BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

BLACK MOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Following the Community Council elections which were held at the end of last year, I am pleased to let you know the membership of the new Black Mount Community Council.

Elected Members:

Chairperson: Joan Highton, 2 Oxengate Cottages, Elsrickle
Secretary: Tim McLean, 7 Hillside Gardens, Dolphinton
Treasurer: Ian Kerry,'The Beehive', Dolphinton

Anne Hutchison, Roberton Mains, Dolphinton
Chris Miller, Walston House, Walston
Barry Rosindale, 'Meldons', Elsrickle

Members Representing Local Organisations:
Don Barrie, 6 Mercat Loan, Biggar (Black Mount Church)
Vivienne Shaw, 34 Carnwath Road, Elsrickle (Black Mount Social Group)
Sheila Atkinson,'The Barn', Meadowhead, Dolphinton (Dolphinton WRI)

Lanark Ring 'n' Ride Service 800 has operated in our area since September last year. It runs Monday to Saturday from 0900 to 1800. To book this service telephone 0141 333 3200 at least two hours before travelling and preferably the day before. We have received a variety of comments about this service and would be grateful if you could let us know your experience - good or bad - if you have tried to use this bus. We are keen to ensure that SPT provide us with a service that suits your needs.

Joan Highton, Chairperson

COUNCILLOR TOM MCALPINE'S WARD NEWS

Surgeries
I can be found at:-
Newbigging Village Hall 5.30 - 6.00 p.m.. 1st Monday of each month.
Dolphinton Village Hall 6.15 - 6.45 p.m.. 1st Monday of each month.
Elsrickle Village Hall 7.00 - 7.30 p.m. 1st Monday of each month.
Gillespie Centre, Biggar 10.30 - 11.30 a.m.1st & 3rd Friday of each month.
Gillespie Centre, Biggar 5.00 - 5.30p.m. 2nd & 4th Friday of each month.

I can be contacted on 01899 220423.
Councillor Tom McAlpine
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RURAL CLYDESDALE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT

This scheme is designed to help elderly or housebound people and their carers to access facilities in the local area. This can include trips to the doctor, clinics, dentist, etc., as well as shops and visiting friends or relatives. We can also provide one off practical help with shopping, letter writing, etc.

To do this we require volunteers in the Biggar and district area. These people, male or female, become members of the WRVS and as such have identity cards and badges, so you can be sure they are there to help you. Expenses are paid to the volunteer and a charge is made to the client for any transport. This charge is subsidised by funding from the Scottish Executive's Rural Transport Initiative.

If you would like to help people in your own area, or just want more information, please call us on 01899 229193, or call in to see us at the Gillespie Centre, Biggar.

Rosemary Buchanan, Project Co-ordinator, Rural Clydesdale Community Transport
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BLACK MOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL'S SOCIAL GROUP

Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night again went with a bang. Unfortunately the wind was in the wrong direction and the spectators were well "smoked" by the end of the evening. Many thanks are due to Gary and Brian for organising the fireworks display, to the Kerr family for building the bonfire, to the members of the "soup kitchen", and to Lance for his big light. All in all, a very sociable evening!

Christmas Dinner

Each year in December, Black Mount Community Council have the pleasure of the arranging Christmas Dinner for the Senior Citizens in our area. 2002 was no exception, and the diner took place on Friday 13th December 2002 in the Elsrickle Village Hall. This was an evening of good food with musical entertainment provided by dance band Alternative Medicine, and an opportunity to meet faces, both old and new. An excellent evening was had by all. Those known to the BMCC Social Group Committee received their invitations as usual. However, if you have just turned 60, recently moved into the BMCC area or simply not known to us, and wish to receive an invitation in future, please contact Anne Hutchison or any member of the Social Group Committee.

The Christmas Diner is just on of the many projects that the Social group undertake within the year. If you would like more details of the group's activities, wish make a contribution, or have any other ideas for community activities, please contact Anne Hutchison on 01968 682256

Anne Hutchison, Black Mount Social Group
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ELSRICKLE AREA NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Welcome to the Winter months, providing extra hours of darkness that encourages opportunist criminal activities.

Our ever diligent Community PC confirmed, on his most recent visit, that there was evidence of outbuildings being broken into. So don't become over familiar; check your security arrangements. If you need personal advice on home security there are dedicated officers based in Lanark who will visit your home and provide a security assessment. Contact Lanark Police Station (tel: 01555 662455) and ask for either PC Andrew Nixon or PC Mark Nieol of the Community Safety Department.

'Neighbourhood Watch' is celebrating its 20th birthday, and two new schemes have started in South Lanarkshire recently. So, what about Dolphinton Newbigging and other parts of the Black Mount area starting there own schemes? It is simple to operate, and a local police officer will provide all the advice and support needed to get the scheme off the ground.

