Waterside 2015-2017
The Waterside Picture Book Out now, 21 December 2017
The first signed and numbered copies of The Waterside Picture Book by Edward Z. Smith are now circulating in the village to a very enthusiastic response. The book, which is packed full of fabulous-quality pictures of Waterside past and present along with some background stories that also paint a picture of village life, is an exuberant and affectionate tribute to the village and its people over the years. It will fascinate anyone with connections to Waterside, however long-standing or otherwise these may be. Photographs include ones by the author as well as by many local photographers of the past.
Copies, priced £14.50, can be ordered by emailing [email protected].
Update: by popular request, individual prints of photographs (with or without captions) can also be ordered by emailing [email protected] or by messaging us on our Facebook page. The price of an A4 print will be £6.50, which includes a £1 donation to Waterside Community Council. Other sizes can also be arranged and priced accordingly.
Copies, priced £14.50, can be ordered by emailing [email protected].
Update: by popular request, individual prints of photographs (with or without captions) can also be ordered by emailing [email protected] or by messaging us on our Facebook page. The price of an A4 print will be £6.50, which includes a £1 donation to Waterside Community Council. Other sizes can also be arranged and priced accordingly.
Waterside's Nativity Play and Christmas party, 16 December 2017
Waterside's first village nativity play was a spectacular success thanks to a cast of talented young Watersiders; their director and playwright, Debbie Carmichael; the Village Events Team organizers, Lynne Campbell, Emma Wilson and Emma Whiteford; costume designer and make-up artist Lynn McDonnell; stage and sound manager Jim Carmichael; and local photographer Edward Z. Smith, who kindly provided the stage lighting and took the photographs shown here. As Edward commented afterwards, "a magical end to the year".
Below left: director and playwright Debbie Carmichael
Below right: proud families and friends in the audience
Below right: proud families and friends in the audience
After the play, adults and children alike enjoyed a lovely buffet and party put on by the Village Events Team. To everyone's surprise, Santa Claus, who is clearly taking a particular interest in Waterside this year, dropped in again and handed out a few more early presents. He says his main visit to Waterside will still be on Christmas Eve, however.
Waterside embraces The Christmas season, 2 December 2017
The Waterside Village Events team (Lynne Campbell, Emma Wilson and Emma Whiteford) has been busy ensuring Christmas 2017 will be a Christmas to remember. Now Waterside has a Christmas tree once more, there had to be an official light switch-on with carols and Christmas songs around it. Bill Lapping turned on the lights, and young Watersiders sang 'O Christmas tree of Waterside' to everyone's delight. Thanks to Edward Z. Smith for recording yet another important Waterside event.
Earlier on 2 December, Waterside had probably its first ever Christmas market, again thanks to the organizational skills of Lynne, Emma and Emma. Stallholders came from near and far to show off their wares at the fair at Gartconner School. Waterside's own Luggiewatch was there selling Luggiewatch calendars, decorated Subscription School slates and Subscription School slate clocks among other items.
Great interest was sparked both by a rough sample of Edward Z. Smith's The Waterside Picture Book (out 21 December 2017, priced £14.50 – mail or message Waterside Community Council to place orders, or ring 0780 358 0070) and by a questionnaire about possible uses for a badly needed village hall.
The children (some surprisingly big ones) were probably more interested in an early visit by Santa.
Great interest was sparked both by a rough sample of Edward Z. Smith's The Waterside Picture Book (out 21 December 2017, priced £14.50 – mail or message Waterside Community Council to place orders, or ring 0780 358 0070) and by a questionnaire about possible uses for a badly needed village hall.
The children (some surprisingly big ones) were probably more interested in an early visit by Santa.
Don't worry if you missed Santa at the Waterside Christmas Market. He's promised he'll be back in Waterside on Christmas Eve.
Bill Lapping retires as Chair of Waterside Community Council, November 2017
It was with great regret that, at the community council meeting of 21 November, Waterside Community Council accepted the decision of Bill Lapping, our chair of 15 years, to retire from his post. Fortunately, Bill will continue his membership of the community council (22 years on the clock so far) and will actually be taking on new responsibilities in the form of a slightly different role.
