FALKIRK COMMUNITY TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 THANK YOU

THE FOLLOWING ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTED THE WORK OF THE TRUST DURING 2018/19 EITHER THROUGH A GRANT AWARD, SPONSORSHIP OR PROVIDING IN KIND SUPPORT

Agnes Watt Trust Falkirk Allotment Society Hugh Fraser Foundation Scottish Enterprise Association of Independent Falkirk and District Arts & Imperial War Museum Scottish Fire and Rescue Museums Civic Council INDY Cinema Group Service Barns-Graham Charitable Falkirk & District Twinning Inner Forth Landscape Scottish Library and Trust Association Initiative Information Council (SLIC) Barony Player Falkirk Delivers Into Film Scottish Swimming Big Ideas Falkirk Council JTH Charitable Trust Screen Education Big Lottery Fund Falkirk Environment Trust Kinneil Bike Trails Edinburgh Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway Falkirk Football Club Lawn Tennis Association sportscotland Bo’ness Community Bus Fans Group Panel LEADER Stirling Council British Association of Falkirk Local History Maddiston Community Stirling University American Studies Society Growing Association Sustainable Thinking British Film Institute Film Falkirk Schools Charity Museums Galleries Scotland Audience Network Board Scotland Tapside Coffee Company Central Scotland Green Fife Cultural Trust National Library of Scotland Tennis Scotland Network Trust Film Archives UK National Lottery Heritage Tern TV Confucius Institute for Film Hub Midlands Fund Tesco Bags of Help Scotland Film Hub North East NHS Forth Valley Tesco Bo’ness Corbie Inn Film Hub Scotland Objective Media The Scottish Government Creative Scotland Fine Stripe Productions Paths For All The Smith Art Gallery & CVS Falkirk Forestry Commission Persimmon Homes Museum De Montfort University Forth Environment Link Police Scotland The Woodland Trust Developing the Young Forth Valley College Rediscovering the Antonine Trust for Conservation Workforce Friends of Kinneil Wall Volunteers Digital Cinema Media Friends of Muiravonside Revive Falkirk University of Glasgow (DCM) Country Park Richmond Park Hotel VisitFalkirk EB Scotland Goethe-Institute Glasgow RJM Sports West Lothian Council Edinburgh Sculpture Graeme High School STEM Scottish Ambulance Service Young Start Lottery Fund Workshop Grid Iron Scottish Book Trust Zero Waste Scotland Edinburgh University Historic Environment Scottish Canals EventScotland Scotland 2 CONTENTS

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1 THANK YOU...... 2 2 CONTENTS...... 3 3 WELCOME...... 5 4 INTRODUCTION...... 6 5 WHO WE ARE...... 8 6 HIGHLIGHTS...... 10 7 RESULTS AT A GLANCE...... 11 8 MEETING OUR OBJECTIVES...... 12 9 PARTICIPATION...... 14 10 MOTIVATION...... 25 11 VENUES...... 30 12 PARTNERSHIPS...... 36 13 GOVERNANCE...... 41 14 TRADING...... 42 15 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE...... 44 16 OUR VENUES & SERVICES...... 46

Falkirk Community Trust Suite 1A, The Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk, FK2 9EE T: 01324 590900 | E: [email protected] | www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

Registered Charity No. SC042403 | Falkirk Community Trust is limited by Guarantee | Company Registered in Scotland no. 400657 Falkirk Community Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of Falkirk Council. Front cover picture of Duncan Scott at Grangemouth Sports Complex.

3 XXX

“The Hippodrome won ‘Best Cinema Experience in Scotland’ from nominations made by hundreds of members of the public.”

4 WELCOME

“Delivered more with less”

During the past year, Falkirk Community Trust has been A major highlight of the Although we face delighted to receive some very prestigious awards year was the completion of challenging times ahead I demonstrating strong and innovative leadership and our first phase of business believe that our community excellence in customer service. growth projects. Creating facing Board with the new opportunities for support of our funders, Both the CEO Today Awards and the European Business children, we opened the partners, management team Awards recognised the strong leadership of our Chief Great Mariner Reef Soft Play and staff are well placed to Executive, Maureen Campbell who “delivered more with at the Mariner Centre and shape the organisation for less”, achieving significant increases in income and visitor with the support of local the future. numbers despite a substantial reduction in funding from the clubs we transformed a Council. sports centre into a state- of-the-art gymnastics venue The Hippodrome won ‘Best Cinema Experience in Scotland’ catering for all levels of from nominations made by hundreds of members of ability and ages. the public. We were particularly proud that the Scottish Hospitality Awards judges were impressed by the friendly The Trust also welcomed welcome and quality of customer service. the commitment from the Council to support the Callendar House, winner of ‘Tourist Attraction of the Year’ planned next phase of in 2018, was nominated again and came a close second. business growth at the Another highlight for staff at Callendar House was securing a Mariner Centre and at hard won VisitScotland 5 star rating. Well done to everyone Stenhousemuir Gym. involved in these successes. David White During the year we said Chairman A main focus for the Board in 2018 was the development of farewell to our past a new five year Business Strategy to set a strategic direction Chairman and a number of for the Trust that takes us through to 2024. The Strategy Directors and I would like accepts that we are transitioning towards playing a more to thank them all for their facilitating role in the community, expecting that we will soon support and commitment be operating with much less funding and from fewer venues. to the work of the Trust. We also welcomed two new We need this Strategy to enable us to plan for a reduction Directors who will bring a of £5.5m of funding from Falkirk Council over 5 years. This wealth of experience to the is a considerable challenge needing effective collaboration Board. with the Council. During 2018, we worked with the Council on a shared vision that will underpin continued work on joint identification of savings over the course of 2019/20.

5 INTRODUCTION

“Increased collaboration and partnership”

It has been a year of We continue to work on a day to day school estate to optimise their use as increased collaboration basis across the Trust with a wide range community assets. and partnership with of clubs and organisations that form the others to commence bedrock for community participation Whilst much of our focus is on providing working through a in culture and sport, and we hope that services to communities we also play a process of change. many of these groups might consider key role in sustaining tourism in Falkirk increasing their involvement in future and the Trust is a business member of With Falkirk Council we operations. the VisitFalkirk tourism partnership. Our developed a joint vision most valuable asset in delivering visitor and principles for working In our Business Strategy we identified services is our staff and we continued to effectively together. The the need to introduce smarter ensure that key frontline staff received Council is an essential contracting and borrowing routes World Host training. As a result I am funder and stakeholder and to make greater use of strategic proud to say that staff are regularly as well as owner of the frameworks and partnering with leisure praised in visitor feedback for their venues we manage. Our developers. With welcome support friendly and attentive service. relationship is one of from the Council we made use of shared endeavour not this new approach to begin to take Excellent progress has been made in only for our mutual benefit forward the next phase of our business both broadening the range of volunteer but importantly to engage growth plans at the Mariner Centre opportunities we offer and growing the and inspire local people and Stenhousemuir Gym. We also number of volunteer hours delivered. to lead more healthy and commenced exploration of potential A profile of Care Words in this report is active lives. opportunities for modernisation and just one example of how volunteers from income growth at the area’s principal Falkirk’s communities are enhancing As we seek to ‘do more sports centre in Grangemouth. people’s quality of life. Of course as with less’ the need for a local charity everything we do is effective partnership These income generating plans are vital for the benefit of healthy and active and collaborative for us because we face a £5.5 million communities in the Falkirk area and this approaches with a wider reduction in funding over the next five remains our primary focus. range of organisations years. However it will take more than becomes more critical. introducing new business opportunities I am delighted that to make up for this level of reduction a productive new and so we must review how we best relationship with two and most efficiently deliver services to gymnastics clubs communities. We are doing this within led to the opening of the context of strategic community Carron Gymnastics planning and will be developing a five Centre and its new year business plan to outline the actions shared management that will be required. An early identified Maureen arrangements. action for 2019 is to look at how Campbell OBE improvements can be made to the high Chief Executive

