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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Lifeline Scots multibank needs volunteers to join fight against poverty as it moves into bigger base to cope with demand
Loaves and Fishes have moved to a bigger premises at Greenhills Community Hall and Library to cater to increasing demand, deliver a wider range of services and to move into the area of most need in East Kilbride. Loaves and Fishes are looking for volunteers to join their fight against poverty as they unlock a new chapter in the heart of East Kilbride's most deprived area. After their much-anticipated move was delayed when Storm Eowyn blew the roof off Greenhills Community Centre, the lifeline multibank finally has the keys to their new base. Loaves and Fishes were successful in rescuing the under-threat venue through South Lanarkshire Council's Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Lite process. Greenhills Hall sits in the heart of the most deprived area of the town and the charity's aim is to better serve those in need who struggle to access food and essential goods at its former premises at Singer Road in the Kelvin Industrial Estate. The multibank will close for one week while the new base is set up and will reopen at Greenhills Community Centre on Tuesday, June 10. Chairperson Lesley Davidson said: 'After what seems like forever we have finally moved! We closed our old premises at Singer Road today (Thursday, May 29). 'It was a strange feeling, we were excited and of course feeling a little overwhelmed. We look forward to welcoming all of our customers, donators and supporters to Greenhills. 'We might deliver the service but it's not us who feed and look after people, it's the community in East Kilbride and it's a good place for that. We hope that this will be an easier location to access for people and are looking forward to being part of the community along with our partners at Waist Not Want Not. 'We can only offer a better service from here.' Loaves and Fishes have moved into Greenhills Hall and Library to cater to increasing demand, deliver a wider range of services and to move into the area of most need in East Kilbride, allowing easier access for the local and wider community. They are currrently dishing out more than 200 food parcels a week to those living on the breadline. Operating since 1992, the anti-poverty charity has a strong committee and volunteer base and the organisation has linked up with local charity Waist Not Want Not to help those most in need, through a sub-lease of the library premises. And the charity will be hosting a 'revolutionary' new community-led support initiative which will offer weekly advice from health, housing, social work and financial agencies. Lesley added: 'This new partnership is such a fabulous opportunity to work with our friends at Waist Not Want Not and we could not be more excited about what the future will hold for us with Jan, Ann, Karen and the team. 'We were also invited to host this new multi-agency coordinated delivery which is pretty revolutionary as people can drop-in and get direct access to services that are needed the most. 'Given that food banks were never still meant to be in existence in 2025, for food banks to be sustainable in the long term you have to look at what else you can deliver which is why we're looking at this community-hub concept where people can stay for a cuppa and they can get advice. 'We're still a food bank and free non-food service, but we're now looking at the bigger picture of Loaves and Fishes community hub.' The charity is now searching for a band of volunteers to join their dedicated team in their food warehouse and cafe and are also on the hunt for drivers and maintenance support with various other roles on offer. Lesley went on: 'We are going to be much busier. We will manage it the way we always do but we are all going to have to work a bit harder. 'Despite having an excellent team of passionate volunteers, we desperately need more. For us to deliver our service to the standard we would like, we really need volunteers in our food warehouse, drivers, cafe, maintenance and a variety of other roles. 'Loaves and Fishes provides vital care and support across East Kilbride and far beyond. We would love you to join us. If you are keen to join our fight against poverty, isolation and genuinely improving people's lives we have a role for you.' An official open day at the new premises will be held on Saturday, July 26, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and special guests. Lesley is hoping to unveil a special plaque to pay a lasting tribute to the people who began Loaves and Fishes. Locals are encouraged to go along to meet the team and tour the new premises with afternoon tea, stalls, a bouncy castle and more entertainment. Visitors will also be welcomed by a striking new mural painted free-hand by talented Strathaven jeweller and Loaves and Fishes volunteer Iona Lundie. Lesley continued: 'The move felt like a good time to reflect on our history and the charity's beginnings. Our talented resident artist Iona Lundie has already created a welcome mural in our hallway, however she is working on a very special piece to really show the history and growth of the charity. 'This has led me to have some amazing conversations with those involved at the very beginning of Loaves and Fishes - Denis Curran of course, the family of Geordie Aitken, Rev David Currie and many more. 'It's been an absolute honour to learn so much about our roots and see the huge changes, while also learning that actually our mission remains the same as it did in the very beginning - giving our people 'Full Tummies Warm Hearts Clear Heads'. 'We just need the support to continue to do this. We are so grateful to our town, its businesses, churches, youth groups and all who support our work. Heres to the next chapter!' Loaves and Fishes would like to thank all their supporters for their help with the big move, including Sandy at ISS Hairmyres, EK Rugby Club, South Lanarkshire College painting students, Bo Concept, Glencairn Crystal and Paul from Gallagher Carpets & Flooring. And a special thanks to Gebbie & Wilson Strathaven's Solicitors & Estate Agents who covered all their legal fees free of charge. To enquire about volunteering contact Lesleyloavesandfishesek@ or send a direct message to Loaves and Fishes on Facebook or alternatively call 01355 223657. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
