Inverleith Park gears up for Moonwalk 2012

The Arabian Nights will come to sedate old Inverleith Park tomorrow night with all the exotic mystery of the East – yes, it’s Moonwalk 2012!

Thousands of women – and more than a few men, too – will walk either the Full Moon (26.2 miles) or the Half Moon. As always, everybody will be wearing brightly decorated bras and this year’s theme is ‘Midnight at the Oasis’; organisers breast cancer charity Walk the Walk are looking forward to seeing some exotic and exciting creations!

Since the first MoonWalk Edinburgh in 2006, this iconic night has brought together ordinary women and men, not just from Scotland but from all over the World, to achieve an extraordinary personal challenge, whilst raising money to improve the lives of cancer patients in Scotland. With the support of over 60,000 walkers over the last 6 years, this one evening has raised in excess of £14 million and over £2 million in 2011 alone.

One in eight women in the UK are expected to experience some form of breast cancer, and statistics show that this type of cancer has accelerated faster in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. Reports also show that 42% of all breast cancers could potentially be prevented by reducing alcohol intake, making changes to diet, becoming more active and, most mportantly, maintaining a healthy weight. Joining a Walk the Walk challenge for many is often that first, all-important step towards making vital life changes.

Organiser and founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough, said: “The MoonWalk Edinburgh is a very special night, not only for all the wonderful Scottish energy that unites us in this common bond, but I love and cherish the fact that we are making such a difference to the lives of so many people in Scotland with cancer, not just in the main cities but from coast to coast including people living in the Highlands and Islands. It really is a night when everybody can help to make a difference, not only towards their own health but the lives of many. It is probably the most dynamic and awe-inspiring night that you could experience.”

Walk the Walk’s volunteer team could use some extra help on the big night. Their appeal:

‘We really need your help to recruit more smiling faces to act as route marshals to guide, cheer and encourage our walkers round the route. We are also looking for some early morning drivers to patrol the route and respond to calls to pick up and transport marshals or walkers who can no longer continue their walk. Finally, perhaps you are a keen cyclist – you could be part of one of our cycle teams, supporting the static marshals and lending comfort and safety to walkers who may find themselves on their own or struggling. If you can help please come along to Inverleith Park from 2 pm on Saturday and we’ll sign you up.  Whatever time you can come, we’ll find you something to do!!  AND it’s great FUN!!’

 

 

Saturday cleanup for Wardie Bay

Wardie Bay Residents Association (WBRA) are organising their annual clean-up of Wardie Bay beach tomorrow afternoon from 2pm until 5pm – and they could use some help!

Trinity Community Council Secretary Tom Kelly said: “WBRA will supply  tools (picker-uppers, gloves and bin bags) for use in collecting lighter items.  They request those who can, to bring a  spade or fork to release larger items such as car tyres. The work party will be  meeting at the entrance to the beach off  Lower Granton Road. It would be  good if you can pass on this message to any possible volunteers – or indeed join  the work party yourself or send along able-bodied members of your family.”

Success for Spartans u14’s

Hugh Cullen

Spartans Under 14s Whites won the League Cup last Thursday after a season that has seen them go from bottom of the league to cup glory in a matter of months.

The league campaign started poorly with the team losing 10 games in a row, which saw them drop out of most competitions and fall to the bottom of the table. The Head Coach left and a new coaching team took over. Hugh Cullen, Lewis Melee and Greg Atkinson became the youngest coaches in the club at the ages of 16, 17 and 17 respectively.

The team celebrate after winning the trophy.

Soon, the side started scoring goals and their first win came away to Gullane in the League Cup- this gave the boys a huge lift and soon they became more confident in their ability and started to play some good, attractive football. One of the real signs that this team was not to be taken lightly was when Spartans defeated top of the table Dalkieth 4-2 in an entertaining match at Marine Drive.

It has been revealed that the team actually came very close to folding when the team’s goalkeeper decided to leave the club however they were saved when Finlay Kidd boldly volunteered to wear the number one jersey and, in fact, had a great season in between the posts. The side were also helped when, midway through the season, there was a new addition to the side. Samuel Nhamburo scored twelve goals in his first two games and only failed to score on two occasions, both against eventual league champions Fernieside.

