The Bid, community share issue, new film, community development worker and more...

Dear members, friends, colleagues

On February 6th 11.25am we submitted our bid for Bridgend Farmhouse to the City of Edinburgh Council. 

We have been working together on this for over three years now, and are very proud of all the incredible effort that has been put in to get us to this stage. We presented the bid at our AGM on Sunday 2nd February and all were pleased and impressed by it and the hoards of supporting evidence – we had to go and get an additional large envelope to put everything in. Thankyou to everyone who has contributed and helped towards this.

The next couple of months are crucial however and we need your continued support.

We are looking to establish ourselves as community benefit society and have a community share issue to own the farmhouse. Please see this link for more info about what a community benefit society is. If you would be willing and interested to give any amount (between £25 and £20'000) to become a co-owner of the farmhouse please download and return this form asap. This would help significantly towards the acquisition of the farmhouse and future community development around it. If you are interested in a large investment please get in touch.

We have also produced our second film. It documents a range of participatory design workshops carried out over the last few months. Check it out here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS8XnDi_G-U

After being awarded two grants we are currently recruiting a part-time community development project worker for 6 months. This will be to develop and pilot activities that could happen in and around the farmhouse, and further engage people in the design of potential services there. More information available here. If you are interested in applying, or know anyone that might be please get in contact and we can send out the application form

Minutes of our most recent AGM (Sunday 2^nd Feb) can be viewed here

Our next meeting is on Friday 28^th February 5.30pm. If you would like to attend please let us know.

And, Bridgend Potato Day on Sunday 23^rd 11-2pm. Come along!

Please, spread the word, get involved, show your support, and become a co-owner of the farmhouse too. More information and a petition on our website too: www.bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you soon

BIG Committee

Bridgend Farmhouse is For Sale!

Dear all,

Bridgend Farmhouse is for sale. We need your support now more than ever.

We have working diligently behind the scenes since the winter gathering to get everything ready and respond to this.

Click on this link for our 2013 newsletter. It includes details of our upcoming AGM on 

Sunday 2nd February 1.30pm at Inch Community Sports Club. It also mentions everything we have achieved in the last year. We now have fully worked out and costed plans for the renovation, development and use, based on your suggestions.

We will be submitting a bid for the farmhouse but need to do this with your support. If you can before the end of January please could you:

1. Sign our petition if you support 'Bridgend Farmhouse for the community':
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bridgend-farmhouse-to-be-community-owned

2. Donate via paypal to help us buy the farmhouse and carry out phase 1 of the renovation:
http://Www.bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk/support-us.html

3. Watch our first video of the project and send on to others:
http://vimeo.com/81943754

4. 'Like' our facebook page and suggest to others:
https://www.facebook.com/BridgendFarmhouse

We also now have a new website. This includes the vision for the farmhouse renovation, as well as many of the publications and projects we have worked on over the last three years.

http://Www.bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk/

It is only because of all your support, help and participation that we have come this far, and will only be because of this that we realise the dream we have all been working towards in the last three and a half years.

Please, in any ways you can, show your support in these final few weeks. This is crucial. If you support the BIG plans for Bridgend Farmhouse please in whatever way you can made that known so that we can keep it in public hands and for the local community. We can do this, together.

Please let anyone you know that you think would be interested and get in contact if you can offer help in any way: bridgendfarmhse@gmail.com

Bridgend Farmhouse Winter Gathering!

Last Sunday we gathered together under barn of Bridgend Allotments, bringing over thirty new and old faces together to share the current situation now the farmhouse is on the open market. We were so pleased to be joined by some P7 students and their parents from Liberton Primary school  - who took part in participatory design workshops this last month and whose work was on display for people to see. 

We started the day enjoying the autumnal sun, as dough was shaped, bunting was made and miniature walls created to envision the farmhouse’s future. With a bowl of hot local organic vegetable soup and organic cob-baked sourdough, the recently completed film about Bridgend Inspiring Growth by Aidan Nicol was screened (soon to be released and available online and sent to members) and afterwards people were updated on the current situation in regards to the sale of the building. We had some lengthy and productive discussions on what we could do collectively to respond to this.