Bill and Betty Lapping helped keep the community council going for many years when there was little community interest, so it is in very large part due to them, as well as to other stalwarts such as Janice Whyte (over 27 years on WCC), Margaret Whiteford and Elspeth Carlin, that we have the thriving and active community council we have today.
If Bill does have a little more time to stroll around the village in the future, he will be able to reflect on all sorts of features that would not be there were it not for the community council and its subcommittees under his stewardship: the flower bed; an upgraded stretch of Luggie path; steps down to the Luggie; railings on Bankhead Road; a noticeboard; new benches; a soon-to-be-improved village green between Moss Road and Taig Road; and now the village sign.
Bill and Betty Lapping helped keep the community council going for many years when there was little community interest, so it is in very large part due to them, as well as to other stalwarts such as Janice Whyte (over 27 years on WCC), Margaret Whiteford and Elspeth Carlin, that we have the thriving and active community council we have today.
If Bill does have a little more time to stroll around the village in the future, he will be able to reflect on all sorts of features that would not be there were it not for the community council and its subcommittees under his stewardship: the flower bed; an upgraded stretch of Luggie path; steps down to the Luggie; railings on Bankhead Road; a noticeboard; new benches; a soon-to-be-improved village green between Moss Road and Taig Road; and now the village sign.
Below are some comments about Bill and Betty Lapping that were made when news of Bill’s retirement got out. Please feel free to mail us with more memories and anecdotes at [email protected].
"As a councillor I have always appreciated the way Bill has raised issues with me on behalf of the village. Dedicated people like Bill and the rest of the community council play a huge part in helping elected members to do their job for the community." Cllr. Stewart MacDonald
“When I moved into my first wee flat in Lauchlin Pl., both Betty and Bill Lapping made me feel very welcome. I enjoyed cups of tea and good Waterside banter. Wee Skye would often escape from my garden and visit Bill and Betty, who always had a special treat for him. Then I joined WCC. Again Bill welcomed me and made me feel part of the team. He always praises me for the litter picks and river cleans; always thankful and full of good advice. You’re a wee star, Bill! Please don’t be a stranger!” Karen C.-B.
“I remember going to Sunday School with Betty, a long, long time ago!
“Bill and I have had a good few laughs over the years, especially at the meeting of the Assoc. in Glasgow. We thought the man next to us had died. I nudged Bill and said ‘By the way, the man next to you is deid’. We were in fits when we came outside and saw said man walking past us. “Another time was at the concert hall for an NHS meeting. We giggled all the way home; some of the jokes weren't so pristine either. Never mind, we had some nice snacks.” Janice W. |
“Bill and Betty have been wonderful neighbours! When we moved in next door in 2002, we replaced the neighbours from hell – lol! Bill and Betty were always friendly and warm towards us and our little family and made us feel very welcome! And Betty was delighted that she didn't need to call the housing officer every other day to complain about her neighbours (as she had done with the previous neighbour). Their community spirit is to be admired: they always wanted the best for their village.” Chic and Emma W.
“It is thanks to Bill and Betty and their warm, inclusive attitude that I’m involved in village life as much as I am. I’d been volunteering at Waterside’s once-a-week food co-op back in 2012, working alongside Kathleen Lyons, Margaret Stewart and Bill himself, among others, and cheered on by Betty’s sense of fun and presents of tomato plants, when Bill asked if he could nominate me for community council membership. I shall always be very grateful to them both for this, as being on WCC has been such a rewarding experience. I hope Bill enjoys his retirement (just as long as he doesn't retire too much!).” Cordy L.
“Bill made me very welcome when I joined the community council twelve years ago.” Kathleen L.
“I first met Bill when I worked part-time as a taxi driver around 1974/75. Bill was the manager of the Lammermoor Rd. supermarket and I used to run him home at the end of his shift to Glasgow. That was some time before he met Betty. Later Betty and Bill were our neighbours in Lauchlin Place until we moved in 1977. Doesn’t time fly!