Spartans went on to go undefeated in the League cup and finished in top position in their five man group and thrashed Leith Athletic 6-2 to progress to the final (Nhamburo scoring five). In the final they faced Fernieside who are the only team that they lost to in 2012. Spartans took an early lead through a 25-yard goal from Daniel Anderson however Fernieside got back into the game and led going into injury time. Spartans substitute scored in the last minute of the 90 and then with four minutes of injury time played, Gabriel Hill scored the winner, topping off a fantastic season for the boys.

Thanks a million, Elsie!

Sunday 27 May marked a significant milestone in Elsie Moir’s 58 year association with North Edinburgh parents and children. Having reached her 80th birthday, Elsie decided it was time to ‘retire’ from the leadership of the Patch Club at Granton Parish Church.

Elsie started her teaching career atGrantonSchoolin 1954. Following her marriage in 1961, she went to South Africa and worked with husband Ian at a black African High School for 12 years. When Ian became minister of the West Pilton’s Old Kirk in 1983, Elsie asked for a teaching transfer to North Edinburgh. She was appointed toGrantonSchool, but resigned her post after a year in order to work in the Church with the large number of families who were moving into the renovated houses inWest Pilton.

 She started a Parent and Toddler Group and also a group for parents. Elsie believed passionately in giving people of all ages an opportunity to learn together, through the expressive arts (art, music and drama). This led to the formation of the ‘Worship Workshop’. People worked for six weeks around a theme which culminated in an all-age worship presentation in the Church. This approach was very attractive to parents and children, who appreciated being able to learn and work together.

Following Ian’s retirement in 2000 the couple became members of Granton Parish Church. The Patch Club grew out of an existing organisation, the Magic Carpet Club, which Elsie had started as a storytelling club for parents and pre-school children in 2006. In 2008 she started a Sunday version of the club – Patch Club. It has the same elements as the ‘Magic Carpet’ – free-play, storytelling, music and two craft activities.

Of the ten families currently attending, there are two Polish families, two Chinese families and a Czech family as well as local families. It is a very good meeting place for immigrant and Scottish families and warm friendships have grown among the group.

The Patch Club starts again after the summer break on Sunday 2nd September and meets from 11 – 12 noon inGrantonParishChurch,Boswall Parkway. New families are always welcome.

Thanks to Ian Moir and Chas Macintosh

Grierson celebrate Jubilee in style

Grierson Square residents celebrated the Queens Diamond Jubilee in style on Tuesday and even had their own ‘Griersonham Palace’.

VIP’s for the day Ella Thzaker, Margaret Slimon & Jim Slimon. (Pic: Thomas Brown)

The event was organised by locals Janet Munro and Andrina Pickavance, the two local have organised street celebrations in the past and thought that it was important to mark the occasion with their own street party. They told us “We have been planning this event for a few months, we had various meetings with our neighbours to ensure everyone was involved. Its all about the kids and giving them something to enjoy, we have races, prizes and lots of exciting things for them to do.”

Pin the tail on the Corgi with Nicola Spinks, Lucy Pickavance & Mhairi Pickavance. (Pic: Thomas Brown)

They also had there own ‘pin the tail on the Corgi’ this was a favourite among many of the younger children who attended.

They also had VIP’s for the day who were three local residents who had stayed in the Square for a number of years.

Event organisers Janet Munro and Andrina Pickavance. (Pic: Thomas Brown)

All the local people who attended had a great day and it was great to see such a great community spirit.

Oaklands MOVEs to space!

Oaklands was transformed into a strange new galaxy last month when the school celebrated National MOVE Day. Pupils, staff and visitors boldly went to search out new worlds – and raised over £140 in the process!

