It doesn’t matter if you have lived in Gorebridge all your life, or just a few months all around you is heritage: from the Nancy Teuch Path down to Gore Glen, from the walks past Gunpowder Mills, the names of streets, the annual Gala day, it all tells a story of a Gorebridge past that means something today.

And then there are the memories, as together people try and work out the story. Heritage – what has gone before us – has helped shaped the community in where we live now, and it’s something we should all have access to, to be part of the story that will be told. We all should be included in the history in order to appreciate the current place where we belong. Gorebridge Stories – Celebrating Our Heritage is about bringing people together, saving stories and traditions, and building up pride in where we live, work and play.

So many people have stories to share. In February 2021 we will host 4 online sharing stories sessions (Monday evenings 7 – 8.30). Come along – to your own house – and share your stories and listen to others. We will display some heritage pictures to get the conversation going. It should be fun and lively. Come one week or come all four. You will be very welcome.

Please note this isn’t a workshop, a presentation or a programme. It’s a conversation. Heritage will mean something different to everyone.

PS: if you have a story you would like to share or a specific topic/area you are interested in, please let us know, and we can plan it in the conversation/share.

You only need to register once. You can sign up here: http://bit.ly/gorebridgeheritage

Dates:

Feb 8, 2021 07:00 PM
Feb 15, 2021 07:00 PM
Feb 22, 2021 07:00 PM
Mar 1, 2021 07:00 PM

Newbyres Castle:

Archaeology Scotland have completed their report on the geophysical survey of Newbyres Castle. This has indicated that there is evidence of further remains under the ground to the immediate north of the castle which could be of interest and related to the castle. The next phase would be to carry out some excavation/trial pits to see what may be beneath the surface and for further consolidation of the existing remains.

The Gorebridge Community Development Trust will be discussing with Archaeology Scotland the way forward for the next stage. An interpretative panel will be located near to the remains as part of the Gorebridge Heritage Trail.

Stobs Mill Gunpowder Works :

Addyman Archaeology have just completed their study on the remains and recommend that a steering group of interested parties be set up to explore the next stage to improve access and interpretation of the site. They feel that the site is of national importance and should be a scheduled ancient monument. The works were extensive as the OS map of 1850 indicates. With the results of the study and some 3D images of the buildings that were on the site a sketch had been produced that will go into the Gorebridge Heritage Trail leaflet.

More information will be posted about these projects (what next etc) in due course.

We then took numerous photos of the castle which we fed into a computer programme back at No. 58. These then miraculously turned into a 3D image that you could do flyovers with on the computer. We were all very impressed.

We intend to buy the software to do this on behalf of the trust and use it to do further modelling of the castle and also of the gunpowder works in Gore Glen. My next post will show you the results!

Many thanks to Cara Jones and Rebecca Barclay.

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Artistic Director Matt Dunn said, ‘Annie Swan is a truly extraordinary Scottish woman, it has been a real privilege to write this play and I  cannot wait to share it with its cast. This play, appropriately titled Swan, takes our audience through Annie’s life from 1910-1943 affectionately meeting her friends and foes along the way. This is a great opportunity for anyone of all skill level to come along and get involved in a play that will really mean something to its cast and audience.’

We are looking for a large cast of over 30 actors. Actors will be unpaid however you will be fully supported throughout the rehearsal process. All costumes will be provided.

The play will run for four nights over the first two weeks of September, in the new multi million pound Gorebridge Beacon. Rehearsals will take place every Monday and Wednesday night in Gorebridge from May – September.

If you would like to come along and audition or have any questions, please email 3in1theatre@gmail.com or call us on 07508601307 for more details.

Newbyres castle was ‘adopted’ by the Adopt-a-Monument Scheme run by Archaeology Scotland last Summer. Last week saw the first community volunteering day, led by myself on behalf of Gorebridge Community Development Trust and Rebecca Barclay of Archaeology Scotland, to start conserving the remains of castle. The sun shone and we had a very enjoyable day, including a delicious lunch made and served up by Gillian and her mother in GCDT’s office down the road.

Newbyres castle was 16th century L-plan, thee-storey tower house built by Michael Borthwick of Glengelt. He acquired the land from James, Abbot of Newbattle in 1543 with the consent of Mary Queen of Scots, patroness of the abbey. It was bought by Sir James Dundas of Arniston in 1624 whose family went on to use the castle as a dower house. In 1993 the ruins were classed as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic Environment Scotland.

Adopt-a-Monument is a nationwide community archaeology scheme that provides practical advice, training and help raising funds.

The volunteers included archaeology students from Edinburgh University and a group from Midlothian CAT (Community Access Team) and Gorebridge and District Environmental Group (GADEG) as well as people from Gorebridge. The task of the day was to remove all the vegetation from around the ruined keep without disturbing the stones themselves.

The next stage will be to have an archaeological survey done, clear away some of the rubble and consolidate the ruins that remain. This will be done in partnership with Archaeology Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland as well as Midlothian Council, who own the land.

Finally GCDT intend to landscape the area and hope to add two features – a small amphitheatre for groups such as local primary schools to use and a small timber tower relating to the original 16th century tower and built with the help of the community in a similar way to Wooploft, a large treehouse, built with Tynewater primary school pupils in 2013.

GCDT will be running further volunteering days that will have an educational aspect included such as conservation workshops and historical talks. Please contact us if you would like to know when the next day will be.