Broughty Ferry Artist and Musician Have Their Film Short Listed at International Dance Film Festival in San Francisco

Emile Shemilt and Genevieve Murphy from The Ferry had important roles in a dance film, A Touch of Red, which has just been shortlisted for an award at a prestigious international festival.
Emile is the Director of the film and Genevieve wrote the music. They made the film with a team of young artists who were based in the city. They are both thrilled, along with their collaborators, that their film has been shortlisted at the dance screen 2013 with San Francisco Dance Film Festival 12-15 September in San Francisco.

They are now channelling their creative talents into raising the money to attend the festival and awards ceremony.

They want to fly the flag for Dundee and and be there to receive any award should their film be selected by the jurors. Whatever the result in San Francisco, it is clearly an accolade to be short listed for an award and they hope this will help reinforce Dundee’s bid for UK City of Culture 2017.

Emile can be contacted at the Visual Research Centre at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA)

mobile 07773 203699 and email e.j.shemilt@dundee.ac.uk 

Public Protection From Falling Masonry on Victoria Road

Over last weekend the high retaining wall at the top of Victoria Road close tot its junction with Claypotts Road, began to bulge and some stones fell out. 

One of my constituents drew this to my attention. He had initially contacted the Council directly but was concerned that in response they had only taped off the area.

He told me that he had expected something more substantial e.g. barriers to be done to [protect pedestrians and other road users from falling masonry.

I followed this up, contacted the City Engineers and requested a risk assessment on the state of the wall and better protective measures which rapidly followed.

Dundee Rep Perform at Broughty Ferry Castle Sunday 4 August 8pm - Free But Booking Essential

Dundee Rep will be performing, for one night only, at Broughty Ferry Castle on Sunday 4 August. This event is part of Dundee's Blue Skies Festival of kite flying, stargazing and rainbow chasing.

They invite us to join them in the magical surroundings of Broughty Ferry Castle for a rehearsed reading under the stars of 'Little Eagles' by Rona Munro presented by Dundee Rep Ensemble.

Little Eagles - Sun 4 August, 20:00 - Broughty Ferry Castle

This gripping drama celebrates the work of a pioneer in space exploration and the courage and bravery of the young Russian cosmonauts who literally hurled themselves into the unknown.

Free, but booking essential. Age 12+

To book your place call 01382 909900 or

visit Dundee Contemporary Arts Box Office in the Nethergate

NB This is an outdoor event so don’t forget to wrap up warm. Please bring a chair, blanket and your own refreshments. Age 12+. Please note that due to the nature of the performance it is not possible to admit latecomers, so please make sure that you arrive in good time for the beginning of the performance.

Blue Skies runs from Sat 3 – Sun 11 August 2013. It brings together cultural agencies from across the city to present you with an exciting mix of free events for all ages, every day of the festival.
Link to Blue Skies Programme of Events
http://www.dundeeblueskies.co.uk

Planned Merger of Dundee and Angus Colleges Can't Distract from SNP Cuts in Further Education

Saving money by merging colleges like Dundee College with Angus College in November this year may sound fine on paper, but we know Audit Scotland is doubtful whether the estimated savings from college mergers will actually materialise. I hope for the sake of students that they do, otherwise our college students will continue to pay the price for the sector being the poor cousin to the Universities under the SNP.

These mergers have been rushed through by the SNP in a desperate attempt to try to reduce the impact of their £50 million cut to the budgets of the Further Education Colleges throughout Scotland.

The name of a college and it’s management structure are minor issues when compared to how our colleges serve their communities. They now have far fewer places for adult learners and adults over 25 wanting to retrain full or part time. College staffing numbers have been reduced along with courses, leaving many young Scots on waiting lists unable to get a place.

It is therefore understandable that Mike Russell MSP, the SNP's Cabinet Secretary for Education, wants to divert attention away from his college cuts. Shiny new name plates and logos can’t disguise the dramatic cuts our further education sector has suffered. Unfortunately, for many prospective students, a Further Education College is less likely now to provide the place to go to learn new skills and retrain.

Broughty in Bloom Hopefully in the Running for Another Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful

Judges from Keep Scotland Beautiful, members of
Broughty Ferry in Bloom and Cllr Laurie Bidwell
at the Barnhill Rock Garden
Click on image to enlarge

On Tuesday afternoon, I was delighted to meet the judges from Keep Scotland Beautiful who were in The Ferry to judge us against other Coastal Towns competing for The David Kerr Coastal Resort Trophy and other awards in the annual Beautiful Scotland competition. 

In Broughty Ferry, Judges Lorna Much and Kate Stevenson came to inspect the work inspired and coordinated by Broughty in Bloom. After they visited last year, Broughty Ferry in Bloom received a Silver Gilt Award. Unfortunately we will all have to wait for the Awards Ceremony on 6 September to find out whether Broughty Ferry in Bloom carry off a Gold Award this time.

Well done to Stan Nutt, Chairperson of Broughty in Bloom and his committee for their sustained commitment to enhance our environment.

