April |
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No Election But Changes Afoot in Community Council
‘Newsround’ has heard that there will not be an election this month for the Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council. Prospective councillors have been nominated and the number does not exceed the permitted sixteen so all eligible nominees will be successful.
Interest was sufficient, however to ensure that the council will continue and hopefully flourish. The first meeting of the new council is understood to be on May 13th when office bearers will be elected.
Councillors’ names have yet to be announced, but ‘Newsround’ understands that several prominent members have decide to retire while at least one ‘weel kent face’ is set to join the council. We wish them all well.
Haddington Hitch for Boundaries Commission
A proposal by the Boundary Commission to rename East Lothian’s Holyrood seat ‘Haddington’ as part of a national shake up has proved as unpopular in the county town as elsewhere in East Lothian. A campaign organised by the ‘East Lothian Courier’ attracted over 300 written objections which amounted to almost 10% of all those submitted from Scotland as a whole. |
The campaign has the support of East Lothian Council and our MSP, Iain Gray who said ‘I hope that the commission will now sit up and take notice.’ ‘Newsround’ who believes that it is nonsensical that, citizens of, for example, North Berwick, Dunbar or Tranent should suddenly find themselves classed as ‘Haddington’ echoes this sentiment Let commonsense prevail and long live East Lothian! |
More National Success for Haddington Badminton Starlets
The Bell’s Sport Centre in Perth was the venue recently for a stunning victory by Knox Academy badminton pair, Hannah Laing and Megan Richardson who comfortably defeated Edinburgh opponents to win the Scottish Secondary Schools Under-14 girls’ doubles title. In so doing the pair emulated their triumph of two years ago when they won the Scottish Primary Schools Championship. The duo is part of a strong East Lothian stable that has against the odds managed to mount a serious and consistent challenge at the very top of the sport. It is interesting to note that 12 of the 15 titles competed for this year were won by members of the Glasgow School of Sport who enjoy vastly superior facilities and training opportunities. Any success against this group of athletes is hard won and well deserved indeed. |
In congratulating Hannah and Megan on their latest success, East Lothian badminton development officer, Christine Black announced that she has decide to experiment with 7 a.m. training sessions in the Loch Centre every Thursday to concentrate on extra skills sessions. It is hoped that such dedication will bring more success East Lothian’s way in the very near future. |
Surgery Expansion Welcomed by Community Leaders.
Haddington’s Newton Port Surgery, which is currently home to three different GP practices, is set for a substantial expansion thanks to a £120,000 grant from NHS Lothian. Depending on planning permission, which is currently being sought, four new consulting rooms could be up and running by the end of the year. The extension will be contained in a single storey building with direct access from the existing building. In light of current proposals to substantially increase the size of the Royal Burgh, the grant has been |
generally welcomed. Jan Wilson, chair of Haddington and District Community Council appeared to voice the opinion of many when she told ‘Newsround’ that the expansion was definitely needed. ‘You can’t keep building new houses without expanding medical facilities appropriately,’ she said, while giving the project a huge ‘thumbs up’. |
Fabians Hear it From the ‘Horses Mouth’
East Lothian Fabian Society welcomed a high profile guest to a recent meeting, and as a result, left feeling very much better informed. The guest was none other than U.S. Consul General Lisa Vickers and the subject was a topical one. Consul General Vickers thrilled members with a close up and in depth account of the U.S. Presidential Electoral System and answered questions on a variety of |
crucial issues including party primaries, and the role of so-called super delegates who can decide their outcome. At the end of the meeting she suggested that members probably knew more than a large number of American voters who will be choosing their next President in November. Anyone wishing more information about East Lothian Fabian Society should contact the secretary, Noel Foy on Haddington 824386 |
Visitors Clamour as Doo’cot Reopens
Haddington Visitor Information Centre, run by the Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council reopened for the summer season on Good Friday and has already attracted a large number of visitors. The centre will be staffed by volunteers and is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until late September.
Jan Wilson, for the council said she was delighted that the facility had reopened and commented on the improved layout of the interior and additional heating. No one was available to speak on behalf of the pigeons!