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Community newsletter produced by lochwinnoch publicity committee for lochwinnoch cc
What’s On
See centre pages for
club activities, village events
and classes.
See back pages for
Visitor Centre/RSPB events
and outdoor activities.
CHATTERBOX
Chatterbox is a free, community news-
paper, produced every month on be-
half of the Community Council of
Lochwinnoch through support and
financial assistance from local spon-
sors and advertisers and distributed by
volunteers.
The aim of those involved is to pro-
duce an informative 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 individu-
als and the Editor accepts no liability
for editorial errors or statements and
claims made in
advertisements.
Editorial & copy for Chatterbox
Let us have your stories, notices, news,
information, events & items of interest —
either hand-deliver them to the Chatter-
box drop-box in the Library or e-mail to:
chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info
To advertise in Chatterbox
Tel: 07899 746403 or e-mail:
chatterboxaccount@btinternet.com
Copy Deadline
for DECEMBER Issue Is
Tuesday 25th November
No 191 November 2009
www.lochwinnoch.info
Paisley Florist
Society &
Gardening Club
Two Lochwinnoch ladies,
Ms Jean Hunter and
Mrs Pat Whyte,
were among the prize-winners
at the annual show, which was
held in Paisley on Saturday 5th
September.
Jean won the cup for best over-
all flower exhibit in show, cup
for best Chrysanthemums, first
for:- Chrysanthemums, Gladi-
oli and also Metal Craft and a
second for Knitting.
Pat also had a very successful
day with a first in Knitting and
second in the Decoupage,
Embroidery and also in Any
Other Category in Crafts.
Well done to both ladies and all
success in the future.
* * *
Are you interested in local history
and flowers? Then don’t miss
Lorna Forteith’s great article about
the Grand Floral Bazaar in 1899—
see pages 6 and 7 inside this issue of
Chatterbox. Ed
MATTHEW NEW & SONS
ROOFING - ROUGHCASTING -
Emergency Repairs, Storm Damage
Insurance Work, New Roofs, Flat Roofs
Roughcasting –UPVC Cladding—Guttering
Tel No 01505 843400
FMB Certificate No 26366
ASIST
Anti-Social
Investigation Team
Office 8:45am – 4:45pm
Tel: 0141 840 2163
New Lochwinnoch Energy
Conservation group
launched
Carbon footprints, climate change,
energy conservation, insulation,
smart metering, saving money on
energy bills. If all this makes
sense to you then you could well
be interested in joining a new
group in the village, setting out to
launch a project to reduce Loch-
winnoch's energy consumption/
carbon footprint.
We're going to apply for some
funding to run local surveys, pro-
vide advice and encouragement
and subsidised energy conservation
installation - and maybe other
things besides. Google for
climate challenge funding etc. to
see what's happening in many
other places around the country
and ask yourself -
'why not in Lochwinnoch?'
We'll be arranging a meeting soon
to assess local support and then
hope to get a group up and running
so we can apply for funding in the
early New Year. If you are keen
to help then get in touch NOW.
Contact Dave Mellor on : 01505
843099 or dgmellor@tiscali.co.uk
BUILDING MAINTENANCE

POPPY’S
FLORIST
29 MAIN STREET
KILBIRNIE
Tel No: 01505 681212
Flowers for all occasions
Holly Wreaths ready
to order now - £12.50
Festive Floral
Arrangements
made to order
Weddings
Funeral Tributes
New Arrivals
Birthdays, Anniversaries
LOCHWINNOCH
SURGERY
NEWS
Seasonal flu vaccinations are
available and we would encourage
all those patients who usually have
this to make an appointment with
the practice nurse.
H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccinations
should be available in the next
week or two and we will try to
publicise when it is available with
notices in the Surgery and Chemist
shop.
The initial focus will be to offer this
vaccination to the following risk
groups: All pregnant women,
asthmatics, diabetics, patients with
chronic heart, liver, neurological,
renal and respiratory disease, im-
munosuppressed and household
contacts of immunosuppressed
patients.
Surgery Tel: 01505 842200
McKillop Institute
Project
Regarding the proposed environ-
mental improvements to the area
around the McKillop Institute, a suc-
cessful and very positive exhibition
and drop in session to view the De-
tailed Designs was held in the Insti-
tute on Thursday 29th October.
This gave villagers a final opportu-
nity to comment on the proposals to
Officers from the Council and to the
Landscape Architect who will
manage the delivery of the works.
A number of new ideas were raised
and discussed, most of which will be
incorporated into the Drawings that
will now be issued to contractors.
This project is being funded from the
Scottish Government's Town Centre
Regeneration Fund and Renfrew-
shire Council and it is clear that resi-
dents welcomed the proposals that
will, in due course, improve the
function and appearance of this im-
portant space that sits right in the
heart of Lochwinnoch.
Construction work is due to start
early in 2010.
Thank you
Dr Paul Waterston
would like to thank
everyone
who kindly donated
to his sponsored cycle
round the Kintyre Peninsula
in aid of
St Vincent’s Hospice
which raised £500.
Councillor Arthur’s
Report
Sunday 25th October was a very devas-
tating day for our community and es-
pecially for Anne McGee and her fam-
ily with the loss of their guardsman
hero, Paul. The whole incident has
certainly shocked and saddened our
community. In this time of sorrow our
thoughts and prayers are with the
whole family.
I had the pleasure of speaking at the
recent Elderly Forum meeting, which
was attended by over 30 members. I
felt that we covered a lot of issues
within our village but the recent police
incidents were uppermost in people’s
minds. I took the opportunity to re-
mind the Elderly Forum that The
Lochwinnoch Partnership, which has
now been running for over 4 years, is
still very strong and working on all our
community’s behalf. The Partnership
consists of partners from the Police,
ASIST (Antisocial Investigation
Team), Lochwinnoch Community
Council, Renfrewshire Council and
myself as Chairman. I intimated that I
am more than happy to receive phone
calls and be stopped in the street to
receive items for the Partnership to
consider or to discuss any other issues
that constituents may have.
In order to develop the management
proposals to guide works over the
coming years for Parkhill Wood, Clyde
Muirshiel Regional Park have been
carrying out a consultation process
over the last year. The final step of this
consultation period has now started
but there is still time for you to take
part and make your comments. The
Parkhill Wood Plan 2009-2010 Con-
sultation Document is available from
the Castle Semple Centre or just speak
to one of the Rangers.
The new waste and recycling Weekly
Managed Collection service starts on
Monday 9th November. If you have
not received your Householder Guide
through your letterbox or if you want
to find out more about the new ser-
vice, then phone the Greener Ren-
frewshire Helpline on 0141 842 4448
or go to -
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/recycling
My next Surgery is not until Saturday
21st November but if you require my
help before then, you can contact me
on 843507 and we can agree a time
when we can meet.
Councillor David Arthur
 From the
Parish Church
Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13. 8
Goodness is stronger than evil;
love is stronger than hate;
light is stronger than darkness;
life is stronger than death.
Victory is ours, victory is ours
through him who loves us.
A prayer of Desmond Tutu
In the days after the attack on the
World Trade Centre, a day we now
refer to as “911”, these words were
going round and round in my head. I
could not comprehend how someone
could be motivated to carry out such
an evil act on ordinary men and
women who were going about their
daily duties.
Everyone who knows and loves
Lochwinnoch will be reeling after the
events of Sunday morning when Paul
McGee was attacked outside his
mother’s home. We too will be asking
how could someone carry out such an
act on an ordinary man, quietly going
about his family duties? While, of
course, such events devastate a family,
they also have a profound effect on
the wider community and we are left
with the question, “How do we react?”
The first thing we must do is offer our
love and support to Paul’s family, re-
specting their right to privacy as well
as their need to know they are being
cared for at this terrible time. Of
course there are no words which can
ease their pain. However, they all
need to know we are remembering
them and will do whatever is appropri-
ate to help. Secondly we need to re-
member that this whole tragedy will
move to court. That has implications
for us all. We cannot speculate on
what happened; we have to wait for
the truth. It also means that Paul’s
nearest and dearest will have to revisit
the events of Sunday morning.
In Lochwinnoch just about everyone
knows everyone else. That is both a
blessing and a curse. Yet in times of
crisis, it is a blessing, for in a small-
community people can and do pull
together and be there for one an-
other. I am quite sure that come
Sunday morning, Paul and his family
J Quinn & son
Memorials Q
will be remembered in the prayers Personal Service &
at each of the three churches in the Quality Guaranteed
village.
I also know that Paul’s bravery will
be remembered by many on Sunday
8th November, when the community
gathers to remember our war heroes.
New Memorials
On Remembrance Day we gather, as
a community, to remember the huge Additional Inscriptions
sacrifices that have been made for
our freedom. That is not just the
sacrifice of those who died; it in-
Cleaning & Renovations
cludes the sacrifices made by men
and women like Paul McGee who
put his own life at risk to rescue a 42 MAIN STREET,
friend and comrade; it includes the
sacrifices of ordinary men and
KILBIRNIE
Please Call 01505 685 455
women who are prepared to risk
their lives to allow others to live Monday & Friday 10am-5pm,
with the freedom of democracy Tuesday-Thursday 10am–2pm
rather than the tyranny of dictator-
Saturday 10am - 1pm
ship.
One of the many things I appreciate
about Lochwinnoch is the way the family and friends who have died also
whole community comes together to lives on after they have gone from
share in remembrance at the War view.
Memorial. There is a place for every
one, for at the Memorial we remem- The love we share lives on and noth-
ber that to live in peace we must be ing can destroy that love. We also
able to live with each other’s differ- read, further on in the Bible in the first
ences. It is that respect for one an- letter of John (1 John, chapter 4, verse
other, that care for one another 7) “Beloved, let us love one another,
which will help this community heal because love is from God; everyone
its wounds; it is that care and respect who loves is born of God and knows
which will help us retain the strong God.”
community bonds that no one can
destroy. One of the ways we can honour the
tragic and untimely death of Paul
One of my favourite hymns is Love McGee is to love and support one an-
Divine, all loves excelling. When I other at this time, for then those who
sing that hymn, I am singing my seek to destroy community and life
faith. God’s love for us will never will discover that love is truly stronger
die, God’s love for us cannot be sur- than hate.
passed. The hymn is inspired, in
part by the beautiful poem to Love May the peace of God, which sur-
found in 1 Corinthians 13. This is a passes all understanding, guard your
passage that is often used at wed- hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,
dings, however, it is one I tend to at this time.
turn to in times of crisis. Knowing Yours
that love never ends brings me im-
mense comfort, for I know that not
only will God’s love never leave me,
I know the love I have shared with Rev. Christine Murdoch
 ELDERLY FORUM
The next meeting of The Forum takes
Church Street, Lochwinnoch Tel: 01505 842337 place on Thursday 26th November at 1pm
in the McKillop immediately following
EXCLUSIVE 2010 CALENDAR the lunch club. We look forward to a
visit from an officer from Strathclyde
- - AROUND LOCHWINNOCH - - Partnership for Transport who will talk to
FROM PAINTINGS BY ARTHUR G. CARSWELL us about local bus services and Dial-a-bus.
This should prove interesting because of
Lochwinnoch Christmas cards, great variety of Scottish calendars, the many issues regarding bus services in
Xmas paper, gift tags, card holders, gifts for him and gifts for her, and around the village.
7-Day Newspaper Delivery Service, Fresh morning rolls, Our Tbar on Tuesday mornings from
Milk from the local dairy, Newspapers, Magazines, Stationery, 10am-1pm continues to be as popular as
Confectionery and Gifts. ever and now the new Lunch Club, which
opened on the 22nd of last month, is also
Agents for Dry Cleaning, Curtain Cleaning, Ironing, Press only, a great success. A most enjoyable 2-
Alterations and Repairs, Shoe Repairs, Laundry. course meal is provided followed by tea or
coffee and costing only £2.
OPEN EVERY DAY - from 5.30am !
The Club will be on every Thursday and,
although there is no rush to enjoy the
lunch and the company, diners are asked
SKY AT NIGHT 5,000 feet. More than 100 to be seated between 12 noon until 12.15
million years old, it is believed when the team will begin serving. No
LOCHWINNOCH to have been formed by one of later than 12.15pm please. This timing is
the same group of asteroids to ensure that the food containers are emp-
November 2009 thought responsible for killing tied and ready for collection when the van
off the dinosaurs on Earth some arrives.
65 million years ago. On Monday 30th November members will
PLANETS celebrate St Andrew's Day with a lunch at
Meteors - last month's Orionid the golf club. Details of this will have
Jupiter is visible over Beith by meteor shower produced double been given at the October meeting, or if
teatime and sets in the west by the normal rates but alas, Scot- you missed it by calling me or from any-
11pm. land was in cloud. one at the Tbar. Tel Gordon: 842632.

