Saving Granton Castle’s Walled Garden and other stories

Hi folks,

A while since we have sent out any news, so a lot to impart as we have been busy!

Articles about ‘Granton’s Lost Garden’ now published, recent presentations have met with a good response which has been publicised on our wordpress page finding-grantons-lost-castle-garden Still time to fill in the ideas survey if you haven’t done already as it will be open until midsummer, the link can be found on the wordpress page.

The Friends Group have had two meetings recently with the developers who own the walled garden, the most recent of which was very positive in its outcomes. Is there a glimmer of hope for the future of the walled garden and its restoration? The Community Empowerment Act outlines many ideals we hope can allow our voices to be heard, the ‘last of Scotland’s lost gardens’ is too precious to develop for 17 luxury townhouses.

Council petition!!!, save_granton_castle_walled_garden open to sign by anyone resident in Edinburgh. We need 500 signatures to be heard again at the city chambers, but there is a strict time limit … so please sign and share with those you think may be interested.

On a brighter note, recent seedfunding has allowed some practical gardening sessions to be run locally to help promote our Friends Group and actively involve local people and community groups in organic horticulture and community growing. Beautiful results for everyone to share, berry picking soon, North Edinburgh Arts centre plot (pictured above, Mondays from 1-2pm and West Pilton Community Garden on Fridays 10am -12 noon.

https://www.facebook.com/PiltonCommunityGardeners/

Hope to post details of our next Friends Group Meeting venue, date and time soon, likely to be the end of June. Please get in touch if you want to come along to any of the gardening workshops, meetings or have any questions.

Best wishes,

Kirsty Sutherland

End of term celebration for Circle’s ISSEP

Circle’s Inter School Social Education Project (ISSEP) works with primary-aged children supported by volunteer mentors who are 5th/6th year students.

For children, ISSEP provides a consistent 1:1 mentor one afternoon per week for the entire school year to support homework and a positive approach to learning, as well as providing a range of fun activities.

Mentors get a lot out of ISSEP too. It provides a first-class opportunity for volunteering, which is undertaken by some as part of accredited schemes such as Duke of Edinburgh and it helps to increase confidence and skills in working with young children.

The ISSEP project has been a great success, and last week West Pilton-based Circle held an end of term celebration, as the project’s Claire Martin explains:

Circle’s ISSEP Project enjoyed an end of term celebration on May 31st. Around 90 people joined the party at North Edinburgh Arts Centre. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the achievements of the 30 mentors and 30 children involved in the mentoring project this year (writes Circle’s Claire Martin).

The sun was shining and everyone enjoyed face painting, food, certificate presentations and a slideshow of the year’s highlights! Highlights included Zumba sessions at the mentors’ school and several visits to the Edinburgh International Science Festival.

Thank you to the mentors from George Heriot’s School whose fundraising efforts made these outings possible. We also enjoyed planting vegetables in the newly developed raised beds at Muirhouse Avenue thanks to Centipede Project.

Lots of special friendships have blossomed throughout the year and the feedback from parents, teachers, children and mentors involved has been extremely positive. Thanks to Ben Macpherson MSP and Deidre Brock MP for joining us to celebrate, as well as teachers from local primary schools and George Heriot’s School.

We wish the mentors well as they move on from secondary school. We look forward to the project starting up again after the summer.

Boy dies following motorcycle accident in Silverknowes

A 14-year-old boy has died after a collision between a car and a motorbike in Silverknowes. The boy, who has been named locally as Brad Williamson, was taken to the Sick Kids hospital on Friday evening but died this morning.

The motorcycle, a white Vertigo driven by the youth, was involved in a collision with a black Toyota Aygo on Silverknowes Road near to the junction with Silverknowes Court, at around 4pm on Friday. The boy and his passenger, also 14, were both taken to the Sick Kids hospital with serious injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the collision and are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a white limousine.

Sergeant Brian Smith, of Edinburgh’s Road Policing Unit, added: “This collision has resulted in death of a teenage boy and our condolences are with his family at this sad time.

“Our enquiries continue in order to establish the full circumstance surrounding this, and anyone who may have witnessed the collision is urged to get in touch.

“We’re particularly eager to trace the driver of a white Mercedes limousine-style car which was travelling north on Silverknowes Road at the time, as we believe they may be able to assist with our investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101

Royal visit to Davidsons Mains

Quick birthday shampoo and set for Her Majesty

BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

A Davidsons Mains hairdresser received a surprise visitor this morning – none other than Her Majesty the Queen!

It’s understood Her Royal Highness put her nintieth birthday celebrations on hold to enjoy a new hairdo at reduced senior citizen rates.

While Her Majesty herself remained tight-lipped, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said: “The appointment was secretly booked under the name Mrs Liz Balmoral-Windsor to avoid any publicity but unfortunately a pack of yelping corgis gave the game away when she arrived.

