Midlothian Forum

Tesco Must be Hard Up Now...

SamTyler — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:31:42 GMT

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/Tesco-criticised-over-treatment-of.4312677.jp

Maybe the recent price cuts have been too much for them to cope with - good in a way as it shows people what they are REALLY like.

Another empty shop in Penicuik

rubbereye — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:58:15 GMT

Joe of "Joe's Shoe Bar" is calling it a day. "Retirement Sale" now in progress.

Ah well, best wishes to you, Joe - and please enjoy your well deserved retirement!

But that's now a hat-trick of defunct shops, all in a row!: the previous "Le Tout P'ti", Ben's Store, and now Joe's Shoe Bar.

Are there no grants for people trying to set up small retail businesses? There used to be several sources of help for small businesses in the manufacturing and service ...

Jokes

Admin — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:36:48 GMT

Talking Dog

A guy is driving around the back woods of Goulburn and he sees a sign in

front of a broken down shanty-style house: "Talking Dog For Sale."

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the

backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever

sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says ...

Flare in the sky

Admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:27:35 GMT

I was bringing one of the kids back from band practice earlier on tonight about 9.30pm when I noticed that a flare seemed to have been fired somewhere over Penicuik. Does anyone know what the reason might might have been?

Roadworks

musicman — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:48:25 GMT

Anyone know what's happening on the A701 at Milton Bridge, I see the signs are up for roadworks as of the 3rd of Dec "long delays expected" ?

Videos

Admin — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:32:16 GMT

Sharing Breakfast http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=67160

I like this one as well http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?ei=UTF-8&gid=118716&vid=245894&b=1

The plans for Lidl in Penicuik, Imrie Place etc.

captainspaulding — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:08:29 GMT

Just wondering whether these plans had actually been passed or not?

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/Broad-backing-for-town-centre.3248366.jp

Any opinions? Good? Bad?

Apparently Aldi have plans for a store too, in Eastfield Drive.

I know a lot of people like these stores, and obviously if they open in Penicuik then those who rely on lifts or public transport etc. to go to Dalkeith or wherever will love it. Personally though, I'm a bit worried it's just turning ...

Recycling centres

Admin — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:00:57 GMT

I had to get rid of an old Tv and some cardboard boxes at the skips in Bellman's road in Penicuik today. I wasn't sure what the opening times were, so I looked up midlothian's website http://www.midlothian.gov.uk//Article.aspx?TopicId=0&ArticleId=18288

I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have changed the opening hours which used to be less convenient

However, I was disappointed that apart from someone with tree cuttings, most of the waste that people were bringing seemed ...

Proposed new houses

Admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:56:39 GMT

Well, although other parts of the Lothians can expect to see increases in their populations over the coming years, it seems that Midlothian is likely to have a 4.4 percent fall. http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/Midlothian39s-population-predicted-to-drop.3720580.jp

The comment from the Midlothian spokesperson is interesting Quote:the decline in population, which is projected for Midlothian, is at odds with the large scale housing development, which is already committed and planned ...

DABS/ Digital Radio in Midlothian

rubbereye — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:14:30 GMT

I wasn't sure whether to post this here or on the lounge.

What's the coverage like around Penicuik/ Roslin?

Visitors.

rubbereye — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:54:35 GMT

Is there any way of knowing how many people visit this site? I know there are only 21 actual members, but how many visitors?

(I have a reason for asking.)

The old gunpowder mills

Admin — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 20:39:06 GMT

I took one of the kids for a cycle down to where the old old gunpowder mills used to be. We stopped beside this

Am I right in thinking that this would have been used for making the charcoal for the gunpowder or was there some other purpose for it?

Why is this forum so hard to find?

gonzo — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:16:43 GMT

I have to say that I think this is a great Forum for local residents to get their thoughts off their chest but I have to say that it is a very diffcult website to find. I was trying to get my partner to have a look at it and he couldnt find it through Yahoo! or Google, I ended up having to give him the link. I only found it by pure chance when I was seraching for more info on Lidl in Penicuik. Is there anyway it can be made more accessible as I see there are only 15 registered users.

