Category: North Edinburgh News

Gunner no more

Slow pace of regeneration sees community pub close

gunner

Well today is a bad day for North Edinburgh, and in particular, Muirhouse, Pennywell, West Pilton and Drylaw. The Gunner has closed its doors for good (writes COLIN DUDGEON).

For a number of years now the punters have been getting less and less, and this has caused Maria & Johnny to finally close the doors. The Gunner is/was an institution in this community.

It was the favoured pub of many generations of families, my own included, and there are many folk who can claim ‘this is my pub’. Characters young and old have graced the dance floor and karaoke in the lounge. The pool tables had their hustlers, the darts board had their team for many years. Many local fitbaw teams made it their ‘home pitch’.

Say what you will about the Gunner – some people who have never been in it were quick to put it down – but it was the best boozer in town for many people.

Well done to Maria and Johnny for keeping it going for as long as they did. It wasn’t easy for them. With the ‘regeneration’ of Muirhouse & Pennywell dragging its arse, it was inevitable that the pub would take a big hit, and so it has proved.

The Gunner will be sadly missed.

gunner closed

 

Young drivers urged: pay attention and save lives

texting_driving_060815Between the 8 and 14 June Fire and Rescue Services across the UK are coming together to raise awareness of the dangers to young drivers of driving whilst distracted.

Driving can be dangerous – it requires our full attention at all times. Distracted drivers significantly increase their risk of causing an accident. A survey of 1,000 young people in the UK found that 62% had read a text whilst driving and 44% had sent one.

The campaign focuses on young drivers and passengers because although becoming distracted whilst driving is a significant risk for all drivers, when combined with the inexperience of a newly-qualified driver, it becomes an even more hazardous.

Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, Director of Prevention and Protection, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our crews are often called to the scene of road traffic collisions to release trapped people inside. Sadly, we far too often arrive to the scene of a tragedy.  In fact, road collisions are the biggest cause of death for young people aged between 15 and 19. This is why fire and rescue services are keen to raise awareness of the dangers to this group and help save lives.”

Activities that might draw our attention away from the road may include using a mobile phone, texting, and eating. Using in-vehicle technologies such as navigation systems can also be a source of distraction.

The campaign will also highlight how passengers can be a source of distraction and have an important role to play in helping the driver to be able to concentrate on driving safely.

For more information on staying safe on the roads, visit the

CFOA Road Safety Week website.

Chain reaction: Community rallies to support Forthview following bike thefts

Mackenzies serves up support for school hit by robbery

forthview

The Forthview Primary School community was devastated when their storage shed was broken into over a holiday weekend in May. Thieves stole bikes which had been borrowed to help teach pupils cycling proficiency, leaving the school facing a potential bill of one thousand pounds it could ill-afford to pay.

Forthview’s Tracey Berry said at the time: “Bikes that we had borrowed, so that Bill Stobie could teach bike ability to P6, have been stolen, along with footballs and gardening equipment. We are responsible for the bikes: it will cost us about £1000 to replace the them!

“Our fundraising is meant to be for outings and activities for Forthview children, not replacing things that thoughtless people have stolen. If you find one please hand it to the school – the more we find, the less money we have to pay out from the school funds.”

An appeal went out to trace the stolen bikes (see NEN blog ‘Forthview break-in: can you help trace bikes?, 11 May) – and the community response has been nothing short of remarkable!

Forthview head teacher Eileen Littlewood said: “Not only have parents, grandparents and their friends rallied to make donations for us, but a fairly new restaurant in Davidson’s Mains contacted us when they heard about the theft. They are very eager to support the community in any way they can and they offered to hold a fundraising night where staff and other people could come and enjoy a taster menu with wine for £30 a head.

“Staff who went along had a wonderful evening and the food was delicious. We enjoyed 8 courses and half a bottle of wine each. The cuisine was superb and at the end of the evening, Grant and Jamie who are the partners in the business gave us every penny back – £550!

