Author: fay.young

Best foot forward to a new year in Leith

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Fortune-telling in shoes: The Shape of Things to Come was one of our best read stories last year.

In Homecoming year Leith Open Space will report more stories of  remarkable new and old Leithers. But first news of our multicultural discussion event for women who care in March,  a campaign to get women into politics and  a fascinating glimpse of Scottish politics from Opening Doors ‘shadow’ Francis Kahembwe.  Then treat yourself to a quick world tour without leaving Leith,  travel back in time to the Lost World, and pick up a free book on the way.

Who cares for the carers?

Maggie Havergal at an Open Space coffee break
Maggie Havergal, Open Space facilitator, takes a break at our last discussion event

A  new Open Space discussion event is planned for Saturday 14 March when we warmly invite women of all ages from all communities in our area to talk about their experience of caring for all kinds of needs.  Please join us at Pilmeny Youth Centre for a day which aims to turn words into actions to support women who care. Continue reading “Who cares for the carers?”

Treasures of the Lost World

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Suddenly out of the darkness, out of the night, there swooped something with a swish like an aeroplane. Ed Malone in the Lost World

It’s the stuff of dreams:  you are travelling in time to a place where dinosaurs crash through forests of dripping trees. Ok, so The Lost World Read won’t really bring you face to face with a live dinosaur (or even a stuffed one for that matter) but the trail leading from Palm House in the Botanics to Poetry Garden in St Andrew Square is full of excitement all the same.  Join the adventure beginning on 31 January. And pick up your free copy of Conan Doyle’s Lost World at the same time. Continue reading “Treasures of the Lost World”

This is what politics is about

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Sarah Boyack MSP and Francis Kahembwe photographed between meetings on another busy day at Holyrood.

“How interesting  to see kids of 9-11yrs with so much interest in politics. I was exposed to something new which I could communicate to my parliamentary friends in Uganda.”

During his last few days as a ‘shadow’ in the Scottish Parliament, Francis Kahembwe somehow found time to keep a diary. Here is his fascinating observation of Scottish politics at work – and his hope for the future. Continue reading “This is what politics is about”

Wanted: women in politics

Great minds think alike!  We are very interested to get news of this event encouraging women from all minority ethnic communities to get involved in politics.  Click on ‘more’ for details of the women’s workshops organised by the Scottish Government equalities office in Glasgow Chambers on 13 February – and look out for news of the Leith Open Space women’s event coming very soon. Continue reading “Wanted: women in politics”

Opening Doors in 2009

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Francis Kahembwe and Sarah Boyack at the start of the Opening Doors shadowing programme which ends with three more days in Holyrood.

Francis Kahembwe returns to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday to finish the shadowing programme he started last year. But  Opening Doors will not be closing. During the coming year we hope to continue  the interesting new direction Francis has helped us to take. And that is where you could come in… Continue reading “Opening Doors in 2009”

Around the world without leaving Leith

While we are looking forward to an eventful new year we couldn’t resist taking a look back. During 2008 we travelled far and wide, visiting parts of Africa, China, India, Pakistan and Poland. All without moving out of Leith and North Edinburgh. To celebrate the most vibrant and exciting part of the capital city here is our world tour in pictures, with thanks to the many welcoming communities of Leith.  Continue reading “Around the world without leaving Leith”

New year dawns on Leith

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Thanks to Tommy Perman for a picture of the sun rising on the first day of 2008. As we hurtle towards the last day of the year, here’s wishing you all the very best for 2009. Whatever challenges and opportunties lie ahead, Leith Open Space looks forward to reporting on achievements of local people in the year to come.  And we’ve got plans for a new Open Space event in the spring so please keep watching this space.

Poetry garden comes indoors for winter

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Beautiful but cold for outdoor poetry events during the winter, fortunately there is somewhere much warmer just around the corner…

Thanks to the National Portrait Gallery, (conveniently situated in York Place) the poetry garden is coming indoors for at least some of the winter, starting with a lunchtime event on Friday 19 December between 12 and 2pm. So that’s food, warmth, a chance to pick up some last minute presents plus the inspiration of poems chosen specially for you. What more could you possibly need? Continue reading “Poetry garden comes indoors for winter”

Seasonal cheer for Friends of Dalmeny Street

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Just to cheer you up, a quick look back at newly planted planters on a rare sunny summer day in Dalmeny Street Garden

It might be December but it’s already time to plan for next year’s growing season.  Join Friends of Dalmeny Street Garden at their next meeting in Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Thursday 18 December 7pm. Co-ordinator Lise Bratton says:

“Find out what’s been going on and tell us what developments you’d like to see.
Enjoy some seasonal cheer with minced pies and mulled wine.”