North Edinburgh News – Page 3541 – The NEN

Pauline makes it work at Millennium Centre!

JAMES McGINTY reports on a popular new activity at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre …

Pauline Nicol-Bowie( Making it Work) had a fantastic response from the community as a total of 13 children & 10 mums. The mums took part in a dough-making session (substitute for Plasticine) for play with their children at home.

The day was deemed such a success Pauline now has the choice of staying in the cafe or an expansion to this service forces her to use the big hall. Congratulations Pauline!

James McGinty

What will Pauline choose: move or stay? I just dough-no … !

East meets West in titanic struggle

It’s an age-old rivalry that stretches back as far as anyone can remember – and the latest in a long line of sporting battles between Edinburgh and Glasgow will be fought out at Meadowbank later this month. LUCY GLENNIE explains …

The ‘derby derby’ rolls back into the capital in an all-Scottish battle of all-female fitness, strength, and speed on skates later this month when Edinburgh’s Auld Reekie Roller Girls (ARRG) will take on their greatest Scottish rivals Glasgow Roller Derby (GRD) at Meadowbank Stadium.

The latest roller derby game will see ARRG fighting to regain their crown from GRD, who came out on top in their last battle.

GRD are the finest they’ve ever been right now, having swept to the top spot in the latest UK Roller Derby Association rankings for the first time too. The slip from #1 ranking for ARRG has seen them training harder and smarter than ever in the last few weeks to be on peak form to snatch back the gold.

Will the mighty ARRG be able to reclaim their top spot, or will the Glaswegians opposition be too strong and hold the lead?

It’s sure to be a fiercely-fought battle between the two highest-ranking teams in the UK. This is an incredible chance to see the love-hate rivalry of these Scottish opponents – come and see why people are getting so excited about the fastest-growing women’s sport in the world!

Auld Reekie Roller Girls v Glasgow Roller Derby

2pm, Sunday 28 June: Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road

Tickets:

Tickets available from: http://www.brownpapertickets.com

Advance tickets – £5.00

On the door tickets – £7.00

Free for children aged 14 and under.

Students snap up photography awards

Five in the frame for national Awards

BIPP Student Awards 2015 Photojournalism 1st Place — BIPP Student Awards 2015
Photojournalism 1st Place

Edinburgh College students triumphed in all five student categories at the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) Scottish Region Image Awards. The stash of prizes included the Student Photographer of the Year award.

As well as the Student Photographer of the Year award, HND and BA Professional Photography students picked up the top prizes in the Photojournalism, Advertising & Fashion, Social & Portraiture, and Open categories. They also claimed 21 second and third places and merits, with the college taking home all the prizes in some categories!

The results continue a six-year winning streak for Edinburgh College photography students at the BIPP Scottish Region Image Awards. Students and graduates snapped up 30 of the prizes on offer in last year’s competition.

BIPP Student Awards 2015 Advertising & Fashion 1st Place Overall Winner — BIPP Student Awards 2015
Advertising & Fashion 1st Place
Overall Winner

Kinga Kocimska, who is studying for a BA Professional Photography, was named Student Photographer of the Year this year, and also received the prize for Advertising & Fashion (above).

Kinga said: “Receiving such positive feedback on my images has motivated me even more to further develop my skills and to explore subjects I am genuinely interested in. It feels great to be able to produce work that meets professional industry standards within only four years from the start of my photography journey.”

There was also success for Edinburgh College graduates in the professional photographer categories. Lee Howell took first and second place in the Scottish Commercial, Industrial, Advertising and Architecture category and won the Open category. Last year, Lee was named Professional Photographer of the Year 2014. Lee has his own commercial photography business in Edinburgh, specialising in creative advertising and contemporary editorial portraiture.HND Photography student Oliver Henderson, who recently won the Calumet Student Photographer of the Year award, triumphed in the student Open category (above).

Marjory Crooks, curriculum manager for broadcast media, said: “It is fantastic to see our photography students recognised with these well regarded awards. The continued success of our students in these awards is testament to their professionalism and talent. It also highlights the quality of the teaching staff at the college, who do great work preparing our students for the workplace.”

Queen’s Award for LifeCare

Stockbridge-based LifeCare have had their work recognised by Her Majesty the Queen. LifeCare, which works with elderly people, has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Across the city, Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club has also received the highest accolade.

Both charities were recommended for awards by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant, Donald Wilson, who also takes on the role of the city’s volunteering champion and both LifeCare and Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club will be invited to attend a garden party at Holyrood Palace with the Queen in late Spring.

