North West Carers move south!

North West Carers Centre has moved from it’s Muirhouse Crescent base to a new home in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. Their Muirhouse offices were bigger than the project needed, so when an opportunity to cross the great Ferry Road divide into Drylaw came up, it was ideal. Manager Sarah Mavor and her team moved in on 9 July.

Sarah (pictured above left) said: “We were happy in Muirhouse but the office was really too big for us, so the move to Drylaw was a sensible one. Many of the people we work with come from the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership area too. It’s been a good move and we’re all enjoying the change of scene. Things are going well.”

While North West Carers Centre address has changed – it’s now Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, 67b Groathill Road North, EH4 2SA – the telephone number and email addresses remain the same – that’s 315 3130 and email resource@nwcarers.org.uk

Services provided are unaffected too – North West Carers provide information, advice and respite and run support groups for young and adult carers, and  also runs a Dementia Support Group, a Carers Afternoon Together and a Young Carers Group.

The North West Carers team are pictured just after the organisation’s annual general meeting on 25 July.

 

Roads Closed for Total Craigroyston’s Play Out

Muirhouse Park was closed off for four hours yesterday for a Play Out event. Total Craigroyston’s Sarah Low explained what it’s all about: ‘Play Out involves closing a street for a few hours, meaning children and families can play safely in their community. Among the activities were lots of traditional games – skipping, football, rounders and even ‘pop-up theatre’! Local parents identifies the need for events like this during the recent Total Craigroyston consultations.”

Local man Robert Pearson was there, and he takes up the story:

Road closed signs positioned at either end of MuirhousePark, this was out of the norm. Was it another police incident – or something else?

It was certainly something else and something that’s never happened in Muirhouse  before! Local group Total Craigroyston had arranged a fun, safe environment for children and families to play.

From 11am until 3pm the street was a no-go for any motor vehicles, which was enough to get the kids smiling. But when the fun started, the smiles got even bigger!  Total Craigroyston staff and volunteers from North Edinburgh Women’s Group had many games and activates in mind, and officers from Lothian and Borders Police were also here to enjoy the fun and get to know the locals.

Huge thanks to Mr and Mrs Hardwick who kindly allowed a water slide to be set up in their very own garden, it was not long until the kids had formed a very orderly queue!

Who would have thought that a little bit of fairy liquid, water and a sheet of plastic would keep many kids happy for many hours, with competitions to see who could slide furthest. 

 

The fun went on for many hours; other activities included chalking on the road, designing your very own puppet, rounders, football and much more.

Father of three David Graham, of Ferry Road Drive, only heard of the event from one of his friends just the day before. He said: “It’s fantastic to hear kids joking and laughing and it’s fantastic to see so many parents enjoying the activities with their children.” David was also keen to promote next week’s Total Craigroyston event, which will take place in his street.

Many adults took part in the game of rounders – that was until someone managed to lose one ball over the roof and another in the hedge! It was all part of the fun.

My own children really enjoyed the day. Six year old Thomas said “My favourite part of the day was the water balloons” –  and he especially loved throwing the balloons as the police officer! Nine year old Gary added that it was brilliant be able to play safely in the street and not have to worry about cars. He really enjoyed the water slide and making his own puppets.

Over 100 children enjoyed the fun and joined in with many activities, and despite the heavy sudden downpours the fun continued. Huge thanks to everyone who helped and made this day possible.

Some more pictures:

 

 Lothian and Borders police officer being chased, rather than chasing; he was soon to be hit with a water balloon!

   Above: Local children Gemma (6) and Emily (9) perform their very own puppet show with assistance from Licketyspit staff.

 

Words and pictures by Robert Pearson

A world first for Granton Library?

No doubt many records will be broken over the coming days, but Granton Library may have set a record that can’t be broken.

Last Friday, Lara and Ali held a Zumba class at the library in Wardieburn Terrace for four to fourteen year olds – and very popular it was too!

As far as we know, this is the first ever Zumba session in a public library – maybe even a world first, unless you can inform us otherwise. Usain Bolt – eat your heart out!

Drylaw’s Family Fun Day

Great fun between the showers at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre yesterday, where firefighters from Crewe Toll station and Drylaw Police joined the local community at the Family Fun event.  The pony rides, face painting and bouncy castle were as popular as ever, but it seems the kids just can’t get enough of those sumo suits!

Centre hit by vandals – but Fun Day goes ahead

Vandals have caused damage estimated at £2500 at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. Up to three young people slashed the Centre’s polytunnel and destroyed young plants between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. The attack comes just a week after a scarecrow was set ablaze at the Centre.  

Staff turned up at work on Wednesday morning to find a polytunnel used by the Centre’s gardening groups slashed open, and their worst fears were realised upon closer inspection – the tunnel’s contents had been scattered and destroyed.

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s Elizabeth Graham, who supports the gardening groups, said: ‘I must admit I shed a tear when I saw the damage that had been done. Our gardeners had been growing on some young plants and these have been destroyed – it’s too late in the season now to start this process again – it’s so very sad. I hoped we could maybe repair the polytunnel using a strong tape but the damage is too severe. This is such a pointless act and I do worry that this may have been carried out by some young people who use the Centre – or who certainly know people who use the Centre. It’s very upsetting and such a waste”.

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is covered by CCTV cameras and police are now studying tapes. It’s understood that the culprits have been captured on camera.

And despite the vandalism episode, today’s Family Fun Day goes ahead at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. The fun starts at 11am – all welcome.

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!

Letter – Caring for our NHS

Dear Editor

The NHS will care for everyone in the UK whoever and wherever they are; it is our most valuable public service and must remain so.

