| BLACK MOUNT BUGLE |
|
| Number 64 |
December 2004 |
BLACK MOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Summary of Chairperson’s Report for year 2003-2004
Office Bearers and Membership Details:
Joan Highton Chairperson
(elected)
Tim McLean Secretary (elected)
Ian Kerry Treasurer (elected)
Anne Hutchison (elected)
Shelagh Atkinson - nominated
Don Barrie - nominated
Joan Stephenson - nominated
John Hinks - co-opted
Cllr Tom McAlpine - ex-officio member
Meetings:
AGM November 2003 Elsrickle Village Hall
Number of Ordinary Meetings:
10
Number of inquorate Ordinary Meetings: 0
Meetings were held in Elsrickle Village Hall and Newbigging Village Hall
Meetings took place on the
first Monday in the month, except in January
and July. In May the meeting was held on the second Monday due to a
Public Holiday. All meetings were held in public.
Minutes of the meetings are
placed, after approval, in Elsrickle and
Dolphinton Village Halls, Elsrickle PO and the Nestlers Hotel in
Newbigging.
Social Group:
Fireworks
Senior Citizen’s Christmas Dinner
Sports Evening
Sponsored Walk
Summer flower planters outside the village halls in Elsrickle,
Dolphinton & Newbigging.
Chairperson’s Remarks:
I would like to thank everyone on the Black Mount Community
Council for all their hard work throughout the year, which was much
appreciated. The Community Council would not have been able to
achieve so much without the full support of its members. I would
particularly like to thank Mr. Don Barrie, who stepped down in October,
for his valuable contribution to the work of the Black Mount Community
Council over the years. As always, we are grateful to Cllr Tom McAlpine
for his advice, guidance and patience, and all members of the public who
have attended our meetings and given us support in our work for their
community.
LOCAL PLANNING CONFERENCE
Following my comments last month about the local plan being prepared
for our
area, a conference was held in the Gillespie Centre which over 80 people attended
After the introductory speeches, we broke up into working groups on housing,
economic development, social and recreational services, environment and
transport. The reports from these groups will be presented in January. Blackmount
Community Council Chair person, Joan Highton is leader of the group on services
and I am sure that if there are any points you wish to make on that topic or
any of the
others, Joan will pass it on.
NEW ELECTORAL SYSTEM
There will be big changes in local elections next time because of the
introduction of a new electoral system. The Single Transferable Vote requires
multi-member wards.
The purpose of this is to try to get greater proportionality. For local election
purposes in our area, the wards of Biggar/Syminton/Blackmount will merge with
Carstairs/Carnwath and Duneaton/Carmichael
and electors will choose three
councillors voting for their first, second and third preferences. We will need
a
lot of educational work to help people understand the new system.
Councillor Tom McAlpine
Councillor Tom McAlpine’s Surgeries
Newbigging Village Hall 5.30 – 6.00 pm 1st Monday of each month
Dolphinton Village Hall 6.15 – 6.45 pm 1st Monday of each month
Elsrickle Village Hall 7.00 – 7.30 pm 1st Monday of each month
Gillespie Centre, Biggar 10.30-11.20 am 1st & 3rd Friday of each month
Gillespie Centre, Biggar 5.00 – 5.30 pm 2nd & 4th Friday of each month
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
Not long til Christmas, but
what’s it all about? You’ll not be surprised to learn
that there are many distorted ideas about Christmas. So what’s Christmas
really about?
I read this in a book somewhere. It was written by that famous person: ‘Anon’.
“Here is a man who was born of Jewish parents in an obscure village,
the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village.
He worked in a carpenter’s shop until he was thirty, and then, for
three years, was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book, he never
held an office, he never owned a home. He never had a family. He never
went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never travelled
two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He never did one of
these things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials
but himself. He had nothing to do with this world, except the naked power
of his manhood. While still a young man the tide of popular opinion turned
against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied him. He was turned
over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross, between two thieves. His executioners gambled for
The only piece of property he had on earth, while he was dying – and that
was
his coat. When he was dead he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave,
through the pity of a friend. Twenty wide centuries have come and gone, and
Today he is the centre-piece of the human race and the leader of the column
of
progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever
marched, and all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments
that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected
the life of man upon earth as powerfully as has that solitary life.”
Please accept my thanks for your support during this year.
Have a very Happy Christmas and Joyful New Year.
Jim Cutler
(Minister at Black Mount, Culter, Libberton & Quothquan)
t. 01899 220625 e. jim.cutler1@virgin.net
Session Clerk: Mr Don Barrie - 01899 2217711
Treasurer: Mr Stephen Harvey - 01968 682292
Organists: Mrs Alice Barrie - 01899 221771
Mrs Margaret Leiper - 01555 841400
Clerk to the Congregational Board: Mrs Grace Allison - 01899 220525
Service Times: 12.00 noon.
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 9.15 am, Said Communion Wednesday 10.30 am
WALSTON PRE-5 GROUP
The Walston Pre-5 Group meet at Walston Primary School on a Wednesday morning, for children from two and a half years up to school age. Each session runs from 9.15 am until 11.30 am. We would welcome interested parents with children of this age to come and see us and if your child will be 2 1/2 at the next session (from January 2005) and you would like to register them, please telephone Vanessa Starling at the number below or call in on a Wednesday morning.
The children have had a busy time since August and they started off by covering a story about Tom’s Rainbow Walk. They made lovely t-shirts for display which emphasised all the colours of the rainbow and a colourful display was created. The children are currently focusing on the top of ‘themselves’, which has involved many small hands being cut out and painted for display and further discussions on their bodies.
We are still collecting the Persil tokens and will be all year. Please
can we request you save your tokens which will help us to acquire
more Art and Craft materials – the group manages to use a great deal of
these useful and fun materials. Please 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
Vanessa Starling 01899 229229 (Committee Chair)
DOLPHINTON WRI
The first meeting of this session was held on September 15th in Dolphinton Hall, when Paul du Buf introduced us to his type of meditation. This was a very interesting experience and had the members “thinking outside the box”. Paul was employed at Castlecraig, but has now moved on to pastures new in London.
On October 20th, we had a very interesting insight into the portfolio of photographs from Niall Robertson who is one of the photographers for “The Scottish Farmer”. Neeps in a field have never looked so good!
The Whist Drive was held on October 27th, when we had 10 tables of enthusiastic players. The profits from this event are used to provide the Christmas Party for all the children in the Dolphinton area.
“One-Pot Cookery” was the theme for our November meeting when Anne Baxter demonstrated very quick and easy dishes, which we all tasted and vowed to try at home.
The Children’s Christmas Party will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 18th December at 2.0 pm. Invitations wil be sent out during the first week in December and if you know of any new children in the vilage who are at primary school or younger, please let Kirsty (01968 682249) or Anne (01968 682256) know. We look forward to seeing you all there, and maybe even Santa as well!
In 2005, we have arranged a talk on the Royal Highland Education Trust, Local Birdlife, Beadwork and an open Games Night. All ladies of the district are very welcome to come along on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.15 pm..
A copy of the Flower Show schedule for August 2005 is enclosed with the Bugles for Dolphinton. Please keep it, and get busy on your entries. Anyone outwith Dolphinton who wishes a copy can contact Anne (01968 682256) who will provide!
Reminder….. would all Cup winners from 2004 please hand cups
to
Jean McCracken for engraving.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
After many years of diligent service to our village as P.C. for Neighbourhood Watch responsibilities, P.C. Sandy McGilvary has been transferred to the Area office in Lanark. I am sure you will all join me in thanking Sandy for his loyal service to the Community over that period and wish him well with his new responsibilties. As a replacement, we are now to be looked after by P.C. Fiona Allen; I have every confidence that we will be equally well cared for and that our interests will be in a safe pair of hands.
In the previous edition of the Bugle, there was an extensive report on “Community Safety Partnership” initiative. I can now report that I have a copy of this initiative and if any one wishes to read this detailed document, it is available on loan from myself. I will of course keep the Community updated through these bulletins as the initiatives are “rolled out” through the area.
Remember the long dark nights are rapidly engulfing us for another
season of cold and misery. Don’t add to the trials of winter by being
negligent on keeping your property secure and well lit thus making opportunist
theft and acts of vandalism more difficult for the “anti-social”
elements that plague our otherwise peaceful community.
David J. Taylor
Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
ELSRICKLE WRI
A successful flower show was held in August. Mrs D. Ramsay opened the Show.
At our September meeting Miss Jennifer Tweedie gave an excellent talk and demonstration
of Indian Head Massage. Ann Barrie kindly agreed to be a volunteer.
From the 21 – 24th September 42 members and friends enjoyed a trip to
Lytham St. Anne’s. We had a tour of Blackpool, the illuminations, a boat
cruise with lunch and bingo, and a trip to Botany Bay.
Our October meeting featured a Cookery Demonstration with savoury dishes, and
we all enjoyed them for tea. At the November meeting Sara Craigie from “Mary’s
Patch” at Fenton Barns showed everyone how to make patchwork flowers for
boxes etc. she also had a collection of items to buy.
BLACKMOUNT SOCIAL GROUP
Remember, remember the fifth of November
Despite the rain, a good night was had by all. The fireworks display was breathtaking, as ever, the bonfire blazed away merrily and the wind didn’t blow the smoke in our eyes this time, and the fluorescent necklaces glowed all night.
