Nuisance Helpline

Anti-Social Behaviour
Noise problems
CHATTERBOX ASIST
Anti-Social
Investigation Team
Support and Advice
No 185 May 2009 Office 8:45am – 4:45pm
Every day 9am – 10pm
www.lochwinnoch.info Tel: 0141 840 2163
Tel: 0800 169 1283

Community newsletter produced by lochwinnoch publicity committee for lochwinnoch cc

What’s On Lochwinnoch Scottish Here are a couple of photos taken on our

final evening with teacher, Janie Andrews.
Country Dance Club
One is of the full group of present and
See centre pages past members and the other photograph
for club activities, shows Janie receiving her presentation
village events & classes. from our Chairman Anna Crawford of
flowers, balloon and monetary gift col-
See back pages lected from these members.
for Visitor Centre/RSPB
events and outdoor activities. We had a most enjoyable evening with
Billy Gray playing the accordion. A new
Strathspey dance created by Isobel
Templeton, one of our members - called
Janie's Dance - was demonstrated on the
CHATTERBOX night.

Chatterbox is a free, monthly It is great to know that with our new teacher, Les Lambert, we can look forward to the
community newspaper, produced on new session in September.
behalf of the Community Council of
Once again with the help of the Community Grant from Renfrewshire Council last
Lochwinnoch through support and year, which we appreciate very much, our membership has continued to rise and hope-
financial assistance from local spon- fully we will see more new faces when our evenings resume on Tuesday 2nd September.
sors and advertisers and distributed
by volunteers. The aim of those
involved is to produce an informa-
tive and entertaining journal for
those who live, work and visit in
this area.

The Editor welcomes all items for

possible inclusion but will reserve
all rights over them, i.e. the right to
shorten, edit or not publish any item.
Please note, all views are of indi-
viduals and the Editor accepts no
liability for editorial errors or state-
ments and claims made in advertise-
ments.

Editorial & copy for Chatterbox

Let us have your stories, notices, news,
information, events & items of interest —
MATTHEW NEW & SONS
either hand-deliver them to the Chatter-
box drop-box in the Library or e-mail to: ROOFING - ROUGHCASTING - BUILDING MAINTENANCE
chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info
Emergency Repairs, Storm Damage
To advertise in Chatterbox
Tel: 07899 746403 or e-mail:
Insurance Work, New Roofs, Flat Roofs
chatterboxaccount@btinternet.com Roughcasting –UPVC Cladding—Guttering
Copy Deadline
Tel No 01505 843400
for June Issue Is FMB Certificate No 26366
Tuesday 26th May ‘09

W. A. THOMSON
Tel: 01505 842498
Mob: 07778 680933
• Monoblock driveways
• Patios and walls
• All types of landscaping
• Ground maintenance
• Gardens cleared
Councillor
Neil Bibby’s
Report
I was pleased to attend the public
meeting regarding speeding on John-
shill and other traffic issues in the
village recently.
Around 100 people attended the meet-
ing, which was a great opportunity to
hear the views of local people. The
large attendance goes to show how
serious an issue this is for local people.
Thanks must go to the Community
Council, Lochwinnoch Partnership,
the Roads Department and Strathclyde
Police for making the event possible.
Credit must also go to the residents
of Johnshill who have put forward
their views in a very successful way
following the submission of their
petition.
A proposal to have speed cushions
gained a mixed reaction, however
there was overwhelming support for
extra speed-activated signs and for
these to be targeted at traffic going up
and down the hill.
I asked for assurances that the situa-
tion will be reviewed and I am pleased
that the Roads Department have
agreed to review this in six months.
In the meantime, data regarding the
speeds of vehicles will be posted on
the village website. It is important that
the situation is monitored to see what
progress is being made.
The Council now has to invest in the
extra speed signs and I will fully sup-
port this investment.
I was delighted to listen to the views
of yet more local residents in my
• Tree and hedge pruning
and trimming
• Exterior painting around
the house and garden
• FREE estimates
latest doorstep surgery, which took
place in the following Lochwinnoch
streets: Crookhill Gardens, Crookhill
Drive, Calderpark Street, Calderpark
Avenue, Calder Street, Calder Drive
and Spiers Road.
Amongst the issues raised were
parking, local transport, late bin
collections and housing issues. I
have already raised these issues with
the relevant authorities and Council
departments.
I will be doing further doorstep sur-
geries in more Lochwinnoch streets
over the coming weeks.
My regular advice surgeries continue
on the first Saturday of the month at
9am in the McKillop Hall.
I can be contacted at any other time
by calling 0141 840 3653 (office) or
by emailing -
cllr.neil.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Councillor Neil Bibby
LOCHWINNOCH
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
NOTICE
The Community Council is looking
for ideas for a smallish project that
would provide lasting benefit to the
village and/or community.
We are thinking of something with a
budget of around £4,000 to
£12,000, including match funding
from other bodies.
If you have any ideas, please contact
the Community Council by the usual
channels. Or come to the next
meeting on Tuesday 2nd June at
7.30pm in the Guild Room of
Lochwinnoch Parish Church.
1st Lochwinnoch Company,
The Boys’ Brigade
27th running
Of
LOCHWINNOCH
OPEN
RACE
on
Saturday 13th June
2009
Starting at Calder Street,
Lochwinnoch at 2.15pm
In 1983, the Lochwinnoch Fun Run
was born as part of the Boys’ Brigade
centenary celebrations. Local events at
that time fixed the second Saturday in
June as the best date and it has been
held on that Saturday ever since - so
this year’s race is on
Saturday 13th June.
Many changes have been made
over the years, with the adults now
racing over 6 miles (previously 7);
and the race is now firmly fixed in
the Scottish Athletics Calendar.
Last year, the adult trophies were
won by local lass Jacquie
Donaldson and Michael Finlay
(Kilbarchan). Will they retain their
titles, is the big question - and will
Allan Penny maintain his domi-
nance as the Leading Local, or will
David Nicholls made a comeback?
There are also medals for veterans
(ladies and men) and Leading Lo-
cal boys and girls.
Entry forms will be available from
the usual local agencies. Also,
watch out for posters with more
information - such as details of the
Waterstone Trophy, entry fees and
closing date for all entry forms.
Alternatively, further details can
be obtained from Race Organ-
iser, Murray Lawrie at Tel:
0141 887 8791 or by e-mail at:
amurraylawrie@hotmail.co.uk
 Saturday
13th June 2009
Preparations are now
well under way for our
Country and Western-themed
Gala Day this year.
The parade leaves from Auld
Simon at 12.30pm and will include
the children of the village hope-
fully being in fancy dress for the
event. As usual there will be a
prize for the 'best-dressed’ child.
Now for the adults...Feel free to get
dressed up for the day too...there
may be a prize for you too !
This year we have more fun rides
for the children, as well as planned
events.
The stallholder forms are going
fast and furious so make sure you
get your form in no later than
Saturday 30th May 2009.
The pitch hire remains at the same
price as last year as will the Gala
Day programme, which we hope to
have on sale at the end of May.
The stallholder forms are available
from 'The Junction' and 'Crafts of
Calder Gallery & Framing'.
Last but most certainly not least,
the Gala Committee is offering a
prize to any up-and-coming young
and talented band or group in the
village or surrounding area.
The prize will be to play either in
the parade or in the main arena in
the park ( or both ! ) plus £75 and
all the publicity which will go with
this, i.e press and programme ad-
vertising.
If you think this could be your
band or group, then please leave
all of your details with Crafts of
Calder Gallery & Framing , 8 High
Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 4DD.
Your details have to be lodged no
later than Saturday 23rd May.
The winner will be notified as soon
as possible after this date.
Secondhand Books 2 Well St. Paisley
www.abbeybookspaisley.co.uk Tel: 0141 887 7303
Lochwinnoch Sarah Stewart
Elderly Forum (Morag)
An Easter Bonnet competition and Mr Alex Stewart and family
raffle featured at the popular Tbar, would like to thank all family
which is now open on Tuesdays and and friends for the kind sup-
Thursdays from 10am - 1pm in the port, flowers and donations
McKillop Institute. Everyone is made to St Vincent’s Hospice,
welcome regardless of age!
following the death of his wife,
Sarah Morag Stewart.
A well attended March meeting had
a visit from Maggi Boyd, the Health Special thanks to the Reverend
Improvement Practitioner for our
Archie Ford for a beautiful
area. Maggi outlined that as the
needs of the elderly are very impor-
service.
tant, she and her team have been
visiting day care and residential care Also, thanks to the staff of St
centres. Vincent’s Hospice and the Co-
operative Funeral Services,
Maggi promotes the work of ROAR
Johnstone.
(Reaching Older Adults in Ren-
frewshire), the Community Fall and The Stewart family.
Care and Repair projects and also
Renfrewshire Carers wherever she
visits. The Carers Service supports
the families of home carers with all
sorts of needs, including form-filling
for things such as benefits and hous-
ing, sitting services to allow carers
some time out of the house to attend CREAM TEA
to business or just for a short respite.
Friday 19th June
Maggi can also provide information
on support available for those of any From 2—4pm
age with long term conditions. LOCHWINNOCH
Should anyone be interested PARISH CHURCH
in finding out more, I can provide HALLS
contact details for Maggi.
Jewellery, baking, bric-a-
Remember The Forum is open to brac & tombola
anyone aged 55 and over. Member- All welcome - Tickets:
ship is only £2 for the year. Adults £2, Children £1
Why not pop in with
Our next meeting is on Thursday a friend for tea and
28th May at 1pm in The McKillop. a chat!
Gordon Nicholl
(Tel: 842632)

