Category: Pilton

Mixu Paatelainen unveiled as Spartans Sporting Director

The Spartans are delighted to welcome Mixu Paatelainen as their new Sporting Director, supporting our Men’s and Women’s senior teams and our Men’s Under 20 team.

70 times capped for his native Finland, Paatelainen takes up the new role at The Spartans where he will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise courtesy of a playing career spanning two decades, followed up by eighteen years in managerial roles on both a domestic and national arena.

Speaking of his decision to join The Spartans, Mixu Paatelainen said: “I’ve been very impressed how people go about things, how organised they are, how good the people who are in charge are, and their ambition.

“Everybody knows that Spartans is a community club who do a lot for the kids – boys and girls – which is fabulous. The facilities are fantastic and what struck me straight away is that people are very ambitious, they don’t want to be a League 2 club all the way, they want to go forward and do better, and it’s a wonderful club, wonderful people, so I want to be part of that.

“I will step on nobody’s toes, that’s for sure – I want to be a sounding board. I know some head coaches, when there’s a sporting director coming to a club for the first time, they might be alarmed and worry that people think they are not doing a good enough job. That is not the case here.  Dougie has done a fantastic job, there’s no question, and this is just another piece in the jigsaw. It’s as simple as that.

“We want to  try to make us stronger and hopefully improve us enough to take the next step.”

Chairman Craig Graham added, “Mixu’s appointment brings us so much expertise.  He will support me, my fellow Directors and all our coaches as we continue to grow and develop our club.  It’s a brilliant appointment for us.

“We are an ambitious club and the Mixu will help us drive forward all aspects of our strategic agenda.  After a hugely successful playing and managerial career Mixu now has a senior role in the UEFA Technical team and with the SFA in coach education.

“He is so passionate about football and to helping others develop, it’s such an exciting move for us.” 

North Edinburgh Community Festival Set to Shine!

West Pilton Park will come alive on Saturday, 17th May, from 12:00 to 5:30 PM, as the much-anticipated and award-winning North Edinburgh Community Festival enters its fourth year.

Known for its vibrancy, inclusivity, and celebration of local talent, this year’s festival promises to be bigger, brighter, and more colourful than ever before. With over 10,000 attendees expected, it’s an unmissable event for the entire community.

Festival Highlights

This year, the festival will host over 160 local organisations, charities, and community groups, offering a kaleidoscope of activities—from hair braiding and glitter tattoos to boxing and dodgeball, from live music programmed by Granton Youth and Tinderbox to dance performances and pop-up dance mobs from Edinburgh College, and from Edinburgh Fringe Festival street performers to North Edinburgh Arts for all things arts and crafts. 

North Edinburgh Arts and Imaginate have once again collaborated creating commissioned performances that will be performed by local children and young people from the North Edinburgh Youth Arts Collective.

As well as running their jam packed arts and crafts tent for families; their Art for Grown Ups, Arts & Dance and CREATE groups are all planning to join the festival parade en route as it passes by the Macmillan Hub. 

We’ll be hosting North Edinburgh’s very own ‘Crufts’ with our first ever ‘Scruffs’ Dog Show – with 6 categories to enter and prizes up for grabs including North Edinburgh’s waggiest tail!

This is hosted by Audrey Coltart of Branniffmhor Cockers, a seasoned professional in dog competitions, and a respected judge!

Whatever your interest, we’ve got it all!

The festival remains free to attend, with 90% of activities free of charge, ensuring accessibility for everyone. While food vans and items will be available for purchase, the festival aims to keep costs low for attendees.

Key Projects Spotlight

The North Edinburgh Community Festival will feature three major projects that celebrate local food, culture, diversity and artistic expression:

THE TATTIE PROJECT

  • Celebrating the humble potato, this collaborative initiative includes over 10 local organisations such as Lauriston Farm and R2. Residents will engage in activities like growing, harvesting, cooking, and distributing potatoes.
  • In the food demonstration tent, six local home cooks will share potato recipes from their cultures, highlighting the diversity of local cuisine.
  • Scran Academy and Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts will serve up 2,000 free hot baked potatoes with toppings, ensuring everyone gets a delicious taste of this staple food.
  • While we regret the absence of RRT this year due to budget cuts, we remain grateful for the 5,000 free meals they’ve provided at past festivals.

THE NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY CHOIR

A festival legacy project, the choir unites over 100 young people from Pirniehall, St. David’s, Forthview and Craigroyston Primary Schools and Craigroyston High School as well as Tinderbox Music Club to perform at the festival.

Earlier this year, these students had the opportunity to perform with international megastar Ed Sheeran alongside Tinderbox Orchestra at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. Their performance will include his hit song, Bad Habits!

THE FESTIVAL PARADE

Pulse of the Place, Edinburgh Carnival and Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival leads the way with the festival’s largest and most colourful parade yet.

Featuring vibrant costumes, masks, and performances, the parade will embody the theme of rainbows.

