Clydebelt News - Kilpatrick Hills & surrounding towns - Clydebelt News page

website closed but downloadable

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:26:07 GMT

The main Clydebelt web site and email address at clydebelt.org.uk have been closed. This site and the Facebook page will continue for a while.

The old website is available to download as a zipped file from the link in the sidebar to the left.
Email enquiries may be answered if sent to this temporary address

Clydebelt has been wound up

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:59:05 GMT

Regrettably Clydebelt was wound up in March 2025 at an Extraordinary General Meeting due to the inability to get a working committee. The purpose of the EGM was focussed on one issue: to discuss the future of Clydebelt, which has been inactive since 2020.

The last AGM was November 2019 but as not quorate, some business including election of committee and office bearers, was carried to a subsequent meeting held in January 2020. There were no nominations for new committee members or new office bearers.

The last committee meeting was in March 2020, one week before Covid regulations prevented further meetings in the foreseeable future.

Five years on, and with no Secretary and no Treasurer, running campaigns is not feasible. The EGM was called to see whether a new Committee might be formed to take Clydebelt forward, and if not, to dissolve it.

minutes of EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 11th March 2025
Present: (16 attenders) MS, GD, PD, WG, SG, EP, JD, JH, SG, BH, JAF, LC, WH, AMW, JMcK, CMcC
Apologies: (10 members) SD, DM, KMcK, FD, BG, BK, EE, SB, WR

Introduction (SG, acting Secretary) The organisation formed over a single issue in 1990, when the Kilpatrick Hills were threatened by a consortium who proposed a massive development on the hillside. In the ensuing years Clydebelt had worked on a considerable number of different threats to our local environment and greenbelt. However, it had been dormant since Covid in 2020; but for some time before that, it had been a struggle to find people to take it on. Meetings were poorly attended, we were without a Secretary (a key role in campaigns) or a Treasurer. The last AGM in November had not been quorate. However, as JH said, issues continue to come up: Duntiglennan Fields, the Battery ‘farm’; and most recently the proposed closure of Dalmuir Golf Course.

One or two people who had written in with apologies for the EGM thought it could be kept going, and four people were prepared sit on a committee. Others considered that it should be wound up. GD said that to carry on, Clydebelt would need at least five people willing to be active in running Clydebelt with some dealing with issues in detail, and that there didn't appear to be any.

SG asked for a show of hands for people who would be prepared to form the committee AND to take on an active office bearer role, but there were none.

WG proposed a motion that Clydebelt be wound up.
Vote of the 16 people present: 6 for winding up Clydebelt, 4 for keeping it going, so presumably there were 6 abstentions. The motion to wind it up was passed.

Procedure for winding up of accounts and dispersal of the funds (£264 + £15 petty cash):
One suggestion was to transfer it to a campaign to retain the Dalmuir Golf Course. However it is very early days and its future uncertain; also, it might even be kept open if an asset transfer solution can be found. Another suggestion was to support a Faifley organisation , Flourishing Faifley, which is a going community and environmental group, a known asset to the community and which could only benefit from this small sum. Vote 6 for and 4 against. Passed.

The acting secretary and Chair were thanked by members present for all their work in the past, and the meeting closed.

It is hoped that a new organisation might start in response to future challenges to our local environment and greenbelt, with a new name and fresh energy.

June 17th, 2017

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 11:56:12 GMT

This blog site is no longer updated.

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You can get the history of Clydebelt from 1990 to 2018 from CLYDEBELT HISTORY ARCHIVE above

We have a Flickr group with images of the Kilpatrick Hills

Join Clydebelt for more news

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:33:30 GMT

Clydebelt members who have subscribed to emails get more news than go onto this site about good and bad things around the Kilpatrick Hills .

We continue to try and keep our membership list up to date. If you are not able to come to the AGM on Tuesday, then please get in touch by email or phone, and let us know, to indicate your continued interest. (contact with the menu item above).

a new Secretary

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:11:24 GMT

Clydebelt is now seeking a new Secretary to take on the campaigning role that Sam Gibson has done so well for the past fifteen years. He will be stepping down in November, and so if you think that you – or someone you know – would like to take on this role (with lots of support from the Chairman, other elected officers and the Committee) – then please do come forward! We are not confident about how the organisation can continue without this pivotal role being in place.

Clydebelt is also looking for more Committee members to actively support our work. Please consider joining us – you will be made very welcome! Meetings are held every two months, on a Tuesday evening.

Coming to the AGM on Tuesday?

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:55:06 GMT

Note --- Due to closure of the road through Duntocher access from the A82 can only be made from the Kilbowie Roundabout and first left into Milton Douglas/Roman Road.

Old Street in Duntocher is also closed and access has to be from Hardgate Roundabout and Kilbowie Road to Milton Douglas/Roman Road or park in Dumbarton Road Duntocher and walk across into Roman Road.

Bowling Basin

Sun, 15 Nov 2015 17:21:41 GMT

Scottish Canals are about to submit their plans (Masterplan!) for major development around Bowling Basin. This follows on from the public charrettes held last year. As was expected this will include housing development on both sides of the canal, new roads and a new bridge east of the top lock. It will impact significantly on both villages - e.g. the two-lane access bridge connecting single-lane access roads either side of the canal suggests there will be another access road built at some point.

