Taking action to get the council to remove controversial car parking charges #dundeewestend

Following my strong criticism of Dundee City Council's lack of action to suspend parking charges in residential areas of the West End, despite the First Minister’s instruction to work from home if possible due to the latest COVID situation and the Omicron variant, I have now placed an item on next Monday's council City Development Committee (24th January) to allow me to move that the charges are suspended meantime.

The council's current position on this is ridiculous.

The West End car parks are the only Dundee car parks in residential areas with parking charges but without any form of residents’ parking scheme. Local people are being charged to park near their homes given the 'work from home' directive of the Scottish Government.

The council's lack of action on removing the parking charges creates a disincentive for people to work from home. The council should be supporting the Scottish Government advice and should act to make sure it is not more difficult for people to work from home.

Many of the seven affected car parks are half empty as a result because residents are forced to try to find on-street spaces to avoid the parking charges which he said was a totally unacceptable position for the council to have created.

If my motion is agreed next Monday, parking charges in the West End will be suspended while the 'work from home' directive is in place. This is the responsible thing for the council to do and I hope it will find support in the council chamber.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17 JANUARY 2022

Perth Road (between Riverside Crescent and Riverside Place) - rolling 2 way temporary traffic lights from Monday 17 January for 2 days for City Fibre works.

Greenmarket (at MSCP) – temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 19 January for 2 weeks for electric charging point power installation.

Taits Lane – closed from Friday 21 January for 2 weeks for footway resurfacing.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road – westbound lane closure (off-peak) between Blackness Avenue and Windsor Street from Monday 24 January for 10 days for Road Safety works.

Riverside Approach (Riverside Drive to Magdalen Yard Road) – closed overnight (10.00pm – 9.00am) on Saturday 29 January for Scottish Gas Network works.

Energy efficiency offer - low income private sector households

 

Trees for Nablus - supported by the Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association

 

Temporary Traffic Order - Tait's Lane

From the City Council :

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating footway resurfacing works. The Order is expected to be in force for 2 weeks from 20 January 2022. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Tait's Lane for its entire length.

Access for residents will be maintained where possible.

An alternative route will be available via Corso Street, Peddie Street and Hawkhill.

If you have any query, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or call Dundee 433168.

Dundee Art Society - 2022 evening art class #dundeewestend

 

Improving home warmth in Logie #dundeewestend

As reported in the Courier and Evening Telegraph earlier this week, I have been highlighting that the housing in Logie is now over 100 years old, many tenants and owners highlight how difficult to heat the houses are and there needs to be urgent action by the City Council to improve insulation in the houses in Logie.

I have over the years spoken with many residents about this issue - and at other locations in the West End. In many parts of the city, council housing and ex-council houses have now benefitted from external insulation. However, because of solid wall construction and its historic and conservation area status, Logie cannot have external insulation measures.

The answer is, of course, internal insulation and there were two 'trial' properties for internal insulation in Sycamore Place and Birchwood Place some time ago. The results were positive but I have real concerns that any progress on this has stalled.

I therefore contacted the City Council's Head of Housing and Communities seeking an update and he has responded as follows :

"As you are aware, properties in the Logie estate are of solid wall construction and as such would not be suitable for an external wall insulation solution. The area, however, comes under consideration as being of specific architectural significance in Dundee’s history and heritage.

This means that changing the outward appearance of the flats is unacceptable to city planners which in turn means we have to consider other options such as internal wall or cavity wall insulation to improve the thermal efficiency of the flats and overall buildings.

Proposals are currently being developed along with timescales and funding for this is being allowed for in the housing revenue account capital investment programme but timescales are still not clear as to when this will be delivered during the 5 years of the plan in light of competing priorities which we have also had to factor in.

Once we are clearer, we will of course update you further."

I have responded making very clear my view that there must be progress soon. I have made the point that, of all the council-built properties in my ward, the Logie houses are - unsurprisingly, given their construction - some of the hardest to heat.

This particularly worries me given the number of elderly tenants in the sheltered area north of Logie Avenue.

I have made the point that, in terms of the council's housing capital plan going forward, priority for insulation works should be given to properties that are particularly hard to heat and residents in fuel poverty.

I will, of course keep residents updated on this important issue as I am anxious to see real progress on this, particularly given soaring energy costs.

