The scaffolding has just come down from no 14 Main Street revealing the restored stone frontage with restored windows .This together with the recently repaired and restored 18-20 Main Street makes a significant improvement to the historic character of the Main Street . 

Before and after photos of 18-20 Main Street and 14 Main Street showing the repaired and replacement stonework together with restored windows,roof and chimney work on 18-20 and the removal of modern paint on 14 revealing the orginal stone beneath .

The Gorebridge CARS Project Team approved the last two grant applications at their meeting on the 3rd February 2017.This was for 19-21 Main Street and 56a main Street . The proposed work includes:

19-21 main Street -

•         Replacement of the ground floor shop front with a more traditional timber frontage based on old photographs of the original.  This includes a new door, shop front frame, fascia and brackets and new stone stall riser.
•         New timber panelled front door
•         New timber sash and case windows with slim double glazing on the ground floor with a new stone vertical mullion to match the original.
•         Repair and where necessary replacement of eroded stone on the ground floor, repointed with a lime mortar .

The proposed scheme will result in a significant improvement to this building in the Main Street.

The reinstatement of a more traditional shop to match the original and the replacement of the large open pane ground floor window with traditional sash and case windows will enhance the appearance of the building and improve the overall street scene.  The repair of the stonework and the replacement of the front door with a more traditional door will further add to the positive impact this scheme will have on the street.

56a Main Street -

•         Stripping off the existing plaster to the gable wall and allow the wall to dry out
•         Expose the existing fireplace and flue and clear of rubbish and ensure adequate ventilation
•         The construction of a new timber framed internal wall with vapour barrier, insulation and air gap

The proposed scheme will help to address the damp penetration and will protect the integrity of this exposed  gable wall.

19-21 Main Street                                                                                                                                        56a Main Street 

On 11th January a group of 20 volunteers lead by Archaeology Scotland arrived at Newbyres Castle as to spend the day clearing vegetation away from the castle remains .The group was accompanied by members of the Gorebridge Community Development Trust was well as other local residents keen to assist with the work to prepare the site for a project to improve interpretation and access for the local community. Despite the bitter cold they did a great job and were given bread and hot home made soup and cakes by the Trust to keep them going !!.

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

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

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

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

Last Monday , December 12th 2016, an opening event was held at Newbyres Hall to celebrate the completion of the scheme and the successful operation of the new nursery that has now been established in the building. Local community organisations were invited together with the local Council members and members of the Gorebridge Community Council. A couple of the apprentices who undertook the construction skills on site training at the building also attended with their supervisor. Rod Lugg gave an introduction to the grant aided scheme , it is the priority building in the Gorebridge CARS and the importance of restoring and finding a new use for the building. Mel Scrimgeour, the owner then talked about the success of the nursery and the creation of jobs for local people . Stephanie Walker from the Gorebridge Community Development Trust then spoke about the wider regeneration initiatves taking place . Rod concluded by talking about the involvement of students from Edinburgh School of Architecture in the Gorebridge CARS , the traditional construction skills training with Edinburgh College , the local history archive project lead by the archivist Sean Watson and finally what's planned next , the restoration of Gorebridge station for community use , the enhancement of Hunter Square and increased access and interpretation of Newbyres Castle and the Gunpowder works . 

Mel then showed the visitors around the building , looking at the different play spaces including the exterior areas. A leaflet has been produced about the history and restoration of the building , please click here to download it . also click here for inside page of the leaflet . 

The Gorebridge Communmity Development Trust together with the Gorebridge CARS scheme held two  workshops in October with local parents and children collaborating  to create works of art to keep as treasures , inspired by the countryside and local environment of Gorebridge.All construction was made of local materials introducing children to design concepts and ways to configure materials to make structures.40 people attended over the days .

The next family workshop will be on the 6th November as part of the national big draw event.Free to all to participate for all ages. The venue will be Carrington Village Hall , Carrington, Midlothian.

As part of the Climate Change Annual gathering the Greening Gorebridge Project was invited to exhibit over 4 days at Dymanic Earth Edinburgh (2nd-4th October 2016).Twenty projects exhibited and the event was attended by the general public, 200 conference delegates and Rosenna Cunningham , the Minister for the Environment on the fourth day .

The theme of the exhibit was greening your street and community to conserve the heritage and the environment. Lewis Brooks a graphic communications speciaslist designed the concept which invited members of the public to add their ideas to the heritage street backdrop in green pen. The result was a very unique and a very green street .