THERE is a new boss in number 10 Downing Street and, if you’re happy about this or not, “the times they are a changin”.

I would like to thank all those involved with the planning and organisation of the General Election in East Lothian, from our council partners to the police officers on duty patrolling the polling and counting sites. I am happy to feed back that the democratic process in East Lothian was completed with no incidents to report.

Even though the weather seems to have not been informed, it is summer and we are right in the middle of events season. The Scottish Open was at the weekend and is a great advert for East Lothian; again, I am happy to report no major issues at this event, which again was a success. Hopefully any local disruptions to the road network were of a minimal nature to allow this event to benefit the county.

READ MORE: PICTURE GALLERY: Scottish Open 2024 at The Renaissance Club

Our Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) deployed to the golf to assist over the weekend.

I really enjoyed my Sunday at the golf as a patron and what a result with Bob McIntyre winning.

He really is king of the fairways now.

Coming up in August, we have Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick again, which will bring lots of people and business to the county. There will be local disruptions which the organisers/council and police have attempted to keep at a minimum. As a result of the increased numbers in the area, emergency services will be stretched.

Parents, please know where your children/teenagers are and have a way to contact them if they are out and about.

If summer ever does arrive, I was wanting to raise the issues of water and fire safety around beaches and areas of woodland, which is paramount.

We would urge you to discuss these topics with your young people in order that they are reminded of the dangers and avoid the need for emergency services to have to respond, which creates additional demand that could be avoided.

We have a beautiful coastline in East Lothian but it can be dangerous. There is lots of good safety advice at the following sites: watersafetyscotland.org.uk, hmcoastguard.uk and rnli.org

I was watching the RNLI training in Dunbar a few evenings ago. I hope their specialist skills are not required for many live calls this year.