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Find a Friend I am trying to locate an old friend. I remember that Morag Cameron told me she was raised in Lochwinnoch and later went to work in a factory in Paisley. Morag was born in 1941 or 1942. I believe she had one brother.

She came to the United States in the early 1960's. That is when we met. We later shared an apartment in New York City.

Morag moved to California in the late 1960's and we kept in touch for many years. But then life interfered and we lost touch. I have tried to find information on the Internet but to no avail.

I am hoping that someone in Lochwinnoch remembers Morag and may know if she married and what her surname is now.

Liz McFadden mcfaddenliz@yahoo.com

Poppy Scotland Appeal 2012

I would like to thank everyone for donating to the Scottish Poppy Appeal.

With your donations we raised £1104.58p

Having been area organiser for over 20 years I am now handing over to

Colin Frame, who will carry on the good work for a very worthy cause.

Thank you all for your generous support over the years.

Sally Kennedy

Lochwinnoch PTA Thanks Thank You! to all the parents and friends who donated home baking for our coffee morning in December and everyone who supported our event.

A special thank you to local business people- Manny from The Paper Shop, Morag from The Corner Bar, Karen from Cut and Care and Karen from the Post Office for their kind donations.

Lochwinnoch Primary PTA ----------

Anniversary Congratulations

Ian & Audrey Buchanan of 53 Crookhill Gardens celebrated their 45th Wedding anniversary on the 6th of January 2013.

Congratulations Mum and Dad from James, Audrey, Siobhan. Rosyline and Natasha, Denize. Marty, Connor, Caitlin, Bheinn and Brodie.

The family send you all their love and hope you enjoy many more years together.

Thank you! My sincere thanks go to all who have been so kind to me, visiting me in hospital, at home, and of course for all the lovely Christmas cards & Get Well wishes. Special thanks to those who helped with my shopping etc. over this difficult period.

With much appreciation,

Mona Sprought

Wednesday Club A reminder that the next meeting of The Wednesday Club is on 13th February at 2pm in the McKillop.

The club is open to all aged over 55 and new members are always welcome. For those new to the village this is an excellent chance to get to know people.

Most months we invite an interesting speaker to come along. At this meeting we welcome a representative from Erskine Hospital to give an illustrated talk.

For further information phone Grace Manders 842859.

Lochwinnoch Country Dance Club

Our autumn session proved to be most enjoyable, thanks to our new tutor Gill Reynolds and an influx of several new members. However we would love to see even more folk keen to exercise mind and bodies and have fun at the same time.

Please come along to the McKillop Hall on Tuesdays at 7.30 and try it out for yourselves.... you will be made most welcome.

If you have any questions please phone Lorna Black 01505 843048.

CHATTERBOX No 230 February 2013

www.lochwinnoch.info

www.facebook.com/lochwinnoch

Community newsletter produced by Lochwinnoch Community Council

Nuisance Helpline Anti-Social Behaviour

Noise problems Support and Advice

Every day 9am – 10pm Tel: 0800 169 1283

ASIST Anti-Social

Investigation Team

Office 8:45am – 4:45pm

Tel: 0141 847 3445

What’s On & Dates for your Diaries

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

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TCT

Brown Bull Auction

Christmas Auction and Raffle update: we still have some cash to collect, but the total looks certain to top £6,000, which is just fantastic!

My special thanks to everyone for their support - and my VERY special thanks to Laura and Fergus for organising the event once again.

Midsummer Evening Cruise

The annual 'Not The Booze Cruise' is due to set sail on the evening Friday 21st June, the longest day of the year. Please put the date in your diaries now!

I am yet to sort out all the details with the Cruise Company - there may have to be a couple of 'tweaks' to the usual arrangements - but I hope to confirm full details next month. Watch this space....

John Delaney

Lochwinnoch Playgroup Quiz/Race Night

Lochwinnoch Playgroup is holding a fundraising Quiz/Race Night on Friday 1st March at Lochbarr Services. Doors open 7.30 pm; Quiz will start 8pm prompt. Cost £5 per person includes entry to the Quiz and a light buffet. You can pay on the night but to register your team (ideally 6-8 people) please contact Cheryl on 0774 8859683 or Paula on 0777 217 3910.

We hope to see you there.

Thanks

Playgroup would like to say a big thank you to the organisers of the New Year Dance for their very kind donation, it is greatly appreciated.

Post Office Poetry

To the philatelists who bought our stamps,

and the philanthropists who filled our charity cans

To the e-bayers and the bill payers

To the car taxers and the bankers…

To the smilers and the thankers

To the travel insurers and those who bought Euros,

A special mention to our VIPs getting pensions,

Thanks for your support, for the flowers that you’ve bought,

The balloons you have ordered , the gifts that you sought,

The parcels you’ve posted, your jokes and good cheer…

To all of our Customers

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From Lochwinnoch Post Office

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

Renfrewshire Cats

Protection

Desperately seeking cat people

Are you an animal lover who, for some reason, is unable to have a pet of your own at the moment? Maybe you feel unable to take on the long-term commitment required or perhaps worry about the financial outlay? If so, maybe fostering is for you.

The Renfrewshire branch of Cats Protection was formed in 2002. We are a team of volunteers, dedicated to the welfare of cats in Renfrewshire. We aim to rehome hundreds of cats each year and central to this is our network of fosterers who take care of cats until they find their new forever home. This can be anything from pregnant cats or nursing mothers with kittens to cats in their twilight years that may be in need of some love and attention because their previous owners are no longer able to take care of them.

Foster placements can last anything from a few days to weeks or months. All veterinary fees will be paid and you will be provided with all equipment, food, litter, etc. All we ask is that you love cats, live somewhere safe for them to go outside if long-term fostering and do not currently have cats of your own.

If you have time and companionship to offer and would like to find out more, please call us on 0141 876 4133 or check out our website

www.renfrewshire.cats.org.uk

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Wedding Congratulations Congratulations to Ruth Thomson, from McConnell Road, and David Rowan who married at the House for an Art Lover in December.

Ruth's family wishes the couple all the best in their future together.

PTA Young Photographer Competition

After the October holidays we ran a "Young Photographer Competition" where Lochwinnoch Primary pupils were invited to take a picture of Lochwinnoch in the Autumn. All entry fees were donated to St Vincent's Hospice in memory of the late Mrs Moira Robin who was a much loved secretary at the school for many years.

The entries were judged by local photographer Suzanne Hodgson and our very sharp eyed Councillor Andy Doig.

Cameron Knox from Primary 5 was the winner with his stunning picture of a swan at Castle Semple Loch. He won a Nikon Digital Camera.

Our runner up was Madeleine Bower - Primary 4 and the entries from Lara Gould (P2) and Ellie Hodgson (P5) were highly commended.

All the entries were excellent and for a very good cause!

Congratulations Jud! In November a ponytail-less Jud Woodcock received his Degree in Metrology from Coventry University. Unlike Samson, the loss of hair does not seem to have cost him his power.

As anyone who has completed a degree whilst continuing with a demanding full-time job knows, Jud’s is quite an achievement. Well done!

Cameron’s winning photo

Cameron and camera

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Lochwinnoch Arts Festival

All Lochwinnoch children (7-12 years ) poetry competition title ‘Fur n’ Feathers’ workshop with Franzeska G Ewart Saturday 2nd March enrol at library (Big prizes!)

Programme

Art exhibition in Library from 14th March till Sat 23rd

Friday 15th Susie Lamont and pupils Parish Church (Donations) 7pm

Festival Friday – Music in local pubs Corner Bar, Brown Bull and 3 churches ( Evening)

Saturday 16th Rowena Murray interviews her friend Dennis Canavan,10am, McKillop (£4 –con £2.50) (& Rowena’s second hand books )

Crafts in Castle Semple 11-3pm (free entry) Calder Church ‘David the Musical’ 7.30pm (£4 –con £2.50)

Sunday 17th BBC Music Master Class, Golf Club 7pm (more to follow) Monday 18th Lochwinnoch Writers and Janice Galloway McKillop 7.30pm (£4 – con £2.50) Tuesday 19th Pauline Vallance Elderly forum (ROAR) McKillop 11am (free)

Pauline Vallance, Clare Robertson and Betty McKellar ‘Fur n’ Feathers’ in RSPB 7.30pm (donations To book to place at RSPB 01505 842663 or email lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk )

Wednesday 20th Glasgow Theatre Guild ‘Songs from Film and Shows’ Parish Church 7.30pm (£4- con £2.50) Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd Calder Drama Production (£6 –con £3) Saturday 23nd Krafty Kids Parish Church 1.30-3pm (£5)

Crafts in Castle Semple 11-3pm (free entry)

Festival Ceilidh with band ‘Clamjamfrie’ and Pauline Vallance and Clare Robertson McKillop 8pm (£6 –con £4.50)

Sunday 24th Festival Finale

Lochwinnoch Choral Society Senior and Junior choir and members of Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra ‘Music from Around the World’

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Historical Society

Douglas Annan is our guest speaker on Thursday 21st at 7.30pm in the Parish Church.

