North Edinburgh projects hit the Lottery jackpot

Community groups across Edinburgh will be able to provide vital services and support for thousands of local people thanks to National Lottery funding announced today.

North Edinburgh projects have done particularly well in the latest round of funding. Both North Edinburgh Arts and Stepping Stones North Edinburgh are awarded six figure sums, while Muirhouse Millennium Centre, Heart of Newhaven, Blackhall Children’s Sports Committee, Ama-zing Harmonies and Granton Parish Church are among other local organisations to receive grants today.

The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 384 projects across Scotland, sharing in £15,048,544

See below for a full list of projects

North Edinburgh Arts will use their award of £148,821 to continue their ‘Green Projects’ programme which provides green spaces for local people to come together whilst offering a range of volunteering opportunities and arts and garden activities for people of all ages to get involved in.

Valla Moodie, Green Projects Manager, North Edinburgh Arts said: “This funding will enable us to start an exciting phase of work as we move back into our refurbished and extended building after two years in temporary venues, setting up our new Community Shed workshop and redeveloping our community garden at the back of our venue.

“This support, given to our ‘Green Projects’, will allow us to continue to offer opportunities for our local community that improve their health and well-being whilst contributing to the enrichment of their neighbourhood, building local resilience to big issues and sharing and supporting them with actions that combat climate change.”

STEPPING STONES North Edinburgh receive £132,020 through the Improving Lives programme.

The group, based at Inchgarvie Court in West Pilton, will use the funding to continue delivering their Family Wellbeing project, supporting primary school children and their families by providing individual, group and equine mental health support in North West Edinburgh.

Thanks to an award of £126,671, Deaf Action will run a digital literacy programme to help deaf people across the city develop and improve their skillset.

Support will be provided through a series of one-to-one sessions and group work covering specific topics such as word processing, scam awareness, healthcare apps and video calling software.

Lauren McAnna, Community Services Manager, Deaf Action said: “Our Digital Inclusion Service will support deaf people living across Edinburgh to become digitally empowered, unlocking a world of information, resources and opportunities that will foster greater independence and help improve life outcomes.

“We will support deaf adults and older people who face significant barriers to communication and social inclusion and who are likely to be experiencing financial hardship and/or socioeconomic disadvantage. 

“By supporting deaf people to overcome barriers to digital literacy they can become more connected and active citizens, have increased independence and improved wellbeing in many aspects of their lives.”

An award of £19,929 to Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland means they can continue to identify more victims of human trafficking across the city.

Joy M Gillespie, CEO, Survivors of Human Trafficking said: “We will be able to work with our cross-sector partners to recover more victims of human trafficking in Edinburgh and provide vital prevention information to those most at risk. 

“We believe there is power in partnership and are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for partnering with us to help end end human trafficking in Scotland.”

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of National Lottery funding will be distributed to groups across Edinburgh who are providing a range of essential services and support for thousands of local people, helping to make a real difference to their lives.

“As The National Lottery prepares to mark its 30th birthday later this year, today’s investment is a timely reminder of the difference that National Lottery players continue to make to communities across the country.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.   

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk    

Residents invited to discover the history of Edinburgh’s Muirhouse house and Mains farm

Step back in time and explore the excavation site with guided tours led by archaeologists at an open day tomorrow (Saturday 23 March).

The excavation, which is being undertaken by AOC Archaeology, is being carried out ahead of the Council’s redevelopment of the site of the former Silverlea Care Home into much needed new homes. The site will include 142 high quality sustainable homes, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings in a mix of social rent (91) and mid-market rent (51) each benefitting from coastal views and access to parkland.

The redevelopment forms part of the £1.3 billion wider Granton Waterfront regeneration, which is delivering thousands of new homes along with commercial and cultural space, a primary school, a health centre, and a major new coastal park.

Discoveries at the site include the remains of the 18th-19th century Murieston Mains farm and evidence for the estate surrounding the former 16th century House. This includes a culvert/flue that may have been used for heating the walled garden. Midden deposits from the 19th and 20th century, including bone, pottery, and milk bottles, have also been found which provides insight into the daily life of the estate.

