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Lochwinnoch Art Group

We are back in the swing of our fortnightly meetings on Monday evenings, 7.30-9.30pm, in the Space Room of the McKillop Institute.

Monday 1st February: "Caricature and Abstract" An exploration of black line and colour.

Monday 15th February: " Modern Approaches" A Tutor Demonstration by Cate Inglis. This prize-winning artist uses a new approach to successfully depict our urban landscape.

We are also holding an Art Exhibition in Castle Semple Visitor Centre,

"Art in the Park"

5th - 21st February

by kind invitation of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Authority. All our readers are warmly invited to come

along to the Opening Preview on Thursday the 4th from 7.00-8.30pm when you can meet the artists.

Otherwise the paintings, all of which will be for sale, can be viewed during normal opening times.

Sandra Fowles

Viewfield Rovers

VIEWFIELD ROVERS AFC-With a new management structure in place, we now seek new players for all positions. The club competes to a very high level within the Caledonian League on Saturday afternoons, therefore we seek only players of a high level of ability. If you are interested please call Alistair McMaster (07775 578 795) or Scott McKay (07788 288 762) or alternatively email the club on viewfieldroversafc1921@gmail

Alistair McMaster

Historical Society

Next meeting as usual in the Parish Church is Thursday 18th February

Rachel Kacir

"The Tenement House"

One of Glasgow's Victorian treasures. The tenement flat in 145 Buccleuch Street, Garnethill owned and managed by the National Trust is a fascinating look at life in late 19th and early 20th century life in Glasgow.

New members and visitors always welcome. An evening visit is £2 and includes tea/coffee/biscuits & cake.

Anne Nicholl

Village events, clubs, classes, etc are on the centre pages

Community newsletter produced by Lochwinnoch Chatterbox Trust

Lochwinnoch SWI

The next meeting of the Lochwinnoch SWI is on Wednesday 17th February at 7.30 in the McKillop Hall.

Spring is almost upon us, hopefully, and summer not so far behind, so our thoughts turn towards the new gardening season. So, to encourage a village full of colour in our gardens, David Castelvecci is coming to talk to us about

"Plants for Hanging Baskets"

We look forward to welcoming members and visitors to this interesting evening.

There will also be a Sales Table, so any donations will be gratefully received.

Any further information please contact Elma Richmond Tel : 843193 or richmond32@tiscali.co.uk

Elma Richmond

Lochwinnoch Writers

The group meetings resume on Monday 11th January, meeting each Monday in the Library Room at 2pm for 2.15pm, finishing at 4.15pm.

Usually about eight to ten members meet each week. Style of writing and subject varies a great deal, from family history and reminiscence to short story and poetry.

Constructive criticism and comments are offered as required. Our meetings are friendly and lively and new members are very welcome, whatever the stage of writing presented.

Deborah Winters

MATTHEW NEW & SONS ROOFING — ROUGHCASTING — BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Emergency Repairs, Storm Damage

Insurance Work, New Roofs, Flat Roofs

Roughcasting — UPVC Cladding — Guttering

Tel No 01505 843400

FMB Certificate No 26366

CHATTERBOX No 266 February 2016

www.lochwinnoch.info

www.facebook.com/lochwinnoch

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RAMH

Chatterbox readers are being given an exclusive 15% early-bird discount for the RAMH 2016 Dinner & Quiz on Friday 13th May, 2016 at the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew. This year’s fabulous event is sponsored by the University of the West of Scotland and includes a fizz reception, delicious 3 course meal and celeb-hosted quiz. Guests can compete for the champions’ trophy either as a business, or a team of fab friends.

Save 15% by booking before Friday 26th February; tickets are only £29.95 p/p when you contact enquiries@ramh.org or 0141 847 8900 quoting RAMH1605. Bookings made after 26th Feb return to the regular price of £35 p/p. Teams are of 10 guests maximum.

The complementary reception begins at 7pm with dinner commencing at 7.30pm. There are 8 rounds of quiz questions ending at midnight followed by dancing until 1am. Dress is smart/casual.

This fun filled event is terrific value for money and your support will enable local people to recover from mental ill health and build independent, fulfilled lives. RAMH looks forward to seeing you there!

With the Christmas holidays being a distant memory and an Easter break still a long way away, staying

mentally healthy at work is key to sustaining yourself. Top tips include:

Go home on time

Take a lunch break

Set realistic deadlines

Take your holiday leave

Allocate time to do the things you enjoy

RAMH is here for you 365 days a year. If you live in Renfrewshire and need urgent support call 0141 848 9090 or (freephone from landlines) 0500 829 093.

For information about other available services visit www.ramh.org or call 0141 847 8900.

website: www.ramh.org

Karen Milne

Business and Enterprise Manager

Johnstone High School

For those of us in the village with children at Johnstone High School you might be interested to know that they have a new Twitter account:

@JohnstoneHighSc

You might also be interested to know that the school publishes its newsletter on the school website.

Keep in touch and get involved.

www.johnstonehigh.co.uk

Police Notice

Livestock Worrying Lochwinnoch

In the early hours of Saturday 2nd January 2016 in a field near to Wateryetts, Lochwinnoch, a green Landrover Defender was observed acting suspiciously by a local farmer.

At 1pm on Sunday 3rd January 2016 the same farmer returned to the area and everything was ok. On returning at 3pm he observed that his 2 Red Luing cows and a Red Luing calf were now lying dead near the field entrance. The farmer stated to Police that he had seen what he believed to be poachers in the area the day before. He also stated that the calf had what appeared to be tears/cuts to its throat/neck area, and that the ground was badly churned around the cattle, as though they had been running trying to protect the calf from something and they were also covered in mud.

Evidence suggests the cattle have died as a result of stress induced by poachers and or dogs within the field.

Police are currently carrying out door to door enquiries with neighbouring farmers to ascertain if they have observed any suspicious vehicles or persons around the time of this incident and to identify the landrover seen the previous day.

If anyone has any information that may assist Police in this enquiry and /or who is responsible please contact Police Inspector Cassie Glass at Johnstone Police Office on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Cockatoo or Weather Helami Bird?