Starting at North Edinburgh Childcare, it’s a 1-mile journey into West Pilton Park. The parade departs NEC at 1030am and will reach the park at 12noon to kick off the festivities.

Expect up to 12 dance groups to bring the vibe.

Over 200 families and groups will participate including Oaklands School, LACAE and North Edinburgh Childcare.

Parade participants are welcome to join at the start or en route.

Entertainment Across Three Stages

This year, the festival will feature three unique stages:

  • Main Stage: Showcasing local community music groups and organisations such as Fischy Music, Ama-zing Harmonies, Tinderbox Tuesday Hub, Rhythms of India and Edinburgh Ukrainian Choir
  • Indoor Stage – North by North West: A platform for emerging young singers and bands including All the Wrong People, The Clamz, Bows and Bridges and Abigail Kerner
  • Carnival Stage: Hosting parade participants’ dazzling live performances including Passion 4 Fusion, Street Mash, Sol de Peru and Angie Disney’s Silent Disco!

The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and community spirit. Whether you’re attending for the music, activities, food, or simply to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, this event has something for everyone.

Join Us

When: Saturday, 17th May, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Where: West Pilton Park, Edinburgh
Cost: Free entry

Mark your calendars, bring your friends and family, and experience the magic of the North Edinburgh Community Festival! We can’t wait to see you there!

Ian Murray MP calls for action on dangerous use of E-Scooters and E-Bikes in Edinburgh 

Ian Murray MP has written to Angela Constance, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, demanding urgent action to tackle the misuse of e-scooters and e-bikes across South Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh South MP says he has been contacted by a growing number of concerned residents about the dangerous and antisocial use of these vehicles, which are often seen travelling at high speeds on pavements or tearing up grass in public parks like the Meadows. 

“People are telling me they feel unsafe in their own communities,” he said. “It’s not uncommon to see riders travelling far too fast, wearing masks, and using e-scooters or bikes that go well beyond the legal limits for power and speed.

“It’s putting pedestrians, especially older people and those with disabilities, at real risk. Many of these bikes are not even legal to use in Scotland due to being overpowered, yet they are sold with impunity, with many owners not even realising they own an illegal vehicle. While the recent arrests and action by Police Scotland is welcome, more needs to be done to solve this problem”. 

In his letter, Murray raises concerns that enforcement is not keeping pace with the growing problem. He’s asked what action the Scottish Government is taking to:

  • Improve enforcement and penalties against misuse;
  • Support police officers with updated guidance on pursuit;
  • Crack down on the sale of illegal high-powered vehicles;
  • Provide Edinburgh’s police force with the resources needed to respond following the record funding settlement given by the UK government in the last budget. 

Ian Murray added: “This isn’t about stopping people from using green transport – it’s about making sure it’s done safely. Local residents have had enough of the damage and danger caused by illegal and reckless use of these vehicles.

“Our Police do an amazing job, but after the announcement by the head of the Scottish Police Federation this week that there are ‘not enough’ officers to get a grip on crime, the Scottish Government needs to step in and work with the council and police to deal with this.”

On Friday, 25 April, 2025, officers in Edinburgh carried out a targeted initiative aimed at cracking down on the illegal use of off-road and electric bikes.

Uniformed and officers in plain clothes, road policing officers and specialist support officers, carried out patrols in the Roseburn Park, Cramond and Pilton areas in response to community concerns.

Officers received several reports of a bike being ridden by youths in and around the Marine Drive area. Officers attended and carried out enquiries, resulting in a 15-year-old male being arrested and charged in connection with theft and road traffic offences.

The bike, which had previously been reported stolen from Albert Street in Leith, was recovered. During this initiative a 23-year-old man driving a van in Pilton was issued with a fixed penalty notice for a road traffic offence.

Detective Sergeant Will Dickson, of the Community Investigation Unit, said: “We continue to respond to community concerns regarding antisocial behaviour and the illegal use of vehicles.

“Patrols using both uniform and plain clothes officers are ongoing to enforce road traffic laws, keep the public safe and deter those intent on causing damage or annoyance through the use of bikes.

“I would ask anyone who uses an off-road motorbike to use it safely and within the law.”

Anyone with concerns or information regarding this type of anti-social behaviour should contact Police Scotland via 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Drugs and firearms offences: Three arrested in Pilton

Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with drugs and firearms offences in Edinburgh.

Yesterday, Thursday 17 April, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Crewe Road Gardens.

Two men, aged 61 and 41, and a 17-year-old female, were arrested and charged. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Saturday, 19 April.

A number of weapons, including a firearm, and mobile phones were seized.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “I want to reassure the community that extensive enquiries are ongoing into this as part of our investigation into recent incidents in the East and West of the country.

“There will be a continued police presence in the area.

“If you have any information that can assist our investigation, please get in touch.”

GOOD GUT GRUB: New cooking group at Pilton Community Health Project

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE!

