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© Chatterbox Copyright Y Ross 

CHATTERBOX 

No 194 February 2010 

www.lochwinnoch.info 

Community newsletter produced by lochwinnoch publicity committee for lochwinnoch cc 

See centre pages for village clubs, classes and events. 

See back pages for Visitor Centre/RSPB events & activities. 

Editorial & copy 

for Chatterbox 

Let us have your stories, notices, news, 

information, events & items of interest — 

either hand-deliver them to the Chatterbox 

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 

March 2010 Issue Is 

Tuesday 23rd February 

MATTHEW NEW & SONS 

ROOFING - ROUGHCASTING - BUILDING MAINTENANCE 

Emergency Repairs, Storm Damage 

Insurance Work, New Roofs, Flat Roofs 

Roughcasting –UPVC Cladding—Guttering 

Tel No 01505 843400 

FMB Certificate No 26366 

CHATTERBOX 

Chatterbox is produced and distributed 

on behalf of Lochwinnoch Community 

Council, with support and financial 

assistance from local sponsors and 

advertisers. 

The Editor welcomes all items for possible 

inclusion but will reserve all 

rights over them. All views are of individuals. 

The Editor accepts no liability 

for errors or statements and claims 

made in advertisements. 

ASIST 

Anti-Social 

Investigation Team 

Office 8:45am – 4:45pm 

Tel: 0141 840 2163 

The Big Freeze 

2009-2010 

This is the year of the whiteness. 

Snow and ice and frost cover the land 

in a relentless hardness. 

I am locked 

inside the beauty of this whiteness 

in oldness, 

frozen 

to arthritic limbs, 

brittled 

in coldness from the years. 

And in this year of whiteness 

our today 

disintegrates . . . 

The car won’t go 

the telephone is dead 

the heating fails 

the tap no longer yields its flow. 

I am alone 

and suddenly frail. 

But life is relentless; 

in my core 

its force 

ignites the dynamo - 

survive, 

do battle with the snow! 

I am become 

a sister 

to my ancestors 

I walk beside the ancients; 

I am the gatherer of wood 

the keeper of the fire 

the carrier of water. 

I am the one 

who lived high on the hill 

who faced out 

winter’s cruellest smile 

who walked once more 

into the spring ... 

Betty McKellar 

January 2010

DIRTY DAWGS 

Picture the scene... 

First day back at school after the 

summer break. All the children are 

heading up the hill, smartly turned 

out, their new shoes shining in the 

morning sun. Then..... SQUELCH!!! 

Right in a dog`s doo doo. 

The tears, the smell. They try to 

clean it off as best they can. But, as 

they sit in class, everyone can smell 

it. When they walk about class it 

rubs off on the floor. Horrible! 

Picture the scene..... 

A few days after the start of term, a 

child is off school. At the hospital, in 

fact. A badly infected cut, just a 

scratch at first, but becoming infected 

when they tried to clean the 

mess off their shoe. Or maybe a severely 

upset stomach because they 

sucked their thumb. All because 

someone let their dog “poop” on the 

pavement, then didn`t “scoop” afterwards. 

Every year, 100 people in the 

UK contract TOXOCARA CANIS 

(toxacariasis), a disease caught from 

dog faeces, especially by children, 

that can cause eye problems and 

blindness. 

Now, of course you, dear reader and 

dog owner, would never allow this 

to happen. But someone does! 

Nearly every week there is dog excrement 

on one of the pavements 

leading up to the school. Sometimes 

the children have to walk on the road 

to avoid it. Mothers with prams and 

buggies struggle to make sure they 

don`t get it on the wheels. Someone 

is causing the problem. 

If you are a dog owner, it is your 

duty to ensure that your animal does 

not foul on the pavement. You can 

be fined if you are caught. If you see 

anyone allowing their dog to foul the 

pavement, you can report it to the 

Dog warden service. So, come on, 

let`s keep our pavements clean and 

ensure that the children can walk to 

school without having to avoid those 

horrid little brown dollops! 

Lochwinnoch Primary Parent Council 

Councillor Bibby’s 

Report 

I am pleased that the improvement works 

around the McKillop Hall are due to start 

on 1st February. These works will include 

new benches, paving and other improvements. 

I know Lochwinnoch is a beautiful 

village and a great place to live. This 

project will help to make the centre of the 

village even more attractive. If you would 

like a copy of the plans please get in 

touch. 

I know the lack of gritting during the recent 

bad weather has caused some concern 

locally. I have been contacted about a 

number of different streets which people 

thought did not receive enough attention. 

One of the paths that caused particular 

concern was the one leading up to the 

Railway Station, which can be busy when 

people are walking to catch a train to work 

in the morning or coming home in the 

evening. Whilst main streets and pavements 

should be a priority for salting it is 

important that other areas are not forgotten 

about and I have contacted the Roads 

Department to let them know local views 

on this matter. 

A footpath not being forgotten about is the 

bottom part of the Johnshill where works 

to widen parts of it are due to start soon. 

I know from walking up and down Johnshill 

that there are very narrow sections of 

pavements here. 

There are also proposals to improve walking 

for pedestrians at the A760 near St 

Josephs. If you would like more information 

on either of these proposed works 

then please get in touch. 

Last month I attended the official launch 

of the ROAR Lunch Club at the McKillop 

Hall which was well attended by around 

30 older residents. It was great to meet so 

many older people from Lochwinnoch and 

the lunch was absolutely delicious. I have 

always felt a day time club for older residents 

in Lochwinnoch to be important but 

it could not happen without the help of the 

volunteers, the Elderly Forum and everyone 

else involved who have done a terrific 

job and I am sure will continue to do so. 

My next advice surgeries are on Saturday 

6th February and Saturday 6th March at 

9am in the McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch. 

You can also get in touch at any other 

time by calling Tel: 0141 840 3653 

or by emailing me at: 

cllr.neil.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Councillor Neil Bibby 

ROBERT RARITY 

FUNERAL SERVICES Ltd 

Garnock Valley 

Independent Funeral Service 

60 Main Street, Kilbirnie 

Family Owned, Family Run 

Now serving the whole of the 

Garnock Valley 

Bringing the independent 

choice back to the Valley 

The independent undertaker 

remains a family’s first choice, for 

a personal and more understanding 

service at your time of need. 

Why Pay To Cover Huge Overheads 

Independent Undertakers are up to 

20% less for Funeral Costs 

Tel: 01505 682 555 

60 Main Street, Kilbirnie 

E-mail: robert@robertrarity.com 

Website www.largsfuneraldirector.com 

24 hr Personal Service 

Help and Guidance 

With All Arrangements 

An Exhibition and Consultation took 

place on Thursday 29th October in the 

McKillop Institute, when draft designs 

of proposed external works to the 

grounds around the McKillop Institute 

were available for local people to view 

and comment on. 

Since then, plans have been finalised, 

the contract has been awarded to 

Landscape and Contracts and works to 

the outside areas at the McKillop Institute 

are due to start on site on Monday 

1st February 2010. Weather permitting, 

works should be complete by 

the end of April. 

Copies of the masterplan drawings are 

on public display in the entrance hall 

and in the Lounge inside the McKillop 

building. 

Please note - all classes held in the 

McKillop Institute are expected to run 

as normal.

Councillor Arthur’s 

Report 

I recently attended and thoroughly 

enjoyed the official opening of the 

Reaching Older Adults in Renfrewshire 

Lunch Club (ROAR) which is the 

lunch club that runs on a Thursday, on 

average feeds around 30 to 40 of our 

community and is staffed by local 

volunteers. 

My wholehearted thanks go to our 

volunteers, Grace Manders, Rita Parr, 

Betty Somerville, Eileen McDonald, 

Francis McPherson, Pat Morrison, 

Sandra Loney, Cathy O’Brien, Liz 

Ramsay and Liz Glen who not only 

dish out and serve the excellent meals 

but also do the washing up. 

The club is looking for more volunteers, 

therefore, if you would like to 

give a little of your time then please 

contact Rita Parr on 842054. 

If you wish to attend for your lunch 

then it is preferable that you book 

your meal with Rita prior to your attendance 

but, if this is not possible, 

then you must be in before 12 noon. A 

main meal, sweet, tea/coffee and biscuits 

costs £2. 

ROAR is a joint project involving five 

local voluntary organisations: Renfrewshire 

Council for Voluntary Services 

(RCVS), Volunteer Centre Renfrewshire, 

WRVS, Alzheimer's Scotland 

and Contact the Elderly. This 

project provides a range of other support 

services to older people such as 

transport service for appointments, 

for example, medical checkups, an 

individual befriending scheme and a 

phone contact initiative. The project is 

designed to help reduce isolation, improve 

health and wellbeing, increase 

self-confidence, provide social activity, 

maximise independence and improve 

the quality of life. These services are 

provided on the basis of an assessment 

made by Renfrewshire Council 

and Renfrewshire Community Health 

Partnership. For further information 

on these services phone 0141 889 7481 

or contact myself. 

I’m sure that most people are aware 

that I’m a great believer in community 

partnership working, therefore, I’m 

delighted that the partnership of the 

Lochwinnoch Millennium Events 

Group and Renfrewshire Council have 

got over a few hurdles and secured an 

improved walking surface for us pedestrians 

who walk the circular route 

around the Glenlora area. 

THINKING OF LETTING OUT YOUR PROPERTY? 

WHY NOT GIVE US A CALL? 

WITH COMPETITIVE RATES AND A FRIENDLY, 

PERSONAL SERVICE, LET AMG LETTING 

TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING FOR YOU. 

GIVE ANNETTE A CALL ON 01505 843589 

Our original plan was to create a new 

path just inside the St.Joseph’s entrance, 

across the edge of the field 

and exiting on to Auchenhain Road 

(commonly known as Glenlora 

Road) but, sadly, after satisfying all 

conditions the owners would not 

give us the go ahead. 

Plan B was to secure a curbed pavement, 

which has to be a standard 2 

metre width, to run alongside the 

road where we currently walk at present 

but this was not possible due to 

the road having to keep its current 

width which, in turn, meant that the 

space left between the road edge and 

the wall did not make the 2 metre 

requirements. 

It is plan C that will happen and this 

is to dig out the area between the 

edge of the road and the wall and 

surface this area with tarmac to the 

same level as the road. To warn drivers 

that pedestrians may be in the 

roadway, advance warning signs will 

be erected in both directions. 

Widening work will start shortly on 

two sections of pavement on the left 

hand side of the Johnshill from 

number 5 to just short of Parkhill 

Drive. This funding is coming from 

the Safer Streets budget. 