Douglas is of the fifth generation of the famous photographers firm founded in 1855 by Thomas Annan. His talk is "Glasgow Old and New".

New members and visitors welcome. Tea, coffee, cake and biscuits served after the talk; visitors £2 to include the tea.

Gordon Nicholl

LIA News Fairtrade Fortnight is coming up; its 25th Feb to 10th March. The local Fairtrade group will be active in promoting fairtrade to even more people and organisations around the village. We plan to show the film Child 31 which 'celebrates' the 20th Anniversary of Mary's Meals organisation which now provides daily breakfast at school for over 740,000 children around the world.

Don't miss out on the LIA Safari Supper 23rd Feb; this time with an Indian theme with food preparation under the guidance of Naveed Khan. It’s a three course meal, each course in a different house, with different guests to meet and talk with; then all getting together for drinks and music.

Tickets (£15 pp.)/info from Jenny Bhatia on 843 718.

Calling All Junior Poets!!!

This year's Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Poetry Competition is open to ALL Primary school children living in the area.

This year's theme is Fur 'n Feathers and there will be 2 age categories, 7 - 9 and 10 - 12, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in each category.

Winners will also perform their poems during the Arts Festival, and these will be displayed in the RSPB and published in the Chatterbox.

Children wishing to take part MUST fill in an enrolment form and come to a Poetry-Writing Workshop run by local author Franzeska Ewart - with a special guest appearance by Betty McKellar reading some of her work - on Saturday March 2 from 10.30 - 12.00 in the library. These forms will be available from the library from mid-February.

As always, poems will be judged by our local bard, Betty McKellar and announced during the Arts Festival.

Lochwinnoch SWRI

The February Meeting of the Lochwinnoch SWRI will be on Wednesday 20th at 7.30 in the McKillop Hall.

May McCallum will be speaking about "The Children's Panel"

The competitions are

1. Soda Bread

2.Coaster ( any craft)

We look forward to welcoming all members and friends, please remember to bring a cup/mug for a cuppa!

LEAP’s ‘OFF GRID GROUP’ Do you use LPG, Oil or Coal to

heat your home?

Are you finding the costs of heating your home are rising?

LEAP are interested in getting householders together who are not on mains gas, to discuss options to make your home heating more economical.

This could include possibilities like renewable energy, district heating, grouping together for bulk purchase or mains gas extensions.

There are a range of grants and subsidies available. We’d love to hear f r o m y o u w h a t e v e r y o u r circumstances. Please contact us at info@myleapproject.org, drop in, or telephone the Hub:

22 Church St, Lochwinnoch, PA12 4AD, Tel: 01505 842 530

Lochwinnoch Art Group February will be a busy month for us as our exhibition, "Art in the Park" continues to run until Tuesday 19th in the Castle Semple Visitor Centre during normal opening hours. It is a very warm and comfortable venue where you can relax with your favourite beverage as w e l l a s v i e w o u r w o r k . We also have our usual fortnightly meetings.

Monday 11th: "Potted Plants" – drawing and painting in any medium. Monday 25th: "Life Drawing" - sketching/painting a clothed model. All our meetings are held in the Space Room of the McKillop Institute from 7.30pm - 9.30pm.

Elderly Forum Our meeting in February is on Thursday 28th at 1.30pm.

Representatives from The Wise Group will be coming along to give a presentation on energy saving, with advice and measures to reduce fuel costs.

Tbar every Tuesday 10am till noon

Lunch club Thursdays at 11.45am and there's only one sitting. Anne Duncan from ROAR is organising a programme of interesting activities for after the lunch.

Gordon Nicholl

 

ENGLISH TUITION IN YOUR HOME ALL GRADES

Editing and Proof Reading by arrangement CONTACT: M. STEWART PhD, BA

Tel: 01505 502357 or 07920797700 Email: mgdstewart@aol.com

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Today, much of that wood lies hundreds of fathoms deep down on the bed of the Atlantic Ocean, along with other wreckage from the stricken vessel whose sad, but inspirational, story still fires the imagination of millions of people around the world a century later.

The crumbling old spooky chimney stack still stands among the trees at Barr Loch as a memorial to Lochwinnoch's agricultural and industrial heritage.

It is also a memorial to the hundreds of men, women and children who died in such appalling circumstances when Titanic plunged to a watery grave after striking the iceberg.

Lochwinnoch's own version of Hardy's "Convergence of the Twain" is epitomised by slightly altering one quatrain from his poem:

"And as the smart ship grew

In stature, grace and hue,

In shadowy silent distance grew the Lochwinnoch trees too..."

Derek Parker

Derek Parker worked as a countryside ranger at Clyde Muirshiel Regional

Park from 1985 to 1999

You are what you eat What do you do when you try to stand up in the morning and your knees hurt so much you hardly dare to walk?

I knew that I had tired myself out the previous day climbing about in the garden but I was not expecting this setback.

I would have given anything to have gone down to Ian’s and got him to grease the joints and give me a 90 year service! Instead I reached for a walking stick and having thought back to the days of working with coaches and trainers, rubbed in dollops of embrocation and sprayed on heating stuff. The latter worked and then, after

building whose rocky remnants are still visible among the undergrowth.

Here I must emphasise that the site is dangerous, with loose rubble, deep holes and unstable masonry, so it must only be viewed from a safe distance. This water supply lade connected with two drainage canals on either side of Barr Loch.

B o t h t h e s e r e e d - f r i n g e d watercourses, with vestiges of their ruined sluices, can still be seen, just off Largs road between the roadhead roundabout and village.

Again, care is essential because the water is deep and the canal banks are slippy, steep and sometimes unstable.

The drained water was diverted round neighbouring Castle Semple Loch by a two-mile long canal and underground tunnel into the River Black Cart.

The drainage project, with its canals, c u l v e r t s , s l u i c e s , w e i r s , embankments, pumping house and aqueduct, was a triumph of engineering.

But it was abandoned after the Second World War so Barr Loch is once again flooded with water and a popular breeding and wintering ground for a wide variety of swans, geese, ducks and other waterfowl.

Beside the derelict pumphouse was a turbine-powered sawmill. The building was used until around 1946 to chop up felled trees from Garthland estate and local farms.

Some of the timber it produced was sent to furniture manufacturers in Lochwinnoch and used in the construction of tables and chairs for the Belfast-built Titanic on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

The Convergence Of The Twain

ONE of my favourite authors is Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) whose novels and poetry are themed with concepts of destiny.

Particularly illustrative of this immutable force is his "Convergence of the Twain" portraying the simultaneous moulding of a gigantic iceberg and the construction of the ill-fated Titanic steamship which it sank in 1912 with the loss of more than 1500 lives.

By a bizarre twist of fate which would have captivated Hardy, Lochwinnoch has a similar story involving the doomed liner and the inscrutable workings of the awesome power which he personified as the Spinner of the Years.

Most villagers are aware of the creepy chimney looming high above a small wood overlooking Barr Loch, just off the cycle path between Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie.

The 40-feet-high stony stack once adjoined a shed accommodating a large, revolving pumping wheel.

This contraption, which was used to drain the mighty mere, was powered originally by water then later by steam during the 19th century.

The drainage scheme was pioneered by the prosperous Macdowall family, who owned Castle Semple House then subsequently Garthland House, not far from the loch.

Once the water was emptied, the loch bed's nutrient-rich soil was planted with grass, oats and other crops to provide agricultural income for the Macdowalls and their successors.

