Midlothian News (March)

THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF MIDLOTHIAN COUNCIL ISSUE 50 • MARCH 2011

■ www.midlothian.gov.uk ■ COUNCILLOR CONTACTS – page 8 ■ CUIKEN CRUNCH – page 9

M IDLOTHIAN Council hasagreed to freeze counciltax in the county for the

fifth year in a row. Councillors agreed that council

tax paid by Midlothian residentswould remain at the current levelfor the next 12 months.

Council Leader Councillor Derek Milligan said: “We’vereluctantly agreed to the ScottishGovernment’s funding package. Ifwe hadn’t, we would have seenour funding cut by £10.8 million.

“We feel, therefore, we had noreal option but to accept the deal.

“The government’s offer camewith a number of strings attached,setting out areas we can’t touch.That means we’ll need to look atother areas and services now forthe savings we know we have to

make – and the services affectedmay be the ones our residents havetold us they want to see protected.”

As Midlothian News went topress, the Council was meeting on22 February to confirm how it willmake the savings required tobalance next year’s budget.

At £150.9 million, the ScottishGovernment’s contribution toMidlothian Council for 2011/12 is down £4.4 million on theprevious year.

Councillor Milligan said: “Thechallenge is not just how we aregoing to balance the budget forthe next financial year, these cutsover the next three years will befelt for decades to come.

“Services and how they aredelivered will be changingdramatically.”

No increase in council tax for the fifth year in a row

WITH his recent appointment to theBritish junior judo squad, MatthewAllison is a force to be reckoned with.

The 17-year-old St David’s High Schoolpupil is looking forward to competingagainst the best in the world.

Matthewversusthe world

FULL STORY: SEE PAGE 6

SNAPSBRING ITALL BACKPAGE 8

SHIRLEY’SSTORY OFSIBLINGSPAGE 5

HILLENDKIDS GETTHE TUBE!PAGE 3

TAX ISFROZENAGAIN

2

W I T H t h e S c o t t i s hParliamentary Electionstaking place on Thursday,5 May it might seem thatthere’s plenty of time toensure you can vote.

However, you only haveuntil Friday, 15 April toadd your name to theelectoral register.

Anyone who misses the

deadline will not be ableto vote.

On the same day (5 May),you will be asked to take

part in a UK referendumon the voting system toelect MPs to the House of Commons.

Make sure you can vote on 5 May

WHITEHILL WelfareFC, based in theRosewell area, is

the latest football club inMidlothian to achievethe Scottish FA QualityMark award.

Helping the club achievethe award is the mostrecent success in theCouncil’s work with theSFA to help in developingfootball and football clubsin Midlothian.

Midlothian Council’s SFADevelopment Officer KeithWright worked closely withthe club to ensure theyoperated to the required

standard for the award.Whitehill Welfare FC is thetenth club out of 12 inMidlothian to achieve theSFA Quality Mark. This

includes helping create arobust and sustainable clubstructure and ensuring theclub meets basic standards.

The Quality Mark is anindication that Whitehill

Welfare FC works to a very high standard, forexample, using qualifiedcoaches, working closelywith child protectionofficers and putting clearprocedures in place.

Councillor Peter Boyes,M i d l o t h i a n C o u n c i lCabinet Member withresponsibility for Sport andLeisure, said: “Achieving a Scottish FA Quality Mark award is a greatachievement for any club.Whitehill Welfare FC, theirplayers and supporters, canbe proud that the club hasput in the hard work to

achieve this accolade. TheCouncil works closely withthe SFA to develop footballand football clubs inMidlothian.”

O n c e a c l u b h a sestablished a basic clubstructure they can continueto work with the Council’sSFA Development Officerto grow to ‘DevelopmentClub’ status. Three clubs inMidlothian have reachedD e v e l o p m e n t l e v e l :Loanhead YFC, Arniston

Rangers YFC and BeeslackThistle.

The Council is workingwith a number of clubstowards SFA Qual i tyMarks.

PEOPLE in Pathheadcan now sign up formains gas networkconnection for the first time. Connectionis available to bothprivate and Councilhouseholds. Tenantsand homeowners willbenefit from access tomore cost effectiveheating, which shouldresu l t in reduced fuel bills.

The gas connectionwill help deal with f ue l pove r t y and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will also help improve airquality for residents asfewer households burnfossil fuels.

Our newsite isnow live!THE Council’s new website– www.midlothian.gov.uk– is now live.

By making it possible todo more online, the newwebsite will help cut costs while improvingexperiences for Councilcustomers.

The website project wasdelivered on time andwithin budget.

The new site will make iteasier for customers toaccess services includingpaying council tax andorganising bulky uplifts.

Gas now inPathhead

SFA awards Quality Mark to local club

Whitehill FCis quality!

From left: ex-Hibs star GordonHunter, Whitehill Welfare FC

Coach Alan Ramsay, WhitehillWelfare FC coach Scott Kearsley

and SFA Head of FootballDevelopment Jim Fleeting

“WhitehillWelfare FCcan be proud”

FOR MORE…

Other interested footballclubs can contact KeithWright, MidlothianCouncil SFADevelopment Officer,on 01968 664090.

FOR MORE…

To confirm if you are registered to vote telephone0131 344 3500 or download an application format www.lothian.vjb.gov.uk

FOR MORE…

Call Energy SavingScotland free on0800 512 012during office hoursor visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

3

SNO-TUBING is thenewest sport to hitt h e s l o p e s a t

Midlothian SnowsportsCentre.