Our thanks go to the Kerrs who built the bonfire, Lance Armstrong who gave us
the use of the old railway, and put up the outside light, Mr and Mrs. MacDonald
Lockhart for the use of Dunsyre Hall, Brian and Gary, our pyrotechnic experts,
and all who helped serve the food.
Next event on the calendar is the Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner on Friday
10th December at 7.00pm, in Elsrickle Hall. Invitations have been delivered,
but if you (or your other half) have reached the magic 60th birthday and would
like to join us, please let Anne know on 01968 682256.
DOLPHINTON VILLAGE HALL
As the year draws to a close we can look back to a busy time at the hall and
forward
To even more activities to add to our diaries.
The Hall Diary is as follows:
Mondays Pilates 9.30 – 10.30am
Belly Dancing 6.30 – 7.30 - Beginners
7.30 - 8.30 - Intermediate
Councillor’s Surgery 6.15-6.45 lst Monday of each month
Tuesdays Yoga 6.15 – 7.15 - Beginners
7.30 – 9.00 - Intermediate
Wednesdays Pilates 6.15 – 9.30
WRI 7.15 – 10.0 3rd Monday of each month
Thursdays Pilates 9.30 – 10.30am
Carpet Bowls 7.00 – 10.00
Fridays Tango 5.30 – 7.0 Beginners & Intermediate
If you are interested in joining any of the above groups contacts are as follows:
Pilates: Keeley Craigie - 01721 729301
Belly Dancing - Pam Taylor 01968 682203
Angela Morton - 01721 752766
Yoga - Julie Anderson 01968 661204
WRI - Anne Hutcheson 01968 682256
Carpet Bowls - Anne Ross 01968 682227
Tango - Peter Nicholls 01968 682381
In addition to the above, we hope that an Irish Dancing Class will start in the New Year and Spanish Classes (see page 5 for contact details for both these classes).
The Hall is available to let to all members of the community at very reasonable rates and if you are interested in finding out more, phone Pam Taylor on 01968 682203.
BONFIRE NIGHT AT DUNSYRE
Who puts polystyrene packing chips, plastic sacks and rubber gloves
on the bonfire? If they burn they pollute the air – if they don’t,
they
are scattered about the field.
Any volunteers for a clear up? Sue Swan 01899 810331
DUNSYRE CHURCH
Acting on behalf of the Community, a few of us contacted the Church
of Scotland with our proposals regarding the sale of Dunsyre Church.
Our intentions were to buy the church, setting up a Trust Fund in
order that we could maintain it for our use as a Community Hall,
thereby securing the church so we might continue to enjoy this
beautiful building.
We had hoped to use the church to host events, children’s parties,
book groups etc. and to keep it open for visitors to see the
covenanter’s gravestone and to use it for peaceful meditation, as
happens at present.
Unfortunately our offer was not accepted but we would like to
thank Sue and Richard Swan for their help and encouragement
and Graham Knowkes for all his input.
Karel McCoy
Dates for Your Diary 2004:
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
December 6th - Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Hall - 7.30 pm
December 8th - Elsrickle WRI - Xmas Floral Decorations - Elsrickle Hall - 7.30
pm
December 10th - Senior Citizens Xmas Dinner - Elsrickle Hall - 7.00 pm
December 18th - Children’s Xmas Party - Dolphinton Hall - 2.00 pm
January 12th - Elsrickle WRI – Scarf Folding, Plus Beetle Drive - Elsrickle
Hall - 1.30 pm
January 19th - Dolphinton WRI – Royal Highland Education Trust - Dolphinton
Hall - 7.15 pm
January 29th - Dolphinton WRI Bowling Tournament - Dolphinton Hall - 12 noon
February 7th - Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Hall - 7.30 pm
February 9th - Elsrickle WRI – Visit to Moat Museum - Elsrickle Hall -
7.30 pm
February 16th - Dolphinton WRI – Birdlife - Dolphinton Hall - 7.15 pm
March 7th - Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Hall - 7.30 pm
March 9th - Dolphinton WRI – Open Fun Night - Dolphinton Hall - 7.15 pm
Ian Kerry has decided to pass on the production of the Bugle after a long stint
and we would like to thank him for all his hard work. Pam Taylor is taking over
this task so, as the next Bugle is due to be produced in March, news, views,
articles, dates, and advertisements to be included, should reach her by the
end of February. Would you like to see any changes/additions to the Bugle –
e.g. a Children’s Page, creative writing, more advertisements etc? If
so, please also let her know.
Contributions should be sent to:
Pam Taylor, Meadowhead, Dolphinton, West Linton, EH46 7AB
Tel: 01968 682203, e-mail: pameadow@onetel.com.
The Blackmount Bugle is published by the Black Mount Community Council, however views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the Community Council.