Paths and steps improvements at Mitchell Street, Fyffe Street, Benvie Road and Polepark Road #dundeewestend

Some time ago, on behalf of residents, I highlighted to the City Council the very poor state of the rear paths and steps to the greenie poles in the "square" of properties at Mitchell Street, Fyffe Street, Benvie Road and Polepark Road that back onto each other.

There was a site visit with residents, the tenancy officer and myself about this and other issues and I am pleased to say that, at the council's Neighbourhood Services Committee last night, councillors approved a significant tender of nearly £125 000 (£150 000 including fees, etc) to replace 7 sets of steps with new handrails and resurface all the paths.

I am very pleased at the outcome of this, which will make access to the back of the housing and drying area much safer.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 10 JANUARY 2022

Perth Road (between River Crescent and Riverside Place) - rolling 2 way temporary traffic lights from Monday 10 January for 5 days for City Fibre works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Taits Lane – closed from 20 January for 2 weeks for footway resurfacing.

Perth Road – westbound lane closure (off-peak) between Blackness Avenue and Windsor Street from Monday 24 January for 10 days for Road Safety works.

Get local support - a useful new resource for vulnerable people

GetLocalSupport.org is connecting vulnerable people with volunteers approved by volunteer organisations.

It is currently in a test phase and although it will be rolled out across the country in time, it is currently offering support only to vulnerable people based in Dundee.   It is being supported by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action.

Some of the things people can request are :

+ A conversation with someone

+ Pick up shopping

+ Pick up a prescription

+ Walk my dog

+ Digital skills assistance

You can read more at www.GetLocalSupport.org and make a request for assistance there too.

Community regeneration funding for the West End #dundeewestend

 

Getting things done - Perth Road #dundeewestend

I have had several complaints recently about the regular extent of flooding on Perth Road outside Harris Academy.

I brought this to the attention of the Roads Maintenance Partnership and have had the following helpful feedback :

"Perth Road as you are aware is very flat so hard to produce run to get rainfall to the gullies quickly So ponding during rainfall is inevitable and is not helped by the Scottish Water sewer being at capacity.

The big problem is we have nowhere to take the surface water to as Scottish Water will not allow any extra flow into their system.

I have passed this to the design team to do some work at the cemetery entrance to try and stop flow from there."

Magdalen Green footbridge replacement - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that, some time ago, I advised that the City Council was working on a project that, subject to funding support from Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, would replace the Magdalen Green footbridge across the rail line to Riverside, with a new footbridge.

The existing bridge has seen better days and is not suitable for wheelchair users or cyclists, so a bid was made to Sustrans to try to secure money from the Places for Everyone fund to assess the feasibility of replacing it.

This was successful which has allowed design work to progress. However, a more substantial funding award will be necessary to actually deliver the new footbridge. This requires Sustrans to approve the design and the project to gain sufficient support by Sustrans to allow for an award to build the replacement footbridge to go ahead.

I recently contacted the City Council engineer who is working on this project for an update and he has advised :

"Sustrans has asked for some additional information in support of our funding request.

We will continue to work to ensure we meet their feedback and objectives.

This will allow us to resubmit when the next funding allocation opens, next financial year, to take the project forward."

I will, of course, keep residents updated as the process moves forward.

Getting things done - Ninewells Avenue #dundeewestend

A resident recently contacted me to highlight that :

"After the upgrade of pavements in Ninewells Avenue, dog bins have been removed and not replaced. 

We had one foot of Ninewells and one at Perth Road before the roundabout, both are no longer there."

I have therefore asked the City Council to replace these.

Lochee Park wildflower project #dundeewestend

Residents will have read recently about projects to create wildflower meadows in various parks across the city.

One of these is to be at Lochee Park and I asked the City Council for clarification about what is proposed here.

The council's greenspace team leader has advised me as follows :

"At Lochee Park the area of biodiversity grassland will have yellow rattle seed sown into the existing grassland. 

This will help to reduce the vigour of the grass and encourage wildflowers to establish naturally. 

This project is currently being implemented as the Yellow Rattle needs several days of frost to germinate successfully."

Christmas Tree recycling

The City Council is encouraging householders to recycle their tree and not place it out with the general waste collection for uplift.

'Real' trees are recyclable and can be shredded to produce Discovery Compost.

Residents are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations and any pots or stands.

Artificial trees are made from a combination of materials and therefore cannot be recycled.

