A guid Hogmanay!

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

Words adapated from a traditional song
by Rabbie Burns (1759-96)

with thanks to a member of City Centre & Harbour Community Council ... and click on the headline above to view more ...

Temporary Traffic Order - the tunnel works

Latest from Dundee City Council's Planning & Transportation Department:-

Dundee City Council propose to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for the purpose of facilitating rail tunnel strengthening works. The Order is expected to be in force for ten months from 8 January 2007. Its maximum duration in terms of the Act is eighteen months.

The effect of the Order prohibit temporarily all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in (a) Dock Street between Crichton Street and Commercial Street for eastbound traffic only, (b) Dock Street between Gellatly Street and Commercial Street for westbound traffic only, (c) Dock Street South footway between Gellatly Street and Riverside Roundabout, (d) Dock Street North footway from Castle Street to Crighton Street and from Gellatly Street to Commercial Street,
(e) Gellatly Street between Seagate and Dock Street for southbound traffic only and (f) Castle Street western footway from Dock Street to Shore Terrace.

A 20mph speed limit will be imposed for (1) westbound traffic in Dock Street between Gellatly Street and Riverside Roundabout and (2) northbound traffic in Gellatly Street between Seagate and Dock Street for the duration of the works.

All on-street car parking in Dock Street between Commercial Street and Riverside Roundabout, and Gellatly Street and Riverside Roundabout will be suspended for the duration of the works. There will also be restrictions to loading and servicing in Dock Street during these works, however provision will be provided outside number 16, and numbers 37 to 40 Dock Street only. All bus stops in Dock Street will be closed for reasons of pedestrian safety, and signage will be erected to advise of the nearest alternative.

An alternative route will be available for (a) vehicular traffic via South Marketgait and Commercial Street or via Seagate and Commercial Street, and (b) pedestrian traffic via Dock Street northern footway, Shore Terrace footway at the rear of Caird Hall, Dock Street eastern footway and Commercial Street/Seagate/Gellatly Street. The terms of the Tayside Regional Council (City of Dundee) (Traffic Management Scheme) (Review) Order 1994 will require to be suspended where it relates to Dock Street for the duration of the works.

Please forward any comments you may have regarding this proposal to Andy Scrimgeour, Network Management Team, Planning and Transportation Department, Tayside House, Crichton Street, Dundee, no later than five working days prior to the commencement date.
If you have any queries please contact Mr Scrimgeour on 01382 433168.

Latest on Hogmanay Celebrations in Dundee City Centre

The Weather Won't Halt Dundee's Hogmanay

Dundee's Hogmanay celebrations will still go ahead whatever the weather, said a spokesperson for City Centre & Harbour Community Council today.

Three years ago when bad weather knocked out many events, the North Carr Lightship was almost the only place in the country where the planned celebrations actually happened! Fireworks may not be possible but the music from Skelpaig and Sheena Wellington and the famous midnight foghorn will go ahead

The Family Ceilidh, featuring the Cameron Kellow Group, at Meadowside St Pauls Church Hall and the Church Service are, of course, cosily under cover. Tickets for the Ceilidh, price £6.50 (£4 concessions) are available from Cornerstone Cafe, Nethergate, phone bookings on 01382 202121 between 10am and noon & 2pm and 4pm.

A decision will be taken on Sunday as to whether the Lantern Parade will go ahead and the local radio stations will be informed.

" We have battery operated lanterns so rain won't put them out" said the spokesperson. " and we did choose a route that was as sheltered as possible but obviously if there is heavy rain and high winds it would neither safe or comfortable to parade."

Christmas Joy and all that ...

OK, we'll start with the Christmas photos!

Firstly, here's Janet and me with Betty, my mother in law, during Christmas Dinner. I can assure you that no party is quite complete without Betty!

And, talking of the life and soul of the party, we got this rather good game which relies on a bit of skill and here's Betty proving she has absolutely none (err, sorry, lots!)

Anyway, Christmas was great - I have had loads of fun downloading lots of my CDs onto an MP3 player and my younger son and I have just spent a fruitless afternoon trying to set up a wireless internet connection in the house. Getting there now though!

