BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN – CHARLES RITCHIE

Having just returned from the funeral of Margaret Grice who had served as a Black Mount Community Councillor, I would like to offer my condolences and those of my fellow Black Mount Community Councillors to her immediate family, on her sudden and totally unexpected death on Saint Valentine's Day. She will be greatly missed. She was a stalwart on the BMCC and her wonderful sense of humour, sound knowledge of community affairs, her unbridled enthusiasm and deeply caring nature will leave a void that will be hard to replace.

As I mentioned in the November Newsletter about the ‘gloom and doom merchants’ warning that this winter might be an exceptionally cold one it appears that we have got off very lightly indeed, so far! What we have had is one of the wettest winters on record, and there is certainly nobody forecasting drought conditions this summer. The subject of water has though been high on the agenda, and we were grateful for the briefing held by Scottish Water in the Elsrickle Village Hall on Tuesday the 8th of January regarding the emotive subject of the residents of Elsrickle losing their spring water and being made to come on to the mains supply. This is an issue that the BMCC remains concerned with.

The Social Group has yet again excelled itself and I want to thank the Group for the highly successful ‘Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner’ held on Saturday the 15th of December. Sadly, I had an unbreakable commitment in England that weekend and was unable to be there but as a Senior Citizen myself I shall ‘book in’ for this year’s Christmas Dinner!

Other issues that continue to be a concern of the BMCC has been the whole question of speeding, especially through Elsrickle and Dolphinton and other villages in the Black Mount Community area. This has the attention of the police and their increased presence is greatly welcomed. I wish they had been in Dolphinton this morning as I watched a car overtaking a bus at a speed that must have been in the region of 70 miles an hour!

The whole question of the generally poor state of our roads, especially the smaller side roads is a disgrace. We have been advised that the poor condition of the roads has been exacerbated by the heavy rainfall but there is no question that repairs are urgently required in many places. We are all very grateful to Councillor Hamish Stewart for his unstinting efforts with the Council to spend more money on the problem but the answer is that the budget does not allow for the necessary repairs to be paid for.

Yet again, I invite as many of you who would like to, to attend Black Mount Community Meetings to please come along. They are normally held at 7.30 p.m. in the Elsrickle Village Hall on the first Monday of each month. Please advise the Chair if you wish to address the Meeting or ask a question. The BMCC has warmly welcomed Alison Morton-Nicholls from Dolphinton as a nominated ex-officio Member. I would be very pleased to hear from anybody else who would like to put their names forward for election, especially somebody from Newbigging!

Charles Ritchie, Chairman

BLACK MOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
First Monday of each month – Not Public Holidays
Elsrickle Village Hall – 7.30pm

BLACK MOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Charles Ritchie - Chairperson - 01968 682639
ritchiecdm@hotmail.com

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

Allison Morton - Nicholls

BLACK MOUNT SOCIAL GROUP

The Christmas Dinner which was held on Sat 15th Dec is now a fond memory of turkey with all the trimmings, pavlovas, good Scottish music, and good company.

Our thanks go to everyone who helped to make this one of the best nights of the winter!

The next event on our calendar is Sports Night, which is pencilled in for Friday 30th May at Newbigging playing field.
Anne Hutchison

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Church of Scotland, Dolphinton
Morning Service Sundays March 9.30am….April-June 10.45am

St Isadore's Roman Catholic Church, Biggar
Holy Mass Sundays 12 noon Weekdays (Mon,Tues-Thurs,Fri) 9.30 am

St Mungo's Scottish Episcopal Church, West Linton
Sung Communion Sundays 10.00 am
Said Communion Wednesdays 10.30 am

COUNCILLOR HAMISH STEWART

As I write this in February after having presented the prizes at the School Bulb Competition, I am looking out at what appears to be a spring like scene although the outside temperature still indicates winter. January’s weather certainly indicated winter with periods of intense cold alternating with thaws and heavy rainfall leading to flooding on roads that then froze again. This combination did nothing for the already parlous state of the roads, and the road conditions have seriously deteriorated in many areas. The Council’s Head of Roads has visited Black Mount and his words to me were that he is “shocked and appalled” at what he saw. In the Council budget approved on 14th Feb the allocation of money to Roads was increased by £1,00,000 over last year. There are still certain sums of money to be clarified with the Scottish Government, and it may well be that even more money will be forthcoming for roads. I will keep fighting the corner to get as much as I can for this ward – a fair bit of resurfacing was carried out in Black Mount this financial year and we will need at the very least the same again to even stand still. To put things in perspective, last year claims against the council for damage to cars caused by potholes were down 40% against the previous year – claims in January more than wiped that out.

