MY Adventure leader James dies in holiday accident

james howells

MY Adventure director James Howell has died in an accident while on holiday.

Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG’s) Board has issued the following statement:

Over the weekend James was involved in a tragic accident and passed away. At this time we don’t know the full details and we want to provide his family and the MYA team with some time to get their head round it. Normal service will resume at MYA and we will be in touch with the best point of contact for any questions in due course.

James came to MY Adventure two years ago with over 15 years of experience in outdoor education, adventure activities and expedition leadership. He worked extensively in the UK, Asia and Africa and was a passionate believer in the power of the outdoors to change lives for the better.

Our thoughts are with James’ family and colleagues at this terribly difficult time.

 

Community Shop closed until further notice

Community Shop to remain closed after holidays

community shop

The Community Shop on Pennywell Road will remain closed for at least the next month to allow repairs and redecoration to take place.

In a statement on the TRIM (Tenants & Residents in Muirhouse) Facebook page, shop organisers explain:

TRIM would like to make all residents and partners aware that Muirhouse Community Shop will remain CLOSED until further notice.

Volunteers and Muirhouse Link Up will meet this week to discuss a few new ideas for the shop, this includes a mini make over, a fresh look at what is stocked and who we will invite in to the shop ( Organisations / Groups ) –

Your community shop has now been open over 2 years and has served the community well, it is hoped that with a mini make over it will continue to serve you until such time a supermarket or similar opens.

The shop is fully dependant of Volunteers, NO staff get paid and NO profit is ever made from the shop.

Please share this with your friends and family, we may be asking for some support to get the shop looking good as it’s a little old and tired

Of course you can still conatct the shop and TRIM 24/7 via the mobile telephone 07914 942 026

Bowtow bones spark medieval mystery

Ahoy, matey: is this the face of a salty sea dog?

Playground pirate

The skeleton of a man discovered in a school playground could be that of a 600 year old criminal or pirate. The remains were found by the City of Edinburgh Council at the Capital’s oldest working Primary School last year while survey work was being undertaken to build an extension.

Victoria Primary School is situated close to Newhaven harbour, one of Scotland’s historic fishing villages. Workers had expected to find remains of the original harbour and shipbuilding but instead uncovered human bones.

Archaeologists first believed the remains were Bronze Age because they were in such a poor condition and found alongside 4,000 year old shards of pottery, but the bones were carbon dated to the 16th-17th Centuries. AOC Archaeology with forensic artist Hayley Fisher then created a facial reconstruction of the skull, which they believe belonged to a man in his fifties.

Councillor Richard Lewis, the city council’s Culture Convener, said: “Edinburgh has an undeniably intriguing past and some of our archaeological discoveries have been in the strangest of places.

“Thanks to carbon dating techniques, archaeologists now know that the skeleton was likely to have been a murder victim – and quite possibly a pirate. It’s fantastic that through the Council’s archaeology and museums service, we are able to investigate such discoveries and add to our understanding of Newhaven’s heritage.”

A gibbet – commonly used to execute witches and pirates – stood on the edge of Newhaven dockyards 600 years ago and it is believed the man could have been murdered in the device for criminal behaviour or piracy and discarded in nearby wasteland.

Due to the condition of the bones and location of his burial close to the sea and gibbet rather than any of three nearby graveyards, it is believed the man was likely killed before being displayed in plain sight of ships to deter fellow pirates. An unceremonious burial in a shallow, unmarked grave suggests he had no relatives or friends in the area.

Laura Thompson, Head Teacher at Victoria Primary School, added: “As the oldest working primary school in Edinburgh, we are proud of our history and heritage and the school even has a dedicated museum to the local area.

“The pupils think it’s fantastic that a skeleton was found deep underneath their playground. The archaeologists will hold a special lesson with some of the children about how they have used science to analyse the remains and it will be a good learning opportunity for them.”

More aid for Lesbos

Scottish Government grants another £75k to help refugees

redcross2

The Scottish Government has announced an additional £75,000 grant to support the British Red Cross medical response on the Greek island of Lesbos. The contribution builds on the previous donation of £140,000 made available to the charity by the Scottish Government to provide humanitarian aid. Continue reading More aid for Lesbos