To request the uplift of your Christmas tree from your property go to www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/neighbourhood-services/environment/christmas-tree-recycling-2021

Getting things done - Marchfield Road #dundeewestend

Residents recently highlighted to me that there were potholes on Marchfield Road - a particularly bad one at the bottom of the street but the road condition is also poor near the Middlebank Crescent junction.

I raised this with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and am have been assured that an Order has been made to ensure repairs are undertaken.

Happy New Year 2022!

A very Happy New Year from Cllr Fraser Macpherson, Michael Crichton and the West End Focus Team!

All the best for 2022!

Getting things done - Seabraes fencing damage #dundeewestend

Residents contacted me after Storm Arwen at the end of November about the damage to the fencing through the Seabraes site along the path from Roseangle to Greenmarket.

The fencing is owned by Scottish Enterprise and fences off the area that was subject to decontamination works over the past decade.

I am grateful to Scottish Enterprise for promptly ensuring that exposed nails on parts of broken fencing was promptly dealt with and work commenced to repair the fallen sections of fencing.

I asked, on behalf of residents, if the fencing would be repaired or simply removed as the decontamination works were completed some time ago.

The position of Scottish Enterprise is that the fencing will be retained and repaired and has advised as follows :

"The decontamination works on the site were completed in 2017.  

Since then the focus has been on improving onsite drainage and surface water, with remedial work undertaken onsite and in the gardens of (two properties in) Roseangle.  

Discussions are continuing with Network Rail in relation to the use of an outfall pipe which would release the surface water capacity required to develop the site. 

However progress on that continues to be slow given the pipe was installed back in 1990 and locating wayleave is proving difficult."

Bus services changes affecting West End from 3rd January #dundeewestend

Xplore Dundee is making several changes to bus services from next Monday, 3rd January.

+ I am very pleased at the launch of a new Service 6 linking Ninewells with Menzieshill, Elmwood Road, Tullideph Road, Pentland Avenue, Blackness Road and the city centre.  This will operate hourly and is good news as it assists with provision of services around Ancrum Road and Tullideph Road, something I have been campaigning for since the Service 17 was re-routed right along City Road.

+ The Service 9/10 (Outer Circle) is renumbering as Service 10 - a service linking communities to the north of the city.  Service 5 and 10 will interlink to provide a full circular service across Dundee. 

+ There will be some slight timetable adjustments to Service 28 (between 8am and 6pm) to improve punctuality.   Also. the new 'Electric Emerald' buses to go into service on the Service 28 route, Dundee's first zero-emission buses.    I am pictured at the launch event for the Electric Emerald buses which will assist tackle the air quality issues on Lochee Road.

Full details of all the changes are available at www.xploredundee.com/2022Changes

Getting things done - Ninewells Avenue/Perth Road #dundeewestend

Residents have contacted me expressing concern at the speed with which some vehicles approach the roundabout at the bottom of Ninewells Avenue that links the street to Perth Road.    Several have suggested that additional SLOW markings should be added at approaches to the roundabout.

I highlighted this to the City Council and the Traffic and Road Safety Team Leader has responded helpfully as follows :

"I will get one of my colleagues to have a look on site at this roundabout and see if installing a couple of SLOW markings down is appropriate.

SLOW markings can be used to warn drivers of a potential hazard and where speeds need to be moderated. We just need to make sure that there is not an over proliferation of them as they lose their effectiveness as drivers would start to ignore them."

Getting things done - South Tay Street #dundeewestend

Residents will have noticed that there were three street lights at the north end of South Tay Street have not been working, making that end of the street very dark. There was also a light out in the nearby council car park.

I have had several complaints about this and reported this to the Street Lighting Partnership Manager.

I have since had this update :

"We are aware of these lights but unfortunately, we are having issues sourcing components to repair them.

As we have been unable to source replacement parts for the lights, we have removed them and replaced them with some temporary fittings to at least keep the area lit."

Getting things done - Cambridge Street #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who recently contacted me about the street sign in Cambridge Street at the Oxford Street end - it is broken and half of it is missing.

I have therefore asked the roads maintenance partnership to replace it.

Have an enjoyable Boxing Day!

 

A very Happy Christmas! #dundeewestend

Recycling and trade waste collections over the festive season

Dundee household bin, recycling and trade waste collections will be unaffected and remain as normal this festive period.

