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
• star, Aldebaran. This is the eye
Dates for your Diaries -
see the back page.
• Details about regular clubs,
classes and local groups -
see inside back page.
• Notices about other events are
featured throughout this issue
of Chatterbox.
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.
Chatterbox is produced monthly for the
Community Council of Lochwinnoch
through financial assistance from local spon-
sors and advertisers.
The editor welcomes all items for possible
inclusion but will reserve all rights over
them. All views are of individuals. The
editor accepts no liability for errors.
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
February 2009 Issue Is
Wed. 28th January ‘09.
No 181 January 2009
www.lochwinnoch.info
Sky at Night
Lochwinnoch
January 2009
Constellation of the Month
Winter heralds the return of one
of the most spectacular constel-
lations, Orion. By 8pm, Orion
fills the southern sky above the
Braes and is easily picked out
by his Belt and Sword. Above
these are two of the principal
stars, the red star Betelgeuse -
his right shoulder and a blue
star Bellatrix, his left shoulder.
Below the belt, Orion's knees
are formed by Saiph (right
knee) and the brilliant white
start Rigel, (his left knee).
Around Orion's sword can be
seen one of the largest nebu-
lous areas visible to the naked
eye. Unless you get out into an
unlit area, you will likely only
see the bright part half way
down the sword. Put the sword
off-centre of vision for best re-
sults. Got a digital camera? Try
a wide angle shot of 15 seconds
or more and you will be amazed
at what you can capture.
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: 01505 325 030
Follow the line of the belt to the
right and you will come to a red
of Taurus the Bull and, beyond
that, is a cluster of very blue
stars -Pleiades.
To the left of Orion is Canis Major
the principal star of which is the
Dog Star - Sirius - brightest star
in the night sky.
Leo follows Orion and is visible in
the south-west until dawn.
Saturn is still below Leo. Saturn
takes roughly 29 years to orbit
the Sun and during that time, our
view of the rings changes from
edge-on, as they are at present,
to wide open (in 15 years’
time) and back again. Moderate
magnification will allow you to
watch this process.
MOON: the Moon is Full on the
11th and New on the 26th
January 2009.
On 7th January, as the light
dims, the Moon will be passing
stars of Pleiades. If the sky is
clear it is interesting to watch as
the main group re-appears about
8.30pm.
More information can be found
on the Village website
www.lochwinnoch.info
BUILDING MAINTENANCE
 Councillor Arthur’s
Report
Although I am a member of LMEG
(Lochwinnoch Millennium Events
Group) along with Carol Gemmell,
Graeme Skelton, David McCusker,
Duncan Bremner and Sue Richard-
son, it would be remiss of me not
to mention how great the village
Christmas Lights are and how
wonderful it was to see such a large
turnout from our community for
the switch-on back in early Decem-
ber. My thanks to all the celebrities
that performed the countdowns,
the helpers who put the lights up,
those who made donations, The
Junction for the mulled wine and
to my colleagues in the LMEG
team for their enthusiasm. Well
done all.
Once again the annual New Year’s
Dance was a massive success and a
terrific evening. It’s great to see
such a large group of people enjoy-
ing themselves from start to finish.
Thanks to Julie, Fiona and Laura
for organising it and also for rais-
ing funds for St.Vincent’s Hospice.
Thanks also to Margaret and Laura
our McKillop Hall caretakers who
once again volunteered to open up
the hall and to Lochwinnoch Com-
munity Council for their continu-
ous support.
This was the 9th year of our Hog-
manay walk and it was the best
weather that we’ve had. This year’s
walk, entitled Walk of Witness,
started at Auld Simon, then to Cal-
der Church, Parish Church and
finishing at Our Lady of Fatima
Church. A healthy number at-
tended and after sermon and
prayers there was time for a chat
over a cuppa.
Renfrewshire Council are about to
finalise a six-year investment pro-
gramme making sure all 13,000
council houses in Renfrewshire
meet the new Scottish Housing
Quality Standard which comes into
force by 2015. Working with the
Scottish Government, Ren-
frewshire Council administration
have found the solution which will
unlock total housing investment
amounting to £140 million over
the next six years.
The Scottish Government has
announced an additional £10 Lily
million to the Central Heating
Programme for this year. This
will allow the programme to Rose
reach a greater number of fuel
poor households than it was
originally anticipated between
Bridal Boutique
now and the end of March 2009. Designer Bridal gowns by Allure,
Prioritisation has been extended Sweetheart Gowns, Linea Raffaelli,
to cover the pensioner house-
Trudy Lee, Nicola Anne and
holds. Further information is
Sophia Tolli.
available from:- Scottish Gas,
Freepost, SCO 4421, Edinburgh,
EH6 OBR; or you can telephone
Order your Junior
them on their freephone number: Prom. Dresses now !
0800 316 1653.
Also stocking bridesmaid and
My next Surgery is on Saturday
17th January but there is no need prom. gowns, jewellery, tiaras, veils,
to wait for a Surgery if you re- shoes, hats and fascinators.
quire my help, you can contact
Contact Heather on
me on 843507 and we can agree a
time when we can meet. 01505 843459 & 07834 419585
for an appointment
Councillor David Arthur
or visit www.lilyrosebridal.co.uk
Lochwinnoch Elderly 30 Church Street,
Forum
Lochwinnoch PA12 4AD
The Forum had no meeting in Decem-
ber, however enjoyed an excellent lunch
in the Bowling Club on the 16th. Our
St. Vincent's Hospice
thanks to Mr and Mrs Jamieson and
other club members for their services
and to Isabel Pratt and team for their Recycling
well-received catering. We can raise money by recycling:-
Many thanks also to local businesses Mobile Phones, Ink Cartridges,
who generously gave donations for Stamps Foreign Coins, Old/broken
the raffle. We were also very pleased Jewellery. These can be handed in to
to be given parliamentary whisky our shops in Renfrew, Johnstone, Lin-
from both Trish Godman MSP and
wood, Lochwinnoch, Paisley, Bar-
Douglas Alexander MP.
rhead and Bridge Of Weir or at the
Local businesses who donated were The Hospice itself.
