Youth theatre? Join the A-Team!

Lottery funding supports new Youth Theatre Company

In February 2013, inspired by our backgrounds in theatre and youth work, a small group met to discuss and develop an ethos and a strategy to build foundations for what later would become ‘A-Team Productions’.

Our vision was to put together a new youth theatre company which would change the image of Amateur Dramatics and youth entertainment. We wanted to encompass new ideas and experience of what has worked in the past to create something which would not only benefit the lives of young people in Edinburgh but the wider community as a whole.

Our ethos is simple: to promote teamwork, equality and encourage individuals with raw and unnourished potential to get involved, give it a go and grow under our roof.

We believe that Edinburgh has a wealth of talented young people, we see it all around us. We want to provide an opportunity for these young people to be the best, allow them to meet new friends and work with them to reach a common goal of putting on a five star production.

We at A-Team aim to do it like the professionals would! Our young people will wear the finest costumes, get star treatment and perform to full houses of eagerly awaiting theatre goers.

However without our funders we would be nothing. In April it was announced that A-Team Productions were granted funding to run productions for 3 years with a generous fund from The Big Lottery. Their Young Start programme will ensure that we have the necessary funds to put on an extravagant show without the families having to pay a penny.

Our first production “Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” will be performed in St Brides Centre in February 2014. Auditions for this production will be held at Ocean Terminal on 28 September 2013, call backs on 29 September.

For any information regarding the company, auditions or our february production please mail ateamproductionschair@live.co.uk or call 07973317031.

www.a-teamproductions.org

United.Passionate.Successful

Sharing the circle

North Edinburgh Community Circle

North Edinburgh Community Circle has been running for just over three years. We meet once a month at North Edinburgh Arts Centre and welcome people from the local area and all over Edinburgh to share food, friendship, ideas and resources.

In July’s meeting we had a planning session to talk about how to make the most of our connections and include new people in the circle. We also talked a lot about what people get from coming to the circle. We were amazed by what we found out!

These are some of the things people said:

‘It lifts me up coming here’

‘I feel included, part of things and I come out of my ‘pod’’

‘Everyone comes as themselves without their labels’

‘Everyone is on an equal level’

‘Even after a bad day you need to think of something positive (and the circle helps you to do that)’

‘It’s nice to learn people have different ways of doing things’.

People also appreciated how welcoming the circle is and how nice it is to have somewhere to come where people are focusing on positive things. Some also said it had helped to increase their confidence in general.

In the circle meetings we eat together (food is always provided), get to know each other, and share our resources whether they are our ideas, things we don’t need anymore, or our skills. We want to create a community based on respect, diversity and recognises that we all have something to give.

We’d love to welcome more people into the circle, so if you’re interested, come along! The next meeting will be on Tuesday 13^th August, North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 5.30 – 8pm. We always meet on the second Tuesday of the month so if you can’t make that, come along on 10^th September.

If you have any questions or want more details contact Gillian at Edinburgh Development Group: circle@edg-sco.org or 0131 476 0522

Gillian Allan

Living Well North Edinburgh: ‘helping people grow’

Local community mental health organisation Living Well North Edinburgh is based at West Pilton Park.

Formed in Autumn 2011 following a merger between PROP Stress Centre and the Clermiston-based Threshold Mental Health Project, the essence of LWNE is people working together to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their local community and themselves.

‘LWNE is all about helping people grow’

If you want some support, friendship, understanding or just a friendly face, then come along to LWNE. We offer relaxation sessions, and other groups such as confidence building, arts and crafts. We also have a number of weekly Drop Ins. Our regular newsletter details our future plans and activities. So, if you are feeling fed-up, depressed, stressed, anxious or isolated, please phone for an informal chat or to make an appointment to come and meet us.

Living Well North Edinburgh

5 West Pilton Park, Edinburgh EH4 4EL

Telephone 343 6375

Email: info@livingwellnorthedinburgh.org.uk

Click on link to see a copy of LWNE’s latest newsletter:

July to Sept 13 newsletter

Trinity mum and daughter die in A9 crash

Tributes have been paid to a local mother and daughter who died in a crash on the A9 in the Highlands last Tuesday. Abigail Houston, 42, and seven-year-old Mia, who lived in Trinity, died when their Audi A4 that was involved in a collision with a Jeep Cherokee at Kingussie.

Mrs Houston’s husband and their other young daughter were injured and have been receiving treatment at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

The family asked that the following statement be released on their behalf:

“It is incredibly difficult to find the words to express the loss that we are feeling. Abigail was such a bright and vivacious woman who lived life to the full, adored her family and was greatly fulfilled through her work as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist. Mia was a delightful and beautiful little girl who enjoyed school and activities but most of all loved her family and friends. We ask that our privacy be respected so that we can focus on the recuperation of Mia’s sister and come to terms with our loss in peace.”

A man in the Jeep was also killed. Police Scotland has still to release his name.

