LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
MAY 30th - JUNE 8th
150 Events
50 Venues
GALA DAY - Sat 7th June 11.00am - 6.00pm
Starting with the Leith Festival Parade from Lochend Park at 12.30pm processing down Lochend Road and from Leith Academy to the junction of Restalrig Road and then into Leith Links at Links Place where the event will be opened by this year’s ‘Provost’ Cllr Marjory Thomas @ 13.30pm.
The Gala will include:
11.00 - late Taylors Fun Fair Fun for all the Family at Taylor’s fun fair, suitable for all ages.
11.00 – 17.00 Messenger Sound System Roots, dub and reggae – all day long!
12.00 – 14.00 Golf Nearest the PinExplore the birth of Golf using old Hickory Clubs. Pitch the ball as near to the pin as possible. Prize for winners.
12:30 - 15:30 Eight Leith primary schools battle it out for the Festival Trophy at the Leith Festival Gala Day.
12.30 – 13.30 Streetcar 5 Piece rock, soul, pop and blues covers band with Susie Sue on vocals.
13.30 – 14.30 Opening Ceremony The Festival ' Lord Provost of Leith', Councillor Marjorie Thomas, opens the Festivities after the Parade has arrived.
13.30 – 16.30 Children’s Pony Rides Hard Hats Provided – £2.50 per ride.
14.00 – 16.00 Tug’O’War Competition Annual competition for teams of elite athletes from Leith’s finest drinking establishments.
Have you got it in you? Contact the Leith Festival office for entry forms.
14.15 – 14.45 Country Dancing Come and enjoy a display of country dancing by local school children.
14.45 – 15.15 Poster Competition Prize Giving The Presentation of prizes to the winners of the Leith Festival's annual poster competition.
15.30 – 17.30 Blue Finger Enjoy the sounds of the Big Band!
Enquiries:........ Enquiries, Leith Festival Box Office 0845 458 9709
info@leithfestival.com
Venue: 18 Leith LinksLeith Links
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LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
Event Preview
This Year’s Festival will include the now familiar ‘Strands’ for friendlier selection of those parts of the extensive Programme you are most interested in.
These are the Strands and the Featured, but not by any means the full range of events.
Theatre & Drama: ‘Heartfelt’ returns for a second year, this year at Hibernian FC Function Suite.
Comedy: Bob Doolally; Best of Red Raw; Best of Absolute Beginners and much more @ CRUZ
‘Spirit of Leith’ Historical Tours of South Leith Parish Church and the first ever display of the Leith WW1 Roll of Honour at Leith Library.
Sport: Hibs Vs Leith Athletic; Cricket & Football Coaching; Leith Primary Schools 5 a-side.
Photography & Visual Art: Shoes at South Leith; Behind Closed Doors; Up and Coming;
Film: Leith Short Film Festival, including the Premiere of ‘Persevere’ – The History of Leith.
Walks , Talks & Open Doors: Leith’s Struggle; Eighteenth Century Leith; Scottish Mineral & Lapidary Club – 50th Anniversary.
Music: Leith Festival Sessions Presents: St Jude’s Infirmary; The Valkarys; & The Leith Festival Tattoo including the return of the Massai Warriors; and ‘Open Mic Night’ at Rumba.
Literature & The Spoken Word: The Inaugural Leith Festival ‘Big Book Swap’ and a book-signing by David Stewart Valentine, author of Leith at Random & Leith Lives.
Gala Day: Saturday 8th June – Parade from Lochend Park to Leith Links via; Lochend Road’ along the Links frontage to the foot of Restalrig Road; down Links Place entering the Gala arena and passing the rostrum where the bands will play a short selection of their music before marching off. – ‘Provost’ Cllr Marjory Thomas will lead the Parade and take the ‘Salute’ at the Rostrum.
The Full Programme can be seen at www.leithfestival.com
LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
Comedy at Cruz comprises of two shows each night, with the exception of the final night. The Stand comedy club is working with the Leith Festival to bring ten hilarious nights of comedy to Cruz as well as many independent comedy shows.
Friday 30th May:
*Bruce Morton – 2000- 2130 Ticket Price: £8
Join a favourite of the Scottish stand up scene, Bruce Morton, for a one off solo show! 'The godfather of Scottish comedy' – The List 'one of the foremost comics in Britain today and certainly one of the finest to come from Scotland' – The Evening News
Death of a Critic – 2200-2345 Ticket Price: £7, £5 concession
A play about two actors who get a bad review and decide to take revenge on the critic. The company DumDumDum is entirely made up of stand ups on the Scottish Comedy Circuit.
