West Pilton – Page 12 – The NEN

Cash Boost for Community Festival

CRUDEN HOMES AND CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL WITH £2,000 DONATION

The North Edinburgh Community Festival (NECF), one of the city’s most anticipated family-friendly events, has received a £2,000 donation from Cruden Homes and City of Edinburgh Council, to help deliver its biggest and most inclusive festival yet.

Taking place on Saturday, 17 May 2025, from 12:00pm to 5:30pm at West Pilton Park, the free event will feature a vibrant mix of activities, live music, workshops, food stalls, a community parade, sports, and opportunities for jobs, skills, and learning.

This generous donation will go directly towards the essential costs of hiring equipment and providing vital support for over 150 local charities, groups, and organisations leading community-focused stalls and initiatives at the event.

Cruden is building 143 energy efficient affordable homes at Silverlea on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council and this donation forms part of the range of community benefits that are being delivered here.

Adele Conn, Festival Director of the North Edinburgh Community Festival, said: “Many thanks to Cruden and the City of Edinburgh Council for their £2,000 donation, supporting the hiring of equipment and supporting local charities and organisations involved with the event.

“The 2025 festival is set to be one of the biggest and most inclusive festivals yet, and this donation will help us to continue to strengthen community bonds, pride, and unity in North Edinburgh.”

Michael Palethorpe, Production and Community Benefit Manager at Cruden, said: “The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a cornerstone of local culture, uniting the community through a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and food, alongside invaluable workshops focused on jobs, skills, and learning.

“As a company with deep roots in the area, Cruden is proud to be involved, alongside our partners at the City of Edinburgh Council, in supporting this enriching event that makes such a positive impact on the community.”

Jane Meagher, Leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re delighted to see this important annual festival for north Edinburgh receiving support through our contractor who is building affordable homes for us as part of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

“Providing events such as these is so important to bring communities together to enjoy inclusive cultural activities and have lots of fun for residents of all ages to enjoy.”

The North Edinburgh Community Festival has become a key event in the local calendar, fostering a sense of pride and creating opportunities for families, residents, and organisations to come together in a fun, inclusive, and celebratory environment. The 2025 festival is set to showcase North Edinburgh’s talent, culture and community spirit, with a diverse and exciting programme that will highlight the very best of the area.

Fresh Start Pantry: New Year, New Membership Fee

Please note, from Monday 6th January, the Pantry membership fee will increase to £5.00 as per Your Local Pantry guidelines and rising food/supply costs.

If you have any questions, please contact Pantry@freshstartweb.org.uk or admin@freshstartweb.org.uk

We wish you all a very peaceful and restful Christmas and Happy New Year.

#Yourlocalpantry

#FreshStartPantry

Planning permission granted for £4m West Pilton Park redevelopment

GREEN LIGHT FOR WEST PILTON PARK REDEVELOPMENT

West Pilton Park will benefit from over £4M of investment for improvements to access, play, wildlife, planting and recreation.

The park will become a destination and attraction for all within the local area and beyond to access good quality greenspace. Funding has been secured to enable the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) to procure the services of SLR landscape architects to carry out a redesign in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council.

Following consultation with the local community, planning permission has been granted to enable the project to move to the next step of sourcing a contractor to carry out the work which is due to start in 2025.

The project is being managed by ELGT which aims to reinvigorate the public space, encouraging more people to use the park, which in turn will help improve their health and wellbeing. The development of amenities including new play, skate, and bouldering areas has been welcomed by the local community and will offer local residents the opportunity to use the park more for recreation.

A new community growing space will also allow local people and organisations to participate in community growing activities.

Well-designed, well-maintained, and accessible green space can have a positive impact on public health. Encouraging those who do not currently use the park regularly to do so could make a big difference to everyday lives.

The redevelopment will also help to mitigate against climate change, local flooding, and wildlife loss. This will include the creation of a seasonal wetland area, woodland restoration, meadow creation, and the planting of hundreds more trees across the park. This will provide a boost for wildlife and build climate resilience, as well as providing a visually attractive landscape for people to live their daily lives.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker, said: “Following consultation with the local community, I’m very excited that the West Pilton Park development will be taking the next steps towards creating a welcoming green space for the community, in partnership with Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT).

“We are fortunate to have 144 parks and green spaces across the city and 38 Green Flag Awards – so it’s easy to see why we’re considered the UK’s greenest city.

“Our parks have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing space for exercise, relaxation, social contact with friends and family, and opportunities for children and young people to play.

“I look forward to seeing the space at West Pilton Park take shape for our community and the development of new play areas and growing opportunities for locals and organisations.”

Chief Executive of Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, Charlie Cumming, said: “I am delighted with the plans to make improvements to West Pilton Park, with thanks to our funders and the City of Edinburgh Council.

“The new amenities will provide an opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents as well as helping them to reclaim the park as a welcoming community space.

“The new play facilities will help meet the needs of the local children now and for future generations and will encourage greater use of the park for local families. The local community were at the centre of the consultation process, and it was their responses that ultimately guided the designs.

“Everyone deserves access to modern amenities and it’s important to have high quality greenspaces that people of all ages can enjoy. It also provides an opportunity to reconnect with nature and help to mitigate against climate change and biodiversity loss.

