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.
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.
Wildflower Planting in East Pilton Park this Saturday 10.30-1 (11th October) with Granton Community Gardeners. Free, family friendly activity.
Join us to add wildflower seeds and spring bulbs to the long grass patches of East Pilton Park (around the new tree plantings).
As well as looking beautiful, we hope to improve the area for pollinators and also increase the number of invertebrates (insects and other wee bugs) for our local birds to eat.
We are particularly hoping to help increase the food supply for our nearby swift colony and this project goes hand in hand with plans we have to give the swifts more good local nesting sites by adding swift boxes to buildings.
Amazingly, the council’s ecologists have found that long grass areas can have as much as 90 times more life than short grass. Let’s add flowers to make them even better!
Join our girls’ only football sessions every Friday
For more information or to book into our Little Miss Kickers, Senior Miss Kickers or our Girls’ Only holiday camps, please use the link – https://scf.classforkids.io