free event – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Women’s History and Heritage, Granton and North Edinburgh

You are invited to an evening dedicated to women’s heritage as part of the local history of Granton and North Edinburgh

Granton:hub and Granton Waterfront Heritage Programme present an evening of talks and discussion celebrating the part women have played in the heritage and local history of Granton and North Edinburgh. It will take place on July 18^th2024, 7-9pm at Granton Station, 1 Granton Station Square, Granton, Edinburgh EH5 1FU.

Leading academic and Chair of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, Lisa Williams; Victoria Nyanga-Ndiaye, Founding Chief Executive Officer of Project Esperanza, and Jade Stein from Engender will join local women who live in Edinburgh and activists for a lively conversation around the history of women’s involvement in the area, women’s heritage, and our wishes for the future.

There will be space for sharing stories, memories and aspirations, and a chance to see the Eve-Hawa Quilt, “a profound expression of resilience and healing” which was made by skilled women involved with Project Eseranza with the artists Francia Boakye and Alberta Whittle with @natgalleriessco.

We hope that as many people from our community as possible will join us. Please tell your friends.

This is a free event and the venue is accessible. Light refreshments will be provided. You are welcome to bring a cushion to make sitting more comfortable for you.

If you would like to be involved more formally, or suggest someone, please contact Tamsin Grainger on history@grantonhub.org

This is a Granton Waterfront Heritage Programme event in conjunction with Granton:hub and thanks go to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland for funding.

Please book your ticket via Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/929688261617?aff=oddtdtcreator

Danyah Miller to kick off the Summer Reading Challenge in Edinburgh

The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge is kicking off in Scotland with an exciting event featuring award-winning storyteller Danyah Miller.

On 29 June at 10.30am, Edinburgh Central Library will host Making Marvellous Stories with Danyah Miller, an interactive storytelling experience that celebrates the power of imagination and creativity.

Danyah Miller, an international solo performer, writer, and story trainer, will lead an engaging spontaneous storytelling hour. Through story games and collaborative storytelling, children and families will embark on a journey to spark their imaginations and create lasting memories together.

Oral storytelling is a fundamental component of literacy development, enhancing fluency, vocabulary acquisition, writing skills, recall, and memory. By participating in this event, children will not only have a fun and interactive experience but also develop essential literacy skills.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in story games, make up fresh, new stories together, and learn tips and tricks for endless storytelling fun. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience, igniting the imaginations of children and families alike.

“We left full of ideas and inspiration,” said a mum of boys aged 7 and 9 after attending one of Danyah’s previous storytelling events.

In addition to the storytelling experience, the Summer Reading Challenge, developed in partnership with Create, a leading charity bringing creative arts to those in need, offers a range of exciting activities and resources that bring reading and creativity together throughout the school holiday. Children are encouraged to explore their creativity through various outlets, including junk modelling, music, dance, drawing, and painting.

The Making Marvellous Stories with Danyah Miller event is free and open to the public. Families are invited to join this unforgettable experience and embark on a journey of storytelling and creativity at Edinburgh Central Library.

For more information and to register, please visit: https://readingagency.org.uk/our-work/events/making-marvellous-stories-with-danyah-miller/

FREE Pollinator Picnic at Lauriston Farm tomorrow

INVITATION to a local PICNIC! Drop-in to Lauriston Farm Agroecology Open Day this weekend where I will be hosting a ‘Pollinator Picnic’. Free, family friendly food and fun.

Lauriston Farm, next to Toby Carvery on Lauriston farm Rd, EH4 5EX, Edinburgh.

SAT 18th MAY : 12.30-2.30

Everyone welcome! Picnic blankets supplied.

Part of the co-design stage of artist Natalie Taylor’s proposal development for Granton Gas Tower.

What is Power of Attorney?

A few places still available at LifeCare’s free info event to help local people simplify the future

Thinking about what would happen in the future if our, or our loved ones, faculties deteriorated can be stressful and worrying. How would someone manage our affairs, access our accounts to set up the right care for us, or pay the bills? Without the right processes in place, an already very emotional situation can be made worse with often very serious consequences.

