BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

BLACK MOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

While enjoying the good weather during the summer, the Community Council seems to have been very busy in what is usually a quiet time for us.

Firstly, we were informed that the Elsrickle to Biggar Post Bus would cease to operate from the end of August. Despite extensive contact with The Post Office, South Lanarkshire Council and Strathclyde Passenger Transport we were unable to prevent the withdrawal of this service. We have now made a formal complaint to Postwatch Scotland who are empowered to act on our behalf to ensure that the needs of people and communities are met. We have written to Strathclyde Passenger Transport to request improvements to the Ring and Ride Bus to allow people to plan such things as medical appointments.

Secondly, we were told by Scottish Water in June that they planned to change the water supply for Dolphinton and Elsrickle from the springs on the Black Mount to a chlorinated supply from Roseberry Reservoir in Midlothian. We are continuing to lobby Scottish Water and have invoked the help of the Water Commissioner for Scotland and the Water Customers' Panel to assist us.

We have two vacancies on the Community Council, one for an elected or co-opted member and one for a member from a local organisation. Please contact me on 01899810378 by Friday,10th October if you are interested in getting involved to help the local communities. We need also a minute secretary who is not a member of the Community Council. We pay a modest sum for this task which involves taking, producing and circulating the minutes for each meeting. We thank Jean McPherson for carrying out this task over recent years and express our very best wishes to Jean and Don for their relocation to France.

Joan Highton, Chairperson

An Appreciation of Ags.

Mrs. Agnes Mack died on Wednesday 14th May, 2003. With her passing Dolphinton has lost not only our oldest resident, but our history book and our source of news.

Ags was born and brought up at Haughhead , one of 7 children who all worked at home on the farm. She married Bobby Mack, and took up house at The Smiddy where she lived for more than 60 years. They created the wonderful garden which so many people have enjoyed with them, and which has produced prizewinning exhibits at Dolphinton Flower Shows, West Linton Flower Shows, and Royal Caledonian Horticultural Shows.

Ags’s door was always open to visitors who enjoyed her hospitality and her “crack”, right up to her 90th birthday which she celebrated in March. She was a loyal member of the Church, the WRI., West Linton “Horti”, and attended all village functions with great enthusiasm and interest.

She will be greatly missed by all her extended family, her friends and her neighbours.

Anne Hutchison

Links with the JOHNSTON, CAIRNS, AITKEN and WATSON families.

My name is John Johnston, 3 Wheatstone Road, Gisborne, New Zealand (email: jeanjohn@xtra.co.nz).

I am related to the following local people:

John Johnston, baker in Biggar (1824-1902). His family grave is in St Mary's Churchyard, Biggar.
John married Janet (Jessie) Robertson and their son William Johnston married Janet Bertram Watson.
Sarah Cairns (1820-1886) married Robert Kidd. They lived in Biggar.
John Aitken (1809-1874) married Catherine Watson (1810-1883). They farmed at Lammerlaw, Walston and Deanhead, Dunsyre. The Watson/Aitken family grave is in Walston Churchyard. Some of their children lived in Elsrickle and Carnwath.

I would be pleased to hear from anybody connected to these families and would be happy to share in my family research.

Thanking you,
John Johnston

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

BLACK MOUNT linked with CULTER linked with LIBBERTON and QUOTHQUAN

BLACK MOUNT KIRK NEWS August 2003

(This Newsletter is distributed, courtesy of The 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 Blackmount Kirk (Dolphinton) and join us in our worship. You will be made most welcome.)

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MINISTER'S LETTER

It is a very humbling thing when you come to the end of your ministry and ask yourself what you have done with it. Many nice things have been said about my leaving and I only wish I deserved them. (They bring to mind a remark made by a dear lady in my first parish: "I do enjoy a visit from Mr Pacitti - I feel so much better when he goes!") At a recent induction at Law Parish Church I noticed a plaque on the wall, which is in memory of the Rev William Wagner, first minister of that parish, who died in 1907 aged 56. It says that he served "with unfailing zeal and constant love". That is a rebuke to me, as I think it is a rebuke to every minister who realises how high he would reach, but how far short he falls of his ambition.

How, then, do I sum up my ministry? I sum it up like this: 'Too little achieved, but much received.' I have received far more from my people than I have been able to give them, and I thank God for that, as I thank all of you. And for my failings, my sins of both omission and commission, I ask your forgiveness.

