Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership
July 2025 Newsletter
Making life better
Welcome:
July has been an important month for family holidays, and you can read in this month’s newsletter about the way that the members of the Area Partnership have brought joy into the lives of many who live in our community. We know that activities that are free of charge are greatly appreciated
Dates for your diary:
- Innerwick Flower Show – 2nd August
- Oldhamstocks Gala – 16th August
- Stenton, Spott and District Flower Show – 23rd August
For fuller details of events please go to https://ourdunbar.com/events/
European Stone Stacking competition:
Another wonderful festival, held on the foreshore at Dunbar, brought crowds to the town this month. Dunbar’s Community Benefit Fund, provided by CWP Energy Ltd, helped to finance this annual event.
The opening of Black Bull Close:
The Ridge’s much anticipated opening took place on 2 July. It was wonderful seeing the completed building and to spend time with some of other supporters and the staff team. The wonderful work of The Ridge (a DELAP member) will be made so much easier from the new premises at Black Bull Close. The Ridge offers free advice on welfare benefits, debt management, addiction support and many such similar matters that can generate anxieties in our community, The building was officially opened by Norman Hampshire and credit was given to all the members of The Ridge who had actively participated in the building of the new facility.
Co-ordination of our energy projects:
Beth Landon is the new Energy Projects Partnership Manager for the East Lammermuir Community Council Area. The role is about facilitating a collaborative approach to multiple renewables developments in a concentrated area, one which has community agency at its heart at all stages, from planning, consent, construction to community benefits.
Beth started work in April 2025 and has been getting to know the community, landscape, energy developments and East Lothian Council over the last three months. This has included meeting with some of the community groups in the wider Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership area.
The ambition of this emerging partnership between the local community, developers, transmission owners and East Lothian Council, is for the area to be a better place as a result of the energy developments. A vision for this is set out in the East Lammermuir Local Place Plan. Check out the new Frequently Asked Questions webpage to find out more.
The initial focus of the role is on improving communication and providing a hub of information. Local community members can subscribe to receive news and updates. Beth has been working on updating the information on the Energy Development website and there is also an Energy Developments section on the East Lammermuir Community Council’s website with a blog and updates about community benefits.
Health & Wellbeing:
We are delighted to say that Dunbar Community Council (a DELAP member) has been able to provide a blood pressure station with chair for our Medical Centre. This station is now in a communal area of the centre and can be used by patients at a time convenient to them without having to see a GP or nurse. A blood pressure station allows a patient to sit, enter their arm, then produce readings. Patients require routine blood pressure measurement daily, weekly or monthly for a variety of reasons and this facility will benefit a large number of the population.
Roads:
The Area Partnership has asked for the carriageway repairs on the A1087 Belhaven Road as its preferred option of the five that were offered to it. This has now been built into the Roads programme for the year.
During the month the pavement at the east end of Spott Road in Dunbar has been resurfaced.
The difficulties experienced at the end of Pine Street were the result of work undertaken by Scottish Water who came into contact with an unexpected electric cable.
Housing workshop:
A suitable date for this next workshop is being planned for September. Details will follow in the next newsletter.
Amenities:
Over the last month our Amenities Team has been working at –
– the wildflowers at Seafield pond
– maintenance of the annual bedding at Lauderdale Park
– emptying bins
– the wildflower area at Newtonlees Cemetery
– and many other projects that keep our landscape beautiful.
Housing workshop:
In September there will be a workshop to explore what the Area Partnership can contribute towards moving the Housing Agenda in the right direction
Grants:
The first tranche of 2025/26 grants were awarded in June to –
- Newtonless and Fair Acres Residents Association – First Aid training
- Dunbar Grammar School Association – Nail Bar
- The Ridge – High Street restoration
- Dunbar Grammar School – Opportunties Fund
- Bridge Centre – Motorcycle project
- thespace Scotland – Community based youth work
- Dunpender Community Council – Dunpender News
- West Barns Primary School Council – Community Speed Watch
Area Plan:
The Area Plan is now being presented to the East Lothian Partnership Governance Group on 15th August for its formal approval, after a further postponement.
Community Learning:
The East Lothian Antiquarian & Field Naturalists’ Society were given a tour of Dunbar’s historic tours at the beginning of the month. As well as learning about the importance of the harbours and the castle from the Middle Ages to the current day, visitors were able to learn about the sea birds in the area, and the nature and development of the fishing industry. The day was tailored around the mobile and the less mobile members of the group to ensure that the experience was accessible to all.
