BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

Black Mount Community Council wish to congratulate Cllr Hamish Stewart in winning the recent by election. We met Hamish briefly at our meeting at the beginning of June, and are looking forward to working with him in the future to secure the services which the Black Mount area needs from South Lanarkshire Council.

We also wish to thank Loraine Kinghorn, retiring Head Teacher of Walston Primary School, for the care and commitment she has given to our young people over a significant number of years. She has professionally managed the school to the benefit of our children. Her working relationships with pupils, staff and parents have made for a very effective learning community. One always receives a good welcome when visiting Walston Primary. We wish you well Loraine, in your well earned and deserved retirement.

Our Social Group held a successful, if chilly, Sports' Evening on Friday 26th May. We thank them for their hard work in organising this event. They are now planning their next social gathering, which is the Annual Sponsored Walk to raise funds to support their activities for the community. This will be held on Sunday 3rd September.

The Community Council business continues and we are eagerly awaiting the finalised draft of the new local plan. We had hoped to see this by May, but are told it will now be published in August. We will be able to give you more information once we have a copy. The Community Council welcomes members of the public at their meetings, the dates of which are published on the back page.

A final thank you goes to Pam Taylor who has produced the Bugle for some time. We are grateful for the work she has done to help us.

Joan Highton, Chairperson

Councillor Hamish Stewart

The editor of the Bugle has asked me to write a small article following my election to replace the late Tom McAlpine as councillor for Black Mount. I was very gratified and humbled by the size of the victory on election day and, in a way, put under more pressure because so many people obviously felt that I was the best person to replace Tom.

I cannot guarantee that I will achieve wholesale improvements to roads, for example, but I can guarantee that I will be shouting to get these improvements made, and have in fact already had a meeting with the head of the roads department that was specifically to discuss Black Mount roads - and have had a follow up call from him clarifying a few points - so here's hoping.

I have already started holding surgeries and they will continue on the first Monday of each month as follows:
Newbigging Hall 5.30 - 6.00 pm
Dolphinton Hall 6.15 - 6.45 pm
Elsrickle Hall 7.00 - 7.30 pm

I can also be contacted on 07802 514510.

Finally, congratulations to the pupils of Walston on winning the small schools cross country - a marvellous achievement. Having been present at the Black Mount sports and seen the enthusiasm there, I now realise how fit the entire population must be!

Incidentally, no surgeries in September. I will be on honeymoon with a prominent figure from the Black Mount community!!

INFORMAL CHEESE & WINE PARTY

An Invitation to all members of the community who would like to join us in marking the retirement of Mrs. Loraine Kinghorn.

A Cheese & Wine Party (entry by donation) will be held on Wednesday June 28th (7.30 pm onwards) at Elsrickle Village Hall.

NEWS FROM WALSTON PRIMARY

Just recently, we heard that Mrs Kinghorn is retiring. She will miss all the pupils and she hopes we get on well when she leaves.

During this term, the school pupils have been on a number of trips! P 3 + 4 went to Biggar Park, and later on that day got a visit from a Viking! P 5 + 6 went to netball and had a great time. A very good trip took place in Edinburgh
recently when P 5, 6 + 7 went to Ratho climbing centre. All of the pupils enjoyed it! P 1+ 2 will be going to Edinburgh Zoo shortly.

Walston took part in the cross country championship and we came in lst and won the shield. Well done to Alice McGrath who got lst place out of the P 6 + 7 girls.

Written by Daina Renton, P 6

DOLPHINTON WRI

The last meeting of this spring's activities took place on April 29th when we had a great demonstration of Floral Craft by Dryna Donald.

A 'new' last meeting took place on May 24th and a new committee was elected.
Our President is again Araminta Ritchie, Secretary is Carol Elsip and Treasurer is Anne Hutcheson.

