Corstorphine Primary School pupils meet Jacqueline Wilson at Jamboree

Top children’s authors and illustrators thrilled 2000 Scottish pupils at a celebration event in Glasgow last week. Continue reading Corstorphine Primary School pupils meet Jacqueline Wilson at Jamboree

Scottish BAFTA for Muirhouse filmmaker

Congratulations to Muirhouse filmmaker Garry Fraser on winning a BAFTA Scotland New Talent Factual category for his autobiographical film ‘Everybody’s Child’ last night.

The acclaimed documentary – filmed mainly in Muirhouse and Pennywell – tells the story of Gary’s childhood and his later battles with heroin addiction. Remarkably ‘Everybody’s Child’ was a first documentary for Garry, who studied film making at Telford College.

Malcolm Chisholm opens LOCAL exhibition

Holyrood politician Malcolm Chisholm MSP was among the guests at the opening of LOCAL, a muliti-media contemporary arts exhibition, at North Edinburgh Arts last Friday. The local North and Leith MSP was impressed with the work, a collaboration between Contemporary Arts HND students from the Granton Campus of Edinburgh College ( i.e Telford!) and members of North Edinburgh’s Social History Group.

Mr Chisholm was joined by students, lecturers, members of the Social History Group and local community activists at the opening event.

LOCAL was the brainchild of course lecturers Jennie Temple and Alan Holligan, who wanted to work more closely with groups from the local community. A meeting with Community Learning and Development worker Lynn McCabe, who supports the Social History Group, proved to be the spark for the project and over four months HND students worked with members of the community group to research, develop and create their artworks for the LOCAL project.

Student Heather Lane said: ‘I was inspired by the people of North Edinburgh’s collective want for change, through their staging of protests and campaigns. I wanted to pay homage to their fight and let their message live on. Remaking the banners, placards and posters was about the overall notion of resistance against power, the protests dragging people back into the consciousness and inspiring them to become active in bringing about change, too.’

Her colleague Rhona Foster, who created artworks ‘Dog, sandwich, speech, shoes and snacks’ for LOCAL, added: ‘From the perspective of an outsider I saw North Edinburgh as having an entire culture of it’s own. As a means of research I interacted with the area and was inspired to make artworks about the people and things I encountered and engaged with.’

Drylaw’s Ian Moore, a member of the Social History Group, said: ‘It’s a fantastic exhibition with some amazing creations – the students have shown great imagination. The banners in particular brought back many memories – it’s incredible how some of these fights and campaigns are still relevant today.’

LOCAL can be seen at North Edinburgh Arts until 23 February

Tuesday – Friday 10am – 8pm

Saturday 10am – 1pm

Free admission

Local lecturer raises the roof at world championships

An Edinburgh College lecturer has helped Team GB win a prestigious award at the World Championship for Young Roofers.

Bob Coutts, Roofing Lecturer, from Edinburgh College Granton Campus mentored the team of young roofers during the three day competition which took place in Lucerne, Switzerland and the fantastic effort from the team in during a freestyle roofing task saw them win the President’s Prize award.

The team impressed the judges with its creative natural slate work on a pitched roof with a dormer shed, beating off stiff competition from 11 other countries including Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

As well as the freestyle section, which is optional for team, Team GB entered two teams in the Pitched Roofing and Waterproofing categories and was narrowly pipped to a medal where Switzerland who took home the top prize in both.

Bob, who has been a lecturer in Roofing at Edinburgh College for over 35 years, as well as mentoring the GB team since 2002, said: “A big ‘well done’ to all of the young GB roofers who took part this year and they should be very proud of the work they completed and taking home this fantastic award.

“Being involved in projects and competitions such as this, helps students broaden their skills set and open their minds and creativity to different ways of working and thinking in the sector they are interested in. The competition really sets the bar in allowing students to see what they can achieve and it is a great boost for the students and indeed Edinburgh College.”

Since he started mentoring Team GB in the World Championship for Young Roofers, Bob has represented Edinburgh College and Great Britain in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Belgium, South Africa and Ireland and has helped secure two bronze medal s in Dublin 2002 and Cape Town 2005 and a Gold medal in Belfast in 2010.

The affiliation with the championships has ensured that Edinburgh College now has a stellar reputation throughout Europe as a leading education body.

