Nuisance Helpline

Anti-Social Behaviour
Noise problems
CHATTERBOX ASIST
Anti-Social
Investigation Team
Support and Advice
No 189 September 2009 Office 8:45am – 4:45pm
Every day 9am – 10pm
www.lochwinnoch.info Tel: 0141 840 2163
Tel: 0800 169 1283

Community newsletter produced by lochwinnoch publicity committee for lochwinnoch cc

What’s On
See centre pages for
club activities, village
events and classes.
See back pages for
Visitor Centre/RSPB events
and outdoor activities.
Lochwinnoch’s
Got Talent !
Originally from Inverness, Omar Bhatia
came to Lochwinnoch – via Tanzania -
in the 1990’s and attended Lochwin-
noch Primary School and nearby Johns-
tone High School. Omar’s extensive
Further Education culminated in a BA
(Hons) Degree from Duncan of Jordan-
stone College of Art and Design at
Dundee University.

CHATTERBOX Omar was awarded an Erasmus scholar-

Chatterbox is a free, monthly
community newspaper, produced
on behalf of the Community
Council of Lochwinnoch through
support and financial assistance
from local sponsors and advertis-
ers and distributed by volunteers.
The aim of those involved is to
produce an informative and en-
tertaining journal for those who
live, work and visit in this area.
The Editor welcomes all items
for possible inclusion but will
reserve all rights over them, i.e.
the right to shorten, edit or not
publish any item. Please note,
all views are of individuals and
the Editor accepts no liability for
editorial errors or statements and
claims made in advertisements.
ship to study at the Universitatea de
Artă şi Design, in Cluj-Napoca, Transyl-
vania (Romania) and he has been cho-
sen to represent his university at the
prestigious Royal Scottish Academy
New Contemporaries exhibition in
Edinburgh in spring 2010. Omar’s de-
gree show was also ranked in the top 20
in the UK in the current edition of Art
World magazine (the most popular art
magazine in the UK, if not the world).
Omar has exhibited at Roseangle Gal-
lery, Dundee, Lucian Blaga Library,
Cluj-Napoca, Aiud, Transylvania, and at
Casa Matei, Cluj-Napoca - a critically
acclaimed show which also travelled to
Zorki Photo Café. In addition, Omar
recently had work displayed at the
Agacan Turkish Restaurant in Dundee
and at an international show in Berlin
called ‘Gruntwork 2’. Currently, he has
two artist’s books to be seen on the
Travelling Gallery (based in Edinburgh
but travelling throughout Scotland) and
he will shortly be showing at the pres-
tigious Embassy Gallery Graduate show
in Edinburgh and the Che Camille Fash-
ion House (Glasgow) in October. His
exhibition is coming to Lochwinnoch soon.
Recently, Omar’s degree show in Dundee
received wide praise and the Scotsman
article describing the show said this of his
work:
“Omar Zingaro Bhatia paints and
draws in a variety of styles: portraits
with a nod to Chagall or Soutine, in-
vented Tolkienish landscapes and witty
captioned drawings à la Edward Gorey,
but all this is dwarfed by the way he
transforms his space into a "spuriosity
shop" crammed full of trinkets, photo-
graphs, books and clothes. Oh, and a
stuffed magpie”
Omar’s father manages the RSPB Nature
Reserve in Lochwinnoch and his mother
is a special needs teacher with Renfrew-
shire Council.

MATTHEW NEW & SONS

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: ROOFING - ROUGHCASTING - BUILDING MAINTENANCE
chatterbox@lochwinnoch.info
Emergency Repairs, Storm Damage
To advertise in Chatterbox
Tel: 07899 746403 or e-mail:
Insurance Work, New Roofs, Flat Roofs
chatterboxaccount@btinternet.com Roughcasting –UPVC Cladding—Guttering
Copy Deadline
Tel No 01505 843400
for OCTOBER Issue Is FMB Certificate No 26366
Wednesday 30th Sept. ‘09
Liz Callaghan DTM. ADCMC. Lochwinnoch
Therapeutic Massage Therapist International Aid News
The group had a recent meeting to
Therapeutic Massage will directly help with Stress and
discuss its organisation and plans for
Anxiety It will alleviate muscle pain, in particular back
the future. We intend to remain fo-
pain, frozen shoulder and sciatica.
cused upon raising funds for the direct
Massage assists with all circulatory problems including varicose veins. support of a range of initiatives in
It plays a crucial role in the treatment of Sports Injuries and the maintenance of fitness. poorer parts of the world where, ide-
There are fewer better treatments for the promotion of General Health and Well-Being. ally, there is a Lochwinnoch connec-
tion. We will also continue to cam-
• Fully qualified and experienced Massage Therapist. paign in support of a wider availability
• Able to visit you at home or in treatment rooms in of Fairtrade products in the village and
Lochwinnoch or Glasgow. there are still some of the latest reus-
• Introductory Massage Workshops are also run monthly. able Fairtrade cotton shopping bags
for sale in several retail outlets.
Contact Liz Callaghan: 01505 842 052
or email: remedyoptions@gmail.com The group would welcome new people
to join us and help with the various
tasks that have to be done such as
Lochwinnoch publicity of events, recruiting new
Lochwinnoch Community Council members and helping to run the or-
Community Council Notice ganisation. If you are interested in
joining us over the winter, please con-
Christmas Lights tact the group Chairperson, David
Competition LAC REVIEW Mellor at dgmellor@tiscali.co.uk or,
for the Fairtrade campaign, Bob
The Local Area Committees (LACs) Turner - robert.turner111@btinternet.com
recently agreed a consultation report
on the review of LACs and included Fairtrade Signage for the village
Over the Summer, the Fairtrade group
was reference to the drafting of lo-
has been co-ordinating efforts to high-
calised area action plans, which light the Fairtrade status of the village.
would set out the priorities for each Assistance from Councillor Arthur has
LAC area. resulted in Renfrewshire Council tak-
ing on the responsibility for manufac-
The content will be influenced by a turing, erecting and maintaining Fair-
number of factors, including demo- trade road signs at the main entrances
graphic and health statistics already to the village in return for a grant we
presented and, most importantly, the received from LMEG. The sample
With summer holidays over, the views of the LAC community photo of the Bishopton Fairtrade sign
Community Council are already shows how the signs will look when
representative membership. To as-
looking forward to Christmas. They they are completed.
are organising a competition giving sist the preparatory work for the
the opportunity to children in the drafting of the localised action plans
village to design a Christmas Light and to direct the content of the LAC
for the village. planning conference to be held later
this year, the Lochwinnoch Commu-
The winning drawing will be trans- nity Council representative has been
formed into a professionally manu- asked to provide an indication of the
factured light display and will be three issues perceived to be most
unveiled at the village Christmas
important in our area.
lights switch-on in December.
If you feel strongly about any issue
Entry forms are available from the that you think should be included, We have also met with representa-
Library and various other places tives of the South Renfrewshire Ac-
throughout the village.
then please let the Community
Council know, either by contacting cess Network Initiative (SRANI), and
The competition is open to all CC members direct or by letting the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park,
children living in the Lochwinnoch Chatterbox know (via the Chatterbox who are interested in developing a
Community Council area and aged partnership with the Fairtrade Steering
drop box in Lochwinnoch Library),
12 or under on 12 September 2009. Group. This is likely to involve alerting
so that the issues can be prioritised visitors arriving by train and recrea-
Get your entries in quickly— and forwarded to Renfrewshire tional users of SRANI's path networks,
Council. to the Fairtrade status of the village,
Closing date for entries is
by means of information boards and a
12th September 2009. Thank you. forthcoming Semple Trail leaflet and
guide.
 Sky at Night
Lochwinnoch
September 2009
Welcome back to The Sky at Night
Lochwinnoch. We return after our
summer break with more news of
what's on in the heavens.
So what's up next on the Astro
Calendar?
Constellations - By 10pm Cygnus -
the Swan is overhead and the great
square of Pegasus is rising above the
Braes.
Meteors - No big showers until the
Orionids and Leonids and Geminids in
October, November and December
respectively but you may see sporadic
meteors during darkness. The Perseid
shower in August was very good, bet-
ter than expected.
SUN -The Sun remains in deep solar
minimum with only occasional sun-
spot sightings. The longest spotless
period to date has been 52 days and
on course to be similar to 1913 when
there were 311 spotless days.
Moon - this Month's Full moon on
the 4th is known as the Harvest
Moon. The New moon is on the 18th
September.
Planets this Month are;
Jupiter and four of its moons are
visible in the evening above Beith. On
the 2nd September, and again on the
30th, Jupiter and the Moon have a
close encounter.
Mars and Venus are early morning
objects rising in the east about 1am
and 3am respectively. About 4am on
16th September, just as the crescent
Moon rises in the east, you will see
Venus shining brightly just below
and to the left. Next month on 16th
October, the merest sliver of a Moon
will be joined by Venus and by Saturn,
newly emerged from behind the Sun.
Autumn Equinox - when day and
night are equal in length, takes place
on September 22nd at 22:21:18 GMT
International Space Station and
Space Shuttle Discovery- sightings
are all early morning.
All this and more may be found on the
Village website - www.lochwinnoch.info
www.corekitchensbathrooms.co.uk
Studios -
7-9 Townhead KILBIRNIE KA25 7AZ Tel: 01505 681168
56 Princes Street ARDROSSAN KA22 8DF Tel: 01294 471177
Free estimates • Quality kitchens & bathrooms priced to compete in today’s challenging market
• Rigid built kitchens fully fitted from £5,495 • Bathrooms fully fitted from £4,495
• Guaranteed installation by top class fitters • All products also available as supply only
• Building, alterations and extension work by our professional builders
THE CHOCOLATE WARS -
LW A TRILOGY IN SEVERAL
H PARTS
LOCHWINNOC
WRITERS 1. The Battle Of Anthony Burgess's
Chocolate Orange
Primaver
Brings The New World They went in by night
- Mainly Bournville Dark & After Eights -
The spring giant under cover of the Aeros and the
broadens his shoulders with light Wispa Stealth
stretches and lifts the horizons
towards the sun Then all the mobiles - Type 47 Wagon
Wheels,
his arms bear a million birds Hunter Rolos
and millions more wait with their infra-red
in the songs of these birds
and in their avid eyes Of course there was substantial earlier
the sky fills with wings reconnaisance and sabotage
and futures and sunrise by elite forces - Green & Blacks Organics
and
new flowers prophesy the The Special Suchard Squad
endless resurrection of the spring
there is no time to see After the first wave they sent in
if what the petals say is true Yorkie Bars
or if it is merely the gossip to consolidate the gains
of the whole living world
returning once more The enemy crumbled like old KitKat
to itself
Dairy Milk and Caramac - the basic khaki
the leaves are opening Went in to mop it up
and the warm wind
tangles the hair of sweet mead- General Staff were delighted
ows and caresses the lake
Handed out Smarties by the score
the spring giant Though, moi, I only got the CDM
sleeps under stars
softened by southern winds It was considered a great victory
in his arms the poetry of new life
the forgiveness of Until that irresistible invasion
new beginnings
of Martian Easter Eggs
the moon is the colour
of young grass Geoff Cooper
the constellations
are they dancing
are they crying out Lochwinnoch Writers Group
resumes for the autumn at The
this is spring! Library on Monday mornings 9.30 -
11.30. All welcome. Tea and Biscuits
Geoff Cooper
 Live locally? Try shopping locally and save on fuel, time and
temper in a pleasant village environment with good,
old-fashioned personal service.

