Category: Granton

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival to showcase capital’s diverse cultures through creative arts

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival, funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, promotes local and international multicultural artists.

It engages local audiences through music, dance, poetry, storytelling and visual arts that represent Edinburgh’s diverse cultures, including African, Asian and Eastern European.

The aim of the festival is to better engage local, both BAME and indigenous, residents with local multicultural arts provision as well as promote diversity through shared experiences.

It is also to create a platform for BAME artists to share their talent, culture and artistic endeavours with other local artists and local audiences. It is seen as a unique opportunity for multicultural artists based in Edinburgh to share stages and experiences as well as encourage greater collaboration across arts disciplines.

The festival takes place across different venues in the North of Edinburgh, which is recognised as one of the most diverse areas in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Multicultural Festival is produced by African Connections CIC is a community interest company based in Scotland. It provides benefit to African and UK-based artists and communities as well as African and UK-based arts and culture groups and organisations.

African Connections CIC celebrates diversity and creates connections between African and other communities by means of sharing cultures, creative ideas, skills and experiences.

The company plans to establish information, guidance, events and trading centres showcasing quality African products and creatives productions with the aim of creating opportunities for all communities in Scotland and beyond to share and engage in cultural experiences.

The Grand Reveal Part 1 | Literary and Visual Art

1 October 2021 | granton:hub

Join us for an art exhibition featuring the work of Harriet Mould, Jose Luis Cote and Kate Soltan and creative writing and visual literacy workshops.

12:00-13:30 The Land of Punt: Reading and Creative Writing Workshop with Joan Hephzibah and Ebony Pollard (ages 7-12)

13:45-15:30 Imagination in Motion: Visual Literacy Workshop with Kate Soltan and Magda Adamow (all ages)

16:00-17:00 Person Behind Picture: Exhibition and Panel Discussion with Visual Artists Harriet Mould, Jose Luis Cote and Kate Soltan (all ages)

All events are free but ticketed.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/edinburgh-multicultural…

The Grand Reveal Part 2: Edinburgh Multicultural Festival LIVE!

Programme 2 OCTOBER 2021: DANCE, POETRY AND NEW WRITING FOR STAGE & FILM – PASS

Acting, Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre & Costume for Stage (PASS) Theatre at Edinburgh College (Granton Campus) will be home to exciting dance, theatre, poetry and stand-up comedy work presented by Scotland-based diverse artists on 2 October 2021.

With this programme we would like to present the work of artists at different stages of their creative careers and promote collaboration and exchange of skills and practice. Join us for three showcase events with the focus on DANCE, POETRY and NEW WRITING for THEATRE, FILM and STAND-UP featuring Divine Tasinda, Tuflamencoo with Inma Montero and Danielo Olivera, Fronteiras Theatre Lab, Lubna Kerr, Sean Wai Keung and Jinling Wu, and Raheema Sayed.

The Grand Reveal Part 3: Edinburgh Multicultural Festival LIVE!

Programme 3 OCTOBER 2021: MUSIC

Starbank Park nestled in the Newhaven Harbour area of Edinburgh will be a stage for Scotland’s diverse MUSIC stars on 3 October 2021!

Let’s celebrate the festival finale day with intimate instrumental music experiences and big band and sound performances on the main stage.

The Edinburgh Multicultural Festival is delighted to present Mio Shudo, Alec Cooper and Roo Geddes followed by The Spinning Blowfish, Mother All Mighty, Los Chichanos and Shona the Musical Choir.

12:00 – 13:30 Musical Musings feat. instrumental music performed by harpist Mio Shudo, sitarist Alec Cooper and fiddler Roo Geddes will soothe your soul and take you on a journey into the sounds and stories of sea-bound people of Japan, South Asia and Ireland. [Entrance: Upper Grounds at Laverockbank Road]

14:00 – 19:00 StarDome21: Edinburgh Multicultural Festival Finale at Starbank Park with big bands and bigger sound. The Spinning Blowfish, Mother All Mighty, Los Chichanos and Shona the Musical – Band and Choir will grace the StarDome21 Finale Stage with an eclectic mix of Trad and Folk to Neo Soul / Hip Hop / R’n’B.

From Africa to South America, and back to Scotland, the finale concert will satisfy your music buds and fill your heart with joy. Not all goodbyes should be sad! [Entrance: Lower Grounds at Starbank Road]

Book your tickets in advance!https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…

From the Past to the Future

Granton Heritage Exhibtion this weekend

The history hub have prepared a series of displays that include unique photographs on Granton’s industries, the Madelvic Car Factory, Granton harbour and Granton castle, transport as well as agriculture.

We are also delighted that Edinburgh City Council have their Waterfront Development Information Displays available, outlining the detailed plans for the local area.

