Balerno Community Council: email us on balernocc@gmail.com
Balerno Community
Council
We PROVIDE a point for information, MAINTAIN a record of Balerno Community Council (BCC) business and OFFER a vehicle for the community to engage with BCC
Tribute to
ally donaldson
Balerno Community Council have noted with real regret the announcement of the sudden and unexpected passing of of Ally Donaldson on 28 September at the young age of 60.
At its October meeting, the Council paid tribute to his life and to his work with Currie Rugby Club first as a player and subsequently for over twenty years as coach during which time, in the words of Scottish Rugby, ‘he took a club founded in 1970 from the earthiest tip of the grassroots to the heights of Premiership triumph.’
His influence passed beyond success on the field however and he went on to make an outstanding contribution to Currie Rugby Club and to the wider community of Balerno.
His work in building and encouraging a coaching environment created a legacy of enduring benefit not only to the hundreds of young players whose development he guided, but also to the entire community in which he lived.
October meeting update
Harlaw parking caused major debate
PARKING AT HARLAW: Concern over parking at Harlaw Reservoir has once again emerged as a real issue for local residents after the installation of double-yellow lines on the approach to the popular venue for dog walking, cycling and fishing.
Some motorists have even parked between the double-yellow lines and the hedge on what is a verge.
Councillor Graham Bruce told Balerno Community Council (BCC) that he questioned City of Edinburgh Council officials on the matter and they indicated that anybody parking on the verge would be given a ticket.
Bruce confirmed he would go back to the relevant official and ask for clarity on the issue.
For clarity, community councillors were told at their October meeting that Rosebery Estates own the land but City of Edinburgh Council (COEC) upkeep the road.
The Council also considered the draft TRO and agreed to respond to invitation to comment further by suggesting the need for a reasonable period of free parking given the absence public transport to the reservoirs and its use for exercise by people who were unlikely to be able to access the area except by car.
OFFER OF A BENCH: BCC are to open talks with Currie and Balerno News officials after the offer of a bench to celebrate the 500th edition of the free newspaper which circulates in Colinton, Baberton, Juniper Green, Currie and Balerno. Two sites have been suggested, one near the Green Bridge and the other outside the Welcome Station on Bridge Road.
WEEDS IN BALENRO: BCC once again explored the issue and updated two councillors who were present, Neil Gardiner and Graeme Bruce, on the current situation.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS: Richard Henderson, chairman of Balerno Community Council (BCC) confirmed that Balerno Gala had undertaken to source a Christmas tree and dates for the switch on of the lights were being considered. The tree support in a tub is intact despite being involved in a recent traffic incident.
RAVELRIG QUARRY: Richard Henderson, chair of BCC, said he had received a revised draft agreement from Tarman’s solicitors and would liaise with the Ravelrig Quarry Liason group and report back to BCC.
LOCAL PLACE PLAN: Balerno’s Local Place Plan (LPP) has received favourable comments from the City of Edinburgh Council following submission. The plan has been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council. Mark Galloway, who pulled the report together, was given a vote of thanks by BCC members.
KINGFISHER ESTATE RUBBISH BIN: A resident complained to BCC that the bin bought by estate residents, who also pay for collection, had become an eyesore as it is being stuffed full of pizza boxes and associated rubbish, including dog poo, by a variety of people. He alleged the people who deposit include lorry drivers and school pupils.
Residents have had enough of what he called the “total abuse” of the facility and they want the City of Edinburgh Council to adopt the bin which is on Somervile Road.
Councillor Graeme Bruce listened to the plea and said he would look into the issue with officials.
RURAL ROADS: An audit has been prepared and the results will be issued soon. Hugh Watt, a member of BCC, said cars and school buses were travelling at speed through Glenbrook and asked Councillors Gardiner and Bruce to take note.
ALLY DONALDSON: the Council unanimously agreed to write to Currie Rugby Club expressing shock and condolences following the untimely death of Ally Donaldson at the age of 60.
MEETING VENUE: The next meeting of BCC will be held in the Welcome Centre in Bridge Road (the former police station) on Thursday, November 5 (7pm).
September Snippets
DAMAGED PLANTER: The damaged planter in Balerno Main Street, which houses the support for the annual Christmas Tree, was brought to the attention of police at the September meeting of Balerno Community Council (BCC). The City of Edinburgh Council have previously been notified and BCC have appealed to anybody with CCTV of the incident to get in touch.
SPEEDING: The council received a letter from Glenbrook resident regarding speed limits on rural roads and the danger posed by large buses travelling alongside pedestrians. Councillor Bruce noted the CEC has a Slower Roads campaign and the person managing this was new. He agreed to pass on the details to them.