Bowling Community Council has details and a survey on this website www.bowlingsurvey.org.uk The plans will affect residents in both villages as well as the enjoyment of the many who walk and cycle along the canal. Please take a minute or two to look at the proposals and do the survey. http://www.bowlingbasin.com/news-events/bowling-basin-masterplan/

Access to the Kilpatrick Hills at Old Kilpatrick

Sun, 15 Nov 2015 17:18:58 GMT

Over the past two years, the number of walkers and cyclists in the Kilpatrick Hills has increased. At weekends and on fine days the narrow access road at the bottom, which leads past the gas governor station and up to the Rosie Road, was often lined on both sides with cars. This was causing concern on the part of the farmers and other residents who live up in the hills; at times there was barely enough space for farm machinery to get through. Emergency vehicles could also have had a problem getting through. There are approximately fifteen separate dwellings - including a farm - accessed from that small road.

The Council agreed to put barriers up each side of the lane to discourage people from parking there, in order to keep the lane free for local traffic and emergency traffic. At the same time as the barriers were put up, signs were put up directing walkers to park their cars up near the O.K. Bowling Club. Admittedly it's not an immediately obvious route there, but signs have been put up directing cars to this parking area. (the signs read ‘P’ Kilpatrick Hills’). Drive up Mount Pleasant Drive, and once at the top turn left over a small bridge that takes you towards the Bowling Club. Parking spaces can be found on the grass there, with additional parking, some 50 m. further along on the left - there is a fair amount of space.

Some people are ignoring the barriers but on the whole there has been a marked improvement, and reduction of the traffic problem at the bottom of the road to the Hills. So next time you are in the area, you’ll spot the signs leading to the new parking area. On a clear day, it is a beautiful walk. There is a steady climb up to the top of the Braes, which is steep for one or two short sections only. The views open up more and more as you get higher up: down the Clyde as it widens towards the Firth, and also back and across over Glasgow. Once at the top, there are miles of tracks and paths, and various lochs. A good walk from the Dumbarton end is up through Overtoun to the Crags, on to the Black Linn through the new forestry path, now much improved, to the west end of Loch, Humphrey and then down the Braes - much easier than going up! You can then get a train back to Dumbarton from Old Kilpatrick.

Forest Enterprise are hoping, in a long term plan, to find a parking solution that is closer to the Kilpatrick Braes so that visitors have easier access to the hills and reduce the impact on residents.
E.P.

Cochno Filters

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 17:24:49 GMT

The well-known landmark, the Water Tower and Treatment Works at the top of Cochno Road, is no more. It was the meeting place and starting point for many walkers heading for Greenside Reservoir, Duncolm and beyond.

Our attempt to save the mosaic coat of arms for the Clydebank and District Water Trust was in vain; the agents for the developers saying it was no longer there or vandalised. Why did Scottish Water not try to have it removed for posterity when they sold the building for demolition? Does no one care about such things anymore? Despite the information from the agents, it can be seen on the following. http://www.karenbrodiephotography.co.uk/p190575133 http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/cochno-waterworks-12-06-12.t71860 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PFW4CH7CLU

Water purification is now all done at the Burncrooks Treatment Works: the lochs and reservoirs being all interconnected by pump or gravity feeds. Water flows back to Cochno where there are still underground tanks for distribution to most of Clydebank. Planning permission has been granted for a 75 bed nursing home on the site and an application for 11 houses is pending a decision.

CLYDEBELT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and 25th Anniversary celebration 17th November 2015

Mon, 02 Nov 2015 14:52:19 GMT

The AGM of Clydebelt will be held in Trinity Church Hall, Roman Road, Duntocher at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 17th November 2015

AGM Agenda

1.   Apologies
2.   Minutes of last AGM
3.   Matters arising
4.   Secretary’s report
5.   Treasurer’s report
6.   New Secretary
7.   Election of Officers and new committee members
8.   A.O.C.B.
----< >----
Come and celebrate 25 years of Clydebelt’s activities and achievements.
----< >----
Display of photographs and articles
----< >----
Buffet refreshments                Wine and soft drinks

It’s that time of the year again, and we hope that many of our
members will show their support by joining us for the
AGM at 7.30 on Tuesday 17th November. After the meeting
there will be buffet refreshments with wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee,
and a chance to celebrate the 25 years that Clydebelt has been working
to protect the Hills and surrounding area. Display boards will show
some examples of these projects, from the beginning of Clydebelt in
1990.

Clydebelt is now seeking a new Secretary to take on the campaigning
role that Sam Gibson has done so well for the past fifteen years.
He will be stepping down in November, and so if you think that you –
or someone you know – would like to take on this role (with lots of
support from the Chairman, other elected officers and the Committee)
– then please do come forward! We are not confident about how the
Organisation can continue without this pivotal role being in place.

Clydebelt is also looking for more Committee members to actively
support our work. Please consider joining us – you will be made
very welcome! Meetings are held every two months, on a Tuesday
evening. Our website http://www.clydebelt.org.uk/ has been slightly
updated and blogs are added here where you can see our past Newsletters. We would welcome anyone with the ability to modernise and run our site.

We continue to try and keep our membership list up to date. If you are
not able to come to the AGM, then please get in touch by email or phone,
and let us know, to indicate your continued interest.

If you have any interest in any aspects of the Kilpatrick Hills and the environment of surrounding areas, please comealong to the AGM, November 17th 7.30 Trinity Church Duntocher. Whether you are a member or not we will be glad of your support and are also willing to listen to your concerns.