Leith has something to be proud of.

Recently, Leith has been granted permission to fly it's flag, after 92 years. The Coat of Arms came to Leith from France, circa 1050. But after the merging of the burgh with Edinburgh in 1920, it reverted back to the Lord Lyon's office and was soon forgotten. The crest features Mary and Jesus in a sailing boat, topped with a phrase "Persevere" and below a scroll saying "Sigillum Oppidi De Leith" – "the seal of the town of Leith". 

However, a few years ago a version of the arms reappear on the Welcome to Leith sign, which was appropriately placed at Pilrig - the traditional Leith boundary. Then another breakthrough followed, in Leith Academy being permitted to use the Arms to celebrate its 450th anniversary, with the inclusion of books at the bottom of the shield. Councillor Munn coupled with Mr. Alex Wilson, a local resident and historian and a 582 signed petition began the process of reinstating the flag under the charge of Leith Neighbour Partnership. Aptly, the petition was presented at the City Chambers in Edinburgh, which has a stained glass window of the Arms.

Cllr Munn, who has been involved throughout the whole process, believes 

"it is a very positive thing to happen. Leith had and retains a distinct identity and the Coat of Arms forms part of that identity. I think it is important to celebrate that identity and it will be great to have the Arms back and to see them more widely used throughout Leith". 

Thus, in Spring it is expected Leith Neighbour Partnership will have ownership of the Arms. The design itself will be almost identical to the original, except a small colour change of the galley, to show the new ownership of the arms.

The Arms are an iconic symbol of Leith's history, culture and goals. And hopefully, the Leith community will embrace the arms as a representation of themselves - a past symbol for the present and future to be proud of. 

I WANT OUT!

It's a beautiful Saturday morning and instead of watching the soaps' catchups (a guilty pleasure/secret), I want out. I want out of my sitting room confinements and escape the box in the corner. But, I don't want to move far. I might be more energetic than usual, but not like an energise bunny. And I'm broke. Out of the Blue Drill Hall has the answer to all my woes, it's hosting it's Flea Market. This free event is held on the last Saturday of each month in Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny St. 

I absolutely love the Flea Market. There is always such a great buzz - the variety of clients, including a few four-legged, the numerous stalls, the music and the friendly vendors. But obviously, the star of the show is the countless bargains on offer, in music, furniture, clothes and more. Check out some of the weird and wonderful stuff on offer. 

And now, the real predicament, what to buy and can I afford it? 

..... and then I noticed tarot card reading happening in a corner of the market. Maybe, she can help £3 for 3 cards or 12 cards for £10. BARGAIN! Did I say I love this place. 

And after all the rumanagings, negetiotions and purchasing, a stop off at the Drill Hall Cafe is a must. Waffles and maple syrup for only £4, more bargains, but let me say the quality didn't suffer. All there food is homemade and let me use the culinery expression, very yummy. 

So, all in all, a purchase, food and my future being told for under £10. BARGAIN! And while I didn't get to see the dramas of the Eastend or Weatherfield, I spent an amazing morning in my area, Leith. 

. 

A

Shrubhill House

Have you ever walked pass somewhere for years and didn't even notice it? That was the case with a run-down office block I waited across from at a bus stop on Leith Walk. For two years! 

You recognise it, as the 8 metre high eyesore, smack-bang in the middle of Leith Walk. And it is big and it is ugly. So why didn't I notice it?

Now that I have finally acknowledged it, I want to know more. First, it's called Shrubhill House. It was built in the 1960s and housed the Council's Social Work Department. And unbelievably the courtyard, was formerly a petrol pump station. 

Shrubhill House became a listed building and part of Leith Conservation Area site, in 1998. The derelict office block fronts a separate site, previously known as the Lothian Regional Transport Department. The red-brick site had a depot and workshop for trams and contained enormous pulleys to hoist trams for part of the Edinburgh's tramways. However, once the trams left, the site's function changed to the Edinburgh Corporation Transport Department and became a bus maintenance depot for Lothian Buses.

