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Granton youth production’s on the Fringe

Granton Youth Theatre will be performing their powerful production ‘Just Like Everybody Else’ at the Holyrood Road’s Bongo Club this weekend.

The drama was devised and developed by Granton Youth Centre participants and the group’s performance was highly praised when ‘Just Like Everybody Else’ premiered at North Edinburgh Arts Centre in April.

Jut Like Everybody Else can be seen at The Bongo Club, Holyrood Road on Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm. Tickets are only available at the venue box office or through www.thebongoclub.co.uk . The performance is suuitable for ages 12+.

Spain stunned in Olympics upset

 Japan defied the odds and beat a much-fancied Spain 1-0 at Hampden Park yesterday. The Japanese were helped by a first half dismissal but the victory could have been even more emphatic. 

Spain started the game as one of the favourites to win Olympic gold, and starting with a team that included David De Gea, Juan Mata and Jordi Alba in the line up you could see why.

However straight from kick off it was clear that Japan were not there simply to make up the numbers – they were much the sharper of the two teams and more than matched their illustrious opponents in the skill department too.

In a fairly even first half it was Japan who made the breakthrough when Spain’s failure to deal with a routine corner cost them dear. Ogihara’s corner found the unmarked Yuki Otsu who outmuscled a powder-puff challenge from Montoya and coolly slotted home.

Spain’s plight was made worse just minutes from half-time when Martinez was sent off and there was no way back for the Spaniards in the second half.

The Japanese missed a hatload of chances in the second half and only some great goalkeeping and poor finishing denied Japan a winning margin of five or six goals – and that would not have flattered Japan.

A crowd of 37, 726 watched the match, and if many had come along to see the Spanish stars in action many will have left as ardent Japan supporters – the neutrals were won over and certainly got behind the Sumurai Blue during the course of the game!

Childcare consultation launched in North Edinburgh

The best package of flexible childcare in the UK, designed to make it easier for parents to access work, education or training is the cornerstone of new legislation, Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell said today. The Minister was speaking as she launched a consultation on the forthcoming Children and Young People Bill at North Edinburgh Childcare in Pilton this morning.

The proposed legislation will help parents structure their childcare to best suit their family’s needs as well as:

  • Increasing the amount of flexible, early learning and childcare to a minimum of 600 hours annually for three and four year olds and looked after two year olds
  • Embedding the Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) approach in a single system of planning and delivery across children’s services
  • A requirement for public bodies to design, plan and deliver policies and services that focus on improving children and young people’s wellbeing
  • Improving Scotland’s care system to ensure it offers effective, efficient support for children and families, centred on short and long term needs

Ms Campbell said: “The Scottish Government’s vision for children and young people is clear: we want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up.

“As part of this new Bill, I want to put in place the best and most flexible package of family support in the UK to help Scotland’s parents, children and our wider economy.

“This legislation will boost our ongoing efforts to strengthen the rights of the child, making Scotland a nation where the rights of children and young people are not only recognised but rooted deeply in our society and across our public services.

”We have a huge opportunity to make the most important changes to public services in a generation and I encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation and the wider debate on the future of children’s rights and services in our country.”

The consultation on the Children and Young People Bill runs for 12 weeks with the deadline for submissions being September 25. It will provide an opportunity for stakeholders, professionals, parents and carers and children and young people to have their say on the future shape of children’s services and the Scottish Government’s approach to delivering change.

Youth Music Initiative to launch at North Edinburgh Arts

On Thursday 28th June 7-8.30pm, North Edinburgh Arts is hosting an urban music event for young  people 12 and over. This will launch the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) Demo Fund  projects and highlight other music opportunities happening in the centre. The  scheme will give young musicians and bands the chance to record demos in the  studio absolutely free.

Creative Scotland’s YMI Demo Fund, supported by the Cashback for Communities proceeds  from crime money helps young musicians working independently by giving them  access to professional sound recording facilities enabling them to record a  professional demo. This is North Edinburgh Arts second Demo Fund project and we  hope to build on the successes of last year by engaging a whole new group of  budding musicians and songwriters.

From 7 – 7.30pm, Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG) will host the first part  of the evening with drinks and refreshments served by our young café volunteers.  There will be lots of activities on offer and a live performance by South  African singer/songwriter Rosita Rhodes. From 7.30pm the internationally  acclaimed Tiako Drummers, Patrick Walker (Forward Strategy Group) Jay Cash  (Grime & Dub-step) and Danny Ladwa (Beat Boxer) will perform. All of these  musicians will be involved with aspects of the Demo Fund and other music  projects in North Edinburgh Arts. We hope this dynamic line-up will inspire and  encourage our local young people to get involved.

David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager at Creative Scotland, said; ‘The  creative strand of the CashBack programme has allowed eighteen recording studios  across the country to open their doors to our young musicians, giving them  access to professional standard recording facilities. Creative Identities also  supports high quality dance and film projects throughout the country.  The  Cashback for Communities initiative has enabled us to re-invests the proceeds of  crime back into communities to make a real difference to the lives of our young  people’.

For more information on this or other projects please go to our  website at www.northedinburgharts.co.uk or email marketing@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Letter: Better Together?

