Child’s Sleep Workshop
Wednesday 17 February at 12.30pm
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Tag: Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Edinburgh’s budget: Transformation – or tragedy?
Councillors vote through £84.5 cuts package
Frontline services for Edinburgh’s vulnerable, older and younger residents will be prioritised in the city council’s budget budget set yesterday. Finance convener Alisdair Rankin says the council aims to become a ‘leaner, more agile organisation’ but up to two thousand jobs will go, impacting on services across the city.
The council says spending on schools, health and social care provision – seen as the services that matter most to Edinburgh residents – as well as improvements to roads, pavements and cycle routes, will be their spending priorities, and the administration plans to deliver them more efficiently and effectively.
Councillor Alasdair Rankin, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “Like other local authorities around the country, we face the challenge of a rising demand for services while funding is reducing.
“That’s why we will focus on the services that matter the most to the public. I am confident that we have taken the needs of Edinburgh’s residents into account when setting this year’s budget and am delighted that more than 4000 people took the time to have their say on our draft budget proposals.”
Councillor Bill Cook, Vice-Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “Thanks to the feedback gained during the budget engagement process we have been able to make decisions such as maintaining the full in-house home care service and retaining lunch time crossing patrols at primary schools.”
Based on responses received during an 11-week consultation period, changes were made to the final budget reflecting the public’s needs. These include:
• Maintaining the night noise team
• Deciding against proposals to redesign day care services for adults with learning disabilities
• Removing the proposal to reduce community centre staff
• Maintaining lunch time school crossing patrols
• Amending the proposal to review support staff in special schools
This year the Council has a budget of £950m and will continue to deliver frontline services while making savings of £85.4m. These savings will be achieved through ‘workforce transformation’, cuts in fleet and selling off property.
While councillors listened to the public’s views during the budget consultation there was no move towards introducing a ‘Tourist Tax’ and they rejected appeals to defy the Scottish government by raising council tax. As a result, council tax band levels for Edinburgh in 2016/17 will once again remain unchanged:
A: £779.33
B: £909.22
C: £1,039.11
D: £1,169.00
E: £1,428.78
F: £1,688.56
G: £1,948.33
H: £2,338.00
A deputation from North Edinburgh was well to the fore during proceedings throughout the day, bringing some levity to what was otherwise a sombre occasion.
Dressed in black, Royston Wardieburn’s Power to the People adult education group staged a funeral procession to the City Chambers, led by the Grim Reaper, an undertaker, pall bearers and mourners lamenting the death of council services.
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is one of many voluntary sector organisations facing an uncertain future. A contingent from Drylaw joined the lobby and supporter Lesley Yardley (below, left) spoke to reporters before the meeting about how cuts are affecting hard-hit communities.
She said: “Our Neighbourhood Centre caters for people of all ages – from babies and toddlers right up to people in their nineties. The Centre’s full every day. Pensioners get picked up by our community bus and brought in to the centre. Without that Centre many of these people would be on their own; they would just sit at home and fade away. Communities need community centres.”
The deputation also brought music into the council chamber, with speakers Willie Black and Anna Hutchison – was there ever a more unlikely Renee and Renato? – leading the North Edinburgh chorus in a rousing – if melancholic – version of Bella Ciao.
Ultimately, however, the serenade failed to melt the heart of Edinburgh’s councillors and by late afternoon the die was cast: councillors voted through the Capital Coalition’s budget. Yes, these were some small victories but communities across the city will feel the impact of cuts of this scale. You can’t lose that many jobs without affecting services.
Yesterday’s visit by the Grim Reaper was premature and council services are not dead yet: but with three more years of cuts to come they are surely in a critical condition. Edinburgh’s heady days of ‘Improving Services, Creating Jobs’ are well and truly over.
You can find out more about where the Council plans to spend and save in 2016/17, and where changes have been made following Budget engagement, on the Council website.
More pictures below and on our Facebook page – our thanks to Lynn McCabe
Burns Night Ceilidh SOLD OUT
Organisers have announced that all tickets for Saturday’s community ceilidh at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre have now gone and the event is SOLD OUT!
Community Ceilidh at Royston Wardieburn
Let’s party like it’s 1759!
They came from the East bearing gifts …
Portobello nursery shows the true spirit of Christmas
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre received a special surprise visit last week. No, it wasn’t Santa on his sleigh – although it was almost as exciting! It was a wee team from Portobello’s Highland Fling nursery and afterschool club, and they came bearing gifts! Continue reading They came from the East bearing gifts …
Be our guests!
Granton Community Gardeners to share their bumper harvest 
Weather’s turning wintry, time to gather inside and have some hot food!
