North West Carers Centre invite you to their
Annual General Meeting
at The Prentice Centre, Granton Mains Avenue
on Friday 11 September from 1 – 3pm.
RSVP by Friday 4 September for catering purposes – call 315 3130 or email resource@nwcarers.org.uk
Category: Granton
Triple exposure: Awards for Edinburgh College photography students
Edinburgh College’s photography students have scooped top awards in two national industry competitions that reward the UK’s best young talent.
Three BA Professional Photography students were honoured by the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) and the Association of Professional Photographers (AOP) in each organisation’s student awards.
Greg Abramowicz kicked off the new term with the BIPP Student of the Year Award, with fellow student Kinga Kocimska taking home the BIPP College Portfolio Award. Eleni Laparidou, who graduates from the BA this September, won the AOP Student Awards Product Shots: Sense category.
The work submitted by the students was all the product of projects they did last year at Edinburgh College.
Greg won the BIPP Student of the Year Award for a portfolio of images he produced during an advertising project. He worked with professional athletes and local rugby clubs to convey the spirit of sport.
Greg said: “I am very honoured to receive the award. It is a great reward after an intense academic year. The win gave me confidence that I’m able to produce high-quality images and I’m hoping this is just the beginning of a productive future.”
Eleni won the AOP Product Shots Award for a project set by the deafblind charity Sense, which briefed students to photograph products from a typical Sense store. The aim was for the viewer to be surprised when they learned that the props came from a charity shop.
Eleni, whose work often includes Greek myth and costume design, approached the brief by organising a fashion shoot with props from three different charity shops. The awards party at The Print Space gallery in London gave Eleni the opportunity to exhibit her work to professionals at the heart of the industry.
BA Photographer Kinga Kocimska won the BIPP College Portfolio Award for her conceptual still-life images, which explore the complexities of everyday objects as seen by sufferers of dementia. The project was inspired by personal contact with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
Kinga said: “I am grateful to all the lecturers who taught me in the last four years for sharing their knowledge and experience – this was of great help in developing the skills and thinking I can now use to produce creative imagery with commercial potential.
“Receiving the award has been a great confidence booster and extra encouragement to continue working hard and develop fresh ideas.”
Photography lecturer Jon Lee said: “What a great result for our students, I am over the moon. This year our students have again demonstrated that they are at the top of their professional field when it comes to photography.”
The Prentice Centre’s guid fur a laugh!
With two free fun courses starting in October, The Prentice Centre in Granton Mains is the place to be for fans of Scottish culture this autumn …
‘Guid fer a Laugh’ takes a seriously funny look at Scottish comedy over the years. The course starts on Tuesday 6 October from 6 -8pm and runs for ten weeks (and maybe more if there are calls for an encore!)
A bit more highbrow (but only a wee bit!) is ‘An Introduction to the History of Scottish Theatre’. This free ten-week course starts on Monday 5 October from 1.30 – 3.30pm and includes theatre visits.
Both courses are free. To book your place or for further information call The Prentice Centre on 552 0485.
A pure cornucopia of Scottish culture, so it is!
Scottish Gas hires thirty Smart Meter apprentices
- British Gas is set to recruit up to 200 Smart Energy Experts taking the total recruited up to 1,000 this year
- Scottish Gas will recruit around 30 apprentices into roles across Scotland
- 1.5 million smart meters have been installed in homes by British Gas – they are now being fitted at a rate of one every sixty seconds!
British Gas will hire up to 200 apprentices in smart metering across Britain, taking the total recruited to approximately 1,000 this year, it’s been announced. Of those new roles, around 30 will be with Scottish Gas.
The apprentices will join the 1,400 British Gas Smart Energy Experts already installing smart meters in homes across Britain. British Gas expects to continue recruiting in smart metering to complete the nationwide roll-out by 2020.
The apprentices will install smart meters, explain to customers how to use the smart meter in-home display, which shows how much energy is being used in pounds and pence, and provide energy efficiency advice.
