Gunner no more

Slow pace of regeneration sees community pub close

Well today is a bad day for North Edinburgh, and in particular, Muirhouse, Pennywell, West Pilton and Drylaw. The Gunner has closed its doors for good (writes COLIN DUDGEON).

For a number of years now the punters have been getting less and less, and this has caused Maria & Johnny to finally close the doors. The Gunner is/was an institution in this community.

It was the favoured pub of many generations of families, my own included, and there are many folk who can claim ‘this is my pub’. Characters young and old have graced the dance floor and karaoke in the lounge. The pool tables had their hustlers, the darts board had their team for many years. Many local fitbaw teams made it their ‘home pitch’.

Say what you will about the Gunner – some people who have never been in it were quick to put it down – but it was the best boozer in town for many people.

Well done to Maria and Johnny for keeping it going for as long as they did. It wasn’t easy for them. With the ‘regeneration’ of Muirhouse & Pennywell dragging its arse, it was inevitable that the pub would take a big hit, and so it has proved.

The Gunner will be sadly missed.

Work begins on Royston School site

Work starts on modern care home on old Royston school site

Construction work has begun on a major project to build the city’s latest new care home as part of continued investment in services for older people in Edinburgh.

The Royston care facility off Boswall Parkway will provide accommodation for 60 residents who are currently living in other City of Edinburgh Council care homes across the city. The care home is being delivered by a partnership of the Council and Hub South East Scotland Ltd and is being built by GRAHAM Construction.

Councillor Cammy Day, Health, Social Care and Housing Vice Convener, was joined today by Richard Park, Operations Director of Hub South East and Michael Graham, Group Executive Chairman of GRAHAM Construction to cut the first sod at the site on the fomer Roston Primary School site.

The new home will provide high quality facilities including en-suite bathrooms, spacious bedrooms and group living areas and is the sixth to be built in Edinburgh as part of the Council’s strategic plan 2012-17.

Loal councillor Cammy Day, who represents the Forth ward, said: “Our goal is to create homes for life for older people in quality residential accommodation which meets modern standards. This new facility will offer a caring and supportive service, as well as a good quality of life.

“Despite budget pressures and changing demographics, we are committed to delivering the best quality care possible through our Live Well in Later Life strategy.”

Richard Park said: “Having already successfully delivered a number of facilities in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, on time and on budget, I am delighted to be marking the start of this new care home in Royston.

“As a Hub project, once complete, not only will it be a high quality facility for residents and staff, it will have also delivered a number of community benefits for the local area – from apprenticeships and work placements to the involvement of small businesses.”

Michael Graham said: “It’s a real privilege to play our part in helping all the future residents enjoy their lives to the full, both as individuals and as a community. We’re absolutely determined that they’ll have the very best facilities and quality of construction.”

Regeneration Fund open for business

Cumbernauld project points the way forward to regenerate deprived communities

A project to build a new community centre at the heart of Cumbernauld has been hailed as a success of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) which opens for new applications today.

The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) is planned as a £25m joint Scottish Government / COSLA fund, which contributes to the delivery of outcomes set out in the Regeneration Strategy.

It was developed in partnership with COSLA and local authorities. The initial agreement covered calls for projects over 2014/15 and 2015/2016 which has now been completed. The RCGF is open to all 32 local authorities, Urban Regeneration Companies and other regeneration Special Purpose Vehicles. It will primarily support areas which suffer from high levels of deprivation and disadvantage in both urban and rural areas.

The new Cumbernauld Community Centre, which was recommended support of £4 million, is helping to create and support jobs, training and community groups. Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Alex Neil visited the site of the new centre today, following an announcement that the RCGF is now open to support projects in 2016/17.

Meeting at the old community centre next to the building site, Mr Neil spoke to some of the groups who will use the centre, including Women’s Aid, the Alpha Project and Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Unemployed Workers Centre. The new centre will include space for small businesses and third sector groups, a nursery, hall and café space as well as multi-function rooms for local organisations.

Mr Neil said: “This is a wonderful example of the one of the many projects the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund is helping to deliver. This centre is expected to create 74 new jobs, as well as supporting 59 in the construction sector and 60 existing jobs in the community centre, showing the grant will deliver social and economic benefits beyond the new building itself.

“Investment in regeneration projects like this new community centre is absolutely key for stimulating economic growth throughout Scotland, whilst at the same time tackling inequality in disadvantaged communities – an approach which is now at the core of Scotland’s economic strategy.

“It’s also a great example of how Scotland’s public bodies can work in partnership to deliver initiatives that revitalise our communities, but more importantly ensuring communities themselves are at the heart of the regeneration of their areas.

