Kirknewton Community Council and the Development Trust have been working together on seeking funding and organising activities for senior citizens across the village.  Much of it has been off social media, knocking on doors and word of mouth.

At the two enjoyable events at Dalmahoy and the local pub representatives from the Trust and Community Council took the opportunity to share plans for the proposed homes for the elderly and speak one to one with people.

It was good to listen to the challenges people face having to maintain family homes and having to move to smaller accommodation outwith the village and away from their friends and networks.

As some of you may know every five years the Trust undertakes a community consultation, regarded as one of the best in Scotland, to establish community needs.  This allows us to establish the general view of the community and where to direct our resources / fundraising efforts.  The need for housing was one of the issues that was raised and found itself in the Community Development Plan.

Although challenging for a volunteer led group the KCDT Board decided to pursue this goal as a major project.  Not only was there a need but an opportunity to build quality affordable homes using building techniques we had learnt with the Green Room project.  Along with the use of solar power there is an aspiration the homes will cost only £200 a year to heat and light, around the cost of the winter fuel allowance.

The project has been supported by East Calder architect Euan Robertson, Rural Housing Scotland Derek Logie, Horizon Housing Association and the local authority.

From the comments we received from over 50 people who have attended the senior citizen events the need is still there.

The homes will be built on land near the stones project at the end of the village improving an area which was untendered and inaccessible for several years.

An application has gone in to the Scottish Government Rural Housing Fund to help build seven single storey homes, and we hope to hear by June if successful.  The remaining funds will be from a contribution from the Trust and private finance.

The homes have been designed for varying needs, including dementia, and it is hoped will exceed building standards and requirements for homes for the elderly.  A planning application has gone in to West Lothian Council.

Although the land and homes will be owned by the Trust allocations and management of the rented homes will be by an external group with expertise in homes for the elderly.

Once built the homes can be used as an example for community members and other communities and Development Trusts to follow, as part of the Trusts education and skills programme.  KCDT has advised on the setting up of Trusts across West Lothian.  We helped to set up one of the first Community Trust networks in Scotland and meet regularly and share the challenges and best practice we all face.  Housing is of particular interest to many Trusts.

The stones project is expected to be finished by late summer/early autumn 2019.  If our grant and mortgage application is successful we will begin actioning the house build for completion in 2021.

Over the last few months (and continuing) the Kirknewton Community Council and the Kirknewton Community Development Trust have been working together on a number of events for senior citizens from the village. This afternoon we took 25 people to the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club for an afternoon tea. More are planned if there is a demand as well as a fish and chips / bingo night in the pub and possibly a trip during the summer. Nearly 100 people have filled out a survey prior to this event – if you have yet to see one we are still coming around doors or you can collect one from the shop/pharmacy. Well done Ian Watt Ailsa Kirknewton Debbie Kcdt Stephanie Paterson John Sives and everyone else who went door to door for all your help with this project.

Kirknewton Youth Club, based in the Green Room every Friday evening, are currently involved with a six week programme of activities with the Heriot-Watt Public Engagement Network. They’ve been to events at the Oriam, conducted operations in the Frankenzone and more. This all leads up to a Family Day out at the Heriot Watt campus on 13th April.

Enjoy some of the pictures of the Youth Club and well done to the Ailsa Meldrum, Youth and Volunteer Co-Ordinator for organising and all the Kirknewton Youth Club Volunteers for your help and support.

So our Kirknewton Community Lottery has been up and running for almost 6 months now!  We have had such an amazing support from the community and would like to say thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket or donated a prize.  You guys are awesome.  

As you can imagine many of the groups you have supported would struggle to fundraise for the items you supported, so another big thank you!  Each week you are not only in with the chance of winning the lottery but supporting local groups.

In case you have missed it this is just a summary of where the money raised has gone.  It is really great to see the diversity of groups we have in Kirknewton.

Kirknewton Community Playgroup received their painting easel and are also about to get an arts trolley.

Boxcir got some new gloves!

Gala received a donation to the brass band for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and some banners.

Kirknewton Primary School received some new play equipment with more still to come.

Kirknewton Yarnbombers have new storage boxes to store all the wonderful poppies which were knitted.

The Kirknewton Ladies darts team have new shirts (shirts are ordered so awaiting photo)

Kirknewton Guides received some funding towards a UK girl guides a cinema trip to see Mary Poppins and Brownies a trip away in the Spring

Youth Club received a donation towards their Christmas Party and funds also support the  Youth and Volunteer project too!  Remember to get your tickets every Monday from Festival Stores or set up a direct debit with your bank and never miss a draw- email infokirknewton@gmail.com for details.

A new Chair of Kirknewton Community Council has been elected, following the resignation of Hugh Hunter Gordon after 13 years in the role.

The members of the Community Council who stood were Frank Lynch, Anne Pinkerton, John Sives and John Thomas.  The election was conducted using the a preference vote system.

Below is how your community councillors voted.   They could put a 1 beside their preferred candidate, 2 against second etc.

After the first round Anne Pinkerton was eliminated.

After the second round John Thomas was eliminated.

After the third round John Sives was duly elected with 12 preference votes to Frank Lynch 11 preference votes.

The Community Council meets every second Tuesday at 6.45pm in the Green Room.

After exactly thirteen years as Chair of Kirknewton Community Council Hugh Hunter Gordon will resign and step down as a Community Councillor today.

An election will take place at tonight’s Kirknewton Community Council for a new Chair.  Community Councillors are eligible to vote.  The election will be by Single Transferable Vote.  Standing for the role will be Frank Lynch, Anne Pinkerton, John Sives and John Thomas.

The Election of Hugh Hunter Gordon in December 2005 was attended by 6 previously serving Councillors, of which three will continue as elected Councillors today. The Election was not contested.

Amongst matters at that first meeting were a need to understand what was the Kirknewton Community Association, a request to change the timing of meetings, the circulation of email addresses for ease of correspondence, the establishment of a charitable body to receive, manage and control money received from the successful pursuit of the social justice campaign surrounding the failure of the Kaimes landfill site to be operated legally, control of planning requests within the conservation village and a discussion about the railway level-crossing.

The Gala had not been staged and the management of the Village Hall was in some difficulties.

Hugh was instrumental in achieving two elections for the Community Council, the last having 27 people stand for 18 places.

In his resignation letter he noted the efforts of those that were engaged then and those that have become involved since then, allied to the achievement in obtaining substantial Lottery support for many years, having together enabled the Kirknewton Community to regain its vibrancy and become engaged in a diverse range of activities and participation.

The last community consultation in 2015 had ‘community spirit’ as being the reason they liked living in Kirknewton.  The previous consultation the reason had been ‘location’.

Hugh went on to say, “I am immensely grateful for having been allowed to play a tiny part in this change. I am completely confident that today there is the energy, the competences and the enthusiasms to go strongly forward.”

We’d like to pass on our thanks to Hugh for his years of service on the Community Council and no doubt he will continue to help the community in his role as a Board member of the Kirknewton Community Development Trust.