The Society of Editors has issued the following statement after speculation that the media should be held responsible for the tragic death of TV personality Caroline Flack, pictured here. … More WRONG TO USE CAROLINE’S DEATH TO ATTACK MEDIA
Responsible for editorial content for online, radio and television, she oversaw the creation of the new BBC Scotland TV channel and news programme The Nine. … More BBC SCOTLAND BOSS DONALDA QUITS PACIFIC QUAY
Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Beatrice Wishart MSP has criticised Education Scotland for dismissing evidence that teachers and parents are having to stump up for basic classroom resources. … More SNP URGED TO STUMP UP FOR BETTER KIT FOR PUPILS
Marching into Spring – In the last e-bulletin of winter, we’ve got a fantastic free ticket offer from the StAnza Poetry Festival, plus your chance to win the latest YA novel from Geek Girl creator Holly Smale. … More FREE TICKETS AT BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT …
Dumbarton Constituency MSP, Jackie Baillie, has slammed NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as information from a Freedom of Information request has revealed that the GP Out of Hours service at the Vale of Leven hospital has been closed 179 times from January 2019 to December 2019. … More 179 GP OUT OF HOURS SERVICE CLOSURES AT VALE
Murdo MacSween, communications manager for MG ALBA, said: “FilmG is hugely influential, with films covering important topics but also injecting some fun into the process of how to create Gaelic content. The awards this year were fantastic in celebrating what the future of Gaelic media has to offer and I’m looking forward to seeing more and more from everyone who took part.” … More WESTERN ISLES PUPILS WALK OFF WITH AWARDS
Sergeant David Miller, of the Road Policing Unit in Dingwall, said: “We are carrying out inquiries to establish the full circumstances which led to this collision. The car was being driven north before the crash and I would urge anyone who either witnessed the incident or who saw the vehicle on the road beforehand to come forward. … More CAR CRASHES INTO CEMETERY WALL OFF THE A828
The Scottish Government pointed out that its no-support policy followed a comprehensive evidence gathering and consultation process. “Our policy of no support for the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland is based on particular concerns we have identified,” said a spokesperson. … More INEOS WANTS TO DRILL FOR UNDER-GROUND GAS
Zero-hours contracts – ban them now, say trade unions Trade union reps Margaret Wood (UNITE) and Valerie Jennings (UNISON) campaigning for workers’ rights. By Tim Sharp on 17 Feb 2020 Hundreds of thousands of people are trapped in jobs so insecure they’re unable to plan childcare or budget for groceries. Official figures out later this week will … More ZERO HOURS CONTRACTS ARE EVIL, SAYS RETAILER
Milly’s mother, Kimberly Darroch, has said the family were kept in the dark about a potential link to contaminated water problems at the hospital. … More LABOUR MSP PRESSES FOR INQUIRY INTO CHILD’S DEATH
“Boris Johnson should have the backbone to make a statement in his own words on why he has made this appointment, whether he stands by it, and his own views on the subject of eugenics.” … More STURGEON COMMENTS ON BORIS ADVISER’S STRANGE VIEWS
The Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA) approved safety feature was installed in each of the Council’s 21 bin lorries in the past few months, and all waste services staff have received training in operating the system. … More BIN LORRY SAFETY STOP GEAR INSTALLED BY COUNCIL
Cllr Jonathan McColl has bi-polar disorder; which experts say is a serious illness, for which there is no cure. … More SHOULD MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER DISQUALIFY McCOLL?
