Libraries in Scotland Busiest in UK - Broughty Ferry Library Busiest Branch in Dundee

A study recently published by the Carnegie UK Trust has found 50% of respondents in Scotland have used a library in the past year, the highest rate in the UK.  

The five-year study involved 1000 participants in Scotland. It discovered more than three-quarters (77%) of people said library facilities are important for their communities and 37% said they are important for them personally.

Almost three-quarters (71%) of families with children aged five to 11 visited libraries last year, up 3% on 2011.

In recent surveys of library users in Dundee, our library in Broughty Ferry consistently comes out as the busiest branch library in the city, second only to the Central Library in the Wellgate.

Dundee Cycle Map 2017 Bigger and Better than Ever

Dundee City Council have recently launched the new look Dundee Cycle Map 2017. The map has been extensively updated to include new routes and to update locations of destinations.

The map is free and is available from all libraries and cycle shops across the city and has been funded through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund from the Scottish Government.

The map features the Green Circular which circumnavigates the city, linking some of Dundee’s best green places, and Greenways routes which link other areas. The Green Circular was opened in 1995. Recent improvements include resurfacing at Riverside near the Nature Park and upgrading to tarmac surface at Trottick Ponds. The launch took place at a new Toucan Crossing at Whalers Lane in the Central Waterfront, part of efforts to connect the City to the Tay.

This is the largest Dundee Cycle Map ever, with more information, including a bigger City Centre insert, information on the locations of 20mph zones and suggestions for leisure rides to the north, south, east and west of the city.

Improvements to the map have prepared by the council’s City Development and Neighbourhood Services. Dundee Cycling Forum have provided significant information into routes they use, barriers and text suggestions.

The ancestor of the modern bicycle, the Velocipede is 200 years old in 2017. Isn’t it time you gave it a go!

Book Week Scotland Free Event at Broughty Ferry Library 7pm Wednesday 23 November 2016

Book Week Scotland runs from 21 - 27 November 2016.

Broughty Ferry Library are hosting one of the events planned in Dundee.

The Comet Seekers by Helen Sedgwick: Wednesday 23rd November 7.00-8.00pm, Broughty Ferry Library, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry DD5 2HN

Helen Sedgwick has an MLitt in Creative Writing and won the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award in 2012.

Described as One Day meets The Time Traveller’s Wife, this debut novel from a former research physicist uses comets as a way of bridging time in a scientific romance that follows its characters from 1066 to present day Antarctica.

This is a free event for adults, refreshments will be available. Helen’s book will be available for sale.

To book your place
either email broughty.library@leisureandculturedundee.com
or call 01382 436919

Reporting on Quarterly Meeting of The Ferry Community Planning Partnership held on Thursday 17 November

On Thursday afternoon, I attended the Quarterly meeting of The Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership which was held in Broughty Ferry Libary beginning at 17:30.

I always find this a useful meeting to attend because the agenda includes updates from voluntary, council and community organisations as well as presentations and consultations about new and proposed developments.

At our meeting on Thursday, the LCPP heard a formal presentation and consultation from Council staff about the proposed enhanced facilities for charging electric vehicles in the Queen Street Car Park. I have previously reported about this in this blog. Folk who want to hear this presentation may do so when it is repeated at the next meeting of the Broughty Ferry Community Council to be held on Tuesday 6 December 2016 beginning at 7pm in Broughty Ferry Library. 

The LCPP also had a presentation on initial results of the Engage Broughty Ferry survey and the implications of the 'A Fair Way to Go: Report of the Dundee Fairness Commission'. A follow up event to tease out the way forward for partners will be held in early 2017.

Two new PCs from the local policing team for Broughty Ferry introduced themselves and committed to resuming their regular attendance at further meetings of the LCPP and other community organisations.