Corner Bar, Key Store, The Heritage
Market, Pharmacy, The Cafe, The Junc-
Unwanted Gifts
tion, Cut & Care, Garthland, The Paper
Do you have any unwanted gifts that
Shop, Now & Then, Spar, John Wilson
(baker) and The Brown Bull. Some indi- are in new or very good condition.
vidual Forum members also donated prizes. Our Fundraising Team run various
raffles, tombolas, etc at a number of
Our membership has increased over the
last few months, some due to their atten- events and donations of unwanted
dance at our successful T-bar in the gifts or bottles can go a long way in
McKillop on Tuesday mornings. This is helping to raise vital funds.
run by Reta Parr and her group of volun-
teers. From April, the T-bar will also For more information on any of the
be opening on Thursday mornings. above, please contact
Lorraine Valentine or Jane Cox
Our next meeting is on Thursday
in the Fundraising Team on
29th January at 1pm in the McKillop
Institute. All over 55 are welcome.
Tel: 01505 705635
or by email at:
My best wishes for 2009
to all Forum members.
lorraine.valentine@svh.co.uk or
Gordon Nicholl (acting chairman). jane.cox@svh.co.uk

Antiques, Curios and Crafts
A dynamic selection of oils, watercolours and
limited edition prints.
Bespoke crafts by local artisans, vintage and
contemporary jewellery.
Well worth discovering for yourself.
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.
Recycling
In January 2008, the Scottish
Government outlined ambitious
plans for a Zero Waste Scotland.
The aim of the plan is to maxi-
mise recycling, minimise waste
and ensure products are made to
be reused, repaired or recycled.
Buying an antique of any kind
has been the ultimate in recy-
cling long before it became
“fashionable.” The products are
certainly reused and very often
repaired.
At the Stirrup Cup we not only
offer an excellent restoration
service but we can transform
furniture based on our recom-
mendations or on your own re-
quirements. This can be
achieved by using differing paint
techniques, such as distressing,
ageing and liming.
Other techniques comprise,
stencilling, decoupage, freehand
and mosaic.
We constantly have items in
stock which you can transform
using your own imagination.
This is not just confined to
furniture but can include light
fittings, glasses, frames, jugs,
decanters, wooden boxes, etc.
In addition to breathing new
life into a variety of items, we
do try to be environmentally
friendly at The Stirrup Cup.
We use low energy light bulbs,
have a wood burning stove for
heat and try to keep packag-
ing to a minimum by reusing
bubble wrap and polystyrene
packing.
Most “antique” furniture is
still worth restoring. There
will still be unwanted furni-
ture in skip sites and land fills.
An antique can be a unique
item which not only enhances
your home but ensures that
you are doing your bit to “save
the planet”.

Valentine’s Gala Ceilidh LOCHWINNOCH

is on Saturday 14th February
The band, by popular demand, is
' The Last Tram Tae Auchenshuggle'.
Tickets available from the middle of
January from the usual outlets.
Lochwinnoch Arts Festival
March 26-29th 2009
Events will include
Godspell musical
Guest writer Janice Galloway
Jazz/Folk and Classical music
Arts and crafts
Children’s events
and more.
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.
ART GROUP NEWS
First of all, Lochwinnoch Art Group
wishes everyone a happy and
prosperous New Year.
Our first meeting of 2009 will take
place on -
Monday 19th January
at 7.30pm in the Lesser Hall,
McKillop Institute.
Helen Day will discuss Still Life us-
ing pencil tones. So, if you are inter-
ested then please come along (with
pencil and paper!) for an interesting
and informative evening.
Everyone over the age of 18years
is welcome.
Our second meeting of 2009 is on -
Monday 2nd February,
same time, same place,
and that evening will consist of
Acrylic Techniques by Sandra Fowles.
Anyone who comes to the group
does not need to follow what is on
the syllabus. You can come along
and ' Do your own thing ' if that is
what you prefer.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Christine Brown, Chairperson
Arts and Crafts for
Young Teens, Lochwinnoch
The Chameleon Club workshops
recommence on Saturday 10th
January. Anyone aged 12+ who
would like to try some arts and crafts
workshops should come along.
The classes are held at the RSPB Cen-
tre, Lochwinnoch, 2.00-4.00pm and
led by professional artist, Cait Gould.
Each session costs £10, which covers
all materials too. Next session’s dates
are: 10th January, 31st January, 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.
 VISIT TO
NAXAL ORPHANAGE
In Kathmandu
On 9th October last year, I flew out to
Kathmandu (via Bahrain) to work as a
volunteer for a month at Naxal Orphanage
in Kathmandu city. Daily temperatures
were still very high in October, rice was
being harvested and preparations were
being made for the spectacular Festival of
Light, known as Tihar, one of many festi-
vals held in Nepal throughout the year.

The Naxal Orphanage is one of 3 run by
the OCCED (Organisation for Commu-
nity, Child and Environmental Develop-
ment), which was established in 1999 to
care for and campaign for Nepal’s most
vulnerable children. The OCCED works
to provide shelter, education and training
whilst trying to find the children new
homes.
