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EDINBURGH’S beloved Gorgie Farm is set to undergo a “phased” reopening after shutting down almost three years ago.
Gorgie Community Farm – who now own the site – put out a call last week for new volunteers to help restore the site and fully reopen Gorgie’s famous farm to the public.
Volunteers have been working to restore the farm since the end of summer, but efforts are being stepped up to engage volunteers and the local community in the project.
Volunteers at the farm say that a full reopening of the farm is impractical at the moment due to the number of dilapidated, unsafe buildings on the site, so have instead decided to take a phased approach.
The farm, which used to be known as LOVE Gorgie Farm, was forced to shut down in January 2023 due to financial difficulties and a lack of funding.
The site was abandoned for almost three years following this.
New operator Gorgie Community Farm won the bid to take on a 25-year lease for the site in January last year, however, and pledged to reopen the farm with allotments and volunteer gardens.
Work could only begin on the site once the charity finalised the lease at the beginning of September this year, however.
Since then, work has progressed rapidly with help from local businesses and volunteers.
With help from Denton’s Lawyers and Lloyd’s Bank, they shifted weeds from cobbles and removed the old greenhouse.
Mark Millar Landscapes and R&B Nurseries helped to repair the old and broken polytunnel ready for the spring growing season.
The only funding that the farm has so far received is from the National Lottery Community Trust.
Volunteers survey the site and work on the restoration of one of Gorgie’s most famous institutions (C) Gorgie Community Farm
Speaking today, Fiona O’Brien, co-chair of Gorgie Community Farm, explained the challenges in getting the farm up and running.
She said: “We’ve had no funds from the council, and we have unsafe buildings.
“There were buildings that were set on fire, buildings that were partly demolished.
“We have to be a bit careful about people’s expectations because, we can only work in a phased way, and we have only just established phase one.
“We’ve had donations, as you’ll see in the newsletter, for fixing the polytunnel, for materials, labour.
“Everything has been done for free.
“We’ve had people develop our website, our logo, our branding, all for free.
“All physical activity on site has been done by volunteers, and people in the community and people that love this place.
“But at every chance we have, we will try and make this 2.5 acres as available to people as we possibly can.”
The farm plans to open a community garden, with potential for a cafe and children’s play area, in the coming year.
The animals will likely take much longer to return, due to the high costs involved.
Parts of the farm have already been opened to two partner charities.
The first is Next Steps, a community hub for young people with additional support needs.
The second is The Forge, a community workshop which allows members to develop new skills and engage with a creative like-minded community, although it is yet to take up its place on the farm.
Although there is a great deal left to be done, parts of the farm – like the previously derelict polytunnel – already look transformed (C) Gorgie Community Farm
Although work on the farm is still in its early stages and there is a great deal more work to be done, Fiona has been overwhelmed by the response of the community and volunteers.
She added: “We’re getting people signing up for the updates, we’ve put up a notice on the community notice board that’s by the bus stop outside the farm.
“We’ve got people, using the QR code, wandering in, wanting to know what’s happening, wanting to join in.
“It’s been absolutely fabulous.“There are so many people involved from an education point of view, of all ages, and they are all so keen to be back on because it is an extraordinary piece of land.
“It’s precious, and it needs care and it needs love and there are so many people that are willing to put in that love and care.”
Gorgie Community farm has set aside specified days for volunteers to come in and help out.
Locals are encouraged to drop by and volunteer on 20, 24, 25, and 29 November.