Now in its 24th year, the World Championships for Young Roofers is organized by the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) and the competition sees team from all over Europe compete in three categories; Pitched Roofing, Metal Roofing and Waterproofing or Flat roofing, as well as an optional freestyle category where the teams can compete for the President’s Prize.

This year the event was hosted by the Swiss National Federation of Roofing Contractors and in order to test their skills to comply with Swiss specifications the UK team were given the opportunity to train in the host country for two weeks, helping them adhere to the national standards and use of unfamiliar materials and methods..

Warm welcome for Muirhouse photo exhibition

Borga Prada Garcia’s eagerly-awaited photographic exhibition opened at North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Tuesday. Friends, colleagues, local residents and at least one of Borja’s photographic subjects came out in strength to support the ‘Welcome to Muirhouse’ event.

Borga spent the best part of a year photographing people and buildings in Muirhouse and Pennywell while studying at Telford College, and the ‘Welcome to Muirhouse’ photo-essay for his Photography HND achieved top marks.

The project became a labour of love, and Borja’s affection for the people he met during his time in the area shines through the images on display at North Edinburgh Arts. It’s taken a lot of work over the last few months to get the exhibition open, but Borja is delighted that his work is on view in Muirhouse.

“I am so pleased that the exhibiiton is here in North Edinburgh Arts Centre. I wanted my pictures to go on display in Muirhouse before they go anywhere else and for local people to see them first – it was important to me”, he said.

Borja wanted to portray Muirhouse in a positive light, and his work achieves that. “I was aware of the very negative image of Muirhouse, but I found it a fascinating place with many warm and welcoming people who I now call friends. It’s too easy to just make assumptions about people and places: I hope I show the real Muirhouse – the place and the people who live here – in my images.”

Borja decided not to make a formal speech to open the exhibition. “I am still working on my English language and I would prefer the occasion to be informal and friendly. I thank everyone for coming, of course, but yes, I will let the photographs tell the story themselves.”

Welcome to Muirhouse can be seen at North Edinburgh Arts on Tuesday – Friday from 10am – 8pm and from 10am – 1pm on Saturday. Until 30 November.

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:

WIG hail success of first health day

North Edinburgh’s Womens International Group are delighted with the success of last week’s Health Day – the first of it’s kind organised by the womens’ group based at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. Over forty women of all ages took part in a full day of events and activities in Royston Wardieburn – and while they may not all have gone home a lot healthier, they definitely went home happier!

From registration and refreshments at 10am it was a packed programme – Jane Jones gave a talk about ‘What Affects Our Health?’, there was Zumba and aerobics in the sports hall, pamper sessions and gentle exercise; all before lunch time!

A short presentation by local women got the afternoon activities underway, and this was followed by talk on Breast Awareness by Lynda Luke of the Breast Screening Service. Julie Smith gave a presentation on North Edinburgh Time Bank and Roberta Blaikie gave a brief contribution about North Edinburgh Credit Union. The final hour of the day was dedicated to social activities and fundraising for McMillan Cancer Trust in the cafe community room, with a nearly new stall and raffle.

Women’s International Group (WIG) said: ‘We would like to thank the following organisations for their support : Community Learning and Development, Royston Wardieburn Centre Management Committee, Pilton Health Project, North Edinburgh Arts, Telford College students, the Breast Screening Service, McMillan Cancer Trust, North Edinburgh Time Bank, North Edinburgh Credit Union and Stepping Stones. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals who have given up their time or who have contributed to the raffle or nearly new stall and the local businesses who have made donations.’

Thanks to Community Learning and Development worker Lynne McCabe for the following Health Day pictures:

Wella, wella – Amy aims for the hairdressing heights!

An Edinburgh College student has shown her skills to be razor sharp after making it to the final of an industry recognised award run by the Hairdressing Council. Amy Armstrong, 27, has been shortlisted for the Student of the Year 2012 competition after wowing the judges with her peacock-inspired hairstyle for the competition.

Jackie Steele, Hairdressing Lecturer at Edinburgh College, said: “Amy has done an amazing job in making it this far in a competition which sees hundreds of students competing. She’s a fantastic student-completely dedicated to the course with a real talent and creative eye which she proved with her colourful and original styling for the competition.

