Come see the Leith History Mural in a whole new LIGHT!
Due to popular demand we are bringing back this FREE outdoor event – this time for a total of 10 NIGHTS!
Tim Chalk and Paul Grime’s mural installed in 1986 depicts Leith’s rich and varied social history. Double-Take Projections have artistically re-imagined the mural through light projections using the artists’ original artworks, adding beautiful animations and a bespoke soundscape.
But feasting your eyes is not the only feast of the evening …
LeithLate is also teaming up with the amazing organisation Empty Kitchens Full Hearts (EKFH), who provide meals on a daily basis to over 500 individuals facing food insecurity. Each night of this event, between 19:30 – 21:00, EKFH are opening up to the public and event attendees, serving their high-quality meals nextdoor in the outdoor collonade at Leith Theatre. You can purchase some delicious scran to help them raise funds and continue with their vital work in the community.
Attendance to the Light-Up Leith History Mural is free but ticketed. Time-slots throughout each evening are bookable in advance in order to ensure the amount of people viewing at any given time will be able to maintain a safe social distance.
Whilst attending the event, please be respectful of other people’s space and help us mitigate any Covid-19 risk by keeping a 2m distance from other attendees. We would also recommend audience members wear a face covering while attending the event.
The Leith History Mural is located on the corner of Ferry Road and North Junction Street, next to Leith Library and Leith Theatre. Projections will run throughout each evening on a loop.
This event is part of LeithLate’s Leith100 programme marking 100 years since the amalgamation of Leith with the City of Edinburgh. For more information about the programme visit www.leithlate.co.uk.
The event is made in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Curating Conversations across the Arts research project, with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
A voucher scheme encouraging people to visit shops, cafes and restaurants on Leith Walk will launch on Monday (24 August) as part of the Trams to Newhaven project, the city council has announced.
The council is offering shoppers and diners £10 for the price of £5 to spend in a range of participating venues through the itison deal, which is part of our £2.4m Support for Business measures during construction works.
They will also be relaunching the offer for businesses on Constitution Street next month, where vouchers sold out within days when they were first introduced in November 2019.
Main Trams to Newhaven construction work began on Leith Walk in June, following a pause to comply with Government guidance and to protect the safety of workers and residents during the coronavirus outbreak.
The council says they have worked closely with local traders along the route to develop the Support for Business package, which aims to maintain the area’s appeal, drive footfall and minimise disruption throughout construction.
This includes logistics hubs to help businesses get goods into and out of their premises, on-street customer service staff providing advice to customers and businesses and a digital ‘Open for Business’ marketing campaign. They are also working with Sustrans to introduce cargo bikes for service deliveries and moving goods around.
Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “We’re excited to be launching this phase of the itison voucher scheme, which will give an added incentive to visit the range of independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on offer in the area.
“We know that any disruption can be challenging for businesses, particularly paired with the trying circumstances in which we find ourselves in now. We want to do everything we can to help them to continue to operate, and flourish, over the years to come.
“This project is critical for the city’s carbon neutral future, where transport is sustainable, connected and accessible. We want its benefits to be felt by everyone and we’re working hard to make this happen.”
Over 70 Leith Walk bars, restaurants, cafes and shops have signed up to the itison voucher scheme, which lasts until 31 August. Customers can buy up to three vouchers at a time to use in any of the participating businesses. Vouchers for Constitution Street must be bought separately, and for specific businesses.
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs said:“This is an excellent initiative to encourage customers to continue visiting businesses on Leith Walk and promote trade.
“Shops on the walk have been hit hard by the double blow of lockdown and the tram extensions, so making efforts to support businesses is very welcome.
“I encourage everyone to make the most of this offer and support local businesses.”
Police are appealing for the public’s assistance in tracing Selim El Syed (54) who has been reported missing from Leith.
Selim was last seen in the East Hermitage Place area around 3.30pm on Monday (17 August 2020).
He is described as Bangladeshi, around 5 ft 5 ins tall, of slim build with dark hair. He has a noticeable gait and when walking may appear to shuffle.
Inspector Grant McCulloch said: “We are very concerned for Selim’s welfare and officers are currently carrying out a number of searches to trace him. He is known to travel to rural parts of Scotland by bus and train and will sleep outdoors.
“I would urge anyone who has seen Selim, or has any information on his whereabouts, to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1409 of 19 August.”
New research by Community Finance Solutions (CFS) at the University of Salford and Carnegie UK Trust has highlighted the impact that COVID-19 is having on affordable credit providers across England, Scotland and Wales.
More than 60 Credit Unions and Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) in England, Scotland and Wales took part in the study, which asked about the impact of Covid-19 on demand; lending volume; income; liquidity; viability, and confidence.
