July 2009

PULSE OF THE PLACE
Pulse of the Place My space site has been updated. To find out where the band are playing this summer check the Myspace site www.myspace.com/pulsoftheplace
The band will be returning to play at The Mela Festival in both Leith Links and Pilrig Park as well as playing at the Liverpool Samba Carnival.
Pulse of the Place will also be playing with Off The Rails to create a kinda Samba Rock Fusion. So keep an eye for this on the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade.

SUMMER PROGRAMME There are still some places left on the Samba Drumming course, although film Project is just about full.
CLICK HERE for further details.

June 2009

DUNCAN PLACE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2009
Duncan Place have put together a small Summer Programme as part of the larger Leith Community Learning and Development Summer Programme.
CLICK HERE for further details

THE PLACE PERFORMS - INJUSTICE {Youth Drama}
This years Summer Show takes place on Tuesday 16th June 2009. The show, 'INJUSTICE', will feature sketches around the Hillsborough Disaster. The young people have put together some sketches based around their feelings about the disaster. We have been in touch with the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and have had support from them in putting this part of the performance together.
20 years after 96 people died at the FA Cup Semi Final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest the people of Liverpool are still looking for Justice, some accountability. To read more about the disaster, the aftermath and the campaign have a look at the Hillsborough Justice Campaign Website www.contrast.org/ hillsborough/

LEITH FESTIVAL 2009
Duncan Place is slowly building it's profile in the Leith Festival. This year the Duncan Place show is being coincided to take place as part of the Leith Festival, The Leith Film Festival will be running four showings of films and there is a Duncan Place entry into the Leith Pageant, with youth samba drummers, 'Pulse of the Place'.

May 2009

WE NEED A LIFT - CITY EDINBURGH COUNCIL CONFIRMS INTENTION
DUNCAN PLACE TO BE MADE ACCESSIBLE!

Following a meeting with the Community Learning and Development Manager (North), The Capital Project Manager, Architects and the CLD Worker at Duncan Place it was confirmed that monies were in place to progress the 'Lift Project'. Drawings are being finalised and building warrants will be sought. The project should go to tender by the end of the summer and it is planned that work will begin by the end of the year.
The initial plans are exciting with the new build using glazing inventively and utilising the outlook that Duncan Place has over Leith Links. The lift will also make the school gym at Leith Primary accessible as gym is physically situated within Duncan Place.

LEITH FILM FESTIVAL TO MAKE DUNCAN PLACE IT'S NEW HOME
 The Leith Film Festival is to make Duncan Place it's home. The Film Festival runs primarily during the Leith Festival and is run by a dedicated set of volunteers. They aim to show short films made by amateur and semi professional film-makers and have attracted short films from around the world, but usually with some connection to Leith. This year the Drama Studio provides a good venue for the Leith Film Festival. We are hoping this is the start of an innovative new partnership and hoping that next years event will then be held in a fully accessible Drama Studio

February 2009

COUNCIL BUDGET/CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
A LIFT FOR DUNCAN PLACE

The long saga of the 'lift' continued this month. The Council budget (Children and Families Dept) had removed the funding for a lift, although this was allocated in Council Funding since 2007. However a late flurry of activity by the Users Group and communication with our local Councillors.. saved the day and funding for the lift was re-introduced into the budget. We would hope to have the new lift block in place for this time next year.
The Users Group would like to thank local Councillors (Cllr Marjorie Thomas [Lib-Dem], Cllr Gordon Munro [Lab] and Cllr Rob Munn [SNP]) for all their support to ensure that Duncan Place becomes fully accessible. (For more see Users Group pages).

QUOTES FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS

Duncan Place is a great centre. Thanks to the Users Group for keeping the Council and councillors focused on the long awaited lift! - Cllr Rob Munn

Your pressure paid off.Labour commitment of £400k from your previous work was matched by administration. Administration budget supplemented budget provision of £127 k in capital budget with part 67 of their narrative of £273 to bring it up to £400k . It would not have been there if e-mails had not been sent so well done. - Cllr Gordon Munro
December 2008

A.R.Ts AFTERNOON WINTER SHOW - WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER
 This year's show was a sold out. All the Leith Councillors: Marjorie, Gordon and Rob came along to support the young people's performance. All councillors were presented with a Pulse of the Place Calendar... so they could highlight this with anyone they come into contact with and increase sales... we will be back to check how they have done!
Special thanks to Frank Martin for the spectacular entrance to the 'red' corridor.

November 2008

NEW YOUTH SAMBA DRUMMING GROUP
We have started a new youth samba drumming group (P4 - s6). The group meets from 5pm - 6pm on a Tuesday evening. There are still some spaces. Contact the Community Education Office (0131 554 1509) to book a place.

