Temporary Traffic Order - Ancrum Road

From the City Council :

Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating carriageway resurfacing works.  The Order is expected to be in force for two weeks from 3 July 2017.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in Ancrum Road from its junction with Glamis Road to its junction with Logie Street.

Pedestrian access and vehicular access to premises will be maintained where possible.

An alternative route will be available via Logie Street, High Street, A923 Coupar Angus Road, South Road, Arran Drive, Charleston Drive, Elmwood Road, Glamis Road and reverse.

Any queries should be directed to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee, DD1 1LS or phone 433168.

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee

From Blether Tay-Gither :

Our May Blether will be on Tuesday 27th June 2017 at 7pm in Madigan's Food Emporium and Bookshop, Castle Street.

The theme this month is "Flowers.”

Hope to see some of you there – all welcome!

Getting things done - Richmond Terrace #dundeewestend

At the request of residents, I raised with the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership the condition of the road surface in Richmond Terrace.

I have now received the following response :

"A number of potholes in Richmond Terrace have been repaired within the last few days. 

Richmond Terrace is provisionally included in the 2021-2022 Carriageway Programme. 

In the meantime it will continue to be inspected on a regular basis and any actionable defects noted will be repaired to ensure safety is maintained."

I am anxious to see resurfacing earlier than this and will continue to pursue this.

Deaf Links - AGM

Dundee Voluntary Action - new website

Dundee Voluntary Action has launched a new mobile friendly website you can access here.

Here you will find information about DVA’s work and the support services it provides to the third sector in Dundee.

There will soon also be a members’ area and an online system for booking rooms and resources at Number Ten, DVA’s base at 10 Constitution Road.

Roseangle temporary closure - 204 bus service

Further to the Temporary Traffic Order for a temporary road closure from tomorrow in Roseangle to properly restore the setted road surface following temporary repairs, I asked the City Council if special arrangements to ensure the 204 bus can run along most of its route [as was done during the last temporary closure] could be undertaken again. 

The Transport Controller in the council's Sustainable Transport Team advised me as follows :

"The same diversion will be in place for this closure as the last.

Travelling towards Ninewells, service 204 will omit Rosenangle, Magdalen Yard Road and Windsor Street.

Travelling towards city centre, service 204 will serve Windsor Street and Magdalen Yard Road by using the Riverside Approach junction to turn, before travelling back up Windsor Street and then east along Perth Road to the city centre. 

This allows passengers to board the 204, travel to the city centre and then stay on the bus to take them to Ninewells. 

Although this increases passengers journey time it means they do not have to walk uphill to Perth Road to catch a bus travelling towards Ninewells."

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD FOR SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2017

Guthrie Street (Horsewater Wynd to Blinshall Street) – closed on Sunday 18 June for BT manhole repair works.

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 19 JUNE 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 22 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

A85 Riverside Drive – prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive for 25 weeks for works to the sea wall.  Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 5 weeks.

Perth Road (at River Crescent) - temporary traffic lights for up to 4 weeks for sewer remedial works.

Roseangle (Perth Road to Seabraes Court) – closed from Tuesday 20 June for 5 working days for SGN connection works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Temporary Traffic Order - Guthrie Street

From the City Council :

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984  :  SECTION 14(1)

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of BT manhole repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Guthrie Street (between Horsewater Wynd and Blinshall Street), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Sunday 18 June 2017 for 1 day.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Horsewater Wynd / Hawkhill / Brown Street.

For further information contact (01382) 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Botanica Mathematica workshop

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

Workshop – Sunday 18 June - 2pm to 4.30pm

Come and make your own Binary Bonsai with Botanica Mathematica artist Madeleine Shepherd. Take it home or contribute it to the growing woolly herbarium that is on display in the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum.  

Madeleine will give a short introduction to the project and the ideas behind its creation and then we'll have fun with fibre generating trees and flowers by applying some simple rules.  

Yarn and some tools will be provided by Dundee’s own independent yarn store, Fluph. Please bring your own set of double-pointed needles so if you don't finish your Binary Bonsai at the workshop you'll be able to take it home.

Attendance at the workshop is free but places must be booked in advance here.

Temporary Traffic Order - Roseangle

From the City Council (this second closure is to properly restore the setted road surface which has a temporary repair after work last month) :

THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1)

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of SGN service connection works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Roseangle (between Perth Road and Seabraes Court), Dundee.

This notice comes into effect on Tuesday 20 June 2017 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes are available via Perth Road / Windsor Street / Magdalen Yard Road.