Cllr Laurie Bidwell Announces Changes to his Surgeries from August 2015

Following a review of inquiries I have received from constituents, it is clear that an increasing proportion of folk are contacting me via phone, email and social media and a decreasing proportion come to meet me at a weekly surgery. 

Directly contacting me by phone or email usually results in constituents' concerns and issues being reported and dealt with more quickly than waiting up to a week for my next surgery.

I have decided therefore to focus my surgery time at Broughty Ferry Library with effect from Tuesday 18 August 2015. In addition, I shall continue to undertake home or site visits when these are requested.

Contact Details for Cllr Laurie Bidwell
telephone: 01382 738566 home - 01382 434110 office - 07932 701287 mobile
email: laurie.bidwell@dundeecity.gov.uk
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/councillorlauriebidwell

Weekly Surgery
Broughty Ferry Library 
Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2HN
5:30 - 6:00 pm Every Tuesday (school term time only)

Alternatively request a home visit

Suffragette City - an Illustrated Talk by Norman Watson Wednesday 30 September 2015 at 7pm

Journalist and historian Norman Watson, who has researched the suffrage movement for over 25 years, will offer an illustrated talk on Dundee’s militant suffragettes and their remarkable struggle to win votes for women.

Wednesday 30 September 2015 at 7pm

Broughty Ferry Community Library Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2HN
Tickets £2 each available from Broughty Ferry Library
T: 01382 436919   E: broughty.library@leisureandculturedundee.com
Refreshments and a raffle on the night.

Public Meeting on Proposed Local Government Boundary Changes in Broughty Ferry Tuesday 1st September 2015

On Tuesday evening 1st September 2015, Broughty Ferry Community Council, will be turning over their entire meeting to consider the proposals from the Boundary Commission for Local Government in Scotland. 

The Commission have proposed to remove West Ferry, west of Victoria Road and Claypotts Road, from 'The Ferry' local government ward.  This is in conjunction with other ward boundary changes in Dundee.

More details about these proposals are contained in my earlier post.

NB This public meeting will be held in The Gym Hall of Eastern Primary School with access from Claypotts Road at the back of the School. Please note, due to other events on at the school, parking in the immediate vicinity of the school will be limited and restricted.

Broughty Ferry Community Council meet on the first Tuesday of every month (except July) in Broughty Ferry Library. 

Sort Out Concerns About New Recycling Services at 5 Drop-Ins 16-20 March 2015

A significant number of constituents have been contacting me over the last few weeks about the introduction of the new recycling services in The Ferry.

Whether your new bins have arrived or not, whether you want them or not, whether alternative communal bins are right for your close or group of properties or block of flats, whatever your query or concern:

There are five opportunities to meet members of the Environment Department this week in Broughty Ferry Library as follows:

Monday 16th March 10am - 12pm
Monday 16th March 5pm - 7pm
Wednesday 18th March 12pm - 2pm
Friday 20th March 10am - 12pm
Friday 20th March 5pm - 7pm
all at Broughty Ferry Library Queen Street,
Broughty Ferry Dundee DD5 2HN

Of course, if you or your neighbours have remaining issues that can't be resolved directly with the Environment Department, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Five Drop-In Roadshows to Sort Out Broughty Bin Queries in Week Beginning Monday 16 March 2015

Over half of the homes in Broughty Ferry will be shifted over to a new pattern of recycling and waste collections before the end of the month. Each household in the first phase of the new scheme should have already received an introductory letter about the changes and how it might affect them. 

This will involve new collections of household food waste in sealed containers and a change to additional bin collections and recycling containers. For those households that can't accommodate the new 'bins' there will be an offer of shared communal euro-bins and improved local recycling centres.

Roughly speaking it is the Eastern half of The Ferry which is in phase one. Click on this link to see map showing which parts of Broughty Ferry will start their new recycling services later this month.

