Bill Taylor, who was a Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Burgh Councillor in 1964, opened the Bonnyrigg 2014 Fun Day. Did you know that Bill was the person who began Bonnyrigg Civic Week back in 1969 when the first fun day was held? He is a passionate supporter of our local community and is a member of Bonnyrigg Hub. When asked to do this he said, “Why do you want me?” The reply was “The whole Fun Day committee wants you”, and he agreed.
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On a beautiful July day over two thousand people attended the relaunch of Bonnyrigg Fun Day. It seems unbelievable considering that there were just six weeks of planning prior to it, and only a small team organising. The success of the fun day is testament to the passion and hard work of these individuals and the event volunteers, the generosity and support of local businesses and organisations, and to the willingness of local residents to get involved and enjoy the day.
The theme of the 2014 fun day was ‘Old Skool’. Bonnyrigg Hub wanted to provide a low cost, family-friendly day out, right in the heart of Bonnyrigg where people could connect and enjoy a wide range of entertainment and company. The huge range of events catered to all interests and ages; there was: Baby Ballet, bouncy castles (thanks to Cala homes), a pet show (thanks to the Dick Vets for providing a judge), a skate park workshop (thanks to Transgression), face painting and glitter tattoos, badge making, cupcake decorating, slack lining (this is walking along on a thick cloth strung between two trees), a raffle and tombola, old-school games – (Hook the duck, Hit the cans, Blind man’s bluff, Pin the tail, Wet sponge, Tug of war), 5-a-side football, American football, beat the ice hockey goalie, Jump rope, parachute games, sack races, egg and spoon races and a fancy dress competition. Generous donations flooded in from many, many organisations, individuals and local businesses. Various local businesses and charity groups had stalls. Borders Railway, Lothian Fire Brigade, and the Police all attended. Thanks also to Midlothian Council, whose staff pulled out all the stops to help the Hub arrange for the Fun Day set up in the park. Among the Fun Day team, there was a feeling of immense pride at collectively organising something so big for the community and huge excitement to see how it would turn out. To go from six weeks of planning to having such a successful event is an amazing experience. Possibly even the Hub team were surprised by how well the day went. It shows what a small group of like-minded, community-inspired people can achieve. The funny thing is, that when the idea was first hatched we were a rather dejected bunch, reeling from the news that Bonnyrigg Hub’s bid for the Leisure Centre had fallen through. Our success is the result of true community-mindedness. Special thanks to Claire Laurenson who project managed the event and had the original vision for it. If you have vision and some drive or even just some willingness to step out into the unknown and try something new - you know who to call! Bonnyrigg Hub. On a sunny Sunday in June last year, 60 Bonnyrigg residents gathered for the Hub’s inaugural community ‘Picnic in the Park’. There was eating, racing, a good deal of sitting in the sun chatting with neighbours and an adults-versus-children tug-of-war, which the children won. When it is a bit warmer get ready with your sandwiches!
Minutes of General Meeting of Hub members. 22 January 2015, Held at Pavilion. 7.30pm Present: Elaine Ferguson, Shirley Boyle, Reuben Welch (chair), Douglas Strachan, Brenda Grey, Liz Sommerville, Elaine Sprott, Sandra Mason, Darius Namdaran (minutes) ,Elaine Abercrombie
Apologies: Claire Laurenson, Jan Irvine, Joy Godfrey, Ian Baxter, Martin Meteyard, Rosemary Mackay, Rosemary Strachan, Kirstie Malley. Welcome. October Minutes agreed without change, proposed Reuben Welch, Liz Sommerville Seconded. November Minutes agreed without change, Reuben proposed, seconded Elaine Abercrombie. Matters arising. October.-
The draft of the Ethos was read out. People were invited to suggest changes. See Appendix 1 of Agenda. The 8 directors roles were explained. See Appendix 2 of Agenda. Douglas explained the practicalities for the AGM on 27th April. Explaining proxy voting, notice periods and the opportunity to submit motions. Inviting any comments or suggestions. Everyone was in agreement. He handed out a list of motions for the AGM for reference (see Attached). We discussed an outline schedule of potential activities for the next year. A sketched out plan of dates was created for further discussion. It was agreed that a final decision of events up to August would be made in the February Hub meeting in time for printing the newsletter. These are the suggested activities:
It was agreed that having a pilot Community Cinema event would be worthwhile, but we were unsure as to the date. Darius would speak to Ryan about this and the group would continue the discussion on Facebook. It was agreed (after meeting) that Reuben would chair the next meeting on 23rd February in the Pavilion. Douglas would chair the AGM in April Meeting ended at 9.05pm These Minutes were agreed as accurate reflection at next General Meeting on the 23rd February 2015 Minutes of Hub members meeting at Laird and Dog 18th December 2014, 7-8.30pm
