Commenting on Community Meetings I Have Attended This Week

On Tuesday evening, after my weekly surgery at the Library, I attended a meeting of the Broughty Ferry Development Trust. It was good to hear about the projects which they are working on. I am sure their efforts will help to enhance The Ferry.

On Wednesday evening, I divided my time between the Parent Council meetings at Barnhill and Forthill Primary Schools as their meetings had been arranged for the same night. To my mind, both groups are positive examples of involved parents and carers leading to inspired children. At both meetings I heard about issues that are important in connection with their children's primary schooling. Unfortunately, there remain road safety issues in relation to the dropping off and picking up of children around Barnhill and Forthill. I will raise these issues at the next meeting of the School Parking and Pupil Safety Working Group.

Broughty Ferry Development Trust AGM

Broughty Ferry Development Trust (BFDT) held their AGM at Castle Green Leisure Centre this morning. 

The BFDT aims, "to involve the people who live and work in Broughty Ferry in the development of their community to enhance its environmental and historical assets."

A representative from the Scottish Development Trusts' Association gave a talk and showed a video about the inspirational work undertaken by Development Trusts throughout Scotland. 

A number of additional trustees were elected which helps to secure the future of the Development Trust. 

More information about the previous conservation projects undertaken by the BFDT is available from their blog. Information about current activities can be found on the Broughty Ferry Development Trust Facebook Page

Blue Plaque Scheme for Broughty Ferry?

Folk who walk along the coastal pathway near the end of Douglas Terrace may have noticed a blue plaque on the front of the cottage overlooking the wee triangle of open space.

On closer inspection, it is clear that this plaque celebrates the infamous Bob Servant who apparently lived there. Of course, those of us who enjoyed seeing the Bob Servant series on BBC TV will recognise the location from the distinctive extension on the side of the house.

This plaque got me thinking that there must be many famous and some infamous people in the history of The Ferry who might merit an official Blue Plaque. Furthermore, a Blue Plaque scheme might also add to the visitor appeal of Broughty Ferry.

I have already discussed this with Broughty Ferry Development Trust at their recent AGM and with some members of the Community Council. The idea was well received but needs a sponsoring organisation that might take it on and both the Community Council and the Development Trust have their hands full at the moment. I intend to take it up next with Dundee Civic Trust.

I would also like to hear from any organisation that might might be interested in taking this on.

Email laurie.bidwell@dundeecity.gov.uk

Annual General Meeting of Broughty Ferry Development Trust Saturday 14 September 2013

The Annual General Meeting of Broughty Ferry Development Trust will take place in the Castle Green Hall at 11 am on Saturday 14th September 2013

The order of business will be as follows:

1. Introduction and welcome by Chairman John Dobbie.

2. Minutes of the last AGM

3. Matters Arising from these Minutes

4. Presentation by the Chairman of Committee Members Statement of Activities on the activities of BFDT

5. Consideration Annual Accounts

6. Election of Management Committee: Seeking election are, Jeremy Linskell, Jim Duthie and Suzi Fox all of whom are co-opted members of the Committee. The Committee may make further recommendations prior to the AGM.

7. Any Other Competent Business

8. Discussion of future plans by members for the proposed Beach Pavilion and a further Graveyard Project.

Brian Cox Returns to Broughty Ferry to Officially Open the Refurbished Street Lamps in Beach Crescent

John Dobbie, Chair of BFDT, introduces Brian Cox
click on image to enlarge

Yesterday afternoon Brian Cox returned to Broughty Ferry. On this occasion he was not on location filming an episode of Bob Servant but here to perform the official opening of the restored historic lamp standards in Beach Crescent. 

A group of members and supporters of Broughty Ferry Development Trust (BFDT) gathered to hear Brian's appreciative comments about The Ferry and the determined and effective conservation work of the Development Trust. He remarked that it was a bit early in the day to turn on the street lights but declared, 
"long may they light!"