The other day I happened to glance out of my front window and saw a quite remarkable sight… there, perched on a bush in my neighbours’ front garden was a bright green bird with a long tail, about the size of a small pigeon. Of course, as any reasonable person would, I immediately reached for the trusty old twelve bore, with the entirely laudable intention (as I’m sure you’ll agree) of blowing this ludicrous apparition to bits, but by the time I had the gun cupboard unlocked and the weapon itself loaded, the bird had disappeared. I’ve hunted all over the village for it, without any success, so it’s possible that somebody else has attended to it and for their sakes I hope it was good eating, though it did look a little scrawny to me.

At any rate, I have made enquiries locally about this bird and it seems to have been popping up in all sorts of places. The consensus of opinion seems to be that it is a green cockatoo. In fact, there may be more than one of them, because it is rumoured that at least two of them were involved in some kind of punch up over the festive season with the gang of crows that hang around the woods beside Auld Simon, usually making a nuisance of themselves to innocent passers-by.

On the other hand, this bird may not be a cockatoo at all, but an African weather helami bird. My contact in the RSPB, Fuller Flugiston, says that due to climate change this bird, which usually inhabits the rain forests of the Congo and is rather short sighted, has been moving out of its usual habitat because of changes in global weather patterns, which has led to it moving to rainy areas elsewhere and we all know how much rain we’ve had recently. Due to poor eyesight, it seems that the bird, or birds, may well just be lost. In fact, it’s been popping up in all sort of strange places, like Kilwinning, and as we all know, places don’t come much stranger than Kilwinning. The bird can be recognised by its characteristic call, usually given out on a rising cadence, which sounds as if it’s repeatedly singing out, ’Weather hellami… weather hellami’. The bird, of course, has been named after the call.

It hardly needs to be said that this species of bird is in imminent danger of extinction because not only does it not know where it is, it can’t find a mate either, because as often as not the weather helami cock can’t find the weather helami hen. Indeed, it seems that the hens may deliberately hide from the cocks due to their aimless blundering about while making ridiculous screeching noises. It may well be that the hen doesn’t find such behaviour particularly attractive, though why that should be is unknown.

The correct thing to do if you come across this bird is to immediately phone the RSPB centre and give them details of where the bird or birds was or were sighted, as well as details of your bank account and credit card. Alternatively, you can just rush up to the centre, pull out your wallet, open it and shout ‘Help yourselves’ at the top of your voice. The RSPB will be most grateful for your donation and do absolutely nothing whatsoever about the bird (or birds)… sounds perfectly reasonable to me….

Graham Lait

Where’s Elvis?

As regular readers will know, Elvis is alive and well and living in Lochwinnoch!!

Elvis, the ring necked parakeet, escaped from his cage last summer and has been making his home in the wilds of Lochwinnoch. Although they are originally from India, "They actually originate from the foothills of the Himalayas, so they don't need it to be that warm to live comfortably," says Andre Farrar of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The parakeets are fully able to cope with the cold British winters, especially in suburban parks, large gardens, and orchards, where food supply is more reliable.

So, where’s Elvis? Sightings this month

Castle Semple Centre

Parkhill Drive

Ewing Road If you see or hear Elvis please let us know how he’s doing email chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info

Lochwinnoch Bowling Club

Saturday 27th February

BURNS SUPPER

"Garthland Cronies"

Times & cost T.B.A.

Look out for posters

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It’s been snowing!!

Louisa Casey up at Muirshiel

Shirley Douglas By Claire Murray

Even though  the loch was frozen the juniors at the rowing club enjoyed getting out in the fresh air!

Angela Tarbert

Joan MacLeod

CM

Marley

Kim David

Kim David

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Explore the religious tensions that led to intrigues, punitive actions and wars: Sempills were at the heart of events such as approving royal marriages and negotiating with foreign powers.

Learn about the historic battles in which the Lord Sempills fought, and at which some of them were killed including: Bannockburn, Sauchieburn, Flodden and Culloden.

Peruse brief accounts of relevant historical events such as the Norman Conquest; Wars of Scottish Independence; the Reformation; the Union of England and Scotland. See examples of relevant poetry and illustrations of: the roles of burghs, sheriffs and bailies; courts of justice; warfare and weapons.

Be amazed by the splendour of royal baptisms at which the Lord Sempills played a significant role. Learn of how Robert, 3rd Lord Sempill switched from protecting Mary Queen of Scots to being involved in intrigues and skulduggery during the latter part of her reign, leading to her overthrow, imprisonment, abdication, exile and eventual execution.

Discover which royal ancestor of the Sempills lost the crown jewels into the sea; which one could not escape assassination because of his love of tennis; which one did not even recognise his own father; and which became a saint.

Read the words written to, or about, a Lord Sempill by important historical figures such as the Protestant reformer John Knox, Pope Pius IV, Mary Queen of Scots and the Secretary to Queen Elizabeth I.

This account should be of interest to anyone who is descended, not just from the Sempills, but also from other noble families which lived in West Scotland during this period, including those named Cunningham, Douglas, Hamilton, Lennox, Montgomery and Stewart. It should also be of interest to residents of Lochwinnoch.

Mrs Roxine A. Beaumont-Sempill

Email: beaumontsempill@btinternet.com

The book is available through Amazon.

Cllr Andy Doig

Risk of flooding is a major issue for many parts of Lochwinnoch, and I am far from

convinced that there is enough collaborative working between Scottish Water, SEPA, and Renfrewshire Council. I have written to Scottish Water management demanding more action to resolve these challenges and I will update constituents their response at the earliest opportunity. We are all increasingly aware of the challenges of climate change but in the 21st century it is surely not too much to ask that our communities be as flood free and safe as possible.

There has been significant debate at the last few meetings of Lochwinnoch Community Council about the proposals to take the McKillop Institute under the control of Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd, an arms length trust separate from the Council. The ruling administration on Renfrewshire Council has done a U turn and now decided to invest money in a leading Johnstone community facility, so we need to continue to apply pressure to get them to do the same regarding the McKillop.

I am pleased that the last Community Council meeting agreed to my proposal to invite a speaker from the Development Trust Association Scotland who can help us to do a community audit of what we feel our best community assets in Lochwinnoch.