Beautiful Scotland is a long-established community environmental improvement campaign run in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society. Previously known as Beautiful Scotland in Bloom, the programme supports community groups across Scotland as they seek to improve and enhance their local environment. Beautiful Scotland is a competition with an extensive set of categories and awards, and its winners can progress to the sister Britain in Bloom competition and thereafter to the international Entente Florale.

Keep Scotland Beautiful is the independent charity which is committed to making Scotland clean and green, today and tomorrow.

Barnhill Rock Garden Wins Prestigious Green Flag Award Again

Earlier this week Barnhill Rock Garden was awarded one of the prestigious 2013 Green Flag Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful. It was one of four parks in Dundee to receive this award.

On Monday, I had rather bemoaned the fact that Broughty Ferry had apparently missed out on an award. This conclusion was on the basis of an error in the Press Release distributed by Keep Scotland Beautiful that had referred erroneously to Baxter Rock Garden and Baxter Park.

This award for our Rock Garden is in no small part a recognition of the sterling work of the Friends of Barnhill Rock Garden in partnership with staff from the Environment Department of Dundee City Council.

Parks are assessed by volunteer judges who usually have a background in parks management, conservation or ecology. They judge against eight criteria testing whether the park or green space is:

• welcoming;
• healthy,
• safe and secure;
• clean and well-maintained;
• sustainable;
• manages conservation and heritage;
• has community involvement;
• markets itself, and
• has good management.

Barnhill Rock Garden was first Awarded a Green Flag Award in 2007.

Barnhill Rock Garden is a public park extending to more than two hectares, owned and maintained by Dundee City Council with significant support from the Friends of the Barnhill Rock Garden. It is situated on part of a former nine-hole golf course which was laid out when the Dundee to Aberdeen railway line was built. It is on the Visit Scotland tourist trail and is open to the public at all times.

 

Temporary Road Closure in Hill Street Broughty Ferry on Tuesday 6 August 2013

Public Notice

The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Section 14 (1)
The Dundee City Council as Traffic Authority being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of  manhole repair works being carried out 

HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Hill Street 

(from Forthill Road to Hill Road), Broughty Ferry.

This notice comes into effect on Tuesday 6 August 2013 for 1 day

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via  Forthill 
Road / Fort Street / Queen Street / Camphill Road / 

For further information contact (01382) 433082

Mike Galloway
Director of City Development, Dundee City Council

Four Dundee Parks Receive Prestigious Green Flag Awards 2013

Four parks in Dundee – Baxter Rock Garden, Baxter Park, Templeton Woods and Trottick – will fly the prestigious Green Flag this year.

The Green Flag Award is the benchmark for a quality green space. They are administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful, the independent environmental charity.

Parks are assessed by volunteer judges who usually have a background in parks management, conservation or ecology. They judge against eight criteria testing whether the park or green space is: welcoming; healthy, safe and secure; clean and well-maintained; sustainable; manages conservation and heritage; has community involvement; markets itself, and has good management.

This is great news with four of our city parks rightly being awarded for their quality and for what they give their communities. We should be proud of our park managers, their staff and particularly the local volunteers who work all year round in rain or shine to make these parks beautifulI.

While these awards are admirable, I do wonder why none of the parks in Broughty Ferry were apparently not worthy of an award?

CORRECTION
Subsequently, I have been informed about an error in the Press Release from Keep Scotland Beautiful. 'Baxter Rock Garden', should have read 'Barnhill Rock Garden'. I have written more about this in a subsequent posting.

Temporary Closure of Grove Road from Dundee Road to Albany Road from Monday 29 July 2013

PUBLIC NOTICE
THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1)

THE DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AS TRAFFIC AUTHORITY
being satisfied that traffic on the road should be prohibited by reason of Scottish Water sewer repair works being carried out HEREBY PROHIBIT the driving of any vehicle in Grove Road (from Dundee Road to Albany Road), Broughty Ferry.
This notice comes into effect on Monday 29 July 2013 for 5 working days.

Pedestrian thoroughfare will be maintained.

Alternative routes for vehicles are available via Dundee Road / Balmyle Road / Albany Road.

For further information contact (01382) 433082.

Mike P Galloway
Director of City Development
Dundee City Council

United with Labour Campaigning in The Ferry

United with Labour Campaigning in Forthill Drive

Yesterday, United with Labour was campaigning in The Ferry. 

Jim McGovern MP, Cllr Richard McCreadie, Cllr Norma McGovern and I were on the doorsteps in Forthill Drive and Nursery Road. We were delivering Scottish Labour's case for keeping Scotland within the UK.

There was lively interest in the forthcoming referendum and many declarations of support for Scotland not seeking separation from the other UK nations.

Broughty Lifeboat Open Day Sunday 4 August 12:30-16:00

Lifeboat Open Day

The Broughty Ferry Lifeboat station will hold an open day on Sunday August 4th from 12.30-4pm. 

Visitors will be able to see round the lifeboat and have questions answered by crewmen. There will also be stalls and refreshments available. All welcome.

