A MAJOR renovation project has seen about £40,000 spent so far in improving and maintaining the buildings at the Bridge Centre and Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre.

Lighting and insulation improvements – as well as the removal of asbestos – have been carried out at the buildings next to the River Tyne, which are owned by the Lamp of Lothian.

Jamie Crichton, who has been general manager for the last two and a half years, explained the importance of the work.

He said: “We are a charity and have to maintain a series of old building and keep them as up-to-date and user-friendly as possible.

“We have spent in the region of £40,000 in the last 12 months doing just that.

“The money is split between funding and our annual maintenance budget. We have just replaced lights with LEDs in the Bridge Centre and are becoming more efficient.” The buildings are used by a wealth of groups, covering many different activities.

The Bridge Centre, which is run by East Lothian Council, is used for a variety of schemes including a motorcycle project, which has attracted the interest of writer and TV presenter Charley Boorman.

The project uses off-road training motorcycles as a means of engaging with young people, aged eight to 25 years, with a view to facilitating individual support and group work activities, which are ultimately aimed at promoting inclusion and social welfare.

Music projects, mother and toddler groups, and yoga groups are also based in the building.

Meanwhile, the other buildings are home to an array of art clubs, covering everything from pottery and sculpture to upholstery and wood-carving.

Mr Crichton said: “We have had in the last year a major drive to do works, which are very necessary because old buildings like this need a lot of care, maintenance and upgrading.

“I applied to various different organisations for funding; the three main ones were East Lothian Council Civic Pride, Viridor and Garvald and Morham Community Council. All three provided funding for the works.” Among the work is improved insulation on the top floor of the Poldrate Granary.

Anne Frost, chairwoman of the Poldrate Arts and Crafts Committee, felt the changes had already made a huge difference.

She said: “It’s fantastic! It has made it so much warmer and the difference is quite something.

“The class members are enjoying it and we don’t get quite so many moans. We are so grateful to the Lamp of Lothian for doing this.” And it is just the start of the work planned for the historic buildings.

Mr Crichton added: “We are making good progress. We have a list of jobs to be done this year, which are relatively minor.

“We are currently planning a complete renovation of the Poldrate Mill, which is to be the main project of the 50th anniversary, in 2017, since the Lamp of Lothian was founded.

“They are working buildings and there is only so much we can do.”