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)

Dundee Youth Fund

The Dundee Youth Fund is now open for applications.

If you are part of a community group or organisation that works with young people, this fund may be for you.

Please see poster below with more information about the fund and contact details/QR codes on how to apply.    The maximum bid is £2500.

Getting things done - Riverside recycling centre #dundeewestend

Following the recent latest flooding closures at Riverside recycling centre, including again yesterday, we sought assurances that steps were being taken to tackle the issue.

The Waste Service Manager at the City Council has now advised :

"We have been in discussion with council colleagues and we will look to consider further mitigations, for significant flooding being experienced during extreme flood events. This will include: 

+ The existing drainage runs

+ The flood alleviation pumps

+ The Flood Emergency Plan

We will look to undertake this work as quickly as possible."

Environmental improvements for Perth Road area - an update #dundeewestend

Residents will recall our update in September - www.dundeewestend.com/2022/09/environmental-improvements-for-perth.html - about consultation on possible environmental improvements for parts of the Perth Road shopping area - at the Sinderins 'triangle', Pennycook Lane in front of the police station and at the Miller's Wynd car park.

We recently asked the City Council's Head of Planning and Economic Development for an update on timescales and further consultation with the community and have been updated as follows :

"Considerable progress has been made in identifying projects within each of the five District Centres. However, there are some challenges around delivery and this is impacting on the pace at which projects are progressed.

This includes the need for public involvement and consultation in relation to projects; the capacity of Council staff to support project design due to high demands across a wide range of projects; the time involved in securing statutory approvals, for example traffic orders; the availability of contractors to undertake the works; and delays relating to the availability of some materials.

The projects proposed in Perth Road are:

Miller’s Wynd Park - Work to improve the surface and seating in front of the community fridge and provide planting/root protection for the trees.

Pennycook Lane - Work outside the police station to install planting and a seat.

Sinderins - Work at the Sinderins junction to install planting and seating.

Perth Road - Work to relocate the bus shelter at the post office.

The public consultation for each of these projects is largely complete and delivery is being arranged through the City Engineers. The projects will be completed during 2023.

The (initial) consultation for the Perth Road Projects was concluded at the end of September. The responses were then forwarded to the Landscape Architects and Engineers to produce final designs. I understand you have requested that these be brought back to the West End Community Council for further consultation. Only after that is complete will we be in a position to start the tender process.

There are challenges around delivery and this is impacting on the pace at which all projects throughout the City are progressed. There continues to be very substantial demand upon the resources available within the City Engineers and Landscape Architects and consequently the projects are regrettably progressing slower than we would like."

We would add that the work to make the bus shelter at the post office more accessible will be undertaken fairly soon after the festive break.

Dundee Age Concern - more trustees wanted!

Fraser has been a board member of Dundee Age Concern for some years, the wonderful organisation that runs the Fiveways Club in Caird Avenue, that supports many older Dundee folk.   He's currently the board's Vice-Chair.

The board is currently seeking additional board members - details below - please get in touch if you would like to get involved - many thanks!

Have an enjoyable Boxing Day!

 

Happy Christmas! #dundeewestend

Festive buses timetables

With thanks to Suzy Scott and dundeebuses.info, here's a link to full details of bus timetables in Dundee and across the wider region over the festive period - https://tinyurl.com/festive-buses

70 years ago today - Christmas in Dundee!

A picture of the first Christmas tree in the City Square, taken from the Dundee Courier on 23rd December 1952 - 70 years ago today!

Taken from www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk 

Image © DC Thomson & Co. Ltd. 

Image created courtesy of the British Library Board

Open Doors - our local libraries #dundeewestend

Further to the West End Open Doors information we posted earlier this week, local libraries including our own at Blackness Library welcome all residents - contact details below.

Please note community libraries close over the Christmas and New Year period - details at www.leisureandculturedundee.com/opening-hours

West End Christmas Fortnight - window spotting competition and shoppers' prize draw winners! #dundeewestend

Open Doors - #dundeewestend

The Dundee Partnership is promoting all the local initiatives here in the West End over the winter months where residents are welcome to drop in for activities, for something to eat or just have a cuppa and a chat - details below :

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 2022

Miller’s Wynd – closed until 26 December 2022 at its junction with Hawkhill for major construction works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Drive – closed eastbound in 2 phases from Monday 9 January for 4 weeks for Scotland Gas Networks work. Phase 1: Hazel Avenue to Glamis Road. Phase 2: Invergowrie Drive to Hazel Avenue.

Blackness Road (at Blackness Avenue) – off‑peak temporary traffic lights on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 January for sign installation.

Riverside Drive (at Bridgeview Café) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 23 January (9.00am to 6.00am) for Scottish Water ironwork repair.