Offering an alternative toskiing and snowboarding,the thrill-seeking activity isat tract ing crowds ofchildren to Hillend.

If you’ve not heard of itbefore, Sno-Tubing isrumoured to date back tothe Alps in the 1820s. It’sfairly simple, you pick upyour tube at the top of the

slope, sit in it and slidedown the hill.

Midlothian SnowsportsC e n t re h a s re c e n t l yupgraded its Sno-Tubeswith new stock fromCanada. It’s proving verypopular with kids’ partiesand have-a-go sessions.

All parties include a partymeal in Cafe 360 withfood, drink and a party bag for the kids. Adults can watch over the partyfun from the cafe viewinggallery.

You’re advised to bookkids’ parties (aged four

to 12) early to avoiddisappointment by callingthe centre on 0131 4434 4 3 3 o r v i s i t i n gwww.ski.midlothian.gov.uk

Children’s have-a-got u b i n g s e s s i o n s a reavailable most days duringthe week for children agedfour to 12.

It’s advisable to call thec e n t r e t o c o n f i r mavailability. The centrecaters for single ‘sno-tubers’ as well as groups ofup to 10 children.

ANYONE who has enjoyeda class recently will knowe x a c t l y w h y Z u m b a has become a f i tnessphenomenon.

C o m b i n i n g a e r o b i ce x e r c i s e w i t h L a t i nAmerican and internationaldance steps, Zumba is notjust a fantastic workout – itis really fun.

“There’s such a goodatmosphere, you don’trealise the time because youdon’t look at the clock,” saidnewly qualified Zumbainstructor, Sarah Donnelly.

S a r a h , a To n e z o n einstructor for 13 years with Midlothian Council,takes one of two newZumba classes at thePenicuik Centre.

The classes, open to 30 people, only started inJanuary and they arealready full.

The good news is thecen t re i s one o f s i xMidlothian Council venuesoffering Zumba classes.

Councillor Peter Boyes,Cabinet Member withresponsibility for leisureservices, said: “We arealways looking at new waysto encourage people toadopt a healthier lifestyle.Zumba has proved to beamong our most popularclasses to date.”

Zumba first began in theearly 1990s and wascreated by a Miami baseddancer and choreographer,Beto Perez.

There are estimated to bemore than 7.5 millionZ u m b a d e v o t e e sworldwide, with classesavailable in around 105countries.

Adults of all ages comealong to Sarah’s class. Shesaid: “Anyone can do it.”

An all-body workout,Zumba is great for firmingup the hips and waist, sheexplained.

THE Midlothian Arts and Creativity Team hasrecently appointed JessAbrams as the YouthM u s i c F o r u m C o -ordinator.

Jess has worked incommunity arts projectmanagement for morethan a decade. She’s also amusician and workshopfac i l i tator who worksregular ly wi th youngpeople.

J e s s h a s a s t r o n gcommitment to ensuringthat young people haveaccess to quality music-

making opportunities, and that the musiciansd e l i v e r i n g t h o s eopportunities are wellsupported.

Over the next 12 months,Jess will be working to set

up the Forum, map outand raise awareness ofexisting provision, identifyareas for training anddevelopment, supporti so la ted groups andencourage collaborative

working. She will alsoexplore ways of developingthe Forum further after itsinitial year.

Funding for the post isfrom Creative Scotland’sYouth Music Initiative.

Try Zumba:it’s great fun!

Zumba classes are held at: ■Bonnyrigg

Leisure Centre (0131 663 7579)

■DanderhallCommunity Centre(0131 663 9280)

■Gorebridge Leisure Centre(01875 821 739)

■Mayfield Leisure Centre (0131 663 2219)

■NewtongrangeLeisure Centre (0131 663 4276)

■Penicuik Centre(01968 664 066).

A classnear you

FOR MORE…

Further information can be found atwww.midlothian.gov.uk

Sarah Donnellyputs a Zumbaclass through its paces

Jess heads the Youth Music Forum

IF you are a musicianworking with youngpeople aged up to 25 inMidlothian, you areinvited to attend the firstYouth Music Forum

meeting on Wednesday30 March from 6pm.

T h e m e e t i n g w i l linclude a buffet, guestspeakers and some timefor networking.

Why not get involved?

Get on the tube!

FOR MORE…

To find out more,contact Jess [email protected] or call 0131 271 3750 or07811 331641.

Hillend is home toa cool new sport

4

PATHHEAD resident JamesThomson had ample reasonto want one particular book

of poems recorded onto CD.Not only did James, who is blind,

know the poet Andrew Dodds butthe anthology included a poem ofspecial significance to him.

“I wanted to hear The Road toFala-Dam because that is where Iwas born in 1928,” he explained.

The Library Service f irstpublished the selection of poetryin 2009. It was compiled by LocalStudies Officer Ken Bogle. Jamesasked staff at Dalkeith Library if arecording of the poems could bemade and the Library Service washappy to oblige.

Midlothian poet David C Purdiewas enlisted to record 69 poemsby Andrew Dodds with the help ofstaff and pupils at St David’s HighSchool in Dalkeith.

And at a special ceremony inDalkeith Library, David presentedthe first copy of the CD to James.

The CD is available to buy for

£5 from all Midlothian libraries.Andrew Dodds, who died in

1959 aged 87, was one ofMidlothian’s finest poets. The sonof a miner, his poems capture thebeauty of the local landscape andthe changing fortunes of its people.

Councillor Peter Boyes, CabinetMember with responsibility forlibrary services, said: “It was agreat idea by James Thomson andthanks to his request, many morepeople will get to enjoy the workof this celebrated poet.”

