We are looking forward to @northedinfest!
see you there as we launch our updated Wild Places & Open Spaces directory of fantastic outdoor spaces #NorthEdinburgh and the local Hidden Gems walking maps for everyone to enjoy our neighbourhood!
Following the theft of a motorcycle from the North West of Edinburgh, which was reported on Monday (18 April), police were made aware of a linked incident in the West Pilton area later that day involving a group of youths.
This resulted in a 13-year-old boy being identified and charged in connection with attempted robbery and possession of a blade.
Enquiries are ongoing into the theft of the motorbike.
SATURDAY 7th MAY at WEST PILTON PARK
For more information please email northedinfest.volunteers@gmail.com
EDINBURGH DOG AND CAT HOME at FRESH START
Wednesday 6th April 10am – 1pm
We are looking for young people P5 – P7 for our two Adventurers groups from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
The group involves learning how to safely have fun outdoor adventures!
To find out more email: aga@pycp.co.uk
Or Call: 073050 54162
Come join us!
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is delighted to award twelve schools in Edinburgh with an Eco-Schools Green Flag.
The international award recognises nurseries and schools which have demonstrated a commitment to the Eco-Schools Scotland programme and over two years have engaged their whole school community in local climate action.
The schools are: St David’s RC Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2010), Craiglockhart Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2016), Granton Primary School (a Green Flag school since 2013), Drummond Community High (achieving its first Green Flag Award), St Cuthbert’s Primary School (a Green Flag school since 2014), Ratho Primary School (a Green Flag school since 2010), Blackhall Nursery (which has held a Green Flag since 2009), St Margaret’s RC Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2011), Arbor Green Nursery (a Green Flag school since 2012), Hermitage Park Primary School (which has held a Green Flag since 2007), Kirkliston Nursery School (since 2005) and St Mary’s RC Primary School (since 2012).
All the schools took part in a variety of fantastic litter-busting and climate action activities including litter picks, litter surveys, recycling and community clean ups.
Pupils in the Eco Den at St David’s RC Primary School used their litter picking kit to tidy the playground. The nursery class also carried out a clean up.
Craiglockhart Primary School’s Eco Committee carried out a litter survey and using the results, decided to modify or replace their outdoor bins to prevent the litter from blowing out. They also wrote to the council to ask them to reduce the amount of single use plastics in school lunch boxes.
Granton Primary School’s Eco-Committee solved the problem of seagulls dragging litter out of the playground bins, by sourcing new seagull proof ones to replace them.
Drummond Community High introduced recycling bins to communal areas in the school, to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. St Cuthbert’s Primary School’s Eco-Committee purchased extra bins for the playground after finding there were not enough.
Ratho Primary School started a weekly class litter picking rota, with the nursery children working with their P6 buddies. Blackhall Nursery children learned about the effects of plastics on the environment and wanted to make long term changes at nursery and at home, so the nursery no longer uses plastic glitter or wet wipes. They also filled two perspex boxes with littered items to see which materials decompose and which don’t.
St Margaret’s RC Primary School pupils made posters which were displayed around the school to promote the use of bins. Arbor Green Nursery introduced regular activities promoting the 3 Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle. At Hermitage Park Primary School there was already a minimal amount of litter in the playground, and pupils aimed to decrease it even more..
Kirkliston Nursery School children joined in with a local community spring walk, talked about the litter in the local community garden and why we shouldn’t drop litter, and did a litter pick, recycling the items they collected. St Mary’s RC Primary School adopted a local street and encouraged residents to join in and pledge to take action on the problem.
Through the Eco-Schools Scotland programme, Keep Scotland Beautiful aims to make action to tackle climate change and environmental awareness an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of schools, for both pupils and for staff.
The programme provides a framework to engage the wider school community in climate action aligned with the purposes of Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability.
To complete the Green Flag journey each school has a choice of ten topics to engage with, from climate action, to food and the environment, to litter, to energy. The schools also choose one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to link their Eco-Schools work to.
Catherine Gee, Deputy Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “I’d like to congratulate the Eco-Committee, pupils and staff at each of these schools, who have worked so hard to play their part in combatting climate change and achieve their Green Flag Award.
“This is particularly impressive during a time of unprecedented adjustment and change to education due to the pandemic and is testament to the resilience and creativity of both pupils and educators.
“Keep Scotland Beautiful is committed to supporting all our children, young people and educators through our climate action schools activities to develop the capacities, skills and attributes required to protect our planet and work towards our goal of a Net Zero future.”
More information about the world’s largest sustainable schools programme and Eco-Schools Scotland can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/eco-schools
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
Over the last few months, the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) have been engaging with the local Pilton community and stakeholders about a West Pilton Park masterplan.
Through workshops, meetings, and walk-abouts we have been finding out how the park is currently used, what’s good and what’s not, and how people would like to see it develop over the next decade.
It has been great to hear so much from so many of you and the amount of ideas and interest has been integral for this part of the design process. We are now at the end of this first round of engagement and would like to share with you the initial masterplan ideas that have been developed between yourselves and us (please find attached, below).
However, it doesn’t end there!
This is just the initial draft and ELGT would really like to hear your thoughts on this masterplan, where you think it is working, what you think could be improved, or what is still missing.
