Getting things done – Scott Street and Pentland Avenue #dundeewestend

Yesterday afternoon, I had a really useful site visit with council environment officers regarding the overgrown and unsightly sloped areas in Pentland Avenue and Scott Street – at the west end of each :
West end of Scott Street
Slope in Pentland Avenue
It was agreed at the site visit that the overgrown area in Scott Street will be strimmed back in the near future.

With regard to Pentland Avenue’s slope which is a real challenge to maintain given its significant gradient, it has been agreed to plant lupins or a similar plant next season which will improve the look of the area.


Riverside Drive Wildflower success #dundeewestend

Again this year, I have received many favourable comments about the wildflower displays the council’s Neighbourhood Services has been responsible for on Riverside Drive and at other locations – a really colourful success :



The Guernica Children – Exhibition

From Brian Devlin :

I am developing a children’s war museum to present children’s experience of war through their own voices and creativity.


We are presenting an exhibition about the Basque child refugees at Dundee central library from 28th August to 9th September.

After the bombing of Guernica in 1937 during the Spanish civil war 4000 children were evacuated to Britain.    The government did not want to compromise its policy of neutrality and offered no assistance to the El Nino’s.    Mining communities, schools, churches, trade unions, peace groups and private sponsors supported the children who also raised money by performing concerts of music and dance from the Basque country. 

The only Scottish colony was established in Montrose by supporters from Dundee.    A concert was held at the Caird Hall to raise money for the child refugees.   It is 80 years since the El Nino’s came to the area. Dundee and Angus should be proud of the support that they gave to the children.    We hope our exhibition will let more people know about this local history.


Hawkhill environmental improvements #dundeewestend

Many residents have commented to me what a good job the council’s Neighbourhood Services has made of the corner site environmental improvement in Hawkhill at the junction with Bellfield Street – opposite the Whitehall Theatre :
I am pleased the council agreed to my request that this site was not sold off to a property developer some months ago and the environmental improvements clearly make the point that keeping the site in public ownership was the right thing to do.


Harris Education and Recreation Association – Autumn programme #dundeewestend

Harris Education and Recreation Association has an excellent Autumn programme of evening classes starting in September – details below or click here for a more readable version.

Enrolment night is at the school on 31st August from 6pm to 7.30pm :