Helen Crummy
Helen Crummy, MBE (10 May 1920 – 11 July 2011)[1][2] was a founder of The Craigmillar Festival Society (CFS), and served as the Organising Secretary for the group until 1985.
Helen Crummy was born in Leith. She became one of Craigmillar's first residents in 1931, when her family moved to the estate, located in one of the poorest areas of Edinburgh.[2] Her family were also neighbours of the family of Jack Kane, the first Labour Lord Provost of Edinburgh, The CFS started in 1962, after she asked the headmaster of the local primary school if her son could be taught to play the violin.[3] He replied by telling her that she would have to pay for private lessons.[3] He encouraged her and the Peffermill Mothers' Group to create a people's festival, which grew to international acclaim.[3][4]
She was awarded an MBE in 1972,[3] and an honorary doctorate by Heriot-Watt University in 1993,[2] and she is part of The Edinburgh Women of Achievement trail. Her book, Let The People Sing!, has been sold and studied in many countries. Her third novel, Whom Dykes Divide, was published in 2008.[2]
Her son, Dr. Andrew Crummy, is the designer of the Prestonpans Tapestry, and chairs the Three Harbours Festival and Prestoungrange Arts Association.
References
- ^ Obituary in The Scotsman
- ^ a b c d "Author pens third novel at age of 88", The Scotsman, 8 December 2008, retrieved 2010-12-02
- ^ a b c d Campbell, Donald (2003) Edinburgh: A Cultural and Literary History, Signal Books, ISBN 978-1902669731, p. 216
- ^ Hannan, Martin (2010) "Martin Hannan: Sink estate that can turn the tide", The Scotsman, 23 March 2010, retrieved 2010-12-02
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