It follows the discovery of a fossil plant remains, uncovered in a reused sandstone block possibly quarried in Craigleith, believed to be over 300 million years old. The fossil contains fragments of giant Club Moss and Horsetail, which grew in tropical swamps during the Carboniferous Period.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the site at 14 Muirhouse Parkway, Edinburgh, EH4 5EU from 10am-3pm to view the artefacts on display, with archaeologists on hand to talk about their discoveries.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: ““It is fantastic to see work continuing at pace at our £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront site, the largest sustainable regeneration project of its kind in Scotland. Archaeology projects, like the site at Edinburgh’s Muirhouse house and Mains farm, help us to get a glimpse of the area’s past.

“Our city has a rich heritage, but these discoveries continue to expose new aspects of its fascinating, varied history. The open day on Saturday is a chance for anyone with an interest to come and have a look at the historical work taking place, and to learn from the expertise of our brilliant archaeologists.”

Spartans Holiday Multisport Camp

Free multi-sport fun!

Lunches & snacks provided.

For kids 8-12yrs from North Edinburgh.

Meet at entrance of CCHS/Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

Sign up on the day with parents/guardians or : @ https://ow.ly/jteU50QzSms

stefansantjer@spartanscf.com

07891234965 for info Single/multi-day options.

Positive Futures groups in North Edinburgh

I am a community development worker for Positive Futures (Libertus services). I am currently engaging with people aged 50+ in the Muirhouse, Granton and Pilton areas, to facilitate community led self-supporting activity groups to alleviate social isolation.

We are particularly keen to increase the numbers in our allotment group at Lauriston Farm allotments as well as making contact with  anyone in the area with an sewing skills or learning the same, with a view to starting a new sewing group in the very future at Birnie’s court community room.

Baz Simcock

Positive Futures Community Development Worker
Libertus Service

TODAY: North Edinburgh Film Festival

2024 North Edinburgh Film Festival is TODAY – Saturday 3 February (12.30pm to 5pm) at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

From 2.45pm on Screen 1 we’ll be presenting ‘North Edinburgh from the Archive’.

Screen Education Edinburgh, formerly known as Pilton Video, opens its archive to bring you a fantastic selection of 9 short drama films that showcase North Edinburgh, its creativity, and its cinematic talent on and off screen.

Today promises to be a fantastic day celebrating community cinema and filmmaking in North Edinburgh. From filmmaking workshops and screenings of films created through North Edinburgh Arts’ Saturday programme, to an exhibition on local history and more, we have something for everyone to enjoy.

Look out for friends, family and neighbours on the big screen as we showcase some of the best locally-made films, as well as 5-star family favourite ‘Song of the Sea’.

Free entry – you can join us from the beginning at 12.30pm or drop in throughout the day. Food will also be provided, with opportunities to connect with local residents and neighbours.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SEE is delighted to announce the films we’ll be screening from our archives today at the North Edinburgh Film Festival!

Spanning both decades and genres, this selection of films highlights the talented people we’ve worked with over the years, as well as the creativity and vibrancy of the North Edinburgh community.

The North Edinburgh Film Festival is presented with North Edinburgh Arts and will be held at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre today = Saturday 3rd February – from 12.30pm-5pm.

It’s a completely free event, and you’re welcome to drop in throughout the day.

We hope to see many of you there!

Image description: 1) Schedule for the North Edinburgh Film Festival

2) Information on the films Stuck, Aye and John’s Shoes

3) Information on the films Lucky Draw, Time and Motion and The Interview

4) Information on the films Oh, The Man with No Name and My Shadowlands

5) Information on the films Keep It, Contact Trace and To Janice

Police CCTV appeal following assault and robbery at Inchmickery Court 

POLICE have released images of two men who may be able to assist with enquiries into an assault and robbery which occurred around 9.30pm on Saturday, 20 January, at the Inchmickery Court area in Muirhouse.

Both men are thought to be Eastern European.

The first man is described as white and 20- 30 years of age. He was wearing a black and red jacket, black trousers and a white baseball cap. The second man is described as white and 30-40 years of age. He was wearing a black jacket, jeans and black shoes.

Detective Constable William Doughty said: “I urge the men or anyone who may recognise them to contact us.

“If you have any information about this incident, please contact us through 101 quoting incident number 1095 of 21 January 2024. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.”