Join us for ’Rooted in Community: Artistic Expressions from North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes’, an exhibition showcasing the work of local artists as part of Create Community Wealth – a collaborative community wealth building project, delivered in partnership between WHALE Arts, North Edinburgh Arts, SCOREscotland and Passion4Fusion.
The project aims to support local people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes to explore their creative and enterprising ideas, to tackle social exclusion and improve wellbeing and local economic prospects through creativity.
The exhibition, ‘Rooted in Community’, is a celebration of community and diversity, highlighting the unique experiences and diverse cultures of people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes.
Through their work, the artists explore themes such as community, identity, grief and mental health, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and engage with the world around us.
From colourful paintings to representative photography, sculpture, portraits and pencil drawings, we invite you to take a journey through the works on display, each one telling a different story about life in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes.
Through their art, these talented individuals demonstrate the power of community and the importance of self-expression.
For many of the artists featured, this is their first exhibition, and the Create Community Wealth team are delighted to support them in showcasing their work publicly.
The exhibition is a testament to the importance and power of community, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent and connect with a wider audience.
As we come together to celebrate the creativity and diversity of our community, we hope that this exhibition will inspire us to continue to support and uplift one another, as we work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.
A community garden in Granton, the arts agency in Wester Hailes and a village shop in West Linton are all set to benefit from the Scottish Land Fund
Granton Community Gardeners has received £89,902 to acquire land in Granton where GCG will continue to host various community activities related to the growing and sharing of food to around 700 visitors per month.
Across the city WHALE Arts Agency in Edinburgh has been given £157,483 to bring their entire project into community ownership by buying the land that the current WHALE building sits on.
Community ownership of the land will secure the future of this well-used amenity from which WHALE Arts have delivered services and activities to the community for 30 years.
And West Linton Enterprise Group has received £97,600 to purchase a building in West Linton, Scottish Borders. The group currently uses this asset and will continue to use the building as a volunteer-run community thrift shop and local art gallery called The Knot.
The projects are amongst 16 across the country that have received grants totalling £1,972,701 from the Scottish Land Fund.
Tom Kirby, Development Manager, Granton Community Gardeners, said: “We’re excited to be able to move forward with ownership of our Community Garden, which has been created through the hard work, skills, and dedication of our local community.
“This is now secured for the long term, opening up more possibilities to improve it, and for more people of all ages to enjoy the space; and to grow, cook, share and eat more food together.”
Dr Andrew McNiven, Chair, WHALE Arts Board, said: “WHALE Arts is delighted to have been granted this funding which will support us in our Community Asset Transfer. T
“his ensures community ownership of the WHALE Arts site for the people of Wester Hailes. We’re grateful for the support of the Scottish Land Fund in this important step for WHALE and the community of Wester Hailes.”
And Allison Glasse, Co-Chair, West Linton Enterprise Group, said: “We are so pleased to have been awarded this grant, which will enable us to take our small retail outlet into community ownership.
“We are excited by the future possibilities of making The Knot into a real local asset, run by community, for the community and raising money for local organisations and projects.”
Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “Every one of these grants allows for the provision of assets and services that individual groups have identified as being essential to their areas.
“This localised approach helps to strengthen both urban and rural communities.”
Sandra Holmes, Head of Community assets at HIE, added: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.
“For example, the Coigach Community Development Company, through the purchase of the land at the former hydroponicum site, will now be in a position to build much-needed affordable community housing. The new homes are vitally important to create a sustainable future for the area.
“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”
Other groups receiving funding are:
Alyth Development Trust
Award – £76,774
Alyth Development Trust will purchase the Milhaugh site in Alyth, Perth and Kinross. The group intends to develop the site in order to provide a broad range of outdoor community activities.
Coigach Community Development Company
Award – £304,700
Coigach Community Development Company will purchase the former Hydroponicum site in Achiltibuie, Highland. They will develop affordable housing and an amenity space on the site, to strengthen the community’s long-term viability.
