Past Events
Events 2008
LL EVENTS AT 8 St Marys Street unless otherwise stated
WEEK 1
Monday 5th May
4pm Richard Demarco ` A Portrait of Edinburgh as a World Heritage Site` Previously advertised as 2pm in printed brochure.
Tuesday 6th May
3-4pm Canongate Reminiscences The memories and experiences of people testify to the special significance of the Canongate. Every week, on Tuesdays from 3-4pm, we will be leading a group reminiscence workshop at 8 St. Mary’s Street. If you have spent time in the Canongate at some point in your life we’d like to invite you to join us for a chat and a cup of tea. If you are unable to make our weekly meeting at 8 St. Mary’s Street, we can arrange to meet you at your convenience. Contact Christa at cbtooleyATgmail.com or Margaret at 0131 622 0139.
Wednesday 7th May
7-9pm Community Land Partnerships with Chris Cook. Come and learn more about CLP’s.
Thursday 8th May
1-3pm Local People Leading with Di Jennings
"LPL is an informal alliance of national networks, local community groups and individuals that has come together to campaign for a strong and independent community sector in Scotland.
LPL has two main functions - to promote the work of local people in their communities and to influence national policy development. We email regular briefings to our supporters on both these themes."
Friday 9th May
Get involved in organising the Canongate Street party. A fantastic day for all the community and visitors.
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.
1-2.30pm Banner Making Group Launch
Come and help us 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. Meet at shop first.
Sunday 11th May 3-4pm Street Party Organising Group
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.
MONDAY 12th May 2-4pmWorkshop
Come along and learn the basics of Film Making, perhaps you want to record events, talks, a walk perhaps for use in your community project or campaign?
Tuesday 13th May, 3-4pm.
Reminiscence Group
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
Tuesday 13th May
"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.
Wednesday 14th May
2pm - 3.30pm What does World Heritage Status mean to Edinburgh and her residents.
Talk and discussion with Jane Jackson and David Hicks of The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust.
Wednesday 14th May
7pm - 9pm Do you have an idea to make a difference in your community? Talk by Eileen Inglis of Scotland UnLtd, Come and find out how you can get support and funding.
Thursday 15th May
2pm - 4pm Learn how local people can set up Development Trusts to improve the quality of life in their community.Talk by Wendy Reid of Development Trusts Association Scotland.
Thursday 15th May
7pm - 8.30pm Banner making group Come and help produce a community banner. A great opportunity to create something special for the Canongate.Every Thursday until the 5th June
Friday 16th May
3-5pm Street Party Organising Group
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors
Saturday 17th May 11am-1pm
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.
Sunday 18th May
2-4pm Family Funday activities, face painting, stalls, refreshments
3-4pm Street Party Organising Group
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors
Monday 19th May 2pm - 4pm Film Making and photography Workshop Come along and learn the basics of perhaps you want to record events, talks, a walk perhaps for use in your community project or campaign?
Tuesday 20th May
3-4pm Reminiscences. 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
7-9pm Film Screenings (3) "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.
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
Discussion with Sally Richardson of the Save Our Old Town Campaign
***PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING TALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED ***
and will now take place on Monday the 2nd of june at 7-9pm
Talk - The Radical History of The Canongate with Craig McLean. A presentation & discussion including footage of 1937 May Day march through the Canongate.7pm -9pm
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7pm - 8.30pm
Banner making group Come and help produce a community banner. A great opportunity to create something special for the Canongate.Then every Thursday until the 5th June
Friday 23rd May 3pm -5pm
Street Party Group
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors on the 28th June.
Saturday 24th May 10am-4pm
COMMON GOOD DAY SCOTLAND
WANTEDCommon Good Detectives
£1.8 billion or more of land and assets belonging to the public has been lost due to centuries of mismanagement and corruption. Over recent years Common Good Expert Andy Wightman has exposed many scandalous tales including recent ones like the infamous -
"Going Cheap in the Sales" - "The Waverley Market Scandal"
(Princes Mall) - between 1982 and 2005 the Common Good Fund of the City of Edinburgh received the grand total of 23p for one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in Edinburgh because the site is let for a rent of 1p per year! In 2006 the Council claim in a report that the Waverley Market is not a Common Good asset (worth in excess of £20m)
Andy Wightman states in his response to this claim -"I contest this statement strongly on the basis of evidence. The argument appears little more than a fairy tale"
Come along to The Canongate Project shop at 8 St Mary's Street, just off The Royal Mile, 10am - 4pm on Saturday 24th May to see what you can do to help recover and protect The Common Good of Scotland. Andy Wightman will give a talk at 10.30am and will be around for questions/workshops/discussion until 4pm.
