Eskdalemuir Community Hub Development Phase – Final Report
Background to the project
1. How was the idea for the project developed?
Eskdalemuir and Upper Eskdale make up an administrative parish, rather than each being a discrete village; this adds to the impression of rurality as it is difficult to identify any form of centre to the settlement. The parish sits in the heart of the South of Scotland, about halfway between Dumfries, which is 29 miles distant, and Hawick, which is 33 miles away and the largest town in the Scottish Borders Region. Settlement patterns in Eskdalemuir are generally linear in nature due to the surrounding wet moorland conditions and tend to be located alongside the river tributaries of the Esk, including the Black Esk and White Esk; this exacerbates the impression of there being no central gathering point for the community .
The area has an average elevation of 700ft and can be subject to harsh winter conditions, very different to its nearest neighbouring towns of Langholm and Lockerbie; both towns approximately 15 miles away.
Over the last few decades Eskdalemuir has lost all the services that are regarded as essential, including Post Office, shop, pub, health care and school; the latter loss (in 2006) was the catalyst for the formation of the Upper Eskdale Development Group, as a reaction to stem this decline, to develop a positive community response to bring back a range of essential services. With the demise of nearly all means of community social interaction having been lost in Eskdalemuir, finally capped with the loss of the school, there are very few opportunities for the community to strengthen itself and build the type of social capital necessary for its future sustainability.
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
From the community consultations it was clear that the loss of the physical spaces; shop, pub, school and post office has been at the root of a decline in social and economic opportunities, precipitating a decline of opportunities for formal and informal meetings and get-togethers. The provision of a physical space, at the heart of the village – a Community Hub in a literal and metaphorical sense was central to what the community determined to achieve
Following the work during the two years of LEADER funded activity there is now a fantastic opportunity to renew and re-energise the building as a ‘green state of the art’ Hub at the heart of the neighbourhood. The old school is being transformed into a public space where the community will come together, to shop, to work, to relax and be entertained.
The project is much more than just a building project. The board is working to cultivate a focal point for the growth of new ventures and social enterprises that can bring much needed jobs and services through a sustainable model. Ultimately the objective is to keep Eskdalemuir alive and vibrant by assisting young people by creating opportunities for them to work and thrive here and families to be motivated to stay here. There is also a need to make sure that the increasing number of older people will be able to stay here in the knowledge that the care and support they may need will available locally.
The vision for this building is part of a 10 year plan for the community as set out below;
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
2. Who was involved in the project? Individuals and Organisations.
The Upper Eskdale Development Group is a membership organisation. Full Members elect a Board of Directors. The Board also has representatives of the Eskdalemuir Community Council and the Eskdalemuir Ex-Servicemen's Public Hall. Full membership is open to all adults resident in the Civil Parish of Eskdalemuir. Associate and Junior members have benefits but no voting rights. From an initial steering group of 10 UEDG has grown and now has 156 members. Membership at Feb 6th 2013
Associate Junior Members Total Full Members Members Membership
6 156 93 57
Directors Occupation Address Position
Retired Taigh Na Tobair, Chairman Organisational Eskdalemuir, Diana Rae Lilley Psychologist Langholm. Dumfriesshire
Builder The Smithy, Eskdalemuir Bernard Marie Andre Owner/Manager Eskdalemuir. Community Provost Langholm. Council Dumfriesshire Representative
Registered General Nether Cassock Nurse Eskdalemuir, Claire Louise Brown Langholm. Dumfriesshire
Retired 1 Sandyford Treasurer Jennifer Elizabeth Mills Cottages, Boreland, Lockerbie
Retired Watcarrick Entrepreneur Eskdalemuir John Denham Miller Langholm. Dumfriesshire
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
Purelands Eskdalemuir Ex- Julie Elizabeth Anne Volunteer At Eskdalemuir, Servicemen's Macleod Samyeling Langholm. Public Hall Dumfriesshire Representative
Artist And Gilder Lynwood. Self Employed Eskdalemuir, Nancy Leigh Chinnery Langholm, Dumfries Shire
Project Manager Todshawhill Non board Nicholas John Jennings Boreland Lockerbie , member Dumfries Shire
Student The Old Distillery, Youth Glen Tarras, Representative Sian Yeshe Blackburn Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway
Mother 6 Ryehill Park, Secretary Eskdalemuir, Susan Jonette Langholm Dumfries Shire
Retired Twiglees House, Twiglees, Boreland, Patience Victoria Long Lockerbie Dumfries Shire
3 What were the aims and objectives of the project?
The LEADER defined aim was to strengthen community spirit & civic pride.
