With the coming of spring and some pleasant weather,   just a little of the despondency displayed in our last newsletter has lifted. (see below)                                 

 Duntiglennan Fields
At the WDC planning meeting on 26th March, the planning  committee unanimously voted NOT to accept the Local Development Plan examination report submitted by the Scottish Government’s Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). This report was returning the ‘Duntiglennan Fields ‘ back to a housing opportunity site for up to 100 houses  and the committee want the status reversed back to ‘Green Belt’ which was what the hard fought battle was about and what we thought had been achieved in the earlier stages of the plans progress. Perhaps all this hassle could have been avoided if the WDC officials had not suggested the site for housing in the first place but we would suppose they do take cognisance of the desires of the owners and potential developers. It was obvious from the opposition to the proposed removal of the sites from green belt at the previous plan’s formation five years ago that this was a contentious issue.  The reporter on that occasion ruled against housing.  Has green belt land now become a ‘land bank’ for speculators knowing it will eventually be released for housing at future revisions of the local plan?                                                                                                          

   In a similar situation, also in Hardgate, the planning department recommended housing in the former mill dam despite having previously declared it part of a riverside wildlife corridor. There was also opposition to this from residents, Clydebelt and planning committee councillors but was also pushed through by the DPEA. The site is now lying as an eyesore, destroyed and derelict after the developers pulled out after having started the ground works.
What the next episode of the Duntiglennan saga will be, we do not know, but Provost Douglas McAllister says he had taken legal advice before putting the motion for the council not to accept the DPEA report with regards to the Duntiglennan issue only.

Report from Public Meeting No 1  Charrette - 11th-14th February
…..“The Scottish Government has selected Clydebank town centre for a major locally driven
design charrette….. the fundamental aim is to involve local residents, business and stakeholders in planning the future of the town centre. A charrette is an intensive consultation that engages local people in the design of their community……..Planning and design workshops will be held in the Clydebank Town Hall over a four day period… when the public, designers and specialists will be working together, ‘hands on’, to prepare a long term vision, development framework and action plan for Clydebank Town Centre with the ideas translated into plans and drawings….”
This charrette was only originally to discuss Clydebank town centre which is now seen as only the Shopping Centre. The few oldies that turned up at the general public session perhaps convinced the enthusiastic and receptive young planners appointed by the Scottish Government, that Bankies considered the town centre should include the area around the Town hall and Library. Unfortunately our council leading officials are hell bent in destroying any semblance of a civic centre in Clydebank by closing the council offices at Rosebery Place, having previously priced local organisations out of the town hall. Our local museum has been replaced with a gallery mostly concentrating on art exhibitions from outwith the area and not showing the archaeology, history and artefacts of the local area which should be its main purpose.

Clydebank Re-built went through the same forum process nearly ten years ago; not just a couple of hours but over very many sessions and yet our young planners seemed not to have heard of it and no one seemed to know where all the information and ideas gathered then went. I am afraid we have seen and heard it before and have been waiting over 70 years since the blitz for some decent town planning. Don’t hold your breath for anything like a coordinated plan for the centre of Clydebank to arise from this. 
                                                                                                                   
There will be a further meeting to show the conclusions of the charrette shortly.
 http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/planning-building-standards/clydebank-town-centre-design-charrette/
A similar charrette was held in Dumbarton focusing on the Castle Rock and surrounding areas and we hear there were many positive suggestions which were favourably received
http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/planning-building-standards/dumbarton-rock-charrette/


Report from Public Exhibition No2- January 22nd
This was held in the Clydebank College when agents for the developers showed plans for the possible development of Queen’s Quay (former John Brown’s shipyard). These were only indicative of what might be and opinions sought. Basically four storey flats would front along a riverside walkway with lower density housing with gardens, in the streets towards Dumbarton Road, This possibly would maximise the sales value by building what is currently the type of property in demand. Is this really the site for suburban type housing? Around the fitting out basin could be shops/cafes/ pubs /hotel, office space etc., with a small supermarket towards Glasgow Road. No indication of public open space provision, children’s play areas or a civic square to the south of the Town Hall as were in the suggestions once proposed by Clydebank Re-built. There is the possibility of new council nursing home and Health Centre nearer to Dumbarton Road. The meeting was not well attended and was not connected in any way with the above meeting on ‘Clydebank town centre’

Public Meeting 3
A meeting organised by Old Kilpatrick Community Council in January led to subsequent meetings and a group , several of whom take part in the Sunday litter picks at the Saltings are in the early stages of forming a community volunteers group.

