The Canongate Project
The Canongate Project was made possible through a grant from the Scottish Communities Action Research Fund SCARF and features an in-depth documentation of the area and its people; seminar's and talks from a range of bodies and individuals, community based activities such as banner making and a film festival, culminating in a street party on Saturday 28th June. "During the 6 weeks the area in Edinburgh's historic Old Town will have its life and people documented by the community along with activities everyone can get involved in."The Canongate Community Forum is proud to be presenting a packed programme of events and activities as part of the Canongate Project. Scotland's internationally renowned arts impresario Richard Demarco began the programme with his talk "A Portrait of Edinburgh as a World Heritage Site" on Monday 5th May 2pm.
The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, The Cockburn Association, Local People Leading, are among the conservation and community focused organisations giving talks and walks.
Land Reform expert Andy Wightman was one of the many who gathered for the Common Good Day Scotland on Saturday May 24th.
All events are free
ALL 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
WEEK 3
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.