Winter 2008 Dunpender Community Council

D UNPENDER N EWS

Merry Christmas LET THERE BE LIGHT ‘s Football Team is going from strength to strength. However, since last year, Dunpender Community Council has been trying hard to provide floodlighting to allow the team to train in East Linton during the See you for Carols round the winter evenings. The footballers had been trekking over to Haddington. Fountain Well, we managed to get the floodlights installed which you would have East Linton Square thought would be enough, but no! Lights but no power still left the 24th December, 7pm pitches in darkness. Finally, with a little help from our local councillor, Jacquie Bell, the council have connected everything up and SMEATON evening training can go ahead Nursery & Gardens locally. This will ensure, we have no doubt, a highly trained team We offer a wide selection of hardy plants for every season. Qualified and to bring the cup to East Linton at friendly service always available. the end of the season! We await the results with anticipation. Christmas Trees and wreaths available throughout December SLOW DOWN Tea rooms open We are continually receiving complaints about the Wed—Sun speed of traffic travelling through our villages. Open 7 days a week Please slow down and proceed with care in built Mon—Sat 9.30—4.30 Sun 10.30—4.30 up areas and be particularly careful when you are East Linton coming off an ―A‖ road. Tel/Fax 01620 860501

PROTECT YOUR HOME

East Linton Fire Unit is offering free safety checks to every home in the area. A local fire fighter will visit your property and give you ad- vice on how you can make your home a safer place. He will also test your smoke alarms and fit free smoke alarms if you need them. Your exit routes, in the event of fire, will be assessed and help will be given to reduce the risk of fire as much as possible. To arrange a visit, or to discuss any concerns regarding fire safety, please leave a message on 01620 860379 (East Linton Fire Station) and someone will phone you back.

Dunpender News Winter 2008

Dunpender Community Council Meetings East Linton First Thursday of every month7.30pm Judith Priest (Chair) Council Chambers,East Linton 83 High Street, East Linton EH40 3BQ Tel 860380 Local Priorities and Janet Pooley (Vice-chair) Nearly all the projects flagged up in the Summer Dunpender News have been completed we are pleased to say, with work on Christ- The Tithe Barn, Whitekirk mas Lights for Tyninghame, Whitekirk and East Linton under way EH42 1XS Tel 870344 as we publish. Our efforts there are targeted at making perma- Hailes nent installations that can be ―plugged in‖ each year, saving Bill Alder (Secretary) costly erection fees of £750. Granary House, Kippielaw, Haddington EH41 4PY  Community Hall heating contribution £300 Tel 861171  Cleaning round the War Memorial at Whittinghame £200 East Linton  Plants for in Bloom £500 John Robson (Treasurer)  Paying for one last ―Conservation‖ Lamppost to finish our long- standing light improvement scheme in East Linton £678 9 Drylaw Terrace, East Linton EH40  Assisting ELC to provide CCTV at the Sports Pavilion 3BA Tel 860842  Contribution to and Organising of Floodlights for the Football Alison Cosgrove Pitch in the Memorial Park.£1780 13 Stories Park, East Linton EH40  Publishing, printing and distributing the Dunpender News and 3BN Tel 860812 Dunpender Tourist leaflet. £1150 Barry Craighead  Making a helping hands contribution to the inaugural East Lin- 40 Longstone Avenue, ton Christmas Market, profiled elsewhere in the News £150 East Linton EH40 3BS Tel 861765 Including funds attracted from elsewhere this just about takes Robert Russel care of our £4370 budget for 08-09, and we are already starting 17 The Dean, East Linton to think about next year‘s potential allocation. This money is dero- EH40 3ED Tel 860702 gated form the main ELC budget each year. Using matching fund- Patricia Stephen ing principles to the full, DCC consistently uses these funds to make local improvements either overlooked by the main Council or , East Linton EH40 3DF outside their remit. Tel 860285 Fax 861531 Tyninghame and Whitekirk We welcome all requests and suggestions from residents. A Liz Kilpatrick copy of our Policy governing LPS awards is available from any of us or online @ www.dunpender.net White Cottage, Newbyth EH40 3DU Tel 870353 Ted Hill The Stable Margaret Alder East Linton - 3 Lochhouses, Whitekirk Professional Picture Spacious Mews Style Cottage EH42 1XP Tel 870277 Set in grounds of owners’ home in the Framer conservation village of East Linton Sleeps 3/4—Street Parking Linda Shaw Stewart Minimum let 2/3nights Quality & Excellence Eastfield Steading, Low Prices Whittingehame EH41 4QA Tel 01368 850358

