Pilates resumes in the Hall tonight (Tuesday 29th April,) but at a new time (7pm) and with a new teacher …
Janine Ferguson has taken over from Sue Kelly, and brings with her a fresh approach to established stretches and routines. For more information, see her website here.
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 …
… 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:
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!
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.
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.
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:
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.
A reminder about the ‘Woodlands Project 2’ meeting this Wednesday 16th April at the Village Hall. Drop in any time between 6.30 and 7.30pm to give your feedback on the proposal to remove the remaining conifers on the south bank of the Papana Burn at the West end of the village and also to thin out the trees overlooking the road bridge.
Just to confirm that there won’t be a plant sale in the Hall this year. Sincere apologies if you have been putting aside seedlings for us. If you do have an excess of anything, please let us know and we’ll pop an “ad” here for you …
The lucky winners are … <Drum Roll> …
<Cheers> … Your cheques are on their way!
At last December’s Community Council meeting a proposal was made to assess the need for a follow-up to the recent woodland management project. The aim would be to complete the work that was originally planned almost a decade ago by felling the remaining monoculture of conifer trees (on the Papana Burn South bank at the West end of the village) and replacing them with mixed deciduous trees. In addition, work would be carried out to remove twelve conifer trees next to the roadside beyond Papana bridge, to give space for the existing deciduous and Monkey Puzzle trees to thrive.
Do come along to find out more about the areas affected and provide your comments. All residents of Garvald are encouraged to give their opinion on this matter and the project will be initiated only if the majority of villagers support it.
If you can’t make it to the meeting please complete the feedback form, which will be posted on the website soon.
The Ingram veg plot is being tidied up and this has resulted in a spare mature blackcurrant bush. We have left it by the bench at the Village Hall so if you want it, go and claim it! First come, first served…
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.
