Tag: West Pilton

Pilton gardens blossom at Holyrood

flyer compressed

West Pilton Community Garden was invited to take part in an exhibition of photographs at the Scottish Parliament this week, in the hope of raising government awareness of the work done by local people to create something beautiful and useful.

Community gardener, Kirsty Sutherland said “Many photographs have been taken as the garden developed last year and it was a hard job to select just three for the parliament, to give a ‘flavour’ of our garden and the people who have been working in it.”

The garden has been welcomed by local people and proved popular with local children who have enjoyed the ‘fruits of their labour’ over the summer.

Local MSP Mark Lazarowicz kindly signed the garden petition started by local people, to prove to Forth councillors that this garden deserves funding for simple needs like a secure shed, water tap, seating area and a wheelchair accessible path.

School groups and other local organisations working with disadvantaged adults and children wish to visit and work in the garden. We can’t provide this until we have the garden properly built and appropriate support workers on site.

Naomi from the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens said: ” ‘It was a great opportunity to showcase the excellent work of community gardening and farming projects and bring up some of the issues that affect community gardening and farming projects. A lot of interest was shown by MSP’s and many of them have signed up to visit a community farming/gardening project in their constituency. Through a visit the benefits of community gardening will be able to be experienced first hand.”

The benefits from community farming and gardening include; physical and mental wellbeing, socialising and meeting new people, creating areas which are beneficial for wildlife and the environment, encouraging people take a pride in their area, providing opportunities for learning new skills, volunteering and bringing people together to see what other opportunities there are for sustainable living on their doorstep.

We hope that our elected councillors will recognise that this garden is a sustainable community-led idea, and support the funding requests lodged with Forth Neighbourhood Partnership since 2011.

kirsty@piltonresidents.org.uk

http://northedinburghcommunityorganics.wordpress.com/

🙂

Rainbow crops compressed

 

Woman treated in hospital following Pilton chip pan fire

Firefighters came to the rescue of two adults and a baby following a chip pan fire in West Pilton on Thurday night.

Three fire appliances attended the blaze in West Pilton Rise at around 7pm. Two pumps and a height appliance tackled the fire on the second floor of the building, where crews found three casualties suffering from smoke inhalation.

A man and a woman both aged 26 and a ten-month-old baby boy were attended to at the scene before the woman was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for a further check-up and treatment.

Two firefighters in breathing apparatus used a high-pressure hose reel and a fire blanket to extinguish the blaze in the smoke-filled flat.

Boy attacked by gang in Ferry Road Place

A twelve year old boy was attacked a gang of youths in West Pilton last night. The boy was walking in Ferry Road Place at around 7pm when he was approached by six or seven youths and assaulted. The boy managed to make it to a local shop and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for injuris to his face and body before being discharged.

The attackers are descibed only as being male, white and wearing hooded tops, but despite that general description police are hopeful that members of the public will come forward with information.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant David Happs said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a young boy and a terrifying experience for him. Fortunately he was able to flee his attackers and sought assistance at a nearby shop. We are conducting various lines of local enquiries to identify those responsible and will have a high-visibility police presence in the area to offer reassurance to the local community. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area on Monday evening is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Fireworks warning to West Pilton parents

Police and Council officers in Edinburgh will be visiting parents in West Pilton in a bid to tackle the issue of fireworks being set off and fires being started in the area. Police officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team and city council Community Safety Team staff are visiting the homes of youths identified or suspected of setting off fireworks and fire-starting after recent incidents.

Officers have being doing additional patrols in West Pilton over the last fortnight to deter youths from throwing fireworks and, as a result of their investigations, several youths have been identified as being responsible for dangerous behaviour in the area.

Joint Police and Council follow-up visits are being carried out over the next few weeks and the parents of youths involved will be warned over their children’s behaviour. Officers will also be urging parents to take additional steps to ensure their children are not involved in behaviour which causes a risk to the community.

Inspector Mark Rennie of Drylaw Police Station said “We have had two very concerning fires in West Pilton over the last month and several worrying incidents involving fireworks. This type of risk-taking behaviour will not be tolerated. We have additional officers on patrol and we are also highlighting the problem to local shop owners but speaking to parents about the recent incidents and potential consequences is a key part of our response”.

Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The joint visits are designed to make the position clear to parents – they are responsible for the behaviour of their children. We will carry out an investigation and look at potential breaches of their tenancy agreements and possible legal action should they not heed the warnings given to them. A key commitment of the Capital Coalition is to strengthen and support our communities and keep them safe. We will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action against those responsible for fire raising and other acts of antisocial behaviour.”

Anyone with information regarding fire setting in the area is asked to contact, Lothian and Borders Police 0131 311 3131 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police seek witnesses after Pilton fireworks incidents

Police are appealing for witnesses after a series of incidents involving the reckless discharge of fireworks in the West Pilton area. From Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday morning (October 16 and 17), there were a number of incidents reported to police involving a group of youths who were setting off fireworks.

The most serious incident happened just after midnight in West Pilton Drive, where a firework was forced into a garage adjoining a house, causing a fire to break out. The fire service was called to the property to extinguish the blaze, which caused limited damage. No one was injured in the incident.

