THE DUMBARTON DEMOCRAT

Dedicated – a nurse caring for a patient at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Dalmuir, Clydebank. By Democrat reporter NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has

Covid in Scotland: Blaming each other will not solve this, says Leonard A further 993 people have tested positive for Covid-19, 17.1% of those newly

Royal Navy nuclear submarine officer arrived ‘drunk’ for duty HMS Vigilant is one of Britain’s four Vanguard-class submarines. By Democrat reporter A Royal Navy officer

Chancellor urged to make self-isolation payment tax-free The Scottish Government says taxing the new £500 payment could mean fewer people apply Rishi Sunak: Scottish Government

ScotRail ‘considering’ alcohol ban on trains Pint picture by Stewart Cunningham By Democrat reporter A blanket ban on alcohol on ScotRail services could be imposed

Kamal Ahmed, Lord Chief Justice and Rachel Corp to speak at SoE Virtual Conference BY MARIELLA BROWN The programme: Four keynote speaker discussions with major

What does WOKE mean? Any why has Caroline McAllister been dumped by the SNP?   NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY Woke is the name of the

Family left distraught after their dog dies of fright Fudge, a small chihuahua, died at the scene after he was targeted by a Staffordshire Bull

By Democrat reporter Scottish Labour has demanded that the SNP government ‘pull out all the stops’ to increase testing as it has been revealed that

Waiting For The Men By Rev. Stuart Campbell, editor of the SNP supporting publication Wings Over Scotland. The battle to save the soul of the

Cabinet Office to hire photographer in effort to level up government’s image The new government photographer will be in addition to the personal one employed

Boturich Castle at Balloch on Loch Lomondside. Picture by Laura Peat The couples rethinking their dream Scottish wedding By Mary McCool on the BBC Scotland

Things seldom change for the better in Scotland. Fifty years ago I worked on an investigation for The People newspaper with a guy called Ken

By Democrat reporter Hundreds of people who use schools for leisure and sports activities are being left out in the cold by West Dunbartonshire Council.

The efficiency of evil: Auschwitz and the detail of genocide Ronnie Convery is shocked by the minutiae of a death camp and its hideous attention

The Glencairn DAILY SPECIALS T-BONE STEAK- Served with fried mushrooms and onions, with fries BEER BATTERED HADDOCK- Served with mushy peas and fries. GLENNY BURGER-

World without local press would be “utterly terrifying”, says editor BY MARIELLA BROWN The world without local press to hold those in power to account

A salmon farm operating near Oban in Argyll. Picture by Bill Heaney of The Democrat By Rob Edwards, Investigations editor at The Ferret Police have

A kind word can help us overcome the worst effects of coronavirus By First Minister Nicola Sturgeon The  points that I want to make here

Masks must be worn in workplaces and canteens – but not when you’re ‘tying the knot’ People wearing masks make take account of the new

By Democrat reporter A slow release opioid substitute is helping opioid dependent patients get their lives back on track and has been described as ‘life-changing’

SCOTTISH Bakers, the organisers of The World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, has announced that they hope that the 2020/21 competition will go ahead, but with

Green Flag Award for Helensburgh’s Hermitage Park off Sinclair Street. By Ruth Crosbie Hermitage Park in Helensburgh joins the best parks and green spaces in

Boturich Castle at Balloch on Loch Lomondside. By Democrat reporter A popular Loch Lomond wedding venue has told couples who wish to avail of their

Scottish parliament – where politics meets the laws of land. BY CLAIRE MEADOWS The Society of Editors has cautiously welcomed support from the Scottish Parliament’s

The Glencairn Lounge, Bridge Street GLENNY BURGER:  Prime beef burger, topped with Stornoway black pudding, bacon, cheese and a fried egg served on a brioche

Nicola Sturgeon should resign if she misled parliament, says MSP Scottish LibDem Alex Cole Hamilton and FM Nicola Sturgeon – “Did she lie?” NICOLA Sturgeon

By Democrat reporter A former primary school head teacher and a man who used to run a drop-in centre for homeless people in Amsterdam are

Self-Isolation Support Grant now open Social Security Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville and the Scottish parliament building at Holyrood. By Democrat reporter Applications for the Self-Isolation Support

Helensburgh, Cardross and Lomond and beyond Dear Democrat reader, Argyll and Bute’s council has to identify options to meet a projected budget gap of £6.7

Scott Anderson who is missing from home in Clydebank. By Democrat reporter Police are continuing their appeal for information to trace a 51-year-old man missing

Is anyone else feeling the heat right now?