I had much pleasure in attending 

Lochwinnoch Art Group’s Art in the 

Park Exhibition in the Castle Semple 

Centre, which has a mixture of traditional 

and contemporary work. The 

group certainly has very talented 

members. The exhibition runs until 

Tuesday 9 th February. It’s well 

worth a visit. 

Our ground improvement works at 

the front and side of the McKillop 

should now be under way. Plans of 

the works are on display in the 

McKillop Hall. The contract has been 

awarded to Landscape and Contracts 

(L+C). Once on site, the contractors 

will introduce themselves to local 

traders and neighbours and, weather 

permitting, the works should be complete 

by the end of April. Any issues, 

then let me know as soon as possible. 

I am currently dealing with complaints 

of dog fouling on the pavements 

around the school. Please pass 

on any information that you may have 

with regards to the culprits. 

Description of dog and their owners is 

ideal for this purpose. 

My next Surgery is on Saturday 20th 

February but there is no need to wait 

for a Surgery if you require my help, 

you can contact me on 843507 or 

email me at - 

cllr.david.arthur@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

and we can agree a time when we can 

meet. 

Councillor David Arthur 

LOCHWINNOCH 

SURGERY NEWS 

All parents of children aged 5 and 

under should have received an invitation 

for them to have an H1N1 

Swine Flu Vaccination. The vaccine 

is supplied and administered in 

batches of 10 doses and we are now 

coming to the end of the programme. 

Any parents wishing to 

have their child vaccinated should 

get in touch with the surgery before 

12 th February 2010. 

Surgery Tel: 01505 842200

ELLISTON GRILL 

NOW OPEN FROM 10AM SERVING TEA & COFFEE 

Have you tried the fabulous Elliston Grill ? 

WINTER WARMER MENU 

2 Courses from our à la carte menu £17.50 or 3 Courses £21.50 

including a small glass of wine 

(supplement applies to Scallops, Steaks and Venison) 

and this offer must be mentioned when making the 

reservation as tables are limited on this offer. 

VALENTINE’S DAY MENU (early evening) ‐ 4 Courses £17.50 

or Dinner £25.50 

MOTHER’S DAY 14th March ‐ 3 Courses or Dinner £15.95 

Fabulous Home Cooking, Suitable For All Occasions. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: 

www.ellistongrill.com or CALL ON: 01505 703020. 

ST VINCENT’S 

HOSPICE 

UNWANTED GIFTS 

Do you have any unwanted Christmas 

gifts such as toiletries, bottles, books, 

DVD’s, clothes, etc? St Vincent’s Hospice 

can make good use of all these unwanted 

gifts through raffle and tombola 

prizes. You can either drop them into 

reception at the Hospice in Midton Road , 

Howwood or give us a call on 01505 

705635. Thank you. 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 

Valentine’s Dinner Disco Show your 

“Love” of St Vincent ’s Hospice by enjoying 

a Valentine’s evening on Friday 

12th February at Bowfield Hotel & 

Country Club, which includes a 3 course 

dinner and disco. Tickets are available 

from the Fundraising Team (details below) 

and at the Bowfield Hotel. 

The Kilbarchan Singers will hold a 

concert on Saturday 20th February at 

7.30pm in the Wynd Centre, Paisley in aid 

of St Vincent ’s Hospice, with the theme 

‘Around the World in 80 Minutes.’ 

Members of the vocal octet Dieci will 

perform a whistle stop tour of anthems 

and songs from across the world, including 

music from France , Italy , Norway , 

American and Africa ! 

Tickets are available from St Vincent ’s 

Hospice (details below) or from the 

Kilbarchan Singers on 0141 580 6292 or 

email singers@kilbarchansingers.org 

Women’s 10k 

Calling all women!! This year’s Women’s 

10k is taking place on Sunday 9 th May. 

If anyone would like to raise funds for St 

Vincent’s Hospice please contact either 

Lorraine or Ashley in the Fundraising 

department (details below). 

Use the links below to keep up-to-date 

with hospice events. 

www.bebo.com/StVincentsHospice 

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= 

124230589015, and 

twitter.com/StVincentsHosp 

or 

Contact: Ashley Moran and 

Lorraine Valentine at St Vincent’s 

on Tel: 01505 705635 or e-mail: 

Ashley.moran@svh.co.uk 

Valentine’s 

Gala Ceilidh 

The Gala Day Committee are 

holding their annual 

Valentines Gala Ceilidh 

on Saturday 20th.February 

at 8.00pm (doors open 7.30pm ) 

in the McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch 

The tickets are still great value at 

£8.50 and include a light supper. 

There is a bar and, as usual, the 

Raffle which includes some fantastic 

prizes ! 

The band is, as always, ‘The last 

Tram tae Auchenshuggle’ . 

Tickets are now available from 

The Junction, The Corner Bar, The 

Brown Bull and Crafts of Calder 

Gallery. 

will be held on 

Saturday 12th June 2010. 

This year, the theme for the Gala is 

'SPACE'. So, if there are any Star 

Trek fans, Dr.Who fans etc., we want 

to hear from you. This is your chance 

to get involved in this fantastic day. 

We have one or two new events again 

this year. 

As Gala Day grows, we are finding that 

we need extra volunteers to assist on 

the day. It is a great community event 

which deserves the support of the 

community. So if you can help us in 

any way, even for an hour or two, it 

would really be appreciated very 

much. 

Please leave your name and contact 

details at Crafts of Calder Gallery,8 

High Street. Someone will then be in 

touch with you. ' Trekkies' and 

'Dr.Who' followers may leave their 

details at the Gallery too. 

IMPROVING WITH AGE 

Keep Fit Class 

HELP! HELP! HELP! 

Classes are held every Tuesday from 

10am-11am at Lochwinnoch Annex in 

the Park. A fully qualified instructor 

is in attendance and classes are for 

males and females so, don’t be shy, 

come and join us. For further 

details, Tel: 01505 843393.

TEENAGE CANCER 

TRUST NEWS 

The Teenage Cancer Trust unit in the 

Royal Hospital for Sick Children 

(Yorkhill) was officially opened on 

Tuesday 19th January 2010. 

Half of the £700,000 for the new unit was 

raised as a result of a mammoth £350,000 

fundraising campaign by Teenage Cancer 

Trust West of Scotland Action Group. 

Former Rangers star, Arthur Newman, cut 

the ribbon to open the new ward. He is 

pictured here with relatives of cancer victims, 

including Russell Boyd, whose 

brother Allister (featured in May 2009 

issue of Chatterbox) raised a staggering 

£130,000 for TCT despite battling a brain 

tumour and Sarah Delaney, whose brother 

Andrew lost his fight against cancer in 

November 2003, aged 15. As Chatterbox 

readers will know, Andrew’s father John, 

his family, friends and many fund-raisers 

(too numerous to mention here!) have 

worked tirelessly to raise funds for this 

new unit and they are to be congratulated 

on this fantastic achievement. 

Prior to the opening of the new unit, teenagers 

would have to choose between having 

treatment at Yorkhill with childen in 

the Schiehallion cancer ward, or the Beatson 

with adults. 

The new unit has six beds for 13-16 year 

olds, plus social areas, a kitchen, lounge 

and TV as well as games consoles. This 

unit is similar to the one at Beatson West 

of Scotland Cancer Centre, which cares 

for 17-24 year olds and makes Glasgow 

the first place in Scotland to offer specialised 

cancer care for ALL teenagers. 

STOP PRESS - John Delaney would like 

to thank everyone who has supported the 

TCT fundraising efforts over the period of 

this campaign. As recently as last week, 

John received a further £272 from individuals 

and groups in Lochwinnoch, 

which was very pleasing and really inspires 

him to keep going. 

UPDATE on the Brown Bull 

TCT AUCTION & RAFFLE 

which raised the grand total of 

£4,530.60. 

A terrific result. 

Thanks to all who contributed. 

Lochwinnoch 

Historical Society 

At the January evening, Murray and Joy 

Blair gave an interesting powerpoint talk 

on the subject of washing greens. Much 

of which was remembered by those of 

us over a certain age, especially the 

soaps, washboards, boilers etc. Well, I 

might have seen my mother using them! 

Our guest speaker at the February meeting 

is Ian McCrorie with a talk "Paisley 

High Street". This will be held on 

Thursday 25th February, at 7.30pm in 

the Parish Church Guild Room. 

Visitors and new members welcome. An 

evening visit is £2 and includes 

tea/coffee/cake and biscuits. 

Contact: Gordon Nicholl Tel 842632 

www.weansworldjohnstone.co.uk 

NEW NURSERY NOW OPEN 

FORMERLY ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH 

2A HALHILL ROAD SPATESTON 

(EASY ACCESS FROM BEITH ROAD) 

LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE 

For more information or to arrange a visit 

please contact Vicky Gormley on Tel: 01505 702533 

Out of school care places available - 43 Brewery Street, Johnstone. 

Breakfast club/ After school care/ Holiday playscheme 

Bookings now being taken for holiday playscheme and new term. 

Tel: 01505 321916 

Elderly Forum 

At the time of writing we look forward 

to our January meeting when we will 

have a talk from Ann Gibson, stroke 

nurse. 

The next meeting will be on Thursday 

25th February at 1.30pm in the McKillop, 

following the lunch club. 

Our speaker on that date is Sophie 

Bell, community liaison officer from 

the Energy Saving Scotland Advice 

Centre. She will be telling us about 

the energy saving package that they 

offer. 

Our popular Tbar is up and running 

again after the Christmas break. Tea, 

coffee and biscuits for 50p! 

The ROAR lunch club had its official 

opening on Thursday 21st January. 

This event was attended by a number 

of council officials including Councillors 

David Arthur and Neil Bibby. 

The lunch club is every Thursday at 

11.45am and a bargain at £2 for 2 

courses followed by tea or coffee and 

biscuits. 

We are looking for volunteers to help 

at this, from 11am - 1pm on Thursdays. 

If you would like to help please 

phone Reta 842054. 

Contact - Gordon Nicholl: 842632


International Aid 

www.lochwinnochaid.org.uk 

Annual General Meeting 

The recent Annual General Meeting of 

LIA discussed reviews of its spending 

record, projects we might support on a 

longer term basis and future fund raising 

plans. 

Heather Gray then gave an illustrated 

talk on her recent trip to Nepal where 

she visited orphanages supported by 

Community Action Nepal. A recent 

contribution from LIA has helped to 

improve the very basic facilities in the 

schools attached to these orphanages. 