Common Good at www.scottishcommons.org
The Canongate Project at www.eh8.org.uk
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
http://www.scottishcommons.org/
11am-1pm.
Film Screenings 3. "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.
Sunday 25th May
2-4pm Family Funday activities, face painting, stalls, refreshments
3-4pm Street Party Group Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors on the 28th June.
WEEK 4
Monday 26th May
6pm -7.30pm Talk with Elizabeth Graham of the Cockburn Association on the heritage organisation’s work.
Tuesday 27th May
3-4pm. Reminiscence Group
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
7pm -9pm Film Screenings 4 "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.
Wednesday 28th May
6.30pm - 7.45pm Walking talk on Women of the Old Town with Donald Smith of Scottish Storytelling Centre. Leave from 8 St Marys St.
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.
7pm - 8.30pm Banner making group Come and help produce a community banner. A great opportunity to create something special for the Canongate.Every Thursday until the 5th June
Friday 30th May
3-5pm Street Party Organising Group
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors
Saturday 31st May
10-4pm Edinburgh At Risk Day
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.
11am-1pm Film Screenings 4 "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.
Sunday 1st June
2-3.30pm Walk with Jim Johnson around the Old Town focussing on the street improvement schemes. Leave from 8 St Marys St
2-4pm Family Funday activities, face painting, stalls, refreshments
3-4pm Street Party Organising Group
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors on the 28th June
WEEK 5
Monday 2nd of June
7-9pm Talk - The Radical History of The Canongate with Craig McLean. A presentation & discussion including footage of 1937 May Day march through the Canongate.
Tuesday 3rd June
3-4pm Reminiscence Group ** See Wednesday for another chance to share your memories**
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
7-9pm Film Screenings 5
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.
Wednesday 4th June
12pm - 2pm Lunch and Memories
Come along and have a bowl of homemade soup and lovely organic bread. Share your stories of The Canongate with us, for our reminiscences
6pm -7pm Talk by Di Jennings of Local People Leading. LPL campaigns for a strong and independent community sector.
6.30pm - 8pm Jim Johnson leads a walk around the now redeveloped former S&N breweries between Canongate and Holyrood Road.
Thursday 5th June
7pm - 8.30pm Banner making group
Come and help produce a community banner. A great opportunity to create something special for the Canongate.
Friday 6th June
3-5pm Street Party Organising Group
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors
6pm - 7.30pm Talk What does World Heritage Status mean to Edinburgh and her residents? Talk and discussion with Jane Jackson and David Hicks of The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust.
Saturday 7th June
11am-1pm Film Screenings 5
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.
1pm - 3pm Community Land Partnerships. Talk with Chris Cook. **Please note this talk has been moved to Wednesday 11th June 7pm**
Sunday 8th June
1pm - 3pm Workshop by Bob Hamilton from Citystrolls, Glasgow. How you can be active and make a difference in your community.
1pm - 2.30pm Radical Old Town Walk by Allan Armstrong - Activist, trade unionist and retired teacher
2-4pm Family Funday activities, face painting, stalls, refreshments
3-4pm Street Party Organising Group
Get involved in organising the Street Party. A fantastic day out for all the community and visitors
WEEK 6
Monday 9th June. 7pm - 9pm
Talk “Family Connection” – with Janet Fenton a narrative of personal connection and recollection with the Old Town
Tuesday 10th June
3-4pm Reminiscence Group
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.
7-9pm Film Screenings 6 "Moving Forward" Films to inspire: examples of successful campaigns and initiatives
that utilise new opportunities which are available to grow and
develop community assets.
Wednesday 11th June
6pm - 7pm Discussion with members of The Save Our Old Town Campaign.
7pm Talk/discussion with Chris Cook
Sustainable Development
Existing modes of development encourage, even mandate, sociopathic behaviour on the part of property developers. Land is acquired and developed with borrowed money secured by a mortgage on the property. The developer is motivated to develop as quickly as possible and as cheaply as possible with no real regard for the long-term consequences in terms of the energy efficiency and ‘liveability’ of the project beyond that which he is mandated to provide.
