BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

I know from personal experience that it's easy to be fooled by the countryside.

I look out of the window and I see dreich rain falling on green fields. I see a typical Scottish rural scene. Or at least I used to, before I realised that there is no 'typical'.

What I see now is coloured by my experience of living in this unique community and in this special landscape. Because I know the farmer whose field is sodden or the neighbour whose home is flooded, I see a place of personal stories that make this place important to me.

So my question is simple: what makes this place important to you?
Once you've answered that, then please let the Community Council know how we can help you keep it that way . . . and help you to make it better.

Sam Cassels

BMCC MEETINGS

Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, except Public Holidays.

Dates and venues are posted outside Dolphinton, Elsrickle and Newbigging Village Halls

Black Mount Community Council Membership List (June 2012)

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

Alex Pagett (elected)
Auchengillan
Peggie’s Knowe
Dolphinton, EH46 7AL
01968 682358

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

Anne Hutchison (nominated by Black Mount Social Group)
Roberton Mains
Dolphinton
EH46 7AD

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

COUNCILLOR HAMISH STEWART

I am delighted to be contributing this article again as one of your Councillors. My last article was written prior to the May elections with all the uncertainty that brings – I had the biggest share of the vote from all the Blackmount polling stations, so thank you to everyone who voted for me. I will endeavour to repay the trust you have placed in me to the best of my ability for the next 5 years.

In the last article I commented that Patersons had not appealed the Overburns planning application rejection. They have now done so. We will have to await the result of the Government’s reporter deliberations to learn the outcome.

On a similar note, I was delighted that SSE’s appeal against the Harrow’s Law windfarm application was rejected.

In recent weeks there have been some lurid articles in the press regarding the outcome of a Pre Review Hearing in which South Lanarkshire Council have been involved. Some of these articles have suggested that the Council were liable to be hit with paying out millions on pounds in back dated wages to female members of staff because of sexual discrimination in the work place. In actual fact, contrary to the reports, the hearing found that there was NO discrimination. On two other counts, namely, whether the scheme that places individual jobs on the various pay points and on transparency in the process, the review found against the Council.
It is the belief of the Council lawyers that the review failed to take into account some important points from the 17 Legal Arch files of written evidence so at the time of writing a QC is reviewing all the evidence and what further action to be taken, if any, will be based on his opinion.

Even if no appeal is lodged and the ruling accepted, it will take years to work out how many employees, if any, are entitled to payments and to calculate how much those payments should amount to. The reports of massive payments in time for Christmas issued by the firm of lawyers, acting on a no win no fee basis, for the employees are therefore totally misleading – very definitely a case of not believing everything you read in the papers!

There has also been another issue of misrepresentation of the facts circulating, namely the Dumfries to Edinburgh bus service.
The situation is that every five years the operation of the service is tendered for on the open market.
The current operator, McEwans, was the only company to tender to operate the service from 14th July but at an increase in subsidy payments of 52% over the existing contract. The subsidy is provided by 4 of the 5 local authorities through which the route passes – namely Dumfries and Galloway, South Lanarkshire, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Edinburgh refuses to pay anything. The subsidy currently amounts to in the region of £500,000 annually. None of the funding partners are in a position to pay increases of that nature and could, in fact have had questions to answer from the Audit Commission had they agreed without pursuing further options. In consequence, McEwans have been given a 6 month extension to the contract, until mid-January, to allow time for further options to be pursued.

This may or may not mean changes to the service after January but it is far too early to speculate on that. What is clear is that contrary to the scaremongering started by the organisers of the Save Our Buses petition and of the pages on Facebook, there is no threat to the service through Dolphinton.

On a happier note I was delighted to be present at the Blackmount Sports in Newbigging and to present the prizes. True to form the rain came on and the midges were out but a great night was had by all, so a big thank you to the Social Group for organising the event yet again.

Previously I only tried to cover half the ward with surgeries but since the retiral of Beith Forrest I am covering the entire huge ward so I have decided that it is a better use of my time and resources not to do formal surgeries but instead to do surgeries by appointment.