Thanks to staff in Lochwinnoch Library 

for allowing us to use their accommodation. 

An important achievement is the renewal 

of Lochwinnoch's Fairtrade 

status, which shows the village's continuing 

commitment to support Fairtrade 

producers and farmers in improving 

their incomes and their community 

facilities. 

Final plans were also made for Fairtrade 

Fortnight: the Big Swap. 

This is our annual awareness-raising 

campaign, between - 

22 February and 8 March 2010, 

when we hope Lochwinnoch folk will 

swap their usual stuff for Fairtrade 

stuff. A varied programme of local 

events has been organised to which 

everyone is invited. 

Fairtrade 

Fortnight 2010 

Fairtrade events in Lochwinnoch 

We start with a Coffee Morning at 

The Junction, on the morning of 

Wednesday 24 February from 9 until 

noon, offering the range of Fairtrade 

drinks served there (50p from each 

hot drink sale will go towards the cost 

of producing a new mug to promote 

Fairtrade). 

Another Coffee Morning will be held 

at the RSPB on 25 February, from 

11- 1pm: a chance to try some of the 

range of Fairtrade drinks and snacks 

that are sold there. Tickets are £2 and 

are on sale in advance. 

On 3rd March, from 10am -12 noon in 

the Junction, Ivan Minucci is offering 

a free coffee tasting event : a great 

chance to learn more about the aroma 

and taste of the distinctive Fairtrade 

single origin coffees he sells. There 

are only 10 places for this free event 

so advanced booking is required by 

ringing 01505-842225 or by calling 

into the caffè. Ivan hopes to have 

extra coffee available to taste by other 

customers, who are in the Junction 

during that morning, in addition to 

spare tasting notes. 

Last year, a lively audience loved the 

group Quinteto Son al Son who 

played son, a 1920’s style of music 

still played in café’s and bars across 

Cuba. See below for more details of 

this year’s event. 

Cucina Minucci 

at The Junction 

Licensed Caffè 

2 – 4 High Street, 

Lochwinnoch, PA12 4DA. 

Tel: 01505 842 225 

Breakfast 

Lunch 

Jo’s Baking 

Large range of organic 

and wholefoods 

If we don’t have it, 

we can source it!! 

EAT IN or TAKE AWAY 

www.cucinaminucci.co.uk 

Ivan and Joanna Minucci 

and the team 

Finally, on Sunday 7th March, 

starting at 11am, there will be a 

Fairtrade stall at the Castle Semple 

Centre where you will be able 

to buy a wide range of Fairtrade 

products, try some samples and 

find out more about our campaign. 

We are pleased to report that the 

Centre will be swapping its coffee 

to Fairtrade coffee/tea in the cafe 

for Fairtrade Fortnight and also 

selling other Fairtrade food products. 

Fairtrade activities are also 

planned involving two classes in 

the Primary School and members 

of the Elderly Form. 

Lochwinnoch International Aid are pleased to announce the return of the 'Son al Son' Cuban 

music band. They're coming to Lochwinnoch Bowling Club on Friday 26th February. 

The music they play is traditional Cuban music, (in the salsa style but a bit slower and easier 

to join in with). It's guaranteed to get your feet tapping and out of your seat in no time. 

They were great last time they were here and we had a full house! 

Doors open at 7.30pm and music will start at 8 pm. Tickets are £7 (reductions for children 

will be made at the door) and can be bought from the usual helpful outlets, the Paper Shop, 

the Junction and the Brown Bull, or Tel: 843099. 

We'll be having a special raffle this time with lots of good prizes; all the profits from the 

evening will be donated to Médecins Sans Frontières to support its medical work in Haiti. 

You can check out Son al Son's profile and hear music samples on freakmusic.co.uk

Roses are red Violets are blue 

Choose a Valentine From Colin and Sue 

We have hundreds - fun, classy, humorous, sentimental, cute and irreverent 

plus lots of gift ideas to delight your darling (including lots of fair-trade items). 

And if you can’t decide, we do gift vouchers. 

Gifts Cards Jewellery Leather Home 

8 Church Street Lochwinnoch 01505 843311 

Open 9-5 Monday-Saturday and 11-4 on Valentine’s Day (Sunday Feb 14) 

Events in Paisley 

Several Fairtrade Fortnight events in 

Paisley are open to everyone. 

On 17th February, there is a Fairtrade 

Tea Dance at Paisley Town 

Hall from 1 - 3.30pm. 

Tickets for this cost £1.50 each and 

are available from the box Office at 

Paisley Art Centre on 0141 887 1010. 

Two events are being held on Saturday 

February 27th. 

The first is a Community Tea Party 

in the Alexander Wilson Suite of 

Paisley Town Hall from 10am – 1pm, 

when free Fairtrade tea, coffee and 

biscuits will be available. 

This is a chance to hear more about 

Fairtrade and speak to those who 

have co-ordinated successful local 

campaigns in Renfrewshire. 

The second event is a UWS Fairtrade 

5-a-side Football Tournament 

hosted by the Students' Association 

University of the West of Scotland 

(Paisley Campus). They are 

looking for teams across Renfrewshire 

to compete. 

Entry is £2 per person (money raised 

going to Fairtrade Foundation). 

The tournament kicks off at 10.30am 

and runs until 2.30pm at Thornly Park 

Sports Centre. Fairtrade refreshments 

will be provided. 

If you are interested in putting forward 

a team, please contact Paul 

Brennan, 0141 840 3530. 

Finding out more about 

Fairtrade 

Throughout Fairtrade Fortnight, commencing 

22 nd February, the Castle 

Semple Centre will host an exhibition 

illustrating some aspects of the 

Fairtrade Campaign's aims and its 

local activities. 

An Information stand will also be at 

Braehead shopping centre, on 22nd 

February, between 10am and 9pm. 

Information about where to get Fairtrade 

products when you are out 

shopping and eating, will be found in 

Renfrewshire Council's new Fairtrade 

Guide to Renfrewshire : available 

in various venues and outlets in 

Lochwinnoch during Fairtrade Fortnight. 

Another good source of information 

about Fairtrade, including films 

about its importance is the Fairtrade 

Foundation website at: 

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ 

The local contact is Bob Turner 

Tel: 01505 843068. 

Products 

and 

Places 

FAIRTRADE 

More than 2,000 products in the 

UK, from over 58 developing countries, 

now carry the Fairtrade Mark. 

Here’s a sample. 

Beauty Products - from Burkina 

Faso, Ghana, Peru, Dominican Republic 

and Malawi 

Flowers - from Kenya 

Bananas - from the West Indies, 

Dominican Republic & Columbia 

Footballs - from Pakistan 

Coffee - from Ethiopia, Tanzania, 

Uganda, Costa Rica, Guatemala 

Sugar - from Malawi and Paraguay 

Chocolate & Cocoa - from the 

Ivory Coast, Ghana, Belize and the 

Dominican Republic 

Wine - from Chile 

Tea - from Sri Lanka, Uganda and 

India 

Cotton - from India 

Citrus Fruits, Grapes and Dried 

Fruits - from South Africa and 

Pakistan 

Honey - from Nicaragua 

Pineapples - from Costa Rica and 

Ghana. 

These items are now so widely 

available, it’s easy to make the 

switch to Fairtrade products. 

Think Global - Act Local * 

* Sir Patrick Geddes 1854-1932, Ballater Scotland 

Early pioneer of sustainable development 

SPECIAL OFFERS ON MEAT EVERY WEEK 

SCOTTISH FREE RANGE CHICKENS - NOW IN ! 

DISCOUNTED MEAT PACKS - AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS SIZES 

SEASONAL GAME - PARTRIDGE, PHEASANT, WILD RABBIT 

AND VENISON AVAILABLE NOW ! 

Beat the credit crunch, Shop Local and visit us at: 

39 High Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AB Tel: 01505 844941 

or e-mail your order to us at: sean@heritagemeat.co.uk

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. 

SPECIAL OFFER—10% DISCOUNT ON SHOPPING 

FOR THE WHOLE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 

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 Road, 

Kilbirnie, KA25 7LQ 

Just opposite the Golf Course on the Largs Road. 

Mystery Plays 

I hope most of the village have heard 

about the Mystery Play to be performed 

on Sunday 28 th March around the village. 

Equally, you may be asking, “What is a 

Mystery Play?” Mystery Plays are one of 

the earliest forms of drama, developed in 

medieval Europe and reaching their height 

of popularity in the 15th century. The 

plays originated as simple sketches of 

biblical texts. Early performances were 

given in Latin and were preceded by a 

vernacular prologue spoken by a herald 

who gave a synopsis of the events. 

In time, productions moved from the 

church to the churchyard and the public 

market place. Sadly in 1210 Pope Innocent 

III banned the clergy from acting in 

public and the production was taken over 

by town guilds. Needless to say, changes 

ensued: vernacular texts replaced Latin; 

non-Biblical passages were added along 

with comic scenes; not least, the acting 

and characterisation became more elaborate. 

From the guild control originated the 

term mystery play or mysteries, from the 

Latin “misterium” meaning “occupation” 

(i.e. that of the guilds). 

The mystery play developed, in some 

places, into a series of plays dealing 

Antique Valentine Cards 

It was in 1797 that a British publisher was reputed to be the forerunner 

of the Valentine card. He issued The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which 

contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable 

to compose his own. Valentine cards as we know them today are 

really a Victorian invention, appearing around the mid 1800’s. Historically 

they can take two forms. Either they are handcrafted by or for the donor or 

they are commercially produced and later embellished with a personal 

message. 

The earliest Valentine cards were produced in Germany and England, 

with Germany quickly capturing the American market with countless examples, 

ranging in size from 2 inches to cards which exceeded 14 inches in 

height and width. 

The Victorians preference for elaborate romantic motifs and florid patterns 

meant that many cards were made in a three dimensional design, often 

incorporating hearts, songbirds, flowers, frills and lacy borders. 

Postcard manufacturers also produced Valentine cards within their general 

and seasonal greeting card ranges such as birthdays, weddings, condolence, 

Christmas, Easter and the like. This was particularly true of the appropriately 

named Dundee firm of Valentine and sons, in business from the late 

19 th century until the 1960’s. 

Victorian valentines are usually quite fragile and it is important to collectors 

that cards remain complete, unfaded and unfolded. Some were conceived 

as ‘pop up cards’ and are especially prone to being creased or torn. 

As paper objects their values are low enough for collectors to be pretty 

choosy. A top tip when looking for antique valentine cards is to remember 

to examine old scrap books. Victorians liked to attach their cards here as a 

form of remembrance. 

