Nuisance Helpline
Anti-Social Behaviour
Noise problems
CHATTERBOX
Support and Advice
Every day 9am – 10pm
Tel: 0800 169 1283
Community newsletter produced by lochwinnoch publicity committee for lochwinnoch cc
What’s On
• Advice Works - Tuesdays 10am
-12.30, Lochwinnoch Library. *
• Kickjitsu for Kids - Monday
nights, Parish Church Hall.
• Tai Chi for Beginners -
Friday nights, 6.45-7.45pm, The
Room, Lochwinnoch Library.
• Yoga Classes - Wednesday
nights, 7.30pm McKillop Institute.
• Morag’s Keep Fit
Mondays and Thursdays from
7pm, McKillop Hall.
• Jogging Buddies - on
Wednesday nights, meet at
6.30pm, McKillop Institute. *
• Lochwinnoch Community
Walks - Mondays (ex. Public
Holidays), 10.30 am at The Cross.
• Slinky Strollers - parent and
pushchair walks every Thursday at
10.30am, Castle Semple Centre.
• Friday 4th July - Psychic
Night at Lochwinnoch Bowling
Club at 7.30pm. Tickets £5.
• Saturday 5th July - Councillor
Neil Bibby’s Surgery, from 9am at
the McKillop Institute.
• Monday 7th July at 10am
Final Submissions Day of the
Wind Farm Public Inquiry at
Radio City, Kilbirnie - (details
inside). *
MATTHEW NEW & SONS
ROOFING - ROUGHCASTING -
Emergency Repairs, Storm Damage
Insurance Work, New Roofs, Flat Roofs
Roughcasting –UPVC Cladding—Guttering
Tel No 01505 843400
FMB Certificate No 26366
No 175 July 2008
www.lochwinnoch.info
• Tuesday 8th July - Choco-
late and Fancy Goods Evening
from 7pm-9pm at St Vincent’s
Hospice, Howwood. *
• 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th
July - Senior’s Forum Tea Bar
from 10am—2pm, McKillop Inst.
• Friday 18th July - Cream
Tea, Lochwinnoch Parish
Church.
• Saturday 19th July
Summer Fete in the grounds of
St Vincent’s Hospice, Howwood*
•
Sunday 20th July -
Councillor Neil Bibby’s Roving
Surgery, from 2-4pm in Harvey
Terr/Church St/Station Rise. *
• Sunday 20th July -
Gardens Open Day all over
Lochwinnoch - details inside*
• Monday 4th-Friday 8th
August - Donkey Tales at the
Parish Church (details inside) *
• Sunday 3rd August - Sleep-
ing Beauty on the Lawn, 2pm at
the Byre House, Bishopton. (See
St Vincent’s Hospice report.) *
• Tuesday 5th August —
Lochwinnoch Community
Council meeting at 7.30pm,
Guild Room, Parish Church. *
• Saturday 16th August
Councillor Arthur’s Surgery from
11.30am at the McKillop Insti-
tute. *
* See inside for more details.
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
ASIST
Anti-Social Investigation
Team
Office 8:45am – 4:45pm
Ask for David McLaren or
Barrie Anderson
Tel: 01505 325 030
VILLAGE EVENT
PLANNER
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 avoid any
clashes when planning dates of
events and, of course, to help publi-
cise your events within the village.
THANK YOU
To all those who con-
tributed, bought and
helped out on the day
at the Yard Sale at
Ailort, Johnshill.
We raised £620.75
for the Mother and
Baby Project in the
Karamjoja area of
Uganda. The money
will be going out there
in July, when my friend
Sally visits the region.
Thanking you again.
Carol
Editorial & copy for Chatterbox
Let us have your stories, notices, news,
information, events & items of interest —
either hand-deliver them to the Chatter-
box drop-box in the Library or e-mail to:
chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info
To advertise in Chatterbox
Tel: 07899 746403 or e-mail:
chatterboxaccount@btinternet.com
Copy Deadline for August ISSUE
IS Thursday 31st JUly 2008
 Lochwinnoch residents -
Can I help? If so, please don’t
hesitate to get in touch.
Douglas Alexander, Lochwinnoch’s MP
Write to: 2014 Mile End Mill, 12 Seedhill Road, Paisley, PA1 1JS
Tel: 0141 561 0333. E-mail: dalexandermp@talk21.com
or come to one of my advice surgeries.
News from
Councillor Neil Bibby
A busy term in the Council ended with
the full Council meeting on Thursday
26th June. At the meeting the Coun-
cil's Single Outcome Agreement with
the Scottish Government was agreed.
This document sets out the policies
that the Council will carry out over the
next 3 years. Amazingly there was no
mention of the SNP's much trumpeted
pre-election promises of class size
reductions to 18 for P1-P3 and extra
Police Officers for Renfrewshire.
To add insult to injury, the SNP and
Lib Dems. passed a motion to increase
Directors and Heads of Service sala-
ries by 6% and 12% respectively. I
was the only Councillor for Lochwin-
noch to oppose this measure. This
will cost £321,000 per year and my
Labour colleagues and I believe this is
massively insensitive to those suffer-
ing from the Council's budget cuts and
the thousands of Council workers who
are being asked to settle for a 2.5%
rise.
In terms of budget cuts, I recently
attended a meeting of Johnstone High
School Parent Council where concerns
were raised about the impact of the
£4m worth of cuts to the Education
Budget. Particular concerns were
raised about the withdrawal of fund-
ing for Supported Study and at the
prospect of at least 10 teachers taking
voluntary redundancy. This now puts
pupils at a disadvantage compared to
pupils in other areas. The Head-
teacher has reassured parents and I
that he is doing his best to minimise
the impact of the cuts but I firmly be-
lieve he should not have been put in
this difficult position by the unallo-
cated cuts.
I will be using the Council's recess to
extend my regular series of roving
surgeries. Roving Surgeries are an
opportunity for local residents to talk
to me about issues of importance
from the comfort of their own door-
step. My next roving surgery will be
held on Sunday 20th July from 2-
4pm in the following streets -
Church Street, Station Rise, Sandpi-
per Road, Harvey Terrace, Harvey
Square, Johnston Drive, Moorhead
Street and Harvey Street.
To book an appointment please call
or leave a message for me on
Tel: 07917 882 294.
Finally, I would like to state what an
honour it was to open the Lochwin-
noch Gala Day last month. It was
great to meet local people.
The event was again fantastically
organised by Christine Brown and
the Lochwinnoch Gala Day Commit-
tee and credit must also go to those
who came along and made the day
possible.
My regular advice surgeries are on
the first Saturday of the month at
9am in the McKillop Hall. I can be
contacted at any other time on
01505 335 828 or by e-mailing
cllr.neil.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Councillor Neil Bibby
BLACK CAT FOUND
on
SANDPIPER ROAD
on
Tuesday 3rd June
Tel: 07811 265200
LOCHWINNOCH
COMMUNITY
COUNCIL
If you want to know more about
what’s going on in your village and
get something done, then come
and join Lochwinnoch Community
Council. Meetings are every
month on the first Tuesday, 7.30 in
the Parish Church hall. Next
meeting is on Tuesday 5th August.
The CC deals with planning mat-
ters, liaises with the police and the
SRANI path group and deals with
the council on matters relating to
roads and pathways. But we could
do more if we had more members!
If you have matters to bring up,
please either attend a meeting,
send a letter to the Secretary at 79
High St or email us at -
cc@lochwinnoch.info
REMEMBER
Do not open your doors to any-
one that you are not sure about.
Don’t leave your Sat. Nav. in
your vehicle.
Use a chain to secure bicycles at
all times. You can have bicycles
security marked at your local
Police Station.
USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
Strathclyde Police – 0141 532 5900
Johnsone Police – 01505 404000
Johnstone Community Safety
Office – 01505 404023
Trading Standards – 0141 840 3233
Care and Repair – 0141 812 4111
Renfrewshire Council -
Tel: 0141 842 5000
Anti-social Behaviour Investigation
Team (ASIST) - 01505 325030
Victim Support – 0141 887 0328
Nuisance Support & Advice
Helpline – 0800 169 1283
Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111
Community Safety Office,
Johnstone Police Station.

