Sunday 30 April 2017

Lady in Red - Art Exhibition

The Lady in Red art exhibition is now on at John Stoa's studio (17a Menzieshill Road in the West End)

The Lady in Red goes shopping in Dundee, up Reform Street, popping into Ann Summers, sitting outside McManus Gallery and the City Square as well as at home in the garden and on holiday in Gran Canaria. 

John will also show his Scottish landscape paintings as well as some still life studies.

Exhibition runs every day until Sunday 7th May 2017 - open daily from 11am to 5pm.

Saturday 29 April 2017

Adult Learning Opportunities in the West End

The latest Adult Learning newsletter for the city has just been published – covering the spring - and you can download it here.

Here's details of the adult learning opportunities available in the West End area :

Friday 28 April 2017

Temporary Traffic Order - Riverside Approach

From Dundee City Council (having long campaigned for resurfacing of Riverside Approach, I am pleased that this is now going ahead) :

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 2nd May 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 Riverside Approach from the south side of its junction with Roseangle/Magdalen Yard Road to the north side of its junction with Riverside Drive.

Pedestrian access is unaffected.

An alternative route will be available via Riverside Drive, South Union Street, South Marketgait, Nethergate, Perth Road, Roseangle and reverse (including West Marketgait).

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to the Network Management Team, City Development Department, Dundee House, 50 North Lindsay Street, Dundee  DD1 1LS, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.  If you have any queries please contact 433168.

Thursday 27 April 2017

Friends of Balgay Spring Litter

The Friends of Balgay Spring Litter pick at Balgay takes place at 2pm on Saturday 29th April.

All welcome to help tidy the park!

Equipment provided - meet at Balgay Bridge.

Wednesday 26 April 2017

Local TV no more?

This week's launch of STV’s new television service STV2 is, I feel, a disappointing missed opportunity.

STV2 has been created by STV by weaving together several local TV franchises it successfully bid for covering Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Ayr into one single output.    The idea behind the local franchises had been separate, local TV output at each one and that STV has undermined the spirit of the local TV franchise deals by creating just one TV service spread across all 5 areas.

Katie Martin of STV’s public relations and communications team advised me :

“STV2 will deliver a single schedule across Scotland that includes local material from all five local licence areas in line with individual licence commitments; all programming will air across the channel with no local opt-outs.  Content will come from all areas with production bases and staff in all five licence areas and will be clearly marked as such, covering Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Ayr.” 

This is not the local TV output that STV originally promised.   Whilst some additional local output from Dundee on STV2 is a step forward, the station will be, as is usually the case with both STV and the BBC, dominated by Glasgow and Edinburgh.    STV has fallen well short of what it originally promised and I am doubtful that what it is proposing truly meets the local and regional commitments of the Ofcom franchises covering Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Ayr that it won.

STV has attempted to create a second STV national service by the back door.     I am sure that there will be some good content on STV2 and I wish STV well with its venture, but for the many people who thought that, in winning in separate local franchises, we would see truly local and regional services in different parts of Scotland, STV has fallen short.

Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, had confirmed “STV2 is the new channel for Scotland.”   

A new national channel has been created at the expense of local television and it is surprising that Ofcom, the regulator, has allowed this to happen.

Tuesday 25 April 2017

Blether Tay-Gither - Storytelling in Dundee


Our April Blether will be tonight - Tuesday 25th April - at 7pm in Madigan's Food Emporium and Bookshop, Castle Street.

The theme this month is "Running Away With the Circus."

Hope to see some of you there – all welcome!

Monday 24 April 2017

Dundee Mental Health Awareness Week

Abertay University's Dundee Mental Health Awareness Week starts today.

Details are of the events can be downloaded here.

Sunday 23 April 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - ROAD REPORT FOR THE WEST END 

REPORT FOR WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 24 APRIL 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 30 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 4 months.

Perth Road (at West Park Road) – off-peak temporary traffic lights on Friday 28 April for BT manhole repairs.

Riverside Drive (at Tesco) – overnight (6.30pm – 6.00am) contraflow and eastbound lane closure on Friday 28 April for manhole repairs.

West Marketgait (Hawkhill – Ward Road) – off-peak nearside northbound lane closure on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 April for carriageway patching.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Approach (Roseangle/Magdalen Yard Road to Riverside Drive) – closed from Tuesday 2 May for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Saturday 22 April 2017

Way Back When – A Walk along the Hawkhill

From the Curator of Museum Services, University of Dundee :
Way Back When – A Walk along the Hawkhill

Saturday 29 April 2017, 2.30pm

Meet in the exhibition, Tower Foyer Gallery, University of Dundee

Many of the photographs in Walter Simms’ exhibition were taken in the Hawkhill, parts of which were then changing beyond all recognition. 