At the Stirrup Cup we have a wide range of vintage collectables and 

jewellery for your partner. And to help you choose we are offering a 10% 

discount for not only Valentine’s Day,on the 14 th but for the entire month 

of February. 

with all the major events in the Christian 

calendar, from the Creation to the Day 

of Judgment. By the end of the 15th 

century, the practice of acting these 

plays in cycles on festival days was established 

in several parts of Europe. 

Sometimes, each play was performed on 

a decorated cart called a pageant that 

moved about the city to allow different 

crowds to watch each play. The entire 

cycle could take up to twenty hours to 

perform and could be spread over a 

number of days. In Britain, after the 

Reformation and the establishment of 

the Church of England in 1534, the 

plays were banned. 

Modern revivals 

The Mystery Plays were revived in both 

York and Chester in 1951 as part of the 

Festival of Britain. The Lichfield Mysteries 

were revived in 1994 and more 

recently in 2001, an African version of 

the Chester plays was performed in London. 

Passion Plays are also a shortened, 

modern equivalent of the Mediaeval 

Mystery Play. While, the most famous is 

that portrayed in Oberammergau, there 

are various versions around the world, 

including the Glasgow Passion Play. 

However, while it takes immense resources 

to create even a short Passion 

Play, a modern version of a Mystery Play, 

without a crucifixion scene is much easier 

to produce. Following in this tradition the 

Writers’ Group in Lochwinnoch have 

written a Mystery Play especially for the 

village. Again, following the tradition of 

the involvement of the different town 

guilds, the play will involve many different 

groups from the community. 

Given the inclemency of our weather, the 

Lochwinnoch Mystery Play will centre on 

the story of Noah and the flood. Therefore 

we encourage everyone to come dressed 

for the rain! Not only that, Calder Crafts 

are offering a beautiful prize for the best 

dressed umbrella, so put those thinking 

caps on and dress up the umbrellas and 

see if we can make a colourful splash 

(sorry) in the village. 

Everyone is welcome to come along and 

watch the play at 2 o’clock on the afternoon 

of Sunday 28 th March. Children are 

invited to come dressed as animals, as that 

is the only way to guarantee entry to the 

ark! For the rest of us, there will be buckets 

accepting donations towards the cost 

of the production. If you would like to be 

involved, please contact Rev Christine by 

email: rev.christine@btinternet.com 

Many thanks.

From the 

Parish Church 

Oh sit down, 

sit down next to me. 

Sit down, down, down, down, 

down in sympathy. 

Tim Booth 

Perhaps the most important part of a minister’s 

life, outwith leading Sunday worship, 

is sitting down with people who are 

finding life hard for a variety of reasons: 

bereavement; loss of a job; end of a relationship 

or one of the other events of life 

that cause us to derail for a short while. 

One of the things you quickly learn is that 

the majority of people have the resources 

to help themselves within their own psyche. 

That is not to say that people don’t 

appreciate the companionship of others 

through life’s crises; we all appreciate 

those who stop and sit down with us. 

As a child, my mother used to remind me 

frequently of the old adage, “A friend in 

need is a friend indeed.” The warning was 

clear, as she used to accompany this proverb 

with the tale of the prodigal son. This 

is the young man in the Bible who demands 

his share of his inheritance before 

his father is dead. He goes off and lives a 

play boy lifestyle, surrounded by friends 

and companions until the money runs out. 

Yet in my experience, when life is hard, 

friends don’t disappear. In fact it is often 

in times of crises that we discover that 

those we thought of as mere acquaintances 

are in reality very special friends. People 

are prepared to sit with one another in 

times of need and that is something I have 

witnessed on many an occasion in this 

village. 

As some of you know, at the time of writing, 

I am not undertaking my pastoral 

duties within the village. Having had minor 

surgery, I am under doctor’s orders to 

take things easy for a few weeks (honestly 

Dr Waterston, there is no physical effort 

involved in writing an article for the Chatterbox)! 

Being “on the sick” is not something 

I had much of experience of, until 

the summer of 2008. During that time and 

this, the Parish Church Manse family have 

been overwhelmed by the number of 

friends we have in this village; people 

who are prepared to sit down next to us; 

people who drop in to make sure we are 

ok; people who drop us an email offering 

to pick up shopping; people who have 

walked Iain to and from school. 

I remember when a student, being given 

the advice that I had to learn who in a 

congregation could minister to the minister. 

In other words, who are the people 

who will listen when the minister needs to 

talk. When you find out who these people 

are, you very rarely need to speak to 

them, as just knowing they are there is 

enough to give a minister the strength 

they need to minister to others. Being 

an independent person, I also have a 

need to know that I can stand on my 

own two feet. However, I have a secret 

to share – I can only stand on my own 

two feet, knowing there is a host of people 

around me, willing to share the burden, 

if and when I need to set it down 

for a while. 

In the past few weeks I have had to do 

just that. One sin that many ministers 

are guilty of is a belief that we are indispensible. 

Believe me when I tell you 

that it is good for the soul to know that 

village life carries on regardless of 

whether I am in the pulpit on a Sunday 

or not! Yet more than that, in the past 

few weeks, we have been reminded of 

the goodwill in this village to all villagers 

– incomers or not. In our community 

there is a desire to support one another; 

a desire to sit down with each other; 

there is genuine care for all who are 

suffering. Without thinking too hard, I 

know of several families who just want 

to put the past 12 months behind them; I 

also know they are glad they live in 

Lochwinnoch, because for all life has 

been unduly and unbearably hard for 

them, people have sat down with them; 

in this village they have found the love 

and support they need to face each new 

day. 

On their behalf, thank you; on behalf of 

my family, thank you, for all you do and 

continue to do for all people in need in 

our community. Please never underestimate 

the importance of sitting down and 

spending time with a friend, even a new 

friend, you just never know what burdens 

you are helping other people carry. 

God bless you and thank you. 

Yours 

Rev. Christine Murdoch 

BEAT THE BLUES 

Have a blast at the 

Blitz Ball ! 

Lochwinnoch Choral Society is running 

a Blitz Ball on 

Saturday 13th February 

from 8pm till late at the 

McKillop Institute, Lochwinnoch. 

Dance the night away to a 17-piece 

swing band. Dress up in wartime 

costume. Eat spam sandwiches to the 

sound of Glen Miller. 

Look out for posters - get your tickets 

early to avoid disappointment. 

Beith Arts Guild 

Sunday Concerts 

Sunday 21st February 

at 2.30 pm 

in Beith Community Centre, 

King`s Road, Beith 

Featured at this concert will be the Scottish 

Reed Trio - a combination of oboe, 

clarinet and bassoon. The three instrumentalists 

are old friends from the time 

when they were students at the RSAMD. 

Since then they have all worked as orchestral 

musicians with major U.K. orchestras, 

and as music educators. Eighteen months 

ago, in 2008, they combined to form the 

Scottish Reed Trio, and have since performed 

in many venues across Scotland. 

They include in their programmes music 

from Mozart to Scott Joplin. This concert 

promises to be another success in this season`s 

outstanding series. 

All are welcome to attend. Prices are 

adults £8, concessions £6 children £1, 

all payable at the door. During the interval 

you can, for a small donation, 

have a cup of tea and a biscuit, and chat 

to your neighbours. Check future concerts 

on our website: www.beitharts.org

What’s On 

(Regular clubs, 

classes and local 

groups) 

�� Healing and Creativity Workshops 

& Classes. For details 

or to book a place, please Tel 

Becky: 0141 8816700 or Libby on: 

015105 842604. 

�� Lochwinnoch Community 

Walks - Mondays (ex. Public 

Holidays), meet at 10.30 am at 

The McKillop Inst. 

�� Lochwinnoch Playgroup - For 

under 5’s, every Monday, Tuesday 

and Wednesday from 9.30- 

11.30am at the McKillop Institute. 

�� Lochwinnoch Toddlers - Mondays 

and Wednesdays from 9.30 - 

11.30am, McKillop Institute. 

�� Lochwinnoch Gymnastics 

Club - For primary school-age 

children every Monday, 5-8pm at 

the Annexe. Phone Coby for details 

on: 0772 9051615. 

�� Lochwinnoch Writers 

Group—Monday mornings from 

9.30-11.30am in the Library. 

�� Advice Works - Surgeries take 

place on MONDAYS from 2pm- 

4.30pm at the Library. * 

�� Morag’s Keep Fit - Mondays 

and Thursdays from 7pm, in the 

McKillop Institute. 

�� Lochwinnoch Choral Society. 

Rehearsals on Monday evenings, 

Parish Church/ Hall. Juniors 7- 

7.30pm, Intermediates 7.30- 

8.30pm and Seniors from 8pm. 

�� Club Latino - weekly Merengue, 

Salsa and Mambo classes for 

adults on Monday evenings at 

Lochwinnoch Bowling Club from 

8.30-9.30pm. Details from Hazel 

on: 07812 023343. 

�� Lochwinnoch Art Group 

Meet fortnightly on Monday evenings, 

7.30pm, McKillop Inst. * 

�� Keep Fit - Improving With 

Age classes, every Tuesday from 

10am-11am at the Annexe building 

in the Park. (See separate notice.) 

�� Drop-in T Bar - Lochwinnoch 

Elderly Forum. Every Tuesday 

and Thursday from 10am-1pm, 

McKillop Inst. For details, Tel 

Reta: 01505 842054.* 

�� Baby and Toddler Rhymetime 

- every Tuesday at 2.15pm 

at Lochwinnoch Library. * 

�� Linda Margaret School of 

Dancing - Tuesdays from 4pm- 

8.45pm, McKillop Institute. For 

details, Tel: 0141 581 9104. 

�� TaeKwon-Do Fitness and Selfdefence 

classes for youths and 

adults. Tuesdays from 5-6pm, 

McKillop Institute. For details 

Tel: 01259 210716. 

�� Lochwinnoch Scottish 

Country Dance Club Every 

Tuesday, from 7.30-9.30pm, 

McKillop Inst. 

�� Jogging Buddies - Wednesday 

evenings. Meet at McKillop 

Inst. at 6.30pm. For details, Tel: 

0141 887 1357 or 07947 763704. 

�� Girls Brigade - 1st Lochwinnoch 

Company Wednesday 

evenings from 6pm-9.15pm at 

the Parish Church Hall for various 

age groups. 

�� Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys 

and Junior Sections meet on 

Tuesday nights and Company 

Section on Friday evenings, 

Parish Church Hall. 

�� Yoga Classes - Wednesday 

evenings: at 6pm and 7.30pm, 

McKillop Inst. Yoga, breathing 

practice, intro. to meditation. 