The CLP model is entirely different. The developer does not buy and sell the land but instead acquires shares in the revenues which will flow over time from its successful and sustainable development and operation. The more energy efficient the development, and the better the quality, the less money is necessary to pay for repairs and for heating and the higher the rental value will therefore be. See info here on CLP
Friday 13th June
3-5pm Street Party Organising Group
Saturday 14th June
11am -1pm Film Screenings 6
"Moving Forward" Films to inspire: examples of successful campaigns and initiatives that utilise new opportunities which are available to grow and
develop community assets.
A drop in day is to be held this Sunday 16th March from 12.30pm to 5pm in the shop at 8 St Mary's Street. People are free to drop in at any time throughout the day and enjoy a bowl of homemade soup. Come along, share your ideas and get involved. The shop is no. 8 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SU ...which is just off the Canongate.
The Soot campaigns` parent organisation the Canongate Community Forum (CCF) was successful in receiving an award from the Scottish Community Action Research Fund SCARF at the end of last year. Premises have now been secured to run the project from in St Mary's St. The Action Research - -will run for 4-6weeks from April
People of all ages are encouraged to get involved and you don't have to live or work in the Canongate, if you care about the capital's historic heart do join in.
An initial planning meeting was held to decide the details of what will be included in the research was held on Tuesday the 4th March 7- 9pm in the shop. Information dates and events will be posted in the windows of the shop as well as around town and on www.eh8.org.uk.
To get involved just pop along to the shop, or email canongatecommunityforum@yahoo.co.uk
Its your opportunity to put your ideas forward, its all about getting actively involved in decisions and things can happen, be improved.
So come along, tell others and share your ideas on what you would like to see forming part of the research, the outcome of the project?
You are welcome to do what it is you are interested in and comfortable doing, although it is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and discover talents you didn't know you had.
All input is voluntary although expenses will be covered where appropriate.
The following are merely things to get you thinking,-
- The shop itself will need staffed, welcoming folk, helping with displays, teas, coffees etc...
- General Admin
- Publicity, leaflets, posters, press, radio, TV, the web
- Information gathering, will include in the shop, computer searches, networking, on street surveys, etc
- Filming, photography, writing and documenting process and findings
- Local businesses being brought in to be involved
- Helping out with events and workshops
This list is not exhaustive, so do get thinking and jot down your thoughts and ideas. Looking at what is good in the area, its downsides, what is missing, what could be improved could all be explored. Alternatives to developer led regeneration? What Edinburgh World Heritage status means to you, the city, the area, your home?
Information, including dates and events will be displayed on the windows of the shop itself in St Mary’s Street, as well as on www.eh8.org.uk.
SOOT FUNDRAISING NIGHT Friday 14th March 8pm-1am The Canons Gait's Cellar Bar, 232 Canongate, The Royal Mile Acts include Missing Cat, Dave McGinty, Andrew Gordon and Sabai
AGM and Meeting 19th Feb 2008
Come and get involved tonight at the follow up meeting on the council’s misguided decision to pass the Caltongate Plans on the 6th February. The Canongate Community Forum has been awarded SCARF funding for community research. Become a member and help shape a sustainable future for the capitals heart. You do not need to live in the Old Town, only have a love and concern for it. We now have premises for a Drop-IN Ideas Shop on St Marys St, just off the Canongate.
The CCF`s AGM will run from 7pm till 7.30pm. Then the SOOT meeting and SCARF planning will run until 9pm.