Storm damage that destroyed 200 trees in West Lothian park unlikely to be clear by summer
Work to clear the last of the January storm damage in Beecraigs near Linlithgow is unlikely to be completed by the start of the summer holidays. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Beecraigs took the brunt of January's Storm Eowyn, and later storms, with more than 200 trees brought down. They were among thousands damaged across West Lothian. The loss of so many trees will mean that the long- term management plans for the woodlands will have to be updated. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad West Lothian Council has applied to Forestry Scotland for fast track felling licences to tackle the last remaining areas of fallen trees. Main public pathways are now open but there is still some windblown damage off the tracks. Paths are clear at the country park but there are still areas of damaged trees | West Lothian Council Following reports to the Linlithgow Local Area Committee a council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to remove the remainder of the windblown area, due to contractor availability, before the summer holidays. 'We are in the process of replacing signage to ask visitors to stay out of the windblown areas of woodland as these can be very dangerous, and intend to get the remaining windblown trees cleared post-holiday period.' Storm Eowyn had a significant impact on the woods at Beecraigs with at least 200 trees down over the main paths and tracks and many more over other paths, including the mountain bike routes, and within the woodland compartments. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Woodlands Ltd already had a harvesting contractor working for the council on another site and their contract was extended to allow them to move over to Beecraigs. A harvester, a large machine which cuts trees, was used to clear the fallen trees off all the main paths and car parks, which was safer and quicker than if this had to be done manually. The inhouse Tree and Woodland Operational Team went on to clear the trees across the smaller paths, which were more difficult to access by machine. A report to the local area committee concluded: 'The Beecraigs long-term Forest Plan is due to be updated, which will take some months, and so in the interim a Felling Permission Application has been submitted to Scottish Forestry and it is hoped that they will be able to 'fast track' this to enable further clear up of windblown trees within those compartments in the most popular areas of the park.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Sally Pattle, who chairs the local area committee told the LDRS: ' There are no paths blocked and no danger to the general public. I think there are no areas, that I as a regular user think I couldn't go. 'They are going to have to go back over a tree management plan because they have lost so many trees. We will have to rework plans.'
Daily Record
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Wheelie bin lid locks could help tackle West Lothian litter problem
Litter has been much more visible after a winter of violent storms including Eowyn in January upended bins across towns and villages. West Lothian could introduce straps for wheelie bin lids in a bid to control the scourge of windblown litter in communities and the countryside. Litter has been much more visible after a winter of violent storms including Eowyn in January upended bins across towns and villages. It prompted groups including West Lothian Litter Pickers to advocate the use of bin straps as a simple, low cost way to help cut the amount of household rubbish clogging streets and hedges. A meeting of the full council this week backed a motion from Linlithgow SNP councillor Pauline Orr to look at the feasibility of securing bins. Councillor Orr raised the motion in response to concerns from the Litter Pickers, who give up their own time to help keep local streets, parks and countryside clean and safe. The group highlighted how unsecured bins - particularly blue and green bins filled with lightweight waste - are contributing to litter being blown across communities and into the natural environment. A spokesperson for the West Lothian Litter Pickers said the group was ' delighted' at the decision and had provided prototypes to the council. Labour's Tom Conn, who chairs the Environment and Sustainability PDSP had initially proposed an amendment which pointed out the potential costs if the council were to supply bins straps to all householders. The amendment highlighted: 'Recycling and Waste Services collect 157,164 blue and green bins for paper/card and plastics. A typical bin strap may vary in cost from between £4.59 to £7.99. 