Local charity, LifeCare Edinburgh understands how daunting and complex these situations can be and will next month host a free information giving event to help debunk the complexities and help people put the right practical support in place to ensure someone trusted can quickly make decisions on behalf of a loved one if they’re not able, or no longer able, to make them themselves.

Power of Attorney is a legal document where someone – while they still have mental capacity – nominates a trusted friend or relative to look after their affairs if they later lost capacity in the event of an emergency, illness or accident.

It is not limited to people who are older or unwell, everyone needs to consider setting up a Power of Attorney at any stage of life to avoid any future complications. For example, due to having a stroke, serious accident or dementia.

Delivered in partnership with experts from Lindsay’s Legal Services team, LifeCare will host its first information giving event designed to encourage people to stop and think about what they need to put in place to help simplify the future.

Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare said “Unfortunately at LifeCare we are well aware of how stressful life can be when people don’t have the right documents in place. No one can predict when they may face an unforeseen illness, accident or other debilitating event that may render them incapacitated.

“As one of Edinburgh’s leading charities providing practical care support we know how emotional these situations can be at the best of times but we also know how much worse they can be when family members and loved ones are locked out of helping access the support for the people they care for.

“Relatives can’t just walk into a bank and access your money, even if it is to pay for your care. Unless you’ve a Power of Attorney, loved ones would need to apply through court, which can be long and costly.

“We understand that thinking about the future can be upsetting and frightening. Our free and informal information giving event delivered in partnership with Lindsays is designed to simplify matters; there will be no jargon and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussions and an opportunity to discuss any concerns with legal experts for free.”

LifeCare’s ‘What is Power of Attorney’ event, delivered in partnership with Lindsay’s, will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 1^st May in the charity’s fully accessible community café, CafeLife at 2 Cheyne Street, EH4 1JB.

Free tea and coffee will be available along with the opportunity to find out more about LifeCare’s vital services for older people and the community overall.

The charity is encouraging people to register via Eventbrite in advance of the meeting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lifecares-power-of-attorney-information-event-tickets-856970821797?aff=oddtdtcreator

or visit the LifeCare website https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/

or call 0131 343 0940 to register interest.

Call for people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions to join free charity event

Charity invites people across Scotland living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions to join the free in-person event.
Muscular Dystrophy UK is hosting the Scottish conference in Stirling.
Hear from the charity and experts within the neuromuscular community on how to live well.

Muscular Dystrophy UK is calling on people living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition, their families and carers to join a free in-person event open to everyone across Scotland and beyond.

The Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Scottish conference, taking place on Saturday 23 March 2024, is organised by the leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions.

Attendees will hear from the charity about advice and support services on offer and from experts on topics including emotional and mental wellbeing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, education, self-directed support and from real-life experiences.

Jacqueline Munro, Head of Regional Support, Outreach, and Information at Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “We’re delighted to be able to host the Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Scottish Conference and we look forward to welcoming people from across Scotland.

“It will be a great opportunity to gain useful insights and connect with other people in the muscle wasting and weakening community, to share stories, experiences, tips and advice. Secure your place by signing up now.”

The event will run 9.30am – 5.00pm at Forth Valley College, Stirling Campus, Stirling, FK8 1SE.

Spaces are limited, so sign up today: musculardystrophyuk.org/ScottishConference

Lunch is included and the venue has a Changing Places toilet facility on site.

The charity will be hosting information stands from other organisations including Scottish Disability Sports, Housing Options Scotland and SDS Forth Valley.

The information day is part of a series of events happening across the UK. Upcoming events will be happening in Cardiff, Wales, on Thursday 18 April 2024, with previous events taken place in England and Northern Ireland.

The charity also hosts a network of local groups, known as Muscle Groups, who meet regularly across the UK in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Contact Muscular Dystrophy UK with any information days enquiries on infoday@musculardystrophyuk.org

For more information about Muscular Dystrophy UK visit: musculardystrophyuk.org

or call our free helpline on 0800 652 6352 (open Mon – Thu 10am – 2pm).

North Edinburgh Jobs Fair at Muirhouse MIillennium Centre

WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY 11am – 1pm

FREE EVENT – ALL WELCOME

Cyber Safety Information Session

THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY from 2 – 4pm

at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

Join us for a Cyber Safety Information Session!