Oaklands introduced the Move curriculum in July 2009. It’s a movement-based programme which combines therapy and education to develop the individual’s mobility skills. Each individual programme is set by the physiotherapist, the pupil and their family and the school staff. Using a goal-based approach, the pupil works towards agreed targets; these range from being able to raise and hold their head independently enabling them to view and interact with the world around them, to being able to walk using walking frames.

Oaklands has supported National MOVE Day – a nationwide day celebrating the achievements of children with complex disabilities and health needs – since then, and the theme this year was ‘MOVE in Space’. The school was transformed into a strange and wonderful new universe where children and visitors could take part in a magical space voyage, stopping off at various points to enjoy exciting new experiences. Cosmic!

Leith celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Over 25 residents took part in a Diamond Jubilee celebration at St Nicholas Court Sheltered Housing Complex in Leith on Sunday. Residents and staff at the Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) dressed in their finery and enjoyed afternoon tea, including celebratory champagne, as they watched the floatilla on Sunday. There was also a Royal Quiz and music at the event.

Resident Margaret McKinlay remembers the Queen’s coronation in 1952. She said: “I have fond memories of the day the Queen was crowned and am delighted that we have been able to celebrate that today in such a fun way with the other residents.”

PoLHA’s other sheltered housing complexes at Hermitage and Jameson Place were also celebrating. Maureen Tait who manages St Nicholas Court said: “We had a lovely day and it’s fantastic to bring everyone together to make this jubilee a celebration to remember.”

Wood you believe it? Green award for Oaklands

Oaklands School’s Millennium Wood scooped a prize when it was named runner up in the schools section of Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards last week.  Oaklands’ wood has only been growing for three years but the judges were clearly impressed and the school now has £250 to invest in improving their environment even more.

The cheque was presented by Bonnie Maggio of Scotland’s Finest Woods charity at a special assembly at Oaklands last week. Guest of honour at the event was Susan Walsh (pictured above right with her son Oscar), who with her family has done so much to support the Oaklands Millennium Wood project. The former Principal Teacher of Art at Fettes College worked with Oaklands over five years, seeing the garden grow and develop, and Susan and her family are now moving on to a new life in Canada.

They leave with a lot of love and good wishes, and they leave behind a growing, thriving wee area of peaceful woodland in North Edinburgh.

Dougie Samuel takes charge at Spartans

Douglas Samuel has been appointed senior team manger at Spartans. A statement posted on the Ainslie Park club’s website today confirmed his appointment and that of Neil Irvine as assistant boss. Dougie, a former club captain, is currently development manager at the club.

The Spartans statement says:

‘We are delighted to announce Douglas Samuel as the manager of our Senior team.  As most of you know Douglas has been head coach of Edinburgh University FC for the last nine seasons since leaving us as a player.  Douglas outlined his plans to the Executive yesterday afternoon and we were delighted to select him and his team to help us move forward over many seasons to come.  Neil Irvine will be Douglas’ assistant manager.  Neil was also a player with us before supporting Douglas at the University.

Chairman Craig Graham said “Douglas and Neil’s management and coaching pedigree make them the perfect choice.  We have ambitious plans over the next five years plus and Douglas will spearhead our on field developments.  As well as being manager of our Senior team Douglas will have oversight of our Junior, U21 and U19 set ups to ensure we align all our efforts”.

Douglas will be meeting our players over the next couple of weeks and we look forward to announcing our squad for next season at the end of the month.  Douglas’ full coaching and player development team will also be announced over the next couple of weeks’.

 

Granton musical: don’t miss it!

Following on from this morning’s post about Granton’s musical, I was lucky enough to catch the dress rehearsal this afternoon. This was the first time the cast have performed YANOMAMO in front of a live audience – their schoolmates – and the verdict? A resounding success!

Without giving too much away, YANOMAMO tells the tale of a tribe who have lived in the Amazonian rainforest since the dawn on man. Their future, and that of the rainforest, is put under threat by loggers and developers …

It’s well written, enthusiastically performed, the songs are great; in short, it’s very good and well worth seeing. There are a few tickets left for performances on Wednesday and Thursday evening (7pm) and Friday’s matinee (priced £5) – call the school office on 552 3987 to check availability.