Edinburgh blue sky spire

Christmas in the Grassmarket

Summerhall Christmas Market 2015

Award for Edinburgh businessman

Makers Christmas market at St Margaret’s House

New group running Sunday afternoon Tea Parties! 

Edinburgh’s Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District (BID) has told us about its programme of family-friendly festive events which will take place this weekend.

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The entertainment will include a live brass band, acoustic musicians and fire theatre shows in addition to its Christmas market. The events take place today 13th December, 12pm – 6pm.

The Greater Grassmarket Christmas Community Stage will welcome family-friendly performances from Ashlee Elf, Brass Gumbo, Rug Tom Cat Show and an acoustic musician showcase from Totally Sound Youth Music Project.

Read more here.

ChristmasMarket300x263-2015-300x263Today at Summerhall from 11:00-17:00 there will be a big Christmas event!

“Summerhall Events are delighted to invite you to Summerhall for its sell out annual Christmas Market.

This year we will host EVEN MORE stalls than ever before to give you a huge range of gifts and treats for friends,family, and of course- you!

It wouldn’t be the Summerhall Christmas Market without welcoming back Summerhall Singers to entertain us with festive carols- they are not to be missed. (Performance times 12:00-13:00 and 14:00-15:00)”

George Nisbet, a recently retired partner who now acts as a consultant at chartered surveyors DM Hall’s Edinburgh office, has been given an award at Action for Children’s annual Stephenson awards held, this year, at the House of Lords.
Along with fellow businessmen Colin Taylor, Colin Mackenzie and Pete Lowrie, George was presented with a Stephenson Award in recognition for helping to raise over £1.5 million for Action for Children Scotland, a charity which supports the most vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.
Sir Tony Hawkhead, chief executive of Action for Children, handed over the award to thank the big-hearted fundraisers for setting up Never Mind the Business, a stellar quiz night which brings together everyone who has a passion for music. A quiz which, as George is quick to point out, has been won three times by DM Hall.
George said: “Everyone at Never Mind the Business is “chuffed” to receive this prestigious award. Over 13 years, nearly 9000 guests have enjoyed the fun, and entertainment provided by what has become an iconic annual event – but the focus of all our efforts has always been in raising money for a very worthwhile causes.”
Never Mind the Business was established in 2002 when a group of businessmen attending an Action for Children Scotland’s golf day wanted to help do something different to raise money – something a bit more rock ‘n’ roll.
George and his friends who run the event have been dedicating their time ever since and strive each year to raise more money than the previous year and to hold the eagerly-anticipated event in even in more cities.
Back by popular demand, local artists and makers will be selling unique Christmas gifts in this special event the Makers Christmas Market at St Margaret’s House 151 London Road TODAY! Expect to see cards, prints and handmade crafts, in this festive celebration for the whole family. This is taking place in Gallery 2 but at the same time elsewhere in the same building this event is on:
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A charity which offers a lifeline of friendship to older people who live alone has launched its 12th group in the Edinburgh area.

Contact the Elderly runs free monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for those aged 75 and over who would otherwise have no-one to see and nowhere to go.

And it hopes to encourage more older people in north and north-east Edinburgh to register their interest in attending the parties so that it can create a 13th group with older guests from that area.

Anne Grindley, Volunteer Edinburgh Area Organiser at Contact the Elderly, said:

“There has been a fantastic response by volunteers recently in Edinburgh and I am absolutely delighted we have been able to launch our 12th group in the area and are already preparing for our 13th group.

“For a small amount of time, our volunteers are making the world of difference to the older people who attend our tea parties. Isolation among our older population is a serious, deep-rooted issue but there are very simple things, such as a nice natter over a cup of tea, that can be done which have a resounding impact.

“One lady told us she had not left the house for any social engagements for a number of years and getting out to the tea party felt very special, giving her a new lease of life.

“Our tea parties are equally enjoyed by the volunteers and older people. For any older people reading this thinking they would enjoy a relaxed afternoon out of the house with a lovely group of people, I would recommend they get in touch to find out more and see if it is for them. We are also always looking for more volunteers to get involved so would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to host or be a driver for one of our Edinburgh and East Lothian parties.”

The new Edinburgh 12 group has six older people as guests and five volunteer drivers, as well as a number of hosts. Drivers collect a guest or two from their homes and accompany them to the tea parties at a volunteer host’s home. These take place one Sunday afternoon a month. Hosts welcome these small groups into their homes once or twice a year.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer or guest in Edinburgh, please contact Morna O’May on 01786 871264 or morna.o’may@contact-the-elderly.org.uk.

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Phyllis Stephen
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.