Category: Leith

HARK! Earth in Common and Aurora Engine announce new Soundwalk

Launches Sunday 26 May 2 – 4pm at Earth in Common, Leith Links

  • Announcing a new collaboration between Earth in Common and Deborah Shaw (Aurora Engine), supported by the National Lottery Community Fund’s Together for Our Planet Fund 
  • Highlights include environmental songs from Karine Polwart, works from Tinderbox Sparks Orchestra, stories from Edinburgh’s Gaelic community and Scottish International Storytelling Centre, poems from Ash Dickinson and Alec Finlay, folksong from Kirsty Law, sonic works from Siôn Parkinson and Aurora Engine, incorporating political themes of land rights, references to highland clearances and the Edinburgh housing crisis as local rents continue to increase 

Coinciding with Earth Day, a new soundwalk at Earth in Common has been announced, with an upcoming launch event scheduled from 2 – 4pm on Sunday 26th May 2024, with live performances and a guided tour of the new installation with Deborah Shaw. 

Tickets are now on sale for the launch event with various price options available. Book now: https://bit.ly/harksoundwalk 

Environmental organisation Earth In Common presents HARK!, an immersive soundwalk nestled within the grounds of Leith Community Croft.

This unique experience will offer a tapestry of compositions, soundscapes, poetry and stories, curated by composer and sonic artist Deborah Shaw (Aurora Engine), supported by Together for Our Planet fund.

HARK! aims to foster a deeper connection to nature and reflect Earth In Common’s values regarding crofting, land and the intrinsic relationship between arts and the environment. 

Alongside the pastoral, is the political, with themes of land rights, references to highland clearances and the Edinburgh housing crisis as local rents continue to increase. Some works explore the effects on communities, raising the importance of nature access in urban landscapes which the Croft provides. 

Visitors will be able to access recordings through their electronic devices, and experience sonic folk tales, haunting choral compositions and immersive soundscapes featuring the collected sounds from nature and wildlife. 

HARK! contributors include renowned musician Karine Polwart with a brand new song composed for the croft, “Earth In Common” inspired by her passion for nature and environmental causes. Tinderbox Orchestra will present “ICE” from their Sparks collective a piece composed in response to an ice installation at Dynamic Earth. 

There will be pieces from Edinburgh’s Gaelic community, a story from Donald Smith, Director of Scottish International Storytelling Centre, and a haunting choral from Earth In Common’s own climate choir and a song from folk singer Kirsty Law. 

Poet Ash Dickinson will be featured with poem ‘Fox Fishing’ about declining nature, and Alec FInlay’s words from their Push the Boat Out Poetry festival commission ‘Manifesto for Urban Crofts’ will also play as part of the soundwalk.

Sonic works will include pieces from Siôn Parkinson, composer and sound artist currently an AHRC Research Fellow at RBGE with ‘Pastoral blah’, curator Deborah Shaw (Aurora Engine) with a sound work about land rights and pieces inspired by birdsong. 

As participants navigate the Croft with a provided map on their smartphones, they are invited to immerse themselves in the sounds and music at their own pace. A visit to the charming farm shop/café can enhance the experience, allowing for leisurely exploration of the works on display. 

Deborah Shaw, HARK! curator, said: “I wanted to create a magical world that invites audiences to leisurely experience music while immersing themselves in nature.

“HARK! facilitates this journey, inviting listeners to tune into music, sounds, poetry and stories while also sparking conversations about land rights, climate and current housing issues”. 

Alec Finlay, featured artist in HARK!, said: “I was inspired by Leith Urban Croft, which was conceived by Evie Murray, and is a contemporary twist on the traditional allotment, with an attempt to encourage a more communal approach, as well as broadening the social activities, helping with wellbeing, and giving young people an experience of nature and nurture.

“Some of the growing plots are run by schools. There’s a wee cafe, they sell produce, and are developing a visitor centre. It’s used by parents and toddlers … I think in terms of pandemic culture and climate breakdown, every park and green space should have an urban croft.

