Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Community Gala – it's looking good!

Plans for the West Granton and Muirhouse Gala are progressing nicely, organisers told a meeting of interested parties on Tuesday. Permission to use West Pilton Park was finally granted last week – fortunately! – and with insurance, entertainers, security, caterers, rides, PA system, performers, a stage, marquees, shows and stalls all seemingly now in place all that’s needed on 26 August are punters and hopefully a little sunshine!

More than twenty local groups and organisations were represented at the planning meeting held at Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church, and gala organiser Sean Gardiner told the meeting: “Everything has fallen into place relatively easily – the biggest challenge for fellow organiser Alex and I has been time. We both work full-time and there seems to have been a thousands and one things to be done, but we’re getting there. The aim of this year’s gala is really to try to provide something for everyone – from the smallest kids right up to their grandparents – a real community event that everyone can enjoy and feel part of. We’ll learn from this year’s event when we go on to plan next years’ Gala!”

The list of attractions is very impressive – see the group’s website for details – and the West Pilton Park Gala on 26 August should indeed be a lot of fun. It takes a lot of work to create fun events, though, and organisers would be delighted to hear from any volunteers who would be willing to spend an hour or so helping out on the big day.

If you can lend a hand, contact the gala organisers at www.westpiltonandmuirhousegala.co.uk, where you’ll also find Facebook and Twitter contact details.

PS: Stalls and tables are still available for comunity groups and organisations – more info and booking forms are available through the website.

 

 

Community Gala – it’s looking good!

Plans for the West Granton and Muirhouse Gala are progressing nicely, organisers told a meeting of interested parties on Tuesday. Permission to use West Pilton Park was finally granted last week – fortunately! – and with insurance, entertainers, security, caterers, rides, PA system, performers, a stage, marquees, shows and stalls all seemingly now in place all that’s needed on 26 August are punters and hopefully a little sunshine!

More than twenty local groups and organisations were represented at the planning meeting held at Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church, and gala organiser Sean Gardiner told the meeting: “Everything has fallen into place relatively easily – the biggest challenge for fellow organiser Alex and I has been time. We both work full-time and there seems to have been a thousands and one things to be done, but we’re getting there. The aim of this year’s gala is really to try to provide something for everyone – from the smallest kids right up to their grandparents – a real community event that everyone can enjoy and feel part of. We’ll learn from this year’s event when we go on to plan next years’ Gala!”

The list of attractions is very impressive – see the group’s website for details – and the West Pilton Park Gala on 26 August should indeed be a lot of fun. It takes a lot of work to create fun events, though, and organisers would be delighted to hear from any volunteers who would be willing to spend an hour or so helping out on the big day.

If you can lend a hand, contact the gala organisers at www.westpiltonandmuirhousegala.co.uk, where you’ll also find Facebook and Twitter contact details.

PS: Stalls and tables are still available for comunity groups and organisations – more info and booking forms are available through the website.

 

 

Read all about it! Success for Forth's adult learners!

Congratulations to these participants in the Introduction to Modern Scottish Literature course which was so popular it’s been run twice at The Prentice Centre this year. The students were presented with an Award at an event organised to recognise the success of different education groups and classes held on 18 May.

More than twenty people regularly attend the Prentice Centre sessions and some of them attended the City Chambers celebration event (pictured).

There was further success for Forth at the event when Muirhouse Women’s Group also received an award. More on that story to follow … they’re a busy bunch and they’ve proved very hard to pin down so far!

Read all about it! Success for Forth’s adult learners!

Congratulations to these participants in the Introduction to Modern Scottish Literature course which was so popular it’s been run twice at The Prentice Centre this year. The students were presented with an Award at an event organised to recognise the success of different education groups and classes held on 18 May.

More than twenty people regularly attend the Prentice Centre sessions and some of them attended the City Chambers celebration event (pictured).

There was further success for Forth at the event when Muirhouse Women’s Group also received an award. More on that story to follow … they’re a busy bunch and they’ve proved very hard to pin down so far!

Book your table for PEP's Summer Fayre

It’s the social event of the year, the highlight of the summer season – and you can be part of it!

Pilton Equalities Project will be holding their annual Summer Fayre on Thursday 12 July from 1 – 3.30pm at the community garden off West Pilton Park, and local charities and projects are being offered the opportunity to raise funds and promote their services at this year’s event.

