HOWWOOD COMMUNITY COUNCIL
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER––JULY
JUNE2010
2014
CONTENTS THIS ISSUE
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HOWWOOD VILLAGE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
BROADBAND – BETTER BROADBAND FOR HOWWOOD CAMPAIGN – UPDATE
HOWWOOD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PLAN
COUNCIL HOUSE TENANTS’
RHOMBUS GARDEN REFURBISHMENT
HOWWOOD WILDLIFE & WOODLANDS WALKS 2014/15
WILD BIRD FEEDING
HOWWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMONWEALTH GAMES EVENT FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2014
QUEEN’S BATON COMES TO HOWWOOD – THURSDAY 17 JULY 2014
HOWWOOD BABY & TODDLERS
USEFUL INFORMATION INCLUSIONS AND CHANGES
USEFUL INFORMATION
BUS LOSS SURVEY
HOWWOOD VILLAGE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
A PUBLIC MEETING TO PROTEST AT LOSS OF AMENITIES IN HOWWOOD WAS HELD ON 14 MAY
2014.
Our four elected Councillors were present along with a representative for Mr Douglas Alexander, MP,
representatives of the Community Council, SPT, Scottish Government, Renfrewshire Council and McGill’s
Buses as well as over 100 concerned Villagers. There was no representation from BT or from
Stagecoach, though both organisations were invited to participate.
Mobile Library
The first topic brought to the floor highlighted the recent failure of the mobile Library, which is scheduled to
be in the Village for two 30 min periods once every two weeks but in fact there was a period of six weeks
without any service, Cllr Iain McMillan promised to look into this issue and report back. It was also
suggested that since the Hall Keepers House will no longer be used as a residence, a room there could
become a permanent Library for the Village, again Cllr McMillan will investigate.
Buses
The question of lost bus services was brought up and SPT explained that since deregulation of Bus
Services 91% of buses are run on a commercial basis and only 9% are subsidised routes.
McGill’s explained that routes were cut if they were found to be unprofitable. Many people highlighted the
No 38 in Johnstone which runs every 10 minutes and requested McGill’s consider the possibility of some
No 38’s diverting to include the Village? McGill’s said they would pass this to their Operations Staff for
feasibility assessment. Subsequently it was noted that the Law in Scotland has lagged behind that in
place in England where organisations equivalent to our SPT have Legal Powers and can force Bus
Companies that have very profitable routes to incorporate deviations to cover areas otherwise un-served.
Post Office
The lack of a Post Office Services was raised. The P.O. has stated the Community Council and to the
local MP that they are committed to providing a Post Office in Howwood once a suitable location can be
found.
Broadband Services,
At the Public Meeting last year, the Community Council was left understanding that an announcement in
early 2014 would clarify when Howwood would receive High Speed Fibre Broadband. However, to date,
no announcement has been made. Digital Scotland who monitors the Broadband Rollout is of the opinion
that Howwood would receive the improved service in 2015. The meeting urged that they push for an
early part in the year and not the last quarter.
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Howwood village needs your support cont.
Broadband cont.
Subsequent to the meeting one villager reported that up to a year ago he got a very poor service
sometimes as poor as 0.250mb but after reading an article about unbundling telephone lines and
discussing this with his provider, Talktalk, they unbundled the line from BT and he now gets speeds of
2.5mb as a minimum. In addition if a dongle is used speeds of between 7mb and 10mb can be achieved.
Closing
The Chairman of the Meeting, Robert Scarsbrook, thanked all Representatives for attending and the
Village Residents for showing support for the Community Council’s fight to redress the loss of Village
amenities
The largest concern to those who attended the meeting was definitely the lost bus services and in order
that the Community Council understand your needs they ask that you fill in the short survey form attached
at the end of this newsletter and return to Bill David, either by email {bill@billdavid.co.uk} or by popping it
through Bill’s letter box at Ivy Cottage, Main Street, Howwood.
Contact Bill David bill@billdavid.co.uk 01505 703500
BROADBAND – BETTER BROADBAND FOR HOWWOOD CAMPAIGN – UPDATE
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITED UPDATE FROM DOUGLAS ALEXANDER MP
At the public meeting with representatives of both BT and the Scottish Government that I convened last
September we pressed the case for inclusion of the village in the BT/Scottish Government partnership
Superfast Broadband Programme.
The framework that was described to us at the time was a Highlands and Islands project (2014-2016) which had already been announced in early 2013 - and a second part of the project which would cover the
Rest Of Scotland (ROS). The ROS project would have 15 phases going through from early 2015 to 2017.
