PRESTONPANS Community Council has shared the full extent of the work it carried out last year, including its resilience effort which saw thousands of meals delivered to local residents.

It described 2020 as “the most challenging of years”, with people having to adjust to the restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

The details were shared in the group’s annual report, with only three meetings having been held at the start of last year before the first lockdown in March.

In January last year, it expressed views to EastCoast Buses for a more direct 124 service to Edinburgh and discussed its business plan to take over the town hall from East Lothian Council.

Last February, it discussed the implications of Blindwells and its concerns about the impact on local communities, with those from other community councils invited to ask questions.

Its meeting in March, before the first lockdown, discussed the closure of Johnnie Cope’s Road and Birsley Brae, a main route between Prestonpans and Tranent, and a planting initiative.

The community council said that the pandemic was not something anyone had planned for but it praised the local community for “pulling together” and called them “a credit” to the town.

The resilience effort in Prestonpans was led by community council member Allan Sneddon, supported by some fellow members and local volunteers.

Among the work carried out were meal deliveries, collecting shopping and dog walking. Leaflets were also made and delivered to every home in the town, containing information on where people could get support.

Local charities and businesses also provided support.

More than 17,000 food parcels for the elderly and vulnerable were made available by the pantry at the Pennypit by the end of August, and more than 1,000 breakfast packs by the Prestoungrange Gothenburg.

Those at East Lothian Sunday Fresh Chicken Dinner Boxes initiative were also praised for their ongoing work, as were the local churches and Lighthouse Central Church, which opened a new foodbank.

The community council held its first virtual meeting in May last year, when it discussed plans for the former RBS building on Ayres Wynd.

A further three meetings were held in the second half of the year, which discussed funds for Preston Tower, work on upgrading the war memorial square, a new ‘Pots and Pans’ project, the planting of a permanent Christmas tree, and speeding and irresponsible parking near Preston Tower Primary School.

Prestonpans Community Council also gave financial support to a number of local organisations and, with support from Bankton Pharmacy and the High Street Scotmid store, provided Christmas gifts to 75 elderly residents.

The report also mentioned the news of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

Those who would like a copy of the report are asked to email prestonpanscommunitycouncil@gmail.com