Our Board
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John Knox, our Chair
"I've been involved in Bridgend Farmhouse from the beginning, in 2010, and I'm amazed at how it has evolved over the years. I live in The Inch, just a few minutes cycle away and I brought up my family in the area. I remember walking with my two children through Craigmillar Castle Park when it was a wasteland and the farmhouse was a ruin. Now I'm retired, after nearly 30 years as a journalist with BBC Radio Scotland, I count the farmhouse as one of the main interests in my life, along with music and volunteering with the Scottish Wildlife Trust." |
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Henry Wilson, our Secretary
"Originally from Ireland, I have lived in Edinburgh since 1989, when my love affair with Edinburgh and Scotland began. I am married to Suzanne and we have one son, Simon. Although I work in I.T., I am also very interested in DIY, particularly woodworking and stone wall restoration using traditional methods. I dislike waste and I favour recycling, repair, and re-use. Since 2016, when I began volunteering at Bridgend, I have not only indulged these interests, but I have also learned so much about the benefits of community ownership, of which I have become a passionate advocate. I am honoured to be a member of the Bridgend Farmhouse community and I encourage anyone thinking of volunteering to turn up at Bridgend and give it a go." |
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Lynne Colombo
"After a 30 year career in Social Work mainly working with Adults who required special support needs I am now retired. I live locally and have always enjoyed Craigmillar Castle Park so was very excited to get involved in the restoration of the farmhouse, a building I had always admired. Now as a regular Volunteer at Bridgend I have been been able to contribute my interest in crafts and visual arts by creating mosaics and capturing the early developments on film. Being part of such an exciting project has been a privilege and I hope to continue to combine my passion for social inclusion and be hands on with seeing what can be achieved as collective collaborative group and the personal rewards of being part of a community." |
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Leanne Reid
Leanne has lived locally in the Inch for 8 years, she is an independent parent of two children, Tallulah and Marlow. Leanne and her children are regulars at Bridgend Farmhouse and she says, “the Farmhouse gives us a feeling of being part of a community that makes a difference”. Marlow (aged 6) recently said, “we’re really lucky to live here as we have the farmhouse” - it just shows the impact the farmhouse has for the children in the community. She has worked in the city for 20 years, working with children with additional support needs across many different sectors. She now runs a community interest company called The Very Inclusive Play Club, now based at Bridgend Farmhouse. The club offers structured groups for 0-5 years old’s with additional support needs and their parents. She also works in partnership with Trees and Seas’ outdoor adventures to deliver sessions for children in the Craigmillar woods. Leanne says, “I’m really excited to now serve as a member of the board. I am passionate about the farmhouse and its ethos and look forward to being part of its development as community”. |
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Fiona Martin
Fiona is our Treasurer |
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Michael Herriott
Michael has lived in the community for the past 26 years together with his wife and three sons. Recently retired, he has enjoyed two careers, one as an Army Officer and the other as a University Lecturer in Hospitality Management. He has long-standing Trustee experience and has served as Chair of another Charity for some years. He also has extensive experience of mental health issues and challenges, as a result of which he has been aware of, and visited, Bridgend on several occasions over recent years. As such, he can clearly see the role and potential value of Bridgend Farmhouse going forward, in various different ways, and stands ready to hopefully being able to contribute to its further development. Michael is a keen gardener and, as such, anticipates taking a particular interest in progressing the recent incorporation of the activities of Bridgend Growing Communities into the operations of Bridgend Farmhouse. |
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Oliver Dickson
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Rachel Mason
“I moved from Yorkshire to Edinburgh in 2004 after a career in mechanical engineering specialising in power transmission and marketing communications. I have an allotment at Bridgend and love to be outside growing produce that we can eat or preserve, which lead me to being a founding member of ‘The Well Preserved Ladies chutney making group’ at Bridgend Farmhouse. I was so welcomed by the Bridgend Farmhouse community in my own 'hour of need' that I felt an overwhelming need to be part of the Bridgend family. The ethos of Bridgend Farmhouse very much matches my own; recycling, reusing, turning something as humble as an allotment grown onion into spiced pumpkin chutney to then share in the café, the heart of any caring community.” |
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Claire Stevens
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Su Millar
Su lives locally and was formally co-opted onto the Bridgend Farmhouse Board in February 2021. She has worked in the Third Sector in different roles for over 30 years now, most recently with LifeCare Edinburgh which she left after 17 years at the helm as CEO. Su has always been passionate about working in the Third sector. She counts herself blessed indeed to have had such a rich and unique blend of experience. This has included a range of volunteering roles as well as working for environmental causes, youth at risk and youth development, sport and recreation, research, animal welfare, Higher education. Most recently, her experience in the care sector was in the provision of a range of registered centre-based and home care services for older people and people living with dementia and their carers; but also in other community support services such as a help at home service; a community hub and community café (CaféLife) open to all; and, an award winning charitable partnership project called Vintage Vibes. She is a founding and longstanding member of the Friends of St Katharine’s Park and is also a Trustee of another local charity, Gregarious Chinwag, which works to alleviate isolation and loneliness experienced by the older members of our community - and some younger ones too! Su finds peace gardening, pottering about and hiking, generally being outdoors and loves working with others on practical projects. She says, “Bridgend is such a unique place and there is no doubt that it has special meaning to so many people in the community who have shared values and common interests. I am so looking forward to meeting and getting to know the volunteers, staff and other Trustees face to face, once the restrictions are lifted fully, and to see Bridgend in action. |
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Nila Joshi |
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Sharmella Summan |
Current trustees who do not yet have a piece on this page are: , ,
