The annual sponsored walk to support the biggest Summer Play Scheme in this area – supported and made possible by the parents, other third sector supporters and the Centre itself – gets underway at around 1pm today (writes James McGinty).
. This walk is becoming an ‘annual pilgrimage’ for people who do their best to support their communities. Refreshments will be available at the end of the walk as everyone returns to the Centre.
STV invites viewers to nominate community heroes
The search for Scotland’s most deserving community heroes is now underway with the launch today this week of the third season of RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes.
Following the success of last year’s series, which received nominations from across Scotland, STV is calling for people from Edinburgh to nominate the friends, family or community groups who have dedicated their time and effort to helping the lives of others. The public can nominate online at stv.tv/realheroes, by phone and by post.
The new series, presented by Carol Smillie and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, will air on STV this autumn with viewers across Scotland encouraged to cast their vote for the heroes they believe are most deserving of an award.
Each week, shortlisted nominees will be interviewed by a range of star reporters including comedians Fred MacAulay and Sanjeev Kohli, Elaine C Smith (Burdz Eye View), River City stars Jayd Johnson and Stephen Purdon, Ron Donachie (Game of Thrones) and David Hayman (On Weir’s Way with David Hayman, Shetland) to gain some insight into the inspiring work they do within their local communities.
The overall winners will be announced at a star-studded awards ceremony with the overall final category winners in the running to collect the RBS Scotland’s Real Hero of the Year Award.
Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV said: “We were overwhelmed by the public’s response to the last two series of RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes and have met some truly inspiring people and groups from across Scotland. We want viewers from Edinburgh to nominate their friends, colleagues, neighbours or local groups so we can shine a light on the real heroes of Scotland that truly deserve recognition.”
RBS: Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes is sponsored by RBS.
Debbie Pow, RBS’s Local Chief Executive Officer, Edinburgh said: “We are delighted to be supporting the third series of RBS: Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes. This is a fantastic way to recognise inspiring individuals who have generously dedicated their time and skills to helping others within our communities in Scotland. Everyone at Royal Bank of Scotland will be getting behind the series and we are all looking forward to finding out more about the finalists when the series airs on STV later this year.”
For more information, visit www.stv.tv/realheroes.
Dear NEN
Disruptive Neighbours
For a year now the tenants upstairs have been making excessive noise, from three to ten hours daily. Having spoken with the mother, she assured me the kids went to bed 6 and 7pm – sadly she is not telling the truth.
We have spoken a few times, nothing has changed and they have refused mediation three times which I thought might be helpful. This has been, and is, affecting my health very badly (many visits to GP) and four times in the last few weeks I have eaten a meal in a bedroom to get away from it.
They have put rubbish in my assisted uplift wheelie bin so no room for mine and lot of unnecessary communications with the council’s Refuse Department to sort it out. The Council, Scottish Police, their landlord and my MSP are aware of the situation and the Council appear to be able to do little to help. The father has been verbally abusive to me twice. What kind of neighbours are they?
Unfortunately there seems to be little consideration for others living in a block of flats. Their language to their kids is foul and also towards each other. I first heard these words on the football terracing in Glasgow.
Often I can’t hear TV so record programmes (at my expense) and sometimes can’t hear the playback the next day. Of course, kids have to play but it is the excessive noise that is unbearable.
There has been damage to a light fitting which rattles often with the force of the banging. Their behaviour means that I am a victim in my own home and I am sure there are lots of others in the same position.
Hopefully the law can be changed to assist those who have these problems in the future.
Name and address withheld
How much money could you save by turning your thermostat down by 1°C, or not leaving your electrical appliances on standby? How much electricity can you save by washing your clothes at 30°C?
Answer correctly and you could cut £155 or more off your energy bills, and have a chance to win £100 or £50 in gift vouchers, in a prize draw being run by Home Energy Scotland.
The answers are among five useful tips included in a quiz leaflet, ‘Your chance to win – and reduce your energy bills.’
Watch out for the leaflet in Council mailings or call Home Energy Scotland free for a copy on 0808 808 2282.
Jill Fenton, Manager at Home Energy Scotland advice centre in the South East said “This quiz shows how easy it is for people to make simple changes to save energy, reduce their fuel bills and cut their carbon emissions. It’s a fun way to help people to remember.”
Home Energy Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to offer free, impartial advice on making your home cheaper to heat. For in-depth advice on how to reduce your energy bills or become more energy efficient, freephone Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or text WARM to 81025.
Nikki, a young mum of two, who called Home Energy Scotland said “If I had a friend who needed help with heating their home or paying their energy bills, I’d say call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 and find out what they can do to help”
UK’s largest amateur cultural award opens for nominations
RUN by Voluntary Arts, the Epic Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in the amateur cultural sector. The 2015 Epic Awards are now open for entries and groups have until 16 March to nominate themselves.
Previous Scotland Epic Award winners include a Paisley drumming group set up to promote good mental health, an arts festival in Braemar that encouraged new people to get creative, a craft group on the Isle of Barra that invited people around the world to send bunting, and a tapestry created by 1,000 volunteer stitchers.
Across the UK and Republic of Ireland over 60,000 voluntary arts groups provide regular opportunities for cultural engagement in their local areas – the Epic Awards shine a spotlight on their achievements.
All voluntary-led arts groups are eligible to apply. Entries might include:
Application forms can be downloaded from www.epicawards.co.uk
Closing date for entries: 16 March 2015.