New signs are now available that are much more distinctive than the original designs, many of which have succumbed to the ravages of the elements. A request has been submitted to the Community Council for a funding to supply new signs in our area, for early display.

Summer 2002 was classified as a 'low activity' period, never the less there were several cases of casual and targeted crime. However, Clydesdale, as a general area, has recently seen a spate of thefts by persons pertaining to be from either Scottish Water or Scottish Power, or passing themselves off as either Council officials or tradesmen looking for business. These people tend to prey on the elderly and more vulnerable members of our community, often talking their way into homes and distracting the resident's attention while an accomplice makes opportunist thefts.

So, always ask for proof of identification before letting people through the door. Check it carefully and if you are not satisfied contact the utility concerned to corroborate the ID. If they make excuses close the door and phone the police (Biggar Police Station is 01899 220100 or Lanark 01555 662455).

Remember, keep your buildings well lit as this is a deterrent to opportunist thieves, and also keep a watch on your Neighbour's property.

David Taylor, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, Elsrickle
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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 9.15 a.m. until 11.45 a.m.. If you want to come and see what sorts of things we do, come along one Wednesday morning.

This term the children have been making a wall display about the "Three Little Pigs" story. They have done lots of different sorts of artwork to make the houses of straw, sticks and bricks, and produced wonderful pigs and wolves.

The Pre 5 Group held its AGM last month. As many of the current children will be attending playgroup for a further year at least, we have persuaded all last year's office bearers to serve another year. This will help give the committee a sense of continuity.

At the AGM it was decided that our fund raising this year will be a variation on the Treasure Map - one that will definitely appeal to children - the winner will be the person who identifies where in a field some poor horse does what horses do!! Watch out for information about this in the near future.

If you want to contact the playgroup, please call either

Sheena Dickson: 01968 682279 (Playgroup Leader) or
Amanda McLean: 01968 682345 (Committee Chair)
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AUTUMN/WINTER NEWS FROM WALSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

The children (all 47 of them!!) returned too school refreshed from their summer holidays. We have seven new pupils in P1. They are Jordan Fleming Robertson, Joe Elliot, Emma Dickson, James Dickson, Fergus Hamilton Blackett, Michael Mitchell and Sophie Goral. All children quickly settled into school life and are working hard. An important part of Walston Primary is the Nursery Class, which runs on a Thursday and Friday. This open to children aged three to five - any enquiries about the class can be made through the school.

The pupils have been involved in many varied activities and events. These have included a very successful Book fair, a visit to Lanark Library, a trip to hear the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), football and rugby coaching, and a Mobile playground session. P6 and P7 received exciting news about the film they made last year entitled 'A Little Piece of History'. It reached the final of The Young Film-makers Competition in Bradford, although didn't take any prizes.

The school continues its strong links in the community. The pupils all entered pictures in the Elsrickle WRI's Flower Show, and Anne Hutchison (the Community Council's Social Group Convenor) and I liaise closely to include the school in community events. The School Board and Pupil Council also meet regularly to discuss and organise events to strengthen these links.

This term has been busy with planting spring bulbs and the start of a new session of swimming lessons at Lanark swimming pool. Let us hope that the bulbs planted in the verge outside school have survived their recent mauling from traffic diverted off the A721. The P4-6 held a successful Christmas Fayre on Friday the 6th of December as part of their enterprise topic. Numerous Christmas items such as cards, book marks and a recipe book were made by the pupils themselves, and a Walston Primary School calendar. The children raised over £300 from this venture. The Walton PS calendars have provided many a topic of conversation. The highlight at the end of last term was a trip to see the pantomime version of Sleeping Beauty in Glasgow.

If you have any enquiries regarding Walston Primary School, please telephone the school on: 01899 810234.

Dorothy Ramsay, Acting Head Teacher, Walston Primary School
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ELSRICKLE WRI

A very successful Flower Show was held on the 31st August, being opened by former member Mrs Dorothy Pettinger. At the opening meeting in September Moira Gray gave a demonstration entitled "My Crafts", bringing along a great variety of articles she had made over the years. On the 24th September, 46 members and friends enjoyed a two night break to Yorkshire. This took in a day in York and a visit to the Beamish Museum. On the 9th October, members visited and toured Warburton's Bakery at Bellshill. The company provided both a delicious tea following the tour, and a 'goody bag' to bring home. A successful Rainbow Whist Drive was held on Wednesday the 6th November. Members were treated to an entertaining talk about the work of a lady vet at the Clyde Valley Veterinary Centre and her time in Ecuador. At the meeting, held on the 11th of December, Mrs Lillian Slater gave a practical demonstration of Sugar Craft, which involved members producing a decorative top for a Christmas cake form rolled icing.

