Nuisance Helpline
Anti-Social Behaviour
Noise problems
CHATTERBOX
Support and Advice
Every day 9am – 10pm
Tel: 0800 169 1283
Community newsletter produced by lochwinnoch publicity committee for lochwinnoch cc
What’s On
See centre pages for club activities,
village events & classes
See back pages for Visitor Centre,
RSPB and outdoor events/activities.
Lochwinnoch's
frogs, toads &
newts
This year, I'm helping with a Ren-
frew-shire survey of reptiles and
amphibians. If anyone would like
to join in with a search and survey
of the Lochwinnoch area, I'd be
glad to hear from them.
If you don't know much about
these creatures then this is the
chance to learn about identification
and ecology.
Part of the survey will include a
look at garden ponds so if anyone
in or around the village has a gar-
den pond with frogs, toads and
newts then I would like to hear
from them too.
Dave Mellor
Tel: 843 099 or e-mail:
dgmellor@tiscali.co.uk
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 March Issue Is
Tuesday 24th February ‘09
No 182 February 2009
www.lochwinnoch.info
Support required
for Lochwinnoch
Playgroup
Lochwinnoch Playgroup is a
registered charity and is part of
the Scottish Pre-School Play As-
sociation (SPPA). The playgroup
is run by a voluntary Committee
of parents of children attending
the playgroup. The committee
employ playleaders, who have
undergone Disclosure Scotland
checks, to look after the children
and to provide a safe and stimu-
lating play environment for them
to enjoy. The play leaders pro-
vide a programme of pre-school
activities and events for the chil-
dren’s physical, intellectual, lan-
guage, emotional and social de-
velopment.
Playgroup is not only beneficial
to the children. Parents can en-
joy a couple of hours rest and re-
laxation; make valuable friend-
ships with other local mums and
it has been a great benefit to
those children who would other-
wise have found it difficult set-
tling into nursery.
The Playgroup can be found in
the McKillop Institute on a Mon-
day, Tuesday and Wednesday
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
morning from 0930 until 1130,
during term time. The cost is
£3.50 per day and goes towards
employing playleaders, hall rental,
providing arts and craft material,
snacks for children, trips and
events and purchasing equipment.
The objectives of the playgroup are
to continue to be a valuable asset
to the community, by encouraging
parent and child participation
within the Playgroup and commu-
nity. Also, to provide an environ-
ment where children are safe, happy
and encouraged in their social and
educational skills. This can only
be achieved with your support. If
we do not maintain our numbers,
the playgroup could be in danger
of being affected by the dreaded
CREDIT CRUNCH and perhaps
having to reduce staffing levels or
result in closure altogether.
Please don’t let this happen.
Lochwinnoch Playgroup currently
has vacancies for children between
the age of 2 years 9 months and 5
years, who live in Lochwinnoch or
the surrounding villages.
If you are interested in enrolling
your child please contact Lesley on
01505 500481 or email -
lochwinnochplaygroup@hotmail.com
or drop into the McKillop and col-
lect an enrolment form.
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
 From the Parish
Church
Is there for honest Poverty
that hings his head, an’ a’ that;
the coward slave-we pass him by,
we dare be poor for a’ that!
For a’ that, an’ a’ that.
our toils obscure an’ a’ that,
the rank is but the guinea’s stamp,
the Man's the gowd for a' that.
Robert Burns
By the time you read this, Tam
O’Shanter will have been recited, the
haggis addressed, the Lassies’ toasted
and the Bard immortalised. I love
Burns’ Suppers. Coming at the end of
what can be a dreary month, they of-
ten cheer me up and the speeches usu-
ally have me enjoying some deep belly
laughs.
I’ve often mused on what it is that
makes Burns so prominent in our
country. He was indeed a great man,
yet he lived at a time when there were
many great men and in a country that
has produced many great men. For
me the answer is that uniquely, Burns
can be all things to all people. I’m not
sure how many Burns’ Suppers I have
been at that have been organised by
choirs. That will seem natural enough
as he wrote so many beautiful poems
that have been turned into songs. I
have also been at Burns’ Suppers in
Churches – a very appropriate re-
minder that Burns was very scathing
of those who paraded their religiosity
in public (although he did say that the
most important words in English were
“Let us Worship God”). Burns’
Suppers organised by lawyers, advo-
cates and judges, remind us that, as in
his poem “A Man’s and Man”, he
recognised the worth of every human
being.
I have also been at very simple affairs
in people’s home, where there may not
be any speeches, but Burns’ poems are
recited and a glass raised in his mem-
ory. These are touching occasions as
they can often reflect the good honest
homeliness of that wonderful work.
The way Burns describes a family
gathering together at the end of the
working week to share a simple meal
is deeply touching. Indeed, his
younger brother wrote that while the
poem does not describe their own
family, “the cotter in the “Saturday
Night” is an exact copy of my father in
his manners, his family devotion, and
exhortations.”
Clearly his father had a profound
influence on the poet ploughman. POPPY’S
And it was at the plough that “To a
Mouse” was created. The deference, FLORIST
concern and the sense of unfairness
which permeates the 8 short verses
is moving in the extreme. The
thought that a ploughman would be 29 MAIN STREET
bothered by the plight of a mere KILBIRNIE
mouse, contains the great truth be-
hind Burns’ poetry – all creatures
Tel No: 01505 681212
are born equal and none are more
equal than others. All creatures de-
serve to be treated with kindness, Flowers for all occasions
courtesy and respect. His belief in
the inherent worth of all people, re-
Weddings
gardless of birth, is summed up in Funeral Tributes
the magnificent poem, “A Man’s a
Man For a’ That”.
New Arrivals
Birthdays, Anniversaries
It’s no wonder this song was chosen
to reopen our Parliament. Our poli-
Floral Arrangements
ticians would be wise to read it made to order
every day before going about their
business and what a fairer world we
would live in if people followed and don’t forget
Burns’ example. St Valentine’s Day
Burns said of himself, “God knows I
am no saint. I have a whole host of
follies and sins to answer for. But if I
could, and I believe that I do it as far on Saturday 14th February
as I can, I would wipe all tears from
all eyes.”
“Whatever mitigates the woes or in- Visits to the
creases the happiness of others,” he
wrote, “this is my criterion of good- Hospital
ness; but whatever injures society at
large or any individual in it, then this
is my measure of iniquity.” If you have been in hospital re-
cently you will know that we
That is why Burns influences me not visit anyone in the RAH who
just on the 25th 0f January, but all
comes from the village and who
year round and I am sure we can all
join in the prayerful nature of the wishes a visit from us. We
last verse of “A Man’s a Man”: were able to do this as we had
access to the full list of patients
Then let us pray that come it may, (on a confidential basis).
(as come it will for a’ that,)
that Sense and Worth, o'er a’ the
earth, However, following a directive
shall bear the gree, an’ a’ that. from the Scottish Government,
this is no longer possible.
For a’ that, an' a’ that,
it’s coming ye’ for a' that,
Therefore, if you, or someone
that Man to Man, the world o’er,
shall brothers be for a’ that. you know, is in hospital and
would like a visit from either
one or both of us, please contact
us on the numbers below.
Many thanks.
Archie Ford (842405) and
Rev Christine Murdoch Christine Murdoch
(843484)
 FM Radio at perhaps we should aim for a

Lochwinnoch
meeting with the people behind it
as a first step towards making a blessing
good start ourselves.
Since I last wrote about an FM
Community Radio Station for Not least because there is a sug-
dental care
Lochwinnoch and promised to gestion that they will erect an ae-
make a start on the subject after rial in Beith that will easily send
the holidays, there has been some signals all over Lochwinnoch.
activity to report. In my talks with Norris he put
forward the suggestion that per-
It just so happened that a copy of haps the two projects should join
Chatterbox was picked up at the and help each other.
Muirshiel Centre by Mr Norris
Brown of Tennamast Ltd of Beith Any meeting either among our-
who has been involved with the selves or with others will need to New spaces
local FM Station that occasionally
operates from Radio City in Kil-
be planned at least a month available to register
ahead.
birnie. Norris is also an amateur NHS patients
radio operator and we have The other thing that might be
worked together before. When worth early consideration is to
Norris read about the Community
Radio ideas he immediately
first set up a Podcasting Station Check-ups are free
so that all aspects of running a
emailed and posted a brochure Radio station can be explored
about the Radio City Station with before we seek a licence from
an offer to help with ours. Ofcom to Broadcast on Air. Tel: 01505 843105
Thereafter we might run both
Then our local Church Minister the stations as one so that listeners
Rev. Christine Murdoch sent word anywhere in the World, especially 69 High Street,
that she would like to help and of- local people who have moved Lochwinnoch PA12 4AB
fered space for meetings, adding away, can hear and take part in
that she was once a BBC producer the goings-on of Lochwinnoch. www.blessingdentalcare.com
among other associated things.
If you would like to add your
By then it was becoming clear that name to the list of helpers or lis-
our busy people obviously have full teners please contact me in the
diaries and any project such as this way that suits you best. Lochwinnoch
Community Radio Station will Christmas
need to be squeezed in. An indica- My contact details are:-
tion that jobs will need to be Lights
spread around. Alan Lovegreen
16 Graham's Avenue,
Lochwinnoch, PA12 4EG; LMEG would like to say a big
The Kilbirnie Station has produced
Telephone 01505843524: THANK YOU to all the villagers,
a very sophisticated Report and
email alan.lovegreen@ic24.net businesses, organisations and the
churches involved in the Christmas
Lights this year.