Concrete Garden
Award – £140,287
Concrete Garden, Glasgow, will acquire two sites, one currently used by the group and another vacant site nearby. Concrete Garden will continue to deliver community growing and creative play activities for the community and expand their outdoor services onto a new site.
Dunoon Community Shed
Award – £153,000
Dunoon Community Shed will acquire the former ceramics factory in Dunoon. DCS will continue to offer multiple activities to the local community to build skills, reduce isolation and provide a community gathering space.
The Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Award – £136,192
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation will purchase Argyll Beaver Centre at Knapdale, Argyll. They will continue to provide educational and volunteering opportunities from the centre, alongside their conservation work.
Inspire Inverary
Award – £121,374
Inspire Inverary will acquire and restore Inverary Pier in Argyll. This will provide safe access for leisure, water sports and fishing activities, increased use by yachts and cruisers and offer opportunities for investment in moorings, pontoons and slipways.
Nether Lochaber Community Association
Award – £45,186
Nether Lochaber Community Association, Highlands, will take ownership of the Inchree Barn. The group plans to repair the building to address isolation in the community by providing a community hub for people and groups to meet.
Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment
Award £111,268
Netherthird Initiative for Community Empowerment will purchase Netherthird Community Centre in Netherthird, East Ayrshire, and continue to offer various community and wellbeing services from the building, including a community cafe.
Staffin Community Trust
Award – £116,064
Staffin Community Trust will purchase a slipway protected by a breakwater, plus onshore hard standing, a derelict boathouse and a parcel of land in Staffin, Skye. The Trust will continue to redevelop and improve the local harbour to serve a range of different users and meet the demand for onshore facilities.
Scenic Sandbank
Award – £119,890
Scenic Sandbank will acquire land in Sandbank, near Dunoon, Argyll, for the purpose of creating a community garden to develop the group’s horticultural activities and to provide an attractive green space for residents of Sandbank and the wider area.
Dornie and District Community Trust
Award – £66,316
Dornie and District Community Trust will acquire the former Dornie Store building in Dornie, Highlands. The group will renovate the building and reopen the shop and post office, establish a cafe and offer the flat above as an affordable rental opportunity.
Take A Bow Development Trust
Award – £65,650
Take A Bow Development Trust will purchase the Take A Bow Community Centre in New Farm Loch, East Ayrshire. TABDT will continue to run the site as a community centre offering a range of community-focused events and classes.
Tiree Community Development Trust
Award – £73,415
Tiree Community Development Trust will acquire land in Crossapol, Tiree and construct four light commercial business units, which will be leased to local businesses at affordable rates.
Give a man a chicken and he’ll eat for a day, give a chicken a gun and he’ll be the most ‘impeckable’ gunslinger this side of Texas.
Touring Scotland, Spring 2023.
Adrenalism Theatre are clucking proud to present the first full tour of their chicken western The Good, The Bad and The Poultry.
Taking in venues across Scotland from 18 March – 7 May, this non-verbal exploration of fear sees two cowboy chickens, a turkey and ‘Hennio Morricone’ (the live poultry band) explore being brave in the face of danger.
The Good, The Bad and The Poultry is a free, outdoor performance for cowboys of all ages. “The Good” and “The Bad” chicken, along with the dim-witted turkey, find themselves in a typical Western Showdown, over the highly coveted big golden egg. Tensions rise, with all the tropes of your favourite western from a fast-paced chase to a tense standoff, and a musical shootout with everyone’s weapon of choice – handbells. Will our poultry find a way to coop-erate?
Once the precious big golden egg is laid in the perfect place, the peaceful coop suddenly becomes a saloon with a musical barman, seed shots and classic Wild-West interior.
This epic western will roll into town in Giffnock, Fife, Dunoon, Irvine, Arran, Aberdeen, Wick, Edinburgh, Cumbrae, Mull, Hawick, Duns and St Andrews.