See the full information about the festive waste and recycling arrangements, including the recycling centres, go to www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/neighbourhood-services/environment/festive-arrangements

Getting things done - Mid Wynd #dundeewestend

Residents have contacted me about the terrible mess of bird droppings on the pavement and handrail on the left side of Mid Wynd.

I asked the council to power wash this but also asked the landlord of the adjacent Ryehill flats to add measures to the building roof edge to stop pigeons perching at the roof edge.

Food assistance over the Festive Season

Faith in the Community Dundee has compiled a very helpful list of available food provision over the festive season, which you can read at :

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DiOEIADwE8DqmGjeRmz4NEmDneYsO9_N/edit

Getting things done - Riverside Drive #dundeewestend

Residents contacted me about the overgrown foliage on the west side of the part of Riverside Drive going northwards from the roundabout at the Riverside Inn towards the Botanic Garden.

I raised this with the City Council and am most grateful for the work that was subsequently carried out.

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEKS COMMENCING MONDAY 20 DECEMBER 2021 TO 7 JANUARY 2022

Strawberrybank – closed at Perth Road (for a distance of 40metres) for one week for chimney repairs.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Perth Road (between Riverside Crescent and Riverside Place) - rolling 2 way temporary traffic lights from Monday 10 January for 5 days for City Fibre works.

Perth Road – westbound lane closure (off-peak) between Blackness Avenue and Windsor Street from Monday 24 January for 10 days for Road Safety works.

Call for action on West End parking charges given "work from home" instruction

I have today strongly criticised Dundee City Council’s lack of action to suspend parking charges in residential areas of the West End, despite the First Minister’s instruction - as a result of the latest COVID situation and the Omicron variant – to work from home if possible.

On behalf of residents, I contacted the City Council to suggest that the council suspend car parking charges while the new “work from home” instruction was in force. However the response from the council’s Head of Sustainable Transport and Roads indicated :

“I can confirm that the Council is not planning to suspend parking charges at this time.”

I am very critical of the council’s inaction on this which flies in the face of the Scottish Government’s instruction to work from home given the latest turn of events on COVID.

The council is placing a disincentive to working from home – something that is not, in my view, a responsible approach.

The West End is unique in the city in having the only Dundee car parks in residential areas with parking charges but without any form of residents’ parking scheme, due to the failure of the administration to make progress on the issue.

We now have a situation where people are being expected to work from home but the council is putting a clear disincentive by taxing residents for doing so.

Because the council will not act to suspend car parking charges, I am taking the bull by the horns and have placed an item on the next City Development Committee which, if successful, would suspend the parking charges meantime.

I would much rather the council had acted responsibly and suspended the car parking charges straight away. Even if I am successful at City Development Committee in getting the charges suspended, committee will not meet until into January, so this is unnecessarily delayed.

West End Christmas Fortnight - the winners! @WEndChristmas #dundeewestend

 

Good news on St Joseph’s and Victoria Park primaries school crossing patroller #dundeewestend

Residents will recall my update in September expressing concern about the proposal to decommission the school crossing patroller point in City Road at Milnbank Gardens – something I, parents and carers felt would be seriously detrimental to the Victoria Park PS and St Joseph’s RC PS pupils crossing here and completely unacceptable.

I had made clear to the City Council my strong objection to any such proposal and I am pleased to say that this - and the objections of parents and carers - has led to a rethink and it has been agreed to pause the process until the end of May 2022 and seek a replacement school crossing patroller meantime.

It is not necessarily a permanent reprieve but helpful meantime.

I will continue to oppose any moves to remove this school crossing patroller in the future should the matter be revisited.

The Head Teachers are today issuing a letter to parents and carers as follows :

“Decommission School Crossing patroller point – City Road at Milnbank Gardens

I refer to my letter dated 10 November regarding the above subject. Children and Families Service has now completed the consultation stage of the proposal to decommission the above point. There has been one response received from a parent/ carer of pupils attending West End Campus Primary Schools in regards to decommissioning this point. After due consideration it was concluded that although this point has not met the ROSPA/Road Safety GB criteria both in May 2021 and September 2021 we shall put on hold the decommissioning process at this stage.

It should be noted the feedback from the parent commented that the current position of the school crossing patroller point is not situated where the parents /children are crossing. Tayside Contracts has carried out a risk assessment of City Road and have situated the school crossing patroller at an appropriate point on the road which is a safe location. The position that parents wish the point to be situated is at the end of Scott Street which has been risk assessed as not suitable.

