The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a free, family friendly and community-led event taking place for the first time in West Pilton Park and the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday 7 May 2022, from 12pm-6pm.
The aim of the Festival is to offer young people and their families a day of family fun and entertainment with learning and upskilling at its core in a fun and interactive way.
On the day there will be performances, stalls and all age activities, provide a platform for Emergency Services, Local Colleges, Community Groups, Local Organisations and Employers to give young people and their families an insight into the work they do and to showcase various career pathways.
Willie Black Chair of the North Edinburgh Community Festival Planning Committee said: “I think this is going to be tremendous, and I think everybody in North Edinburgh will be encouraged to think that maybe bad days are behind us. We are going to have everything here for people to enjoy. The walk from Muirhouse to Pilton will take place at 12 o’clock and I want everyone to come along.”
Local councillor Cllr Cammy Day said: “I used to be a community worker in North Edinburgh and I have got to know a lot of the projects and local heroes like Willie. I helped organise one of the first community festivals in Waterfront Park which was a huge success and a lot of local people were involved in that. But since 2012 there have been no community festivals here or galas so it is very exciting to see this coming together in the next month.
“The day is organised by a dedicated group of local organisations and groups including the council as part of our £1.3 billion project to regenerate Granton Waterfront and transform currently unused land to become a new sustainable neighbourhood. This will be a key part of our network of 20 minute neighbourhoods across the city, with affordable environmentally friendly homes, excellent transport and active travel links and access to lots of open and green space, arts, sports and culture.”
Edinburgh College Vice Principal Michael Jeffrey said : We are delighted to be a part of the North Edinburgh Community Festival and look forward to working with all the partners to showcase the fantastic talent opportunities and facilities on offer in the local community. We encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the day with us.”
Zones:
- MAIN STAGE – music and performance curated by Tinderbox Orchestra and Granton Youth
- KIDS CORNER – Children’s activities, reading & storytelling, including Book Bug and activities curated by North Edinburgh Arts and Muirhouse Library
- LEARNING, EMPLOYMENT and SKILLS – stalls from Edinburgh College, Capital City Partnerships and many more.
- SPORTS ARENA – 5-aside football and much more.
- COMMUNITY/CHARITY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS – 40 stalls from local organisations and community groups.
- FOOD VENDORS – “pay what you can” food, including Empty Kitchens, SCRAN Van and many more.
- ARTS AND CRAFT TRADERS – local makers and traders
- OPEN SPACE – arts and cultural activities
Partners: City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Edinburgh College, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, LIFT, Tinderbox Orchestra, Granton Youth, North Edinburgh Arts, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Fresh Start
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At West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, 19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh, EH4 4BY on 7 May 2022.
Photos below all courtesy of Live Edinburgh News – showing the Director of Tinderbox Orchestra Jed Milroy in the red shirt who said: “Tinderbox Orchestra are thrilled to add the festival to kick off our Summer touring schedule. There is so much creativity in this brilliant community and it will be a real joy to see everyone coming out to celebrate together.”
North Edinburgh Arts will also be involved as the organisation has recently moved into the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre while their own premises next to Macmillan Square are being rebuilt as part of the redevelopment work there.
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