The doors are being taken off Muirhouse Shopping Centre today, 21st Century Homes – the team behind the area’s regeneration – has announced. Robert Pearson reports …
Residents are delighted to learn today that the doors of Pennywell Shopping Centre being taken down, It was confirmed on Friday afternoon in an email from newly appointed senior project manager John McDonald of the city’s 21st century
regeneration project.
An email sent to local groups advised that work will start today (Monday 22 October) to remove the doors and glass fronts on the shopping centre, with local shops and residents advised on Saturday about the intended work.
Since the shopping centre was roofed and these doors were put in place many
local residents and shop keepers have highlighted concerns with anti-social
behaviour over recent months many people have taken shelter within the
area and continued to consume alcohol, throwing rubbish, and generally causing
a nuisance. Many find this behaviour intimidating and Lothian & Borders
police are often seen within the shopping centre tackling the issues.
I spoke to a shopper this morning and asked their opinion in the doors coming
off, she told me that is brilliant and might stop the drunks gathering within
the centre. She also added that they should have never have been put up in the
first place.
Just now walking through the enclosed centre can be very intimidating, but with
the doors removed it will hopefully feel a lot more open and more welcoming.
There have also been talks of the roof being removed; this has been delayed due
to structural.
The Muirhouse community said goodbye to Sister Ann Buckeridge at a reception at North Edinburgh Arts Centre last Friday. Sister Ann is moving on to new challenges in Cardiff, but the wee woman with the huge heart will leave a lasting impression on Muirhouse.
Sister Ann belongs to the Daughters of Charity order, and arrived in Muirhouse just two years ago with a simple mission – ‘to help’. Help she certainly has, and it’s fair to say that there has been very little that Ann hasn’t been involved in – from the community council, various Neighbourhood Partnership Action Groups, the Voluntary Sector Forum and Muirhouse Centipede Project to name a few. Small in stature she may be, but Ann’s boundless energy and enthusiasm have been a real driving force for positive change in Muirhouse and she will be sorely missed.
Community activists, council officials and project workers joined local councillors Cammy Day and Vicki Redpath to present gifts and to thank Sister Ann for her huge contribution to community life in Muirhouse.
Modest as ever, Sister Ann said: “From the moment I came to Muirhouse I received a warm welcome and people have been so generous and kind. I am really touched by all the kind things that have been said and I have enjoyed working alongside so many dedicated people – it has been a pleasure to have been part of community life here.”
Roy Douglas, chairman of Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council, said: “We really have been so fortunate to have had Sister Ann working alongside us for the last two years. It’s hard to overstate the contribution she’s made – she has been wonderful to work with and we will all really miss her.”
The wee woman hopes to return for a visit one day – and, with the regeneration of Muirhouse beginning to gather pace, Sister Ann may find that some of the seeds she sowed will have bloomed.
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre and Link Up Muirhouse is delighted to announce that on Wednesday the 31st October we are hosting scary but fun-filled Halloween party from 6.30 – 8pm – and you can come too!
On the night we will be dooking for apples, playing games, enjoying some art as well as awarding the best dressed with a small prize.
Tickets must be purchased in advance from Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre or North Edinburgh Arts Centre during opening hours, you can also call Julie on 07794467053 for information. Ticket only cost £1 per child to a maximum of £3. So if you have 4 children in your family you will only pay for 3, we felt this was fair to larger families. We have 90 tickets for sale, available on a first come for serve basis – so get them quick before they sell out! When purchasing tickets we require a registration form completed by parent or carer.
Tickets must be bought prior to the 31 October part – No ticket, no entrance.
Parents and carers are more than welcome to remain at the Centre for the duration of the party, the Centre café will be open for sales of light refreshments.
The spooky Muirhouse ladies who have arranged this party with the guidance and support of Link Up and Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre hope that every child has a wonderful time and they hope to welcome many children back to future parties in Muirhouse!
In some respects we are all individuals; we like to feel and think we are in command, but a quick look at reality shows how dependent we are on others. We cannot exist in modern times as an individual.
We need those who work in the electricity industry, the gas works, water pumping stations and sewerage systems – that is before we step outside the door!
Then there are the transport workers, road and highway workers, distribution workers for all kinds of goods, papers, petrol, etc – and this is all before we get to work!
At work the same reliance takes place: we are individuals but must work collectively.