Old Kilpatrick Community Group
It all began with litter picking in Lusset Glen and the Saltings, carried out by some local and not-so-local individuals. Then, Sandra Anton (Community Engagement Ranger), told us about some greenhouses that might be used by a community group.  With her support and that of Linda Adam, (Community Greenspace Officer), three meetings have been held at the Napier Hall, and a group of local volunteers interested in enhancing the village has emerged, focusing on the environment (e.g. litter issues), local history and archaeology (e.g. Antonine Wall), and horticulture (e.g. flowers to brighten up the village spaces).  

Although it is still early days, good progress is being made and plans are being formulated. The name, aim and objectives of the group are still to be finalised, and a more detailed report will be made at that time.  

 It is hoped to hold a Community ‘Launch Day’ on Saturday 20th June.  More details to follow!

Clydebelt’s 25th Anniversary
It will be 25 years since Clydebelt was formed after 400 people attended a public meeting in Trinity Church to oppose a massive planning application along the whole face of the Kilpatricks from Gavinburn to Edinbarnet.  Proposed was an exclusive leisure estate with golf courses and club houses, hotels, artificial ski slope, riding establishments, rural/rare breeds centre, corporate training and conference centre, parking for 2500 cars, new roads, etc.

We are intending to hold some kind of an event/buffet on the 13th or 14th November- save the dates: more precise details to follow.

History Ramble at Cochno/Edinbarnet/Auchnacraig  Wednesday 6th May 7.00 pm
As part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations we will have a short walk showing the varied history /natural history of this area.   
Druid and ring stones, bleach field, water powered sawmill, Lady’s Linn, Graveyard, stately country houses and bluebells.
Meet in the Auchnacraig car park on Cochno Road. As the ground can be rough, steep in a few places and wet, appropriate footwear is required.    And also

Walk to the Jaw Reservoir    Thursday 7th May 7.00pm
Circular walk of about 3 miles through Cochno and Edinbarnet estates to the Jaw Reservoir. Again from Auchnacraig car park.
For both please book and obtain any other details from Sam Gibson Tel 01389872490 or email

Hardgate Knowes- Clydebelt clean up- Sunday 19th April 10.00am – 2.00pm
Once again we are having what has become an annual clean up on Hardgate Knowes. Meet at the car park behind Whitehills Hotel (opposite Tesco) at Hardgate roundabout; equipment supplied. Treats being supplied by Greggs. We always come away wishing we had more volunteers to attack some of the more remote spots.  Please come along and show your support.

WDC clean ups take place on the Saltings on the first Sunday each month meeting in the car park off Erskine Ferry Road at 10.00 am

Explore Outdoors! Lang Craigs & Kilpatrick Hills
Saturday 30th May 11am – 3pm
Join the expedition with Forestry Commission Scotland & Woodland Trust Scotland to explore new trails and hidden areas of Lang Craigs & Kilpatrick Hills. Fun for explorers of all ages with children’s treasure hunts, geocaching and other fun family activities such as storytelling and camp fires.
Refreshments available on the day.
No booking required, drop in at any time.
Free of charge – parking available at Woodland Trust car park beside Overtoun House’.
 http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wdcvs.com%2F&ei=TSIbVevTB4bbap3egrgH&usg=AFQjCNH6lwvy0fJNGdxU_4ikJNu3NFBLwA&bvm=bv.89744112,d.ZGU&cad=rja

West Dunbartonshire Community & Volunteering Services (WDCVS) 
  http://www.wdcvs.com/
The WDCVS send out informative e- newsletters on a regular basis. You can be put on the mailing list thro’ the link on their website. ‘WDCVS have been very lucky to have been given access to one of the community plots at Dalmuir where local people have been able to volunteer there learning new skills, passing on their skills, meeting new people, breaking down isolation, getting people outside and active as well as being able to eat the produce they grow. The volunteers last year worked on parts of the allotment in small teams or on a 1-1 basis If you would like to volunteer at the allotment or want to find out more then contact Rhona on 0141 941 0886.’