6 “Our most valuable asset in delivering visitor services is our staff and we continued to ensure that key frontline staff received World Host training”

7 7 WHO WE ARE

Thanks to Scottish Disability Sport @scottishdisabilitysport for photograph of athlete at Grangemouth Stadium

8 FALKIRK COMMUNITY TRUST HAS CHARITABLE STATUS AND IS A NOT- FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION PART FUNDED BY FALKIRK COUNCIL

OUR MISSION: OUR VISION: TO LEAD FALKIRK’S CULTURE COMMUNITIES AND SPORT ARE THE MOST TO ENRICH CREATIVE AND PEOPLE’S LIVES ACTIVE THEY IN THE FALKIRK CAN BE AREA

OUR VALUES: • VALUING THE POSITIVE DIFFERENCE PEOPLE MAKE • ACTING WITH INTEGRITY PLACING PEOPLE’S NEEDS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO • BEING PROUD OF WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER

9 HIGHLIGHTS RESULTS AT A GLANCE

309,048 activity Massive 36.6% Admissions at the sessions for Over 24,000 tickets increase in the Mariner Centre and young people issued for Kelpie number of hours at Grangemouth delivered through Tours, a big increase that volunteers gave Sports Complex Active Schools, an on the previous year to the Trust increased increase of 12.6%

Callendar House visits up again by Record numbers of Our 4 millionth Participation in 20%, at 69,913 it set rounds played at visitor was walking programmes another new record Grangemouth Golf welcomed to the grew by 10%, helped and Kinneil Museum Course continued Helix since opening by better weather visits were up by 24%

Worked with 407 local clubs and Highest admissions 1,592 activities and organisations to Admissions to FTH on record across the events took place benefit culture increased by over gyms, up by 6.4%, in libraries, a 5% and sport, an 8%, maintaining the an increase at most increase on last year increase through increasing trend individual gyms the introduction of Community Sport Hubs

The Hippodrome Helix and Callendar won the Scottish House continued to Hospitality award receive 5 star reviews for ‘Best Cinema on TripAdvisor Experience in Scotland’ and admissions 10 increased by 9.1% RESULTS AT ARESULTS GLANCE AT A GLANCE

“I am proud to live in the Falkirk area and very proud of the Helix park and it’s facilities, I would 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Change 14-15 to 18-19 Admissions across all venues 2,260,000 2,885,000 3,787,000 3,760,000 3,676,648 3,958,151 3,731,124 -1% Admissions by young people 739,543 797,029 744,568 777,385 907,628 961,504 936,802 26% highlyVolunteers Engaged recommend 500 visiting” 855 1,064 1,642 2,139 2,208 1,188 12% Admissions supported to paid activities via concession 113,578 120,779 114,412 116,604 122,241 125,497 132,672 16% Income achieved through grants & fundraising £941,000 £703,000 £1,183,000 £795,000 £1,050,000 853,000 916,842 -22% TripCustomer Income Advisor review £4,540,000 £5,376,000 £5,252,000 £5,876,000 £6,543,000 6,736,000 7,436,000 42% Visits to Website(Hits) 407,333 580,642 659,796 708,341 730,900 754,109 819,592 24% Health & Fitness income £0.69 £0.94 £1.00 £1.09 £1.36M £1.49M £1.59M 59% Council Service Payment £12.139M £13.085M £12.660M £11.934M £11.433M £10.791M -18% Trading Company -£250k -£66k -£76k £37k £159k £269k £366k £350k 846%

A7endances: total across all Trust venues Admissions by young people and concessions

962k 4.500 1,000 937k 3.958m 908k 3.787m 3.760m 900 4.000 3.676m 3.731m 777k 800 745k 3.500 700 3.000 600 2.500 500 2.000 400 300 1.500 200 114k 117k 122k 125k 133k 1.000 100 Number of admissions (000s) Number of A7endances (millions) 0.500 - 0.000 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Admissions supported to paid acUviUes via concession Admissions by young people

Health & Fitness Income Income Generated £1.75 £1.59m £8.00 £7.44m £1.49m £6.73m £7.00 £6.54m £1.50 £1.36m £5.88m £6.00 £5.25m £1.25 £1.09m £1.0m £5.00 £1.00 £4.00

£0.75 £3.00 £2.00 Income (£millions) £1.18m £0.50 Income (£millions) £795k £1.05m £853k £917k £1.00 £0.25 £0.00 £0.00 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Income achieved through grants & fundraising Customer Income

Visits to the Trust website (hits) 2,500 Number of volunteers engaged * 900 2,208 820k 2,250 2,139 800 754k 581k 660k 2,000 700 407k 1,750 1,642 600 1,500 1,188 500 1,250 500+ 400 1,000 300 750 Number of Volunteers

Number of website hits (000s) 200 500 100 250 - - 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

Council Service Payment Trading Company £400 £366k £350k £14 £13.085m £12.660m £13 £11.934m £269k £11.433m £300 £12 £10.791m £11 £200 £159k £10

£9 DonaYon (£000s) £8 £100 £37k £7 £6 £0 £5 Income (£millions) -£100 £4 -£66k £3 -£76k

£2 Loss (£000s) -£200 £1 £0 -£300 -£250k 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

Our full results can be viewed on our website at www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/aboutus/performance * Revised counting mechanism introduced in 2018.

11 MEETING OUR OBJECTIVES

OUR AMBITION IS THAT BY 2024:

We will be operating We will be a We will have created from venues trusted and valued champions for that people want organisation, secure culture and sport to use, with a in our role as a and have loyal more responsive leader for culture volunteers and a programme offering and sport and workforce who high quality for our with diminishing motivate a huge customers. reliance on Council cross section of the funding; we will community to take be more flexible, part in culture and entrepreneurial sport that improves and commercially their lives. minded.

12 WE ARE WORKING TO DELIVER THIS AMBITION THROUGH 3 OBJECTIVES. ACHIEVEMENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS THIS YEAR INCLUDED:

Meeting Customer Needs Ensuring Financial Viability Leadership and Community Development Capacity • Continued to deliver 5 star attraction • Grew customer income particularly standards at both the Helix and in the areas of Sport, Arts and • Won a Total Business European Callendar House Trading Business award and a CEO Today • New and wider range of arts • Opened the Great Mariner Reef, a award programming at FTH including new income generating activity at • Improved our external professional pantomime the Mariner Centre communications with the launch of • Introduced a new arts ticketing • Utilised national frameworks and three new websites system giving a much improved partnered with Falkirk Council to • Increased the number of clubs and customer journey secure a developer partner for new organisations worked with • Increased focus on targeting health business growth opportunities • Created a new community needs including work with dementia focusing on the Mariner Centre and partnership to manage and develop patients and people suffering from Stenhousemuir Gym Carron Gymnastics Centre Osteoporosis, Parkinson’s and • Secured income of £567,000 • Continued to work with Multiple Sclerosis from competitive grant making Grangemouth Golf Club towards • Improved physical access to the bodies and made successful bids community management of the Golf Mariner Centre by relocating the for project funds amounting to Course entrance at a level with the car park £430,937 • Strengthened our processes • Continued work with social care • Continued to encourage a culture for working with volunteers and services to install ‘changing places’ of donating in our venues through created several new volunteering facilities at two sports centres with our donations boxes and received opportunities two more planned for 19/20 donations through workplace giving • Continued to manage sickness • Expanded community engagement schemes absence which at 4.46% was just in heritage through The Great Place • Participated in the Council’s slightly above our target of 4% project strategic property review • Dealt with 64 complaints and formal • Developed dialogue with customers • Utilised reserves to invest in enquiries which was less than the online through social media and the business growth projects previous year number of likes and follows across • Our reliance on income from Council • Developed a new Information our digital media channels grew by funding reduced from 60% to 57%, Security Policy to augment our data over 10% significantly down from 72% in the protection controls • Visiting the Kelpies continued to Trust’s first year of operation • Maintained our focus on health & be ranked as the top thing to do safety and as expected with the in Falkirk on TripAdvisor and both opening of soft play, there was an the Helix and Callendar House increase in numbers of accidents continued to receive 5 star reviews