Here's a rather less festive picture from the back area of a West End tenement. I raised the condition of this with the City Council just prior to Christmas and am pleased to advise that the Environmental Warden has advised me that the major landlord here has promised action.

Other updates :

• Rob, our ace pyrotechnician from the West End Christmas Week, advises that you can now see video clips of the fireworks at http://www.myspace.com/westendpyro
  Click on VIDEO under the logo and you can access all clips from there.
• BT has now advised me that they will attempt to fit a door to the phone box in Milnbank Road during January although they do warn that given the angle of the phone box, it may prove difficult to fit one.
• The Tait's Lane light and small area of road resurfacing I referred to earlier was done just before Christmas.
• My LibDem colleague from Perth & Kinross Council Cllr Peter Barrett undertook a sponsored fast on Christmas Eve to raise funds for Christian Aid, so helped sponsor Peter. As Peter reports - "The fast was Ok - the last three hours were a bit hard and the worst moment was when I took the Christmas ham out the oven and lifted it onto the plate and a we bit got snagged on the roasting dish. I never knew I had such willpower."

And lastly, Hogmanay - thanks to Sheena Wellington for the following information!

Bright young bands top Hogmanay bill!

Two of the best young bands on the traditional scene are providing Hogmanay music in Dundee!

The Cameron Kellow Group will play for the dancing at the Family Ceilidh in Meadowside St Paul's Church Hall on Sunday evening, 7.30 to 10.30pm. Accordionist and drummer Cameron is a student of the brilliant Allan Small who regards him as one of the brightest prospects in Scottish Country Dance music. Cameron's outstanding talent was recognised when he was invited to join Highland Council's Ceilidh Trail last summer, a rare honour for a non Highland musician.

A spicy young group with a funky edge, Skelpaig's reputation for musical skills, excitement and innovation has garnered them invitations to play at venues from Skye to Brittany. Between them Kat Liley, David Adam and David Sutherland play fiddle, viola, border pipes, small pipes, highland pipes, whistles and guitar - but not all at the same time! Skelpaig will do a couple of sets at the Family Ceilidh before piper David Adam leads the Lantern Parade (weather permitting!) down to the North Carr Lightship where Skelpaig will be main act at the Maritime Volunteer Service's Foghorn Fiesta.

Singer Sheena Wellington, a City Centre & Harbour Community Council member, will compere the Family Ceilidh and Ceilidh tickets, price £6.50 (£4 concessions) inclusive of supper, are available from the Cornerstone Cafe, Nethergate, Dundee. Phone bookings can be made between10am-noon and 2pm - 4pm on 01382 202121.

The Church Service, 10.30pm at Meadowside St Paul's, the Lantern Parade, starting 11pm from the Church and the Foghorn Fiesta. 11.30pm - 12.15am are free. Wrap up warmly!!

Have a Happy Christmas!

Since the last blog postings on Wednesday, have been busy delivering the last of my newsletters and Christmas Cards to constituents. Had a useful meeting on Wednesday with a member of Leisure & Communities staff about progressing the administrative aspects of the Friends of Magdalen Green project, together with meetings with the Council Leader and with Finance staff.

On Thursday, the City Centre and Harbour Community Council meeting was rudely interrupted by an emergency evacuation of the Central Library! We continued the discussion over a nice Christmas meal at Braes in the Perth Road. I am genuinely very sad that the new council boundaries will mean that this Community Council area falls outwith my ward area from the 2007 elections.

Yesterday saw us present young Mitchell (aged 7) with his prize for winning the West End Christmas Week Snowflake spotting competition - he won a £30 voucher for CDs or DVDs, a large soft toy and a visit to the Wave 102 studios after Christmas. (See photo at http://www.wecc.org.uk/west_end_week.htm). The runners-up soft toys are now all delivered too and my dining room no longer looks like the Disney Store!

Over the festive period, my colleague Cllr Helen Dick and I don't hold our regular weekly surgeries as the schools are obviously shut but if you follow the link below, you can get our home contact details:

http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/news/000398.html

If you click on the headline above, you can see the Dundee City Council festive information and emergency numbers.

No blog entries now for a few days! Apart from Christmas, its our wedding anniversary tomorrow (Christmas Eve) and followed by Janet's birthday a few days after Christmas. Can we wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and prosperous 2007!

Update on rail tunnel works & partial closure of Dock Street

The City Council has advised me that the above works will start on 8th January 2007 to reinforce the rail tunnel that runs under the Dock Street Area.

Buses will only be using Dock Street in a northernly direction, the buses which would normally travel east on Dock Street will, for the duration of the east bound closure, require to use the route onto the large roundabout which handles all traffic from Riverside Drive and West Marketgait.

As a result, at peak periods, this is likely to cause congestion in Crichton Street and surrounding areas.

The Planning and Transportation Department will be monitoring this traffic congestion and may alter the timing of the traffic lights at the large roundabout to allow a better flow of traffic during this period.

If you are leaving the City Centre via Crichton Street, it will make sense to travel along Dock Street and up Union Street onto the High Street taking a westerly route out of the City Centre.

Waste Tidied and Hogmanay News!

Following a resident’s complaint about the mess of a bin area in the West End, I have to congratulate the Waste Management Department who arranged its cleaning within hours of my contacting them.

And … here’s the details of Hogmanay in Dundee City Centre (with thanks to Sheena Wellington for the information!) :

Hogmanay celebrations in Dundee's City Centre will include a Lantern Parade and music, fun, foghorn and fireworks at the North Carr Lightship as well as a Family Ceilidh and a church service,!

The Family Ceilidh will be held at Meadowside St Paul's Church Hall, Nethergate and starts at 7.30pm. Dance music will be provided by the Cameron Kellow Group and guest artists will include Skelpaig and Sheena Wellington. Tickets, price £6.50/£4 concessions to include supper, are available from the Cornerstone Cafe, Nethergate. Telephone bookings can be made on 01382 202121, 10am-12noon, 2pm-4pm.

Following the Ceilidh, at 10.30pm, there will be a short service in Meadowside St Paul's Church and all who wish to attend are welcome.

At 11pm, piper David Adam will lead a Lantern Parade from Meadowside St Paul's by way of Nethergate, Crichton Street, Dock Street and West Victoria Dock Road to the North Carr Lightship where the Maritime Volunteer Service will be waiting to welcome everyone to their harbourside party.

The Lightship will be floodlit, from 11.30pm the Angus based folk band Skelpaig plays, Sheena Wellington sings and at midnight the now traditional Foghorn - and perhaps a firework or two - will welcome 2007!

The event will finish at around 12.15am.

The Hogmanay celebrations have been organised by members of City Centre & Harbour Community Council, the Maritime Volunteer Service and Meadowside St Pauls Church who are grateful to Awards for All and Dundee City Council officers and elected members for their funding and help.


Timetable:

7.30- 10.30 Family Ceilidh, Meadowside St Pauls Church with Cameron Kellow, Skelpaig & Sheena Wellington

10.30pm Church Service, Meadowside St Pauls Church with Rev. Maudeen McDougall

11pm Lantern Parade starts from Meadowside St Pauls going to Victoria Dock

11.30pm Skelpaig play on North Carr Lightship

Midnight: Foghorn, fun, fireworks to welcome 2007!!!!!

12.15pm app. First footing begins!

Further details:
www.northcarr.org.uk
http://www.dcchcc.org.uk/contactus.php
or click the headline above for tonight’s story about this in the Tele.

And then Saturday to Tuesday!

So, Leona won! But who on earth decided to use that dreadful "Sandals advert" song for the debut single?

Sunday was spent starting delivery of my Christmas edition of FOCUS to my own constituents together with my traditional Christmas Card. You can see the Christmas Card by clicking on the headline above and the story about the FOCUS newsletter (together with download links) is available at : http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/news/000393.html

Yesterday, apart from Council meetings, we had the West End Christmas Week debrief meeting which was very positive and productive - good ideas flowing for Christmas Week 2007 already! The shoppers' prize draw winners' list is now on the Community Council website (see http://www.wecc.org.uk/west_end_week.htm). The Christmas Week website (see http://www.westendpyro.com/) has now had over 21 000 hits! Some of the 2006 photos are now on it too.

I also launched my December 2006 update to the City Centre & Harbour Community Council yesterday - see http://www.dundee.prai.co.uk/news/000394.html.

