Weekend drama at St. Serf’s

Love drama?  Then it’s got to be Goldenacre this month as St. Serf’s Church Halls on Clark Road is the venue for Scottish Community Drama Association’s One Act Festival.  With four plays on Friday 17th and three more on Saturday 18th there’s a feast of drama for everyone to enjoy – and you can vote for your favourite performance too.

Tickets, price £8 per evening or £14 for both nights, are available from Elliot Clark Flowers in Montagu Terrace and can also be bought at the door on the night – performances start at 7pm.  Call 225 5952 for more information on the One Act Festival.

MYDG Open Day

Muirhouse Youth Development Group is holding an Open Day at St. Paul’s on Friday 10 February from 2.30 – 4.30pm.  Find out what’s happening in your area – activities on offer include pool, Wii, table tennis, arts and crafts, climbing, bike assault course and music. Interested?  Call Joanne Stewart on 332 3356 for more details.

Adios, Dave!

MOVING ON: Dave Hewitt

There were more than a few sore heads in North Edinburgh on Saturday morning following a farewell drinks party for Dave Hewitt in Broughton Street’s Cask and Barrel at the weekend! 

Dave Hewitt worked in North Edinburgh for over seventeen years, first at The Pilton Partnership then more recently managing Pilton Community Health Project in Boswall Parkway.  Dave moved on to take up a new post with Community learning and Development in Tollcross earlier this month, and Friday’s event was an opportunity to get together with old friends and colleagues to reminisce about the good old days!

Dave said:  “I have some great memories of my time in North Edinburgh and I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with some very good people.  There’s no doubt that the last few years have been very hard for the whole voluntary sector, though, and that’s been the story for the Health Project too.  That’s situations unlikely to change in the near future and projects are constantly struggling to provide the best services they can in very difficult circumstances.  I wish all projects in North Edinburgh the very best of luck in the tough times ahead”.

 

 

Tributes paid to Drylaw activist

Tributes are today being paid to long standing community activist Anna Aitken, Anna passed away over the weekend following a short illness.

Anna Aitken collecting her Good Citizen Award in 2002. (Picture: Dave Pickering)

Anna was heavily involved in the Rainbow Club at Drylaw Church as well as the Young at Heart Club at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

We will publish funeral arrangements once they are known.

Teenager faces trial over rape and murder of OAP

A TEENAGER accused of murdering a 63-year-old  woman during a sex attack in Drylaw is to stand trial.

Jay Soso admits having sex with the pensioner.

 

Marie Reid’s body was found at her home in Easter Drylaw Way, on November 15 2010.

Jay Soso, of Home Street, Tollcross, admits having sex with the pensioner but denies rape and murder.

After a brief hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, judge Lord Turnbull allowed Soso, 19, to remain on bail until his trial in Glasgow on May 29.

Soso is accused of raping Marie Reid and committing other sex acts before inflicting injuries “by means unknown” which led to her death.

He also denies cleaning up in the house in an attempt to destroy evidence.

Other charges, which Soso also denies, allege that he stole a bank card and pre-pay television box, stole cash from ATMs and had cannabis and amphetamine in his possession.

Drylaw attack victim named

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HAPPIER TIMES: Evelyn Crawford pictured with Drylaw Church minister Pat Watson at the Tierney Award reception in 2007

Police have confirmed that the victim of Sunday’s attack in Groathill Road North was 75-year old Evelyn Crawford of Wester Drylaw.  Mrs Crawford remains sedated in hospital with serious injuries including broken ribs, a punctured lung and broken fingers following the vicious attack – thought to be a handbag snatch that escalated – which took place at around 6pm near Ferryhill School.

Evelyn Crawford is a much-loved figure in the local community.  A Drylaw Parish church elder and a willing helper at Girl Guiding and youth clubs, she has also been an enthusiastic member of Drylaw Telford Community Council for many years.  Her dedication to her community was rewarded in 2007 when she was awarded the community council’s Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship.

News of the attack on a much-loved local pensioner has left the community stunned.  A spokesman for Drylaw Telford Community Council said:  “We are all shocked and sickened at this news.  So many people knew and liked Evelyn – put simply, you couldn’t meet a nicer or more helpful person.  Our heartfelt best wishes for a speedy and full recovery go to Evelyn, and we appeal to anyone who has any information at all about this horrific attack to urgently contact the police.  This person must be caught”.

The attacker is described as in his early 20s, around 6ft tall with a skinny build. He was wearing dark clothing and a hat.  It’s understood that he tried to seize Mrs Crawford’s handbag in the attack which took place in Groathill Road North, near the junction with Easter Drylaw Avenue. The attacker was then pursued by a member of the public who chased him towards Telford Road before losing him in Easter Drylaw Drive.

Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.