Author: pencaitland

Pencaitland Community Council exists to represent the views of local residents about local issues that matter to them. This involves close liaison with other groups in the community and helps to develop a more coherent and dynamic village environment.

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Meeting reveals more details on East Lothian bus routes

A special meeting of the Association of East Lothian Community Councils (AELCC) devoted most of its agenda to discussing recent changes in the provision of public transport.

More details have emerged on what services will actually be in operation from June 2012.

Community Councils from across the county gathered in Haddington to hear from Ian Dalgleish, Manager of Transportation Services, that:

  • The 44B to Pencaitland is to be replaced by a 113 going a revised route Pencaitland – Ormiston – Western General.
  • The flat fare structure will not apply (contrary to what Paul McLennan said at the 2 May Public Meeting in Trevelyan Hall, Pencaitland).
  • The X13 Express service will be discontinued (again contrary to expectations).

Ian Dalgleish is waiting for details of timetables and fares, and these will be issued in a press release as soon as the details are known (He hopes early next week).

For the full report from Pencaitland Community Council’s representatives at the meeting click here [PDF].

Many thanks to Phil Summerfield for putting together the report.

BUS SURVEY: Pencaitland has joined forces with Humbie, East & West Saltoun and Bolton, Gifford and Ormiston Community Councils to find out what you want from the bus service. Register your views online now.

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Lothian buses spotted in dry run at Pencaitland terminus

Shortly before the local council elections the then council leader Paul McLennan confirmed to a packed village hall that Lothian buses would be taking over the Pencaitland/Ormiston route when First withdraws its service in early June.

Click for a bigger picture.

One of our eagle-eyed residents spotted Lothian buses carrying out a dry run to the terminus at the end of the village. Unfortunately, at this time we still have no details on the frequency of service Lothian buses is planning on the route.

Don’t forget that Pencaitland has joined forces with Humbie, East & West Saltoun and Bolton, Gifford and Ormiston Community Councils to find out what local people really want from their local bus services. You can register your views online by clicking here.

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Lothian Buses users surgery at Fort Kinnaird, 24th May

With Lothian Buses due to take over the Pencaitland (via Ormiston) route from First in June, you may be interested to know that it is holding a bus users’ surgery at Fort Kinnaird on the 24th of May, between 10am and 3pm.

If you are a bus user here’s your chance to talk directly to the company and tell them your concerns or seek information about what’s planned for routes in East Lothian.

More information here

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Councillor Veitch named Cabinet Spokesperson for Transport & Roads

For many bus users the timing of the announcement of First Bus withdrawal of services could not have come at a worse moment. With council elections imminent it meant that there was no clear idea of who would be in charge of the transport portfolio after the elections.

Michael Veitch (CON) is now the Labour/Conservative administration's spokesperson on transport issues.
Thankfully this has now been resolved with the selection of councillor Michael Veitch (CON) as spokesperson for Transport and Roads in East Lothian.

Don’t forget that Pencaitland has joined forces with Humbie, East & West Saltoun and Bolton, Gifford and Ormiston Community Councils to find out what local people really want from their local bus services. You can register your views online by clicking here.

The survey results will be presented to East Lothian Council and its new Transport spokesperson, as well as the service providers, to help build a more efficient and effective bus network for local residents.

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New Fraser Centre plans community open day 9th June

The Fraser Centre, formerly the Winton Cinema in Tranent, is being given a new lease of life as a learning, development, arts and entertainment centre.

The former Winton Cinema will now be a community trust backed venue.

Set up as a community trust, the intention is to be able to offer the former cinema to various community groups as a venue for holding educational, arts and entertainment activities. The aim is to include conferences, training projects, concerts, as well as a cinema; harking back to the origins of the building.

The Fraser Centre Community Trust (FCCT) was formed in 2011 with the aim of providing an Arts, Learning and Development Centre in Tranent. The 700 seater 1900’s style cinema is in the Fa’side constituency which has around 14,000 residents with varying needs for just such a nearby venue for their communities.

In 2011 a long term lease with the FCCT culminated in the latest revival of this unique venue.

For further information on activities planned at the centre visit the website.

