On August 10th 2023, a deputation from FOMBL addressed the culture and communities committee on the subject of the jawbones. As background, FoMBL trustees were not supportive of the bronze replica proposal agreed by the committee the previous year. For example, the site was thought to be unsuitable and there was no consultation with FoMBL or the wider community prior to the decision being taken to pursue that option.
The council report for 10/08/23 is here https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=59682 The committee approved the "disposal" of the jawbones including to artists and similar groups (the details are in the report) as it had been acknowledged for some time that they are in an advanced state of disrepair. What was of more immediate importance was the replacement plans.
Our suggestion that the bronze replica proposal was likely to be unwelcome was well received and so when the councillors approved the report (with sentence 1.1.5: "Agree to advance discussions with stakeholders and potential funders on the commission of a bronze replacement."), it was decided to remove the word "bronze" from the motion. It was also noted that there was no funding in place for the bronze replica option.
We departed very sure that the councillors were well aware of the sensitivities around the replacement and that we would be properly consulted before any final decision was taken. We later sent a short "thank you note" to Cllr Hal Osler who moved the motion to remove the word bronze.
See the webcast of the debate here: https://edinburgh.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/798940 The debate starts around 2 hours 44 minutes and lasts about 15 minutes. Our deputation can be found early on, about ten minutes from the start. (Click on the arrow to the right of "Deputations")
Just before the end of the financial year additional funding was discussed with City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) (which was quite positive) and Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) made an offer of further funds.
EWH have to push CEC hard to get the project going again and the bones moved down to Shropshire for work by the new conservator, no doubt there will be a delay whilst there is a procurement process.
Whatever happens, it is unlikely the arch will be reinstalled this year. It will be at least 6 months down south and then further work required on a new metal structure before installation.
Mike Sheilds, CEC officer in charge of the Meadows, has agreed to fund the reinstatement of the metal railings as soon as possible.
Last week the pathway at the site of the Jawbone Arch in the Meadows was re-surfaced. The jawbones themselves are still undergoing conservation work, which is taking longer than previous estimates anticipated: this delay has led to the ongoing closure of the pathway and we are aware of the inconvenience this has caused to Meadows users. As the conservation processes are still underway, the pathway has been resurfaced and reopened for normal use. Once the conservation works are completed, the pathway will be closed for a short period while the reinstallation takes place.
[Note: The conservation of whale jawbones is a complex and unusual task, which requires specialist conservation experts to develop and implement the best approach. The project has taken longer than initial studies anticipated, due to a number of factors including the complexity of conserving ‘organic’ whalebone, and the going into liquidation of a specialist conservation company which was working on the project. Once restored, the Jawbone Arch will return to the Meadows, and this important Edinburgh landmark will be in place for people to enjoy for another hundred years.]
The site for the refurbished jawbones was prepared in July, but it looks as if it will be January 2017 before the jawbones are erected again. We have been told by the Council "Latest information we received from the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust is there have been some further unforeseen delays and the latest timetable we have had for installation is now the end of December, but would envisage with the festive period more likely to be January" This means the Melville Drive end of Jawbone walk will stay closed. Apparently it is not safe to open for public use until the jawbones have been put back in place.
The Jawbone Arch has become a well-loved Edinburgh landmark, but recent investigations have shown that restoration work is needed. The bones have been removed for detailed examination, before specialist conservation can take place. The City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh World Heritage, the Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links and local resident Heidi Pearson (a Shetlander) are collaborating on an appeal to raise £60,000 to ensure the arch is preserved for future generations. The Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad from Shetland were visiting Edinburgh to take part in the Hogmanay events and kindly gave their time to help promote the appeal. A Facebook page has been created to help raise awareness for the project, in addition Summerhall TV have produced a video interviewing Heidi about her involvement with the appeal and the recent support shown by the Viking's visit to the Jawbone Arch.