Category Archives: Events

Hedgehog Awareness Week: 4th – 10th May 2014

 

We are very lucky to have an array of hedgehogs in Garvald. A couple were spotted on the green last night. It would be great if they were a breeding pair with hoglets on the way …

hedgehog

… As you may have read or heard in the media, the species is under great threat. Yes, cars are responsible for a large number of hedgehogs’ deaths – but gardens are also an increasingly deadly environment. This year, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society is asking gardeners to do all they can to help the conservation effort, particularly:

  • Ensuring there is access into the garden (all that is needed is 5” square gap;)
  • Checking areas before strimming or mowing;
  • Moving piles of rubbish to a new site before burning it;
  • Ensuring netting is kept at a safe height;
  • Checking compost heaps before digging the fork in;
  • Stopping or reducing the amount of pesticides and poisons used;
  • Covering drains or deep holes; and
  • Ensuring there is an easy route out of ponds and pools.

There is a vast amount of additional information on the charity’s website, so please click on the link above and have a wee read. Methinks our prickly friends deserve five minutes of your browsing time!

Woodlands Project 2: Feedback – reminder

A message from Karl Ingram and Allan Nicolson:

There is still time to send in your feedback about the two projects making up the proposal for a ‘Woodlands Project 2′. The plan is to fell the remaining monoculture of conifers on the south bank of the Papana Burn and replant with native broadleaved woodland. This would allow more light in to the replanted bank and to the existing woodland next to the park, resulting in a more diverse range of plant and animal life in the area. Also, there is a proposal to remove twelve conifers just above the road bridge, some of which are showing signs of distress and therefore their removal has been recommended. This work would leave the deciduous and monkey puzzle trees space to thrive.

If you have not already sent in your feedback, please fill out the website feedback form so we can get a full picture of all residents’ opinions on this matter. We would like all feedback in by the end of April if possible. Thank you.

treesmap

 

Crystal Rig Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund 2014/2015

The Crystal Rig Windfarm fund is a community benefit fund available for 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 available (£25,000 this year) is based on the installed capacity of the wind farm.

Last year, the projects funded included:

  • Lothian Boradband £5000
  • Knox Youth Group £2000
  • Morham Village Hall £4258
  • Garvald Village Hall £1827
  • Haddington Swimming Club £2200
  • Haddington Junior Hockey Club £600
  • Various Sports/Musical Sponsorships £3795
  • Garvand and Morham Christmas/Hallowe’en Parties £410
  • Gifford Under 5’s £508

Please note that consideration will be given to all types of project that 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 East Lothian Council or that 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.

Wood Gathering Update

After five Saturdays of effort, we have now finished clearing up the wood off the bank opposite the park, as far as is possible. Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped us over the five weekends. It was hard work but good fun by all accounts!! Scottish Woodlands have indicated that they hope to start the replanting on the bank this week, which is excellent news.

There is now a large quantity of cut wood and logs available to be taken away by any local resident, at no cost. Please help yourself!

We are planning to organise some deliveries of the wood, so if you are unable to collect logs yourself but would like some, please complete the form below.

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    Stenton Footlights Present…

    Tickets are now available for the next show by Stenton Footlights. It’s “Season’s Greetings” by Alan Ayckbourn, a wonderfully funny, dark comedy (with some adult themes and language).

    Season's Greetings, Stenton

    Stenton Horticultural Society’s Gardeners’ Question Time, 5th March

    Stenton Horticultural Society are holding a Gardener’s Question Time in Stenton Village Hall, on Wednesday 5th March at 7pm.

    George Anderson from The Beechgrove Garden has been invited to help provide answers and participants in the Garvald Flower Show are welcome to attend. If you have a question, please submit it in advance by contacting the organiser, Angela Foster, on 01368 850348.

    Wine and nibbles will be available during the evening.

    Burns Supper postscript …

    A belated thanks to all those who supported the Burns Supper in the Hall on Saturday 1st February. Wasn’t it a super night?! Garvald is blessed with some extraordinary talent …

    The DofE Gold team, who served and entertained on the night, raised over £200 from tips. Well done to all of them! Now it’s fingers crossed that the weather improves by the time they go on their expedition …

    All in all, the event boosted Hall coffers by nigh on £200 – a nice start to the fundraising year!

     

    Helpers wanted!

    Is anyone free on Friday evening? The Hall will be open for Burns Supper set-up from 6pm. There will be tables to lug, so strong volunteers would be most appreciated!