Saturn has parted company with Lochwinnoch

Venus and before sunrise will be
seen high in the east.
Venus is getting closer to the
Sun but is still visible just before
the Sun rises. On January 11th
Venus is at Superior Conjunction
(close in-line with the Sun) and
not visible to the naked eye.
Mars is visible in the east before
sunrise.
Sun - is still low on sunspot
numbers but is showing signs of
'waking up' after Solar Minimum
and confirmation that we are in
Solar Cycle 24 .
Moon - the Moon is Full on the
2nd and New on 16th November.
Looking at the Moon it is difficult
to ignore the prominent crater at
the south end - Tycho, named
after a Danish astronomer Tycho
Brahe. The crater is over 52
miles in diameter, 3 miles deep
with a central high ground over
This Month's Meteors -
the Leonids:17/18th November
- hourly rates are uncertain,
possibly 120-140 with a chance
of far greater numbers. The
peak is November 17th from
9pm - 10pm. In the UK, the ra-
diant rises over the Loch about
11pm so the peak may have
passed but its still worth looking
out from 9pm onwards. There
could also be some fainter ac-
tivity on the evenings of 18th-
20th. Next month's shower are
the Geminids.
Muirshiel Viewing Nights
Friday 20th November and
Friday 11th December: 7-9 pm
- admission is free. (See inside
back pages for more details. Ed.)
...the above and more will be
found at www.lochwinnoch.info
Historical Society
We had a most interesting visit from
John West who, along with his team,
have been investigating (with a view
to restoring) gardens or houses of his-
torical interest within Renfrewshire.
He gave a Powerpoint presentation
showing how to look for evidence of
what had once been a beautiful gar-
den that has now all but disappeared.
The Hidden Story of the Macdowalls
of Castle Semple is the presentation
from Dr Stuart Nisbet of the Ren-
frewshire Local History Forum at our
next meeting. A history of both the
Macdowalls and Harvey families.
RLHF has recently launched a book
written by Stuart titled "Castle Semple
Rediscovered" priced at £6.50 and on
sale at the visitor centre at the loch.
The meeting will be held in the Guild
Room of the Parish Church on
Thursday 19th November at 7.30pm
New members and visitors welcome.
£2 for an evening visit to include
tea/coffee, cake and biscuits.
Contact: Gordon Nicholl 842632.
 IN REMEMBRANCE
A WOMAN’S LOT
A young girl stands at the door hold-
ing her mother’s hand, watching the
young man in uniform walking away
from them.
A young wife, children at her feet,
watches the young man in uniform
walk down the street and out of sight.
The mother stands at the door, tears
running down her cheeks, waving to
the young man in uniform walking
away down the street.
How many more times, she wonders.
How many more young men will she
have to wave away to war?
First her father off to the Boer War.
Then her husband to fight the War to
end all Wars. Now her son.
Her father came home a broken man,
her husband with bad lungs from the
gas. What about her son, will he come
back or will he fall in some foreign
land to be with the sons who will never
come back to other mothers?
The telegram boy appears. The street
becomes deserted, falls silent. Cur-
tains twitch as neighbours watch to
see where he is going. What house?
Not her’s today. Thank God. It’s the
new people across the street. How
bad is the news? Gradually the
neighbours gather outside the house
giving support to the widow who lives
there. It soon becomes known, it
could be worse, her son is in hospital
down south.
Mrs McNab at No. 23 has a cousin
who stays near the hospital, she’ll
write and ask if Mrs Green could stay
for a couple of nights.
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Feeling guilty for being thankful it CALDER UNITED FREE
was her neighbour’s son and not CHURCH
her’s, Mrs Grey offers the use of a
suitcase. Mr Watson has a car and
he still has some petrol. If she lets CHRISTMAS
him know the time of the train, he’ll
run her to the station.
FAYRE
Time passes. Mrs Grey starts to Saturday
hope her family may be lucky again,
her son may come home alive and if 21st November
she’s very lucky, well. Then came from10am - 12 noon
the telegram: Missing in action.
At the McKillop Institute
We remember the men who died in
the trenches. We remember the
young men who died in the air. The Stalls include:
Beven boys and Landgirls. We Home Baking, Jewellery,
rightly praise the heros but what
about the forgotten heroines? The Cake & Candy, Arts &
women who sent their loved ones to Crafts, Christmas Cards,
war. Some not to meet again for the
Paper & Gifts, Church
duration. Those who lived through
it, carrying on with daily lives as best Calendar for Sale,
they could. Bringing up families, Children’s Games,
coping with restrictions war brings.
Living in hope, dreading the worst. Tea and Coffee,
Come and write your
Mrs Grey’s luck held, her son was a
Prisoner of War but, it is my opinion, letter to Santa !
women like her are as much entitled
to be called heroines as all the rest. Come along and enjoy all
the fun of the Fayre.
Pat Thomson, 2009
WALL MOUNTS SUPPLIED AND FITTED REPAIRS
FREE ESTIMATES
 THE GRAND FLORAL
BAZAAR
November 1899
A number of years ago, while doing a
City and Guilds course on Creative
Floral Art, Mrs May Bowald (who was
a member of Calder UF Church and is
now deceased) let me see the original
Guide Book for the Grand Floral
Bazaar which was held 110 years ago
on 2nd, 3rd and 4th November 1899 in
Paisley Town Hall from 12 noon until
10pm each day. I am so glad that this
Guide was photocopied as otherwise
a piece of Lochwinnoch’s history
could have been forgotten.
The object of the Bazaar was to raise
£1,000 in order to renovate the
Church and increase the hall accom-
modation. The church was the Loch-
winnoch United Presbyterian Church
(now Calder Church), with its Minis-
ter, Rev. Henry Begg Gray. It had
been 108 years since the congrega-
tion had been formed and, during this
period, they had many difficult times
the most severe of which had been
the failure of the cotton-spinning in-
dustry, upon which Lochwinnoch was
very much dependent. The depopula-
tion of the village meant that mem-
bership of the church was very much
reduced and there was a severe
struggle for existence. Fortunately,
fresh industries had arisen bringing an
increase in population and, although
membership was still small and re-
sources limited, the running of the
Grand Floral Bazaar would be helped
by the generosity of members and
friends. All this and more is explained
by a Mr George L Campbell, Convenor
of the Committee.
The design of the Bazaar in Paisley
Town Hall, as detailed in the Guide,
was that of a gigantic Floral Market.
The entrance to the market (after
paying sixpence entry) was through a
trellis work gateway, upon which
were trained roses and other climbing
plants and flowers. An Algerian sum-
mer house made out of white fret-
work with a canopy top of bright
coloured drapery festooned (a very
descriptive Victorian word) with
primroses, Louis XIV styled stall
with carnations, the platform was a
Japanese tea garden with a back-
ground scene from the willow pat-
tern plate and, again, festooned
with chrysanthemums. Between
the platform and the Louis XIV stall
was the Children’s Room, where
they could spend half an hour with
the amusements provided for
them. At the end of the Floral Mar-
ket, the Secretary’s and Parcel Of-
fice was decorated to represent the
sunflower. The rose, violet, poppy,
primrose, carnation, convolvulus
and geranium were also repre-
sented at stalls – all this in the
month of November!
In the centre of the Hall, there was
a grand octagonal stall with a Ve-
netian mast surmounted by a large
crown of roses. Garlands of roses
were festooned from the top of the
mast to the sides and ends of the
Hall making a grand floral canopy.
At the base was the flower stall
proper, with small chairs and tables
here and there for the convenience
of visitors to sit and admire this
wonderful scene and the decora-
tions were carried out by a Messrs
Carnegie & Co of Newcastle-upon-
Tyne. What a sight this must have
been.
Patronesses and Patrons are listed
in the Guide. On the first day, a Mr
C Bine Renshaw MP and Rev. Princi-
pal Hutton D.D opened the Bazaar
with the Chairman being Henry
McDowall of Garthland.
The next day was opened by Sir Thos.
G. Glen-Coats,Bart., and Rev. Andrew
Henderson LL.D with the Chairman
Peter Eadie from Paisley. The third
day was opened by Robert Balder-
stone, JP and Rev. Andrew G. Fleming
with the Chairman, Neil K. Cochran-
Patrick of Beith. Many well known
names of Lochwinnoch families are
mentioned on both the Ladies and
Gents Executive Committees – Camp-
bell, Love, Jamieson, McKinlay,
Waddell, Connell, Steel, Crawford to
mention but a few.
There were 8 stalls each with a differ-
ent floral emblem, 2 Presidents,
approx. 6 stallholders with some
having 14 assistants coming from
Glasgow, Paisley, Edinburgh, Ayr,
Cove, Falkirk, Broughty Ferry and
even South Africa! The Refreshment
Room which had palms and other
plants at the base of the platform
provided tea, coffee, cocoa, beef tea,
sandwiches, scones, cake, pancakes
or if something more substantial was
required, “Tea with Cold Meat” at
one shilling or a “Plain Tea” at six-
pence. The only omission in the
Guide is there is no mention as to
what was sold on the stalls.
Concerts, recitals and entertain-
ments are listed for each day at vari-
ous times. Organ recitals, grand con-
certs with vocalists, violinists and pi-
anoforte – sixpence entry to each
concert.
The Cinematograph which gave
“most wonderful animated pictures”.
Galvanic Battery - “The only shocking
affair in the Bazaar – visitors shocked
for the moderate charge of one