WE want Midlothian News togive you information aboutthe things that areimportant to you.

If you have any suggestionsfor news items, please emailthem to [email protected]

We can’t guarantee to use everything, but your ideas will be considered for publication.

You can nowread all thelatest newsfrom thecouncil on ourFacebook pageand throughTwitter. Searchfor MidlothianCouncil onFacebook, or follow us onTwitter attwitter.com/midgov

If you are organising anevent, please send thedetails to [email protected]

Why not getin touch…or follow us!Poetry for the ear

MORE INFORMATION

For more information onAndrew Dodds: TheMidlothian Poet CD contactLocal Studies Officer Ken Bogleon 0131 271 3976.

Celebrated poems of Andrew Dodds now available on CD

David C Purdie, left, andJames Thomson enjoy thepoems of Andrew Dodds

5

A £1.2 MILLION scheme toregenerate Dalkeith has begun.

The work to improve the town’sHigh Street includes narrowingand resur facing the road,widening pavements and creatinga new pedestrian crossing. Newparking bays and street lightingare being created and the historiccloses are being restored.

During the work, the High Streetis closed to cars and other vehiclesfrom the junction with BuccleuchStreet to the junction with SouthStreet for just over four months.People can still get to all shops onthe High Street.

The two car parks at EskdaillStreet and behind WH Smith, alsoknown as the North Wynd car

park, are open. The Eskdaill Streetcar parks are accessed viaBuccleuch Street. Meanwhile, OldEdinburgh Road and EdinburghRoad are being used as alternativediversion routes.

Councillor Russell Imrie, CabinetMember with responsibility forPlanning and Development,said:”With improvements on this

scale, there will inevitably beshort-term disruption. However,by making the High Street moreattractive to shoppers, residentsand tourists, we are helpingsecure the long term future ofshops and businesses in the area.”

Bus services have also beendiverted and are now using stops on South Street and/or

Buccleuch Street and EskdaillCourt on South Street.

The £1.2 million Dalkeith HighStreet work forms part of a larger£3.3 million investment in thetown centre which includes theTownscape Heritage Initiative andConservation Area RegenerationScheme to improve the historicpart of Dalkeith town centre.

TO foster siblings, you don’tjust need a big bedroomor two. A big heart could

be part of the job description. One foster carer who has love

and patience in spades is ShirleyDelaney. Shirley and herhusband George from Penicuikhave been fostering throughMidlothian Council for six years.

They are currently looking aftera three-year-old boy and hissister, who is nine.

Shirley said: “I don’t know howhe would have coped without hisbig sister. And it’s the same forher. She loves him to bits.”

Finding carers like Shirley andGeorge who are willing to takemore than one child from thesame family can be a challenge.Coping with one child who mayhave been abused or neglected isa big enough task. Looking aftertwo or more siblings with thesame experiences can bedaunting.

But Shirley and George, whohave a 16-year-old daughter anda son, 20, love fostering siblings.“In fact, i t can be heartwrenching when they leave,”said Shirley.

Over the past two years, 34siblings have been fosteredthrough Midlothian Council.Some of these siblinggroups have had to bep laced ou tw i thMidlothian due toa lack of localcarers and somesiblings have hadto be split up.

There is alwaysan adrenaline rushwhen new childrencome to Shirley’s home,she said.

However, once the children getused to routines and boundaries,often for the first time in theirlives, they flourish in their newenvironment.

She added: “Youknow when you see them

helping themselves to somethingin the fridge that they feel reallyat home. It’s great to see that.”

Becoming a foster carer cantake up to a year. There are notonly medical and police checks

but applicants must complete apreparatory course, supplyreferences and agree to beobserved in their home by socialworkers.

However, once approved, theyare well supported in their newrole. Not only do carers have

their own social worker assignedto them who visits every month,there are also regular trainingsessions and organised supportgroups for foster carers.

“It’s a big help being able totalk to people who understand,”said Shirley.

Regeneration work under way in Dalkeith

SOPHIE, 13, Louise, 11 andnine-year-old John* are like anyother sisters and brother.

They like playing on thecomputer, Louise loves horsesand they all enjoy swimming.Of course, they sometimesbicker and there might even bethe odd fleeting wish to be an

only child but in truth, theylove each other very much.

The fact that they can doeverything from play togetherto argue is thanks to fostercarers who welcomed all threeof them into their home.Otherwise, Sophie, Louise andJohn might have been split up.

Louise said: “I think it wasgood. When we first came wewere quite nervous and to haveyour brother and sister meansyou are not so nervous.”

The three children have beenwith their foster carers inDalkeith for 16 months.

Louise remembers settling in

really quickly and whispering toher sister that their new home“was really cool”.

They feel as though they havebeen there for years.

Sophie has not yet decidedwhat she wants to be when sheleaves school.

Louise would like to work with

animals and adopt a boy and girl when she grows up.

And if her own experience ofthe benefit of being fosteredwith siblings is anything to goby, you can bet her adoptedchildren will be brother andsister.

* Not their real names.

‘Having your brother and sister makes you less nervous’

FIND OUTMORE

For more informationabout fostering, call0131 271 3860 or [email protected]

Fostering siblings is veryrewarding, says Shirley

A greatchallenge

Shirley really enjoysfostering siblings and says

it can be ‘heart wrenching’when they leave

76

NEWS FROM LASSWADENEWS FROM DALKEITH

WHEN the camp came intoview, the whole coach fellsilent. Seeing the infamoussign above the gates wasstrange, it was difficult tobelieve we were really here.