I have always felt that heritage tourism has great jobs potential for villages like Lochwinnoch, and so was pleased to support the funding of the new Mary Barbour Cairn unveiled in Kilbarchan. Cllr Barbour was an ILP Councillor in Glasgow and a great social reformer in the inter war period.

Lochwinnoch has its own forgotten radicals one of whom is Roland Eugene Muirhead, who was a major Scottish political figure, firstly in the ILP, and latterly in the SNP, in the first half of the 20th century. Muirhead is reputedly buried in Lochwinnoch and if any constituents have any information on this I would

like them to contact me.

I very much want to make myself available to local residents in Lochwinnoch and please note my Lochwinnoch advice surgery is on the 4th Wednesday of the month, at 7:30pm, in the McKillop Institute, excluding July. However, I am available at any time to constituents who can call me on 07534 148224, tweet me on CllrAndy4Ward8, or e-mail me at

cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Yours Sincerely,

Cllr Andy Doig (SNP)

Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, and Lochwinnoch Ward

Renfrewshire Council

The Semples/Sempills of Lochwinnoch

A new local history book has been published recently: ‘The Semples/Lord Sempills of West Scotland: family and contextual history from 11th to 19th Centuries’.

In his Foreword Jamie Sempill, 21st Lord Sempill writes: “Roxine Beaumont-Sempill has rewritten the Semple/Sempill family history, and placed it all into historical context. She has successfully woven her extensive research into the chronological framework of the family tree, and produced the definitive family history.”

Read of the vast wealth and power of the Lord Sempills: of feuds, imprisonments, sieges murders and reprieves. Did Sir Robert Sempill defraud the Crown Exchequer? How did William Semple, 2nd Lord Sempill get away with murder... twice?

Find out about some of the houses and estates where the Lord Sempills lived, and churches that they founded. See how noble families like the Sempills would have lived; what they might have worn; how they were educated; how they attacked and defended their castles, and how they managed their wealth in the days before banks.

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YEP! will be running the following free workshops until March:

Thursdays from 4.30pm until 6.30pm - Boat Building at the YEP! Boat Hut, Lochbarr Services, Lochwinnoch

Fridays from 6pm until 8pm - Recycle or Dye, Clothing re-design, printing and making workshops at the Lochwinnoch Annexe,

We’re hoping to re-start some activities in the Community Garden as the lighter nights creep in, including the completion of the Meet Hut's grow roof.

To take part just turn up or call Gillian on 07854 468 512 or email gillian@myleapproject.org for more details.

Why own a car when you could join a Car Club? A lot of people don’t notice the true costs of running a car, but when you add up the cost of tax, MOT, fuel, servicing, repairs, depreciation and parking, you could be looking at an average of over a hundred pounds a week! And who wants all the hassle that goes with car ownership? What if you could walk down the street and climb into a clean, new car that has its own guaranteed parking space, and drive away? LEAP Car club is giving drivers and householders the opportunity to work out just how much their car or cars are costing to drive every year. If you go to LEAP car Club’s website pages

www.myleapproject.org/leap-car-club

schools and nurseries, will be organising a collection of children's footwear (including sports shoes) from 22nd-26th February. Some schools will be holding a shoe swap or sale event at the end of the collection week - look out for flyers in your child's school bag for more details. Surplus sports shoes will be donated to Linwood's Kit & Caboodle, while other shoes will be passed on to the children’s shoe charity Sal's Shoes, who will re-home them where they are needed most.

For more information about your nearest collection point, or if you would like to get involved, please email susie@myleapproject.org or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website www.myleapproject.org

YEP! LEAP’s Youth Engagement Project boat building round up LEAP's Youth Engagement Programme rounded off 2015 with a visit to the Galgael boat building project in Govan and the placing of the all important 'Whiskey Plank' in their own boat, in the Yep! Boat Hut at Lochbarr Services. The usual glass of our national drink - normally tippled on this occasion - was of course replaced with mugs of hot blackcurrant juice to help the boat builders to fend off the cold! Boat building will continue to be part of the workshop programme this year.

Yep! Free Workshops for 2016 If you haven’t already joined in at the workshops but want to start now,

Local Energy Action Plan

LEAP

Get ready for LEAP’s BIKE SWAP on Saturday 6th February in Lochwinnoch Dust off your bikes for the approach of spring and get cycling! Bike the wrong size? Swap it for another. Unused bike lurking at the back of the garage? Donate it, so another can use it. No bike to swap? Come along to see if we have one that suits you.

Bikes can be dropped off at 12 noon on Saturday 6th February at The Annexe, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch, with the Bike Swap starting at 12.30. If you have no bike to swap, come along at 1.30pm to see if we have one that suits you. For more information, please email susie@myleapproject.org or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/myleapproject or website www.myleapproject.org

Children’s Shoe Collection Are your children growing fast and leaving half worn shoes behind them? Fed up of sending perfectly good shoes to landfill?

LEAP, along with several local primary

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This February to celebrate the LEAP year, and to help you re-energise those new year’s resolutions which have maybe slipped away in January we’d like people across our villages to let LEAP know about YOUR actions

All you have to do is simply choose an action that suits you and tell others about your pledge.

To help you decide what types of action people have already taken and the environmental impact of this measure, we’ll be dedicating a page on the LEAP website with this information.

We’ll also showcase some of the actions people are taking as individuals, as families, as groups, as charities, as businesses and as villages. All we ask is that you make a pledge in February and March and let LEAP and other people know about it!

For more details visit www.myleapproject.org email lesley@myleapproject.org or call 01505 842 530.

Can you spare 3 hrs a week? Volunteers Needed

Charity shop – Help urgently needed in our busy Lochwinnoch charity shop on High Street.

Furniture Transport Volunteers – Assisting the Hospice driver with furniture pick-ups around the local area.

Reception – Day and Evening cover required on our busy reception.

Other volunteer roles available, please call 01505 705 635 or email volunteering@svh.co.uk for more information.

Winter Dangers

We have had the first fall of snow in the village this winter and I hear that Ronnie Brown leads the way again, knocking on doors and asking if elderly residents need any shopping.

It's a reminder to all of us to watch out for one another. Snow and ice and cold can be treacherous for everyone but particularly for older people.