Today Liz Glover and the Rev Tina Kemp of Helensburgh Parish Church visited the Maggie’s Centre at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow to hand over a cheque for £3520. Liz Braved the Shave in solidarity with Tina to raise the amazing amount. A huge thanks to Liz and to everyone who supported her. And thanks also to Maggie’s for all they do to help cancer sufferers and their families. Liz and Tina are pictured here with Jennifer Blair, fundraising manager at Maggie’s Glasgow. … More BUMPER CHEQUE FOR MAGGIE’S FROM TINA AND LIZ
He replaces Fergus Mutch who left the role after failing (by 900 votes) to be elected for the SNP in West Aberdeenshire in the last General Election. … More SNP APPOINTS TOP SPIN DOCTOR FROM THE RECORD
Scotland does not win independence by default or by the UK just simply imploding. The SNP has changed Scotland and brought independence out of the cold and into the mainstream. But by so doing it has been changed and has become like the establishment forces it used to detest. … More SNP IS LIKE THE ESTABLISHMENT IT USED TO DETEST
Representatives from West Dunbartonshire Council, The Dumbarton Castle Society and VisitScotland came together to officially launch the festival and start the countdown to its official opening on Thursday 4 June. … More GREEN LIGHT FOR FOUR-DAY DUMBARTON FESTIVAL
Outlander Country even lets readers plan out their very own Outlander-themed tour, taking in filming locations from main character Jamie’s family home, Lallybroch, to the secret, secluded forest that hosted season four’s Native American camps. … More DISCOVER EVENTS THAT INSPIRED OUTLANDER …
Universities Scotland have also since highlighted that every Scottish domiciled student at university in 2019/20 has almost £700 less government funding invested in their education in real terms than was the case before Nicola Sturgeon came to power. … More SNP PRESIDES OVER LACK OF CASH FOR UNIVERSITIES
The UN Committee Against Torture has begun an investigation into the State’s treatment of Elizabeth Coppin (70) which could have implications for the State’s approach to historical abuse. … More UN TORTURE COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO LAUNDRY WOMEN
The statistics show that since 2007/2008 local government transport spending has faced a real terms cumulative loss of nearly £2 billion as a result of the SNP forcing Tory austerity on Scotland’s councils and increasing ring-fencing. … More SNP CUTS TO TRANSPORT FUNDING MUST END
Members of National Action have since been found guilty of an array of offences including the possession of bomb-making manuals and a plot to kill Labour MP, Rosie Cooper. … More Online recruitment for Nazis exposed by The Ferret
Just to let anyone know from Old Kilpatrick & surrounding areas that we now have a food bank running from the Napier hall, every Friday 12:30-1:30pm. Anyone in need is welcome to come along and get a food bag. Share with anyone you think could benefit from this, or to anyone in the area just … More OLD KILPATRICK FOOD BANK ON FRIDAYS
Dumbarton & District Intergroup Celebrating 60 Years Of Alcoholics Anonymous 1960 – 2020. Archives & Public Information Exhibition in Dumbarton Library June 15th, 2020 – August 31st 2020 also One Day Convention and Dance Sat 27th June 2020 St Patrick’s Church Hall, Dumbarton. … More ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS CENTENARY EVENTS
The SNP’s Ian Blackford said key figures – including the PM’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings – should now appear before the Liaison Committee. … More SNP LIKELY TO IGNORE SNP REQUEST FOR A MEETING
Road, rail and ferry links have been cancelled as Storm Dennis makes a menace of himself right across Scotland. … More STORM DENNIS BLOWS AT GUSTS OF 120 MPH IN WEST
School children in ‘remote’ areas do worse than elsewhere By James McEnaney on February 16, 2020 Rural West Dunbartonshire and Argyll at Glen Fruin. Picture by Bill Heaney School pupils in remote parts of Scotland have lower levels of literacy and numeracy than those in accessible and urban areas, according to recently released Scottish Government data. … More WHY ARE PUPILS IN RURAL AREAS DOING WORSE AT SCHOOL?
The former taoiseach said that while a Border poll is inevitable, the outcome of that vote would be based on “the case that’s made” following qualitative and analytic work. He said if a poll was taken today it would not pass due to financial issues and also because “people are not prepared anymore to see coercion of unionists or loyalists into a united Ireland until there’s a comfort zone established where people see that everyone could work together”. … More UNIONISTS AND LOYALISTS MUST NOT BE COERCED
Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) Theatre
MARCH 2020
350 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow G2 3JD … More PROTECT RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH AND A FREE PRESS
SP Energy Networks, the electricity distributor for central and southern Scotland, said flooding on roads could make it difficult for engineers to reach faults in the network.