Each block of Auschwitz 1has been converted into amuseum. Massive glasscases contained items takenfrom prisoners on arrival.There was a case full ofglasses, and a much largerone filled with artificial legs

with shoes still on the end.As we left the camp to

visit the gas chamberoutside the fence, we sawthe house where the SScommander in charge ofthe camp had lived with hiswife and children.

The guide told us thecommander’s wife liked thelocation as it was peacefuland away from the chaos ofthe war. It was hard toimagine normal life going

on so close to Auschwitz. We then saw the ruins of

the gas chamber which wasburned down by the Nazisbefore the camp’s liberation.

Going to Auschwitz haschanged me in manyways . See ing l i fet r e a t e d a s s odisposable has mademe value my own.

Sarah Buchanan, St David’s HighSchool

WHEN sitting downfor lunch withMatthew Allison

you immediately noticehis broad shoulders, neat posture and warmsmile.

He is well-mannered andpolite, and no one couldguess that behind thisgentle demeanour he is amartial arts master and hasa black belt in judo!

Matthew is 17, and hasbeen doing judo for sixyears. He trains in and

around Edinburgh with hisclub “Just Judo”.

Recently he went to theBritish under-20 trials inSheffield tousling, hustlingand muscling his way to abronze medal and a placein the British squad.Matthew also took silver inhis age group’s category int h e S c o t t i s h j u d o

championship last year,and is training now forupcoming competitions.

He dedicates his triumphsto the inspiration he findsin his coach, the aptlynamed “Big Lee”, andadmits that his mum is acrucial supporter andmotivator. Although he isnot always so grateful to

her for dragging him out ofbed for early morningtraining sessions!

Matthew trains three orfour times a week workingo n h i s t e c h n i q u e ,practising locks and holds,and also conditioning hisbody through sparring.

Currently Matthew is inhis sixth year at St David’sHigh, and has ambitions tojoin the navy as a possiblefuture career.

John Pye, S6, St David’s High School

THE final design of thenew Lasswade Hubrecently faced its

potentially harshest critics– the pupils.

T h a n k f u l l y , t h epresentation of drawings,mounted in the h ighschool’s reception, got morethan a nod of approval.

H e a d B o y C o n n e rMcConnell told the CouncilLeader, Councillor DerekMilligan, he thought the newhub would be a landmark inthe local community.

H e a d G i r l C a r m e nChapman was impressedw i t h t h e c o m m u n i t yfacilities, which include a 25 metre competition pool,all-weather pitch, five sportshalls, a gymnastics arena, acafé, public library and a crèche.

And S1 pupil CatrionaSargeant said she would belooking forward to the newlunch hall because at themoment there were oftenjust not enough seats foreveryone.

S1 pupil Blair Jones gavethe designs the thumbs up

too. He said: “I think itlooks really good.”

Councillor Milligan said:“The se de s i gn s we redeveloped after two roundsof community involvementso being in a position toshow them off here at theschool is another milestonein the project.

“The designs will be on

show to the community fortwo days so it is a greatopportunity for people tocome along and see howtheir ideas have helpedshape not just the look ofthe hub but a l so i t sfacilities.”

The exemplar designprov ides the b idd ingc o n t r a c t o r s w i t h a n

indication of the style,specification and layout ofthe building required. The winning contractor will then develop theserequirements into thef i n i s h e d d e s i g n f o rconstruction.

T h e t h re e s e l e c t e dc o n t r a c t o r s – B A MConstruction, Carillion

Construction and GrahamConstruction – have beeni s s u e d w i t h t e n d e rdocuments and now haveuntil 2 May to submit bids.

The preferred bidder isexpected to be announcedin summer this year andwork is scheduled to starttowards the end of 2011and finish in 2013.

PUP I LS a t L a s swadePrimary School took a bigstep towards becomingMidlothian’s first FairtradePrimary School whenprimary two children soldValentine’s Day roses.

The pupils wrapped each Fairtrade flower incellophane and ribbonb e f o r e a t t a c h i n g amessage and selling themfor £1.

Natalie, 6, gave her roseto her mum, dad and sisterNicole. Connor presentedhis flower to his friend Amyand Isla’s flower was for her gran.

By selling the gifts, thechildren were not justbringing a smile to thefaces of family and friends– as young Jack pointedout: “They also helpfarmers in poor countries.”

The rose sale is just oneinitiative organised by theschool to coincide withFairtrade Fortnight, whichruns from 28 February to13 March.

The primary six pupilsand the primary two pupilshave also just openedTradey Treats, a Fairtradetuckshop selling everythingfrom Fairtrade healthy jellysweets to apple juice.

A Fairtrade committee ofchildren from across theschool is also helping planevents such as a fashionshow and a FairtradeLasswade Cookbook.

Councillor Peter Boyes,Cabinet Member forEducation, congratulatedthe school . He sa id:“Lasswade Primary Schoolhas already been awarded

the second Green Eco flag,so to hear the school is continuing to develop a global dimension to itsactivities is absolutelyterrific.

“ T h e j o u r n e y t obecoming a FairtradeSchool is an excellent wayto find out more about thelives of children and adultsacross the world. Welldone to all the childrenand teachers involved.”

Meanwhile Liam, 6, saidh e t h o u g h t b u y i n gFairtrade products wasvery important. He said: “It means the farmers get money for schools and houses.”

BEING a pupil at DalkeithHigh School is about a lotmore than just turning upto classes and handing inhomework.

