Category: Newhaven

Heart of Newhaven: September News

Welcome to your September newsletter

We’re Advancing …

First of all, a little boasting. We are proud to let you know that we have achieved an “Advancing” report from It’s Your Neighbourhood, part of Keeping Scotland Beautiful, for our achievements over the year (that’s level three out of five).

Our efforts were scored at the beginning of August and we were praised for community participation and environmental responsibility.

In particular, the work done by the Men’s Shed, on various planters and raised beds, the planting of particular ingredients for dyeing and wood treatment by our partners and the creation of free Little Libraries, one with a green roof, came in for special mention, all providing opportunities for a wide variety of activities for local residents.

The report also included a few suggestions for going forward, which we will certainly work hard to bring to fruition.

Hear About …

September means that our Hear About talks are starting soon, on Friday 20th to be precise. We’ll be kicking off with a return visit from Kenneth Williamson who this time will be telling us about Old Edinburgh Trams that served Edinburgh from 1876 until 1956.

Talks will take place at 3pm and will be followed by the chance for a cup of tea and an informal chat. Talks are currently free but we would appreciate a donation towards the refreshments.

See our website, notice boards and social media for details of the other autumn talks which will be on most Fridays until 6th December.

Hear About

Tattie Fest

Saturday 21 September 12 – 4pm

Join us for a celebration of the Heart of Newhaven’s garden and to eat a lot of potatoes.

Expect – Food – from the garden, the Scran Van and groups who are based at The Heart of Newhaven; Herbal tea from the garden (and tea and coffee from the supermarket if that’s not your thing); Creative activities – potato printing, screen printing, potato crocheting and knitting; Garden tours and a chance to meet other people from our community

There will also be Tattie Contests, including a beauty contest – if you’ve been growing your own in your garden or on your balcony, and have some unusual looking potatoes, bring them along to be entered!

And as we drift into autumn, the gardening drop-in days have changed and are now weekly on Thursdays from 10.30 till 12.30 and monthly on the first Saturday of the month, 10.30 till 12.30.

Reminiscence

Remember, remember that our regular volunteer-led Reminiscence sessions are taking place on the last Thursday of every month (except December). Everyone is welcome to come along and share memories in the Anchor building. September’s gathering will take place on Thursday 26th.

Doors Open

The last weekend of the month will see the Heart open for Doors Open Days, on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th.

We’ll be open from 10am till 4pm both days and there will be a chance to take a tour round the thriving building, talking to some of our artistic and creative partners including Ink on Mesh and Robert Furze, violin maker, or take part in a short Victorian lesson in the Schoolroom. The latter will only be on twice each day, (11.30 and 1.30) so sign up on arrival to be sure of the experience.

There will be not one, but two art exhibitions on display to enjoy: The Joy of Painting and Art in Healthcare and the day will also see the unveiling of the Oyster Mural on the outside of the Anchor building, at 11am. Come along and see the result of co-operation and consultation between Restoration Forth and the local community.

That will be followed by a performance by the Newhaven Community Choir while there will also be music from the Men’s Shed Splinter Band. The Shed will be open to visitors both Saturday and Sunday from 10am, with a “Repair Shed” and a “Guitar Clinic” from 10am-1pm on Saturday.

In addition, our Ukranian Spiders will be providing some wonderful refreshments between 10 and 3 on both days.

The Tallest Christmas Tree

September also means that there are barely three months to go before our Tallest Tree goes on display. The knitters are busy getting everything ready by fireproofing the squares and decorations, continuing to sew squares and trim pom-poms for garlands. Everyone is welcome to come along and help at the various sessions.

Sewing will continue fortnightly at the Heart in September but with a revised time of 1-3 pm which means that everyone will be travelling home in daylight and those who are interested in our Friday afternoon talks will also be able to attend.