Bag Packing at Morrison’s (Ferry Road) 8 November
Muirhouse Community Centre’s Boys & Girls Clubs
Additional funds were needed to insure the best possible experiences throughout the year for both the Centre’s Clubs (writes JAMES McGINTY). Morrison’s graciously allowed our boys and girls to bag pack at the check outs – and a very generous donation from Scottish Gas of £250 gave the clubs a flying start!
Fifteen boys and girls – along with Paul, Chris, Donna, Stephanie, Peter & Allan who acted as supervisors – got down to their tasks with great zest and enthusiasm.
The boys were first up, being transported by MYDG transport ( Many thanks to Muirhouse Youth Development Group) working from 2 – 4pm, then the girls from 4 – 6pm.
The total raised on the day (including Scottish Gas’ generous donation) was £612.76p. The whole exercise fitted perfectly with the citizenship taught in the clubs on a weekly basis. Thank you to everyone involved!
James McGinty
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Lots of festive fayres and events in the neighbourhood this weekend
First off, we have all the fun of the fair at Forthview Primary School this lunchtime and #StrongerNorth’s Christmas Market at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre this afternoon.
On Saturday there are festive frolics at Pilton Youth & Children’s Project’s Greenhouse, St Ninian’s church in Comely Bank,Waterfront Nursery has a Fun Day from 10am – midday and there’s a FACE fundraiser at the Western General Hospital too.
And if that’s not enough seasonal spirit there’s also the big Christmas charity event at Inverleith Park on Saturday AND Sunday!
No doubt there are more – let us know and we’ll share the information
It is indeed the season to be jolly – ho! ho! ho!
Drylaw’s White Church welcomes new Minister
Drylaw Parish Church has been without their own for over a year so they were delighted to welcome new Minster Jayne Scott last month. Jane brings considerable community experience to Drylaw and she’s quickly settling in to her new surroundings.
Jayne, who was born in Stockport and brought up in Port Seton, has been an ordained Minister for 26 years but she has worked in a number of roles – she’s been Principal of a theological college, chief executive of Safe Space, a Fife charity that supports victims of sexual abuse and the Director of Community Development Network. She was also parish minister at Culross and Torryburn in Fife. That wide experience will be valuable as Drylaw church faces an uncertain future.
“I have a great interest in community learning and exploring possibilities for communities to get better and stronger. The threshold between church and community should be an easy one to cross – church shouldn’t feel like an alien environment”, she said. “I have been appointed as transitional Minister for five years. It’s fair to say the future of this church is very uncertain – clearly, it’s an open-ended future and my role is to uncover the potential we have here. Our church is right at the heart of the community and communities need facilities that can bring people together. Church, when it is done well, is where you have that intergenerational intersection.”
“Drylaw only has three public buildings – the church, the school and the neighbourhood centre – and what happens in those three buildings is key to helping Drylaw thrive. I have already had very positive discussions at Ferryhill and look forward to meeting Roy Douglas, the manager at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. I hope the connections we can make will benefit the local population as a whole: initial conversations suggest there is a lot of scope to look at working in a collaborative way.”
Jayne has made some changes already – the church sanctuary (above) has been reorganised to become a more welcoming space – the regimented rows of pews have gone, replaced by a warmer, more informal circular seating arrangement, and a ‘junk room’ is being cleaned out, painted and converted into an office. You get the distinct impression that this won’t be the last of the changes to life at Drylaw Parish Church.
“I’ve been here a month now and that’s really been getting to know folk and settling in, but I have a lot of plans and ideas. I’m very much looking forward to my time here,” Jayne continued. “We have a number of activities planned in the run up to Christmas (see below) and I’ve arrived at a very busy time, which is really good. I’m looking forward to meeting more people: offering support when life is difficult and welcoming people to Drylaw church – a safe and welcoming place”.
Good luck, Jayne – and Pepper the dog!
Coming up at Drylaw Church:
Sunday 7 December
Vigil time in the Sanctuary from 4 – 5pm. A quiet time to reflect and remember loved ones.
Sunday 7 and Sunday 14 December
How would you like to sing in the church choir on 21 December? Now’s your chance – practice and rehearse from 10 – 10.30am for the performance during 11am Sunday service on 21 December. Open to all!
Tuesday 23 December
Christingle from 11 – 11.30am
Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24 December
Watch Night Service 11.30pm. All welcome.
Christmas Day – Thursday 25 December
Morning Service 10.30am. All welcome.
Dear Dave,
Members of the Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council wish to convey a vote of thanks on behalf of members of the community on the latest issue of the NEN.
The local people’s newspaper has been much missed over the past few years in keeping people in touch with happening in their local community, especially for older people of the community and those who find it hard to get out. Great to see it coming through our letter boxes once again.
We look forward to your December issue which is sure to be filled with local happenings and interesting articles.
We wish the team all the best and are looking forward to more regular issues into the New Year.
Our Community Council support the NEN in its venture and would be happy to assist in any way it can.
Roy Douglas
Chairperson, Muirhouse & Salvesen Community Council
Click on the link below to see a short film about last weekend’s West Pilton cleanup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYQPlJ4y9oQ (Preview)
And for more information about the #StrongerNorth initiative, follow:
https://www.facebook.com/edinburghcouncil?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/Edinburgh_CC