Wrap around activities for families will see little cowboys making their own wanted poster, going on egg hunts and more – a whole day of eggcellent fun for all!
The Good, The Bad and the Poultry is an outdoor, walkabout performance suitable for all ages. A fun, silly show featuring audience participation for all of the family.
Adrenalism is a recipient of the Creative Scotland Open Project Fund.
Wester Hailes Library has been selected as one of the first in Scotland to host a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, as part of a trailblazing pilot project helping to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), Wester Hailes Library will build on its current offering to introduce a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, giving the community free access to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, to help keep items in use for longer, rather than them being thrown away.
Funded by The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund, the Edinburgh library will join eight other services across Scotland in developing the country’s first circular community hubs, forming a ‘network’ of sustainable ‘Lend and Mend Hubs’ across Scotland:
Aberdeen Central Library, Aberdeen
Wester Hailes Library, Edinburgh
Forfar Library, Forfar
South West Library, Inverclyde
Kilbirnie Library, Kilbirnie
Gorebridge Library, Midlothian
Orkney Library & Archive, Orkney
A K Bell Library, Perth
Girvan Library, South Ayrshire
Five of the services selected to take part in the pilot scheme were announced late last year, and work to source equipment, upgrade the space and train staff to deliver this promising project in these areas is well underway.
It is expected these public libraries – in Aberdeen, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Perth and South Ayrshire – will open their ‘Lend and Mend Hubs’ for public use early this year, with the other four services expected to open later in 2023.
Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of SLIC, said: “The ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ library project has the potential to create a real impact – especially at a time when all of Scotland’s communities are experiencing economic and environmental challenges.
“The introduction of this network will build on the important role our public libraries play, giving people access to resources they might not otherwise have to support responsible consumption and learning – with the added benefit of it being local and free.
“With all nine public library partners now selected, we can’t wait to see these local library services transform and thrive for the long-term benefit of the communities around them. And with such wide geographical spread and diverse community reach, we believe this pilot project will provide valuable learnings in promoting the urgent need to adopt a more circular way of living and help develop a long-term model for libraries to be a hub of circular economy activities.”
The projects, led by SLIC, follow a co-design approach with all service teams bringing local knowledge and expertise to the delivery to ensure each hub is tailored to community needs.
Upon completion, each hub will also introduce an education programme to support new skills development, helping to reduce inequality through equitable access to resources.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “I am delighted that Wester Hailes Library will be leading the way on the ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ pilot scheme. I am confident that this scheme will bring great benefits to the local community as we continue to grapple with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.
“This scheme also does excellent work on reinforcing the circular economy and sustainability in our communities by emphasising the importance of repairing, reusing and upcycling. One of our strategic approaches and principles within our 2030 Climate Strategy is supporting a circular economy across the city.
“I look forward to seeing how this scheme progresses here in Edinburgh and across Scotland.”
Two innovative construction festivals are taking place in Edinburgh as part of Scottish Careers Week with over 120 school pupils attending.
The two events, at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (Wednesday 9 November) and Gate 55 Community Centre (Thursday 10 November), have invited local schools to attend including Wester Hailes, Forrester, St Augustines, Gorgie Mills, Trinity, Broughton and Craigroyston.
Council suppliers involved in the regeneration of Wester Hailes and North Edinburgh (including Granton and Pennywell/Muirhouse) are delivering a wide array of inspiration talks, practical hands-on skills demonstrations and showcasing the use of technology and net zero principles in construction over the course of the two events.
During the pandemic the City of Edinburgh Council, in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce, offered the Build Your Future programme which looks to promote the full range of diverse careers within construction to young people in four secondary schools in the city.
Following this successful pilot, a number of the Council’s construction-related contractors now have partnerships in place with every secondary school and five special schools and will be offering Build Your Future this academic year.
These school partnerships are being set up to address the skills shortages in the construction industry within both traditional construction trades and professional and back-office roles. It also aims to encourage a more diverse and inclusive workforce by starting to work closely with pupils from S1 to provide insights into construction.
