Musselburgh is gearing up for its annual Communities Day which will see more than 50 groups and organisations converge under one roof to meet members of the public.

Organised by the Musselburgh Area Partnership, the free event takes place in Venue 1 and 2 at the Brunton Hall on Saturday, September 21, 11am-3pm.

It gives local residents the chance to find out what services are available on their doorstep as well as allowing networking and volunteering opportunities.

Iain Clark, who was re-elected partnership chairman for another two years at its recent public meeting, said: “It is all about one community under one roof for one day.”

There will be food and refreshments and activities for children such as storytelling by children’s author Lari Don, who wrote The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster and The Secret of the Kelpie, from 11.45am-12.45pm, balloon modelling and face painting.

MUSICAL entertainment will be provided by Musselburgh’s own Tutti Orchestra, Heavy Sound Community Project, Clark Concert Party and Musselburgh Amateur Music Association (MAMA). East Coast FM will also be in attendance.

Mr Clark said that this was the fourth annual Communities Day which, over the years, has gone from strength to strength attracting everyone from voluntary organisations, police and fire services, Scout and Guiding associations and Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council to community groups, army and sea cadets, Boys Brigade, Queen Margaret University and the Police Scotland youth volunteers.

Members of the public will also be able to give their views on the partnership’s five year plan and which initiatives they would like to see East Lothian Council’s £350,000 annual budget for the Musselburgh area spent on. They can also suggest additional projects which they feel are needed in Musselburgh, Wallyford, Whitecraig and Old Craighall.

Mr Clark said: “By listening to community views through our annual public meeting and annual communities day, and working together with the key organisations who support our community, we have developed a plan for key priority areas to be addressed.

“The focus of the plan is to reduce inequalities in our community which range widely from poverty, health, transport and educational attainment. These key areas have also been identified by evidence from local information sourced from surveys and the local area profile.

“Through working in partnership with East Lothian Council and other stakeholders we have already delivered over 120 projects and initiatives aimed at making a difference in our community.”

He highlighted the success of the two Your Voice, Your Choice initiatives in which local groups received Scottish Government funding to tackle poverty and inequalities, and support youth projects.

The area partnership seeks to continue to work with Musselburgh Business Partnership to promote business and enhance the High Street, including extending the new floral planters.

It is working with the Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Association to develop actions identified in the Fisherrow Habour and Seafront Feasibility Study and supporting Musselburgh Museum and Heritage group towards development and restoration of the Old Town Hall.

The area partnership is keen to explore options for the promotion of Lewisvale park including a Friends of Lewisvale Park group; develop Whitecraig play area; and contribute to the development of a masterplan for the Levenhall Links and ash lagoons site.

Broken slabs are being removed from footpaths at Eskside West and Campie Road and the area resurfaced.

The area partnership organised a summer lunch and activity club at Pinkie St Peter’s Primary School in Musselburgh and successful summer playschemes in Wallyford and Whitecraig. Improvements to the River Esk plan have also been carried out and additional signposting installed on paths in the Musselburgh area.

Stuart Baxter, area partnership manager, added: “Communities Day is a really good community event and we hope as many people as possible will turn up to see what is available on their doorstep, and help us make positive changes in Musselburgh through the area plan.”