Keep an eye on your neighbours and offer help where it's needed. That might be shopping, gritting, a friendly chat, a cup of tea, posting letters, picking up prescriptions., walking dogs, lifts to doctors or hairdressers etc. Winter can be a very isolating time.

Thanks Ronnie for reminding us all to think of others.

Barbara

Local Solicitors Providing Personal Service

Whether you’re buying or selling a home or are unsure

of your rights on any legal matter the experienced team at JJ McCosh

will provide an individual service from experts with local knowledge.

Partner, and local resident, Ian Briggs is more than happy to

consult at your home, and there is no charge for the first meeting.

Feel free to get in touch to speak to our team and see how we can help.

Telephone: 01294 832112

Email: info@jjmccosh.co.uk

you can calculate the true cost of owning and driving your car each year. Joining a car club can reduce the costs of driving especially if your car is sitting in the driveway or outside your home unused except for the weekly journeys you make to the supermarket, to visit friends to take the children to nursery and school. Make the right choices and save money with community car hire with LEAP Car Club in Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan and Bridge of Weir.

For more information about car club travel or to become a member of LEAP Car Club, email mike@myleapproject.org.uk or call 01505 842530.

LEAP welcomes your LEAP Year Pledges At LEAP we’re always looking for feedback from local people and villages about the actions and changes they are making to reduce their energy use in their daily lives and therefore their carbon

footprint. For some people it’s about changing 6 of their bulbs to LED, cycling to work 2 days a week rather than driving, switching off their games consoles instead of leaving them on stand-by, turning the heat thermostat down one notch, car sharing to get to a local club in the evening, insulating lofts to save heat escaping, joining a car club to reduce carbon emissions, growing vegetables, recycling clothes and furniture, swapping bicycles….

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hour, but you can take as long as you like! Take the opportunity to explore the reserve and, when you have finished, come back to the centre to complete the challenge and tell us all about it!

Recent visitors may have wondered where Lochwinnoch’s own celebrity swan, ‘Whoopie’, had disappeared to – being such a familiar sight around the place, he was conspicuous by his absence. Staff on the reserve had noticed he was limping and generally looked a bit under the weather, so he went off for a short stay in hospital. We’re delighted to report that after some excellent care from Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue, Whoopie was successfully released back on to the reserve and he’s back to his old self!

If you’re thinking of buying a new telescope or a pair of binoculars, why not come along and try them out under field conditions? On Saturday 6 February (2-4pm) we have a special guided walk that gives you the chance to quiz our knowledgeable staff and try out a range of different optics to find out what suits you best. Places are limited, so please book in advance. A cost of £3 will be refunded if you purchase a pair of binoculars or a telescope from the reserve shop on the day.

If you would like to know more or book a place on any of our events, please get in touch at Lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk or call 01505 842 663.

February 2016

Test our Binoculars & Telescope in the Field! Guided walk & presentation 2 - 4pm Sat 6 Feb Test our telescopes and binoculars under field conditions! Go for a guided walk with our knowledgeable staff and try out a range of different optics out on the reserve! Enjoy the scenery and wildlife, whilst finding out what binoculars or telescope suits you best.

Please book, as places are limited. Cost: £3 (refunded if you purchase a pair of binoculars, or a telescope, from the reserve shop on the day!)

Wild Challenge: Be a bird! Any time! (centre open 7 days; 10am – 4pm) Fri 12 – Tues 16 Feb Spend some quality family time together at RSPB Lochwinnoch! This event is not the usual kind. You do it with your own family in your own time!! Simply pop into the Visitor centre any time between Friday 12 February and Tuesday 16th February, where the friendly staff will give you a map and get you started. (Allow approx 1hr for the challenge.)

Then visit different stations along our main trail to find out what it might be

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

With the mild winter we’re having, it really feels like spring is fast approaching. As the days get a bit brighter and longer, and the first green shoots start to appear, we have plenty of activities to get you out and about and put a spring in your step!

With the change in seasons in mind, it’ll soon be time for love birds around the country to settle down and raise a new brood. To celebrate National Nest Box Week, we’ll be running sessions where you can make and decorate your own cosy nest box to take home. Book a slot between 11am and 3pm on Saturday 13 February, and help give nature a home!

If you come along to the reserve from the 12th-16th February, you can take part in our ‘Be a Bird’ Wild Challenge for families. A great way to get outside and spend time together, you’ll find out what it’s really like to be a bird by following a map along the trail and completing a series of activities. We estimate it will take you around an

Whoopie home from hospital

Antique and Vintage items are an eco friendly way to furnish your home. The fun and excitement of finding a treasure to keep perhaps for a life-time. It is always intriguing to wonder who has previously owned it and how much it was loved and admired.

FindusatWestBanksideFarm, justoffthe LargsRoadon theoutskirtsofKil-birnieopposite theKilbirniePlaceGolfCourse.Disabledaccessandparkingatthe door. Open 7 days 10.00a.m –5.00p.m.

Telephone Greta on 01505 683338 or07786720586.

Emailgreta@thestirrupcup.co.uk.

Websitewww.thestirrupcup.co.uk PostcodeforSatNav KA257LQ

THE STIRRUP CUP

ANTIQUES AND VINTAGE SHOP

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Evening Talk: A Naturalist’s view of the Canadian Arctic – bears, birds and other beasts of the Yukon by Prof Paul Tatner 7:30-9pm Wed 24 Feb See beautiful photographic evidence of the wondrous wildlife encountered during a trip to one of the few places on Earth still close to being a true wilderness! This is a place that has largely escaped Man’s impact. Please book as places are limited.

Cost: Adults: £5; Children: £3 (RSPB members: £3/£2)

like to be a bird! When you have finished, come back to the centre to complete the challenge and tell us all about it!

Cost: £3 (RSPB members £1)

Build a bird a home 11am – 4pm Sat 13 Feb Help us celebrate National Nest Box Week and give birds a home this Spring! Build and decorate your very own nest box to help provide a pair of love birds with a home in time for the breeding season. Who knows, if you put it up in your garden, you may even see some baby birds in a few months time...