I was one of a group of 5 volunteers; 3
schoolteachers, one paediatrician and my-
self - a former social worker with a special
interest in child care. Every day, we were
bused from our hotel in Kathmandu to the
orphanage, which was just over a kilome-
tre from the city centre. Central Kath-
mandu is a lively, intense city with narrow
lanes, motorbikes, rickshaws, traffic jams,
pollution, ageless temples, fabulous archi-
tecture and sacred cows roaming the
streets. The streets are filled with the
sounds of bicycle bells, religious music,
construction works, car horns and the
smells of incense and spices from the ba-
zaars and sewage and car exhaust fumes
from day-to-day living. Power cuts,
strikes, and protests are part of daily life,
as are the many rich and spectacular festi-
vals of the Kathmandu Valley and tradi-
tional buildings and palaces in the old city
of Kathmandu.
Children in the orphanage are grouped by
age. Our team of 5 volunteers helped with
the 1yr – 3yr old groups in the afternoons
and the 3-6 year old groups of children in
the mornings. At 7 years of age, the chil-
dren go to a nearby school, where English,
Maths, Science and Reading are on the
curriculum, though educational books are
rare in classrooms.
The orphanage is located in 2 rented
buildings, which are fairly basic struc-
tures with walls and roofing made out of
beautifully crafted split bamboo, beaten
earth floors and no windows or artificial
light. No laptops or iPods here! The
accommodation may be basic but it is
spotlessly clean; solar panels heat hot
water, bath nights are on Thursdays and
the children are looked after by nurse-
maids, known as didis. Girls can be-
come didis at age 17; some do the cook-
ing whilst others do housework, laundry
and general child-minding to name but a
few of their duties at the orphanage.
With our social, educational and paedi-
atric backgrounds, our team of 5 volun-
teers was also able to assist and support
local staff by spending time with the
children. For me, as a mother and
grandmother myself, this was a very
rewarding experience. Although I don’t
speak Nepali (or any of the numerous,
regional languages of the outlying ar-
eas), it was still possible to communi-
cate with the children on other levels
and to witness the great joy and excite-
ment they experienced in the daily read-
ing sessions we shared and, just as im-
portantly, the song and dance routines
including jiving, salsa, doing the Hokey
Cokey and Ring a Ring o’ Roses!
The children are often confined to the
buildings due to the intense heat and the
cramped city-centre location of the or-
phanage, where outdoor space is at a
premium. The photograph shows some
of the children, from a range of ethnic
and cultural backgrounds, playing to-
gether on a small outdoor balcony area,
which is only partly shielded from the
scorching rays of the sun.
As volunteers, we were able to spend
some of the money we raised on treats for
the children, one of which was a day out
at a local zoo. This proved to be a great
hit with the children who spent hours gaz-
ing at the tigers, elephants, leopards and
all manner of other exotic creatures. It
was exciting for us too! The didis came
along too and provided a fabulous lunch,
which we all enjoyed under the canopy of
huge trees nearby.
There are many more happy memories
that I would like to share with you but
space is limited. However, if you would
like to find out more about the Naxal
Orphanage and about Nepal and its peo-
ple, I will be giving a slide show and talk
at some local events. The first of these
presentations will take place on Thursday
29th January at 2pm at Paisley Abbey (as
part of Women’s Friendly Hour) and the
second event will take place on 19th Feb-
ruary at 7pm at Barr Mill (as part of the
SWRI evening).
Finally, on behalf of the children and staff
of Naxal Orphanage, I would like to say a
very big thank you to family, friends,
Lochwinnoch Community Council and St
Vincent’s Hospice for your donations of
money, school books, reading books,
early reading books, crayons and other
educational materials, all of which have
brought such joy to the children we met.
If you would like to donate or help
with the Naxal Orphanage project in
any way, please get in touch with me
on Tel: 01505 843805.
Diana Adam

YOGA CLASSES YOGA WORKSHOPS

Classes for Beginners recommence on Tuesday 13th January 17th Saturday "JOY"
January 2009, McKillop Institute from 1pm till 2pm. February 21 Saturday "FREEDOM"
Classes for Intermediate/Advanced students YOGA & March 14 Saturday "AWAKENING"
MEDITATION are held on Wednesdays from 7.30pm till April 26 Sunday "KINDNESS"
9pm at the McKillop Institute. May 17 Sunday "TRUTH"
Contact: Mary for more info on 07971-277870 or June 21 Sunday "ENTHUSIASM"
01505-842877 All workshops are held in Kilbarchan Guide Hall
and cost £15.00 Contact Rebecca on 0141-881-6700.
 Provost’s
Community
Awards
Nominations are being sought for
the 11th anniversary of the Provost’s
Community Awards in Renfrewshire.
They aim to reward those members
of the community who tirelessly
work to make life better for others.
Provost Celia Lawson said,
“As Renfrewshire's Provost, it's my
privilege to meet many people in our
community who show such dedica-
tion to others and achieve so much.
The Provost's Community Awards
are your chance to tell us that you
admire these people too, and you'd
like them to be rewarded for who
they are and what they do. If you
know someone who helps others,
who makes a difference in their com-
munity or who battles to overcome
physical or emotional barriers in
their life, nominating them for one
of these awards is a great way of
showing what you think of them.”
Two new categories have been added
to the 2009 Community Awards:
the Spirit of Fairtrade Award, intro-
duced to support Renfrewshire
Council’s commitment to raising the
profile of Fairtrade in the area, and
the Arts and Culture Award for any
person or group who has (or have)
shown commitment and passion for
music, photography, painting or any
other such creative outlet.
The new categories join returning
categories:
Child of Achievement, Carer, Com-
munity Volunteer/Group, Special
Needs and Adult Achiever.
The awards ceremony takes place in
March 2009. Each individual winner
gets a trophy, a holiday for two in
London (including flights and 4-star
hotel accommodation), £200 spend-
ing money and a £500 donation to a
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.
For further information
please contact: Drew Gibson or
Mairi Brown,Telephone:
0141 840 3363 or
0141 840 3706.
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.
