Category: Community information, events and news

You are viewing all articles on our website relating to general community information, events and news.

Links Place Bus Gate Open to ALL traffic

Duncan Place and Johns Place are currently closed for possibly the next 10 weeks for maintenance work on pavements.

The road network around and through Leith has had increased traffic volumes as traffic that would normally use the closed off roads attempts to find another route to destinations withing the ‘liveable neighbourhood’.

The Community Council asked council officers to consider lifting restrictions on Links Place until the road works have been completed allowing traffic to flow East and West along this road.

Council Officers responded that this was possible and the restrictions which includes the camera have been removed for the duration.

Hopefully we’ll be told before work is completed a date for the camera being switched back on.

 

Join the Litterpick, Saturday 22nd March

Please come and join in the Spring Litterpick on Leith Links, next Saturday morning, 22nd March! Litter-picking is surprisingly satisfying in itself, and you will be contributing to making our area a much more pleasant place for everyone.

Duncan Place is coordinating the litterpick, which is also supported by the Leith Links Community Council.

  • We’ll all meet in the Duncan Place car park at 10am. 4 Duncan Place, Leith, EH6 8HW.
  • We have litter pickers you can borrow, however please do bring your own if you have one. Bring gloves (not your poshest pair!)
  • We’ll supply bin bags. We have a limited number of bin bag hoops and sturdy gloves that people can borrow.
  • Children very welcome, but under 16s to be accompanied by an adult.
  • Join us after the litter pick for a hot cuppa and biscuits, inside Duncan Place, as a thank-you for getting involved.
  • If the weather is *really* bad, we’ll call the litter pick off. If in doubt, check the Duncan Place socials, or call 0131 364 4351.
  • Litter picking volunteers can just turn up on the day, but it does help to let the organisers know you’re coming. You can email on events@duncanplace.org or fill in the form here > https://forms.gle/e7DbVQHq7ENikTSZ6

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DUNCAN PLACE COMMUNITY CENTRE TRUSTEES REQUIRED

Duncan Place Community Hub is a friendly, welcoming and inclusive hub in the heart of Leith. The charity provides a brilliant programme of community events, is financially sound and has a great team of staff managing the day-to-day tasks. There are currently seven Trustees from a variety of backgrounds and Duncan Place is now looking to welcome five more to the board. Trustees play an integral part in developing the strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring its good governance and overseeing the delivery of the organisation’s aims and objectives.

Experienced trustees are welcome, but you don’t have to have been a trustee before. Enthusiasm and a willingness to share your skills and offer guidance to your fellow trustees and staff is what we’re after. We’d especially like to add expertise in financial management, staff development, funding applications, information technology and legal knowledge in the areas of leases and contracts. Current trustees have skills in property, facilities management, marketing, treasury skills and community involvement. Further skills in these areas are also always welcome.

Interested? There will be an information evening on Wed 26th March 19.00-20.00. Please register your attendance by completing the short form and we shall be in touch.

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee/ finding out more but cannot make this date, please indicate this on the form and we will contact you separately.

Attendance at our AGM on the evening of Thurs 24th April is also strongly preferred

Via our website
https://duncanplace.org/

Community Councils Together

The community council elections are taking place across Edinburgh. The three Leith community councils have a stall at Leith Market, today 15th February. If you want to find out more about what we do, please come along and speak to us. We’re always willing to listen to local residents.

Keeping in touch

Leith Links Community Council does not meet officially in December, but we are all still here, and happy to hear from any member of the local community who wishes to get in touch, to ask a question or report an issue. We will always try to help if we can.

