This article was written by Avril Campbell and originally published in the East Lothian Courier.
A NEW trishaw storage facility for use by the local Cycling Without Age (CWA) group has been officially opened in Musselburgh.
Councillor Shona McIntosh, ward member, joined members of Cycling Without Age Musselburgh at the launch at the Fisherrow Centre. The new trishaw storage facility has been supported and built by local renewable energy specialist Gensource. It will enable the trishaws to continue to offer a service to the people of Musselburgh and surrounding area, the Courier was told.
The Musselburgh CWA branch now has two trishaws (three-wheel cycles with passenger cabs), called Bessie and Bertie, a wheelchair bike known as Bobby, and more than 25 volunteer pilots. The group offers trishaw rides to people in the community who are less mobile or just want some company. When the group was asked to find alternative accommodation by East Lothian Council after eight years at Brunton Court, Fisherrow CEO Aiden Reiss and centre manager Craig Armstrong found space to enable the placement of a shed, the Courier heard.
Gensource is based at the centre, and directors Josh King and Robert Wilson very kindly agreed not only to fund the purchase but also volunteered their time and that of their staff to complete the build. To enable charging of the trishaw batteries, the Gensource experts have also fitted solar panels to the shed roof.
Cycling Without Age co-founder Morna Dawson said: “There was a point we thought the lack of suitable storage would mean an end to Cycling Without Age in Musselburgh.” She stressed that when representatives at the Fisherrow Centre were approached, they were “adamant” they would help make it happen.
Gensource became involved, as Morna said: “They’ve built us this amazing shed – it even has solar panels on top to charge up the bike. It’s the community spirit and support we receive from the local community that keeps it going and we’re very grateful.”
Mr King said: “As someone with family who rely on CWA, I know the massive impact they have on the local community. So when the Fisherrow Trust team reached out to us to inform us CWA were in need of a new home, we instantly wanted to support. With the Fisherrow Trust providing the location free of charge, and with Gensource supplying and building the shed, it’s been an excellent example of the local community coming together. And with us fitting solar power and chargers for the electric trishaws, it’s really helped promote our values of sustainable active travel!”
Mr Reiss added: “Since joining the Fisherrow Trust last year, I was struck that this hidden gem of a community centre could do so much more to serve our community. Supporting CWA in a time of need is a perfect example of why we are here. We are also taken aback by the support from our business tenants Gensource and look forward to working on more impactful initiatives.”
Entirely run by volunteers, all rides are free. CWA can be followed on Facebook or Instagram, or emailed via CWAMusselburgh@gmail.com
To see the original article please see here: Community spirit leads to new home for Musselburgh trishaws | East Lothian Courier
