Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Doggie delight as Bark in the Park is rescheduled!

Disappointed dug – but the event’s been rescheduled!

Bring your pampered pooch to St Columba’s sponsored dog walk at Inverleith Park, with a dog show, agility course, doggy manicures and lots more!


The Bark in the Park event to raise funds for St Columba’s Hospice has been rescheduled. The doggie extravaganza was due to take place on 29 July, but following the summer deluge the event had to be postponed. However organisers have set a new date for Bark in the Park and it will now take place on Sunday 26 August at Inverleith Park. 

Edinburgh’s four legged friends are invited to put their best paw forward and come along to Bark in the Park on Sunday 26 August – a doggy-themed day out at Inverleith Park in aid of St Columba’s Hospice.

Registration from 9.30am

Wufts dog show starts at 10.30am

Activities run from 10am – 1pm

Dog walk starts at 11am.

As well as a sponsored dog walk around the park, there will be lots of extra activities guaranteed to get tails wagging. Back again, after its ‘barking’ success last year is the ‘Wufts’ dog show, judged by experienced judge and breeder Fiona McKinlay.

Owners who think their canine is Crufts material have a chance of walking away with one of five prizes:

Most Handsome Dog

Waggiest tail

Best Six Legs

Best small dog

Best large dog

For playful pups there will also be an agility course to try out, while for more pampered pooches, doggy manicures and grooming will be available.

Entry costs just £7.50 per dog in advance or £10 on the day and St Columba’s requests that all entrants try to raise at least £25 sponsorship. Entry to the Wufts dog show competition is £5 per dog. So come along for a great day out and give your pampered pooch a real treat!

To sign up, contact St Columba’s Hospice fundraising team on 0131 551 1381 or email  fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk

Bark in the Park 2012 is kindly sponsored by Batchelor, Davidson and Watson Veterinary Surgeons.

 

 

Emergency services open day this weekend

 

Blue Green light for McDonald Road event!

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the annual emergency services open day on Saturday (4 August). Hosted by Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service at McDonald Road fire station, the free day out is one of the most popular in our events calendar.

Firefighter Neil Bertram, one of the event organisers, said: “The emergency services open day is always a great day out and it’s free! Last year we had more than 700 people through our doors at McDonald Road. This year the station will be open from 11am until 3.30pm.

“The Police, Scottish Ambulance Service and Coastguard will also be represented on the day. It’s a great opportunity to come along, see an operational station and find out more about the emergency services and the role they play in keeping communities safe.

“From our side we will have fire appliances on display.  The height appliance will be working throughout the event, our community safety vehicle (CSV) will also be used and staff from our Community Safety Function will be on hand to give advice about fire safety and answer questions from the public.  The training centre will be carrying out extinguisher and fire blanket demonstrations.  They will also provide access to the Breathing Apparatus (BA) pod to allow people to get a taste of navigating in zero visibility to rescue a casualty.

“We also hope to raise some money for two very special charities, The Fire Fighters Charity who are dedicated to helping firefighters, fire personnel and their families in their hour of need and Hillview Respite, a local initiative which provides residential respite care for disabled children in Edinburgh. Both charities will be running stalls on the day to raise funds.

“Hopefully the weather will be kind to us on the day and we would urge people to pop along for what promises to be a fun family day out.”

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service

Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership to meet in Drylaw

The next meeting of the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership will be on Monday 13 August 2012 at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Groathill Road North. The meeting is from 7-9pm, with refreshments and displays from 6pm. 

Come and see presentations on changes to household waste services in your area plus proposed new pedestrian crossings. 

Papers will be available in advance of the meeting at http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/inverleith/downloads/links-to-inverleith-np-papers/and paper copies will be available on the evening.

For further information please contact Neighbourhood Partnership Development Officer Elaine Lennon on 529 5270 or email elaine.lennon@edinburgh.gov.uk

Six hundred local households to receive fuel support

A project being delivered by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) and sustainability charity Changeworks will help 600 households in the North Edinburgh area to be affordably warm at home. The Affordable Warmth Project, funded by ScottishPower until 2015, will support householders to address high energy costs, poor levels of energy efficiency and low income – the three root causes of fuel poverty.

The funds will be used to employ a Money Advice Worker from the Citizens Advice Bureau Edinburgh seconded to PoLHA two days a week to work on the project and an Affordable Warmth Advisor employed by Changeworks for two and a half days a week.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “This will be a fantastic project and will make a massive difference to the lives of hundreds of our tenants. Fuel poverty is a very serious and damaging issue that can have terrible ramifications for individuals and their families. It’s terrible some people feel they have to choose between basics such as eating and heating but the reality is that this is happening. This project will help people manage their household bills and finances which will relieve this pressure and let them enjoy a happy and warm winter. We are very grateful to both ScottishPower and Changeworks for their support on this project.”

Each year, over the next three years, Changeworks’ Affordable Warmth Advisor will visit 200 tenants in their homes (referred by PoLHA staff) and offer confidential and impartial energy and fuel billing advice. The Money Advice Worker will meet with 160 of these tenants to help with advice on benefits, budgeting and wider debt advice.