Please book a time slot (1st slot is at 11am & last is at 3pm). Cost: £10 (RSPB members £6) per box made. Wildlife Explorers: Colourful Nature! 10 am to 12 noon Sat 20 Feb Calling all children! Come along and learn about nature, but most importantly, get dirty and have fun doing it! We’ll be learning all about colours in nature – need we say more?! Please wear suitable clothing for being outdoors.

Ages: 5 to 14 years. Please note that all children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential.

Cost: £5 (£3 RSPB members) (adults go free)

Wetland guided walk 12noon – 2pm Sun 21 Feb Explore the wonderful wetland to be found at Lochwinnoch! The reserve team will take you around the site and point out the interesting things to be found here. Whether you have a general interest in wildlife, or would like to hone your birdwatching skills, then this is the walk for you! Stout footwear and clothing suitable for the Scottish outdoors are strongly recommended. Please book, as places are limited.

Cost: Adults: £5; Children: £3 (RSPB members: £3/£2)

Join LEAP Car Club – Membership from £5 per month

Pay-As-You-Drive Car Club

Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan and Bridge of Weir

For more information, contact mike@myleapproject.org or 01505 842530

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What’s On

Regular clubs, classes and groups

Bokwa Fitness — Masonic Hall, Thursdays, 7—8pm. Places limited. Contact Rachel on 07795 100231 or 503362

Boys’ Brigade—meets on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Church Hall.

- Anchor Boys P1 to P3 (6pm—7pm) - Juniors P4 to P6 (7pm- 8.15pm) - Company P7 to S6 (7.45—9.30pm)

Tel Mark Brown 842209 or email BB1stLochwinnoch@btinternet.com

Calder Drama Club—Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm McKillop Institute.

Calder UF Church—Food for Thought. Last Monday of the month 7.30pm in church hall

Community Walks—Mondays (but not public holidays) - meet 10.30am at The Cross, Lochwinnoch

Conservation Volunteers—Clyde Muirshiel

- Adult Group—Thursdays 12:30- 3:30pm Castle Semple Centre - Young Volunteers, 12-18yr old, Sundays 10-12am, Castle Semple Centre

Drop-in T Bar—Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum. McKillop Institute, 10-12 noon.

First Friday of Month—Semple Tones host an open mike session at Lochwinnoch Golf Club,

Girls Brigade—1st Lochwinnoch Company, Wed evenings from 6pm-9.15pm at the Parish Church Hall for various age groups.

Hatha Yoga Classes with Laura-Jane Lawson. Wednesday- McKillop Inst 7pm-8.30pm. All levels welcome. Tel: 07999 862 162 or Email: ljlyoga@hotmail.co.uk

Healing and Creativity Workshops & Classes—For details or to book a place, please Tel Becky: 0141 8816700 or Libby on: 01505 842604

Keep Fit—Improving With Age classes—every Tues from 10-11am at the McKillop. Tel 842 136

Knitting Group—Mondays 10am-12 noon (or longer) at The Loch House, all levels welcome

Krafty Kids—open to all Primary School children 1.30—3pm in small Parish Church room. For bookings telephone Katharine Billany on 01505 844 944 or 07947 075 622

Liathach Dog Training—(pre-booking necessary). Anne Moss, Tel: 01505 842367, e-mail: dogtraining@f2s.com

Linda Margaret School of Dancing—Tuesdays from 4pm-8.45pm, McKillop Institute. For details, Tel: 0141 581 9104.

Lochbarr Centre Mon 7-8pm—Zumba with Cheryl Tue 7-30pm & 7.35-8.05pm Fat

Burn Extreme with Steven Wed 7-8pm Zumba with Cheryl Pulse Dance Academy Thursday

6-6.45pm (nippers 2-4 yrs) 6.45-7.45pm (Juniors 5-8 yrs) 7.45pm -8.45pm (seniors 9+ yrs)

Sat 9.30-10.30am Zumba with Toni

Sat 10.30-11am Meta-Fit with Toni Sat 12-1pm Pulse Dance Academy

Stretch class Sunday 10-10.30am Fat Burn Burn

Extreme with Steven

Lochwinnoch Art Group—Meet fortnightly on Monday evenings, 7.30pm, McKillop Institute.

Lochwinnoch Choral Society—Rehearsals on Monday evenings, Parish Church/ Hall. Juniors 7:15-8pm, and Seniors

8pm-9.15pm.

Lochwinnoch Community Walks—Mondays (ex. Public Holidays), meet at 10.30am at The McKillop Institute.

Lochwinnoch Toddlers—Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30 - 11.30am during term time in McKillop, new members welcome, free entry for babies under 6 months, tea, coffee available and free healthy snacks for children.

Lochwinnoch Writers Group—Monday from 2-4:15pm in the Library. Contact 873581

Morag’s Keep Fit—Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm, in the McKillop Institute

Positive Thinking Group Meet every 4th Wed in the Bridgend Community Centre, Kilbirnie. Cost £3.50 For further info telephone Andrea on 07890 181 769

ROAR Lunch Club—every Thursday from 11.45am PROMPT at the McKillop Institute. Please Note - ONLY ONE SITTING.

Scottish Country Dance Club—Every Tuesday, from 7.30-9.30pm, McKillop Inst.

Sequence Dance Class—Every Wed 7.30-9.30 at Bowling Club

TaeKwon-Do—Fitness and Self-defence classes for youths and adults. Tuesdays from 5-6pm, McKillop and Thursdays from 7pm-8pm at Lochwinnoch Primary School. Tel: 01259 210716.

Tai Chi— McKillop Hall, Tues 11-12 noon, Tel 842374

Ukelele Band—Come and play, any level, Corner Bar, every Wednesday 7:15pm

Writing Group— every Monday in the Library 2pm—4:15pm

Zumba—Lochbarr Centre, * Mon/Wed 7-8pm—Zumba with

Cheryl * Saturday 9.30am - 10.30 am

Zumba then 10.30am - 11.00am Metafit—both by Toni

Some activities may cease

during holidays, please check

Mon & Fri 10am-5pm Tue-Thur 10am-2pm Sat By Appointment

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11

male and female runners in each category as well as the first male and female local, first male veteran over 40 and 50 and first female veteran over 35 and 45.