Water to drive the pumping wheel was channelled from Barr Loch, via a canal and wooden aqueduct, into the stone

Robert Scarff Ltd

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I had explained why I was using a walking stick, Margaret Dolan made me a knee muff. This village has some amazing people and Margaret is one. A friend rang the doorbell and there on the doorstep beside her was Margaret who had immediately set-to and crocheted a thick woollen bandage to keep my knee warm and comforted.

I had to do some repairs to the tissues. I knew from experience that I could wait four months for an appointment at the RAH so that was not an option. The physiotherapists at RAH helped me greatly a few years ago but they are overworked, therefore was up to me to help myself if I could. I needed to do something there and then. Over the years I had noted the conflicting reports of a chemical named Glucosamine that might help so I went to Penman’s to see if they had any.

I had read about this stuff made from shellfish caught around Scotland and sent all the way to Spain where it is processed into a food supplement and shipped back to Lochwinnoch as little pills at £1.99 a box...

As there was so much doubt around about the material it was important to keep notes and not jump to conclusions. One day, about five days after starting at a low dose rate, first one knee then the other felt better. So I tried walking without a stick and I could do it except that I was fearful of falling over.

For a whole week the pain never came back. From my reading I knew that the joints were being aided to retain moisture so I made sure I drank enough water, fruit juice, tea, coffee, milk and cod liver. After one week with

another birthday a lot more likely and certainly more bearable.

If you have a problem like ours, our friends at the surgery and the dispensary will most surely help though only you can do the tests and decide. Read the outside of the packet, note the warnings, take advice before you buy then pay attention to what is happening.

Good Luck.

Have a Happy New Year.

Alan Lovegreen

Pawsitive Action Pawsitive Action Volunteer Group is very proud to announce we have received Big Lottery Funding.

This will allow us to work with Forth Sector on the development of our plans to work within and for the c o m m u n i t y i n a n d a r o u n d Renfrewshire. To promote and educate on responsible dog ownership and to network with local councils, community groups, volunteer/charity groups, and like-minded business that encourage the benefits of dog ownership within its communities.

Renfrewshire RSPB Local Group

The next meeting will be on Friday 1st February at 7.30pm at the McMaster Centre Donaldson Drive Renfrew PA4 8LX. It will be an illustrated talk entitled Birds and other wildlife in Dorset by Jim Coyle. All welcome

CHATTERBOX

Chatterbox is produced and d i s t r i b u t e d o n b e h a l f o f Lochwinnoch Community Council, with support and financial assistance from local sponsors and advertisers.

L o c h w i n n o c h C o m m u n i t y Council welcomes all items 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.

no pain I decided to stop taking the tablets to see the effect and this is when I sat up and took notice. Four days further on the pain came back. It looked as though I had made a mistake. There were not many of my first pot of pills left so I went down to Penman’s to make sure I could get a continuous supply and there found some different capsules, a lot more costly but stronger stuff. What a relief! I took them and began the third experiment. One tablet a day and three days later the pain went and it has not been back. All this is not to say I can go out and do a half marathon but at least I am not in pain night and day and all for 20p a day.

It was time to read up on the double blind trials and this I did. There is an enormous amount of research reported on the Internet. What it all amounts to is that for some people Glucosamine works and for others it does not. You need to decide for yourself to try it. The material is not sold as a medicine but a food and there are drawbacks. In some varieties there is Manganese and this could have a side effect. But I know from having applied manganese to crops that the mineral can be found in green vegetables so in moderation should be safe enough and should be good for you.

I told this story to a friend knowing he had painful hips. My friend decided to get some tablets from his local chemist. A week later he was in less pain and a further week later he assured me he could tie his shoe laces. At our ages that is real progress and makes looking forward to 2013 much more interesting and reaching

I SENT A LETTER TO MY LOVE AND ON MY WAY I DROPPED IT….

AT LOCHWINNOCH POST OFFICE!

WHILE I WAS THERE I PICKED UP SOME BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, A BUNCH OF BALLOONS, A VALENTINES CARD AND A

GIFT BAG!

ORDER YOUR VALENTINES BALLOON BOUQUET OR FLOWER ARRANGEMENT, TO COLLECT OR DELIVER LOCALLY.

A RANGE OF FLOWERS AND GIFTS AVAILABLE IN STORE TO SUIT ROMANTICS OF ALL AGES FROM SINGLE STEMS, TO HAND TIED

BOUQUETS AND PRETTY BASKETS.

WE NOW OFFER A POSTAL SERVICE FOR FLOWERS AND BALLOONS TOO.

COME IN AND SEE US OR CALL US ON 842-257

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possess.

At Private Berlin, agent Chris Schneider has disappeared. Chris had taken a secretive personal leave and hadn't spoken to anyone from the office in days. The Private team retraces his footsteps to the cases he was i n v e s t i g a t i n g b e f o r e h i s disappearance: a billionaire suspected of cheating on his wife, a world-famous soccer player accused of throwing games, and the owner of a seedy nightclub. They were the last people to see Chris--and they're all suspects. And someone is lying...

Stuart MacBride: Close to the bone Detective Inspector Logan McRae is finally getting back on his feet after the events of the last few years. Putting things behind him. Getting better...But it was never going to last. A body turns up on the outskirts of Aberdeen: burned from the neck up, hands chained behind the back. More murders follow - all gruesome, and with only one obvious connection. The similarities between the real-life killings and the plot of a bestselling novel about witchcraft seem more than coincidental, but the more Logan digs the more dangerous and blurred the line between fact and fiction becomes. It's a small step from police officer to victim. And somebody's got to take it, or everyone will die.

Carole Matthews: A cottage by the sea Grace has been best friends with Ella and Flick since university. The late-night chats, shared heartaches and good times have created a bond that has stood the test of time. Now in their thirties,

Grace is always a bit disappointed about how little time they get to spend together, so when Ella invites them all to stay for a week in her cottage in South Wales, Grace jumps at the chance to see her old friends. She also hopes that the change in pace will help her reconnect with her husband, Harry. Unfortunately for her, Harry isn't as enamoured with Cwtch Cottage as she is. Then Flick arrives; loveable, bubbly Flick, accompanied by the handsome and charming Noah, and suddenly the week ahead looks as though it may be even more confusing for all the residents of Cwtch Cottage.

Lochwinnoch Library Bookbug Rhymetime

Every Tuesday at 9.30am Come along and join in

the fun………. Suitable for children aged birth – 4 years

Bookbug's Library Challenge is a free programme that encourages children aged birth to four to discover and enjoy their local library.

On their first visit to the participating library children are

Lochwinnoch Community Library

Library re-opens

Friday 4th January 10am

Opening Hours:

Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat 10am- 1pm & 2pm–5pm Wednesday 2pm—5pm and 6pm–8pm CLOSED THURSDAY

Services available at Lochwinnoch Library:

Free Broadband Internet

Free document Shredding facility

Photocopier & printer (15p per black & white copy)

Fax (Charge depending on UK or Overseas destination)

New Titles Peter May: Chessmen THE NEW START. Fin Macleod, now head of security on a privately owned Lewis estate, is charged with investigating a spate of illegal game-hunting taking place on the island. THE OLD FRIEND. This mission reunites him with Whistler Macaskill - a local poacher, Fin's teenage intimate, and possessor of a long-buried secret. THE FINAL CHAPTER. But when this reunion takes a violent, sinister turn and Fin puts together the fractured pieces of the past, he realizes that revealing the truth could destroy the future.

James Patterson: Private Berlin Private, the world's most respected investigation firm, has branches around the world, each staffed with the smartest, fastest, and most advanced agents, who have cutting-edge forensic tools that not even the most powerful governments

9

Care and Connect Linking local people together,

to make life better

Care and Connect is an innovative new concept in home-support being developed in Renfrewshire which would provide

flexible and reliable support for physically frail older and disabled people with low-level needs such as help with shopping, cleaning and transport

a trusted local person to help families support elderly parents when they are unable to provide help themselves due to distance or other commitments

a fulfilling combination of voluntary and paid support work for people who want to help others in their local community on a flexible, part-time, self-employed basis.

Have Your Say

With funding from The Big Lottery, and in association with Lochwinnoch Millennium Events Group (LMEG) we are gathering views of people who might use this new service. We want to know what people think should be included in the service and how people feel about its costs and benefits. If enough interest is shown then we could start this new service as a charity in Renfrewshire this summer.

Could Care and Connect make a difference to your life?