With Christmas on the horizon, why not start early and investigate
our huge selection of gift ideas? We also have cards for every
occasion plus the perfect finishing touch for an outfit or home?
Administration Clerk
Lochwinnoch Out of School Club is look-
Different, affordable and interesting.
ing to recruit an Administration Clerk to
assist with the running of the Club.

Gifts Cards Jewellery Leather Home
8 Church Street Lochwinnoch 01505 843311
Healing and Creativity
Programme
September-December 2009
Workshops: Sundays 9am-12
noon. £15. There will be medita-
tion, music, movement and a crea-
tive project in a caring, supportive
small group. The themes are…..
13th September: Understand, honour
and nurture your needs to revive your
Life Force.
4th October: Communicate compas-
sion with your body and open to your
own healing wisdom.
15th November: Centre guidance at the
heart of your life to bring clarity to
your purpose and Life Task.
How to Live a Creative Life?
Development Classes: 10 -
12am. £10 each.
A small group programme designed
to enable you to Live from the Es-
sence of your Being. Through expe-
riential work & healing you develop
your connection to Essence and the
transformative power this brings to
your life.
Mondays 7th September - 9th Novem-
ber (9 week course)
Meditation, energy work, therapeutic
exploration, body consciousness.
Designed for those experienced and
committed to their own personal
growth.
For details or to book a place,
please call Becky on: 0141 8816700
or Libby on: 015105 842604.
Venue: Lochwinnoch.
BEITH ARTS GUILD
PROGRAMME
2009/10
ALL PROGRAMMES
COMMENCE AT 2.30PM IN
BEITH COMMUNITY CENTRE
UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
Sunday 27th September
The Swing Cats – Andrew Sisters
Style.
Sunday 18th October
Emma Veerstag (soprano), Robin
Veerstag (piano), and Louise Burnett
(flute). In Beith Trinity Church.
Sunday 22nd November
Pat MacMahon (soprano), Walter
Blair (piano and organ), and Mark
O’Keeffe (trumpet). In Beith Trinity
Church.
Sunday 24th January
Philip Contini and his Be Happy
Band. Popular Italian songs and in-
strumental pieces.
Sunday 21st February
Scottish Reed Trio.
Sunday 21st March
Bobby Wishart and his Jazz Group.
Sunday 24th April
A.G.M. and Concert.
TICKETS:- £8, CONCESSIONS £6,
CHILDREN £1. Can be obtained at
the door.
Role description:
This post requires someone who is reli-
able, efficient and meticulous with a good
understanding of general administrative
tasks. The successful candidate should be
able to work independently and must have
good IT skills. The position requires
someone who can demonstrate a level of
confidentiality in dealing with issues re-
lated to the Club and its clients.
The role will be on a flexible and part-
time basis and will include supporting the
Manager and Treasurer of the Club. The
appointment will be dependent on a suc-
cessful Disclosure check from Disclosure
Scotland.
Key Tasks:
Preparing staff shifts ensuring adequate
cover for child numbers,
Allocation of any Flexi-time hours where
appropriate,
Planning and maintenance of Staff holi-
days,
Conducting basic Finance tasks such as:
• Paying invoices
• Preparing Wages
• Reconciling Bank Statement (income
and expenditure)
• Reconciling Petty Cash
• Identifying and highlighting any
Debtors
• Preparation of monthly invoices to all
Parents
• Requisition forms
• Actions in relation to the appointment
of new staff or committee members
(including Disclosures)
• Ensuring necessary Insurance is in
place and renewed as scheduled
• Update committee on system and
issues at committee meetings
• Backup of all admin system files
• Ensuring all requirements of Compa-
nies House are actioned timeously
• Any other necessary admin tasks.
Should you be interested in this role
please contact the Secretary Gillian
Cruickshank via email -
‘cruicky1902@hotmail.co.uk’
Closing date: Monday 14th September
Other Key Contacts:
Gillian Penny – Chairperson
Tony Synnott - Treasurer
 La Dolce Vita
enters national
Fish & Chip Shop
of the Year
competition
 
La Dolce Vita in High Street, Loch-
winnoch has joined the fish frying
elite from across the UK by participat-
ing in the Fish & Chip Shop of the
Year competition 2009.
The Fish & Chip Shop of the Year
competition, now in its 22nd success-
ful year, recognises the shops produc-
ing the best fish and chips across the
UK. Shops are judged on their sustain-
able sourcing practices, customer ser-
vice, hygiene, staff training and most
importantly the quality of their fish
and chips.
Fish and chip lovers help choose final-
ists by voting for their local fish and
chip shop throughout the summer and
the competition reaches its nail-biting
climax at the prestigious awards cere-
mony in London in January 2010.
The accolade of the best fish and chip
shop in the UK can have an enormous
impact on business. Previous winners
have seen their sales increase by 40%
within months of winning the compe-
tition.
The whole team at La Dolce Vita will
be working extremely hard to promote
their business and encourage their val-
ued customers to take part by voting
for them.
The customer voting round runs
from 21st August to 4th September.
To register your vote, head down to
La Dolce Vita and complete a voting
form whilst collecting your delicious
fish and chips!
ELDERLY FORUM
The Tbar resumes on Tuesday 8th
September at 10am.
The Forum monthly meeting is on
Thursday 24th September at
1pm in the McKillop. At the time of
writing, we are looking forward to
the bus run to Oban. Over 50 of the
members have booked a place hop-
ing it will be a dry day.
There should further news of the
opening of the ROAR (Reaching
Older Adults in Renfrewshire) lunch
club, which is likely to be in late Oc-
tober. This gives time for all admini-
stration etc. to take place.
We now have 71 members. £2 buys
membership for the year to include
the meetings (usually with a
speaker), Christmas lunch and at
least one outing. Anyone over 55 can
join either at the Tbar or at one of
the meetings.
Gordon Nicholl Tel: 842632
LOCHWINNOCH
SWRI
The first meeting of the new session
is on Wednesday 16th September at
7.30pm in the McKillop Hall and will
feature local designer, Katherine
Hardie, and her hand-crafted silver
jewellery. As well as telling us all
about her craft, Katherine will have
her jewellery for sale.
There will also be an exhibition of
items made by Rural members,
showing an impressive range of
crafts and skills.
The competitions are: a Jar of Apri-
cot Jam and a Fresh Flower Arrange-
ment in a Miniature Bottle.
Visitors are always welcome so why
not come along and see what we do?
SILENT AUCTION
On Saturday 17th October
from 10am to 3pm at
Lochwinnoch Parish Church
Halls
This event was a great success a few
years ago and we hope to run it
along the same lines.
Please look out any quality items, i.e.
furniture, pictures, bric-a-brac, jew-
ellery - in fact, anything - to help us
in this fund-raising project!
If you have any problems with stor-
age or items too big, etc., please con-
tact Norma Bell (Tel: 01505
842558) or a Fundraising Commit-
tee Member, who will arrange pick-
up/storage.
So far, we have got some lovely 3-
piece suites, extra bric-a-brac,
cooker, 2 coffee tables and, for all
the Rangers fans, there is a signed
football shirt from Kris Boyd! Come
on, start redding-out that attic or
cupboard now and help us in this
project.
Many thanks from the
Fundraising Committee at
Lochwinnoch Parish Church
Tai Chi Class
Starts on Thursday 3rd September,
from 7.30pm till 8.30pm at Barrmill
Community Ctre, Beith Road, Barrmill.
Tutor is Linda (who took the class at
Lochwinnoch).
If anyone is interested in coming
along, you would be most welcome.
For further information, please contact
Jean on 01505 502521 or Margaret on
01505 506923.
Barrmill Community Association

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
Road, Kilbirnie, KA25 7LQ
Just opposite the Golf Course on the Largs Road.
Lochwinnoch
Millennium
Events
Group
Thank You for Telling Us
What You Think !
Over 200 people have completed the survey,
either replying online or on paper. That is an
incredible response for any survey so a big
thank you to everyone who took part.
We are in the process of collating the replies
to identify the main areas where people
would like to see change in the village. We
will publish a detailed review of the survey
in next month’s Chatterbox and on the web-
site.
You will also be able to pick up a summary
of the findings in the library and in the
McKillop.
Thanks once again to all those who
participated.
SILVER  
(PART 1)
Silver is one of the earliest metals to have been used by man, re-
quiring only simple technology to extract it from its ores. Indeed
evidence shows use from the 3rd millennium B.C.
The ancient Greeks exploited the rich deposits of silver to be found
in and around Athens and it was the discovery of a seam at
Laurium, near Athens, which paid for a new fleet. It enabled the
Greeks to defeat the Persian navy at the Battle of Artemisium in
September 480 BC, saving the country and arguably, as a result,
saving civilization!!
Apart from Greece, other early sources of the precious metal were
in Britain and Iberia.
The 16th century saw the discovery in the Spanish Americas of new
sources and vast quantities were brought back.
During the 19th century huge deposits were discovered in Mexico,
North America and Australia. It is as a result of all these deposits
that the value of silver today per ounce, is far less than it ever has
been in the past.
Silver is one of the most malleable and ductile of all materials, in
other words it can be beaten out into sheets and drawn out into wire
with ease – in the case of the former to the thinnest of leaves and
the latter to wires so thin that a powerful microscope is required
even to see them.
One Troy ounce (31.1 grams) of silver may be drawn out into a
wire forty miles long!!
The properties of silver mean that a craftsman may work it into
virtually any shape or form that his imagination can create. When
polished it reflects light better than any other material and it grows
old gracefully. It does not easily tarnish, especially if stored in pure
cotton or acid-free tissue, and cleans up relatively easily.
It can be ornamented by engraving, chasing (making marks without
taking out any metal) and embossing (raising the surface by using a
hammer on the reverse side). To gild it, gold is mixed with mer-
cury and spread onto the surface, the article is heated and mercury
is dispersed into poisonous fumes leaving the gold clinging to the
silver permanently.
The great disadvantage with gold is not its high cost, which many
over the centuries have been well able to afford, but its weight.
Gold after Platinum is the heaviest substance known to man. Vol-
ume for volume it is about half as heavy again as silver. It is not
therefore surprising that the use of gold is normally confined to
small objects such as jewellery and objects de vertu (decorative
bottles and containers, etc).
There are in fact less than one hundred known pieces of antique
British gold in the form of large objects, such as teapots, cups and
candlesticks, any number of which are produced in silver.
It is easy therefore to see why silver has always been and still is the
preferred material of most craftsmen and artisans.
 Councillor Arthur’s Report
I am absolutely ecstatic that, with the support of Lochwinnoch Com-
munity Council and the Local Area Committee, the centre of our vil-
lage will benefit financially to the tune of £75,000 following the suc-
cessful application to the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Re-
generation Fund and a contribution from Renfrewshire Council.

