Want to join the community gardeners? Please contact us for more information. Click here.

A few pics from the day:

Why choose the Gorebridge Beacon?

Community Driven – we are not just a space, we’re a community that supports each other’s growth.

Accessible – fully accessible building.

Modern Facilities – bright, and airy room, small kitchen area. Oh, and let’s not forget the onsite community cafe for you to use (open Tues to Sat 9 until 2).

24/7 Access – work on your own schedule with round-the-clock access to your office.

Transport – 30 second walk to bus services to and from Edinburgh, 5 minute walk from Gorebridge Train Station, onsite parking (free).

Friendly and Accommodating – we are here to support your business/work every step of the way, it’s one of our charitable aims, supporting enterprise.

Collaborative Environment – many of our current tenants love being here because they can get involved in the community.

Affordable Rates – rent with a purpose at a competitive rates, that supports the local community.

It’s more than a space. Contact us today if you would like to pop along for a visit/nosey/look

Our botanical wonderland transformed into a festive paradise, creating those little lasting memories for families and friends alike.

Visitors were greeted by a mesmerizing display of twinkling lights, transforming the lush greenery into a winter wonderland. The cold night was filled with the scent of pine and the soft melodies of classic Christmas tunes, setting the perfect atmosphere for a magical evening.

Our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners worked tirelessly to dress the garden with thousands of sparkling lights. From illuminated pathways to dazzling tree displays, every corner of the garden became a canvas of festive joy. Until next year, may the magic of the season continue to shine bright.

A few pictures of the night ..

We do hope you will be able to join us as we reflect over our charitable activities of the last year.

As well as looking back, we will look forward, and inform how the work of the Trust will be taken forward over the next 12 – 18 months.

The AGM is also the occasion where the Board of Trustees is elected by you, its members. If you aren’t already and would like to become a member of GCDT please click here. If you would like to stand as a Trustee at the AGM and play a part in the work GCDT but would like more information first, please do get in touch 01875 816320 or email office@gorebridge.org.uk.

We look forward to seeing you there.

This event is free and open to all members of the community. Only members have a right to vote.

Here are the details of the event:

10:15AM Meet Newbyres Nursing Home

10:30AM Parade Leaves

10.45AM Arrive Memorial Garden at the Gorebridge Beacon & Service Begins

After: Refreshments in the Beacon

Please click here Gorebridge Community Development Trust August Newsletter 23 (1) for our August 2023 newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support.

• 4th August 12.30 – 2.00PM
• 11th August12.30 – 2.00PM Cancelled
• 18th August 12.30 – 2.00PM
• 25th August12.30 – 2.00PM

Bring yourself, your family, your friends, and a blanket to sit on. Maybe a game or two. We will provide the picnic, and (TBC) Play Midlothian will be offering play sessions.

To book:

1. Please complete the form below
2. You will receive a confirmation email
3. Turn up on the day

Can you book more than one picnic? Of course you can. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Be lovely to see you.

How does it work?

The Pantry is open to all households/residents of EH23, anyone who lives in this Post Code area can apply to become members of the Pantry and ‘shop’ there once a week. Membership is free, and weekly ‘shop’ costs £3.50 which is put back into buying stock into the Pantry the following week. Each member receives 10 credits for £3.50, and these credits can be used to ‘spend’ on fresh, ambient or store-cupboard ingredients. If available, free bread will be offered, and volunteers will make each member a bag of fresh fruit and veggies.

When is it open?

Tuesday’s 4 – 6PM.

Where?

Gorebridge Beacon, Hunterfield Road, Gorebridge, EH23 4TT (that big class building next to the church and in front of the leisure centre).

Donate

Would you like to donate to the Gorebridge Community Pantry? Please click here.

Who is it for?

Everyone in EH23. One application per household. Community Pantries are popping up all over, in fact they have been around globally for a while. Community Pantries are unique in that they are accessible to everyone, membership is free, they are perfectly placed to reduce the cost of food bills, stopping food too good to waste reaching landfill, and offer our community volunteering opportunities and a chance to come together.

Signng Up

Since opening on June 28th we have over 450 households signed up. That’s amazing. You can sign up at any Pantry opening time, or pop into the Beacon and ask for a membership form. The Community Pantry is first-come, first-served, however as each member has 10 credits to ‘spend’ there is a fair distribution of food. Many people have told us that the £3.50 is worth it for the veggies and fruit.

What food is available at the Pantry?

It varies from week to week. As we order from Fairshare, and receive donations, and top up we can’t guarantee the same produce each week. We will have fresh fruit and veggies, bakery items, store cupboard/cooking essentials. Often we have toiletries and cleaning items. Pantry volunteers will be able to share with you how to cook items if you aren’t sure.

Who runs the Gorebridge Community Pantry

Gorebridge Community Development Trust runs the Pantry at Beacon. There is an amazing group of volunteers who keep stock up to date, shop, sort, set up, display, serve members and make the pantry a wonderful community event each week.

In order to sustain the Pantry we will be seeking further funding, organising fundraisers, and all weekly shop fees go back into sustaining. If you would like to volunteer (admin, in the Pantry, setting up), have a fundraising idea please do get in touch here.

Want to support the Pantry but you don’t need to shop weekly?

Do you mean you want to donate to the Pantry? That would be so amazing. Pop into the Beacon and speak to a member of staff, or contact us here.

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a nationwide tree-planting initiative launched by Her late Majesty to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

The ‘Tree of Trees’ stood in front of Buckingham Palace at the height of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London in June 22 and was seen on TV by more than one billion people worldwide.

The Lord Lieutenant for Midlothian, Richard Callander nominated Gorebridge Beacon’s community garden to receive one of the Tree of Trees in recognition of the work done by community volunteers over the past few years to develop the garden.

The unveiling of the Queens Canopy plaque took place on Friday 23^rd June in front of a small crowd of volunteers and community members as well as representatives from community organisations, local councillors, and the local MSP Christine Graham. The Chair of Gorebridge Community Development Trust, Val Cameron, gave a short speech in which she explained how the multi stemmed rowan had arrived at the community garden and how pleased the Development Trust is that the hard work of its volunteers had been recognised in this way.

The newly crowned Gorebridge Gala King Ollie and Queen Madison then cut the ribbon to reveal the tree’s plaque.

The ceremony was followed by a celebratory garden party attended by approximately 80 members of the community.

A few pictures of the day …

Come along to a community gathering: bringing together local community groups for an afternoon of celebrating, sharing, opportunities (volunteering) and plans for the future.

Join in drop-in activities to try something new! Speak to current group leaders, members and volunteers, find out more about what each group does and how you can get involved. Take part in the community action plan: share your views and help shape the future you want to see.

Calling all local groups, charities and organisations. Would you like to be at the Beacon for this event? Please get in touch if you, or a group you represent, have an idea for an activity for the day, or you would like to come along and take a table to share the great work you do. Or perhaps you want to pop along as a volunteer on the day. We would love to hear from you! For all enquiries and suggestions please email dawn@gorebridge.org.uk

P.S. We have emailed /contacted local groups with an invitation to this event. If you didn’t receive one please accept our apologies, we may have an old email address, or the information we have for you is out of date.

P.P.S What future do YOU want to see for Gorebridge? Leave your 3 wishes here.