Sad to report that the GMCC has rejected the idea of community snow plough(s). In its place its best and only offer is an attempt to set up a core of reliable volunteers to dig out citizens who can’t easily (or at all) help themselves. As that solution is much cheaper I hope it works. However, should it prove not to be the solution then money should not be an issue as Crystal Rigg grants are only for activities that local authorities do not provide, which is exactly the target this proposal aims at.

In the meantime I will try to find out how other small communities manage to deal successfully with problems such as insurance, public safety, maintenance, priorities and operators.

Thanks to all those who volunteered themselves or provided support.

Tim Flinn.

Here is the Agenda for the Garvald and Morham Community Council’s meeting tonight, (7pm, Monday the 8th April) at Morham Village Hall. All are welcome to attend.

1. Attendance and Apologies
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
3. Matters Arising from Minutes
4. Councillors’ Report
5. Update from Kirstie Shearer, Council Liaison Rep
6. Update from Ian Smith, Broadband Rep
7. Update from Phillip White, Funding Rep
8. Update from Ian Middlemas, Funding Rep
9. Local Planning Applications
10. Garvald and Morham Updates
11. Garvald snow plough
12. Garvald Woodland Project
13. A.O.C.B

Dear All,

Just a reminder about the Crystal Rig Windfarm fund. As you probably know this is a community benefit fund that is available to enable the community of Garvald and Morham to carry out improvements to their local area in any sphere, including the environment, local amenity or tourism.

Money available

Each year, the wind farm allocates an amount of money to the community council, who then administer its disbursement to the community. The total amount of money is based on the installed capacity of the wind farm. This year over £22,425 is available.

To give you some idea of what’s been supported in the past, last year the following projects were funded:

• Lothian Broadband (upgrades & Free WI-FI Hot Spots )
• Knox youth group
• New central heating for Morham Village Hall
• Garvald Village Hall Outside paintwork
• Morham Mix Arts and Activity project

However, please note that consideration will be given to all types of project, which will benefit the local community, and the Community Council is keen to widen the scope of projects funded. We are particularly keen to support any aspiring young sportspeople and musicians, so whatever idea you’ve got (no matter how big or small) please consider applying.

The fund is not available to projects that would be under the remit of the Council or which would be working against the windfarm(!).

How to apply:
Application forms are available to download on the GMCC webpage or from Phillip White at the Old School, Garvald. Complete this form with as much information as possible and return before 31st May to the Community Council. For more information please see the application form.

Open letter from local resident Tim Flinn:

The case for a Garvald Village mini snow plough.

Thanks to Crystal Rigg money we can now afford a mini snow plough of our own. It would be used to clear the roads and pavements and accesses and entrances untouched by the Council machine. (Think about Westpoint, Burnside Court, the New School House, Africa, Kirkbrae, the village hall, and also of kids having to walk on the road; and push chairs, etc.). Many of us are too old, weak, ill, young, busy, or whatever else, to keep shovelling ourselves and neighbours out of trouble. And then there’s the problem of the huge ridges of snow left by the Council machines.

A simple solution is whenever a snowfall is forecast for a volunteer to tow to Garvald the snowplough on its trailer from whichever farmer is kind enough to garage it when not needed. Other volunteers, suitably trained and insured, will take turns in doing the clearing. If no one volunteers then we can pay someone. The snow can be dumped on the green, the park, empty spaces or in the woods. A tarpaulin would protect the plough when not in use when on stand-by in Garvald (perhaps on the village green).

Insurance, servicing and any fees would be paid for by the Community Council from Crystal Rigg funds. A CC member would undertake this duty and see to a duty roster, etc. The machine will be available to other parts of the parish and also to Morham. It could be hired out, too.

David Walls has commented:
“Mini plough for village? Great idea… Whoever thought of it is a genius.
Hendersons (I’m not an agent) in Haddington had excellent machines in stock last year… the two-wheel tractor, Tracmaster. I have one of these. They are built like tanks and will run for 30 years if looked after (diesel version). But do get the electric start. There are several versions, but for the amount of work there would be you would need the largest… the 740. It’s a heavy machine, so needs a strong arm. There are all sorts of attachments, grass cutters, snow ploughs, rotovators, etc., so it could maybe be rented out to pay for itself, rather than have it sitting around doing nothing for a year, which would not be good for it. It’s around £4,000 for the machine and implements come it ranging from the £500 to £1,000 mark. A snow blower is just under £1,000. It would be powerful enough to do the hills out of Garvald, plus there is a salter/gritter attachment.”

Have a look:

• http://www.tracmaster.co.uk/BCS_Two_Wheel_Tractor/740.html
• http://www.tracmaster.co.uk/Snow_Blower.html
• http://www.tracmaster.co.uk/BCS_Implements/Snow_Clearance.html.

Obviously people need to think about snags and problems. These must be discussed, so it would help greatly if those raising objections also raised suitable solutions!

Please contact your friendly local Garvald and Morham Community Councillor via the contact form on the GMCC webpage, or add to the comments at the bottom of this blog post, if you wish us to have a mini snow plough.

Thanks,
Tim Flinn.

A suggestion has been made about improving road and pedestrian access in the snow and whether the community should look into grant applications (e.g. Crystal Rigg) to fund a mini plough for pavements, side roads, the village hall driveway etc. This is a project for the GMCC to discuss and research but if anyone has any comments or alternative suggestions to help keep all areas of Garvald accessible in the snow, please send them in via the Contact Us page and they will be passed on to the Community Council.

The Christmas Tree on the Green is standing up well to the recent gales and making a great contribution to our festivities.

Thanks are due to the Donaldson Family for donating the tree…a generous arrangement which has lasted between the village and the farmer at Tanderlane for many years.

The new lights were purchased by the Community Council from the Local Priorities Fund, and a group of neighbours in the village provided the man (and woman) power to get the tree erected and lit.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Oh Christmas tree, you give us so much pleasure …!”

Thank-you to all those involved with sourcing, erecting and decorating the village Christmas tree. It looks truly fabulous and will be a superb focal point for carol-ing at 6pm on Monday 24th.