A Burns
Hear
Supper
Here will be held on
Friday 23rd January
(7pm for 7.15pm)
Renfrewshire Hard of in the McKillop Institute,
hosted by
Hearing Support Group Lochwinnoch Choral Society
This promises to be a good night of
Renfrewshire Hard of Hearing entertainment with local speakers,
Support Group is a new group singers and other local musicians.
formed to raise awareness, cam- Tickets are £15 and are available
paign for positive change and to from any choir member.
provide support and activities
for those of us with a hearing
loss. It has been great to see our J Quinn & son
numbers gradually increasing.
Memorials
Hearing loss brings problems of
understanding in a noisy world. Personal Service
It is an invisible difficulty and & Quality
other people don’t realise the
need to communicate clearly.
Guaranteed
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 un- New Memorials
derstand by having a loop sys-
tem and a text writer available. Additional Inscriptions
There will be no meeting in
January. The next meeting Cleaning & Renovations
will be on Thursday February
5th, 2009,
2009 at 1.30pm in the
Mile End Centre, 30 Seedhill
Rd, Paisley. The subject will be Mon 10am –5pm, Tue –Fri 10am –2pm
Evening & Weekends by Arrangement
a talk on Deaf Awareness, a
topic which will be interesting
to family also. Hope to see you 4a Dalry Road, KILBIRNIE
there. Please Call 01505 68 54 55
Tel: 0141 847 4950
(for further details)
 From the Parish
Church
Look forward in faith,
all time is in God’s hand.
Walk humbly with him
and trust his future plan.
God has wisely led
his people by his power.
Look forward in hope,
he gives us each a new hour.
A. Scobie © 1988 The Panel On Worship,
Church Of Scotland
In years gone by, on Hogmanay,
our family used to gather around
the dinner table. As we ate, we
would discuss the past year, re-
membering the good times; raising
a glass to friends and family to
whom we had said our final fare-
wells; we would also mention,
briefly, the times we wanted to
forget.
This past year I have learned that I
have the wonderful gift to forget
hard times. That doesn’t mean I
remember the past through rose
tinted glasses hankering for a glo-
rious age which never existed;
however, it does mean that I am
lucky enough not to live in the
past. Yet there are lessons to learn
from the past and we ignore the
past at our peril. The difference is
whether we let the past inform our
present, or define it.
The Roman god Janus gives his
name to the month of January. In
Roman mythology, Janus was the
god of gates, doors, doorways, be-
ginnings and endings. Janus is
usually depicted as having two
faces, giving him the ability to look
forward and backwards simultane-
ously. He looks to the future, but
is forever also condemned to con-
template the past. He cannot con-
template the present; he cannot let
go of the pain of the past – perhaps
Janus, uniquely, does not have the
power to forgive as he cannot let
go.
The Christian faith is based on
forgiveness. When God forgives,
God forgets. God refuses to live in
the past.
Being human we cannot let go of
the past so easily. Yet faith is not
a magic wand that means when
we hand our hurt and pain to
God the hurt and pain cease.
Nevertheless, when we do hand
our burdens to God, our load is
lightened.
While it is vital to learn the les-
sons of the past, we no longer live
there. If we fail to forgive, in the
end it is ourselves whom we hurt
the most when we hold on to bit-
terness that should be laid to
rest. We only need to look to the
Middle East where the govern-
ment of Israel and the supporters
of Hamas seem unable to let go of
the past. Both sides are letting
the feuds and bitterness of the
past define the present. If people
on both sides could learn to let go
and forgive then who knows how
peaceful the future could be.
If the past is a foreign country, so
too is the future, yet we do not
step into it alone. We step into
the future together and with God
by our sides. Therefore, we can
look forward in faith, knowing
that we take the best of the past
with us and leave the worst be-
hind.
Whatever you face in 2009, may
God bless you with health and
happiness,
Yours,
Rev. Christine Murdoch
Godspell
As you will have read in Chatterbox
before, as part of the bi-centenary
celebrations of the Parish Church
building in Church Street, we will
be producing the Rock Musical
‘Godspell’ on the
26th and 27th March
in the McKillop Institute.
Godspell was written by Stephen
Schwartz and John-Michael
Tebelak and premiered in New
York in May 1971. The play con-
tains well known songs, such as
Prepare ye The Way of the Lord
and Day By Day. While written
for 10 characters, the beauty of
Godspell is there is a place for any-
one who wishes to take part.
Rehearsals begin on
Tuesday 13th January in the Par-
ish Church at 8pm.
If you cannot come to the first re-
hearsal but would like to take part
in any way, then please contact me
on 843484 or by e-mail:
rev.christine@btinternet.com
This musical is a lot of fun and no
matter who you are, no matter how
much singing or acting experience
you have, we will find a part for
you.
We look forward to seeing you on
the 13th January at 8pm.
Many thanks.
Christine Murdoch
 Fairtrade and Fair Prices for all Farmers
Celebrating our Fairtrade Village
Members of Lochwinnoch Interna-
tional Aid and its Fairtrade campaign
group recently celebrated the village’s
success in achieving ‘Fairtrade’ status
with those who helped us reach this
goal including representatives of Ren-
frewshire Council, the Community
Council, the churches, LMEG and the
Primary School. Thanks to the gener-
osity of local people at Susan Lamont’s
annual pupil concert, framed copies of
the certificate ‘presented to the people
of Lochwinnoch’ by the Fairtrade
Foundation (see picture) will be dis-
played in those shops, caterers and
organisations around the village that
sell or provide Fairtrade products.
We hope this will also
remind everyone to
support local farmers
and retailers during
these difficult economic
times. The campaign
group feels there is no
conflict between sup-
porting Fairtrade and,
where possible, buying
from local farmers and
producers – at a Farm-
ers’ Market for example
- to ensure they are
paid a fair price too.
