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/whats-on/spotlight-on-the-silversmiths-art/website.

Hibernian Football Club stars joined staff and patients at St John’s Hospital in Livingston to officially launch the newly refurbed space-themed play room within the hospital’s children’s ward.

Club Captain, David Gray and player Liam Fontaine, were among those who joined the St John’s team to officially cut the ribbon on the new interactive play room funded by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF).

The players took time out of match preparations ahead of the Ladbrokes Championship home fixture versus Livingston, to drop into the hospital and officially lift the wraps off the exciting new play space which will be used by hundreds of sick children who visit the hospital each year.

The children’s ward play room – based within the hospital – received a major refurbishment introducing the newest technology including Xboxes, Game Cubes, space themed lighting and an interactive floor projector, making the room a modern and child-friendly place for its patients.

New books, paints and a 3D TV means the play room now appeals to a variety of ages and is a welcome addition to the unit which keeps children distracted while they are waiting for their appointments. Portable DVD players were also introduced to keep children entertained in both the hospital waiting area and the wards.

The Hibs stars stayed on following the opening to meet and chat with children and parents, sign autographs and have photographs taken.

David Gray said: “I attended St. John’s Hospital some time ago with my daughter Ivy due to illness.  When I returned for the opening of the playroom I was immediately struck by the difference in the room.

“The playroom is now a light and bright space which is welcoming to children and their families.  I particularly like the games area and I know Ivy would love the interactive projector.  It’s fantastic that the Sick Kids Friends Foundation has been able to fund this improvement which will benefit so many children and their families.”

Jordon MacDonald, play assistant at St John’s Hospital, said: “We are delighted with our new play room – the artists have really done us proud with their space themed work.

“It was lovely to be able to invite people in to show them the space and the new play equipment will help make children feel more at ease while visiting the hospital. We would like to thank Hibernian FC and the Sick Kids Friends Foundation for making the refurb possible.”

Roslyn Neely, chief executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “The team at St John’s have worked so hard to bring the new play room to life and we are delighted to support such a worthy addition to the hospital.

“For children, visiting the hospital can often be a daunting experience however, with a new play room full of the latest in technology we hope visits to the hospital will be a more positive experience for them and their families.”

For more information on the Sick Kids Friends Foundation visit www.edinburghsickkids.org or visit us on Facebook at Edinburgh Sick Kids or Twitter @EdinSickKids.

Students from Wester Hailes recently took part in innovative outdoor learning ‘taster’ sessions on the Crown Estate’s Whitehill Estate in Midlothian.

The Wood Skills Team project, initiated by The Crown Estate and supported by legal firm Anderson Strathern, has been led by social enterprise Earth for Life, to give young people a grounding in woodland management and ecology and to teach them practical conservation skills. Ten students, aged between 13-15 years, used forest at Whitehill near Rosewell as their outdoor classroom. The project was also supported by Scottish Business in the Community which helped to bring partners together.

During the sessions the teenagers learnt about tree species and woodland types, practiced using tools for clearing invasive and non-native species and practiced survival skills such as safe fire-lighting and building shelters to stay warm and dry.

Alasdair Taylor, director of Earth for Life said:

“Wood Skills allows pupils to tackle learning in a much more hands-on manner, and allows them to develop life and vocational skills away from the classroom. The sessions are designed to be enjoyable, and being skills-based they will increase individual’s confidence in their abilities.”

Three sessions took place at Shiel Burn Wood, on The Crown Estate’s Whitehill Estate during November. 

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