Speaking up for Restalrig, Lochend and Craigentinny quarterly free

March – May 2020

Published by The Ripple on behalf of the community ACTION and Words

What’s happening: By Rachel Gre en when they do things help write the Speaker so about the amazing things Director The Ripple together, cook, laugh, eat, that it is a community that you or people you Bat walks at share stories, news or just newspaper that is written know do in your Lochend Park So… This is your first how you’re feeling can for the community by the community. Whatever you edition of our new look make a big difference to community. want to share please let page 2 Speaker, we hope you people’s lives. We always There is a lot of support us know. like it. For now we have have opportunities for available and we would Meanwhile we hope Meadowbank all been busy beavers at people to come and help love to hear some you enjoy this issue, regeneration the Ripple to bring you each other, perhaps have different voices coming are keeping warm and news we think you might a look at what you could out over the next year that you will tell us what page 6 be interested in, news get involved with further through the Speaker – you want to hear about of what has been on the paper. do you have something over the coming year Ripple art happening here at the Right now (or should that interesting to say or share and what we can do page 7 Ripple as well as things be write now!) there is an about your local area, do together to help each you can get involved in. exciting opportunity for you want to promote an other. We know that when groups, organisations, event that’s happening, Read about the people get together, young people, writers, to do you want to tell people Wellbeing open day page 8 Thank you M

Boys snack shopping and c enjoying a Burn’s supper G

l FUNERAL

Danielle Ward, Youth The Ripple would like to These Scotmid vouchers L Services manager The take this opportunity to say have also provided an

L DIRECTORS Ripple writes: a massive thank you to excellent learning Scotmid for supporting us experience for our young I V We all know how important by giving Scotmid people as each group has 24 Hour Service a hot meal/snack is for our Community Vouchers been given a budget this R Golden Charter

growing young people, which has allowed us to term and have used their A Funeral Plans which is why, at all our continue to provide a hot time to plan meals, Y youth groups and drop ins snack at every club since budget, and buy the Tel: 0131 554 7777 we aim to provide a hot January and will do so until ingredients for what they Mob: 07508 178 433 snack for all our young July 2020. would like to eat. 139/141 Restalrig Road people. EH7 6HW 2 The Speaker March – May 2020 Speak up! Write to the Speaker

Raise local issues, If you would like your letter to appear in the paper it celebrate achievements, must include your name and address, although these may put forward suggestions. be withheld from publication at your request. Help make sure The Speaker is the kind of newspaper you Send your letters to: want to read. The Editor, The Speaker, 198 Restalrig Road South Edinburgh EH7 6DZ E-mail: [email protected]

Editor Rachel Green The Speaker is an Community police reporting Phone independent community 0131 554 0422 newspaper which aims to Hello from your local the organisation to verify really require work to be Email provide a forum for free Community Officers: their identity. Do not use carried out. If it sounds [email protected] speech and debate, an a phone number on the too good to be true, it Post effective method of Recently in the Restalrig identity card as this may probably is. Please be 198 Restalrig Road South information sharing and and Lochend area we be fake. Be aware of vigilant for vulnerable Edinburgh EH7 6DZ a way to celebrate local have encountered calls methods used by neighbours who may fall Advertising achievement. from the community criminals to distract you foul of these criminals. Dawn Baxter Community involvement is regards Door Step Crime. such as being asked to We do not recommend 0131 554 0422 key to its success and any What is it? make a telephone call, to dealing with cold-callers Production individual or group within Bogus callers try to get use your toilet, for a glass for property maintenance Norman Gilfillan Restalrig, Lochend, into your home or obtain of water or being asked to and repairs to your home Phone Craigentinny and personal details by check water or gas and garden. Contact the 019 68 673229 surrounding local area is pretending to be supplies. Trusted Trader Scheme Email welcome to contribute. someone they’re not, Do not keep large where you will find a list of [email protected] The views expressed in including council staff, amounts of money at accredited trades people. The Speaker are those meter readers, charity home. If in doubt keep Be on guard and call Copy deadline of the authors and not collectors and even them out. Rogue traders the police when you see for June – August necessarily those of the police officers. In reality, usually cold-call, offering anything suspicious. Friday 15 May Editor or Publishers. Please they are criminals trying to to make repairs or carry Please pick up some of note copy may be edited. steal cash and valuables. out work on your house, our doorstep Any letter or article which is Be on guard if someone garden or driveway. In crime Printed by considered libellous will turns up unexpected. reality they charge information D C Thomson & Co Ltd not be published and Check ID. If you are still inflated prices for shoddy leaflets at Distributed by individuals will be protected unsure, look up a phone or often unnecessary The Hub if Out of Hand Scotland from personal attack. number in the phone work. Ask yourself – Do you’d like to book or online and ring your premises or garden know more.