penny”. On research, this appeared
to be metal rods which, when touch-
ing each other, gave a small electric
shock.
Hat Trimming Competition for Gen-
tlemen – “competitors supplied with
materials and handsome prizes will be
given”.
Fish Pond and Fairy Well for the
young folks – “Rod and lines supplied
and a ‘catch’ guaranteed every time”.
Shooting Gallery Competitions –
“Almost as exciting as Bisley. Ordi-
nary practice one penny with special
competitions for the ‘Queen’s Prize’,
costing sixpence for 3 shots and Bull’s
Eyes only counted. With finals to be
fired off at 9.30 each evening.”
The Mutoscope “will delight every-
body” – one penny charge.
While the gentlemen had a Hat Trim-
ming Competition, the ladies had a
Nail Driving Competition, which cost
sixpence to enter and three pence for
sympathising spectators. There was
also medical aid on hand for
‘chapped’ fingers!
A Museum and Gallery of Fine Arts,
Scientific Palmistry, Weighing Ma-
chine and the Phonograph described
as a “wonderful talking machine – will
let you hear either song, solo or or-
chestral music for a penny”.
The competition which really inter-
ested me was the Washing Competi-
tion, where each competitor was sup-
plied with a pail, some cold water,
half a bar of Sunlight soap, two pegs
and a dirty towel. On the word ‘GO’
all wash the towel and the person
who shows the cleanest towel in the
space of 3 minutes and the same
being correctly pegged on the line
would win. Points were deducted
for overtime and incorrect detail.
Sixpence to enter and threepence to
watch. The first prize for the com-
petition was a handsome set of
Carvers (valued at 15 shillings) with
the second prize being a quarter
gross case of Sunlight soap.
Many companies from Glasgow and
Paisley, with one from Lochwinnoch
are advertised in the Guide, which
gives a great insight into their busi-
nesses - even discount for cash!
This Grand Floral Bazaar has fired
my imagination many times and I
hope, on reading this, you have en-
joyed this account. I have portrayed
the scene in a good number of floral
demonstrations and it was lovely to
bring it full circle to Paisley Town
Hall and to finish being in Calder
Church hall where the organisation
had all started.
On the 11th November 1899, it was
announced in the Gazette that
“£1,220 had been raised with a
quantity of unsold goods still on
hand which after all expenses have
been paid there should be a good
balance remaining.” It is stated that
the workers deserve great credit for
their efforts.
I feel that the people of Lochwin-
noch and surrounding areas, who
must have made the journey to
Paisley in November 1899 in what-
ever way possible to them, also
made the Grand Floral Bazaar such a
success.
Lorna Forteith
THANK YOU
Jim Smith and Pat Mill
would like to thank those
who attended Jim’s 70th
birthday bash at the
Golf Club recently.
The generosity of his
guests, who made dona-
tions to charity, has al-
lowed Jim to give -
£150 to St Vincent’s
Hospice and
£150 to Scottish
Motor Neurone charity.
So, well done all of you
and thank you very much.
LOCHWINNOCH
SWRI
Last month, members and friends en-
joyed an excellent concert by Paisley
Musical and Operatic Society Con-
certy Party. Their performance of
songs from the shows was well pro-
duced and lively and was enthusiasti-
cally received by an appreciative audi-
ence. We look forward to The Soci-
ety’s production of “The Producers”
in March 2010.
The competition winners were:
3 Butterfly Cakes
1. K Brunton
2. P Matthews
3. R Gould
A Flower Photograph
1. R Gould
2. P Matthews
3. K Brunton
The next meeting is on Wednesday
18th November at 7.30pm in the
McKillop Hall, when Griffe Cama
Club will give a Diaporama presenta-
tion. As always, visitors will be most
welcome.

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
SAVE YOUR
REGIONAL PARK
The thrust of the work of our Commit-
tee is to object to any industrial-scale
planning applications in Clyde Muir-
shiel Regional Park in order that this
wonderful rural landscape can be en-
joyed by the many millions of users.
Our organisation has objected to the
Glenlora House / Proactive Energy
Ltd application for an Anaerobic Di-
gester based on the facts of the plan-
ning application as lodged with Ren-
frewshire Council.
The facts as per the planning applica-
tion are that 18,500 tonnes of waste is
required rather than 7,200 tonnes (as
quoted in last month’s Chatterbox)
and presumably all of this, except pos-
sibly any small amount supplied direct
from the fields on the north side of
Corsefield Road will require to be
transported along Core paths in the
Park. Given that it is a single track
road, most loads would come in on
lorries / trailers carrying approxi-
mately 10 or 20 tonnes so it appears
odd that only 2 loads per day have
been estimated. The size of the three
tanks to be built are 104ft dia, 98ft
dia and 38ft dia and in our opinion
this is not a small-scale operation to
digest Glenlora’s agricultural waste
but a large, industrial-scale develop-
ment necessitating the import of most
of the waste from other sources.
In other parts of the country, a number
of full time farms, with significant
milking herds and cattle courts have
built small digesters to cope with their
own waste but this is not the case in
this instance. In fact the input/
output is estimated to be six times
bigger than a large sized dairy herd
farm would require.
In the planning application it was
stated that this was not a commercial
concern but to us this is certainly an
industrial-sized plant. Planned
properly, such a plant might be bet-
ter located on industrial sites where
services are readily available and
road and rail access is fit for pur-
pose.
The main attraction for developers
and landowners may well prove to
be the substantial Renewable Obli-
gations Certificates (ROCs) that will
be available to them to trade on the
market as by developers attempting
to build windfarms in Clyde Muir-
shiel Regional Park.
In the planning application the waste
material to be processed at Glenlora
consists of (per annum) 11,500 ton-
nes of cow slurry, 3,000 tonnes of
potato tops (shaws) and 4,000 tonnes
silage. There was no mention of bar-
ley and one has to wonder at the
suitability of the ground and climate
for barley production at Glenlora, as
was suggested in Chatterbox last
month.
The developer’s Chatterbox article
also states that Glenlora has 215
acres of barley production whereas
the application location plan shows
the whole estate as 100+ acres in-
cluding policies and woodlands.
There may of course be a desire to
purchase more fields but nothing
additional has been registered yet.
The single track roads, Corsefield
Road and Auchenhain Road, which
serve the area have no passing places
and are designated Core paths to en-
courage walking etc; another major
reason why SYRP objected to this
planning application.
It is an interesting additional obser-
vation that Proactive Energy Ltd’s
website, states "construction will
shortly commence on our state-of-the-
art biogas plant in South Lanark-
shire”. Lanarkshire Planning Com-
mittee will only process this applica-
tion at their meeting on 3 November.
We emphasise again; the only infor-
mation on which anyone can base
their comments concerning Planning
Applications is contained in the appli-
cation paperwork and supporting
documents. SYRP objected on the
basis of the stated information.
To view this information, please see
Renfrewshire Council Planning Appli-
cation No. 09/0417/PP published at:-
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/
publishing.nsf/Content/pt-sw-
planning-application-search
SAVE YOUR
REGIONAL PARK
campaign
PUBLIC MEETING
on
Wednesday 11th November
commencing at 7.30pm
at Radio City, Kilbirnie
with
Presentation
by
James Mackinnon
The Scottish Government’s
Chief Planner for Scotland
Jim Mackinnon will explain how
he sees the future planning system
in Scotland and the role of Re-
gional Parks within the overall
plan for Scotland.
www.saveyourregionalpark.com
 THANK YOU
Another half-marathon completed so
it’s time to say a huge thank you to
everyone in the village and beyond,
who sponsored my efforts to raise
money for the Yorkhill Hospital Foun-
dation Fund.
A total of just over £600 was
achieved from small individual dona-
tions and from the larger amounts
donated by my long-term sponsors
such as the Corner Bar, Doctors and
Staff at the Surgery, the Garthland
Arms and the Junction. For this
event, my daughter helped me secure
new sponsors such as the Abbey Mills
and Woodlands Nurseries in Paisley
and Houston respectively.
As usual, I carried my ‘collection
bucket’ round the course with me and
added about £70 to the total. Yes, my
right arm is getting much longer than
my left!
So thanks again to everyone who
supported me and just to let you
know, I’ve no intention of stopping so
I’ll be after you again for donations
next time !
All the best,
Ronald McKellar Brown
TEENAGE CANCER
TRUST NEWS
I would like to record my thanks to
the ladies of the Order Of The Eastern
Star - Johnstone Chapter who pre-
sented me with a cheque for £3,500
at their meeting on 27th October. This
represented the proceeds of their an-
nual 'Around Cumbrae Charity Cycle'.
Also, a big thank you to the ladies of
the St. Winnoch Chapter of The East-
ern Star for a donation of £89.00 col-
lected at their recent Divine Service.
Once again, many thanks to everyone
who sponsored me in the Boston
Marathon on 20th September. If you
would like to donate, you can still do
so by visiting my JustGiving page at:
www.justgiving.com/jd-boston-marathon
or I am happy to receive donations for
TCT from anyone, in person.
More news next month.
Thanks again.
John Delaney
CHRISTMAS STOCK NOW IN !
Visit your local hardware store for a wide range of goods, carpet
cleaning machine for hire, etc, etc. All major credit cards accepted.
Come along and join in the fun at Kilbirnie & Glengarnock Craft Fayre and
Christmas Festival on Saturday 28th November.
Some special offers - discounts on selected Christmas items.
86 Main Street, Kilbirnie, KA25 7AA Tel/Fax: 01505 682125
OPEN - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am-1pm and 2.15-5.15pm
Lochwinnoch LOCHWINNOCH
Community Council ART GROUP
The Community Council AGM took Lochwinnoch Art Group invites all
those interested in joining us for a
place on Monday 19th October and the
very informal night of leisurely art.
following office bearers were re-
elected:
We meet next on Monday 9th
November at 7.30pm in the Lesser
Chairman - Chris Gould
Secretary - Lesley Scott Hall, McKillop Institute. Our AGM
will be on Monday 23rd November,
Treasurer - David Fowles.
same time and venue as our meet-
Graeme Brown will continue in his ings, to which everyone is wel-
role as Planning Convenor and Hazel come.
Dundas will take on the job of Minute Christine Brown
Secretary.
( Chairperson )
SCOTTISH FREE RANGE
RANGE CHICKENS - NOW IN!
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NEW DISCOUNTED MEAT PACKS - AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS SIZES
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39 High Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AB Tel: 01505 844941
SHOP OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
CUT OUT THIS COUPON TO CLAIM 10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR NEXT
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 The
Boston Marathon
The report in the October issue of
“Chatterbox”, on the success of the
Castle Semple Rowing Club mem-
bers in the Boston Marathon, con-
tained little description of the
event itself, though possibly more
description has been given in pre-
vious articles. It also brought to
mind my first experience of enter-
ing the event, back in 1959, when it
first became open to all-comers.
In the club that I belonged to at the
time, four oarsmen decided to en-
ter the event in a four, more as a
‘lark’ than a serious act of rowing.
They suggested I should also take
part, though I was a habitual
sculler. Sculling 31 miles was a
daunting prospect but thinking
back to previous experiences, such
as rowing in an eight from Not-
tingham to Newark, had taught me
that over a long period, eight men
did not consistently ply themselves
to their oars. First one, then an-
other, would reduce their efforts
for a period. Thus, propulsion of
the boat became inefficient, and
over-tiring for the more conscien-
tious crewmembers. Therefore, I
decided that with no one else to
rely on, I would enter.
We arrived at the start in Lincoln,
after a poor night’s sleep. People
suggested that I was out of my
mind to enter the event (I believe
that no sculler had entered before)
but, oblivious to the asides, I was
despatched amongst the first few
because the organisers did not
know how a sculler would perform.
The principle was that the slowest
left first and the fastest last. Only
the pairs left before me.
After some three miles, the boats
had to be lifted out of the water
and carried around a lock. There
were men there to help with this
so it was of no particular conse-
quence and, as sculling boats are
very light, no great amount of en-
ergy was expended in the task.
From this lock to the end of the
course was one continuous stretch
of water.
Vanda’s Mobile Hairdressing
Ladies and Gents.
LOCHWINNOCH, BEITH,
KILBIRNIE and HOWWOOD
25 years’ hairdressing experience
Book now for an appointment.
Tel: 01505 842329
In that part of Britain the land is
very flat and all of the water-
courses are in effect drainage
ditches that have been made, or
improved, by man. They tend to
be straight, with very steep sides,
up to 3m high. Nowhere was suit-
able for getting out of a sculling,
or a rowing boat so, once on the
water and wanting to stretch your
legs, there were only two alterna-
tives. Go back to the start, or
carry on to the finish.
The crew of the four had with
them, the wife of one and the
girlfriend of another. They had
studied the map and had decided
that, some four miles down-
stream of the lock, there was a
track between the highway sys-
tem and the river and they rea-
soned that it ought to be possible
for the women to use the track to
drive to the river’s edge and hand
drinks to their men-folk, includ-
ing me. Due to this arrangement
and to avoid the extra weight, I
did not take any drink with me in
the boat. It was a blistering hot
day and the sweat flowed copi-
ously. However, when I arrived at
the appointed ‘drink station’
there was no sign whatsoever of
these women with the bottles of
drink. Afterwards they explained
that they had over-estimated my
time and also could not find their
way. I decided not to wait and
sculled on.
Apart from the fact that I was in
this large ‘ditch’, with negligible
view because of the high banks
and without water in the blister-
ing heat, there was the additional
factor of solitude. There were no
people on the banks
There were also no other boats;
because I had been started almost
at the front of the pack, the boats
ahead were much slower and were
soon overtaken, those started just
behind were slow and were left fur-
ther behind. The faster boats were
so far behind that they did not
catch up. Therefore, I had all of
this solitude to myself, with only
the relief of counting the number
of strokes (25) per minute (for al-
most four-and-a-half hours).
To propel a fine sculling boat at a
comfortable, and modest, speed
does not take as much effort as
may be imagined. The technique is
to ‘tickle’ it along. The boat is ex-
ceptionally well streamlined and,
once given a push, it runs (glides)
through the water for at least its
own length (8.2m). Therefore, the
objective is to get the blades (wide
part at the wet end of the scull)
into the water, through the stroke,
and out of the water, with a speed
that is always faster than the boat
is moving, but with little effort.
Efficiency is the priority, not
power.
There came a time when the cir-
cumstances told, even to the point
of desperation. A rest followed
every so many strokes and then the
rests became more frequent. Being
swallowed into the depths of the
river became appealing. The town
of Boston is marked by its ‘stump’,
which is the base of a church tower
that was never completed with a
spire. In that flat countryside, it is
an obvious landmark. I could not
see it but, at last, I passed an an-
gler.
“How far to Boston”? I gasped.
“Five miles” he replied with a grin.
 OMAR’S
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I am currently short-listed for the

