BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

The Community Council are pleased that Scottish and Southern Energy granted our request that they consult the people of Black Mount about the proposed wind farm at Harrows Law. The exhibition in Elsrickle Hall was very informative and the Scottish and Southern Energy representatives seemed to be pleased by the turn out of local people.

The Draft local plan has been amended slightly from the original one published last summer. The changes only affect the settlement of Dolphinton. The Community Council placed its copy of the amendments in Elsrickle Hall after our meeting at the beginning of the month so that anyone interested in this can view it without travelling to Lanark.

We were very saddened in February by the sudden deaths of firstly Bernard Grice, Secretary to the Community Council and then Councillor Tom McAlpine. An appreciation of their contributions to our community is included in this edition of the Bugle.

Joan Highton, Chairperson.

Community Council Members

Joan Highton - Chairperson - 01899 810378 joanhighton@tiscali.co.uk
Ian Kerry - Treasurer - 01968 682239 iankerry@tiscali.co.uk
Craig Allardice - Secretary - 01968 682349 craig@merklands.com
Anne Hutchison - 01968 682256 anne@robertonmains.freeserve.co.uk
Joan Stephenson - 01899 810272

TOM McALPINE - AN APPRECIATION

When the ward boundary changes connected Black Mount to Biggar and Symington, Tom became our local councillor on South Lanarkshire Council. It was soon very evident that Tom would become very involved in the lives of people in Black Mount. He attended nearly every Community Council meeting and was keen not only to advise but to help out and to take any requests and concerns back to the Council.

He took full part in the social life of our community, attending the children's sports, carol singing with the church, enjoying the fireworks, organising poppy wreaths and appreciating the local cuisine at the senior citizen's christmas dinner. It didn't matter what the weather was like, Tom would be there in his sandals and scarf chatting and just glad to be there.

Tom was not one to stand and watch. His enthusiasm and vision for people and the local area were infectious. He encouraged everyone to pursue their goals and always had some new idea or initiative to be carried out. He was an inspiration to many who became carried along by his good humour and patience. He gave so much without expecting any thanks in this life that we hope he is now reaping his well deserved rewards in heaven.

BERNARD GRICE - AN APPRECIATION

Bernard and Margaret Grice came to live in their new house at Crawknowe 10 years ago, and without fuss became valuable members of our community.

Bernard became part of the dog walking "club" at Newbigging in the woods out at Fir Park, regularly walking his "best friends" for an hour twice a day. He joined in several of our Sponsored Walks to help raise money for local events, which he also supported in his own way. He was chief carrot cooker (with a little help from his wife) for the last few Christmas dinners, he helped to set up the Sports field and organised the welly throwing, he assisted with the pyrotechnics on Bonfire night. He became a member of the Community Council and in November took on the job of Secretary. Bernard was a Structural Engineer and took a special interest in the proposed Wind Farm at Harrow's Law.

Bernard and Margaret came from Manchester up to Scotland (against all advice from their families), first to Penicuik, then West Linton before supposedly retiring to Crawknowe, but he was still working three days a week and flying down to Birmingham once a fortnight as a consultant on a project for the Weir Group.

Bernard's sense of fun, his generosity and his friendship will be greatly missed, and our sympathy goes to Margaret and her family.

COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS NEEDED

Black Mount Community Council is seeking additional members, either individuals who are willing to be co-opted or representatives of local groups.

The duties are not onerous and involve attending the monthly meetings held on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 pm in Elsrickle Hall. We are the first tier of government and communicate with South Lanarkshire Council and other public bodies on behalf of the residents of this area so it is important for the Community Council to have as wide a membership as possible. Please contact one of our members (listed above) if you would like to learn more.

BLACK MOUNT SOCIAL GROUP

Next event on our calendar is the Sports Night which will be held at Newbigging on Friday 26th May. There are events for all age groups and abilities!

THE MINISTER WRITES;
Psalm 23; St. John 1:1-5

High on my TV viewing list used to be the programme M*A*S*H*. It's on Satellite Television and it's full title is something like Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. It was a very long running series, based on the work of a US Army Field Hospital situated just behind the front line of the war in Korea. Somehow, and in a quite brilliant way, it combined the violence of war, with real comedy. It took you from side-splitting laughter to tragedy and back again in seconds, without ever being 'sick' in idea.

There was a very poignant moment in one episode. Through an innocent remark in a child's letter, one of the leading doctors was brought face to face with the fact that his life-saving work could be interpreted as repairing wounded fighting men, only to send them back to war again - to send them back to fight and kill again, or be killed. And up until that point he'd seen his work as life-giving - remedying, rather than adding to destruction. He was really so very close to despair, until his friend broke through the bleakness to say that "...the answer is to look for the good wherever you can find it".

