CHATTERBOX

No 201 September 2010

www.lochwinnoch.info

Community newsletter produced by lochwinnoch publicity committee for lochwinnoch cc

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 840 2163

Chatterbox, n Contemptuous or

p layful name for a habi tual

chat terer . (OED). ( informal)

someone who talks or chatters

incessantly (Chambers) Quite a

good name for a village newsletter,

I think, so well done to Ronnie for

coming up with that one twenty

years ago!

Both these definitions have an

emphasis on doing it a lot – if not

t o o m u c h ! L o c h w i n n o c h ‘ s

Chatterbox has been published

fairly regularly by the Community

Council for around twenty years

and the current one intends to carry

this on. However, we now need

some more help to carry this on,

continue to produce it regularly

every month and, if possible,

make it even better.

If you have some spare time

every month and an interest in

any aspec t o f p roduc ing a

newsletter like this, please let us

know. Jobs that need doing range

from talking to (or e-mailing)

contributors and advertisers,

writing copy and proof-reading

and editing others‘ text, taking

photographs, laying out the pages

ready fo r the p r in te r s and

distributing the finished copies to

the various outlets. I‘m sure there

are more that I‘ve missed (or that

didn‘t get done this month). If

you fancy yourself as a journalist,

or think you could do a cartoon

strip – or occasional one-offs –

let us know. Are you thinking of

a career in publishing? Get

involved in Chatterbox and have

something good to put on your

C.V.

As we want to make Chatterbox

e v e n b e t t e r , w e a r e t a k i n g

a d v a n t a g e o f o u r p r i n t e r ,

Renfrewshire Council‘s Document

Solutions, revising their rates for

external customers like us. This

means that we can afford to

include some colour pages without

having to carry more advertising.

We are doing this this month as an

experiment. If it works, and there

is enough material which would

benefit, we‘ll do it again – possibly

regularly. Let us know what you

would like to see. The Community

Council will also discuss what

changes, if any, it thinks would

improve Chatterbox.

Wh a t go e s i n t o C h a t t e r box

depe nd s l a r ge l y up on w ha t

material is available and this comes

largely from YOU, the readers, so

please send in your stories, news,

announcements of forthcoming

events and anything else you think

we could include. As we would

like continue with including some

colour pages, please send in colour

pictures to illustrate your articles.

What’s On & Dates for your Diaries Village events, clubs, classes, etc are in the centre pages this month

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and RSPB events and outdoor activities are on the back three pages

Editorial and Copy for

Chatterbox Let us have your stories, notices,

news, information, events and items of

interest – either hand-deliver them to

the Chatterbox drop-box in the

Library or preferably e-mail them to

us at: chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info.

Electronic submission with full colour

pictures are preferred.

To advertise in Chatterbox

Tel: 07866 373254

chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info

COPY DEADLINE FOR

OCTOBER CHATTERBOX

IS FRIDAY 24TH

SEPTEMBER

CHATTERBOX

During September receive a

FREE

TV Power Down Plug when

you have a

HOME ENERGY CHECK

carried out by one of our

Energy Advisers

The prospect of not having

enough energy to go round is

unthinkable; power cuts in

Lochwinnoch are a distant

memory. Yet if Scotland

continues to use energy at its

current rate, demand could

outstrip supply as early as

2016. New energy sources

must be developed, but

increasing supply is only part

of the equation. A more

immediate and cost effective

strategy is for us all to use

less. Big increases in the

price of power have caught

our attention, but household

energy use is still not going

down. Being more aware of

how you use energy at home

and when you use it is the

first step in reducing

consumption and cost.

Over the next 10 years every

household in the UK will be

fitted with Smart Meters, one

for gas and one for electricity.

These meters will come with

two-way communications

enabling meter readings to

be taken at any time without

the need for a visit from a

meter reader. Imagine: no

more estimated bills,

knowing how much energy

and money you are using at

any given time, more

flexible methods of paying

your bill and being able to

see if you are using less

energy compared to

yesterday, last week, or last

year.

There‘s no need to wait 10

years ! – there are things we

can do now to monitor the

energy we use . To find out

more contact one of our

energy advisers and, during

September, receive a free TV

Power Down Plug :

If you’d like Rob or Alan,

the LEAP Energy

Advisers, to visit you to

help measure and reduce

the energy you use, go to:

www.lochwinnoch.info/leap

e mail leap@lochwinnoch.info

or phone Carol Gemmell

on 842040

News from the RSPB

It‘s been a great summer for

us here at the reserve, with

both interesting sightings and

great events.

Wildlife wise, we have

enjoyed some good sightings

this summer. Starting back in

April, we had a greenshank

on the 6th and then our first

migrant sightings of swallow

on the 7th, sand martin on the

9th, house martin on the 25th

(along with 30 sedge

warblers) and swift on the

26th.

In May we were getting

regular visits from an osprey

and on the 8th it was seen 4

times fishing over the Aird

Meadow loch and then

intermittently for several days

before and after that and into

June as well. Other May

highlights include a merlin

on the 1st, a jay on the 3rd, the

first cuckoo on the 4th along

with 9 grasshopper warblers

and 84 sedge warblers

around the Barr Loch. On the

17th of May a little ringed

plover was seen in the nearby

pond.

We also had daily sightings of

the great spotted woodpecker

family with up to 5 individuals

being seen at any one time!

Into June we had up to 7 great

crested grebes on the Barr

Loch, more sightings of the

osprey, water rail calling

regularly and the first spotted

flycatchers on the 5th June. In

July, our main attraction was

sandwich terns, with 7 seen on

the 21st, 1 on the 23rd and then

12 on the 3rd August (our largest

number on the reserve to date!)

and a lesser whitethroat very

briefly seen at the feeding

station on the 9th.

We had up to 10 great crested

grebes on the Barr Loch, 2 little

grebes, 1 shelduck, 1 gadwall,

1 scaup, almost daily visits

from a sparrowhawk to the

feeding station and 2 barn owls

flying over the Aird Meadow at

midnight (on my way home

from the pub!) Phew!

Other wildlife highlights have

included a mole and a shrew

feeding in broad daylight just

outside the office, a four-

spotted chaser dragonfly, lots

of moths including the ever

popular garden tiger and

elephant hawkmoths and

meadow brown, small heath

and ringlet butterflies.

Our summer events have also

proved to be very popular,

with all of the school holiday

clubs and mini-beast Mondays

being very well attended.

We also held a very successful

Summer Solstice Guided walk,

mostly promoted through

Facebook, on which 30 people

turned up when we only

expected 5!

We had a gorgeous evening for

it and went out to see the

greater butterfly orchids on the

Aird Meadow – of which we

had over 50 this year, the best

year for a long time! Other

flower highlights included green

heleborine growing along the

Aird Meadow trail, we counted

over 20 plants one evening, and

I was taken for a very nice walk

by local botanist Elizabeth

Connacher who introduced me

to over 30 plants in 30 minutes!

Amazing!

We have lots of exciting events

coming up, including our second

hand natural history book sale

(please send us your donations

now or we can sell books on

your behalf), Amazing Autumn,

Wildlife Quiz Night and of

course the ever popular Fright

Night.

We hope to see you at the

reserve soon, Paula Baker

Immature Sparrowhawk photographed recently at the Lochwinnoch RSPB Reserve

The Brown Bull, 33 Main Street

Celebrated its 200th birthday last summer with

a street party! Landlords are Laura and

Fergus.