Dolphinton WRI kindly organised a joint Christmas Party for the children of members of both Institutes. This was held in Dolphinton village Hall on Saturday 21st December. A big thanks to Santa, and Anne Hutchison with her army of helpers.

Margaret Leiper,
Press Secretary, Elsrickle WRI,
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CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

BLACK MOUNT linked with CULTER linked with LIBBERTON and QUOTHQUAN

BLACK MOUNT KIRK NEWS December 2002/January 2003

This Newsletter is distributed, courtesy of The Black Mount Bugle, throughout the Parish of Black Mount in the hope that your interest in our church might be stimulated and that you might be encouraged to visit Black Mount Kirk (Dolphinton) and join us in our worship. You will be made most welcome.

MINISTER'S LETTER
Dear Friends,

There is a gripping scene at the beginning of the film Enemy at the Gates, which is based on the Battle of Stalingrad during the Second World War. A new batch of young Russian soldiers has just been sent up to the front, inexperienced, ill-equipped, and very frightened. There is only one rifle for every two or three soldiers, and their commanding officer orders them into battle under heavy gunfire. He keeps on shouting at them: "Forward! Forward! Run! Run! If the man in front is killed, the next man picks up the rifle! If the man in front is killed, the next one picks up the rifle!" High drama - and a terrifying slaughter, all making for an exciting and thought-provoking film, a good 'watch' from the comfort of one's armchair.

But the real battle of Stalingrad was not fought from the comfort of an armchair. If it had been, I would probably not be typing this letter in the comfort of my study today. It was fought building by building and street by street at the cost of thousands of lives. It was fought by people who loved their homeland, who saw it threatened and who feared for its future. And the price of securing that future - the laying down of their own lives - they thought not too high.

Why is it, I wonder, that the heat of battle and bloody conflict can rouse men to deeds of bravery and self-sacrifice, when the threats of humdrum, everyday living cannot? Maybe it is because these threats are less easily discerned. They do not set the adrenalin flowing. Yet they are no less important, in their way. The erosion of a society's ethical basis, or of a nation's backbone, can be a silent and gradual process - but in the end as catastrophic as any defeat in war. "It won the war, but lost the peace," has been history's grim verdict on more than one nation. It is perhaps easy for us to laugh at the florid-faced retired colonels who splutter and fume over the abandonment of the old counties in favour of 'regions', or over the demise of the old pounds, shillings and pence; who fight for the right to keep old red telephone boxes in their villages, and who write letters to 'The Times' signed Yours Indignantly, Tunbridge Wells. It is easy to dismiss them as reactionary, out of date, behind the times, obscurantist, or whatever. But, whether we agree with their views or not, isn't there something rather admirable about their stance? They speak out; they write; they act - because something they care passionately about is being threatened. Bizarre though some of their views may be, is it not a little comforting to know that there are such people about - who set a value on things in an age when indifference, cynicism, denigration and devaluation are so fashionable?

The passage of time is something which is all too easily sensed in small churches like ours. There are so few people, and with the passing or leaving of just one or two a gap is left, an emptiness felt. Change is so visible. That thought came to mind at the funeral of one of our oldest Libberton members a few weeks ago, Miss Frances Phillips of Quothquan. Frances, who was a primary school teacher in Biggar and district, will be well-known to many in all three parishes. I said of her: 'And in all of her ninety years she observed with an accurate eye, reflected deeply, acquired and imparted wisdom, and right to the end she was with us, alert of mind, a quiet and benign presence among us.' Yes, a quiet and benign presence .We do not necessarily have to be dramatic, forceful, bubbling personalities to make our mark. As Isaiah put it: In quietness and confidence shall be thy strength.' It is rather a question of the values we embrace and the standards that we uphold and by which we live.
I should like to end this letter with Frances' own words, which she wrote in her article on Libberton and Quothquan in the Third Statistical Account of Scotland, and which I quoted at her funeral service. 'Our forebears were pleased with less than we accept as our just due; they were hardier, and in the carrying out of public duties more conscientious, thorough and painstaking. If we can imitate their way of life, and serve our day and generation as well as they did, we shall not need to fear for the future of our beloved parish of Libberton and Quothquan.'

Frances, and many like her, 'picked up the rifle' in her own generation. But it falls to every generation to 'pick up the rifle when the first man has fallen, and go on'. For the sake of those who follow us, let us see to it that we do.

Yours sincerely,
Stephen Pacitti

PARISH REGISTER

BAPTISM
Sunday 24th March, 2002.
Kyle, son of James and Jenni Armstrong, Muirieston, Livingston.