The Council will manage the delivery of environmental improvement

works around the McKillop Hall, which will create a focal point for
our village that can be used for public events and other positive ac-
tivities and will represent the first phase of a range of community
focussed initiatives that will assist the sustained regeneration of the
village. The timescale is fairly tight as the £75,000 needs to be Bankside Stables is a family run livery yard,
spent by April, the end of this financial year. The project is currently approved by the British Horse Society,
at the design stage and once the proposals are available there will be with 24/7 supervision.
a public consultation/exhibition evening around the middle of Octo- Full-time, Part-time and Assisted Livery at DIY
ber. The start date is the beginning of January and the work is esti- rates offered.
mated to take around 4 months to complete. An update will follow in
October’s Chatterbox. For further details, please contact John Logan
Tel: 01505 685371 Mob: 07990 501240
Congratulation’s to Lochwinnoch’s Andrew Holmes, for winning a E-mail: john@thestirrupcup.co.uk
gold medal rowing for Great Britain in the Men’s Junior 4 at the www.banksidestables.vpweb.co.uk
World Junior Rowing Championships which recently took place in
Brive-la-Gaillarde, France. Andrew’s crew was the fastest going into
the final and they won impressively beating a fast finishing Roma-
West Bankside Farm, Geirston
nian crew by three seconds. Australia took the bronze. Road, Kilbirnie, KA25 7LQ
Continuing the family’s sporting success, Andrew’s sister Rachel Just opposite the Golf Course on the Largs Road.
was recently playing for the Scotland under 21 Netball Team at the
World Youth Championships in the Cook Islands. Another fantastic
achievement, well done Rachel.
Mr & Mrs Parr, 24 Harvey Terrace, picked up the
first prize in the category of Best Flower Garden in
Two speed-activated signs have now been installed on the Johnshill
Lochwinnoch for the second year in a row while
in Lochwinnoch to encourage speeding drivers to slow down. This
Bert Matthews, 60 Crookhill Gardens, is a treble
was one of the outcomes from the public meeting held by The Loch-
winner, once again.
winnoch Partnership, which consists of the Police, Renfrewshire
Council and Lochwinnoch Community Council.
Bert won The Alastair Nimmo Trophy for Best Gar-
den in Lochwinnoch for the 3rd year in a row and
The Johnshill is a very busy road which has a number of drivers who
has won it 6 times overall and also for the last 3
exceed the 30mph speed limit in both directions. These drivers pose
years has won the Gryffe Trophy for the Best Com-
a real danger to the pedestrians as well as the residents who have
plete Garden in the Landward Area and first place
difficulties getting in and out of their own driveways. The purpose
for the Best Flower and Vegetable Garden in Loch-
of these signs is to encourage drivers to slow down, remain within
winnoch.
the speed limit and to drive safely within our village. The signs also
allow us to collect data on an ongoing basis. Our work within this
My next Surgery is not until Saturday 19th Septem-
area is ongoing and will remain within our focus.
ber at the McKillop Hall, but if you require my help
before then, you can contact me on 843507 and we
I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with 11 International vol-
can agree a time when we can meet.
unteers who were carrying out restoration and upgrade work within
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park through the auspices of Xchange Councillor David Arthur
Scotland. I joined them for a morning’s work within Parkhill Woods
where they were resurfacing a path and adding the finishing touches
to a drystane dyke seat which overlooks the pond at the grotto.
Lochwinnoch
It was not all work however, as the group joined the Sailing Club and Scottish Country Dance Club
Rowing Club on the water as well as enjoying events such as the classes resumed on Tuesday lst September
Knights and Princesses Fun Day and a bit of ceilidh dancing. The in the McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch
volunteers had travelled from Austria, Belgium, Germany, USA,
from 7.30pm till 9.30pm with our new teacher,
Spain, Catalonia and France.
Mr Les Lambert from Kilbarchan.
As chairman of Clyde Muirshiel Park Authority, my thanks go to all
the staff who made their visit such a great experience for them as We meet every Tuesday evening and would be de-
well as a roaring success. lighted to welcome new and past members for an
enjoyable evening. This an inexpensive evening
Congratulations to the following residents who picked up prizes in out with a very sociable group where we have
this the 81st year of the council’s Annual Garden Competition which laughter, exercise and take part in learning tradi-
is run by Renfrewshire Council’s Department of Housing and Prop- tional Scottish Country Dancing. Why not come
erty Services. and join us.
 From the
Parish Church
I can make a difference,
you can make a difference,
we can make a difference
in this world of ours.
Stephen Fischbacher © Fischy Music 2008,
used with permission
During the week beginning 9 August th
over 50 children came together for the
Summer Holiday Club, run jointly
with Calder Church and the Parish
Church. Using the music of Stephen
Fischbacher the children explored the
story of Joseph and reflected on what
we can learn from that story about our
own lives.
The story of Joseph is well known
through the musical “Joseph and His
Amazing Dream Coat”. As many of
you will remember, Joseph was
Jacob’s favourite son and so he had a
coat made for Joseph. Worse, Joseph
was a dreamer and he shared those
dreams with his bothers including one
where his brothers sheaves of corn
stood up and bowed down to his own.
To make matters worse, he had an-
other dream in which the sun, the
moon and his brothers stars all bowed
down to Joseph. Even I have to agree
that I would have found Joseph some-
what arrogant and his own father told
him to watch what he was saying. His
brothers had had enough. They
planned to kill him.
However, the eldest brother, Reuben,
persuaded the others to sell Joseph to
a slave trader instead. To cut a long
story short, Joseph was bought by
Potiphar who was so impressed by
Joseph that he put him in charge of his
household, until Potiphar’s wife made
false accusations against Joseph.
Joseph was imprisoned. Yet again he
so impressed the gaoler that he was
put in charge of the other prisoners.
Then there was a glimmer of hope.
Two men, who had both worked in
Pharaoh’s household had strange
dreams. They asked Joseph what they
meant. He has good news for the cup-
bearer – he would be restored to his
former position. Sadly there was bad
news for the baker. He would be
hanged.
The cup-bearer promised to remem-
ber Joseph when he returned to Phar-
aoh’s service. Yet as soon as he was
restored, he forgot all about Joseph.
Day after day, Joseph must have
J Quinn & son
Memorials Q
wondered, “Is this the day they will
Personal Service &
come and set me free?’ And day af-
ter long weary day he was left. For Quality Guaranteed
another two years.
Until Pharaoh had his famous dream
about the seven fat cows being eaten
by the skinny cows and the seven fat
ears of corn being eaten by the
sickly corn. Who could explain what
New Memorials
this meant? It was then the cup-
bearer remembered Joseph. Pharaoh Additional Inscriptions
summoned him to interpret the
dreams and in an amazing show of Cleaning & Renovations
faith, Joseph replied, “It is not I;
God will give Pharaoh a favourable
answer.”
NEW SHOWROOM
As we know, Joseph predicted 7 42 MAIN STREET, KILBIRNIE
years of plenty followed by 7 years Please Call 01505 68 5455
of famine. He advised Pharaoh to
stock up during the first seven years Monday & Friday 10am-5pm,
Tuesday-Thursday 10am–2pm
so that there would be enough to eat
during the second. Pharaoh then put Saturday 10am - 1pm
Joseph in charge of the famine relief.
Throughout history men and women
I have always found the saying, have had big dreams and those dreams
“When life hands you lemons, make have come true:
lemonade,” to be a little too trite, yet
that is exactly what Joseph did every William Wilberforce had a dream to
time he encountered a set back. It end slavery;
would have been so easy for Joseph Edward Jenner had a dream to end
to blame his brothers, to blame disease and due to his work the world
Potiphar’s wife, to blame the cup- is free of small pox;
bearer and above all to blame God Nelson Mandela dreamed of a world
for his predicament. Yet Joseph where all people are born equal;
never stopped trusting God. Joseph ordinary men and women had a dream
always accepted the situation in of ending fascism in Europe, despite
which he found himself and made the might of the German army and the
the best of things. And his dreams strength of the SS.
did come true.
What are your dreams for the world,
for our village? In God’s world no-
One of the tragedies of life is that
thing is too great – remember
bad things happen to good people.
ordinary men and women have
One of the strangest things that we
already eradicated slavery, smallpox,
experience is seeing people prosper
apartheid and freed the world from the
when they have not always stuck to
Nazi tyranny. So come on, let’s join
the rules. Perhaps the most difficult
Joseph, let’s be big headed, let’s
thing we can ever do is to let go of
dream big and remember that when
resentment and not blame other peo-
we dream BIG – God is already in our
ple for the situations in which we
dreams and we can make a difference
find ourselves. As the children
to this world of ours!
learned, Joseph let go of any resent-
Enjoy your dreams.
ment and decided he could and
would make a difference to the
world and he chose to make a differ-
ence for the better. Rev. Christine Murdoch
 TEENAGE CANCER
TRUST NEWS
Yorkhill Unit
Frustratingly, there have been a few
problems with the finishing details of
the new unit, which has led to a delay
in the installation of all the specialist
medical equipment. Completion date
is now expected to be October, with
the formal opening date in November.
The good news is that we have
reached our target of £350,000 as the
local contribution to the cost of the
unit construction. The not so good
news is that we have to raise addi-
tional funds to help pay for specialist
staff at Yorkhill and the Beatson, as
well as the start of the campaign for
the unit at the proposed new Hospital
for Sick Children, so the fundraising
goes on...
The Boston Marathon
The date of the rowing marathon is
now only a couple of weeks away -
20th September - and what seemed
like a good idea 6 months ago is fast
becoming a frightening reality.
This marathon course is actually 50
kilometres (31 miles) long, which is
obviously a fair bit longer than a road
marathon, and given that I am a com-
plete novice, I need every bit of en-
couragement I can muster.
There are sponsorship forms kicking
about the village, and I have set up
another website to accept donations
online at: http://www.justgiving.com/
jd-boston-marathon
As ever I am extremely grateful for
your help and support.
Karl Jenkins
The great man has again volunteered
his time and wonderful talent to help
TCT in Scotland. This year, we are flit-
ting through to Edinburgh to stage
'The Armed Man' at the Usher Hall on
the evening of Remembrance Sunday,
8th November, and all proceeds of the
event will go to the TCT's East of Scot-
land Appeal.
Karl will again be conducting the Scot-
tish Philharmonic Orchestra together
with massed Scottish Choirs - includ-
ing our own St Winnoch Singers! In
addition to the main piece, there will
be a full programme including
Walton's - 'Spitfire Prelude and
Fugue', and we are delighted to again