Last September saw the right you can see these old Tai Chi centre. We Night shift Friends of Lochend Park tiny flying mammals flitter get three species here, organising a very above the edge of the two types of Pipistrelle successful sunset bat loch, catching newly and the water-loving walk. Local naturalist emerged insects. Even Daubenton's. None of Graham Checkley tells us when it's too dark to see these species are rare, a bit more about bats they will still be hunting, but all are protected by The Speaker and their ways. locating their food by the law and are important is published by “Take a walk at sunset ultrasonic squeaks known indicators of a healthy The Ripple Project around Lochend Loch as echolocation. environment.” 198 Restalrig Road South during the warmer “Lochend Park is a great Keep an eye on The Edinburgh EH7 6DZ months. There's a place for bats – a quiet, Speaker and on the Scottish Charity No. SC024973 magical half-hour when dark space within a busy Friends of Lochend Park’s Company Limited by the birds are going to city. On a good night Facebook page over the Guarantee No. 214364 0131 554 0422 A Pipistrelle bat held in a roost and our local bats bats will be active right coming months, more [email protected] gloved hand, showing start their night-shift insect around the loch and also bat walks are planned! www.rippleproject.co.uk their tiny size. hunt. If you time things around the trees by the 3 The Speaker March – May 2020 Local is good

political points. In forced into phoney parliament.uk or call my own communities. You will acknowledging that, I will self-employment to office on 0131 661 8023. see plenty of information only say that the results circumvent workers’ rights My team and I are here to about activities and across the UK were not – will continue to go help you. projects going on at the what I hoped for. unaddressed. There are By contrast, many more Hub, in local churches The upshot of the 2019 few encouraging signs encouraging policies and all over the place in general election for that powers over drugs choices are being taken, the pages of the Speaker. Tommy Sheppard MP ordinary people in laws will be devolved to far away from Westminster. The Lochend Secret for Edinburgh East Lochend and Restalrig the Scottish Parliament so No one here has to pay Garden. All the fantastic writes: and across Edinburgh we can see the radical the Bedroom Tax. organisations based at It is an honour to have East is that we continue action needed to stem Payments for carers have St Margaret’s House. The been returned with an to have a government at the shocking number of been increased. The lunch club run by the increased majority as the Westminster in charge of deaths we have witnessed target of building 50,000 Ripple Project I popped Member of Parliament for crucial policy decisions in Scotland recently. affordable homes across into recently. There is loads Edinburgh East at the over tax, welfare and the I apologise for painting Scotland by 2021 looks of great work being done election in December. I economy which has a gloomy picture, I really well on course. In locally. thank the communities consistently made life do. But that is the current Edinburgh, the Council is To me, the message is across the constituency harder rather than easier state of affairs which we committed to building clear. When it comes to for again putting their trust for them over the last ten find ourselves facing. 20,000 affordable where the decisions in me to represent them years. Don’t think for a minute homes to rebalance our affecting people’s lives at Westminster. I want Universal Credit that we need to take this challenging housing are taken, it’s a case of to be clear that I will continues its botched, lying down though – and market, with measures the closer, the better. continue to represent all stumbling roll out, driving I will be on hand for any coming to tackle rising Ensuring power is as near of you, whether you voted increases in food bank of you individually who private rents and regulate as possible to local for me or not, without fear use and homelessness. find yourself facing the Airbnb-style short term lets. communities helps or favour, as I have done The harmful effects of consequences. You can The list is long and there is improve life quality and since 2015. what some call the ‘gig’ find me at the Hub, the way more besides. reduce inequality. And The pages of the economy – insecure, low first Friday of every month, And then there are the while I’m your MP, that’s Speaker are not the forum paid work, zero hours email me at tommy. many things that ordinary what I’ll fight to do. to be making grand contracts, people being sheppard.mp@ people are doing for their

Got an issue or problem? Need a chat? Remember the clocks go forward one hour on Coffee with a Copper Sunday 29 March Family and Housing Support Officer PC Chris Johnstone will be in attendance alongside PC Margo Darling

12.30-1.30pm Friday 20 & 27 March, 17 & 24 April and 8, 15 & 29 May at The Hub 198 Restalrig Road South. Just drop in. YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMME Wednesday JANUARY – JUNE Girls Group P6-S2, 6.30-8.00pm Monday Term 2: Boys Club 15 January – 1 April P6-S2, 6.30-8.00pm Term 3: Term 2: 29 April – 24June 13 January – 30 March Term 3: 27 April – 22 June Thursday Ripple XPress (Drama Group) Passion 2020 P5-S1, 3.30-5.00pm P6+, 3.30-5.00pm Term 2: Term 2: 16 January – 2 April 24 February – 30 March Term 3: 30 April – 25 June Tuesday Hub 198 Drop In ROSP Drop In P7-S2, 6.30-8.00pm S3-S6, 7.30-9.00pm Term 2: Term 2: 14 January – 31 March 16 January – 2 April Term 3: Term 3: 28 April – 23 June 30 April – 25 June 4 The Speaker March – May 2020 Local churches news St Margaret’s Willowbrae Parish Church Christ Church

