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LASSWADE DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2000 |
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CONTENTS Click on the links below or just work you way through the document |
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OUR WEBSITE |
SPRINGFIELD MILL |
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LASSWADE AND THE MILLENIUM On January 1st and after, despite all the forebodings that were expressed, I think most people found that really everything was just the same. There were no major power failures, no unworkable cashline machines leaving us penniless, and transport continued as before, not as good as we would have liked but no different. Dates and year numbers, after all, are no more than a convenient labelling system so cannot really alter anything (once the computers are working again). None the less, LDCS does have some Millennium News' for all its members. The first item is that we are now on the internet with our own website. The address is www.lasswade.free-online.co.uk and on it can be found information about the Society, names and phone numbers of committee members, and copies of some more recent news-letters. There are also some photographs of local views. We hope that members will contact us on this address with any contributions, points of view, queries, or matters of interest to local residents as well as people from further afield. We would also be very happy to have some really good local photographs, old or new, to add to our small supply. These photos can be sent to us on the internet.....provided of course you have the equipment and the know-how! Instructions for making comments or contributions are on the website. If anyone is experiencing difficulty in accessing the website or wishes to know more about it please contact Tim Tuke: 0131 654 0827 One of the more interesting items of news is that action is finally being taken towards the restoration of Mavisbank House. As we all know, the house and its policies form the Mavisbank Conservation Area and the house is a scheduled Ancient Monument. A joint steering group has been set up to look into ways of funding this restoration project; a number of organisations are represented, most importantly Midlothian Council, Historic Scotland and the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust. A great deal of money will be needed for this but so very many people want it to come about that surely it is only a matter of time before work on the project can finally begin. Mavisbank, designed by Sir John Clerk and William Adam in 1723, would become one of the finest Adam houses in Scotland. Finally, our own footbridge which all our pedestrians will be able to use to cross over into the Lasswade Park seems about to become a reality. We have had several meetings with Midlothian about this; one of their officials said to me "We all seem to want the same things so there should not be any serious problems." For more news on this topic see page 2. |
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To mark the We have set up a Website at: www.lasswade.free-online.co.uk (see article above) |
Our ever popular annual party will be held on FRIDAY 10TH MARCH 2000 8.00 TO 10.00 PM ST LEONARDS CHURCH HALL Your local Distributor will call to offer you tickets and collect subscriptions - details page 2 |
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Designation of Land in Kevock Valley Midlothian Council is in dispute with the new owners of the field lying to the east of the Riding Stables. The incomers wish it to be registered as a "Retail Scrapyard" which means it would become a very anti-social commercial site overlooked by large sections of our community; further, it could be deemed a "Brownfield Site" which might then facilitate the approval of a housing development. Once more, conservation of the precious and fragile ambience of our North Esk river valley is under threat. In the event, the matter became the subject of a Public Local Inquiry over three days in December, held in front of a Reporter from the Scottish Ministers Office. The Society gave evidence in support of Council officials against the application and a judgement is expected to be published in April. |
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In November we heard a very interesting talk by our local Member on the Scottish Executive’s intentions to foster cultural enhancement throughout the country for "Celebrating Scotland". It has been conducting a widespread consultation process to assess the requirements for a National Cultural Strategy as part of its Partnership for Scotland programme. This will involve development of individual, community and national needs in the arts, museums, libraries, historic conservation, language and traditions, and the international promotion of the Scottish ethos. |
Membership Subscriptions for Families £3; Individuals £2; Concessions £1 Many thanks to our conscientious group of Distributors who will be calling shortly to collect your subs and to offer WINE AND CHEESE Tickets £4.50 each |
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LASSWADE FOOTBRIDGE AND AMENITY GARDEN Considerable effort is now being applied towards the funding and project planning of the proposed Footbridge and Amenity Garden at the River North Esk in Lasswade Village. This project will provide a new link to our isolated and little-used public park with its war memorial, sports pavilion and children’s playground. The existing park entrance requires pedestrians to cross the continuously-busy A768 commuter road through the village on the Bonnyrigg side of the bridge, and the safety risks for family groups and young children are so great that very few attempt the journey. The Society has been appointed as an "Environmental Body" by The Environmental Trust Scheme Regulatory Body Ltd. and has been allocated a Project No. to enable it to gain Landfill Tax funding for the installation costs. The detailed design phase will begin shortly. In parallel, the Society is also negotiating suitable terms for a short-term lease of the Public Amenity Land in the centre of the village, so that it will have a formal entitlement to promote the construction work with support from Midlothian Council and other bodies. |
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At their meeting on 7th December Midlothian Council voted to change the designation of the Springfield Mill from "housing" to "preferred wildlife site". This was the result of some extremely hard work by SMAG (Springfield Mill Action Group) members over the past nine months. They have appreciated the support of a number of local and national organisations, including our Society. The hard work certainly has not finished. SMAG has now been given six months in which to satisfy the Council that they can raise the necessary funds (around £200,000) and resolve certain ownership issues. The site could revert to housing if they do not succeed, but they are determined that they will, particularly now that it is clear that they have the Council on their side. |
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will be held on |
Our guided walk in October through the woods above Polton Village to introduce the newly-opened Bilston Glen Viaduct took place in delightful autumnal weather. It was greatly enjoyed by nineteen members and guests and an enthusiastic parade of some half-dozen "four-footed friends". |
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As you know our area has many litter problems. Individual members have taken the initiative to clear-up litter from key sites which have been an eye-sore such as the small grassy area by the Laird and Dog; the Wee Brae and St. Leonard’s Lane. If we keep the village litter free will it encourage the public to keep it that way?? An idea we have heard discussed is to site a wheely bin in St. Leonard’s Lane provided the Council agrees to this. If this request is granted the group would like to ask our Lasswade Community School to invite the pupils to decorate the sides and top. A nearby resident has offered to move the bin to an accessible emptying point each week. |
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We still await a practical response from Rail Property Ltd., York regarding the invasive growth on the Viaduct. We will pursue this matter again if the work is not undertaken as promised during this financial year. |
In our last Newsletter we noted that we had asked Midlothian Council to remove the vegetation on the ruins of the Old Churchyard and are pleased to report that this was completed last October. |
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Margaret Workman Peter Scola 660 1865 Any comments, suggestions |
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This is not really an end but a beginning, the beginning of all the new plans which are to improve the quality of life in our area. Our surroundings tell us this too, for if you look carefully, there are already shoots pushing their diffident way through the cold, hard ground. As we all look ahead and plan for the future, we must perhaps remember how important it is to have a positive approach to what lies before us. This makes life more fun! My very good wishes to everyone in the year 2000. Margaret Workman |
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Excellent News