This is why the policy of the Conservative Party is so wrong and destructive. They believe that individualism should motivate people, but that can only apply to those that have the means to do so.
It is an outdated idea being used by the Conservatives today; it can be seen in their wholesale destruction or privatisation of public services that have been built up over many decades to match the growing realisation that collectively things can be done that as an individual would be impossible.
From any angle the Conservatives are backward thinkers; they either cannot see it or they are just intent on setting back the clock to the ‘good old days’ when workers knew their place in the world, and were grateful to the employers in letting them live.
I think talking about taking pensioners’ bus passes and winter fuel payment away is terrible – surely there could be another way? Allow them £100 – £150 and a couple £250. The money should be taken off people who are receiving money but who abuse it on drugs, etc. Take the money off them and give it towards winter fuel payments to the elderly.
Local residents will fight plans to build housing on City Park. A new Save City Park campaign group has been set up to challenge plans to build houses on the site off Pilton Drive North. The group says that the area needs it’s last remaining green space and could not cope with more traffic on roads and side streets.
Save City Park campaigners say that City Park – the former home of The Spartans – ‘is a vital part of Edinburgh’s landscape and heritage and plays an important role in enhancing the city’s environment. It is one of an ever decreasing number of green “lungs” in a city of ever-increasing development.’
The group says that a plans by Link Group to build a mixed-tenure housing development on the City Park site would destroy the quality and character of the local area and put even more strain on already overstretched local services.
Falkirk-based Link Group employs 400 staff and celebrates it’s 50th birthday this year. The company is ‘one of Scotland’s leading providers of housing and related services’. The organisation’s website continues: ‘The Link companies help to deliver innovative regeneration projects in partnership with local communities, including health facilities, environmental initiatives, training schemes and financial inclusion projects. We are committed to the welfare of tenants and to the principles of social justice and inclusion.’
Interested members of the public will have three different opportunities to see and hear what is being proposed for City Park at a series of consultation events over the coming fortnight. Next Wednesday (24 October) Link will have a staffed presentation from 4.30 – 7.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Pilton Drive North and on Thursday (25th October) the exhibition moves on to The Spartans Community Football Academy off Pilton Drive, again from 4.30 – 7.30pm.
Link representatives will also be making a presentation to Granton and District Community Council’s meeting on Monday 29 October at 7pm in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre – this meeting is open to members of the public and all are welcome to attend.
The City Park campaigners concerns are highlighted on their new website which can be found at http://savecitypark.co.uk
Has housing reached saturation point in East Pilton? Or is the need for more social and affordable housing more urgent than green space? What do you think – let us know!
Traffic at the east end of Ferry Road will be severely disrupted for up to 28 weeks when Scottish Gas Networks begins major work to replace mains pipes at the end of this month. The company says the upgrade to the network is essential, but commuters and local residents look set for seven miserable months of road closures, parking restrictions, diversions and temporary traffic lights.
In a statement, Scottish Gas Networks said: ‘The existing metal gas mains and services in the vicinity of Ferry Road, need to be replaced with modern plastic polyethylene (PE) pipe to ensure a continued safe and reliable gas supply to the local area. We will be renewing 1.75km of gas mains.
This essential work forms part of our ongoing mains replacement programme developed with the Health and Safety Executive. Work will last for approximately 28 weeks and will be carried out by May Gurney on our behalf.
We have been working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian and Borders Police and Lothian Buses to plan this project and minimise disruption as much as possible. We will continue to work with these organisations and local residents throughout the course of the project.
Works will begin on Ferry Road, at its junction with Madeira Street and will continue westbound towards Craighall Road. The works will take place in four phases during which time there will be some temporary traffic lights in operation.
Phase 1 works will be between the junction of Ferry Road with Madeira Street and the junction of Ferry Road with Newhaven Road. This phase will last for approximately six – eight weeks.
During Phase 2 we will be working between the junction of Ferry Road with Newhaven Road and Bonar Place. This will take approximately 10 weeks.
Phase 3 will last approximately four weeks. Works will be on Newhaven Road, from the junction with Ferry Road to the junction with Pitt Street.
Phase 4 will also take place on Newhaven Road, between the junction with Bonnington Avenue and the junction with Stewartfield. During this phase there will also be some works on West Bowling Green Street. The phase will last for approximately six weeks.