Strange, but my mind linked this with our going a long time ago to an "Indian" restaurant in Dunoon. Actually, it was run by Bangladeshi Muslims, and Annis and I always thoroughly enjoyed our visits there. Once, we were talking with the owner about a political crisis which had led to another Middle East War. He said, with real feeling that he found it very difficult to believe in God in the face of all the evil and downright badness that he saw in the world of today. It's a problem that many folks have, and one answer to it, is to point to the miracle of so much goodness in the world - the goodness we all experience in so many ways - goodness which, in fact, would be impossible without God.

It's the survival of love in a suffering world which points positively to the fact of God, not the presence of evil which denies Him. Wherever we are, there is good to be found. (Of course there is. You may have to look for it sometimes, but it's there.). So often though we seem to be conditioned to look for the bad. Its image is repeatedly registered on photographic plate of experience and all too frequently it's enlarged out of all proportion to reality. Yes, there are the disasters that happen almost every day, it seems. Evil is so very real, but so is goodness. And we're promised a time - a time when goodness will prevail.

Until then, we do have outbursts of love all around us, including the sun-glow of light which shone from the tomb on that first Easter Day. It burns warmly through the cold musts of pain and unbelief. It answers the doubts - doubts which I'm sure we all have - it answers the doubts, not by closely defined statements of faith, but by the almost random flowerings of love in the most unexpected places. I say unexpected. But why should we say unexpected? Maybe if we expected them more, we'd find them more often. For one thing, we'd find them in our com-panions, in our neighbours, and in the folks with whom we worship, just for example.

The Psalmist knew all about the shadow of death, and about his enemies. But he also looked for goodness and mercy, and he really expected that these were the things that would follow him around all the days of his life. So the 23rd Psalm is a very favourite Psalm.

I used to ask folks why they liked the 23rd Psalm so much. Why is it the favourite Psalm of so many? Was it because we can sing it and to tunes that we enjoy? Most ask for the tune 'Crimond', but even about 80 years ago 'Crimond' was a new tune that was frowned upon. Up until Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, had it at her wedding.

Perhaps though, was it because it's so short? Or was it really because of the words? I think probably yes - it's the words more than anything else. It's a Psalm that reminds us that there is good in this world and it really is worthwhile looking for it and recognising it when we find it. So here's a Psalm in which we really should rejoice.

Jim Cutler (Your Minister and Friend)

There is a joint service of our three congregations to take place at Culter Parish Church at 10.45 am on 2nd April. The Black Mount service will be at 12.00 noon after 2nd April.

Other Church Services

St Isidore’s Roman Catholic Church, Biggar
Holy Mass, Sunday 12 noon and weekdays 9.30 am

St Mungo’s Scottish Episcopal Church, West Linton
Sung Communion, Sunday 10.00 am, Said Communion, Wednesday 10.30 a.m.

WALSTON PRE-5 GROUP

The Walston pre-5 group meet at Walston Primary School on a Wednesday morning, for children from 2 1/2 years up to school age. Each session runs from 9.15 am until 11.30 am. We would welcome children of this age to come and join our group and if you would like to register them, please telephone Teresa or Ross Barber at the number below or call in on a Wednesday morning.

We would like to say a big thank you to South Lanarkshire Council for awarding us £350 to take the children on a trip to Edinburgh Zoo in the summer.

We have welcomed a number of new children to the playgroup which has swelled the numbers to almost capacity, most of whom have young siblings which is great news for the future of the group.

TERM DATES: Next term runs from Wed 19th April - Wed 21st June

AGM - Thursday 1st June 8 pm at Keir Lodge, Dolphinton

If you want to contact the playgroup, please call either

* Donna Gray 01899 221881 (Playgroup Leader) or
* Teresa or Ross Barber 01968 682650 (Committee Co-chair)

NEWS FROM WALSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

During December, a very successful Christmas Fayre took place in Elsrickle Hall. This was a joint venture organised by the Parents and Friends Group and the school. Pupils had worked very hard to produce items for sale, helped by a number of parents. The event itself was extremely well supported and attracted a number of people from the community, as well as parents and relations. Almost £1,000.00 was added to our school funds and I would like to thank the whole community for making this such a success.

In January the pupils in the Enterprise Group invited residents from the Greenhills Care Home to join them for a Scots afternoon. The children recited Scottish poems, sang songs and played various instruments. The afternoon finished off with everyone enjoying some Scottish food - irn bru, oatcakes and shortbread.

During February our hall was unable to be used for a week while we had a new ceiling installed. We also had shelving built which has made a great difference to our storage space.

It is hard to believe we are into March already and beginning to prepare for another Easter service. The end of term event this year will take the form of a Daffodil Tea - children are busily preparing for this and more details will follow nearer the time.

Please remember we welcome visitors to Walston Primary and should you ever wish to see us all at work, please call to make an appointment.

Loraine Kinghorn
Head Teacher

ELSRICKLE WRI

In January, Mrs Wilkinson gave us a very interesting illustrated talk based on her recent visit to China. She showed us slides and filled us in on some of that country's recent history.