have the wonderful young classical
guitarist Ian Watt, performing
Vanda’s Mobile Hairdressing
Ladies and Gents.
LOCHWINNOCH, BEITH,
KILBIRNIE and HOWWOOD
25 years’ hairdressing experience
Book now for an appointment.
Tel: 01505 842329
Villa-Lobos' Guitar Concerto.
Tickets for the concert are now on
sale from the Usher Hall Box Office.
Tickets can be booked by telephone
on: 0131 228 1155 or online at:
https://www.tickets.usherhall.co.
uk/public/hall.asp
As the village choir is taking part,
there will be at least one coach going
through to the concert from Loch-
winnoch. Due to the need for the
choir to attend the afternoon re-
hearsal - yes, contrary to popular
opinion, we do rehearse - the coach
will be leaving the village in the early
afternoon. Those wishing to come
along are welcome to travel on the
coach and make a day of it in Edin-
burgh. (Apparently it is a nice place
to visit, although you wouldn't want
to live there.) Alternatively, if there
is sufficient demand, another coach
can be booked for those who just
want to go for the concert in the eve-
ning. Please let me know as soon as
possible if you are interested.
NB. Those intending to travel to
Edinburgh should NOT expect to be
offered tea !
Thank Youse !
Finally, for the moment, a big thank
you to Ann Miller and the staff from
Lochwinnoch Surgery for collecting
a further £633.50 from the strag-
glers in their Round-Cumbrae cy-
cle in June. (It must have been right
windy around the other side of the
island!) That brings the total raised
to a magnificent £1,305.50, plus
the 'Gift Aid' tax relief, which is yet
to be collected from Her Majesty's
Revenue & Customs. Thank you to
all who took part, and to all who
sponsored them.
Thanks also to everyone in and
around the village for the many indi-
vidual donations, who have asked
not to be named. All are very much
appreciated.
John Delaney
BRIDGE CLUB IN
LOCHWINNOCH
UPDATE
It’s been a number of months since I
last provided any information about
progress on setting up a Bridge Club
in Lochwinnoch. Please accept my
apologies for the lack of news but I
have been trying to liaise with the
Scottish Bridge Union (the official
body for bridge in Scotland), to seek
their assistance in setting up a new
club and I am still hopeful that I may
get a response later.
Due to the length of time that has
elapsed, I would like to get confirma-
tion that those people who have al-
ready contacted me are still interested,
and for new people, who didn’t contact
me before, to get in touch. My inten-
tion is to send out a note detailing
what has been done so far and to get
your views on a number of issues that
will need to be addressed, e.g. most
suitable day, venue, etc. Please could
you contact me by e-mail at:
rogerandjune@ukonline.co.uk or com-
plete the slip below and either send it
to me at 3 McConnell Road, Lochwin-
noch or hand it in to the Chatterbox
Drop-box in the Library for my collec-
tion. Roger Evans
LOCHWINNOCH BRIDGE CLUB
NAME ……………………………….
ADDRESS
……………………..…………………
………………..………………………
CONTACT DETAILS -
Tel: ………………………………….
E-mail
……………...………………………..
 What’s On
(Regular Clubs, classes
and local groups)
• Lochwinnoch Community
Walks - Mondays (ex. Public
Holidays), 10.30 am at The Cross.
• Lochwinnoch Playgroup - For
under 5’s, every Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday from 9.30-
11.30am at the McKillop Institute.
• Lochwinnoch Toddlers - Mon-
days and Wednesdays from 9.30 -
11.30am, McKillop Institute.
• Lochwinnoch Gymnastics
Club - For primary school-age
children every Monday,5-8pm at
the Annexe. Phone Coby for de-
tails on: 0772 9051615.
• Lochwinnoch Writers
Group—Monday mornings from
9.30-11.30am in the Library.
• Morag’s Keep Fit - Mondays
and Thursdays from 7pm, in the
McKillop Institute.
• Lochwinnoch Choral Society.
Rehearsals on Monday evenings,
Parish Church/ Hall. Juniors 7-
7.30pm, Intermediates 7.30-
8.30pm and Seniors from 8pm.
• 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
and Thursday from 10am-1pm,
McKillop Inst. For details, Tel
Reta: 01505 842054.*
• Baby and Toddler Rhyme-
time - every Tuesday, 2.15pm at
Lochwinnoch Library. *
• Linda Margaret School of
Dancing - Tuesdays from 4pm-
8.45pm, McKillop Institute. For
details, Tel: 0141 581 9104.
• TaeKwon-Do Fitness and Self-
defence classes for all. Tuesdays
from 5-6pm, McKillop Institute.
For details Tel: 01259 210716.
• Lochwinnoch Scottish Coun-
try Dance Club Every Tuesday,
from 7.30-9.30pm, McKillop Inst*
• Boys Brigade - Anchor Boys
and Junior Sections meet on Tues-
day nights and Company
Section on Friday evenings,
Parish Church Hall.
• Girls Brigade - 1st Loch-
winnoch Company Wednesday
evenings from 6pm-9.15pm at
the Parish Church Hall for vari-
ous age groups.
• Yoga Classes - Wednesday
evenings - 2 classes at 6pm & at
7.30pm. Yoga, breathing prac-
tice, intro. to meditation. All
welcome. For more details, con-
tact Mary on: 01505 842877.
• Happy Harminis - Fun for pre
-school children. Thursdays
from 10am-11am in the McKillop
Institute. Contact Frankie Plater
for details: 01505 612248.
• Slinky Strollers - on Thurs-
days (see back page for details).
• Calder Drama Club—
Thursdays, from 8pm-10pm
McKillop Institute.
• Scottish Slimmers - Thurs-
days, 7/7.30pm, McKillop Inst.
• Lochwinnoch Pre-School
Gymnastics ( for children from
18 mths to 5 yrs). Fridays, from
10.15am - 1.45pm at the Annexe.
Further details from Coby on
Tel: 0772 9051615.
VILLAGE EVENT
CALENDAR for 2009
Lochwinnoch Post Office has a
wall-mounted planner, where mem-
bers of the public can enter details
of forthcoming 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.
LOCHWINNOCH
ART GROUP
NEWS
The first evening of the new session
starts on Monday 7th September at
7.30pm in the McKillop Institute.
The opening topic by Christine Brown
will be on Presentation of Artwork for
Exhibition and how to price artworks
for sale.
Another meeting will be held on the
following Monday 14th September.
The topic for that evening will be
"Holiday Theme" in own choice of
medium.
Lochwinnoch Art Group's Annual
Exhibition will be held in 'The Library
Room', Lochwinnoch Library and will
run from -
Wednesday 23rd September
until Saturday 10th October.
The next Art Group meeting will take
place after the exhibition, on Monday
12th October at the usual time of
7.30pm - 9.30pm.
As usual we invite new members to
come along and see what we are
about. Existing members who wish to
exhibit in our exhibition will be able
to collect information sheets at our
first meeting.
If you have not already done so, get
those paint brushes out and get paint-
ing !
Christine Brown
Lochwinnoch Art Group
Chairperson
 Dates for
your diaries
• Thursday 3rd September—
Morag’s Keep Fit Thursday eve-
nings resume at 7pm, McKillop.
• Saturday 5th September—
Krafty Kids morning classes re-
sume at the McKillop Inst. from
10-11.30am.
• Saturday 5th September -
Councillor Neil Bibby’s Advice
Surgery, at 9am, McKillop Inst.
Tel: Cllr Bibby on 0141 840 3653.
• Sunday 6th September -
Lochwinnoch Farmers’ Market -
11am till 2.30pm or sold out at
Castle Semple Centre. *
• Monday 7th September -
Lochwinnoch Art Group classes
resume at 7.3opm, McKillop Inst *
• Tuesday 8th September - The
Elderly Forum T-Bar resumes at
10am, McKillop Inst. *
• Sunday 13th September -
Healing and Creativity Workshop
9am - 12 noon in Lochwinnoch. *
(See main notice for further details of
all classes and workshops.)
• Monday 14th September -
Lochwinnoch Art Group meeting,
7.30pm, McKillop Inst. *
• Wednesday 16th September -
Lochwinnoch SWRI meeting at
7.30pm in the McKillop Inst. *
• Thursday 17th September -
Lochwinnoch Historical Society
meeting entitled “The Wandering
Scot”. 7.30pm, in the Guild Room
of the Parish Church. *
• Friday 18th September - Prize
Bingo Night at the Masonic Club,
7.30 for 8pm. Tickets from the
usual sources.
• Saturday 19th September —
Councillor Arthur’s Surgery from
11.30am, the McKillop Institute. *
• Saturday 19th September—
Krafty Kids afternoon classes re-
sume at the McKillop Inst. From
1.30-3pm.
• Wednesday 23rd September-
Saturday 10th October
Lochwinnoch Art Group Annual
Exhibition at the Library. *
• Thursday 24th September -
Lochwinnoch Elderly Forum
meeting at 1pm in the McKillop
Institute. *
5 Church Street, Lochwinnoch
Tel: 01505 842047
Beer Garden Open Daily ◊ Kid’s Play Area
50” Plasma Screen ◊ Pool ◊ Darts
LIVE SKY SPORTS ON 2 TVs - SKY + and SKY HD
Come and enjoy all sports, all season -
Games & sports showing will be posted on chalkboards weekly.
What’s on
Every Monday - FREE PLAY Juke Box
Every Tuesday - FREE PLAY Pool and Darts
Every Wednesday - LIVE PUB POKER (MTTP) from 7.30pm
Every Friday - LIVE PUB POKER LEAGUE (LPPL) from 7.30pm
Entertainment
Every Saturday LIVE BANDS & ENTERTAINMENT -
check out the chalkboards for weekly details!
Meals Served
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 12noon - 3pm
Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon - 7.30pm
(closed on Tuesdays)
• Saturday 26th—Monday
28th September Lochwin-
noch Library will be closed due
to Public Holiday. LOCHWINNOCH
PARISH CHURCH
• Sunday 27th September -
Berry Tweed and the Chasers
We have been celebrating
perform at Soul Aid at Paisley
our 200th anniversary on
Town Hall to raise funds for St
our present site in Church
Vincent’s Hospice. *(See sepa-
Street and we are finish-
rate notice for more details.)
ing the year with a Grand
• Saturday 3rd October - Songs of Praise, celebrat-
Councillor Neil Bibby’s Advice ing 200 years of Hym-
Surgery, at 9am, McKillop Insti- nody.
tute. * (Tel: Councillor Bibby On
on 0141 840 3653.) Sunday 4th October
• Sunday 4th October - 200th
there will be choir pieces
Anniversary Grand Songs of as well as congregational
Praise at Lochwinnoch Parish singing. Ian McCrorie
Church. * will be conduction with
• Tuesday 6th October - Loch- Cameron Murdoch at the
winnoch Community Council organ. We are inviting
meeting, 7.30pm in the Guild the churches from the
Room of the Parish Church. surrounding area to join
us along with members of
• Saturday 17th October - the Lochwinnoch Singers.
Silent Auction by Lochwinnoch Don’t miss the chance to
Parish Church Fundraising come and have a good
Committee from 10am-3pm at sing, or just listen, and
the Parish Church Hall. * help to start us into the
next century. Further
* For further details, see separate information available
notices inside this issue of next month.
Chatterbox.
 THE LEGEND OF THE
GREEN LADY OF
SMUGGLER'S GLEN
by
DEREK PARKER
The meandering Maich Water in
the hills above Lochwinnoch is a
romantic spot.
Silver summertime cataracts
cascade down rocky precipices
into sparkling pools overhung by
trees. Dazzling sunlight filtering
through leaf-laden branches
illuminates the gilded waters of
iridescent linns. Birds sing
merrily in woodland bowers and
fragrant flowers like ramsons,
bluebells and anemones garland
grassy banks by the waterside.
But the tree-canopied gorge is
less tranquil in winter. Especially
when the wild wind howls eerily
through leafless branches on
gloomy afternoons. Or on dark,
starless nights when the spine-
chilling screeches of marauding
owls and the blood-curdling
screams of prowling foxes mingle
with the awesome roar of the
water in spate plunging into
foaming, churning pools with
thunderous roars.
That's when you realise Nature
has another face - a sombre and
fearsome side which the country-
side's fair-weather visitor seldom
experiences. That's when you
remember that dark deeds were
perpetrated in the Maich's sable-
shrouded ravines in distant ep-
ochs.
The forbidding atmosphere of
death and doom is especially
noticeable at the Smuggler's
Glen, just beyond the ancient
stone bridge which carries the
Lochwinnoch to Kilbirnie Road
across the river, close to Lady-
land House.
The glen gets its name from the
fact that, during the 18th and