By Democrat reporter Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has welcomed the news that NHS dental services will resume from 1 November. The Scottish Government

The Sunday Post making a name for itself as an investigative newspaper. DC Thomson Media is investing in multiple titles, with a trio of brand

Covid outbreak in ward at QE2 hospital The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow opened in 2015. By Bill Heaney A ward at Scotland’s biggest

Another member of staff at Glasgow’s Barlinnie prison has tested positive for coronavirus. BBC Scotland is reporting that two inmates and five staff at the

Sophia Smith was just 11 days old when she died from a toxic infection at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. By Susan Ripoll at STV

Artwork by Gemma Fraser The latest Scottish Government figures have been published. Scotland has recorded another 956 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24

A West Coast fish farm and a wild salmon. Pictures by Bill Heaney. The top picture is of a salmon at the Potts of Gartness

Move aims to emphasise multidenominational ethos of hundreds of schools A selection of religious symbols on display at Citywest and Saggart Community National School, an

FOUR YEARS OF MAGA TERROR Last week, 13 men belonging to paramilitary groups were arrested in a horrifying plot to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen

Jackie Baillie MSP is calling for more cash for carers. By Democrat reporter Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh and Lomond, has

And I thought Wings Over Scotland was an SNP supporting publication. Editor First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell. This is what a

By Canon Gerry Conroy One of the things I find difficult in this period is that the longer it goes on the more it seems

SAGAS AND STROLLS SUNDAYS – 2 AUCHENTORLIE TERRACE, BOWLING Henry Burrell was born at 2 Auchentorlie Terrace in 1866. Who was he? You might have

By Jim Halfpenny, of the EIS The EIS welcomes the recent announcement on next year’s exams diet provided by the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney

The Phoenix Community Centre Quarry Knowe, Castlehill, Dumbarton  ·    School holidays have started —  and we’ve got lunch covered! Monday 12th – Thursday 15th,

Food For Thought – West Dunbartonshire Are you a local restaurant or bar and unfortunately having to close for the next 16 days? If you

Michelle Mone, the Glasgow woman promoted to the House of Lords by David Cameron. By Democrat reporter A firm that was set up by a

Money means more than morality for this SNP politician. Margaret Ferrier is the one who refused to quarantine after a positive Covid Test and took

Hundreds of people read The Dumbarton Democrat  every day of the week. Remember, charities, local businesses, community and church groups can all advertise FREE in

Picture by Jim Crosthwaite Dumbarton Harbour – a great opportunity for for good social housing wasted. By Democrat reporter They’re building far too many houses

Hostage to hysteria Journalist John MacLeod and mask-wearing people caught up in a hysterical reaction to Covid-19. By JOHN MACLEOD I am currently ‘shielding’ two

  Talking the talk … LibDem leader Willie Rennie out canvassing in his constituency. By Democrat reporter Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has today

First MInister Nicola Sturgeon and her husband, Peter Murrell, chief excecutive of the SNP. Twenty years ago last Saturday,  I was in Maribor, second city

By Bill Heaney Rear Admiral Alexander Michael Gregory, the recently retired Lord-Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire, has been made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in

Britain should have followed the example of east Asia and the Pacific in suppressing the virus and returning to a ‘semblance of normal life’, a

NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY I remember Areste Reigitano owning and running the shop while his son, Gino, toured the housing estates looking for business in

Tribute to Heraghty’s Bar owner, Anna Heraghty, who has died, aged 90 Tributes have been paid to Anna Heraghty, the owner of Heraghty’s Bar on

Covid in Scotland: New alcohol rules ‘will cost thousands of jobs’ By Bill Heaney The temporary closure of pubs and restaurants across the central belt

Vale of Leven where shops and businesses are under threat. Picture by Turkey Red Photography Rishi Sunak announced an expansion to the Job Support Scheme

Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow and the women’s prison at Cornton Vale in Stirlingshire , used by the courts in West Dunbartonshire. By investigative reporter Karin

Napier Hall in OK chosen over District General Hospital Jackie Baillie turned down for Covid testing facility at the Vale.  By Shonagh Munro Jackie Baillie,

By First Minister Nicola Sturgeon The total number of positive cases reported yesterday was 1,027, which is 13.5 per cent of people who were newly

