Tuesday 14 September 2010

PRISCILLA ELIZABETH HEATON- ARMSTRONG
Died peacefully, on Wednesday, 8th September, 2010,
at St Columba’s Hospice, Edinburgh

Prisccilla (Pru, Cilla) was known and loved by many in the Old Town community. As a member of the Old Town Community Council, Treasurer of SOOT and a Director of the Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust she made a great contribution to the lives of many who work and live in and around the Old Town.
As the guiding light behind the Coinyie House Close Gardens Project she brought residents, officials and heritage groups together to create a lasting example of creative community spirit.
She was a compassionate and loyal friend to many and her warmth, generosity and humour will be greatly missed.



Service to be held at Daldowie Crematorium, East Chapel, Glasgow,
Friday, 17th September, at 1.30pm.
Family flowers only.

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Canongate Revisited

The historic Royal Burgh of CANONGATE has been home to many craft and trade guilds, artists, writers musicians and poets over the centuries, none of which felt the need to rename the area.

Caltongate is a name synonymous with bad planning, bully boy developers and corrupt councillors and should be dumped along with the plans which have now been abandoned as no such place exists.

Many still remember the area as a hub of creative activity. Most recently the Old bus depot, now demolished, was the birthplace of the Bongo Club and Out of the Blue, a home to many other arts groups, local traders and community groups. The Canongate Venture which is remembered by some older members in the community as a school (both as a primary and later as a school for building trades), it has also provided affordable workshop space for craft workers and independent businesses for over 30years.

Surely it is now time to open the doors to new tenants and community groups who can contribute to the cultural and creative heritage of the building, answer calls to relet the council flats  on the Canongate and  restore this area as hub of creative activity.