At last week’s Pencaitland Community Council meeting the issue of a spate of break-ins & thefts in the area was raised with attending Police reps.
At last week’s Community Council meeting the issue of break-ins was raised with attending Police reps.
A number of bikes have been taken from properties around Fa’side. There have also been break-ins with valuables stolen.The Community Council understands that there has been a spate of opportunistic break-ins across the ward. From what can be gathered it is believed that these recent crimes can be attributed to an individual known to the Police.
Fortunately, it is important to emphasise that crime of any kind is almost a non-issue in this part of East Lothian.
The modus operandi of this current perpetrator is to take advantage of unlocked car or home doors, taking anything of value.
More recently a number of people have reported their bikes being stolen and we have fresh accounts of people discovering that valuables or cash have been taken from their homes whilst they slept. According to Police the person behind this activity takes full advantage of the fact that many houses are simply left unlocked.
The advice is simple. Do lock garages, car doors and most importantly your home’s doors and windows at all times.
If you have recently lost anything valuable please report this to the local Police. You can email the Fa’side community police here.
Since October 2012 Pencaitland has seen the return of both Cub and Beaver Scouts. Now plans are being made to launch Scouts for older kids.
Since October 2012 Pencaitland has seen the return of both Cub and Beaver Scouts. Now plans are being made to launch Scouts for older kids.
Pencaitland 1st Scouts aims to bring a Scout troop for 10 to 14 year olds to Pencaitland… but it needs adult helpers to make it a reality.Scouting is a great way for both boys and girls to learn a wide range of practical and inter-personal skills as they grow into young adults. Now with troupes for both six to eight year olds and eight to ten, the next phase is the launch of a full Scout troop for kids ranging from ten and a half up to 14 years of age.
The Scout Troop forms the senior section of Scout Groups. Since 2003 it has been open to ten and a half to 14 year olds. This Troop is the longest running section within the UK organisation, although it was originally termed the Scout Patrol when the movement started back in 1907.
Local organiser Ken McNight is keen to talk to any parents or other adult helpers willing or able to spare their time, however limited, to help bring this next stage of the Scouting movement back to the village.
Meeting Planned
A meeting is planned for the 11th of December in the Winton Arms at 8pm in order to recruit a team of people keen to make this happen. It’s only through volunteers that have helped out to date that we already enjoy both Cubs and Beavers Scouts. Now it’s your chance to get all three local Scout sections based back in Pencaitland.
Please come along on the 11th and help make this next step a reality. Don’t assume that someone else will step up and make it happen. Sadly that’s what contributed to the previous demise of Scouts in Pencaitland over ten years ago. Everyone who wants to help is very welcome and very much needed, and the more that help the easier it is and the less each person will need to do individually.
If you can’t make it to the meeting on the 11th please contact Ken directly on his email at kenneth@commsworld.com.
Ian Archer was kind enough to bring along some of his white-coated colleagues to last night’s Halloween Cubs night in Trevelyan Hall, treating the kids to practical hands-on experiments and a small fireworks display.
Ian Archer was kind enough to bring along some of his lab-coated colleagues from Ingenza to last night’s Halloween Cubs night in Trevelyan Hall, treating the kids to practical hands-on experiments and a small fireworks display.
There were also prizes for the best pumpkin designs.
If you don’t see the photos below you can view them here.
Pencaitland Scouts have been through exciting times with many new kids & volunteers since being revived in 2012. Can you help build on this great start?
Pencaitland Scout Group has been through a very exciting period with increasing numbers of children and adult volunteers since being revived in 2012.
Pencaitland is seeking a Group Scout Leader. Could you help? Click to find out more about the role…The Scouts now need a Group Scout Leader (GSL). This is a volunteer manager role that is responsible for leading the Scout Group and ensuring that our youngsters get the best quality Scouting possible.
How can I help?
The search is now on for a new GSL. Since the scouts returned to the village it’s become clear that there are some amazing people within and outside the Group and the Scout movement is keen to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to nominate people they feel could take on this role and make that crucial difference.
You are being invited to contribute to this search by submitting a nomination, (or nominations), of persons, including yourself, who you feel should be considered for this important and rewarding role.
As well as considering those for nomination the Scouting movement is asking you to share this information with your contacts and encourage them to nominate candidates for this role.
Who can I nominate?
Self nominations are actively encouraged and expected. If you believe you can bring the right skills and expertise to the role and you are enthusiastic and motivated then why not nominate yourself? If you don’t, and are not nominated by someone else, you may miss out.
To nominate others or yourself please complete this Nomination Form and either post or email it to Scott Burton. You can also contact Scott Burton, Local Development Officer for South East Scotland Scouts, or Liz Wilson, District Commissioner for East Lothian Scout District, to have an informal chat about the role and what it entails.
It does not matter if the individual you want to nominate is new to Scouting. Scouting has a comprehensive adult training scheme which can provide training and support for anyone new to the role, enabling the individual to develop. What is important is for them to bring the leadership and skills that will continue to move the Pencaitland Scout Group from strength to strength.
What’s in it for me?
In the role of GSL you can make a real difference to local young people by working with a team of like-minded volunteers to deliver Scouting. You will be responsible for ensuring each adult has what they need to be confident in their role, whilst being able to fit the role around your availability – you don’t need to be down at the Group every week nor do any direct youth work! To get you up to speed you will have access to training relevant to the role and will receive an induction, as well as on-going support from the team at Scouts Scotland.
More information on the role
Click above for more details [PDF]
The postal address for nominations is:
Scott Burton
South East Scotland Scouts
15 Valleyfield Street
Edinburgh
EH3 9LP
The search will close on 29th November 2013 so please ensure your nomination is in in good time.