The next event is the Dolphinton Flower Show, which will take place on August 19th, in Dolphinton Hall. There will be classes for children, as well as handcrafts, photographs, baiking, flowers, vegetables and floral art. Join the fun and make an entry, there is something for everyone. For a schedule, please phone Jo Lister on 01968 682398.

The 2006/2007 session will begin on Wednesday September 20th at 7.15 pm in Dolphinton Hall and all local ladies are very welcome to attend.

Tania Ferguson.

Have a GREAT DAY with the kids at

FUN IN THE FIELD DAY

Sunday 6th August
1.00 - 4.00 pm
Main Street, Newbigging

Games & Burgers for the children and various stalls, including Bottle stall, cake stall and plant stall.

Newbigging Activity Group
Contact:
Rena McMeekin 01555 840166

MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE

Newbigging Mondays 2.45 - 3.00 pm

Dunsyre Fridays 10.15 - 10.30 am

Dolphinton Fridays 10.40 - 11.00 am

There are some DUMB DUMPERS around!

An old engine, a set of old tyres, a freezer, a garden shed and its contents of paint tins and cardboard boxes, a toilet, a mattress. Just some of the unsightly rubbish that has been dumped at ther side of the local roads recently!

Is it too much trouble to phone the Council and have it uplifted and disposed of properly?

Fly tipping can be reported to South Lanarkshire Council on 01698 717777 or if you can get the registration number of the guilty vehicle you can pass it on to Dumb Dumpers at 0845 2304090 or www.dumbdumpers.org.

NEWS FROM LORAINE KINGHORN

By the time you read this, the staff and pupils of Walston Primary will be taking a well-earned break and hopefully enjoying glorious summer weather.

I, on the other hand will be taking more than a break! As many of you will have heard I have been offered early retirement and have accepted this opportunity. I therefore leave Walston Primary at the end of this term with, of course, mixed feelings.

I came to Walston Primary on 10th April 1989 - a date imprinted on my memory - knowing little about the community I'm afraid to say. From the beginning I felt welcomed and supported, not just by the pupils and staff but also by parents and the wider community. I continue to feel amongst friends and I know I will be welcomed back any time.

I'd just like to thank you all for making my years as part of this community so enjoyable and I know I will see many of you when I return for flower shows and other events.

Loraine

DOLPHINTON VILLAGE HALL

As we approach the end of the summer term, the holidays stretch ahead - if it's wet, why not hire the village hall for an afternoon and the children can run around, and play table tennis, or hockey. It only costs £2.76 per hour. Phone Pam on 01968 682203 for more info.

Yoga and Pilates will continue over the summer but there will be fewer classes in each.

For more information on Yoga call Julie Anderson, on 01968 661204. Keeley Craigie, who teaches the Pilates classes can be reached on 01721 752746.

The major event of the summer in the Hall is the WRI Flower Show. The highlight of this event, apart from seeing the wonderful exhibits, is sampling the amazing teas that Dolphinton WRI produce every year without fail.

There is always room for more exhibits, so don't be shy and once you have got your copy of the schedule, set to work. The schedules can be obtained from Jo Lister on 01968 682398.

In the past I have suggested that if anyone wishes to learn a new skill, take up a hobby, or whatever, I would attempt to find a tutor for such a group, and possibly other people who would be interested. My success rate so far has been poor - someone asked about Step Aerobics and I failed to find a teacher who could come to Dolphinton. However, I am still happy to try to find a teacher.

If you wish to hire the hall for general sporting activities or for a children's party say, please phone Pam Taylor on 01968 682203.

ELSRICKLE WRI

We held our AGM on Wednesday 12th April. It was a taste and try evening and very tasty it was too. We elected a new committee as follows:

President - Ann Leiper
Vice President - Mary Buchanan
Secretary - Anne Moffat
Press Secretary - Grace Allison
Treasurer - Isabel Graham

In May we all enjoyed a lovely trip to Perth. On the way we visited Dobies in Stirling, and had lunch at the liqueur centre at Bankfoot. We went shopping and had tea in Perth

Our next event is the FLOWER SHOW, to be held at Elsrickle Hall, on Saturday August 26th at 2.00 p.m. Schedules can be obtained by phoning Anne Moffat on 01899 220794.