October 2008

A.R.Ts AFTERNOON WINTER SHOW - WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER
This years Winter Show will be on the Wednesday 17th December and will be an altered version of 'Beauty and the Beast'. Tickets will be on sale after the October Week Holiday. The first chance to buy them will be Friday 31st October at clubs priced £2.00

PULSE OF THE PLACE
Representatives for Pulse of the Place will be attending this Years Standard Life Achievement Awards. The project has been nominated in the creative category.

ADDITIONAL YOUTH SAMBA DRUMMING GROUP
We are aiming to start an additional youth samba group in November. Please watch this site for further information.

COMMUNITY LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT RESTRUCTURE COMPLETED
The Community Learning and Development re-structure has been completed. Overall there is a 20% reduction in staff and teams are now organised on a genereic basis. The effect regarding Duncan Place Resource Centre is that CLD workers at Duncan Place are part of a Leith Team that consists of a senior worker and 5.5 basic grade posts.

August 2008



STRIKE ACTION - WED 20TH AUGUST - DUNCAN PLACE CLOSED
Due to industrial action being taken by a number of Unions, including Unison and Unite, Duncan Place Resource Centre will be closed on Wednesday 20th August.
The City of Edinburgh Council have released the following statement:-

“PROPOSED STRIKE ACTION BY PUBLIC SECTOR TRADE UNION MEMBERS POSSIBLE DISRUPTION TO SERVICES ON 20 August 2008
The City of Edinburgh Council has received formal notification from the Public Sector Trade Unions that their members plan to proceed with a programme of strike action on 20 August. On this day there may be disruption to Children and Families services. Some establishments may be forced to close or classes and services cancelled or reduced services although every effort is being made to keep this to a minimum. School lets and evening classes due to be held on 20 August 2008 are cancelled.
The Children & Families Department will issue regular updates for parents and centre/service users through local radio. Please tune into 97.3/102.5FM Forth One or 1548MW Forth Two for details just prior to, and on the day of the strike action.”

Click here for information from Unison UNISON EDINBURGH-BRANCH

PULSE OF THE PLACE - LIVERPOOL NIGHTIME CARNIVAL & EDINBURGH FESTIVAL CAVALCADE
Fantastic time at the Liverpool Nightime Samba Carnival.. great community atmosphere and well paced parade!! It was around about 2 and a half hours of solid drumming...alongside some amazing bands including ones from Brazil!!
Festival Cavalcade the weather was ok however it was very, very fast!!

EXAM RESULTS We all hope that all the young people who come to the centre have go the results they hoped for. If you need any support please give us a ring we will help where we can!! If you are leaving please come in and say cheerio before going.
July 2008

PULSE OF THE PLACE - LIVERPOOL NIGHTIME CARNIVAL & EDINBURGH FESTIVAL CAVALCADE
Following an invitation from the Liverpool Samba School, our youth samba drummers, 'Pulse of the Place' are heading down to Liverpool to take part in an International Night-time Samba Parade. This is fantastic opportunity for the young people to see what other bands are around nationally and internationally. There is a band from Brasil, the home of samba, taking part. The Carnival takes place on the evening of Saturday 2nd August.
On Sunday 3rd August, Pulse of the Place will be taking part in the Edinburgh Festival Cavalcade. WE are hoping to be joined on the parade by some friends of Duncan Place. So look out for us and give us a cheer!!

SUMMER SAMBA DRUMMING - NEW GROUP - WEEK LONG COURSE - (4th - 8th August)
We still have some places on our youth samba course. The course will run from 1pm to 4pm, Mon(4th) - Fri(8th). The course will give young people (p4 - s4) an opportunity to learn drum patterns and play as part of a band. The group will also have an opportunity to perform at the Edinburgh Mela Festival on Saturday 30th August just outside Ocean Terminal.
The course will cost £20. Please contact Ann, Susie or Rohan on 0131 554 1509 to book a place, alternatively you can e-mail us at duncanplace@hotmail.com
June 2008

PULSE OF THE PLACE - LIVERPOOL TOUR
Twenty-three young people from the Cyber Crazy Club and Pulse of the Place headed south on June 6th to play a short tour. The band played at Gretna, St Aidans Secondary School in Carlisle, The Door in Liverpool, Blackpool Beach, Liverpool Town Hall and took part in the Liverpool Lord Mayor's Parade. We were presented with a Liverpool crest from the Lord Mayor at the Awards Ceremony. We would just like to thank everyone associated with the Lord Mayor's Parade for making us so welcome... we had a great time.

SUMMER SAMBA DRUMMING - NEW GROUP - WEEK LONG COURSE
We are running a week long course for young people (age 9 - 16 years) interested in getting involved in samba drumming. The course will run from Monday 4th August - Friday 8th August (1pm - 4pm). The course will cost £20. Please contact Ann, Susie or Rohan on 0131 554 1509 to book a place, alternatively you can e-mail us at duncanplace@hotmail.com So tell your kids to BEAT IT!! with us.