What happens next?
Nominations will be reviewed by the search team and a shortlist drawn up for interview. If you are unsure or would like a non-committal chat about the role, or any nominations you wish to make, then please do contact either Scott or Liz to discuss further.
Pencaitland’s regular festival of fireworks is slated to take place on Saturday the 2nd of November, starting at 7pm. Gates will open at 6.15pm.
A. Pencaitland’s Annual Fireworks display.
Come and enjoy the 2013 Fireworks Display in Pencaitland this year and help raise much needed funds for local educational needs.Pencaitland’s regular festival of fireworks is slated to take place on Saturday the 2nd of November, starting at 7pm. Gates will open at 6.15pm.
As per last year’s event the Fireworks display returns to Lempockwells Field just south of Lamberton Court and to the west of Lempockwells Road. You can view the Fireworks Location and main entrance here.
Tickets for adults cost £5, £3 for a child or a family ticket costs £13 (this includes two adults and up to four kids). Under 5s get free entry.
You can purchase tickets from the School Office or by calling 01875 340 260. Tickets are also available from the Spar Shop, the Granny Shop, or at the gate on the evening. However, if you plan to come and support the event please try to buy before the big night to ease congestion.
Remember that all funds raised go towards many much needed and very necessary resources at Pencaitland Primary School.
Locals, including sixteen and seventeen year olds are being encouraged to register to take part in the independence referendum next year.
Locals, including sixteen and seventeen year olds are being encouraged to register to take part in the independence referendum next year.
Locals, including sixteen and seventeen year olds are being encouraged to register to take part in the independence referendum next year.Lothian residents will soon receive annual electoral registration forms through the post and are being encouraged to complete and return them so they can have their say at next year’s poll.
In 2014 Electors will also be able to cast their vote at the European election in May as well as the independence referendum in September.
Anyone who is aged 16 or over on 18 September 2014 will be able to vote in the referendum, so every house is also being sent a ‘young voters’ form to register their details.
People completing the registration forms are being urged to make sure the details of any 16 or 17 year olds are included.
Electoral Registration Officer Joan Hewton explains: “People are talking about the referendum with family and friends, but the only way to have your say is to vote on 18 September 2014, so make sure you’re registered to vote. Registering is quick and simple. All you have to do is update and return the registration forms with details of everyone who lives in your household and is eligible to vote; and remember to include anyone who will turn 16 by 18th September 2014. It’s straightforward, any young person who is 15 and will be 16 by the 18th September 2014 should add their details to the young person’s form and anyone 16 or over should add their details to the main household canvass form.”
For more information or if you don’t receive a form shortly contact the electoral registration office on 0131 344 2500.
Last week contractors came to lay fresh tarmac at problem hotspots around Pencaitland. But some locals were concerned.
Last week contractors came to lay fresh tarmac at problem hotspots around Pencaitland. But some locals were concerned.
Locals have been making greater use of services such as FixMyStreet to alert the Council to problems.That concern centered around the belief that the new looking tarmac did not appear to have been compressed with a roller, leaving what looks a little like a black cake mix that hasn’t been given the rolling pin treatment to smooth it out.
The Community Council subsequently contacted East Lothian Council with these concerns, receiving a quick and detailed explanation from Stuart Baxter, Senior Area Officer West, highlighting why the newly covered roads look so different from traditional tarmac. We have reproduced the explanation below:
The process carried out in Lamberton Court and Bruce Grove this week is a Carriageway Microasphalt, this process is widely used by local authority road maintenance departments throughout the United Kingdom and is an excellent, preventative maintenance process that will seal a surface against the ingress of water and prevent further disintegration of the existing surface.
This process is often used on the UK wide trunk road network and can extend the life of a road by up to ten years or even longer depending on the location and is an excellent cost effective means of prolonging the life of a road.
The process involves 2 stages, the first stage is the application of the Microasphalt, during the second stage ironwork is raised to the new surface level , the second part of this process is still to be carried out at these locations.
All works carried out by sub-contractors on behalf of East Lothian Council are supervised by an engineer and any defects detected during the construction or subsequent 12 months after construction are notified to the contractor for remedial works at their cost.
Mr Baxter also gave preliminary dates for when tarmac work is expected on both Woodhall Road and the main road through Pencaitland, from the crossroads at the eastern village entrance to the junction with Lempockwells Road.
The proposed resurfacing works on Woodhall Road and A6093 in Pencaitland are included in this year’s 2013-2014 programme of resurfacing works, Woodhall Road is currently programmed to be complete by the end of November 2013, however work to the A6093 is dependent on the successful completion of a proposed new gas supply to Glenkinchie which is currently due for completion late January 2014.
All programmed dates are however subject to change due to other works and changes to priorities.
Locally the public counter at Tranent Police Station may close, whilst all police traffic wardens are likely to be withdrawn across Scotland.
Locally the public counter at Tranent Police Station may close, whilst all police traffic wardens are likely to be withdrawn across Scotland.
Following a review Police Scotland plans to remove counter service from Tranent police station and remove all remaining police traffic wardens across Scotland. Click above for more information.A recent Police Scotland review has resulted in proposals to pull traffic wardens across the whole of Scotland and locally to reduce counter cover to Haddington and Musselburgh.
As it affects this part of the county, Tranent will probably lose its public counter provision. Changes would also be made to the opening times of the public counters at the Musselburgh and Haddington police stations, both of which would open 8am-6pm seven days a week – increasing the number of days the stations open and meaning they would open early all days, but losing late openings during the week.
Police Scotland is keen to get feedback from anyone with a view on this re-organisation. You can get further details from the Police Scotland website
