Morningside Heritage Association
Tonight there is a history lecture in Morningside Parish Church. Doors open at 6.30 and refreshments will be available between 6.45 and 7.15.
The March talk is being presented by The Very Rev Dr Derek Browning on the subject, ‘Thomas Chalmers: Chief Scottish Man?’
A resident of Morningside in his later years, Thomas Chalmers was a towering evangelical figure in Scotland in the early to mid- nineteenth century. He is perhaps best known for leading the Disruption movement which set up the Free Church of Scotland in 1843. However, he was much more than a leader in the Church. He was that rare mix of scholar, teacher, pastor, and public theologian who emerged as an outspoken speaker on the social, political, and economic issues of his time. A man not to be forgotten.
Visitors attending the talk are very welcome: a contribution of £3 is requested for admission.
This week at the council
Tuesday 5 March 2024
- 9.30 am Regulatory Committee
- 9.45 am Licensing Sub-Committee
- 2.00 pm Edinburgh Partnership
Thursday 7 March 2024
- 10.00 am Transport and Environment Committee
At the meeting on Thursday councillors will be asked to choose one of three options for the layout on the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route following consultation with locals. Read more here.
The Three Graces are back
The sculpture by Antonio Canova in the National Gallery of Scotland has been put back in its rightful place. The artwork was bought jointly with the V&A in London but has not been shown in Edinburgh since 2013 as each gallery shows it for seven years at a time. The pandemic got in the way and the sculpture has just been returned to Edinburgh.
The close group of three female figures representing Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia the three daughters of Zeus and Euryoneme according to Greek mythology, was commissioned in 1815 by the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, and first displayed at Woburn Abbey.
Update on the King’s Theatre
As it is Press Night tonight at the Festival Theatre, our thoughts turn again to the King’s which is still closed and under renovation.
As the project has reached its halfway point the demolition is over and it is all about rebuilding and transforming the building into a modern venue which is also fully accessible.
The roofline is taking shape and the steel has been installed for the new fly tower – 4.5 metres higher than the original and so it will be able to fly twice the weight of scenery in and out of sight of the audience.
The hope is that this alone will make the King’s more attractive to a greater variety of shows, plays and productions than before. At present the area is full of scaffolding which will allow the removal of the old grid and the roof from inside, keeping the theatre wind and watertight throughout. The old box office has gone and the new support structure is being put in place for the new café, kitchen and ladies’ toilets for the Stalls.
Next it will be the ventilation works which begin with work on new ductwork and heating and electrical distribution, and a bit of redesign of the area around the Dress Circle Bar.
It is still a case of watch this space, but donations to the project remain welcome so that this much loved cultural venue is open for generations to come.
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This month’s paper celebrates the 100th anniversary of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi’s birth in 1924.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
