Bridgend Farmhouse Renovation Steering Group

Meeting Minutes - 27th September

Attendees:
− Will Golding, John Knox, David Buchan, Sally Swain, Chris Macefield, Ron, Simon
Beames.
− Apologises from Karen Carrick, Anna Danby, Hugo Whittaker, John Palmer and Georgia
March who could not make it.

Summary of main action points from the meeting:

− Form a constituted group with a committee and membership centred around a concrete and
specific identity, ethos and constitution.
− Formulate the proposal and business plan which we can all add to and edit which we will
intend to present to the council estates department as an offer on October 29th..
− Organise the representation of this group, and presentation of the plan at the Bridgend
Allotments Apple Day on October 9th (11-3).

The Plan:
− This should be developed as a service for Craigmillar and the people there. Looking at:
− Outdoor involvement and woodland engagement.
− Diet improvement and healthy living.

− A central cafe and community kitchen;

− This could be utilised as part of a food growers market/farmers market too, whilst
providing opportunities for cooking courses with the local produce from allotments, and
provide training in these areas. Could also help provide finance for its running.
− Possibility for future development into the courtyard and other outdoor steadings for
development of a crafts shop and even possibly a microbrewery.

− Developments from BACHIP into the garden and further landscape design and organic
gardening. Possibility for a mini orchard.

− Spaces needed for outdoor educational use:

− 1. Outdoor classroom that has a roof and windblock
− 2. Storeroom for waterproofs and wellies, maps, field kit, books
− 3. Mud room, where people take their muddy kit off and hose it down
− 4. Drying room (could be the store room)

− A strong focus on supporting young people:

− This would provide a much needed respite provision centre which Edinburgh lacks
currently (according to the single outcome agreement analysis and that there are over
4000 people with learning disabilities in Edinburgh who do not have this sort of facility).
− Through being involved in the running of the kitchen cafe and shop and workshop areas,
dealing with money and different clients, it could provide training and social welfare for
these young people.
− This would also require a network of people to support them – providing employment
opportunities for those workers; A steeping stone to employment as a social enterprise.
 − It could act as hub and centre to base a variety of local environmental services and activities
and educational programs that can be applied in an authentic context. Shared use of office
spaces such as in the Eric Liddel Centre

− Rather than just a concentration on environmental education it is a whole ethos and spirit –
trying to bring together the people, that land and those activities. “A 'Bridge' to an 'End'”.

The Need:
− Addressing the issue of a need for respite centre for young adults with learning disabilities.
− A centre or base for organisations such as SELI, Woodcraft Folk, Craigmillar Woods Action
Group etc to develop their work and connect with others.
− Use of the space for projects for the young offenders from the SouthEast criminal justice
team.
− The high percentage of people economically inactive in Craigmillar and the Inch that could
benefit from a training and educational resource centre.
− The building currently attracts anti-social behaviour and vandalism and local residents
would like to see something that increase community involvement and responsibility in it
developed.
− Local residents have also expressed concerns over using Craigmillar Castle Park, and this
perception and use can be addressed through increased use in safe context.
− The ability to promote and address the new curriculum for excellence, outdoor learning and
the need for more eco-school provisions in Edinburgh.
− Good access to this area which can be utilised because of nearby bus-stops and Sustrans
bike routes.
− The building, although not listed has historic interest – as one of the last remaining buildings
from the 17th century in the area, that used to connect up Inch House and Craigmillar Castle.
Previous owners and local residents have also expressed a strond desire to see it refurbished
to its previous state.
− This area is part of social inclusion partnership project and according to the Castle Park plan
of 2005 47% of the Craigmillar population were economically inactive, and the estate over
the road in the Inch is considered in the top 5% most deprived areas in Scotland.
− The building is currently deteriorating very fast and is a danger to the public and not in any
use when it could be.
− As greenbelt land any development must must 'preserve predominantly its open and rural
character, and promote greater recreational use and access to the countryside, and will
enhance its amenity and biodiversity value – this would do this and help enhance the Castle
Park plans and initiatives.
− Evidence of need for children's outdoor education, wildreness therapy and care farming and
increased physical activity for health, increased outdoor play for children, and direct access to
ecological knowledge (see Nature and Health doc 2009, and Greenspace Quality and Life 2008,
and Woods for Health Strategy 2009)
− In the UK, Nice (2009) has issued guidelines and PSA targets, and the Department for Schools,
Communities and Families (2009) has published a new strategy for children and young people’s
health.
− Direct support from Malcolm Fraser in The Scotsman recently for the project.
− Develop ties with the local recycling centre for the re-use of a variety of materials.
− Link with the bio-medical park and their research and educational and health facilities.
− Building upon the feasibility study done by BACHIP a year ago this is developing the
community consultation and adapting design and plans to be relevant to this and to be more
feasible for actual development.
− The council have no finance for it and are “actively looking for an appropriate use.'
How we will address the outcomes:
− Look at ways to renovate the building in as sustainable way as possible – looking for
support and grants from the EAGA Trust, EEC and Scottish Energy Commission (?) for the
installation of good insulation and renewable technologies.
− The development of a community build and design process that allows people to be
involved and trained even through the build. (Contact the Craigmillar Partnerhip about their
building project, the Little France Group about the Bio-quarter developments, and ROK
regarding corporate social responsibility work and training.
− Link with a variety of local organisations and projects to enhance and develop their
programs.
− Work with other environmentally based institutions in Edinburgh (such as the university
environmental education department and the Agricultural college to create programs and
courses to run here).
− Develop links with the Edinburgh Community Food Initiative and South Edinburgh Healhty
Living Initiative to begin a local food co-op and food awareness courses to eventually be
based in the kitchen indoors.
− Great possibility of community ownership, control and responsibility over the property
− Development and base for health and environmental based organisations, with space to combine
'thinking' and 'doing' work – for the possibility of developed horticultural, conservation and
botanical courses and training programmes.
− Awareness of and application of renewable technologies – for more sustainable futures.

