Centre’s a home from home for MHA!
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre had a particularly busy Thursday with our normal programme and THREE separate bookings for one of our partners, Muirhouse Housing Association (MHA) (writes James McGinty). Continue reading Away day for Muirhouse Housing Association – but just along the road!
A special party was thrown yesterday to celebrate the much-loved life of Edinburgh’s most famous little dog. Pupils laid flowers to the skirl of bagpipes at the grave of loyal terrier Greyfriars Bobby, who died 144 years ago on 14 January 1872.
Bobby is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard and his death is commemorated with a special ceremony every year on the anniversary of his death.
Amongst the participants was a Greyfriars Bobby look-alike, Bobby the Cairn terrier, sporting a specially-designed coat and badge in honour of her double.
As the one o’clock gun sounded, the time at which Bobby is said to have left his master’s grave each day for a free meal at a nearby café, pupils from George Heriot School laid flowers on the grave. This was followed by ‘Tribute to Greyfriars Bobby’, played on bagpipes by Jennifer Hutcheon.
Abbeyhill Primary School pupils were also in Central Library for a historical story time session about Greyfriars Bobby, joined by Moira and her Skye Terrier Hannah from the Skye Terriers club.
Donald Wilson, Lord Provost, who attended the event, said: “Today’s service was a very fitting tribute to one of Edinburgh’s most famous figures. Greyfriars Bobby truly is a world-famous pet, and his statue and grave are well established parts of the tourist trail.
“Everyone knows and loves the story of his loyalty, and it’s so nice to be part of this special commemoration. Anyone interested in finding out more about Bobby can browse the memorabilia on display just now at the Museum of Edinburgh.”
After the death of Bobby’s owner John Gray, the then Lord Provost, Sir William Chambers, ensured the dog’s freedom by purchasing a license and dog collar, allowing him to roam the graveyard.
Capturing the hearts of passers-by every day, Bobby’s statue was erected a year after his death in 1872 by the Ladies Committee of the RSPCA, and has since become a landmark for the capital, visited by millions of people.
Yesterday’s event was supported by local charity The Grassmarket Community Project.
Members of the Power to the People group are calling on local groups and individuals from North Edinburgh to join them at a lobby of the full council meeting on Thursday 21 January to protest against what Unison describe as the “worst cuts in living memory”. Continue reading SOS – Save Our Services!
Forty-five years. Tens of thousands of North Edinburgh children and families, Pilton Retreat has given our community so much. Now, at their hour of need, they desperately need the community’s support: it’s time to give something back …
Pilton Retreat 1970
The late Victor Lindsay while on his rounds working with the Water Board discovered the unused, semi – derelict scout hall on the edge of Ratho.
In 1970, he along with other community activists from play schemes, youth projects, churches and staff from schools agreed to work together to establish a countryside resource for the children and young people of the Greater Pilton area.
Successful negotiation with the farmer and scouts, a payment of either £10.00 or £20.00 was enough to secure the building for Pilton use.
The thrift shop was opened to sell donated goods to raise funds; a wider appeal for funding and loads of voluntary effort meant that the first groups of children and young people from Pilton started staying at the Retreat in the summer of 1971.
Tens of thousands have visited since.
Initially, it was only the building, by mid 70’s some extra land was rented, and ever since improvements to the facility and grounds have been achieved.
What exists today is as a result of the efforts of many people over these 45 years.
Now these achievements and the resource are under real threat.
Council funding may end, solely on the assessment of three unknown council officials’ and a report to Councillors recommending no continued funding.
We ask that our four Forth councillors seek to persuade the Education Children and Families Committee on 11th February that this would be a detrimental decision.
More than 1,600 people so far have signed our e-petition, asking the Councillors to think again.
45 years of continuously improving service and facilities surely must count?
1,500+ children and young people using the facilities every year surely must matter?
If funding ends on 31/3/16, the Board of Pilton Retreat will spend its own reserves to keep the Retreat open till the end of June 2016.
During these three months many children you may know will visit the Retreat.
School residential camps will involve Pirniehall P 4’s, Craigroyston and Forthview P 5’s, St Davids P6’s and Rowanfield P7’s. School day visits include Craigroyston and St Davids nursery classes and Pirniehall P3’s. Two other Edinburgh primary schools for pupils with additional learning needs will hold residential visits. A further 10 Edinburgh school nursery classes will visit for the day.
It seems ironic, even perverse, that the Council might decide to close down these opportunities for the pupils that they should be providing for. Many other community groups, locally and from elsewhere in Edinburgh will also visit in these three short months. They would also lose out in the future.
Please do all you can to help save these services / opportunities for the children, young people and families in Greater Pilton in the future.
Please sign and share our petition. Click on the link below:
Spring into action at West Pilton Park!
Light a Light Appeal raises £100,000
Staff and volunteers at St Columba’s Hospice have said a big thank you to all of the supporters who kindly donated to the recent Light A Light & Light Up A Life appeal. Continue reading BIG thank you from St Columba’s
Food and film on a Burns theme at St Paul’s Pilrig Street
Lothian Autistic Society teams up with Hibs
Scotland’s national healthcare improvement organisation is recruiting volunteers
Do you want to help to improve the quality of care in Scotland? If so, Scotland’s national healthcare improvement organisation would like to hear from you! Continue reading Get involved in improving healthcare
Continue reading Community Council to discuss Neighbourhood Centre crisis