Saturday 31st May:
*The Best of Scottish Comedy – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £8
Four of the best comedians our fair nation has to offer all in one bumper comedy showcase! Bruce Devlin 'superslick compere' – Scotsman, introduces Dougie Dunlop 'he has everyone convulsing with laughter' The Evening News, Paul Pirie and Keir Mcallister.
Death of a Critic – 2200-2345 Ticket Price: £7, £5 concession
A play about two actors who get a bad review and decide to take revenge on the critic. The company DumDumDum is entirely made up of stand ups on the Scottish Comedy Circuit.
Sunday 1st June:
*The Best of Irish Comedy – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £8
The cream of the craic from The Emerald Isle get together for one night of mayhem. Irish-born Leither Niall Browne introduces Michael Smiley 'comedy genius. . .do whatever it takes to get a ticket' Scotland on Sunday, Grainne McGuire and Jeff O'Boyle.
Death of a Critic – 2200-2345 Ticket Price: £7, £5 concession
A play about two actors who get a bad review and decide to take revenge on the critic. The company DumDumDum is entirely made up of stand ups on the Scottish Comedy Circuit.
Monday 2nd June:
*Kevin Bridges – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £6
Fresh from selling out the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival two years in a row, Scottish comedy prodigy Kevin Bridges, 'let's just call his talent frightening' – The Scotsman, returns to the Leith Festival! With support from local boy Martin McAllister.
The Absolute Best of Absolute Beginners - 2200-2315 Ticket Price: £5
Fun, frolics and fresh new comedy featuring seven of the finest new stand ups around. "Funny and Friendly...A night of strong acts" *** Evening News. See it!
Tuesday 3rd June:
*Improvised Comedy with Stu and Garry – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £5
Amazing improvisers Stu Murphy and Garry Dobson create a comedy show especially for you at this fantastic night of funnies concocted on the spot! 'Highly entertaining evening' The Evening News. 'Employed their quick wits and vivacious stage manner throughout' The Evening News.
The Absolute Best of Absolute Beginners - 2200-2315 Ticket Price: £5
Fun, frolics and fresh new comedy featuring seven of the finest new stand ups around. "Funny and Friendly...A night of strong acts" *** Evening News. See it!
Wednesday 4th June:
*The Best of Red Raw – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £4
Support Edinburgh comedy! We've handpicked six of the best up and coming new local comedians from our weekly Red Raw shows and put them into one dazzling showcase! Plus top compere Sian Bevan and headliner Chris Forbes to make the evening sizzle!
The Absolute Best of Absolute Beginners - 2200-2315 Ticket Price: £5
Fun, frolics and fresh new comedy featuring seven of the finest new stand ups around. "Funny and Friendly...A night of strong acts" *** Evening News. See it!
Thursday 5th June:
*Jason Rouse – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £7
Like your comedy near the knuckle and close to the bone? This is your night! Join Jason Rouse 'cuts a dangerous figure – and his material is just as volatile' The Evening Times, for a show not for the easily offended.
Little Love Affairs – 2200-2300 Ticket Price £6
Expressive character comedy. "A great character actress whose comic creations will make you laugh and cry. I urge you to see this show." - The Scotsman. "Electric stage presence" ***** - Three Weeks.
Friday 6th June:
*Bob Doolally – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £9
Scotland's most outrageous football pundit! Expect his sporting reminiscences to be liberally peppered with the slanderous, the abusive and the downright foul. 'A glorious, vodka swilling mass of profanity... puts wonderful ugliness into the beautiful game' The Scotsman.
Little Love Affairs – 2200-2300 Ticket Price £6
Expressive character comedy. "A great character actress whose comic creations will make you laugh and cry. I urge you to see this show." - The Scotsman. "Electric stage presence" ***** - Three Weeks.
Saturday 7th June:
*The Best of Scottish Comedy – 2000-2130 Ticket Price: £8
Four of the best comedians our fair nation has to offer all in one bumper comedy showcase! Susan Morrison 'Bolshy and brassy… she's the queen of cool' The List, introduces Joe Heenan , 'engagingly hilarious' The Scotsman, Paul Pirie and Keir McAllister.
