Author Archives: stenton footlights news

Support for Non-Olympians

Garvald & Morham Community Council are keen to support up and coming Non Olympians in any small way that we can – this support is accessed through the Wind Farm Fund and allocated by the Community Council.

We’d love to help our community in their hobbies and sporting endeavours. It could be a special pair of rugby /football boots, running shoes, musical instruments – anything that any individual thinks would benefit their cause – not necessarily anything sporty.

We would welcome applications by completing the form available on the GMCC webpage. Our next meeting is on the 4th April so get busy and see what you can think of.

Feel free to contact me, or any member of the Community Council, if you need help or clarification.

Phillip White
The Old School
Garvald
830316

Update on proposed mobile phone mast

The following message comes from Father Mark at Nunraw, explaining the Community’s decision regarding the proposed positioning of a mobile phone mast near the Abbey.

…..

Following our meeting on the 28th July with the group involved in setting up the proposed Mobile Phone Mast next to the abbey, I suggested sending you this explanation of the recent decision by the Nunraw Community turning down the proposed site.

Initially, as you know, I was very keen to co-operate in agreeing to have the Mast on the abbey grounds as that would have provided the required reception for mobile phones in Garvald. As time went on, however, and after the number of tests done on the proposed site, it became clear that the necessity by the Mast Operator to increase the height of the proposed Mast up to 25 meters was going to dwarf the abbey.

In the last discussion we had in our Community Chapter meetings, it was obvious that the growing consensus was that the size of the Mast was going to affect seriously the image and the spirit of our community. Visually it would be giving a counter sign to what we stood for. Most of our visitors and guests come to have peace and silence but they would find this huge Mast towering over the abbey

Reference was made to our Constitutions and Statutes where it states that ‘The monastery should be conspicuous for its simple and pleasant appearance.’ (ST 27.A) and ‘It should be borne in mind that a wholesome and balanced life is nurtured by an environment of harmony and beauty. (‘Ratio Instit. 49)

Some time before the meeting on the 28th July, the team working on the proposed Mast were informed that we now found the site unacceptable because of the Mast’s increased height and visual impact. We have suggested various other locations outwith the abbey enclosure but within the land that belongs to the abbey if that was possible.

Our community realise that an alternative site would probably mean the coverage area provided by a Mast sited elsewhere on our land would not be as extensive as the one next to the abbey, but that the village itself would still benefit from having reception.

We were told during the meeting of the group on the 28th that there wasn’t now enough time to research other possible sites given the tight timescale set by the UK Government of March 2016 to have the site constructed and operational. I am sorry to find that there does not seem any likelihood of mobile reception for the village in the foreseeable future unless the UK government extends the deadline they have set for the completion of this work which would allow the Operator more time to investigate other locations.

If it was at all possible to help resolve that problem for the village by siting another Mast elsewhere on the abbey property, the Nunraw community would be happy to consider this.

Yours sincerely
on behalf of the Nunraw Community,

Fr Mark Caira
(abbot)

Stenton Footlights’ Show this week!

Tickets are still available for this week’s Stenton Footlights’ show – starts on Wednesday!

Games_Afoot_A4

 

A hilarious murder mystery comedy
Wednesday March 25th to Saturday March 28th (incl.)
Stenton Village Hall
Performance starts at 7.30pm
Adults £7; under 16s £5
Tickets available from Janette MacDonald
Tel: 01368 850 665
Refreshments and Raffle

Next Community Council Agenda

Garvald & Morham Community Council

AGENDA
For meeting to be held on Monday, 7th April
At 7pm, Morham Village Hall

1. Attendance and Apologies
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
3. Matters Arising from Minutes
4. Councillors’ Report
5. Resilient People – Emergency Planning
6. Update from Kirstie Shearer, Council Liaison Rep
7. Update from Ian Smith, Broadband Rep
8. Update from Phillip White, Funding Rep
9. Update from Ian Middlemass, Treasurer
10. Local Planning Applications
11. Garvald Neighbourhood Watch
12. Garvald Woodland Update
13. Garvald and Morham Updates
14. Correspondence Received
15. A.O.C.B.
16. Date of next meeting

Everyone Welcome

Volunteers Required for Wood Gathering and Cutting

Phillip White has obtained permission by the Monks of Nunraw to organize the safe removal of the remaining wood which has been left on the bank opposite the park after the clear felling operation. There is a large quantity of good firewood available but it needs to be removed safely and then sawn up into manageable cuts.

Volunteers helping to remove and chop the wood will be able to take a supply firewood for a small fee of £5. This will be used to cover the petrol and oil used by the Chainsaw Operators. Any funds raised that are surplus to fuel expenses will be donated to the Village Hall. There is a huge quantity of wood to be collected and there should be wood available to all helpers.

Action Plan:

  • First, remove as much good wood as we can from the banking and pile up on the village side of the burn. This will take a few attempts, depending on how many people come to help.
  • The next stage will be to cut the wood into suitable sizes, ready for volunteer helpers to take away.

If you are able to help on one or more Saturdays in the near future, either gathering wood or sawing the wood with a chainsaw, please contact Phillip using the form below.

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Message

    Please click the Send button when you have completed the form