The Garthland Arms, 5 Church St

This pub has recently changed hands. We are

hoping to interview the new landlords, Martin

and Karen, next month.

The Corner Bar

Junction of High St and St Winnoch Rd

Sandy Innes is the Landlord. Used to be called

The Glue Pot.

Lochwinnoch’s Public Houses

Lochwinnoch has three public houses in the village, pictured here.

Councillor Arthur’s

Report I recently had the pleasure of meeting

up with 11 International volunteers

who were carrying out restoration and

upgrade work within Clyde Muirshiel

Regional Park through the auspices of

Xchange Scotland.

I joined them for a morning up at the

Muirshiel Centre where we were

constructing a habitat pile for the

various forms of life that roam and

grow within the park.

Ranger Len gave a briefing on the

Hen Harrier project which took in live

footage of this year‘s nest and the two

chicks but sadly a few days later, on

two separate occasions within a short

space of time, a fox visited the nest

which for the Hen Harrier is located

on the ground and had the chicks for

dinner. Ranger Michael gave a talk on

the different species of sheep and the

wool that they produce. This was then

followed by a hands on go at ancient

wool spinning. It was then on to a

demonstration in the art of turning

green wood (known as Bodging) and

then the morning was complete with a

walk up Windy Hill and yes I‘m sure

you‘ve guessed, it was windy.

Over their two week stay it was not all

work as the group joined the Sailing

Club, Rowing Club and Windsurfing

Club on the water at Castle Semple, a

kayak trip and barbeque on Loch

Lomond, a visit to Edinburgh, a

Scotch-Hop at Linlithgow Palace and

a farewell Ceilidh in the Parish

Church hall.

The volunteers had travelled from

Belgium, Czech Republic, France,

Germany and Spain and I‘m pleased

to say went home with some great

memories of their visit to Scotland

and of our village in particular.

As chairman of Clyde Muirshiel Park

Authority, my thanks go to all who

took the time to provide for our

visitors and to the park staff who

made their visit such a great

experience for them as well as a

roaring success. Can I also say a

special thank you to Maggie and Bob

Gorman from Newton of Belltrees

who gave a very friendly welcome, a

loan of camping equipment and a lift

up to Barnbrock to Millo and

Mederick from France whose first

stop was into the Brown Bull.

Four village groups were successful

with their applications for grants to

our recent LAC (Local Area

Committee). The awards are as

follows: Lochwinnoch Community

Council £1500 for a project to

enhance the village website, LMEG

(Lochwinnoch Millennium Events

Group) £2,100 towards the cost of

this year‘s Christmas lights switch-

on event and for the purchase of a

PA system, Lochwinnoch Art Group

£499 and Lochwinnoch SWRI £200.

The village will also benefit from the

LAC‘s decision to set aside money

from the General Fund to restore the

War Memorials in Lochwinnoch,

Howwood, Kilbarchan and Elderslie

£12,000 was awarded as match

funding to further develop the

existing Johnstone and Lochwinnoch

ROAR (Reaching Older Adults in

Renfrewshire) Clubs and to create a

further new ROAR club whose

location has still to be agreed.

My congratulations to the following

residents who picked up prizes in

this the 82nd year of the council‘s

Annual Garden Competition which

is run by Renfrewshire Council‘s

Department of Housing and Property

Services.

Arthur & Rita Parr, 24 Harvey

Terrace, picked up the first prize in

the category of Best Flower Garden

in Lochwinnoch for the third year in

a row while Bert Matthews, 60

Crookhill Gardens, once again is a

treble winner. Bert won The Alastair

Nimmo Trophy for Best Garden in

Lochwinnoch for the 4th year in a row

and has won it 7 times overall and

also for the last 4 years has won the

Gryffe Trophy for the Best Complete

Garden in the Landward Area and first

place for the Best Flower and

Vegetable Garden in Lochwinnoch.

Please note that my next Surgery on

Saturday 18th September is IN THE

LIBRARY at the usual time of

11:30am but if you require my help

before then, you can contact me on

843507 and we can agree a time when

we can meet.

Lochwinnoch Art

Group Lochwinnoch Art Group will

recommence after their summer break

on Monday 13th.September at 7.30pm

- 9.30pm in the McKillop Institute.

Meetings are fortnightly thereafter.

As usual new members will be made

very welcome.

The Annual Art Exhibition by

Lochwinnoch Art Group will take

place in the Library Room from

Wednesday 6th.October - Saturday

30th October. The Exhibition will be

open during Library hours.

We would also like to express our

thanks to Renfrewshire Council for

helping fund the Art Group for the

coming year.

The Committee

Lochwinnoch Art Group

Chat from the Chair

As this publication is important to

the Community Council as a means

of communicat ion to the

community we represent, I

undertook to keep it going until a

new team is in place to publish it

regularly. This means that – as you

will have seen on the front page –

we need people to take it on. Our

plan is to build up a team of people

so that the various tasks can be

shared out and the workload for

any individual is relatively small.

It was good to see the return of the

Community Police to our meetings

– PCs John Denholm and James

McWilliams came along to give

their report. Unfortunately it‘s not

practicable for them to make every

Community Council meeting due

to other duties, days off, leave, etc.

This month, they had few crimes to

report and the good news is that the

incidence of youth disorder at

weekends is much reduced. They

must have been dong something

right!

We were pleased to see some of

the Committee of the Baby &

Toddler Group. These ladies are

new to this position and came

looking for our help. To improve

the facilities for young babies, they

needed funds to purchase some

interlocking play mats and the

Community Council was happy to

award them a grant of £100 for

this. This will also, hopefully,

encourage new members with

babies to join the Group.

Anne Nicholl is working on

improving life for the red

telephone box in Church St. This

is a rather neglected listed

building with a phone that rarely

works and is used as a place for

teenagers to hang around and

keep dry, and as a toilet. Her

suggestion is to have it adopted

by the community and moved to

a more open location, where it

will be less likely to be abused.

BT have an adoption scheme, but

moving it will necessitate having

it de-listed first. If this can be

done, it will no longer have a

telephone.

The area around the McKillop

continues to attract much

comment and debate. Some

people like it, some don‘t, but

regardless, it‘s a popular spot to

sit an pass the time of day, have a

rest and catch some rays (on

those rare occasions that the sun‘s

out to play! I‘ve seen it busier

(and sunnier) than when I took

the photo on p17.

A note from Anne McNaughton,

R e n f r e w s h i r e C o u n c i l ‘ s

Community Council Liaison

Officer about the introduction of

the new Community Council

scheme… Despite our best efforts,

the statutory legal process has

delayed the review timetable and it

is now likely to be nearer the end

of the year or early next year,

realistically, before elections to the

26 proposed new community

councils will be held…So you have

a few months to decide to join us.

There are several ways to contact

the Community Council: e-mail communitycouncil@lochwinnoch.info or use the online contact form on

the Community Council page of

the Village website (http://

w w w . l o c h w i n n o c h . i n f o /

community/cc/); write to the

Secretary, Lesley Scott, 79 High

St, PA12 4AB; or leave a message

in the drop-box in the Library. The

Community Council does not

accept anonymous correspondence

so you must include your name and

address.

Or you could come to a meeting,

which are all open to the public.

They are at 7.30pm in the Guild

Room of the Parish Church on the

first Tuesday of the month (except

maybe January, depending on the

date).

