DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY JANUARY 2013 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the January Newsletter

As we are preparing this at the very end of 2012 it gives an ideal opportunity to look back at 2012 and forward to 2013. During 2012 we have had our usual clean up days and community garden care days. This year one of our best attended events was the clean up at Polton Mill, and one of our best attended Middle Mills, Lasswade from Elm Row outings was the visit to Dalhousie Castle, more WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR? about these later in the Newsletter. In our last Newsletter we referred to the car that was washed down the river during the summer floods. For some time we wondered We look forward to 2013 where it had ended up given that no-one reported seeing it beyond and future social activities to Lasswade. The reason for that it transpires was because it did not be announced by Rosemary travel beyond Lasswade but for many weeks lay covered by other de- Mackay and Sheena Dryden bris also brought down the river by the floods. It can now be seen on the social secretaries. We the river bank beyond the playing field, as seen in the photograph will of course as usual be below. holding the annual party and the AGM will be upon us in April. See Page 4 for dates. We continue to meet with the Council to work towards maintaining and improving our local environment.

It is also interesting to note the effect the weather is having on the river bank in much the same spot as the car has come to rest. Several trees have already fallen and as more and more roots be- come exposed during heavy rain it is clear that more will follow in the future.

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NORTH ESK RIVER AND LASSWADE COMMUNITY GARDEN CLEAN UP

A very sincere thank you goes to our small army of volunteers who turned out for the big clean up on September 14th 2012. Given all the debris the floods brought down the river it seemed like a good idea to concentrate our efforts on trying to remove some of this and clean up the river before the next deluge. As can be seen from the photographs we struck lucky with the weather, it was a glorious day and the pagoda with its sun awareness message came into its own! The workers were rewarded with tea/ coffee/beer/wine and fabulous home baking.

During the course of the clean up these two bikes were re- trieved and immediately collected by Susan and Holly. The next time these bikes transport anyone it will be here at the Children of the Kajiado Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. More information about the centre can be found via a link on our website.

This rubbish did not get recycled but thanks to the Council did at least get deposited in the correct place!

The Community Garden clean up on the 14th Oc- tober was not so lucky with the weather but as can be seen in the photos on the right a merry band turned out and did their stuff. This time because of the inclement weather (that’s our story) post clean up refreshments were taken in the Paper Mill. Our next work party here will be in the Spring.

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GUESS WHO’S COMING TO and Lasswade sign and took out bound ie away from the bridge, DINNER the street lighting. At the time of and none were recorded as travel- preparing the Newsletter no ling as fast as the normal thresh- solutions nor even suggestions as old for the Police to issue a fixed to how the traffic problem in penalty notice for speeding. Lasswade might be addressed  have been put forward by the Further west in the High Street, Council. The Society continues to between the entrance to the raise its concerns with the 30mph limit and the bend, we had Council. The following was the a similar survey in March 2011. response received from the This found that on average 4,078 Council on 2nd October 2012. vehicles per day (23%) were re- “ corded as exceeding the limit We have carried out several traf- with some recorded as travelling fic surveys in Lasswade which in- as fast as the normal threshold for clude speed measurements.Our the Police to issue a fixed penalty equipment is not as accurate and notice for speeding. Again most reliable as that used by the Police of these were travelling east- for enforcement purposes, but it bound. In Nov the Society organised a is good enough for surveys for our visit to Dalhousie Castle where  purposes e.g. to compare different Speeding enforcement is normally we were given an escorted tour. sites, or to see if schemes have We learnt a great deal about the an issue for the Police to deal had any effects. Also our surveys with. Elsewhere in Ramsay family who had owner- have been in locations where ship of the castle for more than we are soon expecting mobile there was concern about inappro- Safety Camera units to help with eight centuries. Their owner- priate speed e.g. on approach to ship ceased in 1977. Dalhousie enforcing some speed limits and the bridge or the bend at the west deterring some bad driving. The has been a castle, a school and part of the High Street, rather since 1972 a hotel. This was an experience from these may help than where the highest speeds are show whether there is scope for entertaining visit which again likely to be. was well attended. more to be done to improve  safety and the environment on On the A768 we last surveyed MEETINGS WITH THE our roads, with more use of speed speeds between West Mill Road cameras.” COUNCIL and Polton Road. The equip- In our last Newsletter we ment operated continuously from We are still discussing the signage advised that according to the 11:45 on 31/07/12 until 22:00 on at the village entrance and various minutes of the & 06/08/12. On average there were other small projects such as the Lasswade Community Council of 19,156 vehicles counted per week- maintenance of the bus shelter 21st June 2012 new traffic lights day, with 194 per day (just over opposite the Laird and Dog and were to be erected at the 1%) exceeding 30mph. Almost the possibility of providing a hand Lasswade Bridge end of Polton all of these were travelling east- rail beside the steps from the Road. We are now advised Laird and Dog car park to by the Council that this will the old Church yard. not now be the case. Since the accident referred to in We continue to meet on a the last Newsletter the regular basis with the Coun- bridge wall has been struck cil and will raise issues on again and there has been an behalf of members if con- accident on Elm Row and cerns or queries are com- another accident at the municated to us. entrance to the village from See Page 4 for contact de- which tails. demolished the Bonnyrigg

