BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE - CHAIRMAN

APPLICATIONS for GRANT FUNDING

I have comprised a list of contacts should any organisation in the BMCC area require funds for a project or advice on grants. I hope this is of some use for people trying to get a project off the ground.

Support for Community Organisations and grants are available from a number of local sources.

Yvonne Howley based in Lanark administers the EU LEADER Programme, which awards small scale grants for the rural area:

01555 665064 http://www.southlanarkshireleader.com/

Stuart Hodge and John Archibald administer the Renewable Energy Fund, which is made up of funds received from wind farms:

01698 454759 or 01698 455181

Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLAN) based in Hamilton is set up and funded to support 3rd sector and voluntary groups throughout South Lanarkshire. They can help with establishing and running organisations and with external funding:

01698 300390 http://www.vaslan.org.uk/

If the project involves Council land or property or is substantial, contact SLC External Funding Team:

01698 455072 (Kenny Lean)

Dennis Critchley-Salmonson (Vice Chair BMCC)

BMCC MEETINGS

Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, except Public Holidays. The date of the May meeting is Tuesday 1st.

Dates and venues are posted outside Dolphinton, Elsrickle and Newbigging Village Halls. For the next 4 months the meetings will be held in Dolphinton Village Hall.

A warm welcome is extended to everyone.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Church of Scotland, Dolphinton
Morning Service – Sundays 10.45 am

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 (December 2011)

Chairman:
Sam Cassels (elected)
Kirkhouse Farm, Dolphinton, EH46 7AB
01968 682674, 07710778642 chairman@blackmount.org

Vice-Chairman:
Denis Critchley-Salmonson (elected)
Glebe House, Dunsyre, ML11 8NQ
01899 810310

Secretary:
Barry Rosindale (co-opted)
Meldons, Elsrickle, Biggar, ML12 6QZ
01899 810207 secretary@blackmount.org

Treasurer:
Charles Ritchie (elected)
The Grange, Dolphinton, EH46 7HH
01968 682639 treasurer@blackmount.org

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

Laura Munro (nominated by Dolphinton WRI)
Carmaben Brae,
Dolphinton, EH46 7HH
01968 682312

David Darling (nominated by Black Mount Community Website)
Poets Place, Loanend, Dolphinton, EH46 7HQ
01968 682387 webadmin@blackmount.org

Alison Morton-Nicholls (associate)
Manse View,
Dolphinton, EH46 7HH
01968 682676

COUNCILLOR HAMISH STEWART

This will be the last Bugle before the Council elections in May. During the five years since the last Council elections we have seen the installation of a majority SNP government at Holyrood, the creation of a Conservative and Lib Dem coalition at Westminster and new leaders for Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems in Scotland. There have also been two elections for Community Councils, with quite a number of new faces on Blackmount Community Council.

The last election saw the end of Labour domination of South Lanarkshire Council, brought about by the changes to the voting system and the creation of multi member wards. In our case the three sitting members were all re-elected but with a far greater voice than in the past because of a hung Council. The Conservatives voted to go into coalition with Labour to run the Council and the rural voice was heard as never before.

The last five years have seen several highlights for the rural area including the commencement of the roads modernisation programme. In Blackmount many of the roads have already been upgraded with more work to come. Over 40 per cent of the total roads budget is now spent in Clydesdale.

The school modernisation programme was expanded, including the commitment to keep all rural schools open, and the proposals for Walston were upgraded from minor improvements to a complete new school in 2015/2016.
I had the honour of opening the new High School in 2011 and am always impressed by the number of former Walston children who pick up awards at the prize giving or perform at various events in the school.

When road gritting was cut back because of financial constraints to 45 per cent of the network, I fought and continue to fight for as much of our network to be gritted as possible. The effect of that has been that there is a higher percentage gritted in this ward than in any other. There are still roads that I believe should be on the network which are not and I continue to press for their inclusion. I thank those residents who contact me when incidents occur, to add to my arguments.

The massive expansion in salt purchases and storage facilities at Carnwath has ensured that there should be no shortages of salt in future. Fortunately the kind of winter we have had this year has meant that the additional capacity has not been required.

The budgets for 2012/2013 are now set, with savings of £12million incorporated. Largely through a change in emphasis within the Social Work Dept the bulk of the savings fall there, but all resources have identified savings that will have minimal impact on front line services.