This is my personal take on things

– for the official Community

Council line you‘ll have to read the

minutes!

Chris Gould

Find out what a LEAP Energy Adviser

can do for You during September

Receive a free TV Power Down Plug (worth £15)

with a HOME ENERGY CHECK

Visit www.lochwinnoch.info/leap or email

leap@lochwinnoch.info or phone 842 040

Beith Arts Guild

New Concert Season

Our first concert is a very special one -

the Millennium Quartet from

Venezuela are members of the Simon

Bolivar National Youth Orchestra, and

are on tour in Scotland. They are also

helping to teach children in Raploch,

Stirling - to teach them music in the

same way they themselves were

t a u g h t , b y m e a n s o f ` T h e

System`. Children from the poorest

slums of Venezuelan cities have been

taught music this way for years, and

have at the same time learned that

they can have a future worth

having. Many of them are now

professional musicians, like the four

who will play for us..

They have been brought to Scotland in

a partnership between Enterprise

Music Scotland and Sistema Scotland.

Enterprise Music Scotland is the body

funded by the Scottish Arts Council to

support top quality chamber music

concerts. Sistema Scotland is a charity

which runs the Big Noise orchestra in

Raploch, Stirling - the first in Europe

to be modelled on Venezuela`s El

Sistema movement which produced

the Millennium Quartet, using

orchestras for social change.

Beith Arts are privileged to be

included in the quartet`s tour, and look

forward to hearing them at 2.30 on

Sunday, 19th September at Beith

Community Centre. All are

welcome. Further information on the

website - www.beitharts.org.

Lochwinnoch

Historical Society

The 2010 - 2011 season begins on

Thursday September 16th at 7.30pm

in the guild room of the Parish

Church.

As this year marks the bicentenary of

the death of Robert Tannahill,

Paisley's premier poet 1774 - 1810, we

will have as guest speaker David

Mullen president of The Robert

Tannahill Federation.

We look forward to seeing all of our

regulars and to welcoming new

members. Annual membership

remains at £8 and evening visits

are £2.

Tea and coffee will be served.

Gordon Nicholl 842632

Lochwinnoch

Elderly Forum

A reminder that the Forum

September meeting is on Thursday

30th at 1.30pm following the ROAR

lunch club.

Doreen and her team from the

Community Alarm Service will give

a presentation outlining the aims and

objectives of the service and explain

how it all works

Gordon Nicholl 842632

Lochwinnoch

Library

Baby & Toddler Rhyme

time

At Lochwinnoch Library

Every Tuesday

From 24th August at

2.15pm

Advice Works Surgery @

Lochwinnoch Library This is now an APPOINTMENT

ONLY based surgery. For further details please contact :

We can provide advice about entitlement to benefits. Advisors can help fill in claim forms and advise on welfare benefits and money problems. We can check you are receiving all the benefits due to you.

Library Opening

Hours

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

2pm – 5pm and 6pm – 8pm

Tuesday & Saturday

10am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm

Closed Thursday

Public Holiday - Closed

Saturday 25th and Monday 27th

September

Renew and Reserve at

www.renfrewshwire.gov.uk/

libraries

Library members can view, renew and reserve their library loans online. All you need to get started is your library membership number and a password. If you don‘t have a password just ask at any library.

Digital TV

Switchover

This will occur in this area between

April & June 2011.

The Switchover Help Scheme

can help you make the switch to

digital TV.

We can help you convert your

TV to digital if you:

are aged 75 or over; or

get or could get Disability

Living Allowance, Attendance

Allowance, Constant Attendance

Allowance or mobility supplement or

have lived in a care home for

six months or more or

are registered blind or partially

sighted.

The Help Scheme explained

We have been set up to help people

to switch one of their TV sets to

digital. If you are eligible for our

help, we'll explain digital TV to

you clearly and simply. We can

install what you need in your

home. And we'll make sure you're

happy with how it all works.

Our standard offer includes:

easy-to-use digital equipment;

home delivery and installation

if you wish;

a n a e r i a l c h e c k a n d

replacement if needed, where we

can;

a helpline and retuning advice;

a 12 month digital TV aftercare

service.

Over seven million people in the

UK will be eligible to receive

help.

If you are eligible for the Help

Scheme, we'll be in touch in

plenty of time to ask if you want

our help.

Will I have to pay?

We will ask you to pay £40

towards:

easy-to-use digital equipment

home delivery and installation

if you wish

an aerial check and

replacement if needed, where we

can

a helpline and retuning advice a 12month digital TV aftercare

service.

If you are eligible and you also

get pension credit, income-related

employment and suppor t

allowance (ESA(IR)), income

support or income-based

jobseeker's allowance, the help

will be free.

Information on new or

replacement aerials for

rented property

Most people will not need a

replacement aerial to continue

to receive TV after the digital

TV switchover.

If you get a good TV picture now,

your aerial should still give a good

picture after the switchover. If you

get a poor picture at the moment,

you may need a new aerial or

satellite dish.

The Switchover Help Scheme

offer includes a new aerial or

satellite dish, if needed, supplied

and fitted at the property at no

additional cost.

For people who own their homes,

this process is easy. However, if

the eligible person rents their

home, the Help Scheme can only

install the new aerial or satellite

dish where the eligible person can

show that they have got, or have

made all reasonable attempts to

get, the landlord‘s permission to

any works.

As evidence for this, the Help

Scheme needs confirmation in

writing from the eligible person or

the landlord that they have got or

have made all reasonable attempts

to get the landlord‘s consent to the

installation of a new aerial or

satellite dish.

If a landlord has eligible tenants

and they are responsible for the

a e r i a l , t h e

Help Scheme is happy to receive a

general letter from the landlord or

organisation confirming this and

giving permission for the

installation. The Help Scheme has

created a letter that landlords can

use.

Gifts Cards Jewellery Leather Home

8 Church Street

Lochwinnoch 01505 843311

Open 9-5 Monday-Saturday

and 12-4 on Sundays

Live locally? Try shopping locally and save on

fuel, time and temper in a pleasant village

environment with good, old-fashioned

personal service.

With Christmas on the horizon, why not spread

the cost and start early by investigating our huge selection of gift ideas?

We also have cards for every occasion plus the

perfect finishing touch for an outfit or home.

Different, affordable and interesting.

In the meantime, if you want more

information for yourself or

someone you know, please call us

on 0800 40 85 900. You won't

have to pay for the call, and our

friendly staff will be delighted to

help.

St Vincent’s Hospice

Moonlit Walk

What’s happening? On Saturday 11

th September 2010

at 10pm in Paisley Town Centre, St Vincent’s Hospice will be holding their first “Moonlit Walk”. You can look forward to an enjoyable, exciting evening walking for fun or in memory of loved ones. Walk with friends, family members, work colleagues or just come along and make friends along the way. The 5k and 10k walking route will Start and Finish at the Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley and will take in some of the historic sights of Paisley.

Who can take part? Anyone can take part in the walk, men, women and children all are welcome. All you need is determination and a sense of adventure. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult on the night

What sponsorship do I require? To enter we ask you to reserve your place with a £15 booking deposit (non refundable) which includes personal accident insurance. You will also receive an event t-shirt, a snack bag and a medal at the end. We then ask

that you raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship, we would however, love it if each participant could raise in the region of £100.