RNLI NEWS Over £1000 was raised
Congratulations to Jennifer Chambers who will be presented in the spring with a in donations – from the red collection
silver medal. A well deserved recognition for her sterling services to the RNLI. boxes dotted around the village, con-
tributions on the night and in particu-
Jennifer joined the Lochwinnoch Guild in 1978 and has been an extremely reli- lar the generous donation from the
able and loyal supporter. She quickly joined the Committee in the 1980s and Gala Day Committee.
has served faithfully on the Committee for 28 years. She has also been both a
Vice President as well as our President from 1992 to 1994. The switch on parade was even bigger
than last year with hundreds turning
For over 20 years, she has organised in a most efficient manner our House-to- out on a cold, crisp night to enjoy the
House Collection, which has proved to be one of our more profitable ventures. proceedings - thanks go to Jo and Ivan
No matter what the event, Jennifer has always been there supporting our cause, Minucci for the much appreciated
as well as contributing to raffles, etc. mulled wine and juice. Here’s to fur-
ther illuminations next year …
On behalf of Lochwinnoch Lifeboat Guild Carol Gemmell on behalf of LMEG
well done Jennifer and thank you for your support. Tel: 843 858
 Fairtrade
Fortnight in
Lochwinnoch
The Lochwinnoch Fairtrade Group is
celebrating our new status as a Fair-
trade Village with a programme of
events during Fairtrade Fortnight, the
annual campaign running from
23 February to 8 March.
The group has organised an exciting
programme of public events in Loch-
winnoch and will be actively recruiting
more Fairtrade supporters during this
period so look out for the special
forms being distributed.
The Junction hosts two Coffee
Mornings on Wednesdays 25 Feb.
and 4 March with half of the money
from sales of Fairtrade drinks served
put towards the cost of producing a
new Fairtrade shopping bag. On Feb.
26, from 6.30 -7.30, there will be a
Coffee Tasting event at The Junc-
tion: a chance to sample some of the
wide range of Fairtrade coffees avail-
able on the market. Advanced Booking
required on 01505-842225 or by call-
ing into the caffe.
On Saturday 28th there is an evening
of Cuban music in the Lochwinnoch
Bowling Club. Salsa dancing is great
fun: try it yourself after watching the
dancers and getting some tuition for
beginners. Tickets and further details
will be available soon: check the Loch-
winnoch International Aid website or
posters around the village.
‘Make it Happen.
Choose Fairtrade’
On Tuesday March 3, starting at 7.30,
the Parish Church is the venue for a
talk by Cornelius Lynch from St.
Lucia.
Cornelius will speak about the im-
portance of Fairtrade standards to
people living in the Windward Is-
lands of St Lucia, St Vincent, and
Dominica. He has farmed for 23
years, including the last seventeen in
the banana industry, and became
involved in the Fairtrade movement
in 2000 and now manages the St
Lucia National Fairtrade Organiza-
tion ensuring banana farmers meet
Fairtrade standards.
Bananas are a best-selling Fairtrade
product : 25% of bananas sold in the
UK are now Fairtrade. Fairtrade
Fortnight ends with campaigners
across Britain attempting to set a
world record for eating Fair-
trade bananas between midday on
6 March and midday on 7 March.
Independent shops and retailers in
cluding Sainsbury’s and the Co-
operative will support the initiative
by making supplies available and, in
some cases, on-pack messaging.
Lochwinnoch folk can support this
effort by eating a Fairtrade banana
between noon on Friday 6 March
and noon on Saturday 7 March to set
a world record for the largest num-
ber of Fairtrade bananas eaten over
a 24 hour period! The junction will
have a banana themed menu on
March 6 to encourage customers to
eat a Fairtrade banana. To achieve
a world record we need people to
register online at -
www.fairtrade.org.uk/gobananas
Finally, on Sunday March 8th, from
11am - 2pm, there will be a stall at
the Castle Semple Centre selling a
range of Fairtrade products and with
more information about our cam-
paign.
Offers of help to Bob Turner
(Tel: 843068).
Lochwinnoch International Aid
are having a
on
Saturday 28th February
at
Lochwinnoch Bowling Club.
We hope there will be some Salsa
dancing tuition for those who want
to learn a bit. It’s part of Fairtrade
Fortnight so there’ll be a bit of a
‘fairtrade banana’ theme.
Look out for posters for details -
and get your tickets early because
we think it will sell out quickly.
BRIDGE
Over the years, a number of people
have commented about the lack of a
Bridge club in Lochwinnoch. The
Scottish Bridge Union is very keen to
support any new initiative when it
comes to the development of Bridge
as a game at all standards. They are
willing to give grants to aid the set-up
of a Bridge club. This will include the
provision of lessons both for begin-
ners and returnees to the game.
However, there a number of condi-
tions attached and the most important
of these is that there are sufficient
numbers of people to make it viable in
both the short and medium term.
Consequently, I am trying to establish
the level of interest in the village and
any surrounding areas.
In order to do this, I would be inter-
ested to hear from anyone who would
like to participate. (There will be a
number of issues which will need to
be resolved, e.g. where we would
play, etc but this can be discussed
once it is identified that there is suffi-
cient interest.)
I can be contacted by phone on 01505
842151 (please leave a message on the
answerphone if I am not in) or e-mail
at: rogerandjune@ukonline.co.uk
Alternatively, leave a message at the
Library, marked for the attention of
Roger Evans.
 Councillor Arthur’s
Report
Traffic issues in and around the vil-
lage have caused me concern for quite
some time and although I accept that
the majority of drivers do the correct
thing and abide by the speed limits
and parking restrictions, I also firmly
believe that we need to discourage and
deal with those who don’t.
Can I assure you that our traffic issues
are not being ignored and that I am
still working in partnership with the
Police and Renfrewshire Council’s
Planning and Transport Department to
tackle our traffic problems.
The traffic islands that were installed
at the foot of the Johnshill have been
very successful in reducing the speed
of traffic entering the High Street and
the moving of the 30mph limit at
Newton of Barr to between St.
Joseph’s entrance and Auchenhain
Road (Glenlora Road to most of us)
has been approved and should be car-
ried out before the end of the financial
year.
The speed of traffic that travels down
the Johnshill can still be very fast
from time to time and this is going to
receive our continued focus. The new
location of the flashing 30mph sign at
the top of the Johnshill has proved to
be too near the exit from Bridesmill
Road to be effective in reminding
drivers to reduce their speed.
Therefore, in addition to raising this
point at December’s Community
Council meeting and informing them
that I was seeking a better location for
the flashing 30mph sign, I have car-
ried out a leaflet drop to all the resi-
dents who live on the Johnshill re-
questing their opinions on what loca-
tions would be acceptable and also
what locations would not be accept-
able. I have also posed the question of
what traffic calming measures they
would like to see installed. Once I
have received my requested feedback
I will communicate and consult with
the Johnshill residents to facilitate a
speedy relocation of the sign.
In the meantime the temporary fitting
of a small speed-activated sign to a
lamppost will be carried out. This
sign will record and store the actual
“To the world you may be just one person,
but to one person you may be the world.”
Tell them so on Valentine’s Day with a card or gift from our huge selection.
Gifts Cards Jewellery Leather Home
8 Church Street, Lochwinnoch 01505 843311
Open 9-5 Monday-Saturday. Sundays 12-4 from Easter onwards
speed of traffic, which in turn will
provide us with hard evidence of just
how great the speeding traffic issue
is. The police will also continue to
carry out their speed gun activities.
While I’m on the subject of traffic,
at the recent Environment and Infra-
structure Policy Board it was ap-
proved for Renfrewshire Council’s
Director of Planning and Transport
to undertake the statutory procedure
and necessary processes to make
Renfrewshire a decriminalised park-
ing zone. This basically means that
Renfrewshire Council will become
responsible for yellow line and park-
ing enforcement instead of the
police, although the police will con-
tinue to have the responsibility for
endorsable and moving traffic of-
fences.
As well as freeing up police budgets
and police resources to tackle more
serious crime, our current number of
existing parking wardens is to be
doubled and their role as parking
attendants is to be redefined, giving
our community more control of en-
forcement over parking restrictions
around schools and of our streets.
I am delighted with this change as it
has been one that I have raised and
pursued after requests from several
members of our community.
It is anticipated that decriminalised
parking will be operational in finan-
cial year 2010/11.
As previously reported in Novem-
ber’s column, Renfrewshire Roads
Department were looking for sug-
gestions for carriageways (roads)
and footways (pavements) for their
2009/10 and 2010/11 resurfacing
programme.
Many of you got in touch with sugges-
tions and these were duly forwarded
on to the Head of Roads. He then got
all the lodged requests for the whole
of Renfrewshire and set a list of pri-
orities. From the Capital Budget, the
B786 Stepends Road will be resur-
faced as will various repairs be carried
out on Balgreen Road. The pave-
ments of Mansfield Road, Church
Street and High Street, from the bank
to Craw Place, will also be resurfaced.
This does not mean that repairs will
not be done on other roads and pave-
ments, therefore, please keep reporting
any defaults to Renfrewshire Coun-
cil’s Planning and Transport Depart-
ment on 0141 842 4466 or fill in the
on-line reporting form on the Ren-
frewshire Council website or email to
pt@renfrewshire.gov.uk
My next Surgery is on Saturday 21st
February but there is no need to wait
for a Surgery if you require my help,
you can contact me on 843507 and we
can agree a time when we can meet.
Councillor David Arthur
Come and Try !
PANCAKE
TEA
Pancakes will be made by
ladies on the spot in
Lochwinnoch Parish Church Halls
on
Tuesday 24th February
from 2-4pm
There will be various stalls with
Baking, Jams, Chutney, Books,
Bric-a-Brac, & Tombola
Tickets: Adults £2 each
Children £1 each
All welcome.

Antiques, Curios and Crafts
A dynamic selection of oils, watercolours and
limited edition prints.
Bespoke crafts by local artisans, vintage and
contemporary jewellery.
Well worth discovering for yourself.
The Barn on the Farm, open 10am till late every day.
Contact Greta Logan on Tel: 01505 683338
Mob: 07786 720586
e-mail: greta@thestirrupcup.co.uk
www.thestirrupcup.co.uk
West Bankside Farm, Geirston Rd,
Kilbirnie, KA25 7LQ
Just opposite the Golf Course on the Largs Rd.
The History of
Valentine’s Day
Every February, across the world
gifts, flowers and cards are ex-
changed between loved ones, all in
the name of St Valentine.
The history of Valentine’s Day and
its patron saint is shrouded in mys-
tery. But February has long been the
month of romance. According to the
Catholic Encyclopaedia at least 3 St
Valentines are mentioned as early
Christian martyrs under the date 14th
February. Most of the information is
on Valentine of Rome, a priest who
served during the third century
when Claudius II decided that single
men made better soldiers than those
with wives and families. He out-
lawed marriage for young men, but
Valentine, realising the injustice of
the decree, defied Claudius and con-
tinued to perform secret marriages
for young lovers. When Valentine’s
actions were discovered, Claudius
ordered that he be put to death.
