District News
NLTUC The latest meeting of North Lanarkshire Trades Union Council had a large attendance of trade union representatives. They discussed the effect on the workforce of the government’s public sector pay cap over the last eight years and agreed to encourage their members to support the Unison Lanarkshire Health branchled campaign Scrap the Public Sector Pay Gap, which begins with a demonstration on Friday outside New College Lanarkshire’s Coatbridge campus. The government’s intention to close Department of Work and Pension offices in Coatbridge with the loss of jobs is a grave concern to the workforce and residents. A PCS member said that the fight against office closures is a community fight, as well as a trade union one, and the impact on the local economy would be significant. The closure of Campbell’s Cake Company, with the loss of 25 long-established jobs and the effect on the community of Tweaker, near Hamilton, was of grave concern. The meeting overwhelmingly supported a motion for the ASLEF union to recognise the resignation as secretary of the trades council by Hughie Gaffney with an honorary membership of NLTUC. He was elected in May of this year as the Member of Parliament for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill. The next meeting of the trades council will take place in the Community Union offices, Hamilton Street, Motherwell, on Thursday at 6.30pm. Motherwell Photographic Society The new season will start with an open evening on Thursday, September 7. The society meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in Holytown Community Centre, Stevenston Street, and is suitable for anyone with an interest in photography, no matter their level of expertise. For more information and to view the 2017-2018 syllabus visit their website at www.motherwellphotographicsociety.co.uk or www.facebook.com/ MotherwellPS. The webpage contains a members’ gallery where examples of their work can be viewed. Dalziel St Andrew’s Parish Church will hold an open day this Saturday, September 9, from 10am. This will provide an opportunity for residents to find out about the many groups and activities for all ages taking place at the church each week. Refreshments will be available in the small hall or people can drop in for a chat. Worship on Sunday will begin at 11am and is available live via the church website (dalzielstandrews.org. uk) or for catch-up later on YouTube. The service will include BSL signing and an electronic note-taking screen. The first Messy Church event will be held on Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm on a harvest theme. The free event will be focused on young families with fun, games, crafts, activities, refreshments and conclude with a meal at 5pm. Anyone wishing to attend should register on the website or call the church office on 01698 264097. The Sisterhood will hold their monthly get-together today (Wednesday) at 2pm. The prayer groups meet on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm and 1pm respectively. All youth organisations are now active, with the toddlers’ group meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10am. The church choir meet on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm and welcomes new members. The morning service on Sunday, September 17, will be an all-age occasion to celebrate harvest thanksgiving. Donations towards the work of Tear Fund will be taken during this service. Following the success of last year’s Keswick in Motherwell praise and teaching event, this will again be held in Dalziel St Andrew’s Church on the evenings of September 14 to 16, starting at 7.30pm. Entry is free but there will be a collection to meet the costs of holding the event.