| BLACK MOUNT BUGLE |
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| Number 42 | August 1998 |
THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS IN SOUTH LANARKSHIRE
Readers of the Bugle will remember that the last edition was primarily concerned about the proposals being formulated by South Lanarkshire Council to reform community councils in their area. Under these proposals, Black Mount Community Council will cease to exist, since the Black Mount area is to be merged with Biggar and Symington, to create a new ‘Biggar/Blackmount’ community council with 9 members. Since the three present community councils have around 40 members, it is likely that our area will be lucky to have even one representative, and there are no guarantees even of this.
South Lanarkshire Council’s proposals have been soundly condemned by community councils in the area, with rejections from public meetings in a wide range of communities, from urban to rural. Hundreds of letters have been received by SLC expressing dismay at the reorganisation plans. Close to home, Biggar has unanimously rejected the proposals, and Symington, Tarbrax, Rigside and New Lanark have all expressed deep concerns about what the future might hold for their communities.
Black Mount Community Council naturally takes the same view, and submitted a strongly worded response to South Lanarkshire Council on 26th June, urging SLC to reconsider its merger proposals for our area. It is clear that the proposals strike at the very principles of community councils, that they should be properly representative of the local areas which they serve.
We can only hope that South Lanarkshire Council will give due regard to the expressions of dismay which they are receiving. And yet, the comments emerging from the Council offices in Hamilton are not encouraging, and it is apparent that there is a momentum to the reorganisation proposals which some have said is fuelled by political, rather than community, considerations. Democracy at work?
Thank you to all local residents who contacted SLC to expressed their views on the proposals. We now have to wait and see just what the final decision will be.
Brian Curle
Chairman, Black Mount Community Council
Elsrickle - Traffic Calming
The new Elsrickle village signs, along with the high visibility 30 MPH ones, are at least indicative of the South Lanarkshire Council's intention to take the concerns of the local residents seriously. I feel sure that there will be many differing views on the suitability of the design, particularly in a rural setting, but at least they replace a sign that has remained damaged and lopsided for at least four years.
At the Black Mount Community Council meeting in December last year a member of the Roads and Transportation Services promised that a study would be carried out "to examine the traffic calming requirements for the whole of the A721 between Carluke and the Council's boundary". The delayed Report was delivered in late July and two members of the Community Council met members of the Roads and Transportation Services to discuss it on 12 August. The report recommended that no action was necessary for Elsrickle.
The position of the Community Council was that the report was not what was promised in that it addressed accident statistics only and did not consider risks. The report ignored pedestrians and suggested that motorists "must perceive their speed to be safe and comfortable". The officials were told that a Strathclyde Police speed/vehicle check was carried out on 5/6 August. The results of that survey showed an average speed, in front of Oxengate, of 38 MPH and that 315 of the 2,105 vehicles that day exceeded 42 MPH. The Community Council insisted that speed had to be addressed and that signs alone may not be enough.
Following a discussion on all of the potential road hazards in Elsrickle the officials agreed to bring forward practical proposals in readiness for the next meeting with the Community Council planned for 2 October. They restated their intention to have a public consultation exercise once an agreed plan was in place.
Barry Rosindale
Black Mount Church
Our annual Duck Race took place on Saturday 11th July 1998, when the net sum raised was £1,375.
1st £50 Mr and Mrs J Graham
2nd £20 Mr R Freeman c/o Weston
3rd £10 Mr A Barr of Biggar
4th £ 5 Mr P Hall Elsrickle, Mr R Swan, Shawfield
Mr M Wilson c/o Mr Muirhead, AMR Weston
We were blessed with one of the best summer days this year. Our thanks go to all helpers and participants.
The following Saturday, 18th July, some of the young members of our parish ran a Balloon Race at the Biggar Show. The net sum raised there was £355. Pat Marshall of Biggar launched the winning balloon. It landed in Washington, Tyne & Weir, on the 25th August and won the £50 prize.
On Sunday 16th August, Mr and Mrs P Ross of Dolphinton held an ‘open garden’ afternoon and in spite of rain the sum raised was £110.
The church as a whole would like to thank everyone involved in all three events - they have done much to help us balance our books.
Betty Smith, Treasurer
Yoga Classes in Dolphinton Village Hall
These will be taught in the Iyengar tradition which is known
for its attention to the body’s alignment in the postures,
whether done actively or passively. The classes are suitable for
beginners and those with some experience, male or female, and
with no upper age limit!
