Broughton St Marys Parish Church – The NEN

Benefit Organ Recital in Honour of Nancy Blaik MBE, Co-Founder of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland

Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church will host a special Organ Recital on Friday, 17 October 2025, at 7:00 pm, honouring the extraordinary life and legacy of Nancy Blaik, MBE, a pioneering charity volunteer and co-founder of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

Nancy Blaik, MBE (1936–2025), was a tireless Edinburgh charity volunteer and founding force behind CHAS.Blind from childhood and inspired by the needs of her so Daniel, Nancy dedicated her life to creating Scotland’s first children’s hospice, Rachel House in Kinross, which opened in 1996.

Awarded the MBE in 1997, Nancy’s legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and determination—ensuring that no family in Scotland faces the death of their child alone. She died from pneumonia, after living her final years with the progressive neurodegenerative disorder, Lewy Body Dementia.

The recital will feature renowned organist Dr John Kitchen, MBE – Edinburgh City Organist, University of Edinburgh scholar, and internationally recognised performer and recording artist.

Dr Kitchen will present a programme of organ music celebrating the power of music to inspire and uplift, while raising vital support for CHAS and LifeCare – a local charity which provides vital support to people within the local community.

Rev. Laurene M. Lafontaine, Minister, Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church said: “It is a privilege for Broughton St Mary’s to host this special recital in honour of Nancy Blaik, whose life was a remarkable witness to courage, compassion, and service.

“This evening will be both a celebration of music and a reminder of the power of community to carry forward her legacy of care for children, families, and neighbours in need.”

Sarah Dannfald, Senior Community Fundraiser, CHAS: “We are so thrilled to have the support of Broughton St Marys Parish Church, while celebrating the remarkable lady that was one of our Founders.

“Nancy was and still is an inspiration to so many and it is wonderful to see her legacy continuing, helping CHAS flourish and support children and their families across Scotland, when they need it most.”

Sarah van Putten LifeCare CEO said “We are deeply grateful to be a beneficiary of this event alongside CHAS.

Nancy’s story embodies the very spirit of care and resilience that inspires our work with older people and families here in Edinburgh.

“This recital is not only a tribute to her, but also a vital source of support for those who rely on LifeCare’s services every day.”

Event Details

Benefit Organ Recital in Honour of Nancy Blaik, MBE
Date: Friday, 17 October 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church, 12 Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh
Suggested donation: £10–15 (or more at your discretion) at the event or via the Broughton St. Mary’s Website
Beneficiaries: CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) (Registered charity no SC019724) and LifeCare, Edinburgh (Registered charity no SC012641)

https://www.justgiving.com/page/laurene-lafontaine-1759497198423?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Edinburgh North & Leith Hustings

BROUGHTON ST MARY’s CHURCH BELLEVUE CRESCENT

MONDAY 24th JUNE 7.30 – 9.30pm

SPURTLE HUSTINGS, EDINBURGH NORTH & LEITH

To help set a citizens’ agenda, please email your questions to spurtle@hotmail.co.uk and answer a short survey.

Details at: https://broughtonspurtle.org.uk/news/general-election-send-us-your-questions…

TONIGHT: A Celebration of Music

Join our guest organist Oli Kelly and the church choir tonight Friday 19 May at 7pm for a charity recital and concert in aid of Drake Music Scotland.

The event is free but we would ask for donations to the work of Drake Music Scotland who provide music making opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.

The concert will last approximately 1 hour 20 mins and will be followed by refreshments. The concert will feature Oli Kelly on the organ and after a short interval Oli will conduct the church choir in a selection of pieces ranging from Palestrina to Howard Goodall.

You can learn more about the work of Drake Music Scotland at:

https://drakemusicscotland.org

Windrush Information Event

Citizens Rights Project and Edinburgh and Lothian Regional Equality Council would like to invite you to the free information session about the Windrush Scheme and Windrush Compensation Scheme.

We are happy to announce the special guest – Prof. Sir Geoff Palmer who will take part in the event.

We will present the details of both Schemes available for migrants who arrived in the UK before 1989, that provide a physical document to prove the right to reside in the UK, as well as the financial compensation for the past troubles caused by the lack of such document.

We would like to use this opportunity, to speak with people from Commonwealth communities in Scotland to hear their voices about their difficult experiences of dealing with the UK immigration system. We would also like to listen about their views on the Windrush Compensation Scheme and the Government actions to rectify their past mistakes.

Prof Sir Geoff Palmer is ELREC Honorary President. He became the first black professor in Scotland in 1989 and then a Professor Emeritus after his retirement in 2005. In 2014 he was knighted with New Year Honours. Jamaican Honorary Consul. Chancellor of the Heriot- Watt University. Jamaican Commander of Distinction. Chair of Edinburgh Council’s Slavery Colonialism Group. Chair of the Scottish Museum Group. Chair of University’s Colonialism and Race Group.

Citizens Rights Project is a charity which has a long history of supporting EU nationals with applying to the EU Settlement Scheme and dealing with the Home Office on behalf of vulnerable individuals. We strongly believe that there is a need to talk more about the Windrush Generation and Commonwealth communities, but any action should be linked with the people affected. Let us know your view!

Join us:

19/10/2022, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Broughton St Marys Parish Church

12 Bellevue Cres, Edinburgh EH3 6NE