Customers will benefit from an end to estimated bills, accurate meter readings and the ability to better understand their energy usage, resulting in potential savings on bills. British Gas is currently trialling Smart Pay As You Go with customers who have prepayment meters. The company is also creating new apps that give smart meter customers information about their energy use on their phone.
British Gas has installed over 1.5 million smart meters in homes across Britain, and is now fitting them at an average rate of one every sixty seconds. More than 117,000 smart meters have been installed by Scottish Gas in Scottish households.
John Craig, Director of Smart Operations, British Gas, based in Edinburgh, said: “This year, we will recruit around 1,000 apprentices in smart metering. We’ve taken the lead in giving our customers more control and insight into their energy use through smart meters. The new recruits will mean we can help even more people benefit from smart meters.”
The new Scottish Gas recruits will receive technical training and will study for the City & Guilds Level 2 QCF Diploma in Smart Metering Dual Fuel. Once they have qualified, they will be ready to go into customers’ homes across Scotland to install smart meters. They will each have their own fully-equipped van, and be supported by the latest tablet and mobile phone technology.
Pictured: Smart meter apprentice, Sam Gibb from Edinburgh – who recently started training as part of this new recruitment drive in the initial 70 Scottish Gas roles.
Pictures by Chris Watt
Join Granton Community Gardeners for BBQ this weekend
Dear All,
Hope you’re well and enjoying the Summer!
You’re all invited to our Annual Summer BBQ this Saturday. It’s at the community garden on the corner of Wardieburn Road and Boswall Parkway. Free food will be served from 2pm-4pm or when it’s all run out. All welcome!
It’s harvest time at the moment, but there’s always something to do whatever the season; come and help out at our regular drop-ins every Tuesday and Saturday at 11am. No previous gardening experience required.
(Meet at garden on corner of Wardieburn Road and Boswall Parkway)
Another event next week is our ‘Dream Meal’ and AGM on Thursday 27 August at 6pm at Pilton Community Health Project.
This will be a chance to contribute ideas/dreams for the future of our community gardening, and there will be a meal provided (please RSVP so we can cater appropriately). We are also making this our AGM as we are planning to apply for charitable status for our group, so we need to make a formal decision.
Tomato crop is just starting to ripen in the greenhouse, so hopefully there’ll be some to taste at the BBQ!
Tom, Granton Community Gardeners
http://www.facebook.com/grantoncommunitygardeners
New term, new classrooms
Hundreds of primary school children will start learning in their new classrooms today as the city council continues to tackle the issue of rising school rolls. Local primaries Wardie and Flora Stevenson are among the schools to start the new school year with additional classrooms.
The Council has provided 24 new class spaces, delivered in conjunction with partners Hub South East Scotland Ltd and Morrison Construction, for the start of the 2015/16 school session.
The primary schools where the new class spaces have been provided are: James Gillespie’s (4 classes), Clermiston (4), Flora Stevenson (3), Gilmerton (4), Pentland (3), Ratho (4) and Wardie (2).
In addition South Morningside Primary School now has a significant new temporary annexe which has been created for P1 and P2 pupils at the former Deanbank Resource Centre and extra internal space has been provided at both Brunstfield and Liberton Primary Schools.
Since 2013 the Council has provided 70 new class spaces to accommodate the city’s increasing primary school population, ensuring catchment pupils can get a place at their catchment school. At the start of the 2014/15 school year there were 28,010 primary school pupils but latest estimates show this is anticipated to rise to 31,700 by 2020 and then increase further to 35,400 by 2030.
New classrooms or not, good luck to all the children starting their new school today!
Walled garden group takes steps (and may just build some too!)
Last week seven of the ‘Action Group’ got together outside the walled garden for some serious discussions, following on from the recent positive meeting with developers EDI Ltd (writes KIRSTY SUTHERLAND).
How to get steps up this steep slope & understanding where the castle used to be!
Many trees have covered the quarry site where Granton Castle stood until 1926, and the ground level is a lot lower than it used to be.
