Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Granton sur Mer will sink without community support

Plans to revitalise derelict land on the waterfront will collapse without the support of the local community, organisers have warned. JUMP (Joined Up Master Planning) organised a public meeting in Telford College last week to harness support for their plans – but only six members of the public attended.

JUMP’s vision for Granton’s waterfront – plans include a lido, a garden festival and an artist’s village – have been on the table for two years now, but it’s been a saga of frustration with no tangible progress. JUMP received lottery funding last year to conduct a local consultation exercise, and Thursday’s meeting was seen as an opportunity to update the local community and take the project on to the next stage. With only a handful of people attending, however, organisers are being forced to rethink their strategy.

Architect Ross McEwan, JUMP’s project manager, said: “Granton Sur Mer is a real opportunity to do something creative with derelict land that is currently lying idle. We have come forward with these ideas – ideas that will bring employment, money and leisure opportunities not just to North Edinburgh but the whole city. Our business plan stacks up and it’s so frustrating that we have been unable to take these ideas forward”.

Ross and partner Shaeron Averbuch recently visited Chaumont sur Loire in France and have seen what can be achieved. He is convinced that, with community support, Granton Sur Mer can become a reality.

“We are a very small community group and we just don’t have the resources for big marketing and public relations campaigns. There are things we could maybe have handled better but it has been very hard to get our message out. We really want to work with local people on these plans – nothing is written on tablets of stone, the project name could change if people don’t like it, our ideas for the land could be adapted if the community comes up with alternatives. But what we really need now is for local residents to show their support for the project – if they don’t, the idea is basically dead and we believe that would be a massive missed opportunity for this community”.

JUMP needs to attract local members to keep their waterfront vision alive. If you support the project’s aims or would like further information, telephone 551 2341 or email info@jump-projects.co.uk. An on-line petition can also be accessed at www.granton-sur-mer.co.uk

Community theatre encore at North Edinburgh Arts

Following on from the success of December’s ‘Yes We Can Can’ community cabaret, community theatre is returning to North Edinburgh Arts with director Stephanie Knight .

Stephanie told participants:  “I had a meeting with Kate, Director of NEA, last week to discuss how we can go forward after your tremendous achievements last year, and I would now like to meet on Friday 16th March at 6pm at NEA to plan what you would like to do next and how we can take this forward.  There are already a number of great ideas and workshops will start on Friday 13th April 6 – 8p.m. in the theatre at NEA. Please get straight back to me with any queries and ideas in the meantime – it will be great to see you again!”

New members will also be warmly welcomed – for further information contact Stephanie on + 44 [0] 1578 750694 + 44 [0] 7817 359703 or email stephaniejaneknight@gmail.com

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meets on Wednesday

The new Royston Wardieburn Community Centre in Pilton Drive North is the venue for Forth Neighbourhood Partnership’s public meeting on Wednesday from 5 – 7pm.
Partnership Development Officer Jim Pattison said: “The meeting will focus on Community Safety issues across Forth and will include a performance by Forth Youth Theatre and presentations by young people from Pilton Youth & Children’s  Project and Muirhouse Youth Development Group. There will also be a chance to talk about  issues in your local area and  meet with local Safer Neighbourhood Officers”.
For further information call Jim on 529 5082 or email jim.pattison@edinburgh.gov.uk

 

Youth has it's say in Inverleith

Inverleith’s young people had their say at last week’s Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership meeting held in Broughton High School. The meeting was dedicated to youth issues, and a varied programme of dance, song and drama highlighted the young people’s talents and made a refreshing change to the usual agenda of reports, presentations and statistics.

Assisted by the local Community Learning and Development team, Inverleith’s young people set the agenda for the day and Broughton High School students introduced the event. As well as music, drama and dance performances there were certificate presentations and Inverleith Youth Forum representatives also put their priorities to Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership members.

The two-hour meeting concluded with a short question time slot, where young people raised a wide range of issues including library services, safer cycling, leisure activities and community safety.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, who officially chaired the meeting, said: “I think the event really worked. On behalf of Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership I would like to say thank you to Broughton High School, and particularly the young people of Inverleith, who made the event such a success”.

Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership now plans to convene an extra meeting to look in detail at the priorities highlighted by Inverleith Youth Forum.

