Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Thursday 15 October 7 – 9pm
Free soup and sandwiches!
Tag: participation
Granton on Sea seeks community support for Lottery bid
A Way Forward for Community Regeneration?
A local project which hopes to oversee the regeneration of Granton’s waterfront is asking the local community to support a bid for Lottery funding.
Granton Improvement Society says, if successful, a lottery grant would be used to stage art work for a garden festival, employ a member of staff and take regeneration plans on to the next stage.
Granton Improvement Society administrator Ross McEwan explained: “GIS was invited to make an application to the BIG Lottery Peoples Project for an award of £50,000. The process involves joining the community blog that they had set up – we had to write a 500 word submission on the blog page together with three images.
“The shortlisting process will take into consideration comments made on the blog, so we are asking members to please make comments in as positive a way as possible, especially about what huge benefits would come to the community from the income generated and from the major new facilities in the area.”
In ‘Granton on Sea – A Way Forward for Community Regeneration’, their submission to the webpage, GIS say:
‘We held several public events with guest speakers, this has increased the membership from local people considerably and means the GIS is now the largest membership organisation in the area.
‘A new exhibition of the current project proposals and promotional material have proved to be a great success especially when attending events and for getting the project more visible in the local community and with City Councillors.
All of these new initiatives have helped in being commissioned by Scottish Government Regeneration Unit and DTAS/COSS to undertake an Asset Mapping exercise over the whole area we have chosen to work within.
The project will allow us to find out what the physical and social assets are of the area. As part of this we will identify the wider community need and aspirations, this information will lead to a community plan and strengthen the communities
Since the Granton Improvement Society was established in January 2013 the membership from local residents has gradually risen to just under 200, The management committee of 11 trustees is comprised of seven local residents and four who are just on the boundary of the EH4 & EH5 area that we have chosen to operate within.
If we were successful the new money would take the project to a stage where we would do small art interventions related to the garden festival in underused derelict green space, the focus of which is creative design, all will be for the community to undertake. We will show the health and wellbeing benefits of the outdoors and creative process.
As part of the new exhibition we have taken the design proposals to another more detailed stage in preparation for a future planning application in doing so it has brought the landowner to the table to negotiate the sale of the land.
New money would allow us to commission architects and energy consultants to explore the sustainability and environmental impact of the project. A model of the project will be commissioned something which is more accessible than architectural drawings. A more detailed financial impact study should prove the community benefit of the project locally and nationally.
A Social Hub: reaching out to a wider community base.
Sea containers will be bought and converted using local people gaining construction skills, this would be the studio space for the GIS, the local community could come and interact with the project and talk about needs and aspirations. This will inform the project.
It will allow us for the first time to employ a dedicated project worker and not rely upon volunteers all of the time, local people will gain skills, training and education.
More community events would be organised, creating greater community involvement and a more cohesive and resilient community.
All of these bigger initiatives will create a sense of community ownership, pride and care for the future when the project is realised. It will be owned by the community through large community consultation and participation.’
To make a comment on the Granton submission, go to
Ross added: “Go to top right of page ‘Not a member yet?’ and join. Just follow the instructions. After registering you are directed to a Welcome page. Go to the heading The Peoples’s Projects. On this page go to Search Blogs by ITV region – we are in STV East.
“Our blog is the fifth one in the list. Open the blog and and join the group at top right of the page then you should be able to begin commenting at the end of the blog in the comments box. We want as many of you as possible to do this!”
Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes is back tonight
The third series of RBS: Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes returns to STV tonight to celebrate people whose tireless effort, resourcefulness, and kindness has improved local communities across Scotland.
The series, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, begins with a special launch show tonight at 8pm – RBS-How to be a Real Hero, where actors Jayd Johnson and Ron Donachie catch up with four winners from the 2014 series to see how being voted a winner has changed their lives, and the projects they work with.
The show also gives advice to viewers on how they can get involved in helping in their local communities and become real heroes themselves.
The series continues on Monday 26 October featuring the individuals who have been nominated by the public and selected by a special jury. Across the five episodes, a line up of ‘star reporters’ including Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave), actress and singer Clare Grogan and Commonwealth Gold medallist swimmer Hannah Miley will visit each of the nominees and interview them about their work in the community and their thoughts on the nomination for an award.
This year’s shortlist includes deserving Scots from across the country, from Stonehaven to West Calder, and Nairn to Cupar. Categories including RBS Community Project of the Year and Hero Animal of the Year will return again this year as well as two new additional award categories including Hero Mum or Dad and Fundraiser of the Year.
At the end of each programme, viewers are invited to vote for the nominees they believe most deserving of an award, with the overall winners being announced at a glittering, star studded televised awards ceremony later in the year.
Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV, said: “The time has come to highlight the outstanding work modestly carried out by each of this year’s nominees. We look forward to celebrating the enormous achievement of each of these individuals who make a real difference in their local community. Each story tells of a remarkable accomplishment and is very moving – all the finalists are considered to be most deserving however it is the STV viewers that decide who will receive an award.”