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healthy safe and secure; clean and well maintained; sustainability; Calendar conservation and heritage; com- munity involvement; marketing; Friday 8th March 2013 and management. Annual Cheese and Wine The Green Flag Award Scheme is Sunday 10th March 2013 managed by a consortium, includ- Community Garden Clean Up ing Keep Britain Tidy. GOOD NEWS STORY This information has been pro- Monday 8th April 2013 The small and spectacular reserve vided for us by Jo Cooke, War- Annual General Meeting set deep in the River North Esk den, Midlothian Council who can Plus a talk by Neil Stewart on Scottish valley, Springfield Mill has re- be contacted at Landscape Artist William McTaggart tained its Green Flag Award, a [email protected] who lived in Lasswade sign to visitors that the park is Sunday 12th May 2013 well-maintained and well- River Clean Up managed, with excellent facilities.Planning Matters Councillor Bob Constable, cabi- net member with responsibility New Concern can be viewed on the MC web- for parks, congratulated the Although development plans site: Ranger team and everyone in- have not yet been submitted to https://planning-applications.mi volved in the project. He said; “It Midlothian council, we have be- dlothian.gov.uk/OnlinePlanning/ is a real achievement to retain its come aware of proposals to build search.do?action=weeklyList Green Flag status, especially a high density housing develop- as Springfield Mill has developed ment of 40 units next to the Pol- Watch This Space so quickly. It is a real all round ton Road Industrial Estate. In a The new Midlothian Local De- space for everyone to enjoy.” Green Belt Conservation Area of velopment Plan which is cur- After the paper mill closed in the Great Landscape Value this is a rently being prepared is ex- late 1960s, the site became more cause for concern, as is the likely pected to be available for public and more derelict. Working increased traffic on Polton Road consultation in March or April closely with Springfield Mill Ac- generated by the proposed 60 2013. tion Group (SMAG), Midlothian car parking spaces. Council completed the restora- Update from the Autumn 2012 News- tion just two years ago. Work in- Contributors cluded creating seasonal ponds, a letter wildflower meadow and new Very little news to report. No wooded areas for wildlife. New further development applications ARTICLES paths were also built to allow have been submitted to Midlo- Jo Cooke, Sheena Dryden public access. thian Council for Kevock Vale A huge thank you goes to every- Caravan Park or Byways, 11 Sheila Murray, Jan Jerome one who worked alongside the Church Road, Lasswade. The Council’s Ranger Service and Mavisbank Trust website PHOTOGRAPHS SMAG to help retain the Green http://www.mavisbank.org.uk/ Sheena Dryden Flag Award. These include local still urgently seeks funds of £11.4 residents, conservation volun- million to save Mavisbank house Jan Jerome teers and partners include Lo- and an update regarding the MC thian’s Conservation Volunteers, Local Housing Strategy 2012– CONTACT US The Green Team & Green 2017 consultation is in the pipe- Shoots, The Edinburgh Dirty line and should be available on Via your local rep. Weekenders, the Criminal Justice the MC website in January or Via the website Team and the Future Jobs Team. February 2013. www.lasswadecivic.com The applications for the Green Flag Awards are judged against Weekly planning applications Phone 07990818228 eight criteria: a welcoming place; submitted to Midlothian Council

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