13 PARTICIPATION

PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTING AND CULTURAL ACTIVITY SITS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO

Connecting people with the past Our Archives service is located in the history to researching the industrial Grangemouth Library’s 130th oak-panelled former Victorian library heritage of Falkirk. Enquires increased anniversary celebrations offered an ideal of Callendar House, and is the place by 30% on the previous year and 1,311 opportunity for collaborating with the to go to find out about the history archives and 1,848 photographs were Library team. This included finding and of the Falkirk area or to participate produced for customers. digitising items such as photographs in family history research. Local of the library from the grand opening to archives and photographs are held To help raise the profile of the service video work commissioned in the 1980s here, and may be freely viewed by the the team took part in Doors Open for the 100th anniversary. public. Most aspects of local life are Day, worked with other Archives and covered, from valuation and electoral Libraries, collaborated with heritage The Archive was used heavily for rolls to old newspapers, from school groups, increased the scope of the research closing the centenary of records to town council minutes, from volunteer programme and worked with World War One. Rolls of Honour, foundry catalogues to church bazaar higher education on a variety of their Commemorative books, Falkirk Heralds programmes, and all sorts of things in postgraduate courses. Doors Open from the period and the letter book between. Day in September attracted 140 people from the Falkirk Recruitment Officer to our free talks. were all used in order to create a Led by our Archivist, the team manages searchable database of the local men the Search Room, catalogues and The Archive offers attractive volunteer from the area who fell. This has proved cares for the collections, deals with a opportunities and we increased this invaluable for speedy searching for huge variety of enquiries and promote from an average of 8 hours per month users wishing to trace family members engagement with the heritage of the to 16 hours. Volunteer outcomes have who saw active duty. area. Additionally, a comprehensive been successful with many moving records management and corporate on to work in archives for private Additionally the Archive has been records service is provided to Falkirk companies. We also established a opening up its vast image collection, Council. productive working relationship with the working with Libraries’ local history University of Glasgow Archive degree volunteers to create time lines on the In 2018/19 the use of the Search Room course which resulted in a student various industries that have existed in continued to increase, with over a placement that greatly assisted with our Falkirk. thousand people visiting for a variety of collection cataloguing. reasons: from looking into their family

14 The frozen paddling pond, Zetland Park, 15 Grangemouth, January 1959. © Falkirk Archive PARTICIPATION

“It was interesting seeing a stage being set up in a library and the atmosphere was great” Quote from young volunteer

Getting it Loud in the Library Denny Library proudly experience for a young For the gig at Denny a session with Get it Loud hosted a unique Sunday teenage audience, in a safe we recruited a group of in Libraries themselves and afternoon gig featuring and alcohol-free space, eight enthusiastic young a photography and filming Glasgow punk band and at a low cost. The volunteers. They were a workshop on gig day itself. Rascalton, supported by organisation works with up great group to work with, local band The Vamps. This and coming acts which in and really seemed to enjoy Feedback from both the special event was part of a previous years have included themselves. To ensure they volunteers and the audience, joint project with six other artists such as Adele. received a good volunteering showed all were keen to see Scottish public libraries and experience we organised more live music events. the Get it Loud in Libraries Another important strand of several sessions prior to organisation, and was the funding is that groups the event. We were able to The young volunteers in funded by SLIC (Scottish of young volunteers are explain the project to them particular would like to help Library Information Council). recruited to help set up and fully, they got to know each out at an open mic night with run the events. This offers other and us, and explored young emerging talent. So The aim of the Get it Loud a unique opportunity to which areas they were most for the future this is definitely in Libraries programme is see what goes on behind interested in, for instance something the Trust would to engage hard-to-reach the scenes at a gig. Tasks photography, music or be interested in exploring young people who have include assisting with sound, social media and with suitable partners. low engagement in arts sound and lighting, learning blogging. and cultural activity, either skills around film and through social or rural photography, taking over Other sessions included exclusion. Get it Loud social media platforms, as talking about live music specialises in putting on well as helping with ticketing opportunities with staff from gigs outside major cities and selling merchandise and Falkirk Council’s music and provides a quality music refreshments. youth club Rock the Talk,

16 “What a great night, Callendar Park looked awesome” From Twitter

Hosting events in the Park A fireworks celebration event community safety aspect is an Callendar Park hosts a range of events of varying has taken place in Falkirk for important role of the event. The scale throughout the year and the Park is an many decades. From early event itself meets all standards, important venue for both regional and national beginnings in Bellsmeadow, is delivered by qualified events. the event now takes the form experienced staff in all areas, of a full professional fireworks and also has a wider effect. show supported by a live music The 2018 event drew a 20,000 The Lindsays Scottish Athletics National Cross stage, all in Callendar Park. plus audience, a significant Country Championships are held in Callendar number of households across Park annually in February and attract thousands of The family friendly and free to the district that chose not to set runners and spectators. The event consists of ten attend evening gives the whole off their own fireworks. races for athletes aged 11 to adult, both male and community an opportunity female, over varying distances. to experience the tradition Attending our event helps to of fireworks within a safe ensure the safety of people, The Park accommodates a lapped course around controlled environment. We animals, and buildings, and Callendar House taking in the lake, woods and golf commission expertly timed reduce the risk of callouts to the course, starting and finishing in front of the House. fireworks displays set to music, Emergency Services. The event is the pinnacle of the winter cross which provides creative high country season for members of Scottish Athletics- reaching bursts of colour, sight We are delighted that families affiliated clubs with National Championship medals and sound spectaculars that return to “the fireworks” for individuals and teams on offer. The 2019 event are designed to build to an year after year, whatever the attracted 1,874 athletes. impressive finale. weather, and go home safe, happy and well entertained. Delivered in collaboration with the Emergency Services, the

17 PARTICIPATION

“Absolutely fascinating” Visitors from South Africa, Visitor to 10 1/2 Objects exhibition

Summer of Sport Exhibitions

In the summer of 2018 we presented two exhibitions at Callendar House to tie in with that year’s ‘summer of sport’ when the World Cup was in Russia, the Scottish Masters Athletics Meeting was at Grangemouth Stadium and the European Championships were in Glasgow.

Falkirk Football Club – A Fan’s View examined some of the more unusual stories from the Club’s past through objects, images and documents from their unofficial archive as well as donations from the fans themselves.

Both exhibitions provided a fantastic opportunity to connect and highlight the different service areas within the Trust and to promote the Trust’s key message of the importance of culture and sport to health and well-being. They also drew in many new visitors to Callendar House.

18 Jim Smith, Motherwell Athletics Club aged 74.

Growing Old Competitively

Growing Old Competitively featured the work of photographer Alex Rotas who, through her work, aims to change the perception of old age. Her photographs feature record breaking, medal winning athletes from around the world – all united by their age. For her exhibition in Falkirk we put her in contact with senior athletes from the Forth Valley area and she made portraits of them for inclusion in the exhibition.

Growing Old Competitively featured at the SPORTA 2018 conference in Perth as an example of good practice and it has been allocated a member-sponsored exhibition slot for the week beginning 18 November 2019 in the Garden Lobby exhibition space of the Scottish Parliament.