Jackie Baillie MSP, The RAH in Paisley and surgeons operating there. By Democrat reporter The Scottish Government “seem to have no plan to get our

First Minister agrees with MSPs to allow all cafes to stay open  By Bill Heaney First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has now agreed to allow all

By Lucy Ashton Candidates for full-time ministry training for the Church of Scotland are being offered more financial support to help improve their well-being and

Claim that patients 45 or older at Scottish hospital were classed as DNR is False By Ferret Journalists on October 7 The pressure the coronavirus

Dave Kendall is the first Chief Officer of the Church of Scotland. By Democrat reporter In a historic move the Church of Scotland’s first Chief

Hollicom PR’s MD Mark Hollinshead with his partner Lorraine Herbison, of radio group Bauer Media and (above) Heather Suttie, one of seven recruits. By Democrat

Essential that journalists receive answers to Covid-19 questions, says Nicola Sturgeon BY CLAIRE MEADOWS It is essential that journalists receive answers to their questions amid

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Rev Dr Martin Fair, gives his blessing at the General Assembly and

  By Cameron Brooks The Queen has praised Church of Scotland members for the “commendable” way in which they have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump’s biggest political achievement is his alliance with Catholic America The political meaning of Catholicism is right at the heart of this epic contest between

Disgraced MP Margaret Ferrier attended church 24 hours after developing Covid symptoms The SNP MP has been urged to resign her position in Parliament after

By Billy Scobie When I left West Dunbartonshire Council after 35 years service (Dunbartonshire County Council – Strathclyde Regional Council – West Dunbartonshire Council), I

Faslane Peace Camp Scottish CND  ·  UP THE WHALES, DOWN THE NUKES Cath and Richard Dyer were aware that the huge aggressive NATO naval exercise called

The way we were.  Child poverty hasn’t gone away you know. By Democrat reporter This week is Challenge Poverty Week (5th to 11th October) which

By Democrat reporter An SNP junior minister is facing deselection amid unrest among activists over her hotel bills and decision to school her children privately.

Journalism Matters Week BY CLAIRE MEADOWS The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the important of the news media, the Queen has said. In a letter of

By Democrat reporter A collapse in the number of cancer referrals and the failure of every health board in Scotland to meet the 62-day treatment

Talat Yaqoob, founder of Pass the Mic. BROADCASTER STV, and gender equality organisation, Pass the Mic, today announced a partnership aimed at increasing the number

By Democrat reporter Scottish Government Ministers should consider launching an emergency fund to help grassroots football survive the pandemic, Jackie Baillie, the  MSP for Helensburgh,

Old Kilpatrick Depot and one of the buses which used to park there. By Democrat reporter Residents of Old Kilpatrick have reacted angrily to proposals

Columnist Brian Wilson, Alex Salmon and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. How long before Parliament calls time on the arbitrary exercise of powers which restrict freedoms

Parkinson’s UK Scotland estimates that there are 100,000 Parkinson’s medication errors each year in Scotland’s hospitals – placing people with Parkinson’s at risk of severe

Labour Health and Social Care spokesperson Monica Lennon and LibDem leader Willie Rennie. By Democrat reporter Care home residents will be allowed to hug family

By Democrat reporter US president Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period on Friday and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of

By Bill Heaney Probably the most interesting of the SNP contenders for Jackie Baillie’s seat in the Scottish Parliament – and the person least likely

From top left – SNP hopefuls Lorna Douglas; Tony Giugliano; Caroline McAllister; Karen Conaghan; Scott Lafferty and Jackie Baillie MSP. NOTEBOOK by BILL HEANEY They haven’t

Not much to shout about now – President Trump yells out from the podium. By Democrat reporter President Donald Trump has broken his social media

Jackie Baillie wants bigger and better facilities for covid testing.  By Bill Heaney Due to restrictions around physical distancing and stopping the potential spread of

  Cllrs Ian Dickson and Sally Page and columnist Bill Heaney. BY BILL HEANEY It’s becoming increasingly difficult to accept that the SNP administration on

First Minister Nicola Strugeon on receiving end of a grilling from Ruth Davidson. By Bill Heaney In the constantly curving concrete corridors of the Scottish

By First Minister Nicola Sturgeon The total number of positive cases of Coronavirus reported yesterday is 668, which is 10.8 per cent of people who

Boats started their mission to corral the whales to the open sea on Thursday morning. BBC Scotland is reporting that boats are being used to

By Democrat reporter Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has said the announced closure of the TSB branches in both Alexandria and Helensburgh are “completely

It’s the highest number of fatalities in the country since June 17, while there are 640 new cases By Democrat reporter Seven more people with

Marine Scotland is the government agency responsible for fishing, fish farming and marine renewables. Picture by Bill Heaney By Ferret investigations editor Rob Edwards The

By Aileen MacLennan Kilcreggan Primary School has been awarded the prestigious Silver Rights Respecting School Award by Unicef – the first school in the UK

Alan Rusbridger, former editor-in-chief of The Guardian. BY CLAIRE MEADOWS A Future of Media Commission has been established in order to examine the future of

Jackie Baillie MSP and the shopping centres in Dumbarton and the Vale. By Democrat reporter More than half of shop workers have been subjected not

Nicola Sturgeon, pictured left, says 806 new positive cases are logged, but that is likely to include some older than in the past 24 hours

The Concord Centre in Dumbarton is the venue for people receiving flu’ vaccinations. By Bill Heaney What’s happening with the flu vaccinations this year?  That

By Democrat reporter The SNP government have been roasted for the “horrifying scale” of delays to cancer diagnosis and treatment. And they have been taken

West Dunbartonshire’s special team to tackle domestic abuse at a campaign meeting. By Democrat reporter New statistics showing that 1,681 crimes were recorded by Police Scotland

By Ferret Journalists September 28, 2020 The Labour Party’s future position on a Scottish independence referendum has been called into question after comments by leader

Commodore Jim Perks (centre) with some of the trainee submariners who received their new badges. The new Training Dolphins and the Gold Dolphin badge –

BY CLAIRE MEADOWS The Society of Editors has today joined more than 120 newsrooms across the world to support World News Day 2020. Spearheaded by the Canadian

Caledonian MacBrayne whose order for two ferries is sinking to the tune of £200 million. By Democrat reporter Contracts worth more than £15m have been

Conservative and Unionist Cllr Brian Walker, who represents Dumbarton on West Dunbartonshire Council, with former Rangers star striker Ally McCoist. I never thought I would

By Democrat reporter The suspect in the killing of a veteran Metropolitan Police sergeant has been named as Louis De Zoysa. The 23-year-old, who is

Columnist Brian Wilson and Finance Secretary Katie Forbes. The Brian Wilson column The Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes, has learned fast in the school of hard

Public health teams are dealing with a number of large outbreaks among students Hard hit students establishments in the West of Scotland and Jason Leitch.

By Democrat reporter West Dunbartonshire’s virtual school, Campus@wdc has launched providing teachers and pupils with access to more than 250 online learning sessions. Campus@wdc builds

It amounts to 9.5% of newly-tested individuals, the highest percentage of positive tests seen during the second spike By Dan Vevers, political reporter for STV

University of Glasgow – law professor tells Nicola to watch her step. By Conor Matchett in The Scotsman University students have been threatened with being

Armed police gather outside the police station where the shooting took place. By Tim Baker, SKY news reporter   A police officer has been shot

 The mobile test centre in the Meadow Centre car park at Dumbarton Common. By Paul Cassidy Local MSP Jackie Baillie, has welcomed confirmation from the

Jackie Baillie is pleading with Nicola Sturgeon to let care home residents haqve personal contact with their relatives. By Democrat reporter Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie

Shane Lowry, delighted winner of the British Open Golf Championship. Pictures by Bill Heaney By Democrat reporter The 2020 Irish Open belatedly gets underway today,

  Sir Harold Evans – he founded the Sunday Times Insight team. By Bill Heaney The Society of Editors has paid tribute to “one of

By Aileen MacLennan Argyll and Bute Council’s new leader is Councillor Robin Currie, pictured right, councillor for Kintyre and the Islands, and Policy Lead for

By Susan Hamilton The resilience of the Erskine family has been severely tested during the past few months.  As a result of the COVID pandemic

Vessels alongside at HMNB Clyde for a previous Joint Warrior Exercise. By Kim Hardie THE CLYDE is set to host elements of a major UK-led

Mansplaining illuminates a much deeper problem than the bore of patronising monologues Illustration: Kotryna Zukauskaite/The New York Times  “Would you please please please please please

Stoneymullan roundabout on the A82 – Liam Scott died in accident near Duck Bay cut-off. #A petition has been launched by the mother of a

Better broadband has helped power media company through Covid-19 challenges Creative director Martin Gillon and Craig Jump at the Turkey Red Media  headquarters in Strathleven