Parish Church
Bi-Centenary Celebrations
All are welcome to join in with any or all of the events.
Saturday 16th August
Treasure Hunt around the
village; details later, look
out for posters.
Sunday, 31st August
A service will be held in
the Collegiate Church,
starting at 3pm.
Worshippers should meet
at 2.30pm at Castle Semple
Visitor Centre to walk
along the cycle track.
Transport can be arranged
for a small number and
must be pre-booked by
contacting the Visitor
Centre Tel: 842882.
There can be no parking
in the vicinity of the
Collegiate Church.
Saturday 4th October
Concert in the Parish
Church at 7.30pm.
Music over 200 years.
Tickets will be available
nearer the time.
Sunday 5th October
Bi-Centenary Service at
11am in the Parish Church.
Dedication of the two
quilted and embroidered
banners by the Moderator,
the Right Rev. Dr. David
Lunan.
Anniversary Cairn
We can still accept
donations of stones. The
actual building of the cairn
is expected to take place in
the late summer of 2009.
Updates and further details will be published in Chatterbox.
BEITH
DOMESTICS
54 Main Street, Beith
Domestic Appliances
Spares and Repairs
Reconditioned Appliances
Bi-centenary
Exhibition
This will open in the
church on 5th October
and will be open for visi-
tors at specified times
during October; look out • SAME DAY callout
for details nearer the • FREE estimates and advice
time. • NO CALL OUT CHARGE
We should still welcome for local customers
more contributions for
this exhibition from vil-
lagers and others. Pic-
Phone George on –
tures, photographs or Tel: 01505 500009
documents - referring to
your family, village life
in general or significant
events in the wider world
outwith Lochwinnoch. You are invited to
Let us know what you Donkey Tales -
have and would be will- the Lochwinnoch Churches
ing to lend. Photocopies Holiday Club.
of precious pictures or Where: Lochwinnoch Parish
documents would be ac- Church Hall
ceptable. In the first in- When: Monday 4th-Friday 8th August
from 10am - 2pm.
stance, please contact
(For children joining Primary 1 to
Anne Nicholl (01505 Primary 7 classes in August.)
842632) and tell her what
you have and roughly If you’ve never heard a donkey tell
what size it is and its tales, this is your chance to share in
date. We can arrange for the best stories ever told.
collection of items ready We look forward to seeing you.
for the setting up of the
exhibition.
The exhibition will move
to the Library Room for
the month of November.
After the close, all items
will be returned to the
lenders.
We look forward to
hearing from you.

Lochwinnoch Lights-up
Ten years ago on June 30 a group of dis-
tinguished Lochwinnoch residents stood
outside the Nature Reserve and stared
wide-eyed into the summer sky. What
were they looking for? A rare bird, a fly-
ing saucer, a pie? No, they were awaiting
the first flicker of the new lights to the
station. They were only seconds away
from witnessing Lochwinnoch being rock-
eted into the twentieth century.
At precisely 7:00pm Councillor Jean
Goldie stabbed a space-age gizmo and a
gentle flicker of light appeared in the sky
above. As the lights blinked into full
strength the air reverberated with a wave
of spontaneous applause. Just eighteen
months away from the new century Loch-
winnoch entered a new era. Champagne
corks popped, people celebrated the event
in the local pubs – some of them still are
ten years after the event.
Cynics said the lighting would never work
and during the frequent power cuts in
these far off days it never did, but now
with a new electricity set-up the village
enjoys an almost constant supply, the
lights to the station are never dimmed.
Ten years on from the street lighting cere-
mony it is time to celebrate another Loch-
winnoch event of national importance,
some of you may have noticed the elec-
tronic notice board at the station that tells
at a glance which trains are coming, how
late they are and which trains have been
cancelled (normally the 9:26 to Glasgow).
So what next? Well, on the transport side,
logic dictates that the 9 am train to Glas-
gow should stop at the station during the
week, but at the moment, for some odd
reason, this train only stops at Lochwin-
noch on a Saturday when nobody is going
to work, so what about it Mr Train Opera-
tor, what about a train at 9:00 to Glasgow
during the week? That would be some-
thing to celebrate for the next ten years.
Looking back ….
I was recently looking at the first free
edition of Chatterbox. It came out in
February 1986. Looking through it
shows how things have changed in
the village over the past 22 years.
Firstly, there was information that
Chatterbox would be available from
both newsagents, there were two in
the village both in Church Street,
and the ‘Wee Shop’ – don’t know
where that was. I also believe that at
one time the village hosted a hat
shop, a couple of dress shops and a
baby linen shop.
There were two pieces about people
who were retiring. The first the
Rev. Dobell, the minister of the UF
Church who was retiring to Dun-
fermline and Mr William McGillvray
who was retiring after looking after
the McKillop Hall ‘with diligence and
care for a number of years.’
News that the bridge at Struthers
(long gone now) was not about to fall
down but was soon to be painted,
appeared as a snippet on page 1.
On the entertainment front, the
village hosted a couple of ‘stars’ from
the past, namely, Glen Michael who
brought his Cavalcade of Cartoon
Fun to the McKillop on February 7th
and Arthur Montford, who visited
the village with his TV Times Chal-
lenge Quiz Show—this was on 21st
February.
The local CND branch organised a
visit by two speakers from Glasgow
University to discuss the ‘Cause and
Effect of Radiation’ - something we
don’t seem too bothered about
nowadays.
Finally, there was an exhibition in
the local museum called ‘The Glas-
gow Boys’. These were the days!
Chameleon Club
Arts & Crafts for kids
age 12/13 and up.
A wonderful opportunity to have fun
with art – right here in Lochwinnoch!
Two summer taster workshops will
be based at the RSPB, Largs Road,
Lochwinnoch and will be led by local
professional artist, Cait Gould.
1. Saturday 2nd August 10am –
12.00: Stop Frame Animation.
Create a creature from Plasticine
then bring your creation to life
using stop frame animation! The
resulting short films will be up-
loaded to You Tube so you and your
friends can view them.
2. Saturday 23rd August 10am –
12.00: Mosaics and magnets.
Using mosaic tiles, personalise mir-
ror or picture frames. Wonderful
colours available – let your imagina-
tion run wild! Then create fridge
magnets or badges using Fimo.
Dare your parents to display your
work on the fridge!
The 2-hour taster workshops are
£10 each. Please phone Cait on
01505-842380 or 07845 133 359
or email - caitgould@googlemail.com
about a week, or more, in advance to
allow for the purchase of materials.
When you come along, you’ll have
the opportunity to register for the
full course (6 sessions) running be-
tween September and April. The
programme can include, drawing and
painting techniques, working with
clay, print making, collaging, glass
painting, stencilling and more… what
would you like to do? Please bring
your ideas and suggestions.
See you there!
Councillor Arthur’s
Report
A reminder that once again our
Annual Community Football Camp
will take place at Viewfield Rovers
football ground from Monday 14th to
the Friday 18th July. The camp will run
over the five mornings from 9:30am to
12:30pm and is open to children aged
4 years to 12 years inclusive and will
cost £4 per morning. This year’s event
is in partnership with Lochwinnoch
Space, St.Mirren Football Club, View-
field Rovers and Renfrewshire Coun-
cil. St.Mirren’s Fraser Robertson and
his coaching staff will deliver a very
professional programme tailored to
meet the needs of the various age
groups.
The weather was good and the scene
was set when the Gala parade left Auld
Simon to make its way to the public
park to kick off yet another successful
Gala Day at the hands of Christine
Brown and her team of helpers. With-
out their continued hard work
throughout the year this important
community event would be a loss to
our community. My thanks to all of
them for their support and dedication
on the day, which for most started at
8am and finished at around 6:30pm.
Thanks also to all the local groups and
stall holders who also made the day a
success.
Approved Licence No.
Contractor WML/0220082
WANTED SCRAP CARS
TOP PRICES PAID
All Registration Documents Destroyed On Uplift Of
Car. All Cars Destroyed Through DVLA Regulations.
BEITH SALVAGE CO., MAINS ROAD, BEITH
01505 504949
If you have any issues of this type
THANK YOU,
that you feel you need help with, THANK YOU…..
then please don’t hesitate to contact
me or the Anti-social Behaviour My sincere thanks to all who made my
Team (ASIST), whose contact details
retirement such a memorable occasion.
appear on the top of the front page of
Chatterbox. I was overwhelmed by the cards, gifts,
flowers and good wishes from so many
As already intimated in June’s edi- people in the village and beyond.
tion of Chatterbox, I’m more than
happy to pledge my support to The “ Memories Book “ signed by so
groups and clubs, therefore, it was many people will remind me of just how
very pleasing that the following happy my 40 years in village shops has
groups were successful with their been. Being chauffeur driven home in a
application for grants to our Local
stretched pink limo was a wonderful
Area Committee. These groups re-
ending to my day.
ceived the following grants. Country
Dance Club £400, Playgroup £500,
It was also very kind of Douglas Alexan-
Castle Semple Wednesday Club
£700 and Castle Semple Rowing der MP to send a hand-written note with
Club £1,000. his good wishes.