YOU’RE ALL INVITED!
Friday 20 November, 6pm Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
No need to bring anything, but message us if you’d like to help organise, set up or bring food. (and RSVPs are helpful for numbers)
Granton Community Gardeners committee member Tom Kirby reports:
Most things have grown really well in the gardens this year, and there’s been a great regular team of local residents, we’ve all learned a lot from each other! We still meet up every Tuesday and Saturday at 11am (unless weather is really bad!) at the community garden on the corner of Boswall Parkway and Wardieburn Road. Anyone is very welcome to join us, no prior gardening experience needed!
This Saturday (weather permitting) we’ll be sowing the first of our trial plots of winter wheat! We are participating in a project organised by Bread Matters, to try growing small scale plots of varieties of wheat that used to be grown in Scotland before cereal production became so industrialised (and before issues like gluten intolerances were such a problem).
We’re already making plans for next year, but it’s good to take some time to relax and celebrate what’s been achieved.
Hope you’re well and keeping warm,
Friends to hold first AGM
A year of growth for Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden
Hi folks,
I can’t believe it has been a year, and it is time to take stock of the year’s events and achievements, and look forward to what we could do together.
- Latest news, chance to discuss ideas and ask questions, and find out about events upcoming with our Scotland’s Urban Past project being supported by Historic Environment Scotland.
- Apples and a few other surprises from Eve’s Apple Shack!
Hope to see you at our upcoming AGM – help us raise awareness of our campaign to save the last of Scotland’s Lost Gardens.
Kirsty Sutherland, Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden
Something inside so strong
Local women get together again to make a difference
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre-based Womens International Group (WIG) held a successful follow-up to their June ‘Getting Together, Making A Difference‘ event last month. Here’s the conference report:
Background
The first Getting Together Making a Difference event took place on 18 June 2015. A new exhibition created by the Women’s International Group was launched at the event. The exhibition celebrated the achievements of local women through the decades who individually and collectively have made a huge contribution to the community of North Edinburgh.
The event also included the screening of 2 short films on the theme of home created by a local women’s group from North Edinburgh and a group of women from Maryhill who were refugees and asylum seekers. Below is an extract of the comments made by participants during the discussion after the film:
- Very strong films
- All of us should work together to stop this kind of thing happening in this community (dawn raids, immigration vans driving around the area, people being sent back to dangerous situations)
- We need to reach out to people and stand with them but there needs to be trust for this to happen
- Together we have a big voice to change things
- The film makes you realise how fortunate we are – many people have nothing – not even a home
- It’s amazing to know that there are people out there who are prepared to help
- it would be good to show publicly how much of what we hear is myths. There needs to be education for young and old about this.
The following decisions came out the meeting:
- Organise a follow-up meeting
- Screen the other Making it Home films
- Screen the Glasgow Girls – shows people coming together to fight these issues
- Challenge the myths
- Publicise the Making it Home project
Aims of second Getting Together Making a Difference event
- To raise awareness about the issues facing different groups within the community
- To build links/solidarity between different groups
- To develop ideas for tackling poverty and discrimination
- To increase the involvement of different groups in all aspects of the community.
GETTING TOGETHER MAKING A DIFFERENCE
(SECOND EVENT)
Session 1: Home
Following the screening of the Making It Home films, participants were asked to pair up with another person to discuss what home meant to them. The following comments were made during the feedback session:
Home is:
- Where you feel safe and secure
- Where you can sleep safely and warm
- Where your family is, whoever they are
- Where you feel you belong
- Where you have memories
- Where you can be part of the community
- Where you are valued and respected
- A safe environment to bring up children
- Where you can invite friends for gathering
- My room
- A place to sleep
- Where’s there’s love
- A bit of a hell hole
- Where you learn things and hear different opinions
- Where there’s fun and laughter
- A place of protection where your needs are met.
- Where you meet each other and are recognised by others
- Where you don’t have to live in fear
- Where you can be yourself without being judged
- A place where people can learn from each other and politics doesn’t get in the way of relationships
- A place where you share food and be with other people
- Being part of a group / community.
It was pointed out by a number of participants that a lot of homes and communities aren’t safe and supportive and that this situation has a huge impact on people’s everyday lives.
We took time to reflect on the fact that ‘home’ is not a safe place for many people around the world at the moment. In Syria, for example, 11 million people have had to leave their homes and their communities over the last 4 years to escape war and persecution. Over 4 million of those displaced by the conflict have been forced to leave their homeland in search of a safer future in a different country. Sadly, many thousands of those seeking refuge have died on those treacherous journeys hundreds of miles from home.