“I’m delighted that COSLA has agreed to work with us for a third term on this initiative and would encourage local authorities and eligible organisations to apply to the third round of this fund.”

Councillor Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability, added:

“The RCGF really is the reality behind the rhetoric. We hear all the talk about outcomes and delivering for communities, well this fund really does do just that and that is why for the third year in a row COSLA is happy to fully support the government in its delivery

“I’m heartened to see the progress on the projects which have received funding from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund to date; the difference this is making within local communities across Scotland; and the strong physical, social and economic outcomes that these projects are demonstrating. I look forward to seeing the projects that come forward within this next round of the RCGF announced today.

“This fund is of crucial importance in ensuring transformational change in areas of deprivation across Scotland, and I’m glad that COSLA and Scottish Government continue to work together proactively on this area of policy which is so crucial for improving the outcomes for communities across the country.”

North Lanarkshire Council’s regeneration convener, Cllr David Fagan, said: “The Cumbernauld Community Enterprise Centre is an innovative scheme to provide modern up-to-date office facilities for voluntary and social enterprise groups, new business start-ups and other local companies combined with high quality meeting and activity space for use by communities and community groups.

“When completed and landscaped, it will be a real showpiece for the residents in Cumbernauld and a superb successor to the Muirfield Centre, which served the community well for many years but was ripe for closure and replacement.”

Brian McQuade, Scotland and north-east England managing director of Kier Construction, which is building the new centre in Cumbernauld, said: “This vibrant mix of community, business and play facilities in the heart of the town centre will benefit thousands of people in Cumbernauld and the surrounding areas.

“The development will also generate a valuable boost to the local economy by providing employment opportunities for local construction businesses and apprentices throughout the build period.”

Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of Hub South West, which is managing the construction, added: “The transformation of Muirfield Community Centre will make a significant difference to the community in Cumbernauld and the surrounding areas, whilst creating local employment opportunities.”

The RCGF was developed in partnership with local authorities, and provides financial support for projects which deliver large scale positive improvements to deprived areas. After an agreement approved by COSLA in May, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess and Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA’s Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability announced at the Holyrood Regeneration Conference today that the fund will be open for a third round of applications for projects which will get underway during 2016.

Talking about regeneration: time for a Community Trust?

More grass-roots organisations to receive funding to strengthen their communities: why not North Edinburgh?

Enterprising community groups who are delivering economic and regeneration benefits to their areas by refurbishing disused buildings, developing renewable energy projects and creating jobs opportunities are to receive a share of an additional £668,000 investment.

A boost to the Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) will see an extra 26 projects drive forward community-led regeneration in their areas. This comes on top of the £3 million which was allocated to around 50 projects in April last year.

The additional funding will help build the capacity of local organisations and allow communities to deliver initiatives which respond to their aspirations. It is part of the extra £10 million announced in the Programme for Government, to give people and communities the powers to address inequalities.

Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi yesterday revealed the successful community groups – none of which are from Edinburgh – during a visit to Mac Arts in Galashiels which will receive support towards its long-term aim of converting a former council building into a multi-purpose arts facility.

He said: “I am delighted that 26 innovative projects across Scotland will be able to benefit from £668,000 of funding from the Strengthening Communities Programme. Very often, it is the people within their own communities who can best identify how their areas should be improved, which is why this increased investment and support for these local projects is so crucial.

“This funding will help communities breathe life into disused buildings, produce opportunities for renewables generation, establish community transport and tourism initiatives and create new jobs.

“People living in rural areas clearly have different priorities to communities in the central belt and the wide range of projects reflects Scotland’s diversity.

“This investment shows exactly what we want our Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill to achieve. The Bill, which reaches its final stage next month, will support and make it easier for groups to tackle inequalities in their areas, it will give communities more powers to take over assets and will strengthen their voices in the decisions that matter to them.”

Other new projects to benefit from SCP include the Crossroads Community Hub in Ayrshire which is working to redevelop an old school site into a food and education hub, Balornock East Residents Association in Glasgow’s new community centre plans and the Unst Partnership in Shetland’s community renewables and waste recycling schemes.

After lying empty for four years, the St Andrews Arts Centre in Galashiels was transformed into Mac Arts, which is run by the Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust (DMMAT). The Trust took over the former Borders Council building in 2012 with the goal of transforming it into a cultural and recreational venue for the local area.

Dave Angus from Mac Arts said: “This award from the Strengthening Communities Programme will allow the Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust to further develop Mac Arts into the Borders’ leading music and arts venue.

“As a charitable organisation that relies on volunteers, this is a fantastic boost that will help us ensure that Mac Arts is able to provide top quality entertainment and arts space for everyone in our local community.”