Tel Mary: 01505 842877. 

�� Happy Harminis - Fun for pre 

-school children on Thursdays 

10am-11am, McKillop Inst. Tel: 

Frankie : 01505 612248. 

�� Slinky Strollers - on Thursday 

mornings (details on back page). 

�� ROAR Lunch Club - every 

Thursday from 11.45am at the 

McKillop Institute. Please 

Note - the last sitting is at 12.15 

�� TaeKwon-Do Little Tiger 

Cubs. Classes for 3-5 year olds, 

on Thursdays from 4.15pm-5pm 

at McKillop Inst. Tel: 01259 

210716 for details. 

�� Calder Drama Club— 

Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm 

McKillop Institute. 

�� Scottish Slimmers - Thursdays, 

7/7.30pm, McKillop Inst. 

�� Lochwinnoch Pre-School 

Gymnastics ( for children from 

18 mths to 5 yrs). Fridays, from 

10.15am - 1.45pm at the Annexe. 

Further details from Coby on 

Tel: 0772 9051615. 

Personal Service & 

Quality Guaranteed 

New Memorials 

Additional Inscriptions 

Cleaning & Renovations 

42 MAIN STREET, 

KILBIRNIE 

Q 

J Quinn & son 

Memorials 

Please Call 01505 685 455 

Monday & Friday 10am-5pm, 

Tuesday-Thursday 10am–2pm 

Saturday 10am - 1pm 

DogTraining at The Annexe 

(Pre-booking necessary) 

Mondays 9.30am - Advanced/Intermediate 

Mondays 10.30am - Juvenile/Intermediate 

Tuesdays 6.30pm - Puppy Course 

(8 week blocks) 

Tuesdays 7.30pm - Juvenile/Intermediate 

Tuesdays 8.30pm - Advanced/Intermediate 

Thursdays 6.30pm - Puppy Course 

(8 week blocks) 

Thursdays 7.30pm - Juvenile/Intermediate 

Thursdays 8.30pm - Advance/Intermediate 

Please phone/email for further information, 

to book a place or for information on 

outdoor classes. 

Anne D Moss MSc (CABC), PGCE, MBIPDT 

Liathach Dog Training & 

Behavioural Counselling 

Tel: 01505 842367 

e-mail: dogtraining@f2s.com 

VILLAGE EVENT 

CALENDAR for 2010 

Lochwinnoch Post Office has a wallmounted 

calendar, where members of 

the public can enter details of forthcoming 

events. 

Please use this calendar to publicise 

your events and to avoid any clashes 

when planning dates to hold events.

Dates for 

your diaries 

�� Saturday 6th February — 

Krafty Kids class 10am-11.30am 

at Space Rooms, McKillop Inst. 

Tel Katharine on: 01505 844944. 

�� Saturday 6th February - 

Councillor Bibby’s Surgery at 

9am, the McKillop Institute. * 

�� Tuesday 9th February - Last 

Day of Art in the Park Exhibition, 

Castle Semple Visitor Centre. 

(See back pages of Chatterbox for 

more details. ) * 

�� Saturday 13th February - Blitz 

Ball in the McKillop Inst. from 

8pm till late. * 


Valentine’s Dance at the Masonic 

Club. * 

�� Monday 15th February - 

Lochwinnoch Art Group fortnightly 

meeting at 7.30pm, Lesser 

Hall, McKillop Inst * 

�� Wednesday 17th February - 

Lochwinnoch SWRI meeting at 

7.3opm in the McKillop Inst. * 


Councillor Arthur’s Surgery from 

11.30am, the McKillop Institute. * 


Race Night at Lochwinnoch Bowling 

Club. First Race 8pm. * 


Annual Valentine’s Gala Ceilidh, 

7.30pm for 8pm, McKillop Inst. * 


Krafty Kids class from 1.30-3pm 

at Space Rooms, McKillop Inst. 

To book, Tel Katharine on: 01505 

844944. 

�� Sunday 21st February - Beith 

Arts Guild Concert in Beith Community 

Centre at 2.30pm. * 

�� Monday 22nd February to 

Monday 8th March - 

Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 * 

(See LIA/Fairtrade Fortnight 

pages for full details of all events.) 


Fairtrade Fortnight Coffee 

Morning from 9am—12 noon at 

The Junction. * 

�� Thursday 25th February - 

Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum 

meeting at 1.30pm, McKillop Hall 

(following the ROAR Lunch Club.) 


Lochwinnoch Historical Society 

meeting 7.30pm in the Parish 

Church Guild Room. * 

�� Friday 26th February - Salsa 

Night with ‘Son al Son’ Cuban 

music band at Lochwinnoch 

Bowling Club from 7.30pm. * 

�� Friday 26th February - Prize 

Bingo Night from 7.30pm at the 

Masonic Club. * 

�� Tuesday 2nd March - 

Lochwinnoch Community 

Council meeting at 7.3opm in 

the Guild Room, Lochwinnoch 

Parish Church. 

�� Wednesday 3rd March - Coffee 

Tasting Event from 10am - 12 

noon at The Junction. NOTE - 

ADVANCE BOOKING ESSEN- 

TIAL as spaces are limited. 

To book, Tel: 01505 842225. * 

�� Saturday 6th March - Councillor 

Bibby’s Surgery at 9am, 

the McKillop Institute. * 

�� Sunday 7th March - Fairtrade 

Stall at Castle Semple Centre 

from 11am. 

�� Thursday 18th March - 

Sunday 28th March 2010 - 

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival. * 

�� Friday 19th March to Saturday 

27th March - Lochwinnoch 

Arts Festival Art Exhibition in 

the Library Room, Lochwinnoch 

Library. * 

�� Sunday 9th May - Women’s 10K 

�� Saturday 12th June - 

Lochwinnoch Gala Day and 

the 28th running (‘scuse the pun 

Ed,) of Lochwinnoch Open Race. 

* For further details about these 

events and activities, see separate 

notices inside this issue of Chatterbox. 

MASONIC CLUB 

EVENTS 

Valentine's Dance 

Saturday, 13th February, 

Tickets £5 each, from Billy 

Tel: 843359 - look out for posters! 

Prize Bingo Night 

on Friday 26th February, 

Starts 7.30pm. All welcome. 

POPPY’S 

FLORIST 

29 MAIN STREET 

KILBIRNIE 

Tel No: 01505 681212 

Flowers for all occasions 

Weddings 

Funeral Tributes 

New Arrivals 

Birthdays, Anniversaries 

Floral Arrangements 

made to order 

and don’t forget 

St Valentine’s Day 

on Sunday 14th February 

LOCHWINNOCH 

SWRI 

At the first meeting of 2010, members 

enjoyed the wonderfully evocative 

poetry of talented Scottish poet, Jim 

Carruth. 

As well as reading his poetry, Jim 

gave us glimpses of his childhood 

growing up on a farm. 

Competition winners were: 

Carrot Soup: 

1 J Galbraith 

2 E Richmond 

3 A Cochrane 

Favourite Teaspoon: 

1 P Matthews 

2 2 A Cochrane 

3 J Elder 

The next meeting is on 

Wednesday 17th February at 7.30pm 

when Franzeska Ewart will give a 

presentation on Shadow Puppetry. 

The competitions are: 

3 Chocolate Brownies and 

a Decorated Gift Box.

LOCHWINNOCH ON ICE 

© Copyright Zul Bhatia 






Photographs - courtesy of Zul Bhatia 



© Copyright Zul Bhatia © Copyright Zul Bhatia 

© Copyright Zul Bhatia


Arts Festival 2010 

Preview of this year’s events 

Thursday 18th March 

Festival Arts Exhibition Opening 

Night in the Library 7.30pm 

Friday 19th March 

Pupil Concert in Parish Church 7pm 

Michael Marra in McKillop Hall 8pm 

Saturday 20th March 

Krafty Kids in Space 2-4pm 

Crafts and Paintings in the Library - 

10-1pm and 2-5pm 

Cunningham Choir in the 

Parish Church 7pm 

Sunday 21st March 

Morning Festival Service - 

Parish Church 

The Gruffalo children’s event 

3-4pm McKillop Hall 

Monday 22nd March 

Betty McKellar and Lochwinnoch 

Writers - RSPB Centre 7pm 

Tuesday 23rd March 

Scottish Country Dance - Come & Try 

McKillop Hall 7pm 

Wednesday 24th March 

Classical evening in Parish Church 

from 7pm, including - 

Neil Wilson Classical Guitar 

Garnock Academy pupils 

Cameron Murdoch 

Thursday 25th March 

Sing along Sound of Music 

Parish Church 7.30pm 

Friday 26th March 

Rowena’s second hand books 

Festival Folk in McKillop Hall 8pm 

Saturday 27th March 

Krafty Kids in Space 2-4pm 

Crafts and Paintings in the Library - 

10-1pm and 2-5pm 

Shadow Puppets with Franzeska in the 

Parish Church 11-12noon 

Rowena’s second hand books 

Funky Festival Boogie Evening with 

Richard Mulhearn and friends 

McKillop Hall 8pm 

Sunday 28th March 

Mystery Play - starts at 2pm 

(See page 8 for full details provided by 

Rev. Christine Murdoch. Ed) 

Vanda’s Mobile Hairdressing 

Ladies and Gents. 

LOCHWINNOCH, BEITH, 

KILBIRNIE and HOWWOOD 

25 years’ hairdressing experience 

Book now for an appointment. 

Tel: 01505 842329 

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival 

Art Exhibition 

Friday 19th - Saturday 27th March 

Submissions for the Festival Art 

Exhibition are being invited from 

artists living in Lochwinnoch and 

surrounding areas. The Exhibition 

will be held in 'The Library Room' at 

Lochwinnoch Library. 

Details and entry forms are available 

from: Crafts of Calder Gallery & 

Framing, 8 High Street, 

Lochwinnoch. Tel: 01505 844980. 

~ 

LOCHWINNOCH 

ART GROUP 

The Art Group meets fortnightly 

on a Monday evening at 7.30pm - 

9.30pm in the McKillop Hall. The 

next meeting is on Monday 1st 

February and then the 15th February. 

The Art Group welcomes new 

members at any time throughout 

the session. So if you have been 

thinking about it, why don't you 

come along and see what we are 

all about. We look forward to seeing 

you there. 