Present Darius Namdaran, Liz Somerville , Elaine Abercrombie , Kirstie Malley, Reuben Welch (minutes) Apologies: please add your list Darius (RW) A short meeting called to address several points that have recently arisen: primarily, 1) Hub group dynamic. Recent tensions within the sub group/ event committee before and after Wacky Race have led to Agneta leaving Hub and exposed some ill feeling between several Members / Directors. An inappropriate online discussion about certain Hub members which records this, (the exact text of which was not available but has been copied) , has been seen by some Directors and it was felt that all persons directly involved /referred to in the conversation should meet at a mutually convenient time before the end of January to clear the air. Kirsty , Elaine Ferguson, Elaine Abercrombie, Liz Somerville, Claire Laurenson, Shirley , Agneta (if she wishes) , Marie, Darius . Attendance by all named people requested to demonstrate a desire to address and resolve these issues and continue the good work that the Hub has been doing. Several uninvolved mediators should also be present, Joy and Rosemary were suggested. An explanation was made of the Directors decision to dissolve sub group and the corresponding change to future structure of organising Events (as per previous Director minutes). 2) Wacky Races feedback a. Food hygiene. Concerns were raised that not everyone handling food at the burger stand had completed the Level 1 Food hygiene course. Directors should discuss this further/ consider financing sufficient people to do the online course well before future events. b. Timing of event. It was generally considered that the date was too late in year and started too late in the day and this should be considered for next year, hopefully increasing attendance/ making cooking easier! . Also that more advance warning needs to be given . c. Spare food/drink. Remaining stock of crisps/juice held by Liz .The juice, if it has a long sell-by date can be stored with Elaine A. The crisps can be sold off via Hub admin to avoid being wasted. Several offers for prawn cocktail flavoured ones J. Elaine A/ Liz d. Spare sweets. These wont last, so it was suggested that they should be given to the local Santa to hand out if he wants them. Liz to ask. 3) Thanks ! a. Christmas cards. These have been actioned by Douglas and can be sent out to people on list Joy has created recently of Hub sponsors. Liz & Kirsty will handwrite half each on receipt of the 70 cards. b. Hoodies. Darius to clarify exactly what was agreed with Doogs and his generous offer to sponsor some of them. Monies for remainder can then be collected. c. Certificates. To show recognition of individuals help within the Hub organisation itself Darius proposed issuing a Certificate of Appreciation , with option to add personal thanks, etc on the back as a memento of the time and effort many people have given to making the Hub work so far. An AGM was scheduled for tonight, but in order to maximise inclusivity and ensure proper procedures are followed, voting will be postponed, but structures and governance will be discussed in detail tonight, as outlined on the attached document. Some further explanation is below, but more detail will be available tonight. The meeting will be at the Pitcairn Centre from 7.45pm 6 November 2014. As has been highlighted already, in preparing for tonight's meeting, the existing Trustees and key advisers have investigated a number of procedural difficulties. It is important to ensure that everything is kept within the rules but also that everything is done to represent and carry out the wishes of members. The tension between these two factors means that the existing Trustees feel that our structures and governance need to be discussed by the wider membership, and this will therefore be the focus of tonight's meeting. As the existing legal entity (a limited company) has not yet completed a full year in existence, this meeting will also technically not be an AGM, but will be focus our collective efforts on agreeing how an AGM will be conducted in the new year. As a substantial number of members wish to vote remotely and we have not been able to facilitate this within the rules and the time available, no voting will take place tonight. However, as a number of the existing Trustees are stepping down, new ones will be appointed for the interim period between now and the AGM, by which time a fully democratic process for their election will have been agreed. Some motions were prepared for the AGM, which are included in the attached document. These will be discussed tonight to ensure everyone has the opportunity to consider them before they are voted on at the actual AGM. I realise this is frustrating, but the Trustees have tried to balance the desire to press ahead with the AGM with the concerns raised by members and our responsibility to adhere to the rules. I look forward to seeing everyone tonight. Summary Quotes from Midlothian Councils Press release