New minister Spring is here (or nearly here). The crocus plants in our Welcome to Christ Church Good news, at last we have our new minister, and little garden on Willowbrae Road have poked their Edinburgh. We are a what better way to start the season of Lent, not giving heads out of the ground and burst into flower, and the church in the east of something up, but, the start of a new chapter in the life days are getting longer. Many of us may be thinking Edinburgh, seeking to of St. Margaret's.The Rev John Wells was inducted to where we will go for our summer holidays. glorify God and spread St Margaret's on Sunday 23rd February. During the winter our organisations have been busy in the good news of the John has been a minister since 1988, and his previous the hall. One of our most active gatherings is the gospel to those around charges include Mayfield Salisbury Church and the Toddlers Group, which meets on a Thursday 10am to us. If you live near the Parish Churches of Roslin, Glencorse and Bilston. 12 noon. If you would like more information, phone church look out for our Exciting times ahead for our congregation and the Cati on 07878 822577 or just call in on a Thursday invitations to the Good parish and we are confident that John will make his morning. Friday and Easter Sunday own mark on this area and welcome him amongst us. Another successful activity is Messy Church , which is service in the weeks John will have the chance to introduce himself in the held four times a year. Our next session will be held on leading up to Easter. next edition of the Speaker and tell you all about Saturday 4 April from 3.30 to 5.30pm, when our theme The cold winter days can himself. will be Easter. Dinner will be provided. See our website be a difficult time for Messy Church for details www.willowbraeparishchurch.org many, so why not join us St. Margaret's monthly Messy Church for all primary Our next Coffee Morning, with home-baking and other for a soup lunch each school aged children will be held on Sunday 1st stalls, will be held on Saturday 14 March from 10am to Thursday at 12.15. You’ll March, at 2.30pm - 4.30pm. There will be crafts, 12 noon. also be able to meet new games, stories, drama and snacks. It is a free event Soon we will enter the Season of Lent , when the people and have a chat, and will be lots of fun, so please don't miss it. churches prepare for Easter. This year we will be sharing and most importantly We’ll move night our worship on Maundy Thursday (9th April) and Good there is always a short talk The Youth Group (The Well) at St. Margaret's will be Friday (10th April) with Wilson Memorial Free Church of by someone from the holding a free Movie night event on Saturday 21st Scotland. Full details are as follows: church, bringing the good March at 6pm, in the church halls. The event is open to Thursday 9 April: 7pm, Maundy Thursday communion news of the message of all and there will be drinks and popcorn as well. The service. Please note: this service will be hosted by and the Bible. film being shown is 'Sunshine on ' which has a PG shared with Wilson Memorial United Free Church of If soup isn’t your cup of rating. Please do join us. To book a space call Anne on Scotland, at 127 Moira Terrace, Portobello Road tea , and you are the right 0131 554 7400. Friday 10 April: 12.30pm Good Friday ‘Tenebrae‘ half of the population to Easter themed Messy Church service, in the church centre. (We will host this service come to the Ladies Bible On Saturday 4th April at 11.30am -1.30pm St and share it with Wilson Memorial United Free Church Study why not pop along Margaret's will be hosting a special Easter themed of Scotland) on Tuesday afternoon at Messy Church. There will be fun and games, music and Sunday 12 April : 1.30? This term they’ll be lots of activities for both adults and children. We will 9am Easter Sunday communion in the church centre continuing their study of also be having lunch together. This is a free event open 10.30am Easter Sunday Family Service in the church, the book of 1 Timothy, to both adults and children. All children must be with the Flowering of the Cross. We wish you all a one of the Apostle Paul’s accompanied by an adult. Happy and Blessed Easter. letters with instructions about living as a Christian. On Sunday mornings we’ll be studying the book of Ephesians, looking at the spiritual riches that being a Christian brings, and the difference that makes to your life. In the evenings we’ll be looking at the early chapters of Genesis, where we learn how God’s wonderful creation has been spoiled and how man has rebelled against God, and God’s reaction to that. Why not join us one Sunday, or listen in on our church website www.christchurch edinburgh.org 5 The Speaker March – May 2020 Latest from your local councillors

Cllr Ian Campbell It has been my privilege to serve Cllr Joan Griffiths The new Meadowbank sports the people of Craigentinny/Duddingston and Edinburgh as a facility is on budget and schedule with handover to Edinburgh Councillor in the City of Edinburgh Council since May 2017. I have Leisure due in November 2020 for opening in early 2021. The met many wonderful and charitable people over the past three Masterplan proposes around 600 homes along with commercial years and have had the privilege of taking forward programs to and community premises such as a GP surgery. Care and Repair benefit the community. It is with regret I have to announce that I Edinburgh is a charity providing a wide range of practical am stepping down as the SNP Councillor for Craigentinny/ services and advice designed to make it easier for older and Duddingston due to health reasons. I have suffered from disabled residents to live independently in their own homes. The ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for seven years and due to the Handyperson service is provided by friendly and vetted increasing work load I took on to serve you and the city, my volunteers who will carry out basic household DIY and technical symptoms have gone from manageable to chronic. Many of you help, such as changing light bulbs, handing pictures, curtain rails, will be aware that I took time out to try and recover,but I have helping set up TV and digital equipment, printers, phones and been unable to recover to a degree where I am able to serve the simple computer fixes. If you have some spare time and would people of Craigentinny/Duddingston in the way that I would like to like to volunteer to offer with DIY and technical help, Care see you served. I am grateful to the Council team: staff and and Repair service would love to hear from you for more Councillors, including those from cross parties who have given information www.cre.scot or call 0131 337 1111. Craigentinny/ me support and helped my constituents. I had the privilege of Meadowbank Community Council has been busy over the past serving as the Council’s Health Board Representative and Vice- months. Taking care of our Environment is something that they Convenor of Culture and Communities during my time in office. I are very keen on and one of the projects they are currently have found these roles incredibly interesting and I hope I’ve involved in is Tree planting, with 30 tree arriving soon to be managed to make an impact in my time serving in these planted, they are currently liaison with the Council on were roles. ME has unfortunately left me with extended these tree can be planted. Monthly gardening bouts of physical and mental exhaustion and it has sessions are being held to clear Community left me feeling that I now need to focus on Garden first Sunday of the month 11am till 3.pm, improving my health and I feel this has to now with a view to organising a portacabin be my priority for the sake of myself and my and building raised beds. Telephone: family. 0131 529 4019.

