BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

Black Mount Community Council
Chairperson's Report 1999/2000

The Community Council held its first meeting on Monday, 6th December 1999. This followed the long awaited reorganisation of Community Councils and Mrs Margaret Armstrong represented South Lanarkshire Council. The Community Council welcomed the new communities that now form part of the area as extended by South Lanarkshire Council.

The office bearers were elected at the next meeting and were as follows:
Chairperson Joan Highton
Secretary Barry Rosindale
Treasurer Ian Kerry

It has been a very busy year for the Community Council as we have had to put in place our own operating guidelines as well as to continue hold the regular events established by the previous Community Council.

We are grateful to our Black Mount Social Group for organising our social calendar in such an efficient and enjoyable way. The Senior Citizen's Christmas Dinner was held in Elsrickle Hall just a week after the new Community Council was established. Everyone had an excellent meal followed by first class entertainment. The Sports Evening was good fun for the energetic and spectators alike and the 'Black Mount 2000' T_shirts already have become collectors items. The Sponsored Walk again raised funds in excess of our expectations and the afternoon tea quickly replaced all the calories expended en route. Only last night children of all ages enjoyed the Bonfire and the spectacular Fireworks display. We thank every individual for their role in making our events such a success.

The Community Council has been involved in a number of projects of public interest:

It will come as no surprise that a lot of time and effort have been put into trying to get South Lanarkshire Council to maintain our rural roads more effectively. Members of the Community Council met with representatives of Roads and Transportation Services in February to further this issue. Many subsequent contacts have been made and will continue until we are satisfied with the condition of our roads.Links have been established with the local Community Police Officer, PC McGilvary, and Mr David Taylor agreed to Co_ordinate the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Elsrickle.
Around one hundred households returned our Survey 2000 and we are told this is a terrific response for such a venture. We will use the information received to press for improvements in local services.
Due to the increased area determined by the Reorga nisation of Community Councils we now deliver over 370 Bugles. We thank Mrs Liz Gilfoyle for her commitment and diligence in the production of this.
In May representatives of the Community Council attended the inaugural meeting of the Upper Clydesdale Community Alliance. This group which represents the rural Community Councils and Groups has gone from strength to strength during this year.
We welcomed the publication of South Lanarkshire Council's " A guide to the planning application decision making process". As a Statutory Consultee we have been asked about and responded to a number of planning applications this year. In particular the Garvald Quarry Extension by Tarmac and the Carmaben Brae Housing Development by Muir Homes have taken much time. We thank the Planning Sub_committee for the thorough and detailed responses they have made on our behalf.
We have continued to press the appropriate authorities to improve the provision of public transport in our area. We are pleased that Strathclyde Passenger Transport and South Lanarkshire Council are beginning to understand our needs and are showing some willingness to operate bus services in our area.

Finally, we would like to thank our Councillor, Tom McAlpine , for the support he has given us this year. He has given freely his time and advice on many subjects which we value greatly.

Joan Highton

There was a lively meeting of the Alliance on 11 October when representatives of SPT and SLC Roads & Transportation arrived to be questioned by the members. Chris Carberry of SPT fielded most of the questions, which ranged from existing bus and rail services to future possibilities. He gave an assurance that the present experimental Access Bus, originating in Elsrickle, would pick up and set down all along its route via Biggar to Lanark. Significantly he did not rule out the prospect of it become a "hail and ride" service in the fullness of time as well as timetable changes to make it complementary to the Post Bus rather than competing with it. Cllr McAlpine pressed very hard for a permanent Travel Centre based in Lanark Railway Station. Whilst no immediate prospect is likely, the seed is certainly sown. Chris was however, able to offer assurances that, as and when contracts for subsidised services came up for renewal, Alliance and Community Council proposals would receive serious consideration. For the benefit of those people interested in the full details, minutes of the meeting will be available in the usual places once they have been approved at the next meeting of the Alliance on 6 December.

Barry Rosindale

Secretarial Assistance for
Upper Clydesdale Community Alliance.

To prepare and circulate Agendas & Minutes for approximately 6 meetings per year.

Access to a computer essential.

All expenses paid.