South Marketgait (at Railway Station) – off‑side westbound lane closure on Monday 23 January for Scottish Water ironwork repair.

Riverside Drive (Tesco roundabout to Barnetts Garage) – closed overnight (10.00pm to 6.00am) on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January for Network Rail bridge safety inspection.

West End Christmas Fortnight - Business and Community Awards - winners' list! #dundeewestend

Here's the complete list of West End Christmas Fortnight Business and Community Awards winners for 2022 - many thanks to everyone who participated, congratulations to the winners, and special thanks to Felicity Wright of the Christmas Committee who did all the hard work organising the awards!

Business Silver Awards:

• Aitken's
• Campbeltown Bar
• Fraser's Fruit & Veg
• The Rosebud

Business Gold Awards:

• EH9 Espresso
• Fika
• Halo Hair
• Kist
• The Little Green Larder
• Madina Delights
• Mary's Kitchen
• Perth Road Laundrette
• Perth Road Post Office
• Pure Beauty
• Sook Souk

Community Awards:

• Investing in People - Dundee Art Society
• Supporting Sustainability - Dundee West End Community Fridge

Festive Friends

Details of how you can help the Dundee United Community Trust with its excellent 'Festive Friends' support over Christmas :

Council's housing allocation policy - further consultation

The City Council carried out a consultation on its housing allocation policy in late 2021.   

Due to the time lapsed since, it is now keen to re-engage with local people before looking to progress the policy changes which will be reported to a future council committee meeting in early 2023.

Since the housing allocation policy was last reviewed in 2016, there have been several significant changes in legislation and guidance in relation to how social rented housing is allocated.

The council has engaged with its common housing register partners (such as Hillcrest Housing Association) and finalised the consultation material to review its allocation policy.

Just a reminder that the consultation will remain live only until 23rd December so this is a last chance to give your views.

The link to the consultation is at : 

www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/neighbourhood-services/housing-and-construction/housing-allocations-policy-review-2022

Getting things done - Ancrum Road and Tullideph Road #dundeewestend

A resident recently raised with us road safety at the Ancrum Road/Tullideph Road junction pointing out :

"The speed of traffic turning from Ancrum Road into Tullideph Road is often inappropriately high and I suspect an element of this is that they’re using Tullideph Road as a rat run to avoid the wait at the Logie Street Lights.

Vehicles very regularly cut the corner at speed when entering the road and over the years I’ve had to take avoiding action as cars enter Tullideph on the wrong side of the road, it’s particularly dangerous if I want to turn right.

The speed of this traffic hinders pedestrians trying to cross the road.

Would it be possible to have a traffic island added at the junction to give pedestrians somewhere protected when crossing the road, and this would also force cars to take a sharper turn into a narrower space which hopefully might slow them down a little? The red dot marks the location for the island on the image."

We raised this with the council roads team and had this helpful response :

"This is one of our road safety sites we have previously done remedial works on.

The accident problem was drivers failing to slow and give way when they turned left from Tullideph Road into Ancrum Road. What we did was build-out the nearside kerb line to make it less of a sweeping manoeuvre.

So, these road safety improvements makes it harder in fact impossible to install an island. The turning arcs, especially bigger vehicles such as refuse/HGVs etc. vehicles are affected. Basically, they can’t make the right hand turn out onto Ancrum Rd and left into Tullideph coming up the hill from Logie St. At a push we may be able to provide a painted hatched road marking island with red inset similar to the one installed Johnston Ave at Clepington Road - see https://goo.gl/maps/YxQUxm1zqjdydpx79

Another option might be to provide a right turn lane on Ancrum Road for this manoeuvre, it has been noted at times a queue of cars can be waiting to turn here.

Although this will depend on the road space we have, we already have a bus stop and disabled bays opposite Tullideph Rd so this may constrict available road space to form such a lane.

We would need to have look at this. Probably something we will need to look at into next financial year as we have lots going on right now already. This would also need to compete with other priority schemes so I can’t guarantee anything right now. For now, I’ll add on the list for possible consideration for next year.

Currently, there are no reported injury accidents at this junction on the period 01 Jan 2017 – 24 Sep 2022. This is a good thing and indicates our previous improvements are working."

ScrapAntics winter celebration

The ScrapAntics Team is holding a celebration day in its Wellgate space on Saturday 17th December - all welcome!

There will be an exhibition of artwork made by the local community, film screenings, Loose Parts Play, creative activities and food - all for free.

 

Everyone is welcome and you can just drop in for whichever part of the day you fancy - on the poster you will find the times of the different activities.

 

Please feel free to bring family and friends, and if you work with any community groups please share our poster and let everyone know!

 

Look forward to hopefully seeing you there!

West End Christmas Fortnight Primary Schools' art competition winners! #dundeewestend

Many thanks to all local primary school pupils who participated in the West End Christmas Fortnight Primary Schools' art competition this year!