Those who stayed on longer were given a tour around the outside of the farmhouse by John Knox - BIG committee member and Darla Eno - on work placement from Edinburgh University. Some of the farmhouse’s local history was shared as well as Malcolm Fraser’s architectural proposals. 

Afterwards, we returned to the barn, where Will Golding gave a presentation about the extensive work that BIG has done so far - a lot of which reflected the recently completed business plan. A discussion followed with great input from everyone present- thinking where to go from here, mainly focussing on outreach/awareness, fundraising/finance and legal/policy. Some tasks were divvied up and the beginning of an action plan devised so that people went away with something they could do to help including.

We also were giving out the condensed ‘vision’ for the Bridgend Farmhouse - which combines key elements from the architectural and business feasibility studies (available here) and there was opportunity for these plans to be discussed. If you are interested in viewing the full versions of these documents please let us know on bridgendfarmhse@gmail.com. These are all working documents and will be added to and edited over time. 

Participants were encouraged to take flyers away to distribute amongst people, that illustrate the farmhouse renovation project and give pointers to what people can do to help (view here). A petition was discussed and will be launched soon to demonstrate support from wide range of people.

AL Huthcison produced a video slideshow of the event, which anyone who listens to Black Diamond FM, may have heard mentioned on there recently. This is available here

Thank you to all those who came to the event! Our contact list of supporters is growing and all of you are much needed. As ever, please get in contact if you would like to get involved or have any questions about things.

BIG Plans and Winter Event 2013

After nearly 9 months of detailed and dedicated hardwork we now have a completed feasibility study, business plan, architectural drawings and plan of use for Bridgend Farmhouse. This is an enormous and significant step for us, and we really are grateful to everyone that contributed..

Over that time we have had lots of really encouraging discussions with local residents, organisations and community members about the future of the farmhouse. We really value all this input and enthusiasm. 

The farmhouse is now up on the open market. We need as much support as possible to prove that this is a worthwhile project supported by many people. 

It would be fantastic if you can make it to the event this Sunday (1st December) 12-3pm so you can get involved, hear more about what's been going on and share your thoughts and ideas. There will be free refreshments, cover from rain if it happens, and activities for young kids.

We also have a couple of films almost complete on the project, and are carrying out participatory design workshops with local schools and community groups. Most of these will be presented and open for comments on Sunday. After then these will all be available for people to view if you would like to request a copy.

For those that like facebook, here is a page with the info https://www.facebook.com/events/177238729143166/?fref=ts

Please do join and share this with your friends, neighbours, family and colleagues! Also please distribute and display the poster below where possible.

Feel free to get in contact with any queries.  We really hope to see you Sunday or soon

 

 

 

 

 

The plans in germination....and next steps

Hi folks,

Thanks to everyone that participated in the Options event on Saturday 7th September, including those that came, and those that could not make it but sent apologies and suggestions to the questionnaire.

Around 35 people came along, with new members joining us too. BIG and Sandra Macaskill, our consultant, gave presentations, and then we presented the current architectural drawings. Following that there was a Q& A and then discussion and adding of ideas and comments. It was very positive and encouraging, and there was a general consensus over the way forward and next steps. We were also lucky enough to have Harry and Doris Darling, the previous farm-owners, participating in the event.

Also, many thanks to Jane Mather who led a Storytelling in Nature workshop for the children that came, and later made some willow leaves for her exhibition, Away with the Fairies, some of which will be on display at the Storytelling Centre as part of Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival

Over the past few months we have now spoken with a wide range of organisations, members and local residents, and there is a majority in favour of Option 2, as proposed in the consultation questionnaire. We did however incorporate the views of those that supported or suggested Option 1 and 3 in the best ways we could.

At the event we also discussed many of the important details to consider (i.e. finance, ownership, market, next steps, design), and noted comments. These were taken by our consultant, Sandra Macaskill, and all feedback and comments have been included in the final Options report attached here, which builds on all of the consultation to offer a summary of the preferred way forward by all. There are also pictures from the event included in this report here.

We also now have completed architectural drawings and structural engineering work completed by Malcolm Fraser Architects, and adapted following comments on the 7^th. This can be viewed here.

Our next steps are to do a detailed feasibility and business plan into this option, speaking in more detail with key stakeholders and groups. We will have this to present and distribute by mid November.

