North Edinburgh hit by car vandalism spree

At least 25 cars damaged in overnight vandalism attacks

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Police are investigating following a wave of car vandalisms across North Edinburgh. A series of incidents occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday and took place across the area -incidents were reported in Granton, Boswall, Trinity and Hawthornvale. Continue reading North Edinburgh hit by car vandalism spree

Side by Side? Labour councillors to host community event

sidebyside

Housing and care services are in crisis. Can local community co-operatives help to meet local needs?

These are questions for a ‘radical’ new community project in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Side by Side aims to explore how we can learn from each other and work together to create positive practical change in our local neighbourhood.

Housing, environment and care of the young and elderly were the top concerns to emerge from two community Open Space events in the last 12 months.  The first event identified the needs; the second came up with bold ideas to fill gaps in local services – including housing and childcare co-operatives

Now Side by Side aims to take the next step with The Gathering, at Norton Park Conference Centre on Saturday 3 December.  And this time the event will start by celebrating the successes and achievements of local groups who are already changing lives.     

‘Through our events we discovered fantastic creative enterprises in Edinburgh Northern and Leith,’ says Fay Young, one of the organisers, ‘But not everyone knows about them. We hope to learn from each other to build on what is here already and generate new ideas to enhance quality of life in our area.’  

Keynote speaker Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, will set the tone of an event which seeks to ‘share best practice and build on local achievements’. A panel of experts from Pilton Community Health Project, Port of Leith Housing Association, Shrub Swap and Reuse Hub and North Edinburgh Childcare will also provide first hand accounts of successful community enterprises and projects.

Workshop discussions and outcomes will be led and decided by the audience and facilitated by Judith Chivers. Proposals put forward by The Gathering will contribute to a community manifesto for our neighbourhood in time for the local authority elections in May 2017. 

Side by Side has grown from two Open Space community discussion events hosted by Councillor Lesley Hinds, in December 2015 and April 2016.  Local organisations and residents were invited to explore how we might make use of new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to improve life in our part of Edinburgh. 

Councillor Hinds who is standing down after 33 years on City of Edinburgh Council said ‘I promised to turn words into action and that is what The Gathering aims to do. My colleagues will ensure this is taken forward”.

Side by Side is a community project open to all. The Gathering will be introduced and hosted by Labour Councillors for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and is supported by Leith Open Space, an intercultural community discussion group formed in 2005.

Edinburgh based Selah Corbin, a cinematic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work has been likened to “paintings that come alive”   will provide the music and a light lunch of delicious food from Punjabi Junction will be served.

To take part, book now on   Eventbrite   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/side-by-side-edinburgh-northern-and-leith-gathering-tickets-28336222404?aff=es2

and follow Facebook.com/SBSGathering   and   http://www.edinburghlabournorthernandleith.org.uk/ for updates.

For further information please contact Marion Donaldson councillormariondonaldson@gmail.com

Your community needs YOU! – be part of something great!

Community Council nominations open on Monday

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Nominations for Edinburgh’s community councils open on Monday (5 September) and the city council is calling on people passionate about their area to play an active role and be part of something great! Continue reading Your community needs YOU! – be part of something great!

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meets on Wednesday

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership Public Meeting is on Wednesday 31 August at 7pm in The Church Hall, Granton Baptist Church, 99 Crewe Road North. Please see below for further details:  Continue reading Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meets on Wednesday

GYC to stage Big Obstacle event

The Big Obstacle, Inverleith Park: Sunday 18 September 

big obstcle

Granton Youth Centre are hosting a 4k charity fun run called The Big Obstacle, which will be held on Sunday 18th of September at Inverleith Park as part of an event with Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership. There will also be a walk and cycle festival on the same day!

This is your opportunity to fundraise for your chosen organisation/charity.

The Big Obstacle will bring the community together and encourage young people and adults to get active and have fun!

All participants will receive a t-shirt, certificate, medal and healthy snack.

Availability is limited and will be on a strictly first come, first serve basis. Both individuals (£5pp) and teams(£20pt) (up to 5 people per team) can register.

Anyone interested please contact thebigobstacle@grantonyouth.com and we can give you all the relevant information

The Big Obstacle has been planned and organised by local young people for young people!

If you need anymore information please let me know, also the information is all on our facebook page if you would be able to share that would be great! Thanks

Shelley Cummings

Youth Worker, Granton Youth Centre

Lottery funding for ELREC’s Routes to Roots project

routes to roots

The Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) has received £74,300.00 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Routes to Roots: Adopting Scotland as a Homeland project, it was announced yesterday. The two year project aims to mainstream the heritage of minority ethnic communities and explore the intertwining histories of Scottish and diverse communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Continue reading Lottery funding for ELREC’s Routes to Roots project

Port of Leith secures finance deal to build hundreds of homes

Granton Harbour

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has secured a new £35m private funding facility to support its plans to build over 480 homes for social and mid-market rent in Leith and North Edinburgh by 2020. Continue reading Port of Leith secures finance deal to build hundreds of homes

Police Scotland Open Day at Fettes

Saturday 23 July 11am – 2pm

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We are delighted to announce that Edinburgh Division is holding an open day. There will be demonstrations and displays from all kinds of specialist units like our Marine Unit, Roads Policing and the Dog Unit … to name but a few!

The event is being held thanks to support from Lothian Buses who will be there on the day and it is open to everyone.

The Open Day will take place on Saturday 23rd July between 11am and 2pm at Fettes Police Station, 5 Fettes Avenue in Edinburgh.

Numerous other partner agencies are also getting involved. Mountain rescue, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, RNLI and 6VT youth café will all be amongst the fun, ready and willing to chat to you about what they do in our community.

Edinburgh Rugby and the British Army will also be there providing activities for any willing volunteers.

Also in attendance will be the Edinburgh Police Choir, which is made up of serving and retired officers, as well as members recruited through the local community.

The choir has performed at some prestigious events, including Edinburgh’s ‘Street of Light’ on the High Street during the festive period… Music to your ears?! You don’t want to miss them!

So, to find out more about what we do on a daily basis, get some crime prevention advice, see how we work with other agencies or generally just come and meet some of the people from all of these wonderful organisations, we look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!

Police Scotland Edinburgh Division

Scotland Sings award for Timebank Temptations

Timebank Temptations

Hands Up for Trad became the first Scottish organisation to hold an entire awards ceremony online, when they unveiled the winners of the Scotland Sings Chorus Awards 2016 by streaming live via Facebook yesterday. And among the winners was local singing group The Timebank Temptations. Continue reading Scotland Sings award for Timebank Temptations