According to legend Valentine sent
the first “Valentine” greeting him-
self. While in prison he befriended
the jailer’s daughter who visited
him while he was imprisoned. Be-
fore his death he wrote her a letter
which he signed “from your valen-
tine”, an expression which is still in
use today.
Although the truth behind the valen-
tine legends is murky the stories
certainly emphasise his appeal as a
sympathetic, heroic and most im-
portantly, romantic figure. It is no
surprise that by the Middle Ages
Valentine was one of the most
popular saints in England and
France.
At the Stirrup Cup we have quirky
collectables; jewellery candles and
pictures ……. for her, and for him a
range of kilt accessories, decanters,
glasses and again those unusual
curios.
There may well be something
to suit you.

LOCHWINNOCH Valentine’s Gala

SWRI
Rural members and friends were
treated to an evening of the poetry
of Robert Burns, ably delivered by
talented local enthusiasts Johnny,
Gavin, Malcolm and Bill.
Julie provided the appropriate
pipe music and a traditional sup-
per was served. A great evening,
enjoyed by all.
COMPETITION RESULTS:
Highlanders shortbread -
1 L Benzie, 2 K Bruton and
3 P Matthews;
Favourite Scottish Souvenir -
1 K Bruton, 2 J McLardie and
3 M Holmes.
The next meeting is on
Wednesday 18th February
at 7.30pm in the McKillop
Institute, when there will be a
presentation by ‘CHOCOLATZ’.
Chocolate to taste
and to buy mmm!
Visitors welcome.
Ceilidh
is on
Saturday 14th February
from 8pm till 12 midnight
At the McKillop Hall
Dance the night away, with music
from
' The Last Tram
Tae Auchenshuggle'.
Tickets £8.50, from usual outlets.
***
Lochwinnoch Gala Day
takes place this year
on
Saturday 13th June
So mark that date in your diaries.
It promises to be
another exciting event.
Our theme this year is
Country and Western.
If you think you can help us out in
any way at all with this Gala Day,
please contact Christine on
07815 087794.
Arts and Crafts for
Young Teens, Lochwinnoch
The Chameleon Club workshops are
for anyone aged 12+ who would like
to try some arts and crafts workshops
should come along.
The workshops are held at the RSPB
Centre, Lochwinnoch, from 2pm-4pm
and led by professional artist, Cait
Gould. Each session costs £10, which
covers all materials too.
Next session’s dates are:
28th February and 21st March.
In the past the group have created
stop-frame animation from characters
they made in clay; mosaic frames;
clay piggy banks (but being creative
types, we ended up with a bird, haggis
and a cat as well!). If you have a par-
ticular area of interest Cait will always
try to incorporate it into the work-
shops. We hope to see you soon.
 Sky at Night KATHARINE HARDIE BA Hons
Lochwinnoch will be running a Jewellery / Silversmithing Course
February 2009 in the Bar Lounge of the McKillop Institute,
starting Monday 2nd March from 12.30 to 2.30pm.

COMET LUNIN
A chance to see Comet Lulin before
the nights get too light. Lunin is
moving northwards during February
and should reach at least naked eye
visibility. Calculations suggest this is
the first time the comet has ap-
proached the Sun and we could be in
for a good show.
The course runs for 6 consecutive weeks and will include design and practial
work - e.g. soldering, filing, sawing and hammer work.
The cost is £50; some materials are included. To book, please phone 01505
844944 or e-mail khardie24@hotmail.co.uk
NB If anyone has a secure, dry outhouse within Lochwinnoch to use as a private work-
shop, please get in touch.
1st Lochwinnoch Company, The Boys’ Brigade

Mid-January the comet was low in the

27th running
south in the constellation of Libra but Of
as it moves north and approaches the LOCHWINNOCH
Earth, should get bigger, brighter and
be easier to see.

To help you find it in the sky; by mid-

February the comet is in the southern
part of Virgo, passing south of the star
Spica on the 19th and 155 million
miles from the Sun. On the 23rd Feb-
ruary it moves into the constellation of
Leo and on the 24th, passes close by
Saturn at 0300hours. It will be at its
closest to the Earth at around 37 mil-
lion miles. This is when the comet
SHOULD be at its brightest. On the
28th of February the comet will be
within a degree of Regulus in Leo.
The Andromeda Galaxy is a naked
eye galaxy which 2 years ago could be
seen overhead the Village with ease.
Now, due to light pollution, it is only
visible on the best of nights to the west
of the Village.
Look for the large square (of Pegasus)
which is above Venus. Make a line of
sight from the bottom right star to the
bright star top left; Alpheratz, con-
tinue that line to the second bright
star; Mirach, look to the right and
there is another bright star and the
same distance to the right of this, you
will find the Galaxy.
OPEN
on
Saturday 13th June 2009
Starting at Calder Street, Lochwinnoch at 2.15pm
In 1983, the Lochwinnoch Fun Run
was born as part of the Boys’ Bri-
gade centenary celebrations. Local
events at that time fixed the second
Saturday in June as the best date and
it has been held on that Saturday
ever since - so this year’s race is on
Saturday 13th June.
Many changes have been made
over the years, with the adults
now racing over 6 miles
(previously 7); and the race is
now firmly fixed in the Scottish
Athletics Calendar.
RACE
Registration - Lochwinnoch Parish
Church.
Race starts at 2.15pm in Calder
Street, Lochwinnoch.
Distance 6 miles for adults and
4.1 miles for youths (under 16s),
(One lap only for Charity Runners/
Joggers if requested.)
Route - Calder Street, past McKillop
Institute, Bridgend, Burnfoot, Golf
Clubhouse, Corsefield Road,
Glenlora, Gavelmoss, West Hills,
turning before the A760 and re-
tracing the route to Calder Street
for the finish.

MOON - the Moon is Full on the 9th
February and New on the 25th Febru-
ary.
Venus is an impressive sight high in
the west this Month. It is just past its
best but still bright enough to cast
shadows.
This and more will be found on the
Village website www.lochwinnoch.info
(Also, see inside back pages for details
of Muuirshiel Stargazing nights. Ed)
Last year, the adult trophies were
won by Michael Finlay
(Kilbarchan) and by local lass
Jacquie Donaldson. Will they
retain their titles, is the big ques-
tion - and will Allan Penny main-
tain his dominance as the Lead-
ing Local, or will David Nicholls
made a comeback?
There are also medals for veter-
ans (ladies and men) and Leading
Local boys and girls.
Entry forms will be available from
the usual local agencies. Also,
watch out for posters with more
information - such as details of the
Waterstone Trophy, entry fees and
closing date for all entry forms.
Alternatively, further details can
be obtained from Race Organiser,
Murray Lawrie at Tel: 0141 887
8791 or by e-mail at:
amurraylawrie@hotmail.co.uk
NOT A LOT OF
PEOPLE KNOW
THIS …..
As many people around the world
have just celebrated the 250th celebra-
tion of Rabbie Burns’ birthday, a
Chatterbox reader has written in won-
dering whether local folks are aware
of the Lochwinnoch connection.
There were three generations of Sem-
ples or Semphills of Beltrees who
were all poets. They were descend-
ed from John, the third Lord Semple
(for more info see -
http://www.electricscotland.com/history
/nation/semple.htm)
The third generation poet was Francis
Semple of Beltrees (1616-1662) and
among many other poems, including
Elegy on Habbie Simpson (Kilbarchan),
Maggie Lauder, She Raise & Loot Me
In and The Blythsome Wedding, he
wrote the following, which just might
sound a bit familiar - and look at when
Francis lived!
“On old long syne.
On old long syne, my jo,
On old long syne:
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne”
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never thought upon,
The flames of love extinguished,
And freely past and gone?
Is thy kind heart now grown so cold
In that loving breast of thine,
That thou canst never once reflect
On old-long-syne?
”On old long syne
On old long syne, my jo,
On old long syne:
That thou canst never once reflect
On old long syne”
Robert Burns was known to have
collected, adapted or extended many
existing poems and we think it is
rather special to think that the above,
which has to be the best known song
in the world, actually originated in
Lochwinnoch.
For more interesting information about
Francis Semple, visit -
http://www.electricscotland.com/
history/glasgow/anec34.htm
Muirshiel Park
By
Ron Sinclair
I gaze longingly at your gentle
curves
abundant mounds of rich fragrant
scent
feelings of sadness you alone
are not mine
wind blows your flowers where
butterflies flutter
above skylark climb
below meadow pipits chirp
on the grassy moor as clouds
slowly move above
acres of cotton grass
numbers impossible to count
with your surroundings like a
sermon on the mount
looking back down over your
spine the road to
your broken bridge anchored like
an Achilles’ heel.
Hen Harrier
By
Ron Sinclair
A hunter in the finest
eyes keen to spot the prey
darting floating silhouette
going about your day
As you glide with ease
into dives and twirls
you are a dream to see
and deadly speed that thrills
In the sky high above
performing ancient rites
acrobatic skills to prove
the magic of you in flight.
***
Ron Sinclair spent the last 9 months
living in Lochwinnoch and attending the
local Writers' group in the library,
where he made some friends and en-
joyed writing poetry.
He also spent many happy hours up and
around Muirshiel Park walking the old
mine road, which inspired him to write
these two poems. Perhaps they will
strike a note with others that Ron met on
his hikes, particularly the Rangers out
doing surveys on the Harriers.
TENJEWBERRYMUDS !!
(To get the full effect, this should be
read aloud. You will understand what
‘tenjewberrymuds’ means by the end
of the conversation. This was nomi-
nated for the best e-mail of 2007.)
~~~
The following is a telephone exchange
between a hotel guest and Room
Service at a hotel in Asia, which was
recorded and published in the Far
East Economic Review:
Room Service (RS): “Morrin. Roon
sirbees.”
Guest (G): “Sorry, I thought I dialled
room service?”
RS: “Rye .. Roon sirbees..morrin!