The first meeting in the Autumn will be on Wednesday 13th September. We will be having a talk by Rhona Walters from the Kings Theatre Glasgyow. We would welcome any new members.

Anne Moffat

BLACK MOUNT SPORTS 2006

Black Mount Sports were held at Newbigging on Friday 26th May. Are you an optimist or a pessimist? We thought at the time that the weather was kind to us because it didn't rain and it was just a bit cold! Since then we have had some of the hottest June weather for years....but then everyone could have got sunburn.

Once again all events were keenly contested, and the main prizewinners were:

Agnes Allison Shield for Primary Children:
1st Jack Noble
Runners up: Alice McGrath and Robert McGrath.
Agnes Allison Shield for Secondary Children:
1st Steph Fleming
Runner up was Rachel Gilchrist
Toddlers' Race:
1st Erin Shaw; 2nd Hanna Grant; 3rd Emma Orr
Dads' Race:
1st James Orr; 2nd Robert Campbell, 3rd Jim Wallace
Mum's Race:
1st Mara Orr; 2nd Danielle Campbell; 3rd Mary Armstrong
The very popular Rugby Skills Competition was won by Claire Struthers
2nd was Ashley Grant and 3rd equal were Richard McLelland and Alistair Hodgson.

At the end of the evening everyone ran or walked a mile in aid of Quarriers and £40.00 was raised.

The competitors were all very enthusiastic and all races were very competitive, so congratulations to all the prizewinners.

Thanks must go to everyone who helped.

Lucy McCorkell for starting all the races (despite frostbite in her fingers);
Craig Allardice for organising the Rugby Skills competition;
Hugh Murray for announcing the events;
Mr and Mrs Bell for the use of their facilities;
Walston School for the loan of equipment;
George Alison for the use of the playing field;
Hutch, Bobby, Jamie and Craig for setting up and dismantling the track;
Jean, Andrew and Hamish for judging the winners;
Joan and Loraine for keeping the scores;
And, of course, to all the runners who tried so hard and took part so enthusiastically.

Special thanks must go to Hamish Stewart, our newly elected District Councillor, for presenting the prizes. He has certainly passed his first test in Black Mount by holding the finishing tape all night, and getting "a right gid stervin" like most of the spectators.

The Social Group would particularly like to thank Mrs Kinghorn for all the help she has given us over many years and we wish her well in her retirement and all the best for the future.

We hope that Mr and Mrs Stewart will both return next year!

The next event on our calendar will be the Sponsored Walk on Sunday 3rd September at 2.00 pm. The route is still to be decided, so look out for posters or contact Anne (01968 682256) nearer the time.

Anne Hutcheson

BUGLE EDITOR REQUIRED.

The Bugle is produced quarterly, and a new Editor is required to take over from the September issue this year. This is a voluntary post. If you'd like to know more about what is involved, phone Pam Taylor on 01968 682203.

Dates for your diary

July 3rd - Black Mount Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall 7.30 pm
August 19th - Dolphinton WRI Flower Show - Dolphinton Village Hall 2.00 pm
August 26th - Elsrickle WRI Flower Show - Elsrickle Village Hall 2.00 pm
September 3rd - Black Mount Social Group - Sponsored Walk 2.00 pm
September 4th - Black Mount Community Council Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall 7.30 pm
September 13th - Elsrickle WRI Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall 7.30 pm
September 20th - Dolphinton WRI Meeting - Dolphinton Village Hall 7.30 pm

Last Date for Contributions to the next Bugle is: August 31st

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

Joan Highton, Tel: 01899 810378
e.mail: joanhighton@tiscali.co.uk

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