Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

A Greenhouse Garden in West Pilton

A community garden in West Pilton growing fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs for everyone to enjoy. Come along and get involved helping build and plan the wee garden. Do you like gardening or want to learn?  Residents in West Pilton Brae looking out onto the grassland will be the first people involved deciding what the garden could look like and what to grow.

I went door to door last year asking some of the residents views on having a community garden area growing fruit and veg, and what the grassland behind the ‘greenhouse’ is currently used for.

Some of the older residents remembered allotments in the area that were demolished during redevelopment, and most folk I spoke to like the idea and could see the benefits of food on their doorstep but were a bit worried about vandalism.

Dog walkers use the open space so just a bit of the grassland would be used for a garden. None of the woodland surrounding would be touched as the local kids play in it and it is a beautiful landscape feature.

The garden could provide an opportunity for young and old to get together in a healthy fun environment, learning where food comes from seed to plate. The local schools could visit and work there as could local equalities groups. Seasonal gluts in crops could be used for cooking classes and sharing of recipes.  And people living in flats without a garden could share the growing space – those with gardens could swap plants and gardening advice.

Tenants and Residents in Pilton meets monthly in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, giving anyone living locally a chance to voice their opinion and be involved with the community garden.  We have obtained permission from the council to use part of the grassland for a community garden. A bit of money is available to buy ten fruit trees to start the garden and soft fruits like raspberries and strawberries would grow well.

I will be going around the doors again to ask folk what they think and give anyone interested more information – contact details are below.

I like the gardening quote:  “Gardening requires a lot of water, most of it in the form of perspiration“!

Please get involved and help fight food poverty – we could transform the grassland into a sheltered oasis.

Kirsty Sutherland

http://piltonresidents.org.uk/

07504 849 855

News from Edinburgh's Telford College

Image

Community Liaison, Jennifer Kelly, gives a review of the Community Team over the last six months. 

For the second consecutive year our annual Graduation celebration was held in the Hub at the heart of Edinburgh’s Telford College. A wonderful evening was had by staff, students and invited guests, including key members of the North Edinburgh community. Graduands were piped in and entertained by singing, dancing and speakers including the College Principal – Miles Dibsdall OBE, and guest of honour, comedienne and television presenter Jenny Éclair (pictured above).

Looking at the very much wintry weather today, it is hard to believe that it was only three months ago we welcomed 4,000 local residents onto the Forthquarter Park for the third North Edinburgh Community Festival. The day was a great success, and Telford staff and students worked alongside several of its community partners to provide a free day of food, fun, information and entertainment for what is now a popular established event.

The Forth Neighbourhood Partnerships Public Meeting was given an employability twist in October and the College hosted a market place of local and city wide organisations offering help in job hunting, career development and education. Attendees also heard a number of very informative presentations including an update from Ken Shaw, Head of Employability and Skills: City of Edinburgh Council on current initiatives and achievements to date in this area.

The College is keen to support local organisations in any way it is able, and the past few months have seen Telford working alongside SACRO, Fairbridge, Citadel Youth Centre, Four Square, Apex Scotland, CORE, Link Living and WEACT, amongst others. Joint working can take many forms, including presentations, College visits and tours, providing information stands and staff, attending AGMs. This year we designed and produced annual reports for both Stepping Stones (North Edinburgh) and the Prentice Centre. We also welcomed parents and pupils from Craigroyston Community High School, Forthview Primary School and Trinity Academy.

Although events are a significant part of our Community remit, we also provide ongoing support and information to any person who is interested in coming to Telford College. We have regular drop ins at Community Renewal and represent the College at a wide variety of schools and careers events across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Get On Edinburgh, which links people up with the support they need to move forward in life, also has a presence within Learner Services and members of the public are welcome to visit between 1 and 3pm on Wednesdays.

We are proud that our students also make their mark in our community. HND student Michael Kerr, whose project to produce signage for the Forthquarter development was selected as the winning submission by National Grid. Michael produced a fully integrated campaign which included logo development, direct mail, signage points, ambient advertising and digital designs for web and mobile (pictured below).

If any member of the Community would like to arrange a College visit, we can be contacted via the following link on our website:

http://www.ed-coll.ac.uk/community/community_support.aspx

POSTSCRIPT

As you will have heard in the local and national press, Edinburgh’s Telford College has taken the decision to enter merger discussions with Jewel and Esk College and Stevenson College Edinburgh. The Government’s white paper on post-16 vocational education makes clear its aim to refocus college provision so that it is more aligned with employer and community needs, jobs and growth.  Telford has for several years collaborated successfully with its sister colleges across the City and the announcement will bring further positive developments and benefits especially for young people across Edinburgh. The College is in a strong position thanks to the quality and commitment of its staff, the engagement with its students, its curricular offer and the quality of the college estate. With our partner colleges we will continue to build a focused college sector in Edinburgh. Barbara Lawson, Head of External Liaison for the College, confirmed that Telford would keep members of its North Edinburgh Community up to date on outcomes from these developments.

