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Einstein A Go Go (aka Bo’ness thread)

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  1. gembo
    Member

    Took my old boss whom I coached into cycling upon his retrial out to Bo’ness today.

    Out of south queens, dead end road into Hopetoun, through estate and down to Abercorn Kirk. looked at Ian Hamilton Finlay grave, forest track to Blackness and seaside path to Bo’ness.

    There is a back to back bench that simulates the benches of the SS Belgenland on which Einstein left Europe for America. Bo’ness likes to celebrate this fact because the SS Belgenland was broken up at the end of its service in Bo’ness.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  2. gembo
    Member

    At the Mannerstons Garden Centre, yesterday, we were encouraged to exercise our rights and cycle down a very straight private road. We were really just checking if the coffee shop was open. The more upmarket one across from it, is well and truly shut (it has a farm shop thought might be open)

    Anyway local worthy also described Bo’ness as the Blackpool of the North. Not quite right. More the Fleetwood of the North

    Lot of manhole covers still made in Bo’ness but used to be a heavy industry powerhouse. Now alas a bit of a a sh1thole.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  3. Mandopicker101
    Member

    @Gembo - Speaking as a Bo'ness lad (who lives elsewhere but returns often to visit his Covid bubble), I can only agree with your assertions, albeit quite sadly. The cycle route from Edinburgh really is fab. I love spotting deer in the Hopetoun estate.

    Bo'ness has an impressive roll call of history - Roman frontier, a quite exquisite Hamilton palace, strong associations with James Watt & industrial innovation, oldest purpose built cinema - but capitalising on that needs sustained investment in wider infrastructure, which the local authority doesn't have since it's contending with a lot of other post industrial communities. A very significant regeneration of the town centre in the naughties hit the rocks of the economic crash as the major investor ING suddenly found they needed their pocket money. That there's only one (small) pub open in the town centre, in the quintessential 'Auld Man's Pub' style, says much. The town centre chippy shuts at 7. Even the local paper shut it's office in town.

    Visit on the Bo'ness Fair Day though and the place is just thrumming with life!

    Posted 3 years ago #

  4. Frenchy
    Member

    There is a back to back bench that simulates the benches of the SS Belgenland on which Einstein left Europe for America.

    I didn't know about this, so was looking more into it. Small correction: Einstein was returning from America to Germany on the Belgenland in 1933.

    Whilst on board, he heard that the Nazis, who had come to power shortly before he left, had raided his houses whilst he was away. He therefore got off the boat in Belgium and renounced his German citizenship.

    In response, Hitler had Einstein's money and property confiscated and released a photograph of him captioned "Not yet hanged."

    Chilling.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/boness-bowling-club-blaze-emergency-services-remain-at-the-grange-terrace-scene-after-terrible-fire-at-local-bowling-club-3202859

    Posted 3 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    “A very significant regeneration of the town centre in the naughties hit the rocks of the economic crash as the major investor ING suddenly found they needed their pocket money.“

    Interesting.

    I remember the (apparent) change of fortune and a town about to reinvent itself.

    The (mostly) steam railway was/is a great asset for drawing people but presumably not a great source of direct employment.

    “needs sustained investment in wider infrastructure, which the local authority doesn't have since it's contending with a lot of other post industrial communities“

    Very true.

    Part of the problem now is that the Big (Lottery) money went to The Helix. Nearby, but...

    “

    Falkirk Council led a Big Lottery Living Landmarks bid in partnership with British Waterways (Scotland) and Central Scotland Forest Trust. In 2007 the consortium were successful in their application, which saw 316 entries and 3 winners, with The Helix receiving an award of £25m. This award was the first of its kind in Scotland through the programme, and the largest ever awarded by BIG to individual projects at the time.

    “

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Helix_(Falkirk)

    Posted 3 years ago #

  7. Mandopicker101
    Member

    @chdot - some work did happen, primarily the redevelopment of 1930s tenements (known locally as the Queen Mary, since they went up in the same year as the iconic passenger liner...or coffin blocks for reasons I've forgotten). The centerpiece redevelopment/restoration of the harbour area ran into issues - economic crumbling generally but also the thick mud that fills the basin seals a delicious soup of creosote, benzene and other wonderfully toxic chemicals, the result of many years of cargo traffic. At that point, clean up costs exploded and ING suddenly lost impetus.

    That said, the foreshore area has a nicely laid out path network that makes for nice cycling. There's even lighting inset into the paving in places. Development of trails in Kinneil Woods, the CX action at the dock (which hopefully might return) and being part of the Round The Forth Sustrans route are all positives. But...you kinda need cold hard cash too.

    The railway is the primary attraction in town, staffed mainly by volunteers. In pre viral times, the railway offered a complete visitor experience - go on a train plus eat and shop. No exposure to downtown Bo'ness really required. Other than to drive in/out.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    “No exposure to downtown Bo'ness really required.“

    Yeah I suspected that was the reality/issue.

    That’s the advantage of arriving by bike - ability and innate interest in ‘exploring’.

    Businesses (not just Bo’ness) should be more aware/encouraging.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  9. steveo
    Member

    Not sure I've ever been to down town Bo'ness been to the railway and dig in at the Dock a few times.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  10. chdot
    Admin

    CCE visit with ‘local’ guide??

    Posted 3 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/boness/boness/index.html

    Posted 3 years ago #

  12. gembo
    Member

    @mandopicker love The Hippodrome

    @Frenchy get on to the Carriden Society and see if they can update the benches?

    Around the benches kids had placed Scallop schells and an oyster shell. Beach a little scuzzy tho at the Bo’ness end as still a bit of work in the boat yards

    Posted 3 years ago #

  13. MediumDave
    Member

    My mate has his (non nautical) workshop in the Bo'ness yards. A nice hive of artisan activity despite the powerful gangster energy of the place

    Posted 3 years ago #

  14. gembo
    Member

    @medium Dave yes looked like a private cafe for proper grafters up on the decks at the Bo’ness yards.

    Posted 3 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    https://twitter.com/HippFestScot/status/1388429248705318913

    Posted 3 years ago #

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