Cucina Minucci
at The Junction
Licensed Caffè
2 – 4 High Street,
Lochwinnoch, PA12 4DA.
Tel: 01505 842 225
Breakfast
Lunch
Jo’s Baking
Private Functions
Live Music Nights
Large range of organic
and wholefoods
If we do not have it,
we can source it!!
EAT IN or TAKE AWAY
ww.cucinaminucci.co.uk
Ivan and Joanna Minucci
and the team
CALDERGLEN
FOOTBALL CLUB
Sportsman’s Dinner
Calderglen’s Annual Sportsman’s
Dinner was held in Lochwinnoch
Bowling Club on Saturday 14th
March.
The evening was a huge success,
thanks to Isobel Pratt and the ladies
of the club and staff members, who
provided an excellent meal.
Speakers John McKelvie and Peter
Brown provided first class enter-
tainment.
Calderglen Football Club would also
like to thank all the local businesses
and shops in and around the village
for their support in sponsoring the
programme for the event.
We would like to take this oppor-
tunity to say a special thank you to
Donald and Denise and the staff at
the Garthland Arms for the great
hospitality shown by them in feeding
the opposing teams at our fixtures
over the years.
Keep it Local.
Eat Fresh!!
It is always refreshing to visit our
continental cousins who are spoilt
for choice in their local street mar-
kets for meat, fish, fruit, vegetables
and freshly-made pastries.
I always found trips to Italy with my
parents fascinating as a young boy.
When most kids were looking at toys
and the latest motorini (mopeds) on
the road, I was interested in the
fresh buffalo Mozzarella and tasting
a slice of the recently matured
Salame cured meat sausage or Pe-
corino cheese with a little marinated
aubergine!!! Who would have
thought that one day I would land up
in Scotland surrounding myself in a
range of continental foods from my
childhood, as well as stocking local
delicacies like smoked salmon, black
pudding and the humble Lorne sau-
sage.
Joanna continues to produce home-
baked goods literally from home
and together with our local chefs,
Laura Wishart and Audrey East, we
manage to produce the majority of
our food from fresh seasonal ingredi-
ents and we attempt to buy those
products from local suppliers wher-
ever possible.
The Seasonal Produce for May
is as follows:
Meat – Duck, Lamb
Fish – Sea Trout, Sea Bass
Vegetables – Jersey Royal New
Potatoes, Asparagus, Fennel,
Rocket, Carrots, Courgettes
and Rhubarb.
By Ivan Minucci (Cucina Minucci at
the Junction)
HOUSE / FARM
with
land and outbuildings
required in Lochwinnoch and
surrounding area for
family home.
Any condition considered.
Please call me on:
07860 348896
(not a developer).
This month’s seasonal recipe is
by Laura Wishart:
Pan Fried
Duck Breast with
Cherry & Marsala
Sauce
(serves 4)
Ingredients:
4 duck breasts
400g pitted cherries
150ml Marsala wine
1 – 2 tbsp brown sugar (to taste)
sea salt and
freshly ground black pepper
cornflour (if needed)
Method:
With a sharp knife, score the skin-side
of the duck breasts in a cross-hatch
pattern and rub all over with sea salt
and freshly ground black pepper. Set
aside while you prepare the sauce.
Put the cherries, Marsala and sugar
in a pan and heat until reduced by
about half. A small amount of corn-
flour can be added to thicken the
sauce if necessary.
To cook the duck breasts, lightly oil a
griddle pan and heat until medium/hot.
Place the duck skin-side down and
cook for about 7 – 8 minutes (the skin
should be nice and crispy!!) Discard
some of the excess fat, turn the duck
breasts over and cook for another 5
minutes or so depending on the thick-
ness of the breast. (Duck is best
served medium/rare, i.e pink and
moist.) Serve on a hot plate with the
sauce drizzled over the duck breast.
Enjoy with your choice of fresh vege-
tables. e.g. simply boiled new pota-
toes and carrots and/or with a side
salad of rocket and tomatoes dressed
with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic
vinegar.
FLAT FOR RENT
in LOCHWINNOCH
Modern 2 bed un/furnished
flat for rent
1st floor, 57 Calder Street
Bright with views over
the golf course
£470 per month
Please call David on:
07767 755 263
 Councillor
Arthur’s Report
My thanks, as Chairman of Lochwin-
noch Partnership, for the very large
attendance at our recent public consul-
tation meeting, which we organised to
provide you with the opportunity to
voice your opinion on speeding traffic
on Johnshill and on any other traffic
issues within and outwith the village.
Those present heard that the results of
a recent traffic survey based on 1700
vehicles travelling up the Johnshill
and out of the village, had an average
speed of 29mph but that 50% of traffic
exceeded the speed limit. The average
speed of the 1500 vehicles surveyed
travelling down the Johnshill and into
the village was 28 mph with 30% of
this traffic exceeding the speed limit.
Following this survey it was unani-
mously agreed that there is a speeding
problem on Johnshill and that possible
solutions to the problems are: im-
proved signage, improved road mark-
ings, increased enforcement of the
speed limit and introduction of traffic
calming measures. The first three were
widely agreed on but a show of hands
on speed cushions/speed tables re-
vealed a split opinion of about 50/50.
With the vast majority in favour of
the use of speed indicator signs, espe-
cially the type of speed indicator sign
that we had in place in a recent trial, it
was agreed that this type of sign
would be installed. This type of sign
has the capability to record the speed
of traffic. It has been agreed that,
once the system is set up, a 6-month
review will be carried out on Johnshill
traffic. The team will also consider
posting this recorded data on the vil-
lage website.
Other issues pertaining to several
areas within and outwith the village
were also raised and these issues will
also be investigated.
It was Easter Parade time in the
McKillop Hall at the very popular
Lochwinnoch T Bar and the entries for
the best Easter Bonnet competition
were of a very high standard and it
certainly took a long time of delibera-
tion by John Harris and myself to
FIREWOOD
* Seasoned hardwood logs and kindling from
sustainable sources, split and ready to burn.
* Supplied bagged, loose or by the trailer load.
* FREE local delivery.
* Order now - discounts available
for advance purchases.
* We also stock BBQ Fuel and Chiminea Fuel
Tel: 07973 719688 and ask for Mark
choose which bonnets would win
their owners the terrific prizes.
The winners were Cathie O’Brien,
Margaret Paterson, Liz Glenn and
Annie Orr.
The event was absolutely fantastic
and it was very pleasing to see
around 50 people of various ages
turning out and joining in the fun.
The T Bar is an outstanding facility,
run by volunteers, to bring our com-
munity together to socialise and
bond. My thanks and gratitude goes
to all of them.
My thanks also go to the organisers
of the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival for
their hard work and dedication in
putting on a very impressive, enter-
taining and enjoyable programme
over the 4 days. It was my privilege
and pleasure to support it.
Getting the recycling boxes emptied
is proving to be a challenge and al-
though I have been successful in
getting the Crookhill Gardens boxes
emptied (well, on at least three
occasions in a row now), the Semple
Avenue boxes now appear to be ig-
nored, but I’m on the case. Let me
know if the recycling uplift team are
giving your recycling boxes, brown
or black wheelies, the same treat-
ment.
My next Surgery is on Saturday
16th May, but there is no need to
wait for a Surgery if you require my
help. You can contact me on Tel:
843507 and we can agree a time
when we can meet.
Councillor David Arthur
NEW
OLDER PEOPLE
CHARITY
Chief Executive Tom Wright CBE has
been appointed as Chief Executive of
the new charity being formed by Age
Concern and Help the Aged.
He had this to say:
“ On 1 April 2009, the four national
Age Concerns in England‚ Scotland‚
Wales and Northern Ireland joined
with Help the Aged to create four new
national charities dedicated to improv-
ing the lives of older people.
We all speak with one voice on behalf
of all older people. We are listening
to what older people want as we im-
prove our services and activities so
that we can achieve our vision of a
world in which older people flourish.
We cannot achieve this on our own.
We do not just work on behalf of older
people‚ we engage with them in all
that we do: listening to what they say‚
campaigning for the change that they
want‚ providing services where others
are not and selling products where the
markets have failed.
Last year‚ between us‚ we reached
over 5 million older people with our
services‚ information and products.
We work with partners to ensure that
together we can improve the lives of
older people. The key partners are the
four national charities‚ all of whom
share a name and vision; and the
many Age Concerns across the UK‚
who provide services for older people
in their area.”
Source: RCVS (Renfrewshire
Council for Voluntary Services)
www.rcvsweb.co.uk
 BARR CASTLE
Lochwinnoch residents -
KEEPS
Can I help? If so, please don’t
GHOSTLY SECRETS
by Derek Parker hesitate to get in touch.

BARR Castle on the outskirts of

Lochwinnoch is one of the most
haunted landmarks in Renfrew-
shire.
Today all that remains of the
16th century stronghold is a
tower which stands four-
storeys tall and is crested with
stone-corbelled battlements and
four corner turrets.
But, in its heyday, the crenellated
castle had a large banqueting hall
replete with minstrels' gallery,
roomy apartments, spiral stair-
case, massive keep, wooden
doors, servants' quarters, im-
mense fireplaces, a spacious
courtyard and extensive out-
buildings.
The lands of Barr, which overlook
the beautiful Barr Loch and
Woodside Meadows, were
granted to the powerful Glen
family by Robert, Abbot of Paisley
Abbey, around 1506 before being
acquired by the Hamiltons of
Ferguslie, who owned it until
around 1788.
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.
one of the castle's wealthy own- Even more mysterious is the fact
ers who wanted to keep secret his that several years ago the skele-
illicit affair with the servant. ton of a child was unearthed at
Barr limestone quarry, near the
Some people will tell you that old castle. It was whispered in
the weeping phantom still wan- neighbouring fermtouns, cot-
ders the fields and woods tages, biggins and shielings that
around the castle at dead of the bleached bones were those of
night, arms outstretched, hair the distraught maidservant's
dishevilled and with staring, child whom she murdered in the
piercing eyes, watching the woods before hanging herself
from a tree.
Another macabre tale tells how
Miss Jabez Hamilton, a wealthy
spinster who was one of the last
people to live at Barr Castle, died
in one of the rooms. When the
funeral undertakers arrived to
remove her body for burial, they
had immense difficulty in man-
oeuvering Miss Hamilton's coffin
down the spiral staircase.