Beanston & Markle The Granary House

Jan Ferguson Kippielaw Ground Floor: Fully equipped breakfasting kitchen/separate toilet Traprain EH41 4PY 1st Floor: Lounge/dining room/2 bedrooms East Cottage, Markle Mains Outside patio area with BBQ and garden furniture Tel 01620 861171 Sorry no pets—no smoking EH40 3EB Tel 860786 For further information tel: 01620 861041

Page 3 Winter 2008

VIEW FROM THE CHAIR

Judith . This autumn we have spent a lot of time their own pots and window boxes. We Priest on Planning issues. We shall support did very well in winning three awards the building of 50 houses at Orchard- and look forward to the spring bulb dis- field in a mix of sizes including 13 plays which are already being planned. ‗affordable‘ houses. However the pro- September saw the 40th annual Art posed golf course/hotel/42 houses at Show and Competition in the Commu- Whitekirk is a development we have nity Hall. The special exhibit of items strongly opposed, but it seems that East from the last 40 years and indeed the Lothian Council‘s own policies are to be whole show was really enjoyable. A re- ignored and outline planning permission cent very funny Murder Mystery put on has been granted. in the Hall by the Drama group and the We have met with the developers of the panto ‗The Snow Queen‘ planned for Phantassie retail development and have January are another reminder of how encouraged community consultation lucky we are to have so much enthusi- prior to submitting their application (see asm and talent here. page 4). This proposal will be discussed DCC has obtained substantial ELC fund- Alastair at our December meeting and your ing for work at the Hall this year, help- Seagroatt views would be greatly welcomed. ing pay for a new cooker, improved Our own efforts to encourage tourism heating system, repainting and other continue with the third edition of our repairs. Walks leaflet and plans are underway to Our website volunteer Dan has left us sign the footpaths around the Gleg- and gone to Australia, we wish him luck hornie and Newmains area. New and are delighted that Alastair Sea- benches might appear this winter too. groatt has stepped in to continue to The footbridge at the Surgery has been keep us online. painted and the steps repaired; we are I hope you all enjoy Christmas and join still working on the muddy footpath in all the many festive entertainments there. laid on for us locally by all the people In spite of the weather this summer East who are so active here throughout the Linton looked very attractive thanks to year. Thank you all for your support. the efforts of the Beautiful Scotland team and everyone who helped with Judith Priest

East Linton Community Website Community Grants Small local groups are now able to apply Alastair Seagroatt, who lives in the heart of the village, has for a grant of up to £1,000 from Leader+ been quietly working away on the East Linton and community funding, via Dunpender Community Coun- cil. We have the application forms and can council website. By the time you receive this newsletter, our help you make the most of this offer, so do new website will be live (fingers crossed!) at let us know if you would like to make an www.eastlinton.uk.com, with great photos and lots of infor- application. mation. Maintaining and updating a website takes a lot of regular input and we are very grateful to Alastair for volunteering to keep our own site current and interesting. (Alastair has also de- To report Road and Lighting signed The Crown’s website so he is really busy!) faults the new numbers are:

Any community website is only as good as the input it gets, so Roads Helpline if you are a business or local group and would like your details 01875 824305

or news posted on our site, can contact Alastair via Street Lighting Helpline www. eastlinton.uk.com. 01875 824310