This was a memorable event which demonstrates that BFDT is living up to its mission statement:
"Involving the people who live and work in Broughty Ferry in the development of their community to enhance its environmental, historical and commercial assets and promote it as a high quality place to live, work and visit." 

Joining the BFDT is free.
Just email info@broughtyferrydevelopmenttrust.com 

Brian Cox to Officiate at Ceremony to Mark the Refurbishment of the Historic Street Lights in Beach Crescent

On Tuesday June 18th Broughty Ferry Development Trust (BFDT) has arranged a ceremony to mark the completion of the refurbishment of the ornate Victorian Lamp standards on Beach Crescent. Brian Cox, aka Bob Servant, has agreed to officiate at the ceremony outside Orchar House.

The ornate Victorian lampposts on Beach Crescent, each of which depict Broughty Ferry Castle in relief on the doors, were previously in a very bad state. The Development Trust obtained funding to refurbish them from the Dundee Historic Environment Trust. The refurbishment is now complete. 

These same lamp post might have ended up in the skip in the 1960s when the vogue was 'out with the old and in with the new'. One of the Development Trust's founder members, the late David Goodfellow, saved these lamp posts from going to scrap by drawing attention to their significance and secured their current positions along Beach Crescent.

BFDT are grateful to Dundee City Council’s Lighting Department for refurbishing the Provost’s Lamppost, also situated on Beach Crescent, that commemorated Provost Orchar’s tenure as Provost of Broughty Ferry between 1886 and 1898. This was before Broughty Ferry was incorporated into Dundee in 1913.

Broughty Ferry Development Trust (BFDT) is a charitable organisation, with over 150 members, which aims to improve Broughty Ferry by accessing grants to progress sensitive development supported by the community.

Proposed Dundee Tourism Strategy and Broughty Ferry

On Monday, Councillors will be asked to approve a Tourism Action Plan for the Council. As a Ferry Councillor, I have been looking at where Broughty Ferry fits into this.

Broughty Ferry is mentioned twice in the twenty page report. Firstly, the report acknowledges that in addition to the city centre and the waterfront developments there are other destinations to be promoted: 
"Dundee also has some key locations which are likely to be of interest and could be packaged as visitor attractions in their own right – examples of this would include Broughty Ferry and also West End or Cultural Quarter."

And when it comes to recommendations and actions:
"Identify key geographies in terms of specific areas within the city which can be packaged as a visitor destination within the city.
Lead Department –
• Activities
- Consider the added value to packaging areas together in relation to tourism offer i.e. Broughty Ferry, West End/Cultural quarter and develop marketing information
• Measures
- Additional visitors to areas identified
• Timescale – Ongoing

I know that Broughty Ferry Traders, the Community Council and the Broughty Ferry Development Trust would all welcome better promotion of Broughty Ferry as a destination. Currently, Visit Scotland's offering on their website leaves a lot to be desired as their information is out of date and incomplete. And measuring success of this proposed Tourism Action Plan by increases in visitor numbers to The Ferry would be a fair and acid test.

Historic Street Lamps in Beach Crescent Looking Good

Row of distinctive lamp standards

The historic group of street lights in Beach Crescent in The Ferry have been restored and re-errected.

When they were removed for restoration, some residents contacted me concerned that they might have been been removed permanently. In fact, this was a vital rescue mission, as the former gas lamps had been allowed to get into a really poor state of repair. I hope that they are now pleased as I am with the results.

That this row of lamp standards was saved is down to foresight and determination of the Broughty Ferry Development Trust. The trust were, formed just a few years ago, to help facilitate such improvements.

The second photograph show some of detail picked out in the base of the columns. On one side it features the unmistakable outline of Broughty Castle. In the encircling garland is the inscription, ’Burgh of Broughty Ferry.'

This has been a most worthwhile conservation project. I look forward to the Development Trust bringing forward similar projects in the future and where appropriate facilitating Council support for these.

