Cameron Rose: We'll fix our jawbone the old-fashioned way

The 6th of May this year marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of the 1886 Edinburgh Great Exhibition in the Meadows. Queen Victoria visited in August but it was her Consort, Prince Albert, who conducted the official opening of the six-month spectacular.

It was a sensational showpiece of industry, science and art. The Grand Hall could hold 10,000 people and featured a 120 foot high dome. There were 20,000 exhibits and 1,725 works of art on display. An electric railway plied between Brougham Place and Middle Meadow Walk and a host of other attractions showed off the ingenuity and dynamism of the Victorian era.

Thirty thousand people attended on the first day; 10,000 season tickets were sold for a guinea each.

Should the council step in to help preserve the Meadows' whale jawbone? Vote here

Although some wanted to make the imposing structure permanent, the Act of Parliament prohibiting permanent building on the Meadows was observed, and the buildings were removed after the exhibition closed on 30th October. Left, however, were a few tributes to the mesmeric event.

At the west end of the Meadows are the Masons' Memorial Pillars and the Prince Albert Sundial. Recently refurbished Nicolson Square is graced by the Tubal-Cain statue atop the Brassfounders pillar. And there is the whale jawbone arch at Melville Drive near Marchmont Road.

One exhibitor was the Zetland (Shetland) Fair Isle Knitting Association. Their legacy, no doubt reflecting the seafaring environment they represented, was the jawbone arch.

"Meet me at the Jawbone" is a refrain familiar to most of those of us who have spent any time near the Meadows. Generations of students, footballers, cricketers, residents and visitors have used the jawbone to define where in the Meadows to meet or play. A long-standing feature of the park, it has a place in the fabric of local life.

The arch is becoming tired. The structure is still solid but there are gaps where there was once a smooth surface. With plentiful surrounding foliage from nearby trees, the shade has enabled mosses to take hold. In short it needs smartened up. A stitch in time. . . .

It came as a surprise to learn that Historic Scotland had declined for a second time to list the structure. It didn't fit the listing criteria. For me that was rather a relief. I have come to suspect that Historic Scotland voraciously attempts to extend its control at every opportunity through the listing process.

Don't misunderstand me; I think generally HS does a fabulous job. It is just that it does too much. A neighbour summed it up: "Because they can, they do". Perhaps it has listed, say, 25 per cent too many buildings and structures in Edinburgh.

As well as the great work done preserving what needs to be preserved, listing can have a down side as well. For buildings which are in need of repair, listing adds costs to owners. Whilst in many cases property value will be enhanced through being listed, there are extra permissions to be sought. Additional costs need to be funded when repairs or changes are necessary or desirable. Sometimes the external scrutiny preserves what is worthwhile. Sometimes the added costs and the hassle factor can deter proprietors from maintenance or legitimate change.

Larger projects also suffer from these constraints. Inward investment needs to take into account the costs of compliance with the listing bureaucracy.

But the listing process has further effects. In some cases it casts a long shadow over a community and efficient use of property. Such people see the hassle and complications and just don't bother to innovate, invest or repair. In some cases it is a form of heritage blight.

Back to the Jawbone Arch. Jack Gillon, the city conservation officer, had pushed for listing in order to prise open access to funds. I salute him for doing so. Times are difficult and finance is tight. We should welcome innovative means of achieving the necessary repairs.

But there is another way to preserve this visible link with the sensational Meadows event 125 years ago.

The Great Exhibition began on 6th May and closed on 30th October after six months. I suggest that between those dates this year, in a good old-fashioned way, we raise the money necessary to spruce up the Jawbone Arch. And it can be done by public subscription.

Local traders have expressed an interest. Local community groups could lend their good offices. Jawbone Walk is one of the busiest pedestrian routes in the city. Footballers, cricketers, runners, sunbathers, commuters might just make a contribution as well.

If Historic Scotland had designated the Jawbone Arch a listed structure, we might never have had the opportunity to work together to enhance this small part of the Meadows.

Councillor Cameron Rose has lived near the Jawbone for the last 25 years. To offer your support to his efforts to save the jawbone arch, e-mail [email protected]