South Lanarkshire Council Planning Committee approved the proposal, for Muir Homes to build 14 houses, at its meeting on 31 October. On behalf of the Community Council, I attended the meeting to voice objections. On the day, Councillors were shown a plan of the site to supplement the Report that had been prepared by the Planning officials. I objected strongly both before and during the meeting that the Councillors were being denied the chance to see drawings of the type of houses about which the Community Council was complaining. Following advice from the Local Government Ombudsman, the Community Council has now written to South Lanarkshire Council complaining of maladministration. I have also written to Members of the Scottish Parliament drawing their attention to the practices adopted by South Lanarkshire Council's officials and Councillors.

Barry Rosindale

Scottish Women's Rural Institutes

The entries for the Flower Show were up in numbers this year because the Show was open to all areas. Rev. Stephen Pacitti opened the Show and presented the Trophies. At the opening meeting in September, Mrs Joan Orr gave a cooking demonstration on the theme "A Harvest Supper". In October we celebrated our 80th Anniversary. President Anne Moffat welcomed past Presidents and Secretaries. The Lanarkshire Federation Chairman, Mrs Monica Gray, proposed the toast to the W.R.I.; Mrs Joan Stephenson ably replied. The longest serving member, Mrs Jessie Grossart, assisted by Mrs Gray cut the celebration cake. Mrs Janet Gibson was presented with a certificate and made an Honorary Member after serving more than 50 years. At the November meeting Mrs Liz Hanson delighted her audience with her slide show "A closer Look at the Countryside".We also held a well attended Whist Drive. All Ladies in the district would be made most welcome at any of our meetings.

Margaret Leiper

Morna Munro

Planning

We heard recently that the Scottish Executive Reporters Unit has agreed with the SLC planners refusal of planning permission for a single house at Harperhall, Elsrickle.

The Community Council has also submitted consultation responses about the style of single house applications in the area, in relation to SLCC guidance set out in the Local Plan.

Chris Miller

Church News

Black Mount linked with Culter linked with Libberton and Quothquan

Sunday Services in November - December 1045 am.
Dolphinton Church: January - March 12 noon
with the exception of January 7th when a United Service will be held in Culter Church.

Dear Friends,

The story of the ten lepers (Luke 17: 12-19) is one, I think, that bears frequent re-reading; because it so often comes very near home. Gratitude is not exactly superabundant in our bustling, competitive, striving world, and for that very reason I am glad that we have special services from time to time, just to remind us who we are, and to whom we owe all that we hold dear.

With the arrival of autumn we find ourselves moving into a period rich in such services: Harvest, Remembrance, Communion, and Christmas. Each of these, in its own particular way, is actually a service of thanksgiving : a necessary reminder that we stand continually in unpayable debt to God and man: Harvest. for the fruits of the earth; Remembrance, for the sacrifice of our fellow men and women: Communion (which our Anglican friends call 'eucharist' meaning 'thanksgiving') for the self-giving of Christ; Christmas, for the condescension of God.

'Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price' (I Corinthians 6:20) stands true at both the human level and the divine, and in face of that it seems rather trite to say we have a great deal in this life to be thankful for. The fact is that we have everything to be thankful for.

It is interesting to reflect that the earth gives forth its fruit whether we are worthy of it or not; that those who died in the horror of war died whether we were deemed worthy of their sacrifice or not; that Christ gave himself for the unworthy, not for the righteous It is perhaps, then, because of the self-giving of God and of man that we become worthy; that a love bestowed unfailingly and at such cost confers a dignity and a value upon us. That is a priceless gift.

'All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above
Then thank the Lord, 0 thank the lord
For all his love.'

Surely we are not too sophisticated to sing the familiar words of the children's hymn? The words 'grace' and 'gratitude' in our language have the same origin; even as we have received grace at God's hands, let us not be slow to express our gratitude to him.

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me His praise should sing?'

Come and worship with us: you will be made most welcome.

Yours sincerely,
Stephen Pacitti

Please Note
There will be a united Christmas Eve Service at Libberton this year - therefore the Church at Dolphinton will be closed at this time.

Betty Smith

For more information contact Charlotte Miller 01899 810324

News from Walston Primary School

22 November 2000

The children are looking forward to their swimming lessons which begin this week. This is always a highlight of the school year and all the children from Primary 2 - Primary 7 take part.

Our Primary 1 children have really settled into school life now and parents at our recent Parents' Night seemed delighted with their progress. Thanks to everyone who came along to Parents' Night - we appreciate all your support (and patience when you have to wait!)

Our Poppy Collection in the area raised £86.50. Thank you to all who donated and helped with this appeal.

