As seen as in InYourArea
Bridgend Farmhouse is officially opening its new eco-bothy and outdoor sensory play area on Saturday, October 8.
It will be a magical place for children’s and youth groups, outdoor play and environmental education, drama and music clubs, storytelling, performances, ceilidhs, and more, all enclosed in the old stone walls of the farm steading which were repaired by local volunteers using traditional lime-pointing.
The bothy, the size of a 27-square metre barn, has been built by volunteers over the last seven years, under the leadership of wood-worker Simon Hackin and self-build architect Duncan Roberts. Local environmentally friendly materials have been used throughout, for the timber frame, the straw-bale walls, clay, and lime render, and the sedum roof.
The outdoor sensory play area was designed with the help of over 70 children themselves in 2020 and again is the work of volunteers. It has been supported by various funders, including the Wooden Spoon Foundation, People’s Postcode Lottery, The Sir Robert McAlpine Foundation, City of Edinburgh Council, Places for People and others.
Everyone’s invited!
The opening event, from 1pm to 5pm, will bring together all the volunteers and their trainers, the many funders, community organisations, donors, and supporters. But the public, and particularly those living in the local community, are warmly invited.
It’s one of the first events in Community Land Week when Scotland celebrates the movement for community land ownership. Bridgend Farmhouse itself is owned by the community, the City of Edinburgh council having passed it to them in 2015, one of the first “urban asset transfers” in Scotland.
After the opening ceremony at 1pm, there will be live music, story-telling, performances, face-painting, and the café will be open for food and drink. Most importantly, there will be a chance to take a close look at the bothy and the uniquely inventive playground.
If you would like to attend, or enquire about using these special spaces, please contact Roz Angus ">here. These spaces will then be available for community use afterwards, so also get in contact if interested in making use of these new facilities. Find out more information about the project here.