"Bill and Betty, over 40 years of excellent service to the Waterside community!” EZS
"Bill and Betty, over 40 years of excellent service to the Waterside community!” EZS
New Village Sign Unveiled, 11 November 2017
Waterside's new village sign made quite a splash at its unveiling today.
After Waterside Community Council's chairman, Bill Lapping, had welcomed everyone, thanked local resident Scott Wilson of Kenwil Ltd for designing the beautiful sign, and remarked on its significance for our community, Janice Whyte, stalwart of Waterside Community Council for 27 years, said what an honour and a privilege it was to be asked to unveil the sign on behalf of Waterside Community Council and the Waterside Events team. With the help of Scott and Emma's son Lee and other local youngsters, who cut and untied ribbons, Janice first unveiled the sign and then "christened" it with a pitcher of pure Luggie water and a dash of single malt. The ceremony ended with cheers for the new sign and for Waterside led by Debbie Carmichael and enthusiastically taken up by everyone else.
Thanks so much to Terry, Alan and Stephen from Waterside Road for coming to our rescue before the ceremony with a stepladder and various implements (and to Tam and Carole for a similar reason). And thanks of course to Edward Z Smith for recording the event for posterity. Thanks too to Deborah Carmichael, Lynne Campbell and Karen Chesney-Bathie for also taking pictures for us. And as Bill said, we are all very grateful to Scott Wilson of Kenwil for designing this new symbol of Waterside, as well as to Emma, his other half, for all her work on the project. Finally, thank you to everyone who turned out today to help make it such a special occasion.
For a selection of Edward's pictures of the event, please see above and below.
After Waterside Community Council's chairman, Bill Lapping, had welcomed everyone, thanked local resident Scott Wilson of Kenwil Ltd for designing the beautiful sign, and remarked on its significance for our community, Janice Whyte, stalwart of Waterside Community Council for 27 years, said what an honour and a privilege it was to be asked to unveil the sign on behalf of Waterside Community Council and the Waterside Events team. With the help of Scott and Emma's son Lee and other local youngsters, who cut and untied ribbons, Janice first unveiled the sign and then "christened" it with a pitcher of pure Luggie water and a dash of single malt. The ceremony ended with cheers for the new sign and for Waterside led by Debbie Carmichael and enthusiastically taken up by everyone else.
Thanks so much to Terry, Alan and Stephen from Waterside Road for coming to our rescue before the ceremony with a stepladder and various implements (and to Tam and Carole for a similar reason). And thanks of course to Edward Z Smith for recording the event for posterity. Thanks too to Deborah Carmichael, Lynne Campbell and Karen Chesney-Bathie for also taking pictures for us. And as Bill said, we are all very grateful to Scott Wilson of Kenwil for designing this new symbol of Waterside, as well as to Emma, his other half, for all her work on the project. Finally, thank you to everyone who turned out today to help make it such a special occasion.
For a selection of Edward's pictures of the event, please see above and below.
Lynne Campbell and Debbie Carmichael were also recording key moments of the sign unveiling for us. Thanks so much, both of you. First, here are some of Lynne's photographs.
And here are some of Debbie's.
And what a sweet picture of Donna, who was watching proceedings from her field. It was captured by one of our ribbon cutters, Lee. Well done, Lee!
Once the sign was unveiled, some of Waterside's flower enthusiasts got busy with their planters as they put in more daffodil bulbs. Thanks to Debbie for getting out her camera phone and recording activities.
Bulb Planting and Pop-Up games, Moss Rd/Taig Rd Circle, 21 October 2017
The Moss Road/Taig Road circle really came alive as Watersiders set about planting daffodil bulbs with the help of Jackie Gillespie from the council and some stirring music. Talented young Watersiders also took part in ring throwing and painting activities. Generous cooks, bakers and confectioners donated delicious treats.