🍓
🍓

Good Gut Grub – Cooking Group 

🍓
🍓

Develop cooking skills and learn about eating well for good gut health. Join Edinburgh Community Food for their weekly sessions here at PCHP, starting 24th April.

Contact Megan to sign up:-
T: 0131 467 7326
E: megan.mcpherson@edinburghcommunityfood.org.uk

Police activity in Pilton

Following recent enforcement action in the West Pilton and Crewe areas, officers have been carrying out patrols and a letter drop with information on how to contact us or CrimeStoppers.

Tackling crime is a joint effort and relies on the support and confidence of the communities we work with day-in, day-out.

If you have concerns about something in your community, speak to officers or you can log it on the CrimeStoppers website completely anonymously at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

PYCP Easter Holiday Activities

🩷🧡💛 Our Easter Programme is here!! 💛🧡🩷

🐰From Next Week we will be running our Easter Programme, please read carefully as some groups and times are different from their usual!

🐥To attend, all children and young people must have a completed consent form – if you have done this from September 2024 you will be covered.

🌸Parents/Guardians will be contacted by staff to confirm spaces on trips, please do not send your child to a trip if you have not been spoken to as they will be unable to attend.

🍫PY Lunches will be on Mon-Fri during the two week holiday, NOT including Friday 18th and Monday 21st – These lunches are for children and young people only.

Still time to donate to Spartans Easter Egg Appeal

If you’re out this weekend doing a weekly shop, pop a wee “eggstra” Easter egg in your basket if you can, and donate to our Easter egg appeal .

Eggs will be given to our participants and local organisations.

You can drop off contributions at our office at Ainslie Park Stadium.

Football fundraiser set to score big for disability charity

Legends of the game unite to raise £20k for inclusive play and social spaces

A HIGHLY anticipated charity football match is set to bring together property professionals and football legends in a bid to raise £20,000 for an inclusive outdoor space.

The Big Match will take place on March 7th at Spartans Football Club in Edinburgh, with two rival teams – Residential United and Commercial City – going head-to-head to support Capability Scotland’s YouthZone project.

The event, organised by Steve Currie of estate agents Murray & Currie, will see former football stars Gordon Smith and Billy Davies manage the teams, with big-name player Darren Dods and former Hearts striker Gary Wales also taking part.

Funds raised from the match will go towards creating an outdoor play area for YouthZone, a lifeline service for disabled children and young people in Riccarton, Edinburgh. The group offers a safe space for socialisation, skills development, and play at weekends.

Steve Currie, Director at Murray & Currie, said: “The Big Match is all about bringing people together for a fantastic cause. The property sector is a competitive industry, so putting that energy into a friendly football rivalry makes for a great event.

“Knowing that every goal and every donation made helps build a safer, more inclusive space for children and young people at YouthZone is a huge motivator. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone supporting this initiative.”

The £20,000 target has the potential to benefit 65 children and 30 adults, helping them feel more included in their community while providing a safe and enjoyable space to gather.

Costs for the project have doubled due to unexpected issues, and so this funding will allow YouthZone to build a safer and more accessible outdoor space, complete with accessible play equipment and protective fencing.

Ailsa Wallace, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Capability Scotland, said: “This event will make an incredible difference to the lives of disabled children and young people.

“YouthZone is a place where they can relax, socialise, and have fun in a supportive environment, and the funds raised from The Big Match will help us enhance and protect this vital space.

“We’re hugely grateful to The Big Match for choosing us as their charity partner and to all the sponsors, players, and supporters making this event possible.”

Now in its third year, the match is backed by headline sponsors Shepherds and Graham & Sibbald, with Hummel donating kits and The Spartans Community Foundation providing the stadium, changing rooms, and referee, thanks to the generosity of Chris Kirby at Hummel and Dan Gerrard at Spartans.

Edinburgh’s property industry has rallied behind the event, with teams made up of players from Murray & Currie Property, Simpson Marwick, Ralph Sayer, Murray Developments, S1 Developments, VALTTI Paints, Hampden Bank, Handelsbanken, Thistle Property, AH&Co Accountants, Redpath Bruce, Square & Crescent, Melville Independent, Turcan Connell, Square Foot Media, and AMA Developments.

With excitement building, the event is expected to draw a strong crowd of supporters keen to cheer on their teams while making a meaningful difference.

Capability Scotland is a leading charity providing care, support and education to children and young people living with physical and intellectual disabilities, while supporting parents and caregivers through respite.

The charity has multiple outreaches all over Scotland to ensure young disabled people get the opportunities to grow and thrive.

To support The Big Match, and for more details, visit: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steven-currie-2?newPage=true

For more information on Capability Scotland, visit: https://www.capability.scot/

Birthlink Heritage Project: Do you remember No. 20?

As part of a lottery funded project to look at our heritage we’re keen to hear from anyone who lived in North Edinburgh in the 1990s and remembers the No. 20 drop in centre we operated under the name of Family Care.

If you need more information please let me know. 

Email: jenny.duffy@birthlink.org.uk

Web: www.birthlink.org.uk