On summer afternoons, when When I worked as a countryside

sheep graze on daisy-dappled
pastures around its walls,
and nearby rose-robed hedges
are bespangled with violets,
speedwells, red campions, lesser
celandines and other beautiful
wildflowers, the rustic realm ex-
udes an aura of tranquillty and
peace.
But behind its outward veil of se-
renity, Barr Castle harbours dark
secrets of dastardly deeds, in-
cluding murder, treachery, infi-
delity, death, deceit and betrayal.
According to one tradition, the
500-years-old fortification is
haunted by the wailing phantom
of a young maidservant with
flowing black hair and wearing
blood-stained garments. It’s
rumoured the ghostly girl was
brutally bludgeoned to death by
flickering flame from the para-
pet lamp which her lascivious
lover kindled to entice her to his
room - and her subsequent
slaughter.
Another version of the legend
tells how the melancholic maid-
servant hanged herself in the
nearby Barr woodlands after her
unscrupulous suitor discovered
she was pregnant and drove
her, homeless and penniless,
from the castle to fend for her-
self and her infant child.
ranger at Clyde Muirshiel Re-
gional Park more than 20 years
ago, I visited the interior Barr
Castle to take photographs and
record some of the centuries-old
inscriptions on the walls.
One gloomy winter afternoon,
when I couldn't see the nearby
loch for mist and the wind howled
banshee-like from the hills and
moors above Glenlora and the
Calder Glen, it seemed time had
stood still and the swarming
ghosts of Barr Castle still haunted
the turrets, battlements and
staircases which they knew in life
and were reluctant to leave in
death.
Derek Parker worked as a
countryside ranger at Clyde
Muirshiel Regional Park fom
1985 to 1999.
Renfrewshire Council
Mediation Service
Renfrewshire Council’s Mediation
Service deals with neighbour disputes
and has been successfully operating
for many years now. Their Mediators
help neighbours to discuss and sort
out their differences. The service is
free, voluntary and confidential and is
available to all residents of Renfrew-
shire, regardless of tenure.
With a success rate in excess of 80%
for people who are willing to resolve
problems and improve their situation,
mediation could be the way forward.
They are happy to visit organisations
and trained mediators can give a pres-
entation fully explaining how the proc-
ess works or people can self refer.
For more information please contact
The Mediation Service on Tel:
0141 840 5140.
Renfrewshire
Anti Social Behaviour Helpline
The Council has an Antisocial
Behaviour Helpline. It provides a sin-
gle point of contact for all of the Coun-
cil’s antisocial behaviour services.
The helpline telephone number is:
0800 169 1283 and all calls are
treated in complete confidence.
Trained staff can provide practical
advice, reassurance and assistance to
help you sort out any difficulties you
have with neighbours or other people
in your area. You can call the help-
line from 9am to 10pm, seven days a
week.
Talk it Over
‘Talk it Over’ is an informal group
aimed at women who would benefit
from a chance to come along to chat
with the group’s supporters and other
women in a relaxed and comfortable
atmosphere. The group meets every
Tuesday morning between 10.30 and
12.00 in Paisley Abbey (access via
the café).
The group meets on a very informal
basis however counselling services
can be arranged if required.
A free crèche facility is available.
For further information please contact
Joan on Tel: 0141 881 7495 or 07753
138786
Articles provided by RCVS
(Renfrewshire Council for
Voluntary Services)
www.rcvsweb.co.uk
The Strathclyde Police website
contains information on all of the
new local Community Policing
Teams, which aims to increase
the visibility of the officers within
their communities.
Take a look at our website -
www. strathclyde.police.uk
for contact details of officers
in your local Policing Team.
Please note the new phone number
for ASIST (Anti-social Behaviour
Investigations Team) - see below and
front page (top right-hand corner) of
this issue of Chatterbox.
USEFUL
CONTACT NUMBERS
Strathclyde Police –0141 532 5900
Johnstone 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) - 0141 840 2163
Victim Support – 0141 887 0328
Nuisance Support & Advice
Helpline – 0800 169 1283
Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111
Johnstone Police Office.
LOCHWINNOCH
ART GROUP
The Art group have been busy since
the last report.
The group took part, along with other
local artists, in exhibiting at the Arts
Festival at the end of March. It was a
well-attended exhibition, which ran
for a full week in the ' Library Room '
at Lochwinnoch Library. A number of
exhibits, including original works and
prints were sold. The Arts Festival
Committee hope that more local artists
might like to exhibit at this event next
year. Details about this will be re-
leased next year.
The Art Group meets again on Mon-
day 4th May at 7.30pm in the Lesser
Hall, McKillop Institute. The meet-
ings are held fortnightly until June.
The group had an interesting and en-
joyable meeting on 30th March when
the artist and former art school tutor,
Neil MacDonald, took a class in life
drawing. The group learned a lot in a
short time and we hope to be able to
ask him back in the future.
Our remaining nights will include
Watercolour Techniques by
Christine Brown, and
Pastel by Phil Arbon.
Why not come along and get a taste
before we disband for the summer.
Everyone is welcome,
from age 18yrs upwards.
 Support your local hardware store.
We stock hardware, electrical, plumbing, paint sundries, gardening and
fancy goods at competitive prices. Mobile phone top-ups.
FREE local deliveries, all major credit cards accepted.
FIRST IN SCOTLAND… • NEW RANGE OF HAND-MADE CARDS
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POLICE AND COUNCIL • BEDDING PLANTS, TOMATOES and
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AGAINST CRIME OPEN - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am-1pm & 2.15-5.15pm

Police and wardens in Renfrewshire
are to be equipped with state-of-the-
art cameras in a groundbreaking initia-
tive to fight crime.
In a first for Scotland, both police offi-
cers and council wardens will wear
body-mounted cctv cameras to record
incidents. The innovative approach is
being jointly launched by Strathclyde
Police and Renfrewshire Council.
Superintendent Donald McCallum
explained:
“This is a first for partnership work-
ing in Scotland. Specially selected
police officers and council wardens in
Renfrewshire will wear the body-
mounted cameras as part of a partner-
ship initiative, designed to impact on
anti-social behaviour.
The lightweight device is overtly worn
and clearly visible on the officer’s uni-
form. It will not record continuously,
but will be used by officers to docu-
ment incidents they are attending,
recording what an officer sees, hears
and says, as well as providing
additional prosecution evidence, if
required.
We are continually looking at innova-
tive approaches to targeting anti-
social behaviour. This new technol-
ogy will be used to deter such crimi-
nality, gather evidence, provide cor-
roboration and show openness and
accountability.”
The cameras will also provide pro-
tection for officers, without restricting
their actions or movements, by act-
ing as a visible deterrent to any po-
tential assailant; making a clear
statement that their actions will be
recorded.
Superintendent McCallum added:
“Importantly, as the camera re-
cords the actions of the officer, it will
increase accountability and reduce
the scope for false allegations.”
This partnership initiative was devel-
oped by Communities Inspector
John Laing, who operates from the
Division’s Johnstone office.
Inspector Laing explained:
“Community Police Officers and
Wardens will use the cameras on mo-
bile, foot and mountain bike patrols
throughout Renfrewshire, particularly
within locally defined hot spots.
I would like to reassure the public that
there are strict protocols and guide-
lines governing the use of the cam-
eras and any video image not required
for evidential purposes will be auto-
matically destroyed after 31 days.”
This initiative has been funded by
Renfrewshire Council and supported
by the Area Procurator Fiscal. Ren-
frewshire Council has 46 wardens
who work in teams of two. One body-
mounted camera will be used per pair.
Councillor Brian Lawson, Ren-
frewshire Council’s community safety
spokesperson, said:
“This is an innovative approach
being adopted in Renfrewshire with
both police and wardens using body-
mounted cameras. The body-mounted
cameras will support the use of two
cctv vans by our wardens and anti-
social behaviour investigations team.
Images captured by these cameras
can be vital in identifying those re-
sponsible for carrying out anti-social
behaviour.
Our wardens were relaunched last
year with a wider role of working with
community police to tackle anti-social
behaviour and environmental crime
such as dog-fouling and littering. The
use of these cameras will assist the
wardens in carrying out their duties
and lead to further reduction in crime
in our communities.
Renfrewshire Council and the police,
along with other partner agencies,
have committed themselves to work-
ing together under the Safer Ren-
frewshire Partnership to make Ren-
frewshire a safer place to live, work
and visit over the next three years.”
 Antiques, Curios and Crafts
A dynamic selection of oils, watercolours and
limited edition prints.
Bespoke crafts by local artisans, vintage and
contemporary jewellery.
Well worth discovering for yourself.
The Barn on the Farm, open 10am till late every day.
Contact Greta Logan on Tel: 01505 683338 Mob: 07786 720586
e-mail: greta@thestirrupcup.co.uk www.thestirrupcup.co.uk

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

Just opposite the Golf Course on the Largs Rd.

CHARLES RENNIE
MACKINTOSH
June 7, 1868 – December 10, 1928
Charles Rennie Mackintosh,
architect and artist, was Scotland’s
most famous designer during the Arts
and Crafts movement. Celebrated
around the world as one of the most
creative figures of the early 20th cen-
tury, Mackintosh was one of the main
exponents of Art Nouveau in the
United Kingdom. He had a con-
siderable influence on European de-
sign and is considered one of the most
important pioneers of the New Style
on the continent.
Born in Glasgow, he was appren-
ticed to John Hutchinson at the age of
16, moving to Honneyman & Keppie’s
architectural practice after 5 years.
Aged 22 he was on a sketching tour of
Italy having won a Travelling Student-
ship sponsored by Alexander “Greek”
Thomson to study ancient classic ar-
chitecture.
By 25, he had started his first
grand architectural project, the
Glasgow Herald Building. His design
of the Glasgow School of Art really
made his reputation by the age of 30.
At the same time, he completed the
Queen’s Cross Church in Glasgow. It
is the only church he built and is
now the Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Society Headquarters. This period
was the pinnacle of a relatively short
architectural career where he devel-
oped his own style: a contrast be-
tween strong right angles and floral-
inspired decorative motifs with sub-
tle curves, e.g. the Mackintosh Rose
motif.
Mackintosh took his inspiration
from his upbringing and blended it
with the flourish of Art Nouveau and
the simplicity of Japanese forms.
Through its expanding ship building
industry Glasgow had developed
close links with Japan. Mackintosh
admired the Japanese style of de-
signing furniture using simple forms
and natural material.
Other major influences included
his wife Margaret Macdonald, an
artist at Glasgow School of Art, whom
he married in 1900. Much of what
can be seen in the buildings and col-
lections involves their artistic col-
laboration. This had developed into
“The Glasgow Style” following the
formation of “The Four”. This group
comprised Mackintosh, his wife, her
sister Francis Macdonald and Herbert
MacNair. They exhibited in Glasgow,
London, Dresden, Venice, Munich,
Budapest, Moscow and Vienna which
helped establish Mackintosh's reputa-
tion. Rejecting the florid over rich
curvilinear motifs more associated
with Art Nouveau they preferred
sound structures, simplicity, long
straight lines and organised space.
Cool colours such as white, mauve,
green and grey were often dramati-
cally emphasised by black.
Although he concentrated on
water-colours in the latter part of his
career, it is Mackintosh's contribution
to modern architecture and design for
which he will be remembered. A num-
ber of his more ambitious designs
were never constructed but, as so
often happens, gained popularity after
his death. His “House of the Art
Lover” was finally built in Bellahous-
ton Park in 1996.
He will be commemorated on a new
issue of Clydesdale Bank £100 notes,
which the Stirrup Cup will gladly ex-
change for any of our items.

Christian Keeping hope alive!

Christian Aid Week is seven amazing days of fundraising, prayer
Aid Week and action against global poverty. Add your time, money and
10 – 16 May 09 voice this week, and see them multiplied to make an impact
around the world through Christian Aid.

LOCHWINNOCH Christian Aid Group blighted by disease, famine and war.

will be active in and around the village on Christian Aid
Week 10th to 16th May. Please give generously in your sup-
port when the red envelope comes through your letterbox.
Every pound given will help Christian Aid fund projects
throughout the world where there is genuine need. Take this
opportunity to make a difference to the lives of those
Make an even bigger difference by filling out the Gift Aid
part of the envelope before it is collected. This simple act
will ADD almost 20% to your donation.
The Group will be working hard to give all in the
village the opportunity to make a donation.
Please give as generously as you are able to do.

Be the lifeblood for poor communities! Christian Aid Week – keeping hope alive!