Edward Z Smith spurred on activities while recording everything with some very impressive high-tech equipment including his giant-beanstalk selfie stick. We wonder what baby Sophia made of the drone that hovered near her pram! Some of Edward's atmospheric and fascinating results are below.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and helped out as we embark on improving the circle with the aid of our Stalled Spaces grant.
Edward Z Smith spurred on activities while recording everything with some very impressive high-tech equipment including his giant-beanstalk selfie stick. We wonder what baby Sophia made of the drone that hovered near her pram! Some of Edward's atmospheric and fascinating results are below.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and helped out as we embark on improving the circle with the aid of our Stalled Spaces grant.
Election Of Office-Bearers
As only seven people had put their names forward for membership of Waterside Community Council by the October 2017 deadline, there will be no election on 26 October. Instead, Bill Lapping, Janice Whyte, Janice Herriot, Elspeth Carlin, Karen Chesney-Bathie, Chic Whiteford and Cordelia Lilly will automatically be on the community council from November. Office-bearers will be nominated and elected at the meeting of 21 November, at which additional people may well be co-opted on to the community council if they are willing.
The existing community council is very relieved that, while our current vice-chair, Dave Scott, is standing down from the community council, he will still be coming to our monthly meetings and helping us all try to make Waterside as good as it can be.
The existing community council is very relieved that, while our current vice-chair, Dave Scott, is standing down from the community council, he will still be coming to our monthly meetings and helping us all try to make Waterside as good as it can be.
Nominations for Members of Waterside Community Council (deadline 12 Oct 2017)
For anyone wishing to put themselves forward for one of the seven places on Waterside Community Council's committee (all voluntary positions), nomination forms had to be in by 12 October. For anyone who missed the deadline but still wants to be involved, just come along to the monthly meetings when you can, have your say and talk to our local councillors as well as our local police officer, who also attend meetings.
October 2017: A Christmas tree for Waterside and An improved Village Green
Following the success of the beautiful flowers on the turning circle in Waterside, the Waterside Wildflowers subcommittee once more sought the advice of Jackie Gillespie of the East Dunbartonshire Council Streetscene team and put in an application for a Stalled Spaces grant to cover the improvements that she recommended for the circle between Alexander Place, Moss Road and Taig Road. We applied for a £3000 grant to cover the Christmas tree that Watersiders have been clamouring to have reinstated on the circle, daffodil bulbs and a wooden sculpture to represent Waterside. We also asked to have the path across the circle improved, with dropped kerbs at either end for easier access. We surveyed residents living around the circle to ensure they were happy with the suggested improvements, and they were! And then we learned that our application for a grant had been successful. So a big thank you to the Stalled Spaces team as well as to Jackie!
In October there will be a community daffodil bulb planting event around the circle (date still to be agreed), and once the tree has been planted (in November or December), we can look forward to decorating it for Christmas and to carol singing around it. The Events subcommittee already has lots of ideas for these events!
Thanks to Deborah Carmichael of the Waterside Wildflowers subcommittee for the photo.
In October there will be a community daffodil bulb planting event around the circle (date still to be agreed), and once the tree has been planted (in November or December), we can look forward to decorating it for Christmas and to carol singing around it. The Events subcommittee already has lots of ideas for these events!
Thanks to Deborah Carmichael of the Waterside Wildflowers subcommittee for the photo.
September 2017: A Celebration of Waterside Old and New
The first Saturday of the month was sunny – just the right kind of day to sit on one of the new summer seats admiring the view before wandering upriver to see the historic stepping stones, now magically restored to their former glory and enhanced with beautiful dry-stone walling, a bench and much more. Thanks very much to Edward Z Smith for recording these scenes and brightening our day as well as to those who made those old stones live again.
August 2017: Turning Circle in Bloom, New Benches by the river
Waterside Turning Circle is now a mass of wild flowers (poppies, cornflowers and lots more), which are attracting bees and other insects as hoped. And it's all thanks to Jackie Gillespie and her team at East Dunbartonshire Council.
In other news, the council has just installed two new benches by the river: one beside the footbridge and the other next to the old garage. Soon there will also be brightly painted picnic tables and benches beside the play park, following the painting and repair efforts of Emma and Jack. Thanks to Deborah Carmichael for most of the photos below.
