Film screening to support WaterAid charity

A recently-established Edinburgh group is to hold a special one-off screening of ‘Even the Rain’ (Tambien la Iluvia) to raise money for the international development charity WaterAid – and the film’s award-winning screenwriter Paul Laverty will host a question and answer session following the screening.

The screening will take place on Thursday 27 September at 7.30pm at SYHA Edinburgh Central, on Haddington Place, Leith Walk, and is the group’s first fundraising event for WaterAid, the charity which enables some of the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

Even the Rain is a 2010 Spanish drama about Mexican director Sebastián (Gael García Bernal) and executive producer Costa (Luis Tosar) who travel to Bolivia to shoot a film depicting Christopher Columbus’s conquest. Sebastián and Costa unexpectedly land themselves in a moral crisis when they and their crew arrive at Cochabamba, Bolivia, during the intensifying 2000 Cochabamba protests, which their key native actor Daniel (Juan Carlos Aduviri) persistently leads. The film was directed by Icíar Bollaín, based on a screenplay by Paul Laverty.

The film’s central  theme of the fundamental right to access safe and clean water, is also one of the principal aims of WaterAid.  Angela Lafferty, a member of WaterAid’s Edinburgh local group and one of the event organisers, said: “For me, this event is not only about raising money but about reminding us all that we need water to live. We all use so much of it in our daily lives but many of us never think about where it comes from, who controls and manages it and how much it costs. One in eight of the world’s population are not as lucky as we are in Scotland, but we can change that!”

In the developing world, diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor sanitation and unclean water kill 4000 children every day – more than AIDS, malaria and measles combined.  Just £15 can enable one person to access a lasting supply safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Funds raised at this special screening will enable WaterAid to transform the lives of some of the world’s poorest people throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region. Tickets are £10 (including a glass of wine) and should be booked online at: www.eventelephant.com/eventherain

Forthquarter Festival cancelled

The North Edinburgh Community Festival has been cancelled. The event was due to take place on 29 September, but organisers say that the annual event must be cancelled due to ‘unforeseen and insurmountable circumstances’. The decision comes just a week after a succesful community gala was held at West Pilton Park.

National Grid hosted the first new community festival at Forthquarter Park in 2008, attempting to join the established North Edinburgh and new Waterfront communities together by recapturing the community spirit of former gala days. The festival was popular and well-attended, particularly in the early years, but organisers have now made the tough decision to cancel the 2012 event. A meeting will be held later this year to determine the future of the Forthquarter Park event.

In an email yesterday, Granton Parish Church Minister Norman Smith, who chairs the North Edinburgh Festival Committee, explained: “I am sorry to have to inform you that due to a combination of unforeseen and insurmountable circumstances, the North Edinburgh Festival Committee is left with no choice but to cancel the community gala planned for Saturday 29 September. We realise that, given the success of previous years’ festivals, this will be a big disappointment to everyone who has attended in the past. We wish to thank each and every one of you for all you have done to ensure the event went ahead, however the combination of uncertainties has mean we have little option at this time but to cancel. While any one issue would not have given the need to cancel the event – the combination of issues outwith the committee’s control or influence has left us in an insecure position. We will be convening a meeting later this year, around November, to discuss next year’s event and how we can avoid this situation reoccurring. Thank you for your support.”

 

Watch the birdies! SELEX golfers raise £5000 for Woodlands

SELEX Galileo Edinburgh Charity Golf Committee Raises over £5000

Last week the SELEX Galileo Edinburgh Charity Golf Committee was proud to present Woodlands School with a cheque for £5000. School pupils Findlay Gillespie and Ann Marie Mooney and Head Teacher Aisling Boyle thanked the committee for the funds which will be used to build an all-weather play area for the children.

Also present was the winner of the Golf Championship, Kenneth Wilson of Walker Precision Engineering and committee members Richard Gillies, Robert Creegan, John McHugh, David Kelly and Marie Cooper.

SELEX Galileo

 

 

NEN man grilled by Forthview P5s!

I paid a visit to Forthview Primary yesterday to meet the P5 children and talk about the NEN and how North Edinburgh has changed over the years. It’s usually me who asks the questions when I’m out and about, but the tables were well and truly turned yesterday! It was great fun, though, and I promised to post the childrens’ comments on the visit on the NEN blog (see below). ‘Super duper smart and cool?’ – that’ll do me!

In P5A Dave came into talk about a newspaper called the NEN. He was very nice and all the information was outstanding. It taught me a lot. I was very happy. I think he has done a good job and thank you for letting us keep the amazing newspaper.

Demi

When Dave came to visit from NEN, he told everybody a lot of interesting information, like about before there were any speed bumps. We also learnt about a nursery that got set on fire. Dave was super duper smart and cool. We had a great time.

Louise

This morning Dave from the NEN news came into our class and told us about himself and why he wanted his job. He wanted his job because he said it would be good working at a place about where he lives. After he gave us all a newspaper each and everybody had a look at it. I learned that he did more than one job.

