Sir Tom is Kwik to back new Boys' Brigade headquarters

Published on Thursday 28 September 2006 11:52

EDINBURGH philanthropist Sir Tom Farmer will open the new Lothians headquarters of the Boys' Brigade tomorrow.

The purpose-built facility, which also includes a sports pavilion, cafe and a boardroom with wi-fi access, will be used by the 2000 members and volunteers in the Edinburgh, Leith and District Battalion.

Work on the new Pollock Pavilion - which is on Ferry Road next to the Boys' Brigade playing fields at Lethem Park - began in October last year.

The 400,000 building, which will replace the organisation's former headquarters in York Place, was designed by architects Fruin and Bell and built by Hays Construction.

Facilities include new changing rooms for players from the BB football leagues, as well as the new cafe and meeting space. Work has also been carried out to provide a new training boardroom area equipped with a presentation screen and wi-fi access. Improvements to disabled access and the provision of a BB shop were also part of the contract.

Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom, who grew up in Leith, has long been a supporter of the Boys' Brigade and other local youth organisations. Battalion president Jim Ralston said: "This is yet another major achievement for the battalion. We now have one of the best youth work facilities in Scotland and the new building has really brought us into the 21st century.

"I think the new headquarters is quite possibly the finest of any of the Boys' Brigades. The combination of the training spaces and the playing fields make this a unique site. We are delighted with the finished building and I would like to congratulate the builders and design team on such a first class job."

Mr Ralston, who has been battalion president for four years of a five year term, has been captain of the Loanhead Company since 1975. He added: "We are very honoured that Sir Tom Farmer has agreed to carry out the opening ceremony for us. Like me, he was a Leith boy born and bred and has been very supportive of youth work in the Leith area given his local connections."

Sir Tom founded the Kwik-Fit tyre and exhaust centres in the 1970s. Since then he has supported several charitable organisations and he is also the chairman of the Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.

The Boys' Brigade was the first voluntary uniformed youth organisation in the UK and has been operating since 1883. It has now grown internationally with over 500,000 members worldwide.

Guests will include Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Harbour ward councillor Gordon Munro, representatives from the local councils and members of other youth organisations.