Midlothian Council serves more than 96,600 people living in the South East of Scotland. For service requests tweet
@midhelp
, 9am-5pm Mon-Thurs & 9am-4pm on Fri.
Every school age pupil, including
@newbattlehigh
S5 pupils Aimee Bentley and Ava Harvey pictured, is to receive a learning device such as a Google Chromebook as part of our £10.5 million investment in digital learning.
@mideduteam
Give a big, hand-sanitised round of applause to our socially-distancing waste services team, including Sherman Yule & Gary Weston. The team is making sure bins are emptied during this public health emergency. There’s nothing rubbish about you guys!
#KindnessMidlothian
👏👏😃🏆
Due to the ongoing severe weather and the Met Office amber warning that will be in place tomorrow morning, all schools in Midlothian will remain closed on Friday, 2 March. We hope to open as normal on Monday. Please continue to check the website for further updates
Huge well done to all of our amazing staff who are helping look after and feed children of our key workers so they can go to work and help save lives. 👏👏
#KindnessMidlothian
Personally delivered 102 school lunches today in Gorebridge along with Brenda Ferguson our home school practitioner from
@GorebridgePS
. A total of 470 school lunches delivered in Midlothian today👏🏼✨.
#teamwork
#teamELC
@MidEarly
@midgov
Councillors have unanimously voted in favour of a motion to rename Penicuik Park Montgomery Park to recognise the valued contribution former councillor & provost Adam Montgomery made to Lothian Region & Midlothian Council. Adam Montgomery died after a short illness in Jan 2018.
Here's nurse Kim Newton dropping off sons Finlay, on right and Fraser, on left, at
@woodburnps
. Our education service worked all weekend to make sure Kim & more than 100 key workers can access childcare today so they can provide life saving services.
#KindnessMidlothian
😃👍
What better way to help mark
#VEDay75
than to congratulate Mr
George Simpson of Danderhall, who celebrated his 100th birthday
yesterday. As a soldier in The Royal Scots, Mr Simpson was left behind to hold the front so the troops could be rescued at Dunkirk.
Congratulations to
@newbattlehigh
, head teacher Gib McMillan and the whole school community on being shortlisted as one of three finalists for the Employability and Creativity Skills Across Learning category of
@BCScotland
Scottish Education Awards. Well done!
We want to thank our education & support staff for their heroic efforts. Thanks too to parents and carers for all your incredible support in difficult times. Well done also to our amazing pupils. We hope everyone has a lovely summer break.
#KindnessMidlothian
Thank you to the education team who have been working tirelessly all day to allocate childcare places for key workers. Priority places requested for Monday have now been allocated and a text issued to individual key workers.
#Coronavirus
#Midlothian
Councillors have agreed not to cut instrumental music, to continue P4 swimming lessons & to keep funding the Police Scotland Midlothian Community Action Team. As part of today’s budget setting meeting, cllrs also approved a Council Tax rise of 5%.
More:
Well done to all the teams out working last night to keep roads clear of falling debris caused by the winds and gritted. Good job! Here are some of them on the B703
#Newtongrange
to Newbattle road. 👏👏🍃
All gritters have been out throughout the night, and remain out, treating all primary and secondary routes such as main roads and roads to hospitals. They’ve been joined since 5am by teams clearing paths and pavements including around 80 extra staff from other services.
A big cough-free shout out to our sparkling cleaning teams, including Faith & Margaret. Every surface wiped and handle disinfected helps keep our buildings as clean as possible for socially-distancing colleagues, teachers and key workers' children.
#KindnessMidlothian
📣👏🧹🧼🧽
Well done Elaine Smith, admin assistant of Mount Esk Nursery who has been working alongside Ann Akgul, Tesco's Community Champion to provide food parcels to families in the Bonnyrigg area. She's been collecting food, splitting into bags and delivering them!
#KindnessMidlothian
Alert - due to snow this morning pupils should not attend for school until 11am, if possible, this morning (Tuesday). However, if already on your way, don't worry, there will be staff present.
Can you believe our catering teams made 9,000 lunches a week for vulnerable families, key workers’ children, staff & pupils? Supervisor Sandra McAskill
@KingsParkPS
is among 100 staff making sure many local people get a meal at least daily.