Do you think you might need flexible support (excluding personal care) now or in the

issued with the Bookbug's Library Challenge collector card. Every time they visit the library the collector card will be stamped, and your child can exchange four stamps for one of our beautifully illustrated Library Challenge certificates.

Your child's name will be written on the certificate to encourage them to feel proud that they have become members of their local library.

There are five different limited edition certificates to collect. So start collecting now – it's never too early or too late to join your local library... and it’s FREE!

WHICH is now a v a i l a b l e f o r r e f e r e n c e a t

Lochwinnoch Library. Access to WHICH reports are available online from library computers only. If you require this service, a member of staff will log onto the site for you. A monthly magazine is also available for reference.

Homework help for all school topics Renfrewshire libraries know how important is for children to have access to safe and accurate information which supports learning and is aligned to the national curriculum.

Our e-resources offer a whole host of online information including age appropriate articles, images, educational videos and interactive learning games to assist with understanding and development.

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/libraries

Follow the link : Children & Young people

future either for yourself or for family or friends you support? Do you think you might like to become a helper and support people in your local community as part of our organisation? Or are you interested in joining our steering group to help turn this innovative idea into reality? If so then we would like to hear from you.

Please call Trish Miller on 01505 843336 for more information. Or check the website

www.careandconnect.org.uk

Advertising in Chatterbox A. Standard size advert – 5cm x 13cm

(or 13cm x 5cm) layout - £30 per month.

B. Special (customised) advert – 7.5cm x 13cm (or 13cm x 7.5cm) layout - £40 per month.

C. Quarter page advert – 10cm x 14cm (or 14cm x 10cm)layout - £45 per month.

D. Half page advert – 20cm x 14cm (or 14cm x 20cm) layout - £90 per month.

E. Full page advert – 20cm x 28 cm - £180 per month.

Please e-mail

chat-advert@lochwinnoch.info

for further information.

LEAP’s ‘OFF GRID GROUP’

Do you use LPG, Oil or Coal to heat your home?

Contact the team at leap@myleapproject.org or phone 842 530 to find out how we can help bring your home heating costs down.

10 10

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

Q J Quinn & son

Memorials

Personal Service & Quality

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New Memorials

Additional Inscriptions

Cleaning & Renovations

SALE ITEMS ALWAYS IN STOCK

42 MAIN STREET KILBIRNIE

Please Call 01505 68 5455 www.quinnmemorials.co.uk

What’s On Regular clubs, classes and groups

Advice Works—At the Library by appointment only. Contact 382328

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

Boys Brigade—Anchor Boys and Junior Sections meet on Tuesday nights, Parish Church Hall.

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

Children's Drama Workshops—Thursdays in McKillop Hall 5-8yrs 4.30-5.30pm, 9-12yrs 5.30-6.30pm T e l : 0 7 8 1 4 6 9 9 1 2 7 E m a i l : rocketyouththeatre@gmail.com

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, Wednesday evenings from

6pm-9.15pm at the Parish Church Hall for various age groups.

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

Jogging Buddies—Tuesday evenings. Meet at Lochbarr Football Club at 6.30pm. For details, Tel: 0141 887 1357 or 07947 763704.

Keep Fit—Improving With Age classes—every Tues from 10-11am at the McKillop. Tel 842136 for info..

Kiddies Ceilidh Club—Tradtional dancing for you and your little ones. Thursday 9.30am McKillop Institiute

Knit @ The 19th at the Golf Club—Monday 10am-12 noon (or longer), all levels and learners welcome.

Krafty Kids—will be running again on Sat 1st September open to all Primary School Children 1.30pm until 3pm in the small Parish Church room. For bookings telephone Katharine Billany on 01505 844944 or 07947 075622 The 1st of 7 sessions.

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.

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 Gymnastics Club—For primary school-age children every Monday, 5-7pm at the McKillop. Phone Coby on: 07729 051 615.

Lochwinnoch Playgroup—For children from 2.5—5 years, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9.30-11.30am at the McKillop . New children are always welcome. Please contact Daniela on 07765 695 270 or daniela.sime@strath.ac.uk.

Lochwinnoch P re- School Gymnastics—(for children from 18 months to 5yrs). Fridays, from 10.15am - 1.45pm at the McKillop. Further details from Coby on Tel: 07729 051615.

L o c h w i n n o c h T o d d l e r s —Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30 - 11.30am, McKillop.

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 Wednesday in the Bridgend Community Centre Kilbirnie. Our next meeting is Wednesday12th December 2012, 7-9pm 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

Slinky Strollers—Thursday mornings

Scottish Slimmers—Thursdays, 7/7.30pm, McKillop Inst.

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. For details Tel: 01259 210716.

Youth Drama Classes at the McKillop, Every Wednesday Juniors (5-8 years old) 4.30-5.30 p.m. Seniors (9-14 years old) 5.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Contact David: 07812 437 559 or at david.ororke@historical-adventures.co.uk

Zumba—Mon 6.30-7.30 Lochbarr Centre, Wed 7-8pm McKillop Inst Sat 10-11am Lochbarr Centre

Zumbatonic for kids—Fridays 4-7 yrs 4 - 5 . 3 0 p m 8-14yrs 5 . 3 0 - 7 p m , L o c h b a r r Centre

Some activities may cease during holidays, please check

11

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival

Wed 13 – Sat 23 March Art Exhibition in Lochwinnoch Library. If you wish to exhibit, entry forms are available from Calder Gallery, 8 High Street, Lochwinnoch. Exhibits to be handed in by 9th March

Fri 15 Mar Festival Friday:

Susie Lamont and pupils, Parish Church, 7 pm (Donations)

Music in local pubs: Corner Bar, Brown Bull and 3 churches

Sat 16 Mar

Rowena Murray interviews her friend Dennis Canavan, 10am, McKillop (£4 –con £2.50)

Crafts in Castle Semple Visitor Centre11-3pm (free entry)

‘David the Musical’ Calder Church, 7pm, (£4 –con £2.50)

Sun 17 Mar BBC Music Master Class Golf Club 7pm (more to follow)

Mon 18 Mar Lochwinnoch Writers and Janice Galloway, McKillop 7.30pm (£4 – con £2.50)

Tues 19 Mar

Pauline Vallance. Elderly Forum (ROAR) McKillop 11am (free)

Pauline Vallance, Clare Robertson and Betty McKellar ‘Fur n’ Feathers’ at RSPB 7.30pm (donations, to book 01505 842663 o r e m a i l lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk)

Wed 20 Mar Glasgow Theatre Guild ‘Songs from Film and Shows’ Parish Church 7,30pm (£4-con £2.50)

Thurs 21 and Fri 22 Calder Drama Production (£6 –con £3)

Sat 23 Mar

Krafty Kids Parish Church 1.30-3pm (£5)

Crafts in Castle Semple 11-3pm (free entry)

Festival Ceilidh with band ‘Clamjamfrie’, Pauline Vallance and Clare Robertson, McKillop 8pm (£6 –con £4.50)

Sun 24 Mar Festival Finale Lochwinnoch Choral Society Senior and Junior choir and members of Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra ‘Music from Around the World’

* * * * * * * * * *

Fri 21 June TCT “Not The Booze Cruise” details to be confirmed

Upcoming Events Sat 26 and Sun 27 Jan RSPB

Binocular and telescope demonstration 10am - 4pm FREE expert advice available all weekend.

Sun 27 Jan Beith Arts Sunday Concert with the Burns Ensemble, 2.30 p.m. Tickets cost £8, concessions £6, students and children £1. All are very welcome.

Thurs 31 Jan Art in the Park Preview, Castle Semple Visitor Centre, 7-8.30pm

Fri 1 Feb Open Mic Session at Lochwinnoch Golf Club, Play it, sing it, say it. Everyone welcome. Food available till late. For bookings contact Liz Callaghan 01505 842 153 Ext 3

Fri 1 Feb Renfrewshire RSPB Local Group meet at 7.30pm at the McMaster Centre Donaldson Drive Renfrew PA4 8LX for an illustrated talk entitled Birds and other wildlife in Dorset by Jim Coyle. All welcome

Fri 1- Tues 19 Feb Art in the Park Exhibition at Castle Semple Visitor Centre

Sat 2 Feb World Wetland Day Guided Walk RSPB Reserve 12noon – 2pm. Gentle walk along reserve trails led by the RSPB team. Will also include a look at the Barr Loch, the path to which is uneven and likely to be narrow and muddy in places. £5 or £2 for RSPB members. Booking essential call 01505 842 663

Sat 2 Feb Family Ceilidh with Clamjamfrie in the McKillop Hall, 7pm till 10:30pm. All ages welcome. Bar & Raffle on the night. Tickets available from The Brown Bull & The Junction.

