VILLAGE OF ROSLIN

Roslin Glen Road Update

RE-OPENING OF ROSLIN GLEN:  UPDATE TO ROSEWELL & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

21 MARCH 2011

Since my last update, progress with the works has again suffered from adverse weather, with the heavy rain and flooding during February, and the recent return to frosty temperatures and more snow!  Notwithstanding, the detailed design of the structural elements of the reinstatement works has progressed and is currently going through technical approval stage before being issued to the contractor.  At the beginning of March, we received formal consent to our proposals from SNH, with specific site conditions to be adhered to.  Accordingly, the contractor is planning to start, during week beginning 21 March 2011, with tree felling of those trees that have been agreed are to be removed.  This should mark the start of the main works, which will follow on with installation of the new drainage system and sequential removal of the failed road areas.  As a result, the current potential for access through the site will be closed off until the works are substantially complete, in the interest of public safety, and in accordance with the closure notice. 

The contractor is currently finalising his programme for the works, and is projecting that the works should be completed by the end of July 2011.  This, of course, may be dependant on situations beyond our control, for example any further adverse weather conditions, or unexpected ground conditions that may only become evident following removal of the existing road and underlying material.

I trust this update is sufficient for your next meeting.  Please let me know if you any have queries.

Alan Heatley

Network and Structures Manager

Rosslyn Chapel Update

Simon Beattie from Rosslyn Chapel writes: "2010 was a very busy year for all involved with the Chapel; the staff have had their work cut out for them as we have once again welcomed over 120,000 visitors this year. Both the retail and guiding teams did a great job at providing a friendly and welcoming experience for our visitors despite the disruption of the ongoing works. We have also had a boost to our numbers thanks to a recent documentary on BBC4.  Presented by Helen, the Countess of Rosslyn, this fascinating programme explored the people and influences that had an impact on the design and construction of the magnificent building.  For those of you who missed the original screening, keep looking out in the schedules, as 'Rosslyn Chapel: A Treasure in Stone' is sure to be repeated. 

You will have noticed over the past few months that the large metal canopy has been removed from around the exterior of the Chapel, and for those of you who have visited recently, the internal scaffolding that was in place for 18 months has also been taken away. We have recently appointed new contractors CBC from Glasgow to complete the remaining works under the main contract. The £2.4m project will involve completing the new visitor centre, the flooring, heating and lighting in the Chapel, and landscaping the grounds. The contract is due to be completed by next May, and we are looking forward to opening our new centre in the June 2011.

The stone conservation of the Chapel is a separate contract which has been ongoing for the last 18 months, and Nic Boyes Stone Conservation is now approximately 1/3 of the way through their contract. Their team have been working on the upper levels of the Chapel, the boundary walls and the monuments in the grounds. Nic’s team is due to complete their work by December 2012.  As always we are grateful to Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as our other funding partners for their support."

Latest Update on B7006 Roslin Glen Road

We have recently been in touch with Midlothian Council on the latest news with opening up the B7006 Roslin Glen Road which has been closed for a number of years due to subsidence.   A spokesperson from Midlothian Council said: "The Council has procured a consultant to develop a design solution and also appointed a contractor to carry out the works. The intention was that work would have started by now but this was unfortunately delayed by the bad weather. The work is now due to start in the first week of February."

Oatslie Closing on Hogmanay!

Some people from the village recently attended a consultation meeting with the operators of the Oatslie landfill site, where they were given assurances that the tip will cease operations by 31 Dec 2010. One of the topics of discussion that they had was on the frequent escapes of malodorous gas from the tip, which are highly unpleasant and noticeable across the village from time to time, along with the measures in place to control such emissions now and in the long term when the tip is no longer operational.  The operators of the landfill site have a legal obligation to safeguard against escapes of gas and sought to give reassurance that the appropriate measures are being taken to control this now and for future decades.  

If you notice unpleasant smells please report them immediately by contacting SEPA to complain.  SEPA monitor the volume of complaints received as an indication of the scale of the problem.  If SEPA don’t hear from people that there is a problem, the assumption is that everything is as it should be.  Concerned residents, therefore should feel free to contact Simon Cole of SEPA on 0131 273 7287 if wish to complain about the nasty smell.  Our best hope of seeing and end to this problem is to help SEPA work with the operators of the site to tackle this ongoing, long running problem.

Roslinvillage.com To Get New Look For 2011!

After two years of this website being in existence the kind folks at Midlothian Council have kindly agreed to financially support the website with an upgrade at the start of the New Year.  As well as paying for the website's domain name for another two years the website will get a whole new look in 2011!  Keep your eyes peeled for our whole new look at the end of December 2010!

Roslin's Harleen Kaur Notay in TV's "Britain's Next Top Model"

19 year old Harleen Kaur Notay from Roslin appeared in the 2010 series of Living TV's "Britain's Next Top Model".  She did really well but unfortunately didn't quite make it to the final.  Well done from everyone in Roslin though, Harleen!!  See more of Harleen.

Download the "No Cold Callers" Poster 

We seem to get more than our fair share of cold callers on our doorsteps. Deter cold callers from knocking on your door.  Download the GMTV no cold callers poster.  (Reduce the size of the poster on your computer before printing out, as it's massive on the GMTV website!)

New St. Matthew's (Rosslyn Chapel) Website

A new website for the congregation of Rosslyn Chapel has just been launched.  See it here.

New Online Ticketing Application for Events for Local Groups!

We've been searching for ages for a free, online ticketing facility that local groups can use to sell tickets for their events using this website - and now we've found it!  Eventbrite is an online ticketing website where groups can create a professional looking event page and customize it with colors, logos and images.  Thereafter, all you need to do is contact us with a link to your Eventbrite event page and we'll add the link to your event listing on the What's On page.  When people purchase a ticket online the money will go directly into your group's Pay Pal account.  There's lots more information on the Eventbrite website on how to do it.

Rosslyn Chapel was a Haven for Bees!

It really was!  Read about the latest finding at our world famous Chapel.

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