The trunk and branches are in the capable hands of Derek from Men’s Shed and Eain is building a stable for our knitted nativity scene while the Heart knitters are busy with baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all things nativity. The Heart of Newhaven Fishwife has not arrived yet but we are certain she will look lovely on top of the Tree. We are running a competition to guess her name and we shall have forms available for you to make your guess at the Tattie Fest on 21st September and Doors Open Days on 28th and 29th September or call in and make your guess. Only 50p a name!

We would appreciate anyone who could donate a raffle prize, as we are raising funds to make the Heart as accessible as possible for everyone and for Home-Start our chosen partner. This is an organisation which supports parents to give children the best start in life. We are also looking for sponsors in our Sponsor a Branch appeal. We shall, of course, acknowledge everyone who helps in this way in the Heart and also on our our social media channels.

We need any remaining squares or decorations to be brought in to the Heart for fireproofing and will also be delighted to receive more decorations as any extras left over will be sold at the craft fair on opening day, November 30th to help raise funds for our good causes.

Leith Folk Club

Leith Folk Club is presenting an evening with the extraordinary Scottish-Canadian artist, Evangeline Gentle, on Tuesday, 24 September, 7.45 for 8pm start. With a sound that seamlessly blends folk, pop, and Americana, Evangeline’s music is a heartfelt celebration of queerness, identity, and the shared human experience.

Their songs are marked by lush melodies, powerful storytelling, and a voice that resonates with warmth and authenticity, while their performances are known for their emotional intensity and inclusivity, so whether you’re a dedicated folk fan or simply looking for a night of beautiful, thought-provoking music, this is an opportunity to witness a truly gifted artist up-close and personal.

Email info@lethifolkclub.com to reserve a place or message at www.leithfolkclub.com (which links to the Leith Folk Club facebook page). 

– Tickets:  £12 (cash only, at the door) Remember, the venue is not licenced but you are welcome to bring along whatever you’d like to drink.

Calling all seamstresses

Finally, an appeal from our History of Education Centre partners who run the Victorian Schoolroom on the first floor of the Heart.

The schoolroom is in dire need of some new children’s costumes for visiting school pupils, in particular boys’ shirts.

Our top floor tailor partner Poppy has very kindly made some shirt patterns but if anyone feels able to donate some suitably Victorian-looking materials, or feels able to sew up a few shirts from the patterns once we have the material, then please get in touch either with histedcentre@gmail.com or with christine.mcderment@heartofnewhaven.co.uk.

Please have a look at our regular sessions – we are have amazing new workshops and classes.  
Regular Sessions

Save the date:

9th October, 6pm – the 2024 AGM.

If you are a member you will receive an invite. If you want any information or to stand as a trustee contact agm@heartofnewahven.co.uk

If you want to sign up as a member do so here:  Heart of Newhaven 

30th November – craft fair and reveal of the Tallest Christmas Tree

Heart of Newhaven: August newsletter

Welcome to your August Newsletter

Hear About…

We’re very pleased to be able to announce our new series of Autumn Talks. Those of you who enjoyed our Spring series of Hear About, will be pleased to hear that we have listened, and more of your requests have been followed up.

We will be hearing about everything from the famous Hill and Adamson portraits of fishwives straight from an expert at the National Portrait Gallery, to mythical Scottish sea creatures.

Talks will take place on Friday afternoons as before and will run from 20th September to the beginning of December. There are still a very few slots to be confirmed, so if you have any more requests, please get in touch with either Gillian or Christine.

gillian.ballantyne@heartofnewhaven.co.uk
christine.mcderment@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

Calling all potential Heart guides

Could you help guide visitors round the Heart? We’ll be open for Doors Open Days at the end of September and would really appreciate it if more volunteers could come forward and help on the day.

We’ll be open both Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th, from 10am till 4pm, so if you could help for either or both of those days, for just a few hours or even all day, please get in touch. We’ll make sure you know what’s what before you venture forth.

Please get in touch as soon as you can, at volunteer@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

And if you’re thinking of popping in for Doors Open Days to see what’s happening, remember that there will be two classroom sessions in the Victorian Schoolroom, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, run by the costumed role-play teachers of the History of Education Centre.

