LIFT are having a Meet & Greet Day on Thursday (18th August) from 10am – 1pm at Muirhouse Millennium Centre.
Come along for a chat and a wee bite to eat, meet the staff and find out what LIFT will be up to over the next few months.
SATURDAY 9th JULY 10.30 – 12.30
Art Buds in Muirhouse Family Day 
Art_Buds_Collective will be holding their next Family Day on Saturday 9 July, 10.30am-12.30pm at Granton Beach, and you are invited to come along and bring your family to join in the creative fun. Free, simply drop in!
Art Buds in Muirhouse offer FREE outdoor art classes inspired by nature for children in Muirhouse (postcodes EH4 4, EH4 5, EH5 1, EH5 2) and the surrounding area, and they’re running their July Summer Camp from 18 to 22 July.
We have some final places for children aged 3 – 6 in our morning and afternoon groups.
Find out more and sign up at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/358458768827
Art Buds in Muirhouse are supported by Creative Scotland
Muirhouse & Salvesen Community Council meeting
Thursday 23rd June 7:00 pm @ Muirhouse Millennium Centre
Come along and meet the new elected councillors and have your say on what you would like to see happen in your area.
For further information email lisamurray90@hotmail.com
FRIDAY 3 JUNE from 11.30 – 4pm
The Old Kirk & Muirhouse Parish Church, Pennywell Gardens
You are invited to this daytime event on Friday 3rd June, where we will host fun workshops to find out what you want for your local area.
Lunch is provided free of charge and there will be activities on offer to keep the kids occupied!
Pre-booking is required – click the link below or call Cara 07701 380928
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/muirhouse-community…
LIB DEMS PICK UP THREE of FOUR SEATS
Ward 1 Almond results: 4 elected
Kevin Lang (Lib Dem)
Norrie Work (SNP)
Louise Young (Lib Dem)
Lewis James Younie (Lib Dem)
The Lib-Dems GAIN one seat at the expenses of the Scottish Conservatives.
Turnout – 51.1%
The North Edinburgh Community Festival is THIS SATURDAY!
Saturday 7th May from 12noon to 6pm.
The 
main stage will be jam-packed from 12noon!
Make sure you catch your favourite act:
12.00pm – Fischy Music
12.50pm – Pulse of the Place
1.15pm – Ama-zing Harmonies
1.35pm – Granton Youth MixTape
2.00pm – Big Fish Little Fish Scotland
2.45pm – Tinderbox Hub
3.10pm – Broughton High School
3.35pm – Yer Local Bams
4.10pm – City of Edinburgh Music School Jazz Quartet
4.35pm – DJ Dynamite
5.00pm – Tinderbox Collective & Guests
See you all on Saturday!
Lukasz Czapla, 41, has been sentenced to at least 23 years in prison following his conviction for the horrific murder of his two-year old son Julius in Muirhouse.
Czapla, who claimed he suffered from poor mental health, murdered his son in a drink and drug-fuelled jealous rage to get back at the child’s mum Patrycja Szczesniak.
The court heard that, on the night Julius died, Ms Szczesniak had told Czapla he was seeing somebody new.
Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh yeserday, judge Lord Beckett said that Czapla’s use of drink and drugs were no excuse for what he did to Julius.
Lord Beckett said: “Your son will never grow up and his loving mother has lost him forever and will forever be haunted by the truly evil act that you did.
“Your son will never grow up and his loving mother has lost him forever and will forever be haunted by the truly evil act that you did.
“You acted out of spite to punish his mother for leaving you and getting on with her life.
“Suffice to say you showed considerable determination to ensure that a defenceless child would die in considerable distress.
“It is no excuse that you were full of drink and drugs. Indeed it is significantly aggravated given that you were being asked to look after a two-year-old.”
Emergency services were called to the family home at Muirhouse Place West in November 2020, where Julius was found seriously injured. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
The jury heard that Czapla shot Julius three times in the head with a gas-powered air pistol. Three ball bearings were later recovered from the child’s head. Czapla then stabbed the toddler with a metal skewer before smothering him with a pillow.