Harry's Fun House – 2200-2330 Ticket Price: £4
Perrier Award winning comic Harry Ainsworth takes you on long journey of fun, laughter and tears. Set sail for the isle of Quizdom.
Sunday 8th June:
*The Amazing B*stards! Ticket Price: £3
Steven Dick 'marvellous, maverick magician' The Evening News, Allan Miller and Teddy 'you should see him' The Evening News bring their own particular brand of crazy, lazy, self indulgent, and maverick behaviour to the stage. 'Together they shine' The Skinny
LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
Spirit of Leith 2008
This year’s Community Programme once again brings to you Leith Old & New in word picture and sound.
The Music and Spectacle which is the Leith Festival Tattoo will be held on Sunday 1stJ June at the Malmaison on the Shore, from 7.30pm -9.00pm, featuring the return of the Massia Warriors; the Massed Pipes & Drums and a ‘Special Surprise Item’ in a show for all the family.
The old, yet still vibrant, South Leith Parish Church invites you to see the historical aspects of its place in the ’Midst’ of the community from Monday to Friday 2nd – 6th June; - 3pm and on Monday 2nd take a walk through the replica of the Medieval ‘Chartres Labyrinth’ leaving you renewed and Refreshed for the onward journey.
For a relaxing and uplifting summer evening of Organ Music you can go along to the calm and peace of the beautiful North Leith Parish Church on Tuesday evening from 7.30 – 8.30.
The annual Leith Festival United Church Service on Sunday 1st June at 11am will also be held in this Church
The New(er) Leith is represented by the worshipers at the Annandale Street Mosque where all are invited to come along on Wednesday 4th June to learn about the Islam Community in Leith, arriving at 2pm to witness the Prayers taking place before looking around the Mosque and chatting to members of the Islam Community.
Leith St Andrew’s Parish Church at the foot of Easter Road will be both an Oasis and a ‘Messy Church’. On Wednesday 5th June the welcoming Sanctuary will be open for prayer from 9.30 – 11.30am, with a thought for the day, refreshments and time for that all important chat starting at 10.00am.
The Church will take on it’s ‘Messy’ guise on Thursday 29th May from 5 -7pm for an ‘all-age’ ‘children friendly’ celebration of activities for all the family will include eating together – a scene some only can remember.
.The Roll of Honour for those of Leith who made the Supreme Sacrifice for Town & Country will be displayed at Leith Library, the first occasion since their creation of a true public viewing of these important Living Artefacts.
The Official Opening on Friday 30th May will begin with a wreath laying ceremony in Taylor Gardens outside the Leith Hospital Children’s Wing – the Leith World War One Memorial.
Guests and members of the public will then proceed to Leith Library where after a short opening statement the Rolls, including that of the 1st Leith Company, the Boys’ Brigade will be re-dedicated.
The display will be open to the public from 1pm and at various times each day of the Festival at Leith Library and during the evenings of June 2nd June 6th from 6pm – 9pm at the 1st Leith BB Memorial Club, 73 Ferry Road.
The Epitomy of the ‘Spirit of Leith’ is, as always, the:
Annual Parade & Gala Day
Saturday 8thJune
Starting this year from outside Lochend Park at 12.30pm led by the ’Provost’ of Leith; councillor Marjory Thomas the procession will travel down Lochend Road; turning right at Leith Academy along the Links frontage to the foot of Restalrig Road and down Links Place before entering the Links and parading through the Arena where each band in the procession will play a selection of their repertoire before the invited guests.
There will be a selection of ‘Walks & Talks’ during the week, including an illustrated talk on ‘Leith’s Struggle’ by Jim Tweedie of the Leith Local History Society at the Newkirkgate Community Centre on Tuesday 3rd June at 7.30pm and celebrating their 50th Anniversary the Scottish Mineral & Lapidary Club will host an ‘open’ week in their Maritime Lane premises – times vary.
LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
Children’s Story Writing Competition
The inaugural Leith Festival Children’s Story Writing Competition is well underway.
Pupils from primary year 5 classes of all nine Primary School in the town were not only invited to participate in this competition but all classes were visited by Lari Don who gave them an insight to story writing and some of the skills and ideas that were useful in story writing and preparing for participating in the competition. (See Lari’s Email for details to paraphrase).
Lari is also featuring her own children’s book during the Festival.
