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.

The minutes for the Garvald and Morham Community Council meeting that took place on the 15th of October are now available on the GMCC page. Issues that were discussed at the meeting included the allocation of Community Council posts and a speed sign for Garvald.

The next CC meeting takes place on Monday the 3rd at Morham Village Hall – all are welcome.

Lothian and Borders Police are reminding home-owners to ensure their homes, garages and cars are properly secured following a spate of thefts in East Lothian. For more information, see the Lothian and Borders Police website.

The minutes for the Garvald and Morham Community Council meeting that took place on the 1st of October are now available here. Issues that were discussed at the meeting include the Crystall Rigg Windfarm grant, Lothian Broadband, Mobile Phone connectivity and the Community Council elections.

To update you all on the Garvald Woodlands Project I can confirm, as a result of several discussions since our last meeting, the bottom line is that everyone concerned is very keen to bring this to a conclusion and, whilst time is not on our side, the aim is still to have these trees down later this year.

Unfortunately, the exceptionally late harvest has pushed thing back significantly, and then the ploughing and reseeding of the field required for the extraction of the timber presented a further potential delay. However the tenant, Mr Hamilton, appreciates the position and is happy for the trees to be taken over this land, and is prepared to replant where necessary.

The abbot, Father Mark, appears every bit as keen as we for the felling to go ahead, particularly since he is again receiving direct requests for this from villagers despite having chased everyone concerned for action.

Scottish Woodlands has also reported some delays with finalising the documentation required to allow them to proceed.

It has been pointed out that due to the loose soil conditions within the field, a repeat of the particularly wet weather we encountered recently could make it impractical for large vehicles to gain access to the site. We therefore have to hope for some frosty conditions instead.

Jim Thomson

Community Council Members elected on 4th October 2012 are:

• Rufus Bellamy
• Ian Middlemass
• Kirstie Shearer
• Penny Short
• Ian Smith
• Phillip White

Download the Declaration of Result for the Election here.

The latest meeting minutes are now available on the GMCC page.

Dear All

Hopefully you know that there is a CC election coming up on the 4th of October and that anyone can stand for election.

Just a reminder that nomination forms for the CC elections must be returned to the Returning Officer no later than 4 pm on Thursday 13th September 2012. Details can be found on the East Lothan Council website.

The Garvald and Morham Community Council Meeting Minutes for June are now available on the GMCC Minutes page.