The point is currently vacant, Tayside Contracts will attempt to populate the point on a temporary basis from January until the end of May 2022. If at this stage the point is assessed and meets the criteria Tayside  

Contracts will appoint a permanent school crossing patroller, if the point does not meet the criteria for a third time then we will commence the decommission process again.

When the post has been repopulated we would encourage parents and young people to use the school crossing point to ensure that the point meets the criteria when it is reassessed. Children and Families and Tayside Contracts Officers will work with members of the parent council to support this process.”

The school crossing patroller post is presently vacant and please see the image advertising the vacancy.

Getting things done - Hillside Drive #dundeewestend

Residents recently contacted me to say that there is no longer any 'no through road' signage at the cul de sac at the north end of Hillside Drive.

I raised this with the roads maintenance partnership and have received the following helpful response :

"Bailie Macpherson - We have had a look at the complaint. We agree and have put in an order for new sign and pole."

Getting things done - Roseangle #dundeewestend

Residents contacted me to advise that the security fencing in front of the empty property at 2 Roseangle had moved and was blocking much of the pavement.

I contacted the City Council about this and am grateful to the Buildings Safety team who have put the fencing back in place.

Riverside West End Girls Academy

 

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 13 DECEMBER 2021

Strawberrybank – closed at Perth Road (for a distance of 40 metres) for 4 weeks for chimney repairs.

Greenmarket – temporary traffic lights from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 December for BT work.

Getting things done - Menzieshill Road #dundeewestend

A bit of a tale here ...

Some years ago, in two tranches, the long stretch of unadopted and very poor conditioned pavements in Menzieshill Road were upgraded and adopted by the City Council.    I had asked for the street to be added to the unadopted footpaths list, so was pleased at the much better pavements that resulted from this.

However, a section of the footpath on the south side, just west of the junction with Whitefauld Road, was left untouched (and in a poor state).    I queried this on behalf of residents and was advised that it could not be improved under the unadopted footpaths programme as the pavement there had already been adopted by the council.   That did not alter the fact that the pavement there was in a poor state of repair.

I therefore asked that the council add this to the list of adopted pavements to be resurfaced and, after a few reminders about its poor state, was given a promise it would be done this financial year.

... and the pavement improvement has now taken place!      Many thanks to the Roads Maintenance Partnership for a quality result.

Final day of West End Christmas Fortnight 2021! #dundeewestend

Today sees the final day of West End Christmas Fortnight 2021!    

Here's the events today :

12 noon to 4pm – Community Wardrobe – Gate Church – Free clothes/shoes/accessories for everyone. Please book at www.gatechurch.co.uk/carbonprojectevents or call Dundee 221222. 

12.30pm – The West End Christmas Fortnight Primary 6 football competition at Harris Academy.  With thanks to the schools for all their help with this.   P6 teams participating from our local primary schools.   Unfortunately spectators are not possible this year due to COVID-related safety measures.

2pm to 4.30pm - D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum Open Day - Carnelley Building, off Park Place, University of Dundee.    A chance to see D’Arcy’s amazing collection of animals from around the world, as well as the new exhibition The Nature of Empire.   Details and booking at www.tiny.cc/DArcy-Thompson

6.30pm start – Santa Cavalcade round the West End – Dundee Round Table.  Santa will visit the children of the West End!   His sleigh will leave the Clovis Duveau Drive area at 6.30pm and travel round Glamis Road, Blackness Road, Elliot Road, Pentland Crescent, Forest Park Road and Magdalen Yard Road areas.  The Round Table’s Facebook page is at www.facebook.com/DundeeRoundTable 

Getting things done - Pentland - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall that some weeks ago, I mentioned I had reported to the City Council the path from Saggar Street running along Pentland Crescent towards Pentland Avenue which had the foliage from a rather overgrown tree causing an obstruction.

I have since been given this helpful update from the council's Neighbourhood Services :

"In short we have imminent plans to crown lift this Weeping Willow tree and one or two other Weeping Willow trees in the same area. 

To prune this tree properly we require to use a platform which has been arranged."

Dundee Art Society - Roseangle - Exhibition runs until Saturday! #dundeewestend

 

Barnardos online volunteering event

Barnardos is hosting an online event tomorrow about volunteering opportunities - details below :

West End Christmas Concert tonight - don't miss it! #dundeewestend

The West End Christmas Concert and Community and Business Awards - featuring our local schools, community organisations, West End businesses and churches takes place tonight at 6.30pm.