Works will be suspended from Friday 21 December for the festive period. They will recommence on Monday 7 January.
To allow for the manoeuvre of heavy plant equipment and to ensure everyone’s safety there will be some parking restrictions in place during the works, as well as some local road closures. Local diversions will be in place where necessary.
All local shops and businesses will be open as usual. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and access for deliveries to businesses will be maintained where possible.’
While the company plans to mitigate problems for commuters, traders and residents, the scale of the work is going to have a major impact on Ferry Road and adjacent neighbourhoods.
Scotland Gas Networks’ Team Manager, Simon Kennedy said: “All our works are carried out in close consultation with the local Council and we will do everything we can to minimise disruption. We understand that people get frustrated by roadworks and thank them for their patience while we carry out these essential works. The new plastic pipe has a minimum lifespan of 80 years. This means that when the work is complete, local residents will continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas supply for years to come.”
Bet you thought Drylaw’s meadow planting would be cancelled yesterday? Oh ye of little faith – they’re made of tougher stuff up Drylaw way! The Neighbourhood Centre’s gardening group was joined by colleagues from Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh and together they braved the weather to start work on the paddy field and ornamental lake new meadow at the rear of the Centre!
Inside, meanwhile, altogether more sensible people from the Margarot Forrest Care Management team and clients enjoyed a nice warm cup of coffee and raised some money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Wednesdays and Thursdays are We Dance Days at North Edinburgh Arts Centre!
Last May, North Edinburgh Arts – working with Imaginate and Dancebase – was awarded 18 months funding from Creative Scotland to host a dancer in residence. Funded through the pARTners scheme, the residency focuses on the health and wellbeing benefots that dance can bring to children, young people and their families living in Forth.
North Edinburgh Arts dancer in residence Skye Reynolds is now running dance workshops with children to explore and experiment with many dance forms and styles. On Wednesdays five to eight year olds from 10 – 11.15am and on Thursdays it’s eight to twelve-year olds from 4 – 5.30pm – so let’s dance!
The Yard is a much-appreciated resource, and the local project received great news when they heard that the BBC had selected The Yard to feature in a Children in Need special edition of the popular DIY SOS show. All will be revealed next month …
The Yard is a purpose-built indoor and outdoor adventure playground for children and young people with additional support needs. The project, which is based in Eyre Place Lane, provides care, support, fun and friendship in equal measure while also promoting challenge and personal growth in an environment which values independence and celebrates the capabilities and achievements of each individual child.
During late September and October the city council has helped The Yard to find temporary premises to allow the project to continue to run as many of their services as normal while the building makeover has been underway at Eyre Place Lane – Friday, Saturday and October holiday drop-in sessions have operated at Craigentinny Primary School.
The Yard team will move back ‘home’ on Saturday 27 October so there will be no session on that date – normal service at The Yard, for drop-in sessions, resumes on Friday 2 November from 1 – 4pm.
The Yard received a visit from Canaan Lane school earlier this month. This is what they said:
Canaan Lane pupils and staff were thrilled to be special guests at The Yard special needs playground on Friday 5 October. The Yard has been selected as the BBC’s DIY SOS project for this year’s Children in Need programme. The sun shone on the day and we joined almost 100 other guests, families and children for ‘The Big Reveal’ – the moment when the staff, volunteers and other friends of The Yard were allowed in for the first time to see the transformation.
Pupils and staff enjoyed meeting Nick Knowles and his team as well as Pudsey Bear and some of the 200+ contractors and volunteers who gave their services free of charge for 10 days in order to carry out the work. There was a loud cheer as they all trooped into the Yard to be thanked for all they had done.
Some of our old favourite pieces of equipment are still there, like the wheelchair accessible swing boat, the slides and raised walkways, but all have been given a new look or been replaced. Now there is a sensory garden area, a water feature, sand pit, ample indoor play shed space as well as walkways and a solar dome. New garden and picnic areas have also been installed. The biggest hit for many of our pupils though was the set of working traffic lights complete with pelican crossing at the crossing point of two of the paths! The Yard’s indoor space has also been transformed there is a new wheelchair user accessible kitchen, a new multi-sensory room, art space and lots more.
We managed to collect lots of photographs and autographs as well as some Pudsey ears and a selection of hard hats while we were there! We’re also look forward to seeing ourselves on TV during the Children in Need programme on Friday 16 November!