DC Rachael Robertson from Lothian and Borders Police said: “Thankfully the fire was dealt with swiftly, however there was the potential for far more serious consequences as a result of this reckless criminal act. At present officers are carrying out enquiries in the area, including the use of CCTV, in an attempt to identify the youths responsible. We would appeal to anyone who witnessed any fireworks being set off in the Pilton area overnight to come forward. Anyone else who has any information that can assist us in identifying the youths responsible should also get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Partnership approach to tackle antisocial behaviour

North Edinburgh agencies will join together to launch a season of activities to tackle antisocial behaviour tomorrow. Local police are working with officers from the Fire and Rescue Service, City of Edinburgh Council and other agencies to focus on crime and antisocial behaviour in and around the West Pilton area in response to concerns raised by local residents.

To supplement existing work in the area, a season of co-ordinated crime prevention and environmental improvement activity will begin tomorrow (25 September) and continue into the Autumn.

As well as different council departments, other agencies including the DVLA and Trading Standards will be focusing on the area by co-ordinating their work in conjunction with the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team at Drylaw police station.

A series of activities are planned which will include community led clean-ups, targeting of fly tipping, cycle marking and bike security sessions, joint police / environmental patrols and road safety ‘parksmart’ sessions around primary schools. Free crime prevention surveys will also be offered to victims of housebreaking and hate crime and the police will also be visiting shops and licensed premises to assist them with security and safety advice as winter approaches.

Drop-in surgeries are also planned to allow residents to share their concerns with police and council officers and ensure that resources are focused to where they are needed.

Inspector Mark Rennie from Drylaw police station said: “By being smarter about when and where we use our resources in the area we will be able to have a greater impact on crime and antisocial behaviour over the autumn. We’ve received great support from partner agencies and there is a real willingness to maximise our efforts to tackle the underlying problems which have been reported to us by residents.”

Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader for Edinburgh, said: “The Capital Coalition is committed to keeping our communities safe. By listening to people and working in partnership with other agencies we can tackle the priority issues and improve the quality of life. I would like to encourage residents to take part in the organised activities aimed at making the area cleaner, greener and safer for all. Take time out to attend one of the many drop in surgeries that are being arranged and tell us what issues are affecting you. This is a great opportunity for our residents to help shape the services that are provided for their benefit. Speak to us about anti-social behaviour, graffiti, dog fouling or anything that you feel will improve life within your community.”

Regular updates on the progress of the operation and ongoing activities will be available on twitter via @LBP_Police and @north_team – and on the NEN blog, of course!

Community award for Malcolm Chisholm

Edinburgh North and Leith MSP Malcolm Chisholm was awarded Pilton Central Association’s Rose Bowl at the community organisation’s annual general meeting this evening. The Rose Bowl is awarded annually to people who have made a major contribution to community life in North Edinburgh, and Malcolm Chisholm is the first politician to receive the award since it’s introduction in 1990.

PCA chairperson Betty McVay said: “The Rose Bowl was donated to the PCA by one of my  predecessors, Agnes Laidlaw, who was a tremendous example to community activists. The Rose Bowl is presented to individuals who we feel have made a contribution to making this community a better place to live. Malcolm certainly falls into that category, and has done for a number of years. I know Malcolm has to declare all gifts and presents, so I should point out that this rose bowl is only his to keep for a year – we’ll be wanting it back!”

Malcolm, who has represented North and Leith at both Westminster and then Holyrood since 1992, was genuinely surprised to receive the award. “This is a huge shock, but I’m very honoured and feel very humble to have been considered for a community award like this, particularly here in North Edinburgh. Truly, I’m overwhelmed.”

The Rose Bowl presentation was the highlight of a very successful night for the PCA in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. The meeting was very well attended and the PCA managed to attract a full complement of sixteen committee members, including a number of new faces … and, would you believe it, a young person!

There were two guest speakers at the meeting. North Edinburgh Social History Group’s Roberta Blaikie gave an entertaining history of the succesful community project which has been running for almost four years – and shows no sign of stopping yet! PCA’s financial support enabled the Social History Group to publish their acclaimed ‘Never Give Up’ book.

Jimmy Butler has been a friend of the PCA since ‘being dragged into Ferry Road Drive in 1974 and painting the back shop!’ Most recently Jimmy has been working on a business plan for the PCA and he gave a brief introduction to the draft Community Enterprise Operational Plan. The plan will be discussed in detail at forthcoming committee meetings, but Jimmy said the plan will help PCA to ‘move forward and remain relevant’. He added: “The PCA has been here, well, forever and let’s hope we can make sure it will be here forever!”

 

Boys Brigade on parade at gala

The 66th Edinburgh Boys Brigade, based at Muirhouse St Andrew’s Parish Church, had a stall at the first ever West Pilton and Muirhouse Gala yesterday. Captain Andrew Hay is hopeful that the company’s attendance at the event will help boost numbers, particularly with a special anniversary on the horizon. 

Andrew said: “We have a catchment of both the  Muirhouse and West Pilton areas and we were there to make our presence known, both to try to recruit more boys and also to try to get in touch with any ex-members as our 50th anniversary is next year. The leaders had a great day and we successfully reminded many local organisations and families the Boys’ Brigade is still strong in this part of Edinburgh.”

For further information on the local Boys Brigade company go to:

https://sites.google.com/site/66thedinburghboysbrigade/home

Sun shines on West Pilton and Muirhouse gala day

Organisers players were answered yesterday when the rain stayed away and the sun came out for the West Pilton and Muirhouse Community Gala. Forth One’s Grant Stott got the party started and hundreds of local residents came to West Pilton Park to enjoy both the sunshine and the entertainment on offer.

Congratulations to the organisers for staging a first class event. (And thank goodness it wasn’t scheduled to take place today!)

Some gala pictures: