Following the inaugural West Pilton and Muirhouse Gala and the disappointing cancellation of this month’s North Edinburgh Community Festival at Forthquarter Park, NEN caught up with SEAN GARDINER, chair of the West Pilton event’s organising committee, to reflect on the gala:
“The committee has yet to meet, but as it stands we have reviewed feedback and the few things we have picked up on for next year is more bins, more ticket stands to avoid queues and perhaps something for older kids like archery, a paintball area or laser quest. All in all the event was a great success; there were a few people felt that some things were a bit pricey, but for everything that cost money there was a free activity too so in the Galas opinion, things that cost money are the individuals’ choice. Hearing feedback from the gala day suppliers I will say it seems that, even with prices not being suited to everyone, all our suppliers had a very successful day.
“With regards to the Forthquarter event , we were never and will never run in competition with ANY event in Edinburgh; our aim from the start was to host a community event for local people, by local people. I must say I was very disappointed to hear it had been cancelled, and with no real explanation either. Areas like West Pilton and Muirhouse have long had this reputation for being a rundown area, events like our gala and the Forthquarter festival prove ten-fold that the area is only as bad as some people make it. There are certain groups operating within the West Pilton and Muirhouse area that promote how bad the place is and how bad the way of life is, when in my opinion, all that really does is brings people down. A little bit of hard work and organisation for something like the gala lifts heads and spirits and gets people in this area – who would otherwise be walking round thinking how bad the place is – walking round with a buzz, talking about how great the gala was or what there kids dance group done, etc.
“I spoke to a man who lives in Pilton Drive North just yesterday and was told about a couple of locals from Pilton and Royston looking into the possibility of a gala in their area next year, so from what started as a fun idea, it has not only been a huge success , it has also inspired other areas to do the same thing. It can only get better …!”
Did you attend the West Pilton and Muirhouse Gala? What could be improved? Let us know!
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