CH
LOCHWINNO
WRITERS
THE WRITERS MEET
IN THE LIBRARY,
ON MONDAYS 9.30-11.30AM.
This month we print one of Betty McKel-
lar’s poems from her recent exhibition
and reading at the RSPB Nature Centre.
But Lochwinnoch’s association with
ornithology and poetry goes back far
beyond the present day so we include
some poetry by and something about
Alexander Wilson who lived and worked
in our village. First a poem by Betty:
TASTE A WORD
“Murmurations.” -
Say the word and echo it—
mur-mur-a-tions;
whisper it,
let it loll and linger on your lip
taste music
in the feel of it.
Words like this tell a story
sing their own song.
Play it along.
And in autumn when the myriad
starlings in their far-off
murmurations
shift and drift
and whirr
and rift
and close and veer
and fall and lift
in the wondrous one-ness of a
cloud-kaleidoscope in shades of grey
against the rose backdrop of a
darkening day
delight in it . . .
murmurations
MUR-MUR-A-TION”.
BETTY'S ASSOCIATION with the RSPB
reserve at Lochwinnoch is of very long
standing. She was the first school teacher
to bring classes to study birds at the
reserve in the early 1970s when the
reserve was first established and opened to
the public. Under her support and guid-
ance, the children of Lochwinnoch
Primary School did some fine project
work based on the birds found at the
reserve. Hopefully, these studies instilled
an abiding love of birds in them all.
Betty continues to be a regular visitor to
the reserve and a great friend of the RSPB
to this day.
Betty's books of poetry include: Flicker-
ing Images, Muirshiel Poetry Trails,
Widdershins and Murmurations itself.
The amazing wildlife of Lochwinnoch has
been inspiring people for hundreds of
years. Artists, musicians, and poets like
Betty have all been moved by the beauti-
ful surroundings and incredible wealth of
wild creatures, to create their own works
of art. Probably the most famous person to
write about the wildlife of the area was
Alexander Wilson (the 18th Century poet
and 'Father of American Ornithology' ).
Born in Paisley, Wilson worked as a
weaver in Lochwinnoch and wrote:
ADJOINING THIS, midst bord'ring reeds
and fens,
The lengthen'd lake its glossy flood
extends;
Slow stealing on with lazy silent pace,
The Peel lone rising from its watery face.
Here stalks the heron, gazing in the lake,
The snowy swan and party coloured
drake;
The bittern lone, that shakes the solid
ground,
While thro' still midnight groans the
hollow sound.
The noisy goose, the teal in blackening
trains,
And long-billed snipe that knows ap-
proaching rains;
Wildfowl unnumbered, here continual
rove,
Explore the deep or sail the waves above.
W ILSON BECAME A FRIEND OF
BURNS though at first he found
the salty Bard a bit too much
for him. When Wilson’s lively narrative
poem, "Watty and Meg" was published
anonymously, it was universally attributed
to Burns. But this, which he took as a
great compliment, was the last gleam of
sunshine Wilson enjoyed in Scotland.
A violent dispute broke out between the
Birds were also the subject of the children’s
poetry competition at this year’s Arts Festival.
The winning poems are featured later in this issue
of Chatterbox (see Arts Festival pages).
journeymen and master weavers of
Paisley, and Wilson joined the ranks of
the former with all the determined energy
which so characterized him. Fierce and
bitter anonymous satires appeared, which
were rightly assigned to Wilson. Wilson
was prosecuted, convicted, imprisoned,
and compelled to burn the libel with his
own hands at Paisley Cross.
Wilson’s situation soon became intol-
erably unpleasant to him; and he resolved
upon emigrating to America. Having
bidden adieu to his friends and relatives,
he walked on foot to Portpatrick, whence
he passed over to Belfast, and embarked
on board a vessel bound for Newcastle
Delaware, sleeping on the deck. He landed
in America on the 14th July, 1804, with
only a few shillings in his pocket, without
a friend or letter of introduction, or any
definite idea in what manner he was to
earn his future livelihood.
But Alexander studied drawing in
Philadelphia and put his natural talent and
love of ornithology to very good use.
Before he died, at the age of 47 worn out
by journeying, he had produced seven
volumes of the magnificent American
Ornithology, with portraits of 320 birds,
32 new to science. The better known
Audubon followed in his footsteps, but
Wilson led the way. Several species
carry his name: Wilson’s plover, snipe,
phalarope, petrel, warbler and thrush.
THE ALEXANDER WILSON SUITE IN
PAISLEY TOWN HALL contains prints from
American Ornithology.
We have reprinted text from the Murmu-
rations booklet produced by the RSPB but
also other sources, including the VILLAGE
WEBSITE: www.lochwinnoch.info and
ELECTRIC SCOTLAND:
www.electricscotland.com/history/other/
alexander_wilson.htm.
Our excellent LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY,
http://rlhf.info/page.php?16 for meetings,
will have greater knowledge in depth
about Wilson but we thought it would be
interesting to show the deep tradition
linking poetry and ornithology in
Lochwinnoch.
 From the
Parish Church
The hopes we had
were much too high,
way out of reach but we have to try,
no need to hide, no need to run,
’cause all the answers come
one by one.
The game will never be over
because we’re keeping
the dream alive.
Münchener Freiheit
As you will remember from last
month’s edition of Chatterbox, the
theme of this year’s Christian Aid
Week is “Keeping hope alive!” We
are invited to be the lifeblood for poor
communities and work with them to
fight for a world free of poverty and
injustice. That is a campaign that eve-
ryone is invited to join, regardless of
creed or belief and it is one in which
we can all play a part. Fighting for a
world free of poverty and injustice
may sound like a hope much too high,
yet we do indeed have to try. For if we
don’t, who will? If we don’t keep
hope alive for our brothers and sisters
around the world, who will? Yet that
also begs the question, “Why should
we work to help those we have never
met?”
I am always humbled by the words I
say during a Marriage Service to the
couple just after they have taken their
vows and exchanged their rings: “By
these signs you take each other, to
have and to hold from this day for-
ward; for better, for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in sickness and in health,
to love and cherish, for as long as you
live.” In our wedding services, we
recognise that we must support our
beloved, in all times, both good and
bad.
If we in the Church believe anything,
then it is that Jesus’ love is for all the
world. The way the Bible explains the
relationship between Jesus and the
Church is one of marriage. The
Church is Jesus’ beloved bride and he
will love and cherish her. So who or
what is the Church? Of course it is the
buildings we see in our village, yet the
Church is so much more.
The Church is made of the living
stones of those who worship week J Quinn & son
by week; the Church is all those who Memorials
would love to join with us yet for
many reasons, cannot do so. The
Church is also there for all people. In Personal Service &
the Church we cannot decide who is
in and who is out, for God has al- Quality Guaranteed
ready made that decision. When
Christ died on the cross, he did so
for all people.
Therefore, if the Church is the bride
of Christ and we are Christ’s hands
in the world, the only option is for us New Memorials
to take seriously the words of the
Marriage Service and hold out love Additional Inscriptions
and hope for all people for better,
for worse, for richer, for poorer, in
Cleaning & Renovations
sickness and in health, to love and
cherish, for as long as we all live.
This Christian Aid Week, you will Mon 10am –5pm, Tue –Fri 10am –2pm
see people walking around our vil- Evenings & Weekends by Arrangement
lage with the distinctive Christian
Aid bags and the well-known red NEW SHOWROOM
envelopes. Not everyone has the 42 Main Street, KILBIRNIE
time, energy or ability to be a collec- Please Call 01505 68 5455
tor; not everyone can afford to put a
large amount of money in the enve-
lope; yet if we all do what we can,
then our gift will be multiplied and LOCHWINNOCH
we will keep hope alive. All those of PARISH CHURCH
us who pay income tax can make our
gift go further by filling in the Gift
Aid section.
SPECIAL SERVICE
This year we can all join in the fight
for a world free of poverty and injus- A Special Service is being held
tice. If we are ever tempted to think on Sunday 31st May at 11am in
that is a step too far, then let us re- Lochwinnoch Parish Church.
member the words of the Chinese
philosopher, Lao-tzu, who tells us, The guest preacher will be the Very
“The journey of a thousand miles Rev. Dr James Simpson, who is a
begins beneath one’s feet.” former Moderator of the General
This month, as we seek to keep hope Assembly.
alive for our brothers and sisters
around the world, we remember that Tea will be served in the Hall,
the journey begins below our own followed by an Organ Recital at
feet; the journey begins from a mo- 1.00 pm.
ment of stillness and contemplation
and then leads us to action, action The guest organist will be Cameron
that can change the world. Murdoch, who normally plays the
organ at Renfield St John’s Church
Thank you to all who will be fight- in Glasgow. He will be playing at
ing for a world free of poverty and the morning service and will be
injustice. bringing a small singing group along
as well.
You are warmly invited to both of
Rev. Christine Murdoch these events.
 What’s On
(Regular Clubs, classes
and local groups)
• Lochwinnoch Community
Walks - Mondays (ex. Public
Holidays), 10.30 am at The Cross.
• Lochwinnoch Playgroup - For
under 5’s, every Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday from 9.30-11.30
(during term time) at the McKil-
lop Inst. *
• Kickjitsu for Kids - Monday
nights, from 5pm-6.45pm in the
Parish Church Hall.
• Lochwinnoch Gymnastics
Club - For primary school-age
children every Monday,5-7pm at
the Annexe. Phone Coby for de-
tails on: 0772 9051615.
• 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-
7.30pm, Intermediates 7.30-
8.30pm and Seniors from 8pm.
• Lochwinnoch Art Group
Meet fortnightly on Monday
evenings, 7.30pm, McKillop
Institute.
• Advice Works - Tuesdays 10am
-12.30 at the Library. *
• Drop-in T Bar - Lochwinnoch
Elderly Forum. Every Tuesday
and Thursday from 10am-1pm,
McKillop Institute. All welcome.
For details, call Reta on: 01505
842054.
• Baby and Toddler Rhyme-
time - every Tuesday, 2.15pm at
Lochwinnoch Library. *
• TaeKwon-Do Fitness and Self-
defence classes for all. Tuesdays
from 5-6pm, McKillop Institute.
For details Tel: 01259 210716.
• Linda Margaret School of
Dancing - Tuesdays from 4pm-
8.45pm, McKillop Institute. For
details, Tel: 0141 581 9104.
• Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys
and Junior Sections meet on Tues-
day nights and Company
Section on Friday evenings,
Parish Church Hall. (See Church
notice board for more details.)
JANIS’S CLEANING & IRONING SERVICE
All ironing picked up and dropped off at your convenience
FRIENDLY, RELIABLE, LOCAL SERVICE
FAMILY-
FAMILY -RUN SMALL LOCAL COMPANY OFFERING -
* DOMESTIC OR BUSINESS CLEANS
* ONE-
ONE-OFF CLEANS, WEEKLY CLEANS,
MONTHLY CLEANS
* GOOD COMPETITIVE RATES
* LOCAL REFERENCES & POLICE CHECK
AVAILABLE, CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE.
Tel: 01505 682345 Mobile: 07809 677485
• Girls Brigade -
1st Lochwinnoch Company
Wednesday evenings from 6pm-
9.15pm at the Parish Church
Hall for various age groups.
CALDER DRAMA
• Yoga Classes -
Wednesday evening classes - Calder Drama's May Production
Yoga & Relaxation from 6-7.20pm
- some spaces still available. My Friend Miss Flint
(The Yoga & Meditation classes
written by
from 7.30-9pm are now fully
Donald Churchill and Peter Yeldham,
booked.) Contact Mary for in-
will be staged on
formation on: 01505 842877.
Thursday 21st May
• Happy Harminis - Fun for pre &
-school children. Thursdays
from 10am in the McKillop Insti-
Friday 22nd May
at the McKillop Institute.
tute. Contact Frankie Plater for
details: 01505 612248. Doors opening at 7.00 pm with the
Production commencing at 7.30 pm.
• Slinky Strollers - on Thurs-
days (see back page for details). Refreshments will be on sale both
nights. Tickets - £5 for Adults & £3
• Calder Drama Club— for Senior Citizens and Children.
Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm
McKillop Institute.
When Tom Lambert, Botanist and TV
• Scottish Slimmers - Thurs- Gardening expert, receives a phone
days, 7/7.30pm, McKillop Inst. call one morning from the Inland
Revenue enquiring about his Public
• Lochwinnoch Pre-School Relations Consultant, a Miss Joanna
Gymnastics ( for children from Flint, he is clearly mystified as he has
18 mths to 5 yrs). Fridays, from never even heard of the woman. By
10.15am - 1.45pm at the Annexe. lunchtime, however, he knows all
Further details from Coby on about Miss Flint and wishes he didn't,
Tel: 0772 9051615. for Sarah, his Accountant and Ex-
• Tai Chi for Beginners - wife, confesses she invented her as a
Friday nights, 6.45-7.45pm, The Tax dodge and unfortunately the Tax
Room, Lochwinnoch Library. people are on to it. How Tom and
Sarah manage to extricate themselves
from this tricky situation, hindered
VILLAGE EVENT by Albert, the part-time house
cleaner and Pub Entertainer, Lucy, a
CALENDAR for 2009 young Market Researcher plus Dodds
Lochwinnoch Post Office has a wall- and Lens, Tax Inspectors, provides
mounted planner, where members of
the public can enter details of forth-
plenty of sparkling moments in this
highly entertaining comedy.
coming events.
Please use this planner to avoid any Tickets can be obtained from any
clashes when choosing dates to hold member of the Drama Club and also
events, and to help publicise your from the following retailers.
Cut & Care Hairdressing, Now and
own events in and around the village
and local area. Then and Wilson Bakers.
 Dates for
your diaries
• Sunday 10th - Saturday 16th
May - Christian Aid Week. *
• Fri 15th and Sat 16th May -
Book Sale at Lochwinnoch Library.
• Friday 15th May - Bingo Night,
7.3opm at the Bowling Club. *
• Saturday 16th May —Councillor
Arthur’s Surgery from 11.30am at
the McKillop Institute. *
• •
Monday 18th May - Lochwin-
noch Art Group meeting, 7.3opm,
McKillop Lesser Hall. *
• Thursday 21st May and Fri-
day 22nd May - Calder Drama
production - “My Friend Miss
Flint”. 7 for 7.3opm, McKillop Inst *
• Friday 22nd May - Fashion
Show, 8pm in the Masonic Hall. *
• Wednesday 27th May - Talk by
Luisa Piluso - Anti-Slavery Inter-
national organisation, 7.30pm in
the Parish Church. *
• Thursday 28th May - Lochwin-
noch Elderly Forum meeting is at
1pm in the McKillop Inst. *
• Saturday 30th May—
Sponsored Cycle round the Isle of
Cumbrae —(see TCT article.) *
• Sunday 31st May - Special
Service at 11am & Organ Recital at
1pm, Lochwinnoch Parish Church*
• Tuesday 2nd June - 7.30pm
Lochwinnoch Community
Council meeting, in the Guild
Room of the Parish Church.
• Wednesday 3rd June—meeting
of LIA and Fairtrade Campaign
group (see LIA article for details).
• Saturday 6th June -
Councillor Neil Bibby’s Advice
Surgery, at 9am, McKillop Inst.*
• Saturday 6th June - Calder UF
Church Summer Fete 11am-1pm.
• Saturday 6th June - Evening
with Pat Cairns at the Bowling Club. *
• Sunday 7th June -
Lochwinnoch Farmers’ Market -
11am till 2.30pm or sold out at
Castle Semple Centre.
• Thursday 11th June - Tea/
Coffee Party to raise funds for
MacMillan Nurses - from 2pm at
the Library. *
Saturday 13th June - Burns
Night, 7.30 for 8pm in the
Masonic Hall. *
• Saturday 13th June -
Lochwinnoch Gala Day, starts
12.30pm from Auld Simon. *
• Saturday 13th June - 27th
Lochwinnoch Open Race, starts
at 2.15pm in Calder Street. *
• Friday 19th June - TCT
“Not the Booze Cruise” - see TCT
News for more details. *
• Saturday 20th to Sunday
21st June - Castle Semple
Sailing Club 24-hour charity
race on Castle Semple Loch. *
* See inside this issue of Chatterbox
for further details of these events.
COMMUNITY PLANNING
CONFERENCES
This is early notification for the
2009 series of Community Plan-
ning Conferences set to take
place in Renfrewshire throughout
September.
More information and booking
details will be made available
closer to the time.
For now, please note the dates
and locations:
Thursday 17th September 2009
Johnstone Town Hall 9.45am-2.30pm
Tuesday 22nd September 2009
Glynhill Hotel
Two sessions: 9.45am – 2.30pm and
6pm – 9.30pm
Thursday 24th September 2009
Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir
9.45am – 2.30pm
Wednesday 30th September 2009
Paisley Town Hall 9.45am – 2.30pm
LOCHWINNOCH
BOWLING CLUB
Friday 15th May
Bingo starts 7.30pm.
Entry £1, includes tea.
Saturday 6th June
An evening of entertainment with
Pat Cairns, appearing as
Neil Diamond & Kenny Rodgers.
Tickets £10 from Margaret on
Tel: 843013.
Friday 19th June
Psychic Night
starts 7.30pm (prompt)
Entry £7, contact Suzanne Pryde
on 07740 397396.
Sunday 21st June
Bowling Club Open Day
From 1pm.
Come along and have a go at
MASONIC CLUB
EVENTS
FASHION SHOW
Friday 22nd May
at 8pm in the Masonic Hall
features Gloria’s Fashions
Purchases can be made on the night by
cash or card. Tickets at the door.
BURNS’ NIGHT
Saturday 13th June
7.30 for 8pm in the Masonic Hall
featuring a Jolly Beggar’s Cantata
as composed by Robert Burns.
Tickets £5, from usual sources or
contact Johnny Mair on Tel: 842959.

