Dundee Pensioners' Forum - Question Time

I am looking forward to participating in next Monday's Dundee Pensioners' Forum Question Time :

January offer from Dundee Community Cars

Improvements at Riverside #dundeewestend

At the City Council's Neighbourhood Services Committee last week, we agreed improvements at Riverside as follows :

Central Reservation on Riverside Drive  :   Due to the nature of this island and with how busy this part of the road is, it is dangerous for staff to carry out cutting work on the grass here.  To enhance the approach to the city, removing the grass and replacing with hard standing will be not only tidier but takes away the risk of working on this narrow island.

Installation of bollards between the pavilion and Barnetts Motors    :    On several occasions, there have been near misses with cars (when football is on in particular) - both bumping onto the grass and coming off.   Installing bollards will not only reduce the parking here, on safety grounds, but encourage users to use the car park provided at the pavilion.    It will also keep the grass in better condition.

Car park at the pavilion   :    Due to ongoing complaints, this car park now requires more than being topped up with materials.  Proposals are to scrape up existing car park, re-level to ensure water run off and resurface with recycled Tar Planings, making the car park a safer area to use.    This will not have the appearance of fully resurfaced hardstanding but will substantially improve the look and performance of the pavilion car park for users.

As I have repeatedly raised the condition of the car park over the years with the council - see below - the improvement planned is very welcome indeed.

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

Forthcoming Roadworks – West End Ward

Bellfield Street – off-peak (9.30am - 3.30pm) stop/go traffic control on Monday 18 February for 2 days at new housing development for road and footway reinstatement works.

Latest Friends of Wighton update!

From Sheena Wellington :

Next Saturday - 19th January - at 11am (doors open at 10.30am)

Cappucino Concert  with Simon Kempston

Simon Kempston is ‘one of Scotland’s best songwriters’ (The Sunday Herald) and leading fingerstyle guitarists. Simon’s original, distinctive guitar playing is founded upon a complex, finger-picking style which technically reveals his classical training yet is steeped in the history of the folk, blues and celtic traditions and is complemented by Simon’s rich, powerful and compelling clipped vocal style.

An award-winning songwriter and an inspiring, poetic lyricist, Simon’s songs are amongst the most thought-provoking you are likely to hear, often sidestepping the usual themes of love and attraction in favour of offering social commentary and an insight into the everyday lives of people. 

Simon is a powerful and intense live performer, and his true passion for music and song shines through in his acclaimed shows. He has performed at scores of esteemed venues and festivals in 27 European countries and Canada, Ronnie Scott’s, Celtic Connections, Sligo Live and Fairport Convention’s Cropredy Festival amongst many others. Simon has also performed live on BBC Radio Stations across the UK, as well as a plethora of continental music radio stations.

Simon’s first full-length album ‘Carefree Prisoner’ was released in 2009 to rave reviews and his latest album, which sees him reignite his relationship with Ian McCalman as producer, is his best, most poetic, most diverse and engaging collection of songs yet. The album is entitled ‘Broken Before’, was released in late 2018, and features superb, complementing instrumentation from Robbie Greig, William Archibald and Bob Miller.

Immerse yourself in the soundscape of this incredibly talented performer and allow his beautifully crafted folk-tinged songs to transport you on a uniquely Scottish journey.

Tickets £5 with tea & coffee available for a small donation. 

Sunday in the Garden #dundeewestend

From Ninewells Community Garden :

A week on Sunday - 20th January 2019 - from 10am to 12 noon.

Beat the January blues and pop down to the garden!  

Some seasonal gardening tasks will be on offer, or just sit back and watch the birds from the comfort of the Leaf Room.  

We welcome new volunteers and no experience is necessary.

More information about the garden is available here.

Volunteers needed - DIAL-OP and GO

Harris Education and Recreation Association - enrolment

The Harris Education and Recreation Association Spring 2019 classes enrolment takes place on Wednesday 16th January - 6pm to 7.30pm - at Harris Academy.    

Further details are below :

Health and work support - a reminder about advice from NHS Scotland

Recycle your Christmas Tree!

From the City Council : 

♻️🎄If you have a real Christmas Tree remember to recycle it! ♻️🎄

You can take it to your nearest Recycling Centre or the council can collect it for you. 

To arrange for the council to pick up your tree or to find your nearest Recycling Centre click here.

West End Surgeries #dundeewestend

With the Christmas school holidays now over, it is back to West End Ward surgeries this coming week.   My Mitchell Street Centre and Harris Academy surgeries take place tomorrow.

My full surgery details are below – although I can also be contacted via esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk or phone me at home on 459378 anytime :

The User Centre Group

Latest news from Friends of Wighton!

Come along to the Wighton Centre in the Central Library on Saturday morning to celebrate with Shamblestone as they reveal their first ever EP.

Doors open from 10.30am so wander in early for a cup of tea or coffee. Tickets £5 (on the door) – it will be a thoroughly enjoyable event and all welcome!