Siobhan Glean, an inspirational black woman, who has made North Edinburgh her home, recited an extract from a powerful poem by Maya Angelou. The words were chosen because they resonate with the experience of refugees and asylum seekers facing hostility, racism and inhumane treatment in many parts of Europe today:
Still I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
We were then led by the Timebank Temptations in a song which reflected support and compassion for our fellow humans caught up in the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War:
What is peace to you
We are calling compassion for all
Everybody has the right to a safe home.
Part 2: Getting Together. Making a Difference
We were inspired by a film made in 1993 by Muirhouse Anti-Racism Campaign. The film and the testimonies of those involved in the campaign highlighted the importance of showing solidarity with people who are being discriminated against and how much can be achieved when a few committed people join together.
We are reminded about the dangers of racism by the following quote by Willie Adams, one of the founder members of MARC:
“Most white people don’t understand that racism of this sort affects them as well. Quite apart from the fact that racism is wrong, they don’t see how easy it is for prejudice to divide the community. Racism is not a solution, it’s a way of distracting people’s attention from the real issues.”
Part 3: Where do we go from here?
Those present expressed their wish to build a stronger and more supportive community. The following suggestions were put forward with regard to how this might be achieved:
Action Points:
- Challenge myths about immigration / refugees. Education is essential. We need to arm ourselves with the facts.
- Use positive terminology/positive language when referring to people
- Involve young people from various backgrounds in youth groups. There also needs to be more black and minority ethnic youth workers
- Examine the causes of immigration what causes people to flee their countries
- Come up with ways of reaching isolated people
- Celebrate different cultures ie the international night being held in Granton Primary school
- Build links and trust between different groups
- Get involved in political campaigning
- Establish a buddy system for people who are new to the area/ chum people to different activities
- Establish a group to take these ideas forward.
Conclusion
It was agreed to organise a meeting in the next few weeks for people who are interested in forming a group to take forward these ideas.
Anna Hutchison who chaired the event then recited the following poem which she wrote in response to the plight of refugees around the world.
Hands Across the Water
Hands across the water
Hands beyond the seas
People living together
In perfect harmony
People helping others
Joining hands together
Sisters and brothers sharing, caring for you and me.
The event concluded on a high note with a song. The lyrics remind of us of our moral responsibility to stand up not only for our own rights but also for the rights of others.
‘Something Inside So Strong’ – Labi Siffre
The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The farther you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos there’s….
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
The more you refuse to hear my voice
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time
You squander wealth that’s mine
My light will shine so brightly
It will blind you
Cos there’s …
Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just not good enough
When we know better
Just look ’em in the eyes and say
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
Something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Brothers and sisters
When they insist we’re just good not enough
When we know better
Just look ’em in the eyes and say
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
I’m gonna do it anyway
Because there’s something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho’ you’re doing me, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong
Immigration: Film screening and discussion at North Edinburgh Arts
East meets West to talk human rights tomorrow night
It couldn’t be more topical …
Pupils from Broughton and Craigroyston High Schools will be among those taking part in a Q & A session and discussion with original ‘Glasgow Girl’ Roza Salih following the screening of the film at North Edinburgh Arts tomorrow night.
All welcome.
Show support for Charlie Bear
Hi
My name’s Jaymee Gorrie and I am currently fundraising for The Charlie Bear Fund – a group of friends and family raising funds for The Ronald McDonald House Charities and The British Heart Foundation on behalf of a 6 week old little boy named Charlie Campbell.
Charlie has recently undergone major heart surgery after being diagnosed with a rare condition called Di George syndrome which was a shock to everyone involved as this condition is normally recognisable at birth however until 4 weeks ago he was a happy healthy baby.
Charlie is now in the children’s hospital in Glasgow battling for his life whilst his big sister Kendal Leigh and the rest of the family are in Edinburgh. His parents Nicole and Ben, as you can imagine, are not only distraught about being given this news but now are finding it very hard to cope with being away from home
However due to the fabulous Ronald McDonald House, they have been given a home from home and are able to stay with their sick child day and night and spend every minute possible with him hence why they are desperate to give something back.
We are desperately seeking help from lovely people like yourselves in the hope that you may be able to provide us with some support and raise awareness of our cause while we start this rollercoaster of a campaign.
At the moment we are finding it very difficult to find businesses willing to offer donations and were hoping with your help we can change that. We would be so grateful for any help and support you may be able to offer, thank you in advance.
Jaymee and the charlie bear team.
https://m.facebook.com/
Charlie Bear’s Halloween Disco – 24 October 4-6PM
at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
The Charlie Bear Funday – 7 November 12-4 at PYCP