It wouldn’t be an easy decision choosing the eventual winner, but the entries from each school ere considered by Rita Crombie & Carol Adams before all nine were considered again for the merits that would bring about the successful entry.
Rita also organises the annual children’s poster competition which will b exhibited at Leith Library during the entire festival period as will the winning entries from each school for this competition.
The winning entry, agreed by the judging panel will be announced on May 31st at the Newkirkgate Community Centre as well as the story being published in next months edition of the Leith Gazette it will be discussed by the successful ‘author’ on Leith FM and on various other media outlets.
The winning entries from each school which will go for further consideration to decide the overall winner are:
Bonnington Primary: “The Mystery Staircase” by Elvey Stedman
Craigentinny: “The Psychic” by Keir Aitken
Fort Primary: “The Fat Man” by Kyle Menzies
Hermitage Park: “The Magical Medal” by Euan Pittilo
Leith Primary: “The Magic Money Purse” by Rebecca Anderson
Lorne Primary: “The Crystal Balls” by Ruaridh Davidson
Prospect Bank Primary: “A Cat called Charlie” by Callum McGhee
St Mary’s (Leith) Primary: “An Icy Adventure” By Chloe Smith
Victoria Primary: “The Magic Door” by Lewis Shortel
The Full Leith Festival Programme can be seen at www.leithfestival.com
LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
Leith WW1 Memorial & Roll of Honour Re-dedication
On Friday 30th May 2008 at 10.30 am, a group of some 50 invited guests and dignitaries stood beneath the trees at the eastern corner of Taylor Gardens, Leith, as wreaths were laid in front of Leith's War Memorial for the Great War 1914-18; World War One.
This tangible memorial was previously the Children's Wing of Leith Hospital.
A display of the five volumes of the Roll in both original and computerised format is being held throughout the Leith Festival 2008 in Leith Library.
Despite the persistent rain, the Leith Academy prefects who ably assisted by checking the guest list and handing out name tags and programmes reported very few call-offs.
The two pipers, Gus Gilchrist and Alan Wannacott, (Trinity Old Pipers Society) played a medley of tunes as the guests arrived.
After a short introduction and welcome by Ian Ross, 1st Leith Company, The Boys’ Brigade; Ex- Members Association the pipers then played "The Green Hills of Tyrol" as the wreath layers moved forward:
Lieutenant Colonel William MacEachen for 205 Scottish Field Hospital,
Mary Moriarty for The Leith Festival Association,
Leith Ward Councillor and Deputy Leader of the City Council, Rob Munn laid his wreath on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council
and Gregor Cowan CA for The 1st Leith Company Boys' Brigade; Ex-Members Association.
A very moving tribute was then made by The Reverend George Shand of St Thomas' Junction Road Church to the 2,205 Leithers who did not return from The Great War.
This included a poem, a brief history of the War Memorial and concluded with the Re-dedication of the Memorial building.
The group then moved off to the less damp environment of Leith Library for the second part of the ceremony which was introduced and led by Steve Mitchell, 1st leith Company, The Boys’ Brigade; Ex-Members Association.
Lt Col ‘Willie’ MacEachan told of the role played by the RAMC in this and other conflicts even to his day and of the always and continuing need for volunteers and for the gratitude for the voluntary assistance given by the Leith BB during WW1 at their Scottish Field Hospital in Craigleith – ‘The now Western General’.
Cllr Marjory Thomas in her role as this years festival ‘Provost of Leith’ spoke of the important part the people of Leith had played in fund-raising on behalf of the memorial fund and indeed the hospital itself in the years prior to the Children’s Wing being decided on as the Leith Memorial to the towns noble dead.
Mark Lazarowicz MP and current chair of the Leith Museum Group endorsed the previous remarks and thanked the organisers for exhibiting and bringing back to remembrance these artefacts. He also read messages from Rev James Scot-Marshall and Lord Ronald King-Murray, both members of the Leith Museum Trust a 1990’s predecessor of the current group. Ex-Cllr John Crichton a third member of that trust was also in attendance.
The formal part of the proceedings started by Rev Kenneth Baird, North Leith Parish Church, commenting that just as his colleague Rev George Shand he was a relative newcomer to the town (5 years in current positions) he had soon realised the community feel for the town.
After reflecting on the reasons behind this event and the importance of such recollections in today’s society he formally re-dedicated and blessed both the Leith and the 1st Leith BB Rolls of Honour –WW1.
