Leith's Living Archives: Leith - 100 Years ago - This.....
www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/EH6
Friday 11 January 2008
Thursday 10 January 2008
Sunday 6 January 2008
Leith's Living Archives
Leith’s Living Archives
It may appear funny to name a blogsite this but when you think about it surely everyone is. Except that they don’t all live in or come from or love Leith – they are somewhere else’s Living archives.
I can’t remember who said it, but whoever it was is correct:
‘Today’s events are tomorrow’s history’
Someone else said:
‘We only know of what went on in the past because someone took the trouble to record it’ whoever that was should have gone on to say we believe it because no one has recorded it differently and had someone else recorded it and passed it down in a different way who would we believe then.
It has also been said that statistically if all the written records of events since the year one-ad were representative of all that has happened, then today would be something like the year ten-ad.
Why then do some people still crave for the written word. We have at our disposal the largest, most comprehensive Encyclopedia that man could ever had imagined yet still we need more.
One can only explain ones own desires for these needs, I like to think that I am not alone in this because self named historians the world over are still seeking the events of the missing centuries, and, continuing on a personal note I want to do my bit to ensure that today’s events that are tomorrow’s history are recorded if only to be discussed and sought verification of.
Why? – surely there is enough so called media coverage to satisfy this requirement, that may be true but who is to verify it. Today’s media tell you what they think you should know not necessarily what you would like to know.
Many websites existing today try to gather and impart this information. Some relate only to the past, some are topical with an historic bent. Some are chat rooms, some concentrate on Pictorial evidence and there is a need for all of them.
This site will try to be what you, the unknowing historian want it to be.
There will be regular looks backwards, if only to remind us of our heritage and what we have to protect and uphold. There will be questions, some unanswered, views or comments and even the anecdotal stuff that is so LEITH.
Lets start with a couple of current projects around Leith today.
The campaign for a Leith Museum – you will get regular updates from the horse’s mouth.
Leith’s Living Archives, as they were 100 years ago.
We will share with you our current information and if we can’t help with a question – we know someone who can.
It may appear funny to name a blogsite this but when you think about it surely everyone is. Except that they don’t all live in or come from or love Leith – they are somewhere else’s Living archives.
I can’t remember who said it, but whoever it was is correct:
‘Today’s events are tomorrow’s history’
Someone else said:
‘We only know of what went on in the past because someone took the trouble to record it’ whoever that was should have gone on to say we believe it because no one has recorded it differently and had someone else recorded it and passed it down in a different way who would we believe then.
It has also been said that statistically if all the written records of events since the year one-ad were representative of all that has happened, then today would be something like the year ten-ad.
Why then do some people still crave for the written word. We have at our disposal the largest, most comprehensive Encyclopedia that man could ever had imagined yet still we need more.
One can only explain ones own desires for these needs, I like to think that I am not alone in this because self named historians the world over are still seeking the events of the missing centuries, and, continuing on a personal note I want to do my bit to ensure that today’s events that are tomorrow’s history are recorded if only to be discussed and sought verification of.
Why? – surely there is enough so called media coverage to satisfy this requirement, that may be true but who is to verify it. Today’s media tell you what they think you should know not necessarily what you would like to know.
Many websites existing today try to gather and impart this information. Some relate only to the past, some are topical with an historic bent. Some are chat rooms, some concentrate on Pictorial evidence and there is a need for all of them.
This site will try to be what you, the unknowing historian want it to be.
There will be regular looks backwards, if only to remind us of our heritage and what we have to protect and uphold. There will be questions, some unanswered, views or comments and even the anecdotal stuff that is so LEITH.
Lets start with a couple of current projects around Leith today.
The campaign for a Leith Museum – you will get regular updates from the horse’s mouth.
Leith’s Living Archives, as they were 100 years ago.
We will share with you our current information and if we can’t help with a question – we know someone who can.
Leith - 100 Years ago - This.....
LEITH – 100 Years ago – This......
Introduction.
This regular column will it is hoped let you have a taste of not just what was happening in Leith, but what the Leith newspapers were reporting. There were no such things as headlines in those days the newspapers relied largely on Advertising and the front pages were wholly devoted d to that.
On the inside pages there were reports about what was happening not only in Leith but in the country as a whole with columns coming from the colonies, as they were referred to by ex-Leithers.
The local news was derived from reports by the various organisations in the town and snippets of the really local events which everyone had heard about anyway but drew a readership to satisfy the advertisers.
New reporters were a rare breed, probably one or two per newspaper who concentrated on Council business, local debates, national events and points of interest to the more grandiose members of the community. Even then there were ‘freelancers’ who submitted bits and pieces in the hope of recognition and perhaps a free ticket to the Theatre or such if their reports were favourable.
This introduction will not be repeated(except of course if you have access to the internet, whre you will always be able to have a look back at previous entries.
The selection of subject matter is totally random, but at times may be repetitive if there is unfinished business. Should anyone have a desire to see what a particular topic was happening at the time, let us know and if it is there we will try to fit it in.