“It has been great for ELGT to lead on this project so far and we look forward to breaking ground soon and delivering this park for the local community.”

Green Projects Manager, North Edinburgh Arts, Valla Moodie said: “We are looking forward to enjoying the rejuvenated park in West Pilton.

“The plans will create an improved space which will be a welcome addition to the quality greenspace across the community, bringing multiple benefits to local people and to local nature.”

Amazon donates goods worth £30,000 to Fresh Start

The team at Amazon’s Corporate Office and the Customer Service team in Edinburgh has joined forces with five other Amazon teams across Scotland to pack and donate household essential packs worth £30,000 to Edinburgh-based charity, Fresh Start.

Fresh Start is dedicated to helping individuals who have experienced homelessness transition smoothly into their new homes. Each year, the charity supports thousands of new tenants, ranging from families to single individuals, by providing Starter Packs filled with essential household items to help them establish a comfortable living environment.

To support this cause, the Amazon team in Edinburgh, along with colleagues from five additional sites across Scotland, packed over 450 Starter Packs at the fulfilment centre in Dunfermline. The donation of Starter Packs will support 475 households across Scotland. Members of each team met to visit the charity to deliver the packs, learn more about the charity’s work and express their appreciation to its staff and volunteers.

Speaking on the combined donation effort, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “It has been our pleasure to support Fresh Start in its mission to assist people moving into new homes.

“The enthusiasm shown by our colleagues in Dunfermline and across Scotland as they packed the Starter Packs was truly inspiring, and I am glad to work alongside teams who care so much about the communities around our Amazon buildings. Knowing that these essential items will help people start afresh and settle into their new homes is incredibly rewarding for all of us.”

The Starter Packs included a variety of household necessities such as winter clothing, kettles, toasters and cutlery, all aimed at helping people settle into their new homes with ease and comfort.

Alasdair Brown, an employee from Amazon in Dunfermline who helped pack the Start Packs, added: “It’s been great to team up with my colleagues from across Scotland to pack the Fresh Start Starter Packs, knowing that they will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need a boost getting back on their feet.

“Supporting our local communities is something I really take pride in, and I’m pleased to be encouraged to do so by my employer. Fresh Start deserves as much recognition as possible, so this was a great initiative to have been part of.”

During the visit to Fresh Start’s Community Hub and Warehouse premises in Edinburgh, Amazon team members had the opportunity to meet with Fresh Start staff and volunteers, learning more about the organisation’s impact in the community.

Darcey Joyce, Corporate and Community Fundraiser at Fresh Start, said: “Our Starter Packs are vital for helping people who have been homeless settle into a new home, as they provide them with the essentials they need to have the best new start.

“The dedication of the Amazon teams who packed and delivered these household essentials to us highlights their commitment to supporting our community and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support.

“Gifting essential household items to people transitioning from homelessness into tenancies across Edinburgh greatly reduces the risk of repeat homelessness and helps people feel a sense of community as they resettle.”

Amazon has several buildings in Scotland, including a fulfilment centre, delivery stations, an Amazon Fresh store and the Amazon Development Centre Scotland, situated in Edinburgh’s iconic Waverley Gate building.

Amazon employees from Dunfermline, Motherwell, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee formed the group offering financial and practical support to Fresh Start.

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support to families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 5 million surplus goods to over 500,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, and Tees Valley.

Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.

Change of date for PY Christmas Event

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS & TEEN BOUTIQUE NOW SUNDAY 15th DECEMBER

DATE CHANGE

Our Christmas Crafts and Pop Up Shop is still going ahead but now on SUNDAY 15TH DECEMBER from 11am -1pm at PY!

Share with your friends and family, come along and pick up some Christmas gifts hand made by staff, children and young people at PYCP.

All profits go back in to running the clubs and groups.

Please note – cash payments only

Thanks

PY Team

PYCP Festive Pop-Up Shop

Save the date: Saturday 14th December 11 am to 1 pm

YOUTH COMMITTEE CHRISTMAS CRAFTS SALE AND TEEN BOUTIQUE POP UP SHOP

Share with your friends and family, come along and pick up some Christmas gifts hand made by staff, children and young people at PYCP.

All profits go back in to running the clubs and groups.

Please note cash payments only.

Thanks

PY Team.

Fresh Start Festive Food Collection

Please donate festive food items to Fresh Start!

Fresh Start support hundreds of families and individuals with festive food hampers for Christmas time so that everyone can enjoy a Happy Christmas

If you can, please donate festive food items that will be distributed across Edinburgh in the run up to Christmas.

Fresh Start is open for donations Monday to Thursday 9am-4pm and Fridays 9am-1pm

Thank you

Tonight: Youth Arts Collective

NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

The NEA Youth Arts Collective meets up weekly to do creative tasks (think Taskmaster!), play games, hang out, eat tasty snacks and chat about children and young people’s rights.

This term, the YAC are working with artists to select and develop a new performance to be showcased at the 2025 Edinburgh Children’s Festival family day and the North Edinburgh Community Festival.

New members welcome, so come along and bring a friend, too!

When: Every Thursday, 5.30pm – 7pm