The condition of the annexe at Dolphinton hall has been raised with me on numerous occasions. The hall was surveyed during the last few weeks and the obvious conclusion reached – the annexe needs to be completely rebuilt! The problem now is, of course, where is the money to come from. I will be pursuing this cause as well but I have to be honest and say that I think it will be some time before much action will take place.

I was very pleased to learn that two community police officers have been appointed to Biggar Police Station. This means that those in Black Mount who have occasion to phone the police may well get faster action than before. The officers have worked in this area before so should be a great asset to the community.

Many of you will travel the A702 on occasion and will have been frustrated by the traffic lights near Candymill. Because of the Trunk Road status the Council have no control over this road but I have been assured by Bear – who do have control – that work is to commence in March to solve the subsidence problem that led to the single lane working. Should you wish to contact Bear about any problem on the A702 the number is 0800 138 9903.

I am unable to carry out my usual surgeries on Monday 3rd March but I will be back thereafter on the first Monday of each month as follows:-
Newbigging 1730 – 1800
Dolphinton 1815 - 1845
Elsrickle 1900 – 1930
I can also be contacted on 07748 114 582 or on e-mail at hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Hamish Stewart

DOLPHINTON VILLAGE HALL

Pilates, yoga, carpet bowling, and WRI, along with monthly Councillor's surgeries, continue to be the mainstay of the use of the Hall. Recently we have held a lot of children's parties in the Hall, as it makes an ideal venue.

Just to remind the sporty amongst you, there is a slightly threadbare badminton net available. Also there are 3 full size table tennis tables, which with nets, bats and balls are available to hire for £1.00 a session.

We are always open to suggestions for new activities so please let me know if you would like to try something new for the Spring.

PLEASE NOTE - if you wish to talk to me about any Hall Business please phone me from now onwards on 0779 5454593.

Pam Taylor, Hallkeeper

DOLPHINTON W.R.I.

Dolphinton WRI held its November meeting on Wednesday 21 with a very enjoyable class on Christmas Floral Arrangements with Lesley Tweedie. Everybody had a go at making a Holly Wreath and a Table Centre Decoration with some excellent results. Thanks to Lesley and Kirsty Tarbert for such a great evening!

The competition of the month was “A Handmade Scarf” and the winners were: 1-Ellen Armstrong, 2-Jean McCracken, 3-Ann Ross and Anne Hutchison. For the Flower of the month competition the winners were: 1-Jean Campbell, 2-Anne Hutchison, 3-Jean McCracken and Ellen Armstrong.

The Annual Children Christmas Party was held on December 19 and it was great fun for all the children who attended. Lots of food and drinks followed by games with Anne Hutchison, music, and Santa paid a visit with a gift for each child.

Our first meeting of 2008 was held on Friday, 18th January. Mr Duncan Turnbull from Cairn Food in Biggar gave a very interesting talk about Healthy Eating and all the different food imported from lots of different countries. Competition winners were: Flower of the month: 1- Jean Campbell, 2 - Anne Hutchison, 3 - Jean McCracken. 3 oat biscuits: 1 - Effie Dickson, 2 - Jean Campbell and 3 - Ann Ross.

We also held our annual Charity Bowling Tournament on Saturday, 26th January in the Elsrickle Hall. 14 rinks of enthusiastic ladies took part. The winners were Anne Brownlee’s rink and the runners up were Jessie Meikle’s rink. Our thanks go to Elsrickle Bowling Club and WRI for the use of their boards and kitchen equipment.

WRI Next Events:
February 20: The Glenholm Centre – Talk about the Wildlife Project with Fiona Burnett & Wine Tasting With Mervin Baird. Competition: Wine Glass.
March 7/8: Bulb Show.
March 19: Bowling at Megabowl and supper. Competition: Best socks.
April 16: AGM. A Talk about Ingraston Potato Tecnology with Harry Dickinson. Competition: A sample Syllabus.