As such, we would like to invite you to an online meeting where we can present the initial masterplan ideas for West Pilton Park. You will have the opportunity to discuss, ask questions and shape how we move forward with the masterplan.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 23rd Feb at 6pm
Please send on the below link to anyone you feel would be interested in attending:
West Pilton Park – Masterplan Progress Meeting
Wednesday 23rd Feb – 6pm
Click here to join the meeting
We also have a feedback sheet (attached) for anyone who cannot make the meeting.
If you could share this as far and wide as possible within your networks, through social media or through hard copies (ELGT can provide), as well as doing one yourself, that would be great.
It will also be available soon in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre alongside the masterplan display there.
If you have any questions, comments or queries please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
Thanks for your continuing help with this project
Angus Fisher | Greenspace Project Officer | Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust
Registration Form for our community festival is now available!
We are looking for local community groups, organisations, businesses, creators, makers or traders to join the festival family and host events, activities or a stall.
See below for registration form:
Three Wee Forests, including two in North Edinburgh, are to provide a range of benefits in the fight against climate change.
The City of Edinburgh Council, Earthwatch Europe, NatureScot and Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust kickstarted planting “Wee Forests” in the autumn, creating densely packed native forests – covering the size of a tennis court – built into urban spaces.
Edinburgh’s first three “Wee Forests” were planted over the last couple of months. These forests have been made possible through support from the BlackRock Charitable Trust, OVO Foundation – the charity arm of OVO Energy – and the Scottish Government.
The three Wee (or Tiny) Forests – which were planted at East Pilton Park, West Pilton Park and Mount Vernon supported by local residents and primary school pupils – will not only be attractive locations for wildlife, but for people too, and provide a range of benefits in the fight against climate change.
Wee Forests in Scotland are part of the global family of “Miyawaki Forests” or “Tiny Forests”. Following the method – with its emphasis on community engagement, co-design and careful soil preparation – means that Wee Forests meet a consistent global standard so their benefits can be measured and shared.
A Wee Forest is made up of 600 densely packed native trees in a space the size of a tennis court and is capable of attracting over 500 animal and plant species within the first three years. It also provides rich opportunities for engaging young and old alike with the environment and sustainability.
Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Donald Wilson, said: “These new Wee Forests will allow residents to be directly involved in tackling the nature and climate crises by being involved in the planting, maintaining and development of the forests in their own community.
“The Wee Forests will also help us work towards our goal of being a Million Tree City by 2030 and contribute towards the Queen’s Green Canopy in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.
“For each Wee Forest, we look to engage a core group of volunteers called Tree Keepers to act as ambassadors for their local forest. Volunteering as a Tree Keeper is a great chance to get more involved in your Wee Forest’s development and track the amazing environmental impact of the site and I would encourage everyone to find out more by contacting Earthwatch.”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener, Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “Our green spaces are a hugely important part of our city and I’m delighted that we now have our first Wee Forests and are creating new spaces for people and wildlife.
“A Wee Forest brings the benefits of a forest – connecting people with nature, raising awareness of the environment, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and supporting urban wildlife – right in the heart of our community within urban spaces in the city.
“I’m delighted that more Wee Forests are planned and encourage our communities to get involved.”
Louise Hartley, Senior Programme Manager said: “Wee (Tiny) Forests provide rich opportunities for connecting young people with the environment and sustainability. It’s vital that we give people the knowledge and skills to protect our natural world and inspire them to take positive action from a young age.
“We are delighted to be working with Edinburgh City Council, the BlackRock Charitable Trust, OVO Foundation and NatureScot to bring these inspiring spaces to Edinburgh and other communities across the UK.”
Gemma Gooch, Co-Head Global Social Impact at BlackRock said: “As more and more people live in urban areas, Wee (Tiny) Forests have the potential to help capture carbon emissions, increase biodiversity and contribute to a more climate resilient society.
“We are very proud to support Earthwatch Europe with this initiative, reminding us that there are ways we can help fight climate change in our own local communities.
Gaby Sethi, Head of OVO Foundation, said: “We’re passionate about educating the younger generation on how to reduce their carbon footprint, protect the physical environment, and limit their impact on the planet.
“Tiny Forests help children learn about the environment and sustainability in a really accessible way. By planting Tiny Forests in urban communities across the UK with Earthwatch, we will help connect children with their local green spaces and show them how they can protect it for future generations.
NatureScot Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said: “The Covid 19 pandemic has shown us just how important it is for people’s health and well-being to have opportunities to connect with nature close to where they live.
“These Wee Forests are not only a great way to make space for nature in our towns and cities, but they’ll also help communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, which is particularly important as we look ahead to COP26 and the huge challenges and opportunities facing us.
Charlie Cumming, Chief Executive, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust said: “We are delighted to be a local delivery partner for the Wee Forest project. The creation of the Wee Forest is very important for people and wildlife, particularly with it being in an urban environment.
“It will provide the local community and schools with the opportunity to help tackle nature loss and the current climate emergency as well as contributing to Scotland’s tree planting targets.
“It will enable people to engage with nature on their doorstep and inspire young people to take an active interest in their local environment.”