At Dalkeith High, pupilswant to achieve, andt e a c h e r s a n d o t h e rmembers of staff want tohelp them do so. Withsporting activities, in-schooland after-school clubs, anda house point system thatmer i ts out of school

achievements for pupils,Dalkeith High is dedicatedto giving pupils the rightstart in life.

I’ve had my fair share o f u p s a n d d o w n s .Fortunately, there is aGuidance team at DalkeithHigh School who will helpyou in every way they can.With their help, I – andmany other students – havebeen able to move on and

look forward to everydaylife at the school.

“Being a part of DalkeithHigh School has made mea more confident individualand someone who looksforward to their future,”says Emma Sturgeon, S2.

“With the help of myteachers, I’m confident I’vemade the right choices inmy subjects for S3, and Iam looking forward to myfuture years at school.”

As Dalkeith High is part ofa larger campus, pupils getto mix with students fromSt David’s and Saltersgate.This gives pupils awarenessof other people and theirbackgrounds and beliefs.Pupils can also share thenew facilities on campussuch as the fitness suite andswimming pool.

“Labor vincit”, our schoolmotto, basically means:“Hard work conquers all.” Ithink that’s the best way tosum up being a pupil atDalkeith High. Everyone atthe school shares the samethirst for hard work. Withthis, we can go on to breakboundaries and achieve ourgoals.

No pupil at Dalkeith Highis the same, and teacherswant to bring out ourpersonalities and talents forus to be proud of.

Sarah Hutchison, S2,Dalkeith High School

A shared thirstfor hard work

L A S S WA D E H i g hSchool’s S6 Eco groupattended the Eco-Schools Conference atthe Scottish Parliamentrecently.

The theme of theevent was sustainablefood production and itsrelationship to theenvironment. ‘Food andthe Environment’ is anew eco-schools topic.

Presentations weregiven by Nigel DonMSP, John Sharp of theScottish InternationalAid Fund and WillieTowers of the MacaulayLand Use ResearchInstitute.

We were also shownaround the Parliament.

The highlights of theday were Robert andAndrew holding a livehen and Vicky andDavid us ing the i rmedical knowledge tosolve soil problems.

The S6 Eco Group

“Being a partof DalkeithHigh Schoolhas mademe a moreconfidentindividual”

Meet St David’sblack belt champ

Children say it withFairtrade flowers

Eco groupexploresfood link

Heads give nod to Hub

Clockwise fromfront left: Catriona,Conner, CouncillorDerek Milligan,Carmen and Blair

Flower powerin action in P2

Matthew trainsthree or four timesa week, practising

his technique

Pupilspleasedwith newdesigns

Matthew is a master ofjudo dedicated to his art

SarahBuchanan

My trip to Auschwitz

Holding a henwas a highlight

8

WARD 1: Penicuik• Ken Brown, Liberal Democrat

0131 271 [email protected]

• Adam Montgomery, Provost, Labour0131 271 [email protected]

• Margaret Wilson, SNP0131 271 [email protected]

WARD 2: Bonnyrigg• Jack Aitchison, Labour


• Bob Constable, SNP0131 271 [email protected]

• Derek Milligan, Leader, Labour0131 271 [email protected]

WARD 3: Dalkeith• Alex Bennett, Labour


• Craig Statham, SNP0131 271 [email protected]

• Margot Russell, Depute Provost,Labour 0131 271 [email protected]

WARD 4: Midlothian West• Russell Imrie, Labour


• Les Thacker, Liberal Democrat0131 271 [email protected]

• Owen Thompson, SNP0131 271 [email protected]

WARD 5: Midlothian East• Lisa Beattie, SNP


• Peter Boyes, Depute Leader, Labour0131 271 [email protected]

• Katie Moffat, Labour0131 271 [email protected]

WARD 6: Midlothian South• Colin Beattie, SNP


• Wilma Chalmers, Labour0131 271 3007 or 07785 [email protected]

• Jim Muirhead, Labour0131 271 [email protected]

COMMITTEE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

If you wish to attend a meeting, please confirm the venue, date and time by calling 0131 270 7500. Or visit: www.midlothian.gov.uk

COUNCILLOR CONTACT DETAILS

Date Time Event Venue

01/03/2011 09:00 Special Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee Midlothian House

01/03/2011 11:00 Cabinet Midlothian House

01/03/2011 14:00 General Purposes Committee Midlothian House

08/03/2011 14:00 Planning Committee Midlothian House

15/03/2011 14:00 Local Review Body Midlothian House

22/03/2011 14:00 Midlothian Council Midlothian House

05/04/2011 11:00 Cabinet Midlothian House

05/04/2011 14:00 General Purposes Committee Midlothian House

NEWBATTLE CommunityH i g h S c h o o l ’ s n e wFacebook and Twitter sitesget the thumbs up.

Ryan Love, Steven Dyer,Steven Wright and Chanisse

Brown were among the firstpupils to click on the socialnetworking pages, whichare two ways the schoolkeeps in touch with parents,pupils and the community.

ALISDAIR McLean, aformer art teacher atNewbattle CommunityHigh School, took thesephotographs of pupils inthe 1970s and 1980s.

Now at GracemountH i g h S c h o o l i nEdinburgh, Alisdair saysthe photograph of pupilsdrawing was taken in his old art room.

It shows first year pupilsdoing a drawing test.They would use chalk and pen and ink to drawnatura l ob jec t s andmachine parts.

He recalls the sponsoredwalk (main photograph)that was held in 1983.

It started out from theschool and went up

through Mayf ie ld toD’arcy, eventually weavingits way to Hagbrae, on to

the Blinkbonny pit andfinally through Westhousesand back to school.