Entries cost £6, or £4 if you are a Scottish Athletic member, and forms are available from Christine Donaldson at

christine39forever@hotmail.com

Alternatively you can enter on the morning of the race from 11.00am - 1.30pm at Lochwinnoch Parish Church.

If you could spare some time to help steward during the race your help will be very much appreciated. Please contact Christine 07545248624 or Mark Brown 01505842209 if you would like to help or for more information about the race.

Christine Donaldson

Upcoming Events

Monday 1st Feb—Art Group—"Caricature and Abstract" An exploration of black line and colour, 7:30pm McKillop Space room

Fri 5 Feb – Sun 21 Feb—Art in the Park The Lochwinnoch Art Group return to Castle Semple to splash a little colour in the Centre’s Sempill Rooms. All works are for sale and use local areas and often natural themes as inspiration! WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: 10.00 – 16.00 hrs MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20

Sat 6th Feb—RSPB Guided Walk 2pm—4pm

Fri 12th Feb—Stargazing Evening Join the Rangers and staff from Coats Observatory Paisley for an evening of galactic exploration in Renfrewshire’s darkest sky. WHERE: Muirshiel Visitor Centre WHEN: 19.00 – 21.00 hrs MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20

Sat 13th Feb—National Nest Box make your own nest box, RSPB centre, 11am—3pm, booking essential.

Monday 15th Feb—Art Group " Modern Approaches", 7:30pm McKillop Space room

Wed 17th Feb—Lochwinnoch SWI a talk about plants got hanging baskets, McKillop, 7:30pm

Sat 20th Feb—Renfrewshire Tapestry Launch, Paisley Abbey, 11am-1pm

Sat 20 Feb—Swan Chat There’s more to our swans than eating bread and chips by the lochshore… Come to Swan Chat to find out more! WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: 14.00 - 15.00 hrs MORE INFO: tel 842 882 Ex 20

Wed 24 Feb Tartan Walk The Renfrewshire Walking Network will again be out in force donning their

tartan for a leisurely stroll and homage to Scottish folk tunes. MEET: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: 11.00 hrs (allow 1.5 hrs) MORE INFO: tel 842 882 Ex 20

Sat 27th Feb—Parish Church Kirk Café, 10am—noon, tea/coffee, scones, pancakes, cakes & biscuits

Sun 28 Feb—Beginners Spoon Carving Workshop Learn how to carve a wooden spoon! A very rewarding skill to master, come away with a hobby and product at the end of the day! WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 10.00 – 15.30 hrs COST: £25. Must be 16 or over to take part MORE INFO: tel 01475 521 458 booking essential

Sat 19th Mar—1st Lochwinnoch BB open Race, 2pm

Sun 24th April—Pedal in the Park

1st Lochwinnoch BB Open Race

This year the Lochwinnoch Open Race will be held on Saturday 19 March at 2.00 pm and is open to runners of all ages from 9 to 99!

Boys and girls age 9 – 12 (on the day of the race) will run 3 kilometres and if you are age 13 – 15 (on the day of the race) the distance is 6 kilometres. For Senior runners (over 16) the 9 kilometre course is the same as last year. It will start at The Cross climb around Glenlora down onto the cycle path to finish at Lochwinnoch Park.

Medals are presented to the first 3

 

 

 

Joinery: All including Kitchens, Bathrooms, Flooring, Tiling, Garages, Sheds etc. Pain ng/Decora ng/Paperhanging. Fencing: Wooden & 

Metal. Ornamental Metalwork & Welding Monoblock/Slabbing & Gardening.  

FREE Es mates/Best Prices 

Tel: 07917 654 857  

Mr

Regular Councillor Surgeries

Cllr Andy Doig—4th Wednesday of the month, McKillop Institute, 7:30pm

cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Cllr Chris Gilmour—1st Saturday of the month, McKillop Institute, 9am

cllr.christopher.gilmour@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Cllr Derek Bibby—1st Saturday of the month, McKillop Institute, 9am

cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk

CHATTERBOX

Chatterbox is produced and distributed by Lochwinnoch Chatterbox Trust with support and financial assistance from local sponsors and advertisers.

Lochwinnoch Chatterbox Trust (LCT) welcomes all entries for possible inclusion for publication in print, web or audio format or any way as thought appropriate by the editorial team

All views are of individuals. The Editor accepts no liability for errors or statements and claims made in submissions.

LCT is a not-for-profit group run by volunteers with all profits going to local groups and clubs.

12

Clyde Muirshiel

Wildlife Update

The Clyde Muirshiel Windows on Wildlife Project aims to bring people closer to wildlife, gaining a unique insight to the furry & feathered inhabitants of Castle Semple Country Park. Countryside Ranger Hayley Douglas gives us an update

Wildlife News Well the weather has certainly been wild over the last wee while with the various storms hitting us and the water levels remaining high on the River Calder and on the lochs. There were many reports of little auks, a small black and white seabird, being blown inland although none of them appeared in Lochwinnoch. We did however, have three great black-backed gulls hang around for a day before departing back to the coast.

The number of wintering mute swans has increased and we are regularly

Events The next Swan Chat, where you can pop along and find out more about the swans and wildfowl at Castle Semple Loch, takes place on 20th of February at 14.00 hrs.

More Info… Details can be found on the Park’s website page www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk or by emailing wow@clydemuirshiel.co.uk. Footage can be viewed on the Park’s YouTube channel or on the WoW Facebook page. Talks to groups can be arranged.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

HAYLEY DOUGLAS Countryside Ranger – CMRP tel 01505 842 882 Ex 25.

Compulsory Microchipping

All dogs in Scotland will need a microchip, under planned changes to the law announced March 4, 2015 by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead, and which come into effect in April 2016. (news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Chip-in-16dd.aspx)

“Compulsory microchipping will help reunite lost or stolen dogs with their owners and allow authorities to directly identify dog owners and hold them accountable for their dogs’ behaviour or where there are concerns about animal welfare.”

Dogs Trust have been running free microchipping events around the country, the next one near the village being

Boglestone Community Centre

Port Glasgow

PA14 5UD

February 5, 2016 @ 10am – 2pm

Further details on the legislation will be published next month.

getting 30+ birds looking to be fed. Whoopy the whooper swan is still about and visits regularly although he is more likely to be seen over at the RSPB. Please remember to throw all food into the water, particularly any bread, so it swells up before the birds eat it. We feed the swans barley on bad weather days which they really like if you wish to feed them something else or why not come along to one of the Swan Chats to get more info?

