MSCC Front Gardens and Containers Annual Awards 2011

With the recent sunshine and warmer temperatures, gardens have burst into life; time to remind you about the Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council Tenement Front Gardens and Containers Competition!

Any garden and/or container clearly visible from the pavement will be considered. The walkabout judging will take place in late June and early July, and there is no need to enter the competition: as long as your garden or container can be seen, it will be eligible for consideration for an award.

The categories are:

1. Front gardens (East, South, West-facing)
2. North-facing front gardens
3. Hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers 
4. Wildlife-friendly gardens
5. New/improved gardens
6. Other commended gardens

There will be awards in each category and an overall winner who will be awarded the Smalley Quaich. All of the award winners will be presented with their certificates and a small prize at the Church of the German-speaking Congregation in Chalmers Crescent on Saturday 1^st October at 4pm. All welcome - we hope to see you there!

Happy gardening!

Graeme Cruickshank to speak on Jawbones on Meadows at MSCC meeting on Wednesday

Immediately following the AGM (7:00-7:30pm) this Wednesday (11 May), and before the business of the regular meeting, Graeme Cruickshank will briefly speak on the Jawbones on the Meadows, placed there at the time of the International Exhibition of Edinburgh 125 years ago.  


This is connected with the public appeal recently-announced by Cllr Cameron Rose (featured today in the Evening News) aimed at raising money to conserve and restore the historic jawbone arch.

Agenda for regular monthly meeting of Community Council on We 11 May at 19:30

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Wed 11th May at 7.30pm in St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road.  
This will follow immediately after the AGM (which starts at 7pm)  

 

1. Minutes of the meeting of 9th April  and matters arising
2. Treasurers Report
3. Police Report :  oral report and questions
4.   Sub Groups
1. Planning Group  (meeting report circulated)
2. HMOs Group  (Ann Laird: Report)
3. Roads and Traffic Group
5. External Meetings
6. Events
1. Garden Competition
2. Christmas Event
7. Any other business  - can be taken on the night

Annual General Meeting of Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council

The AGM of the community council will take place at 7pm on Wed 11 May at St Catherine's Argyle Church in Grange Road. 

All who live or work or are active in the area are welcome.

Hearing loop available – please request in advance

AGENDA for AGM

1.      Minutes of the AGM of June 2010

2.      Chairperson’s Annual Report

3.      Secretary’s Annual Report

4.      Financial report

5.      Co-option of members

6.      Demit of current office bearers and election of office bearers:

       a.   Chair

       b.   Vice-Chair

       c.    Secretary

       d.   Treasurer

7.    Date of next AGM:  Wednesday 9th May 2012

Art Exhibition on 12 May

Art in Healthcare Student Friends Society Invite you to celebrate and view the collaborative art work produced by the ENABLE community, Best Buddies Student Society and Art in Healthcare Student Friends Society

Thursday 12 May 2011

Start 7 pm

Finish 8pm

Enable Building : 95 Causewayside Edinburgh

The art work demonstrates the changing seasons and will stay in the ENABLE hall at Causewayside.

This project was made possible through funding from the Edinburgh South Central Neighborhood Partnership

Volunteers required: Meadows Festival 4/5 June

Fred Mackintosh writes: "This year's Meadows Festival takes place on 4th & 5th June, and we can promise something for everybody from grans to toddlers and everybody in between. We'll feature 8 large Marquees and a Big top tent in a 1/2mile sq area surrounded by 100 plus market stalls with Tailor’s funfair also joining  us.

This year the music lineup is back with its eclectic mix of all the best bands Edinburgh local scene has to offer - indi pop, reggae, funk and  hip hop acts, from  bands whio normally fill Scotland's music festival stages and are all playing for free on the at the Meadows Festival. Listen out for Captain Slackships energy packed reggae hits, festival favourites the Banana Sessions hit us with their brass baselines and quirky covers, Ordinary All Stars will get you grooving to their smooth hip hop beats while the up and coming Epic 26 blast out the some modern Indie synth tunes, and the Beltane drummers will be out in force to stir your soul.

Animal lovers will be pleased to learn that this year  the festival includes a dog show, courtesy of the Dogs Trust. Any dog can enter - there won't be any pedigree classes, but if your dog's exceptionally beautiful or talented, this will be his or her chance to shine! There will also be displays of agility and obedience from the Trust's own pooches.

Regular events include the schools' football tournament, and younger visitors can also enjoy activities at the kids' tent, including face painting, storytelling, and arts and crafts, and view the entries in the annual art competition.