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development

Dundee City Council

Strawberry Fayre at Dundee West Church #dundeewestend

West End Community Council Update #dundeewestend

I have today launched my June 2017 Update to West End Community Council.    

Subjects covered include:

•         Smell issues - Riverside

•         Ninewells Village – paths repairs

The Community Council meets tonight at Logie St John's (Cross) Church Hall at 7pm - all residents welcome.      You can download my Update here.

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 12 JUNE 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 23 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 6 weeks.

A85 Riverside Drive – prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive from Monday 12 June for 26 weeks for works to the sea wall.  Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

Perth Road (at River Crescent) - temporary traffic lights from Wednesday 14 June for 4 weeks for sewer remedial works.

Guthrie Street (Horsewater Wynd to Blinshall Street) – closed on Sunday 18 June for BT manhole repair works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Roseangle (Perth Road to Seabraes Court) – closed from Tuesday 20 June for 5 working days for SGN connection works.

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Police Community Surgeries in the West End #dundeewestend

The next West End Police Surgery takes place at Blackness Library tomorrow - details below :

Temporary Traffic Order - A85 Riverside Drive

From the City Council :

Dundee City Council proposes to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating traffic management to allow works to sea wall.  The Order is expected to be in force for twenty six weeks from 12 June 2017.  Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order is to prohibit temporarily all vehicular traffic in A85 Riverside Drive for (1) a prohibition of right turn from westbound lane into Riverside Approach and Barnetts garage and (2) prohibition of right turn from eastbound lane at Riverside Approach onto westbound lane.

Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

An alternative route will be available via (1) Riverside Drive and Riverside Avenue roundabout and (2) Riverside Drive and Tesco roundabout.

If you have any queries, please contact the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee  DD1 1LS or phone 433082.

West End Community Council next Tuesday - agenda #dundeewestend

WEST  END  COMMUNITY  COUNCIL  MEETING

TUESDAY  13TH  JUNE  2017  AT  7.00PM

LOGIE   AND  ST JOHN`S (CROSS)  PARISH  CHURCH  HALL

(ENTER  FROM  SHAFTESBURY  TERRACE  -  OFF  BLACKNESS  AVENUE)

1. WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES


2. SPEAKER FROM XPLORE DUNDEE (TO BE CONFIRMED)


3. POLICE SCOTLAND UPDATE


4. MINUTE OF MEETING 9TH MAY AND  MATTERS  ARISING 


5. WECC HIT LIST


6. PLANNING  UPDATE


7. CORRESPONDENCE


8. OTHER MEETINGS ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF WECC


9. AOCB – MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INPUT


10. DATE  OF  NEXT  MEETING – Tuesday 12th September  2017

Sunday Band Concerts 2017 #dundeewestend #dundee

The Sunday Band Concerts on Magdalen Green start (for 2017) on Sunday coming - 11th June.  

A poster covering all band concerts across the city this summer is below :

Volunteers' Week - event at Blackness Library today! #dundeewestend

Volunteers' Week 2017 - drop in event at Blackness Library later today :

Police Community Surgeries in the West End #dundeewestend

The next West End Police Surgery takes place at the Mitchell Street Centre today - details below :

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 5 JUNE 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 24 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 7 weeks.

Traill Street – closed from Monday 5 June for 2 weeks for carriageway repair works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

A85 Riverside Drive – prohibition of right turn from westbound lane of Riverside Drive into Riverside approach and prohibition of right turn from Riverside Approach in to Riverside Drive from Monday 12 June for 26 weeks for works to the sea wall.  Prohibitions will only be in place when required.

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Take pride in your city events - June #takepridedundee #dundee

Getting things done - Ninewells Village

I have received residents' complaints about the deteriorated state of the paths network within the Ninewells Village residential area within the hospital grounds.

In particular, the paths running up Lister Court are in poor shape - see right :

I raised this with Netlatch (who have responsibility for maintenance within the Ninewells Village grounds) seeking improvements and I am grateful for their prompt response confirming this will be done.

Getting things done - Tullideph Street

I highlighted at the latest meeting of Community Spirit Action Group residents’ complaints about a bad pothole in Tullideph Street along from the Tullideph Road junction.   I had reported this to the City Council.

The council’s Roads Maintenance Partnership has now advised me that :

“An order has … been raised for the repair of a pothole on Tullideph Street approaching the Tullideph Road junction with a timescale for repair of approximately twenty eight days. There is currently a slight backlog with pothole repairs however additional resources have been allocated to address this.”

