Re-Union re-forms with new name
COMMUNITY group Re-Union has changed its name to Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust following its AGM in November 2021. A new constitution has also been adopted to allow the organisation to better operate as a Community Development Trust.
Re- Union, a wellestablished social enterprise, was set up in 2003. The organisation successfully commissioned a new widebeam boat, launched a base in Falkirk, set up the annual Canal Festival in Edinburgh and invested in a holiday hire boat company through social investment.
However, the pandemic led to the almost total loss of sales income and meant that the organisation had to develop a new strategy. The transformation involved three major changes: the launching of the independent charity Go Forth and Clyde, the sale of Re-Union’s holding in the holiday hire company and the creation of the new trust. This was the culmination of 18 months’ work with community organisation Fountainbridge Canalside Initiative.
The new trust will work with others to improve this area of Edinburgh as a place to live and visit. Re-Union has also sold its former office boat, Gosling, and is sharing Scottish Canals’ office at Edinburgh Quay, from where it will work with SC staff to look after the canal basin. Pat Bowie, general manager of Re-Union from 2008 until her retirement in 2021, retains an advisory role to the Board for one of its next ventures – acquiring a day boat which they intend to convert to electric drive for use on the canal.
Re-Union Canal Boats remains as the trading name for the boat trips which will continue on Lochrin Belle. The boat has been refurbished and has welcomed parties, youth and community groups, and NHS programmes on board during the past year. Volunteer training and other canal-based activities have continued.
Visit re-union.org.uk to book Lochrin Belle or fcct. scot to find out more about the community trust.