Wed 6 Feb L o c h w i n n o c h International Aid AGM in the Library meeting room at 7pm. Come along and find out what we do.

Fri 8 Feb Stargazing Evening at Muirshiel 7-9pm Tel: 01505 842 803 for info & bookings

Sat 9 Feb R S P B Y o u n g Volunteers Group (12-18yrs) 11am-4pm booking essential call 01505 842 663

Sun 10 Feb A n i m a l C r i m e Scene Be a nature detective and find out who kidnapped Sammy Squirrel.1-3pm. Meet Parkhill Wood Entrance (just off cycle track) finish at Castle Semple. Tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 booking and further info.

Wed 13 Feb RSPB Talk: Burns and Birds 7.30-9pm Chris Rollie, RSPB Scotland area manager, looks

into Burns’ remarkable knowledge of birds and illustrates this with images and examples from Burns’ works. Cost: £5 or £2 for RSPB members. Booking essential as places are limited call 01505 842 663

Thurs 14 Mar Dine & enjoy an evening of Jazz. Tickets available c o n t a c t L i z C a l l a g h a n Lochwinnoch Golf Club 01505 842 153 Ext 3

Sat 16 Feb Drop-in Kirk Café at the Parish Church, 10am-12noon, Adults £2 Children£1.

Sat 16 Feb RSPB Build a Bird a Home, 11am-3pm. Join us to help build and decorate nest boxes as part of National Nest Box Week. Cost: £7 or £3 for RSPB members (includes a nest box to take home).

Sat 16 Feb Valentine’s Dance with the Miami Show Band, Tickets £10 Snack menu available or for dinner book in advance please. Lochwinnoch Golf Club 01505 842 153

Thurs 21 Feb SVH Challenge 25 information evening, 6.30pm at the Hospice with coffee and cake.

Sat 23 Feb Lochwinnoch International Aid Indian-themed Safari Supper tickets and further info from Jenny Bhatia 01505 843 718.

Sun 24 Feb G r e e n W o o d Working Watch the rangers then have a go yourself. Muishiel visitor Centre, 1-3.30pm Tel 01505 842 803 for booking and info.

Mon 25 Feb-Sun 10 March Fairtrade Fortnight Find out about Fairtrade and enjoy Fairtrade goods. Castle Semple Visitor Centre. Tel 01505 842 882 ext. 20 for more info.

Fri 1 March L o c h w i n n o c h Playgroup is holding a Quiz/Race Night at Lochbarr Services, 7.30pm £5 including a light buffet. To register your team (ideally 6-8 people) please contact Cheryl on 0774 8859 683 or Paula on 0777 217 3910.

Fri 8 Mar S t a r g a z i n g a t Muirshiel , subject : Earth Observation, 7-9pm, FREE. Booking essential Tel: 01505 842 803

Sat 9 Mar Aspen Tree Day Volunteer to help conserve this native species by helping plant 100 trees. Meet at Castle Semple Visitor Centre, 10 am, light refreshments after planting.

12 12

New Food

Co-op The local food g r o u p , E a t Lochwinnoch, set

up under the auspices of LEAP (Local Energy Action Plan), is making the first steps towards establishing a food co-op to broaden the foods available to the people of Lochwinnoch, thus also reducing the number of trips needed to shops outside the village.

One aspect of this co-op is to set up a club among interested locals, to order in fresh, organic fruit and veg. We have identified a farm/farm shop which is keen to work with us, Whitmuir Organics

www.whitmuirtheorganicplace.co.uk

They can deliver to Lochwinnoch for £30. This cost would be divided among the club members. We think, therefore, that once we have 10 members to share the cost, bringing it to a reasonable £3 per member per delivery, we could start the club. Obviously, this fee would reduce as more members joined.

Frequency of delivery would be decided to suit the members, but it would initially be fortnightly and delivery would be to the LEAP office in Church Street (with a plan B for people who cannot get to the office during opening hours).

Members could order any items

Windchime

She goes out to hang the windchime in her nightie and her work boots. It’s six-thirty in the morning and she’s standing on the plastic ice chest tiptoe to reach the crossbeam of the porch, windchime in her left hand, hammer in her right, the nail gripped tight between her teeth but nothing happens next because she’s trying to figure out how to switch #1 with #3. She must have been standing in the kitchen, coffee in her hand, asleep, when she heard it—the wind blowing through the sound the windchime wasn’t making because it wasn’t there. No one, including me, especially anymore believes till death do us part, but I can see what I would miss in leaving— the way her ankles go into the work boots as she stands upon the ice chest; the problem scrunched into her forehead; the little kissable mouth with the nail in it. Tony Hoagland

on the Whitmuir website (apart from fridge/freezer items, since we have no facilities for storing these), for delivery as per the schedule.

Delivery to a home address could possibly be arranged for an additional fee... but this would have to be explored with the delivery firm, if needed. If delivery is to a home address, fridge/freezer items could be included.

If you'd like to join or find out more about the fresh food co-op, please contact Susie Herteleer at t h e L E A P o f f i c e : susie@myleapproject.org or 01505 842 530 or pop into the office in Church Street and chat to her. As this is such early days, we welcome constructive ideas from potential members.

We are also in the early stages of setting up an arrangement with Green City Wholefoods for fortnightly orders for their dry/tinned goods.

More information about this aspect of the food co-op will be provided later. If you would be interested in this, please let Susie know. Again, the aim is to bring in to the village foods that are not currently available through existing shops.

We will also be holding quarterly foods fairs again this year, in March, June, September and December. More on this later!

Lesley Scott

LEAP steering group

ChatSearch—Vegetables

AUBERGINE CARROT CELERIAC

CABBAGE TURNIP PARSNIP

CAULIFLOWER ASPARAGUS POTATO

LEEK BROCCOLIP PEPPER

PEA MANGETOUT HARRICOTBEAN

RUNNERBEAN SWEETCORN CHARD

SPINACH SPROUT ARTICHOKE

ONION SQUASH COURGETTE

D N C C E A R T I C H O K E

I R E W O L F I L U A C B R

W P A L E U P I N S R A P R

C T E H R N R N T R R B S U

R O U N C O I G E C I B U F

B R N O A E C G E S C A G T

N R R I R E L U R T O G A P

E A O O O P B E K E T E R S

C C A C T N S R R K B E A Q

C N O E C A O A E I E U P U

P T P T U O T E G N A M A A

W E P O R B L O C E N C G S

E K R H C A N I P S A U S H

H B T U R N I P E P P E R G

13

Aspen Tree Day Lochwinnoch based social enterprise, Eadha Enterprises, will be holding an Aspen Tree Day on Saturday 9th March to promote the conservation of rare native aspen. We are looking for lots of willing volunteers to help us plant 100 trees grown in our nursery along by the River Calder. The event will raise awareness about aspen and the work of Eadha Enterprises. This project has been funded by the Central Scotland Green Network.

Meet at Castle Semple Visitor Centre at 10am. A short talk will be conducted at the centre prior to the planting. Light refreshments will be provided on return to the centre. For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i t www.eadha.co.uk

My One And Only Roger, was buying an expensive bracelet at a smart jeweller's shop in Hatton Garden, London to surprise his girlfriend on Valentine's Day,

The jeweller inquired, 'Would you like your girlfriend's name engraved on it?'

Roger thought for a moment, grinned, then answered, 'No, engrave "To my one and only love".'

The jeweller smiled and said, 'Yes, sir; how very romantic of you.'

Roger retorted with a glint in his eye, 'Not exactly romantic, but very practical. This way, if we break up, I can use it again.'

Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ

Don’t talk to me about Valentine’s Day At my age an affair of the heart is a bypass!

Joan Rivers

Wednesday 13 February 7.30pm – 9.00pm Evening Talk: Burns and Birds

Robert Burns had a great love of birds and used them to set the scene and the mood in many of his poems and songs. He was a

perceptive observer, before the days of modern binoculars and telescopes, far less field guides. He had a detailed knowledge of plumage, habitat, diet, behaviour and status. In short, he was birdwatcher!