Brian Cox Filming Bob Servant Independent on Douglas Terrace

Click on this image to enlarge

Yesterday, while I was out on my regular dog walk along the coastal pathway, I came across Brian Cox and a film crew hard at work. They were filming outside the cottage hard by the railway bridge at the end of Douglas Terrace. 

The film crew were here in The Ferry to make the next three episodes of Bob Servant Independent for BBC Four. The series will be televised in the Spring. 

Judging by the sunny weather while they have been filming, The Ferry should be shown in a very good light. 

Once the series is televised, I think there would be scope for some Bob Servant themed walks round Broughty Ferry. Perhaps that might be something for the Broughty Ferry Development Trust or an opportunity for one of our Broughty Ferry Traders?

Broughty Ferry Development Trust AGM 11 am Saturday 1st September 2012 Castle Green Hall

The AGM of Broughty Ferry Development Trust will take place in the Castle Green Hall at 11 am on Saturday 1st September.

The order of business will be as follows:

Introduction and welcome. (By committee member Hugh Begg standing in for Chairman Andrew Nicoll who has been ill.) (Chairman’s Statement attached)

Minutes of the last AGM (attached)

Matters Arising from these Minutes

Report by the Chairman on the activities of BFDT (attached)

Consideration Annual Accounts (attached)

Election of Andrew Nicoll as Honorary President

Election of Management Committee: Clause 20 of the Constitution (attached)

Any Other Competent Business

Andrew Nicoll (Chairman of Broughty Ferry Development Trust)

Old Burial Ground Improvements Orchestrated by Broughty Ferry Development Trust

 
Over the last few weeks, folk walking along Fisher Street may have noticed the colourful and informative new story boards about the Fisherman's Burial Ground - see above. This will hopefully raise interest in what lies behind the fence and the handsome new gates just erected round the corner. Hidden from general view for so long, the burial ground contains some fascinating insights into the history of Broughty Ferry.
 
These small but significant improvements are the work of the Broughty Ferry Development Trust. They had identified the old burial ground as one of their first projects deserving some minor improvements to enhance access and information for potential visitors. This is the first more tangible outcome from a number of projects that the Trust has been quietly undertaking on behalf of the community.
 
Follow Broughty Ferry Development Trust on Facebook.
 

Posted with Blogsy

Broughty Ferry Development Trust - Find Them on Facebook

Broughty Ferry Development Trust
involve people who live and work in Broughty Ferry in the development of our community to enhance its environmental, historical and commercial assets and promote it as a high quality place to live, work and visit.
As part of their promotion of and community engagement in their work The Trust have developed a Facebook presence.  
Link to Broughty Ferry Development Trust on Facebook

Four Weddings and a Funeral Not - Three AGMs and a Development Quality Meeting

Like weddings, there is a season for AGMs and for many of our local organisations in our community, September is when such a meeting is scheduled. During the last ten days, I have attended three Annual General Meetings as well as a meeting last night of the Development Management Committee of the Council. 


First the AGMs. These important meetings usually include not only elections/re-elections of committee members and adoption of annual accounts but also report on the progress of the organisation and provide some pointers about where the organisation wants to go during the next year. 


On Saturday morning 10th September, I attended the second AGM of the Broughty Ferry Development Trust held in Castle Green Leisure Centre. This relatively new organisation is making good progress with a number of admirable projects to enhance Broughty Ferry such as restoring the distinctive street lights on Beach Crescent. It's not a talking shop, it is making things happen and folk are clearly rolling their sleeves up. After the formalities, Roddy Isles from the V&A Making It Happen Project Team overviewed the progress of the project and then talked to the thirty odd members present about the potential opportunities and benefits for Broughty Ferry from the V&A. This stimulated a number of interesting suggestions such as boat trips from the V&A at its waterfront site doon the river to the Ferry. I proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee for their hard work throughout the year.