This is truly be a unique community event showing how Granton has developed over the years, with visions about its future.

We also have an art sale of work by 13 artists celebrating local scenery and heritage, complementing the heritage displays.

The event is free, no booking required.

Opening times are Saturday 11-4pm and Sunday 11-2pm.

Please note there is a (seated) talk between 2-4pm during which we are unable give access to the general public.

https://grantonhub.org/2021/09/21/from-the-past-to-the-future-exhibition-on-25-26-september/

A hundred new affordable waterfront homes for Granton

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) and its subsidiary Persevere Developments Ltd (PDL) are marking Scottish Housing Day 2021 today by celebrating the opening of 104 affordable homes on Edinburgh’s waterfront.

The properties at Heron Place, Heron View, Heron Lane and Hesperus Crossway are situated at Granton Harbour and make up a stretch of the city’s large-scale waterfront regeneration programme. 

The development has been designed with existing and new communities in mind and has a sunlit central courtyard which residents will be able to enjoy together. In total there are 46 homes for social rent, including two wheelchair accessible flats, and 58 homes for mid market rent.

The completion of this development brings the number of affordable homes provided by PoLHA in north Edinburgh to over 3,000. 

Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive said: “It was a pleasure to visit our new development on Granton’s waterfront and to meet some of its new residents this Scottish Housing Day.

“The location is close to various paths and networks that interconnect north Edinburgh’s greenspaces. I am sure the community here will enjoy making the most of the city’s coastline and all the sustainable transport options it offers. 

“That Scottish Housing Day is focusing on housing and the climate emergency this year is of personal importance to me. This new development has the lowest Environmental Impact Rating, good insulation, and is fitted with air quality monitors throughout.

“We as an industry have a long way to go to reach net-zero, and I am committed to working closely with colleagues on even more ambitious solutions to the climate challenges we face in the months and years to come.”  

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “The Granton Waterfront Regeneration is one of the most significant of its kind in Scotland with housing being a key part of the City’s vision for its transformation.

“CCG’s journey at the waterfront began at Heron Place and works continue to be progressed with Port of Leith HA on a further 304 homes on an adjacent development.

“It’s an exciting time for the area and the wider housebuilding programme in Edinburgh and we are delighted to be playing our part as we embark on a further 600+ homes which are set to commence in 2022.” 

Cezary Grabski, 27, works in Customer Operations for Standard Life. Originally from Poland, he is moving from elsewhere in the Granton area, and says: “I feel very lucky to have found this housing association and this beautiful development.

“The flats are brand new, finished to a very high standard, in a great location and with stunning views of the water and Edinburgh Marina.” 

Sarah Watson, 25, a Clerical Officer working with NHS Lothian, is moving to one of the new mid market properties from the Saughton area of the city. Sarah said: “I immediately fell in love with the area and the picture of the flats were to die for!

“I can’t fault anything in regard to the process of applying for a mid market property and would highly recommend anyone to have a look at some for yourself. I can’t wait to move in and make my new flat a home.” 

John Donald, 47, is an Accounts Assessor for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. He is moving from Great Junction Street in Leith and says: “I am delighted to have found this mid market rental property in such a great location. I have lived in private rentals since moving to Edinburgh 16 years ago.

“With my youngest heading to university this year I had been thinking I would probably have to move out of the city to find something more affordable. Thankfully I saw the mid market flats available in this development and I am now excited to be moving into a brand new home in a great and developing part of Edinburgh.” 

Port of Leith Housing Association has ambitious plans to deliver more than 600 high-quality, affordable homes by 2025.

You can read more about this in its strategic plan polha.co.uk/2025. 

Join the Great Granton Clean Up!

Granton Goes Greener are very excited to be part of North Edinburgh Active Travel weekend (25-26/09) supported by @SustransScot .

Organising COMMUNITY RUBBISH PICKING on a Saturday-25/09 (11am-1pm) with FREE LUNCH.

To register, follow the link; https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/granton-goes-greener-litter-pick-tickets-169875589461… or email us/Facebook

Doing our bit towards Granton Going Greener – join the Hub to Station Litter Pick on Saturday 25th September at 11am.

Join us under the Granton Goes Greener feather flag outside the Granton Hub at Maldevic House – We’ll provide the equipment if you come and provide the enthusiasm!

Together let’s clean up our community space.

We’ll be picking litter on the route from Granton Hub along past Caroline Park and up to the old Granton Gasworks Station.

Gearing up for Hidden Door Festival

Got your tickets for the Hidden Door Opening Party?? We’ve got some very special things lined up …

Our festival kicks off with a reprise of The Call: an inspiring project born in lockdown with composer Esther Swift conducting 20 of the best Scottish musicians and from across the gasworks site with huge flags.

