Community spirit was on display at the weekend when the meanwhile community projects of India Quay came together to celebrate the first Fountainbridge Winter Festival.
Dozens of local families attended the event on EDI’s proposed India Quay development site in Fountainbridge and enjoyed getting into the eco-friendly Christmas spirit.
Headed by the Fountainbridge Canalside Initiative (FCI) and supported by EDI, the festival was brought together in partnership with the Tollcross Community Council.
The event included a performance from the Edinburgh Samba School, Christmas decoration-making workshops, an appearance from local artist Will Pickvance on piano and hot beverages and cake provided by the Grove Community Garden and Foodshare Edinburgh.
A lighting ceremony of a Christmas tree made entirely of ‘up-cycled’ materials including old car tyres was accompanied by 2 bagpipers from Boroughmuir Secondary School.
Jane Jones of the Fountainbridge Canalside Initiative said: “The festival was a great success and it was so good to see people come out in support of the meanwhile-use projects, despite the weather. The event was a celebration of all the time and effort that the groups have donated, whilst creating awareness of the various projects which local people can get involved with.”
Denise Havard, Community Development Manager at EDI, commented: “We are delighted to continue to support the meanwhile use group on our India Quay site prior to development. The enthusiasm, creativity and energy of the groups to provide a focus for community activity is commendable and they should be proud of their efforts.”
Community projects are temporarily using the site of the former Fountainbridge brewery which will permanently be developed by EDI to provide a new canalside development India Quay.
Current projects include the Grove Community Garden, the Forge, Scrapstore and Wikihouse which are providing a place for workshops, classes, conversations and gatherings to take place for local residents and groups.
For more information on India Quay visit www.india-quay.co.uk.
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