Dundee and Angus College Open Days 2019

Concern over filthy pavement tackled #dundeewestend

I have taken up residents’ complaints about the filthy state of the pavement on Riverside Drive around the area where the Tay Rail Bridge crosses above the street.     The pavement is badly covered in a mess caused by roosting birds on the bridge and residents have expressed concern about the potential health hazard.

I have therefore asked the council’s Rapid Response Team if it can have the pavement jet washed.

However, the problem will simply return unless Network Rail improves its netting under the bridge to deter birds from roosting there so I have also raised the issue with the company.      

We really do need a proper resolution of this to ensure the pavement is not covered in this sort of mess in the future.

A very Happy New Year!

A guid Hogmanay!

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,

For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,

And surely I'll be mine,

And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,

For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,

And pou'd the gowans fine,

But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,

Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn

Frae morning sun till dine,

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,

And gie's a hand o thine,

And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,

For auld lang syne

Words adapted from a traditional song

by Rabbie Burns (1759-96)

And to finish Christmas Songs series - a classic compilation!

Christmas Songs ... Boney M - Mary's Boy Child - and - Oh My Lord

Start at

Christmas Songs ... It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Christmas Songs ... Bing Crosby - White Christmas

Good King Wenceslas

A Happy West End Christmas!

New Year Fun Run 2019!

From the Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden :

On Wednesday 2nd January at 11am and until 1pm there will be a 5k fun run around the paths of the University Botanic Garden to get yourself in shape for the New Year. 

The event caters for all ages and ambitions, just walk or break the record! 

Your reward, as well as a good time, will include seasonal refreshments in the education centre at the end of the run.

We recommend you register here to ensure our catering is adequate on the day.

The event is weather dependent and up-to-the-minute guidance is available on the Friends’ blog that you can access here.

Winter roads and pavements maintenance 2018/19

The City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership has published a useful guide to winter maintenance arrangements in Dundee.

You can download this here.

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee

From Blether Tay-Gither :

Our December Blether will be on Thursday 27th December - at 7pm at The Butterfly Café, 28 Commercial Street.

The theme this month is “Guardians of the Wells”.

  

Hope to see some of you there – all welcome!

Health and work support - advice from NHS Scotland

Protect your pipes - be prepared in winter

From Scottish Water :

As we come into the colder weather, Scottish Water is advising customers in communities across Scotland to prepare their homes for winter.  

Our winter advice encourages anyone with a home, holiday home or business premises to take action to heat, insulate and protect their properties.

Visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/winter where you can find winter information and customers can also find further information online about their pipework responsibilities by visiting www.scottishwater.co.uk/responsibility.

West End Christmas Fortnight Winners @WEndChristmas #dundeewestend

#Dundee festive bus arrangements

For details of bus services over the Christmas and New Year period, please follow the links below :

• Xplore Dundee details here.
• Stagecoach details here.

#Dundee Drop in services over the festive season

DUNDEE DROP IN SERVICES

     Christmas/New Year Opening 2018

All drop ins open as normal until Wednesday 19^th December

Thursday 20^th December 2018

v 11.30am – 1.30pm: Main Street Community Cafe, Coldside Parish Church, Main Street – Hot Food, Soup, Sandwiches, Tea, Coffee

v 2pm: Steeple Parish Nursing & Eagles Wings, The Steeple Church, Nethergate –

Christmas Meal

Friday 21^st December 2018

v 11am – 2pm: Lifegate Community Cafe, Whitfield Church, Haddington Crescent – Christmas Lunch, Food Bags, Free clothing

v 11am-1pm: Gilfillan Church Drop-In, Whitehall Crescent – Soup & Roll

v 11am – 3pm (food served 1pm-3pm): Making Dundee Home, Dundee West Church, Perth Road – 3 course meal

v 7pm – 8.30pm: The Salvation Army - Thurso Crescent, Menzieshill –

Christmas Meal

Saturday 22^nd December 2018

v 12noon-2pm: St Pius Community Café, St Pius Church, Balerno Street, Douglas- Hot Food, Soup, Pudding

v 1pm-3pm: St Mary’s Café, St Mary’s Church, Grays Lane, Lochee –

Christmas Lunch

v 7.30pm – 9pm: Graham’s Soup Kitchen, West Marketgait - Hot Meal

Sunday 23^rd December 2018

v 10.30am – 12pm: Café Church, St Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Road, Downfield –

Tea, Coffee, Juice, Breakfast, Pancakes, Croissants, Donuts

v 1.15pm – 2.15pm: Food Cupboard, St Salvador’s Church, Carnegie Street –

Food Parcel and Snack

v 2pm – 4pm: The Drop-Inn, Lochee Parish Church Hall, High Street Lochee –

Soup, Toasties, Fruit, Tea, Coffee

Monday 24^th December 2018

v 10am – 2pm: Cairn Centre Hub, Rattray Street –

Tea, Coffee, Toast

v 10.30am – 12.30pm: The Bridge Community Café, The Friary, Tullideph Road –

Tea, Coffee, Bacon rolls, Mince pies

v 2pm-4pm: Steeple Parish Nursing, The Steeple Church, Nethergate – Healthcare and Hot Food

v Tuesday 25^th December 2018 – Christmas Day

             Gilfillan Church Drop-In, Whitehall Crescent

      Christmas Day service – 10.30am

      Soup & mince pies after service

                              Eagles Wings Soup Kitchen, Bell Street

                                         Hot Meal - 7pm – 8.30pm

  