They reported a decline in the number of people seeking loans and a reduction in the size of loans being sought; a rise in the number of customers seeking payment holidays on their loans; and an increase in saving deposits.
Providers have furloughed staff and closed branches to help them deal with the impact of the pandemic. Some have adapted their business models, increasing the use of digital tools and introducing new products.
Those providers with the smallest average loan amounts (under £1,000) appear to have been most adversely affected by Covid-19, with a higher likelihood of furloughing staff, closing branches and of using government support schemes.
They are also less confident and more likely to forecast breaches of regulatory ratios or covenants and inability to meet short-term costs. These providers are the most likely to serve the most vulnerable and financially excluded.
There are likely to be a range of complex reasons behind the drop in the demand for credit. Positively, it may be because people have had support through other channels set up in response to the pandemic, such as the Job Retention Scheme or an interest free overdraft.
There have also been fewer opportunities for consumption during the crisis. Alternatively, some people may have not sought a loan from an affordable credit provider because their financial position has worsened and they may have to take other action, such as borrowing from family and friends or going without an important purchase.
There is concern that household finances will come under severe pressure as financial support interventions introduced in response to COVID-19 taper off and unemployment rises.
Affordable credit providers have a crucial role to play in supporting families through these difficult times, but this new research by the Trust and CFS shows that these providers are themselves vulnerable to the pandemic.
It will be essential that the affordable credit sector is supported to sustain and scale during this challenging period, so that it is able to support families and communities in the months ahead.
Pål Vik, Director, Community Finance Solutions said: “This research report finds that the short-term effects of Covid-19 are more acutely felt by those lenders targeting low-income consumers.
“The findings underline the needs for ongoing research and data collection to inform interventions to preserve the access to affordable credit for those that need it the most.”
Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive, Carnegie UK Trust said: “Affordable credit providers have a vital role to play in helping disadvantaged communities cope with Covid-19 and rebuild resilience afterwards.
“This research highlights the need to continue to monitor the impact of the pandemic on affordable credit providers, and for the sector to receive the support that it needs to sustain and scale, ensuring that it can support those who are financially vulnerable.”
Sasha Romanovich, CEO, Fair4All Finance said: “Many more people in the UK will find themselves in vulnerable circumstances and the need for fair and affordable credit is likely to grow significantly over the coming months, not least as some high cost providers fail or withdraw from the UK market place.
“Fair4All Finance have a role as a catalyst to create a thriving and sustainable affordable credit sector, and we welcome this research.”
Michael Sheen, actor and social activist said: “It is vital that affordable lenders come through the current stage of the crisis to be able to support financially vulnerable consumers in the medium to long term.
“We need all those people with a voice – councils, housing associations, the third sector and the media – to highlight to those borrowers that often need access to small sums of money that fair credit is out there, at a fair price. ”
The Carnegie UK Trust has also recently published The 10% solution: How to make affordable credit more available to those who need it most as a short and full report.
This research examines the levels of high cost credit use and the provision of affordable credit across seven Scottish local authorities, reveals the gap between demand and appropriate supply, and puts forward a range of interventions available to local authorities that can support affordable credit providers and make a significant difference to the lives of low income individuals in their areas.
Increasing the market penetration of affordable credit providers in these seven areas to 10% of demand could save low income households nearly £5m a year.
While the research fieldwork for this report took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, it demonstrates the need for affordable credit, and the importance of supporting a resilient sector which can provide for financially vulnerable consumers in the years ahead.
Sell out event has just added new dates to their programme
The only live comedy event being held in Edinburgh this August
This is a truly unique comedy event coming out of Leith, created by Leith for Leithers. It is likely to be the only live comedy event happening in Edinburgh this August.
Invisible Cities, a social enterprise supporting people who have experienced homelessness, have joined forces with Leith Comedy Festival to create ‘Funshine on Leith’ – a comedy walking tour with a difference.
Leith Comedy Festival has added new dates to their programme following the immediate sell out of the initial batch of tickets, which were released last week.
The additional dates and times for bookable tours include:
· Thursday 20th August 5pm
· Saturday 22nd August 12 noon and 3pm
· Sunday 23rd August 12 noon and 3pm
· Thursday 27th August 5pm
· Saturday 29th August 12 noon and 3pm
· Sunday 30th August 12 noon and 3pm
Paul has written the tour especially for Leith Comedy Festival and during this rich, colourful walking event, he takes his guests on a journey around Leith, sharing historical curiosities, personal anecdotes and juicy details that will make your jaw drop.
Zakia Moulaoui Guery, founder of Invisible Cities says: “Paul is one of our most experienced Edinburgh guides and his work is constantly praised by 5 star reviews online from our customers.
