BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

COMMUNITY COUNCIL REORGANISATION

The future shape of community councils in South Lanarkshire is beginning to emerge with the latest amendments to the reorganisation proposals made by South Lanarkshire Council during 1998.

The original proposals reduced the number of community councils from 65 to 49, and amalgamated Black Mount with Biggar and Symington, reducing the number of local representatives for our area, and effectively moving administration to Biggar. Following a large number of responses from community councils and the general public, a series of amendments were made by South Lanarkshire Council and a new set of proposals were published, as reported in the last issue of the Bugle.The good news was that Black Mount Community Council was to remain, with the only apparent change being a reduction in the number of community councillors from12 to 9.

In December, following further representations, Black Mount Community Council received the latest set of proposals. In these, the proposed community council boundary has been drawn further to the West than the current boundary, to include the village of Newbigging and some other hamlets and farms. Some of these are at present part of Carnwath Community Council area, or Libberton Parish and Carmichael Ward.

In view of the prolonged consultation process, it is unlikely that the final reorganisation scheme will be in place until after May, and a number of community councils, including ours, are scheduled to hold elections before this date. As a result, South Lanarkshire Council have authorised councils to delay their elections until the final proposals are confirmed, and as a consequence, the AGM and elections for Black Mount Community Council will not be held in March. We hope to publish the new date in the next issue of the Bugle.

Brian Curle
Chairman, Black Mount Community Council

OXFAM WEEK

Much of Oxfam money is used to help people caught up in the horror of war, providing emergency food and clothing to people made homeless by war. After the war is over, Oxfam can help rebuild their lives by assisting replanting their land or setting up small businesses.

The people of Elsrickle have given generously over the years.

1992 £85.66 1995 £76.55
1993 £74.02 1997 £93.20
1994 £51.11 1998 £104.73 Thank you all.

Margaret Lancaster

THE GUILD

January
Marjorie McFarline brought ‘cards for all occasions’ and told the ladies how they
were made. Each lady made a book mark making this a very enjoyable afternoon.

February
A coffee evening was held in the Church Hall when Professor Mike Summerfield showed slides of Antarctica the Ice Continent. This was much enjoyed by all.
Over £80 was raised for Guild funds.

Forthcoming meetings are as follows:

5th March World Day of Prayer at 2pm in the Church Hall
24th March Annual General Meeting at 2pm in the Church Hall
31st March Coffee Evening with Castle Warehouse at 7.30pm in the Church Hall
28th April Family Favourites - cooking by Mrs Adamson. This is an open evening
at 7.30pm in the Church Hall

DOLPHINTON RALLY CREW SUCCESS

Alistair McVittie and Gary Ross recently won 1st in Class A6 and 1st in Formula Two in the Scottish Rally Championship in their Nova GSI 1600. The pair also won 1st in their class in the 1998 Halltune Borders Forest Rally Championship, and Gary 2nd co-driver, being a member of the Coltness Car Club, in the Scottish Championship. Other members of this successful team are Jock Gray, Kevin Weir, Richard Rose and Scott Ferguson, the service team, along with Carol McVittie and Susan Gray in the chase car.

Well done all of you.

If anyone is interested in supporting this local team contact Alistair on 01968 682298

CHURCH NEWS

Black Mount Parish Church will be holding a Whist Drive in Elsrickle Hall on Wednesday 24th March at 7.30pm.
The Choir is giving a concert "Saints and Sinners" on the 13th March in the Municipal Hall in Biggar at 7.30pm. Tickets £4 Concessions £3

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Diana O’Neil
Garvald
Dolphinton
West Linton
Borders EH46 7HJ

16th February 1999

Dear Sirs

The Black Mount Bugle has the potential of being an important source of information for real issues in the Blackmount area. Issues can be explained with the full magnitude of their implications being detailed.

A new Housing Development and the Garvald Quarry Extension are two (2) major applications being considered at the moment.

We who live beside the quarry have realised the great importance of correcting the extremely misleading information supplied by Tarmac in their environmental statement. Only the people living directly in the threatened areas will be fully aware of the possible effects of the proposed developments.

Therefore, will it not be useful to the community as a whole that issues can be reported in the Black Mount Bugle which will ensure that more people are able to take an active part in decision making?

Once certain projects are given permission it will be too late to say "if only I had known".

Your sincerely

Diana O’Neil

Table Tennis:

Miller Stoddart, South Lanarkshire Council, gave us the chance to organise coaching by David Fairholm, former coach to the National Table Tennis team. We have now had 3 evenings in Dolphinton Hall when David coaches 3 age groups for 1 hour each. 29 budding players, ranging from 7 year olds to (dare I say) pensioners, who prefer to be called "recycled teenagers", are improving in leaps and bounds, and should be able to attain at least one grade, if not two, in the Skills Award Scheme.

The Social Group bought one table, net and bats with the help of a grant from S.L.C., we borrowed one from the Y.W.C.A. in Lanark, one from Netherurd Hall, and David has lent us a little one for the youngest children, so up to 14 can play at any time.
Practise sessions are also taking place in Dolphinton Hall on Saturdays,
2 till 4pm but this will be reviewed after the end of February to see if enough people want to join in.