Also, on this day, was the 26th running
of the 1st Lochwinnoch Boys’ Brigade
Company’s Open Race, which started
from Calder Street, up round Glenlora
and finished back at Calder Street.
This was a round route of 6 miles for
adults and 4.1 miles for youths. Con-
gratulations to all who participated
and also thanks to Murray Lawrie and
his team for another successful com-
munity event. Roll on next year.
Since my days as Chairman of Loch-
winnoch Community Council, one of
the most requested items to the CC
was the introduction of a CCTV cam-
era within the village. As recently dis-
cussed at June’s CC meeting, the
Lochwinnoch Partnership is currently
taking a project forward for this to
happen. We see the CCTV as an item
that will complement our toolbox and
not as a total solution. Lochwinnoch
Partnership still meets on a regular
basis reviewing and focusing on village
policing issues and continues to be
very successful and instrumental in
reducing the level of anti–social
behaviour within our community.
Forms are available by contacting
Jean Wilson, Corporate Services,
Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire
House, Cotton Street, Paisley
PAI ITR or Tel: 0141 840 3564 or
jean.wilson@renfrewshire.gov.uk
As Chairman of Lochwinnoch Space,
I was more than happy, on behalf of
the management team, to pass on a
cheque for £500 to support some of
our young people for their trip to
Tanzania, which takes in working at
the Amani Centre for Disabled Chil-
dren as well as carrying out some
construction work.
Renfrewshire Council is now in re-
cess for the summer period but this
does not mean that I am not avail-
able over this period. My next
Surgery is on Saturday 16th August
but there is no need to wait for a
Surgery if you require my help, you
can contact me on 843507 and we
can agree a time when we can meet.
Councillor David Arthur
Finally a huge thank you to all my ex-
colleagues at SPAR who made the day so
very special and for being a real A Team
to work with.
Elizabeth Crisp
*****
And the SPAR team have
also asked for thanks to be
recorded to….
All of our customers who contributed to
Elizabeth’s retirement gifts.
Sue and Colin Nicholson of “ Now & Then
“ for providing all the decorations for
the shop and also the “ Memories Book “.
Denise and Donald Duncan of the
“ Garthland Arms “ for the superb re-
tirement party dinner and for donating
the wine to celebrate it in style !
All of you helped make this a day to re-
member for a very special lady.
 LW
OCHWNNOCH
L better take you home, Master McSlug-
WRITERS
THE WRITERS MEET
IN THE LIBRARY, HIGH STREET ,
ON MONDAYS 9.30-11.30AM.
This month the conclusion of Spinner the
Spider. Shuggie McSlugger is trying to
break into Burnhead House while the
owner and his son are away. But Spinner
the Spider, a direct descendant of the
spider that inspired Robert the Bruce, has
other ideas and spins an unbreakable
web which traps Shuggie against the
door.
SPINNER THE SPIDER, THE GUARD-
IAN OF THE LOCK (PART II)
by Ronnie McCorrisken
H e pulled against it but it seemed like
the harder he struggled, the tighter
became the grip of the webbing! In de-
spair he sat down on the ground and
started to wail.
Meanwhile, Rory and Struan were com-
miserating with each other about the fact
that neither had caught any fish for dinner.
As they stepped through the half-open iron
gate of Burnhead House, Struan stopped
abruptly.
What was that noise? he said. It
sounds like a cat, said Rory. They followed
the pathetic mewling sounds to the far side
of the house. Unsure what to expect, they
craned their necks around the corner of
the wall.
Shuggie was startled when he saw the
heads peep simultaneously round the cor-
ner, one above the other, like a living to-
tem pole.
Heeeeelp me! he howled.
Meanwhile, Rory and Struan were com-
miserating with each other about the fact
that neither had caught any fish for dinner.
As they stepped through the half-open iron
gate of Burnhead House, Struan stopped
abruptly.
Rory and Struan were amazed when they
saw this odd scene. Rory looked closely
at the strange material which could bind
human flesh to a wooden door. Struan
quickly pulled his little digital camera out
of his fisherman’s knapsack. He might
not have caught any fish that day but he
was determined to capture this extraordi-
nary sight on camera. Shuggie would be
‘The One That Got Away! ‘So that noise
WAS made by a cat , Dad, he chuckled ‘-
a CAT BURGLAR Struan snapped away
with his camera as his father carefully
snipped away at the web with the tiny
scissors on his camping knife.
Once Shuggie was freed from his
arachnid armlock, Rory said, I think I’d
ger, where you can explain to everyone
exactly what has been going on here.’
After a few moments, Struan reap-
peared. Shuggie did not utter a single
word all the way up the hill in the car.
Twenty minutes later, a tearful Shug-
gie had confessed all to his parents and
rescuers. Struan pulled something from
an envelope. He handed Bob and Eve
McSlugger a copy of some of the photos
he’d taken.
I thought you might like to see what
the front page of the village newspaper
will look like next week, he said.
Mrs McSlugger’s face went unusually
pale.
The following Friday, the Letterbox
News’ front page did indeed carry the
photographs taken by Struan and a de-
tailed story about the incident. It was the
talk of the village! It also mentioned the
fact that the McSlugger family had hast-
ily moved back to their own home in
Millingtown, since repairs had been rap-
idly completed.
There was even a close-up photo-
graph of Spinner and Struan, posing
together at the now-famous side door of
Burnhead House. Spinner seemed to be
flexing a spidery bicep or six for the cam-
era, while balancing on Struan’s out-
stretched finger. That evening, Struan
unlocked the top part of the ‘stable door’
and opened it very carefully. Sure
enough, there was Spinner. This time,
he did not scamper out of sight. He
stood perfectly still, looking directly and
somehow, it seemed, expectantly at
Struan.
Dad, said Struan, I think spiders really
must bring good luck to Scotland. Not
only did Spinner’s ancestor inspire
Robert the Bruce to victory at Bannock-
burn, Spinner even fought off an invader,
all by himself, right here in Lochwinnoch!
Surely he should receive a special award
for that! Struan’s dad agreed, and
walked over to the door to stand beside
Struan.
In his best mock-regal voice Rory in-
toned, Valiant spider, for your invaluable
service to this family and to the village of
Lochwinnoch and in the name of our
J Quinn & Son Memorials
Personal Service & Quality Guaranteed
New Memorials
Additional Inscriptions
4a Dalry Road, KILBIRNIE
Please Call 01505 685455
ancient king, Robert the Bruce, I name
thee Sir Spinner, Guardian of the Lock.
Arise, Sir Spinner. That brave little spider
hesitated for a moment as Struan leaned
over and whispered, Goodnight Sir Spin-
ner!
To this very day, Struan swears that
‘Sir’ Spinner winked at him and bowed
briefly, before scuttling off once again into
the dark recesses of the door lock.
GOD’S PLAY-DOUGH
by Fiona Gibson
The wind moved
an unseen hand
rearranging clouds
Swallowed by the blue
I lay and stared
A puppy-dog lying
Paws waving in the air
One look away
God’s play-dough changes.
a dolphin leaps
Joyous, full of life.
A blink
The blue screen is blank
Until the wind’s fingers
Shape
New puff balls to play with.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Writers will continue to meet
throughout July but take a holiday during
the whole of August. Our professional
tutor, Gerry Stewart, has just had her
second baby and cannot return until
September.
However, the group continues under
the chairmanship of Clive Briggs and
continues to combine sharp but fair criti-
cism with a very healthy dose of laughter.
NEXT MONTH:
A Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, with a
good smidgin of black humour by Joyce
Allwright
Cleaning & Renovations
Indoor Showroom
Mon 10am-5pm, Tue-Fri 10am-2pm
Evening & Weekends by Arrangement
 Lochwinnoch
In Bloom
In 1999, Lochwinnoch entered into the
Scotland in Bloom contest, which was
set up to find the most blooming town
or village in the country.
Led by the Millennium Group a band
of ambitious villagers pulled together
to prepare the village for the contest.
Renfrewshire Council, the Nature Re-
serve, Muirshiel Park, the Community
Council, the Playgroup and many oth-
ers all rolled up their sleeves and got
together to help in the effort. They
met in the pubs and halls to discuss
strategy, they planned and got really
involved in the project. It was an ex-
citing time sandwiched as it was be-
tween the solar eclipse and the begin-
ning of the new millennium.
Floral barrels appeared at strategic
areas of the village (sad to say most of
them, and very heavy too, were sto-
len!), a floral boat was positioned at
the entrance to the village at the Kil-
birnie Road, the pubs were painted
and floral baskets were hung on the
buildings on the High Street and the
Main Street. Some villagers got to-
gether and scraped and painted the
railings around the Cenotaph and the
Primary School. It was that kind of all
out effort.
Alistair Nimmo, the councillor at that
time remarked of the transformation:
‘it shows what happens when the peo-
ple of the village get together to make
things happen. I’m absolutely de-
lighted at the way the village has
sprung into life.’
On the morning before the judges
went into their first judgly huddle
dedicated villagers toured the street
picking up the assorted rubbish that
make it onto our streets and, of
course, dog litter.
The judges were clearly suitably im-
pressed as, after the first visit, they
announced the village had made it
into the next stage of the contest,
something that prompted one local to
say ‘the very fact Lochwinnoch has
made it this far will push up the house
prices.’
Realistically, though, Lochwinnoch in
its first entry to the contest had not
much chance of winning the contest
outright, but all the effort put in was
worthwhile as the village was trans-
formed and some of the work carried
out to improve the village remains to
be seen to this day.
After another couple of visits from
the judges – one of them unan-
nounced – the verdict finally arrived;
Pitlochrie had beaten Lochwinnoch.
As a footnote it was a great achieve-
ment for the village. The prepara-
tions were carried out on a tiny
budget, around £75.00 donated by
the local pubs, while other villages
that had been in the contest for
years, in comparison, worked with
huge budgets.
One thing we can say is that Loch-
winnoch was the first village in Ren-
frewshire ever to make it into the
final of the contest, something about
which we should be proud.
Interested
in Composting?
A reader has written in with some
great information on what to com-
post - and not to compost!
The benefits of composting at home
are that it reduces waste sent to
landfill, saves you money (as you
don’t need to buy compost), provides
a free soil conditioner, helps soil to
retain moisture and improves plant
health and growth - increasing the
yields of fruit, vegetables, flowers
and herbs.
Compost Do’s -
Fruit and vegetable scraps/peelings
Tea leaves/bags and coffee grounds
Egg shells
Paper - scrunched up/shredded.
Garden waste, including grass cut-
tings, cut flowers, plants, hedge
trimmings, young annual weeds,
shredded twigs, straw, hay, sawdust,
pet bedding from vegetarian pets.
Compost Don’ts -
Cooked food, including bread
Meat, fish and dairy products
Coal or coke ash (small amounts of
wood ash is okay)
Cat or dog waste
Nappies, glass, plastic or metal.
Weeds about to seed
Diseased plants
Large woody items
Plants treated with pesticides.
The Scottish Government is support-
ing the ‘Home Composting’ cam-
paign. If you’re interested in the
“Love Food, Hate Waste” campaign,
visit this website -
www.wasteawarelovefood.org.uk
Vee Bee Sugarart
For all your cake decorating needs
Stockist of Patchwork Cutters,
PME, Tinkertech, Orchard,
FMM and many more.
Cake Stand Hire & Cake Tin Hire
Personalised wedding and
celebration cake decorations available to
suit any occasion!
Come along and see our selection.
Professional or amateur, everyone
is catered for.
Opening hours:
Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri 10am – 4pm
Weds, & Sat 10am – 1pm
Ring Judy on 01505 683689 or visit
19 Main Street (The Cross)
Kilbirnie, Ayrshire
KA25 7BX
Mail Order our speciality.
GARDEN
OPEN DAY
The Community Garden and 9
other gardens in Lochwinnoch
(including the RSPB wildlife garden)
will be open to the public on
Sunday 20th July
The gardens are very varied, large
and small, some with rare and ex-
otic plants, others with shrub and
herbaceous borders, as well as a
garden with fruit trees, soft fruit,
and glasshouse.
Starting in Calder Street or the
Main Street, the well known yellow
"Gardens Open" signs will direct
visitors to the gardens and there
will be maps at each site to locate
the others.
The gardens will be open from 1pm
to 5pm and there will be plants for
sale at the Community Garden,
teas and home baking available
at the Church Halls in Church
Street. The entry charge of £4
gives access to all the gardens.
Visit www.gardensofscotland.org
for full details os Scotland’s Garden
Scheme.
 MEMORIES OF THE
MUIRSHIEL MINES
by 5 Church Street, Lochwinnoch
DEREK PARKER Tel: 01505 842047
Setanta Live Football - 50” Plasma screen
Beer Garden Open - Families welcome.

