BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Having thought that Spring was here, I had not expected to drive home from England late on the night of the 31st of March to find the thick heavy snow on the A702, with cars abandoned everywhere and finding we were unable to turn off the road due to a 3 foot high snow bank caused by a snow plough. I can now recommend the lay-by at the West Linton end of the Dolphinton Straight as a comfortable overnight stop!

I do want to thank the snow plough drivers for all their hard work and long hours clearing the snow and keeping the traffic moving. It was, though, sad to see the damage done to so many trees, especially fir trees with their branches snapped off due to the weight of snow. I should now be forecasting a miserable, damp, wet summer to ensure we have the sizzling barbecue summer we were forecast for last year.

Whilst doing some ‘Googling’, I found the Black Mount Bugle Number 45 of May 1999, when Mr Brian Curle was the Chairman of the Black Mount Community Council (BMCC). I observed that little has changed in 11 years, as 2 main issues then were: speeding through Elsrickle and Dolphinton. I just hope these will still not be issues in 2021! Road calming measure were also being discussed then, but the problems they cause for the Police, Fire Services and Ambulances in emergencies have to be balanced against the dangers caused by people going home in a hurry for their ‘tea’! Notices that light up - either smiling if people are driving below the speed limit or frowning when speeding - have helped where they are erected, but there is still nothing to beat the speed camera!

Following the ongoing success of the regular Markets being held in Carlops, it is very encouraging to see that one is to be held in the BMCC area in the Dolphinton Village Hall on Saturday the 15th of May. It is the intention to hold these once a month in future. To rent stall space as an individual trader or to use space on the ‘Community Stall’ contact either Pam Taylor on 01968 682203 or Nan McQueenie on 01968 682355. Do though please come along and support this

The next date for your diary is the Social Group’s Annual Sports Evening to be held on Thursday 27th of May. Further details appear in this edition of The Bugle. Let us hope we have good weather for the evening for you all to come along and participate or support in this highly enjoyable annual event.

I make my usual plea for people to come and attend the BMCC’s first Monday of the Month Meetings, normally held in Elsrickle Village Hall starting at 7.30 p.m. but do check the Notice Boards outside the Dolphinton and Elsrickle Halls for when they are held in Newbiggin and Dolphinton.

As I have said I wish you all a cold, damp, windy summer in the hope that by doing so we will have one of the best summers for years. After all we have had one of the worst winters for years, we deserve the opposite.

Charles Ritchie

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Church of Scotland, Dolphinton
Morning Service – Sundays 9.30am

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

Black Mount Community Council
Membership List (January 2010)

Chairman:
Charles Ritchie (elected)
01968 682639 chairman@blackmount.org

Vice-Chairman:
Sam Cassels (elected)
01968 682674, 07710778642

Secretary:
Barry Rosindale (elected)
01899 810207 secretary@blackmount.org

Treasurer:
Alison Morton-Nicholls (elected)
01968 682676 treasurer@blackmount.org

Councillor:
Hamish Stewart
07748 114 582 hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Lance Armstrong (nominated)
01899 810251

William Coulter (nominated)
01899 810339

David Darling (nominated)
01968 682387 webadmin@blackmount.org

Donald Stewart (co-opted)
01968 682339

Denis Critchley-Salmonson (associate)
01899 810310

TEN LITTLE PET LAMBS!

1) Ten little pet lambs

2) Nine little pet lambs
Playing in a line Playing with their mate
One got watery mouth One got salmonella
...then there were nine. ...then there were eight.

3) Eight little pet lambs

4) Seven little pet lambs
Heard the engine revvin’ Up to all the tricks
They never saw the tractor One hanged in the hay heck
...then there were seven. ...then there were six.

5) Six little pet lambs

6) Five little pet lambs
Glad to be alive Greetin’ fur their ma’
Tried swimmin’ in the Medwyn Farmer lost his temper
...then there were five. ...then there were four.

7) Four little pet lambs

8) Three little pet lambs
Sweet as sweet could be No more milk for you
Gave one to a Townie Ate a bag of barley meal
...then there were three. ...then there were two.

9) Two little pet lambs

10) One little pet lamb
One became a twin-on Surprisingly got fat
To a yowe that bloody lay on it.