Jewish to oddor sunteen??”
G: “Uh..yes..I’d like some bacon and
eggs.”
RS: “Ow July den?”
G: “What ?”
RS: “Ow July den? ... Pryed, boyud,
poochd?”
G: “Oh, the eggs! How do I like
them? Sorry, scrambled please.”
RS: “Ow July dee baykem? Crease?”
G: “Crisp will be fine.”
RS: “Hokay. An Sahn toes?”
G: “What?”
RS: “An toes. July Sahn toes?”
G: “I don’t think so.”
RS: “No? Judo wan sahn toes??”
G: “I feel really bad about this, but I
don’t know what ‘judo wan sahn toes’
means.”
RS: “Toes! Toes! ... Why jew don
juan toes? Ow bow Anglish moppin
we bodder?”
G: “English muffin!! I’ve got it!
You were saying ‘Toast’ Fine. Yes, an
English muffin will be fine.”
RS: “We bodder?”
G: “No... just put the bodder on the
side.”
RS: “Wad! ?”
G: “I mean butter... just put it on
the side.”
RS: “Copy?”
G: “Excuse me?”
RS: “Copy...tea...meel?”
G: “Yes. Coffee, please, and that’s
all.”
RS: “One Minnie. Scramah egg,
crease baykem, Anglish moppin w
bodder on sigh and copy...rye??”
G: “Whatever you say.”
RS: “Tenjewberrymuds.”
G: “You’re very welcome.”
(Thank you to IR,
who submitted this linguistic gem
for Chatterbox readers. Ed)
 Get the new BBC Freesat system - also available in HD
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LCD and PLASMA SCREEN INSTALLATIONS
DIGITAL UPGRADES MULTIROOM AERIAL AND SATELLITE FREE ESTIMATES
Tel: 01505 842056 Mob: 07940 705115
Lochwinnoch Historical
Society
At our last meeting on 15th January
our speaker Jim Grant gave a very
interesting illustrated talk on the
Maritime Museum. The museum is
well worth seeing and can be visited at
both Irvine (see website for opening
times}and Braehead, which is open all
year.
Jim is doing some research into the
Maritime Regiment memorial plaque
which is wall-mounted in the Parish
Church and hopes to get back to us
soon. He is also making a return visit
in September to talk about the history
of the Scots' pioneering worldwide. A
must for those interested in family
history. More about this nearer the
time.
Our next meeting - on Thursday 19th
February in the Guild Room of the
Parish Church at 7.30pm - welcomes
Jim McCrorie, who will give a talk on
the history of Caledonian MacBrayne.
Visitors are most welcome; £2 for the
talk, company and tea/coffee, cake
and biscuits. For more details, contact
Gordon Nicholl, Tel: 842632.
WALL MOUNTS SUPPLIED AND FITTED
Lochwinnoch
Elderly Forum
There is no report of our Jan 29th
meeting, as the deadline for copy
for the Chatterbox was the 28th.
Our next meeting is on Thursday
26th February in the McKillop at
1pm.
The Drop-in T Bar continues to
increase in popularity and is
open to all, regardless of age.
It's a good opportunity to have a
break from shopping and enjoy a
bargain cup of tea and biscuits
for 50p - and now the added at-
traction of excellent homemade
soup with bread for 50p a bowl.
Presently open on Tuesday
10am - 1pm and, after April, it is
proposed to open on Thursday
as well.
Please note that although it has
been mentioned in recent Chat-
terbox editions (now rectified),
The Lunch Club no longer oper-
ates. Contact: Gordon Nicholl
842632
REPAIRS
FULLY INSURED
Lochwinnoch Surgery
31 Main Street,Lochwinnoch
In December 2008, 147 patients
failed to attend appointments with
the Doctors or nurse clinics. Conse-
quently, we will start sending letters
to patients who fail to attend on 3
consecutive occasions.
We would be grateful if unwanted
appointments could be cancelled as
this will help provide shorter waiting
times for all patients.
Please, please, please – tell us if
you are not able to keep your ap-
pointment, Tel:01505 842200.
LOCHWINNOCH
BOWLING CLUB
Saturday 21st February
RACE NIGHT
First Race - 8pm
Friday 27th March
FASHION SHOW
By Toggery
***
Last year, we offered a ’one-off’
membership at a special price.
We would like to repeat that this
year - bowl for a season for £25!
Apply to Marion Jamieson
on Tel: 01505 502975.
 Lochwinnoch
Arts Festival 2009
Here’s a preview
of this year’s events
Thursday 26th & Friday
27th March
Godspell
in the McKillop Institute
Saturday 28th March
Children’s Events
in the morning and afternoon
***
Janice Galloway
on Saturday afternoon
***
Acoustic and Jazz
entertainment
on Saturday evening
Sunday 29th March
Neil Wilson
and classical local talent
on Saturday afternoon
***
Choir
on Sunday evening
~ •
The Committee would like to
say a special thank you to
Renfrewshire Council Johnstone
& Villages Local Area Committee
for the grant of £1,000, which
was awarded recently to
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival.
VILLAGE EVENT
CALENDAR for 2009
Lochwinnoch Post Office has a wall-
mounted planner, where members of
the public can enter details of forth-
coming events.
Please use this planner to -
• avoid any clashes when choosing
dates to hold events, and
• to help publicise your own
events in and around the village
and local area.
What’s On • Scottish Country Dance Club
- On Tuesdays, from 7.30-9.30pm,
the McKillop Institute.
(Regular Clubs, classes
• Linda Margaret School of
and local groups) Dancing - Tuesdays from 4pm-
8.45pm, McKillop Institute. For
• Lochwinnoch Community details, Tel: 0141 581 9104.
Walks - Mondays (ex. Public
Holidays), 10.30 am at The • Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys
Cross. and Junior Sections meet on Tues-
day nights and Company
• Lochwinnoch Playgroup - Section on Friday evenings, Parish
For under 5’s, every Monday, Church Hall. (See notice board out-
Tuesday and Wednesday from side the church for more details.)
9.30-11.30 (during term time) at
the McKillop Inst. * • Girls Brigade -
1st Lochwinnoch Company
• Kickjitsu for Kids - Monday Wednesday evenings from 6pm-
nights, from 5pm-6.45pm in the 9.15pm at the Parish Church Hall
Parish Church Hall. for various age groups.
• Lochwinnoch Gymnastics •
Club - For primary school-age
Yoga Classes - Tuesday day-
time classes for Beginners from
children every Monday,5-7pm at 1pm-2pm, and
the Annexe. Phone Coby for de-
Wednesday evening classes for
tails on: 0772 9051615. Intermediate/Advanced students
• Morag’s Keep Fit - Mondays from 7.30-9pm, McKillop Insti-
and Thursdays from 7pm, in the tute. (Contact Mary for more in-
McKillop Institute. formation on 07971 277870 or
01505 842877.)
• Lochwinnoch Choral Soci-
ety. Rehearsals on Monday eve- • Yoga Workshops - see separate
nings, Parish Church/ Hall. notice in this issue of Chatterbox.
Juniors 7-7.30pm, Intermedi-
ates 7.30-8.30pm and Seniors • Happy Harminis - Fun for pre-
from 8pm. school children. Thursdays from
10am in the McKillop Institute.
• Lochwinnoch Art Group Contact Frankie Plater for details:
Meet fortnightly on Monday 01505 612248.
evenings, 7.30pm, McKillop
Institute. • Slinky Strollers - on Thursdays
(see back page for details).
• Advice Works - Tuesdays
10am -12.30 at the Library. * • Calder Drama Club—
Drop-in T Bar - Lochwinnoch
Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm
McKillop Institute.
Elderly Forum. Every Tuesday
from 10am-1pm, McKillop Insti- • Scottish Slimmers - Thursdays
tute. All welcome. For details, from 7/7.30pm, McKillop Inst.
call Reta on: 01505 842054.
• Lochwinnoch Pre-School
• Baby and Toddler Rhyme- Gymnastics ( for children from
time - every Tuesday, 2.30pm at 18 mths to 5 yrs). Fridays, from
10.15am - 1.45pm at the Annexe.
Lochwinnoch Library. *
Further details from Coby on
• TaeKwon-Do Fitness and Self-
Tel: 0772 9051615.
defence classes for all. Tuesdays
from 5-6pm, McKillop Institute. • Tai Chi for Beginners -
For details Tel: 01259 210716. Friday nights, 6.45-7.45pm, The
Room, Lochwinnoch Library.
YOGA and HEALING MEDITATION WORKSHOPS
February 21 Saturday "FREEDOM"
March 14 Saturday "AWAKENING"
April 26 Sunday "KINDNESS"
May 17 Sunday "TRUTH"
June 21 Sunday "ENTHUSIASM"
All workshops are held in Kilbarchan Guide Hall
and cost £15.00 Contact Rebecca on 0141-881-6700.
 Dates for
your diaries
• Saturday 7th February -
Councillor Neil Bibby’s Surgery, at
9am, McKillop Institute.
• Saturday 14th February -
Dance the night away at the
Valentines Gala Ceilidh at the
McKillop Institute. Tickets £8.50
from usual outlets. *
• Saturday 14th February -
St Valentine’s Day Dance and
Mr & Mrs competition at the Ma-
sonic Hall. *
• Sunday 15th February—
Creative Class - The Wisdom of
the Body. (See separate notice for
details. *)
• Monday 16th February
Lochwinnoch Art Group fort-
nightly meeting at 7.30pm, McKil-
lop Institute. *
• Wednesday 18th February -
Lochwinnoch SWRI evening, with
presentation by ’Chocolatz’ at
7.30pm McKillop Inst. Visitors
welcome. *
• Thursday 19th February -
Lochwinnoch Historical Society
evening, speaker Jim McCrorie on
“The History of Caledonian
MacBrayne” - at 7.30pm in the
Guild Room of the Parish Church.*
• Wednesday 18th February -
Lochwinnoch SWRI evening, with
presentation by ’Chocolatz’ at
7.30pm McKillop Inst. Visitors
welcome. *
• Friday 20th February - Prize
Bingo Night at the Masonic Hall. *
• Saturday 21st February—
Councillor Arthur’s Surgery from
11.30am at the McKillop Institute*
• Saturday 21st February - Race
Night at the Bowling Club. *
• Tuesday 24th February -
Pancake Tea 2-4pm, Parish
Church Halls. *
• Thursday 26th February -
Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum
meeting 1pm McKillop Inst. *
• Thursday 26th February -
A Nicht Wi Burns, 7.30pm at
Lochwinnoch Library. *
* See inside this issue of Chatterbox
for further details of these events.
