Stonehouse news

Jul 3 2008 by Our Correspondent, Hamilton Advertiser

RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: Residents of Murray Drive met on Monday night to form the Residents’ Association which has been called for for some time.

Robert Craig of Stonehouse Community Council took the chair. He is also an experienced chair of the Watt Court Residents’ Association.

Robert introduced Alistair Reid of South Lanarkshire Council Support Project and Jeff Frew of Stonehouse Development Trust. Both indicated the willingness of their organisations to help in the process of building the residents’ association.

Mr Craig firstly established that the meeting was unanimous in its desire to establish the association, before going on to outline some of the experiences of the Watt Court residents. He also stressed the association would require patience and persistence and the support of other local bodies such as the Community Council.

Beth Grant was elected as chairperson of the association. A further eight committee members were also elected.

The remainder of the meeting was taken up by going over some of the problems to be tackled. Among the priorities for the new association are the general state of the area, its pavements and roads, parking, landscaping, resources for young people and proper play areas.

SAD LOSS: Stonehouse lost another popular figure this week with the death of Bert Struthers from the Holdings at Sidehead Road.

Bert was in the building trade most of his life and had a smallholding, where he lived. He was extremely keen on bowling and was a player who had considerable ability.

A lover of all kinds of music, he was especially keen on the box and fiddle clubs around the area and travelled all over to hear a good concert. His holiday interest was caravanning, which he did enjoyed until illness curtailed his activities.

Bert's funeral is today (Thursday) at 2.15pm in St Ninian’s Church then to the graveyard in Stonehouse. There will be a reception in the bowling club afterwards.

Bert will sadly missed by his many friends in sporting circles. The condolences of all his friends go to his family.

BOWLING CLUB: Stonehouse Bowling Club held an Invitation Mixed Rink competition on Saturday. Prizewinners were Jim Robertson, Evelyn Robertson, Billy Stewart and Kate Stewart, who beat Hugh Smith, Irene Smith, Ian Ewing and Barbara Ewing in a closely-contested final.

President Tom Notman presented the prizes and thanked the competitors and sponsors Scottish Brewers.

ST NINIAN’S CHURCH: Prayer meetings are held at St Ninian’s on Tuesdays at 7.30pm. Bible study is held on Wednesday afternoons.

It is hoped to run a bus to the Mary Poppins show in Edinburgh on the October 27. Anyone interested in going should give their name to Margaret MacGregor.

William Trainer took the church service on Sunday.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: Stonehouse Congregational United Reform Church held their last service on Sunday before joining with their friends at the Paterson Church for summer services.

Next week the service will be in Paterson Church at 10am.

The Sunday School thank all the people who stayed behind after last week’s service for lunch. Donations raised over £60.

PATERSON CHURCH: Paterson Church Women's Association’s coffee mornings continue in the church until August on Tuesdays from 10am till noon.

For the month of July, joint services will be held in Paterson Church with friends from the United Reformed Church.

Items for the newsletter should be in the hands of Ishbell Paterson before the end of July.