We're still looking for volunteers to help run the festival, and if you're interested, try this link: http://tinyurl.com/6e8t37f

It's not too late to book a stall either,  whether you're selling goods or offering a service like champissage (Indian head massage) or bicycle repairs, so check out our website for details: http://meadowsfestival.3st.org.uk/

But hurry if you want to get involved!"

Pre-planning consultation on new Gillespie's High School enters final week

The pre-planning consultation on plans for the new James Gillespie's High School and new buildings at the Primary School closes on 22 April. 


An online survey is now available to use to give your views.  Or you can can send them by e-mail to the project team at newSchoolBuildings@edinburgh.gov.uk


Revised plans will be presented at a further round of public meetings in June before the formal planning application is submitted.

Agenda for meeting of Community Council on We 13 April at 19:30

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Wed 13th April at 7.30pm in St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road


The main item for discussion will be the new James Gillespie's High School and alterations to the Primary School.






A G E N D A (click for copy)


1. James Gillespies’ New School: presentation and discussion


2. Minutes of the meeting of 9th March and matters arising


3. Treasurers Report (revised!)
     a. Insurance
     b. Street planting


4. Police Report : oral report and questions


5. Sub Groups
     a. Planning Group (meeting report circulated)
     b. HMOs Group (Ann Laird: Report)
     c. Roads and Traffic Group


6. External Meetings
     a. Civic Forum
     b. Neighbourhood Partnership Meeting
     c. Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links meeting


7. Events
     a. Garden Competition
     b. Christmas Event


8. Any other business - can be taken on the night




Reports available on this blog in advance will include any recommendations that the CC will discuss and agree; 


All who live or work or are active in the area are welcome.  Hearing loop available – please request in advance

More opportunities to comment on new Gillespie's plans

If you have comments for the new Gillespie's High School project team please fill them in on this form and send to newSchoolBuildings@edinburgh.gov.uk by 22 April.  


Members of the design team will be at the next Community Council meeting next Wednesday (13th) at 7:30pm in St Catherine's Argyle Church. 


There will be an opportunity from 7pm to ask informal questions before the meeting.

Come and try Croquet at Meadows Croquet Club

Meadows Croquet Club are offering introductory sessions on Mondays from 16 May 16 to 6 Jun 2011.


There will be an Afternoon Session between 3.30 to 5.30pm and an Evening Session from 6.30 to 8.30pm. All you need is a pair of flat-soled shoes (e.g. trainers). The course costs £30 and there are special introductory discounts if you join the club after the course.


Give it a try -- you could be pleasantly surprised!


For more information contact Alison Ross or call 0845 250 4394.

Public sessions to view plans for new Gillespie's and ask questions

The James Gillespie's Consultation section of the City of Edinburgh Council website has been updated today to include details of nine sessions (see below) where members of the public can meet someone from the project and to talk to them about the proposals. 

Please feel free to pass this information on, particularly to people who do not like the ideal of speaking at a public meeting but who do have some questions they would like more information about.

If you have questions on the proposal you'd like addressed at the public meeting on 31 March can you send them in advance (to tina.sutherland@edinburgh.gov.uk) so a full response can be prepared. 

James Gillespie High School

• Thursday 31 March 5-7pm (Two hour session in advance of Public Meeting)
• Saturday 2 April 10am-12pm
• Tuesday 5 April 2-4pm

Newington Library

• Friday 8 April 2-4pm
• Monday 11 April 5-7pm
• Friday 15 April 2-4pm

Eric Liddell Centre

• Thursday 31 March 2-4pm
• Wednesday 6 April 5-7pm
• Thursday 7 April 2-4pm

Electronic copies of a PDF newsletter that has been circulated locally are also now available

New Gillespie's High School: Get ready to have your say!

The pre-planning application consultation on the design of the new James Gillespie's High School (and new nursery/ sports hall for the primary) is about to start.  Between now and the planning application being submitted in July there will be a series of public meetings.


One of the first will be at the next meeting of the Community Council (13 April at 7:30pm at St Catherine's Argyle Church) but there will also be a public meeting at the School on 31 March and with the Primary School Parent forum on 4 April.


There will also be public exhibitions from 21 March to 22 April at Newington Library and the Eric Liddell Centre.  Initial comments have to be in by 22 April.  Thereafter revised plans will be presented at a further series of public meetings including the Community Council meeting on 8 June.


For further details (and plans/ drawing soon) keep an eye on the new development website.


Updated (5 Apr @ 20:23): If you have comments for the project team please fill them in on this form and send to newSchoolBuildings@edinburgh.gov.uk by 22 April.  