DUNCAN PLACE TO GET A LIFT
It has just been announced by the City of Edinburgh Council that the monies that were due to come on-stream in 2009/10 have been brought forward by a year. Preliminary meetings have taken place and it is hoped if everything goes to schedule that Duncan Place will have a lift installed by September 2009.
Thanks to all those (users, young people, councillors, staff and managers) who have been involved in or supported the campaign for a lift to be installed

IS THIS THE END?.. CONTINUED...
Sorry still no news on the CLD Re-structure! Things should be clearer by end of July
Meanwhile as always...the work goes on
May 2008

PULSE OF THE PLACE - LIVERPOOL TOUR
The funding bid to Awards for All was unsuccessful. We are waiting on two new bids for small amounts from the Council's Youth Projects Fund and the Arts Fund. We have dipped into reserves and had support from the Duncan Place Users Group, along with parental contributions it means that...
THE TOUR GOES AHEAD

We will be taking part in the Lord Mayor's Parade in the European City of Culture on Saturday 7th June. The rest of the details are currently being sorted out and more information will appear here
In the meantime check out the Pulse of the Place My space site complete with short film. To access the site click here www.myspace.com/pulsoftheplace

DUNCAN PLACE REVIEW GOES TO COUNCIL COMMITTEE
The Quality Service Review of Duncan Place Resource Centre is presented to Council Committee on Monday 12th May 2008.
Two of the Users Group have been invited to attend. The Community Learning and Development Worker had also been invited to attend, however the Neighbourhood CLD Manager and Community Centre Senior Worker felt that one of them should be in attendance and only 3 people are allowed to attend. The CLD worker for the centre has been in post since September 1996 and this is the first review of the centre. The review is very positive and the youth work in particular has been commended. A copy of this report will be available on this website shortly."

IS THIS THE END?.. CONTINUED...
Sorry still no news on the cuts although Council voted on the cuts in February!!
Meanwhile as always...the work goes on

April 2008

IS THIS THE END?.. CONTINUED... AND WE ARE STILL NOT SURE
The Budget cuts for Community Learning & Development (Community Education) were passed in February 2008. There is still no concrete news on how this will effect the service provided at Duncan Place. In the absence of any 'real' information the rumours continue to grow.
This delay raises questions about the detail in the report that was written and passed at a Full Council Meetings. The only thing that appears to be clear are that there will be job cuts. Community Centres will be run and supported differently, but no details yet. There is also talk about replacing the Community Workers within Centres with Facilities Co-ordinators and that Centre Workers will be based away from centres. This also raises the question of how Duncan Place is defined... Is it viewed as a 'community centre'?
Meanwhile as always...the work goes on

A.R.Ts AFTERNOON - NEW WEB PAGES & FUNDING BIDS
The A.R.Ts Afternoon (youth) pages of this site have been updated/upgraded. Check them out by clicking [here]
A.R.Ts Afternoon have just been informed that they have had a successful funding bid to the City of Edinburgh Council, Leith Community Planning Partnership. The award is specifically to Pulse of the Place for a set of new drums. This means that the band will own its own drums. As you read this the drums should be on their way from Brazil. For other funding news check out the youth news page on the new A.R.Ts Afternoon pages.

DUNCAN PLACE REVIEW
 It appears that the Qualities Service Review of the centre has been delayed in being presented to the City of Edinburgh Council. It appears that the North CLD Management Team did not get an opportunity to pass comment on the draft report. This report had already been discussed with the Centre Users Group and the Community Worker, Rohan Seilman and was bery positive. We understand that CLD Manager North, Christine Mackay will contact Sheila Brown (Quality Services - Centre reviewer) to make comment. At this stage we do not know what extra comments have been included.
The report should now be presented to the City of Edinburgh Council sometime in May 2008.

March 2008

PULSE OF THE PLACE DO EDINBURGH SPORT RELIEF
The A.R.Ts afternoon youth samba drummers, Pulse of the Place took part in the Sport Relief Event at Princers Street Gardens. The drummers played four times between 12pm and 4pm. Pulse of the Place followed the 'Gun Run' with one lap of the half mile circuit...playing nearly all the way. Our third performance of the afternoon was at the Ross Bandstand by which time we had our full compliment of 20 drummers. Our final performance was at the fountain.. playing for the entire time of the last one mile wave... supporting the milers of all ages. The young people as always were 'fantastic' not only in terms of playing skill but their attitude, a great advert for the work we do together at Duncan Place.
Special thanks to Martin Hutchison and Aileen McGregor for organising a great family event and giving us the opportunity to play. We look forward to working with you both again soon. Also thanks to all the volunteers and security staff who were friendly and supportive throughout the day.