Alisdair said the walk mayhave been used to raisemoney to buy a minibusor fund a foreign trip.

Practically the entireschool took part, withabout 900 pupils al lsetting out in groups.

On the day he zigzaggedover fields to photographas many pupils as possible.

NOT many teenage jobapplicants can list SkySports Student of

The Year Award 2010 ontheir CV.

One inspiring young manwho can is 17-year-oldConor F i t zpa t r i ck o fNewbattle High School.Just weeks after beingpresented with the SkySports Living for Sporttrophy by Olympic goldmedallist Darren Campbell,Conor is applying themotivation and self-beliefdeveloped during theinitiative to securing afuture career.

“I know that when I go foran interview I will be 100 per cent positive that Ican get the job,” said Conor,who has applied to becomea motor mechanic.

Delivered in partnershipwith the Youth Sport Trust,the Sky Sports projectallows schools to use sportto help inspire pupils inother areas of their life.Head of physical educationat the school Bob Foley andhis team have made full useof the scheme, encouragingpupils, including Conor, to

choose a sport they werenot comfortable with. Theidea was to get pupils toface a new challenge.

For Conor that wasbasketball. It has not justintroduced him to a newsport, it has also changedhim as a person.

He has gone from beingincredibly shy, a pupil whorarely attended schoolbecause it was “cool not to”,to being a hard-working,goal-oriented young manadmired by teachers andfellow pupils.

“You can achieve anythingyou want if you set yourmind to it,” said Conor, whowill sit Highers this year.

An ambassador for theschool, Conor also teachesand coaches primary and S1pupils in basketball.

NEWS FROM NEWBATTLE

Sport changedlife for ConorBasketball turns shy lad into a winner

Newbattle embracessocial networking

Photosbring backmemoriesof decadesgone by

DID YOU KNOW?

Newbattle High School’s Twitter tag is@newbattlehigh. Or follow the school at

twitter.com/newbattlehighAlternatively, parents can visit www.newbattle.org.uk

to find out how to join the email list.

From left: Ryan Love,Steven Dyer, Steven Wright andChanisse Brown

ConorFitzpatrick

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BURNT Out Records, PenicuikHigh School’s record label, wasestablished in 2007 and iscurrently in its fourth school yearof running.

There are four artists signed tothe label: Lynsey Duncan, SarahMills, Nicole Murray and FinlayNoble Chamings.

The record label has establishedThe Hub – previously the PenicuikLibrary – as a live venue. The Hubhas hosted performances byestablished bands, includingyoung folk musician of the year

and former Penicuik High pupilSiobhan Miller.

Burnt Out Records promotesyouth talent and recording as allof the music, organisation, andrunning of the company is doneby the pupils themselves.

Since 2007, it has established abond with the Sound Café, aprofessional recording studio atNine Mile Burn. This is a fantasticopportunity for the young peopleinvolved as it gives them thechance to get work experienceoperating in a professional studio.

It also enables each of the label’sartists to learn how to record asong and gives them theexperience of recording within aprofessional environment with thesupport of a profess ionalrecording team. The four signedmembers of the record label arecurrently recording EPs whichthey have written and performed.

Another ve r y impress i veachievement of the label has beenthe recording of a CD withP e n i c u i k H i g h S c h o o l ’ spartnership school, Thyolo High

School in Malawi. When theschool ran a trip to Malawi acouple of years ago, the group ofstaff and pupils took musicequipment over with them andrecorded music played by thechildren of Thyolo.

When they returned to Penicuik,the Burnt Out Records teammixed it with music played bypupils from Penicuik High Schoolto create songs which joined thetwo schools together.

Fraser Clarke and David Gallagher, S6

NEWS FROM PENICUIK

S3 PUPILS from BeeslackCommunity High Schoolheld an AmnestyInternational greeting cardevent recently.

The aim was to write cardsto show support forprisoners of consciencearound the world.

Sending a card with asimple, personal greeting isa powerful way to showsupport for people facinghuman rights abuse.

Messages of friendship andsolidarity can providestrength, hope andencouragement to therecipients, showing themthat people care and theyare not alone.

There were sevenpeople/groups to whichcards could be sent.

These included cases in the Russian Federation (still no news of the personthree years after they wereabducted); El Salvador(sisters still missing after 28 years); and Rwanda (aman sentenced to 19 yearsin prison after an unfair trial).

This event took placeduring the school lunchhour and there was afantastic turnout.

Alongside the card writing, there was also ahome-baking sale.

A grand total of £220 wasraised and about 120 cardswere written.

Hugh O’Reilly, S3

Amnestymessagesmake adifference

Siobhan Miller andGina Leslie perform at

The Hub to launchtheir second album

Cool music comes from Burnt Out records

ENTERPRISING PrimarySeven Pupils at CuikenPrimary School in Penicuik

have started their ownbreakfast club.

Midlothian News went alongon just its second day of serviceto get a taste of its success…

By 8.40am, the Cuiken Crunchhad welcomed 30 pupils. Aaronon the door collected the 50pcharge for breakfast while Zoe,also in P7, was busy helpinghead teacher Anne Robertsondish out healthy, sugar-freecereals, toast and orange juice.

She only had time to nod whenasked if she is enjoying herself.

While she spread jam on a sliceof brown bread, Mrs Robertsonexplained the six-week pilotscheme is part of the pupils’enterprise project.

Before even a table was laid,the pupils involved wereinstructed by a member of theRoyal Bank of Scotland in theins and outs of profit and loss.

