LMA

Party Pieces

2012-02-08T18:12:00.001Z

Evelyn thrills her audience with an extract from Tam O'Shanter

John in full flow

2012-02-08T18:11:00.001Z

The LMA's Newhaven fishwife looks on in astonishment.

First Ever Burns Supper

2012-02-08T18:09:00.002Z

Finally as promised,a report of our first ever Burns Supper. The Stables rang to the music and words of Rabbie Burns as guests and hosts all performed their tributes to the Bard. The Haggis, tatties and, particularly, the neeps were voted a great success and we've got our thinking caps on now to prepare for our next community event.

Burns Lunch

2012-01-19T10:57:00.002Z

The Reminiscence alternative to the traditional Burns Supper.

This community lunch with a difference will take place at the Stables on Thursday 26th January 2012. Expect haggis, turnip and entertainment with a Scottish twist.

Look out for a full report and pictures after the event.

Free information Day September 27th 2010

2010-09-03T11:58:00.003+01:00

Following our successful reminiscence information day in May we will be doing a similar event in Newhaven on the 27th September. 10.OOam to 2.pm
A free Information day on reminiscence, recording and life story books.
Newhaven parish church, 7 Craighall road, Newhaven. EH6 4ND.
Workshops will be on Recording and making reminiscence books and using Reminiscence resources. There will also be an Edinburgh slide show.
Refreshments and sandwiches available.
Please contact if you would like to come along, individuals or groups.

The photographic Archive

2010-09-03T11:45:00.004+01:00

Apologies for our web site being 'down' for a week or so. We had problems with our server. The main site is back but not the archive I'm afraid.
Good news and bad news on this score. Bad news being it will unavailable for a while yet. Good news- its going to look far better when it returns. Much more searchable,and we will be adding to it.
If there is any one who would like to volunteer to become involved in the 'revamping' of the archive please contact.

Volunteers Needed for New Life Story Book Project

2010-07-08T13:34:00.002+01:00

We’re looking for volunteers to take part in a new project creating life story books for older members of the community. Volunteers will be going into the homes of clients from Stockbridge to conduct interviews and collect photographs during weekly sessions over a month. Volunteers will then upload photographs and input information onto a specifically designed computer programme. These will then be printed into hardback books for the clients to keep. These books will then be used by the client themselves, carers, family members and friends to talk about the clients life and to preserve memories.

Volunteers will receive full training in both reminiscence and recording skills as well as in using all relevant IT packages.

Volunteers will need to undergo an enhanced Disclosure paid for by the Living Memory Association. Volunteer expenses such as local travel will be met by the Living Memory Association.

For further information please contact Shula at the Living Memory Association at shulahawes@gmail.com or at 0131 661 3222

27th May Information Day

2010-05-14T10:26:00.005+01:00

One of our stalls at the information day will be for those interested in doing research into local history. Joyce Miller, who did the historical research for 'Heres Tae Us' and 'The Three and Sixpenny Doctor' projects, will be available to offer some advice in the field of research. Information sheets will be available. Joyce is also a freelance researcher and has a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

Free Information Day 27th May 2010

2010-05-06T11:13:00.008+01:00

On the 27th May we are running a free information day on reminscence and oral history at St Columba's- by-the-Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh. 10.00am to 2.30pm
There will be stalls, an old Edinburgh slide show and workshops. All relating to reminiscence.
Programme:
Workshop. 10.30. Recording skills. Basic advice on how to record interviews and what equipment to use.
11.00. Workshop. Reminiscence taster and quiz.
11.30 Old Edinburgh slide show
12.00 to 1pm lunch time. Sandwiches, tea, coffee and cake provided.
1pm to 2pm. Workshop. Reminiscence resources. Using memorabilia and handling boxes to prompt memories. We will be using our own handling boxes plus Anne Munro will be demonstrating the Pilmeny Project's ethnic minority boxes.
2pm old Edinburgh slide show.
Come and join us for a blether.

Ploughing the old fashioned way

2010-04-28T15:28:00.003+01:00

Well spring is here and the farmers are busy out on their tractors in Macmerry ploughing the fields. Here's a scene from a quieter time. Ploughing using real horse power. It might be quicker with a tractor but the old ways saw the beauty of man and horse working together.
Macmerry was well known for its heavy horses and a film was made in the 1950s of the last of the horse men of Macmerry. Who knows with the price of oil ever rising we might see the return of the heavy horses of Macmerry.

Transcribing project

2010-04-22T15:48:00.003+01:00

Nearly done...
The RCN transcribing project is nearing the end. The transcribers have done a really great job transcribing approx. 500 hours of interviews from the RCN archives. There are only a few left to be completed and then the last batch of DVDs can be handed over. Well done everybody and many thanks!

Macmerry for the cup!

2010-03-17T15:26:00.004Z

Move over Hearts and Hibs, its Macmerry for the cup.