DATA CENTRES : The Council had received notes from a recent public meeting on the proposed Data Centre at Hermiston. It was noted some of the details needed careful interpretation, but it was agreed that the Council would at the stage be minded to object to such a proposal.
ALLOTMENTS: A member of the public attended the meeting looking for guidance as he wishes to promote allotments in the village. He was advised to contact Balerno Bowling Club and mentioned the Walled Garden near Balerno High School. He was advised that an approach to develop the walled garden was made around a decade ago but did not proceed following objections from local residents.
PLAYPARK AT DEAN PARK SCHOOL: A resident told BCC that children were being stung by weeds, play equipment had been removed and not replaced, screws were missing and of her concern that the play park was not up to standard in comparison with others in the area. Juniper Green was mentioned. BCC are to write to the City of Edinburgh Council and Cllr Graeme Bruce, who attended the meeting said he would look into it.
TRIAL OF NEW MEETING VENUE: BCC are to trial the Welcome Station at the old police station for their next meeting in October before making a decision on moving from the Community Centre.
DISABLED ENTRY IN MAIN STREET: The condition of ramps to premises in the Main Street were said to be unsuitable and a potential safety hazard and BCC are to seek guidance from the City of Edinburgh Council.
CHRISTMAS TREE: Balerno Gala have offered to take on the installation of the Christmas Tree in Main Street along with the Lighting Ceremony . Further details on timing etc follow.
LOCAL PLACE PLAN: The Council will also be forwarding the Local Place Plan, adopted at the August meeting, to the City Council for registration. It will be forwarded along with any comments notified to the Council since adoption and advertisement.
Balerno, Gateway to The Pentland Hills
Where city meets country
Balerno is a village about seven miles south-west of Edinburgh's city centre and is in an area steeped in history.
It sits had the foot of the popular Pentland Hills allowing easy access to the Capital's outdoor playground for walks and cycling.
Balerno hosts a Farmers' Market in the Main Street on the second Saturday of every month, apart from January, and there is also an annual Children's Gala.
There are numerous clubs and associations within the village which also boats a scout group, 51st Pentland (Balerno), and a Beaver group.
Dance classes are held in the Cummunity Centre in the heart of the village and pubs host quiz and open
microphone nights.
Schools
Balerno High School is a fully-comprehensive, non-denominational school built in 1983 and it has a roll of just over 850 pupils in S1 to S6.
Dean Park Primary School is nearby and their vision is to create a learning environment where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
A nursery school and privately-operated after-school clubs are also featured in the village.
sport
Our picture shows the start of the annual six mile Rigg Race held in Balerno Children's Gala Week and it attracts athletes from all over Central Scotland and Fife.
But there is so much more. For example, trout fishing in nearby Harlaw Reservoir and Water of Leith plus bowling at Balerno Bowling Club.
There are two tennis courts next to the bowling club in the heart of the village, plus numerous walks and cycle trails in The Pentland Hills.
Don't forget the picturesque Water of Leith Walkway, described by a local MP as "one of the area's greatest assets".
Golf is easily accessible at Baberton, Ratho Park and Dalmahoy, and Balerno is within minutes of the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena. Next door is Lost Shore, Edinburgh's luxury suft resort, offering world-class surf lessons.
Sailing is available nearby in the River Forth and South Queensferry and Hearts and Hibs, who both play in the William Hill Championship, are on the No 44 bus route.
Currie Rugby Club, who play in the Premiership, operate teams of all ages from Balerno so, in short, Balerno has much to offer those of a sporting inclination.
History of Balerno
Balerno derives its name from the Gaelic, Baile Airneach, which means lowland/town of the hawrhorns. The earliest written records date back to the late 13-century.
The 18th-century brought substantial development, with many new flax, snuff and paper mils around the Water of Leith and its tributary, the Bavelaw Burn. The largest mill, Balerno Bank Mil, closed in the early 1980s.
House building began in earnest after the First World War and it has continued to the present day as Balerno has become one of the places to live in the Lothians.
shopping and eatinG
A well-stocked Scotmid Co-op supermarket is the main retail outlet in Balerno.
The Main Street has a pizza and Indian restaurant, fish and chip shop and two popular pub/restaurants plus a chemist and dog grooming parlour and hardware shop.
A library is situated in the heart of the village and there is a Community Centre, which has been given a facelift.
It hosts dance classes and meetings.
A Welcome Centre has just been opened and it hosts meetings for community groups