Just how much was a half a pound of mince in these days? We’ll have a look.
More>>>>>
Introduction.
This regular column will it is hoped let you have a taste of not just what was happening in Leith, but what the Leith newspapers were reporting. There were no such things as headlines in those days the newspapers relied largely on Advertising and the front pages were wholly devoted d to that.
On the inside pages there were reports about what was happening not only in Leith but in the country as a whole with columns coming from the colonies, as they were referred to by ex-Leithers.
The local news was derived from reports by the various organisations in the town and snippets of the really local events which everyone had heard about anyway but drew a readership to satisfy the advertisers.
New reporters were a rare breed, probably one or two per newspaper who concentrated on Council business, local debates, national events and points of interest to the more grandiose members of the community. Even then there were ‘freelancers’ who submitted bits and pieces in the hope of recognition and perhaps a free ticket to the Theatre or such if their reports were favourable.
This introduction will not be repeated(except of course if you have access to the internet, whre you will always be able to have a look back at previous entries.
The selection of subject matter is totally random, but at times may be repetitive if there is unfinished business. Should anyone have a desire to see what a particular topic was happening at the time, let us know and if it is there we will try to fit it in.
Just how much was a half a pound of mince in these days? We’ll have a look.
More>>>>>
Friday 4 January 2008
Campaign for a Leith Museum
Campaign for a Leith Museum
Mark Lazarowicz MP (Edinburgh North & Leith) is heading the steering group which has been established to further promote the campaign for a Leith Museum. Mark says;
There have been numerous calls and campaigns for a Museum in Leith for nigh on sixty years and still one of the most historic communities in Scotland, does not have a permanent full time museum.
The current Campaign, clearly has huge support from numerous members of the community, including local Councillors and community organisations. And why not! Leith is undergoing massive change and what better a time to establish a Museum showcasing our history so the Old Leith is not forgotten.
Why does Leith deserve a museum? Well according to many, it will strengthen community links at a time of rapid social change, and will highlight Leith's important role in the history of Scotland as a whole. Some would say that a museum will inform, educate and enlighten this and future generations to what is, was and can be the future for Leith.
A recent article in the local press went on:
In May of last year at Leith’s Ocean Terminal there was a stall publicising the upcoming annual Leith Festival. Part of the stall was given over to the Petition for a Leith Museum.
The support was encouraging, but there were also questions asked. The FAQ’s can be paraphrased as:
Where is the Leith Museum? And
Are you campaigning about the closure of the Leith Museum?
Question two is somewhat irrelevant, but question one, needs not an answer but questions, not where but why and why not.
There is simply not a Leith Museum because in the distant past Museums were National Buildings and collections, celebrating the wider aspects of historic and otherwise important events.
Mark comments on the fact that there have been previous attempts to establish a museum for Leith
One of these campaigns got as far as creating a Leith Museum Trust, the ideas (or ideals) came before the Council only to be referred to some sub-committee, and subsequently lost in the mists of time.
These previous attempts were not sponsored by just any old ‘Leithers’ but by Peers of the Realm, MP’s, the Clergy, Academics, Councillors and members of Leith Commerce and Industry. To no avail.
The people of Leith do not think they need a Museum, they think that Leith deserves a Museum.
When you consider the impact of the part the Port and Town of Leith has had on the History of Scotland, let alone Edinburgh, you become to realise why this feeling exists.
The current campaign started on two fronts, both with the same aim. Members of the Leith Local History society approached Mark with their thoughts with which he agreed and decided to test the feelings of the Leith populace by instigating a petition, only a successful showing of support he said would attract the desired interest of the parties in whose hands any decision would lie.
At the same time John Arthur, a Leith historian started another petition aimed directly at the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh City Council.
Both petitions ran in tandem using different approaches and following the Leith Festival in June 2007, which is the largest gathering of Leith people and visitors to the town in any year, over 3000 signatures had been collected, enough for Mark to confirm that there was in his mind sufficient support to take the matter to the next stage.
A public meeting hosted by Mark, Malcolm Chisholm MSP and town councillor Gordon Munro included on the agenda a discussion re the next steps to be taken. A further meeting of those willing to take an active role in the campaign resulted in the forming of a ‘Steering Group’ to formally promote the more detailed aspects of substantiating the need and consideration of other aspect such as Where, What type of Museum, the Financial details and further support which would allow the campaign to go forward in a professional manner, although still by volunteers.
Meanwhile the Petition to the Scottish Parliament was discussed by the Public Petitions committee at Holyrood where Malcolm Chisholm spoke on behalf of the petitioners.
The matter was referred to various bodies for input and the outcome which will be discussed again by the Committee at Holyrood following which more detailed requirements for the steering group to work against will be known.
Further details about the status of the campaign, comments, views, questions can be found on the following websites or in writing to mark at the address below. It is intended that this newsletter will be published monthly following the Steering Group meetings and will be available in local Libraries, Churches, Organisations etc; If your group would like to be included in the distribution please use the Email or phone No’s below.It will also be published in each monthly edition of the Leith Gazette and on this blogsite.