Youth has it’s say in Inverleith

Inverleith’s young people had their say at last week’s Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership meeting held in Broughton High School. The meeting was dedicated to youth issues, and a varied programme of dance, song and drama highlighted the young people’s talents and made a refreshing change to the usual agenda of reports, presentations and statistics.

Assisted by the local Community Learning and Development team, Inverleith’s young people set the agenda for the day and Broughton High School students introduced the event. As well as music, drama and dance performances there were certificate presentations and Inverleith Youth Forum representatives also put their priorities to Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership members.

The two-hour meeting concluded with a short question time slot, where young people raised a wide range of issues including library services, safer cycling, leisure activities and community safety.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, who officially chaired the meeting, said: “I think the event really worked. On behalf of Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership I would like to say thank you to Broughton High School, and particularly the young people of Inverleith, who made the event such a success”.

Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership now plans to convene an extra meeting to look in detail at the priorities highlighted by Inverleith Youth Forum.

Have you seen Rebecca?

Rebecca Lindsay was last seen within her home address in West Pilton Crossway at around 8pm on Thursday 1 March. Since then, the 14 year old has failed to make contact with family or friends and enquiries are underway to locate her.

Rebecca usually socialises within the Tron Square and Hunter Square areas of the capital but she is comfortable travelling outside the city. She is described as white, 5ft 4ins tall with a slim build, long brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a black puffer style jacket, black baggy trousers and black shoes. It is also believed she was in possession of an overnight bag.

Anyone who can assist police in tracing Rebecca is asked to come forward. A spokesman said: “Rebecca is an independent, confident young girl however her family are becoming increasingly concerned and we are keen to find her and return her home as soon as possible. Anyone who recognises her description and believes they have seen since 8pm last Thursday is asked to contact police immediately. Similarly, we would urge Rebecca to get in touch with a loved one, a friend or police to let us know she is safe and well.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Broughton High School Music Quiz

Broughton High School Parent Council is holding a Family Music Quiz in the school’s main hall on Friday 16 March from 7 – 10pm  (doors open at 6.30).  It’s a great opportunity to raise funds for Broughton High School and have some fun as well.

You are invited to come as a team, or join in on the night to pit your musical knowledge against the students!

There’s a licensed bar, light buffet and music and entertainment with tickets priced at £3 for adults, secondary and students £2 and primary pupils go free.

Tickets can be reserved through the School Office on 0131 332 7805.

The Centipede Project – small steps to a brighter Muirhouse

It’s fair to say Muirhouse and Pennywell have known happier times. With local businesses closing down and new homes still some way off, there are few reasons to be cheerful but Muirhouse St. Andrew’s Church plan to tackle the despondency with the launch of a new initiative.  Muirhouse Centipede Project gets under way next month with an initial consultation exercise at the church on 15 March.

“It’s not been an easy time for the area and the community is weary”, said Muirhouse St. Andrew’s locum minister Linda Dunbar. “As well as the ongoing work there is a concern that, when the new houses eventually do get built, that could cause more tension too.  Local people have fond memories of Muirhouse Gala and the way everybody worked together to make it happen, and that’s what we hope we can rekindle with the Centipede project.”

There are a wide range of groups, organisations and agencies working across the area and Linda hopes that they can all join together to come up with ideas to regenerate community spirit in Muirhouse. A centipede needs to get it’s many legs working together if it wants to get somewhere – hence the name of the project.

“We’ve contacted all of the schools and organisations based in the area to invite them to an ideas day – we’ve called it ‘Imagination Pick and Mix’ – on 15 March and the response we’ve received so far has been very encouraging. We’re delighted that Liz Gardiner of Fablevision will be leading the session – Liz has worked in community settings for over twenty years and she has a great reputation for helping communities produce ground-breaking projects. We’d like the 15 March sessions to produce ideas we can take forward together as a community.”

Linda stressed that Muirhouse St. Andrew’s is not leading the project, purely facilitating it.  “We’re not the ‘head’ of the centipede; we are one of the legs like everyone else. For this to work it’s got to be ideas from the ground up and that’s why we’re hoping that all local organisations will come along on 15 March, bringing lots of ideas and enthusiasm. What happens after that will depend on the Muirhouse community itself.  It’s a great opportunity to be involved in something really new and exciting”.

Imagination Pick and Mix takes place on Thursday15 March from 10am – 3pm at Muirhouse St Andrew’s Church on Pennywell Gardens.  Lunch provided. For further information email centipedeproject@gmail.com