“They did not even want to cover the costs of the food. We have been overwhelmed by their generosity. As one staff member said: ‘what a fundraiser – we made a lot of money, had a brilliant meal and wine as well!’Forthview FundraiserThe business in question is Mackenzies Restaurant and Bar in Davidson’s Mains, which opened under new management at the end of April. Mine hosts Grant and Jamie are local lads- from Granton and Wardieburn – and together with Grant’s partner Trisha pledged to help a local school in need.

The Mackenzies team’s tremendous support is greatly appreciated by all at Forthview – and they may just find that their generosity is reciprocated by a grateful community. Well done, Mackenzies!

PS: And the icing on the cake – a number of the missing bikes have been recovered too! 

 

 

Free Father’s Day fun at the Museum

Award-winning charity Dads Rock is taking over the Museum in Chambers Street again for a Father’s Day festival of  fun …

museum

Great News!…along with our friends we’re heading back to the National Museum of Scotland (Museum) for more free fun on Father’s Day (21 June)!

After the success of last year, we’re hoping lots of families will once more come along. It’s open to all members of the family.  It kicks off from 11am at the Chambers Street location.
See below for the programme of events, and let us know if you’ve any questions.  We look forward to seeing you there!
Fathers Day programme
The following people are running sessions for free, you can sign up on the day for activities:
Awesome Folk (Folk), Bookbug (bookbug), British Science Association (Science), Ceilidhkids (Ceilidh), Dads Rock (dads), Dads Rock Academy (academy), Easy Peasy Yoga (peasy), Edinburgh Sketcher (sketcher), Macastory (mac), Niki’s Balloons, Plant ‘n’ grow (grow), Step it up Dance (dance), Talking Tots (talk) and WHALE (whale)
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of time-travel with loads of free activities from the past, present and future!
DR logo flat FINAL

Women urged to get on their bikes to support people affected by cancer

cycletta cheering

Macmillan Cancer Support is calling on women in Edinburgh to sign up and take part in Scotland’s biggest women only bike ride. This year the Macmillan Cycletta Scotland returns to Scone Palace, near Perth, on Sunday 19 July and as the event’s official charity partner Macmillan hopes to raise much needed funds to support people locally affected by cancer.

Macmillan Cycletta is the UK’s leading series of women only bike rides. Taking place on marshalled country roads, with distances of 20, 50, 100 and 150km to choose from at Scone, it’s a fabulous day out and a great chance for women to get together.

There are medical, mechanical and treat stops along the route, a Recovery Zone at the finish, and lots for supporters to see and do in the grounds of Scone Palace where parking is free. The day’s fun also includes the LittleLife Scootathlon, a mini fun triathlon for children aged 4 – 8.

Edinburgh Fundraising Manager, Jayne Forbes said: “Macmillan believes that nobody should face cancer alone and that’s why we’re calling on all women to join Team Macmillan and help us raise as much money as possible at this year’s Cycletta Scotland. Whether you haven’t ridden a bike for years or you’re a keen cyclist who’s excited by the new 150km distance, there’s something challenging but achievable for everyone and the stunning Perthshire countryside makes this a wonderful route for all abilities.

“Macmillan is delighted to be the official charity partner of Cycletta and we look forward to welcoming Team Macmillan cyclists as they take part in this fabulous event, encouraging more women to take up cycling.”

There are still places available for Cycletta Scotland, just visit www.macmillan.org.uk/cyclettascotland to register.

The entry fee isn’t included in fundraising so remember to say “yes” to join Team Macmillan when you register to receive your Cycletta fundraising pack and training guide so that you can  help change the lives of people affected by cancer.

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Happy birthday, city libraries!

Edinburgh’s library service began 125 years ago today

Lego birthday cake 1

Edinburgh’s library service is celebrating its 125th birthday by serving up a feast of special events to mark the landmark anniversary.

A big birthday bash, readings by children’s authors, a rare glimpse of Japanese art and a debate on the future of libraries are all examples of the packed programme of events taking place this month.

The Central Library was the first to open in the Capital to the public on June 9th, 1890, and now a total of 28 across the city welcome 3.4 million visitors each year.Old Central library

Lord Roseberry officially opened it after previous attempts to set up a free public service failed as it would “put an unnecessary burden on the ratepayers”!

