Report Launch at Storytelling Centre 21 Feb 09

The Canongate Project warmly invite you to their launch of

The Report

on The Canongate Project

This Saturday 21st February 20092pm - 5.30pm

At The Scottish Storytelling Centre

43-45 High St . Edinburgh (John Knox`s House)

Programme -

2pm Registration
2.15pm Presentation in Theatre
2.15pm Welcome and introduction to the event - Catriona Grant Chair of CCF

The Scarf Study Report Project co-ordinators' Sally Richardson and Julie Logan will present an overview of this exciting and innovative project, giving examples of events and discuss the key outcomes.

Premier of short film produced by participants of the Canongate Project

Possible next steps/follow up

Pauline Gallacher to talk about the experience of Neilston, Renfrewshire; developing from a SCARF study to forming a Development Trust and acquiring premises-

Eva Schonveld on Transition towns in Scotland -

Open Discussion

Cafe for tea/and coffee, net-working and viewing exhibition.

5.30 Conclusion of event

The Canongate Project was funded by SCARF

The Scottish Communities Action Research Fund

Please contact us if you wish to reserve a place

Transistion Towns

Went to a great workshop last week on Transition Towns - find out more here - how does a community plan for climate change and peak oil? I wonder how the Independent Republic would make such plans? Perhaps we would recycle and reuse the buildings of the Canongate that are being left to rack and ruin or waiting for the death penalty for a crime they did not commit - being old and ugly.

Perhaps on the demolition site of the old bus garage we would build sustainable social housing with green space to grow things. We would open up the council housing in the Canongate again for rent perhaps making one into a community flat. We could put planters in the land that is not in use - bottom of Cranston Street - on top of the Market building, around Canongate Venture. We could use the grant from the DTI to utilise the underground source heating for everyone. We would campaign for better bus routes around the city centre connecting houses with shops, perhaps we would open up a community shop and cafe with a food co-op.

What we don't think would be needed is more concrete (concrete contributes to 7-10% of CO2), a five star hotel and a blinking conference centre.

Anyway there were just some of the citizen's of the Independent Republic's ideas - perhaps the Old Town could look at Transition Towns for inspiration.