Kung Hei Fat Choy from Granton!

Granton Primary School is celebrating the Olympics in style this year.  The whole school has been split into six countries, with each group learning something of the language and culture of their chosen nation.  Friday was the opportunity for the Chinese students to showcase what they’ve learned and the children staged a special event to celebrate the Chinese New Year at the school.

The children have been working with Meryl James (picture below), who coordinates the Confucius Classroom Hub for Chinese Studies at St. George’s School, and the kids have certainly learned a lot as they brought a flavour of China to Granton with their special event.

Parents and classmates participated in calligraphy, fan making and mastered the art of eating with chopsticks at Fridays’ showcase, and also had an opportunity to make their own personal wish for the world.  There was sumptuous Chinese cuisine, too, prepared by the Granton parents and served up in the school’s very own Chinese restaurant!

This being the Year of the Dragon, the Granton kids also marked the Chinese New Year with their very own Dragon Dance.  All the visitors to the exhibition were very impressed.  P2 pupil Hamish perhaps summed it up best:  “I think this is awesome!” he said!

Adios, Dave!

MOVING ON: Dave Hewitt

There were more than a few sore heads in North Edinburgh on Saturday morning following a farewell drinks party for Dave Hewitt in Broughton Street’s Cask and Barrel at the weekend! 

Dave Hewitt worked in North Edinburgh for over seventeen years, first at The Pilton Partnership then more recently managing Pilton Community Health Project in Boswall Parkway.  Dave moved on to take up a new post with Community learning and Development in Tollcross earlier this month, and Friday’s event was an opportunity to get together with old friends and colleagues to reminisce about the good old days!

Dave said:  “I have some great memories of my time in North Edinburgh and I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with some very good people.  There’s no doubt that the last few years have been very hard for the whole voluntary sector, though, and that’s been the story for the Health Project too.  That’s situations unlikely to change in the near future and projects are constantly struggling to provide the best services they can in very difficult circumstances.  I wish all projects in North Edinburgh the very best of luck in the tough times ahead”.

 

 

Tributes paid to Drylaw activist

Tributes are today being paid to long standing community activist Anna Aitken, Anna passed away over the weekend following a short illness.

Anna Aitken collecting her Good Citizen Award in 2002. (Picture: Dave Pickering)

Anna was heavily involved in the Rainbow Club at Drylaw Church as well as the Young at Heart Club at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

We will publish funeral arrangements once they are known.