Statue to Helen Crummy
One of Craigmillar’s most famous daughters, Dr Helen Crummy MBE (1920–2011) was a renowned social activist, political campaigner, community organiser and one of the founders of the internationally recognised Craigmillar Festival Society.
‘Festival Society secretary Helen Crummy talks about unemployment in the area’ - JOB CREATION IN CRAIGMILLAR, 1978 (Craigmillar Festival Society)
After her son’s school refused to provide him with violin lessons, Crummy and others from a local mothers group organised a festival showcasing the talent of Craigmillar’s children to advocate for arts and music education in the area.
The festival flourished and became internationally acclaimed as a model for social development through the arts.
Over its lifetime, Craigmillar Festival Society developed into an empowering political force in the area, campaigning for social change on a wider scale.
Crummy served as secretary for the Society until 1982, where her infectious enthusiasm, iron determination and diligent research drew artists, filmmakers, academics, politicians, and social reformers from Scotland, the United States and across Europe to Craigmillar to witness the sensational effects of the festival.
This statue, created by Tim Chalk, was unveiled in 2014, and depicts Crummy handing her son a violin bow. It is one of only three statues depicting named women in Edinburgh.
