Forthview P3s visit First Minister

Katie Morag Christmas card is ‘amazing’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘brilliant’!

Children from Forthview Primary School joined Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House yesterday for the launch of the First Minister’s 2015 official Christmas card.

The card features Katie Morag, the star of the children’s books written and illustrated by Mairi Hedderwick, who can be seen welcoming children from around the world to the First Minister’s official residence, Bute House.

The original illustration by Mairi Hedderwick will be auctioned next year and the proceeds will be shared between four charities; Enable Scotland, Children 1^st, Books Abroad and the Scottish Refugee Council.

The First Minister said: “I am delighted that Mairi Hedderwick was able to create such a wonderful illustration for this year’s Christmas card.

“Katie Morag’s adventures accompanied by Mairi’s beautiful illustrations are adored by both children and adults right across the world.

“Christmas is a time for spending time with those that we love, but it is also a time for thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves.

“There is no doubt that Scotland is a caring and compassionate country but this year in particular, I have been so proud of the warm welcome and kindness which has been extended to all who have come here.

“Whether it’s by helping out at a charity, or having a cup of tea and a chat with a friend or neighbour who is on their own, it’s important to spend some time over the next few weeks giving comfort, companionship and support to those who need it.”

For the first time, special packs featuring Christmas cards from previous years will go on sale in National Galleries of Scotland shops in Edinburgh from next week.

Part of the 2014 fundraising initiative, cards will be sold in a pack of ten and will feature the artwork of Jack Vettriano, Elizabeth Blackadder, John Lowrie Morrison, Peter Howson and Phyllis Dodd.

All profits will be split between 2014’s charities; the Catherine McEwan Foundation, The Mackintosh Appeal, Legion Scotland, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Yorkhill Children’s Charity.

The First Minister added: “Since we launched the charity Christmas card initiative in 2007, sales of artwork and prints have raised more than £168,850 for good causes across Scotland. I’d like to extend my thanks to all the artists, including Mairi, whose time and genorisity have made raising so much money possible.”

And the children’s view of the Katie Morag card? ‘Brilliant’, ‘amazing’ and ‘fantastic’!

Tonight’s the night at Muirhouse Shopping Centre

Dull old Muirhouse Shopping Centre will be transformed into a local winter wonderland tonight when Community Action North (CAN) kicks the Christmas season off in style!

Why are we doing this? During the first phase of the Community Action North project we spoke to dozens of local groups and hundreds of local people – and one of their biggest complaints was about the state of the shopping centre. Everyone agrees it’s not the most welcoming environment, so we decided to do something about it – even if only temporarily. And when Urban Union kindly offered to donate a real Christmas tree we thought: if places like Corstorphine, Morningside and Stockbridge can have public Christmas trees, why not Muirhouse too?

It’s taken a while to organise and has presented a number of challenges – I’m sure Santa’s Christmas present run is easier to plan – but we’re almost there and tonight we hope local people will join us to celebrate our community at a very special time of year.

We’ve been working away to make the Centre look a little bit brighter – children from the local primary schools created some brilliant snowflake stencils and these are now being painted on the walls by a team from Tomorrow’s People, supported by Austeja from North Edinburgh Arts.

Our Christmas tree, a mighty twenty-two foot Norwegian Spruce, was delivered and erected yesterday and will be decorated today. We’ll also be adding some more lights around the Centre to give it that festive feel. There’s still a lot to be done, but we’ll get there!

So what could possibly go wrong? Well, quite a lot – as many local people have been quick to point out! However we’ve looked at all the possibilities, we’ve weighed up all the risks and we’re giving it a go. Christmas is a time of hope, of new beginnings and more than anything it’s about children – and we believe our local children deserve to have their own tree, here in their community.

Among tonight’s highlights:

Christmas Tree lighting ceremony
Music from Craigroyston Community High School
Free festive food and drink at North Edinburgh Arts
Sweets for the children
A visit from Santa
An opportunity to hear about CAN – what CAN can do for you, for groups and for our community

The festive fun kicks off at 5pm. Santa Claus is coming to Pennywell tonight – we hope you will too!

Andy and Dave, Community Action North CAN