Also to the schools for their help and a huge thank you to Rev Dr Jim Connolly who masterminded the competition and iArtSupplies in Hawkhill Court for its support again this year.

The standard of entries was really high and here's details of the winners :

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR THE WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 12 DECEMBER 2022

Miller’s Wynd – closed until 26 December 2022 at its junction with Hawkhill for major construction works.

Westfield Place – traffic control from Monday 12 December for 5 days for street lighting replacement works.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Drive – closed eastbound in 2 phases from Monday 9 January for 4 weeks for Scotland Gas Networks work. Phase 1: Hazel Avenue to Glamis Road. Phase 2: Invergowrie Drive to Hazel Avenue.

Connecting Carers Café #dundeewestend

The next Connecting Carers Café for the West End and Lochee is this Thursday morning at the Friary in Tullideph Road from 10.15am.

All carers welcome!

Dundee Pump track survey

A West End resident - along with Dundee Cycle Hub - has set up a survey to gauge the interest in a pump track facility in Dundee. 

This is a facility he has been keen to get in Dundee.     It is basically a looped track and consists of a series of rollers and corners (berms) primarily made with asphalt they can be ridden by many different types of wheeled equipment such as bikes, skateboards, scooters etc. 

They offer a low barrier to entry and can be used by both beginner and experienced users. Whilst this is similar in some ways to a skatepark it is quite a different facility to most skateparks due to the design / flow and the asphalt material that most pump tracks are made with.

A first step is just to demonstrate the demand so the survey is intended to do just that. The link to the survey is at https://forms.gle/xCmaiKsWnCQJR2S77 - all welcome to take part.

Free West End jazz band concert tonight! #dundeewestend

As part of West End Christmas Fortnight, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm tonight, the Louisiana Fairytale Riverboat Jazz Band Concert is at The Gate, 158 Perth Road.

The excellent Louisiana Fairytale Riverboat Jazz Band Concert will give an hour of their fantastic musical entertainment at this free concert with the hugely talented jazz band.

All welcome – no booking required.

Make your own Arctic animal decorations #dundeewestend

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

You can make your own Arctic animal decorations at the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum at the University of Dundee on the final day of West End Christmas Fortnight - Saturday 10th December - from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Come and visit some of the Arctic and Antarctic animals found in the D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum. Discover Narwhals, Penguins, Puffins, Walrus and Polar Bear skulls. 

There are many other amazing specimens from around the world for you to be inspired by as well. 

After exploring the Zoology Museum, you can have a go at making your own Christmas tree ornaments out of recycled papers and cards. 

We will be adding moving parts to bring your Polar animals to life!

You can book at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/make-your-own-arctic-animal-decorations-tickets-469845218697

West End third sector meeting #dundeewestend

Are you a third sector organisation in the West End that would like to meet new people and other third sector organisations to work together more collaboratively for the benefit of the community?

If so, why not attend the West End Third Sector Network meeting taking place tomorrow - Thursday 8th December - between 10am to 12 noon at the Corso Street Sheltered Lounge.

 

To book a place or for more information contact Katie Angus - contact details are in the poster.

Hogmanay in Print - the Victorian era #dundeewestend

Tonight at 6.30pm as part of West End Christmas Fortnight, Erin Farley of Dundee Libraries presents "Hogmanay in Print  - the Victorian era."

Hogmanay and New Year's Day have long been a popular celebration for Dundee's people, with celebrations recorded in newspapers, broadsides, photographs and elsewhere through the years. 

Erin shares some seasonal highlights from the Local History Centre's collections.

This online event will run at www.facebook.com/WestEndChristmas

Weekly Road Report – West End Ward #dundeewestend

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD - WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 5 DECEMBER 2022

Miller’s Wynd – closed until 26 December 2022 at its junction with Hawkhill for major construction works.

Westfield Place – traffic control from Monday 5 December for 10 days for street lighting replacement works.

Hillcrest Road (at number 21) – closed until Monday 5 December for Scottish Water mains repair.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Glamis Drive – closed eastbound in 2 phases from Monday 9 January for 4 weeks for Scotland Gas Networks work. Phase 1: Hazel Avenue to Glamis Road. Phase 2: Invergowrie Drive to Hazel Avenue.

Today at West End Christmas Fortnight! #dundeewestend

More West End Christmas Fortnight events today!

1pm to 2pm - Magdalen Green community planting event.    All welcome!

Join us to plant colourful and pollinator-friendly summer allium bulbs at Magdalen Green.

No experience necessary, please bring a spade/trowel if possible as tools are limited.

3pm to 5pm – Christmas at The Gate Church.

A community Christmas celebration with carols, sweet treats and Santa Claus.