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT J Quinn & son
23 February to 8 March
Memorials
Make it Happen - Choose
Fairtrade in Lochwinnoch
Personal Service
Support Fairtrade at
& Quality
the following events
Guaranteed
Wednesday 25 Feb 9am-12.00 noon
Fairtrade Coffee Morning at The
Junction.
Thursday 26 Feb 6.30pm -7.30pm
Fairtrade Coffee Tasting at The
Junction (Advanced Booking re- New Memorials
quired – Tel: 01505-842225 or by
calling into the caffe)
Saturday 28 Feb 7.30pm –11pm
Additional Inscriptions
Cuban Salsa Music and Dancing at
The Bowling Club (tickets from the Cleaning & Renovations
Junction or members of LIA)
Tuesday 3 March 7.30pm Corne-
lius Lynch (banana producer from St
Lucia) speaking at Parish Church Mon 10am –5pm, Tue –Fri 10am –2pm
(only Renfrewshire venue!) – free Evening & Weekends by Arrangement
admission
Wednesday 4 March 9 am-12 noon
Fairtrade Coffee Morning at The 4a Dalry Road, KILBIRNIE
Junction Please Call 01505 68 54 55
Friday 6th – Saturday 7th March
(noon to noon) Banana themed menu
at The Junction: join the attempt to
set a world record for eating Fair- LOCHWINNOCH
trade bananas in 24 hours. To ART GROUP NEWS
achieve a world record we need to
get people to register online at Thanks go to Renfrewshire Council
www.fairtrade.org.uk/gobananas who have supported the Art Group by
Sunday 8th March, 11am – 2pm granting funding of over £400 in order
Fairtrade Stall at Castle Semple Cen- that may continue to meet as a group.
tre, Lochwinnoch.
We are continuing to grow in numbers
and wondering if we will need a bigger
BURNS SUPPER hall soon! It's great to see such a good
turnout during such awful weather.
On Friday 13th February
Lochwinnoch and Howwood SNP Remember folks, everyone is welcome
are holding their Annual Burns and if you are over 18 and would like to
Supper in Lochwinnoch Golf Club, to come along, it's every second Monday
celebrate the 250th anniversary of evening at 7.30pm in the Lesser Hall of
the life and works of the bard. the McKillop Institute.
At our next meeting on Monday 16th
Guest speaker is John Swinney
February, Art Group member Margaret
MSP and the programme for the
Emonds will demonstrate how to stretch a
evening also includes Cllr.Derek
Mackay, Leader of Renfrewshire canvas.
Council, with Cruachan providing At the following meeting on Monday 2nd
March, the topic for the evening will be
the music.
Drawing Horses by Glenys McKee.
This is a mixed evening and all are Please remember that you can always do
welcome to attend. something else of your own choice if you
would rather.
Tickets are £18.50 and are avail-
able by phoning Davie on 843507. Christine Brown, Chairperson
 THE AWAKENING OF
LOCHWINNOCH'S
GODDESS OF LIFE
AND LIGHT
by DEREK PARKER
FEBRUARY heralds the arrival of the
Springtime of our Celtic ancestors who
lived in the woods, hills and moor-
lands around Lochwinnoch.
The prehistoric men, women and chil-
dren of the countryside named the
occasion Imbolc. In the old language,
the word means 'in milk’ and refers to
the lactation period of ewes, which
gave birth to their lambs around this
time of the year. But Imbolc has a
deeper meaning. It is not just sheep
wandering our ancient forests and
hillsides that come into milk in Febru-
ary.
Mother Earth, the Magna Mater or
Great Goddess of the pre-Christian
pagan pantheon, is also about to give
birth to myriad life forms when Febru-
ary arrives. The word, 'February,'
comes from Latin, 'febris,' meaning
'fever' and the Great Goddess is in-
deed in heat as she awakens from her
long, weary winter slumber.
It is now more than six weeks since
the winter solstice on December 21 -
the shortest and darkest day of the
year - and the elixir of life is starting to
flow through the Goddess's veins and
arteries which are the rivers and
streams, her bones which are the
rocks and boulders, her tresses which
are the trees and plants, her skin
which is the surface of the Earth and
her eyes which are the lochs and pools
of water.
Soon Parkhill Wood, the heather-
covered slopes at Muirshiel Country
and the Castle Semple lochside will be
mantled with floral and leafy robes
reflecting the light and vigour of life
born anew after the Earth Mother's
winter slumber.
Who was this Great Goddess who was
venerated by our predecessors and
what was her role in Lochwinnoch?
Her name was Brighid (pronounced
Bree-id) and she was regarded as the
source of fertility, inspiration, healing,
poetry and fire. Her title derives from
two Irish Gaelic words, 'Breo-
saighead,' meaning 'fiery arrow.'
It illustrates her power to bring life
and light to the wastelands of the
universe and the human soul where
previously death and darkness
reigned during the dark days of win-
ter.
In Celtic myth and legend, Brighid
was the daughter of the Dagda, the
great god of the Celtic pantheon, and
chieftain of the Tuatha de Danaan
the people of another goddess
named Dana, whose memory lingers
on today in the name of a famous
Irish woman singer.
Brighid was particularly venerated at
the ancient springtime festival of
Imbolc on February 1 when it was
believed her gifts of birth, healing,
fertility and fire restored vigour, fer-
tility and fecundity to the country-
side made barren and sterile by the
darkness of winter.
Around 2000 years ago, Brighid was
worshipped locally at places such as
St Bride's, below Kenmuir Hill at the
eastern end of Castle Semple Loch.
Fires were lit in her honour and
prayers and invocations chanted in
night-time ceremonies by the people
to bring health and prosperity to the
land, to themselves and to their
crops and livestock.
Memories of these distant days have
been much in evidence this winter
with its frosty days and glorious sun-
sets illuminating ice-covered Castle
Semple Loch whose ancient spirit is
frequently evoked by the trumpeting
call of Whooper swans and the gar-
rulous squabbling of feeding ducks.
On one particularly memorable oc-
casion, I paused for several minutes
below Kenmuir Hill to watch the
solar splendour of the setting sun rise
in fiery splendour from its crimson
cradle beyond the distant slopes of the
Misty Law.
It was the same sunset which had
gilded the landscape hundreds of
years ago and enchanted the souls of
Brighid devotees gathering in the St
Bride's neighbourhood at Imbolc to
welcome the first signs of returning
Spring when the snow, frost and ice
vanished from the land and brightness
and blossoms would return to the
neighbourhood.
With the coming of Christianity to
Celtic Britain, it seemed the Great
Mother Goddess of the pagan era was
no more. But she only went under-
ground to resurface in the guise of her
Christian equivalent, St Bridget, also
known as St Bride, who took on
Brighid's roles as comforter, healer
and inspirer. The historical St Bridget,
or St Bride, was Abbess of Kildare
Monastery in Ireland, who died in 525
AD after a lifetime of service to God
and her fellow humans.
The Feast Day of St Bride on February
1 coincided with the old Celtic Imbolc
festival commemorating the return of
Spring to the countryside. The sacred
site at Lochwinnoch, where Brighid
was worshipped below Kenmuir Hill,
was replaced by a small stone sanctu-
ary known as St Bridget's, or St
Bride's, Chapel. It was used as a place
of prayer until the early 16th century,
when the first Lord Sempill of Castle
Semple replaced it with the Collegiate
Church, which was dedicated to the
Virgin Mary.
Both the site where Brighid was wor-
shipped in pre-Christian times and St
Bride's Chapel are long gone - buried
beneath the green fields below Ken-
muir Hill and the former railway em-
bankment which now forms the Sus-
trans cycle path.
But the memory of the Earth Mother
of our ancestors, lingers on. Within
the next few weeks, her spirit will be
incarnated in the springtime snow-
drops, daffodils, marigolds, celandines
and all the other colourful blossoms
mantling our countryside. Brighid, the
Great Goddess, is with us still.
Derek Parker worked as a
Countryside ranger at Clyde
Muirshiel Regional Park, Loch-
winnoch, from 1985 till 1999.
OOPS !
In last month’s article about Druid
Days in Lochwinnoch, we omitted to
print the final line of the first column,
which provided the dates of archaeo-
logical sites in CMRP. Here’s the
paragraph again - with dates this time!
(Sorry - Ed.)
“The people taking part in these noc-
turnal ceremonies were the heirs of a
pre-Christian hierarchy dating back
hundreds of years to a time when the
Druid priests were the spiritual and
political leaders of Iron Age Celts, who
lived in fortified encampments and
homesteads in the Lochwinnoch area
at places like Walls Hill, Dunconnel
Hill, Smeath Hill, Castle Hill and
Knockmade Hill - all important archaeo-
logical sites within Clyde Muirshiel
Regional Park and dating from approx.
500BC to 300AD.”
CREATIVE CLASSES
All workshops last from 1:30 -
4:30pm and cost £15. Venue is
Lochwinnoch.
* Sunday 15th February:
The Wisdom of the body. Open
to listening deeply to your body.
Through music, meditation and
art-work develop a space to ex-
plore life within and cellular
awareness.
* Sunday 29th March:
Your Guardian Angel.
Explore your connection with
your guardian angel from your
birth to the present moment. Al-
low space to nourish this rela-
tionship.
* Saturday 18th April:
Mind De-tox. The start of a 21-
day intention experiment to re-
build 'a positive state of mind'.
Request - we are looking for
groups who might be interested
in a talk and or experiential
about meditation and healing
(free).
If you are interested
in any of the above,
please contact Becky on
Tel: 0141 881 6700.
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.