Dr Mike Barfoot, Archivist; Lothian Health Services Archive told of the origination of the Leith Roll of Honour and of the somewhat dishevelled condition of the five volumes when they first came under the custodianship of his organisation.
The volumes had from time to time been on ‘display’ in various public areas of Leith Hospital before its closure in the 1980s and in the present excellently refurbished condition in the Leith Community Health Centre but that this was the first occasion when the Roll could be truly ‘viewed’ by the public, made possible by today’s technology.
Every page including a moving introduction about the forming and reasoning behind the Roll and indeed Memorial being beautifully inscribed in the opening pages of volume one.
The Ceremony was brought to conclusion by Margaret Allan, Leith Museum Group who read a poem by the fourth member of the then Leith Museum Trust –
the late Rev Mrs Elizabeth Wardlaw:
“A Dream for Leith”
"I have a dream for Leith
a dream where there are pleasant homes and happy people.
They have work to do and are content.
I have a dream for the Church in Leith
which belongs to God in His service,
to serve the people of Leith,
to act as leaven in the community,
to broaden their vision
and bring in those whom God is calling.
To hear the cry of people far and near for comfort, help,
understanding, sympathy, justice and freedom.
To answer that cry sacrificially and in the love of God.
I have a dream that from this dispirited, disillusioned,
depressed area
there will arise
a community which shines with the light of God upon its life
enfolding within it -
the stranger from other lands,
the homeless,
the refugee,
the visitor in port,
the vigorous young and the honoured old.
A place where God is
and where all bear God's mark of love".
Throughout the event the Organisers and participants made known their thanks and appreciation to the City of Edinburgh Libraries and the Lothian Health Services Archive without who’s assistance, co-operation and permissions the event would not have been possible.
© 2008 – leithslivingarchives.
A Potted History of Leith Festivals. – Extract.
The 1907 Demonstration was to be held under the patronage of (and in the presence of) the Provost and Town Council, Parish Council, School Board, Directors of the Hospital and all the local Trades and Friendly Societies together with the Good Templars on Saturday 8th June.
The organising committee had decided that the event should be known as ‘Hospital Saturday’.
The Centenary of this new beginning was celebrated last year
Although Leith displays, horticultural and gymnastic events had been a feature in Leith since 1823 (possibly earlier, but no specific references have been found to date).
This ‘hospital Saturday’ became the forerunner of what in various guises; Pageants; Parades; Demonstrations and Galas; what we know today as Leith Festival.
A good crowd gathered at the Academy, where the Procession was due to start, many anxious eyes were directed to the leaden skies during the day and many a groan went up as the rain fell in no uncertain fashion. Towards the gathering hour, however, things improved and but for one lapse the weather was in accord with:
“The Public Spirit towards Leith Hospital”
The various components of the procession moved along by the Academy, bringing with them mingling in the crowd a host of collectors in all shapes and sizes wearing all sorts of garb intent in prosecuting a successful canvas.**
The long procession was headed by the Fire Brigade, with a steamer and tender, followed by the members of the Parish Council, in carriages.
The Societies represented and whose Banners were flown were;
The Free Gardeners. The Rechabites. Shipwrights. Good Templars. Shepherds’ Society Horse-shoers. Carpenters. Carters. Mechanics. Bakers. Blacksmiths.
The NBR and Leith District Ambulance Corps were in attendance and the Bands leading and among the procession were,
The Leith Trades Silver Band,
5th VBRS pipe Band,
Police Celtic Pipe Band,
Newhaven Silver Band,
The Leith Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band and the Salvation Army Band.
The procession wound its way around the town via; Charlotte Street; Tolbooth Wynd; Coburg Street; North Junction Street; Lindsay Road; North Fort Street; Ferry Road; Great Junction Street; Leith Walk; Albert Street and from end to end the pavements were crowded with sightseers, who failed not to notice that the members of the Town Council were in absence on foot or in carriages.
Between four & five o’clock the procession reached the Hibs football ground where they were preceded and followed by hundreds of persons who contributed to making it a good gate.
{it is interesting that in this 2008 Leith Festival Hibs football ground will be the venue of one of the main drama events, albeit in the ‘Function Suite’, not on the football pitch where so many dramas of another kind have warmed the hearts of many Leithers}.
