Site of First Citizens Advice Bureau

 History of Charity and Civic Action  Comments Off on Site of First Citizens Advice Bureau
Apr 032019
 

54 Queen Street today

54 Queen Street. Edinburgh, EH2 3NS

This is the original site of the first Citizens Advice Bureau, opened in Edinburgh on 13th November 1939, alongside another branch on 18 Charlotte Lane. The impending threat of World War II lead to the British government opening bureaux across the United Kingdom, as a resource to help the public deal with such issues as tracing soldiers lost in battle or taken as prisoners of war. They also helped with domestic needs, such as gas masks for babies, ration cards, evacuation, pensions, and questions about marriage laws. The Edinburgh branches were operated by the city’s Council of Social Service until 1972, when all the bureaux became independent. Although the Citizen Advice Bureaux were first intended as a short-term measure, it became clear after the war that there were many more issues the public needed government support from, including rehousing, employment, training, education, and the introduction of welfare benefits. As of 2018, there are five Citizen Advice Bureaux and 23 outreach points in Edinburgh.

Citizens Advice Bureau logo today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citizens Advice Bureau waiting room, 1979

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits: Lucy Ridley, Citizens Advice Edinburgh

Granton Gas Works Train Station

 Granton  4 Responses »
Jan 152019
 
Photograph showing the Gas Works holder is on the left, Scottish HQ across the road on the left and the original station on the right

Once you arrive at the crossing, the Gas Works holder is on the left, Scottish HQ across the road on the left and the original station on the right

Waterfront Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1JD

Granton Gasworks had its own railway network within the works, both narrow gauge and standard gauge. The internal system of narrow gauge lines used steam locomotives and dealt with ashes from the production process and with other by-products and waste. The locomotives were low in height, with no cabs, and were able to pass under the gas retorts. Built by Andrew Barclay Sons & Co Ltd, of Kilmarnock, the Locos were each given names – such as Esme, Jack, and Ralph. The narrow-gauge system closed in 1965.

The coal used to produce the town gas was delivered by standard gauge wagons from both the North British Railway, from East and Midlothian coalfields, and the Caledonian Railway from coalfields in the west of Scotland. Coke and other by-products from the coal were also shipped out by rail.

The Granton Gas Works Station was formally opened on 27 February, 1903.
This was a substantial station, built to take workers to and from the Gas Works and Princes Street. With no other transport to the area at this time, it was suspected that more than just gas workers took advantage of the free service. In 1942, the Gas Works Station was closed by its then-operating Rail Company, the London, Midland & Scottish. Alternative transport had now become available, developed to serve the growing population of the new housing that was being built in the surrounding area.

Black and white photograph of Granton Gas Works Station about 1903

Granton Gas Works Station about 1903

Black and white photograph of a Scottish Gas Works, Granton Works locomotive inside the Gas Works

Scottish Gas Works, Granton Works 0-4-0 2′ 0″ locomotive inside the Gas Works

Granton House

 Granton  7 Responses »
Jan 152019
 
Photograph of a field near the gasworks where Granton House once stood
The nearby location of Granton House (now demolished)

Forth Quarter, Edinburgh EH5 1FH

Near this site once stood Granton House, a 24-room three-storey mansion with a balustraded roof, built by the Earl of Hopetoun in 1807 on the Duke of Buccleuch’s land as part of a 99-year lease. In 1883, the house became the property of Lord Gifford (1820 – 1887) the Scottish advocate and judge. Visitors to the house included Sir Walter Scott and Florence Nightingale who, following her visit, wrote to the family and said “I think Granton House the most poetic place I ever saw.” The house was purchased by the Edinburgh and Leith Corporations Gas Commissioners around the time that Granton Gas Works was built (opened in 1902), for use as the official residence of the Chief Engineer and Manager. The first Chief Engineer and Manager to occupy the house was Mr W. R. Herring. When Edinburgh and Leith amalgamated in 1920, the house passed to Edinburgh Corporation. From 1946 Edinburgh Corporation used the property to house homeless families following World War II. On 1 January 1954 it was destroyed in a disastrous fire and what was left demolished.

Black and white photograph of Adam Gifford, Lord Gifford
Adam Gifford, Lord Gifford (1820-1887)
Footpath towards the location of the Granton Gas Works train station
Walk along the foot path to get to your next destination
Photograph of the edge of a walkway bordered by reeds, titled "Turning Point" by Stuart Ogilvie
“Turning Point” by Stuart Ogilvie