THE John Hope Gateway Centre at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has been named the most sustainable building in Scotland in this year’s prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland awards.
The judges said the design of the visitor attraction “enhanced the wider environment and in the process formed an environmentally-friendly building”.
It is the latest in a string of awards for the £15.7 million building, which has been a great success with visitors since it opened at the Botanics in October 2009.
Fet Lor Youth Clubis set to be demolished rebuilt as a purpose build state-of-the-art facility which has been designed with the help of local young people.
The club works with youngsters between the ages of eight and 18 in the local area, offering them a wide range of activities, opportunities and experiences they may not otherwise come across such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Outdoor Education programmes and various other worthwhile initiatives. The existing much-loved and well-used centre inNorth Edinburghis a wooden building which was built in the early 1960s. It has been looked after well over the years but it won’t last forever and it has been a dream of the club for some years to replace the building.
Architects began work on the plans four years ago after which Fet Lor launched their ‘Big Project’ to raise the projected £1.5 million cost for the rebuild. A figure that the club cites as a “significant challenge” on their website. Centre manager, Mark Foster is enthusiastic about the proposed new building. He said: “It is potentially a huge step up from the facilities we have at the moment and will offer new variety for the members. The current centre has been struggling on for 40 to 50 years and it has reached the end of its useful life, now we have the opportunity to get a brand new facility. Having it purpose-built will be a significant advantage. We don’t have a whole lot of space here that is not for sport. There is not much room for small group work and the new building will hopefully tackle that.
“The area tends to be dominated by the boys playing football, but there will now be a dance area which the girls were keen on having in the new facility. It will also give us designated areas for the more messy activities like bike maintenance and it means we do not have to constantly tidy up areas so these can be used for different activities. Within the plans for the new centre there will also be a low-level climbing wall in the corner of the sports hall. This again will allow us offer new experiences to the young people who attend the provision”
Architect, James Robertson worked collaboratively with Pippa Swan to design the new building. He said: “We spent time talking with the members of the club asking them what they liked about the current building, what they didn’t like and what they would like to see in the new place. We had thought that they would want to have lots of light flooding in and for it to look really futuristic in style. But they didn’t want people to be able to see in, they wanted it to be their space so we worked on the concept of a fort to protect. The whole design was driven by this and once we had that, the rest of it just fell into place.
“The new design will offer various different spaces, at the moment there is really only one main hall and if the boys are playing football then it is hard for Mark and the other leaders to be heard. The exterior will be made up of jigsaw cladding which will allow light in from different angles throughout the day this will mean that the space will always be changing with different shadows inside the building. The lighting on the outside of the building can also vary meaning that it is always changing. They wanted to have their jewel and that’s what we have tried to do.”
The proposed plans which have been submitted to the City ofEdinburgh Councilinclude the demolition of the existing youth club structure and the removal of the existing nursery structure. The new youth club would be built on the same site along with the relocation of the nursery building. The plans are currently pending consideration by the City ofEdinburgh Councilplanning department.[slideshow]
Bike Club Development officer amy Hickman said “Muirhouse Youth Bike Club is an inspirational project which will enhance employability and increase physical activity levels in the area” Speaking at the official launch of the MY Bike Club and MY Adventure.
Young people, members of the public, staff and volunteers from other organisations all packed into the Klub to find out more about the programme of activities Muirhouse Youth Development Group is now able to offer
The afternoon kicked off with everyone coming down to The Klub in Muirhouse shopping centre where they were welcomed by staff and volunteers from MYDG. Amy Hickman, Bike Club officer, welcomed everybody to The Klub. Jonny Kinross, MYDG development worker, gave an overview of the two projects.
Bike Club funding has been used to become a City & Guilds accredited centre delivering bike maintenance courses to young people. Young people will also be trained up to deliver Scottish Cycle training and GoMountain Bike courses. This will allow MY Adventure to deliver a variety of outdoors activities to groups across Edinburgh, including cycling activities and Dr Bike surgeries.
Councillor Cammy Day attended to show his support for this project. He finished proceedings by officially opening the workshop and congratulating MYDG on becoming the first Bike Club in Edinburgh, and the first organisation to deliver the City & Guilds qualification in the city!
Young people and visitors were invited to have a look around the new workshop and to have a go on their obstacle course. Everyone admired the new tool boards and fetching Bike Club overalls purchased through Bike Club funding. They also had Bike Mechanics on hand to fix any bikes in need of some TLC. All in all a pretty good afternoon, well done to everybody at MYDG!
Amy added “Muirhouse is showing Edinburgh the way forward by becoming the first project in the capital to join this UK-wide initiative. The new Bike Club project will play a key role in the regeneration of Muirhouse by providing local children and young adults with skills and qualifications for the workplace and by switching them on to learning.”
Amy Hickman and Cammy Day look on as Bike mechanic gets to work. Picture: Amy Hickman
“Through the project, young people from Muirhouse will be trained to deliver bike maintenance, Scottish Cycle training and GoMountain Bike Skills. Once qualified, they will go on to deliver bike safety courses and GoMountain Bike Courses to primary and secondary school pupils. The project also lets young people contribute to the local community.”