Christine Brown 

( Chairperson ) 

Lee McKinlay ………. Holistic & Beauty Therapies 

Swedish Massage Waxing 

Aromatherapy Massage Eye Treatments 

Reflexology Manicure 

Facials Pedicure 

A Mobile Service to promote Relaxation 

Gift Vouchers Available 

Telephone 07854 715625 

Vanda’s Mobile Hairdressing 

I have been in the hairdressing business 

for more years than I care to remember. 

I qualified and worked in a 

salon in Nottingham before becoming 

a state registered professional mobile 

hairdresser. My husband works for 

the power industry and has followed 

the work wherever it has taken him. 

We moved to Lochwinnoch in August 

when my husband, Colin, took a job 

with Babcocks. I have now started my 

business again covering, clearly, Lochwinnoch 

and the surrounding area. 

I have always worked as a hairdresser 

and have always enjoyed meeting new 

people. I have particularly enjoyed 

becoming a part of this community as 

I did whilst we lived and worked in the 

south. I consider my job a community 

activity, helping to oil the wheels of 

local activities and people I serve. 

I provide a range of hairdressing services, 

including perms, cuts, blow- 

dry’s and sets. My prices are competitive, 

supplying everything a salon 

would. 

Feel free to call me, even if you just 

need the occasional appointment 

whilst your full-time hairdresser is on 

holiday. 

That’s me and I hope 

you will give me a call. 

Vanda Bird

SAVE YOUR 

REGIONAL PARK 

www.saveyourregionalpark.com 

WIND FARM ROUNDUP 

Leapmoor, Inverkip & Wemyss Bay – 

The application for 10 turbines by Community 

Windpower was lodged with Inver 

clyde Council in July 2006 and has now 

been withdrawn. It is hoped that this part 

of the park can now continue to be used as 

before but it is always possible that a revised 

application is lodged. 

Kelburn, Fairlie - Final approval for 14 

x 100m turbines was given by Scottish 

Ministers. The construction plan schedule 

of work is currently being negotiated between 

the developer and NAC with a construction 

start date likely to be April 2010 

Wings Law, Kilbirnie – Application for 

24 turbine windfarm by Wind Hydrogen 

Energy Ltd. On 9 th Dec it was announced 

that an agreement had been reached with 

an unspecified major European untility to 

make an up front payment of £200,000 

and an option to purchase windfarm assets 

which are assumed by SYRP to include 

Wings Law. There is no further news on 

the approved planning application for 

their Hydrogen plant at Glengarnock. 

Millour Hill 1 & 2, Dalry and Kaim Hill, 

Fairlie – covered in January Chatterbox. 

Wardlaw Wood, Dalry – 6 x 410ft/125m 

Turbines constructed in 2006 by Community 

Windpower Ltd. 

Waterhead Moor, Largs, Scottish & 

Southern/Airtricity. No further news re 29 

turbine application to the Scottish Government 

and the Environmental statement is 

still not completed after a 4 year wait! 

Glenlora, Lochwinnoch – Scoping for 1 x 

85m turbine; view the scoping response at 

http://planning.renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Glenlora, Lochwinnoch – Planning application 

for an anaerobic digester to process 

18,500 tonnes of agricultural waste (slurry 

silage & potato shaws). No further news. 

Skelmorlie Windfarm Readers may recall 

that Ferret of Keith wind farm was 

proposed above Skelmorlie and eventually 

withdrawn. As we have said about this 

proposal and Leapmoor, when a project is 

withdrawn it doesn’t mean it’s gone away! 

Burcote Wind have resurrected a proposal 

above Skelmorlie, this time for 21 turbines, 

though they maintain there’s room 

for 100 turbines. A meeting was called at 

the Consents office to discuss this; attendees 

were Government representatives, 

CMRP, NAC, SNH and SEPA. SYRP was 

not invited. No further news. 

LOCHWINNOCH 

BOWLING CLUB 

‘RACE NIGHT’ 

On Saturday 20th February 

in the Clubhouse 

First Race - 8pm 

Hear 

Here 

Renfrewshire Hard of 

Hearing Support Group 

The Renfrewshire Hard of Hearing 

Group has now been operating for over 

one year. We are a group of people 

who all have some degree of hearing 

loss, and we came together to raise 

awareness, campaign for positive 

change and provide support and activities 

for other people like us. 

Because all our members have some 

degree of hearing loss, we understand 

how difficult it can be living in a noisy 

world. For some it feels easier to withdraw 

and become isolated, yet we are 

here to support each other overcome 

this and to ensure that we get the best 

use of hearing aids and modern technology 

to keep ourselves part of the 

hearing world. At our meetings, we 

get the chance to air our frustrations 

about the numerous difficulties we face 

and we invite speakers to provide information 

that may be of use to us, but 

we have missed because of our hearing 

loss. This year, our speakers will include 

a mental health officer, audiologists 

from both the NHS and the private 

sector and a local MP. 

Meetings take place of the first Thursday 

of every month, this year starting 

on 4 th February 2010, at 1:30pm in the 

Mile End Centre, 30 Seedhill Road, 

Paisley. At this meeting our guest 

speaker, Willie Macfadyen, a Mental 

Health Officer and last year’s recipient 

of the British Association of Social 

Workers (BASW) Social Worker of the 

Year award, will be talking about 

hearing loss and mental health. Meetings 

last about an hour and a half and 

tea/coffee is available. 

You are welcome to join us if you live 

in Renfrewshire and are affected by 

hearing loss. 

For further information or to be put 

onto our mailing list: 

Phone: 0141 847 4950 

Textphone: 0141 848 7232 

Fax: 0141 847 4981 

A Great Big Thank You 

from Lochwinnoch Playgroup 

The staff, parents, and committee members 

of Lochwinnoch Playgroup, would 

like to offer our sincere and heartfelt 

thanks to local businesses in Lochwinnoch 

and the surrounding villages for donating 

prizes for our Christmas Raffle: 

Lochwinnoch Motors 

The Junction 

Escape Campers 

The Garthland Arms 

The Bowfield Hotel in Howood, 

The River Inn in Houston 

Heritage Farmers Market Shop 

Tesco 

Natural Touch 

Meadowbank Equestrian Centre, Houston 

Lochwinnoch Golf Club 

Calder Gallery 

The Brown Bull 

The Corner Bar 

Lochbar Indoor Football Centre 

The Oaks Vet Centre 

Now & Then Gift shop 

We would also like to thank the staff at 

Lochwinnoch Library, Cut n Care Hairdressers, 

The Spar and The McKillop Institute, 

who took the time to sell our 

Christmas cookbooks and raffle tickets 

(winning tickets/corresponding prizes displayed 

on the McKillop Inst notice board). 

Other fundraising news from the playgroup 

is that The River Inn in Houston 

recently raised almost £300 from their St 

Andrew’s night celebrations, which they 

very kindly and unexpectedly donated to 

our Playgroup. Our thanks go to all the 

staff at The River Inn who made this possible. 

In times of economic recession, we were 

overwhelmed by your generosity and support, 

and of course an extra big 

thank you to those of you who purchased 

a cookbook, raffle ticket or indeed 

tried to guess the number of coins in a jar. 

Your continued support of Lochwinnoch 

Playgroup enables us to operate 

term time, Mon, Tue and Wed mornings 

from 0930 until 1130. 

As always, if you are interested in enrolling 

your child at playgroup, applications 

are available from The McKillop 

Institute, Main Street or contact 

Karen on 843943 or Joanne 844898.


Library 

New books 

for Febuary 

Dean Koontz : Breathless 

Grady Adams lives a simple, solitary 

life deep in the Colorado mountains. 

Here the thirty-five-year-old carpenter 

works out of a converted barn, crafting 

exquisite one-of-a-kind furniture. 

There's little about this strong yet gentle 

man to suggest the experiences that 

have alienated him from the contemporary 

world. But that is about to 

change. 

One day, while hiking, Grady spots a 

pair of stunningly beautiful furred animals 

unlike anything he's ever seen. 

They flee the instant they detect his 

presence, but the mystery of that brief 

encounter remains. In the days ahead, 

Grady will approach the creatures 

again, gaining their trust but coming 

no closer to solving their mystery. For 

this he enlists the help of an old 

friend, veterinarian Camellia 'Cammy' 

Rivers, who, in turn, is stunned - and 

enchanted - by Grady's new 'pets.' But 

while Grady and Cammy carefully observe 

these enigmatic animals for 

clues to their origin, they, too, are being 

watched. 

Sue Grafton: U Is for Undertow 

It's April, 1988, a month before Kinsey 

Millhone's thirty-eighth birthday, and 

she's alone in her office doing paperwork 

when a young man arrives unannounced. 

He has a preppy air about 

him and looks as if he'd be carded if he 

tried to buy booze, but Michael Sutton 

is twenty-seven, an unemployed college 

dropout. 

Twenty-one years earlier, a four-yearold 

girl disappeared. A recent reference 

to her kidnapping has triggered a 

flood of memories. Sutton now believes 

he stumbled on her lonely burial 

when he was six years old. He wants 

Kinsey's help in locating the child's 

remains and finding the men who 

killed her. It's a long shot but he's willing 

to pay cash up front, and Kinsey 

agrees to give him one day. As her 

investigation unfolds, she discovers 

Michael Sutton has an uneasy relationship 

with the truth. In essence, 

he's the boy who cried wolf. Is his current 

story true or simply one more in a 

long line of fabrications? 

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. 

Quintin Jardine: Blood Red 

Primavera Blackstone becomes the 

prime suspect in the second breathtaking 

novel in a brilliant new series 

by bestselling Scottish crime writer 

Quintin Jardine. Primavera is enjoying 

the quiet life in an idyllic village 

on the Catalan coast of Spain. The 

attractive single mother and eightyear-old 

Tom, son of the late and 

still lamented Oz Blackstone, are 

popular figures in the tiny community. 

But her close friendship with 

the parish priest has eyebrows rising 

and tongues wagging. Then a dispute 

explodes with a powerful councillor 

who refuses to allow the village wine 

fair to go ahead. When his body is 

found, head caved in, some ominous 

questions are asked... 

Coming soon ……. 

Lee Child : 61 Hours 

Clive Cussler : The silent sea 

Harlan Coben : Caught 

Linwood Barclay : Fear the worst 

Robert Crais : The first rule 

Danielle Steel : Big girl 

Renew and Reserve 

at 

www.renfrewshwire.gov.uk/libraries 

Library members can view, renew 

and reserve their library loans 

online. All you need to get started is 

your library membership number 

and a password. If you don’t have a 

password just ask at any library. 

