EdinburghInternational Book Festival’s Citizen writing programme has been working in communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2019.
The weekly local writers group, which meets on Monday evenings, has met online since the Covid lockdown, but will meet in person tonight for the first time in a very long time at Musselburgh’s Fisherrow Centre from 6.30 – 8pm.
As life slowly returns to normal (fingers firmly crossed!) another in-person workshop is planned for granton:hub at Madelvic House on Monday 21st November from 6 – 8pm.
Online weekly sessions will continue between the two ‘in-person’ workshops.
The local writers showcased a selection of writing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August and are now looking forward to presenting more of their work at Winter Warmer events in Musselburgh and North Edinburgh in December.
Provisional dates for the two Winter Warmer events are Friday 2 December in Musselburgh and West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday 3 December – more details to follow soon.
Like to get involved, or just find out more? New writers of all abilities are always welcome – email Citizen programme’s Eleanor Thom at citizen.nea@gmail.com
Muirhouse Library staff are delighted to welcome some of the team from Speech & Language Therapy to our Bookbug session at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre this coming Tuesday.
They’ll be around afterwards for an informal chat, should you want to discuss anything with them – and on the last Tuesday of the month thereafter.
The first ever North Edinburgh Community Festival will be a free, family friendly community-led day full of fun and entertainment with the opportunity to find out about learning new skills in a relaxed and interactive way.
The day will feature performances from local groups and there will be stalls and activities for all ages. There will also be local organisations, the emergency services, Edinburgh College, community groups and employers giving young people and their families an insight into the work they do and the opportunities they have to offer.
The programme was launched this afternoon at an event in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.
Depute leader Cammy Day said: “This is going to be a great day for the North Edinburgh community to come together and learn more about what local groups and organisations can offer people of all ages in the area. They’ll be loads happening to make the festival fun as well as having educational elements with local employment opportunities being showcased.
“If you live in or around the area, I’d encourage you to come along to enjoy the local bands and find out more about local groups and organisations offering a whole range of activities from Arts for Grown-ups to nature play activities and storytelling.
“The day is being organised by the community and a dedicated group of local organisations and groups and I’d like to thank everyone involved.
“It’s also part of our £1.3bn project to regenerate Granton Waterfront and transform currently unused land to become a new sustainable neighbourhood.
“This will be a key part of our network of 20 minute neighbourhoods across the city, with affordable environmentally friendly homes, excellent transport and active travel links and access to lots of open and green space, arts, sports and culture.”
Willie Black North Edinburgh Community Festival Planning Committee Chair said: “I’m proud to be part of the planning committee for the Festival, creating a celebration of North Edinburgh and its place in our Capital city.
“The Festival is open to all ages. It’s going to be massive a boost to the area bringing our community together and is particularly welcome as we all start to recover from the Covid pandemic.”
Michael Jeffrey, Edinburgh College Vice Principal, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the North Edinburgh Community Festival and look forward to working with all the partners to showcase the fantastic talent, opportunities, and facilities on offer in the local community.
“We encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the day with us.”
Jed Milroy Assistant Director Tinderbox Orchestra said: “Tinderbox Orchestra is thrilled to add North Edinburgh Community Festival to kick off our Summer touring schedule.
“There is so much creativity in this brilliant community and it will be a real joy to see everyone coming out to celebrate it all together.
“We’re especially excited about young people from Tinderbox Music Club and Granton Youth performing on stage, many for the first time ever! It’s never been more important to come together as a community and look at all the positive things that are going on. Get it in your diary!”
Highlights of the programme include:
A music line-up featuring local acts and performers including local youth orchestra Tinderbox Orchestra, young musicians from the Granton Youth Mixtape Music Club, a fun and energetic concert for all the family from Fischy Music, a family rave from Big Fish Little Fish, a musical medley from the Forth Children’s Theatre, performances from local schools including Broughton High School, St David’s R. C. Primary and Pirniehall Primary School and performances from local punk rock band Yer Local Bams, DJ Dynamite and Newhaven Community Choir.
Family events and activities will include Bookbug with Muirhouse Library, nature play activities led by The Green Team, storytelling and book making with the Super Power Agency and arts and activities curated by North Edinburgh Arts.
Workshops for all ages including an Arts for Grown Ups drawing class led by artist Alice Betts and drumming and rhythm workshop with Moving Music. As well as a parade led by Low Income Families Together.
Stalls featuring around 30 locally based groups and third sector organisations.
Learning and upskilling opportunities from local employers and employability support organisations, including course taster sessions from Edinburgh College Granton Campus, employability advice and support from Robertson Partnership Homes, CCG Construction and Crudens, as well as advice and support from Capital City Partnerships and Smart Works Edinburgh.
Food demos and “pay what you can” food available from Edinburgh College, local charity Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts and social enterprise Scran Academy.
Festival Programme: Tinderbox Orchestra, Fischy Music, Big Fish Little Fish, Yer Local Bams, Granton Youth Mixtape Music Club, DJ Dynamite, Broughton Music School Jazz Quartet, Rai Williams, Newhaven Community Choir, St David’s R C Primary and Pirniehall Primary School Music Club, Forth Children’s Theatre, Ama-zing Harmonies, Pulse of Place Samba Band, Bookbug, arts and crafts, The Green Team, Super Power Agency, Moving Music, Play Rangers, Arts and Dance classes, Art Bugs in Muirhouse, Spartans Community Football Academy, Low Income Families Together Parade.
Community Stalls: West Granton Community Trust, Muirhouse Library, Project Esperanza, Lothian Breastfeeding Buddies, Pennywell Pantry, Community Renewal, Venture Scotland, Vocal, Fresh Start, Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, Granton Goes Greener, NHS Lothian, Pilton Equalities Project, Learning Disability team and NHS Lothian, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Active Travel Team, Police Scotland, U-Evolve, Wasps, Girlguiding Edinburgh, Pilton Youth and Children’s Project, ESES Communities, Muirhouse Housing Association, Grassroots Remedies and much more.
Jobs and Skills: Edinburgh College, Capital City Partnerships, Smart Works Edinburgh, Robertson Partnership Homes, CCG Construction, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Royal Navy.
About North Edinburgh Community Festival Planning Committee: The event is being run in partnership with a consortium of organisations who meet fortnightly, including: The City of Edinburgh Council, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, North Edinburgh Arts, Edinburgh College, Police Scotland, Low Income Families Together (LIFT), Granton Youth, Tinderbox Orchestra and Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.
Funders and Sponsors: The City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Edinburgh College Development Trust, Muirhouse Resident Association and Immediate Waste.
