Mongolia bound: Marcin Potepski and his hot car (Pictures by Kasia Raszewska)
It’s madness of course. “It’s so stupid we thought we need to do it.” That’s Marcin Potepski the night before he set off on a 10,000 mile drive from Leith to Mongolia in a nine-year-old Ford Fiesta with a habit of overheating. The Mongol Rally is for people with dodgy cars and a spirit of adventure – and it raises money for charity.
Continue reading “Marcin’s great motoring adventure from Leith to Mongolia”
Phew! It took two attempts and then a bit more trial and error but Leith Open Space finally has a Facebook Page – with thanks to Dougal Perman and Anny Deery for support and guidance, Ally Tibbitt of Greener Leith for setting a great example, and to the good friends who are already joining the page. Looks like it is going to be a very good way to spread the word about our new adventures in catering and drama… Continue reading “Turning a new Facebook page”
Meet a man of parts. Sunday’s lecture in McDonald Road Library is by an academic combining a remarkable cluster of interests and talents. Tariq Muneer – poet and Professor of Energy Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University – will present Tales of Alhambra and Moorish Spain from 2-4pm on Sunday 18th July.
Continue reading “Light, heat and the Alhambra: a view from McDonald Road Library”
Launching Poetry in St Andrew Square two festivals ago.
Is this poetry in motion or poetry parked? Either way, the Poetry Garden will bloom for a day in Castle Street on Friday 16th July between 10 am and 3pm, with the help of a mobile library, some potted plants – and of course the essential poetry. Continue reading “Poetry (garden) in motion”
It’s official – if a little scary – we’re in the Festival of Politics along with Annie Lennox, Mark Thomas and John Prescott. Admittedly we’re not all on the same platform at the same time. But the News Group are delighted to be in the fantastic programme of events taking place at the Scottish Parliament in August. Continue reading “Leith drama workshops in the Festival of Politics”
We are looking forward to Peace in the City – or at least we will be seeking out a peaceful corner on Thursday 1 July when Nahid Aslam, a member of Leith Open Space group, will be one of the speakers taking part in the latest inter-faith event in Edinburgh. Continue reading “Peace in the city”
Sometimes I know I am bigger inside than I am outside.
We need more poetry in politics. For a few wonderful moments at the monthly full council meeting Ron Butlin lifted the tone inside Edidnburgh’s city chambers. The Makar, or poet laureate, of Edinburgh opened the session with a poem in place of the usual prayer. Continue reading “Poetic licence in the city chambers”
Running a mile, “helping with belt tightening”: MCFB staff raise cash and support sponsors at the same time
This is a marathon race with a difference. Recycling, running, and constantly exploring innovative new ways to raise money – Leith-based voluntary organisation Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB) demonstrates an inspiring determination to maintain vital services despite public spending cuts. Perhaps you also have a story to tell? Meanwhile over to Becky Robertson office manager at MCFB… Continue reading “Cut or run: how to survive the age of austerity?”
What if we shut our doors to all the people traumatised by wars and persecution… would we live in a stable economy once we had selected our choice citizens?
A thought-provoking question is posed by Joyce Juma Phiri on a flyer advertising Edinburgh events during Refugee Week from 13-19 June. With luck the events will provoke plenty of thought and action too. Not least a film about young Afghan asylum seekers which could hardly be more topical. Continue reading “In search of a safe place – Refugee Week in Edinburgh”
Too long since we visited Redbraes but made up for it on a beautiful summer day when the Athens of the North felt a lot further south. We found Julian Siann watering pots of potatoes. After a long, cold spring the garden is bursting into life – or ‘going like a bomb’ as Julian puts it – but now the ground is need of rain as well as warmth. Continue reading “In the pink at Redbraes”