EV Charging at Home: trial opportunity for people without driveways

Residents without driveways are being offered the opportunity to participate in a trial aimed at piloting a safe method of charging their electric vehicle from home.

While cable protectors have often been used across pavements, it is recognised that these can be untidy and an obstacle for people on foot.

A potential alternative is the use of cable gullies, where the cable is set into a channel cut into the pavement. East Lothian Council is currently running trials to establish their impact and longevity. Cable arms (where the cable is routed over the top of the pavement) are another option, with the council currently exploring the potential for this.

Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said:

“As more people switch to electric vehicles, they are discovering the benefits of charging from home. Not only is it much cheaper than charging in public, but they can leave the house every day with a full battery, and most people are unlikely to need to charge anywhere else, unless they are driving on the odd long journey.

For people who don’t have a driveway, or other convenient place to plug in near their house, there are a number of solutions coming forward which could allow them to enjoy these advantages too.

While the council has guidance in relation to cable covers which temporarily run across a pavement, the Highway Code is clear that people should avoid creating a trip hazard and should highlight the presence of cables, such as with the type of cable covers we recommend.

Cable gullies and cable arms offer potential solutions and I would encourage any interested residents to get in touch to see if they could participate in one of our trials.”

Any East Lothian resident who is interested in trialling cross-footway charging options should contact evcharging@eastlothian.gov.uk. Government grants are available for some costs, for some properties.

East Lothian Council will share its findings and the experiences of users and their neighbours with the UK government as they develop the Plan for Drivers: Transition to zero-emission driving. Ultimately, we hope to develop a permit system which will include a site assessment, inspection and maintenance regime.

Stewart Cooper

Service Manager – Communications

Corporate Support

Council Resources

East Lothian Council

 

Garvald & Morham Community Ladies’ Supper – Friday 4th October at 7pm

REMEMBER: it’s perfectly OK to bring something to share which you’ve bought – no pressure to cook anything!

The next Ladies’ Supper will be on Friday 4th October at 7pm in the Garvald Stables. We would love to see some of our neighbours from the wider community come along, too!

Just a wee reminder of what to bring along:

  • A dish to share
  • Cutlery
  • Plate
  • Bowl for pudding
  • Glass
  • Whatever you like to drink
  • Something to serve your dish with

See you there!

Garvald and Morham Children’s Hallowe’en Party 2024

Calling all witches, wizards, ghosts and other fiendish folk!
This year’s children’s Hallowe’en party will be on Thursday 31st October, 5:30-7pm.
Meet in your spookiest costume at Garvald Village Hall (5:30pm) for guising followed by a Hallowe’en tea party and games whilst the spoils are divided in keeping with Garvald tradition.
Please bring a plate of food (bought or made!) to contribute to the tea and hand it in at the hall when we meet for guising.
Garvald Residents: If you are happy for your house to be approached for guising, please leave out a pumpkin or some other form of Hallowe’en decoration – thank you!

Post for Postie, Pam!

You may or may not know that Pam (our Postie) is retiring soon after a long time of serving Garvald (in all weathers).

We believe her last day / round is 12th October. We thought it would be nice to get her a thank you gift. If you would like to contribute, please drop off monies through Sarah Ramsay’s door – Braefoot.

Thanks, Sarah & Jo

Garvald Community Emergency Resilience Team/Information Group – Update

If you aren’t already on it, why not join The Garvald Community Emergency Information Group on Facebook?
It was set up to pass on important and verified information from trusted sources and to provide practical support and advice in emergency situations such as adverse weather. We can all post any updates on snow/road conditions/road closures or any emergencies.
The page is administered by me, Penny Short, as the Community’s Emergency Resilience Co-ordinator but relevant posts from members are always welcomed. It’s a closed group but open to everyone from Garvald & the surrounding area.
If you’d like to join our Emergency Resilience Team (we’re all volunteers) please complete the contact form, below. Thankfully we are not often called upon & there are no meetings to attend – any ’emergencies’ are usually dealt with via the Garvald Community Emergency Information Group or our own Emergency Resilience Team WhatsApp Group.  It’s a great, fun wee team & we would really welcome any new members.
Our Emergency Resilience Team has the support of the Council’s Emergency Planning Team and our Community Council. The Resilience Team came into its own during the Beast From the East when the village was completely cut off for a few days (fun times!) and also during lockdown. We also ran a mock rescue exercise, supported by East Lothian Council’s Emergency Planning Team, which was more fun than it probably should have been. Please consider joining us.

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    Just because you live here!

    Just because you live here, that’s the only criteria needed!

    We are delighted that nearly 20% of households have now claimed our new rural payment, made available by Garvald and Morham Community Council.
    We would love ALL households in the ward to take up this offer. Please click on the link below to find out more.

    Also note the Low Carbon grant on offer to all households who install a selection of renewable alternatves or energy efficiency measures anytime since January 2024. Again, more on the link, with links on where to get advice if you are thinking of installing.

    Support as we head towards winter

    From Anna and all at GMCC
    Please send any queries through the form:


      Morham Website Contact Form:

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      Pop-up coffee morning

      A group of enthusiastic volunteers have proposed the idea of a monthly pop-up coffee morning in Garvald to drink coffee, eat cake and have a natter.

      If you fancy it, come along to the Stables on Friday 20th September at 11 am. Depending on interest, either the hall or the Stables could be used in future.

      EVERYONE is very welcome – even tea-drinkers!