19th centuries, it was used as a
hiding place for illicit cargoes of
contraband goods such as
tobacco, whisky, brandy, rum
and textiles. The untaxed
merchandise was secreted in
caves and rocky hollows by
gangs of ferocious rough-and-
ready smugglers who were so
savage and ruthless that even
the customs and excise men
who tried to prevent the trans-
port of illicit goods were afraid
of them. The merchandise,
which was brought inland from
the Ayrshire coast, was later
transported to destinations in
Paisley and Glasgow.
But the Smuggler's Glen is as-
sociated with deeds far more
foul - like terrible acts of mur-
der, lust, rage, hatred, blood-
shed and revenge.
So it's no surprise to learn that
the vicinity is said to be the
haunt of a ghostly Green Lady -
a beautiful female phantom
wearing an emerald robe who is
said to rise from the watery
depths and glide across the
dark waters of the deep pool at
the foot of the waterfall which
plunges down the moss-mantled
cliff in tumbling torrents.
Green Lady ghosts are not un-
common throughout the British
countryside. Some students of
the supernatural identify them
with the Earth Mother Goddess
of the pre-Christian era who
was banished into remote
realms of the land after the
coming of Christianity.
Others believe they are the
spectres of naiads, or water
goddesses, who dwelled in
rivers and burns. These elfin
ethereals, who were the ser-
vants of the Earth Mother, re-
ceived on her behalf jewellery,
ornaments and other votive
offerings thrown into sacred
pools by men, women and
children of prehistoric times
wanting to appease the Great
Goddess and ensure she would
bestow sufficient rain to make
their crops grow.
Memories of this ancient ritual
linger on today when we throw
coins into ornamental wells and
make wishes.
Another theory is that the Green
Lady was linked to a pre-
Reformation Our Lady or Virgin
Mary religious cult in the
neighbourhood several centuries
ago. Hundreds of years ago
there was a little chapel with a
statue-studded chapel at a quiet
sanctuary in the woodland over-
looking the Smuggler's Glen.
That is why the area is still
known today as Lady Land.
It is speculated the Green Lady is
a symbolic evocation of the exile
of Our Lady from public worship
following the triumph of the 1560
Reformation in Scotland. But her
spirit lingers on in the neighbour-
hood where she was venerated.
The Green Lady may also be the
ghost of one of the nuns who
lived, prayed and worshipped at
the little chapel in the greenwood
in the days when the Old Faith
still reigned.
But there are more sinister ex-
planations. It was said that the
Green Lady was the ghost of
a beautiful girl drowned in
the Smuggler's Glen by a re-
jected suitor. Another story says
the girl was a young gipsy slain
by an aristocrat who made her
pregnant then killed her to pro-
tect his social standing in the
community.
Yet another version says the
maiden was herself betrayed by a
sweetheart. Broken-hearted and
grief-stricken, she leapt into the
pool at the Smuggler's Glen and
drowned herself.
Paisley poet Robert Tannahill,
whose mother's relatives lived at
Langcroft Farm, Lochwinnoch,
was aware of the legend of the
Green Lady. He penned a tragic
ballad about two rustic sweet-
hearts named Connel and Flora
who regularly met in the woods
above the Smuggler's Glen and
shared lovers' thoughts.
One day, an uncouth rival named
Donald, accosted Flora as she
walked through the trees to meet
Connel. He tried in vain to per-
suade her to leave Connel and
marry him instead. When the girl
refused he attacked her. Her
frenzied screams as she tried to
fight him off attracted Connel as
he waited at their place of tryst.
He ran to her aid and confronted
his sweetheart's evil assailant.
But to Flora’s great horror and
grief, the wicked arch-villain
Donald stabbed Connel with a
razor-sharp knife, inflicting a
fatal wound described lugubri-
ously by Tannahill as 'a deep and
deadly gash.'
Grasping Flora's hand, Connel
whispered a few final words of
farewell to his sweetheart then
died in the cradle of her blood-
stained arms. Her grief knew no
bounds. The terrifying attack on
her by the vulgar Donald and the
awful anguish of seeing her
sweetheart murdered so brutally
before her very eyes drove her
mad. In the haunting words of
Tannahill:
'In wild despair,
she tore her hair,
Sank speechless by his side -
Mild evening wept in dewy tears,
And wrapt in night she died.'
But there were those who said
that, although Flora died physi-
cally, her anguished spirit lived
on. Wandering the woods and
fields around Lochwinnoch. Pining
for her murdered lover. Calling
his name. Haunting his slayers'
descendents forever. And gliding
eternally across the ghostly
pool on the Maich Water.
In the phantom form of the
Green Lady of the Smuggler's
Glen.
Derek Parker worked as a country-
side ranger at Clyde Muirshiel Re-
gional Park, Lochwinnoch, from
1985 to 1999.
ACCA
SAVE YOUR
REGIONAL PARK
CAMPAIGN
Millour Hill 2 Windfarm, Dalry
Community Windpower Ltd (CWL)
have appealed to the Scottish Gov-
ernment against North Ayrshire
Council’s refusal of the Millour Hill
application for 6 turbines adjoining
their Wardlaw Wood windfarm (6
turbines). Their lawyer is Marcus
Trinick, now working for Eversheds
LLP. To the Editor, it is extraordinary
that Marcus Trinick has taken on this
appeal because at the Kelburn wind-
farm PLI he and his team main-
tained that there was no more room
for windfarms in the park other than
the Kelburn windfarm, and they
were critical of the poor quality of
ground recovery schemes at Ward-
law Wood windfarm, Dalry which
also belongs to CWL. No doubt there
will be another Public Local Inquiry
in due course.
Extraordinary though it may seem
CWL have lodged a new application,
No 09/00424/PP which was regis-
tered by North Ayrshire Council
(NAC). It is exactly the same as
their previous Millour Hill application
which was turned down by NAC ear-
lier this year and which is the sub-
ject of the appeal. It seems they
want to have their cake and eat it.
The objections for Millour Hill 1 can-
not be transferred to Millour Hill 2 so
we have to start again with objec-
tions to this second application.
Please log onto -
www.saveyouregionalpark.com click
objections, followed by Millour Hill 2
fill in the form and click send.
PLEASE DO THIS NOW or at the
very earliest opportunity.
Upper Floor
32 High Street
Lochwinnoch PA12 4AA
Tel: 01505 843083
Fax: 01505 843045
E-mail: info@stranvillejohn.co.uk
Web: www.stranvillejohn.co.uk
Alternatively, If you want to write a
letter please send it to:-
Mr Ian Mackay,
Assistant Chief Executive (Legal
and Protective Services),
North Ayrshire Council,
Cunninghame House, Irvine,
Ayrshire KA12 8EE
and head it up -
Community Windpower Ltd –
Millour Hill 2, Windfarm, Dalry
6 x 125m high Turbines, access
roads, quarries, trenches, substation
& anemometer.
Application No: 09/00424/PP
Important Date for
your Diary –
Mon 19th October,
7.30 pm at Radio City,
Kilbirnie
Save Your Regional Park cam-
paign are holding a public meeting to
which all members, friends, MSPs,
MPs, MEPs, Councillors, Council offi-
cials, Community Councillors, mem-
bers of CMRP park authority and staff
and all others interested in Clyde
Muirshiel Regional Park’s future are
invited.
This is a unique opportunity to hear
and question the Scottish Govern-
ment’s Chief Planner for Scotland, Jim
McKinnon, who has kindly agreed to
give a talk on how he sees the future
planning system and the role of Re-
gional Parks within the overall plan for
Scotland.
THIS MEETING IS A MUST FOR ALL
INTERESTED IN REGIONAL PARKS.
 Lochwinnoch Library
New Books for September
Denise Mina : Still Midnight
Alex Morrow is not new to the police
force-or to crime-but there is nothing fa-
miliar about the call she has just received.
On a still night in a quiet suburb of Glas-
gow, Scotland, three armed men have
slipped from a van into a house, demand-
ing a man who is not, and has never been,
inside the front door. In the confusion that
ensues, one family member is shot and
another kidnapped, the assailants demand-
ing an impossible ransom. Is this the ama-
teur crime gone horribly wrong that it
seems, or something much more unex-
pected?
David Levien : Where the dead lay
When Frank Behr's friend and mentor is
murdered during a suspicious break-in,
Behr seeks answers and revenge. But be-
fore he can pick up the killer's scent, an
exclusive private investigation firm ap-
proaches him with a case: 2 of its opera-
tives have gone missing. Prodded to take
the case by his old boss, the Indianapolis
police captain who holds the strings to
returning him to the force, Behr accepts.
The search for the missing detectives
takes Behr into the dark recesses of Indi-
anapolis' underbelly, a place rife with
shocking brutality and vice. And when
Behr uncovers a thread connecting the
detectives to his friend's brutal murder, he
is forced to confront an ominous, deadly
new breed of organized crime.
Peter Smalley: The Gathering Storm
Spring 1791. Though deeply disturbed by
a terrible incident during his previous
commission, James Hayter is nevertheless
on the verge of taking command of HMS
Sloop Eglantine as Master and Com-
mander when personal tragedy shatters his
life. The twin blows convince Hayter that
he is not fit to command and he must turn
his back on the sea forever. Even the in-
tervention of his friend and former cap-
tain, William Rennie cannot not dissuade
him from derelicting his duty. Though
repenting in the end of his decision, Hay-
ter's career in the Navy appears to be over
until the intervention of an agent, Mr
Brough Mappin, working for Hayter's old
nemesis, the British Secret Service Fund.
Mappin's plan offers Hayter a chance to
revive his career on a special mission,
with the promise of reinstatement in the
Royal Naval List if he is successful. But it
is also the single most dangerous mission
of his life.
Simon Kernick : Target
Did someone try to kill me or am I go-
ing mad? When writer Rob Fallon gets
drunk one night and ends up joining his
friend's girlfriend, Jenny, back at her
apartment in London's West End, he's
feeling guilty before anything's even
happened. But guilt quickly turns to
shock when two men break into the
apartment, abduct Jenny, and try to kill
Rob. Somehow he manages to escape,
but when he reports the abduction to the
police no one believes him.Jenny's fa-
ther claims she's on holiday abroad, her
apartment appears untouched, and the
doorman didn't see or hear anything. But
Rob knows what he witnessed and he
can't let things lie - not with Jenny's life
in danger……………….
Roberta Kray : Strong women
Jo Strong is the youngest widow in the
East End. Running her late husband's
jewellery shop, mercilessly bullied by
her evil mother-in-law, she is trying to
get her life back together again. But then
the 14-year-old daughter of one of the
East end's most notorious gangsters is
kidnapped, and Jo finds herself in a
deadly race against time to rescue the
girl ?before it is too late. And to get her
back, she'll have to join forces with
damaged but handsome bad boy Gabe
Miller, a man who has a dark past of his
own...
Just in !
Marilynne Robinson won the
2009 Orange Prize for Fiction
and her fabulous book, entitled
“Home”
is now in stock at
Lochwinnoch Library.
Renew and Reserve
at
www.renfrewshwire.gov.uk/libraries
Library members can view, renew
and reserve their library loans
online. All you need to get started is
your library membership number
and a password. If you don’t have a
password just ask at any library.
Baby & Toddler
Rhyme time
At Lochwinnoch Library
every Tuesday at 2.15pm
Reading Roots
Homecoming Scotland 2009
A themed collection of books cele-
brating great Scottish writers past
and present. Currently available at
Lochwinnoch & Johnstone Libraries.
FREE Computing Class 
for Complete Beginners 
 