Formed in 1872, the Macmerry football team of "Macmerry St Clair" was a regular in the junior football league for many a year winning some twelve cups and trophies between 1912 and 1918.

From the look of some of the lads in the photo they could take on some of today's big boys and give them a good run for their money.

Sadly the team is no longer in existence but with long memories and loads of enthusiasm in the village that might well change. So look out all you premier league teams Macmerry might be challenging you in the future!

Maps, mysteries and much much more

2010-02-10T11:02:00.005Z

So now the folks at Macmery have put the village on the map. But which village?

Poring over old maps showed us details of Penstone, Mak'Merry, Mary field, Macmerry and Glasdmuir (the posh one with the church) and woe betide anyone who gets them confused!

The "special investigators", pupils at Macmerry Primary, are on the case questioning grandparents and neighbours. Who knows what else they may discover.

Mystery Street

2010-01-14T11:14:00.013Z

A busy street in the 1950s. Rose Street? Any suggestions?

Mystery object!

2010-01-13T10:30:00.008Z

Snow is away. Perversely I now miss it. The world has turned grey and wet!

A mystery object from our vast reminiscence collection. We have never really pinned down what it is for. Its about 2 inches square. The inside lid, (Pic bit blurry.. sorry) has a shamrock on it. Any ideas?

Handling Boxes

2010-01-08T11:06:00.008Z

Another service we are keen to promote are our handling boxes. These are themed around such subjects as 'Childhood,' Domestic Life,' Medical,' and 'Holidays.' They contain small objects and images that can be used to stimulate memories, either in a group or with an individual. Just contact for further information.

Use of space.

2010-01-07T10:49:00.017Z

At some point the snow and ice will disappear... won't it?

When it does we would really like to encourage more folk to come and visit us. As you will see from the photo we have a large bar area. That's me tending bar and John leaning on it! No... sorry to disappoint that's part of Jean Taylor's excellent pub model, created for our 'Social History of Drinking' exhibition.

What we do have is a cosy and evocative reminiscence area. Plenty of comfy seating and crammed full of interesting old objects and photos.

Its all very 'hands on' and it's a great place for a blether and to reminisce.

We can take groups of up to 20 and the reminiscence area is fully wheelchair accessible. There is parking for up to three cars in our courtyard and plenty of free parking on the main street. The 42 bus stops by the village.

We run our own groups here but if you would like to visit or use the space please don't hesitate to contact us.

Cheers
Miles

A Happy and Healthy 2010.

2010-01-06T10:22:00.005Z

'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..' Yes but three weeks of it! Its all very Dickensian here at the Stables. No doubt you are all fed up with snow but here is a picture of ours looking down to the village.

We all wish you a healthy and happy 2010 and look forward to a year full of 'life story' gathering.

I will be putting together a book of more lengthy life stories this year. So if you have a story to tell, or know of anyone else who does, please contact.

We will be also be doing a lot of revamping of the website this year so look out for that.

All the best,

Miles

Macmerry project funders' Logos

2009-12-22T14:19:00.035Z

Macmerry Christmas

2009-12-16T13:37:00.006Z

Well a very Mac Merry Christmas to everyone.

The school is full of tinsel and glitter as the children prepare for December the 25th. Making decorations we talked about Christmas in times past.

So what was Christmas like before Gogo Hamsters and Nintendo Wii? Tangarines, boxes of dates, paper chains and Mums that made their own mince pies. Morecombe and Wise on the telly and Christmas Carols on the radio. Christmas in the olden days sounded like lots of fun and everyone went off to see what their Grannies and Granddads could remember.

So seasons greeting from everyone in Mcamerry and here's a Christmas puzzle for you all - whats a bubbly-jock?

The story continues

2009-12-02T10:15:00.003Z

Sunday 29th November saw the Macmerry Lives project visit Gladsmuir church to talk about the Macmerry project and gather more volunteers.

The tiny church made us very welcome as we were interviewed by the Minister Robin Hill as part of the service. And we thought we were supposed to be the ones doing the interviewing! After the service some of the congregation looked at some old photos of Macmerry suggesting names for some of those even from the 1920s. We also had several folk putting us right about some of the tall tales told about the airfield during the second world war. New contacts were made, old memories were revived and everyone promised to look out their old photos.

Plans for the new year, including an "experts day" were discussed and lots of goodwill generated. We have promised to return and next time we'll interview the minister.

More Macmerry Lives

2009-10-28T13:16:00.004Z

Well the Macmerry Lives project is proving to be even more exciting than any of us imagined. From award winning pottery to one of the first commercial airfields in Scotland Macmerry has seen it all. It was even the site of one of the safehouses for Edinburgh suffragettes hiding out from police harassment!

A village with more history packed into it than an episode of Time Team, the Primary School is leading the way with photos, stories, a timeline and who knows what else still to be uncovered.

Macmerry Lives!