Cllr John McLellan As someone Cllr Alex Staniforth Hello again! who has spent his working life in the news It was budget day very recently at the council publishing business, I can well understand the so that's what has been occupying my mind. pressures under which the Speaker has to operate Obviously councils are in a very difficult position and I hope the change to a quarterly format will right now; trying to set a budget before either the ensure Restalrig, Lochend and Craigentinny residents will Scottish Parliament or Westminster have set theirs is continue to receive such an important source of local news not a good situation. Despite that I think the city's budget and information for many years to come. I get as much reaction could have gone further – we could have put more toward to my contributions to the Speaker as to The Scotsman and Edinburgh Leisure and community centres and, of course, as a Evening News and that’s a tribute to editor Liz Ferguson, with whom Green I think it is a shame the council did not take the opportunity it was a privilege to work on these columns. Although I haven’t to instigate a climate emergency budget. However cuts to libraries missed an edition in the past two and a half years, I must confess were reversed – every party, coalition or opposition, put £300,000 to missing the odd deadline or two and Liz was always most back into libraries for this year. Budget day also led to the accommodating. So from one ex-editor to another, all the very announcement of news which affects Craigentinny & Duddingston best for the future, Liz! Since the last edition, the Council has ward directly, as my fellow ward councillor Ian Campbell embarked on a hugely important consultation which will shape the announced that he will be stepping down as a councillor due to ill future of the city for the next decade. Choices for City Plan 2030 health. Ian is a decent man and, while his health allowed, worked lays out the options for ways in which Edinburgh can meet current hard for the city and the ward. Obviously he has not been as challenges, particularly the housing shortage. Recognising the present as he would liked to have been recently and I know that's shortage of brownfield plots, the council is exploring compulsory been a big part of his decision to step down. I'm sure we all wish purchase orders and the industrial estate which straddles Seafield him well and improved health in the future – I, for one, will miss his Road and the disused railway. With great sea views across to Fife, contribution to the city's politics. Finally I'd like to wish everybody this would make a super place to live but reaching agreement with reading all the best for the spring. Let's hope it brings us clear skies businesses would not be easy. With impacts on already busy roads, and calm. After budget day calm would be especially welcome! local schools and GP surgeries my hunch is the pressure to deliver As always contact me at [email protected] quickly will mean simpler solutions being sought elsewhere. 6 The Speaker March – May 2020 Meadowbank regeneration

The redevelopment of of these as social rent. Meadowbank is a major Building heights are Council led regeneration varied across the project which will deliver a masterplan and carefully modern sports centre with considered to tie in with new homes and the surrounding character community facilities on of the area. the surrounding site. This The proposal is very low strategic place-making car and will focus on project is expected to active travel through an bring significant exemplary ‘people priority opportunities to the area. approach.’ Since June 2018 a The plans include well- substantial programme of designed public realm, community engagement community gardens, has been undertaken to parklets, informal play develop a masterplan for space and protection of the site that best meets the rare Wheatley Elm community and council Trees. Nordic Walking Fun with Golden Years priorities. A 3D site model is Golden Years started a Nordic Walking is like Nordic Walking is an The Masterplan available to view at new Nordic Walking group ordinary walking but, by ideal form of exercise for proposes around 600 Piershill Library and on Thursday 16 January. using special poles and those who haven't been homes along with comments can still be This activity will take place the Nordic Walking active for a while or dislike commercial and made through the weekly at 1.30 in technique, it is twice as traditional sports or gym. community premises such Council’s planning Hibernian FC stadium, effective as ordinary It is also ideal for older as a GP surgery. portal. Work on the new Albion Road, a safe and walking. The stronger trunk people and those A minimum of 35% of sports centre is underway friendly environment. muscles are used as well unsteady on their feet as the homes will be and is expected to If the weather is bad and as those of the legs to the poles give extra affordable with a majority complete in late 2020. it is impossible to walk propel you forward, yet it support and confidence. outside we will be able doesn't feel as if you are Those who are already to walk inside. working any harder. active find Nordic Walking complements their training regime. After every session there will be a chance to socialise over a lovely cup of tea/coffee and cake courtesy of Hibernian FC. There are limited places available so please do not hesitate to contact Golden Years for more info or book a space on 0131 475 2434 or GoldenYears @cyrenians.scot 7 The Speaker March – May 2020

Ripple art If you have ever been to creative writing and (when The Ripple café, you will funding allows) a drama know how cheery and group. We go on outings, by the informative their displays have social events, and are. As members of The host exhibitions and Alma Alma Project, we are performances. We are therefore honoured and based at Craigentinny grateful to The Ripple café Community Centre, the Project for allowing us to exhibit old castle at 9 Loaning some paintings that we Road. If you struggle with have created in the art your mental health and groups at The Alma feel that the arts would Project. The artworks will be benefit you, then please exhibited from mid-March, have a look at our so why not drop in for a website, email or phone cuppa and a wee look? us for more information The exhibition is kindly and a referral form. funded by The Robertson Website: Trust. www.almaproject. The Alma Project is wordpress.com a charity that uses the Email Evelyn: arts to improve mental contact.thealma wellbeing. We run various [email protected] art and craft groups, Phone: 07703 639334 Ripple Buddies are ready to help

