Launch Presentation

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One of the key aims of the Dalkeith THI and CARS is to engage with the local community and to promote an awareness and understanding of Dalkeith’s unique heritage ...

In order to mark the end of the scheme the following events have taken place:

  • Walkabout the town centre , 29th May 2014.
  • Final exhibition in Dalkeith Arts Centre from 9th June 2014 to the 16th June 2014.
  • Final presentation in Dalkeith Arts Centre, 13th June 2014.
  • Final Steering group meeting in Dalkeith Arts Centre , 16th June 2014.
  • Completion event for the Blossom Garden Restaurant repair and restoration scheme.,Dalkeith Arts Centre 17th June 2014.

The feedback from all these events has been very positive.10 people attended the walkabout , over the course of the exhibition 60 people attended. There was a special meeting of Council Officers in the Arts Centre on the 13th June 2014 to discuss the lessons learnt from the scheme and the need to maintain the quality of the work and continue to regenerate the town centre.20 people attended the final presentation,  10 people attended the final Steering group meeting and 8 people attended the Bossom Garden completion event.

The main comments were the need now to maintain and sustain the improvements and to continue to improve the town centre with additional initiatives for the future.

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On 29th May 2014 a town centre walkabout took place so that partners and members of local groups associated with the project could assess the impact of the scheme.

People gathered at no 81 High Street shop front to view the exhibition and then walked along the High Street looking at the completed building projects and the High Street public realm improvements. They then went along to the Corn Exchange to hear a presentation from John McLeish about  future plans for the building  and then retired to the County Hotel for refreshments and a chance to discuss the project.

The Dalkeith THI/CARS Project Manger posed three questions for discussions:

1. What did people feel about the improvements that had been carried out as part of the Dalkeith THI/CARS?

2. How can the improvements be sustained in the long term?

3. What is the future for the town centre, what other initiatives need to be pursued to ensure that the town centre continues to thrive and improve?

These questions stimulated a lively debate. The results of the debate will be incorporated into a report to go back to the project partners.

Overall people felt that the work had made a significant difference to the town, making it more attractive and creating a safer more accessible town centre. It was thought that the building improvement work and the enhancement to the High Street needed to be sustained, i.e. well maintained and looked after for the future. People also felt that more was needed in the town to build on the work over the last 5 years and the momentum needed to be continued.

Photosof the meeting , in the shop at 81 High street , walking along the street and in the corn Exchange :

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The Blossom Garden Restaurant repair and restoration scheme is now complete. The scaffolding has now been taken down and the extent of the repair work is revealed.

One of the rear chimney's and it's gable had to be rebuilt due to it's extremely poor condition .

A leaflet and exhibition banner will be prepared for the project and an opening ceremony held in the near future.

 Before                                              After                                                Before                                            After

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The Dalkeith THI/CARS is now reaching the end of it's 5 year life and will come to a close at the beginning of July 2014.

In order to mark the completion of the scheme , to consider and reflect on it's achievements and legacy and to think about the future for the town centre a few events are planned:

 Walkabout the town centre on Thursday May 29th starting at no 81 High Street , shopfront at 2.00pm then to the County Hotel for 3.00pm and discussion.

 Final exhibition of all the Dalkeith THI/CARS Schemes in Dalkeith Arts Centre from Monday 9th June to Monday 16th June , opening times are :

Monday 9th June:10.30am to 4.430pm

Tuesday 10th June :10.00am to 5.00pm

Wednesday 11th June :10.00am to 4.30pm

Thursday 12th June :closed all day due to training event.

Friday 13th June:10.00am to 5.00pm

Saturday 14th June:9.30am to 12.30pm

Sunday 15th June : Closed all day

Monday 16th June :10.00am to 4.00pm

 Final presentation by the Dalkeith THI/CARS Project Manager:

Friday 13th June :6.30pm to 8.00pm Dalkeith Arts Centre

 Final Dalkeith THI/CARS Steering Committee meeting:

Monday 16th June :5.30pm to 7.00pm Dalkeith Arts Centre

 Final presentation of certificates to trainees that have completed the Dalkeith THI/CARS Training Plan courses in traditional contruction skills .

Thursday 26th June :12.00 to 1.30pm at Midlothian Council Chamber , Midlothian House , Dalkeith.

For poster advertising the above please click here to download.

As part of the DAME ( Dalkeith Arts , Music and Events ) spring exhibition a workshop was held at Dalkeith Arts Centre on the architecture, history and future of the Dalkeith Corn Exchange.

John McLeish , Head of Develpoment at Melville Housing Association gave an introduction to the history of the building and talked about the current scheme to repair , restore and convert the building . Rod Lugg the Dalkeith THI Project Manager then spoke about the work of the THI in Dalkeith over the last 5 years in relation to the Corn Exchange and the development of the heritage trail and other projects in the town.

The group then had the opoortunity to visit the building and were able to hear more about the current scheme in more detail .

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Photos of the workshop 

Dalkeith THI is assisting with the DAME (Dalkeith Arts,Music and Events) spring exhibition to deliver workshops at Dalkeith Arts Centre, in particular a workshop planned for Saturday 26th April on the History,Architecture and Future of the Corn Exchange. Click here to down load the programme of workshops .

front cover gf DAME spring workshop programme

The free courses on traditional construction skills will be delivered by the training provider , Edinburgh College at their West Shore Road heritage skills workshops. Click here for leaflet download. The courses and the dates are:

Making and using mortars(3day course)...............................................................................6th,7th,8th May 2014

Traditional masonry repair (3 day course).............................................................................13th,14th,15th May 2014

Surface repair of stone (2 day course)...................................................................................27th,28th May 2014

Ashlar pointing (1day course)...............................................................................................29th May 2014

External finishes-harling(2day course).................................................................................3rd,4th June 2014

Limewash and traditional paint (1 day course)......................................................................5th June 2014

On site work and mentoring (3days)......................................................................................20th,21st,22nd May2014

On site work and mentoring (3 days)....................................................................................10th,11th,12th June 2014

The free workshops will this time be complimented with the on site mentoring.This will be a "live" site at the rear of 87-89 High Street Dalkeith where trainees can practice the skills they have learnt in the workshops out on site.Johnston Builders have been appointed to assist with the on site training together with Edinburgh College and Midlothian Training Services.

The site at the rear of 87-89 High Street faces on to the public car park at the rear and is in a poor state.It is the remains of an old stone dwelling that used to be part of the Closes at the rear of the High Street , with the end gable wall and one side wall remaining.The repair/consolidation work will involve taking off all the vegetation, repairing and repointing the stone walls in a lime mortar with new coping stones and laying granite setts on the ground, to replace rotten timber planks.

Please contact the Dalkeith THI project manager if you are interested in attending any of the courses or on site training .Rod Lugg , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,Tel:0131 660 9862.

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Dalkeith History Society submitted the repair and the restoration of the former Cross Keys Hotel and The Tolbooth for The Scottish Civic Trust "My Place Awards". The work to the two buildings was shortlisted, the judges felt that both buildings had been carefully restored and repaired, helping to regenerate this part of Dalkeith town centre and with the development of the heritage trail, making this area more attractive and accessible to the public.

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