Come to the Scottish Storytelling Centre Today

The Scottish Storytelling Centre above in a picture taken on the 29th April 2006, in advance of our highly successful and fun filled SOOT Street Party on May the 6th. The second one which was planned as part of The Canongate Project, was cancelled at the eleventh hour, due to the street being double booked by the council!

Come along at 2pm today and see for yourself the important findings from the project that decision makers need to take notice of and action on.
See previous posting for more details of the afternoon. If you can`t make the theatre presentation and discussions come along at 4.15 for an hour or so and have a blether about it all over a cup of tea.

Here is the leaflet to advertise the report - click on the images to enlarge

Canongate Loses Out once again!

Right statue, but it's been put in the wrong place

HOW predictable that the city council should site the new statue of Adam Smith, no doubt using some of the people's taxes, across the road from the City Chambers, where they can be the first to bask in his new reflected glory.

I am sure that this is a mere coincidence and there are a thousand other good reasons to give it to the council to enhance their strip of the Royal Mile.

It should have been placed instead low on the Canongate, where he already lies among his people, and where one of his old houses will soon be rededicated to him ... but I suppose that the citizens of the Canongate have been restive about Caltongate of late, so they must be put in their places.

Cancel their street party at short notice for a start – an Orange march is much more important – and then steal their famous son. To his canons of taxation perhaps Adam Smith should have added: "If there is anything good, valuable or enjoyable on the go, a council will grab its share first.

"If we were going to put up anything sensible in front of the City Chambers it should have been the guillotine from the Chambers Street Museum, to remind the unco guid what can happen when the citizen gets fed up with inefficient rulers. We must find a way to empty out the whole of the current City Chambers, and start again.

David Fiddimore, Nether Craigwell, Calton Road, Edinburgh

Letters Eve News 2nd July 2008

Council Cocks Up

Council Cock up Cancels Community`s Canongate Street Party

East Market Street Saturday 28th June 11am - 4.30pm

The Canongate Street Party the last in The Canongate Project`s programme of events which is also part of The Old Town Festival`s programme has had to be cancelled at this late notice due to information received in a phone call from the council late on Friday afternoon. We have thought long and hard about this and in light of an event (of 420 plus) happening in the same street at the same time as this community event, it is therefore our opinion that the only option is to cancel the party for health and safety reasons.
Now the council knew about this other event happening since last year it appears, so why didn`t they tell us back in March/April then we could have chosen another date? Did they leave it to the last minute intentionally, or was it a good old fashioned cock-up?

You decide?

Please accept our apologies to all of you who were going to have a stall, entertain, help on the day or were looking forward to the party.
Tel 07788 755303 or email us at canongatecommunityforumATyahoo.co.ukhere if you require more information.


Emergency SOOT Meeting Thursday 26th June 7.30pm
doors open 7pm

at The Canongate Project`s Shop at 8 St Mary`s Street, just off The Royal Mile See Map

Come along and discuss the future actions of The Save Our Old Town Campaign -

Why the Land Deal between the Council and Caltongate Developer`s Mountgrange is currently undergoing investigation by the EU.

Find out how SOOT is going Global while still acting local by linking up with others across the world in New York

and what next month in Quebec means for Edinburgh`s World Heritage Status.

Save Our Old Town Website

Save Our Old Town latest

Mountgrange`s Manish Chande, London Developer pulling a Brave Heart Cow through Princes Street Gardens when he arrived in the capital

So we`ve been Trumped! The ministers are so busy with Balmedie they have taken their eyes off the even bigger ball here in the shadow of the Scottish Parliament and their offices at St Andrews House. Do not despair it is not over, come to the Street Party and see what The Canongate Project findings are so far....the real exciting work will begin once the credit crunch has banished the Carpetbaggers Mountgrange from the city for once and for all.

Street Party Saturday 28th June 2008
11am - 4pm
East Market Street
see www.eh8.org.uk for more

The Canongate Project Events

All events are here at The Canongate Project Shop, 8 St Mary’s Street,. Walks leave from here. Please book in advance for walks and talks to avoid disappointment.

This weekends events

Starting Friday 9th 3pm -5pm Street Party Organising Group

Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors.
Then every Sunday from 11th May 3-4pm until the 8th June

And Fridays from the 16th May 3-5pm until the 13th June

Street Party on Saturday 28th June Street Party 11-4pm East Market Street –Stalls, Live Music, Children’s Activities, Street Theatre Saturday 10th May

11am -1pm Repeat of Film Screen 1 A Mile of Memories
A collection of historical documentary and educational films featuring the Royal Mile and including Walkabout Edinburgh with Richard Demarco from 1970.

Saturday 1pm - 2.30pm Banner Making Group Launch

Come and help produce a community banner. A great opportunity to create something special for the Canongate. There will be a trip to the People’s Story Museum on The Canongate to look at community banners from the past. Meet at shop first.

Sunday 11th May 3-4pm Street party Organising Group.

Get involved in organising the Street party on East Market Street. A fantastic day for all the Community and visitors on Saturday 28th June 11-4pm. Live music, street theatre, stalls, childrens activities.


Sunday 4.30pm -6 pm 'Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile'.

Walking tour with Jean Bareham of Bluyonder Tours. The tour will include some social history, but will mainly cover how people use green space in the city these days.
See a little-known side of Edinburgh's Old Town in this easy walking tour. Behind the historic buildings discover the surprising number of gardens and green 'nooks and crannies', all with a story to tell. You'll see modern community gardens created by today's residents; hear how 70 derelict sites were made into children's gardens in the 19th Century; and take a breather in a beautiful space laid out and planted as a 17th century Scots town garden.

Rest of Programme

TALKS

May

Wednesday 14th May 2pm - 3.30pm
Talk and discussion with Jane Jackson and David Hicks of The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust. What does World Heritage Status mean to Edinburgh and her residents.