This February the children that if you have a burn to step in and to help as and young volunteers who which is larger than the much as they can, whilst attend Ripple Buddies palm of your hand you also keeping themselves have been learning first must go to hospital to safe.” aid skills with the help of have it treated? The children and young Time to celebrate, as the British Red Cross. Laura Laura also had time at people who attended McHardie, Red Cross the end of the sessions to have all received a achievements are made! Community Education answer all of our questions ‘Certificate of First Aid The Ripple, Ripple XPress accredited learning? Coordinator for Edinburgh, – so we now also know Learning’ from the British Drama group celebrate Aged 10-18 years old? has come to all four of what to do if someone Red Cross to recognise as five young people Looking to build up your the Ripple Buddies clubs falls overboard off of a all of their hard work. The receive their Youth qualifications and get a to deliver First Aid boat! Laura McHardie Ripple Buddies Project Scotland, Hi5 Award for certificate? Or perhaps Workshops. says “It was fantastic to Coordinator also updated participation, hard-work, you’re in Primary 5, 6, 7 Laura taught us essential see how engaged the her own First Aid skills this cooperation and or 1st year and are first aid skills that are young people were in January. Gemma teamwork in the drama interested in drama? Then relevant to everyday learning first aid skills and undertook Emergency club, script writing and for get in touch with Danielle life; including how to how keen they are to help First Aid at Work training their participation in the Ward, Youth Services help someone who is someone”. Gemma Elder, alongside several of the Christmas 2019 Manager to register your unresponsive, how to help the Ripple Buddies Project other members of staff performance. A massive interest or for more someone who is having a Coordinator said “These and volunteers of The well done to our future big information call 0131 seizure, and how to help sessions are specially Ripple. Hopefully we won’t stars! 554 0422 or email someone who is bleeding designed to help have to put our new skills Are you a young youth.services@the heavily. We also learnt build young people’s to use anytime soon… person interested in ripple.org.uk how to make phone calls confidence and but Ripple Buddies are to emergency services, willingness to help in a first definitely prepared for how to deal with burns, aid emergency. The Red anything! and we even got to Cross are brilliant because If you are a young practice how to do CPR they recognise that first person aged 14 to19 on ‘Annie’ the resuscitation aid emergencies can be and are interested in dummy! Did you know intimidating, especially for finding out more about that if you are on holiday young people who may volunteering with Ripple in Europe you should call lack confidence and Buddies, please contact 112 to reach the experience. The sessions Gemma at buddies@ emergency services, or encourage young people theripple.org.uk 8 The Speaker March – May 2020 Wellbeing Open Day

Well the weather didn’t put doing KCR to help with where folk were able to interested to know that we folk off. you all turned out posture and alignment explore their hidden writing are busy planning a local in force to take part in a and Cristina providing talents. So much Zen in cycling group. Keep your day of relaxation, laughs, massage and Reflexology. one room! These eyes on the website for activity, creativity, and We had some great workshops were all very more info. We had learning, all to support the feedback from folk who popular and well smoothie bikes too, collective wellbeing of had never had the attended, and we really donated by Edinburgh everything. How did they local people. It was a chance to try these types hope to be able to work Bikes, for you to whizz up learn all that in an hour? smashing day and was of treatment before. with Balanced Bairns, a smoothie using your Leave your shyness at the very well attended. These wonderful ladies all Meaghan, and Impact own energy! door please! I’m sure I Hopefully people went donated their time and Arts again in the future so For the energetically heard a cheeky away feeling inspired, skills for the day, meaning watch this space if you minded, we had lots on Proclaimers number in energised, happy, relaxed, that we could provide the want to find out more. offer too. Kicking off with there too. Well it would be and a little bit more services at no charge. Robbie and the lads a Boxercise taster was our rude not to wouldn’t it? connected to their Margaret and her from Street Soccer were very own Frances. She is a After that we had community. colleagues came from also with us. We didn’t regular face at The Ripple, instructors from Projekt 42, We had so much going Balanced Bairns provided have enough space for providing Boxercise on a the very brilliant not-for- on and so many people not only Reiki, but a very a game but they were Wednesday evening form profit gym and wellness benefitted from such a chilled group mindfulness signing folk up for their 6.30 to 7.30 and Gentle centre based on Leith wide range of treatments session which was a real Walking Football sessions Exercise on a Wednesday Walk. They did tasters in and workshops. Kerry and tonic within the hustle and on Thursdays at 11.00 at morning from 10-10.45. yoga, Zumba, and dance Alison came from Brave, bustle of the rest of the Leith Community Centre in Come along and join in, fit, which were all a Strong, Beautiful, your building. For those that the Kirkgate. Get involved, you won’t regret it! massive hit with the locals. local hair salon with a wanted to get creative, it’s free! Next up, the tremendous Projekt 42 really focus on social mission. It’s a we had the very lovely The silent disco was on folk from Sing in the City the importance of not just Community Interest Mabli and Janis from all day long, with Jim and choir provided a singing fit and healthy bodies, but Company and the ladies Impact Arts planting seeds Rachel our reigning king workshop. Just about strong and happy minds, gave out Reiki, with people and generally and queen of the dance. everyone that signed and they understand like Hypnotherapy and getting in touch with folks Dr Bike was on hand to up for this told me they we do at The Ripple, massage. Irene Carter inner artist. The published keep your wheels in good couldn’t sing, but there that you can’t truly have was also in the treatment author Meaghan Delahunt shape for the better they all were, belting out one without the other. room giving face and came along and weather that’s hopefully classics like Lean On Me, Check their website for hand massages, and we provided a wonderful coming. Those of you and Sweet Caroline, with timetables, there really is had Frances McLennan creative writing workshop that do cycle might be dance moves and something for everyone.

