On the Ground

Through our supporters LPL is in touch with the activities of the community sector across Scotland. To circulate news and showcase achievements we circulate regular Briefings of what's happening on the ground. This section is an archive of previous items - its format is a simple list arranged by date of posting.



November 2008

Community gardens set to grow (5th Nov 2008)
The community gardens and allotments movement has a presence in most towns and every city in the country. With the rising price of food, locally produced fruit and veg has never been so popular. But garden allotments , and in particular the rise of community allotments and orchards, generate a much wider set of social and health benefits that are often overlooked. The Scottish Government appear to have got the message. Now it’s down to the Councils to deliver

Govan folk gather to celebrate Gaelic heritage (5th Nov 2008)
We recently featured a new initiative which has been forged to celebrate the rich industrial heritage and culture of Govan, its shipyards, its history, the community and the spirit of the people. The first project – SPARR – is a free event and takes place next week at the Big Shed in Govan

The Skye Bridge story – a tale of local people triumphing against the odds (5th Nov 2008)
Written by one of the main activists, this recently published account tells the story of the uneven struggle between local people from Skye and Lochalsh and two Scottish government administrations. It demonstrates the courage and conviction of local people and describes one of the most successful campaigns of public protest seen in Scotland in recent times.

West end community campaigns to save green space (5th Nov 2008)
Glasgow City Council wants to sell off some disused land to a private developer for housing but the local community have got other ideas. A proposal for a wild meadow area, small woodland and some new allotments has attracted widespread local support. A major clean up of the area is being planned

Save Pollock Park campaign gains new ground (5th Nov 2008)
The long running community campaign to halt plans for a GO Ape adventure park development has received backing from expert legal opinion. Andy Wightman, an expert in Common Good law, respected legal firm Brodies and Desmond Cheyne QC have all weighed in with expert opinion which casts doubt on the Council’s right to grant planning permission

October 2008

Councils urged to save local post offices (22nd Oct 2008)
As the full impact of the closure programme begins to bite, local campaigns to keep these vital local services open are spreading across the country. Campaigners in Kildrum, Banton and Queenzieburn have pointed to the successful buy out of a closed post office by Essex County Council and argue that North Lanarkshire Council should follow suit. Glasgow City Council are reported to be considering a similar move

Eigg eyes up share of £1 million prize (22nd Oct 2008)
The island of Eigg has never had a connection to the national grid. Earlier this year, after many years planning and development, a combined wind, hydro and solar panel powered system was switched on to a local supply network. All houses on the island are now receiving this completely renewable supply of electricity. More plans are in the offing to reduce their carbon footprint even further. The islanders’ efforts have recently been recognised by NESTA and they have been shortlisted to share in a £1million prize

Too little too late – GHA starts to deliver on second stage transfer (22nd Oct 2008)
When Glasgow Housing Association was set up, the deal was that it would take the housing stock from Glasgow City Council for a period of time before overseeing a second stage of transfer into much smaller, community owned housing associations. It’s this second set of transfers that has been stalled. Lots of excuses but none that seem to make any sense. Now, the tenants in Shettleston and five other areas of Glasgow have been given the chance to vote for community ownership

Residents to vote on future of youth hostel (22nd Oct 2008)
The Scottish Youth Hostel Association has carried out a major review and upgrade of many of its hostels. Seven hostels have been earmarked for disposal and one of these is the hostel at Coldingham. For years, the hostel has been a major draw for visitors and the local community appreciate its crucial value to the local economy. They are determined that it should be retained

Ferguslie Park unveils plans for new centre (22nd Oct 2008)
The Tannahill Centre was the centrepiece of a major regeneration project over twenty years ago in Ferguslie Park, Paisley. Since then it has struggled to fulfil its potential with responsibility for the ownership and management of the Centre passing between different agencies. Now the locally owned housing association has taken ownership of the Centre. There’s a new sense of optimism about the future now that it’s in the hands of local people

Community to build church out of rubbish (8th Oct 2008)
Faced with the challenge of finding themselves a new place of worship after their church building had been condemned as below tolerable standards, a congregation at Colston Milton have turned conventional wisdom on its head by deciding to build themselves a new church made out of waste

‘Riveting’ tales from the Govan shipyards (8th Oct 2008)
Within living memory, ‘Clydebuilt’ was known the world over as a mark of quality. For a time, Scotland was the greatest shipbuilding nation on earth. The Govan yards were at the heart of this, and around them grew strong communities with proud traditions. But in a relatively short space of time much of this heritage has been lost. A new project is trying to do something about it

Linlithgow on a roll (8th Oct 2008)
Not content with being known as Scotland’s Fairtrade Town, Linlithgow went on to gain recognition from the international Slow Towns movement which has the aim of creating a local environment that enhances the quality of life of its residents. Most recently the town is celebrating being the only Scottish nomination for an International Award for Liveable Communities.

Government to hand ownership to community (8th Oct 2008)
Just after World War 1, the Government took ownership of three farm estates on the south west of Harris in the Western Isles. Last week, the crofters voted overwhelmingly to take back control of the land and the West Harris Crofting Trust has started to negotiate the terms of the handover. The community have plans for a renewable energy project, a whisky distillery and affordable housing

Community Champions to gain recognition (8th Oct 2008)
All across the country, countless thousands of hours of voluntary effort - often unseen and usually unrecognised – are what underpins the community sector and provides the ‘social glue’ that hold so many of our communities together. Glasgow’s Evening Times has decided that some of these unsung heroes should get some recognition as Community Champions. Two women from Easterhouse feature in the early nominations

September 2008

Council accused of hiding truth behind Common Good (24th Sep 2008)
The findings of a major investigation into common good funds, including Selkirk's £1million assets, are being kept secret. Scottish Borders Council have completed a study into how the Common Good Funds in the Scottish Borders have been managed but have decided that the findings should not be debated in public

How far can community self help go? (24th Sep 2008)
The local health board responsible for the remote rural community of Kinloch Rannoch thought the solution to local GPs opting out of providing out of hours emergency cover was to train up local people as first-aiders. The health board chairman thought the proposal would reflect ‘community resilience’. The community saw it differently and called it a ‘dereliction of duty’

Scotland’s Craft Town set to breathe new life into former church (24th Sep 2008)
The Church of Scotland is concerned that many of its rural church buildings are at risk as a result of being underused. One such building in West Kilbride has lain empty for 30 years. But not for much longer. The community has plans for it to become a major exhibition centre and space for artists’ studios

Govanhill community refuse to give up fight for swimming pool (24th Sep 2008)
Seven years ago, local people staged a 140 day sit-in of the Govanhill Swimming Pool after Glasgow City Council took the decision to close it. Since then the building has lain empty and unused. Last weekend, teams of volunteers opened its doors again as part of Glasgow’s Open Doors Day to launch a campaign to raise awareness of the building’s redevelopment potential. They now hope to raise the funds to bring this fine old Edwardian bath house back into use

Peterhead aiming for the airwaves (24th Sep 2008)
Community radio stations are becoming an ever more popular and important part of community life. Almost always reliant on volunteer effort, community radio is known to have launched many young people on a media career. Blue Toon Community Radio in Peterhead is the latest addition to this fast growing network and they are looking for help

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