Would you, or someone you know,
like to learn to email and surf the
Internet? Classes are held
at Lochwinnoch Library:
Wednesdays 9.30am – 11am
The course lasts for 5weeks.
For further details Tel: 01505 842305
ADVICE WORKS
Tuesdays 10am –12.30pm
Advisors are on hand to help fill in claim
forms, check and advise on welfare bene-
fits/money problems, etc. Advisors can
provide expert advice on a wide range of
debt related topics, such as credit card,
mortgage arrears, council tax, etc. The
service is FREE, confidential and open to
all Renfrewshire residents.
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
LOCHWINNOCH LIBRARY WILL
BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY
26TH SEPTEMBER AND ON
MONDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER.
NORMAL LIBRARY
OPENING HOURS :
Monday, Wednesday and Friday:
2pm–5pm & 6pm–8pm
Tuesday and Saturday: 10am–1pm
and 2pm–5pm
Closed Thursday.
Tel: 01505 842305
 ST VINCENT’S
HOSPICE NEWS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED -
Lochwinnoch Shop
We are looking for additional volun-
teers to help in our charity shop situ-
ated on High Street, Lochwinnoch. We
also require help at the Hospice in the
kitchen, housekeeping and Barn T-
Room. How ever much time, great or
small, volunteers can offer it is greatly
welcomed and appreciated. Please
contact Christine Haddock, Volunteer
Co-ordinator, on 01505 705635 or call
into the shop for an application form.
ANNUAL GRAND DRAW
RESULTS
The Draw took place on Friday 14th
August 2009 in the hospice grounds
with winning tickets drawn by Trudy
Lafferty who is the Director of Hospice
Services.
1st Prize – Kia Picanto – winning
ticket number 25237 – Mr William
Parrott from Kilbarchan
2nd Prize – 32” Television – winning
ticket number 31235 – Mr Robert
Welsh from Coventry
3rd Prize – Table Football Game –
winning ticket number 37919 – Mr
Jim Cunningham, Elderslie.
On hearing the good news, Mr Parrott
said “I am absolutely stunned at win-
ning. When I received the phone call
from Lorraine it took my breath away.
I am overjoyed and glad to be support-
ing St Vincent’s Hospice and the great
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.
work they do especially as we have Fun Run’ on Sunday 4th of October
had friends who have had the benefit 2009 in Bellahouston Park are ap-
of the great work they do.” proaching.
Lorraine Valentine, Fundraiser at St. To enter, all you need to do is call or
Vincent’s Hospice added - visit the respective websites - see be-
“We are extremely grateful to Mr low. Then contact Lorraine or Ashley
Parrott and to all our supporters at St Vincent’s Hospice on
who entered the draw which has Tel: 01505 705635 or by email at:
raised £23,000 for St. Vincent’s lorraine.valentine@svh.co.uk or
Hospice. Every penny raised for our ashley.moran@svh.co.uk for sponsor
work is very much appreciated and forms and t-shirts.
much needed to help us to continue
to provide the high level of care to Great Scottish Run – 0845 270 0166,
our patients and their families. 2009 www.runglasgow.org
sees St. Vincent’s celebrating 21
Big Fun Run – 01620 890 788,
years of providing palliative care to
www.bigfunrun.com
the people of Renfrew-shire, we are
extremely grateful for the continued
These events are fantastic opportuni-
support and generosity we received
ties to get people running or jogging
from our supporters.”
for a good cause. Last year millions of
pounds were raised for charities by
RUNNING EVENTS runners who went the extra mile for
The ‘Great Scottish Run’ on Sunday organisations such as St Vincent’s
6th September 2009 starting in Hospice.
George Square, Glasgow and the ‘Big