 

News from Edinburgh’s Telford College

Image

Community Liaison, Jennifer Kelly, gives a review of the Community Team over the last six months. 

For the second consecutive year our annual Graduation celebration was held in the Hub at the heart of Edinburgh’s Telford College. A wonderful evening was had by staff, students and invited guests, including key members of the North Edinburgh community. Graduands were piped in and entertained by singing, dancing and speakers including the College Principal – Miles Dibsdall OBE, and guest of honour, comedienne and television presenter Jenny Éclair (pictured above).

Looking at the very much wintry weather today, it is hard to believe that it was only three months ago we welcomed 4,000 local residents onto the Forthquarter Park for the third North Edinburgh Community Festival. The day was a great success, and Telford staff and students worked alongside several of its community partners to provide a free day of food, fun, information and entertainment for what is now a popular established event.

The Forth Neighbourhood Partnerships Public Meeting was given an employability twist in October and the College hosted a market place of local and city wide organisations offering help in job hunting, career development and education. Attendees also heard a number of very informative presentations including an update from Ken Shaw, Head of Employability and Skills: City of Edinburgh Council on current initiatives and achievements to date in this area.

The College is keen to support local organisations in any way it is able, and the past few months have seen Telford working alongside SACRO, Fairbridge, Citadel Youth Centre, Four Square, Apex Scotland, CORE, Link Living and WEACT, amongst others. Joint working can take many forms, including presentations, College visits and tours, providing information stands and staff, attending AGMs. This year we designed and produced annual reports for both Stepping Stones (North Edinburgh) and the Prentice Centre. We also welcomed parents and pupils from Craigroyston Community High School, Forthview Primary School and Trinity Academy.

Although events are a significant part of our Community remit, we also provide ongoing support and information to any person who is interested in coming to Telford College. We have regular drop ins at Community Renewal and represent the College at a wide variety of schools and careers events across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Get On Edinburgh, which links people up with the support they need to move forward in life, also has a presence within Learner Services and members of the public are welcome to visit between 1 and 3pm on Wednesdays.

We are proud that our students also make their mark in our community. HND student Michael Kerr, whose project to produce signage for the Forthquarter development was selected as the winning submission by National Grid. Michael produced a fully integrated campaign which included logo development, direct mail, signage points, ambient advertising and digital designs for web and mobile (pictured below).

If any member of the Community would like to arrange a College visit, we can be contacted via the following link on our website:

http://www.ed-coll.ac.uk/community/community_support.aspx

POSTSCRIPT

As you will have heard in the local and national press, Edinburgh’s Telford College has taken the decision to enter merger discussions with Jewel and Esk College and Stevenson College Edinburgh. The Government’s white paper on post-16 vocational education makes clear its aim to refocus college provision so that it is more aligned with employer and community needs, jobs and growth.  Telford has for several years collaborated successfully with its sister colleges across the City and the announcement will bring further positive developments and benefits especially for young people across Edinburgh. The College is in a strong position thanks to the quality and commitment of its staff, the engagement with its students, its curricular offer and the quality of the college estate. With our partner colleges we will continue to build a focused college sector in Edinburgh. Barbara Lawson, Head of External Liaison for the College, confirmed that Telford would keep members of its North Edinburgh Community up to date on outcomes from these developments.

 

PROP Stress Centre is now Living Well North Edinburgh

“We can do it better together!”

We are delighted to announce the launch of Living Well North Edinburgh, which is the result of a merger between the Pilton based PROP Stress Centre and the Clermiston based Threshold Mental Health Project.  Both organisations are user-led mental health organisations with shared values and aims.  Most importantly, the belief that:

The people who use our services are seen as themselves rather than the state of their mental health.

  • The content and delivery of our work is all led by and responsive to our Members needs.
  • Our services are community based.  

The new organisation is called Living Well North Edinburgh.    

Consultation with our members shows that we’re on the right track as they say:

  • We make people feel included
  • We listen to people
  • PROP is there when you need it –  we all need someone there
  • The different methods we use help people get over the barriers they face
  • We reduce the stigma of mental health

Councillor Paul Edie, Health Leader, City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I am delighted that both organisations are coming together to provide the people of North Edinburgh with even greater support, whilst protecting existing services already in place. This is a great example of a local neighbourhood service that is working to help people feel valued and included, giving them back some control over their lives. It is increasingly important to work within communities to help people manage and maintain a positive and healthy wellbeing.” 