Our nursery class continues to give the children many exciting experiences and the children are making great progress. If you would like to know anything about the nursery, please phone the school on a Thursday or Friday morning and you will be able to speak to one of the nursery staff. Alternatively you can phone Rigside and Rural Nurseries and ask to speak to Marie O'Hare 01555 880 689.

We are beginning to think about Christmas Activities and we will keep you informed through newsletters and posters. Please remember you do not have to have a child at school to come to any of our events, You are most welcome to phone the school if you need information and we would be delighted to see you coming along to anything we organise.

As always any questions or comments please contact the school 01899 819 234.

Loraine Kinghorn

Invitations will be going out shortly. Please let me know of anyone over the age of 60 years who is unlikely to be on the invitation list.

Ann Hutchinson 01968 682256

Walston Pre-5 Group

The Walston Pre-5 Group meet at Walston Primary School on a Wednesday morning, for children from 2½ years up to school age. Each session runs from 9.15am until 11.45am, and is run by Sheena Dickson, with parents taking a turn on the rota to join in the fun and games.

As well as songs, stories, puzzles and games, the children are usually working on a theme This term they have been busy learning about colours, and have had lots of colourful fun with paint and dough! They have also been talking about changes in nature, and did some work on "autumn". They had a Halloween party, wearing hats and cloaks they had decorated themselves.

Dressing up is one of the popular activities at the playgroup, so if anyone has any outgrown (or outmoded!) hats, beads etc, they would be gratefully received. We're also looking for an old suitcase to store them in. If you can help, call one of the committee members.

Over the next few weeks the children will be working on Christmas activities, making cards and baking, as well as making a big winter collage. They will be going to Biggar Puppet Theatre for their Christmas trip.

At the moment the group is quite small, and the children would love to have some new playmates, if there's anyone out there…..contact one of the committee members.

Amanda McLean 01968 682345

The other committee members are:
Margeret Waugh 01899 810386
Sheena Dickson 01968 682279
Mara Orr 01899 810219

Tom makes himself available, at several locations within the Ward and on a regular basis, to answer personal questions from constituents.
He can be found at :-
Dolphinton Village Hall 6:00 - 6:30pm 1st Monday in each month.
Elsrickle Village Hall 6:45 - 7:15pm 1st Monday in each month.
Gillespie Centre 10:30 - 11:30am 1st & 3rd Friday in each month.
Gillespie Centre 5:00 - 5:30pm 2nd & 4th Friday in each month,

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Every Monday Except School Holidays - Black Mount Club - Elsrickle Hall - 12 noon
Alternate Wednesdays - Black Mount Church Coffee Morning -Dolphinton Hall - 10:30am
8 December - Social Group Christmas Dinner - Elsrickle Hall - 7:00pm
13 December - Elsrickle WRI - Chocolate demonstration by Miss Ann Millar - Elsrickle Hall - 7:30pm
23 December - Dolphinton WRI - Children's Christmas Party - Dolphinton Hall - 2:00pm
30 December - Biggar Farmers Club - 2nd Last Chance Dance - Crawfordjohn Hall
10 January - Elsrickle WRI. - Sandwich Fillers by Mrs Eileen Hunter - Elsrickle Hall - 7:30pm
4 January - Biggar Farmers Club Meeting - Coulter Hall
8 January - Black Mount Community Council - Elsrickle Hall - 7:30pm
24 January - The Guild - Rev Stephen Pacitti - Dolphinton - 2:00pm
29 January - Biggar Farmers Club - Burns Supper - Coulter Hall
5 February - Black Mount Community Council - Elsrickle Hall - 7:30pm
13-17 February - Biggar Farmers Club Concert - Coulter Hall
14 February - Elsrickle WRI - Quiz Night - Elsrickle Hall - 7:30pm
28 February - The Guild - Scottish Society for Autism - Clannaba Respite Centre - Dolphinton - 2:00pm
28 February - Biggar Farmers Club - Concert Video & Photography Night - Rugby Club
2 March - The Guild - World Day of Prayer - Dolphinton - 2:00pm
13 March - Biggar Farmers Club AGM
28 March - The Guild AGM Dolphinton - 2:00pm
25 April - The Guild - Open Night - Class Acts - Singing Group - Dolphinton - 7:30pm

Last Date for Contributions to the Next Bugle is 16th February 2001

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