Free information Day September 27th 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

Mystery object!

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

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.

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.

'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