In this special guided walk we will explore the changing face of this historic street, with the help of photographs, artworks, poetry and memories, to try to bring its rich and varied past back to life. 

The event will include a chance to see some of Duncan of Jordanstone tutor Joseph McKenzie’s acclaimed photographs of the Hawkhill, courtesy of our colleagues at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum.

Free admission but please book here.

Friday 21 April 2017

West End Timebank

The West End’s Timebank, Time2Give, sadly disbanded over a year ago.   Timebanking is a means of exchange used to organise people and organisations around a purpose, where time is the principal currency.  

For every hour participants ‘deposit’ in a timebank, perhaps by giving practical help and support to others, they are able to ‘withdraw’ equivalent support in time when they themselves are in need. In each case the participant decides what they can offer. 

It is a great, community-based, concept and there was originally great enthusiasm towards getting the West End timebank off the ground.   It ran well for a time and it was a real pity it came to an end.

I spoke some time ago with Jimmy Mooney who runs the Broughty Ferry Timebank (Ferry Time) and Jimmy advised that some West End residents were taking part in the Broughty Ferry group now given the lack of a West End group.

Jimmy is keen to encourage more West End residents to register with the group where they will be recognised as members from the West End.

For further information, please call him on 07975 943863.

Thursday 20 April 2017

Zoology Museum talk - Conservation in the Quarry

From the Curator of Museum Services, University of Dundee :

The next evening talk in the D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum will be on Tuesday 25th April at 6pm, when Jim Cook of the Dundee Naturalists’ Society will be speaking about Conservation in the Quarry: Care and Maintenance of a Small Nature Refuge.

Well over 150 members and friends of the Dundee Nats have been working at Carsegowniemuir Quarry over recent years carrying out a wide variety of conservation tasks, including planting some 1,400 trees of 23 native species. 

The site has developed and improved, with the full support of the owners, and is now starting to attract an increasing number of different species. Jim will tell us what’s involved in organising a small nature refuge such as this - what kind of tasks are needed? How can you find out what's there to begin with and what can you do to encourage more wildlife in? 

Jim is a long-standing member of Dundee Nats and has lectured in biology for many years. He has been the sub-committee organiser for the quarry for the last 15 years.

Refreshments will be served after the talk. Please enter the Carnelley Building by the main front entrance. Latecomers may not be admitted.

Admission is free but please reserve a space here.

Wednesday 19 April 2017

Hanging Basket Workshop

From Ninewells Community Garden :

Our next volunteer day on Saturday 29th April will include a workshop to create your own beautiful hanging basket - for free!  

All materials will be provided and expert guidance given by Alex Graham, who creates beautiful baskets with the Maggie’s Centre gardening group.

The volunteer day will run from 10am - in the morning we will attend to a range of gardening jobs in the garden; the hanging baskets workshop will run from 1pm-3pm.  

Please bring some lunch if you’d like to come for the day, we will provide tea, coffee etc.

Do let us know if you’d like to attend the baskets workshop as spaces are limited - facilitator@ninewellsgarden.org.uk

Tuesday 18 April 2017

Friends of Wighton - latest update

From Sheena Wellington :

Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library.

Saturday 22nd April at 11am (doors open 10.30am).

Cappuccino Concert with  “Bring in the Spirit.”   Three of Scotland’s finest in one package - Rod Paterson, Kirsten Easdale and Gregor Lowrey – not to be missed! 

This is a seriously talented and exciting group.   Rod is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s great interpreters of Burns songs and has been rightly highly rated as one of Scotland’s great traditional singers for years since his days with bands like Jock Tamson’s Bairns and The Easy Club.

Kirsten of the beautiful and powerful voice, “'...a God given voice that knocks you sideways” (Evening Times), is also highly regarded as a singer of Burns songs and has given performances for ‘The Centre for Robert Burns Studies’ at the University of Glasgow, as well  as touring in Dr Fred Freeman’s live production of ‘The Complete Songs’.

Gregor is one of Scotland’s finest accordion players. He has travelled and performed throughout the world in many diverse line ups including ‘Blackeyed Biddy’ and ‘Ceilidh Minogue’. Recently Gregor was a guest artist Gavin Marwick’s album ‘The Long Road and the Far Horizons’ (Journeyman). He appeared in the film ‘What We Did on Our Holiday’ which featured Billy Connolly.

