West Pilton Park will come alive on Saturday, 17th May, from 12:00 to 5:30 PM, as the much-anticipated and award-winning North Edinburgh Community Festival enters its fourth year.
Known for its vibrancy, inclusivity, and celebration of local talent, this year’s festival promises to be bigger, brighter, and more colourful than ever before. With over 10,000 attendees expected, it’s an unmissable event for the entire community.
Festival Highlights
This year, the festival will host over 160 local organisations, charities, and community groups, offering a kaleidoscope of activities—from hair braiding and glitter tattoos to boxing and dodgeball, from live music programmed by Granton Youth and Tinderbox to dance performances and pop-up dance mobs from Edinburgh College, and from Edinburgh Fringe Festival street performers to North Edinburgh Arts for all things arts and crafts.
North Edinburgh Arts and Imaginate have once again collaborated creating commissioned performances that will be performed by local children and young people from the North Edinburgh Youth Arts Collective.
As well as running their jam packed arts and crafts tent for families; their Art for Grown Ups, Arts & Dance and CREATE groups are all planning to join the festival parade en route as it passes by the Macmillan Hub.
We’ll be hosting North Edinburgh’s very own ‘Crufts’ with our first ever ‘Scruffs’ Dog Show – with 6 categories to enter and prizes up for grabs including North Edinburgh’s waggiest tail!
This is hosted by Audrey Coltart of Branniffmhor Cockers, a seasoned professional in dog competitions, and a respected judge!
Whatever your interest,we’ve got it all!
The festival remains free to attend, with 90% of activities free of charge, ensuring accessibility for everyone. While food vans and items will be available for purchase, the festival aims to keep costs low for attendees.
Key Projects Spotlight
The North Edinburgh Community Festival will feature three major projects that celebrate local food, culture, diversity and artistic expression:
THE TATTIE PROJECT
Celebrating the humble potato, this collaborative initiative includes over 10 local organisations such as Lauriston Farm and R2. Residents will engage in activities like growing, harvesting, cooking, and distributing potatoes.
In the food demonstration tent, six local home cooks will share potato recipes from their cultures, highlighting the diversity of local cuisine.
Scran Academy and Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts will serve up 2,000 free hot baked potatoes with toppings, ensuring everyone gets a delicious taste of this staple food.
While we regret the absence of RRT this year due to budget cuts, we remain grateful for the 5,000 free meals they’ve provided at past festivals.
THE NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY CHOIR
A festival legacy project, the choir unites over 100 young people from Pirniehall, St. David’s, Forthview and Craigroyston Primary Schools and Craigroyston High School as well as Tinderbox Music Club to perform at the festival.
Earlier this year, these students had the opportunity to perform with international megastar Ed Sheeran alongside Tinderbox Orchestra at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. Their performance will include his hit song, Bad Habits!
THE FESTIVAL PARADE
Pulse of the Place, Edinburgh Carnival and Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival leads the way with the festival’s largest and most colourful parade yet.
Featuring vibrant costumes, masks, and performances, the parade will embody the theme of rainbows.
Starting at North Edinburgh Childcare, it’s a 1-mile journey into West Pilton Park. The parade departs NEC at 1030am and will reach the park at 12noon to kick off the festivities.
Expect up to 12 dance groups to bring the vibe.
Over 200 families and groups will participate including Oaklands School, LACAE and North Edinburgh Childcare.
Parade participants are welcome to join at the start or en route.
Entertainment Across Three Stages
This year, the festival will feature three unique stages:
Main Stage: Showcasing local community music groups and organisations such as Fischy Music, Ama-zing Harmonies, Tinderbox Tuesday Hub, Rhythms of India and Edinburgh Ukrainian Choir
Indoor Stage – North by North West: A platform for emerging young singers and bands including All the Wrong People, The Clamz, Bows and Bridges and Abigail Kerner
Carnival Stage: Hosting parade participants’ dazzling live performances including Passion 4 Fusion, Street Mash, Sol de Peru and Angie Disney’s Silent Disco!
The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and community spirit. Whether you’re attending for the music, activities, food, or simply to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, this event has something for everyone.
Join Us
When: Saturday, 17th May, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM Where: West Pilton Park, Edinburgh Cost: Free entry
Mark your calendars, bring your friends and family, and experience the magic of the North Edinburgh Community Festival! We can’t wait to see you there!
COUNCILLORS MISSING BUT LIFT COMMUNITY MEETING GOES AHEAD
It is looking like NO councillors will attend but Peter, Brenda, Stacey and hopefully our chair will be on the panel to take and answer your questions the best they can, we will take a list of your questions and make sure they are sent to the relevant department within the council or to the councillors
We will have a petition to request the centre receives at least one years funding to help us to stay open.