LifeCare Edinburgh, based at Cheyne Street in Stockbridge, works across the city supporting the independence and wellbeing of the elderly, people with dementia and carers, helping them to remain at home, connect with others and participate more fully in their community. This is done through a rang of services which includes day units, a popular community café and volunteer projects.

Su Millar, Chief Executive of LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this news and proud to be one of two organisations to receive such a prestigious award. We are delighted that it is recognising the excellent work our volunteers do here at LifeCare Edinburgh.

“We are grateful to Sopra Steria, Edinburgh for nominating us. It demonstrates our commitment to our volunteers and we could not offer all that we do without them. The volunteers who work with us complement our staff teams whether it is assisting in the day units, helping in the café, supporting our events, or helping older people with their shopping.”

“They all bring their own enthusiasm and expertise so without them LifeCare Edinburgh would not be able to make such a difference in the lives of the people we care for. Our volunteers range from students doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award, people who have retired and have more time to spare, to those looking to gain experience in the workplace.”

Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club provides a vital lunch club service for elderly and frail people in east Edinburgh. The service is provided on an entirely voluntary basis by a dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom are themselves elderly.

The local groups are two of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of awards handed out to groups have increased by over 60% from 2014, due to an increase in high quality applications, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges.

Volunteers from LifeCare and the Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club will receive the award from Edinburgh’s Lord Provost later this summer.

The Lord Lieutenant Donald Wilson said: “The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer groups and recognises the outstanding work they provide within their local communities. I am delighted that not one but two of Edinburgh’s fantastic charities have been chosen by the Queen to receive this recognition.

“Both LifeCare and the Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club truly deserve the praise. It was an honour to recommend them personally for their voluntary service, and it will be my privilege to present them with their awards and certificates later this year.”

The Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, added: “I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their fantastic achievements. The hard work and commitment that goes into the work of these organisations is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer.

“I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a bigger, stronger society.”

Any group of two or more people that has participated in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award. Full details on how to nominate are available at http://qavs.direct.gov.uk/

Nominations for the 2016 awards close on 18 September 2015.

Tackling food poverty in North Edinburgh

Do you remember Pilton Community Health Project’s ‘Good Food For All’ event held last December?

Since that conference a group of local people and organisations have been meeting to develop ideas and to take the report findings on to the next stage – and you can be part of that!

The next food poverty meeting takes place this afternoon (Tuesday 2 June) from 1 – 2.30 at Pilton Community Health Project and is an opportunity to discuss what we can do to have our voices heard about food poverty. All welcome

Contact Anita for more information on 0131 551 1671

Facebook drive for foster carers

City council to use social media to reach potential foster carers

The City of Edinburgh Council will conduct a Question and Answer session on Facebook tonight in a drive to recruit more foster carers. This will be the first time the Council has used the social media tool in a bid to attract more people to become carers.

The session will take place tonight (Monday 1 June) between 6pm and 7pm as the city council marks the start of Foster Care fortnight. The Council currently has 350 carers but is always trying to recruit more.

Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Children, Education and Families Vice Convener, said: “Using social media is a great way of interacting with the public so why not use it to try and recruit potential foster carers?

“We have a real shortage of foster carers across Edinburgh and by using Facebook we’re hoping to encourage more people to consider becoming carers for children and young people. I’m sure the event will prove to be a real success.

“Fostering is a hugely rewarding and really important job as it benefits some of the most vulnerable children in our society, helping them build a bright and confident future.”

Elaine McGill has been a foster carer with the City of Edinburgh Council for seven years. She will be taking part in the Facebook event along with other experts and carers in the field, including one carer who has recently transferred to the Council from another agency.

She said: “I’m really excited about tonight’s Q and A as it will give people a chance to ask us what fostering is really like and how it has changed our lives.”

If you are interested in taking part in the Facebook Question and Answer event please visit the Foster Edinburgh Facebook page between 6pm and 7pm tonight.

The Council is also holding a double drop in session for anyone interested in being a foster carer on Thursday (4 June) at Waverley Court between 12pm and 2pm and then at 5pm to 7pm.

For more details about becoming a foster carer go to the Foster Edinburgh website or call 0800 174 833 or 0131 529 2773.

Listening to Forth’s young people

Can you spare a couple of hours to help our local young people influence local services?

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership and Total Craigroyston have been working with the North Young People’s Forum and local services aimed at young people to gather views and opinions of local young people.

This has already involved over 1,200 young people through a flash poll and many services are currently engaging with young people to map facilities and activities. The outcome will let us all know what young people think about their community and importantly, how we can help make positive change so that more young people can be involved in the future.

