Located in part of the old Poldrate Mill, on the River Tyne in Haddington, the Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre has become a hub for social and cultural activities in the region. However this year, for the first time, it is hosting a programme of summer workshops throughout July and August that range from one day to several days duration and promises something for everyone, from enthusiastic beginners to the more advanced.

Tutors include many well known artists and crafts people; Linda Keith has three, one-day workshops in felt-making (from felt flowers for jewellery to making a felt vessel or bag), while Leith School of Art tutor, Jacqueline Watt, is leading a three-day sketching/painting workshop in August. In between are myriad exciting options – jewellery-making classes by Mary Frith and Sally Moore; batik and paper-making by Amy Neville; rag rug-making by Margaret Kenny; and a series of one-day beginners’ watercolour workshops led by Haddington’s own Sheena Philips. Oil painting, drawing, fabric dyeing, machine embroidery….the choice is as eclectic as it is extensive.

Weather permitting, painting and sketching outside is on the agenda with locations such as Dunbar harbour and the village of Gifford as well as the landscapes in and around Poldrate.

One-day workshops cost from £30-£35 and in most instances include materials and equipment but not lunch – bring your own or eat out locally. Early booking is advisable to avoid disappointment and information on all classes can be obtained from the Poldrate website: www.pacc.org.uk or can be found in the What’s On section of Artwork.

Poldrate Mill is one of several buildings that have been saved and given a new lease of life by The Lamp of Lothian Trust, a Haddington-based charity that takes its name from St Mary’s Parish Church and began the restoration and conversion of the historic mill in 1968. Led by Elizabeth, Duchess of Hamilton, the Trust’s aim was two-fold; to provide a facility for leisure, recreation and education with emphasis on the arts, and to reinstate and preserve some of the beautiful buildings in Haddington.

The Trust’s initial project was the restoration of the medieval St Mary’s, although it has since been responsible for the refurbishment and preservation of several other historic buildings in the town, buildings that provide accommodation for Collegiate Clubs that include the Bridge Centre, Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre, Haddington Camera Club and Poldrate Quilters. Donors to date include grant-making trusts, individuals, the Community Fund and the local authority. With restoration of all the buildings complete, the Lamp now maintains and insures the properties, making them available for community use.

What started as an ambitious concept conceived by the Duchess of Hamilton all those years ago has been realised for the benefit of the entire community. Equally amazing, given the constraints of working with listed buildings and their diverse uses, the entire operation is run by a committee of volunteers (trustees) plus a general manager.

More funding is needed to continue to improve facilities. If you would like to make a donation or find out more about the Friends fundraising scheme, which allows local people to have a real investment in a key facility, contact the Trust on 01620 823 738.