If you want to see me, phone 07748 114 582 or e-mail Hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk to arrange a meeting. The chances are that we will be able to meet at much shorter notice than at a monthly surgery.

Hamish Stewart

DOLPHINTON WRI

The Annual Flower Show is on Saturday 18th August at 2pm in the
village hall. The hall will be open on Thursday 16th August at 7pm
for entries.
Children who have been growing the potato in a pot should bring this along for judging.

The first meeting of the new season takes place on Wednesday 19th
September when the demonstration will be "Baking for afternoon Tea" by Mrs Joan Orr.

These meetings take place on the 3rd Wednesday of
every month and old and new members would be most welcome.

Betty Ross

BLACKMOUNT SPORTS NIGHT

Once again there was an excellent turnout of children, parents and spectators at the annual sports night on 31st May. Unfortunately the rain turned out in force again, but it did not deter the ever enthusiastic Blackmount kids and a full programme of races went ahead.

All ages took part in the usual 5 events, the sprints, the egg and spoon race, the soggy sack race, the Atlanta race, and the ever popular obstacle race. Once all the obstacles had been tackled, the children and some brave adults emerged from the cargo net looking like real commandos with mud smeared faces and knees.

The night was finished off with a tug of war and a charity fun run where a fantastic sum of £50 was raised for the Quarriers.

The joint winners of the Agnes Allison shield for the Primary
age group this year are Hamish Barber, Niamh Barber, and Robbie Orr with Emma Orr as runner up. The Secondary shield was won by Alison Orr with joint runners up, Jennifer Highton and Fergus Hamilton-Blackett. The Toddlers section was won by Harry Tolson with Harris Cairns in 2nd place and Jill Cottier in 3rd place.

Councillor and Mrs Hamish Stewart kindly presented the prizes as well as a commemorative Diamond Jubilee medal to all the competitors.

Thanks are due to all the willing helpers who endured a soaking while manning the tuck shop, scoring, holding the tape, and setting up and dismantling the field. Also kind thanks to Mr and Mrs Bell for the use of their house and toilet. Well done to everyone who took part, hopefully next year will be better weather, it certainly cannot be worse!

Mara Orr

ANNUAL WREATH LAYING CEREMONY

On the 11th November at 11.a.m. the annual wreath laying ceremony will take place at the SMALL war memorial at the top of Elsrickle village (Townhead).

There will be a special welcome to all those who wish to attend for this simple but nonetheless meaningful service of remembrance

Those attending should gather outside Townhead Cottage by 10.55a.m.

David Taylor

BLACK MOUNT FUEL GROUP

We now have 26 registered members and have ordered fuel three times – so feeling a bit more comfortable with the process. Three different suppliers have been used and the difference in price is amazing.
I thought perhaps a September order – perhaps mid September?
Anyone wishing to join the group please get in contact with me on 01899810296 or lancaster974@btinternet.com

Margaret Lancaster

ELSRICKLE WRI

The new session opens on Saturday 25th August with the annual Flower and Vegetable Show in Elsrickle Village Hall.
Entries will be received on Saturday morning and the official opening is at 2pm. Teas and home baking will be served.

In September a number of the ladies will be off on holiday for a few days of well-earned fun.
The September meeting is on the 12th and the speaker will talk about Care and Repair in the community...
On the 10th October, Kim Adam of Feufield Farm in Symington will entertain us with stories of her family of animals and birds.

Everyone is welcome to all of the meetings and a special invitation is extended to new members or anyone who would like to come along and see what it’s all about.

Norma Love

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

CLYDESDALE RURAL COMMUNITY TRANSPORT SERVICE

Do you need help with

Hospital visits, Doctor Appointments, getting to Clinic, Dentist, Optician or visiting Family in Care Homes?

We cover Biggar, Symington, Carnwath, Walston, LIbberton etc…etc
A small mileage charge is made for each journey.

We also have vacancies for volunteer drivers within these areas. Do you have any spare time? Training is provided.

If you require more information please contact : 01555 895491

Last Date for Contributions to the next Bugle is OCTOBER 12th
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.
Answer : John and Joyce’s Plant Garden, Newbigging