Dean House - What a State!

By Sandy Young

I lived in Lenzie from when I was four to thirty four. I attended Lenzie Primary School and Lenzie Academy. I was a member of the Scout troop. My family lived in Hawthorn Avenue and Laurel Avenue and when I was married I lived in Earlsburn Road, Alva Place and Fern Avenue. During that time I think the centre of Lenzie was well kept including Dean House. I have been in Dean House and think it was used as a youth club.

I visit Lenzie two or three times a year including this year. I have been dismayed at the state of Dean House, both the building and the grounds. People wonder when neighbourhoods go down hill and it starts with a little bit of indifference, eg Dean House. From my point of view Dean House is not owned by some poor business that cannot afford to pay the rent I think it is owned by the church. If anyone says they cannot afford to maintain it just take a picture of the church and Dean House side by side.

So I wrote the following letter to the Reverent Carmichail:

Dear Reverent Carmichael,

I was a long term resident of Lenzie growing up as a boy and finally leaving in 1985. I lived in several Lenzie addresses but finally in Fern Avenue. I have always been a strong supporter of Lenzie and visit friends in Heath Avenue several times a year.

I have noticed on my last few visits how dilapidated Dean House has become, both the external paintwork and the car park. As such a major building in a prominent position I wonder if you can do more to set a higher standard of care.

Please accept my apologies if this is already planned. That would be good news for it has looked this way for at least a year. We constantly talk about poor neighbourhoods as though we mean other people but it starts with an erosion in small ways.

Please do not take offence at my remarks.

Regards

Mr Sandy Young

To which I received the following reply: Dear Mr Young, Thank you very much for your e mail. I appreciate your concern. Personally I have no power or remit over the state of the fabric of our buildings, although for your information decision making about the long term future of the building will begin in February. I will pass on your e mail. with best wishes Dan Carmichael

Want to read more? See the kirkintilloch Herald on the same subject.