I rallied for what seemed to be an-
other mile, when I passed another
angler.
“How far to Boston”? I repeated.
“Six miles”, was the answer.
My morale was nil, but then I went
round a bend in the river and saw
a long straight of water, with the
stump in the distance. Only will-
power and the huge incentive of
getting out of this trap, got me
down that straight.
At the landing stage, I had to be
lifted out of the boat, and left oth-
ers to take it off the water and on
to my car. I had stopped sweating
long ago and under the seat there
was a layer of salt from the dried
perspiration. Before the drive
home (about 200 miles), 26 cups
of tea were drunk before anything
came out. There were some 18 blis-
ters on each hand. In some areas,
there was a blister, on a blister, on
a blister.
After all that, I finished twelfth
overall, with a time of 4 hours 26
minutes.
Strangely enough, I returned the
next year to do it again! This time I
took a friend to drive the car and
tried a novel idea of avoiding my
hands becoming so blistered.
Scull handles had on them rubber
grips, similar to the grips on cycle
handlebars, but with a heavy
knurled pattern. To subdue the
aggressiveness of the raised ridges,
condoms were rolled over the rub-
bers, which caused a slight stir
from those who noticed. They
lasted barely five minutes. A case
of the wrong type of friction!
That year I finished sixth overall,
in a time of 3 hours 56 minutes.
The improvement must have
been due to better conditions,
and more experience.
Either then, or a later excursion,
I tried covering the rubber and
my hands with butter. The objec-
tive was to prevent the rubber
pulling at the skin. A sculler does
not grip the scull handle as a ten-
nis player grips his racket. The
scull is held in the fingers and the
pull is exerted through the fin-
gers without the handle touching
the palms. The blade is turned
off, and onto, the feather by roll-
ing the handle in the fingers, as-
sisted by the thumb and forefin-
ger. However, the butter softened
the rubbers to the extent that my
fingers wore grooves in them,
almost through its thickness
(4mm).
Nothing avoided the bad blistering.
I do not remember the details of
how I fared in the later one, or
two, participations in this event.
Certainly, the heat was less, wa-
ter was taken on board from the
start and completion of the
course was not nearly so desper-
ate.
However, along came a sculler
who completed the course some
15 minutes quicker than I had
done and that marked my exit
from this event.
Only the experiences of the first
time have burned themselves
into my memory.
Colin McKay, Kilbarchan
Catlin Art Prize and will have a
painting in the London Art Fair. I
have also been promoting my
work through meetings and a
constantly updated blog. See
www.zingaromar.blogspot.com
for more information.
Now my work is coming to
Lochwinnoch!
Details are below.
Omar’s Homecoming
Victory Show
from
Saturday 7th to
Sat 21st November
(during library opening hours)
Hope to see you there.
Omar Bhatia
IMPROVING
WITH AGE
Keep Fit Class
HELP! HELP!
HELP!
Here are only some of the “HELPS”
that you can expect by taking regular
exercise.
“Helps” to reduce blood pressure,
control cholesterol, control weight,
reduce risks of strokes, heart disease,
cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, well-
being, improve sleep, confidence and
seriously improve your social life!
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,

What’s On
(Regular clubs,
classes and local
groups)
• Healing and Creativity Work-
shops on Sundays & Classes
on Mondays. For details or to
book a place, please call Becky on:
0141 8816700 or Libby on: 015105
842604. Venue: Lochwinnoch.
• Advice Works - Tuesdays
10am -12.30 at the Library. *
• Linda Margaret School of
Dancing - Tuesdays from 4pm-
8.45pm, McKillop Institute. For
details, Tel: 0141 581 9104.
• TaeKwon-Do Fitness and Self-
defence classes for youths and
adults. Tuesdays from 5-6pm,
JOIN AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER TODAY FOR JUST
McKillop Institute. For details
Tel: 01259 210716.
• Lochwinnoch Scottish
Country Dance Club Every
INTERESTED IN JOINING A CLUB?
WHY NOT SEE WHAT
LOCHWINNOCH GOLF CLUB
HAS TO OFFER…
PLAYING & ASSOCIATE
MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE…
SPECIAL OFFER
£15 (£10 REDEEMABLE VOUCHERS BELOW) AND
GET FULL USE OF OUR FACILITIES
EXCELLENT CATERING
SKY SPORTS & ESPN ON THE BIG SCREEN
WONDERFUL VIEWS
HIRE OF THE CLUBHOUSE