Orange March

pitsgate — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:25:06 GMT

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/39Out-of-order39.4128823.jp

When the Order tried to get a March of 5000+ in Penicuik a few years ago, Maclean was the guy that sat at the Council meeting reeling off all the number of times they'd taken councils to court for the "human right" to march where they liked when they liked as often as they liked regardless of the views of local people.

What's p***ed them off this time is that Midlothian Councillors (God bless them) have decided that ...

Penicuik's 99p store.

rubbereye — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:32:05 GMT

Okay, it wasn't exactly Harrods, but it contribited at least a little to the commercial life of the High Street.

The company that owns it is packing it all in. The Penicuik store, along with 18 others dotted about the country, closes for good tomorrow. Just as the High Street was beginning to lose its ghost town look, another empty shop appears.

Edited bit.

Of course, it also means that some local jobs are about to vanish. I always found the staff there unusually pleasant and ...

Watch out there's a thief about

Admin — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:07:57 GMT

After spending all week painting and decorating the house I was ready to put my feet up. It's Friday and it's payday and I should be happy but when I checked my debit account I found that somebody has been dipping into it and spent �80 of my money It started with a small amount the other day for which I raised a dispute with my bank. Now I've had to have the card that was being used stopped. Luckily it's a joint account and I can still use my wife's card until I receive a new one. Strangely ...

Hunter & Lass 2008

musicman — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:26:56 GMT

Tis' that time of year again when the folks of Penicuik get together and take part in the weeks festivities whilst supporting the representatives of the town . Anyone taking part this year?

Fuel shortages

SamTyler — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:06:31 GMT

Saw today (Sunday and also on Saturday) that getting fuel at Sainsburys involved quite a wait. It appears they might run out there soon thanks to the planned strike next weekend at Grangemouth with the government saying "don't panic buy!" which, of course causes exactly that to happen.

Any other reports on the situation from around the county?

Spelling mistokes!!

musicman — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:21:29 GMT

Last week in Edinburgh I seen a Firstbus 86 heading for 'Birkinside' and yesterday whilst heading through Glencorse I seen another Firstbus on the 141 heading for 'Stonnybank'...

Cycle along the old railway

Admin — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:30:22 GMT

I went for a cycle along the old railway earlier this evening. As I was approaching the long railway tunnel I noticed that there was a fire engine at the top of the embankment. A dog was barking and a woman was trying to find it. I thought no more about it and continued on to Rosewell. On the way back, as I was coming out of the tunnel I glanced to my left. A man was sitting on the ground and a few feet away from him, a horse was lying in a crumpled heap on the ground

Problems with Internet connection

Admin — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:42:59 GMT

For the past few days my Internet connection has been flakey. Sometimes my browser would find servers and other times it wouldn't. However, today although I was still connected to the Internet, no servers could be found. My ISP is Orange but when I tried a dial up connection with Ukonline I found the same problems It seems to be working again though.

Just to rub salt in the wound I found that my ISP has decided to debit my account twice this month. When I rang them I must have been put ...

Interesting stories

Admin — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:45:20 GMT

Trout Stage Daring Breakout at Fish Farm

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/?p=600

Motorbikes on the old railway walk

Admin — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:43:06 GMT

It really annoys me when kids pass me on motorbikes when I'm cycling along the old railway. This evening there were no less than three of them . However, on my way back I passed one of them who seemed to have broken down and had to walk with the bike . I then passed someone on a horse and found the other two bikes. They were trying to get to their friend but couldn't pass the horse in case the noise from the bikes spooked it.

Lost cat

Admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:23:09 GMT

It's maybe too soon to describe it as lost. However, when I came home from work Moira told me that there had been a cat in the back garden earlier and it seemed to be playing hide and seek with her. I went into the garden and found that the cat was still there and seemed to be stuck between our two garden sheds. With some help from the neighbours we managed to get it to move proving that it was not stuck. The trouble is it does not seem to want to leave. It is quite big and we are wondering if ...

A little bit of advice

Admin — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:57:36 GMT

This morning I came out to my car and found that it had a flat tyre. I've only had the car for just over a year and had not really thought about what I would need to do so that I could change a wheel I knew exactly where to find everything with my old car, but when I looked under the bonnet of this one, nothing was there I then had to read the manual and eventually found the kit which resembled a jigsaw puzzle. The wheelbrace was in three parts for a start Eventually I managed to figure ...