So we put him in the FREEZER ...then there was ONE. ..AND THAT’S THE END OF THAT!!

Submitted by Anne Hutchison

COUNCILLOR HAMISH STEWART

At the time of writing, the Council is just about to start a new round of committee meetings following the quiet period over Easter. One major change to current practices was agreed at the Executive Committee on 28th April – namely that Community Halls, Museums, Country Parks, Cultural Venues and Libraries should transfer from the direct control of South Lanarkshire Council to South Lanarkshire Leisure Trust.

The Leisure Trust currently operates 57 Outdoor Facilities, 20 indoor sports centres (4 with swimming pools), 4 separate swimming pools, 19 Health and Fitness Clubs, 2 Integrated Leisure Centres, 6 Golf Courses, an Ice Rink, and a water sports centre. It is a charitable company limited by guarantee and has a Board of Directors consisting of various independent directors from bodies such as NHS, University of West of Scotland and Business Gateway as well as three Councillors of whom I am one.

The charitable status of the company brings with it exemption from paying Business Rates at a cost saving of in the region of £1000000 annually.
It is expected that a further report will go to the committee in August and handover will take place in October.
The Library handover also includes the mobile libraries. The only hall excluded from the change is Biggar Corn Exchange because of the special arrangements that have been put in place with Biggar Theatre Workshop.

The Business Rates saving occurs because although Business Rates are collected by Councils the money all goes to the Scottish Government and is thereafter distributed by Edinburgh as part of the grant allocation. South Lanarkshire tends to collect more in than it gets back.
I anticipate that the current board will be strengthened by the appointment of at least one director with experience of operating cultural venues.
All existing staff is transferring so the public should not notice any change to the service provision and it is anticipated that further savings will accrue from the transfer owing to efficiency savings.
The new trust will employ just under 1000 people and will have a turnover in the region of £38000000 – a sizable operation in other words!

My surgeries will take place in June at Newbigging Dolphinton and Elsrickle as normal in June with a break in July and August or I can be contacted on 07748 114 582 or by e-mail at

Hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk . I hope everyone has a lovely summer – we certainly deserve it after last winter’s weather

Hamish Stewart

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 Hannah or Hazel at the numbers below or call in on a Wednesday morning.

If you want to contact the playgroup, please call either
• Donna Gray 07518 334889 (Playgroup Leader)
• Hannah Cairns 01968 682240
• Hazel Knight 01899 810348

BMCC MEETINGS

Members of the public are welcome to attend any of our Community
Council meetings, held on the first Monday of every month.
Please note: no meetings are held on Holiday Mondays

BMCC SPORTS EVENING

Black Mount Sports will be held this year on

THURSDAY 27th MAY.

At Newbigging Playing Field, at 6.30 pm.

The day has been changed this year to try to prevent clashes with the holiday weekend, and with a Guide event on the previous weekend.

All the usual events for schoolchildren, toddlers and adults will take place and refreshments will be available.
Come along and join in !!
Details from Mara Orr on 01899 810219

Next on our calendar will be the Sponsored walk on the
afternoon of Sunday 5th September.
Details from Ross Barber on 01968 682650.

WALSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS

Sponsored Walk
Our Sponsored Walk was a great success last Friday. The children did very well and everyone managed to complete the walk. The Daffodil Tea also went well with a good turnout of parents. The total raised so far between the Sponsored Walk and other fundraisers at the Daffodil Tea is well over £400.00 which is a fantastic amount for a small school. Thank You to everyone for their help and support. The money will go to the school fund and will be used to subsidise trips and buy extra resources etc for the school. Please send in all Sponsor money to school by Tuesday 4th May.

Clothing Bin
A reminder to use the clothing bin next to Elsrickle Hall to recycle your old clothes. The school is paid each month for your donations. Thank you.

Gala Float
This year Biggar Gala week is from 6th June through to the Gala Day on Saturday 12th June. Walston Primary usually participates in various events throughout the week and enters a decorated float on Gala Day. Details will follow neared the time.

Quiz Night
The Parent Council are holding a Quiz Night on Friday 14th May at 7.00pm in Elsrickle Hall. Bring your family and friends along for a fun evening (see note).