'If introducing bin clips/straps, the council would need to offer them to all residents. Based on these numbers, this would incur a capital cost of between £720,000 to £1.256 million, for which there is no budget provision.' Councillor Orr said it would be for households to buy them rather than have free of charge, but added the council could make them available through libraries and other council buildings for householders to buy. She also suggested that a standardised model could make use easier for bin crews. Her motion stressed that crews would not be required to re-fasten straps. It also called for the council to work with partners such as the Litter Pickers to agree a suitable strap type and consider options for residents to purchase, and for council to supply straps for resale to residents. Labour supported further investigation into bin straps as a way of controlling windblown litter. Councillor Orr said: 'I'm delighted that my motion on tackling litter through the use of bin straps was agreed at full council. 'This is a practical measure that could make a real difference - and I was proud to bring this forward on behalf of the Litter Pickers, who do outstanding voluntary work across our communities. 'I look forward to the report coming to the Environment PDSP in September and hope it will lead to action that protects our neighbourhoods, countryside, wildlife and livestock.' A spokesperson for the Litter Pickers told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'West Lothian Litter Pickers are delighted that the recent motion regarding bin clips has been passed, thanks to Councillor Pauline Orr taking this forward. 'WLLP has been campaigning for a while now to get WLC to agree to a trial of bin clips, funded by WLLP members. During high winds and weather warnings, a significant amount of litter is blown around the county due to the poor design of the bins. "The bins hold lightweight recyclable materials which are not fit for purpose in strong winds. WLC and the public are responsible for looking after and protecting the environment. WLLP is a huge community group of 4,000 members. 'We have a fantastic partnership with WLC, but due to budget and service cuts, it is predominantly WLLP members who go out litter picking after high winds. Other councils, such as Orkney and Fife, use bin clips. 'Two valued members of WLLP, Keith Baylis and Jacques Le Roux, have designed prototypes which have been presented to WLC. Some of the designs are even self-opening, which would not add precious time onto the bin collection routes.' Other local authorities, including Orkney, Highlands and Perth and Kinross Councils, are already using bin straps to limit the amount of litter escaping from bins.
Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian Council to consider introducing straps for wheelie bin lids
West Lothian Council could introduce straps for wheelie bin lids in a bid to control the scourge of windblown litter in communities and the countryside. Litter has been much more visible after a winter of violent storms including Eowyn in January upended bins across towns and villages. It prompted groups including West Lothian Litter Pickers to advocate the use of bin straps as a simple, low-cost way to help cut the amount of household rubbish clogging streets and hedges. A meeting of the full council this week backed a motion from Linlithgow SNP councillor Pauline Orr to look at the feasibility of securing bins. Councillor Orr raised the motion in response to concerns from the Litter Pickers, who give up their own time to help keep local streets, parks and countryside clean and safe. The group highlighted how unsecured bins – particularly blue and green bins filled with lightweight waste – are contributing to litter being blown across communities and into the natural environment. A spokesperson for the West Lothian Litter Pickers said the group was' delighted' at the decision and had provided prototypes to the council. Labour's Tom Conn, who chairs the Environment and Sustainability PDSP had initially proposed an amendment which pointed out the potential costs if the council were to supply bins straps to all householders. The amendment highlighted: 'Recycling and Waste Services collect 157,164 blue and green bins for paper/card and plastics. A typical bin strap may vary in cost from between £4.59 to £7.99. 'If introducing bin clips/straps, the council would need to offer them to all residents. Based on these numbers, this would incur a capital cost of between £720,000 to £1.256 million, for which there is no budget provision.' Councillor Orr said it would be for households to buy them rather than have free of charge, but added the council could make them available through libraries and other council buildings for householders to buy. She also suggested that a standardised model could make use easier for bin crews. Her motion stressed that crews would not be required to re-fasten straps. It also called for the council to work with partners such as the Litter Pickers to agree a suitable strap type and consider options for residents to purchase, and for council to supply straps for resale to residents. Labour supported further investigation into bin straps as a way of controlling windblown litter. Councillor Orr said: 'I'm delighted that my motion on tackling litter through the use of bin straps was agreed at full council. 'This is a practical measure that could make a real difference – and I was proud to bring this forward on behalf of the Litter Pickers, who do outstanding voluntary work across our communities. 'I look forward to the report coming to the Environment PDSP in September and hope it will lead to action that protects our neighbourhoods, countryside, wildlife and livestock.' A spokesperson for the Litter Pickers told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'West Lothian Litter Pickers are delighted that the recent motion regarding bin clips has been passed, thanks to Councillor Pauline Orr taking this forward. 