Christmas Dinner:

Sixty Senior Citizens enjoyed Christmas Dinner in Elsrickle Hall on 11th Dec. Turkey and all the usual trimmings were served, followed by entertainment by the Toe Tappin Weasels, introduced by Robert Bell. Now, that sounds like a pretty staid evening! Don’t you believe it! Chris Miller and Don Barrie as waiters, for a start; Angela and Joan pouring out wine as if it was going to run out before the Millennium; Robert Bell had his audience splitting their sides; the young musicians were absolutely terrific; many raffle prizes were won; the "Blackmount Male Voice Choir" were in full flow; Tom Simpson was telling jokes; and even Santa had to get in on the act. What a good start to the Festive Season!

Next event will be the Sports Evening, probably on the last Friday of May, weather permitting.

DOLPHINTON BOWLING CLUB

Two rinks from Dolphinton have taken the honours in West Linton and District Carpet Bowling League, which consists of 10 rinks from the surrounding area.

A rink skipped by Gary Ross, backed up by David Wallace, Jean Campbell, Archie Kinloch, Joan Kinloch and Lindsay Ross, came top of the League, and a rink skipped by Bill Armstrong, assisted by John Ross, Ann Ross and Lilian MacKenzie came second. Well done to all you " chappers and liers"!

DOLPHINTON W.R.I

At our January meeting Mrs. Vivien Wilmut gave us a super demonstration of Yeast cookery, so we’re now all making our own bread, rolls ,muffins, and even Selkirk Bannocks!

In February, Mr. Knott of Dawyck Garden showed us excellent slides of the trees, rhododendrons, and flowers throughout the seasons at Dawyck. It is doubtful if we’ll remember all the Latin names of the plants, but we were certainly all fired with new enthusiasm for gardening, and deciding to visit the gardens soon.

Our annual fund-raising Bowling Tournament was held on 30th Jan when 16 rinks battled it out for the honours! Eddleston were the eventual winners, narrowly defeating a rink from Forth in the final. Some of the proceeds will go to the Breast Scanner Appeal, and some will be set aside towards the improvement of the Hall Car Park.

Next meeting will be held on Wed. 10th March, when we will have a Family evening, with various fun competitions, and of course a raffle
and tea. Everyone will be welcome to come and join in.

Peeblesshire Federation Bulb Show will be held in the Drill Hall in Peebles on Sat. 13th March. This is always well worth a visit, to see all the Spring bulbs and the beautiful handcrafts on display.

CONGRATULATIONS

Best wishes go to two new sets of Grandparents;
Rob and Effie Dickson, and Eric and Phyllis Erskine

With the growing awareness of complimentary therapies and aromatherapy in particular I thought readers may be interested to learn more about essential oils and their uses.

We start the series with probably the most popular and versatile essential oil, lavender

LAVENDER (Lavendula angustifolia):

Herbal Tradition: Lavender has been used for thousands for years. The name derives from the Latin, lavare, meaning ‘to wash’. This refers to the Roman custom of scenting bath water with the fragrant flowers and leaves, a tradition also performed by the ancient Egyptians and Turks.

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region and throughout Europe. It was popular in the medicinal monastery gardens of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and was found in the pillow of Charles V1 of France (records from 1387)

The scent of lavender carries sentimental associations for many people. Perhaps memories of childhood and fresh linen in grandmothers bedrooms and cupboards. Lavender is still one of the most popular garden flowers, perhaps because of these sentimental recollections.

Home use:

Bath: Add 5-10 drops to a warm bath to aid insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, nervous tension, sunstroke, skin problems, muscular aches and pains, PMS, and stress related problems to mention just a few.

Burners: Blend lavender, lemon and bergamot (total 6-20 drops depending on size of water dish) for reviving room fragrance. For a relaxing atmosphere blend lavender, sweet marjoram and sandalwood.

Lavender and tea tree are the only essential oils which can be applied directly on to the skin. Use a few drops of lavender applied to the temples to help relieve headaches or a few drops on the pillow or bed clothes to encourage a restful nights sleep.

These are just a few ideas for the use of lavender. In the next issue of the Bugle, Chamomile Oil will be featured.

Lesley Kerr

I am a representative for Avon in the Dolphinton area. If I have missed your home and you would like to see Avon brochures without obligation, or if you would simply like to replenish stocks of your favourite Avon product, please telephone me:

Linda Imery : 01968 682610

Thank you

Every MondayExcept School Holidays : Black Mount Luncheon Club : Elsrickle Hall : 12 noon
Alternate Wednesdays : Black Mount Church Coffee Morning : Dolphinton : 10.30am
5 March : The Guild : World Day of Prayer : Church Hall : 2.00pm
8 March : Black Mount Community Council Meeting : Elsrickle Hall : 7.30pm
10 March : Elsrickle WRI : Gardening – Mr J Elliot : Elsrickle Hall : 7.30pm
13 March : Black Mount Parish Church Choir : Biggar : 7.30pm
24 March : The Guild AGM : Church Hall : 2.00pm
24 March : Black Mount Parish Church : Whist Drive : Elsrickle Hall : 7.30pm
31 March : The Guild : Coffee Evening : Church Hall : 7.30pm
5 April : Black Mount Community Council Meeting : Elsrickle Hall : 7.30pm
14 April : Elsrickle WRI : ‘Down Under Tour’ : Elsrickle Hall : 7.30pm
28 April : The Guild : Open Evening - Cooking : Church Hall : 7.30pm

Please send all your articles, dates, reports, news and advertisements to
Liz Gilfoyle, 3 Oxengate Farm Cottages, Elsrickle (01899 810373)

The Bugle is published by the Black Mount Community Council, but the views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the Council.

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