[Moregin]

Hello all,

I was at a residents meeting for the proposed canal extension in Grangeouth (under the 'HELIX' project) where the council liaison mentioned that she was involved with steering groups for the relevant parts of the project such as footpath construction, access routes, tree species etc, and was hoping to add new members.  In the discussions she mentioned that the Falkirk area had an allotment society and I just wondered if anyone on here was in it? 
Hopefully the HELIX project will be releasing ground to allow allotments to be given but at the moment I get the feeling the left hand and the right hand haven't been introduced to each other yet!!  They have an open day on Monday the 23rd from 2pm till 8pm in Falkirk College where they hope to show the new improved 'hope we can do it' plan.  My own smallholding plans will be hampered if the current plan goes ahead so I have an issue or two to discuss.  Will anyone else in this area be coming along?

Cheers

Stuart

[doganjo]

Hi Stuart
We've just been to our monthly meeting of Central Scotland Smallholders Association - you're not that far away from Alloa area - fancy joining us?  Next meeting is AGM and Christmas evening in Clackmannan.  Some of our members might be members of Falkirk Allotments Society but I've not heard anyone mention it.  Why would the Helix project hamper you and Katrina's plans for smallholding? (I don't know what their plans are, incidentally)
CSSA is quite an active group - have a look at our website - www.smallholders.info
(Brit)Annie

[Moregin]

Where do I start   Origionally for the lottery grant application their plan had the fields infront of my house as flood meadows, picnic tables, viewing towers, some plantations of mixed trees and footpaths everywhere.  They knew nothing of who owned the fields and they had assumed that it was all waste ground.  There are three barley, two silage and a number of grazing fields full of dobbins .  One map showed our area in detail and it worried me.  I quizzed the architect who put the first plan together and all he could tell me is that the footpaths were going round a local interesting feature. "What is it?" I asked - "A feature thats both local and interesting" he said - "But what is it?" I asked - "I need to check my notes" he said - "I will save you the trouble, its my f*ck#ng house" - "Oh he said I didnt realise!!!"   The bother was the footpaths completely encircled my garden - and I mean like the indians used to around the cowboys wagon trains.  Any time I spoke to people involved they kept saying that 'its all high level plans' and not to worry but having taken years to get the place and then have the bumbling council throw this mental proposal in was a bit upsetting.
I had offered to join the focus groups last year and was told that at the time they didnt want people like me involved!  Red rag to a bull that was .  Later it was explained that they were looking for local business involvement but at the time I was really annoyed at the attitude shown in a supposed community project.  Having made a bit of noise I am now in contact with one or two of the team in charge so should get a bit of clarity I hope.
I am all for community improvement and want to be involved but we are worried that the council will just do their own thing, ignore us and before we know it our view will be gone and then the buckfast fuelled neds will be hanging around the nice new dark footpaths and picnic areas!
The current new improved bestest ever plans I believe still includes tree planting and public footpaths through and over the area I am trying to lease for my smallholding but I hope to speak to the planning people at their open day on Monday to air my concerns and put forward a number of suggestions of improvements I think will help.

[doganjo]

Good grief!  I wish you luck with that, Stuart!  I'm currently spearheading a residents group living alongside the SAK railway line, we've got MSPs and MPs, Councillors, the Petitions Committee, Community and town Councils all fighting our corner but can we get the main bodies to do anything other than pass the buck!  None of them will shoulder the responsibility for telling lies when the line was first proposed.  All we want is for the night trains to stop.  They can't seem to understand that sleep deprivation increases anger!
Why is it that when people begin to get power they forget their roots?

[Moregin]

It's that (your) situation that bothers me.  I dont want to be there in five years time when its too late hence the reason I am jumping up and down now!!!

Hope you can get a resolution for your problems.

[doganjo]

Just keep an eye on ITV documentaries.  If you see a fat white haired auld wifie giving it laldie - switch the telly off

[Moregin]

Gaun yirsell missis