Andrew Carnegie offered £50,000 to establish the iconic library on George IV Bridge and less than a year later he laid the foundation stone. 

In the space of 15 years, Edinburgh opened a substantial number of branches in the north, south, east and west districts, as well as a library in Portobello Town Hall.

The Council has continued to invest in new buildings in the 21st century, with a new library for Muirhouse in 2000 and the most recent community hubs opened in Drumbrae and Craigmillar in 2012.

Recent upgrades have been carried out at Stockbridge, Leith, McDonald Road, Morningside and Central.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Libraries have been serving the people of Edinburgh for well over a century and I’m delighted to be part of the birthday celebrations.

“Our library team can keep a large group of toddlers entertained at Bookbug sessions, support the ever-changing population of Edinburgh through community language collections, help people to get connected digitally, and also open up a world of heritage, history and information. I’d like to thank staff for all of their hard and imaginative work.

“There’s a wealth of information and services mainly for free at our fingertips through libraries – support your local branch by keeping them going for at least another 125 years by paying a visit today.”

Edinburgh’s libraries – something to shout about!

Crumbs! PCHP cake will put North Edinburgh on the map!

cake mapbeingbuilt

Pilton Community Health Project will be producing a cake to highlight the best of North Edinburgh as part of this month’s Edinburgh’s Cake Fest – and they could use your help!

PCHP’s Community Development Manager Anita Aggarwal explained: “We are delighted to have been asked to contribute a cake to Cake Fest – they are building a map of Edinburgh made in cake!

“A master cake decorator (a member of the Sugarcraft Guild) will be with us on Thursday 18 June from 9.30am – 1pm to help us decorate our cake, which will be our building and a community garden – hopefully decorated with symbols and figures that represent the best of the area.

“Drop in anytime between 9.30 and 1 to contribute to the cake which will be displayed at the Botanics. Let us know if you need a creche.”

“You can see all the entire map of Edinburgh made from cake at the Botanic Gardens on Sunday 21 June – its all free and the cake will be shared around from 5pm.”

And what exactly is Cake Fest Edinburgh? Well, it’s part of The Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015 events and, simply put, it’s a free day of cake, entertainment and Scotland’s best food and drink!

Sunday 21 June 2015 is Midsummer’s Day, and on Inverleith House lawn in the Botanic Gardens, Cake Fest Edinburgh will build a giant edible map of the city including over 50 magnificent landmark buildings in cake! Join us to witness this marvel, explore the gardens and sample delicious local produce.

There’s street food and a producer’s market from 10am and throughout the afternoon there will be workshops for the kids and free entertainment all day and evening long. From midday, the cake map will be assembled – careful, now! – and by 5pm the cake map will be complete …

Once the cake map is complete it will be left for all to admire whilst each baking team casts its vote for the Bakers Choice cake. Shortly after 5pm the winner will be announced by a very special guest – and bakers will then be invited onto the map to cut up their cakes to share with onlookers, all for free!

cakefest logo

This event is for all the family and free to attend. For further information visit http://edinburgh.cakefest.org.uk/

Don’t stop believin’!

Congratulations to Craigroyston Primary School choir

cps Glee

Craigroyston Primary School children flew the flag for North Edinburgh at The Assembly Rooms in George Street when they took part in the inaugural Edinburgh Glee Challenge last week.

The Frisson Foundation charity’s vision is to get every primary school child in Scotland singing, and back in 2013 they held their first GLEE event in Fife. Glee has been a real phenomenon and the event proved a huge success. Since then the idea has continued to grow in popularity and last week’s competition was the first event to be staged in the capital.

Craigroyston’s young singers warmed up for the event at the opening of the school’s popular art exhibition at North Edinburgh Arts – where they performed brilliantly without a backing track!

Joining Craigroyston at the event were Bun-Sgoil Taobh Na Pairce, Carrick Knowe Primary School, Clovenstone Primary School and Clermiston Primary School, and after some excellent performances Clermiston were crowned champions.

Congratulations to Clermiston, but well done too to Craigroyston and all the other participants. No doubt they’ll be joined by a few more next year – don’t stop believin’!

For more information on the charity – www.frissonfoundation.org.uk