The next stage of the process is the YouthTalk event. This brings together young people and key adults to understand the outcomes to date and help shape future actions for improving how we deliver a wide range of services.

The YouthTalk event will take place on Wednesday 24 June from 9am – 12 noon at Pilton Youth & Children’s Project and it would be great if you can sign up to come along and help young people identify creative ideas to improve local provision.

We have approximately 100 places and we aim for this to be 50/50 young people and adults so if you are interested, I would encourage you to sign up using this link as quickly as possible!

Scott Donkin, Partnership & Information Manager (Tel 529 5001)

scott.donkin@edinburgh.gov.uk

Lorraine gies it laldy for STV Children’s Appeal!

Lorraine Kelly will be taking to the dance floor in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal this September, as she dons her kilt for a 24 hour ceilidh extravaganza!

After the success of last year’s Shimmy across Scotland which raised £100,000 for the Appeal, the ceilidh challenge will see Lorraine ‘do-si-do-ing’ her way around the country with the support of her friend Maxine Jones and sponsor Optical Express to raise money for children living in poverty across Scotland.

From the Gay Gordons and Strip the Willow to the Pride of Erin Waltz, Lorraine will be getting Scotland moving with 24 hours of ceilidh dancing. Working alongside the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (RSCDS), Lorraine will be encouraging groups not only in Scotland, but also internationally, to host their own ceilidh events on the 11^th-12^th September to help Scotland’s young people.

Lorraine Kelly, trustee of the STV Children’s Appeal, said: “Last year I took on a 24 hour shimmy for the Appeal and this year I’ll be putting my dancing shoes back on. Over 24 hours I’ll be challenging myself by taking on a series of ceilidhs to raise money for children and young people in Scotland affected by poverty. Maxine and I will be travelling across Scotland in September and also encouraging other groups across the globe to join us and host their own fundraising ceilidhs to help raise as much as possible for this vital cause. It’ll be a challenge to keep going but hopefully with support from fellow dancers around the world, I’ll get through.”

Lorraine’s 24 hour ceilidh will be captured by STV’s cameras for the STV Children’s Appeal programme to be broadcast later this year.

Elizabeth Partyka of the STV Children’s Appeal said: “We are thrilled Lorraine will be embarking on another exciting fundraising challenge this year. With support from local communities, the RSCDS and sponsor Optical Express, we are sure Lorraine’s 24 hour ceilidh will help make a real difference to the lives of children and young people affected by poverty.”

To mark the occasion, the RSCDS have devised a bespoke ceilidh dance for Lorraine – Kelly’s Kaper, with a video and dance instructions available for individuals and groups who want to participate!

Elizabeth Foster, Executive Officer of the RSCDS said: “We are delighted to partner STV Children’s Appeal for 2015. We are pleased to be associated with this worthwhile cause and to play our part in helping to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people in Scotland. In many ways this follows on from the successful Commonwealth Ceilidh in 2014 which saw thousands of people around the globe taking part in one massive ceilidh. With some 14,000 RSCDS members worldwide we expect the STV Children’s Appeal to resonate far beyond Scotland.”

Optical Express will be supporting Lorraine Kelly’s Ceilidh Challenge.

David Moulsdale, Chairman and Chief Executive of Optical Express, said: “We are extremely proud to be increasing the support we provide to the STV Children’s Appeal. Being part of the STV Children’s Appeal is very important to Optical Express. We’ve been involved with the Appeal since it launched back in 2011 because we passionately believe that tackling child poverty in Scotland will help to ensure that young people have the best possible opportunities while growing up.

“We can’t wait to see Lorraine dance her way across the country and we look forward to undertaking our own fundraising challenges throughout our network of Optical Express clinics in Scotland.”

If you’re an individual or group that would like to get involved with Lorraine Kelly’s Ceilidhs in aid of the STV Children’s Appeal and help raise funds for children and young people living in poverty in Scotland, please get in touch with Ami Anderson on ami.anderson@stv.tv.

To support Lorraine’s fundraising challenge and make a donation to the STV Children’s Appeal, visit Lorraine’s JustGiving page on: justgiving.com/KellysCeilidh2015

North Edinburgh Arts looking for Board Members

Like to be at the heart of something good?

Leith’s darkest day: still time to see Quintinshill exhibition

Gretna Railway Disaster 22 May 1915

Leith Local History Society has produced an exhibition on the Quintinshill rail disaster in which 228 people – many of them soldiers from the local 7th (Leith) Battallion Royal Scots – lost their lives.

You can visit the exhibition at Ocean Terminal from noon – 5pm daily until 12 June. Admission is free.