As I have gone through life, I have come to see that it is not only the power of the preached word that counts, but the power of the word made flesh. "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" - and it is through the word made flesh, not simply preached, that God is revealed. I have seen that in the ordinary folk in each of my congregations. I would say that proclaiming the love of God through our own humanity is a calling from God to each one of us, and if that sounds like a weak and diluted Gospel, pause to think of this: that it is exactly what God Himself did. "God was in Christ - incarnate - reconciling the world to Himself", that is, proclaiming His love through the visible, tangible form of humanity. For us to follow in that path is a high and strenuous calling.

I have shared with my three congregations the following story, which reminds me of how strange the ways of God are. I received a little Gospel According to St Luke when I was a small boy in Causewayend Primary School, Aberdeen, which I cherish to this day. It was a prize I won in a drawing competition, and is inscribed with these words: "To Stephen Pacitti for sketch on 'Sow Thy Seed', Causewayend School, Aberdeen. January 1945" and it is signed by Rev Mackenzie Grieve, chaplain to the school. Now, Mackenzie Grieve left Aberdeen shortly after that, to come to a charge in south Lanarkshire, the charge of Culter. Who could have guessed at that time - not he, certainly not I - that the little boy who sat there in front of him drawing a picture of the Parable of the Sower would fifty years later follow him as minister to that very church in Culter. That makes me aware of the grace of God, and the planning and purpose of God; and because I have found it in my own life I hold out that hope for my own people. And it has given me very great satisfaction to know that, despite some moments of doubt, my three congregations can now look for someone to replace me, and I trust that in God's grace and God's time, they will find someone with greater energy and clearer vision to carry God's work forward among them.

In previous pastoral letters I have sometimes, at the year's end, offered a general word of thanks. It has usually had to be general because those on whom I have depended have been far too many to enumerate or name. If I repeat the words here, they are none the less sincere. And so I give my thanks to ALL of you who have made a contribution to the life of the church during my ministry (including those who have already gone to their rest, and whose well loved faces will long linger in my memory), whether in acting as an office bearer, in playing the organ, singing in the choir or conducting it, minding the children's Sunday Club, attending to the heating, carrying the Bible in, taking up the offering, providing or arranging flowers, distributing Life and Work, cleaning, tidying, repairing, decorating, cooking, baking, giving, reading, singing, organising, keeping accounts, attending worship - and a whole host of other things. For remembrances at Christmas, too, and at other seasons; for hospitality extended to Sylvia and myself; for every encouragement, every constructive criticism, and every kindness, as for your understanding and your forbearance, I give you my warmest thanks. May God richly reward you all!

Stephen Pacitti

CHURCH REGISTER

FUNERALS
Tuesday 20th May, 2003.
Mrs Agnes ('Aggs') Mack, 'Bridgend' ('The Smiddy') Dolphinton.

Wednesday 2nd July, 2003.
Mr Ewen Hamilton, 5, Westercrofts, Biggar..

Tuesday 22ndJuly, 2003.
Mr John Kinloch, Elsrickle Mains Farm, Elsrickle.

It's sad indeed to record the passing of five of our older members in the last six months: Tempie, (Margaret Templeton) and Tom Malone, (both mentioned in our last issue) and Aggs (Agnes Mack), Ewen Hamilton and John Kinloch. These were all of the old school, real characters cast in a very distinctive mould, who have left a lasting impression upon those who knew them. With their different talents and their individual personalities in the years of their strength they worked hard at their various occupations, and continued even in their later years to enrich the area which they loved - and in which they were held in such high affection. We thank God for them; they will be missed.
Service Arrangements During the Vacancy (Black Mount)

July - September, 2003. 9.30 a.m. October - December, 2003. 10.45 a.m.

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CHILDREN'S SUNDAY CLUB / CRECHE

It is hoped that this will be able to continue, and there will be a further announcement in the next issue of 'The Bugle'. Meantime our sincere thanks to Hazel Knight and Linda Harvey for the time, thought, and enthusiasm they have put into this. For more information please contact Hazel on (01899) 810 348

Interim Moderator: Rev Alison Meikle, Lanark - Tel. (01555) 662 600
Session Clerk: Mr Don Barrie - Tel. (01899) 221771
Treasurer: Mr Stephen Harvey - Tel. (01968) 682292
Organists: Mrs Alice Barrie - Tel. (01899) 221771
Mrs Margaret Leiper - Tel. (01555) 841400
Clerk to Congregational Board - Mrs Grace Allison - Tel. (01899) 220525

Other Local Christian Denominational Services

St Isadore’s Roman Catholic Church, Biggar:

Holy Mass Sunday 12 noon and weekdays (Tues-Fri) 9.30 am

St Mungo’s Scottish Episcopal Church, West Linton:

Sung Communion : Sunday 11.00 am; Said Communion : Wednesday 10.30 am

DOLPHINTON W.R.I.

The Annual Flower Show was held in Dolphinton Hall on Sat. 23rd Aug. There was a wonderful show of flowers, vegetables. baking, handcrafts, and childrens’ work.

Pot plants and outdoor containers made a particularly good display, and the childrens’ classes were very competitive. Special mention should be made of the Sunflowers which measured over 11ft tall.
Our MSP.Karen Gillon opened the show, and we enjoyed her company for most of the afternoon.

Principal prizewinners were;
Jimmy Dickson Cup for Flowers - winner Rob Dickson, runners-up ..Ian Kerry and Mr. Buchanan
WRI. Cup for Vegetables - winner A. Ritchie, runner-up..Jimmy Brown
Mrs. John MacKenzie Cup for Floral Art - winner..Betty Ross, runner-up..Ann Ross
WRI Cup for Industrial Section : winner Anne Hutchison, runner-up..Effie Dickson.
WRI Cup for Handcrafts: winner Ann Ross - runner-up Jean McCracken.
Marion Gilchrist Rosebowl for Children - winnerOliver Hoskins - runners-up Sophie Walpole, James Dickson and Joseph McLean
Ingraston Potato Technology Trophy. - Hamish Brown
Golden Spud award - Jordan Gray.

Special Prizes were awarded for the best item in each section:
Flowers..Betty Ross’s Fuschia
Vegetables..Araminta Ritchie’s Box of Vegetables.
Floral Art..Betty Ross’s Rainbow Arrangement.
Baking..Anne Hutchison’s Yeast Loaf.
Handcrafts..Jean McCracken’s Knitted Farmer.
Photographs..Alan Tarbert’s Heavens Above.
Children under 9..Joseph McLean’s Lego Model.
Children age 9-15..Oliver Hoskin’s Lego Model.

The first meeting of “The Rural” will be on Wed Sep 17th in Dolphinton Hall at 7.15p.m.
The National Chairman of S.W.R.I. Joyce MacRae will be our speaker, and we will also have guests from other Peeblesshire Rurals. Competitions are; Vase of Garden Flowers, and a Flower of the Month (A single flower from the garden or even a Wildflower)

We would like to extend a warm invitation to all ladies from Dolphinton to join us, to meet new neighbours or old friends, hear about the Organisation which is W.R.I., and enjoy a cup of tea and a bun!

If you are interested, please contact Anne Hutchison on 01968 682256.

BLACKMOUNT SPORTS 2003

Blackmount Sports were held at Newbigging on Tuesday 3rd June, having been postponed from Friday, the day of the storm in the area which washed away roads and flooded houses. All events were well contested, and the main results are :-

Agnes Allison Shield for Primary: Hamish Wallace. Runners up: Andrew Muir, Sarah Allison, and Joseph McLean.
Agnes Allison Shield for Secondary: Hazel Paterson. Runner up: John Kerr.
Toddlers:1st, Callum Wood, 2nd, Hazel McLean, 3rd, Coryn Tarbert.

BLACKMOUNT SOCIAL GROUP

A very enjoyable Sponsored walk was held on Sunday, 31st August, when 46 people walked from Roberton Mains, via Garvald Lodge, Belleview, Ferniehaugh, the Walton and back. Weather was just right, not too hot, not too cold, not too windy, the distance walked was approx. 7km. or 4.5 miles!
Our thanks go to all landowners who allowed us to walk through their fields, and to those who supplied and served a very welcome tea at the end of the walk.

We have raised well over £300, which will go towards the fireworks, the Xmas Dinner, and the Sports.
Next date for your diary is 5th November when we will hold the Bonfire and fireworks display at Dunsyre.

I am very keen to hear from anyone who would like to help at our events, and perhaps even become a member of the Social Group Committee

Anne Hutchison 01968 682256

NEWS FROM WALSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Pupils and staff at Walston Primary are back into the swing of things having enjoyed the warm weather over the summer. I have returned after completing nearly two years in the School Development Service in Council Offices. I am very pleased to be back and everyone has made me feel most welcome.
We also welcomed to Walston, Mrs Harper who has joined us to teach P5,6 and 7. 8 new primary one children are already very settled and seem happy in school. Our roll is presently 50 and a little reorganisation has been necessary to accommodate everyone.

Already our first outing has taken place with primaries 2 – 7 attending Biggar High to watch a Hopscotch production of “The Romans in Scotland”. This seemed to be enjoyed by all and was a good opportunity to see live theatre locally. Plans are well underway for Primaries 6 and 7 to join with others from the surrounding small schools to take part in a residential week at Castle Toward which is near Dunoon. This will be a very useful experience for all and will allow the young people to meet with others in the same age group, many of whom will move on to High School at the same time. We hope the weather continues to be mild for this event.

As always we are happy to hear from anyone with helpful comments or suggestions.

Please phone or email

01899 810234
headteacher@walston-pri.s-lanark.sch.uk

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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 9.30am until 11.30am. If you want to come and see what sorts of things we do, come along one Wednesday morning. If your child will be 2½ during the next session (from August 2003), and you would like to register them, please telephone Amanda McLean at the number below, or call in on a Wednesday morning..
The children have started back now after the summer break. Four children from Pre-5’s went up to Walston Primary School, and we wish them all the best. The themes for this term will be colours, shapes and numbers.
The Pre 5 Group inspection report has been received and has a number of positive comments about the group, particularly the links with the community and the school.. The inspection was made against the new Care Commission standards. Some of the recommendations made at the inspection related to the safety of the children and most of these have now been addressed.
We will continue to collect Persil tokens for Art Materials, as they are going to continue the campaign into next year. Please save your tokens for us, and hand in via a parent or the school. Thanks.
If you want to contact the playgroup, please call either
Sheena Dickson 01968 682279 (Playgroup Leader) or
Amanda McLean 01968 682345 (Committee Chair

COUNCILLOR TOM McALPINES WARD NEWS

Biggar Youth Project

The results of the survey by Blackmount Community Council showed that most young people in our villages felt that there was no provision for them. When Biggar Youth Project was in action previously in the Market building, there were arrangements made for buses for young people in outlying areas. However when the Market area was redeveloped, the youth club building had to be demolished and without permanent premises only limited activity continued.

The good news is that the old auction ring was gifted by the developer to the Youth Project about a year ago and they have been busy raising money to refurbish the building. For those of you who remember the building as the place where the auctions were held, you will be amazed at the transformation of the interior. With volunteer labour and the assistance of craftsmen from many local contractors in the area, the building has been fully renovated with kitchen, toilets, areas for study and computer use, rooms for consultation and a large area for games. It is hoped that the building, now accessed via the Clydesdale Close or South Back Road, will be completed in September.
The other good news is that South Lanarkshire Council’s youth work committee, the ‘Corporate Connections Board’, of which I am a member will, I hope, be assisting with the provision of buses to enable the young people in the rural villages to come to the club. When it opens, I am sure many of you will wish to drop in and see the completed project.

Road Repairs

One road project that is coming soon is the part refurbishment of Greenshields Road. This was badly affected when heavy lorry traffic had to be diverted because of the closure of the Biggar/Carnwath road. Road widening and strengthening from the A721(Newbigging to Elsrickle) over the bridge will commence in late August and a section further up the road will also be dealt with this year. It may be, however, that the restricted road budget will mean that the completion of the whole road will have to be phased over several years.

ELSRICKLE WRI

The Rural held a successful Flower and Vegetable Show on Saturday 30th August. Mr Don Barrie opened the Show.

The main Prize winners were:

Most Outstanding Exhibit Section 1: Aidan Hetherington Onions
Most Outstanding Exhibit Section 2: Joan Stephenson Herbaceous
Most Outstanding Exhibit Section 3-4: Helen Orr Sultana cake
Most Outstanding Exhibit Section 5-6: Ann Watson Embroidered picture
Most Outstanding Exhibit Childrens Section:Euan Orr Paper flower
Trophy for the most points in Childrens Section: Cameron Orr
Rose bowl most points in Section1-2: Alistair Kinloch
Basket most points in Sections 3,4,5&6: Ann Leiper
Margaret Leiper Trophy for Baking Section: Ann Leiper

The opening meeting is on the 10th September, when we are having a baking demonstration by Gibsons Bakers of Biggar.

