lochwinnoch community council · the theme for this year is “star wars” so get your costumes...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL
February 2016 Newsletter
Lochwinnoch Community Council (LCC) has
been approached by local people, groups and
businesses who are supportive of an official
Community Council newsletter, the main aim
of which is to improve communication across
our community. So, here’s the first for 2016. A number of Community Council members are
involved with various local groups and organi-
sations and you will find further details and
dates of events inside this newsletter. If you
would like us to include news about your own
group or activities, we would be happy to do
so and our contact details are on the back page.
An important date for your diaries is Saturday
11th June, which is Lochwinnoch Gala Day.
The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get
your costumes ready - more information will
follow in our next newsletter.
On to Community Council business now.
For those of you who were not able to attend
the Lochwinnoch Community Council meeting
on 2nd February, here is an important update
on the Main Street Bridge improvement works.
A discussion also took place regarding local
flooding issues; details will appear in the
February LCC minutes from that meeting (a
copy will be available to view in the library).
Shona MacDougall, Director of Community
Resources at Renfrewshire Council, returned
to the February Community Council meet-
ing, with her colleagues, to provide feedback
on Main Street bridge works.
Renfrewshire Council has listened to and
acted upon the various points and concerns
raised by local people at the well-attended
Public Meeting on 18th November and has re
-tendered for the works. The tenders are due
back to the Council this week and it is hoped
that these meet budget affordability.
Scope of the works will include a new deck
for the bridge, masonry parapets, one-way
shuttle working (one-way traffic), two foot-
ways, pedestrian crossing and traffic signals,
improvements to the footways outside
Lochbarr sports centre, provision of a bus
stop outside the Lochbarr sports centre
(positioned slightly further to the west of the
current halt).
Works are expected to start on the bridge in
May/June this year, for a duration of approx-
imately 21 weeks at a cost of circa £1.3 -
£1.4 million. Diversions for vehicles will be
signed and a temporary pedestrian footbridge
will be installed downstream, across the
River Calder, for the duration of the works.
LOCHWINNOCH & HOWWOOD
HEART START
Residents from Lochwinnoch and
Howwood are invited to book a place
on the next Heart Start/BHF work-
shop, which takes place on Wednes-
day 17th February from 7-9pm at
Bowfield Hotel and Country Club,
Howwood. For more information,
contact Morag on: 01505 843183 or
email: [email protected]
![Page 2: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
COMMUNITY PLANNING
Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership is
organising Renfrewshire’s 13th annual community
planning conference events.
The conferences are aimed at members of community
and voluntary organisations across Renfrewshire and
staff from community planning partners. Each con-
ference event will focus on a different theme which
offers important opportunities for Renfrewshire’s
community and voluntary organisations. Some
Community Council members have attended these
conferences in the past at forums on Empowering
Communities, Safer and Stronger Renfrewshire and
Jobs and Economy, etc. They are also a good way to
meet representatives from other groups, listen to,
raise and discuss numerous topics which affect all
communities.
Three conference events will take place on:-
Thursday 10th March 2016 - Paisley Town Hall
Friday 20th May, 2016 - Johnstone Town Hall
Monday 20th June 2016 - Renfrew Town Hall
All three events will run a daytime programme
(9.30am – 2.45pm) and an evening programme
(5.30pm – 9.00pm) programme. Delegates are
welcome to attend events on more than one date.
If you would like to attend, please phone the Com-
munity Planning Office at Renfrewshire Council on:
0141 618 4168 or visit their website for more details
at: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk - and select
Joint Boards and Forums, then select Renfrewshire
Community Planning Partnership, you will see a list
of the various forums, which expand on the activities
in each of these groups.
SOCIAL MEETING
Lochwinnoch Community Council members, Morag
Thow, Morna Coote and Christine Brown, have been
re-establishing links with the local community,
groups, organisations and with local businesses.
This process has been taking place over the past few
months and is proving very popular with locals.
In order to develop this approach further, representa-
tives from various activity groups, organisations and
local businesses have been invited to a Social Eve-
ning on Wednesday 24th February, starting at
7.30pm in the McKillop Institute. The aim of the
meeting is to exchange ideas and information, help
facilitate activities and support local groups, organi-
sations and local businesses. The Community Coun-
cil wants to hear from local people, to assist where it
can and to gauge if there is some merit in repeating
these get-togethers on a more regular basis.
