Current & Recent Trust Projects
Below are our most recent Trust projects.
Click on each one for more information about it.
James Gillespie's Trust £10K Challenge Music CD
Book about James Gillespie's High School Small Grants Scheme
"Living Stories" Oral History Project
The James Gillespie's Trust £10K Challenge
An enormous thank you to all of you who supported the three Trustees and myself in the 2011 BUPA Great Edinburgh Run. Those of you who were sensible enough to stay warm and dry indoors may remember that Sunday 2 October was a very wet day and indeed, as you can see, we did get very wet!
Back trouble prevented Allison from taking part but Jean Cathro, Mimo Caenepeel and I braved the weather and completed our 5K in a respectable 53 minutes and 29 seconds (we had a microchip in our shoes which timed our walk exactly). I think our medals were more for endurance in the face of horrible weather than anything else! Jeremy completed his 10K run in an impressive 1 hour, 11 minutes and 22 seconds ... well done Jeremy!
Although money is still coming in, we believe we have raised about £2,500 towards our goal of raising £10,000 this financial year and hope that this will enable us to make progress with the book (see below).
Book about James Gillespie's High School
In 2009 we launched the James Gillespie’s Trust Annual Fund to help finance future projects, the most exciting of which is the creation of a book about James Gillespie’s High School. This will encompass both the history and social context of the school and its founder and provide an account of how the school is moving forward in the 21st century whilst still embracing its fundamental aims and values. We are now well into the planning stage of this project and both the school and the Trust will continue this progress with the production of contributory articles and pieces of art work during 2010. We had hoped to complete the book before the end of 2010 but lack of funds has delayed this.
Music CD
An additional exciting Trust project is to record a CD of many of the remarkably talented musicians associated with the school and this project is moving forward in its planning phase. The range of music played by current and former pupils includes classical, jazz and modern – something for everyone!
Now at last we have the new CD, entitled "Fidelis et Forte" (no, this is not a mistake!), on sale. Please use this link to listen to samples of the pieces and download an order form. I'm sure you will agree that, at £5 + £1 p&p, this is exceptionally good value!
http://www.jghs.edin.sch.uk/cd_Fidelis_et_Forte/Fidelis_et_Forte_CD.html
Small Grants Scheme
Small Grants Scheme to disburse funds to realisable student projects. This scheme will account for no more than 10% of the Trusts assets in any year, in grants of £50 - 250.
"Living Stories" Oral History Project
"Living Stories". A two-year Oral History project to gather, curate and archive the oral history of James Gillespie's School in the Bruntsfield and Marchmont communities of Edinburgh. Our application to support this project has been approved by the heritage lottery fund.
A Library Redevelopment Project
A Library Redevelopment Project for the School is currently underway. A small grant from Awards for All has been obtained to support the initial feasibility study. Other funding streams will be identified as the project progresses.
Useful Links
- Scottish Oral History Group
- School of Scottish Studies
- Scottish Storytelling Centre
- Museum of Edinburgh - Writers Museum
- Living Memories Association
- Trust wants community to share stories
