Next month the French Film Festival will run in Edinburgh from 8 to 20 November. As a taster everyone is invited to the French Institute on George IV Bridge this afternoon
Next month the French Film Festival will run in Edinburgh from 8 to 20 November. As a taster everyone is invited to the French Institute on George IV Bridge later this afternoon to an event run by UK French Film Festival director, Richard Mowe.
Firework Control Zones will be in place from 1 to 10 November
Following disturbances in certain areas of the city last year and unruly behaviour, with attacks on emergency services, the council has taken action.
Councillors agreed that this year there will be Firework Control Zones (FCZ) in these areas:
- Balerno
- Calton Hill
- Niddrie
- Seafield.
The Firework Control Zones will be for a set period between 1 November to 10 November 2024 only.
You can download the decision report which is being published as required by Section 29 Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.
When the decision was made in August, Culture and Communities Convener, Val Walker, said: “The Culture and Communities Committee endorsed the recommended actions, which allows us to implement the Firework Control Zones in the four areas from 1 – 10 November, following the 60-day lay period.
“This is just the first year, and will provide us with tangible evidence of its effectiveness and help guide implementation in years to come, along with extensive community consultation in 2025.
“Community safety, the protection of our emergency services personnel and animal welfare are among our top priorities when it comes to this decision.
“Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use in the city can be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together, and we hope that these zones will allow the community to celebrate safely.
“The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 gives councils power to introduce Firework Control Zones (FCZ). We will use FCZs along with other measures to support the safe use of fireworks.
Currently the council tackle issues involving fireworks by
- raising awareness within local communities
- by carrying out effective early intervention and prevention with families
engaging with young people in schools, through a local partnership approach with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Police Scotland.
engaging with young people using diversionary activities
working with Police Scotland who carry out enforcement activities
The police may also use Dispersal Zones to help prevent anti-social behaviour in November. This means police officers can order groups of two people or more to go home if police have reasonable grounds to believe they are causing alarm or distress to the public. Anyone who does not live in the area can also be ordered to go home and police can ban them from returning for 24 hours. Last year twelve dispersal zones were in effect in Edinburgh for three days.
Incident on cycle path
A scary incident on the cycle path in North Edinburgh on Sunday has led to the council saying they will review the exits and will possibly install bollards where necessary. A blue BMW 5 series was driven at speed along the path hitting a dog and causing it serious injury.
The police are still looking for the car and its driver.
Michael is swimming for Epilepsy Scotland
Michael Sturrock has almost finished swimming 70km to raise funds for the 70th anniversary of charity, Epilepsy Scotland. He has swum 7km every day and today is his final day.
If you would like to donate to his cause then follow the link here.
Granton Youth Christmas Fair
If you are organising an event then please feel free to tell us about it in case we can include it here.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