Detective Inspector Bob Williamson, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Julius was a bright, happy young boy and his loss in such horrendous circumstances has been devastating for his mother and his family.
“Lukasz Czapla is now facing the consequences of his actions. The outcome of this case will never bring Julius back but it does bring this aspect to a close. Julius’s family have understandably asked for privacy during this difficult time.
“I would like to thank the local community and our dedicated team of officers, along with our partner agencies, who assisted throughout the duration of the investigation.”
Patrycja Szczesniak, Julius’ Mother, has also released the following statement through Police Scotland and asks her request for privacy to please be respected:
“I only wanted the best for you. If only I could only turn back time to have you in my arms again my child.
“Despite the breakup with Juliusz’s dad, I wanted him to have contact with our son. I never stopped him seeing Juliusz. Julek loved him like every child loves their dad. He trusted him, he trusted him completely.
“Juliusz was murdered only for revenge. His dad wanted me to suffer, he succeeded and achieved his goal, at the cost of my beloved little boy’s life.
“If only I knew what was going to happen. I would have never thought he could do this to my child.
“He was only two and a half.
“Every day I think about Juliusz. I can’t imagine what his little, helpless heart felt that night and I feel his fear and pain every day. He was part of me, part of my heart and soul.
“I wish I could hug him, play with him and watch him grow.
“Every day I ask myself why there is so much evil in this world, why the innocent have to suffer.
“He not only took Juliusz life but my life too.
“That day, the world stopped, not only for me but also for my mother and my sister.
“Juliusz was a very happy child. He lit up the place wherever he showed up. He could put a smile on anyone’s face and always looked forward to calls with his Grandma and Auntie. They managed to build a strong relationship despite the distance in miles between us and enjoyed every minute they had together.
“It is breaking our hearts that we are no longer able to take his hand and lead him through life. To watch him enjoy riding his bike and eating his favourite ice cream. Listen to his giggling and laughing and being amazed by the things he learned every day.
“There was so much we wanted to show him but this chance was brutally taken from us and now the only thing we can do is to prey for the highest possible punishment. We want to believe in the justice system and that justice will be served, although I know there is no sentence that will bring my angel back to life.
“Czapla should not have the right to any defence and we will fight to ensure that monster never leaves prison.
“My suffering and my pain will stay with me for the rest of my life. But the unconditional love I have for my baby; my dearest child Juliusz will never end.
“My family, friends and l will miss him dearly and we will suffer his loss until the end of our days.
“Juliuszek left us the most beautiful memories that will remain in our hearts forever.”
TODAY (Thursday 17th March) and tomorrow, Friday 18th March, there will be a pop up vaccination clinic from 9am – 2.30pm at the North Edinburgh Community Resource Centre on Pennywell Road.
All vaccines including boosters can be administered.
A £15 million contract for a new community hub at Macmillan Square, in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts, was approved by the Finance and Resources Committee yesterday.
As part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s ongoing multi-million pound regeneration programme in North Edinburgh, Councillors agreed the project will now enter the construction phase which will be carried out by Robertson Construction Group (Robertson), following its successful completion of the demolition of Muirhouse Library.
The first of its kind in the city, designed by Richard Murphy Architects, The Hub will be a place to learn, work, meet people, hone new skills and have fun. The state-of-the-art shared building will accommodate an early year’s centre for 185 children, a new library and will provide additional space for North Edinburgh Arts and will ensure that it continues to be at the centre of a creative, connected and inspired community.
The community hub is the focal point of one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in Scotland, tackling poverty and inequality in the area. It will be the flagship building at Macmillan Square which is currently being developed to provide a new square, 154 affordable homes and 13 retail units.
Over £200 million of public and private sector investment has been committed to revitalising the area for the wider community and this investment has already delivered Craigroyston High School, Pennywell All Care Centre and over half of the expected 1,000 new homes.
