Befriending Service for Young People

East Dunbartonshire Council is looking for people to help make a positive difference in a young person's life by volunteering as a Befriender.
Since 1998 the Befriending Service has helped numerous young people across East Dunbartonshire but more are needed to help some of the area's most vulnerable young people develop into confident and happy young adults.
The Young Persons Befriending Scheme provides a befriending service for young people aged between eight and 16 years in East Dunbartonshire. 
A befriender is a volunteer who spends time with young people who are having difficulties in their lives and need a little extra help. They socialise with a young person, giving them some time out from the stresses and strains of their everyday lives.
Volunteers befriend young people on a one-to one basis and go with them on social outings, for a bite to eat, to do sports or even just a walk and a chat once every few weeks. The aim is to increase the confidence and self-esteem of the young person and to be someone they can trust.

The volunteers will need to attend training once a week for eight weeks and need to provide two references, a report from their GP, join the PVG scheme and provide information for a background report. After the training, volunteers are asked to commit to a year with the young person they are matched with. During that time, they will receive expenses for travel, food and the activities they do with the young person.

If you are aged over 18 and would like to find out more about Befriending, please call the Service on 0300 123 4510 or 07901510105. 

Big Bike Fest

People of all ages and abilities are gearing up for an out-of-this world celebration of cycling in Bearsden and Milngavie.
From pedal-powered cinemas and extra-terrestrials to African adventures and local history rides, there's something for everyone at The Big Bike Fest.
There will be a host of spoke-tacular events from 28 May to 5 June, culminating in The Big Bike Fest Gala near Allander Leisure Centre.
The free family gala includes an exciting stunt show, ‘funny’ bikes, cycle lessons, a skills track, bouncy castles and more. 
Other events during The Big Bike Fest include:
·         An Evening with Mark Beaumont: Africa Solo (1 June at Milngavie Town Hall) - join the celebrated cyclist as he recounts riding the entire length of Africa. Free, but book tickets now to avoid disappointment.
·         Family Night Ride and Cycle Cinema (3 June - meet at Bearsden Primary) - help power the cycle cinema and enjoy a screening of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'
·         Belles on Bikes: Ladies Night Ride (31 May)
·         Midweek Meander for people over the age of 60 (31 May) - taking in local cycle routes and areas of interest
·         Sunday Cycle Skool (29 May at the Allander) - calling all mums, dads and mini-cyclists - come along and spend the morning learning to cycle, topped off with a group ride in the afternoon with Sustrans Sunday Cycling Skool. Free, but booking essential.
·         Bike Breakfast with Dr Bike (1 June) 
·         Mr Chipping’s History Ride (4 June) - join the Victorian headmaster for an historic tour of Bearsden by bicycle
·         And much, much more - visit www.thebigbikefest.org.uk for the full list and to book.
The Big Bike Fest is being delivered by The Bike Station Glasgow - supported by the Council and Sustrans.
For more information, visit www.thebigbikefest.org.uk , www.facebook.com/thebigbikefest and follow @BigBikeFest on Twitter.

Scottish Gas Network - work in Craigdhu Road and Park Road - next 14 weeks

Scottish Gas Network (SGN) is undertaking work to up-grade 6km of the gas network in Milngavie. This is part of a £750,000 investment programme. The work has begun in Craigdhu Road and will move on to Park Road in due course. The work, as a whole, will take about 14 weeks to complete. Temporary traffic lights will be used to control traffic movements through the works.

You can refer any specific enquiries about this work to the Project Manager, Scott Barbour, on 0141-4184188 (8am to 4pm). Outwith these times you can call SGN's Customer Service Team on 0800 9121700.

Community Grants Scheme

Information about the Community Grants Scheme can be found at;

www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/community-grants-scheme

As well as application forms, etc you can also find the most recent edition of the Community Grants Scheme Newsletter.

Impending roadworks - from an email from Councillor Manjinder Shergill

Neighbourhood Services is to carry out resurfacing works on the A81 Maryhill Road between its junction with Coronation Way and a point northwest of Rannoch Drive at the access to Garscube Gatehouse, Bearsden.

In order for the works to be carried out in a safe manner, East Dunbartonshire Council will require to close the southeast carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road from its junction with Coronation Way southeastwards to a point 40 metres or thereby northwest of its junction with Rannoch Drive, Bearsden, from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

The alternative route for vehicles will be by way of the northwest carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road.

In addition, East Dunbartonshire Council will also require to close the northwest carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road from its junction with Coronation Way southeastwards to a point 40 metres or thereby northwest of its junction with Rannoch Drive, Bearsden, from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

The alternative route for vehicles will be by way of the southeast carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road.

Please note that only one carriageway of the A81 Maryhill Road will be closed at a time.

Furthermore, two gaps in the central reservation of the A81 Maryhill Road between its junctions with Coronation Way and the A81 Milngavie Road, Bearsden, will require to be closed from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

In addition, one gap in the central reservation of the A81 Maryhill Road between its junctions with Coronation Way and Rannoch Drive, Bearsden, will require to be closed from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

Furthermore, during the works, Coronation Way, Bearsden, will also require to be closed from its junction with the A81 Maryhill Road, Bearsden, southwards for a distance of 10 metres or thereby, from 09.00 hours on Monday 29 February 2016 until 18.00 hours on Sunday 27 March 2016.

Access to the closed section of road will only be maintained for emergency service vehicles and vehicles engaged in the works.