Meeting at Old Saint Pauls Church Hall, Jeffrey Street see mapanddirections
Stop The Demolitions Meeting Jan 30th 2008
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Campaign Events 2007
Saturday 15th December 2007
Save Our Old Town Christmas Catch-Up
The Canons` Gait Pub
Canongate
The Royal Mile
Free Nibbles and chat from 7.30pm
9pm to 1am Live Music from
MISSING CAT, DRY BOAK, DAVE McGINTY
Meet with members, catch-up with campaign news and programme of events for the coming year
New Members Welcome
Please print off posters and display around the city
http://www.eh8.org.uk/sites/eh8.org.uk/files/XMASPOSTER07.pdf
STOP THE DEMOLITIONS PUBLIC MEETING
See Press Release
http://www.eh8.org.uk/sites/eh8.org.uk/files/RELEASE1STOCT07.doc
WEDNESDAY 3RD OCTOBER
SOOT SUMMER SOCIAL SATURDAY 16TH JUNE 2007
2007Fundraising Music Night CANONS` GAIT CELLAR BAR
The Canongate, Royal Mile Music from Black Diamond Express,
Dead Calm Project, Gavin Paul,
Wailing Miserere, Marc Polvo
Fru$hane,8 TILL LATE
28th April 2007
The Detailed Plans were finally made public on Friday the 13th of April. There is so many of them, it would take one person around a week to look through them before making sense of them and commenting on them.
The Campaign has professionals studying them at present and will post summaries on each asap.
They will be also be on display this Saturday 28th April at Old Saint Pauls` Church Hall in Jeffrey St 10am - 6pm and there will be a street stall on the Canongate itself.
Come along and get involved and STOP the demolitions.
If you cannot make it, be sure to keep informed by joining the email update list (see above for email) and/or keep checking this website at this crucial time.
Get your glad rags on and get in the irish Mood
New SOOT Badges by donation
Bands/Musicians so far include
Black Diamond Express Dead Calm Project Mac Polvo The Pictoids
(see IMAGES for some photos from last month`s fundraiser)
Come and have fun at what is becoming a monthly feature of Old Town Life
7.30pm til late Downstairs in The Canons` Gait Pub
The Canongate The Royal Mile £2 on the door
The nights are kindly run by Tam from Jacobs Pillow, many, many thanks to Tam and all the musicians who have donated their time and energy for free in support of the campaign
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Campaign Events 2006
SOOT`s 12 Days of Christmas Dec 2006
On the twelfth day of Christmas My council sent to me:Twelve diggers digging,Eleven planners planning,Ten global chain stores,Nine builders building,Eight PR spinners,Seven legal experts,Six cows a conning,A five star hotel,Four wrecking balls,Three cheap homes,Two office blocksAnd Mountgrange with a Masterplan
THE SOOT SONG August 2006
(to the tune of Weel May the Keel Row)
http://www.myspace.com/sootsingers
Dinnae sell the auld toon
the auld toon, the auld toon
dinnae sell the auld toon
tae build a big hotel
Julie is a planner with
forthright upfront manner
and Sally has a banner
says hooses no hotels
Chorus
It isn`t consultation
Its misappropriation
From Tolbooth to the Station
They want their big hotel
Chorus
They`re full of fancy questions
Enquiries, suggestions
they`ll knock it down in sections
To build their big hotel
Chorus
Soot Street Party Saturday 6th May 2006
11am to 4pm. It ran from Cranston Street along East Market Street to where it meets Jeffrey Street. The street is between Waverley Station and The Royal Mile.There was live music to suit all tastes and ages, childrens activities, including a bouncy castle and face painting. Tombolla and various stall,home baking and take away teas and coffees. ACTS and STALLS included .....Saor Patrol see www.saorpatrol.com -unique sound of Scotland in the 21st century, vibrant pipe tunes and drum rhythmsClanranald Trust for Scotland see www.clanranald.org Hands on History for children..have fun dressing up in historical costume, chainmail etc Other Stalls included The Royal Mile Primary School P7s raising funds for their school trip The Green Party with Green MSP Mark Ballard running his street surgery, SOOT campaign raising awareness of the proposed changes to the area. Street Theatre from Cuboid Singer Rosie Bell, Bands - KIddo, Ruben Blue, Space Cadets, Houghmagandy, Jacobs Pillow, Blueberry Sound System with a range of DJsThe NO POINT Drummers - Arabic Rythms In the evening The Tuberians an Edinburgh based collective of musicians and singers played in Old Saint Pauls Church Hall check them out at www.tuberians.co.uk
SOOT PUBLIC MEETING 20th March 2006
There was a public meeting organised by the Canongate Community Forum at 7.30pm on Monday 20th March 2006 at Old St Pauls Church, Jeffrey St. The guest Speaker was Architect Ian Begg. His past work includes the Scandic Crown Hotel at top of High Street and 1950s redevelopment of parts of the Canongate. Visit his website http://www.ianbeggarchitect.co.uk for details of current and past work.