West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre is urging user groups to stick with the Centre ahead of a key meeting with police later today. Some groups have talked about leaving the Neighbourhood Centre following youth disorder there last week.
Management committee chair Willie Black, who also chairs the local West Pilton West Granton Community Council, made an appeal to user groups in a letter yesterday. It reads:
Dear Friend and Community Centre User,
As you will probably be aware the Centre was the subject of an article in the Evening News and various Facebook and web pages around North Edinburgh regarding the disturbance by young people at the Centre and surrounding area on Thursday 18th October early evening.
The Management Committee share your concern and anger over the circumstances of Thursday night and are working to give you confidence that this will not re-occur.
The history of North Edinburgh has from time to time had these articles in regards to behaviour by young people. Let us be clear, thousands of young people come and use this Centre and other Centres to have fun and enjoyment with their family and friends and without Centres like the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre the lives of young people in this area would be far worse.
Without the support of the Management Committee, staff and volunteers and users like yourselves, who have worked tirelessly , some for decades, there would be no Centre.
The Management Committee working in partnership with the Council will take the necessary steps to safeguard and protect all users and our staff.
The Management Committee, Council and Police are meeting on Tuesday afternoon and would like your views to inform the meeting. Please email any comments and suggestions to Emma at the Centre in reply to this email.
A further meeting of user groups and individuals will be called to report back from the Tuesday meeting and give you a further opportunity to ensure that the steps taken are sufficient for your continuing support. Your support is vital and needed more than ever.
The planned Open Day on the 27th October (see attached flyer) has been planned for weeks to increase the use of the Centre by local people. The Centre Open Day is to give everybody an opportunity to see what we have on offer; the equipment and the space, from the Bouncy Castle to carpet bowls and the Astro Turf and much more.
This will give groups and users who are looking to expand their membership or wish to create a new user groups an opportunity to sign people up for their activities.
Posters and flyers are already out for the Open Day next week, Saturday 27th October, 10 – 12 noon.
Please come along to support, strengthen and enhance the future of the Centre with your activities.
Willie Black
on behalf of the Management Committee
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.
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