Classes will tend to coincide with the school term, starting Tuesday
1st September 7.30pm - 8.50pm. (Please note change of time)
The cost is £4 per class with discounts available for block
bookings and/or providing a basic set of equipment.
For further information call Julie Anderson on 01968 661204
Woman’s Guild
For the first meeting of the season on 23rd September there
will be an outing to Carmichael. Cars will leave Dolphinton around
6.30pm
At the next meeting on 28th October Muriel Young of Cruse Bereavement
will speak to us at 2pm in the Church Hall.
Marjory Muirhead, Secretary
Black Mount Social Group
Have you ever been to a Black Mount Sports Evening, Fireworks Display or enjoyed one of the Christmas Dinners? The Black Mount Social Group, who are to take over the promotion of these and other events, was formed on 27 July.
The inaugural meeting was delayed for a short time whilst local people were press-ganged into attending in order to form a quorum of ten. The Secretary had to be co-opted from outside the meeting as no other volunteer could be found.
In short the Social Group is off to a shaky start and events in the future cannot be guaranteed unless more support is forthcoming. A community is only a community when people join and work together, otherwise it is no more that a collection of individual families in their own little boxes. If you are keen to support your community then make yourself known and encourage others to share your example.
Barry Rosindale
New Community Web Site
Black Mount is now on the World Wide Web! If you have an internet connection, point your browser at http://www.renshawscott.co.uk/blackmount for up to the minute news and items of local interest and importance.
Sports Evening Results - 1st June 1998
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Thanks are due to all those who helped to make the evening such a great success.
Dolphinton Hall
Have you seen our new, much-improved hall?
Do come along on Thursday, 17th September at 7.30pm to have a look, discuss any teething troubles, anything else you would like to see (within reason), suggest any activities you would enjoy, and meet Jack, Linda and Pam.
Further information from Pam ...01968 682203.
Sponsored Walk
What a great day we had on Sunday 30th August! Wonderful weather, great company, scenery beyond compare!
Our thanks must go to Willie Adamson, Netherurd Mill, Dave Gilchrist, Newmill, and Angela MacKenzie, Kippit for allowing us to walk through the woods, up the hill, across the fields and round the pond, and to all the participants.
Thanks to Gary Ross for making the stile, and to all those who made sandwiches and cakes, juice and tea for the 38 thirsty, hungry but happy wanderers. Special thanks to Angela for providing such a warm welcome at Kippit.
Money raised will be used by the Black Mount Social Group to fund Bonfire Night and The Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner. If you did not have the opportunity to sponsor a walker, and wish to add to our total, please contact Anne Hutchison or Joan Stephenson.
Sales & Wants
Computer for sale! It is an IBM PS1 Pro, and has been replaced by one which is even more wonderful…..(Pity about the operator). Phone 01968 682256 for further details.
Wanted...a good clean second hand electic cooker.
Wanted...a fridge-freezer. Phone Anne .01968 682256.
Congratulations
William and Hazel Leslie who married in Carnwath Church on 25th April.
Mike and Heather Davidson who married in Symington church on Midsummer's Day.
Lance and Margaret Armstrong who have gained both a grandson and a daughter-in-law during August. James and Jenni had a beautiful baby boy named Kieran James, on the 18th: Lance and Mary tied the knot on the 28th, in Armadale.
Gordon and Hazel Dickson who married in Dolphinton Church on 15th August.
Welcome
Irene Lancaster who has come to live at Holly Cottage, Elsrickle.
David Taylor who has moved into Townhead Cottage, Elsrickle.
Paul Callis and Maria Kandyba who have come to live in MacKenzie Gardens, Dolphinton.
Mr. & Mrs. John McPherson and family who are now settled at the Bank Farm, Dolphinton.
Alan Ritchie and Louise Robertson who have come to Lochhead, Dolphinton, and will soon be opening "Paw Prints", which will be the ultimate in luxury boarding kennels, when building work is finished.
LAST DATE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEXT BUGLE
IS THURSDAY 12th November
Please send all your articles, dates, reports, news and advertisements
to
Liz Guilfoyle, 3 Oxengate Farm Cottages, Elsrickle (Dunsyre 810373)
The Bugle is published by the Black Mount Community Council, but the views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the Council.