Chris Wilson, Royal Bank of Scotland’s Managing Director of Branch and Private Banking in Scotland said: “Everyone at Royal Bank of Scotland is looking forward to finding out more about this year’s incredible finalists. We think it’s important to celebrate those people who go that extra mile for their community. Each one of the finalists is deserving of recognition and we are all looking forward to seeing who the public choose.”
Power to the People: autumn update
The Power to the People group has been busy …
Power to the People is a group for adults in North Edinburgh who are interested in social history, current affairs and the arts.
We have been meeting together since 2012 and enjoy getting together to learn about things we are interested in and getting involved in issues which concern us. The group is friendly, informal and free and new members can join any time.
Over the last year, we have been learning about North Edinburgh’s early history through studying archive material, visiting exhibitions, watching films and inviting guest speakers to our group.
We are currently working on a heritage leaflet and a short film for STV’s history programme documenting key aspects of North Edinburgh’s history which will allow us to share the area’s fascinating history with a wider audience.
We also enjoy getting out and about and going to different places of interest. Last week we went on a visit to Wester Hailes to learn about their social history project.
Over the last few years, the project has been involved in digitising and publicising back copies of the Wester Hailes Sentinal and have established a local blog and Facebook page.
The project have also been involved in developing social history walks in the area in conjunction with Wester Hailes Health Agency and has installed Scotland’s first digital totem pole (above) which contains QR codes which allow people to access further information about the area’s history via a smart phone.
We have recently developed a new programme of information and discussion sessions dealing with issues we are concerned about such as fracking on the Forth, the proposed abolition of the Human Rights Act and the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (TTIP).
The first of these sessions will take place tomorrow – Tuesday 6 October, from 10am – 12.30 – in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
The next session will take place early in November and will be held in the evening to allow people to attend who are unable to get to day time sessions. A free crèche will be provided by Royston Wardieburn Community Centre to allow people with children to participate.
We have also organised a screening of the Glasgow Girls, (see above), the true story of a group of school pupils from Drumchapel, who led a successful campaign to save their friend from deportation. The film developed into a powerful human rights movement which resulted in changes in immigration practices in Scotland.
Following the screening of the film, we will be joined by Roza Salih, one of the Glasgow Girls, for a discussion about the issues raised. The screening will take place this Thursday 8 October at 6.30 in North Edinburgh Arts. There is no charge for attending this event and transport and a crèche have been organised. Please call 552 5700 to book.
For those of you who enjoy getting out and about and enjoy the company of others, our next visit will be to the National Library of Scotland on Tuesday 27 October. We will be viewing an exhibition on the life and times of Thomas Muir, a radical political reformer known as ‘the father of Scottish Democracy’.
Anyone wishing further information about the group or any of the activities planned this term should call Lynn McCabe, on 552 5700 (Tuesday – Thursday) or email Lynn at lynn.mccabe@ea.edin.sch.uk
Yes, you CAN!
Have you got an idea that would improve the community? Something you could do and would help you build up your skills? CAN (Community Action North) can help support you with:
Training
Mentoring
Possible payment
Want to find out more? There’s still time to get in touch – contact Julie Crawford on 315 6405 or Julie@mydg.org.uk
What do you think of Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre?
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre survey
Are you are a regular visitor to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre? Have you attended groups or events in the Centre in the past? Or maybe you’ve never heard of Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre!
Whatever your experience, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre want to hear from you – there’s a free entry to a prize draw for everyone who completes the survey (below):
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DrylawNC
EVOC thinkSpace event: A Fairer Scotland
Friday 9 October, 9.30am – 12.30pm, EVOC Office
We would be delighted if you join EVOC’s Fairer Scotland thinkSpace and hear speakers from the Scottish Government and the Third Sector consider the questions in the current consultation:
- What are the main issues that matter to you?
- What do you think needs to be done to create a fairer Scotland?
- How can you and your community play a role in helping to shape our future?
We invite you to bring two other stakeholders from your organisation, e.g. service users and/or trustees.
Robin McAlpine of the Common Weal will be speaking on People Power plus we have facilitators confirmed from Citizens Advice Scotland, Crisis Edinburgh and One Parent Family Scotland. Ella Simpson, EVOC’s Director will be leading the discussions on what we can do in Edinburgh and how we can feed back into the consultation process.
You can book places at: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evoc-thinkspace-fairer-scotland-tickets-18434528170
View the Fairer Scotland thinkSpace Programme.
REMINDER: Voluntary Sector Forum
The October meeting of Forth and Inverleith VSF was brought forward as the meeting was scheduled to take place during the school holidays.
The new date is Tuesday 6 October 1-3pm, at Pilton Community Health Project.
Glasgow Girls in Muirhouse!
Please help to publicise the screening of the Glasgow Girls next Thursday night (8 October) at North Edinburgh Arts (writes Lynn McCabe).
We will be joined by one of the young women from Drumchapel High School who helped to initiate the campaign against dawn raids and deportation of asylum seekers in her community in 2005.