If you or your neighbours have further concerns and queries, you can take advantage of the five drop-in sessions in week beginning 16 March that have been arranged at Broughty Ferry Library:

• Monday 16th March 10am - 12pm
• Monday 16th March 5pm - 7pm 
• Wednesday 18th March 12pm - 2pm 
• Friday 20th March 10am - 12pm
• Friday 20th March 5pm - 7pm 

all at Broughty Ferry Library Queen Street, Broughty Ferry Dundee DD5 2HN

Of course, if you or your neighbours have remaining issues that can't be resolved directly with the Environment Department, please do not hesitate to contact me.

100+ Young Winners of Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland at Broughty Ferry Library

Click on image to enlarge

On Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of presenting certificates to 103 children who had completed the Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland at Broughty Ferry Library. There were also certificates for 8 children who had completed the Book Bug Challenge for children under 4. The Summer Reading Challenge is designed for children between the ages of 4 and 11. To gain a medal and certificate, each young reader needs to read six books and visit their library three times over the summer holiday. Many of the winners on Tuesday evening had read many more than six books.

The Summer Reading Challenge recognises that, "Reading for pleasure is more important to children’s successes than education or social class. The Summer Reading Challenge gets .... children into libraries to keep up their reading skills and confidence during the long holidays." Clearly it also encourages many children and their parents and carers to their local library.

Congratulation are due to parents, grandparents and carers for supporting their young readers by engaging them in this programme. Thanks are also due to Sandra Westgate our Librarian and her team of staff who have organised the scheme within our library.

Broughty Ferry War Memorials Display 4 - 30 August 2014

Broughty Ferry library has organised an exhibition to mark the centenary of the declaration of the beginning of the First World War. 

From 4 - 30 August during library opening hours they are hosting a display of photos of the War Memorials that can be found in the Broughty Ferry churches which commemorate the men who lost their lives in The Great War, 1914-18.  

A Remembrance Book is available.

Broughty Ferry Library Opening Hours and Contact Details

Next Meeting of the Broughty Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership 5:30 pm Thursday 22 June 2014

The next meeting of The Ferry Community Planning Partnership will be held on Thursday 22 May at the Broughty Ferry Library on Queen Street, beginning at 5:30pm.

Local Community Planning Partnerships (LCPPs) have been established in each Dundee City Council Ward since 2008. 

The main purpose of these local planning partnerships is to ensure that Community Plans are devised and implemented in response to the locally identified needs in each Ward and to improve the co-ordination of Dundee City Council services with those of our other public and voluntary sector partners.

The meetings are open to members of the public where issues of community concern can be raised in relation to items on the agenda through the chair of meeting.

If you would like further information about the meeting or the Community Planning Partnership, please use the contact details shown below.

A G E N D A

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

2. PRESENTATIONS

ß Land Train – Scorpion Tyres

3. PREVIOUS MINUTE AND MATTERS ARISING

4. LCPP EVALUATION REVIEW AND FEEDBACK 

5. FUNDING ALLOCATION FOR BROUGHTY FERRY

6. COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED REPORT)

7. DEPARTMENT AGENCY OR ORGANISATION UPDATE

8 COMMUNITY ISSUED RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

9. DATES AND VENUES OF NEXT MEETING 

Thursday 21st August 2014 at Eastern Primary, Centenary Wing

Thursday 21st November 2014, venue to be confirmed.

Carole Jenkins, Communities Officercarole.jenkins@dundeecity.gov.uk  (01382) 436929

Help at Hand in Broughty Ferry for Folk Trying to Cope with Changes to Their Social Security Benefits

Are you or anyone you know affected by the Welfare Reforms including the Benefits' Cap and Bedroom Tax?

Finding it hard to make ends meet?

Do you know about the upcoming changes in benefits and how they will affect you?

Do you or someone you know claim any of these benefits?

• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance (income based)
• Employment Support Allowance (income based)
• Working Tax Credits
• Child Tax Credits
• Housing Benefit
• Disability living allowance (DLA)

These benefits are changing – find out more from your local CONNECT officer for Broughty Ferry, Gail Watson. Gail is at the Ferry Library in Queen Street every Wednesday 2pm 4:30pm
email gail.watson@dundeecity.gov.uk

For a full list of regular surgery times across the City including the Wellgate Library read/download the list or to speak directly to an Adviser ring 01382 431205 and ask to be put through to a member of the CONNECT team.

The CONNECT team is a new initiative which is funded from the Big Lottery until March 2015 with the aim of addressing  the key issues people face as a result of the Welfare Reforms in Dundee. The project has created a Task Force of 8 officers, a Team Leader and 7 frontline multi-skilled staff which cover all eight Local Community Planning Partnerships. 

Report to January 2014 Meeting of Broughty Ferry Community Council

On Tuesday night 7 January, I attended the monthly meeting of Broughty Ferry Community Council. Here are some extracts from my report to the Community Council:

Dog Poo in Dawson Park 
Following complaints from a junior football club about dog poo on Sports Pitches in Dawson Park which they rent from the city council, I have requested more vigilance by the dog wardens in the park. Link to more about this issue.

Illuminated Signs in Brook Street
I followed up a constituent complaint about illuminated advertising panels attached to bus shelters in Brook Street outside Marks and Spencer. The planning department clarified that permission was granted for this and other illuminated panels on bus shelters in The Ferry in August 2007 under delegated powers to planners. Link to full posting about this.

Scottish Water
Following comments at the Community Council's December meeting, I sought clarification on the timescale for undertaking work on the intermittently leaking sewer under the beach near Douglas Terrace.

I also followed up the complaint made by Community Councillor David Hewick about the most recent flooding at Cedar Road. It is clear that Scottish Water's investment plans will need to be modified in order to put in place the upgrading of the capacity to main drainage in order to mitigate the flooding and sewage spillage coming up through the drains. Link to more about this issue.

Bett Homes and Dundee City Council
In December, I was pleased to see the resolution of a near 50 year old ownership anomaly that affected twelve driveways in Falkland Crescent. Bett Homes funded the upgrading of the portion of householder's driveways that runs over grass margins to the roadside. The City Council have now adopted the driveways. Link to more about this issue.

Forthill Primary School
In mid December a man was knocked down at the end of Marlee Road in Broughty Ferry. An ambulance was called and took the person involved  to Ninewells hospital. This occurred close to the leaving time for pupils at the nearby Forthill Primary School. I have informed Police Scotland in Dundee and Neil Gellatly from Transportation about this to ensure the incident is logged. Link to more about this issue.

Broughty Ferry Community Council meets on the first Tuesday of every month (excluding August) in the Community Library, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry Dundee DD5 2HN. Community Council meetings begin at 7pm and are open to the public. 

Santa Claus is Coming to Broughty Ferry Library on Saturday 14 December 10-12 noon

Santa Claus is taking time out from his busy schedule for a flying visit to Broughty Ferry Library between 10am and 12noon on Saturday 14 December 2013.

Children of all ages are welcome.

Entry is free. 

There will also be festive crafts - make a Christmas card or decoration.

Broughty Ferry Library
Queen Street Broughty Ferry DD5 2HN 
broughty.library@leisureandculturedundee.com
telephone  01382 636919 

The Memory of Broughty Ferry Book is Published

5th November 2013 was the centenary of Broughty Ferry becoming part of Dundee. A series of community led events during the year have taken place to recognise the end of Broughty Ferry as a separate Burgh.

Very close to the anniversary of annexation, Hugh Begg, Chris Davey and Nancy Davey have published an absorbing volume of local history, 'The Memory of Broughty Ferry'. The handsome cover features in the background the 1801 Plan of the 'New Town at the North Ferry' featuring the distinctive grid of roads which is still recognisable today.