Dunpender News Page 4

Phantassie Proposed Phantassie Development

The Phantassie estate played an important role in the agricultural revolution of the 18th Century. Andrew Meikle invented the thresh- ing machine here, with George Rennie‘s en- couragement, thereby changing the face of farming forever. Phantassie Steading was designed to serve a farm of over 700 acres. Now derelict and deteriorating, plans are afoot to repair, re- store and develop these buildings, which are of historical interest. The end result aims to be a high quality heritage, leisure and retail attraction, to include exhibition space, childrens‘ play centre, specialised retailing and places to eat. Property developers Phantassie Heritage LLP have presented their ideas to the Community Council and on November 10th they held an open exhibition at East Linton Community Hall. The developers hope to submit detailed plans for full planning consent and listed building consent (from Historic Scotland) before Christmas, when the plans will become public. Phantassie Heritage told us that the exhibition at the Community Hall was an important part of the consultation process and well attended, with over 100 visitors taking the trouble to comment in writing. Overall, they said that the response was very favourable and enthusiastic. If the planning and construction process goes smoothly, the hope is that the devel- opment could be completed and fully let by summer 2011. This planning proposal will be discussed on 4th December at the Community Council meeting if you would like to attend. We are keen to hear your views so do contact any community councillor.

Allison Cosgrove, Stewart Stevenson, Paul McLennan, Iain Gray, Norman Hampshire and Tom Thorburn (Rages Chairman) Scottish Minister visits East Linton Station

On Tuesday 5 August, Stewart Stevenson, MSP and Minister for Transport, visited East Lothian at the invitation of RAGES (Rail Action Group, East of Scotland). The Minister’s first call was at East Linton to see the site of the proposed station. Dunpender Community Councillor Allison Cosgrove, RAGES Secretary and East Linton Representative, showed the party around the site. Also on the visit were Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian, local councillors Paul McLennan and Norman Hampshire and a representative from South East of Scotland Transport Partnership. Rages Chair, Tom Thorburn was delighted with the visit. “The Minister showed great interest in what we wish to achieve in our quest to have a local service to and Berwick and have East Linton and Reston stations re-opened. Coming from the most rural part of Scotland, Stewart fully appreciated our needs for better transport links,” said Mr Thorburn. Let’s hope this signals a station reopening in East Linton in the not too distant future.

D J MALCOLM JAMES BROWN (Props. T & I Hunter) & SON RUTHERFORD Agricultural & Automotive Engineers 33 High Street, East Linton Tyninghame Sawmill 01620 860329 Tel & Fax (01620) 870228 Your Local Supplier [email protected] Newsagent of MacGas Licensed Grocer Firewood Logs available in both Instore DVD box office hard and soft wood National Lottery Agent Phonecards Woodland Management and Dunbar Road, East Linton Maintenance East Lothian EH40 3DE Orders for Newspapers & provisions House clearance and Tel 01620 860348 Delivered Locally landscaping Fax 01620 860961 Credit Cards accepted Fencing Materials e-mail: [email protected]

Page 5 Winter 2008 WRAP UP WARM FOR EAST LINTON‘S FIRST CHRISTMAS MARKET!

Hopefully you will already have heard the buzz about Dunpender Community Council is donating £150 to- the first Christmas Market, organised by, and for, the wards essential costs, with other local wellwishers also local community. Helen Patterson brought the idea pledging donations. Helen and Anna would like to thank back from her travels in Eastern Europe, where it is part all their many helpers and supporters. of tradition that villages come together at Christmas This is a non-profit making event that really is all about time to showcase their local crafts and hospitality. She the energy and enthusiasm of East Linton residents. We thought that such a pretty village as East Linton, with its hope that lots and lots of people enjoy it on the night – talented and enthusiastic community, would surely be whatever the weather, it will be going ahead! the ideal place for such a market. Organisation only got underway in September but along Anna Davidson and Helen Patterson with Anna Davidson and a team of at least 25 volun- teers they have managed to bring the Christmas Market to fruition this year. It has been a real feat of energy and initiative to get all the key elements in place for December 11th, when a festive treat is in store. From 4pm – 9pm, lots of lighted stalls will be ranged around the village square, with carol singers from East Linton Primary School, mulled wine, hot chocolate and local craftspeople selling everything from soaps to Christmas decorations. Santa will be there for the chil- dren (and a fire engine!), as this is a real family event, with everyone welcome.