WEDDINGS
Saturday 6th April, 2002.
Emma Colgan and Garry McCallum, Oxengates Road, Walston.
Saturday 1st June 2002.
Sylvia Leslie, Dolphinton, and Steven Allan, Symington.

FUNERALS
Thursday 26th September, 2002.
Mrs Annie Hamilton, 5, Westercrofts, Biggar.
Monday 30th December 2002.
Mrs Margaret Templeton, Rosemount, Elsrickle

Sunday Services in Black Mount Church (Dolphinton):

January - March 2003 .......... 10.45 a.m.

WELL DONE, BETTY!
At the morning service on Sunday 29th September we had the pleasure of handing over a gift to Mrs Betty Smith, Elsrickle, which we hope will enable her and Arthur to have a relaxing couple of days at a not too distant hotel. This was but a small token of the congregation's gratitude for all the work (at times worrying and wearisome!) that Betty has put in as Congregational Treasurer over the past number of years. Betty has done a great job, and we thank her warmly for her willing service. Our thanks also go to Stephen Harvey, Dolphinton, for his willingness to take on the task.

BLACK MOUNT CHURCH BOARD

Minister: Rev Stephen Pacitti Tel. (01899) 220625
Session Clerk: Mr Don Barrie Tel. (01899) 810276
Treasurer: Mrs Betty Smith Tel. (01899) 810305
Organists: Mrs Alice Barrie Tel. (01899) 810276
Mrs Margaret Leiper Tel. (01899) 810223
Clerk to Congregational Board Mrs Grace Allison Tel. (01899) 220525

The minister greatly appreciates it when cases of need or illness are brought to his notice. Please feel free to contact him at any time.

OTHER LOCAL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONAL SERVICES

St Isidore's Roman Catholic Church, Biggar.

Holy Mass: Sunday 12 noon and weekdays (Tue-Fri) at 9:30 a.m.

BLACK MOUNT GUILD
The opening meeting of the Guild was a visit to 'Green Pastures' Retreat and Equipping Centre, Sandilands near Lanark. This was most enjoyed by members, as the small church was a place of piece and tranquility. Any one can visit Green Pastures either as a day retreat or over an extended period. The centre has 5 twin-bedded rooms and can accommodate up to ten people at any one time. The garden was very peaceful, with views of the country side. Members were given a lovely afternoon tea.

Marjory Muirhead, Guild Secretary

TANGO
Living in Dolphinton is an experienced dancer of Argentinian Tango, who would be happy to give lessons. He had thought of giving a one-day introductory class to see what local support there might be for a series of weekly classes. A date has not yet been set, but it will probably be Saturday, lst March in Dolphinton Village Hall. The cost for the day would be £7.50, including tea and coffee. Lunch could be brought or you could go home at the midday break for it. The sessions would be 10.0 - 12.0 and 2.0 - 4.0. The class is open to all men, women and children over 10. You don't need a partner to come along and enjoy yourself.

Please call me if you are interested, even if you cannot make it on 1st March.

Pam Taylor on 01968 682203

HALLOWEEN SONGS

There were some strange goings on in the Dolphinton area on the evening of All Hallows Day. Strange creatures were seen going from door to door uttering a selection of chants and incantations. Here are a few!

DEVIL SONG

We are the Devils from hell
Red face and fangs as well
We're here to scare you with our singing at your door.

Frightening the kids and grown ups
We'll sing till we get some monkey nuts
Please fill our bags up and we'll leave you alone

We use our horns as bells
Let off the most hellish smells
Don't come to close or you may fall to the floor

Frightening the kids and grown ups
We'l sing till we get some monkey nuts
Please fill our bags up and we'll leave you alone.

Please fill our bags up and we'll leave you alone!!!

Written by Sally Brown and Rachel Gilchrist
Sung by Sally, Rachel and Charlotte Hanlon

The Three Headed Ghost

Here comes the three headed ghost.
Drinking lots of milk,
And eating burnt toast.

Walking through the streets at night.
Giving lots of people,
A big scary fright.

Especially when a head falls off!
And now it's a two headed ghost!

Written and sung by Kirsty Brown and Shauni Gilchrist

PHOTOCOPYING

The Black Mount Community Council photocopier is located in Elsrickle Hall. Local organisations or individuals are welcome to use this facility at the cost of 4p per copy.

PUBLISHING ITEMS IN THE BUGLE

We are looking for articles, topical or otherwise, to express your views as members of the Black Mount community. Are you offering activities or events that might attract interest from other parts of the Black Mount area?

You can also advertise items for sale or services. These attract a nominal fee of £1 per private entry, or £5 for commercial entries. After all, advertising helps to offset production costs and allows money to be spent on other community projects.

At The Black Mount Bugle we can handle material either hand written or word processed, and sent to us on floppy or CD-ROM, zip disc or via e-mail.