“It aligns with the idea of a ‘culture of recuperation’, which I’ve been thinking about for the past few years, and more specifically, with a project I did in Glasgow, with the Walking Library, exploring ideas of urban rewilding.” 

Evie Murray, Earth in Common’s Founder and CEO said, “The Soundwalk project embodies Earth in Common’s ethos and builds on all we have achieved over the last decade.

“Leith Community Croft is an established hub for social, cultural and environmental regeneration. The Soundwalk enhances our identity at a crucial time for Earth in Common, when we are recovering from disruption caused by a major capital building project and our reserves are running low.

“If people like our work, they can visit the ‘Soil-idarity’ page on our website to learn how they can help us survive and thrive.” 

Scrap Student Flats: Living Rents to hold public meeting in Leith

10th MAY at 6.30pm in DUNCAN PLACE COMMUNITY HUB

Got concerns about purpose-built student accommodation and luxury developments in your local community?

Join Living Rent for a public forum on the redevelopment of Dalton Scrapyard, where you can bring your questions and concerns directly to your local representatives.

Hold councillors accountable and bring local planning back to the people!

Disappearing Bank Branches: Another one bites the dust

Deirdre Brock comments on closure of Leith RBS branch

Deidre Brock MP has commented on the news that the Leith branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland is set to close on October 10.

The closure forms part of a new tranche of network closures from the NatWest group with branches on Nicolson Street and Bruntsfield Place also set for the axe. This will leave only three permanent RBS branches remaining in the city (St Andrew Square, Princes Street and St Johns Road), plus a mobile branch.

In its closure announcement the bank promised “no further review of our Royal Bank of Scotland branch network until at least 2026”.

The Edinburgh North and Leith MP has written to the bank requesting further information about the decision.

Ms Brock said: “I am shocked by the decision from RBS to close their branch in Leith. This is one of the most densely populated parts of Scotland and the closure will greatly disadvantage many small businesses and customers in our community who rely on counter services.

“There are plenty of people who still prefer face to face custom, and many more who still need it. Not everyone uses phone banking and more vulnerable people shouldn’t be expected to travel up to the city centre or head to Musselburgh every time they need to bank.

“It all started for RBS back in 1727, before they became the bank which was ‘too big to fail’ in 2008 and were bailed out from the public purse. Now it’s sad to see more and more branches disappearing from our High Streets. Like all banks, they should have a duty to meet the diverse needs of their customers, not just the dividends of shareholders. 

“The promise that they won’t close any more before 2026 doesn’t exactly give confidence of a long term commitment to keep the remaining branch network running.

“Decisions like these taken in corporate boardrooms do untold damage to communities like Leith and if the banks won’t act, perhaps government should to protect the network. Otherwise we are hurtling headlong towards a cashless society and deepening the digital divide – we need to pause and take stock before it’s too late.

“I have written to RBS seeking more details on why they chose to close the Leith branch and what they are doing to protect both customers and staff affected.”

An RBS spokesperson said: “While we are increasingly engaging our customers digitally, our branch network remains important to us.

“We are also significantly investing in refreshing our network – we are investing £10.5m in our network across Scotland, from 2023-24, as well as continuing to invest in shared solutions like the Post Office and banking hubs.

“Our customers appreciate the speed and convenience of digital banking for everyday transactions, and often, when it comes to making bigger, more complex decisions they value speaking to our skilled and experienced colleagues.”

The bank says that more than 97% of its retail accounts are opened over the internet.

Women: Share your experiences of accessing healthcare in Scotland

Come and share your experiences of accessing healthcare as a woman in Scotland!

Discussion topics will include: periods, pregnancy, maternity and motherhood, menopause, mental health, patient experience and more.

This free reminiscence group is open to 60+ and all participants will receive a £15 gift card for their contributions.

Join us on Thursday 18th April at 11am for reminiscence and refreshments at the Wee Hub Lounge (first floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre), right beside The Wee Hub brought to you by The Living Memory Association.