Sam Mills, Head of Projects at Changeworks, said: “Almost half of Port of Leith’s tenants struggle in the winter months to afford to heat their homes. With rising energy prices and cold winters there has never been a better time for this Affordable Warmth Project and Changeworks is delighted to be working with Port of Leith Housing Association to support their tenants. Our Affordable Warmth Advisor is happy to visit any tenant struggling with the cost of keeping their home warm and dry or who are worried about their gas and electricity bills. Last year, the vast majority (over 93%) of people we supported were happy with our service and after speaking to us said they understood better how to save money on their energy bills. So please do get in touch.”

For further information call Changeworks on 555 4010 or email ask@changeworks.org.uk 

Centipede project's gone potty about planters!

 

We’re into August – wasn’t July wonderful? – and it’s less than four weeks until the West Pilton and Muirhouse community gala. There will be a host of great things to enjoy at the big event on 26 August, but one of the more unusual will undoubtedly be Muirhouse Centipede Project’s Peculiar Planter Competition.

The idea behind the competition is quite simple – but simply nuts, too! Take along a plant in a planter – the dafter container the better – along with a postcard telling your container’s story. Your planter will be judged on its creativity, its ingenuity and its ridiculousness for the purpose! You will also gain points for the “story” you tell on your postcard about why you chose this particular planter. So the Centipede team is looking not only for crazy planters but also looking for stories about the planters that amuse, touch, move or inspire!

Muirhouse St Andrews locum minister Linda Dunbar explained: “We are busy visiting community groups with promotional material garnering support for the competition. Folk should look out for the posters, and pick up entry postcards from the North Edinburgh Arts, Muirhouse Library and Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church. On the competition day we will be videoing all the entries – as well as soaking up the Gala atmosphere, all in preparation of producing a commemorative DVD of all the various Centipede Project activities taking place between now and Easter 2013.”

Participants should bring entries to the Centipede Project stall, ensuring your precious planter is accompanied by a postcard – blank postcards will be available on the day, or in advance through various participating community groups. Everyone is welcome to enter – all entries should be on the stall by 1pm. Judging takes place at 2pm and the grand prizegiving ceremony will be held at 3.30pm.

Twenty-six days, and counting down – it’s time to roll the sleeves up and get planting!

For more information on Muirhouse Centipede Project their website – www.centipedeproject.co.uk

Latest West Pilton Community Gala news can be found at www.westpiltonandmuirhousegala.co.uk

Centipede project’s gone potty about planters!

 

We’re into August – wasn’t July wonderful? – and it’s less than four weeks until the West Pilton and Muirhouse community gala. There will be a host of great things to enjoy at the big event on 26 August, but one of the more unusual will undoubtedly be Muirhouse Centipede Project’s Peculiar Planter Competition.

The idea behind the competition is quite simple – but simply nuts, too! Take along a plant in a planter – the dafter container the better – along with a postcard telling your container’s story. Your planter will be judged on its creativity, its ingenuity and its ridiculousness for the purpose! You will also gain points for the “story” you tell on your postcard about why you chose this particular planter. So the Centipede team is looking not only for crazy planters but also looking for stories about the planters that amuse, touch, move or inspire!

Muirhouse St Andrews locum minister Linda Dunbar explained: “We are busy visiting community groups with promotional material garnering support for the competition. Folk should look out for the posters, and pick up entry postcards from the North Edinburgh Arts, Muirhouse Library and Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church. On the competition day we will be videoing all the entries – as well as soaking up the Gala atmosphere, all in preparation of producing a commemorative DVD of all the various Centipede Project activities taking place between now and Easter 2013.”

Participants should bring entries to the Centipede Project stall, ensuring your precious planter is accompanied by a postcard – blank postcards will be available on the day, or in advance through various participating community groups. Everyone is welcome to enter – all entries should be on the stall by 1pm. Judging takes place at 2pm and the grand prizegiving ceremony will be held at 3.30pm.

Twenty-six days, and counting down – it’s time to roll the sleeves up and get planting!

For more information on Muirhouse Centipede Project their website – www.centipedeproject.co.uk

Latest West Pilton Community Gala news can be found at www.westpiltonandmuirhousegala.co.uk

PCA: working for West Pilton for over half a century

Established in 1958, Pilton Central Association (PCA) is North Edinburgh’s oldest community-managed organisation and the group is looking for community support at their forthcoming AGM. PCA was set up to maximise community influence, address poverty and bring real economic and community benefits to the area, and those aims remain the driving force behind the organisation today.

Based at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (which it manages), PCA supports community involvement and participation within North Edinburgh and works closely with other agencies and stakeholders to help tackle poverty and to improve the appeal and wealth of the local area. Through innovative initiatives and creative approaches, PCA aims to work together with others to ensure that the community is at the heart of local decision-making.

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (pictured above) is North Edinburgh’s longest established community centre and the building in West Pilton Grove remains the hub for community learning and activity in the area. The Centre’s varied programme of activities is tailored to meet the needs of the whole local community – young and old, educational and recreational. Earlier this year the Neighbourhood Centre became the home of North Edinburgh’s newest food co-op, the Fabby Food Store.

