Residents plan commemorative statue of stalwart Helen

RESIDENTS in Craigmillar are hoping to have a statue of community stalwart Helen Crummy MBE erected in her memory.

The statue would be located outside the new East Neighbourhood Office. The community has also suggested that Craigmillar Library be renamed after Mrs Crummy when it opens in the same building.

Sheila Gilmore, Labour MP for Edinburgh East, has written to the city council’s neighbourhood manager, Jim Hunter, in support of the proposals, which are being led by Craigmillar Community Council and the Community Regeneration Forum.

She said: “It is so important to the community in Craigmillar that we remember Helen’s work, not simply because she should be commemorated for all she fought for, but so that her legacy will continue to inspire others, including the children that will benefit from the Craigmillar Books for Babies programme.

“She was determined that the people of Craigmillar should have access to the same opportunities in art, drama, and music as people from any other area of the city, and should be duly commemorated.”

Mrs Crummy, who passed away aged 91 last year, was best known for her part in founding the Craigmillar Festival Society (CFS) and for working tirelessly to champion a better quality of life for poor families.

It is proposed that the figurative statue would be funded by £30,000 set aside for community art from the Niddrie Burn River Restoration Project.