Helix News & Events

Café Helix brought together the project’s various design reference groups for an evening of ideas and discussion.

Twenty-seven people who are involved in specific aspects of the Helix design took part. There were nine themed tables: canal extension, lagoon, wetlands, environment, event space, allotments, paths, Abbotshaugh sentinel and the masterplan.

The guests spent time at each table, talking to representatives from the Helix and project consultants Ironside Farrar and Landlab. The ideas and questions which arose will help inform the next stage of the Helix. Scroll down for more pics.

Grace Macdonald, head of community engagement for the Helix, said: “Local people have invested a lot of their valuable time in the project over the past year. Café Helix allowed us to say ‘Thank You’ and to give them the opportunity to meet each other, see the wider Helix picture and hold discussions with our designers. The voluntary commitment of local people over the next months and years will become increasingly important as the Helix takes shape and becomes an area of activity.”

Julian Farrar (left) from Ironside Farrar, said: “Café Helix was great. A really successful and positive ‘design review’ with a group of key stakeholders that will help us to take the design forward and add to the benefits of the Helix. Talking through the design thinking, sharing and testing ideas, bringing in local knowledge and exploring additional opportunities has helped everyone better understand and contribute to the proposals.

“Hopefully everyone enjoyed and took something from the evening. For ourselves as master-planners and designers, it has created a stronger foundation to take the design proposals forward and given us a confidence in the level of support and established ‘names and faces’ with whom we can continue to consult and develop the proposals.”

The event was held in the Brockville Lounge at the Falkirk Stadium.

Discussing the proposed canal extension are, from left, Malcolm Richards and Walter Inglis, both from Grangemouth Community Council; Ian Howarth, chair of Communities Along The Carron Association; Mike King, Helix project manager; and James McDonald, Falkirk and District Arts and Civic Council.

Christian Barnes from Landlab (far right) runs through the plans for the Abbotshaugh sentinel. With him are Ian Edwards, environment co-ordinator with Falkirk Council (standing); Sarah Stowe from the Langlees and Bainsford Sub Youth Project and two Youth Club members.

Donald McGregor from Ironside Farrar discusses the greenspace design with Barbara Hammond, secretary of the Falkirk and District Arts and Civic Council.