Photo of the Month for January 2021 is this picture by Ben Murray which was displayed on the BBC Scotland Website.

Are you local and able to run a workshop in our hall for adults or kids?

Please get in contact kelly.thacker@spottvillage.org.uk

This Message is Distributed on Behalf of Police Scotland National Rural Crime Team

We are once again urging Farmers and those that  use the rural community to be vigilant and consider increasing their security measures following reports of thefts of two Quad Bikes overnight.

About 14:00hrs, Wednesday 13th January 2020, a quad bike was stolen from Nunnerie Farm, Daer Water, Elvanfoot, Biggar.

CCTV footage shows a white van parking (not further described) on the main road and 2 males wheeling the quad bike into the van before leaving.

The quad is a red Honda 500 and had been sitting in the farmyard with keys in it and a half tank of fuel. Further details and description of the quad still to be obtained from owner.

The information is that there were 2 people at his farm earlier the same day who were trying to sell items  and they may have something to do with this theft.

Overnight Wednesday 13th to Thursday 14th January 2021 the theft of Red Quad Bike - CAN-AM 400 from Balkello Woodland House, North Balkello, Dundee was also reported.

Advice

Multiple levels of security are recommended to DETER, DELAY and DETECT criminals.

Recommendations include - 

• Good quality LED Lighting. 
• CCTV and signage.
• Driveway & Shed Alarms.
• Forensic Security Marking & Signage. 
• Secure Shed and Barn Doors with quality locks. 
• Park vehicles in front of shed doors at night.
• High quality chains & ground or wall anchors to secure quad bikes.
• Trackers on Vehicles. 
• Cesar Marking.

Common security issues include -

• Insecure buildings,
• Keys left in quad bikes (or in obvious nearby locations)
• Lack of alarm systems to alert farmers to intruders.

All incidents should be reported to Police Scotland on Tel 101. If you wish to report information anonymously call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

Cockburnspath Community Shop

The groundworks for the Community Shop has progressed! 

Have a look at how far we have come - our shop is taking shape. 

Another big thank you to Aikengall and their contractor R J McLeod for their continued support and Arnot and Lynden Findlay from Kinegar Quarry for supplying the aggregate. What is coming next?

Did you miss out on last weeks Asian Feast? It was so popular last week that I decided to do another Asian Feast. So get your bookings in quickly as it is selling out fast.

If you can email before 10pm on Tuesday and let me know of any specific dietary requirements along with your address and contact details and which pick up point you are available to collect from. 

If you are unavailable to collect we will deliver your food. Your food arrives cold with really simple reheating instructions. 

Last week my messages weren’t working properly so if you message me and don’t get a reply within a few hrs please email me. 

4.40-6.30pm - South of Dunbar Deliveries

4.30-5pm - The Wishing Tree at Lauderdale Park

4.50pm - The Mart Car Park, East Linton

5.10pm - The Aubigny Sports Centre car park, Haddington

5.35pm - The Granada Services Car park, Musselburgh

North Berwick - tbc  

East Lothian Council Update:- Help Available During New Restrictions

Help for those who are self-isolating for any reason is available on East Lothian Council website and includes:

• Self-isolation support grants
• Other financial support for individuals and businesses
• Access to emergency community food provision
• Warm clothing grants
• Crisis grants
• Winter fuel grants
• Mental health support
• Befriending via the Royal Voluntary Service
• Digital support

NHS Hearing Aid batteries can be obtained from either visiting the council’s main offices or libraries or by contacting the Audiology service directly by email:  audiology@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or by phone on 0131 536 1637 during the following hours:  Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm.

Main council office and library opening hours are as follows:
John Muir House, Haddington  Mon–Fri 9am–1pm
Brunton Hall, Musselburgh  Mon–Fri 10am–12 noon and 1–4pm
Musselburgh Library  Mon–Fri 10am–1pm and 2–4pm
Haddington Library, John Gray Centre  Mon–Fri 10am–1pm and 2–4pm
Dunbar Library, Bleachingfield Centre  Mon–Fri 10am–1pm and 2–4pm
North Berwick Library  Mon–Fri 10 am–1pm and 2–4pm

Pharmacies can deliver medicines, patients just need to contact their local pharmacy directly to arrange this.

Financial assistance
East Lothian Council has received £327,000 from the Scottish Government to support individuals at financial risk over the winter months. This funding is being used to:

• Increase the grants available under the Scottish Welfare Fund, specifically Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants.
• Increase the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund to assist tenants who have experienced new/increased rent arrears in 2020/21.
• Create a new Fuel Insecurity Fund which can provide financial assistance to households in financial hardship and with fuel debts who may not be eligible for a Crisis Grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund.
• Support to tackle food insecurity in our communities by providing support for community based food initiatives and support for the Fareshare Hub.
• Additional funding for emergency payments from Children and Adult Social Work to support families, young people and vulnerable adults in financial hardship.

Details of these funding streams are available in the Financial Support during COVID-19 leaflet on the council website.

For more information on assistance available you can call East Lothian Council’s dedicated Coronavirus helpline on 01875 824300.