Meals Served daily

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12noon - 3pm
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon - 7pm

The rocky cliffs of the long-abandoned
Muirshiel Mines glower menacingly
across mist-mantled moors high on
the bleak, windswept hills above
Lochwinnoch.
Gouged from heather-carpeted slopes
more than 1000 feet above sea level,
the derelict workings are reached by a
desolate track leading from Muirshiel
Country Park alongside the fast-
flowing waters of the River Calder.
During the 14 years I worked as a
ranger at the country park, I regularly
patrolled the lonely landscape be-
tween the information centre and the
mines. In summer, when the sun was
shining and golden blossoms of yellow
bog asphodel flowers gilded the blae-
berry-bedecked hillsides, my excur-
sions were gloriously embellished by
the exuberant songs of skylarks, the
haunting trill of curlews and the wist-
ful melodic bubbling calls of golden
plover, which nested among the
heather and tussock grass.
But in winter, when dense fog shroud-
ed the mystic moors and gale-driven
rain howled across the desolate do-
main, there was a feeling of alienation
and isolation from the physical world.
Standing below the old mines' tower-
ing precipices or peering into their cliff
-curtained gullies, you sensed forbid-
ding unseen presences lurking in
ghostly engine sheds and sealed
mineshafts hundreds of feet below the
ground.
You could almost hear the murmur
of deathly whispers and see phantom,
dungaree-clad, cloth-capped miners
toiling in the grey mist which veiled
the abandoned buildings, perilous
precipices, rock-fragmented slag
What’s on
Every Thursday - FUN QUIZ NIGHT
Every Tuesday - FREE POOL/DARTS
Saturday s in July - KARAOKE NIGHTS
(see sandwich boards/posters for dates and details)
heaps, deep ponds, rusty railway
tracks and ghostly galleries below
the earth's surface.
Perhaps the spectral sensations
were created by electro-magnetic
energy fields indelibly imprinted with
grim memories of terrible tragedies
which took place at the mines be-
tween 1750 and 1969 when up to
fifty miners at a time toiled ardu-
ously in the claustrophobic confines
to excavate with picks, spades,
power drills and explosives the pink-
coloured barytes mineral.
Whatever the explanation of the
spook-shadowed site and the
mournful sighs from the dilapidated
sheds, I remembered that many
men perished in the quest for
barytes which was used for barium-
meal hospital X-rays, as a constitu-
ent of paint and paper, and in the
North Sea oil-drilling industry.
Lochwinnoch resident Sam Cochrane
was a supervisor at the mines
around 1950. He told me that -
to reach the thick barytes seams in
galleries 210, 310, 410, 510, 600
and 660 feet below the ground - the
miners used ladders to descend into
the lamp-lit cavernous depths.
Sam remembered one day when his
hair literally stood on end. Attribut-
ing it to a subterranean build-up of
electricity, he ordered the workers to
abandon the mine immediately. A
short time later, some men returned
to the mine. Suddenly, part of the
gallery collapsed - caused, possibly
by an underground explosion. One
man was killed and another crippled
for life when his back was broken in
the rock fall. Another time, a flying
fragment of shrapnel from an acciden-
tally-exploded detonator pierced a
workman's heart, killing him instantly.
On another occasion, a lorry loaded
with barytes and men finishing a shift
skidded on snow and plunged off the
moorland track on a dark winter after-
noon. Two men tried to jump clear
but were crushed to death beneath
the load of barytes landing on top of
them. Down in Lochwinnoch,
Dr Waterston and Big John Campbell,
the village 'polis' received an urgent
summons to attend the accident.
Treacherous driving and walking con-
ditions delayed their progress to the
scene of carnage. But they toiled on
valiantly towards the site of the acci-
dent and tended men who had been
seriously injured in the tragedy.
Other victims of the barytes mines
included a soldier who had survived
the Arnhem parachute landings in
Holland during the Second World War
- only to be killed at his place of work.
The Muirshiel barytes mines closed on
September 4, 1969 and many people -
especially those who had lost relatives
working there - had no regrets.
But still the mines gaze across the
moors and hills as they have done for
hundreds of years - a monument in
stone to the brave miners who risked,
and often gave, their lives to excavate
the mineral which contributed to our
nation's wealth.
We shall always remember them.
 LCD and PLASMA SCREEN INSTALLATIONS
WALL MOUNTS SUPPLIED AND FITTED
REPAIRS DIGITAL UPGRADES
AERIAL AND SATELLITE
SURED
Lochwinnoch
Millenium
Events
Group
The Midsummer
Community Get Together …
On the evening of Friday 20th June
Cucina Minucci at the Junction was
the venue for the first Community Get
Together. Attended by over 30 repre-
sentatives from local village groups
including Community Council, Loch-
winnoch Arts Festival, Writers Group,
Toddlers, Save our Regional Park, the
Community Garden and representa-
tives from local shops, the library and
the Primary School. We were also
pleased that Douglas Alexander MP
and Dr Bill Wilson MSP were able to
join us.
Inspiration for the evening came from
the recent growth of Chatterbox! This
magazine has for many years been a
great source of village information and
recently, under the creative steward-
ship of Yvonne Ross, grown even big-
ger, reflecting a really vibrant commu-
nity. LMEG felt it would be a good
idea to bring together as many people
as possible involved in organising ac-
tivities that take place around the vil-
lage. The event was opened by Coun-
cillor Davie Arthur. There was no
agenda, simply an evening for folk to
chat, and maybe generate ideas and
share mutual opportunities.
Hopefully we will be able to do some-
thing like this again in the future.
Thanks to all who attended, and to Jo
and Ivan for their great hospitality.
Carol Gemmell
On Behalf of LMEG
MULTIROOM
FREE ESTIMATES FULLY IN-
As you know, we have been carrying
ST VINCENT’S out Door to Door collections over the
HOSPICE EVENTS last few months in various towns and
villages across Renfrewshire and East
Renfrewshire. Below is a note of all
Chocolate and Fancy Goods Eve- the totals raised to date for completed
ning - Tuesday 8th July from 7pm- collections.
9pm at St Vincent’s Hospice, How- Erskine £186.20
wood. Buy chocolates, candles, hand- Langbank £110.42
bags, jewellery, try the chocolate foun-
Bishopton £977.14
tain, take part in the raffle and chocolate
Johnstone £1,031.06
quiz. Contact us for tickets, price £5.
Howwood £902.26
Linwood £411.59
Summer Fete - Saturday 19th July
In St Vincent’s Hospice grounds. Elderslie £181.83
Call us to book a stall or to lend your Barrhead £161.93
support by volunteering to help on Lochwinnoch £1,703.31
