Category: News

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News

Pencaitland offers financial support to local groups

Each year Pencaitland Community Council aims to allocate a modest budget towards needy local groups. If you run, or know those running, a local community group read on to find out how to apply.

Pencaitland Playgroup is one of a number of local community groups to have benefited with help from the Community Council.
Pencaitland Playgroup is one of a number of local community groups to have benefited with help from the Community Council.
Each year Pencaitland’s Community Council seeks to make available funds to help support the efforts of local groups working for and with members, young and old, of the local community. Typically these are only small sums of money as the Community Council itself receives very limited funding support from East Lothian Council.

Examples of past support include funds to New Winton and Boggs Holdings for maintenance of local community halls, cash towards books for Pencaitland Parish Church, money to assist the local Rainbows Pack and many other beneficiaries over the years.

If you work with a local group in the community, to be considered for funding support we ask for the following:

  • What does your group do in the community?
  • How much do you require?
  • What will the funds you are seeking be used for?

Whilst we cannot guarantee that the Community Council will be able to meet funding requests, we will do our best to allocate what funds we do have as fairly as possible.

The Community Council will consider all requests it receives before the 15th of February. Please reply to chair@pencaitland.org.


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News

Need a snow shovel? Call your Community Council

If you’re caught under a blanket of snow in or around Pencaitland you can borrow a snow shovel from your local Community Council. Just give us a call.

Give me the child from the age of seven and I shall show you the snow shoveller!
Give me the child from the age of seven and I shall show you the snow shoveller!
Right now the snow is pelting down on cold Pencaitland ground. If it keeps up there is a good chance that there will be a lot more shovelling required to get cars in and out of drives, or just yourself in and out of the front door.

Fortunately you can now borrow a snow shovel by calling community councillors Ralph Averbuch on 01875 340 641 or Lynn Donohoe on 341 715, ideally during the day. You do not need to leave a deposit — just your name and a means of contact. All equipment can be collected from Trevelyan Hall by arrangement with either community councillor.

All we ask is that borrowed snow shovels are returned once the snow has passed, so it can be stored for future community use.

REMINDER: Be prepared this winter

It doesn’t take much to be ready if the weather does turn out to be as harsh as it has been in recent memory. You can get plenty of advice online by visiting the Ready Scotland website. It offers specific advice for being prepared for a winter at home.


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Events News

Event: Richmond’s Hope Charity Fundraiser, 23 February, Pencaitland

A fun event is being held in Pencaitland’s Bowling Club on 23 Feb from 7:30pm, to raise money and awareness for the work of Richmond’s Hope. Established in 2003 in the Niddrie area of Edinburgh it provides services to children in the Lothians between the ages of 4 and 18 years.

Working in purpose-built rooms they allow children and young people to rebuild their lives after the death of a significant person, through individual support and therapeutic play, family support, parent participation events, and group support for 13-18 year olds.

When someone has died Scottish charity Richmond’s Hope is a place where children and young people can explore their feelings & find ways of coping.
When someone has died Scottish charity Richmond’s Hope is a place where children and young people can explore their feelings & find ways of coping.
Currently the average cost per child is £1,150, and 1,900 families have been supported by the charity since its start. At present young people in East Lothian cannot access funding, which is provided by both Midlothian and City of Edinburgh Councils for children living in those areas.

The charity fundraiser is a night of music, fun and entertainment to raise money for at least one and hopefully two East Lothian children to access the services provided by Richmond’s Hope. In addition, organisers are aiming to raise awareness with East Lothian Council that, at present, children in this area do not receive a financial contribution towards bereavement therapy.

Event: A night of music, fun and entertainment
Title: Richmond’s Hope Fundraiser
Date: Saturday 23 February, 7:30pm
Venue: Pencaitland Bowling Club
Tickets: £15/person, includes buffet, available from the email address below or search Richmond’s Hope Fundraiser Pencaitland on Facebook
For more info: Call Stella Birrell on 07811 349255 or email stellabirrell@yahoo.co.uk.


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News

Event: Google+ for SMEs @ East Lothian Coffee Morning

Do you run a business in East Lothian? Each month the East Lothian Coffee Morning runs a session focusing on how to effectively use web technologies to promote your business. This month it’s looking at Google+.