Mr Jan Haenraets visited us on February 8th to tell us about National Trust Gardens in Scotland.

We held our annual bowling tournament on February 25th and Brahead lst team were placed first and Braehead 2nd team second - a clean sweep!

On March 2nd, we had a successful outing to the Lanarkshire Federation Show, where we were placed lst in the Auldhouse Trophy, and 3rd in the Silver Salver.

The Carluke Players gave a wonderful performance of the Steamie on March 2nd at our charity evening. We raised £200.00 for Rachel House, a Children's Hospice.

Our last meeting of the season will be on 12th April, when we will also hold our AGM. The theme of the evening is 'Taste & Try'.

There are still spaces available on the Trip to Perth in May. Please contact Ann Moffat on 01899 2207984 if you are interested in joining us.

Ann Moffat

DOLPHINTON WRI

December 18th

A Children's Christmas Party was held for all the children in the area.

January 18th

Margaret Adamson came along and gave us a very good demonstration in Bread Making.

January 28th

We had a very successful Bowling Tournament and the winners were a rink from Carmichael - Kirkurd were runners-up.

February 15th

Gillian Slater gave us a very interesting demonstration in Sugar Craft.

February 25th

We hosted the Federation Bowling Tournament with 10 rinks with Manor and Dolphinton going on to the finals at Broughton on 25th March.

March 8th

We had a fun night and open evening with several activities, including dominoes, whist, table tennis and carpet bowling.

Flower Show

Although the Flower Show is not until 19th August, for those wishing to make an early start on their entries, schedules are available - phone Jo on 682398 or Ellen on 682303.

Jean Campbell

DOLPHINTON VILLAGE HALL

The winter season is drawing to an end, and with it the WRI meetings and Carpet Bowling will cease. Tango is taking a break until late April, and Spanish has come to an end as the teacher has moved away.

However, the hall has been very busy with several very bouncy children's parties, bowling tournaments and the circus workshop (see below), all of which have been successful.

The Hall is there for the community to use, so if you wish to fill some of the gaps in the schedule over the spring/summer period, just call Pam on 01968 682203. I will attempt to find tutors, instructors, equipment or whatever is required if someone has an interest they wish to pursue in the hall.

Here are the contact names and numbers for continuing groups:

PILATES * - Keeley Craigie 01721 752746
YOGA - Julie Anderson 01968 661204
WRI - Ellen Armstrong 01968 682303
BOWLING - Ann Ross 01968 682227
TANGO - Peter Nicholls 01899 860380

* N.B. After Easter, there will be a Saturday morning Pilates Class. Please phone Keeley to find out more about it.

THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN.......

One Sunday not long ago some of the Dolphinton children went to the village hall to do circus skills with Michael Angelo. We learned to do the diablo and to balance peacock feathers on different parts of the body. We learned to juggle, stilt walk and master the poys. We all had a go on pedal-goes. I was good at them. Three boys brought their own diablos with them and were doing tricks. The pedal-goes were harder than they looked. Everyone had a great time and I hope Michael will come again to help us improve our skills.

Alice McGrath, 10 years old.

WIND FARMS

Following the recent exhibition by Scottish & Southern Energy about the Harrow's Law wind farm proposal, anyone interested in reading more fully about such developments may wish to view material available at: http://www.auchencorth.org.uk/

There are links to articles relating to Government policy, costs and environmental impact as well as an on-line form to object to the Auchencorth wind farm. Many of the negative aspects can be considered at:

http://www.auchencorth.org.uk/documents/Windfarms_A_Reality_Check.pdf

Members of the Black Mount community with specific views about the Harrow's Law proposal may wish to make these known to members of the Community Council.

Craig Allardice
Secretary
Black Mount Community Council

THANK YOU........

Arthur wishes to thank all friends for their many good wishes and cards given to him on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

Hope to see you all when the weather is warmer.

Betty Smith

Dates for your diary

Mondays except school holidays - Black Mount Luncheon Club - ElsrickleVillage Hall - 12 noon
Alternate Wednesdays - Black Mount Church Coffee Morning - Church Hall, Dolphinton - 10.30 am
April 10th - Black Mount Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30 pm
April 12 - Elsrickle WRI - Taste & Try - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30 pm
April 19 - Dolphinton WRI - Flower Baskets - Dolphinton Village Hall - 7.30 pm
May 8th - Black Mount Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30 pm
May 26th - Black Mount Community Sports - Newbigging - 6.30 pm
June 5th - Black Mount Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30 pm

Last Date for Contributions to the next BUGLE is: May 31st 2006

Please send your articles, dates, reports, news and advertisements to

Pam Taylor, Meadowhead, Dolphinton, West Linton, EH46 7AB
Tel: 01968 682203 e.mail: pamela.taylor@onetel.net