This is a list of events which will be happening in our area during the summer of 2009 - it's definitely not a comprehensive list, you understand. But it's a start!

• West Dunbartonshire Homecoming Scotland 2009 events
  
• Helensburgh Bicentenary Pipeband Championships
  
• Helensburgh's Victoria Hall
  
• Helensburgh and Lomond Highland Games
  
• Rosneath Highland Games
  
• PS Waverley Excursions
  
• West Loch Lomond Bike Bus Service
  
• Luss Highland Games
  
• Loch Lomond Highland Games
  

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"First Minister Alex Salmond said: “Homecoming Scotland could not have got off to a better start with tens of thousands of people taking part in sell out events like Iconic Burns and Celtic Connections across Scotland, and around the globe. The 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns has been celebrated on a global scale and as it should be - with dancing, singing, laughter and off course the odd dram! I have no doubt that if he were here today, Robert Burns would make every effort to attend every single one of the 300 events we have planned across Scotland this year. And he would be delighted to see his year of birthday celebrations off to such a flying start!”

We're looking forward to a great year for Scottish tourism - partly because the £sterling is so cheap at the moment, but mostly because there are events taking place all over the country to celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2009.

There's plenty going on in the area during December: here's a snapshot of some of the events.

Monday 1st - there's Circuit Training at 6.00pm in the Victoria Halls - oh, that instantly took me back to school days! This is a weekly event and a great way to get fit.

Tuesday 2nd - The Helensburgh Camera Club is having a presentation by Campbell Skinner of Greenock Camera Club. He's presenting "My Journey in Photography". Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club.

Wednesday 3rd - Helensburgh and Gareloch Horticultural Society have invited James May, retired head gardener, and he's going to be discussing "Plans for My Retirement". Victoria Halls

Thursday 4th - "Tom the Piper's Son" - Gibson Hall, Garelochhead. Presented by the Gareloch Headliners.

Friday 5th - Carers' Rights Day - Carers' Project, 17E East King Street - A representative of the Pensions Service will be present as MSP Jackie Baillie talks on "Benefits & Support for Pensioners in Helensburgh".

Saturday 6th - Christmas Fair in Rhu Community Hall - 11.00 am - 3.00 pm Loads of festive surprises at the Christmas fair.

Sunday 7th - Helensburgh Natural History Society - meet 10am Victoria Halls - walk in Pucks Glen and Benmore Gardens (by Dunoon) with National Park Ranger. Car share scheme.

Monday 8th - Cardross Parish Church Hall - 7.30 pm - Cardross WRI is hosting a demonstration by Christine Turner on cooking with condensed milk.

Tuesday 9th - Helensburgh Flower Club - at 2 pm in the Victoria Halls, Rosalind Walker is demonstrating "Hoorah, it's Christmas". Members are invited to bring Christmas posies for distribution to residential and nursing homes in the area.

Wednesday 10th - The Christmas Tree Festival will be held from 10 am - 8 pm in the United Reformed Church. After last year's spectacular event, this festival will show more than 40 fully decorated and illuminated trees - a sparkling festival.

Thursday 11th - Victoria Halls sees the Helensburgh & District Quilters' Christmas Soiree at 7.30pm. New members are very welcome.

Friday 12th - 8.00 pm at the Commodore Hotel for the Highland Association Supper Dance. Tickets £13 for non-members available on the evening.

Saturday 13th - There's a murder mystery at the Arrochar Hotel at 7.00 pm. Join in the huge feast and unravel the clues. £22.50 01301 702484

Sunday 14th - Carol and Gift Service will be held in the United Reformed Church at 4.00 pm.

Tuesday 16th - West Kirk at 7.45pm is hosting a trio of leading Scottish musicians. Festive Trumpeters, featuring Mark O'Keeffe and Hedley Benson from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, together with Walter Blair on piano. Tickets £7.

Friday 19th - Victoria Halls - Christmas Reels Night in aid of SSAFA Forces Help and RNLI Lifeboats - a great ceilidh with buffet.

Saturday 20th - Helensburgh's Got Talent - in the Victoria Halls at 7.30 pm

Sunday 21st - Easy Worship - Advent Service in St Columba Church at 9.45 am.

Nativity Family Service and Carols by Candlelight in Park Church at 11.00 am and 7pm respectively.

I'd recommend you check out the very interesting web site which explores the heritage of Helensburgh; there's a great image gallery online which shows some stunning pictures of Helensburgh long ago. Although I didn't know them, I felt a pang of nostalgia when I saw images of some of the old, grand buildings which were demolished to make way for less substantial buildings.

A NEW group is trying to bring back the Highland Games to Helensburgh after more than 30 years.

The decision to resurrect the games, once a popular feature of the town diary, was taken following the success of this summer's Gala Day and a new committee has been set up to take the idea forward.

The Helensburgh and Lomond Games committee are holding an open meeting on Tuesday, September 18 at 7pm in Helensburgh Rugby Club and have issued an invitation to anyone who is interested in the project to come along.

Hope to see you there!

This year's Spring Festival is being held on 28th April - 4th May, 2007. Check out this cool video which gives more details!



Margaret

"Concert Favourites"

with
Helensburgh Dorian Choir
accompanied by String Orchestra and Piano/Harpsichord


An Evening to remember from Choral Masterpieces to The Sound of Music


VICTORIA HALLS, HELENSBURGH
SATURDAY 12th MAY 2007
AT 7.30 PM

TICKETS: ADULTS £7. CHILDREN £3.50
FROM: DoriaChoir@aol.com CHOIR MEMBERS OR AT THE DOOR

See our website: www.helensburgh-dorian-choir.org

Just in at MacGillivray's - the latest bulbs for spring.

well, whatever you like, really.

I don't know if you considered switching your UK power supplier, but I'm just about to go to with a view to doing just that. I'm appalled that we're not making better efforts to find alternative sources of energy.

Here's my question - if everyone in the UK who owns property had installed solar panels in their roofs, how much less would we be depending on oil and gas? It might be only a small percentage of total power consumption in the UK, but a decrease in the demand for oil and gas might help to lower prices.

Meantime, here's the link again so that you can check your own energy costs and see if you can switch to a supplier who will charge you less. Good luck!

Margaret