Businesses can set up their own Google+ pages though they look and behave very differently to Facebook.
Businesses can set up their own Google+ pages though they look and behave very differently to Facebook.
The East Lothian Coffee Morning (ELCM) is a free and informal networking group that was originally set up to help local companies understand how they can get more business by using the Internet. It’s a mix of networking with other business people, presentations, workshops and case studies.

Google+ is Google’s competition to Facebook and Twitter and it has been steadily gaining ground. It has over 500 million members and is growing but what exactly is it and how important is it to small businesses in East Lothian? This month ELCM is taking a look at what exactly Google+ is, what the main features are and how we can use it to help promote our business online.

This month it takes place at The Golf Inn, Main Street, Gullane. As always, there will be informal networking over tea and coffee (for purchase) between 8am and 9am with the presentation beginning at 9am.

The event is free to attend though to avoid disappointment you should register if you intend to go.

USEFUL RESOURCES

East Lothian Coffee Mornings (eBusiness Group)
ELCM on Facebook
Event details on Eventbrite

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News

Scoop on the poop… Part 2

In January 2012 we ran a story on dog fouling problems in Pencaitland. A year on and we’ve been contacted by a villager on this very problem, so here’s a reminder of what action you can take.

Have you been an unwitting victim of dog poo? It seems many of you have as we’ve had a spate of reports about young and old inadvertently getting into a mess… literally!

East Lothian Dog Watch - click to find out about reporting an offenderThis comment comes from a person new to the village who felt, (quite reasonably and because it’s the law) that dog owners and walkers really ought to clean up after their dogs, “especially on paved paths and at the children’s play park at Easter Pencaitland. I’ve been quite shocked by the amount of dog’s dirt on pavements around the school and disgusted by the discovery next to the climbing frame, slide and swings.”

Caught in the act

If you actually spot an owner not cleaning up after their dog report this directly to East Lothian’s community and environmental wardens. They enforce dog and litter legislation and issue fixed penalty fines to people who drop litter or don’t clean up after their dog.

If you’re a tweeter you can tweet your Community Council @pencaitlandcc or post a message on the Community Council Facebook page if you spot disagreeable doggy deposits.

The Council is trying to combat the nuisance of dog fouling. Dog Watch – Who’s Watching You? – is designed to allow the public to easily report when they see an offence being committed.

One of the main reasons that dog owners don’t clear up after their dog is because they think there’s not a Council officer watching. However, if the message gets out that the general public can now take direct action to report offences, it’s hoped that the few dog owners who aren’t being responsible are far more likely to change their ways.

Scoop on the poop -- click to report when you see an owner not cleaning their animal's mess.To report details of a dog fouling offence directly to East Lothian’s community and environmental wardens call 01875 824 305 or report it online.

Poop scoop bags

Free poop scoop bags are available from most council offices and libraries and often there are some available in the local Pencaitland Post Office.

You can also contact the Dog Wardens by calling 01620 827434 or emailing landscapeandcountryside@eastlothian.gov.uk with your address. They will then post you a free packet of bags.


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News

NHS Lothian warning over seasonal flu and meningitis

NHS Lothian are warning people to be aware that seasonal influenza is now circulating. It can be severe in those with chronic diseases such as asthma or those with low immunity due to medical treatment.

Copyright Allan Foster @ Flickr aka foshydog
NHS Lothian advises scrupulous hand washing and quick disposal of infected tissues. [Image copyright Allan Foster]
Symptoms of flu include sudden onset of fever, cough as well as sore throat, aching muscles and joints. The best advice for treating flu in healthy people is to stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take pain relievers such as paracetamol. Children under 16 should not take any medicines containing aspirin.

Maintaining good cough and hand hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning your hands as soon you can, are important actions that can help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of transmission.

Unfortunately, at this time of year the NHS are also highlighting that the germ that causes meningitis (Meningococcus) can also be more common. NHS Lothian Health Protection Team is encouraging parents to be vigilant for symptoms and signs of meningitis. Symptoms include:

  1. High temperature or feeling feverish
  2. Flu like aches and pains in muscles and joints
  3. Stiff or sore neck and back
  4. Severe headache
  5. Vomiting
  6. Dislike of bright lights
  7. Skin rash – small red or purple spots or blotches, which can appear suddenly,
    spread rapidly and may not fade if pressed
  8. Drowsiness, loss of consciousness or coma

More information on flu can be found here and on meningitis here.


