‘The Spartans FC Head Coach Douglas Samuel has gone on extended leave with immediate effect.
‘Sporting Director Mixu Paatelainen will support the coaching team while Douglas is on leave.’
The Spartans: Club Statement
Category: Pilton
North Edinburgh young people invite the community to their charity football match
Spartans Alternative School are organising a charity event we for the local community:
On Friday 2nd October 2026, we are hosting a charity football match at Spartans, with students taking on staff, and we would love to see families, young people and community groups from across North Edinburgh come along and support us.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
Friday 2nd October 2026
Gates open: 1:00pm
Kick-off: 1:30pm
Entry: £5 per person
The event is raising money for Therapet, a charity that is particularly important to us.
We have four therapy dogs who regularly support young people at the Alternative School, and we get so much from the time we spend with them.
They provide companionship, support and positive experiences for many of us, so this year we wanted to give something back to a service that has given so much to us.
The afternoon will be family-friendly, with lots happening alongside the football:
Bake sale
Raffle
Tombola
Ice cream
Therapy dogs
Half-time performer – to be announced Students vs Staff football match
…and much more!
All money raised will go to Therapet.
What makes this event particularly special is that it has been planned, organised and will be delivered by us — the young people.
For the past six years, as part of our Art sessions and social enterprise work, we have organised a wide range of events, including art exhibitions at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, art pop-up shops, DJ events and previous charity football matches.
Through these events, we have raised approximately £8,000 for a variety of charities and community causes.
With support from our Art Teacher, we take responsibility for the different parts of our projects — from coming up with ideas and planning, to promotion, fundraising, activities and helping to run the events themselves.
This year, we really want to open the event up to our local community and invite the people of North Edinburgh to come along, have some fun and get behind the young people.
For us, this isn’t just about football or fundraising. It’s about young people coming together, developing skills, creating something positive and finding ways to give something back to the community that we are part of.
You can follow our social enterprise journey and see some of the work we have been doing through our Art Offenders Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/theartoffenders
We hope you might be able to help us spread the word and encourage people from across North Edinburgh to come along on 2nd October.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our project and for supporting local community stories and initiatives.
We hope to see you there!
Best wishes,
The Young People of Spartans Alternative School
Spartans charity event raises £222,000
ANNUAL DINNER AT PRESTONFIELD HOUSE NETS MASSIVE TOTAL
Wow 
. A truly incredible amount raised at our annual dinner last night 
We are bowled over by everyone’s generosity and hard work THANK YOU
Meet new friends at PEP
Are you, a family member, carer or neighbour looking for somewhere friendly to go during the week?
At PEP, our weekly groups are all about meeting people, having fun, enjoying lunch and taking part in activities in a friendly, welcoming environment.
There’s something happening Monday to Saturday:
Lunch and activities are provided.
Sessions are just £4, with an additional £1.50 if transport is required.
If you know someone who would benefit from company, activities, a hot lunch and a reason to get out and about, please share this post or get in touch with us. 
Come along, meet the PEP community and make some new friends!
PEP Centre
3 West Pilton Park
Edinburgh
EH4 4EL
0131 315 4466
hello@pepscot.org
Donald McDonald: Funeral Details
WARRISTON CREMATORIUM – FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER at 2.30pm
Community activist Donald McDonald’s funeral will take place at Warriston on Friday 11 September at 2.30pm.
ODE TO DONALD
Donald McDonald, what can we say?
He’s been involved in this community
in every single way
supporting local groups,
listening to what they say,
providing support for
our buses, trains and boats.
He’s lived in Granton all his life
knows the area and all its strifes.
He’s always fought for local people
doesn’t ask for recognition,
questions all our Councillors’ decisions.
The community centre is his pride,
through the years, watching funding slip away
he battled on no matter what.
We realise that the war’s not done,
but his spirit has never broken.
Three cheers for Donald for all the times he’s spoken.
Donald we are all so proud of you
And how you’ve coped with your trials and tribulations.
The time has come to accept your knowledge,
the centre will now have a room called
The Donald McDonald
to thank you for your time and toils
You will never be forgotten.
Poem by Anna Hutchison
Thanks to Lynn McCabe for supplying this information.
PYCP: The return of Chat and Chill!
We’re delighted to let you know that our popular Chat and Chill sessions are returning.
No sign up required. Just pop in on Wednesday’s between 12noon and 1.30pm from 9th September for some lunch and a chat 
Children under 5 are welcome but they must be supervised at all times.