Tuesday, from 7.30-9.30pm,

• 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 - Mon-
days and Wednesdays from 9.30 -
11.30am, McKillop Institute.
• Lochwinnoch Gymnastics
Club - For primary school-age
children every Monday,5-8pm at
the Annexe. Phone Coby for de-
tails on: 0772 9051615.
• Lochwinnoch Writers
Group—Monday mornings from
9.30-11.30am in 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 eve-
nings, 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 Rhyme-
time - every Tuesday, 2.15pm at
Lochwinnoch Library. *
McKillop Inst.
£5 BAR £5 FOOD
VOUCHER VOUCHER
• Jogging Buddies - Wednes- REDEEMABLE REDEEMABLE WHEN
WHEN YOU JOIN YOU JOIN AS AN
day evenings. Meet at McKillop AS AN ASSOCIATE ASSOCIATE
Inst. at 6.30pm. For details, Tel:
0141 887 1357 or 07947 763704. WHAT’S ON AT LGC?
• Girls Brigade - 1st Loch- Friday 6th November – Fireworks Display
winnoch Company Wednesday Donations requested – Food Available
evenings from 6pm-9.15pm at
the Parish Church Hall for vari-
Saturday 28th November – CURRY Night
£14.95 per person for 3 Courses
ous age groups.
Saturday 19th December – Annual
• Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys
and Junior Sections meet on
Christmas Dance, Buffet & Entertainment
Tickets £12
Tuesday nights and Company
Non-Members Welcome to all functions
Section on Friday evenings,
Parish Church Hall. To book contact the Bar Staff on
(01505) 842153
• Yoga Classes - Wednesday
evenings - 2 classes at 6pm & at
7.30pm. Yoga, breathing prac-
tice, intro. to meditation. For The
details Tel Mary: 01505 842877
• Happy Harminis - Fun for pre
‘Fall Ball
-school children. Thursdays
from 10am-11am in the McKillop
Ceilidh’
Institute. Contact Frankie Plater
for details: 01505 612248.
in the McKillop Hall,
• Slinky Strollers - on Thursday
mornings (details on back page). Lochwinnoch
• ROAR Lunch Club - every
on
Thursday at 12 noon at the Saturday
McKillop Institute. Please
Note - the last sitting is at 12.15 14th November ‘09
• TaeKwon-Do Little Tiger Doors open 8.15pm
Cubs. Classes are for 3-5 year
olds, held on Thursdays from Band
4.15pm-5pm at McKillop Inst. ‘The Last Tram
Tel: 01259 210716 for details.
• Calder Drama Club—
Tae Auchenshuggle’
Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm
McKillop Institute. Bar, Buffet and Raffle
Entry by ticket only - £8.50.
• Scottish Slimmers - Thurs-
days, 7/7.30pm, McKillop Inst.
Get your tickets now
• Lochwinnoch Pre-School
Gymnastics ( for children from (as they always sell out)
18 mths to 5 yrs). Fridays, from from the Brown Bull
10.15am - 1.45pm at the Annexe. pub, Junction Bistro
Further details from Coby on
and the Corner Bar.
Tel: 0772 9051615.
 Dates for
your diaries
• Friday 6th November - Prize
Bingo Night, starts 7.30pm at the
Masonic Club. *
• Friday 6th November -
Lochwinnoch Fireworks Display,
7.30pm at the Golf Club. *
(See main notice for details.)
• Saturday 7th November -
Councillor Neil Bibby’s Advice
Surgery, at 9am, McKillop Insti-
tute. * (Tel: Councillor Bibby on
0141 840 3653.)
• Saturday 7th November—
Krafty Kids class from 10am-
11.30am for Primary School chil-
dren at Space Rooms, McKillop
Inst. To book, Tel Katharine on:
01505 844944.
• Sunday 8th November -
Remembrance Sunday Service -
10.45am at the War Memorial,
then parade to the Parish Church.
• Monday 9th November -
Lochwinnoch Art Group meeting
at 7.30pm, Lesser Hall, McKillop
Inst. *
• Wednesday 11th November -
Save Your Regional Park cam-
paign Public Meeting and Presen-
tation by the Scottish Govern-
ment’s Chief Planner, James
Mackinnon, at 7.30pm in Radio
City, Kilbirnie.
• Saturday 14th November—Fall
Ball Ceilidh with “Last Tram Tae
Auchenshuggle” in the McKillop
Inst. Tickets £8.50 from usual
outlets. *
• Wednesday 18th November -
Lochwinnoch SWRI meeting at
7.30pm in the McKillop Inst. *
• Thursday 19th November -
Lochwinnoch Historical Society
meeting at 7.30pm, in the Guild
Room of the Parish Church. *
• Thursday 19th November -
Funderthon 2009. FREE event
with workshops and advice on
fundraising. (see separate RCVS
notice for full details. *
• Saturday 21st November —
Councillor Arthur’s Surgery from
11.30am, the McKillop Institute. *
• Saturday 21st November -
Calder UF Church Christmas Fete
in the McKillop Hall from 10am-
12 noon. *
Men of Lochwinnoch - we know that many of you find it
difficult to buy a Christmas present for your partner.
What to choose and will she like it?
Let us help. We have a huge range of items which she will
love, provide friendly, personal service, are on your doorstep
and open seven days a week.
You really have no excuse now do you?
Gifts Cards Jewellery Leather Home
8 Church Street Lochwinnoch 01505 843311
Open 9-5 Monday-Saturday and 12-4 on Sundays
• Saturday 21st November— • Saturday 5th December -
Krafty Kids class from 1.30-3pm Lochwinnoch Parish Church
for Primary School children at Christmas Fayre from 10am—12
Space Rooms, McKillop Inst. noon.
To book, Tel Katharine on:
• Saturday 5th December—
01505 844944.
Krafty Kids class from 10am-
• Sunday 22nd November - 11.30am for Primary School chil-
“Sound the Trumpet” Concert at dren at Space Rooms, McKillop
2.30pm in Beith Trinity Church. Inst. To book, Tel Katharine on:
Tickets at the door, £8, £6 Conc. 01505 844944.
& £1 children. (See separate • Saturday 5th December -
Beith Arts Concerts notice for
Christmas Lights Switch On Pa-
full details.) rade - starts at Auld Simon at
• Monday 23rd November - 6.30pm. All welcome.
Lochwinnoch Art Group AGM, • Tuesday 22nd December -
7.30pm, Lesser Hall, McKillop Christmas Concert at 7pm in
Inst. All welcome. *
Lochwinnoch Parish Church. (See
• Thursday 26th and Friday Lochwinnoch Choral Society no-
27th November - ‘Ladies Day’ tice for full details.)
by Calder Drama Club, McKillop
Hall. Doors Open 7pm. * * For further details about
• Thursday 26th November - these events and activities,
Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum see separate notices inside
meet at 1pm in the McKillop In- this issue of Chatterbox.
stitute. *
• Thursday 26th November -
Another Nicht Wi …. The Garth- VILLAGE EVENT
land Cronies” at Lochwinnoch
Library at 7.30pm. *
CALENDAR for 2009
• Tuesday 1st December - Lochwinnoch Post Office has a wall-
Lochwinnoch Community Coun- mounted planner, where members of
cil monthly meeting, - 7.30pm the public can enter details of forth-
in the Guild Room, Lochwin-
coming events. Please use this
noch Parish Church. * planner to avoid any clashes when
• Saturday 5th December - choosing dates to hold events, and to
Councillor Neil Bibby’s Advice help publicise your own events in
Surgery, at 9am, McKillop Insti- and around the village and local area.
tute. * (Tel: Councillor Bibby
on 0141 840 3653.) *Year 2010 Planner available soon!
Liz Callaghan DTM. ADCMC. Beith Arts Concerts
Therapeutic Massage Therapist The next Sunday afternoon concert
in this, their 45th season, will feature
Therapeutic Massage will directly help with Stress and "Sound the Trumpet", a trio of trum-
Anxiety It will alleviate muscle pain, in particular back pet, organ and singer. This is a con-
pain, frozen shoulder and sciatica. cert not to be missed!
Massage assists with all circulatory problems including varicose veins.
It plays a crucial role in the treatment of Sports Injuries and the maintenance of fitness. It will take place on
There are fewer better treatments for the promotion of General Health and Well-Being. Sunday 22nd November
at 2.30 p.m. in Trinity Church,
• Fully qualified and experienced Massage Therapist. Roebank Road, Beith.
• Able to visit you at home or in treatment rooms in
Lochwinnoch or Glasgow. The trumpet player, Mark O`Keeffe,
• Introductory Massage Workshops are also run monthly. won several prestigious awards on his
way to his present post as Principal
Contact Liz Callaghan: 01505 842 052 Trumpet of the BBC Scottish Sym-
or email: remedyoptions@gmail.com phony Orchestra. He has performed
in many countries, has appeared as
soloist with the BBC SSO, and has
Rice commissioned a number of new works
for solo trumpet from Scottish com-
We all know the old, not so funny injury as soon as possible and, fol- posers.
joke, of someone asking for directions lowing the above formula, will help The organist is Walter Blair - who is
and the reply that it would be much stop further complications and begin also pianist, choral trainer, music edu-
better if you didn't start from here. the healing process. cator, examiner, adjudicator and con-
Well that's true for so many of the cli- sultant. He is one of Scotland`s most
ents that I see. It’s usually days, weeks However the body as a whole needs versatile musicians, and is well-known
and even on occasion, months after an support to deal with the injury and to local music-lovers, having per-
injury that they eventually come to see also its future prevention. Massage formed many times in concerts in this
area.
me and, more importantly, they have will treat the immediate symptoms
failed to apply any treatment and have but also help the body's overall re- Patricia McMahon, the soprano who
continued with exercise hoping that it sponse and regular massage, like completes the trio, is also very well-
would just go away. As a result the regular exercise, will help condition known in Scotland. As well as fulfilling
initial trauma is compounded and muscle to be more flexible in re- professional engagements in concert,
recital, oratorio and recording work,
compensations made elsewhere in sponse to trauma.
she taught singing at the RSAMD for
posture and movement. over thirty years. She has also taken
So, with relatively minor physical masterclasses in several countries.
What needs to be brought in is RICE. injury, pulled muscles, strains etc.,
Not with curry or as a pudding but immediately treat with RICE and if Tickets are £8, concessions £6,
Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. the complaint doesn't ease, then see children £1 (pay at the door).
It is essentially important to treat an someone soon. All comers will be very welcome.

Liz Callaghan
A “VICTORIAN”
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
CONGRATULATIONS It's all change for local man, Peter LOCHWINNOCH
Dick, as he takes on the new role
PETER ! of Minister at Erskine Baptist
PARISH CHURCH HALLS

Church. After six years of study- Saturday 5th December

ing, Peter has graduated with a from 10am-12 noon
BA in Theology and a Bachelor
of Divinity (Honours) degree, and Baking, Tombola and Usual Stalls
his Ordination and Induction take Tea & Coffee
place at the church on Saturday *Hot* Mince & Apple Pies and
7th November. Shortbread
Orders for Christmas Wreaths
Peter and his wife Kay will con- can be taken
tinue to live in the village, and Tickets available at the Door
are looking forward to the chal- Adult - £1.50: Child £1
lenges and opportunities ahead. (All Welcome)
 LOCHWINNOCH Vee Bee Sugarart
CHRISTMAS Established 1994

LIGHTS Shop & Showroom

19 Main Street (The Cross), Kilbirnie, Ayrshire KA25 7BX
SWITCH ON Tel/Fax: 01505 683689
www.veebeesugarart.co.uk/www.vbsugarart.co.uk

SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER
AT 6.30PM
A date for your diary - LMEG are planning Christmas
Lights around the village once again. The Switch On
Parade will start at Auld Simon at 6.30pm and we’re
hoping for another great turn out whatever the weather !
Please feel free to dress up, or dress your children up, in
something festive and bring along a torch to light the
parade (no naked flames please).
Any donations – large or small - from local businesses,
groups or individuals towards continuing to extend the
display would be much appreciated. Donations can be
handed in at the Library or you’ll find red collection
boxes in shops and pubs around the village.
For further information,
please contact Carol Gemmell on Tel: 843 858.
The West Coast of Scotland’s best kept secret
for cakemakers
We supply our own range of VB Lustre, Pearl and Sparkle Dust
Also our superb range of VB non-toxic Petal Dusts
(a range of 99 colours in total)
used by many demonstrators.
In addition to these, we also stock a wide range of
cutters, tools and equipment
Tin Hire and Cakestand Hire
Boards, Boxes and Ribbons.
Plus the largest selection of ready-made sugar flowers
on the West Coast.
If we do not have it then, with enough time, we will make it.
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10am-4pm
Wednesday and Saturday 10am—1pm.
MAIL ORDER OUR SPECIALITY

Lochwinnoch Community Council

Christmas Lights Competition Results
Well done to all who entered the
Community Council Christmas CALDER DRAMA
Lights Competition. Proudly Present
The judges were incredibly im-
pressed with the quality, and Ladies Day
number of entries. There were A hilarious feel-good comedy by Amanda Whitington,
235 entries, wow! which will be staged on
Thursday 26th November &
Congratulations go to the winner,
Jamie Lee Stevenson. Her
Friday 27th November
light is being manufactured now at the McKillop Institute.
and Jamie Lee will be invited to Doors open at 7.00 pm
unveil her design for the village at with the Performance commencing at 7.30 pm.
the Christmas Lights Switch-on 2nd - Nicola Kenmuir
on Saturday 5th December. Refreshments will be available on both nights.
Tickets - £5 for Adults and
£3 for Senior Citizens and Children.
Competition for the top
spot was very close and The play centres around four fish factory girls, Pearl,
honourable mentions go Shelley, Jan and Linda who swap their smelly overalls for
to the runners up - finery dress and head off for an outing to Royal Ascot
(Ayr Racecourse edition), where all sorts of adventures
Nicola Kenmuir, await and where some startling revelations come to light !
Angela Graham,
Eryn Heywood, Tickets are available from, Cut & Care Hairdressers,
Lauren Thomson, Now & Then, Wilson Bakers, or any members of the Club.
Katie Beverland,
Kyle Dougall, As usual, we are still looking for new members to augment/
Emma Jackman, replace some of our ageing stars or even to assist behind the
Ellie Hunter and scenes. We meet at the Mckillop Institute on Thursday
3rd Angela Graham Laurie Rose Reid. evenings from 8.00 - 10.00 pm.