In other news, the council has just installed two new benches by the river: one beside the footbridge and the other next to the old garage. Soon there will also be brightly painted picnic tables and benches beside the play park, following the painting and repair efforts of Emma and Jack. Thanks to Deborah Carmichael for most of the photos below.
Easter Monday Fun Day and Duck Race, 17 April 2017
What a triumph! What a lot of happy faces! What a crowd! The first large-scale Waterside Easter Duck Race for 10 years had all the successful ingredients of past events: brightly coloured ducks, happy people, Edward Z Smith filming and encouraging, a party atmosphere, but it also had a lot more. Waterside Miners Welfare Club kindly allowed the 'Stute Hall to be turned into a colourful bazaar and tea room for the day, and Easter bonnets and egg creations were judged, raffles drawn, and prizes duly awarded. There was also the odd speech. Meanwhile outside, there were bunny rabbits (one much larger than the rest), a bouncy castle and even a snake. None of this would have happened without the determination, drive and imagination of the three superheroines who make up the Waterside Village Events Committee: Lynne Campbell, Emma Wilson and Lisa Giffen, for whom no praise is too high.
Edward's film of the event and his slide show of pictures from it are now available on YouTube.
Edward's film of the event and his slide show of pictures from it are now available on YouTube.
March 2017, Clean-up in preparation for Easter Monday Fun Day and Duck Race
On 19 March, a number of people, including various members of Luggiewatch and all of the Waterside Community Events Committee, carried out a clean-up of both the parking area opposite the Club and the grassy area beyond in preparation for Easter Monday's Fun Day and Duck Race. It was a messy job, with items removed including beer bottles, cans, telephones, tyres, rolls of rotting carpet, planks of wood, household rubbish (including rotting nappies - ugh!), a baby walker and, believe it or not, a bed.
The area looks so much better now, which will doubtless please the wildlife as well as all of us, with a few fewer plastic bags and cartons making their way into the river and floating out to sea to ensnare turtles and other marine life. Doubtless most people dispose of their rubbish responsibly, but how do we educate the irresponsible few who don't?
After the clean-up, all participants were treated to delicious sausage sandwiches, drinks and other treats provided by very generous Lisa Giffen of Archie's - thank you, Lisa!
Thanks too to East Dunbartonshire Council for bringing bags, tools and arranging an uplift, as well as to clean-up organizer
Karen Chesney-Bathie.
Photos courtesy of two of Waterside Events Committee dynamos, Lisa Giffen and Lynne Campbell.
November 2016
Owing to serious structural problems at the Subscription School and a lack of funds to carry out repairs, it seems that the Subscription School Committee concluded it had no option but to sell the building, and the sale has now been completed.
This leaves Waterside Community Council and all the other local groups that used the hall in the impossible position of being without a home, though the Miners' Club is helping out where possible.
Clearly, we urgently need to replace this vital village amenity, so in January a new committee will be formed to look into options, and, with the help of some experienced fundraisers, to secure funding for another hall.
The area looks so much better now, which will doubtless please the wildlife as well as all of us, with a few fewer plastic bags and cartons making their way into the river and floating out to sea to ensnare turtles and other marine life. Doubtless most people dispose of their rubbish responsibly, but how do we educate the irresponsible few who don't?
After the clean-up, all participants were treated to delicious sausage sandwiches, drinks and other treats provided by very generous Lisa Giffen of Archie's - thank you, Lisa!
Thanks too to East Dunbartonshire Council for bringing bags, tools and arranging an uplift, as well as to clean-up organizer
Karen Chesney-Bathie.
Photos courtesy of two of Waterside Events Committee dynamos, Lisa Giffen and Lynne Campbell.
November 2016
Owing to serious structural problems at the Subscription School and a lack of funds to carry out repairs, it seems that the Subscription School Committee concluded it had no option but to sell the building, and the sale has now been completed.