With the higher water levels there has been an increase in swans getting tangled in fishing line as old discarded line gets moved about and caught on vegetation. We welcome responsible fishermen so please remember to clear up after you and if you see any line or affected wildlife, please let the Rangers or Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue know (01505 502 415).

Some of the badgers have been very active during the recent mild spells with Rough and Salt regularly caught on camera. It is hoped that Tufty will again produce cubs in February although we won’t know for certain until April-May time. Don’t forget you can catch up on all the wildlife news on the project’s Facebook page as well as tuning in to Scotland’s City Safari on STV Glasgow on Friday nights at 20.30 hrs and STV (Channel 3) on Sunday at 12.30 hrs.

WEDDING  FLOWERS  & FUNERAL FLOWER  SPECIALISTS  

 

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COME IN & HAVE A LOOK 

free local delivery, na onal & interna onal delivery 

order line 9.30 ‐ 3.30 

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5 high street, lochwinnoch, phone: 0800 689 0088, 01505 842 288 

web: thequirkyflorist.co.uk, mail: thequirkyflorist@gmail.com

NEW OPENING HOURS 

CLOSED SUN 

MON—SAT  9:30am—3:30pm 

13

Call to Yarns! The Renfrewshire Tapestry Launch

It is time for The Renfrewshire Tapestry

Andrew Crummy, Scottish artist and designer - who drew the panels for the Battle of Prestonpans, the Great Tapestry of Scotland and the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry - will be working together with an eclectic group of people to create a tapestry for Renfrewshire. It will be a celebration of the amazing global importance of this part of Scotland, a tourism draw and have its part to play in the City of Culture bid 2021. Everyone is welcome to our Call to Yarns! – The Renfrewshire Tapestry project launch

On Saturday 20th February

At Paisley Abbey - From 11am until 1pm

Andrew will introduce the project, and lead a workshop.

Take part in a textile walk

Chat to historians and meet up with a monk, walk with Wallace, greet a gallus Mill Girl…

Tell your stories and memories

Try your hand at a stitch or more

Please also - Donate your tapestry wool - authentic Anchor tapestry wool is needed to sew the tapestry. We are determined the tapestry will only be sewn with authentic Anchor yarn..

The Renfrewshire Tapestry will reflect the wonderful history of Renfrewshire. Everyone who is involved will be acknowledged in this stepping stone in the continued celebration of the unique status of Renfrewshire.

Further details or any questions – call: 07702 961301

Charity Ukulele Jukebox Night

On the 23rd December the Small Fezzes ukulele group had a Charity ukulele jukebox night, in aid of St. Vincents' Hospice, at the Corner Bar.

Patrons were asked to donate £1, request a song from our playlist and sing along with us and the rest of the crowd.

The evening proved to be a great success, with £140 being raised in less than 4 Hours, and everyone involved having a lot of fun .At one point there were 24 musicians playing together in the back room of the pub, and if you know the Corner Bar you will realise what a tight squeeze that was.

We would like to thank all those who donated, the guest artists who played with us, Sandy and Morag from the Corner Bar and all those who had a wee singalong with us.

As a result we have been asked by the Arts Festival Committee to host a charity concert in the McKillop on the 23rd of March, where we will again have a singalong with a number of our 'friends' playing some songs, both individually and with us.

We are sure this will be a good, fun evening with a wide range of music on offer as well as our singalong medleys, and again hope to raise a wee bit money for charity.

Keep your eyes open for further details, and get your thrabbles well oiled for what should be a welcome addition to the Arts Festival programme.

If anyone is interested in playing or learning the ukulele, or even just having a wee singsong, please join us at the Corner Bar every Wednesday from 7.15pm onwards, or contact Tom Moore at 01505 842237.

Parish Church

Kirk Cafe

SATURDAY 27th February

10am - noon

tea/coffee, scones, pancakes, cakes & biscuits

£2.50. Children free

14

2015 Winners of Series

Winter Series

Angus Winchester

Spring Wednesday

Gold - Steve Davison

Silver - Brian Young

Jim Gordon Series

Gold Angus Winchester

Silver Brian Young (and Alan Falconer)

Summer Wednesday

Gold Arthur Logan

Silver Brian Young (and Alan Falconer)

Summer Sunday

Gold Douglas McQuilken

Silver Brian Young (and Alan Falconer)

Autumn Wednesday

Gold Graeme Hall

Silver Hugh Russell

Autumn Sunday

Gold Steve Davison

Silver Brian Young

Congratulations to Arthur on being the winner of the O'Neill GP14 Trophy.

As ever we are indebted to Paul of O'Neill’s of Paisley for supplying the various trophies.

Also congratulations to Kirsten and Chris for winning the Bonspeil held at Greenacres earlier in the year.

Castle Semple Sailing Club

Night Out / Prize Giving

In early November 30 members enjoyed an excellent Saturday evening in a local restaurant. The atmosphere and general camaraderie of the usual comments flying around made for a memorable evening.

Arthur and Steve presided over the prize-giving (a full list of winners is available on the website www.castlesemplesc..co.uk).

After the meal and an entertaining photo-caption competition, with prizes equal in merit to the captions, a dozen or so members sauntered across the road and moved on to the ceilidh being held in the McKillop Hall and spent the rest of the evening reeling round the dance floor before staggering to their homes sometime after midnight.

The Whacky Winchester Winter Pursuit Series ("WWWPS") The following Sunday morning saw the start of the Winter Pursuit Series. So far, after seven or so weeks after the first weeks' racing was abandoned due to extreme conditions resulting in a broken rudder, a capsize and a damaged hull (after being pierced by a bowsprit), only one other Sunday so far has seen no racing. The most taking part in any one race being seven boats. The series so far has enticed fifteen helms to take part.

New Year Walk A dozen members and one dog gathered on time for a bracing walk

along the promenade at Largs. We were all looking forward to a nice coffee and a scone on our return to the marina. Unfortunately the cafe was closed.....A quick phone call confirmed that the Seamill Hydro was open so a short drive down the road to West Kilbride it was. Some people headed off afterwards but a few enjoyed a walk along the seashore before heading home.