Overall job losses this year are approximately 200 but there will be no requirement for compulsory redundancies. All parties agreed the budget amicably – perhaps a model that others elsewhere could follow.

I look forward to still being in post and writing further articles for the Bugle but in case the electorate decide otherwise I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the support I have received over the past 6 years.

In the meantime my surgeries continue as normal at Newbigging, Dolphinton and Elsrickle except during school holidays and council recess periods and I can be contacted on 07748 114 582 or by e-mail at Hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk or by post at the Council offices in Hamilton

Hamish Stewart

DOLPHINTON WRI

The December meeting was a children’s Christmas Party with tea, games and a visit from Santa to finish.

On January 11th, members enjoyed a lovely meal at the Bakehouse, West Linton, subsidised by South Lanarkshire. Many thanks to them!
The January meeting was on Beekeeping by Mr Andrew Hay and was very interesting.

Also in January a team was entered for the Federation Ruralympics and came second. The team members were Anne Hutchison, Lilian Mackenzie, Effie Dickson and Nan Reid.
On January 25th we had our Bowling Tournament for charity. The winners were Jessie Meikle, Janet Bryson, Marion Bell and Margaret Frame. The runners up were Jean Campbell, Ann Ross, Anne Hutchison and Lillian Mackenzie.

February 15th meeting was a talk on Tips for Photography by Elizabeth MacDonald.

The next members’ night is for miniature gardens and spring pots.
We are also entering the Community Effort at Peebles at the Bulb Show on the 11th.

April 18th is our AGM and an Antiques Roadshow with Ryan MacDonald

Jean Campbell

NEWS from WALSTON PRIMARY

Sponsored Walk/ Baking Sale

Walston Primary is having a sponsored walk on Friday 23 March following by tea and coffee and a sale of home baking. The walk will start around 1.15pm and will last no more than an hour. Tea and coffee will then be on sale in school. We also hope to have some home baking to sell.
We would be delighted if, as well as parents and friends, local people would join the children and staff for this event.
If you would like to take part please come to the school on Friday 23 March at 1.15pm.

Money raised from the sponsored walk will be donated to Sports Aid. Money raised from the tea, coffee and home baking will be donated to the school fund.

In the event of poor weather we will postpone the walk and start the tea, coffee and baking sale at 2.00pm.
Please contact the school that morning if you are in any doubt.

Friends of Walston Primary

Are you interested in becoming a Friend of Walston Primary? We are always looking for people from the community to help us. So if you have a couple of hours to spare a week or a talent you could share with us (e.g. the children are very keen to form a choir, gardening, knitting, board games) please contact Dorothy Ramsay 01899810234 or dramsay@walston-pri.s-lanark.sch.uk.

The Parent Council also would appreciate volunteers from the community. Please enquire at the school if you wish more information.

Christmas at Walston Primary

Walston’s Christmas play was about Baboushka. The hall was packed full of people - there almost weren’t enough seats. The play was a huge success and nobody forgot their words. All the children and teachers were very happy especially Mrs Ramsay. We loved singing all the songs, but we really liked the last song because we all had to stand up and dance to the song “Jingle Bell Rock” That was really fun but very tiring. The next day we were all relieved that the play had been a success.

The next day we had our party. It was brilliant. Some Mums provided a lovely buffet (Thank you Mums!) and we played games and did Scottish dancing.
At the end, we had TWO special visitors- Santa and his helper. They had something for everyone.

PE

Walston School got a grant and we decided to use it for PE as we don’t have much room in our school.
We got the bus down to Biggar Sports Centre and did a variety of sports e.g. gymnastics, netball, hockey and benchball. We all really enjoyed running around the sports hall.

In February Mr Barber is going to help us train for Cross Country and in March Mrs Orr is coaching us in Netball. We’re looking forward to it and hope the weather isn’t too snowy!

BLACKMOUNT SOCIAL GROUP

Elvis came to Elsrickle!!

Our Christmas season got under way on Dec 2nd at the annual dinner. Food was good: turkey and all the trimmings, cooked by volunteers from all over the area. Service was excellent, carried out by 4 willing, efficient teenagers.

