A Celebration of Christmas Unites Communities at the Granton Waterfront

11 December 2008

Christmas, a time to get together with family and friends old and new. Father Ross Bell of EMERGE Granton ensured that communities old and new at Granton Waterfront had the opportunity to get to know each other during ‘A Celebration of a Scottish Christmas’ held at Edinburgh’s Telford College on Wednesday 10 December.

Approx 250 people from all over the Forth Ward gathered around a spectacularly decorated tree in The Hub at the college to sing carols, listen to readings of traditional tales with a Christmas message and enjoy drinks and nibbles provided by the Churches of Granton.

The Salvation Army brass band and choir ensured that any missed notes were covered up and Edinburgh’s own opera singer, Janet Devigne entertained everyone with a comical ‘Twelve days of Christmas’

Ross, an Anglican priest and regeneration practitioner, told us: “A small town of upwards of 25,000 people is coming into being at Edinburgh’s Waterfront, with as yet, few community facilities, no community groups and, without urgent action, no organised Christian presence. EMERGE has been founded by Granton Waterfront Churches to establish partnerships between businesses and create opportunities to bring together the existing and emerging communities around Edinburgh’s Waterfront.”

Wednesday nights ‘Celebration of a Scottish Christmas’ was an important step in a series of community events organised by EMERGE to help new residents settle in to their new community and to encourage residents of the existing community to share the benefits of their support network while discovering the benefits that the regeneration of their neighbourhood is bringing to the area.

Local community groups, businesses and developers were all represented at the event, Ross was encouraged by their attendance and added:”to have the continued support and active involvement of leading players in the regeneration area including National Grid Property Ltd and Dunedin Canmore Housing Association, side by side with community representatives from Forth Neighbourhood Partnership groups proves that there is a commonality of purpose for the new population and the existing communities. We are very grateful for this continued support and hope to maintain the momentum into the New Year”.

A spokesman from National Grid Property Ltd said ” I am so glad that Ross invited me along. We are working together to form a real community here at The Forthquarter and seeing so many people gathered together at the college is a fabulous feeling. Everyone had a really nice time singing carols, it is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. ”

This is the second Carol Concert at the college. Emerge have been working with on a number of event over the past year or so including an Easter Treasure Hunt at Saltire Square and a Summer Gala at The Forthquarter Park. With more residents moving in and an increasing proportion of the existing communities being upgraded, the need for more events remains strong.

Father Ross Bell will continue to foster relationships to create a stronger community spirit and there are ample opportunities for other organisations interested in joint initiatives and for people to contribute their ideas, talents and time to EMERGE Granton. If you would like to get involved in any way give him a call on 07976157022 or email ro.bell@btinternet.com