What we chatted about at this site visit:
- Possible temporary access point to the walled garden back door, still in working order but at the top of a wooded embankment.
- Access and horticultural use proposal, ‘Heads of terms’, is to be put forward to EDI on behalf of the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden.
(KS to circulate license proposal to committee members for discussion as soon as draft available)
- We hope to begin work in earnest with the RCAHMS through ‘Scotland’s Urban Past’ by the end of October at the latest. Scotland’s Lost Gardens
Surveys of the listed walls & garden are needed urgently, before any clearance work and restoration could begin.
Finally a thank you to Anne Hamilton of Lothian Life for publishing an awareness-raising article on our behalf. See Granton’s Secret Garden
Our next General Meeting is open to all – hope you can make it!
Thursday 10 September, 6-7.30 pm
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North
Agenda so far…
- Stairway to the garden door! When could we start, initial funding?
- Community Shares Scotland guest speaker – presentation & questions answered on how this could work. A short film was forwarded to explain the basics Community Shares animation
- Ideas for the first couple of years, if we get in! Archaeological digs? CSA? Heritage Orchard project?
Please get in touch if you are coming along, seating for 20, or send in any questions or ideas if you can’t make it.
Grave Talk at North Edinburgh Arts
Time to talk about the great taboo?
Death and dying. It’s a subject many of us prefer not to even think about, let alone discuss – but Ruth Green, Minister of St David’s Espisopal Church in Royston Mains, says it’s good to talk about death and has organised an event to do just that. And it might even be fun!
Ruth explained: “It’s called Grave Talk, and it’s a cafe space designed to talk about death, dying and funerals. I was inspired to start this because in my experience as a nurse, and now as a minister, most people don’t know how to talk about death. This event gives a safe environment, and is a way of trying to normalise such conversation. It is free (with donations accepted for the cake) and is non-religious, so it’s suitable for people of all faiths and doubts. At previous events, strangely enough, it is fun, and there’s lots of laughter, as people are freed up to explore their ideas and feelings.”
GRAVE TALK takes place at North Edinburgh Arts on
Wednesday 2 September from 6.30 – 7.45
there will be tea and cake
there will be talk, there will be questions
the truth is we are all going to die, but nobody wants to say anything
Grave Talk is a chance to talk about death
think about your funeral
ask questions, air your thoughts
for people of all faiths and doubts
Intrigued? Interested? Like to find out more? Like to go along? Call Ruth on 629 2018 or 07941 552 768 or email liverdiet@hotmail.com
Tay-riffic fun at Youth Work Games!
Muirhouse Youth Development Group’s (MYDG) fourth annual youth work games took place on 14th & 15th July, bringing teams of young people, staff and volunteers from across North Edinburgh and Aberfeldy to compete in the decathlon event at the headquarters of Wildfox events, on the banks of Loch Tay (writes KATIE TUFF).
This event brings together youth organisations who may not necessarily work together on a regular basis, to show teamwork, companionship and friendship through the events and social interactions. Creating opportunities for young people to get involved in sport and exercise in a unique but inclusive way.
This year was the biggest yet with 13 teams competing for the sought after youth work games trophy. The ten events took place over the two days by the banks of Loch Tay, which was a beautiful setting for the first event, the cross country run, followed by the tandem bike ride race and finishing off the day in wetsuits with a swim and canoe on the Loch.
MYAdventure were working in partnership with MYDG , taking the lead on some of the events and were part of the staff team. Both Leaders and young people gave it their all to get points for their teams with some friendly competition and great participation from everyone.
As evening set on the athletes village, we were joined by the Dancing Feet Ceilidh band who gave a great night of live music with leaders and young people dancing around the marquee to some old Scottish classics, and learning some new moves (some a bit confusing!), culminating in everyone getting involved for a final rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to finish off the night.