Sign up when you arrive but remember to be on your best behaviour!

Look out for other partner activities and an exciting reveal on the DOD weekend (28th / 29th September) keep an eye on our socials and of course the September News.

The Ukrainian Spiders are back

Our Spiders are back and setting up their camouflage net looms again. They’ll be netting in the Anchor building on Friday afternoons from 2 – 9 pm, and everyone interested is invited to stop by and try their hand at weaving or simply watch the process.



Here is their new website!

Art That Saves Lives | Spiders for Ukraine (spiders4ukraine.org.uk)

Tattie Fest

Join us on 21 September for a celebration of potatoes and the garden at The Heart of Newhaven! Tattie Fest is going to be a day of making, learning and of course eating, here at The Heart of Newhaven’s garden. If you’ve got your own homegrowns in your garden or on the balcony, make sure you save your most interesting looking tatties for the potato beauty contest… 

Before then, you can of course come on down and get involved in the garden, either to help out or to see what’s growing – you’ll find us just past the Men’s Shed at our drop-in on Thursday mornings, 10.30am-12.30pm,

If that time doesn’t work for you but you’re still interested in getting involved, get in touch and we can arrange a time to meet up. 

We’re also looking for potato enthusiasts to help organise and help out at Tattie Fest! If you’re keen, send an email to Hayley. We’d love to hear from you.

Contact bloomyogaedinburgh@gmail.com.  

2024 AGM

Who would have believed we could come so far in such a short time? Well, we did for a start. We’ve now reached the time for our third AGM, which this year will be held on 9th October at 6pm Remember to check whether you’re a member and so allowed to vote at the meeting.

A few words from our Chair in the meantime:

 A recap on what we have done since becoming constituted in 2019

●      August 2022 We completed the Community Asset Transfer of Victoria Primary School by purchasing the school with funding from The Scottish Land Fund

●      January 2023 We opened the buildings, now known as The Heart, for community uses in support of our vision,

●      Year 1 of operation, 2023, we focused on the buildings and their spaces, to ensure that even with our meanwhile use approach they functioned safely and as efficiently as possible to meet the needs of partners and users

2024 we completed emergency repairs to the fabric of The Victoria Building, The Grade B listed, heart of The Heart, and we have increased our footfall threefold. 

Please come to our AGM to find out so much more – and what we aim to do next

Email agm@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

Nursing graduate recognised with palliative care award from St Columba’s Hospice

A new nursing graduate from Queen Margaret University (QMU) has gained recognition for her sensitive and compassionate care of people near end of life with an award from St Columba’s Hospice Care.  

Ailsa Timoney, who graduated with Master of Nursing from QMU in July this year, was presented with the St Columba’s Hospice Care Palliative Care Nursing Award. 

Twenty-six-year-old Ailsa from Edinburgh undertook a 10-week placement at St Columba’s Hospice in Edinburgh, as part of her QMU degree course.

She was surprised how much she enjoyed the placement at the hospice, as she anticipated that it would be a really sad experience. However, she found the work really rewarding, so much so that she would consider moving into a palliative care position at some point during her career.  

Ailsa said: “Working at St Columba’s wasn’t what I had expected. It was really fulfilling to be able to provide a good level of person centred care to each individual patient, and I know this really helped the individual, as well as their families, in the journey towards end of life.” 

Discussing her university experience, she said: “I really enjoyed being a student at QMU – everyone is so supportive and friendly, and it’s such a welcoming community. The four-year undergraduate master’s course was both challenging and very worthwhile, and the academics and the degree prepared me well for entering the nursing workforce. I received great support from staff. There was always someone available to help and guide me through the course.   

“I’m thrilled to have received the award from St Columba’s Hospice Care – it’s such a special place and I learned so much on my placement with the team there. I’m now excited to be coming into the nursing profession and starting my role as a community nurse.” 