We look forward to seeing you all in 2 weeks.
#Chat&Chill
PYCP: New term programme
PY is back! We’ve had a nice break but are ready to see everyone again!
Have a look at our new term programme, you might notice some changes 
We have a few new groups starting up, they won’t begin just yet (we’ll let you know when they do) but in the meantime our usual clubs will be back on.
Make sure you’re attending the right group for your age, and as always all children/young people need to complete a new consent form to join us.
Local man joins Hibernian board
Hibernian FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of long-standing associate of the Club and lifelong Hibs supporter – Jim Brydon – to the Board of Directors.
Jim joins the Board as a Non-Executive Director, having worked closely with the Club for more than 20 years as a business associate.
Owner of JB Contracts (Scotland) Limited, West Pilton-born Jim has an established relationship with Hibernian, having supported the Club on a number of key projects, including the redevelopment of the Hibernian Training Centre, the renovation of Easter Road Stadium and various other facilities management and development projects over the years.
His involvement with Hibs extends well beyond his professional relationship with the Club. Jim was one of the early members involved in establishing Club 86 and has continued to contribute to and support the revamped Hibs Kids initiative over the years.
He was also been a long-standing member of various Hibernian FC supporters’ groups including The Stanton Branch and The Carlton Branch, whilst contributing funds to support the Hibernian Community Foundation’s charitable work across Leith and the surrounding areas of Edinburgh.
Jim also organised many Hampden trips from Silverknowes Golf Club – including the most memorable one of all on 21 May 2016!
Football-daft Jim has also coached youth teams for many years at Broughton Boys and then at Spartans Community Foundation.
Jim is also the younger brother of Hearts saviour Ann Budge, who rescued the Tynecastle club from imminent closure in 2014.
Hibernian FC Chairman Ian Gordon said: “I am delighted to be able to bring Jim onto the Board. He has a brilliant knowledge and understanding of the Club, and he knows what Hibs means to our supporters and the community.
“Since my family came to the Club, Jim was one of the first people who welcomed us to Edinburgh and has supported us all the way through. He is an incredibly loyal and trustworthy individual and is already intertwined with everyone at the Club, so it was an easy decision to invite him onto the Board.
“He has been involved in many key projects, developments and milestones throughout his time following the Club, and he will bring with him a vast range of local knowledge, experience and expertise to the Board.”
Jim Brydon, Non-Executive Director at Hibernian FC, added: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity and to be invited onto the Board here at Hibs.
“Everyone who knows me knows that Hibs is an incredibly special Club for me, so when Ian approached me, I was honoured to accept the invitation.
“I will do my best to contribute ideas and offer my experience, opinion and guidance where required. This is an exciting time for the Football Club, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Jim is the latest addition to the Hibernian FC Board of Directors, which now includes:
- Ian Gordon, Executive Chairman
- Dan Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
- Kathrin Hamilton, Non-Executive Director
- Malcolm McPherson, Non-Executive Director
- Leslie Robb, Non-Executive Director
- Colin Gordon, Non-Executive Director
- Jim Brydon, Non-Executive Director
Crewe Toll Roundabout resurfacing to start on Monday
TRAFFIC DISRUPTION LIKELY FOR TWELVE WEEKS
MAJOR WORKS TO CREWE TOLL ROUNDABOUT 
Local Lib Dem councillors report: We’ve been alerted to major works to resurface the Crewe Toll roundabout and upgrade the pedestrian crossings.
The project will start on Monday 17th August and last for approximately 12 weeks.
The works will be completed via overnight shifts (between 7.30pm and 6.30am) but will require temporary closures of Crewe Road South, Crewe Road North, or the Ferry Road West approach.
Only one of these approaches will be closed at any one time.
Phase 1 will start with the closure of Crewe Road South at its junction with the Crewe Toll Roundabout. During these temporary road closures, traffic on the remaining four approaches will be managed via temporary traffic lights.
A signed diversion route will be in place for each of the closed approaches.
Registration open for Community Flow yoga class at Pilton Community Health Project
Registration is now open for PCHP’s Community Flow Yoga Class which will start back on Thursday the 20th of August 1pm – 2pm.
These afternoon classes are open to all women, no experience needed.
Spaces are limited due to room size, please email me ASAP if you’re able to commit to coming along on a regular basis.
Maximum per class is 4
Please contact; julesryan@pchp.org.uk or pop along to PCHP and have a chat.