You can contact us on contact@leithlinkscc.org.uk

If you have an urgent problem, you may be better to contact the City of Edinburg Council directly, via @edinhelp if you are on ‘X’

Or via the website  https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/report

Or contact your elected City of Edinburgh Councillor, we have 3 for our area:

adam.nols-mcvey@edinburgh.gov.uk

chas.booth@edinburgh.gov.uk

cllr.katrina.faccenda@edinburgh.gov.uk

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For anyone struggling to afford food –

Foodbank information can be found here

Useful info about other sources of free or cheap food, community meals etc. can be found here

See also:
Morrisons: Ask for Henry
A free jacket potato topped with Heinz Cheesy Beanz. This initiative was brought back in 2024 after successful campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
Kids Eat Free
A free kids meal with any adult meal over £5. This includes a choice of main, side, and veg, plus a drink.
Kellogg’s Breakfast Club
A free breakfast in Morrisons cafes during the summer holidays. This initiative was run in partnership with Kellogg’s to support families when school breakfast clubs are unavailable.
Ask for Ellen
A free pair of Warburtons crumpets with jam and butter. This offer is available at the till point in Morrisons cafes.

Asda:
£1 meals for over 60’s at all Asda Cafe’s are back as part of their Winter Warmer campaign.

 Soup + roll + unlimited tea or coffee for only £1 

 For over 60’s

️ From 1st November 2024 until end of February 2025

 All-day availability at all 205 Asda Cafés (check before going – as some are unaware)

‍‍ Kids eat for £1, too (a £1 kids cold pick and mix selection that includes a sandwich, drink and piece of fruit)

From 1st November until the end of February, Asda are offering people aged 60 and over the chance to enjoy soup, a roll and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of Asda’s 205 cafes.
Fuel
You can get a £49 Fuel Bank voucher in Scotland through a number of organizations, including:
Fuel Bank Foundation: Offers £49 vouchers to prepayment meter customers who are experiencing a fuel crisis. You can be referred to the Fuel Bank Foundation by Community Advice Services or Advice and Support Hub staff. 
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Update on permanent Public Toilets for the Links, 2025

Leith Links Community Council has received the following letter which aims to update local residents and park users about the plan to install permanent public toilets on Leith Links. The short version of all this is that there WILL be toilets installed next year, although the final date cannot be guaranteed. Members of the Community Council and the local community were consulted about the matter, and although we are not terribly enthusiastic about the location the Council has chosen to install them, and although the design is much pared back from the original suggestions, we nonetheless welcome the development. We will be following the timeline of the installation closely, and pressing the Council to install temporary toiets again, if the new ones are delayed.

From Thriving Green Spaces, City of Edinburgh Council:

“… We are pleased to share an update on our progress with the public toilets in parks project. Please find here the finalised design, which showcases the thoughtful integration of accessibility and environmental sustainability. Details can also be found under Latest News webpage.

Further information about the project, including locations, key features, decision-making and FAQ, can be found on Public Toilets in Edinburgh’s Parks website.

The finalised design of the new facilities reflects our shared commitment to creating accessible, sustainable, and inclusive spaces for all. Each facility includes energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and unisex cubicles designed to accommodate people of all abilities. Features like grab rails, baby changers, and enhanced safety measures are incorporated to ensure ease of use and accessibility for everyone.

Project Timeline and Phased Installation

We are progressing according to a carefully structured and conservative programme, with a targeted timeline designed to minimise impact and accommodate potential challenges. Key phases include:

  • Factory design and build: Began on Monday 4th November 2024, covering the detailed design of both the buildings and groundworks. This stage is essential for ensuring that each component is precisely tailored to meet the required standards before installation on-site.
  • Groundworks: Expected to start in early February, following the appointment of groundwork contractors by Healthmatic. Groundworks will be staggered, allowing for the Healthmatic project manager to supervise each phase closely and ensures the concrete can cure without rushing.
  • Phased Completion Dates: Installation completion is set for April 21st, May 5th, and May 19th 2025 for the three facilities. The specific order of completion will depend on contractor availability, connections to utility services, and external factors. This flexibility enables us to address any site-specific challenges that may arise; if one site requires additional work, we can proceed with another to keep the overall timeline on track.

This conservative approach includes allowances for unforeseen elements such as contractor scheduling, utility connections, and weather-related delays.

