Spring Newsletter March 2006

AGM

The 63rd Annual General Meeting of the Burnbrae Residents’ Association will be held in Kilmardinny House on Tuesday 18th April at 7.30p.m.

Among our invited speakers will be our local councillor, Julia Southcott. This will be an ideal opportunity to put questions to her about current issues such as the imminent change to our refuse collection, as well as proposed changes concerning our local community police officers.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to any new residents to the district, and we look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

WINTER WONDERLAND

The recent heavy snowfall overnight on Saturday 11th March brought much of the country to a standstill.

One of the advantages of living in Burnbrae is that the area is quiet and relatively free of traffic - the only cars are those belonging to residents or visitors. The resulting disadvantage is that, since the area is not a main thoroughfare we suffer when it snows because the lack of moving traffic means that our streets are among the last to clear.

The council gives priority to main roads as regards gritters and snowploughs. The problem for residents is the length of time they take to reach side streets such as our own.

However, if you telephone CLARENCE on freephone 080023 2323 (Monday - Friday 9-5) your call will be registered and acted upon as soon as possible.

This number can be used to report a variety of faults and hazards e.g. potholes, damaged pavements, street lights, blocked road drains, traffic lights. The council have specific timescales to which they are obliged to adhere in connection with such reports.

CLARENCE
Customer Lighting And Roads Enquiry Centre

REFUSE COLLECTION CHANGES

You may not all be aware as yet of the council’s intention to cut back on our refuse collection from a weekly to a fortnightly service. The Residents’ Association has already written to the council opposing the changes. If you wish to send individual letters, please address you concerns to:

Sue Bruce
Chief Executive
East Dunbartonshire Council
Tom Johnston House
Civic Way
Kirkintilloch

Alternatively you can register your concerns directly with your local councillor.

The cutback is intended to save the council money, however it is generally felt that the health and safety issues surrounding such an important service have not been fully considered.

PHONE MAST UPDATE

Last year the Association campaigned vigorously against the erection of a mobile phone mast on Milngavie Road at the entrance to the Allander Sports Centre. The council rejected the application by T-Mobile, who subsequently lodged an appeal with the Scottish Executive against the councils decision.

In spite of stalwart efforts on the part of the Residents’ Association, we have just learned that the erection of the mast is to go ahead. As can be seen from similar objections by residents in other areas e.g. Baljaffray, the power of the mobile phone companies in overruling the genuine concerns of local people is a foregone conclusion. It would appear that any protest or objection on our part is a lost cause.

SENIOR CITIZENS’ CHRISTMAS OUTING

30 of our senior citizens attended a matinee performance of ‘Cinderella’ at the King’s Theatre, followed by a tour of the Christmas Lights. A fish tea at Harry Ramsden’s brought a chilly December evening to a close, and all for the amazing price of £10!

Unfortunately, our future outing will be subject to a price increase as a result of spiralling costs relating to coach hire, ticket prices etc. We hope that those residents who have enjoyed these outings in the past will still continue to come along to our events.

BURNS’ NIGHT

The evening was a great success and was attended by more than 60 residents and friends. The guests were entertained by Rev Bill Ferguson of Broomhill Church of Scotland, who gave a memorable reading of “The Immortal Memory”.

An excellent meal was followed by excellent entertainment provided by singers Saylan Baxter and Ian Baxter Ingram. Rev. Ferguson then gave a rather tongue-in-cheek “toast to the Lassies” which very ably responded to by our president, Flora Frame. We would like to thank Milngavie Bowling Club for the use of their premises as well as allowing us access to the bar!

EQUIPMENT FOR LOAN

Would the person who borrowed the Association’s 30ft. ladder, and failed to return it, please contact Jim Robertson urgently on 942 8448 so that we can arrange its immediate collection.

KILMARDINNY PLAYPARK AND LOCH SCHEME (Kilmardinny PALS)

A new group ‘Kilmardinny PALS’ is in the process of being set up. The purpose of the group is to bring about development and improvements of the Mosshead play area, as East Dunbartonshire Council have no plans to do so in the foreseeable future. There are many young families with children in our area, and it is to be hoped that this newly formed group will be able to emulate the recent success of the Lennox Park Playgroup. A committee consisting of three members of the Residents’ Association and seven other parents has already been formed. We will give you an update on their progress in the next newsletter.

If you have any comments or views on any aspects of the newsletter, please don‘t hesitate to share them with us.

Adele Smith
Tel: 942 0925