Our campaigning had been aimed at highlighting appalling internet access problems for families,
businesses, and even our local hospice in Howwood. There is no doubt that we have provided
comprehensive and compelling evidence to the Programme’s decision-makers. That evidence makes the
case that Howwood should be a priority and should have a deserved place near the front of the installation
plans.
Assurances were sought and received that Howwood would be targeted for 2015, but we have since kept
up the pressure for Howwood to be awarded an early 2015 date, as without a formal public announcement
of the date of the work the risk of slippage remains.
As of today the programme website states “around 95% of premises in Scotland should have access to
fiber broadband by the end of 2017 and 85% by the end of 2015.”
Given that we are now over eight months on from the September meeting with BT and Scottish
Government representatives I share the widespread frustration in the village at their failure to, as yet,
commit publicly to an early start date.
If 85% of Scotland’s homes are to enjoy superfast broadband by the end of 2015, we must continue to
make clear our demand that Howwood is not left to the latter end of this 85%.
I am sorry that Parliamentary duties will prevented me from attending the meeting on 14th May which the
Community Council organised but I very much hope that the views of the village about the urgency of this
work are clearly communicated to the Project Team Leader. I will continue to press both the Scottish
Government and BT for more urgent action to get the village the broadband connectivity it deserves.
Contact Bill David 01505 703500 – bill@billdavid.co.uk or any Community Councilor.
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HOWWOOD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PLAN
A GROUP, THE HOWWOOD EMERGENCY AMATEUR RESILIENCE GROUP (HEART) WAS SET UP
TO LOOK AT THE RESILIENCE PLAN FOR HOWWOOD.
HEART has now completed the Howwood Resilience Plan and it is currently with the printers. A copy of
the plan will be distributed to every household in the Village. It is hoped that it will be printed in time to
include with this newsletter, but if not it will be distributed as soon as it becomes available.
The Plan has been designed to help Howwood in the event of an incident and HEART urge EVERYONE
to take the time to read it.
Part 1 of the Village Plan applies in the event of a serious incident befalling the Village, whilst
Part 2 refers to what each household should do for their personal preparation should an incident happen
in the Village or to them personally.
HEART has now completed a second First Aid course, with the help of The Red Cross and is hoping to
continue First Aid Training with their continued help.
HEART is currently planning a second training exercise, details of which should be announced soon.
The Group are still looking for volunteers, i.e. people who are prepared to help in the event of an Incident
happening in the Village. Everyone has skills which can be utilised in an emergency and if you are
interested come along to one of the regular meetings which are normally the last Tuesday of the month in
Bowfield Country Club at 7.30 in the evening
Contact Bill David bill@billdavid.co.uk 01505 703500
COUNCIL HOUSE TENANTS’
ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FROM RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL’S NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM TO
IMPROVE COUNCIL HOUSING
Renfrewshire Council’s Neighbourhood Forum meets four times a year and has a small budget available
to improve Council Housing, in areas such as lighting, fencing, gates, landscaping etc. If you have a
problem in any of these areas and wish to make application for assistance, you can contact Housing
Officer, Maureen Beekham, email: johnstone.hps@renfrewshire.gov.uk phone: 0300 300 0222 or
by post or in person to:
Floorsburn House, Floors Street, Johnstone PA5 8TN to any of our Elected Councillors, who are:Iain McMillan, John Caldwell, John Hood or Steven McGee, contact details in the useful information
section of this newsletter.
Contact Bill David bill@billdavid.co.uk 01505 703500
RHOMBUS GARDEN REFURBISHMENT
A WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP BY HOWWOOD WILDLIFE AND WOODLANDS TO LOOK AT
DESIGNS FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE RHOMBUS GARDEN AND A MEANS OF RAISING
FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THE PLANS.
An initial plan has been commissioned for this garden and the Management Committee are considering
the various options before seeking funding. Plans and timeframe will be published in due course.
HWW also look after the Triangle, local walking routes and maintain the lovely planters at the entrances to
the village. In addition HWW installed the planters in the railway station and organise their planting
schemes.
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Rhombus Garden refurbishment cont
If you are interested in general environmental issues in Howwood why not join the Management
Committee of HWW and get involved? Meetings are monthly in the function room of the Railway Inn and
you will be made most welcome
Contact Christine Scarsbrook 01505 704083 chrisscarsbrook@btinternet.com.
HOWWOOD WOODLANDS & WILDLIFE WALKS 2014/15
HWW ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING WALKS FOR 2014/15
All welcome to attend. Dogs and accompanied children most welcome. All walks weather permitting.
Date
Friday 4 July 2014
Saturday 6 Sep 2014
Christmas Day
Friday 2 Jan 2015
Meeting Point
Triangle
Triangle
Triangle
Triangle
Time
8pm
10am
10am
1pm
Approx. Duration
1- 2 Hrs
2 Hrs
1- 2 Hrs
2 Hrs
WALKING MAP
Included with this Newsletter is the up to date map of the various walking routes in and around the village.