Today, attended the Christmas Lunch for retired employees of Dovetail Enterprises (I'm on the Board by virtue of being the City Council's Finance Convener) - a most enjoyable afternoon was had by all. Attended a Neighbourhood Partnership Network meeting for the West End area in the morning where many local issues were discussed including refuse collections, recycling, housing, parking and pavements, amongst others. Also had a useful meeting about Magdalen Green (mainly the parking aspects) with Leisure & Communities and Planning & Transportation staff, in advance of the next residents' meeting about Magdalen Green in the early New Year.

Lastly, had complaints about the lack of gritting on Taylor's Lane today - have taken up with the Planning & Transportation Department.

Tuesday Evening to Saturday!

The Community Council meeting on Tuesday night included an excellent presentation by Network Rail on their Tay Rail Bridge improvement works. We also did the prize draws from the Christmas Week which you will be able to read (in a day or so) at www.wecc.org.uk.

It was very concerning to learn about Monday's road traffic accident at Sinderins involving a local pedestrian who very unfortunately sustained a broken leg. I have asked the City Council to advise me of the details of the accident after these are received from Tayside Police, in order that we can ensure that the lights operation is working to proper effect.

Wednesday - between running a Conference in Falkirk (see right!) - have complained about the state of the muddy path at the south side of Magdalen Green (near the footbridge over the railway) - also advised that the Lord Provost's Clock in the High Street requires repair that will mean the mechanism being sent back to the manufacturers - long story short, it will be early new year before it is back working properly.

I have had complaints that about eight of the lights along the cycle path at Seabraes are out; have reported this to Scottish Enterprise Tayside.

Thursday - organised my employer's annual Christmas Reception in Edinburgh - see below!

Lastly loads of us having been helping my sister in law deliver her Christmas newsletter to residents in Strathmartine yesterday & today - seriously sore feet! Anyway - away to watch X-Factor - Vote Leona!

Week thus far ...

Was pleased to see Bharatiya Ashram, who provided their Arts Group as part of the Christmas Week events last week, getting a mention in the Courier yesterday. We are drawing the winners from the various West End Christmas Week competitions at the Community Council meeting tonight. Meantime, you can read about my latest West End Community Council Update by clicking the headline above (and if you follow the further link, you can then download the Update).

Useful series of meetings about a number of issues yesterday with the Director of Social Work, Council Leader and Depute Chief Executive (Finance) before last night's committee meetings.

Lastly, was most displeased to note last night on my way to my surgery at Blackness Primary School that Scottish & Southern Electricity had still not properly sorted the pavement in Perth Road at the corner of Ritchie's Lane. Having e-mailed the City Council late last night, I have spoken to an officer earlier today who says SSE have committed to completing the work today/tomorrow morning. I will be keeping a close eye!

Hogmanay in the City Centre 2006

If you click the headline above, you can download details of the events in the City Centre this Hogmanay!

Day in Perth & Greenmarket issue

Janet & I along with Helen, Claire & Murray from Dundee Liberal Democrats spent today in Perth at a LibDem pre-election meeting. Very enjoyable day and the Scottish LibDems are in great spirits ... I have no doubt that the party will perform well next May.

Here's a couple of photos from today :

Claire, Helen, Murray & me at lunchtime!

And Janet's in this one because I took the photo!

There's an issue about how unswept the Greenmarket area is and the extent of litter in the area - I have raised the issue with the City Council's Waste Management Department.

West End Christmas Tree appreciated!

Just received this very positive e-mail from one of the West End business owners :

"Just had to email you to say that I saw the Christmas tree last night (11pm) as I was leaving the office and it looks fantastic. Well done you guys."

Don't think my photo here exactly does it justice (see right!) but the feedback generally about this year's Christmas Tree at Seabraes has been really positive.

Perth Road and more on phone boxes ...

Yesterday, got word from the shops on the north side of Perth Road just east of the Sinderins junction that Scottish & Southern Electric (the Hydro) had dug up the pavement near Ritchie's Lane to put in services for the new business and has abandoned the job half done - hole in pavement and fallen barricades.

Anyway, contacted Planning & Transportation in the City Council who have chased up SSE who say they'll try to finish the job off this afternoon.

Further update on the BT phone boxes. In response to my latest e-mail, the following has arrived, proving their system is absolutely hopeless - I think this is my fourth reference number!

