Category: Leith

Shifting Ground: Have your say on Heart of Newhaven’s Victoria Primary School plans

2020 becomes 2021. It was announced a couple of weeks ago that a delay in planning approval for the building of the new school means all timetables are put back – we hope by no more than 20 weeks – from August 2020 to January 2021. How does that affect our 2020 vision?

We circulated this definitive information immediately to those who are already members of The Heart of Newhaven so that instead of picking up a rumour they knew all the details of the revised timetable. Now for the implications:

As far as our funding applications are concerned we have to re-schedule timetables; but The Heart of Newhaven dedicated Steering Group is equal to the consequential issues, with the necessary short-term focus to adjust complicated negotiations, confident of timely delivery in due course. That is its job and its members remain dedicated to what is expected of them.

But the time slippage has produced an unexpected opportunity.

We now have 20 more weeks or so to demonstrate the vibrancy of the Newhaven Community. This must not be time wasted just waiting.

At the last update here I’d just got home from an exciting Stakeholder Event organised on our behalf by Planning Aid Scotland, an organisation working with communities to articulate their vision and develop community-led plans. Presented elsewhere on this website PAS identified from participants new ideas and priorities for a multi-generational centre, especially what is needed in terms of community facilities.
What is a Multi-generational centre?
It is important to get used to this way of thinking – opportunities for people of all ages from the youngest to the oldest to sense that they belong to a big but closely knit family where we learn from each other.

Gone are the days when children were expected to be seen but not heard. Who of the older generation has not learned something about technology from those to whom the very latest innovation is literally child’s play?

That is why it is so exciting that our physical focus is upon acquiring Victoria Primary School so it can continue as a hub of learning and discovery, support and encouragement, not just a nostalgic look back to whatever might be considered was its heyday. Its heyday is always now and its future will be just as important as its past. Our present close-up focus task to ensure that happens means publicising as widely as possible all that is going on now demonstrating our sense of community.

Your chance to have your say, please take our survey and tell us what you think of the emerging ideas

Please fill in our survey – will be open for a fortnight only!  
<https://heartofnewhaven.co.uk/community-consultation-survey…>

Thank you for your support and please share as widely as possible!

Rodney Matthews (Vision Facilitator)

Leith Victoria pool to close for six months

Iconic Victorian swimming pool, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, is being  refurbished  from Monday 12 August and will be out of use until February next year. 

Due to the unique layout of the centre, it will be a phased refurbishment, starting with the closure of the pool and studio 2, with these areas reopening in February 2020. Continue reading Leith Victoria pool to close for six months

End of an Era: All Change at Easter Road

US BUSINESSMAN TAKES CONTROL OF HIBERNIAN

The Board of Hibernian today announced that the majority shareholding in the Club has passed from HFC Holdings Limited – owned by Sir Tom Farmer and Rod Petrie – to Bydand Sports LLC, a new company set up for that purpose by US businessman Ronald Gordon. Continue reading End of an Era: All Change at Easter Road

Leith dance group to help Scottish Parliament celebrate 20th Anniversary

Leith based dance group ‘House of Jack’ will take part in a hip-hop dance off as they head to the Scottish Parliament to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. The dance collective will help provide the entertainment in a fun-filled day at Holyrood on Saturday (29th June). Continue reading Leith dance group to help Scottish Parliament celebrate 20th Anniversary

Closure-threatened Leith cafe celebrates 60th anniversary

But milestone birthday may well be it’s last

The owner of a traditional Scottish café has issued an emotional plea for developers to halt their closure plans, ahead of the eatery celebrating its 60th anniversary this weekend (Saturday June 29).  Continue reading Closure-threatened Leith cafe celebrates 60th anniversary

Reuse Showhome opens it’s doors at Ocean Terminal today

Discover comfortable, practical living in a space created entirely from beautiful and affordable reused and upcycled furnishings. Our things have value and this showhome is the ideal place to see that in action. Continue reading Reuse Showhome opens it’s doors at Ocean Terminal today

Leith community councils demolish Drum’s Leith Walk appeal

Leith’s community councils are urging city planners to reject Drum Property Group’s appeal against the decision to reject contoversial plans for Stead’s Place on Leith Walk.  Continue reading Leith community councils demolish Drum’s Leith Walk appeal