Advert paid for by The Scottish Labour Party 9 The Speaker March – May 2020 Mindful nutrition with Ayesha Digestion, Digestion, Digestion Here at the Ripple we throughout the body. We bloating, stomach pains, of events? What should we Don’ts: have our very own feel those repercussions indigestion, and eat or not? • A diet high in fat, protein nutritionist who has a but may not link them to abdominal cramps. Do’s: will feed unfriendly wealth of knowledge to our digestive system, • Make wholegrains, bacteria who also love share about all things thinking that tiredness, Moving on, the remains of vegetables, fruits, nuts and sugar, alcohol, cheese food, diet and how it all cravings, itchy skin, weight the food are pretty much seeds your staple diet. and bread. relates to our everyday gain and so on are just of liquid consistency, they • Fibre is important. If you • High levels of wheat life. Over the coming part of our life’s busyness. move from small intestine are eating bread, then found in pizza, pasta, editions she will share to large intestine or colon. consider eating salad or biscuits etc. may lead to some of that knowledge Let us start from the top. The main function of the vegetables. layers of gluten (wheat with you. Remember you ‘Chew your food’, it is very colon is to absorb water • Choose brown rice protein) sticking to the can always come along important that the food be and salts from the food instead of white, sultanas wall, providing perfect to our lunch club or just chewed in the mouth residue, the longer the instead of chocolate, breeding ground for sit in the café to see because digestion starts in bowel contents hang sweet potatoes instead of unfriendly bacteria. how she puts it all into the mouth, enzymes like around, the more water is white, water instead of • If you habitually practice. Our café is amylase contained within absorbed, the harder and coffee or fizzy drinks. consume vast quantities open Monday to Friday the saliva initiates the drier the faeces become • Sufficient water helps to of coffee, tea, dairy 11 to 1.30pm. breakdown of starches. resulting in slower bowel move the bowel. Try not to products, wheat, Chewing also alerts the movements leading to drink 30 minutes before or chocolate and red meat, More than 2000 years stomach to the arrival of constipation. The contents after eating. you are more likely to ago, Hippocrates also food, sending hormonal of intestines are moved by • Exercise regularly, if only have bowel problems. known as ‘Father of messengers that trigger waves of muscular gently as this stimulates • Taking skins off food Medicine’ said that ‘all the production of stomach contraction called muscle activity and assist makes them whiter and diseases begin in the gut’ acid and digestive peristalsis, this sends peristalsis. easier to eat but does no but now we are beginning enzymes. Once in stomach messages to the brain that Whatever you eat, chew it favour to your bowels. to understand how the the food is broken down bowels need evacuation, well, sit down to eat with • Avoid tobacco, coffee, digestive system more into smaller pieces, if the intestinal contents your shoulders back as this sugar, and alcohol precisely called the stomach acid destroys are not moist and bulky, makes it easier for the particularly if you are gastrointestinal system is any microorganisms that they do not fill the space stomach walls to move constipated, as they upset central to health and might have entered with inside the bowel and press and mix up the food with gastric secretions. disease. An unhealthy gut food. The production of on the bowel wall leading digestive enzymes. contributes to a range of digestive juices in the to less effective signalling diseases that include and stomach stimulates the which will ultimately make not limited to reflux, rest of the digestive tract your bowel weaker, the Chicken & Chickpea Stew obesity, diabetes, to produce secretions toxins are reabsorbed in autoimmune disorders, especially in the small the bloodstream and back Ingredients hormonal imbalances, intestines, which is the next to the liver which has to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped chronic fatigue, stop, here the acidity is deal with them again, ¾ teaspoon salt, divided depression and neutralised and most of this process is called ¼ cup lemon juice Ayesha Mir cardiovascular diseases. the absorption of food autointoxication. In short a 1 teaspoon ground cumin takes place. The dirty colon means dirty M.Sc (Nutrition and 1 teaspoon paprika Let us take a look at what pancreatic juices from blood, which results in the Dietetics) CNHC, mBANT ½ teaspoon ground pepper the digestive system pancreas, bile from the rest of the body being should be doing and what liver help with the flooded with toxins that 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, may happen if it doesn’t absorption of sugars, could be a potential trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces do it. Think of your starches and fats. All this reason for tiredness, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil digestive tract as a railway process doesn’t take lethargy, feeling low. In 1 large yellow onion, chopped line with trains passing place if we don’t ‘chew addition, unfriendly a can diced tomatoes along regularly. If a train the food’ in first place. bacteria love to live on a can chickpea, rinsed misses a scheduled stop, In that case partially putrefying wastes in the chopped flat-leaf parsley passengers cannot get on digested foodstuff starts colon, and once they Method or off as they intended to fermenting and blowing have proliferated they kill Step 1 Mash garlic and ½ teaspoon salt on a cutting do. Important meetings you up like a balloon, friendly bacteria. So what’s may be missed, friends causing gripping pain and the big deal? Well, friendly board with the back of a fork until a paste forms. and family bereft, deliveries inflammation. Also you bacteria synthesise B Transfer to a medium bow. Whisk in lemon juice, cumin, unaccomplished. Similarly, won’t get nutrients from vitamins and Vitamin K in paprika and pepper. Add chicken and stir to coat. the journey food takes the food, could be a the colon. They also work Step 2 Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. along your digestive tract reason why you are on food remains, breaking Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden does not contain any malnourished despite them down and brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the stages that can be eating plenty of food. destroying toxic chemicals chicken to the pan (reserve the marinade) and cook, skipped without Infact you often get also help in absorption of stirring occasionally, until opaque on the outside, about detrimental effects. If the hunger pangs cause your minerals like iron and 4 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juice, chickpeas, the food is not properly body is looking for sources calcium. Helps with processed at each stage of nutrients that it is lacking. keeping the bowl wall reserved marinade and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. of the digestive system, Hence sorting out clean therefore less Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, the chaos created sends digestion can reduce autointoxication. until the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes more. repercussions rippling troublesome cravings, How to avoid this cascade Serve sprinkled with parsley. 10 The Speaker March – May 2020 News from Leith Academy

