| After years of deterioration on the paths / local walks around the local landmark of Binny Craig,
the Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Community Council embarked on a three year planning and fund-raising project to
repair and upgrade the most important paths in this local rural network.
An initial survey and outline report was produced for discussion. From this information it was decided that
most of the work was beyond the capability of volunteers and that a formal survey would have to take place with a
view to having contractors appointed to carry out the improvements. Following the formal survey and preparation of
a detailed specification of requirements and with funding secured from Awards for All and the
West Lothian LEADER Programme, a local contractor was appointed and the work was completed in October 2010.
The only path suitable for volunteers to work on, the Threemiletown to Philpstoun path, was overhauled in
2009 by a team from the Community Council and more work will take place on an ongoing process during 2010 and beyond.
Whilst the paths have been cleared and will mostly be self-maintained through increased use, any extra maintenance
required will be carried out by members of the Community Council.
Whether you are a resident or a visitor to the area, we trust that you will enjoy these historic and wonderful local
walks for many years to come.
| | The paths in this project: |
| 1 | LW135 & 136 |
| | Uphall to Binny Craig - Length Approx. 3km |
| 2 | LW138 & 139 |
| | Longmuir to Ecclesmachan - Length Approx. 4km |
| 3 | LW185 |
| | Threemiletown to Philpstoun - Length Approx. 1.5km |
| Date | Subject |
| 15 August 2010. | Open Evening |
| Oatridge College and the Community Council would like to invite local residents to an open evening hosted
by Oatridge College.
This event will focus on strengthening the partnership between the college and local residents in an effort to work
together to improve our relationship and lessen any impact that the college has on the area. The Community Council
recently applied for, and were successful in obtaining, a grant to pay for a feasibility study into viable ideas
that are put forward from this initiative. Some outline areas have been discussed but it was felt that as many
people from the area as possible should be involved with the process. Here are some of the things that could be
discussed:
· Local traffic
· Parking in the village
· Community Orchard
· Village in bloom
· Upgrading the Playpark
· Possibility of access to funding to help upgrade the village hall
· Preferential access to College resources
From the ideas put forward at this event, a questionnaire will be prepared and presented to every resident in the area
to establish the most popular potential projects. The completed questionnaires will then be used to investigate
feasibility and available sources of funding to secure as many projects as possible.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 28 March 2010. | Shale Villages |
| The Community Council would like extend an open invitation to an information evening about the Shale
Villages Project presented by John Holt, the Shale Villages Project Officer. This event will take place at 7pm on
7th April 2010 in the Ecclesmachan Vilage Hall.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 11 August 2009. | Ecclesmachan & Threemiletown Community Council Newsletter |
| The Community Council has just produced its latest newsletter. It covers Recent Proposed Boundary
changes, Elections for 2009, the Local Paths Project, Neighbourhood Watch Update, Cold Calling Control Zone Update,
New Theft Prevention Initiative from Lothian & Borders Police, Proposed Recycling Plant at Philpstoun South Bing and Updated
Events Information.
This newsletter, the fourth in the series, was printed in full colour and has just been hand-delivered to every household in
the area. You can download your own copy
here as a PDF format file.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 11 April 2009. | Ecclesmachan & Threemiletown Community Councils future secured |
| Following proposed boundary changes where the Community Council's very existence was threatened,
a recent decision has seen a reprieve.
In a recent letter from West Lothian Council's Committee Services, the Community Council was informed that a proposal
had been made to align the Community Council boundaries and the Multi-member Council ward boundaries.
This in effect would have meant that Threemiletown would become part of the Linlithgow ward and the residents of
Threemiletown would only be eligible to join the Bridgend Community Council. In turn Ecclesmachan would then have
been a stand-alone area with only residents from Ecclesmachan being eligible to join the then named Ecclesmachan
Community Council. If this change had been implemented then the Ecclesmachan Community Council would have
instantly ceased to exist, as we would have needed at least 4 members to operate at all and there was only 3
members from Ecclesmachan.
Thankfully at a recent meeting of the Partnership and Resources PDSP (20th March 2009), it was confirmed that the
Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown was to be retained as one joint community council.