You can view this online on the Christmas Fortnight Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WestEndChristmas

Many thanks to all who have taken part and a particular thanks to Rev Dr Jim Connolly, David Milne, Felicity Wright, Rick Curran, Greig Thomson and Scott Gordon, all of whom have been instrumental in making the concert and awards a reality!

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 6 DECEMBER 2021

Strawberrybank – closed at Perth Road (for a distance of 40metres) for 4 weeks for chimney repairs.

Tay Square – closed on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 December for Virgin Media work.

Glamis Drive - road closure at Invergowrie Drive on Wednesday 8 December for one day for City Fibre works.

A Community Christmas - later today! #dundeewestend

“A Community Christmas” is taking place later today in the Miller’s Wynd Car Park as part of West End Christmas Fortnight!   

Many thanks to the Gate Church for organising this.

More details are available here and all welcome!

The Marvellous Menagerie of Alex Heywood

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee :

Our new exhibition in the Tower Foyer Gallery features digital prints by the artist Alex Heywood.

Alex studied Animation at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, graduating in 2017.

He has since attracted international attention for his unique digital artworks, featuring an extraordinary menagerie of curious yet familiar animals.

Each of his illustrations creates an imaginary world teeming with quirky details. The exhibition features a selection of his work alongside some unusual animals from the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum. 

It will be open Monday to Friday 9.30am-7pm until Friday 17th December.

Booking is not essential but is encouraged – see booking details here.

Getting things done - Eton Street/Oxford Street/Elliot Road #dundeewestend

Residents have drawn to my attention the rusted goalposts at the Eton Street/Oxford Street/Elliot Road playing field area.

I have asked environment management at the City Council to repaint them.

West End Christmas Market and Lights Switch On tonight! #dundeewestend

Not to be missed!   4pm-8pm the West End Christmas Market at the Miller's Wynd Car Park on Perth Road, as part of West End Christmas Fortnight.

Many thanks go to The Little Green Larder and Gate Church Carbon Saving Project for organising the market and don't miss Santa switching on the Christmas Lights at 7pm tonight during the market!

Friends of Wighton event today!

From Sheena Wellington :

For our last concert of 2021 Friends of Wighton can’t provide the usual mince pies and chocolates but we are offering a very special pre-Christmas Zoom treat.

Our guests are the award-winning traditional singer Shona Donaldson and the far-famed Tarland fiddler Paul Anderson MBE (pictured).

Shona Donaldson grew up in Huntly in a musical family, learning the fiddle and attending traditional music festivals including Strichen and Keith. As well as picking up the usual song repertoire, Shona also learned from bothy ballad singers like Jock Duncan and Geordie Murison. Soon, to the delight of her mentors she was winning prizes in the normally male--dominated bothy ballad world.

In 2015, Shona became the first woman to win the coveted Bothy Ballad Champion of Champions title to add to her 2009 Scots Singer of the Year award. She is also an accomplished songwriter.

Paul Anderson MBE is widely regarded as the finest fiddle player of his generation. Having found, at age five, an old French violin under the spare bed in his grandparents’ house, he has gone on from there to win all the major fiddle prizes including the Glenfiddich Scottish Fiddle Championship.

Paul has toured extensively here and abroad and is also well-known as a composer with over 300 works including many for film, television and theatre. His 8 solo albums and over 40 album with other musicians have received international acclaim.

Since lockdown began the couple, who recently celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary, have produced 86 “Live from the Lounge” shows from the Tarland home they share with sons Hector and Roderick. These can be checked out on Paul’s Facebook page.

Sheena Wellington is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Lunchtime Recital with Shona Donaldson, traditional singer, and Paul Anderson MBE, fiddle

Wednesday 1st December 1.15pm – 1.45pm (Zoom available from 1pm)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81867139033?pwd=M3dmd3ErcnZwdVU0KzJyeWVDck5FUT09

Meeting ID: 818 6713 9033

Passcode: 057619

Getting things done - Logie Avenue #dundeewestend

Many thanks to the residents who contacted me to advise that a utility box on the pavement at Logie Avenue near the Sycamore Place junction is exposed to the elements.

I therefore asked the Roads Maintenance Partnership could contact the appropriate utility to have it repaired.