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.
Lochwinnoch Choral Society
Christmas Concert
ST VINCENT’S HOSPICE
Update on Recent Events
Annual Golf Event
This event was held on Friday 4th Oc-
tober at Erskine Golf Club for the sec-
ond year running. Twenty teams took
part and the weather remained dry.
This year’s winners were:
1st Prize – Gleniffer Estates
2nd Prize – B.R Kelly & Co
3rd Prize – The Brawley Brothers
Thanks to everyone’s generosity, a
profit of £4,300 was raised for the
hospice. A big thank you to everyone
at Erskine Golf Club for their hospital-
ity and the successful running of this
event.

SoulAid
Tuesday 22nd December This event took place in Paisley Town
in the Parish Church at 7-00pm Hall on Sunday 27th September and
was a very successful night. The
Junior Choir – conducted by Laura Sands main entertainment was provided by
the UK’s biggest Northern Soul Band
Senior Choir conducted by Gordon Rigby
– Berry Tweed and the Chasers – with
With members of the Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra special guests Linda’s Band and DJ
Melting Pot.
This year’s Christmas Concert will be a little different from our usual
format. As usual, we will be singing a wide variety of Christmas music The night was well attended with over
with many favourite carols for all to sing along to. However, this year the 300 people flooding in to see the
concert will also include the highly acclaimed ‘La Befana’ which was writ- bands. Through the generosity of the
ten by two of our own villagers: Gordon Rigby and Adrian Wiszniewski. band and all those who attended a
profit of £3,000 was raised for the
'La Befana' is the Italian version of a Father Christmas story. No one hospice. Thanks again to Berry Tweed
(including the Italians) seems to know the details of how La Befana came and the Chasers, plus their special
about, except that she's an old lady/hag who delivers presents into the guests for making it an great night.
hung up stockings of the good children and sticks a lump of coal into the
stockings of the naughty ones. Adrian created and wrote a history for the Fundraising Activities
character to which Gordon then wrote the musical score. La Befana had
its début at ‘A Play, A Pie and A Pint’ in Glasgow’s Oran Mor earlier this Christmas Cards
Christmas cards are now available
year and received 4 star reviews from the national press. 'La Befana' is a
from all 7 of our shops. So get them
one-person show acted by Danielle Stuart and accompanied by members quick before they are all gone!
of the Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra. It is a captivating story told by
Danielle while the orchestra plays Gordon’s haunting and beautiful Shopping Online
score. The music and text blend together to create a fantastic, energetic Help support - St Vincent's Hospice -
Christmas story. when you shop online. Visit -
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/svh
This is a great opportunity to see one of the ‘best new works this year’ at
its Lochwinnoch debut as part of our traditional Christmas concert. The Social Networking
choir is committed to keeping our ticket prices as low as possible. An St Vincent’s Hospice has now created
adult ticket will cost £7 with concession tickets £5 and family tickets £15. pages on Bebo, Facebook and Twit-
ter. Use the links below to keep up-to-
The ticket price includes seasonal refreshments.
date with hospice events.
To accommodate the inclusion of La Befana into this year’s concert we www.bebo.com/StVincentsHospice
will start the concert earlier at 7-00pm and have a short interval, where www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=
we hope to serve mulled wine and Christmas pies. The second half of the 124230589015, and
concert will be La Befana followed by more community carols for all to twitter.com/StVincentsHosp
sing. or
Contact: Ashley Moran and
Tickets from any Choir Member, The Brown Bull & The Junction. Lorraine Valentine at St Vincent’s
Please get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. on Tel: 01505 705635 or e-mail:
Ashley.moran@svh.co.uk

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
West Bankside Farm, Geirston Rd, Kilbirnie, KA25 7LQ
SILVER
(PART 3)
To this day the finest type of silver plate produced is Old
Sheffield Plate, invented by Thomas Boulsover, a cutler (a
person who makes knives) from Sheffield. He discovered
the process which led to the fusion of thin bars of silver on
to much thicker bars of copper. The bars were passed
through a rolling mill to flatten them into sheet form. The
sheets were from one sixteenth to one third of an inch thick
and could be employed for most of the purposes for which
sheet silver had been used.
With Old Sheffield plating, the object was made out of the
already plated metal. Interestingly, the first record of a cutler
in Great Britain is from a tax form dating from 1297 from
Sheffield. Cutler is from the old French word couterlier, to
cut.
Like many inventors Boulsover did not realise the true com-
mercial potential of his discovery. All he seems to have pro-
duced were buttons and snuff boxes.
Joseph Hancock, his apprentice, who from the mid 1750’s
started to make a much wider range of objects e.g. sauce-
pans, candlesticks and coffee pots. However, both Hancock
and Boulsover eventually gave up making objects and spe-
cialised in producing sheets of fused plate, which were re-
tailed to manufacturers.
Other early manufacturers started to set up businesses and
by 1760 there was large scale production. Objects such as
teapots, coffee pots, tankards and urns were usually con-
structed of single plate, having their copper interiors tinned
THE STIRRUP CUP
INVITES YOU TO OUR
OPEN EVENINGS (AND AFTERNOONS)
WHICH RUN FROM
MONDAY 15TH TO SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER. -
2.00 pm to 8.30 pm
WARMING WINTER REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED WHILE YOU BROWSE
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.
www.thestirrupcup.co.uk
Just opposite the Golf Course on the Largs Rd.
to prevent verdigris from poisoning the users.
The 1840’s were sad years for Old Sheffield Plate with the
introduction of electro plating a much more economical
process of plating by the company Elkintons. Manufactur-
ers tried to compete by cutting down on the thickness of the
silver on the plate itself, but this was all in vain, Eventually
they had to turn to Electro Plating or go out of business.
This new method employed was to make an object in a
base metal. At various times copper, nickel, brass and steel
have been plated using this technique. Having made the
object, it is attached to a wire, capable of conducting elec-
tricity and lowered into a plating tank. This tank princi-
pally, contains a silver salt e.g. silver cyanide dissolved in
distilled water together with a plate of pure silver. When an
electrical current is switched on the current flows from the
silver plate through the solution to the object to be plated.
Anyone who has studied “O” Level or Standard Grade
Chemistry will remember this. To non chemistry students
when the current is switched on it is as though the object
being plated becomes a magnet drawing silver to it out of
the solution (it doesn’t actually but it is a good way of
thinking of it). When an object is taken out of the plating
vat it is a milky colour and has to be polished.
As you can imagine from the brief descriptions of these
two methods of plating Old Sheffield is far superior as it
consists of a thicker layer of solid silver. Two century old
objects are still around today with their original surface
silver whereas much electro plate (EP, or EPNS) with some
use will require re plating after as little as 20 years.
 Lochwinnoch Library
New books
for November
Katie Flynn : In time for
Christmas
Addy and Prue Fairweather live
with Nell, their widowed mother, in
a flat above her shop on the Scot-
land Road. The sisters, however,
are very different. Addy is dark-
haired, plain and always in trouble
whereas Prue is flaxen-haired,
blue-eyed and as angelic as her
looks imply. To make matters
worse, Nell makes no secret of her
preference for the younger girl,
increasing Addy's jealousy and
resentment.
Tony Black : Gutted
When the gangland owner of a pit
bull that killed a three-year-old girl
is found gutted on an Edinburgh
hill, Gus Dury is asked to investi-
gate, and soon finds himself up to
his neck in the warring underworld
of the city's sink estates. Amidst
illegal dog fights, a missing 50
grand and a police force and judi-
ciary desperate to cover their links
to a brutal killing, Gus must work
fast to root out the truth, whilst the
case sinks its teeth ever deeper
into him.
Bernard Cornwell :
Burning Land
In the last years of the ninth cen-
tury, King Alfred of Wessex is in
failing health, and his heir is an
untested youth.The Danes, who
have failed so many times to con-
quer Wessex, smell opportunity!
First comes Harald Bloodhair, a
savage warrior leading a Viking
horde, who is encouraged to cru-
elty by his woman, Skade. But Al-
fred still has the services of
Uhtred, his unwilling warlord, who
leads Harald into a trap and, at
Farnham in Surrey, inflicts one of
the greatest defeats the Vikings
were ever to suffer.
Cecelia Ahern : The book of
tomorrow Another Nicht wi …..
Tamara Goodwin has always got “ The Garthland
everything she's ever wanted.
Born into a family of wealth, she St.Winnoch Cronies “
grew up in a mansion with its
at
own private beach, a wardrobe
Lochwinnoch Library
UT
full of designer clothes, a large
four poster bed complete with a Thursday 26th O November
luxurious bathroom en-suite.
L D
7.30pm
She's always lived in the here O
STickets £2.00
and now, never giving a second
thought to tomorrow. But then incl. Refreshments .
suddenly her dad is gone and life
for Tamara and her mother
changes forever……..
ADVICE WORKS
Jonathan Kellerman : Evidence
In the half-built skeleton of a Tuesdays 10am –12.30pm
monstrously vulgar mansion in
one of L.A.'s toniest neighbour- Advisors are on hand to help fill in
hoods, a watchman stumbles on claim forms, check and advise on wel-
the bodies of a young couple - fare benefits/money problems, etc.
murdered in flagrante - and left in Advisors can provide expert advice on
a gruesome postmortem em- a wide range of debt related topics,
brace. Though he's cracked such as credit card, mortgage arrears,
some of the city's worst slayings, council tax, etc. The service is
veteran homicide cop Milo Stur- FREE, confidential and open to all
gis is still shocked at the grisly Renfrewshire residents.
sight: a twisted crime that only
Milo's killer instincts and psy- Please note - with effect from the
chologist Alex Delaware's keen 11th January 2010, the surgery will be
insights can hope to solve. held on Mondays from 2pm-4.30pm.
Renew and Reserve Baby & Toddler
at
www.renfrewshwire.gov.uk/libraries
Rhyme time
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 At Lochwinnoch Library
just ask at any library. every Tuesday at 2.15pm
FREE Computing Class
for Complete Beginners
Would you, or someone you know, NORMAL LIBRARY
like to learn to email and surf the OPENING HOURS :
Internet? Classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
at Lochwinnoch Library: 2pm–5pm & 6pm–8pm
Wednesdays 9.30am – 11am Tuesday and Saturday: 10am–1pm
The course lasts for 5 weeks. and 2pm–5pm
For further details Closed Thursday.
Tel: 01505 842305 Tel: 01505 842305
 Lochwinnoch
International Aid
NEWS
Celebrating 15 years of the
FAIRTRADE Mark.
Last month, at their annual confer-
ence, Fairtrade supporters celebrated
15 years of the FAIRTRADE Mark.
Now, over 3,000 products certified by
the Fairtrade Foundation are on shop
shelves; and several can be bought in
Lochwinnoch.
Our local MP and Secretary of State for
International Development, Douglas
Alexander, told supporters that the
government was pledging £12 million
worth of support to assist the further
development of Fairtrade in the next
four years. He said,
“Fairtrade products are already a big
part of life in the UK, with new prod-
ucts appearing on our shelves every
day. Our £12 million funding will help
improve this even further."
These are exciting times for the Fair-
trade movement as signs of support
grow across the board. Despite the
recession, UK sales of products with
the FAIRTRADE Mark rose by 43% in
2008 and 22% globally, helping
more farmers and workers in the
world's poorest countries to make a
decent living.
In Lochwinnoch too, as we approach
the renewal of our Fairtrade village
status, it is great to see that the num-
ber of shops selling some Fairtrade
products has increased during 2009.
This is partly due to the support of
those selling the Fairtrade bag in the
village, but also the decision of
Cadburys to make all of its Dairymilk
chocolate with Fairtrade cocoa. This is
a good example of how buying choco-
late can support both producers in
poorer countries and farmers in Brit-
ain who supply the milk.
We are planning to have a stall at the
next Lochwinnoch Farmers’ Market
at the Castle Semple Centre, on
Sunday 6th December,
when you will be able to buy a wide
selection of Fairtrade products -
many of which will make good
Christmas presents.
The Fairtrade Group is meeting over
the winter to discuss how we can
continue to promote the Fairtrade
message in Lochwinnoch. We wel-
come help from anyone with time or
skills to offer.
If you wish to get involved, please
contact -
Bob Turner at Tel: 843068 or
robert.turner111@btinternet.com
Music Events in October
Unfortunately, both music events
organised by Lochwinnoch Interna-
tional Aid, as part of their fundrais-
ing efforts for October, had to be
cancelled.
There were insufficient ticket sales
for the ceilidh; and we are very sorry
that a double booking at the Bowling
Club meant that we were also unable
to hold the concert by the Melville
String Quartet.
If you've got tickets and want a re-
fund, then please contact -
Dave Mellor at Tel: 843099 or
dgmellor@tiscali.co.uk
who will also be happy to hear from
anyone who wishes to help with the
group.
Lee McKinlay ………. Holistic & Beauty Therapies
Swedish Massage
Aromatherapy Massage
Reflexology
Facials
A Mobile Service to promote Relaxation
Gift Vouchers Available
Telephone 07854 715625
Joinery: All including kitchens,
bathrooms, flooring, tiling,
garages, sheds, etc.
Painting/Decorating/
Paperhanging.
Fencing: wooden and metal.
Ornamental metalwork.
Welding.
Gardening/Landscaping.
DIY Disasters put right.
All jobs considered.
FREE estimates/Best prices.
Phone: 01505 682027
Mobile: 07917 654857
E-mail: r-fleming@talktalk.net
Renfrewshire Council
for Voluntary Services
are hosting
FUNDERTHON 2009
on 19th November
from 10am-4pm at The Wynd Centre,
6 School Wynd, Paisley
This is a FREE event and is an oppor-
tunity for local groups and organisa-
tions to meet a range of funders, ob-
tain information and attend workshops
on funding and funding applications.
For more information, please con-
tact: Anne Keir on 0141 587 2487
or e-mail anne.keir@rcvsweb.co.uk
Waxing
Eye Treatments
Manicure
Pedicure