The Community Council would like to thank everyone who supported them in their cause... local residents,
elected members and other Community Councils.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 18 Feb 2009. | Memorial Stones for Unmarked Graves |
Following research carried out by a local resident, Catherine Ferguson, it has been confirmed that
a total of 831 patients of Bangour Village Hospital, whose bodies were unclaimed, were buried in Ecclesmachan Cemetery (566),
Uphall Cemetery (191) and Loaninghill Cemetery (74) between 1904 and 1992. As a result of this research, West Lothian Council
have recently placed Memorial Stones in all three Cemeteries in memory of those people.
Click here to read Catherine's full report.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 08 Jan 2009. | Ecclesmachan & Threemiletown Community Council - Proposed Boundary Changes |
In a recent letter from West Lothian Council's Committee Services, the Community Council has been
informed that a proposal has been made to align the Community Council Boundaries and the Multi-member Council Ward Boundaries.
This in effect would mean that Threemiletown would become part of the Linlithgow ward and the residents of Threemiletown
would be eligible to join the Bridgend Community Council only. In turn Ecclesmachan would then be a stand-alone area with
only residents from Ecclesmachan being eligible to join the then named Ecclesmachan Community Council.
This of course is of great concern as the household split is Threemiletown 75 households and Ecclesmachan 50 households.
Again of great concern is our current membership, which is 5 from Threemiletown (with 2 office bearers) and only 3 from
Ecclesmachan (again with 2 office bearers). If this change were to be implemented then the Ecclesmachan Community Council
would instantly cease to be able to exist, as we need at least 4 members to operate at all.
There is also the fact that most of our community groups are joint community groups taking members from both the villages
and using the village hall as their base - we have a long history of working together as a joint community.
We would like to ask for your support. Please write and object to this proposed change and request that the joint
Community Council is left to operate with its membership made up from both villages. Your comments should be sent as
soon as possible to:
Lorraine McGrorty, Committee Services, West Lothian Council, Almondvale Boulevard,
Livingston, EH54 6QG.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 02 August 2006. | Oatridge Agricultural College Expansion? |
It has recently been brought to our attention that Oatridge Agricultural College has made
two further planning applications to West Lothian Council.
1) Outline planning permission for the erection of two houses for agricultural workers.
2) Outline planning permission for the erection of agricultural buildings.
You can view the full planning documents for each proposal by using the following link:
http://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/WAM133/searchsubmit/performOption.do?action=search
In the street name box enter Ecclesmachan then click Search
OR In the Application box enter:
0813 for the erection of two houses for agricultural workers then click Search
0814 for the erection of agricultural buildings then click Search
As before we urge you to stop development by stealth, you can object to these applications by writing to:
Wendy McCorriston
Development and Building Control
County Buildings
Linlithgow
EH49 7EZ
|
| Date | Subject |
| 21 July 2006. | Oatridge Agricultural College Expansion Funding |
It has recently been brought to our attention that Oatridge Agricultural College have sold
land at West Binny to Walker Homes who in turn have applied for planning permission for the
Erection of 20 houses with associated garaging, landscaping and roads.
Oatridge Agricultural College have also applied for planning permission (apparently also to raise funds) for
the following further developments within the parish:
1) Outline planning permission for the conversion of existing steading and extension to steading to form seven
houses and separate parking courtyard and garages at Oatridge Farm.
2) Outline planning permission for the formation of two house plots with shared vehicle access at West Binny.
You can view the full planning documents for each proposal by using the following link:
http://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/WAM133/searchsubmit/performOption.do?action=search
In the street name box enter Ecclesmachan then click Search
OR In the Application box enter:
0639 for the 20 house development at West Binny then click Search
0734 for the development at Oatridge Farm then click Search
0735 for the 2 new house plots at West Binny then click Search
If you are concerned about these proposals we would also suggest that you seek and consult a copy of the
"Finalised West Lothian Local Plan 2005".This wiro-bound document, along with it's plans, clearly shows
that in the case of the first two proposed developments above "An area of Great Landscape Value
(Policy ENV19-20)." applies.
Policy ENV19 states "Within the six AGLV shown on the proposals map there is a presumption against
development which would undermine the landscape and visual qualities for which these areas were designated.
Policy ENV20 states "Development proposals outwith an AGVL which would affect its setting from
important viewpoints will be subject to detailed visual appraisal and will not be supported if it adversely affects the
designated area.
