picturethis THECHRONICLE £50 voucher to be won See page 11 for MAY 2010 Issue No. 116 Free competition details ARTSPACE EXHIBITION retiring MP carries out last official engagement in Craigmillar BUDGET CUT BLOW FOR CASTLEBRAE By Lauren Witherspoon Local councillor Maureen Child told received support with accessing poli- the Chronicle she opposed the deci- cy information in relation to her son CASTLEBRAE COMMUNITY sion to cut the community high school who has dyslexia. She expressed her High School’s adult education budget so drastically. She said: “The dismay at the cuts saying: “It is disas- service has taken a severe hit in consequence of a £650,000 overall trous for the community that this part the city council’s latest budget budget reduction will hit hard at the of adult education will be stopped. I cut announcement. whole fabric of community schools have used this service on many occa- By Babs Burnett Strang on behalf of the community. Every school in the city has received like Castlebrae. I totally deplore this sions and without their help and sup- Professor Deacon said: “Gavin a 1% cut to their budget. However savage cut, particularly in Craigmillar, port I would not have been able to THE RECENT OPENING OF has worked tirelessly for this community high schools will take an which also lost the services of Instep last access this information and achieve the Who Are You? Where Are community for health services, additional 14% cut, meaning the loss year. There has been no consultation what I have so far. If adult education You? exhibition at ARTSPACE, schools and taking forward the of Castlebrae’s full-time adult educa- whatsoever about this and it will hit hard is stopped how many adults in the which celebrates the history of regeneration of the community tion development worker. at countless service users in our most community will not get the opportunity Craigmillar’s schools and pupils, and a whole host of stuff that The post was created six years ago vulnerable communities. It must be to learn how to read and write? I urge also marked the last ever public often isn’t seen. Over the last 40 in response to local needs. The com- resisted and reversed.” the council not to close this service.” engagement of Scotland’s longest years, he has been very widely munity will now lose individual sup- Ex-Castlebrae student Sarah Buchan MSP Kenny McAskill said: "We serving MP, Dr Gavin Strang. respected for his commitment, port for local adults, guidance for has been using the adult services at live in tough economic times and the Retiring after serving the local principles and willingness to entry to work and further education, Castlebrae for support to get into higher cuts from London are affecting coun- area for 40 years, Dr Strang was always stand up for what he referral to other agencies, and critical- education. She told the Chronicle: “I cils and communities alike. This is invited to open the exhibition and believes in nationally, internation- ly, no developmental work for adult received helpful advice and support to regrettable and there may be some was presented with an album con- ally and of course locally. education. make a decision about my future. Staff loss of provision for adults. However, taining a collection of photos “The people in this room and an The school’s family centre will also lose provided me with lots of information on the financial position left the school with from the local archives chroni- awful lot of other folk couldn’t a nursery nurse position, which will be college courses and even helped me no alternative. There will be, though, no cling his time as an MP. possibly let that contribution go replaced by less qualified crèche workers. apply and prepare for my interview. I impact on services to pupils and Mr Former MSP for Edinburgh East without the opportunity to say a Three members of teaching staff are to be started Access to Nursing in February.” Thompson and all his staff continue and Musselburgh, Susan Deacon, really heartfelt thanks to Gavin re-deployed at the end of the school year. Local mother Tracey Sheridan to do an excellent job for all." made the presentation to Dr ...continued on page 2 INSIDE KITCHEN ELECTION 2010 SPORT CANNY Your candidates for the John Hughes THIS cook-up at Edinburgh East seat talks to the Moffat Campus page 8... Chronicle ISSUE USE YOUR VOTE ON 6TH MAY page 6... back page... 2 The Chronicle...May 2010 The Chronicle is an independent newspaper Council asks for your views published by Craigmillar Community Newspaper Blooming Limited (CCN Ltd.) for the on Edinburgh’s open spaces people of FOR THE FIRST TIME IN “Edinburgh is fortunate to have Portobello/Craigmillar. over 40 years, the City of many wonderful parks and green marvellous CCN Ltd. is a Private Edinburgh Council is making a spaces, and in fact approximately Limited Company funded comprehensive plan for open 50 per cent of the city is