Tag: Muirhouse

Working it Out with Tomorrow’s People

A free training programme in Muirhouse is looking for new participants.

If you are aged 16 – 24, unemployed, not in education or training and keen to learn new skills, meet new people and gain new experiences then please get in touch.

The Working It Out programme runs for 16 weeks and offers a range of activities and challenges that allow you to develop personal skills, volunteer in your own community, improve your job prospects and offer information and access to further education and training. Participants are supported throughout the programme and for up to 12 months after and all expenses are paid for the duration of the 16 week course.

Working it Out is run by Tomorrow’s People, based in North Edinburgh Arts Centre. If you are interested in making a positive change in your life, increasing your skills to help you get a job, or interested in getting back into education, then please contact Andrew or Heather on 07989669019 or e-mail aaldous@tomorrows-people.co.uk

Welcome to Muirhouse to open in … yes, Muirhouse!

Borja Prada’s ‘Welcome to Muirhouse’ photography exhibition opens at North Edinburgh Arts Centre next week. Borja’s pictures tell a wonderful story, so see the exhibition – and quite a few ‘well-kent’ local faces – if you can …

We have previously featured Borja’s work in both the NEN’s print and blog versions, but his story’s worth telling again. Borja, who’s Spanish, was a student at Telford College and his daily bus journey to college took him through past Pennywell shops. When it came to choosing a subject for his final examination exercise, Borja decided upon Muirhouse – the buildings, the people and the sights.

The young Spaniard (pictured top) spent eight months taking photographs and getting to know individuals and families across the area, building trust and forming lasting relationships while compiling a large body of work for his portfolio.

The result was ‘Welcome to Muirhouse’, a book of photographs Borja paid to have printed – and a remarkable 98% pass mark for his examination result!

The photographs tell the story of Muirhouse as it is today, capturing personalities and places before the place changes forever through regeneration.

Borja said: “This upcoming display is organized to show the work I have been doing for the past year documenting Muirhouse and the lives of its inhabitants. It will give a chance for everyone to meet there with the local community and anyone interested
in arts is most welcome to come along”.

‘Welcome to Muirhouse’ opens at North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Tuesday (6 November) from 5.30m, and will then be on display until 30 November.

PREVIEW Some images from the exhibition:

Muirhouse says goodbye to Sister Ann

The Muirhouse community said goodbye to Sister Ann Buckeridge at a reception at North Edinburgh Arts Centre last Friday. Sister Ann is moving on to new challenges in Cardiff, but the wee woman with the huge heart will leave a lasting impression on Muirhouse.

Sister Ann belongs to the Daughters of Charity order, and arrived in Muirhouse just two years ago with a simple mission – ‘to help’.  Help she certainly has, and it’s fair to say that there has been very little that Ann hasn’t been involved in – from the community council, various Neighbourhood Partnership Action Groups, the Voluntary Sector Forum and Muirhouse Centipede Project to name a few. Small in stature she may be, but Ann’s boundless energy and enthusiasm have been a real driving force for positive change in Muirhouse and she will be sorely missed.

Community activists, council officials and project workers joined local councillors Cammy Day and Vicki Redpath to present gifts and to thank Sister Ann for her huge contribution to community life in Muirhouse.

Modest as ever, Sister Ann said: “From the moment I came to Muirhouse I received a  warm welcome and people have been so generous and kind. I am really touched by all the kind things that have been said and I have enjoyed working alongside so many dedicated people – it has been a pleasure to have been part of community life here.”

Roy Douglas, chairman of Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council, said: “We really have been so fortunate to have had Sister Ann working alongside us for the last two years. It’s hard to overstate the contribution she’s made – she has been wonderful to work with and we will all really miss her.”

The wee woman hopes to return for a visit one day – and, with the regeneration of Muirhouse beginning to gather pace, Sister Ann may find that some of the seeds she sowed will have bloomed.

 

Halloween Party at Millennium Centre

Halloween Party

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre and Link Up Muirhouse is delighted to announce that on Wednesday the 31st October we are hosting scary but fun-filled Halloween party from 6.30 – 8pm – and you can come too!

On the night we will be dooking for apples, playing games, enjoying some art as well as awarding the best dressed with a small prize.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre or North Edinburgh Arts Centre during opening hours, you can also call Julie on 07794467053 for information. Ticket only cost £1 per child to a maximum of £3. So if you have 4 children in your family you will only pay for 3, we felt this was fair to larger families.  We have 90 tickets for sale, available on a first come for serve basis – so get them quick before they sell out! When purchasing tickets we require a registration form completed by parent or carer.

Tickets must be bought prior to the 31 October part – No ticket, no entrance.

Parents and carers are more than welcome to remain at the Centre for the duration of the party, the Centre café will be open for sales of light refreshments.

The spooky Muirhouse ladies who have arranged this party with the guidance and support of Link Up and Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre hope that every child has a wonderful time and they hope to welcome many children back to future parties in Muirhouse!

Robert Pearson

 

No Barriers for Muirhouse – update

Muirhouse and Silverknowes will NOT be divided by barriers, the city council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment (TIE) committee has decided. The committee agreed to officials’ recommendations that ‘notes and agrees that closure of the access routes should not be supported as this would impact on safe routes to schools.’