This document also defines "An area of Great Landscape Value" as being "An area
designated by a local authority in development plans as being of special landscape character requiring special protection
against innappropriate forms of development. The requirement to designate AGVLs is set out in circular 2/1962."
We urge you to stop development by stealth, you can object to these applications by writing to:
Wendy McCorriston
Development and Building Control
County Buildings
Linlithgow
EH49 7EZ
|
| Date | Subject |
| 01 May 2006. | Road Traffic and Safety |
The special meeting held in the Ecclesmachan Village Hall at 7:30pm on Wednesday 5th April 2006
was very well attended.
Mr Jim Reid, Team Leader for West Lothian Council's Road Safety & Traffic Management department and Sergeant
Dave Wilson from Lothian & Borders Police presented their future plans for road traffic management and
improvements for this stretch of road & policies for policing. This was followed by a lively question and
answer session. Draft minutes of the meeting can be viewed here using this link.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 14 March 2006. | Road Traffic and Safety |
Following many complaints from local residents regarding the high incidence of road traffic
accidents and speeding on the roads through the villages, the Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Community Council
has organised a special meeting at the Ecclesmachan Village Hall at 7:30pm on Wednesday 5th April 2006.
The Community Council has invited Mr Jim Reid, Team Leader for West Lothian Council's Road Safety & Traffic
Management department and a representative from Lothians & Borders Police to present their future plans for
road traffic management and improvements for this stretch of road.
Anyone who has concerns over this issue should bookmark this date in their diary, come along to listen and
perhaps add their own input to this. An information pack outlining the issues and progress to date will be
circulated round the area prior to the meeting. Copies will also be available in the Broxburn Library.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 30 September 2004. | Music News. |
A new CD, recorded by a local music group, The Faucheldean Players
was recently released. The CD was recorded and produced in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Relief charity.
The recording of this CD took place in the Ecclesmachan Village Hall over the Easter Holiday period
earlier this year. It took some three days to record and the Village Hall was a nice quiet location
for this - except for the clock!. The clock had to be carefully removed for every recording session...
(click here to see a picture of the
noisy wee clock being removed).
The CD features a selection from the trio’s easy-listening repertoire and is priced at £10.
For more information, visit The Faucheldean Players website at
http://www.faucheldeantrio.org.uk.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 12 August 2004. | Road Closed Again. |
The main road through the village was closed again today from about 10:30pm until 1:00am.
Yet another old tree had dropped a large branch across the road - right in front of one lucky motorist
who escaped with only minor damage to the front of his car.
Click here to a picture of the offending tree.
The police were on the scene quickly and closed the road whilst West Lothian Council workers cleared the
branches away. The unusual thing about this incident is that there was not a breath of wind - but in
view of all the rain and damp fog here recently, we can only assume the weight of the branch had
increased significantly from absorption, causing it to break away.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 10 July 2003. | Television Services |
As local residents are well aware, the terrestrial television signal in Ecclesmachan for most is very
poor. This is due to the terrain between the village and the nearest transmitters (Blackhill and Craigkelly), and means
a high gain aerial, mounted high with a masthead amplifier is recommended. Even then, most people cannot receive Channel 5
at all, and the winter signal for Channel 3 and Channel 4 is very poor.
Cable TV is not available (despite a main fibre optic cable running through the village, feeding cable TV and Telephone
services to other towns in the area). Recent information from Telewest confirms they have no plans to provide a
service in the area here. The only other option open to this area is Digital Satellite viewing, this until recently
could provide BBC1, BBC2, Ch3, Ch4 and Ch5 as well as many others on a "Free To View" (FTV) system via a Sky installation
and being in possession of a FTV card. One also has the option of subscribing to a Sky package of varying levels.
From today BBC will commence broadcasting all BBC digital channels from a different satellite, without encryption -
called "Free To Air" (FTA). This signal will be available on a Sky receiver and also on a new set-top FTA receiver
without needing a viewing card. That was the good news...