How do I reserve my place? Contact St Vincent’s Hospice for an information pack, fill in the entry form included and return to the Fundraising Team. Once you have completed and returned the form with your deposit, this will secure your place and in return you will receive confirmation, sponsorship forms, and more details for the night and directions to the event.

Who benefits? All the money you raise will go directly towards providing care and comfort to our patients in the Hospice bedded unit, daycare centre and in the home. The money also helps us to offer short time respite care to provide breaks for carers. All cheques should be made payable to St. Vincent’s Hospice Ltd. If you require any further information or have any question please do not hesitate to contact the Fundraising Team. Tel: 01505 705635 Fax: 01505 705975

Whitecart Viaduct

Open Day

Transport Scotland and its partners are

currently delivering a £30 million

package of improvements on M8

White Cart Viaduct near Glasgow Air-

port with the latest phase of works

ongoing until Summer 2011.

Most of these works are taking place

below the bridge deck with little or no

impact on the travelling public. How-

ever some work on the bridge deck,

expected to start late December, will

require vital traffic management meas-

ures to be put in place for around 4-5

months.

The M8 is one of Scotland‘s busiest

routes, with the White Cart Viaduct

section carries over 95,000 vehicles a

day, and this phase is likely to impact

on journey times.

As this matter is likely to be of inter-

est to you, we would like to invite you

to an open day where you will have

the opportunity to gain more informa-

tion and ask any questions.

Event Details

Date: 14 September

Time: 08:00 – 14:00

Venue: Watermill Hotel, Lonend,

Bladda Lane, Paisley, Ren-

frewshire PA1 1SR

This is a drop in event with regular

presentations throughout the day

and representatives of all partners

on hand throughout.

What’s On (Regular clubs, classes and

local groups)

Healing and Creativity Work-

shops & Classes. For details or

to book a place, please Tel Becky:

0141 8816700 or Libby on:

015105 842604.

Lochwinnoch Community

Walks - Mondays (ex. Public

Holidays), meet at 10.30 am at

The McKillop Institute.

Lochwinnoch Playgroup - For

under 5‘s, every Monday, Tues-

day and Wednesday from 9.30-

11.30am at the McKillop Institute.

Lochwinnoch Toddlers - Mon-

days and Wednesdays from 9.30 -

11.30am, McKillop Institute.

Lochwinnoch Gymnastics Club

- For primary school-age children

every Monday, 5-8pm at the An-

nexe. Phone Coby for details on:

0772 9051615.

Lochwinnoch Writers Group—

Monday mornings from 9.30-

11.30am in the Library.

Advice Works - Surgeries BY

APPOINTMENT ONLY - Mon-

days 2-2.30pm at the Library. *

Morag’s Keep Fit - Mondays

and Thursdays from 7pm, in the

McKillop Institute.

Lochwinnoch Choral Society.

Rehearsals on Monday evenings,

Parish Church/ Hall. Juniors 7-

7.45pm, Intermediates 7.30-

8.30pm and Seniors 8pm-

9.15pm.

Club Latino - weekly Meren-

gue, Salsa and Mambo classes

for adults on Monday evenings

at Lochwinnoch Bowling Club

from 8.30-9.30pm. Details from

Hazel on: 07812 023343.

Lochwinnoch Art Group

Meet fortnightly on Monday

evenings, 7.30pm, McKillop

Institute.

Keep Fit - Improving With

Age classes, every Tuesday

from 10am-11am at the Annexe

building in the Park.

Drop-in T Bar - Lochwinnoch

Elderly Forum. Every Tuesday

and Thursday from 10am-1pm,

McKillop Inst. For details, Tel

Reta: 01505 842054.*

Baby and Toddler Rhymetime

- every Tuesday at 2.15pm at

Lochwinnoch Library. *Linda

Margaret School of Dancing -

Tuesdays from 4pm-8.45pm,

McKillop Institute. For details,

Tel: 0141 581 9104.

TaeKwon-Do Fitness and Self-

defence classes for youths and

adults. Tuesdays from 5-6pm,

McKillop Institute and Thurs-

days from 7pm-8pm at Loch-

winnoch Primary School. For

details Tel: 01259 210716.

Lochwinnoch Scottish Coun-

try Dance Club Every Tues-

day, from 7.30-9.30pm, McKil-

lop Inst.

Jogging Buddies - Wednesday

evenings. Meet at McKillop

Inst. at 6.30pm. For details, Tel:

0141 887 1357 or 07947

763704.

Girls Brigade - 1st Loch-

winnoch Company Wednesday

evenings from 6pm-9.15pm at

DogTraining at The Annexe (Pre-booking necessary)

Mondays 9.30am - Advanced/Intermediate

Mondays 10.30am - Juvenile/Intermediate

Tuesdays 6.30pm - Puppy Course

(8 week blocks)

Tuesdays 7.30pm - Juvenile/Intermediate

Tuesdays 8.30pm - Ad-

vanced/Intermediate

Thursdays 6.30pm - Puppy Course

(8 week blocks)

Thursdays 7.30pm - Juve-

nile/Intermediate

Thursdays 8.30pm - Ad-

vance/Intermediate

Please phone/email for further informa-

tion, to book a place or for information on outdoor classes.

Anne D Moss MSc (CABC), PGCE,

the Parish Church Hall for various

age groups.

Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys and

Junior Sections meet on Tuesday

n i g h t s a n d C o m p a n y

Section on Friday evenings,

Parish Church Hall.

Yoga Classes - Wednesday eve-

nings: at 6pm and 7.30pm,

McKillop Inst. Yoga, breathing

practice, intro. to meditation. Tel

Mary: 01505 842877.

Happy Harminis - Fun for pre-

school children on Thursdays

10am-11am, McKillop Inst. Tel:

Frankie : 01505 612248.

Slinky Strollers - on Thursday

mornings (details on back page).

ROAR Lunch Club - every

T h u r s d a y f r o m 1 1 . 4 5 a m

PROMPT at the McKillop Insti-

tute. Please Note - ONLY ONE

SITTING.

TaeKwon-Do Little Tiger Cubs.

Classes for 3-5 year olds, on

Thursdays from 4.15pm-5pm at

McKillop Inst. Tel: 01259

210716 for details.

C a l d e r D r a m a C l u b —

Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm

McKillop Institute.Scottish Slim-

mers - Thursdays, 7/7.30pm,

McKillop Inst.

Lochwinnoch Pre-School Gym-

nastics ( for children from 18

mths to 5 yrs). Fridays, from

10.15am - 1.45pm at the Annexe.

Further details from Coby on

Tel: 0772 9051615.

VILLAGE EVENT

CALENDAR for 2010

Lochwinnoch Post Office has a wall-

mounted calendar, where members of

the public can enter details of forth-

coming events.

Please use this calendar to publicise

your events and to avoid any clashes

when planning dates to hold events.

More What’s on and

diary dates

Lochwinnoch SWRI

The first meeting of the new

session is on Wednesday 15

September when Mrs Margaret

Mungavin will demonstrate simple

floral arrangements designed to

impress. There will be a hands-on

opportunity to create your own

small masterpiece to take home.

The competitions for members are:

a Jar of Raspberry Jam and a Fresh

Flower Corsage.

We have a varied programme

planned for the coming months

with something to interest

everyone and we welcome new

members and visitors. Our

meetings are held in the McKillop

Hall on the third Wednesday of

each month. With annual

membership costing only £10 (£2

per meeting for visitors) it is an

inexpensive night out and you

will be made most welcome.