On the evening of Tuesday 13 September, I attended the AGM of the Parent Council at Grove Academy. The meeting re-elected Allen Thurston as Chairperson of Grove Academy Parent Council. With his background as a parent with children at the school, as a former Teacher in Dundee and as a Researcher working on school improvement, Allen is a a very well qualified person to carry out this role. I think Grove Academy Parent Council is a very effective organisation which has shown its support for and engagement with the school in a number of key ways over the last year.  For example, two parents on the Parent Council were members of the selection board for the appointment of a new Head Teacher for Grove. It was reported that a preferred candidate has been chosen and when the contractual formalities have been concluded by the Education Department, a formal announcement will be made. 


On a wet and windy Friday evening 16 September Broughty Ferry in Bloom held their AGM at Castle Green Leisure Centre. Stan Nutt the Chairperson reported on the award of a Silver Medal in the Beautiful Scotland awards which had been held in Rothesay on Monday 12 September (Silver Medal awarded to be an above-average entry that meets most of the judging criteria and objectives of Beautiful Scotland) . Broughty Ferry in Bloom  hope they that will strike Gold or Silver Gilt next year if we all collaborate by sprucing up our gardens and open spaces. A video of the hidden and beautiful gardens in the Ferry was also shown to the members and supporters who turned up.


Interestingly, if you are wondering about my title, yes there some parallels between Four Weddings and a Funeral and the annual meetings I have been attending. All the AGMs have featured a core of key folk who have undertaken a considerable amount of unpaid work and some of these active citizens appeared in more than one of these key meetings in our community. 


Finally, last night I attended a meeting of the Development Quality Committee of the Council. Of particular note was the detailed planning permission granted for the new Asda supermarket on the NCR site beside Kingsway West.

'Open Doors to Heaven' - Rare Opportunity to See Fisherman's Graveyard in Broughty Ferry Tuesday 13 September 1pm

On Tuesday 13 September beginning at 1pm there will be a rare opportunity for a peek into the Fisherman's Graveyard in Broughty Ferry. A conducted tour has been organised by Friends of Dundee City Archives. There is no charge for the tour but booking is necessary.

For further information and to book telephone Dundee 01382 434494

Improving future access to the Fisherman's Graveyard is one of the projects currently being pursued by Broughty Ferry Development Trust.

Broughty Ferry Development Trust AGM Saturday 10 September 11 am Castle Green Leisure Centre

Notice of AGM

The AGM of Broughty Ferry Development Trust

will take place on Saturday 10 September

at 11 am in the Leisure Centre Hall on Castle Green.

Derelict Beach Shelter on the Esplanade Demolished

Residents in The Ferry and regular visitors alike will notice that the derelict beach shelter on The Esplanade has been demolished.

Many folk will be surprised to learn that the demolition of such an eyesore needed approval from Historic Scotland, but the flat roofed building is in a conservation area. Now that that permission has been granted, the City Council has awarded a contract to demolish the building. The granting of this contract will be reported to the City Development Committee on Monday 27 June.

I think most Ferry folk will be delighted to see the back of this blot on the landscape and relieved that in time it will be redeveloped as part of the Castle Green Masterplan. In the meanwhile, it will provide more parking spaces at the beach.

Meeting of The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership,

Last night (Thursday 18 November), I attended the quarterly meeting of The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership (LCPP). This is always a useful meeting to attend, to hear about the plans and proposals of City Council services and other agencies such as Tayside Police, Tayside Fire & Rescue, Broughty Ferry Community Council, Broughty Churches and voluntary groups.

This time our meeting was held in the modern Church Hall in Pamurefield. At the meeting, we were able to hear about arrangements for a public consultation meeting run by Broughty Ferry Development Trust. At their next meeting, on Wednesday 8th December beginning at 7 pm at Castle Green, a feasibility study will be presented on providing facilities at the sandy beach in line with the wishes of the community and to replace the derelict bathing shelter. There will be a presentation of the Feasibility Study by Nicoll Russell and time for questions from the floor.