The Rural & friends are away on a trip to Aberdeen from 23rd-25th of September, going via the Forth Road Bridge to the Butterchurn, Kelty, for coffee, then on to Carnoustie then Aberdeen. The next day is a tour of the area and visit to Baxters factory and visitor centre. Thursday morning is shopping in Union Street and then home via Stirling where we will have High Tea. At our next meeting on the 8th October, there will be a talk on the work of Paramedics.

Margaret Leiper

Duck Race 11th July Dunsyre

This raised the sum of £1,100, thanks to all who attended and assisted.

DOLPHINTON HALL

The summer is drawing to a close and autumn is looming. At this time of year it’s good to have something to look forward to......

Recently we’ve offered a new dance class in Dolphinton Hall every Autumn.
We’ve had line dancing, salsa and tango (TANGO continues every Saturday
5.0 - 6.30 - £4.50 per class; do join us if you'd like to - no experience necessary).

This year we thought we’d try EGYPTIAN BELLY DANCING.

Belly Dancing, or Oriental Dancing, is an ancient form of folk dance, that not only women, but men and children would participate in at joyous occasions, such as weddings, the birth of a child, community festivals and other events that brought people together to party. With the rise of Islam, people began to live in segregated households, and when festive occasions occurred, the women would celebrate with other women. Whenever groups of women would get together they might take turns getting up and dancing together for each other. This was one way that the mothers of marriageable young men could get to know the eligible young women of the community!

Belly dancing is primarily fun, but also a very good form of exercise, particularly for women. The other plus point is that it is one of the rare occasions on which having a belly is an advantage!

Before I engage a teacher, I would like to know if there would be support from local women for such a class. I had thought that initially we might have an afternoon or evening introductory session and then arrange for a continuing class, beginning with six sessions. Because the teacher will almost certainly have to travel from Edinburgh, I would like to be certain of numbers before booking.

So, if you feel you would enjoy participating in such a class or would like more information, please phone me on 01968 682203. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Not all of you may know that the Village Hall in Dolphinton is available for the public to book at very reasonable rates. It is an ideal venue for children’s parties, and adult parties for that matter, sporting activities or special interest groups.

It is frequently free during the daytime, and at weekends, so if you would like information on availability, prices etc. please call me on 01968 682203, or Sheena Dickson on 01968 682279.

Pam Taylor

BEATING THE RETREAT

Dolphinton 28th June

For the second year running the West Linton Pipe Band held a fund raising Reception and Beating of Retreat at the home of Brigadier and Mrs Charles Ritchie. Unlike 2002 when those who attended had to produce umbrellas to protect themselves from wind and rain, this year’s event was held on a glorious sunny evening. The sun even burned off the midgies.

Over a hundred people enjoyed a reception before the Pipe Band marched on to perform a wonderful varied program. The band was particularly honoured by the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Mr Gilbert Cox and his wife Marjory. At the conclusion of the program, Pipe major Douglas Mackenzie sought permission of the Lord Lieutenant to march off the band. To loud applause the Band marched off with the Lord Lieutenant taking the salute.

Thanks to generous raffle prizes, that included a case of Claret kindly donated by Inverarity Wines of Symington, the raffle raised over £320. With the generosity of those attending and hugely appreciated donations from people who were unable to attend, the event raised a record £1,516.
What a challenge to beat for what is now going to become an annual event.

The "Qualified Complementary Practitioners Directory" (In the Borders) is now available. This is a non-profit making guide which has been produced by the Borders Integrated Health Care Group. Free copies are available from Lesley Kerr, Dolphinton - Tel : 01968 682331.

Dates for Your Diary 2003

Mondays (except School Holidays) - Black Mount Luncheon Club - Elsrickle Hall - 12 noon
Alternate Wednesdays - Black Mount Church Coffee Morning - Church Hall, Dolphinton - 10.30 am
Monday 6th October - Community Council Meeting - Village Hall, Elsrickle - 7.30 pm
23rd-25th September - Elsrickle WRI - Trip to Aberdeen
Wednesday 5th November - Fireworks Evening - Dunsyre Village Hall - 7.00pm
Monday 3rd November - Community Council Meeting - Village Hall, Elsrickle - 7.30 pm
5th or 12th December - Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner - Village Hall, Elsrickle

Please send all articles, dates, reports, news and advertisements to:-
Ian Kerry, The Beehive, Dolphinton, EH46 7HH.

Tel : 01968 682239 - Email : Ian.Kerry@tiscali.co.uk

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