Forthview School Fair
Friday 22 May
12 noon – 1.30pm.
Bouncy Castle, Inflatable Slide, Face Painting, Tombola, Bottle Stall, Hot Food, Toys, books, bric-a-brac and lots more!
Category: West Pilton
Leading by example: share your views on community leadership
Community Leadership College – a game of two halves!
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard played his last game in front of his beloved Kop at the weekend. ‘Legend’ is an overused word, but in a football mad city, Liverpool-born and bred Gerrard personifies the word. Gifted, determined, he’s a giant who leads by example, inspiring and motivating those around him to give every last ounce for the cause.
What’s Stevie G got to do with Muirhouse and West Pilton? Well it’s not so much Gerrard the sporting hero, it’s his leadership qualities we’re interested in – and are the same qualities and skills needed by local people to speak up on behalf of their communities?
We’re running a series of ‘conversation cafe’ events across Muirhouse and West Pilton to get your views and opinions on what YOU need to be a more effective community activist, volunteer or campaigner.
We’ve almost reached ‘half-time’ – we’ve held four sessions and have at least four more planned (with more to be added too) so it’s not too late to share your views over coffee and biscuits. It’s a game of two halves!
Come along to any of the following sessons:
Monday 18 May: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 4 – 6pm
Thursday 21 May: North Edinburgh Arts, 2 – 4pm
Monday 25 May: North Edinburgh Arts, 11am – 1pm
Monday 1 June: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 4 – 6pm.
It would be great to see you!
For further information email: Comlc2015@outlook.com
Spartans Fund for Grim appeal tops £5300
Magnificent support for family devastated by Crewe Terrace fire
North Edinburgh and the wider community has dug deep to contribute to a fund set up by Spartans to support a valued volunteer who’s Crewe Terrace home was destroyed by fire on Thursday. Spartans set up an appeal for donations on Thursday evening – and just 36 hours later over 200 donations have been pledged and £5300 raised!
It’s a magnificent effort for a hugely popular volunteer – known as Grim O’Grady, Gary Betts set up Spartans Connections for players with disabilities over a year ago and the initiative has grown and grown.
Grim is still heavily involved in the setup and was at Spartans’ Ainslie Park home, just minutes away from his own family house in Crewe Terrace, when he first noticed the fire.
Spartans club secretary John McCabe told BBC Scotland news: “Grim saw smoke in the distance and made a joke saying ‘I hope it isn’t my house’ and then five minutes later his son phoned and said it was their house on fire.
“He was in an awful panic as he was worried about his pets. His whole house is gutted and his family only have the clothes on their backs, they have lost everything else. He is such a great man that we felt we must help him in any way we can so he can buy food and clothes and pay for accommodation.”
John McCabe went on: “We have had a big response from the community and Central Taxis has given him taxi vouchers so he can get around during this hard time. He does so much for people in north Edinburgh that they want to help him.”
While it’s fortunate that no-one was injured in the blaze, sadly the family pets could not be rescued and perished in the fire.
Grim has issued a statement on behalf of his family through the Spartans Connections website. Thanking Spartans, the community, he said:
“Obviously no amount of money can bring back our much loved pets but the community spirit that’s been brought about from our Spartans family is unbelievable.
“It’s incredible to see how far the hands of friendship have spread. Lynne, Jamie & myself are very humbled by how much has been given in the short & tragic time of these horrific events. It would have been a lonely horrible & isolated time had our community not come together.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their kindness, it has been such a crutch to know when we were at our lowest there were so many wonderful folk there to hold out their hands & pick us up. Showing great respect. We will be round to thank everyone soon.
“We are going to come back to our community as soon as we can find a place. We want to get back to where we belong & with the help of all our wonderful community begin to pick up the pieces & start again. Thank you all for showing such compassion and all your donations.”
To make a donation go to
www.justgiving.com/fund-for-grim
Living Well relaunch today
Living Well North Edinburgh are holding a relaunch event today from 12 – 3pm – all welcome!
Change on the agenda at Community Council AGM
WPWGCC AGM!
Councillor Maureen Child, Convener of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee, is guest speaker at West Pilton West Granton Community Council’s annual general meeting next month.
Her theme, appropriately enough, is ‘The Changing Role of Community Councils’.
The meeting will take place in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday 2 June at 7pm. All welcome.
For further information contact W Black (Secretary) on 07515686421, email w.black@blueyonder.co.uk
Police seek Red Bridge robber
Victim ‘left shaken’ by knifepoint robbery
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a knifepoint robbery near the red bridge by Crewe Toll on Tuesday.
The incident happened at around 1.30pm.
A 30-year-old man was walking on the cycle path between the red bridge on Ferry Road and the rear of the Morrisons supermarket when a male approached and presented a knife.
The victim was then threatened and robbed of his rucksack before the male made off.
Anyone who can assist police with their investigation is asked to come forward.
The suspect is described as white, early to mid-twenties, 6ft tall with an unshaven complexion and a pronounced Adam’s apple. He was wearing a navy blue hooded top with zipper and white drawstrings, navy blue trainers and scruffy white trainers.
Detective Constable Andy Cory said: “Fortunately the victim was unharmed but is obviously very upset at the theft of his rucksack and was left shaken by this incident.
“Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact police immediately. In addition, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect is also asked to get in touch.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
West Pilton Place incident: second man arrested
Police Scotland have confirmed that a second man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following an incident in West Pilton Place.
The 26-year-old is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.
His arrest comes a day after a 39-year-old man was also charged with attempted murder in connection with the same incident, which occurred on last Thursday (7 May).
Rebranding, relaunching – and receiving guests this Friday!
Living Well North Edinburgh opens it’s doors this Friday
Living Well North Edinburgh (LWNE) is holding a rebrand launch event at their West Pilton Park home this Friday.
Join the LWNE team to celebrate the project’s brand new look – it’s a great opportunity to meet staff, volunteers and members and find out the wide range of services and activities on offer – and there’s food and refreshments too!
The fun kicks off from 12 noon – all welcome!
For further information call 343 6375.
West Pilton attempted murder: man arrested
Police Scotland have confirmed that a 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following the incident that occurred last Thursday (7 May) in West Pilton Place.
Another man was stabbed in the incident which happened on the day of the general election.
The accused man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.
Forthview break-in: can you help trace bikes?
Heartless thieves could cost local primary school £1000
Forthview Primary School’s shed was broken into over the weekend – and the school needs your help to trace stolen bikes.
Forthview’s Tracey Berry said: “Bikes that we had borrowed, so that Bill Stobie could teach bike ability to P6, have been stolen, along with footballs and gardening equipment. We are responsibile for the bikes: it will cost us about £1000 to replace the them! Our fundraising is meant to be for outings and activities for Forthview Children not replacing things that thoughtless people have stolen.”
Tracey added: “The bikes look like this (above). If you find one please hand it to the school – the more we find the less money we have to pay out from the school funds.”
Can you help?