“Very well chosen items – didn’t know half of this stuff and I was born and bred here (53 years). Excellent.” Visitor to 10 1/2 Objects exhibition

19 PARTICIPATION “THE FUNNEST THING I’VE DONE ALL YEAR” P4 PUPIL

Gladiators: A Cemetery of Secrets Bringing a unique exhibition to Falkirk

Over the year we worked The highlight feature is the We have devised a programme of supporting activities, with the Jorvik Centre, skeletal remains of six men including for schools, comprising talks and participatory based in York, on a plan along with Roman artefacts activities exploring - the creation of the exhibition; The to bring their exhibition dating from the early Romans in Falkirk; The Antonine Wall; forensic science; Gladiators: A Cemetery second century excavated Gladiator re-enactment; a screening of Spartacus at the of Secrets to Scotland for in York. The six men are Hippodrome and workshops in libraries. The exhibition has the first time in 2019. The believed to have been been promoted widely – looking to draw visitors from across scale and ambition of the gladiators who perished in the central belt of Scotland as well as our local audience. exhibition is significant and combat and the exhibition so for the first time we explores the story behind have introduced ticketing. the men. Drawing on links with “What an absolutely our area’s own Roman The exhibition is set to run heritage and the National through to October 2019. stunning exhibition. Lottery Heritage Fund Re- Discovering the Antonine Wall initiative, we have Fascinating facts and programmed the exhibition as our ‘must see’ summer objects. Worth every attraction at Callendar House. penny. Well done all!” Visitor from Watford.

20 “It’s great to see how much the kids in Falkirk love swimming”

Duncan Scott makes a wave in Falkirk!

On 6 November, Olympic medallist safe and healthy. But if the kids are The Mariner Leisure Centre, Bo’ness Duncan Scott joined 50 pupils at aspiring swimmers, then starting at the Recreation Centre, St Mungos High Grangemouth Sports Complex to mark grassroots through the programme is a School, Braes High School, Denny our progress in delivering the Learn to great way to go.” High School, Larbert High School and Swim programme. The swimming hero Grangemouth High School. took to the pool to show the children The success of the scheme in our area some top techniques for learning to extends beyond local schools, with The Framework helps to create quality be a great swimmer and took part in a almost a quarter of all participants in Learn to Swim environments for Q&A session. the area of pre-school age, between children from birth upwards where they 3 and 5 years – a fact Duncan said can become competent, confident and Duncan, who proudly takes on the he believed was crucial in getting safe swimmers with opportunities to role of Learn to Swim Ambassador, the nation’s youngsters swimming. progress through the aquatic pathway said “It’s great to see how much the Children have the opportunity to enrol and to swim for fun. kids in Falkirk love swimming … it is in swimming lessons across eight so much more than just a sport – it’s pools in Falkirk and the surrounding an important life skill that keeps you area, Grangemouth Sports Complex,

21 PARTICIPATION

“What a treasure House of amazing artefacts ! Brilliant ! Thank You ! Well Done FCT!” Comment from Visitors Book

Profiles of two of our staff who are instrumental in motivating people to become engaged with Falkirk’s rich heritage. The hard work and dedication by Naomi and Geoff certainly paid off, with visitors warmly appreciating the collection.

Geoff Bailey Naomi Kenny

As the Heritage Engagement Officer I have the fortune I’m the Equalities and Facilities Librarian for Falkirk Libraries. to work with a treasure trove of material and help to I have the best job ever! Not only do I get to work with promote it, along with my colleagues in the heritage, arts the fabulous people within the Home Library Service, and libraries teams. Research is key to our work and but my remit includes promoting local history to our local includes archaeological excavation with the aid of some communities. wonderfully enthusiastic and skilled volunteers. Along with Naomi Kenny I help organise and run Big Roman Week in To do this, I work with closely with local history societies, September each year, as well as Local History Week each community groups, our Heritage team, local historians and, May. The Antonine Wall is the big focus of Roman Week more recently, the Great Place team to host genealogy and each year a different theme is picked for Local History sessions with Alzheimers Scotland. What motivates Week; last year it was the First World War, this year it’s me most is making information more accessible for all Communications. members of our communities – whether this is presented in an exhibition, a workshop, a display or digital format. It’s In 2017 I was asked to turn my Falkirk history talks into an very varied and never dull! exhibition for Callendar House called ‘A History of Falkirk in 10½ Objects’. The objects chosen from the collection This year, as well as promoting our Fitness teams with marked the progress of society through its culture using greenscreen videos, I have been working on Local a chronological framework. Some of them were very History Week, filmed a series of films on the Callendar personal choices – such as the 10th century high Christian House exhibition on the History of Falkirk in 10½ Objects, cross from Carriden which I discovered. The exhibition organised Big Roman Week and am currently working on also told Scotland’s story with Irn Bru being formulated a film to celebrate the bicentenary of the death of James here, and one of the very first prototypes for a television Watt. His work on imrroving steam power in Kinneil Estate transmitter tested here. And that latter connection had a transformational impact for Industry worldwide. provided the idea for an innovative approach to interpreting We’re going to celebrate this in August by bringing his role objects in a museum display - Naomi and I made a series in Falkirk to the fore! All this will be shared online so Falkirk of short films on each object which also provide a legacy bairns near and far can enjoy it. as they can be viewed here https://tinyurl.com/yxo7wofj. 22 “Thank you for pulling together a very interesting display. Ashamed to say having lived in Falkirk for 20 years I know very little of its history. So thank you!” Comment from Visitors Book 23 (C) Falkirk Community Trust Archives PARTICIPATION

Keeping children and families active in the school holidays For staff in the Trust the Easter and summer. With more people than that there are activities which holiday periods don’t mean Along with being an ever thinking about the can be enjoyed individually, rest and relaxation! Along important source of income importance of health and with a group or as a family. with the increased visitors the holiday programme well-being, the holiday to our world renowned 5 plays a number of important activity programme plays Almost every part of the star visitor attractions - roles for the Trust. The an important part in our role Trust, from sports camps, The Kelpies and Callendar programme is designed to support them. Ranging to our parks through to House, our staff are often with participation in mind from the simple, but vitally libraries, takes part in the busier than ever during the to enhance and encourage important, extra social holiday activity programme school holidays. Many of healthier, more active, opportunities that they in one shape or another our teams increase focus richer lives for the people of offer to helping keep young so the chances are that if during this time on providing Falkirk. It also gives us lots minds engaged during the you’ve visited one of our opportunities for families of opportunities to introduce holidays, the programme venues during these periods and children to enjoy. Over new participants to the is also carefully planned to you will have taken part in the years, the holiday range of services that we offer lots of different choices. the extra opportunities we programme has grown and offer. Free of charge elements offer. now covers a huge range are an important part of the of activities running each offer, and we also make sure

24 MOTIVATION

Experiencing the ‘feel-good factor’ The Libraries’ Care Words to deliver the Care Words Project has developed experience. The volunteers successfully over the have now carried out over past year. Aiming to bring 40 sessions in 10 care WE WANT TO together older people in homes across the area and care settings (both day care have reached 140 people. MOTIVATE PEOPLE and residential) for reading and reminiscence sessions, The Care Words volunteers TO DO MORE, TRY led by dedicated trained are a new face and a new volunteers, which encourage voice which can be a people to participate in stimulation in itself. The SOMETHING NEW conversations where they volunteers bring their can share and reminisce knowledge, skills and talents AND GET INVOLVED IN about their lives and to the group and use these interests. in different ways to interact CULTURE AND SPORT and engage with the elderly We have created a variety people they work with. of resources such as books, The volunteers are also texts, poetry, music, objects developing ways to enhance and images which are used the experience as they form to engage people in these positive relationships with other like-minded people. We are continually get-togethers. the service users which They are also enjoying advertising for more Importantly we are starting enables them to tailor the bringing a smile to the faces volunteers to allow us to to see the benefits to sessions to the needs and of the older people they expand our reach across participants, which include; likes of the group. are visiting. Through our the Falkirk area enabling us improving mood and well- specially designed training to involve more care homes being, encouraging laughter, Feedback from Care they are learning about and service users. empowering people to Words volunteers has been the needs of older people take part in reading aloud positive too with many of and about living well with for others and ultimately them leading on the design dementia. Recent responses bringing people together. and content of the project. tell us they are experiencing They mostly work in pairs the “feel-good factor” by During 2018/19 we recruited and they themselves have helping others in the wider and trained 23 volunteers made new friendships with community.