February 2008

IS THIS THE END? WE ARE STILL NOT SURE
It is still a case of waiting to see what will happen to CLD Services. The proposal to make an overall 10% monetary saving in the budget was passed by a Full Council Meeting. As the proposal lacked any 'real' detail in how cuts were to implemented we are stil unsure whether the youth clubs, A.R.Ts Afternoon (drama, craft, computing, film-making and samba drumming) will be able to continue. We have been told this will lead to 'a fitter, leaner service'. It is difficult to see how we avoid cutting the service to the public when there is a cut in front line workers.
The Duncan Place Users Group have voiced some concern, but continue to wait for more concrete information. The only information that appears to be available is from Councillors Web logs and sites like Edinburgh Sucks.
The wait goes on... the work continues until you hear any different...

December 2007

IS THIS THE END?
As some of you may know there are due to be big cuts due to a £13 million overspend in the Children and Families Department. These cuts have led to an organisational review of the Community Learning and Development (CL& D) Service. There is a considerable amount of apprehension about how local services and jobs will be affected. CL&D is to make a cut of £850 000, which is a 10% cut. A report is due to go to Council in February detailing the cuts and the new organisational structure (this report should include job losses). The report is to be compiled by a Management Team and the process at this stage does not have the support of the unions.
We are all hopeful that the cuts will not mean the end of the drama, craft, science & computing, filmaking and drumming youth groups at Duncan Place.

DUNCAN PLACE WINTER SHOW 2007
This years's show was a great success attracting an audience of just over a 100 to see a performance by about 50 young people. Our special guests this year included, Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Councillor Marjorie Thomas, Councillor Gordon Munro and Hazel McLeod (CLD Area Manager). There were also messages of support from Councillor Rob Munn and David Sinclair (former Head of Community Education). The evening was opened by "The Big Drum" group followed by an adapted version of Alice in Wonderland. All the scenes were primarily made up by the young people who attend the drama clubs.
The Film makers club were featured in the second half with their short "Dress Sense" film on school uniform. Many thanks to Sandy McAulay (Headteacher, Leith Academy) for agreeing to be interviewed. Throughout the night there were musical interludes with young people fronting local leith band 'Off The Rails" and as always "Pulse of the Place" helped finish off the night with a bang.

ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The new programme starts in January. click here for further details There are still spaces in the Yoga Group on Thursday, if you are interested contact the community education office in the centre.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A MERRY NEW YEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION OFFICE

November 2007
DUNCAN PLACE REVIEW
 The reviewers are here. Both Sheila Brown and Sue Wilson have been visiting groups, all the groups have made them welcome and hopefully they are enjoying their visits to Duncan Place. We are now looking forward to seeing the review report at the end. The reviewers will be at the centre until 9th November. If you wish to talk to them please contact the office.

FANFARE CONCERT 2007
PULSE OF THE PLACE, our youth-led Samba drumming group have been given the honour of opening this prestigious event at the Festival Theatre on Monday 5th November. If you come along please clap along, cheer and make some noise for the Pulse of the Place drummers.

September 2007
A SUCCESSFUL MELA FESTIVAL 2007
Duncan Place was well represented at this years Mela Festival. Pulse of the Place played on four ocassions over the weekend. The final performance was the penultimate performance of the weekend with Off The Rails. Some of the members of the Pulse of the Place also took part in the performance as backing singers and musicians. There were also a number of projects and people that were performing/ running workshops/ exhibiting that have been users of Duncan Place over the past few years.

ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES
The new adult education programme begins at Duncan Place week beginning Monday 24th September. There are some new exciting groups including Acoustic Guitar, Learn to Sing and Scriptwriting alongside the longer established classes such as Woodwork and Drawing & Painting. To check out the full programme at Duncan Place click here

DUNCAN PLACE REVIEW
 Duncan Place is about to be reviewed by the Quality Services Department of the City of Edinburgh Council. If you would to offer an opinion to the reviewers please e-mail the Centre with contact details and the information will be passed on to the reviewers.

August 2007
MELA FESTIVAL
Pulse of the Place and Off The Rails from Duncan Place will both be at this years Mela Festival in Pilrig Park on Sat 1st September and Sun 2nd September.

Pulse of the Place (youth samba drummers)
Saturday 12:30 & Sunday 12:10

Off The Rails
Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 6:30pm (with guest Pulse of the Place, the Duncanettes and DAIN on TRUMPET!!)

Please come along and support boths acts and the Mela Festival... This is a FREE EVENT
July 2007
APOLOGIES
Since this website was revamped it has not been updated. Apologies if this has caused any inconvenience. We hope to resume a full service shortly. Thank you for your patience.
February 2007
WELCOME TO THE UPDATED WEBSITE
This revamped website was launched on St Valentines Day. It has many of the former sections. The Centre Information has been completely redesigned and should prove to be useful, check out the centre upgrade within this section.
You can always e-mail us your views.