Concern About Maintaining Numbers of Crossing Patrollers for School Children

Lollipop Sign for School Crossing Patrollers

Yesterday, I received two email letters from constituents who were concerned that the City Council should maintain spending on School Crossing Patrollers; aka Lollipop men and women. In the last few years I have followed up a number of issues about School Crossing Patrollers including the provision of relief patrollers to cover sickness and other absences and the filling of vacancies. I think parents and carers are right to be concerned and vigilant about these vital jobs. Though they are clearly important for pupil safety, there is little in statute to specify the minimum number of patrollers on our city streets.

I have written to the Education Direcor and Education Convener about this to ask for reassurance that, in next year's budget, they are not planning to reduce the number of School Crossing Patrollers.

The letter is self-explanatory:

Dear Councillor Bidwell,

I am writing to ask you to save our lollipop ladies and men and maintain spending on road safety by the council to enable children to make a safe journey to school.

Research conducted by Living Streets shows that in 66% of local authority areas the number ds of lollipop people helping children safely across the road has reduced. While road safety budgets have been cut in 67% of local authorities.

This is of a concern in the context of the latest figures which highlight a 63% rise over a year in the number of children killed and seriously injured whilst walking to or from school.

Good quality crossings and local lollipop ladies and men are important for all pedestrians and particularly children on their way to and from school. Our local lollipop ladies and men provide an excellent service helping children across my area to cross the road safely supporting them to develop road safety and independence skills. They provide extra eyes and ears on the road to help children lead an active lifestyle.

Lollipop ladies and men have a role to play in encouraging parents to allow their children to walk to school independently.

5?

Please make sure that lollipop ladies and men are protected so that we can safeguard children's journeys to school.

Sincerely,

New Stretch of One Way Traffic Restriction in Seafield Road Broughty Ferry

New Section of One Way Traffic in Seafield Road

Earlier this week Broughty Ferry's latest stretch of one way street was introduced on the southern end of Seafield Road between Grove Academy and Davidson Street. This narrow section of Seafield Road now only permits traffic driving north.

Traffic driving south down Seafield Road from Balgillo Road will find that at the cross roads with Davidson Street their path direct ahead is now "No Entry" and they need to turn right or left down Davidson Street.

Temporarily, there is also no turn available along Davidson Street heading west as this leads to Claypotts Road which is currently closed for complete resurfacing work.

As my photograph taken at twilight shows, the new short section of one way traffic begins by the back entrance to Grove Academy.

This traffic change came from recommendations made by a short life working group. This was formed to address concerns about pupil safety in anticipation of the move of Eastern Primary School to the refurbished old Grove building next door to the new Grove Academy. Chaired by the Chief Executive David Dorward, this group involved Head Teachers and members of the Parent Councils of Grove Academy and Eastern Primary Schools, senior members of staff from the Council's Education and Transportation Departments and Tayside Police and Ferry Councillors.

It is hoped that this measure will divert traffic towards the front entrance of the school on Claypotts Road and reduce the number of vehicles exiting Church Street onto Queen Street. The one way was deliberately introduced during the summer vacation so that residents could get used to this before the school runs resume on Tuesday 12 August.

Jessie's Kitchen Scoop Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013

Click on image to enlarge

Congratulations to the staff of Jessie's Kitchen for scooping a tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013 based on recommendations from their customers.

This latest award and the customer reviews that lead to this show that Jessie's Kitchen previous award of Scottish Homebaker of the Year Award 2012, was no flash in the mixing pan; they have clearly maintained their standards and continue to please their expanding number of customers.

Jessie's Kitchen are another shining example of the innovative and award winning businesses in The Ferry.

Link to Jessie's Kitchen page of reviews on tripadvisor

Jessie's Kitchen
3 Albert Road, Broughty Ferry
Dundee DD5 1AY
Tel 01382 778 488
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National Performance Centre for Sport at Camperdown - Drop In Public Event Wed 24 July Landmark Hotel 4-8pm

Next Wednesday, 24 July, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to attend a drop in event and see at first hand the planning proposals for the National Performance Centre for Sport and Hotel with associated access, parking, landscaping and miscellaneous development. This event is being organised by Keppie Design prior to any formal planning application being submitted to the City Council. The event will run on Wednesday 24 July at the Landmark Hotel, Kingsway West from 4pm to 8 pm.

Last week the Dundee bid for the National Performance Centre for Sport was submitted by Dundee City Council in partnership with the University of Dundee; University of Abertay, Dundee; Dundee College; Dundee United Football Club; Dundee Football Club; NHS Tayside and Leisure & Culture Dundee. Dundee is in competition with consortia in Stirling and Edinburgh for the National Performance Centre for Sport.

Dundee City Council has approved, in principle, £5 million of local authority capital funding to the project. This would help to provide the capital costs of the centre and its facilities in addition to the £25 million grant that has already been pledged by the Scottish Government to the winning bid city. The South East corner of Camperdown Country Park is Dundee’s chosen site to host the National Performance Centre for Sport.