The Cycle Path Development Group, inspired by the Meals and Wheels event, kicks off looking at potential cycle/multi use paths at Selm Muir wood and cycle/multi use paths to it from the village centre. By December discussions begin with the Forestry Commission and initial plans are drawn up for potential routes from Kirknewton in and around Selm Muir wood for further consultation. We bid for RBS Community Force money for the initial paths but 100 supporters unfortunately does not take us to the top 3 groups. Currie Playgroup get a £6000 award with over 400 supporters. A series of cycle reports about routes to and from Balerno and Livingston as well as recommendations for improvement are published online by the Development Trust and Transport Initiatives and sent to the appropriate planning offices at West Lothian and Edinburgh City Council. The Post Office launch an initiative to buy and sell second hand books (£1 softback, £2 hardback bargain)! The PO also provide a facility to take out cash with any cash card during opening hours.
October
The Allotment Association have their first Kirknewton Apple Day event. Local MSP Angela Constance and Councillor Dave King choose their favourite village Apple Pies and Halloween lanterns. Over 200 people attend the event and £300 is raised for the Allotment Association.
Consultation begins on replacing the roundabout in the playpark with a revolving climbing/rope frame. Kirknewton Development Trust are awarded £110,000 Leader funding (pending planning application and building warrant) for the new Resource Centre on the old Gospel Hall Site. The fully sustainable building using renewable energy for power/heat will provide meeting space that will free the village hall for more activity based clubs as well as provide a new office for the Development Trust and space for volunteers/businesses in the village
November
The Kirknewton Community Development Plan for 2012-2015 is made available online http:// www.issuu.com/kirknewton/docs/community_
development_plan_nov_11 - this plan was developed from the community consultation is February 2011 and is based around five themes. The themes are Community Development and Volunteering, Community Facilities and Services, Local Environment and Green Space, Planning and Strategic Development and Local Economy & Training. The Kirknewton Community Skills and Volunteer survey is launched for 11 days from 11.11.11 to 22.11.11. Bulb planting takes place in the park by a willing group of volunteers. It is hoped that a new park youth art project will take place in the spring, a potential skate/bike area will be made available and that the basket swing will survive (as it will not be replaced again)! Cars speed are monitored at Hillhouse Wynd following a meeting with Edinburgh police, local road planning and the local councillor. At the time of writing we are still waiting on the results due to software issues at Lothian and Borders Police. Network Rail inform us over 1000 more cars a day go over the level crossing since 2010. The snow comes back! But it is wind that will close the school!
December
The results of the Kirknewton Community Skills and Volunteer survey are published online at http:// www.issuu.com/kirknewton/docs/skills_and_ volunteer_survey_dec_2011 - over 60 people in the village responded. The first Kirknewton Christmas Festival is announced. The second year of the lighting of the Christmas Tree is followed by free refreshements in the Village Hall and, for the first time, the Village Inn.
The new Christmas Craft and Food Fair has 200+ visitors to Potter Around with a BBQ, home baking, mulled wine, several community and business