DUNCAN PLACE AWARDED £400K BY CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
Duncan Place has been awarded monies for the upgrade of the centre. Work should start in 2009 so that the centre will be fully accessible and fully DDA compliant by 2010.
Check the Users Group section for e-mails to and from the Council.
January 2007
WINTER SHOW AND OPEN EVENING
Another successful Show and Open Evening was held at the centre in December. The evening was attended by Cllr Phil Attridge, Cllr Andrew Burns & Cllr Marjorie Thomas. The show was helped along by Community Police Officer David Nelson who conspired with Rohan Seilman (Community Worker/ Centre Manager) to play a practical joke on the entire audience.

LEITH FM COME TO DUNCAN PLACE
Leith FM will be using Duncan Place to run their training for volunteers to help run the radio station. Leith FM is due to broadcast from 14th February

August 2006
DUNCAN PLACE FUTURE UNCLEAR...AGAIN...
Christine MacKay has circulated a briefing note (see Users Group Pages). This paper raises questions about the long term future of the centre. In the briefing paper, Ms Mackay states that she had sought a meeting before the summer break. A meeting was organised on Friday 9th June. Neither Mike Rosendale or Christine Mackay could make the meeting, there was no reason given. The meeting went ahead with a number of users and a local councillor present.
A meeting has been arranged for the end of August....as always we will keep you posted.

April 2006
LEITH FESTIVAL 2006
Aims to take an active part in this years festival hosting four events over the week at the centre.
There will be two music nights, 'Music Aloud I & II' (7th & 8th June) featuring youth and local bands, samba drumming and a synth project. The centre show, 'The Place Performs' (6th June) featuring the young people from the A.R.Ts Afternoon Drama clubs.
There is also the start of an exiciting partnership with the Traverse Theatre. The Traverse will be running an informal fun workshop entitled 'Play in a Day'. This will run on Monday 5th June.
All Details are on the 'Hot off the press' in What's On... on this very website. Just click here

ROOF REPAIRS
We are almost at the end of the roof works. The flat section of the roof has been recovered as has the pitched section above the dormer windows. Slates are still to be replaced and we are still hoping for some additional work on the rhones and windows. There is a chance that we will be watertight by the end of April.
So the centre has been saved, the roof has been fixed...does this mean a lift will follow?...Watch this space!!

February 2006
Council Meeting 9th Feb
The users group attended this meeting to support the upgrade for the centre. These upgrade plans are at the top of the maybe list of projects. The deputation this time around was a much more positive experience for those involved. Although there was no movement on a definite upgrade however both Lord Provost Lesley Hinds and Councillor Rev Ewan Aitken assured users that the centre will remain open.

ROOF REPAIRS
The Children and Families Department of the City of Edinburgh Council have released money for some work to be carried out on the roof. This is not part of the upgrade plans as the centre has been told that this work is a patching job.
Hopefully by April we will be able to put the buckets away.

January 2006
HAPPY NEW YEAR
 Leith FM
A big thank you to Leith FM for their support and air-play for the Cyber Crazy Youth Club. The club produced an hour long radio programme which was aired just before Christmas. Excerpts from the radio programme will be available on the youth (A.R.Ts Afternoon) pages of this site or by clicking here.
Why not check out when Leith FM will be with Leith listeners again by checking their website...www.leithfm.co.uk

CENTRE UPGRADE PLANS
The Children and Families Department of the City of Edinburgh Council have made it clear that are no plans to close Duncan Place. They are putting forward a proposal for the centre to be upgraded, this would take place in 2008. At this stage the Duncan Place upgrade can not be confirmed as this would have to be agreed by the Council.
We need your support and ideas to try to ensure that this upgrade takes place.

November 2005
OPEN EVENING AND SHOW - Tuesday 6th December 2006
 The annual open evening is fast approaching. There will be a good variety of stalls, refreshments and entertainment. This is a chance to see what Duncan Place Resource Centre does! Local Councillor Majorie Thomas will be present. The Open Evening starts @ 7:30pm. All are welcome.
This years centre show is the Wizard of Oz. For those you have seen our shows before will know what to expect. The show starts at 6:30pm and tickets are available from the Community Education Office, priced £1.50. Hope to see you on the night.

August 2005
NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
School holidays over already?
Time to see whats on at the centre...
The 'What's on' link on this page will enable you to see the Adult Education Classes run by the City of Edinburgh Council.
Check 'Hot off the Press'
Check 'Youth Club Dates'
Also coming soon the re-opening of the Toy Library and the Healthy Living Club

NAME CHANGE...
Before Duncan Place was under threat of closure a change of name was discussed within the centre. The proposed name change was agreed by the Stakeholders and by the Users Group. The Users Group have now decided to go ahead with the name change. The centre will still be known as Duncan Place Resource Centre but will also be known as...
DUNCAN PLACE ARTS AND EDUCATION CENTRE
It is felt that this name is a more acurate reflection of what the centre does.