We are told people are living longer and therefore the workload of the NHS will grow; it follows there must be an increase in staff, fully trained in all aspects of care. It is obvious the existing staff – who are already under great pressure to maintain the service – would not be able to take on extra work and maintain the quality of both physical and mental care that is needed.

I hope those who view the NHS as a drain on the nation will come to realise that no-one is able to predict their needs as one gets older.

There are uncaring and reactionary people who say we cannot afford a comprehensive national service. If we are a caring society we can – and must – do just that.

A Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Miller Homes releases Belford Campus at Varcity North

Fancy buying an apartment in your old classroom? Miller Homes has released a new apartment campus at their Varcity North development in Edinburgh.  Belford Campus is the second of five apartment blocks being built on the site of the former Telford College, with its name reflecting that heritage.

Belford Campus is a four storey, L-shaped building, which will offer a range of one and two bedroomed apartments with allocated parking.  Prices start from £123,000 for one bedroom and £167,000 for the two bedroomed apartments.  Reservations are being taken now.

The flexible accommodation offers an exciting prospect for investors buying to let, downsizers, newly singles and couples looking to move closer into the city centre.  With open plan living/dining combined with contemporary kitchen areas, the layout lends itself to living and entertaining in stylish, high quality apartments. Lift access to all upper floors, allocated parking and secure entry systems ensures that Varcity North is at the forefront of apartment living.

Situated between the city centre and the waterfront and with excellent transport links to all areas of Edinburgh and beyond, Varcity North combines stylish city living with spacious, practical and affordable homes.

Anne Marie Britton, Sales Director for Miller Homes Scotland East, said: “We’re delighted to bring the Belford Campus to market to complement the existing properties at Varcity North.  Space, quality and price are the differentiators and this development is becoming the place to live for househunters seeking all three.

“Starting at just £123,000, our competitive prices make owning a contemporary city apartment a reality, enjoying easy access to all that Edinburgh has to offer.  From parks to art galleries, the beach to stunning views across the Firth of Forth and restaurants, bars and bistros second to none, you won’t be short of ideas on what to do from your new capital apartment.”

For more information, go to www.millerhomes.co.uk or call 0800 840 8416. The sales centre is open Thursday to Monday from 11am to 6pm. Househunters can also logon via the Miller Homes’ website to book an appointment with an adviser at the development.

Spartans defeated by Blue Brazil

Cowdenbeath inflicted a second home defeat in a row on Spartans on Tuesday night as they ran out 2-1 winners in the pre-season friendly at Ainslie Park (writes Alan Clark).

Spartans had lost 2-1 to Third Division Annan Athletic on Saturday afternoon and succumbed to another Scottish Football League club – this time the Blue Brazil from the First Division.

It was Spartans last home friendly of pre-season while Cowdenbeath will be delighted to win their last preparation match before the serious stuff begins at the weekend when they take on Alloa Athletic in the Ramsdens Cup.

Michael Fleming won it with superb volley in added time after the impressive Greig Stewart had given them a half-time lead.  Spartans pressed in the second-half and took advantage of a goalkeeping error to equalise but were undone late on.

The first action of the encounter came after four minutes when Greig Stewart tested Chris Flockhart in goal with a powerful left-footed drive which was parried for the corner.  After 24 minutes, Stewart was in the thick of it again as he gets a shot away despite being crowded around by Spartans players, only for the ‘keeper to save – albeit with a spill – low to his left.

Stewart made amends just a minute later however with a fantastic individual goal.  The striker went past three defenders to glide into the box, before rounding Flockhart with ease to tap-in to an empty net for 1-0.

Kyle Miller went close with a header for the Fifers a minute later, and on 37 minutes Scott Linton hit the post with a header from four yards. Linton could have done better but it was an acute angle. Colin Cameron’s side were pressing down Spartans at every given opportunity and that was making the home side’s play very jittery.

Cowdenbeath’s domination of the first-half continued as two minutes before the break Linton missed another chance, this one a lot worse than the first. Lewis Milne’s cross gave Thomas O’Brien a great opportunity to score but the defender mis-hit his poked effort. The ball eventually trickled towards Linton who blasted his shot well over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

67 minutes had been played when Spartans had their first close encounter with the goal net, when a Cowdenbeath clearance from a corner landed at the feet of left-back Gary Cennerrazzo.  The number three hit a powerful low shot with his right-foot but it fizzled just wide of substitute goalkeeper Ricky Barnett’s post.

Spartans were looking more dangerous in this period and they were rewarded – some might say gifted – an equaliser 12 minutes later.  The half-time substitute Barnett made a horrendous error and the ball dropped to the feet of Sean Wringe, who passed to Jordan Finnie to comfortably pass into the net.  Finnie had lightened up the Spartans approach after coming on just a couple of minutes prior to the goal.

That was all to be for nothing though as Cowdenbeath snatched a late winner.  The corner-kick came in from the left and made its way to Michael Fleming on the right-hand side of the area, and Fleming rifled in a volley to the top corner of Flockhart’s net to win the game for the 2011/12 Second Division champions.

SPARTANS:  Chris Flockhart, Robbie Manson, Gary Cennerrazzo, Kevin Sivewright, Danny O’Donnell, Alastair Woodburn, Mark Whatley, John Grant, Sean Palizcka, Chris Anderson, Sean Wringe.  Subs: Ian McTurk, Jonathan Seeley, Jordan Finnie, Neil McCuish, Callum Donnelly.

COWDENBEATH:  Lee Wilson, Dean Brett, Murray Christie, Thomas O’Brien, Callum McNiel, Dale Finnie, Lewis Milne, Kyle Miller, Trialist, Greig Stewart, Scott Linton.  Subs:  Ricky Barnett, Michael Fleming, Arron Linus, Ben Anthony.