“He designed this tour specially for Leith Comedy Festival and it is nothing but different, thought provoking, fun and a bit outrageous! For Invisible Cities, it also marks our definitive return after so many months not being able to do tours, so we are all excited to see Paul in action!”
Award-winning tour guide, Paul, who has been with Invisible Cities for two years, said: “I am excited to showcase Leith in a different way and be part of Leith Comedy Festival. After several months of not being able to do our tours.
“It’s great seeing guests again who want to learn and have a good time with us!”
Rosalind Romer, Director of Leith Comedy Festival commented: “I took my one-year-old to Paul’s Trainspotting Tour (to his horror and the bafflement of onlookers) and loved his stories about the best and worst of Leith.
“I was thinking and laughing about the stories for days afterwards, so it’s really exciting for Leith Comedy Festival to be working with Paul and Invisible Cities to create this brand new tour, based on the funny side of Leith.
“We hope it will bring a little festival magic to Edinburgh in August. We are currently the only live comedy event happening in Edinburgh in August, and creating an event that’s live, funny and legal has been a challenge. But we’ve done it.”
The tour contains strong language and adult themes, including sex and drugs. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.leithcomedyfest.com
A team of 25 tenants from Port of Leith Housing Association’s sheltered housing developments are collectively walking 500 miles to raise money for their social activity fund.
Due to the impact of the pandemic, the tenants have not been able to hold their usual summer fayres or coffee mornings to raise funds, so they are trying something a little different this month.
Any donations received will help provide meaningful activities for our sheltered tenants including exercise classes, lunch clubs, outings and more. You may have already heard about our inventive warden call bingo!
The North Coast 500 virtual trek
The virtual trek around the North Coast 500 (NC500) route began on Monday 20 July, with some walkers tackling the challenge outdoors while others are count their steps indoors along the corridors.
A PoLHA spokesperson said: “We will map their journey and share progress and pictures as we travel along the majestic coastline of the stunning highlands of Scotland. Did you know 500 miles equates to one million and fifty six thousand steps? What an amazing achievement this will be for our tenants!
“We would be very grateful if you could support our walkers with this challenge by making a donation. They have a target of £1 for every mile walked – can you help them reach £500?”
Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deirdre Brock will take part in a virtual funding workshop, with People’s Postcode Lottery, for local charities, volunteer organisations, and community groups throughout the local area.
The session will give good causes in Ms Brock’s constituency advice on how they can apply for funds to make a difference in their community.
The live Zoom event takes place on Tuesday 11 August at 10am.
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised £398,687 for smaller good causes and community projects in Edinburgh North and Leith. Wellspring Scotland received £13,950 to deliver mental health and well-being support work to adults, children and young people in Leith.
£17,500 went to Leith Theatre Trust’s LTYardheads project, helping people within the surrounding community access theatre through drama, acting and creativity groups.
MP Deidre Brock said: “Hundreds of thousands of pounds, raised thanks to People’s Postcode Lottery players, has already had a hugely positive impact on the places and people of Edinburgh North and Leith.
“This free virtual funding session will give good causes throughout the area the guidance they need on how to apply for funding. Funding that many good causes need now more than ever before.
“I’d strongly encourage local good causes within the community to sign up and find out more about the funding opportunities available to them.”
Community programmes advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, Katherine Sellar, added: “The money raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery is making a huge difference in communities across the country.
“We want to do all we can to help local charities and good causes successfully apply – particularly at a time when many are losing out on essential funds. Our free virtual workshop is a useful opportunity for smaller, local charities and groups to find out about the funding available, get pointers on applying and ask us any questions.”
More than £500 million has been raised for thousands of charities and good causes, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
A huge thank you again to everyone who submitted a comment on the 48-50 Iona Street planning application back in May.
As a result, the developer has made some changes to the proposal. While some of these changes are welcome, many aspects of the development remain unchanged, such as building height, density, student accommodation.
**MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENTS TO THE APPLICATION UNTIL FRIDAY 14 AUGUST**
Any previous comments and objections are still valid on aspects of the development that are unchanged.
As before, Save Iona street will be pulling together some notes to help those who wish to comment on the these amendments.
Police are appealing for witnesses after it was discovered that a defibrillator has been removed from its case at a premises in Leith.
This was discovered earlier this week at Constitution Street.
Sergeant Kirsty McArthur-Kerr, of the North East Community Policing Team, said: “There are several defibrillators at key locations around Edinburgh which have been funded by charities or donated for public use.
“These are a vital live saving resource and the loss of this one could have potentially fatal consequences. At the moment, we are not sure of the circumstances surrounding the defibrillator being removed from its casing, so we are appealing to the public to contact us if they have any information which may help us trace it.
“Anyone with information should contact us on 101 quoting incident number 1647 of 21 July or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