The Strengthening Communities Programme is a partnership approach between the Scottish Government, Scottish Community Development Centre, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS), Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS) and Carnegie UK Trust.

Maybe it’s time for a North Edinburgh Community Trust?

The latest list of additional Strengthening Communities Programme projects includes:

Fauldhouse Community Development Trust, West Lothian
Crossroads Community Hub, Ayrshire
Muir of Ord, Highland
Balornock East Residents Association, Glasgow
Dunblane Development Trust, Dunblane
Fraserburgh Development Trust, Fraserburgh
Peterhead Projects, Peterhead
Gorebridge Development Trust, Midlothian
The Carrick Centre, Maybole, Ayrshire
MsMissMrs, Balgrayhill, Glasgow
Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust, Galashiels
Ulva School Community Association, Mull
South West Mull and Iona Development, Mull
South Islay Development, Islay
Scourie Community Development Company (SCDC), Scourie
Melness, Tongue Community Development Trust, Caithness and Sutherland
Lochcarron Community Development Company, Lochcarron
Durness Development Group, Durness
The Glendale Trust, Skye
Applecross Community Company, Applecross
North Uist Development Company, North Uist
Staffin Community Trust, Skye
Raasay Development Trust, Raasay
Unst Partnership Ltd, Shetland
Kyle of Lochalsh Community Trust, Kyle of Lochalsh
One further project will be confirmed in due course

Planning’s a thorny issue

Caerhays Castle project shows the virtue of patience

Planning is often a thorny issue. Planning applications, large and small, are often high on the agenda of community councils across the country and many community groups bemoan the pace of change when dealing with planning issues.

Locally, both the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden and Granton Improvement Society have recently been critical of how long it takes to get decisions made and that’s particularly frustrating when you are eager to get to work to improve your environment.

Patience is certainly required when dealing with bureaucracy – a quality, incidentally, gardeners have in abundance – and sometimes good things come to those who wait. I saw this good news story from faraway Cornwall and immediately thought of our local groups:

A fifteen year restoration project is finally reaching completion at Caerhays Castle.

A new collection of wild-collected Rhododendrons, originating from the same species of Chinese seed that was first collected by plant hunters Ernest Wilson and George Forrest,has just been planted on the estate as the culmination of a 15 year project to restore the Caerhays Rhododendron Collection to its former glory.

The new planting setting out to replace many of the original Caerhays Rhododendrons which were lost when they matured and began dying out in the 1960’s.

The life span of taller growing Rhododendron species is a maximum of 60-80 years with smaller growing species dying in a much shorter timescale. Caerhays historic Rhododendrons dated back to 1905 when seed from China was brought over from plant hunting expeditions, so plants were not easily replaced.

The solution to the decline of Rhododendrons in the gardens was to go back to China to re-obtain wild collected seeds from the species which had died out. So in 1999 Caerhays started contributing to Alan Clark’s field trips to Yunnan, Sichuan, North Vietnam and North India in return for a selection of his wild collected Rhododendron seed.

After Clark’s successful trips, a selection of seed lists was drawn up to try to reintroduce the specific species of Rhododendrons known to have been lost since the 1960s. By 2013 vanloads of young Rhododendron species (three of most species) arrived at Caerhays and were grown on and nurtured in nursery beds at the castle until ready for planting.

The woodland garden was extensively cleared and in spring 2015 the new collection of around 60 wild collected Rhododendron species was finally transplanted into the 25 acre garden in Old Park Wood.

The new Rhododendron species are located in a prime position in the centre of the wood with dappled shade where the soil is richest and where wind damage is least likely. So, barring climatic disasters, the Rhododendron species collection should soon be restored to its former glory.

Jaimie Parsons, head gardener, said: “The excitement of growing on these species for myself and the team has matched the excitement of gardeners at Caerhays over 100 years ago seeing these new plants from China grow and flower for the first time.”

So, patience and perseverance … maybe there’s time yet to see Granton Castle’s Walled Garden restored to it’s former glory, or a glorious Flower Festival lighting up currently neglected brownfield site land …

A new future for historic Madelvic House?

Open Day: Saturday 9 May @11am.

Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue,

Edinburgh, EH5 1HS

OPEN DAY POSTER 9TH MAY

We are a community group in Granton looking for people to attend an open day in Madelvic House.

The building dates back to 1898 as the offices of the Madelvic Motor company; the first custom built car factory in Britain. We are developing ideas for the building to offer the local community somewhere to relax and come together.

The current plan is to develop a creative hub with resident artists on the upper and gallery/event space on the ground as well as a café and craft area where we can offer activities for the community.