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East Lothian communities survey locals to assess bus needs

Following the success of the recent meeting to discuss bus service provision in the area, we have joined forces with Humbie, East & West Saltoun and Bolton, Gifford and Ormiston Community Councils to find out what local people really want from their bus service.

Click here to take part in the communities bus survey

A copy of the survey will be dropping through your letter box within the next week or so but if you prefer to register your response online, the survey can be found by clicking here.

The survey results will ultimately be presented to East Lothian Council and the service providers to help build a more efficient and effective service for local residents.

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Rare Plants for Rare Diseases Sale raises over £850

From 10am on Sunday the StopwatchGardener (aka Sheila Averbuch) ran a sale of rare and unusual plants in order to raise funds for the neurodegenerative disorder Neuroacanthocytosis.

Only 10 people in the UK are known to have the genetic disease.

Rare Plants for Rare Diseases Sale - Sunday 6 May 2012

Despite the weather threatening to close in once again, most of the sale remained dry and sunny, with many crowding into the garden to enjoy locally baked goods and hot drinks.

Almost £900 was raised (now £930), with more proceeds expected over the next fortnight.

Huge thanks to all the plant specialists who donated rare or unusual examples towards the fundraiser and for all the help from many locals who produced some excellent baking for the day.

You can get further background on the plant sale by visiting the Stopwatchgardener website.

Below are a few photos from the day.

Or some video…

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Rare Plant Sale tomorrow (& cake!)

Keen gardeners will love the selection of rare and unusual garden plants on offer tomorrow, donated by the UK’s top nurseries.

Starting at 10am the sale, opposite the Spar in Pencaitland, offers unusual and familiar plants plus teas and cakes.

All proceeds go to research into NA, one of Britain’s rarest rare diseases. For more details go to http://bit.ly/RarePlant

Rare plants for rare diseases sale by the StopwatchGardener Sunday 6th May from 10am. Click for more information.

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PTA Spring Fayre set for 26th May

This year’s Spring Fayre, run by the Parent and Teachers Association of Pencaitland Primary, takes place on the 26th of May (Saturday), from 1 to 4pm in the grounds of the school.

Face-painting at the Pencaitland PTA Spring Fayre last year...

As well as parents and extended family, all members of the community are very welcome to come along and enjoy, “a fun packed activity filled afternoon with all the usual attractions and a few more! This year come ready to race! There will be traditional games for parents and children to test their speed and dexterity, including a tug-of-war!”

There will also be a Science tent looking at the eye and optics, the return of the polymer slime and coke geysers, plus the new hexbug nano races.

Look out for the usual assortment of tractors and emergency vehicles plus a variety of four legged friends will be joining the fun from the Cadzow’s farm and Boggs Hogs.

Amongst items sought are:

  • Donations of home baking
  • Donations of used toys, books and DVDs/CDs
  • Donations of new toys and books suitable for a children’s tombola or lucky dip
  • Donations of bottles or chocolate suitable for the adults’ tombola
  • Donations of bicycles

If you think you can also help out on the day contact Charlotte on 01875 340 987 or check out the PTA’s letter [PDF].

Donations of toys and books and tombola items can be made directly to the school from the 21st May but if you would like someone to collect your items please email PPSPTA1@gmail.com or ring Charlotte as above.

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Labour ousts Ruth Currie in Fa’side ward

With the outcome of East Lothian’s Council elections still in the balance across the county, the results for the Fa’side ward are now in.

Shamin Akhtar with agent Christine Russell & Liz Grant before campaigning.

Long time councillors for Labour Jim Gillies and Donald Grant have been re-elected. Joining them for Labour is new recruit Shamin Akhtar (pictured centre front). For the SNP Kenny Macleod held his seat but his colleague Ruth Currie suffered at the hands of a strong local Labour campaign across Fa’side.

Congratulations to all the re-elected and newly elected members for Fa’side. Pencaitland Community Council hopes to enjoy both fruitful and regular contact with all the elected councillors for the ward.

UPDATE: The results have now been declared with Labour holding 10 councillors, the SNP 9, Conservatives with 3 and 1 independent. The Lib-dems have therefore been wiped from the political landscape in East Lothian. A full breakdown on the voting results can be found on East Lothian Council’s website.

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