The second day was welcomed with beautiful sunshine and some tired but enthusiastic young people raring to get going. The Swamp football tournament kicked off the day’s events, accompanied by archery, tree climb, tug of war and long jump all leading up to our final and most anticipated event, the assault course.
This year we had Perth and District YMCA Ybounce bring along their inflatable assault course and slide. The assault course had everyone getting involved ending in a youth leaders vs. youth work games staff showdown. This proved to be the favourite amongst all the events.
The prize giving ceremony was next on the agenda with most teams receiving medals. This year our Youth Work Games trophy winners and overall champions were Kids in the Street from Craigmillar ,who annihilated any competition by winning most medals and scoring an impressive 25 points over the two days! Granton Youth Centre came second with 12 points and the Breathe project from Aberfeldy third with 10 points. Rowlands from Selkirk were the recipients of the Sportsmanship award for showing enthusiasm, teamwork and all round good spirit for the event.
This year we received funding from the North Edinburgh Partnership to run the event, without which it would not have taken place to the level that it did. It was great to see so much enthusiasm and excitement around the event, with young people coming together, getting to know each other and work as part of a team.
It is our hope that the experience can be looked back on and the skills learned can be transferable back in the youth organisations after the event. A huge well done and thank you goes to everyone involved!
Plans are now being set for Youth Work Games 2016 for a bigger and better event, if you are interested in hearing more or want to book up for next year, please contact MYDG office on 0131 332 3356.
Katie Tuff, Muirhouse Youth Development Group
Office space to let in North Edinburgh
Two local projects have office space to let
North Edinburgh Arts (above) has a ‘Big Bright Office’ space available from 1st September:
Ground floor office with large corner window
Can accommodate 4/5 desks
Built in kitchen with sink, cooker, fridge, dishwasher
All utility costs (gas, electricity, water) included
Reception duties, 9am – 5pm, and post handling included
Access to a photocopier/colour printer charged per print
Access to meeting/workshop rooms by arrangement
Free parking
Lively community café on site
Award winning gardens on site
Other agencies operating out of NEA include Tomorrow’s People, Muirhouse Link Up, Licketyspit Theatre Company, Tinderbox Orchestra, North Edinburgh Timebank. Ideal for a creative, community, or third sector organisation.
Cost £600 per calendar month
For more details or to arrange a visit call Sandra on 0131 315 2151 or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
And across in Granton Mains, The Prentice Centre (above) also has office space available to let.
This would be most suitable for small charities, community groups or social enterprises. There is also the opportunity for two or three small organisations to share the premises if you only require office space for one or two days per week.
The Prentice Centre is a modern, purpose built Community Centre serving the communities of West Granton, Pilton, Muirhouse, Royston/Wardieburn and Drylaw.
Office space comprising one main office with a large storage cupboard and small kitchen area has now become available in The Prentice Centre.
The office has space for 3 work stations, with additional space for low level seating. There are adequate power points within each workspace; the tenant would have to install telephone and internet.
The rental includes: heat, lighting, security shutters and alarm, cleaning, reception services and contribution to the performing rights society fees.
The centre is Wi-Fi enabled, there is ample free on street parking nearby.
The Prentice Centre is open Monday to Thursday 8am to 8.30pm, 8am to 3pm on a Friday all year, with the exception of Edinburgh Public Holidays and Christmas through New Year, when we are closed.
The unique aspect of a let in the Prentice Centre is the ability to hire our Board and other meeting rooms at a fraction of their cost: we can supply tea and coffee for meetings at an additional cost. Our Board Room has a ceiling mounted projector with a screen: there is a laptop available for use, making it ideal for formal meetings and for training purposes. We are also on a number of main Lothian Bus routes including numbers: 8, 14, 16, 24 and 32
This space is ideally suited to small to medium sized community groups, charities or social enterprises who must share the ethos of West Granton Community Trust who own the Centre. Sharing the office with another small charity or social enterprise may be possible.
Rental in the region of £5000 per annum
Please contact Janet on 0131 552 0485 for further details and to arrange to view the office.