25 MOTIVATION

“Part of our session stressed the importance of exercise and I am fortunate to be benefitting from Active Forth classes. I can honestly say that it has turned my life around. I am motivated and keen to be as fully active as I can so it’s a most enjoyable experience.” Feedback from Active Forth participant

Supporting people into physical activity

Through our Active Forth physios to refer people at and Dietician is leading to The Active Forth programme initiative we are working ever risk of developing arthritis, some patient care taking has been recognised as closer with NHS services to cardiac and diabetes directly place within our venues. This having best practice and identify and support those into. This saves them seeing helps break down barriers research methods and the who would most benefit from a physio or GP when what and encourages people to Co-ordinator has presented physical activity. The Active they need is simple exercise become comfortable taking at national conferences such Forth Co-ordinator now to get them more mobile and exercise as well as giving as the SPARC (Scottish chairs a newly established active. Our Active Forth team them the best care during Physical Activity Research physical activity and exercise was identified as the best and after their rehab and Connections) conference referral steering group with service in Falkirk to deliver diagnosis. at Edinburgh University, NHS practitioners including this. National Exercise Referral senior health promotion Our staff have recently Learning Exchange, National officers, the Forth Valley The NHS Fracture Liaison been trained in exercise for Hip Fracture conferences Weight Management Service service now gives talks in people with Parkinson’s, and Active Scotland in lead, Fracture Liaison our gyms on bone health Multiple Sclerosis and who front of the Chief Medical Practitioner and Advanced to patients who have been have had strokes by leading Officer for NHS Forth Valley. Physiotherapy Practitioner. diagnosed with Osteopenia experts in these fields who We are also delighted that and Osteoporosis. Our also refer people on to us. sportscotland are using our To help motivate people to referral instructors also This means staff are now research template to help take part, the group are keen give a short presentation even more skilled at giving their national programmes. to ensure that activities are on physical activity and excellent service to these designed to be as supportive bone health and how our condition groups. We are Active Forth is also part as possible and enjoyable. gyms and classes will help also training gym instructors of an NHS Forth Valley their bone health. This is on their Level 3 in Exercise Falls Prevention working Progress included the well received and many Referral which will up-skill group to prevent falls. Fire introduction of two new patients go on to join our them and allow more people and paramedic services, low impact exercise gym and classes. A joined with medical conditions to be GPs, physios, social work classes at Grangemouth up approach with other NHS supported in our gyms. and rehab services are all Sports Complex for the services such as Pulmonary involved throughout Falkirk. Grangemouth GP cluster Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy

26 “This would not have been possible without the help and support of the gym team.”

Motivating you to be your best self

Our January campaigns to Using the proposition ‘Be encourage people to join your Best Self’ we set out the gym traditionally attract to motivate, challenge and good numbers of people, encourage people across who tend to be motivated to the Falkirk area to either start increase their fitness levels at on their fitness journey or the start of the year. take it to the next level. We wanted particularly to be of For 2019 we refreshed our appeal to people who used approach to this campaign to exercise but have fallen and set out to convey our by the wayside and those message through existing who are aware they need to gym members and staff, exercise for health reasons using people of all shapes but may be new to it. A new lease of life following major and sizes and stages on cardiac surgery their fitness journey. As The campaign was a huge well as producing the usual success and we joined Scott Russell joined the suffered a cardiac arrest at marketing materials, through 1,117 new members, which gym at Bo’ness Recreation home in 2016. I now have our social media channels was our best campaign Centre in 2014 after talking an implantable cardioverter we encouraged people ever. The previous best was to Active Forth staff Fiona defibrillator fitted and to share their before and January 2018, when we and Waqar. Here’s his during that procedure the after fitness stories, and we joined 804 new members. inspiring story. Cardiologist Surgeon said offered top tips and other We’ve generated many that my fitness actually advice. inspiring stories providing “I was attending a Cardio saved my life, so as soon loads of material to take the Rehab class at Forth Valley as I was able it was back campaign on throughout Royal following major to the gym doing the Active 2019. heart bypass surgery and Forth class with Hazel, and got chatting to Fiona and a gym programme with the Waqar who were visiting. team upstairs. Now I also It really sounded as if the do Tabata and Aquafit and Active Forth programme really enjoy the classes and could help me, not least camaraderie with the staff as my programme would and fellow members. Last be tailor-made to suit me. year I did a charity walk for I did gradually regain my the British Heart Foundation fitness, but unfortunately from Glasgow to Polmont, raising £1500. This would not have been possible without the help and support of the gym team.”

Scott was also asked to be part of the photoshoot for our January fitness campaign ‘Be your Best Self’ as he has certainly embraced this ideal and as you can see from his photo, he was one of the stars of the campaign. 27 MOTIVATION

Engaging communities in Fire & Light

For the Fire & Light event heralding project took the young people down to loved this project, with many of them 2019 at The Helix, we gave more Doncaster to see Museum of the Moon using it as an example of work for their focus to the community engagement in Doncaster Cathedral. They spent two university applications. aspect and engaged 16 young people days in Glasgow Sculpture Workshop from Graeme, Braes and Larbert High researching their chosen planet, making The event took place over two days Schools to work with artists Jane their work and writing a soundtrack to and aimed through use of public art, McInally and Pearl Kinnear to make an the installation. to motivate and attract people to take installation called The Solar System. a good walk and enjoy the Helix Park Their work featured at Fire & Light with during the festive period. This piece of work was a response to a sun that you could look through. Luke Jerram’s work: Museum of the This was a very popular selfie spot. Moon and Gaia, pictured here. The The young people and their teachers

28 Giving students experience at a world class attraction

Helping to motivate and up-skill young are more in depth and training is understanding of what students should people for the workplace, The Helix undertaken with a mentor. During the expect to gain on a placement or team worked closely with schools to year we provided 114.5 hours of work internship. Looking ahead plans are in deliver work placement experience experience placements and supported place with Falkirk High, Graeme High, and career ready internships in 15 internships. Braes High and Forth Valley College to travel and tourism. Work placement continue to develop opportunities for experience involves pupils learning Staff attended a number of events to young people. about customer service, helping with broaden their knowledge, gain greater retail activities and tours. Internships insight into careers in the industry and