Contacts:
Mark Lazarovicz MP
86/88 Brunswick Street
Edinburgh EH7 5HU
0131 557 0577
lazarowiczm@parliament.uk/
http://www.marklazarowicz.org.uk/
http://leithmuseum.blogspot.com/
Steve Mitchell – Press & Public Relations
firstleither@gmail.com
http://firstleither.blogspot.com/
or:
www.leithlocalhistorysociety.org.uk
http://www.persevere.lineages.co.uk/
www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/eh6
www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/leith
http://www.leithfestival.com/
Mark Lazarowicz MP (Edinburgh North & Leith) is heading the steering group which has been established to further promote the campaign for a Leith Museum. Mark says;
There have been numerous calls and campaigns for a Museum in Leith for nigh on sixty years and still one of the most historic communities in Scotland, does not have a permanent full time museum.
The current Campaign, clearly has huge support from numerous members of the community, including local Councillors and community organisations. And why not! Leith is undergoing massive change and what better a time to establish a Museum showcasing our history so the Old Leith is not forgotten.
Why does Leith deserve a museum? Well according to many, it will strengthen community links at a time of rapid social change, and will highlight Leith's important role in the history of Scotland as a whole. Some would say that a museum will inform, educate and enlighten this and future generations to what is, was and can be the future for Leith.
A recent article in the local press went on:
In May of last year at Leith’s Ocean Terminal there was a stall publicising the upcoming annual Leith Festival. Part of the stall was given over to the Petition for a Leith Museum.
The support was encouraging, but there were also questions asked. The FAQ’s can be paraphrased as:
Where is the Leith Museum? And
Are you campaigning about the closure of the Leith Museum?
Question two is somewhat irrelevant, but question one, needs not an answer but questions, not where but why and why not.
There is simply not a Leith Museum because in the distant past Museums were National Buildings and collections, celebrating the wider aspects of historic and otherwise important events.
Mark comments on the fact that there have been previous attempts to establish a museum for Leith
One of these campaigns got as far as creating a Leith Museum Trust, the ideas (or ideals) came before the Council only to be referred to some sub-committee, and subsequently lost in the mists of time.
These previous attempts were not sponsored by just any old ‘Leithers’ but by Peers of the Realm, MP’s, the Clergy, Academics, Councillors and members of Leith Commerce and Industry. To no avail.
The people of Leith do not think they need a Museum, they think that Leith deserves a Museum.
When you consider the impact of the part the Port and Town of Leith has had on the History of Scotland, let alone Edinburgh, you become to realise why this feeling exists.
The current campaign started on two fronts, both with the same aim. Members of the Leith Local History society approached Mark with their thoughts with which he agreed and decided to test the feelings of the Leith populace by instigating a petition, only a successful showing of support he said would attract the desired interest of the parties in whose hands any decision would lie.
At the same time John Arthur, a Leith historian started another petition aimed directly at the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh City Council.
Both petitions ran in tandem using different approaches and following the Leith Festival in June 2007, which is the largest gathering of Leith people and visitors to the town in any year, over 3000 signatures had been collected, enough for Mark to confirm that there was in his mind sufficient support to take the matter to the next stage.
A public meeting hosted by Mark, Malcolm Chisholm MSP and town councillor Gordon Munro included on the agenda a discussion re the next steps to be taken. A further meeting of those willing to take an active role in the campaign resulted in the forming of a ‘Steering Group’ to formally promote the more detailed aspects of substantiating the need and consideration of other aspect such as Where, What type of Museum, the Financial details and further support which would allow the campaign to go forward in a professional manner, although still by volunteers.
Meanwhile the Petition to the Scottish Parliament was discussed by the Public Petitions committee at Holyrood where Malcolm Chisholm spoke on behalf of the petitioners.
The matter was referred to various bodies for input and the outcome which will be discussed again by the Committee at Holyrood following which more detailed requirements for the steering group to work against will be known.
Further details about the status of the campaign, comments, views, questions can be found on the following websites or in writing to mark at the address below. It is intended that this newsletter will be published monthly following the Steering Group meetings and will be available in local Libraries, Churches, Organisations etc; If your group would like to be included in the distribution please use the Email or phone No’s below.It will also be published in each monthly edition of the Leith Gazette and on this blogsite.
Contacts:
Mark Lazarovicz MP
86/88 Brunswick Street
Edinburgh EH7 5HU
0131 557 0577
lazarowiczm@parliament.uk/
http://www.marklazarowicz.org.uk/
http://leithmuseum.blogspot.com/
Steve Mitchell – Press & Public Relations
firstleither@gmail.com
http://firstleither.blogspot.com/
or:
www.leithlocalhistorysociety.org.uk
http://www.persevere.lineages.co.uk/
www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/eh6
www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/leith
http://www.leithfestival.com/
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