Lochwinnoch Library
New Books for adults
Ann Cleeves – Red Bones
When a young archaeologist studying on a
site at Lerwick discovers a set of human
remains - the island community is in-
trigued. Is it an ancient find - or a more
contemporary mystery? Then an elderly
lady is shot on her land in a tragic acci-
dent and Jimmy Perez is called in…….
John Connor – Unsafe
On the day Karen Sharpe is promoted to
Detective Sergeant she loses control and
attacks a prisoner she is interrogating.
Duly suspended, Karen is investigated and
seemingly cleared, but more than a year
later the incident still casts a long shadow.
When the battered body of a young girl is
discovered, it kicks off an inquiry which
pushes Karen and a trainee DC, Marcus
Roth, too close for comfort, both on and
off-duty. The investigation leads to Mary
Bradley, currently the carer for a helpless
six-year-old boy, Andrew Farrar. As the
truth of Mary Bradley's violent past
emerges, the inquiry becomes a race
against time before Andrew becomes just
another one of her child victims……..
Cathy Kelly – Once in a lifetime
Kenny's Department Store, with its hand-
some Edwardian facade and unique
cherry-picked goods, is the jewel in the
Irish town of Ardagh's crown. David
Kenny, its charismatic owner, has poured
his heart and soul into transforming the
store. Star Bluestone sells her beautifully
crafted tapestries at Kenny's. Made with
natural dyes, they embody her mother-
earth spirit and creative vision. She has a
special reason for caring about Kenny's
beyond her sales…. Meanwhile for Ingrid
Fitzgerald, hotshot political interviewer
and wife of David Kenny, the store is the
'other woman' in her marriage. With her
children leaving home and her career blos-
soming, she is worried by the toll the store
is taking on her husband……….
Alexander McCall Smith – Tea time
for the traditionally built
(The tenth book in the No 1 Ladies Detec-
tive agency series)
Mama Ramotswe's ever-ready tiny white
van has recently developed a rather dis-
turbing noise. Of course, Mr. J.L.B. Mate-
koni - her estimable husband and one of
Botswana's most talented mechanics– is
the man to turn to for help. But Precious
suspects he might simply condemn the
van and replace it with something more
modern.
Renfrewshire Libraries
Present
And, as usual, her suspicions are well-
founded: without telling her, he sells the Baby & Toddler
van and saddles his wife with a new,
characterless vehicle . . . a situation that
must be remedied. And so she sets out to
find the van, unaware, for the moment,
that it has already been stolen from the
man who bought it, making recovery a
more complicated process than she had
expected…………………………
There are regular additions to
Junior book stocks … and Pre-5
up to young adult books.
Rhyme time
at
Lochwinnoch Library
Looking for inspiration for Every Tuesday 2.15pm
your garden ?
Renfrewshire Libraries have a large
stock of books on garden design, plants Renfrewshire Libraries
and planting. Here are a few currently
available at Lochwinnoch Library.
presents
Reading Roots Homecoming
Terence Conran : The essential garden Scotland 2009
book A themed collection of books
Roger Sweetinburgh : Small garden celebrating great Scottish
planner
Claire Matthews: Great gardens for kids
writers past and present.
Peter McHoy : Big ideas for small Currently available at
gardens Lochwinnoch & Johnstone
Marshall Craigmyle : Long flowering Libraries.
garden plants
HRH Price of Wales : Elements of
Organic gardening
Gay Search & Delia Smith : Delia’s ADVICE WORKS
kitchen garden
Nicola Ferguson : Right plant.. Right
Tuesdays 10am –12.30pm
place. Advisors are on hand to help fill in
Clare Matthews: How does your garden claim forms, check and advise on
grow… for green-fingered kids. welfare benefits/money problems.
Library Events Advisors can provide expert advice
Book Sale
on a wide range of debt related
Friday 15th and Sat 16th May topics, such as credit card, mortgage
selection of adult and junior stock for arrears, council tax, etc.
sale (during library opening hours).
The service is FREE, confidential and
Tea/Coffee Party open to all Renfrewshire residents.
Thursday 11th June from 2pm,
to raise funds for MacMillan Nurses.
NORMAL OPENING
Renew and Reserve HOURS :
at
www.renfrewshwire.gov.uk/libraries
Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
2pm–5pm & 6pm–8pm
Library members can view, renew
and reserve their library loans Tuesday and Saturday: 10am–1pm
online. All you need to get started is and 2pm–5pm
your library membership number Closed Thursday.
and a password. If you don’t have a Tel: 01505 842305
password just ask at any library.

