9 June 2009 – End of an Era .

Greenhall Centre Management Committee's parting gifts to the community

Greenhall High School, alias Greenhall Community Learning and Development Centre, is closed. Gorebridge awaits with dread the arrival of the demolition gang whose work will draw a final line under this loved building. The message will be sent out that there is no longer any hope that EH23 4PE can rise from the ashes and be again the support of Gorebridge community life and development. Such a miracle already happened in 1993 when the school, born so auspiciously in 1962, was “rationalised” out of existence by Lothian Regional Council in June 1993. The community's reward for putting up such a strong fight for its school was to be given a large part of the building to run as a community education centre. For sixteen years a small staff, in support of Greenhall Learning Association, have maintained Greenhall as an exceptionally well maintained, welcoming venue for a huge host of activities, enriching life for all Gorebridge residents. Credit for these achievements is due to the small band of volunteer members of the Management Committee, whose efforts and vision have delivered such excellent service to the community. For so many Gorebridge residents life without Greenhall can scarcely be contemplated.

Not content with merely providing a home for a growing number of community activities and vastly improving the accommodation, the Greenhall Centre Management Committee have shown such acumen in managing their finances that they have provided scores of grants that have enabled many local organisations to enhance the social and community life of our small town.

Greenhall Learning Association held their last General Meeting on Tuesday, 9 June 2009; an Extraordinary General Meeting, with unusual agenda items, such as “Proposal to formally dissolve Greenhall Community Learning Association” and “Proposal to redistribute remaining assets”. There was also the final round of grants to community organisations: All 17 received the sum of money applied for. (On this occasion there was an upper limit of £500 per applicant.)

Gorebridge Horticultural Society; Bonnyrigg Rose Team 2001; 1^st Midlothian Scouts; Newbattle Handicapped Club; Gorebridge Gala Day Committee; Brown Building Lunch Club; Gorebridge and District Local History Society; Hunterfield Boys Club; WHO Group; 50+ Walking Group; Gorebridge and District Environmental Group; 1^st Midlothian Beaver Scouts; Arniston Playgroup; 41^st Edinburgh and Lothians Girls' Brigade; Arniston Rangers Cherokees; Goodies; Crafty Parents. A windfall for 17 lucky community groups but sadly bringing to an end an admirable Greenhall tradition!

Archie Pacey, last headteacher of Greenhall High School, paid tribute to Mrs Linda Russell, her Management Committee, and the staff of Greenhall Centre for their unmatched contribution to the local community. While lamenting the passing of Greenhall, he vowed that Gorebridge Community Development Trust will do its utmost to see the erection in Hunterfield of a spanking, new community hub, whilst keeping going the Brown Building until the new facility is in place. The meeting agreed, after all the Association's liabilities are met, to transfer to GCDT all residual funds, to be committed to the Hunterfield Community Hub project.

The final act, the resolution to dissolve the Association, was then passed with great reluctance, there being no alternative, as we poor citizens are often told.

(Note - This is my first attempt at a news item. Please excuse the lack of graphics. I'll do better next time. ACP)

This article was published on : 09 July 2009 | Go back to the News homepage

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9 June 2009 – End of an Era .