BLACK MOUNT BUGLE

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

As the clocks go back and the snow threatens to return, many people
have had a tough year of it. As a Community we can't change the weather or the economy, but bit by bit we can change the place we live in.

There is much talk at Government level of Community Empowerment.
I'm still not quite sure what that means for the politicians, but I assume it implies more freedom to influence what actually happens on the ground in our own communities.

That means we need to stay close to what is happening, what is planned to happen, and what you want to happen. So please do come along to the Black Mount Community Council Meetings and make your voice heard - or if you prefer you can now visit us on Facebook.

Sam Cassels

BMCC MEETINGS

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

The Black Mount Community Council AGM will be held on 12th November. Those interested in attending would be made very welcome.

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

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

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

COUNCILLOR HAMISH STEWART

With winter fast approaching I thought this might be a good opportunity to give a bit of an update about the Council’s plans for gritting on the roads this year.

Investment in equipment and salt stocks has continued and we go into the winter with 35000 tonnes of salt in stock, all stored under cover. To put that into perspective, during last year’s relatively mild winter we used 26000 tonnes but in the severe winter of 2009/2010 we used 55000 tonnes. However, that year we started with only 8000 tonnes in stock. Last year 14 gritters were replaced with improved versions at a cost of £1.5 million. This winter a further 10 tractors have been converted for winter use and an additional 20 drivers have been trained to drive gritters plus 4 road sweeping vehicles have been converted for snow clearing. 18 of the seasonal workers who are employed in summer for grounds maintenance work have been retained for snow clearing duties.
Additionally, the number of grit bins throughout South Lanarkshire has been increased by 100 each year for the past three years. At times when the system is under pressure there are problems getting the grit bins refilled so additional equipment and manpower has been identified for that purpose.

There was a dry run of all the equipment on 30th September – one or two people have told me that they saw gritters on the road then and wondered why. This has identified any equipment problems so everything ought now to be working properly before the winter starts in earnest. South Lanarkshire target 50% of the road network for priority gritting and ploughing treatment, this compares with the Scottish average of 42%. Once those routes are in a satisfactory condition other roads will be targeted as and when resources permit. In spite of all the well-publicised financial pressures that councils are facing, there will be no cutback in the money spent on this vital service.

Grit will also continue to be available for residents free of charge from the depot at Carnwath in quantities of up to 5kg at a time provided you take your own container. Let’s just hope that not too much of the 35000 tonnes is needed this winter!

On a related topic, Transport Scotland has finished reviewing speed limits on the Trunk Road network throughout Scotland. This has resulted in various proposals to increase or decrease limits at various locations. So far as the A702 is concerned there are no changes proposed for Dolphinton but at Silverburn, the 40mph stretch at the North of Biggar, the 40mph stretch at the South of Biggar, Coulter and Lamington the proposals are to increase the current limits by 10mph. My personal view is that these changes would be an absolute disaster and I can see no requirement for them whatsoever and neither have I ever heard of anyone asking for them. There is no time scale for consultation on these proposed changes to start – they seem to be concentrating first on where they want to reduce limits. To find out more go to www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/safety/Speed-limit-review/outcomes and follow the links for the A702. If you want talk to me about these or any other Council matters please contact me on 07748 114 582 or at hamish.stewart@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.

Hamish Stewart

WRI NEWS

DOLPHINTON

The first meeting of the session took the form of a cooking
demonstration by Joan Orr. Joan cooked a lovely dinner which we all
tasted later.

The October meeting is Hats and Fascinators by Marjory Tennant which should be very interesting. The Whist Drive is on 24th October in aid of the Children's Christmas Party.

On 21st November the talk will be the Adventures of a Vet with David Gardener- Roberts with the children’s Christmas party on December 22nd.

To start the new year on 16th January we have Ros Kerry who is the
fundraising Manager for the charity Lepra.

January 26th is the date for our charity bowling tournament.

Betty Ross

ELSRICKLE
Members of Elsrickle WRI were entertained by a most unusual speaker in October. Kim Adam - farmer, animal welfare campaigner, and singer regaled the ladies with fascinating and highly amusing tales of her beloved animals and the launching of her singing career on Britain’s Got Talent. The evening was a great success.

November will be a talk by a representative from Damn Delicious. The theme in December is Christmas treats by Margaret Leiper and in January we can try out Yoga, assisted by Instructor Norma Duncan.

Norma Love

BLACK MOUNT SOCIAL GROUP
The AGM of the Social Group was held on 22nd Oct. when 4 members were in attendance.
The main items discussed were:

…the success of the Sports in May, when all participants received a
Jubilee medal

…the fun evening on the top of the Black Mount at the Diamond
Jubilee Beacon

…a most enjoyable Sponsored Walk at the beginning of September
when just over £400 was raised for the funds. This money has now been spent on the fireworks for this year’s bonfire on Nov. 5th.

Christmas dinner arrangements were made as far as possible until the date was fixed.
Entertainment has since been booked so the date of this event will be SATURDAY 15th DECEMBER at 7pm in Elsrickle Hall.
Invitations will be sent to all the people on THE LIST.

If you have reached 60 YEARS OF AGE and would like to be invited please get in touch with Anne 01968 682256 or Sheena 01968 682615.

Three members of the Group have indicated that this will definitely be their last year (due to work commitments, age, and/or long service), so at least 3 people are needed to help to keep the above events going. There will be a meeting in May to introduce all volunteers. Please phone Anne if you are interested.

Anne Hutchison

THE BUGLE ON FACEBOOK

The Blackmount community is now on Facebook! You can check out our new page at www.facebook.com/bmccouncil where we'd welcome you to become a friend to receive news and updates.

The site is a work in progress as we need you to help us get it properly set up. We'd love to receive any photos you have of the area, together with any information on groups and events you'd like the community to know about.

Please email any photos or information to webadmin@blackmount.org.

David Darling

TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC

It’s that time of year again – Strictly has hit your screens and you may suddenly feel the urge to apply sequins and fake tan. Failing that, a few ballroom dancing lessons to help you through the long winter months might be just what’s needed!

We tried a few years ago to get together a group of people who would like to dance regularly at Dolphinton Village Hall. nfortunately we didn’t manage to find enough people to make the hire of the hall financially viable.

If anyone would be interested in coming along and learning a variety of ballroom dance moves, please call me soon and we will attempt to get it going as quickly as possible. This is open to all ages and abilities so please do consider it.

Pam Taylor - 01968 682203

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

Elsrickle Flower Show

All the children had entries in, but the prize for the best entry from Walston Primary was Eilidh Lister, with her drawing of tennis at the Olympics. Well done Eilidh|

North Berwick

To finish off our Seaside topic, the whole school went on a trip to The Seabird Centre at North Berwick. We had workshops and a chance to explore The Discovery Centre. In the afternoon, P1-4 had a wonderful time on the beach while P5-7 went on a ‘Seafari’ to the Bass Rock to study the gannets. Awesome!

Our last order for a total of 16000 litres went in September.
Now that the weather is getting colder the fuel supply is more important!
If there is a demand we will put in an order mid December.

Contact Margaret Lancaster 01899810296 or lancaster974@btinternet.com

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.