{"id":67739,"date":"2025-05-02T06:49:14","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T06:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/67739\/"},"modified":"2025-05-02T06:49:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T06:49:14","slug":"five-things-you-need-to-know-today-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/67739\/","title":{"rendered":"Five things you need to know today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lochview Court at Dumbiedykes \u2013 lifts still out of order<\/p>\n

Jim Slaven of the Dumbiedykes Working Group has written an open letter to the Chief Executive of The City of Edinburgh Council, Paul Lawrence, about the lifts in the high rise buildings in Dumbiedykes which are still NOT WORKING.<\/p>\n

Incredibly one has been broken down since last July. Residents warned the council that having only one working lift would only lead to the other being overused and risk it breaking down. <\/p>\n

Elderly residents are unable to leave their homes and while residents are helping each other the assistance from the council is woeful, with no timescales or plans for repairing the lifts.<\/p>\n

A residents meeting was held on Monday evening and it was agreed then that a letter would sent to the CEO at the council. <\/p>\n

Mr Slaven writes in the open letter: \u201cWhile many residents in Lochview Court are Council tenants, others are renting from private landlords. One landlord was told, in writing, as far back as 30th October 2023 that the Council vote to replace the lifts in Dumbiedykes high rise was from that date legally binding. As the period to appeal had expired. The letter also states \u201cI\u2019ll write to you again in the next few weeks with details about the programme of works and the next steps.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a legally binding decision was taken by Edinburgh Council 18 months ago why has the work to replace the lifts not commenced?\u201d<\/p>\n

The letter addresses many aspects of living right next to The Scottish Parliament while being an area which is ignored by the council. The council\u2019s sale of buildings nearby such as St Anne\u2019s in Cowgate and the lease of the South Bridge Resource Centre to the Fringe Society for a peppercorn rent all come in for criticism.<\/p>\n

Read the full letter here.<\/a><\/p>\n

This is not simply one-sided criticism of the council \u2013 although there is a lot of that in the letter \u2013 it is also a repeat of the offer to help with citizens getting together to take action \u2013 rather than just telling the council what it is getting so wrong.<\/p>\n

Pitch to Plate<\/p>\n

Everyone is invited to next week\u2019s Pitch to Plate: Multicultural Meal 2025, hosted by the Hibernian Community Foundation in partnership with\u00a0Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society<\/a>\u00a0SABS.<\/p>\n

This special gathering offers a warm, homemade meal while fostering compassion, community, and a sense of belonging \u2014 especially for New Scots and vulnerable families facing hardship. In the spirit of unity and shared humanity, your presence and support can make a real difference.<\/p>\n

Taking place during the organisation\u2019s anniversary week, this event is a meaningful opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together, celebrate shared values, and support those in need. A spokesperson said: \u201cIf you know anyone who may benefit, please do encourage them to come along. All are welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Bellfield Porty <\/p>\n

The crowdfunder for Bellfield Porty\u2019s Big Build has raised \u00a3162,515. This will help to raise more finance and will also count towards the improvements planned for the community building.<\/p>\n

Around 30,000 people visit during one year, but the realisation was that so much more could happen at Bellfield if they had more usable space. They plan to remove the Celebration Foyer, the ground floor pews and dais and move the pulpit. The ground floor will be levelled and resurfaced and two new kitchens and toilets will be created. An upper floor is in the plans and proposals to repair the stained glass windows and install secondary glazing. <\/p>\n

Keep up to date with their news on Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Edinburgh World Heritage Event. <\/p>\n

Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) are holding a panel discussion on 8 May at 6pm in Riddle\u2019s Court at 322 Lawnmarket.<\/p>\n

This is being held to mark World Heritage Day and will deal with the thorny issue of tourism \u2013 again.<\/p>\n

How does the delight in working in such an historic and magical location marry with the crowds blocking pavements, myriad accents and languages to understand and assist, and extra effort to keep calm and smiling when you are asked for the 40th time that day \u201chow do you get to the Castle?\u201d<\/p>\n

Join\u00a0Hazel Johnson, Director of the Built Environment Forum Scotland\u00a0and Edinburgh World Heritage Trustee, as she poses questions to a panel from local organisations.\u00a0Julie Trevisan-Hunter\u00a0is the Marketing Director for The Scotch Whisky Experience based up by the Castle which was created when 19 individual Scotch whisky companies jointly invested money towards showcasing the Scotch whisky industry to international visitors.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Keira Brown,\u00a0Communications and Community Manager (and acting Director) of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust is on the panel. Since being the first designated City of Literature, the Trust\u2019s goal is to build a strong literary community in Edinburgh, and Scotland, where literature is valued, and internationally connect to global literature communities. Based halfway down the Royal Mile within the iconic John Knox House, is it an ivory tower or a beacon of inspiration?\u00a0 <\/p>\n

And what of the New Town?\u00a0Tommy Zyw, Director at The Scottish Gallery,\u00a0from the Georgian side will aim to put his side of the story \u2013 is it far enough from the Festival footfall, but still in town enough for spontaneous visitors? The clientele may be different, but is the connection to the streets outside a different feeling to those in the Old Town? Is our city working for those working in it? Does it fulfil, does it spark joy or frustration and irritation as a place to work and live? <\/p>\n

Buy tickets here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Birthlink Thrift Shop has moved<\/p>\n

The new Birthlink Thrift Shop has closed at Lochrin Buildings \u2013 but opened at 43 Bruntsfield Place for \u201call your thrifting needs\u201d. The final window display was a sight to behold \u2013 with a nod to the window which manager Neil created with 1,000 paper cranes here is a display featuring keys \u2013 and the charity has now set up in the new premises.<\/p>\n

\"image_pdf\"<\/a>\"image_print\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.<\/p>\n

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