Quarterly Newsletter
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers. We all owe a big thank you to our distributors of the newsletter who give of their time most generously and without whom you would not be enjoying your morning read.
This past year has been an exciting one, with the 125th anniversary of the Church and the subsequent celebrations that took place. Quarter in Bloom has again achieved a Silver Award for their efforts in providing some beauty round the village. I have to say that it is amazing what is achieved by a very few and the feeling is that with more willing helpers so much more could be achieved, but gone are the days of having a community spirit of helpfulness without reward. Looking back over the old photographs the same faces appear over and over again but sadly these people need the younger generations to step forward and offer their help. We have lost the Community Council, the Gala Committee and Quarter in Bloom is down to a few hard working souls. It is strange how the village has doubled in size, over the last ten years, yet the people stepping forward have declined.
The Quarter Parish Church has still to find a minister, but we trust this lack of leadership does not allow the flock to lose its way and with a new garden to enhance the Church all the gardeners of the congregation will no doubt be keen to maintain the raised beds if not improve them, because as every gardener knows the initial layout is only the start, constant care and attention is required to keep the beds to the standard that we expect from the Church.
Letter from the Editor
Quarter Neighbourhood Watch is investigating a possible rebuild of the play park at a cost of over £100,000. The site will be cleared and new fencing, play equipment, benches and a walkway round the site are proposed. Consultations are to be arranged with local children and their parents as to what they would like to see happen to the site, within the financial restraints mentioned above. A plan has been drawn up to show what we can do as regards play equipment. A strong and secure fence will be erected round the children's play area, which is an expensive but nowadays necessary requirement as long as we have the few misguided who like to destroy what we try to improve.
A walkway will traverse the site through shrubbery and seasonal planting with plenty of bulbs to give a spring display. Benches will be provided for the parents to rest and watch their children run wild. Two of our local residents have volunteered to be key holders of the park giving access during daylight hours only.
Neighbourhood Watch News:
LUNCH CLUB -QNW has been working in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council (Social Work Dept) & Councillor Carmichael on a project to provide lunch for senior citizens in the village. The Lunch Club started on Tuesday 17th November and will run every Tuesday for 6 weeks initially in Quarter Primary School. The cost for a two course lunch will be £1.25. SLC Social Work Dept have donated a Wii for entertainment and it is hoped that the residents will enjoy the weekly get-togethers and continue the club long after the initial 6 week period.
TRAFFIC CALMING – Traffic speed at Limekilnburn continues to be a concern for residents. The national speed limit on the Strathaven Road is considered, by the residents, to be dangerous for this stretch of road. QNW is working with SLC and Strathclyde Police to alleviate this problem.
PAVEMENTS- Work on the pavements was delayed due to pressure of work but they are now repaired. All pavements in the top half of the village (i.e. Church to Denholm Gardens) were long overdue and will hopefully be of great benefit to the residents.
PLAYPARK – Work is ongoing with SLC to update the Play park to make it safe and available for the youngest members of the village. Councillor Carmichael has progressed this work with the architectural department within SLC and for this we are grateful. Hopefully we will shortly see improvements to the park which will make sure it is a safe environment for play. QCA is at present searching for funding for the park with local residents help.
XMAS HAMPERS – The annual event will go ahead as planned for senior citizens within the village with all receiving gifts from Quarter Neighbourhood Watch. This is only possible each year due to a generous grant from South Lanarkshire Council. Sadly, it might not be possible in future owing to financial constraints which we are all aware of. However, we do hope that everyone who receives a gift enjoys their Xmas.
Season’s Greetings from Quarter Neighbourhood Watch.
Quarter Toddler group
Quarter Toddler group had their Halloween party on Wed 28th Oct. Prizes were given to Aaron Feely aged 4 and Lori aged 1 for best costume. The children had great fun dressing up and enjoyed their party lunch! The toddlers are planning a Christmas Party in the soft play centre in Burnbank on Wed 9th Dec then on 16th Dec they are hoping that Santa will come to their last meeting before Xmas with a wee surprise for them!! Toddlers meet every Wednesday (term time) in Quarter Church Hall at 10 till 12 noon. All under 5s are welcome to come and join us! Toddlers finish on 16th Dec and restart on Wednesday 6th Jan 2010.
Quarter Boolin Club
A quiz night every Wednesday started on the 11th of November Teams of up to 4 people £5 per entry Start time 7.30pm Prize money of up to £50 week one
The club hours until the year end :-
Open every Friday from 8pm – 12 Most Saturdays 2pm – 6pm
Next year is the Quarter Boolin Club's 100th Anniversary. To celebrate the club is looking for any old photographs, letters or documents relating to the history of the club. You can contact either Danny McLare, Jim Love or leave information with the Editor of the newsletter.
Quarter Play Park
Councillor Andy Carmichael's
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Since being elected in May 2007 and the subsequent boundary changes, bringing Quarter and Limekilnburn into the Larkhall Ward 20, I have worked relentlessly with local community groups, schools, church personnel and individual constituents to address local authority matters.
There have been a number of community events that have taken place, family fun days, trips to the Scottish Parliament, the Strathclyde Police museum, church celebrations, which I have been privileged to be involved in. With the advent of the new Police Community Initiative which began in March 2009, the area has had Constable David Wesencraft appointed as the local Community Officer. David is a regular visitor to the area and is progressively establishing good police and public relations, to make Quarter a safer and desirable place to live.
My thanks must go to Quarter Neighbourhood Watch, the Quarter Community Association, Quarter Primary School Head Teacher, Staff and Pupils also Quarter Parish Church members for all the help I have so kindly been given.
I would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and very Prosperous New Year and look forward to continuing our association.
SURGERY DETAILS
Quarter Primary School
Second Tuesday of every month at 7pm