Look forward to seeing you on

the 15th September.

Evening Classes at St

Columba’s School – start

14 Sept

A new session of evening classes

at St Columba's School in

Kilmacolm will start on Tuesday

14 September – Art, Bridge,

Creative Writing, Cake Creations,

C r a f t y C a r d s , D i g i t a l

Photography with Desk Top

Publishing and Beginner‘s Golf.

These will run for eight weeks,

ending on Tuesday 16 November

(closed 12th and 19th Oct) and

will cost £60. The classes are fun

and informal and suitable for all

levels.

Classes will be held at the Senior

S c h o o l , D u c h a l R o a d ,

Kilmacolm, PA13 4AU, except

Beginner's Golf which will be

held in the Games Hall at Junior

School, Knockbuckle Road,

K i l m a c o l m , P A 1 3 4 E Q .

For more details and a booking

form please visit the school

w e b s i t e h t t p : / / w w w . s t -

c o l u m b a s . o r g / p a g e /

E v e n i n g _ C l a s s e s . a s p x

T: 01505 872238, E: kzhang@st-

columbas.org

Thursday 16th September

7.30pm Lochwinnoch Golf Club

An evening of live Jazz with the

Lorne Cowieson Band

Including Italian antipasti meal

Tickets £17 pp bookings

essential. Price includes .25p

daily membership

Lochwinnoch Golf Club

'Fridays' starting mid September

'7 to 11 Club'

Set 3 Course meal for £10.95

Price includes .25p dai ly

membership

Yoga with Mary Laidlaw I have begun a new Yoga Class in

Houston's Carrick Centre on

Mondays at 1.15pm until 2.45pm

especially for the Over 50's and

although we are in the 3rd week,

there is lots of room for others to

join in......men and women.

(although it's all women so far)

I decided to try an Over 50's class

as many older people seemed to be

put off by "bendy young things"

and the 6/8 women who

have joined up appear to

appreciate the space and the

pace! Very suitable for

beginners....no matter what

a i l m e n t s .

I would also be interested to know

if any men out there would like a

Men Only class for beginners

yoga???? Just a thought....!

Coffee Morning Saturday 2

nd October

Fall Ball Ceilidh Friday 29

th October

McKillop Institute

Funded IT Training

for the Unemployed

The University of the West of

Scotland has a number of fully-

funded places available on its IT

Academy training program at the

Paisley, Hamilton and Ayr

campuses, aimed at enhancing

ca ree r p rospec t s fo r t he

unemployed by providing industry-

r e c o g n i s e d q u a l i f i c a t i o n s .

Eligibility is subject to individuals

meeting the Government fee

waiver criteria for part-time

students. Funding may be available

to assist with travel expenses and

c h i l d c a r e c o s t s .

Courses start: Monday 27th

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 0 .

Courses available:

Microsoft Certified Systems

Administrator (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Desktop

Support Technician (MCDST) plus

Technology Specialist for Vista

Client along with CompTIA A+ IT

Essentials

Cisco Certified Network

Associate (CCNA)

Microsoft. NET 3.5 Web

Applications Developer

CIW Master Website Designer

along with CIW Database

Specialist

Further information:

Morag Robertson

0141 848 3912

morag.robertson@uws.ac.uk

Doors Open Days

11th

and 12th

September These give you free access to

hundreds of fascinating buildings

across Scotland. Every weekend in

September you can explore places

that are normally closed to the

public. Some open up once a

year, some just once in a

lifetime...

D o o r s O p e n D a y s i n

Renfrewshire this year are

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th

September.

This is a great 2-day event across

Paisley and Renfrewshire with

over 60 buildings taking part.

There is a Children's Passport

Scheme whereby Children can

collect a passport highlighting

buildings taking part in DOD. If

they visit at least 5 buildings and

get their passport stamped they

will receive a prize!

For more information about

what‘s on across Renfrewshire

and the rest of Scotland go to: http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/

opendays/

Doors Open

in Lochwinnoch

Castle Semple Visitor Centre

and Peel Tower open both days

(10.00-20.00)

Tower tours on demand between

2pm &4pm - admire the views

over the Loch! Illustrated talk "In

Search Of Castle Semple". If you

are a Semple come along and raise

the Semple flag!

Events will take place between

14.00-15.00

Parish Church, Church Street

Open Sunday (13.00-16.00)

St John's Church - Auld Simon,

Johnshill Open Sunday (Open ac-

cess)

Lochwinnoch's

Noah's Ark

by Derek Parker

THE old Lochwinnoch railway

station at St Winnoc Road fulfilled

an important role in the

commercial, recreational and social

life of the village until its closure

in 1966.

The station was the starting point

in June, 1950, for the record long

distance train removal in the

history of British Railways. This

took place when local famer Hugh

McLean Walker transferred his

entire family, along with 40 brown

-and-white Ayrshire cattle, horses,

poultry, farm implements and

motor car all the way from

Lochwinnoch to Bude in Cornwall,

not far from Land's End.

The 'Noah's Ark Special,' as it was

called, travelled a total of 550

miles and the journey lasted for

near ly 24 hours . Specia l

arrangements were made for the

steam engine-drawn train to stop at

Birmingham in the English

Midlands to allow farmer Walker

and his staff to detrain and and

milk and feed the cows. An

additional stop at Okehampton in

Devon was cancelled because the

train ran 90 minutes late.

Mr Walker lived at Conveth Farm,

halfway up the lonely Calder Glen,

between Lochwinnoch and

Muirshiel estate. The farm, also

known as East Tandlemuir, was

subsequently occupied for many

years by well-known sheep-farmer

Quinton McKellar and his wife,

Betty, our renowned village poet.

Mr Walker was aged 29 when he

decided to seek pastures new and

move to Cornwall. He looked all

over England before choosing

Great Beer Farm, near Bude, which

c o v e r e d 1 8 8 a c r e s .

It was an amazing spectacle as

the livestock moved from the

Renfrewshire hill farm and were

driven down the road from

Conveth to the railway station

where they were loaded into

covered wagons.

Mr and Mrs Walker and their

children sat in a passenger coach

at the rear end of the train, along

with their dog, cats and portable

wireless. They were accompanied

by their cowman, Mr Andrew

Todd, and his wife, who also

travelled to Cornwall to make a

new home for themselves.

Following his arrival at Bude, Mr

Walker told newspaper reporters

he would concentrate on dairy

farming. He expected his first

two years to be hard work but the

winter feeding of livestock would

require less of his time than in

Renfrewshire because the

Cornish climate was milder and

drier.

And he was confident his family

would have a comfortable living

once he recouped his capital. He

considered his Ayrshire herd

would do well in the Cornwall

weather and that he would breed

them for milk and beef. But

he reckoned the land and

buildings needed considerable

attention to get the farm up and

running.

Sadly, things may not have gone as

well as Mr Walker hoped. Less

than eight years later, on January

10, 1958, the freehold of Great

Beer Farm was offered for sale by

public auction. Also on the market

was what was described as the

'Conveth' herd of 58 TT/attested

and officially milk recorded cattle -

along with a 'splendid collection of

farm implements, machinery and

baled hay.

According to the brochure, the sale

was held to dissolve what was

described as the Messrs McLean-

Walker and Co partnership. We

can only hope that farmer

Walker's agricultural pilgrimage on

the Noah's Ark Special to his

promised land of milk and honey

did not terminate in a flood of tear.