All manner of entertainments were arranged, from Theatre to Circus, Highland Dancing to Fishermans Reels. There was football, fun and not so funny, sports and Games, sports for the dedicated and games for the inebriated. A frequent visitor to the field was the ambulance and crew who treated the sick and injured not on a first come first seen to basis but a first reached first treated basis because of the crowd they had to navigate.
The day, drawing to a close, was visited by the aforementioned weather lapse during the presentation of prizes and awards and a dwindling soaking assembly stayed to participate in the closing concert led by Rev Brown who gave a short address during which he remarked that being a strict Sabbatarian as he was, hearing the motive and intention of the concert that it was religious in its operation and charitable in its aim, he had no hesitation in consenting to attend, and he hoped that at the end of the concert of hymns and prayer and light music selections from the Newhaven Silver Band and singing by the Baptist Church Male Voice Choir the collection taken the Hospital would be well remembered by the good friends assembled there that day.
In June 1915 more than 2000 Leithers descended on Edinburgh (quite how they descended up the Walk is not recorded) complete with donation tins and collar flags bearing the coat of arms and details of the occasion on one side and a photo of a nurse in uniform on the other.
The event was shared with fund raisers from the Royal Infirmary who had also decided to ease back on normal festivities.
The Leith contingent, armed with 200,000 flags had used them by early afternoon. The combined effort raised some £2400 of which £800 went to the Leith Hospital fund.
Scaled down versions of the same continued through the war years; more people were involved directly with the war effort and some limited funding foe the hospital was given by the Government, mainly in recognition of the additional burden placed on the hospital by UK and Us forces alike.
In 1919 the returning troops and welcoming families still had no real feel for celebration, after all some 2200 servicepersons from over 14000 Leith enlisters had made the ‘Supreme Sacrifice’ for Town and country.
A Victory Parade was held, but the intention was not charitable as much as deep relief of the homecoming.
The hospital now had to return to normal business and extended fund raising.
Before the war there had been an understanding that in its then condition there was need for expansion to accommodate the growing population; the people of the town had for some time been asking that a ward be set aside for the treatment of children, who had until now been accommodated in the male or female wards and the hospital board saw this as an urgent requirement they would have to cater for in some way, and soon.
Meanwhile Leith Town Council were pondering, as councils do, what form a Memorial to the Leith servicepersons who did not return.
Like every other town, city and village in the Country the would hold remembrance services on Armistice Day each year; the statue of queen Victoria at he Foot of Leith Walk was the initial location for the laying of wreathes and conducting of remembrances.
Provost Lindsay, the last Provost of Leith before the unwanted amalgamation with Edinburgh, and member of the Hospital management Board made what was called
‘an audacious suggestion’
that the memorial be ‘A Children’s Wing’ for the Hospital, to be funded by public donation.
The Board and Council agreed and soon funds were being raised and plans being drawn up. In 1921 the final plan was agreed; there would be thirty six new beds or cots for the children a ward for eye treatments and other consulting rooms for ‘specialist cases’.
The people of Leith took this to their hearts and for their part the fundraising began anew; a real cause so close to their hearts that they couldn’t believe that the Council would even dream, let alone consider this.
The Hospital Saturday of 1921 was one never experienced in magnitude or enthusiasm before, and some say never since.
The Leith Hospital Fund raising Committee sent out their normal letter to the Council, asking for the Patronage and presence of Magistrates and Councillors on the Hospital Saturday; 25th June.
This year, however the invitation was sent to Edinburgh Town Council.
Discussing the invitation in the Council Chamber, Provost Chesser asked – “what does Patronage mean”.
The curt response from the Town Clerk was “all we can do officially is grant patronage”
Ballie Watson (Leith) said that it had been the custom for Leith Town Council to attend.
The request was ‘agreed’ – the Town clerk adding “any member can attend”
The report in the Leith Observer headed it’s report on the occasion(s):
Hospital Day Pageant
Brilliantly Successful Effort for Good Cause
“Leith was en-fete last Saturday, and never had any community a better or worthier motive for being so that it had”.
“Although Saturday was the day for the real big effort on behalf of the hospital, fancy-dressed collectors and concert parties (back-green and otherwise) had been busy during the week gathering in financial harvests throughout the Port, and incidentally acting as harbingers of the day when the public were to be called upon to give the fullest play to their ‘liberarilty’.
Every evening from Monday to Friday strangely garbed figures flitted about the highways and byways of Leith, accosting everyone with the request, ‘Please to help the Hospital’; and few there were who resisted this appeal, especially when it came from a pretty Miss with ‘rougeish’ eyes and bewitching smile”.