We will be meeting between then too as a committee. If you would like to come along to this meeting and assist or offer any ideas or advice that would be great.

Also, if you are from an organisation that would like to speak with us in more detail please let us know

We appreciate any other ways of getting involved and offering support.

We will keep you updated as things progress, and will be sharing final results of this whole study and our next steps forwards in a couple of months time

Onwards....

BIG Committee

Options Event - 2-4pm Saturday 7th September

Dear members, friends, partners, and affiliated organisations,

We invite you to a one-off Options Event from 2-4pm on Sat 7 Sept at Bridgend Allotments Barn, 41 Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH164TE

In the last few months BIG have been carrying out detailed consultation with 60 different organisations and community groups, continued with more architectural and structural feasibility work, and had further discussions with Edinburgh City Council.

We will be sharing the results from this options appraisal along with news on other progress that has been made at this upcoming event. There will also be time to discuss any further ideas on the future of the project and how organisations and individuals can get involved over some tea and cake.

This whole feasibility study we are doing will involve two public events.  One at the end to present the final plans, vision and business plan, and this one halfway through to allow people to shape and direct the vision, design and ideas for the site. This event is a great chance to help direct and impact on the developments and final focus and vision for the renovation and future use of the farmhouse.

There will be light refreshments, and children are welcome, there will be a storyteller 2.30-3.30 and art activities.

For full details please see the flyer by clicking here. Please pass this on and distribute or display where you think is appropriate.  We hope to see you on the 7th.  Open to all and we would love you to get involved.

If you would like to become a partner organisation, individual member or
volunteer please contact bridgendfarmhse@gmail.com or call 07949230245.

How would you want to use the farmhouse?

Dear BIG members, friends, partners and affiliated groups,

A lot has been happening since our last blogpost. The committee have been busied with getting things together and in motion for our feasibility study. So to let you know where we are at:

After looking at various consultants (individual and organisations), we interviewed three and then finally appointed Sandra Macaskill (of Caskieco) to carry out our Options Appraisal with us. We have also appointed Malcolm Fraser Architects, Elliot & Company and David Adams Group to simultaneously carry out more structural and architectural feasibility work on the building itself.

Work has begun by all parties and all important meetings, details and legal issues have been considered. We are pleased with progress so far on this work and things are moving forward positively. 

We are also very excited about working with two different students from the University of Edinburgh. 
Hannelore Christiaens is writing her Masters thesis this summer on sustainable 

renovation, and doing research into the farmhouse as a case-study as part of this. 
Then, from September to December we will be joined by Darla Eno, a 4th year architectural history student, who will be on placement with us, looking at community engagement in design and development.

The committee have also been on a study visit to Lambhill Stables in Glagsow to look at 
a similar project to ours which gave us some great ideas and inspiration for the farmhouse renovation. 

The feasibility study we are carrying out involves two stages. 

1. An options appraisal researching three possible options for development and consulted 

groups and individuals on these to find the most appropriate. This will last until September. 

2. A detailed feasibility study, including business plan and financial feasibility, into one of 

these options. This will be carried out between September and December, presented at the 

next AGM.

At the moment then we are carrying out a community consultation into options for use and 

development of the farmhouse. We have a short questionnaire that we are asking all interested

groups and organisations and potential users of the farmhouse to fill out. This is really

 important in influencing the final choice over use and development, so please do take just a 

few minutes to fill this out, and to alert others to it.

The link to the questionnaire is here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BridgendFarmhouseConsultation

We will be presenting the outcomes of this community consultation at an event on Saturday 7th September 2-4pm at Bridgend Allotments. There will also be storytelling sessions for kids (so bring the family) and refreshments for all on the day.

As always, if you are interested in getting more involved, helping out, 
or have any ideas for the building, this project, or for support and funding, 
please do get contact us on bridgendfarmhse@gmail.com.

Please help influence the farmhouse development and have your 
say on what you would like to see happen in and around the building 
by filling in the questionnaire above, and attending the presentation event.

Hope you're all enjoying the great sunshine and Mediterranean heat!

BIG Trustees

Moving onwards with great strides....

Hello all,

We would like to inform you all about some very good news. We have been awarded £11'000! This is from the Big Lottery Investing In Ideas funding and the Royal Institute of Architects Scotland.

