A Night of Radical Music for International Workers’ Day
Songs For Solidarity: A Night of Radical Music for International Workers’ Day
Join us at North Edinburgh Arts for an unforgettable evening of radical song and solidarity. In celebration of International Workers’ Day, we’re bringing together folk musicians from Edinburgh and beyond for a night of powerful performances, inspiring stories, and collective spirit.
Sponsored by: Fair Pley, Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders May Day Committee, Allan McDougall Solicitors, Democratic Left Scotland, UCU Scotland and the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC).
Nominations close at 4pm on Thursday 17 April 2025.
If you work with networks, groups, or community organisations in any of these areas we would be most grateful if could pass on this information.
Anyone who wishes to stand should complete a nomination form signed in ink, and return it to the Governance Team at Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG by the closing date at 4pm on Thursday 17 April 2025. Alternatively, a mobile phone picture or scan of the nomination form can be returned by email tocommunity.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk by the same deadline.
We’re delighted to be part of this year’s Folk Film Gathering, and to be hosting the opening event featuring a Surprise Film curated by our NEA Film Selection Group.
The Folk Film Gathering is an annual film festival that showcases community minded stories on screen. In partnership with Transgressive North and Cameo Cinema, we are hosting the first two screenings of the festival.
Visit our website to find out more & book your FREE tickets:
Please see our poster highlighting groups we have on over Easter!
We have different trips happening and these are allocated as best as possible to young people attending MYDG. If your child has been selected they will have a form handed out from a staff member at MYDG.
Any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.
North Edinburgh Arts presents the first screening for more than 40 years of Heroin, a series of three films by Peter Carr made in North Edinburgh in 1983.
Originally shown over successive nights on prime time national UK television, Heroin is an unflinching fly on the wall glimpse at an often forgotten part of Edinburgh’s social history.
As poverty, crime and drug use in Scotland’s capital was ripping forgotten communities apart, Peter Carr was introduced to Edinburgh’s hidden underbelly by co-founder of the Gateway Exchange, Jimmy Boyle.
Boyle also introduced Carr to SHADA – Support Help and Advice for Drug Addiction – the grassroots organisation set up by what Carr calls “two remarkable women” – Heather Black and Morag McLean – as a lifeline and support network for drug users.
This became the basis of Heroin, which over its three episodes reveals a powerful and moving portrait of a community surviving in the face of institutional neglect and contempt from local authorities who would rather keep it out of view.
After four decades, Peter Carr revisits North Edinburgh for the screenings of his films to take part in a unique event by, for and about North Edinburgh.
Each screening will be followed by a conversation between key figures around the making of Heroin and those around North Edinburgh then and now.
Heroin ‘Uncut’ – The Films of Peter Carr and the Edinburgh Community Stories Behind Them
North Edinburgh Arts
MacMillan Hub
12c MacMillan Square
Edinburgh EH4 4AB
Heroin 1 followed by Irvine Welsh in conversation with ZoëBlack – April 23 – 6.30-8.30pm.
Heroin 2 followed by Dr Roy Robertson in conversation with Victoria Burns – April 24 – 6.30-8.30pm.
Heroin 3 followed by Peter Carr in conversation with Sarah Drummond – April 25 – 6.30-8.30pm.
Running time of each film is 50 minutes, followed by a short break and discussion.
An exhibition of production images from Heroin by Granada TV stills photographer Stewart Darby runs at North Edinburgh Arts alongside Heroin ‘Uncut’, from April 23 to May 17 2025.
A programme for Heroin ‘Uncut’ features a new essay by Peter Carr reflecting on the making of his films alongside Stewart Darby’s images from Heroin.
Heroin ‘Uncut’ is coordinated and produced by Zoë Black, Victoria Burns, Neil Cooper, Sarah Drummond, Graham Fitzpatrick and Kate Wimpress in collaboration with North Edinburgh Arts and Screen Education Edinburgh.
With thanks to Laura Alderman, Alice Betts and Genevieve Kay-Gourlay at North Edinburgh Film Festival, Willie Black, Jimmy Boyle, Morvern Cunningham, Freda Darby and the Darby family, Malcolm Dickson at Street Level Photoworks, Laura Hoffman, Judith Jones and Stephen Kelly at granadaland.org, Jordan at ITV plc, Alan McCredie, Dr. Roy Robertson, Emma Welsh, Irvine Welsh, Bob Winton.
Special thanks to all staff, volunteers and board members of North Edinburgh Arts and Screen Education Edinburgh who made this event happen.
Extra special thanks to Peter Carr.
Heroin was originally produced by Granada Television and screened on the ITV network on November 7th, 8thand 9th1983. All films and photographs are sole copyright of ITV plc, and are shown under licence.
Heroin ‘Uncut’ is dedicated to the memory of Heather Black, Morag McLean and all those friends, neighbours and loved ones who took part in the Heroin films. Though they may no longer be with us, their stories live on.
We’re delighted to open Ticket Pre-Sale for Ordinary Members for Heroin screenings in April – make sure to secure your free tickets before 17 March
Join us for the first screening in over 40 years of Heroin, a ground-breaking three-part documentary filmed by Peter Carr in North Edinburgh in 1983. Originally broadcast on UK prime-time TV, these films provide an unflinching look at the realities of poverty, crime, and drug use, told by the community itself.
Each screening will be followed by a discussion with key voices, including Irvine Welsh, Dr. Roy Robertson, and Peter Carr himself.
Wed 23 April – Heroin 1 + Conversation with Irvine Welsh & Zoë Black
Thu 24 April – Heroin 2 + Conversation with Dr. Roy Robertson & Victoria Burn
Fri 25 April – Heroin 3 + Conversation with Peter Carr & Sarah Drummond
If you live in the local community (areas of Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton and Drylaw), consider becoming a NEA Ordinary Member before 17 March to access the pre-sale and secure your FREE place!
Membership fee is £3 for three years and offers a range of benefits
COUNCILLORS MISSING BUT LIFT COMMUNITY MEETING GOES AHEAD
It is looking like NO councillors will attend but Peter, Brenda, Stacey and hopefully our chair will be on the panel to take and answer your questions the best they can, we will take a list of your questions and make sure they are sent to the relevant department within the council or to the councillors
We will have a petition to request the centre receives at least one years funding to help us to stay open.
We have been told that the budget is already set in stone but we are asking for any monies left from the 24/25 budget as we already know we wouldn’t be even a thought in the new 25/26 budget
We have been told this isn’t possible but two years ago funding was found for us so we don’t see why they can’t do this again
If you can come along to the meeting please do – and sign our petition!
MYDG EASTER
We’re delighted to open Ticket Pre-Sale for Ordinary Members for Heroin screenings in April – make sure to secure your free tickets before 17 March
Wed 23 April – Heroin 1 + Conversation with Irvine Welsh & Zoë Black
6.30pm – 8.30pm each night
Where: North Edinburgh Arts, MacMillan Hub, 12c MacMillan Square, EH4 4AB
Membership fee is £3 for three years and offers a range of benefits
Join now: 