The North Edinburgh Regeneration project is recognised as a model of good practice in urban regeneration having won national awards for design, place making and community engagement. The new hub benefits from £2 million Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grants funding.
Complementing the Council’s new library, early years centre and affordable housing, the new hub will see arts and learning brought together under one roof in a striking new building offering the community in North Edinburgh an extensive range of services. This will include new enterprise, workshop, learning and creative studio space, alongside an expanded café, youth area and shared atrium.
Work to demolish the former Muirhouse Library started in October 2021 and following today’s decision construction on the new hub will start in April this year. The project will also include a comprehensive package of additional community benefits shaped by the local community and delivered by Robertson.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “The new building is an important part of the £200 million regeneration of Pennywell and Muirhouse that’s already seen significant investment by the Council and its partners, including Scottish Government, to build new Council houses and affordable homes and a community with strong local facilities in line with our aspirations for 20-minute neighbourhoods.
“Jointly led by the Council and North Edinburgh Arts, this is a good example of community empowerment showing how great value can be added to an area while supporting our landmark priorities as a Council to end poverty in Edinburgh by 2030, as well as enhancing wellbeing and equality for our residents.
“Key aspects include the new local library which we hope will act as a community living room, open and accessible to everyone. The new building also creates the opportunity to work closely with the new nursery to have as much interaction with the children, parents and staff as possible – providing tailored events and sessions especially for those using and working in the nursery.”
Council Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: ““The North Edinburgh Regeneration project is a major success story for the area, for the city and for Scotland and it’s so exciting to see this final element hitting a major milestone.
“This joint project with North Edinburgh Arts will create a unique facility at the heart of the community. The new Early Learning and Childcare Centre will provide quality and accessible early years spaces for local children.
“This will allow us to meet our commitments to making early years provision more flexible, to fit family needs, and deliver 1,140 hours a year of free early learning and childcare for all three- and four-year olds and eligible two-year olds.
“As part of the wider regeneration of this area we’re delivering 1,000 affordable homes as part of our pledge to deliver 20,000 affordable new homes in the city by 2027, which will make a substantial difference for people seeking a safe and permanent place to call home in Scotland’s Capital.”
Chair of NEA, Lesley Hinds, said: “This new capital project will allow the organisation to flourish, alongside Council provision, and bring a first-class facility to Macmillan Square.
“NEA is a special place for the community of North Edinburgh and has been a trusted community anchor providing emergency food and support throughout the pandemic. Thanks also to the Councillors, MSPS and MP who have continued to support NEA both in the Council and in the community and it is this enthusiasm shown by our community which has kept us going through some difficult times. We’re looking forward to building on this support to bring a truly inspirational place to the heart of Muirhouse.”
Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction – Central East, David Cairns, added: “Having worked closely with City of Edinburgh Council over the last 24 months to assist bringing Macmillan Square forward, we are delighted to be to the contractor of choice to make this innovative vision by the Council a reality.
“The building will undoubtedly be a fantastic facility for the community when complete and our planned programme of community benefits during the construction phase will bring further benefits to the area socially, economically and environmentally long after the building is completed.”
The new library will give an opportunity to create joint activities with the other services – providing summer activities, expanding bookbug and storytime sessions, to creating more adult learning opportunities. In addition, the local library will be a trusted and welcoming community space, a place people feel comfortable using as individuals or as a connected group: a place of connection.
The community hub will offer young people a place to develop skills, confidence and self-esteem, a safe and inspiring place for local families and children, and a place where older people will feel part of a connected and supportive community.
This accessible, welcoming and much needed community space uses environment-friendly build and innovative design techniques. The re-developed and extended venue reflects current community aspirations, whilst being flexible enough to respond to future changes in demand.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic NEA offered over 35 hours of creative workshops each week, most with a family focus, alongside a wide range of other events from singing groups to circus skills workshops, exhibitions, community theatre, film clubs, and festival events.
The venue is also home to Muirhouse Link Up, the Pennywell Pantry, North Edinburgh Drug and Alcohol Centre, and the Tinderbox Orchestra, all working to serve the most disadvantaged children, families and individuals in the North Edinburgh area. The extended NEA will also provide extra office space and facilities for community organisations.