Now for the bad news... As the BBC funded the FTV card system and they no longer need to provide the service, it has
been withdrawn. Co-incidentally Sky are in the process of updating their encryption codes and are issuing new cards to
all their Subscription customers. When the new encryption is switched on, all old cards (including all FTV cards)
will cease to function, so all current FTV Sky receivers will only be able to allow viewing of BBC FTA signals. If you
wish to continue viewing Ch3, Ch4, Ch5 and the handful of other previous FTV channels by Digital Satellite, you will have
to subscribe to a monthly fee service from Sky. The cheapest subscription available at this time is £150.00 a year
(£12.50 a month).
|
| Date | Subject |
| 15 June 2003. | What was that smell? |
| Wow, Phew, not again...
It was discovered today that the sewage drain between Ecclesmachan village and the pumping station to the Uphall
treatment plant was blocked up again. The blockage appears to have been there for several weeks and the effect on
the burn is obvious for all to see, raw sewage seeping straight into the burn and the green algae is now grey...
A Scottish Water representative said 'This happens frequently in this area, but this is a strange one
in a previously unaffected section of the pipe, it must have been blocked for ages. It could be from the village or even Oatridge
College - we have had so many problems with grease, condoms and sanitary towels in the drains and they just can't handle it".
We could conjecture that this problem was reactive and not preventative, which is probably the case for many Scottish
Water problems in the region, both in supply and disposal... but then what do we know? We are only the consumers paying
(dearly) for the service... Please post your concerns to Scottish Water direct - not here - You can call them direct
on 0845-7420420.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 25 May 2003. | Great Loss to the Ecclesmachan Community |
| It it with great regret we have to report the passing away of Matt McKendrick (82).
As a prime mover of the Ecclesmachan Leisure Group and one of the "keepers of the village hall" he will be
sadly missed by the local community and our thoughts go out to family and friends alike.
Matt, you will be missed I know,
And for many, what a blow,
A person you couldn't find kinder,
Everyone's wish for reminder.
A man with humour and also a mission,
So much he gave, so little he wanted,
His stories told with such passion,
Yet never once he flaunted.
We ALL think of you now,
We will ALL think of you then,
Matt, as we all take a bow,
Remember, We'll see you again.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 16 May 2003. | New Hospital at Binny House |
| After lying empty since February 2002, the former Sue Ryder Care Home at
Binny House is about to become Scotland's first dedicated hospital for young people suffering
from bulimia and anorexia.
The Huntercombe Edinburgh Hospital will be run by Four Seasons Health Care and will open on
24 June 2003. It will provide 22 beds for 11 to 25 year-olds with acute bulilia and anorexia,
eliminating the need for patients to travel to England for treatment. The new facility is
expected to employ around 50 people and will provide access to a variety of therapies, activities
and educational resources.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 10 Oct. 2002. | Fire at Oatridge |
| Early in the evening, Police and five units from local Fire Stations attended
a fire at Oatridge Farm, part of Oatridge Agricultural College. The recently filled hay shed was
a blazing inferno, and the entire structure with its contents of over 3,000 bales of straw, were
lost to the fire. Fortunately, thanks to the prompt response and skilful management of the Fire
Brigade and farm staff, the blaze was contained to this one building (despite the close proximity
of further storage sheds and a horse stable).
A Police spokesman later said: "Three youths have been detained, interviewed and charged with willful
fire-raising and a report has been sent to the Children's Panel."
Click here to see pictures of the blaze.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 30 July 2002. | Floods |
| The local residents and passing motorists were today reminded of the fact
that flash floods were becoming a more frequent feature of the weather pattern. With over 24 hours
of localised thunder, lightning and torrential rain, the drainage system just could not cope.
With over two feet of water on main road at East Binny, it all but closed for a good part of
the day. The electricity, of course, was off all day and not restored until 6am the following
morning. The normally sedate Ecclesmachan Burn became a raging torrent, rapidly flooding the
fields in the valley to the east of the village. Take a look at our
Pictures page, where
"before and after" type pictures of the Ecclesmachan Burn are available to view.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 29 May 2002. | Footpath Improvements |
| The Community Council, in partnership with the Oatridge Agricultural College,
has secured funding for much needed improvements to the public footpath to Binnie Crag. These
improvements were designed and agreed by both parties several months ago. The work itself is being
integrated into a certificated class course, thus giving the students at the college a practical
and interesting project to complete.