Botanica Mathematica

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

Botanica Mathematica

D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum

2nd - 30th June, Fridays 2 - 4.30pm

The D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum at the University of Dundee re-opens to the public for the summer season on 2 June and will be open every Friday 2-4.30pm until 1 September. Throughout June there will be a special addition to the displays – an exhibition of knitted artworks inspired by mathematical biology.

Botanica Mathematica is a textile taxonomy of mathematically inspired plant forms. Its creators, Julia Collins and Madeleine Shepherd, have combined ideas from D’Arcy Thompson’s On Growth and Form, computer science, fractals and hyperbolic geometry. The specimen collection consists mainly of crowd-sourced contributions of Binary Bonsai trees. 

Generative instructions and algorithmic knitting patterns are the genetic code of these creations; textile techniques are their metabolism. These patterns were released into the wild to evolve and change as makers around the world interpreted them. 

The elegant structures, rich textures and fascinating patterns that arise have been collected and classified, with the aid of taxonomist Jo Macrae, as if they were specimens in a botanical herbarium. 

The exhibition features Binary Bonsai, Fibonacci Flowers and Hyperbolic Chanterelles displayed throughout the museum. 

Madeleine Shepherd will be in the museum on 2 June to meet visitors and discuss her work. You can also find out more on her website here.

WestFest Big Sunday 2017

For the past seven years WestFest's Big Sunday on Magdalen Green has marked the beginning of Summer, and this year will be no exception.

For lovers of music, good food and a great atmosphere, Big Sunday has always maintained a friendly, local feel - offering entertainment for all ages. 

There will be many different types of food and drink available, as well as stalls from local businesses and community groups.

Big Sunday is next Sunday [4th June] from 1pm to 7pm on Magdalen Green a free event and all are welcome!

More information is available here.

Harris Academy FPs' Lunch

The next Harris Academy Former Pupils’ Association Lunch is on Monday 5th June at 12 noon for 12.30pm.

It will be held in Invercarse Hotel on Perth Road and the cost per person, payable on arrival, will be £16.00.

More information is available from the FPs’ Treasurer Freida Soutar on 562788. 

You can read more about the Harris Academy Former Pupils’ Association here.

No surgeries today - Victoria Day!

As today is the Victoria Day holiday, my surgeries will not run this afternoon.

However, I can be contacted at any time on 459378 or at esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk. 

My Thursday evening surgery at Blackness Primary School this week takes place as usual - details here.

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 29 MAY 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 25 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 8 weeks.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Ancrum Road (Charleston Drive to Logie Street) – closed from Monday 3 July for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Event today at the Botanic Garden

The Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden have an event later today.

It is a foraging walk in the Garden with Clare Reaney, Horticultural Technician. 

Meet at the Education Centre in the Garden (pictured) at 2pm. 

There is no charge for members of the Friends; visitors are invited to make a donation.

Friends of Riverside Nature Park AGM

Tayside MS Therapy Centre - volunteers wanted!

I recently visited the Tayside MS Therapy Centre in Peddie Street to discuss a number of local issues with the team.    I have been asked to advertise the following notice for HBO Chamber Operator Volunteers that the centre has recently issued :

HBO Chamber Operator Volunteer 

Due to the retirement of 2 long serving volunteers, we are

now recruiting for Chamber Operator Volunteers

(To comply with operator guidelines, the minimum age is 18)

This is an opportunity to undertake a satisfying and rewarding role as part of our team of trained volunteer operators, working in our friendly therapy centre while providing an extremely useful and appreciated service to the community. 

We are looking for people who are physically fit, friendly, caring and available for a couple of hours (ideally early evening, but hours variable to suit) and who are willing to undertake appropriate training to be capable of operating our HBO Chamber along with a second, back-up, operator. This is a very important role involving following simple documented procedures, which meet Health & Safety requirements while providing a secure and relaxed atmosphere for people undergoing treatment. Involvement can be on a regular, relief, back-up or emergency basis.

The charity operates a volunteer policy which provides a two-part agreement, that volunteers attend any relevant training sessions to ensure they are confident and comfortable in their role(s) and that we are providing the best possible service for our members while meeting legislative requirements such as Health & Safety and Data Protection.

Please feel free to get in touch or pop in to see us and find out what we do.

Tayside MS Therapy Centre

Unit 12b Peddie Street

Dundee DD1 5LB

Telephone: 01382 566283             e-mail:  info@taysidemstherapy.co.uk 

Morning Call service

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee

From Blether Tay-Gither :

Our May Blether will be on Tuesday 30th May 2017 at 7pm in Madigan's Food Emporium and Bookshop, Castle Street.