Published on 24 June 2014 “Midlothian councillors agreed today (Tuesday) not to demolish the former Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre and its preferred use should be to accommodate Bright Sparks, a charity for children with disabilities... However, Council Leader, Councillor Owen Thompson argued that if further investigations found the Bright Sparks’ option was not feasible, community group the Bonnyrigg Centre Trust Ltd should be allowed to let the building for six months.” “Bright Sparks... wants to relocate to the back area of the former leisure centre from its current base at the council-owned Cockpen Centre” “Midlothian Council Leader Councillor Owen Thompson said: “... this opportunity for Bright Sparks could enable the charity to expand the excellent work it does.... allow the charity to develop a real centre for excellence for play provision for children with a variety of disabilities.”” “If Bright Sparks did move, the council would pay for the running costs of maintaining and running the former leisure centre along with demolishing part of the building as Bright Sparks only requires the rear.” Councillor Owen Thompson said: “We received two very strong approaches, from Bright Sparks and Bonnyrigg Centre Trust Limited....Cllr Thompson added that he would certainly not be against giving the Bonnyrigg Centre Trust Ltd another chance should the Bright Sparks option not be feasible.” By now, you may have heard that 14 Councillors voted on Tuesday to investigate the financial feasibility of Midlothian Council keeping Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre to accommodate local children's charity, Bright Sparks. Only two, Bonnyrigg Ward Councillor, Ian Baxter and Councillor Peter De Vink, voted to bring all interested parties round a table to reach a solution that would involve the whole community.
Bright Sparks provide excellent, much-needed services for local children with complex additional needs. Such is our respect for their work that we approached them several times over the last year in the hope that they would work with us to ensure the #Hub catered properly for their users. Although they declined to be involved in the community bid, we wish them every success as they look to extend their vital services. Unfortunately, Midlothian Council have indicated that they may use Bright Sparks' request for the back hall as reason to knock down three quarters of the building. So, you might be disappointed by this confusing development. You might think we lost... but:
We won't allow Midlothian Council to goad us into fighting our neighbours and dividing our community. We will continue to seek for groups to share this valuable space. Instead, lets register our views on Midlothian Council's mishandling of this process; reiterate the community's desire to see this whole building returned to service for the benefit of all vulnerable groups in our town; and we will publicly hold Midlothian Council and individual Councillors to account over the future of this building, depending on the outcome of their internal review. If you feel that the 14 Councillors and the Chief Executive of Midlothian Council are failing in their duty to empower our community to provide services and facilities for all our residents then please take a moment to email the two key decision makers, Kenneth Lawrie, the Chief Executive Officer and Councillor Owen Thomson, the leader of Midlothian Council. Email these addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] . If you are an individual or a group who would benefit or would like to use this building, now is your time to register your interest directly with Midlothian Council. Email these addresses: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] We have no intention of going back to the Bonnyrigg of one year ago. If our Council won't empower our community then we will empower ourselves. The ethos of the #Hub is still very much alive. Exciting plans are afoot. It isn't over until this community says it is! More interesting developments to follow. We will be having a Hub meeting on Thursday to discuss this latest development in the campaign and the way forward. Please feel free to come. You will be very welcome. 7.30 pm Pavilion in George V Park. In Case you are wondering just how much support the Bonnyrigg Hub actually has:
Bonnyrigg Centre Trust comprises 6 Directors, 12 Hub Team, 60 Activists, 508 signed up members, 1630 online supporters. The following 21 user groups have asked to be accommodated in the Hub in some way:
Many are now watching SNP led Midlothian Council today. Will they give the building to the only community bid they have? Will they follow their own Community Empowerment policies? or will they find another excuse to delay or demolish?
The press will be at the demonstration and the decision:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-27974303 |
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