Raffle prizes in great abundance, all donated and distributed according to your luck.

Entertainment was excellent, described as an eclectic mix, considered to be on a par with the Royal Variety Show!

All for a total net cost of £11.00!!

Thanks to South Lanarkshire Council for their contribution and to all who bought raffle tickets.

Last but not least, a big thank you to all who contributed their time and effort towards the overall success of this event.
Community spirit is alive and well!!

Here’s to next year. See you all at the Sports!

Ann Hutchison

BLACKMOUNT SPORTS 2012

The proposed date for the Sports night this year is Thursday 31st May at Newbigging playing fields. This is the night before the holiday weekend of 1st-5th June which includes the Queens Diamond Jubilee celebrations so if this is unsuitable for anyone please let me know on 01899 810219.

Again if anyone has any suggestions or would like to help on the night, please contact me on the above number.

Mara Orr

BLACKMOUNT BULK FUEL UPDATE

Our first order was completed successfully. 16 people took part in the order for 11000 litres of heating oil. For those ordering 500 litres there was a saving of £30.

Next order will be mid March if there is enough interest, or mid May.

Contact Margaret Lancaster 01899810296 or email lancaster974@btinternet.com

Margaret Lancaster

WALSTON PRE- 5 GROUP
Wednesdays
9.15am until 11.30am

Walston Pre 5 Group offers the opportunity for children from the Blackmount Community to play together on a weekly basis before attending school.

The Pre 5 Group helps the children develop their social and learning skills through free play and creative art work, such as: dressing up, painting, play dough, reading, singing and musical games, as well as playing outside with balls and games, all in a safe environment.

We meet at Walston Primary School on a Wednesday morning, for children from 2½ years up to school age, and children do not need to be toilet trained to attend.

Each session runs from 9.15am until 11.30am. We would welcome children of this age to come and join our group. If you would like to register your child please telephone Leah Girdwood (Playgroup Leader), Hannah Cairns or Carrie Allison at the numbers below or call in on a Wednesday morning.

If you’d like to contact the playgroup, please call

Leah Girdwood Tel: 0797473255

Carrie Allison Tel: 07725170123

Hannah Cairns Tel: 07980681978

GREENSHIELS ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN
For Blackmount Residents’ Information.

I am writing to you with regards to Greenshields village. The current road through the village is designated as 60mph speed limit. It is used as a through route to Livingston/Edinburgh, along with the Kaimend shortcut. Greenshields Road is unsuitable for two cars to pass, the road is pot holed beyond repair and is damaged at the edges
We have 10 houses within Greenshields, 6 of them with children. We are currently up to a total of 8 children under the age of 13. I am applying to be a childminder to look after a total of six children daily which will be bring the total up to 14 children playing within our area.

For many years the residents of Greenshields have been campaigning for this road to be brought down to a 30MPH speed limit.
The main heart of the area is built on a BLIND bend. From the Biggar side of the approach, there is a 1km STRAIGHT that enables cars to gain extra speed. There are no warning signs from the brow of the hill (even none at the bottom) to warn drivers of a blind bend and a residential area. HGV’S sometimes use the road as a shortcut from the quarry to Biggar and beyond. The local police have visited the company so hopefully this added danger will stop.

On occasion the council close the Carnwath Road from Biggar (Elsrickle side) and the main trunk road to Carnwath when they have repair work to do and use Greenshields Road as part of the diversion. The school bus stops at Greenshields where 6 children get on the bus. Also we live on a farm holding, with 20-50 cattle/sheep crossing the road.

For the past ten years the local residents have been fighting to reduce the speed restriction, unfortunately with no success.

I do hope you will help us by raising awareness of the situation wherever you can.

Thank You
Debbie Lumb

ELSRICKLE WRI
Elsrickle WRI started 2012 with a very enjoyable ‘after Christmas’ Christmas lunch at Bamboo Fusion in Biggar
The following week saw us keeping fit with Mrs K. Sandilands to make sure we put the Christmas dinner to good use!

Meetings coming up:

7th March Thai cookery with Mrs S. Cuthil

28th March AGM and Bulb planting with Miss H. Watt

Pam Hart

Last Date for Contributions to the next Bugle is APRIL 12th 2012
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 any errors printed in the Bugle.