NEN Walkathon: safety in the sun advice

During this heatwave it’s important to listen to expert health advice, particularly if you are taking part in the NEN Walkathon this Saturday:

NHS Lothian summer sun advice:

‘Sunshine in Scotland may be a rarity, but too much exposure can do as much damage to your skin as it would if you were abroad.

Wherver you are enjoying the sun it is important to protect your skin. Sun lotions come with various levels of sun protection factors (SPFs) and it is important to make sure you use a strength appropriate for your skin. There are tailored varieties availabel for use during sport or whiel swimming, and it is best to reapply sun lotion throughout the day for maximum protection.

If sunburn does occur, place a cool, damp sponge on the affected areas then apply aftersun to soothe and help heal the skin. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help to cool you down and will replace water lost due to sweating’.

There’s still time to sign up to the NEN Walkathon – entry form below:

2013 WALKATHON SPONSOR FORM

Is this the hottest Edinburgh Trades Fortnight on record?

Benefits cap roll out begins

A cap on the total amount of benefits that people of working age can receive has begun rolling out across the country. Couples and lone parents will now not receive more than £500 a week, while a maximum £350 will be the limit applied to single people.

The benefits cap is not due to be rolled out in Edinburgh until 15 August, but claimants should really be making preparations for the introduction NOW.

The cap is an element of the government’s radical overhaul of the benefits system, which Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith argues is necessary as the present system is ‘unfair’. The government has set the cap at a level they say reflects the current weekly household income.

Most benefits – Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), housing benefit and child tax credits all count towards the cap, but there is no cap for people who receive Disability Living Allowance or its successor, the Personal Independence Payment. Those eligible for Working Tax Credit are also exempt.

“The benefit cap returns fairness to the benefits systems,” Mr Duncan Smith said. “It ensures the taxpayer can have trust in the welfare system and it stops sky-high claims that make it impossible for people to move into work.

“The limit of £500 a week ensures no-one claims more in benefits than the average household and there is a clear reason for people to get a job – as those eligible for Working Tax Credit are exempt.”

The DWP says about £90bn was paid out in benefit payments to people of working age and their families in 2009-10, and it expects the cap to save about £110m a year.

Shelter Scotland has issued the following advice:

‘If the benefit cap will affect you it’s a good idea to:

reduce your spending and focus on rent payments
make up any shortfall between your housing benefit and your rent by using other income.

If you still can’t afford your current home then you may have to consider moving somewhere cheaper. If you’ve received a letter from the DWP warning you that your benefits may be reduced, or you’re worried that you’ll be affected by the cap, talk to a money adviser who’ll be able to help draw up a budget.

It’s important to prepare for this as early as possible to avoid falling behind with your rent and being evicted. If you’re worried that you’ll be threatened with homelessness because of the benefit cap speak to an adviser in your area.’

The benefit cap will be implemented across the country by 30 September.

Letter: Pension Plan

Dear Editor

Sometimes one hasn’t a choice but I would expect everyone would wish to have a long and good life. To achieve both ‘long’ and ‘good’ requires reliable and steady employment and a society that is run for the benefit of all – this has been the aspiration of past generations of workers who struggled to improve their lives; we owe them our gratitude and respect.

The same applies to the pensioners of today, who in their time have striven to create better conditions for all of us. Now today’s generation must help, protect and care for their parents and grandparents whose welfare at the moment is under attack from a vicious reactionary government determined to undo all the social progress fought so hard for.

People who are working today are the pensioners of tomorrow and the government’s sights are firmly fixed on them – by playing the ‘divide and rule’ game, pitting one section of people against another, they hope to achieve their aims.

People working today must rally to support their parents and grandparents (the pensioners); this would then be their contribution to the ongoing struggle to achieve a society run for the benefit of all.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Sold! Celebs to help Shelter raise funds in online auction

TOP celebrities – including Olly Murs, Alan Carr, Chrissie Hynde and Plan B – have raided their wardrobes to donate some of their fashion favourites for an online pop-up shop in aid of charity Shelter Scotland.

Fans of music, fashion and comedy will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bid on signature items including an Olly Murs signed trilby hat and Chrissie Hynde’s Stella McCartney boots.

Other items include an Alexander McQueen jacket worn by comedian Alan Carr, fashionista Louise Roe’s 2013 Emmy’s red carpet dress, and a dress worn by former EastEnders actress Jo Joyner in her role as Tanya Branning.

Pop star and TV presenter, Olly Murs, said: “I’ve donated one of my trilby hats to Shelter Scotland this summer. It’s a great charity so get bidding guys!”

EastEnders actress, Jo Joyner, said: “Taking a bag of pre-loved clothes to a Shelter Scotland shop is a fantastic way to help a great cause. Shelter Scotland has never needed your support more, so I’m proud to donate my dress. Let the bidding commence!”

The online auction will open on Shelter Scotland’s website from 9.00pm on Tuesday 23 July and bidding will end at 9pm on Sunday 28 July.

Shelter Scotland is urging members of the public to take inspiration from its celebrity supporters and donate their own pre-loved clothes, home wares or books to their nearest Shelter Scotland shop, where every penny raised goes towards helping families and individuals facing homelessness and bad housing.

