BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

In writing my first draft for the February ‘Black Mount Bugle’, I unwisely mentioned what a good winter we had had to date, but now, as I write my final draft, it is snowing heavily outside and the snow appears to be showing no sign of melting. Let us hope that, in spite of this temporary set back, we enjoy a mild winter into an early Spring!

The major item to report since the October 2008 Bugle has been the formation of the new Black Mount Community Council. I was honoured to be re-elected as Chairman and Craig Allardice as Secretary. His hard work as Secretary is greatly appreciated and his experience as Secretary is invaluable. Ian Kerry after many years as Treasurer has stepped down and we owe him a great debt of gratitude for all he has done as Treasurer over the years. He does though remain a Member of the BMCC. In his place Alison Morton-Nicholls was elected as Treasurer and we wish her every success. We welcome onto the BMCC Lance Armstrong from Dunsyre, Sam Cassels from Dolphinton, William Coulter from Elsrickle, Alasdair Macdonald from Dolphinton and Barry Rosindale from Elsrickle.

The full list of the Members of the BMCC, along with their telephone numbers and where applicable, e-mail addresses, appears in this edition of The Bugle. If you have a local issue that you would like to raise with the BMCC please do not hesitate to contact me or your nearest BMCC Member.

In detailing the new Members of the Black Mount Community Council, I would like to thank the 2 Members who have now ‘stepped down’, namely Anne Hutchison and Joan Stephenson. They have both been on the BMCC for many years and their dedication has been much appreciated. Anne Hutchison has been running the Social Group for some considerable time and I am delighted to say will continue to do so, hopefully for many years to come! Joan Stephenson will continue to remain an active Member of the Social Group.

Staying with the Social Group I would like to thank them and their great team of helpers for the 2 events held since the October Bugle. The first of these was the Guy Fawkes Bonfire and Fireworks held on the correct night of Wednesday the 5th of November, as in 2007 it was held on Sunday the 4th of November to avoid clashing with the BMCC Meeting on the 5th! The weather was perfect, with the wind blowing the bonfire smoke away from the spectators that allowed everybody to see the really spectacular fireworks display. Many thanks to all those who put so much effort into making the evening the really enjoyable event it was.

The Social Group excelled itself with the running of the highly successful ‘Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner’ held on Saturday the 13th of December. A full report of this event appears in The Bugle but I would yet again like to thank all those who worked so hard to make the event so enjoyable. A special word of thanks to all those who brought raffle prizes along and to those who then bought tickets. Many thanks also to all those who donated ‘gastronomic treats’ for all to enjoy at the dinner. The music provided by the Band was the real ‘icing on the cake’.

The Haven Homes housing development in Elsrickle remains an important ongoing issue and Barry Rosindale, living as he does in Elsrickle, continues to keep a very close eye on all relevant matters. The BMCC remains highly receptive to the concerns of Elsrickle residents regarding this proposed housing development.

I mentioned in the October Bugle that we would write a guide on how to cope with the Switchover to digital television. This is really not as simple as it has been made out to be and all I can suggest is that people go onto the internet and visit the website digital.co.uk or phone 08456 50 50 50. Calls will be charged up to 2p a minute in daytime and up to 5p per minute in the evenings, plus a 6p BT connection charge,- so please be warned. There is a Switchover Help Scheme for those over the age of 75, or for anyone in receipt of disability living allowance, attendance allowance, mobility or who is partially sighted. This will cost £40, but if you are eligible and on certain income related benefits, it is free.

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.

With every possible good wish for 2009.
Charles Ritchie

BLACK MOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

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

Alison Morton-Nicholls - Treasurer - 01968 682676
alisonmortonnicholls@o2email.co.uk

Craig Allardice - Secretary - 01968 682349
craig@merklands.com

Hamish Stewart - Councillor - 07748 114582
Hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Lance Armstrong - 01899 810251

Sam Cassells - 01968 682674
sam@whitehillestate.com

William Coulter - 01899 810339

Alasdair Macdonald - 01968 682259
alasdair.macdonald@mac.com

Barry Rosindale - 01899 810207
home@meldons.fsnet.co.uk

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Church of Scotland, Dolphinton
Morning Service – Sundays 10.45am

St Isadore's Roman Catholic Church, Biggar.
Holy Mass - Sundays 12 noon and weekdays (Tues-Fri) 9.30 am

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

BIGGAR AND CLYDESDALE AUDIO NEWS

Biggar & Clydesdale Audio News produces excerpts from the Carluke & Lanark Gazettes on audio cassette tape for the blind or partially sighted.

Do you know of any resident in Black Mount who does not already receive a tape and who might like to take advantage of this free service?

For further information, please contact either Sandy Gilchrist on 01988 221350 or Ruth Bryden on 01899 221005.

