Across The Years 5

We’ve put together a timeline of key events and decisions that shaped how the area was built, developed and altered across the decades.  This is part 5: 1990-1994.  Were you in Wester Hailes during these times?  We want the time line to reflect different people’s reflections and memories so if you think we’ve missed important information out, get in touch and let us know.

1990

•  Community Housing Information Project (CHIP) set up (April)
•  Community Relations Forum comprising “representatives of the Chinese, Asian and white communities” set up by WHRC
  

  photo by Kevin Walsh 1992

•  Moving Forward – a Social Policy for Wester Hailes – produced (November) by WHRC

 1991

•  2^nd-7^th September – “On Show to Let you Know” – Wester Hailes Info Week

 1992

•  Working Group established (January) “…with the express aim of achieving the redevelopment of the centre” comprising representatives of Edinburgh District Council, Lothian & Edinburgh Enterprises Ltd (LEEL), the Scottish Office, the local community and the Resource Team of the Wester Hailes Partnership
•  Formation of the Big Rep Council – combining the WHRC, LCC and the Neighbourhood Strategy
  

  photo from WHCHA newsletter May 1992

•  First WHCHA housing project completed – 97 homes at Walkers estate on the site of three demolished tower blocks at Hailesland 

 1993

•  Film – “Out of the Blue” – about a family living in Wester Hailes is premiered

 1994

•  Second Wester Hailes Partnership Household Survey
•  Community Housing Conference at Wiston Lodge (May) involving “representatives from all areas of Wester Hailes”
• 

  photo by Kevin Walsh 1994

   High rise blocks at Westburn and Wester Hailes Park & Drive demolished

Pages From The Past

Do you remember Blocks 4,5 and 6 Hailesland Park?  In April 1990, the Sentinel featured the decision to demolish them, paying tribute to the hard work of the local community in lobbying for this outcome.   The Sentinel Newspaper reported on local issues and was owned and managed by the people of Wester Hailes.  Click here to see the photos and the story.  Sentinel Pages 1990

Other headlines for this edition include

-Futher information about the demolition programme for the area

-A feature on the Wester Hailes Management Agency which was part of the Employment Training Programme in Wester Hailes

-A “Young People’s Day” organised by the Wester Hailes Youth Programme

Neighbourhood News

Neighbourhood Councils are a unique feature of Wester Hailes.  They were set up as part of the neighbourhood strategy of the Wester Hailes Representative Council which was itself established in 1981.  Over several years, the area was organised into 25 neighbourhoods to represent the community in the regeneration programme.  Each neighbourhood council was run by elected local residents who worked together to highlight and tackle issues that affected their immediate community.  In 1999 these neighbourhoods were restructured into 12 larger areas with some councils amalgamating. 

 Although many of the organisations formed during these years have now closed, some of the Neighbourhood Councils have continued.  It is testament to their determination and hard work that they have achieved this and that they continue to represent their areas and to work voluntarily on their behalf. 

 In 1990, there were eleven Neighbourhood Councils established.  June seemed to be AGM season with seven of the councils holding their AGMs in this month.  The Sentinel ran a Neighbourhood News special report to highlight the news from these meetings. 

To see the news from around the neighbourhoods click here  Around the AGMs.