Building work at Carlops road

Admin — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:32:47 GMT

I went for a cycle today past Penicuik High school and up Carlops road. There seems to be some building work going on and perhaps a new road. Does anyone know what it is?

Beeslck Woods Clean Up

Chris — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:34:59 GMT

12th April 2008. Meet at Ladywood Centre. 9.00am til Noon Gloves provided and a plate of stovies afterwards. Spread the word. You can sit oan yor bum and moan................ or do something about it

Community Council Elections

councilsecretary — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:06:54 GMT

Elections to Penicuik & District Community Council are due to take place this month.

Information leaflets and nomination forms are available from secretary@penicuikcommunitycouncil.org and must be returned to the Secretary, 219 Cuiken Terrace, Penicuik EH26 9AS no later than April 26th. The Council wards (with the number of members for each) is as follows:

Ninemileburn/Silverburn (1); Bush/Easter Howgate (1), Auchendinny/Milton Bridge (1); Mauricewood/Greenlaw (2); Queensway (1); Deanburn ...

Pictures

Admin — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:09:40 GMT

I just took this picture from the fields at the back of Glencorse about an hour ago

and this one I took the other day

Watch out, taxi about

musicman — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:11:16 GMT

Last week when I was in Imrie Place I had the misfortune to come across a taxi driver who was intent on hurling abuse at the guys emptying the bins, basically just making an arse of himself in the process. Then tonight I had the misfortune to see the same guy again, as the front of his Voltswagon was about 6 feet away from me as I crossed across the front of the car wash in Penicuik, all I can say is if I hadn't been able to run I sure as heck would not be typing this now! Here's hoping I never ...

Cinema at Straiton?

Admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:51:50 GMT

I have heard that a cinema is going to be built at Straiton. However, I can't seem to find anything to confirm it. Does anyone know it this is true or not?

Dust off those musical instruments

Wen — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:04:46 GMT

There seem to be lots of efforts made to encourage children to make music. What happens when we grow up? My Mum encouraged me. I learned the flute. I own one and it's a good one.

Of all those children in the school concert maybe a half a dozen will go on to music college and individual or orchestra performance. Another half dozen might be confident enough and good enough (grade 8 ish) to play in existing bands and orchestras. What happens to the rest of us, who can play, and would ...

Penicuik Town Centre - Souless in every way!

EngTech — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:36:55 GMT

I live in Penicuik and have done for the last four years and even in that short space of time I have seen a decline in the quality and variety of retail outllets in the town centre.

The fruit store, video rental store, internet cafe, travel agents even a branch of the Clydsdale bank all gone!

The reason, well thats the big question?

What one thing really affects small businesses or branches (with the exeption of a Bank) the rising expense of rent & council tax!

Now for ...

Glasgow (and other) demo to remember 5 years of war in Iraq.

Wen — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:31:44 GMT

To anyone who participated in the remembrance demos today - thank you for going. I couldn't get there but my thoughts were with you and consider yourself there for me too.

Character assassination

Wen — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:28:52 GMT

Is anyone else, like me, upset at the current character assassination going on for Fiona McKeown, mother of Scarlett Keeling, murdered in Goa.

I know this is a hard one for a lot of us - and we may or may not approve or disapprove of her lifestyle, but I am really upset at what has been happening here over this, not just what is said in India.

I was in my neighbour's house and judgements were being made that none of would have wanted being passed on us if we were suffering the loss ...

Water treatment works

Admin — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:43:25 GMT

I can't help wondering why they need to construct a roundabout on the A702 because of this http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/2010-opening-fornew-water-works.3229126.jp If it is going to slow down the traffic on that road, I would have thought that there would be likely to be more accidents.

True or Urban myth?

rubbereye — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:12:59 GMT

Alarmingly, I want to believe that it's true.

Quote:

Can you imagine relying on the services of an organisation that has a little more than 600 employees and has the following statistics?

29 have been accused of spouse abuse

7 have been arrested for fraud

19 have been accused of writing bad cheques

117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses

3 have done time for assault

71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit

4 have been arrested on drug-related ...

