Month: September 2012

Jack and Jill Markets: 'where smart mums sell and save'

Local mums Pauline Macmillan and Cathy Uttley attended our very first NENgage session. They explain what their quality nearly-new baby and children’s market is all about:

Never more than in these challenging financial times have savvy mums and dads sought out innovative ways to make and save money, while providing the very best for their little ones. Jack and Jill Markets are a Not for Profit, Community Interest Organisation committed to helping families in their local community make and save money.  They are monthly markets aimed at children aged 0-9.

Cathy and Pauline explained: “While eBay and gumtree offer financially astute parents ways to buy and sell second-hand goods, they are not without their drawbacks.  Searching the internet for each individual item at the right price and in the right location is a time-consuming business and then you just have to hope that it arrives in acceptable condition.  Jack & Jill offers a welcome return to the old-fashioned shopping experience; shoppers can see and touch the goods and enjoy friendly service all in a vibrant atmosphere.  On the other side of the counter sellers get to see their kids nearly new items go to good homes while making some welcome cash – some have made over £500.”

When the women experienced their first market, they knew immediately they wanted to get involved. Pauline said: “With two young kids of my own, I immediately recognised the difference Jack & Jill could make to local parents.”

So when the opportunity to become Marketing & Events Managers for Edinburgh presented itself, the girls jumped at it!

As both Cathy and Pauline are full-time mums, they are delighted that their new roles offer the flexibility to manage their own business schedules alongside family commitments, and so far they are doing a great job.  At their first market as Managers, they welcomed an unprecedented 805 shoppers through the doors of Meadowbank Stadium.

Jack and Jill Market’s Pauline (left) and Cathy

Cathy added: “We really can’t stress what a fabulous initiative this is.  If you’ve got kids or grandkids, you can’t afford to miss our next market.  We are in Edinburgh on a monthly basis with 60 stalls bursting with brilliant bargains from cots, car seats and buggies to clothes, equipment and toys.  We’re really proud of what we’re doing with Jack & Jill”.

To sign up for market alerts to make sure you don’t miss out, visit their website: www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk

The next market takes place at Meadowbank Stadium on Sunday 23 September, Adults £1 entry, children free.

Jack and Jill Markets: ‘where smart mums sell and save’

Local mums Pauline Macmillan and Cathy Uttley attended our very first NENgage session. They explain what their quality nearly-new baby and children’s market is all about:

Never more than in these challenging financial times have savvy mums and dads sought out innovative ways to make and save money, while providing the very best for their little ones. Jack and Jill Markets are a Not for Profit, Community Interest Organisation committed to helping families in their local community make and save money.  They are monthly markets aimed at children aged 0-9.

Cathy and Pauline explained: “While eBay and gumtree offer financially astute parents ways to buy and sell second-hand goods, they are not without their drawbacks.  Searching the internet for each individual item at the right price and in the right location is a time-consuming business and then you just have to hope that it arrives in acceptable condition.  Jack & Jill offers a welcome return to the old-fashioned shopping experience; shoppers can see and touch the goods and enjoy friendly service all in a vibrant atmosphere.  On the other side of the counter sellers get to see their kids nearly new items go to good homes while making some welcome cash – some have made over £500.”

When the women experienced their first market, they knew immediately they wanted to get involved. Pauline said: “With two young kids of my own, I immediately recognised the difference Jack & Jill could make to local parents.”

So when the opportunity to become Marketing & Events Managers for Edinburgh presented itself, the girls jumped at it!

As both Cathy and Pauline are full-time mums, they are delighted that their new roles offer the flexibility to manage their own business schedules alongside family commitments, and so far they are doing a great job.  At their first market as Managers, they welcomed an unprecedented 805 shoppers through the doors of Meadowbank Stadium.

Jack and Jill Market’s Pauline (left) and Cathy

Cathy added: “We really can’t stress what a fabulous initiative this is.  If you’ve got kids or grandkids, you can’t afford to miss our next market.  We are in Edinburgh on a monthly basis with 60 stalls bursting with brilliant bargains from cots, car seats and buggies to clothes, equipment and toys.  We’re really proud of what we’re doing with Jack & Jill”.

To sign up for market alerts to make sure you don’t miss out, visit their website: www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk

The next market takes place at Meadowbank Stadium on Sunday 23 September, Adults £1 entry, children free.

Safety fears at Drylaw's Doo'cot

Drylaw Telford Community Council has raised safety concerns over the Doo’cot (that’s the old Listed structure, not the boozer!) with officials at the city council’s local North Office.

During the summer holidays local children, some of them older teenagers, have gained access to the old Doocot structure and have been climbing through the building, using trees and shrubbery that are growing through the heart of the structure. Some are jumping off when they get to the top, and residents fear that children will be injured – or worse – if they land on rusty railing below.

Drylaw Doocot's a Listed buildingDrylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale has taken the safety issue up with the local North Office – along with another potential problem – Japanese Knotweed. This invasive plant is very difficult to remove, and residents believe that teh invader is gaining a hold in gardens surrounding the old Doo’cot.

“I have passed this information on to the local council office and the response has been very prompt. I understand that there has been some confusion about who is actually responsible for the old Doo’cot – it’s hard to believe it when you seen the state of it, but it’s a Listed building – but that’s been resolved and the council will be taking action. That will be a relief to local residents.”

a trail of knotweed at the old doo’cot?

More good news for Wester Drylaw residents is a council rethink on local street lighting. Following concerns raised by the community council earlier this year, council officials looked again at the quality and positioning of street lighting in the area.

“John McFarlane and his Lighting team have come up with an action plan, fitting 70w bulbs instead of current 45w  metal halide bulbs in three sections of Wester Drylaw Place”, Alex added. “Around end of November or early December they shall consult  with all residents on which would be their preferred option and before the end of the year the preferred option will be fitted throughout Wester Drylaw Place. We hope that all residents will participate in the consultation when asked in order to achieve the best result for all, and make Wester Drylaw Place a brighter and safer place for the community.”

The future’s bright …

Safety fears at Drylaw’s Doo’cot

Drylaw Telford Community Council has raised safety concerns over the Doo’cot (that’s the old Listed structure, not the boozer!) with officials at the city council’s local North Office.

During the summer holidays local children, some of them older teenagers, have gained access to the old Doocot structure and have been climbing through the building, using trees and shrubbery that are growing through the heart of the structure. Some are jumping off when they get to the top, and residents fear that children will be injured – or worse – if they land on rusty railing below.

Drylaw Doocot's a Listed buildingDrylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale has taken the safety issue up with the local North Office – along with another potential problem – Japanese Knotweed. This invasive plant is very difficult to remove, and residents believe that teh invader is gaining a hold in gardens surrounding the old Doo’cot.

“I have passed this information on to the local council office and the response has been very prompt. I understand that there has been some confusion about who is actually responsible for the old Doo’cot – it’s hard to believe it when you seen the state of it, but it’s a Listed building – but that’s been resolved and the council will be taking action. That will be a relief to local residents.”

a trail of knotweed at the old doo’cot?

More good news for Wester Drylaw residents is a council rethink on local street lighting. Following concerns raised by the community council earlier this year, council officials looked again at the quality and positioning of street lighting in the area.

“John McFarlane and his Lighting team have come up with an action plan, fitting 70w bulbs instead of current 45w  metal halide bulbs in three sections of Wester Drylaw Place”, Alex added. “Around end of November or early December they shall consult  with all residents on which would be their preferred option and before the end of the year the preferred option will be fitted throughout Wester Drylaw Place. We hope that all residents will participate in the consultation when asked in order to achieve the best result for all, and make Wester Drylaw Place a brighter and safer place for the community.”

The future’s bright …

Service medal for library volunteer

David (with medal!) pictured with Kathy at Muirhouse Library

David Colvin, our Library Link volunteer, has just received a long service medal from the WRVS for working with Muirhouse and Granton Libraries for 20 years.  We are celebrating the anniversary of the Library Link on 4th October.

Kathy Softley, Muirhouse Library

David’s medal

 

 

West Pilton Gardeners seek community support

West Pilton Community Gardeners are seeking public support for a funding application that will see their West Pilton Brae project completed and enable the startup of a new afterschool club. The group has launched a petition to show that West Pilton residents support the gardeners’ plans.

The community garden at West Pilton Brae was begun in the spring of 2012 by a handful of local women and children with some guidance from a local gardener. The garden design and construction work which took place over the summer involved over 40 children and 20 adults from the local area, and the group is now seeking funding from the city council’s local Forth Neighbourhood Partnership to finish the garden’s construction and to support a weekly after-schools club at the request of the kids.

Local gardener Kirsty Sutherland has been taking the lead in compiling everyone’s ideas into the garden design and teaching adults and children how to grow and harvest a great variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers.  She said: “We have made a list of materials we need to finish the garden and run the club for the children. This includes a secure shed, a water tap, children’s gardening tools, and a sessional worker to undertake the garden construction and plan weekly activities for the kids.”

The group’s first bid for funding was unsuccessful, but Kirsty is hopeful that the group will have better luck this time round. “This is our second application to Forth’s Neighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP) fund for the West Pilton Community Garden – it was refused by the Neighbourhood Partnership back in March on the grounds that they could not fund similar  projects until the Wardie Backgreen Food Growing Initiative was proven a  success. Our own garden has proven a success on very minimal  funding but with plenty of community involvement. Documenting the progress with  photographs has made me realise what a long way we have come since the spring – the garden’s now a wee oasis of calm and community involvement!”

Kirsty believes she knows the reason why the West Pilton project has been a success while others have struggled. “Community involvement in the design and  construction of the garden so far appears to have been the secret to avoiding  common problems with other community garden projects, like vandalism and dog  fouling. This flexible and creative community led approach,  facilitated by regular sessional work is working well.”

Kirsty will be making a short presentation on the West Pilton Community Garden at the Pilton Youth and Children’s Project  (PYCP) annual general meeting on 28 September. “It will mainly be photographs of folk working and a bit of detail on the future  development and use of the community garden – this presentation was supposed to be shown at the  Forth Clean Green and Safe Action Group meeting scheduled for 4 Sept, but  the meeting was cancelled at short notice.”
The local RTO (registered tenants organisation) Tenants and Residents in Pilton (TRIP) fully supports the funding application and Kirsty hopes local people will also show their support for the gardeners by signing the petition. “It is your garden, free for you and your children to use and share the fruits of your labour. Please sign this petition if you are in support of a funding application to allow us to complete the vegetable and herb  garden, buy the necessary tools and a secure shed and an after-school club being created for local children to work and learn in the garden.”

Local out for the petition at all local venues.

For further information, contact Kirsty Sutherland on 07778732171 or email kirsty@piltonresidents.org.uk

You can also check out he group’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WestPiltonCommunityGarden

PS: Feel free to get in touch if you want to join in with the garden group whatever your age or gardening experience!

Hearts lift cup at Ainslie Park

Brave Spartans were left heartbroken as they lost out on the Ronnie Swan Cup 8-7 on penalties to Heart of Midlothian on Friday night (writes ALAN CLARK).

The East of Scotland league side had been leading throughout the game and were 4-2 to the good with just a couple of minutes remaining, however Hearts scored a quick-fire double to take the friendly match to a shoot-out.

Jack Beesley gave Spartans the lead with a deft chip before Mark Whatley doubled the home side’s lead after 20 minutes with a scissor-kick from the edge of the area.

Scottish Premier League side Hearts responded just before half-time through Gordon Smith, however Spartans restored their two-goal advantage through Andy Martin early in the second half.  Returning Jambo Ryan Stevenson made things interesting at 3-2, as Sean Wringe then looked to have made the cup safe for Spartans.

There was more drama to come however as substitute Mehdi Taouil unleashed a 30-yard rocket into the top corner with minutes to go, which was followed by a last-minute leveller from fellow sub Sam Nicholson. After both sides scored their five penalties, the shoot-out entered sudden-death where Nicolson scored the cup-winning penalty.

Due to the international break, Hearts boss John McGlynn agreed to take part in the memorial match for Ronnie Swan and the Scottish Cup holders brought a strong squad along to Ainslie Park, including first-team regulars Andrew Driver, Jamie MacDonald and Ryan Stevenson.

The game started evenly with both sides attempting to find their feet but the hosts made the breakthrough after ten minutes. Jordan Finnie spotted Jack Beesley’s run and fed him the ball, with the Spartans midfielder using his first touch to chip Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald beautifully – much to the delight of the home crowd.

The Tynecastle outfit looked for a quick reply as they won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Ukrainian defender Denis Prychyenko let fly but his effort went wide of the post by three yards.

The non-league side put themselves even further in front just ten minutes after the opener, Neil McCuish’s scissor-kick every bit as impressive as Beesley’s chip. The ball bounced on the left side of ‘the D’ and McCuish took a gamble by launching his whole body at the ball, which looped over MacDonald and into the inside of the side-netting. Spartans were in dreamland.