50th Anniversary 2016 is the Club's 50th Anniversary. Since the Club was first formed in 1966 it has gone through many changes and membership is currently at an all time high and we are hoping this will continue in 2016 especially with the Olympics and America's Cup this year. If you are interested in joining us or would like to come along for a chat please email via our website : www/castlesemplesc.co.uk

15

Regular Events

Mondays (but not public holidays) - Lochwinnoch Community Walks meet 10.30 hrs at The Cross, Lochwinnoch.

Weekly Volunteer Groups

Newcomers always welcome!

Thursdays Castle Semple Conservation Volunteers, Adult group, from 12.30 – 15.30 hrs.

Saturdays Greenock Cut Conservation Volunteers, Adult group, 10.30 – 14.30 hrs.

Sundays Castle Semple Young Volunteers, 12-18 yr olds, 10.00 – 12.00 hrs FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: FIONA CARSWELL Development & Marketing Officer, CMRP tel 01505 842 882 Ex 23

Eadha Loch House Link Project Update

Thanks to the help of a number of volunteers the woodland strip to the east of the railway bridge has now been cleared of rubbish and a route for a new footpath set out.

Eadha is applying for funding from Tesco for path construction and to extend this up to the Loch House and the Roadhead footpath .

Many thanks

Peter

Regional Park

Round Up

Continue Your Good Work! Did you succeed with your New Year’s resolution or even if you ‘failed’ don’t be disheartened and certainly don’t give up, get back on it and explore the Park’s roads, paths, trails and tracks by walking, running or cycling. Don’t think about it, just get yourself here and go! Need a goal to keep motivated? Sign up to Pedal the Park, details below…

Pedal the Park 2016 – Sun 24 Apr We are proud to announce that this year Pedal the Park’s official charity partner is CLIC Sargent with £5 from every entry going to helping the children’s cancer charity. We have 2 exciting sportive options Classic 75km and a Challenging 100km to choose from and just £15 entry fee!

Also returning will be para cycle ride. Put Sun 24 Apr in your diary now and check Ride 63’s facebook page for link to the British Cycling Entry Form – now LIVE!

Art in the Park Returns to Castle Semple The Lochwinnoch Art Group’s annual exhibition will run at Castle Semple from Fri 5 Feb until Sun 21 Feb. All paintings are for sale. Drop in and have a look or even a coffee!

Beginners Spoon Carving Workshop – Sun 28 Feb

Join us to learn how to carve wood at Greenock Cut Visitor Centre. It’s a great hobby and skill to learn plus there will be advice on what knives

and types of wood are best too. Book in on this unique workshop call 01475 521 458, time is 10.00 – 15.30 hrs and cost is £25.

Duke of Edinburgh Programmes at Clyde Muirshiel The Park has expanded our range of expeditions and skills to suit Duke of Edinburgh participants of all abilities. Get in touch with dofe@clydemuirshiel.co.uk if you know of a group of 14-24 yr olds who could benefit from a tailored programme!

Ride 63 Club News Save the dates now and get involved! Email the Secretary at ridesixtythree@gmail.com to become a member or email the Park at routes@clydemuirshiel.co.uk or more information.

CMRP Online Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s Facebook facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages.

Mhairi Black MP

If you have a problem or an issue you would like to raise with me my next Lochwinnoch Surgery will be held at

10:00am in the McKillop Institute on the second Saturday of the month.

Alternatively, you can contact me at:

0141 571 4370

mhairi.black.mp@parliament.uk

John Delaney IFA

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Calder lodge, Newton of Barr, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AR

16

necessity, and that procedure permitted this to be done on behalf of the CC without consultation, during the confusion.

It was confirmed, that all profits from the Chatterbox production will continue to be distributed to village groups.

The next meeting of the CC will be on Tuesday the 2nd of February 7:30pm at the Bowling Club.

A View from the Floor

The unofficial roundup of the January Community Council meeting. Views are NOT those of the CC.

The CC was reassured by the RC councillors, in their reports, that the maintenance of the McKillop hall to a standard of ‘wind and watertight’ remains a requirement for the new management. Both councillors will continue to press for the hall to be not only maintained but brought up to an acceptable standard, including decoration. The large number of groups which use the hall are an indication that demand for such a resource is strong. It is hoped that a programme of refurbishment can be agreed.

Members were thanked for their support of the Christmas Lights event, including members of the choir, and the hope is to repeat this event next year. A small group has been established which will seek help from RC getting the appropriate permission for, sourcing and installation of lights in good time for next year.

A planning application for a huge ‘solar farm’ (solar panels occupying farming land) near the village, was discussed again, and objections have been lodged by a number of individuals. Thanks to one resident, who had taken professional advice, the CC planning representative was able to lodge a complaint, based on the scale of the planned installation and the likely impact on the amenity of the area.

Other planning applications for substantial numbers of houses continue to be submitted, and objections raised on the grounds of the limit on services, such as drainage.

A member of RC staff who was to offer help and advice on arranging floral displays, was unable to attend, but will come to the next meeting. Funding cuts mean that the council can no longer supply hanging baskets and tubs, but can offer advice - and some containers - so that interested groups can establish floral displays, in the same way as has been achieved in other villages in the county.

The establishment of the Chatterbox Trust was discussed, with some disquiet expressed that this went ahead in spite of a decision made at a previous meeting. Strong views were aired, with members of the public as well as CC members able to contribute. It was agreed, finally, that a line be drawn under the disagreement, and that the priority remained to support the continued production of the highly valued newssheet, which, it was reported, had never actually belonged to the CC, and this statement was not challenged or denied.  

The Convenor explained that the officers had produced a newsletter (the yellow print run), as a matter of

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Editorial and Copy for the March Chatterbox

Let us have your stories, notices, news, information, events and items of interest

– either hand-deliver them to the Chatterbox drop-box in the Library or

preferably e-mail them to us at: chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info

Electronic submission with full colour pictures are preferred.

Tel: 01505 842632

chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info

COPY DEADLINE FOR MARCH IS FRIDAY 12TH FEBRUARY