Tag: Gorgie Farm

Progress at Gorgie Farm

Significant steps forward have been made to decide the future of the Gorgie City Farm site after a series of setbacks. 

Dangerous buildings, frozen pipes, flooding, the barn roof being partially blown off and the collapse of a ceiling were events which all halted progress at various times. Structural damage to several of the Farm’s buildings was also discovered during a survey, and as a result the Farm site has had to remain closed to the public for safety reasons.

Despite unexpected events, a lot has been going on behind the scenes, and progress has really picked up pace.

Planning for the Farm site’s future is being supported by EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council) alongside an advisory group.

A new Company Limited By Guarantee has been formed and the new company will apply for charitable status in the near future. The new company will lead on future development on the site, and local people will play an important role in progressing medium and long term ambitions for the Farm.

Local people have already contributed their thoughts and wishes for Gorgie Farm site’s future. An extensive community consultation exercise was led by Project partner Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, with hundreds of people contributing ideas.

Farm Site Manager Suzanne Campbell is pleased to see ideas for the site’s future taking shape: “The Farm has a very special place in the hearts of the people of Gorgie, Dalry and the wider city, and the input of local people to what the site might look like in the future has been outstanding.

“It’s taken longer than we hoped to start to put together options for its future, but we are now in the process of preparing a report which will be presented to the Council in August.”

The report will outline four fully costed options for the future of the Gorgie Farm site will be presented to City of Edinburgh’s Culture & Communities Committee on 24 August 2024.  

Crisis: Gorgie Farm faces closure again

FUTURE OF POPULAR LEARNING CENTRE IN DOUBT

Love Learning released the following statement yesterday:

So sorry to release this folks 😞

Love to withdraw from Gorgie Farm

Love Learning have regrettably announced that their intention to return the lease on Gorgie Farm to the City of Edinburgh Council. Love will begin a period of formal consultation with staff on 4 January 2023.

Love CEO, Lynn Bell, said: “We have tried everything to avoid this situation, however with Covid and now cost of living crisis we do not believe we are able to support the Farm alone moving forward.”

CEC funding for the Farm was withdrawn in 2020 and over recent months Love have been seeking detailed discussions with City of Edinburgh Council over funding and the future operations of the Farm. Love have developed a plan for the Farm, based on the development of a Care Farm and utilising buildings on the Farm for respite accommodation for Looked After Children.

However, on preparation of the Love Learning 2021-22 accounts it became clear that Love was not able to take this forward without assistance.

Lynn added: “The support for Gorgie Farm from the public has been tremendous, and I would like to thank every single person who has supported the Farm over the last few years. Gorgie Farm is unique, and it has the potential to deliver so much for so many.

“We know that changes could be made to raise funds and support wider Council objectives around looked after children and tackling poverty, but we are not able to take this proposal forward unaided.

“A partnership approach has always been central to our plans, but this partnership has not materialised. While we have had many positive individual conversations ultimately there is a need for detailed discussions and agreements to allow the redesign of the Farms operations to meet wider needs.”

Edinburgh Greens have pledged to work for sustainable future for Gorgie Farm.

The much-loved local community farm in Edinburgh has announced that they plan to hand their lease back to Edinburgh City Council when it comes to an end.

Gorgie Farm has been run by ‘LOVE Learning’ since the previous long-term owners entered financial difficulties in late 2019.

Since reopening in early 2020, LOVE Gorgie Farm has become a community hub with programmes for local people to connect, and a young people to learn.

Gorgie Green Councillor Dan Heap said: “After 50 years of operation, Gorgie Farm is an integral part of the Gorgie community, and it is impossible to imagine Gorgie without the fun, life and incredible services the Farm brings the area.

“I think it is absolutely possible we can find a sustainable model for the Farm, and it is vital that all partners, including the City of Edinburgh Council, work together to achieve this.

“I will be working closely with them to ensure this happens.”

Lothian Green MSP, Lorna Slater said: “I am sorry to hear that Gorgie Farm is facing closure.

“It was a pleasure to have visited the farm in September and to hear about the exciting future plans that had been set out for this much-loved community farm.

“When the farm was threatened with closure in 2019, Green MSPs and Councillors were at the heart of the campaign to save it. I will work closely with local councillor Dan Heap and all partners involved in the farm and do everything I can to help in ensuring that it can have a sustainable future.”

Gorgie Farm robbery: man to appear in Court

Police Scotland has confirmed that a 52 year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an incident which saw a man threatened with a weapon and a three figure sum of cash stolen.

This incident happened on Friday, 10 July at Gorgie Farm on Gorgie Road.

The accused is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Police would like to thank the public for their assistance following our appeal for information.

Gorgie Farm robbery: CCTV image released

Police Scotland have issued an image of a man they believe may be able to assist them with their investigation into a robbery in Edinburgh.

The incident, which saw a man threatened with a weapon and a three figure sum of cash stolen, occurred around 2.25pm on Friday, 10 July, 2020 at Gorgie Farm off Gorgie Road.

Officers believe that the man shown in the image may have information that will assist with their investigation and would appeal to any members of the public who recognise him to come forward.

The man is described as white, in his 40’s, around 6ft 1 in in height, of average build with short ginger hair.

Detective Constable Jenifer Bell said: “Nobody was injured but this was a frightening experience for the man involved and I would urge anyone who may be able to identify the man in the image to come forward. If you can assist with this or have any other information which may help, please do get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 1891 of 10th July 2020 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.