Category: Pilton

Happy 15th Anniversary, NEN blog!

NEN PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BLOG POST ON THIS DAY IN 2011

The very first NEN blog post was published on this day in 2011. The post read:

Hello, and welcome to the brand new NEN blog.

For those of you not already familiar with the newspaper, we are a local community paper serving the North Edinburgh community. We’ve been here for over thirty years.

This blog, along with our new Facebook page and Twitter stream, represents our first foray into the world of social media.  We really want to encourage more participation, more questions and ideas from the North Edinburgh community – both online and offline – and hope that these new tools will help us to do that.

We already have a good website, where you can always find the latest edition of the printed newspaper. The blog won’t be replacing that, but will instead be there to show people the latest news about the area, and also to help us cover the current funding crisis we are facing as an organisation.

Above all, we want to include your input on the blog – be it ideas for stories, comments, pictures and events. So get in touch!

The NEN’s website was sadly deleted when funding ceased but our social media presence continues on both Twitter and Facebook and the blog is still going strong with 10 – 12 posts daily.

2025 was the NEN blog’s busiest ever year with 36,000 visitors. As I write this we’ve published more than 38,000 posts – all of these remain accessible online – and we’re currently on a run of publishing on 2749 consecutive days.

When the NEN office in Crewe Road North closed much of the NEN archive material was lost, but thankfully some of our picture library was salvaged and can now be found at granton:hub (Madelvic House), where the volunteer archive team has also collated all remaining hard copies of the North Edinburgh News newspaper.

Hopefully, between the physical archive and the NEN blog, you can find all you need to know about our community’s rich history – and we’re adding to that history every day!

From Positive Destinations to Rising Star: How Josh Ward found his future at Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh Leisure is celebrating one of its own as Josh Ward, Swim Teacher at its iconic Leith Victoria Swim Centre, scooped the Rising Star Award at the recent Scottish Leisure Network Group Awards.

The Scottish Leisure Network Group (SLNG) is a not-for-profit organisation for leisure and sport providers in Scotland. Founded in 2003, its purpose is to help members, such as local authority leisure trusts and university sports departments, share best practices, provide industry guidance, and develop benchmarking processes.

Josh’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of opportunity.  Starting out on Edinburgh Leisure’s Positive Destinations programme – an employability initiative supporting young people from deprived areas – Josh faced significant challenges. Surrounded by negative influences and lacking financial support, his future could have taken a very different path.

Instead, Josh embraced the programme, earned his lifeguard qualification, and began his career as a Leisure Attendant.

Recognising the need to create a positive environment for himself, Josh made the brave decision to transfer to a venue further afield, away from peer pressure. That move marked a turning point.

With encouragement from his manager, Josh trained as a Swim Teacher, gaining his Scottish Swimming Teaching Qualification. Two years on, he’s not only thriving but inspiring others.

“Josh is a fantastic role model for our team and for the young people who come through our programmes,” said Louise Bathgate, Manager at Leith Victoria, who nominated him for the award.

“His journey shows what’s possible when someone is given the right support and opportunities. He’s passionate, committed, and always goes the extra mile for his swimmers and colleagues.

“Josh’s approach to swim teaching reflects the values of our organisation, creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-quality experiences for all his participants.  He is known for building strong relationships with children and adapting his teaching style to meet individual needs.

“He has played a key role in supporting both participants and less experienced staff, particularly through our Care-Experienced and Active Communities programmes. His patience and ability to connect with others make him a trusted and respected member within his team.”

One customer commented said “Josh is doing a great job running the Skills & Development and Master’s swim classes. He’s always friendly, encouraging, and brings great sets for us to swim. His feedback on technique has significantly improved my swim times.”

Josh’s success comes as sportscotland celebrates Role Models in Sport this December, highlighting individuals who inspire others to get active and achieve their potential. Josh embodies that spirit – from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a trusted and respected Swim Teacher who makes a real difference in his community, said Jack Martin, Coaching Workforce Manager at Edinburgh Leisure.

Edinburgh Leisure offers a range of career pathways, from entry-level roles to specialist coaching and teaching positions. Josh’s story is a powerful reminder that a career in leisure isn’t just a job – it can be life-changing.

Find out more about careers with Edinburgh Leisure at: 

www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/work-for-us

PEP Christmas Party: You’re Invited!

We’re excited to invite you to the PEPs Christmas Party!

📍 Queensberry Bowling Club

📅 Thurs 18 Dec 2025 | ⏰ 1–3.30pm

Free entry, meal, entertainment & gift included!

Transport available on request.

Get in touch to book your place-

☎️ 0131 315 4466 | 💌 hello@pepscot.org

Billy Fitzpatrick: Funeral Details

TUESDAY 21st OCTOBER

WARRISTON CREMATORIUM – LORIMER CHAPEL at 1pm

The funeral service for Billy Fitzpatrick will be held at Warriston Crematorium, Lorimer Chapel, on Tuesday 21st October at 1pm.

All are welcome, family flowers only.

Post service the wake will be held at Tanfield Bowling Club, Inverleith.

Kitchen upgrade for Pilton Retreat thanks to rugby charity Wooden Spoon

We would like to thank the Wooden Spoon Charity for their very generous funding towards the upgrade of our kitchen at Pilton Retreat in Ratho (writes LESLEY ROSS).

The kitchen has been well used over the years and was dated and in need of repair. This funding has transformed the kitchen.

It was officially opened on Friday by Roger Baird, former Scotland International rugby player.

What a great afternoon it was meeting members of the Wooden Spoon, talking about the work of MYDG and all the groups that visit and stay at Pilton Retreat.

It was a chance to showcase the facility and talk about the importance of the centre for children, young people and their families in particular those from the North Edinburgh area.

We spoke about the history of Pilton Retreat and we hope this afternoon has raised the profile of the centre – we have grown our contacts and partnership opportunities and the chance of more funding in the future from a range of sources.

What a great afternoon it was !!!.   

Lesley Ross (Manager Pilton Retreat)

OOR BILLY

BILLY FITZPATRICK HAS DIED AFTER A PERIOD OF ILL HEALTH

Billy’s family posted this very sad news on Facebook yesterday:

This morning he passed away at the Western General surrounded by loves ones.

He asked that friends, family, acquaintances, people from his beloved North Edinburgh, and old comrades were given the news when the time came, and in his own words he had a good kick at the baw.

When funeral arrangements are made we’ll update again, thanks x

A proud trade unionist and a popular local councillor who fought for his community, Billy went on to share his negotiating skills and vast experience when he retired from front-line party politics.

Billy supported a number of important community projects, including Granton Information Centre, Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (he chaired both of these long-established community organisations) and North Edinburgh Arts.

Proud ‘Roystoner’ Billy featured in the recent ‘Quiet Heroes‘ exhibition at Madelvic House granton:hub.

Billy wasn’t always so quiet – it’s fair to say that oor Billy could be passionate, fiery even, and he had his fair share of brushes with the Labour Party hierarchy! – but Royston’s very own Quiet Hero fought North Edinburgh’s corner loyally for over forty years.

A genuine working class community stalwart, they just don’t make politicians like Billy Fitzpatrick any more. And our communities, our cities and our country are all the poorer for that.

Farewell, Billy, my dear old Comrade. We shared many good times together, and some dreadful ones too. Throughout all that time, you never changed: loyal, steadfast and honest to the very end.

How we will miss you.