M EET A C OMMUNITY C OUNCILLOR BARRY CRAIGHEAD

means that he has fired the gun which has witnessed many famous names ―take off‖, including officiating at the Barcelona Olympics. This year alone, Barry has wielded the starting pistol at 50 athletics meetings. But what Barry has enjoyed more than anything is encourag- ing young sporting talent, an enthusiasm that spills over into his role as a Community Councillor (his support of East Linton‘s football team has been much appreciated). Barry joined the Community Council soon after moving to East Linton from Portobello and his first ―job‖ was overseeing the installation of the Park‘s playground equipment. Being a fully trained joiner, Barry gets called upon to help with benches and, in a recent case, freeing youngsters who had inadvertently locked themselves into the public toilets! How many people do you know who have celebrated 50 A volunteer by nature, Barry is also Chairman of Long- years of voluntary service for a cause that they are still stone Avenue Tenants and Residents Association, so is enthusiastic about and actively involved in? Barry has- fully involved in village life. Looking to the future, his n‘t clocked up that long (yet) on our Community Council, main concern for East Linton is the management of ever but he is about to be presented with a Lifetime Achieve- -increasing traffic and the constant speeding which is ment Award from the Scottish Amateur Athletics Asso- making our streets more dangerous. ciation. Although still heavily involved in voluntary activities, Brought up in , Barry took up cycling after Barry has at least retired from the career which he fitted he left school and was soon the Lothian Road Race in alongside his outside interests. He spent 25 years as Champion. Having also excelled at cross country run- Clerk of Works for the Northern Lighthouse Board, travel- ning during his National Service, Barry was asked to ling by road, sea and helicopter overseeing the mainte- take on organisational roles in the Scottish Amateur nance of all our lighthouses. Barry, we think you should Athletics Association and he also became a Starter. Barry was made Scotland‘s Chief Starter in 1971, which write your memoires!

Dunpender News Page 6

Wildlife Garden Beds In East Lothian Walking Festival

The Primary School rd It was a crisp, bright morning on 3 Octo- pupils are obviously ber, when pupils of East Linton Primary enjoying the garden: and many local people gathered at the school to mark the official opening of the Paris P1 – “The garden is 24th—26th April 2009 Wildlife Garden. After long months of peaceful and quiet” www.eastlothian.gov.uk hard work and with so many helpers to thank, this was a real celebration of all Connor P1 – “I like the bridge be- that had been achieved. All the children cause it makes the garden look wore their own, individually designed cool!” ―garden headgear‖, while ribbon had Ellen P2 – “It’s fun to play in and been knotted together at the garden‘s explore” entrance ready to be snipped. Rhona P4 – “The bird watch is a A table of strawberries, snacks and shady place to sit or chat with my treats had been laid outside and col- friends” oured chalks were wielded as the chil- Coll P6 – “It is very special because dren used yet more creativity to draw on not many schools have it” the playground. Megan P7 – “A lot of work has gone Do go and see the garden if you are into making our gar- passing at a quiet moment – there are den look so good” all sorts of details to gaze upon and ab- sorb.