We have been told that the budget is already set in stone but we are asking for any monies left from the 24/25 budget as we already know we wouldn’t be even a thought in the new 25/26 budget
We have been told this isn’t possible but two years ago funding was found for us so we don’t see why they can’t do this again
If you can come along to the meeting please do – and sign our petition!
Please see above a poster from our Parents who attended and delivered the deputation to the Councillors yesterday. We had some mums in the gallery who behaved extremely well but were disheartened by the sheer ignorance of over half the councillors who didn’t look up nor listen to many of the deputations being delivered.
They feel they have no choice but to ask for community support and a petition to ask for funding to keep their centre open not just for one year but for longer term funding for us and other community-owned community centres who are delivering some amazing work.
We have enough funding to the end of the year and depend on room hire and fundraising to keep us open.
Why do we have to every few years have to go cap in hand to the councillors we elected to ask for funding for vital resources based within our community?
We hope to have some councillors to sit on a panel and answer some questions but if they do not come we will have a panel of local people who will take questions and make sure these are sent to our local councillors and politicians.
Look forward to seeing you next week.
Thank you
The Parents from LIFT@ Muirhouse Millennium Centre
17 JULY FROM 12 – 4pm at AT MUIRHOUSE MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Liftfest was the idea of our fab volunteers Tyler, Stacey and Wendy – they organised everything from asking for donations, organising the band, wee singer, DJ, and food donations.
Everything will be priced cheaply and affordable.
There will be table sales in the hall and lots going on outside
We would like to be able to supply the kids with either free cartons of juice or free diluting juice so if any nice person wants to donate cartons of juice or diluting juice and cups we would really appreciate it.
This has al been organised on a very low budget as everyone knows money is tight but the volunteers wanted to have something in Muirhouse for the families, the kids and their community.
Well done everyone involved in planning this day
I’m dreading to see what they have planned for me but whatever it is I’m sure they will all enjoy taking the mick out off the CEO!
LIFT held our Award night at the Millennium Centre recently where presented 23 people with their award (writes PAULINE BOWIE (now MBE!)
LIFT had chosen people from the community who all had a story to tell of their journey through LIFT and overcoming their own demons and battles with mental health, addiction, domestic abuse and suicide.
One is a nurse at the Western General who gave up her free time to volunteer through the pandemic.
Its was a great night!
SOME OF THE LADIES WHO RECEIVED AN AWARD:
See below for link to the video we presented. Its also on the LIFT FB page:
Over 1,000 people from across the UK have received honours in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2024, published today by the Cabinet Office.
Among the recipients is Pauline Bowie, founder of LIFT (Low Income Families Together) based at Muirhouse Millennium Centre. Pauline receives an MBE.
Pauline said: “I found out on the day of the Community Festival at West Pilton Park and the day went by in a bit of a daze. I was a wee bit overwhelmed and I was quiet for once!”
A LIFT team member posted on Facebook: ‘On behalf of all the LIFT staff would would like to say a massive congratulations and well done to Pauline! Who truly deserves this, she has put her heart and soul into this community, endlessly supporting families.
Thank you for being you Pauline – LIFT wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you we are all so proud of you! Never stop being you.
Love, Your Team.
The focus of the Honours List is individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country – such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.
Many are active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers.
Alan Bates, founder of Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, receives a Knighthood for services to justice. Tracey Emin receives an DBE for services to art, as does Imelda Staunton for services to drama and to charity.
The youngest recipient in the List is Shamza Butt, who is 20 years old and receives a BEM for her work as a Member of the National Citizens’ Service Trust Youth Voice Forum. Harold Jones is the oldest recipient, who at 100 years old receives a BEM for his fundraising for charities relating to Motor Neurone Disease and the community in Sutton Coldfield.
Innovators and change makers
Michael Palmer, Andrew Airey and Timothy Owen, who founded the 3 Dads Walking campaign after losing their young daughters to suicide, each receive an MBE for services to the prevention of young suicide. The three dads have walked all across the UK to raise awareness of suicide in young people and raise funds for charity Papyrus UK.
Eight people are recognised for their contributions to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Angus Heddle from the Orkney Islands receives an MBE for 73 years of voluntary service to the RNLI, and David Nicoll from Cornwall receives a BEM for his 43 years of service, having started volunteering at the age of 18.
Clodagh Dunlop from Northern Ireland receives an MBE for services to stroke survivors and the reform of stroke services. In 2015 Clodagh suffered from a brain stem stroke, leaving her with locked in syndrome. She has made an incredible recovery over recent years and has returned to work as a serving detective. She is a Stroke Association ambassador and has educated and inspired many stroke survivors in the UK and worldwide.
Patrick and Karen McCourt from Larne, County Antrim, both receive BEMs for services to foster care in Northern Ireland. Both over 70 years old, together they have fostered more than 331 children in the last 45 years.