In this talk Chris Rollie, RSPB Scotland area manager, looks into Burns ’s remarkable knowledge of birds and illustrates this with images and examples from Burns’s works.

Cost: £5 or £2 for RSPB members. Booking essential as places are limited.

Saturday 16 February 11am - 3pm Build a bird a home! Want to give a home to a bird this spring? Join us to help build and decorate nest boxes as part of National Nest Box Week.

Cost: £7 or £3 for RSPB members (includes a nest box to take home).

Contact the Reserve on 01505 8 4 2 6 6 3 o r e m a i l Lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk for bookings or info.

RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve

Wildlife viewing all year round

Nature trails and hides

Visitor centre open 10am – 5pm daily

Superb RSPB shop

Wildlife feeding stations and tree-top tower viewpoint

Saturday 2 February World Wetland Day Guided Walk 12noon – 2pm Join the reserve team to explore the wonderful wetland found at Lochwinnoch and find out more about its birds, wildlife and history.

Walk description: Gentle walk along reserve trails led by the RSPB team. Will also include a look at the Barr Loch, the path to which is uneven and likely to be narrow and muddy in places.

Key species we will look for: whooper swans, wigeon, teal, pochard, tufted ducks.

Suitable for: Beginners to experts in birdwatching. General interest in wildlife. Families.

Recommendations: Stout footwear, waterproofs and warm clothing recommended.

Cost: £5 or £2 for RSPB members. Booking essential as places are limited.

Saturday 9 February 11am – 4pm Young Volunteers Group Join us for the monthly Young Volunteers club, with activities including bird surveying, outdoor work, finding out more about RSPB campaigns and much more.

Booking essential and places are limited, so please enquire beforehand.

Young persons aged between 12 a n d 1 8 c a n p a r t i c i p a t e . Participants will be registered as RSPB volunteers.

14 14

perusing a wide variety of items he opted for a treen art nouveau wall plaque.

While he was paying he revealed another reason for visiting The Stirrup Cup.

He wanted to see the shop in reality as he was the editor of the Road Trip programme which featured The Stirrup Cup.

So we must be in the series!”

If you are unlucky enough to miss the broadcast and you still want to find out what Jonathon bought then you can catch up on BBCI Player. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

A bit more about wedding anniversaries: the historic origins date back to the Holy Roman Empire when husbands crowned their wives with a silver wreath o n t h e i r 2 5 t h w e d d i n g anniversary and a gold wreath on their 50th. Later, principally in the 20th century, commercialism led to the addition of more anniversaries being represented by a named gift, i.e. Year one is paper, year two is cotton, year three is leather, year four is fruit and flowers, etc. The list goes on and, of course, most can be found at The Stirrup Cup.

St Valentine’s Day

Don’t forget St Valentine’s Day (14th February) boys or you

may be sleeping with the dog (or the fishes).

The language of flowers may help you to express your feelings but

beware the dangers of the wrong choice.

The language of flowers:

Red roses imply passionate, romantic love. Pink roses mean affection Yellow roses for friendship or dying love White roses for virtue or chastity Red carnations for passion White carnation for faithfulness Pink carnations means I’ll never forget you Gardenia for a secret love Purple heather indicates beauty, admiration Buttercup for riches Cabbage for profit Phlox for harmony Primrose means eternal love Forget-me-not for true love and memories Ivy for wedded love

Use this list with care. While it may seem thrifty, gents, to bundle a cabbage and a bit of heather you’ve picked and claim a romantic intention, the woman in your life may not see it like that, and you could find yourself missing bits of anatomy. Get it right and who knows!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cllr Andy Doig

It is understandable in these times of economic austerity,

imposed by the Con/Dem Government at Westminster that local authori t ies such as Renfrewshire Council will try to

Yet Another Television Appearance !!!!!!!!!

Greta and the Stirrup Cup will be on the sixth series of BBC 2’s popular tea time programme The Antiques Road Trip being aired each week night at 4.30 p.m. Unfortunately when we went to print in the middle of January Greta was unsure when the Scottish leg of the trip will be shown. So far the BBC has not contacted Greta to tell her the date it will be broadcast as they did during series 5. It looks like it may be screened in February so keep tabs on the web site http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xgqvf/broadcasts/upcoming

Greta said “Back in September Jonathon Pratt visited the Stirrup Cup along with Anita Manning, from Glasgow, who also came along to drop him off in a vintage classic white Sunbeam convertible. As Jonathon purchased an item we can more or less guarantee that we shall be featured in the series. It became even more likely one day in November.

A new customer arrived looking for a traditional wedding anniversary gift. Year number 5 is wood. After

Antiques, Curios and Crafts A dynamic selection of oils, watercolours and Limited Edition prints

Bespoke crafts by local artisans, vintage and contemporary jewellery

Well worth discovering for yourself

The Barn on the farm, open 10am till late every day

Contact Greta Logan on Tel: 01505 683338

Email: greta@thestirrupcup.com www.thestirrupcup.co.uk

West Bankside Farm, Geirston Rd, Kilbirnie, KA25 7LQ

Just opposite the Golf Course on the Largs Rd

THE STIRRUP CUP

WEST BANKSIDE FARM, GEIRSTON RD,

KILBIRNIE,

We specialise in vintage & modern

jewellery, antiques, curios, art and local

crafts

Great for Gifts or treat yourself

www.thestirrupcup.co.uk

15

Institute. Please come and see me if you have any issues you wish to raise, or alternately call me on 07534 148224, 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

Time for a Rant The Season of Good Cheer is over; the bills have come in; grumpiness is upon us and I’m no exception. All those little things that niggle seem to niggle even more and just so I don’t suffer alone I’ll share some with you.

Deliveries: you are expecting a parcel, you are at home, then you find a note through your door that claims someone ‘tried to deliver a parcel and you were out.’! Actually, NO, I was HERE!! I was waiting for this parcel!! I wasn’t drunk or asleep or teleporting to another planet. I was HERE! I’ve become convinced that some delivery drivers have a grown-up version of ‘knock the door and run away’ I wonder how many points they award themselves if they manage to get a note through the door of someone who is obviously at home? Next time I’ll have to crouch behind the door, like a dog waiting for the postman, to nab the delivery man (but probably not bite him).

Trollies: Well the ones with a dodgy or seemingly square wheel, obviously, but more the ones abandoned without a thought. You return to your car in the supermarket or superstore car park and someone has left their trolley at your car. Maybe they thought you’d want an extra trolley when you arrived with yours. You don’t. You have a trolley full of shopping you then have to abandon to deal with THEIR trolley before you can start loading your car. There are also those people who block parking spaces with their discarded trolley; you hope the

reduce their assets. However, a great opportunity now exists to revisit the potential at the Lochwinnoch Annexe with the passage of the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill which is being piloted through the Scottish Parliament by the SNP Government. This Bill becomes law in April of this year and it will make it easier for communities like Lochwinnoch to use community assets and buildings that are currently lying unused.

T h e J a n u a r y m e e t i n g o f Lochwinnoch Community Council had a very comprehensive debate about the future of the Annexe, and since my election last year I have been clear that any deliberations about its future should involve the widest community consultation, so I was delighted that representatives from Calderglen FC, and other parties interested in the future of the Annexe, attended. Lochwinnoch has a great number of community groups and I have further contacted Development Trust Scotland who offer advice to social enterprises and community groups who wish to take on community assets. I have also invited Council Officers to attend the next meeting of the Community Council and I would encourage any interested parties who wish to take over the Annexe to contact me.

Following discussions with Rowena Murray at Lochwinnoch Railway Station she has alerted me to the problem of the lack of disabled access at the station which inhibits many villagers from using the station. In the 21st Century this is really not acceptable so I have been working with my SNP Parliamentary colleague, Stewart Maxwell MSP, who has written to Transport Scotland highlighting the access problem at Lochwinnoch and we will continue to work together to try and address this issue.

I very much want to make myself available to local residents in L o c h w i n n o c h a n d m y Lochwinnoch advice surgery is on the fourth Wednesday of the month, at 8:00pm in the McKillop

parking gods look unfavourably on them when they are hunting a space and just leave them one with a trolley in it.