open by the space in the city. And they want space. Residents and visitors Portobello/Craigmillar your views. value and enjoy these open spaces buisness Neighbourhood A draft open space strategy had and we want to protect them and Partnership Fairer been drawn up and is now open to enhance them for future genera- Scotland Fund. public consultation until Friday 21 tions. I strongly encourage resi- May. It is the first strategy of its dents to give us their views during kind for Edinburgh, and will be the consultation period.” updated every five years. A programme of public work- The strategy will be used to shops has been planned to provide inform planning decisions on loss information and gain views. and provision of open space in Portobello Library, in Rosefield new developments, and future Avenue, will host a workshop on The views expressed in management and investment deci- Wednesday 12 May, 6.30pm to the Chronicle are not sions regarding existing open 8pm. The draft strategy and necessarily those of the spaces. accompanying action plans can be Editor or the Board of Councillor Robert Aldridge, viewed at: Directors. Environment Leader, said: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/openspacestrategy Editor: Sally Fraser ARTSPACE Assistant Editor: Amanda with President of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Robert Carr. Babs Burnett exhibition AMANDA BAILLIE scooped Dunfermline and South Reporters: Lauren Witherspoon continued from front page... the 2010 Graham Cunningham Queensferry on a weekly basis. Award and a cheque for £2000. Amanda has established herself Phil Harris for all that work over all that time. Amanda’s florist business, Style as one of Edinburgh and the J. Martyn Rodgers He has left a proud and positive Exotic is based at the Wisp. Lothian’s leading florist for gift legacy in this area and it really is Amanda told the Chronicle: “I bouquets and business flowers and The Chronicle appreciated.” was delighted to win this award. has a large online customer base. Unit 9A Castlebrae Business Centre, Opening the exhibition, Dr It’s nice for a small business to be Judge Sharron Stanton told the Peffer Place Strang said: “It is great to see so recognised for the work it does.” Chronicle: “Amanda has shown Edinburgh EH16 4BB many people that I know and have When asked what she would do remarkable determination and worked with over the years.” with the prize money, Amanda considerable ability to quickly Tel: 0131 661 0791 Dr Strang described some of the said: “I’m hoping to put the establish a quality, growing busi- e-mail: may the changes he had witnessed ARTSPACE exhibit: an old school desk with money towards employing a nesses in a very competitive envi- [email protected] slate board and duster brought back in the area over the years, such as a few memories for several visitors member of staff so I can spend ronment. We wish her ever suc- Printed by: the building of the new Royal person in charge there taught at more time building the business.” cess and encouragement for the Scottish County Press Infirmary at Little France. Peffermill School, so we really do Style Exotic was established in future. Delivered by: He also encouraged the area be get everywhere!” 2005 by Amanda Baillie a trained The annual award is in memory Premier Delivery proud of its heritage and nurture Justice secretary and local MSP, florist with an ambition to show of Graham Cunningham, a former Registered in Scotland the talents of its residents. He Kenny MacAskill, who was everyone how beautiful exotic Director of Edinburgh Chamber Registration No. 205722 continued: “The key is to give that among the guests, told the flowers can be. Amanda aims to of Commerce, who was very talent the opportunity to develop Chronicle he was very impressed educate the consumer that quality active in Edinburgh’s business to the full and I’m pleased that the by the exhibition. He said: “The is better than quantity, with eye- community and had a particular last event I am doing as a Member first one was a star-turn but this is catching and colourful displays. interest in businesses run by resi- COPY FOR of Parliament in the area is basi- living up to expectations. It’s part Amanda says she loves to show dents of Edinburgh’s social inclu- cally about education - there is of our history and I think it’s each individual flower in her bou- sion areas. INCLUSION nothing more important than edu- something that everyone should quets. Graham was one of the initiators cation. come and see and enjoy and hope- Since Style Exotic opened its of the dedicated business support IN THE “I think this is a wonderful exhi- fully it will fill a few gaps where doors it has gone from strength to service based in Craigmillar and bition and everyone who has been names are still to be placed.” strength, with a high demand for his first steps developed into the involved can be proud of it.