DENHOLM FEUARS’ AND HOUSEHOLDERS’ COUNCIL
A REGISTERED SCOTTISH CHARITY: CHARITY NO SC042692
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD IN VILLAGE HALL, DENHOLM ON
MONDAY, 20th MARCH 2023 at 7.00pm
PRESENT: John Biggar (Chair), Scott Tait (Vice Chair), Doug Crew, Lynn Ferguson
George Thom, Doreen Biggar (Treasurer)
APOLOGIES: A Massey, E Massey, M Orton, V Oswald, C Ryde, C Ryde
INATTENDANCE: L Baines, G Campbell, I Cranston, G Crew, J Millar, C Orton,
W Rafferty, A Richardson, M Richardson, L Roberts, A Scott, I Thompson
John opened by meeting by thanking everyone for attending. As you know our AGM did not have a quorum. This meeting is called to look for your help that comes before our re-arranged AGM in May so we can ensure a strong council together with other co-opted members who not wishing council responsibility but interested in specific areas feel they can help. Lower Dean, Quoiting Haugh, Green Activities just some of the issues where help is required. Without a strong backing from the village future land development and even events such as Ride Out are in jeopardy. I have shown meeting with normal business Agenda to enable me to highlight important issues to be dealt with by future council. A few of these do require a quick answer tonight but the main topic for tonight is to discuss and obtain our views and look for your help to take DF&HC forward in a way to the benefit of the village.
GREEN ACTIVITIES:
PETANQUE: Work I understand will start soon. This all being organised by Community Council although Feuars will be responsible for future upkeep as green managers.
CORONATION CELEBRATIONS: We are happy to provide use of Green. Lynn, Gwen can provide update. Gwen stated that this would be held on Saturday, 6th May, and take a similar format as with Jubilee Celebration. Community Council has own insurance to cover this event.
CAR BOOTS: This is where we require help. New Council or co-opted members required to organise monthly events. This is very important to us as one of our few sources of income to cover many upkeep costs.
RIDE OUT: Again, help required as present seven strong council unable to cope with all requirements. Presuming this will go ahead Toilet Hire and Skip Hire has been provisionally arranged.
JIMMY GUTHRIE RUN: This is arranged to be held on Sunday, 18th June 2023
HIZZY RUN: This again arranged for Sunday, 27th August 2023
Permission for both Jimmy Guthrie Run and Hizzy Run has been given.
LOWER DEAN: Probably the biggest item facing any future council. I will give a brief update. Presently discussions are going ahead for removal of citrus Spruce and assistance for future planting of native trees being discussed by bodies like Border Forest Trust.
Gordon Ferguson and Chris Ryde are much more informed than myself with this but there is a need for much more help from new council members or again others co-opted with an interest in assisting also full discussion with village will be required.
Perhaps your views on this can be covered in our open discussion.
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Minutes of Meeting held on 20th March 2023 cont’d:
ELECTRIC CHARGING POINTS: Following a meeting with Scottish Power and Scottish Borders Council representatives organised by Dale Ploughman, Community Council Vice Chair, I showed them the possible siting if Feuars Land used for proposed Fast Charging Points. These being Fisherman’s Car Park and Plot 1 Area. Green Area from small car park discussed also but concerns regarding amount of land that would be required for turning etc in a designated recreational area noted.
These discussions are in an early stage and once more information is available it will be for new council to discuss in more detail.
QUOITING HAUGH: Following discussion with Borders Forest Trust grants for trees available. Again, Chris Ryde is much better than myself with regard to explaining how we could use grant to tidy-up the area.
Views and help from you in our open discussion, particularly from Riverside Drive Residents, would be appreciated.
John at this stage opened the meeting looking for views on how to take DF&HC forward.
to obtain help and ensure we all work together for the benefit of the village. He also stressed all comments must be directed through the chair as it is much easier for our secretary and only short precise points will be minuted. Your co-operation with this please.
Gordie Campbell introduced himself and started by expressing the problem with Feuars was that they did not communicate properly with Village. John asked him to look to the future not dwell on the past to be told we must look back at the mistakes to go forward.
General Points discussed from Agenda:
ELECTRIC CHARGING POINTS: Mr Millar felt our report and John’s comments were not sufficient. Between John and Gwen, they re-iterated that discussions were in early stages and the village would be properly informed as matters moved forward.
Mr Millar commented on lack of information from our Website and further commented on Placemaking being critical of Feuars and Community Council with regard to this. Again, John and Gwen agreed to investigate further.
QUOITING HAUGH: Celine and Wendy gave support on the requirement to utilise Grant and plant hopefully small trees. An Orchard suggested, with involvement from School Children met with approval. The Area including Banking required to be tidied up.
John thanked them and looked for their future support.
LOWER DEAN: For such an important issue not a lot of debate. Gordie commenting that we must engage better with Woodland Trust and all support systems through Border Resources.
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Minutes of Meeting held on 20th March 2023 cont’d:
GREEN ACTIVITES SUCH AS RIDE-OUT AND BONFIRE:
RIDE-OUT: It was noted the amount of work involved for very little return. The effort in clearing up especially after the event requires much more assistance.
Members present felt Common Riding/Ride Out committee should be much more involved. This was explained as a Non-Starter.
BONFIRE: Much more complicated due to Health & Safety regulations but consideration for a Smaller Village only involvement seen as a way forward.
CONSTITUTION: There was a limited discussion on whether All Council Members should be Trustees.
Following comments from Gordie the matter left for new council to discuss after AGM, where SCIO could also be discussed in more detail.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Monday, 17th April 2023 in Denholm Village Hall at 7.00pm
This meeting to discuss in more detail Denholm Ride Out and look for more village involvement to ensure this can go ahead.
Re-arranged AGM Tuesday, 16th May, 2023 in Denholm Village Hall at 7.00pm