The map will shortly be available on Howwood.com.
Contact Christine Scarsbrook 01505 704083 chrisscarsbrook@btinternet.com
WILD BIRD FEEDING
OUR WILD BIRD POPULATION NEEDS YOUR HELP TO SURVIVE. HOWWOOD WILDLIFE &
WOODLANDS WILL DELIVER WILD BIRD FOOD FREE OF DELIVERY CHARGE TO YOUR DOOR.
To help raise funds for HWW projects in the village wild bird food is on sale at very reasonable prices so if
you feed the birds please consider placing an order with HWW. Please note prices vary with market
conditions.
At this time of year when most birds have young to feed it is important to feed the adult birds to keep them
going.
Wildbird Food
Peanuts
Mixed seed
Suet, berry and mealworm pellets
Seed & Suet, berry & mealworm
pellet mix
Hedgehog
Niger Seed
1Kg
£3.00
£2.00
£5.00
5Kg
£13.00
£8.00
£20.00
10Kg
£24.00
£14.00
£35.00
£4.00
£4.00
£18.00
£18.00
£34.00
£34.00
£2.80
£12.00
£23.00
Fat
Balls
4
£1.25
Suet
Logs
Log
Feeder
12
£3.50
25
£6.00
50
£10.00
£12.00
£24.00
£48.00
£7.50
£13.00
£24.00
£6.00
Contact Christine Scarsbrook 01505 704083 chrisscarsbrook@btinternet.com for a quote for your
individual requirements. All proceeds to Howwood Wildlife & Woodland, Registered Scottish Charity
Number SCO 33831, for environmental projects in and around Howwood.
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HOWWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMONWEALTH GAMES EVENT FRIDAY 20
JUNE 2014
Howwood Primary School is holding an event to celebrate the Commonwealth Games coming to
Glasgow. The event will comprise the children participating in a relay around the village to emulate the
'Queen’s Baton Relay' in the morning, followed by a BMX Stunt Show in the afternoon, which will end
with a World Record Attempt.
Morning - Relay
The Relay will start from the school at 9.30am and is expected to end at the school around 11am. This will
be followed by a Medal Ceremony around 11.30am. We would welcome the community to come out and
applaud the children both during the Relay and at the Medal Ceremony.
Afternoon - BMX Stunt Show
The BMX Stunt Show by the 3Sixty Stunt Team will take place in the school playground. All welcome.
The show will end with a World Record Attempt of 'Most Consecutive Bunny Hops'.
The show will take place between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Entry gates open to the public at 12.45pm.
Entry Prices; Adult - £2 / Children - Free.
Contact - Gillian Whyte, Howwood Primary School Parent Council Tel 07834817337
QUEEN’S BATON COMES TO HOWWOOD- THURSDAY 17 JULY 2014
The Queen’s baton for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be in Howwood on Thursday 17
July 2014 from 7:30 am onwards. The exact route is not yet known but will be in the media nearer the
time. It is hoped that the people of Howwood will turn out to welcome the baton.
Contact Bill David bill@billdavid.co.uk 01505 703500
HOWWOOD BABY & TODDLERS
Howwood Baby & Toddlers meets every Monday (including School holidays) from 10.00 to 12 noon in
Howwood Parish Church Hall, Main Street, Howwood.
The group would be delighted to see any new Boys and Girls with Mums & Dads, Grandparents or carers.
Go along and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat while the children play and make new friends. Only £1 per
child which includes all snacks and drinks. The group look forward to seeing you soon.
Contact Sarah 01505 702135
USEFUL INFORMATION INCLUSIONS AND CHANGES
HOWWOOD COMMUNITY COUNCIL ISSUES THIS NEWSLETTER AND MAINTAINS
HOWWOOD.COM.
If you wish an article to be included in the Newsletter or howwood.com web site or to be included in the
Useful Information section of the Newsletter please contact Christine Scarsbrook 01505 704083
chrisscarsbrook@btinternet.com before the next issue. Any changes to Useful Information or web site
entries may also be communicated to Christine.
Issues are usually 3 times per annum; February, May/June and October /November depending on what
events are taking place in the village. There is no charge for this service nor the Howwood.com entry.