Clydebank Post
Over the years many had been put off reading the Post due to an over emphasis on crime and associated lurid headlines. Recently this has changed and a new team are trying to create a paper reporting more on community events and people, council doings (or lack of) and showing a more positive side to the area.

THE WATCHMEAL OF KILPATRICK, AND DAVID MURRAY
 To finish with an interesting snippet of ancient history concerning the Kilpatrick Hills.... etc.
  Centuries ago there were wolves on the Hills.  One hill named Knockvadie means ‘Hill of the Wolf’ which bears testament to this fact.  The wolves naturally were considered to be a threat to domestic livestock. A local feu duty, or tax, was instigated in the 14th century named the Watchmeal of Kilpatrick – a tax paid for by local tenants and heritors, to help meet the cost of expelling the predators.  This was paid not in money but in oatmeal – which collectively would contribute to some level of protection of the livestock on the Hills.  It was locally known as ‘dogmeal’ since it was thought to go towards feeding the hunting dogs kept at Dumbarton Castle for use against the wolves.

This levy has its first mention in a charter dated 1348 and was aimed at occupiers of the land owned by  Paisley Abbey, the fourteen townships or Abbey lands of Kilpatrick.  These occupiers and tenants were bound to ‘pay’ a total of five chalders of oatmeal. (an ancient Scottish measure of grain).  After the 16th century this authority to impose the tax was later taken over by the crown after which the heritors and tenants paid this feu in money rather than oatmeal. The 4th Marquis (later the 1st Duke of Montrose) acquired all the duties payable to Dumbarton Castle from the Duchy of Lennox between 1702 – 1704 and  attempted to revert the system to payment in kind (oatmeal), and introducing a larger grain measure.  The Kilpatrick heritors and tenants resisted this, and questioned the need to pay this particular levy at all, claiming that the wolf had long since disappeared from the Hills. However the Duke’s application was upheld by the Sheriff of Dumbarton in 1706.  Payment reverted to ‘in kind’ (oatmeal) but again with an even larger measure.  The heritors and tenants again appealed but the Duke’s demands were upheld at the Court of Sessions.  There is no further record of protests by the local farmers and meanwhile the lands and feu entitlement were put back on the market.  In 1826 they passed to William Dunn, local Mill owner, who was hoping to use this title to the lands to his political advantage to create ‘Parchment Barons’- supporters who could vote for him in elections, if required.  During the interim after his death in 1849, the local heritors and tenants of the fourteen townships were given the opportunity to buy out their obligation to pay the Watchmeal Tax.  All except one of these, Lord Blantyre, accepted the proposal.  David Murray of Cardross, (1842 – 1928)  a lawyer and local historian, and  “a man of culture and of large and varied knowledge, conjoined with great industry and deep research”,  bought (primarily as an historical curiosity)  this last remaining ‘feu superiority’ for Lord Blantyre’s land still subject to the Watchmeal duty.

After Mr Murray’s death, his extensive library of books went to Glasgow University, but items of relevance to Dunbartonshire went to Dumbarton Library.  The books and papers presented by him formed the basis of the library's Watchmeal Collection, which exists to this day; the collection to be supplemented using the modest income from the Watchmeal fund.  

NB    it is worth noting that there is a road named after this story: Watchmeal Crescent in Faifley, as well as an Abbeylands Road!
Acknowledgements:     John Mitchell, Scottish Local History  Issue 80, February 2011;                                                             Lairich Rig   “The Murray Family Memorial”, http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/332117

Next Clydebelt Meeting   
Tuesday 19th May 7.00 in Trinity Church Hall, Roman Road, Duntocher – all welcome.