Category Archives: Community Council

Walk around the Donolly reservoir and Danskine Loch

Core Paths around Garvald

Last week our local paths warden Dave Hapgood, from Snawdon, escorted a group of Garvald walkers on a wonderful walk around both the Donolly reservoir and Danskine loch. The aim of the excursion was to have a look at the state of the paths and to see if any improvements were possible or desirable.

In case you are new to the village, the way to reach this walk is to take the bottom road heading west out of the village, sign-posted Carfrae. Just before the road starts to climb up the hill there is a left turn to Garvald Mains Farm, and then about 30m along this road a right-hand track leading to the reservoir. Dave has attached core path signs at various points to show the way.

Thanks to Dave’s work in thinning out self-seeded trees there is now a good path right round the Donolly and this makes a very nice circular walk from Garvald. There is a bit of mud on the south side of the reservoir and the path winds around in and out of trees on the north side but it’s a lovely walk, with occasional feathered company. The circle can be completed in approximately one and a half hours.

We would like to hear comments from other walkers so please take advantage of the mild autumn weather and report back via the website.

A core path leads from the west end of the Donolly through a very muddy field, across the road and then around the Danskine loch. It is then possible to walk on core paths all the way to Gifford. The path round Danskine loch is good, but the intervening muddy field presents a bit of an obstacle. We would be keen to hear any creative suggestions about how to improve this part of the path.

So, dig out your boots, your camera and go walking, but don’t forget the chocolate biscuits like we did!

Dave’s description of the walk to Gifford
https://www.elcv.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DH-walk-garvald-to-gifford.pdf

Other core paths in East Lothian
https://www.elcv.org.uk/library/path-descriptions/

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    Climate Change Consultation

    East Lothian Council is developing a strategy to help reduce carbon emissions and wants to hear your views on what the council and the wider community, including local groups and businesses, can do to help achieve this goal and prepare for the future effects of climate change.

    Come along to a drop-in consultation event to find out more about what we are already doing, and what we can all do to reduce our carbon footprint.

    Haddington drop-in event: Monday 1st October 4pm–6pm (in Buffet Room, Town House)

    Lothian Broadband masts – planning application

    Two planning applications have been lodged by Lothian Broadband with East Lothian Council for the erection of two masts; one up on the river banking opposite the village hall and one on the hill behind the village hall. The masts will provide high speed broadband with improved service levels from Lothian Broadband to residents of Garvald and surrounding area. As part of this project, Lothian Broadband will also provide a wifi connection to the shelter in the park at no cost to the community. The planning application can be viewed on the ELC website:
    https://pa.eastlothian.gov.uk/online-applications/
    Either search for ‘Garvald’ or Reference Numbers 18/00679/P and 18/00680.

    Defibrillator training

    Garvald will soon have it’s own Defibrillator fitted to the wall in the small car park in front of the village hall. The machine has been purchased using Wind Farm funding which the Community Council administers.

    On Wednesday 16th (7.00-9.00 pm) in the village hall we are running an information session including a walk-through and a talk about what to do in the event that one of us would need to step in and use the machine. The training is being provided by a fully qualified person. 

    Please come along if you are free – you never know when it could be required.

    Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the village hall on Wednesday the 16th between 7 and 9 pm.

    Phillip White

    Vice Chair Garvald & Morham Community Council

    East Lothian Local Transport Plan: Consultations

    Public workshops are being held so you can share your views on the draft Local Transport Strategy. These are taking place on the following dates:

    • Haddington – Town House Main Room – 18th April, 7pm – 9pm
    • North Berwick – Hope Rooms – 19th April, 7pm – 9pm
    • Dunbar – British Legion – 24th April, 7pm – 9pm
    • Prestonpans – Town Hall – 25th April, 7pm – 9pm
    • Musselburgh – Esk Rooms, Brunton Hall – 26th April, 7pm – 9pm

    You can also read the draft documents and submit your comments online, via East Lothian Council’s consultations hub.

    Gifford Lunch Club and Good Companions Club

    Message from Penny Short, Chair of Garvald and Morham Community Council

    Do you ever feel lonely, isolated or just want a bit of company?  In our rural location loneliness can become a real problem and although we don’t have any official clubs in Garvald or Morham that can help with this issue, there are two currently running in Gifford and I’d like to find out if any residents of Garvald and Morham would be interested in going along to them.  The Gifford Lunch Club meets on the 2nd Monday of every month and costs around £7.50 including lunch.  The Good Companions Club meets on the third Wednesday of every month and costs around £1 a session which includes refreshments.  Both the clubs were set up to be as inclusive as possible but the Good Companions Club in particular is geared more towards older and/or disabled people.  I’d like to gauge if any of our residents would be interested in attending either or both of these clubs.  I’m told there aren’t many spaces left on the Lunch Club and transport to Gifford isn’t offered as part of membership but if I could get an idea of how many people would be interested in joining these groups we can work from that.  So please get in touch with me and let me know your thoughts.

    Thanks,
    Penny.

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