“This is the second year running that one of our students has been in the finals which is a real merit to the college and shows the level of talent we have here. It’s so rewarding seeing our students standing out, impressing the judges and being recognised at such a high level. We’re really proud of Amy and wish her the best of luck in the finals.”

Amy will now go head-to-head against seven other students across the UK on October 14 at the Goldwell studios in London, where she will be judged by industry icons Lisa Shepherd, Patrick Cameron and Andrew Barton. The two overall winners will have the opportunity to work with ‘stylist to the stars’ Andrew Barton for a day, and will receive vouchers for a course with L’Oréal and Wella. They will also get an iPad2, as well as be invited for tea at the House of Commons!

Amy said: “When I first found out my lecturers had nominated me for the award I was delighted but when I found out I’d actually been shortlisted, I was completely shocked but over the moon. It’s such a massive opportunity to have my work judged by top industry professionals and I’m really excited about the finals next month. To be in with a chance of winning a day with Andrew Barton, who is a hugely respected name in the industry, is something I didn’t think I’d be saying this year but aside from winning, the whole experience has reinforced why I love the industry so much. I can’t thank my lecturers and the college enough for the support they’ve given me and the opportunity to be part of such a highly respected competition.”

Highly regarded throughout the industry, the Hairdressing Council Student of the Year Award 2012 is supported by colleges and training centres nationwide and sees hundreds of students competing for the title of Student of the Year.

Edinburgh College was formed as a result of merger between Edinburgh’s Telford College, Jewel & Esk College and Stevenson College Edinburgh. It’s the biggest FE college in Scotland and accommodates more than 35,000 students – the biggest student body in Edinburgh.

Local derby tomorrow

Tomorrow sees the start of the East of Scotland Football League and the first game of the league campaign sees a local derby in North Edinburgh. Spartans will make the short trip to Marine Drive to play Civil Service Strollers. Civil will still be on a high following their victory last week in the first round of the Sottish Cup and their manager Chic McAleavy will be delighted that influential player Michael Somerville will return for tomorrows game.

_DSC0060 — Michael Somerville (right) will be back after missing last weeks game. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Spartans will be hoping to bounce back after their defeat last week in the Scottish Cup, the new management team of Dougie Samuel and Neil Irvine will be keen to get their league campaign of to a flyer.

All the action kicks off tomorrow at Telford College playing fields at Marine Drive and kick off is at 2.30pm and the best part is there is no entry fee, so pop along and see what should be an excellent game.

College powers up solar roof savings

AT the size of four tennis courts, it’s sure to serve up some huge savings for Telford College.

Up to 650 solar panels are to be installed on the college’s roof – enough to heat water for the sports, hairdressing and kitchen areas of the campus.

The green energy project could save hundreds of thousands of pounds over its lifespan by cutting power bills and allowing the college to sell surplus electricity.

As the country’s biggest solar roof, it will generate enough energy to power 50 kettles simultaneously.

Designers have even covered the panels with a special film to protect them from seagull droppings.

Miles Dibsdall, principal of Edinburgh’s Telford College, which is based in Granton, said: “We have a strong commitment to developing and strengthening our green credentials, and the installation of the solar panelroof is a major endorsement of this pledge.”

Starting in June, the first phase of 210 solar panels will be installed, generating around 50 kilowatts of energy per hour.

That alone will exceed the current record of 204 solar panels installed on the roof of West Lothian College.

Mr Dibsdall said: “The value of having a unique project of this scale, literally under the one roof, will be immense.

“It will give unequalled levels of knowledge transfer in the field of low-carbon technologies that will help ensure the next generation of workers are superbly positioned to reap the benefits of the renewable boom.”

The first phase of installation and maintenance will cost around £90,000, but estimates suggest the college could make almost £400,000 in profit over the 25-year life of the project through savings and feeding electricity back into the national grid.

The college, which will merge with Stevenson and Jewel & Esk colleges in October, hopes to save between £2000 and £4000 a year on electricity bills alone.

A display in the college reception will show how much electricity has been generated and how much has been saved.

Other green initiatives being considered by the college, which has 17,000 students and 600 staff, include installing a hydrogen fuel cell system which could fuel eco vehicles.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “I congratulate Edinburgh’s Telford College on the exemplary role it is playing in Scotland’s green energy revolution.”