Success at Provost’s Award
Ceremony
Cucina Minucci was nominated and short-
listed for the first Spirit of Fairtrade
Award made as part of the annual Pro-
vost’s Award ceremony held in late March
at the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew. This was
in recognition of the efforts made by Ivan
and Jo to promote and sell Fairtrade prod-
ucts in their bistro, whilst supporting the
work of the Fairtrade Campaign Group
who made the nomination for the Award.
In the event, the Award went to the Rain-
bow Turtle in Paisley with Cucina
Minucci being one of the runners up
(photo shows Ivan with other award win-
ners and the Provost). Despite the dis-
appointment of not winning the Award,
the evening resulted in good local public-
ity for the cause of Fairtrade in Lochwin-
noch and the support it receives at the
Junction. It builds on the achievement of
Fairtrade status for the village and recent
success of Fairtrade Fortnight.
New Fairtrade Bag For Sale
A new Fairtrade shopping bag, to
celebrate our Fairtrade village status, has
recently gone on sale in Fairtrade retailers
and caterers throughout the village at a
price of £2.50. It is made from organic
cotton that is produced in India and has a
gusset that will allow you to fit in more
shopping than the previous bag. It carries
the prominent slogan 'Lochwinnoch Sup-
ports Fairtrade', together with the Fair-
trade village logo; and also acknowledges
the sponsorship that was received from
Cucina Minucci at The Junction, Loch-
winnoch Community Council and the
Scottish Fair Trade Forum (SFTF). Any
surplus generated from sales will be used
to further promote Fairtrade in the village.
Future Meetings
The next scheduled meeting of the
Fairtrade Campaign Group and Lochwin-
noch International Aid will be held on
June 3 at 29 High St. at 7.4pm. New and
existing supporters are always welcome to
attend and we would welcome your help
in preparing our stall at the Gala Day on
June 13, where we will be selling Fair-
trade goods as well as having exhibition
boards to show the projects we have sup-
ported in different parts of the world.
LOCHWINNOCH INTERNATIONAL AID NEWS
The next LIA meeting will be held
on Wednesday 27th May,
starting at 7.30 in the Parish Church.
Guest speaker, Luisa Piluso, will
give a talk on the aims and work
of the Anti-Slavery International
organisation.
For many people, the image that
comes to mind when they hear the
word ‘slavery’ is the slavery of the
Transatlantic Slave Trade. We think
of the buying and selling of people,
their shipment from one continent to
another and the abolition of the trade
in the early 1800s. Even if we know
nothing about the slave trade, it is
something we think of as part of
our history rather than our present.
But the reality is slavery continues
TODAY.
Millions of men, women and chil-
dren around the world are forced to
lead lives as slaves. Although this
exploitation is often not called
slavery, the conditions are the same;
bonded labour, human trafficking,
forced marriages, child labour.
People are sold like objects, forced
to work for little or no pay and are at
the mercy of their 'employers'.
Come along on the 27th May, to find
out what Anti-Slavery International
has been able to achieve in combat-
ing modern day slavery.
All are most welcome to
attend this FREE meeting.
LIA Fundraising News
LIA’s last fundraising event was a great
Cuban Music Night in February which
inspired many to get their dancing shoes
on and take up Salsa. We hope to repeat
this in the future. The money raised that
night went to a musical instruments
charity in Cuba to promote musical talent.
LIA are always open to hearing about
new projects that villagers are directly
connected with.
Two members of the group have been
busy fundraising for two African projects.
Jenny Bhatia has been associated with the
Amani Centre for Disabled Children in
Tanzania for many years and sells Tanza-
nian jewellery to raise funds. Jewellery is
purchased at a fair price and then all the
income from the sale goes back to the
Amani Centre.
Jenny Bhatia helped to take a group of
pupils from Johnstone High School to
work at the Amani Centre last summer
which was a great experience for all of
them. Several of the pupils are planning
to go back and do voluntary work there in
the near future.
The other project is the selling of beautiful
handmade cards from Malawi and the
funds from that are going to an orphanage
there. This was initiated by a visit made
to the village by Mary Boloweza, who
was hosted by Bob Turner and his family.
LIA arranged a Jembe workshop led by
Mary, which proved very enjoyable and
successful as it appealed to all ages. Mary
Alice Mansell and Jenny Bhatia have been
selling the cards at various events and
they should be available at the LIA/ Fair-
trade stall at the Gala Day. Information
about LIA/Fairtrade work can be found in
the Cucina Minucci at the Junction.
 TEENAGE CANCER
TRUST NEWS
Work is now getting underway at the
Yorkhill and Edinburgh units and the
fundraising goes on as we are still
well short of the money needed for the
Yorkhill TCT Unit.
Chips & Opera
This year’s event somehow managed
to top last year’s !
The champagne flowed and the ‘chish
and fips’ were well washed down with
wine. Katy Morrel and Robert Crowe
from Scottish Opera were accompa-
nied beautifully by Lynda Cochrane
and received a standing ovation at the
end of their set – the ‘Warthog’ song
was hysterical and Mr J Delaney man-
aged to escape harm after comparing
his co-host to the said Warthog!! The
grand draw prize of Dinner at the
Crowne Plaza, followed by two tickets
to see Bizet’s Carmen at the SECC,
was well sought after and the ‘Left /
Right’ Game had people in hysterics
(although the sober guests had an ad-
vantage over the ‘had a little tipple’
guest!)
The dance floor never emptied from
the first note from the tremendous
Penny Dogs to the last song (and the
Lochwinnoch party didn’t finish
there!!) A wonderful, fun-filled time
was had by all with people asking to
have their name put down for next
years event already!! (email
TCT@KarenKellyDesigns.com to be
put on the mailing list for next year).
The great sum of £3,500 was raised
for the Yorkhill appeal for Teenage
Cancer Trust, helping to get a little
closer to the target.
'Not The Booze Cruise'
on Friday 19th June
Last year we completely ignored all
seagoing traditions and superstitions
as we set sail on Friday 13th. We
clearly proved that there is no basis to
the belief that sailing on Friday 13th is
unlucky, because ALMOST NO-ONE
ended up in hospital with a broken leg
and concussion!
This year's theme is ...."The Boat that
Rocks!" and tickets will be on sale
very soon.
Allister Boyd
How do you sum up Allister in
a few words?
I could write screeds about him
and never capture his spirit.
His smile is the first thing that
springs to my mind – a calm,
happy, mischievous smile.
A 20-year old, dying of a brain
tumour should have nothing to
smile about but we never saw
him without one. He’d text some
jokes - some (most), a bit close
to the bone, just like a typical,
ordinary, 20-year old guy who
just happened to have cancer.
But Al wasn’t ordinary.
On hearing the news that the
doctors could do no more for He also increased the amount of
him, he decided to throw a huge people who know about the work
party to say thank you and to of TCT. However, the biggest
raise funds for Clic Sergeant and lesson this fabulous young man
Teenage Cancer Trust – the two taught me was that it’s not the
charities who had helped him. It quantity of life that we have that’s
was packed with an amazing at- important but the quality.
mosphere, an under-current of And boy, was this guy quality.
sadness but with people deter-
mined to stamp that sadness Allister passed away at home on
down with their dancing and Saturday 4th April.
drown out any sad words with
the sound of laughter. A superb, giving guy, who really
made his life count. His family
Al spoke at schools, colleges, will be incredibly proud of him
clubs, events, he spoke to politi- and he’ll be sorely missed.
cians about TCT, gave interviews
in the newspaper and the BBC. Thank you Allister.
I asked him to speak at the La-
dies Fashion Show and Cham-
And finally,
pagne Tea in October. He stood
in front of 250 ladies and started
The London Marathon
with “I’ve been asked to speak to
you today about Sex and the
Karen Kelly and David Bird ran the
Younger Man”. The place
London Marathon on Sunday 26th
erupted into laughter. There,
April for TCT. David, dressed as
and at the Karl Jenkins concert,
Batman in a full rubber mask and
he spoke very ‘matter of factly’
about his story, his life, with bodysuit almost melted in the heat
never a complaint or hint of bit- but both finished, still smiling.
terness. Al had an effect on
every single person who heard In five weeks time, they’ll be run-
him speak or came into contact ning the Edinburgh Marathon also
with him or read about his story. for TCT. If you’d like to contribute
to their fundraising for the TCT
Al raised in excess of £200,000 Yorkhill Appeal please see -
(yes, two hundred thousand www.JustGiving.com/fortct
pounds!) for his two charities or
and that figure is still rising. www.JustGiving.com/batmanTCT
 TEENAGE CANCER
TRUST
Sponsored Cycle
A team of doctors and nurses from
Lochwinnoch Surgery will be don-
ning their cycle shorts and cycling
from Millport, around the Isle of
Cumbrae, to raise funds for Teenage
Cancer Trust.
The event will take place on
Saturday 30th May.
If anyone would like to join us, they
would be most welcome.
Call into Lochwinnoch Surgery to
pick up a sponsor form or make a
donation to this wonderful charity.
St. Vincent's
Hospice News
Women’s 10K - Sunday 10th May
Run for St. Vincent's Hospice and
raise funds through sponsorship
Wheels & Heels Round Millport
Sunday 10th May
Join us for our annual sponsored
cycle or walk round the beautiful
island of Millport. Get on your
"wheels" or take to your "heels" and
get sponsored to complete the 10
mile trip
THANK YOU
AND WELL DONE !
Primary 7 pupils at Cochrane
Castle Primary School decided to
hold a "Clearance Sale" after their
Christmas Fayre. Leftover items
were sold off at bargain prices and a
magnificent £73.17 was raised for
St. Vincent's Hospice. Lorraine
Valentine, Hospice Fundraiser said -
"We are delighted for the con-
tinued support of everyone at Coch-
rane Castle Primary School - thank
you and well done to the Primary 7
pupils for raising this money for the
Hospice”.
Bingo Night ~ Monday 16th March
Thank you to everyone who sup-
ported the Bingo Night (by candle-
light) on 16th March, which raised
£366.70. Well Done Ladies.
Furniture Sale -Saturday 7th March
Thank you to Anne Adams and eve-
ryone who supported her recent Fur-
niture Sale. A wonderful £1684.15
was raised. Well Done.
Recycling We can raise money by
recycling:- Mobile Phones, Ink Car-
tridges, Stamps Foreign Coins,
Old/broken Jewellery. These can be
handed in to our shops in Renfrew,
Johnstone, Linwood, Lochwinnoch,
Paisley, Barrhead and Bridge Of
Weir or at the Hospice itself.
Unwanted Gifts Do you have
any unwanted gifts that are in new or
very good condition. Our Fundrais-
ing Team run various raffles, tombo-
las, etc at various events and dona-
tions of unwanted gifts or bottles can
go a long way in helping to raise
vital funds.
For more information on any of the
above, please contact
Lorraine Valentine,
Hospice Fundraiser on
Tel: 01505 705635
or e-mail:
lorraine.valentine@svh.co.uk
St Vincent's
Hospice Shop
will be very pleased to have those
red elastic bands
which come stretched round your
post in the mornings or indeed land
on the mat or in the street/garden.
The shop staff can certainly make
use of these to keep items of mer-
chandise together and tidy. In fact
any type of elastic band is used and
we seem to go through a great many.
If you don't use them yourself,
please collect on our behalf and hand
them into the shop.
Many thanks to all who donate to
keep the shop as well stocked as it is
and of course a very big thank you
to all our customers who support by
buying.
Renfrewshire Infobase
The Renfrewshire Infobase is a
new information service about
the voluntary and community ser-
vices (Third Sector in Ren-
frewshire) easily accessible by
everyone, which is about to be
piloted.
Up till now the sector has been
"invisible" and it is difficult to find
information on the full range of
different services and organisa-
tions that are available within the
area. For the first time, a core
information service for the Third
Sector will be readily available,
providing a comprehensive con-
tact register of all the groups and
organisations.
Anyone will be able to access the
InfoBase over the internet. It will
provide up-to-date contact infor-
mation such as location, services
provided, opening times. It will
also allow for the collation and
analysis of reliable information
within the sector itself and by
public agencies, although that
information will not be public fac-
ing i.e. accessible to everyone.
RCVS are currently gathering the
information of the groups and
organisations within Renfrew-
shire to populate the InfoBase
dataset. To do this we need to
gather information from each of
the groups and gain permission
to put these details online.
If you are a community group
or voluntary organization, based
within Renfrewshire, and would
like to be included in the
InfoBase then please either -
e-mail - info@ rcvsweb.co.uk
with the contact details of your
organization
or
contact Karen Miller or
Anne Keir on 0141 587 2487.
Source: RCVS (Renfrewshire
Council for Voluntary Services)
www.rcvsweb.co.uk
 Lochwinnoch
Arts Festival
2009

