Since the last Newsletter was written in April, there have been a number of changes to the way things work in Midlothian and all of Scotland. We now have our own Scottish Parliament and our own member for Midlothian, Rhona Brankin, who is coming to give us what should be a very interesting talk on 9th November (see panel below). In the election of our MSPs, a new system was used whereby some members were elected by Proportional Representation; these members are known as ‘List Members’ and represent their party rather than themselves. The exciting thing here is that Lothian is the only region to elect a Green Party member (Robin Harper, who headed the Green Party list). This reflects, I think, our concern in the Lothians for the environment and should bode very well for the future.

We also had Local Council elections at the same time as the Scottish Parliamentary election. Sadly, our friend and supporter Councillor Bill Geddes has now retired, though he is doing well and has been seen out and about by a number of us. I know everyone would want to send him our very best wishes. The good news, however, is that our new Councillor is Derek Milligan, who has lived in Bonnyrigg/Lasswade all his life and is constantly active in trying to do all he can to help us forward with our plans, including those concerning the environment, so important to us all.

Many of the things we are working for were mentioned in the April Newsletter; and there are still no definite decisions to report. The North Esk Walkway, Springfield Mill and its adjoining land, Lasswade Village and Mavisbank are the most important of these and there are separate reports about them further on in the newsletter. We fully appreciate the need for housing in Midlothian, not to mention the employment this could bring. Midlothian, however, is a small but very scenic and attractive county so that we all want to see continuing protection and improvement of our countryside and, as we have said many times before, further development of rural walks and paths.

Bilston Viaduct has now been re-opened, having been completely renovated. It can by used by pedestrians, horses (with riders!) dogs (well controlled) and bicycles, and is suitable for both prams and wheelchairs; everything in fact except cars. It is a very striking construction with a wonderful view of the valleys beneath and the trees all around. We are planning a walk which will include a crossing of this viaduct on Sunday, 17th October (see foot of page 1.)

This is the acronym for Springfield Mill Action Group and comprises a number of people living mostly in the Polton area. As was mentioned in April, their aim is to stop the building of 25 houses there and to turn the area into a wild-life sanctuary. It is right beside the River North Esk and just below the Hewan Bank, part of a lovely walk on the other side of the river. The leaders of this Group have been most successful in drawing the attention of a large number of people, including several of our Councillors, to the possibilities of the area. SMAG would like to see the mill demolished, and the rough ground cleared and allowed to return to its natural state; they have written an excellent paper on the subject. Let me end by saying that they have the full support of the Society in what they are doing

Discussions are continuing to develop an integrated pathway system along the North Esk River linked with the old railway lines on both sides of the valley. The recent opening of the refurbished Bilston Glen Viaduct furthered another important stage in this programme and many other lesser projects are also underway.

Overall co-ordination is by the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust which is conducting a comprehensive assessment of what still has to be done and what enabling arrangements will be required with local landowners. The GBT cautions that although many sections of this 27 - mile pathway system from the Pentland Hills to the sea will be available earlier, it will be several years before the full continuous route is opened for public use.

Meanwhile we have been collaborating with the GBT in its consultation process and are actively involved with the computer mapping of paths and other environmental features in the Lasswade area. We will be represented at its next formal progress meeting in mid-October.

Negotiations and discussion about the grassy area in the centre of Lasswade have been going on for a considerable time; plans are still to be finalised but we are told that a small part of it may be sold, on the open market this time. The footbridge seems to be regarded by the Council as something which should definitely be built and the Society has opened a "Friends of the Footbridge Account" specially for any money for the bridge which we may obtain. This is indeed an encouraging piece of news … tell your toddlers and dogs about it at once!

Rat-running in Church Road seems to be on the increase. Some years ago it was suggested that ‘Access Only’ signs were placed at both ends of the road; perhaps this should be considered again.

Success: Lasswade District Civic Society has received the ‘Environmental Award for Most Improved Large Community’. This was awarded for continuing maintenance of local footpaths. The award took the form of a share in a very large silver cup which was presented to Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council; it was to be shared by ourselves, Lasswade Community School (for improvements to the playing field) and St. Mary’s Primary for work in the playground. The cup was presented at the Vogrie Festival Day last August.

Other News: Our AGM was held on 4th May and around 35 members were present. We had several very interesting discussions, and a number of suggestions were put forward. Unfortunately, Robin Buchanan had decided to retire from the Committee; he had been Treasurer for several years, and had been a Committee Member for at least l0 years. Among the many other ways in which he helped us, he will be remembered for pouring us those nice ‘Robin-sized’ glasses of wine at all our public meetings! Thank you, Robin, for all your help and support .... we will miss you. George Armstrong also retired but we hope he will be able to return when he has more time available.

Our new Treasurer is Bill Dobson and we are very grateful to Bill for taking this on. We have another new Committee Member, Tim Tuke, who lives down beside Polton Bridge. There have been no other changes and we much appreciate the time given up for the benefit of the Society by all our Committee Members.

The Society has drawn Historic Scotland’s attention to the urgent need to remove the invasive self-seeded saplings from the wall-heads of this important Listed Building, before root growth and frost damage cause irrecoverable damage to its facade

Historic Scotland’s response was immediate and positive; its specialised monument conservation unit is promising early preventative work to bring the problem under control. It has also advised that a meeting is planned with Midlothian Council in October 1999 to discuss the longer-term future of this building and its surrounding policies - we shall await the outcome with great interest in view of its crucial importance to the amenity of our area.

Similarly, we have contacted Rail Property Ltd. in York regarding the self-seeded shrubs and saplings on the viaduct which crossed the North Esk river valley, to enable a regular train service to Polton Village until 1964. This organisation has confirmed that it will undertake the necessary preservation work during the current financial year and we would therefore hope to see results over the next few months.

Further, we have also approached the Community Service Division of Midlothian Council regarding the self-seeded shrubs in the wallheads of the Calderwood, Eldin, Melville and Preston Aisles of the old church. We now await its promised follow-up action.

Although currently we have 354 Adult members there must be other local residents who would like to know a little more about our Society. We are keen to welcome new members and would be grateful if you know of friends or neighbours who may be interested to telephone and give their names and addresses to the Membership Secretary, Anna Dobson - 663 8103 and she will send them an Introductory Pack.

Britain is way behind many of our European neighbours in re-cycling domestic waste by siphoning off at source waste glass, paper, cans etc. It is even further behind in setting up recycling facilities where waste collected from the door-step can be sorted and processed at a central point. The UK has only one such plant.

At present nearly all Midlothian’s domestic waste goes to landfill sites, while less than 3% is recycled - a figure less than half the paltry Scottish average. The good news is that the Council’s Waste Management Plan aims drastically to alter this picture; amongst other things, by the setting up of a complex (to be built and operated by Hanson Waste Management) at Drummond Moor (between Rosewell and Howgate). This would mechanically sort out metals and other materials and produce compost from the organic component. Up to 38% of the material reaching the plant would be re-cycled, with the balance going to landfill. This is an exciting project which has now reached the formal planning stage.

Members will remember that a new application was put forward to build 35 houses at Polton Farm. Many of you wrote to object (there were 75 letters of objection in all) and it was finally decided last Thursday, 23.9.99, that permission would not be given for the development to go ahead. It is really good news for us all that this lovely valley is to be preserved.

Remember that we are always keen to know what you think about local matters, so do be sure to contact one of us (see phone numbers panel) about anything which concerns you.

Meanwhile, all good wishes to everyone.

Chairman