"Your e-mail has been received successfully and has been allocated the following unique reference number **. Please quote this reference number if there is a further need to contact us.
With kind regards,
BT eCustomer Services"

AGM, phone boxes, bus services

It was my local party AGM last night and having got the real business out of the way promptly, we had an enjoyable social evening thereafter. A number of people commented how good the West End Christmas Lights Switch-On was and how nice the tree looks this year.

Some time ago (long before this blog started!) a number of West End residents asked me about why there is no bus service to the Gallacher Retail Park - for someone on foot its a fair trek from the City Centre. At that time, City Council officers opened discussions with the retail park owners about this. I've now asked for an update. With the success of this retail park and new stores opening (most recently Borders bookstore) it would be good to see buses running there.

Lastly, you'll recall from earlier blogs that I have raised with BT several complaints recently about the state of some local phone boxes - Logie Aveue, Magdalen Place - and in Milnbank Road where the box has its door missing - see right.

The method of reporting to BT (a form on their website) is less than satisfactory and all you get back is an automated response.

Having received complaints that BT has done nothing to fix the door at Milnbank Road, I e-mailed them and he's the latest exchange - makes your heart sink rather :

ME TO BT:

Dear Sirs
Can you update me on position re this?
Also, the phone box in Milnbank Road Dundee I reported to you weeks ago is STILL missing its door - can you advise ASAP.
Best regards
Fraser

BT BACK TO ME:

Subject: Re: URGENT : From Cllr Macpherson, Dundee City Council
Dear Mr Macpherson,
Thank you for your e-mail dated the 6th of December, 2006 regarding your recent contact with BT.
Please accept my apologies for the delay in replying to you and for any inconvenience this may have caused.
In response to your e-mail, I would request you to kindly elaborate your query and if it pertains to your BT account, please forward your account number as well. This information is needed for security reasons.
In the meantime, I would like to thank you for you patience and cooperation.
If you should have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us again via e-mail.
Thank you for contacting BT.
Yours sincerely,
BT Customer Services

ME BACK TO BT:

Dear Sirs,
Your e-mail appears to have been sent without checking the nature of my complaint. These were in my capacity as a City Councillor and pertain to vandalism/condition of several local phone boxes. They have nothing whatsoever to do with my personal phone account.
I am particularly concerned that months after raising complaints about a door missing off the phone box in Milnbank Road, Dundee, it remains unrepaired.
I'd be most grateful if you would advise of the position ASAP - many thanks.
Best regards
Fraser
Cllr Fraser Macpherson
Liberal Democrat Group Leader
Convener of the Finance Committee
Dundee City Council

Great night in the West End!

Well, the weather held, the crowds appeared (over 300 local residents), the children's concert was superb, the tree lights at Seabraes are lovely and the fireworks spectacular - a great night for the West End - here's some of the photos!

City Centre & Harbour Community Council Presentation and Christmas Week again ...

On Monday, apart from a useful City Centre meeting and one at the Corso Street sheltered lounge about planned activities for 2007, it was good to attend the presentation by the Lord Provost to Sheena Wellington of the City Centre & Harbour Community Council regarding their £5000 lottery funding success for Hogmanay activities (see below!)

Was on Wave 102 news today about tonight's West End Christmas lights switch on, concert and fireworks. We seem very organised - let's hope the weather holds!

More on forthcoming events from Friends of Wighton

Latest update from Sheena Wellington about Friends of Wighton:

The Wighton Heritage Centre's beautiful harpsichord can be heard as well as seen at the Friends of Wighton free lunchtime recital on Wednesday 6th December at 1.15pm. The well known Angus musician Isobel Luke will play a rarely heard keyboard sonata by the 18th Century composer John Christian Luther.

Scottish tunes from the James Oswald and George Thomson collections will be played on the recorder by Ethel Allan. The recital runs from 1.15-1.45pm and takes place in the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Wellgate, Dundee.