Teams were set up to cover allbusiness aspects of the venturefrom sales and marketing tofinance. The groups organisedflyers, informed parents, cameup with the name and organiseda rota.

They were even interviewed byteachers for their jobs.

The hard work seems to havepaid off. One customer, Lewisfrom P4, was there for thesecond time.

He had polished off Weetabixand toast.

“I think it is a great idea, it getsyou into school quicker,” he said.

The Cuiken Crunch is open on

Tuesdays, Wednesdays andThursdays in the school from8.30am.

Calum, from P7, said: “It’sgreat for mums and dads whowork if we can come here.”

Meanwhile, Eilidh and Erinfrom P4 were giving the CuikenCrunch the thumbs up.

“You get to eat breakfast a bitlater when you are actuallyhungry,” was their view.

L ea rn ing and Teach ingScotland is funding the pilotscheme as part of the ScottishGovernment ’ s en te rpr i seinit iat ive, Determined toSucceed.

Mrs Robertson said: “TheCuiken Crunch is not justsatisfying a demand amongparents and pupils to sendchildren to school having eatena healthy breakfast.

“It is also teaching the pupilsvaluable lessons in teamwork,organisat ion , money andcommunication.”

A toast to the newbreakfast clubCuiken Crunch is a hit with hungry pupils

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EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS24-Hour Emergency Service 0131 663 7211

Emergency Social Work Service 0800 731 6969

Building Standards 0131 271 3320

Cemeteries 0131 561 5280

Childcare Information Service 0131 271 3754

Community Learning and Development 0131 271 3625

Commercial Services (General Enquiries) 0131 663 1103

Corporate Services:

Council Tax, Rents and Benefits

Revenues Helpline 0131 271 3201

Telephone Payments 0131 660 1845

Education and Communities 0131 270 7500

Environmental Health 0131 270 7500

Food/Health & Safety/Trading Standards 0131 271 3549

Housing:

Allocations 0131 271 3394

Midlothian Energy Advice Centre (Changeworks) 0800 512 012

Repairs 0131 663 7211

Sales 0131 271 3165

Homelessness Section 0131 271 3607

Emergency Homeless 0131 663 7211

The Point 0131 270 8914

Library HQ 0131 271 3980

Planning 0131 271 3302

Recycling Helpline 0845 130 2322

Refuse Collection/Bulky Uplifts/Street Cleaning 0131 561 5284

Registrar: Births, Deaths, Civil Ceremonies 0131 271 3281/2

Roads: Clarence (Complaints/Pavements/Street Lights etc) 0800 23 23 23

Sports and Leisure 01968 664061

Social Work:

Dalkeith Centre: Children and Families/Criminal Justice 0131 271 3860

Loanhead Centre: Community Care, Adults 0131 271 3900

Travel Team:

Blue Badges, Taxicards and Ring & Go 0131 561 5442

Concessionary Bus Passes 0131 561 5455

Bus Stops and Shelters, Bustracker 0131 561 5446

Travelmap, Tripshare, bus route development 0131 561 5443

School transport 0131 561 5453

Bus/train timetable enquiries – Traveline (24hours)

(10p per minute from BT landline) 0871 200 2233

BT Text Relay Operator 0870 240 5152

For a full list of Council numbers, call ourswitchboard on 0131 270 7500 or visit thewebsite at www.midlothian.gov.uk

All Midlothian Council offices are open

9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-3.30pm on Friday except the Housing/CouncilTax Office at Buccleuch House, which opens at 10am on Wednesdays.

MAIN CONTACT NUMBERS

Midlothian Council • Midlothian House • Buccleuch Street • Dalkeith • EH22 1DJwww.midlothian.gov.uk

11

FROM THE PROVOST

I WAS at Newbattle Abbey Collegerecently to help launch a greatnew tourism scheme.

Under the new initiative, knownas Midlothian Themed TourismEvent Fund, events in Midlothianwhich focus on food and keepingactive could get 90 per cent oftheir costs paid.

I’m a great enthusiast for anyscheme that will promote thecounty. And one that helpscelebrate the great produce andfood here as well as the stunningcountryside and facilities foreveryone interested in keepinghealthy gets a thumbs up from me.

The funding of up to £4,000 perproject is thanks to a successfulapplication from Midlothian

Tourism Forum and MidlothianCouncil to the Tyne Esk LEADERProgramme. The programmeawards grants to projects thatdemonstrate community support.

Here’s hoping that as manycommunity groups, voluntaryorganisations, small businesses,public sector bodies and socialenterprises as possible apply.

The initiative will also include afood and drink directory ofMidlothian and a food and drinkproducers’ network.

From left: Quintin Young, Chair of Midlothian Tourism Forum; Manuela Calchini,Regional Director, VisitScotland; myself and Sandy Macmillan of the Council

Here’s to asafe nightout for all!WE all enjoy a good night outwith friends and family.

However, it can be spoiledwhen high spirits descendinto antisocial behaviour.

We all have a responsibilityto keep the noise down andbehave appropriately whengoing home at the end of thenight. And that responsibilityextends to treating bar staff ina civil manner.

That’s why I am so pleasedto hear about a new leafletpublished in Penicuik. PubWatch, supported by the localpolice, has published StampOut Antisocial Behaviour,which is a guide to how tobehave when out and aboutsocia l ly. Hopeful ly th isinitiative will roll out acrossMidlothian.

Most of us would raise aglass to that!

IHAD the pleasure recentlyo f meet ing exchangev i s i tor s a t Tynewater

Primary School. The teachershad come from schools inBelgium, Germany, Swedenand Tenerife as part of a jointmaths scheme.