29 VENUES

VENUES PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR PARTICIPATION AND ATTRACTING VISITORS TO THE AREA

Oh yes we did……increase access to the arts

In 2018/19 we achieved the highest We presented the area’s first pupils to a theatre experience. ever footfall and income for our professional pantomime, in We had very positive feedback programme at FTH. Along with a association with Imagine Theatre, regarding the BSL performance number of improvements to customer starring well-known Scottish actress from service users and for 2019 and performer experience and comfort Sally Howitt and local singing star we are adding in an additional BSL we continued to build partnerships Barbara Bryceland. There were 26 performance for schools. with promoters, agents and production performances of Cinderella between companies to bring quality acts and 6 December 2018 and Christmas Eve Cinderella generated overwhelmingly household names to the venue. including 4 schools performances, a positive feedback from audiences BSL sign interpreted performance and as well as some great reviews in the Along with a new professional a ‘relaxed’ performance for people with media. We are confident that we can pantomime, highlights included big sensory impairments and autism. build upon the success of Cinderella comedy names such as Jason Manford with our 2019 pantomime, Aladdin. and Ed Byrne as well as shows from Our school performances sold out We have increased the number of the West End such as ‘An Evening quickly and demand surpassed performances to 30 and introduced of Eric and Ern’ and children’s TV availability and so for our 2019 panto a tiered pricing structure which will shows such as ‘The Twirlywoos’ and offering we have scheduled additional increase accessibility for customers. ‘Milkshake Live’. These commercial school shows. Carrongrange School Pantomime can often be the first successes raised awareness of FTH brought their entire roll of pupils to our experience people have of the theatre as a destination to new and diverse relaxed performance. We adapted and we look forward to welcoming our audiences. We also worked closely the venue on that day to support the new audiences back to FTH to enjoy a with the voluntary sector, recognising visit by providing additional wheelchair year round programme. the integral part they play to the overall spaces in the auditorium; setting up FTH programme offer with annual a quiet room with live video feed; and theatre and musical theatre productions installation of a portable changing unit and the Classic Music Live! Falkirk with hoist. This was the first time that concert series. the school had been able to take all

30 ”rib-tickling satisfaction, directed with pace, vigour and slickness” – Reviewsphere, Edinburgh

“Thank you for all your support in this. It really means a lot for us to be able to bring our entire school and that they all feel like they’re welcomed the same as everyone else.” - Teacher, Carrongrange School.

31 VENUES

Increasing access to gymnastics Gymnastics is a popular sport and many children are women’s and men’s artistic equipment and specialised keen from a very young age to improve their tumbling, training equipment including a foam pit, full size sprung handsprings and somersaults and learn to work on specialist floor and air and tumble tracks. It can host everything from gymnastic equipment. Recognising the levels of demand, pre-school gymnastics, development sessions, gymnastics potential for partnership and lack of suitable training for fun, health and fitness sessions, holiday camps, adult facilities, in another major new initiative, we opened Carron sessions, UKCC training courses and is now the home to the Gymnastics Centre in early 2019 as a flagship training facility competing section of two local gymnastics clubs, Tryst and for the Falkirk area. Stenhousemuir Gymnastics Clubs.

Making best use of a neighbourhood sports centre, the In line with our business objective to plan and work repurposed venue was provided with the full range of together, importantly the new training centre was developed in partnership with the two clubs, who are now playing a leading role in the development of the gymnastics programme and management of the training centre.

Along with our partner clubs we believe that Carron Gymnastics Centre is now the focal point for the development of gymnastics in Falkirk. Together we have created a pathway of participation across all levels of gymnastics, from pre-school to no upper age limit, and a pathway into two competing gymnastics clubs. To help retain and grow gymnastics in the area, the most talented gymnasts and coaches can now continue their development locally and we can support two local clubs and their ambitions to flourish and be able to participate competitively at local and national competitions.

32 Celebrating Grangemouth Library’s birthday

We held a commemorative event on Thursday 31st January 2019 to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the opening “Been using this library for 50 of Grangemouth Library. Originally called Victoria Public years – it’s always been a great Library, on 31st January 1889 it was the second Carnegie Library to open in Scotland. facility, lovely building and staff”

A number of speakers including from the Carnegie Trust building and service has changed and responded to the UK illustrated the historical significance of the gifting of needs of its community. the building by Scottish industrialist and philanthropist

Andrew Carnegie and the role the Library has played in Everyone enjoyed the event, which included afternoon Grangemouth, its impact on the lives of the people and the tea, with a special 130th birthday cake, which was cut by many changes to the building over the years. the eldest of the former library staff, Margaret Robertson. Photographs were taken to record the special occasion, After the talks there was time to browse the exhibition; and all present were able to write their comments, birthday copies of historic documents were displayed along with wishes and memories in a special commemorative book plans and photographs from the opening of the library, and Grangemouth Library 1889-2019. Below are some throughout 130 years of its history, which showed customers comments and photos from the special day. using the library, library staff at work, and how the library

“Best library I’ve ever been in locally. As a child I was down almost every second day and was able to read books I would otherwise never have been able to. Happy birthday.”

33 VENUES

Improving the Hippodrome’s screening schedule

As part of our business availability) in the beautiful growth plans for the Hippodrome setting for family Hippodrome, we introduced and friends to celebrate two additional screening an anniversary, birthday or slots to our weekly schedule. special day. Uptake has Based on conversations been very encouraging and with customers we now run we have hosted a number a late afternoon screening of ‘milestone’ birthday on Fridays and an early celebrations featuring films afternoon Sunday screening. such as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark; We also developed a film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; and party offer providing the Miracle on 34th Street. Our opportunity to screen a film staff received tremendous of your choice (subject to feedback from hirers.

34 “Fab venue with lots of staff around to keep the kids safe, one of my son’s favourite places in the world!” Facebook user

Opening The Great Mariner Reef

We were thrilled to open the Mariner Centre as a go the fabulous new Great to destination for families. Mariner Reef soft play in Other new developments September. Offering fun were a brand new reception filled physical activity for area, café, seating area and children up to 12 years a Changing Places toilet – old, and with impressive which is a fully accessible views through to the leisure changing & toilet area. pool it firmly positioned

35 PARTNERSHIPS

Photograph courtesy HES

Brightening up the future for Callendar Park

During 2018 we moved forward The Park toilet block was refreshed As part of our long-term plan to create several major improvement projects to provide better facilities, especially better commuter routes through the at Callendar Park that are now set to for customers using the play area and Park as well as making winter mornings come to life. the summer activities. Extra cubicles and evenings easier and safer for dog enhanced provision and a new baby walkers and recreational runners and Success with three different funding changing area was created in the cyclists, we installed solar stud lighting sources, National Lottery Heritage men’s toilet improving inclusivity. New on key routes and resurfaced the path Fund, FET, and LEADER to augment orientation and interpretation installed encircling the back lawn of Callendar the Council’s capital allocation, on the outside of the building enhanced House. This has created a much resulted in securing nearly £200,000 the visual amenity of the area. better customer experience as well as to be invested in play provision at enhancing the view from the tea room. Callendar Park during 2019. The Year one of a three year plan to Potholes on tarmac surfacing were also old Castle Callendar Play area has improve the woodland areas of the repaired. This programme of works been redeveloped to create a Roman Park started well. With funding from was made possible through grant aid themed play area tying in with the the Forestry Commission and through from Paths for All. Rediscovering the Wall Project which Landfill Tax, the first phase of works spans five local authorities through concentrated on rhododendron which the Antonine Wall runs. This control and planting of native shrubs investment complements the natural and wildflowers. The Parks team play trail which was opened in will be engaging local businesses, 2018 and previous play equipment schools and park users in a series of purchases made possible through one activity days during which people can of the first Tesco Bags of Help grants. contribute to the replanting program. Further fundraising will be required for future phases.

