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edits from Phil
author ht
date Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:35:54 -0400
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5 <head> 5 <head>
6 <title>Report to Area Meeting from the Future of Victoria Terrace Working Group</title> 6 <title>Report to Area Meeting from the Future of Victoria Terrace Working Group</title>
7 <author>Alison Burnley, Madeleine Harding, Phil Lucas, Brian Mayes, 7 <author>Alison Burnley, Madeleine Harding, Phil Lucas, Brian Mayes,
8 Laurie Naumann, Rufus Reade, 8 Laurie Naumann, Rufus Reade,
9 Eileen Schott, Henry S. Thompson</author> 9 Eileen Schott, Henry S. Thompson</author>
10 <date>19 July 2009</date> 10 <date>4 August 2009</date>
11 <style>td.t, td.s {text-align: right} 11 <style>td.t, td.s {text-align: right}
12 td.n {text-align: center} 12 td.n {text-align: center}
13 td.s {font-weight: bold} 13 td.s {font-weight: bold}
14 td.d {color: red} 14 td.d {color: red}
15 td.h {text-align: center} 15 td.h {text-align: center}
56 forward.</p> 56 forward.</p>
57 </div> 57 </div>
58 <div id="exec"> 58 <div id="exec">
59 <title>Executive summary of work and conclusions</title> 59 <title>Executive summary of work and conclusions</title>
60 <p>The working group met a total of twelve times throughout the first five 60 <p>The working group met a total of twelve times throughout the first five
61 months of 2009. Over th course of thos meetings we invited a number of people to join us to share their particular 61 months of 2009. Over the course of those meetings we invited a number of people to join us to share their particular
62 perspectives on the matter:</p> 62 perspectives on the matter:</p>
63 <list> 63 <list>
64 <item>Alastair Cameron and Don Stubbings, who briefed us on Area Meeting&rsquo;s perspective;</item> 64 <item>Alastair Cameron and Don Stubbings, who briefed us on Area Meeting&rsquo;s perspective;</item>
65 <item>John Phillips, Area Meeting Treasurer;</item> 65 <item>John Phillips, Area Meeting Treasurer;</item>
66 <item>Anthony and Sue Buxton, Meeting House Managers;</item> 66 <item>Anthony and Sue Buxton, Meeting House Managers;</item>
224 There are <name>two mezzanine floors</name> (not shown in the plans) in a flat-roofed extension behind the main building. The upper of these, above first floor level, houses <name>toilets</name>. The women&rsquo;s toilets, which house two lavatory cubicles and two wash hand-basins, were upgraded in 1996. There is one small lavatory room for men. The lower floor has one toilet room with a single lavatory and hand-basin (and for much of the 20 years housed the washing machine). Adjacent to this is a <name>small room</name>, known as the teenagers&rsquo; room during early Quaker occupation, when there were a number of teenagers in the Meeting. This is now known as Room 5 and is used mostly for one-to-one meetings; it can accommodate only four or five at most. 224 There are <name>two mezzanine floors</name> (not shown in the plans) in a flat-roofed extension behind the main building. The upper of these, above first floor level, houses <name>toilets</name>. The women&rsquo;s toilets, which house two lavatory cubicles and two wash hand-basins, were upgraded in 1996. There is one small lavatory room for men. The lower floor has one toilet room with a single lavatory and hand-basin (and for much of the 20 years housed the washing machine). Adjacent to this is a <name>small room</name>, known as the teenagers&rsquo; room during early Quaker occupation, when there were a number of teenagers in the Meeting. This is now known as Room 5 and is used mostly for one-to-one meetings; it can accommodate only four or five at most.
225 </p> 225 </p>
226 </item> 226 </item>
227 <item> 227 <item>
228 <p> 228 <p>
229 The <name>Foyer</name> (also not shown in the plans) is fairly spacious, but its 229 The <name>Foyer</name> is fairly spacious, but its
230 adaptability is inhibited by two structural pillars. This space was originally a shop under the 230 adaptability is inhibited by two structural pillars. This space was originally a shop under the
231 Original 231 Original
232 Secession 232 Secession
233 Church. At that time the entrance was in its present position under the Victoria Terrace arches. At some point in 233 Church. At that time the entrance was in its present position under the Victoria Terrace arches. At some point in
234 the twentieth century, that original entrance was made into a window and a new entrance made on the 234 the twentieth century, that original entrance was made into a window and a new entrance made on the
385 </div> 385 </div>
386 <div id="fin_hist"> 386 <div id="fin_hist">
387 <title>Outline financial history</title> 387 <title>Outline financial history</title>
388 <p>The Monthly Meeting sold the previous Meeting House premises in Stafford 388 <p>The Monthly Meeting sold the previous Meeting House premises in Stafford
389 Street in 1987 and bought Victoria Terrace, a listed building, and one adjacent 389 Street in 1987 and bought Victoria Terrace, a listed building, and one adjacent
390 flat in 6 Upper Bow, for &#163;138,000 with the sale proceeds. (An further flat 390 flat in 6 Upper Bow, for &#163;138,000 with the sale proceeds. (A further flat
391 in 6 Upper Bow was purchased in 1995 for &#163;25,000). A fund raising appeal and 391 in 6 Upper Bow was purchased in 1995 for &#163;25,000). A fund raising appeal and
392 a contribution (for stonework) from Historic Scotland covered a further 392 a contribution (for stonework) from Historic Scotland covered a further
393 &#163;360,000, which was used for external repairs, complete internal remodelling, purchase of furniture and 393 &#163;360,000, which was used for external repairs, complete internal remodelling, purchase of furniture and
394 equipment, as well as common repairs to 6 Upper Bow.</p> 394 equipment, as well as common repairs to 6 Upper Bow.</p>
395 <p>From the outset it had been intended that the new Meeting House, given its central position and the variety of rooms available, should become a community resource and, additionally, be able to generate an income to help offset management and maintenance costs.</p> 395 <p>From the outset it had been intended that the new Meeting House, given its central position and the variety of rooms available, should become a community resource and, additionally, be able to generate an income to help offset management and maintenance costs.</p>