Craig Arthur, director at SP Energy Networks for central and southern Scotland, said power cuts become more likely during storms and encouraged people to have a battery powered torch and fully charged mobile on hand over the weekend. … More DENNIS BRINGS STORM MENACE TO DUMBARTON QUAY
Labour leadership hustings: Party ‘can’t win’ without success in Scotland Lisa Nandy, tipped to win the Labour Party leadership election. BBC Scotland’s political desk staff and Democrat editor Bill Heaney are reporting that the final contenders for the Labour leadership have answered questions at a hustings in Glasgow, with all three backing more powers being … More DEMOCRAT TIPS NANDY TO WIN LABOUR LEADERSHIP
Police in Clydebank are appealing for information after a 15-year-old boy and 13-year-old boy were robbed. The incident happened around 10pm on Friday, 14 February, 2020 between Longden Street and Low Crescent in Whitecrook. A man approached both victims before assaulting them and stealing their mobile phone and other personal belongings. … More SEARCH FOR FOOTPADS WHO ROBBED TEENAGERS
Pope Francis has decided against opening up the Roman Catholic priesthood to married men – a move that will please traditionalists but dismay those who argue that easing the celibacy rule would tackle a shortage of clerics. … More TWO POPES COME OUT IN FAVOUR OF CELIBACY
Lisa Nandy — who received JLM’s formal backing today after winning 50.9 per cent of a vote by the membership — said: “I believe that Jewish people have the right to national self-determination. That makes me a zionist.” … More ZIONISM DOES NOT MAKE PEOPLE ANTI JEWISH
Cllr Douglas McAllister and Dalmuir Municipal Golf Course. By Bill Heaney Golfers will have to stop jouking on to Dalmuir Golf Course if it is to remain one of the few municipal golf courses left in the West of Scotland. West Dunbartonshire Council have agreed to keep the course open if members agree to pay … More NO MORE JOUKING ON AT DALMUIR GOLF COURSE
Among his key policy proposals are increasing the number of teachers in Scotland by 2,000, bringing income taxes into line with the rest of the UK, and scrapping the Scottish government’s plan to introduce a so-called parking tax. He has taken part in at least one march to save the Vale of Leven Hospital. … More USED CAR MAN NOW IN POLL POSITION FOR TORIES
Within moments, we now have access to news on multiple platforms and no longer need to wait for the morning paper, the weekly or the evening news for updates. Social media has allowed new organisations to disrupt the news market and also gives individuals a greater freedom to publish news and analysis themselves, challenging established providers. For the 70,000 people across the UK who are employed as journalists, the shift from traditional print media to digital has given rise to a need for more training and an increased range of skills. … More EDITORS WANT LORDS INQUIRY TO BE MEANINGFUL
Veterans’ charity Erskine has received a hat trick of excellent results from the Care Inspectorate over the past two weeks. The most recent detailed audit, this time of the Erskine Park Home in Bishopton, confirmed that the charity delivers an excellent standard of care and support to those in its care. … More THREE TIMES A WINNER FOR ERSKINE HOME …
Everyone is exhausted. An elated Sinn Féin, having even surprised itself with a stellar performance at the ballot box, is still flying on the fumes of success. The smiling Greens and SocDems are also operating on adrenalin. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are still traumatised. … More ABSF: ANYONE BUT SINN FEIN IN IRISH REPUBLIC
The CLASSIC film season continues at the Concord a 7,30pm on Friday 21st February with RIVER OF NO RETURN (1954) starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe. Guests admitted for £3 when seats available. … More CLASSIC SEASON BEGINS AT CONCORD
The second talk of 2020 takes place at the Concord Centre at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19th February. The speaker is Stuart Noble and his subject is TRACING YOUR SCOTTISH FAMILY TREE. Non members are admitted for£2 and tea and coffee are available from 7pm. … More LENNOX HERITAGE SOCIETY AT CONCORD
Hat tip to The Helensburgh Advertiser
Due to the dangerous condition of a chimney, High Street, Dumbarton will be closed to vehicles between its north and south junction with Riverside Lane from 10 February for up to 21 days. Access for pedestrians will be maintained. Diversion route will be Riverside Lane. Further information, including diversion map, is available at https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/highst. … More DUMBARTON HIGH STREET CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
Parents can access information on the development of their child from birth to five-years-old. There is information on language skills, learning to sit, roll, crawl and walk, the use of their hands to grasp, hold and draw, learning independence skills, nutrition and emotional development. … More KIDS’ WEBSITE PROVIDING WEALTH OF INFORMATION
We are always on the lookout for new Reps and Stewards to get involved with the branch. You get training (free and paid time off from your job) to become a steward. Continual support from the existing West Dunbartonshire branch stewards and UNISON. … More West Dunbartonshire Branch of Unison …
Michael Russell claim that ‘Scotland pays out more than it gets back’ is False Michael Russell, the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations. By Ferret Journalists on February 12, 2020 The UK government has launched a new marketing campaign targeting Scots. On 6 February 2020 @UKGovScotland tweeted: “The prosperity of the UK delivers greater … More IT’S BIG MIKE WHO IS TELLING THE SPENDING FIBS
Even if a new section 30 order were approved and a referendum went ahead, it would be an advisory rather than legally binding referendum, meaning that a change in the legal status of Scotland would still depend on further negotiation with the UK and legislation in both parliaments. … More WOULD NICOLA NEED BORIS’S OK FOR REFERENDUM?
Man charged with Lyra McKee murder picked up bullet casings, court hears The journalist was shot dead while observing rioting in Derry about 4 hours ago Updated: 48 minutes ago By Freya McClements Northern Correspondent of the Irish Times Scuffle with police and protesters as Paul McIntyre arrives at Derry Magistrates Court on Thursday. The man charged … More BULLET ALLEGATIONS MADE AT COURT HEARING