Forthcoming events in the Wighton include an illustrated talk on the Scottish Fiddle by maestro Paul Anderson on Saturday 16th December at 2pm, admission £5/£3(FoW members), while Wighton Harpist Simon Chadwick presents "An antidote to Xmas Muzak" on Wednesday 20th at 1.15pm. The regular Saturday morning song workshop continues this Saturday (9th December) at 11pm with Maureen Jelks and Sheena Wellington will present the last workshop of the current series on Saturday 16th December. First Saturday talk of the New Year will be given at 2pm on the 20th January by the renowned Gaelic singer and scholar Anne Lorne Gillies.

Anne will be singing songs from her recent book "Songs of Gaelic Scotland" and it is hoped a book signing can be arranged. Admission £5/£3 (FoW members).

Further details at www.friendsofwighton.com

Festive Buses

With thanks to Suzy Scott of Scotbus, you can download the timetables for Dundee bus services over Christmas and New Year by following this link - www.scotbus.com/christmas2006.htm.

High Street Clock

Last week, had a complaint that the High Street clock was running fast ... and - now wading through the e-mail backlog on return - here's an update from yesterday from the Engineer (via City Centre Manager) so hopefully all fixed now!

"I have had to renew the underground cable I am hopefully that the clock will be up and running by the end of the day."

Friends of Wighton update

Friends of Wighton are pleased to announce that fiddle maestro Paul Anderson will be giving an illustrated talk at the Wighton Heritage Centre, Central Library, Dundee on Saturday 16th December at 2pm. Tickets, price £5/£3 members.

Further details can be obtained by clicking on the headline above.

Thanks to Sheena Wellington for passing on this update!

Christmas Week launch!

Well, the West End Christmas Week launch this morning went brilliantly - and with grateful thanks to Ann for being today's official photographer, here's a few of the photographs!

Below : The football arranged by the Leisure & Communities and Education Departments in the grounds of Blackness Primary School!
Below : The Lord and Lady Provost arrive and are welcomed by Santa!
Below : The three schools' Christmas Trees!
And here's the winning entries from the schools' "Wish for the World at Christmas" competition:


1. Give all the poor people a better and brighter future

2. I’d like wars to be over and done, guns no more for today. I wish for famine and thirst to end and let’s have fun

3. My Christmas wish is to give food to the men, women and children – food in Africa

We gave a prize too to one pupil of St Joseph’s Primary School who won the annual Christmas Card competition run by Cllr Jill Shimi and the Education Department.

Rather busy week

Janet and I have just returned to Chez Macpherson after two days away at my Institute's Scottish Benefits Conference at Crieff Hydro Hotel. Superb couple of days but we are both officially dead beat, really, really tired! And its the launch of the West End Christmas Week tomorrow morning, so this blog entry will be as much pictures as words, so I can get it finished before second Coronation Street of the evening, then zzzzzz ...... !

Below : Photo One - Western Cemetery - Chaired a very productive meeting of the steering group towards a "Friends of .." society on Tuesday - the plan is to have two further 'planning' meetings in the New Year - one looking at the "draft masterplan" of works that could be undertaken at the cemetery to improve the infrastructure; the other to look at the practicalities of settting up a formal society. Thereafter, there will be a public meeting to set up the group formally.



And ... below : Just before setting off to Crieff, I attended the 'official opening' of Blackness Area Residents' Association's new film projection system on Wednesday at the Corso Street Sheltered Lounge!



Below : Fraser at the Conference (sorting out exhibition set-up on Wednesday!)
Below : And the Conference Party Night!

And lastly (7 minutes to Coro Edition 2!!) - here's the news release sent to local media regarding tomorrow's West End Christmas Week launch :

News Release : Launch of West End Christmas Week!

On Saturday, the 2006 Dundee West End Christmas Week will be launched at 10.30am in the grounds of Blackness Primary School by Lord Provost John Letford and the children of Park Place Primary, St Joseph’s Primary and Blackness Primary Schools.

The children will be displaying their Schools’ Christmas Trees in the Blackness Primary playground and the winners of the schools’ “Wish for the World” Christmas competition will be announced.

The children will also be able to meet Santa and other characters and there will also be a street football competition in the Blackness Primary School Grounds. Dundee Instrumental Band will be playing Christmas Carols!

The West End Christmas Week committee would be really grateful if you would give this advance publicity. West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said, “This is the sixth year we have run the West End Christmas Week and this year’s week will be the biggest and best yet with a spectacular fireworks display next Wednesday.”