SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY from 11 – 5 at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
2025 North Edinburgh Film Festival – don’t miss this family-friendly celebration of film and community stories!
Presented by Screen Education Edinburgh and North Edinburgh Arts, this year’s NEFF brings a diverse programme of over 30 films – from powerful local stories to short animations and global perspectives.
Saturday 22 February 2025, 11am-5pm
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Free event
Highlights include:
Films from North Edinburgh – stories made by the community, for the community
Global shorts & animations, from near and far
Special performance by Curious Seed, featuring films by local artists and Craigroyston Community High School pupils
Workshops for aspiring filmmakers of all ages
The day also includes film installations and free food for attendees and wraps up with a screening of eight new locally made films. There’s plenty to explore so come and join us!
THE NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY TURNED OUT IN FORCE TO SAY A FINAL GOODBYE TO BETTY McVAY THIS WEEK:
I first met Betty back in the 1980s. I can’t remember what the details now, it was such a long time ago, but it was something to do with Drylaw Telford Community Council, Pilton Sporting Club and Pilton Central Association. What I do remember was some advice from PCA’s development worker, who helpfully warned me: “Betty’s bark is worse than her bite”.
I received quite a grilling from the feisty wee wifey who was Betty McVay that day. Fortunately she didn’t actually bite me, and while her bark was certainly sharp enough, I did survive the ordeal.
That first encounter was the first of so many over the forty-odd years that followed, and I found that her initial suspicion and mistrust was built on years of community experience. Betty was scathing of ‘incomers’, projects and community workers being ‘parachuted in to help the poor people’.
Maybe because we shared a common background, both born and raised in the Old Town, we developed a bond and a trust that grew over the years.
Betty could be painfully forthright about many things and many people. Woe betide any worker or politician who tried to soft soap Betty: sometimes I would wince when she turned her withering fire on some hapless individual or other along with a steely stare that would curdle milk!
The wrath of Betty was a force to behold, but there was another softer, gentler side to her too. She was fiercely supportive of causes she believed in and was a loyal friend to so many individuals and organisations it would take just too long to list.
I felt really privileged to receive an invitaion to attend Betty’s 80th birthday party at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre – it was as if I had made it at last and finally accepted into Betty’s ‘circle of trust’ after all these years!
I worked with and learned from Betty in a number of organisations and campaigns over all those years: initially through the Pilton Partnership and Greater Pilton Community Alliance – the ground-breaking initiative to break down barriers between North Edinburgh’s individual communities and work together as one to tackle poverty.
I remember I interviewed Betty when she was awarded an MBE for her service to communities – ‘Arise, Oor Betty’ was the headline on our front page splash!
Then there was the Edinburgh Community Representatives Network, joining forces with other communities to challenge the inequities of the (unfair) Fairer Scotland Fund. We lost that fight, but Betty had many successes too – the jewel in the crown being the establishment of her beloved North Edinburgh Childcare Centre.
In later years, when Betty was supposed to be slowing down after a health scare, I worked with her through Community Action North to organise an Older People’s event as a final activity to wind down Pilton Central Association.
I would schedule an hour for those planning meetings, which we held at North Edinburgh Arts – but that was never going to happen! The agenda quickly went out the window and Betty embarked on a roller coaster of stories and recollections, barely pausing for breath and covering a spectrum of local, national and even international characters and events spanning half a century and more! We did find the odd ten minutes to discuss the event we were supposed to be planning, though!
It was never easy to make sense of my notes after these marathon sessions, but the Older People’s event did take place eventually and it was a great success!
And even in those final years, right up to the end, it was always a joy to spend time with her, especially when there was a wee spark of the old venom: she may have mellowed, but Betty was still Betty! Biting back, right to the end.
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 are anxious about debt or struggling to keep on top of bills, you are definitely not alone! Rising costs in energy, groceries and fuel has resulted in lots of people struggling to cope.
Granton Information Centre is here to help you with free, confidential, and impartial advice. If you would like to make an appointment with one of our advisers, please get in touch on 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 or email appointments@gic.org.uk
I was very sad this weekend to read in the The NEN North Edinburgh News about the passing of one of North Edinburgh’s most inspiring and remarkable residents on Friday, Betty McVay MBE (writes BEN MacPHERSON MSP).
As the NEN has stated, “legend” is an over used word but Betty absolutely was one.
As a founder of North Edinburgh Childcare and a prolific and impactful community activist and leader, the positive different she made for others is rightly legendary and spans over decades.
“I had the privilege in recent years to see her every month, after my help and advice surgeries at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre where she helped to run a lunch club for local elderly folk to come together, helping others as she did for so many years.
She always had things to bring to my attention, thoughts on politics to share, and funny stories for us to laugh about. I will really miss her and feel very grateful to have known her.
My thoughts are with Betty’s family, her dear friend Franny (Durie – Ed.) and all who were close to her.
Thank you for all you did to make things better Betty and bless you – RIP.
We’re so excited to welcome everyone back to our groups next week!
All our groups are back from Monday 13th of January – remember if you are new to us or have not completed a consent form since before September 2024 then you need to collect one to come along!