Wind farm

Admin — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:16:24 GMT

Well, in case anybody hasn't seen the latest Town Crier, it seems there is to be a meeting in Penicuik town hall to discuss the possible wind farm. It is to be held at 10am on 24 October. As this is a Wednesday I suspect that there will be a number of people who will be reluctant to take time of their work to attend.

Proposed houses at the Dalmore papermill

Admin — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 19:57:52 GMT

The weather wasn't too bad today so I decided to go for a run down by Valleyfield and along the old railway. As I was passing the site of the old Dalmore papermill I noticed that there were quite a few tree trunks lying about but I couldn't see where they had been cut down from. However, on the way back, as I was heading towards Auchendinny, it all became clear. Not only have they cleared away the papermill but now they have chopped down all the trees behind the house that used to be there ...

Rubbish collection

Admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:59:22 GMT

I was a bit disappointed that the council didn't have an additional grey bin collection between Christmas and New year as they did last year. However, when they did finally empty it they left about a quarter of the rubbish in the bottom Then the bin cleaners failed to turn up. Now after putting out the recycling last night, it turns out that the bin men are so far behind with the collections that they won't be able to pick it up until tomorrow or Saturday I've just put out the brown bin with ...

Newbattle Abbey.

rubbereye — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:36:13 GMT

My wife had the privilege of a brief tour of the place recently and came back full of it.

Is it ever opened to the general public?

Apparently battle in this context, means house . (That's just one of the many points, features and facts about the place that she won't stop rabbiting on about.)

Technology never stops growing

Admin — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:48:46 GMT

Some interesting developments in technology http://backyardgeek.blogspot.com/2007/11/technology-never-stops-growing-amazing.html

Did you miss a program on BBC?

Admin — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:38:53 GMT

I tried to record Saturday nights episode of Casualty but something had gone wrong with the way I set up the DVD recorder. It was a two parter and the other part was to be shown on Sunday night. However, someone told me about the BBC's Video on Demand iPlayer catchup service http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/ and I was able to watch the first part before the second part started on Sunday :-)

A merry Christmas to all our readers!

Admin — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:16:55 GMT

Make sure that you click on all the reindeer http://flash.li.ru/wrestle/2503/raznie/christmas.swf

Did the earth move for you?

Admin — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:08:38 GMT

It seems that Penicuik has been hit by earthquakes http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1931712007 I must admit that I didn't notice anything. However, Moira tells me that one of the kids noticed the furniture in her room shake. At the time she thought that it must have been her imagination.

Fuel Prices

musicman — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:12:42 GMT

Looks like the threat of fuel protests is on the cards again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7091106.stm

Not surprising really when you see the prices and how they seem to being going up and up.

Yesterday I drove past Angle Park BP garage in Penicuik at about 5pm, unleaded was 99.9 and diesel was 103.9, then I drove past again about 7.30 and noticed the price had rocketed to 103.9 for unleaded and a whopping 108.9 for diesel!

Oh dear!

Admin — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 17:41:17 GMT

Did my eyes deceive me? I was in Tesco this morning and noticed that the Penicuik Adervertiser's headline (in great big muckle letters) said something about "Revamed Sainsbury's".

I remember a couple of years ago when a proof copy one of our publications came back from the printers and I pored over it. There were a couple of very minor errors but nothing much to worry about. I passed it up to my boss and he came back to point out that the word "Statistics" (in big letters) ...

Language please

musicman — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:09:33 GMT

Last night I had the misfortune to be on an X47 heading for Penicuik, which I could only descibe as being like a sardine tin on wheels, folks jammed in and that was before even getting to South Bridge! Anyway some nice friendly chap decided he wanted off the bus on Liberton Brae, so squeezed through to the exit door and dinged the bell at which point the driver informed him that the bus didn't stop until Straiton, fair enough and the said passenger returned upstairs - Only to reappear minutes ...

Halloween Schoolkids Attack Teachers' House

Admin — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:12:12 GMT

One of my kids who goes to this school came home the other day and told me about this incident. I'm sure it will appear in the Advertiser but it has also found it's way here http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2007/11/03/halloween-schoolkids-attack-teachers-house-86908-20055043/

I just hope they find those responsible and that they are made to pay the penalty

First snow of winter for Penicuik

Wen — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:17:03 GMT

This early?

And it seemed so mild up until the weekend.