Strathaven

Scouts in Strathaven

Scouting in Strathaven supports 180 youth members from the ages of six to 18 through four group sections. Beavers (6-8),Cubs (8-11), Scouts (11-14) and Explorers (14-18). The sections meet on either Thursday or Friday nights in the Scout and Guide hall on Kirk Street. The group is very active and all the members enjoy a balanced programme of activity and adventure. Running and organising this takes time and effort and, as adults, it is up to the group to provide this challenge. Scouting offers many roles which are open to all adults. Within Strathaven we have a few particular roles which require assistance and support and it is these roles which they would be interested in trying to fill. Currently, they are looking for more support in Thursday Cubs, Friday Beavers, Friday Cubs and Friday Scouts. While all of these sections need additional support, Friday Scouts are at a critical stage as the current leadership team want to reduce their involvement which will result in the section having to close in the near future unless a new team can be found. This committee meets to arrange, organise and run fundraising events to support the work of the group. While members pay an annual subscription, the scouts have further expenses which they try and meet through fundraising. The Scout and Guide centre hall management committee convene on a monthly basis. This committee exists to support both the scouting and guiding organisations in running and managing the hall. The hall is crucial to the success of both organisations and this committee ensures that the hall meets all the requirements in areas of maintenance, improvements and legislation. For more information on any of the above roles, get in touch with strathavenscoutsgsl@gmail.com

Camera Club Strathaven Camera Club hosted the GDPU image league competition against Greenock Camera Club. The competition sees each club have 20 images judged and scored by independent judge, Gordon Baird of Kirkintilloch Camera Club. It was a tightly-fought competition with the lead being exchanged throughout the evening’s judging, the result eventually coming down to the last two images with both clubs on 306 points. Strathaven won the competition by two points on 323 points to Greenock’s 321. Both clubs had very strong images to the extent that the judge awarded both clubs an image with the maximum 20 points. Strathaven club members are reminded that the next meeting on Thursday, January 26 is the club AGM and that annual subs, which are to remain at £35, are due on the night. Also, hand-in night for the year’s final open projected image competition is the following week on February 2.

School Quiz Wester Overton will hold a quiz on Saturday, February 4 at the Scout and Guide Hall at 7.30pm for 8pm. Join the school for a fun quiz night to raise funds for their ‘Great Outdoors Project’. There will be prizes, games, a raffle and a hot buffet. Bring Your Own Bottle and glass! Teams will be kept to a maximum of six people. Tickets are on sale at £10 each and can be bought from Julie LeBlanc Smith, Josephine Tunney and Stacie Bousfield. You can contact the school on Facebook or at the school gate each day. Also, the school office will have some tickets available. One of the top raffle prizes is an overnight stay at the Crutherland House Hotel with breakfast included, as well as an overnight stay at The Popinjay Hotel, with dinner and use of spa facilities. Other prizes during the evening include a Star Wars Collage worth £120, donated by Kris McKinnon Art, a family photo shoot with a framed photo of your choice from Venture Studios Glasgow, package worth £245 donated by Kaizen

Designer range Discount Kitchens and Bathrooms Ltd, a child’s bicycle service donated by Ravens Bicycle Services and a horse riding lesson donated by Burnbank Equestrian Centre. There are also prizes to be announced from Hanlon Clark Properties, The Strathaven and Independent Energy, with more to follow. Rissons have donated a three-course meal for two, with a glass of wine each, which will be auctioned during the evening. More information about the evening and about the ‘Great Outdoors Project’ can be found on the school website.

The John Hastie Museum Trust The

Strathaven John Hastie Museum Trust’s current online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PLYXK9Y is raising considerable interest and support, along with suggestions from respondents as to future topics, events and activities. The Trust is very grateful to those who have taken a few minutes to take the survey. It’s very important that when the trust applies for funding to take forward its work and its plans for a permanent community museum in Strathaven, that it can demonstrate strong local support. The trust is encouraging folk to become new members (trustees) and friends (individuals and families who are keen to support the trust’s work, to stay in touch and to take part from time to time). It’s hoped that the trust will gather several hundred friends and anyone who wishes to show support the trust, but doesn’t have online access, is most welcome to drop into Common Greenery, behind Zest for

Life, in Townhead Street, to make contact.

W3ST Project

The new sports pitches at Whiteshawgate are nearing completion. The project, which is a partnership between Strathaven Rugby Club and Strathaven Dynamo AFC, known as the Whiteshawgate 3G Sports Trust (W3ST), will see a new sports pitch opened at the rugby club. The work involves turning the pitch closest to the rugby club 90 degrees and adding in a full-size rugby ready 3G sports pitch in the created space. The project is in partnership with the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities programme, SportScotland, and the Scottish Football Partnership.

Variety concert

Avondale Young Farmers’ Club will hold their annual variety concert from today to this Saturday at East Kilbride Village Theatre starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £6 (concessions free), apart from on the Saturday when tickets are £8. To book a ticket call 07875 089037 after 5pm on weekdays and any time at weekends.