Granton – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

St Columba’s Hospice Care: Tombola Prizes Wanted

Having a Bank Holiday Weekend spring clean out? Did you know you can donate many different items to the Hospice?

– That bottle of wine gathering dust

– That gin still untouched

– The gift set you’ll never use, or the candle that’s not quite your scent

– The extra goodie bag items from your child’s party

– Even those kids toys still in their packaging!

Yes, we want it all, and you’ll feel great having decluttered and done a good deed! Every donation helps us raise vital funds at our upcoming events.

Please drop off unopened gift sets, bottles and kids games at our reception during opening hours, or contact the Fundraising Team on fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or 0131 551 1381 for further details

St Columba’s: Time to Remember

FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2 – 2.45pm

All are invited to our Time to Remember Summer event in Fidra (No.17 Boswall Road) on Friday 19 June, at 2pm. This is an opportunity to gather together to remember loved ones who have died.

It’s an inclusive event, appropriate for all ages, and for people of all faiths and none. If you have children, feel free to bring them too. The event will include: quiet music, readings and reflections, the chance to think about the people we love and to write their name(s), and a gift to take home.

The Iona cafe will be open afterwards offering free hot drinks for anyone who wishes to stay and chat.

To register please complete the form on our website https://bit.ly/4awO4hh.

Please note a separate booking must be made for each person wishing to attend, including children.

Swifts celebration

The swifts are back! They spend the winter flying (without ever landing!) and go all the way to North Africa and back.

During the summer, they’re back, and it’s our neighbourhood where they choose to bring up a family. These amazing birds can eat 100,000 insects per day (including midgies) and can fly at 69mph!

We’re having a wee party to celebrate their return. See poster for details.

Lots of us have been learning more about the different species we share Granton with, and the things we can do to be good neighbours to them. Come join us!

Fungi Fun for Kids at Granton Castle Walled Garden!

MycoKids with Vii

Friday 29 May, 2-3 pm at Granton Castle Walled Garden

Join Vii from MycoBee Mushrooms CIC for a fun and hands-on introduction to the fascinating world of fungi. This family-friendly session is designed for children and parents to explore nature together through engaging, outdoor activities.

At MycoKids, you’ll discover the hidden world of fungi and learn why they are so important for our ecosystems; all in a playful and accessible way.

Book your space: https://www.mycobee.org/…/mycokids-fungi-fun-for-kids…

PLEASE NOTE: All children must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

Granton & District Community Council meets next Monday

NEXT MEETING MONDAY 25 MAY – FEATURING GRANTON WATERFRONT UPDATE!

All welcome at our monthly meeting on Monday 25 May, 6.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

It’ll feature a presentation by Granton Waterfront Programme Director, Sat Patel, so come along for an update!

This is a hybrid meeting – if you’d like to attend online, please get in touch for the MS Teams link. Alternatively, we can raise any issues for discussion on your behalf. Simply email engagement@grantoncc.scot

Poetry workshop at St Columba’s

WEDNESDAY 20th MAY from 2 – 3pm

Join us for our next Poetry Across the Seasons event on Wednesday 20th May, from 2-3pm.

This workshop is part of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief Demystifying Death Week and Creativity and Wellbeing Week. This is an opportunity to explore themes of mortality, grief and life through poetry. This session offers a supportive space for reflection, expression and creative wellbeing.

You are invited to join us in writing, sharing your own poems or simply listening to others. No experience is needed; all are welcome to participate in this guided experience.

This is a free but ticketed event, facilitated by our dramatherapist, Sally McRae. Light refreshments will be provided.

To register please visit our website https://bit.ly/413Wo5Q.

This is part of our Poetry Across the Seasons series which will be running throughout 2026 in Edinburgh and North Berwick. Each gathering will explore a different theme – from reflection and remembrance to celebration, change, and creativity

Monthly Community Walks from granton:hub

FAMILY WALKS – 4th FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce our community walk for all the family on Friday afternoons, 2.30-3.45pm, monthly, starting on 22nd May (fourth Friday of the month).

We will walk, play, do an art activity related to local history, and learn about nature too.

Starting and ending at the Granton Hub / Madelvic House.

All welcome. Please wear sensible shoes and warm clothes / sun hat plus suncream if appropriate, and bring water and snacks for yourselves.

Tamsin Grainger is Paths for All trained, and has a DBS certificate. All children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult or an older sibling.

To book a space, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/local-history-art-and…

Residents give thumbs up to Granton Waterfront

Residents talk enthusiastically about settling into their new homes at Western Villages, part of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

A strong sense of community shines through from the city council’s new tenants in a video released this week.

Western Villages is now largely occupied, with 388 homes for social and mid-market rent providing accommodation for around 1,400 residents. After the Council declared a housing emergency in 2023, these high quality homes provide much needed, affordable and energy efficient accommodation to help respond to the shortage of homes within the city.

Granton Station View, also part of the wider regeneration project is fully occupied with another 75 energy efficient quality homes for social and mid-market rent, delivered in October 2024. Work is also well underway to deliver a further 143 affordable energy efficient and high quality homes at nearby Silverlea.

At the end of last year, the Council approved the business case for the next phase of this ambitious project for the city. It will deliver a further 847 energy efficient quality homes on neighbouring land and will provide residents with a new primary school (to be delivered through a separate contract), shops and leisure facilities, more walking, wheeling and cycling routes and open and green space.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We declared a housing emergency in 2023 and so these energy efficient quality homes are much needed and from what I’ve seen are being greatly enjoyed.

“The video shows how easy it is for residents to access the beach, parks, good transport links, places to walk, cycle and wheel as well as having good local shops and other facilities nearby. I’m absolutely delighted the tenants are pleased that we’re creating communities people feel part of, want to live in and call home.”