the day. Donations gratefully re-
TOTAL £6,830.33
ceived for tombolas, raffles, knitting,
home baking, jewellery, bottle and
Many thanks to all our volunteers who
plant stalls. have helped to make this possible.
Sleeping Beauty on the Lawn - We still have some collections re-
Sunday 3rd August at 2pm at maining for this year - Paisley,
The Byre House, Formakin Estate, Houston and Bridge of Weir, from
Bishopton. 1st - 6th September 2008 for which
Chapterhouse Open-Air Garden we would be delighted to have your
Theatre company will present
support.
“Sleeping Beauty”; a day aimed at
families. Children are encouraged Finally, on Friday 2nd May, custom-
to dress up in their favourite fancy ers and staff at the Glenleven Inn held
dress. Ground open for picnics a Charity Waxing Night in aid of St
from 1pm. Bring your own rugs or Vincent’s Hospice. Fundraiser,
low-backed seating. Refreshments Lorraine Valentine was invited along
available. Contact us for tickets. to the Glenleven Inn on Friday 6th
June to receive the marvellous dona-
Golf Day - Friday 29th August
Join us at Erskine Golf Club for a tion of £1,430.05.
fun day of golf. £250 per team of 4.
For more information or if you can
spare some time to help out,
Paisley Vision 10k
Sunday 31st August please contact Lorraine or Jane
in the Fundraising Team
Great Scottish Run
Sunday 7th September at St Vincents Hospice, Howwood
Why not get running and raise vital on Tel: 01505 705635
funds through sponsorship. We or e-mail us at:
will give you sponsorship forms and lorraine.valentine@svh.co.uk
a t-shirt to help you on your way. or jane.cox@svh.co.uk
 From the Parish
Church
“A spoonful of sugar
helps the medicine go down,
the medicine go down-own,
the medicine go down.
Just a spoonful of sugar
helps the medicine go down
in a most delightful way.”
Richard M & Robert B Sherman from
the musical “Mary Poppins”
On the 5th July the NHS will be 60
years old. Cameron and I are privi-
leged to be involved in the celebra-
tions being organised by NHS Greater
Glasgow and Clyde. Like all humanly
created institutions, the NHS is not
perfect and we all know stories of
people who have been let down by the
Health Service. However, many of
you will remember life without the
NHS and I am quite sure, given the
option of the NHS in all her glorious
imperfections or life without the NHS,
you would opt for the status quo.
One of the great privileges of being a
minister is the chance to work as a
Hospital Chaplain. Since the turn of
the year I have been serving as a part
time chaplain to the Royal Alexandria
Hospital (RAH). Imagine having the
tables turned and instead of visiting
patients, being one myself! A few
weeks ago I attended our local GP
practice and was advised to go straight
to the RAH and see a receiving sur-
geon. Less than 8 hours later I was
minus an appendix!
At each stage of my journey, from the
local surgery, into the RAH and home
again, back into the care of the local
surgery, I have been treated with the
utmost professional care. At all times
my medical needs were put first and at
no time was I asked if I could afford
the treatment being recommended or
if I had adequate insurance to cover
the cost of treatment. Imagine my
horror then, when I heard, while still
in hospital, that a friend’s mother had
to produce evidence of her medical
insurance while on holiday before
treatment could be given, meaning
vital time was lost before receiving
care for a life threatening illness.
Kilbarchan Chiropody & Integrated
Complementary Health Practice
Our extensive team of specialist practitioners are here to ensure you
get the right care at the right price.
Our team of experts include a Chartered Physiotherapist, Reiki Master Trainer
and a Sports Injury Practitioner, all here to help with your general well being.
Please call 01505 705112 to arrange an appointment
or your free consultation with any of our practitio-
ners.
While in the RAH I shared a room into the future. The wonderful thing is
with three different women. The that the NHS will be there providing
first, Maisie ɪ was elderly and infirm for their needs.
and you could see her becoming On the 5th July, I may not be able to
more and more institutionalised as it join the choir to celebrate 60 years of
became obvious she would no longer the NHS, however, I will be giving
be able to live alone. By the time I thanks to God that everyone in this
left, Maisie had been transferred to a country has access to health care at
ward specialising in the long tern time of need. I will also give thanks to
care for the elderly. Susan, in the God for all the staff of the NHS who
bed beside, me was a relatively give their time for the care of others.
young woman with a muscle wasting Yes, we know the NHS is not perfect,
illness and was in hospital for one of yet none of us are, so let us all join in
many visits, which will continue for and say, “God bless the NHS and all
the rest of her life as her condition is who need her care.”
monitored and as she comes to terms
with her constantly changing condi- In closing, I would like to thank you
tion. Then across from me was a all for your messages of goodwill,
lady who despite her advancing your cards and beautiful flowers have
years, was not yet ready to be de- really cheered me up and made me
scribed as old. One lunchtime she want to get better.
announced that she was going to Thank you and God bless you all.
have a full meal because she had Yours,
decided it was time for her to get
better. That may sound like a strange
thing to say or even think, yet when
we are ill, we often have to take the Rev. Christine Murdoch
positive decision to get better.
ɪ Names have been changed
to protect identities.
In the Bible we read of many occa-
sions when Jesus met people who
were ill. On most encounters he
healed the people, however, Jesus
was also heard to ask, “Do you want
to get well?” How strange. Or is it? CREAM TEA
Firstly, Jesus would never interfere Friday 18th July
where he was not wanted. More im- From 2pm—4pm
portantly, Jesus would never take LOCHWINNOCH
away from us the initiative in our PARISH CHURCH HALLS
own healing. Healing, of even our
physical ailments, does need a posi- Usual stalls, including
tive attitude. We need to want to get tombola
better, we need to take responsibility Tickets: Adults £2, Chil-
for our own health and wellbeing. dren £1
Yet we should never forget the All welcome.
blessing of the NHS. Each of the
women I met at the RAH will need
the care of the NHS for a long time
 ESTABLISHED 1989
19 YEARS IN BUSINESS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS GO ON AND ON…
UPVC WINDOWS AND DOORS OUR PRODUCTS ARE
MAINTENANCE FREE UPVC INSTALLED IN OVER ONE
FITTED FROM £400. HUNDRED LOCHWINNOCH
ROOFLINE AND FULL HOUSEHOLDS.
WINDOW REPAIR SERVICE
HINGES, LOCKS AND MISTED Contact - PETER McGARVEY
AND BROKEN GLASS REPLACED. Tel: 01505 614654

