Inter-generational Project

This photograph was taken in our Reminiscence Room at Duddingston.

For the last few weeks we have been working together with the Canongate Youth Project to link up some of our clients and volunteers with young people in the community. The teenagers are working with the older folk to produce a computer- published book of photographs and reminiscences. The project is going well and we are looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Looking Ahead

Outreach Work

We are continuing to grow our programme of Outreach work supported by Big Lottery Funding. This initiative supports isolated older people by giving them the chance to chat about their memories to one or two dedicated members of our team. This provides valuable social activity for individuals whose lives have become a little limited. As part of the service we offer, we can produce personal history books for our clients and provide opportunities for group social events at our Reminiscence Centre. If you know someone who might like to be part of this programme, please contact a member of the team at 0131 661 3222.


Tenement Life

Did your granny lower your jeely piece in a bucket from her tenement window?

We are starting work on a project to capture memories of tenement living in Edinburgh. If you were brought up in a tenement or have memories of what life was like in the old (and not so old) tenements, please get in touch.

February Training Roundup

Miles and John ran three workshops in Glasgow recently for BUPA. Careworkers from BUPA homes throughout Scotland were trained in reminiscence skills, learning how to run groups and how to use prompt materials to engage their residents in enjoyable group sessions centred around the sharing of memories.

Later in the month, our intrepid training duo travelled to Elgin to run a training session at the Elgin Youth Cafe. There they trained young people and adults, equipping them to take part in an inter-generational project where members of the community will work together to share their experience of life in Elgin.

Goodtrees Neighbourhood Street Party

Miles, Heather, John and Evelyn joined members of the local Moredun Community in a family day Street Party at Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre on Friday 17 February. Miles and Heather were in charge of the old-style laundry and cleaning room, giving families the chance to use the carpet beater, the mangle, the scrubbing boards and the flat irons. Many children took a turn at the popular polishing activity using brasso and good old fashioned elbow grease. John and Evelyn were in charge of Granny's Kitchen making piles and piles of tattie scones. All the mashing, sifting and kneading was done by eager children and adults and the scones were soon demolished by granny's helpers.

Party Pieces

 

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

John in full flow

 

The LMA's Newhaven fishwife looks on in astonishment.

First Ever Burns Supper

 

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

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

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.