“Muirhouse Youth Development Group is working with Bike Club,ActiveSchoolsand Muirhouse Youth Adventure to roll out this programme. Bike Club is a UK-wide organisation that offers grants and expert support to youth clubs, schools and other groups to promote health and learning among 10 to 20 year olds. It is operated by a consortium of three charities: UK Youth, ContinYou and CTC – The UK’s National Cyclists’ Organisation, with Youth Scotland as a development partner. Bike Club is funded by the ASDA foundation.”
If you would like more information please contact MYDG on 332 3356
Well done to all at MYDG
Councillor Cammy Day with Bike Club Officer Amy Hickman and MYDG Youth Worker Peter Airlie. Picture: Amy Hickman
A senior director of the city council has left his role – triggering a huge pension pay-out. Jim Inch has stepped down as director of corporate services after agreeing to take early retirement.
Council officials say that there are no direct costs to the council of his retirement from his £120,513-a-year post. But he will start benefiting from a pension pot now worth over £1.3 million, and his retirement will automatically trigger a £160,390 lump sum payment.
Mr Inch sent a message to all council staff, thanking them for their work and support.
His retirement follows that of former chief executive Tom Aitchison, who stood down at the end of last year and received a £209,845 lump sum from his pension. Director of finance Donald McGougan will also leave his post in June, which will earn him a payment of at least £170,802.
The pension deals have been labelled “obscene” by taxpayer groups. A review is underway into the posts held by Mr Inch and Mr McGougan. Temporary appointments are to be made for six months as chief executive Sue Bruce decides whether to revamp the corporate services and finance departments.
Spartans picked up their second trophy of the season with a convincing 3-0 win over Edinburgh City in the final of the South Region Cup.
Co-manager mike Lawson said “Sam and I were delighted with what was a very professional performance by our experienced squad at Tynecastle yesterday. Apart from two small spells in the middle of either half where we needlessly kicked the ball away too often, we in the main controlled the game and kept possession of the football. It was a very hot afternoon for both sets of players and the team chasing the ball were always going to have the harder job and so it turned out.
It took Spartans only 15 minutes to open their account when a Dean Hoskins corner was whipped in and Omar Kader got his head on the end of it and his delicate header from close range beat Alan Stobie in the City goal.
City almost equalised on the half hour mark when a Robbie Ross corner was played in and the Spartans defence didn’t clear the danger, the ball landed at Ross Macnamara and his scissor kick effort went just over the bar.
Just before the interval Spartans were awarded a penalty kick when Danny O’Donnell broke down the wing and his cross was blocked by the hand of City defender Ruairdh Scott. Gavin Malin stepped up and fired the ball past the keeper and into the net to double Spartans advantage.
Kader got his second of the afternoon when Ross Archibald went on a run down the wing and squared to unmarked Kader in the six yard box, Kader was left with the simple task on knocking the ball into the net.
Lawson added” The first goal was always going to be crucial and with the game in the balance Deano’s delivery, Towner’s header towards goal and Omar’s flick in front of the keeper were all top drawer. From then on it was always going to be very difficult for the Meadowbank boys and so it proved. Despite the distractions Gavin riffled home the penalty and Omar scored a simple third after the best move of the match. Their is no sentiment in football but I hope City break their cup drought some time soon but only if it’s not at our expense.”
“The Premier League trophy and two cups are now safely at home in the Academy Boardroom and we have two more cups to try to retain. Before that comes three league games in the five days and Sam and I will work out how to juggle our small squad to keep the players as fresh as possible. It won’t be easy.”
Spartans next fixture is tomorrow night at the Academy against Lothian thistle, kick off is at7.30pm.
A fire that was started deliberately has ripped through the disused West Pilton Family Centre on Ferry Road Drive.
Police and Fire service staff were advising local residents to go inside and close all windows and doors as there is a risk due to the amount of Asbestos that was in the building.
Police are appealing for information and have asked anyone with information to contact them on 311 3131.
Drylaw man Henry MacDonald received Drylaw Telford Community Council’s annual award for good citizenship last night (Wednesday 27 April). Sixty-eight year old Henry was following in his father’s footsteps – dad Harry was the first recipient of the award which was established in 2000!
Drylaw Telford Community Council introduced the annual award for good citizenship following the death of local campaigner, activist and enthusiastic community councillor Tam Tierney in 1999. Since the launch of the award there have been dozens of nominations and eleven recipients, but father and son Harry and Henry are the first members of the same family to receive the award.
Drylaw Telford Community Council hosted a reception at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre last night and Henry was joined by friends and family (including identical twin brother George and dad Harry), church members and community councillors at the celebration. Guests included Tam Tierney’s widow Cath and their son Thomas, and all four Inverleith councillors – Lesley Hinds, Stuart McIvor, Tim McKay and Iain Whyte – also attended.
