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Newsletter - 1st February 2011

Thanks to Ian Carter

After many years of unstinting service to the Association, Ian Carter last year gave notice he would resign as Secretary after the November AGM. At the meeting, members praised Ian for all his hard work and Ray Footman in thanking both Ian and Sandra, on behalf of the Committee presented him with a leather-bound copy of the ‘Atlas of Old Edinburgh’. Ian’s legendary activity level will continue albeit in a different setting, as he has become Chair of the Scottish Museum Guides Group.

Diamond Jubilee

It has been suggested that a street party might be held this year at the beginning of June and Hazel Carter has undertaken to assess whether this has general support and, if so, to canvass for active helpers (watch this space for further news.)

The traffic – and signs - should be a’changing

The introduction of the ‘trial’ 20mph limit for non-major roads (which includes all of Blacket’s ‘five streets’ ) is expected, we gather, this Spring and before it can be implemented, the necessary – hopefully minimal - additional signage will be installed. Since new traffic humps are, we gather, currently off the Council’s active list, perhaps the best way of trying to ensure the new limit is observed in Blacket is for all we drivers from our five streets strictly to observe the new limit ourselves, thereby perhaps slowing down those who use our streets for speedy short cuts, thus making a double contribution to safety, particularly of children and older community members.

Change of officers

Having agreed it would not be readily possible to find a successor to take over the full range of work Ian had done for the Association, the AGM confirmed a new arrangement based on a wider distribution of the load. The following take over: Bob Cupples as Secretary; Richard Seligman, with backing from Patricia Alston on Planning; Hazel Fletcher, Social Events; and Hugh Mackay organizing the Shrubbery working group (with responsibility for the planted common grounds across Blacket).

Mayfield Terrace Gatepiers

Now it appears the Alfred Place Development is virtually complete, and dilapidations are to be checked out, our Secretary is pursuing, as a matter of some urgency, the restoration of the two building lorry-damaged stone pillars at the junction with Dalkeith Road.

Reporting back on Crime

This area’s Community Police Officers are now Lynsey Collins and Leon Malinowski, who led a very useful session at the recent AGM. Our own Neighbourhood Watch Organiser, Alison Mowat, fully supports their injunction to residents to report not just the occasional crime that may be committed but also possible crime-related suspicious behaviour. Such incidents can be reported via 999, direct to the local St Leonards Police Station (tel 662 5000) or Force Communications Centre (311 3131) or to our Community Police Officers by email: PC Lynsey Collins or PC Leon Malinowski. Once an incident is notiofied to the police, it is helpful if you will also inform Alison Mowat or your local Neighbourhood Watch rep.

Ray Footman: Chairman

Bob Cupples: Hon. Secretary