Community Council Chairperson, David Arthur, will
open the meeting and our local Councillors Chris
Gilmour, Andy Doig and Derek Bibby will also say
a few words. Later, a break-out session with tea and
coffee provided by local volunteers, will enable
Community Council members and local folks to
mingle and chat informally about their activities,
interests, achievements and concerns, etc. The
evening will close with an Open Forum and Q&A
session.
If you are reading this notice and have not been in
touch with the CC yet, then fill in a form at the
library, with your contact details, and leave it in the
Community Council drop box for our collection.
![Page 3: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
FAIRTRADE
The Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Group met on
Thursday 28th January at Gryffe High School, in
Houston. Morag Thow, Vice-Chairperson of
Lochwinnoch Community Council attended on this
occasion.
There was a very informative presentation by senior
pupils from Gryffe High School on the different
schemes they have been involved with to promote
Fairtrade both in the school and in the wider commu-
nity.
David Mellor gave the group an interesting report and
presentation of the conference he had attended in
Bristol in July. David gave the group an insight into
the schemes and developments that Bristol is doing to
promote Fairtrade and sustainable communities. He
had been able to meet many delegates from Europe
and further afield who were all involved in many
ways to help foster support and understanding of the
wider issues on the environment, climate and human
cost if Fairtrade is not expanded in society.
There was a review of the Fairtrade fortnight, which
runs from 29th February to 13th of March 2016. One
of the main town and village events that Lochwin-
noch will be hosting is the Big Breakfast on Saturday
12th March. Lochwinnoch has been a designated
‘Fairtrade Village’ for a few years and everyone is
encouraged to support the Big Breakfast event on the
12th March and all the Fairtrade group in their com-
mendable work and enthusiasm.
The date of the next meeting of the Renfrewshire
Fairtrade Steering Group is Tuesday 17th March
2016, venue to be announced.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The newly formed Christmas Lights Society has
booked the McKillop Hall for Saturday 3rd
December 2016 for this year’s Christmas Lights
Switch On.
The Committee of three, Christine Gibson (Chair)
Donna Armstrong (Secretary) and Jane Owens
(Treasurer) are busy setting up the project and will
be keeping you updated on progress throughout the
year.
All three committee members have experience in
organising and running various local events and they
are also supported by several of their Community
Council colleagues, who will assist with various
tasks as the Christmas Lights project develops over
the coming months.
The committee is currently applying for funding and
will also be fundraising themselves. So, to start
with, come and see Donna and Caitlin's Raffle and
Candyfloss stall at the Arts Festival Craft Fairs
(Arts Festival programme dates are on the centre
pages of this newsletter.) The committee has
already received a generous start-up donation from
the New Year’s Day Dance group and the team is
being well supported by Lochwinnoch Community
Council and by our local Renfrewshire Councillors.
We enjoyed the last-minute switch on organised last
year, with carol singing and it was great that so
many people came out in awful weather. This year
we want to have more lights, more carols and more
music, so watch this space!!!
![Page 4: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
The 14th annual Festival of music, drama, literature, creative and
visual arts will take place in Lochwinnoch. Tickets are now available
from Calder Gallery & Framing, The Junction and Now & Then.
Submissions of paintings, artwork and photographic works are now invited, to exhibit in this
year's Festival exhibitions. Submitting artists can download a form and the submission rules
from the Arts Festival website at : www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk
Alternatively, you can obtain a paper copy of forms from Calder Gallery & Framing at 8 High
Street, Lochwinnoch. The deadline for submissions is 28th February 2016.
Pre Festival Events
SATURDAY 5TH MARCH - Family Poetry writing competition - at RSPB
from 11am to 12noon, free entry.
WEDNESDAY 9TH MARCH - Opening of the Art Exhibition - by invitation only, 7pm at
Lochwinnoch Library. Free entry.
SATURDAY 12TH MARCH - Rapid Departure - the brand new immersive comedy from
Right Lines. McKillop Hall, starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £8, concessions £5.