What Fairtrade
stands for in
Scotland and in the
developing world
‘Fairtrade’ refers to products produced
and sold with the now familiar Fair-
trade logo on the packaging. ‘Fair
Trade’ refers to the wider Fair Trade
movement and national Fair Trade
Nation campaigns. The National
Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFUS) and
the Scottish Fair Trade Forum (SFTF)
recently promoted their desire for a
fair deal for food producers, regardless
of where they farm, whether in Scot-
land or in the developing world. Their
common goal is to ensure producers
are paid a fair price for their goods,
allowing them to operate sustainably.
NFUS focuses on working towards this
goal in Scotland while the SFTF works
to achieve this in the developing
world, through Scotland’s campaign to
become one of the world’s first Fair
Trade Nations.
According to Jim McLaren, NFU Scot-
land President, “At first, Fairtrade
and Scottish farming might seem
unlikely bedfellows since Fairtrade is
generally associated with the devel-
oping world. In reality however,
NFUS and the SFTF share key com-
mon values. We both work to ensure
food is produced in a manner that
promotes and enhances the sustain-
ability of agriculture and the well-
being of families who rely on it. We
both want a ‘Fair Deal’ for produc-
ers, whether for farmers in Scotland
or in places like Malawi.”
John McAllion, chair of the Scottish
Fair Trade Forum, said: “Scotland
currently has a campaign to become
one of the world’s first Fair Trade
Nations, (and) our greater aim is to
embed a commitment to fairness at
all levels of Scottish society. Buy
local meat, potatoes and dairy
products to support your local econ-
omy and buy quality Fairtrade cof-
fee, tea and other products that can’t
be grown locally to help Fairtrade
producers in the developing world
get a fair deal. In tough economic
times like this, buying local and Fair-
trade goods is a sure way to get qual-
ity products while knowing that you
are also supporting sustainable com-
munity and environmental develop-
ment that impacts all of us positively
in the long-run.”
The Fairtrade symbol guarantees
that people in developing countries
get a fair price for goods like cotton
and coffee that cannot be grown or
produced locally. In addition some
of their earnings go towards improv-
ing social provision such as health
care and education which is often
non-existent.
Jennipher Wattaka, a Ugandan
woman belonging to the Nasufwa
Co-op committee and its Fairtrade
premium committee said,
“As a woman, being involved with
Fairtrade is very helpful. We under-
stand the coffee business now and
Fairtrade has taught us how to im-
prove the quality of our coffee. It also
helps women sell their coffee, we have
a good market now. Fairtrade is also
giving women freedom of speech.
When we are paid we buy what we
want and don’t have to ask our hus-
bands and we know how to budget for
our household needs. We have tasted
Cafédirect which has our own coffee in
it. It was very delicious!’
What can we do
locally?
The Lochwinnoch cam-
paign group hopes to
gather support in 2009
by persuading more
local people to start
choosing Fairtrade prod-
ucts and buying from
local producers or shops
where they can. This
will guarantee support
for poorer communities
as well as local farmers
and producers: research
shows that 80% of every
£1 spent in local shops
re-circulates in the
community.
The bigger aim is to promote Scot-
land's contribution to Fair Trade with
developing countries, working with
other bodies, including Renfrewshire
Council and the Scottish Fair Trade
Forum to help Scotland achieve Fair
Trade Nation status.
During Fairtrade Fortnight
from 23 February-8 March 09,
we hope to be able to hear from a
banana producer who can tell us the
difference that selling their produce
through the Fairtrade scheme has
made to his community. Other events
will include fund raising coffee morn-
ings at the Junction and a Fairtrade
coffee tasting event. We also plan to
produce another shopping bag or a
T-shirt to celebrate our Fairtrade
village status. If you are interested in
helping in a practical way with any of
these activities, please contact
Bob Turner at Tel: 843068.
 DRUID DAYS IN
LOCHWINNOCH
by Derek Parker
WHILE working as a ranger at Muir-
shiel Country Park and its Barnbrock
Farm HQ in the hills above Lochwin-
noch, my journey home by bicycle
took me past Clochoderick Stone in a
meadow just off the back road between
the village and nearby Howwood.
At certain times of the year, when it
was dark at night, I sometimes saw
flickering flames around the massive
rock, which measures several feet in
height and circumference, and whose
Gaelic name means 'Stone of the Druid.'
Shadowy figures circling the rock,
known geologically as a glacial erratic
because it was swept down to its pre-
sent site from Argyll at the end of the
last Ice Age 10,000 years ago, in-
formed me that men and women who
still follow the old Druid religion of
the Lochwinnoch area were celebrat-
ing ancient pre-Christian festivals like
Samhainn (the start of the Celtic win-
ter) on November 1; the winter solstice
on December 21 or 22; and Imbolc
(the start of Spring) on February 1.
These celebrations at Clochoderick
took the form of torchlight proces-
sions, music on drums and tambou-
rines, and prayers to the Druidic sun
god, Bel, urging him to return to his
summer haunts and bring back life
and light to a benighted Renfrewshire
countryside darkened by winter deso-
lation and barrenness.
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.
The Druids, who were also the philo-
sophers, poets and historians of their
communities, wore distinctive white
robes and hoods, sometimes embroi-
dered with colours of the natural
world like blue and green, to denote
their rank in the hierarchical order.
The Celts, who looked to them for
guidance and spiritual nourishment,
were garbed in long woollen trou-
sers, tunics and cloaks fastened with
brooches. Celtic women dressed in
shawls and long, ankle-length wool-
len gowns, drawn in at the waist with
leather belts. Men and women wore
leather shoes or boots made from
animal hides.
