February 2009
Welcome to the first of our regular e-bulletins to update you on
progress in preparation for what will be a great day! We will shortly be
launching the Gude Cause website where we hope you will post your own
events and plans to take part in the day.
PROCESSION PLAN
The committee are in negotiations with City of Edinburgh Council on the
route the procession will take. The original route started at
Bruntsfield Links – down Lothian Road, along Princes Street to St
Andrew’s Square – Waterloo Place and finishing at Calton Hill. Gude
Cause are keen to follow the original route as much as possible. We will
keep everyone informed of the outcome of the negotiations as they
develop. Below is a draft plan for the day and it will develop over the
coming months.
Leading the procession
A Piper: Horses (including ‘Flora Drummond’ in uniform): Gude Cause Banner and some ‘VIPs’
Representing the past 1909
Float: Horse-drawn caravan? Singers
A walking Timeline
1909 – 2009, with costumes, banners, and information marking passage of decades, and achievements towards equality
MSPs, Councillors etc
Representing the Present
Drummers: Professions (grouped and in garb) led by placards for identification Unions Women’s Movement activists (local/national) Local authorities/areas of Scotland led by placards Jazz band Miscellaneous organisations and groups, carrying banners, placards with slogans etc
Representing the future
What still needs to change, and some of the new challenges for
feminism/women’s movement/equality campaigners (in Scotland and around the world)
Pipe band to bring up the rear; any other floats dispersed throughout
procession.
What else is happening?
As well as the procession itself there will be several other events
happening around Scotland.
Music and Song
Protest in Harmony are busy writing and learning songs to sing during
the procession. They will be producing song sheets with music for other
singers and choirs around the country to learn and perform on the day.
For more information contact Susan Moffat susan.moffat@hotmail.co.uk
International Women’s Day Fundraising Event
Sunday 8th March 2009
The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Edinburgh
Tickets £6 AND £4.00 Concession
Tickets available from Peace and Justice Centre 0131 229 0993
Come and celebrate International Women’s Day with some great music and
song. With performances from Margaret Bennet, The Cast, Kathy Galloway,
Gica Loening, Alison McMorland, Protest in Harmony Choir, Stairheid
Gossip, Wildfire Women’s Choir Mae Shaw ….. and many more…. /
Sometimes singing seems to be the only sensible response!
The Quilting Challenge
Quilters (of all abilities!) are invited to submit quilting squares to
be made into a commemorative quilt. This might be a fun thing to get
together and do with your colleagues and/or volunteers. The theme is:
UNITY. You may interpret the theme however you like, but quilters are
asked that each quilt square incorporates each of the three colours, and
that finished squares should be 91/2” square (including 1/4” seam
allowance). Squares should be un-quilted (but pressed) and with no
adornments.
Join our quilting bee! On 1st Monday of every month from 6.00 – 9.00 pm
at Engender, 1a Haddington Place, Edinburgh. Absolute beginners very
welcome. Bring needle, thread, fabric (if you have it), if not just
bring yourself!
Post your quilted squares to: Sara-Jane Rice, 62/7 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh, EH11 2AY by August 16th, 2009. Any enquiries to:
sj_rice@hotmail.com or 07789 342 656
WEA Lothian Women’s Forum will be holding women and song workshops in June and September.
A Jewellery making class beginning in April looking
at the designs and purposes of the Suffragette Jewellery and the WEA
Playwriting group is scripting a play telling the story of the
suffragists and suffragettes to be performed at the Fringe 2009. They
are also working with the City of Edinburgh Council Museums Service to
create an exhibition opening in June telling the story of the struggle
of women’s suffrage and the part Edinburgh women played. For more
information contact WEA e.bryan@weascotland.org.uk Tel: 0131 225 2580
How you can get involved ……….
Keep in touch, let us know of your plans for taking part in the
procession and of any events you are hosting.
1. Join the steering group organising the day – whether you have a
specific skill you can offer or can volunteer some time contact us.
2. Organise your own event to run in the lead up to the procession
celebrations
3. Join the procession – organise your own float, banners and dress
up.
4. Join our emailing list to receive regular updates on progress
What we need……..
Office space in central Edinburgh.
Funding, donations and sponsorship. Gude Cause is frantically filling in
funding application forms. If you know of any funding streams that may
help us please let us know. Thank you to those who have made personal
and organisational donations to Gude Cause, your support has helped us
greatly to get started.
Get in touch……….
For further information on any of the above, or to make a donation or
discuss your ideas email gudecause@peaceandjustice.org.uk
or call 0131 229 0993