Natalie.

Thanks, P5!

Man found in Pilton street with stab wounds

An investigation is underway after a man in his 20’s was found lying in West Pilton Bank earlier today with stab wounds. The man was found by two members of the public who called the emergency services and the man was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

His injuries are not throughout to be life threatening.

Lothian and Borders Police are investigating the incident and the road was closed while forensic officers searched the area.

Police attended the scene were the male was discovered. (Picture: Robert Pearson)

A spokesman for the force said: “Police responded to West Pilton Bank around 11.25am today after a man in his 20s was found with a number of significant cuts to his neck and arms.

“The man was taken to hospital for treatment, however his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

“Enquiries are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident and anyone who can assist police with their investigation is asked to call immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on0131 311 3131.

Muirhouse Housing Association marks milestone with Fun Day

Muirhouse Housing Associaiton will welcome tenants old and new when they celebrate their 20th anniverary with a fun day at Muirhouse Millennium Centre this afternoon.

With acrobats and magicians, face painting and balloon modelling there’s all the fun of the fair, and for the more energetic there’s a bouncy castle, inflatable assualt course, Zumba or an opportunity to take part in fun exercise classes using hulahoops!

The fun gets under way at 1pm – happy birthday, MHA!

Local derby tomorrow

Tomorrow sees the start of the East of Scotland Football League and the first game of the league campaign sees a local derby in North Edinburgh. Spartans will make the short trip to Marine Drive to play Civil Service Strollers. Civil will still be on a high following their victory last week in the first round of the Sottish Cup and their manager Chic McAleavy will be delighted that influential player Michael Somerville will return for tomorrows game.

Michael Somerville (right) will be back after missing last weeks game. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Spartans will be hoping to bounce back after their defeat last week in the Scottish Cup, the new management team of Dougie Samuel and Neil Irvine will be keen to get their league campaign of to a flyer.

All the action kicks off tomorrow at Telford College playing fields at Marine Drive and kick off is at 2.30pm and the best part is there is no entry fee, so pop along and see what should be an excellent game.

Locals learn the art of Blogging

Well last night I went along to our first NENgage session at Stockbridge Library. On approach to the session I was excited but also a little nervous. I was worried that local people who had booked onto the session wouldn’t turn up and we would be left with just a few of us.

I arrived just in time to watch Tom run through his presentation with Emily and then the participants started to arrive.

I was delighted when local residents and staff from local projects started turning up and very quickly the room was full and everyone who registered had turned up.

Participants taking part in the first NENgage session. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Tom and Emily started their training session and before we knew it was time for the participants to have a go at writing a Blog.

Everyone really enjoyed the training session and then we retired to a nearby watering hole who had agreed to put on a buffet for us. This was a perfect time for people to chat and share tales. For me it was an opportunity to catch up with former NEN board member Tina who attended the training.

Thanks to everyone who came along and we look forward to seeing at the next training session.

Community award for Malcolm Chisholm

Edinburgh North and Leith MSP Malcolm Chisholm was awarded Pilton Central Association’s Rose Bowl at the community organisation’s annual general meeting this evening. The Rose Bowl is awarded annually to people who have made a major contribution to community life in North Edinburgh, and Malcolm Chisholm is the first politician to receive the award since it’s introduction in 1990.

PCA chairperson Betty McVay said: “The Rose Bowl was donated to the PCA by one of my  predecessors, Agnes Laidlaw, who was a tremendous example to community activists. The Rose Bowl is presented to individuals who we feel have made a contribution to making this community a better place to live. Malcolm certainly falls into that category, and has done for a number of years. I know Malcolm has to declare all gifts and presents, so I should point out that this rose bowl is only his to keep for a year – we’ll be wanting it back!”

Malcolm, who has represented North and Leith at both Westminster and then Holyrood since 1992, was genuinely surprised to receive the award. “This is a huge shock, but I’m very honoured and feel very humble to have been considered for a community award like this, particularly here in North Edinburgh. Truly, I’m overwhelmed.”

The Rose Bowl presentation was the highlight of a very successful night for the PCA in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. The meeting was very well attended and the PCA managed to attract a full complement of sixteen committee members, including a number of new faces … and, would you believe it, a young person!

There were two guest speakers at the meeting. North Edinburgh Social History Group’s Roberta Blaikie gave an entertaining history of the succesful community project which has been running for almost four years – and shows no sign of stopping yet! PCA’s financial support enabled the Social History Group to publish their acclaimed ‘Never Give Up’ book.

Jimmy Butler has been a friend of the PCA since ‘being dragged into Ferry Road Drive in 1974 and painting the back shop!’ Most recently Jimmy has been working on a business plan for the PCA and he gave a brief introduction to the draft Community Enterprise Operational Plan. The plan will be discussed in detail at forthcoming committee meetings, but Jimmy said the plan will help PCA to ‘move forward and remain relevant’. He added: “The PCA has been here, well, forever and let’s hope we can make sure it will be here forever!”