The key aims of the development phase are:- 1. To continue to develop the public participation in the project so as to meet the needs of a remote rural community. 2. To secure major capital funds, and initial revenue funding to ensure progress with the overall Project and to ensure sustainability.
4 How was the funding package assembled?
Funding Package
Eligible project costs Date Cash costs In kind costs Total Costs £ £ £ Management and 8,304 8,304 Administration Communications phone fax 1,583 1,583 electronic etc.
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
Subscriptions Journals 912 912 Publications etc. Audit and accounting 2,436 2,436 Events, Marketing and 3,147 4,944 8,091 community information Promotional materials and Dissemination Website dev. & maintenance Insurance 3,045 3,045 office supplies 508 508 heat and light 2,071 2,071 Cleaning repairs and 4,992 4,992 maintenance labour
Cleaning repairs and 1,145 1,145 maintenance materials
Development Manager 44,380 44,380 Travel & subsist. 0 Mileage 1500 miles at £0.40 1,218 1,218 (3% inflation) Subsistence 8 days at £75 609 609 (3% inflation) Training 1,344 1,344 Subtotal Total 61,054 19,584 80,638
Funding Package
Name Date Amount £ Public/Private/In kind Total Project Costs 80,163 UEDG 7th Feb 20,735 Public (UEDG) 2011 UEDG 7th Feb 19,584 In kind 2011 to 6th Feb 2013 LEADER 7th Feb 40,319 2011 to Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
7th Feb 2013
5. How much money did LEADER provide?
£40.319
The project experience
6 When did the project take place?
The Project took place between 7 February 2011 and 6 February 2013 funded by LEADER and is continuing with support from BIG LOTTERY.
7 What actually happened?
We appointed a Project Manager, set up a project office, ran social events, training and support activities. We had a community event every month of the project. We conducted 8 public meetings and undertook research and survey work and pilot events. This lead up to the development of our three year objectives (see the Business Plan attached)
Project office and community information point
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
Citizen Science Training
Local woman leading Spanish Conversation Group
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
Parents and Children Event
Volunteers working
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
Qi Gong
Consultation Focus Group
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
8 How was the project delivered?
The project was delivered mainly by voluntary effort and the work of the Project Manager. An office and point of contact for the community was open five days a week. Classes, meetings and events were organised in the evenings and at weekends. Directors and staff undertook a process of community consultations through focus groups, public meetings, one to one conversations paper and e-surveys.
9 What marketing was undertaken?
A contact list of 403 people was collated with 238 email addresses was regularly updated with information about the project. Leaflets, posters and newsletter etc. were produced. A project Facebook page was developed (www.facebook.com/RoomforAll) with 167 followers and this isupdated daily. A website and links to other websites was established
10 Who benefitted from the project?
The following numbers of individual members of the community were recorded as benefitting from the project
<25 Female 10 <25 Male 8 25 to 59 Female 99 25 to 59 Male 93 >60 Female 54 >60 Male 49 Female 39 Male 43 395
11 How did the final budget turn out?
The total expenditure was within 97% of the estimated budget.
12 What lessons have been learnt?
Three main lessons have been learnt and this learning incorporated into our forward plans
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub
A) The need to build and develop the Volunteer Board. Our Sustainable Action Plan outlines the way we intend to do this B) The need to have a realistic business plan focused on achieving long- term viability. Our Business and Way forward show how we intend to achieve this C) The need to have an on-going dialogue and understanding of the needs of individuals in the community. Our Sustainability Report shows where we are this at the moment
13 Will the project be mainstreamed or transferred?
The project has been awarded £1.2 million and will continue to develop of coming years.
14 Detail the sustainability of the project and/or the exit strategy.
Details of the sustainability are contained in the attached Business Plan and Sustainability Report
15 Detail how the project has addressed the LEADER issue selected in the application.
The Eskdalemuir Community Hub project recruited a development worker who established a project office and community information point. A pilot programme of activities was run over two years. The phased refurbishment of the building to an exemplary standard of sustainability, accessibility and energy efficient design, using local materials, services and labour from sustainable sources was begun. Funding of £1.2 million was secured for the creation of a community hub Works will include installation of insulation, renewable energy heating systems, accessible toilets and entryways, updating of electrical, plumbing and other services, internal fixtures and finishes, alarms, landscaping, car park and signage. The project has grown a sense of community pride and community ownership with a current paid up membership of more than 150.
UEDG May 2013
Upper Eskdale Development Group Eskdalemuir Community Hub