Speak BUS SERVICE
CONSULTATION
for your Generation
Charlie Gordon MSP is currently con-
Renfrewshire Youth Voice is looking
sulting on a proposed Scottish Parlia-
for young people aged 14 to 25 who
ment Member’s Bill which would re-
would like to stand as a member of
introduce some form of regulation
the Scottish Youth Parliament.
into the provision of bus services. His
suggested Bill includes the following
The Scottish Youth Parliament
proposals:
meets four times a year with mem-
bers able to debate various issues * To amend the 2001 Transport Scot-
affecting the lives of Scottish land Act, to make it easier, quicker
youths. Members also have the and less expensive for Councils to re-
opportunity to meet with members spond to market failure in local bus
of the Scottish and UK parliaments markets by developing the statutory
to express their views. Quality Bus partnerships and Bus
Contracts. This would enable local
In Renfrewshire, members are also authorities to more easily compel bus
asked to attend the regular meet- companies to provide certain services
ings of Renfrewshire Youth Voice e.g. to hospitals.
and other youth clubs, community * To authorise free bus travel for any-
groups and pupil councils, to meet one in receipt of the lower rate of Dis-
with as many young people as pos- ability Living Allowance, and their
sible. The various duties will take carer/escort.
up a maximum of four hours per
* To extend the current concessionary
week.
scheme to include community trans-
port organisations, which operate bus
Renfrewshire Council’s Derek Mac-
services in predominantly rural areas
kay urges local youths to -
where there are no commercial ser-
vices, improving public transport ac-
“Get involved in democracy at local cess for older & disabled people.
and national level, from making
sure you cast your vote, to standing Believing that these changes could
for election in something like the bring real benefits to disabled people
Scottish Youth Parliament. The and local communities, Inclusion
parliament gives young people a Scotland are now seeking your views
fantastic opportunity to visit places to inform their response. They will be
all over the country, and meet lots holding a round table discussion on
of like-minded people while doing Monday 24th February 2009 from
so, whilst standing up for young 11am – 3pm at the Inclusion Scotland
people’s rights and making a differ- office in Paisley.
ence for their community.”
For details, please contact Donna on:
0141 887 7058 or by e-mail at:
Nomination deadline is: information@inclusionscotland.org
Wednesday 25th February.
If you can’t make the roundtable event
For more information, contact Hua but would still like to contribute to
Cui on Tel: 0141 889 1110. their response please contact Bill Scott
Article provided by RCVS on 0131 555 6887 or by e-mail at:
(Renfrewshire Council for Voluntary policy@inclusionscotland.org by
Services) Friday 13th February 2009.
 St. Vincent's
Hospice News
Come and have a “Rerr Terr”
At the St Vincent’s Hospice Ceilidh in
Johnstone Town Hall on Friday 27th
February,7.30pm till midnight. Tick-
ets are only £7.50 (incl. light snack),
available from the Hospice, all Hos-
pice Shops and the Barn Tea Room.
Ladies Lunch - On Sunday 7th De-
cember ‘08, 220 ladies dressed up for
the St Vincent’s Hospice Ladies
Lunch at Cameron House Hotel on
Loch Lomond. Clyde 1 DJ George
Bowie hosted the fun-filled afternoon,
which included entertainment from
Paisley’s own Jill Jackson (formerly
of Speedway) and the fantastic Red
Hot Chilli Pipers. A great afternoon
was had by all with a staggering profit
of £20,000 raised on the day.
Bag Pack Asda, Linwood - Thank
you to everyone who supported the
bag pack at Asda on Saturday 20th
December. Due to the generosity of
Asda customers, a wonderful
£1329.34 was raised in aid of St Vin-
cent’s Hospice. Thanks again to eve-
ryone who donated and to the “bag
packers” who gave their time on the
day.
Recycling We can raise money by
recycling:- Mobile Phones, Ink Car-
tridges, Stamps Foreign Coins,
Old/broken Jewellery. These can be
handed in to our shops in Renfrew,
Johnstone, Linwood, Lochwinnoch,
Paisley, Barrhead and Bridge Of Weir
or at the Hospice itself.
Unwanted Gifts Do you have any
unwanted gifts that are in new or very
good condition. Our Fundraising
Team run various raffles, tombolas,
etc at various events and donations of
unwanted gifts or bottles can go a long
way in helping to raise vital funds.
For more information on any of the
above, please contact
Lorraine Valentine or Jane Cox in the
Fundraising Team on
Tel: 01505 705635 or by email at:
lorraine.valentine@svh.co.uk or
jane.cox@svh.co.uk
The following notice was received by
Lochwinnoch Community Council from A Nicht Wi
Renfrewshire Centre for
V o l u n t a r y S e r v i c e : Burns
Provost’s
Community Awards An Immortal Memory
Nominations are being sought for
the 11th anniversary of the Provost’s
And
Community Awards in Renfrewshire.
They aim to reward those members
The Readings of
of the community who tirelessly
work to make life better for others.
Robert Burns
Provost Celia Lawson said, “As
Scotland’s
Renfrewshire's Provost, it's my National Bard
privilege to meet many people in our
by U T
community who show such dedica-
tion to others and achieve so much. O
The Provost's Community Awards
are your chance to tell us that you L D
SO
admire these people too, and you'd The Garthland
like them to be rewarded for who
they are and what they do. If you St.Winnoch Cronies
know someone who helps others,
who makes a difference in their com- at
munity or who battles to overcome
physical or emotional barriers in Lochwinnoch Library
their life, nominating them for one
of these awards is a great way of On
showing what you think of them.”
Thursday 26th
Two new categories have been added
to the 2009 Community Awards: the
Spirit of Fairtrade Award, intro-
February
duced to support Renfrewshire
Council’s commitment to raising the
7.30pm
profile of Fairtrade in the area, and Tickets £2.00
the Arts and Culture Award for any
person or group who has (or have) Refreshments incl.
shown commitment and passion for
music, photography, painting or any
other such creative outlet.
The new categories join returning MASONIC CLUB
categories: Child of Achievement, EVENTS
Carer, Community Volunteer or
Group, Special Needs and Adult
Achiever. Saturday 14th February
The awards ceremony takes place in ST VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE
March 2009. Each individual winner and MR & MRS COMPETITION
gets a trophy, a holiday for two in 7.30pm till late
London (including flights and 4-star Tickets £5 per person
hotel accommodation), £200 spend-
ing money and a £500 donation to a Contact 843359 for tickets.
charity of their choice. If a group
wins an award, they receive £800 * * *
that can either be donated to a local
charity or spent on their own specific
needs, such as buying equipment. Friday 20th February
PRIZE BINGO NIGHT
For further information please con- 7.30pm at the Masonic Club
tact: Drew Gibson or Mairi Brown
Telephone: 0141 840 3363 or 0141 Everyone welcome.
840 3706.
 Lochwinnoch Library
Book List
Recent Additions
Martina Cole : The business
Imelda Dooley is scared. Really
scared. She's played hard and fast and
now she's been caught. She's pregnant
and now she's on her own. Her father,
not a man to mess with, will see that
somebody pays for this. And it's not
going to be her. So Imelda Dooley
tells a lie. A lie that literally causes
murders…….
Maggie Craig: One sweet moment
Life has not been kind to young or-
phans Kate and Andrew Dunbar.
Worked all day for no pay by her strict
aunt and preyed on at night by her
merciless uncle in Regency Edin-
burgh's South Bridge, Kate has little
time to daydream about the future. If
only they could get away from their
relatives, but how is she going to man-
age that? Then one day Richard Hope
walks into her life...
Rosie Goodwin :
Yesterday’s shadows
After finding a mysterious collection
of letters hidden by their father, Kate
discovers an unknown aunt in the
Midlands who soon offers them a
home. Despite leaving behind the man
she secretly adores, for the first time,
Kate feels loved and safe with Aunt
Beth. But her peace is shattered by an
astonishing revelation from Nuala,
and a series of brutal attacks on the
women of Nuneaton.
Richard Montanari : Play dead
Philadelphia police detectives Kevin
Byrne and Jessica Balzano are work-
ing a new beat: the Special Investiga-
tions Unit, aka the cold case squad.
Ironic, given that it's the height of a
blazing hot August. But even these
hardened homicide veterans are
chilled to the bone as a dormant mur-
der case stirs to life - leading Byrne
and Balzano into the dark heart of
their city, their souls, and a psyche of
pure evil.
Jessica Stirling : A kiss and Renfrewshire Libraries
a promise
Servant girl Betsy McBride thinks Present
she has as much right as any girl to
Tom Brodie, the most dashing young
man in the district. When her master
Baby & Toddler
asks her to help out the Brodie fam-
ily she jumps at the chance to get a
bit closer to him. She doesn't realize
that Tom Brodie thinks the only way
to save his family's fortune - or at
least their farm - is to dazzle his
landlord's daughter. There is heart-
break on the horizon unless Tom's
down-to-earth brother Henry can
catch Betsy's attention.
Coming soon Rhyme time
Secret life of Evie Hamilton
AT
by Catherine Alliott
The bodies left behind Lochwinnoch
by Jeffrey Deaver
The Associate Library
by John Grisham
Live fire
by Stephen Leather
Every Tuesday
Wednesday’s at 4
by Debbie Macomber
2.15pm
You can request these books by call-
ing into the library or reserve books ADVICE WORKS
on-line (see Renew and Reserve be- Tuesdays 10am –12.30pm
low).
Advisors are on hand to help fill in
claim forms, check and advise on wel-
Renew and Reserve fare benefits/money problems.
at
www.renfrewshwire.gov.uk/libraries Advisors can provide expert advice on
Library members can view, renew and a wide range of debt related topics,
reserve their library loans online. All such as credit card, mortgage arrears,
you need to get started is your library council tax, etc. The service is FREE,
membership number and a password. If confidential and open to all Ren-
you don’t have a password just ask at frewshire residents.
any library.
LIBRARY OPENING
“Your Village” HOURS :
Want to find out more?
Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
Why not browse through our 2pm–5pm & 6pm–8pm
collection of local photographs Tuesday and Saturday: 10am–1pm
and step into a very and 2pm–5pm
different world that was … Closed Thursday.