Deirdre Brock: Fees threat to free immigration services

Charities and community groups providing free immigration advice could be charged fees from the government for the first time, putting the services under threat, Deidre Brock MP has said.

The Edinburgh North and Leith has written to the UK Government raising her concerns about the proposal to charge fees for regulation of the free services.

Currently providers of free immigration advice have their fees to the arms-length regulator, the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), waived, but under the Home Office proposals, they will have to pay an initial registration fee of up to £538 for their organisation, together with £520 for every adviser. A reduced annual fee would be paid for each year after that.

The proposal is included in a Home Office consultation on the fee structure of the OISC which runs until June. 

Concerns that these costs will threaten the availability of free immigration advice services was flagged with Ms Brock by the Citizens Rights Project which has started a petition to the Home Office on the issue.


Ms Brock said: “It’s hard to believe the UK Government could make charities pay for giving free, reliable immigration advice to people who desperately need it. Accurate advice is essential to make sure the immigration system works fairly, efficiently and safely for everyone – the government should be boosting access to free support, not threatening it.

“I know from my work in Edinburgh North and Leith how big the unfilled need is for immigration advice. Many folk who turn up at my surgeries cannot afford hefty legal fees and don’t know where to turn to get some support with the labyrinth of regulations.

“If they can’t get regulated support, vulnerable people are more likely to seek advice from unscrupulous scammers giving bad advice, damaging their case, their finances and their lives in the UK.

“Recent changes to immigration rules suggest the UK Government are hellbent on making life as difficult as possible for people who just want to work hard and build a life here. They have raised the minimum wage a UK citizen must earn to settle with a spouse from overseas to £29,000, blocking many Scots from coming back from abroad with their families.

“They have increased the salary for a skilled worker visa to £38,700 – blocking even more talent from coming to our shores. They have stopped people working as carers from having the right to bring their partners – showing how little they value the lives of people doing essential work.”

“Now they are putting free immigration advice under threat for vulnerable people.

“If the UK Government insists on making the immigration system ever more complex, the least they can do is waive the fees for the charities and community groups who are helping people navigate their draconian system. 

“I have written to the UK Government asking them for a rethink on this short-sighted proposal (letter below – Ed.)”.

Letter-to-Home-Secretary-Deidre-Brock-MPDownload


Consultation on OISC fees: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/office-of-the-immigration-services-commissioners-fee-structure/consultation-on-changes-to-the-office-of-the-immigration-services-commissioners-fee-structure

Petition ‘Free Immigration Advice is Under Threat:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/free-immigration-advice-is-under-threat?utm_source=CRP+database&utm_campaign=5557c9b63a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_03_06_12_40_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-a4fcde099d-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=5557c9b63a&mc_eid=7c34581b82

Operation Elite tackles drug crime and supports most vulnerable

In Edinburgh one of our priorities remains tackling drug-related crime and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.

Following concerns raised by the public, officers in the North East of the city initiated Operation Elate to address drug-related harm in the Leith area.

Working with partners, we’re also supporting vulnerable individuals through effective intervention and outreach.

Throughout March, 2024 this operation led to 25 individuals being charged for drug related offences and drug seizures with a street value in excess of £55,000. 

The North East Support Team, made up of Special Police Constables alongside Road Policing colleagues, focused on drug related criminality on the road, including drink and drug driving. This resulted in the seizure of seven vehicles and numerous charges for road traffic offences.

There were 19 additional arrests relating to offensive weapons, crimes of dishonesty and outstanding warrants.

Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal said: “Thanks to the continued support from our communities, we have taken positive action in Leith to disrupt those who are involved in the supply of drugs on our streets and safeguard those who are vulnerable.

“Removing illegal drugs and targeting criminals who seek to profit from other people’s misery continues to be a priority for Edinburgh Division and Police Scotland.

“Operation Elate and wider officers across Edinburgh remain committed to tackling and reducing drug related crime, and we will continue to work to ensure offenders are dealt with robustly.

