May 2015 News
30th April 2015
On the 22nd May 1915 at Quintinshill near Gretna, the worst crash in the history of British rail travel killed over 200 people with the majority of those who died being men from the 7th (Leith) Battalion of the Royal Scots, on their way to Gallipoli. Hundreds gathered outside the drill hall for news before the return of the bodies to be laid out in the drill hall prior to burial. OOTB are marking the centenary with ‘Gretna 100‘, a Heritage Lottery funded participatory project looking at the impact of the crash for families and the Leith community. The project is culminating in the theatre performance of ‘Persevere‘ and the ‘Seven of the 7th‘ exhibition, launching on the 22nd May. In addition OOTB are hosting an exclusive screening of Quintinshill, a film made by Finestripe Productions on 16th May for those who helped make the film and invited press. The film will then be shown on BBC Two Scotland at 9pm on Wednesday 20th May.
Bongo Lives! celebrates that the Bongo Club is still very much alive, two years after having to leave its old home (Moray House) and twelve years after the move from OOTB’s and Bongo’s original home in New Street. As well as an interesting hook up with the Hidden Door Festival, Bongo Lives features OOTB’s #artcore Live event, with 4-5 live bands and Creating a Scene with radio plays, paste ups, interactive gaming and fanzine publishing, all programmed by the #artcore team. #artcore is OOTB’s brand new youth arts hub supported by Creative Scotland.
Back at the OOTB Drill Hall, the List Eating and Drinking Guide 2015 have reviewed and recommended the Drill Hall Arts Cafe as one of the best cafes in Edinburgh in their hit list of arts cafes. The cafe is run by OOTB as a training project for young people supported by the City of Edinburgh Council. Come and enjoy springtime at OOTB Drill Hall.
