PYCP summer programme unveiled

Pilton Youth and Children’s Project’s Summer Programme is hot off the press and it’s packed with fun activities for the holidays.

From barbecues and fun clubs to movie clubs and summer snowboarding (!) – and trips to the Fringe, Blair Drummond and Laser Quest, too – there should be something to keep children and young people happy over the summer.

Spaces for trips are limited and priority will be given to existing service users; sign up day is Friday 6 July from 10am – 3pm.

For further information telephone 332 9815, visit PYCP’s website at www.pycp.co.uk or email summer@pycp.co.uk

 

 

Youth Music Initiative to launch at North Edinburgh Arts

On Thursday 28th June 7-8.30pm, North Edinburgh Arts is hosting an urban music event for young  people 12 and over. This will launch the Youth Music Initiative (YMI) Demo Fund  projects and highlight other music opportunities happening in the centre. The  scheme will give young musicians and bands the chance to record demos in the  studio absolutely free.

Creative Scotland’s YMI Demo Fund, supported by the Cashback for Communities proceeds  from crime money helps young musicians working independently by giving them  access to professional sound recording facilities enabling them to record a  professional demo. This is North Edinburgh Arts second Demo Fund project and we  hope to build on the successes of last year by engaging a whole new group of  budding musicians and songwriters.

From 7 – 7.30pm, Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG) will host the first part  of the evening with drinks and refreshments served by our young café volunteers.  There will be lots of activities on offer and a live performance by South  African singer/songwriter Rosita Rhodes. From 7.30pm the internationally  acclaimed Tiako Drummers, Patrick Walker (Forward Strategy Group) Jay Cash  (Grime & Dub-step) and Danny Ladwa (Beat Boxer) will perform. All of these  musicians will be involved with aspects of the Demo Fund and other music  projects in North Edinburgh Arts. We hope this dynamic line-up will inspire and  encourage our local young people to get involved.

David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager at Creative Scotland, said; ‘The  creative strand of the CashBack programme has allowed eighteen recording studios  across the country to open their doors to our young musicians, giving them  access to professional standard recording facilities. Creative Identities also  supports high quality dance and film projects throughout the country.  The  Cashback for Communities initiative has enabled us to re-invests the proceeds of  crime back into communities to make a real difference to the lives of our young  people’.

For more information on this or other projects please go to our  website at www.northedinburgharts.co.uk or email marketing@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Letter: Better Together?

Dear Editor

I do not vote for any of the major political parties. It was interesting to read about the Scottish Labour MSPs joining up with the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to promote the “Better Together” campaign about the Independence vote due to take place in 2014. Here we have the main leaders of political parties in Scotland – Johann Lamont, Willie Rennie and Ruth Davidson spearheaded by Alistair Darling – trying to convince the Scottish electorate that Scotland would be better as part of the UK Union.

We are all aware that Scotland has only one Tory MP who sits in the Westminster Government, so do the Conservatives really have a mandate in Scotland? Are we “Better Together” while the Tories make their immoral and unfair cuts to welfare reforms, pensions and the health service? Are we “Better Together” when the English governments lead us into illegal wars?

We have an English chancellor who has made so many u turns in his budget since it was announced. George Osbourne has also threatened Scotland that, should they vote for independence, we will not be able to use the pound sterling. Then again he may do yet another u turn on that decision!

At the launch of the “Better Together” campaign we saw around forty Scots who have little to do with politics support the campaign. Does this handful of people speak for the whole Scottish nation?

The SNP have informed the nation that the Queen would still be head of state should Scotland vote for independence. If this occurs, should there not be a vote by the Scottish people who we should have as head of state? The Queen’s title is Elizabeth II of England – not Scotland, Ireland or Great Britain.

Do not forget the terrible Poll Tax that the English Tories endorsed in Scotland during the Thatcher years and was only withdrawn when it was imposed in England after riots on the streets of London. How can the Scots forget the closure of all the industries in Scotland due to Tory rule? During that time Labour and other political parties were urging our nation never to trust them (the Tories) again. Now here we have the Scottish Labour Party trying to convince the electorate that we are “Better Together” in the United Kingdom! Better for who? Their own political careers!

Do not underestimate the Scottish electorate by trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Remember the SNP were elected by a big majority at the last Scottish Election. The LibDems were annihilated at the recent council elections due to their national policy of “jumping into bed with the Tories”. I await the forthcoming debates with bated breath.

Anna Hutchison

What do you think? Better together or apart? Would it make any difference? Do you care? Will you vote in the referendum? Let us know!

Haven summer fun day for dads and kids

News of fun events is coming in thick and fast! The Haven Project, based at Craigroyston Primary School, is holding a Summer Fun Day for dads and kids on Thursday 12 July from 11 – 2pm.

Dads, bring your kids along and enjoy a barbecue, bouncy castle, fun and games.

If you would like more information or you plan to attend, call The Haven Project on 332 9269 or email nick.smithers@circlescotland.org

Time Banking: time to give and take

Can you lend a hand to someone in your community? Do you need a helping hand every now and then? If so, you’re a perfect recruit to North Edinburgh’s growing team of Time Bank members! Julie Smith recently took up a new post as Timebroker with North Edinburgh Time Bank, and she explains what it’s all about:

What is Time Banking?

Its’ a really simple idea designed to support people who help others and to offer support ro those that need it. For every hour you spend doing something for somebody, you get a time credit. You can then use that to get an hour of somebody else’s time to help you.

Isn’t that just being a good neighbour?

Yes it is! But we’ve all seen our communities change over time. We don’t all know our neighbours now, or where to go to ask for a favour. A time bank is a way of getting to know each other in the community, in order to give and receive help from each other.

What kind of help is on offer?

