Helen Crummy
Encyclopedia
Helen Crummy, MBE
(10 May 1920 – 11 July 2011) 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
. 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
. He replied by telling her that she would have to pay for private lessons. He encouraged her and the Peffermill Mothers' Group to create a people's festival, which grew to international acclaim.
She was awarded an MBE in 1972, and an honorary doctorate by Heriot-Watt University
in 1993, 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.
Her son, Dr. Andrew Crummy, is the designer of the Prestonpans Tapestry
, and chairs the Three Harbours Festival and Prestoungrange Arts Association.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(10 May 1920 – 11 July 2011) was a founder of The Craigmillar Festival Society
Craigmillar Festival Society
The Craigmillar Festival Society was a Community Arts organisation that existed in the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh, Scotland from 1962 to 2002. It is regarded as important contributor to the Community Arts Movement...
(CFS), and served as the Organising Secretary for the group until 1985.
Helen Crummy was born in Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
. 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
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. Her family were also neighbours of the family of Jack Kane, the first Labour
Labour
Labor might refer to:*Labor, an obsolete unit of area*Josef Labor, a composer, pianist, organist, and teacher*Labor, SloveniaLabour or labor might refer to:* Employment of any kind* Manual labour, physical work done by people...
Lord Provost
Lord Provost
A Lord Provost is the figurative and ceremonial head of one of the principal cities of Scotland. Four cities, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, have the right to appoint a Lord Provost instead of a provost...
of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, 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
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
. He replied by telling her that she would have to pay for private lessons. He encouraged her and the Peffermill Mothers' Group to create a people's festival, which grew to international acclaim.
She was awarded an MBE in 1972, and an honorary doctorate by Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name commemorates George Heriot, the 16th century financier to King James, and James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer....
in 1993, and she is part of The Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
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.
Her son, Dr. Andrew Crummy, is the designer of the Prestonpans Tapestry
Prestonpans Tapestry
The Prestonpans Tapestry is a large embroidery created - and normally situated in - Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland.Its full title is "The Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry 1754"....
, and chairs the Three Harbours Festival and Prestoungrange Arts Association.