national Italian radio and more re-

Berry Tweed and the
Chasers
UK's biggest Northern Soul Band are
playing Paisley Town Hall on the Sep-
tember bank holiday weekend on
Sunday 27th September for the
local St Vincent's Hospice.
The event is being promoted as Soul
Aid and the big band will be perform-
ing Northern Soul classics with a
touch of Mowtown to celebrate fifty
years of Mowtown for a very worthy
local cause. The band have recently
returned from playing gigs and festi-
vals around the country from Bridling-
ton to Blackpool and of course Loch-
winnoch with the latest show at the
Wickerman Festival in the Scooter
Tent.
The band have had their CD, recorded
earlier in the year, played live on
cently on BBC Radio's Craig Charles
show. Berry Tweed and the Chasers
were quoted by Craig (of Red Dwarf
Fame) on his show as "the funkiest
thing to come out of Scotland since the
Average White Band!"
Berry Tweed and the Chasers are all
local, living in Lochwinnoch, Johns-
tone and the Paisley area and are look-
ing forward to playing to a home
crowd.
Tickets are only £6 and are available
in advance from Laura, (Ms Berry
Tweed) the bands singer, at the Brown
Bull Pub, or by contacting Lorraine
Valentine at the St Vincent's Hospice
on 01505 705635 or tickets are avail-
able on the door on the night.
So dig out the glad rags and dance the
night away with Berry Tweed and the
Chasers and special guests at Paisley
Town Hall on Sunday 27 September.
Lochwinnoch Historical
Society
The Society begins the 2009-2010
season with a talk from Jim Grant of
the Maritime Museum. It's entitled
"The Wandering Scot"
The first meeting takes place on
Thursday 17th September at
7.30pm in the Guild Room of The
Parish Church. Visitors are wel-
come for the evening and the £2
charge includes tea/coffee and bis-
cuits.
Annual membership, however, is
good value at £8 for the seven meet-
ings. September - April, excluding
December. If interested call
Gordon Nicholl on Tel: 842632.
 Bag it and bin it -
don't flush it
Did you know?
* A staggering 300 million items of
sanitary waste are flushed down Scot-
tish toilets every year.
* The waste water drain which runs
from your house is just 4 inches wide,
and it's only designed for human waste
and toilet roll.
* Sanitary waste can cause blockages,
damage screens that are used to filter
out waste, block sewers and, during
heavy rainfall, escape and pollute rivers
and beaches. This causes health risks,
harms wildlife and is unsightly.
What can be flushed:
Human waste;
Toilet paper (not too much and not the
moist, extra strong type).
Never flush:
* Sanitary items - towels, tampons,
applicators, panty liners, backing strips,
* Disposable nappies and liners
* All wipes, including baby, bathroom
and toilet
* Condoms and femidoms
* Cotton buds and cotton wool
* Razors and toothbrushes
* Contact lenses
* Colostomy bags & incontinence pads
* Used bandages and plasters
* Syringes and needles
* Medicines
The best way to dispose of
personal items:
* Sanitary towels, tampons and panty
liners - bag it and bin it.
* Condoms, incontinence pads and used
bandages and plasters - bag it & bin it.
* Disposable nappies, liners and all
wipes - bag it and bin it.
* Razor blades - in a solid container
and bin it.
* Take syringes and needles to a needle
bank (ask your GP where your nearest is
located).
* Return medicines and contraceptives
to your local pharmacy.
How is Scottish Water helping?
We are committed to tacking the prob-
lem caused by waste. We are investing
millions of pounds on upgrading and
building new waste water treatment
works and systems. This investment
programme will take years to complete
and even then you should always
bag it and bin it -don't flush it.
Help us to help you - do your bit to help
protect your natural environment.
(Information reproduced from website
www.scottishwater.co.uk )
LEADER
Launch at Loch
Renfrewshire has been
awarded £470,000 to pro-
mote the quality of the envi-
ronment and boost eco-
nomic and community de-
velopment across its rural
areas.
The launch for this new funding
source took place on Wednesday 26th
August at Castle Semple Visitor Cen-
tre, Lochwinnoch. The funding allo-
cated under the LEADER Pro-
gramme is part of the Scottish Gov-
ernment’s Rural Development Fund
and seeks to encourage new and ex-
perimental approaches to rural de-
velopment with particular support
aimed at small-scale community
driven projects.
Applications for Grant assistance are
now being sought and a Local Action
Group has been formed by represen-
tatives from local businesses, the
local community and public sector
organisations, who will consider pro-
posals against a set of eligibility cri-
teria.
Charlie Woodward, Regional Park
Manager said -
“As members of the Local Action
Group we are delighted to host the
launch of this new rural funding
scheme.
The Group combines knowledge from
a range of sectors and will be instru-
mental to ensure funding supports the
best projects across rural Ren-
frewshire.”
This Group will be supported by Ren-
frewshire Council and the fund will
complement work already being car-
ried out by the Council in Ren-
frewshire’s rural area.
Target groups include women, young
people, elderly people, micro busi-
nesses, unemployed and underem-
ployed people.
Councillor Marie McGurk, Ren-
frewshire Councillor and Convenor of
the Renfrewshire Community Plan
Greener Group said -
“This is an exciting opportunity for
Renfrewshire’s rural communities
and the fund will support a number of
projects developed by local groups. I
would encourage anyone with project
ideas to contact the Project Coordina-
tor at Renfrewshire House, to see if
they are eligible for funding.
This fund supports the aims of the
Renfrewshire Community Plan and
reinforces the commitment that the
Council and its partners have to pro-
moting economic development and
promoting the environment across all
of our rural areas.”
Renfrewshire Council through the Re-
generation and Environment section
of the Planning & Transport Depart.
will administer the fund on behalf of
the Scottish Government.
For further details, visit -
www.renfrewshireleader.co.uk

Clyde Muirshiel
Regional Park
HOMECOMING 2009
Photographic Competition
This competition is part of a Park-
wide programme of events and ac-
tivities throughout 2009, linking
the Park and its people to the
national Homecoming Scotland
2009 initiative.
The themes are:
Scotland’s Culture and Heritage,
Great Scottish Minds and Innovations,
Golf, Whisky, and Robert Burns.
(For more information, visit website -
www.homecomingscotland.com)
The Brief: Your interpretation of
Homecoming 2009 within Clyde
Muirshiel Regional Park. Your entry
needs to be an image taken within
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park or of a
view of the Regional Park.
The Prize: The outright winner will
receive a prize of £250. Other prizes
may be awarded.
Competition Rules: pick up an entry
form at Castle Semple Visitor Centre.
Closing Date of entry to the competi-
tion is 4th October 2009. All photo-
graphs considered to be of merit will
form an exhibition from November
2009 and images may also be dis-
played on CMRP website.
For more details, visit
www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk
International
Volunteers
Want to climb the Watch
Tower or visit a real
archaeological dig site?
International Volunteers with
Xchange Scotland spent the first two
weeks in August working on a variety
of conservation projects across the
Regional Park, as well as having time
to have some fun and to visit other
parts of Scotland. The volunteers
came from all over Europe and one
came all the way from the United
States.
They spent their time here re- Doors Open Day is at Castle Semple
establishing an old rhododendron
Visitor Centre on Saturday and
Maze, restoring paths and learning
some drystone dyking - all in Sunday the 12th and 13th September
Parkhill Woods at Castle Semple
Country Park, as well as restoring The Watch Tower at Castle Semple is
pathways and building steps over at normally only open to visitors during
the Cornalees Centre and on the sea- the Doors Open day events so this is
wall at Lunderston Bay. your one chance per year to climb to
the top. Tower Tours will be held
They did get some ‘fun’ things too
such as lessons in competitive row-
from 14.00 hours until 16.00 hours at
ing from Castle Semple Rowing regular intervals.
Club, Sailing lessons from Castle
Semple Sailing Club, a trip to In- There will also be an exhibition in the
chailloch on Loch Lomond and centre entitled ‘Then and Now’ dis-
climbing Conic Hill, as well as days playing old photographs of Lochwin-
off to visit Glasgow and Edinburgh. noch and the surrounding areas with,
wherever possible, very recent photos
Some of the volunteers even assisted
of the same views. Some places have
at the Castle Semple Summer Fun
Day – ‘Knights & Princesses’ and changed forever – buildings torn down
really got into the spirit of the day. or new ones erected - but other parts
have changed very little since the in-
At the end of their trip, there was a troduction of photographs in the 19th
reception in Castle Semple Centre – Century.
on the wettest day of the summer so
far, to thank the volunteers for all In addition, the Renfrewshire Local
their hard work, and also to thank History Forum will be carrying out a
the various people who had helped
geophysical survey in Parkhill Woods
throughout the two weeks.
on Sunday 13th September, which peo-
ple will also be able to watch. Further
Councillor Arthur, Chairman of the
Park Authority, thanked all the vol- details of this event will be found in
unteers for their hard work over the the Visitor Centre on the day.
previous fortnight and the Lady Pro-
vost of Paisley awarded them with To book a place on a tour or for fur-
certificates. Later on that evening ther details about the day, please call
there was a small ceilidh for the vol- the Ranger Service on 01505 842 882
unteers, Park staff and clubs who
ext 22.
had been involved over the past two
weeks.

Farmers’ Market
and Artisan Fair
at Castle Semple Centre”
on Sunday 6th September from
11 am – 3 pm.
September is often the start of Au-
tumn and the ‘season of mists and
mellow fruitfulness’ according to the
poets. It is also the time to come to
the Lochwinnoch Market held each
autumn at the Castle Semple Visitor
Centre in Lochwinnoch, where visi-
tors can purchase fresh local produce
and artisan products directly from the
producers.
There will be a variety of stalls includ-
ing Lamb from Dowries Farm, located
not far from Cornalees Visitor Centre
at Loch Thom, Beef from Linburn
Farm beside Erskine. ‘Eastern Twist’
will be coming with a range of eastern
inspired products such as samosas and
a range of pakoras. Past customers
will be pleased to hear that Erincroft
Bakery will be returning to the market
with their range of delicious home-
made breads, freshly baked scones,
cakes, puddings and pies. There will
also be a specialist shortbread stall.
The RSPB will be providing birdseed
and cakes to buy for our feathered
friends too – all very handy for help-
ing our wildlife get ready for winter.
The final line up of stallholders is yet
to be confirmed, but as always there
will be a good mix of products avail-
able from farmers and artisan produc-
ers such as handmade soaps by
Caurnie Soaps of Kirkintilloch.
Park Manager Charlie Woodward said
“We are looking forward to welcom-
ing our local producers, residents and
visitors back to Clyde Muirshiel’s
popular Farmers’ Market at Lochwin-
noch. We are fortunate in having
such a scenic loch-side location where
we can host these events.”
For further details please call 01505
842 882 ext 20.
Doors Open Day
at the Greenock Cut
Doors Open Day will have an out-
door twist at the Greenock Cut,
Cornalees Bridge Centre on Sun-
day 13th September from 1-4pm.
There are several structures still
standing along the historic Greenock
Cut between Loch Thom and Green-
ock and this autumn there will be
some supplementary information on
several of the structures near to the
Cornalees Bridge Centre, for Doors
Open Day.
In addition, don’t miss the new exhi-
bition inside the Cornalees Bridge
Centre about the history and reasons
behind the Greenock Cut. For more
details Tel: 01475 521 458.
Arts and Crafts for
Young Teens, Lochwinnoch
The Chameleon Club Art Classes are
for anyone aged 11+ who would like
to try some arts and crafts, e.g. plas-
ticine animations, ceramic money
banks, printed and folded origami
creations, mosaic frames/ boxes,
drawing and creating comics.
Classes run from 2-4pm at the RSPB
Centre, Lochwinnoch and are led by
local artist Cáit Gould. The cost is
£10 per session, all materials in-
cluded. Contact Cáit on 01505
842380 for more details.
Classes will be held on the last Satur-
day of each month, except for De-
cember when the class will be held
on Saturday 19 December.
RSPB
LOCHWINNOCH
• Wildlife viewing all year round
• Nature trails and hides open at all
times
• Visitor Centre open from 10am-
5pm daily
• Bird Feeding Station and
Treetop Tower
• Daily activities for families
• School holiday activities
• Superb RSPB Shop.
For bookings and information,
Tel: 01505 842663
or visit our webpage at:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/
guide/l/lochwinnoch/index.asp
Keep up to date with the
latest RSPB gossip.
Find us on Facebook:
Search ‘RSPB Lochwinnoch’, click on
us and receive regular updates.
Follow us on Twitter:
at http://
twitter.com/RSPBLochwinnoch
Subscribe to the RSPB
Lochwinnoch Blog!
For weekly updates, visit:
http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/
lochwinnoch/default.aspx
and subscribe using the RSS link.
Second Hand Natural
History Books & Optics
Sale 2009
12th-20th September
We are looking for donations of natu-
ral history books to be sold in our sec-
ond hand book sale. These can be
given as a donation to the RSPB or
sold on your behalf (RSPB takes 10%
commission). Rare books can be
placed into our blind auction with a
reserve price set.
We are also looking for second-hand
optics (binoculars, telescopes, eye-
pieces, cases) which can be donated or
sold on your behalf.
If you have any books/optics you
would like to put into the sale,
please ring Paula or Zul on 01505
842663 for more information.

