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.

 

 

What a difference a week makes!

Last week we basked in record March temperatures, this week – we’re back to winter!  BBC Weather is forecasting a cloudy morning across the area with snow heaviest over Lothian, Borders and  the M74. Blizzard conditions are possible as the snow will be accompanied by strong northeasterly winds. It’s expected to become drier and brighter this afternoon, but snow showers are expected again overnight.

There you have it – put away the flip-flops and dig out those winter woolies!

Inverleith Hustings

Two Inverleith Ward community councils have organised hustings for the forthcoming council elections, giving you an opportunity to meet and hear the candidates and get your questions answered.

Craigleith Blackhall CC will hold their hustings on Thursday 19 April at 7.30pm in St. Columba’s Church on Queensferry Road, while Drylaw Telford CC’s election event takes place on Tuesday 24 April at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (off Groathill Road North).

All welcome.

Get in touch if you know of any more hustings events in Forth or Inverleith.

Rare micropig discovered in Drylaw

A rare ‘micropig’ has been discovered in a Drylaw garden. The tiny beast is barely two inches long, and it’s thought that ‘Babe’ may have journeyed for days to reach his destination.

A Drylaw man, who asked not to be named, said: “I was out early to start work in the garden this morning when I came upon what I thought at first was a snail. On closer inspection it turned out to be a tiny pig – I was astonished!”

Micropigs have become very popular as unusual family pets and it’s thought that this is one who got away.

“I understand there’s a bloke over in Ravelston who breeds micropigs and it could just be that this wee chap escaped from there”, said the pig’s finder. “If I can’t track down the owner, I’ll keep the pig and I’m calling him – or her, it’s too wee to tell – Babe. I’m hoping to teach the pig how to do wee tricks. I don’t think they grow very big so for the moment I’ll make up a wee bed in a matchbox and take it from there”.

A local vet said: “This is quite fascinating. If the animal did indeed travel from Ravelston all the way to Drylaw, that’s a huge trek for such a wee beast – it could have taken weeks and would have been fraught with danger. The Drylaw micropig certainly has a fascinating ‘tail’ to tell!”.

If you’ve lost a micropig please let us know.