'WLLP has been campaigning for a while now to get WLC to agree to a trial of bin clips, funded by WLLP members. During high winds and weather warnings, a significant amount of litter is blown around the county due to the poor design of the bins. The bins hold lightweight recyclable materials which are not fit for purpose in strong winds. WLC and the public are responsible for looking after and protecting the environment. WLLP is a huge community group of 4,000 members. 'We have a fantastic partnership with WLC, but due to budget and service cuts, it is predominantly WLLP members who go out litter picking after high winds. Other councils, such as Orkney and Fife, use bin clips. 'Two valued members of WLLP, Keith Baylis and Jacques Le Roux, have designed prototypes which have been presented to WLC. Some of the designs are even self-opening, which would not add precious time onto the bin collection routes.' Other local authorities, including Orkney, Highlands and Perth and Kinross Councils, are already using bin straps to limit the amount of litter escaping from bins. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
6 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Wheelie bin lid locks in could crack down on West Lothian litter
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info West Lothian could introduce straps for wheelie bin lids in a bid to control the scourge of windblown litter in communities and the countryside. Litter has been much more visible after a winter of violent storms including Eowyn in January upended bins across towns and villages. It prompted groups including West Lothian Litter Pickers to advocate the use of bin straps as a simple, low cost way to help cut the amount of household rubbish clogging streets and hedges. READ MORE: West Lothian the first council in Scotland to set up WhatsApp news channel A meeting of the full council this week backed a motion from Linlithgow SNP councillor Pauline Orr to look at the feasibility of securing bins. Councillor Orr raised the motion in response to concerns from the Litter Pickers , who give up their own time to help keep local streets, parks and countryside clean and safe. The group highlighted how unsecured bins – particularly blue and green bins filled with lightweight waste – are contributing to litter being blown across communities and into the natural environment. A spokesperson for the West Lothian Litter Pickers said the group was " delighted" at the decision and had provided prototypes to the council. Labour's Tom Conn, who chairs the Environment and Sustainability PDSP had initially proposed an amendment which pointed out the potential costs if the council were to supply bins straps to all householders. The amendment highlighted: 'Recycling and Waste Services collect 157,164 blue and green bins for paper/card and plastics. A typical bin strap may vary in cost from between £4.59 to £7.99. "If introducing bin clips/straps, the council would need to offer them to all residents. Based on these numbers, this would incur a capital cost of between £720,000 to £1.256 million, for which there is no budget provision.' Councillor Orr said it would be for households to buy them rather than have free of charge, but added the council could make them available through libraries and other council buildings for householders to buy. She also suggested that a standardised model could make use easier for bin crews. Her motion stressed that crews would not be required to re-fasten straps. It also called for the council to work with partners such as the Litter Pickers to agree a suitable strap type and consider options for residents to purchase, and for council to supply straps for resale to residents. Labour supported further investigation into bin straps as a way of controlling windblown litter. Councillor Orr said: 'I'm delighted that my motion on tackling litter through the use of bin straps was agreed at full council. 'This is a practical measure that could make a real difference – and I was proud to bring this forward on behalf of the Litter Pickers, who do outstanding voluntary work across our communities. "I look forward to the report coming to the Environment PDSP in September and hope it will lead to action that protects our neighbourhoods, countryside, wildlife and livestock.' A spokesperson for the Litter Pickers told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "West Lothian Litter Pickers are delighted that the recent motion regarding bin clips has been passed, thanks to Councillor Pauline Orr taking this forward. "WLLP has been campaigning for a while now to get WLC to agree to a trial of bin clips, funded by WLLP members. During high winds and weather warnings, a significant amount of litter is blown around the county due to the poor design of the bins. The bins hold lightweight recyclable materials which are not fit for purpose in strong winds. WLC and the public are responsible for looking after and protecting the environment. WLLP is a huge community group of 4,000 members. "We have a fantastic partnership with WLC, but due to budget and service cuts, it is predominantly WLLP members who go out litter picking after high winds. Other councils, such as Orkney and Fife, use bin clips. "Two valued members of WLLP, Keith Baylis and Jacques Le Roux, have designed prototypes which have been presented to WLC. Some of the designs are even self-opening, which would not add precious time onto the bin collection routes." Other local authorities, including Orkney, Highlands and Perth and Kinross Councils, are already using bin straps to limit the amount of litter escaping from bins. Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