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News

Pencaitland returns to the scout pack… new cubs investiture

After over seven years with no scouts presence in Pencaitland the new investiture of a Cub Pack for the village was celebrated by kids and parents alike in Trevelyan Hall.

South East Scotland Scouts has been working closely with local parent volunteers over recent months to help see this day become a reality. For further information about Pencaitland Scouts or to add your son or daughter to the waiting list visit this page.

The new Cubs receive their neckers and membership badges
The new Cubs receive their neckers and membership badges. Click above for more photos.

See all the photos in a Flickr Slideshow here.

Pencaitland’s new Scout Pack is part of the South East Region of Scottish Scouting which only came into existence in 2008. The emphasis in the Region is to give local Districts more scope to plan and deliver programme support for young people and adults involved in the Scouting movement.


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News

Scoop up a snow shovel this winter

A few years ago Pencaitland Community Council received a batch of snow shovels from the Council. If the snow does come down in buckets you can borrow one.

I'm NOT dreaming of an overly white Xmas this winter! But if it is...
I’m NOT dreaming of an overly white Xmas this winter! But if it is…
In the event that the white stuff comes down like the winters of 2009/2010, you can now borrow a shovel by calling community councillor Lynn Donohoe on 341 715, ideally during the day. You do not need to leave a deposit — just your name and a means of contact.

But we do ask that any borrowed equipment is returned once any snow has finally melted, so it can then be stored for community use in future winters.

Just in case anyone fails to recall what the snow was like in recent years, here’s a small reminder (right) of not just how long the cold spell lasted but the volume of snow that fell.

Be prepared this winter

It doesn’t take much to be ready if the weather does turn out to be as harsh as it has been in recent memory. You can get plenty of advice online by visiting the Ready Scotland website. It offers specific advice for being prepared for a winter at home.


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News

Pencaitland Community Council’s new Secretary

We are delighted to report that recent efforts to fill the vacancy for a new person to take on the role of Community Council Secretary were successful. The community’s new Secretary is Susan Spilsbury.

Susan Spilsbury joins Pencaitland Community Council as its Secretary.
Susan Spilsbury joins Pencaitland Community Council as its Secretary.
Recently the post of Community Council Secretary became vacant when long-time Community Councillor, and Secretary for the last twelve months, Nicky Neighbour stepped down from her role after many years of great service.

Fortunately for the Community Council Susan saw the recently advertised position in Pencaet News, the local church’s newsletter, and got in touch to offer her services.

Amongst other things Susan is currently a volunteer for Pencaitland Day Centre and as Committee Secretary for the older people. In her 16 years living in Pencaitland, Susan has also been involved in the Mothers & Toddler Group (Secretary), Playgroup (Treasurer then Playleader), Rainbows (Leader), Operation Christmas Child (Local Organiser)and Pencaitland Church (Sunday Club Leader).

Susan can be contacted on the email secretary@pencaitland.org. Further information on all members of Pencaitland Community Council can be found on the Members page.

Want to get involved?

We are searching for new blood to join the team. We need more voices on issues which directly affect you and your local environment. If you care about local matters then take the next step – come along to your local community council and see if you’d like to become a co-opted member.

Interested? Next Steps

Want to know more? Contact the current Community Council Chair, Ralph Averbuch, on 01875 340 641 or 07920 094 923 to discuss how you can get involved. Or you can email chair@pencaitland.org.

This is your chance to represent your local community and directly affect the way it develops in the future. Come along and be part of the team.


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News

East Lothian Bus Forum tackles transport troubles

East Lothian has a chequered history when it comes to public transport policy. In an effort to foster joined up thinking the new transport Convenor Michael Veitch initiated the East Lothian Bus Forum.

The new 113 single decker buses being operated by East Lothian Buses connects Pencaitland and Ormiston to Edinburgh.
The new 113 single deckers being operated by East Lothian Buses connects Pencaitland and Ormiston to Edinburgh.
The first meeting took place on the 27th of November. The intention is that meetings will be held regularly, bringing together bus users, operators and other interested parties.

The first meeting was very well attended with representatives from across the county, all the key operators and a number of ELC Councillors. A synopsis of the topics covered and who attended can be seen here.

Intrinsic to the launch of this new group was RELBUS, short for Rural East Lothian Bus Users. This is a campaigning body intent on helping to promote better bus services across the county. We would encourage bus users to join. Membership is free.