Brian Curle

BLACKMOUNT SOCIAL GROUP

Christmas dinner at the beginning of December is now a distant memory; very pleasant memories of good food, served by smiling waitresses, excellent entertainment supplied by Brian McFarlane and the DrumMaw Ceilidh Band,
a magnificent rendering of “12 Days of Christmas” from very competitive participants, a tremendous Raffle thanks to everyone who donated prizes, and the good company of all who attended.

Many thanks to South Lanarkshire Council for the subsidy of £7.00 per head, and to all who helped prepare the meal.

The next event on our calendar will be the Sports on the last Friday in May.

Mara Orr, Wester Walston, has now taken on the organisation of the Sports Night, and Ross and Theresa Barber have offered to organise the Sponsored Walk, which is our only fund raising activity.

Joan Stephenson has handed over the post of Treasurer to Theresa Barber. We are all very grateful to her for all her work, and for always managing to make a profit on all events! As a result the Social Group has several assets which are available for anyone in the Community to borrow: there is a Table Tennis table in Dolphinton Hall, which can be used if you book the Hall with Pam Taylor (01968 682203); there are approx 60 white dinner plates, wine glasses and various other glasses if you are having a party. Contact Anne Hutchison (01968 682256)

Anne Hutchison

ELSRICKLE WRI

In November we had a bowling tournament in which 16 teams took part and New Trows were the winners.

We had an excellent talk from a dietician in November and at our December meeting, it was ‘hands on’ with everyone making a Christmas wreath.

In January we had a cookery demonstration with Mrs Joan Orr which ended with everyone enjoying the sampling of her finished work.

The events for the forthcoming meetings are:
February 11th - ‘Up the Amazon’ with Myra Dick
March 4th - Visit to Smail’s Printers at Innerleithan followed by supper at Glentress Hotel
March 26th - AGM and Ranger from New Lanark

Ann Moffat

BLACKMOUNT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS

Members of the public are invited to attend any of our Community Council meetings, which are usually held on the first Monday of every month. in Elsrickle Village Hall at 7.30pm, excluding Public Holidays.

COUNCILLOR HAMISH STEWART

Belated New Year greetings to everyone in the Black Mount. I hope that 2009 is so far living up to your hopes.

On 27th January, the Planning Committee unanimously passed the proposed housing development in Elsrickle subject to certain conditions. I am aware of the letter circulated to residents of Elsrickle by one of the objectors having had it forwarded to me by a concerned resident. I also received a separate letter from the objector that was couched in a similar vein. I have written twice to the objector regarding statements made by him and so far have not received the courtesy of a reply to either of my letters. Beyond stating that much of what he wrote is totally untrue I do not propose to comment further, apart from saying that I consider it unfortunate he did not choose to contact me and verify the truth of my position before distributing his letter. My contact details are at the bottom of this page and I am always willing to meet with constituents or to discuss by e-mail or phone regarding any areas of concern.

This is an extremely large development for a village the size of Elsrickle, but once outline permission was granted it was inevitable that the whole site would be built on. Surprisingly only one householder objected to the outline application and six to the detailed application. Had the Planning Committee rejected the detailed application it was inevitable that the applicant would have won on appeal to the Reporters at the Scottish Government, with costs awarded against the council, because outline was already granted. On the plus side many of the concerns that were earlier raised have been dealt with and the proposed playpark is a positive outcome. I have been approached with requests for a playpark several times in the past year so I am very pleased that we were able to persuade the developer to incorporate such a facility in the plans.

I know that rumours are circulating regarding Dolphinton Hall so to put the record straight the facts are that Black Mount Church approached me to see whether the Council would consider taking over the Church Hall to replace the Village Hall because of the repair work needed to the Village Hall. In effect both halls would require substantial funding to bring them up to standard, so absolutely no decision has been taken, and, if it is eventually proposed to make any changes all the existing hall, users would need to be satisfied before a change would happen.

My surgeries continue on the first Monday of each month in Newbigging, Dolphinton and Elsrickle and I can be contacted at Hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or on 07748 114 582.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES
DOLPHINTON VILLAGE HALL

Although it may be slightly premature to mention the green shoots of spring, the days are already feeling slightly longer and it's not too late to start a new activity for the New Year.

Yoga continues with Julie (01968 661204) on Tuesday evenings - two classes. Keeley's Pilates classes are as always on Monday to Thursday in the morning and Wednesday evening (01721 752746). Both these activities will continue after Easter and at a limited level during the summer holidays.

Carpet Bowling will be held on Thursday evenings until Easter, when it ceases until the Autumn.