A big West End Christmas Fortnight Saturday! #dundeewestend

A big West End Christmas Fortnight Saturday!

10am to 11am - Spex Pistols Christmas Family Workshops at Gallery 48, West Port - Handmade embossed foil decorations with Cara Findlay and Sooz Gordon.   Unfortunately fully booked.

10am to 12 noon - Harris Academy Christmas Fayre – including stalls – Free entry - all welcome!

Fayre will include - at a small fee - barista style coffee and bacon rolls.

10.30am – 11.30am – Blackness Library -“From Garden to Eden" -a free talk at Blackness Library by Iain Flett on the history of the Eden Project site.

Have a wee break from the Christmas stress - come along to Blackness Library for this free talk by retired city archivist Iain Flett.

Take a seat, have a cup of tea, and enjoy an hour of Dundee history.   Starts 10.30am with teas/coffees from 10.15am.

11am to 4pm – Christmas Vintage market at Roseangle Kitchen Café.

Find everything you need for your sustainable celebrations. Festive tunes on original vinyl, gorgeous jewels from throughout the decades, classic & kitschy homewares to brighten the season and that perfect outfit.

If you’re searching for a unique gift for a loved one or just want to treat yourself, we’re sure to have just what you’re looking for.

Free entry - Upper Hall of Roseangle Kitchen Café, Roseangle/Perth Road.

12 noon to 1.30pm – “A space to connect” – at Victoria Gardens, with Eden Project Communities.

If you’re looking to meet like-minded people, find out a little about community gardening or have expertise you’d like to share, we’d love you to join us.  

Plants and people have the power to create lasting change so come along to hear from Victoria Gardens (301 Blackness Road) around food, food waste, recipe, ideas and much more!  They'll be lots of fun activities to get involved in.  

An informal opportunity to connect, share and learn and get involved in some activities all apart our 'a space to connect' roadshow series.

Lunch will be provided.

Full details at https://events.more-human.co.uk/event/1665427825714x856703972895883300

2.30pm – 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. 

HERA Christmas celebration tonight! #dundeewestend

All are welcome along to Harris Education and Recreation Association's free Christmas celebration event at The Vine, Magdalen Yard Road tonight - Friday 2nd December - from 7pm to 9pm.

Pop in to enjoy some seasonal refreshments and learn about adult learning opportunities through HERA who run evening classes in Harris Academy and other West End venues.

Classes include Pilates, Needle Felting, Drawing and Painting and various languages, and will start again in early 2023.

No need to book for this free event, please just come along and bring a friend!

 

See more at www.facebook.com/events/811294286877667

A BIG day for West End Christmas Fortnight #dundeewestend

Loads happening at West End Christmas Fortnight today - including our Christmas Concert, Christmas Market and Lights Switch On - Santa is on his way later today!

12 noon to 2pm - West End Blethers from Dundee Pensioners’ Forum - at The Friary in Tullideph Road.  Aimed at older people in the West End, enjoy a cup of tea/coffee, cake, scones, and a bowl of soup.      

Dundee Pensioners’ Forum can arrange a taxi for an elderly person to attend -dundeepensionersforum@gmail.com

The Friary café also has a small food larder - and free fruit and vegetables to take away.

1pm to 3pm – Carols at the Corso Street sheltered lounge - for the sheltered tenants at Abbotsford/Corso area.   All welcome!

2pm to 3.30pm - Dundee Carers Centre – Dementia Café Christmas Party - Logie & St John’s (Cross) Church.  To find out more, call Dundee Carers Centre on 200422.    Also the Sinderins Community Hub – a cuppa and warm welcome for all in the community meets at the church 1pm to 3pm.

4pm to 8pm - CHRISTMAS FORTNIGHT HIGHLIGHTS! – West End Christmas Market at the Miller’s Wynd car park and community fridge in Perth Road.   Join us to browse Christmas gifts and we'll also have some hot food and drink stalls and music and entertainment for you to enjoy.    We will be having a lights switch-on at 7.15pm.  There’s also a visit from Santa, who will be distributing Christmas goody bags to the children!  Many thanks to Scotmid for sponsoring the goody bags which will thereafter be available at the Community Fridge.

6.15pm – The West End Christmas Concert at Dundee West Church.   Featuring our two secondary schools at Harris Academy and St John’s RC High School and our five primary schools – St Joseph’s RC PS, Blackness PS, Tayview PS, Ancrum Road PS and Victoria Park PS – along Cherry Blossom Nursery School, Girls’ Brigade and the wonderful Scottish singer Sheena Wellington!    Mains of Fintry Pipe Band will lead everyone to the lights switch on after the concert.   Our thanks also to Rev Dr Jim Connolly for hosting the concert. 

Shoppers’ night in the West End – many West End shops will have late opening and special offers on Thursday 1^st  December!