SUNDAY 13TH MARCH - Lochwinnoch Strictly Come Dancing - Lindy Hop, Jazz dance /
Jive Lochwinnoch Bowling Club from 10am to 12noon. Entry £3.
Ballroom with Louis Fecou Lochwinnoch Bowling Club from 1.30 to 3.30pm. Entry £3.
Festival Starts THURSDAY 17TH MARCH - Calder Drama Society “Ladies Day” by Amanda Whitting-
ton McKillop Hall, starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £6, concessions £4.
Jamming at The Junction Live Music starts at 7.30pm. £17.95 for 2 courses and £19.95
for 3 courses, BYOB £3 corkage.
FRIDAY 18TH MARCH - Calder Drama Society “Ladies Day” by Amanda Whittington, in
the McKillop Hall starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £6, concessions £4.
Festival Friday Live Music (free). Sean Middleton hosts open accordion and fiddle session
in the Corner Bar at 8pm, hear Penny Dogs in the Brown Bull at 9pm and Willie Gamble &
Friends play in Three Churches Inn at 9pm.
SATURDAY 19th MARCH
Author Event with Ron Ferguson chaired by Ruth Wishart in the McKillop Hall at 10.30am,
Entry £5.50, Concessions £3.
Craft Fair with free teas and coffees in the McKillop Hall from 1pm to 4pm. Free entry.
Photography with Robert Trevis-Smith Workshop at the RSPB Centre at 1pm. Cost £10.
Dougie MacLean and Katee Kross in the McKillop Hall, starts at 7.30pm, Tickets £15.50.
LOCHWINNOCH ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
![Page 5: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
LOCHWINNOCH ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
SUNDAY 20TH MARCH
Mixed instruments workshop with Nigel Gatherer in the McKillop Hall, from10am to
12noon, Entry £5.
Bodhran workshop with Chris Waite in the McKillop Hall from 10am to 12noon, Entry £5.
The Great Lochwinnoch Pottery Throwdown workshop McKillop Hall 10am to 4pm £5
Photography with Robert Trevis-Smith. Workshop at RSPB Centre at 1pm. Cost £10.
Classical Classics Lochwinnoch Parish Church at 7.30pm, Tickets £5.50, Concessions £3.
MONDAY 21ST MARCH
Ronnie Browne and Lochwinnoch writers, with Rowena Murray in the McKillop Hall at
7.30pm. Entry £5.50, Concessions £3.
TUESDAY 22ND MARCH
Witches’ Brew at the Drop-in T-Bar at the McKillop Hall at 11am. Entry is Free.
Scottish Music Evening at Lochwinnoch Parish Church, starts 7.30pm, Entry £5.50,
Concessions £3.
WEDNESDAY 23RD MARCH
The Small Fezzes and friends sing-a-long charity evening in the McKillop, starts at 7.30, En-
try £3.
Photography Exhibition Official Opening by invitation only Library 6pm to 7.30pm. Free.
THURSDAY 24TH MARCH
Capitol Big Band and Factory Street Saxophone Quartet in the McKillop Hall, starts at
8pm. Tickets £10, Concessions £8.
FRIDAY 25TH MARCH Calder Church - Performance of Lochwinnoch Easter Passion at Calder Church. Donation.
Wired with Dominic Snyder and Nina Enemark in the Masonic Hall. Starts at 7.30pm, Tick-
ets £5.50, Concessions £3.
SATURDAY 26TH MARCH
Krafty Kids in the Parish Church Hall from 1.30pm to 3pm, Entry £5.
Craft Fair Free teas and coffees in the Parish Church Hall from 1pm to 4pm. Free entry.
The Rose Room Jazz Band and Witches’ Brew in Lochwinnoch Golf Clubhouse, starts at
7.30pm. Tickets £10, Concessions £8.
SUNDAY 27TH MARCH
Scottish fiddle workshop with Fiddle tutor, Alastair McCulloch, in Lochwinnoch Parish
Church, starts at 2pm. Entry £5.
Accordion workshop with Ian Muir in Lochwinnoch Parish Church, starts at 2pm, Entry £5.
Festival Finale with Lochwinnoch Choral Society and local All-Stars in Lochwinnoch Parish
Church, starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £6, Concessions £4.