Tickets £5 (tea/coffee available for small donation).

Monday 17 April 2017

Way Back When – Life as an Art Student discussion event

From the Curator of Museum Services, University of Dundee :
Way Back When – Life as an Art Student discussion event

Tuesday 18th April 2017, 5.30pm at the D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee.

To accompany the exhibition of Walter Simms’ photographs in the Tower Foyer Gallery, this special event will feature Walter and some of his fellow graduates from Duncan of Jordanstone College reminiscing about their experiences as art students in Dundee in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 

Free admission but please book here.

Sunday 16 April 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - ROAD REPORT FOR THE WEST END 

REPORT FOR WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17 APRIL 2017


Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 31 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 4 months.

Blackness Road/Glamis Road – temporary traffic lights for one week for gas main renewal.

Forthcoming Roadworks

Riverside Approach (Roseangle/Magdalen Yard Road to Riverside Drive) – closed from Tuesday 2 May for 2 weeks for carriageway resurfacing works.

Saturday 15 April 2017

Friday 14 April 2017

Community music group at the Friary


Thursday 13 April 2017

Getting things done - rail line at Magdalen Green

Residents have complained to be about litter on and beside the rail line as it passes Magdalen Green.

I raised this with Network Rail and am promised it will be litter picked on 17th April.

Wednesday 12 April 2017

Good Vibrations - The University of Dundee in 1967

Good Vibrations – The University in 1967

An exhibition by Archive Services and Museum Services in the Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee


As the University of Dundee celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent institution, this special exhibition explores what was going on in that pivotal year, both on campus and in the city as a whole. 

Using rarely seen photographs, documents, artworks and artefacts it describes the major developments in the University – its new buildings and departments, its pioneering research areas – as well as looking at what life was like as a student in Dundee at that time. 

The exhibition also explores what was happening in separate institutions that are now part of the University such as Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Dundee College of Education.


Tuesday 11 April 2017

Harris Education and Recreation Association - new term enrolment

Harris Education and Recreation Association had an excellent start in its first term running a great choice of evening classes at the school.

The new Spring session of evening classes will commence later this month with the following options :

  • Holiday Spanish 
  • Introduction to Photography
  • Pilates 
  • Painting & Drawing
  • Beginners Art for Fun
  • Foods of the World 
  • Ballroom Dancing for Beginners 
  • The Therapeutic Art of Crochet 

Enrolment night will take place on Wednesday 19th April at 6pm in Harris.  Spaces will be allocated upon registration and payment at that time.  

You can read more by clicking here.

Monday 10 April 2017

Getting things done - Magdalen Yard Road

Residents remarked to me how pleased they are that the council's unadopted pavements programme is now upgrading the muddy path round the north edge of Magdalen Green to create a proper tarred footway.

As vehicles are unable to be parked in a number short sections of the road during the works, I have asked the council's Roads Maintenance Partnership to take the opportunity to properly clean out the road edges (months of compressed leaves and dirt!) and unblock the drains - see right :

Sunday 9 April 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - ROAD REPORT FOR THE WEST END 

REPORT FOR WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 10 APRIL 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure for 32 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 4 months.

Blackness Road/Glamis Road – temporary traffic lights for 2 weeks for gas main renewal.

Saturday 8 April 2017

West End Community Council - next meeting

The next West End Community Council is next Tuesday - details and agenda below - all welcome!

WEST  END  COMMUNITY  COUNCIL  MEETING
TUESDAY  11TH  APRIL  2017  AT  7.00PM
IN  LOGIE  AND  ST JOHN`S (CROSS)  PARISH  CHURCH  HALLS
(ENTER FROM SHAFTESBURY  TERRACE  -  OFF  BLACKNESS  AVENUE)

1. WELCOME  AND  INTRODUCTION

2. APOLOGIES

3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF 14TH MARCH AND  MATTERS  ARISING 

4. POLICE  SCOTLAND  UPDATE

5. PLANNING  UPDATE

6. CORRESPONDENCE

7. OTHER MEETINGS ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF WECC

8. AOCB – MEMBERS OF THE P[UBLIC INPUT

9. DATE  OF  NEXT  MEETING – Tuesday 9th May 2017

Light refreshments will be provided.

Friday 7 April 2017

Volunteering opportunities in the West End

Volunteer Dundee has a drop-in session for the West End every Wednesday at Blackness Library - where you can find out more about activities and volunteering opportunities in our area - see below!