Whilst the hub is under construction the library will operate from nearby Edinburgh College in Granton.
Certain events will continue to be provided in the Muirhouse area. For further details about opening hours and what’s on visit the City of Edinburgh Council’s Muirhouse Library page here.
The rising cost of living has been making the headlines again and again and many low-income families are facing the serious threat of food poverty.
Whilst political action and long-term solutions are required to tackle the issue, one method of support which aims to mitigate these rising living costs is local pantries. These provide local shops where residents and families can sign up to buy food and necessities for a small weekly membership fee.
The local Pennywell Pantry covering Muirhouse and West Pilton managed to avoid losing its permanent premises late last year thanks to the efforts of local charities and volunteers.
The Pantry, which is operated under the Your Local Pantry franchise, was delivered by local charity North Edinburgh Arts, in Muirhouse shopping centre. It became very popular with full subscription from many residents and families in the area and was particularly valued as a new service delivered through lockdowns.
However, redevelopment of the Muirhouse area meant the pantry was to lose its regular premises, so North Edinburgh Arts reached out to a neighbouring charity to ensure the Pantry would be able to continue serving local residents.
Julie Crawford from NEA’s Link-up Muirhouse team explained: “We knew first-hand how important the pantry had become and the devastating effect its closure would have on the local community.
“We were committed to finding a new partner to work with to ensure it would continue running without a gap in service for the community. We explored several options and found Community Renewal: Pennywell, who are as passionate as us about keeping the pantry going.
“Alongside the team of dedicated volunteers, they are now running the pantry from their premises and we have been supporting them every step of the way as they learn the ropes.”
Sheila Thomson. Community Renewal’s Regional Director for the East adds: “We have been building up a community hub on Pennywell Road where we provide a wide range of support to residents in the area, along with several other organisations in the building.
“We were aware of how popular the pantry was, thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers and team at NEA and we were honoured to work with them to settle the Pantry into its new home.
“Thanks to a group of committed volunteers and staff from the Community Renewal team, the pantry is now up and running.”
Local resident and Pantry member Kevin is delighted that the pantry has kept going: “As most people know, basic household bills are really high now. The cost of essential things like energy and food is going up and up, but income has hardly changed.
“Not everyone feels comfortable going to a food bank and the Pantry gives members the ability to pay an affordable price for items they want instead of putting more pressure on Foodbanks and other services that are needed elsewhere.
“The volunteers have worked overtime to make sure the Pantry is a place where members feel welcomed and want to visit!”
Local councillor, Kevin Lang joined the team at today’s official launch and was full of praise for the efforts of everyone involved: “With a growing cost-of-living crisis and life hard for so many, we need to do all we can to help those struggling.
“I am proud and so very grateful to all these charities and volunteers for coming together to support families and residents in Muirhouse and West Pilton in this way. They have my full support.”
Your Local Pantry’s Scottish Development Worker, Rachel Brown added: “Pennywell Pantry has been an incredible success story since it opened and has been an inspiration to many other communities across Edinburgh and beyond.
“The Pantry helps to strengthen the neighbourhood, nurtures new friendships and opportunities, and enables hundreds of local people to save on their groceries, freeing up money for other essentials.
“We’re delighted that its future is now secured and wish everyone at the Pantry well in the new home.”
With support from the Community Renewal staff, a team of local volunteers has created a welcoming and safe space for local residents to come shop, have a chat, and inquire about other services and supports when needed.
The pantry is currently fully subscribed though anyone is welcome to sign up to the waiting list for the next opening and Community Renewal: Pennywell are issuing a call-out for volunteers.
Sheila explained: “The pantry runs every week Wednesday to Saturday. It is extremely busy, and we are always on the lookout for people to help us run it.
“It is a great way to meet other people, learn new skills and do something positive for the community.”
Anyone who is interested can email pennywellpantry@communityrenewal.org.uk or call 0131 332 8773