Georgios Tsigkas, Programme Leader for the Master of Nursing course at Queen Margaret University, said: “This award recognises the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism that Ailsa demonstrated throughout the full four years on the course.

“She is a great ambassador for our nursing programme, and through her work and attitude she epitomises the values of QMU in wanting to make a difference to the lives of others.” 

Ruth Magowan, Head of The Division of Nursing at QMU, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with St Columba’s Hospice Care, which is the first University Hospice in the east of Scotland.

“Our partnership aims to enhance the delivery of person-centred palliative care through integrated research, teaching and clinical practice, and we are delighted that Ailsa has been able to benefit from her time with Hospice, and proud that her attitude and hard work have been recognised by the team there.  

“Ailsa has proved to be an exceptional student and we know that she will go out into the nursing workforce and make a very positive contribution to person-centred care. The Hospice award is the icing on the cake for Ailsa, and gets her career off to a flying start!” 

Appeal for witnesses after stabbing in Victoria Park

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a serious assault which occurred in Victoria Park last night (Friday, 12 July, 2024).

Around 6.50pm a 19-year-old man was with two friends in Victoria Park, off Newhaven Road, when they were approached by two men on Sur-Ron style motorbikes.

One of the men proceeded to stab the victim in the arm before they both made off on the bikes in the direction of Craighall Road.

Emergency services were called and the victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe his condition as stable.

The first suspect is described as being in his early 20’s, of slim build, 5ft9, and was wearing a balaclava, all black clothing and black trainers.

The second suspect is described as being in his early 20’s, of slim build, 5ft9 and wearing black clothing.

Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “This appears to have been a targeted attack on the victim and extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this attack.

“Victoria Park would have been busy at the time of the incident and we would like to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious, or may have seen the two suspects on Sur-Ron style motorbikes.

“We would also appeal to anyone with private CCTV or dashcam footage of the surrounding area to check in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.

“Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3052 of Friday, 12 July, 2024. You can also speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Heart of Newhaven: July newsletter

It’s officially summer, even if it may not always feel like it. That means that not only are schools now on holiday, but many of our supporters, staff and partners are as well.

That doesn’t mean the there’s nothing happening around the Heart though. Read on for some of the various events that you can come along and take part in and enjoy.

Don’t forget to check the website and social media platforms for up to date news.

The Knitted Christmas Tree update

The Knitted Christmas Tree is five months from opening day and is well on schedule. We are receiving green squares daily from West Sussex, London, Luton as well as every area of Edinburgh and the Lothians. Thank you for every single square and not forgetting the many beautiful tree decorations. We have 5000+ squares and 1000+ decorations.

We are having a series of sewing parties on Friday afternoons from 2-4pm. The dates are 5th July, 19th July and 2nd August. Everyone is welcome to come along. We are sewing the squares into triangles ready to go onto the branches and of course there is coffee, tea and cake!

The fantastic experts of Men’s Shed are busy constructing the trunk but it’s under wraps and no one but the men have seen it.

We had a great day at Leith Market describing what the project is about and thanks to Sara for generously giving us a stall. We met people from all over the world who were fascinated by what is happening and they took away our posting bags.

We are confidently expecting knitting from Texas, New York, New Zealand, Finland and Denmark to name but a few countries. Our Tree is going international and if anyone has a contact on the space station let us know.

More news next month

Save the Date – Tattie Fest 21 September 2024

Join us for our very first Tattie Fest at the Heart of Newhaven. We’ll be celebrating the garden and all thing potato-related at this free, community event.

Expect potato printing, potato fancy dress, a home grown tattie beauty contest and of course lots of potato eating!

If you’d like to get involved in organising, just get in touch with Hayley at bloomyogaedinburgh@gmail.com, and start growing your own now if you’d like to enter the beauty contest…

What’s on your bucket list?  

Whilst developing the Crowdfunder with members of our Heart Dementia Meeting Centre we were able to identify some interesting activities; from indoor rock climbing to canoeing down the canal.

