That 5K again!

Those who have sponsored me - thank you and those who haven't ...do it now! It's to fight child poverty in Scotland. There can be few things in life more important than giving the next generation to best start in life we possibly can.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost is running the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 5K ... (+playlist)

The Lord Provost the Rt Hon Donald Wilson is training for the 5K at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. We met him on Arthur's Seat.

Playlist by TheEdinburghReporter

STV Appeal 5K

Yes - it's a last minute plug for my 5K. Here is my initial statement...

 

Lord Provost of Edinburgh - STV Appeal 5K
I am absolutely delighted to be taking part in this year’s STV Appeal. Poverty amongst children is unacceptable in this day and age, so it’s great to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile caus...e making a difference to the lives of young people across Scotland, including Edinburgh.

Next weekend I will be taking on my first 5km run, it has been a long term ambition of mine to participate in a race like this, and doing it on behalf of the STV Appeal gives me a goal to aim for.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get fit and at the same time support an outstanding cause. I would greatly appreciate any donations in support of the STV Appeal. 

 

I can assure you I am taking it very seriously and did eight and a half K round Holyrood Park this morning. I even went up over the Craggs! I have to admit this was hard but will make the actual run seem a lot easier. The view is stunning.

You can donate by visiting my Just Giving page below:

http://www.justgiving.com/Donald-Wilson1

Many thanks and grateful for your support
See more

Donald Wilson is fundraising on JustGiving for STV Appeal

www.justgiving.com

 

 

 

Edinburgh International Science Festival

I've said before that I would concentrate on local stuff with this blog and stick to the Lord Provost's Blog for for things relating to that role. Having said that I do want to start this post by saying how much I am looking forward to the Edinburgh International Science Festival. I was the Chair for many years and am now its Honorary President so it holds a special place in my heart. We had the church service on Sunday but the Festival itself runs from the 5th to the 20th April. The service was a fitting start with everyone processing up the High Street from the City Chambers into St Giles. At least eighteen institutions and organisations in the City were represented which made for a colourful and impressive spectacle. We were escorted by the High Constables who always lend dignity to the occasion. It is about showing pride in, and support for, the worlds very first and still the best Science Festival. A particular strength or this festival is the ability to engage and interest young people in science and technology. It has everything from a Science Creche to a Science Ceilidh! Serious scientific issues to family fun the theme this year is 'Science is at the Heart of Everything'. More or less everything is interactive so it is a great opportunity to have your say on all things scientific . Don't miss it!

A Big Night for the Gorgie Dalry Community Association

This is something of a plug, but a justifiable one I think! The Gorgie Dalry Community Association have organised a Dolly Parton / Kenny Rodgers Tribute Night to raise funds after the closure of their McLeod Street centre which is in need of major renovation. It is on Friday 1st Feb. @ 7.30 till late. The venue is the Gorgie Suite, Hearts Football Club, Tynecastle Stadium. Tickets are £10. Phone me on 0131 529 4000 or email - donald.wilson@edinburgh.gov.uk just to let me know you are coming so we can put the tickets aside for you at the door.
the Gorgie Dalry Community Association ran a full program of sports and events at the centre at a cost that was affordable for local people. Though some of the activities have been transferred to other centres this is a facility the area cannot afford to loose! So whether you are a Dolly Parton / Kenny Rodgers fan or not please come along and support the Gorgie Dalry community.

See what is happening in the Lord Provost's office at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/blog/lordprovostsblog  . I will be concentrating on the other blog now so I won't be making many posts in this one. My feeling would be to make this one more local to my ward and with the other concentrate on the Lord Provosts role city wide.
While I am here then it is worth mentioning that the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony in Gorgie Dalry went very well this year. fellow Councillor Eric Milligan counted us down and long standing hard working local resident Sonja Squires pressed the button. This was preceded the weekend before by the Gorgie War Memorial Hall Festive Party. There was a clear resemblance between Councillor Fullerton and the Pixie helper but some have also said that there is a likeness between me and Santa ! I couldn't possibly comment.

Some of you may have noticed that there appears to be two Lord Provost blogs now. I have started a knew one through the Council's website so that it will be more visible. I was keen to communicate the diversity of events and duties of the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
I will still keep this one but use it more for the Ward stories or more personal comments on life in general.

You can see it at - http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/blog/lordprovostsblog .
..or click the link of course.   

There are so many issues across the huge Sighthill Gorgie Ward it has proved almost impossible to create a general leaflet. With 23,000 in a ward that stretches from Haymarket to the by-pass it is a tall order.

I have tried to keep it local in my campaign. Now we are decoupled from the Scottish Parliament it will, no doubt, affect the turn out but I believe people have the right to expect that we will talk about local issues in a local election!

I take personal pride in the fact that know what the issues are in every corner of the Ward and I think this is a testament to the work I have put in over the last five years (longer in the case of Gorgie). I was interested in the Tory leaflet that came through my door where Susan Dewhurst comes out with a fantastic list of what she would have done if she had been a Councillor for the area. In reality it is an accurate list of what I have actually done over the last five years so clever wording there. Saving the Dalry Swim Centre is something I played a lead role in at the Council as well as bringing the Sainesbury's to Longstone! When the Sainesbury's went to Planning I attended as the local Ward member (the only local Councillor to do so -  Eric was on the Committee and therefore took no part prior to the meeting) I spoke at length and persuaded the Committee to overturn their own officers recommendations and vote for it (9 votes to 3). I was representing the views of the  Longstone Community Council who were passionately in favour of the development which will bring 500 jobs to the area and revitalise a brown field site that has been a problem for the area since the B & Q were forced to leave (another issue locally).
My visits to Planning have been frequent, representing local views, mostly opposing things like hotels that were too high or balconies that looked straight into peoples windows. My attendance at local meetings such as surgeries, Residents Associations and Community Councils whilst not 100% (impossible in such a  large Ward) has been better than all the other Councillors for the area put together!

As Chair of the South West Neighbourhood Partnership for five years I have struggled with the fact that they were made into 'Advisory bodies' instead of the decision making Committees they were originally designed (by me as Executive Member for Modernising Government) to be.  In spite of this I have made it into a positive force for good in the area taking on issues such as surface crossings for the Calder Rd. and the fire in the Shandon Colonies. I was and remain the Chair of the Europe wide 'Demos' project which looks at citizen participation in local governance. I have tried to bring this to bear at the SWNP. It is a testament to my efforts and passion that local Councillors of all parties have voted me back into the Chair of the South West NP every year in spite of the fact that it was meant to change.  

I have done lots of local leaflets but here is my general Sighthill Gorgie one....