Contact Christine Scarsbrook 01505 704083 chrisscarsbrook@btinternet.com or any Community
Councillor
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USEFUL INFORMATION - NOTE MANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS HAVE E CHANGED
Church Hall Wed Evenings 7 – 9pm Alexis Urie 01505 702370 or
1st Howwood Girl Guides & Semple Rangers
07836610462 Gayle Pollock 07500357602
Caroline Connie – 01505 706507, 07852 354246
1st Howwood Brownie Pack
c.connie@btinternet.com Tuesdays – Howwood Parish Church
Hall – 6.45pm to 8.15pm
Aircraft Noise Telephone line
0141 848 4644 (answer machine)
Antisocial Behaviour Help Line
Bowfield Hotel & Country Club
0800 169 1283
01505-705225
Brian Young -Freedom Driving Centre
01505 706855, 07771 930691
Christ the King Church
01505 702636 (Father Joseph Dow)
Church of Scotland
01505 703678 www.howwoodparishchurch.com
Community Wardens
0300 300 0380 wardens.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Councillor Iain McMillan
0300 300 1281 cllr.iain.mcmillan@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Councillor John Caldwell
0300 300 1275 cllr.john.caldwell@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Councillor John Hood
0300 300 1279 cllr.john.hood@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Councillor Stephen McGee
0300 300 1273 cllr.stephen.mcgee@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Douglas Alexander MP
0141 561 0333 mp@douglasalexander.org.uk
Dog Grooming – Maureen Grant
07841 116413 grantsdoggrooming@hotmail.com
Fly Tipping
0141 842 4448
Friends and Heroes Club
Anne Uppington - aauppington@gmail.com
Gas
0800 111 999 in emergency
Glasgow Wind Band (R & C Scarsbrook)
01505 704083 robertscarsbrook@btinternet.com
Greenacres Curling Rink
01505 850 633
Greener Renfrewshire (Bins)
0300 300 0300
Grid Design: Architectural Designers
Craig Inglis 0141 814 5139 hello@griddesignltd.com
www.griddesignltd.com
Every Monday 10am to 12noon, Howwood Parish Church
Hall. Contact Sarah 01505 702135
Lorna Poole 01505 705098
Howwood Baby & Toddlers
Howwood Beavers & Cubs
Howwood Community Council Newsletter
Meet 2nd Tuesday monthly in the Village Hall at 7:30pm. 01505
703500 bill@billdavid.co.uk or 01505 704083
robertscarsbrook@btinternet.com
01505 704083 chrisscarsbrook@btinternet.com
Howwood Curling Club
01475 675550
Howwood Driving School – Terry Waddell
01505 706969, Mobile 07788 921 757
Howwood Inn
01505 703119
Howwood Playgroup
Tue, Wed and Thu mornings – 9:45-11:45 Howwood Parish
Church. Contact Karen 01505 705643 or Fiona 01505 704819
Howwood Village Shop
01505-702213
Howwood Wildlife & Woodlands
Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP)
01505 704083 chrisscarsbrook@btinternet.com meet last Wed
monthly in the Railway Inn at 7:30pm
01505 842530 carol@myleapproject.org
Mid Gavin Nursery
07812 337069
Midton Bowling Club
01505 704784
Minicoach Tours
minicoachtours@btconnect.com
Police
01505 404000
Premier Village Store
01505-704487
Railway Inn
01505 704256
Reach Pharmacy (Within Premier Store)
Renfrewshire Council
01505 706576 Howwood@reachpharmacy.com
http://www.facebook.com/hillheadpharmacy
0300 300 0300 www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Roads & Lighting Faults
0300 300 0300 PT@Renfrewshire.gov.uk
Scottish Power
0845 2727999 in emergency
Scottish Water help line
0845 601 8855 and 0845 600 8855 in emergency
Sports & Hobbies
Thu 6:30pm and 8pm Village Hall
Village Web Site
www.howwood.com via chriscarsbrook@bt internet.com
WRI
Irene Mactaggart 01505 704800
Youth Nuisance Help Line
01505 325030
Howwood Community Council
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BUS LOSS SURVEY
Please circle the appropriate answer
1)-Which Bus Loss affects you most
2)-Which of these destinations is most important to you?-
X34
X36
307
Lochwinnoch
Johnstone
Glasgow
3)-When would you be trying to reach your destination?
Before 9.00am
Between 9.00am & 12noon
Between 12.00 & 2.00pm
Between 2.00 pm & 5.00pm
Other (provide details)
________________________
4)- Which days of the week would you travel on?
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Weekend
5)-What is purpose of your travel?
Business
Leisure
Shopping
Pleasure
Other (provide details)
________________________
6)-In which age group are you?
18 to 30
30 to 65
65+
Thank you for completing this Survey
Please return to Bill David, either by email {bill@billdavid.co.uk} or by popping it through Bill’s letter box at
Ivy Cottage, Main Street, Howwood.
Contact Bill David bill@billdavid.co.uk 01505 703500
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