Members of the public urged not to fall victim to Coronavirus scams

People in Scotland are asked to be alert to the potential for scam messages purporting to offer coronavirus vaccines, or asking for payment for vaccinations.

Chief Inspector Anton Stephenson, of Police Scotland’s Safer Communities Division, said: “We are aware of a scam circulating involving a text message suggesting people are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. If you are concerned you have provided personal or financial information via a link in a message of this sort, contact Police Scotland via 101.

“We will pursue anyone who sets out to cause harm and misery to our communities, and our officers work closely with partners to make Scotland a hostile environment for scammers.

“Our Take Five campaign, which launched recently, raises awareness of fraud, and highlights ways people can protect themselves and remain vigilant to this kind of crime.

“Always be aware that an unsolicited telephone call, email or text message may not be from the person or organisation which it appears to be from. Never click on a link in a message you’re not expecting, and remember the NHS will never ask you for money relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Take Five to Prevent Fraud campaign features a range of tips for members of the public about how to protect themselves from fraudsters, and avoid falling victim to scam attempts. Information is available on the Police Scotland website - https://www.scotland.police.uk/takefive 

Thank you to all my lovely customers who supported me through 2020. I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and New Year. My First Friday Night Supper Club of 2021 is a tasty Asian Feast full of lovely fresh flavours. If you would like to book please send me a FB message or email me at hello@barbarellabeets.com before Tuesday at 10pm.  

Fatal road crash involving cyclist, A6105 in Scottish Borders

Police Scotland is appealing for witnesses following a fatal road crash which occurred on Friday, 25 December, in the Scottish Borders.

Around 10.50am a 30-year-old man was cycling along the A6105 between Chirnside and Duns when he was involved in a collision with a blue Ford Focus.

Emergency services attended and the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Mark Banner from the Scottish Borders Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family during this difficult time and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.“We are asking anyone who was on the A6105 on Christmas Day morning and witnessed what happened, or who may have dash-cam footage to assist with the investigation, to please get in touch.“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 0841 of Friday, 25 December, 2020.”  

SEASONAL WASTE AND RECYCLING ARRANGEMENTS - CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR 2020/21FOOD WASTE, RECYCLING AND NON RECYCLABLE WASTE COLLECTIONS

Friday 25 December collections (Red/Blue bins & Food Caddy) will take place on Sunday 27 December.

Green Bin as normal on Monday 28 December.

Friday 1 January collections (Food Caddy) will take place on Sunday 3 January.

Remember to present all containers at the kerbside by 7:00am on the day of collection.

We will only collect material presented in the recycling and waste containers provided by East Lothian Council.

GARDEN WASTE COLLECTIONS

There will be no garden waste collections between 25 December and 10 January inclusive.

Next collection for Oldhamstocks is Monday 1st February 2021

CHRISTMAS TREES

Real Christmas trees can be composted by taking them to a Recycling Centre or presenting them beside your brown bin on garden waste collection dates in January or February.

RECYCLING CENTRES

Our Recycling Centres are usually open seven days a week, from 8:30am to 4:15pm, over the winter months. However they will not be open on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January, and will close at the earlier time of 2:00pm on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay.

SEVERE WEATHER

Should we have to suspend services due to severe weather please find daily updates at: www.eastlothian.gov.uk

Visit: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/wasteservices

Call our contact centre on: 01875 824 305

Email us: wasteservices@eastlothian.gov.uk

For food caddies and recycling boxes call Biffa: 0131 665 3874

Photo for December 2020 is Lee Howard’s aerial photograph of the Christmas Lights in Dunbar. 

There is a good reproduction of the story ‘The Hamstocks Handplough’ written by D. Nelson in 1972  in the Autumn/Winter edition of East Lothian Life. The article is enhanced by photographs courtesy of this website. 

Something special’s coming to Sescot Radio on Thursday December 17th. at 11.00am

We’re teaming up with the residents and staff at Belhaven Hospital in Dunbar for an hour of requests, dedications and Seasonal Greetings.If you have a relative - or know a member of Staff there, and would like to send them a greeting and/or request for a piece of music…
simply email us at contact@sescotradio.com
Tell us who you are, who the request is for, your message and the request you would like us to play.
Then leave it all to us.
Simples

Let’s try and bring a bit of cheer into their lives in these most difficult times.

CHRISTMAS PREORDERS ARE OPEN 
PLEASE PM WITH YOUR ORDER OR EMAIL KHLEBSOURDOUGH@GMAIL.COM BY 8 PM ON FRIDAY 18TH OF DECEMBER
COLLECTIONS AVAILABLE ON 23RD AND 24TH OF DECEMBER. PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH DATE YOU’D LIKE TO COLLECT ON WHEN PLACING YOUR ORDER
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME — at The Riverside Bakehouse

Dughall (light brown horse) will be missed as he sadly had to be put to sleep on Tuesday. RIP Bowmore Dughall Beag of Islay - 7th April 1997 to 30th November 2020. Also spare a thought for Flynn who has the whole field to himself now.