“As ever, we are grateful for the support of the public and we would urge anyone with any information in relation to drugs in their communities to contact 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

If you or anyone you know are affected by drug related harm, support and assistance are available via 0333 3 448 355 (Alcohol & Drugs Action).

Around the world in 342 ways

Collection of renowned Leith-born interior designer Derek Parker and partner Peter Morris up for auction

An auction devoted entirely to an eclectic collection of items amassed over 60 years by renowned interior designers Derek Parker and Peter Wynne Morris will feature as part of Woolley & Wallis’s series of furniture, collections and works of arts sales this month.

Parker & Morris, The Art of Decorating, comprises 342 lots which represent a snapshot of the glamourous lives of the couple, their various homes in Scotland, England, France, Monte Carlo, Australia and the United States and their passion for collecting and antique dealing.

Presented in conjunction with Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, one of today’s most famous firms of interior decorators that had a long and close association with Parker & Morris, the auction on Wednesday, April 17 will feature such diverse lots as a collection of rare Manus Island green tree snail shells, found only on the island in Papua New Guinea, porcelain figures and bowls, art works, furniture and furnishings and books.

In association with the auction, on April 10th, Hampshire interior designer, Charlotte Stuart, who has a long-standing association with Colefax and Fowler will give the 8th Tim Woolley Memorial Lecture, covering the firm’s history and its association with the collection of Parker & Morris.

Derek and Peter who spent their later years in Salisbury, were good friends with Tim Woolley and clients of Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury for many years.

Roger Jones, a director at Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler, met Derek and John when he joined the company in 1994 and said they were regular visitors to the showrooms whenever they were in London:

“They had a business connection with the company as well, as for a number of years they ran the Australian Colefax and Fowler showroom.

“The influence of Colefax and Fowler is evident in the way they decorated their various houses in the 1970s and 1980s, a sort of ‘full’ Colefax and Fowler look; busier and more exuberant than the way in which we work today. There are many pieces in the sale which historically relate to Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler.”

Born in Leith, Derek Parker first met Melbourne-born Peter Morris in 1959, the beginning of a professional and personal relationship which would last for the rest of their lives.

In his early years as an interior designer, Derek worked on some of the great houses of Scotland, including Lennoxlove in East Lothian, home of the Duke of Hamilton, Lennel in Berwickshire where he designed and decorated the ballroom and Eden Hall, home of the Earl and Countess of Dalkeith.

He also worked for the Queen and designed some of the cushions at Holyrood House.

One of their own homes was Yester House in East Lothian, former residence of the Marquess of Tweedale and family seat of the Hay family for many years.

In London, where they opened a showroom, they lived in Winston Churchill’s bachelors pad and were dubbed the “best dressed men in Mayfair” but their interior design business took them around the world.

One-time residents of Monte Carlo, they bought an apartment beneath Shirley Bassey’s and drove around in a powder blue convertible Rolls Royce, the same car as Princess Grace. They also bought a house in Roquebrune in France and leased Netherhampton House in Wiltshire, once home to Siegfried Sassoon. Many of the items in the auction were displayed at Netherhampton House.

They wintered in Australia and spent summer in Europe and wherever they lived and travelled they indulged in their passion for collecting unique and interesting pieces, furniture and works of art, decorating each of their homes, in what Derek described as “appropriate to the style of the house”.

“Interiors are governed greatly by what people own to what they aspire. Houses should, after all, be an expression of one’s personality and lifestyle,” he said.

The proceeds of the auction will be donated to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, which already owns Peter’s collection of French 18th century white porcelain.

All ticket sales from the Tim Woolley memorial lecture will be donated to Salisbury Hospice.

Full details of the auction and lecture can be viewed at:

 https://www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk

‘Circle of good’ making a difference for Leith-based community bank

2023 has been a year of exceptional growth for Castle Community Bank headquartered in Leith. At the AGM it was reported that total membership has grown to over 46,000 at September 2023.

