Linburn Centre

Main entrance to Linburn

The Linburn Centre is a day centre for blinded war veterans at Wilkieston in West Lothian, Scotland, around 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) west of the city of Edinburgh. The centre is located within the estate of Linburn House, a country house which was demolished in 1955.[1] It is operated by the charity Scottish War Blinded.

Scottish War Blinded

The Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded was established in 1915 to care for servicemen blinded in the First World War. The Institution purchased the Linburn estate in 1944 and developed housing, workshops and recreational facilities within the grounds of the house.[2] Linburn House itself was used as a hospital before being demolished in 1955.[1] 16 purpose-built homes were constructed for blinded veterans and their families.[3]

In 2002 the hostel at Linburn, which provided nursing accommodation for blind veterans, was closed and the residents re-housed.[3] In 2009 it was announced that a new centre would be built, to include workshops, gallery, gym, therapy spaces and offices. The design of the centre, by Page\Park Architects, is said to have been inspired by a Chinese dragon on display in the old building.[4]

The new Linburn Centre was officially opened in June 2011 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. It incorporates a wide range of facilities to equip members with the skills and opportunities they require to maintain and improve the quality of their life. It is a center of activity and socialisation for members within the local area, but is also ideal for occasional short course use for members from further afield.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Wilkieston, Old Linburn House". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
  2. ↑ "The Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded". Patient UK.
  3. 1 2 "War-blinded OAPs given help to find new homes". The Scotsman. 4 February 2002.
  4. ↑ "Scottish War Blinded : Building Information". e-architect. 23 November 2009.
  5. ↑ "Royal support for new centre". West Lothian Herald and Post. 8 June 2011. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2011.

Coordinates: 55°54′00″N 3°24′25″W / 55.900°N 3.407°W / 55.900; -3.407

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