Rebecca Redfern from Droitwich receives an MBE for her services to young people and to the community in Worcestershire. She was diagnosed aged 7 with Retinitis Pigmentosa, and at the age of 14 was discovered as a para swimmer by British Swimming. She has since won medals at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics as a GB paralympic swimmer and has visited hundreds of schools throughout Worcestershire speaking to children about overcoming obstacles to achieve success.
Deborah Pezzani from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, receives a BEM for services to teenagers and young adults with cancer. In 2007, she set up Teens Unite to bring together young people aged 13-24 who are living with cancer. The charity hosts over 100 beneficiary activities and events annually, has almost 100 volunteers and has raised just over £1 million.
Sally Bourton receives a BEM for services to the community in Cornwall. She is the Postmistress for Trewoon and has been at the heart of her community for 24 years. She runs her Post Office alongside local fundraising activities and, during the pandemic, she was instrumental in rallying local volunteers who were willing to help the community. For the Coronation of HM King Charles, she organised for every child in the village to receive a mint coin with The King’s head on it.
Dean Jackson from Derbyshire receives an MBE for services to business and innovation through setting up his own wetsuit company, HUUB. This first came about in 2011 when Dean noticed a gap in the market after seeing little advancement in wetsuit design and performance. HUUB has since expanded its products into cycling gear as well, and is now worn by many of the world’s top athletes, including the Brownlee brothers.
Alison Baverstock from Kingston upon Thames receives an MBE for charitable services to families in the British Armed Forces community. She created the charity Reading Force in 2011, developing a scheme that supports parents in the military read with their children while on deployment or during training.
The scope of the scheme has since expanded across the whole of the UK as well as UK Armed Forces overseas. To date, over 250,000 people have requested reading scrapbooks or received reading books, improving children’s reading ability.
Swinney congratulates Scottish recipients
First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Scotland’s recipients in The King’s Birthday Honours list.
In recognition of exceptional contributions to public life and in keeping with the theme of ‘change makers and innovators’, this year’s awards celebrate individuals that have contributed to driving forward positive and innovative change and who use creativity and collaboration to develop new ideas which bring impact and value.
Professor Moira Whyte OBE, the Sir John Crofton Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Edinburgh receives a Damehood for services to medical research.
Former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Gordon Brown has been appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour for public and charitable service in the UK and abroad.
Those being awarded a CBE include Professor John Irvine, a professor of Chemistry at St Andrews University for services to the green economy; Dr Ann Moulds, Trustee and Founder of Action Against Stalking, for services to victims of stalking and Professor Terence Smith, the Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Complex at the University of St Andrews for services to disease research.
Among those receiving an OBE is sports broadcaster and former footballer Ally McCoist MBE for services to association football and broadcasting and Sandy Lyle MBE for services to golf. Literary agent Dr Jenny Brown is receives an OBE for services to literature and Jane Spiers, Chair of National Theatre of Scotland, for services to culture in Scotland. Dr Rabinder Buttar is recognised for services to innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership in business and to life sciences.
Those receiving MBEs include Doreen Graham, for services to animal welfare. Puneet Dwivedi for services to the community in Scotland, and Syed Nasir Jaffri, for services to integration in Glasgow, also receive MBEs. Maureen Ferrie receives an MBE for services to people living with a disability in Glasgow.
Harry Brodie, for services to wheelchair curling, and Joan Cameron, for services to the Samaritans, are among those honoured with a BEM.
Catriona Paton, Chief Superintendent, and Alistair Cameron, Special Police Constable, Police Scotland, will receive The King’s Police Medal.
The King’s Fire Service Medal will be awarded to Ross Haggart, Chief Officer, Gary Carroll, Crew Commander and Lorraine Taylor, Firefighter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Liam Coughlan, Head of Programmes & Enabling Technology Manager, Scottish Ambulance Service will receive The King’s Ambulance Service Medal.
The First Minister said: “Those receiving recognition in The King’s Birthday Honours have each made outstanding contributions to community and public life, through the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community life and science.I am very pleased to offer them my congratulations. Their dedication and commitment makes Scotland a better place for us all.
“The people who have been awarded The King’s Police, Fire or Ambulance Service Medals have shown exceptional dedication and resilience in serving our communities and keeping us safe. They deserve our sincere appreciation and thanks for the sterling work they do.”
Honours are announced twice annually, in June on the Monarch’s official birthday, and at New Year.
At LIFT@MMC – EVERYONE WELCOME!
Kidz Fashion Show – 1.30pm
All-Day Outdoor Disco
Games Galore – 5 shots for £3
Tombola
Arts & Crafts
Tattoos & Hair Braiding
20% of everything raised goes to a charity chosen by Brenda’s family.
The rest helps us keep the centre open and supporting the community.
Don’t miss the walkthrough at 11am, then stay and enjoy the full day!
12 PM – 5 PM
Muirhouse Millennium Centre
Saturday 19th July 2025
£10 per table hire
0131 467 3578
we are all so proud of you! Never stop being you.