Teenage Cancer TCT Unit at the

Summer Holiday Club
2008
Special offer if you book
before the end of term:
5 full days — £65
1 full day — £16
(7.45am—6pm)
1/2 days * — £9
(7.45am—12.45pm or
1pm - 6pm)
Non-members welcome.
* Half days are not
available on trip days.
Phone 07757 801042 to find
out more and to hear all
about our fantastic activities
and trips.
Trust
The ‘Not the Booze Cruise’ went very
well last month and everyone on
board seemed to enjoy themselves.
Again, we were fortunate to enjoy
fair weather, despite the date being
Friday the 13th !
I would like to thank everyone who
came along on the cruise for their
support; those who helped with the
organisation and those who donated
prizes for the raffle.
Overall we raised just over £1,500
for the TCT Yorkhill Appeal.
My next fundraising project is to
walk the 95 miles of the West High-
land Way over 5 days in August. I
would be grateful for any sponsor-
ship or donations, and I'll be prepar-
ing Sponsorship forms, which will be
found at the usual places.
Next up after that is the Gala Con-
cert at the Glasgow Royal Concert
Hall (GRCH) on Armistice Sunday
9th November, when I am delighted
to say that the renowned composer
Karl Jenkins will be conducting the
Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra and
the National Youth Choir of Scotland
in a performance of his mass for
peace, 'The Armed Man'. All Profits
will be donated to the TCT Yorkhill
Appeal, and tickets will shortly be on
sale at the GRCH Box Office.
John Delaney
Royal Hospital for Sick
Children at Yorkhill,
Glasgow
How you can help.
Make a donation - fill in and return
a donation form or make a donation
online . (details below)
Become a fundraiser - organise
your own event or get involved with
TCT West of Scotland Group.
Become a corporate supporter -
put your business and employees
behind TCT and make a difference.
Invite a TCT speaker to your
school, college, university, youth club
or company.
Donate to celebrate - ask friends or
family to give to us, as a gift to you, to
mark a special event.
Be a TCT networker - tell us about
contacts who may be able to help TCT.
Trusts and major donations - if
you’re a trustee of a charitable trust,
please contact us if you would like to
make a donation.
Contact details:
John Delaney, Tel: 01505 844801.
Or visit our website address:
www.justgiving.com/tctyorkhillappeal

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Seriously folks,

if you are interested in forming a group of bell-
Does the sound of Bells ‘appeal’ to you?
ringers (handbells only) then please leave your
Does the music in your ears ring true?
details, marked ‘Bellringing’ in the Chatterbox
Does Campanology give you a clue?
postbox in Lochwinnoch Library.
Then join our group, it’s fairly new
And looking for members, well, just a few. The Lochwinnoch Belles
 LOCHWINNOCH OPEN RACE
Results !
On Saturday 14th June, the 26th running of the Lochwinnoch Open
Race took place. Once again, locals were amongst the medal winners.
The race takes place, by tradition, on the second Saturday in June and
is now a part of the Scottish Athletics calendar; the race is featured on
their website.
Men’s Race over 6 miles -
First Place went to Michael Finley
of Kilbarchan (No 34), winning in
a time of 35 mins 50 seconds.
Michael finished in second place in
the 2007 Open Race and was de-
lighted with his win this year.
Second Place went to Colin Miller
of Irvine in 36 minutes and 24 sec-
onds and in Third Place was John
Moore, also from Irvine, finishing
in 37 mins 47 secs.
The other runners making up the
top 1o were -
Michael McGinley in 4th, Ian
Findlay in 5th, Cameron Ferguson
in 6th, Kenneth McVey in 7th,
Allan Penny in 8th, Joe McGinley
in 9th and Alan Fitzsimmons in
10th place.
Ladies’ Race over 6 miles -
Jacqueline Donaldson (No 459)
won First Place with a win of 52
mins and 58 seconds.
Joint Second Place was won by
Jacqueline’s mother, Christine
Donaldson, and Gail Colbron,
both winning in a time of 55 mins
21 seconds. Third Place went to
Morag Burke, in a very respect-
able time of 57 mins 25 seconds.
Race organiser, Captain Murray
Lawrie of 1st Lochwinnoch Boys
Brigade Company would like to
thank all those who took part in
this year’s race, to all the specta-
tors and supporters and special
thanks to the band of stewards,
who did a marvellous job.
Next year’s race will be on
Saturday 13th June 2009.
JOGGING BUDDIES
come to
Lochwinnoch
I would like to tell you about a
new walking/jogging group in
Lochwinnoch.
Last October, we started a group
in Houston, which has been very
successful and popular with run-
ners of all abilities.
We are a friendly bunch, who pro-
vide the opportunity to walk or run
as a group. With tips, motivation
and support to keep you going.
Our group caters for all levels,
from complete beginners right
up to half and even full marathon
training. So, if you want to get
fit but don’t know where to start,
come and join us at Jogging
Buddies!
The new group in Lochwinnoch is
on Wednesdays at 6.30pm in the
McKillop Centre.
All welcome - complete beginners
and regular runners.
Weekly fee £2.50.
Check us out at -
www.joggingbuddies.co.uk
E-mail:info@joggingbuddies.co.uk
Phone: 0141 847 1357.
Looking for an enjoyable evening out
with laughter, mental and physical
exercise and making new friends?
Well come along and join our Mem-
bers on Tuesday evenings 7.30pm till
9.30pm in the McKillop Hall,
Lochwinnoch, starting 2nd September.
We will be delighted to welcome new
members and, along with our existing
members, have a most inexpensive
night out (with a very patient teacher)
participating in Scottish Country
Dancing.
 Lochwinnoch AILEEN FERGUSON
MSc., FCIPD, MBACP, SMTO
Library COUNSELLOR & HOLISTIC THERAPIST
LOCHWINNOCH

“Your Village” Counselling (Individuals and couples) Treatments

Want to find out more?
Why not ……
browse through our collection of local
photographs and step into a very dif-
ferent world that was …
Lochwinnoch.
Depression, Anxiety, Bereavement, Therapeutic Massage, Hot Stones
Relationships, Work Issues, Stress, Indian Head Massage, Seated Acupressure,
Trauma, Panic Attacks, etc. Reiki Master/Teacher.
www.aileenferguson.com
01505 843714