#KindnessMidlothian
#CouncilsCare
Huge thanks to Heather and Sandy from local company King's Hill Gin who have donated free hand sanitiser to our Early Leaning and Childcare Partnership Nurseries so they can continue to provide Key Worker childcare. The whole team appreciate it so much.
#KindnessMidlothian
Huge well done to
@newbattlehigh
PE teacher John Millar whose innovative free app for senior phase PE pupils has been downloaded more than 10,000 times in its first academic year. The project secured £10,000 of funding from
@UniStrathclyde
.
👏👏👍🏆🏅
Ellie Russell, Newbattle's talented S4 gymnast (15 yrs old), has been selected for Team Scotland and flies to the Gold Coast next month to compete in the Commonwealth Games – what an achievement for her,
the school and Midlothian. Good luck Ellie!
@newbattlehigh
Apologies for the timings on letting you know about the delay in opening schools. The situation arose because of staff stuck in blizzard conditions and traffic caused by accidents. Many thanks for your patience.
Midlothian’s pioneering Newbattle High School, which focuses on equipping young people with 21st century digital skills, was officially opened this morning by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills,
@JohnSwinney
. A fantastic day!
Please don't call to complain about our decision to suspend brown bin collections. We understand you are frustrated. We will extend the season or consider reimbursing you later. We need to free up telephone lines so contact centre staff can deal with emergency
#Coronavirus
calls.
A key player in the success of the D-Day landings is to be recognised in his home town of
#Dalkeith
for the first time tomorrow, with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.
#DDay75
Izzy and indeed all our library staff, many of whom are taking on new jobs such as helping out in our contact centre, we think you are absolute stars!
#KindnessMidlothian
A group of dedicated volunteers, including Colin and Tracey pictured, have been quietly making and delivering hot food to vulnerable families in the Dalkeith & District Community Council area, from Dalkeith Miners’ Club, three times a week, for four weeks now.
#KindnessMidlothian
Many thanks to the council's investigations officer, retired policeman Keith Hardie. Keith is training up as a stand-in waste supervisor and as a weighbridge operator. Well done too to 19 staff from Land Services, now working as loaders in waste services.
#KindnessMidlothian
👍
All schools plan to remain open Thurs. After FM news today (Wed) that schools will shut by end of week, we're finalising plans to support vulnerable pupils and put childcare in place for frontline staff to make sure they can continue to work.
#coronavirus
Our full gritting team is out on the roads and will remain out all night. Penicuik and Mayfield are likely to be worst hit but the team will be covering all priority routes in Midlothian.
Quick reminder that we do realise many of you who have been clearing areas outside your homes could do with more grit. The crews who would normally do this have been on tractor duty but we are calling in additional resources to fill grit bins. Might be Monday though. Bear with us
Huge thank you to kind resident who drove to Cameron Toll and brought Newbyres Care Home 10 loafs of bread. Other neighbours have been popping in to see if they can help too. Any other good tales and pics of communities pulling together? Please share.
#Midpullstogether
We'll be updating parents and carers later today about school arrangements for Monday onwards in the light of the FM announcement last night. We'll also let you know about other changes to council services. Many thanks for your patience.
@mideduteam
The residents of Easthouses Court sheltered housing in Dalkeith would like to say many, many thanks to Nigel Lothian and his son Connor who spent an incredible five hours clearing snow and ice from their estate.
#midpullstogether
18th century Mavisbank is one of
#Midlothian
’s oldest, historic buildings.
@HistEnvScot
and
@LandmarkTrust
are looking for your views on restoring this derelict building and bringing the surrounding landscape back to life. Have your say at:
Watch a concert featuring 250 of our most talented young musicians on the
#Midlothian
Council Facebook page on 18 June from 7pm. The primary and secondary pupils, including Erin Westaby, pictured have been practising for weeks! Please share.
@mideduteam
Well done to these fantastic volunteers who have been working with us to clear and tidy parts of Edinburgh Road,
#Penicuik
. They had already done the town centre by the time this picture was taken. Many thanks for your help, it is much appreciated.
#KindnessMidlothian
The Scottish Govt will announce more details on reopening schools tomorrow. However, we expect our primary schools will re-open to all children on Wed 12 August and secondary schools will have all young people in full-time by 18 August.
Find out more:
A huge thank you again to our communities for showing 'true grit' in these challenging and snowy times. Parents have been volunteering to clear playgrounds, residents are delivering supplies to nursing homes and lots more....