Columnist Brian Wilson, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. The Holyrood committee inquiry into the Scottish Government’s handling of allegations against Alex Salmond  is

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon whose party are losing electoral support from fundamentalist members of the Catholic Church in Scotland. By Democrat reporter A fundamentalist representative

Children – the poor are always with us and Argyll and Bute are trying to do something about it. By Aileen MacLennan       

Fisherman Robbie with the spinal injuries team at the QE2 Hospital.  By Democrat reporter An Isle of Lewis man involved in a serious bicycle accident

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has voiced concern that some are underestimating the current public health situation. Picture by Bill Heaney By Democrat reporter The

By Democrat reporter LibDem MSP, Liam McArthur, has demanded that the First Minister agrees to give childminders a ‘fair deal’ when it comes to support

Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, Kenny MacAskill and Peter Murrell. Tom Peterkin of the Press and Journal reported exclusively from Holyrood that Police Scotland have launched

WASPI women campaigners after a meeting in the Burgh Hall in Dumbarton. By Democrat reporter Two women affected by the state pension age being changed

By Democrat reporter Cllr Jim Bollan has been barred from the next two council meetings for revealing redacted (blanked out) information from an internal audit

By Claire Meadows The Covid crisis has reminded people of the value of the media, the Executive Director of the Society of Editors (SoE) has

By Democrat reporter When you’re an NHS Chief Executive, an A&E department wouldn’t normally be on your list for an ideal holiday destination. But that’s

The testing centre which has been set up outside the Meadow Centre in Dumbarton. By Democrat reporter Jackie Baillie MSP is this week warning local

Glasgow Road in Dumbarton, where youths are alleged to have been assaulted. By Democrat reporter Detectives in West Dunbartonshire have arrested and charged four male

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon rubbing shoulders with the Duke of Buccleuch. NOTEBOOK by Bill Heaney There can’t be many who think much of politicians these

Top earners – Gary Lineker, Zoe Ball and Graham Norton. BY Bill Heaney Read it and weep. The BBC has published the latest list of

By Democrat reporter Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has called for support to be provided for all employees who are still off on furlough

By Democrat reporter Over 400 health research trials have restarted and 51 new ones commenced by the health board as part of its recovery plan.

Avast ye Hearties: Playtime at Drumfork Children play on the swings and the new Pirate Ship climbing frame in the Drumfork Playpark. By Kim Hardie

A quiet day for reminiscing in Donegal and who cares if the name of the ferry says Rhum when where it’s going to is Arranmore

By Democrat reporter Police Scotland can confirm a 54-year-old woman has died following a road crash on the A82 on Tuesday, 15 September, 2020. The

Chief Superintendent John Paterson and officers and equipment being used to trace the missing person. By Democrat reporter Police in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire are

Local News Peter Manuel was executed at Barlinnie in 1958 after being convicted of nine murders. By Reevel Alderson Home affairs correspondent, BBC Scotland The

BY CLAIRE MEADOWS The Society of Editors has expressed concern following a warning by a leading human rights organisation that social media companies are taking down

Cove and Kilcreggan Bowling Club is situated on the Rosneath Peninsula. By Democrat reporter A cluster of coronavirus cases has been linked to a private

  Jim Bollan outside the Council offices in the old Burgh Hall in Church Street, Dumbarton. Banned for two meetings. By Bill Heaney Councillor Jim

The flu vaccine is free for those over 65, people with long-term health issues and children.  By Sylvia Thompson in The Irish Times Facing into

By Democrat reporter First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today stressed the vital importance of the new laws that have come into force, limiting social gatherings to a

  Professor and Mrs Ian Jackson with Boy David, whom they took into their home. By Bill Heaney Forty years on from the inspiring story

Joyce White, the Burgh Hall and Municipal Buildings and Cllr Jim Bollan By Democrat reporter The Standards Commission for Local Government in Scotland was sitting

13 September 2020, 23:23 | Updated: 13 September 2020, 23:55 Geoffrey Cox struck out at the “unconsciable” plan to override the Withdrawal Agreement. Picture: PA By

Drivers faced with 59 mile diversion as ‘significant’ landslide forces closure Rest and Be Thankful. Picture credit BEAR NW Trunk Roads @NWTrunkRoads The A83 route

The last few months have been for many of us a challenge, not simply in terms of physical illness, but a challenge emotionally because it