The Druids, who were well-versed in
nature lore, led the religious rituals
of the people in wooded groves known
as nemetons, which were regarded
as sacred to the gods and goddesses
of woods, rivers, rocks and hills. The
word, 'Druid,' derives from Greek,
'drus' and 'idein,' meaning 'one who
has knowledge of the oak trees'
Like their modern counterparts, pre-
historic Druids took part in torch-
light processions in holy places at
dead of night when fiery flames from
their blazing beacons symbolised the
light of life shining in winter dark-
ness and strengthening the fading
sun which was at its weakest during
the night or winter time.
They also chanted paeans of praise
to the sun, which they learned dur-
ing their long apprenticeships lasting
for 20 years and obliging them to
commit Druid knowledge to memory
so it would not be misappropriated
by the uninitiated.
Among Lochwinnoch sites, where
the Druids are believed to have held
their rituals, is Beltrees whose name
is said to derive from the trees of Bel,
the Druidic sun god.
Another location is thought to be the
hillock in Parkhill Wood, known
locally as Downie's Mount or Downie's
Castle, and which is distinguishable by
its yew tree circle.
One of the most interesting aspects of
Druid ritual was their veneration of
the mistletoe plant. The milky juice of
the berry symbolised fertility and life-
sustaining milk while the whiteness re-
presented bright light shining in win-
ter darkness. Mistletoe, especially when
it grew on oak trees, was cut down on
the sixth day of the new moon by Dru-
ids using golden sickles and gathered
in priestly robes to prevent it from
landing on profane ground.
Although the Druids were brutally
suppressed by the Roman legions, who
occupied much of Britain from around
43AD to 410 AD, their secret knowl-
edge lingered on underground before
resurfacing during the Victorian era.
During my time as a countryside
ranger, I was invited to attend a num-
ber of Druid ceremonies, including a
wedding at Muirshiel Park and a Bel-
tane celebration at Courtshaw Hill
overlooking Castle Semple Loch.
Watching the re-enactment of ceremo-
nies, which took part at these very sites
nearly 2000 years ago, was an enlight-
ening experience with their ritual
kindling of sacred fires, the marking
with wooden sticks of the temenos, or
sacred enclosure, music, singing and
the distribution of the fruits of the
earth like apples and oranges, and
prayers for people in need.
In these hallowed sites once used
by our Druidic predecessors, the age-
less wisdom of the Old Religion flowed
down through the ages, putting us in
touch with our roots in the land, mag-
nifying our souls and linking us to the
eternal cycle of birth, life, death and
resurrection, which unites our souls
with the seasons of the universe.
Derek Parker worked as a
countryside ranger at Clyde
Muirshiel Regional Park
between 1985 and 1999.
 Lochwinnoch Library
New books for January Renfrewshire Libraries Present
Being Elizabeth by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Killer Year: Stories to die for by Lee Child
A secret alchemy by Emma Darwin
Baby & Toddler
Daughters of Liverpool by Annie Groves
Just after sunset by Stephen King
Brute force by Andy McNab
Salvation in death by J D Robb

Coming soon
Secret life of Evie Hamilton by Catherine Alliott
The bodies left behind by Jeffrey Deaver
The Associate by John Grisham
Live fire by Stephen Leather
Wednesday’s at 4 by Debbie Macomber

You can request these books by calling into the library or

Rhyme time
reserve books on-line (see Renew and Reserve below).
AT
Renew and Reserve
at Lochwinnoch Library
www.renfrewshwire.gov.uk/libraries
Library members can view, renew and reserve their library Every Tuesday
loans online. All you need to get started is your library mem-
bership number and a password. If you don’t have a password
just ask at any library.
2.30pm
“Your Village”
Starting 27th January
Want to find out more? Why not browse through our
collection of local photographs and step into a very
different world that was … Lochwinnoch.

ADVICE WORKS
Tuesdays 10am –12.30pm
Advisors are on hand to help fill in claim forms, check and ad- LIBRARY OPENING HOURS :
vise on welfare benefits/money problems.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 2pm–5pm & 6pm–8pm
Advisors can provide expert advice on a wide range of debt
Tuesday and Saturday: 10am–1pm & 2pm–5pm
related topics, such as credit card, mortgage arrears, council tax,
Closed Thursday.
etc. The service is FREE, confidential and open to all Ren-
frewshire residents. Tel: 01505 842305

The AGM Lochwinnoch BURNS SUPPER

of Scottish Country Dance Club
Lochwinnoch International Aid Are you fit, active and
will be held in looking for a new interest?
The Guild Room
of the Parish Church Our Scottish Country Dancing Club re-
on sumes on 6th January 2009 in the
McKillop Institute at 7.30pm. Learn
MONDAY 26th, JANUARY how to enjoy our traditional country
starting at 8pm. dancing with Reels, Jigs, Strathspeys
and the various steps associated with
The agenda includes reports on them. It's all good exercise for the
LIA's work in the past year and the mind as well as the legs and a most en-
election of a new committee. joyable and inexpensive evening.
Fairtrade refreshments will be served New Members will be most
afterwards. All supporters are welcome. welcome - come and have a try.
On Friday 13th February
Lochwinnoch and Howwood SNP are
holding their Annual Burns Supper in
Lochwinnoch Golf Club, to celebrate
the 250th anniversary of the life and
works of the bard.
Guest speaker is John Swinney MSP
and the programme for the evening
also includes Cllr.Derek Mackay,
Leader of Renfrewshire Council,
with Cruachan providing the music.
This is a mixed evening and all are
welcome to attend.
Tickets are £18.50 and are available
by phoning Davie on 843507.
 SAVE YOUR
REGIONAL PARK
PETITION
When I journeyed through to the
Scottish Parliament for the Petition
Committee meeting on 18 Novem-
ber, I was a bit down in the dumps
because I was sure that the Petition
was going to be closed and cast
aside. As time has gone on, my re-
sponses to the Government’s com-
ments have been more and more
critical and I was sure that my last
response would not go down very
well at all. Bearing in mind that the
Petition was launched in August
2007, it has been going for a very
long time and I was concerned that
today would be the day when it
would be finalised.