36 COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP BRINGS NEW ACTIVITY, RECOGNITION AND INVESTMENT TO THE AREA

Painting by James McDonald RSW

Planning a new and distinct cultural offer

In March 2019 we commissioned including Callendar House, the a team of consultants to explore Hippodrome and the Kelpies, has options for a new arts space been identified as having a key in Falkirk town centre. This contribution to make in transforming would replace Falkirk Town Hall the image and profile of the area and (FTH) but not be a like-for-like changing it from one of decline to replacement; rather it aims to be one of growth. Of course Falkirk’s a new and distinct cultural offer location in the centre of Scotland’s which contributes to the cultural transport network means that we regeneration of Falkirk’s town centre are in the perfect position to attract and the wider Council area. This audiences from up to a 60 minute study was completed in July 2019. drive time which represents 48% of the nation’s population. Other towns across the UK and Europe have experienced first- We are excited by the possibility hand the economic, social and that this new arts space, along with reputational benefits of investing a new civic HQ for Falkirk Council, in new cultural buildings (for could add to the area’s cultural offer, example Dreamland and Turner help re-animate the town centre Contemporary, Margate; Storyhouse, following the loss of key retailers, Chester; and, at the top of the scale, and, in turn, encourage further the Guggenheim in Bilbao). investment with entertainment, leisure and cultural experiences The Falkirk area has been on an replacing retail as the economic and extraordinary journey of regeneration social drivers for the town centre. over the last 20 years and culture,

37 PARTNERSHIPS

Connecting the area’s heritage assets

Funded by the National Lottery the project is connecting people and We also spent time developing and Heritage Fund and delivered in working together and the response recruiting volunteers and putting partnership with Falkirk Council, to our invitation to local heritage together a training programme to Scottish Canals and Central Scotland stakeholders to attend a heritage equip them with the necessary skills in Green Network Trust, our three year networking meeting in April 2019 was research, oral history, story-telling and Great Place project commenced in really encouraging. We also worked guiding. October 2018. Under the banner of with a number of organisations and Falkirk: Landscape, Industry and Work groups based in the area on the Our work on the development of this project aims to enhance customer development of projects such as the digital platforms – the Our Stories and visitor experience of the area’s Dam Fine Day Out, Larbert, (May website and app, intended to provide heritage venues. 2019); Mariners’ Day, Camelon, (June a focus for the area’s stories is moving 2019); Hidden Heritage around Kinneil, forward and we are working towards The first few months of the project during 2019. establishment of these resources in comprised an intensive period for the 2019/20. team, of introductions to, and meetings In readiness for the large number of with, a large number of community summer 2019 events and activities Through partnering on grant groups, local heritage organisations, across the Falkirk area, we created the applications with other local third and voluntary sector and business Great Place Pop-Up that the team can organisations, we are delighted to have contacts, and taking time to develop take to a variety of community events already brought in over £50,000 of our own programme ideas. to run interactive engagement and extra funding to the area, that meet our learning activities, share information Great Place goals. We are pleased that during the about the project, and gather feedback relatively short time the project has from different communities about their been running, we managed to engage local heritage. with many groups, organisations and individuals. Central to the success of

38 Creating a vibrant place

We continued to work closely with In A History of Falkirk, our Heritage “Callendar House VisitFalkirk to ensure our tourism Engagement Officer distilled the area’s assets perform to their best. 3,500 year history into just ten (and itself is an impressive Callendar House, the Hippodrome a half) objects from our museum and …well maintained and the Helix, have transformed collection – quite a challenge! It was the Falkirk landscape and economy also very much a personal choice building. …The displays and continue to bring a wealth of and someone else undertaking the are very well done and opportunities to increase tourism. task would undoubtedly have made a very interesting about different selection. Visits to Callendar House continue the area’s history… to grow year on year with numbers In May 2019 we welcomed the four Food in the very lovely growing by a further 20% in 2018- millionth visitor to the Helix since it 19. Our reviews on Trip Advisor and opened. The Kelpie brand continues cafe was excellent. Google average around 4.5/5 with to be a key asset for both our own Nice retro furniture the Tearoom’s cakes and scones and VisitScotland marketing. Working and views over the frequently being singled out for praise! with VisitFalkirk we continued to develop and present The Helix and park. After almost 30 However, the House has much more the all the attractions the area has years living in Central to offer more than just yummy scones! to offer at a number of annual travel In addition to our permanent displays trade events, including VisitScotland Scotland I’m amazed and authentic Georgian Kitchen, we run EXPO. This work focused on that I hadn’t been an extensive programme of temporary developing Falkirk as a destination to aware of this exhibitions. Last year’s highlights tour operators and the cruise industry. included beautiful prints and papercuts local treasure.” by Tessa Asquith Lamb inspired by Trip Advisor Review images and texts from our Archives.

39 PARTNERSHIPS

PARTNERSHIPS

National Partner, Local Impact We secured a new four year Although at a very early stage we partnership agreement with are starting to see the impact of this sportscotland. Having enjoyed a change in approach at a local level. strong relationship with the national Both teams secured investment to agency for sport since our inception, deliver pilot programmes working with this new agreement marked a members of our aging population. The significant point in strengthening our Active Schools team brought together future relationship. pupils from two of our local primary schools and residents from a care It means over £1.2million in inward home. The pupils gained experience investment for sport across the life of of volunteering and encouraged the agreement and secures the future the residents to participate in some of the Active Schools and Community physical activity. Sport Hubs programmes locally over this period. In line with the shift in focus With the members of the Grangemouth nationally away from elite sport and into Community Sport Hub we launched physical activity, and the associated the Golden Grangemouth project. This health benefits it brings, our relationship provided opportunities for residents in has evolved over the years. A new the 50+ category to try a range of new approach will give both our Active sports. Schools and Community Sport Hubs teams the flexibility to take national priorities and adapt and adopt them to reflect the needs of the communities that we work within.

40 GOVERNANCE

Falkirk Community Trust is a company its Memorandum and Articles of The Board has the ability to appoint limited by guarantee and does not Association through a Board of eleven two additional co-opted Directors to have a share capital. Falkirk Council Directors. Five independent Directors allow the Trust to benefit from relevant is the sole member of the Company. are drawn from local business, sport, skill sets and expertise as required. The Company commenced trading on culture, environmental and learning The Chair of the Board is elected from the 1st July 2011 and any surpluses sectors. Five Directors are nominated the Independent Directors. generated by the Company are Elected Members of Falkirk Council. reinvested to improve the facilities There is provision for an Employee and services which we provide to the Director nominated by Trust staff which communities of the Falkirk area. is not presently filled. The Company is governed by

Directors David White (Chair) Ruth Morrison (Chair) (Resigned 31st August 2018) Suzanne Arkinson Councillor William Buchanan (Resigned 22nd March 2019) Councillor Lorna Binnie Councillor Joan Coombes Derek Easton Colette Filippi (Resigned 15th March 2019) Councillor Jim Flynn Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn (Resigned 1st June 2019) Simon Rennie Andrew Roberts (Appointed 1st June 2018) Alan Stewart (Appointed 1st March 2019) Chief Executive Maureen Campbell Company Secretary Jane Clark Registered Office Suite 1A, Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk FK2 9EE Auditors Drummond Laurie, Gateway Business Park, Beancross Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8WX Solicitors Shepherd + Wedderburn, 191 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LB Bankers Royal Bank of Scotland, 2 Newmarket Centre, Falkirk, FK1 1JX Charity Number SCO42403 Registered in Scotland No. 400657