The stages will burst to life with performances by Edinburgh-based pop-luminaries MALKA and Hamish Hawk, plus magical singer-songwriter Tiberius b, all paving the way for one of Scotland’s most significant talents, Pictish Trail.

We fully expect the opening night to be the celebration we have all been waiting for.

Also look out for spoken word from Jen McGregor and check out Something Smashing – a live performance that brings together musicians and dancers, a platform for improvisers and the audience to explore the unexpected!

And be sure to explore the whole site to discover visual works from over 30 artists!

Don’t Brek The Bank!

Morrisons is offering half-price breakfasts from Bank Holiday Monday

  • Morrisons cafe deal means customers can grab a fry up for less than two quid –
  • Available in all Morrisons cafes in England, Wales and Scotland until 26th September –

From Monday, Morrisons is halving the price of its much-loved cooked breakfast for four weeks.

This means customers can get a fry up with sausage, bacon, fried egg, grilled tomato, baked beans and toast for just £1.87 – a price hard to beat anywhere else on the high street.

For those customers looking for the full works including mushrooms, black pudding and hashbrowns as well as extra sausages and bacon then Morrisons Full English Breakfast is now just £2.75 along with the Veggie or Vegan Breakfast options.

Morrisons breakfasts are available all day every day and the offer is valid in all 406 Morrisons cafes from Monday 30th August until Sunday 26th September. 

Ali Lyons, Head of Cafes at Morrisons, said: “A traditional cooked breakfast has long been a Great British treat.  As the nation returns to work and school we wanted to offer our customers a hearty meal, at an unbeatable price, to ensure they are setting themselves up for the day. 

“Many of our customers are key workers and don’t work traditional office hours, so we’ve made sure that the discount is valid all day so no matter what time you’re eating breakfast, customers can take advantage of the offer in our cafes.”

Morrisons recently introduced a brand new menu and has invested heavily in coronavirus safety measures including screens and a contactless ‘Order & Pay’ app.  

For more information and to see the cafe menu, visit:

my.morrisons.com/blog/food/new-cafe-menu/

Join Stepping Stones at The Carnival of Venice!

(It’s in Granton Community Garden!)

Join Stepping Stones North Edinburgh next week for a lovely workshop as we venture to Venice.

@cynthiaws Starcatchers @starcatchersuk #Storytelling#SensoryPlay

Lead by Cynthia Cheung and Marion Geoffray, the workshop/outdoor activities involve multisensory creative play for the aged 2-5 to explore different festival traditions and stories.

In the workshop, we explore the children’s reaction and interest in the objects, the smell and the sound related to the festival. Meantime, the facilitators explore new ideas and skill involve the children’s behaviour and experiment with the artistic practice to develop the work-in-progress performance.

The workshop will also help Niroshini Thambar, the music designer, to explore insight and ideas to create a new interpretation soundtrack for the performance.

From the Past to the Future

Heritage exhibition at Madelvic House

The history group at granton:hub is organising a large heritage exhibition, to be held on the weekend of 11-12 September and 25-26 September 2021, between 11-4pm. The exhibition will include displays on industries, the Madelvic Car Factory, Granton harbour, trains and trams as well as agriculture.

In addition, members of the public will be invited to come along to our ‘Share your memories’ booth to tell their stories. 

We are also delighted that Edinburgh City Council will have their Waterfront Development Information Displays available, outlining the detailed plans for the local area. This will truly be a unique community event showing how Granton has developed over the years, with visions about its future.

Throughout the weekend, around a dozen artists will have a sale of original artworks celebrating local scenery and heritage, complementing the displays.


The event will feature two separate talks, each accompanied by photographs. Both talks are scheduled for the afternoon and will be seated events, with registration required. 30 tickets for each talk will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Sunday 2 September at 2pm: Kenneth Williamson’s Brief History of Granton’s Industrial Past

Sunday 26 September, 2pm: Talk by John Dickson “The Sirius and Tall Ships at Leith”

Booking is free but we request a donation at the door so we can cover our costs.

The square outside Granton Station will be called … (drum roll) … Granton Station Square!

The area outside the former Granton Station, being built for local people and visitors to enjoy community events and recreation, is to be named … ehm, Granton Station Square!

The square, together with the restoration of the building has agreed funding of up to £4.75m, with part of this being provided through the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund support and town centre funding.

This restoration forms part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s wider £1.3bn regeneration project for Granton Waterfront.

The name was chosen following consultation with local residents and groups as well as the Council asking people for suggestions online.

Cammy Day, Council Depute Leader, said: “Thanks to everyone who took part in the consultation for the new name. It’s really important to us that local people are involved in every step of the process as we progress our £1.3bn regeneration of the area creating homes, jobs and new communities.

“The name is important as the refurbished Granton Station and new Square will be a focal point in the area for the community and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.”