Channel 4 TV are doing a programme about scenic railways across the UK and Flint Television are working with ScotRail and an artist Leo du Feu to film scenes along the Borders Railway for Channel 4 and filming some of Leo's artwork along the way . They came to Gorebridge Station on the 13th May where they were given a brief background to the station restoration project meeting Rod and Michaela, Rod talked about the reatoration of the station and Michaela outlined the electric bike project and the proposal to have a bike hire and repair facility at the restored station building . Leo then took one of the bikes to ride to Borthwick and then Crichton Castles , and then did some sketching.

Leo's website address is www.leodufeu.co.uk, facebook:www.facebook.com/leodufeuartist 

The Gorebridge Heritage Trail leaflet is now available , please click here to down load the leaflet. There is also a childrens leaflet , please click here to down load it

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As part of the works to Hunter Square , the contractor carrying out the contract , MacKenzie Construction ,agreed to participate in an engagement event with P6 class at Stobhill Primary School . This took place on October 25th at the school and involved in the class hearing about the project  and looking at how Hunter Square has changed and evolved over time . Sean Watson the archivist for the Gorebroidge CARS and Gorebridge Connected project gave the class a talk about how Hunter Square looked in the the early 19th century showing old photographs.The pupils were then encouraged to think  about the kind of things that could be put in a time capsule that will be buried on the site as part of the work . The contractor has supplied the time capsule and the pupils we able to see where it would be located.  

The class then made models with lego which they put on a large plan of the proposed work and photographs were taken which will be put in the time capsule.The contractor suppied the puplis with hard hats and viz vests and they were able to use some of the engineering equipment that has been used to design the scheme.

The pupils enjoyed the day  . The time capsule will be buried at a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the works , date to be agreed shortly . 

The Gorebridge CARS has now come to a close and a final audit report has been sent to Historic Environment Scotland . This summaries the achievements of the scheme over the last 5 years . Working with Gorebridge Community  Develpoment Trust and other local groups many projects have been delivered .

Please chick here to download the final audit report .Nothing stays still and now the work continues under the banner of Gorebridge Connected with the repair and restoration of the station , Hunter Square street improvements and the development of the Heritage Trail , the Stob Mills Gunpowder works site and Newbyres Castle . The other very big achievement not of the CARS but of the Trust is the completion of the Gorebridge Beacon , the new community hub for Gorebridge. So lots of positive things happening for the local community .

Midlothian Doors Open Day was on the 8th September and the Gorebridge Community Development Trust's office at 58 Main Street Gorebridge was open to the public displaying information about the Gorebridge Connected scheme. Plans and drawings were on display to illustrate the Gorebridge station repair and restoration proposals , the Hunter Square street improvements and the Gorebridge Heritage Trail proposals. The Gorebridge Archivist Sean Watson was on hand to talk to people about the heritage trail and he led a guided walk along the Main Street pointing out feartures of interest .

The Gorebridge Open Event on 15th August at the Gorebridge Community Development Trust's office in Gorebridge was a success. Approximately 80 people attended over  the course of the afternoon and early evening , 2.00pm to 7.30pm and many comments and questions were received and asked . There was an exhibtion showing proposals for the three main elements of the scheme , ie the repair and reastoration of the station , the improvements to Hunter Square and the development of the heritage trail.

The questions asked will help the design team to plan the next phase of the station project , ie the detail design and fit out and the documents to go out to tender to appoint a contractor . They will also help to ensure the contract for Hunter Square is implemented as smoothly as possible to keep disruption to a minimum and to assist with the intallation of the heritage trail plaques and panels. Owners of buildings in the Main Street and Hunter Square have been contacted and are happy for some of the plaques to be fixed to the walls of their buildings. 

For a summary of the comments and questions received please click here to download.