2009-09-30T13:59:00.007+01:00

The new Macmerry Lives oral history project, funded by Tyne-Esk LEADER, was launched at Macmerry Primary School on Friday the 25th Sept.

The pupils of Macmerry were holding their annual Macmillan Coffee Morning when the LMA turned up amidst the homebaking and choccy biccies. Some of which made their way back to the LMA offices.

Rooting about in the school's cupboards we found a fantastic stash of old photos and used them to advertise the event, interest the adults and amaze the kids.

One of the primary one boys got the day off to a cracking start by solemnly announcing that he didn't live in Macmerry but by the end of the day over a dozen people signed up to share their memories.

So as they say in all the best movies - watch this space over the next year folks for tales of excitement and daring do from Macmerry.

Settling in.

2009-09-11T09:31:00.003+01:00

You can smell autumn in the air at the stables- well outside anyway! The leaves are yellowing and the ground is peppered with conker casings.We are pretty much organised now. Office up and running. Everything networked- even the staff!

The reminiscence area is ready for action. We will be starting an over 55 drama group on Wednesday, 30th Sept, 2pm. All welcome- just give us a phone or drop us an email.

We have a great meeting area now- comfortably seating 12. We want to utilise it as much as possible. We plan to start up a weekly open reminiscence session. If anyone is interested just let us know. If you have a group and are looking for a place to meet we could offer a suitable venue. Its homely and crammed full of interesting stuff!

2009-07-23T09:59:00.002+01:00

Greetings! From The Stables - there was no room at the Inn. The Sheep Heid Inn is just across the road from us, which is almost too handy! Duddingston Village, nestling in the shadow of Arthur's Seat and with the loch on its doorstep, is lovely. We've been exploring and found Dr Neil's Garden, and it's smashing, the peace of the country in the city. So far, Village life suits us very well, indeed.

We've Moved

2009-07-17T15:12:00.000+01:00

We've finished our move now. Most of the unpacking has been done and the new place is starting to look like a proper office and reminiscence centre instead of rooms full of boxes. Again lots of hard work by staff and volunteers has gone into getting everything organised and working again. We've already had a few visitors and look forward to greeting many more over the coming months. After a few teething troubles we now have our web acceess and email working again so we're now back in touch with the rest of the world!

On the Move

2009-07-03T20:53:00.005+01:00

Today we made a start on our move to our new premises in Duddingston. A lot of hard work has gone on by staff and volunteers getting all our office and Reminiscence Centre packed up and ready to go. The first van loads were moved to the new place, mostly in the pouring rain, today.
The old office is looking pretty empty now but we are still operating from there for a few more days.

Early next week we will start the process of getting installed and unpacking before moving the rest of our office later on.

The Three and Sixpenny Doctor

2009-05-04T14:41:00.004+01:00

The National Health Service was introduced on 5th July 1948. This exhibition looks at people's memories of health care before the NHS and what life was like after it's introduction. The exhibition celebrates people's experiences and stories about home remedies, paying for the doctor, visiting the dentist and childbirth amongst other topics.
In this current economic climate we sometimes forget just how radical the NHS was in postwar Britain and how central and important it is now in all our lives.

This exhibition will be on display at the Scottish Parliament, in the restricted area for MSP, from 5th May to 8th May 2009.

2009-04-07T13:39:00.015+01:00

Edinburgh Memories

A wonderful new book containing local people’s stories from between the wars has just been published. It includes stories and photographs about childhood and schooldays, work and play, sport and leisure. It is available from all good bookshops and direct from the LMA

Sikh Sanjog

Sikh Sanjog offer services for sikh women in Edinburgh. The LMA is currently offering reminiscence training to help with their new Heritage Lottery Project which seeks to foster a greater understanding between the generations in the sikh community.

Gracemount Primary School

The LMA has been working with the teachers and pupils in the primary school on a variety of topics: Granny’s Kitchen, Recycling and Childhood Games. This involved bringing older people in the community into the school to share their memories and experiences with the pupils. The most recent session was on Scots Words with a primary 5 class.

Astley Ainslie Hospital

We’re currently running reminiscence sessions at the hospital for a group of people recovering from strokes. This has proved to be a lively wee group. We bring along memorabilia to stimulate memories or sometimes present a slide projection of photographs of Edinburgh.

Reminiscence Drama

2009-04-06T15:25:00.005+01:00

Raa-Boh!

A drama production between the LMA and QMUC Drama Students was based on a series of reminiscence workshops with local older people's groups. The theme of the drama was childhood games from the past. In the play, the central character, a Rag and Bone man, keeps alive old games and stories. It successfully combined live action and puppetry.

Performances of, Raa-Boh! took place in six primary schools in East Lothian and these were complimented with workshops for the pupils on drama and puppet-making. The project culminated with a public performance at the Brunton Theatre on Friday 3rd April.

Thanks to Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice who provided the funding for the project.