Extract from School Newsletter

ELSRICKLE WRI

After the cancellation of the January meeting due difficult snowy weather conditions, there was a good turnout at the February meeting for Mrs J. Lowry from Lanark who demonstrated some supper dishes which can be eaten with a fork. We sampled some of the delicious fare and went happily home with the recipes.

On the 3rd March, we were treated to a keep fit session by Mrs Tina Mashford from Biggar. With a big range of age and mobility, this was no mean feat, but everyone was included and we were soon all exercising to Tina’s encouraging and amusing instruction.

Elsrickle WRI was delighted with their successes at the Federation Show at Larkhall on the 6th March. They won the silver salver and Auldhouse Trophy for community work and the H&H trophy for most points in the housewives’ section. Anne Leiper and Margaret Leiper were equal runners up in this section. Phyllis Tweedie won the trophy for most points in the handcrafts section and Harriet Tolson was runner up in the Covington Quaich for the photographic exhibit. Congratulations go to all the participants.

Another success was achieved when the choir came second equal in the final of the choir competition which was held in Culloden in March.

The final meeting and AGM of the 31st March which had to be postponed because of the heavy snowfall, was held on the 21st April. The speaker planned for the March meeting was unable to come, so some members kindly produced a light meal to follow the AGM. This provided an opportunity for a relaxed and sociable evening. The new committee was elected and prizes awarded.

The May outing will be to the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh.

Pam Hart

DOLPHINTON HALL

Booking and Charging Changes

As of lst April, 2010, a new system for booking South Lanarkshire halls and schools has been implemented.

In theory no more bookings and payments will be taken on site but these will be administered through local booking offices. I say in theory advisedly, as the system is not running properly yet. So, for the moment, anyone wishing to book the hall should contact myself, Pam Taylor 01968 682203 as usual. I will then fill in a booking form and send it to Carluke. It will be 'processed' and customers will be billed after the let has taken place.

In future, all customers will deal directly with Carluke. Carluke will then inform customers of the price of a booking and availability. The whole process from initial customer enquiry about a future let, to actually using the hall will take a fortnight. The hall charges have risen considerably and none of the previously negotiated letting rates will apply. Some lets which were charged at the Community rate may well now go up to Commercial rate. Listed below are the old and new rates. Quite a difference, particularly if you want to have a children's party on a Sunday when you would have to pay £24.12 per hour as all Sunday lets incur a supplement of £13.22 per hour.

Old Charge New Charge
per hour per hour

Community Rate £2.99 £3.95
Social Rate £6.26 £10.90
Commercial Rate negotiated £16.35

There is no charge for the kitchen for Community or Social lets, but it will be charged at £5.30 per hour for commercial lets.

The new system does mean that no 'spontaneous' lets will be possible and some groups or individuals may now feel the Hall is too expensive to use. I have argued the case with the powers that be for 'off the cuff' lets to be allowed in our case, but to no avail. I am concerned that the level of bookings, which is already low, may drop so much that they decide to close a small hall such as ours. This would be a huge loss to the community I feel. Maybe they are hoping that communities will themselves take over the running of halls such as ours. Anyone up for a challenge?

If you would like to find out more about the new system, or want to make a booking for the Hall, please contact me on 01968 682203.

Pam Taylor

DOLPHINTON WRI

February WRI had a Card Making Workshop when we all managed to master the art of Perigamo.
March was a Flower Workshop when jean Paul from Biggar came along and demonstrated how to make an arrangement incorporating a candle, which we all managed to do.
April was our AGM and we had members’ Taste and Try Night of dishes using potatoes. What a variety of different dishes, both sweet and savoury!
Betty Ross was the winner of the Salver for most points in our monthly competitions.
August is our next Rural event with our Flower Show on Saturday Aug 21st at 2pm.
Anyone wanting to enter, please contact Nan McQueenie for a schedule on 01968 682 355

Jean Campbell

DOLPHINTON MARKET

Saturday 15th May, 10.0 am to 12.30 pm at Dolphinton Village Hall.
The first Dolphinton Market was held on the 15th May and subsequent markets will be on the third Saturday of the month. By the time this Bugle reaches you, we are optimistic that you will have visited the first Market and be eagerly anticipating the next one on June. 19th.

