Weather’s no match for local Army Cadets!

Nearly one hundred Army Cadets aged 12-18 years shrugged off freezing temperatures during a recent training weekend in the Pentland Hills, their first camp of 2015.

The weekend saw cadets based at Granton Square overcome snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures to put into practice the skills taught at their local Detachment.

Cadets took part in navigation training, first aid and fieldcraft. During the fieldcraft phase, cadets learned how to build improvised shelters and secure a ‘temporary home’ known as a Harbour Area.

Senior Cadets under the supervision of the Adult Volunteers grasped the opportunity to demonstrate to the younger Cadets how preparedness, teamwork and self-discipline can determine your success and survival, whatever the weather.

Major John Tonner, Officer Commanding of the weekend said: “I am extremely impressed with the abilities demonstrated by the Cadets and their maturity in applying themselves in the adverse conditions brought by the cold weather.

“It is a very unique opportunity for individuals to witness how valuable skills provided within our Youth Organisation can steer young people to go further in their chosen path in life”.

The ability to adapt quickly was demonstrated by all of the Cadets resulting in many new qualifications gained and successful testing to allow Cadets to progress onto the next stage of their Cadet careers with 17 Cadets gaining new First Aid qualifications and five Adult Volunteers receiving their First Aid at Work qualification.

17 Platoon is part of Lothian & Borders Army Cadet Force and have training nights every Monday and Wednesday evenings between 7 – 9pm. They welcome cadets between 12 and 18 years of age and encourage parents to get involved too.

You can find out more about the Cadet’s sporting and adventure training activities by visiting their Detachment at the Army Reserve Centre at Granton Square, online at www.lbcadets.co.uk or by calling 01506 856 698.

Operation Quarterlight: cracking down on car crime

Quarterlight update: six arrests last week

Operation Quarterlight is a Police Scotland initiative aimed at tackling motor vehicle crime in hotspot areas. Since the start of the initiative in January 2015, local officers involved in the operation have made 24 arrests and solved 68 crimes related to motor vehicle offences.

In the last week officers in Edinburgh have arrested five men and one woman for various offences related to motor vehicles crimes. Of those arrested a 22-year-old man has been remanded in custody on multiple charges.

Additionally in the last week there has been 15 stop searches in hotspot areas and 41 bail curfew checks completed on some of Edinburgh’s most prolific offenders.

Police have also charged a 41-year-old woman with the theft of a pedal cycle. This had previously been advertised as for sale on a website. The bike has now been recovered and returned to its owner.

PS Tom Mallinson, who runs the Quarterlight team, said: “We have solved almost seventy crimes since Quarterlight began and well over half of these relate to vehicle crime. We are quite clear with offenders – we will continue to investigate all crimes linked to vehicles across the city.

“Many of these individuals will be involved in assaults, hate crimes, vandalisms and serious driving offences while in the commission of motor vehicle offences and our team has prioritised access to forensic services, CCTV and national vehicle crime experts to combat the challenge of autocrime.”

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, who oversees Operation Quarterlight locally, pressed home the point about car security and improving results. He said: “We have seen a week on week increase in detection rates, as well as a driving down of car crime as the message gets out.

“We have increased preventative night time patrols in hot spot areas and officers have conducted over a hundred searches resulting in numerous arrests.

“We still want car owners to be careful – secure their vehicles, park in well-lit and overlooked spots and ensure valuable items are removed or at least not on show in their vehicles.”

Spartans: be the twelfth man!

Local club The Spartans play Berwick Rangers this Saturday (7 February) at Ainslie Park in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup. If we win we will make history as the first non-league team to play in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup for 55 years!

This Cross-Border clash sees the Lowland League title holders take on their third SPFL opponents on the Road to Hampden. We have already beaten Clyde and Morton and in both games the bumper home support has made all the difference.

Can you be the twelfth man on 7 February? We are making a big plea for everyone in the North Edinburgh community to come along and back their local team as we aim to make history!

The TV cameras will be along, “Pulse of the Place” our local Samba band will provide the pre match entertainment and hundreds of local youngsters will be bringing a real family atmosphere. It promises to be a magical afternoon.

