Wow! The village certainly looks ready for Halloween, with ghosts and monster decorations aplenty and pumpkin lanterns blazing. Well done to everyone who has made such an effort!
A reminder. Organized guising on the big day tomorrow, Wednesday 31st October. Meet at 6pm in the village hall. And dress as spookily as you dare …
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.
Did you manage to come up with a poem about ‘Stars’ over the school holidays? We only have a couple of poems in so far and would love it if you can support us by sending in your entries via the Contact Us form. The judge, Ron Butlin (Edinburgh Makar – poet laureate), is looking forward to reading your compositions.
How to Enter:
For more information on the competition including the prizes and links to poetry websites to help you with your writing, see the Poetry Competition page.
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
Many thanks to all those who have applied for tables at the annual Christmas Fair, which will be held in the Hall on Sunday 2nd December this year. We are delighted to announce that the event is now a *SELL OUT!* Woohoohoo …
More details about the event will be posted here – so please keep browsing! And to whet your appetites: did you know its now only 62 sleeps till santa?!
For some years, a small group of GVHT committee members have staged a Family Ceilidh to herald in the New Year. It has proven a popular and well attended event, drawing revellers from the village and wider area. This year though, a number of said committee members are going to be away. Whilst those who remain would like to continue the Hogmanay tradition, they doubt they can with such limited manpower. Do you think you could help? To sound out the community, there will be a meeting in the Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 1st November. If you are unable to come along, but are keen to be involved, drop us a line. Or have a word with Caroline McGregor, Vicki Short or Hazel Clark. Many thanks in advance.
Over the last twelve months, the Hall has been … a concert hall, wedding venue, dance hall, party venue, pilates studio, sports hall, green room, post office, meeting room, jumble salesroom, flower showground, plant salesroom, christmas fairground and lecture theatre amongst other things!
If you use it regularly, pop into events now and then or just dog walk in the orchard, why not come to the AGM? This year, it is taking place on Wednesday 14th November at 7.30pm. There will be a few formalities, but more of an opportunity to talk to and ask questions of the management committee. Plus cake, or biscuits or both! If you are interested, but cannot attend, please let us know via the contact us page. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing lots and lots of you there.
A welcome visitor to the garden…
There’s a lot of visitors to the bird feeders now that Autumn has arrived with some cooler temperatures. If you spot anything worthy of a mention, then let us know using the Contact Us form.
Many thanks to everyone who has subscribed to the new and improved 100 club.
The monthly prizes will be £16.50 for the winner, and £8 for the runner up. Come December, and the Xmas Fair, there will be a £100 bonus as well. Ca-ching …
There were two draws at last night’s GVHT meeting. And the lucky beneficiaries were:
September: 27, Brigid Hay; and 4, Hazel Clark.
October: 6, Heidi Ingram; and 21, Phillip White.
Congratulations – cheques will be winging their way to you ASAP!