We are reviewing options to retain the temporary public toilets until the new facilities are built, and I will update you once a plan for this has been agreed.

Focus on Landscape

As installation moves forward, our attention will turn to enhancing the surrounding landscapes. Wildlife-sensitive lighting, bike racks, and benches will complement the facilities, ensuring a welcoming, comfortable environment that supports both people and nature.

Maintenance and Operational Readiness

We have also initiated close collaboration with the waste and cleanliness team to co-develop a maintenance plan tailored to the new facilities. Our goal is to ensure the team has the necessary resources and tools to maintain the toilets to a high standard, keeping them in excellent condition for all park visitors. We will also be working with the grounds maintenance teams to develop maintenance guidelines for the sedum roofs and to arrange any necessary training.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support and involvement in this ambitious project. If you have any questions or would like more detailed information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,

Thriving Green Spaces
City of Edinburgh Council – Parks and Greenspace – Place
Level 2.1 Waverley Court – 4 East Market Street – Edinburgh – EH8 8BG

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Cycle lane from Hawthornevale to Seafield – Send in your views NOW!

If you do JUST ONE THING this weekend – please do this!

We have only until Sunday 17th November to respond to the current consultation on the proposals for a new cycle path to be built all along Seafield Street, Salamander Street, Bernard Street, Commercial Street, Lindsay Road, narrowing the road, removing or moving bus stops, removing bus lanes, and many other features such as new crossings, revamped junctions etc.

All the plans are here, in the form of very detailed drawings https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithconnections/supporting_documents/30197119ARCHGNZZDRHE00001to00023%20Updated%20Notes.pdf

It may be easier to make sense of them via the survey at: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithconnections/

You can respond with your views in two ways. Either fill in the survey at https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithconnections/

Or, send an email expressing your views to LeithConnections@edinburgh.gov.ukf

Or do both!

For the latest Newsletter with an overview of all the Leith Connections plans, see https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/35786/leith-connections-newsletter-october-2024

 

Sociable Strolls on Leith Links – Thursday lunchtime

Here is an invitation from our friends at Duncan Place Community Hub –

Join us as we take a wander round Leith Links and the surrounding areas, enjoying the changing seasons. There’s always something to spot!

We’re trialling a new day of the week, and a slightly different time:

Thursday 31st October, 12 noon til 1pm
Thursday 14th November, 12 noon til 1pm
Thursday 28th November, 12 noon til 1pm

Meet in the car park at 5 Duncan Place five minutes before (at 11:55am).
It’s free to attend.
You don’t need to book, you can just turn up, however some people like signing up on Eventbrite for a reminder.

If the weather is really bad, we’ll call the walk off. If we do, we’ll post on our social media pages and contact Eventbrite signups on the morning of the walk.

Email events@duncanplace.org or call 0131 364 4350 with any questions.

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Leith’s Got Talent! Apply now!

Are you ready to showcase your skills? Leith Festival is excited to announce ‘Leith’s Got Talent,’ an exhilarating event series designed for both adults (18+) and young people (14-17 yrs)!
This is your chance to shine and share your unique talents with the community.
Whether you sing, dance, perform magic or have a hidden talent we want to see what you’ve got!
(family appropriate of course)
* Applications are invited from individuals and groups
* Applications close: midnight 13-10-2024
* Applicants are required to share a video as part of the audition process
A longlist for each category will be selected to perform in heats (w/c 18th November 2024), with the top acts invited to perform again at our grand final event (w/c 25th November 2024).
THE MAIN PRIZE IS A PERFORMANCE SPOT AT GALA DAY 2025
– your performance must be suitable for the main stage space – contained to 6x4m stage space & outdoor conditions
Please complete this application form and email a 1-min video showcasing your act to office@leithfestival.com
There may also be a couple of volunteer opportunities available for people who want to get involved in another way –  particularly if they are interested in event or stage management.
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