The Dolphinton WRI is a great way to make friends as well as having fun. Our meetings are always on the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the Dolphinton Hall at 7:30 pm. All local ladies welcome!

For more information please contact Betty Ross on 682326 or Anne Hutchison on 682256.

Tania Ferguson Press Secretary

ELSRICKLE WRI

The Elsrickle WRI has had a busy and most informative few months over the Christmas and New Year period.

At the end of November, the ladies enjoyed a delicious meal at the Roberton Arms, supported in part by South Lanarkshire Council.

Mrs Blanchard was welcomed in December, when she gave a timely demonstration of festive Candle Craft. Each member was able to take home her own handsomely decorated candle.

Lord Lieutenant Gilbert Cox followed a very busy day accompanying Princess Anne, by visiting the Elsrickle Rural in the evening and giving a fascinating talk about his work.

In February, Mrs Nixon showed how to impress by demonstrating the making of a variety of delicious canapés. As a result of some ‘hands on’ participation by the members, everyone enjoyed a supper of cheese biscuits and pastries with interesting toppings.

Fothcoming Events

March 13th : Open Meeting : ‘A Matter of Opinion’
Chaired by Alex Allison
April 16th : AGM – Members only
May 14th : Day Trip £22 (incl Morning Coffee/Tea and Evening Meal)
Kelvingrove and Cardwell Nursery, Lunderson Bay,
August 30th: Flower Show

Ann Moffat

WALSTON PRE-5 GROUP

The Walston Pre-5 Group meets at Walston Primary School on a Wednesday morning, for children from 2½ years up to school age. Each session runs from 9.15am until 11.30am.

We would welcome children of this age to come and join our group and if you would like to register them, please telephone Danielle Campbell or Beth Macdonald at the numbers below or call in on a Wednesday morning. If you want to contact the playgroup, please call either

- Donna Gray 01899 221 811 (Playgroup Leader)
- Danielle Campbell 01899 810237
- Beth Macdonald 01968 682259

BLACK MOUNT UNDER 5’S

Black Mount Under 5’s is for children from 0 to 5 years, accompanied by a parent or carer.

It will meet in Elsrickle Hall from 9.30am to 11.30am on the following dates :
Tuesday February 26; Monday March 31; Monday April 28 2008

New members are welcome to come along to the above mornings. For more information, contact Hazel on 01899 810348

BLACK MOUNT CHURCH TODDLER GROUP

Black Mount Church Toddler Group meets weekly, except school holidays, in Black Mount Church Hall, Dolphinton.

It will meet on Mondays (9.45am to 11.45am) until 17th March. Then from 25th Marc,h it will meet on Tuesdays at the same time.

Babies and Children up to 5 years are welcome. Please come and join us or call Hazel on 01899 810348 for further information.

ADDRESS FOR BLACK MOUNT WEBSITE

As you may have noticed from our front page, Black Mount Community Council has a website address:
www.blackmount.org.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – SPRING 2008

March 3 - BMCC Meeting- Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30pm

March 7/8 - Dolphinton WRI Bulb Show - Dolphinton Hall

March 13 - Elsrickle WRI: Open Meeting - ‘A matter of Opinion’ - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30pm

March 19 - Dolphinton WRI : Bowling - Megabowl

April 7 - BMCC Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30pm

April 16 - Dolphinton WRI : AGM - Dolphinton Hall - 7.15pm

April 16 - Elsrickle WRI : AGM - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30pm

May 5 - BMCC Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30pm

May 14 - Elsrickle WRI : Day Trip

May 30 - Social Group : SPORTS NIGHT - Newbigging

June 2 - BMCC Meeting - Elsrickle Village Hall - 7.30pm

Aug 30 - Elsrickle WRI : Flower Show - Elsrickle Village Hall

Last Date for Contributions to the next Bugle is May 16th 2008.
Please send your articles, dates, reports, news and advertisements to:
Norma Love - Tel: 01899 810285 - e.mail: norma.love@btinternet.com