“It is well-known that Her Majesty enjoys a bargain, just as her dear mother did before her. She is very pleased with her new hairstyle and it’s extremely likely that she will return in the future – this by Royal appointment.”

It is unknown if Her Majesty tipped her hairdresser or indeed paid for her haircut.

Happy birthday, Ma’am!

Cats Protection £5 neutering campaign

Cats Protection is running a neutering campaign in the EH1 – EH55 or ML12 postcode areas. Under the campaign you can get your pet cat neutered for just £5. Continue reading Cats Protection £5 neutering campaign

Veterans’ artwork showcased at Leonardo’s Crewe Toll HQ

Richard Demarco talks of ‘the healing power of art’

The Edinburgh HQ of electronics company Leonardo is marking this year’s Armed Forces Day (25 June) by hosting a month long exhibition for staff displaying original artwork and poetry created by ex-service men and women supported by the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans, Combat Stress. The official opening of the event took place at Crewe Toll yesterday.

Senior members of the RAF and Richard Demarco, one of the founding fathers of the Edinburgh Festival, opened the exhibition to share their views on the paintings and text produced by the veterans. Artwork will be displayed alongside a ‘textline’ number for mobile donations and a collection box and there are plans to repeat the exhibition in November to mark Armistice Day.

Arts impresario Richard Demarco, Director of the The Demarco European Art Foundation, opened the event with his thoughts on the healing powers of art and how it can be used as a balm to those suffering both mentally and physically. The AOS’s secretary, Sqn Ldr Nobby Clark and OC 603 (City of Edinburgh Squadron) and Sqn Leader Jerry Riley paid tribute to the work of the charity and Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Glen MacDonald (rtd) gave an eloquent description of the process the veterans go through to channel their experiences into art.

Leonardo, previously known as Finmeccanica (and, quite a while back now, Ferranti’s) has provided security equipment to Britain’s armed forces for over 73 years. The exhibition was the brainchild of one of the company’s apprentices, Michael Given, who wanted to find a productive way of supporting veterans, as Combat Stress is the chosen charity of Leonardo’s UK apprentices.

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans, providing free specialist clinical treatment and support to ex-servicemen and women across the UK with mental health conditions. The charity treats conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, and provides a range of free services including short-stay clinical treatment, a specialist PTSD Intensive Treatment Programme, occupational therapy, community support and a free 24-hour Helpline (0800 138 1619).

Sue Freeth, Chief Executive at Combat Stress, said: “Everyone at Combat Stress is incredibly grateful to Leonardo for their support in showcasing our veterans’ artwork.

“The event will raise awareness of Combat Stress and the work we do as the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. We are always working to encourage more veterans to seek our help as we know the difference that our free specialist clinical treatment and support makes.

“We saw a 28% rise in referrals over 2015/16 so fundraising events like this are vital in ensuring that Combat Stress is able to continue supporting veterans in Scotland and across the UK.”

While the event will not be open to the general public, it will be accessible to all Leonardo employees and it’s hoped that it will raise healthy funds for the charity as over 1800 employees are based at the Crewe Toll site.

For more information about Combat Stress’ fundraising events please contact Kath Provan on 01292 561347 or email kath.provan@combatstress.org.uk.

Pictures: Mike Glendinning

Free First Aid training for dads at Prentice Centre tomorrow

The good people of the British Red Cross are coming to Prentice on Saturday to deliver some Free First Aid. It starts at 10am until approx 1040am.

The session is for dads. If you know someone who would like to book a slot let us know asap! Dads can either just come themselves, or if they want their wee one can come to the playgroup with mum.

The Prentice Centre is at 1 Granton Mains Avenue

Dads Rock

Caring for young carers

The introduction of a Young Carer’s Allowance to give young people extra financial support will be considered by the Scottish Government, Scottish Ministers have confirmed during Carers Week. Under UK Government guidelines only 250 people in Scotland under the age of 18 receive Carer’s Allowance. Continue reading Caring for young carers

Three shortlisted for Sainsbury’s Blackhall Charity of the Year

It is the time of year again to choose the charity of the year for Sainsbury’s Blackhall! As valued customers and colleagues we would love for you to take part in this year’s vote for charity of the year (writes Gail Wilson). Continue reading Three shortlisted for Sainsbury’s Blackhall Charity of the Year

Poverty misery: blame Westminster!

Investment in addressing the deep-rooted causes of poverty would be greatly increased if the Scottish Government wasn’t being continually forced to spend money on tackling the negative impact of UK Government welfare cuts. That was the message from new Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman ahead of her first keynote address to the Child Poverty Action Group’s annual conference. Continue reading Poverty misery: blame Westminster!