UNISON Edinburgh Branch banner

Edinburgh branch banner
In London on the 500,000 strong march on 26 March 2011

From the branch formation in 1996, the branch had been getting by with an interim PVC banner. The new banner was long overdue but it took time to find the kind of design we wanted and the person to make it.

The branch was keen to marry the traditional banner making skills with a more modern design.

Banner in Ayr
On one of its first outings in Ayr during the 2004 Nursery Nurses strike

Eventually we found a member able to match the brief for an applique banner that would give an instantly recognisable but individual and quality image.

Given the range of services our members work in, including council, related bodies and the voluntary and community sector, we also wanted the banner to depict a generalised image of Edinburgh.

The banner is in satin applique. The edges and logo are in the UNISON colours of purple and green with the ‘Edinburgh’ scroll reflecting the city’s dark red livery.

Depicting the city vista from Calton Hill, the skyline is in merging browns and greens to reflect the feel of Edinburgh’s green areas and the warm and varying shades of sandstone buildings.

The design by John Stevenson (Branch Communications Officer) was created painstakingly over several months by branch member Morag Stevenson.

The previous NALGO Lothian Region, NALGO Edinburgh District and NUPE Edinburgh No 1 branch banners were donated to the People’s Story Museum, Royal Mile, and are on show there. See a video about the old and new banners in youtube.

Old banners
The previous branch banners below are now with the People’s Story Museum in the Canongate, Edinburgh.

Lothian NALGO banner
The Old NALGO Lothian Region Branch banner (nicknamed the Mars Bar for obvious reasons). It was designed to show up well in black and white press photos and worked a treat, often featuring in reports. Made by Claire Higney.
Edinburgh Nalgo banner
The old NALGO Edinburgh District Banner. The slogan reflects the 1983 NALGO campaign.
Nupe Lothian banner
A real gem. The old NUPE Edinburgh No 1 Branch Banner.