School crossing patrols to be discontinued at 17 schools
The council is planning to end school crossing patrol guides at 17 schools in the city, which will reduce the cover it provides at around 140 sites. This move has been suggested by council officers in areas where other road safety measures have been put in place such as pedestrian crossings, or roads have been closed as part of Spaces for People measures.
But the Transport Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, also confirmed this move, as part of the council’s Road Safety Plan, is also partly a response to the difficulties which the council has encountered in recruiting candidates for the 30+ vacant posts in the city. Only 14 guides have been recruited in the last 12 months, despite several rounds of recruitment.
Council officers have reviewed long term vacant sites and have identified 17 where there is no longer any need for a “lollipop” person. Council officers state: “A site survey of each location was undertaken to consider the current usage, road and traffic environment. Pedestrian and vehicle count surveys were carried out and collision data was considered for each location.15 of the noted sites are located at sites with formal pedestrian crossing infrastructure and two sites are currently on roads that have been restricted to vehicles.”
There are currently several jobs available in Edinburgh for School Crossing Patrol Guides with an annual salary of £24,346 per annum for a 12 hour working week over 38 weeks of the year.
A right royal reception
On Wednesday some 400 people from local media, (including the Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter, Phyllis Stephen), will congregate at Buckingham Palace at the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen.
Buckingham Palace said: “The King and Queen will host 400 guests from a wide range of media organisations across the country, for a reception at Buckingham Palace, demonstrating Their Majesties’ support for local journalism in the UK. During the reception, Their Majesties will meet people working in many parts of the local media sector, from reporters, editors and apprentices to technical operators, producers and presenters.
“The King and Queen will hear from guests about their work bringing news to audiences across the UK and the crucial role local journalism plays in building trust and fostering community cohesion.”
We have been given special permission to film at the Palace although photos and video are not permitted during the event itself. It is a whole new playground for us and we will report back on what happens.
Join the Water of Leith Visitor Centre as they celebrate 25 years.
A Silver Anniversary event on 13 April from 1pm to 4pm will be packed with activities for all ages—immerse yourself in the past, present, and future of this community hub. Enjoy a guided walk along the river, get creative with crafts and a memory collage, or share your ideas for the next 25 years. Explore the wonders of the water with river dipping, discover wildflowers, and follow the silver thread walk. Warm up with homemade soup and baking.
Whether you are a longtime friend of the Centre or discovering it for the first time, you are invited to go along to celebrate, explore, and be part of the next chapter.
More details about the free event here.
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Sign up as a canine foster carer
Dogs Trust West Calder is urging people in Edinburgh and the area to help support foster carers looking after dogs with training needs.
The ‘Foster Train’ initiative aims to build on the success of the charity’s Home from Home fostering scheme by recruiting and training foster carers who will become skilled in helping dogs that require training. By completing a series of modules – with topics including teaching dogs how to be comfortable being left alone, when passing other dogs, and remaining calm when distracted – the foster carers will be able to support dogs that would greatly benefit from living in a home environment and lack basic life skills.
Dogs Trust has witnessed an increase in dogs coming into its care that have not had the best starts in life, partly due to lockdown with puppies and young dogs not mixing with other dogs due to covid restrictions. The charity now cares for more dogs that require extra help with training in a home environment before they find their forever new homes.
Sarah Kellie, Home from Home Coordinator at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Our ‘Foster Train’ campaign aims to recruit more foster carers and develop their skills and knowledge in training dogs. With the help of these fosterers, we can give our dogs that require an extra helping hand valuable life skills that they can only learn in a home environment, increasing their chances of finding a forever home.”
“Not only does our Home from Home fostering scheme help the dogs in foster homes, but it also frees up space in our kennels to enable us to help even more dogs in need. Thanks to this new initiative, we hope to see even more dogs flourish after spending time in foster care.”
Last year 194 dogs were successfully rehomed from Dogs Trust West Calder after spending time in foster care.
Fosterers receive the committed support of the Dogs Trust team, including everything they need to care for their foster dog, from food, bedding to covering veterinary costs.
Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering can contact the West Calder Home from Home team at: HFHWestCalder@dogstrust.org.uk or call 01506 873 459.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