DOORSTEP CRIME -
A REMINDER
At all times of the year, criminals like
to prey on the more vulnerable mem-
bers of the community, particularly
the elderly. The most common means
for these people to carry out their
plans is for them to call unannounced
at your door.
There are three main ways they will
try to obtain money from you:-
1 Bogus Caller They will pretend to
be a genuine workman for electricity,
gas, water, etc or to be a genuine
workman, plumber, electrician, etc.
Once they are in your house, they will
distract you and they or their accom-
plice will take your money.
2 Bogus Contractor They will
knock on your door and claim that
work needs to be done urgently to
your roof, gutters, driveway, etc – ini-
tially only for a small charge. If con-
tracted, they will perform little and/or
inferior work and will vastly over-
charge you for their services.
3 Bogus Sales Person They will call
at your door, frequently claim to be
foreign or disabled and try to sell you
goods at inflated prices.
If any of these incidents happen at
your door, please call the police im-
mediately on Tel: 01505 404000 and
0141 532 5900 as we want to hear
from you.
In the meantime, please note the fol-
lowing safety advice.
Doorstep Procedure
When you receive an unannounced
caller at your door, please
DO NOT RUSH
TO OPEN THE DOOR.
Follow the guidance below until you
are 100% confident of the identity of
the caller on the other side.
1 With the Door still closed – ask
the identity of the caller and their
reason for their visit.
2 With the Door still closed – if
the caller is from a company, e.g.
Gas, Electricity, etc, ask for identifi-
cation to be shown and passed
through the letterbox for you to
check. Genuine callers will not be
offended by this request.
3 With the Door still Closed –
check the caller’s identification and
make a phone call (using the number
from the Telephone Book and NOT
the number on the caller’s card) to
confirm credentials.
4 ONLY when you are confident
and happy to do so, open the door.
5 If at any point you are in doubt,
ask the caller to return at a later
time/date when you can have a fam-
ily member or friend in the house
with you.
REMEMBER – you cannot
become a victim of bogus caller
crime if you do not open your door!
Password Scheme
We are also encouraging residents to
arrange a password with their utility
providers so you can tell if callers
from Utility companies are genuine.
All that is required is for you to con-
tact your service provider and ask
for a password to be set up for your
account.
Telephone/Mail Preference
If you are annoyed or inconven-
ienced by unwanted mail coming
through your door and/or receive
unwanted telephone calls, then con-
tact the following organisations in
order to reduce both of these nui-
sance activities.
Personally Addressed Mail
The Mailing Preference Service
Freepost 29
LON 20771
London W1E 0ZT
Unaddressed Leaflets
Royal Mail Door to Door Customer
Services
Opt-Outs
Room 130
Wheatstone House
Wheatstone Road
Swindon SN3 5JN
Unwanted Phone Sales
The Telephone Preference Service
DMA House
70 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SS
Tel: 0845 070 0707
Website: - www.tpsonline.org.uk
BEWARE OF BOGUS
PHONE CALLS
In last month’s Chatterbox, we re-
ported cases of householders re-
ceiving bogus phone calls from so-
called “security” firms.
This month, we wish to alert read-
ers to another type of bogus call,
where local people are receiving
phone calls from operators, some
with “foreign sounding voices”,
claiming they can reclaim bank
charges, but they need your bank
card details to do so. These calls
are almost certainly bogus, there-
fore, do not reveal any bank or per-
sonal details and alert your bank or
report these calls to the police -
contact details below.
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 con-
tains information on all of the 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. You can also
e-mail us from this website.
 HILLTOP CAIRN
COMMEMORATES
DOOMED YOUTH
by DEREK PARKER
HIGH above Calder Glen, on the
summit of Auchenbourach Hill, is
a cairn of stones surrounded by
metal railings.
The mystic monument, more
than 1000 feet above sea level, is
adorned with a weather-beaten
plaque commemorating William
Arthur Cochran-Patrick, who was
born on June 12, 1860, and died
on January 29, 1881. He was
aged just 20.
The Latin inscription translates
the epitaph: 'You were loved by
all.'
I unravelled the mystery with
the help of Neil, Hunter of
Hunterston, while working as a
countryside ranger at Clyde Muir-
shiel Regional Park.
The Laird, who lived in Andorra in
the Pyrenees at the time, told me
the Cochran-Patricks owned the
rolling moorlands in the vicinity
of Auchenbourach Hill.
The family lived at Ladyland
House - an impressive residence
just off the back road between
Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie. It was
built in 1815 as a wedding pre-
sent for a future laird who mar-
ried a local woman named Cald-
well.
The ancestors of the Cochran-
Patricks lived originally at Edge
whose ruins still stand on the hill-
side overlooking the road to
Muirshiel Country Park, just be-
yond Clovenstone Cottage.
One of the most famous owners
of Ladyland House was RW Coch-
ran-Patrick, who became Under
Secretary of State for Scotland
during the late 19th century.
It was RW'S son, William Arthur
Cochran-Patrick, who is com-
memorated by the mysteri-
ous monument and inscribed
plaque at Auchenbourach Hill.
According to Neil, Hunter of
Hunterston, the tragic youth
died from tetanus poisoning
while a student at Cambridge
University.
If he hadn't been taken from his
family in such appalling circum-
stances, William Arthur would
have inherited the vast Lady-
land estate and much of
the countryside at Woodside
between Lochwinnoch and Kil-
birnie. The monument was
financed by the youth's friends
and estate workers at Ladyland.
In the years that followed, the
fortunes of the Cochran-Patricks
fluctuated. William Arthur's
youngest sister, Eleanora Coch-
ran-Patrick, married Neil James
Kennedy and the couple be-
came Sir William and Lady Elea-
nora Cochran-Patrick. It was
not unusual in these days for
husbands to take their wives'
surnames to preserve ancient
family titles and dynasties.
But dark destiny was never far
away. The couple had four
children - Eleanora (Nora), twin
sisters Margaret and Kathleen,
and a son who perished in a fly-
ing accident in South Africa.
The younger Eleanora Cochran-
Patrick inherited Hunterston es-
tate, near West Kilbride, from
Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston. She
bequeathed it to her nephew,
Neil Cochran-Patrick. This was
the laird who provided me with
the information in this article.
Both changed their names to
Hunter of Hunterston.
Following the construction of the
nuclear power station and iron
ore terminals at Hunterston, the
family moved to Andorra.
But still tragedy was never far
away. A young woman member
of the Cochran-Patrick family was
killed by a terrorist bomb, which
exploded in the centre of London
more than 20 years ago. A con-
vert to Islam, she was given a
Muslim funeral and mourned by
friends across the world. It
seemed the fame and fortune of
the Cochran-Patricks was eter-
nally destined to walk through
life's pilgrimage hand in hand
with grief and sorrow.
But still their memory remains in
the form of the melancholic
monument on the summit of
Auchenbourach Hill. It will ensure
the family name will live on for-
ever in the countryside that they
loved and owned.
Derek Parker was a countryside
ranger at Clyde Muirshiel
Regional Park from 1985 to 1999.

