If you have an article or any information on Yes groups and events you would like us to include, please get in touch at [email protected]
July 10th: The thirteenth and our first anniversary issue of "Saor Alba", our monthly newsletter, is out today. This is the place to get your Yes news, views and information in our local Yes community. You can get it here.
If you have an article or any information on Yes groups and events you would like us to include, please get in touch at [email protected]
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June 3rd: The twelfth issue of "Saor Alba", our monthly newsletter, is now out. This is the place to get your Yes news, views and information in our local Yes community. You can get it here.
If you have an article or any information on Yes groups and events you would like us to include, please get in touch at [email protected] May 5th: The eleventh issue of "Saor Alba", our monthly newsletter, is now out. This is the place to get your Yes news, views and information in our local Yes community. You can get it here.
If you have an article or any information on Yes groups and events you would like us to include, please get in touch at [email protected]
Members of the Hub's management group met on Sunday to assess the activities of the Hub over the last three months and to refine the direction of it's activities moving forward.
We were all disappointed to note that Yes supporters in areas of Edinburgh are consistently failing to utilise the resources at the Hub, and during our discussions various reasons why this should be the case was put forward. People who used to go to the Cafe at Liberton Dams regularly have said that the new Hub is too far to travel, even though we are only 3-4 bus stops further away from the city centre. We've also been told that lack of parking is a factor despite having better parking opportunities at the new location than at the old Cafe. In the end we surmised that the only real reason can be that the groups in Edinburgh are all too busy competing against each other and that the Hub, rather that be seen as the resource that it is, is been seen as another group to be in competition with. This is not the case, the Hub is there to be a central resource for all groups to call upon. It is an open space that is open 7 days a week where Yes groups can come together, hold meetings, store materials for stalls, and can be, quite literally, a shop front for all Edinburgh's groups. But to do this effectively we need to get the support of the various Yes Groups in Edinburgh. The one downside of the Hub, that doesn't affect other groups, is that to survive it needs to bring in about £1000 in donations every month just to keep the doors open. It would be a shame if, in the run up to the next Independence referendum, and at a time when other areas are opening Hubs, the Edinburgh Hub was forced to close due to a lack of support. As Edinburgh is one of the key areas that needs to be converted to Yes if we are to win our independence next time around we will need to keep the Hub open - even if it just a reminder to the BritNats that the Independence movement isn't going away. The Walking Group will be taking in the Old Town of Edinburgh this Friday.
The group will be gathering at the Hub on Lasswade Road at 11am, prior to taking the bus into the City Centre and, subject to the weather, having a gentle stroll along the Royal Mile. There will be a chance to explore some of the Closes and learn a little of the history of our capital city. There will probably also be a chance for coffee and cake afterwards. Come along and join in the fun. As some may have already noticed the Hub has been open on reduced hours on Monday and Tuesday. Mike, the Hub Manager, has been unwell and we're being kept open by some of our volunteers. For the remaining weekdays we will be open from 2 pm until 6pm. On Friday we will additionally be open for a short time at 11 am for the Walking Group to gather. On Saturday and Sunday we will be open 12 noon till 6 pm.
We are hoping that we will be back to normal opening hours next week. March 5th: The nineth issue of "Saor Alba", our monthly newsletter, is out today. This is the place to get your Yes news, views and information about our local Yes community. You can get it here.
Please use the comments section of the blog post to give use constructive feedback on this issue of the newsletter. If you have an article or any information on Yes groups and events you would like us to include, please get in touch at [email protected] The beginning of Spring is usually the time of year when serious campaigners dust off their camp tables, unfurl their flags and print off hundreds of flyers to take to the streets. Most of us have probably looked at the snow left on the ground from the "Beast from the East" and decided that we'll hold off for a few more weeks.
This weekend though a few brave souls decided that they would hold Edinburgh's first Yes Stall of the year by the Tesco at Nicolson Street. By all accounts is was a successful, if chilly, venture but serves as good starting point. I'm sure that as the weather improves many other groups will brave the last remnants of Winter to get the word out that the desire for an independent Scotland hasn't gone away. If you are planning a street stall or other independence event let us know and we will be able to post something up here. You could also write up a summary of your event afterwards for this blog. Just be aware that we can't publish something that's been posted elsewhere. We are hoping that the worst of the weather has passed, leaving just the snow on the ground, so we are looking to re-open the Hub on Friday morning. There are no events planned but people are still welcome to drop in for coffee and a chat, and to browse our selection of books from Luath Press.
The Book Club will be meeting at 2pm on Sunday, 4th March looking at 'Naw First Minister!' by Allan Morrison, a riotous tale of the Scottish Parliament in the vein of 'Yes Minister'which is available from the Hub. We should be back to normal next week and our forthcoming events are listed in the Events Calendar. |