Where: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh EH4 4BY)

When: Thursday, 22 February, 2pm – 4pm

Free event! Sign up in advance to secure your place at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/make-it-happen-cyber…

About the session:

Learn how to stay safe online, protect your personal information, and recognise risks of fraud, scams, and identity theft at this free information session!

Presented by North Edinburgh Arts’ Make it Happen project in partnership with People Know How.

For more information or questions, please email Asia at asia@northedinburgharts.co.uk.

Proudly supported by the Scottish Ecosystem Fund 2023-24.

St Mary’s Music School to host free ‘Lower Brass Day’ in Edinburgh

Activities will include masterclasses, ensemble work, concerts, and taster sessions from industry leaders and world-renowned performers

Lower Brass Days to be held in Edinburgh and Elgin, with each day free to attend.
Lower Brass Days to boost and encourage access to the trombone, euphonium, tenor and baritone horns, and tuba, through a day of presentations, masterclasses, ensemble work, and concerts from an array of leading performers and teachers.
St Mary’s Music School ‘Instrument Library’ for young musicians will also see its second phase come to fruition.

St Mary’s Music School – a specialist music school based in the heart of Edinburgh, with generous tuition funding available and admission based solely on musical promise – has partnered with leading UK brass players to bring an exciting series of Lower Brass Days to Edinburgh and Elgin aimed at encouraging young people to study the trombone, euphonium, tenor and baritone horns, and tuba.

Taking place on Saturday 24 February in Edinburgh (The Parish Church of St Cuthbert, Lothian Road) and Sunday 25 February in Elgin (Elgin Academy), the school hopes to expand local access to music within schools, and to raise the profile of, and interest in, lesser available brass instruments.

In addition to taster sessions with Buffet Crampon (a prominent market leader in the manufacturing of top of the range wind instruments), attendees will be welcomed to a day of presentations, masterclasses, ensemble work, and concerts – free to attend for all and open for participation to school aged pupils.

Buffet Crampon will supply instruments for Taster Sessions; whilst Martin Thomson, Danielle Price, John Kenny, Jonathan Gawn, Oren Marshall (Trinity Laban), Arlene Macfarlane, Emily White (British Trombone Society), and representatives from UK Conservatoires will lead an array of presentations and performances.

Euan Meikle, Sales Manager for Buffet Crampon in the UK and Ireland said: “The cultivation of new talent is both a core principle for me and Buffet Crampon, as well as crucial to the survival of our music industry.

“I look forward to presenting the Prodigy ‘Come and Play’ Experience, which aims to give attendees the opportunity to view a demonstration, play an instrument and even take a virtual reality tour of how instruments are made via Virtual Reality!”

As well as celebrating brass musicianship nationwide, it is hoped the Lower Brass Days will also see the second phase of St Mary’s Music School ‘Instrument Library’ come to fruition and further democratise access to quality musical instruments.

Launched in Autumn 2023, the Instrument Library has seen St Mary’s Music School invest in a small fleet of endangered instruments with the hopes of nourishing musical potential in the early years. Entrusted to specific teachers, instruments such as the oboe and bassoon can be loaned out for three years, with the possibility of extension to pupils who might otherwise find accessing these instruments financially prohibitive.

Director of Music John Cameron said: “We are excited to be working with leading brass professionals from across the UK in providing free access to days of activities to celebrate the world of lower brass.

“This is part of our active musical outreach programme which includes our ‘Instrument Library’, set up to give young musicians access to quality instruments at an early age.”

Amongst an exciting day of Lower Brass events, St Mary’s Music School is also running a Composition Competition for school age composers aged 10 – 18 across Scotland, with the chosen winning ‘Fanfare’ to be performed on both days by leading musicians.

Four runners up will also be invited to have their compositions ‘workshopped’ by the School – and all shortlisted entries will receive feedback from a panel of composers. Entry to the competition closes on 20 December 2023.

Plant Swap at Granton Parish Church

FRIDAY 17th NOVEMBER from 5 – 7pm

Join our Plant Swap in collaboration with Granton Goes Greener!

Bring your beautiful plants, cuttings, or gardening tools, and let’s exchange them with fellow plant enthusiasts. If you don’t have anything to bring – just come and join us anyway! There’s always something for everyone to bring back home.