Everybody and everything taking part in the procession on the Hospital Saturday gathered as usual at the Links in ‘weather almost tropical in its nature’ and thousands of spectators assembled there to watch the animated and busy scene; to admire the many ingenious and novel features contained in the parade, and at the same time enjoy a hearty laugh at he numerous examples of grotesque which everywhere met the eye.
From the head of Duncan Street and along Links Place and James Place right on to Seafield stretched the procession, and when at length it got on the move it took exactly an hour to pass a given point.
Competitions were held for among other things banner carrying; best dressed vehicles and the most original tableaux.
The Leith Motor Fire Engine led the procession, the crew, hopefully not required for their original purpose, sweeping their canvas water buckets from the end of long poles among the crowd, and distant indeed had to be the spectator who did not come within the radius of their sweep.
Carriages with Town Council and other Leith notables followed and just behind four powerful grey horses drew a vehicle on which was seen a sick patient being treated by a nurse, with a child in cot on another vehicle ending that section accompanied by a band.
So many were partaking that but a few can be reported but the contingent from the ‘village’ of Newhaven of ‘braw, braw fishwives, bedecked in all their quaint bulky and multi-coloured raiment predominating are worthy of record. They were accompanied in a lifeboat, drawn by a lorry that bore the printed injunction ‘Please help the Lives Ashore’.
The route followed by the procession was Easter Road; Montgomery Street; Leith Walk; Great Junction Street; Ferry Road; Newhaven Road; Craighall Road; Main street (Newhaven); Lindsay road; Commercial Street; Bernard Street; Constitution Street; and Charlotte Street to the Links where dispersal took place.
The collectors distributed over the procession were a numerous band, and represented almost every conceivable character one could expect. People of every period, clime and colour rubbed shoulders with each other, all bent on the one object of filling their boxes to the brim. Some of the ‘makes up’ were too funny for words and simply defied description.
Maidens galore swaggered about in male attire; youths in feminine garments were hardly distinguishable from the real thing. Crinolines and poke bonnets were in abundance, while Santa with flowing white beard and kindly benevolent countenance worked quietly but effectively at the ingathering of money. A Roman citizen, in toga, condescended to solicit support for the good cause, with black faced tribes in hordes, all fantastically garbed, and not a few displayed such freakish peculiarities as white eyes and wonderful hirsute growths.
Dense crowds everywhere watched the procession, giving liberally to the collections, and after it was over the collectors went of on their own and until an advanced hour in the evening they continued their collecting in the busy thoroughfares of the Port where various troupes of entertainers sang, played and joked to appreciative audiences.
“Altogether Hospital day 1921 was a glorious success and as a result the funds of the worthy Institution will receive a handsome addition”
This event was now firmly in the diaries of all Leithers; it continued to grow not only in importance as part of ‘Leith’s Greatest Charity’ a name coined by Rev Dr James Scott Marshall, of Kirkgate and South Leith Parish Churches in his book of that name, but as a learning point for other such charities including Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.
Printed & Published by: Strobomi Publishing
© 2008 – leithfestivalassociation
LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
Children’s Story Writing Competition
The inaugural Leith Festival Children’s Story Writing Competition winner is announced.
“An Icy Adventure”
By
Chloe Smith
After detailed consideration of almost 200 entries from the Pupils from primary year 5 classes of all nine Primary Schools in Leith the judges reduced the task by nominating the winning story from each school.
Lari Don; the Leith children’s story writer who had visited each school to give the Children an insight to story writing introduced the judges Rita Crombie and Carol Adams to the eagerly anticipating audience of children; parents; family and friends at the Newkirkgate Community Centre, Leith where the individual school winners were announced before the final decision was revealed.
Rita also organises the annual children’s poster competition which is being exhibited at Leith Library during the entire festival period as will the newly decided successful story entries from each school.
“After Lari spoke to us I knew I wanted to write about animals”; Chloe said, “then I thought it should be about Polar Bears – I like Polar Bears”.
“Do I have a teddy bear at home? – of course I do, but it s not a Polar Bear – it’s a TIGER”.
“It was quite hard to get started – it took about three tries, but when I got going on the last one I just kept going and going – no! I can’t remember how the other starts went”
A slip on the ice; a polar bear called Polo who has a strong dislike of penguins; a magic crystal and a riddling seal who guards the Crystal.