#midpullstogether
Pool filled? ✅🏊♀️
Library stocked? ✅📚
Cafe's coffee machine polished to perfection? ✅☕️
The brand new Newbattle Community Campus will open tomorrow morning at 9am!
There was singing, speeches and not a dry eye in the house at the retirement presentation for our much cherished Director of Education, Communities and Economy, Dr Mary Smith. Well done to the pupils & staff who made the event so special.
#Livingthedream
@MidEarly
@mideduteam
Many thanks for recognising the wonderful work by staff
@newbattlehigh
in providing home learning and staying open for key workers' children. We are very proud of our Digital Centre of Excellence.
#KindnessMidlothian
A sincere thank you to all staff
@newbattlehigh
who are teaching 90% of classes online, distributing digital devices, providing home learning & staying open for key worker children. They have even begun to create face shields for NHS and care workers using their 3D printer!
Paul from CAB Dalkeith is delivering healthy food & toiletries to people in temporary accommodation as part of the Aspiring Communities project. It's a difficult time for us all, but even more so if you're experiencing homelessness. Paul's keeping spirits up
#KindnessMidlothian
Look out for Ryan O'Connor who will be playing the tenor sax in the Big Band at our Facebook ' live' concert from 7pm on Thurs 18 June. Visit the Midlothian Council Facebook page to watch and listen to around 250 of our most talented young musicians. See you there!
@mideduteam
We've created virtual tours of our primary and secondary schools. Missing your school or transitioning to a new one? Just open the map then select your high school catchment area to find your primary or secondary school virtual tour.
#KindnessMidlothian
If there are any service disruptions because of the snow, such as school closures, we'll let you know as soon as we can via radio bulletins, our website and social media channels. Schools/centres will also issue text messaging via SEEMIS.
Midlothian Council is to fund four full-time wardens to crack down on flytipping, dog fouling, littering and other offences as part of a new, dedicated environmental crime team.
Abandoned cars are hampering efforts by our road clearing teams, particularly in residential areas. If you are now in a position to move your car to the side of the road to allow our gritters and ploughs to pass, it would be much appreciated. Many thanks.
Colin Beattie, SNP, has been elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament as the member for the Midlothian North and Musselburgh Constituency.
Full results here:
#ScottishElections2021
Many thanks again Andrew for taking it upon yourself to deliver bread and supplies to Newbyres Care Home. You are a star! Please share more instances of helping out. We like hearing about them.
#Midpullstogether
Councillors have rejected some proposals put forward by officers to balance the budget. These include cutting instrumental tuition and closing some libraries and leisure centres. Find out more:
Great first day at Newbattle High School and our first Centre of Excellence specialising in digital skills. Here's just a few of the schools' digital champions. Hope tomorrow is just as good as today.
@newbattlehigh
What a team!
@NewbyresNursery
is helping us provide the early learning for key workers’ children. The amazing catering team
@GorebridgePS
, including cook supervisor Gail Irvine, is providing the lunches! Here's Gail, Lauren Glodek & Marie Arthur of Newbyres
#KindnessMidlothian
A reminder that kerbside collections of glass containers will restart tomorrow, Monday 27 April. Your first collection will take place on your first scheduled collection day on or after this date. Please share. Full details:
Look at this machine we have on hire that moves an
impressive 400 tons of snow an hour. It is currently clearing from Mossend to Middleton via Borthwick and all surrounding rural areas.
The
#NationalLottery
@HLFScotland
and
@HistEnvScot
have approved a £2.6 million funding package to help regenerate
#Penicuik
town centre. It will support a 5-year programme to improve historic buildings and public spaces. More at:
20 S1-S3 girls from
@StDavidsHS
&
@official_DHS
joined the campus' first joint girls' football team. They won both matches (6-0 against Preston Lodge & 8-1 against Dunbar). They need kit. If any sponsors can help email Gemma Piaskowski at g.piaskowski
@midlothian
.education
👏🏆
Here are some of the gritting team - Kyle, Remy, Stevie, Jordan, Mikey, Keith and Euan - wishing you all the best. They'll be out round the clock keeping priority routes gritted when temps drop. Find out more about our severe weather response:
🌨️🎄👍🚛
ALL SCHOOLS OPEN AS NORMAL NEXT WEEK
Just to confirm school support staff in Midlothian are not taking part in industrial action next week. All schools will be open as normal.