CENTRE FUTURE!!
There has still been no official announcement on whether Duncan Place Resource Centre will receive an upgrade or what form or timescale the upgrade will take. We will keep you informed of any news we receive.

June 2005
OCEAN TERMINAL AND FORTH PORTS PLC
BUY DUNCAN PLACE YOUTH IMAGES
Ocean Terminal and Forth Ports have bought a total of 8 images from the 'Leith, Life and Duncan Place' Exhibition at a cost £ 3,000.00.
The exhibition is still on display at Ocean Terminal (now on the 1st floor). We would like to thank all the Management and Staff at Ocean Terminal for their support.

COMING SOON.... JULY/ AUGUST 2005
There are number of new groups starting at the centre. All will be advertised on this website. There will be a link from this page or alternatively check 'Hot off the Press" page (go to What's on page and follow the link). Hot Off The Press click here
CENTRE FUTURE!!
There has still been no official announcement on whether Duncan Place Resource Centre will receive an upgrade or what form or timescale the upgrade will take. We will keep you informed of any news we receive.

DUNCAN PLACE CAR PARK/ACCESS ROAD It appears that Susan Brown's (Head of Client Services) memo detailing changes in the car park / access road is not to be acted on in the near future as funding has not been allocated to the project. (see March News)

PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM ROHAN (CENTRE MANAGER)
A short message just to say thank you to all the users and staff who have given cards and gifts for my baby daughter.

April 2005
PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM ROHAN (CENTRE MANAGER)
A short message just to say thank you to all the users who have wished me good luck with the iminent new arrival in my family.

March 2005
DUNCAN PLACE CAR PARK/ACCESS ROAD
The centre recieved a letter today (22/03/05) from the Neighbourhood Liason Officer with a Memorandum enclosed from Susan Brown (Head of Client Services). This memorandum was dated 2nd March and the letter was dated 15th March. The area that has been used as a car park has now been defined as an access road by the Head of Client Services. Duncan Place Users and Staff are the main users of the Car Park Area and they have not been consulted over the proposed changes. This memorandum will be on-line soon!
There has been no timescale stated for defined parking spaces to be in place. There is a Users Group Meeting ON WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL 2005 @ 11:45AM
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FORMER CAR PARK IS NOW THE RESPONSIBILTY OF THE LEITH PRIMARY SCHOOL HEADTEACHER

CENTRE CLOSED THURSDAY 3RD MARCH
Please see notice CLICK HERE
LEITH 2 LIVERPOOL PROJECT: THE RETURN HOME
The exhibition at The Forum in Ocean Terminal has been a real success with 358 people coming to see the Exhibition with another 49 people attending the special event. The management at Ocean Terminal have been so impressed with the young people's work that they have asked that the exhibition doesn't close but that it gets put in the main mall. The exhibition should be up and running again by 3rd March. This project seems to go from strength to strength. Ocean Terminal have also expressed an interest in buying some of the images as have Leith Community Centre.
(click here to see examples of the stunning images)

DUNCAN PLACE CAR PARK
Last week Centre Management received an instruction from the Head of Client Services, Susan Brown, to say that the area that has been used as a car park was actually an access road. Therefore Parking would be limited to Disabled badge holders only and that spaces would be marked. No starting date for this has been given and we are still awaiting official confirmation of this in writing with further details.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A CENTRE DECISION

February 2005
LEITH 2 LIVERPOOL PROJECT: THE RETURN HOME
This is the final leg of the Leith 2 Liverpool and Back Project. The project has been a stunning success with the young people collecting two awards for their work.
The final exhibition will be at The Forum inside Ocean Terminal on Tues 15th Feb, Wed 16th Feb (11am - 3pm) and Thurs 17th Feb (11am - 1pm & 7pm - 8pm). There will be a special event on Thursday 17th from 6pm - 7pm (invite only).
(click here to see examples of the stunning images)

November 2004
CENTRE SAVED!!
At a meeting at the centre on Monday 1st November, Councillor Reverend Ewan Aitken announced that the centre was not to be closed. There will be an upgrade, definately work on the roof....and probably a lift. Details of upgrade to be announced at a later date.
A big thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign to stay open over the past year. We have organised a Winter Event on Wednesday 8th December (6:30pm - 9:30pm)where we can celebrate keeping the centre open in the usual Duncan Place way.

Duncan Place Youth Scoop Another Award
The 'Cyber Crazy' Club have won another award for the 'Leith 2 Liverpool' Project. This time they have won the Standard Life Education Award: A Class Act. Five of the young people went up to the Hub to collect the award at a ceremony hosted by Councillor Reverend Ewan Aitken.

Duncan Place Winter Show
This years show will take place on Wednesday 8th December 2004 as part of the Winter Celebration. The show will run twice in the night @ 7:00pm and 8:30pm. This year show is Peter Pan, but as usual be ready for a few twists.

October 2004
 New Addition to this website
There is a new menu button on the left handside of this page, 'Leith'. This is a gateway into the new Leith portal. If you have time... clickit and have a look!!

A.R.Ts Afternoon PPP Launch
Cyber Crazy and Film makers Club has it's first PPP (Pizza, Pool and PC's) night on Wed 13th October 2004.

Open Evening and Winter Show
The Open Evening and Winter Show will take place on Wednesday 8th December at Duncan Place. More details to follow...
Last year we had 250 people attend this event ....so we are hoping for the same this year.

SAVE OUR CENTRE
FUTURE OF THE CENTRE
For those of you are still waiting for news of the future of the centre, the promised meeting atthe end of September as not yet taken place. The Users Group did however receive an e-mail from Mike Rosendale (Head of Community Education). See Below...
...several options are under consideration for addressing the underoccupation of the school and the pysical condition of the Centre. None of these options now includes the closure of the Centre. When we are clear about the viability of the various options being looked at I will meet with you to clarify the position.

Mike

Adult Education Programme
Classes in general have been busy with only a few still requiring numbers to ensure they still run. Each of the computer classes need one person. The evening Stained Glass has now been cancelled. However the new DIY class is full and as always Vera Grant's silverworks are both full.

September 2004
 Mela Festival
Both Pulse of the City (youth Samba and Circus skills) and Off The Rails will be performing at this years Mela Festival. Come along and support groups on Saturday 4th September. Pulse of the City @ 3:45pm and Off The Rails @ 6:30pm. Remember to wear your Save the Place Badge!!

Adult Education Programme
All details are now on the web. click here for details

July/ August 2004
 A.R.Ts Afternoon at the Fringe Festival
The 'Leith, Life and Duncan Place' Exhibition that was in Liverpool will open at Cowgate Central as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Cowgate Central (Art Comunity) have chosen the young people who put this exhibition together to receive their Fringe Award. This award will be presented by Richard DeMarco. (click here for information and to see a sample of the images)

SAVE OUR CENTRE
FUTURE OF THE CENTRE
A meeting was held at Duncan Place at the end of June to discuss the future of the centre. The meeting was called by Councillor McLaren and Mike Rosendale (Head of Community Education) was in attendance. The Community Education Department are now looking at the options for keeping the building open. There will be a decision by the end of September. (click here to see letter from Community Education).
The number of people who came to support the centre against closure at the Leith Pageant was impressive...approximately 100 people.
June 2004

Our Leith, Life and Duncan Place Exhibition is currently at 'The Door' Youth Centre in Liverpool. It will be exhibited for two weeks.
The residential went well apart from the difficulties using Virgin Trains. From the evaluations almost everyone thought that the trip was worth doing.

May 2004
SAVE OUR CENTRE
WALK THE WALK (Make your voice heard again)
There will be a entry from Duncan Place Resource Centre in the Leith Festival. The entry is being co-ordinated by Scott Robertson (Placement Student & Members of the Users Group). The Centre is using the entry this year to highlight the plight of the centre. Please contact Scott Robertson through the Community Education Office and get involved.

A.R.Ts Afternoon

The Digital Imaging Exhibition that the Cyber Crazy Computer Club are working on is nearing completion. The exhibition is due to open in Liverpool on Friday 25th June (venue to be confirmed). The young people from the club will be travelling down for the opening and setting up the exhibition. Some of their work for the exhibition will appear on the gallery page in June. There are some examples of previous work that can be viewed there.

SAVE OUR CENTRE
E-MAIL TO ALL COUNCILLORS
An e-mail was sent to all councillors from the Users Group requesting that Duncan Place was discussed at a Full Council Meeting again, with the real costs of relocation and venues being openly available. When the Council made a decision (in principle) to close the centre, costs of £890,000 were quoted for the roof. We have since been informed that the figure for the roof is closer to £100,000 and that the installation of a lift quoted in the accessiblity audit would be £130,000. click here to see full e-mail.
We have been contacted by a Labour Councillor to say Cllr Rev Ewan Aitken will reply to this e-mail, howver we have still not heard from him.

DUNCAN PLACE PUBLICITY GROUP
This group had to be postponed through lack of numbers. We would still like to start the group. It is a chance for you to learn computer skills, design posters and be involved in some web design. These skills would be used to help highlight the work of Duncan Place.
Please contact Rohan in the Community Education Office if you are interested in being involved.

April 2004
 DUNCAN PLACE PUBLICITY GROUP (change of date and day)
This new group now starts Thursday 29th April click here for details

LIVE MUSIC AT THE COFFEE BAR - THURSDAY 1ST APRIL
E-rails will play at the Coffee Bar on Thursday 1st April 2004 from 11:30am - 12:30pm. click here for information on E-rails
There will also be a small mosaics display.

