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Wojtek Memorial unveiled
Knitting in November
The Edinburgh Reporter call for donations
Great Edinburgh Winter Run
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The Wojtek Memorial Trust unveiled the Wojtek Memorial in Princes Street Gardens on Saturday.
The larger than life size bronze statute is set on a granite base sourced, cut and transported from Poland by courtesy of The Polish Government.
The Scottish Government also offered some financial support and alongside the memorial there is a 4m length bronze pictorial depicting the journey of the Polish soldiers and “Wojtek” from the Middle East, Italy to Scotland.
The President of the Polish Ex-Combatants Association of Great Britain Trust Fund, Czesław Maryszczak led the unveiling with Polish veterans, Wojciech Narebski and Edmund Szymczak all in the presence of The Right Honourable Donald Wilson, the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and HE The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United Kingdom, Witold Sobkow.
Czesław Maryszczak was just three years old when his family was deported in 1940 to Siberia to return across the Caspian Sea in 1942 to Persia but sadly without his father who had not survived. He was with his mother and two brothers in Teheran close to where Polish Forces Units were stationed nearby and when “Wojtek” became their unofficial mascot. The family’s journey then took them to India and Uganda before reaching the UK in 1948.
Edmund Szymczak was 16 years old when imprisoned by the Russian Army. He was released in 1942 when he joined the Polish Army and came through the Middle East, Egypt and then to Italy where he fought in the battles of Monte Cassino, Loretto and Bologna. He was resettled into the UK in 1946.
The Right Honourable Donald Wilson, The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh said:
“I am thrilled that the Trust has succeeded in immortalising Wojtek the Soldier Bear in such a significant and appropriate way.
“The story of Edinburgh’s adopted bear is a cherished one and has become a firm family favourite, but this statue stands for more than that. It makes a statement about fighting for freedom and showing support and comfort to those who are suffering. It celebrates the ties that have been established in Edinburgh and Poland between our communities and strives to further strengthen this bond over time.
“Being in the heart of the city, in the beautiful Princes Street Gardens and in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, is exactly the sort of prime location this memorial deserves. I hope that it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations to come.”
Sadly we were not able to be at the unveiling but you can see some photos here
A cosier winter is in sight for homeless people across Scotland this winter, thanks to the Scottish Women’s Institutes (SWI) picking up their knitting needles and casting on in support of a national campaign to help make a difference to the lives of Big Issue vendors.
As Scotland’s largest women’s organisation, and with many members talented sewers and knitters, the SWI is throwing its weight behind The Big Issue Foundation’s Big Knitathon to ensure that this year’s effort is the biggest and best to date.
Throughout November, the women will gather to knit garments, raise funds and hold events, all of which will benefit homeless people in Scotland. And, in a powerful message to get others involved, they are providing two Big Knitters –expert knitters who will help promote the Big Knitathon by attending events, posting tips online and answering knitting queries.
Although the SWI is no stranger to supporting important issues and worthy causes, it’s the first time that the 17,000 member organisation has been involved in the Big Knitathon – and members are determined that their backing will make a big difference to the lives of people who have become homeless. The SWI will be working alongside Hobbycraft, another key supporter of the campaign, with all 83 stores taking part nationwide.
For The Big Knitathon, SWI members are being encouraged to teach novice knitters, share skills, donate knitted goods organise fundraising events and document their knitting journey online through social media.
They are also encouraged to attend the nationwide Hobbycraft event on Saturday 14th November. Held in all 83 stores across the UK, the event will give members a chance to knit together, share skills, share patterns and enjoy a cake or two – all in aid of Scotland’s Big Issue vendors.
Joining in with the Big Knitathon is easy. SWI members can submit knitted goods or raised funds to their nearest Hobbycraft store throughout November. Simply register for free online and you will be sent a fundraisers pack. www.bigissue.org.uk/event/big-knitathon-2015. To find out more about the Scottish Women’s Institute visit www.theswi.org.uk.
This is almost the season of giving and we would like to remind you that to bring you the latest news on The Edinburgh Reporter we work very hard on our stories and also try hard to keep our costs down.
But if everyone who reads our articles this November donated just £1 this (and every month!) then we would be able to develop an app, pay our journalists a little more than we do for their efforts and improve our product.
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You still have time to get fit enough to take part in the 2016 Great Winter Run.
10 weeks to go until you can join thousands of people, aged 14 years old and above, at the Pure Gym Great Edinburgh Winter Run on Saturday 9 January 2016.
The 5k event is the first running event of the year and takes runners up and around Arthur’s Seat with fantastic views over Edinburgh Castle, the River Forth and Holyrood Palace.
If you took part in the Morrisons Great Edinburgh Run in 2015 you will receive a £5 discount upon entering the 2016 Pure Gym Great Edinburgh Winter Run.
Come along and enjoy watching the elites tackle a number of distances as they compete in the 2016 Great Edinburgh XCountry, where Mo Farah might be among the runners!
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