To book a table for your organisation (£5), call Theodora at PEP on 315 4466 or email theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk

 

 

Book your table for PEP’s Summer Fayre

It’s the social event of the year, the highlight of the summer season – and you can be part of it!

Pilton Equalities Project will be holding their annual Summer Fayre on Thursday 12 July from 1 – 3.30pm at the community garden off West Pilton Park, and local charities and projects are being offered the opportunity to raise funds and promote their services at this year’s event.

To book a table for your organisation (£5), call Theodora at PEP on 315 4466 or email theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk

 

 

Tension mounts as 'Oh-Limp-Nix' training gets underway!

Tension is mounting as residents at St Nicholas Court Sheltered Housing Complex are gearing up for a four-day ‘Oh-Limp-Nix’ tournament, bringing their own touch of the Olympics to Leith!

With just over a month until the games begin, the sporting pensioners are taking part in twice-weekly training sessions, brushing up on their skills for the for-day, four-round event.

Four teams, each with four people, will represent the UK, USA, South Africa and Australia. The countries were picked by the team members through personal connections to those countries. Dubbed ‘Oh-Limp-Nix’, the tournament will kick off on July 30 as the London games get underway. Each day, the theme for food and fun will represent each of the countries taking part.

St Nicholas Court, on Ferry Road, is owned by Port of Leith Housing Association and Chief Executive Keith Anderson will bring the week of fun to a golden finale with a  medal presentation ceremony on August 3.

Maureen Tait, who manages St Nicholas Court, said: “The training sessions are going very well and there is already a fair bit of friendly rivalry building between the teams. It’s nice to be able to celebrate in our own way what is going on in the country and creates a real buzz amongst the residents.”

The teams will have four different rounds to complete. The first round is archery and bowling on the Wii, before playing ‘triominoes’, which are triangular dominoes. Contestants will then have a shoot out, standing on the spot throwing a ball into a net and hoopla, throwing a hoop onto a pole.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at Port of Leith Housing Association, said: “It’s fantastic that the residents at St Nicholas Court are really embracing the sporting and competitive spirit of the summer and I look forward to watching the competitions. In the meantime, I wish them luck in their training regime!”

The event is being held as part of St Nicholas Court’s support of Active Ageing recognising the importance of exercise, fitness healthy eating has on the physical and emotional wellbeing of older people.

 

 

Tension mounts as ‘Oh-Limp-Nix’ training gets underway!

Tension is mounting as residents at St Nicholas Court Sheltered Housing Complex are gearing up for a four-day ‘Oh-Limp-Nix’ tournament, bringing their own touch of the Olympics to Leith!

With just over a month until the games begin, the sporting pensioners are taking part in twice-weekly training sessions, brushing up on their skills for the for-day, four-round event.

Four teams, each with four people, will represent the UK, USA, South Africa and Australia. The countries were picked by the team members through personal connections to those countries. Dubbed ‘Oh-Limp-Nix’, the tournament will kick off on July 30 as the London games get underway. Each day, the theme for food and fun will represent each of the countries taking part.

St Nicholas Court, on Ferry Road, is owned by Port of Leith Housing Association and Chief Executive Keith Anderson will bring the week of fun to a golden finale with a  medal presentation ceremony on August 3.

Maureen Tait, who manages St Nicholas Court, said: “The training sessions are going very well and there is already a fair bit of friendly rivalry building between the teams. It’s nice to be able to celebrate in our own way what is going on in the country and creates a real buzz amongst the residents.”

The teams will have four different rounds to complete. The first round is archery and bowling on the Wii, before playing ‘triominoes’, which are triangular dominoes. Contestants will then have a shoot out, standing on the spot throwing a ball into a net and hoopla, throwing a hoop onto a pole.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at Port of Leith Housing Association, said: “It’s fantastic that the residents at St Nicholas Court are really embracing the sporting and competitive spirit of the summer and I look forward to watching the competitions. In the meantime, I wish them luck in their training regime!”

The event is being held as part of St Nicholas Court’s support of Active Ageing recognising the importance of exercise, fitness healthy eating has on the physical and emotional wellbeing of older people.