A charity worker: someone you would usually notice when they shake a bucket or are in fancy dress on the high street. Not these charity workers. They claimed the goods that were being sold were to raise money for charities that specialised in dyslexia and epilepsy. The gang had been travelling around the UK selling goods door to door. To sell goods you need a peddler’s licence, which this group did not have. The group’s method of selling was seen as abusive and threatening and had people concerned that their homes would be at risk. The van, which the group worked from, was stopped on Great Junction Street in Edinburgh at 09:45 on Wednesday. Police found a number of false charity identification passes inside the van. Detective Inspector Jim Robertson stated that it was a “significant breakthrough”. He also reminded the public that they must check the identification of any salesmen or charity workers before handing over any money.
Written by Jade
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Holocaust Role Play Leaves Primary Children Distraught
Primary school pupils were left crying after a teacher told them they were being taken away from their families during a ‘cruel’ holocaust role-play.
The exercise sprung up on children at St Hilary’s Primary in East Kilbride without warning last Thursday morning. This left the 11- year-old children distraught and in tears.
The exercise sprung up on children at St Hilary’s Primary in East Kilbride without warning last Thursday morning. This left the 11- year-old children distraught and in tears.
According to an angry parent, deputy head teacher Elizabeth McGlynn told pupils that they had received an official letter stating that nine children had to be split up from classmates. It was up to 15 minutes before the stunned children were finally informed it was only a pretend game.
In a letter to the South Lanarkshire Council education department, the mother said, ‘when one child asked if that meant they might have to go to an orphanage, they were told that might be a possibility’.
‘At that point many of the children became very distressed, one boy kicked his chair over, one was angry and demanded to speak to somebody in charge, but most were crying on a scale ranging from mildly to severely.’
After the mother contacted the school she found out that the pupils were infact not informed beforehand so they could experience an ‘accurate emotional response’ to help them with story writing. She then added ‘ my daughter should not have to feel the terror, fear, panic, segregation and horror that the holocaust experience…’
A spokeswoman said, ‘These role play situations are designed to help children understand diversity and develop empathy for the victims of prejudice and are usually very well received by pupils.’
The spokeswomen then added, ‘We are sorry that the lesson had this effect on some pupils.’
In a letter to the South Lanarkshire Council education department, the mother said, ‘when one child asked if that meant they might have to go to an orphanage, they were told that might be a possibility’.
‘At that point many of the children became very distressed, one boy kicked his chair over, one was angry and demanded to speak to somebody in charge, but most were crying on a scale ranging from mildly to severely.’
After the mother contacted the school she found out that the pupils were infact not informed beforehand so they could experience an ‘accurate emotional response’ to help them with story writing. She then added ‘ my daughter should not have to feel the terror, fear, panic, segregation and horror that the holocaust experience…’
A spokeswoman said, ‘These role play situations are designed to help children understand diversity and develop empathy for the victims of prejudice and are usually very well received by pupils.’
The spokeswomen then added, ‘We are sorry that the lesson had this effect on some pupils.’
Written by Kirsty
Trams Delayed For 2 Years (again)
It’s now estimated that Edinburgh trams will not arrive until January 2014. A tramline, costing £545 million, will be delayed because of working to divert under ground pipes and cables. A spokeswoman mentioned other options, which included leaving the German firm, Bilfinger Berger, if enough progress was not made in the next 8 – 12 weeks. An MSP from Lothian, Shirley-Anne Somerville (SNP) called the trams’ development ‘an utter disaster’. She said: ‘For Leith residents, it is a cruel joke to see advertising sings saying ‘arriving in 2012’’.
Bilfinger Berger told local official system completion may have to be extended for 30 months to 2014. Chairman Richard Jeffrey said local residents continue to ‘suffer’ from ‘seemingly endless days’.
The Scottish Government, who opposed the project, has not provided additional funding, which means Edinburgh’s tax payers may have to pay extra bills. The city council would be responsible for any shortfall because they would not add to the £500 million pledged by the Liberal Democrat predecessors.
Ms. Somerville said: ‘It is disappointing that we are now faced with a 3-year delay and ‘unqualified’ bill. It seems the contractors no expect Edinburgh taxpayers to sign a blank cheque for this project.