Living Well was officially launched last month by Linda Irvine, Strategic Programme Manager, Mental Health and Wellbeing, NHS Lothian, and Ian Waitt, Manager, North Mental Health Services, the City of Edinburgh   Council.   Linda says  “We’ve worked closely with both these projects over a number of years and I have no doubt our positive work together will continue. The work carried out by community-based organisations is invaluable in helping to build mentally healthy communities across Lothian.”

Living Well North Edinburgh, (LWNE), is a user-led community mental health service open to people aged 18 and over, who have mental health concerns and live in North Edinburgh.  

At Living Well, we specialise in providing group support activities designed to build confidence, unlock people’s creativity, help people learn new ways of dealing with stress and combat the stigma of mental health difficulties.  Services are open to people with mental health concerns who live inNorth Edinburgh, an area affected by social exclusion, high unemployment, low educational attainment and poor health and wellbeing.  140+ people benefit from our services each year.   This has recognised benefits for their family, friends and their local community.

The merger will protect both existing services and provide members with access to a wider range of activities in Pilton and in Clermiston.

When we asked our members what they valued about both organisations they said:

 “A lifesaver for me” – “and for me too” and “me too” “and me too…..”

All the members especially value mutual help, sharing experiences and supporting each other in solving problems. 

Our new name was chosen for us byShulah Allan, MBE, former Director of EVOC and of Edinburgh Association for Mental Health, from suggestions made by our members.

Services will continue to be provided in our Pilton Centre, 4 days a week and in the local community centre 2 afternoons a week in Clermiston. 

Living Well North Edinburgh is funded by the City ofEdinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, the Miss Agnes H Hunter’s Trust, the Lloyds TSB Foundation forScotland, the Nancie Massey Charitable Trust and the Scotmid Foundation.

 

 

For more information contact:

Penny Richardson, Manager, Living Well North Edinburgh

Monday – Thursday – 9 am to 4pm 0131 343 6375

Direct email pennyrichardson@livingwellnorthedinburgh.org.uk

Living Well North Edinburgh, 5 West Pilton Park, Edinburgh EH4 4EL 0131 343 6375

All the latest news from CORE

Youth event at CORE

Since the last publication of NEN, CORE has been undertaking much work within the Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) community, and promoting the integration of all races within North Edinburgh.

Invaluable BME Employability work continues to support local people to gain access to education, employment, volunteering and training opportunities in adults and young people. The organisation of recruitment workshops for the new Primark store in the City Centre was well received by CORE clients, and these were well attended.

CORE’s youth work also carries on with a basketball group running for 10-18 years olds on a Thursday between 7pm-9pm (in partnership with Pilton Youth and Children’s Project) and a Health and Wellbeing group for 10-14 year olds taking place at Fet Lor Youth Centre on Wednesdays from 4.30pm-6pm.

In addition to these, CORE is about to start an exciting new music-making group on Saturday 10th December called ‘Soundkidz’ which will run in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts and Edinburgh Mela. The group is mainly targeted at minority ethnic children in Primary 2 – Senior 1 (split into two age groups) and will run at North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Saturday afternoons from 2.30pm-4.30pm. The group will focus on music-making and discovering different types of music.

All of the groups aim to provide an environment where children and young people can have fun and accept others without judgment or discrimination. Through observation of the group and liaising with staff, the group is going very well and the feedback has been positive. By mixing young people we have broken down stereotypes and various barriers which would normally stop these young people mixing with other ethnicities.

In addition to the ongoing work, CORE has been busy planning and delivering an exciting project funded by Historic Scotland, which aims to ensure that local black and minority ethnic (BME) people are participating and experiencing the different aspects of the Scottish historic environment. As part of this project CORE organised outings to Craigmillar Castle, Stirling Castle (pictured below) and Edinburgh castle in the Autumn which were all fully booked! These events went very well, with the following feedback from one participant:  “We really enjoyed our day, learned a lot and also met with other communities. We would definitely visit another historic site again and enjoy learning about the rich Scottish history.”

Stirling visit

As a follow up to these outings, CORE and Historic Scotland ran a seminar and training session on Friday 25th November to educate the community in the importance of visiting and protecting Scottish historical places and focus on Scottish historic buildings – what and where they are and their functions. This was followed by their November World Café event.

The World Cafe continues to run on the last Friday of every month (except December) with the most recent event in October celebrating Black History Month with an excellent turn out of over 60 people (pictured below).  On the menu were flavours from Sudan, Mozambique, Iran and Italy which were enjoyed by all, with comments from customers including “Lovely place, nice food and friendly people” and “I had ‘seconds’! Delicious. Thanks”. This was topped off by the presence of the University of Edinburgh’s Drumming Society who demonstrated their fantastic musical abilities on the African drums throughout the evening, and even had the kids joining in!

October's World Cafe

The World Cafe aims to bring a diverse mix of local residents together to enjoy each others company in a social environment, while learning and embracing a variety of foods and cultures. November marked the World Cafe’s 3rd Anniversary, and with good attendance at the events, it seems that it is successful in it’s goals.