Thursday 6 April 2017

Easter eggventure - 9th April

The Friends of the University of Dundee Botanic Garden are holding an event in the Garden, aimed at children under the age of 10, accompanied by as many parents/grandparents as they like, on Sunday 9th April from 3pm - approximate end time 4.15pm.

There will be Easter related activities, including decorating an egg, but please bring your own hardboiled egg!

Numbers are limited for this event, so booking is essential - contact fudbg.committee@gmail.com.

Wednesday 5 April 2017

Friends of Wighton Event today

Wighton Heritage Centre at the Central Library

Today - Wednesday 5th April

1.15pm - 1.45pm 

Lunchtime Recital 

Helen Forbes, whistle player extraordinaire! 

Admission free, donations welcomed

Tuesday 4 April 2017

Scottish Water works - Blackness Street - an update

Scottish Water is writing to residents in Blackness Street to unfortunately advise of a further delay in completing infrastructure works in the street.

This is due to the deteriorated condition of the existing water main which meant a requirement to change the method of mains upgrade to open cut replacement.    This has meant progress has been much slower than anticipated as it is necessary to lift, clean and relay the old cobble stones to ensure the area is reinstated correctly after the new pipe is installed. 

Open cut which means full replacement of pipes and is a longer process than sliplining.

Scottish Water's update to residents reads :

"As you will be aware we are currently working in Blackness Street upgrading the water pipes to ensure you continue to enjoy clear, fresh drinking water, and reduce the chance of pipes bursting. 

Due to the condition of the existing water main we have been required to change the method of mains upgrade to Open cut replacement.  This has meant progress has been much slower than anticipated as it is necessary to lift, clean and relay the old cobble stones to ensure the area is reinstated correctly after the new pipe is installed.

Work will continue in Blackness Street for a further 4 – 6 weeks : 

There will be some roadworks during the dates above. This will include the use of temporary traffic management.  There will be NO road closures during these works.  Please follow all signs put in place. Local access will be maintained wherever possible. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
There will be parking restrictions in place however access will be maintained at all times.
We may need to turn off your water supply. If we do, we will send you further information 
at least 48 hours in advance, detailing the dates and times that your supply will be affected and what to do. 
During the works you may experience a change in water pressure and/or discoloured water. If this happens don’t be alarmed, turn on the cold water tap in your kitchen, let the water flow slowly until it runs clear. 
Please note that this is part of a wider programme of work and dates maybe subject to change depending on progress.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding while we complete this essential work and see below for details of how to keep up to date with what we are doing in your area."

Discovery Walk Treasure Hunt


Monday 3 April 2017

Temporary Traffic Order - Brown 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 Scottish Water main repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Brown Street (southbound from Guthrie Street for approx. 35metres south), Dundee

This notice comes into effect on Monday 3 April 2017 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Diversion routes for vehicles available via Guthrie Street / Horsewater Wynd / Hawkhill

For further information contact 433082.

Executive Director of City Development
Dundee City Council

Sunday 2 April 2017

West End Ward Surgeries

Now that the school Easter holidays are underway, my usual weekly ward surgeries do not take place, but I can still be contacted on any local issues or concerns through my e-surgery - just e-mail esurgery@frasermacpherson.org.uk.

Surgeries recommence on Monday 17th April - surgery details are available here.

I can also be contacted at home at any time on 459378 and also during office hours at my Dundee City Council office on 434985.

Take pride in your city events - April #takepridedundee


Saturday 1 April 2017

Weekly Road Report - West End Ward

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - WEEKLY ROAD REPORT

WEST END REPORT FOR SATURDAY 1 AND SUNDAY 2 APRIL 2017

Riverside Esplanade/Riverside Drive (Tay Road Bridge off ramp to 75m along Riverside Drive) – westbound nearside lane closure from Sunday 2 April for 33 weeks to facilitate V&A construction works.

REPORT FOR WEST END WARD WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 3 APRIL 2017

SSE Glenagnes Cable Renewal – Lochee Road lane restrictions and closures on Blinshall Street, Fleuchar Street and Scott Street for 4 months.

Blackness Road/Glamis Road – temporary traffic lights for 2 weeks for gas main renewal.

Brown Street (Guthrie Street for 35m south) – closed southbound from Monday 3 April for 5 working days for Scottish Water mains repair works.

Hawkhill (at Peddie Street) – temporary traffic lights on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 April for SSE cable works.