The City of Edinburgh Council has focused on maximising the benefits which can be achieved from Community Benefit clauses in supplier contracts to create the capacity to deliver these partnerships and events to the benefit of young people and their communities.
Cammy Day, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Leader, said: “Edinburgh really is leading the way by putting on these construction festivals as they are highlighting in tangible ways the range of diverse careers that are open to young people within construction industry.
“Both these festivals, and the Skills Academy we launched back in May, show our partnership approach to supporting our young people in providing them with the skills and experience to secure employment. Thanks must go to the various teams at the Council, who have made all these enterprises possible.
“There’s been substantial financial investment in these regeneration programmes by both the Council and its partners and they are a fantastic example of the public and private sector working together to strengthen the communities they are working in.”
James Russell, Skills Development Scotland’s Director of CIAG (Career Information Advice Guidance) Operations, said: “We’re delighted to be officially launching our new Virtual Reality My World of Work Live construction activity in partnership with Balfour Beatty at the Construction Careers and Skills Festival.
“It comes at a fantastic time as we celebrate Scottish Careers Week and events like this are a great example of how young people are experiencing the world of work and learning about the opportunities available to them in exciting ways.
“Through using the new experiential VR system and flying drones as part of our My World of Work Live Drones in Construction activity, pupils will have the chance to learn about and develop the skills that they’ll need for the future, no matter what sector they choose to work in.”
Emma Duncan, Programme Delivery Manager for Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), said: “DYW are delighted to be supporting both the North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes Construction Festivals.
“The festivals will have a great impact inspiring young people, as well as showcasing the range of routes and pathways into a career in the industry.”
Scott Miller, Chairman of the National Federation Roofing Contractors Scotland, said:“NFRC is delighted to continue to work with The City of Edinburgh Council to promote construction as a career of choice to young people in the city.
“It is imperative that we promote the diversity of roles within the industry to help young people make informed choices about their future careers. NFRC is looking forward to continuing to work with the council to raise awareness of the potential careers within the sector to young people in Edinburgh.”
Council teams involved in the skills projects include: Housing Strategy and Development, Mixed Tenure Improvement Service (MTIS), Development and Regeneration, Sustainable Development, Edinburgh Waterfront and Commercial/Procurement Services and Customer and Digital Services.
Additional information about Pennywell/Muirhouse and Wester Hailes projects:
Pennywell/Muirhouse
The regeneration of Pennywell and Muirhouse is a long-term strategic programme for the Council, its partners and the local community. The demolition of unsuitable properties has made way for new homes, retail, the new Craigroyston High School and Pennywell All Care Centre.
A new community hub is under construction at Macmillan Square which will include an Early Learning and Childcare Centre for 185 children, a library and skills hub, affordable homes, and an expanded and refurbished North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) facility, now in community ownership following the conclusion of a Community Asset Transfer.
Almost 1,000 new homes are planned across a range of housing tenures to meet the different needs in the area. Of these, 411 social and mid market rent homes have been completed to date against a planned 581.
These are complemented by 239 homes for sale against a planned 415 . Overall the regeneration represents well over £100 million investment by the Council and its partners including substantial support from Scottish Government.
Wester Hailes
The regeneration of Wester Hailes is a key part of our plan to deliver place-based 20 minute neighbourhoods, and build on the strong foundations of the community-led Wester Hailes Local Place Plan.
Work has started to support the radical transformation of Wester Hailes over the next 10 to 15 years. A development and regeneration framework is being prepared, setting out opportunities for
new net zero carbon homes
energy-efficiency improvements to existing homes
improved transport connections
landscape and greenspace improvements
enhancing services, such as schools and health centres
improving opportunities for employment and learning.
The regeneration will look at how opportunities around the Union Canal can be realised, including canal-side development and promoting other uses. We will also consider how a range of services are delivered in Wester Hailes.
Police are seeking the assistance of the public in trying to locate a 28-year-old male, missing from Edinburgh.