DUNCAN PLACE PUBLICITY GROUP
This new group starts Tuesday 27th April click here for details

March 2004
 LEITH TO LIVERPOOL AND BACK - A YOUTH DIGITAL ART PROJECT
The A.R.Ts Afternoon Project involving young people in digital photography and digital art to put on three exhibitions may have to be postponed. Raising the required funds to see the project though is proving difficult.
click here for a youth view of the project

SUGGESTION FROM CLLR PHIL ATTRIDGE
Councillor Phil Attridge has suggested that replies to the Users Group e-mail should be posted on the our site. After careful consideration the Users Group have decided that this would not be a good idea. The Users Group use the website as a way on communicating the action that they take. Many of the e-mails replies are directly to the Users Group and were not intended to be published and read by other councillors. The Users Group feel that the issue of Duncan Place is much more than a political 'football'.
The Users Group would like to thank Councillor Attridge for his suggestion and his continued support for the groups and activities that take place at Duncan Place Resource Centre.

LEITH FESTIVAL - BIG SHOP PROJECT
The Leith Big Shop Project will run 6 shows in 6 different venues. There are plans to make Duncan Place one of the venues. This again will highlight Duncan Place as being an important Leith venue. There will be a workshop run at Duncan Place and depending on numbers a decision will be made on whether Duncan Place will be a viable venue.
Click here for workshop details

BUILDING INFORMATION
Early in April there will be members of Community Education Management and Property Services coming to visit the building to assess how space is used within the building and what the requirements are for relocation. Dixon Clark (Community Education Depute Manager) will meet with the Users Group after this visit.

COMMON ROOM PROJECT
All projects in the centre will be given a box to put together an exhibition to represent their project/ group.

REGULAR MSP SURGERIES AT DUNCAN PLACE
Scottish Socialist Party MSP Colin Fox will be running a regular surgery on the last Friday of every month at Duncan Place. Click here for surgery dates

COUNCIL DECISION
On Thursday 19th February the City of Edinburgh Council full council meeting made the decision (by one vote) to close Duncan Place Resource Centre. An assurance was given that there would be no loss of service in Leith with this proposed closure and that 'real' consultation would now take place. The report that was submitted to the Council Meeting by Community Education proposed that Leith Primary School be used as a venue to house activities from Duncan Place as the school only runs at 42% of it's capacity.
This proposal outlines a strategy from Community Education to dispose of 'old' building which the department see as unfit for purpose, in poor condition and do not meet the Disability Discrimination Act and ensure that Education building are upgraded to ensure that all buildings are 'fit for purpose'.

DUNCAN PLACE USERS GROUP ACTION
There was a 'protest' against closure outside the City Chambers by approximately 90 Users of Duncan Place on Thursday 19th February. This protest was colourful, noisy and good humoured. It turned a number of heads and included the young people from ARTs Afternoon and Pulse of The City.
A deputation of five users addressed the Council Meeting to make some points highlighted in users group meetings about the proposed closure. The gallery of the Council Chamber was also packed with users from Duncan Place.
Both the deputation and the protest were complemented by Councillors. We all believe that without this show of support for the Centre that the vote would not have been so close.
Users left the City Chambers with a sense of anger at not having been listened to and disillusioned at the lack of respect that the Councillors showed each other. There was particular anger at a couple of comments made by Councillors.

RELOCATION AND TIMESCALE
At this point in time there is no timescale for closure or relocation. A number of venues have been suggested as possible alternatives for some of the groups including:- Leith Primary, Leith Academy, Leith Community Centre and 'Out of the Blue' (Old TA premises in Dalmeny Street). However none of these organisations have been approached and there are no firm offers. A feasibility study has been started to look at the costs involved in a move to Leith Primary School.
What is clear at this point is that groups currently housed at Duncan Place will be dispersed and the identity build up of a 'safe' community venue by the users and organisations based here will be lost.
click here for official minutes of council meetings.
Check the Users Group Pages to see their response to the decision.

February 2004
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
 THE DUNCAN PLACE USERS GROUP INVITE YOU TO JOIN THEM AT THE CITY CHAMBERS IN THE HIGH STREET (9am Thursday 19th February) and MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!!
The Duncan Place Users Group have requested a deputation at the Council Meeting that will decide the future of Duncan Place Resource Centre.
The report that the Education Department are recomending to Council is available on Education Department website.
Community Education report click here
Primary Review click here

Both the reports have proposals for Duncan Place Programme partially moving to Leith Primary School. When the Users Group met with Mike Rosendale (Head of Community Education) this was not raised as a possible option. click here to see minutes of meeting with Mike Rosendale
There has been no further information from Mr Rosendale since that meeting apart from to inform Duncan Place Users Group that a recommendation was being to made to Council on the 19th February. He has offered to meet with the Users Group ahead of the deputation.