Chief Executive Adrian Sargent said: “I’m proud of our team, and the growth that we have achieved this year. We remain focussed on our social purpose of supporting communities, whilst helping our members to maximise their savings and manage debt as effectively as possible.

At the same time, our overall current Trustpilot rating of 4.8/5 shows we are getting the day-to-day experience right for our membership.”

Castle Community Bank aims to achieve sustainability through scale and is on track to do so with total assets now equal to £283m, making them one of the largest credit unions in the UK. Deposits have grown to £247m in 2023 and the loan book has increased to £225m in 2023.

Castle Community Bank Chair, Stephen Pearson said: “I like to think of our operating model as a ‘circle of good’.

“Savers like our top quartile interest rates and easy online joining process. Many of them also like the fact that we make their money go further by funding our affordable loan products, enabling people who struggle to access loans from mainstream banks to borrow what they need at affordable rates.

“In turn, prudent, commercial success enables us to grow our community programmes in Edinburgh and beyond: including providing debt advice support, sustainable food bank funding and ethical investment for charities and churches.

“Castle Community Bank is leading the way in expanding the credit union movement in the UK, delivering strong and sustainable growth, underpinned by sound risk management.”

The Scottish credit union was established in 2015 following the merger of two long established credit unions: Castle and North Edinburgh (above), along with the members of the Water of Leith Credit Union Study Group.

The study group was set up with the aim of establishing a Credit Union in Leith.

The difference between credit unions or mutuals and high street banks is they are owned and run by members, instead of shareholders, creating a shared financial community across the UK, which is accessible to everyone.

Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter at Vue

A host of brand-new animated adventures and all-time family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the school holidays.  

For the first time in almost a decade, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master Po bounces back onto this big screen with a hilarious new chapter, in Kung Fu Panda 4 on 28 March.  

Facing his most fearsome foe yet in the many forms of the powerful sorceress The Chameleon, Po (voiced by the iconic Jack Black) must use his courageous Dragon Warrior martial arts skills to defend the Valley of Peace. However, he’s not alone, as he must team up with the crafty fox thief Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina) in this butt-kicking mission to ensure the world remains peaceful and at balance.  

This Easter break will also see some familiar heroes take up the call when Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire brings paranormal pranks and ghostly grins to Vue from 22 March. Returning to New York City, the Spengler Family from Ghostbusters: Afterlife must unite with the original Ghostbusters to take on an evil force that threatens the world with a second Ice Age.  

With a cast that includes newer names such as Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard and original ‘busters Bill Murray and Dan Akyroyd, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire looks to provide eerie thrills for the entire family this half term.  

Sweeter than a spoonful of sugar, both Mary Poppins and its recent sequel Mary Poppins Returns are heading back to the big screen at Vue this Easter, marking 60 years since the release of the iconic first film.     

Making its debut on the big screen after exclusively releasing on streaming platforms, Disney’s recent adventure Luca will be playing at Vue from the 5 April. Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, this animated adventure tells a coming-of-age story about one young boy’s unforgettable summer filled with gelato, scooters and his new best friend – who turns out to be a sea monster from a secret world below the ocean.  

Vue will also be bringing back some of the biggest family films from the past year, perfect for Easter viewing including the chocolatey charm of Wonka from 29 March and Disney’s Wish from 5 April as part of the Vue Mini Mornings series, shown every day across Half Term at 10am.  

Robert Lea, Head of Screen Content at Vue Entertainment, said ‘We’ve got a great selection of new films and big screen entertainment on show this Easter providing the perfect way to enjoy quality time with the family over the school break.  

‘With film screenings from just £4.99 online at selected venues the big screen experience at Vue is the perfect treat during the Easter holidays. 

‘Even better, our Vue Mini Mornings at 10am, will continue to show the latest kids’ films at just £2.49 a ticket if purchased online and £3.49 in venue. Parents and children can come along, switch off and immerse themselves in great stories.” 
 

Tickets are available now at www.myvue.com.