Unfortunately we also have to deal with a number of issues impacting on the lives of minority ethnic Communities. We have dealt with a number of racial and anti-social behaviour cases in the North of Edinburgh. One particular family has been suffering racial harassment from the youth’s in the area. This has resulted in the father having to reduce his working hours as the rest of the family are scared to go out. The youngest child and mother now refuse to go out alone anywhere.  Mother commented “Before all of this happened we were very happy in the area”.

The family were given the option of moving to temporary accommodation but because they had invested so much money in their home they did not want to start again elsewhere.  Father called the police several times before any action was taken against the youths who were causing distress to all of the family. However the support provided subsequently by the police was great and we are pleased to say the situation has improved but it has left the family feeling vulnerable.

For further information on any of CORE’s activities or for advice and support, call 0131 467 7990 or email admin@coregb.org.uk. Alternatively, you can stay up to date with current events by checking our website at www.coregb.org.uk or ‘like us’ on facebook.

 

 

Norman's made of stern stuff!

Norman (and dogs!) braves the elements!

Storm force winds, hail and driving rain were not enough to deter some hardy souls from braving the elements today.  Granton Parish Church minister Norman Smith was spotted walking his dogs along the Promenade at lunchtime.

“I’m from the Western Isles originally”, he explained.  “This weather is just like a normal weekend back home for me!”

And a pair of hardy joggers too ...

Norman’s made of stern stuff!

Norman (and dogs!) braves the elements!

Storm force winds, hail and driving rain were not enough to deter some hardy souls from braving the elements today.  Granton Parish Church minister Norman Smith was spotted walking his dogs along the Promenade at lunchtime.

“I’m from the Western Isles originally”, he explained.  “This weather is just like a normal weekend back home for me!”

And a pair of hardy joggers too ...

Weather Report – Update 2.30pm

Promenade at lunchtime today

High winds

 

Current update 8th December:

  • Police advice to avoid non-essential travel from 2pm today
  • Cockburn Street is officially closed to the public due to masonry falls

Council Venues and Facilities

  • Both the Scott and Nelson monuments are closed
  • Princes St East and West Gardens is closed
  • Edinburgh City Libraries Mobile Service is suspended
  • All Libraries closed
  • All Museums and Galleries are closed

Public Meetings:

  • Planning Consultation at Ocean Terminal this evening is cancelled

Schools:

  • All Edinburgh schools are now closed because of the high winds forecast and the expected disruption to travel
  • School transport has been  arranged to collect children at 12pm
  • Children and Family  Centres and Nurseries are closing at 12pm
  • All  community use of schools from noon onwards today will be cancelled including the  Adult Education Programme

Refuse Collections:

  • There will be no communal container collections today. This is to reduce the risk of containers being blown out of place.
  • Kerbside collections arerunning as normal.
  • Please take in your wheelie bins where possible

 

Edinburgh’s Christmas:

  • Edinburgh’s  Christmas in East Princes Street Gardens is closed. People are advised to keep  an eye on the website at www.edinburghschristmas.com or  to follow them on Twitter @Edxmas. If anyone has Ice Rink bookings  for today (either group or online), they should call 01698 338716 for advice

 

When there are high winds the Council’s main actions will be:

  • Clearing fallen trees and other debris from roads, pavements and Council properties.
  • Reinstating road works barriers.
  • Identifying trees on Council owned property that may be unsafe, or  have debris within them such as branches, and making these safe.
  • Responding to reports of dangerous buildings or other structures and taking action to protect public safety.

 

This work will be carried out by various sections in the Council, including the neighbourhood roads teams, forestry service and property conservation staff.

 

It may be necessary for the Council to close roads, parks or other spaces to carry out work or to prevent the risk of harm.

 

Our advice to the public during high winds is to:

  • Take care when walking, driving or parking, especially near large trees.
  • Report any dangerous buildings or other structures, or obstructions on roads or footpaths, by calling 0131  200 2000.
  • If concerned, seek professional advice about fallen trees or branches  on your own property.
  • Follow @edintravelon Twitter, local transport providers and local media for the latest travel information.

 

City of Edinburgh Council

Severe Weather Warning

Decision taken due to expected travel disruption

All Edinburgh schools will shut at noon today because of the high winds forecast and the expected severe disruption to travel and transport. School transport has been arranged to collect children at noon.

Children and Family Centres/Nurseries/Community Centres are also closing at noon.

All community use of schools from noon onwards today  will be cancelled including the Adult Education Programme.

The Scottish Government has issued advice to all local authorities on this which you can see in its news release from this morning: severe weather update.

The Council has some general advice for the public and information on its own responsibilities on the high winds page.

City of Edinburgh Council