Also please pay attention to the age of the groups as some of them have changed! Any questions, give us a call or pop by and we are happy to help
I AM VERY SAD TO PASS ON THE NEWS THAT CELEBRATED NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNER BETTY McVAY PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY (10.1.25)
Betty’s family broke the news in a Facebook post last night:
It’s with a heavy heart that the McVay family share that our much loved Mum, Grandma, and Great Grandma, Betty, passed away peacefully this morning after a short illness. We will all miss her very much.
‘LEGEND’ is an over-used word, but I can’t think of a better one to sum up the remarkable wee wifey from West Pilton.
I will add further comment later, but for the moment I pass on my heartfelt condolences to Betty’s family and friends.
Global pop superstar and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran wowed children and young people in North Edinburgh today with a surprise visit to local music initiative, Tinderbox Collective.
The secret visit formed part of the launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, a new music education initiative setting out to support and develop young talent and make music accessible to all.
During his visit, EdSheeran stunned a local youth club at Muirhouse Library, where he joined a group of young people trying out different instruments, and chatted to them about his journey, offering tips to aspiring musicians.
Maxwell from Craigroyston High School said: ““We were absolutely shocked. I’ve always admired Ed Sheeran and the way he sings and his music. I want to do music and now I feel even more motivated.”
A member of the Tinderbox Collective, Anno said: “Unbelievable. I really like Ed and I listen to his music. Just to see him right now is amazing. Crazy. Inspiring.”
Muirhouse Library was the first of Scotland’s “We Make Music Instrument Libraries”– an initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book.
The initiative was established by Tinderbox Collective in partnership with Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group and has since spread to over 30 libraries in 12 local authorities across Scotland.
The ambition to spread this as widely as possible across the country continues, and other libraries or library services interested in joining this programme and offering instruments as part of their service should get in touch.
Ed then joined a 100-piece choir at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre made up of pupils from Forthview Primary School, Craigroyston Primary School, Pirniehall Primary School, St David’s RC Primary School and Craigroyston High School, and performed his hit single ‘Bad Habits’ with young rappers, singers and musicians from Tinderbox’s wider music programme.
Rhian from Craigroyston High School said: “Singing with him is something we’ll always remember.”
Lily from Pirniehall Primary Schooladded: “He came in and we all started screaming and there were happy tears.”
The visit to Edinburgh marked the official launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, an initiative designed to support youth music education across the UK through grant-making, raising awareness, and fostering collaborations.
Speaking about the foundation, Ed Sheeran said:“Music education has shaped who I am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life.”
As one of the first organisations across the UK to benefit, the foundation will support Tinderbox’s “Live in Libraries” tour to help kickstart Instrument Libraries around the UK, as well as elements of its signature programmes including its multi-genre orchestra, music technology lab and youth music hub.
Tinderbox Collective is a local charity offering a vibrant and inclusive space for young musicians who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. From creative youth clubs filled with instruments, bands, song-writers and game design, to their flagship 20-piece Tinderbox Orchestra, their work builds a strong sense of community that has a profound impact on the lives of budding young artists.
Ed Sheeran’s visit underscores the importance of music education and the positive impact of making it accessible to all. In Scotland, a successful campaign to make instrumental tuition in schools free across the country was adopted by all parties in the last Scottish elections, and research from “What’s Going on Now” – a report on youth music in Scotland – has shown that over 100,000 more young people would take up opportunities to learn music if the service was expanded.
Ed Sheeran added: “It is so important to have brilliant music education both in and out of school. It’s great to hear that music tuition is now free in all schools in Scotland, but it is not reaching everyone and we need to do everything we can to make sure it is accessible and inspiring for all children and young people.”
Jack Nissan, Director of Tinderbox Collective, said: “Ed’s visit was so inspiring for all the young musicians in Tinderbox and it’s fantastic to have him advocate for music education and help build links with the wider music industry.
“We need to work together across schools, the community and the industry to fill music education with as much energy, diversity and creativity as possible, and to make sure that it is accessible, relevant and inspiring for everyone.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, education, children and families convenor at the City of Edinburgh Council said: “We are committed to nurturing and encouraging local music talent in our city.
“In Edinburgh around 5,000 pupils currently receive free instrumental music tuition, with over 19,000 receiving free whole class music through the Youth Music Initiative. There is always more that can be done to make learning an instrument and access to music education more inclusive.
“Programmes run by Tinderbox Collective open up musical opportunities for youngsters who may not otherwise have had the chance, bringing young people and the wider community together.
“It’s fantastic to see Ed’s commitment to using his platform to champion accessibility to music and I have no doubt that he will have inspired all those he has met in Edinburgh.”
Mae Murray from Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group said: “It is amazing to have Ed Sheeran visit young people in Scotland and help advocate for music education here.
“In 2021 we won a campaign to make music tuition free in all Scottish schools, but we still don’t reach all of Scotland’s young people, and we need more investment both in school and in the community to ensure that music is accessible to everyone.”
2025 North Edinburgh Film Festival – don’t miss this family-friendly celebration of film and community stories! 
Saturday 22 February 2025, 11am-5pm
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Free event
Films from North Edinburgh – stories made by the community, for the community
Global shorts & animations, from near and far
Special performance by Curious Seed, featuring films by local artists and Craigroyston Community High School pupils
Workshops for aspiring filmmakers of all ages
WE’RE BACK! 