Child Proof Caps: is just me or can other people not open them either? I press and turn or squeeze as directed but the smug cap stays shut. I try a little light violence, doesn’t help. I resort to tools, exact some revenge on the cap but still it doesn’t open; I go for broke and saw the top off. I should probably just get a child to open them, they probably can.

Packaging: since we’ve had the blue bins it becomes clear just how much packaging we throw away. It seems very wasteful. And then you have the problem of removing the packaging to get at the product. Have you tried to get at a toothbrush recently? I bought a mini torch for my keyring, handy I thought. But getting into it! First sawing through the plastic outer nearly did for my scissors not to mention my sore hand (fine before I started) but I’d got at the torch so that was OK. Not so. The tiny batteries inside were so tightly shrink-wrapped that it seemed impossible to free them. Then I thought of a nature programme I’d seen about chimps using stones as tools to crush shells and get at the nuts inside and decided I (maybe overestimating my abilities) should be as competent as a chimp. Not having a stone to hand I eventually used a needle/plier combo that worked. Sadly the torch fell apart after a couple of weeks.

I know these are fairly mundane rants but I’d like to stay married so don’t dare start on the really juicy stuff. I’m sure you have a better rant so let us know at: chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info

What do people do on a date?

"Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough." Lynnette, age 8

"On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." Martin, age 10

16 16

Lunch with Santa This year’s Lunch with Santa which took place on Sunday 16th December, was another successful day with 20 children from age 2 years – 7 years attending. A great day was had by all enjoying an afternoon of singing, dancing and games.

We raised a fantastic £158.00 and are looking forward to it all again next year.

Flo Ferguson from the Barn Tearoom front of house team said “It was a great afternoon and all the children enjoyed spending it with Santa. Santa did a great job, well done Santa!”

2013 – A year to try something different

The hospice needs help, do you fancy having a go at something different this year?

Fundraising Team – Help needed in various areas. Schools Liaison - speaking to local schools to encourage fundraising activity, Community Ambassador – representing the Hospice at local fundraising activities, Admin Volunteers and House-to House Collectors.

Maintenance Team / Furniture Pick-up and Delivery – Help needed with the general maintenance. Anyone with painting, plumbing or joinery skills or general DIY skills please get in touch. Also volunteers needed to assist the Hospice driver with furniture pick-

ups and deliveries for our busy furniture shops.

Charity shops – Help needed in our busy charity shops. No experience needed, training given.

Other volunteer roles available, contact Christine Haddock, Volunteer Co-ordinator, on 01505 705635 or call into any of our shops and pick up a volunteer application form.

A gift in your Will is a gift of future care.

Making a Will is not something you think normally think about, that is until something happens that makes you realise how important it really is. Having a Will in place is the only way of ensuring that all your wishes are carried out after you die.

Local supporter Andrea, 36 from Bridge of Weir recently went through the process of making a Will and leaving a gift to St Vincent’s Hospice. She said; “Making a Will was much easier than I imagined, it was straightforward and quick. I felt such peace of mind once it was done.”

She explained, “It’s a big difference knowing that if anything should happen to me, my wishes will be carried out and my family will not have the complications or expense of having to sort out my affairs for me.” This unfortunately is the case for hundreds of families when a loved one dies and there is no Will in place, it can be a lengthy process and expensive to get everything in order and in the end your family may not be provided for as you would have

wanted.

You can make vital provisions for your family in your Will as they are your priority after you die, but you also have the opportunity to look after charities close to your heart as well. Andrea very kindly remembered the work of St Vincent’s Hospice in her Will and said, “I’ve included my favourite charities in my Will so that even when I’m gone, my support will ensure that care for local people and their families can continue. That’s a really great feeling.”

Making a Will and keeping it up to date is really important, it provides peace of mind that after you are gone your family’s financial future is secure and they do not have any unnecessary complications or drawn out legal matters to go through. Leaving a gift to a charity like St Vincent’s Hospice in your Will keeps your money helping the causes that are important to you. It could be one of the most important things you do for your community.

Challenge 25 Sat 8th and Sun 9th June

Isle of Arran

Calling all cyclists and walkers.

Be one of 25 locals who a r e c h a l l e n g i n g themselves for St Vincent’s Hospice 25th anniversary year on an exclusive weekend duathlon cycle and trek.

Challenge 25 is an adventurous weekend cycle and trek on Arran, covering 42 miles by bike from Brodick to Lochranza on day 1, and trek 847m to the summit of Goatfell on day 2.

St Vincent’s Hospice provides specialist care for those living with cancer and other life limiting illnesses. Their services are available to all, totally free of charge, thanks to the generosity of local communities.

Fundraiser Ashley Moran said “the money raised through Challenge 25 will go directly to caring for local patients and their families.

“It’s a great opportunity to tick some new years’ resolutions off your list; get fit, have a fabulous weekend completing an exciting new challenge while supporting St Vincent’s Hospice in our special 25th Anniversary year. I can’t think of a better way to raise vital funds for the Hospice and give yourself a new challenge for 2013 - so what are you waiting for? Be part of it!.”

An Information Evening is being held

SUNDAY ROAST 2 courses £8.95

starter & main or main & dessert Kids under 10 eat half price

OPEN MIC

The 1st Friday of every month Play it, sing it, say it!

All the family welcome so come along & join in

Food available till late!

JAZZ EVENING Sun 17th March As part of the Lochwinnoch Arts

festival Dine & enjoy an evening of Jazz

Tickets Available

Open Friday - Sunday for meals & snacks

for information or bookings of any of the above call

Liz Callaghan

01505 842 153 Ext. 3

Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner 7 days a week. Or book for your special occasion.

Everyone welcome! 25p daily membership may apply

Bookings call 01505 842 153

What’s On at the Golf Club

17

on Feb 21st at 6.30pm at St Vincent’s Hospice, with coffee and cake and the opportunity to pick up your free t-shirt. A l l t r a n s p o r t , m e a l s a n d accommodation are provided on the weekend and no expensive gear is required, just your own bike and walking shoes.

St Vincent’s Hospice has a full 25th anniversary programme of celebrations and has launched a £1m appeal to maintain and develop its crucial services. For more info email i n f o @ s v h . c o . u k o r v i s i t www.svh.co.uk.

Regional Park

Round Up

New All Abilities Path Opens Access in Parkhill Wood We have delight in advising that the new all abilities path has now opened allowing everyone access to Parkhill Wood from Johnshill Field. We appreciate your patience during the works and we hope you will agree that the new surfaces will make it easier for wheelchairs, horses, bikes and walkers to get around and enjoy all that the wood has to offer.

Year of Natural Scotland 2013 There’s nowhere better to celebrate the Year of Natural Scotland than at Clyde Muirshiel, Scotland’s largest Regional Park, look out for our jam-packed events and activit ies programme online! We have something for everyone including a number of new and special activities for 2013 only!

Clyde Muirshiel Explorer Join our experienced outdoor activities team and our wildlife expert on April 11th – 14th or 18th – 21st for a memorable, fully catered, wildlife viewing experience on the Firth of Clyde aboard the Clyde Muirshiel Explorer, a luxury yacht. Gain wildlife identification skills as well as sailing skills from our Yachtmaster. This trip is unique to the Year of Natural Scotland and costs just £330 per person. Book now by calling 01505 842 882 Ex 20.

Stargazing Continues at Muirshiel Centre The Winter Stargazing Evenings at the Regional Park’s dark sky location will continue on 8th Feb & 8th Mar. Thanks to the 55 people who came up to the

special kilted evening in January! If you are planning to attend please book your FREE place by phoning 01505 842 803.

New Volunteer Programmes If you are looking for a great way of meeting like-minded people, getting out and active, or are keen to learn a range of new skills, the Regional Park can help. We have a Thursday programme underway at Castle Semple and a Saturday programme at Greenock Cut Centre. Look on the Park’s volunteer page for more details and other opportunities or contact the Rangers at the Visitor Centre.

