Shotts

Items of news for inclusion in the Shotts news section should be emailed to dinsdey@hotmail.co.uk or can be phoned in to 01501 825294 on a Thursday evening before 9pm. Calderhead High School parent council have their next meeting on Thursday, December 6, at 6pm. If you are a parent or guardian of a pupil, you can come along and observe one of their meetings. The parent council also have a Twitter account “@Calderheadpc” and the minutes of meetings can be found on the school’s website. Gala day If you shop online, you can now donate to next year’s gala day event by using the following link www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ shottsgaladay/. 3rd Shotts Scout Group The scout hall at 100 Benhar Road, Shotts, is available for any organisations in the community to use. Requests to do so should be made to Mrs Mary Lees (group scout leader) on 01501 821658. EU Congregational Church is open for prayers and reflection on Wednesdays from 11am, with a short service at 11.30am till noon. There is soup, tea and chat in the hall from noon till 1pm. The Sunday morning service is at 11.30am and the Sunday evening service is at 6.30pm. Singing group meets on Tuesday nights at 7pm. Salvation Army Corps Tonight’s Youth Connection meeting is from 6pm till 8pm. On Thursdays, the toddlers’ group gathers at 9.30am and the prayer meeting is held at 7pm. Friday Club is at 5.45pm followed by the Jam Club at 6.45pm. The Sunday morning meeting is at 10.45am, and is led by Lieutenant Amy-jo Battersby. On Tuesday, the friendship club meets from 1pm till 3pm. The toddlers’ Christmas party will be on Thursday, December 13, at 9.30am. Anyone planning to go along to this event should contact the group. The Christmas carol service will be on Sunday, December 16, at 5pm with carols, a nativity and mince pies. The Watchnight service will be on Monday, December 24, at 8pm with carols by candlelight. To stay up-to-date with any upcoming events, visit their Facebook page for more information. Bon Accord Club On Saturday Tracey Mitchell is in the lounge from 9pm. Bingo is played at 8pm on Wednesday and Friday and 10pm on Saturday. Odette Clark will be in the lounge on December 8. There will be a boxing show in the club on December 14. The next night will see Sue Cassidy entertaining. Frankie B will be in the club on December 22 while the Christmas cracker with Liz Sloan will be held on December 29. The Hogmanay party is now sold out with entertainment being provided by Take 2. 32 Social Club Entertainment for members and guests is as follows: On Friday, December 9, the annual prize bingo event is at 7.30pm, for eyes down at 8pm. Tickets are now on sale for the festive special with dancing to High Definition on Saturday, December 15. Lodge St John 471 have their next regular meeting on Friday, December 14, at 7.30pm in the Orange hall. Community council meets on the first Monday of the month in the community centre in Kirk Road at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend these meetings. See the group on Facebook at Shotts Community Council, or ask to be added to their emailing list to be kept up-to-date on any upcoming events. Slimming group has classes every Wednesday at 9.30am, 5.30pm and 7.30pm in Epic Studios, Shottskirk Road (above Ladbrokes at Dykehead Cross). For more information about School kids helped the council’s deputy leader open a new play area in Motherwell.

Councillor Paul Kelly officially opened the new facility at the Duchess of Hamilton Park helped by pupils from Cathedral and Glencairn Primary School’s as well as representatives of local action groupthe Friends of Duchess of Hamilton Park.

The play area features a great range of equipment including a climbing the classes, contact Jacqueline on 07492065611. Everyone welcome. Artskool is an exciting project for children and adults alike. It offers art classes for all ages. Mondays from 6pm to 7.30pm is for eight to 11-year-olds, Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12 noon is for adults, with a class for four to seven-year-olds at 6pm till 7.30pm. On Wednesdays from 6pm till 7.30pm, there is a class for ages 12 and over. Additional classes can be scheduled based on demand. For more information or to join a class, call Claudia on 07913947778. St Patrick’s Furniture Project (Shotts) Why not give the project a visit? Everyone is welcome. The project’s thrift shop at 261 Station Road is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 10am till 3pm, and the warehouse at 100 Calderhead Road is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30am till 4pm. For more information on any of the above, contact the project on 01501 821187. Calderhead Erskine Church The kirk session has now appointed Rev Iain Murdoch as locum minister for Shotts Calderhead Erskine Parish church of Scotland. If any member of the congregation or parish wishes the help of a minister or requires a listening ear, please contact Iain Murdoch on 01555 773891; 07887 595498 (mobile) or email iaincmurdoch@btopenworld.com. Do also let him know of anyone who is sick at home or in hospital. Services at Calderhead Erskine church are at 11am every Sunday in Shotts, and 12.30pm in Allanton. Allanton lights switch on ceremony will take place in the village at 6.30pm on December 2. A service of lessons and carols is on December 23, at 11am in Shotts, and in Allanton at 12.30pm. Watchnight service will be held the following day on December 24, at 11.15pm. Yoga A new yoga class has started in Shotts community centre on Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Each class costs £7. All welcome. Ironworks Bowling Club Saturday sees bingo and dancing to Bill Mcfarlane, with dancing to Vicky Grant the following week on December 8; entry £1.50. The New Year’s Eve party event is on December 31, with dancing to Satisfaction and includes pie and peas at a cost of £6. unit, five way swings, a rope end swing and cable runway.

A separate equipped area allows the youngest children to play safely alongside everyone else.

Councillor Kelly said: “This facility is a great example of what we can achieve working in partnership with our communities to improve our local environment.

“A special mention should be made to the Friends of Duchess of Hamilton Park who have worked continuously over many years to bring the park to life for the enjoyment of all.” Christmas lights switch on ceremony held in the village last weekend proved to be another a great success. There were a great variety of stalls full of festive goods provided by members of the local groups in the community. Santa was also there on the day and his sack was full of gifts for the children who visited his grotto. The organisers would like to sincerely thank everyone who worked so hard to make it such a memorable day, as well as those who attended this year’s event.