LETTING NEW TREES GROW LYNTOUN

Beautiful though they may be, the PRIVATE HIRE high demand. 44 Longstone Avenue, East Linton deer in the Dunpender area can Dunpender Community Council has cause a lot of damage by browsing contributed towards the cost of one Telephone 01620 860849 on hardwood trees. That‘s why, if of the super gates which are de- Mobile 07929 708824 you go walking in Newbyth Wood, signed to ensure easy access not opposite Binning Wood, you can- [email protected] only for walkers but for horseriders not have failed to notice the high too. Walkers are very welcome but DISTANCE NO PROBLEM deer fences now enclosing the are reminded to keep their dogs on FROM LOCAL SHOPS TO AIRPORT AND area. This fencing will be in place the lead to protect ground nesting RAIL CONNECTIONS for 10-15 years and is essential as birds. UP TO EIGHT PEOPLE & LUGGAGE part of a long term plan designed WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY OPTION In 2007 the management of New- to convert most of the remaining byth was award The Hunter Blair MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED conifers to broadleaf woodland of Trophy for silviculture excellence. It oak, ash and sycamore. was presented by Environment Min- Ultimately the woods will be man- ister Michael Russell at the High- aged on a ―continuous cover‖ ba- land Show. sis to produce uneven aged woods R. McArthur and Sons Ltd of mixed species. With this system, New gate to the Newbyth Wood clearfelling will be avoided in the JOINERS future; the woods will instead be PLUMBERS perpetuated by felling very small For all your Building Material areas and either replanting them Supplies visit our or allowing them to regenerate TRADE AND RETAIL COUNTER naturally. This will create very at- tractive woodlands of high biodi- Bridgend versity value but in addition they East Linton•East Lothian will also yield very valuable hard- Tel (01620) 860230 wood timber for which there is Fax (01620) 860571

Page 7 Winter 2008

Congratulations Beautiful East Linton—Award Winning Village! Well done to Christina Black of McCall Gardens, East Linton who This year‘s competition saw East Lin- ing at the Fountain and acknowledged won the Dunpender ton collecting three awards, two of the difficulties in the Drovers and for- Community Council’s prize for them in the special award class. To mer Ark House area where there is an Floral Art at the East Linton Arts, win the award for the most improved absence of a significant floral impact. village (population under 2500) for Crafts and Flower Show in Once again, we lost points for dog foul- the second time in seven years was August. ing in the Park despite the special litter an acknowledgment of how far the and dog fouling clean up by the Bea- appearance of East Linton has vers and other helpers the night before James Sandie changed through seasonal floral dis- the judging. Efforts to inform dog own- plays. The additional award of the ers of the health hazard dog excrement & Son David Welch trophy for Something can cause to humans are clearly not 4 The Square Special, given in recognition for our working and we understand East Lo- work with children, was another bo- East Linton EH40 3AD thian Council are considering what le- nus and special credit is due to the Painters & Decorators gal action they can take to provide a John Muir Group linked to the Pri- cleaner environment for us all. Work (Established 1868) mary school. has now started to consider special Coloureye Paint Matching The judges appreciated the displays projects for next year and a possible Machine Available provided by residents and traders in link with the Year of Homecoming initia- The Square and High Street and tive. Meanwhile, a sincere thanks is Carpets, Fabrics, Wallpapers, Colour paint mixing, DIY Supplies would welcome extension of the win- due to all who helped us achieve suc- Tel & Fax 01620 860270 dow box displays in keeping with the cess in 2008. Mobile 07831 491609 conservation area. They were highly David Afleck Member of the Scottish Decorators appreciative of the sustainable plant-

STEWART STENHOUSE Rev Kenneth Walker — A Calling to Serve PLANTS Next weekend will see Rev Kenneth positive spin on this change; ―People Old Sale Ground, Walker hang up his robes for the final were under an obligation to attend in the Haddington Road, time. His ministry in the Whitekirk and past,‖ he comments, ―but that has East Linton Tyninghame, and par- changed. I think they attend now be- ishes will come to an end after 32 cause they want to come.‖ Christmas Trees and Holly Wreaths years. He‘s planning a quiet and relax- 32 years ago the estates were still domi- Stockist of Stantonby Stoneware ing retirement in the Borders where he nant in this area. The farming families plans to walk and garden. Mon-Fri 9am—4.00pm employed large workforces on the land Saturday 10am—4.00pm Born in Argyll, a son of the manse, he and the Church was the focal point in the Sunday 11am—4.00pm grew up in Ayreshire and initially went village. The Parish Minister was auto- into banking before deciding that the matically a much respected member of

National Garden Gift world of finance was not for him. His society. There was still the dairy at Auld- Vouchers Available ordination in Athelstaneford back in hame, Tyninghame was still an estate 1976 has seen his entire ministry village and Whitekirk Mains was a thriving spent here in East Lothian. farm. Kenneth and his wife Veronica spent Kenneth feels strongly that his role has votadini their first year living in Tyninghame and been to serve; to help his parishioners on then, once the manse was completed their journeys through life. ―Many people 9 High Street, East Linton in Athelstaneford, they moved with give huge amounts of time and effort to 01620 860082 their baby daughter. Four more chil- the life of the church and we are blessed Flowers, Fruit & Vegetables dren followed and his family have with so many talented volunteers,‖ he COFFEE SHOP thrived in this beautiful area. concludes. He is very grateful for their Book now for Traditional Outwardly the life of a rural Minister contribution, not least in the major resto- Christmas Lunch may seem unchanged over the dec- ration projects of both rural churches. On 11th and 13th December ades but Rev Walker has had to adapt We wish Kenneth Walker a long and over the years like the rest of us. In- happy retirement and wait to see what Home baking—scones and cakes creases in beaurocracy, a changing the future holds for the Whitekirk and Room available for private functions parish demographic and a more mate- Tyninghame Parish. rialistic society have seen numbers in Opening hours: Tues-Sat 10-5 Closed Mondays the pews fall throughout the Church of Free Local Delivery Scotland. However, Kenneth puts a

Dunpender News Page 8

What’s On this Winter

Refuse and Recycling Christmas Tree Recycling East Linton Library No kerbside collections on 25th Leave it beside your brown bin on your next garden waste collection Enjoy a moment of calm festivity at East Linton and 26th December or Library date in January. 1st and 2nd January. On Christmas Eve ********** Alternatively call the Recycling Helpline (01620 From 2pm Choose your holiday reading while you savour 827215) or take it directly to the mulled wine and mince pies! recycling centre. Merry Christmas! East Linton Antiques & Bric-a-Brac Fair Community Hall, East Linton

30th November 22nd February 29th March 26th April 31st May 28th June OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE

To book a table contact Jill McPherson on 860592 Whatever internet shopping you do this season, make sure you shop local for your Christmas tree. Smeaton Nursery and Tearoom (entrance 200yds from ), East Linton Walking with Birds Tel: 01620 860501 The Seabird Centre with RSPB Stewart Stenhouse Plants, Haddington John Muir Country Park Road, East Linton Saturday, 13th Tel: 01620 860051 December Beanston Farm, Haddington (signposted from

A199 approaching East Linton) Please telephone Eppie Sweeney on 01620 880216. Choose your tree and it will be freshly cut for you 0131 445 4379

Christmas Services HADLEY COURT SINGERS

Prestonkirk “O’ CLAP YOUR HANDS”

th Wednesday 17 December - East Linton School service A celebration of the music of R Vaughan (check notice board for time) Williams with seasonal carols st Sunday 21 December - 11am Family service. Kirk Thursday, 25 December - 10am Christmas Day service Wednesday 10th Dec at 8pm to celebrate the coming of Christ. St Mary‘s Parish Church, Haddington

Sunday 14th Dec at 7.30pm Whittingehame th Tickets £10, concessions £8, Wednesday 24 December. under 16 Free Watchnight service at 11.30pm Walks Around East Linton Tickets from choir members, at the door

or via www.hadleycourtsingers.co.uk Our leaflet has been so successful that it has been flying off the shelves. The next production run has

just been printed and was funded for us by East Lothian Council.

Printed by Lothian Printers, 109 High Street, Dunbar.