This is to carry out an options appraisal, feasibility study and develop a business plan for the developments of Bridgend Farmhouse over the next 8 months or so. We have ensured that built into this is community events and opportunities along the way for the progress of this to be presented to all interested in commenting and taking part in shaping the study and final report. News of these will follow as we work them out.

We would like to invite you to our upcoming meetings, which will be to update on recent support we have been receiving from Just Enterprise and shape the last parts of that, and also to meet with consultants to decide how we will spend this grant funding we have just received. If you would like to attend either of the meetings below please let us know.

• Monday April 29th 6-8pm, Bridgend Allotments Portcabin
• Thursday May 9th 6-8.30pm, Bridgend Allotments Portcabin.

Attached is the minutes from our last meeting in March here.

Thank you for all for your continued support, in many ways, and we hope that this great addition of funding and professional expertise will move us significantly forward to realising all our dream for the farmhouse,

Onwards and upwards into 2013....

Dear members, friends and affiliates,

Happy 2013 to you all! We hope the season of hibernation brought you some good rest and you feel invigorated and full of hope for the new year. We certainly do with the farmhouse renovation project, and things are starting to build and look positive at the moment.

We had a successful AGM in december, and would like to welcome on to the committee: Jamie Ross, Steven Hendry, Chris Macefield and Iain Chantler who will join John Knox, Anna Danby and Will Golding as the full members of the current committee. 

Plans have been put in motion for this year, and all minutes from the AGM are available here

Our first meeting of the year to check the progress of these things and put more into action is:

Sunday 27th January, 2-3.30pm at Bridgend Barn, Bridgend Allotments, EH164TE.

This is open to everyone, so we would love to see some of you down there. If you can't make it but want to feed something in beforehand just send it over to us or call on 07949230245.

We are looking forward to making great strides this year towards the renovation and to seeing some of you soon.

From, all of the committee

Bridgend Inspiring Growth AGM and Winter Celebration

Hello everyone,

We hope you have all had a fruitful and encouraging year so far and are preparing your hearths for the coming winter.

We apologise to all for the lack of updates we have been able to send out recently, but would like to let you know that behind the scenes we have been continuing to work hard to collaborate with various local groups on developing ideas for the farmhouse renovation, applying for funding, and starting to develop a business plan for the renovation. As always, any extra assistance, support and expertise would be hugely appreciated, however big or small, and would make a significant difference towards the renovation project.

This year we have so far:

• Established ourselves as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (No SCO42769) and got public, volunteer and employers liability and insurance
• Carried out an intergenerational storytelling project with Liberton Primary and Inchview residential carehome. A printed and electronic book of stories produced documenting this and collecting stories told and written is available on request if you would like one. Please email or call to ask for a hard copy, or for a free one online for ipads go to: https://itunes.apple.com/book/id575931767?mt=11 
• Held a workshop led by Development Trust Association Scotland which identified and assessed various uses for the building, looking at their social and financial benefits, and developing an outline for best uses of the farmhouse in the future
• Began developing a business plan and Social Return on Investment audit for the farmhouse
• Written and soon to submit an application for funding to develop an options appraisal to be presented back to all for comment and further participation

Now, we are coming to the end of the year and wanted to host a Winter Celebration to accompany our Annual General Meeting. This will be: Sunday December 9th 2-3.30pm, Bridgend Allotments Barn, 41 Old Dalkeith Road, EH164TE. There will be winter baking and hot drinks available to keep us all warm (but dress in layers too!) We have gone with a Sunday because a lot of people said they could not make the dark evenings, and others are working during the week.

A poster is available if you would like to help us distribute which you can see below.    

All members, organisational partners and non-members are invited to attend this event. If you would like to stand as a trustee or nominate anyone this would be fantastic, and please get in contact and we can send you the appropriate form. Equally, if you cannot make the meeting but would like to cast a vote on the election on trustees then let us know and we can ensure you are able to vote by post. An agenda for the meeting will be available on the day, but if you would like to see in advance or add anything additional then please let us know as well.

We are currently looking for 3 or 4 key partner organisations who would be interested in collaborating on the farmhouse renovation. If you are interested please get in touch

We look forward to seeing some of you there or hearing from you soon, and thankyou for your continued support.