![Page 6: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
COUNCILLORS' SURGERIES
If you have any issues to raise, the three Renfrewshire
Councillors for our Ward of Johnstone North, Kilbar-
chan and Lochwinnoch, have surgeries coming up
over the next week or so.
Councillor Andy Doig holds his surgeries on the
fourth Wednesday of each month at the McKillop In-
stitute at 7.30pm. The next surgery will be held on
Wednesday 24th February. You can email Councillor
Doig at: [email protected] and
contact him on: 07534 148224.
On the first Saturday of each month, Councillors
Derek Bibby and Chris Gilmour welcome local
people to their surgeries, which commence at 9am at
the McKillop Institute. The next surgery will be on
Saturday 5th March.
Alternatively, you can contact Councillor Chris
Gilmour on: 07534 148427 or at:
Councillor Derek Bibby can be contacted at:
[email protected] or by phone
on: 07534 156007.
A NIGHT WITH
MUSICALITY
(GLASGOW
THEATRE GUILD)
An early event for
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2016.
A Night with Musicality will take place on
Friday 19th February
in the Parish Church, doors open 7pm.
A number of the village went to see the Glasgow
Theatre Guild’s excellent production of Sweet Charity
in Eastwood Theatre in 2015. Their cast will be
performing a selection of songs from film and theatre
for us again. A very talented group of artists who
have been great supporters of our Arts Festival.
Tickets £5 (con £3) available from Now &
Calder Gallery and Framing.
DON’T MISS IT!!
UPDATE ON RBS ATM MACHINE The subject of the continued poor service from the RBS ATM machine was brought up at the Commu-nity Council meeting on 2nd February. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the bank, bringing the matter to their attention and expressing the views of the community. Since the machine is still not working, two phone calls of complaint have been made to the bank as we go to press, expressing the Community Council’s dis-appointment that the Cashline has been unavailable for an unacceptable number of days. In order to facili-tate getting it back into use as soon as possible, an official complaint has been made and the CC are ex-pecting action and a response back from the bank with regard to how these incidents can be dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible in the future. If you’re experiencing Cashline problems, Tel: 03457 24 24 24 and ask for the Complaints Department.
RBS MOBILE BANK HOURS Following 3 months of operation, RBS has taken on
board both demand and customer feedback and they
are making some changes. New Coverage for Loch-
winnoch, with effect from 8th February, will be
Monday 11:50 to 12:35 and Friday 11:50 to 12:35.
![Page 7: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
SRANI REPORT (South Renfrewshire
Access Network Initiative)
At the Community Council meeting on Tuesday
2nd February, it was reported that pressure on
costs has eased overall following a tidying up of
the various Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) budget
lines. As a result some overspends have been cor-
rected bringing the overall figures back to budget.
This has also allowed funding to be switched be-
tween headings where necessary. An extension to
the time scale has been allowed by HLF due to the
weather.
The final two boards for interpretation remain out-
standing and await the completion of the works at
the cascades and the grotto.
There has been no progress on the built heritage
due to the weather but, on the positive side, there
has not been any deterioration. When asked for a
time extension, Historic Environment Scotland
replied "so be it". The path contract still awaits
the completion of the work at the cascades.
The fishing platform at Blackditch Bay is not yet
back in place. A coffer dam is required to accom-
modate the revised design and at the moment such
items are at a premium.
The chainsaw benches are well advanced and de-
livery is expected by the end of February. The Ac-
tivity Plan is still "inactive" due, we believe, to
efforts being redirected towards the bid for City of
Culture status for Paisley.
No decision was taken on the repair to the loch
shore path pending the outcome of a possible pro-
ject to raise the level of the path over its full
length. This is a project being looked at under the
Garnock Valley Future Scopes by CMRP, RSPB
and others. A bid for an HLF stage 1 develop-
ment grant is being considered.
It was also noted that the possibility of a pathway
from the Roadhead Roundabout area, down to-
wards the RSPB Centre has been included in the
draft Renfrewshire Outdoor Access Plan 2016 -
2026 proposals. It would be for the Community /
CC to progress.
The next meeting of SRANI is scheduled for
Tuesday 22nd March 2016.
