We are really looking forward to welcoming you back into Balerno High School this Sunday, 1st May. This is an information email to let you know a few of the practicalities before arriving on Sunday. I appreciate that it is long, but I have written it in sections, so please skip through anything that isn’t relevant to you.
Getting Here
*There are roadworks on Bridge road, please allow plenty of time to travel in so as to avoid any issues*
Address: Balerno Community High School; Address: 5 Bridge Road, Balerno; Postcode: EH14 7AQ
Walking: We encourage anyone who can walk to do so. There are multiple entrances available, including a new one we are opening at the end of the concourse, near the 2G pitch.
Cycling: Bike racks are available. Access these by turning into the swimming pool carpark - here.
Bus: The number 44 bus stops directly outside the school and there is a bus which arrives at 9:44 and another at 10:14, both of which would allow enough time for out 10:30 service start time. A bus departs from the school every 20 minutes after the service. The timetable for this service is found here.
Car: There are a number of parking options in Balerno, many involve a short walk similar to when we have met at Herriot-Watt University. I have compiled a list of possible options, but please always check that you are parking legally and blessing the community of Balerno as you park. We strongly advise that you DO NOT park on Bridge Road at present.
For a list of possible parking options in the village click here.
If you require an accessible or disabled parking space then please let a member of the pastoral team know and they will pass on that information to the operations team.
Entering the building
There are 4 ways to access the building: The main entrance at the front of the school, the entrance from the swimming pool car park, the door opposite the 2G pitch and there is an accessible door from the disabled spaces available upon request. Follow the instructions from hosts and follow signage to find groups for 0-18 and the main service. All of these entrances are accessible for those with mobility issues, however the swimming pool car park and main reception entrance are best for wheelchair users as there is no ‘lip’ on the doorways.
0-18 Groups
There are separate groups for all aged 0-18 which run parallel to the main service. You can drop off children and young people from 10:20.
0-3 (Little Wonders) meets upstairs in room F10. Accessed via the staircase in the reception lobby.
3-4 (Climbers) meets in the Riverside Café. Accessed from the corridor off the reception lobby.
Primary (P1-P7) meet in the small gym.
Youth (S1-S6) begin in the main service and then leave to meet in our church building, Ladycroft.
Please note that all children P7 and below must be collected by an adult from their group at the end of the service.
Pioneers
We run a dedicated group for young adults with additional needs, who benefit from being part of a smaller group of people and having access to a quieter environment. The group join us for worship in the concourse and then move into classroom G1 for the remainder of the service. For more information please email helen.yewdall@stmungos.org
Main Service
We have redesigned the layout in the concourse. You can see a scaled drawing of the seating arrangement for this week here. Please do fill up the centre section first. We are limited to the number of chairs which we have access to now due to it being exam season, so this a way you can really bless the setup team. This is also the best place to sit if you require access to the hearing loop system.
If you still wish to sit in a socially distanced seat, then there are benches available on the side section of the concourse which can be used. They are labelled as such and so please only sit here if you wish to sit socially distanced.
The other important change is that the preacher and worship leader will no longer be displayed on the screens, only the slides for talks and the words will appear – as happens currently in HWU.
The service from Balerno will continue to be livestreamed onto our YouTube channel.
Toilets
There are 2 individual toilets accessed via the main reception lobby and there are male and female toilets accessed from the concourse. There are 2 disabled access toilets in the school, one in the swimming pool changing rooms and another is accessed via a door near the tech area. Please ask a host if you require any directions.
Leaving the building
We do not presently have access to the building after 1pm and so the entire setup has to be packed down every week after the service. To help us do this as safely and swiftly as possible, please move to the far end of the concourse at the end of the service. If you are attending the service and are responsible for any children then once you have collected them head straight to the far end of the concourse if you want to socialise or head out one of the exits near the groups. We need to keep the central section clear of people in order to safely pack equipment away in the cupboards in the lobby and move 100 chairs back to the gym.
Refreshments
We believe that creating opportunities for connection as we return to church services in Balerno High School is vitally important and that refreshments play a big part in that. However, there are no refreshments being served at the end of the service at this moment in time, in part due to the fact we have to clear the entire setup at the end of the morning service.
The other main reason is that we require a minimum of 2 volunteers to oversee leading this ministry as Wendy Brown has stepped down from this volunteer role. If you are interested in potentially taking this volunteer refreshments co-ordinator role on, please email wendy.brown@stmungos.org to find out what is involved.
There are 3 picnic benches at the far end of the concourse along with a number of benches so please do stay and chat - it is so important to connect.
Evening Services in BHS
There are no evening services happening in Balerno High School this term as we are unable to get a janitor willing to take on the extra hours. This is a council issue and nothing to do with the High School janitorial staff who have continued to be incredibly helpful, generous and willing to help us in any way that they can. This particular job is one that the council uses a team of 'roaming' janitors to cover rather than using the onsite janitorial team.
There are 4 evening services planned between now and the summer in alternative venues, see the summer plan received this Sunday for details or check out the ‘What’s On’ section of the website here.
I think that is everything for the moment!!
Any questions or clarifications then please email and I will respond as soon as possible.
Thanks and looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday at Balerno High School :)
David Lyons
Assistant Minister