As ever it has been a busy time at Leith Academy with many great achievements and successes for our young people. Whether it be getting ready for assessments or visiting businesses to plan their next steps, our pupils are in full swing as we progress through the spring term involved working with EIF masterclasses’ linked to with 6 weeks to go until specialists from a variety the world of sport / the Easter break. Here are of industries. The above exercise / business to help some of the many graphic is a caption from broaden the horizons of Leith Academy stories… a piece in the Scotsman our young people. They 0131 554 0606 Our work as the residency recently. also had opportunities to [email protected] school with the Edinburgh Our partnership with meet / interview some FEB International Festival (EIF) Hibernian FC continues to players and officials within 10-14 HALF-TERM HOLIDAY continues. Our pupils inspire and support our the club. Our partnership 18-20 Various vaccinations – Dip, Tetanus, Polio planned, designed, pupils at Leith Academy. is having a very positive 27 S3 into Senior Phase Parents’ Info Eve (SLT 7.00 pm) created and produced Recently we have had impact on young people. 24 (-6 Mar) S4>S5>S6 coursing the new ‘Leith brand’. This ‘employability MAR tbc S4 Live N Learn – target group am 2-6 2 w/c S3 Track Report 2 issued 3 Mathematiques sans Frontieres Freedom of speech what is it? 8 P7 Challenge Maths competition tbc Num/Lit Family Learning evening What does it mean to you? 9 Challenge Maths Competition 12 S3 Parents’ Consultation (4.30-6.30pm) The Ripple will be speech’ through Restalrig Lochend 9-20 S3>S4 coursing – do not return forms til after exploring what ‘freedom discussions, team work Community Hub. Parents’ Eve tbc HPV Vaccinations / injections of speech’ means in an tasks and arts and crafts If you are 10 years or 23 23 S4-6 Track3 issued exciting new six week activities, with the final older and want to know 27 DofE day walk programme in partnership session being on Friday more or are interested in APR with Cutting Edge Theatre 10th April 2020 where we coming along please 3 TERM ENDS for a city wide project will pull together contact Danielle Ward, 6-9 Easter Revision Programme details to come tbc Easter Sports Camp being run by Cutting Edge everything we’ve done to Youth Services Manager Theatre called Passion create a graffiti wall on 0131 554 0422 or Good Friday 10 April 2020. Using six session’s to based on ‘freedom of email: youth.services@ Easter Monday 13 April look at what is ‘freedom of speech’ within the thripple.org.uk Spring holiday Monday 20 April Term begins Tuesday 21 April 11 The Speaker March – May 2020

St Margaret’s Christ Church Wee Speaker’s Corner Parish Church (Free Church Restalrig of Scotland) Sunday Service 10.30am Britwell Crescent The Fighting Bartons Good News Team 10.30am Sunday Morning by Dawn Baxter 11.00am Creche 10.30am with crèche and Tea/Coffee after service Welcome to the new look Speaker! There will only be 4 issues per Sunday School Communion last Sunday year now so, let’s March right into spring. And as usual March is a every month busy month with St David’s and St Patrick’s Days as well as Mother’s Sunday Evening Day on the 22nd and remember the clocks go forward 1 hour on the 6.00pm 29th. Easter falls in April this year with the school break starting on the Tea and coffee 6th April and going back on Tuesday 21st; Good Friday is the 10th St Ninian’s available after both and Easter Sunday the 12th. Schools are also closed on 4th, 5th and RC Church services 18th May. Prayer meeting Marionville Rd Wed 7.30pm I was surprised to learn recently that had nothing to do Sunday Mass with Easter, rather it was the eastern road from Edinburgh to Leith. 10.15am What are now Broughton and Bonnington Roads was the Western Children’s Liturgy Wilson Memorial Road. This year is the centenary of Leith being merged into (filled rolls and Edinburgh, despite Leithers voting 26,810 to 4,340 against the refreshments after Mass) Church merger! Being a Leither I decided to find out more and was lucky Polish Mass 1pm Craigentinny enough to have been given a copy of The Story of Leith by John corner of Moira Terrace Russell, thank you Janice at South Leith Parish Church. There is now Mass at 10am and Kekewich Avenue every day Sunday Worship11.00am Many of you will be Leith Academy educated and will have proudly except Wednesday (Creche and children’s competed for your school house. I was Barton and knew only that Fr Syriac Palakudiyl programme provided) Tea/coffee afterwards the Barton family were prominent seafarers of Leith and James IV 0131 661 2867 gifted the lands of Barton (Cramond Way) to Robert Barton upon his 07504 802728 Bible Study - 6.30pm (3rd Sunday of month) knighthood in 1507, but there was a lot more to this family. Robert is [email protected] Mid-Week Quiet Time one of three sons of John, all were distinguished naval officers for Hall Bookings The Church is open for James IV (1460 – 1488) and for several generations and nearly one 01875 814162 quiet reflection every hundred years the Bartons were at war with Portugal. In 1476 the 07833 140206 Wednesday Barton ship Juliana was plundered by two armed Portuguese vessels 11.00am to 12 noon and the family were given permission by the Scottish king to seize A congregation of the United Portuguese vessels and cargoes until the value of their losses had Free Church of Scotland been recovered, a regular war continued much of which could be Willowbrae [email protected] www.wilsonmemorial.org.uk described as piratical. The Bartons also proved to be a thorn in the Parish Church sides of the Dutch and the English for the next 100 years but, by 1614 1 Willowbrae Road the family had lost their wealth, ships and lands and the last Barton Sunday Worship assumed the name Moubray after marriage into this family. Barton 10am – Prayers before Service lands were purchased by Lord Balmerino, who by 1604 had in Church Centre acquired the lands of Restalrig and replaced the Logan family. 10.30am – Morning Service Refreshments and fellowship Now that’s another story. in the Hall after the Service