Lochwinnoch. Tel: 01505 842305

Hear
Here
Renfrewshire Hard of Hearing
Support Group
Renfrewshire Hard of Hearing
Support Group is a new group
formed to raise awareness, cam-
paign for positive change and to
provide support and activities for
those of us with a hearing loss. It
has been great to see our num-
bers gradually increasing.
Hearing loss brings problems of
understanding in a noisy world.
It is an invisible difficulty and
other people don’t realise the
need to communicate clearly.
Sometimes it is easier for us to
withdraw and become isolated
but we aim to encourage others
to overcome these difficulties.
At our meetings every effort is
made to make sure we all under-
stand by having a loop system
and a text writer available.
The next meeting will be on
Thursday February 5th, 2009,
2009 at
1.30pm in the Mile End Centre,
30 Seedhill Rd, Paisley. The sub-
ject will be a talk on Deaf Aware-
ness, a topic which will be inter-
esting to family also. Hope to see
you there. For further details,
Tel: 0141 847 4950.
Lochwinnoch
Scottish Country Dance
Club
Are you fit, active and
looking for a new interest?
Join our Scottish Country Dancing
Club at 7.30pm on Tuesday nights in
the McKillop Institute and learn how
to enjoy our traditional country danc-
ing with Reels, Jigs, Strathspeys and
the various steps associated with
them. It's all good exercise for the
mind as well as the legs and a most
enjoyable and inexpensive evening.
New Members will be most
welcome - come and have a try.
The Community Garden
Work for the new season is well un-
derway with cleaning up and remov-
ing vegetation at the rear of the gar-
den.
My thanks go to John Webster and
the Rangers of Clyde Muirshiel
Regional Park for bringing along a
group of teenage boys from Johns-
tone High School. They did a tre-
mendous job clearing old vegetable
remains and moving the large com-
post boxes to their new site.
Their behaviour and enthusiasm was
excellent, a credit to the youth of
today, their school and to Clyde
Muirshiel staff. They did what would
have taken several days in a couple
of hours. Well done boys!
Gordon Nicholl (Tel: 842632)
The Strathclyde Police website con-
tains information on all of the new
local Community Policing Teams to
increase the visibility of the officers
within their communities. Take a
look at our website -
www. strathclyde.police.uk
for contact details of officers in your
local Policing Team.
Please note the new phone number
for ASIST (Anti-social Behaviour
Team) - see below and front page
(top right-hand corner) of this issue
of Chatterbox.
USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
Strathclyde Police – 0141 532 5900
Johnstone Police – 01505 404000
Johnstone Community Safety
Office – 01505 404023
Trading Standards – 0141 840 3233
Care and Repair – 0141 812 4111
Renfrewshire Council -
Tel: 0141 842 5000
Anti-social Behaviour Investigation
Team (ASIST) - 0141 840 2163
Victim Support – 0141 887 0328
Nuisance Support & Advice
Helpline – 0800 169 1283
Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111
Community Safety Office,
Johnstone Police Station.
Notice from Renfrewshire Council:
EVENING HOSPITAL
VISITOR TRANSPORT
SERVICE:
In October 2006, a ground breaking hospi-
tal visitor transport scheme was launched
for the residents of Glasgow City. Since
then, the scheme has been extended to
residents of East Renfrewshire, East Dun-
bartonshire, Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
On 6th October 2008, the service began in
Renfrewshire, providing free transport for
our residents to visit patients in the Royal
Alexandra Hospital and other acute hospi-
tals in the NHS Greater Glasgow and
Clyde Area.
Who can use it?
The hospital evening visitor transport ser-
vice is available for anyone living in Ren-
frewshire, but priority will be given to
those who wish to travel to their nearest
hospital, to older people (those over 60),
people living with a disability and those in
receipt of benefits.
How to use it
To use the service, phone a booking hot-
line: 0845 128 4027 (open every after-
noon) and transport can be booked up to
one week in advance. You will have to
register and provide some information to
ensure that those who really need the ser-
vice are given priority. All information
will be treated in the strictest of confi-
dence and in compliance with the Data
Protection Act. You will need to give your
address, which hospital you want to visit
and what time visiting begins and ends.
Pick up time will be confirmed by tele-
phone and you will be taken from your
front door to a drop off point in the hospi-
tal. You will be given a time for the re-
turn journey back home after visiting.
Who provides the service?
The service is delivered through a partner-
ship between Renfrewshire Community
Health Partnership, NHS Greater Glasgow
and Clyde, Renfrewshire Council, WRVS
and Community Transport Glasgow.
Community Transport Glasgow will host
the booking hotline and schedule pick ups
and drop offs. They will contact WRVS in
Renfrewshire with the schedule for that
evening by 5pm. WRVS will provide a
driver and Renfrewshire Council will
make a vehicle available.
During the pilot period (6/10/08 –
31/03/09), usage of the service will be
monitored, and a steering group will
meet in February 2009 to agree a way
forward from April 2009.

SAVE YOUR
REGIONAL PARK
CAMPAIGN
Windfarm Roundup
Millour Hill
application REFUSED
At a Planning Committee
meeting of North Ayrshire
Council on 13th January 2009,
the committee unanimously
accepted the recommendation
of the Planning Department
officials that this windfarm ap-
plication should be REJECTED.
A number of SYRP members,
wearing SYRP T-shirts, were in the
audience. The Council officials
gave an excellent presentation and
both they and the committee
members are to be congratulated
on their well considered and wise
decision.
The SYRP committee consider this
to be a very significant decision
and sends a very strong and clear
message to Ministers of the Scot-
tish Government currently consid-
ering their decision on the Kelburn
windfarm application following the
Public Local Inquiry held in Kil-
birnie in June 2008.
Kelburn, Fairlie - Public Inquiry
completed in July 2008. the Re-
porter’s submission and recom-
mendation to the Scottish Minis-
ters has been made and a deci-
sion will be announced ”before
the 2nd March 2009“.
Leapmoor, Inverkip – The appli-
cation was lodged with Inveclyde
Council in July 2006 but has not
been before the Planning Commit-
tee yet. No further news.
Wings Law, Kilbirnie – The ap-
plication by Wind Hydrogen En-
ergy Ltd was lodged with North
Ayrshire Council in July 2007 but
has not been before the Planning
committee yet. WHL’s application
for a Hydrogen plant in Glengar-
nock to be manufactured by the
electrolysis process from electric-
ity obtained through the National
Grid, was lodged in July 2008.
There is NO direct cable linking
the windfarm to the Hydrogen
plant so the windfarm could be
anywhere, with no necessity for
it to be in the park.
Wardlaw Wood, Dalry – 6 Tur-
bines were constructed in 2006.
SYRP has written to North Ayr-
shire Council to point out that
Turbine No 2 has not operated
for in excess of 6 months and
that under the conditions of the
planning permission, should be
dismantled. We await their re-
sponse.
Work continues on the reinforced
concrete collars around the tur-
bine bases. A member of SYRP
was instructed to leave the wind-
farm site as the public were not
supposed to be there as it is a
construction site. The fact that
there was no sign at the en-
trance and that it is a Park
seems to have been missed by
Community Windpower and their
contractors.
Kaim Hill, Fairlie - Application
to North Ayrshire Council by
Natural Power Ltd on behalf of
Fred Olsen Renewables in August
2008. No further news. If you
have not already objected to this
application, please do so online at
www.saveyourregionalpark.com
Waterhead Moor, Largs – Scot-
tish & Southern’s application
documentation for 29 turbines
was expected to have been
lodged with the Scottish Govern-
ment before the end of 2008 but
it has not appeared yet. We
would remind readers that 26 of
the 29 turbines were being pro-
posed at the developers
‘exhibition’ to be constructed
within the Special Protection Area
(SPA) and Site of Special Scien-
tific Interest (SSS1).
WALKIES !
Everyone has the right to be on most
land and inland water providing they
act responsibly. Your access rights
and responsibilities are explained fully
in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Contact SNH on 01738 444177 for
leaflets or advice or visit their website:
outdooraccess-scotland.com for fur-
ther information.
Whether you’re in the outdoors or
managing the outdoors, the key things
are to take responsibility for your own
actions, respect the interests of other
people and care for the environment.
Here’s some guidance, reproduced
with permission from SNH, to help
you take the lead.
* Don’t take your dog into fields
where there are lambs, calves or other
young animals.
* Don’t take your dog into fields of
vegetables or fruit unless you are on a
clear path, such as a core path or right
of way - and keep to the path.
* Never let your dog worry or attack
farm animals.
* If you go into a field of farm animals,
keep as far away as possible from the
animals and keep your dog on a short
lead (i.e. 2 metres of less) or
under close control (i.e. this means
that your dog responds to your com-
mands and is kept close at heel).
* If cattle react aggressively and
move towards you, keep calm, let the
dog go and take the shortest, safest
route out of the field.
* During the bird breeding season
(usually April-July), keep your dog
under close control or on a short lead
in areas of moorland, forests, grass-
land, loch shores AND the seashore.
* Pick up and remove your dog’s fae-
ces if it fouls in a public open place or
where there’s a risk to farming interests.
* Some reservoirs and streams are
used for public water supply. If there
are intakes nearby, keep your dog out
of the water.
* In recreation areas and other public
places, keep your dog under close
control.
YOUR DOG
DOESN’T KNOW ANY BETTER.
MAKE SURE YOU DO.

Stargazing
Nights
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
are holding some Stargazing
nights over the next few months.
These will be held at Muirshiel
Centre, where it is nice and dark.
If the weather is unsuitable for
telescope use there will be a talk
and a planetarium show on a
similar theme to the viewing pro-
gramme (details below).
Stargazing nights are on Fridays,
which is probably the best day in
terms of attracting families, and
will run from 7pm-9pm.
To book and for more details,
contact Regional Park staff on:
01505 842882. (Remember to
wear warm clothing.)
Lochwinnoch Art
Group launch exhibi-
tion at Castle Semple
Centre, Lochwinnoch
Lochwinnoch Art Group had a suc-
cessful launch of their 2009 Art Ex-
hibition at Castle Semple Centre last
month.
The Group was welcomed by Re-
gional Park Manager Charles Wood-
ward who said he was “delighted to
welcome the Lochwinnoch Art
Group back to the Park once again”.