Transport will be available for anyone who needs it. For further information call 552 5700 or email lynn.mccabe@ea.edin.sch.uk
|
So long, summer – hello, Halloween! News from Trinity
TCC resumed its meetings on 14 September – Summer is officially over! But as (admittedly meagre) compensation, here’s the September newsletter!
And remember, we would really like to have your feedback on what’s good around Trinity, what’s not so good and what could be better. How else can we represent your views? Look forward to hearing from you!
Bill Rodger, Trinity Community Council
TRINITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER UPDATE
Twenty five people came along to TCC’s first meeting after the summer break. Here are the main points …
Police Report
No representative available but a written report was received:
- Enquiries are in hand concerning recent housebreaking reports including incidents in Larkfield Gardens.
- Several people have been charged with break-ins in Forth. Some are in custody whilst others are on bail curfews.
- Three addresses in north Edinburgh searched for stolen property to try to identify perpetrators and return property.
- Overall domestic housebreakings in Forth are down 2% over the same period in 2014 (which was lower than 2013).
- Detection rates are also increasing with more culprits being taken to court.
- Additional Police resource has been deployed City-wide.
We can do a lot ourselves using security measures such as alarms, locks, lighting etc. Crime prevention advice or a personal visit with more specialist advice can be arranged through the local Forth Community Policing Team.
Waterfront Developments
Cllr Hinds provided a map showing the ownership pattern for the development area following our concerns about piecemeal development and potential impact on Trinity residents. We will be discussing this with Granton CC. The Second Regeneration Conference has been scheduled for 2.30pm on 30 September at Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre. All are welcome to attend.
Traffic Issues
Feedback about East Trinity Rd suggests that the improved Lower Granton/Trinity Rd junction has improved matters and that no further measures are needed meantime. The knock-on impact to the west end of Lower Granton Rd will continue to be monitored with the 20mph limit expected to be very helpful in the first instance. An application for a pedestrian crossing on Craighall Rd has been assessed and turned down and we are seeking further information on the reasons for that.
CEC officials have advised that nothing is scheduled to review the North Edinburgh Transport Strategy. Cllr Hinds has undertaken to review that position with them in light of previous assurances.
South East Scotland City Region Plan (SESPLAN) Major Issues Report (MIR)
This is the VERY IMPORTANT first stage of a new 20 year strategic plan for 1.5m people living in Edinburgh, Lothians, Borders and southern Fife. It is a consultation document and open for comment until 30 September. You can make your thoughts known at
http://sesplan-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/mir/mir
Alternatively pass them on through TCC as we will be making a representation. Or do both!
Other Planning Matters
Application to trade vehicles from 144 Newhaven Rd resubmitted. We have repeated our previous objections and trust that CEC will maintain the firm stance it took last time.
No further movement regarding 127 Trinity Rd or Sainsbury.
Reduction in Local Banking Services
Following RBS Goldenacre closing its doors on 13 August, Bank of Scotland has now advised a reduction in its opening hours. This is disappointing news for local customers and businesses.
Your Parks Need YOU!
Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded a Green Flag to Starbank Park recognising the magnificent efforts of the Friends and CEC staff in restoring the park to its place as a jewel in Trinity’s crown. So now both Trinity’s parks have a Green Flag. Celebrate by coming along to see for yourself. Party on Halloween! (see above)
And on the Glorious Twelfth, Victoria Park’s renewed basketball and tennis courts were formally opened by Cllrs Lesley Hinds and Richard Lewis together with Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport. Our parks are really going from strength to strength!
To get the best use of the courts, discussions are in hand about booking but we must ensure these and other amenities stay high grade. We are therefore looking for people to join a Friends of Victoria Park group.
Email tcc-comms@outlook.com if that’s you!
Other Improvement Matters with CEC
Bins installed at Trinity Academy Vennel. Surface improvements under discussion.
Enforcement of yellow lines at Boswall Rd to be pursued.
Ownership of Lower Granton Rd foreshore being clarified.
Denham Green lighting to be investigated.
Clean, Green, Safe & Engaged?
This report from Forth Neighbourhood Partnership compared us against the rest of Edinburgh. Measures cover North: i.e. Forth + Inverleith unless stated. The good, the bad (+ some ugly!):
- Street Cleanliness (Trinity): Well above target. Some litter on Granton Road.
- Refuse Collection Complaints: Roughly double target (in common with rest of Edinburgh)
- Park Quality: 100% achieved across all North¡¦s 5 parks!
- Safety: Anti-social behaviour orders are low for the size of our population but a disturbing number go unresolved and we suffer a lot of repeat ASB¡¦s.
- Satisfying Place to Live (Forth): Third worst in Edinburgh.
- Community Engagement (Forth): Best ward in Edinburgh.
Come along and give your thoughts to our next meeting on
Monday 12 October at 7 pm
in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road.
We need to know what you think!
Did you find this bulletin useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing tcc-comms@outlook.com Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.
Drylaw Telford CC meets next Wednesday
Drylaw Telford Community Council’s regular monthly meeting will be held on
Wednesday 30 September at 7pm
in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
All Welcome
Agenda (below)