Our Ainslie Park arena holds 3500 people, with 500 seats in our covered stand. Kick-off is at 3pm so please come down early if you want a seat.

Admission is £12 for adults, £8 for concessions and Under 12 s are free (pay at gate) – continuing our commitment to offer affordable football for all. With a bumper crowd expected, we have entrances open on both Pilton Drive and Pilton Avenue.

You can keep up to date with the pre-match news, previews and interviews on our hat-trick of social media sources:

website: www.spartansfc.com,

twitter: @spartansfc and Facebook: Spartans FC

The Spartans Football Club

| Live together, Play together, Win together

Community Regeneration: what is it all about?

Blue sky thinking: Granton Improvement Society calls for real community planning

The idea of “community regeneration” certainly is not new but at this time in Scotland, with new Scottish government legislation on Community Empowerment, the time is now better than ever before for communities to take more control of assets. We can shape our community involving all who live, work and play within it. Now that would be real community regeneration!

Politicians talk about regeneration but do they deliver? What does that mean for the residents of North Edinburgh? We have a badly needed housing development in Muirhouse but without complementary services. The rest of the locality is left to decay with budget cuts making it harder for politicians (the council) to regenerate the larger area.

The people of the area know what is needed to regenerate their environment and it is not just housing. The Granton on Sea project can be the corner stone of such development. A project that provides benefits across a wide spectrum of issues that have been unresolved over the past 20 years – even though the area was designated as a major regeneration area within the City of Edinburgh.

A community regeneration project requires the assets of the community to be in total, outright ownership of that community: this is not in place.

Why then, when Scottish government policy is to transfer assets to communities have EDI, chaired by Councillor Frank Ross who is also convenor of the Economic Development committee, denied the project Granton on Sea the opportunity to begin one of Scotland’s largest and most ambitious regeneration plans?

The EDI Finance Director and Waterfront manager both recommended that Granton Improvement Society be given a two year period where it would fully develop the project with the Lottery’s Growing Community Assets unit. After eighteen months it would begin to provide employment, training, tourism opportunities, visitors and more economic benefits to North Edinburgh.

How will the project bring benefit?

The acquisition of the land by the Granton Improvement Society will see the development of 54 luxury houses stopped and replaced with an International Garden Festival and create artisan studios in green space on the adjoining plot of land.

The proposal will provide upwards of 100 permanent full time and part-time jobs, training and education in horticulture and other professions and trades. It will be an opportunity for local people to start up business in affordable workspaces. The unique visitor attraction of the International Garden Festival where each year it is different will ensure returning visitors to the project. That influx of tourists both national and international will see their spending retained in the local economy.

The real main benefit that the Granton on Sea project will bring is a local charity The Granton Improvement Society, whose main objective is the regeneration of the North Edinburgh area. It will manage the income from the artisan village and the Garden Festival for the benefit of other projects throughout the North Edinburgh area.

What do we need from you, the community?

This community has waited for regeneration benefits for decades with the community being told that the benefits are coming, this has clearly not happened. We are not giving up! We are asking you to join the Granton Improvement Society and create a place for people to live work and play!

Application forms for the Granton Improvement Society can be downloaded at

https://grantonimprovementsociety.wordpress.com/

and are available from the secretary, email

info@grantonimprovementsociety.org

Positive parenting: the Teen Triple P programme

Raising a teenager? Teen Triple P parenting programme

What is Group Teen Triple P?

Group Teen Triple P is a parenting programme which can help parents and carers cope positively with some of the common issues associated with raising a teenager.

The group and telephone/ individual consultation sessions give parents an opportunity to explore ways they can build a stronger relationship with their teenager, reduce conflict, manage problem behaviours and help their teen stay safe.

Group Teen Triple P helps parents make small changes in the way they handle things which can make big differences to the whole family.

Teen Triple P is suitable for parents, step parents and carers of pre-teen and teenagers aged approximately 11-16 years. Groups for kinship carers and dads also run.

What does it involve?