The idea behind the Market is to showcase local food products, hand crafts, art works etc. and to provide a monthly get-together for local residents . In addition we will each month have ‘tasters’ of complementary therapies for people to try out - in May reflexology and on-site massage were available.

There will be a Children’s Corner where the younger members of the community can try their hand at various crafts or other activities while their families browse the stalls.

We will have a wide variety of stalls each month. For our first market we chose from arts and crafts which included glasswork, painted china, wooden items and jewellery.; hand-knitted accessories - scarves, gloves and socks; home-made bread and Simple Simon pies and preserves of all sorts. There will usually be a fundraising stall and May’s supported the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. Inspiration for the garden was on offer with lots of plants for sale and already -prepared hanging baskets as well.
Refreshments including home-baking and bacon rolls will be on sale throughout the markets.

The markets are first and foremost for local residents and we hope that you will be able to come along to the Hall on June 19th, between 10.0 and 12.30 and sample what’s on offer. Look forward to seeing you then.

Subsequent markets will be held on:
June 19th - July 17th - August 21st - September 18th

Contacts: Pam 01968 682203 or Nan 01968 682355 or Lesley 01968 682331

In remembrance of

Will Gilchrist, Dolphinton, late of Haughhead Farm, passed away on 22nd January, 2010.

Accommodation Providers in Black Mount Area

Bed and Breakfast
Margaret Armstrong, Dunsyre Mains. 01899 810 251
Margaret Kirby, Walston Mansion 01899 810 338
www.walstonmansion.co.uk Kirby-walstonmansion@talk21.com
Jane Gilchrist, Ingraston Farm, Dolphinton. 01968682219
www.ingraston.com
jane@westlinton.co.uk
Carol and Ian, Millburn House, Dolphinton 01968 682 252
www.millburnhousebandb.co.uk info@millburnhousebandb.co.uk

Hotel
Nestlers Hotel and Country Inn, Newbigging.
01555 840 680
www.nestlershotel.co.uk enquiries@nestlershotel.co.uk

Self Catering properties
Anne Hutchison, Roberton Mains, Dolphinton.
01968 682 256
www.annescottages.co.uk anne@robertonmains.freeserve.co.uk
Pam Taylor, Meadowhead Barn, Dolphinton.
01968 682 203
www.unique-cottages.co.uk
Mary Christie, The Steading, Ferniehaugh, Dolphinton.
01968 682 257
www.ferniehaugh.com Christies@ferniehaugh.plus.com
Hazel Edwards, Wester Walston Lodge, Walston.
01899 810 335
www.westerwalstonlodge.co.uk
hazeledwards007@msn.com
Sam Cassels, Whitehill Estate, Dolphinton.
01968 682 244
cottage@whitehillestate.com
www.whitehillestate.com
Braeside Cottage, Dunsyre.
01282 845 052
www.bookcottages.com

BMCC WEBSITE
There is a community website is up and running at www.blacmount.org within the website, as well as showing local businesses and community services, you will find a Forum area. This is for your own use to discuss any topics you want with other Black Mount Community members. You will also find an area for selling, exchanging or buying items – ideal for those many jumpers and socks you received at Christmas that you don’t really want! Perhaps, you could make a small donation to the BMCC if you are successful in selling (to help fund events during the year)? Membership to the Forum is arranged by applying online and approval should take less than 24 hours. See the link on the Black Mount website for further details

David Darling

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – May 2010

Black Mount Community Council hold meetings on the first Monday of each month, excluding holiday Mondays.
Please consult your local Village Hall for dates and venue.

May 15th
Dolphinton Market
Dolphinton Village Hall
10 – 12.30pm

May 27th
BMCC Sports
Newbigging
6.30pm

June 6-12th
Biggar Gala Week

June 19th
Dolphinton Market
Dolphinton Village Hall
10-12.30pm

July 17th
Dolphinton Market
Dolphinton Village Hall
10-12.30pm

Aug 21st
Dolphinton WRI
Flower Show
Dolphinton Village Hall

Sept 5th
BMCC Sponsored Walk
To be arranged

Last Date for Contributions to the next Bugle is Friday 21st July 2010.

Please send your articles, dates, reports, news and advertisements to:
Norma Love : Tel: 01899 810285
email : bugle@blackmount.org

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

The Community Council cannot accept responsibility for errors printed in the Bugle.