Derek Parker worked as a

countryside ranger at Clyde

Muirshiel Regional Park from

1985 till 1999.

What’s happening on

the Village Website

The month of August has flashed

past as we hurtle our way towards

Christmas at an alarming rate. The

forums have been as busy as

always seeing 22 active threads

this month, ranging from ―Happy

Birthdays‖ in which Dez Drynan

turned 40, and pseudonym Crystal

Healer celebrated a birthday. Many

happy returns to the both of you.

Also in topics was ―Masonic

Symbols‖ ...Kitkat2 wrote

"I just noticed the other day that

there appears to be a plaque with

Masonic-like symbols on the gable

end of the McKillop (the gable

nearest the bank).

Anyone any idea why this is there,

or, if it is not Masonic, what it is?

I don't know why I've never noticed

this before."

Some posters looking for help/

advice... Coffee Junkie asked

"Lost 2 large tom cats. Black &

white. One has a blue collar.

Missing 10 days from Corsefield

Rd.. If you spot my cats please

t e l e p h o n e 0 7 8 1 7 4 4 2 4 0 9

Thank you"

Catnap was looking for info on...

"Can anyone with recent

experience offer advice on having

a new kitchen fitted - good/bad

experience with particular

companies (better make that by PM

to avoid law suits!), things you

wish you had known before

starting out, smart solutions you

stumbled upon, good/bad

materials,

etc. Thank you."

The website is used by many in

and around the village and further

afield. If you haven't yet done so

y o u c a n l o g o n t o

www.lochwinnoch.info and

check it out for yourself. It's easy

to join and you can use your own

name or a pseudonym. You

choose, it's your choice.

The photo gallery has many

fantastic pictures of events and

locals over the years. So if you

have any pictures you have taken

and would like to share them with

us, you can register online or

s e n d t h e m t o

barbara@lochwinnoch.info. They

would be most welcome.

Having computer problems?

Then why not try ―Geek speak‖

This is the place to get answers to

all those techie questions about

computers you were always afraid

to ask. If you have problems telling

a nybble from a byte, this is for

you.

You can also keep up to date with

what's happening with the ―RSPB

Grapevine‖ or visit ―Distant

Voices‖ where many family's have

reconnected after moving away.

―For sale and wanted‖ forum is

well used within the village

ranging from concert tickets to

items of furniture. Well worth a

visit on the run up to Christmas!

Any way new users are always

welcome on any of the forums.

There are some guidelines which

can be found in ―Talkback‖ under

―Forum Guidelines & Admin

Policy‖

We look forward to your visit.

VOLUNTEERS OF ALL AGES WANTED IN LOCHWINNOCH!

Are you interested in becoming involved

in your community?

We need volunteers of all ages in your area to help out at the ROAR Lunch and Activity Club every Thursday in the McKillop Institute.

If you would like to know more about our services, please contact us for an informal chat on

0141 889 7481

From the

Parish

Church

If a child... If a child grows up with criticism, she will

learn to criticise;

if a child grows up with hate, he will learn

to fight;

if a child grows up with shame, she will

learn to feel shame;

if a child grows up with praising, he will

learn to appreciate;

if a child grows up with encouragement,

she will learn to be confident;

if a child grows up with understanding, he

will learn to be patient;

if a child grows up with justice, she will

learn to be fair;

if a child grows up with security, she will

learn to trust;

if a child grows up with approval. he will

learn self-esteem;

if a child grows up with acceptance and

friendship, she will learn to love in life.

Anonymous

In his play ―Richelieu‖, Edward

Bulwer-Lytton claimed ―the pen is

mightier than the sword‖. The Bible

tells us, ―the tongue is a fire‖1. In

other words, use your words wisely.

Words matter; how we use them

matters; the tone of our voices matter.

Words can be used to build up and to

tear down. A friend told me a story

recently of two contrasting maths

l e s s o n s . I n a n i n n e r c i t y

comprehensive in England a class

were given maths questions in terms

of, ―If you have 6 oranges and ate two

and gave away three, how many

would you have?‖ While in one of the

top public schools pupils were asked,

―You have £2million and wish to buy

a manufacturing plant which will cost

£5million. How much extra money do

you need to raise?‖ We can laugh at

the difference, yet in one school pupils

are being taught about ordinary every

day things, while in another pupils are

being taught, not just how to add and

subtract, they are being told, ―You

will be the owners of manufacturing

plants, you will be the entrepreneurs

and the bosses in life.‖

Of course we all know of the

exception that breaks the rule;

children born with little or no

opportunities who grab every chance

that comes their way to make

something of their lives. A couple of

nights ago I was amazed to hear a

good news story while watching the

news. It was a story about a 24 year

old British basketball player,

originally from the Sudan, currently

playing for the Chicago Bulls. Luol

Deng and his family fled the civil

war in Sudan and were granted

refugee status in the UK. Luol now

has a British passport having

become a naturalised citizen. He

showed talent in basketball and

studied in America before turning

professional. Luol knows he is

lucky. Lucky to have fled to Egypt

to escape the civil war aged just 5

years of age. It was there he began

playing basketball. Lucky, too, to be

one of the highest paid sportsmen in

the world.

Yet Deng has not been affected by

fame or the celebrity status he has

achieved and he genuinely cares

about other people. He believes he

owes a debt of gratitude to his

adopted home of the UK and to the

land of his birth. While he may have

signed a multi-million dollar

contract with the Chicago Bulls,

Deng recently played a match for

Team GB for a fee of just £72. He

hopes to represent Team GB at the

2012 Olympic Games. Deng also

uses his fame to help those still

affected by the crisis in his former

home. He has signed up to a scheme

where every basket he makes, he

donates $50 to a foundation which

helps children in southern Sudan.

Luol Deng has won numerous

awards for his work off the court, in

particular his work with the Luol

Deng Foundation 2 and UN Refugee

Agency.

Recently the young sportsman

returned to the Sudan. He said that it

felt like he had finally come home

and he hoped his trip would inspire

others to help those less fortunate

than themselves. He has said of

himself, ―My athletics abilities have

opened many doors of opportunity

for me, along with playing in the

NBA, I am fortunate to be in a

position to genuinely help others and

I intend to take full advantage of that

opportunity.‖ It is hardly surprising

that he has been chosen as an

ambassador for the 2012 Olympic

Games.

It would have been so easy for

someone like Luol to look back on his

hard start in life and wallow in self

pity. However, he has risen to the top

of an extremely competitive sport and

he has remembered his roots. I wonder

what would have happened if he had

not been encouraged to play

basketball? I wonder what would have

happened if his family had focused on

the rivalries and hatred of the civil

war? Yet clearly he is part of a family

that looked to a new future when they

left Sudan; this boy has been taught to

be confident and have self esteem, he

has been taught to be fair, to share his

good fortune and above all,

somewhere along the way, he has

learned to love other people.

It is not just children who are affected

by the words we use. Adults too need

to hear words of encouragement and

acceptance. My prayer is that we all

hear words which build us up and

never tear us down.

Yours,

Rev Christine Murdoch 1 James 3. 6

2 see http://www.luoldeng.org/ for more

information.