Events Fri 1 Feb - Tue 19 Feb - Art in the Park Annual Exhibition of traditional and contemporary works by Lochwinnoch Art Group. Most works are available to purchase. WHERE: Castle Semple Visitors Centre WHEN: 10.00 to 15.30 hrs daily MORE INFO: tel 842 882 ext 20

Fri 8 Feb—Stargazing Evening Join staff from the Coats Observatory in Paisley at our dark sky site. Tonight’s topic will be ‘Mercury’. Indoor lecture if poor weather. WHERE: Muirshiel Visitor Centre WHEN: 19.00 – 21.00 hrs MORE INFO: 01505 842 803 & bookings

Sat 9 Feb - Sun 15 Apr Photographic Exhibition on Tour A display of prize winners and entries from the 2012 ‘Capturing Creativity in Clyde Muirshiel’ competition. WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 11.00 - 15.00 hrs (weekends only until end of March) MORE INFO: tel 01475 521 458

Sun 10 Feb—Animal Crime Scene Will you accept the mission to be nature detectives and find out who kidnapped Sammy Squirrel? No animals were harmed in the making of this event. MEET: Parkhill Wood Entrance (just off cycle track) WHEN: 13.00 - 15.00 hrs, finish at Castle Semple MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 Ex 20 & bookings

Sun 17 Feb—Fun Science Day Come along and try out some simple scientific experiments – you’ll be amazed at the results! WHERE: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre WHEN: 13.00 - 15.00 hrs MORE INFO: tel 01475 521 458 & bookings

Sun 24 Feb—Green Wood Working Watch the Rangers cleave freshly cut green wood and fashion it into useful items using traditional techniques - then have a go yourself! WHERE: Muirshiel Visitor Centre WHEN: 13.00 - 15.30 hrs MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 803 & bookings

Mon 25 Feb - Sun 10 Mar—Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 Find out about Fairtrade, enjoy a coffee, some chocolate and other Fairtrade goods in a warm scenic location. Support Lochwinnoch, a Fairtrade village since 2008. WHERE: Castle Semple Visitor Centre WHEN: All day MORE INFO: tel 01505 842 882 ext 20

Booking essential for all events, contact the centre to book your

FREE place. Charges apply for outdoor

activity courses.

18 18

Santa at the P.O. Lochwinnoch’s children were very fortunate this year to find that Santa came in person to Lochwinnoch Post Office to collect his letters. Perhaps the North Pole Post Office was overworked and he worried that not all letters would arrive in time.

Everyone had a great time as you can see

.

Castle Semple Sailing Club

The Club held its AGM in November and retiring Commodore Jon Hasler was pleased to report another very successful year for the Club. Before handing over to new Commodore Arthur Logan, Jon reported on the year's events. The most important of these had been the expansion of the boat storage area which had allowed more members to bring in boats and attracted new members. Without doubt the biggest success of the year was the growth of the cadet section organised by Duncan Elder. This had become a very popular Sunday morning event.

Disability sailing During the year Castle Semple Centre had been the first in Scotland to be awarded the status of Disability Sailing Centre of Excellence, which together with the donation of a hoist by Gryffe Valley Rotary Club would be of great benefit to the disabled section of the Club.

Racing and social events The number of boats taking part in the racing on Sundays afternoons and Wednesday evenings had increased substantially on the previous year.

In June around a dozen members had enjoyed a tremendous camping/sailing weekend visit to Loch Lomond Sailing Club, where some excellent sailing took place.

The Club had again hosted a GP14 Scottish Travellers event when a total of 16 boats took part half of which were CSSC members. Following the racing everyone enjoyed a ceilidh at Lochwinnoch Golf Club.

Finally in November a group had taken part in a very enjoyable weekend team racing event at Loch Ken. Although unfortunately the actual sailing had been limited due to the lack of wind this was replaced by canoeing and other outdoor activities.

It is hoped to organise a winter sailing series in March, weather permitting!

19

time to get yourself out on the plot and grow your own vegetables. It’s early days yet for planting on the site but I know that a few members have been working away on the few decent days that we’ve had recently getting things sorted out and tidied up ready for the new season.

At our Community Allotment Gardens site in Sersely Drive, Kilbirnie, we have plots available of various sizes -whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener looking for more growing space, we can help.

If you are interested in taking up our offer of fresh air, exercise, meeting new people and of course getting free food please contact our membership s e c r e t a r y J o y c e , joyce.macalister@sky.com, or check out our Facebook page and our website www.gvaa.co.uk

In the meantime winter activities include badminton, pub quizzes and local walks

The winners of the various series were as follows:

Spring Sunday Series: 1st Crawford Johnstone 2nd Angus Winchester 3rd Jon Hasler Spring Wednesday Series: 1st Graham Hall 2nd J Briggs 3rd Crawford Johnstone Summer Sunday Series: 1st Angus Winchester 2nd Steve Davision 3rd Alan Falconer Summer Wednesday Series: 1st J Briggs 2nd Steve Davison 3rd Angus Winchester For further information please see website: www.castlesemplesc.co.uk

Kilts and Stars at Muirshiel

Stargazers turned out for a true show of Scottish pride at Muirshiel Country Park's first ever KILTED stargazing evening! Over 50 people attended the event setting a new record for the most people in kilts at a stargazing evening. Participants were rewarded for their brave efforts with free tea, coffee and shortbread! '

Despite the fantastic turnout the weather was not on our side. John Pressly, from the Coats Observatory Paisley, was able to do an indoor presentation on the Hubble Space telescope. The talk featured how technology has developed, making astronomy and access to the beauty of the night’s sky more affordable and accessible to all.

“This event was a bit of fun” said Charlie Woodward, Regional Park Manager. “The people that attended all seemed to have a good time and appreciated that we cannot control the clouds. Maybe we’ll try to improve on

the record next year!”

Stargazing sessions take place once a month throughout the winter. Don’t miss out, next session on Friday 8 March -‘Earth Observation’. Booking is essential. You can secure your FREE place now by calling 01505 842 803

GV AA Garnock Valley Allotment Association

We’re getting close to the new growing season and time to think about seed potatoes, what crops we would like to grow this year and what varieties to choose. With the continuing rising prices in the shops there’s no better

Valentines “Love is like dew that falls alike on nettles and lilies”

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

Meanwhile, at Little Now&Then it’s in with the new and out with the old! We’re clearing the decks for the beautiful new seasons’ stock which is arriving. We

have reductions of up to 40% on many lines. So, whether you are shopping for the kids’ Easter holiday in Arran or summer holiday in Salou - pop in and see.

39 High Street, Lochwinnoch 01505 843883

Both shops are open 9-5 Mon-Sat

Keep it local and interesting

20 20

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival

ART EXHIBITION

Wed 13th.March -Sat 23rd March

Once again we are looking for entries, from the local areas, to this now well-supported annual exhibition.

The exhibition will be held once again in the Library Room of Lochwinnoch Library. We are most grateful to our Librarian, Margaret Sweenie, for all her help and cooperation in the planning of this exhibition.

All exhibits must be accompanied by an entry form which is available from the Calder Gallery, 8 High Street, Lochwinnoch. The form details all rules and instructions.

The date for handing in all exhibits is Saturday 9th March.

We look forward to seeing everyone's hard work then.

Valentine's Day Gift

Jim asked his friend, Tony, whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine's Day.

'Yes,' came the answer from Tony who was a bit of a chauvinist, 'I've bought her a belt and a bag.'

'That was very kind of you,' Jim added, 'I hope she appreciated the thought.'

Tony smiled as he replied, 'So do I, and hopefully the vacuum cleaner will work better now.'

Cllr Chris Gilmour Councillor Derek Bibby and I would like to wish all readers of the Chatterbox a Happy New Year!

We were delighted to attend the meeting of the LPIG Committee which discussed the various fundraising activities. The next big event is the family ceilidh on Saturday 2 February 2013. I also attended the most recent meeting of the Lochwinnoch Community Council where the future of the Annexe was discussed. As you know the Annexe was closed by the previous SNP-led administration. The possibilities of members or groups within the local community putting forward proposals for its future use, within the community, will also be the subject of further discussions with those individuals who express an interest. Council officers will also attend the next meeting of the Lochwinnoch Community Council on Tuesday 5 February 2013. These officers will provide more information on the running costs and the survey that was carried out on the Annexe.

Finally, many thanks are due to the Council officers who kept the services running during the periods of recent bad weather. We know that some constituents were affected by flooding and to address this both Councillor Bibby and I will meet with the Head of Roads to reassess the areas within the village which were liable to flooding.

Email:

cllr.christopher.gilmour@renfrewshire.gov.uk

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