This leaves Waterside Community Council and all the other local groups that used the hall in the impossible position of being without a home, though the Miners' Club is helping out where possible.
Clearly, we urgently need to replace this vital village amenity, so in January a new committee will be formed to look into options, and, with the help of some experienced fundraisers, to secure funding for another hall.
Waterside wombles? (July 2016)
Have you noticed groups of people bending over Waterside roads and pavements with their green bags and pickers in recent weeks or else splashing around in the Luggie hauling out tyres, tables, chairs and everything including a kitchen sink? It's been very satisfying for all participants to help get Waterside looking the way it should, and as for the fun, sociable and delicious lunches afterwards in the Subscription School courtesy of Lisa Giffen at Archie's, what more could you want? Details of the next event organized by Karen (SuperOrganizer) Chesney with a little help from both Waterside Community Council and Luggiewatch will be appearing here soon. Please watch this space or go to our Facebook page. For photos from two recent events (courtesy of Danny McFadden), please see above.
Have you noticed groups of people bending over Waterside roads and pavements with their green bags and pickers in recent weeks or else splashing around in the Luggie hauling out tyres, tables, chairs and everything including a kitchen sink? It's been very satisfying for all participants to help get Waterside looking the way it should, and as for the fun, sociable and delicious lunches afterwards in the Subscription School courtesy of Lisa Giffen at Archie's, what more could you want? Details of the next event organized by Karen (SuperOrganizer) Chesney with a little help from both Waterside Community Council and Luggiewatch will be appearing here soon. Please watch this space or go to our Facebook page. For photos from two recent events (courtesy of Danny McFadden), please see above.
Village sign for Waterside? (October 2015)
A few months ago, someone suggested that Waterside really deserved a village sign: something to highlight its historic character and uniqueness and draw attention to the beautiful semi-rural setting we have here on the Luggie Water.
Waterside Community Council has not forgotten this idea - far from it - and Edward Z. Smith very kindly put together some mix-and-match concepts to fuel discussions about what kind of sign we might like if this is to go ahead.
What would you like to see on any Village of Waterside sign? It might be any of these ideas, a combination of them or something different. Let us know by emailing us at [email protected].
Waterside not looking its best (July 2015)
A constant complaint at recent community council meetings has been the poor state of maintenance of the village. A recurring theme has been that Waterside has never looked in such a sorry state: weeds flourish on pavements, grass areas remain uncut, and hedges spread over pavements or shoot up high in a way that would never be tolerated in other villages or towns in East Dunbartonshire. So an invitation was made to council officers to carry out a walkabout inspection of the village in the company of community council members and meeting attendees to decide what needs to be done to restore our village to how it once was. This inspection took place on 8 July 2015.
Below are notes from that walkabout as taken by community council members – we await confirmation of actions to be taken by the council, though some have started, as you'll have seen; more information will appear on this page once we have it. Doubtless there will be plenty to discuss at the next community council meeting at 7.30pm at the Subscription School on 19 August. Do come along. Council officers will be there.
Waterside village walkabout (8 July 2015)
Present on behalf of Waterside & Waterside Community Council
B. Lapping (WCC Chairman); J. Whyte (WCC Secretary); M. Whiteford (WCC Treasurer); E. Carlin; C. Lilly; J. Herriot; K. Chesney
Present on behalf of Council
Cllr. Stewart MacDonald; Joe Wilson (Local Neighbourhood Services Manager); Alan Glass (Rapid Response Team Leader); David Cassidy (Street Scene Team Leader); Sharon Kirker (Housing Officer); Chris Price
Issues all round the village
Weeds, and sometimes moss, growing on pavements and in gutters.
Action: weed-killing contract due to start soon. Edging around areas of grass has not been strimmed and is messy.
Action: when it’s dry, weedkiller will be applied to edging; strimming is too labour-intensive to be cost-effective.
Many gardens and hedges are not maintained and are overgrown.
Action: housing officers to contact tenants of council properties where applicable?
Some social housing needs attention in order to look its best, but upgrading work to exteriors (rendering and drainpipes) is ongoing.