Pilton Central Association also provides the building and supports the Thrift Shop on 26 Ferry Road Drive. The Thrift Shop sells second-hand clothes and household goods, providing an invaluable service for local families. Run by friendly volunteers, donations of clothes, household goods and children’s toys are always wecome – and the Thrift Shop would also welcome new volunteers to join their happy band, so get in touch if you would like to volunteer for this community resource!

The PCA also supported the local Community Employability service by providing a home for the project at 28 Ferry Road Drive, just next door to the Thrift Shop. Community Employability, (formerly Working Links), a local one stop shop committed to helping North Edinburgh residents into education, training and employment, closed earlier this year after failing to secure a new contract. PCA is hoping that the building will now be used by other community organisations.

PCA’s Betty McVay, who received an MBE for services to the Pilton community in 2000, said: “The PCA does have a remarkable history and we are very proud of what the organisation has achieved. What is more important, however, is the future and for communities to flourish we need active organisations and active, committed local people to make that happen. Many of the challenges facing our area today are just the same as those the community faced all those years ago – and when there are improvements, we’ve got to be vigilant to make sure things aren’t allowed to slide back. The PCA, like all community organisations, needs committed activists to make sure that the community’s voice is heard – that’s one thing that’s never changed over the years and it’s as important now as it ever was. There’s still work to be done.”

 

PCA’s AGM will be held in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Thursday 30 August at 6.30pm. All welcome

For further information telephone 551 3194 

Work starts on new West Pilton homes

Work has started at West Gait, a 93 home mixed-tenure site in West Pilton. Development and regeneration specialist Places for People has chosen affordable housing expert Lovell to deliver the new houses with a £7.7 million design and build contract. 

The mixed-tenure scheme, situated off the waterfront access road at West Pilton Road, Terrace and Street, is being developed by Places for People. The new housing will complement a previous development by Castle Rock Edinvar that neighbours the new scheme.

Lovell was awarded the project after bidding competitively as one of Places for People’s framework contractors. Construction work started this week and the development is expected to be completed in October next year.

The new housing – a mix of 93 houses and flats – will feature 48 homes for affordable ownership, 15 homes for social rent and 30 mid-market rent homes. The affordable ownership units are a mixture of both shared equity and shared ownership, to provide as many options as possible for people to move in. Mid market rent properties enable those in employment who could not otherwise afford main market rents to access good quality new affordable homes.

The energy-efficient new homes will incorporate high levels of insulation to the external wall fabric and will also include a heat recovery ventilation system. This ventilation system exchanges air extracted from the kitchen and bathrooms for fresh air – achieving good air quality – with heat being recovered in the process.

Councillor Cammy Day, the city council’s housing leader (pictured above) said:  “North Edinburgh’s undergoing a transformation thanks to the effective partnerships that exist between the local community, the council and housing associations such as Castle Rock Edinvar. We are committed to the development of good quality affordable housing, making sure that the city’s people are well housed. The development of this site will deliver 93 homes for rent and ownership which completes an important part of the regeneration of this part of the city.”

Alister Steele, managing director of Castle Rock Edinvar, the Scottish Registered Social Landlord within the Places for People Group, said: “This development is bringing much-needed new affordable homes for Edinburgh, and we are providing a range of tenures which increases the number of options available for people. We will also maintain a long-term interest managing the development once complete. The properties will be sustainable to keep fuel costs down and high standards will ensure residents have new homes to be proud of.”

The scheme will also create new local jobs – Lovell will take on six school or college leavers to work on the project and two apprentices. Lovell regional director Alan Taylor said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen by Places for People to deliver this much-needed new affordable housing development for West Gait. We are committed to delivering a wide-ranging legacy of benefits in the communities where we work and the scheme, as well as delivering high-quality, energy-efficient new homes, will also create important job and training places for local young people.”

Lovell is also currently working with Places for People Developments at Craigs Road, where the company is building a £3.85 million development of 42 apartments.

Police seek help following Trinity break-in

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following a high-value break-in and theft from a house in Trinity. The incident happened sometime between 2.30pm and 4.30pm last Tuesday (24 July) at an address in Craighall Bank.

When the homeowner returned to the property, he found that several items including over 100 pieces of jewellery, a decorative Argentinean knife, a mobile phone and other collectables had been stolen from within. The total value of the stolen objects is currently estimated at around £8,000. However, this is likely to increase as the victim continues his inventory.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

A police spokesman said: “The victim has been left devastated by the theft of his property and we have been working alongside him for the last week to establish exactly what has been taken and the values of these goods. During that time we have conducted local enquiries to determine whether any residents in Craighall Bank saw anything suspicious last Tuesday afternoon. We would now urge anyone else who was in the area between 2.30pm and 4.30pm to come forward if they witnessed this break in or if they have any other information that can help with our investigation. Many of these items are very distinctive and anyone who comes across them is asked to contact police immediately.”