NHS Lothian: Health link newsletter - Spring 2011 edition

The Spring 2010 edition of NHS Lothian's Health Link newspaper has now been published. It contains features on the new sexual health centre on Lauriston Place, the benefits of children keeping active, the new birthing centre at Little France, update on funding for the new Sick Kids' hospital, a baby is born after groundbreaking fertility selection, the Childsmile project, centralised booking for mums-to-be and a short-stay surgery centre in Livingston.

Agenda for meeting of Community Council on We 9 MARCH at 19:30

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Wed 8th MARCH at 7.30pm in St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road   

A G E N D A (click for copy)

1. Presentation on Lothian Buses
2. Minutes of the February meetingand matters arising (updated 5 Apr 11)
3. Treasurers Report
4. Police Report :  oral report and questions
5.   Sub Groups
1. Planning Group (report 1; report 2 )
2. HMOs Group  (Ann Laird: Report awaited)
3. Parking Group
6. External Meetings
1. Neighbourhood partnership board  (Alastair Philp; verbal)
7. Meadows
1. Trees
2. Barbecues
3. Jaw bone
8. Events
1. Garden Competition
2. Christmas Event
9. Any other business  - can be taken on the night
1. Meadow Place
2. James Gillespie's  High School

A hearing loop is available if you contact 07775 665499 beforehand.  All residents and those who work in the area will be most welcome!

Meeting on local buses

On Wed 9 March at 7:30 the Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council are hosting a meeting on "Your local buses in Marchmont & Sciennes".  Bill Campbell, Operations Director of Lothian Buses, will explain the rationale behind your local bus services and outline future plans and developments. 


There will be a chance to discuss your experiences and expectations, to ask questions and air your opinions.  


The meeting will be held, as usual for monthly Community Council meetings, in St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls on Grange Road.


A hearing loop is available if you contact 07775 665499 beforehand.  All residents and those who work in the area will be most welcome!


(Photo is copyright Stuart Montgomery and is used without permission because I do not know how to contact him.  I hope he agrees its use is appropriate by a not-for-profit local representative group for a meeting about local buses. If not I will remove it on request)

Have your say: Future of the Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland

The Scottish Government is seeking views on the future of the Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland, and would like to hear from you.   The closing date for the consultation is 5 May 2011.  

Spokes guidance on bicycle storage

Spokes (the Bicycle group) have published a leaflet with advice on bicycle storage for tenements.


Further information on the project that led to the leaflet is also available.

Southside Community Council: Odeon - save our cinema campaign

Would you like to support Southside Community Council in their efforts to save the Odeon cinema on Clerk Street?  They would like you to write one of their postcards to object to proposals to demolish the building


Or you can object on-line.

Invitation to a waste celebration event

Find out how we can fund your community projects and
celebrate the success of the Waste Action Grant scheme.
Join us for an evening of inspiration, music,
nibbles and networking.
Council Chamber, City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh
6 – 8pm, Wednesday 16 February 2011

Programme
6pm – Welcome
6.10pm – Performance by Trash Music
6.15pm – Information on successful waste projects
6.30pm – Refreshments and networking
8pm – Close

Please RSVP by 9 February to:
Anita Sharkey, Waste Education Officer,
33 Murrayburn Road, Edinburgh, EH14 2TF
Tel: 0131 469 5070, e-mail: anita.sharkey@edinburgh.gov.uk

A G E N D A for meeting of the Community Council on We 9 Feb at 19:30

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Wednesday 9th February (corrected date) at 7.30pm in St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road







A G E N D A (click for copy)


1. Minutes of meeting on 12 January and matters arising.  (Corrected December minutes)


2. Proposed Mobile phone mast Thirlestane Road/Whitehouse Loan


3. Police Report : oral report & questions


4 Subgroups
    a. Planning Group (meeting report circulated)


    b. HMOs Group (Ann Laird: Report from January meeting awaited)


    c. Parking


5. External Meetings reports


    a. Meadows and Bruntsfield Advisory Group 2nd Feb (report)


6. Future events dates to be set


    a. Garden Competition; proposed 3rd Sep


    b. Christmas Event: proposed 3rd Dec


7. Any other business


Reports available on this blog in advance will include any recommendations that
the CC will discuss and agree; http://marchmontandsciennes.blogspot.com/


All who live or work or are active in the area are welcome.
Hearing loop available – please request in advance

Guidance on how to use the Planning web site

Guidance on how to use the City of Edinburgh Council Planning web site is now available.