AUSTRALIAN
PHOTOGRAPHER
WINS
HOMECOMING
SCOTLAND 2009
COMPETITION
Cathy Jenkins of Queensland,
Australia was visiting friends in Loch-
winnoch this summer and found out
about the Homecoming Scotland 2009
Photographic Competition being or-
ganized by Clyde Muirshiel Regional
Park. Her photos for the competition
came all the way in the mail from
Australia.
A total of sixty-nine entries were re-
ceived ranging from a close up study
of a Great Diving Beetle, panoramic
views of the hills at Muirshiel as well
as seascapes at Lunderston and don-
keys at Cornalees.
All entrants were invited to a special
preview of the exhibition of photo-
graphs, where the winner of the com-
petition prize of £250.00 was an-
nounced.
The winning entry was entitled ‘Haste
Ye Back’ how appropriate, given that
Cathy lives in Bellbowrie, Queen-
sland, and had sent the photos in after
her return from Scotland in the sum-
mer. Cathy really is a homecoming
winner.
Charlie Woodward, Regional Park
Manager and Chair of the Judging
panel said
“It was great to see the diversity of
interpretation of ‘Homecoming Scot-
land 2009’. Some of the images were
carefully staged but others were more
opportunistic. Photographs have been
taken at all times of the year in lots of
different weathers. Overall, though,
we have a great exhibition and I en-
courage everyone, whether they are
familiar with the Park or not, to come
and see the photographs.”
Cathy Jenkins said “I'm absolutely
thrilled. It's a shame I can’t be at
Castle Semple to receive my prize,
but also to see the other entries.”
The exciting results of the Regional
Park’s photographic competition, as
part of the Homecoming celebra-
tions, are on display at Castle Sem-
ple Visitor Centre until 10 January
2010. They will then go ‘On Tour’
to other locations around the Re-
gional Park.
DO YOU WANT
HEAVENLY BODIES IN
YOUR SIGHTS?”
Come to Clyde Muirshiel Re-
gional Park to get more inti-
mate with our nearest heavenly
body – the moon! The Muirshiel
Stargazing Sessions will start again
for the winter season on Friday 30th
October with Autumn Moonwatch.
Further Stargazing Sessions will take
place on -
Friday 20th November and on
Friday 11th December.
Why not come and check out the
stars and planets at one of the few
Dark Sky sites in Renfrewshire.
John Pressley from the Paisley Ob-
servatory, who will lead the October
Session, commented recently -
“The October Stargazing Session
will be an Autumn Moonwatch,
looking at several aspects of our
nearest heavenly body. Suitable for
complete novices, we will also be
having a look at other objects in the
heavens – weather permitting!”
If the weather is unsuitable there will
be lectures inside the centre on a
variety of subjects of interest to the
amateur stargazer.
Wrap up very warm, we shall be
outdoors for the full two hours if the
skies are clear. Teas and coffees
will be available in the centre for
participants. Numbers are limited
when indoors so call Muirshiel Cen-
tre on 01505 842 803 and book your
place now. (We are sorry but these
sessions are unsuitable for children
under 8 years of age.)
Parkhill Wood
Parkhill Wood is the policy woodland
of the former Castle Semple Estate.
It is located within Clyde Muirshiel
Regional Park and forms part of the
Castle Semple Country Park.
Easily accessible from the village of
Lochwinnoch, the woods are an im-
portant resource for local people and
for visitors to the area.
With this in mind, the Park is looking
to draw up a plan for the management
of Parkhill Wood to guide work over
the coming years. The objective is to
improve the wood for visitors and
wildlife. The Park aims are:
• to conserve and enhance the natu-
ral beauty, biodiversity and cul-
tural heritage of Clyde Muirshiel
Park,
• to encourage and enable learning,
understanding and enjoyment of
Clyde Muirshiel Park
• to promote and foster environ-
mentally sustainable development
for social economic wellbeing of
people.
Established at least as far back as the
16th century, Parkhill Wood has a
number of significant cultural fea-
tures. These give an insight into life at
the time of the first Lord Semple and
the subsequent changes which oc-
curred in the area.
With a network of trails, fine view-
points and interesting features to ex-
plore, the woods provide an excellent
opportunity for walks and outdoor
recreation. Forming the major part of
a local SINC (Site of Importance for
Nature Conservation) the woods have
good biodiversity value with a variety
of floral communities and a range of
woodland birds.
If you have any comments or sugges-
tions about Parkhill Wood, please pass
them on to us, either by post or e-mail
us at info@clydemuirshiel.co.uk or
drop in to Castle Semple Centre with
your ideas.
 RSPB LOCHWINNOCH NEWS
Tuesday 24 November
7pm-9pm
Film Show:
The Age of Stupid
This film was produced over four
years by McLibel director Franny
Armstrong. The Age of Stupid
stars Oscar-nominated actor Pete
Postlethwaite as a man living alone
in the devastated world of 2055,
looking back at old footage from
2008 and asking: why didn't we
stop climate change when we had
the chance?
Tickets can be purchased in
advance from the RSPB Visitor
Centre. Booking essential.
Cost: £4
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, daily activities for
families, school holiday activities,
drinks, snacks and a superb RSPB
Shop.
For bookings and information,
Tel: 01505 842663
or e-mail us at:
lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk
or visit:
www.rspb.org.uk/scotland
Keep up to date with the
latest RSPB gossip.
Find us on Facebook:
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://blogs.rspb.org.uk/
lochwinnoch/default.aspx
and subscribe using the RSS link.
Saturday 12 December
1pm 4pm
Festive fun!
Crafts, stalls and lots of fun. Meet
Father Christmas and enjoy a
mince pie. Cost is £2 for non-
members and FREE for RSPB
members.
DONATIONS WANTED
The above event is being organ-
ized by RSPB Lochwinnoch
Young Volunteers Group. The
group are looking for donations
of bottles and jars for their bottle
tombola. This can be anything
from shampoo to jam to a cheeky
bottle of wine! Please contact
Paula Baker on 01505 842663 for
more information.
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 the RSPB
Centre, Lochwinnoch and are led by
local artist Cáit Gould.
The cost is £10 per session, all mate-
rials included. Contact Cáit on
01505 842380 for more details.
Classes will be held on the last Satur-
day of each month, except for De-
cember when the class will be held
on Saturday 19 December.
VISITOR CENTRES
OPENING HOURS
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
from 25 October to 29 March 2010.
Tel: 01475 521458
Muirshiel Centre
Open weekends only from 11am-3pm
from 25 October to 29 March 2o10.
Tel: 01505 842803
RSPB Reserve
The Reserve is open at all times;
Visitor Centre open daily, 10am-5pm.
Tel: 01505 842663.
Lochwinnoch
RSPB
Wildlife Explorers
Is a Group Programme for children
aged from 5 to 14 who are interested
in all kinds of wildlife from bugs to
eagles. We meet one Saturday morn-
ing per month from September to
May. All are welcome to attend for
indoor and outdoor activities.
Activities for the remainder of this
year are: - Feed the Birds in Novem-
ber and Art Masterclass in Decem-
ber.
To find out more about the group and
how to join, contact Margaret and
Michael Jarvis on 01505 842 563 or
e-mail them at: mikej@chem.gla.ac.uk
 What’s On at RSPB,
Muirshiel,
Cornalees & Castle
Semple Centres
• Monday mornings - Loch-
winnoch Community Walks -
Mondays (ex. Public Holidays),
10.30am at The Cross.
• Thursday mornings - Slinky
Strollers walks (for parents &
pushchairs) - meet at 10.30am at
Castle Semple Centre.
• November Weekends - Cut,
Coffee and Cake…. Greenock Cut
Exhibition. Visit the new exhibi-
tion at Cornalees Centre to learn
how the people and industries of
Greenock got water for their coffee
200 years ago! Weekends from
11am-2.30pm at Cornalees. For
more info. Tel: 01475 521 458.
• Saturday 31st October-
Sunday 10th January 2010 -
Homecoming Photographic Exhi-
bition at Castle Semple Centre
during opening hours. *
• Saturday 7th November -
Teenage Volunteers Group join us
from 11am-4pm at the RSPB Re-
serve and take part in bird survey-
ing, outdoor work, etc. Booking
essential. Tel: 01505 842663.
• Sunday 8th November—Hen
Harrier Highlights. An illustrated
talk showing in-nest highlights of
this protected species. At Muir-
shiel Centre from 2pm.
• Sunday 15th November -
Autumn Ramble in Parkhill Wood
and a chance to air your views on
woodland management proposals.
All ideas welcome! Meet at Castle
Semple Centre at 1pm, allow 2
hours. *(See inside back pages for
more details about Parkhill Wood.)
• Father Christmas, mince pies -
Thursday 19th November -
join us for a Coffee morning from
11am-1pm at the RSPB Centre.
Cost £2.
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• Friday 20th November - • Saturday 28th and Sunday
29th November - Optics Week-
Stargazing Evening (or indoor
end from 10am—4pm both days at
lecture if weather is poor) at
the RSPB Centre. Last chance
Muirshiel Centre from 7pm-9pm
before Christmas to test and buy
Booking essential as spaces are
from a wide range of optics, with
limited. Tel: 01505 842803.
FREE expert advice available all
• Saturday 21st November -
weekend. 100% of profits go
RSPB Art: Multi-mediums, with
directly to helping conservation.
local artist Kate Lilly from 10am
- 12 noon at RSPB Centre. To • Sunday 29th November - Food
Book, Tel: 01505 842663 for Feathered Friends. Learn how
to help the birds by making bird
• Sunday 22nd November -
feeders and seed cakes, from 1.30-
Castle Semple Craft Fair. A
3.30pm at Castle Semple Centre.
great selection of the best of
local craft producers. From • Saturday 5th December -
11am-3.30pm. Teenage Volunteers Group join us
from 11am-4pm at the RSPB Re-
• Sunday 22nd November - A
serve and take part in bird survey-
Talk about Hibernating Bats and
ing, outdoor work, etc. Booking
New Species starts 2pm at Muir-
essential. Tel: 01505 842663.
shiel Centre.
• Sunday 6th December—
• Tuesday 24th November -
Lochwinnoch Festive Farmers’
Film Show: The Age of Stupid
Market at Castle Semple Centre
from 7pm-9pm at RSPB Centre.
from 11am-2.30pm or until sold
* (See separate notice inside
out. Indoor & Outdoor stalls of
back page for full details.)
local produce.
• Wednesday 25th November
• Wednesday 9th December—
- Conservation Volunteers. Get
Annual Tinsel Walk around Loch-
some fresh air, keep fit and help
winnoch. Meet at 11am at Castle
nature at the same time. Gloves
Semple Visitor Centre.
& equipment provided, come
dressed to get dirty! At Muir- • Saturday 12th December -
shiel Centre, from 1pm for 2 hrs. Festive Fun! Crafts, Stalls, meet
• Saturday 28th November -
from 1pm-4pm at the RSPB Cen-
Chameleon Club workshop 2-
tre. *(See separate notice inside
4pm with Cáit Gould at the
back page for full details.)
RSPB Centre. *
OUR PRODUCTS ARE INSTALLED
IN OVER ONE HUNDRED
LOCHWINNOCH HOUSEHOLDS.
Contact - PETER McGARVEY
Tel: 01505 614654