The publication is now on sale for £6 in the The Ferry at Mcdonalds the Stationers in Brook Street and the Eduardo Alessandro Studios in Gray Street. In Dundee you will find it on sale at Waterstones in Commercial Street. There is also a reference copy available at the Broughty Ferry Library. 

The book contains 100 pages featuring nine separate chapters including:

• Broughty Ferry before 1913
• Salmon Fishing in Broughty Ferry
• The Mansion House Murder Mystery
• Fisher Street Graveyard
• The End of the Burgh of Broughty Ferry

Interestingly, the title, 'The Memory of Broughty Ferry' is the toast proposed by Provost Lindsay just prior to midnight on 4 November 1913, before he removed his chain of office for the last time. While it was the end of the Broughty Ferry Burgh as he knew it,  I think he would have been impressed with the enduring distinctiveness of the identity of Ferry folk and the continuing pride of place of its citizens wanting to record and celebrate its history as well as engage in planning its future.

Dundee Festival of Libraries - Events at Broughty Ferry Library This Week

@ Broughty Ferry Library This Week

Thursday 28 November 2013 7.00pm 
Lesley McDowell - Adult Event

Lesley talks about her new gothic novel “Unfashioned Creatures” 200 years after Mary Shelley’s stay in Broughty Ferry.

Saturday 30 November 2013 3–4.00pm
Metaphrog - Children’s Event
10–15 years

Create your own comic character workshop with graphic novel duo Metaphrog.

Read/download Dundee Wide Programme of Events

Broughty Ferry Community Library
Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2HN
Phone  01382 436919
Email  broughty.library@dundeecity.gov.uk
Website  http://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/library/broughty_ferry

Friends of Broughty Ferry Library Open Evening 7pm Monday 4 November 2013

Friends of Broughty Ferry Library are running an Open Evening in the Library at 7pm on Monday 4 November 2013.

The evening will start with the presentation of prizes to the children who submitted winning entries in the Friends' Logo competition.  The judges had a very difficult task, but the Friends of Broughty Ferry Library do now have their new Logo, which will be revealed on Monday night.  It and the entries of the other winners and those whose work was Highly Commended will be on display - some splendid art work and wonderful creativity.

The evening will continue with a talk on local history by Charlie Webster, so if you would like to learn more about where you stay, come along and hear about the development of Broughty Ferry and its environs.

There will also be a chance to meet the members of the Friends' Committee, to look at the artist's impressions for the proposed Library extension and an 'Ideas Board' to let the Committee know what residents would like the Friends' Group to be doing in the year to come.  They would really appreciate your thoughts:

• ideas for fundraising;
• activities and
• whether you might like to join the Friends' Committee.

Everybody welcome, entry free, refreshments available

Broughty Ferry Community Library

Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2HN

Phone:  01382 436919

Email: broughty.library@dundeecity.gov.uk

Website: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/communities/

New Computers and Free WiFi at Broughty Ferry Library

Last week the well used computers at Broughty Ferry Library were replaced as part of a 'refresh' programme. The flat screen monitors have also been replaced with larger screens. The upgraded computers are running on Windows 7. Public access is available to these computers via the library issue desk.

The Library is also a location for free wifi.

Of course it is also well resourced for accessing books and a range of daily local and national papers.

Link to contact details and opening hours for Broughty Ferry Library

National Poetry Day Thursday 4 October 2013

Click on image to enlarge

Today is National Poetry Day 2013.

The theme of this year's day is "water". On a day when a downpour was anticipated in the weather forecast, it's appropriate to pick out, Dundee born, Don Patterson's poem, "Rain".

This is one a series of a eight poems available printed on postcards. Copies of the poem postcards were available for schools and also distributed through libraries. On Tuesday, when I checked, there were still some free Poetry Postcards available in our Broughty Ferry Community Library on Queen Street. 

Link to "Rain" by Don Patterson, read by Patrick Wallace. 

Enjoy!

Poem © Don Paterson 2011 by permission of the author c/o Rogers, Coleridge & White Ltd