What’s been
happening at
RSPB
Lochwinnoch?
Here’s an update of what’s been
happening on the Reserve, includ-
ing some news from Paula’s weekly
Blogs!
Ospreys
During August, we were lucky enough
to have one of the Loch Garten osprey
chicks pass overhead (albeit at a
height of 225m) on its migration
route. Rothes passed by on the
evening of Monday 10th August and
arrived in Anglesey on the morning of
Tuesday 11th. According to the last
update, Rothes is now in France and
Mallachie is still at Loch Garten (can
you blame him after all the rain we’ve
had!?)
We’ve also had ospreys visiting the
Reserve during the last few weeks… at
one point it seemed as if one was visit-
ing every day! On one day in particu-
lar, we saw the same bird three times,
at 10.30, 12.30 and 16.00 hrs. The
first time it managed to catch a small
fish, but this obviously wasn't enough
as we saw it again two more times,
although it didn't manage to get any-
thing as the wind picked up making
the water below very choppy indeed -
not good for any sort of fishing!
Now, with all of the osprey excitement
at Loch Garten, this pales in compari-
son. So, to put this into perspective we
usually (if we're lucky) get about one
or two osprey sightings PER YEAR at
the reserve, so to see 3 in one day is
excellent, and for the bird to keep re-
turning to fish in the loch is superb.
Our visitors got excellent views and
one lucky person even managed to get
a few shots of the bird carrying its
'catch of the day.'
Some of you may or may not know,
that we have erected two osprey plat-
forms on the reserve, one next to each
loch, in the hope that we might be able
to attract a pair to breed here. Fingers
crossed with all of the recent activity,
one of the birds has noticed our hard
work and is considering using it as it
nest next year. Kingfishers were also
seen there.
At the feeding station, the great
spotted woodpecker continues to
make a regular appearance along with
lots of house sparrows.
Otters
Otters have been seen around the
reserve, including outside the Aird
Meadow hide during the middle of
the day! Gary (one of our volun-
teers) found some spraints (for those
that don't know, that's otter poo!)
along the Dubbs Water trail, a sure-
fire sign that they are going along
that way quite regularly. Excellent!
Mink have also been spotted on the
reserve, one of the few species that
can be easily mistaken for an otter.
Mink are non-native predators in the
UK and have affected some breeding
bird populations.
To tell the two species apart, people
often say that, 'otters are cute look-
ing, mink look mean' - well i guess
that depends on you definition of
'mean' (and cute for that matter!).
(To clear up any con-fusion, take a
look at my Blog “What’a Lotta Otter”
for more details.)
Bats, Weasels, Butterflies
and Bank Voles
Last month, we held the second of
our Bat and Moth nights for this
year, led by the brilliant Clyde Bat
Group, who kept everyone thor-
oughly entertained. The rain stayed
off for us mostly and we managed to
get plenty of Soprano Pipistrelles.
No Daubentons this year (water level
was too high to go to our usual
spots.)
This morning we came back to
empty the moth trap, it looked like it
would be a good evening when we
left, warm, cloudy and drizzley
(perfect moth trapping weather!).
We were not disappointed, and got a
good variety of moths in the trap,
including: - Large yellow underwing,
lesser yellow underwing, copper un-
derwing, lesser common/common
rustic, crescent, double lobed,
butterbur, small phoenix, rosy rustic,
small square spot, iron prominent,
small wainscot, common marbled
carpet, flame shoulder and dark
arches.
It has been great to see so many but-
terflies on our buddleia bush this
year, including red admiral, painted
lady, small tortoiseshell, peacock
and large white butterflies. Let's
hope they continue to thrive
Last month, walking along the trails
to investigate a query, I stopped by
our woodland feeding station to see
what was about and was amazed by
the amount of bank voles I saw
there.
There must have been at least 5, all of
them feeding at some point whilst the
others ran in and out of the holes and
hid in the bushes. It was fantastic to
be able to get so close to them and I
can now understand why we ended up
with so many pictures of them in our
photography competition this year!
However, the highlight of the week has
to be the weasel v. magpie face-off
that I witnessed this morning. On my
way out to get the moth trap, I popped
into the photography hide to alert the
photographers that I was coming, and
one of them pointed out that there was
a weasel trying to get past a pair of
magpies. What followed was hilari-
ous; the weasel kept running out of
the bushes and leaping into the air at
the magpies, which then proceeded to
chase the weasel back into the bush.
This happened several times, each
time the weasel appeared from a dif-
ferent spot in an attempt to out-wit
the magpies. Finally, the weasel just
went for it and shot past both magpies
who looked as surprised as the rest of
us did! Fantastic!
Paula Baker, RSPB Lochwinnoch
Lochwinnoch
Wildlife Explorers
“It’s a Mystery…”
The first meeting of the
Loch-winnoch Wildlife Explorers
will take place on -
Saturday 12th September
10am—12noon.
All are welcome to attend for a fun
packed morning of wildlife, games
and quizzes. To find out more about
the mystery meeting or the group,
contact Margaret & Michael Jarvis on
01505 842 563 or e-mail them at:
mikej@chem.gla.ac.uk
Lochwinnoch wildlife explorers is for
children interested in all kinds of
wildlife from bugs to eagles. They
meet one Saturday morning per month
from September to May.
 News & Events at
RSPB, Muirshiel,
Cornalees & Castle
Semple Centres
• Monday mornings - Loch-
winnoch Community Walks -
Mondays (ex. Public Holidays),
10.30am at The Cross.
• Thursday mornings - Slinky
Strollers - Morning walks, meet at
10.30am at Castle Semple Centre.
• Saturday 5th September -
Teenage Volunteers Group join us
from 11am-4pm at the RSPB Re-
serve and take part in bird survey-
ing, outdoor work, etc. Booking
essential. Tel: 842663
• Sunday 6th September - Farm-
ers Market, Castle Semple Centre
from 11am-3pm or until sold out. *
• Saturday 12th September to
Sunday 20th September - Sec-
ond-hand Book and Optics Sale
from 10am—4pm daily at the
RSPB Centre. *
• Saturday 12th September -
RSPB Lochwinnoch Wildlife Ex-
plorers meeting from 10am - 12
noon at RSPB Centre. *
• Sat. 12th and Sunday 13th
September - Castle Semple
Doors Open Day. Tour of the
Tower from 2pm-4pm, Photo-
graphic Exhibition all weekend in
the Visitor Centre and Geophysi-
cal Survey/Dig in Parkhill Wood
by the Renfrewshire Local History
Forum group on the Sunday. *
• Sunday 13th September -
Doors Open Day at the Greenock
Cut, Cornalees from 1pm-4pm. *
• Friday 18th September - Bat
Walk. Come on a Bat hunt around
Lochwinnoch in the company of a
bat expert, from 7pm till late. To
book a place, Tel: 01505 842882.
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The Cross, Lochwinnoch PA12 4DB
(10 mins from Glasgow Airport on A737)
• Sunday 20th September -
Beach Watch at Lunderston Bay.
Help record findings for a na-
tional survey & clean up the beach
area. Equipment provided.
Meet 1pm, Lunderston Bay.
• Saturday 19th—Sunday 20th
September - Amazing Autumn
from 11am—4pm at the RSPB
Reserve. Stout footwear and
waterproofs recommended!
• Saturday 26th and Sunday
27th September - Optics
Weekend. Choose from a wide
range of competitively priced
optics with FREE expert advice,
RSPB Centre.
• Saturday 26th September -
Chameleon Club workshop 2-
4pm with Cáit Gould at the
RSPB Centre*
• Sunday 27th September -
Archaeology Day at Cornalees
Centre from 1pm. Come and see
an archaeological style dig and
try your hand at the ‘practice
pits’ and see if you can use an-
cient technology.
• Saturday 3rd October -
Teenage Volunteers Group join
us from 11am-4pm at the RSPB
Reserve and take part in bird
surveying, outdoor work, etc.
Booking essential. Tel: 842663
0141 950 1423 GLASGOW
01505 842176 AYRSHIRE
01786 820130 STIRLING
• Sunday 4th October - Closing
Date for Clyde Muirshiel Home-
coming Photographic Competition
2009. *
• Monday 5th October - Wildlife
Question Time from 7.30-9pm.
Gardener’s question time with a
twist! Come along to the RSPB
Centre and join a discussion about
all things wildlife, with a panel of
local natural history experts.
* See inside back pages of
Chatterbox for further information
on these events and activities.
VISITOR CENTRES
SUMMER OPENING HOURS
Castle Semple Centre Open daily,
10am-5pm. Tel: 01505 842882.
Cornalees Centre - Open every day
from 11 am-4pm (April to Oct ‘09.)
Toilets open daily. Tel: 01475 521458
Muirshiel Centre - Open every day
from 11am-4pm (April to Oct ‘09.)
Park and toilets open daily.
Tel: 01505 842803
RSPB Reserve - Reserve is open at
all times; Visitor Centre open daily,
10am-5pm. Tel: 01505 842663.
OUR PRODUCTS ARE INSTALLED
IN OVER ONE HUNDRED
LOCHWINNOCH HOUSEHOLDS.
Contact - PETER McGARVEY
Tel: 01505 614654