By 2 pm I was once again seated in
the Parliament building with my fin-
gers crossed and pretending to be
optimistic. In order to explain the
outcome, I think the easiest solution
is to summarise the Petition Com-
mittee’s latest letter to the Govern-
ment as below.
“ The Public Petitions Committee con-
sidered the above current petition at
its meeting on 18 November 2008 and
agreed to write to the Scottish Govern-
ment seeking a response to the spe-
cific points raised during the meeting.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this letter is to seek a
written response to each of the
following—
1. the points made in the written
submission from petitioner re-
ceived since the Committee last
considered the petition i.e.—
• Will the Scottish Government
demonstrate in what way planning
policies and the planning process fully
reflect the wider social, environment,
cultural, tourism and community
benefits that regional and national
parks offer and how are these interests
properly and robustly protected and
recognized?
• If it is for developers to consider
whether planning policies which apply
to national and regional parks are suf-
ficient to ‘discourage’ them from sub-
mitting such planning applications, what
evidence is there that this is the case?
• What has been the volume of
planning applications made, broken
down by those rejected and approved,
made in each regional and national
park in each year since 2003?
• Whether the principle of creating
a regional or national park, including
the statutory aims of the national
parks, is to -
◊ conserve and enhance the natural
and cultural heritage of the area;
◊ promote sustainable use of the
natural resources of the area;
◊ promote understanding and en-
joyment (including enjoyment in the
form of recreation) of the special
qualities of the area by the public;
and
◊ promote sustainable economic
and social development of the area's
communities - and should this not
be afforded a higher status in terms
of protection and that, as such, ap-
plications for wind farms and other
forms of industrialisation should be
discouraged more robustly to ensure
that the reason for designating the
parks in the first place is not lost?
2. the specific issues raised
during the discussion on the
petition
GUIDANCE ON RESPONSE
The following information may be
helpful in preparing your response—
◦ please limit your written response
to no more than 3 sides of A4
◦ the Committee would find it con-
venient if you were to identify in bul-
let form the relevant action the Scot-
tish Government has taken, or will
be taking, that will specifically deal
with, resolve etc the issues raised (to
provide in this format makes it eas-
ier for the Committee to easily iden-
tify the action points relevant to the
petition and will assist in its under-
standing of the issue)
◦ the Committee is interested in spe-
cifics e.g. what is the action, how is it
relevant to the petition, why is it be-
ing taken, when
◦ the Official Report of the Committee’s
meeting will be available on the Par-
liament’s website from 26 Nov. 2008.
TIMETABLE
The Committee will give further con-
sideration to this petition and the
written responses received at its
meeting on 10 February 2009. Ac-
cordingly, the deadline for your re-
sponse is 5 January 2009. “
Needless to say I left the meeting
very happy (actually dancing down
the Royal Mile) that the petition
was alive and well. Who knows
what 2009 may bring regarding the
Petition? Let us hope it is a vin-
tage year!! Very sincere thanks to
all who have supported this peti-
tion. Good health and happiness
for 2009.
Sybil Simpson
EVENING HOSPITAL
VISITOR TRANSPORT
SERVICE:
Notice from Renfrewshire Council
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.
 What’s On
(Regular clubs, classes
and local groups)
• Lochwinnoch Community
Walks - Mondays (ex. Public
Holidays), 10.30 am at The Cross.
• Lochwinnoch Toddlers
Group - For under 5’s, every
Monday and Wednesday from
9.30-11.30 at the McKillop.
(Resumes Wed. 1st October.)
• Kickjitsu for Kids - Monday
nights, from 5pm-6.45pm in the
Parish Church Hall.
• Lochwinnoch Gymnastics
Club - For primary school-age
children every Monday from 5pm-
7pm at the Annexe. Phone Coby
for details on: 0772 9051615.
• Morag’s Keep Fit - Mondays
and Thursdays from 7pm, in the
McKillop Institute.
• Lochwinnoch Choral Society.
Rehearsals on Monday evenings,
Parish Church/ Hall. Juniors 7-
7.30pm, Intermediates 7.30-
8.30pm and Seniors from 8pm.
• Lochwinnoch Art Group
Meet fortnightly on Monday eve-
nings, 7.30pm, McKillop Inst. *
• Advice Works - Tuesdays 10am
-12.30 at the Library. *
• Drop-in T Bar - Lochwinnoch
Elderly Forum. Every Tuesday
from 10am-1pm, McKillop Insti-
tute. All welcome. For details,
call Reta on: 01505 842054.
• TaeKwon-Do Fitness and Self-
defence classes for all. Tuesdays
from 5-6pm, McKillop Institute.
For details Tel: 01259 210716.
• Linda Margaret School of
Dancing - Tuesdays from 4pm-
8.45pm, McKillop Institute. For
details, Tel: 0141 581 9104.
• Scottish Country Dance
Club - On Tuesdays, from 7.30-
9.30pm, the McKillop Institute.
• Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys
and Junior Sections meet on
Tuesday nights and Company
Section on Friday evenings, Par-
ish Church Hall. (See Church No-
tice Board for more details.)
• Girls Brigade -
1st Lochwinnoch Company
Wednesday evenings from 6pm-
9.15pm at the Parish Church
Hall for various age groups.
• Yoga Classes - Tuesday Day-
time Classes for Beginners from
1pm-2pm), and
Wednesday Evening Classes for
Intermediate/Advanced students
- YOGA and MEDITATION - from
7.30-9pm; McKillop Inst. Tel
Mary for details on: 07971
277870 or 01505 842877.
• Yoga Workshops - see separate
notice in this issue of Chatterbox
about monthly Yoga Workshops.