The theme this month is "The rites of Spring.”

Hope to see some of you there – all welcome!

The Shrubbery - 200th Anniversary

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of The Shrubbery, Elaine Kuwahara is opening her beautiful garden on Magdalen Yard Road for three days, with all proceeds to charity, including Friends of Camperdown House and Scotland’s Gardens.

The opening will be on Friday 26th May by former Lord Provost John Letford and the event will run until Sunday 28th May.

Home of famed Dundee artist McIntosh Patrick for many years, the garden and house were the subject of several of his paintings. The Georgian townhouse was designed and built by Dundee architect David Neave in 1817.

The garden has been sympathetically restored to McIntosh Patrick’s time and features mainly herbaceous perennials and shrubs. It also includes surviving fruit trees from its original layout as a working garden. There is a pond with goldfish and koi carp.

Don’t miss it – more details here.

Dundee Design Festival 2017

From Dundee Design Festival 2017 :

This year's Dundee Design Festival runs from 24th to 29th May.   The theme for this year’s festival is Factory Floor through which we celebrate and explore makers, machines, and the future of manufacturing.

We’ve drawn inspiration from Dundee’s illustrious yet complex industrial heritage and the extraordinary festival venue itself to describe what making means now.  Across three enormous galleries, we present a programme of design-inspired exhibitions, talks, film screenings, live performances and family events.

You can expect to experience an assembly line of creative activity at West Ward Works. Try out new techniques at one of our many drop-in and ticketed workshops, including plaster casting, ceramic mould making, and carving jewellery. This year’s festival is all about making, so we invite you to don a smock, roll up your sleeves and try something new.

Find out more here.

204 bus - Roseangle closure arrangements

I previously advised that, from tomorrow for up to 5 days, Roseangle will be closed to through traffic (towards the Perth Road end) from tomorrow due to gas connection works.

I have been in touch with the City Council regarding the running of the 204 bus which comes down Roseangle then along Magdalen Yard Road on its route from the City Centre to Ninewells Hospital.

As this bus is used by many elderly residents for whom a walk uphill from Magdalen Yard Road or up Windsor Street is a struggle, I was anxious to see what could be done to minimise the effect of the road closure.

I am pleased to advise that the council's Sustainable Transport Team Leader has now advised me that :

"We have been in discussion about the possibility of serving Magdalen Green area during the Roseangle closure (5 days from Monday, 22 May 2017).   Obviously I'm keen to offer something to the residents living between Perth Road and Magdalen Green but it's not easy to do so without compromising the timetable of the 204.   

I have taken the view that most users of the service come into Dundee City Centre and therefore I have approached Stagecoach and asked that they try and serve Magdalen Green on the way into town.  They'll do that by coming down Windsor Street and as far as the triangular junction of roads at Riverside Approach, turn there and then back up to the Perth Road via Windsor Street.  On the way out of town the bus will only serve the Perth Road and will miss out Magdalen Green.  Hopefully passengers can manage the downhill walk if alighting on Perth Road.    Notices have been put out ... at affected stops."

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - SATURDAY 20 AND SUNDAY 21 MAY 2017

West Marketgait (Hawkhill to Ward Road) - northbound closure on Sunday 21 May for crane operation.

Perth Road (at Union Place) – temporary traffic lights on Sunday 21 May for crane operation.

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 22 MAY 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 26 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 9 weeks.

Roseangle (Perth Road to Seabraes Court) – closed from Monday 22 May for 5 working days for SGN service connection works. 

The University on Screen

From the Curator of Museum Services at the University of Dundee (and, as part of the university's 50th Anniversary celebrations) :

Sunday 21st May, 11am, Dundee Contemporary Arts

The University on Screen

We’re teaming up with DCA and the University Archives to present a one-off screening of some rarely seen films made about the University in decades past. 

From biology expeditions in the 1930s to Stephen Fry’s installation as Rector in the 1990s, we present a fascinating glimpse into the various activities that make up University life in Dundee. 

The centrepiece will be a unique 16mm promotional film from 1977 called Live and Learn in Tayside. Were you a student here at that time? You might just spot a groovier (or at least hairier) version of yourself!

This event is free. Tickets must be collected from DCA box office for the film screening.

Friends of Wighton update ...

With thanks to Sheena Wellington, here's the latest update from Friends of Wighton :

Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library - Saturday 20th May 2017, 11am – noon.  

Cappuccino Concert!    :   David Allison, guitar

One of Scotland's most talented and innovative acoustic guitarists, David’s strong, self penned melodies are backed up by a creative use of real-time sampling and looping, resulting in rich textures of sound live on stage. Improvisation is increasingly becoming a feature of his live shows. 