Only by answering his riddle will the crystal be saved and only by finding the riddle in the story will all be revealed.
“An Icy Adventure” by Chloe Smith; St Mary’s (Leith) Primary School
The other winning school stories were:
“The Mystery Staircase” by Elvey Stedman – Bonnington Primary
“The Psychic” by Keir Aitken – Craigentinny
“The Fat Man” by Kyle Menzies – Fort Primary
“The Magical Medal” by Euan Pittilo – Hermitage Park
“The Magic Money Purse” by Rebecca Anderson – Leith Primary
“The Crystal Balls” by Ruaridh Davidson – Lorne Primary
“A Cat called Charlie” by Callum McGhee – Prospect Bank Primary
“The Magic Door” by Lewis Shortel – Victoria Primary.
Published by: Strobomi Publishing.
© 2008 – leithslivingarchives
LEITH FESTIVAL 2008
CHILDREN'S STORY WRITING COMPETITION
WINING ENTRY
An Icy Adventure
By Chloe Smith
Lucy woke up, the sun was shining brightly through her window. She got dressed and ran downstairs for breakfast.
“Is your egg alright sweetheart?” asked dad.
“Lovely,” answered Lucy.
After breakfast Lucy ran upstairs to get her ice skates because she was going ice skating that day. Then she went down the road to catch the bus.
When she got to the ice rink Lucy went to go and get her skates on. As she stepped onto the ice it felt slidy and slippery. She skated over to the middle and began to practice her tricks. Her feet felt funny, the ice began to crack. Next thing she knew she was lying faced down in about 2 feet of snow. She couldn’t get up she tried to shout but it was too muffled for anyone to hear. She kept trying and trying to roll over and eventually she did it, but she still could not get up. So she shouted for help again, this time a polar bear came over.
“Welcome to the Arctic,” he said
Lucy was too amazed to speak all she could say was…
“You can speak?”
“Well of course I can speak,” he said. “You can speak as well, hadn’t you noticed that?”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to offend you or anything, it’s just…”
“That’s quite alright,” said the polar bear. “Though I do need a human helping hand.”
“What do you need help with?” she asked.
“It’s the evil penguins, they are trying to steal the magic crystal that grants everyone everlasting wishes,” he said. “Oh please will you help me get the crystal before the penguins do?”
“On one condition,” she said. “You help me get back to the ice rink.”
So off they set across the snow (it was quite hard for Lucy because she still had her skates on.) Then they came to a giant ice cliff. Lucy managed to climb it because the tip of her ice skates made good grips.
“Look!” said the polar bear.
“What?” asked Lucy.
“It’s the evil penguins, look down there quick, get some snowballs to throw at them. That should knock them over and slow them down a bit!”
They threw the snowballs and knocked them over and they landed softly in the snow. Lucy and the polar bear ran, ran and ran as fast as they could and they took over the penguins. Then Lucy said…
“By the way you didn’t tell me your name.” she said.
“I’m Polo. What’s yours?”
“Lucy,” she said.
Then they came to an ocean and lots of ice bergs.
“We will have to jump across on the icebergs,” said Polo.
About twenty minutes later Polo saw two more penguins. Lucy took two sticks out of her jacket pocket and rubbed them together to light a fire. Then she held it to the iceberg that the penguins were standing on. It melted fast. The penguins fell into the water and they couldn’t swim so they sank.
A short while later they were on dry land. Lucy felt numb and cold. They reached a glacier. Lucy skated across it and so did the polar bear (although he did not have ice skates)
Next they reached a maze. They found their way easily but then they came to a seal…
“If you want the crystal you will have to solve this riddle, here it is!”
I have wings
I’m a copy cat
I have many colours
Red, yellow, blue and black
“Parrot! Parrot!” Lucy said.
“Right!” said the seal. “You may go past.”
Lucy and Polo rushed in, Polo grabbed the crystal.
“Yes!” yelled Polo.
“Can I go back to the ice rink now?” asked Lucy.
“Yes,” answered Polo.
Lucy took the crystal, she wished. Next thing she knew she was back at the ice rink. Funny, the ice looked fine. Her mum rushed up to her…
“Lucy! Lucy! Are you alright?” she asked.
“I’m fine,” Lucy protested.
“Where have you been all this time?”
“It doesn’t matter,”..... said Lucy.
THE END
© 2008 - Chloe Smith
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