Check out what we’ve got going on in July! Every Wednesday.
Just pop along, or phone us to book taxi transport. 
Golden Wednesday activities at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
Category: Drylaw Telford
999 Anniversary: Strachan House says thanks to local emergency services
Residents from Strachan House care home in Blackhall hit the road and made some surprise visits to its local emergency service responders this week, armed with goodie boxes and letters of appreciation for everything they do.
It comes as the 999 emergency number reached its 86th birthday on the 30th June.
The care home staff and residents took to the roads and visited police, fire and ambulance in the Blackhall area to show their appreciation for everything our heroes do in our hour of need when the well-known number is dialled.
Drylaw police officers, Telford Road fire station and paramedics at the Western General were all very surprised when they received our hampers of thanks!
Mandy Burgen, Head of Wellbeing and Lifestyle for Strachan House, said: “Behind every emergency number dialled it’s important to know there is a team of people who respond without hesitation. It has been an honour for staff and residents to deliver these boxes of goodies to say thank you.
“Our local emergency services do so much, so to surprise them with a little gift of kindness was amazing. Our residents loved being able to say thank you, as well as meet and chat with local police, fire personnel and paramedics”
Louise Abraham, a resident at the home, said: “It was lovely to be able to meet so many of our emergency services and show our appreciation for all their hard work they do.”
Strachan House has built up excellent reputations within its local community, regularly holding community events and activities for residents and surrounding neighbours.
Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House said: “We are always keen to show as much support as we can to our local services and 999 day was the perfect day to demonstrate how much appreciate all their hard work and dedication”.
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
‘INTOLERABLE’: Parents fighting at Ferryhill Primary School
Commenting on news reports of fights breaking out between parents at Ferryhill Primary School, UNISON has denounced the actions as intolerable and are demanding that more must be done to protect all staff, parents and pupils from the threat of violence at work.
UNISON Edinburgh City branch secretary, Tom Connolly said: “This is a serious situation, which we have been working with stakeholders to ensure all pupils, parents and staff are safe.
“It is not acceptable that staff regularly feel threatened at work. We can’t allow any aggressive behaviour towards anyone in our school.”
“UNISON, with other unions, has been trying to find a solution for some months. We are working together with the head teacher, who is extremely supportive, the police and local authority. We are doing everything we can to support staff and parents.
“The unions have met with senior leaders at Edinburgh Council and requested community police to support staff at the beginning and end of the school day when the behaviours are at their worst. We are also looking to see if a voluntary sector family support organisation can provide help.”
“UNISON will continue to work collaboratively over the summer, with the school management team, city councillors and others, to ensure pupils, parents and staff can return to a safe environment for learning.”
The Chair of Ferryhill Parent Council made this statement back on 1st June:
It is with a heavy heart that I must make this statement.
As parents, our top priority is always our children. We willingly sacrifice our free time and forego attending events in order to organize activities and provide treats for the kids at Ferryhill. We strive to ensure that every child is included and receives equal treatment. Over the past few months, we have taken days off from work and given up our personal time to address significant issues that were left behind by the previous parent council.
As the Chair, it is unacceptable for our members to be subjected to backlash, derogatory comments, and verbal abuse.
Regrettably, we have experienced two separate serious incidents today, which will be thoroughly investigated, and the police will be involved if deemed necessary.
Additionally, we have received negative feedback from parents about the selection of activities we have on offer. Taking all of this into account, I have made the difficult decision to suspend any upcoming events that we had planned, as well as future projects aimed at supporting the children at Ferryhill.
After the investigation concludes, we will assess the situation and make a decision regarding whether to proceed or not. Furthermore, we will seek support from the parent forum for any future decisions.
It is important to note that we are here to represent parents and caregivers. However, it is crucial to remember that we are also parents ourselves.
If there is any parent that witnesses the two incidents and would like to come forward please contact me on ferryhillparentcouncil@yahoo.com
Drylaw Telford CC AGM
Drylaw Telford Community Council AGM.
We will hold our AGM on Thursday 29th June at 7pm.
Where: Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
There will be a short presentation on our greenspace consultation so come along to find out more.
We are also looking for local people to join us and help shape our community!
To find out more, contact us on the details below.
Refreshments will be provided.
We hope to see as many people as possible.
Councillor organises Drylaw walkabout
Inverleith SNP councillor Vicky Nicholson has organised a walk round in Drylaw with council officers from the parks team and police on Thursday 29 June at 1pm, meeting at White Church.
Cllr Nicholson said: “This is in response to a few requests by local people and hopefully any questions people have about maintenance of green spaces, areas where people store motorbikes and also other Drylaw issues can be asked and, if not answered during the walk round, followed up by officers and police”.
Drylaw Telford Community Council AGM date announced
WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE at 7pm in DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Come along to our AGM on June 29 @DrylawNC at 7pm and hear from @greenspacetrust about our consultation on parks and open spaces and have your say on how these can be improved.
We are also looking for new members so if you want to help improve the local area please get in touch.
ELREC’s new Creative Kitchen project
ELREC is pleased to announce our new small project, The Creative Kitchen, thanks to the cost of living part of The Lottery Community Fund. And in partnership with Cyrenians who give us fresh ingredients.
The project aims to deliver free weekly workshops on sustainable cooking, making simple yet nutritious and fresh meals from whatever you have left in the fridge.
The sessions will be delivered in different locations, with the first one held at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, by our staff member and chef, Shana.
You can find out more by following us on Instagram:
THECREATIVEKITCHENCOMMUNITY
The sessions are free, to sign up please email: bolyn@elrec.org.uk
Missing girl: Have you seen Angel?
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information to help trace Angel McDaid who has been reported missing from the Drylaw area.
The 13 year old was last seen on Princes Street around 1pm on Monday 22nd May 2023.
Angel is described as being a white female, around 4ft 10in, of medium build, with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes.
When last seen she was wearing a black jumper, black trousers, a thin black faux leather gilet, white trainers and grey tote bag.
Sergeant Alison Lawrie said: ‘Our enquiries are ongoing to trace Angel and I am appealing for anyone who has any information on her whereabouts to contact us. I would also appeal to Angel directly to get in touch with local officers’.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101, quoting incident number 3921 of 21 May 2023.
Drylaw Telford CC meets on Wednesday
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING
DRYLAW TELFORD Community Council’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday 24 May at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (enter via rear of building).
Open to all and we would love to see some new faces.
For more information, please email pamhigginsdtcc@gmail.com or just turn up on the night.
Hope to see you then 
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre: Remembering Dawn
A MEMORIAL BENCH – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
Last Thursday, we were delighted to welcome a group of volunteers from Natwest Bank NatWest to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. The volunteers, who were organised by The Conservation Volunteers TCV Scotland, spent the day helping us in the gardens and preparing the area for a Memorial Bench.
The volunteers worked hard to prepare an area at the rear of the centre and plant new flowers. They also helped us to install the Memorial Bench, which was built by Penny and Andrzej in memory of a much-loved member of our staff and community,
Dawn Taylor will always be remembered for the amazing impact she had on so many young lives. The materials for the bench were donated by North Edinburgh Arts – Shed Project. If not for their help, this would not have been possible.
We are very grateful to Natwest Bank and The Conservation Volunteers for their support. Their hard work has made a real difference to our gardens, and we are sure that the Memorial Bench will be a popular spot for people to come and reflect and remember.
Thank you!