Connor Murray was last seen around 5.30am in Longstone Street, Wester Hailes.
Connor is white with a slim build and short blond hair. He may be wearing black jogging trousers and carrying a blue rucksack.
A number of searches are under way to locate Connor, with officers also checking relevant CCTV footage from in and around the area.
Inspector Keith Scott said: “Connor’s family is understandably very worried about him and they just want him home safe and well.
“We are currently completing extensive enquiries with all his family and friends for any information which could assist us in finding him. If anyone has seen Connor or has any information as to his whereabouts, please contact us immediately.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 850 of 8 October, 2022.
UPDATE
MISSING PERSON – TRACED
We are pleased to confirm that Connor Murray has been traced safe and well. We would like to thank the public for their assistance.
Detective are appealing for information following a fire in the Wester Hailes area in the early hours of Monday morning.
Around 2.50am on Monday (12 September, 2022) officers received reports of a shed on fire at the Murrayburn and Hailesland Community Garden.
The fire is being treated as suspicious and no-one was injured, however, an estimated £13,000 worth of damage has been caused.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Costorphine CID, said: “Thankfully no-one was injured as a result of the fire.
“This fire caused a great deal of damage to the shed and its contents, although it is fortunate it didn’t spread further and cause even more destruction.
“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with information or saw any suspicious activity in the area to please come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0948 of 12 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.
A spokesperson for Murrayburn and Hailsland Community Garden said: “Appreciate the support from everyone last night. Sorry to say we lost our children’s natural play shed which was set light to, and play materials and a load of new tools that Tesco had just donated to the garden.
“It’s a blow for all the young folk who helped build the shed in the first instance. A punch to the guts.
“We’ll put things right and use this as an opportunity to improve on what was already there. Onwards!”
*** UPDATE: JAMES HAS BEEN TRACED SAFE AND WELL ***
Police have released an updated image as part of their ongoing appeal for the public’s help to trace a 53-year-old man reported missing from the Wester Hailes area.
There are growing concerns for James Allan who was last seen in Hailesland Grove about 5.30pm on Thursday (26th May 2022).
James is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, with long black hair. When last seen he was wearing a black jacket, brown jumper and black jeans.
Inspector Caroline Flynn, from Wester Hailes Police Station, said “Given the passage of time since James was last seen, we are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.
“Anyone who may have seen James, or who has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0448 of Friday, 27 May, 2022.
“Similarly if James sees this appeal I would ask him to get in touch to let us know he is safe.”
Police investigating the disappearance of Stuart Campbell have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Stuart (36) was last seen in the Barn Park area of Wester Hailes, around 4pm on Tuesday, 22 March, 2022. It has now been four weeks since he went missing.
Stuart’s mother Jane said : “Stuart, if you are reading this please get in touch. All your family and friends are worried about you and want you home safe.
“If anyone has seen Stuart or knows where he is please get in touch with myself or the police.
“It’s been nearly four weeks now and we all want you home safe and well.”
Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Area Commander for South West Edinburgh said : “Over the last four weeks local officers supported by specialist teams from Police Scotland have continued to search for Stuart.
“We are increasingly concerned for his well-being and have carried out open searches in Barn Park, Clovenstone, Union Canal, Water of Leith and Colinton Dell in effort to trace him and further searches are continuing in the surrounding areas.
“Officers are also carrying out further house to house enquiries and have been asking residents in Wester Hailes if they have any information that could assist them with their enquiries. We are also identifying further CCTV opportunities in the area and in particular would welcome assistance from local businesses or residents who may have private CCTV.
“Stuart is described as being 5ft 10in tall, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket, green hooded top with white ties and grey jogging bottoms.
“Anyone who knows where Stuart is or who has information that could assist in tracing him should call 101 quoting 1205 of 28 March or speak to any police officer.”
Sorry to say we lost our children’s natural play shed which was set light to, and play materials and a load of new tools that Tesco had just donated to the garden. 
