H milton view Business is booming
Dear Editor I am delighted to see Blantyre bucking the trend of shop closures.
Recently we have seen two new shops in High Blantyre and two new shops in Low Blantyre.
Local businesses are a crucial part of our communities, bringing variation and vitality to our town centres and high streets, keeping money circulating in local economies and maintaining a sense of community.
In order to survive, local businesses are increasingly finding the need to work together, putting aside the natural urge to compete.
When businesses work together everyone benefits, the businesses themselves, as well as the communities they serve. I wish these new businesses well.
Asda are in the process of building two new units. I am hopeful that these will be filled, if rents are affordable.
I urge everyone to support local businesses and for local businesses to source locally also.
Cllr Bert Thomson Our recent story about the Hamilton Churches Drop-in Centre in Beckford Street opening every single day to provide hot meals got many of our readers talking.
Volunteers take time out of their day to cook the homeless, or people in need, a meal from scratch.
Reporter Kirsten Mcstay went along one Friday to ‘The Curry Kitchen’ which takes place on the first Friday of every month, and wrote a great article highlighting the good work carried out at the Hamilton Churches Drop-in Centre.
Some of our members were instrumental in establishing the Drop-in Centre and a number are still involved in volunteering on a regular basis. If you would be interested in helping out please let us know.
This is a true example of God’s love in action.
St. Mary, The Virgin, Episcopal Church
A group volunteer at the drop in centre every third Tuesday, speak to Ian Jaques if you would like to join them.
Hamilton South and Quarter Parish Churches
These volunteers not only help by cooking meal, which I hear are fantastic, but they give so much more through the time they spend with those who are lonely and often stigmatised.
Wonderful people!
Joanne Donald
It’s an amazing team of people. John and I really enjoyed the evening.
Mohammed’s menu and cooking tuition was excellent and his whole families contribution was amazing.
Everyone enjoyed preparing the delicious food and the visitors thoroughly enjoyed the results.
Evelyn Ann Wilson
Well done. I think they will feel brilliant after it.
Jean Grant
Thanks for taking the time to highlight the on going work we do. What a fantastic evening at The Hamilton Churches Drop In Centre for our Curry Night. Our Curry Night is led by Mohammed and all the produce and ingredients are donated from his church.
During the evening Mohammed, who is a trained chef, provides lessons to the volunteers on how to prepare authentic Indian food for our visitors at the Drop-in Centre to enjoy. All of the dishes are produced from scratch and our volunteers are designated a dish to prepare.
Part of our team were Mohammed’s children who kindly gave up their Friday night to serve the dishes to our guests.
The next Curry Night is on Friday, September 7.
Volunteers welcome to attend. If you are interested please message for more details.
Malcolm Anderson
Great cause and work that you are doing.
Ian Thomson
Terrible state of affairs in 21st century Scotland. Never thought I’d see the day. But, being the canny caring Scots we are as a nation, there’s always a hot cuppa and a meal for those who need it.
Huge respect for all those who give up their free time to help out.
Well done folks.
Mary Black
It was another amazing night and our visitors all loved the food.
Catherine Mclachlan