Dundee Libraries has a new Pressreader service which is an excellent service.
Library users can now access the latest local, national and international newspapers from home.
Find out more here.
Fraser has been LibDem Councillor for the West End on Dundee City Council since 2001 and has topped the poll in all of the five council elections he has contested. He has served as the Council’s Education Convener, Finance Convener and Planning and Transport Convener. Fraser is a board member of Dundee Age Concern and a member of the college council of the Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education.
Dundee Libraries has a new Pressreader service which is an excellent service.
In the past few months, many residents have expressed concern to me about unofficial bike trails that have been created on Balgay Hill.
Leaving aside their unauthorised nature and damage to the hill, the other concern is the health and safety of mountain bikers using these.
I have raised this with the council's environment team who are tackling the issue and have recently placed some sensible signage about these and suggesting better and safer places where mountain bike skills can be practiced.
I am pleased to advise that the City Council has confirmed to me that it is looking at improvements to where the Green Circular route crosses the Perth Road.
Currently at this location cyclists and pedestrians use the existing carriageway junction cross as there is no footpath provision at this point. The proposed works will include a new footpath creating a safer crossing as the images indicate :
There are also a couple of locations along Riverside Avenue where vegetation will be cutback to effectively widen the useable footpath/cycleway.
You can request an uplift from your property and further details are available here.
Saturday morning playing is back!
We've all been missing our Saturday morning fix of tunes and, with no sign of classes being able to start in-person again any time soon, classes are moving online.
Obviously, the format will be slightly different, but hopefully still enjoyable.
A mixed instrument class will run 11am - 12 noon on Saturday mornings using Zoom, starting this Saturday. Here is the Zoom link:
MoragAnne is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Saturday morning class
Time: Jan 9, 2021 11:00 AM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83717837909
Meeting ID: 837 1783 7909
To begin with I'll be taking the classes, with the hope of introducing guest leaders on a regular basis. I'll be teaching a couple of slow tunes (for those who like time to think as they play, or for those who want to try out learning by ear) and then a faster tune. Music will be shared to the screen (she says confidently!) on the day.
If participants want to contribute financially they can donate to my paypal account here.
“Why not make some time for yourself this January and fill the long days with one of our evening classes -all done from the comfort of your living room. We have various topics including Pilates, Crochet, songwriting, Climate Change, Spanish and American History.
You can enrol online from 13th January, and classes start at the end of the month.”
Online registration from the 13th will take place here.
You can join online to listen to the newest professors and award-winning teachers and students, as they share the ideas that inspire them.
Everyone is welcome and for more information and free tickets click here.
From Sheena Wellington :
“The Friends of Wighton invite you to an online illustrated talk on the Montgomerie Collection to be given by Dr Margaret Bennett this Wednesday - 6th January.
After organising a successful event online for Scottish Book Week we have decided that it is worth trying to put some concerts online too. We plan to hold the concerts on the first Wednesday of the month at 1.15pm.
The first will be on Wednesday 6th January when the guest will be Dr Margaret Bennet with an illustrated talk on the renowned Montgomerie collection, the children’s songs recorded in Dundee’s Hilltown in 1952.
The talk starts at 1.15pm but you can log-in at any time from 1.05pm.”
Join Zoom Meeting here.
Meeting ID: 816 9660 4953
Passcode: 157803
You can read more about the Montgomerie Collection in this interesting Evening Telegraph article here.
Hogmanay - 31st December 2020
New Year’s Day - 1st January 2021
Staff, Friends and Students who are residing in Dundee can enter by showing their respective cards.
All non-members must pre-purchase a ticket via the Viator or Trip Advisor here.
The café is not open and this will be reviewed on 15th January as we learn more about the lifting or otherwise of Tier 4 restrictions.
With your continued support, the garden remains a safe site to exercise for those who live in Dundee. In planning your visit, patrons are asked to comply with the latest guidance on travel and social distancing at this critical time.
I have asked the City Council to rectify this.
The opening hours for welfare advice and other support services over the Christmas period can be downloaded here.
"We are pleased to announce a collaboration with the Companionship Society at the University of Dundee and are overwhelmed by the number of students keen to be pen friends with older people. They have their pens and notepads poised but we need pen friends for them to write to. Can you help?
Why not make it our New Year's resolution to sign up to something completely different and make friends with someone you wouldn't normally be in contact with.
Do you know someone who might like to do this? Why not sign up yourself or refer a friend. You will be matched up with people bases on your hobbies and favourite pastimes.
We will provide you with paper and stamps and you can reply at your own leisure.
Get in touch on with Clare on 07983 707168 or Jordan on 07983 706626 if you would like to find out more."
With thanks to Mary McGowne, a great update about Ancrum Road Primary School pupils!
The Overgate Centre is keeping the Christmas spirit alive this year with a heartwarming initiative to connect local children with new friends in twin city Alexandria in the USA.
Overgate Air Mail has seen 76 pupils aged between six and twelve years old from Ancrum Road Primary School in Dundee write a letter of festive cheer to new pen pals at Charles Barrett Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia. The campaign is part of Overgate’s DUNDEE’S 7 CITIES initiative which aims to strengthen ties between Dundee and its twin cities across the world.
The pupils from Ancrum Road Primary, guided by teacher Kayleigh Anderson, have been busy writing their letters and documenting their experiences of the last twelve months to share with their new American pen pals, along with how each plan to celebrate Christmas this year.
The recurring themes throughout many of the letters demonstrate that no matter if in Scotland or the USA, children share the same dreams for Christmas (mainly presents from Santa!) and have been faced with similar challenges throughout lockdown (annoying siblings, the Scottish cold weather and remembering to socially distance) but remain optimistic for a brighter 2021.
The letters have been collected by Overgate’s Christmas elves who, by the magic of Overgate Air Mail, are ensuring safe delivery to Charles Barret School in Alexandria. Once the pupils in Alexandria return their own letters to their new Dundee pen pals, a display of the letters that is sure to bring much festive cheer will be created in Overgate for all to enjoy. To complete the campaign, three local winners from Ancrum Road Primary will be selected at random to each win a £30 Overgate gift card.
I have had numerous complaints about the extent of mushy, wet leaves around Magdalen Yard Road and Osborne Place and some blocked road drains.
I had reported this to both the environment team in relation to the leaves and the Roads Maintenance Partnership in relation to the drains - and have also raised similar issues at other locations :
REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2020
Hawkhill – lane closures for one week for street lighting column installation works.
Riverside Drive (Tay Rail Bridge to Tesco roundabout) – eastbound nearside lane closure until mid week for new water connections.
Lower Pleasance (at Lochee Road) – closed overnight (9.00pm – 6.00am) from Monday 14 December for 3 nights for BT works.
Lochee Road (at Polepark Road) – overnight temporary traffic lights (9.00pm – 6.00am) from Monday 14 December for 3 nights for BT work.
Thomson Street (Perth Road to Seafield Lane) – closed from Monday 14 December for 5 days for BT work.
It is great to see progress with the planting of the new memorial garden at the Western Cemetery, with the first phase now completed :
A number of residents recently contacted me about blocked road drains in parts of Ancrum Road and Lochee Road. As one resident advised :
"I was driving up Lochee Road and Ancrum Road earlier this afternoon and the road gullies were all choked and the roads and footpaths were all severely flooded."
I raised this with the City Council's Roads Maintenance Partnership and have received the following helpful reply :
"The roads inspector has raised an order for five gullies to be cleared as soon as resources are available."