In a report into antisocial behaviour in the Silverknowes area prepared for the committee, Services for Communities director Mark Turley concluded: ‘There are widely divergent but strongly held views within the community, split by Council ward, on the best course of action to take. Officer recommendations based on existing policy is that the blocking of access would be unacceptable given the adverse effect on safe routes to school used by a number of children in the area, in addition to the other policy and social concerns. The root cause of this problem is the anti-social behaviour of the individual’s concerned and it is this which requires to be addressed. Such behaviour is unacceptable, regardless of where it occurs.”

Muirhouse locals Darren Haining, John Davidson and Robert Pearson are delighted with todays decision. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Longstanding community activist John Davidson is delighted with the news and he has today spoken to the NEN. Click on the link below to listen to what John said.

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The NEN broke the story last November when these issues were raised with the Council and police and at that time Inspector John Cooper from Lothian and Borders police told us “The main issues are youths passing through Silverknowes to congregate in the Davidson’s Mains area and this has led to a number of minor vandalism’s such as car windows being smashed and cars being scratched.”

Rod Alexander chairperson of the Davidson’s Mains Silverknowes Association is expected to make a statement later today.

Common sense prevails – no barriers for Muirhouse

Muirhouse and Silverknowes will NOT be divided by barriers, the city council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment (TIE) committee has decided.

The committee agreed to officials’ recommendations that ‘notes and agrees that closure of the access routes should not be supported as this would impact on safe routes to schools.’

In a report into antisocial behaviour in the Silverknowes area prepared for the committee, Services for Communities director Mark Turley concluded: ‘There are widely divergent but strongly held views within the community, split by Council ward, on the best course of action to take. Officer recommendations based on existing policy is that the blocking of access would be unacceptable given the adverse effect on safe routes to school used by a number of children in the area, in addition to the other policy and social concerns. The root cause of this problem is the anti-social behaviour of the individual’s concerned and it is this which requires to be addressed. Such behaviour is unacceptable, regardless of where it occurs.”

More on this story later from Thomas Brown

 

Letter: Muirhouse must not be divided

Dear Editor N.E.N

I am writing regarding the residents of Silverknowes Eastway who want the walk-way shut off to stop access from Muirhouse Drive.
Silverknowes Eastway is part of the Muirhouse EH4 area and the housing was built on the land that was formally Silverknowes Primary School which was in Muirhouse Gardens. When the area in Muirhouse Gardens was developed for housing it was part of the planning application that it would have pedestrian access to the Linear Park as part of Central Muirhouse regeneration, and that no part of Muirhouse would be divided or excluded.
I fail to see what Davidson Mains and Silverknowes Association or Almond have to do with issues in Muirhouse.
John Davidson
Resident of Muirhouse (by email)

Letter: Building barriers is not the answer

Dear Editor

I am writing  express my anger regarding the proposal from residents of Silverknowes asking to brick up three access points leading to Muirhouse following incidents of antisocial behaviour being blamed on Muirhouse residents. While I disagree with vandalism and antisocial behaviour, blocking pathways will not be the solution to this problem. This could have the adverse effect on the problem. Unfortunately lots of this behaviour is happening all over the city.

I recall this same group opposing the building of the new Craigroyston High School close to their homes . What do these people want? A Berlin Wall within North Edinburgh? They are not an elitist group who can dictate what they want.  The majority of people from Muirhouse are decent people who strive to improve their community and retain good links with surrounding neighbourhoods. Perhaps the answer is getting activists groups together within the neighbourhood to consult with each other . This could hopefully help to resolve the problem. Building barriers between communities is not the answer.

Anna Hutchison (by email)

SILVERKNOWES EASTWAY ‘barriers not the answer’

A Moment of Peace Day

A Moment of Peace Day 

Sister Anne from St Pauls RC Church Muirhouse and Centipede Project are delighted to welcome everyone in North Edinburgh to “A Moment of Peace Day.” Sister Anne has put a lot of time and effort in to arranging this in conjunction with the Centipede Project; she is someone who is passionate about North Edinburgh and how the community coming together can make a big difference. 

Date for the Diary: “A Moment of Peace Day” 

Tuesday 9th October 10. 30am – 2.30pm 

North Edinburgh Arts – 15a Pennywell Court 

Free snack lunch will be provided

 All Welcome

Sister Anne is hoping that people will take a few hours out their busy lives and join her and others in a calm environment for a while. This free event will have meditation sessions as well a fun aspect with Laughing Yoga and more.

Why not come along to this fantastic event and enjoy the calm environment? You can either join us all for the full event 10.30am – 2.30pm or stay for as long as you like.

Sister Anne would like to thank the Centipede Project for their support, for more information on the Centipede Project visit www.centipedeproject.co.uk or email centipedeproject@gmail.com

Robert Pearson

Letter: Calling all crafters!

To all the crafters in North Edinburgh:

I’m a local resident and enjoy crafting. Crafting can be a really satisfying but lonely hobby at times – I run a small craft club as part of my volunteering at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre on a Friday from 11am-3pm.   It’s the type of club that you can bring your own crafting to do at your own pace over a cup of tea and chatting to others – it’s friendly, welcoming, informal and fun.   We do have a supply of crafting goodies if you want to just have a go at something and there is always our supply of craft magazines to thumb through to get inspiration and ideas from!
All it costs is £1 – only £1, and that includes the tea/coffee and biscuits!
If you would like any more information why not drop into the Muirhouse Millennium Centre and speak to me, give me a call on 467 3578 or if you prefer email enquiremuirhouse@gmail.com is where I am!
Eileen Carr