REPORTING ROAD DEFECTS AND
STREET LIGHTING FAULTS
The topic of potholes in roads and faulty street lights
came up for discussion at the Community Council meet-
ing on Tuesday 2nd February.
It was reported that the number of ‘dark lights’ in Ren-
frewshire is unusually high at the present time and the
Council is working to fix defective lights and upgrade
from old sodium lights to new low-energy LED lights.
A number of people have also reported damage to road
surfaces, pot holes, over-flowing gutters and drains, etc.
PLEASE REPORT LOCAL ROAD DEFECTS
AND FAULTY STREET LIGHTING
by contacting Renfrewshire Council Contact Centre
on: 0300 3000 300. Alternatively, visit their website and complete their
online form with details of the location/road name and
(for lighting) the street name or path location and the
reference number on the side of the lighting column.
The website address is: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk -
select Transport and Streets, then select Road and Street
Lighting and click on the large green tab ‘Report a road
or lighting fault’ and follow the instructions. Don’t wait
for someone else to report a fault, report it yourself.
![Page 8: LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL · The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get your costumes ready - more information will follow in our next newsletter. On to Community Council](https://reader034.vdocument.in/reader034/viewer/2022042104/5e8260057dca7e6f6e7268ca/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
COMMUNICATING WITH LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL Look out for Community Council notices and posters, which are being placed around the village and on the notice board
in the library, to highlight matters of importance. If you would like to communicate with the Community Council in
between meetings, then please contact the Secretary, Yvonne Ross, as follows - phone/voicemail/text on: 07899 746403
email: [email protected] or you can hand deliver correspondence to the Lochwinnoch Community
Council Drop Box located behind the counter in Lochwinnoch Library, during library opening hours.
DATE OF NEXT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING IS
TUESDAY 1ST MARCH 2016 at 7.30pm at LOCHWINNOCH BOWLING CLUB.
“I love you dear. I’ll love you til China and Africa meet, til the river jumps over the mountain and the
salmon sing in the street.”
Mark your love with a Valentine’s gift from your heart via Now & Then.
Last year, 25 million people in the UK sent a Valentine’s card to their love, partner, a member of their family, the object of their
affection or desire or just to cheer someone up.
Whoever the recipient and whatever the motive, we have the perfect card and gift
for you - without having to leave the village.
8 Church Street, Lochwinnoch
01505 843311 Open Mon-Sat 9-5 and
11-4 on Valentine’s Day.
Meanwhile, at Little Now & Then we have lots of lovely gift ideas for new babies and
littlies - plus we still have sale stock on clothes for kids up to six.
39 High Street, Lochwinnoch 01505 843883
Open 9-5 Wednesday to Saturday
Keep it local and interesting.
NEW YEAR’S DAY DANCE
1st Jan 2016 New Year’s Day Dance was another
fantastic night for everyone who was lucky to get a
ticket! As usual the evening was a complete sell
out, and already requests are being received for next
year’s tickets.
The dancing begins the minute the New Year’s Day
Dance resident band ‘Freedom’ starts the music and
the floor is full for the rest of the night, apart from
when the much loved Raffle is drawn.
This event is always well supported as the organisers
ensure that the money made in the village stays in
the village for very deserving local groups/charities/
good causes.
This year’s donation from the dance was for £500,
and is being passed to the Community Council to
help towards much needed Christmas Lights for the
2016 Christmas Lights Switch-on event.
It’s been well recognised how Lochwinnoch is in
need of Christmas lights and the dance organisers
have made this donation to boost funds towards this
much needed project.
Many thanks to everyone for their contribution to
this night and much appreciation to local folks for
supporting the event down the years. A particular
mention must be made and gratitude shown for the
many fantastic raffle prize donations, without which
we could not hope to raise the amount gathered on
the night.
The New Year’s Day Dance organisers will also
look at the possibility, later on in the year, of
supporting another project in a similar way to last
year’s, when Lochwinnoch pupils at Johnstone High
School took part in an educational and very reward-
ing venture for both the pupils and local communi-
ties in Borneo.
Thanks to all for your continued support and looking
forward to the 2017 Dance being as successful and
rewarding as this year’s.
Lochwinnoch New Year’s Day Dance Committee