Come support us to make this happen! Or if you can’t make the event but would like to know more about what we are trying to do, please contact Wendy Wager, chair of the group at

email: madelviccommunity@gmail.com

Granton Improvement Society AGM

Granton Improvement Society AGM

Saturday 9 May 10am

North Edinburgh Arts Centre

Keynote speaker: Ian Cooke (Director, DTAS):

‘What now for Community Empowerment?’

The Granton Improvement Society, an open membership society, purpose is the Improvement of Granton and the surrounding area of Edinburgh.

http://grantonimprovementsociety.wordpress.com/

Granton Improvement Society is looking to build their membership numbers within the EH4 and EH5 area. We are interested in area regeneration and working with the community to find out what would be desirable in the area to make real changes that people can directly benefit from and be involved in physically creating and managing for themselves.

We are also looking for people who may wish to become Trustees and Directors and who may have financial and business skills that they are willing to share to help our organisation evolve and effectively achieve it’s short and long term aims. Not all board members require to live within the local area. Please attend if you would like to find out more from us directly.

We welcome your interest.

The Society AGM will take place in North Edinburgh Arts Centre, business will be the election of trustees and a short talk by Ian Cooke Director of DTAS on “What now for Community Empowerment?”

Show them you care: public meeting to discuss Granton Marina plans

‘We are fed up being ignored’ – Granton & District Community Council

Following the last community council meeting that was well attended by groups and residents in the area we were asked to organise a public meeting to get our views heard on this development.

We are fed up being ignored. Our wishes discarded. No longer. We have an opportunity to really make a noise about this. Please come along and make your voice heard.

The meeting is on Thursday 9 April

at Royston & Wardieburn Community Centre – 7pm.

Please tell as many people as you know. The developer was invited and said no. Show them you do care!

Granton & District Community Council

Regeneration Drop-In at Community Shop today

Want to find out more about your community’s regeneration? Then the Community Shop’s the place to be over lunchtime today …

The Regenration drop-in provides another opportunity for the community to meet the team who are carrying out regeneration within their neighbourhood.

Representatives from the Council, NHS Lothian and Urban Union will be there to answer any questions about the new homes, NHS led partnership centre and also to talk about job and training opportunities as part of the wider community benefits.

Why not pop in and find out what’s happening in your neighbourhood?

Building New Futures drop in 270315

Soapbox: Fixing North Edinburgh

Muirhouse man and award-winning film maker Garry Fraser gives his take on his community’s current problems …

It’s kinda ironic that the police put out their chopper every night and day, costing some were like £400 grand per month. The aim of this chopper is to catch the young team in their stolen cars and bikes. A’m sure the figures are out but North Edinburgh has the highest crime rate in Scotland. They have evicted folk, jailed folk, issued community sentence orders and then cut off another generation to jail as they are too old.

None of their policies work, which leaves the System scratching its head wondering ‘what are we doing wrong?’ You have a massive college in North Edinburgh where folk from around the world come to study – but only two streets away it’s another world. They shipped everybody out of Muirhouse when knocking down the Pennywell flats. Over the years they took away most forms of economic growth: i.e. the pipes and the gas works even Granton’s fishing boats.

Every local MP & MSP & councillor get in to their comfy seats and forget about this and do nothing, apart from sit over an HIV & smack epidemic that of course lasted through the 80’s & 90’s – now comes weed & legal highs.

Its like south central Edinburgh.. How many police stay in the area were they enforce the morals? How many of those wee guys, if trained in whatever, would probably take a job or go and study but only if they were helped and supported through the college system. Every brickie or trades guy who makes it from Muirhouse, Pilton, Royston or Drylaw ends up being one of the best on the site – that’s a fact …

Most folk down there who get a real chance and opportunity in work or education grab it with both hands as they know what the alternative is … that’s robbing, stealing, dealing and living within the chains of masculinity. That is now, because there are no real opportunities.

Ye need to empower a community and let them come up wi’ their own solutions. You need to invest in education to reduce the gap in equality.

You need to have a rehab or treatment centre bang in the community to get three generations of methadone and other daft prescription drugs clean: ye can’t sell green to addicts through drugs policies then jail folk for selling weed to pay for food, power and for some their own smoke.

Ye can’t put shops with pubs chippy’s and bookies then wonder why folk get addicted to putting bets on! Fatty foods, drink then say ‘Oh, why are they dying of preventable illnesses well before their time?’

When I went to college they say I saved them £1.6 million over three years in the social return on investment – imagine what these wee guys now are costing?

See whoever gets elected for the North Edinburgh do you think they will do anything about these injustices while they say they wish to cut austerity?

I taught maself to read, taught maself to write, love ma people and these rich folk take take take & give nothing back apart from academic reports done by their pals.

The system is rigged …