The improvements which include: Construction of a boardwalk over a waterlogged area, trimming
vegetation, resetting steps which are off level, installing cross drains over the steps, widening
the path at the top of the steps and installation of markers at the top section will ensure that
people using the path will find it much more enjoyable and safer.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 15 April 2002. | Binny Stables Conversion |
The recent conversion work at Binny Stables has been completed. The old
stable block has been carefully renovated to create four luxury homes which went on the
market recently.
Click here
to see a picture of the building which was taken during the renovation work.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 6 March 2002. | Community Council AGM |
| The Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Community Council has set the date for
it's AGM. This meeting will be held in the village hall at 7:30pm on Wednesday 1st May 2002, it
is hoped that some of the local community will attend.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 4 March 2002. | Sue Ryder Care Close Home |
| Unfortunately the care centre has now closed (Feb 2002),
the charity claiming lack of funds to operate further.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 22 Feb. 2002 | West Lothian Draft Local Plan. |
| A public workshop is being held on Tuesday 26 February 2002 (from 7pm - 9pm) at
Winchburgh Primary School. The aim of this 'workshop' is to give people the opportunity to discuss
the contents of the West Lothian Local Plan, the focus of this particular meeting being the areas
Ecclesmachan, Threemiletown, Winchburgh and Broxburn. The plan referred to covers housing, transport,
road structure and new schools.
There is also a meeting on Tuesday 5 March (from 7pm - 9pm) at Uphall Primary School. The focus
of this meeting being stated as Uphall, Uphall Station and Pumpherston. This meeting however, has
possibly more interest to the Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown residents than the Winchburgh meeting,
as the proposed developments are closer and have great implications on road traffic through the villages.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 8 Nov. 2001 | Sue Ryder Care Decide to Close Home |
| Sue Ryder Care announced it is to close Binny House, despite West Lothian and
Edinburgh City Councils offering £400,000 of funding to keep it open. The future of the 24 patients
is uncertain.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 3 Oct. 2001 | Community Council |
| The Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Community Council was re-established at its
inaugural meeting in the village hall. The new council had four nominated members and a fifth was
co-opted onto the council during the meeting.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 5 Sept. 2001 | Sue Ryder Care Home Faces Closure |
| Sue Ryder Care announced its intention to close Binny House at Ecclesmachan if
it cannot secure extra funding of £500,000 per year. Sue Ryder Care has already closed one centre in
Suffolk and earmarked both Binny House and another centre in Berwickshire for future closure.
The charity blamed "increased nursing costs, insufficient statutory funding and staff recruitment
problems for this decision". There is also the additional problem of expensive renovation works due
to the 'Care Standards Act', which was introduced in April 2001 and requires major investment in
the home to meet compliance.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 19 July 2001 | Traffic Calming |
Phase one of the new road marking and signage project started in Ecclesmachan
village. Phase one will comprise:
- Remarking B8046 with an area of central hatching and a right turn Lane into Byburn.
- Remarking give way markings at junction adjacent to church.
- Erection of illuminated staggered junction warning signs on both approaches to this location.
- Trimming of foliage at existing speed limit signs and over the east side footpath.
- Marking a new 30mph speed limit roundel at the start of the limit from the north.
Phase two, which is the construction of a central island in the vicinity of the bus stop / entrance
to Byburn, will be installed at an 'early date'.
|
| Date | Subject |
| 26 June 2001 | Road Accident |
| A lorry driver had a narrow escape today. After swerving to avoid an articulated
vehicle coming over the bridge in the village, his vehicle (a tipper lorry with a full load) burst
through the crash railings on the east side of the road. The lorry hurtled down the embankment,
felling trees on the way, and came to rest against a large old lime tree at the bottom of the gully.
The driver was helped out of his cabin with only his pride hurt and a few minor bruises! The road
had to be closed for several hours whilst special lifting equipment struggled to extract the lorry
from the roadside gully. After its removal West Lothian Council decided to fell the damaged lime tree.
Click here to see a slide show of 5 pictures of
the recovery process. Note that each picture will take about 20-30 seconds to load and that each
picture in the sequence will download automatically.
|
|
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West Lothian Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Community Council
local paths project wooden stock-proof gate stolen from longmuir near ecclesmachan April 2011 dechmont to Linlithgow road
contact us immediately with any information or contact Broxburn Police Station
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