FREE Computing Class 

for Complete Beginners 

Would you, or someone you know, 

like to learn to email and surf the 

Internet? Classes are held 

at Lochwinnoch Library on: 

Fridays from 9.30am – 11am 

For details Tel: 01505 842305 

ADVICE WORKS 

Surgery at 

Lochwinnoch Library 

Every Monday 2pm – 4.30pm 

We can provide advice about entitlement 

to benefits. Advisors can help 

fill in claim forms and advise on welfare 

benefits and money problems. 

We can check you are receiving all the 

benefits due to you. 

We can provide expert advice on a 

wide range of debt related topics 

eg. Credit Card , Mortgage arrears, 

Council Tax, etc ………. 

OUR SERVICE IS FREE, CON- 

FIDENTIAL AND OPEN TO ALL 

RESIDENTS OF RENFREWSHIRE. 

Baby & Toddler 

Rhyme time 

At Lochwinnoch Library 

every Tuesday at 2.15pm 

NORMAL LIBRARY 

OPENING HOURS : 

Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 

2pm–5pm & 6pm–8pm 

Tuesday and Saturday: 10am–1pm 

and 2pm–5pm 

Closed Thursday. 

Tel: 01505 842305

LOCHWINNOCH'S 

BERMUDA TRIANGLE 

by 

DEREK PARKER 

The hills, moors and glens around 

Muirshiel country park above Lochwinnoch 

are serene and majestic. A 

spirit of solitude transcends the ages. 

In summer, colourful blossoms like 

purple heather, golden bog asphodel 

and blue butterwort mantle mosses 

and morasses like magic carpets. 

Wistful songs of curlews, golden 

plover and skylarks transform the rugged 

domain into an earthly paradise. 

But the remote realm has a more sinister 

side, especially in winter. It's 

known as Renfrewshire's Bermuda 

Triangle because so many horrific aircraft 

crashes occurred there. 

Sadly, the young lives of many brave 

aircrew ended in that lonely landscape. 

Wreckage from aerial tragedies 

is still visible on windswept hills. 

Debris lies like moorland memorials 

to dead heroes. 

During my time as a countryside 

ranger at Muirshiel country park, I 

researched the history of these plane 

crashes. One of my main sources was 

the late Quintin McKellar who farmed 

at Heathfield and East Tandlemuir 

(later Conveth) for many years. He 

knew the hills around Muirshiel better 

than anyone else and was the person 

to go to for advice. 

One misty morning in April 1988, 

senior ranger Eric Harley, ranger Iain 

Brotherton and I discovered the grey, 

metal fragements of a crashed aircraft 

among heather near the site of the 

drained Calder Dam just off the barytes 

mines track. We knew it was from 

a Swordfish plane. 

Mr McKellar told us what happened. 

It was a pitch-black January night in 

1942 at the height of the Second 

World War. Mr McKellar's father, 

Archibald, who farmed the land 

around Heathfield before him, was out 

on the hills rescuing sheep trapped in 

deep snowdrifts. Suddenly, he heard 

the terrifying drone of an aircraft coming 

towards him. 

Archibald was close to the summit of 

Windy Hill, more than 1000 feet 

above sea level. So he threw himself 

on the ground as the plane roared 

overhead. He was unaware that the 

aircraft - a Swordfish - had crashed 

less than a mile away near the Calder 

Dam. 

Because of news blackouts during 

the war, no announcements of military 

manoeuvres were broadcast. So 

he had no reason to believe anything 

sinister had happened. Archibald 

just put it down to a nasty experience 

with a low-flying aircraft. 

It was three weeks before the awful 

truth became known. Bob Fleming, 

the McKellar family's shepherd, was 

out in the snowy landscape searching 

for sheep when he came across a 

horrific spectacle. 

The aircraft lay mangled and mutilated 

on the moor. Inside were the 

frozen-stiff bodies of two dead crew 

members. Even more macabre was 

the gruesome specatacle of a third 

man hanging from the cockpit, 

trapped and dangling by his feet. 

The McKellar family volunteered to 

help teams from the Royal Air Force 

and local police to remove the bodies. 

Their unique knowledge of the 

hills and moors made them the right 

people for the grim task. 

Although still a teenager at the time, 

Quintin bravely made his way across 

the snowbound moor with a pony 

and sledge to retrieve the corpses 

and take them back to a makeshift 

mortuary in an out-building at Heathfield 

Farm. It was something he remembered 

for the rest of his life. 

It later transpired that the Swordfish 

was one of four which crashed that 

night on a flight from Fraserburgh in 

the north of Scotland to Macrihanish 

on the Mull of Kintyre. The other 

three impacted a few miles farther 

north at Alexandria, near Loch Lomond. 

The official explanation was 

they all ran out of fuel in bad weather. 

The Swordfish which landed on the 

moors around Muirshiel with such 

disastrous consequences was quickly 

removed from the crash scene. Only 

one wing fragment remained - and that 

was the piece which Eric, Iain and I 

discovered 46 years later. 

There were many more aircraft 

crashes in the neighbourhood - 

inspiring the legend that the Muirshiel 

neighbourhood was Renfrewshire's 

Bermuda Triangle. The belief was 

instigated by similar inexplicable 

tragedies off the coast of Bermuda 

island in the Atlantic Ocean. 

One explanation for the aviational 

carnage at Muirshiel is that vast 

amounts of minerals in the ground 

interfered adversely with navigational 

equipment. Another is that hastilymobilised 

aircrews were insufficiently 

trained to handle such powerful 

planes. 

On a more sinister level, it was rumoured 

that dark cosmic forces were 

at work which affected the judgement

of doomed pilots, navigators and 

crews. 

It's speculated that these cosmic 

forces included air ions, electromagnetic 

waves, atmospheric electrical 

fields, thermal radiation and sudden 

weather changes causing physical 

and psychological malfunctioning 

of the crew's human neuromuscular 

and cardio-vascular systems. 

Whatever the explanation, there is 

one thing I shall always remember 

from my time as a ranger at Muirshiel 

country park. 

And that was cycling home from 

work past the ruins of Heathfield 

Farm on dark winter nights when 

there wasn't a moon or star in the 

blackened skies - then looking at the 

forbidding building which was the 

moorland mortuary for the tragic 

team on the Swordfish aircraft. 

Derek Parker worked as a 

countryside ranger at Clyde 

Muirshiel Regional Park from 

1985 to 1999. 

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 

The Strathclyde Police website contains 

information on all of the local Community 

Policing Teams. Check out our website. 

www. strathclyde.police.uk 

for contact details of officers in your 

local Policing Team. You can also 

e-mail us from this website. 

SCAM WARNINGS 

COUNCIL TAX REFUNDS 

Renfrewshire Council has received 

reports from members of the public 

who have received suspicious calls, 

allegedly from the council’s Contact 

Centre. The caller tells the person 

that they are due a refund on their 

Council Tax and asks for the person’s 

bank details so that repayments 

can be made directly into 

their bank account. The fraudsters 

then use these bank details to 

empty out the victim’s bank account. 

Renfrewshire Council wish to confirm 

that they would never phone a 

customer and ask for their bank 

details. If a person is due a Council 

Tax refund, then this would be deducted 

from their next bill. If the 

refund was greater than the amount 

of the bill, a cheque would be sent 

to the customer. 

No reputable organisation would 

ask a customer for their bank details 

and any request for this information 

should always be treated 

with suspicion and reported to the 

Police. 

COMPUTERS 

Recently, Which? Computing magazine 

warned of a “cold calling scam” 

where people had been contacted by 

scammers purporting to be from 

Microsoft or an Internet Service 

Provider. 

The callers made people think that 

their computer had a virus and then 

took them through a series of steps 

to fix the computer “problem”. At 

the end of this process, the scammers 

then have remote access to the 

computer and, as if this wasn’t bad 

enough, people are then asked to 

provide their credit card details in 

order to pay a fee to have the computer 

“repaired” ! 

This scam has been reported to the 

police e-crime unit and to Microsoft. 

The advice from Which? Computing 

is - Computer users must always be 

on their guard and suspicious of 

phone calls or e-mails that don’t 

come from a trustworthy source. If 

you have good security software, 

you should be protected from 

online threats.

FANTASTIC SKIES 

AT NIGHT 

Stargazing session at 

Muirshiel Country Park 

on 

Friday 19th February 

at 7pm 

The last of the great pre-telescope astronomers, 

the story of Tycho Brahe 

involves kidnapping, strange pets, 

false noses, excessive drinking, bizarre 

deaths and the occasional bit of 

astronomy thrown in for good measure! 

This will be part of the presentation 

from John Pressly of the Coats Observatory 

at the Stargazing night at Muirshiel 

Country Park on 19th February. 

Come prepared for being outside looking 

at the stars at this ‘dark sky’ site as 

well as inside to hear John’s presentation. 

Cold weather and icy road conditions 

cancelled the January session, so this 

will be the first spring session of 2010 

to be held at Muirshiel Country Park 

Visitor Centre and, weather permitting, 

we should get a good view of the 

night skies unaffected by the light pollution 

generated by nearby villages, 

towns and cities. To have a truly great 

view of the stars with the naked eye 

without traveling too far from urban 

comforts this is a great place to come. 

The park is open 24 hours a day, although 

there are no facilities available 

at night except on special evenings 

like this, when the toilets are open and 

coffees and teas are available in the 

centre to warm you up. 

So come along and experience a great 

evening with like-minded people. To 

book a place or for further details 

please call Muirshiel Visitor Centre 

on 01505 842 803. 

LOCHWINNOCH 

FARMERS’ MARKET 

in Fairtrade Fortnight 

on Sunday 7th March 

from 11am – 2:30 pm 

at Castle Semple Centre, Lochwinnoch 

The popular Lochwinnoch Farmers’ 

Market, on the shores of Castle Semple 

Loch, will hold its next market 

on Sunday 7th March 2010 as part of 

Fairtrade Fortnight. 

A good range of seasonal produce 

will be available providing everyone 

with an alternative to supermarket 

shopping on what is the last day of 

Fairtrade Fortnight. The suppliers 

are members the Scottish Association 

of Farmers Market (SAFM) or 

guests of Clyde Muirshiel Regional 

Park. All produce is subject to availability. 

Product availability on the 

day is likely to include: Meats & 

Ayrshire Dry Cured Bacon; Aberdeen 

Angus Beef, Black Face Quality 

Lamb; Breads, Cakes and Confectionary, 

Vegetables and Handmade 

Soups, Fish & Seafood, 

Honey, Handmade Cheeses, Dressings, 

Olives & Things. 

The Lochwinnoch Fairtrade group 

will be guests at this market with a 

range of Fairtrade food and drinks to 

try and to buy, such as coffee, tea, 

dried fruits, chocolate, biscuits, cereal 

and sweets as well as some Fairtrade 

crafts. 