Wednesday 26^th December 2018

v 7pm – 8.30pm: Eagles Wings Soup Kitchen, Bell Street – Hot Meal

Thursday 27^th December 2018

v 2pm – 3.30pm: Steeple Parish Nursing, The Steeple Chuech, Nethergate – Healthcare & Hot Food

v 7pm – 8.30pm: Eagles Wings Soup Kitchen, Bell Street – Hot Meal

Friday 28^th December 2018

v 11am – 2pm: Lifegate Community Cafe, Whitfield Church, Haddington Crescent – Soup, Toasties, Hot Food, Fruit, Food Bags, Free Clothing

v 11am-1pm: Gilfillan Church Drop-In, Whitehall Crescent – Soup & Roll

v 11am – 3pm (food served 1pm-3pm): Making Dundee Home, Dundee West Church, Perth Road – 3 course meal

Saturday 29^th December 2018

v 12noon-2pm: St Pius Community Café, St Pius Church, Balerno Street, Douglas -

Hot meal

v 1pm-3pm: St Mary’s Café, St Mary’s Church, Grays Lane, Lochee –

Soup and Toasties

v 7.30pm - 9pm: Graham’s Soup Kitchen, West Marketgait - Hot Meal

Sunday 30^th December 2018

v 10.30am – 12pm: Café Church, St Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Church, Downfield –

Tea, Coffee, Juice, Breakfast, Pancakes, Croissants, Donuts

v 1.15pm – 2.15pm: Food Cupboard, St Salvador’s Church, Carnegie Street –

Food Parcel and Snack

v 2pm – 4pm: The Drop-Inn, Lochee Parish Church Hall, High Street, Lochee–

Soup, Toasties, Fruit, Tea, Coffee

Monday 31^st December 2018 – New Year’s Eve

v 10am – 2pm: Cairn Centre Hub, Rattray Street –

Tea, Coffee, Toast

v 10.30am – 12.30pm: The Bridge Community Café, The Friary, Tullideph Road –

Tea, Coffee, Steak Pie and Beans  

v 2pm – 3.30pm: Steeple Parish Nursing, The Steeple Church, Nethergate – Healthcare & Hot Food

v 7pm – 8.30pm: Eagles Wings Soup Kitchen, Bell Street – Hot Meal

Tuesday 1^st January 2019

v 11am – 1pm: The Drop-Inn, Lochee Parish Church Hall, High Street, Lochee – Soup, Toasties and Fruit

v 12pm – 1.45pm – Making Dundee Home, Dundee West Church, Perth Road –

Soup, Filled rolls, Tea, Coffee, Cake  

v 7pm – 8.30pm: Eagles Wings Soup Kitchen, Bell Street – Hot Meal

Wednesday 2^nd January 2019

v 11.30am – 1.30pm: Main Street Community Cafe, Coldside Parish Church –Hot Food, Soup, Toasties, Tea, Coffee

v 7pm – 8.30pm: Eagles Wings Soup Kitchen, Bell Street – Hot Meal

Thursday 3^rd January 2019

v 11.30am – 1.30pm: Main Street Community Cafe, Coldside Parish Church –Soup, Sandwiches, Tea, Coffee

v 7pm – 8.30pm: Eagles Wings Soup Kitchen, Bell Street – Hot Meal

Friday 4^th January 2019

v 11am – 2pm: Lifegate Community Cafe, Whitfield Church, Haddington Crescent – Soup, Toasties, Hot Food, Fruit, Food Bags, IT access & support, Free clothing

v 11am-1pm: Gilfillan Church Drop-In, Whitehall Crescent – Soup & roll

v 11am – 3pm (food served 1pm-3pm): Making Dundee Home, Dundee West Church – 3 course meal

v 7pm – 8.30pm: The Salvation Army - Thurso Crescent, Menzieshill –

Hot Meal

Saturday 5^th January 2019

v 12noon-2pm: St Pius Community Café, St Pius Church, Balerno Street, Douglas -

Hot Food, Soup, Pudding 

v 1pm-3pm: St Mary’s Café, St Mary’s Church, Grays Lane, Lochee –

Soup and Toasties

v 7.30pm - 9pm: Graham’s Soup Kitchen, West Marketgait - Hot Meal

Sunday 6^th January 2019

v 10.30am – 12pm: Café Church, St Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Road, Downfield –

Tea, Coffee, Juice, Breakfast, Pancakes, Croissants, Donuts

v 1.15pm – 2.15pm: Food Cupboard, St Salvador’s Church, Carnegie Street –

Food Parcel and Snack

v 2pm – 4pm: The Drop-Inn, Lochee Parish Church Hall, High Street, Lochee –

Soup, Toasties, Fruit, Tea, Coffee

All drop ins open as normal from Monday 7^th January 2019.