Lauchlin Place
Garages rented from the council are leaking badly.
Action: repairs?
Park Street
At the cross at the top of Park Street (48-54 Bankhead Rd) is a piece of land thought to be communal to the property that the council at one time looked after but no longer maintains.
Action: check what the title deeds say and pass responsibility on to tenants if possible (having first cut).
Alexander Place
There is a vacant and derelict wooden dovecote behind Moss Road that needs demolishing. The money to do this would have to come out of the housing budget, which is not feasible. Note that rats have been seen in this area.
Action: Leave derelict dovecote as it is for the moment. However, it was suggested that if the council needs to save on cutting grass, this might be one possible area to consider (see notes at Taig Gardens below).
Moss Road
Messy edging to grassed area.
Action: weedkiller to be applied to edges when dry.
Trees at the end of the road opposite the garages are growing up high and posing a risk to telephone cables. They are also blocking out light to a number of houses.
Action: ?
Dyson vacuum cleaner in burn beyond. Children’s slide dumped in trees. Both were reported a couple of months ago and again on 10 July.
Action: we are told someone from the council will remove the slide but not the vacuum cleaner [since it’s in the burn]. How to resolve?
Path between Moss Road & Taig Road
Land owners Taylor Wimpey have told the community council secretary that they are unwilling for the community council to upgrade the waterlogged path joining these two roads (used by children going to Gartconner/St Agatha’s as well as by the public in general). This is despite the fact that the community council has the funding for the job (which was to have been carried out by the council on our behalf for the benefit of the village). The path is also a public right of way. Please note that since the housing at Taig Gardens was built, the path has been much more badly affected by waterlogging than previously.
Action: J. Whyte has emailed details to Cllr. MacDonald, who will write to the Chief Executive of Taylor Wimpey in the hope they can be persuaded to change their minds.
Taig Road
Garden borders at the flats are being neglected.
Action: there is a programme to take out the weeds etc. and to put bark mulch in this area.
A metal cover has half sunk into the road leaving a tripping hazard, and there are some small potholes.
Action: ?
Taig Gardens
There had been fly-tipping behind the new houses, but this has now been cleared.
Action: No further action required relating to this incident.
The play park is in a much neglected state as it has not been maintained by Link Housing or by the council. Problems include nettles, thistles and grass growing up, poor hedging rather than a fence, and a broken anchor chain hanging down from a swing device, causing a serious hazard to other children when the equipment is in use. Residents point out that the chain has already struck more than one child in the face.
Action: 1) URGENT action is required to mend the broken chain as there is a danger of someone losing an eye.
Action: 2) the lack of maintenance was an oversight, so the council will now take charge; they will also supply benches for the park, as somewhere for adults to sit would be beneficial for the children’s safety. A review of play parks is currently taking place.
Update: some work has now taken place (9th July) in the form of cutting and clearing weeds.
Parents complain that this park was designed for children under five only, leaving those over this age without anywhere to play. Older children had better facilities before the new housing was built. The result of this lack of a suitable play area for them means that older children are using this park and inadvertently causing damage to equipment because it isn’t designed for their age group.
Action: ?
There is a large patch of nettles and thistles beside the path opposite the play park. This was deliberately left unmaintained as part of the council’s 10% non-maintenance cutback. However, a new policy of cutting grass 12 times a year instead of 14 to save costs means that more of these unmaintained areas can now be looked after. Additionally, if the areas chosen for non-maintenance were clearly inappropriate choices (as here), they can have their maintenance reinstated and somewhere else more appropriate can go without cutting instead.
Action: council to start cutting grass and removing weeds in this area. The patch by the abandoned dovecote (Alexander Place) can be left uncut instead if required.
Gray Street
Exposed PO cable on pavement.
Action: ?
Bankhead Road
Despite the direction ‘SLOW’ on the road, drivers are travelling too fast into the dangerous blind bend on Bankhead Road (near the junction with Cairnview), making collisions, particularly with traffic coming out of Cairnview, all too likely. There have been recent near accidents here because of speeding drivers. Action is needed to ensure drivers keep to a sensible speed (and particularly so in view of the two serious incidents within under a year at the top of Bankhead Road).