For further details,

please ask a member of staff.
ADVICE WORKS
Tuesdays 10am –12.30pm
Advisors are on hand to help fill in
claim forms, check and advise on
welfare benefits and money problems.
Advisors can provide expert advice on
a wide range of debt related topics,
such as credit card, mortgage arrears,
council tax, etc. The service is FREE,
confidential and open to all residents
of Renfrewshire.
All children in Renfrewshire are invited to
join in our Summer Reading Challenge™.
It's simple - all you have to do is to borrow
six books from your local library and read
them during the long summer holiday. You
will be given:
• a special Team Read member
ship pack
• a set of incentives to collect as
you read
• a certificate and medal when you com-
plete the Challenge.
The Team Read will launch in
Renfrewshire on Saturday 28 June.
For further details contact -
Lochwinnoch Library
High Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AB
Tel: 01505 842305 or visit
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/libraries
LIBRARY OPENING HOURS :
Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
2pm–5pm & 6pm–8pm
Tuesday and Saturday:
10am–1pm & 2pm–5pm
Closed Thursday.
Lochwinnoch
Gala Day 2008
We had another dry, sunny, although
quite windy day at times. The day
started with the bright and colourful
parade from 'Auld Simon'. Council-
lor Neil Bibby opened Gala Day and
this was followed by the crowning of
the Gala Queen, Tara Drain.
Lochwinnoch Gala Day proved to be
another successful day all round.
The Tea Room in the Annexe re-
ported having had a very busy day.
Our thanks again go to Morag's
Keep Fit Girls and Boys for organis-
ing and running the Tea Room as
well as supplying the edible goodies.
The children were kept amused with
various games and enjoyed the day
too, while James the stilt-walker
mingled with the crowds. If you
missed the Duck Race then, never
fear, we will be having one next
year.
Jud reported there had been a good
response for the Gala Day Tug o’
War, which became quite competi-
tive yet still retained a good sporting
spirit. Tug o’ War was a great hit
with the kids this year and we will
repeat it next year. The young teams
were quickly into their stride, choos-
ing their own team names; ‘Mad
Dog’, ‘The Red Devils’, ‘Popcorn’,
‘The Pink Ladies’, ‘Horse Pullers’,
‘Led Zeppelin’ and more. Seeing
the young teams enjoying the Tug o’
War was too much to bear for the
adults not to take up the rope them-
selves. Men’s teams ‘We Will Fall’
and a team made up from the Samba
band ‘Shambolic Samba’ came forth
and Ladies teams ‘Simply The Best’
and ‘The Hoops’ also competed.
Thanks to all who took part.
All prizewinners, including dog show
results, will appear in next month’s
issue of Chatterbox.
The Lucky Programme numbers still
unclaimed are:
974, 1151, & 1060.
If you have a winning programme,
please drop in to Crafts of Calder
Gallery & Framing at 8 High Street,
Lochwinnoch to claim your prize.
The Gala Committee would like to
thank those who volunteered their
help on the day. Thank you also to
the local businesses for donations to
our Lucky Programme draw. Special
thanks also to the local businessman
who kindly sponsored us with a gener-
ous donation. This allowed us to have
a band and hire a cherry picker to put
up the bunting this year. Our bunting
is fast diminishing and we will have to
replace some of it next year.
Although Gala Day is a costly busi-
ness, we were able to give two small
donations last year. One to the local
Primary School and one to the
Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at
the R.A.H.
Following on from these donations,
we hope to give a larger donation this
year (the recipient/s as yet undecided).
Last, but not least, we wish to thank
all members of the public who came
along and supported Gala Day this
year and helped to make it a success.
We hope to see you again next year !
Best Regards
from the Gala Committee.
 Waiting on a bus ….
A few years ago it was possible to get a
bus from the McKillop Institute twice a
day to Glasgow; the first bus at 7:35 the
next at 10:30. This bus left Glasgow at
2:30; so you could spend a while in Glas-
gow, have lunch and get back to the vil-
lage at 3:00. This service, however, was
discontinued a few years ago because it
was (in that accountant’s phrase) ‘non-
viable’, or in other words not many people
used it. The rickety bridge, still not re-
paired after years on the waiting list,
makes it impossible for a bus to get into
the village (though huge juggernauts cross
the groaning bridge almost every day).
However, with fuel prices rising faster
than an F1 racing car and the fact that
those over 60 can travel on a bus for he-
haw, isn’t it about time someone had an-
other look at providing Lochwinnoch with
a bus into Glasgow? (Or even to Beith
where you can get a bus to Glasgow every
half hour.)
Until then, there are still existing ways to
get into Glasgow from Lochwinnoch by
bus. You can get the hourly service to
Braehead and once there get a bus into
Glasgow – at one time you could get a
boat for Braehead to Glasgow but that
service has been discontinued - ‘non-
viable’ - who knows?
You can get the ‘wee bus’ into Howwood
and get the Glasgow express every hour
from there, or you can walk to the Road-
head roundabout and get the bus into
Glasgow from there. (I thought they were
going to put a bus shelter at the Road-
head? It’s very open up there and grim
when wet&windy, especially in summer!)
The bus times for these trips to Glasgow
are as follows:
Lochwinnoch to Glasgow 7:35 and
Glasgow to Lochwinnoch 17:10.
Howwood to Glasgow 9:38 and every
hour until 17:38
Glasgow to Howwood 10:10 and every
hour until 16:10
Roadhead (times are when the bus leaves
Beith)
Bus route no 34
Dep. Beith 9:58 & every hour until 17:58
Bus route no 36
Dep. Beith at 9:28 & every hour till 17:58
The 34 leaves Glasgow at 40 mins past
the hour and the 36 leaves Glasgow at 10
mins past the hour.
Bus times change from time to time and
there are buses at other times.
The travel information number is
0871 200 2233.
Timetables usually available on the bus.
Gone with the Wind
In 1998 Renfrewshire Council mounted
their pedestal and decided to demolish
Lochwinnoch’s one and only public
convenience. The brick building, com-
plete with two doors and running water,
had to go. The convenience, for those
unacquainted with the village at that
time, stood at the foot of Calder Street
almost in the grounds of the McKillop
Hall in what is now the Millennium Gar-
den; another fragrant place to sit and
contemplate the great mysteries of life.
A flood of complaints arose in the wake
of the Council decision. One man neatly
summed up the feelings of many when
he said: ‘Pulling the plug on the public
toilet might be a piddling affair for those
who sit in their ivory towers in Paisley,
but what about us, the people of Loch-
winnoch? What about the folks on wa-
ter pills, folks with weak bladders, tour-
ists? What message is being sent out
about a village of this size that has no
public convenience?’
Some members of the Community
Council, notably the Chairman, mounted
a protest but it was to no avail, the coun-
cil would not be moved. One Saturday
morning in September 1999 the demol-
ishers moved in, and the loo was history.
Looking back it could be said that the
convenience is a kind of barometer to
the way society has altered in ten years.
Nowadays there is no doubt the loo
would be a significant target for vandals
and would have to be protected by either
CCTV cameras or a round the clock
police presence neither which could be
provided, so perhaps it is just as well the
loo has now become another of the
buildings in the village that has recently
fallen under the demolisher’s hammer.
News from
SAVE
YOUR REGIONAL
PARK (SYRP)
Campaign
www.saveyourregionalpark.com
Date for your diaries -
Monday 7th July at 10 o’clock
at Radio City, Kilbirnie.
This is the final day of the Public Local
Inquiry (PLI) into the Kelburn Wind-
farm appeal, when the final cases for
both sides will be put. This Inquiry
was called by the Scottish Govern-
ment as a result of the Kelburn Wind-
farm developer's appeal against the
rejection of their application to North
Ayrshire Council last year.
Throughout this process, SYRP have
been extremely fortunate to have had
the guiding hand of Robert Maund,
former Director of Physical Planning
for Strathclyde Region, who was very
much involved in the setting up of
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
(CMRP) in the first place.
Please can we ask for members of the
public to show their support and come
along on this very important day. We
very much hope that as many people
as possible from Lochwinnoch will be
able to attend and cheer when our
case is submitted. The outcome of
this Inquiry has huge implications for
our Regional Park and it would be
very good to have a big audience,
made up of local people, on the final
day - Monday 7th July at 10am.