Single outcome agreement connections:

National Outcome No.11 We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take
responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others
National Outcome No. 4 Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective
contributions and responsible citizens
National Outcome 6 - We live longer, healthier lives. Volume of day respite hours provided (people
aged 18+) - seen as significantly below target. Not effectively supporting vulnerable adults.
National Outcome 12 - We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and
enhance it for futuregenerations (Although the number of registered establishments has increased, the
2008/09 target was not met due the increasing number of partner provider and private nurseries eligible
to sign-up to the Eco-Schools programme)
National Outcome 14 - We reduce the local and global impact of our consumption and production

How will the grant be used (costings)?

− Community awareness events (including getting local press involved)
− Consultant Pool from DTAS to draw up proper proposal
− Developed plan and design
− Organisation of further meetings and development of membership of group

How to involve the community?

− We discussed setting up a table at the Bridgend Allotments Apple Day on Saturday 9th
October. This will run from 11-3. We hope to present the plan as it is and ask for peoples
input and also to be a member of our newly constituted group.
− We need to prepare poster/image for this and some information.
− Can people sign up to do an hour each on the day (running from 10.30-3.30)?
− If a plan was accepted by the council we discussed a potential 'Christmas fair' weekend with
lots of stalls and activities to raise awareness and encourage community involvement in the
design and planning. (Possibilities included Powerpod and pedal powered cinema,
 seedswap, local crafts sale, mulled cider, Changeworks Waste Awareness, Transition South
stall...). Possibility of getting a renewable technologies firm to bring a wind turbine or other
products to demonstrate and show people.
− Other ways to raise funds and support?
− If we had some funding we could hire the Bike Station to come to increase use of the
Sustrans bike route and also the possible development of a mountain bike trail in the Castle
Park.
− Involve voluntary organisations in the clear-up of the space and garden the running of events
and any building or design projects.
− Linkage with Bio-quarter?
− Links with Royal Infirmary and Craigmillar Medical Practice
− Links with new sports development in the Inch?

Other action points:

− Create a constitution and roles as committee members (secretary, treasurer, chairperson,
funding, community awareness) Would anyone like to nominate themselves or others? (To
be done before October 9th).
− Help organise the Apple Day preparation and running of a table with a poster, brief
explanation and membership list (All).
− Find out what the council need for our business plan and expect. (Will to do)
“The Council originally purchased the farmhouse with the aspiration of creating a gateway into the
Craigmillar Country Park Exactly what this was to entail was flexible, but elements such as a cafe,
interpretive centre, information centre and maybe a crafts outlet are amongst some of the
suggestions. Maintaining a suitable access to the allotments was also a key requirement.” –
Council Estates Department.
− Create a list of interested parties as official 'notes of interest'. (For all)
− List of supportive individuals as 'notes of support' (For All).
− Find out the possibility of disabled access upstairs (David or Sally?)
− Gain a report from social work and health in the area on what is the need. (Andy Hunter to
assist with?)

Other organizations or groups that have shown interest:

− NHS, Four Winds Inspiration Centre, Enable, Richmond Food Co-op, South Edinburgh
Healthy Living Initiative, Scottish Agricultural College, EVOC, Health-in-Mind,
Greenspace Trust, Forestry Commission, Development Trusts Association, Centre for Health
and Well-Being, Craigmillar Ability Network, Transition Edinburgh South.
− Others to contact: Local schools, Earthy Foods, Thistle Foundation, Local neighbourhood
partnerships.

Next Meeting: Monday 18th October 6.30pm – 8pm at the Inch Community Centre.