Dear Editor

I do not vote for any of the major political parties. It was interesting to read about the Scottish Labour MSPs joining up with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to promote the “Better Together” campaign about the Independence vote due to take place in 2014. Here we have the main leaders of political parties in Scotland – Johann Lamont, Willie Rennie and Ruth Davidson spearheaded by Alistair Darling – trying to convince the Scottish electorate that Scotland would be better as part of the UK Union.

We are all aware that Scotland has only one Tory MP who sits in the Westminster Government, so do the Conservatives really have a mandate in Scotland? Are we “Better Together” while the Tories make their immoral and unfair cuts to welfare reforms, pensions and the health service? Are we “Better Together” when the English governments lead us into illegal wars?

We have an English chancellor who has made so many u turns in his budget since it was announced. George Osbourne has also threatened Scotland that, should they vote for independence, we will not be able to use the pound sterling. Then again he may do yet another u turn on that decision!

At the launch of the “Better Together” campaign we saw around forty Scots who have little to do with politics support the campaign. Does this handful of people speak for the whole Scottish nation?

The SNP have informed the nation that the Queen would still be head of state should Scotland vote for independence. If this occurs, should there not be a vote by the Scottish people who we should have as head of state? The Queen’s title is Elizabeth II of England – not Scotland, Ireland or Great Britain.

Do not forget the terrible Poll Tax that the English Tories endorsed in Scotland during the Thatcher years and was only withdrawn when it was imposed in England after riots on the streets of London. How can the Scots forget the closure of all the industries in Scotland due to Tory rule? During that time Labour and other political parties were urging our nation never to trust them (the Tories) again. Now here we have the Scottish Labour Party trying to convince the electorate that we are “Better Together” in the United Kingdom! Better for who? Their own political careers!

Do not underestimate the Scottish electorate by trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Remember the SNP were elected by a big majority at the last Scottish Election. The LibDems were annihilated at the recent council elections due to their national policy of “jumping into bed with the Tories”. I await the forthcoming debates with bated breath.

Anna Hutchison

What do you think? Better together or apart? Would it make any difference? Do you care? Will you vote in the referendum? Let us know!

Muirhouse Centipede’s going green!

From potty planters and community barbeques to picture competitions and labyrinth mazes … Linda Dunbar gives an update on the Centipede Project …
A multi agency Steering Group has been formed which includes representatives from St Paul’s RC, North Edinburgh Arts, Fable Vision (Govan) and Link Up – and we are hopeful the representation will get wider.
We now have a plan of activities for the next nine months, kicking off with a Peculiar Planter Competition! We are looking for folk to bring along a potted plant (or plants) to the West Pilton and Muirhouse Gala on 26 August – but for the planters to be more than your bog standard terracotta pot – as the title suggests – the dafter the better! We want folk to write a few lines on a postcard, explaining their planter, or naming their planter, or telling up why they chose it. We will be working with local schools, nursing homes and community groups to ensure a big entry to the competition.
For those who are struggling for ideas, there will also be a chance to ‘plant up’ at the free Community BBQ and Summer Fair that will be held in Muirhouse St Andrew’s Parish Church the day before, Saturday 25th from 11am – 1pm. This will be the third year that Muirhouse have hosted a FREE community BBQ, but this year it will be enhanced by peculiar planters and summer fair stalls! Judging of the planters will take place during the Gala Day and prizes will be announced at 3.30pm.
This is just the start of a big programme of events – all made possible through Pilot Project Funding from the Parish Development Fund of the Church of Scotland. Also in the pipeline are:
‘A Time for Peace’ – a chance to step back and reflect on the peaceful sites within the Muirhouse and west Pilton Area – hosted by North Edinburgh Arts some time in October/November – date to be confirmed
12/12/12 Photo competition – take a digital photograph some time during the 24 hours of 12/12/12 that depicts one of the Advent themes of ‘love’, ‘joy’, hope’ or ‘peace’. In mid-late January there will be a display of the winning entries, again hosted by North Edinburgh Arts – date to be confirmed
Running over autumn and winter we will be engaging a community artist to design something ‘big and beautiful and spectacular’ in flowers or bulbs which we hope to work with the council in identifying one of the brown field sites within the Muirhouse area, to plant up (with the help of the community) and wait and watch for the grand display blooming in the spring.
In the church gardens, and elsewhere if we can identify suitable sites, we are going to install a labyrinth maze – we also hope to install small sensory/peace gardens at two or three sites in the area.
So – you can see the Centipede has got its boots on!
Folks can check out updates on Facebook’s Marvellous Muirhouse Page, and on www.centipedeproject.co.uk
Linda Dunbar

Inverleith Summer Programme

It’s the last week of school before the holidays, and partners in Inverleith are making sure tha there will be lots of fun activities for children and young people to enjoy during the long summer break – whatever the weather!

From fishing for fun, gymnastics and drama workshops to cheerleading, dance school and rafting there’s something to keep eeveryone amused, at venues close to home like Ravelston, Inverleith and King George V parks to further flung places like Glentress, Aberfeldy and Dalkeith.

Make the most of summer by taking advantage of Inverleith’s youth activities programme – call Ann at Broughton Community Learning and Development office on 332 6316, email ann.brown@ea.edin.sch.uk for information.

Inverleith Summer Programme