Thank you
To everyone who helped make
this year’s Arts Festival even
bigger and better than before.
All events were very well at-
tended; The Shadow Puppets,
Betty McKellar, Godspell, the
musical events and the Home-
The Colourful Kingfisher
coming Concert all proved to be
particularly popular. It was a horrible, dreich day!
We were sitting
Special thanks must go to on a bench in our garden.
Councillor David Arthur for his We love our garden because
fantastic support for this event. there is a stream with
Much thanks also to members multicoloured fish.
of the organising committee, to
the many volunteers for their
hard work in making the festival
Suddenly there was a flash of blue.
such a success and to the very It was a heavenly blue!
talented performers, musicians, Instantly it felt like a
various artists and exhibitors. wonderful summer’s day!

If you were not able to attend It was a kingfisher

every event during the Festival, a wonderful blue kingfisher!
we hope the photographs on It swooped down to our stream
these pages - courtesy of Zul snatched out one fish.
Bhatia - will help to fill in the
gaps!
We watched as it threw back its head
We are also delighted to feature suddenly the fish was gone!!
the children’s poetry competi-
tion winners in this issue of By Andrew Dalrymple and
Chatterbox. First place went to Angela Graham
Angela Graham and Andrew
Dalrymple, Second place to
Ryan Brown and Rory Pryde
and Third place to Corrine
Grant and Aidan Baillie.

(All of the other poems entered

into the children’s poetry com-
petition will be featured in the
next two issues of Chatterbox.)

Last, but not least, a very big

thank you to all members of the
public, young and old, who sup-
ported the festival once again
this year.

Morag Thow
 The Kingfisher
As the wind whistles
through the cold thin air
the colourful kingfisher swoops The Buzzard
with the sapphire blue water
below him. It is a stormy night.
The buzzard is
He poses on a rock flying in the rain,
then passes through he soars higher, higher.
the emerald green leaves.
From the rocks, he eyes a SWOOP!
fish swimming through the fast- Down he goes
flowing water. he sees something,
He watches it all the way. it’s a mouse…
He is ravenous for the gleaming fish. He picks it up
Then, suddenly, he darts downwards he goes back to a tree.
towards the water. Peck, peck.
He swoops and grabs the fish The buzzard soars away …
out of the ice-cold water.
By Corrine Grant and
He succeeds Aidan Baillie
and carries the fish
to his natural habitat.

By Rory Pryde and

Ryan Brown
 BAFTA win for RCVS’
Film Maker
At Bafta Scotland’s ‘New Talent
Awards 2009’ our Information and
Communication Officer Gordon
Mclean took home the Multimedia
Award for the ‘Mission1212’ film
project he co-created.
Gordon has worked for RCVS for
nearly six years, making promotional
films for local charities, voluntary or-
ganisations and companies.
He said, “It’s thanks to my work at RCVS
that I won the award. I’ve been a part of
RCVS for six years now and made count-
less promos for local groups and charities,
as well as filming events and training ses-
sions. The experience has been invaluable
and I’m incredibly grateful to RCVS for
taking a chance on me all those years ago
when I was just another wannabe film
maker.”
‘Mission1212’ was a series of six short
films created for 20th Century Fox to help
promote the European launch of ‘The Day
The Earth Stood Still’ remake. They were
broadcast online and told the story of a
rogue agent following a trail of clues
spread across Europe by a mysterious and
otherworldly source. ‘The Day the Earth
Stood Still’ was never directly mentioned
in the films but prizes were on offer to
those who spotted all the clues and cor-
rectly guessed.
Gordon adds, “Hopefully winning the
Scottish Bafta will open up all sorts of
new doors but I’m still working full time
for RCVS and plan to do so for as long as
they’ll have me. It’s a real privilege to be
able to work with the charities and volun-
tary organisations in the local area who
work so hard to make Renfrewshire a bet-
ter place. So until Hollywood comes call-
ing I’m very happy to be a part of RCVS.”
Janis McDonald, RCVS’ Chief Executive,
said, “RCVS has benefited from the con-
siderable communication and media talent
that Gordon has and we hope that whilst
he is with us we can provide an outlet for
his creativity that benefits the Third Sector
in Renfrewshire…..and beyond!”
Any local voluntary group or charity or-
ganisation can hire Gordon to carry out
filming for them. As RCVS is a regis-
tered charity this comes with the added
benefit of knowing any profits raised go
back into the local community.
For further information
please contact Gordon McLean at
RCVS on Tel: 0141 587 2487.
CASTLE SEMPLE
SAILING CLUB
SPECIAL REPORT
by
TRISTANIA CURRIE
tccurrie@binternet.com
The Castle Semple Sailing Club
started its 2009 season in grand style
with an Open Day on Sunday 19th
April. Conditions were ideal with
sun for the barbecue held in the club
compound and a stiff breeze for sail-
ing on Castle Semple Loch.
MEMBERSHIP
Castle Semple Sailing Club currently
has a membership of around 100
people of all ages who have a keen
interest in sailing for recreation or
competition. This number is set to
increase due to an improved club
structure; new members and those
who just fancy coming along for a
taster session are welcome. A cadet
division is currently being developed
to encourage young people to par-
ticipate in this sport. No previous
sailing experience is necessary as
beginners are supported via the
'buddy' system, nor do you have to
have your own boat. Club days are
Wednesdays and Sundays through-
out the season which runs from April
to October.
For more details contact Member-
ship Secretary Stephen Davison on
0141 561 9902 or email him at
stephendavison1@googlemail.com.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Members are kept busy on dry land
as well with a programme of club
events organised by Social Convener
Dawn Kyne. This year's programme
includes barbecues, the open day, a
24 hour charity race on 20th/21st
June and an end of season Ceilidh
and trophy presentation, which will
take place at Lochwinnoch Golf
Club.
ACCESS FOR ALL
Castle Semple Sailing Club has, for
several years, been able to bring the
enjoyment of sailing to individuals
with a variety of disabilities. This
has been the result of an ongoing
partnership between the club and
Options, an association which facili-
tates wheelchair users to participate
in a variety of sporting activities as a
part of their rehabilitation. Options
houses four specially designed
'Challenger' trimarans at the club;
these purpose-built craft allow sail-
ors who are wheelchair users to sail
single handed (or with an able-
bodied buddy). For more informa-
tion contact the Vice Commodore
Jon Hasler on 01505 503093.
FUNDRAISING
Castle Semple Sailing Club is cur-
rently working to raise funds for a
full upgrade of the clubhouse facili-
ties to enable full wheelchair access.
The main fundraising event of the
year will be the 24 hour charity race
where both able bodied sailors and
those with disabilities sail in teams
to complete this challenge.
This event will take place on
Castle Semple Loch from noon
on Saturday 20th June to noon
on Sunday 21st June.
Last year, the 24-hour race event
raised £2,250 - why not get in-
volved and support the 2009 24
Hour Race and help raise an even
greater sum this year !
Contact Commodore, Paul O'Neill,
on 0141 580 6884 for more informa-
tion on fundraising or other club-
related issues.