USEFUL

CONTACT NUMBERS

Strathclyde Police –0141 532 5900

Johnstone Police –01505 404000

Johnstone Community Safety

Office – 01505 404023

Trading Standards 0141 840 3184

Care and Repair – 0141 812 4111

Victim Support – 0141 887 0328

Nuisance Support & Advice

Helpline – 0800 169 1283

Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111

Renfrewshire Council -

Tel: 0141 842 5000

Anti-social Behaviour

Investigation

Team (ASIST) - 0141 840 2163

Pawsitive Action

I just want to say a huge Thank

You to all those involved on

Sunday 15th August. The

weather was stunning and the

atmosphere was buzzing. All the

dogs were enjoying the

stimulation and it was great to

see how the owners were

relaxed while out and about in

our Country Parks. See the

pictures opposite.

What a fantastic surprise it was

for the students, Gleniffer Braes

Rangers and for Pawsitive

Action to have Councillor

Lorraine Cameron, SNP Paisley

South West, to join us with her

little puppy. She enjoyed

participating in our class and

picking up some positive helpful

tips to recall her puppy back to

her when walking on a loose

leash. Thank you for making the

time and spending it with our

class, as well as giving them

your support and encouraging

them to become responsible dog

owners.

Gael and John Hunter,

Proprietors of Multidrop UK,

stood faithfully at the tent and

presented a free goodie bag to

all dog owners which contained

information leaflets, poo bags

and treats. Everyone in the park

that day was delighted to see us

there to raise the issues of: Dog

Fouling, Outdoor Access Code

and Getting Your Dog Under

Control.

Joe Waclawski, RC Parks and

Recreation manager and his

rangers Judith and Claire have

invited us back and is delighted

with the comments already

received by the public and Clean

Renfrewshire Dept. They have

e x p r e s s e d a s i n c e r e

appreciation to our voluntary

group supporting them in their

daily issues of concern in their

parks.

Suzanne Reid, Capricorn Film

Productions and Dog Training

Instructor thought the training

and educational day was a

great success and is excited to

continue her support for future

events. She has got some good

footage and is already working

on a DVD for Pawsitive

Action.

All of the above would not

have been achieved if it was

not for all of the help of great

volunteers. I cannot thank you

all enough for your time,

dedication and the belief in

bringing education to the

public in a positive, relaxed

and friendly way. Helping to

promote the message of dog

owners‘ responsibilities whilst

Out and About, doing so in

safety and consideration to the

general public.

Tony Gibb, Bryony White and

myself, Jacquie Dougan,

(instructors) have had a terrific

time going from park to park

with you all, rain or shine.

Each week it was wonderful to

hear your stories and watch

you all progress in a pawsitive

manner. To watch your

confidence grow with training,

giving you the skills to help

get your dog under control

whilst distractions where all

around. To see you relaxed and

enjoying meeting other dogs

with confidence gives us great

reward.

Thank you for being great

students and practicing positive

training games at home with

your family pack member.

Last but not least I would like to

say Thank You to all of our

sponsors, helpers, Park Rangers

and Managers, the radio, TV

and press for support and news

coverage

If anyone would like to get

involved or know more about

Pawsitive Action and how we

may help your group or

community, please do not

hesi ta te to contact us .

V o l u n t e e r s a r e a l w a y s

w e l co med , n e ede d an d

appreciated.

Thank you to everyone above,

your help has been gratefully

received and appreciated. We

look forward to working with

you again in the future.

All the very best

Jacquie Dougan and Tony Gibb.

P.S. We have received a number

of enquires to continue our out-

door classes so look out for

more information on Pawsitive

Action page in the near future,

VISITOR CENTRES SUMMER OPENING HOURS

RSPB Reserve The Reserve is open

at all times. Visitor Centre open

daily, 10am-5pm. Tel: 01505

842663.

Castle Semple Centre Open daily

from 10am - 5pm from April to Octo-

ber 2010. Tel: 01505 842882.

Greenock Cut Centre Open daily

from 11am-4pm from April to Octo-

ber 2010. Tel: 01475 521458

Muirshiel Centre Open daily from

11am-4pm from April to October ‗10.

Tel: 01505 842803

A Class underway at the

Pawsitive Action day at

Glennifer Braes

Kenmuir Hill & Temple at Dawn

YOU might not like the new look around the McKillop, but…

Regional Park Round-Up

Early Autumn 2010

Len Howcutt, Countryside Ranger,

to retire in September

Len started work at Castle Semple in

1978. His last weekend in the Park is

during Doors Open Day Weekend

11/12 Sept. He has always been keen

on local history hence his connections

with the Semples Family and his

recent Barites Mine walk.

Len as 1

st Lord Semple

Summer Activities

There have been some wet moments–

but overall lots of people, young and

old have been enjoying getting

outdoors in the Regional Park this

summer. The Ranger lead summer

activity programmes have all been

very popular – do look out for the

winter what‘s on guide or look online

soon to see what events and activities

the Rangers have on this autumn.

Len with Barites mining tools

Wildlife on Screen

The 2010 Hen Harrier family

provided lots of entertainment for

visitors to Muirshiel during the

summer holidays. We hope you have

been able to visit and you gave us

your feedback too. We will be

showing highlights of the footage until

early September and there this is still

‗wildlife at the window’ to look at

on a daily basis.

A Gander at our Menagerie

The gaggle of assorted Swans and

Ducks that hang around Castle

Semple Loch has been increasing

lately. Have you noticed the two

Greylag Geese and a Canada Goose

that have joined the party? The

waterfowl frequent the beach area

near the entrance to the car park

waiting for visitors to throw them

left over chips, pizzas or even whole

loaves of bread. The resident Mute

swans, some with families, Mallard

ducks, black-headed gulls and the

Whooper Swan with the broken

wing have had to make room in the

pecking order for these newcomers.

Visitors are asked to throw bread

into the water to aid digestion and

not to feed the birds too much in

order that they have a balanced diet

and ‗eat their greens‘.

Water Rollers at Castle Semple

The two huge inflatable water rollers

or ‗Zorbs‘ are proving popular at

Castle Semple, have you had a go

yet? Two children can get in one so

it‘s only £2.50 a head and they

provide plenty of exercise in a short

space of time! Andy of North

Adventure has them for hire at

weekends from 10.00 hrs each day.

Alternatively there are row boats, sit

on kayaks, canoes or aqua trikes.

K9 Visitors

Members of Pawsitive Action were

at Greenock Cut Visitor Centre in

August to promote responsible dog

ownership, we are looking forward to

seeing lots of responsible dogs….and

their owners!

International Volunteers

CMRP have just been hosting 11

volunteers from Xchange Scotland for

2 weeks, they stayed on our campsite

at Barnbrock did a range of

conservation work and community

activities as part of their cultural

exchange. Thanks to everyone in the

village that came along to their final

night ceilidh in the church hall, a great

night was had by all.

Mountain Bike pals?

Enjoy getting out on your bike but

would like some local company?

S e n d u s a n e m a i l t o

routes@clydemuirshiel.co.uk and

we‘ll let you know when folk are

going out.

Reminder ‘Calling all Cyclists‘

We are slowing gathering information

on where and how often people cycle

within the Regional Park and what

developments you would like to see in

the future. What ever type of cycling

you do or don‘t do (!), on road, off

road, on your own, with your family

we‘d like to hear from you. Please get

in contact preferably by email to

routes@clydemuirshiel.co.uk. In the

future there will be other consultations

and surveys to inform the Park‘s

cycling initiative. Currently we are

trying to establish a baseline of

activity and need.

Regular Events or Activities

Lochwinnoch Community Walks

take place every Monday (but not on

Public Holidays) –meet 10:30 at The

Cross, Lochwinnoch.

Slinky Stroller walks (parents &

pushchairs) take place every Thursday

meet 10.30 at Castle Semple Visitor

Centre. They do stop for a few weeks

in the summer holidays. Contact

Castle Semple for more information.

Castle Semple Bike Hire Mountain,

electric, comfort, and children‘s bikes

plus tag-a-long, tandems and trailers

are available for hire all at weekends,

public and school holiday. Contact

Martin of Express Cycle Repairs on

07867 790 889 to arrange hire out

with these times.

Castle Semple Boat Hire. Zorbs,

row boats, pedal boats and kayaks are

available for hire at weekends, public

and school holiday. Contact Andy of

North Adventure on 07949 984 181

for more info and operating hours,

equipment availability is subject to

weather conditions.

Outdoor Activity Courses such as

kayaking, sailing, archery, map and

compass skills run all season primarily

at Castle Semple. Some courses are

listed here, please look on the web

www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk for more

dates. Castle Semple has an AALS

(Activity Adventure Licensing

Service) number and is a RYA and

BCU Training Centre.

Talks & Presentat ions Our

Countryside Rangers are available to

give advice or talks to groups on

countryside issues, walks and natural

history. Contact them as early as

possible for assistance.

Walks Each Visitor Centre has a

variety of walks ranging in length

from a wheelchair friendly 400m to

10km plus trails. These can be

completed at anytime.

Sun 5 Sept L o c h w i n n o c h

Autumn Farmers Market Celebrate Scottish Food Fortnight in

Lochwinnoch. This market provides

the opportunity to buy local food and

drink in a very scenic loch side

location. Come by bicycle to collect a

free bar of Caunrie Soap and or enjoy

the samples from Houston Brewing

Company. Stalls are located inside

and outside. Fencebay Fishery are

making a welcome return.

Castle Semple 11:00 - 14:30 hrs or

until sold out

Tel 01505 842 882 Ex20

Fri 10 Sept

Wild Food Ranger Walk Autumn is a great time to visit Clyde

Muirshiel Regional Park. At this

time of year, woods and hedgerows

are bursting with seeds, nuts and

berries. Getting out and about is the

best way to experience Scotland's

seasonal offerings. Join a foraging

Countryside Ranger on a short walk

t h r o u g h t h e S S S I

designated Shielhill Glen wood and

discover how to identify common

food plants and learn about the Wild

Food Code.

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre

13.00 – 15.00 hrs

Info & bookings 01475 521 458

Fri 10 to Mon 13 Sept

Taste of Inverclyde It‘s the weekend for Doors Open

Day in Inverclyde, the Park is

opening its doors as well as doing a

wild food forage, walks or tours start

at 13.00 hrs.

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre

13.00 – 15.00 hrs

Info & bookings 01475 521 458

Fri 10 Sept Batty About Bats Jojn Rangers Pat and Len for their

annual bat walk and talk. This will

be Len‘s last bat walk as a

Countryside Ranger as he is about to

retire, although he plans to continue

his bat survey studies and will still

be helping in the running of Clyde

Bat Group.

MEET: Castle Semple

19.30 hrs – 21.30hrs approx

Info & bookings 01505 842 882

Ex20

Sat 11 & Sun 12 Sept

Doors Open Day: Tower Tours,

Historical Display, Fly the Flag. Tour the top of the Castle Semple

Visitor Centre tower, view old

photos, illustrated presentations and

artefacts from the 2009 Dig.

Numbers are limited on each tour

but they do run throughout each day.

Castle Semple 10:00 – 15:30

Tel 01505 842 882 Ex20

Sat 11 & Sun 12 Sept

Fly the Semple Family Flag Castle Semple opens its doors to all

Semples and invites them to join

Countryside Ranger Len Howcutt

(Honorary Semple) to raise the

Semple Family Flag. Len is keen to

meet as many Semples as possible on

this, his last weekend as a Countryside

Ranger at Clyde Muirshiel. Len

started his Ranger career at Castle

Semple in 1978.

Castle Semple 10:00 – 15:30

Tel 01505 842 882 Ex20

Sat 18 & Sun 19 Sept

Adult Sailing Course This RYA Level 1 course provides a

basic introduction to dinghy sailing,

ideal for beginners or those needing a

general refresher.

Castle Semple 10.00 – 16.00 hrs each

day Cost: from £85

Info: tel 01505 842 882 Ex20,

booking ESSENTIAL at least 7 days

in advance.

Sat 18 & Sun 19 Sept

Beach Watch Survey Weekend It‘s happening all round Scotland‘s

shores this weekend. Head to your

local beach to help collect the rubbish

and record the finds. Gloves and litter

pickers provided.

Lunderston Bay 13.00 hrs

Info & bookings 01475 521 458

Fri 24 to Mon 27 Sept

Boots, Bikes & Boats Explore outdoors on bikes, in boats or

on foot. Enjoy early autumn at Castle

Semple Country Park, mountain,

electric and kids bikes for hire; boats,

kayaks, zorbs for hire subject to

su i t ab le wea ther condi t ions!

Refreshments available in the Visitor

Centre

Castle Semple From 11:00 or until

poor weather stops play!

Info: Castle Semple Visitor Centre

01505 842 882

Andy of North Adventure on 07949

984 181 or

Martin of Express Cycle Repairs on

07867 790 889

Mon 27 Sept

Paddling Course A BCU certificated 1 Star course ideal

for those keen to develop their

paddling skills in a kayak or a canoe.

Castle Semple 10.00 – 16.00 hrs each

day Cost from £30

O

Forthcoming

Events at the RSPB

Reserve SEPTEMBER

Sat 11 - Sun 19 Sept

10am - 4pm Daily Second-hand natural history

books and optics sale

Here is your chance to pick up

some bargain books and

optics. You can also dispose

of your old ones, either as a

donation or for us to sell on

your behalf. Donations can

be accepted throughout the

year.

Sat 18 –Sun 19 Sept

11am - 4pm

Amazing autumn

Crunchy leaves, fungi hunts

and camouflaged creatures.

Join us for a weekend of

autumn fun. Stout footwear

a n d w a t e r p r o o f s

recommended. Cost £2 non-members

FREE for RSPB members.

Sat 25 & Sun 26 Sept

10am – 4pm

Optics Weekend An opportunity to choose

from a wide range of

c o m p e t i t i v e l y p r i c e d

binoculars and telescopes,

including RSPB Optics, with

the added bonus that 100%

of the profits go directly to

helping conservation. FREE

expert advice available all

weekend.

OCTOBER

Mon 11 Oct 11am – 4pm

Wildlife Fun Day! Join us for a fun filled day full of

games, crafts and wildlife fun

suitable for the whole family.

Stout footwear and waterproofs

recommended.

Cost £2 non-members

FREE for RSPB members.

CHATTERBOX

Chatterbox is produced and distributed on

behalf of Lochwinnoch Community Council,

with support and financial assistance from

local sponsors and advertisers. Lochwinnoch

Community Council welcomes all items for

possible inclusion for publication in print, web

or audio format. All views are of

individuals. The Editor accepts no liability for

errors or statements and claims made in

submissions.

PAISLEY OPERATIC SOCIETY

giving Concert of Well Known Show Tunes

in

Lochwinnoch Parish Church

Friday 8th October 2010

@ 7.30pm

(further details to follow)