Yes, the annual Hall Jumble Sale is upon us – Sunday 28th June from 12pm till 2pm … Please look us out a bag and/or a box of stuff – clothes, toys, books, you know the kind of thing … Staging and drop off on Saturday, but give us a shout if you can’t make it but still want to donate … Similarly, drop us a line if you think you can help man a stall. We’re going to need all the help we can get!

Well done to Wendy Macdonald for completing her abseiling challenge on Sunday and raising lots of money for Alzheimer Scotland (£500 so far, way over her target amount!).
Her Just Giving donation page is still open if you would like to make a donation. Congratulations, Wendy, what an achievement!

A note from Wendy:
All I can say is WOW, FANTASTIC! It was awesome, exciting and scary (as it was rather windy!). A big thank you to everyone who has donated. Here are some photos of me in action!
Love Wendy x

A little nervous beforehand!

On my way…

On my way down

Relief on having two feet on the ground!

A happy lady!

Very proud

Saltoun Summer Fair will be held on 13th June and includes the Saltoun Assault – an obstacle course for ages 3+ , with more challenging obstacles for big kids and adults and an easy route for the smaller ones. You can be sponsored or pay on the day to complete the course. The forecast is looking ideal for a BBQ so bring a picnic blanket. Entry is free.

Leader funding is available for projects which support or service rural communities within Mid and East Lothian. Find out more on Wednesday 3rd June, between 6pm – 8.30 pm at Garvald Village Hall. For more info, tel: 0131 271 3432.

Here is the Programme for the Flower Show  (Saturday 22nd August). A copy is also available on the GHS web page, for you to refer to in the coming months. We hope you have a productive summer in your gardens and look forward to lots of wonderful exhibits at the show.

An update from Karl Ingram:

Planned tree management works in the small area up above the bridge will be conducted in the next couple of months. This will involve removing six Larch conifers to allow more light to existing large trees, remove dangerous branches hanging over the road, cutting back ivy and tidying up the area. This work was given majority support by village residents through a consultation last summer and funding has been agreed through the Crystal Rig Windfarm Fund. Permission has been granted by Nunraw Abbey and Council Approval Notice obtained. A local recommended tree surgeon, Sandy Cassells of Root & Branch Arboriculture in Haddington, will be completing the work. More details to follow once funding has been received.

An update from Karl Ingram:

It has been a year since the public consultation was held for this project so I would like to update you on how it stands at the moment.

This project was set up in order to:
– Finish the work started in Phase One by removing the rest of the old conifers on the bank and replanting with mixed woodland.
– Avoid the potential dangers of old trees falling and/or the accidental damming up of the burn.
– Let more light into the existing mixed woodland to the north of Papana Burn to strengthen tree growth and allow more winter daylight to filter through to West end properties.
– Replace an existing area of unmanaged, closely-planted conifers with an attractive area of broadleaved woodland that would improve the village appearance and reinstate native trees.
– Rejuvenate the woodland floor and invigorate the ecosystem on the hillside with a diverse range of plants and animals.

After contacting GMCC about this project in March 2014 I was asked to arrange a public consultation and get a quote from Scottish Woodlands, based on the process used to complete Phase One, which was funded by Crystal Rig windfarm grant money. The project was backed by a mandate from village residents, gained through public consultation last summer, with 93% of respondents supporting the project. Having received backing from village it took eight months for Scottish Woodlands to forward their quote of £36,000, which was deemed too expensive. The Community Council asked me to obtain more quotes to reduce the costs involved, as well as obtain a written agreement from Nunraw Abbey so that the work could go ahead. Agreement from Nunraw was confirmed and three local forestry management companies were contacted, with the best quote coming to a maximum £24,850 inc. VAT (inclusive of a maximum of eight weeks’ work, to fell the trees using a forwarder/winch due to the steep terrain, replanting and weedkiller costs). This figure takes into account estimated timber sales proceeds and would be reduced if the work took less than eight weeks.

This quote was taken to the GMCC’s April meeting. I am disappointed to report that after a year’s work collating the information required to put forward a windfarm grant application, at this point the committee decided they would not fund the project using windfarm grant money, saying that it would be difficult to justify committing this amount from Crystal Rig funds.

We are currently looking into alternative funding solutions such as East Lothian Council’s Community Intervention Fund. I firmly believe that it is a worthwhile project for the village; to complete the work started in Phase One and improve the area for villagers and wildlife alike.