Tag: Citadel Arts Group

Scotmid Community Connect cash for three local projects

Three charities based in the East of Scotland have been awarded £8,500 each, thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.

Children with Cancer & Leukaemia Advice and Support for Parents (CCLASP), the Citadel Arts Group and Venture Scotland, secured the funding after being shortlisted by the convenience retailer as one of nine good causes across Scotland to receive financial support from a total pot of £75,000.

Edinburgh-based Venture Scotland, a charity which provides young people aged between 16 and 30, who are struggling with life, the chance to take part in a personal development course based in the outdoors, expressed their gratitude at receiving the lifeline funding.

David Brackenridge, CEO of Venture Scotland, said: “The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. However, it has been particularly hard for young people who were already struggling with their mental health before we went into lockdown.

“Scotmid’s generous funding will allow us to continue to support disadvantaged young people through our outdoors based personal development Journey programmes, to enable them to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives.”

Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £450,000 has been awarded to 54 good cause groups enabling key projects to come to life in local areas.

Harry Cairney, Chair of East Regional Committee at Scotmid, said: “The pandemic has created numerous challenges for communities to overcome and adapt to.

“Community Connect was established to enable us to extend the ways in which we can support the communities that we serve, and we are delighted to provide Venture Scotland, CCLASP and the Citadel Arts Centre, with this funding as they continue to provide vital support to their communities.”

CCLASP has provided vital support for families living with a child with cancer for the last 25 years. They offer families respite holidays at their cottage in Muthill. These holidays provide an oasis of peace for families at their darkest of times and any funds will be used to keep this amazing offering open to families needing a break.

Based in Leith for the last 10 years, Citadel Arts Group stimulates and expresses the creativity of older people through stories, memory books and lively dramas helping to celebrate the history of Leith. Funding will be used to create audio plays inspired by the stories to entertain the whole community.

In normal times, Scotmid would typically select a shortlist of community projects which its members then vote on to allocate different amounts of funding.

However, due to the pandemic, the Scotmid Board agreed that all shortlisted charities and community groups would receive equal amounts of funding within each region.

Whaling Days: tenant shares memories of Leith’s bygone industry

A Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) sheltered housing tenant has shared memories of her father working as a whaler in a book about this long-lost industry. Continue reading Whaling Days: tenant shares memories of Leith’s bygone industry

The best of times, the worst of times: Memories of Leith Docks

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Residents of Port of Leith Housing Association’s Hermitage Court sheltered housing complex rolled back the years this week when they were treated to a play reading by Citadel Arts Group. Continue reading The best of times, the worst of times: Memories of Leith Docks

Leith memories brought to life at Hermitage Court

1940s_dancingA book has been launched recounting the dancing memories of seven very special Leithers. ‘Dancing Days’ has been produced by the Citadel Arts Group and tells the stories of Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) Hermitage Court residents.

A launch event was held at the complex, with musician Laure Paterson entertaining the residents and Gina Martorelli, one of the contributors to the book, singing Ave Maria.

Suzie Connery who manages the complex, said: “It brought back happy times for so many residents who like to reminisce and it’s lovely getting to hear their stories.”

‘Dancing Days’ is a collection of memories, not only about going to the dancing in the 1940s, but of school days, work memories and travelling abroad, collected by Citadel Arts Group living memory workers, Laure Paterson and Liz Hare.

The book stars Hermitage Court tenants Irene Graham, Sally Kyles, Robert McCauldlin, Isa MacKenzie, Gina Martorelli, Babs Russell and Chris Whelan.

Citadel Arts Group’s Liz Hare said: “The residents kindly shared their memories and we have collected them into this book which will be a resource for the whole community. Copies will go into local libraries and PoLHA’s other sheltered housing complexes – Jameson Place and St Nicholas Court.”

The project is supported by Tesco Community Awards.

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Citadel performs Leith at War

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Residents from Port of Leith’s Hermitage Court sheltered housing complex and pupils from St Mary’s Primary school were treated to a wartime play presented by Citadel Arts Group last week.

‘Leith at War’ is about a Leith-based family living through World War II. Brother and sister Eck and Frankie are living with their grampa, a WWI vet. As schools temporary closed during the war, and lessons held in pupils’ homes, this gives Grampa the chance to talk to the class about the War in Leith.

Cast members Rob Flett, Nicky McCabe, Iona Soper, and Nick Cheales entertained the audience with a performance that rekindled memories of the dark days of war for many members of the audience. It also offered an opportunity for youngsters to hear wartime experiences war from people who lived through it.

Liz Hare, Artistic Director at Citadel Arts Group, said: “We’ll be performing the play at Leith Festival in June and hope to get some useful ideas and feedback from our inter-generational audience today.

“The school pupils and tenants enjoyed a chat after the show in which they talked about the older people’s own war memories, and after Easter the children will come back to Hermitage Court with some of their own scenes based on Leith at War.”

Susie Connery, Scheme Co-ordinator at the Port of Leith Housing Association’s Hermitage Court sheltered housing complex, said: “The residents really enjoyed the performance as it gave them the opportunity to talk about their memories and experiences, whereas it was educational for the pupils learning what happened on their doorsteps over 70 years ago.”

McScrooge brings Christmas spirit to Leith

Bah! Humbug! Residents from Port of Leith’s Jameson Place sheltered housing complex and pupils from St Mary’s Primary school were treated to a mini pantomime presented by Citadel Arts Group this week.

McScrooge, based on Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, saw cast members play Alice and Marge, McScrooge and Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future, as well as McCratchit and McMarley.

Liz Hare, Artistic Director at Citadel Arts Group, said: “Citadel Arts Group regularly performs for Jameson Place residents and we are delighted to have been able to spread some festive cheer. The pantomime is part and parcel of Christmas and we’re pleased the audience enjoyed themselves.”

Elaine Edwards, Scheme Co-ordinator at the Port of Leith Housing Association’s Jameson Place Sheltered Housing Complex, said:
“Our residents look forward to performances by Citadel Arts Group, but this year’s performance was certainly their favourite and made everyone feel very Christmassy.”

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