• Happy Harminis - Fun for pre
-school children. Thursdays
from 10am in the McKillop Insti-
tute. Contact Frankie Plater for
details: 01505 612248.
• Slinky Strollers - on Thurs-
days (see back page for details).
• Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum
Lunch Club. Every Thursday,
11.30 am-1.30pm, McKillop.*
• Calder Drama Club—
Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm
McKillop Institute.
• Scottish Slimmers - Thursdays
from 7/7.30pm, McKillop Inst.
• Lochwinnoch Pre-School
Gymnastics (children 18 mths to
5 yrs). Fridays, from 10.15am -
1.45pm at the Annexe. Details
from Coby on: 0772 9051615.
• Tai Chi for Beginners -
Friday nights, 6.45-7.45pm, The
Room, Lochwinnoch Library.
• Roller Stroll. Skating will re-
commence in 2009. Details will
be published in Chatterbox soon.
• Muirshiel Stargazing Nights
in 2009. More details in next
month’s Chatterbox.
RSPB
LOCHWINNOCH
Twilight Talks 2009
Tuesday 13th January
Late Night Shopping at the
January Sales and a movie
Shop open 5pm-7.30pm
Film show from 7.30pm-9pm
featuring Mud Glorious Mud and short
ID lesson by RSPB reserve team on
10 of our most commonly seen waders.
Monday 9th February
Madagascar Journey
from 7.30-9pm
Talk by volunteer, Ian Taylor, on the
incredible flora and fauna of Madagascar.
Monday 9th March
The Return of the Beaver
From 7.30-9pm
Talk by Simon Jones of the Scottish
Wildlife Trust about the ecology and
history of the European beaver and the
Scottish Beaver Trial in the Knapdale
Forest of Argyll.
BOOK IN ADVANCE FOR ALL
EVENTS Tel: 01505 842663
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.
 What’s On
• Tuesday 6th January -
Scottish Country Dancing Club
starts again - 7.30pm, McKillop
Institute. Details inside. *
• Saturday 10th January -
Chameleon Club workshop 2-4pm
at RSPB Centre. Details inside. *
and Big Garden Birdwatch - 30th
birthday party! - 11am-4pm at
RSPB Centre. Get information
about this year’s survey (on Satur-
day 24th/Sunday 25th January).
• Saturday 10th January - Janu-
ary Sales ! Gift shop sales at all
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
shops - see opening hours.
• Sunday 11th January - Beach
Clean Day at Lunderston Bay from
1-3pm. For info, Tel: 01475 521 458.
• Monday 12th January -
Local Community Walks recom-
mence from The Cross, Lochwin-
noch. Every Monday (except pub-
lic holidays) at 10.30 hours.
• Tuesday 13th January - Late
night shopping and a movie at the
RSPB Centre. Details inside. *
• Tuesday 13th January - Yoga
Classes recommence—see inside
for full details of all classes. *
• Thursday 15th January -
Slinky Strollers - Thursday morn-
ing walks start again, meet at
10.30am at Castle Semple Centre.
• Thursday 15th January -
Lochwinnoch Historical Society
evening, speaker Jim Grant on
“The Maritime Museum” at 7.30pm
in the Guild Room, Parish Church.
• Saturday 17th January - Yoga
Workshop, Kilbarchan. More de-
tails inside. *
• Saturday 17th January -
Councillor Arthur’s Surgery from
11.30am at the McKillop Inst. *
• Sunday 18th January - See The
Hot Seats and The Shed Inspec-
tors, 7.3opm at the McKillop Inst.
Tel: 01505 706346 for tickets.
• Monday 19th January -
Lochwinnoch Art Group fortnightly
meeting - 7.30pm, McKillop Inst. *
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The Cross, Lochwinnoch PA12 4DB
(10 mins from Glasgow Airport on A737)
• Wednesday 21st January -
Lochwinnoch SWRI next meet-
ing is a Scottish Night - 7.30pm
McKillop Inst. Visitors welcome.
• Thursday 22nd January—
Coffee morning from 11am-1pm
at RSPB Centre. Cost £2 p.person
• Friday 23rd January - Burns
Supper - hosted by Lochwinnoch
Choral Society, 7 for 7.15pm -
McKillop Inst. Details inside. *
• Fri 23rd January - Tues 10th
February - Art in the Park ex-
hibition at Castle Semple Centre
from 10am to 4pm daily.
• Saturday 24th and Sunday
25th January - Optics Week-
end 10am-4pm at RSPB Centre.
• Sunday 25th January -
Remember the fifty passages?
Meet at 1.45pm, at Castle Semple
Visitor Centre for a walk to Parkhill.
• Monday 26th January - AGM
of Lochwinnoch International
Aid at 8pm in the Guild Room of
the Parish Church. *
• Tuesday 27th January and
every Tuesday - Baby and
Toddler Rhymetime, 2.3opm at
Lochwinnoch Library. *
• Wednesday 28th January -
Conservation Volunteer Session
Start the new year with exercise
and fresh air at Muirshiel Centre.
• Thursday 29th January -
Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum
meeting 1pm McKillop Inst. *
0141 950 1423 GLASGOW
01505 842176 AYRSHIRE
01786 820130 STIRLING
• Saturday 31st January -
Chameleon Club workshop 2-4pm
at RSPB Centre. Details inside. *
• 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.
• Saturday 14th February -
Dance the night away at the
Valentines Gala Ceilidh at the
McKillop Institute. Tickets avail-
able soon from usual outlets. *
• Saturday 14th February -
Valentine’s Day Special Wildlife
Wander to see if love is in the air
in the bird world. From 10am-12
noon. Wear stout footwear.
* See inside Chatterbox for further
information on these events.
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.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE INSTALLED
IN OVER ONE HUNDRED
LOCHWINNOCH HOUSEHOLDS.
Contact - PETER McGARVEY
Tel: 01505 614654