Day: April 4, 2012

Local parents plan grassroots gala

It may look quiet just now, but a group of local parents want to see West Pilton Park packed with families having fun this August as they plan a community gala. 

The group first met only last month but plans to resurrect the community fun day are already well advanced.

Sean Gardiner, a parent involved in the steering group, explained: “The idea really just came out of the blue. We were talking about how other areas – Davidsons Mains for example – have very successful fun days and galas and we thought: why don’t we have one? At first we were thinking about West Pilton alone but, when people talked about the great Muirhouse Festivals and more people came on board, we thought we would extend it to Muirhouse too. We’ve come up with lots of ideas for the day and we’ve been really pleased with the number of organisations, businesses and individuals who have signed up to be part of the day itself. The response has been brilliant”.

The group plans to combine the family fun element with information stalls too.

“There are an awful lot of organisations in the area doing great work, but some residents don’t even know they’re here. We’ll set up tents and stalls on gala day to give organisations the chance to publicize what they do, and we plan to introduce a ticketing system for the bouncy castles and things like that. If we set that up in the information area that would mean that families will get a see the information stalls before they go on to the fun activities for the kids. We think that combination of information and fun will work well – it should be a great day”.

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre Community Learning and Development worker Alan Addison is supporting the group – not that they need much support!

“This is a really enthusiastic group and I think what they have in just a few short weeks is pretty incredible. They’re not setting up in competition with anyone else, this is just a grass-roots community idea that’s come from local parents who are now taking on the responsibility for organising the event themselves. It’s a lot of work but their commitment and energy is incredible”, he said.

The community fun day will take place on Sunday 26 August in West Pilton Park. We’ll keep you up to date as plans progress.

Credit where it's due …

With financial crashes, economic meltdown and banking bailouts still fresh in the memory it’s good to know that alternatives to the big banks and finance companies are available. A safe place to save, loans at realistic rates, a dividend for members – and it’s right on your doorstep!  

Members attending last week’s North Edinburgh Credit Union annual general meeting heard that the organisation has had a steady year and that, in a volatile financial world, the local credit union remains a safe haven for savers and borrowers.

Chairperson Betty McVay told the meeting: “This is our Credit Union’s 26th year of operation and we are still going, when many people said we wouldn’t last! I won’t deny that at times it has been a hard struggle but with some dedicated volunteers and loyal members we are still around. The business of the Credit Union has once again continued to grow from strength to strength and now has an increasing membership. With the current economic climate we continue to exercise caution and take steps, through our Credit Committee, to protect our members and their savings”.

The meeting adopted rule changes that will see North Edinburgh Credit Union fall into line with other credit unions across the country, including the introduction of corporate membership and expand membership criteria to those people working in North Edinburgh. Members also agreed to pay a 1% dividend on shares in the credit union.

If last year was about stability and consolidation, the year ahead promises to be a more dynamic one. North Edinburgh Credit Union has appointed a consultant to boost the organisation’s profile and seek out new opportunities to help the credit union to grow. Banks may come and banks may go, but North Edinburgh Credit Union goes on forever!

North Edinburgh Credit Union is based in Wardieburn Drive. Business hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 4 – 7pm. For further information on how the credit union could help you, telephone 466 5006.

 

 

Credit where it’s due …

With financial crashes, economic meltdown and banking bailouts still fresh in the memory it’s good to know that alternatives to the big banks and finance companies are available. A safe place to save, loans at realistic rates, a dividend for members – and it’s right on your doorstep!  

Members attending last week’s North Edinburgh Credit Union annual general meeting heard that the organisation has had a steady year and that, in a volatile financial world, the local credit union remains a safe haven for savers and borrowers.

Chairperson Betty McVay told the meeting: “This is our Credit Union’s 26th year of operation and we are still going, when many people said we wouldn’t last! I won’t deny that at times it has been a hard struggle but with some dedicated volunteers and loyal members we are still around. The business of the Credit Union has once again continued to grow from strength to strength and now has an increasing membership. With the current economic climate we continue to exercise caution and take steps, through our Credit Committee, to protect our members and their savings”.

The meeting adopted rule changes that will see North Edinburgh Credit Union fall into line with other credit unions across the country, including the introduction of corporate membership and expand membership criteria to those people working in North Edinburgh. Members also agreed to pay a 1% dividend on shares in the credit union.

If last year was about stability and consolidation, the year ahead promises to be a more dynamic one. North Edinburgh Credit Union has appointed a consultant to boost the organisation’s profile and seek out new opportunities to help the credit union to grow. Banks may come and banks may go, but North Edinburgh Credit Union goes on forever!

North Edinburgh Credit Union is based in Wardieburn Drive. Business hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 4 – 7pm. For further information on how the credit union could help you, telephone 466 5006.