‘When the underground utility works are still to be completed in parts of the city, it is inconceivable for anyone to now believe this project will be on time or on budget.’
by Alanah and Mary
Bilfinger Berger told local official system completion may have to be extended for 30 months to 2014. Chairman Richard Jeffrey said local residents continue to ‘suffer’ from ‘seemingly endless days’.
The Scottish Government, who opposed the project, has not provided additional funding, which means Edinburgh’s tax payers may have to pay extra bills. The city council would be responsible for any shortfall because they would not add to the £500 million pledged by the Liberal Democrat predecessors.
Ms. Somerville said: ‘It is disappointing that we are now faced with a 3-year delay and ‘unqualified’ bill. It seems the contractors no expect Edinburgh taxpayers to sign a blank cheque for this project.
‘When the underground utility works are still to be completed in parts of the city, it is inconceivable for anyone to now believe this project will be on time or on budget.’
by Alanah and Mary
Chunk or Not to Chunk
Leading researcher Mr Stirrat at St Andrews University has asked Alex Salmond and Tavish Scott
to take part in a game to try and prove if people trust those with chubby faces like Alex Salmond or thinner faces like Tavish Scott, who both played for money. Last year experts at the University of St Andrews were finding out why more people would vote for Tavish Scott rather than Alex Salmond. Most think that men with wider faces are bad and are more likely to be criminals.
Mr Stirrat him self said “We all make instant judgements about strangers, whether to trust him or whether to be wary. However we shouldn’t leap to the conclusion that wider faced men are bad.”
What do you think? Should we trust men with big faces? What about Santa?
to take part in a game to try and prove if people trust those with chubby faces like Alex Salmond or thinner faces like Tavish Scott, who both played for money. Last year experts at the University of St Andrews were finding out why more people would vote for Tavish Scott rather than Alex Salmond. Most think that men with wider faces are bad and are more likely to be criminals.
Mr Stirrat him self said “We all make instant judgements about strangers, whether to trust him or whether to be wary. However we shouldn’t leap to the conclusion that wider faced men are bad.”
What do you think? Should we trust men with big faces? What about Santa?
Written by Conner
U.S Soldiers Leaving Afghanistan?
U.S Defence Secretary Robert Gates yesterday raised the possibility of U.S forces leaving Afghanistan before Obama’s announced date of July 2011. Gates made suggestions on his visit to Kabul where U.S and British forces are training Afghan soldiers and police. A debate on Wednesday to conclude the 8-year-old war ended up losing by 356-65, which was expected, though anti-war representatives encouraged the debate as a chance to express the frustration that is put on the troop build up in Afghanistan. Gates added, “ At the end of the day only the Afghans will be able to provide long-term security for Afghanistan.”
Written by Lauren
A Shocking Attack Leaves Edinburgh Bouncer Blind in One Eye.
A shocking attack happened in the Shaghai nightclub on Edinburgh’s George Street after Sarah Marsden, 37, put her stiletto heel through a bouncer’s eyeball. The attack happened when Marsden and her friend Anthony Walker, 49, were asked to leave the nightclub after causing an argument with one of the bouncers. Graham Roach, 28, heard this debate going on and stepped in to help his work mate. Roach was then spat on and knocked to the ground by Marsden and Walker. The bouncer was then stamped on by Marsden with her stiletto heel piercing his eye. Roach was then taken into Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary where he under went a 4-hour operation. Unfortunately even after this operation Roach was still left blind in his left eye. Roach is now pushing for Marsden to get a tougher sentence as he feels that her guilty plea will lead to less time behind bars.
Written by Eilidh and Alex
Tom Evans Returning to Scotland Camp
Severely injured rugby star Tom Evans is planning to make an emotional return to the Scotland camp before the Calcutta cup game against England this Saturday. Evans, who broke his neck a few weeks ago against Wales, may never play rugby again. However Scotland team doctor James Robson has been encouraged with the progress made so far: “Surgeons are delighted with his progress. He's decided to go ahead with the procedure now and that should help with the whole recovery process”. This is said to be a huge boost to the Scotland team, especially brother Max Evans, who was on the pitch when the accident happened. Max said “He has not been in the car for any great length of time so I don’t think he’ll come to the game – but if he is up for it he is hoping to come through and see all the guys on Friday evening”. Today is also a sad day for rugby fans as it is legendary Scottish commentator Bill McLaren’s tribute night at Murrayfield tonight.
Written by Bradley and Grant
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