514 <p> 514 <p>
515 Given the limited number of rooms that are available to let, the management 515 Given the limited number of rooms that are available to let, the management
516 costs per letting have proved relatively high. This has been exacerbated as 516 costs per letting have proved relatively high. This has been exacerbated as
517 higher health and safety standards are imposed by law and the expectations of 517 higher health and safety standards are imposed by law and the expectations of
518 user groups about the service provided also increase. Furthermore there are 518 user groups about the service provided also increase. Furthermore there are
519 both routine and one-off capital costs that have to be met both to keep the building safe, wind and watertight as well as to meet disability access legislation for properties open to the public. While the routine maintenance and repairs can be met from regular letting income, contributions from Friends and attenders and donations, specific appeals have had to be made for the redevelopment of the foyer and the Bow Room costing nearly &#163;70,000. In 2008 the cost of the stonework repairs of about &#163;30,000 was largely met by two legacies recently left to the Area Meeting.</p> 519 both routine and one-off capital costs that have to be met both to keep the
520 building safe, wind and watertight as well as to meet disability access legislation for properties open to the public. While the routine maintenance and repairs can be met from regular letting income, contributions from Friends and attenders and donations, specific appeals have had to be made for the redevelopment of the foyer and new entrance costing nearly &#163;70,000. In 2008 the cost of the stonework repairs of about &#163;30,000 was largely met by two legacies recently left to the Area Meeting.</p>
520 <p> 521 <p>
521 Lettings are not of course the only use made of the building. Central Edinburgh Local 522 Lettings are not of course the only use made of the building. Central Edinburgh Local
522 Meeting worships there, Local, Area and General Meeting groups have meetings there, 523 Meeting worships there, Local, Area and General Meeting groups have meetings there,
523 and study days and 524 and study days and
524 workshops organised by Local and Area Meeting are held there, as well as weddings, 525 workshops organised by Local and Area Meeting are held there, as well as weddings,
716 <p>Victoria Terrace was felt to be "our 717 <p>Victoria Terrace was felt to be "our
717 spiritual home". Meeting there creates, through the silence, an atmosphere of 718 spiritual home". Meeting there creates, through the silence, an atmosphere of
718 stillness and worship.</p> 719 stillness and worship.</p>
719 720
720 <p>It is necessary to meet at Victoria Terrace 721 <p>It is necessary to meet at Victoria Terrace
721 to do practical tasks and allows access to resources.</p> 722 to do practical tasks and allow access to resources.</p>
722 723
723 <p>The building is ideal for young people&rsquo;s 724 <p>The building is ideal for young people&rsquo;s
724 link weekend---there is no other Quaker building in Scotland 725 link weekend---there is no other Quaker building in Scotland
725 that is big enough. We do need to nurture and care for our young 726 that is big enough. We do need to nurture and care for our young
726 people if we are going to keep them involved with Friends.</p> 727 people if we are going to keep them involved with Friends.</p>
880 Other alternatives&mdash;all of which would reduce costs, reduce income and contact with the general public, visitors, newcomers and passers-by therefore reducing outreach opportunities:</p> 881 Other alternatives&mdash;all of which would reduce costs, reduce income and contact with the general public, visitors, newcomers and passers-by therefore reducing outreach opportunities:</p>
881 <list> 882 <list>
882 <item> 883 <item>
883 Reduce activities to Quaker activities only&mdash;this would reduce opening hours and lettings and increase costs per capita.</item> 884 Reduce activities to Quaker activities only&mdash;this would reduce opening hours and lettings and increase costs per capita.</item>
884 <item> 885 <item>
885 The Rain Forest Caf&eacute;&mdash;the caf&eacute; could go and/or drinks and snacks alone could be provided for visitors. 886 The Festival Caf&eacute;&mdash;the caf&eacute; could go and/or drinks and snacks alone could be provided for visitors.
886 </item> 887 </item>
887 <item> 888 <item>
888 The Meeting House as a Festival Venue&mdash;events/opening hours could be reduced and income would be reduced. 889 The Meeting House as a Festival Venue&mdash;events/opening hours could be reduced and income would be reduced.
889 </item> 890 </item>
890 <item> 891 <item>
903 <p> 904 <p>
904 The meeting could continue to be open for Quaker and non-Quaker activities but we could look for savings and raise money to meet the cost of essential maintenance and upgrading of facilities. 905 The meeting could continue to be open for Quaker and non-Quaker activities but we could look for savings and raise money to meet the cost of essential maintenance and upgrading of facilities.
905 </p> 906 </p>
906 <list> 907 <list>
907 <item> 908 <item>
908 The kitchen does not meet Health and Safety standards to prepare and serve meat 909 The kitchen does not meet Health and Safety standards to prepare and serve food
909 to the public. An alternative is to serve vegetarian food only and ask for 910 to the public. An alternative is to serve vegetarian food only and ask for
910 donations from the public. Trustees are actively exploring this area: the 911 donations from the public. Trustees are actively exploring this area: the
911 working group does not feel that the exact nature of the trade-offs between 912 working group does not feel that the exact nature of the trade-offs between
912 regulation, enforcement and kinds of use has yet been clearly established, so 913 regulation, enforcement and kinds of use has yet been clearly established, so
913 that an informed decision can be taken with respect to the kitchen in particular.</item> 914 that an informed decision can be taken with respect to the kitchen in particular.</item>