Wednesday 14th May 7pm - 9pm
Talk by Eileen Inglis of Scotland UnLtd, Do you have an idea to make a difference in your community? Come and find out how you can get support and funding.

Thursday 15th May 2pm - 4pm
Talk by Wendy Reid of Development Trusts Association Scotland. Learn how local people can set up Development Trusts to improve the quality of life in their community.

Wednesday 21st May 7pm - 9pm
Talk by Bern Balfe, Presentation and discussion about the architect’s design process and how it can serve
the needs of a community

Thursday 22nd May 2pm - 4pm
Sally Richardson of the Save Our Old Town Campaign

Thursday 22nd May 7pm -9pm
Talk - The Radical History of The Canongate with Craig McLean. A presentation & discussion including footage of 1937 May Day march through the Canongate.

Monday 26th May 6pm -7.30pm
Talk with Elizabeth Graham of the Cockburn Association on the heritage organisation’s work.

Thursday 29th May 7pm - 9pm
Talk by Wendy Reid of Development Trusts Association Scotland. Learn how local people can set up Development Trusts to improve the quality of life in their community.

June Talks

Wednesday 4th June 6pm -7pm
Talk by Di Jennings of Local People Leading. LPL campaigns for a strong and independent community sector.

Friday 6th June 6pm - 7.30pm
Talk and discussion with Jane Jackson and David Hicks of The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust. What does World Heritage Status mean to Edinburgh and her residents.

Saturday 7th June 1pm - 3pm
Community Land Partnerships. Talk with Chris Cook.

Sunday 8th June 1pm - 3pm.
Workshop by Bob Hamilton from Citystrolls, Glasgow. How you can be active and make a difference in your community.

Monday 9th June. 7pm - 9pm
Talk “Family Connection” – with Janet Fenton a narrative of personal connection and recollection with the Old Town

Wednesday 11th June 6pm - 8pm
Talk by Sally Richardson of The Save Our Old Town Campaign.

WALKS

Wednesday 28th May 6.30p - 7.45pm
Walking talk on Women of the Old Town with Donald Smith of Scottish Storytelling Centre

Sunday 1st June 2pm - 3.30pm
Walk with Jim Johnson around the Old Town focussing on the street improvement schemes.

Wednesday 4th June 6.30pm - 8pm
Jim Johnson leads a walk around the now redeveloped former S&N breweries between Canongate and Holyrood Road.

Sunday 8th June. 1pm - 2.30pm
Radical walk of the Old Town’ with Allan Armstrong.


WEEKLY GROUPS

Street Party Organising Group

Starting Friday 9th 3pm -5pm
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors.

Then every Sunday from 11th May 3-4pm until the 8th June

And Fridays from the 16th May 3-5pm until the 13th June

Saturday 28th June Street Party 11-4pm East Market Street –Stalls, Live Music, Children’s Activities, Street Theatre


Banner Making Group

Banner making group Thursday 15th May 7pm - 8.30pm
Come and help produce a community banner. A great opportunity to create something special for the Canongate.
Then every Thursday until the 5th June


REMINISCENCE GROUP

Tuesday 13th May, 3-4pm.
The memories and experiences of people testify to the special significance of the Canongate. If you have spent time in the Canongate at some point in your life drop in and join us for a chat and a cup of tea.
Then every Tuesday until the 10th June 3-4pm



ALL – DAY GATHERINGS


Common Good Day Scotland

Saturday 24th May 10am-4pm

Common Good is the name given to the inherited property of the former burghs of Scotland. This land and assets still exist and still belong to the people and could be a significant resource for regenerating local communities.. Common Good expert Andy Wightman will be in attendance along with others involved in campaigns throughout the country. Come and get involved in reclaiming the rightful inheritance of the people of Scotland. Come and spend the day with all those involved in reclaiming our Common Good. Discussions, talks, films….information to take away so you can become a Common Good Detective

www.scottishcommons.org.uk




Edinburgh at Risk Day

Saturday 31st May 10-4pm

Come and find out what’s going on in Edinburgh and its surrounding areas…Have you got concerns? Don’t know what to do? Come and meet others who did and what they are doing. EAR was founded by a number of on-going Edinburgh campaigns and is a non-political umbrella organisation open to all who value the city’s culture, history and future and wishes full recognition of Edinburgh’s Common Good.

Film and Photography

Monday 12th May 2pm - 4pm An introduction to Film Making.

Monday 19th May 2-4pm Film Making and Photography


FILM SCREENINGS


Past Perspectives

A collection of dramatisations, experimental, and artistic films looking at some of the characteristics of Edinburgh and her inhabitants from the Scottish Screen Archives.

Tuesday 13th May 7-9pm and Saturday 17th May 11am-1pm


The Bigger Picture

A collection of contemporary films which consider current UK-wide
development trends and the threats to the future arising from them.
These films highlight issues such as loss of identity and heritage,
gentrification, sustainability and quality of design.

Tuesday 20th May 7-9pm and Saturday 24th May 11am-1pm.


Community Counts

A collection of contemporary films looking at particular issues raised
by communities of place and communities of interest which includes advice about community campaigning and a comic short about community consultation.

Tuesday 27th May 7-9pm Saturday 31st May 11am-1pm

Changing Policy

A collection of films and news clips looking at the changing theories
of planning and development through a collection of archive films
and clips highlighting previous trends and policies.

Tuesday 3rd June 7-9pm and Saturday 7th June 11am-1pm


Moving Forward

Films to inspire: examples of successful campaigns and initiatives
that utilise new opportunities which are available to grow and
develop community assets.

Tuesday 10th June 7-9pm and Saturday 14th June 11am – 1pm