I was really interested to hearmore about the project, whichhas been funded by the BritishCouncil. It allows the childrento practise their measuringskills as they make modelsof well-known monuments.

The visitors seemed toreally enjoy their trip.When I was there, theywere entertained bypupils who put on aterrific modern-daypresentation of TamO’Shanter.

The children interpreted thepoem as a news bulletin while still keeping to the OldScots language.

It was thoroughly enjoyable,especially for someone like mewho loves Burns. I am not quitesure if the exchange teachers gotall the dialogue, but they seemedto love the whole experience.

The next meeting of thoseinvolved is in Munich in May. Ithink these meetings are reallybeneficial because they are notjust about sharing ideas andteaching methods, they also givegreat insight into other culturesand foster great communicationwith other countries.

Trip adds up formaths teachersExchange visitors enjoy experience at local primary

With me, from left, are: PC Derek Frizzel, Penicuik Police Station (Community); David Ainslie of The Railway Tavern; Simon Rennie of The Royal Hotel;Chair of Penicuik Pubwatch, Jimmy Martin of The Old Crown Inn; PS Michele Lindsay of Penicuik Police Station (Community)

FOR MORE…

For more information visitwww.visitmidlothian.org.uk

Funding boost forlocal food events

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BookBug Sessions: For babies & toddlers. Fun using stories, songs & rhymes. All libraries except Roslin.BookBug Challenge: Read four books with your baby or toddler up to the age of 4 and get a beautifully illustrated certificate. There are five certificates to be collected.Chatterbooks: Reading groups for children aged 9-12. Meet in Loanhead and Penicuik Libraries.

Dalkeith Library: Come along and meet the Bookbug on Thursday 24 Marchat 10.30am. Bookbug will be helping at the usual Thursday Bookbug Sessionwhich is for children aged 0-4. There is no need to book and entry is free. Danderhall Library Science Friday: Experiments to celebrate National Scienceand Engineering Week on Friday 18 March 2-3.30pm. Free entry. Under 8saccompanied by an adult please.Friday crafts: Themed craft sessions (including Mother’s Day) every Friday to 8 April (except 18 March) 2.30-3.30pm. Free entry. Under 8s accompanied by an adult please.Gorebridge Library: Papermaking in Penicuik talk by Phil Watson.Tuesday 29 March 7-8.30pm. Loanhead Library: Drop in for afternoon tea to celebrate Shrove Tuesday.Tuesday 8 March 2.30-3.30pm Free.All day shamrock hunt for St. Patrick’s Day. Thursday 17 March. Under 8s to be accompanied by an adult please. Free.Mayfield Library: Mother’s Day Crafts. Friday 25 March 2-3.30pm. Under 8s accompanied by an adult please. Free.Newtongrange Library: Mother’s Day Crafts. Friday 25 March 2-3pm Children aged 5-12. Free.Roslin Library: Mother’s Day Crafts. Friday 1 April 2-3pm. Children aged 5-12. Free.Breeding Bird Survey. Monday 4 April 6.30am. An early start for a breeding birdssurvey at Bonaly. No experience necessary although birders especially welcome.The survey is part of an ongoing programme of monitoring the success ofmoorland management and involves walking along a set route and recording birdsseen. For further information or to book please phone 0131 445 3383.

AGEING WELL NEW ACTIVITIES FOR THE 50+Mayfield Spring Walk: Thursday, 10 March, 2pm. Approximately one hour healthwalk then back for coffee/tea and a chat. Leaving from MAEDT office, BogwoodCourt. For more information call Vivian on 01968 664088. Please wear appropriatefootwear and clothing.

SHORT HEALTH WALKSTake those first steps to a healthier lifestyle: 50+ Short Health Walks led by fully qualified Ageing Well walk leaders. Six week taster sessions at PenicuikTown Hall. Mondays, 2pm, from 7 March. The walks will last approximately 20 minutes and are suitable for those who have been inactive for some time.Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear. If you require furtherinformation please call Vivian on 01968 664088.

LEARN TO LINE DANCELooking for a fun way to keep the body and mind fit? Come along on Mondays at Penicuik Town Hall from 12-1pm. Starting 7 March. Only £1 per week. For more information call Vivian on 01968 664088.

VENUE AGE GROUP DATES TIMES COST

Scottish.F.A Mini-KickersBonnyrigg Leisure Centre(Indoor Hall) 3-4 11-13 April 2011 1pm-1.45pm £12Bonnyrigg Easter Soccer Skills CentreBonnyrigg Leisure Centre(Outdoor Astro) 5-12 11-15 April 2011 10.00am-12noon £30Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre(Outdoor Astro) 5-12 11-15 April 2011 10.00am-3pm £50Penicuik Easter Soccer Skills CentreThe Penicuik Centre, Carlops Road 5-12 18-21 April 2011 10.00am-12noon £24(Indoor Hall)Scottish FA Goalkeeping CampPoltonhall Recreation Park, (Astro Pitch) 8-16 18-21 April 2011 10.00am-12noon £24

OTHER INFORMATIONPlease bring a drink ( water or still juice), and a light snack for break timeConfirmation will be sent on receipt of application

Second child from the same family will receive 50% off their course fee

TELEPHONE ENQUIRIESContact Scottish FA Football Development Officer Keith Wright on 01968 664063 [email protected]

ScottishFA/Midlothian Council EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME 2011

MARCH

Midlothian News (March)

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Transcript of Midlothian News (March)