If you would like to help us with our blue-sky ambitions or simply support a member by ‘paying their membership forward’, please go to our crowdfunder and check out the rich array of ‘rewarding ideas’.  

Support The Heart Dementia Meeting Centre – a Community crowdfunding project in Edinburgh by Heart of Newhaven Community (crowdfunder.co.uk)

Don’t forget we have lovely rooms here at the Heart – perfect for meetings but also family gatherings over the summer.   

We have a number of spaces available for booking, including meeting rooms, classrooms and workshop spaces.

We can cater to different types of events and meetings, whether for children’s parties, creative workshops, performance classes and rehearsals, board meetings or networking events.

Spaces can be booked for a single occasion as well as for regular sessions on a mid/long term basis.

More more information or to arrange a viewing of our spaces, please get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Teas and coffees can be provided for an additional charge and external catering arranged on request.

Phone Kim on 0131 259 6838 or email roomhire@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

***STOP PRESS***

Last few spaces on the Look and Draw summer school

Studio Practice Week | Look and Draw

Heart of Newhaven: Update on our Christmas Tree Project

The tallest knitted Christmas tree in Scotland project has reached the halfway mark. The knitters are aiming for an ambitious height of between five and six metres for the tree, about the height of a giraffe, but are more than happy with progress so far.

The veritable army of knitters in Edinburgh and beyond has been busy knitting multi-toned green squares and colourful Christmas baubles and decorations for several months now, and are celebrating having reached the halfway stage. They now have 5,000 squares and need another 2,500 while the pile of decorations has reached the 1,000 mark, about half of what is needed.

The community project, based at the Heart of Newhaven Community (the old Victoria Primary School), has given people across Edinburgh a purpose for their knitting and is creating a real sense of community.

The squares are also coming from across the UK, sent by people who are happy to contribute to the imaginative project. 

The tree is being supported by knitters in Edinburgh and the surrounding area as well as from as far afield as Liverpool, Southport, Luton, Norwich, Fife and Inverness.

Children at local primary schools have been learning to knit with the help of the Tree@ The Heart supporters and in return have been handing in their green squares. Local care homes have also been getting involved.

It is hoped the ambitious project will encourage donations which will go towards improved disabled access at the Heart while Homestart is the chosen local charity that will also benefit. 

The Heart is now beginning to get ready for the official reveal on 30th November when the Tree will be the star of the show, but centred around the growing tree, there will also be a Christmas craft market and live music.

The team knows that there are many squares still out there but the Heart is open and ready to receive them all.

Apart from the current knit and natter sessions at the Heart (see the website Heart of Newhaven) there will now be new Friday afternoon sewing sessions to get the final branches ready.

They’ll be held on the following dates from 2 – 4pm:  5th July, 19th July and 2nd August.

The sewing sessions will concentrate on sewing the squares into leafy triangles ready to go on the Tree, while the trunk is being created by the craftsmen at the Men of Leith’s Men Shed, who are based at the Heart.

Everyone is invited to go along and join in at one of the knit and natter or sewing sessions. There’s always a warm welcome!

The Heart of Newhaven Community 

‘Bringing People Together’

Community Picnic at Pilrig Park

SATURDAY 22 JUNE from 12 – 2pm

We’re excited to share further details of plans for our community picnic event this Saturday.

We’re looking forward to learning about nature and conservation with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), providing some fun activities for kids, offering a chance to refresh your wardrobe at the clothes swap, and hearing your views about the park and how we can make improvements.

All activities are free of charge, so just bring your family, friends, food and something to sit on.

Oh, and let’s not forget to keep hoping for a wee bit of sunshine!

A few places left at tomorrow’s Alice Thornton event at Starbank Park

We still have spaces for our 4pm talk, and there will be crafts and walks on offer too.

Other talks are fully booked, but do get in touch to get on the waitlist: alicethorntonpicnic.eventbrite.co.uk