If you would like to rent the hall for a children's party, to play badminton or table tennis, or for any other activity, please phone Pam Taylor on 01968 682203

Pam Taylor

DOLPHINTON WRI

Dolphinton WRI had the first meeting of the new session on Wednesday 17th September. Unfortunately Boots N 7 couldn’t attend on the night. President Betty Ross welcomed everyone and introduced Denise Ensor and Nan McQuenie who gave a very enjoyable and informative talk about Reflexology, Massage and Aromatherapy. It was a great turn out with the presence of the WRIs from Kirkurd, West Linton, Skirling and Newlands. The competition of the month was an “Autumn Arrangement” and the winner was Ann Ross. For the flower of the month competition, the winners were: 1-J Campbell, 2-Ann Ross, 3-E Dickson.

Our October meeting was on Wednesday, 15th with a “bulb planting evening”. The enjoyable night finished with a lovely buffet and the competition was “A letter opener”. The winners were 1-Betty Ross, 2-Jean Campbell and 3-Ann Ross. For the flower of the month competition the winners were 1-Jean Campbell, 2-Effie Dickson and 3-Ann Ross.
Dolphinton WRI also held its annual whist drive on 25 of October in the Dolphinton Hall. It was a very good turn out of people and the players enjoyed a great game of cards and a good chat. Teas were served on the traditional WRI way with the best home baking from the ladies.

The whist drive winners were: Hugh Colquhoun, McKechnie, Lillian McKenzie and Sandy Jenkins. The consolation prizes went to Anne Hutchison, Betty Ross, Catty Brown and Margery Gibson.

At the November meeting, the ladies had a very enjoyable class on crafts making with Nora Drinkwater. Everybody had a go at making a card and a bookmarker with very good results. Thanks to Mrs. Drinkwater for such a great evening!
The competition of the month was “A Shoe Box and a Teddy” and the winners were: 1-Jean McCracken, 2-Betty Ross, 3-Anne Hutchison. For the Flower of the month competition the winners were: 1-Jean Campbell, 2-Jean McCracken, 3-Ann Ross.

Great fun was had by all at the Children’s Party on the Saturday before Christmas. Lots of food and drinks, followed by games to music, and of course, Santa paid a visit, with a gift for each child.

Our Next meeting is on January 21st, with an “Evening with Jennifer Bailey (Physiotherapist)”. The competition of the month will be “A home made drink”. For any information please call Betty Ross on 01968 682326.
All local ladies welcomed!

Dates for your diary:
21st January: Evening with Jannifer Bailey.
31st January: Bowling Tournament.
18th February: Thai Cookery Demonstration.
11th March: Hanging Basket
15th April: Wine Tasting

Tania Ferguson (Press Secretary)

BIGGAR HEALTH CENTRE

Biggar Health Centre has a website which is regularly updated with news items and contains full details of the Surgery opening time, appointments system and full details of the services they provide as well as contact information. Check it out at:
www.biggarhealthcentre.gpsurgery.net

Craig Allardice

WALSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS

Firstly, staff and pupils would like to thank all parents and friends who helped make Christmas a special time at Walston. The production of ‘It’s A Cracker’ was a great success, and a terrific time was had by all at both parties.

In January, P6/7 travelled to Hamilton Ice Rink for a four week block of Curling coaching. After a few tentative steps onto the ice, the children relaxed and enjoyed trying out this new sport. They learned about the ‘hack’, the ‘rings’ and how to sweep the stone to make it curl around the other stones.

Pupils are also busy learning Scots poems, songs and dances for their Scots Afternoon. This is performed in front of residents of Greenhills Care Home, who enjoy their trip to Walston Primary.

Each term, one class has the opportunity to take part in various activities at After School Club. Last term photography, knitting, chess and metal detecting were on offer. If you have a hobby you would like to share or a skill you could pass onto our children, we would be delighted to hear from you – anything considered!

All the pupils in P3-7 are involved in various working groups which meet one Monday afternoon every month. These groups are The Pupil Council, The Health Promotion Group, The Eco Group, The Enterprise Committee and The Press Group. All these groups would value input from members of the community (you don’t have to be a parent!), so if you have a couple of hours to spare and would like to get involved working along with the children, just us a ring.

Hopefully in the next edition of the Bugle, the Press Group will be reporting all the news from WALSTON PRIMARY.

Dorothy Ramsay

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BUGLE

If there is anyone who has something of interest to contribute to the Bugle, or who would like to see a new regular article appear, of significance to our local community, please contact me (details on back page) before the end of April. This will allow time perhaps to include the article in the next issue.

Norma Love

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

Last Date for Contributions to the next Bugle is April 24th.

Please send your articles, dates, reports, news and advertisements to:
Norma Love : Tel: 01899 810285; e.mail - norma.love@btinternet.com