Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership
February 2025 Newsletter
Making life better
Welcome:
This newsletter starts with an encouraging story about the work of Tyninghame Community Farm sent to us by one of DELAP’s members. As we endure the rigours of this February it is good to think ahead to the joys of Spring and realise that there are many who are working on projects that will lead us to a more sustainable lifestyle. There is more on this subject under ‘Health & Wellbeing’.
Tyninghame Community Garden
Tyninghame Community Farm (TCF) has just completed its first year growing organic vegetables for local veg box deliveries and Crunchy Carrot. It is on a two acre, south-facing slope north of Tyninghame, and is run as a not-for-profit Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme.
TCF aims to directly connect the customers with the growers in a mutually beneficial partnership. Customers commit to buying weekly boxes of local, fresh produce for the season and in return can visit the farm, volunteer, attend community events, have online interactions and vote at AGMs. This direct connection promotes transparency and a sense of community as the ‘members’ get to understand where their food comes from and how it’s produced. TCF is the first CSA in East Lothian and, long-term, it is hoped it will inspire similar enterprises across the county.
In 2024 the farm installed key infrastructure, in particular two 30 metre polytunnels, a packing shed and a small carpark, thanks to various grants especially from DELAP and East Lothian Council. It employed one experienced part-time grower who was assisted by over 40 volunteers. In 2025 TCF aims to increase production and educational activities with a second part-time grower. If interested in a veg box or in volunteering, please register through the website: https://www.tyninghame.farm/home.
Final grant awards:
Tyninghame Community Garden is one inspiring project that DELAP has been privileged to support. There are other initiatives that will receive financial support this month and these will be the subject of our March newsletter. Projects are viewed favourably if they meet the goals of DELAP’s Area Plan.
Health and Wellbeing:
Belhaven Hospital site –
Lyn Jardine led a group representing all four community councils who met with the NHS and ELC to explore whether there is any chance of the site being used for health provision. Neither the NHS or ELC has the capital budget to build a new facility, and the NHS has no revenue budget to run such a facility if it was built for them.
Focus remains on Sustaining Dunbar’s highly professional approach to seeking a Community Asset Transfer of the Belhaven Community Garden (which forms part of the hospital site). This initiative has huge community support, and the project has the advantage that the Community Garden has an exemplary track record of governance by Sustaining Dunbar for more than a decade.
DELAP also has its eye on the other part of the site and will be keen to see it developed into a positive project that meets the needs of the community, as set out in the Local Place Plan. Lyn Jardine continues to help us in our pursuit of a good outcome.
Opportunities to meet and eat together –
There are many wonderful places to meet up with friends and fellow residents. Having a chat and a bowl of soup together is an offering that is greatly appreciated by many and is a help to the community’s general feeling of wellbeing.
A full list of where you can go to join with others during the week can be found on the DELAP website – https://delareapartnership.org.uk/2025/02/where-to-meet-and-eat-in-the-area/
Current Health & Wellbeing Action Plans
Healthy eating
Solid progress has been made on the ten Area Partnership actions which emerged from our workshop with Laura Chant and which can be found on our website –
We will talk more about these successes in coming newsletters.
The one item on our action plan where we need to make progress is the one that requires us to “support projects that promote healthy eating, including cooking with fresh ingredients”. With the excellent work being done by the Crunchy Carrot, Sustaining Dunbar at the Belhaven Community Garden, and the Tyninghame Community Garden, and the potential for The Ridge to offer Cooking Lessons in the new Black Bull facility, there are plenty of opportunities for the Area Partnership to support.
However, members of the Partnership are asked to consider whether they know of any initiatives to encourage people away from processed foods towards more healthy eating. Obesity places unreasonable pressure on our health resources.
Tenants and Residents Associations
High Street Residents’ Group –
The newly formed High Street Residents Group had a very successful social in January supported by 25 local residents. The intention is to hold an action meeting to adopt a constitution and steering group in early March, and there will be a follow-up social on March 25th 7pm at the Harbour Chapel for all town centre tenants and residents. Anybody who wishes to attend or get involved is encouraged to reach out at http://dunbar.town/residents or residents@dunbar.town.
Colvin Street development –
Under the leadership of Ewan McIntyre, and with the support of the Dunbar Harbour Shore and Neighbourhood Group, the second consultation session has been completed, with enthusiastic support for the following design. The greening of the area, the encouragement for local residents to cycle, outlets for the young to exercise in a positive and healthy manner, all help to fulfil DELAP’s goals and objectives.
Roads
Castle Street in Dunbar will be closed between 24th and 28th February between Colvin Street and Victoria Street to enable the road to be resurfaced.
Bleachingfield
The refurbishment work is under way at Bleachingfield and is expected to be completed by the end of next month. Work has paused briefly in order to consider placement of a banking hub within this location. Unfortunately the Council has been unable to make the tight dead-line that Cash Access UK has to operate to. The Bleachingfield Team appreciates everyone’s support whilst the building is being modified.
Banking Hub
The meeting in the townhouse learned that the location of the temporary hub had yet to be finalised. It has now been decided that the temporary hub will go into the Pop-up Shop on the High Street, as Cash Access UK has very strict time limits to adhere to. The good news is that we will have a facility up and running in March.
A different Cash Access UK team is then looking for the long-term home for the Banking Hub.
The initiative has the support of our Post Office staff who have given us such a good service when the banks all left town. Existing services will continue to be offered by the Post Office where this suits customers better.
Area Plan
The DELAP Area Plan will be presented at the annual meeting on the 24th March to inform the community of the Area Partnership’s current priorities. This plan will also inform the East Lothian Partnership Plan.
John Muir Statue
The statue of John Muir needs to be restored to its former glory. It is an iconic part of Dunbar’s High Street and repairs will be organised by Dunbar Community Council.
High Street Clean-up
A planning meeting has been scheduled for 3rd March and the main clean-up will take place over the week-end on 26th/27th April
Community Learning & Development workshop
Stevie McKinlay would like to apologies for having to cancel the CLD workshop at such late notice. Unfortunately, he has been unwell over the last few months and had to take some time off to recover. As such, arrangements and promotion of the events had to be put on hold, and we felt it was better not to rush the event. Thanks to those that have expressed interest in attending. Stevie will be in touch to confirm a new time, date and venue as soon as possible.
Area Directory
Under the leadership of one of our DELAP members, Jo Waddell, and the Dunbar Trades Association, we are also pleased to be publishing a new magazine for the local area in Spring this year. It is a community magazine, paid for by local advertisers and written by local volunteers. It aims to showcase all the wonderful things about our local area, from where to eat, drink and shop to support for health and wellbeing and advice on how to become a volunteer.
15,000 copies of the A4 colour magazine will be posted around homes, accommodation providers and attractions as well as sent to media and tourism contacts.
Almost all the advertising space has been sold, however there are a few small spaces if you are interested. Email: hello@ourdunbar.com for more details.
Next meetings
Annual Meeting – 24th March 7.00pm at Bleachingfield
East Lothian Partnership Plan Meeting – date to be determined
Business Meeting – 12th May 7.00pm at Bleachingfield