All sorts of different services are on offer – depending on the individual members involved. It can be anything from giving someone a lift to an appointment, to teaching them how to play guitar. It can be offering a bit of company to someone who is isolated, or doing the garden for someone who’s broken their arm … anything really, except babysitting and personal care.

I don’t have any skills to offer

Yes, you do!  TIme Banking recognises all the talents, experiences and knowledge people have. You might be a good listener and available to be company for someone for an hour or so. You might be able to help them so their garden, or put up shelves. maybe you’re good at knitting or you can give folk a lift to an appointment. Everyone has something to offer.

How Does It Work?

You become a member of North Edinburgh Time Bank. Contact Julie Smith, your local Time Bank Broker – details below.

You can then start offering help to folk and receiving your time credits. You can ‘cash’ your credits in when you want to use someone else’s skills or knowledge.

Who’s in charge of the bank?

The TIme Bank Broker keeps a record of what you’ve done and keeps you informed of all the time credits you have. The Broker also organises social events so the members of the Time Bank can get to know each other.

How much time do I have to give?

As much or as little as you want. You decide what you want to offer and if you see if you’re available when someone wants your service. It may only be a couple of hours a month – or more or less. It’s really up to you – you’re in control and you can get involved as much – or as little – as you like, As a member, you can come to all the social events too!

Isn’t this just volunteering?

Time Banking is NOT volunteering of charity. It is all about the members offering their skills, abilities and expertise to help others to a level that you can expect from a friend or neighbour. You do not need to be an expert – on anything!

Who Can Join?

Everyone is welcome, as long as you’re 18 or over. Everyone is treated equally – everyone’s time is worth exactly the same and everyone has something worthwhile to contribute.

Interested, or want to find out more?

Contact Jule Smith on 07807 002 591, email north.timebank@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

You can visit the website at www.edinburghtimebank.org or call in to North Edinburgh Arts cafe on Wednesdays from 10.30 – 11.30am

Local families – are you Motivated to Move?

Last year’s Muirhouse Million Steps was one of the area’s most talked-about community events, with over 120 people taking part in the marathon walk around the area. Community Healthy Lifestyles coordinator Lisa Arnott hopes to make the event even bigger this year, and offers a great opportunity for local families to improve their fitness. She explains what’s being planned:

“Preparations for Muirhouse Million Steps 2012 is well underway and this year’s event aims to be even more fun!  In partnership with the Move It Project,  Muirhouse Slimmers, Craigroyston Community High School and the Active Schools coordinator, Pilton Community Health Project is developing a new family fitness programme…. Motivate to Move or M2M.

M2M is a free eight week family fitness training programme which brings together great resources to enable up to eight 8 lucky families to improve their fitness and take part in the Muirhouse Million Steps. It is a pilot and place will be limited but a great prize for any family wanting to improve their families fitness with support from personal trainers.

The Muirhouse Million Steps 2012 will take place on Friday 28September. This year we are offering 8 local families the chance to win their own personal family fitness programme and to train for the Muirhouse Million Steps and beyond!!!!!!!!  Each lucky local family will receive:

  • Free personalised  8 week family fitness programme
  • Free support from their very own family fitness trainer
  • Free access to local sports facilities for a family fitness activity
  • At least 2 weekly sessions  of supported family fitness activity
  • Each participating family would need to be available from 5h August to end of September  and attend the Muirhouse Million Steps on Friday 28 September
  • Participating families must live in Muirhouse, West Pilton, West Granton, Drylaw, Granton, Royston or Wardieburn areas
  • Each family would need to be able to commit to at least 2 weekly supported family fitness training sessions. Times and days negotiable within reason, although there will be no supported training on a Sunday!
  • Each family will have their journey to fitness documented using photography and /or articles in the NEN, on the PCHP website, blogs and facebook
  •  A family can be up to 3 adults and at least 1 child of primary school age. The lucky families will be selected and notified by 12 July. “

If you are interested, please apply to Lisa Arnott, Community Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator at

Pilton Community Health Project 73 Boswall Parkway EH5 2PW

or email: lisaarnott@pchp.org.uk or tel: 0131 551 1671.

Pirniehall artwork brightens promenade

 

Pic: City of Edinburgh Council

Artwork designed by local children was installed yesterday (Tuesday) by the City of Edinburgh Council on the Granton stretch of the Edinburgh Promenade. The Rubbings Trail is a pilot and aims to provide a fun activity for everyone using the walkway to enjoy.

It hopes to draw people  along the walkway to collect three themed bronze plaques based on the history and heritage of Granton.  It is proposed that the collection is extended to run along the full length of  the promenade in the future.

The  plaques were designed by Pirniehall P4s Jason Bateman, Erinn Tyler and Alexander Trainer and include a shoal of  fish; an oyster catcher; and boats and a seal at Granton  Harbour. Local artist Kate Ive, winner of the  British Medal Society’s ‘New Medallist  Scheme’ 2011/12, translated the original  designs into bronze.

Cllr Tom Buchanan, Convener of the Economic Development  Committee, said: “The Council is committed to delivering a high quality  Promenade between Cramond and Joppa. Over  the last five years, in excess of £400,000  has been invested completing the section between Cramond and Granton. The Rubbings Trail is a fantastic addition to this stretch of  the Promenade, which is now being heavily used by walkers,  cyclists and visitors. I  look forward to many thousands of people each year enjoying this new  artwork produced by our talented school children alongside the excellent views  to Fife.”

The Edinburgh Promenade runs for 17km  and stretches from Cramond in the west to Joppa in the East. As well as forming  part of the Scottish Coastal Path it is also part of the North Sea Trail.

The Promenade is a vital  part of the waterfront regeneration and has the support of a wide range  of stakeholders.

City of Edinburgh Council