In 2003, Wimpey Homes began its proposals for the Transport department site, including flats, 7 stories high and latter, houses. Wimpey Homes' plans were heavily campaigned by residents, through a "save Shrub Place" website campaign. As Mr Tobermann, chairman of the Pilrig Resident Association said "this decision makes it clear that developers and their architects need to design for a conservaion area of tomorrow, not a scheme that makes money now". It was recommended the two neighbouring sites, Shrubhill House and the Masonic Social club should be an intergarated consideration in the proposals for the site. Thus, after half a decade, all 4 proposals were rejected by councillors. By 2005, Wimpey Homes admitted defeat and the site was sold to BL development, incorporating Shrubhill. BL delevopment proposed office space, shops, 300 homes, and a possible hotel in 2006, followed by a proposal in 2009 for a 4* hotel. 

By this time, in 2005, the City of Edinburgh Council recommended the building should be demolished, part of the Council's programme of disposals for the Fit for Future project.  It was believed the building was not in keeping with area. "The existing buildings on site are not worthy of retention, and contribute negatively to the conservation area. They do not respect the spatial character nor the building form of the area, and are of inappropriate materials (concrete and bronze metal cladding). The building line is not in keeping with the remainder of Leith Walk" (The City of Edinburgh Council).

In 2008, Unite, a provider of student accommodation purchased Shrubhill House for circa £6 million. BL development did make an offer of 4,800,000, but the high price won. Unite proposed retail units and student accommodation. The site was to be knocked down and the building's line moved closer to Leith Walk.  

And what of it now? Its still standing. Recently, the site adorned a banner describing the site as the new Conservative's Big Society headquarters. Most defiantly a clever joke. However, the building does house some amazing graffiti. Check out this YouTube video:

And while this art is amazing, its such a pity nothing is happening with Shrubhill and its neighbouring site, which is so historically important and extremely beautiful. These sites could bring a major economic boost to the middle of Leith, if only we could get people to notice.  

JohnnyJan 27, 2012 05:53 AM

Interesting footnote:

Shrubhill House has recently been enclosed and clad in steel to try and prevent the graffiti artists from getting in, presumably because it was deemed an eyesore - whats more of an affront to my eyes is a steelclad building screaming out 'no entry'. As the graffiti sprayed on the door following its securing says - "All we wanted was art - why do you hate culture so much?"

In London, they make derelict spaces into art spaces - see pics of Peckham Sculpture Park: http://londonist.com/2009/06/art_preview_rooftop_sculpture_park.php

In Edinburgh ('inspiring capital' remember)where capital is king, they rigidly protect their investment using brute force and without an once of creativity or thought for their neighbours (who actually live there)

Who owns Edinburgh?

You might as well know the truth, I CAN'T SWIM

At the age of 30, my attempts to learn how to swim have lead to many cringe-worthy moments. Two are most prominent in my mind. The first involved me in a children's swimming pool with women of an older generation wearing armbands, as fellow male peers on their treadmills, watched in amusement. The second attempt ended up like a farcical scene from Baywatch,  where I’m running in my swimsuit across a crowed school hall, wrongly seeking the help of the janitor (long story). These deeply entrenched memories are the consequences of two factors. Firstly, over protective parents, who ironically feared I would drown. And secondly, the more pragmatic reason, lack of swimming facilities nearby.

This has caused my concern over the Council's decision to closed Waterworld on the 8 January 2012. Waterworld is a the capital's only leisure pool and aims to provide a service to children, families and those with carers. The facility is located beside Tesco, at the bottom of Leith Walk. The pool is being sold off to help fund the £37 million redevelopment of Royal Commonwealth Pool (RCP).

The vote at the Edinburgh City Chambers on the 22 December, saw 55 councillors vote for it's closure, compare to 3 to keep it open.  Councillors from SNP, Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrats refused to back a Green Party motion to keep the pool open until the RCP's re-opening, a motion which was previously agreed in February 2007 by the administration.

The closure was opposed by Splashworld!, a residential campaign to prevent the pool's closure, at least until the RCP opens at the end of March, 2012. The group has the backing of Irvine Welsh, David Greig, The Proclaimers, John Loughton and has collected 5,000+ signatures. However, this support did not the desired impact on the council's decision.

The council has received 4 notes of interest, potentially from the site's neighbour, Tesco. However, neither Tesco or the council will confirm whether the former is an interested party. 

And what about my future in water? Well in 2012, I will again attempt to conquer the skill of swimming, in an adult evening class in Leith Academy. While I don't dream of participating in the Rio de Janeiro's Olympics in 2016, I would like my children to have the dream. And as Alison Johnstone, Green councillor and Lothians MSP, says "We'll never have elite athletes if we don't have the grassroots facilities".