Bonnyrigg Centre Trust is Born 4th Dec 2013.
Wording from original Launch:
"The original Bonnyrigg Centre reuse campaign group developed into the Bonnyrigg Centre Trust Ltd (in this website referred to as The Trust) on 4th December 2013. The Trust is based on the nationally approved ‘Development Trust’ model and ethos recommended by the Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS). The Trust is an incorporated company Limited by guarantee and seeking charitable status. It is managed by directors independent of any particular interest group chosen from the local community and others co-opted who provide specific expertise. The target population which will benefit from the Trusts activities resides in Bonnyrigg, Lasswade, Poltonhall and Hopefield.
The Vision of the Trust
“Our vision is to help create a more resilient Bonnyrigg by developing innovative projects and services which meet community needs, represent value for money, enhance lives and promote social inclusion. To facilitate these developments through ongoing community consultation and capturing development funding.”
As its first project, the Trust seeks the transfer to community ownership of the former Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre. The Trust plans to turn it into a thriving community hub, creating a shared space for play, recreation and social interaction, and providing a base for a variety of community groups, voluntary organisations and charities. The services provided will complement existing Midlothian Council provision.
The Trust’s activities will not be confined to this building or its immediate location. The intention is that this project will be the catalyst for wider grass roots initiatives which fulfill the needs of Bonnyrigg.
About the BCT Directors
The following directors have been selected from a number of willing candidates on the basis that they have no affiliations to organisations with an interest in the building. Their sole focus is the overall sustainability of the project, maximising the community engagement and benefit.
Darius Namdaran (Chair) is Chair of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council. Working as a business owner, property manager and project manager for over 13 years. Training as a sustainability (Permaculture) consultant. Formerly a primary school teacher. 20 yrs of experience as a volunteer youth worker. Law degree.
Ewan Mealyou. I have an MSc in Business Management and have worked in the private sector both in a start-up and for a large corporation. I worked for Midlothian Council as a Recreation Officer and Area Leisure Manager for a number of years. I have also worked in the IT sector and have a post graduate qualification in Information Systems. I currently run my own company which develops projects for turning waste into usable products.
Ryan Sturrock. I am a librarian and active member of Midlothian Youth Platform. I am a film maker and am involved in theater and youth engagement as a youthworker.
Douglas Strachan I am a Chartered Architect, based locally and working throughout Midlothian. I specialised in community engagement during my post-graduate diploma and have been pursuing this through my professional practice since. My business in Dalkeith operates under a progressive model of collaborative partnerships with other designers and specialists. I also have two young children who enjoyed using the centre under its previous use.
Kirstie Malley
I am a secondary school teacher (Chemistry) with 13 years of experience working with young people. I believe our proposals complement much of the ethos behind Curriculum for Exellence, offering alternative experiences and ways of learning. I also have 2 young children and would like to see better provision for young families in Bonnyrigg.
Three more directors will join if the building is transferred to the trust.
Membership
We are developing the basis of becoming a local democratically controlled Trust by gathering members. Currently we have 1300 online supporters and 337 members as of 1 February 2014."
"The original Bonnyrigg Centre reuse campaign group developed into the Bonnyrigg Centre Trust Ltd (in this website referred to as The Trust) on 4th December 2013. The Trust is based on the nationally approved ‘Development Trust’ model and ethos recommended by the Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS). The Trust is an incorporated company Limited by guarantee and seeking charitable status. It is managed by directors independent of any particular interest group chosen from the local community and others co-opted who provide specific expertise. The target population which will benefit from the Trusts activities resides in Bonnyrigg, Lasswade, Poltonhall and Hopefield.
The Vision of the Trust
“Our vision is to help create a more resilient Bonnyrigg by developing innovative projects and services which meet community needs, represent value for money, enhance lives and promote social inclusion. To facilitate these developments through ongoing community consultation and capturing development funding.”
As its first project, the Trust seeks the transfer to community ownership of the former Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre. The Trust plans to turn it into a thriving community hub, creating a shared space for play, recreation and social interaction, and providing a base for a variety of community groups, voluntary organisations and charities. The services provided will complement existing Midlothian Council provision.
The Trust’s activities will not be confined to this building or its immediate location. The intention is that this project will be the catalyst for wider grass roots initiatives which fulfill the needs of Bonnyrigg.
About the BCT Directors
The following directors have been selected from a number of willing candidates on the basis that they have no affiliations to organisations with an interest in the building. Their sole focus is the overall sustainability of the project, maximising the community engagement and benefit.
Darius Namdaran (Chair) is Chair of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council. Working as a business owner, property manager and project manager for over 13 years. Training as a sustainability (Permaculture) consultant. Formerly a primary school teacher. 20 yrs of experience as a volunteer youth worker. Law degree.
Ewan Mealyou. I have an MSc in Business Management and have worked in the private sector both in a start-up and for a large corporation. I worked for Midlothian Council as a Recreation Officer and Area Leisure Manager for a number of years. I have also worked in the IT sector and have a post graduate qualification in Information Systems. I currently run my own company which develops projects for turning waste into usable products.
Ryan Sturrock. I am a librarian and active member of Midlothian Youth Platform. I am a film maker and am involved in theater and youth engagement as a youthworker.
Douglas Strachan I am a Chartered Architect, based locally and working throughout Midlothian. I specialised in community engagement during my post-graduate diploma and have been pursuing this through my professional practice since. My business in Dalkeith operates under a progressive model of collaborative partnerships with other designers and specialists. I also have two young children who enjoyed using the centre under its previous use.
Kirstie Malley
I am a secondary school teacher (Chemistry) with 13 years of experience working with young people. I believe our proposals complement much of the ethos behind Curriculum for Exellence, offering alternative experiences and ways of learning. I also have 2 young children and would like to see better provision for young families in Bonnyrigg.
Three more directors will join if the building is transferred to the trust.
Membership
We are developing the basis of becoming a local democratically controlled Trust by gathering members. Currently we have 1300 online supporters and 337 members as of 1 February 2014."