Dale Carrick attempted a copy-cat of McCuish’s wonder strike but the Hearts forward watched as his effort went narrowly wide of the post. McGlynn’s side were looking more interested in the game after 35 minutes and almost got a goal back, Ryan Stevenson’s cross almost being turned in by Spartans no. 2 Danny O’Donnell.

Jason Holt was next up to go close for Hearts as he made some space for himself in the box before sending his low drive into Ross Gilpin, who did well to use his legs save to his right.  Just as Dougie Samuel thought Spartans would have a 2-0 half-time lead, striker Gordon Smith pulled a goal back for Hearts, poking the ball home from six yards after a ping-pong event in the box.

Samuel didn’t have long to wait to see his side’s two-goal league restored however, the 54th minute seeing Spartans make it 3-1. Chris Anderson weighed his through ball perfectly for Andy Martin, who hit his shot across Macdonald’s goal and into the far corner.

After 70 minutes, Spartans were believing it could be their night after all, as they smacked the bar with a ferocious drive from the edge of the area. MacDonald did well to palm it onto the bar, as it looked like it was heading for the top corner.

With less than ten minutes to go, ex-Ipswich Town forward Stevenson got his name on the score sheet with a powerful shot from inside the area, however Spartans delighted their punters further by making it 4-2 a matter of seconds later. It was Anderson who was the supplier again as a great move culminated in the midfielder going past MacDonald, leaving him helpless as Sean Wringe beat a defender to squeeze home the fourth into an empty net.

You could be forgiven for thinking that was that, but Hearts had other things in mind. Substitute and former Kilmarnock winger Mehdi Taouil took matters into his own feet as it were, as he picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and thumped home high into the keeper’s left-hand corner. With less than two minutes to play, this goal made Spartans sweat but rejuvenated Hearts and resulted in Sam Nicolson bundling home in the last kick of the game to make it an astonishing 4-4.

The game was to be decided by penalties and after both sides scored their five penalties, the shoot-out entered sudden-death where Nicholson scored the cup-winning penalty. Hearts were presented with the Ronnie Swan trophy in front of the main stand at the end of an enthralling friendly bout in front of 1,200 fans.

SPARTANS: Ross Gilpin, Danny O’Donnell, Gary Cenerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Neil McCuish, Robbie Manson ©, Jack Beesley, Mark Whatley, Jordan Finnie, Chris Anderson, Donal Henretty. Subs: Sean Wringe, Keith McLeod, John Grant, Andy Martin, Willie Bremner, Peter Mair, Chris Flockhart.

HEARTS: Jamie MacDonald, Dylan McGowan ©, Kevin McHattie, Denis Prychyenko, Brad McKay, Ryan Stevenson, Jamie Walker, Jason Holt, Gordon Smith, Dale Carrick, Andrew Driver. Subs: Mehdi Taouil, Jack Hamilton, Callum Paterson, Callum Tappin, Scott Robinson, Billy King, Adam King, Sam Nicholson.

Council seeks to bridge flood funding gap

The city council is to continue talks with the Government and local government umbrella body COSLA over a funding shortfall for the second and third phases of flood prevention works on the Water of Leith. The Council made an unsuccesful bid for goverment support last December but a decision is expected later this year on funding for flooding projects.

Transport convener Councillor Lesley Hinds (pictured above) said: “The total cost of building existing and future flood defences for Edinburgh  is at least £144m, which is well beyond our own means. While the completed scheme on Braidburn and the finished parts of the Water of Leith are providing protection, other parts of the city continue to be at risk. Recent events have shown again how important it is that we have these defences in place and I very much hope COSLA and the Scottish Government can be persuaded of the capital’s case.”

The current funding arrangements are detailed in a report to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment committee next week. The report also describes the lessons learned from recent flooding, especially on 7 July 2012 at the Stockbridge Colonies and in Warriston. As a result, various improvements are to be made in how the Council works with other organisations to plan for and respond to major flooding incidents.

Councillor Hinds added: “Flooding can be a devastating experience for those who are affected. While our staff worked very hard to deal with the consequences of the exceptionally heavy rainfall there are always lessons to be learned for the Council, our contractors and our partners I’d also urge every household tosign-up for alerts from SEPA and follow their guidance on being prepared for flooding.”

Hearts lift trophy after titanic struggle

Hearts beat The Spartans on penalties to win the Ronnie Swan Memorial Trophy in front of 1800 spectators at Ainslie Park  last night. It was an almighty struggle for the SPL side, who came back from being two goals behind THREE times to force the game to penalties after it finished all square at 4-4.

Full match report to follow from Alan Clark