It is natural to feel nervous when attending a group and meeting new people. The facilitators will try to meet each parent before the group starts, either during a home visit or at the venue. They will do what they can to make everyone feel welcome. Teen Triple P groups are run by two facilitators with up to 12 parents in each group. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Each parent will be given a parent workbook which is theirs to keep.
Each group usually runs for 9 weeks with:

 Five group sessions which last for 2 hours
 Followed by three phone or individual sessions
 Then a final group session

During group sessions, parents learn from DVD clips, discussions and activities.

Parents choose which strategies to try each week at home. The facilitators will chat with parents during telephone or individual sessions to offer additional support.

Outline of Sessions

Introductory Session: Getting to know you. Parents are given a brief overview of the programme and get a chance to meet the facilitators and other parents in the group.

Session 1: Positive parenting. This session provides parents with an introduction to positive parenting, explore factors that influence teenage behaviour, and set goals for change.

Session 2: Encouraging appropriate behaviour. During this session, ways of improving positive relationships with teenagers are considered. Strategies to increase desirable behaviour and holding family meetings are also covered.

Session 3: Managing problem behaviour. In this session, parents learn how to develop family rules, deal with noncooperation and acknowledging and managing teenage emotions

Session 4: Dealing with risky behaviour. This session helps to identify risky situations, explores routines to deal with risky behaviour, and discusses family survival tips.

Session 5-7: Implementing parenting strategies. During telephone or individual consultation sessions, facilitators assist parents to review their chosen parenting strategies.

Session 8: Programme close. Parents return for a final group session to review progress, look at ways to maintain changes and problem-solve for the future. Information on additional available supports is provided.

Where does Group Teen Triple P run?

The City of Edinburgh Council runs Group Teen Triple P in each area of the city. They run in venues such as Community Centres, Schools and Libraries. Programmes run during the day and in the evenings.

How do I apply to attend Group Teen Triple P?

Applications can be made at any time as we operate a waiting list system. We welcome applications directly from parents or practitioners may apply for a place for a family they are working with.

Application forms can be requested by emailing supportingparentsandcarers@edinburgh.gcsx.gov.uk

or by telephoning 0131 529 6700

More Information

If you would like more information about Teen Triple P or wish to discuss if it is suitable for you or a parent you are working with contact Jillian Hart, Teen Triple P Lead, Parent and Carer Support Development Officer- Tel: 07860736129 or email jillian.hart@edinburgh.gov.uk

Quotes from Edinburgh parents who have attended Teen Triple P groups:

“I have found the program very helpful and supportive, the atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly.”

“Really enjoyed this course, it helped me a lot.”

“It is reassuring to know that we are not alone, to have a better insight into what motivates our daughter, and to be able to refer to the workbook for tips and strategies.”

“Really made me think, we have a better relationship.”

“Excellent content with varied strategies which makes the program flexible and manageable for all”

“I feel stronger and more confident as a parent and a person.”

TTP flyer Kinship

Excel-lent computer course at Craigroyston!

Confident Computing Course at Craigroyston

Whether you are an absolute beginner or you just want to brush up on your computing skills, this course will give you the skills you need to progress to the next level! There will be a focus on Excel and how to improve the way you use Excel as a database or for keeping records or creating reports.

Where: Craigroyston Community High School

When: Wednesday mornings, 10.30am – 12.30pm, starting now.

More info: www.joininedinburgh.org/activity/6501/ or call 0131 477 7801

Interested in finding other Adult Education classes? Take a look at www.joininedinburgh.org/craigroyston

Anonymous donation funds Creative Laboratories building

‘Stunning’ new cultural hub opens in Newhaven

Creative Labs are GO! Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop proudly unveiled the new Creative Laboratories building on Thursday – an architecturally stunning facility specifically designed for sculptors.

Situated on old railway sidings in Newhaven, North Edinburgh Creative Laboratories will create a cultural hub, dedicated to the research and production of contemporary visual art.

Designed by Sutherland Hussey Architects as an inspiring environment where artists can make and present work, the new facility is equipped with viewing and meeting spaces designed to bring audiences closer to the art being made.

It features a 22.5m high triangular tower – a new addition to the city’s iconic skyline – and the development of the site has resulted in a significant area of land being re-gifted to the public by ESW as an extension of the adjacent cycle pathway where wildflower meadows have been planted.

The building has been fully funded by the Arts Funding Prize for Edinburgh administered by Foundation Scotland by means of a £3 million anonymous donation.