Audiences from Hollywood in California to Rostov-on-Don in Russia and from Andalucia to Berlin have warmed to his unique approach to making music. 

Nearer home David has performed at festivals such as Glasgow's Celtic Connections, the Edinburgh Fringe, Kirkmichael international Guitar Festival, and the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain, as well as frequent appearances on radio and television. He recently featured in a Scottish Television documentary about the acoustic guitar alongside Martin Taylor and Gordon Giltrap. 

His second album "Guitar Gi-tar" won warm reviews, and was launched at Sound City in Glasgow, an event sponsored by Radio 1. His debut CD "Reporting" was produced by Scottish singer songwriter, Dougie MacLean. 

“Nashville session musicians are the hardest people in the world to impress – I remember an evening at the Tennessee Performing Arts Centre when they rose as one to give David Allison a standing ovation!” Sheena Wellington .

Admission £5.  Tea, coffee & biscuits available for a small donation.

Students take on historic team in Dundee’s University Challenge

As part of the University of Dundee's 50th Anniversary celebrations, Dundee’s historic University Challenge champions from the 1980s will return to campus to take on the students set to represent the University in next years’ television series.

The 1983 side became the second only Scottish team to win the competition, a record that hasn’t been added to since. They will once again flex their mental muscles when they return to campus for the University’s 50th Anniversary celebrations this Saturday, 20th May.

Three of the 1983 team, James A. Smith (Economics and Politics), Graeme Davidson (Law) and Peter Burt (Zoology) will be joined by Tom McGhee (English) a member of the Dundee team who finished runners up in 1978. See photo (left).  Donald Kennedy, the fourth member of the 1983 team now lives in Australia and is unable to join his old colleagues.

They will face the newly formed student team of 2017 - Ian Bertram (Medicine), Mason Mcilreavy (Medicine), Iain Brodie (Philosophy, Psychology and Film student) and Rory McDowell (History) and reserve Greg Armstrong (Medicine).

Rory said, “It will be wonderful to take on the team that are technically the reigning Scottish Champions! However, if you look at Dundee’s rankings in the University league tables since the 1980s, we have been on the up - so I say out with the old and in with the new.”

The showdown takes place between 3.45pm – 5pm in the Dalhousie Building and will be chaired by Fordyce Davidson, Academic Director of International College Dundee and Professor of Mathematics at the University.

Professor Davidson said, “As a Dundee graduate who turns 50 in the same year as the University, it will be a great honour to see the old boys pitched against the students - the majority of whom were not even born when the competitors won in 1983.

“It begs the question, are the young genuinely smarter than their predecessors?   We will find out on the 20th May. Perhaps beating the champions could set the new generation on their way to Paxman.”

To book your seat click here.

Action taken to cut smell problem from Riverside composting site

In the past few years, I have received numerous complaints from residents who live to the immediate north of the Riverside recycling centre and composting operation about the extent of the bad smell coming from the operation from time to time.

I have raised these concerns on numerous occasions with the City Council's environment staff and undertook a site visit at their request to see the composting operation.   The council promised an environmental audit  to hopefully tackle the issue to minimise any further smell issues and I have received the following update from the City Council in the past few days :

Just an update to let you know that we had our PAS 100 audit of the 14 week process a few weeks ago and we shall shortly receive our new accreditation. 

Site staff have been making PAS 100 compliant 14 week compost for some weeks now and all material through the site will be made to this standard. We aren't able to dispatch this until we receive our certification. The 26 week process will be rendered obsolete.

We have generally found we now only require to turn windrows once during sanitisation and once during stabilisation.  Previously we would have turned windrows twice/three times during both sanitisation and stabilisation and once during maturation. This has reduced the need for turning from 6/7 turns down to 1/2.

Furthermore we have also been trialling shredding more frequently to avoid waste sitting longer on site than required. Again this has proven successful. 
We continue to have our annual bio-aerosol survey carried out and look at our control measures that we have in place. We received our latest report last month.

Finally we received our results of SEPA's compliance scheme for each of our licensed waste management sites relating to environmental performance for 2016. As our regulator this information is made publicly available on SEPA's website.  I am pleased to report that all waste management sites including Riverside once again have been rated excellent (SEPA assess the licence holder as fully compliant with the licence conditions).

I hope this re-enforces our efforts to minimise any environmental issues from the site.

I am hoping that this marks a real improvement in the situation going forward although I would ask residents to contact me should they have any issues regarding any smell nuisance from the site in the coming months.