Fantastic morning with
@JohnSwinney
as the Deputy First Minister officially opened Roslin Primary School and the Loanhead Centre, including Paradykes PS, Midlothian.
@RoslinPS
@ParadykesP
Ruaridh, 3, reminds residents to please drive to conditions as there's a Yellow Met Office warning for snow & ice. Only a light dusting in Gorebride but Ruaridh is rightly taking no chances & getting dad, Wayne, our Roads and Transportation Service Manager, to navigate. ❄️🏂😍
A huge well done to 15 childminders, including Kylie Todd & Jil Murray pictured, who completed a 70 mile walk during Childminding Week last wk for charity. They each walked 5 miles with children in their care & raised £1200 for Edinburgh’s sick children’s hospital.
👏👏👍🚶♀️🏆🌲
We're looking forward to schools reopening following today's announcement by the First Minister. We will be updating parents and carers on our plans early next week. Find out more:
Residents of Easthouses Court retirement homes were pleased to see Robbie Smith, Liam Omeara & Grant Cropper, plumbers in our building maintenance team. Along with Allan Conlon & Gareth Bridgeman, they are among scores of staff helping roads team clear snow.
#KindnessMidlothian
Schools & early learning update
From Thurs 7 Jan until at least end of Jan, schools will provide critical childcare only for key workers & vulnerable pupils. If you have applied for a place, your school will contact you on Wed 6 Jan.
@mideduteam
Midlothian Council is preparing to welcome 5 Afghan families, with the first family due to arrive at the end of Oct.
We'll let communities know via social media & website our progress & how local people can respond to requests for help.
@VolMidlothian
Kyle McLeod’s fundraising has been a bit hair raising after he died his locks blue for the NHS. Kyle, a lifeguard who is delivering PPE to health and social care, and his now almost turquoise tresses have raised more than £700 for frontline staff.
#KindnessMidlothian
👏👍
Labour's Kirsty McNeill has been elected to serve in the UK Parliament as the member for the Midlothian County Constituency. For the full election result:
Our Chief Executive, Dr Grace Vickers wants to thank everyone in Midlothian adhering to the Social Distancing Measures. Protect our Communities and help the NHS save lives.
#kindnessmidlothian
We would like to announce Midlothian’s new Members of Scottish Youth Parliament (MYSP). Callum Gibson has been elected for Midlothian North & Musselburgh and Hayden Gordon for Midlothian South Tweeddale & Lauderdale. Thank you to all who stood for election.
Congratulations to Anne Stewart, pictured with son James, on her 106th birthday. We understand Mrs Stewart, who lives in Rosehill Care Home, Dalkeith, is the 2nd oldest person in Midlothian. Mrs Stewart, who also has a daughter Helen, has lived at Rosehill since she was 100.
Yes, the Easter free swimming is back during the holidays on the dates below. Please remember terms and conditions apply:
8 – 12 April
15 – 19 April
22 April
A mobile testing unit arrived this morning at Midlothian Community Hospital for the next four days. It will return again on 22-25 May and 5 – 8 June. Key workers who are, or have a family member who is, symptomatic, can sign up via this portal:
Pictured are young people in Midlothian who have achieved their silver and bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards at a presentation ceremony held recently at Rosslyn Chapel. Also pictured is Sir Robert Clerk, the Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian who presented the awards.
S6
@newbattlehigh
pupils Beth Aitken & Iona Westaby are among the first of more than 14,000 young people in the county to get a free iPad or Google Chromebook as part of the council’s £10.5 million Equipped for Learning project. Find out more:
@mideduteam
This week marks 25 years since the Genocide in Srebrenica, where over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim people were murdered. In remembrance, we pledge to stand up to hatred and intolerance.
@RemSrebScot
#KindnessMidlothian
Great work from David West, from sport & leisure, pictured clearing the snow for the ambulance & all our roads and staff members helping from other services. You're all doing a great job making sure vaccinations and PPE can be delivered safely, while also clearing roads and paths
Well done our Community Payback Team. Making sure food banks have enough for those in need will be vital in the coming months. We're working with local established food banks to make sure they can continue during the
#Coronavirus
outbreak.
#KindnessMidlothian
GARDEN WASTE COLLECTION RESTARTING. A one-off collection will be carried out THIS WEEKEND and NEXT WEEKEND, depending on where you live. Normal collections resume from 27 May. If you’re a subscriber to this service please check your emails, or view at: