LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

February 2016 Newsletter

Lochwinnoch Community Council (LCC) has

been approached by local people, groups and

businesses who are supportive of an official

Community Council newsletter, the main aim

of which is to improve communication across

our community. So, here’s the first for 2016. A number of Community Council members are

involved with various local groups and organi-

sations and you will find further details and

dates of events inside this newsletter. If you

would like us to include news about your own

group or activities, we would be happy to do

so and our contact details are on the back page.

An important date for your diaries is Saturday

11th June, which is Lochwinnoch Gala Day.

The theme for this year is “Star Wars” so get

your costumes ready - more information will

follow in our next newsletter.

On to Community Council business now.

For those of you who were not able to attend

the Lochwinnoch Community Council meeting

on 2nd February, here is an important update

on the Main Street Bridge improvement works.

A discussion also took place regarding local

flooding issues; details will appear in the

February LCC minutes from that meeting (a

copy will be available to view in the library).

Shona MacDougall, Director of Community

Resources at Renfrewshire Council, returned

to the February Community Council meet-

ing, with her colleagues, to provide feedback

on Main Street bridge works.

Renfrewshire Council has listened to and

acted upon the various points and concerns

raised by local people at the well-attended

Public Meeting on 18th November and has re

-tendered for the works. The tenders are due

back to the Council this week and it is hoped

that these meet budget affordability.

Scope of the works will include a new deck

for the bridge, masonry parapets, one-way

shuttle working (one-way traffic), two foot-

ways, pedestrian crossing and traffic signals,

improvements to the footways outside

Lochbarr sports centre, provision of a bus

stop outside the Lochbarr sports centre

(positioned slightly further to the west of the

current halt).

Works are expected to start on the bridge in

May/June this year, for a duration of approx-

imately 21 weeks at a cost of circa £1.3 -

£1.4 million. Diversions for vehicles will be

signed and a temporary pedestrian footbridge

will be installed downstream, across the

River Calder, for the duration of the works.

LOCHWINNOCH & HOWWOOD

HEART START

Residents from Lochwinnoch and

Howwood are invited to book a place

on the next Heart Start/BHF work-

shop, which takes place on Wednes-

day 17th February from 7-9pm at

Bowfield Hotel and Country Club,

Howwood. For more information,

contact Morag on: 01505 843183 or

email: morag.thow@gcu.ac.uk

COMMUNITY PLANNING

Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership is

organising Renfrewshire’s 13th annual community

planning conference events.

The conferences are aimed at members of community

and voluntary organisations across Renfrewshire and

staff from community planning partners. Each con-

ference event will focus on a different theme which

offers important opportunities for Renfrewshire’s

community and voluntary organisations. Some

Community Council members have attended these

conferences in the past at forums on Empowering

Communities, Safer and Stronger Renfrewshire and

Jobs and Economy, etc. They are also a good way to

meet representatives from other groups, listen to,

raise and discuss numerous topics which affect all

communities.

Three conference events will take place on:-

Thursday 10th March 2016 - Paisley Town Hall

Friday 20th May, 2016 - Johnstone Town Hall

Monday 20th June 2016 - Renfrew Town Hall

All three events will run a daytime programme

(9.30am – 2.45pm) and an evening programme

(5.30pm – 9.00pm) programme. Delegates are

welcome to attend events on more than one date.

If you would like to attend, please phone the Com-

munity Planning Office at Renfrewshire Council on:

0141 618 4168 or visit their website for more details

at: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk - and select

Joint Boards and Forums, then select Renfrewshire

Community Planning Partnership, you will see a list

of the various forums, which expand on the activities

in each of these groups.

SOCIAL MEETING

Lochwinnoch Community Council members, Morag

Thow, Morna Coote and Christine Brown, have been

re-establishing links with the local community,

groups, organisations and with local businesses.

This process has been taking place over the past few

months and is proving very popular with locals.

In order to develop this approach further, representa-

tives from various activity groups, organisations and

local businesses have been invited to a Social Eve-

ning on Wednesday 24th February, starting at

7.30pm in the McKillop Institute. The aim of the

meeting is to exchange ideas and information, help

facilitate activities and support local groups, organi-

sations and local businesses. The Community Coun-

cil wants to hear from local people, to assist where it

can and to gauge if there is some merit in repeating

these get-togethers on a more regular basis.

Community Council Chairperson, David Arthur, will

open the meeting and our local Councillors Chris

Gilmour, Andy Doig and Derek Bibby will also say

a few words. Later, a break-out session with tea and

coffee provided by local volunteers, will enable

Community Council members and local folks to

mingle and chat informally about their activities,

interests, achievements and concerns, etc. The

evening will close with an Open Forum and Q&A

session.

If you are reading this notice and have not been in

touch with the CC yet, then fill in a form at the

library, with your contact details, and leave it in the

Community Council drop box for our collection.

FAIRTRADE

The Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Group met on

Thursday 28th January at Gryffe High School, in

Houston. Morag Thow, Vice-Chairperson of

Lochwinnoch Community Council attended on this

occasion.

There was a very informative presentation by senior

pupils from Gryffe High School on the different

schemes they have been involved with to promote

Fairtrade both in the school and in the wider commu-

nity.

David Mellor gave the group an interesting report and

presentation of the conference he had attended in

Bristol in July. David gave the group an insight into

the schemes and developments that Bristol is doing to

promote Fairtrade and sustainable communities. He

had been able to meet many delegates from Europe

and further afield who were all involved in many

ways to help foster support and understanding of the

wider issues on the environment, climate and human

cost if Fairtrade is not expanded in society.

There was a review of the Fairtrade fortnight, which

runs from 29th February to 13th of March 2016. One

of the main town and village events that Lochwin-

noch will be hosting is the Big Breakfast on Saturday

12th March. Lochwinnoch has been a designated

‘Fairtrade Village’ for a few years and everyone is

encouraged to support the Big Breakfast event on the

12th March and all the Fairtrade group in their com-

mendable work and enthusiasm.

The date of the next meeting of the Renfrewshire

Fairtrade Steering Group is Tuesday 17th March

2016, venue to be announced.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The newly formed Christmas Lights Society has

booked the McKillop Hall for Saturday 3rd

December 2016 for this year’s Christmas Lights

Switch On.

The Committee of three, Christine Gibson (Chair)

Donna Armstrong (Secretary) and Jane Owens

(Treasurer) are busy setting up the project and will

be keeping you updated on progress throughout the

year.

All three committee members have experience in

organising and running various local events and they

are also supported by several of their Community

Council colleagues, who will assist with various

tasks as the Christmas Lights project develops over

the coming months.

The committee is currently applying for funding and

will also be fundraising themselves. So, to start

with, come and see Donna and Caitlin's Raffle and

Candyfloss stall at the Arts Festival Craft Fairs

(Arts Festival programme dates are on the centre

pages of this newsletter.) The committee has

already received a generous start-up donation from

the New Year’s Day Dance group and the team is

being well supported by Lochwinnoch Community

Council and by our local Renfrewshire Councillors.

We enjoyed the last-minute switch on organised last

year, with carol singing and it was great that so

many people came out in awful weather. This year

we want to have more lights, more carols and more

music, so watch this space!!!

The 14th annual Festival of music, drama, literature, creative and

visual arts will take place in Lochwinnoch. Tickets are now available

from Calder Gallery & Framing, The Junction and Now & Then.

Submissions of paintings, artwork and photographic works are now invited, to exhibit in this

year's Festival exhibitions. Submitting artists can download a form and the submission rules

from the Arts Festival website at : www.lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk

Alternatively, you can obtain a paper copy of forms from Calder Gallery & Framing at 8 High

Street, Lochwinnoch. The deadline for submissions is 28th February 2016.

Pre Festival Events

SATURDAY 5TH MARCH - Family Poetry writing competition - at RSPB

from 11am to 12noon, free entry.

WEDNESDAY 9TH MARCH - Opening of the Art Exhibition - by invitation only, 7pm at

Lochwinnoch Library. Free entry.

SATURDAY 12TH MARCH - Rapid Departure - the brand new immersive comedy from

Right Lines. McKillop Hall, starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £8, concessions £5.

SUNDAY 13TH MARCH - Lochwinnoch Strictly Come Dancing - Lindy Hop, Jazz dance /

Jive Lochwinnoch Bowling Club from 10am to 12noon. Entry £3.

Ballroom with Louis Fecou Lochwinnoch Bowling Club from 1.30 to 3.30pm. Entry £3.

Festival Starts THURSDAY 17TH MARCH - Calder Drama Society “Ladies Day” by Amanda Whitting-

ton McKillop Hall, starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £6, concessions £4.

Jamming at The Junction Live Music starts at 7.30pm. £17.95 for 2 courses and £19.95

for 3 courses, BYOB £3 corkage.

FRIDAY 18TH MARCH - Calder Drama Society “Ladies Day” by Amanda Whittington, in

the McKillop Hall starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £6, concessions £4.

Festival Friday Live Music (free). Sean Middleton hosts open accordion and fiddle session

in the Corner Bar at 8pm, hear Penny Dogs in the Brown Bull at 9pm and Willie Gamble &

Friends play in Three Churches Inn at 9pm.

SATURDAY 19th MARCH

Author Event with Ron Ferguson chaired by Ruth Wishart in the McKillop Hall at 10.30am,

Entry £5.50, Concessions £3.

Craft Fair with free teas and coffees in the McKillop Hall from 1pm to 4pm. Free entry.

Photography with Robert Trevis-Smith Workshop at the RSPB Centre at 1pm. Cost £10.

Dougie MacLean and Katee Kross in the McKillop Hall, starts at 7.30pm, Tickets £15.50.

LOCHWINNOCH ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

LOCHWINNOCH ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

SUNDAY 20TH MARCH

Mixed instruments workshop with Nigel Gatherer in the McKillop Hall, from10am to

12noon, Entry £5.

Bodhran workshop with Chris Waite in the McKillop Hall from 10am to 12noon, Entry £5.

The Great Lochwinnoch Pottery Throwdown workshop McKillop Hall 10am to 4pm £5

Photography with Robert Trevis-Smith. Workshop at RSPB Centre at 1pm. Cost £10.

Classical Classics Lochwinnoch Parish Church at 7.30pm, Tickets £5.50, Concessions £3.

MONDAY 21ST MARCH

Ronnie Browne and Lochwinnoch writers, with Rowena Murray in the McKillop Hall at

7.30pm. Entry £5.50, Concessions £3.

TUESDAY 22ND MARCH

Witches’ Brew at the Drop-in T-Bar at the McKillop Hall at 11am. Entry is Free.

Scottish Music Evening at Lochwinnoch Parish Church, starts 7.30pm, Entry £5.50,

Concessions £3.

WEDNESDAY 23RD MARCH

The Small Fezzes and friends sing-a-long charity evening in the McKillop, starts at 7.30, En-

try £3.

Photography Exhibition Official Opening by invitation only Library 6pm to 7.30pm. Free.

THURSDAY 24TH MARCH

Capitol Big Band and Factory Street Saxophone Quartet in the McKillop Hall, starts at

8pm. Tickets £10, Concessions £8.

FRIDAY 25TH MARCH Calder Church - Performance of Lochwinnoch Easter Passion at Calder Church. Donation.

Wired with Dominic Snyder and Nina Enemark in the Masonic Hall. Starts at 7.30pm, Tick-

ets £5.50, Concessions £3.

SATURDAY 26TH MARCH

Krafty Kids in the Parish Church Hall from 1.30pm to 3pm, Entry £5.

Craft Fair Free teas and coffees in the Parish Church Hall from 1pm to 4pm. Free entry.

The Rose Room Jazz Band and Witches’ Brew in Lochwinnoch Golf Clubhouse, starts at

7.30pm. Tickets £10, Concessions £8.

SUNDAY 27TH MARCH

Scottish fiddle workshop with Fiddle tutor, Alastair McCulloch, in Lochwinnoch Parish

Church, starts at 2pm. Entry £5.

Accordion workshop with Ian Muir in Lochwinnoch Parish Church, starts at 2pm, Entry £5.

Festival Finale with Lochwinnoch Choral Society and local All-Stars in Lochwinnoch Parish

Church, starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £6, Concessions £4.

COUNCILLORS' SURGERIES

If you have any issues to raise, the three Renfrewshire

Councillors for our Ward of Johnstone North, Kilbar-

chan and Lochwinnoch, have surgeries coming up

over the next week or so.

Councillor Andy Doig holds his surgeries on the

fourth Wednesday of each month at the McKillop In-

stitute at 7.30pm. The next surgery will be held on

Wednesday 24th February. You can email Councillor

Doig at: cllr.andy.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk and

contact him on: 07534 148224.

On the first Saturday of each month, Councillors

Derek Bibby and Chris Gilmour welcome local

people to their surgeries, which commence at 9am at

the McKillop Institute. The next surgery will be on

Saturday 5th March.

Alternatively, you can contact Councillor Chris

Gilmour on: 07534 148427 or at:

cllr.christopher.gilmour@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Councillor Derek Bibby can be contacted at:

cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or by phone

on: 07534 156007.

A NIGHT WITH

MUSICALITY

(GLASGOW

THEATRE GUILD)

An early event for

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 2016.

A Night with Musicality will take place on

Friday 19th February

in the Parish Church, doors open 7pm.

A number of the village went to see the Glasgow

Theatre Guild’s excellent production of Sweet Charity

in Eastwood Theatre in 2015. Their cast will be

performing a selection of songs from film and theatre

for us again. A very talented group of artists who

have been great supporters of our Arts Festival.

Tickets £5 (con £3) available from Now &

Calder Gallery and Framing.

DON’T MISS IT!!

UPDATE ON RBS ATM MACHINE The subject of the continued poor service from the RBS ATM machine was brought up at the Commu-nity Council meeting on 2nd February. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the bank, bringing the matter to their attention and expressing the views of the community. Since the machine is still not working, two phone calls of complaint have been made to the bank as we go to press, expressing the Community Council’s dis-appointment that the Cashline has been unavailable for an unacceptable number of days. In order to facili-tate getting it back into use as soon as possible, an official complaint has been made and the CC are ex-pecting action and a response back from the bank with regard to how these incidents can be dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible in the future. If you’re experiencing Cashline problems, Tel: 03457 24 24 24 and ask for the Complaints Department.

RBS MOBILE BANK HOURS Following 3 months of operation, RBS has taken on

board both demand and customer feedback and they

are making some changes. New Coverage for Loch-

winnoch, with effect from 8th February, will be

Monday 11:50 to 12:35 and Friday 11:50 to 12:35.

SRANI REPORT (South Renfrewshire

Access Network Initiative)

At the Community Council meeting on Tuesday

2nd February, it was reported that pressure on

costs has eased overall following a tidying up of

the various Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) budget

lines. As a result some overspends have been cor-

rected bringing the overall figures back to budget.

This has also allowed funding to be switched be-

tween headings where necessary. An extension to

the time scale has been allowed by HLF due to the

weather.

The final two boards for interpretation remain out-

standing and await the completion of the works at

the cascades and the grotto.

There has been no progress on the built heritage

due to the weather but, on the positive side, there

has not been any deterioration. When asked for a

time extension, Historic Environment Scotland

replied "so be it". The path contract still awaits

the completion of the work at the cascades.

The fishing platform at Blackditch Bay is not yet

back in place. A coffer dam is required to accom-

modate the revised design and at the moment such

items are at a premium.

The chainsaw benches are well advanced and de-

livery is expected by the end of February. The Ac-

tivity Plan is still "inactive" due, we believe, to

efforts being redirected towards the bid for City of

Culture status for Paisley.

No decision was taken on the repair to the loch

shore path pending the outcome of a possible pro-

ject to raise the level of the path over its full

length. This is a project being looked at under the

Garnock Valley Future Scopes by CMRP, RSPB

and others. A bid for an HLF stage 1 develop-

ment grant is being considered.

It was also noted that the possibility of a pathway

from the Roadhead Roundabout area, down to-

wards the RSPB Centre has been included in the

draft Renfrewshire Outdoor Access Plan 2016 -

2026 proposals. It would be for the Community /

CC to progress.

The next meeting of SRANI is scheduled for

Tuesday 22nd March 2016.

REPORTING ROAD DEFECTS AND

STREET LIGHTING FAULTS

The topic of potholes in roads and faulty street lights

came up for discussion at the Community Council meet-

ing on Tuesday 2nd February.

It was reported that the number of ‘dark lights’ in Ren-

frewshire is unusually high at the present time and the

Council is working to fix defective lights and upgrade

from old sodium lights to new low-energy LED lights.

A number of people have also reported damage to road

surfaces, pot holes, over-flowing gutters and drains, etc.

PLEASE REPORT LOCAL ROAD DEFECTS

AND FAULTY STREET LIGHTING

by contacting Renfrewshire Council Contact Centre

on: 0300 3000 300. Alternatively, visit their website and complete their

online form with details of the location/road name and

(for lighting) the street name or path location and the

reference number on the side of the lighting column.

The website address is: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk -

select Transport and Streets, then select Road and Street

Lighting and click on the large green tab ‘Report a road

or lighting fault’ and follow the instructions. Don’t wait

for someone else to report a fault, report it yourself.

COMMUNICATING WITH LOCHWINNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL Look out for Community Council notices and posters, which are being placed around the village and on the notice board

in the library, to highlight matters of importance. If you would like to communicate with the Community Council in

between meetings, then please contact the Secretary, Yvonne Ross, as follows - phone/voicemail/text on: 07899 746403

email: secretarylochwinnochcc@gmail.com or you can hand deliver correspondence to the Lochwinnoch Community

Council Drop Box located behind the counter in Lochwinnoch Library, during library opening hours.

DATE OF NEXT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING IS

TUESDAY 1ST MARCH 2016 at 7.30pm at LOCHWINNOCH BOWLING CLUB.

“I love you dear. I’ll love you til China and Africa meet, til the river jumps over the mountain and the

salmon sing in the street.”

Mark your love with a Valentine’s gift from your heart via Now & Then.

Last year, 25 million people in the UK sent a Valentine’s card to their love, partner, a member of their family, the object of their

affection or desire or just to cheer someone up.

Whoever the recipient and whatever the motive, we have the perfect card and gift

for you - without having to leave the village.

8 Church Street, Lochwinnoch

01505 843311 Open Mon-Sat 9-5 and

11-4 on Valentine’s Day.

Meanwhile, at Little Now & Then we have lots of lovely gift ideas for new babies and

littlies - plus we still have sale stock on clothes for kids up to six.

39 High Street, Lochwinnoch 01505 843883

Open 9-5 Wednesday to Saturday

Keep it local and interesting.

NEW YEAR’S DAY DANCE

1st Jan 2016 New Year’s Day Dance was another

fantastic night for everyone who was lucky to get a

ticket! As usual the evening was a complete sell

out, and already requests are being received for next

year’s tickets.

The dancing begins the minute the New Year’s Day

Dance resident band ‘Freedom’ starts the music and

the floor is full for the rest of the night, apart from

when the much loved Raffle is drawn.

This event is always well supported as the organisers

ensure that the money made in the village stays in

the village for very deserving local groups/charities/

good causes.

This year’s donation from the dance was for £500,

and is being passed to the Community Council to

help towards much needed Christmas Lights for the

2016 Christmas Lights Switch-on event.

It’s been well recognised how Lochwinnoch is in

need of Christmas lights and the dance organisers

have made this donation to boost funds towards this

much needed project.

Many thanks to everyone for their contribution to

this night and much appreciation to local folks for

supporting the event down the years. A particular

mention must be made and gratitude shown for the

many fantastic raffle prize donations, without which

we could not hope to raise the amount gathered on

the night.

The New Year’s Day Dance organisers will also

look at the possibility, later on in the year, of

supporting another project in a similar way to last

year’s, when Lochwinnoch pupils at Johnstone High

School took part in an educational and very reward-

ing venture for both the pupils and local communi-

ties in Borneo.

Thanks to all for your continued support and looking

forward to the 2017 Dance being as successful and

rewarding as this year’s.

Lochwinnoch New Year’s Day Dance Committee