41 TRADING

Falkirk Community Trading Ltd is a subsidiary company of Falkirk sofas. A new servery area was created tempted. The new design creates a Community Trust. It is set up to operate to ensure that diners receive attentive welcoming, customer friendly service the catering and retail outlets within our and prompt service. point where our patrons can easily facilities. All of the surpluses generated and quickly select and pay for tickets, The Drawing Room has attracted are used to help sustain and improve snacks, sweets, ice cream, hot and afternoon tea celebrations since culture and sport services. cold drinks, in an attractive space it reopened, hosting two eightieth which more clearly defines the start It had a successful year with £349,521 birthday celebrations and a baby of the Hippodrome customer journey. secured as a charitable donation. shower and proving that customers It features a contemporary curved However, this was slightly lower than have embraced the combination of counter, following the lines of the we had originally anticipated due to elegant surroundings in a heritage existing wooden seat bank to the rear project delays for new catering outlets building with quality food and a friendly of the cinema with subtly lit displays at the Mariner Centre and Callendar welcome. built in and a decorative screen. House which meant they opened later The newly re-located Mariner Centre in the year than had been planned. On completion the new reception café serves soft play customers as well space will be easier to navigate The Helix continued to trade well with as all other Centre users. Accessibly yet sympathetic to the restored a 16% increase on last year. A key positioned at the new entrance to auditorium’s 1924 decorative scheme. driver for this was prolonged favourable the building it is larger and more up A new refreshed menu will complement weather over the summer months to date than the previous offer. Since the refit which will include a seating although other periods also exceeded opening in September 2018 we have area where film goers can enjoy coffee forecasts. introduced a number of new initiatives and cake or a glass of wine with friends reflecting feedback from customers A dedicated venue for the afternoon before the main feature. and operational learning. An Eat and tea offer at Callendar House and a new Play initiative was introduced, seating café associated with the introduction plan reviewed and a new menu was of soft play at the Mariner Centre both developed for introduction in April came on stream in the second half of 2019. the year. A new initiative at the Hippodrome is At Callendar House the Drawing Room set to open in Spring 2020 reflecting was refurbished in October 2018, with feedback that customers are not the design brief to create an elegant easily enticed to the café and bar offer. and contemporary room in which to The display of the range of popcorn, enjoy Afternoon Tea. Taking inspiration sweeties, ice cream and all the other from the stunning views over Callendar cinema goodies is compromised by Park, the room was sympathetically the existing design of the catering reimagined in light green and cream Pod resulting in queues at peak times accented by velvet covered chairs and or customers choosing not to be

Income Directors Turnover £2,054,359 Suzanne Arkinson (Chair) Maureen Campbell Ased Iqbal Shona Dunsmore Expenditure Chris Morris Cost of sales £1,564,821 Andrew Roberts (Appointed 13 Nov 2018) Administration expenses 362,759 Registered Office Investment £77,258 Suite 1A, The Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk, FK2 Charitable payment £349,521 9EE Company number 400658

42 43

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 60

3% 2% 2+4+34 How we were funded £ 18/19 17/18 + Falkirk Council £11,086,000 57% 60% Grants £350,000 2% 2%

Fundraising £567,000 3% 3% 38% Income £7,437,000 38% 35% 57% Total £19,440,000

How our income £ 18/19 17/18 1% 5% was generated 1% Arts £900,000 5% 4% Heritage £44,000 1% 1% 13% Libraries £162,000 1% 1% Sport £2,580,000 13% 12% Fitness £1,593,000 8% 8% 8% Helix £418,000 2% 2% 2% Parks & Golf Courses £332,000 2% 2% 2% 1% 57% Outdoors £191,000 1% 1% 1% 10% Business Development £80,000 1% 1% Trading Activities £2,054,000 10% 8% Falkirk Council Service Fee £11,086,000 57% 60% Total £19,440,000 1+14+7+2+8+60 3+

How our resources £ 18/19 17/18 were spent 2% Arts £1,936,000 10% 10% 4% Heritage £724,000 4% 4% 10% 5% Libraries £2,319,000 12% 12% 9% Sport £6,446,000 33% 31% 12% Fitness £1,352,000 7% 7% 5% Helix £1,143,000 6% 7% 3% Parks & Golf Courses £1,053,000 5% 6% 5% Outdoors £526,000 3% 3% 6% Business Development £1,081,000 5% 5% 33% 7% Trading Activities £1,705,000 9% 8% Governance & Management £491,000 2% 3% Falkirk Council Service Payments £1,054,000 5% 6% Total £19,830,000 +312317658 10

44

60

+24+34

Falkirk Community Trust Accounts have been prepared for the not increasing as fast as The reserves are at a level year to 31st March 2019. we had hoped for. Income in accordance with the Turnover for the period was secured from competitive Trust’s Reserves Policy £19.44m. We worked with grant funding increased and are available to help a reduction in our service as did grant income for manage further anticipated fee from Falkirk Council of delivering the Active Schools funding reductions and the £347,000 which was on top and Youth Music Initiatives. consequences such as the of significant reductions in cost of voluntary severance the previous three years. An underlying deficit of as well as providing an This places considerable £390,000 at the close of opportunity to deploy pressure on the organisation the financial year included funds on future business and whilst with judicious use the use of £394,000 of growth initiatives aimed at of reserves we were able reserves previously agreed generating income. to maintain service delivery by the Board for investment over the year, viability of the in business growth projects. The full accounts can be full portfolio of operations is These included the soft viewed or downloaded from increasingly challenging. play at the Mariner Centre our website at and the creation of Carron falkirkcommunitytrust.org Our response to continued Gymnastics Centre as funding reduction was to highlighted elsewhere in this maintain focus on growing report, along with funding for income by other means. An feasibility works associated increase in customer income with future projects. was maintained at 2% which is positive but unfortunately

45 OUR VENUES AND SERVICES

With a turnover of £19.44m, and as at the end of March 2019, 482 employees of which 208 work part-time we manage over 80 sites across the Falkirk Council area and offer a huge range of programmes and activities for a wide variety of customers. We like to think that we are able to offer services of interest and value to all Falkirk area residents throughout their lives from pre-school to retirement.

The venues we operate and manage are diverse and range from the unique heritage attractions of Grade A listed Callendar House and the Hippodrome Cinema, specialist facilities such as the regionally significant Grangemouth Indoor Athletics Centre to local libraries, sports venues and pitches in neighbourhood areas.

12 25 Stoneywood FalkirkCommunity Trust Sport 24 Denny 1 Head Quarters / Bookings & Sales 22 Bankier Sports Centre 42 23 Bo’ness Recreation Centre Arts 24 Denny Football Centre 11 2 FTH (Falkirk Town Hall Theatre) 25 Denny Sports Centre 3 Hippodrome 26 Grangemouth Golf Course Dennyloanhead 22 Haggs High 4 Bo’ness Town Hall 27 Grangemouth Sports Complex Bonnybridge 5 Grangemouth Town Hall 28 Grangemouth Stadium Banknock 29 Hallglen Sports Centre Heritage 30 Mariner Leisure Centre 6 Callendar House 31 Polmont Sports Centre 7 Callendar Park 32 Polmonthill Snowsports Centre 8 Muesum Store 33 Carron Gymnastics Centre 9 Kinneil Museum Parks Libraries 34 Kinneil Estate 10 Bo’ness Library 35 Muiravonside Country Park 11 Bonnybridge Library 36 Zetland Park – amenities 12 Denny Library 37 Dollar Park – amenities 13 Falkirk Library 38 Helix Park 14 Grangemouth Library 15 Larbert Library Outdoors 16 Meadowbank Library 39 Outdoors Base 17 Slamannan Library Community Access Schools Fitness 40 Bo’ness Academy 18 Health & Fitness 41 Braes High School - Grangemouth Sports Complex 42 Denny High School 19 Health & Fitness 43 Falkirk High School - Bo’ness Recreation Centre 44 Graeme High School 20 Health & Fitness 45 Grangemouth High School - Mariner Centre 46 St Mungo’s High School 21 Health & Fitness - Stenhousemuir

46 FALKIRK AND DISTRICT

Airth

15 Carronshore Stenhousemuir Larbert 21 33 5 Grangemouth Denny Bainsford 14 8 10 Bo’ness 36 28 3 20 30 37 39 46 38 40 13 4 Muirhouses Camelon 2 27 18 34 9 23 19 Blackness 45 1 Castle Bonnybridge 32 Dennyloanhead 43 6 7 Laurieston 16 26 Haggs High Bonnybridge Westquarter Redding Polmont Hallglen 41 31 29 Reddingmuirhead Brightons Rumford Whitecross Shieldhill Maddiston

California 35

17 Slamannan Avonbridge Limerigg

47 www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org