Irene Kernan, director of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop (ESW) said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop which will enable us to fulfil our ambitions to create a world class sculpture centre in the city.

“We are very fortunate to have an internationally renowned architectural practise on our doorstop in Sutherland Hussey Architects. The Arts Funding Prize represents a major investment in future generations of artists and will be a major resource for our local community in Newhaven as well as the city as a whole.”

Bob Benson, Foundation Scotland Trustee and Chair of the Judging Panel added: “The donors have let us know they could not have been more pleased with the outcome of the Arts Prize competition. On their behalf, Foundation Scotland is delighted to have funded this building, which we expect to achieve social and community benefits, not just artistic ones.

“Being open to the community and integrated into its neighbourhood, it will be a space for artists to work in and also a place for the public to engage in the visual arts.”

A single storey pavilion surrounds an outdoor courtyard linking a series of internal and external environments for events and the production and exhibition of work. Incorporating sculpture bays, project spaces, and a bronze foundry the new facilities will complement those already in use at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s Bill Scott Sculpture Centre (also designed by Sutherland Hussey) which opened in July 2012.

To mark the beginning of ESW’s new international programme, Swedish artist Johanna Billing will begin her project How Do You Do? this month and a mini-retrospective of her acclaimed film work will be exhibited in January.

How Do You Do? attempts to capture the collective knowledge, expertise and erudition of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s community by soliciting contributions from members and artists who have been involved with the organisation. Johanna will compile a book that will be part manual, part portrait of the organisation reflecting the scope of contemporary sculpture and the ambiguity of its borders. It aims to survey the ideas, skills and interests of ESW’s members and simultaneously the activity and concerns of a generation of contemporary artists.

On exhibition in the covered sculpture bays, a specialist stone-working space, are Jessica Harrison’s series of carved Kilkenny Limestone sculptures 00:09:34. These sculptures are scaled up from hand-sized clay maquettes made by participants and draw the viewer onto and into the surface of the forms to engage in a mimetic relationship with the hand that produced them. Each stone is titled according to the time spent handling the clay in making the original maquette, the collective title of which increases as the series grows.

A print commission by Miranda Blennerhassett and Bronze edition by Kate Ive will also launch with the opening of the new building; sales from the editions will continue to support the programme at ESW:

Miranda Blennerhassett’s specially commissioned print edition ESW explores the relationship between art and architecture by using the architect’s drawings for Creative Laboratories as their starting point. Informed by her research into Brian Dillon’s discussion of the theory of the ruin, the edition of 25 screen-prints will focus on “the fleeting moment that exists between a building having been built and the moment that the doors open and it begins to function and take on its own life beyond any control of the designer”.

Kate Ive has chosen to make a small artwork Dressed which relates to the construction of the Creative Laboratories by working with a large, life-size steel nail. Sculpting the nail by hand to inlay a delicate lace pattern (referencing Grinling Gibbons’ Cravat) the artist transforms a functional mundane object into something precious. Ive’s specially-commissioned artist’s edition has been cast by the artist in bronze onsite in ESW’s new facilities.

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop has commissioned a multi-disciplinary collaboration between designer Catherine Aitken and sculptor David Murphy to design furniture for use throughout the new buildings. At the heart of the Edward Marshall Trust commission was the notion that the designs would both be conceived and realised on site at ESW, involving staff and studio holders and helping to promote the range of facilities on offer.

At the heart of the new facility, the tower is a statement of ESW’s progressive, interdisciplinary ambition.

It will act both as a visual and cultural beacon attracting visitors to the complex. The triangular tower will house a newly-commissioned sound installation by Tommy Perman, Professor Simon Kirby and Rob St. John which will launch in the New Year: Concrete Antenna sonically explores the past, present and (potential) future of the Workshop’s site via sound gathered from audio archives and specially made field recordings. The installation subtly responds to the movements of visitors, creating a unique experience for every listener. It will extend by gathering new audio throughout the months it is on site.

Creative Laboratories will enable sculptors to make ambitiously-scaled pieces while public facilities – including a cafe situated to overlook the production of sculpture – will encourage greater interaction between artists and their local and international publics.