The bond with Sir Sean will not be broken in Fountainbridge

23-Dec-2006 • Actor News

Sir Sean Connery's childhood home is set to be commemorated on a new office block when the transformation of Fountainbridge is complete - reports the Scotsman.

A plaque marking the building where the screen legend once lived has been taken down for safe-keeping as the Scottish & Newcastle Brewery is demolished to make way for a new residential and business district.

The site was once home to the tenement at 176 Fountainbridge, where the former James Bond was brought up. The plaque was mounted on the brewery wall there ten years ago.

The Fountain North development, which will see 650 new homes, 160,000sq ft of offices, a major new public park, and a hotel or student flats complex, is a joint venture between developers Grosvenor and AMA and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The developers say they are committed to marking Sir Sean's connection with the area and they plan to place the simple tribute in a prominent position - believed to be on one of the landmark office buildings.

Dr Ali Afshar, director of AMA, said: "The plaque has been removed for safekeeping to enable the demolition of the boundary wall over the coming months. We are committed to re-erecting the plaque as part of a development in the same location.

"Sir Sean Connery was Fountainbridge's most famous resident and this development presents us with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate his association with the area."

Demolition teams have already moved on to the site to strip industrial buildings of asbestos, fixtures and fittings and the demolition of the plant is expected to begin in the New Year.

It was revealed last year that the developers hoped to name a street in the new development after Sir Sean, and the idea of a permanent tribute to one of Edinburgh's most famous sons remains a priority.

Dr Afshar added: "A decision has yet to be made about how we mark his links with the area, but we will consult closely with the local community, the City of Edinburgh Council and of course Sir Sean himself."

The plaque, which is currently being kept safe in the AMA office on Coates Crescent, was unveiled in 1996 by the Scottish Film Council to commemorate the centenary of cinema in Scotland. The tribute states that Sir Sean was born in Fountainbridge on August 25, 1930.

Scottish Screen, which has since replaced the film council, is still committed to honouring Sir Sean. A spokeswoman said: "Scottish Screen is pleased to lend its support to celebrate one of our greatest screen icons, Sir Sean Connery, and his roots in Edinburgh. We think naming a street after him in Fountainbridge is a great idea."

Ginnie Atkinson, managing director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival - of which Sir Sean is patron - and chief executive of the Filmhouse, said there are other plans in place to commemorate the actor's roots.

She said: "If we ever get a centre for the moving image in Edinburgh, we are hoping it will be called after him. That would be the perfect and fitting way to pay tribute.

"It's also an ideal time to name a street after him because Fountainbridge is being redeveloped at the moment, though I think he would be mildly embarrassed."

Sir Sean turned down an offer to unveil the plaque in his honour, reportedly telling the film council: "Why don't you wait until I'm dead?" And the star, who picked up his knighthood in the Capital and has been awarded the freedom of the city, later joked about the plaque: "You would have to be 10ft tall to see it."

Thanks to `Brokenclaw` for the alert.