Action: traffic calming measures are required. Install signage to warn drivers of danger.
Cairnview
There is much distress that the beautiful floral roundabout is no longer planted and maintained. Watersiders are aggrieved to have lost a feature everyone loved and of which we were very proud. We note that other areas – Lenzie, for instance – had all their flowerbeds left intact. We are told that Waterside is not classified as a ‘prestige area’, unlike Lenzie, and that we therefore do not qualify for some of the benefits given to such areas.
Action: the currently untidy roundabout is to be grassed over and tidied up at least.
Some gardens are in a poor, unmaintained state at the back of flats. Residents may not be aware which of the newly fenced off sections of the back garden each household has responsibility for.
Action: clarify to residents who is responsible for which section.
At another house, bags of rubbish are repeatedly being left outside, presenting a health hazard as well as an unaesthetic scene.
Action: ?
Back O’ Dykes Road/Craig Crescent
Grass is growing up high in the unattractively fenced off area of land, though it is supposedly cut every six weeks. The fencing was evidently erected to prevent children from playing football.
Action: if the community council wants to apply for a grant (perhaps from Keep Scotland Beautiful) to buy shrubs and plants for this area, the council will provide help and advice. We can contact Joe Wilson about this. [At the meeting of 15/7/15, another suggestion put forward was that the parking area should be enlarged instead if at all possible.]
Duntiblae side of Luggie.
There is a great deal of litter at the Duntiblae side of the Luggie, as has been noted by the council.
Action: ?
Other Waterside issues that went undiscussed because of rain and lack of time
A tree is blocking the view of approaching buses at the bus stop opposite the Subscription School.
Action: ?
Litter in and around the Luggie Water.
Action: ?
Japanese knotweed presents an ever-spreading problem on the banks of the Luggie as well as near the burn. This is a cause of concern for home owners. Please note that when using the concrete steps between the Luggie and Bankhead Road, walkers can’t avoid brushing past the very overgrown weeds and Japanese knotweed. This may make further spreading of Japanese knotweed to other areas more likely.
Action: ?
We have been told that repairs are in the pipeline for the tarmacked path beside the Luggie leading to Waterside Road where the river has undermined the path (meaning that there is a danger of path collapse). Path repairs beside the Luggie Water near the stepping stones have been discussed with Alistair Kyle at the council. Rerouting is to take place by autumn to make it safe.
Help will also be given to volunteers clearing and repairing steps down to the Luggie from Muirhead Cottages, and a skip will be provided so they can clear away fly-tipped building materials. The collapsing steps are currently hazardous: there have been reports of a dog walker falling down them.
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News from end of May 2015
Consultation on the East Dunbartonshire proposed local development plan
An eight-week consultation has been taking place on East Dunbartonshire's proposed local development plan, which sets out a five-year land-use strategy for the area and includes sites at Fauldhead and at the end of Bankhead Road next to the convent. The deadline for representations was 5pm on Wednesday 27 May 2015 so the time for filling in representation forms is now officially over. Once the definitive plan is published, Waterside Community Council will be providing an update on these pages.
Online maps and information about the proposed local development plan
For maps and further information, see http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/ldp.
Drop-in surgeries, meetings in Waterside
During the consultation period a series of drop-in surgeries took place in Kirkintilloch, Torrance, Milton of Campsie, Milngavie, Bishopbriggs, Lennoxtown, Bearsden and Lenzie to allow people to consult the plans on paper and talk to planning policy officers.
Waterside Community Council also held a very useful meeting at the Subscription School on Tuesday 12 May. Two planning officers were there to take questions and explain the current thinking. Excellent questions were raised by members of the community, and a group of attendees have since met to discuss further options.
Community council meetings
Do come along if you'd like to have your say on any community issues. The community council is there to represent your views and undertake initiatives for the good of Waterside and area.
If you have any ideas about things we should be doing to help our community, please write to us at [email protected].