Councillor Tim McKay, convener of Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership, presented Henry with a plaque and said: “Henry was cited by six nominees for his work as a volunteer with Drylaw Church. His helpfulness clearly shines through, and Henry is obviously following in a family tradition! I am delighted to present this well-deserved award on behalf of the community council”.
Drylaw Parish Church minister Pat Watson added: “Since I arrived at Drylaw over five years ago Henry has just been so helpful. As well as welcoming guests to the church and preparing lunches Henry is always helping out – you can be sure that if anything is left lying around for too long our Henry will dispose of it! People dropping in will also be offered a cup of tea and a bacon roll, too, so as well as being warmly welcomed they will be well-fed too! Henry really makes a valuable contribution to church life just as Harry did. Harry kept the church grounds looking beautiful until just a couple of years ago and Henry is keeping up the good work – if Henry is able to do even half the work his dad did over the years Drylaw church will be well served for years to come. Many congratulations”.
It’s been quite a year for the local McDonald clan – as well as Henry’s award, mum and dad Harry and Nan celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last month.
While he was delighted to receive the award, Henry won’t be resting on his laurels – on Sunday he’ll be putting his best foot forward when he takes part in an annual sponsored walk over the Forth Road Bridge for the Christian Aid charity. It’s an event Henry’s supported for many years and he took the opportunity to add quite a few names to his sponsor sheet at the Drylaw event!
Spartans were crowned Central taxis Premier Division Champions earlier this month for the third consecutive year. The Ainslie Park men traveled to Rosewell, the home of Whitehill Welfare and clinched the title thanks to a Ross Archibald goal. Co-manager Sam Lynch said “We deserved the title over the course of the year and I am delighted with the win. The boys are ecstatic, the atmosphere in the changing room is superb. We won’t get carried away however, we are still in the later stages of a few cups and we will now concentrate on them.” Lynch added “I thanked the players for their superb efforts over the season and congratulated them. Tonight is my seventh league title at Spartans and I’ve enjoyed every one.”
Spartans faced the same opposition a week earlier and were defeated 2-1, their first league defeat of the season and this delayed them being crowned Champions. One week later and they were held by Whitehill until the dying stages of the game when they were awarded a penalty late in the game and team Captain Ross Archibald stepped up to fire the ball home.
Goal here Archibald said “That is the most important goal I have scored this year as it gave us the vital three points that means we have the title. It’s been a long time coming for us. I think over the season we have been the most consistent team in the league, although maybe not always the best team. We have played good football and when we didn’t play well we ground out results.”
The Spartans squad celebrate after picking up the trophy
Club chairman, Craig Graham has nothing but praise for the team and what they have achieved. He said: “From the start of the season the number one objective was to win the league. It became clear that we were going to win the league and the players have done exceptionally well especially considering there were a number of close games that could have gone either way but the players used resilience and skill to prevent any losses.”
“The thing with winning the league two years in a row is that you become the team to beat and as a result the opponents often bring their best game, which didn’t make it easy for us. We are quite fortunate that we have a number of players who have been with us for five or six seasons and their experience was a huge benefit to the team. If they lost an early goal they didn’t panic and were able to work to get it back.”
Craig admits that there may be a temptation to relax after the league triumph but the team is still in contention for four cups he said: “There’s always that danger the team loose their edge but it’s a big game at the weekend. The focus now is to win all four cups in addition to the league which has never been done at this level before.”
The other half of the management team, Mike Lawson was on holiday on the night the league was won and on his return he said “Our first aim this season was to retain our league title and that we have done with a good bit to spare. At Spartans we know that on their day any given side can beat any other in our league and apart from ourselves the table shows that. Our squad of players is very similar to any in the top half of the league but it’s our consistency of performance which puts us above the rest. Our boys manage to play near the top of their game week in, week out and that shows in the league table.”
Lawson continued “For what they have achieved so far this season I congratulate each and every one of them. The new boys have fitted in well, the experienced players have helped those developing and the younger influx have kept everyone on their toes. It’s hard to pick any individual player out but I would say it is fitting that our “on fire” captain stepped up to score the goal which secured the league title.”
A protest regarding plans for Inverleith Park is planned for next week’s Council meeting.
Local Councillors Lesley Hinds and Iain Whyte have united to highlight ‘deep community concern’ over the park’s future
Edinburgh council says Inverleith Park’s depot is no longer needed and propose selling off the space for housing. Friends of the park have arranged a demonstration outside the council chambers at 9am on Thursday 28 April.
The area’s councillors Lesley Hinds and Iain Whyte have tabled a motion for the meeting. They will ask the council to agree to the following:
“Council notes the deep concern of the local community regarding the proposed disposal of the depot site within Inverleith Park. Council therefore instructs the Director of City Development to report to the Policy and Strategy Committee setting out the current position with regard to the proposal to dispose of the site; the Planning status of the land and the details of any community consultation undertaken or planned on this proposal.”
