About.
Our Story.
On a cold morning in November 2016 while dropping off our children at school we had an idea - the Old School in Thornhill, wouldn’t that be a great place for. . .something.
From this initial idea our small collective set about to find a pragmatic way to transform our ‘Old School’ into a innovative, design-led, community asset - a space that would foster creative collaboration and benefit our village and the surrounding communities.
We had an enthusiastic response and it’s been exciting to see that initial idea grow and develop into a strong business model through our public engagement and consultation.
To date we’ve raised over £2.5 Million.
Our vision is to build a strong, collaborative community in Thornhill and the surrounding area that combats rural isolation and nurtures rural entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
We will harness the skills and experience of people living locally to redevelop the Old School into an innovative, entrepreneurial space supporting community groups, charities, small businesses, freelancers, artists and creatives based in Thornhill and the surrounding villages.
The Thornhill Collective.
Our collective was made up of 7 members of the local community. We were mainly parents of young families who had made a commitment to this area over the long term by moving here or returning to where we grew up - 3 of the collective attended OST as primary pupils.
“In 2017 we came together with an idea to buy and transform our ‘Old School’ into an innovative, design-led, community asset - a space that would foster creative collaboration and benefit our village and the surrounding communities. We had an enthusiastic response and it’s been exciting to see that initial idea grow and develop into a strong business model through our consultation.”
- The Thornhill Collective
DAVID SMITH
Producer
e. david@oldschoolthornhill.com
i. @davidgsmith1
t. @davidisasmith
David is a former Bafta nominated Film and Theatre Producer and Creative Producer at the Cultural Enterprise Office. He is also co-founder of Dumfries based Wellie company Bòtann. David has lived near Thornhill since 2011.
SAMUEL SPARROW
Designer / Maker
.
e. samuel@oldschoolthornhill.com
i. @sparrowandco
After graduating from Glasgow School of Art Samuel cut his teeth working for homeware giants Ikea and Habitat in London before establishing his own studio. His work celebrates the imperfect and inherent beauty that comes from functional, handmade products. He returned to Thornhill with his family in 2016.
ALISON MACLEOD
Jeweller
.
.i. @alison_macleod
t. @alison_macleod
Alison is a goldsmith. She established her business in 2003. Her jewellery has been exhibited around the world and featured in prestigious design books. Her current practise focuses on bespoke fine jewellery pieces based on her ‘Catkin Collection’. She lives with her family in Thornhill and works from a small studio in the village that she is interested in expanding.
KATHARINE WHEELER
Artist
.
i. @wheelakat
t. @kwheelart
Katharine is a Visual Artist and Project Co-ordinator. She currently sits on The Stove Network’s Curatorial Team and mentors their emerging creative group Blueprint100. Current project work includes Lead Artist for Our Norwegian Story – a participatory arts project looking at Dumfries’ Nordic connections. Katharine grew up in Thornhill and returned to the area in 2012 to establish her practice.
ALICIA HOOD
Costume Supervisor
.
.
.
Alicia is a freelance Costume Supervisor in the film and television industry. She studied degrees in Film and Television at Glasgow University and Costume Interpretation at Wimbledon School of Art. Her recent career has included working on numerous high profile film projects including the James Bond and Star Wars franchises. Alicia moved to the area in 2015
TOM MEREDITH
NGO Director
.
.
.
Tom was the Director of the John Smith Trust, a small NGO working across the former Soviet Union with a focus on Social Justice. Tom also works as an adviser at the HALO Trust, an international landmine clearance NGO which has its head office close to Thornhill. He lives nearby with his family.
STUART MACPHERSON
Musician
i. @stuartmacpherson
t. @stuartm_music
Stuart is a freelance bassist and composer, twice shortlisted for the Martyn Bennett Prize for Composition. He has played in the highly acclaimed ‘GRIT’ orchestra by Greg Lawson with his own pieces performed by Mr McFall’s Chamber, Scottish Ensemble and Red Note Ensemble. He has worked with National Theatre of Scotland, Creative Mackintosh Festival, Spotted Stripes Circus and most recently Cryptic. Stuart grew up in Thornhill and returned to the area in 2012.
Timeline.
January 2017.
Things get real. The Thornhill Collective, a group of creatives, producers, musicians, and an experienced charity worker become a constituted group.
Our inaugural meeting is held at The Farmer’s Arms.
We draw up our initial constitution and open a bank account.
July 2017.
We publicly launch our cause to buy and develop OST at the Thornhill Gala - speech bubbles were designed to enable the community to record their ideas for the building’s use.
The Gala was attended by over 500 local residents and we had over 100 visitors to our stand with participants ranging in age from 3 to 79 years of age.
55 speech bubble were completed which detailed a variety of uses for the OST.
August 2017
We apply to the Scottish Land Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund to support consultation and engagement work to complete our Business Plan, Feasibility Study, Building Condition Survey and initial Architectural Drawings.
November 2017
The Scottish Land Fund award The Thornhill Collective £20,000.
Additional funding was also awarded by the Architectural Heritage Fund (£5,000) and Thornhill Community Council (£2,000)
December 2017
Briefs written and approved - sent to interested parties and Creative Scotland.
Over 20 national practices apply to help us make OST a reality.
January 2018 - August 2018
Alison Fullerton and David Cook appointed to complete Business Plan.
Dress for the Weather appointed to complete Feasibility Study and Public Engagement.
John Murray Architect appointed to complete initial architectural drawings.
All work carried out by appointed consultants.
August 2018
We apply to the Scottish Land Fund to fund the purchase of the OST.
September 2018
Over £144,000 awarded by The Scottish Land Fund (Big Lottery) to buy OST and fund our initial revenue costs.
May 2019
OST becomes a Scottish Charity.
Board of Trustees appointed.
2020 / 2021
Awarded £350,000 from The Holywood Trust.
Awarded £1.1 million from RCGF via Dumfries and Galloway Council
2022 / 2023
Awarded £400,000 from SoSE.
Work begins on site!
What’s next…
Opening in 2024!
OST Membership
We are welcoming expressions of interest into becoming a member of OST.
Sign-up to play a part in shaping the future of the OST.
“In 2017 we came together with an idea to buy and transform our ‘Old School’ into a innovative, design-led, community asset - a space that would foster creative collaboration and benefit our village and the surrounding communities. We had an enthusiastic response and it’s been exciting to see that initial idea grow and develop into a strong business model through our consultation.”