C raigentinny Community Centre Programme 9 Loaning Road Edinburgh EH7 6JE MH-Main Hall, CH Castle Hall, L-Lounge, CL-Classroom AR 2-Art Room 2 CB-Castle Basement Monday Wednesday Friday Playgroup 9-12pm (MH) Playgroup 9.00-12.00 MH Playgroup 9-12pm (MH) Alma project sculpture 11.45-1.45pm CH Silverworks Jewellery 10.00-12.00CH Art Class 10-12 (CH) Monday Social Club 12.30-3.30pm MH Guitar Group 10.00-12.00 CB Just Dance School 1.30-4.30pm MH Craigentinny Drum Club 3.45-4.45pm MH Alma project Creative Writing 12.00-2.00pm L Polish School various times and rooms Just Dance School 4.45-7.30pm CH Tap dancing 12.30-3.30pm CH (Adult Education) Olive Tree Madrasah 5.00-7.00pm CL Just Dance School 3.45-7.30pm CH Saturday Junior Youth Club P4-P7 6.00-8.00pm (term time) MH Beat Breakerz Dance 4.00-5.00pm MH Polish school 10.00-3.00 various Olive Tree Madrasah 5.00-7.00pm CL Junior Youth Club P1-P3 10-12am MH Tuesday Youth Club P7-S2 6.30-8.00pm (term time) MH Digital Skills 10.00-12.00 AR2 Jewellery Class 10.00-12.00 CH Thursday Carpet Bowls 1.00-4.00pm MH Playgroup 9.00-12.00 MH The centre is also available to let for private parties Alma project Art for you 12.30-2.30pm CH LLL Book Making Class 9.00-11.00 L and community events. Free wi-fi for all users. Just dance School 3.30-5.30pm CH Alma Project Crafts 1.00-3.00pm CH Just dance School 4.30-7.30pm MH Just Dance School 3.30pm-5.30pm CH Contact Ian Brown 0131 661 9404 Craigie Castle Fitness 6.30-8.00pm CH Just Dance School 4.15-6.30pm MH for further details Karate 7.45-8.45 MH Craigie Castle Fitness 6.30-8.00pm CH www.joininedinburgh.org/craigentinny Line Dancing 6.55-8.45pm MH 12 The Speaker March – May 2020 Restalrig Lochend Community Hub 198 Restalrig Road South, Edinburgh 0131 554 0422 March to May 2020 Daily Open Programme (closed Friday 10 April to Monday 13 April) A Hub of activity you can join in with

Hub Grub Café (closed Fri 10 April to Mon 13 April) café Open Monday – Friday 11am – 1.30pm. Our community café offers tasty, affordable homemade food, hot and cold drinks and somewhere sociable for you to meet and eat. Free internet access for café customers. Lunch Club for Older People (closed Fri 10 April to Mon 13 April) Monday – Friday 11.30am – advance booking required. 60+. £4.50 per day. Two delicious and nutritious courses, plus tea/ coffee and biscuits. Door-to-door transport available in Restalrig/Lochend/Craigentinny area if required. 50p return journey. For more info or to book call 0131 554 0422.

Dixie Saltires Line Dancing Boxercise for Beginners Closed 13 April 6.30pm – 7.30pm. £3 per week. Wear comfortable shoes. Boxing moves combined with circuit training. Monday 10.30am – 11.30am. Absolute beginners/ Suitable for beginners. No booking required. beginners. £4 per class or £20 for block of 6 sessions. 11.30am – 12.30pm. Improvers. Stitchin’ Time Sewing & Craft Group 1.30 – 3.30pm. Healthy Hub Walking Group Boys Only Club Half-hour walks 9.15am and 10am start. 6.30pm – 8pm. P6 – S2. Gather at the Hub and join in on our free Thursday Thursday walks to meet new friends, improve your fitness and discover local landscapes Buggy Walk and places of interest. 10am. Come on a buggy walk with See notice page 4. Route 10 Rollers. Lochend Seniors Computer Group Tuesday Knitting Network 50+ computer training. 2pm – 4pm. £1. 2pm – 3.30pm all ages Bring your own device or laptop. and abilities welcome. Ripple Xpress Drama Group We have wool and needles to get you 3.30pm – 5pm. P5 to S1. At the Hub. started. Just drop in. 50p per session for ROSP Drop In tea/coffee and biscuits. Thursdays 7.30pm – 9pm. S3 – S6. Hub 198 Drop In Wide range of activities and workshops 6.30pm – 8pm. P7 to S2. provided by Ripple youth work team and other partners.

Exercise for Everyone 10am – 10.45am. £2.50. Community Policing Team Surgery Suitable for men and women of all ages. 12.30 – 1.30pm. Wednesday Just turn up. 20 & 27 March, 17 & 24 April and Write On Friday 8, 15 & 29 May. Thursdays – 6pm – 8pm. Ripple Friday 60+ Musical Afternoons Check our website 13 March – Harry & Ian sing-a-long duo for new dates. 20 March – Margo, song and guitar Girls Only Club 27 March – Splinterz, popular music band 6.30pm – 8pm. P6 – S2. 24 April – Tomas, All our favourite rock and pop 15 May – Liz MacEwan with songs, stories and laughs from the past.

Politicians’ Surgeries Tommy Sheppard MP Ash Denham MSP Cllr Joan Griffiths Fri 1.00pm – 2.00pm Mon 12.00pm Fri 12.00 – 1.00pm 6 March 30 March 27 March 3 April 27 April 24 April 1 May 25 May 29 May