Our Linen Stories first real-time foray into generating public interest and gathering local stories was to set up stall at Leith Market two weeks before launch in Leith. You came along to shop local at the regular Saturday Farmers Market in Dock Place, just beside Custom Lane where we planned to exhibit and you were generous in your stories from the word go. Thanks to Sara and team for their support in kind of our Linen Tent at Leith Market.
As well as fun with fellow traders and the chance to try some of the best smoked trout we’ve ever tasted, several folk wandered up to look at our 1896 Map of Edinburgh and Leith: who doesn’t love to check over an old map to see what was there in yesteryear?
Among those enjoying the atmosphere was one lady with an Australian accent with whom we shared our Leith and Edinburgh stories. Turns out this lady had Huguenot ancestors and is MP for Leith to boot! With many thanks to Deirdre Brock MP whose diligent office lead Nina subsequently sent us a key research paper summarising in more detail the place of the Huguenot’s in Edinburgh.
Another of Leith’s women of substance, friend and local activist Mary Moriarty had been keen to introduce me to her former colleague Designer Claudia Escobar. Of Polish and Chilean descent and resident of Leith for 10 years, Claudia is one of the most hard working people we’ve met and with Our Linen Stories, we have helped facilitate part of Claudia’s own exciting Journey in Design.