“Johnstone High School assist in Lochwinnoch
Community Garden”
Community work programme for Johnstone High School
Pupils
Over sixty invited guests attended,
including Councillor David Arthur,
and they all enjoyed a convivial time
with much discussion about the paint-
ings. Several paintings were sold over
the evening to the pleasure of the art-
ists.
The exhibition is running at Castle
Semple Centre from Friday the 23rd
January until Tuesday the 10th of Feb-
ruary 2009. All unmarked paintings
are for sale and can be collected at the
end of the exhibition.
(See back page of Chatterbox for
Castle Semple Ctre. opening hours.)

Programme:

20th February – This year has

been designated International
Year of Astonomy and this eve-
ning will be concentrating on the
contrasting planets of Venus and
Saturn. An opportunity to take a
look at two contrasting planets,
one once viewed as Earth's twin,
the other the undisputed jewel in
our Solar System.

20th March - Saturn returns to

the night skies throughout this
month. Saturn is an amazing On Wednesday 21st January pupils Along with Rangers Michael Corrigan
sight through the telescope, with from Johnstone High School paid an and Elspeth Durkin there were 10
its rings and moons clearly visi-
unexpected visit to the Lochwinnoch boys with their teacher, and they
ble.
Community garden, ready and will- quickly got stuck in to the work –
ing to do some work. They are moving the compost bins to a new site
3rd April - Moon week, part of
working with Rangers from Clyde and clearing areas of the garden ready
a nationwide initiative running
Muirshiel Regional Park for an after- for spring planting.
for International Year of Astron-
noon per week, doing some conser- Gordon Nicoll who runs the Commu-
omy. The subject will be the
vation work within the Park. Muir- nity Garden said he "always appreci-
Moon (strangely enough!!)
shiel was their intended destination ates the help and as usual the team did
If anyone wishes to bring their
on Wednesday, however the weather a great job, we really appreciated the
own viewing equipment
conditions were unsuitable, so the compost bins being moved and part of
(telescopes or binoculars - 10x50
alternative of assisting in the com- the garden being cleared in prepara-
or higher) then that would be
great. munity garden was very quickly ar- tion for spring jobs.”
ranged. Well done boys!
 RSPB
LOCHWINNOCH
NEWS
Subscribe to the RSPB
Lochwinnoch Blog!
For weekly updates about what is
happening at the reserve, visit:
http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/
lochwinnoch/default.aspx
and subscribe using the RSS link.
Here’s some news provided to us by
Mike Andrews at the RSPB Centre.
THE FRUITY NIBBLE
EXPERIENCE
It may look like nuts in that nut feeder
but it is not - It is fruity nibbles!
For the last few months we have been
trying fruity nibbles instead of nuts
and the results have been startling.
Fruity nibbles are made of suet, raisins
and contain over 35% fruit. From our
experience by observing the behaviour
of birds at our feeding station the top
three fruity nibblers are:
NUMBER 1: The small blue and yel-
low bird with a white face - the Blue
Tit. The blue tit was the first of our
feeding station birds to discover the
fruity nibbles and they can't seem to
keep off them with as many as 5 Blue
tits at once on this small nut feeder.
NUMBER 2: Next to discover the
fruity nibbles was the bird with the red
under tail - the Great Spotted Wood-
pecker. In particular, our female
quickly took a liking to these nib-
bles. She is often seen on the feeder
just a few metres away from our view-
ing window when it is busy with our
human friends.
NUMBER 3: Over the last few weeks
the tiny black, white and pink bird has
discovered these nibbles - the Long-
tailed Tits. Coming in numbers of
around six at a time, these birds can't
keep away from our feeders at the mo-
ment and they always head directly to
the fruity nibbles.
DIVING DUCKS -
THE BLACK AND WHITE KIND
Look out for a black and white
medium-sized duck with a large
domed head and a small bill. You
will be looking at a male Gold-
eneye.
Look a little closer and you will
see that it has a greenish black
head with a white patch in front of
its yellow eye.
Goldeneyes visit us from Northern
Europe to winter in the warmer Brit-
ish climate. They form small groups
that are constantly diving for in-
sects, small fish or plant material.
Females are normally part of these
small groups but are not black and
white but mottled grey with a choco-
late-brown head, square white wing
patch and white collar.
Also look out for the male gold-
eneyes doing their courtship display
by throwing their heads back to dis-
play their white breast - it is a sight
to see and it is happening on a loch
near you during January and Febru-
ary.
Large numbers of black and white
diving ducks, the Goldeneyes, Goos-
anders and tufted ducks are currently
at Lochwinnoch nature reserve.
A few Goldeneye facts for you:
◦ The weight of a Goldeneye is any-
thing between 600-1,200g - around
the weight of a bag of sugar.
◦ Their wings make a loud whistling
sound.
◦ Over 33,000 individuals winter in
British waters.
◦ Around 100 pairs now nest in Brit-
ain mainly in the Highlands - in and
around our reserves at Abernethy and
Inch Marshes.
◦ They started nesting in Britain since
1970 using specially designed nest-
boxes on trees close to the water.
RECENT SIGHTINGS
Sunday 18th January –
a typical day during January
Sunday turned out to be a rather inter-
esting day. Firstly we had 2 more
species to add to our year’s list -
the Great Crested Grebe and the
Kestrel. This now brings our total to
59 for the year so far.
Other Highlights include: 8 Whooper
Swans (Barr loch), 63 Wigeon (Barr
loch), 23 Greylag geese (Barr loch),
Female Scaup still present on Aird
Meadow and 53 Goldeneye seen at
Barr Loch, Aird Meadow and Castle
Semple.
The main surprise came at the num-
bers of birds at our feeding station.
In particular we managed to count 17
Blue tits at one time out at the front of
the centre. Other birds at the feeding
station included:
Over 30 Chaffinches, 10 House Spar-
rows, up to 3 Reed Buntings, the
Fieldfare, the Treecreeper and the 6
Long-tailed tits.
 What’s On
• Thursday mornings - Slinky
Strollers - Morning walks, meet at
10.30am at Castle Semple Centre.
• Fri. 23rd January - Tuesday
10th February - Art in the Park
exhibition at Castle Semple Centre
from 10am to 4pm daily.
• Saturday 7th February - Teen-
age Volunteers Group join us at
the RSPB Centre from 11am-4pm
and take part in bird surveying,
outdoor work and much more.
Booking essential; Tel: 842663
• Monday 9th February - Twi-
light Talk: Madagascar Journey.
Booking essential; Tel: 842663.
• Saturday 14th February -
Valentine’s Day Special Wildlife
Wander to see if love is in the air
in the bird world. RSPB Centre
from 10am-12 noon; book in ad-
vance. Wear stout footwear.
• Sunday 15th February -
Build a Bird a Home! Help build
and decorate nest boxes at RSPB
Centre from 11am—3pm,
and
Food for Feathered Friends. Learn
to make bird feeders and seedcakes,
1.30pm at Castle Semple Centre.
• Thursday 19th February -
Coffee morning from 11am to 1pm
in the RSPB Visitor Centre. £2 to
cover tea/coffee and biscuits.
• Friday 20th February - Muir-
shiel Stargazing Night. (see insice
for more details.)
• Saturday 21st February -
RSPB Art: Watercolours. Local
artist, Kate Lilley teaches the ba-
sics. To book, Tel: 01505 842663.
• Sunday 22nd February - Let’s
Celebrate Swans at Castle Semple
Centre between 1pm and 3pm.
• Saturday 28th February -
Chameleon Club workshop with
Cait Gould from 2-4pm at RSPB
Centre. (Details inside.) *
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(10 mins from Glasgow Airport on A737)
• Wednesday 25th February -
Conservation Volunteer Session
Start the new year with exercise
and fresh air at Muirshiel Centre.
Starts at 1pm - allow 2 hours.
Come dressed for the weather
and for getting dirty!
• Sunday 1st March - Lochwin-
noch Farmers Market at Castle
Semple Centre from 11am to
2.30pm or until sold out. An
opportunity to taste and buy
fresh, local, low food miles pro-
duce direct from the suppliers.
Free prize hamper, stalls inside
and out.
• Friday 6th March - Family
Footsteps: Homecoming 2009.
Take part in a guided tour or self
-guided walking trail, round the
historic heartlands of the Semple
Family estate in Lochwinnoch—
and don’t forget to take in the
exhibition at Castle Semple Visi-
tor Centre.
• Saturday 7th March -
Teenage Volunteers Group join
us at the RSPB Centre from
11am-4pm and take part in bird
surveying, outdoor work and
much more. Booking essential;
Tel: 842663
• * See inside Chatterbox for
further information on these
events.
0141 950 1423 GLASGOW
01505 842176 AYRSHIRE
01786 820130 STIRLING
Monday 9th March - Twilight Talk:
The Return of the Beaver - 7.30pm at
the RSPB Centre, Lochwinnoch.
Simon Jones of the Scottish Wildlife
Trust will talk about the ecology and
history of the European beaver, why
so many people want to see it return to
the UK and he will also explain all
about the Scottish Beaver Trial in the
Knapdale Forest of Argyll. Booking
essential, Tel: 01505 842663.
VISITOR CENTRES
WINTER OPENING HOURS
Castle Semple Centre Open daily,
10am-4pm. Tel: 01505 842882.
Cornalees Centre - Open at Week-
ends only, 10.30am-3pm from Nov ‘08
to March ‘09. (Toilets open daily.)
Tel: 01475 521458
Muirshiel Centre - Open at Week-
ends only, 11am-3pm from Nov ‘08 to
March ‘09. (Park and toilets open
daily.) Tel: 01505 842803
RSPB Reserve - Reserve is open at
all times; Visitor Centre open daily,
10am-5pm. Tel: 01505 842663.
Chatterbox is produced monthly for the Com-
munity Council of Lochwinnoch through fi-
nancial assistance from local sponsors and
advertisers.
The editor welcomes all items for possible
inclusion but will reserve all rights over them.
All views are of individuals. The editor ac-
cepts no liability for errors.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE INSTALLED
IN OVER ONE HUNDRED
LOCHWINNOCH HOUSEHOLDS.
Contact - PETER McGARVEY
Tel: 01505 614654