With Spring just about here, the 

market will provide the opportunity to 

dust down the outdoor gear and have a 

go at cycling or paddling a canoe or 

rowing boat on the loch while visiting 

Castle Semple. The boat and bike hire 

guys will be on site all day for an 

early spring opportunity to get outdoors 

on a bike or in a boat. 

Martin of Express Cycles will be 

offering FREE safety checks to everyone 

coming by bike to this Farmers 

Market. He will also have a new 

range of 2010 demonstration bikes on 

show as well as a a good selection of 

parts and spares. Please call him on 

Tel 01505 682 191 / 0786 779 0889 if 

you need any cycle parts or advice. 

For those who would like a leisurely 

day there will be lots of things to see, 

people to watch or a Fairtrade coffee 

to enjoy in the scenic surroundings of 

Castle Semple Visitor Centre. 

This is the first Lochwinnoch Farmers 

Market of 2010. The Summer, Autumn 

and Winter markets will take 

place on Sunday 6th June, Sunday 5th 

September and Sunday 5th December 

2010.

RSPB LOCHWINNOCH 

What a cold start to the year we're all having! 

With all 3 lochs completely frozen, the severely cold 

weather will really be having an impact on our birds. We 

have seen some unusual sights as a result of the big 

freeze, as many normally shy birds have gathered 

around areas of flowing water, as these are the only 

places available for eating and drinking! 

These have so far included water rail, jack snipe, snipe, 

moorhen, grey heron, mute swan, whooper swan, dipper, 

teal, goldeneye and mallards, plus lots of black 

headed and lesser black backed gulls sitting on the ice. 

Woodcocks and brambling are also being frequently reported 

around the local area. 

On the reserve, the feeding station has been completely 

mobbed as hungry birds desperately try to eat and keep 

their energy up to survive the freezing cold nights. This 

has brought in lots of the normal species as well as some 

unusual sightings, including a yellowhammer (the first 

on the reserve for over 10 years), 10 blackbirds all feeding 

at the same time, reed buntings, fielfares and bullfinches. 

Whilst this cold weather persists, there are a few things 

to remember to make sure that our birds are well fed 

and looked after: 

1. Feed your birds. If you normally feed birds in your 

garden or local park, please continue to do so. The birds 

will be relying on these food sources as there is very little 

else available at the moment. If you don't normally feed 

your birds, please consider doing so. Kitchen scraps and 

rotten fruit and vegetables can be just as valuable as 

seeds, fats and peanuts. There are, however, quite a few 

foods to avoid including salty, mouldy and stale foods 

and many dried foods. Also, avoid using left over cooking 

fats from meat/poultry as this can carry harmful 

bacteria and cause birds to become very unwell and die. 

For advice about feeding birds, visit 

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/ 

helpingbirds/feeding/index.aspx 

2. Put water out. People often forget that during times 

of frost and snow, although there is plenty of frozen water 

available, there is little or no drinking water available 

for birds. Just today, at a nearby loch, the swans were so 

thirsty from eating so much bread that they were almost 

choking on it. Five minutes of clearing a bit of slushy ice 

soon brought all of the swans over, who quickly swallowed 

the water down. You will have to check your bird 

bath, margarine pot or ice cream tub (whatever you 

choose to put water into) daily as it is likely to freeze 

overnight. Just pouring a kettle full of warm water will 

give the birds a drinking water supply again. 

3. Don't disturb groups of water birds. Birds that 

usually rely upon water bodies for food, water and 

safetyfrom predators will be lacking in all of these things 

due to the severe frosts. It is vitally important that 

these groups are not disturbed as every time they have 

to move or fly away, this uses up more of the little energy 

that they have left. Please avoid walking near them 

or being tempted to do so because the birds are not as 

active as normal. Please also keep dogs under control 

where possible as they can easily cause distress to birds. 

4. Keep your nestboxes up. Whilst this may not be something 

that people would usually consider doing or thinking 

about at this time of year, nestboxes can provide much 

needed shelter from the cold for many species in the winter. 

Wrens in particular collect in large groups and will roost together 

in nestboxes. You may notice them arriving at your 

box from dusk onwards. Over 50 have been known to roost 

together in one box! If you have a nestbox camera, it may be 

worth switching it back on during the winter to see if you 

have any creatures using your box as a roost site. 

For further advice about looking after your birds, 

please visit www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds 

Thank you for all of your help during this freezing spell. The 

birds will certainly appreciate it as do we all, and you never 

know, you might get something new or unusual in your garden 

too! 

Finally, a really nice picture of the water rail, take by reserve 

manager Zul Bhatia on Christmas Day. 

Paula Baker, 

RSPB Lochwinnoch Visitor and Publicity Officer 

© Water Rail Copyright Zul Bhatia 

Keep up to date with news and events 

at RSPB Lochwinnoch. 

Wildlife viewing all year round, nature trails and hides open 

at all times, Visitor Centre open from 10am-5pm daily, Bird 

Feeding Station and Treetop Tower, drinks, snacks and a superb 

RSPB Shop. Daily activities for families, guided walks 

throughout the year, school holiday activities, try our 

monthly ‘Wildlife Challenge’. An ideal day out for everyone. 

For bookings and information, Tel: 01505 842663 

or e-mail us at: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk 

or visit: www.rspb.org.uk/scotland 

Find us on Facebook: 

www.facebook.com 

Search ‘RSPB Lochwinnoch’, click on us and 

receive regular updates. 

Follow us on Twitter: 

at http://twitter.com/RSPBLochwinnoch 

Subscribe to the RSPB Lochwinnoch Blog! 

For weekly updates, visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/ 

community/blogs/lochwinnoch/default.aspx 

and subscribe using the RSS link.

What’s On at RSPB, 

Muirshiel, 

Cornalees & Castle 

Semple Centres 

�� Monday mornings - Loch- 

winnoch Community Walks - (ex. 

Public Holidays). Meet at 

10.30am at The Cross. 

�� Thursday mornings - Slinky 

Strollers walks (for parents & 

pushchairs) - meet at 10.30am at 

Castle Semple Centre. 


Young Volunteers Group from 

11am - 4pm at the RSPB Centre. 

For 12—18 year olds, booking essential 

as spaces are limited. Tel: 

01505 842663. 

�� Sunday 7th February - Kelly 

Cut Linear Walk. Meet at 11am at 

Cornalees Visitor Centre and join 

the Rangers for a 8km walk from 

Cornalees to Wemyss Bay railway 

station. 

�� Tuesday 9th February - Last 

day of Art in the Park Exhibition 

of traditional and contemporary 

work by Lochwinnoch Art Group, 

open daily from 10am - 3.30pm at 

Castle Semple Centre. 

�� Sunday 14th February - Valentine’s 

Day guided walk from 10am 

- 12 noon at the RSPB Reserve. 


RSPB Variety Evening - music, 

magic and more - from 7pm-9pm 

at the RSPB Centre. Tickets £2.50 

for RSPB members, £5 for nonmembers. 

�� Friday 19th February - 

Stargazing Evening (or indoor 

lecture if weather is poor) at Muirshiel 

Centre, 7pm-9pm. Booking 

essential as spaces are limited. 

Tel: 01505 842803. 


Build A Bird A Home! Join the 

RSPB team from 11am-3pm to 

help build and decorate nest boxes 

during National Nest Box Week. 

For All Your Garage Door Needs 

Garage Doors . Remote Control Openers 

Installation . Repairs . Spares 

FREE ESTIMATES 0141 950 1423 GLASGOW 

FREE SURVEYS 01505 842176 AYRSHIRE 

FREE INSURANCE REPORTS 01786 820130 STIRLING 

The Cross, Lochwinnoch PA12 4DB 

(10 mins from Glasgow Airport on A737) 

ESTABLISHED 1989 

21 YEARS IN BUSINESS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS GO ON AND ON … 

UPVC WINDOWS AND DOORS 

MAINTENANCE FREE UPVC 

ROOFLINE AND FULL 

WINDOW REPAIR SERVICE 

HINGES, LOCKS AND MISTED 

AND BROKEN GLASS REPLACED. 

�� Sunday 21st February - A 

Winter Walk. Meet at 1.30pm 

at Castle Semple Centre and join 

the Rangers for a tour of Lochwinnoch 

and its surroundings. 

�� Monday 22nd February to 

Monday 8th March - Fairtrade 

Fortnight 2010 Fairtrade 

Campaign Exhibition at Castle 

Semple Centre during opening 

hours. *(See LIA/Fairtrade 

pages for full details.) 


Conservation Volunteer Session 

from 1pm (for 2 hours) at Muirshiel 

Centre. Join us for some 

mid-week exercise and healthy 

fresh air. 


Fairtrade Fortnight Coffee 

Morning from 11 am - 1 pm at 

the RSPB Centre. Cost £2. * 


RSPB Art Workshop hosted by a 

local artist from 10am - 12 noon 

at the RSPB Centre. Booking 

essential, Cost £5. For more 

information, Tel: 01505 842663 

�� Sunday 28th February— Last 

day of the Homecoming Photographic 

Exhibition at Cornalees 

Centre. 

�� Sunday 28th February - Craft 

Fair from 11am-3.3opm at Castle 

Semple Centre. Also light refreshments, 

walks and wildlife. 

UPVC DOORS FITTED FROM £430 

�� Saturday 6th March-Sunday 

25th April - Homecoming Photographic 

Exhibition at Muirshiel 

Centre during opening hours. 

�� Sunday 7th March - Lochwinnoch 

Farmers’ Market from 

11am—2.30pm. * 

�� Sunday 7th March - Muirshiel 

Mine Memories. Indoor history 

talk at Muirshiel Centre from 

2pm. 

VISITOR CENTRES 

NORMAL OPENING HOURS 

RSPB Reserve 

The Reserve is open at all times; 

Visitor Centre open daily, 10am-5pm. 

Tel: 01505 842663. 

Castle Semple Centre 

Open daily from 10am—4pm 

from 25 October to 29 March 2010. 

Tel: 01505 842882. 

Cornalees Centre 

Open weekends only from 11am-3pm 


Tel: 01475 521458 

Muirshiel Centre 

Open weekends only from 11am-3pm 


Tel: 01505 842803 

OUR PRODUCTS ARE INSTALLED 

IN OVER ONE HUNDRED 

LOCHWINNOCH HOUSEHOLDS. 

Contact - PETER McGARVEY 

Tel: 01505 614654

CHATTERBOX - Lochwinnoch

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