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We’re so grateful to our celebrity friends for their outpouring of support and hope the public will get behind us too and donate any old or unwanted items to their nearest Shelter Scotland shop.

“It costs just £10 for one of our experienced housing advisors to help a family in need through our free national helpline. We can raise that money by selling an unwanted dress, jumper or pair of shoes. No donation is too small and every penny will go towards helping people in housing need.”

Shelter Scotland helps over half a million people a year in Scotland struggling with bad housing and homelessness. The charity’s free national helpline receives over 60 calls per day from desperate families and individuals. Shelter Scotland says this represents a 43% increase over three years, up from 42 calls per day in 2008/09.

Graeme Brown added: “We have never needed the public’s support more, and are relying on their kindness and generosity to ensure that we can continue to offer vital services to people who desperately need our help.

“Unlike our famous friends, your donations don’t have to include a designer label. Whether they’re as good as new or have seen better days – all donations are welcome. There’s no easier way to help people across Scotland who are facing homelessness or living in bad housing.”

Everyone who donates to a Shelter Scotland shop between Monday 15th and Saturday 27th July can enter a free prize draw to win one of five Fujitsu tablet PCs. The charity has also recently launched a new donation loyalty card. Each donation of stock will be rewarded with a stamp, with those collecting five stamps being rewarded with a £5 discount to spend in store.

Shelter Scotland has over 40 shops across Scotland, selling a range of good quality new and second-hand clothes, books, home wares and specialist items.

The online auction can be accessed via www.shelter.org.uk/sheltershops and will be open for bids from 9pm on Tuesday 23 July – 9pm on Sunday 28 July.

Sunday – six days to go

2013 WALKATHON SPONSOR FORM

Just six days to go until the NEN Walkathon!

With the big event drawing ever closer I’ve been getting into intensive training – it’s that serious, I even walked to the chip shop last night …

Seven Days and the legend of the Pilton Pieman

Just a week to go until the NEN Walkathon, and walkers may already have selected their chosen routes. You don’t have to stick to the suggested routes, however, the choice is all yours!

How about tackling … THE PIEMAN’S PATH?

Never heard the legend of the Pilton Pieman? Then read on …

The only known illustration of Patrick 'Pudden' Porter — The only known illustration of Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter

Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter – the Pilton Pieman

Many years ago, the legend of Pudden, the Pilton Pieman was born. This is the story:

Patrick ‘Pudden’ Porter was of noble birth – his family was landed gentry. Young Paddy enjoyed all the privileges of wealth, but life was to change forever for the young man when he met and fell in love with a Newhaven fishwife. Paddy’s father disowned him when he chose to marry his Newhaven love.

Patrick and his new bride lived in relative poverty, particularly when the fishing was poor, but the young nobleman was a good, hard worker who would tackle any labour – when he could not go off to see on the trawlers he worked with butchers, bakers and yes, possibly even candlestick makers to make money, gain experience and provide for his growing family. It was a tough life, but Paddy never regreatted the path he had chosen.

One evening, when he was particularly down on his luck, Paddy cut through Caroline Park House on his way home from a labouring shift, bringing in the harvest on Drylaw Farm.

He was amazed to see hundreds, maybe thousands of rabbits scampering around the grounds – and an idea formed that was to change his life forever.

The following day he returned to Caroline Park House and spoke to the gamekeeper there. The gamekeeper was only too happy to have someone to help him deal with the rabbit epidemic and soon Paddy was hard at work.

Paddy then used the skills he had learned as a butcher and a baker – and young Paddy’s delicious home made rabbit pies and puddings quickly became the talk of the town.

Paddy ‘Pudden’ Porter became something of a celebrity in Leith and Edinburgh – he mixed with the rich and famous and his pies were served at Royal banquets at Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle.

Pudden's legendary rabbit pie can be seen at the British Museum — Pudden’s legendary rabbit pie can be seen at the British Museum

While ‘Pudden’ Porter’s family flourished, the same could not be said for the family who had disowned him. ‘Pudden’ had been the first of six boys – but each of the others died prematurely, often in suspicious circumstances. Some whispered that the Porters were cursed – a housemaid swore that each of the Porter boys died after eating …. no, contaminated fish!

The Pilton Pieman went from strength to strength – Paddy Porter became Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The Porters also had a large family – by a strange coincidence, also six boys – and each of them in turn became town councillors. It’s thought that this is where the phrase ‘gravy train’ originated.

And while both Edinburgh and Leith have grown and changed so much over the centuries, even to this day the city council still has it’s fair share o’ Puddens!

THE PIEMAN’s PATH

Bayne’s, Drylaw Shops

Groathill Bakery

Gregg’s, Pennywell Road

Gregg’s, Boswall Parkway

Caroline Park House

Granton Home Bakery, West Granton Road

Mason’s Bakery, Newhaven

Walk in the footsteps of a local legend and taste a piece of history!