Lights, camera, action
for Clyde Muirshiel
Hen Harriers
Cameras on the Hen Harrier CCTV
project went live on 11th June, when
the hen harrier family comprised of
two parent birds and a nest with 3
eggs. Since then, staff and visitors
alike have been glued to the screens to
watch for the first signs of life in the
nest.
On Sunday 15th June, the first chick
arrived, followed by a second chick on
Tuesday 17th June and, right on cue, a
third chick two days later on Thursday
19th June.
The family are progressing well and
the parents are now hunting for food
and feeding their young.
The hen harrier still remains one of
our most threatened birds, although
changing attitudes and wildlife view-
ing projects such as this one are help-
ing to reverse this trend. The central
moorland core of the Regional Park
has been designated as a Special Pro-
tection Area because of the number of
breeding Hen Harriers.
Senior Ranger up at Muirshiel Coun-
try Park, Ken McGinigal, said:
“We’ve already seen some amazing
display flights or ‘sky-dancing’ from
the Clyde Muirshiel hen harriers on
our guided walks this year and with
the live cameras now rolling, it’s a
great chance for people to easily ex-
perience their own piece of Spring-
watch or should I say ‘Ringwatch’
right outside Glasgow. This years
female has been ringed but so far we
haven’t been able to read her num-
ber”.
If you haven’t visited Muirshiel yet,
see the back page of Chatterbox for
details of the FREE bus service be-
tween Lochwinnoch and Muirshiel
Visitor Centre.
For those travelling by car, follow the
brown signs from the A737, or the yel-
low AA road signs, which will direct
visitors to the project at Muirshiel
Visitor Centre (4 miles NW of Loch-
winnoch).
Castle Semple Sailing Club and OPTIONS
Raising Funds for Disabled Sailing
Between 12 noon Saturday 14th and
12 noon Sunday 15th June Castle
Semple Loch hosted the first ever 24
HOUR sailing race. This was organ-
ised by: Castle Semple Sailing Club
in partnership with OPTIONS, an
association aiming to introduce indi-
viduals, with a disability, to a variety
of sporting activities as an extension
to their rehabilitation.
For the past few years Castle Sem-
ple Sailing Club has increasingly in-
tegrated disability sailing into the
activities of the club. This has been
made possible by Options housing 4
CHALLENGER trimarans at the club
and by providing able-bodied volun-
teers to act as buddies for the dis-
abled sailors. Sunday afternoons
see long established Options mem-
bers sailing and, recently, injured
individuals being introduced to sail-
ing on Wednesday evenings.
Each year, these trimarans require
insuring, maintenance and housing
all of which requires fund-raising to
cover the costs. Options and Castle
Semple Sailing Club therefore de-
cided to join forces to run this year’s
sponsored 24 HOUR sailing race.
The event was a major success,
with 3 teams of sailing club mem-
bers sailing 3 club dinghies and 3
teams of Options members sailing 3
Challengers.
The total number of sailors
was 35 but adding in all the folk who
assisted, in a variety of ways, 50
people in all were involved.
The race commenced with all 6 boats
on the water, with their crews sailing
for as long as they could. They
then sailed to the jetty and changed
crew with other members of their
team. This changing over of team
members continued seamlessly
throughout the entire 24 hours.
Most of the competitors who sailed
through the dark period of the night
found it to be the best part of the
event as you had to rely more on sail-
ing skills; feeling what the boat and
wind were doing brought sailing
skills to the fore. Each boat had navi-
gation lights and each of the buoys
we sailed around were also lit, with
the moon supplying extra light.
The course sailed was measured as
being 1.05 nautical miles long and, by
the end of the 24 hours, two of the
club boats had sailed 63 laps and one
boat had sailed 61 laps. The 3 chal-
lengers were close behind sailing 55,
56 and 58 laps. Sailing 60 plus miles
in this period of time is a great
achievement, well done to all.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly,
the funds raised will be in the order of
£2,250, making this event a major
success. The funds will all be spent
enabling disabled individuals to ex-
perience and enjoy the sport of sail-
ing, at Castle Semple Sailing Club.
Hopefully this will be the first of many
annual 24 hour races to be hosted by
the sailing club, helping the club to
grow, develop and be an excellent
resource for the people of Lochwin-
noch and the surrounding towns and
counties.

News & Events at
RSPB, Muirshiel,
Cornalees & Castle
Semple Centres
• Saturdays - until 19th July,
Hen Harrier Country Walks
Take the opportunity to see Hen
Harriers flying and hunting over
the moors. Contact Muirshiel
Centre for details Tel: 01505
842803.
• Saturdays - 5th, 12th and
19th of July. Birds by Bus.
FREE transport from RSPB and
Castle Semple Centre to Muirshiel
for a walk, BBQ, watch the Hen
Harriers on TV, join the Hen Har-
rier Country Walks or discover the
hidden side of Muirshiel on an
RSPB bug hunt. Tel: 01505
842803 to book a place.
• Monday 7th July - Friday
15th August - Junior Activity
Weeks at Castle Semple Centre.
Five activities, over 5 half days for
kids, every week. Booking essen-
tial, Tel: 01505 842 882, Ext 20.
• Tuesday 8th July to Tues-
day 12th August - Nature
Notes. A summer programme of
nature inspired activities, led by
our Rangers, every Tuesday at
1pm at Muirshiel Centre.
• Wednesday 9th July -
Wednesday 13th August.
Wednesday Wildlife Watching
activities for all the family at
Muirshiel, from 1pm every
Wednesday.
• Thursday 10th July -
Summer Holiday Fun, led by
RSPB staff, at Cornalees from
11am-3pm. Contact RSPB for
details: Tel: 01505 842663.
• Sunday 13th July - All About
Bikes, all day at Castle Semple
Centre. Fun runs, skills course,
baby/special needs bikes, bikes to
buy, etc .
Chatterbox is produced for the Community
Council of Lochwinnoch through financial
assistance by Lochwinnoch Community Coun-
cil and local sponsors and advertisers. The
editor welcomes all items for possible inclu-
sion but will reserve all rights over them. All
views are of individuals. The editor accepts no
liability for errors
VISITOR CENTRES - OPENING HOURS
Castle Semple Centre Open daily, 1000-1700 hrs Tel: 01505 842882
Cornalees Centre - Open daily, 1100-1600 hrs from April to October.
(Toilets open daily.) Tel: 01475 521458
Muirshiel Centre - Open daily, 1100-1600 hrs from April to October.
(Park and toilets open daily.) Tel: 01505 842803
RSPB Reserve - Reserve is open at all times; the Visitor Centre is open
daily from 1000-1700 hrs. Tel: 01505 842663.
• Friday 18th July - • RSPB
Gardeners Question Time at Summer Holidays Club
11am, & Bugs and Beasties from
Fridays in July - 4th, 11th, 18th
1-3pm, all at Cornalees Centre. & 25th, and
• Saturday 19th July - Art Fridays in August - 1st & 8th
Taster Session, covering various from 11am to 2pm.
subjects and mediums. From
10am-12 noon, at RSPB Reserve. The RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature
To book, Tel: 01505 842663. Reserve is running six 3-hour
sessions, with the aim to keep
• Tuesday 22nd July—
Seamill Rockpools from 10.30- your kids occupied, have fun and
learn something as well.
12 noon on the Beach behind
Seamill Hydro. Tel: 01505
842882, Ext 22 for more details. Week 1 - Creative Nature
Week 2 - Rapid rivers, still waters
• Sunday 27th July—
Week 3 - Under the ground, up in
Lunderston Bay Rockpools from
the sky
1pm. Contact Cornalees Centre
Week 4 - Buds to bugs to birds
to book, Tel: 01475 521458.
Week 5 - Survival skills
Find out what is lurking in the
Week 6 - Environmental Games
depths of rockpools.
Day.
• Monday 28th July -
Mystery Event at Pencil Monu- Join us to take part in these and
ment, Largs from 2-3.30pm. many more activities, including
• Thursday 31st July - Sum- mini-beast safaris, pond dipping,
bird watching, wildlife gardening
mer Beach Survey at Lunderston
or indoor activities if weather is
Bay from 1pm.
poor.
• Thursday 5th August -
Jigsaw Jinks in the afternoon. For more details on these activity
Come and solve the giant puzzles days, contact the RSPB Centre on:
at Castle Semple Centre. Tel: 01505 842663.
Please Note - Advance Booking is
• Thursday 7th August -
essential.
Summer Holiday Fun, led by
Adults must accompany children
RSPB staff, at Cornalees from
aged 8 and under throughout the
11am-3pm. Contact RSPB for
sessions.
details: Tel: 01505 842663.
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