RSPB News
Mike Andrews
As some of you may know, Mike An-
drews, our Information Officer, has
now left Lochwinnoch to move on to
pastures new. He has left Scotland to
work in Yorkshire at RSPB Blacktoft
Sands reserve (a great reserve by the
way!). So today, this blog is dedicated
to him.
Mike came to us in October 2006 on a
three year contract. He quickly be-
came an integral part of the team, his
time, effort and enthusiasm for the job
and the reserve showing no bounds.
One of Mike's fortes was developing
activities, events and games for fami-
lies and young people visiting the re-
serve. Some examples include:
Wildlife Challenge:
Our monthly Wildlife Challenge has
proven to be a hit with children and
adults alike, the idea being to see as
many species as possible, with a
'challenge 8' set each month for which
stickers can be collected on our spe-
cial collectors card.
This activity now takes place at Vane
Farm and Mersehead reserve, one of
the first inter-reserve games of its
kind, and I should imagine Mike will
take it to the Yorkshire reserves as
well.
Young Volunteers Group:
Quite early on in his contract, Mike
and I were spending some time dis-
cussing the increasing numbers of
teenagers wanting to volunteer with us
here at the reserve. There were very
few activities that we ran especially
for that age group, so we began dis-
cussing setting up an RSPB Phoenix
group. However, a better idea came
up, and we now have our Young Vol-
unteers Group, who meet once a
month to help us out with reserve
tasks, planning events and RSPB cam-
paigns.
The group will certainly miss his time
and enthusiasm, but fingers crossed
the group will continue to prosper.
Mike's presence at the reserve will
certainly be missed. He became a
very recognisable face, was always
approachable and put in a great deal
of time to make sure our visitor cen-
tre was one of the best places to
come to see, learn about and dis-
cover wildlife.
Bon voyage and good luck!
From all at RSPB Lochwinnoch
Arts and Crafts for
Young Teens, Lochwinnoch
The Chameleon Club Art Classes are
for anyone aged 11+ who would like
to try some arts and crafts, e.g. plas-
ticine animations, ceramic money
banks, printed and folded origami
creations, mosaic frames/ boxes,
drawing and creating comics.
Classes run from 2-4pm at RSPB
Centre, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch
and are led by local artist Cáit
Gould. The cost is £10 per session,
all materials included. Contact Cáit
on 01505 842380 for more details.
Classes will continue to be held on
the last Saturday of each month,
except for July and December when
classes will be held on
Saturday 18th July and
Saturday 19th December ‘09.
RSPB
LOCHWINNOCH
For bookings and information,
Phone No: 01505 842663
or visit our webpage at:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/
guide/l/lochwinnoch/index.asp
RSPB Lochwinnoch Naure Reserve,
Largs Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF
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 Castle Semple
Sundays
Some interesting things
to do and see on a
Sunday at Castle Semple
Centre.
Do you want somewhere to go on
a Sunday afternoon, where you
can get a cuppa, and have some-
thing to see or do?
Then pop down to Castle Semple
Visitor Centre and see what is
happening there, buy some plants,
or find out about the crafts of
Scrapbooking or Felt-making.
Perhaps you would prefer to have
a nice massage, or maybe do
some research about alternative
energy with Reid Kerr College, or
just have a cuppa – it is up to you!
Here’s what’s on over the next few
weeks.
May 3rd - Plant Sale
May 10th - Scrapbooking with
Natalie Nienaber with her scrap-
booking techniques.
May 17th - Reid Kerr College –
Alternative energy information
May 24th - Fusion Fibres [felt] -
Susan McInnes demonstrating
how to make felt and its uses.
May 31st - Holistic Massage with
Jane McMeiken. Come and have
a relaxing holistic massage.
June 7th - Lochwinnoch Farmers
Market – a wide variety of stalls
with local produce.
June 14th - Scrapbooking - Nata-
lie Nienaber returns with more
scrapbooking demonstrations.
So get out of your house and
make your way to the Centre
where there will be something in-
teresting happening.
Semple Loch given a Spring Clean.
As part of the National Spring Clean delight of Amanda and Alex from the
campaign, Clyde Muirshiel Rangers States. The group also included Kath-
organized a clean up of the area leen, Jane, Josephine and Thomas
surrounding the Peel Tower and the from Johnstone High School who are
south shore of Castle Semple Loch. halfway through their Service to the
This meant traveling by powerboat Community for their Duke of Edin-
to the site, which the younger mem- burgh’s Bronze Award. Thanks also
bers of the group found exhilarating. go to Amanda’s son Tris, Jeff from
Ten members of the public signed Buckinghamshire and locals Kerry and
up from as far afield as Southern John. Several bags of rubbish, a
England and California. Local piper wheel and the remains of a garden
Greg Miller was on hand to pipe table were recovered by the end of a
some of the rubbish ashore to the brisk morning’s work!
Easter Bunnies found at Castle Semple
Children have fun hunting Easter Bunnies at Castle Semple.
A young visitor, Erin aged 7 from Alloa
made the draw and the winners were
Aaron from Paisley and Chloe from
Neilston who both won a soft toy
bunny and some mini-eggs. Emma
Doherty, aged 5, from Lochwinnoch,
won the Giant Easter Egg.
Over the Easter weekend, over 130
children were out on the hunt for
bunnies at Castle Semple Country
Park, in Lochwinnoch. There were
three categories which were indoors,
outdoors and around the Parkhill
Woods.
Each child who took part received a
small egg and the chance to win the
bigger prizes when they put their an-
swers into a prize draw.

First Clan flag-raising at Castle Semple
As part of the Homecoming Scotland
2009 celebrations, the first raising of
the Semple clan flag was carried out
at Castle Semple on Monday 6th April.
Local farmer Jim Semple was invited
to be the first Semple family member
to raise the flag at a small ceremony
under the gaze of his family, daughter
Moya Paton and brother-in-law Alec
Cranston, and some invited guests
including Councillor Davie Arthur.
Local piper Greg Miller played Scot-
land the Brave as the flag was
hoisted. Clyde Muirshiel Regional
Take the high road to
Muirshiel - spring is
here !
Skylarks are singing above the moors
and the Meadow Pipits are to be seen
almost everywhere searching for food
and nesting sites. This is a welcome
return of life to the silent winter hills.
Hen Harriers have once again been
spotted sky-dancing over the moors of
Muirshiel, in the hills above Lochwin-
noch. These magnificent birds of prey
return to nest in the moorlands and
over the past six years there have
been cameras on some of their nests.
Highlights of this footage can be
viewed in the Muirshiel Visitor Centre.
There has been some concern about
the state of the road up to Muirshiel
but over the last few weeks Ren-
frewshire Council have completed
some ditching work and pothole infill-
ing.
Park manager Charlie Woodward
presented Jim Semple with a framed
print of the Semple Estate Map of
1775, a copy of which can be seen
on the wall in the Visitor Centre. Jim
said, “ I am happy to be the first to
raise the family flag here.”
Any member of the Semple family
can now raise the flag to show that
they are visiting their ancestral
home, and all are invited to leave a
message in a special Semple family
visitors book during the Centre
opening hours from 10.00 until 17.00
hours daily throughout the summer.
The road is now much improved for
vehicles. It remains, of course, a
rural, single-track road and is not
smooth but this is a significant im-
provement.
As a result, we hope that visitors will
travel to Muirshiel again and enjoy
the walks, facilities, events and
sense of well-being that Muirshiel
provides.
There have also been some changes
to the scenery over the last few
years, as more of the invasive
Rhododendron Ponticum has been
removed from the country park.
This is being replaced and this
spring the Rangers have spent the
last few weeks planting out 1800
new native trees – Scots Pines,
Rowan, Birch, Oak, Hawthorn and
Hazel, with some help from conser-
vation volunteers and some students
from Johnstone High School.
Otter sightings at
Castle Semple Loch!
Recent visitors to Castle Semple
Country Park were lucky enough to
glimpse rarely seen otters. However
these particular otters were not swim-
ming in the loch or streams but in-
stead are part of a carving by Scottish
chain saw carver, Ian Chalmers. Ian
created the carving of otters, as Cas-
tle Semple Loch is home to some real
otters, but they tend to keep them-
selves well hidden from most people.
The sculpture has been added to the
picnic facilities at Blackditch Bay on
the shore of Castle Semple Loch, just
15 minutes stroll along the shoreline
from the Castle Semple Centre.
As part of an improvement project, the
picnic site has been enlarged and two
picnic tables added, as well as being
the site of a living willow structure and
the otter carving.
“We are delighted with the carving and
the willow structure” said Park Man-
ager, Charlie Woodward, “and would
like to thank all our funders for making
this possible. We are sure this will be
a much-appreciated addition to the
Park’s facilities.”
The work has been funded in part by
Waste Recycling Group Ltd through
the Landfill Communities Fund distrib-
uted by Waste Recycling Environ-
mental. Other funding was provided
by Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and
by local community group, Lochwin-
noch Millennium Events Group
(LMEG).
 News & Events at
RSPB, Muirshiel,
Cornalees & Castle
Semple Centres
• Thursday mornings - Slinky
Strollers - Morning walks, meet at
10.30am at Castle Semple Centre.
• Saturday 9th May - RSPB Art:
Create a sculpture for the reserve,
from 10am—12 noon. Session led
by local artist, Kate Lilley. Book in
advance.
• Sunday 10th May - Scrapbook-
ing Day at Castle Semple Centre. *
• Saturday 16th May - RSPB Art:
Create a sculpture for the reserve,
from 10am—12 noon. Session led
by local artist, Kate Lilley. Book in
advance.
• Saturday 16th May - Jim
Carruth Poetry Walk, starting at
1.45pm from Barnbrock Campsite.
Tel: 01505 842882 Ext 22 to book.
• Sunday 17th May - Alternative
Energy day Castle Semple Centre*
• Sunday 17th May - Kids Pond
Survey at Cornalees Centre, start-
ing at 1pm. Places are limited - to
book, Tel: 01475 521 458.
• Thursday 21st May - Coffee
morning at the RSPB Centre from
11am—1pm. Enjoy a hot drink, a
chat, the wonderful view and
wildlife of the reserve. £2 to cover
tea/coffee & biscuits.
• Saturday 23rd May - Muirshiel
Moorlands Walk. Second of six
Ranger-led walks. Starts 1pm,
from Muirshiel Centre (for 2 hrs).
• Sunday 24th May - Fantastic
Frogs: The Tadpoles. Outdoor
event to explore and find out more
about amphibians at the RSPB
Reserve from 11am—4pm.
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• Sunday 24th May - Fusion
Fibres day at Castle Semple Visi-
tor Centre.*
• Sunday 24th May - 50
Passages Walk in Parkhill
Woods. Starts from Castle
Semple Centre 2-4pm.
• Friday 29th - Sat. 30th May -
Moth and Bat Night from 8pm
till late and 10am-12noon on Sat-
urday at the RSPB Reserve.
Booking essential, FREE event.
• Saturday 30th May -
Chameleon Club workshop with
Cáit Gould, 2-4pm at the RSPB
Centre . *
• Saturday 30th May - Castle
Semple Rowing Club Regatta all
day at the Castle Semple Loch.
• Sat. 30th - Sunday 31st May
Optics Weekend from 10am -
4pm. An opportunity to buy
from a wide range of RSPB op-
tics, with free expert advice.
• Sunday 31st May—Holistic
Massage - Castle Semple Centre*
• Saturday 6th June - RSPB
Teenage Volunteers Group join
us from 11am-4pm and take part
in bird surveying, outdoor work ,
etc. Booking essential; Tel:
842663.
0141 950 1423 GLASGOW
01505 842176 AYRSHIRE
01786 820130 STIRLING
• Sunday 7th June -
Lochwinnoch Farmers Market,
from 11am, Castle Semple Centre.
• Sunday 7th June - Springwatch
Discovery Day, 11am-4pm.
Springwatch is here again, so we
will be hosting a day of free fun-
filled activities for all the family to
enjoy. Free event at RSPB Centre.
• Wednesday 10th June - Pound
and Pace Greenock Cut Walk, to
raise funds for St Vincent’s Hos-
pice. Pay £1, walk starts at 11am
prompt at Cornalees Centre.
* See inside back pages of Chatterbox for
further information on these activities.
VISITOR CENTRES
SUMMER OPENING HOURS
Castle Semple Centre Open daily,
10am-5pm. Tel: 01505 842882.
Cornalees Centre - Open every day
from 11 am-4pm (April to Oct ‘09.)
Toilets open daily. Tel: 01475 521458
Muirshiel Centre - Open every day
from 11am-4pm (April to Oct ‘09.)
Park and toilets open daily.
Tel: 01505 842803
RSPB Reserve - Reserve is open at
all times; Visitor Centre open daily,
10am-5pm. Tel: 01505 842663.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE INSTALLED
IN OVER ONE HUNDRED
LOCHWINNOCH HOUSEHOLDS.
Contact - PETER McGARVEY
Tel: 01505 614654